stavanzer

Back to "What Irks You" Searching for and applying for jobs in 2020. Last time I was out of work was 2011. There was a robust online job market, but it was pretty simple to navigate. Not so much anymore! Calcareers, Indeed.com, CalJobs, Monster.com, Ect. Ect. Bloody Ect!!!! Every one requires log ins, security questions, passwords. The EDD (California Un-employment Dept) requires proof of all the jobs you've applied for online. Highlight, Cut'n'Paste, paste, argh! I'm too old for this guff. Yet, I have to work for another 13 years, so I need to learn it. I AM learning it, but the air over the computer turns a glowing shade of blue, quite frequently. I'm blessed with a Tech Savvy Daughter who helps me. She is so patient with her old man. I hope I find work soon. Not even an Interview yet.... I am discouraged. Not Defeated, but definitely a "Humble Tigger", for those of you who have watched "Winnie the Pooh & the Blustery Day" Well, at least I have a new job! Looking for a New Job is a Job, all by itself............

Folks. I'm ready to start the formal process of disposing of my stash of kits. Some of you may have noticed my (now removed) posts about this. Please accept my apologies. If you want info about the Stash Clearance, PM me, so I don't trigger the mods. P.S. Eric I grieve for your loss. Your Classic Builds are some of my favorites!

I'm the person who wrote your quote, George. The answers you have gotten, are part of what I was looking for. By "Market Tested" I meant that, you (the potential Model Maker) have spent some time and actual money, to conduct some basic research on what the limits of your kit might be sales-wise. And, Huge eBay asking (or selling) prices do not directly translate to large demand or sales numbers. They may only indicate a few Rabid Buyers, chasing Unicorn Kits.

Ah,, the '80's! Indeed, enough said!

So, Guido, was the Girlfriend happier with the Pinto? And how long before the relationship Blew up?

For sad stories about Models that were begged for and then flopped, look at the Revell-o-gram 1/48 scale PBY Catalina. This was (and still is) a huge, beautifully detailed kit. 1990's detailing, but state-of-the-art at the time. I had one, and drooled over it,in the box many times before finally trading it for a stack of car kits, I wanted even more than the Big Cat. It is an outstanding kit. But.. It was a huge shelf sitter. Our local hobby shop got in three kits. Two sold in the first week. The other one, was still on his shelf at the original price, when he closed the shop 10 years later. I've heard, and read similar stories about this kit many times over the years. It gets crazy prices on the 'Bay, mostly because it took RM a very long time to sell the first run. It has been re-issued at least once, with different markings, so sales did eventually justify a further run of the tool. But, that second run was a small one, and they are hard to find now. "Just Tool It,& They Will Come" is a great story on the Web. In Real Life, Not So Much. Yeah, Moebius has a HUGE hit with it's Ford Truck series, and the Hudsons and Chryslers are a big hit too. What we, the model buying public don't see, is the absolutely enormous amount of research, work, time & money that had to happen before the first steel was cut. Tim Boyd, Dave Van, and others with Industry Access, will hint (sometimes fairly broadly) about just how much effort, that even small changes to existing tooling take. Two Recent Examples... All the Sturm und Drang over (1) the Full Bumper '70 Camaro, and (2) the "NEW" Vega Drag Car. Recall when we first heard rumors about these kits? Then how much longer before ROUND2 verified that the kits were, indeed, a certainty? And Now? How long before you will have them in your hands? For the Vega it has been a journey of 3-5 years, no? And the Camaro? We have all heard the stories about getting "new" 1990's tooling to play nice with 2020's tooling, and exactly much trouble that was................... Now, imagine a whole new kit. We all know (or should by now) that no modern model company plans a new tool, without building in from the beginning 3 or 4 variations in the basic kit. This is not new strategy. If you look at the Coca Cola VW Beetle (or it's Harley Quinn version) you will see optional parts (wheels, seats steering wheel) that have been part of the tool, but blocked off since the Herbie the Love Bug Kit was sold by Polar Lights in the early 2000's. The same with the "new" second version of the Revell Rubicon Jeep kit. This tooling is a modified Die Cast that dates back to the original Angelina Jolie, "Tomb Raider" franchise. According to Wikipedia, that movie dates from 2001, and is now 19 years old. We have been reliably informed that the 'optional stock parts' have been in the tool, but blocked since the beginning. They've finally seen the light of, some 17 or 18 years after the tool was cut? So, You want a 1968 Cornet Kit? Bring a Million Dollars of your money to the table. Know exactly what other cars can be derived from the basic Body Tool. Know what optional engines, wheels, and hoods can be used. And last, but most importantly, have some real, Market Tested Numbers to justify the sales potential of this, or ANY other subject that you care to present. I know that my MPC Stutz Bearcat kit, no matter how much I love it, is a happy accident, of the time period it was tooled in. A TV Show tie-in provided both the idea and possibly some of the tooling costs. The rest came from a much lower cost to develop kits, and broad, projected sales. (which probably did not occur, since the show lasted only one season). In today's business world? That kit simply would never have had a chance!

Some folks on this Forum would Carp if they was Hung with a New Rope, I tells Ya!

For Jeff H , and anybody else who's interested. The Dodge M-37 Series Military Trucks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_M37

Richard, please finish your kit-bash. That will be sure to open the floodgates!

Jeff, that is a Mid-1950 Dodge M-37 Series truck. I had the M-43 Ambulance version. Sadly, it is NOT a civilian Power Wagon.

BTW, Tom, I saw your note. My condolences to all. That is a sad situation with no good answers. Hope you and your wife can make the best of it.

Amen, Bill! The adults who do the dirty jobs and keep the lights on, and the Gas Stations full, are a shrinking and derided group. AS usual, they'll miss us when we go, but won't know how to do the things that need to be done. Some Jobs cannot be done at a desk, in the A/C. And some, like Amazon Whse worker, are just too brutal to keep filled. The "Shrug" Bill mentions has already started. COVID is just accelerating it.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm still processing this whole thing. But, we had a great Un-Birthday celebration to night(think Alice in Wonderland), and We had Fish&Chips Chocolate Cake, and I got to see my Kids and Grandkids. Nice way to end the day. I'll be back at it Monday. I'm going to take the weekend to de-compress. And, LOL after all the Sturm und Drang over Scale Auto, merging to Fine Scale, my son got me a subscription to FSM for Father's Day! First issue was in today's Mail! I'm happy.

Happy Fifty. I had my 25th last December. I hope I can make 50.

I got laid off today. Yea COVID! Our freight volumes have been dropping since January. Terminal has been in the Red since then too. They pulled the plug on my position (Terminal Manager), and will keep only the truck drivers. All the stuff I was doing will now be done remotely, in Texas....... At least they did it in person, and at the end of the Pay Period. I have a tiny bit of savings, and I'm eligible to apply for unemployment. In California, no less! This should be fun. (not). Things could be worse, and I'm not going to cry too much. But I'm 57. Not fun trying to find work at my age. No one ever admits to it, but there is plenty of age discrimination out there, and I'm not young anymore........ That does bother me.

Yeah, I'm getting to reel that way too. I want the house I'm in now to be a "Toe-Tag House", but only the Lord knows for sure if it will be.

Awesome! Just a reminder what we can do when we set out to accomplish something.

Patrick, Would you like a crack at my stash?. You'd have to come up to Bakersfield, and practice "Social Distance" but I can work with that. I'll make some good deals. PS. This goes for any board member who's willing to make the drive.

That missile armed Heli, is pure fantasy. Adams had a Hawk Missile Battery kit with the triple launcher on a trailer. The just re-used the missiles on the Cessna, as an attempt to get more mileage out of both tools. {not that any Model company has every tried that BEFORE!!}

I;m hoping that this kit is in the Adams Molds. http://aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/cessna_seneca.php http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/300968-cessna-ch-1-yh-41-seneca/

Dave and Bill E. have the right of it. The "Internet may be forever", but Digital only lasts as long as there is electrical power. Future Historians will know literally nothing about the last 20 years, because so little of substance has made it to hard copy. "Dead Tree" is the only way for the Future to learn about the Past.

John, You are welcome to come up. Heck, 6 inches is Bakersfield to Santa Fe NM , on my giant Wall map! I'd really enjoy meeting you. I've seen your name on the board, and wondered if I've ever bumped into to you at a Model Show. The same, goes for the the other Posters from California. I'll miss the '68 Coronet kit, I guess. I hope that it sells well, and is a hit. I will miss seeing the '64 Olds kit, that is for sure. Tank Care, hoping you make it by some day.

I'm an OCD/ADD personality type. I have been diagnosed "On the Spectrum" as it is said nowadays. So, this hobby has been my primary outlet for 40 years. It is rough to think about giving it all up. And yet..... There is a curious sense of freedom and relief as well. As to those who are concerned about my health, other than the normal issues of any overweight, 57 year old, I'm still blessed with good health. Don W. I'll save you a seat!

Well, the time has come. The world is changing (and not for the better). I've decided to lay down my tools, and sell my kits. The time for (escaping) the world's issues by playing with (sophisticated) toys is over. I've buried 40 years and part of a marriage into Plastic Modeling. It brings me less pleasure every month. Time to move in new directions, and become a different version of myself. I want nothing more than to hide from ugly reality, and continue to futz around with kits. But, the time is coming when than won't be an option, so it's better to move now, than wait for the decision to be taken from me by circumstances. It has been great fun, and I wish it could continue. Sadly, it can't, at least not for me. I've enjoyed everybody I've corresponded with on the board. I have talked to some great folks, and had some great times. Had some great trades. If you live in Southern California, and are interested in buying my collections of Car, Truck and Airplane kits, send me a PM. I cannot deliver, but I'll be happy to help otherwise. I'm chronically disorganized, so there are no lists for me to share, although, i can take and text as many cell phone pics as you would like. I've got several parts boxes, and 20 years worth of kits. So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish!

Len C. ?