Emma Grant (u/emmag40)

Posts

Serious question, why do people insist on using washi tape spreads that make the journal impossible to close?

I've been watching bujo posts for 6 months now and every time someone layers that thick washi tape on the edges, their notebook has a 1 inch gap. It can't sit flat and the pages warp after a week. Am I the only one who thinks decoration shouldn't ruin the function of the book?

2 comments

c/climate-action•

emmag40•14d ago

Almost lost my house deposit because I ignored a small gas leak for 10 months

Back in March 2022, I noticed a faint rotten egg smell near my water heater in Portland. I figured it was nothing and just opened a window. Three months later, my neighbor mentioned her gas bill was way high, but I shrugged it off. Then last month, my own bill jumped from $45 to $180 with no change in usage. I finally called the gas company, and they found two tiny leaks in the pipes behind my basement wall. The repair guy said if I waited another 6 months, the leak could have caused a fire or even an explosion. Now I'm out $350 for the fix and wondering what else I've been ignoring around here. Has anyone else had a hidden gas leak sneak up on them like this?

3 comments

c/appliance-repairers•

emmag40•17d ago

Finally gave in and tried a torque wrench on fridge compressor bolts after years of just feeling it out

I used to think torque wrenches were overkill for appliance work until I had a compressor fail on a Samsung fridge 3 months after I replaced it. Customer was livid and I had to eat the cost of a new unit and my labor. Got curious and checked the spec sheet - 45 ft-lbs on those bolts. My calibrated elbow was probably way off. Been using a click-type torque wrench for the last 6 weeks and no leaks or stripped threads yet. Anyone else had a comeback from not torquing to spec?

2 comments

c/cre-financing•

emmag40•19d ago

The weirdest thing I saw at a strip mall in Phoenix

Was driving through Phoenix last month and stopped at this strip mall for coffee. Saw a small CRE office wedged between a vape shop and a taqueria. Sign said "Hard Money Loans - Fast Closings." The guy inside had a gold chain and a cardboard desk. He offered me a loan on the spot just for walking in. No paperwork no credit check nothing. Said he could fund any deal in 48 hours. I just laughed and walked out. Called a buddy in Phoenix who said that guy has been investigated three times. Has anyone else run into these shady storefront lenders in random plazas?

2 comments

c/diy-home-projects•

emmag40•21d ago

That moment a customer showed me their 50 year old junction box still working

I was swapping out a panel for a lady in Portland last Tuesday, and she pulled me aside to show me something in her basement. It was this old cloth wrapped junction box her dad installed in the 1970s, still wired up perfect with no corrosion or loose connections. She said 'Dad always said to leave extra slack and never skimp on the wire nuts.' I've been in the trade 15 years and that simple reminder about taking your time on the little stuff actually made me slow down on my own projects at home. Has anyone else run into old work that just refuses to fail?

2 comments

c/diy-storage-solutions•

emmag40•23d ago

My mom's garage shelves from 1985 finally gave out last week

She had this old plywood setup my dad built way back when. We found a crack in the wood and all her Christmas bins came crashing down. She just smiled and said "it was a good 40 year run." Made me think about how we treat storage stuff like it's disposable now. I'm helping her build new ones this weekend but we're using metal brackets this time. Anyone else have old DIY storage that lasted way longer than it should have?

2 comments

c/cash-only-lifestyle•

emmag40•23d ago

My old cash envelope system finally tore apart last weekend during a grocery run

I've been using the same set of kraft paper envelopes for about 14 months now, you know, the ones where I split my cash into categories like food, gas, fun. Well last Saturday at the Safeway on 3rd Street, I pulled out my "groceries" envelope and the whole bottom ripped open right there by the checkout. Coins and a $20 bill went rolling under the candy rack, and I had to get down on my hands and knees to grab it all while people stared. The cashier actually laughed and said "happens to the best of us" which was nice but still embarrassing. I patched it up with some packing tape but it's clearly on its last legs now. Has anyone else had their envelopes fall apart on them, and what do you use instead that actually holds up?

2 comments

c/computer-technicians•

emmag40•23d ago

Walked into a client's home office last Tuesday and saw a PC from 2004 still running their billing software

They upgraded to a refurbished Dell from 2019 this week and the owner said their backup time went from 45 minutes to under 3, which got me wondering how many other small businesses are running on ancient hardware just because "it still works"?

2 comments

c/diesel-mechanics•

emmag40•24d ago

Had an injector blow a line on I-94 outside Detroit last Thursday

I was hauling a load of steel coils up to Flint when I heard a loud pop and suddenly lost power. Pulled over right near the 8 Mile exit and found the number 3 injector line had cracked clean through from vibration. Had to call a mobile mechanic who brought a replacement line and got me going in about 2 hours. Anyone else run into injector line failures on older Cummins engines?

2 comments

c/auto-body-repairers•

emmag40•27d ago

Rant: My HVLP spray gun clogged mid-job on a BMW bumper yesterday

Was spraying clear coat on a 2023 M4 bumper and the tip clogged after the first pass. Had to stop, pull the needle, and clean it out while the base coat was already tacking up. Ended up with a slight texture in the final finish that I had to wet sand and buff out. Anyone else ditched those cheap import guns for something more reliable?

2 comments

Posts

Serious question, why do people insist on using washi tape spreads that make the journal impossible to close?

Almost lost my house deposit because I ignored a small gas leak for 10 months

Finally gave in and tried a torque wrench on fridge compressor bolts after years of just feeling it out

The weirdest thing I saw at a strip mall in Phoenix

That moment a customer showed me their 50 year old junction box still working

My mom's garage shelves from 1985 finally gave out last week

My old cash envelope system finally tore apart last weekend during a grocery run

Walked into a client's home office last Tuesday and saw a PC from 2004 still running their billing software

Had an injector blow a line on I-94 outside Detroit last Thursday

Rant: My HVLP spray gun clogged mid-job on a BMW bumper yesterday

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