Mehbe I spoke outa turn,,,
Or not, as in I ain’ta complainin’ none,,,
Been busier than a two peckered puppy with the keys to the dogpound at the J.O.B. Busy enough I requested my sis give me a hand in findin’ a Doc for Da,,, Was gonna do the leg work on this end as I am in state, whereas she is not; but dangit,, Busy during the hours they are availible
Is whut it is,,,,, getting real used to settling for that phrase of late, and don’t like it,,, but, there are only so many hours in a day, and only some many aspects of me that can be spread around,,, IE ONE,,,, I might be able to work seemingly miraculous things at times, but I ain’t a god nor an electron,,, I can’t be in two places at the same time. And while I might be able to make the calls from work, the last two have been in Fabrication or remote location and VERY NOISY,,, phone calls are not feasible.
is what it is,,,
at least this pay period will be nicer than usual and I can hammer one of my bills HARD,,, Or split and hit two, one of which will be a second payment this month. Gotta pay off BLooTwuck and all of her medical bills. Somehows, I see that as my future for the next 8-12 months,,,, BUT, I will pay them off by that time,,, Don’t like the interest rates on my cards and not much I can do to lower them (especially considering the way things are in the economy,)
This weekend is slotted for Lifter/cam work (and oil pump) May end up needing to take off the Muhnday to wrap up, but I will try my dangedest to have it out of Da’s hair (his basement more like) by eve of Sonday,,, If that means 10-12 hour days (or more),,, so be it. (I seem to recall I took just over two days for Buffalos head gasket repairs,,, Not much difference in whats going on with this operation,,,)
ANywhuzamuhjoganoht’all, I haven’t had time to look at the world reports, nor think much beyond the work related stuff, so y’alls just have deal with my slow/no posting,,,
More laters
L,L,L,L,L!
(, ‘)
People are people
like ’em or hate ’em, the song was one of those formative ones for me.
I’m gettin’ older, getting more and more set in my ways, like aging concrete, harder and tougher than I was, but showing some cracks too. Weakness both physical and mental in some small ways.
I try to keep a balance, even with my ornery-ness, contrarian, anti-authoritarian set. Don’t like being TOLD nuthin’; especially hate being told ‘this is just how it is’. WHY? is the first thought that goes through my head, second thought is “can it be made/done better?”
Thats caused some friction in the world of my past at times.
LOL Ok, Understated: ’caused A LOT of friction’,,,, There, I fixed it for ya.
Lately, with the things goin’ on behind the scenes here at the shop/stead, I’m running on edge,,, maybe things I read are being mis-interpreted by meself, and if I react negatively, well, it may have been the way something was or wasn’t worded, or the fact that I mis-read it, or
then again, it could be the fact that I am set in my ways and there ain’t really any going back on that now.
For the record, things are SERIOUSLY in flux behind the scenes here. Property issues and an uncertain future of them to be a little more specific. Da is putting his place up for sale in the spring, no SOLID plans from him past that,,, Problems for me being, I have been using his address for my mailing addy for over a decade and my little stead doesn’t HAVE an address,,,, I need to correct that. Da is also trying to finesse something along the lines of my place and Unks, and thats in flux beyond my control at this point. More about that needs not disclosed here: just know that; Dio has a full plate to deal with.
To boot, I am trying to kick start something of my own choosing with Bloo truck and the mobile mechanikin’ think, but not JUST mobile mechanik: I have far more skills I can bring to the table than ‘wrench’, and Bloo is a perfect platform to carry ‘Whatever is needed’ for whatever is called for. I’ve already proven that twice now. Just need to get her mechanical issues sorted through.
Do I know that there is a flood of other mechanics going freelance and mobile? Absolutely, yes. I get it. What I bring to the table that many of them might not is experiance BEYOND the scan-tools. Most of the youngers probably have me licked on that tool (more like DO have me licked) but I can safely say, many of them haven’t the BASICS I grew up learning. I know of one here local that looked at me funny when I said the phrase “Suck, Squish, Bang, Blow” . Had never heard it and didn’t understand that its a simple phrase to explain the fourstroke “Otto-cycle” we commonly call “gas engines”
And I know how to read an O-scope, and understand the principles behind analog to digital signalling. Most of the sensors under the hood are still analog, even if they feed computers. Goofy sensors will F! up a computer just as much now as they did back then.
But I have ZERO interest in putting all of my eggs in one basket (in this case, the basket is the business model) I can wrench today, build a closet tomorrow, and fabricate a kennel on Wednesday.
But here is the real kicker. Everyone thinks that if the bottom falls out, everything STOPS,,,
It will never stop,,, As long as two people are suckin’ atmo, there will be some sort of market taking place. The means of exchange will get sorta flakey around the edges, and barter may make a brief come-back, but PEOPLE WILL BE PEOPLE AND PEOPLE NEED THINGS. Even in Venenzuala, there were markets still exchanging stuff for other stuff, even if the supply chain was nearly destroyed. Even when Rome fell, there were still people doing business, making a living, selling their products,,,,
Its for this reason, I am pushing to get MY WORLD in order,,, Maybe its not the soundest direction, but its a direction I have much more control over. Depending on a J.O.B. is suicide if things continue as they seem to be doing. I would rather have the option of taking my ‘Show’ on the road if needed. I may have lean days, I may have good days, I may have to push limits to make ends meet, BUT, I won’t show up tomorrow and find the doors locked and barred with no fair warning. Thats what I am investing my efforts in; that ‘peace of mind’ that I AM IT, and no one propping my ass up. Its sorta scary and very exciting at the same time.
And as for the fun and games of the Political Kabuki theater we have going on. I stand on my statements that “the Constitution” has been made meaningless in this day and age; now just a tool to bludgeon the opposition with when they step too far left or right, and a puppet master to keep up the illusion of a “Republic”. We haven’t been on that road since just before Lincoln had his brains blown out. We really lost ground in 1913, again in the 1930’s with all the socialist pograms introduced into the system, again under JFK and the CIA growth, Nixon abolishing the Gold Standard, Reagan and incorporating SSI into the general funds, etc etc etc etc etc,,,,,
THIS is why I stopped talking so much about the crap (wrote Carp, maybe shoulda stuck with that word, as its stinks of rotted fish most days.)
I’m tired of yelling into the canyon, my voice is tired, I’m tired of the never ending show of bullshit and NO ONE EVER DOING WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
STOP COMPLYING.
(and for those that think I don’t live my words,,, I don’t advertize my non-compliance: advertising it would be construed as “admission of Guilt” and I DO believe the 5th Amendment can be effective. In other words, SHUT YOUR FRELLIN TRAP.)
More laters
The FA:FO file
this missive is all I am going to say about the fun in Mini-no-place,,,
FA;FO goes both ways,,, Right now, it seems that there is a some push from one side to get the other side in full arms. YOU figure out which side I am refering to,, it goes both ways, doesn’t it?
Second: If you are a ‘peaceful Protester’ keep in mind that LEO of all stripes are paranoid of weaponry. Weaponry can be anything from that 4000# SUV you are aiming at them, or as simple (HA!) as a 14oz handgun or 32oz Louisville slugger. ITS NOT THE TOOL, ITS THE INTENT!!! And that intent is what is being judged in those cases,,, if such LEO sees your intent as detrimental to their going home, they are going to respond IN KIND, and believe me, they have the force of Law backing them,,, Your position is the weaker stance, no matter what tool your intent chooses to use.
NOW,,, My real position on all of this stuff,,,
PURE DISTRACTION. I am seeing mulitple vectors in play, some good some bad, some indifferent, some retrogressive even (not neccisarily bad regression either, like bringing REAL PRIDE back into the Military forces, not the shame that was instilled during the last auto-pen presidency.)
There are so many things playing UNDER THE SURFACE these days, and I keep one thing in mind, something from one of Sarah Hoyts books. I’ll paraphrase the quote as I haven’t permission to use it verbatim. “Control the source of energy, you can control people in very subtle ways.” Maybe our national Federal Gooberment IS the ‘gas man’ of the world, and maybe that position is in jeopardy with China and Russia making bull runs on sources and supplies and even Gaming the BRICS strategem in the other power player, “Currency”.
The Maduro regime destroyed that country, and even destroyed its energy production, essentially turning it into a third world shithole where people were doing home invasions to abduct a KAT for dinner, usually killing the owner in the process. Rumor had it that there were even instances of canniblism due to outrageous and widespread hunger problems. As for the abduction of MADuro by the US,, I do think it was over-reach by our government, and Stated as much in a recent post, but the way things are going, I can’t condemn this action. I can say that many of the charges listed were complete bullshit (how to you hold a president of another country, accountable underr US laws,,, I’m talking the whole ‘unregisterd fully automatics” charge,,, WTF?)
I do believe there was a better way of dealing with this, but that being said, I think it was also done for the optics of it. This was this admin saying “RULES? We make the rules!!!” to the rest of the world, and specifically to Putin and Xi. This is the last gasp of a SuperPower. China and Russia already know they are done as such and positioning for the next phase of the game.
There is also a certain amount of “Banker” stink to all of this as well. That whole “Last of the countries not ran by a Rothschilds bank” comes to mind.
Fact: Top down is DYING,,,, Look around the world and all fo the topdown structures are failing. Even this country is failing if you really pay attention to the money supply/debt ratio/ printing press operations,,, and that doesn’t aim the blow at this Administration specifically, but all of them since Nixon,,,
They are high on their own supply and the masks are coming off and people are seeing “Hey, all of these taxes we are paying, are feeding this corruption. Why are we still paying?”
And that leads to TAX REVOLT and THAT!!! is something I can get behind. the rest of this shit,,, Stupid theater for the masses to keep them from seeing that the facade is faked and falling off the brick wall at the back of the theater stage. (the one that will be littered with bullet holes, blood splatters and brain bits, when one side or the other takes control and puts the other side down.)
I have my own little world that needs completed and ready for when those winds of change start howling. I can fully see this country going full Balkans-like in the next 18 months, and that it will start right around the midterms.
No prognostications here, just gut instincts. And thats why I have more interest in a Bloo truck and tools right now.
Give me your thoughts, but I am not really up to discussion on this,,, Too partisan for my own ends right now. Only thing I can say, If shit goes teats up, all bills are settled. (and if you think our gooberment isn’t thinking the same thing??? LOL)
LLLLL!
(, ‘)
woke with the blahs
Not ill, just ‘no motivation’
I blame the weather. Its grey and froggy out, can not see through the woods to the downhill places, so much mist in the air out there.
Not KOLD, but not exactly warm either. and that mist makes the chill seem deeper.
kinda sorta wanna work on the Shed, kinda don’t wanna pull the tools out to do so, kinda wanna go pull the covers over my head too,,, LOL Is what it is, eh? Life carries forward even when you don’t wanna,,,
Little something too,,, Cosmos. His girlie friend, Patch has been in lockdown all week: she is in heat. Poor puppers is ‘In LUVVVVV’ and being young studly boy mutt, has been rare treat around the house.
Except today,,, here he is, looking all depressed and lonesome.
Apparently this weather is having an effect on Patches hormones and pheremones,,, Love lost and poor puppers is in withdrawal from hormone highs. At least Elbs is happy again: his buddy is home, even if said buddy doesn’t feel up to playin much. He at least has his ‘warm spot’ to curl up with.
Yeah,,, I’m blamin the weather on the blahs,,,, I’ll force motivation a bit later, I need to get off my arsse and DO something,,, Just don’wanna right now. (maybe after my third pot of coffee, caffeine will kick in and rocket fuel will propel me outside,,,)
y’all take care today,,, more laters
(note, the crap up in Minnie No place,,, Watching, have conflicting opinions, so holding my cards to my chest,,, Nothing I wish to deploy here about that crap. )
L,L,L,L,L!
(, ‘)
Only added reinforcements,,,
Talkin’ bout Doc visit today.
Da doesn’t like docs, never has, likely never will. The Orthopedic we went to today (cuz whats bothering dad most is loss of strength in his arm from pain) did what I expected, but his ‘bedside manner’ left much to be desired. That, and a four hour wait time in an empty building,,, or at least our section was devoid of patients. Just a receptionist, and two nurses. First X-rays (in another section) then hurryupnwaitssss Well, at least the reason there was ‘looking at the xrays’, but,,,,
Typical stuff, ‘lets see you walk’ (which is a valid observable tool, dad still griped) to pushing and pulling on hands, arms and fingers, rubber hammer to reflex points and final diag was “His right arm is weak”
Like NO SHIT SHERLOCK!!!! Whutz ya tink we are here for?
Well,, Scheduled an MRI as the xrays don’ show anything out of the ordinary. I have no idea, I didn’t see them, ain’t trained in that shit, and
I dunno,,,, I am starting to think my Chiropractor has more valid treatment plans for people than most of the Docs in the Sick-care system these days. Hell, My Chiro spotted the fact that I dislocated a shoulder and was able to make some corrections to it, despite the fact that I had done that damage 20 years prior. And that was just by putting me on a table and stretching me out to align my back. No X-rays, no MRI’s, ,,, No surgery, no DRUGS,,,,
And believe me, I was ready with the “I don’t believe in a Mechanic in a can, I sure as shit don’t believe in a physcian in a pill bottle.” thing. Mild Painkillers, OK, but you start prescribing opiods to him: I has a problem,,, I really have no desire to deal with an 85 year old Junkie.
And actually, there was a promise of some painkillers to be prescribed (no mention of what,,) and that didn’t happen either,,,, still waiting on the word from the pharmacy there,,,
sigh,,,,
And we kids cannot get it through Da’s head that he needs a PRIMARY CARE at his stage in life,,, nopes,, it’s ” if I need a doc, I’ll find one”
OK<,, Stepping off the Venting stage,,,
On to whats goin’ on in the wrenchin’ world of Dio. Gonna hold off on doing the surgery on Blooie right now. Dad is gonna open the basement again to me next weekend,,, and then, Dig-in and get greasy,,, All the parts are here with the exception of stuff I need to procur locally, Oil, filter, stuff like that,,,
BUT, Dio is feeling a little rubbed raw by the old Twuck right now, wants a break. at least one weekend to get my head unwired and unstressed. I mean, it sounds simple: replace the lifters and cam and some gaskets,,, Been here before, though that job was headgaskets on Buffalo,,, the whole top end needs to come apart, EVERYTHING comes off or out, to include the radiator this time. (no room to pull the cam with it in the way)
Some spoilers of whats forthcoming on Bloo! At least Bloo has a lot more real estate to work in, even if she sits at a higher elevation. (I need a stepstool to reach deeper in LOL and I’m 6′)
and its not just the upper,, Pulling the oilpan again for that pump swap.
No, not complaining,, just stating, and hoping y’all understand why I am holding off a week,,,
Heck, I FINALLY got my fingernails clean from the last round.
And some are gonna say “but you wanna do this for a living? what gives?”
INCOME,,,, this ain’t making me money: its costing me,,, not just my time, but real honest to DAWG cash… I just got a paycheck from the J.O.B. and paid some of the payments to the debt that this has incurred. and that was a drop in the damned bucket,,, Its winter-time, there won’t be much to do about pushing the ‘bizz’ while I am getting things together (LLC, cards, advert etc)
and I want a break because I want a damned break,, DEAL ROFL thats called FREEDOM and one of those things I could go on and on about. And my Favorite story about such (buried as a chapter of this BOOK) talks about the “secret weapon” F!IW! Freedom! I won’t! The power of the word NO,,, (and many a parent recall when the Child FIRST learns that word and how frustrating that can be.)(thanks for the correction)
Anygobsmackits,,, I’m goin off on a tangent there. I don’t wanna work on twucks this weekend, thats the long and short of it. I AM working on getting that wood shed up,,, just piddlin, but still moving forward
and thats all that needs said on the matter, right?
Looks like the upcoming week is gonna be one where things keep getting cut short at the J.O.B. weather looks like its gonna start rollin’ into the February freeze-zone, and while I would like full weeks worth of pay, I don’t wanna lose any digits of my flesh either. So, Woodshed, so that wood is closer to the front door (back door actually) and when the weather sucks ass for working, I’ll be warm and toasty with books and writing for your entertainments.
Live
Love
Laugh
Learn
LOAD!
full day in
first in many moons it seems. Too bad I have to take tomorrow off for Da (doc visit) Is whut’tiz, no complaints cuz I’d rather HEAR what the doc has to say than expect Da to remember it all AND act on it. (He absolutely dislikes docs and being told what to do.)(Hmmmm,,, wonder where that little trait of mine came from,,,LOL)
All zee Blooie parts are in my hands,,, One tool not yet here, but shows is in area and slotted for delivery tomorrow. Thats the extractor tool for the lifters.
AND, I just finished kicking Buffalo out of her stall for the weekend, Hoping the weather holds and that I can get this stuff done, and not resort to kicking Da and the ‘Coma out of his basement. (and the damned packrats had already made a nest under Buff’s hood, despite my starting her every other day,,,, Frellin’ RATZ!!! I need to get some spearmint oil or something, to drive them off.)(they have already been evicted with prejudice. And I blame my silly putty-tats for lack of proper response: little bastaches are too well fed apparently.)
Fact, I need too really look at the weather right now so that I can make sure this is the way to go… Da has made the offer, but I’d rather not do that to him again. (recall: last time I said it was going to be a two day job, and it ended up being three weeks plus.) (And, I could hold off a week if needed,, looks like the next 72 hrs are gonna be WET with emphasis on ‘wet with winds’,,,)
anywhooozabaj-ja-jings,,, I’m beat, HUNGRY, and sorta sore too. All the posts I sank here at the stead have left my shoulders a might beat up. (the SpudBar, 35# and high impact. Leaves a mark, and not just on the soil and rocks.)
more later-ers
Live
Learn
Laugh
LOVE
LOAD!
(, ‘)
The Humdrum of the ‘Stead
After J.O.B. efforts, I return to the ‘Stead and do other things. Most days, not much o nuthin.
This week though,,, little mores of sumpins,,,,
Building a new wood shed closer to the house, away from future carports. Gotta build it before I can move the wood, Salvaged 4×4’s that Da dropped on me several years aback, Long ones too! 10′! I’ve held onto them because ‘reasons’,,, and now,, they has use. Sank the poles into 2′ holes, and using those Highway barriers as a ‘pen’ to hold the rock I’m using as a base (and to level it out) Thats just to keep the wood off the wet ground, Big stone to drain fast and 6″ thick to keep the wet further away. (the stone is from my driveway, a section I haven’t driven on in several years. Cost? already bought and paid for)
Yes, I know my gutter needs attention,,, shush,,,,
Woodshed closer to the house, north side where the winds blow hardest and exposed to sun to help ‘season’ the wood inside. Lazy me pointed out to Da that when I get a load of wood, I can just ‘roll it down the hill to the shed’ from the drive,,, Split and stack, done dealios,,, And not a trudge out and back when it gets cold. Doesn’t look like much, but thats 10’x6’x6′ at its lowest level. I will get the framing peices here over the weekend to finish out the box, and I have oodles of ‘tin’ rooffing to cover it with. Might be some holes in the tin from old nails, but not enough to worry about in a woodshed
Total cost? About 3-8hr days effort when said and done. (I’m about 5hours into it so far)
And I’m collecting BLoo parts,,, As they arrive.
Bloo tossed me a surprise today though. Was going to the J.O.B. and suddenly she was FRELLIN’ LOUD!!! OMG, so loud,,, Had no clue what the hell, Felt like a rod knock again too.
Nopes,,,, Just something I sorta fugg’ed up, and didn’t realize. I changed out her O2’s the other day, and surprise-surprise, had to use the demo-hammer to bust them loose,, Got that, right? Probably OE sensors, and they were rust welded on tight.
Welllllzzz
When I did, by vibration, I had loosened the three bolts holding the flange at the manifold, Didn’t spot it. (this is the new manifold I replaced, not the passengers side with its original stud/nut setup.)
Those bloody things were walking out for two days, and the noise; open manifold right at my feet on the otherside of the firewall, and the ‘knock’ was the pipe and flange bouncing around.
Oh, and that ticking lifter,,, getting quieter. Still gonna do the deed as it is NOT going away, but its a whole lot quieter than it was. I’ve been real easy on her not pushing hard to get to speed, no second gear downshifts to stop. Light footed I have been,,,
But thats the sorts of things that happen around here, not world moving insightful perspectives, but down to earth humdrum-itudes,,,
Live
Learn
Laugh
LOVE
LOAD!
Dio's Workshop 