There just TOYS!!

[drof]

With the recent terrorist bombing in Bali (I know this is a diecast forum but read on), my thoughts go out to any fellow forum user that has lost loved ones or are still missing. This is a New Zealand and Australian tragedy and we should unite in this time of grief and sorrow.
Now to my point;At times like this, most people will stop and reflect on life and have those what am I here for thoughts. Reading the Forums over the last couple of days it has really hit home about how trivial and childish some of our post are, going on about Tobbacco Advertising on Minichamp Porsche's and arguing the fact with Trevor, Having a go at someone who sells models on auction sites for huge profits. So what!!! At the end of the day we collect TOYS!! yes TOYS!!. I am just as passionate as the next guy about them, but at the end of the day they are just material possessions. We can spend our whole lives collecting thousands of models and then one day we die. We could be having a dream holiday on an exotic island, one minute dancing the night away next minute hunting for our family or friends in the rubble.
Lets just put for once our passion, our hobby in to perspective and think about how trivial and small our problems are. Take the Tobbacco sponsership isssue for one. I think that we should be able to buy the models as raced, but would I have the same opinion if one of my family died of lung cancer due to ciggerettes? The fact is that tobbacco companies don't care, and what we are doing by buying these models is that we are condoning what the tobbacco companies are doing.
So please fellow forum users at times of World catastrophes, please put into perspective the things we write in posts, we go on and on about our model TOYS that we spend sometimes 100's of dollars at a time, and yet there are kids in certain parts of the world that don't even have a $2 Matchbox car or even a Tonka Truck. Why get into arguements with our partners over our expensive addiction, and yes we are no different to alcoholics or gamblers, we are on this planet for a short time so make the most of it, as in what happaned to our fellow countrymen and woman in Bali, you just don't know when your time is up.

And no I haven't turned religious or seen the light I am still a petrol head, but it just goes to show that even the hardest, proudests, don't show our feelings men out there have a soft side.

Regards

Dave from Kiwiland!!

[loste_treasures]

Hi dave,

I think i could not have said it better myself !!!!!

[jager]

I think for most collectors their hobby is a way to block out the reality of what is happening in the world. As terrible as the events of Sept 11 and Bali are, we get totally bombarded about these events by the media 24 hours a day so it is nice to be able to sit in front of tjhe model cabinet or the computer and get away from it once in a while.

The discussion forum is a great way to have a 'pub' type discussion with a couple of mates without having to leave home. On this basis you should never post anything that you wouldn't say to someone face to face in a pub. But we don't all have to agree with each other and everyone is entitled to an opinion - thats what makes a discussion.

The recent events in Bali are very tragic but I prefer to come to this forum to get away from the Bali thing, not to be reminded about it. Just my opinion.....

[Graeme]

Yes Dave, the world can be an ugly place.

Apart from the heinous acts of one man in Tasmania, Australia hasn't had any recent terrorist type event involving significant loss of life. Not so in other Westernised nations. So, aren't we all glad to live in a country where our choice of 'dictator' is John Howard or Simon Crean ( or bring back Huggy Bear Beazley ).

As for the western lifestyle and the collecting of model cars, that's another question. Buying model cars obviously feeds the mouths at Biante and your hobby store owners, and assists the cash consuming world of V8 Supercars. I assume/hope it also helps feed the mouths of Chinese families who toil away producing these models, which must look more like alien spacecraft to them.

We could perhaps consider abandoning this pointless - in the bigger picture - hobby, but then you may as well abandon all the other Western pursuits, e.g. the new stereo, a widescreen TV, computer games, designer label suits, or even something as mundane as what colour to repaint the kitchen.

I prefer to remain mindful of others' good or bad fortune, and to try to exercise moderation in everything I do ....but sometimes it isn't easy !!

[wombat]

Perspective, fellas.

I am a committee man from Kingsley Junior Football Club, we share premises with the senior club and obviously provide players for their amateur league. Five of the seven players lost are recently ex our club, many survivors and other members have kids playing at the Junior club.

As you might imagine, my life is dominated at the moment by the tragedy, however I have the presence of mind to take in the unbelievable way the local community has responded to the Club. I will not bore you with stories, but I can tell you that this Sunday's memorial at our clubrooms/oval is snowballing into a huge community expression of grief.

However, my love for the diecast models (and my wife and kids!) is in no way diminished, perhaps it is even enhanced. Take nothing for granted and enjoy your passions without being fanatic. Moderation and perspective are called for.

[ferrari fan]

My factory is in Landsdale and I live in O.R. so very close by and do know of some of the boys.
The last couple of days I have been on this forum a lot to take my mind of this terrible event
If your club needs some of the product I make for your new Memorial room then I am glad to provide this.
I'll be there on Sunday
Stay well to be able to support the relatives and survivors
regards Bert.

[wombat]

Good people

Ferrari's response is typical of the folk living and working in our near community. It's from the heart.

I'd be happy to meet you on Sunday, Bert. I will be one of a dozen or so people in red and blue KJFC jackets. Ask any one of them to point me out. We will be generally in the vicinity of the clubrooms as we have offered to coordinate the food and drinks that have been donated.

Regards

Dave

[monaro]

Well said all. It certainly puts life into perspective.

[ferrari fan]

The expectations are of about 5000 people at the Kingsley oval.
My intuition says more like 50.000 ,so the commity and organisers better be prepared,It is going to be a great showing of togetherness whatever the number ,its the thought that VERY much will count.

[wombat]

The Vigil event at Kingsley Oval was handled with great sensitivity, in my opinion.

Even though several of the parents of the missing boys did not attend (they were offended by the use of the term "memorial". Their view is that the boys are MISSING, not dead).

A number of Dean Gallaghers teammates, friends, etc, set up a big marquee thing a slept down at the club on Sat nite. Their grief was palpable thing.

I spoke to many people who were in Kuta on 12/10 and some who were in the Sari and Paddys. Interestingly, the overwhelming feeling that I sensed from the KAFC guys was guilt. Guilty that they got out and others did not.

The stories from that night are chilling, gruesome, heart-rending, gut-wrenching. I hope that many are never told to the media.

People's generosity was mind-blowing. Our Club coordinated food and drink and somehow ended up dealing with the monetary donations on the evening.

All consumables that were donated were issued on a "you decide the price" basis. A woman wrote out a cheque for $100 for me in exchange for a snack size packet of twisties. People were regularly dropping $50's and $20's for a sausage sizzle.

The spread of flowers and candles in front of the clubrooms at around 8.30 pm was enough to create a tear in the toughest bloke.

A nite for reflecting on what you have and how easily it may be lost.