upper body was momentarily engulfed in a flame ball the "size of a Volkswagon Bug".
"Norwalk Hospital has my information on hand, and I know the Emergency Room doctors and secretaries personally now, as I usually have to go to the ER about once a month, maybe more."
One instance when the dangers of blacksmithing affected Greg was while he was attending the Center for Global Studies, and a social worker pulled him out of his classroom and asked him if he was being physically abused at home. Lirot laughs and remembers almost fondly, "I had so many burns on my body from the sparks and debris that hit me from my forge, that it looked like I had cigarette burns on my skin. I found this hilarious, and the social worker, concerned for me, called and then actually visited my house to determine whether I was living in a fit home or not." Blacksmithing is not a hobby for everyone, clearly depicted by Lirot, involving constantly burning your skin, and at times putting yourself in the way of death. But this is what makes Greg's hobby so unique, that few would even attempt what he does every day.
reg insists the inspiration for this odd hobby didn't come from anywhere. "I was bored one day, and I just thought, eh, looks fun, why not." Little did he know then that blacksmithing would play such a big part in his life. Said Lirot of why he would recommend blacksmithing: "You get to play with fire and power tools, who wouldn’t want to do this?" A member of a generation known for being glued to a TV or computer screen, Lirot again refuses to conform. He isn't too fond of television, or any movies at all. Instead he spends the majority of his time outdoors, working with his hands and enjoying nature, through group hikes and many summer camps. He remains consistent with this theme of a "simple lifestyle," preferring reading to television, saying its both "more relaxing and informative." Greg predominantly reads philosophy books, enticed by their "ability to feed you their theories, while also encouraging you to gather your own opinions, and make your own conclusions."
Greg is also a member of ABANA (Artists Blacksmiths Association of North America), an association created to be a gathering place of blacksmiths from all around the country, both online and at live meetings in local areas. ABANA serves as a hub for all blacksmith members to sell and trade tools and knives, along with ironwork to be sold from blacksmith to blacksmith. Despite its many intriguing traits, blacksmithing has one major setback: the monthly cost to be a blacksmith. Said Lirot, "I spent 5,000 dollars on a single melding tool last week - its impossible to be a respectable blacksmith with tools that are either low-end or don't even function." To compensate for the economic demands of his profession, Greg sells the majority of his iron work on the ABANA website, meeting other blacksmiths and making money to keep his tool collection up to date.
He refers to himself as an adrenaline junkie, taking "calculated risks" anytime he can, and perhaps this is why he chose blacksmithing. "It’s satisfying when you can accomplish feats that others can't, and I love challenging myself to do things most people wouldn't think I could or would do." He is certainly doing just that, doing something people don't expect him to do, and he's enjoying every step along the way.
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Playing with Fire
Junior Greg Lirot's amazing hidden talent as never seen before
- 11/02
More by Ben Hall
enry Ford, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg. These individuals all share one common trait, that while the majority of the world's population flowed into the common, crowded sea of conformity, they chose to swim against the current and search for their own waterway to create for themselves. These individuals thought outside of the box, and chose to do something that no one else was doing. They sought to channel their individualism, and be inspired to be who they wanted to be. Junior Gregory Lirot may not Bill Gates, but mentally, he's on his way.
Most Darien teenagers participate in team sports, the school band, or after school clubs, but not Greg. He chooses to pursue a unique hobby, one that people wouldn't expect- Greg is a blacksmith. The art and mastery of blacksmithing is the ability to manipulate and control metals to ultimately create large pieces of intricate iron work. By manipulating the temperature exposed on the metal the blacksmith is trying to shape, the metal can be shaped in nearly any way a person could imagine. Greg says he was always interested in how the atomic structure of metals effects how they can be shaped, and that is one main reason why he got involved with blacksmithing. "I'm not a pyro - I'm just fascinated by the chemical reaction. I've always been intrigued to find out how things work."
Perhaps his distinct interest can be attributed to his unique educational background. Greg attended Middlesex Middle School in Darien, then spent his Freshman and Sophomore years at a magnet school in Norwalk called the Center for Global Studies to learn Arabic. The reason for this change in school districts, said Lirot, was to learn the Arabic language and enlist into the US army as an Arabic Translator, a very useful position in the military. After two years of the language however, Lirot gave it up and decided to return to normal Liberal Arts courses at Darien High School. Today, he dedicates much of his time to furthering his interest in blacksmithing.
ot known by many, blacksmithing is a very dangerous hobby. Greg warns anyone thinking about trying out blacksmithing, "It's a great hobby, very fun, but if you don't pay attention, little mistakes can kill you." Greg's casual, friendly demeanor swiftly reversed into a state of fear and complete seriousness when the dangers of blacksmithing were brought up. He told of one instance where his entire
