For a while now, a couple of years actually it's been on my mind that maybe it's time to go from the OLF and get on with my life as I would.
Having given this a lot of thought including the message that I wanted to be my last post it was important to me to leave the OLF as I found the place, happy and inclusive.
Back in the day people here were very helpful and the level of encouragement was off the charts. Many of us got into competitions of sorts with each other for this or that, etc. We also saw dozens and dozens of new guitars produced often monthly by a number of the members.
There was lots of sharing AND we had some pros here who were keen to share and I for one benefited greatly from them. I speak of Mario P. and Rick Turner. Funny thing, back then I did not get on with both Mario and Rick and then as I learned more they became friends. I'm grateful to both of them for hanging in with me and helping me get started.
With all of this said I made the jump to "L speed" or the jump from corporate America to full time professional Luthier and never looked back. The OLF was key to my own success and I remain grateful to those back then who set us all straight and at times made it clear that thicker skin is not a bad thing.
So my last message is this. Thank You for your participation here at the OLF too. I'm wishing you all the best of luck. Please do consider serviceability as "critical to quality" of your creations. Please also consider networking with others who work in the trade you may find that what's really important in a guitar, that it's a "tool for a musician" is the focus and not the rosette.
Take care, good luck, stay safe.
And for old times sake when I wanted to encourage folks here:
![[clap]](./images/smilies/smiley32.gif "adulations")
![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up")