outlining an idea

Argh.

Once more, a tool that I probably needed to use for a quick job never made it back to its proper place. Now I have no idea where it is. Well, it's in the house somewhere, obviously (at least, I think it is). Each spot I think it could be in has been searched, but to no avail.

The arguably laughable idea of having a pegboard on the wall complete with crime-scene style outlines of each tool is becoming more appealing; you can see immediately if a tool is not where it should be.

Current industrial practise leans towards exact cut-outs in foam blocks that fill the trays of rolling tool cabinets. Again, if something isn't where it should be, it's immediately apparent.

To be this organised is a laudable goal, though the path to achieving it is gives me the sense of the archetypical old farmer by the side of the road saying to the wayward traveller, "You can't get there from here."

I'd better figure this out soon.

<ADDENDUM>

The tool I was looking for has been found.

It was in a place which makes a sort of bizarre sense, but (painfully) not the First place I'd look for it.

I'm reminded of a statement made by a friend of mine who is an excellent craftsman in both metal and wood, but is (as he puts it) "getting on in years". He said he must now resist the urge to rearrange things in his lifelong quest for the perfect shop configuration. When I asked him why, he said "I can remember where the tools have been for the last 30 years, but not the new place I've decided to put them."

In age there is wisdom.

</ADDENDUM>