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This all started with a box drum and a twitter account.

Right in the midst of the plywood and screws and brackets and power tools of my latest cajon project I had the idea that it might be fun to do a twitter feed on handmade percussion instruments. I’d call it O’brien County Rhythm Section or something. But, after tossing the idea around in my head for awhile, I realized that, even if there was a DIY percussion instrument scene, I could not be active enough in it to to keep any kind of social media momentum going.

I realized I may be on to something though. So, looking ahead to my next big project at the time - oak wood flooring in our living room - I decided to start a twitter account for all my projects : http://twitter.com/MrZprojects I post in it often. If you are on Twitter I hope you’ll follow me.

Then, a few days into our flooring project, it dawned on me that maybe I could get even more interest (and have a little more than 140 characters to play with) by creating a Facebook fan page as well. So, http://facebook.com/MrZprojects came into being. If you are a member, please “Like” me for updates.

Having said that, if you arrived here from either of these places, Welcome. Thank you for your interest.

My name is Scott Zeilenga. Simply “Z” for anyone who knows me well. Or Mr Z for the purposes of this blog. I like working with my hands. Hand-built percussion instruments and projects around our 1914 Bungalow style home are my idea of fun. I went to school for graphic design so I have an eye for the aesthetic. But ever since I was a kid, I have loved to build things and figure out how things ticked. I got schooled in a lot more through on-the-job experiences - drywall and plastering, maintenance, and yard hand at a lumber yard to name a few. I am no professional, but I know just enough to be dangerous. Which means I have a general idea of what I am doing, but still get creative, make 1000 mistakes and do things the hard way.

So, that’s what this blog and social media excursions are about. I am attempting the DIY thing. With a lot of help from my wife (even if only in the form of encouraging words) I’ll try my hand at everything from carpeting to painting to landscaping to carpentry. I also hope to explore ideas on volunteering, sustainability, work and craftsmanship.

Oh, and the occasional post on handmade percussion instruments.

Again, thanks for your interest. For more on this blog, my newspaper column or other writing projects start here.

z.