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My Craft

I bring this on myself by watching what my friend Keith calls self-congratulatory awards shows like the Golden Globes, which I watched the other night. You always hear actors (and please, pronounce that with a long o so it sounds especially pretentious) talking about their craft. You repeatedly hear sage advice like, “practice your craft where ever you can” and “not matter what you do, be proud of your craft” and “I am so blessed to be able to practice my craft.”

I can’t help but feel that talking that way makes what they do seem and feel a lot more important than it really is. Don’t get me wrong, I’m impressed with good acting and pay good money when I can to see it. And I recognize that to do what actors do takes a lot of hard work, talent, and personal sacrifice. My daughter works her butt off to hone her dancing craft, my wife is continually refining her photography craft. I get it.

But lots of things take hard work and talent. My brother has a PhD in chemistry and runs his own analytical lab. You don’t think that took a lot of hard work, talent, and personal sacrifice? I’ve never heard him waxing poetic about his craft. Then again, maybe that is why I don’t see him on awards shows and why he doesn’t pull down a six figure salary. Maybe if we all thought of what we do as our craft, maybe if we all spoke eloquently about our craft more people would think what we all do is ever so important. Maybe others would value what we do.

So…in that spirit, from now on I am going to teach all young archaeologists to think of archaeology as their craft. My advice to all archaeologists, young and old, is…be proud of your craft, always strive to refine your craft, and be grateful every day that you are lucky enough to be able to practice your craft. Every chance you get, whether it is a Phase I or Phase 3, a Mississippian mound or a 20^th century trash pile, never miss your chance to refine your craft. Some day you too will be recognized for your mastery of your craft, and even if you aren’t remind yourself that you are blessed simply to be able to practice your craft.

You may never have a job that keeps you out of crappy hotels and all-you-care-to-eat buffets, and you may never pay off your student loans, but at least you will have suffered and sacrificed for a craft.