Hasegawa 1/32 N.A. P-51D "Cripes A' Mighty" IV SN 44-14906.

[Stikpusher]

You’re friend is in the wrong line of work

I enjoy fishing although I’m not very good at it and I’ve gotten seasick several times while fishing... but my best days at work... pure exhilaration and the associated joys of coming out on top.

[mustang1989]

You guys bring up some of the same issues that I go through in modeling. I tend to be a perfectionist at times which hampers my fun in the hobby. The way i see it , there are flaws in every build. We may not talk about em all or point em out......but they are there. Youll dang sure see them in my builds but I try to counter them in three different ways: 1) If they are minor enough I'll hide the mistakes by weathering over them-for painting or gluing errors, 2) add a detailing piece over the "goof" and this is my go-to most times-3.) use distractive measures. If I can create enough of a "wow" factor in the vicinity of a mistake then it will subdue it lots of times. Mistakes are gonna happen but countermeasures against them can create a win-win result without dreading a complete disassembly or paint stripping process (don't get me wrong, if it's bad enough I've stripped entire paint jobs up to four times on a build) and that......is how I can relax and feel good about modeling as well as enjoy it that much more.

[jkim]

Thank you for understanding my comment, Bruce. That's why I like you... you always have a positive mindset!

I said what I said from my own modeling experiences. For me, the build always starts on a high... lots of excitement, potential plans and expectations. As the build progresses, things happen, good and bad but its no longer a new experience. At certain points, I feel frustration and disappointment with the way the build is turning out and I don't feel like continuing. Usually, I'll power on and that means accepting certain things that didn't meet my prior expectations. I find that moving on and progressing is an important part of the process and it enables us to add accomplishment to the list of things that we get out of model building. A lot of times I'll look back at those disappointments and realize that I was making a mountains out of mole hills and maybe they're not even noticeable on the completed model. I get a good feeling when I finish a model and that is important for me so that I can move on to the next project with positive energy.

[mustang1989]

John you’ve definitely got it right. I’ll add that a lot of times those same disappointments add the fuel needed for the desire to becoming even better at this hobby and drives me to complete a project that i think may be turning out a complete disaster.

[speedgraflex]

I just got in 55 minutes ago, I had a 5 pm meeting so I am coming to your responses just now. I had to eat something; make something to eat and a few minutes ago I read through twice to catch what was happening.

I want to start by thanking all of you for what you wrote; I know this is encapsulating a lot of terrain, but I wanted to start with a note to all. You make my world richer by your candor and intelligence. There are some real contradictions to scale modeling, aren't there... but these are wonderful... maybe conundrums is a better word... I'm thinking of the hobby concept itself (fun, relaxing) and how I have come to appreciate the singular most important aspect for me: fellowship within a group of very talented and compassionate individuals... and we have never met in person.

KennyX, your story is magic. Thank you for it. I don't know if I have a further response other than to simply keep what your friend said in mind whenever the pressures of the hobby concept (fun, relaxing) become... something else. I have been enjoying your process of building so much so far because you do the one thing that matters most—you finish what you start. I can dance around this, but that is the right thing to do.

John, well, you write so clearly in all you do that it is a great privilege to have an open line of communication. Ditto Carlos. Ditto Joe. You all have grace under pressure and a willingness to keep moving forward. I know what I appreciate most about you all is that persistence, and your ability to turn around a mishap... this leads to fascinating build narratives, fascinating, funny and heartfelt.

Frankly John you expressed so perfectly in sum what it all means that I will commit what you wrote to memory: "moving on and progressing is an important part of the process." That is absolutely correct and defines what why we do what we do incredibly well.

My dogs truly are beat and I am icing as I type but I want to conclude with a very important statement: thank you all.

[speedgraflex]

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[KennyX]

Carlos,

Yes sir, I would imagine that your line of work gets more than just a little exciting. Totally different thing LOL ... now, in terms of fishing- you’ll come fishing for reds in the marshes one day, with me. And we’ll have you catching in no time. I like to catch my limit early, with spinning gear and shrimp for bait (Mrs. Kenny X never complains about the money I spend on chartered fishing trips once or twice a year, as long as I fill the freezer when I get home), and then, if conditions are right, I break out my fly rod and switch from feeding them to fooling them. Always a good time.

Bruce,

Yes sir. I try to finish what I start. And about 95% of the time, I do. It might take me a real long time to do it, but I do.

It’s like with my 1/32 Dragon Emil. That sucker is probably going to take me a year or more. But that’s okay. Same with my G2. They won’t die on the vine, they just take however much time they take. And for me, I have to make sure it stays fun. And I freely admit that there are times when I’ll wake up in the middle of the night several times, thinking about what I’ll be doing next with a model. It happens, and that’s not optimal for me LOL. So what I always try to do is, be real mindful of the natural pace that the build has developed, and complete whatever task or sub-tasks need completed by the end of the day, that way I can go to bed feeling happy about the work I’ve done instead of wondering about how to finish up the task, tomorrow. I get a real sense of accomplishment and happiness when I’ve executed whatever it was I was wanting to do, and it all works out well.

Also, you can come fishing with me any time, too.

[speedgraflex]

Hey KennyX,

Ditto.

I would really like to spend a day fishing with you and the other fellow fisherman from the SPA Modeler Forums.

That would be amazing.

TGIF

[jkim]

SPAM fishing trip? I'm in!

[Stikpusher]

I see lots of fish waiting to be turned into tacos...