Can the Department of Homeland Security please not unpack my models this time?

As most of you know, I'm shipping out for the States next week for a fortnight (cue jokes of, "We'll see you in six months then, ho ho ho!") and right now I'm packing the important stuff for the trip.

Yep, I'm packing up my toy soldiers.

Well, there is a tournament in a month's time (Bristol Vanquish , if you're interested http://www.bristolvanguard.co.uk/BV/Vanquish_09.html).

I need to get some painting done for said tournament, and I need to something to do whilst I'm out there, so I might as well take the Fists. I may even get a game or two at GW Stoneridge Mall (or if you're Willard Foxton, GW San Dimas - Wyld Stallyns!).

Anyhow, this is the main thing I'm going to be painting - a squad of Thunder Hammer Terminators.

They're very bad ass, in theory. They'll be led by Captain Hammer himself, Captain Lysander, and most likely the good Dr Octavius. I had considered taking Captain Shrike (modelling a yellow, lightning clawed, jump packed captain and calling him Captain Strike) to make them all super fast Teriminators, but that was by common consent, too bent for words. So, the one man wrecking crew, the unit-in-a-model, the man with eight limbs that is Forgemaster Octavius will be joining Lysander in building bases and smashing aliens.

In other news, I've been cooking more lately. In a terrible bout of middle aged middle classness, Dom, Ben and I have been comparing notes on cookery. Dom did a very nice Normandie Pork chop with apple cider sauce and shallots and some very tasty meatballs in special sauce. Ben and I have been concentrating on Chinese, particularly from Ching-He Huang's book. Here's a picture of my chilli chicken and noodle with spring onion garnish.

I've also done some sweet and sour chicken (sauce made from scratch) for our gaming night on Monday. Everyone said it was good, so either it was, or they're just trying not to hurt my feelings. I choose to believe the former.