We're all craving kinder, slower stuff now.

Tool coating choice affects breakage more than you might expect.

I remember doing it that way too. The camera is just way more sure of things, even if it feels less hands-on. It gets the job done right, and that's what counts.

Guess that's how they invented hardtack, through happy accidents like your brick bread.

The long run cost thing is so true. Pros already own the right gear and get it done fast. My DIY attempts usually mean multiple trips to the store for stuff I forgot. Then there's the time I spend, which has value too. A botched paint job means buying more supplies and maybe calling a pro anyway. In the end, paying someone once often beats paying yourself in frustration and extra cash.