I wrote the passage below several months ago. Since then I’ve built an entire deck on the back of the house. I really enjoyed the experience (though could not have done it without Pop’s guidance, experience, and assistance), and have continued to enjoy the time spent with family on this thing that I made.

However, I’m realizing that I may be a bit hard on myself as far as only pushing 1’s and 0’s goes. I’ve now created a 2009 photo album of our family (consisting of over 600 photos I’ve taken – a mere 10% of the year’s snapshots) and also the first of many books about the kids based on all the things I’ve written about them over the years (it’s complete with about 200 small photos relating to some of the things that are written about). So while I still agree with the sentiment below – I want to do more with my hands to actually build – I recognize that we create in so many different mediums that are important and wonderful.

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For so long I’ve been a ‘knowledge worker’. I make things that consist of 1’s and 0’s – and that’s cool. I enjoy it, and I think I’m decent at what I do. But lately I’ve had a great desire to learn to use my hands more…on things other than a keyboard. I want to build and fix stuff. These silky smooth geek hands have had a 31 year vacation. I think it’s time to put them to work, to get them in harm’s way a little bit.