Joining the circus.

[speedgraflex]

Borg, thanks for your reply. I appreciate your feedback on this issue. My reasons for joining SPAM were very similar to yours. SPAM is a boutique forum with similar interests to mine, with a great cross section of modelers from different countries, gifted and talented souls who treat members with great kindness and respect. I am sorry that you found your local modeling society to be lacking; there are two members here that are also extremely active as well as peerless in their approaches to their local clubs, armor and aircraft, and I believe that club activities vary by location. From my perspective, clubs in Southern California are active. However, I have no way to judge what constitutes the benefits of membership first hand, since I am new to this aspect, as well as new to historical aircraft modeling. What resonates with me is scheduling and time management. What crimps my ability to explore IPMS activities is my location as well as my occupation. As you wrote, "adding more to the To Do List." For me, it is planning 1-1/2 to 2 hours of drive time in addition to time spent meeting and being a participant. Hence, the best way for me to be amongst first class modelers whose input and interests motivate me is SPAM.

Thanks again for your support on the Horten project, particularly your advice concerning the details of the Draeger Pressure Suit and your practical solutions to achieving the look of the suit at scale. Your ideas are invaluable and represent the real reason the forum works: an active, caring base of skilled modelers whose willingness to participate is consistent and valuable, not to mention mentally satisfying as well.

The other day I was considering the greatest benefit of SPAM was the overall intelligence of its membership. I am thankful to be amongst intelligent and kind human beings who give the benefit of their knowledge and passion so freely and clearly.

[mostrich]

OMG!!!
Isn't it marvelous how many people all over the world are still inpired by Mr. Lucas world after all those years, throwing their creativity in this universe full of crazy characters and machines. Man, I absolutely love it.

Thank you so much for sharing!

[Fermis]

I can definitely relate....two P/B accounts, one full, the other swiftly approaching full....at least 95% of those pics were in threads, since 09.
Being busy with work season, I have little ambition to be at the bench, and even less time than ambition. But that was like a kick in junk. Kinda like sittin in the middle of a glass-smooth ocean, in a sail boat....NOT wanting to be there!
So it goes...moved on to another host... ...having "said that out loud", I feel like a parasite!

Anyway...October, and the end of work season is approaching...and I'll be back to full time "benching"!!!

[speedgraflex]

Fermis (my phone wants to change this to "Fermions," I wonder if that is similar to tachyons?), thank you for writing. The scale of your photo libraries gives me chills... in a good way. I am glad I made copies of your Revell 1:72 Horten, so good, inspiration and challenge... in a good way. And I am so darn relieved that I have two photos of your Eduard 1:72 FW 190 builds... but I am kicking myself that I did not make a research copy of your engine detailing which was so off the charts in terms of accuracy, intention and sheer skills a-plenty that I was intimidated and fascinated. These were some of the first 1:72 builds I have seen that make no concessions to the scale. Honestly, I still don't know precisely how you did it, but I am so extremely glad you did.

I feel your summer schedule madness the same way... seven days a week, no stopping, than I come home and shower and sit in a chair thinking about nothing at all. I am grateful for the cash, the commitment to getting work done, but I would like at least a week to rest and heal at this point.

I keep reading your story of fixing your bro's aircraft and feeling again humble and grateful we are surrounded by caring human beings with families. Maybe that is sappy but I think we all need a good support system. I think SPA Modeler functions as a hobby support system.

[speedgraflex]

OMG!!!
Isn't it marvelous how many people all over the world are still inpired by Mr. Lucas world after all those years, throwing their creativity in this universe full of crazy characters and machines. Man, I absolutely love it.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Cheers [1/48 Dora propeller test fit]

[RexCag]

I can't be the only one thinking that that photo is of a kick-ass home security system, can I?

It seems to be placed just right to say "I got this window covered, no bad guys coming in here."

[Medicman71]

I for one stopped using PB WAY before they started their crap so it was not a big deal to me. Just found another photo site and kept moving on. This hobby is my way of decompressing from work so I'm not gonna let some stupid website bring me down. There's much more important things to worry about.

[Thomas_M]

Just cancelled my paid account over on Photocrap, my pictures will show on "third-party" sites until Spring 2018. I already have downloaded them and have most of my pics up on SmugMug.

[speedgraflex]

Medic, I agree completely and I know I risk sounding like a whining, complaining kid. I tell myself to just shut up and model, roll with the punches. Stik wrote about not letting a setback get in the way, and I agree with him. Everyone reacts differently and with good reasons. I am so glad you wrote and send my thanks to you!

[speedgraflex]

Just cancelled my paid account over on Photocrap, my pictures will show on "third-party" sites until Spring 2018. I already have downloaded them and have most of my pics up on SmugMug.

Thomas,

I hear great reviews of Smug Mug from other photographers. I was thinking about starting a "Post PB Field Guide," with recommendations for Legacy users with multiple accounts who need to download albums as well as listing alternative hosting sites. I think our information on SPAM is all basically in one spot, but I was wondering if there should be a single thread or sticky devoted to these issues? My issues are more familiar modeling malaise and time management ones that have been spotlighted by this PB kerfuffle.