Jim Patrick
A Fixture
Ok, here is the promised MMSI show review. It will not be full of pictures and for this I apologize. Unless you make taking pictures a priority, it won't be. This is the case with the Chicago show. I had my family with me and also chose to spend some time with them as well. So if this is somewhat disappointing, I'm sorry 
.
I arrived in Chicago on the afternoon of the 14th after a rather eventful drive through Chicago. After getting everything in the hotel room, some friends and myself promptly went to Shep Paine's open house. For those who have never had the chance to go there, I HIGHLY recommend that you do! Shep was a terrific host taking time for even the most mundane questions (all of which were coming from me! :lol: ). Well, after that was over, the "plan" was to take the family to dinner, go set up early and attend the judges meeting (Shep graciously invited me to be an assistant judge, more on this later). The "plan" I remind you. What happened was we went to dinner and had a "Chicago style" pizza. WOW! My good friend Joe Hudson told me this was something else and brother was it. It was an inch and a half to 2 inches thick LOADED with meat and cheese. One slice was all it took. That’s all.. What followed after that was a bit comical. I took a wrong turn and ended up lost in Chicago and all I had to do was drive a simple mile. A mile and a half at most!. Here I was in a strange city at night trying to find my way to the show and to add insult to injury (I didn't DARE tell the whole truth at the show, imagine the ribbing I would have take for this!), my wife was the one who found out where we were and directed me back to the show. Oh, the shame! Ok, so I show up a little late and caught the tail end of the judges meeting. Being an assistant judge was probably one of the most eye opening experiences I have had to date in the hobby. I joined the team of Mike Hall, Bill Ottinger and Fletcher Clement. Man are these guys hilarious! Not only did they show me some very eye opening things judges look for to help me with my own abilities, but had fun doing it as well. A special thanks goes out to Mike Hall for waiting for me and ensuring that I understood the judging process thoroughly. Thanks Mike! Saturday morning rolled around (much sooner than some had wanted!) and I was able to enter my figures finally after missing the opportunity Friday night and was greeted by the most rewarding comments I have received since being in the hobby. To all those that offered comments and encouragement, again, THANK YOU! Especially to you Alan and Marion Ball. There are only a select few in this hobby that can make any of us change something on the spot or continue doing a certian technique when it comes to painting. Alan and Marion are two of these few. Marion, Thanks for the "rubbing" of elbows and your comments have not fallen on deaf ears. You will see for yourself in Atlanta this year. Several of the highlights were meeting new and old friends alike. New friends like Pete Herrera. Pete's a very funny guy and a blast to hang around with. D-Day is right around the corner Pete! :lol: The awards ceremony was sort, concise and to the point. Shep really doesn't mess around and it was most appreciated by all in attendance. Besides, there were more important things to do like hang out in the hospitality suite. Speaking of which, the suite was also one of the highlights. Not for the obvious choice but for the socializing and camradie that goes on in there. There is plenty of good natured "ribbing" that goes on in there. All of which makes this hobby what it is. A bunch of fun natured people with like interests hanging out and relaxing. This was my first and most certainly not last Chicag Show! Speaking of which, the show will be moved in 2006. It will be held at the Chicago Marriott in Schaumburg, IL., Oct. 19-21 2006. Click here for more details and show pics later on as soon as theyr'e posted on the MMSI website. I'll leave you with what FEW pictures I did take and allow the pF members in attendance to introduce themselves.
Enjoy!
Jim Patrick
.I arrived in Chicago on the afternoon of the 14th after a rather eventful drive through Chicago. After getting everything in the hotel room, some friends and myself promptly went to Shep Paine's open house. For those who have never had the chance to go there, I HIGHLY recommend that you do! Shep was a terrific host taking time for even the most mundane questions (all of which were coming from me! :lol: ). Well, after that was over, the "plan" was to take the family to dinner, go set up early and attend the judges meeting (Shep graciously invited me to be an assistant judge, more on this later). The "plan" I remind you. What happened was we went to dinner and had a "Chicago style" pizza. WOW! My good friend Joe Hudson told me this was something else and brother was it. It was an inch and a half to 2 inches thick LOADED with meat and cheese. One slice was all it took. That’s all.. What followed after that was a bit comical. I took a wrong turn and ended up lost in Chicago and all I had to do was drive a simple mile. A mile and a half at most!. Here I was in a strange city at night trying to find my way to the show and to add insult to injury (I didn't DARE tell the whole truth at the show, imagine the ribbing I would have take for this!), my wife was the one who found out where we were and directed me back to the show. Oh, the shame! Ok, so I show up a little late and caught the tail end of the judges meeting. Being an assistant judge was probably one of the most eye opening experiences I have had to date in the hobby. I joined the team of Mike Hall, Bill Ottinger and Fletcher Clement. Man are these guys hilarious! Not only did they show me some very eye opening things judges look for to help me with my own abilities, but had fun doing it as well. A special thanks goes out to Mike Hall for waiting for me and ensuring that I understood the judging process thoroughly. Thanks Mike! Saturday morning rolled around (much sooner than some had wanted!) and I was able to enter my figures finally after missing the opportunity Friday night and was greeted by the most rewarding comments I have received since being in the hobby. To all those that offered comments and encouragement, again, THANK YOU! Especially to you Alan and Marion Ball. There are only a select few in this hobby that can make any of us change something on the spot or continue doing a certian technique when it comes to painting. Alan and Marion are two of these few. Marion, Thanks for the "rubbing" of elbows and your comments have not fallen on deaf ears. You will see for yourself in Atlanta this year. Several of the highlights were meeting new and old friends alike. New friends like Pete Herrera. Pete's a very funny guy and a blast to hang around with. D-Day is right around the corner Pete! :lol: The awards ceremony was sort, concise and to the point. Shep really doesn't mess around and it was most appreciated by all in attendance. Besides, there were more important things to do like hang out in the hospitality suite. Speaking of which, the suite was also one of the highlights. Not for the obvious choice but for the socializing and camradie that goes on in there. There is plenty of good natured "ribbing" that goes on in there. All of which makes this hobby what it is. A bunch of fun natured people with like interests hanging out and relaxing. This was my first and most certainly not last Chicag Show! Speaking of which, the show will be moved in 2006. It will be held at the Chicago Marriott in Schaumburg, IL., Oct. 19-21 2006. Click here for more details and show pics later on as soon as theyr'e posted on the MMSI website. I'll leave you with what FEW pictures I did take and allow the pF members in attendance to introduce themselves.
Enjoy!
Jim Patrick
