My short story is that my dad introduced me to plastic models when I was a boy (maybe 8-10). I loved cars, but also made a ship or two. They were all glue bombs painted with markers. I have 2 from those days and I think maybe I should rebuild them, but it is good to see what I started with.
I took a hiatus until my early adulthood and then started building race cars. I moved from spray paints to an old Aztek airbrush powered by cans of air. I knew nothing about orange peel, but I managed to make some decent models. I even customized one with aftermarket parts. Then everything went quiet for about 10 more years.
I'm now 42 and over the last few years I have really jumped back in with two feet. I started with some cars that I was familiar with and quickly expanded to WWII airplanes and even the USS Missouri. I upgraded my airbrush - I have 2, now use a compressor, and have a spray booth. My car finishes are rubbed out and waxed and I use a lot of aftermarket parts (but not too much). I even built a tank recently (my first).
The magazine (and its sister Scale Auto) are like an addiction for me. They keep pushing me to try new things. I'm pretty intimidated by the weatheirng of armor but comfortable with the cars and early planes. I'm amazed at what others do and how quickly they do them. I build because it is a peaceful and fulfilling time where I produce something.