Bad scene down at the club

**Geek44** · December 3rd, 2008 5:43 PM

As many may know, I'm a member of an non-IPMS affiliated modelling club. Things are pretty relaxed and generally fun but they pride themselves on inclusiveness and generally, they succeed. Rivet counting isn't encouraged.
Several months ago, I took some books in and placed them on the book table. Another member came in with a bunch of his books and a hand-written sign that said 'Books $5.00 each'. He placed them on the table next to my books. Pretty soon, I saw a couple of the members walking around with my books looking for somebody to give money to. My books were NOT for sale. After going around to everybody retrieving my books and explaining the mix up...everything was okay...no harm done.
This week, there were three kits and a pile of magazines on the table with a sign saying 'Started...please take'. Two of the kits were Airfix locomotives in 'OO' scale and my son is train mad...I put the two loco kits in my bag. After about an hour, somebody starts yelling 'Has anybody seen two train kits?' I said, 'Yeah, I've got them'. I explained that they were nest to the sign saying 'Started...please take'. The guy who owned the kits was cool about it but other members were less cool with it. Apparently, I'm a thief. The two loudest mouths were the rather arrogant ex-prez of the club who I've decided I really, really dislike and another guy who continually yells stupid attempts at humour during every meeting and has revealed himself as a homophobe. Weak. Suffice to say the experience left a really nasty taste in my mouth and I'm disappointed that it's fine of old members make an honest mistake but when I do it...it's not cool. A real shame.
Peace.
I'm angry, annoyed

**LAH 1 SS** · December 3rd, 2008 6:14 PM

I have encounted this in the many clubs i have been a member of. Beleive it or not my worst experience was with an IPMS club where rivet counting was the goal, suffice to say my very young (10yrs old) ego was shattered. I havent been a member of a club for years now, the last club i was with clashed horribly with the events organisers of major events (the club president was a one man crusade to undo the fabric of the IPMSbecuase he believed they were bias to there members when judging was undertaken) so cosequently everyone in the club got tarred with the same brush. I am currently looking at a new club to rekindle my modelling interests again and to dwindle the supply of unbuilt kits (over 50 now) in my cupboard, the great thing is they are 5 minutes away from my home residence got to love that. I dont think the culture geek 44 will ever change no matter how honest or sincere you are. I hope the situation improves for you mate after all IT IS A HOBBY ISNT IT

**Commander Waffle** · December 3rd, 2008 6:17 PM

I know the feeling. I'm a teenager. Thats enough to put me on a list of suspects in some areas around here. Atleast the orginal guy was cool about it. All that matters in my opinin.

**Panzermacher** · December 3rd, 2008 6:29 PM

Wow Nick, that was pretty Lame! It was Ok when they did it.....I seriously would think about sending in my resignation from that bunch....

**Jim O** · December 3rd, 2008 7:04 PM

Nick,

You wants me and Pauly to come and exact some Brooklyn revenge on deez guys?

Seriously, if you were a thief you wouldn't have returned the items in question. If they can't see that then they're plain stupid.

Trev,

You're right and it's not fair.

**Tom Houlihan** · December 3rd, 2008 7:38 PM

Nick, you'll get the last laugh. Get a coupla addresses. I figger Wallace is gonna be down in your neighborhood eventually!

**Geek44** · December 3rd, 2008 8:16 PM

It's just a shame. There are actually some really good guys there but of course, there's a kind of unwritten heirarchy. Funnily enough, one of the 'big wigs' was bragging that there 'aren't any cliques' at our club. Rubbish!
I'll go back...otherwise it won't look good and will weaken my position...a kind of admission of guilt I guess...but I think my membership days might be numbered by choice.
Peace.