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From: mgs-owner
To: bleckstein
Cc: mgs
Subject: Re: Measure of enthusiasism?
Date: 21 November 1996 20:50
bleckstein@monmouth.com wrote:
>
> I'll probably regret writing this, but here goes:
>
> I've been in the hobby 20 years. I have nine MGs. I don't care for racing,
> autocross and have limited feelings for car shows. I'm nuts about the
cars,
the
> people, the history and tradition of MG and understand others' likes and
> dislikes in the hobby. I certainly am not designated to condemn anyone for
their
> special interest or views.
>
> I have seen some crash into the hobby like a comet and enter every show
and
> event until it becomes all consuming. Two or three years later they are
gone.
> They did that, they have been there, there is nothing left.
>
> I started with a TD ,and attended local club meets for two years before I
ever
> heard of the NEMGTRegister. Then I attended a GOF or two. Slowly I got to
know
> the people, the History of MG and aquired another car or two (a BGT and a
TC)
>
> Suddenly in 1986 I was swept up into the Ocean to Ocean trip and for 19
days I
> didn't see my wife or kids, the longest separation ever in our thiry years
of
> marriage. I soon was in charge of the Circuit of Britain and almost four
years
> of endless work went into it. My wife did twice as much as me and she
can't
> drive stick!
>
> I have now gone on five extended trips, two with my wife, two with my
sons.
I
> have missed three. I believe I am an enthusiast with out being a fanatic.
>
> In the NEMGTR there is a fellow named Izzy Ramos. His TD has been apart
for
15
> years, and he has no other MG. Yet he works on every GOF and devotes
hundreds of
> hours to the hobby. Is he an enthusiast, I think so.
>
> I think the Ramoses of this world who stick with the hobby and devote
themselves
> over long years are more valuable to all of us then those who arrive on
the
> scene, devour the hobby and are gone.
>
> If you like to polish your car and nothing else, thats fine. I once spent
a
> lovely English evening going through a grave yard looking for Captain
Eyston
> grave. Nuts? Probably. That was however important to me.
>
> Anyone on this list who has been on it more than a month, is somewhat of
an
> enthusiast just doing that.
>
> Please, we must respect every aspect of this hobby, and no one has the
right to
> judge the commitment and inner feelings of the other.
>
> David, you are usually entertaining, witty, and an asset to this list.
Time
> however will be the ultimate test of enthusiasm. And no, I am not angry at
you.
>
> Mike
Well said.
Geof Love. The English Connection
-------------------
I agree wholeheartedly, esp. the bit about burn out. I have seen this happen
in so many activities; amatuer theatre, trade unions, work, etc.. Take it
easy. Listen to everyone's point of view, and above all be tolerant. You CAN
be a genuine and valuable enthusiast without beinga fanatic.
Nick Pitt
('73 B Roadster still not finished and other hobbies plus wife children
and a job!!)
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