An Apology to all

Re: We have esteemed members?

Keith Tompkins

>Thanks for keeping me humble, Mike!

We ALL make mistakes and say things at the wrong time....and we all have bad days.

Let's all try to remember that behind each name on WC is a real person with feelings, hopes, even disappointments. If we can remember that, and respond with those feelings in mind, this place will remain the best wood working site on the net..and a place where we can all learn.

Usually when someone posts negative comments I assume they've had a bad day...

I Am Wondering...

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA

>Could it be the same person who occasionally sends these nasty e-mails? Someone who wants to start trouble? If you don't want to reveal who sent the e-mail maybe Ellis or one of the others who assist him could be sent a copy.

I can't imagine any of the responsible members here acting in such a cowardly unacceptable manner.

Constructive criticisms...

steve antonucci

>I know that there are many people on this board whose work I've seen and admire.

There are those who's finishing skills far exceed my own or have a better eye for form, or technical skills around the lathe, or knowledge of the forests and wood... you get the idea.

And I've been "corrected" before- and I let it roll off like water off a duck's back...

Read more than you write, listen more than you speak.

Steve

Re: We have esteemed members?

Jim King

>Keith: Well said. Jim

Re: We have esteemed members?

ruth in So. Cal

>Ken, it's all about ego. The person who emailed you probably felt that they had given you some secret of which only they knew, and you probably (in their mind) didn't 'do' what they said......hence bruised ego. It's strange how many people measure themselves only by what they say, and if you don't listen to them they feel that you have attacked them and somehow taken something away from them.

Re: An Apology to all

Carole in VA

>Don't let it bother you Ken. There are all types in this world. Continue to ask questions...and even question the answers. It certainly will help you in your pursit of turning and it might even keep you from getting hurt. You haven't chainsawn a log by holding it with your foot anymore, have you? ;)

Re: An Apology to all

ken chase

>Carole: Absolutely not. I'll be the first to admit that was really dumb! Since then I returned the saw with plans to buy a much better model. I also made a sturdy sawbuck.

Thanks much for asking

Re: An Apology to all

RevDoug

>I'm sorry you had that experience Ken. I have received private emails from individuals concerning both questions and answers I have posted. However, they are usually concerning the senders responce to my post (concerned that they were too vague, making sure they did not offend, or making sure they did not come on too strong). Two of my favorites have been Terry Daniels and Wally Dickerman, both of whom were concerned that I not be disapointed in what was said on the board. These two, with too many other to name, are why I return to this site every day. The knuckleheads just have to be ignored.

Turn 'em round,

RevDoug

Re: We have esteemed members?

Ruth Niles

>Ruth wrote: "It's strange how many people measure themselves only by what they say, and if you don't listen to them they feel that you have attacked them and somehow taken something away from them."

Boy, is that ever true! I used to feel that way but after 4 kids, all married and 9 grandkids, I got that knocked out of me real fast! : )

Maybe the emailer needs some kids?!?

Re: An Apology to all

barry

>I missed that thread. Generally speaking, though, asking questions is a vital part of the learning process. A student should never have to apologize for respectfully trying to learn. If that's the case, I'd better just go ahead and start writing a bunch of apologies. Because, with the level of my knowledge, I just know that I have (or will) PO a whole bunch of people. Just my thoughts.

Asking questions

Dominic Greco at home in Richboro, PA

>Ken,

Since turning takes a back seat to my day job, :>) I haven't had a chance to catch up on the recent threads here. I was sort of surprised to hear that someone felt it necessary to send you an email like the one you're describing.

Sheesh! I've re-written this response about 5 times so far before posting. Can't seem to get my point across clearly enough.

Allow me to state that I believe that all users here have a right to ask as many questions as they want. Will someone see this as annoying? Most likely. But they'll get over it. They can always ignore your post, right? But would that stop me from posting questions? Hell no!

It wasn't that long ago that I was asking my share of newbie questions (Heck it was only 4 years ago). To be quite truthful, I sometimes held off asking a questions in the hopes that someone else would ask it. But as many of you know, that soon wore off! :>)

Thanks to support of people like Phil Wall, Bill Grumbine, Russ, Wally, Dave Smith, Mark Kauder, Joel Hunnicut, Jennifer Shirley, and Jim Shaver, I got answers, as well as a lot of encouragement.

From you the photos of your recent work, it looks like you're trying to use what you've learned here. That is important. It shows that you're applying you're knowledge (sort of like putting your money where your mouth is).

Dominic

The Zen of woodturningism..>>

RonZ

>This is one reason I use tolulyne based finishes, the spirits [read fumes] help me become one with the wood. On many occasions the holy skew hath spoketh in the name of the wood and saying make my smaller. This becomes a reality when on can actually feel moved by the sacred catch. The bowl gouge speaks to me via the sacred catch, imploring me to make the bowl deeper.

As for the writings in the hallowed Taunton and the Great Philosophers of Woodturning telling us of their experiences as they become one with the "spirits of the wood", and how their works are inspired by the "voice within the wood" that speaks to them. Many were actually experiencing the voice of the devilish dollar. For example 'the holy wood gods speak, they say make my bowl foot small and unuseable and thou shall be rich and famous.'

While the above might seem religious it is mere idol worship dating back to Druids who worhipped trees. =o0

This sounds like a religious experience to me.

Re: An Apology to all

David Propst

>Hi Ken,

IMO, the best thing to do in situations like this is to ignore the e-mail. I stated in a post a year or so ago that my experience was that oil on fresh white poplar makes the wood look muddy. I recieved an e-mail pretty much telling me I was an idiot and that by making that statement I was insulting and assuming I was smarter than turners far more accomplished than I.

I thought about replying directly, but it seemed a waste of time. Keep asking questions.

Best Regards,

David

Re: An Apology to all

RussFairfield

>Many E-mail messages are like junk mail. The only difference is that you can recognize the junk-mail for what it is before reading it.

You can either recognize it for what it is and ignore it, or take it one step further and recognize the writer for what they are and block them from access to your e-mail address. A response is never a good option because it gives them the attention that they want.