Q: What does the starship Enterprise and a roll of toilet paper have in common?

A: they both chase Klingons around Uranus.

🙂

First thing, as I left for the reunion this morning, here in the IE was already 103 at 9:00 am. Drove to the car wash, got the Escalade nice and shiny. Now the 45 min drive to La Habra from Rancho. And before I can say cruise control and A/C on, the car over heated. The gauge kicking all they way over past red. Danger Will Robinson Danger !

Hood open, letting it cool off, no leaks, all the hoses intact, coolant at the proper level in the reservoir tank. Yet I smell that tell tale odor of coolant that you get when the car gets hot. I'm thinking that maybe the thermostat is not opening as it should.

And for some reason the temp is only 93 . 10 degrees cooler. So I let the car sit for an hour under a tree, a friendly couple stops next to me and ask if everything is ok, I just mention car is overheating, and they hand over a Gatorade and a water. How cool and kind is that.

So I limp the car over to a friends shop toss the key into the mail slot and wait for my ride, and then it's start to rain. Lol, so much for waiting in the car.LOL

I get back home and it's 110. what a day.!

David: the Skyhawk is definitely "over the top Spanish School." That MiG-23 would be the kind of diorama that would have the "let's c**p it up" crowd over the top in awe.

Chuck, what a day. I'm truly sorry you didn't get to the reunion. Here in the U.K. (For whatever reason) we just don't do these events. Cultural differences? Not sure, and it's only in the last ten years we have started doing 'proms'. I know you were looking forward to this, mainly as you've bucked the trend and stuck with school friends through your life. A true 'reverse Midas Touch' day.

Hope the rest of the weekend is going better, my friend.

David, it is a rare opportunity to see friends that gather from far off. Every 10 years we do this, of course as each decade goes by, the attrition rate climbs then you have those who do not live close by, so planning or life situations may prevent them from attending. So missing this was heartbreaking. As we do not know what the next 10 years will bring, as health comes into play as well as other life issues. So it was not a good day.

Thanks, Chuck. Just a bit worried I might have gone off the beaten track (I've been known to). Some may say that as modelers we are all recreating (figuratively and literally) artifacts from the past. Building stimulates all sorts of old memories for me, all of them good. I find that I smile a lot sitting a the bench. Even when I lose crucuial nose cones!

Well in the end ...there are no winners or losers everyone meets the same fate. So its the life stories , the adventures and people sharing there gifts and talents in ways that matter. Whether there big or small. I've met engineers, artists, doctors, pilots, mechanics and writers all through modeling. Not counting apples and oranges...John Lennon said " Life is what happens while we are making other plans." A thermostat goes out on a guy's ride and he has to pull over and waits for his ride to cool down and can find the good in peoples heart for giving him a Gatorade. Its how you deal with life and how you can find positive things about a disappointment. My last reunion... they read from a list of folks who have past. A little humility,dignity,laughter,music and BS go along way. I like David's and James comments too. Pontificating over.

I would like to add that following this string on how to build a Revell Typhoon is of interest. Check under fun.

I love to share life experiences for those who want share on these WIPS anytime anywhere and when. But I will not tolerate any offensive remarks, innuendos or anything political that can lead to dangerous situations as things written or said can be misconstrued no matter if unintentional even jokes. What may be funny to one culture or heritage can be offensive to another. Remember that this site is international and some customs for one is not the same for another. So lets stay with the modeling unless a comment is invited among friends. So that being said, lets get back to modeling.