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161013 "Jorge Paulo" <jorge.paulo@g...> 2006‑06‑09 Bio: Jorge Paulo
Dear Galoots,

Allow me to humbly introduce myself.  My name is Jorge Paulo.  I'm a
31 year old industrial engineer working in the auto industry.  Born
and raised until my 15th birthday in Portugal, I've since become a
proud citizen of Canada.  I live with my beautiful wife and two cats
in the outskirts of Windsor, Ontario.

In the family tree there is a bit of the woodworking gene.  My grandpa
worked for many years as a carpenter.  However, this was mostly before
I was born and my memories of him are at a 'cushiony' municipal job
while waiting for retirement.  My dad assisted him since a very early
age, but his dislike for my grandpa's work ethic and personality
translated into a dislike for the profession.  By his mid-teens, my
dad had a job in a textile factory.  I don't think my grandfather ever
used a power tool during his days as a carpenter.  Even though I was
very young, I only recall hand tools at his place.  The planes were
all woodies.  I don't recall seeing a single metal plane.  My dad
tells me that many of the tools were craftsman-made, either by my
grandpa or somebody he knew.  I wonder if this was due to scarcity of
commercial tools or funds.  I suspect funds.  My grandpa died when I
was ten years old and my memories of him are not as rich as I wish
they would be.  An interesting moment occurred recently when I opened
a bottle of BLO for the first time and realized that the smell
reminded me of my grandpa's home.

Sadly, when my grandpa passed away, his tools were given away.  My dad
had no interest in them and I was too young to understand their
significance.  Even so, due to this exposure, I've always been aware
of woodworking hand tools.  I may not know the proper work techniques
but I always recognized and understood the intended use of the various
tools.  My dad was both surprised and amused as we flipped through a
Lee Valley catalogue for the first time.  I hope to one day visit
Portugal with my father and spend some time together hunting old
tools.  I don't know if we'll be able to retrieve any of my grandpa's
old tools but I'm sure we'll have a good time looking together.

My real interest in woodworking only started in high school when I
took a shop class.  There, in between all the other regular classes, I
was actually able to 'make' something, using my hands for more than
just carrying books or scribbling with a pencil.  I've always done
well in school and getting high grades in most subjects was easy.
Shop class was more challenging for me and I felt a much greater sense
of accomplishment in that class than many others.  In my mind, shop
classes should be an integral part of schooling.  How can one have a
well-rounded education without training the hand, as well as the mind?

University years followed, during which time I was either studying to
keep scholarships in good standing or working to pay for the balance
of expenses.  It wasn't until I married and bought a house that my
interest in woodworking resurfaced.  It was soon after that time that
I discovered this wonderful group.  I've been lurking for about 2.5
years.  In that time, I've learned a little about traditional
woodworking techniques and a great deal about hand tools.  I've also
had the pleasure to witness the exchange of ideas, information,
knowledge and generosity by an incredible group of people that are the
residents of the porch.  Oh, I've also started gathering a very modest
set of tools.  Perhaps not a complete starter set but I think it is at
the point where I can start using the little that I have in my quest
to learn about traditional woodworking techniques.  Well, just as soon
as I finish cleaning and tuning them.

I look forward to continue listening and learning from all of you.

Jorge Paulo, in Tecumseh, Ontario.
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