Like many others, I lost my job due to COVID-19. Finding a new job has been exceedingly difficult. I have applied to more than 200 job postings and I have only found two postings for senior IT Management in Fargo/Moorhead where I live. When looking at job application statistics, I am merely one applicant in a pool of 400 to 700 applicants. Hard to float to the top in that large of a pool.

COVID has done unspeakable things to this world!

17 years ago I started woodworking as an adult. Even prior, as a child, my Dad and shop teachers would teach me the different techniques in woodworking. In 2002 I decided to make baby furniture for our nursery. Our first and only Son was born in 2003. Prior to his birth I built him a custom bed for life that would transform from a crib, to a daybed, to a queen bed. A bed that he could take and use for his entire life. He uses it today as a teenager. I also built a changing table and dresser for him.

Since then I have built all kinds of projects, from tables and chairs, lamps, shelving to fish tanks. Yes, you can build a fish tank out of plywood, although I don’t recommend it.

In 2018 I purchased a CNC to add to my woodworking shop. This new tool allows me to geek out with the computer design and fulfill my passion of working with wood. Since the purchase, I have invested a lot of time in programming tool paths, I have even created my own software application to aid in the development of the tool paths, attended several user group meetings and contribute to several forums online helping others improve their skills.

Perhaps Custom Cave Works will become my full-time job!