I've decided that I'll no longer comment on motivations, reasons, or the zen of astronomy (or any subject for that matter) on the list, and will stick to the occasional fact only. It's obvious that I am out-of-touch with the "amateur astronomer" of today. I also lack the communcative skills to truly get my ideas across and am not doing the concepts any good for that reason. No one is interested in doing things the "old fashioned" way, the simple way, the hard way, and even the atm's of today are just interested in optics and machining, there is no room for craftsmanship and handwork in the hobby at large. I do like most of you quite a bit and will remain on the list, but as my thoughts and ideas are irrellevant to amateur astronomy in Utah I'll try lurking for a while. Since my postings sometimes tend to kill any list activity for a while afterwards, this will be a good thing. I will say that I admire those of you who have so much time for your hobby. I honestly can't understand how anyone with a career and a family can squeeze-in so much telescope and meeting time as some of you, without shorting the other two areas. My last gasp at hard-core atming and astronomy was five years ago and it's been a constant struggle ever since. It's been just ages since my time has been my own, and I can't even remember what it's like. Tonight I began taking down my home workshop. It's been idle for quite a while anyway, and I need the storage space to finish the third level of the house. I am returning to building WWI model airplanes so I am setting up a small modeling bench for the winter in one remote corner of the furnace room. Should be fun and won't require any drive time, good weather, or darkness. All the ATM stuff has been moved out to the garage rafters for a while, I just can't stare at it longingly anymore. Out of sight, out of mind so they say. I'm still deeply involved in school and since I got back on the list I must confess that I've lacked the self-discipline to properly apportion my time, so I'm only going to check email every few days to make studying easier. Those of you who's friendship I value most have my phone number if you need to get ahold of me in a hurry. Finally (hurrah!), please don't mistake this for an apology. I believe firmly in my ideas, and I only wish that I was better at communicating those ideas. Thanks for your time- now go out and look at that sky. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com