OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

13927 Mike DeLong <mdelong@p...> 1997‑02‑21 Re: Bio 2.0 - me too
Fellow Galoots,

Esther's bio 2.0 posting caused me to search the archives for my original 
bio; and, of course it is also missing. I've been on the porch since its 
construction in 12/95 and my original bio seems lacking when compared to 
more current submissions. So here is a newer, expanded version.

[WARNING...extreme verbosity ahead]

I am, as my sig shows, Director of Endowment for Southern Methodist 
University in Dallas, Texas. My job is to monitor the activity of the 
University's 30+ investment managers. I am also responsible for the 
operation of two mutual fund type investment vehicles the University uses to 
manage its endowment. The truth be known, I mostly fight fires while my 
staff keeps things up & running.  I am 49 and have been married to a most 
understanding SWMBO (Gail) for 29 years. We have two adult children and are 
just beginning to enjoy the benefits of an empty nest.  I live in what used 
to be the country, on the edge of Dallas. My shop is a separate 22' x 22' 
building that is mine, and mine alone . In addition to my obsession 
with woodworking & tools, I enjoy gardening, listening to both classical and 
C&W music (weird huh), reading mysteries, and of course, playing with my 
computer. I have a small farm a couple of hours East of Dallas that is thick 
with oak, hickory, sassafras, and dogwood. My dream is to retire to the farm 
and spend my days "piddlin in the shop".

My dad is a big DIYer, and I was swinging a hammer or mixing concrete on 
weekends from the age of about six.  I clearly remember discovering an old 
coping saw in the basement, where I spent many an hour making plywood 
cutouts of everything from my sisters silhouettes to pictures from MAD 
magazine.  Most of my p*w*r tools were purchased over twenty years ago. 
Until I started reading neanderposts on rec.ww, the only hand tools I had 
were a 70's model Stanley Handyman smoother (heavily used, but not worth a 
damn), some Sears chisels (great for opening paint cans), a Sears crosscut 
saw (like new - seldom used), and a lot of hammers (all good quality IMHO). 
But I have seeeeeen the light.  My assemblage of good usable hand tools is 
ever growing, and so is my ability to use them properly. I have nothing 
against being described as a collector, but my inclination is to tools that 
I wish to use. I have attended three or four SWTCA meetings and I really 
enjoy the opportunity to see, fondle, and talk about old tools and their use 
with people of similar interests.

My projects are mostly DIY oriented. I have only attempted a couple of 
furniture projects over the years. Although they were successful, a lack of 
confidence and time kept me on small, simple projects. I now have the 
confidence and desire for larger pieces, but like most of us, time is still 
a scarce commodity. At least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. In the 
last year or so I have mostly been making small boxes, signs, vases, pens, 
bottle stoppers, tool handles, etc. As you can tell, I love my lathe (though 
it has a tail, it is over twenty-five years old).

Well, I warned you about the verbosity didn't I? And this is the edited 
version 8^)

Mike
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Mike DeLong                              Voice: (214) 768-2802          |
| Director of Endowment Management           Fax: (214) 768-3786          |
| Southern Methodist University         Internet: mdelong@m...    |
| 6425 Boaz Lane  Suite 202B                                              |
| Dallas, TX   75275-0193                                                 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

-- 

Mike
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike DeLong                              Voice: (214) 768-2802
Director of Endowment Management           Fax: (214) 768-3786
Southern Methodist University         Internet: mdelong@m...
6425 Boaz Lane  Suite 202B
Dallas, TX   75275-0193



Recent Bios FAQ