Now that I can see what I have to do, I'm working on getting the tools for it. I drove 100 miles yesterday to buy two bridge clamps, and allowed the store person to convince me that the bigger of the two cam clamps was "more versatile" which, while it may be true in general, was not true in particular: an 8" clamp takes up too much of my sound hole to reach the bridge. I needed the 6" ones.
I have been working at the state fair, at the Capitol Woodcarver's booth. I am trying to carve a chain in a loop, another one of those things that I have been doing in my mind instead of sleeping. I have learned that chains are fragile things, much given to breaking as you work on them, and you are wise to keep the super glue close to hand.
When I learn how to add pictures to my posts, you will have views of the things I am working on.
I also bought a grinder, and asked the spouse if I could mount it on his workbench in the shop. "Why does it have to be mounted?" he asked. A protracted discussion followed as to whether its weight would hold it in place. He would like to have the option of moving it if he needs the space. Okay, I get that. So how about if I put wing nuts on the bolts for easy removal? Him: "Why do you need to fasten it at all?" Well, I don't like my work moving on me. I think, maybe he doesn't want me making holes in the bench. So, I say, I'll make it a platform and C-clamp it to the bench, if that's acceptable. And he says, "Why not just drive a couple 16 penny nails in to hold it?
I am baffled. I don't believe we could possibly be talking about the same thing. But I will make it a platform and clamp it to the bench, since that seems to be the one part of the solution that we agreed on. I did notice when he built himself a rack for the pickup that he used 16 penny nails rather than screws or bolts, so maybe he has something against threaded fasteners.
Next I will drive into McMinnville to pick up a piece of mahogany I traded for; I gave the guy a swan I carved, and he's giving me a piece of mahogany left from a carpentry project. And I'll decide if I want to continue on to Tigard to swap the cam clamps. What I should be doing is making a dress for my daughter's birthday. That, however, means putting down the things I am focused on (some might say 'obsessed with') and picking up another creative project. And then, of course there are the Revels dragon and giant's head that need drawings done; scale models made.
This is my sixth or seventh year (I forget which) making dragons and/or magical beings for the Portland Christmas Revels, and I have learned a few things from experience. I am giving the director another three weeks or so to change his mind about what he wants, since most years he does. September seems to be the critical month. If we make it through September, I'll believe that I have heard his final decision. Though it has just occurred to me that maybe he changes his mind until he runs out of time, so perhaps it's my job to call 'time'.
