It’s been a long time but TIM is back! Not before time some might say, others might wish it were longer. You can’t please everyone but this post will have to last a while before another appears so I’ve made it a lengthy one. I hope you enjoy the ride!
Looking back I see my last post was published on the 1st January. To be honest I thought it had been longer than that, it certainly feels like it. Probably an age thing.
During my own publishing absence I’ve done my best to keep up with the posts of those I follow even if I’ve been reduced to just giving a “Like” rather than adding a comment. Please except my apologies but the world of TIM has been a roller coaster for a quite a while and the ride doesn’t look like ending anytime soon. I’ve also noted that several of our more prolific authors haven’t posted as often too. A blogging trend? Who can say?
Personally my own absence has been due to several things, a perfect storm if you will. Initially I just found myself with less and less time and then I completely lost my mojo for blogging and couldn’t be arsed to continue with it. That later led to a guilt trip and a short lived desire to start up again. Short lived because I then found out I’d used my posting capacity up. Having lost the will to post I saw no point upgrading my package to resolve the matter but equally I wasn’t driven to delete stuff either. A women of course would be able to deal with such things.
Ideally I really need to completely review and possibly revamp my blog while at the same time reducing the number of images in my gallery. However, that will take time and motivation that I still don’t have right now. Instead I’ve done a quick fix to enable me to post this article and maybe a couple more or so further down the line.
Enough of the introductory waffle, it’s time to get on with this post while I still have the appetite to do so.
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Figure Painting
The good news, well for me at least, is that whilst I haven’t been blogging I have been finding snippets of time here and there to keep painting. No big dioramas are in the pipeline but I’ve been keeping my hand in with single figures and finished a small vignette (more on that below). Overall I’ve produced nothing special but ideas keep entering my head and one day maybe my mojo, along with more time, will see some of those turn into a reality. Come the winter months when there is much less to do maybe I’ll kick on.
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Model Club
After several years of being a member of the Plymouth Model Club I decided to at last to call it a day. The door is open for me to return should I wish to do so but in reality I don’t see that happening. I’ve had my fill of World War 2 themed shows, club evenings and models. A great period for scale modelling to be sure but there is so much more out there if only the guys were interested. The club, rather like having a pet, was fun at first but sometimes life needs to move on for one reason or another and it’s time to let things go.
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Life
Life in the TIM household has been far from quiet. My son has moved out to live with his much older partner and her two children. They make a lovey family unit but I’d be lying if I said this is the future I envisaged for him. My daughter is back from University where after only one year she has mastered life, learnt everything there is to know in the universe, treats She Who Must Be Obeyed and I as idiots but depends on us to feed her, pay her bills and maintain a roof over her head! That said we love her and her older brother unconditionally but will welcome their greater maturity as they grow older with open arms.
SWMBO continues to do a great job of looking after me, this despite the fact that I have started to fall apart. Recent dizzy spells (Vertigo?), hearing loss (I now have hearing aids!) together with a dodgy knee and elbow serve only to highlight that I’m an old and increasingly grumpy bugger. Enough of the cheerful stuff! At least the dishes aren’t mounting up!
Bus Stop Wankers
Those of you who saw the TV series The Inbetweeners will be familiar with the phrase Bus Stop Wankers. Whilst this little vignette is not intended as a homage to that particular episode it did inspire the setting for this little vignette. Originally I had planned to just base each figure individually and a part of me still wishes I had. Whilst the base is OK it’s not quite how I imagined it and then I got a little bored with in the end. Still, it works for now and I can always break it up in the future if I want to.
The figures are all 28mm from Hasslefree and as much as possible I indulged myself with some free hand painting. I was happy with how the union Jack turned out along with the smiley face and Bart Simpson T-Shirts and the combat trousers. Far less happy with the broken window but it is what it is. The bus timetable and the Clockwork Orange poster were simply printed downloads. The Bus Stop was from Sarissa Precision.
Images below.
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Well folks that’s it for now. If you followed this post to the end then well done and thank you. I will continue to read what you guys post but can’t be sure when I will next get another post out. In the meanwhile I’ll leave you with a couple of funnies. Well they made me laugh!
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Until next time.
TIM
The Imperfect Modeller 
Great to see a post from you Dave, I was only thinking it’s been ages since you did a post the other day, when I saw a comment from you on another blog. Sorry to hear about your health, but it catches up with most of us sooner or later. Family dynamics don’t go as we expect, but as long as everyone is happy, and well treated that’s the main thing.
The vignette is great and reminds me of the 70’s, and I think you are being hard on yourself about the broken glass as it looks very effective, sorry to hear about the club, but if it’s not working for you, then stepping away on good terms was probably the sensible thing to do.
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As you say Dave it’s an age thing and nothing can be done about it accept to get on with things and move on. The model club was fun while it lasted but life moves on and I’m happy doing my own thing when time allows. Glad you like the vignette. 🙂
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Yay TIM! 🙂 I have this idea in the back of my head that a load of members of a certain modelling club in the Plymouth area mysteriously disappeared shortly before you hired a JCB to do some “landscaping” at the bottom of the garden! I did laugh at the jokes, probably because they’re getting a bit more risque! As far as falling to bits and getting more grumpy are concerned I can probably give you a run for your money! The minis are great and clearly reflecting what you think of a lot of things at the moment I reckon, but the quality remains spot on!
P.S. Our dogs don’t like cats so I can’t offer that one a home! And I’m still trying to identify that motorbike in the picture you posted but, despite looking at it everyday I’m just not making progress!
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Keep looking at that picture John and hopefully you’ll see the motorbike before you go blind! Glad to know I’m not the only one falling apart. You’re right about the minis and my mood, there is a connection there for sure. They were fun to do. 🙂
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HE’S BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!
Great to see you back Dave! I know that life has been a roller coaster for you and hopefully things will right themselves soon enough. Like many of us, you failed to purchase the extended warranty – and in any case age is, well age. As long as you are above the fairway as they say.
The jokes are fantastic – loved them all, especially the cat, and I am not normally a cat person, but I’ll make a exception here.
The bus stop was intriguing and well done. As Dave wrote, the broken glass looks ok to me as well. I liked the Clockwork Orange tie in as well, especially given the film itself. (Amazing that Malcolm McDowell is freaking 80 now!). I think you gave the droogs an indirect homage here indirectly as well. Though I have never seen the Inbetweeners.
I also have been slower on the blog front if only because it is indeed golf season. Have managed a few projects that I’m hoping to share soon too. As for Plymouth, I think you needed a break. Maybe start your own club?
And, let’s catch up virtually maybe before summer’s end!
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In time Mark things will get easier I’m sure but for now at least the roller ride continues. I did like the fairway reference and like you I’m managing to get plenty of golf in. Right now it’s what keep me sane even on a bad day which is saying something! The winter months will see us both back in the modelling saddle I’m sure. Catching up sounds like a great Iidea mate. 🙂
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Great diorama mate, loads of lovely details to pick out! Good to have you back 👍
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Cheers Alex, glad you like the little diorama. It was good to publish something once again. 🙂
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With age comes raunchy jokes apparently! 😀 Its great to have you back and sorry to hear about getting old. I suppose it does beat the alternative or that’s what I tell myself! That is a shame on the model club but based on what you’ve told us, I think you made the right move. I wouldn’t do any better in that club as I have little to no interest in modeling WWII.
I love the vignette and have seen a bit of the InBetweeners and I think you nailed that vibe. I reckon that could be a bus stop in Stoke (having never been there myself, only knowing its reputation) or that could be IRO and his posse. One or the other! We’ll see if he reads this comment and claims them as his own haha.
I hope you’re able to get the website issues sorted and I obviously look forward to any posts you have the time to share with us too!
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Glad you like the little diorama and I recommend more of the Inbetweeners although I’m not sure how it translates across the pond. As for humour the older you get the less you care about whether or not things are offensive, one of the few pluses in my book! I’ll have to take your word for Stoke as I’ve never been there either! 🤣
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Haha, I learned about Stoke when I still watched the Premier League regularly. The sentiment I always heard was, “Who wants to play the beautiful game on a rainy night in Stoke?” 😀
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Great to see you back Dave… I did have a little giggle a few times. I really like your diorama.
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Cheers Steve. If you liked the little diorama and had a chuckle then I hit the blog spot. 🙂
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“It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled…!!”. Glad you posted TIM! I tend to go on a hiatus now and then, but I think I’ve managed about a post a week so far this year. Which probably means I just jinxed myself! I haven’t seen the Inbetweeners but it’s cool to see those people of school punks you painted up. Also glad to hear you’ve been able to paint while away, and I’m sure we will all love to see what you’ve been up to once you get your file storage worked out. Cheers!
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Cheers mate. Glad you like the diorama. I recommend the Inbetweeners but not sure in this instance how the humour translates, very British school. Hopefully in the fullness of time I’ll get to post more of what I’ve been up to. 🙂
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That Dexy’s Midnight Runners song has been an earworm for me for the last couple of weeks, but I think that image just cured it!
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It must relate as one of the best responses to a party theme that I’ve seen. Glad to hear you’re cured though Dave! 🤣
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Ha HA Ha!
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VERY excited to see Musings back, even if it is fleeting hehe. You’re getting more and more like the Dad from Steptoe and son mate haha. Just remember that good old British Stiff Upper Lip. Vignette looks fantastic mate and I’m glad you’re keeping your hand in with the painting.
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Age comes to us all mate and you won’t escape it. It has its fun side too and I like being grumpy and speaking my mind. Pissing people off can be quite entertaining! Glad you like the little diorama. 🙂
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Haha in that case I’ve been old since I was teenager then. I’m always putting my foot in it and upsetting some namby pamby git haha
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Glad to see you back posting mate, and producing some top notch work to boot! The free hand on the t-shirts and camo is excellent as always!
And glad that SWMBO is looking after you, and I hope life smooth’s out for you soon, and the “kids” get easier to handle.
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Thanks mate. 🙂
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Nice vignette the t-shirts have come out very well and I love A Clockwork Orange so always good to see a reference.
I have been posting (and painting) less myself too – mainly moving house, selling a house which has had a major roof leak along the way, and starting a new job have contributed to all that!
Hopefully things pick up for you soon. As long as your son is happy that is the main thing–but it is difficult to see someone take a step that effectively precludes them having their own children in due course. Your daughter will have to confront the real world at some eventually!
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Welcome back! Blogging, like other hobbies, is best left for when it suits you. No need to force yourself into the ‘saddle’ when it doesn’t work for you.
Lovely work on the diorama as usual.
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Super happy, that you’re back Dave!
I also find myself without mood to paint at the moment. But on the other hand, this is just how I’ve done things always; do things until I don’t wanna do them, do something different, and find my motiviation back to start up again. lol Previously I had painted quite a lot for that even.
I really enjoyed your choice of images this time, makes it clear, that I missed them. I don’t really comment on them usually, but I always enjoy your kind of humour.
I won’t say much about your family-situation, but I will tell you, that I appreciate parents who support their kids unconditionally, as I wasn’t as lucky with my father, who was your typical boomer, that till today sees only himself, despite getting everything himself handed down without lifting so much as finger lol. But I can emphasize with you on the things you said.
That diorama is superb. It is really gritty and raw. The clothes are fantastic, something I can’t really do. There some awesome free-hands and the story that’s been told; well I’d not want to meet those punks in real life. Has a real nice 80s(?) feeling.
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Great to see a post from you mate, I think we are all falling apart, I recently joined a “RC boat club” and at the first club meeting I attended, they were discussing that it was a dying hobby, and the club president casting his eye around the room at the somewhat mature (I’m one of the younger members) nature of the membership, said “In many cases literally!”.😉
Nice vignette, wonderful painting as always, but I have to say the jokes (especially the last one) made me laugh!
Cheers Roger.
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Good to see posting again. I have not, either, but I haven’t even picked up a brush in months. I have been plodding along at a wall set to add to the gatehouse I built sometime earlier this year. I need to stop adding sections and just paint what I have, but I enjoy the construction more than painting, tbh.
Nice dio. The free hand is outstanding. Loafers and ner’do’wells out causing trouble. well done!
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Thanks mate glad you like it. My advice, if you want to add sections then add sections. Just enjoy the hobby. 🙂
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Sorry I missed this one mate, but like you I to have had a lot of fits and starts on the blog. Have been tying to get the bloke under control, to much so we have hired another gardener.
Fortunately my girls have gone past the know all stage but Fi still pops in from next door daily to check to see if she can help with our old age and simple mindedness,Ha Ha! good to have a sparing partner.
I have missed your laughs but the song title one took me a mo but when I got it I cried laughing so much I had to bring Jill in to see it,I had to sing it to her before she cracked up!
Will try and get seriously back into it this winter, keep the old chin up,PS I have had the old hearing aids for twenty four years now!! cant believe its been that long.
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Cheers Pat, glad you enjoyed the post. Like you I’ve fallen behind and really want to get stuck in again but to many other things demanding of my time. 😠 Say hi to Fi.
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Stick with the things that are important mate, we will all be still there with you when you get things sorted, remember family comes first 👍🏻. Fi just came in to borrow some tucker and said Hi back and she trust things will improve, she has a lot of faith as the young do 👍🏻
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