Hotlead 2015

My favourite time of the year! 

I headed out to Stratford Ontario at 630am with 90 minutes of driving ahead.

I had to be home by 2pm and wanted to get a lot done there.

I set out several goals I wanted to accomplish. This was my 6th consecutive year and have always had a great time. This year I left feeling empty. I couldn't figure out why. Here are the goals:

1) Play 'Technical Difficulties' an imagination modern Africa game

2) Sell unwanted stuff (approx $500 worth of goodies)

3) purchase painted miniatures from a specific painter that fit into existing collections

4) purchase miniatures for either KKBB or RCW/Back of Beyond

5) purchase Viking/Saxon terrain

6) spend as little as possible (weird considering #3-5

7) speak with a painter about a commission (and drop off the figures)

8) be home by 2pm ( imposed by the wife)

I arrived at 8am and offloaded my stuff at the bring and buy table. I walked around the hall but as the tables were being set up, there wasn't a lot to look at. 

The vendors were set up but I usually avoid them until after the bring and buy (gotta grab the 'real' deals first)!

An announcement was made to line up to sign up for the 930 game slot. I managed to find myself about 40 gamers back from the front. I was pretty worried as the GM running 'Technical Difficulties' runs another game called 'Mongols and Mausers' which is always a fun looking but full table. After what seemed like a long wait I managed to snag a spot at 'Technical Difficulties'! Goal 1: achieved.

Next I went to the bring and buy and began looking ( despite not officially being open, whoops)!

The guy who flogs painted miniatures didn't appear to have dropped anything off Goal 3: denied but I found a pack of Coppletone Russian Sailors which was jammed with more then 10 figures. For $10. I snagged those.

There was nothing else that jumped out and grabbed my attention so I sat at the table where Technical Difficulties was being run.

I was in control of a small detachment of MILF troops (Morrowi Independance League Fighters or something like that).

Here are my troops in all their finest.

There were 3 main forces on the table divided into 2 groups which allowed for 6 players. There was a 7th 'special' force (think drones and snipers) who could deploy anytime and help monitor the balance of power.

My objective was to seize the compound and any diamonds inside.

Well, I failed miserably but had a good time doing so. However the game ran over until 1230.

Realizing I had a 90 minute drive home and exactly 90 minutes to get there (yikes!) I quickly went to the bring and buy to gather my unsold wares. I had sold $170 worth of goods ( Goal 2: small success). Next I spoke with the commission painter and dropped off some Foundry Darkest Africa archers and the &10 Copplestone Sailors (which was the 10 Sailors and 4 Sailors command pack valued at $38).

I sped home after hitting a drivethru arriving closer to 3pm. Goal 8: failed.

So I achieved some of my goals. But I think the crux was that given the time frame imposed (by my wife) I wasn't realistic about what I could do at the venue. I opted to play a game but in doing so, I missed out on looking at the other great games going on and didn't have time to even browse the vendors wares. The flip side is I only spent $30 ($20 entry + $10 Figures).

I think next year I will stay one night so I can do a bit if everything.