Fell out
Snow storm blowin in last night, Contacted Brudda B about where the front was as he was in direct line to it between m’self and weather front. That was around 7pm.
He contacted me back at 8:30,,,
I was sawin’ logs, watchin’ the movies play on the inside of me eyelids,,,,
I did not wake up till wee early hours due to hydraulic pressures,,, Somewheres around 3aye-em. then right back into the depths of Lucidity.
Its rollin’ onto 6:30 here and I am getting mine arse prepared for the J.O.B., but fully prepared to recieve that “no work today” text as well. Not that its a shit ton of snow that we picked up, but that snow traverses the state and our work site is half way to the other side. A few hours worth of driving, and I’ma bettin’ Son of Bossman calls it. Safety First, right?
that last would be my usual day,,,,
Rather surprised that poppin’ that crankshaft in dropped me like it did. Maybe it was just the sudden relaxation of ‘its all downhill now’ that knocked me over. Dunno. Just know I was down for the count and had 4 sets of eyeballs looking at me longingly this morn when I did rise. Daddy sorta forgot the foodbowls needed attention. Oops. The little beggers ain’t starvin, but you’d swear by the reactions this morning, they hadn’t eaten in MONTHS,,, ROFL
nudder cuppa and watch the time,,, Will know my heading here shortly, or at least enough that I will know if its an income day or self productive.
more laters.
L.L.L.L.L!
(, ‘)
Came up for Fuel and Air,,,
Call came in around 11:30,, I was home at 12:30 and working on getting to the point above until 5.
Whooped, but that Crank is in, just needs torqued. One more full day and I should be mobile, or so damned close as to not make a lick of difference.
And that Transjack,,, That worked awesome, but I did have to supplement it with a friction strap on the front end of the crank for balance. Once I did that, the crank slid right in and Dio went, SIIIGGGGHHHH!!!!!
No real issues with getting the mains and rod caps in place. Did have one that gave me a fit, but it was due to me knocking the upper bearing loose and not seeing it. Easy peasy, clean everything off, degrease the rod end, reseat the bearing, and ‘Pop!’ right in place Engine turns over by hand with a bit of force, (no spark plugs, no compression build up, but the preload is THERE. ) It does turn smoothly,,, just needs some ooomph. I recall this from rebuilding me Fiat. This is a good thing.
Really Truly hoping the J.O.B. pulls through tomorrow, Need that income. BUT, if not, I won’t be sittin’ idle,,,
But now, shower out of the way, hot food in front of me, TIME TO RECHARGE AND RELAX FOR A MOMENT.
Y’all take care,
Live
Learn
LAUGH
Love
LOAD!!
Easy does it,,,
One day at a time,,,
the more I think about it, the better the idea I mentioned in a previous post, the more comfortable I get with it.
Talkin’ Mobile Mechanic.
SADLY, here, my current digs, that may be an issue. Mostly because the fallout of “Great Depression” mentality,,, I see it all the time with Bossman and Son of Bossman, griping about ‘gotta send it to collections’ or ‘they keep griping something ain’t right, only because they are sitting on the money’ etc etc etc
Now, there are ways around this, and things I have suggested to the bosses, like Half down UP FRONT, Earnest money so to speak,,, Collecting on payments isn’t really the issue, Cash talks, but debits and credits in this modern world of connectivity, have some weight too. I already have two options on electronic payments (one is in use here via my TIP JAR button) Paypal has been pretty reliable, and I also have a Square Banking app, that allows me to take cards IRT.
Now, there is no way in hell that I am just going to go for broke and jump in with both feet. I’m gonna maintain the J.O.B. for a time and just take sidework on weekends and evenings, BUILD THE REP, get known for skill and ‘professionalism’. Many I have dealt with already know my reputation, but I want to expand on that, and the best way of doing that is word of mouth. I truly do not like setting up Social Media accounts, but this world moves more along those lines, AND, most people that play in that ‘world’ tend to be “PAYERS”, not scams.
No oil changes,,, NO service/maintenance scheduled stuff. Diags and repairs only. As Fred mentioned, a spill in a parking lot is a major hassle, and sure to get some agency on my case. I recall an EPA investigation in one of the established shops I worked in, and it made us Techs life, a living hell for months. Even a dripping oil filter during an oil change would get us the side-eye from our watchdog. Never mind that 1981 Volvo parked in the lot with every single gasket and seal blown out,,, Thats wasn’t the customers fault, that was ours since it was in OUR LOT,,,
Shit like that will be my paranoia for awhile,,, I’ve seen how that game plays out and its expensive and usually terminal.
I’ve been thinking about it a whole lot more since last eve, even thinking about one of those 10’x10′ portable canopies for inclimate weather stuff. They don’t take up much space and I have a rather large box behind the cab that has some serious real-estate in it. (big enough for a full size shovel and post hole diggers to lay in and not get in the way of the doors closing,,,)
Yeah,,, this idea is growing on me. I’ll maintain the “McGuyver” aspects, for a time since I will be using this truck for the J.O.B. as well. Hell, just leave it like it is, only adding to what I carry/use as need be. She is a one-ton after all.
Just no fluid stuff,,, Oil changes are so low on the margin that they don’t pay squat until you hit QUANTITY,,, I recall that from my managerial days at VIOC,,, And we had the advantage of being in a parent company that ‘gave’ us the oil at cost,,,
Yes. I have ‘done this’ before, just not as my own business, and not where I have to handle every aspect of it: like advertising and accounting. (I did have a certain amount of number crunching we did on the monthly, but when it came to monitoring cashflow in both directions,,, not so much. I just knew what I was told on expected output and tried to meet or exceed it; let the pinheads in corporate handle the payroll and overhead numbers.)
No, I won’t be taking on any Emps,,,
In other news,,,,, I don’t know for certain, but I would say that tomorrow is another ‘freeday’. Two of our ‘critical’ Emps are taking the day off, the weather looks to be complete shit, and We do have a big job at a remote location that needs to be “Everybody on deck” for. I await the text message,,,
Crankshaft did NOT come in today,,, they say ‘Tomorrow for certain’, but I aint’ gonna hold my breath at this point,,, Planning for the weekend to be another wrench fest, and not before. I picked up some fuel hose to cover the rod bolts so they can’t score up my brand new journals during install. I also picked up a transmission jack (cheaper version, for when on stands) ’cause, lets face it, I ain’t getting any younger and wrasslin’ gear boxes ain’t no fun even when you are in your prime. May be a once a year tool, but its there now. Da looked relieved when he saw it. I figured he recalled the mess I dealt with in hanging his transmission during his clutch install a few months back, and wasn’t looking forward to standing aside helplessly, while I cussed, cursed, swore and raised Cain on mine (which is even heavier despite being only a RWD version,,,)
Fact: I need this, I need something I have more control over that brings me income of some level. I can’t be chained to the whims and fluctuations of someone else’s business model. I may be ‘late to the game’ but I recall the automotive world, quite well. Every set of wheels on the road is a potential customer and there is NO END of that potential here in the U.S.
More tomorrow, maybe even a podcast if I get an early enough start on it before that one key part arrives. Spud sorta gave y’all a prompt on some of my thinks about it, and I will expand on them when I start jabbering at a microphone.
more laters,,, Love y’all
LIVE
Learn
LAUGH
LOVE
LOAD!!!
Slow, not stoopid
Yesterday, was about as stoopid as I get, and that was only in “shoulda paid attention” to the weather liars.
Today? Well, the wind is slated to be a constant, with a weather system blowing in from the west (out of that seriously kold arctic inversion thing goin’ on) and I have ZERO clue what my J.O.B. entails today (I never do, and sometimes that carries through the entire day. Make it up as I go along.)
So, I busted out the thermos gear. Yes, I have an actual evacuated glass thermos’; its probably as old as I am. Keeps a triple cuppa, hot for HOURS. I have a smaller one, that isn’t evacuated glass but does fine, and that one is loaded up with steak and potato soup. My issue yesterday was keeping the core warm, and why it took so long for the shivers to start and subside later. I had nothing warm to put inside me: Problem alleviated today.
Now, I have had a thought, totally NOT related to yesterdays post, and the more I think about it, the more I believe it needs to become a podcast thing. Key subject points: War on Drugs, Afghanistan, drug boats go boom, Poisoning fishing waters,,,,
I’m gonna leave it there as those are more like notes for me; where I can’t lose them. SO, if I have another day of waiting, no J.O.B. that day and thumbs under ass,,, PODCAST,,, May be something for y’all to look forward to (but don’t go praying for it, I need the income.)
more laters,,,
L.L.L.L.L!
(, ‘)
It’s a question of Sanity,,,,
I’m sure Mike in FLA will concur,,, I’m NOT sane,,, Purt-certain he ain’t either,,,,
NOT TO SAY, that we are certifiably Nutzoids,,, Just not “Normal” peeps in this great wide world. Fact is, most of those that I call my closest of friends probably don’t fit “Sane” very well.
The definition of Sanity: mentally and emotionally fitting in with the majority of a society.
Yeah,,, that ain’t me.
But there are times where my version of insanity backfires, coughs and sputters, and gets in me own way. THAT is close enough describing the last couple of weeks in my little world: Five steps forwards, three steps to the left, spin in place 7 times, and 20 staggering steps to the north by northwest into the headwinds, Trip, stumble and fives steps forward,,, Now where was I? Where was I headed? Whats my name?
Caught some of the newz feeds when I stopped in at Da’s checking in. Hmmm,,, Sure seems like I’m not the only Krazee in the world,,,,
So, does that make me Sane? Shushh,, don’wanna know that answer,,,, I rather prefer being the overly tall nail in a perfectly level floor,,, More exciting than “chasin’the’dream” of the rat-race (been there, done that, still have the scars to prove it.)
Ok, ok, maybe not more exciting, but far more fulfilling in my opinion. May not have a bottomless bank account (Whats that?!?!?) or insured income in perpetuity (is there such a thing?) BUT, I do find I rarely have mornings of waking up and saying “I hate my life”. actually, that hasn’t happened in YEARS,,,, (and its usually attached to that “one good day job” that is completely stable and predictable like the motions of the planets.
(I miss that band,,,)
SO whats rubbin’ Dio so funny this afternoon/evenin’? Probably the fact that I was near hypothermic all day at the J.O.B. Shivering began around noon, when the temps actually exceeded 40F: I have been home in front of the fire for over an hour and my fingers are still ‘ticklish’ from the cold.
My brain is fried, numb, and seeking Only Dawg knows what,, My thoughts awhirl with “Whats next?” “How do I,,,?”,,,,, Well, you might or might not understand,,,,
If you do, you’re one of my sort of people. Welcome to the Krazee, it grows on ya, I swear.
Live
LOVE
LAUGH hysterically and scare the neighbors
LEARN
LOAD!
In addendum: To fill in some blanks from above. Ya’see, this Twuck and my desire for it to be my “MCguyver” Swissarmyknife Twuck, keeps giving me nudges in one particular direction: Mobile Mechanic.
I know its something I am fairly good at: system analysis being a big part of a good Drivability tech, which is what I was way back in the past,,, SA being a big part of my skillsets in any endeavor to be truthful.
Fact is, I am not 100% comfortable with that idea. I don’t like the newer vehicles for one. I look under the hood and my gag reflex kicks in: You should be able to SEE an engine in the engine bay, and these ‘hicles these days have so many Cosmetic Covers (I was told, by a Body designer, this is to appeal to the Femmes .) that you spend near as much time removing them to get to the problem, as you spend on the problem itself. And, there would be a ‘small’ investment in a reliable scan tool, capable of ‘looking into’ the vehicle. This being one such, at the bottom of the price ranges.
Does Dio want to go down this road? Thats the question. Doable? Yes. Desirable? Ummm,,, dunno,,,, I like variety in my ‘work’ but there was a reason I left the wrenching on others POS,,, Mine, no worries, at least I know its getting done, and getting done right: you can’t always say that when you take it to a shop (and believe me, I have seen some serious “Hacks” out there. Heard of more and NOT from mechanics.)
Dunno, just a thought running current,,, and not one I am locked into, despite the fact that Bloo is her own mobile repair shop.
(and there are a series of legal hoops to attend to if I go that route, including but not limited to hiring a lawyer (Hey, Ulis!!!) to make me a boiler plate contract to cover my ass, and establish an LLC (which I should do anyways.) to protect my investments and myself. That first part is a bit harder if I am just “McGuyvering” though I am sure a shark could word it rather openly,,,
Anywuzyamacullitz,, those are my thinks since I started this day,,,,
That lucidity thing
TRULY strange dreams this AM,,, Don’t wanna even attempt to ‘interpret’ them,,, Just really wyrd and F!ed up,,,
And nothing related, not even remotely, to the story I was reading,,, (‘Darkship thieves’ by Sarah)
Coy-dawg attack, Dood from the J.O.B. that I would never hang with IRL,,, MONSOON RAINS,,,
Dunno,,,
STRANGE,,,, or maybe Strainge would be the better term as it was definitely straining my mind this morning,,,,
I’m resigned to the shit-uation with Bloo at this point: nothing else TO BE about it. I will take the weekend to do my thing, ASSUMING that crankshaft is in within the newly promised timeline,,, I’m betting that the reman place canked out at the last second, and the place I bought it from fell back and punted by ordering from Summit Racing. The reason I say that: I checked on line (which I should have done FIRST) and Summit racing has brand new, STOCK, Cranks for sale, and with the free shipping, falls right in the time frame I was quoted. HAD I GONE THIS ROUTE, I would have saved myself $260 and be in the same timeline I’m currently in. Live and Learn,,,
I’m not gonna sweat it at this point, but if things go any stranger, (strainger) I know the route I will go, with better customer support and OPTIONS for warranty.
But, its back to the J.O.B. today, at least I hope so: No text this AM, but will see once on site.
L.L.L.L.L!
(, ‘)
Just takin’ a little time,,,,
called about the Crankshaft at the ‘expected’ time.
“Should be here Wednesday or Thursday”
oh shit!!! Ok, thank you,,,,
Holding expectations causes grief,,, I know this. The above Meme is about the suffering I am giving myself for this taking longer than projected.
At least Da is being cool as fuk about it,,, He actually laughed when I told him,,,,
Didn’t make me feel any better about the shit-uation though. I’m hopin’ like hell the work lines up the rest of the week because I can’t afford any more days off SITTING/WAITING. I won’t be expecting anything until Thursday at this point, maybe even Friday, because to “expect Better” is only setting myself up for disappointment: Hell, I may be disappointed with those expectations as well. Seems like there is a small curse on Bloo and myself right now.
ON A POSITIVE NOTE: I did find the Horn, as in ONE horn, and why she sounded so frellin pathetic,,, That was this eve as I was waiting on the parts place to call me back, so I now know where and how to get to “It”, and have the pair to replace it with, just in case, there are any more ‘days off’ this week. Something to do constructive-like that doesn’t get me ahead of myself in the engine refresh. Believe me, I want to do something, but seriously, I can’t,,, I spent the morning cleaning the parts that I will be putting back together, but that was the upper limit of ‘what could be done’,,, Lord how I hate that word “Can’t”. Dirtiest word in the English language as far as I am concerned.
I have been over the various aspects of what when and how of this refresh in my head: I can about do it with my eyes closed right now. Once that crank is in hand, its likely only a day of work to get her back together, where I can pull her out and fire her up, AND re-weld that exhaust pipe back in place. NO, I will NOT be firing her up in Da’s basement: Far too many new parts that will be putting out strange smells and smoke and you name it. Like that new Manifold: you know that thing is gonna start smoking within seconds of the first rpms. Were this my actual shop (wheres that?) No issues. This basement has a direct path to his living quarters above and NO WAY to separate the two. I have been bending over backwards to keep the smells down; taking things outside to clean them in the solvent (Odorless Mineral spirits? HA! That shit still makes a stink.) His garage was only intended to keep his ‘hicle out of the weather, and for woodworking/beekeeping, NOT Wrenching and making Old Dinosaur fart smells.
Nuff said at this point, Otherwise I just start stirring the stewpot,,, Time to crack open a book and ‘escape’ reality for a bit before the sheets call my name for the night.
Live
Laugh
LOVE
Learn
LOAD!!!
Dio's Workshop 