Work Pace Monologue

I figured out early on that this would be a rather long project (I had no idea!). Frequently over the years I have been reminded of a brick layer I saw in my youth. His less-experienced coworkers worked at a feverish pace, while he just seemed to be taking his sweet time. But long after his exhausted coworkers had called it quits, he was still working away, accomplishing much more per day than they did.

My version of that approach was to work carefully on whatever piece I had selected for the day, and to take a break whenever I grew tired, either mentally or physically. In part, this approach was due to the power tools I had to use - they don't have much mercy on the careless operator. But it also allowed me to focus, and to make choices because they were correct, not because they were fast. So even though cutting and gluing little wooden cubes was tedious, as was pre-drilling the holes, and countersinking the screws, I didn't ever really get frustrated.

I think the successful outcome of the project was due in large part to this approach.

My general approach throughout the design and implementation of the Doll House was to come up with a high-level design (usually captured in a sketch), then spend a day or so thinking about the details that would be required to implement that design, correcting and clarifying in my head as I went. In a few cases, this process led me to draw detailed parts drawings. Then I would actually build the thing I had been thinking about.

In some cases, the detailed design and mental revision process included doing research at Lowe's, where I purchased the majority of materials. Note that this particular list includes stylized "eye" markings next to some of the items, which reminded me to look at those items as I wandered through the store, maybe take some measurements or photos, but not buy them yet. Then I would return home with the materials I had purchased to continue building, plus some additional information to plow into the next design aspect.