Armidale Men's Shed

When did you first start coming along to the Men’s Shed?

During an Armidale Winter. I tried to hold onto a tiny screw without removing my gloves – not recommended, by the way. 
Checked out the Men’s Shed stall at the Farmer’s Market a few times and spotted them at the Bunnings BBQ, which is how I found out about the Women’s Woodworking Group. That was it – I was in! 

What do you enjoy spending time doing when you’re here?

Collaborating with like-minded woodsy people about our woodsy projects. 
Woodturning and woodwork in general.
Nipping at the heels of David D, Michael S, Kim Q and John G about anything woodturning related, and Peter S & Peter F about woodworking in general.
If asking questions and rabbiting on about woodturning was a sporting event, I would place respectfully in my division.

What one thing would you like people to know about the Armidale Men’s Shed?

The people at the Men’s Shed are talented and skilled in woodwork, metal work, sculpture, woodturning, photography, art…the more people I meet, the more the list grows. 
Not all those who attend are involved with the workshop. There are many who contribute to the shed with the day-to-day, ensuring the facilities are open and available to the Armidale community. 
For me, the Armidale Men’s Shed has been what it says on the tin: friendly, welcoming, inclusive, creative, worthwhile…….does all that count as one thing?  

AND A FEW GET-TO-KNOW-YOU QUESTIONS…

What are your hobbies?

Making things out of wood, especially on the lathe
Avoiding all forms of cooking
Crocheting Christmas Pickles

DO YOU collect anything

Dust - and old bells

Do you have a pet?

A fish.

Its name?

Elephant-on-a-bicycle

Have you ever had a nickname?

Not really, although when I was little I was often greeted with “Gross! Where did you find that?” For the first 2 years of my life I thought that was my name!

what excuse do you use when you need one?

“It wasn’t me…the sun was in my eyes…I was young and needed the money…I’m just doing what the voices tell me to do”.
(That usually covers everything)

What makes you laugh? 

Hearing children laugh uncontrollably
Many different types of humour, particularly observational, deadpan & satirical humour.
MST3K and B-grade Sci-Fi that takes itself way too seriously.

ASIDE FROM NECESSITIES, WHAT ONE THING COULD YOU NOT GO A DAY WITHOUT?

An early morning soy chai from Altitude, my favourite local cafe

What never ceases to amaze you?

A 2 year old can operate a smart phone. When I was 2, I was happily eating dirt!

WHAT IS something THAT INSTANTLY MAKES YOUR DAY BETTER?

A laugh…or at the very least, a chuckle
A morning chai

What are you reading at the moment?

I usually have a few on the go…

Moby-Duck: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea & of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists & Fools Who Went in Search of Them - yes, it’s a real book.

How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack

Whose Bottom Is This?

The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification

The latest edition of my fave woodturning mags.

What is your favourite random fact?

Penguins have knees!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SEASON?

Autumn, Winter, Spring in that order – Summer doesn’t get a look in.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE GREATEST INVENTION IN YOUR LIFETIME?

Soy cows!

Electric blankets! Invented before my time…I bow to their genius.

IF YOU COULD BRING BACK ANY FASHION TREND, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Treads! They were a one-hit wonder in the 70’s. I had a blue pair - they were ugly and heavy - and I loved ‘em!

WHAT FASHION TREND DO YOU NEVER WANT TO SEE AGAIN?

Sagging pants worn halfway down the butt. Seriously, no one wants to see your undies, pal - and I still can’t work out how they manage to walk without falling flat on their faces.

If you were a super-hero, what super-power would you have?

Super stretchy arms – so I wouldn’t have to bend down to pick up the things I’m always dropping.

Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

SpongeBob Square Pants - because he’s psychotically happy, but mainly because of the square pants.

IS THERE A MOVIE, BOOK OR PLAY YOU COULD QUOTE FROM, FROM START TO FINISH?

Ripping Yarns, Red Dwarf & Any Monty Python movie

If you were stranded on AN island, what book would you want to have wash up on shore?

How to Build a Boat

Is there a quote or saying that has stayed with you over time?

“Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision. The road of life is paved with flattened roadkill who couldn’t make a decision.”

and

“Nothing changes, if nothing changes.”

What is your favourite game or sport to watch or play?

Extreme ironing – “a danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt”

WHAT SKILL WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO LEARN?

Whistling………or juggling…………or whistling while juggling

What was your favourite subject in school?

English, Art, History…..and Lunch.
Unfortunately, girls got to do only one term of woodwork in the first year, then that was it! In protest, I made the conscious decision to do poorly in Home Economics (as they called it back then) - an endeavour I managed to succeed in with spectacular success.

If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be??

Anything with fresh figs, mangoes, apricots, pineapple, bananas, kiwi berries and most other berries, feijoa, salady stuff, and any green vegetable, except kale - that shouldn’t even be classed as a food!

What's the most unusual or unpleasant thing you've ever eaten?

My own cooking - nuff said!

And the big question…

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONTENTIOUS TOPICS OF CONVERSATION THAT CAN BRING DISCORD TO THE MOST CIVILIZED OF DISCUSSIONS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE TOPIC OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA – YES OR NO?

It’s good either way - I’m not a pizza purist. Pizza should be fun.

Some of Kate’s Projects