Tooting my own horn this time

The last Nakashima book that I bought was printed in China.

And the man only lived about twenty miles from my house.

Nice man, too.

Tom Watson - WoodDorker tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (email)

I thought this to be a little bit too much of a teaser to leave alone.

And so, I will tell you the story of the day that I met George (Nakashima).

It was in the early Fall of 1985 and I had recently moved back to Pennsylvania from Manhattan. I was very happy to be on my home ground again.

I had been running high end residential construction work in New York and was beginning to engage myself in the same practice in Pennsylvania. I was tired of the business and really wanted to go back to my roots as a carpenter craftsman, rather than continue the pursuit of more dollars in management.

I had three bibles at this time; two were from Taunton Press, FWW and FHB - the other was the Garrett Wade catalog.

I'd read about Nakashima and his ethic regarding woodworking, and what I'd read made me want to meet him.

Since he was only one county away from me, I decided on a road trip.

I figured that I would show up at his shop at coffee break time, more or less 10:00 am.

I showed up at Mr. Nakashima's shop at precisely 10:00 am, with two cups of the finest local java.

Mr. Nakashima, "is not available". "Would you please call for an appointment."

I slinked away and consumed both cups of coffee, which is always a bad idea for me.

Taking the number from the business card and dialing it up, I was treated to a gruff voice, "This is George."

"Mr. Nakashima?"

"Yes."

"I'm a carpenter from the area and I wanted to visit your shop."

"Do you want to buy it?"

(brief apoplectic pause)

"No Sir, I wanted to see your shop."

"Why would you want to see the shop. It's just a shop."

"Mr. Nakashima, I want to see the wood."

"Do you want to buy some wood?"

"No Sir, I just want to see it."

"Ah... Bring me a cheesesteak from Ralph's. I'll show you the wood."

"Is Noon a good time?"

"No. One O'clock. Tell Ralph it's for George, he'll know what to do."

I kicked around town for a bit, asked someone where Ralph's might be, got an answer and some advice to get extra cheese, since Ralph was a bit stingy unless asked. Finally I ordered up and went back to Mr. Nakashima's place.

Since I looked like what I was, someone who was delivering lunch, I was allowed straight in.

"You're Tom, the carpenter?"

"Yes Sir, Mr. Nakashima?"

"Ever had a cheesesteak from Ralph's?"

"No sir, I never have."

"You're in for a treat!"

(much eating and small talk)

"So Tom, why are you so interested in the wood?"

"I like wood."

"Honest answer. A little brief."

"I've seen your work and read about your work and it all seems to be about the wood. I want to see the wood that inspires you."

There are times when you deal with a person who is unknown to you, and you make a comment that, in the moment seemed to be right but, upon further reflection, you wish that you could take it...

"...It does inspire me. Don't be afraid to say what you think. It does inspire me, and it inspires the people that I sell my work to."

(awkward pause)

"Let's show you the wood."

There was one barn and two outbuildings on the property. The wood was stored vertically in some areas and on the flat in others. The wood was massive, the cuts being eight inches thick in some instances.

There were full logs with the bark still on them.

There was more cabinet grade wood than I have ever seen before or since under the roof of a privately owned shop.

As we walked among the stored treasures of his professional life, he became more animated and more poetic, and it really seemed as though it didn't matter if I was there or not - the man was lost in his wood.

He knew where each piece had been cut and how it had been cut. He had plans in his head for certain pieces.

We spent almost three hours looking at the wood. I was beginning to feel guilty.

"I don't do this enough. I'm happy that you came. And thanks for the cheesesteak."

"Thank you for taking all this time, Mr. Nakashima."

"You can call me George."

"Yes Sir, Mr. Nakashima.'

"Well...all right then."

I guess I went there looking for Yoda.

I found George.

It was a pretty good day.

Tom Watson - WoodDorker tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (email)

"Tom Watson" wrote >

Tom,

Thank you. You are keeping mighty high company ... could be that you belong with that elevated group.

Keep writing, keep talking to the wood. Live well.

Regards,

Rick

Well, many who are having vision problems are also spreading a bit -- bigger aprons may allow for bigger pockets. So perhaps we can expect a "large print" version. So long the publisher doesn't do what the driving atlas vendors do: "new large print" is just short hand for "we left off all the small roads"

Best of luck selling many copies Charlie!

hex

-30-

-30-

Robatoy wrote in news:design-EB4CBB.09232819052005 @nr-tor01.bellnexxia.net:

So, do books keep costing you money for the next 25+ years after publication? ;-)

Patriarch

ps: Congrats, Charley! I'll see about buying one soon!

Tom Watson wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Yoda lives near Ft. Bragg, California. I'm friends with a few Jedi.

Patriarch

I just looked through some recent (2000-2004) books I own. One Singapore, one China, and two US. The most recent being China. Sigh!

Great story snipped.

'pretty good'? I'd number it in the top 5!

Thank you for sharing, a really great experience for you Tom. He offers tours currently:

Why should I buy the book when I can just ask him?

Are you offering autographed copies?

Barry

so is that like working the wood?

On Fri, 20 May 2005 02:09:27 GMT, the inscrutable "Rick" spake:

Dittoes, Rick and Tawm.

=========================================================== Save the Endangered Bouillons from being cubed!

Congrats Charlie!

I'm going to order it. I know how you feel -- I also just had a book release (Physical and Technical Security: An Introduction), so I know what a thrill it is to see it appear on Amazon and the others.

Bob Gruber

I wish I could figure out a sensible way to do that...I'm down to my last copy, and after this, it's pay up time. Of course, I get a discount, but then the mailing and envelopes and the fact I live 10 miles from where all the supplies are and...

If I knew a couple dozen people wanted it signed, I could order some copies, stock up on envelopes and try to figure my break even point, but there's no way on earth I can match Amazon's price.

Hi Charlie,

If you get enough request you can put me on the list for an autographed copy. With a "Genuine autographed copy!" you don't have to compete with Amazon. If you get enough requests figure out what the cost would be ping me on the back channel (email below is real on this post) and I'll drop a check in the mail.

Pretty sad that Amazon can sell cheaper than the author can buy them.

How about you take names, and if the quantity seems worth it, we send you the money up front. You won't get stuck that way as we pay full price to get your autograph. Ed

point,

Not really that bad. I'd guess that Amazon orders in quantities I don't even have room to stack, so gets the maximum discount.

Let's try this: I think the envelopes cost me about 75 cents each. Book rate mail should be fairly low, under two bucks, so I'll send autographed copies for $16.50, which leaves me a bit for my time doing labels, and doesn't gouge you guys too badly. I think.

If you're interested, email me, and if the list gets long enough (say at least a dozen), I'll order the books and post a note here as to when they're due in. Then, y'all can send checks and I'll send the books as soon as they arrive...I'll try to find out how long that will be, too. Remember, book rate tends to take at least a week, sometimes two, to arrive.

see if you can get a local book store to add it to their order. you'll get their discount.

you'll get

I am pretty sure my author's discount is about equal to what a small bookstore would get.