Bumbling amature

[Ryan Walters]

It continues to pain me to see this gulf that exists between those of us
that are professionals in the field and those of us that are not.
Some of us that are not professionals do have skills and resources to
offer. We also need help sometime from experts. I want to understand and
work
with insects but will never do so professionally unless the pay would
increase dramatically.  I have respect for those that do choose poverty
or near poverety,
to pursue what they love.  But realize that us non-professionals are
your bread and butter. We give grants, support intsitutions, buy your
books, and even collect some interesting stuff that becomes museum
holdings. We even have been known to pick up the check after a day of
collecting. Ever notice how disturbed waiters seem when you inspect the
catch at the table?

Sometimes it is good for us to listen to inexperience. There is a type
of blinder that experience brings that inexperience does not have. I
took my neighbor kid collecting last year and he found all these neat
moths on a plant my experience taught me would have nothing
interesting.  I was wrong.

I get real frustrated when curators do not answer or return my calls or
seem interested in assisting me because I am not affiliated with any
institution. I find this
curious with the sad state of their finances recently. We can commidify
truth but if we do someone will write a security on it and it will
become a traded good.

I don't currently fund any Lep people.  I fund several orthorpterists,
even though I do not have any perticular interest in the group, only
because they are polite and respestful.
I could go to a casino, they are nice plus I get free drinks, yet I feel
strongly about helping entomologists.

We all must feel this way to sit and sift through messages every day. I
enjoy a good flaming probably more than anyone yet sometimes it touches
on something darker below the surface. We amatuers are annoying I know.
But we exist and need to be accomidated. Somethings just need to be
accepted. I have to authorize a quaterly payment to the IRS today that I
hate. I dont get a thank you and I know that the money will not be used
responsibly, but I accept it.

Just my two cents.



"We're al in this together.  I'm pullung for you. Keep your stick on the
ice"

Red Green