This has nothing to do with anything but on one of my trips to Home Depot in the SD area I was sorting through the oak for a project and noticed the maple next to me. There was 8-inch plank with the prettiest wave pattern I ever seen. So to hell with the oak...I sorted through the pile and found two more planks, one cut down in size. I bought all three pieces, giggling and happy all the way home. What a steal, too!
Moral of the story: a score is out there, you just got to be able to see it.
Thus endeth my sermon.