Nothing for Something
Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers “personal retirement accounts” including 401(k)s and IRAs — and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration.
Pure Transaction
I’ve been thinking a lot about banks, taxes and the “economy” recently. Here is a foundational idea that is forming.
Goods (and services) only come from raw materials and labor. There’s no way around it. Someone has to do the work.
A pure transaction between two humans, for example: Harward Farms hauls a bed full of corn to the street corner. I pull up, pick out a dozen ears, and pay in cash.
Still not completely pure. If I pulled up and traded materials that I had produced by the labor of my own hand, that would be a pure transaction. It is the most honest transaction. Barter. How did I get so far from barter?
A transaction is sullied by government interference: the corn is poisoned by property taxes (if they are improperly used), income taxes, business debt (ie interest) or over-regulation for example.
Everything I buy is poisoned by taxes. The more hands get into the process, the more sullied the transaction becomes.
Another Idea: some taxes are OK. Some are pure and have a good purpose and are needed. But that’s not what we have in the US.
This, and many other heretical notions (such as “Banks are not Helpful”) are flying around inside my head. The sheep has stopped chewing the grass and is now looking around… at the shears, the slaughterhouse, and between cracks in the fence.
I am very optimistic. A tree grows slowly. A fever takes a long night to break. But the rays of dawn are creeping over the world.
Disclaimer: I am NOT encouraging people to avoid or evade taxes. Let your bonds chafe you.
Booking for December
Right now we’re booking projects for December. Anything you want can become reality. I am on standby via:
- email bluetablepainting@gmail.com
- phone 801 372 8545
Also, there are a lot of single figures for sale on the BTP website. If you buy something, it’s best to email me after buying something.
Here’s the special for December:
Give Artistic License* for one of the following armies and get 25% off on Painting:
Warriors of Chaos
Vampire Counts
Tomb Kings
Tyranids
Cryx
Skorne
Orboros
Chaos Nurgle (40K or Fantasy)
Necrons
Tau
Space Marines
Wood Elves
If the order is at least 1000 points you get 30% off the cost of materials.
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Minimum order $200.
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You should request the special by name.
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You can contact me for a quote at bluetablepainting@gmail.com I can send an a la carte pricing guide.
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*Artistic License means we get to pick how it is painted and based. It needs to be within the genre (ie no pink marines!). You get to pick armament and army list.
In other news. I am in the process of updating the various pricing spreadsheets (eg they will now include auto-calculation for various specials like L2), so you may need to request some of them. They might not be on the website.
Black Knights
The new Chaos Knights are so amazing, oh, and the Marauders, too. A really cool army would use the Bretonnians list (for all heavy cavalry) with chaos knights as stand-ins.
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I’d start with three units of Chaos Knights (using the Knights of the Realm and Questing Knights entries) each nine strong. Marauders converted to have bows would make up the supporting role (using the Yeomen entry). A few war machines crewed by chaos marauders (perhaps drawing from the LotR line, or just using the mind-blowingly good Hellcannon model) make up a respectable back line. And they can take care of problem units .
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The new Chaos Knights box retails for a modest $22.
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Another idea: convert a few Chaos Knights with bat wings (using the Pegasus Knight entry). Dark Pegasus Knights.
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Hero types and Prophetesses are easily converted using the basic Chaos Knight kit pieces. Same for battle standard bearer (a requirement in a bretonnian army).
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Instead of “Virtues” they would have “Curses”.
Cost is as follows, approximately:
$4 per model for cost of cavalry model
$5 per model for assembly
$15 per model for painting
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$12 per model for painting (with artistic license)
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$11 per model for painting at L2
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$10 per model for painting at L2 with Artistic License
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You’d need about 40-60 mounted models, I think, for a full army.
Finding Joy in the Journey
I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.
Lizardmen Update
Just a few pics of upcoming Lizardmen stuff.
In keeping with what was done with Dark Elves, a new unit of core plastics will be coming out (re: the Corsairs); the Temple Guard. Those were always my favorite models. Helmets made out of dinosaur skulls are pretty awesome. The Kroxigor and Terradon are metal.
– plastic Temple Guard, 10 per box, £12 / $25
– plastic Stegadon, 1 per box with options for all three variants, $40
– metal Kroxigor, 1 model per blister, $20
– metal Terradons, 1 model per blister, $17
– Barbed Razordon Hunting Party $25
– Scar Veteran wity army standard $15
– Tiktaq’To, Master of Skies $17
– Chakax, Eternity Warden $15
– plastic Stegadon, 1 per box with options for all three variants, $40
– metal Kroxigor, 1 model per blister, $20
– metal Terradons, 1 model per blister, $17
– Barbed Razordon Hunting Party $25
– Scar Veteran wity army standard $15
– Tiktaq’To, Master of Skies $17
– Chakax, Eternity Warden $15
They’re due out in February
Cash on the Barrelhead
Hey all! This was an interesting and useful article.
What’s going to turn things around for you, for me, in the midst of this financial crisis?
Let me tell you the Parable of the Appliances, a true story about love, loss and financial salvation.
Let me tell you the Parable of the Appliances, a true story about love, loss and financial salvation.