Reading through Lee's (Midnightprowler's) last post, where he informed us that he had some problems to attend to and that he would not be with us anymore for a little while, I really feel that this is a fantastic place with lots of great people, many of whom I would not mind calling friends.
It reminds me very much of the very first model club I joined, back in the very late '70s in Belgium. I stayed on until 1990 and leaving them (for another country) was real hard. I'd say as hard as leaving my own family. The club was like my family. I'd spend lots of time working on new models, developping my skills, helping others,... to make this family proud of me.
Other than a Junior model club I ran from 1993 until 1998 (when I left again for another country!), I have been club-less ever since. I did miss it. But things have changed since last December when I joined this forum.
Very late in 1998, I started working as a pattern maker for various model companies. I built up to 50 models a year at some stage, and found no time to build much for myself. 5 years on, over 200 patterns later, I've rediscovered the pleasure of scale modeling. Thanks to you, guys (and dolls!). I've decided to stop working for so many companies and actually enjoy building what I want instead, and sharing that with you.
Hence my more regular posts with updates on my latest projects. I've just completed my third model in a week (I'll post pics of that T31 later tonight) and I just feel great! It's the first time in 5 years I've actually build more than 2 models for myself in any twelve months. Believe me, more are on their way!
So, all I wanted to say is a big thank you for the FSM people who started this thing rolling, and above all, to all of the members who do take time to read and comment on my (numerous) posts. This is a great community, this is my model club and I'm really proud of being part of it.
Domi