Spot on about that lucky find. Always wipe things down right away so you catch stuff like that.

Stella's right about new stuff often overcomplicating things, but tubeless really does prevent most small flats that would stop a tube. That's the actual gain, not just the new thing factor.

Remember my first warhammer figure looked like it got dunked in a mud puddle. Thick globs of paint, a total mess. What helped was watching a few videos on thinning your paints with a little water, that was a game changer. Dry brushing is another good one to learn early for easy highlights. Honestly just stick with it, your next one will already look way better.

Realize how much we know now.

My friend in Portland tried to fix his Fuji's autofocus last winter. That tiny ribbon cable basically crumbled in his hands during reassembly.