SPA Modeler

Just caught up with the thread Bruce , grate progress so far!

Lovely looking railway stock Bruce, your finish and weathering are excellent! Did you say these were commission builds?

speedgraflex wrote:(...) I ended up forming the cylinder from Milliput then skinning it with thin sheets of plastic card. The vertical pipe is a scrap of sprue. There is another square tank which goes beside this one and both tanks rest on stringers.

Wait, what? You made that tank out of Millput? That's it. I quit.

Never quit! It was your work with black basing on the Warthog which inspired me, and your work continues to inspire me, Mike. I know you were joking but I will tell you the truth, I was feeling very ornery and crosswise with the world and decided to just go for it, so much of what stops me from getting things done is that final bit of daring... I think you know what I mean. I was in conversation with one of my close friends who switched from being a fireman to a paramedic and his stories of his first two weeks on the job really inspired me and made me quit whining about the status of my life, when for him each moment could be someone’s last, and how his attitude changed as a result.

Bruce, it’s amazing what a little change in perspective can do for your outlook in life. My kids and family could piss me off any day of the week, and after one day at work, I’d realize what they did to do so was peanuts in the big scheme of things.

I really like your way of thinking and I adore your ability to not only listening to other people but also to learn from their experiences, wins and losses. These are the skills of a smart and empathic human being.

Thank you for your comments, Carlos. What you wrote certainly rings true to my ears. There is a real need for compassion amongst us all. When my father would say, daily to me: “Follow your heart and do no harm,” he wanted a degree of understanding that is easily lost to us. Torben! I also thank you very, very much for your kind comments. From Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus:

I


Da stieg ein Baum. O reine Übersteigüng!
O Orpheus singt! O hoher Baum im Ohr!
Und alles schwieg. Doch selbst in der Verschweigung
ging neuer Anfang, Wink und Wandlung vor.

Tiere aus Stille drangen aus dem klaren
gelösten Wald von Lager und Genist;
und da ergab sich, daß sie nicht aus List
und nicht aus Angst in sich so leise waren,

sondern aus Hören. Brüllen, Schrei, Geröhr
schien klein in ihren Herzen. Und wo eben
kaum eine Hütte war, dies zu empfangen,

ein Unterschlupf aus dunkelstem Verlangen
mit einem Zugang, dessen Pfosten beben,—
da schufst du ihnen Tempel im Gehör.

Your father was right. I too always try to live my life giving more compassion and support to others. I always feel if I can make someone laugh or smile anytime during the day, then I've done something that made this world a slightly better place for someone.

Now lets see this beastie take flight!

Thank you for your kind words, Duke!



Sanding the dickens outta this thing. It’s starting to look like modern art with all the layers of things I’m using to camouflage the seams! Seams, seams, the unending pursuit! The more you sand, the more you... toot? Man alive that Mr Surfacer is some strong smelling stuff.

Looking good. That is why I like different colors of putty!