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A realization, then heartbreak.
5 years ago
Hello fellow FA Artists, Writers, Musicians, Crafters, Creative persons and model builders.
Okay... Maybe this music might set the theme to my mood right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__eZAuc2f-Q
I was really excited to find that there was a re-release of MPC's "Gangbusters" model kit featuring a 1928 Chrysler Imperial which also featured scale figures of a seated driver and what I believe is a figure intended for the scale model motorcycle featured in the kit. Now I had always wanted a copy of this kit since I first saw it in the 1970s, but I could never afford it. Looking at the reviews posted in Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine, the kit appears to be a straight re-shoot with no new tooling. I haven't been able to determine if the re-release includes the bullet riddled windscreen and body panels like the original had, but then again a skilled modeler could replicate such damage with skillfully applied drilling, scoring and scouring. The kit from Auto World costs a bit over $30.00, plus I'll need to add a bit more for shipping, paints, putties and fillers. There's also "Aftermarket" products featuring 1/24th scale tommy guns and such, but those can be a bit pricey.
But as I looked over the model kit, it's description, and parts tree images I started to think things over. As much as I would like to have this model kit and consider the potential of building it, I came to realize my eyes are too weak, my hands are too unsteady, and Time... What I have left is precious and getting shorter in supply these days. A while ago my best friend Jim Alves caught me reading a copy of Fine Scale Modeler magazine and asked me, "Roy? Are you going to Build that model, or are you just going to Dream of building that model?" The realization that I couldn't fulfil my dreams struck me so profoundly that I felt defeated and depressed for days afterwards. I got over it, but another Model building friend of mine told me many years later, "One thing you need to buy when you pick up that model kit is the TIME to build it. I have been chasing that dream for over almost Twenty years now, and I'm afraid I'm way too tired and worn out to carry on.
I also had to decide right then and there that I had better save my money to buy a new pair of eyeglasses and perhaps a better set of Binocular Magnifiers before I invest in anything so expensive and Frivolous.
I feel it's now time to sit myself on a comfortable Bollard and wave farewell to that "Ship" as it sails off into the sunset. This doesn't mean I'll say my good byes to Mister T. J. Foxx, Millie, Lorraine, Captain Crane, the Chief, and all the crew aboard the S. S. Athena, as I will always carry them proudly in my heart. I am at least happy to say that I was a part of that story, through all this time, and I am grateful that you all have been along with me on this voyage through all these years.
After all this, it's best to recall the words in that old sailing song which go something like: Life... Is but a dream.
"Peace".
Okay... Maybe this music might set the theme to my mood right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__eZAuc2f-Q
I was really excited to find that there was a re-release of MPC's "Gangbusters" model kit featuring a 1928 Chrysler Imperial which also featured scale figures of a seated driver and what I believe is a figure intended for the scale model motorcycle featured in the kit. Now I had always wanted a copy of this kit since I first saw it in the 1970s, but I could never afford it. Looking at the reviews posted in Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine, the kit appears to be a straight re-shoot with no new tooling. I haven't been able to determine if the re-release includes the bullet riddled windscreen and body panels like the original had, but then again a skilled modeler could replicate such damage with skillfully applied drilling, scoring and scouring. The kit from Auto World costs a bit over $30.00, plus I'll need to add a bit more for shipping, paints, putties and fillers. There's also "Aftermarket" products featuring 1/24th scale tommy guns and such, but those can be a bit pricey.
But as I looked over the model kit, it's description, and parts tree images I started to think things over. As much as I would like to have this model kit and consider the potential of building it, I came to realize my eyes are too weak, my hands are too unsteady, and Time... What I have left is precious and getting shorter in supply these days. A while ago my best friend Jim Alves caught me reading a copy of Fine Scale Modeler magazine and asked me, "Roy? Are you going to Build that model, or are you just going to Dream of building that model?" The realization that I couldn't fulfil my dreams struck me so profoundly that I felt defeated and depressed for days afterwards. I got over it, but another Model building friend of mine told me many years later, "One thing you need to buy when you pick up that model kit is the TIME to build it. I have been chasing that dream for over almost Twenty years now, and I'm afraid I'm way too tired and worn out to carry on.
I also had to decide right then and there that I had better save my money to buy a new pair of eyeglasses and perhaps a better set of Binocular Magnifiers before I invest in anything so expensive and Frivolous.
I feel it's now time to sit myself on a comfortable Bollard and wave farewell to that "Ship" as it sails off into the sunset. This doesn't mean I'll say my good byes to Mister T. J. Foxx, Millie, Lorraine, Captain Crane, the Chief, and all the crew aboard the S. S. Athena, as I will always carry them proudly in my heart. I am at least happy to say that I was a part of that story, through all this time, and I am grateful that you all have been along with me on this voyage through all these years.
After all this, it's best to recall the words in that old sailing song which go something like: Life... Is but a dream.
"Peace".
Had decided to do a small project I'd been thinking of doing for a while - only to discover my soldering ain't what it used to. (a slip of the hand and there was yet another solder bridge to clean up!)
Do what you can and dream on.
I've been giving up some of my youthful dreams over here, too. Not graciously, of course. But I should be grateful I'm still here, still part of the story.
for me,if anything, this year has been a reminder not to put things off for next time, because there might not be a next time.
I'll post a picture of it here soon.
Always seek your joy no matter what.
I hope I can achieve my dreams while I am still young (or rather early middle aged). Or at least some of them. And this makes me think I need to focus on one or two and not have several going at once... And makes me hope/wish for scientists to discover an anti-aging treatment.
Also, stupid time limit on editing comments! >:(
I think getting new glasses will help with seeing what you are doing. I think that should come first.
I hope you will be able to get some cash to buy a new set of eye glasses and a New Binocular Magnifier
Life goes on and it's up to us to enjoy the ride no matter what...
V.
V.
POP
Oh hell, what broke this time.
Aches and pains, I have sciatica - bit of bone growth hits the nerve in the lower left of my back/hip area. Can make getting out of bed a challenge - using a hiking staff to lever myself up at times. Had to get back into a certain exercise routine my old job had distrupted big time - mix of Yoga, weights and biking. New job I'm learning when I can fit in the work out to a semi random schedule. Trying out some 250 mg CBD in a beeswax base. Seems to really cut the pain - way better than asprin or some other pain killers that were messing up my guts. Hang in there and keep doing what you like - even if you have to make some adjustments on how you do it.
take care.
Really puts it in perspective.
It's not a lot,
It's all you've got
22,000 days
22,000 nights, 22,000 nights,
It's all you'll know
So start the show
22,000 ways..."
(--The Moody Blues, "22,000 Days")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYh0z0bENEU
(Which, technically, is only 60 years, so it's a bit short of actual average life expectancy, but I suppose "twenty-five thousand five-hundred-and-fifty days" would be a bit awkward to fit a melody around... :-D )
But I have had the same problem with wanting old kits. I cap still built them, but I haven't the patience any more, not any place to put them once built. I have a 1/48 B-17, a 1/72 B-70 Valkyrie, a Don Garlits dragster, the PT 109, the Titanic, a V-2 rocket and launch pad, and many, many other great kits, none of which I'm likely to every build, due to lack of space and time. I've tried selling some unwanted, unbuilt kits, but so far no luck. There don't seem to be any hobby stores anymore what might buy them.
As to glasses, I just found out about a cheap source, if you have a prescription for what you need.
Zenni Optical starts at ~$8 a pair, though they give you many options to upgrade things and increase the price.
After a coworker mentioned them, and my $150 pair from the local optical shop started coming apart, I ordered a set with added clip on sun glasses, and paid ~$21 after shipping and taxes.
They have good lenses, and if I hadn't goofed and ordered a set that were a few mm too narrow, they'd be perfect.
I'm thinking about either trying to heat the earpieces and bending them slightly, or just ordering another pair and waiting two weeks...
All that said, thanks for sharing your art and imagination with all of the viewers out here!
As for the model. I'm only a year or so behind you, and have a case of arthritis in my fingers. I still build models, maybe not to museum standards, but I refuse to stop doing what I enjoy just to sit in front of the TV or surf social media and wait for my time to come. (I'm not saying that's what you do with yours). I have a whole stack of kits, just bought another one, and when I'm not making a fursuit for a client or myself, I'm building a model, playing trains, or building something in my work shop.
IMHO, when we stop doing things is when we start getting old. I refuse to get old!
Thanks for the Pep Talk Eddiebear.
Sometimes we just need a kick in the rear to get us off the sofa.