Post #522351 by pjc5150 on Tue, Apr 6, 2010 9:44 AM

As a 41 year old single guy with no kids, essentially I was spending the equivalent of the GDP of most small countries at the bar, and it was starting to catch up with me. Arguments, fights, waking up in the morning feeling like a jack ass, all these things were commonplace. Finally I got a DUI, and decided that it was time to stop acting like a complete & total idiot and grow up.

So, one evening after a successful fishing trip and blackening a few trout in the back yard, I was sitting with my fishing buddy and said to him "dude, I need a new hobby. One can only surf so much with the inconsistent waves we have in Florida, and one can only do so much fishing. I need something to work on at home."

Then I thought about making a tiki bar. Then I thought about "Mai Tiki", which is a guy in Cocoa Beach who's been doing this since I was like, 4 years old. I said "maybe I'll buy a tiki or two from that dude in Cocoa Beach", then I thought about it and said "you know what, fuck it, it's wood and tools, I CAN DO THIS!!!"

The rest is history. Never got around to building the tiki bar, but I've done about 20 tikis.

It has worked out great. I actually enjoy sitting on the porch & having a few cold ones while I make stuff way more than I enjoyed emptying my wallet at the bar. I'm drinking a lot less than I used to, and I don't have all the legal woes that went with my former lifestyle. I live a healthier life now, and I am happier.

I would like to thank the admins (Benz, etc,) for providing this forum. I have learned things here that have been tremendously helpful.