[Kistle]

I completely agree with everything said in the article and by those here. My dad was a very talented finish carpenter and craftsman, and could build anything. He was also a very knowledgeable mechanic, and generally just a very capable human being.

I went to college for a business degree and have been in the corporate world my whole professional career (~25 years). My paychecks (and lifestyle) dwarf anything my dad could have imagined, but yes, I am extremely unfulfilled in my work and disenfranchised from the whole corporate culture.

We (and I) like to romanticize about the small boutique "craftsmen" like Norm Abrams from This Old House or the guys at "Singer" who build fantastic boutique sportscars. But the reality is, that those guys represent a tiny fraction of the "hands-on" career guys out there. I have seen many of the "mechanics" and "carpenters" on this board either threaten, or actually throw in the towel out of sheer frustration. They either struggle to make ends meet, or lose the love of their craft because of the attitudes of their customers (completely understandable!!).

I guess my point is that I certainly grew up with the influence of a talented man who could do anything with his hands, and I have and use those same talents with my home and hobbies. And I have an incredible appreciation and value for those skills (both my own and my dad's). But for me, the thought of being able to make a decent living utilizing these skills seems as far-fetched as a kid dreaming about being a professional athlete. Maybe this is just lack of confidence and conviction, but my paychecks seem easy in comparison.

All that said...I generally still dream about such a career on a daily basis, and admire all those (successful and otherwise) who have dared to try it!!

JA