Although our dear partners come in for a lot of stick on the newsgroup, I am sure that most of us would agree that they contribute far more to our well-being than we would care to admit, and in many cases they provide a valuable second pair of hands when things are getting tricky on assembly of the latest project!
Having met quite a few of them over the years, they all seem to be very reasonable people and keep their partners in relative comfort amid their workshop chaos.... :-))
Peter
-- Peter & Rita Forbes Email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk Web:
I'll have a couple of glasses of whatever it is your on this morning - it's only 11.30 must be strong stuff. I agree completely with the sentiment though but you shouldn't tell them too often. I'm not sure about that "second pair of hands", my wife says that I only want her to help so that I have someone to shout at when things go wrong (always). I do remember shouting (once??) many years ago unloading my mill drill
- her face was very red and her knees looked like they might buckle; I didn't want the paint damaged so I did raise my voice slightly. Just enough to inject some backbone and the day was saved. She complained about a bad back for ages though so I paid for it in other ways.
I think the truth is that for any of us to get actively involved with this hobby/interest it is a pre-requisite that our partners are understanding and supportive. I've several friends who would like to dabble but meet a brick wall whenever the subject is mentioned and the potential interest never gets off the ground. The other negative is that having a supportive partner means that there is no control on the more outlandish ideas and mistakes are made, sometimes when I've done/bought something stupid I wish she had said "no chance". Ah well the cross we bear I suppose.
To be honest I'm extremely lucky in being able to say that I have a very supportive wife who has indulged my engineering interests for the last 35 years, I feel safe in telling you that as she never reads this forum. I'll keep telling her that she is a bit difficult and my other friends wives let them have lots more toys, trouble is she has become fairly good at telling when I'm not being totally honest. When I worked for an American organisation we used to have an annual "Secretary Day" when we had to take them out for lunch and buy flowers etc, perhaps we should have a "Partner Apprentice Day" when we could buy them a new bit of equipment or something. About once every decade would seem about right.
All joking apart I am very lucky and do really appreciate the help and support I have. Although, I do wish that god had given me the ability to be "right" just once or twice over the last 35 years. Can't have it all I suppose.
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.