Post by blarneystone on Apr 29, 2013 14:15:22 GMT -5
Hi all,
I figured it might be a good idea to re-introduce myself on RTH as I've been away off and on for about two years now. I joined RTH in late 2005 if I remember correctly. I had been searching for information about rock tumbling, a hobby I started after my dad became sick with pancreatic cancer. He lived in NY at the time and I lived in Houston so it was difficult... as you might imagine. I think I took up the hobby to keep my mind occupied.
When I first joined I was totally clueless.. lol… but the folks here were very kind and always willing to help out with info and advice. I started out just tumbling rough stones but later began slabbing and cutting shapes using the WorkForce tile saw from Home Depot. I think it was ParFive who actually introduced the WF to everyone… he used to keep a list of members who were using them (maybe he still does).
After a year or so on the board another member, Sheri said she was putting together a rock hunt in W. Texas at the Woodward ranch. I decided that I would go, even though I had some reservations about it. I really didn’t know anyone personally except for Sheri whom I had met after helping her locate a house to rent near Houston. I was glad I did because the people I met there are some fine folks and most are still friends to this day. Since 2007, I’ve been to the ranch 6 times now and I’m looking forward to going back.
I left the board a few years back after I took some ill-advised actions that the RTH founder wasn’t too happy with. I won’t go into details but I can tell you that it wasn’t done out of malice or greed. I was naïve and didn’t realize what kind of trouble it would stir up. Some RTH members really let me have it good and I felt like I should lay low for a while. I’m sure I’ve apologized many times before but I’ll take this as another opportunity to apologize again.
I had come back a few times after that big stink but I found myself being more active in the political discussions rather than the rock hobby forums. I think my stress levels were really high at that time and after a few heated discussions I deleted my account again. I wasn’t doing me or anyone else any good arguing about stupid shit.
In the last couple of years, life has thrown me a couple of curve balls. My wife and I were divorced one year ago after a long separation. It was for the best but as some of you know it takes time to recover and find your bearings again. I’m definitely past the ‘hump’ and feeling a lot less stressed out these days.
So… I’m back and feeling better than ever. I fully intend to be as active as possible here to give back some of what RTH has given me over the years. Good luck getting rid of me…
Unfortunately, most of the pics I posted in the past are gone, most were hosted on a now defunct domain and it would be a hell of a lotta work to try and repopulate those old posts. So… here’s a sample of some of the work I’ve done in the past, just in case any of the newer members are curious.
My early stuff consisted of tumble polished shapes wire wrapped
...and the crosses. Could not make enough of these. People still ask me about them. The last two I made was for Cher and her mom. Rest in Peace Cher.
During the first RTH WWR Blitz, my good friend Stoner gave me some cabbing lessons. I was hooked after that and bought my first cabber, a GP-6.
Here's a few of the wire wrapped stones from the GP-6.
Later, I learned some basic Silversmithing. Here's some of my efforts.
I guess that if anyone stumbles on one of my old posts and wants to see the pictures, I can probably find 'em. Just send a PM.
RTH is a great forum. I’ve met some very good people here and made some lifelong friends as well.
Thanks for everything,
Dan
I figured it might be a good idea to re-introduce myself on RTH as I've been away off and on for about two years now. I joined RTH in late 2005 if I remember correctly. I had been searching for information about rock tumbling, a hobby I started after my dad became sick with pancreatic cancer. He lived in NY at the time and I lived in Houston so it was difficult... as you might imagine. I think I took up the hobby to keep my mind occupied.
When I first joined I was totally clueless.. lol… but the folks here were very kind and always willing to help out with info and advice. I started out just tumbling rough stones but later began slabbing and cutting shapes using the WorkForce tile saw from Home Depot. I think it was ParFive who actually introduced the WF to everyone… he used to keep a list of members who were using them (maybe he still does).
After a year or so on the board another member, Sheri said she was putting together a rock hunt in W. Texas at the Woodward ranch. I decided that I would go, even though I had some reservations about it. I really didn’t know anyone personally except for Sheri whom I had met after helping her locate a house to rent near Houston. I was glad I did because the people I met there are some fine folks and most are still friends to this day. Since 2007, I’ve been to the ranch 6 times now and I’m looking forward to going back.
I left the board a few years back after I took some ill-advised actions that the RTH founder wasn’t too happy with. I won’t go into details but I can tell you that it wasn’t done out of malice or greed. I was naïve and didn’t realize what kind of trouble it would stir up. Some RTH members really let me have it good and I felt like I should lay low for a while. I’m sure I’ve apologized many times before but I’ll take this as another opportunity to apologize again.
I had come back a few times after that big stink but I found myself being more active in the political discussions rather than the rock hobby forums. I think my stress levels were really high at that time and after a few heated discussions I deleted my account again. I wasn’t doing me or anyone else any good arguing about stupid shit.
In the last couple of years, life has thrown me a couple of curve balls. My wife and I were divorced one year ago after a long separation. It was for the best but as some of you know it takes time to recover and find your bearings again. I’m definitely past the ‘hump’ and feeling a lot less stressed out these days.
So… I’m back and feeling better than ever. I fully intend to be as active as possible here to give back some of what RTH has given me over the years. Good luck getting rid of me…
Unfortunately, most of the pics I posted in the past are gone, most were hosted on a now defunct domain and it would be a hell of a lotta work to try and repopulate those old posts. So… here’s a sample of some of the work I’ve done in the past, just in case any of the newer members are curious.
My early stuff consisted of tumble polished shapes wire wrapped
...and the crosses. Could not make enough of these. People still ask me about them. The last two I made was for Cher and her mom. Rest in Peace Cher.
During the first RTH WWR Blitz, my good friend Stoner gave me some cabbing lessons. I was hooked after that and bought my first cabber, a GP-6.
Here's a few of the wire wrapped stones from the GP-6.
Later, I learned some basic Silversmithing. Here's some of my efforts.
I guess that if anyone stumbles on one of my old posts and wants to see the pictures, I can probably find 'em. Just send a PM.
RTH is a great forum. I’ve met some very good people here and made some lifelong friends as well.
Thanks for everything,
Dan