COLDWARS, DBM, over thirty years ago my first foray into miniatures was 25mm WRG. I entered a competition in Chester, PA. My first game was against a "Rules Nazi!" I quit halfway through. "Well, this sucked." I thought and started to leave the convention. On the way out, I passed a crowded table three deep. As I was passing, a person jumped from their chair yelling "It's impossible to win!!" I quickly scooted into the vacant seat and was confronted with the Alamo in 25mm. Someone shoved four units of Mexicans towards me and said "Here, these are your troops." I've been gaming since.
So I thought "This DBM looks interesting. Let's give it a try." So on my fixed budget and through trades I built and painted a huge 15mm Chinese army. One with the flexibility to encompass many of the army lists choices for Chinese. It took me about six months to do so.
I planned my strategies and awaited COLD WARS. Friday COLD WARS came and I signed up. I played two games. The second was a loss. Both people I played against were just the nicest guys (I don't have their names, but thanks, nice games). By the time the second game was over, it was about 8:30 PM and I had to leave to drive back to Philadelphia. A fellow who was hosting DBM came over to get our scores. I said I wouldn't be staying because I had to drive home. He went nuts! He starting yelling that I had a "shitty attitude". I was stunned. I swore on the ride home that at fifty-two I don't need this and I was mailing my figures to my brother and finding another thing to do with my little free time. I stayed home Saturday but Saturday evening I thought "there's a free flea market on Sunday. Why should I miss this chance to make some cash. Sunday morning I drove back and in two hours sold every last figure I owed including the 15mm Chinese DBM army.
I was through, but those damn FOUNDRY figures are so nice, I got a real steal on a a load of 25mm Africans unpainted. I couldn't resist. I'll paint them up and put on a game at HISTORICON every year in memory of a lost friend, Bob Wall and that will be that. As for that gentleman who was so vocal at the tournament, on the ride home I thought thirty snappy comebacks. Thanks for the support, Hal. You can send my MWAN's to someone else and thanks again.
(Editor's Note: Well, Mitru, I'm not quite sure what to make of our letter -- Initially, I thought this happened some years ago, however, from the end of your letter, it appeared as though it happened just recently. I printed this letter because of what it implies - that there are still apparently some individuals within our hobby who cause ill will due to their actions. Nobody knows what someones reaction is going to be as a result of our actions. If we act in such a way so as to raise the possibility of alienating someone, we never know what the listener's state of mind is. Apparently Mitru was "on the edge " as to his future participation in the hobby and several unfortunate experiences resulted in pushing him past the limit(s) of his patience. I have seen such behavior at conventions, though not for a long lime. I really wish we had matured as we grew older, but perhaps not. Personally speaking, if I were Mitru, I would do the following: (1) stay away from competitive gaming; (2) enjoy the hobby within your local area or even on a solo basis; and (3) realize, as difficult as this can be sometimes, that our hobby, as every activity, has some individuals who possess very poor people skills. I would hate to see Mitru leave the hobby because of his experiences as it is obvious he loves "toy soldiers". Give it some more thought, Mitru; this is a wonderful, fulfilling activity and if the behavior of a few individuals bothers you, as it did me years ago, adopt another approach which will allow you to continue in an activity which gives you great pleasure. Hope to hear from you soon, Mitru!)
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© Copyright 2000 Hal Thinglum
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