I was a firefighter and paramedic for 20 years and into hazardous materials chemistry in a big way. Identifying unknown material involved a lot of cool field chemistry and fire. The next 20 years I taught others how to identify unknown materials in the wild, during which I enjoyed some rudimentary glass bending, encapsulating and "destructive analysis." In retirement I became fascinated with neon and all its elements and skills after a walk through the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, CA. I tried to take classes there, but they were full. That lit a fire under me, so to speak, and I wanted to learn neon even more. I considered training outside my home state, Michigan, but then I found George Hanson at Epic Neon. George offered training and advice in a generous and authentic way. I enjoyed my time with him very much and completed a project in three days. I scrounged up some equipment and built a bench in my garage. My plan is to design and bend at my home shop and have George process the tubes at Epic Neon. Then I'll assemble everything back at my shop. Shoulder surgery shut me down for three months this summer. I'm now trying to get my fires right and relearn what George taught me. I practiced with the crossfires, ribbon and hand torches and bent a cactus. A horrendous abomination. At least I have the rest of my retirement to get it right!