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I got an email from a fellow letterhead yesterday asking me if anyone ever put roadblocks in my path and how I was able to focus with such confidence on my dream projects... I seriously doubt my life is magic or even special in any real fashion. I think just dream harder and perhaps push harder to realise them. Sometimes I think I wait longer than many folks would be willing to realise my dreams.
I also realise that dreams don't come cheap or easy. If they did, everyone would be living their dreams.
Roadblocks... all the time. But anyone who knows me, knows better than to bet against me. If my heart is set on something, I generally manage to pull it off, somehow, eventually.
I chose my projects carefully, and every one I tackle becomes a serious focus for me, something I zero in on. I love to be challenged, and the bigger the challenge the better, but I also know my limitations. I won't tackle a lost cause.
Folks close to me also know that I don't necessarily succeed on my first attempt at a project. In fact I seldom do. But every attempt is a learning experience. And I have quite the education. Its too bad the school of hard knocks doesn't give out diplomas. I'd frame it nice and hang it on the wall.
Take Giggle Ridge for instance. That lived in my head for more than 10 years. I drew up many versions of the plans on many different sites. We even bought two different properties before we built it where we finally did. When it did fly, it was the stuff of dreams, no compromise.
So too went the dream of Giggle Ridge phase II Only after 3 years of work and dreaming... that one wasn't to be. (at least for now )
My dream shop/house/studio has followed the same route. Only the path to that dream has been over a much longer time and many more versions of plans. It seems that it may finally happen... just maybe.
It is the sixth piece of property that it was planned for (we actually purchased three of the properties before changing our plans and selling off the properties. The ideas and drawings have gone through many incarnations. And money set aside for this project has been used for other projects, expansion of the company, and got us through bad times. Sometimes other dreams and priorities were far more important. It has never been right until now. And so we waited over 15 years for our dream house, shop and studio.
If this version of the dream actually happens, the shop and studio will go up quickly. Not totally finished by any means, but fully functional and a good solid cake ready for some fancy icing. The house will have to wait for a little while, as we will live in the old house on the property until the time is right to extensively renovate or build from a fresh start.
So dream on, and enjoy each day as you work towards them.
I know I will.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks Dan. On one hand you inspire me and on the other you make me sick! (insert smiley face)
The dreaming part is no problem for most of us. My wife accuses me of being in a dream world most of the time. It's the execution that becomes a problem. Procrastination attacks many of us.
If we could bottle what you have inside and then get Butch Anton to market it we would all be rich. Can't you see Superfrog on the back of a wagon all dressed up in his shorts and flowery shirt holding a bottle of Dr.Dan's magic elixir.
Keep it up Dan. We need an example of dreaming and being able to make it come true.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Dan, everything you draw and build has this magical neverland feel to it. You truly amaze me! I have seen pics of some of your murals and love those, too. I'm sure that when you finally build you shop and house that it will be one-of-a-kind and that working in that environment will only spark more imagination.
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Dan, With your amazing imagination you strike me as a guy whose into "alternative" building techniques.
I've just aquired a cabin on a hill with a perfect location for my dream shop. Not business but putzing. Woodworking, leaded glass, etc. I've always been enthralled with cordwood construction. 12" long cedar logs and splits set in morter. It looks like a stone building except you see log ends.
Is anyone else in this group experimenting in unique building materials?
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1357 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bill, other than some temporary wind blocks done "the Lenny way", no.
Dan, it's so easy to get caught up in everyday events that life starts controlling me, instead of the other way around. Not easy to change, (I've got some plans) but your postings sure make me think about it. I used to think about it occaisionaly, but this last week has been more serious. It's a good thing though. One thing I'm realizing is how "rich" I already am. Aside from a healthy family and a (somewhat) Godly home, I wouldn't be doing different things if I had gobs of money. I already have a blacksmithing shop, which is a blast, a '62 panel truck, and a horse that I'm teaching harness commands to. ("gee" is right, "haw" is left, "whoa" is stop!)
Thanks for your postings. Jim.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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I did look into constructing with hay bales... my son-in-law was keen on old tire dirt filled construction for a while too.
And I very seriously considered welded steel construction. Tip-up concrete, cement block, just about everything has gone through my mind on this project as we explored ideas and planned it.
We are fairly highly regulated here as far as building code, for good reason. And although there is a lot of flexibility, the hoops one has to jump through can be onerous (and take a long time to approve) if the project is unconventional.
In the end I've settled on 2X6 wood frame... pretty standard stuff. The shell is quick and easy to build, and insulate. Once the basic structure is up and all the insectors and authoriities are happy I can add my magic to it easily. They don't care about that stuff. And that's where I like to concentrate my energies.
I get enough flack from the authorities... my projects never fit into the norm in any fashion and these guys don't generally like to go there without a big push.
By making it simpler for them, they make my life much more simple as well. Win, win situation. They get what they want and I get what I want too.
In fact, the inspectors won't see the drawing above 'officially'... but instead a sanitized plain version with less 'bent' features. Normal, conventional plans. And that's what I construct for inspection. The cosmetic stuff is added (with their blessing) as icing on the cake.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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