http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Captain-Varro&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Captain-Varro en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:49:05 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/28571085/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/28571085/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:13:03 PST This may well be a game I will have to pre-order, funds permitting, which will be a first for me, or maybe I'll have on my B'day wish list instead. Either way, I simply must requisition this fine addition to the Mass Effect series.

What really excites me about the upcoming game is that the player can transfer their ME1 career into ME2, therefore one of my squadmates will be absent, which sure as hell isn't Wrex or Kaidan.

Edit: Wanted to try out another journal skin, but I keep getting 403 Forbidden. :/

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/28288871/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/28288871/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:42:17 PST
Remember, respect and honour the fallen, even for wars we do not agree with. Many of us would not be here today without their ultimate sacrifice and service, especially in the World Wars.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/28024156/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/28024156/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:02:22 PDT
The catch for this one was that you had to take one of everything form the Force Organization Chart before you could take a second one, so no maxing out on an overpowered unit. That caught out a few of the regular veterans that seemed unbeatable.

I cut down the Eldar in an objective based scenario that had night fight. So I was saved from a lot of nasty firepower. My Whirlwind was instrumental in breaking their fighting force, it missed only once!

Second round was a scenario where I was surrounded by Imperial Guard, I was hammered badly due to lack of cover and I was soundly beaten, but the opponent had to leave, so I went through regardless.

Third round was against another Guard army, but vehicle heavy: My bike squad and my brilliant Ironclad managed to knock out the two Demolishers and Sentinels before they could do significant damage, removing the infantry wasn't too hard, though their company commander passed seven cover saves, but did a suicidal charge against a full strength tactical squad. XD

The whirlwind missed just about every single time in that match, until I borrowed someone's lucky scatter dice and got a resounding hit and crippled his reeling infantry.

Fourth game was the final one, a Chaos Space Marine army of Deathguard, Typhus, Plauge Marines, three Spawns and a Defiler.

The spawns took the right flank and worked their way forwards, under fire from my Tactical Squad and Whirlwind, they eventually made it into close combat, but already weakened from the shooting, so I was able to finish them off in two rounds of combat.

Meanwhile, my Captain and his Bike Squad advanced up the other flank with my Ironclad. The Ironclad took on the Defiler in close combat and in a couple of rounds, tore it to pieces and watched it explode in a shower of putrid flesh and metal. Meanwhile, my Bike squad charge Typhus and his Plague Marines, steadily dishing out damage and taking some too, but ultimately prevailing.

With all foes crushed,victory was mine! The prize was the Store's Tomb Kings army! [link]

See my scraps for more photos.

Seldom do the dice gods favour me so.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/27728906/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/27728906/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:22:14 PDT
I've not submitted much art at all in recent months. Just clicked to me what the problem is; too static. My gallery is mostly just my characters standing around in similar poses. Got to start experimenting with more dynamic poses, bring them to life, show them doing what they would do!

Ok, here's one of my attempts and drawing at more interesting angles and poses: [link]

Update number two: And the completed version: [link]

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/27486658/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/27486658/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:51:30 PDT
But disaster struck and the hand of fate turned against me. I slipped in the shower and stunned myself, smashing the one weak tile in the shower too.

So I had to go to Hospital, and missed Games Day completly. Looks like a refund won't be happening either. So I've lost about £40, minus the cost of the Games Day Miniature, but I can't say it's anything special like last years.... but at least I have something unique from Games Day...

Of all days it had to happen, it just had to be the 27th.

Funny thing was that one of the Paramedics in the ambulance collected Ultramarines. Cool!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/27126402/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/27126402/ Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:15:39 PDT

THREE NAMES THAT FRIENDS CALL YOU
1. Canada Man
2. Wolf-boy
3. Dodge-boy

THREE MOST IMPORTANT DATES IN YOUR LIFE
1. Going to Canada
2. Christmas
3. Games Day

THREE THINGS YOU'VE DONE IN THE LAST 30 MINUTES
1. Have breakfast
2. Count up how many Imperial Guardsmen I have. (75!)
3. Drink tea

THREE WAYS TO BE HAPPY
1. Play Warhammer 40k!
2. Drive a classic vehicle.
3. Kill rust.

THREE GIFTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE
1. A real gun!
2. Snap-on tools.
3. Imperial Guard battleforce.

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES
1. Warhammer 40k
2. Computer gaming.
3. Drawing.

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO FOR VACATION
1. Cuba.
2. America. (Grab rust-free classics)
3. Egypt.

THREE FAVORITE DRINKS
1. Tea with milk and honey.
2. Root beer. (People across the pond will know what that stuff is.)
3. Apple juice.

THREE THINGS FOUND IN YOUR HANDBAG/BAG
In my backpack? I tend to have:
1. Rulebook/codex carrier
2. Two Bitz boxes
3. Bottle of water

THREE FAVORITE COLORS
1. Mordian blue
2. Catachan green
3. Scorched brown

TOP THREE WHO YOU THINK WILL ANSWER THIS SURVEY
1. I dunno.
2. Hopefully at least 1 person.
3. Or maybe none at all.

TOP THREE "THINGS" SPECIAL TO YOU
1. My 1978 Dodge Ramcharger
2. Warhammer 40k collection
3. My aquarium

TOP THREE REASONS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY LATELY
1. Imperial Guard!
2. Dungeons and Dragons!
3. Dark Heresy!

TOP THREE REASONS WHY YOU ANSWERED THIS SURVEY
1. I was tagged.
2. Reasonable questions.
3. Not too long.

THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE
1. Paper-round guy
2. Computer repair technician
3. Dog-sitter

THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Canada
2. Cambridge, (England)
3. Peterborugh (England)

THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS
1. Lake trout!
2. Tacos!
3. Spicy chicken curry

THREE PETS THAT YOU HAVE OWNED
1. My cat, Linux
2. Various tropical fish
3. Does my Ramcharger count?

THREE FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH
1. A little bit of F1 Racing if its on at lunchtime.
2. N/A
3. N/A

I will tag, (but ye don't have to answer if you don't want to) the following:



Share and enjoy!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/26961051/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/26961051/ Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:58:43 PDT

Loads of infantry, an awful lot of the snap fit guardsmen, but the price was right, I can make a Command Section plus 5 infantry squads, all have special weapons and three have heavy weapon teams. I will use the leftover troops to make a Penal Legion squad, so that some criminal scum can redeem themselves through the fires of war.

Got a motorpool going now, most the models have been assembled incorrectly in some way, but I can fix that:

-1 Basilisk (Going to make it into a Griffon)
-1 Chimera: Top hatch needs reparing, need two more for my veteran squads.
-4 Leman Russ Battle Tanks: Sponsons removed on two of them due to horrificly excessive glueing, also switching lascannons to heavy bolters.
-1 Scout Sentinel: Will re-fit with autocannon, would like 2 more for a full squadron.

Just need to get a battleforce box and my IG will be all set to wage war in the name of the Emperor! Glory to the Kaitarian 31st!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/26384018/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/26384018/ Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:39:43 PDT
Filed for an appeal, but it will take an entire year for them to process it and set a date for a hearing. 'Busy' allegedly, I think they just randomly stamp yes or no on whatever paper makes it to their desks.

It's good to be back though, awesome to get to Games Workshop whenever I wish to. Education wise, I will do a computer course to supplement my MCSE studies, maybe come back as a skilled worker just in case Immigration throws more connecting rods, just like a worn out engine, it needs to be rebuilt. It'll always be the big old gas guzzling clunker, but reliable and a bit of hod rodding sure would help it!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/25481123/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/25481123/ Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:59:25 PDT
Also, the cool that had been bypassed was too small anyway, so lots of overheated fluid, and someone had taken the Ramcharger into to deep a mud hole and contaminated the fluid with water. But that's all corrected now. It should work when I put it all back together.

On Saturday, I went down to National Mopar, a scrapyard specializing in old Mopar vehicles and parts, bought a virtually rust-free removable roof for my '78 Ramcharger, as my current one has excessive rust holes and crazy amounts of bondo.

Need to figure out more storage space and do more bodywork until I can change the roof, otherwise the body will twist out of shape and fall apart. So for now, I've been cleaning up the wheels, the rust was merely covered with about five layers of paint on the front wheels. Wish I had sandblaster!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/24556155/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/24556155/ Sat, 02 May 2009 21:47:56 PDT
Doom: Repercussions of Evil [link]

Black Mages: Maybe I'm a Lion [link]

Metallica: Devil's Dance: [link]

TF2: Lunch with the Heavy: [link]

Anyway, haven't haven't had a chance to carry out any rust repairs on the Ramcharger yet, but I have been steadily working on the transmission, stripping it down, need to find a rebuild kit before I can go much further.

Now if only I could get a rust-free Ramcharger from the states...

Also working on the comic which will be my audition piece for the Tower of Revival OC tournament. Finally making some proper progress with the first page, then the second one will be much faster and easier.

That's all I can think of at the moment, peace out, yarr?

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/23785680/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/23785680/ Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:23:14 PDT [link] [link]

With the help of my Dad, I'll learn how to fabricate replacement supports and body to frame mounts and all that good stuff, then the rocker panels will need replacing too: slapping a fresh rocker panel over an old, rusted one is not a valid form of rust repiar, welding or not, ya have to remove that damned rust first or your repairs won't hold long.

There's about three layers or four freakin' layers of rocker panels. Don't be quick and dirty when it comes to fixing rust, please do it properly. Don't duct tape it either, and don't even think about adding sheet aluminum either, that's a great way to speed up the rust!

Anyway, enough negativity from me, this will all be fixed, for I will learn the art of proper rust repair.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/23295323/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/23295323/ Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:08:58 PST

Went on a field trip to the Autoshow in Toronto, loads of new cars, some were nice, the majority were not designed for the tall, lack of adjustable steering coloums, electric seats, so I couldn't adjust them.

It was really awesome being able to sit in the new cars, I found the vehicles that had a nice drivers seat for tall people were the Suzuki Equator (mid size pick up, does a nice 27mpg, super awesome for any gas pick-up) all full size trucks. The Charger and Challenger were very comfy too, though I found the models with non leather seats more comfortable.

I took a ton of photos, though most aren't really neat enough for the gallery, save one: [link]

Some nice stuff, but I still prefer my classics, and it's not sweat if I schmuck a fender on my Ramcharger, those are super common and cheap to come by. But for a 2010 vehicle, dealer only at first, so it'd be damned expensive.

Part of my Birthday presents so far was a driving lesson I had the other day that I didn't do great in, kept losing all confidence as soon I got in the drivers seat. Even rolling forwards was nerve-racking, hell, even the parking brake scared me when I let off the brake pedal as the car rocked a bit when doing so I was that tense.

But my Dad did also pay for the cost of the field trip to the Autoshow! And I will check the mail again to see what my mum sent me.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/23161718/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/23161718/ Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:04:18 PST
I also ordered floor pans for the passenger side to speed up repairs and simplify them. Shouldn't need any other body panels, to bring the Ramcharger to a roadworthy condition. Other rust is patchable with a little sheet metal welded in and a touch of bondo.

I'd like to eliminate the mounting holes for the trim and use that special tape stuff to hold it in place, and eliminate potential rust spots, swap the camper mirrors for mirrors of a later model truck, like this one has: [link]

Not decided if I'm going to keep the current colour, noticed on in some spots in the engine bay, the truck used to be gold in colour: [link]

Hmmm, I wonder if I could upgrade my motor to TBI...

Oh, my Dad phoned an insurance company to get a quote on what insurance will be like when I get my G2, the agent said they would have to call back later. So insurance could be at anything...

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/22703025/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/22703025/ Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:10:53 PST So now I have about a week off school.

Will do some work at the computer shop with my Dad, as I like having money. He said that if we can get the garage cleared we could tow the Ramcharger over and do some work on it, change oil, filters and some fresh ATF for the automatic transmission and determine if it has a lock up torque converter (improves MPG) and if its gonna work again or not.

A more affordable alternative to a diesel engine for now would be to get a fuel injected 360 (5.9L) V8 with a 5 speed stick shift or a 4-speed auto, more power, more efficient and so easy to start in the cold. Whatever engine I end up with, I'll get headers, dual exhausts and some nice mufflers to give it a beastly sound, but not too loud.

I was very amused when I found out that a stock Ramcharger gets 15mpg, and its successor of questionable quality, gets a wallet crippling 13mpg. Though later model Durangos are based off the Ram, so they are generally better all round.

Oh, and congratulations to President Obama on being inaugurated today, I hope you can stabilize the economy and clean things up a bit. Keep on making history good sir!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/22602106/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/22602106/ Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:28:21 PST

After much contemplation, and looking at a potential donor truck to do a Cummins Turbo Diesel re-power of my Ramcharger, I've decided not to do it for now. Can't afford a donor truck, and would prefer a Cummins 4bt anyways, as I don't really need a 5.9L diesel in a half ton truck. And I'm not even comfortable driving automatic yet, so manual is way out of my driving skill range... but it will be possible for me one day, nothing like 5 gears and glorious, fuel saving overdrive!

For now, I will focus on bodywork, improving the 318's fuel economy and general repairs, oh and a 4 barrel carb, headers and dual exhausts. All those can save gas when driven gently. Or give serious power when needed.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/22198966/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/22198966/ Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:08:02 PST
Excellent christmas dinner with family, plenty of fireworks and happiness all around!

I got:

Loads of tools and a toolbox for working on cars.

1:25 model kit of a '67 Barracuda GTX

Cook book

Candy and sugary stuff

Mechcanicum, a book from the Horus Heresy series

Games Workshop paint brushes and some other things too...



]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/21954751/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/21954751/ Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:04:07 PST
In the meantime, I plan to rebuild the carb, it's choke has to be worked by hand, making starting the engine a two man job. It needs a general clean out too, and an air filter mount too.

Until then, the Ramcharger is doomed to sit on the brink of oblivion again. It's too cold to work on it anyway, and I don't get to go out to the farm very often, and not many chances to get it in the shop/barn.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/21442307/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/21442307/ Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:48:21 PST
I certainly did, its hard to imagine how real the World Wars and how terrible they really were when all we see are fuzzy black and white photos.

Google around and go on YouTube, there is a surprising amount of colour WWII images and movie reels to see.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/21050957/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/21050957/ Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:12:17 PDT
The tires are in surprisingly good shape, just put a bit of air in them, and they are now solid, plus there are two spares in the back.

Body-wise, a section of floor needs welding in, the rusty crap has already been cut out so it hasn't got much worse since its been sitting, just cut the sheet metal to fit and weld away. The hardtop is looking a little sad and rusty, but my Dad has another one stored at a friends house, and a manual 4 speed transmission if I keep the current 318 V8.

A diesel conversion doesn't look to hard and my Dad has the skills and equipment to do such a thing, but I can't afford an old Ram 250 diesel, or find one.

But its quite likely I won't be able to afford insurance anyways, so it'll stay off the roads, and once we get a hitch attached to the front, I can use my Dad's truck to take it to a trail, so gas mileage might not matter too much.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20895573/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20895573/ Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:48:23 PDT
Being larger than a Wrangler it would be more practical for day-to-day use if I put it on the road, with more room for cargo and people, and it would be safer due to its beefier build. (Not even a tractor trailer could withstand a moose, but it would give some protection against suicidal deer)

Insurance would be better too, as its rare, could be considered a classic, and its a truck, though I probably won't make it road legal, just tow it with my Dad's truck to a trail and let 'er rip. Besides its a pig on gas at 14mpg from its old carburetor V8, so its not going to be a daily driver. However, it entirely possible I could put a Cummins Turbo Diesel or some other diesel motor in, then it would be economical enough for the road, and better off road too with all that low end torque, making for supreme 4wd fun.

And a truly unique and practical ride. Jeeps are still awesome, but a Ramcharger would be something different, plus I could get it off my Dad for very little, as he would like to see it live again too.

Interesting alternative, yes?

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20712307/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20712307/ Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:33:21 PDT
Almost got something, an '87 Wrangler, 6cyl. 5spd. manual, 4x4, leather and all the goodies, but it was sold already, but the guy had firewood, so me and my Dad got some. No plans of spending $4000 on oil this year to heat this crappy house.

There sure are plenty of Cherokees going cheap, but I want the traditional style Jeep.

Edit: On second thoughts, I'll save up some more money and go for something in the $1500 range, get something a little nicer and newer.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20412361/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20412361/ Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:37:42 PDT
My Dad used to be a mechanic, so I will be able to get on par with other students in autoshop classes at school, as they look upon me, the foreign-newcomer-who's-never-been-in-an-autoshop-before (the school is in a small town) with a little suspicion and maybe distrust too, as I don't know much about car repair yet, and they guy who was helping me map out the shop didn't sound very happy that I couldn't identify half of the stuff in there.

Oh well, I'll quietly catch up with them. I also sat in the drivers seat of the truck and tested the engine, at the same time learning how to put the manual transmission into neutral and how to make sure the engine was getting oil. As you don't want to mess up a simple task that is critical to the life of the combustion engine.

I feel a touch more confident about attempting to drive now that I am beginning to understand the anatomy of a vehicle.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20289924/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20289924/ Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:00:05 PDT
It's really sappin' my motivation.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20179803/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/20179803/ Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:06:53 PDT
]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/19863656/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/19863656/ Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:17:50 PDT
Many thanks to everyone who has visited and commented and been helpful and all that!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/19614002/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/19614002/ Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:15:39 PDT [link] I got to meet the artist himself and had a little chat and bought a good print from him. One of the few events that actually interest me in this middle of nowhere town that is only kept alive by tourists.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/19088835/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/19088835/ Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:57:52 PDT
]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/18312762/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/18312762/ Tue, 13 May 2008 21:14:08 PDT [link] Simply an amazing find!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/18191965/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/18191965/ Sat, 10 May 2008 21:33:17 PDT
I am still working on my roleplay character, Miltos Vosti, I have a scrap showing what info I've typed up for him, any suggestions or ideas for this anthro wolf who has a bit of a Russian (He does say 'yarr' but he doesn't drink vodka) accent and a goatee and a love of adventure and some other things.

Random fact: The Ford Ranger pick-up truck is actually made by Mazda.

It really echoes in my gallery, come on in, I promise there are no land mines to step on.

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17690139/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17690139/ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:55:23 PDT
Here is the sacred link: [link]

This is a dream come true! It will use all the goodness of the Essence Engine 2.0, as used in Company of Heroes, the video teaser shows the true, grim darkness of the 41st Millennium better than ever before; real time physics, shiny new effects and improved graphics all around!

Thank you for this bold, smart move Relic! And thank you THQ for informing the world of this new epic!

For the Emperor! The Soulstorm Demo failed to inspire me, but Dawn of War II! I am most pleased! And Starcraft II is on its way too! This will be most excellent!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17548258/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17548258/ Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:08:35 PDT
What am I doing wrong!? Please tell me DA!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17292517/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17292517/ Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:17:38 PDT
Enough of my ranting and my social failures, I'll get back to the project at hand.

You can look in my scraps and see my rough sketches and drawings of Miltos Vosti, I will post up what background info I've come up with shortly.

Go on... comment on my stuff... I dare you!

]]> ~Captain-Varro http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17170576/ http://Captain-Varro.deviantart.com/journal/17170576/ Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:05:35 PST
Not much else to say, I don't have much to offer right now, but critique is welcome on all my work as I am seeking to improve my skills and get involed in DA again.

Thank you and enjoy. ^_^

]]> ~Captain-Varro