I spend my days working as a Microsoft Certified System Engineer.  It is enjoyable work, however basically this means I’m fixing other people’s problems all day.  Nobody is happy when their computer is not doing what they want it to do.  Woodturning is my hobby because it gives me an artistic outlet, relieves my stress and has absolutely nothing to do with computers.   While furniture building and cabinet making are enjoyable, the hundreds, or thousands of hours it takes to complete a project aren’t nearly as rewarding as completing a woodturning sometimes in less than a day. 

Even though my father passed away from cancer when I was just 6 years old, I have many memories of him, including wood working and woodturning.  He made shelves, parts for his boat, and turned bowls and lidded boxes.  I was his shadow when ever he was around the house.  

When I was in my 20’s I started to build small tables, wine racks and toys.  Over the years I have acquired a large collection of woodworking and other tools.  In 2003, my wife bought me a lathe for Christmas.  A friend at work agreed to help me pick it up at the shipping depot.  This same friend discovered and introduced me to the Chesapeake Woodturners.  And through the club and their woodturning classes with great instructors like Joe Dickey and Temple Blackwood, I continue to developed my skills as a woodturner.