Wishing to learn

I chased down a live steam 12th scale 4-8-4 steam engine..with tender..(scale model rail road type engine) it was for sale for the low sum of $85,000 forget the weight, but it was like 4,000 hours to build or more

--Shiva--

Hmmmm, and you're building steam engines in your parents' basement no doubt. How many steam engines have you built while on a conference call discussing ISO9000 style "quality assurance procedures" while telecommuting ? I find ballroom dancing, playing the piano and gourmet cooking to be less satifactory ways to occupy my hands while on the phone for hours.

Lock picking is an excellent hobby. It heightens the senses, teaches dexterity and increases one's awareness of something that is a larger part of contemporary life than steam engines. If one makes one's own tools, the other skills it teaches are valuable in other domains as well.

I would argue that lock picking should be a required part of any bachelor's degree program, unless you are one of those who believe that higher education's only purpose is to teach a trade. Every well rounded educated person should be able to compose a symphony, build a sentence, pitch a tent, train a dog, unclog a drain, tie a tie, select a fork, select a wine, cook a goose, change a tire, thaw a frozen pipe and sweat in a patch of he doesn't thaw it soon enough. And yes, pick a lock.

I'd like to hear your argument in favor of ignorance.

And obviously I should typing and proof reading to my list of things everyone should know how to do !

Sounds interesting. Where can I download one?

(Sigh. Ya gotta love salesmen. "... You kill this bear and cook it; I'm going to go get us another one.")

Nope.

How many steam engines have you built while on a conference call

None.

I find ballroom dancing, playing the piano and gourmet

If you are responsible for qualit5y control and you allow yourself to be distracted on a confrence call then you are not giving your task enough attention.

Funny, I am a pretty good lock picker, but I would hardly attribute the one small skill as anything near your discription.

If one makes one's own tools,

Well I have done most of the things on your list but let us consider your contention. Composing a symphony. Why would every well rounded educated person want to compose a symphony?

This seems to me to be a waste of time for most folks as the skills required to do it take years for the most gifted in the music business to acquire and then there is not a big market for new symphonies.

Cooking on the other hand is something everyone should have at least a working knowledge of as everyone needs to eat.

As far as lock picking goes, most folks go their whole life never needing to learn it. As a matter of fact, they probably would be better served by keeping a few spare keys.

I would further suggest that if a locksmith had to forego any particular skill and still function in his trade, picking would be at or near the top of the list.

I think that task is best left to the ladies.

Greets.

This reminds me of my 3 year old ....

Anyhow, S.M., how about you just place this template response on a website, and link to it? Maybe you could link to one of the other numerous times you have posted it.

People get flamed for less on this list.

Or, save a bit, and don't post it to begin with.

.times enemy

Storm> Speaking only for myself, my policy is that I don't teach picking techniques

Especially that last part ! I've got seven padlocks and a deadbolt that I can pick anytime now. But I'm still completely defeated by a Kwikset doorknob ! One of the one's that I'm sure everyone on this newsgroup calls a "Kwikpick". I just can't feel when any of the pins set, and I end up with all five wedged up in the bible.

trying too hard.. SERIOUSLY..

--Shiva--