20. Why Miniatures? [February 3, 2018]

Connor went to a wedding and took a nuclear vacation. Tom gives an update about his travels. While he was away he came to a realization associated with the podcast which will no doubt produce some new and insightful bits of audio.

Connor went to a wedding and took a nuclear vacation. Tom gives an update about his travels. While he was away he came to a realization associated with the podcast which will no doubt produce some new and insightful bits of audio.

Tom asks about Connor's garden update. This digresses in some discussion about tomatoes with a cameo from corn. Connor wants to know about some miniatures Tom had painted in the past week and why the World Wars are important to Tom. Connor asks for some Australian war history. They digress into Osprey books and plastic models.

Connor is experiencing historic flooding. Tom explains prototypes in model railroading and they explore archetypes. Tom bas been discovering audio books and finding strange physical books based on this. Connor has a classical bent and they explore the Romans as town builders and road builders. Connor talks about his experiences after college and touring Lenten fish fries (worth checking out https://codeforpittsburgh.github.io/fishfrymap/ to see). The conclude discussing industrial noise.

Connor is injured. The aficionados discuss dragons. Connor kicks off a discussion about armies and how to acquire them. Connor wants to talk about vastly giant creatures. Tom explores the universality of the dragon myths. What about megalopolis places? Connor buys luggage online. Tom talks about his garden and Connor's garden building.

Connor talks a little bit about his artistic vision for the podcast. Tom wants to deep dive into miniatures. What makes them special? Why would you want to collect them? Metal vs plastic - which material is better. Before they conclude the podcast, the aficionados spend a little time rapping about redwoods.

Connor has just returned from Austin. What does Connor like to cook and eat? Connor shouts out Golbinoid Games who publishes Labyrinth Lord and Mutant Future. Tom talks about Kevin Siembieda's Rift, a gaming system big enough for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Robotech, with a shout out to Erick Wujcik's Mutants Down Under. Mech technology hasn't been explored enough. Tom discusses Konflikt 47 and steampunk mechs and Connor talks about Aliens. They both discuss Space Hulk and Dark Star: H. R. Giger's World. Rural habitations - there are just so many. To conclude the aficionados discuss the enigma of Baden-Powell. (Rakan Muda is the Malaysian youth movement Tom mentions briefly.)

Tom kicks of second season of Attic Aficionados with new co-host Connor Sites-Bowen. Connor introduces himself and Tom wants a deeper dive into Connor's Dungeons and Dragons experiences. Discussions move to industrial wastelands and Connor's home in Pittsburgh. Connor was a scout and Tom was a scout only very briefly but scouting as a movement is still very important. They explore wilderness survival exercises and how it all goes back to Vietnam. Who misses out from local industries when they come and go? They conclude discussing a curious herb that is slowing coming into medical status in Pennsylvania versus other things which are semi and fully legal in Pennsylvania.

Aaron introduces his connection to the podcast. Tom asks about GI Joe. They explore various board games. Tom compares and contrasts legal box gifts - clearly one was more appropriate. How did Aaron rate NJ Toy Con 2017? Tom laments Christmas lights and how his rarely last more than three seasons. Tom has certain experiences on eBay and Aaron has distinctly different experiences. They discuss how useful a pet is for social networking. Tom raises why specific hobby stores sometimes miss service.

Bran is still enjoying the delicious spoils from his evening. But the podcast must go on. How about extreme sports? They explore swimming and starting fires. Brandon wants a recipe from Tom (aka Dr Pepper) that doesn't have peppers. Bran wants Tom's thoughts on the boundaries of our knowledge. Is there anything left to be said about Halloween candy? Maybe. Brandon wants to know about Tom's Masters of the Universe experiences. The final topic has a special cameo from an aficionado wife.