charlie8575

I might grab one of those Beetles, too. Always wanted to build one, and I think my collection should have one. Charlie Larkin

One thing I didn't see mentioned... What became of the '57 Chevy convertible? That was the one I was kind of looking forward to. Charlie Larkin

'Tis true, but they don't have the Russian-Finnish bad blood! Charlie Larkin

Bad people have always been around. The problem we seem to be running up against now is the combination of a lack of character and ethics education at home and at school. There are plenty of well-documented societal ills that have become especially prevalent over the last twenty or so years, with much of it culminating in most of western society having become a society of takers rather than producers. As a result, most people have lost an appreciation for the value and need of work, and simply prefer to help themselves to the fruits of another's labor, or even worse, as Bill pointed out, their proverbial "seed corn." I really do hope you get that bike back, Niko. As you were advised, watch eBay, Craigslist and any other Internet service. Upon seizing the crooks, may I suggest leaving them on the other side of the Russian border? Charlie Larkin

Intellectual Property- copyrights, patents, trademarks, licensing, etc. Charlie Larkin

Seriously, Terry, humor DOES help! When my mother had breast cancer in 2009, laughter helped, and the doctors think it made things better for her. Grab some Looney Toons, Tom & Jerry, Wood Woodpecker, or other cartoons that make you laugh and keep them handy. You can beat this. Charlie Larkin

I use a box with a window and a fan for ventilation. Or, when the weather is nice, take the box outside and paint in the box outdoors. All the venting you need. Charlie Larkin

Looking very nice. Charlie Larkin

Dramatic improvement. Charlie Larkin

If I was Microscale, I'd seriously be looking at a restraint-of-trade suit. I fully understand and appreciate the desire and need to protect your name, images, etc. I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is overzealous twits like Skip's "young law clerk" who either need something to do, or remind us that their companies or organizations (or possibly themselves) are less-than-pleasant-parts of the anatomy to deal with! Frankly, given some of the practices of some companies, like PACCAR, Caterpillar, Goodyear, and now it appears Exxon-Mobil, perhaps the toy and hobby trade association and we, as consumers, could get some kind of class-action citing restraint of trade, practices resulting in inferior products (e.g.: tires without branding), csnsorship in violation of the First Amendment (remember Cat with the boards?). The point being that they've acted in a cartel-like manner to artificially inflate and make more expensive, hobby products for us all and then we end up with lesser products. Just wondering out loud and expressing great frustration with so much stupidity running the world and the monumental concentration of it in corporate circles. Charlie Larkin Edit: Removed reference to Firestone, which was made in error.

Having studied to be a paralegal, and still toying with law school myself for down the road, I can honestly say that your daughter has earned a right to be proud, and you have, too. Law school is an arduous undertaking and she accomplished what she did is quite something. As to the count of lawyers- yes, there are a lot of them. What we're missing though, are good, ethical lawyers with a sense of duty and honor. As long as she remembers that, she'll do well. What type of law does she want to practice? Charlie Larkin

Anne, there are several really good shops local to us. The prices work out about the same once you factor in postage and you go home with what you need. I don't know where you are, but these are the shops I'd start with: Tyngsborough- Hobby Emporium Marlborough- Spare Time Shop West Boylston- Turn 4 Hobbies Westborough- The Whiz. Norton- Harry's Hobbies Hyannis- Centerline Hobbies I believe South Shore Hobby in Weymouth is still in business. I can find out for you. Pioneer Valley Hobby- West Springfield. Hobby Bunker- Malden There's also a nice shop on Route 8 or 8A in Adams. Use that for a start. I'm well-known at Spare Time Shop and Harry's. Oh, and if you join MassCar or Classic Plastic, STS, Hobby Emporium and Harry's offer discounts to their members, ranging from 10-20% Charlie Larkin

As to dating, Eugene, don't worry, it'll come sooner or later. It took me a while, too. As to career....I was saying the same thing at 24. While direction is important, don't give up the rest of your life over it. I would suggest perhaps seeing if you can start off with the MTA, NJ Transit, LIRR, or something like that. That might allow you to have a better balance. In the meantime, concentrate on things like education- and not necessarily from school, be a self-prompted learner, and of course, find a way to support yourself well. If you do leave Home Depot...one of my closest friends lives in Red Hook and is in need of some extra work, so you might even be able to fill your own job. Charlie Larkin

Some of them deserve to be! Sorry, grouchy old teacher moment! I like to do chicken, steaks, ribs, hamburgers, sausages, packeted potatoes with peppers and onions. I'll do salmon once in a while. I'm still trying to figure out how to do corn right, and of course, being an Armenian, shish kebab and losh kebab. Losh kebab is a mixture of ground lamb and hamburger grilled, and served traditionally in pita bread with parsley, chopped onions and a yogurt dressing. I generally omit tomato sauce and add dried herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano and similar. You can also use a tablespoon of Italian seasonings. http://armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Adventures_in_Armenian_Cooking_-_Meats#Lamb-burgers_.28LOSH_KEBAB.29 Charlie Larkin

Stickley did make a line of colonial-style furniture in the 1920s and '30s, too. It's not as valuable as the Craftsman/Mission pieces, but it's still well thought of and well-made. I don't know if that decoration as it is is original, though. I would definitely have a Stickley furniture specialist examine it, if only even the photos. Charlie Larkin

Any brands you care to recommend Bill? My mother has to be very careful with soybeans because of blood-clots, and Cain's, which is made with Canola oil, is a little hit-and-miss for being found. Personally, I like the olive oil stuff. Charlie Larkin

I'm very sorry to hear of this, Terry. Although we've only actually been able to meet once, I consider you a friend and it troubles me when I hear of such things. We're all thinking of you. On behalf of myself and MassCar- get well soon! Charlie Larkin

Not too far off from the Copper Brown, which was a color available. Good luck with your P.T., Al. It's a hard road to travel, but I know you can do it. Nice job on that one. Charlie Larkin

I'm building mine now. I have to agree about the fit: very good for the parts I've done so far. I like this one...I can see it as a car someone wanted a very mild personalization to. Charlie Larkin

Nice job on that, Jason. Charlie Larkin

Not quite what I'd have done, but I like it. I love the beige/red scheme. Charlie Larkin

Nice work on those. Charlie Larkin

Yeah, what he said. Fantastic work on that chassis. Charlie Larkin

It's nice to see someone your age building. I taught junior and senior high school. I'd run into a kid here and there that might try a car or airplane, and I think there was one or two that was really into it. And the choice....spectacular. That's a very nice kit. It really surprised me how many kids your age find the capital C "classics" so cool and wonderful. It made me happy. This is my up close and personal with a Deusenburg, that taken ill with vapor lock on a country road near me. Charlie Larkin

I think the original intention was foiling prior to painting. I do that for scripts and other very small areas. Foil, paint, polishing and a white plastic eraser like a Staedler Mars brings up the foil. You can also use a Micro-Brush or very fine cotton swab dampened with the proper thinner to remove the paint, just use caution. Charlie Larkin