How's your day going?

[Alwayslit]

As long as you didn't get talked into buying frames from the Gloria Vanderbilt collection you should be all good.

...or the Elton John collection

 

[icehog3]

...or the Elton John collection

 

[UnBanded]

After 15 loyal years of service, my John Deere LA115 decided it was time for a steering pivot gear replacement. No big deal, right? Well, since I already had the deck off, I went full NASCAR pit crew: new belt, fresh blades, shop-vac’d the compost heap of grass clippings that had been living underneath. Then I thought, “Why stop there?” so I went down the checklist—new spark plug, air/oil/gas filters, shiny new battery, lubed every zerk in sight, checked tire pressure, leveled the deck like a pro. Even went full decorator mode—slapped on a Bulldog Mack hood ornament and a cell phone holder. Because style points matter when you’re mowing.


Turned the key—she fired right up, purred like a kitten. I did my victory lap across the lawn. End of the cut, I look down—hmm, puddle of oil by my left foot. “Eh, probably didn’t tighten the oil filter.” Next thing I know, it’s coughing like a cigar smoker in January and BLAH—white smoke explosion. Ah, shit. Garage. Push of shame. Quick Google: “Check fuel pump for oil.” Bingo, it’s drowning. Diagnosis: classic blown head gasket. Cue the montage—five trips to Harbor Freight, new gasket, new fuel pump.

Moment of truth: I crank it. It sputters like it’s got asthma. Oil starts spraying out of the valve cover. “Okay, no problem, torque wrench time.” WRONG. Two of the four valve cover screws had snapped off inside the cylinder head like tiny aluminum landmines.

So back to Harbor Freight for the Screw Extraction Kit of False Hope. Drill hole, squirt WD-40, tap in the extractor, grab vise grips, give it a twist… SNAP. Now I’ve got a busted screw and a busted extractor married together inside the head like Romeo and Juliet. Except I’m standing there screaming every four-letter word I know at 120 decibels.

Final chapter: mower shop came today and hauled my Frankenstein away. Grass hasn’t been cut all of August. Murphy’s Law is alive, well, and laughing its ass off on my front lawn.

 

[Alwayslit]

After 15 loyal years of service, my John Deere LA115 decided it was time for a steering pivot gear replacement. No big deal, right? Well, since I already had the deck off, I went full NASCAR pit crew: new belt, fresh blades, shop-vac’d the compost heap of grass clippings that had been living underneath. Then I thought, “Why stop there?” so I went down the checklist—new spark plug, air/oil/gas filters, shiny new battery, lubed every zerk in sight, checked tire pressure, leveled the deck like a pro. Even went full decorator mode—slapped on a Bulldog Mack hood ornament and a cell phone holder. Because style points matter when you’re mowing.

View attachment 201133
Turned the key—she fired right up, purred like a kitten. I did my victory lap across the lawn. End of the cut, I look down—hmm, puddle of oil by my left foot. “Eh, probably didn’t tighten the oil filter.” Next thing I know, it’s coughing like a cigar smoker in January and BLAH—white smoke explosion. Ah, shit. Garage. Push of shame. Quick Google: “Check fuel pump for oil.” Bingo, it’s drowning. Diagnosis: classic blown head gasket. Cue the montage—five trips to Harbor Freight, new gasket, new fuel pump.

Moment of truth: I crank it. It sputters like it’s got asthma. Oil starts spraying out of the valve cover. “Okay, no problem, torque wrench time.” WRONG. Two of the four valve cover screws had snapped off inside the cylinder head like tiny aluminum landmines.

So back to Harbor Freight for the Screw Extraction Kit of False Hope. Drill hole, squirt WD-40, tap in the extractor, grab vise grips, give it a twist… SNAP. Now I’ve got a busted screw and a busted extractor married together inside the head like Romeo and Juliet. Except I’m standing there screaming every four-letter word I know at 120 decibels.

Final chapter: mower shop came today and hauled my Frankenstein away. Grass hasn’t been cut all of August. Murphy’s Law is alive, well, and laughing its ass off on my front lawn.

I hope they're able to save it. I really do like the addition of the bulldog.

 

[Dylantaylor059]

We finally bit the bullet and bought a new car(2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport) that got delivered Saturday. We’ve been bouncing between FB marketplace junkers for way too long and had to get something reliable before winter. They really make ordering cars online too easy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alwayslit]

We finally bit the bullet and bought a new car(2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport) that got delivered Saturday. We’ve been bouncing between FB marketplace junkers for way too long and had to get something reliable before winter. They really make ordering cars online too easy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You definitely need a good car in the mountains on Rt40/I-70

 

[Dylantaylor059]

You definitely need a good car in the mountains on Rt40/I-70

That’s for sure. We had a 2011 Chevy Cruze before this and highways or really any slight incline was sketchy to say the least. Running errands in the new car was a night and day difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MikeNice]

Started the new job last week. It is underwhelming and I feel ill prepared for my debut in leadership this week. It is more about a lack of training in certain institutional policies and procedures than any concerns about my abilities.

But today was a beautiful day. I washed the car, smoked a great cigar, and knocked out another module in a Coursera course that I'm taking. So, I would say today was a good day. The only way for it to get better is to hit the lottery.

 

[MikeNice]

So, I was in the gym and I walked by these two highschool kids doing shoulder presses. I heard one guy tell the other he has two reps. The guy on the machine was hemming and hawing. For some reason I just said "two more" and kept going.

I grabbed the stuff to clean the equipment I was using. On my way back this kid is still sitting there. I stopped and looked at him. This kid wasn't an athlete, he was the last picked for dodgeball type. I told him he had two more and just stood there. He hit two and I became his one man training crew.

"That was moving too damn fast. Give me two more. You got another one. Grab the other handles we're not through. Two more. . .Two more my dude. Last one."

He didn't believe he could get two and ended up getting like ten with a mechanical drop set. I just said good work and walked off. Later he walked up to me and said thank you.

Not a big important thing but it made my day a thousand times better.

 

[Alwayslit]

Nice work, @MikeNice I see all these young kids on the machines at Planet Fitness just scrolling through TikTok and getting no reps in. The no judgement zone is about to be shattered.

 

[Dylantaylor059]

So, I was in the gym and I walked by these two highschool kids doing shoulder presses. I heard one guy tell the other he has two reps. The guy on the machine was hemming and hawing. For some reason I just said "two more" and kept going.

I grabbed the stuff to clean the equipment I was using. On my way back this kid is still sitting there. I stopped and looked at him. This kid wasn't an athlete, he was the last picked for dodgeball type. I told him he had two more and just stood there. He hit two and I became his one man training crew.

"That was moving too damn fast. Give me two more. You got another one. Grab the other handles we're not through. Two more. . .Two more my dude. Last one."

He didn't believe he could get two and ended up getting like ten with a mechanical drop set. I just said good work and walked off. Later he walked up to me and said thank you.

Not a big important thing but it made my day a thousand times better.

With the amount of nonsense in gym culture stuff like this is a breath of fresh air. I need more people like you around my gym.. speaking of I need to start going again haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[icehog3]

Spent over 1K in repairs to get me truck emissions system ready to pass the state mandated test.

While I sat in line, my check engine light came back on.

FML.

 

[Alwayslit]

Spent over 1K in repairs to get me truck emissions system ready to pass the state mandated test.

While I sat in line, my check engine light came back on.

FML.

Thankfully they don't do emissions for diesel in my state.

 

[mitetak]

Went to an audiologist this past week.

I've long had tinnitus and it's been getting a bit worse. Figured might as well get checked.

Looks like I have moderate hearing loss at the high end and I'm a candidate for hearing aids.

I'll go get some test ones next week - and then sit on it for a few years before I get any (because I'm vain like that - but also - its not affecting quality of life ... yet)

 

[mitetak]

Thankfully they don't do emissions for diesel in my state.

Find you a state where they can't spell 'inspection' (like MS)

 

[Dylantaylor059]

Went to an audiologist this past week.

I've long had tinnitus and it's been getting a bit worse. Figured might as well get checked.

Looks like I have moderate hearing loss at the high end and I'm a candidate for hearing aids.

I'll go get some test ones next week - and then sit on it for a few years before I get any (because I'm vain like that - but also - its not affecting quality of life ... yet)

They make some really nice ones I’ve been seeing that you can’t even tell someone has them in. I’m sure the cost is insane but definitely worth a look.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MikeNice]

Went to an audiologist this past week.

I've long had tinnitus and it's been getting a bit worse. Figured might as well get checked.

Looks like I have moderate hearing loss at the high end and I'm a candidate for hearing aids.

I'll go get some test ones next week - and then sit on it for a few years before I get any (because I'm vain like that - but also - its not affecting quality of life ... yet)

My mother-in-law swears it doesn't effect her quality of life either. The rest of us sure get tired of yelling though.

 

[mitetak]

They make some really nice ones I’ve been seeing that you can’t even tell someone has them in. I’m sure the cost is insane but definitely worth a look.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yeah they straight up told me what the costs run into (basically 3k -> 7k). I've done no research otherwise. I'll run the test for a bit - see how it helps and then get an idea of what the options look like.

My mother-in-law swears it doesn't effect her quality of life either. The rest of us sure get tired of yelling though.

my wife would never let me get away with that lol! She'd get them and shove them in my ears if necessary!

 

[icehog3]

Spent over 1K in repairs to get me truck emissions system ready to pass the state mandated test.

While I sat in line, my check engine light came back on.

FML.

Check engine light was off when I got in the truck this morning. Made it over to the emissions place and passed before the bullshit started again.

Mechanic quoted me over 2K for the additional work; I was very happy to call and cancel that appointment.

 

[Alwayslit]

I have a check engine light that comes on every so often. Heater core and I'm in the middle of summer with the engine temp being perfect.....go figure.