John Walker

Errr! nor glue

Actually David, to carry your thought further, neither paint, not glue is included in the box!

I tried that 3 times and I got the same results as you. The message was that an email had been sent, but none had been sent.

I just tried to make reservations at the Embassy Suites and they told me the system is not active yet. Is there a delay?

I may be wrong, and I do not want to put words in James' mouth, but I don't think he was asking or referring to IPMS Nats where it seems those categories are fairly well covered. I think he is more referring to local contests which may be more entrenched in traditional genres, such as planes, ships, tanks, etc. At our local chapter, IPMS Patriot Chapter, we have many modelers that are either into wargaming (fantasy or historic), Gundum, Star Trek or other sci-fi, or have a crossover interest along with their traditional modelling. At first only a couple, but as word spread amongst their fellow modelers outside of our club we then saw more at the meetings which lead to a large uptick with these models in our monthly show and tell. As a result we added several categories to our yearly contest, Patcon, for wargaming, Gundum, etc. The first year we added these categories we were astonished at the turnout! Not so much with war gaming figures, but the Gundum filled nearly a whole row of tables. We had to scramble to fit everything in. The youngsters, casual visitors, and a few old hippies in the club loved them (I think it's the colors!). We didn't need to expand or split categories as we judge figures, dioramas and vignettes using the G-S-B method and, since these were added to that segment of the contest, we had plenty of awards on hand. I think that we started a trend as several other clubs in the area also added categories for these. We haven't had a contest in the last 2 years, so I can't say for sure which way these categories are trending, but if I had to guess I'd say they are here to stay. Having said the above, I am myself a more traditional modeler with my own very parochial likes and I personally dismiss all else (one reason I am not a club officer or judge anything but armor). But the club is not all about me (although I have been working on that for the last 40 years!), so we welcome all and as long as I have a place at the table I'm happy. However, not all clubs are the same, different demographics, likes, etc., so each club is free to determine their on path. There may come a day when the tide turns against my interests and I no longer fit in, but hey, I was modelling long before I ever heard of IPMS Patriot, so that's life. John

At Chattanooga in 2019 one of Mark Ford's entry's had more than 2 figures on the base, a British A9 as I remember. I mentioned this to Dave Kahn, the head armor judge, in passing and he smiled and told me that one of the figures was pinned to the base and would be removed at the time of judging. Perhaps this is the case here, especially if it is Mark Ford's model (which are terrific BTW). John

David, No offense was taken. I was just curious as to your intent and if I seemed offended I apologize. I was actually amused by the fainting couch and scented handkerchiefs notions. I too have noticed that some few seem to make mountains out of molehills, even within this organization, where they take an insignificant issue and make it into a cause that we are all supposed to get excited over. But you find that throughout life. I spent a 45 year career as a mechanical engineer and projects manager on multi million dollar projects (even one $1.15 Billion providing water to NYC) dealing with all sorts of characters. My skin is very thick, so it takes a lot to offend me. Again, no offense taken. You take care David, ignore the irritants, and enjoy every moment of time we are given to model. John

David, Just read your comments to my inquiry of July 27; not sure how to take your comments. They appear to be a bit sarcastic, but perhaps they were meant to be satirical. However, whichever they were meant to be they are way off the mark. Please go back and read my initial comment and point out to me where I mentioned that any IPMSer needed the use of a safe space. I was inquiring on behalf of my wife who is accompanying me but is not an IPMSer, model builder, or the least bit interested in any seminars. She was only asking if there was a spot where she could sit for a spell while I was enjoying myself in the convention areas, and perhaps chat with some other model widows. I can assure you that this IPMSer is in no way in need of a safe space, fainting couch or scented handkerchiefs, but now if you happen to have a beer, well that's a different matter entirely! Be well. John

Thanks Joe. I'll let the wife know.

I used to attend the conventions with my family, but the last 8 conventions with my buddies from the club, so I didn't pay any attention to this aspect. There have definitely been conventions with this offered, As Ralph says Columbia had something and Phoenix (two hostings ago) offered a shopping tour/lunch for the ladies (my wife participated). I have been to others where they have had an area set aside where the ladies could gather, chat and have some light refreshment. My wife and I were just curious if there were any plans for something like this, but, if not, that's OK.

My wife asked me a question today that I haven't seen any mention of on the convention site, that is if there is a hospitality suite, site, or whatever for the model widows? Are any accommodations being made for that? Thanks, John

Absolutely!

Just a thought, but since these are posed photos, how do we know that the crewman in the loader's hatch is in fact the loader? Perhaps he is the gunner, and the loader is the person taking the photos. Now I don't know if the headset wiring can extend from the gunner position over to the loader's hatch, but then again who knows if it is even plugged in. This looks to me like a photo to send home to the folks, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were more photos with the loader in place and the gunner, or another crew member gone. An example, yesterday I had a friend that I grew up with in Lynn, MA visit from San Antonio (where he is on the City Council) with his wife. We hadn't seen them in quite a while, so my wife and I took them to dinner out in central Massachusetts to a 250 year old mill turned into a restaurant, very picturesque. After dinner we lined up 3 at a time for photos, each time with someone new doing the photos. So a question! In those 4 photos, who drove the car? Just a thought. John

Hey Bill, That was my friend Roy's Huey. We still chuckle about that one, especially when he makes a comment about one of my models not being correct! John

I was just wondering when we could expect to see the list of this years seminars. I know we still have 2 1/2 months to go, but well, you know 😀 John