Last Call
December 29th, 2008Same Owner, New Management
I’ve been screwing around all day, getting it together after the Frostproof trip. My sleep schedule was disrupted up there, so I got up at 8:30. What a luxury. I had to pick Marvin and Maynard up from the bird hotel, and when I got home, packages started arriving. The dust door for the Powermatic 66. The Dewalt router my dad got me for Christmas. The 50-amp plug for the Powermatic.
I got the plug installed in about ten minutes. It would have gone faster, but I had cleaned the power cord with stuff made to put a shine on tires, and as a result, handling it made my hands very slippery, even though it’s dry. But I succeeded, and then I crammed the plug into the receptacle, hoped for the best, and hit the magnetic starter. The saw began without hesitation, throwing a considerable amount of dust into my face. It seems like there is no way to get all the dust out of that thing. It makes more while I sleep.
But it runs! It’s very quiet, too. Of course, it was only cutting air. Wood is louder. I’m not sure the blade is running as true as it should. But that can be fixed.
The dust door popped right in. I can see why the old one was gone. They have no hinges. They’re held in by a tab on one side and a latch sort of a thing on the other side. When you open the latch, the door comes completely off.
I am getting so much satisfaction from this saw. And I haven’t even used it yet. Just getting it here was a miracle.
I had to order the router myself. I decided to take a chance on reconditioned. I had read that the overwhelming majority of reconditioned power tools were unused, and that they were often better than new tools, because they had been sent back and looked over, getting more attention than the usual run of merchandise. The router looks great. I see no signs of use, although it looks like it may have been handled.
This is supposed to be a super-fantastic router. Better than the Bosch equivalent. I had my big Bosch in the lift, and that meant I had nothing to use freehand. Now that problem is fixed. I hope I don’t get addicted to expensive bits.
I am planning to do the URL switch right away, so there may be a short time during which you can’t access my blog. I know this will be devastating to you, but try to be strong and get over it.
Last night, it kept coming home to me, how much I preferred the new URL and name. My life is not inclined toward the negative any more, so why have a blog name that reflects a negative, counterproductive attitude? I’m also going to get rid of the pig logo, which most people hated anyway.
The Internet is a nasty place. It’s full of venom and bitterness and filth. It brings out the worst in us. I succumbed to that. I contributed to it. Now I want my site to be a refuge, where decent people don’t have to worry that they’ll be offended or corrupted.
We will see how that works out. I know a lot of people are disappointed in the turn the site has taken, but this is not a business, so I don’t really care. I have been taking this attitude since what, 2006? I still remember telling my editor not to mention this site on the cover of my first book.
Okay, this entry is going up, and then I’ll have to call my hosting company. Say goodbye to Hog on Ice.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:43 PM
[…] The Hog is history. […]
December 29th, 2008 at 1:45 PM
So, are you going to share the new address with us? Some of us are very pleased and proud of the direction you’ve taken, and we’d like to keep up with you. I think you’re headed in the right direction, keep up the good work.
December 29th, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Really, people hated the pig? you are kidding aren’t you? Too bad, I quite liked that logo, it was unique, it presented such a wonderful food item (the whole hog sans feet) holding another delicious beverage item, with your two birds along for the ride.
That certainly didn’t seem distasteful.
Next you’ll be telling us you have gone vegan. That will be a sure sign the end of times are near.
December 29th, 2008 at 4:00 PM
The name has changed but the content has always been great. Thanks for sharing. Your blog has been entertaining, informative and inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
December 29th, 2008 at 4:09 PM
“Tools of Renewal” eh? No problem with that, and I dearly like puns.
.
Oh, and sorry to break it to you, but the purchase of the second router (and a REFURB, golly gee) indicates your wish about bit addiction is more like a premonition. Every router geek gets addicted to bits: they’re the actual reason for the seasoned.
.
(…incorrigible pun addicts notwithstanding …ooh, a double).
.
December 29th, 2008 at 4:57 PM
I’m delighted that you’ve kept the Pig. (So far.) The pig is an animal without which civilization as we know it would not exist. Smart, Handsome, and above all, Tasty.
Gerry N.
December 29th, 2008 at 6:13 PM
You say that some don’t like the direction in which you’ve taken your blog. Rachel Lucas has had similar comments, and her reply is, “I’ll be happy to write about what YOU want me to as soon as YOU start paying me substantial amounts of money to do so”, or words to that effect.
FWIW: I always liked the pig.
FWIWII: The name doesn’t mean anything, it’s the content.
December 29th, 2008 at 6:43 PM
1. Thought Hog on Ice referred to independence.
2. The illustration spoke that to me, anyway.
3. Don’t consider that to be negative.
4. Will continue observing your journey.
All the best.
J West
December 29th, 2008 at 9:06 PM
I think that you should keep the content forever. It will remind you of the progress and keep you humble, sort of like my first targets from out at the 1000 yard range. I have improved, and you probably have too, in our own ways. Never forget the progress.
And have you considered a Hole Hawg for small around-the-house tasks?
December 29th, 2008 at 9:21 PM
I had all sorts of problems trying to move the old stuff, when I moved to my new hosting company. Maybe I’ll eventually fix it, but I will probably only republish things I’m still comfortable with.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:00 PM
I like the new url, a double entendre with a good meaning. Your blog is a tool of your renewal and I hope for many others. As for the tool part, I am jealous of your Aunt Gladys, not to say I covet her stuff but I’m a female and she sounds so great I want to be like her and I am not.
Saturday night we met with my husband’s only two cousins. Our kids were with us and we had such a great time with a side of the family we seldom see. We all need kinfolk, we need family renewal. It is a wonderful feeling. Glad you got to go to Frostproof.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Good for you, Steve. Name it what you want, I will still read it.