"So Mr.Gatekeeper...you want to carve hulls"

So after a rewarding career running a small business it came time for me to retire...but watching TV and dreaming about sailing wasn't quite making me feel, well...fulfilled. So with the encouragement of Bob Perry and support of my wonderful wife and dogs. I started carving hulls.

The first hulls were a bit "iffy" but Bob continued to encourage me while still being tough with me. Bob is a great teacher he always finds something good in my work, while never letting me slide on anything that isn't perfect.

So here's what I have learned about carving hulls...

- no hull is easy...some are REALLY not easy

- 80 grit paper in a bench sander removes finger tips quicker than it removes wood

- I'm working for under minimum wage

- I can't wait to get to my minimum wage job each day

- this is not a hobby....it's a passion (see above)  :)

- if you don't love the artistry of hulls, you can't carve them

- I'm learning to hate the smell of cedar...it makes me sneeze!!

- not all sandpaper is created equal

Here is my staff...they work for less money than I do.

Jib, Quality Control...his energy is contagious

Mr Bob Perry, Mentor...Legendary designer. Great cook. Good friend. Tough teacher. Dog lover. Proud new Grampa. Fastidious housekeeper. Gracious host.

Rasputin...world class UN-engineer. Anyone who says "you can't make chicken soup out of chicken s**t"... hasn't seen the work he's done for me. 

I give him nothing but fuzzy photos and crappy drawings, and he gives me fine art in return.

(I believe this may be a yearbook photo :)

http://www.c111design.com/

Mrs.Gatekeeper, First mate...and only mate.

(this photo was taken at the latest management retreat...I'm becoming a bit suspicious about the two of them)

 Calypso, Finance Specialist...accounting & collections (leg breaking)

And to all my WLYDO colleagues...