Today's topic follows the line of thought that's dominated my mind over the past week.
I've said it before on here, I believe, but I feel it bears repeating.
It never ceases to bring me amusement, how we never stop wanting toys, but the toys we want change drastically as time goes by. When I was under 10, it was Legos and water guns. When I was under 15 it was Legos and, well...more Legos. Between 15 and 20 it was computers and technology; Ipods, video cards and computer games.
Now I am 23, almost 24 (in two months), and I find myself wanting the least "fun", but the most expensive toys. I want a house. I want to landscape. I want a nice family car. I want a garage full of tools. I want a washer and dryer for our apartment. I want to build all kinds of things for the home. There's nothing I enjoy quite like working with wood. I know I've said that before as well, but it's so clear to me these days that I really love the prospect of working with my hands; building things that are to the specifications I choose, and in a style that I like.
It is this vein of thinking that has brought me inexorably again to a new building project. I have decided to begin work on my first major project: a widescreen tv armoire. I have found a design I really like, and provides detailed enough plans that I can easily tweak them to fit my needs. I hope to get started on it soon. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to develop further skills and have some fun getting in touch with my primal instincts. Ok, maybe they aren't primal, but I think there is something in the core of a man that desires to work with his hands and conquer the knowledge he lacks. Some men tamp it down, or it has grown stagnant in them, due to years of disuse. But I think that, given the opportunity, the desire will rise to the surface, even if it is not acknowledged.
As for myself; maybe it is just my natural desire to learn, or my enjoyment of meeting and conquering challenges, but I get all handy-man-headed when I get near tools or rough, unfinished wood. Put a power drill in my hand and I'll immediately look for something that needs a hole in it. Give me a piece of wood and I start thinking about what I can build with it.
Oh well, I think I've rambled about this enough.
Aside from this, there's nothing that new going on with me, although there have been some changes at work. I finally got my raise, and it was a lot higher than I thought it would be, thanks to Marvin (my boss). He really went to bat for me, which I appreciate. Marvin, however, is leaving the company, so he will not be around anymore. His last day is Friday, and then I will be under the thumb of a stranger. Corporate is bringing in a temporary director (ironically named John as well; now there are three Johns working here) who will take over, at least for the next couple weeks. I don't know if he'll be permanent. Our regional VP is really big into making everyone jump through every possible hoop before anything becomes official. Regardless, I'm sure thinks at work will feel different from now on.
I am considering the possibility of transferring to a different location near here, for a promotion and more money. I just need to know what God thinks about the whole thing. And I need to see how things will be around here after we get a new director.
But that is the extent of my mental meanderings. Well, not completely, but the rest of it is kinda convoluted and confusing and a little depressing, and doesn't need to be represented here, at least not until I've got it all figured out.
In the meantime, I hope everyone is doing well. Give me a shout out and let me know how you are and what you're up to these days.
Oh, and this is what the armoire is going to look like:
Hopefully...
