Summer Surge 2014

This summer is turning out to be a bit unique for me.  With the strike, my summer has started a couple of weeks early.  I still have picket duty every day, but it leaves me with a bit of extra time.  The strike doesn’t leave me with any extra money, however.  I was thinking the other day of how to take what could be seen as a detrimental situation as an opportunity.  My minor epiphany was to use the time to catch up on all of the models I have bought but have not had the time or wherewithal to finish (or truth be told, even start).  If I can’t buy new ones, I can catch up for the fall when hopefully, I will be working again and the hobby budget will be reinstated.
With the above project in mind I went about scouring the man cave and my travel case for unfinished or unstarted miniatures.  What I found surprised me a bit.  It turns out that I have 68 models that have only been built or are still in blisters/boxes.  To further illustrate the severity of my deficit, one of these bad boys is a colossal.  I currently have one WIP and it is a battle engine, which is taking me a month of Sundays to complete.  So, the total of unpainted models is 69.  In the past I always kept my purchases to just a few beyond what I had painted.  Somehow, I let ‘er rip this past year.  Now the piper must be paid.
I am prepared to take on this challenge.  I have dubbed my new found mission “Summer Surge 2014”.  The goal is to catch up and be at even come September.  Realistically, I would be pleased with completing 50% of my backlog.  One can always dream!  My wife says the key is, “to stop all this “I’m tired” shit at bedtime and put in a couple more hard hours.”  No lie on that quote by the way.
So, here goes nothing.  My challenge starts tonight.  I have even made a graph which I intend to update regularly.  It is pretty pathetic right now, but the future is bright!  What is your summer project(s) or goals.  Leave a comment and let me know.


Edit:  While searching for something in the cave today I found 4 more minis!  Ahhh.  That means I have 73 models to paint.  Wow!  My work is cut out for me.

Here is my updated chart.