Ability vs. Enthusiasm

[Harold]

When I got back into this hobby back in '87, I had all kinds of ideas that I thought that, well, this has got to work (think Sid Cesar in 'Mad World" then jamming two live wires together) and leaving behind a trail of mangled plastic. Success came slowly to me- my turning point was in '97 when I successfully combined a Revell Skyliner with an AMT '57 Ford. Still, tempering my enthusiasm was the fact that if I was going to do some decent stuff, there was still lots to learn. I would gaze in awe at the work of guys like Airo and Gustavson and believe they'd found a way to either shrink a real car or a real person down to 1/25 scale to get these amazing details. Then there was a turning point in my life. Some crackhead robbed me in my cab one night in '02, and I decided that I'd rather be getting some sort of edjimication than risking my butt on the mean streets of Flint every night. Since then, I've been an art major, recieving my associates from Mott in '05 and atending UM Flint, working towards my Bachelor's in Fine Arts. It dawned on me the other day when I viewed my work from even five years ago to what I'm doing now- all those drawing, painting, design and photog classes have taught me control of whatever tool I've got in my hand, be it a brush, X-Acto or cudgel. I've also developed an eye for what I'm doing (not to mention patience and following a process). Moral- it's never too late to go to school (I'll be [shhhhhhhh] 53 in a few weeks [how the &^%$ did I get this old?]).

[bobss396]

I graduated with my BS in Manufacturing Engineering in '06 at age 51, so go for it man. It only took me 10 years of night classes to do it, gaining an AAS in Mechanical Engineering on the way. I could have spent the time in front of the tube watching those hideous "sh%$ coms" that are so popular to many.

I got back into modeling in 1994 or so, figured I'd be a GREAT builder right away. Guess what? I SUCKED at it big time and was so frustrated. I had great enthusiasm but mediocre skills. Since then I manage to get one together with few visible glue spots and haven't been to Lake Castrol in a while.

Bob

[Joe Nunes]

Congratulations to both of you, Harold and Bob, for not giving up on your studies.

Edited April 29, 2008 by rhoadapple

[lordairgtar]

Wow, I'm in the presence of smart people. I feel really stupid now.

[RatRod]

I guess I'm the kid here.....I'll be hitting 50 in a few short months, and like some of you I'm taking several courses in college at the moment trying to refresh things I did 30 years ago, and learning a lot of new things as well. Your right, it's never to late to improve yourself, and keep your brain in check. So, with all that's been said, isn't it funny that all us dusty old farts still build models, and scan the toy isles at every store we walk into......

[CAL]

Seems to be a theme.

I recently graduated @ 39 with a BFA in Film minored in English Writing and have 96 credits towards a BS in Comm Arts, and I am considering going back for a Masters.

I tool had a lot of enthusiasm that far exceeded my skills, but my skills are finally catching up.

Yeah, TV sure does it for a lot of folks. I still don't watch but a couple hours a week. Sometimes go weeks without turning the TV on at all.

Edited April 29, 2008 by CAL

[Gregg]

This is what i love about the hobby.

Seriously, this is stuff to print.

And oh yeah, I haven't owned a tv in over a year.......

[bobss396]

Night school is no picnic if you're taking tough courses. It was 30 years between me taking calculus and advanced calculus. I hardly knew how to turn on my TI-86 calculator for the first class! Talk about a reality check. I'm not sure if I'll go for the masters degree yet, I need a break.

Bob

[Joe Nunes]

Bluesman, you really hit a chord with me in your comments.

Edited April 29, 2008 by rhoadapple

[Harry P.]

And oh yeah, I haven't owned a tv in over a year.......

How in the world will you know who wins "American Idol"???

BTW Harold...congratulations on your "mid-life crisis". You're right, it's NEVER too late to learn. Yes, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks...

[MrObsessive]

I'm thinking about going back to school...............I'd love to take the Microsoft MCSE course.......even took the online entry test that's being offered by a local school here. I passed with flying colors, went down to talk to the guy about the course------and was absolutely bowled over when he said the course was $24,000 FOR SIX MONTHS!!

Needless to say, I don't think I'll be attending that school anytime soon..............I was told that my job would send me to school but the catch is I have to keep at least a C+ average. That may be the route I'll go, but we'll see.

As far as TV, there are only a few programs I'll watch during the week-----Autoline Detroit, Motorweek, and of course gotta catch "Ghost Whisperer" on Friday nights! Actually I like to watch Jennifer Love Hewitt!

For "background noise" (Although I am listening) I'll tune in to talk radio while I'm on the computer or building something.

[Dr. Cranky]

I still think about the one word that got me back into the hobby almost a decade ago: FUN.

That's what it's all about. If it ain't fun, don't do it.

[gasman]

I'm in school majoring in architectural computer aided drafting. off coarse i'm alot younger then all of you (i'm 23), but with my plan of study i'll almost always be taking classes the rest of my life as the technology gets better, I used to hate school but now I actually like it.

[FactoryStock54]

I haven't had an outside TV hookup since last August and, frankly, I don't miss it one little bit! The only thing I have the TV for now is watching DVDs. I've concluded that TV (whether broadcast, cable or satelite) turns one into a passive consumer, and there are better ways to spend one's time, like, say, building models. Anything that interests me on TV can eventually be rented on DVD anyway, and I can watch it when I want to without having to sit through a barrage of boring, pointless commercials.

BTW, Bluesman, love your new avatar! Great music and some truly legendary musicians!

[jbwelda]

its a little known fact: no one ever got anywhere watching tv every night.

that said, i had comcast there for awhile and got addicted to survivorman (note NOT "survivor") and man vs wild. but now that im out in the country its no more comacast for me.

ot but yeah bluesman, muddy waters i think that must be, first the stones now youre going back to the roots. and a mention of richie hayward too, great drummer too bad that band he was or maybe still is in never managed to replace the irreplacable lowell george. anyway just got through listening to bag of reds if you know that one, its a line from (wait till the sh*t hits) the fan. if you dont know their boot elektrif lycanthrope then get to know.

[bobss396]

I'm in school majoring in architectural computer aided drafting. off coarse i'm alot younger then all of you (i'm 23), but with my plan of study i'll almost always be taking classes the rest of my life as the technology gets better, I used to hate school but now I actually like it.

Well, taking night classes for ten years (spread over a span of 16 years) I got to see technology change quite a bit. I actually became a technology junkie for a while there and can see why a 4 year bachelor's degree "wears out" in 10 years.

Bob