Why a tale of four gamers?

Background:

Years ago, and apparently recently, Games Workshop published a series of articles in the White Dwarf charting the progress of 4 gamers and the armies they built. Each was allowed to spend X amount of money per month, stated what they bought, and committed to building and painting it by the deadline.

The Goal:
To build and paint 2000 points.

The Participants:
FatherTork - White Scars
Hunter Corhath - Ultramarines
Game Thug - Night Lords
UN17 - Tau

The Rules:
There are no buying requirements this time; all of us have more than enough stuff, so we're going with straight out points requirements.

We'll set a deadline and a points amount, and all work towards that. We'll play games as we get stuff painted. The WD guys ruled that if it was not painted on game day, it didn't get used, and I think that's a good idea.

I suggest 1 January as the first deadline for 500 points. This is not primarily competitive; cooperative paint nights are encouraged.