Charlie Lenz
Retirement is one of the reasons that I'm not such a pleasent guy to be around. The chances of me ever being able to retire are very slim. And currently I'm laid off again in a job that I really don't care to go back too. Being around alot of Laquer somedays really takes it's toll on me. In the last couple of weeks we probably Laquered close to 100 Oak 6 panel interior doors for new homes. I'm 54 now, and just about all my life I've worked blue collar jobs, and haven't exactly been easy on myself with all the years of drinking and smokeing ( the drinking is finally under control now). So now I'm haveing a hell of a time decideing what I'm going to do for work. For many years woodworking was my passion and I had high hopes for it, but like many, I learned the hard way that it just wasn't going to happen. I have also recently had thoughts of selling alot of my tools and machinery, but fear that someday I may need them, plus I've really turned into a tool junkie. I also believe that times are changeing fast, and that very few people will be able to retire, which are a good percentage of woodworkers. It's also getting harder for the average Joe to make a liveing, and in some cases have to work two jobs just to keep afloat, Which inturn leaves less to no time for hobbies. I also wonder how much craftsmanship is going to suffer in the comeing years, I've seen some of it allready.