Bear with me as the signal clears,,,
Yes, I’ve beena drinkin,,,,
Seems I may have spoke prematurely,,,
Took Bloo out for a spin, a quick drink run to the store; something other than coffee and water,,, Not alky-haul, not in the budget for ‘extra’ past whats on the shelf at home currently (yes, that means I was goin’ for a “pop”,,, down to only a few a week, not the 12 pack every other day that I had been,,,)
I’m not a happy camper at this stage. All during the last couple of weeks, dealing with the valve seals, I figured I had this licked,,,
Doing the running adjustments, Figured I had this licked,,,
Running to the store, she started SPEWING WHITE SMOKE out the arse end,,, Left a frellin’ vapor trail for 2 miles to the store,,, didn’t not diminish the return trip. Fact (more like empirical observation on my part) seems like it got WORSE,,, Underneath, much dryer than she had been. That cooler line (nad its just the one) was wet, with some blow back from that, but nowhere near enough to leave a frellin’ vapor trail like she did.
I came home, parked the Bloo, and sat on a cinder block and cried,,, Then I busted open a bottle. I love this truck, but its pretty obvious, the former abuse has killed this engine,,,, It matters not what I do, she wants to die and stay dead,,,,,
She’s parked back in her spot under the carport, nearest the house, facing outbound. Half under, half exposed. Tool boxes out, cab and hood under.
What now?
New block (or at least new to me,,, I can deal with Used so long as it ain’t abused,,,) I’m done fuckin around here. This particular block WANTS to die. The rest of the truck is being copasetic as hell about ‘hey, we’z runnin’gain!’ This block,
jeez
this block,,,, I’m done. I ain’t even gonna order parts for it until I know I have another block in hand, or on way.
And pay off bills. LOTS of bills that need paid down/off before that ‘new Block’ can become a reality. LOTS going on in my world PAST a simple little Bloo Twuck as well. I haven’t the patience for ALL OF IT at once,,,, BLOO SITS!!! And I may even put blocks under hard points to keep those tires from getting flat spots ($2000 worth of rubber,,, Yeah,,, I have no desire to see those do bad things due to time.)
And part of me, (granted, intoxicated brainium here bear with me,,,) is saying ‘maybe this mobile mech thing ain’t what Universe wants of you?”
and there is a valid point there,,, I have WAY more skills than just wrenching, and the way things are goin’ with Bloo, I have some doubts of my skills there,,, Not gonna write the whole thing off: Hell NO!, too invested in it, But that does NOT mean it has to be the ‘bread and butter’ side of things.
FACT: some of the things happening on this side of the screen, stuff that I have not devolved in these screeds (privacy stuff,, deal) I have been getting Nudges towards,,,, Maybe I should say BACK TOWARDS Wild ass fabrications and whatever keeps the income flowing,,, Be that wrenching on a POS FOad! today,, or custom building a Double Drive gate for some rich toady that thinks he’s special, or Making a steam engine in my shop (follow along, I know I don’t have said shop YET!) for some Prepper that wants one, has the skills for a boiler, but not the machine,,,, (I won’t build a boiler, there are better ways of getting superheated steam without creating a bomb in your basement.)
Don’t know if ya recall, I said I had some premonitions about Bloo, and with the extending list of issues, those premonitions are bearing fruit. I KNOW a new(er) block will END this Fuckedness,,, But I have literally tapped out my credit getting to this point and STILL this block wants to die. (Yes, I know, I shoulda listened to saner heads and just did the block from the get-go. I would be in much better financial shape: that I am certain of, NOW,,,, Live and learn)(and this lesson will NOT be forgotten,,, In fact, I am already incorporating it into my ‘business’ and told one person, “don’t bother, get a block, pay once, cry once.”,,,,,,)
NOT A BLEG,,, I’m doing ‘ok’. (thanks in no small part to Mike in FLA,,, thanks again Mike,,, Was NOT expected in any way..)
Bills ARE getting paid, even if not as well as I would desire,,, that will change with the warmer months and more production at the J.O.B. Nothing going to collections,, thats a bonus. Even with needing to take time for the Da, I am doing alright.
As for “shop”,,,, Da is selling his place, and I believe I mentioned that once or twice. Well,, Some of my stuff ‘resides’ at Da’s place as his is climate controlled and lots of floor space in the basement. Machine tools,,, 3n1 chineesium lathe mill, an old PorterCable Drill press, Porter cable table saw, my foundry stuff (thats outside, and shoulda been moved years back,,,) Da KNOWS I have no desire to lose that gear,, Made offer to put a ‘shop’ on my place to move it to “Once the house sells” I’m gonna not look this gift horse in the mouth. No way,,, take it and smile and MAKE IT WORK OUT. May not be “prime real-estate” for my dreams, but here I stand, I can do no other.
And if that stuff is close by, I can make it work. I would much prefer a “Real” engine lathe, but thats one of those things that can be pickedup later,,,, I still kick myself for letting my Bend go,,, I know she is in a good home now, and hopefully being used. Oh,, And she turns 100 this year in September,,,, Go Gurl!!! She was still cutting a 12″ pass with less than.004″ taper when I sold her. there are modern machines that call that GOLD,,, She called it a standard!
Bloo sits, Buffalo up! Ol’ reliable remains the steady ticket in my world. At least I managed to get her alignment done this weekend.
And i spend the next few weeks getting in touch with Nudge to find out WTELF she intends for me, for the rest of my days,,,, Because my ideas are getting shot in the foot left and right,,,,
Bloo-ie UP!
Seals in, no leaky leaky from there,,, I am getting a slight drip from the cooler lines, Hadn’t seen it earlier (thought it was blown there) but while under her looking at the seal, had a drop hit right between me eyes,,,
Not a big deal, Bloo isn’t going to be driven a whole lot and the cooler lines are fairly inexpensive. Will have to wait until such time as I get a full frellin’ week in at the J.O.B. hence, She doesn’t get drove much. (and I’m gonna hang on to the old ones,,, there are places around here that rebuild hydrualic lines, Gonna see about getting them rebuilt as back up.)
BUT, she is UP’N’RUNNIN’! No rickety-tickety valves/lifters, front seal is solid again, and me fingers is crossed that this is it for a spell. (other than the cooler lines I mentioned: thats an easy 20 minute swap out when in hand.)
Weather is FREAKIN’ AWESOME right now. Sitting at 75F outside right now. Has the house open to let the air flow through (will need to close up come 5ish, gonna cool off out there,) And I can FEEL Spring in the air. This is not gonna last, but it tells me that the next couple of cold snaps are gonna be weak and short, with a possible one that drops through the basement into single digits for a day. I can only hope its not the weekend I am camping LOL.(this usually happens right after the Bradfford Pear trees bloom out.)
But right now, the Tiger Lillies are busting out thier colors all over the place. Seeing some trees starting to bud up and its a month early. I trust thier cycles far more than the weather liars,,, They are more ‘grounded’ in nature than some dood at a computer console looking at computer models,,,,
Talkin’bout campin’. Eldest sis is gonna be in town to take care of Da around the same time. I can relax then, really relax, knowing that there is SOMEONE here in my stead, not hopin’ Da’s sis can hold the fort down. Already packin’ for the trip: Fletched out another ha’dozen shafts for target funs Gonna take a couple of stick throwers for us to “Zen Out” with. Between the other ‘events’ we planned, like drinking, eatin’ drinkin’ boochittin”, drinkin’,,,,, Did I mention some drinkin’? Yeah, that too.
Anywuzerbangers,,, its NICE out, and I need to be out in it,,, y’all take care, have some memes, and Love ya all!
LLLLL!
(, ‘)
Satyrday wowsers and relaxin’
Whuz a Dio do to relax?
He works on shit,,,, Or kayakz but waters still way tooooookkkoooooollddddd fer that’un.
I did the idler arm on Buffalo today, have new pitman arm to install, but didn’t see need. Thank goodness: that thing is in a seriously jammed tight, ain’t gettin’ at nuthin easy, gotta take it damned near OUT of the vehicle to get the main nut and use the pitman arm puller,,,. Very intimidating project,,, But once the new Idler arm was in place, things went from loosey-goosey to STIFF!!!,,,, COOL!!!! Didn’t wanna do that arm anyways,,,,
Alignment,,, Went WAY smooth,,, was even able to do a caster sweep with the end result right at 0, where it belongs. Both front tires were positive cambered, but I knew that,
not so much now. Negative 1 degree per and a zero sweep, doesn’t pull at all, and steers like she should, without trying to jerk the wheel out of my hands when crossing road gaps.
And I did some work on Bloo too! Pulled that harmonic and looked at the old seal. Wasn’t the outer ring leaking, it was definitely the seal, Pull it out, and install new, that really does feel tighter on the shaft than the one I just pulled. Letting the RTV around the outer ring cure up overnight before I do anymore under that hood. Tomorrow, no rush,,,
Spent a bit with Da today too. Has some work that needs done towards his ‘house sellin’ plans’ Unfortunately, it must be doen snail mail,,, no other way to contact the owner of the property he is eyeballin’.
that means I need to figure out what my printer needs. My handwriting has gone down hill over the last few years with my increased level of typing (and old age,,,)
sigh,,,
Or I just pay a buck at the library and let them print it out on theres,,,, Sure seems a lot less headachy that way (and tha’s whuts eyez gonna do!)
It’s been quite the relaxin’ sorta day! And SPRING weather to boot!!!
More laters,,, domestics tomorrow and more Bloo funs afterfact,,,
LLLLL!
(, ‘)
Fo’whutizwo’th
11 1/2 hours this week.
Bills paid.
Tha’s me paycheck,,,After the bills was paid,,,
NOT A BLEG!!!!! (but won’t yell atcha if’n ya did) (see last post for alternate option)
Forced the issue with a doc and da! Went to his office, MRI and Xray images in hand, said “want an appointment, NOW!” got one for afternoon Muhnday. Have a second on tap from the Referal hoopla on TWoozday at 1. Hopin’ like the dickin’s that the first bears fruit, as two days, (even two half days) off the J.O.B. are gonna leave a mark I don’t wanna deal with. Will, but don’wanna.
this week being prima ezzemplar of what happens when the first two days are NOT spent in productive effort. Gah,,, sucks, only BEGINS to describe it.
About like that accident they had yesterday on 119 where a Septic sucker got plowed and ruptured on a busy local highway. TOTAL shutdown and SUCKS only begins to describe what First Responders dealt with,,,, Can you say “full hazmat gear”? I knew you could!
Not a bad day, actually quite fruitful despite the lack of income flow,,, And thats one that I have remedy for, but still a “work in progress”, and blimey me, why has that damned print shop NOT returned proofs for my approval?
anywhazabangamagijigoowitz,,,, I’m not pushing,,, Bloo ain’ta ready: close, but that only works in handgrenades and tactical nukes. I DID pick up that daggum seal at the local parts place (and paid three times more for it than list on RockAuto, but, since it was the only thing I needed, I would have paid the same price with shipping,,, eat it and smile!) This weekend begins with my ‘swallowing pride’ and helpin’ out bad cuz: he needs someone with a scan tool to look at his POS FoAdTwuck that sounds like its running on two cylinders currently. He ate crow to come ask, I can eat my pride and aqueiesce to his pleas: For a fee mind you. He’s getting the benefit of fams for a $20 fee to hook up and scan. Anything after that has additional costs attached, but I ain’ta goin’ there just yet,,, Will see. Its not like he actually has any money,,, the junkie he and his GF are,,, they are broke a day after payday (SSI payments) and stay that way for the remainder of the month. If that ‘image’ gives you the willies, I ask you, “What do you think I see on the daily?” I can’t avoid it; they are between me and the rest of the world, leaving my ‘stead,,,,
yah,,, that doesn’t give me a very good outlook on what the future could hold for this country,,,,
BUT,,, its Freeday: time to relax a bit before my fun-work begins. this weekend is Align the Buffalo, and if time permits, Re-seal BLoo and any clean up things that need done. IF’n I can drum up any paying work, either or both get put the wayside for a minute. They aren’t gonna blow up and ain’t goin’ anywhere fast,,,
Mo’laters!!! Love y’all
LLLLL! (, ‘)
straightenin’ up
A couple o jigs I made to do alignments. The one has the angle gauge on it (magnetic mount, hot swappable!) (and do you see how wet my driveway is?!?!? Thats ground seepage from the hill, coming up through the gravels.)
Not doing the alignment just yet,, Need to replace the Idler arm and Pitman arm, (the pitman arm is a real PITA too.) possibly the tie-rod ends, though I don’t think so. (hard to tell with the idler arm so seriously wanked.) You can see in that second picture just how bad her alignment is right now (and that’s mostly due to that idler arm Seriously, that thing is janked and only 2 years old.)
She steers straight, doesn’t pull, but that side is really really OFF,,, (camber is off on both, but its really taking a toll on the passenger side tire)
so thats the plan for this weekend. Straighten up the Buffalo.
Live
Learn
LaUgH
LOVE
LOAD!
avoiding the negative
Short day today. Shop day building stuff, but not much to build. Rain out on all other counts.
and trying like hell to avoid the negative influences in my little world right now. Stopped at Da’s and his attitude is full on negative right now. Not just the shoulder pain and eyesight issues, but the news feeds feeding discontent and propaganda,,, And much of it counter to what people out here in the real world are seeing and feeling.
Like the Economy. Trumped was spouting about how good things are, but out here, its starting to feel more like Wiemar. Daily price increases in basics that can’t be put aside,
but by Dawg, the computers and cell phones sure are cheap (as long as they come loaded with bloatware and spying apps.)
and the news feeds are so confusing about whats going on,
Are we on the verge of WWIII? sure as shit feels like it, then suddenly, Iran and Israel are calling a ceasefire again,, AGAIN,,,
“No, you can’t have your little war, you haven’t finished the last one!” Pure distraction.
So whats to be distracted from? Why, the fact that the world economy is on the skids and sliding down the avalanche at speed. Can’t have the plebes worried now can we? Oh no, gotts to keep up the pretense that everything is just fine and these proxy wars and chest thumpings are nothing to worry about.
Who aren’t we hearing from currently? China? Russia? North Korea? Brazil? Even the Sauds are keeping a low profile,,, Qatar raised its head for these ‘crisis in MENA’, but I doubt they have as much influence as the House of Saud.
BRICS,,, think about it,,, And I will leave that right there as an exercise of the mind.
Avoiding the negative,,, ha! tryin’! Failing too.
I blame the weather,,,, Late Feb early March weather always gets me in a grey mood,,, Not enough kayaking of late (as in NONE) nor camping. That last is in the works. Brudda B Brudda J and I are planning a weekend in the woods with fire and cold and SILENCE around the 13th of March. 3day2night weekend. Winter camping before the buggies start coming out of hibernation. Fiscally, can’t really afford it, Spiritually, I can’t afford not to. I will be there.
More laters,,,
LLLLL!
(, ‘)
Back at the J.O.B.
and I’m also fiscally spent and emotionally bankrupt at this point. Lots goin’ on behind the scenes.
Ran across this and laughed out loud, Yah,,, we were not those to gloss over the obvious much.
Not much to add to the fray, Did NOT watch the SOTU address last night, though the stink about the Dems doing Dem-crap,,, Not surprised. I just wasn’t up to wading through the jargon and skewed perceptions, OF BOTH SIDES, to bother.
Lets face it: this country is a hot mess right now, with Fraud and Corruption exposed to broad daylight and NO ONE IS BEING HUNG OR SHOT,,, Then, to cover asses, we are facing another war with someone that has enough problems of thier own, and all at the behest of Campaign contributors that shouldn’t be allowed to contribute in the first place, but, here we are,,, Fake and Ghey BOoChit and I has enough on mine and Da’s plate to keep me spent and drained for months/years to come
And I still have to make the donuts to pay the collectors (not that I am in collections, but the bills are still there,,,)
So, tonight, I turn up the tunes, pour a glass of something flammible, turn on the system and jam on some tunes,,, GenX meditation at its finest.
Y’all take care,,, Loves ya
LLLLL!
(, ‘)
Dio's Workshop 