Thursday, January 10, 2013

Fast and Easy???

I get really aggravated at woodworking publications or web sites that hype the notion that they can show you how do something in a way that is “fast” or “easy.” Seriously, if all I care about is “fast” or “easy”, why on earth would I have any interest in woodworking? Nothing about woodworking is fast, and if it were easy, what would be the point? Going to McDonald’s is “fast” and “easy,” but it is almost never satisfying. Modern life is full of fast and easy. We’re constantly inundated with fast and easy. it’s everywhere, ubiquitous, and seems to be some kind of Holy Grail we all seek.

When I descend into my woodworking world, like most woodworkers, I’ve chosen to reject the modern world’s obsession with fast and easy. I choose, I prefer, I crave - slow and difficult! I place achievement on a higher plane than convenience. I place contentment on a higher plane than gratification. I