One of my Special interests has taken over

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This all started on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It was one of those days that overloaded me by being in a meeting (not a bad meeting, just intense and a bit confusing) and trying to hang around the city to go to a support group. Well, between the meeting and all the intense crowds in Manhattan, I just bailed and went home.

Anyway, about a year or so ago, I made a model. It's one of those things I really get into. I customize everything. No seams, extra effort in the paint, so on and so forth. It was too big for the case I had for it so I had to get a bigger one. It was lonely and would fit a companion model.

So, On Tuesday, I set about making the model. I was so intense on it that I made it by Wednesday night. But, the fires were stoked and I had to keep going. So, I took one of my 1/12 Scale '67 Corvette Coupe models and set about converting it to a retro '70's style Batmobile. It's almost finished with me getting impatient. I'm at the stage that if I do not take my time, all that effort will be wasted. Right now, I just put on a base coat of paint that has to dry at least 12-14 hours before I do more work on it. Aaaarrrrggghhhh!! !! !!

It was a geekgasm on all levels. It hits several of my passions all at once:
1). Modeling and customization
2) LOVE the silver age superheroes, Batman, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, well, almost all of it)
3) Nice homage to George Barris who made the '60s TV version (And, I love that design with the red pinstripe detailing)
4) The first model I made and the companion models were Tom Daniels designs (Pie Wagon and Cherry Bomb) and I'm a huge fan of his funny cars. Built them when I was kid, though they were just slapped together then. No patience or skill at that time.
5) I'm even eyeing my 1/12 Blackfoot Motorcycle and turning it into the Batcycle.......

Meanwhile, I still have a 1/8 scale Corvette with the engine built and waiting for space and a case to put it in. So, not all things get completed in this manner. But, that is the rare case. AND, I still have about 90 models to build yet.

But, it has now been 9 days straight. I'm not keeping up with a few things I should be doing. It's like this when one of my special interests kicks in. They seem to go in cycles. All intense, as if compelled to do these things. Is this normal?

This happens to me too. I'm always getting too absorbed in something and neglecting all the things I "should" be doing. Basic things, like paying the bills and stuff fall by the wayside. It's horrible having to drag oneself out of something that is so enjoyable and interesting and engaging to do all the mundane things of life. And the lack of stimulation that ensues. The discontentment and the boredom of life outside of an interest. It sucks. I truly commiserate.

So long as you get the things done that absolutely must get done by some deadline (paying bills, showing up for an obligation, etc)...what's the harm? Or do you do this constantly, starting another before you complete the prior (although still...what's the harm)?

Also, pics please when you get a chance?

Girls are my special interest.

Well, I dunno.....I mean, if it weren't for the fact that my wife is Chinese, Thanksgiving could have been a whole lot more unpleasant.

Starting one project before completing another? Well, I usually have two or three things going at any time. If I get into a jam on one project, I can slide over to another. What's bad about that is that while I am working on one thing, my brain is always working on another. And, when that flash of insight pops up to solve a problem, I then have to go do that thing to see if it works.

But, when it comes to the models, I can only usually work on one at a time due to space constraints.

Oddly enough, when I finished painting the body last night (Base color only), I just sat in the studio for about an hour and a half just staring at the model trying to plan the work to do today (Pinstriping tape and then next color layer). Fortunately though, it will be a more calm day. Can't rush this part or it will undo all that work. So, I may get a break. I've been working from about an hour after I wake up and work until 12-2AM.

Pics, well, let's see how I do on this. Won't put up pics if it's a failure. I almost ruined it last night getting impatient and almost put too much paint on it. That makes for uneven paint and bad runs. So, we will see. I still have to fight the urge to 'hurry up'. That's why I couldn't build them when I was young.

If you can afford it, make sure important bills like the mortgage, electric, etc., are taken out automatically (while you keep track and make sure they are taken out automatically).

Nothing has matched the Batmobile in my opinion--except for the Knight Rider's black car that talks. Or maybe Speed Buggy (just a cartoonish car, but I like it nevertheless).

Okay, I have to ask...which Batmobile?

Also Speed Buggy (or similar) always makes me think of George Barris, RIP.

Pretty much the same. I just happen sometimes to be preoccupied over my interests so much, it messes up my schedule quite a bit
I'd say, as long as you don't procastinate over it too much, and try to get things at least done up deadlines and schedules, it's not such a terrible thing.

The 1960s Batmobile.

Well, today I have to return to some sort of schedule. It's hard to break away from the project. I feel antsy and distracted. The upside is that with work for tonight and Tues., Wed, and Fri I have to be away and that will force me to let the paint cure more on the body. Then I can get in and polish out the finger prints and touch ups later.

I don't have to leave until about 3PM today and I am having a tough time to not just get in there and noodle about.

Uggghhhh...but on to correspondence and other things to get prepared.

My special interests take over completely, too. When I'm immersed in one, I don't want to stop for mundane stuff like eating or going to the bathroom, haha. But it does make me feel terrible for all the stuff I'm ignoring. I'm self employed so I need a lot of self discipline to get things done, and when I feel myself tilting into another obsession, it's both exhilerating and depressing at the same time. And I can relate to what you're saying about becoming impatient and rushing things.

Yeah.....I almost blew the body paint job yesterday by feeling rushed. It's salvageable, but not as perfect as I wanted. A lot of touching up, fine sanding and buffing to get the finger prints out and make paint to work right. Sighhhhhh.....

What's worse is that I actually feel like a bit of withdrawal to not just be able to focus on this one thing. Trying to get my head back into the 'real world' is not going well today.

This is where the project is. There is a lot of touch ups, sanding and buffing to kill some rough areas by way of 'overspray'. So, still a lot to be done. Let's see if I can get the finish on the body to have that 'wet', glassy look when I get finished.

Basic side shot:


Front Hood (Still have to paint in the 'eyes' for the hood 'face'):


And the back end:

And, this is the model I built on my last 'bender'. Damned thing was just over 3.5 ft (little more than a meter) long. Took three months of constant work to do it. The only thing I did was do my paying work and then this. My poor wife. This thing took over the studio and living room due to size.

See? I can't stop. I just had to go in and paint in the eyes.I have to get a shower now though, so, something will take me away from it and then I am off to work. sigh........

Yep....that's the 1960s Batmobile!