Update my bio... sounds easy. First, I'd better read my bio again
after so long and see what I was talking about almost exactly 11
years ago...
OK, so I still have some projects that were on the original list yet
to complete. The major and important things are mostly the same. I
haven't moved since then, still in the great city of Chicago. I'm
still married to the best possible SWMBO. I'm still inspired and
encouraged a bunch of people that I've met through this great
OldTools list. I've enjoyed watching a niece and now three nephews
grow up since my last bio, and a couple of them have expressed an
interest in what I do, and that's pretty cool. I was successful over
the last 11 years in building up a big pile of tools, so much so,
that I've been divesting for the last 2 years I think, and I still
have way more than need. (I guess that bodes well for my Galootaclaus
match.) I still have my Gerstner affliction. But I've got it under
control now.
I "retired" from one unreal job and started my second unreal job
three years ago and now I make things for people for money. My work
is mostly in metal, but I still get the chance to do woodworking in
my basement shop a couple of times a month and I still really enjoy
it. I may be a little more skilled with wood that I was when I joined
the list 11 ears ago, but every project is still a learning
experience for me, which is nice. I'd hate to know how to do
everything. What's the fun in that?
I said I have a second "unreal " job and that's because now I have a
small but well equipped shop that's a really enjoyable place to go
every day and work metal. I find inspiration every day that keeps me
learning, practicing and experimenting. My favorite hand tools around
the shop are definitely the hammers, tongs and repousse tools. I've
found that I can do 90% of my work without using electrons if I
choose, but there are a few tailed apprentices that really make life
easy, so I use them. They give me a lot more time to enjoy each day.
Since my work has changed it's focus in the last few years, my tool
acquisition protocol has changed as well. I enjoy hitting the MWTCA
meets because the metal-related tools get overlooked by most of the
folks and that means I can get to a meet at a reasonable hour and
still find great stuff. ;-) I also tend to buy things that I want to
USE now, instead of in years past buying whatever I could afford that
looked like fun to own.
So to sum up: The important things are still the same. The Job has
changed from hectic and stressful, to relaxing, rewarding and really
enjoyable. Mostly these days I work with steel, silver, copper and
iron, whereas I used to work mostly on walnut and cherry.
Cheers,
Wes
In Chicago and at:
http://galootapalooza.org/
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