These projects took time and allowance money, quite often replacing homework time. But, I did complete them, every one of them. I mention the completion aspect simply because I have always been project completion challenged when it came to almost everything, save for model building...and, now, bicycles.
I feel that I am a perfectionist. And perfectionists are not famous for completing things, or even starting things. They (we) have an innate fear of failure, an almost debilitating lack of self confidence, and a distaste for criticism.
Take my photography. Over the past few years, I've received an inordinate amount of praise versus criticism for my photos. Friends, relatives, on-line critique forums...for the most part, they've all lavished me with compliments concerning my photo skills. Just yesterday, a co-worker perused one of my picture CDs exclaiming, "You took these? Wow, they look like magazine covers". She went on, "Why don't you send these to someone?" "Well", I told her, "the fact of the matter is...I have done that on several occasions...without any responses". The "failure" of not getting any offers for photo assignments has not deterred my passion for the art, I just don't do it as much as I used to. In fact, this recent impromptu critique has only fueled the fire again. The fire inside of me to keep trying. And, I pledge to myself to do just that. I still love it. Did I mention I am also very vane?
Back to the models. I don't construct Revell plastic models any longer. However, I do work on bicycles. And, I'm pleased to announce, this obsession hasn't suffered from that project completion issue just mentioned. I have finished several top to bottom rebuilds of vintage road bikes and some beginning-to-end new-frame bicycle "builds", a few ending in actual sales of said items. It's been quite a satisfying and extremely encouraging venture so far.
The latest on-going project? A 70's Schwinn, steel-lugged, Super Le Tour frame (the first one I purchased almost a year ago) destined to become a custom-painted "street bike". The frame is now down to bare metal after long sessions of grinding, wire brushing, and sanding. It's ready for paint! Originally an iconic 10-speed, this one will emerge from the shop reborn as a single speed, ie, no gears. The single speed and fixed speed evolution is happening now in the bike world. As carbon-framed, mega buck road bikes garner the spotlight thanks to Lance and Levi, et al...we old-school, stubborn, renaissance folks are staking our claim in the world of bicycles. And, the one obvious noble aspect of it all? We're recycling! There are literally thousands and thousands of vintage bike frames lying around in garages, basements, even backyards (unfortunately, most of the backyard varieties rusted beyond renovation status). Just like old automobiles, these once proud, elegant machines sit rotting, destined for dumpsters and land fills.
So, my Revell model-building days have long passed, spawning a new passion. One that does not suffer from the completion issue thing. Although I have several of these going simultaneously (that keeps it interesting), each one is near done...with several more waiting in the wings (actually, hanging from the rafters in my garage).
Perhaps someday Mother Road Bicycles (my esoteric bicycle renovation company name) will be more than just a hobby that takes hours of my time, time that could be spent on photography, or, God forbid, writing! Instead of lamenting on how little time there may be left to do these things, I savor the times I am actually sanding, grinding, writing, shooting, editing, and planning the projects. I set aside time to do them all. And whether or not I am great at any of them isn't an issue. Yes, I have come to terms with being a so-called perfectionist. Perhaps I will never win a Pulitzer or Noble prize...but I will finish that vintage Schwinn Super Le Tour soon. And that's a prize only I can fully appreciate...until, of course, someone pays me a lot of money for it!Almost forgot. Did I mention cooking?
