Nick Filippone

A company called “fundekals :(“ makes stripes as well. They also are good quality. Nick😷

I had made my Tuesday registration Friday afternoon in case I couldn’t add it when the block opened ( and I couldn’t) so it didn’t matter. That some people ( good for them) were able to do it only reinforces my opinion of computers and organizations: they are far from infallible or trustworthy, however unintentional. One should always have a back-up plan, plan B, exit strategy, etc. etc. As Lord Salisbury said: “ Don’t put your faith in the experts.” Nick

God helps those who help themselves. I played with the reservation page on Friday afternoon. At that point, you could not book the room because the room icons were not displayed as they would be at midnight Central Time. But you could edit and alter those large black dates. I tried it. And though I could change the 2 Aug. to 1 Aug, the little tiny calendar in the far upper left never changed from Wednesday to Tuesday. So this made me think it could not be done. So, I called the hotel- not the 888 number but the actual local hotel number. I was informed on no uncertain terms that the IPM code block did not include Tuesday the 1st, but would require a separate reservation at a different rate. And while I gave it one lightening quick try at midnight ( in my typically arrogant attempt to out fox the #@%* computer- I didn’t) , I was prepared to pivot to a Wednesday start date. It only cost me a few seconds because I had practiced. None of these preparations would assure success. But an athlete can improve his or her chances of winning with preparation and practice. Similarly, we all had the same opportunities to prepare and practice by spending a few extra hours in the gym! Nick

But you cannnot put 10 pounds of sausage in a 5 pound bag, no matter when or how or how quickly or slowly or efficiently or fairly you do it! The on-site hotel simply will not accommodate all of us. However else one may criticize the system this year, it was fair and even handed, giving everyone a level playing - field shot at a room. Having to deal with yet another new better (?) computerized electronic medical record system at my hospital, I can confidently affirm that people place way too much faith in these machines. They hinder as much as they supposedly help. “Open the pod bay door, HAL.” And even if the hotel failed somehow, ( and I am not suggesting they did) that is on them- not on Len and his team. Nick

There were 837 IPMS members who attended this year’s Omaha National. Even if only 500 planned to attend the San Marcos convention, and they all shared a room, that would be 250 people (one from each pair) trying to make a reservation. That is virtually the entire block. But, of course, some will be, instead, staying with family. So the demand for rooms significantly exceeds the block size, even at only 500 members attending. But we know that that is too low an estimate. Len got all the rooms Embassy would offer. And, he was very forthcoming in explaining how and when the rush would take place, such that almost all these 250, 300 or more members were ready when the ballon went up at 000 hours, Central Time. Hence, it comes as no surprise to me at all that the block was gone in 15. minutes. For future reference for those who encountered the “block is full” message, bear in mind when an organization gets a room block at a hotel, until the block is opened at the designated time, it always appears on the hotel computer as full or unavailable. Also, do not make the mistake of assuming the person answering the phone at the reservation desk knows anything about our show. For them, if the computer does not hit them in the face with very specific instructions, they are usually not much help. Should they know why the block appears to be full? Sure! But, they never do. Finally, for what it is worth, when dealing with these large chain hotels, NEVER call the 800 or 888 central reservation facility remote from the actual hotel where you want to make the reservation. They know even less than the people on site. My thoughts based on 30+ years of registering for Regionals and Nationals. Nick Filippone,

When we have more than one bid, the suspense would be created by wondering which bidder would be awarded the convention. Hence, while the bid presentations could be witnessed by any IPMS member who attended the meeting (held after the business meeting Saturday morning), the winner of course was not announced until the awards banquet. However, in the case of only one bid, the “winner,” as it were becomes apparent at that Saturday morning meeting, being the only presentation. I regularly attend both the business meeting and the bid presentation(s). If the E Board decides to reveal the bidder before the Saturday of the show or not, that is their prerogative. I vote for a little mystery until the show. I’m a big boy. I can be patient. Nick Filippone, IPMS #969

I like the suspense and anticipation. It’s fun. It adds to the enjoyment and excitement of the Nationals. Nick

Studies vary, but one survey estimates that 11% of homeless people are Veterans. The Veteran’s Administration estimates there are c. 107,000 homeless Veterans on any given night in America. I guess a lot of that ‘Thank you for your service’ talk is just that- talk! Nick Filippone

This episode underlines the importance of an affectation I acquired in college: crossing the middle of the upward stroke of the seven with a short horizontal line, as is done on the U.K. and Europe. It clearly distinguishes a seven from a one. Nick

Weren’t those Russians our allies when they won those medals? Nick

Certificates are generally regarded as small beer. We have only ever used them for “Honorable Mention” or other feel good awards. Most contest entrants I have discussed this matter with expect a substantive award for their registration money, along with the recognition. Nick

Dak, How do you “revitalize” old, crinkled, yellowed, off register (and probably inaccurate) decals that either shatter when placed in water or don’t stick and don’t conform to surface detail? You must be the Dr. Froederich Frankenstein of decals. “More Solvaset, Igor!” Nick

What self-respecting craftsman would be expected to use unusable decals on a project he or she takes any pride in? What competent judge would do anything but wonder why any sane modeler would think 50 year old decals could be made to work? All such a requirement would accomplish is to discourage modelers from tackling interesting old kits because they could not possibly make the markings look good. The NCC has too much good sense to give that idea any thought. Nick P.S. Consider the impact on old kit sales. Why buy something you could not possibly decently finish?

The Registrants should remember that they ARE getting a lot more for their money. The difference between the walk in fee and the registrants fee covers the cost of the trophies, the contest room tables, the contest room, the tables clothes, the judge’s pins, etc. None of those things are free and if the members want a contest to enter (and experience suggests that they do) then they are going to have to pay for it, like everything else in life. How much cheaper would the National Convention be put on without a contest? Personally, I would not bother to attend a Convention with no contest and a vendor room and “display only” tables. I am quite willing to pay for the excitement and possible reward of the contest. Whatever the walk-ins pay is gravy! Nick

So, we can have lots of walk-ins at an attractively low price and thus make some money and boost vendor business or punish them for not joining IPMS by raising the walk-in fee to a prohibitively high level and make less money as well as restrict the vendor’s profits. The latter is what my mother used to refer to as ‘ cutting off you nose to spite your face! ‘ Nick