Should I quit modeling?

[ericmaxman]

Guys,

Thanks so much for the feedback. I really appreciated it.

Well, as you guys guessed, the root, is not just modeling. The same thing occurred when I

was doing computers. As in hardware assembly and stuff like that.

The cause is her mood. As you can see, her mood swings like, err, very fast.

One second its really nice, but a few seconds later, she'll be insane !

She's in her early 50's, so Dad guessed that it has something to do with

her err, " that one" .

I feel, the only way I can get to model is when she is not around, or when she is in a

better mood. Or even do when she is not looking. It is true that she does not like to

collect stuff like this, so the best I can do is just let it be. So far, she only complained

yesterday, today is relatively fine though.

[3men2s]

Wow, does this bring back memories. When I was ... 10ish I can remember my dad always coming in my room when I was building my cars and saying (and I quote him here because it's etched in my head) "playing with those ###### kiddy cars again!"

Well I never fully gave up on "my ###### kiddy cars" through life, and today he's quite proud of my accomplishments. I even had to buy him the Model Cars issue with my beetle on the cover so he could show his buddies. It's more of a joke to me these days with him. When somthing like the magazine cover happens, I get to anounce to him, "hey look at this! There's one of my ###### kiddy cars on the cover"

Never give up what you enjoy. Everything will work out.

THIS REMINDS ME OF THE MOVIE "RUDY"

never give up!!!

[gkulchock]

That is the biggest treat for me.

Surprising people with covers.

I don't ever kiss and tell (well, I did once, but that's another story), and when guys see their car on the cover, the thrill I get for their response really makes the past ten years of sweat, blood, surgeries, and a couple of bankruptcies all worth it.

My only regret is I started so late.

I started building in '87, after seeing a SAE in our local hobby shop, April 1987 to be exact.

I still need to meet the other cover feature modeler, and thank him for who and what I am today.

Yes Gregg, thanks for surprising me with my beetle on the cover. I planed to thank you personally in Toledo, and I still will. I hope your magazines circulation didn't go down because of that nasty, shocking photo I saw inside of some fat guy. Let me tell you, the cover was a total surprise, but the photo inside shocked me and droped me to the floor laughing.

Thanks again for Model Cars Magazine, this forum and for just doing what you do for all us modelers.

See you in Toledo!

[FloridaBoy]

eric,

I am 61 and have been building since I was 5, starting to modify 1/25 scale AMT dealer promos long before kits. I have ranged from major fanatic to looking at it as a way to pass time, and I have been active in many sports, tournament tennis, model railroading, sailboat racing, surfing, softball, and tending to my two children, but I always come back to my roots, and right now I am building at my own pace.

First, I have learned that model car building is a great way to spend time, creative, learning to use tools, think things out, resolve problems, tend to details, read history and research, and on and on. But look at it from a mother's perspective or a wife's perspective - they are the queens of their nest, and model cars if out of hand are messy, smelly, intrusive, and often venture out of the workbench area. That is a threat to her area, particularly if she is into neatness. I have been lucky in my marriages to have a garage with a nice workshop.

There also is something in your post that it seems to be more than model cars and inside pastimes, but that is something you and your dad will have to work out with your mom.

I now live alone, and every couple of weeks, I clean off my workbench, just to organize projects, and keep the parts and tools where I can reach them, and put old projects back into the closet, and that may be a solution.

Also, winter and fall are approaching, meaning shorter days, and less time outdoors, so this problem may resolve itself. I would suggest you talk to your Mom without rancor or anger, and just tell her that you need to do something with your hands during idle hours after homework, and model cars is a creative outlet.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[ericmaxman]

eric,

I am 61 and have been building since I was 5, starting to modify 1/25 scale AMT dealer promos long before kits. I have ranged from major fanatic to looking at it as a way to pass time, and I have been active in many sports, tournament tennis, model railroading, sailboat racing, surfing, softball, and tending to my two children, but I always come back to my roots, and right now I am building at my own pace.

First, I have learned that model car building is a great way to spend time, creative, learning to use tools, think things out, resolve problems, tend to details, read history and research, and on and on. But look at it from a mother's perspective or a wife's perspective - they are the queens of their nest, and model cars if out of hand are messy, smelly, intrusive, and often venture out of the workbench area. That is a threat to her area, particularly if she is into neatness. I have been lucky in my marriages to have a garage with a nice workshop.

There also is something in your post that it seems to be more than model cars and inside pastimes, but that is something you and your dad will have to work out with your mom.

I now live alone, and every couple of weeks, I clean off my workbench, just to organize projects, and keep the parts and tools where I can reach them, and put old projects back into the closet, and that may be a solution.

Also, winter and fall are approaching, meaning shorter days, and less time outdoors, so this problem may resolve itself. I would suggest you talk to your Mom without rancor or anger, and just tell her that you need to do something with your hands during idle hours after homework, and model cars is a creative outlet.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Yeah, scale modeling can kill some time when the weather does not permit me to go out. But I'd rather do scale modeling than playing computers, honestly. You guys are so lucky to have separate places for modeling. I have to make do with my small work area, which has to be juggled between cars and computers. But that is not the big deal. I just have to be more careful in the future to prevent my mom from exploding again.

[Guest zebm1]

I think all of yall got it wrongo...his Mama wants him to go out and find a woman. That he will marry and then go out and build a bigger house...sos she can quit working, retire and move into her son's new home. Where she can sit on her overly plump rearend, sip lemonade and dictate to her "new" daughter-in-law how the house should be run.....aall for Mama's benefit.

It's what my Mom had planned all of my and my brother's lives....didn't work...she still lives in her own house, can't drive and is 35 miles away...from me...and several states away from my brother.

Edited October 2, 2008 by zebm1

[67PontiacGTO]

I think all of yall got it wrongo...his Mama wants him to go out and find a woman. That he will marry and then go out and build a bigger house...sos she can quit working, retire and move into her son's new home. Where she can sit on her overly plump rearend, sip lemonade and dictate to her "new" daughter-in-law how the house should be run.....aall for Mama's benefit.

It's what my Mom had planned all of my and my brother's lives....didn't work...she still lives in her own house, can't drive and is 35 miles away...from me...and several states away from my brother.

Man Don't Give Up!!! I am 16 years old and I model cars and trucks. I am one of the fortunate ones though(not tryin to rub it in any ones face, I would never do that cause I wouldnt want it done to me) my parents support my model building and 1:1 car passions, except for the paint fumes!!!LOL But I dont think any of us enjoy the fumes that much, however I am noticing the less and less. But whatever you do DONT GIVE UP!!!

Do what u love to do,

Clutch

[ericmaxman]

Man Don't Give Up!!! I am 16 years old and I model cars and trucks. I am one of the fortunate ones though(not tryin to rub it in any ones face, I would never do that cause I wouldnt want it done to me) my parents support my model building and 1:1 car passions, except for the paint fumes!!!LOL But I dont think any of us enjoy the fumes that much, however I am noticing the less and less. But whatever you do DONT GIVE UP!!!

Do what u love to do,

Clutch

No, I will never give up. Scale modeling is my passion. I won't give up just because my mom does not approve me. I shall do cars until as long as my eyes and hand can still hold and see the plastic.

[OSLRod]

The late Norman Whitfield once said, 'Don't change your ways, just be yourself 'cause you can't please everybody!' In other words, if it's clearly something you love to do, don't quit simply because your mother doesn't like it; and to blame your father for it is totally uncalled for. Modeling is one of the best hobbies to have if not the ONLY best! I'm willing to bet that it's a sentimental thing to you simply because of your father, and we know how much we love our fathers regardless of how bitter mothers may be toward them. It's obvious that she can't be satisfied no matter what, so just take it all in stride and keep on doin' what your father instilled in you; besides, everything our fathers teach us will stick with us just as much as what mothers teach.

[lordairgtar]

Ericmaxman, I can tell you are one of the good kids, smart, has skills, many interests....I do not know much about Malaysia, but you seem to have a good hold on what you want to do in your life. The computer aspect tells me that you have mechanical and mathematical skills. This will serve you well in the future. I've seen the models you posted and I like the look of them, very well done. I like the flat black sedan you did, kind of like an Asian version of the Robocop car, that shows imagination and the ability to carry it out, plus you are not afraid of trying out of the ordinary colors. About your Mom, i can't help you on that one (my dad was the same way), but maybe it could be a medical issue that needs to be addressed by her doctor. My elderly Mother has mood swings, too. But if she takes her medicines, she's OK.

[Dragon7665]

Ehh we all go through times like this with Family or Friends..... Personally, My Father and Grandfather both used to bust my chops about my Models, my Automotive, and Computer Hobbies, as they only saw it as a waste of time and money..... The Annoying thing was, that it was both of them that got me started on Models, and Working on Fullsize Cars/Trucks, along with my Father being the one who bought my first Comp(Vic20 Baby!)..... They always used to hound me about home I could never do any of that to make a Real Living, yet now they always hound me for not actually going into either of those fields(Wanted to be a Model Builder for Movie Sets, I still enjoy working on Fullsizes, and I was fairly talented when it came to learning new Computer Programs, even modifying them... Just got tired of their hassling me)....

More than anything, your Mom just cares alot about you, and knows that you'll get along alittle easier in life, as long as you go out & make new friends outside of your Home..... Yep her age is a Factor, so always give her a little bit more understanding, as she is going through alot of changes & fraustrations, so sometimes it is easier for her to vent her difficulties with those that are the closest to her.....

For me, a Hobby offers a bit of a Break or Escape from reality, but not everyone will approve or understand such a thing, as it's not something they can easily do, or even know the first thing about how to do.....

If you want to offer her a little insight about your Passion, just simply ask her to join you and experience one of your builds.... Most won't understand a Hobby, until they are able to exerience it somewhat, even if it's not to your level of expertise.....

[Jantrix]

The issue my folks had with my models was the clutter. Boy, that would set my Mom off like a roman candle. Boxes open on my desk and floor, pieces laying about as the paint dried. Sprayed bodies hanging from the garage clothes line. Stacks of boxes in the garage and my closet. And don't even get me started about the Easy-Off on the model body in the kitchen sink. My Dad was cool with it, but my Mom was another story.

In order to keep the peace though, I did have to learn to be neater about my building and storage. A habit that my wife really appreciates. I can't add anything to the already excellent and inspiring advice you have gotten, except maybe to try to keep the models from her line of sight. If they don't impact her life, she will stop worrying about them. In theory anyway.

[Dr. Cranky]

Gee, I'm getting to this conversation a little late and I think you've gotten lots of great advice . . .

The truth is, my friend, that you will have to go to school, get a job, fall in love, get married or not, but the point is that life is about to take over . . . and eventually, if you have to stop building for a little bit, you should not beat yourself up over it. Enjoy what you are doing now and know that sooner or later you will rekindle your passion . . .

I have to agree with Harrypri on this . . . I think there's something else at work here . . . so the best thing to do is to talk it out . . .

Most of us have been building models most of our lives, some even without ever stopping . . . your needs and your LIFE will dictate what you need to do.

But listen to your heart first, and I know that sounds like a cliche but it is true.

I wish you great wisdom and enlightment!

[ericmaxman]

Gee, I'm getting to this conversation a little late and I think you've gotten lots of great advice . . .

The truth is, my friend, that you will have to go to school, get a job, fall in love, get married or not, but the point is that life is about to take over . . . and eventually, if you have to stop building for a little bit, you should not beat yourself up over it. Enjoy what you are doing now and know that sooner or later you will rekindle your passion . . .

I have to agree with Harrypri on this . . . I think there's something else at work here . . . so the best thing to do is to talk it out . . .

Most of us have been building models most of our lives, some even without ever stopping . . . your needs and your LIFE will dictate what you need to do.

But listen to your heart first, and I know that sounds like a cliche but it is true.

I wish you great wisdom and enlightment!

There's no such thing as too late. I value your feedback a lot.

And once again, thanks a lot to those who has given their advice and point of views. I appreciate it. So far, I have been busy working and

have not found the time to do modeling. Because currently my WIP requires some painting, and the weather here has not been very good, so I

guess that my WIP has to be put on hold. This has somewhat kept my mom quiet for the past few days. Anyhow, I'll just make sure that I'll do

my work when she's not around.