On Maddnes and other things

qmiester

Member since
May 2003
From: Central USA

On Maddnes and other things

Posted by qmiester on Saturday, November 12, 2005 10:55 AM

Ok, I have to admit it, for the past 4 or 5 months, I've had "Modelers Block". Go down stairs, turn on the stereo, piddle with a model for 10 or 15 minutes and then pick up a book and start reading. Three hours later go upstairs to get ready for bed and no progress made on my models.

Got to thinking about it a couple of weeks ago and decided there were a couple of reasons for it. Firstly, I've got entirely too may projects started (you really don't want to know how many). And secondly, the modeling room (nay the entire basement) bares a very reasonable representation of an area in which a 500 lb bomb (or 100 lbs of C4) has detonated. (And yes, I've heard my wifes teeth grinding when the subject comes up). So clean up is well on its way to completion (just been working on it on the weekends and holidays) and today I'm starting a system of priorities as to what gets worked on (which means some are going to be stored out of sight until I work my way to them). Anyway, I'm starting to get the urge to complete a model.

So here is where the Maddness comes in. Out of the models of which are closest to completion which do I start working on? The Italeri Hs 129? The PT-19? The Bell X-1? Nope, none of the above. Instead I started work again on the Beechnut Curtiss Wright CW-22 I've had for donkeys years. Anybody out there seen a Beechnut kit? You'd be almost better off getting some blocks of styrene and chipping off any pieces that don't look like an airplane. This one may drive me over the edge.

Quincy

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overkillphil

Member since
October 2004
From: Northern Indiana

Posted by overkillphil on Sunday, November 13, 2005 8:00 AM

My advice? stuff it in a box and forget about it for a while. The single biggest impediment to my building anything, or more accurately finishing anything, is my own expectations. The first major assembly on most airplane kits is the cockpit. If it doesn't meet my outrageous idea of acceptable quality, the rest of the build loses steam. Once I started actively telling myself to not worry so much about it and improve a little at a time I started to enjoy it more. My point is don't dive into a difficult project to break a slump. You could shoot yourself in the foot.

my favorite headache/current project: 1/48 Panda F-35

"I love the fact that dumb people don't know who they are. I hope I'm not one of them" -Scott Adams

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Kolschey

Member since
October 2005
From: Warwick, RI

Posted by Kolschey on Sunday, November 13, 2005 8:36 AM

Never underestimate the power of housecleaning...seriously. Smile [:)]

Every couple of months, I hit a point where my downstairs workshop is so entirely cluttered that I find that it affects my workflow. For example, when the clutter becomes too substantial, it means that I will literally put down a piece or a tool and not be able to find it three minutes later. The result of that level of chaos is that I am spending more time hunting for things than building. That definitely makes it hard to concentrate effectively.

Furthermore, when clutter becomes severe enough, your ability to move is impeded. Everywhere you step is a minefield or a booby trap of precariously balanced odds and ends waiting to catch a sleeve and come tumbling down. Things crunch underfoot that you would have preferred not to step on. That's just bad Feng Shui- Sort of like having blocked arteries. An additional problem is that when every surface is covered in junk, there is no longer anywhere safe to place the piece you have just been working on.

Thus, when things get to that point, I generally have to go on a cleaning crusade. Plastic shoeboxes are absolutely essential allies in my campaign to organize all of my bits and pieces. It's amazing how clear your head will feel afterwards, if you make a concerted effort. The same principle applies to the upstairs living area, and to my garage...

That's my thoughts on the matter. Big Smile [:D]

Krzysztof Mathews http://www.firstgearterritories.com

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richard bent

Member since
July 2005
From: Queensland ,Australia

Posted by richard bent on Monday, November 14, 2005 7:22 AM

The rules i make myself follow are -- a place for everything and everything in its place! Focus on one thing at a time. I usually have two to three models on the go at any time but in any session of modelling i try to focus on only one model ( this is a little flexible due to painting etc) I find that i can't work in a mess and if i have too much to do i get so overwhelmed i just completely loose my "mojo" and sit there staring at my workbench. also if i were you i would make a fresh start with a relatively easy model that you really want to do and complete it with out too much of a break as this will get you back in to the swing of things. Big Smile [:D]

hope i dont sound preachy but i have been thru what you are going thru before. Have fun!! My 2 cents [2c]

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scottrc

Member since
December 2003
From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W

Posted by scottrc on Monday, November 14, 2005 9:31 AM

I too have the same problem, and as you, my basement is really just one big cesspool of junk that has accumulated because we are remodeling the upstairs. I go down there and procrastinate my deadlines by watching TV and sleeping in the recliner that I put down there.

The only way that I combat this problem is by rolling up my sleeves and start cleaning. Nothing feels better than after a few days of cleaning and organizing, then to start fresh in the new environment.

But the big issue for me right now is getting the momentum built to roll up those sleeves. I am pretty burned out because of house repairs/remodeling, excessive hours at work, and now the holidays are coming up and we need to get our house ready to accomodate a bunch of people and deal with shopping..

And I still need to finish my Arizona by Dec 7th.

Scott