A Wild Sugar Project
A Wild Sugar Project: A task, upgrade, or repair that should be relatively simple and straightforward, but in actuality requires several specialty adaptors of some kind or sort, is incredibly complicated, includes 2-3 extra hardware store trips, and takes 2-3 times longer than expected.
Now, I’m not saying that it’s all Wild Sugar’s fault. I’m an amateur (at best) and don’t expect to be the fastest or the most competent person to take on any given project. In fact, I usually keep the bar pretty low and remind myself that I can’t possibly be the dummest guy to ever “fill in the blank.” Although, with some projects I feel like I might be in the running.
…and honorable mention for dummest guy to install a sink goes to…
But, real talk here - shouldn’t I feel that way? After all, I’m really a musician. No, wait, I’m really a cyclist.
No. Wait.
I’m actually the Wild Sugar Guy now. Sure, the Wild Sugar Guy happens to have a music degree and likes to ride bikes, but in the mirror, it’s Wild Sugar Guy. Every time.
The Vermont Experiment (the title I have quietly and endearingly given to the last 2 years here on Tucker Mountain) has been a reformation and reconstitution of my life ambitions. There are parallels to my old life, sure. But they are only parallel in retrospect. At no point in time have they ever actually BEEN parallel. That might explain why I can only see myself doing this now that I’m actually doing it.
It’s often easier to just feel your way towards the right track than it is to accumulate and aggregate evidence to support that feeling. Basically, it’s hard to forecast a rainbow when you’re being dumped on by a freaking sky-geyser.
Most of the time, that geyser looks a lot like this for me: Trying out a brand new idea while learning a new tool that works with some other new thing that I just built using a new technique that I learned from a new friend.
In time, this is usually followed by a rainbow that looks something like: Holy heck, I can’t believe that all worked out and actually looks good. WILD FREAKING SUGAR!
Now that this pattern is my new normal, I must admit that going into a project green is less intimidating than it used to be. The butterflies in my stomach are less active, making room for the kind of unadulterated excitement that blasts through the chicanes of my beginners mind. I’m stoked about the moon deck renovation, the outdoor shower build, the upstairs kitchen renovation, the tables for the barn, and the sauna build by the pond. I can’t wait to knock out the little things too, like baseboard covers, shelves, built in drawers, picture frames, light switches, and trim work.
All of this becomes even sweeter knowing that I get to share these projects with my wife, my family, my friends, my neighbors, and everyone who stays, skis, or gets married at Wild Sugar.
With that, I’m starting to feel like I should tweak the meaning of a Wild Sugar Project.
A Wild Sugar Project: A task, upgrade, or repair that should be relatively simple and straightforward, but in actuality requires a change in mindset, some hard work, and a few helping hands. (awww)
