Full of Bluster

Despite my hopes for an active hobby week, I instead have very little progress to report. All I've managed to do so far has been some tinkering with army lists as I still am trying to decide what Fantasy army to collect for the 1000 point tournament at AdeptiCon 2011. Otherwise this week has been something of a wash as my wife and I decided at almost the last minute to pack up and head out of town for Thanksgiving. We've been in western New York visiting her family and will be heading back home on Tuesday.

This time around I decided to leave behind most of my hobby projects, having brought with me just a couple of panels from my Realm of Battle Gameboard for flocking. I'm optimistic that I'll have time to work on them tomorrow and, all things considered, would be satisfied were I to finish them off before heading back home. It's been since the Spring that I last did anything with the gameboard so I'm eager to see some progress. As it stands now two panels are complete, two await flock, and the last two have only been primed. I forgot to grab any of the paints I need to address those last two panels so really all I can aspire to accomplish while in NY would be gluing down some flock and hopefully not making too much of a mess of my in-laws' house.

Meanwhile, following on from my previous post regarding blog networks, this evening I wrote out my application for joining the Int'l House of Paincakes and submitted it for their review. I really appreciate receiving so much input from all of you about your experiences both with the HoP and the numerous other networks with which you are associated. Some of you also warned me that the essay section of the application to join the HoP is perhaps not as crucial to admission as I otherwise might have believed. Nonetheless I thought it would be fun (i.e., self-obsessive) to take a stab at it anyways. Also, since I'm not getting a lot done on the hobby front, I thought I would publish it here to help pad my post-count as I am not above such shameless tactics.

So here then is my essay answering in five hundred words or less why, "[I am] God's gift to the Internet." Of course please feel free to skewer, lampoon, and ridicule to your heart's content. Besides, I suspect that is what is in store for me should any of the head honchos over there bother to read it. Therefore a good ripping might even help prepare me for whatever may come of this. Enjoy!

+++++

Dear Sirs,

Congratulations on the burgeoning success of your blog community. I am happy to report today it reaches the pinnacle of accomplishment as I, God's gift to the internet, seek admission to your network's blogrolls. I believe the inclusion of my blog, diceRolla, will prove to be a great coup for the House of Paincakes, the reasons for which I am prepared to detail for you in a manner completely devoid of pomp or hyperbole.

My innovative painting style puts Golden Daemon winners to shame and has even inspired a series of articles at Laubersheimer Industries. My tactical and list building advice provides a foundation for imitators the world over, including YTTH and 3++ is the new black, prompting their authors to send me daily emails asking for help. My battle reports are more epic than The Iliad. Dethtron even had to coin a new phrase in order to adequately describe my gaming prowess, AAAC, which means, "Awesome At All Costs." In short, I have had more impact on our hobby in a year and a half of blogging than the other JJ has had after decades of designing games.

But diceRolla is so much more than just the most valuable gaming resource on the...

YUCK! Even joking around that's more internet bluster than I can muster. I admit there is nothing groundbreaking about my painting and I've not yet written a single battle report for my website. Further only someone truly desperate would seek my advice on tactics or army lists, and a sense of propriety precludes me from offering any out of consideration for my dismal win-loss records. Even Jervis Johnson has accused me of peddling meritless articles, and that's really something coming from him.

I like writing for my blog and other people seem to be enjoying it as well, but I certainly do not consider myself God's gift to the internet. I nonetheless think I would be a good member for your online community and would strive to my utmost ability to contribute in a positive way. On most days I've got a cheerful disposition which I think is reflected in my approach to blogging and I try to offer support and encouragement to those who share my passion for the hobby. While that may not be a terribly exciting prospect for many in your network, I do very much look forward to engaging with your associate members and having some fun.

It would be an honor for me to be accepted into the House of Paincakes, thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jason, aka Papa JJ

The Post That Wasn't Meant to Be

It finally happened. I've heard about it before but never quite understood the pain and frustration involved until it just happened to me moments ago. A post I had been working on for the last two and a half days just disappeared into the electronic aether. All that remains of it are a few cute animal photos and the last paragraph of what I assure you was a most eloquent piece of self-reflection and blogging introspection. At this point I no longer have the patience to stoically press on and rewrite the blasted thing, instead I'm going to skip all of that and cut to the chase.

I'm interested in signing up for some blog networks, starting with the Int'l House of Paincakes and then any others for which diceRolla might qualify. There's been quite a little psychodrama unfolding in my head about no longer being on my own as an unaffiliated blogger, the details of which you're probably better off having been spared. Suffice it to say this is something I've been thinking about for a long time but only now feel confident enough in what I'm doing with my blog to actively seek out a wider audience. I appreciate with the utmost sincerity all of you who are already readers of my blog, I certainly do not take you for granted. Truly, it is because of you and the encouragement that you've offered me that I now am ready to take this next step in my silly blogging adventures. So thank you for sticking with me, by pushing myself into new arenas of ideas it is my hope to make this a better experience for all who come here.

Right then, I trust everyone has had a fantastic Thanksgiving with plenty of food, family, and football. Heck, even if you don't celebrate this holiday I'm still wishing you a happy Thanksgiving! (Ha ha, how's that for cultural imperialism?) On the hobby front I am genuinely thankful for all of you who have shown such wonderful support for me, so you are included in my experience of holiday gratitude whether you like it or not. ; ) Thank you.

Alright, that's it everyone... time for me to drift off into a blissful, turkey-induced slumber. Goodnight!

[Note: I've left in place the remains of my original post, either for the sake of posterity or to spite it, but really just as a personal monument to the occasional frustrations of blogging. It might not make a whole lot of sense when read out of its original context, but I don't have the heart to delete it entirely. Oh well, them's the brakes.]

+++ Not Deleted From Imperial Records +++

So I've decided there is to be no more hiding for me like a scared little squirrel. Instead at this point I think I'm ready for diceRolla to spread its wings and soar majestically like the noble titmouse. This weekend I'm going to write the required essay and try to figure out what keywords would appropriately describe all that goes on here, then submit these for review and hopefully admission to the HoP. Besides, with more than 130 loyal readers (again, thank you so much!), the self-delusion of going unnoticed beneath the radar has become untenable even for me. I don't foresee any dramatic changes here because of this, though I'm always open to suggestions about what I could or should be doing better.

Tufted Titmouse, in honor of the House of Paincakes

Further, if anyone knows of any of blog networks for which diceRolla might qualify, I would really appreciate hearing about them. After the HoP, the only other ones I know of are BoLS, FTW, Librarium Online and the Iron Agenda. Would I be able to add my blog to any of those? How strict are they with their requirements? Are there others out there that might be accepting of my wandering ways? I greatly appreciate your help with this, thank you for whatever advice or recommendations you should choose to pass on to me.

Best wishes to you all... take care, friends!