Dr. Cranky

You definitely got my attention.

The minute you take it all too seriously it starts to fall apart. Also, a good sense of humor helps.

Here's Doctor Cranky's formula for enjoying the hobby into a ripe old age: 1) build for yourself to derive pleasure from your skills and imagination 2) always share and be generous 3) if you show your models in competition do so with an open mind and an open heart 4) be happy to build at your current skill level, and be patient . . . everyone learns at their own pace 5) if you want to get better, practice, practice, practice--READ and INFORM yourself, learn from others 6) be willing to accept criticism. CRITICISM is a fact of life. Always focus and listen to constructive criticism. 7) help others with what you've learned, and learn from your mistakes. 8) Don't be too hard upon yourself, but be your toughest critic 9) Remember that building models is about the journey, not the final results 10) Keep your first few models so that you can compare them to later models and see how far you've come in the hobby. I'm sure I can come up with a longer list, but these are the ones that have kept me going all these years.

A little birdy tells me that in the January issue there's a cross-dressing article that finds Mr. Donn Yost kicking up some rusty goodness, and he does it all with enamels!

Enjoying this one quite a bit.

I dream about building models all the time, sometimes dreams are the source of my crazy ideas.

You got my attention with this one. Keep it going.

Man, that's looking good but you are going to need lots of white paint.

Loving that chassis, the color and the details.

Looks good, Jim.

It's a beauty, and I like the cut angles. They really help with the viewing area. Sure, have fun with the family and the friends, it's not like it's Xmas eve or anything like that.

So many beautiful details all over the place. I can't decide what part of this model I like best.

I really like that color. Very nice.

Hollywood, are you holding back on the eye candy?

Good start.

If you set up a cutting matt (your favorite size) and a couple of lamps, and some other tools at your bench, you should be as set up as you'd ever need to be. I do love the Tamiya painting stand though.

Oh yes, your retirement has been really good for us! Keep the eye candy coming.

Love it!

I opened mine last year, saw the mess, and put it back in the box. It's good for scrap parts.

I want to thank Chuck Ellis for bringing this one to my attention. Hope everyone enjoys it and stays inspired in 2013. http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2012/11/26/lori_nix_diorama_photography_creating_post_apocalyptic_tiny_dioramas.html

And, of course, Jim, you will show us a picture.

Terry, I opened mine, saw the shape mine was in, packaged it up again and traded it.

You better hurry, Jim, I just bought 4 more! LOL!

Yes, I am liking it. Nice subject matter too.

I think it will be worth it just for the extra police parts.