Getting Started

I am not sure where the idea to start woodworking really came from because I've always been interested in building things.. Perhaps my LEGO obsession finally just decided to grow up? A few years ago, I borrowed a woodworking book from my father in law. The Complete Woodworker (1980) showed me examples of hand tools, joinery, and how to build practical things out of wood (without the help of power tools!) from fences to tables. I developed an understanding that it doesn't take a shop full of expensive, commercial power tools to build a simple project.
So, I set out to acquire the essential tools to get started. I went to my local hardware store and picked up a simple hand saw/miter box combo and an oak board. I attempted my first dovetail joint -- and it was terrible. I did a little research on YouTube and the second attempt was better, and I started understanding how it was all supposed to work. I got even more excited!
A few more books later, and I eventually worked up the courage to visit a local lumber yard. After seeing rough-cut lumber in real life, I realized I was silly to think I could do it all with hand tools -- I just didn't have the time. Or the tools. After sulking about it for a while, I discovered a temporary solution: Club Workshop. I got excited and went to check it out. The owner gave me an enthusiastic tour which included work spaces for automotive repair, metal fabrication, sewing, and of course, woodworking (including a CNC router -- but we'll get to that later). All I needed was a project.