i got just reminded, that many of us here do not have a decade to spare for kitbashing.
that made me think.
what do you guys think?
is it better, if at the end of plans and projects, there is still some life left?
or is it better, if at the end of life, there are some plans and projects left?
for me, personally, the second option is better.
(it is more than half a decade ago, that my doc meant, my possible lifespan could be anywhere between half a day and one or two years. since then i had two more infarcts.
and a layout project, that will need at least three more years - plus time for refining details)
Second is the better option…
This is something that’s been on my mind lately. January will be the 10th anniversary of the groundbreaking for my layout. I look back on what I accomplished in those first ten years. Progress was fast during the major construction but has slowed down tremendously since I started doing all the scratch built structures and details. Then I look ahead at how much more is left to do, and realize that by the layout’s 20th anniversary, I’ll be 71, assuming I live that long. Beyond that, there’s a fairly good chance I could make it to 80 or more, but how much of that time will I still be able to build models or do anything on the layout?
I think I’d like to get it “substantially finished”, but not necessarily completely finished. Of course even if there was nothing new left to add, there will always be older stuff that will need replacing.
I guess all anyone can do is just make the most of the time you have and try to enjoy the ride.
I cant wait to see it on your 30th anniversary.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Ray Dunakin said:
Then I look ahead at how much more is left to do
I guess all anyone can do is just make the most of the time you have and try to enjoy the ride.
I think that the point is to get the layout to the point that it satisfies you, and after that, everything else is “gravy.”
Consider that eventually, maintenance will become an issue and you will spend more time on that than on new construction.
People ask if my layout is done, and I tell them that it is, until I come up with something else to add/do/replace.
Wow truly profound Korm, I’m definitely in the second camp. I believe the key however is not to bury yourself in projects to the point that you don’t enjoy doing them. I’m currently letting go of some of my less important ventures so that I can reach that point of Nirvana.
Oh, and hopefully I have years and years left at a young age of 40. So it applies at any age.
Absolutely the answer for me is behind door number two. I never want to run out of projects. I never want to be done. Whether that is model railroads, research, fishing, wood working, whatever. I don’t want to be done. For me the projects are life. When the projects are done I am done.
Like Ray, when it comes to my railroad I would like to see it substantially complete in the sense of having an operating layout. But changes will always be made. Parts will always be rebuilt or added to.
I dread the day I am no longer able to be productive. I watched that happen to my grandpa and I don’t want it you can keep it. The last years of his life were spent unable to do what he loved, couldn’t even read. He died five years before the body gave out. No way. Please Lord take me instantly while I am doing something I love.
When I make the final Permanent Change of Station, I expect to be surrounded with at least ten books that I wanted to read, and several railroady projects that I’m working on.
I opt for No.1. I have always tried to keep the day tidy and make plans for tomorrow. Of course Mr. Murphy often applies his law to thwart tomorrows plans but even so there is, hopefully, the day after. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
One thing that is great about outdoor railroading is that “there is always something that needs doing”. Sometimes small tasks, sometimes greater ones. But, notwithstanding, there are always trains to be run in one manner or another and I do get great pleasure, after waking, thinking about what trains I could run later that day - providing Mother Nature spoil it all.
Todd (above) was representative of the hobby: "People ask if my layout is done, and I tell them that it is, until I come up with something else to add/do/replace."
Both of Korm’s proposed choices are ironically identical as both require completion or a secession of task prior to starting anew. As Todd states his layout (or any project) is done until there are improvements, added features, or repairs – all such thoughts are in the moment of pause or a status of completion. If there is an absence of thought, completion is an expression for the absence or cessation of further creative thinking.
As to Todd and Linda’s immaculately detailed front yard layout, it is an endless demonstration of continual creativity - a must see!
My perspective falls in with those of us who feel we are on a second or third or 4th etc… life, ala Felix’s 9 lives.
I was nonchalant in my 30s as I relearned reflexes lost to viral encephalitis, there’s a life between then and now.
30 years later and probably several more brushes… I’m forced into the second group. Earlier today as I looked at fancy railroads in civilized backyards, I confess a stab of jealousy or envy, then my view!
Yesterday I lifted track at various junctions of the elevated half. It’s all going up 2’. I’m too old and in-firmed to battle ma Nature and get any lasting modeling done. 30’ of track and a switch are under 1-2" of dirt, er rocky stuff that we wish was dirt. Critters and rain are succeeding in filling the long cut.
Today’s kick in the pants is a 3% thread to life. One more clear scan and my poor Doc gets to proclaim a cure of one patient out of hundreds. Naively, I thought our numbers higher… heck if I can… golly. Just a couple of months ago I was told the odds.
So up it goes. It’s time to get all my trains running, including an On3 loop inside the Tucson reverse loop. It’s begun to cool … I’m adding to my list.
John
I am in the second camp. When I got back into model railroading (large scale this time) I put all of the unopened airplane kits into storage. So, if/when the day comes when I cant play with my trains anymore, I can sit at a table and build airplanes again. I always want something to do. Would I like to have the railroad in my mind become reality? Sure I would, and that’s what I am working towards. But I never want to run out of projects neither.
Because I never properly finish anything I start, I’m an obvious number two who believes that “The journey is more important than the destination.” I flit among hobbies–model trains, photography, travel, cars–and when any one of these, except for travel, gets to the tedious part, I move to one of the others. I’m hoping to get two websites up and running and I still have the option of plying my former trade, automotive writing, for money, if I feel like doing so. Of course, good health is a given and if ya got that it’s “Vohlgas” as the Germans say. For those of you who are Teutonically handicapped that means “pedal to the metal.”
BTW, John Caughy, here’s to a clear scan.
Philosophic to me implies there’s some choice in the matter. Personally, I’m incapable of working on one project at a time, or of not having several projects ahead of me; even as one project is finished, there are others in place.
My work is such that retirement isn’t an option because I have nothing to retire from. Hobbywise, I think the only way I could “finish” railroading would be if I were to lose all interest.
I agree with Devon about being physically alive but not able to work on projects.
I have already left instructions for my gravestone to read:
"But I wasn’t done yet!"
For all of you who think you won’t reach a certain age, I say don’t give up until you are shuffled, unwillingly off this mortal coil. Just keep doing what you like/can do until you can’t do it any more. I was over in Northern California on Labor Day weekend robbing trains at Roaring Camp Railroad (16 trains full of tourists for the 3 days!). I am a Wild West performer and a Magician and I just turned 74 a few weeks ago. I used to think 74 was old. Hell, I used to think 50 was old. I imagined I would be sitting in a wheelchair drooling while some nurse force-fed me runny mush when I was 70! I am still doing everything I want to/can do, and I am planning to do it until I fall over on my side and don’t get up anymore. I am still interested in many things and many hobbies. I have gone through n gauge, HO, O, and 1:20.3 and am still going strong. I am deep onto 1:6th scale military modeling as well. If the Arizona summers don’t kill me, nothing will! Option number 2 for me!
I’m with Sourdoh. #2 is for me. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
I don’t want to go out sitting on as porch at the home, sucking my teeth, thinking about all those opportunities I let slide. I want to go out with one hand on the stick, the other on the throttle, with both feet on the rudder pedals, still trying to regain control. Number two, for me.
Joe Rusz said:
Because I never properly finish anything I start, I’m an obvious number two who believes that “The journey is more important than the destination.” I flit among hobbies–model trains, photography, travel, cars–and when any one of these, except for travel, gets to the tedious part, I move to one of the others. I’m hoping to get two websites up and running and I still have the option of plying my former trade, automotive writing, for money, if I feel like doing so. Of course, good health is a given and if ya got that it’s “Vohlgas” as the Germans say. For those of you who are Teutonically handicapped that means “pedal to the metal.”
BTW, John Caughy, here’s to a clear scan.
Joe, yup, that’s me. I tried to fix that one year and went from 32 unfinished projects to 16. Now I am probably back up into the high 20’s somewhere.
Steve, that’s pilot talk, I thought you was a sailor.
