Calling it quits

The reasons why don’t really matter, life is too short to be involved in anything you don’t enjoy. If you’re that dissatisfied with something close it up and move on to something else. There’s a big wide world of things a man can choose from and there’s something in it that you can enjoy.

 

The UTA, I emailed Craig Lewis months ago to ask about my membership as I didn't receive a renewal notice and didn't find a canceled check for 2018 dues. I have been a charter member all along.
Craig quickly answered that he sent the email to the secretary and he would be contact me, he never contacted me . It has been months. It seems to me the UTA is going down the NTA path at present.
Craig Lewis did a great job when he was involved and kept it all together. In my opinion Craig was the Cindi Crain of the UTA, he kept it going like Cindi did the NTA.

 

George, I get it. I appreciate your candor, I was merely expressing my thoughts on your post, it was not in malice, I assure you. It seems that I may not be the only one to overlook or not utilize the phrase you have at the bottom of your posts.
You seem to include me into a group of narrow minded followers, you can rest assured that assumption couldn't be farther from the truth. You see I am a nobody but, the sitting board of the UTA realized that I am passionate about our industry, just by my willingness to stand up against the state of MN on the CWD issue. Believe me when I was trying to recruit people for the cause, I saw first hand the apathy of our industry, but obviously you haven't realized over the years of interaction with me, I typically don't quit. I also don't tend to blow smoke up other's asses either.

 

Richard, could you post that article (if it is not too long) ?
I think we all have different degrees of madness, What/who is normal? My husband loves golf....so I tried to play it....I could even hit the ball fairly well, but I could not find the thrill of it so which one of us is mad? or is it just degrees of madness? One chasing a white ball around, the other playing with dead things.

 

One chasing a white ball the other playing with dead things.

Thats funny right there!

Your thinking on golf is kinda like planning a trip to disney. All the planning and the trip is exciting, but once you get in the park , the heat, crowds, standing in line for hours, watching your wallet drain uncontrollably, walking in circles all day, all for about 15 minutes total of trill riding. Makes you start thinking about redefining your definition of excitement and fun.

 

George, You don't have to apologize to anyone for retiring from what you've done for decades. Anyone who has done this job full time for three or more decades can relate to the changes in the industry and the clientele. It is impossible to explain the changes we have seen to someone who has yet to wear out the first set of soles on their shoes walking down the taxidermy road.
Have some sawdust therapy and enjoy life.

 

George, wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors!

Bruce

 

George, you have definitely earned that retirement. I think maybe your case may have to do with plain ole burn out! Every profession has this problem sooner or later. (I have actually considered retiring from teaching and was not planning on do so for about five more years. I think I may have reached burnout.)

I thought at one time I wanted to be a full time taxidermist. I am glad now that I didn't follow that road. I did a bit of commercial work (very little) when I lived in Chicago and that convinced me to keep it as a hobby. I made more money in industry and teaching than I would have ever in taxidermy. If I ever do any commercial work again it will be very little; just enough to buy what I want.

Enjoy your retirement! I (as many others) are glad you will continue to be on here to answer our questions from your six decades of experience. You have helped me more than you will ever know.

Vic

 

You sound a lot like an INTJ just telling it how it is... For someone like me just now trying to get into taxidermy this is a good thread for me to read. Part of me says to run away from taxidermy and the remaining is telling me to learn as much as possible and pass that knowledge to my twin sons should they show interest in it.

 

great post .

 

If you are curious as to whether or not you are an INTJ the answer is just a few questions away! http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

 

OK George i don't want to start a pissing match. The thing i see with competition is that the younger people that come to the shows were brought up that there is no losers you are all the winners. When they get their ribbon and critique they can't handle the constructive criticism and run home to mommy and never come back. But just got to remember that their friends, mom, and dad tell them they are the best and on their facebook page they put award winning taxidermist.
To me the reason that the associations memberships keep going down is that we are running out of new members that have thick skin and they forget that they can learn from the shows. The reasons i go to the shows is to continue learning all i can to make my product the best i can.
If you have a state lisc to sell stuff so many of them require you to take continuing education credits every year. Maybe it should be mandatory that taxidermist take seminar credits from the shows and maybe their wont be so many hack-i-dermist out there .
Other than that enjoy your retirement.

 

LOL. No, not really the place and those that could help won't see it here. There is a WANTED forum also and that would be a good place to put up something like this and see if you get any offers.

 

Now you don’t have to hold back George.

 

George please don't stop coming here and being a gasoline ass. we need you! I have been at it for about 10 years but I totally see where you're coming from. Please enjoy the next chapter of your life and just know you have helped many including myself.

 

I figured the same George, that is why we often butt heads.
I have had conversations with many others via phone, internet and face to face and I definitely realize that egos run rampant throughout taxidermy. Hell I'd be lying, if I said I didn't have one, I try to keep it in check. I guess it is probably what drives me though, I hate failure and I don't accept defeat all to well.
I try to stay up to date on CWD news as well but for me the CWD alliance seems to be just another money pit. I may be wrong but if I'm not mistaken a membership is on the north side of $500 and for what? It is very much a serious threat to our way of life and our life. I feel that we as taxidermists are afterthoughts if we are even thought of when it pertains to our livelihoods. That is my main reason for joining an organization such as the UTA that, at this time, seems to care. I encourage others reading this to do the same.
PS. I tend to have the same impact on some people as you did on that particular prima donna.

 

Ain't that the truth .what ever I post on social media turns into a instant bitch fest why did you do that why isn't it mine and they have no clue how long the piece you posted has been in your shop or why did you do someone's work other than his .social media has turned into more of a pain than its worth