On Thu, 29 May 1997 SHAH_LI@h... wrote:

 > Hello everybody,  my name is Paul Shah, ...

Hi, Paul!  Welcome to Oldtools.

 > ... The whole woodworking 
 > thing started when I helped my girlfriend build a desk about 8 months 
 > ago, and from then on I have been addicted (although the desk looks like
 > it was assembled by someone with a vicious hangover and no spatial 
 > skills).  

Not to worry, Paul.  We have members with *all* kinds of interesting
habits and remarkable neuropsychological features. ;-)  

And sobriety and spatial skills have certainly never been a
precondition to hanging out on the porch, or even to woodworking. 
(Although you may want to double-check those medical school
admission requirements one more time, though. ;-)

 > Plus, they [handtools] are less expensive ...

Hmmmmmm...well, yes, okay, they *can* be.  But they certainly don't
*have* to be.

 > and certainly more portable.  

Definitely.

 > Also, woodworking helps me use that part of me that withers away
 > during the week ...

Say what!?  Hey, watch it; we don't wanna hear about that kind of
personal stuff here.  We're a G-rated group... ;-) 

 > (I am a 
 > lab technician with an engineering degree applying to medical school).  
 > I go a little nuts when I don't get to work with my hands and a more 
 > instinctual part of my mind.  

Oh, oops, my mistake.  You meant *that* part of you... :-)

 > Anyway, I've probably bored all of you enough.  

Nah, not a chance.  Besides, that's *my* job.

 > Again, I'm glad to be here, if you'll tolerate my inexperience,

No problem.  Most of us started out inexperienced, and many of us
including myself are still on that side of the fence.  This is a
pretty mature, very helpful and tolerant group, and everybody likes
sharing what they know with everybody.  That's what it's all about.
I think you'll like it here.

Again, Paul, welcome, it's nice to have you on the porch.

-- Steve