The Cedar Sea

I found irony in having my two associates Max and Moose, both island boys (Max from Australia and Moose from Montserrat), surrounded by a sea of the cedar tables I built for the new Nuba restaurant. It opens soon on West Broadway in Vancouver.

Saving Daylight

For years while working in film I would get to work before the sun had broken the eastern horizon and get home long after it had descended in the west. I would spend the majority of my day in cavernous warehouse shops often without windows or in dark studios. I lived my life under artificial light.

Today I awoke to bright sunshine coming through my window and worked with the shop's garage bay door wide open. I stopped on my way home for a late lunch and ate it at an outside table wishing I owned sunglasses. Surviving winter instills a feeling of victory. Actually seeing the sun and feeling too warm in a sweater become sensations of triumph. I am thankful to be allowed these small but important moments.

It's gonna be okay

It’s going to be okay.

I used to get worked into a state of unbridled stress. Trying to manage under deadlines and working 12 hour days and then forgetting to eat. These days (though I still do my share of overtime) I know that whatever it is, it will get done. There’s never been instance in the past when something hasn’t gotten done. There is always a solution and stress diminishes my ability to see just what that solution might be. It compounds problems and I make mistakes. Usually really stupid mistakes involving addition or subtraction.

So with a deadline fast approaching—a restaurant opening—I am doing my best to take care of myself. I believe my health is directly reflected in the work I do. Above all I know it’s going to be okay…

The base of a cedar banquet

East Van Table Factory and Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott’s words, “Bird by bird”, resonated and repeated in my head today as I continued gluing up and sanding the three dozen tables I’m building for the latest Scott Cohen designed restaurant.

Bird by Bird

Table by Table

I could get philosophical about all this but that would only complicate a simple job.

….and tomorrow Table by Table…

Table by

table by

table (Final two glued up!)