This post was originally published on the HMGS site on August 2, 2019.

As I was typing up my posts about Historicon and the Wargames Illustrated painting competition, and the Iron Paintbrush I started thinking about what else I had done during the convention.  My initial thought was that I didn’t do much as I spent a fair amount of time teaching classes and running the Iron Paintbrush.  Well after I started thinking about my own little after-action report it turns out I was VERY wrong! 

Thursday, I taught classes on making swamps and making mountains.  I was nervous as I have never run either of these classes.  The swamp class turned out well and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  The mountain class was a little bumpy and due to the lack of fresh ventilation I quickly decided to change from fully hands on to more of a demonstration type class.  Melting foam can be quite toxic after all!

My boys played in Brian Whittaker’s Buccaneer Wars and my wife (with help from one of my friends) played in The Wargaming Companies Et Sans Resultat (ESR.)  When my classes were over I went and helped run the ESR games as an official team member.  My mother picked the boys up and my wife and I got to go on a date to LUCA, an Italian place downtown.

On Friday my wife and I went to the Central Market for breakfast and then we headed back to Hobby University where I taught the mountain class and a how to paint tanks class.  The mountain class went a lot smoother on day two.  I suppose a days practice and not having to set the whole thing up after just arriving at the convention helped!  The tank class went smooth and overall I think people enjoyed it.  My wife brought back lunch from the Central Market from Deli Grassi.  I had an awesome meatball hero before running over to the vendor hall where I once again helped run a few games of ESR.  I even got to finish off a game in progress.  The players had pretty much played to conclusion and had places to be so we finished the game for them.  After this I played in a game of This is Not A Test, hosted by the game designer, and fellow Hobby University teacher, Joseph McGuire.

That guy in the penguin shirt has some serious knife hand skills.  I bet he’s really good at gaming and drinking beers too. 

On Saturday I taught the swamp class and the tank class again.  All my classes were well attended and almost at capacity this show which was nice.  This was my favorite day of teaching as both classes had children under the age of 10.  Kids are the antidote to the graying of the hobby and I’m always glad to see other parents involving their kids in the hobby.  Things may get a little messier with kids around but I’m trying to sneak into the dirty boy’s section of Hobby University, so it was okay!  While this was going on the boys were dropped off by my parents and they took advantage of Paint and Take.  They were also able to take a class on making Junkyard Cars.  We all had dinner and then it was time for the Iron Paintbrush!

  I managed to run through Wally’s Basement for a few minutes during every session but found it a little light.  That said I was looking for a few specific items and didn’t have time for a wide-angle meandering look.  I did manage to find a long OOP GW figure for $2 for a friend.  So this show set a record for me in Wally’s Basement purchases, one I doubt I’ll ever get lower than! 

Sunday it was time to run through the vendor hall looking for donations for Toys for Tots.  I managed to get a box set for the auction from Mantic and a few offers from different vendors that I’ll need to follow up on.  I then bought a source book for ESR, some scatter terrain from the Miniature Building Authority and a few toy tanks for the boys.  I talked to a few more friends and hit the road.  I did manage to extend the trip by eating at a buffet on the way home, so that was one more win!

All in all it was a very successful convention.  I got full family involvement, played in a few games, taught some classes and had a great time with some great friends.  Until Fall In!

-Wachtmeister