Tinker

I love to tinker with stuff. I enjoy taking things that are broken, and making them work. And even if I can't make it work, then I at least have the satisfaction of knowing I did what someone else didn't, taking the time and effort to try and make something better.

This is just another reason I love bikes. So simple, in comparison with other transportation machines. This struck me as I was working on my roommates bike tonight. I had no idea how to fix the problem he was having, but decided not to let something as trivial as that stop me. I knew I was going to have fun trying, and that I might even get lucky and do something right.

It ended up being a simple fix that I was able to figure out in just a few minutes. I then spent the next half hour tweaking stuff and fixing things that didn't really need to be fixed. Oh well, it's better than when I started, and I really enjoy it. I also appreciate my roommate letting me use his bike as a guinea pig when I don't have anything on mine to mess with.

Not just bikes though. I love taking any bit of random hiking gear, or flashlight, or pocket knife, or anything I can get my hands on and taking it apart, figuring out how to make it better for what I will use it for.

When I was a little kid, I did this with all my toys, just to see what the inside looked like. It got so bad that when my parents got me my first Gameboy, they got the clear one, so I could see inside and not disassemble it.

I want to fix and build stuff forever. Put me in a room of broken things and tools, and I may just pass out from excitement. Or I'll get all giddy and start dancing and giggling like a schoolgirl. Not sure which. I hope somebody gives me the chance to find out (hint hint!)


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