Oh my word, it's been a long time... But now, after some punishing work schedules, I have 2 weeks to myself with not one minute to be spent at my desk in my studio. No sir, I want me some rest and space to think. The problem is that even when I am at my desk painting, I do a lot of mulling, soul searching and mental raging about things which confound and anger me in my hobbies. Over the last couple of years, I've been taking in a few conventions which share a general thematic link with gaming, albeit once removed. One thing which has struck me repeatedly (some may wish it were a piano from an upper storey) is just how welcoming and inclusive were all those presenting and attending, collectively drawing from the whole experience far more then the sum of the parts as it were. I know of very few historical gaming conventions where this is the case. Oh my but don't historical gamers (and I generalise here as there are exceptions) think that they are a cut above the rest?

The previous long blog post has now started me on my latest project.  It's 30 years since the 'panic' and I am undertaking to canvas the major U.S faith groups in every state to see what the feelings are now. So far I have tackled sending emails to synagogues in all 50 states and we'll see what it brings.  Next I will canvass mosques and then onto the major Christian faith groups.  Then it will be data mining and number crunching and I will see if there is a practical way  to make use the generated data and conclusions drawn therefrom. This might even set me off with another book... Gaming-wise I've pretty much done away with my historical stuff now after what has been a really awful year with regards to my local historical club. There are a few people of whom I think very highly and enjoy gaming with, but I think that having rocked the boat I may now be in the water with little hope of a life belt. If that;s the way it has to be, then so be it, but I