Recurring Fever

[Boozlefoot]

Is a recurrence of aperture fever common?

I think I've got it back again after several years immunity. I tried to get out of it by self denial, but that's not working. I tried to convince myself that there's no more room at the inn, but came up with the idea that I just sell what's there to fund the biggun. Then I'm thinking the existing units have all been good to me, I can't bear to part ways.

At least for now, I've settled for the "old age" excuse. I try to console myself that I'm getting too long in the tooth to lift anything bigger than my existing OTA's and just count my blessings.

Bah!

[xelasnave]

I am so glad that you have sought help here and thankfully I can help you.

Now clearly this negative talk about buying more stuff is a symptom of a latent suppression of the healthy and natural desire to buy more gear...goodness knows where it comes from but you must fight this negativity.

The first thing to do is make a short list of suitable scopes and add to each a mount that will do it justice..now along each set up you make a note of the loan you will need and the most suitable bank or credit union you will honour by involving them in your investment..now right there..note the proper terminology.. it is an investment..don't fall for this "buying stuff" phrase... it is put into our heads by negative people simply to cause us suffering.

Now I am probably much younger than you so I will remind you to employ that youthful enthusiasm I call upon and don't ever use that long in the tooth reference ever again...

It is offensive to old people.

You can set an example to us younger members.
Try not to sell any of your current scopes but think more about the size of the coffin you will need to accomodate both you and all your scopes...

Now I want you to visit at least five web sites and come back with a long list to share with others so we can help you cut down to the short list of three..now when we have that list you print out many copies and nail them around your house to remind yourself to concentrate on the best investment ..also have photos ready to show to check out girls and strangers to affirm to yourself that you are going to do this...you don't want to lose face by not going ahead..particularly with complete strangers.
Good luck.
Alex

[Boozlefoot]

"Try not to sell any of your current scopes but think more about the size of the coffin you will need to accomodate both you and all your scopes..."

No problems there, Alex. I've already got a backorder in with the local concrete company..........when the time comes, they'll send out a concrete pump to the obsy, with me in it. It will be a copy of the Chernobyl "sarcophagus" as a timely reminder to budding visual enthusiasts.

[mura_gadi (Steve)]

Aperture fever...

When your thinking about a golf cart to tow the scope out with, and using it for a battery platform to run the scope... Now, how do I get a life saver's tower mounted.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Try not to sell any of your current scopes but think more about the size of the coffin you will need to accomodate both you and all your scopes...

I've tried this one with the wife. However she no longer accepts that "the astronomer who dies with the most scopes wins" is a valid excuse.

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

The all pervading disease of aperture fever has no known cure unfortunately...

Right now "dark sky fever" has temporarily dislodged aperture fever for me ...

I did say "temporarily"...

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Crater101

I've tried this one with the wife. However she no longer accepts that "the astronomer who dies with the most scopes wins" is a valid excuse.

Just because she won't accept it does not make it wrong but it is not about winning it is about not losing the opportunity to spend your money on something that is sensible, enjoyable to use, environment friendly is really is an investment in the enjoyement of experience of a small part of this wonderful universe for yourself...see if she buys that if not let me know I will think of something else to win her over.
Alex

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Alex that cracks me up the classic tail of getting more scopes ,there is one way start collecting classic scopes and restoring them that soon adds to your scope collection

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Just because she won't accept it does not make it wrong but it is not about winning it is about not losing the opportunity to spend your money on something that is sensible, enjoyable to use, environment friendly is really is an investment in the enjoyement of experience of a small part of this wonderful universe for yourself...see if she buys that if not let me know I will think of something else to win her over.
Alex

Ha! Cheers mate. I'll try that one. The "it's an investment" angle is something I hadn't considered. I'll let you know how it goes (hopefully not from the doghouse...)

[mura_gadi (Steve)]

Its not a cheap way of doing things... but.

I find if I offer a holiday* to the equivalent cost of my astro purchase things go very smoothly...


Steve
*Replace holiday with SWMBO's current wants or needs as required.

[xelasnave]

And to call "it" a fever is rather negative..it implies there is something somehow wrong ...this of course is incorrect..

AND perhaps remind the ladies that they are indeed lucky to find themselves with the perfect man..it is all too easy to become complaicent and take good things for granted so be gentle but firm in presenting a spread sheet that shows various projections of income wasted by "other men" who drink at the pub, gamble and smoke...now if you took those weekly outlays and project them over say ten years you can justify getting your own Hubble..I am joking of course but only to drive home my point that as an astronomer your investment is minor...and such an exercise is perhaps good for oneself as I detect so much guilt from folk when investing in Astro gear. It is your right do dont feel guilty.

Heck my total outlay if I knew what it was would be less than the price of my red car ...if it was new..and you dont have to register and green slip your Astro gear ... I could have wasted my money on say a house or a caravan that one could call "livable" but I am not that silly... and I still dont know why she left when I bought the 12 inch rather than her precious refrigerator...it was winter after all ... galaxy season and really who needs a fridge in in the winter.. just irrational on her part and I remain faultless.

Alex

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

And to call "it" a fever is rather negative..it implies there is something somehow wrong ...this of course is incorrect..

AND perhaps remind the ladies that they are indeed lucky to find themselves with the perfect man..it is all too easy to become complaicent and take good things for granted so be gentle but firm in presenting a spread sheet that shows various projections of income wasted by "other men" who drink at the pub, gamble and smoke...now if you took those weekly outlays and project them over say ten years you can justify getting your own Hubble..I am joking of course but only to drive home my point that as an astronomer your investment is minor...and such an exercise is perhaps good for oneself as I detect so much guilt from folk when investing in Astro gear. It is your right do dont feel guilty.

Heck my total outlay if I knew what it was would be less than the price of my red car ...if it was new..and you dont have to register and green slip your Astro gear ... I could have wasted my money on say a house or a caravan that one could call "livable" but I am not that silly... and I still dont know why she left when I bought the 12 inch rather than her precious refrigerator...it was winter after all ... galaxy season and really who needs a fridge in in the winter.. just irrational on her part and I remain faultless.

Alex

Alex, this is gold! You made me laugh so loud the missus and kids are giving me dirty looks

[Boozlefoot]

Just as a quick addendum to my original.............

I hang my head in shame.

I have a great collection of scopes for this premier of past-times.

What really brings me back to ground is discovering the marvellous achievements made by Rev. Bob Evans with similar gear which I have readily at hand, and largely unused, in my obs.

Time to make the best of what I have been blessed with and follow his example by actually applying some grit and determination!

[LonelySpoon (Neville)]

Originally Posted by Crater101

I've tried this one with the wife. However she no longer accepts that "the astronomer who dies with the most scopes wins" is a valid excuse.

Right back at the start, I took my quilter wife to the sewing shop and magnanimously said "Pick whichever machine you like".

She did, and I ended up with an Ultima C9.25 on a fork mount with wedge as a result.

Now, whenever she wants to upgrade her machine, I can get a new 'scope...

(Her last upgrade was $12k, so I'm just waiting)

Neville
LSO

[LonelySpoon (Neville)]

Originally Posted by Boozlefoot

Just as a quick addendum to my original.............

I hang my head in shame.

I have a great collection of scopes for this premier of past-times.

What really brings me back to ground is discovering the marvellous achievements made by Rev. Bob Evans with similar gear which I have readily at hand, and largely unused, in my obs.

Time to make the best of what I have been blessed with and follow his example by actually applying some grit and determination!

When all the gee-whizz painting programs and art tools stated coming out in the early 80's, I saw a piece that said "The tools to do everything that Michelangelo did can be obtained for less than $20 in Bunnings".

I know what the weak point is in my observatory!

Neville
LSO

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Boozlefoot

Just as a quick addendum to my original.............

I hang my head in shame.

I have a great collection of scopes for this premier of past-times.

What really brings me back to ground is discovering the marvellous achievements made by Rev. Bob Evans with similar gear which I have readily at hand, and largely unused, in my obs.

Time to make the best of what I have been blessed with and follow his example by actually applying some grit and determination!

He had a lot of help behind the scenes.

Alex

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by LonelySpoon

Right back at the start, I took my quilter wife to the sewing shop and magnanimously said "Pick whichever machine you like".

She did, and I ended up with an Ultima C9.25 on a fork mount with wedge as a result.

Now, whenever she wants to upgrade her machine, I can get a new 'scope...

(Her last upgrade was $12k, so I'm just waiting)

Neville
LSO

Now that's a thought! Frankenwife does a bit of quilting, and has been known to make a few of her own clothes from time to time. Worth trying! Humble thanks!

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by Boozlefoot

I try to console myself that I'm getting too long in the tooth to lift anything bigger than my existing OTA's and just count my blessings.

Bah!

Consider yourself fortunate.
My back is stuffed and I can't lift my 14.5" dob.
Regards,
Renato