I watched a bunch of shows tonight on the Discovery Channel about building shit. One was about building pumpkin launchers, and one was about building motorcycles. Two pretty different things but they intrigued me. I guess I've always liked to build things. I think this goes back to playing w/ Lego's, Tinker Toys, etc, as a kid. I think this is also why I like my job doing web design. I get to build websites.

I also think this is why I can't strictly get into the design realm of things. I do like some creative, and a lot of the problem solving that goes with it, but to soley do that wouldn't make me happy. It's the art of building something that really gets me going.

Which is why I like shows like these. It makes me realize that yes, this is what I like doing. I think I get it from my dad, who's a carpenter. I've always been around someone building something, making something. Part of me wants to get into making something more physical. Everything I've pretty much made has been virtual, software, websites, that sort of thing. There just seems to be something romantic about putting some real blood, sweat, and tears into something you build yourself. I don't think it's something you can get sitting in a cubicle.

My MAME cabinet is one of these projects. So far it's really just a fantasy, as I don't really have everything I'd need to even get started yet (let alone the room to do it). But I think I definitely need things like these in my life. Some people need thier sports, or their books, or whatever to get them going. I just need to be able to build shit.