Somewhere in-between...

Aaron Skinner

 

tigerman:

 

I've even seen people NOT retire, because they have no hobbies and no idea what to do with all the free time.

 

 

I need to retire, to build all the models in my stash. Of course, I have about 25 years to go, so imagine how many more models I can acquire...

That will put a crimp in the 401k.

Aaron, I would LOVE to have your job, but don't worry, I'm retired for good!

Tigerman, I know what you mean about the workaholics.  I was surrounded with them at my last job.  Most of them were divorced due to their addiction to "the job".

Once, on a business trip to Europe, we were having dinner in a quaint French restaurant.  Across the street was a historic old church- all of a sudden a carillon concert started from the church tower.  Not just chiming, a real full blown concert went on for over an hour.  These guys ignored it and raised their voices so they could continue discussing "business" and drown out the music.  How's that for pathetic?

Aaron Skinner

I need to retire, to build all the models in my stash. Of course, I have about 25 years to go, so imagine how many more models I can acquire...

I imagine you'll have to have a LONG retirement.

tigerman

I've even seen people NOT retire, because they have no hobbies and no idea what to do with all the free time.

I need to retire, to build all the models in my stash. Of course, I have about 25 years to go, so imagine how many more models I can acquire...

That makes perfect sense Aaron. I never thought of what it would be like to have your hobby become your job. Makes perfect sense about simplfying the work reviews and then taking your personal builds to another level.

Glad to see you have other hobbies to interest you as well.  I've seen too many people where there only interet is the workplace. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz. I've even seen people NOT retire, because they have no hobbies and no idea what to do with all the free time. How utterly sad and pathetic.

p38jl

Do you get  Loons in your area?? ( serious question there.. ) ...

Maine is good for birds to..

We do occasionally, especially out at Lake Michigan. Saw my first last year, but I've heard them a couple of times also. Further north there a lot more. I bet Maine is great for shore and sea birds.

My suspicion that most modelers have at least a couple if not more hobbies is being borne out by this thread. David Popp is the managing editor at Model Railroader, but he also races slot cars, collects die cast airliners, even builds the occasional models. He once quoted his wife's comment about him, saying his hobby isn't collecting stuff, his hobby is collecting hobbies.

Cheers, Aaron

Aaron Skinner

My favorite thing to do when I'm away from the bench is birdwatching. My wife and I try to do several good birding hikes a year, or spend time in the backyard watching chickadees and cardinals.

Cheers, Aaron

I'm glad to read it wasn't what most of your Wisconsin brethren do, watching the Packers.

Aaron... glad you havn't lost the Hobby part of the Hobby.. thats cool ! as for the bird watching ?? who'd a thunk that ? ..  Very cool. ! we all have "other" things we go besides snip sprue...

Do you get  Loons in your area?? ( serious question there.. ) ...

Maine is good for birds to..

Bish

Aaron, now that your job is modelling, how do you find it effects your hobby modelling rather than your work modelling. I would imagine when you build a kit for a review, you can't really build it as you wnat but have to do it OOB, assuming thats not what you would do anyway.

And i would imagine that if you spend all day working on model related subjects, kit reviews, modelling tips etc, then the last thing you would want to do in the evening is to build a model kit.

Bish,

I like building the review models for the simple reason that they have to be out of the box. That means no sweating the details, so I can just enjoy the build and painting. They make a good balance for the detailed projects where I do spend time adding or correcting details.

I did worry, when I took the job, that I would reach a point that I didn't enjoy modeling. I'm happy to report it hasn't happened yet. Sure there are times when I'm on deadline and I have to sit down and work, even though I'd rather do something else. But once I'm at the bench, I'm ready to go, and several hours can go by.

My favorite thing to do when I'm away from the bench is birdwatching. My wife and I try to do several good birding hikes a year, or spend time in the backyard watching chickadees and cardinals.

Cheers, Aaron

Ask for Dr Pepper flavored Skittles...

I was just contacted by the makers of Skittles...they want me to endorse the product as the candy of modelers...we are in negotiations right now...  

DoogsATX

 

the doog:

 

 but I am going to fry your butt on a skittle in the PM we're currently exchanging, lol.

You are TOO MUCH.

 

 

Taste the rainbow?

a skittles match?

I eat a bag of skittles before every build...

the doog

 but I am going to fry your butt on a skittle in the PM we're currently exchanging, lol.

You are TOO MUCH.

Taste the rainbow?

Manny,

I'm going to forgo a public reply, but I am going to fry your butt on a skittle in the PM we're currently exchanging, lol.

You are TOO MUCH.

Wingman_kz

It's my refuge. I don't talk a lot, don't get a lot done or finished. I change subjects, get frustrated and start something else. And sometimes I'm just too tired. When I can spend an hour or two at the bench, it's great.

For the last couple of years I've spent time here just about every nite. Yes, I'm pretty quiet, but I enjoy being here. Seeing what others are doing and reading what they have to say.

I like racing and football but I'm just a spectator. I like shooting and working on guns. My kids(15 & 19) love going to the range with me and shooting their own rifles.

But no matter how slow the building goes, I'm a modeler.

Tony

It's my refuge. I don't talk a lot, don't get a lot done or finished. I change subjects, get frustrated and start something else. And sometimes I'm just too tired. When I can spend an hour or two at the bench, it's great.

For the last couple of years I've spent time here just about every nite. Yes, I'm pretty quiet, but I enjoy being here. Seeing what others are doing and reading what they have to say.

I like racing and football but I'm just a spectator. I like shooting and working on guns. My kids(15 & 19) love going to the range with me and shooting their own rifles.

But no matter how slow the building goes, I'm a modeler.

Tony

The urge for me has always been there - has been since I was a kid, but it's the urge to build, whether it be a model, a dollhouse for my wife, a patio deck, a closet, a greenhouse, a workroom, a fence - doesn't matter. My hands just need to keep busy, and at the same time actually have something to show for all that effort when I'm finished (probably why video games will never cut it for me).

Manny, I wouldn't sweat it all that much

there was a guy, I don't remember which forum,,,,he said he would start and build, all gung ho,,,,,,until he got the cockpit done,,,,,,then he would start another aircraft,,,,,,and get to the same spot

I know another guy,,,,,he only likes the trucks and ground equipment,,,,,so, he builds those,,I built him a Jet so he'd have a way to display some of his stuff in action

those guys are getting just as much fun out of what they do, as I am,,,,,,,or as you are

some days, just sitting at the LHS and talking models is as much fun as making 1/72 scale aircraft tow tractor lug nuts (LOL,,,,okay, okay,,,,,,the talking would be more fun,,,,,geesh,,,,,I made up the lug nut thing)

but, if 1/72 lug nuts are someone's favorite part,,,,,,,,so what?

besides, Manny,,,,,,,maybe sitting on FSM BSing around with us,,,,,,maybe just that one comment from someone will be what lights you off on doing something with plastic (disclaimer, if you suddenly get all inspired to carve out 400 1/72 lugnuts for Clarktors,,,,,,,,,I was JOKING, so, it would not be my fault)

Rex, Tarn, Hey You, Jarhead, Accidental Cag, whoever

Great topic General, I fit into the returning to hobby after loooong hiatus.  This is great timing to boot, with 13, 11 & 6 yr olds to father, a wife to be husband to and a business to run, trying to stay in shape, a love of snow skiing, drumming etc..., time for modeling is fit in when I can.  I must say (and maybe because it's been only a year now) I REALLY dig this and find the people I've met here are great.  Too bad we are all spread over the world, I'd like to buy you all a and share "war" stories.

Aaron, now that your job is modelling, how do you find it effects your hobby modelling rather than your work modelling. I would imagine when you build a kit for a review, you can't really build it as you wnat but have to do it OOB, assuming thats not what you would do anyway.

And i would imagine that if you spend all day working on model related subjects, kit reviews, modelling tips etc, then the last thing you would want to do in the evening is to build a model kit.

Great conversation. Unlike some guys, I've never completely gotten away from the hobby. Even if it was in a closet 29 out of 30 days, I've always had some kit going. As I've said elsewhere, when my job wasn't modeling, I didn't finish as many as I wanted to, but I enjoyed sitting at the workbench, er, card table, and working when I could. And when I wasn't able to build, I read about it (thanks FSM!) and pawed through unbuilt kits, thinking about how I wanted to build it.

Life and other hobbies have come and gone, but it seems like modeling has always been my go to.

Cheers, Aaron

tigerman

So, even though I don't crank out a lot of builds, my passion still runs very deep for the hobby and it's made a dark time in my life a little brighter.

...for me, the historical aspect of the hobby is what drew me in and keeps me in; for others it may be the artistic aspect; and for others it may be the mechanical or "building" aspect of it...enjoy whatever aspect(s) you like and build (or not) as you "feel fit"...When I get in a building lull I continue to research and admire others' works...and the building always comes back... 

I'm a slow builder by nature. I don't concern myself (yet) about historical accuracy or anything, I just try to do the absolute best I can with a kit. This contributes to me intimidating myself from building because I don't think it's turning out "just right."

Then there's work and real-life. When I get home I don't feel like lugging out all my stuff and setting up. It's much easier to turn on my computer, shut off my brain and play video games for a couple hours.

Finally, there's the lack of permanent work space. I work on a folding table in the middle of the living room. (God help me if I ever spill paint in there. ) What I try to do (whenever I feel up to it)  is set up my table on Sunday afternoons and build with a movie on.

I guess I could technically fall into the category of "non-model-builder." until I actually finish a model though. I am trying though.

Other "things" get in my way sometimes... Firefighting, call 24/7/365( i'm also the Chief.. so I have extra duties to)... ,, daily work grind( getting home and not wanting to do anything )..

I like to go to camp.. and boat, snowmobile and other things.. but as others have said.. FSM mag,, Squadron flyer.. online.. is never far away...

VanceCrozier

 

 

 

My wife was trying to describe a sweater she had just bought & couldn't find the words. I quickly told her it was RLM 75 - Grauviolett. She didn't understand...

I glad you didn't try to match it to an RAL chart

I have little excuse to not get anything done, as I'm still dealing with unemployement. Even when I was working, I'd still be lucky to finish 1-2 a year. Why? For a long time I didn't have a designated work space. 2 years ago, I finally got one. Then the room got overtaken with everyone's discards. All that clutter just puts me not in the mood to build. Keeping the work bench clean is another key to keep building. If I have junk all over, it again deters me.

Years back when I joined, the forum was my biggest problem. I spent all my time here enjoying the builds and learning techniques. I don't spend as much time as I used to, but I do enjoy chatting with all the friends I've made over the 9 years I've been here. 

Another discovery is the stash. While we all like to gloat about our sizable stashes, I found mine intimidating. Granted, mine is modest to many here and sizable to a few. However, the bigger it grew, the more my mind said "I can't build it all", "There's too much!". So, I sold off some kits, built a few more, and dented the stash a bit. I did tend to buy on impulse, now I'm really just searching for wants at a bargain price. Sort of paid off too, I landed a Cyber Hobby paper panzer for just $20 including shipping. My only regret was it was kind of a spur of the moment choice, thus I may fall out of love with it in the future.

So, even though I don't crank out a lot of builds, my passion still runs very deep for the hobby and it's made a dark time in my life a little brighter.

VanceCrozier

 

My wife was trying to describe a sweater she had just bought & couldn't find the words. I quickly told her it was RLM 75 - Grauviolett. She didn't understand...

You may not post many pics of builds, Vance, but this is a sign you are a true modeler......

gregbale

... It helps us fit into a world that, peculiarly, has largely never heard of FS 595 or RLM or ANA standards, and somehow would rather watch another “reality” show than debate the shape of Spitfire wings or the true color of tank treads. ...

My wife was trying to describe a sweater she had just bought & couldn't find the words. I quickly told her it was RLM 75 - Grauviolett. She didn't understand...