Taking a break from a disastrous Christmas-present-making effort and wanted to just spend a moment saying “thanks.”
In my industry, I spend a lot of time online; Facebook, Twitter, message boards, blogs and so on and so forth. Long before I discovered the joy of woodworking and tool ownership, I was a gadget geek and spent a lot of time interacting on related websites. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, both professionally and socially, over the years, it’s that the internet is full of raging, sarcastic and smug assholes.
So when I first stumbled on this site, I was mentally prepared for “the usual.” And now that a few months have passed, I’ve got to say I’m pleasantly shocked, surprised and pleased to have learned that LJs is truly the exception to the rule.
Let’s be perfectly honest here, at first glance, this can be an intimidating site for a newbie. Just look at the beautiful projects that you all have posted, many of which are the fruits of many, many years of labor. It’s amazing work, from top to bottom. So many people, like myself, who would be posting pictures sloppy, mis-cut, uneven attempts at projects would be easy targets for internet trolls.
Yet, that’s not the case here. As much as it brings me great joy to share projects that, let’s face it, any kid in a high school shop class mastered by the age of 16, it’s even more rewarding to read the comments afterward, full of support, encouragement and well-intended advice.
Sure, there are some jags, as there are anywhere (I’m looking at you, guy who calls everything “Crapsman” ... I get it), but for the most part, this might be the most courteous and welcoming internet community I’ve ever experienced.
So, kudos, Jocks. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate every tip, suggestion, and compliment—even on the most shoddy of projects. This has been a hell of a ride so far, and as I’ve said so many times before, I know understand how the rest of my family has felt so comfortable in their shops for so many years.
Thanks for letting me into your little neck of the web world, and thanks for helping all of us new guys try to get to your levels.