I was at a hardware store buying wood for a small shelf.
A large man named Greg picked up a two-by-four, raised it to his eye like a rifle, closed his left eye, and stared down the entire length of the timber with terrifying intensity.
In my country, a warrior aiming an invisible weapon in a public market is preparing for an ambush. I immediately grabbed a second board, raised it to my right eye, and locked into position beside him.
We stood in Aisle 12 for three minutes in total silence, both sighting our lumber like snipers in flannel.
Greg didn't break focus. He squinted deeper, lowered his board two inches, and muttered, "Twisted. Classic."
He tossed it aside, grabbed another, and aimed again. I quickly checked mine, declared it structurally sound in my heart, and held my breath.
Greg looked over at my stance, nodded with immense respect, and said, "You got an eye for Douglas Fir, brother."
I ended up sighting fourteen boards with one eye closed. My left eyelid was twitching for the next two hours.
Yesterday, I saw a young guy buying wood for a doghouse. I stepped up next to him, raised a 2x4 to my right eye, and gave him a sharp nod.
America does not need expensive laser tools to build a nation. It relies on middle-aged men standing in Home Depot, sighting a piece of pine like a rifle to ensure the house stays straight.