The Unexpected Joys of Woodworking… and Kate McKinnon
So, settle in. I’ve got my usual cup of coffee here, the good stuff I brew every morning—dark roast, bold enough to wake the neighbors. And let me tell ya, I want to share a little gem about the time I fell down the rabbit hole of woodworking, inspired by none other than the hilarious Kate McKinnon. Yeah, I know it sounds odd, but stick with me.
The Spark of Inspiration
It all started one rainy afternoon when I was flipping through channels, trying to find something entertaining. There she was—her quirky sketches and unfiltered impressions had me howling with laughter. But then, I caught a glimpse of her in one of those videos she posts on Instagram, and there she was in her backyard, all covered in sawdust, standing proudly next to a beautifully crafted picnic table. I thought, “Well, if she can do it, why can’t I?” In that moment, I decided I was going to try my hand at woodworking.
The Gear-Up
Now, let’s be clear: I’m not much of a handyperson. But I fancy myself a decent DIY-er around the house—hanging shelves, fixing leaky faucets, you know, the usual. So, I made my way to the local hardware store, armed with a budget and a somewhat idealistic view of what I was going to build. I picked up a circular saw, a sander, and a few clamps. The smell of freshly cut lumber wafted through the air as I walked through the lumber section, all that sweet cedar and pine just begging to be transformed into something useful—oh, and don’t even get me started on the smell of freshly planed wood. That’s like heaven on Earth!
I’d decided on making a simple garden bench first because, well, it’s a garden bench. How hard could that be?
The Downfall of Overconfidence
Let me tell you, it didn’t take long for me to hit a wall. I got home, heart racing from the thrill of new tools and bright ideas, but as I laid the pieces out on my workbench, reality set in—and it was a hard slap to the face. You’d think I’d be fine, what with my love for math back in school. But when I had to cut the wood lengths, it felt like I was trying to do geometry while juggling flaming swords.
I miscalculated my cuts, of course. More than once, I ended up with a few pieces that looked like they wandered off the set of a horror film rather than a quaint garden bench. The first set—all jagged edges and strange angles—well, they went straight to the scrap pile, which may as well have been a tombstone for my enthusiasm.
Almost Giving Up
There was a moment—a critically low one—when I sat on my garage floor, staring at the mess I’d made, debating whether I was cut out for this whole woodworking gig. I mean, who was I kidding? Here I was, a wannabe woodworker, overdoing it like some reality TV contestant on their last shot at stardom. It was one of those moments where you think about how time is slipping away, and I nearly gave up.
Just when I was about to toss everything into the back of my truck for a one-way trip to the landfill, I stumbled upon a YouTube video. No kidding. It was Kate McKinnon doing a step-by-step on her own woodworking project, laughing about her previous fails and how she learned to embrace the imperfections. That struck a chord with me. If she could poke fun at her own missteps, maybe I could too.
The Comeback
So I rallied. I took some notes, adjusted my approach, not to mention my attitude. I decided to switch from that flimsy pine I’d bought to some sturdy cedar, which, let me tell you, felt like a complete game changer. The sound of the saw cutting through that wood was music to my ears—like some sweet symphony of hope. Everything clicked.
I learned how to set up my clamps, keeping things secure, and I fine-tuned those cuts. I finally pieced the bench together with the confidence of someone who had a clue (even if it was just a little). And when I took that first sit test—oh boy, what a laugh! I nearly teetered off to one side, thinking I’d built a rollercoaster instead of a bench.
But, against all odds, it held. It was slightly crooked, unique, if you will. I couldn’t help but chuckle at how proud I felt; it wasn’t perfect, but it was mine.
A Bit of Heart and Humor
Every time I walk past that bench, I can’t help but chuckle. I think of all the mistakes, the failed cuts, and the moment I almost waved the white flag. Every dent, every flaw—each tells a story. It might not be straight or symmetrical, but it’s sturdy.
And you know what? That bench has become a spot for family gatherings. We’ve had the best evenings with friends out in the backyard, all perched on this slightly slanted masterpiece, laughing under the stars, sharing stories, and creating memories.
So, if you’re sitting there, wondering if woodworking is for you, or if you should take that gamble on that project you’ve stalled on, just go for it. Don’t get too attached to the idea of perfection. Because, in truth, the joy is in the process, in the failures and the triumphs, and those little moments of laughter. Who knows? You might just end up sitting on your own quirky creation, raising your mug of coffee to all the sweet surprises life has to offer.
