When I couldn’t attend the IPMS Nats two years ago, I had the hair-brained idea of creating an online convention, and thus was born the First Annual Virtual Convention. It was intended solely as a way to distract me from the mild despair of not attending the show to a more productive mindset.
A couple of years earlier I'd provided a few tips to modelers who couldn’t attend the Nats — the most important being to simply spend time at the workbench — so in 2016 I decided to take my own advice and make an effort to be constructive over the weekend, more so than usual even.
Participation in the convention was modest, with just five readers sending me photos of their models, but I enjoyed the experience nonetheless and made a few friends. A dialog with five modelers is better than none! The Virtual Convention slipped my mind last year, and it probably would’ve been off my radar again this year if a friend hadn’t mentioned it.
Despite the fact that group builds don’t seem to be very popular these days, let’s try the Virtual Convention again. Even if my friend and I are the only participants, the time at the bench will be well spent.
Here’s a summary of our expectations for those who didn’t participate in 2014.
Prepare for the day by staking claim to the weekend. Take Friday off if you can, either using a vacation day or calling in sick. Let your spouse, significant other, children, non-modeler friends, etc. know that you’re going to spend the day by yourself. You probably won’t be able to take all three or four days off, but do what you can.
Next decide how you’re going to spend your time. I suggest four ways to make the weekend productive.
Spend the day at the workbench. The hobby is about building models, so there’s no better way to spend an hour or two or eight than at the workbench.
Spend time with other modelers who aren’t attending the Nats. Gather and have lunch or dinner. If you can’t meet up in person, pick up the phone and call them.
Visit your LHS and treat yourself to a model or two. You’d probably spend at least $500 attending the Nats, so dropping $50 on something interesting will be a small treat.
Watch a favorite movie. Or a series of YouTube videos.
It’s that simple. Make some time for the hobby, for yourself. Let me know via email or Facebook if you plan to participate. We’ll keep in touch, and I'll ask for photos of how you spent your weekend. I’ll post an after-action report the week following.
See you there!
I only get 15 minutes before Bedtime to model,but did build 25 1/700 Japanese ships in three months,and rehabed three tanks an+ three Apc....does that count???
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