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EstreetCruiser

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Posts posted by EstreetCruiser

  1. What most of us realize is that much of our culture has gone into

    shock as the baby-boomers are retiring in mass and the latest "Gen" has come of age

    and shop, and spend their money very differently and have different priorities and interests than past generations.

    There is a major shift taking place and that's affecting most of our daily lives right now - stability???,,that's gone for right now too.

     

    Major dept, stores are closing by the thousands all over the U.S. Gas stations are closing in mass in my area too because

    of people buying less cars (Uber) higher gas mileage, and electric and hybrid cars becoming more common.

    Also several super market chains have folded also.

     

    The next several years will be interesting to see what happens to the model industry as well as the rest of our culture as we

    continue to adjust to the constant changes taking place in this country and around the world.

     

    Glad I'm retired, I think think the stock market can only go so high before there will be some massive white-knuckle flights in the

    financial world again, with more downward spirals. Time will tell.

  2. Over many decades the hobby has ebbed and flowed as the culture has changed.

    Many of the forums I visit are "sleepy" right now, but some of us continue posting.

     

    I did an article for MCM back in 2010 - no money. After this long I don't expect to see any.

     

    In this economic climate people are just trying to hold on and maybe put off the inevitable.

     

    Let's hope the pendulum eventually swings back the other way. Us die-hards want to see the hobby continue even if it's in 1/25 scale :smiley14: . (Smaller than it is now - LoL)

  3. Dave,

     

    I have been to many National conventions and I have NEVER experianced any of the types of people you describe. If this is common on the forums you frequent, I would suggest better moderation to the web master. Being a moderator here, I take it pretty easy on the comments made. As long as the folks here don't start flaming each other and follow the rules, everything runs pretty smoothly. If I see things getting heated (potentially), I'll ask that everyone should reconsider what they say before they post. 99 times out of 100 that's all it takes. Just my opinion.

    Rusty,

    It's nice to read your comments and your dedication to keeping this a safe place for modelers to come and enjoy themselves. That's much appreciated Been kinda watching under the radar how things go here. Maybe I'll post something here in the future :m1helmet: .

  4. Dave, I can only assume that your primary focus involves model cars. If there is that much negativity in your particular circles of activity, then I would agree the hobby has a serious problem. Negativity exists in every endeavor. We wouldn't be human if it didn't, but what is really important is how it is handled. In the local contests I've been around, as well as the one IPMS National I was able to attend, I saw no evidence of the negativity, whining and complaining that you describe. I've spent 50 years as a freelance writer/professional modelbuilder and I have yet to see the intense level of problems you list.

     

     

    Regarding "...the insatiable desire for recognition", everyone wants to be acknowledged for what they do. This is simply human nature. Of course, if you prefer not to be recognized, that's your choice.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    Your fortunate in regards to never experiencing the negativity I mentioned. It's a constant issue on forums at times even now, but in the past even worse, and it's a constant problem in my area that has driven people from many clubs and local contests. Simply no fun anymore.

     

    As far as being human I understand that, but being human doesn't make it right or excuse poor behavior.

     

    Just accepting it and justifying it by saying it's human nature adds no remedy for the problem of being inexcusibly mean and a diversion that keeps people from enjoying themselves.

     

    That being said I do appreciate you responding to my post and your imput. Glad you don't see any of the problems many of the rest of us deal with constantly and have tired of it.

     

    All the best, and have a good holiday season,

    Dave

  5. I am truly sorry to hear that many of you aren't receiving due compensation for your hard work - that's frustrating at the minimum.

     

    This little hobby itself has become more and more devisive and I believe is in a slow process of some level of self-destruct with editors and writers jumping ship.

    The writing appears to be on the wall.

     

    Hobby shops are losing customers who buy model cars and model car clubs are losing members by the droves because of the constant in-fighting, back stabbing and

    unfair practices at contest events as well as the whiners and complainers who make the contest less and less of an enjoyable experience.

     

    And most of the forums are struggling to keep interest alive and their magazine counterparts are struggling to keep publishing there smaller and smaller numbers of magazine issues.

     

    Over the next 10 years I think you will see major changes in this obscure little hobby that commands little of the GNP and adds little else to the economy.

    If it disappeared completely I don't think anyone of importance would notice. Most people think it's a pretty silly hobby for grown men anyway.

     

    There is just too much negativism in this hobby with huge ego's, and a rampage of arrogance and the insaitable desire for recognition.

     

    "The times they are ah changing" as time moves on.

  6. Hey there Mr. Susan...Life is grand here. A little hot but GOOD. The Resin is about the same. The Music business is on the slow side of the record for me. I've really retired for the most part. REALLY keeping myself busy with scale builds though. My computer went away on me and I had to get another one. It's got windows 10 and I'm still learning all the different locations and wording that they've added or TAKEN AWAY. I had to cut back to 32 bit so I can run my ALPS printer. I will say though...this puppy does RUN a WHOLE BUNCH FASTER. Still... In my opinion...XP was a great program....easy to figure out and run... But....(the infamous BUT....LOL) I'm learning this one know. It's taken me awhile and I hope to have update pics on my 31 build here pretty soon. Hope you're doing good down there. I'll bet it's "cook'in".

     

    Hey Gary.

    Yeah, we had a few 100 degree days, but just kept the air cranked up and sailed right through it.

    My cat doesn't even thank me for how comfy it is, he just sleeps all day - Silly cat :) .

     

    Havin' fun right now adding more shelves in my model room / man cave.

    I had one wall left that needed some art work and some new models in more cases.

    Fun to re-organize stuff and update a few things.

    Now I'll have room to expand my "Viewing Pleasure" :smiley14: (A little more eye candy is always nice :smiley20: )

  7. Wow, what a spectacular looking car! I highly commend you on your seamless conversion. I agree, that car looks far better with the new body you made. I bow in the presence of greatness here....

     

     

     

    :smiley32: :smiley32: :smiley32: :smiley32: :smiley32:

    Thanks Mark, but no greatness here my friend, I'm just having fun with my Toyyyyz like all you guy's. It's wonderful doing something ya' love and are half-way decent at it.

    I'll probably do this until Jesus comes back to get me :smiley16::smiley20:

  8. Man Dave...it's been awhile. Your work still looks way kool! Great fab work. I really like the way you made the hood open too...Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to more pics...

     

    Thanks guy's for you positive comments.

     

    Gary my friend you're right, it's been a while, but life is extremely good.

     

    I hope life is good for you too. How's the resin business and the band your in?

     

    All the best,

    Dave

  9. This is a build I collected parts for, for several years.

     

    I used 2 separate kits, both as donors, to get my imagined build

    in a way to suite my taste.

     

    I absolutely love the front grill/bumper combination, so I basically built

    the car around them. The one I used came from Modelhaus

     

    I have never liked the roofline of the '71, but felt the '69 roofline would

    really enhance the look of the car, along with changing the rear window from a Mercury to

    a 1970 Mustang, and I could use the louvered shade rear window cover, and also the

    rear spoiler from the same '70 Mustang donor kit, and a hood scoop from a Boss 429

    Mustang kit because this was to be a Boss 429 Mercury street car with some hand made graphics.

    The two pieces really fitted almost seamlessly, and was an easy cleanup with just a little body filler.

     

    The tires are resin from a great supplier, and the "Billboard" white letter tire graphics were

    custom printed.

     

    There are many other subtle custom touched all over the car that just made this a fun build to create.

    She's not done yet, still got a few details under the hood and a few other places, but the ol' girl

    is comin' along, and I'm havin' a blast.

     

    I'll add pictures as I become familiar with the process here. Thanks for lookin' in :smiley14: Much appreciated.

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    • Like 1
  10. Welcome Dave! That sounds like one fun time back then! Are you still out in San Berdue? Maybe we can meet at the Orangecon in October if you have the chance to swing over for that. Meanwhile, don't lurk, show us some of your work!

     

    Hey Mark - Thanks for the welcome to the forum.

    No, I'm not in Berdoo anymore, I'm up here "Huggin' Trees" in Portland, Oregon.

     

    Thanks for the invite, but that would be quite a drive - LOL :smiley14:

  11. I know some of the guys here, but not by this screen name.

    I was born in the Northwest, but my folks raised in San Bernardino (Berdoo) SoCal,

    and for some years I've been wanting to use this screen name, as it brings back such great memories.

     

    E Street was one of the most popular cruise streets in all of SoCal in the 50's and 60's, along with

    Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles and the Big Boy Hamburger Drive Inn.

     

    In San Bernardino we cruised through the original McDonalds on E Street and was the main attraction for all

    the hot rods and customs from all over SoCal to park there and show off - What great memories and so many more.

     

    Been building model cars since I was 7, but also dabbled in military and sci-fi space ships for a while too.

     

    Now I just play with my model cars and have a blast.

     

    Great to be here and lurk under the radar checkin' out everybody's stuff.

     

     

     

     

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