What do you enjoy most about hosting this site?
I think what I enjoy most about this site is the interaction and the members and friends I have met here who share my interests. I mean this thing started out as 3 buds who were kind of just wanting to have a place where folks could interact free from the "trolls" that are out there in internet land. None of us knew a thing about building websites or creating forums, or anything but we just kind of jumped in and did it. I credit Phatty with a lot of that pushing and prodding where I finally just jumped in and took some online classes and I can't stand it when I can't figure something out so I am basically a self taught coder.
And then folks starting joining up and sharing their action figure customs and other custom artwork and dioramas and that became our identity. I mean I still get lost in the forums some days just mezmirized by the work folks have posted here. I mean I treat these forums as kind of a Library of Congress of artwork. It would almost be like a national treasure was lost if this wasn't maintained. So I guess outside of just being able to enjoy this hobby with other folks I just get to wake up with the Christmas morning feeling of what great artwork am I going to get to see today? That and feeling like maybe I can promote said artists and get them some spotlight they deserve. I mean all the various customizing is a true labor of love and never gets the attention it deserves in my opinion.
Does it give you a hard time sometimes getting up early in the morning before work and share the latest content of our forum?
I will be honest at one time I was making this too much like work and I had to step back and take a bit of a time out. I was trying to do too many things and feeling like I wasn't doing any of them well let alone having fun with this. So I have since settled myself into some pretty strict limits regarding the time I give this place as I was not balanced before. Doing this I got the fun back and remembered some of what this place was created for. Now I do what I can when I have the time and don't feel "guilty" when some days I run out of time or real life means I can't get on the site that day. That and knowing there are good folks here who watch the place while I am away doesn't hurt either.
What does your wife say about all this? Can you share some interesting stories with your family as well?
About the only thing my wife says is that "she is going to kill me because she hates the sound of typing" LOL. I have to admit without her support I doubt I would have lasted as there have been some interesting situations over the years. She doesn't get what I do, but she understands it is a part of me and I need it to remain me. My daughter loves it as she has been raised with all this and loves customs and the other projects displayed here. Some of her most valuable possessions are some of the customs folks here have gifted her over the years. A lot of things have come and gone in her room, but I still find those things on prominent display like a Phantom of the Opera, Dragon, Wookie, Jedi, and other customs. She thinks it is "Cool".
My wife just said she likes that is a positive safe place for folks like me to have to interact as there is so much awful stuff out there.
So, I am not quite sure if that is what you wanted so feel free to ask any follow ups you wanted. I am just glad folks feel free to be creative here and not judged, but repsected and even admired for their creativity and ingenuity. That is what keeps me coming back and making sure the lights stay on here.
