I can't believe I just wrote that: Finished! So, it took me 100 days. Who would've thought it? It is 6:27, and I finished about a half-hour ago. I started about 9:30, and didn't stop. I still haven't had breakfast or lunch. In fact, I haven't had a bite (bight?) of food all day. I did work in the garden for about a half-hour this morning before starting work, however. I probably had a swallow or two of water, but that's about it.
I've heard it said a number of times that whatever one would do for free is what he or she should be doing. I guess since I'm doing this for free, and without eating, this must be what I should be doing! In truth, while I put in some 600 or more hours, and often until midnight or later, for the most part, doing this is what I love to do. It was hard work - mentally, primarily - and took great effort and endurance (both in the short and the long term), it never really seemed like work.
Having said that, this was probably the most challenging thing I have ever done. I've done a few things that were more physically taxing for a short period of time (hours at a time), but this was a "mental marathon." The last thing that I had to do turned out to only take about 5 hours, I think. I was shocked at how well it came together. (It occurs to me that there may be a slight "hole" between the portico and the porch floor, but it shouldn't even be noticeable.)
I suppose the question now is whether I will take this to the working drawing stage. I believe the answer is yes. I will need to proceed with my component project - that will start Monday - but once that is underway, I will probably begin refining the 2d drawings. These will be what we call "Design Development Drawings."
Monday, I will take the files to John Penn, to discuss his printing them in physical model form. The drawing file is nearly 100 mega-bytes. It is more than I can assemble on my own computer, but I assume that it isn't too big for his computers. I suspect, however, that the processing (printing) time may be significant, given the size of the files. We'll see.
I will be amazed if he can actually print it at 1/4" = 1'-0" (1/48th scale). I'm hoping that he will be excited by the challenge and want to do it. I'm confident that he will. This is clearly the fun part at this point. The real work (figuring-out-wise) is done, and I am excited! It has been a great challenge, and I've been able to meet it. For this I am humbled and grateful! Life is good!
I will put in the garden tomorrow, but will blog on Sunday relative to the spiritual lessons learned thus far in the project. Perhaps the main one is that by deciding on a specific course of action I was able to see my true goals and passions - and the goals were a bit different from the ones I stated at the outset.
Those goals were conceived by my conscious mind, and really mean nothing to me at this point. All I care about is doing what I love to do, and that is not dependent upon anyone or anything else. I need no one's permission to do what I want to do - nor does anyone else. We simply need to set about to do it. The specific projects or opportunities through which our talents and work are expressed do not matter. The only thing that matters is that we use our talents to find our true expression. The rest is immaterial.
I believe, however, that we will attract every opportunity that we need - and probably opportunities far greater than we might have imagined - as we are true to ourselves and our means of expression - our "talents." In this there is joy, in this there is fulfillment and peace.
Life is good . . . and I am grateful - truly grateful!
Good Afternoon!
Mr. Ballantyne - Historic Architect/Master Builder
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