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MEL... Are we woodworkers Crazy?

WillGeorge's picture

MEL... Are we woodworkers Crazy? (post #151511)

WillGeorge on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 08:14
in

Mel please reply...

Are we a Mental Health problem?

In adults

  • Confused thinking
  • Long-lasting sadness or irritability
  • Extreme highs and lows in mood
  • Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety
  • Social withdrawal
  • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
  • Strong feelings of anger
  • Delusions or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there)
  • Increasing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Denial of obvious problems
  • Many unexplained physical problems
  • Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol

The above copied from http://www.webmd.com/depression/mental-health-warning-signs

I experience five or more of the above symptoms on some, but not all projects, I am trying to finish on time!

Have a great day.. Life is wonderful even if you are having a bad day!

-A +A
Eef's picture

will, on time?  hey man, (post #151511, reply #1 of 21)

by Eef in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 09:39

will,

on time? 

hey man, i thought you to be retired.

eef

WillGeorge's picture

I am retired.. Or was that (post #151511, reply #2 of 21)

by WillGeorge in reply to Eef [original] on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 04:45

I am retired.. Or was that 'down-sized' by the corporate personal department after 35+ years or so working for them? It was more than a few years ago I was kicked out into the streets to fend for myself....

My 'retirement' was fun for about a month. After that I was just out of work. Yes, I was, I am one of those 'workaholic's'...

I am one of those strange men that enjoyed going to work in the morning. NO, not to get away from the family. I loved work, family and friends. Not in that order.. Family first... Or was it work?

Now it is only me and my very old dog. He sleeps all day and night.. I work all day (not much sleep)  in the shop and try to keep a schedule that I planned for. 

I posted because I found the list and then thought... HAY! That is me for many but not all items listed.

Sorry for the late reply.. I had an emergency babysitting job yesterday.. My youngest grandbaby... She was sick and her mom did not think she should go to school (her mom is a school teacher) ?

Anyway, we spent the day at the local playground... We had fun.. She out of school and I out of the shop... No worries until we got into a pinecone tossing, at each other, thing. (The local park pine of some type with long needles drops it's cones this time of the year) She fell onto the concrete while running away from my tossed pinecone.. She lost some skin and then she saw a bit of blood.. We had to walk back home for the 'mending' process. She loves Band-Aids.... I reminded her that I had a full box of Band-Aids at home... That helped keeping her calm...

Have a great day.. Life is wonderful even if you are having a bad day!

AZMO's picture

Retired (post #151511, reply #3 of 21)

by AZMO in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 05:15

Will,

Great day, hanging out and enjoying the park with  your grand daughter. Having those moments are really important, aren't they?

The hard part of your post  is leaving on your own terms, and being forced to leave. Rather like making love or rape.... I am self employed and I am afraid my a...hole of a boss is going to let me go due to lack of work. I am working, but have not had a pay check in 3 months. My guys get theirs, the bills get paid, but there is nothing left over. I am stubborn enough to think if we can just get a few more decent projects it will turn around in awhile. It will eventually, but that light at the end of the tunnel sure sounds like a train.... I am afraid but I think 8 of the items on your list apply at the moment. Still, I have a grandbaby around that just turned 1 and I don't have to work to survive. So I tell myself to chill and work each day for what it is.

Take care and don't fall into the last item of your list, that just gets ugly...Ha!  I found that by training for a sport and competition, I work my diet, and quit drinking for a month or two. Clears the mind and body really well.

Morgan

WillGeorge's picture

Morgan.. I went away without (post #151511, reply #4 of 21)

by WillGeorge in reply to AZMO [original] on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 05:24

Morgan.. I went away without a fight.. My employer gave food and other things for my family for many years..... I have no hate for them. I received a very good wage for the times..

Have a great day.. Life is wonderful even if you are having a bad day!

bunkiel's picture

wood working (post #151511, reply #5 of 21)

by bunkiel in reply to Eef [original] on Sun, 06/20/2010 - 03:26

Hello,

        hey man if you are rtired you have to wood working in my suggestion. I hope it works . Wood working is really nice thing to do .

 

Thanks!!


__________


<a href =”http://www.woodworkweb.com/Free-Woodwork-Plans/ “Woodworking forums</a>

Jfrostjr's picture

Crazy? No, maybe . . (post #151511, reply #6 of 21)

by Jfrostjr in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Sun, 06/20/2010 - 06:42

Will,

I read a news story this morning that may  may speak to your "problems". (No! We can't blame it on woorworking. That is always good.)

Several  of the symptoms you list can be attributed to "male menopause". How's that for a new escape hatch?

Frosty

Westchester's picture

Crazy (post #151511, reply #9 of 21)

by Westchester in reply to Jfrostjr [original] on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 07:58

Working late hours +  weekends - for little pay -

Using power tools that can easily injure you -

Breathing saw dust and solvents -

NO - we're not crazy - everyone else is !

 

SA

swenson's picture

Warning Signs (post #151511, reply #7 of 21)

by swenson in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 05:46

Twenty five years ago I heard this list read on a radio PSA during national depression week.  I was amazed at how many symptoms I had and didn't even realize it.  I got help and it changed my life.  My depression was a simple chemical imbalance and was fixed quickly.  I have no problem with with equating our frustrations in the shop with mental health problems just for fun, but if these symptoms are for real you may not realize how depression has slowly taken over your life.

Jfrostjr's picture

Thanks (post #151511, reply #8 of 21)

by Jfrostjr in reply to swenson [original] on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 07:29

Thanks for posting a helpful reminder for all of us.

Frosty

9619's picture

WG, I rarely enter the Cafe. (post #151511, reply #10 of 21)

by 9619 in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 17:54
WG, I rarely enter the Cafe. It is too SCARY. :-) I read your list. Everyone feels some of those things once in a while. You'd be crazy if you didn't. But your list doesn't describe any woodworker that I know. Quite the opposite. Most of the woodworkers I know are pretty self confident. (not all, but most) Most woodworkers are hobbyists. They are more motivated by a Ned for achievement than by a fear of failure. They strive to learn new things and to increase their set of skills. If someone asked me if woodworkers tend to be overly strong or overly weak, there is only one answer - overly strong. As we have all seen on Knots, there are some woodworkers who really should rein things in a little. Luckily there were very few of them, and there are not as many of them here now as there were in the old Knots. The woodworkers that I know are quite a nice group of folks who have their heads screwed on right. There Has never been a woodworker who has been a serial killer. What more could one ask? Are you taking any new medications? :-) Have fun, Mel

Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

swenson's picture

Serial killer woodworkers. (post #151511, reply #11 of 21)

by swenson in reply to 9619 [original] on Fri, 06/25/2010 - 07:08

"They are more motivated by a Ned for achievement than by a fear of failure. They strive to learn new things and to increase their set of skills."    by 9619

This is exactly what allows a plain old regular killer to become a serial killer, not that there's anything wrong with that. 

joinerswork's picture

Hi Mel, You said," They are (post #151511, reply #12 of 21)

by joinerswork in reply to 9619 [original] on Tue, 06/29/2010 - 05:18

Hi Mel,

You said," They are more motivated by a Ned for achievement than by a fear of failure. "

Do you know Ned personally?.  If I call you, can you send Ned over to motivate me, too? Some days, I really could use him.

Ray

9619's picture

Ned (post #151511, reply #13 of 21)

by 9619 in reply to joinerswork [original] on Tue, 06/29/2010 - 15:55

Ray,

I sent Ned to see you.  I have no doubt he will show up at your house, since I lent him my GPS system.   But, it might take him a while to get there.  He is riding his mule.   I told him to watch out for the trucks on Route 81.     You may remember Ned.  He was one of the hillbillys in the movie, Deliverance.    You'll recognize him when you see him.   

Mel

PS  My spell checker must have been on vacation too.  :-)     You know, this brings back some old memories.  i remember once here on Knots, I made a grammatical error and Charles picked up on it.  It must have been a slow week back then, just like last week was, when someone picked up on my spelling error.   I have gone through and checked all of the other Knots messages of the past six months, and I could not find a single spelling or grammatical error,  other than the one I made.   I kinda miss Charles.   Where is he now that we need him?    After Ned spends a few days at your place, why don't you send him out to look for Charles, Boss Crunck or RiverProf.  

Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

joinerswork's picture

Hey Mel, I'll keep an eye (post #151511, reply #14 of 21)

by joinerswork in reply to 9619 [original] on Wed, 06/30/2010 - 04:57

Hey Mel,

I'll keep an eye out for ol Neddy.  Does he have his own banjo?

There are a lot of the old regulars who are no longer a presence here. And even more who have less to say than in the good old days. (Geezin' now.)

Take it easy,

Ray  

WillGeorge's picture

You'd be crazy if you didn't. (post #151511, reply #15 of 21)

by WillGeorge in reply to 9619 [original] on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 09:41

You'd be crazy if you didn't. ...

What I thought of in the first place when posting this..

I only posted this to get to some of the very serious folks in here to relax a bit.. I remember when we got many good ideas that did not impress anybody.. However, we all got along somehow? More than a few thoughts in here I use to this day...

Your words.. Most of the woodworkers I know are pretty self confident...

I am untill I have to put a finish on my wood work! I can make wood but finishing is.. I will not comment on that...

You said something about ... by a Ned for achievement than by a fear of failure. What the heck is a NED?

I think of some humans, a long years away from us, and still seem to be a prehistoric Neanderthal? As in Knots... I am really just funning the Knots Folks!

 

Have a great day.. Life is wonderful even if you are having a bad day!

9619's picture

WG, I made a typing error. (post #151511, reply #17 of 21)

by 9619 in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 12:05

WG,

I made a typing error.   I typed "Ned for Achievement".  I meant "Need for Achievement"

Sorry about that.

Mel

Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

WillGeorge's picture

Meld? You have forgotten you (post #151511, reply #16 of 21)

by WillGeorge in reply to 9619 [original] on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 11:33

Meld? You have forgotten you name? Sir you are the best!

Have a great day.. Life is wonderful even if you are having a bad day!

9619's picture

WG. I don't type so well. (post #151511, reply #18 of 21)

by 9619 in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 12:05

WG.

I don't type so well.  I went back and fixed it.  I will have to go to typing school.

Mel

Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

WillGeorge's picture

Meld and NED?  :>) Have you (post #151511, reply #19 of 21)

by WillGeorge in reply to 9619 [original] on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 16:28

Meld and NED?  :>)

Have you taken up Burbon along with carving?

Great to see you back here at times!

My oldest grandbaby girl is back living with me for the free rent. She went back to art school. Columbia College here in Chicago. She brought a Pit Bull puppy with her.. Dang!... That pup is about agressive as a baby Lion! I think I will survive, somehow....

I taught the puppy not to bite me when feeding it. Now he does not bite my fingers and now he just chews on my shoe?

I'm too old for this nonsence of a new agressive puppy!

 

 

 

Have a great day.. Life is wonderful even if you are having a bad day!

9619's picture

WG.  I would suggest a more (post #151511, reply #20 of 21)

by 9619 in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 16:48

WG.

 I would suggest a more loving pet, like a Rattlesnake.   It is much safer.    No one looks at a Rattlesnake as safe.  But some people look at Pit Bulls as safe.  Too many have done that and regretted it.   Unfortunately, talking to a dog lover is a lot like talking to a woodworker.   Neither will listen.    Ha ha ha.

Mel

Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

joinerswork's picture

Hi Will, Thanx to the US (post #151511, reply #21 of 21)

by joinerswork in reply to WillGeorge [original] on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 19:17

Hi Will,

Thanx to the US Supreme Court, you can now own a handgun for self defense in Chicago, just as if you are a citizen of the rest of the USA.

Teach that bullpup some lessons in self control.  Or else.

Ray