Hot enough for ya? During these dog days of summer, I have been in the
burnout phase re woodturning. My interest level for all of my hobbies
is a sort of sine wave of varying frequency and amplitude, but generally
slowly changing from white hot addiction to ho-hum. Who said "Thank
Goodness for the negative swings?"

Anyway, you guys have had your all too few blessed days of relief and
I'm back to musing about our hobby--business, craft--art
endeavors again.

Speaking of "burnout", is it a personality thing, in the genes or what?
I realize that the level of participation on rcw might not reflect a
turner's interest in woodturning. Some might be very active in what I
call "lathe turning" as opposed to "keyboard turning". Some are
involved with "social turning": ie. visiting other's shops, clubs,
symposia, art and craft shows. Others are occupied with "economic
turning": ie. booths, malls, galleries and websites while their interest
level remains high. Not for me. At the moment, I couldn't care less for
lawns, welding, machining, sailing or turning wood. I'm into dozing and
reading, but not about my hobbies. That'll change for sure.

What have these questionably relevant comments got to do with a
woodturner's forum? Admittedly not much, but it's too hot and humid in
my shop to turn, plus I'm just not interested. Cold beer and hot
barbecue is another matter: right now pilsner vs lager and pulled vs
sliced is more important than cutting vs scraping.
How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not. Hey! my sine curve is beginning to
ascend. Where's my current "American Woodturner"? Think I'll go turn
something!


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Can't say that I have hit a burn out period yet. Some times I just
have to do some flat work, or related shop things, but after almost 9
years of turning, I still love the basic bowl, no ornamentation, just
smooth clean lines. I don't like yard work, or house work, and use the
shop as an excuse. I figure the reason the forms slows down so much in
the summer is that there are so many other things to do, before the
weather drives us indoors again. There always seems to be something
new to learn. I guess this is akin to people asking me what is my most
favorite piece that I have turned, and don't I ever get attached to a
piece. For me it is a case of yes, that was nice, but what is around
the next corner that I haven't seen yet. Maybe in another 20 or 30
years, I may get burnout, but by that time, my birth certificate will
be about ready to expire.
robo hippy

On Jul 29, 9:26 am, (Arch) wrote:
Hot enough for ya? During these dog days of summer, I have been in the
burnout phase re woodturning. My interest level for all of my hobbies
is a sort of sine wave of varying frequency and amplitude, but generally
slowly changing from white hot addiction to ho-hum. Who said "Thank
Goodness for the negative swings?"

Anyway, you guys have had your all too few blessed days of relief and
I'm back to musing about our hobby--business, craft--art
endeavors again.

Speaking of "burnout", is it a personality thing, in the genes or what?
I realize that the level of participation on rcw might not reflect a
turner's interest in woodturning. Some might be very active in what I
call "lathe turning" as opposed to "keyboard turning". Some are
involved with "social turning": ie. visiting other's shops, clubs,
symposia, art and craft shows. Others are occupied with "economic
turning": ie. booths, malls, galleries and websites while their interest
level remains high. Not for me. At the moment, I couldn't care less for
lawns, welding, machining, sailing or turning wood. I'm into dozing and
reading, but not about my hobbies. That'll change for sure.

What have these questionably relevant comments got to do with a
woodturner's forum? Admittedly not much, but it's too hot and humid in
my shop to turn, plus I'm just not interested. Cold beer and hot
barbecue is another matter: right now pilsner vs lager and pulled vs
sliced is more important than cutting vs scraping.
How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not. Hey! my sine curve is beginning to
ascend. Where's my current "American Woodturner"? Think I'll go turn
something!

Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

"Arch" wrote in message
...

RE the Subject Line:

Things have got to be pretty bad for someone with attention deficit disorder
to get bored with an instant gratification activity like turning... maybe
you need to do some small spinning tops or something equally quick to retain
your interest? You'd be hopeless doing things like hand cut dovetails for
large case construction. ;~)

John

Arch,

How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not.

My sine wave is there too. It is just at a higher frequency. Some days I
can't wait to get to the lathe and then there are times when I don't
turn for days at a time. I comfort myself by saying that I'm retired and
can do anything I wish. But I think we all go hot and cold on all our
interests.

"Arch" wrote: (clip) How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around
from year to year? (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Arch, the center line of your life is YOU, not your lathe, or your welder,
or any other thing you have dabbled in from time to time. Every hour you
spend doing something because you *ought to* instead of because you *want
to* is an hour you can't replace. At our age, "Life is short" takes on a
more significant meaning. Eat dessert all the time.

It's not A-D-D, it's RE-AL-I-TY.

I have been in the trough for about a year and am finally climbing
out. My down period was not about turning burn-out, but the
intersection of several other things in my life. My down period has
been due to many things, but I'm glad to report that I am turning
again, turn-chatting again and turn-socializing again.

Joe Fleming - San Diego



On Jul 29, 12:53 pm, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:
"Arch" wrote: (clip) How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around

from year to year? (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Arch, the center line of your life is YOU, not your lathe, or your welder,
or any other thing you have dabbled in from time to time. Every hour you
spend doing something because you *ought to* instead of because you *want
to* is an hour you can't replace. At our age, "Life is short" takes on a
more significant meaning. Eat dessert all the time.

It's not A-D-D, it's RE-AL-I-TY.

Arch wrote:
Hot enough for ya? During these dog days of summer, I have been in the
burnout phase re woodturning. My interest level for all of my hobbies
is a sort of sine wave of varying frequency and amplitude, but generally
slowly changing from white hot addiction to ho-hum. Who said "Thank
Goodness for the negative swings?"

Anyway, you guys have had your all too few blessed days of relief and
I'm back to musing about our hobby--business, craft--art
endeavors again.

Speaking of "burnout", is it a personality thing, in the genes or what?
I realize that the level of participation on rcw might not reflect a
turner's interest in woodturning. Some might be very active in what I
call "lathe turning" as opposed to "keyboard turning". Some are
involved with "social turning": ie. visiting other's shops, clubs,
symposia, art and craft shows. Others are occupied with "economic
turning": ie. booths, malls, galleries and websites while their interest
level remains high. Not for me. At the moment, I couldn't care less for
lawns, welding, machining, sailing or turning wood. I'm into dozing and
reading, but not about my hobbies. That'll change for sure.

What have these questionably relevant comments got to do with a
woodturner's forum? Admittedly not much, but it's too hot and humid in
my shop to turn, plus I'm just not interested. Cold beer and hot
barbecue is another matter: right now pilsner vs lager and pulled vs
sliced is more important than cutting vs scraping.
How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not. Hey! my sine curve is beginning to
ascend. Where's my current "American Woodturner"? Think I'll go turn
something!


I get to do things like yard work, repairing furniture that my wife buys
at garage sales, or like this weekend work work trying to get reports
done for that job that pays the bills

Hi there Arch

I had missed your usual banter, and thought you might be in the rain
in Maine ;-*)))

So you're enjoying summer and all that goes with it, Ha.

I am doing "the living is easy" up here, less turning and more of the
"watching the world go by"

You know summer is to short up here, even now being retired, the days
just flit along and summers almost over again.

Yes visiting friends, and spending time with the kids and grand kids,
life is sweet, and turning a joy when I feel like it.

Burn out you, I don't believe it, as if there's one that never gave
up, it's got to be you Arch, and thanks for it,

Keep well, take care and have fun.
Leo Van Der Loo







On Jul 29, 12:26 pm, (Arch) wrote:
Hot enough for ya? During these dog days of summer, I have been in the
burnout phase re woodturning. My interest level for all of my hobbies
is a sort of sine wave of varying frequency and amplitude, but generally
slowly changing from white hot addiction to ho-hum. Who said "Thank
Goodness for the negative swings?"

Anyway, you guys have had your all too few blessed days of relief and
I'm back to musing about our hobby--business, craft--art
endeavors again.

Speaking of "burnout", is it a personality thing, in the genes or what?
I realize that the level of participation on rcw might not reflect a
turner's interest in woodturning. Some might be very active in what I
call "lathe turning" as opposed to "keyboard turning". Some are
involved with "social turning": ie. visiting other's shops, clubs,
symposia, art and craft shows. Others are occupied with "economic
turning": ie. booths, malls, galleries and websites while their interest
level remains high. Not for me. At the moment, I couldn't care less for
lawns, welding, machining, sailing or turning wood. I'm into dozing and
reading, but not about my hobbies. That'll change for sure.

What have these questionably relevant comments got to do with a
woodturner's forum? Admittedly not much, but it's too hot and humid in
my shop to turn, plus I'm just not interested. Cold beer and hot
barbecue is another matter: right now pilsner vs lager and pulled vs
sliced is more important than cutting vs scraping.
How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not. Hey! my sine curve is beginning to
ascend. Where's my current "American Woodturner"? Think I'll go turn
something!

Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Life feels like a buffet table and I LOVE eating

The only constant is the endless pressure to "finish this house". It's not
usually urgent but like a dull ache that just never goes away. For those
who've built their homes themselves can relate more or less. We got trapped
in the camper between houses so when we got the occupancy permit it was a
relief to immediately move in though many finishing projects and the
downstairs weren't completed. Once you move in then all kinds of normal
living happens. Next thing you know, "It's been 3 years since you started on
that"!!

My shop is one of those unfinished projects. Actually it's one of those
sidetracks that happened after moving in. Still, the weekend was spent
turning spindles. BTW really thin spindles sure work better with two chucks
and variable speed.

And, Arch, I understand the just laying around. Seems at the present age I
do more and more just savoring the woods, birds, life in general, counting
my blessings every day. Which brings me back to, "It's been 3 years
since...."

TomNie

"Arch" wrote in message
...
Hot enough for ya? During these dog days of summer, I have been in the
burnout phase re woodturning. My interest level for all of my hobbies
is a sort of sine wave of varying frequency and amplitude, but generally
slowly changing from white hot addiction to ho-hum. Who said "Thank
Goodness for the negative swings?"

Anyway, you guys have had your all too few blessed days of relief and
I'm back to musing about our hobby--business, craft--art
endeavors again.

Speaking of "burnout", is it a personality thing, in the genes or what?
I realize that the level of participation on rcw might not reflect a
turner's interest in woodturning. Some might be very active in what I
call "lathe turning" as opposed to "keyboard turning". Some are
involved with "social turning": ie. visiting other's shops, clubs,
symposia, art and craft shows. Others are occupied with "economic
turning": ie. booths, malls, galleries and websites while their interest
level remains high. Not for me. At the moment, I couldn't care less for
lawns, welding, machining, sailing or turning wood. I'm into dozing and
reading, but not about my hobbies. That'll change for sure.

What have these questionably relevant comments got to do with a
woodturner's forum? Admittedly not much, but it's too hot and humid in
my shop to turn, plus I'm just not interested. Cold beer and hot
barbecue is another matter: right now pilsner vs lager and pulled vs
sliced is more important than cutting vs scraping.
How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not. Hey! my sine curve is beginning to
ascend. Where's my current "American Woodturner"? Think I'll go turn
something!


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

On Jul 29, 12:26 pm, (Arch) wrote:
Hot enough for ya? During these dog days of summer, I have been in the
burnout phase re woodturning. My interest level for all of my hobbies
is a sort of sine wave of varying frequency and amplitude, but generally
slowly changing from white hot addiction to ho-hum. Who said "Thank
Goodness for the negative swings?"

Anyway, you guys have had your all too few blessed days of relief and
I'm back to musing about our hobby--business, craft--art
endeavors again.

Speaking of "burnout", is it a personality thing, in the genes or what?
I realize that the level of participation on rcw might not reflect a
turner's interest in woodturning. Some might be very active in what I
call "lathe turning" as opposed to "keyboard turning". Some are
involved with "social turning": ie. visiting other's shops, clubs,
symposia, art and craft shows. Others are occupied with "economic
turning": ie. booths, malls, galleries and websites while their interest
level remains high. Not for me. At the moment, I couldn't care less for
lawns, welding, machining, sailing or turning wood. I'm into dozing and
reading, but not about my hobbies. That'll change for sure.

What have these questionably relevant comments got to do with a
woodturner's forum? Admittedly not much, but it's too hot and humid in
my shop to turn, plus I'm just not interested. Cold beer and hot
barbecue is another matter: right now pilsner vs lager and pulled vs
sliced is more important than cutting vs scraping.
How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not. Hey! my sine curve is beginning to
ascend. Where's my current "American Woodturner"? Think I'll go turn
something!

Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Well Arch it's nice of you to drop by here and pull up a seat. Good to
hear from you again. What's that you say Burnout? Yes it happens more
often now I'm older. I've been a flat worker for more than 40 years
and now I find job completion without a major mistake is very much a
thing of the past. I have been renovating this house for nearly 20
years and am now in the final stages. The only flatwork I do now is
for the reno and by choice. I really can't expect customers to wait or
pay for the inevitable mistake in a job. Now turning that's
different :-) A mistake turns into a design opportunity and often into
a new area of exploration. I get all enthused and the last flatwork
disaster becomes just a minor PITA. So I find myself alternating
between the 2 and it keeps me busy. To stop either, even in the dog
days of summer, is not going to happen all the time I'm within walking
distance of my shop. So I have to get away for a few days, go visit
friends, sit on the porch and suck a cold one, make charcoal and chat.
I think it's all about re-charging my batteries. Aaah! Life is good!
Peter

Speaking of "burnout", is it a personality thing, in the genes or what?

Burnout is such a nice term, but as far as I'm concerned it is meaningless and
useless. Just some journalist's idea of how to sell papers. The other part of
'burnout' is that it OK to have it, like some badge of courage or something. I
think you need to look at true psychology, not the pop version.
Maybe what's going on with you is depression or procrastination?

Dan

On Jul 30, 8:32 am, "Dan Bollinger"
wrote:

Burnout is such a nice term, but as far as I'm concerned it is meaningless and
useless. Just some journalist's idea of how to sell papers. The other part of
'burnout' is that it OK to have it, like some badge of courage or something.

Damnit Arch.... if you want attention or validation, don't pull the
"burned out" card and play it. Just admit it... you are tired of
turning outside in a 100 degree environment where sawdust sticks to
you like paste and sweat runs into your eyes when you are turning.

It's OK to tell people that after having a successful career and
practice, that you want to enjoy your retirement a little more than
standing on hard pavement for a few hours a day wrestling in sweat
soaked clothes with a chunk of wood while the humiidty puts the heat
index at about 106...

I turn very little in the summer as I don't want the shavings in my
shop, and even with dust collection, it doesn't mitigate the
temperature of our 100+ degree days with 90% humiidty. I work in it
as a contractor because I have to, but if I were retired like you, I
would be doing something other than making myself completely miserable
under the guise fo having fun.

I am afraid I fall into your category of turning when I am comfortable
outside, and then when it is hotter than hell I become a "keyboard
turner" until fall when the weather cools and I have more energy after
work.

I think you need to look at true psychology, not the pop version.

Maybe what's going on with you is depression or procrastination?

Please Arch, get some professional help.

Don't try to diagnose this condition yourself. ;^)

Above all, be honest with yourself. ;^))

If you are tired of watching things go 'round for fun in the
miserable conditions of summer in a hot, steamy South Florida there
may indeed be underlying issues you need to face.

Actually, having read your posts for several years now and having
gotten to know you in an "internet kind of way", I laughed my ass off
when I read this post.

Good to see something interesting on the group, Arch. Thanks.

Oh yeah, and it IS okay to just say "screw it, I don't care about that
today. I have other things I want to do."

Not that you need to ask for permission from anyone at all.

Robert

I will agree with all the posts regarding the fact that it is ok to
have a stall in ones hobby (but not in ones means of income). For me
it is a stall and I am in the middle of it also, but I have confidence
it will come back, for me I have a kid going off to college and lots
of other excuses for not doing anything now. The only thing that eats
at me is the products that are drying up on me, ALL my CA glue, My
Tung Oil ginish that has been decanted etc... But this hobby eats at
me less when I shelve it than did my boat, those that have owned boats
will know exactly what I mean, them things keep on costing you no
matter what...

Thanks for listening.

On Jul 31, 7:23 pm, wrote:

SNIP

But this hobby eats at
me less when I shelve it than did my boat, those that have owned boats will know exactly what I mean, them things keep on costing you no matter what...

I have a couple of friends that finally sold their boats for good. No
more. They are fond of saying:" The two best days of having a boat
are the day you get it, and the day you sell it".

I can see that.

Robert

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Jul 31, 7:23 pm, wrote:

SNIP

But this hobby eats at
me less when I shelve it than did my boat, those that have owned boats
will know exactly what I mean, them things keep on costing you no matter
what...

I have a couple of friends that finally sold their boats for good. No
more. They are fond of saying:" The two best days of having a boat
are the day you get it, and the day you sell it".

I can see that.

Sounds like children. Almost as if adolescent obnoxiousness were designed
to make us happy they're leaving the nest.

Boat - hole in the water into which money is poured.

"George" wrote in
t:


wrote in message
oups.com...
On Jul 31, 7:23 pm, wrote:

SNIP

But this hobby eats at
me less when I shelve it than did my boat, those that have owned
boats will know exactly what I mean, them things keep on costing
you no matter what...

I have a couple of friends that finally sold their boats for good.
No more. They are fond of saying:" The two best days of having a
boat are the day you get it, and the day you sell it".

I can see that.

Sounds like children. Almost as if adolescent obnoxiousness were
designed to make us happy they're leaving the nest.

Boat - hole in the water into which money is poured.



House - hole in the ground into which money is poured.
lathe - thing in the garage that takes up room and absorbs money.
Hank

Thanks for each and all of your responses. You rekindled the fire.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 12:26:47 -0400, (Arch) wrote:

Hot enough for ya? During these dog days of summer, I have been in the
burnout phase re woodturning. My interest level for all of my hobbies
is a sort of sine wave of varying frequency and amplitude, but generally
slowly changing from white hot addiction to ho-hum. Who said "Thank
Goodness for the negative swings?"

How do you guys sustain your addiction the year around from year to
year? At the moment, I'm not sure I really care, but I am sure you
don't care whether I do or not. Hey! my sine curve is beginning to
ascend. Where's my current "American Woodturner"? Think I'll go turn
something!

Hi Arch-

Was wondering where your musings had got to...

I can sympathize- I'm a manic blur of activity from fall to spring,
but once the weather gets too hot, I don't do a darn thing. Comes
from spending most of my work time in the heat, I guess. Last week I
put in 60 hours in a 110* shop, (with about 20 of those running into
and out of the air conditioning in the office to program) and this
weekend, I've barely left my chair. I'd like to go down and do some
turning, but it'll keep until things cool off, just like every year-
and the blacksmithing is *definately* out of the question until the
evenings cool down again!

Might be sort of a shame, but I guess a guy has to recharge his
batteries sometime. May as well be when it's too hot to enjoy what
you're doing, IMO.