I don't think it's pathetic at all. I used to think it was pathetic back when I was having a good ol' time trying to get a Boy Scout campfire going and it took me !@#$in' forever! (Not to mention we needed the fire to cook dinner!)

Like all equipment, skills should be tested, too. In fact, this particular forum may need to be renamed to "Around the Campfire (Once we get it lit in an hour or two…)".