I'm not sure what Lakeside Smithery exactly is.

What I feel is worse, is that it's brought to you by someone who’s never written anything before. 

Excited?!

Of course that's not entirely true. I wouldn't have started this if I didn't have some idea in mind of what I want to do. But the fact is that I don't know precisely where this journey WILL go from piece to piece. So, let's begin with the obvious and obligatory introduction.

My name is Shaun, and this is me.

Truth. Take a good look, because this will be the only time you see my face! I’ll try and work on it, but…..until then. 

This is where you’ll find me every morning currently. 

In my dad’s run down 96 Toyota Avalon. Can’t afford a car, myself. Im sitting outside my current employer. An embroidery shop. I enjoy it. It’s low stress, which I NEED! It also allows me to work with my hands. Which I LOVE! 

This is where I come home to. Also current home “offices” for the Smithery.

It’s a 40 year old mobile home. That happens to be my childhood home. And yeah, its run down too. But it's quiet.

I got views!

Even more gorgeous than that, is...my WOOD PANELING!!

More truth. I dont have alot of physical amenities. Shocker, I know. But I can afford to stay “connected”, and that's part of where Lakeside Smithery begins.

The other half of the beginning is (of course) myself. Or, my mind rather. 

Even though I enjoy what I currently “do” as a job to pay the bills, it's not what I WANT. 

I'm not sure how to say this. I've always felt “different”. Like I've had the ability to be more perceptive than most. That...the world already “made sense” since youth. Does that make sense? I hope it does for now, because its a HUGE part of this whole journey.

I should also clarify that I have been diagnosed with mental illness. Which you may or may not find surprising based on the previous statement.

I've never seen anything wrong with educating yourself. Especially asking,  “Why?”! But, as most of you can relate, it can be ROUGH for a studious child, teen, even college student. Some of us do what we can to try and “fit in”, but facts are facts. If your labeled a “nerd” or “geek” it's pretty hard to change that stereotype. 

But I was a “nerd”! I was a “geek”! I had a first generation Nintendo. I watched ALL the classic 80’s horror films. He-Man was my first fictional hero! I lived for Saturday's Morning Cartoons. ALL of it. Some of us remember!

Which is what brings me full circle back to being “connected” at this point in my life.

Social media has been THE driving force behind me being able to stay informed. To see there are other people feeling what I feel. Going through what I go through. So, I can learn to be comfortable with me!

In addition, I adore seeing pop culture also come back around! To be able to converse with my son about current trends and movies, but also the popularity of my 80s and 90s youth being “cool” again.

So really that is what Lakeside Smithery IS. 

Just a man, who’s now a husband and father. Trying to learn to let go. To be okay with himself, and his inner “geek”.Who’s ready to change his life, and take a risk. Like I said, “not sure.”