I'm back (just about)

Domi, one of the clubs I belong to give awards to every junior modeler. Each model is judged by an adult witha junior modeler to co-judge ,and all the kids are mentioned by name at awards time. Ribbons are awarded for every model for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, with special trophies awarded for special catefories (Best SF, Best Airplane, Best Armored vehicle, etc.) We have a pretty good number of father/son members for that very reason. The adults are not allowed to give negative criticism of any kit; each modeler is give nothing but positive feedback. That way, the kids don't feel to uncomfortable asking for help or advice from the adult members. The adult membership has the same rule: no unsolicited advice or criticism. You may offer it if, and only if, it's asked for. We've lost a few members because of what they feel is a constriction or inhibition of their "Expertise", but we haven't missed their "talents". You know the type: they think they have the only opinion in the room. Ours is a rare group of people. I left a large IPMS chapter because on infighting, uncalled-for criticism, and the total lack of acceptance of new members unless they had something the others needed. I'm too old for that kind of BS any more, and I'm glad I'm with a group that feels the same. - Ed

domi: welcome back, and hearty congrats on ur wonderful contest results ( i was starting to worry because i hadn't seen a post from u for awhile !)... i can't wait to see ur pix !
did teena finish her M10 in time for the nationals ?
frosty

DJ, I understand where you're coming from-I ran contests in our club in NC and we had a separate juniors category (age wise) and gave ribbons for first, second and third place. We need to encourage our juniors as they are the future of the hobby.

Mike, I know you are right when you talk about juniors who might have more experience than seniors, but let's face it, it's not that common, and very few of such seniors tend to enter competitions anyway. I've seen competitions with 'novice' classes, but they usually attract few models.

I think I'm touchy when it comes to juniors and competitions because I used to run a junior club from '93 to '98 and pushed hard for other local clubs to see us in a different light. Juniors are the future of the hobby and with no encouragement, few of them will last long, with all the competition provided by the other sex, cars, cinemas, shopping, computer games, chat rooms, gameboys and the like... Kids live in a very competitive world where eveything is judged: the way you dress, what junk food you eat, the school you go to, how well you do at school, what music you listen to,... Kids also like a pat on the back. In fact they thrive with that sort of stuff, so when they go to a model show where, like EuroMilitaire, adult judges award a few gold, several silver and numerous bronze as well as additional 'well done' to their peer (in each class!), and they get awarded only a bronze or a silver per class, they get disappointed and I get annoyed.

I'm not barely 'boycotting' the IPMS Belgium show. I complained about the junior competition there and then (and basically got nowhere), but I'm now writing a more 'formal' complaint too. If they do not want to listen, then I'll have saved several Euros I normally spend there in taking part in the senior competition. And if senior modelers are not interested in promoting the hobby, giving kids a pat in the back, then they are only interested in what they do, and how well they do at the competition, and therefore won't miss my models anyway...

As for the pics, I promise you a few from that show (my models have been showed here before) soon.

I understand where you're comming from on this DJ, but what constitutes a junior modeler? If its an age difference, what is the difference between a 16 year old that has been modeling for two years and a 46 year old that has been modeling for the same amount of time? If its based upon time modeling i.e. two years versus 20 years, then yes I can see a severe disparity and unfairness in the system.

As for encouragement, in the case of the former that comes from you and the rest of the adults that are there to talk up the hobby and to impart the wisdom and enthusiasm you have acrued over the years. The tips and tricks that helped you along imparted to the new modeler will build the enthusiasm in youth. As for the latter, that again falls on the more experienced to encourage the neophyte. Contests under any guise, (shows, meets, etc.) are just that. They hand out medals and awards because they are levels of competition. And there is always a large majority (99%) that will not be the winner. That's the nature of competition.You modeled to a level of detail that would do you well in competition, and entered with the intent of winning something otherwise you would have only displayed correct?

It becomes dependent on why we enter I suppose. Some enjoy the competition. Others the challenge. If there is anything wrong in the system it is that there is no learning from the show other than what the individual can gleen for himself by networking and carrying on an intercourse with other participants, vendors and judges. How often do judges sit down and discuss critique or criteria with the entrant? Most that I have seen pick the best 3 of a catagory and judge those. The rest get no notice or mention. The entrant has no idea of how to make better or to improve his work to fairly compete. He just goes home with $15 less dollars in his pocket for the effort.

I would say, that to effect change, you and the other winners get together and participate in these shows and organizations and change the rules from the inside. Boycotting the show or not entering only deprives that same audience of you're talent. And will do little to change the outcome. Even if it is to go up when they call your name to receive the award and decline them publicly because you do not feel the system is fair, is still better than not attending at all. Isn't it more of a networking medium anyway? The awards are just an added bonus?

Oh, and nice that you got the medals and all, but WHERE'S THE PICS???

Mike

Well, if you want the details, my scrathchbuilt 1/76 Kurogane got a bronze, my 1/72 Zil 'Spoon Rest' got a silver in the conversion class and my 1/72 A7V got gold in 'out of the box'.

The contest was open to IPMS members and non-IPMS members. There was about 150 models entered (which is not that much really!). The judging system says that in order to get a Gold, one needs to get over 85% of the maximum possible quotation, silver requiring a minimum of 70% and bronze 65%, so they do not necessarily award all metals to all classes. I got annoyed because they would not make an exception in the junior classes, where, I believe, they need more encouragement. So out of the 3 junior classes (by age), only 3 silver and a bronze got awarded... They judge junior modelers in the same way they treat senior modelers, and that's wrong. I told them so, but it did not change anything. So, until that's changed, I'm not going to enter that show anymore. The EuroMilitaire show in Folkestone is similar in that respect and I do not enter the comp there either.

Gold, Silver & Bronze.

Man, you are ice cold and ruthless. If they had aluminum or iron medals you might have taken them too? Cmon now. Give others a chance. LOL.

Just kidding DJ. Congrats for winning and welcome back.

Congrats on the grand slam DJ, gold silver and bronze.
Shermanfreak has left out one important thing with all this talk of waffle beer.

PICTURES?????? Lets see these medal winners. Otherwise we drink all your waffles.

Mike

Good to have you back Domi .... sounds like you had a great time while away.

I hope you brought back enough beer, chocollate and waffles for everyone.

Well, I'm back for good now! I'm afraid of getting on the scale as my mummy still think that there's nothing decent to eat in the UK a (HaHaHa!) and spent her time (2 weeks of it) cooking, baking, grilling,...

I had the opportunity to re-visit the Army-Air Force Museum in Brussels and attend to the IPMS Belgium Nationals (where I picked up a gold, a silver and a bronze, thank you), but other than that it was mostly in pubs, restaurants and at my Mum's table that I spent the 15 days! How I missed those home-made waffles and pancakes! In terms of beers, I did a cure of cherry-flavoured Kriek beer and I enjoyed every second of it.

If you are looking for good Belgian beers, I'd recommend a few:

fruit-flavoured beers such as Kriek or Framboise (that's raspberry) from the Mort Subite (Sudden Death!) or Liefmans breweries (even better if you can get the bottles with the champagne style corks). Rather mild as alcohol is concerned (5%) but absolutely delicious.

If you are into brown beers, I'd say get a Chimay Red Label (also available in large corked bottles!!!), a Leffe Brune or even better a Leffe Radieuse (Wow!). The Kwak beer is also very good but you need to have the right glass or it's not the 'same thing'..! (I'm not kidding!). The Westmalle Dubble is also wonderful. You need to know that each Belgian beer has its own glass... Those are a bit stronger at 6 to 8%

If you like blond beers, try the Duvel, the Chimay White Label, the Orval, and why not the Westmalle Tripple. We're talking strong stuff here, at 8 to 9.5%.

For a yet stronger one, for the long wintery evenings, yet really great taste, the Rochefort at 10%.

More something more refreshing, try any so-called 'White' beers (because of their distinctly cloudy appearance), with a slice of lemon in it. The best known is the Hoegarden.

Oh well, I still have a bit of un-packing to do... See you all later!

Thanks Madda! I was only near San Antonio for 7 weeks (Air Force basic I live near Atlanta) but I've heard of Shiner Bock. I'll have to look for it and give it a try. I'll look for the Negro Modelo too but haven't heard of that one.

Did I ever reply to Domi's post or just get totally sidetracked on beer and food???

Eric

Domi, just what are those other goodies?

Living in the Northwest, I'm familiar with Hefeweizen. We are the so-called micro brew capital of the world. MMMMMmmm good.

"It is well that war is so terrible , lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Erush, where do you live? If you're not too awful far from Texas, you can get Shiner Bock's excellent heiffe weisen. Their beer is excellent as well, it's a little German community near San Antonio who hired a Bavarian brewmeister to brew a German style beer. If I remember correctly, they abide by the Bavarian purity laws as well. It's the best beer in America for my money, much better than Dos Equis. You might also give Samuel Adam's a shot too. Speaking of Mexican beers, give Negro Modelo a shot, it's in a whole other league than XX.

madda

Did someone say "heiffe weisen" ?!?!?!?!?! I got spoilt by it in Germany and can't drink american pilsners anymore. Been having to resort to Corona or Dos XX Equis since I got back...and it costs more.

And Ice Riesling wine, never drank wine until I was over there either.

And Schnitzel...hmmmmmmmm I'm getting hungry and thirsty now.

Enjoy your visit Domi, see you soon!!

Eric

Which of the Belgian beers is supposed to be so good. I do enjoy the German stuff an awful lot. American beer, while still very good, just lacks the body and flavor that I really enjoy. Except for Shiner Bock that is. I do love a good heiffe weisen too.

I can't think of any Belgian beer brands right off the top of my head however. I do know that those Belgians can be so darned evil :)

madda

MMMMMMMMMMMM..........Beer. chocolate, waffles,,,,,,,,,,,mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
mmmmmmmm. Bear-flavored chocolate waffles

MMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm.............BEER................!!!

Welcome back, Domi. (Almost)

demono69

Hmmmmm Belgian chocolate, drool drool drool

Mmmmm, waffles!

Oh sure ..... tease me with food items.

Enjoy the time with the family Domi ...... we'll be here when you get back.