Okay, for what it's worth, I'll throw in my two cents (on the assumption that Peter won't just blow me off this time
).
But first, I'd just like to say that I think Festool is very generous to run these contests and offer the prizes it does on this forum.
Thanks, Festool! (Seriously, as a company, you never cease to amaze me.)
And now, my personal opinion:
Contests for great projects and excellent tutorials are always nice... and prizes for such achievements are well deserved.
Certainly there is no reason NOT to have contests for such things.
Yet (again, this is just my own opinion here) such contests might be viewed with even greater good will if there were other kinds of contests, too.
MANY people who own, use and LOVE their Festools are not woodworkers.....
Some of us are tile setters.
Some of us hang drywall.
Some of us are painters.
Some of us work on cars. Or (who, me?) boats.
Some of us refinish floors.
Some of us are roofers.
Some of us are artists.
Some of us are general contractors.
Some of us... well, you get the idea....
ALL of those skills are valuable to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
And many other charitable institutions that rely on volunteer help.
These organizations - and the people they help - are in a real bind these days.
So...
I just LOVE family's idea about a contest that rewards using our favorite tools to do good in one's community.
And there are SO MANY ways to do just that. I can think of about a million possibilities, and I'm sure others can do the same.
Perhaps we could have a little more time to make these proposals?
Finally, I'd like to suggest an idea of my own.
As I said above, there's no question that contests for great projects and tutorials are nice and well deserved.
However, if the goal is MORE PARTICIPATION, then it might be worthwhile to consider something based on just plain FUN for a change.
Accordingly, I herewith formally resubmit the Six Word Story contest concept...
(and will even be so bold as to suggest that somebody at Festool visit with me about it before dismissing the idea out of hand).
Because it works.
Plus it's a heck of a lot of fun.
And I suspect that there really are a lot of VERY CLEVER members here,
Who are pretty darned entertaining and good with words.
Because Festoolians don't all have to be woodworkers.
And we certainly don't ALWAYS need to be serious. Or at least I HOPE we don't....
Bottom line:
I propose we mix things up a bit - doesn't have to be the same thing all the time, does it?
Again, all just my own perspective, of course....
Please take it with a big grain of salt.
No need to make any snap decisions.
Best regards and best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year to all,
Laurie
