Well, that’s a good question. It didn’t take me long to join LJ after I stumbled on to if from the Wood Whisperer site but I haven’t added any info about my shop, projects, or blog entries. I’ve been one of those lurker types just putting in comments about other’s works. Problem is, the membership seems to be growing really quickly and there is a lot to follow with the “You know you’re a Lumber Jock if/when…” forum and the Thorsen table challenge thread along with everything else.
This is a great community and now is the time. So, I am at least starting by blogging about not blogging. Mainly, it’s because I live in Minnesota and unlike Dick and Dusty, I don’t have a heated spot to work the sticks. Also, I just had some surgery from which I’m recovering but I should be 100% again by this coming weekend. We’ve had a good thaw going here for about 2 weeks now and if my body continues to agree with my mind and it stays above 45 degress, I’ll be out in the shop this weekend tuning up the saws and get started on my interpretation of the Thorsen table. I have to get moving, the deadline is creeping up on me already.
“What about existing projects,” you ask? Weeelll, I just got into this passion last year about this time as the company I work for decided I should be rewarded with a bonus during my annual review. It was much nicer than I ever expected and allowed me to purchase my tools. I had already been thinking about finally taking woodworking up as a serious hobby since before Christmas of last year and had even started with a few books recommended by my best friend, Rich, an architect and avid woodworker.
With the bonus, I could actually purchase a nice table saw, jointer, planer, router and a menagerie of other tools. Receiving the bonus was an “in the nick of time” situation as my stress level was through the roof at work. The researching of tools, reading of books, and ultimate working of wood distracted me from the tribulations of the day job. I’m serious, I was getting and average of only 4 – 5 hours of sleep a night because I could not shut off my brain with regard to work-related issues. Folks, Information Technology, while a lucrative career simply isn’t for everyone and finding a balance between technology and some semblance of normal life is often challenging as anyone in the industry will tell you.
Things at work, although still crazy and stressful, became easier to deal with because I began to get adequate rest since I was able to free the mind to be more right-brained again and actually do something with the thoughts; I didn’t have to just wish any longer.
Things proceeded nicely for about two months then the floodgates of tribulation were opened again. That, however, is another entry for another day. Suffice it to say, this spring marks a new year and a new season of projects to get done “before the snow flys.”
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
12 comments so far
scottb
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3060 posts in 864 days
posted 623 days ago
You’re a lucky man. Glad you’re able to find the balance between high-tech and good old fashioned working with your hands. Finding that balance has been so great for me.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
MsDebbieP
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12282 posts in 697 days
posted 623 days ago
and another interesting journey!
Nice little bonus you got—much more than the financial amount. Just look at how it has impacted your life. Nice.
Looking forward to reading more.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Dusty
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783 posts in 693 days
posted 623 days ago
Its good to have someone else close to where I live a member also. I look forward to seeing some of your work.
I’m glad you got your work life under control, and priorities straight.
The way I look at work now after going threw the same thing as you did with work is: I work to live not live to work. And, I was looking for a job when I found the one I got.
Happy woodworking.
-- Dusty
BassBully
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223 posts in 634 days
posted 623 days ago
Caliper,
I’m also in I.T. and I’m also finding myself distracted by woodworking and also trying to find balance. Good luck with that. Thanks for the post.
-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!
Drew1House
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421 posts in 625 days
posted 623 days ago
I get it… I am doing the same thing for the same reason… I was able to get a shop done over the course of the last year due to a great Real Estate market and then I happened to sell one of the guys who owns www.timberlinetools.com ’s house for him and traded some tools for part of the commission! For the past year… getting the shop done has been the stressor/stress relief…. for the next year I hope I can make some furniture!
Good Luck…
P.S. Had my shoulder done December 28th… I am at about 90% now… YEA!!
-- Drew, Pleasant Grove, Utah
WayneC
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5684 posts in 634 days
posted 623 days ago
I’m also an evening and weekend refugee from the IT world. Being able to see the results of your work at the end of the day helps to keep me sane. Looking forward to seeing some of those projects.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Jeff
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968 posts in 631 days
posted 623 days ago
Thanks for the support gang! Good to know there are others in the boat with me. It’s funny, I keep my ears open around work thinking I would hear someone, anyone, mention so much as the word router or cement or something and never really do. Recently though, I did find out that a guy working under me had the need for dust but he works in Wisconsin so we don’t get to talk often. Regardless, those are good chats. Hey! I think I’ll touch base with him tomorrow and see if he wants to pay us jocks a visit…
Drew, nice way to score some tools… Keep nursing that shoulder. I’ve heard they can take a while… Have you posted shop pics yet? Love to see it.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
scottb
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3060 posts in 864 days
posted 623 days ago
Oh, you must hear router come up once in a while… but not the right kind ;)
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Dick, & Barb Cain
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5384 posts in 836 days
posted 623 days ago
I was more productive in my shop, & carving before I retired. It was my way of forgetting about my job.
I wasn’t high tech, just repairing heavy equipment. It was a nice switch from Iron to Wood.
Besides that , I may be slowing down a little.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Jeff
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968 posts in 631 days
posted 621 days ago
Scott, you’re right, unfortunately. LOL!
Dick, that is one of the things I love about woodworking. Some might say it’s like golf in some respects… You can do this your whole life. My sweetie’s grandfather worked in his shop until his vision unfortunately made it prohibitive.
I think ‘slowing down’ is something you have likely earned the right to do and do gracefully. What matters is that you still get enjoyment out of your projects.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
Dick, & Barb Cain
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5384 posts in 836 days
posted 621 days ago
Woodworking beats Golf.
After a game of golf,you have nothing to show for it.
I asked this friend of mine if he used a golf cart. He said no, because all he gets out of Golf is exercise, & frustration, with a cart all he’d get is frustration.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Jeff
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968 posts in 631 days
posted 621 days ago
LOL. I agree. The guy I occasionally play golf with would likely tell you I should just stay in the shop. I can get really frustrated with that game. Yet, I still want to play it… I think I will save the green fees and buy more lumber, as a LumberJock should.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN