The Weekly Top X: Eleven

 It's a looong Top X today, so this is gonna be a short intro.  Just a couple of quick notes before we get started:

• I just don't know what to think of the Fiat 500 now that it's being sold in the states.
• Has anyone really considered the benefits of owning a fine set of encyclopedias recently?

If this was in the set, I would buy the shit out of some encyclopedias

1) Bear's 40K blog - Nemesis Dreadknight, The slap in the face box 
When the Nemisis Dreahdknight first came out, I was all like “WOW! That’s about as much robotic win as you can get”. Then someone pointed out the child carrier thing. But you know what? It’s still cool and this Hungarian dude and I know what’s up.

2) All Things Fett - Tanksgiving
This is a pretty neat idea that I wish I had thought of first so I could have started my own countdown that I would probably never finish. I guess in a way, we’re all lucky that it isn’t my series. I think Counterfett will finish this. Also, if you don’t like this series, you’re a bad person and should be ashamed of yourself.

Gaming on a Budget - A Bag is a Non-rigid Container... for Your Hands

It's been a while since Gaming on a Budget has been seen round these parts.  But the mad fever dream is still alive.  In a couple of places, as it so happens.

First up, a shout out for Bringer of Victory.  Nikephoros has been channeling his inner "Larry the Cable Guy" and gittin r' done on a series about getting into Warhammer Fantasy on the cheap.  Here are the links, but please (pleaseplease) come back here and read the rest of this post.

• Le Introduction
• Dark Elves on the Cheap
• Warriors of Chaos on the Cheap

Now back to the HoP.  Today's little money saving gem may not be as awesome as only needing to spend 300 bucks on a fantasy army, but it is pretty nifty. 

Right, so if you're like me, you have a big boy job where you really can't go into work with a bunch of paint on your hands and still expect to be treated like an adult.

At some point you may be required to shake hands with someone.

SinSynn is Totally a Noob

Hey folks, SinSynn here.

So lately I've been thinking about Tournaments, cuz I will definitely be attending one in the next few months.
I'm registered to play my Flames of War Germans in the upcoming Conflict GT event.
There's a 40k thingy goin' on there, too....but I'm all into FoW lately, so....yeah.

I suppose that means I've got a handful of months to actually learn to PLAY this game, huh?
:P

Right now, it feels like I'm at the low point of the learning curve...facing a steep climb.

*Below 'novice' is 'complete and utter noob,' not represented here*

The Ultimate Rival and myself have kicked into what I'd call 'Rocky Training Mode,' if like, y'know...there was anything 'Rocky-like' about prepping for a Tournament.

...
Cuz I'm totally 'Eye of the Tiger' as I...bench-press that rulebook.
:P

User Content Wednesday - Lorin Alpha

Hey all!  Since HoP Idol has been running, the User Content Wednesday feature has been suspiciously missing.  Well, the contest is in it's final leg and there's nothing quite like general dumb-assery to get things rolling again.

Waaaaay back in June, a man who goes by Lorenzen realized (like many) that the House of Paincakes was indeed the coolest shit ever.  He shot us a request to join and we were all like "YAY!".  But we just plain forgot to add him to the rolls... for five goddamn and/or fucking months.  The guy even won the essay contest for that week!  What he hell is wrong with us?!  You would have though that the least we could do was add him to a blog list.  Apparently, we could do quite a bit less than that. 

Which brings us to today.  We fucked up and we have 5 months to make up for.  So here's just a taste of what we hid from you.  Enjoy these excerpts and make sure to click on the links for extra juice:

Writers Block.

I'm sitting here typing this without a clue about what I'm actually going to write about.

If this was my own blog I could do a post on an e-mail request for help (I get a few but normally just reply to them personally, rather than do a post on them), whichever army project I'm currently play-testing or some interesting new conversion or painting project I'm in the middle of......

This isn't my blog though.

I'm going to have to think of something interesting to talk about that fits into the 'editorial' mould that's expected of me and I'm reasonably sure inspiration is messing around somewhere else because it sure isn't anywhere near me right now, lol.

Of course I could just pick a dull subject and liven it up with some swear words,

New Member Monday - A Simple Question

If your minis were made out of spare ribs and you were starving would you eat 'em?

Alternatively, you may also discuss that the P3 color 'Coal Black' is neither coal nor black.

 
Aaaaaand that's all the SNL greatest hits from the 90's I have time to steal.  But do feel free to engage in discussion on these weighty matters.

New Member Monday

The Uplifting Primer
Keywords: 40k, Imperial Guard, Positive Good Vibes (tm) and Dangerous High Speed Spinning Chakras.

Guardians of Latefall
Keywords: warhammer, fantasy, wood elves, army and "holy shit someone recruited this guy for us!"

The Geek Garage
Keywords: Painting, Terrain, Warmachine, Hordes, Confrontation, Warlord

The Sustainable Center
Keywords: Warhammer 40k, Warmachine, Dystpoian Wars, Infinity, the business aspect of gaming companies

NestorV's Minis Blog
Keywords: Both kinds of games - Fantasy AND 40.  Both kinds of music - country AND western

No winning essay this week, so enjoy this awesome video on Jump'n shoot man:

HoP Idol Finale Voting Now Live

It's here!  Now is your chance to vote for the the winner of the HoP Idol contest.  Starting today (Sunday) and running through next Sunday, you'll have the opportunity to select the newest HoP columnist from a field of very talented bloggers.  The poll determining their fates is located at the top right corner of the page.

Thanks again to everyone who has written articles for this contest and everyone who has voted.  Without all of you this would have never gotten off of the ground. 

To refresh your airplane glue addled memories as to who you can vote for this week, please familiarize yourself with the three amazing final entries linked after the jump below.

[Musings of a Game Store Owner] Boobs- But Much More

In case you missed the memo, I'm a lady. I'm more than a little endowed. I'm sincerely very happy with this and these parts of my body and have no issues with dudes looking as much or as little as they like.

Which is why this next bit is confusing as hell without really thinking about it.