Last Tuesday I figured I'd throw a cheap rebuilt water pump on my F-650 instead of shelling out $250 for a new one. Made it about 12 miles down I-35 before the bearing seized up and the fan exploded through the radiator. Had to call a buddy with a flatbed to haul me back to the shop, cost me more in time and a new radiator than if I'd just bought the good part.
I went to Ace Hardware on Tuesday to grab a gallon of primer I saw marked at $28.99 on the shelf. When I got to the register, the guy rang it up at $35.50 and said the sign must be old. I told him the sign was right there and showed him a picture I took, but he just shrugged and said he couldn't change it. I left the primer on the counter and went down the street to Lowe's where they matched it instantly. Has anyone else had a store refuse to honor their own shelf tags?
Went to a new barber in Denver last month. First thing he said was stop using drugstore shampoo every day. Said it strips all the natural oils and makes hair produce more oil to compensate. Told me to switch to a sulfate free shampoo and only wash twice a week. I thought he was full of it at first. But after three weeks my hair actually feels healthier and less greasy. I used to wash every morning and by evening it was a mess. Now I just rinse with water most days and use a conditioner bar every other day. Has anyone else gotten a big haircare tip that totally changed their routine?
I was doing a sweep on a 1920s house in Arlington and this guy, must have been 80 years old, walked up and just watched me for a minute. He pointed at the creosote buildup and said 'that there tells you the last guy burned wet wood for three winters straight.' He showed me how the crust layers line up with different burn habits. Never thought of it that way before. Has anyone else had a random stranger teach them something that stuck?
I was reading a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report that said people who quit without a new job actually found better pay increases on average than those who job hop directly. Something like a 12% bump versus 8% for the switchers. Has anyone else taken that risk and had it work out?
I dropped out of community college two years ago to save money for a better car. Last month on I-95 near Richmond my timing belt snapped and killed the engine. The repair quote came back at $1,800 which is basically what I had saved. I ended up selling the car for scrap at $400 and taking the bus for six weeks. Now I'm behind on rent and thinking about going back to school just for the loan money. Has anyone else had a major car failure wreck their plans after leaving college?
I cooked brisket for 2 years thinking I needed to hit exactly 203 internal temp and pull it off. Last month I saw a video where a pitmaster in Lockhart Texas said he probes for feel not temp. Tried it on a 12 pounder last weekend and stopped when the probe slid in like butter at 198 instead. Best brisket I ever made and now I don't touch the thermometer until it feels right. Anyone else learn this way later than they should have?
I mean, I was listening to a woodworking show and the host said he has a box of half-finished bowls because he kept sanding them forever. It made me look at my own half-built guitar pedalboard sitting in a bin. Has anyone else heard something that actually got you to pick a project back up?
I realized I'd been waiting for old friends to reach out first, so I just texted three people from the sidelines and now we have a camping trip planned.
Had a big patio job in Tempe last month and had to pick between my old 16" magnesium trowel or a new 14" steel one for the final pass. I went with the steel and the finish came out way smoother, with way less drag on the pattern. Anyone else find steel makes a real difference on stamp work, or is it just me?
