Thoughts on Mistakes

I was lead to a blog post from 2009 that struck a cord in me. You can click above to read the entire thing, but I am going to paraphrase it here. Mark Love, the author, wrote about Risk and how there are two types of risk or mistakes one must endure: physical and mental. He wrote in the context of being an artist and craftsman, and I can't agree more. Some may use different words, perhaps emotional instead of mental for some.

Physical mistakes involve things that you have done yourself, such as bang your elbow on the door jam, broken a piece you are working on, or perhaps chipping a tool. We take these sorts of mistakes in stride. We know that is bound to happen sooner or later, and while maybe not totally prepared, we know what we have to do to over come it.

Mental mistakes are a little harder to pin down. It is that which we do to ourselves, that had we had the time to think about, we probably could have avoided. This would include such actions as cutting something too short, or reversing numbers in your head due to fatigue. These types of mistakes are harder for us to overcome, simple because we are the only ones at fault.

For me, it has always been the mistakes that I struggle with. Call it second guessing if you want, but I am sure I am not alone. When it comes to the types of art I create, it strikes even closer to home. A great piece and a mediocre piece are separated by a very thin line, with mental and physical mistakes precariously balanced on that line. It can teeter at any moment, towards any direction. When it does it always causes me to question myself because I know that at any moment "I’m only as good as the thing I’m about to do." The pieces that have come before only indicates how good I was, not how good I am, or where my potential might lead.

I've had a few good pieces wrought with my hands, some I am very proud of. When I start a new one, they are always on my mind, making me wonder if I'll surpass my previous achievements, or if I've already hit my stride and am now on the down slope? I don't ever know the answers until I complete a piece, and it is that personal challenge that keeps me going, full steam ahead, damn the mistakes.

What I did in the Navy

Many people ask me what it was I did in the Navy. I was a Fire Controlman, or FC. I didn't put out fires, but I did start them. I was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the MK86 Gunfire Control System, or GFCS. The entire system consisted of:
Air Search RADAR
Surface Search RADAR
Weapon Control Consoles
A slew of computers and other devices

This system was used to control and fire the 5"/54cal gun mounts, we had two. Contrary to popular belief, these guns are fired from CIC, not from someone inside the gun mount. But they could be fired by the Gunner's Mate that was located below the turret, near the 20 round magazine.

It was a lot of fun, and an experience that I will never forget. I am often asked if I would do it again, and in all honesty I would have to say, "Yes." I met a lot of great people, some of whom I still communicate with. I got to see a few places that I will probably never get to see again, and it was just a great overall experience for me.