Since my last post I have been very busy with work, but I have managed to do some work on 
Empire Wars.  First I polished up the tutorial and rules for the revised game, and bundled it in a nice little presentation format, which I'm getting people to read and comment on.  Second, the new combat system has led to a prettier version of the Damage Assessment Form which relies on colour-coded customized dice and little coloured wooden block, both of which I have been painting.  It's Arts and Crafts!  The torture never stops.  But now the paint is dry and I'm itching to try them out.
In religious news, I found the Holy Grail in the Kamloops Staples.  Yes, 
purple dry erase pens.  The long search is over.  As an extra bonus, the packs came with a fetching orange.  Bic makes them.  No more green vs. a different green!
I just wish I had time to play!  I'll be making a point of that soon.