Well, wasn't that interesting!

I know most of the mechanics in the area, so when there's something I
don't feel I should do myself, I talk to one of them.

Case in point, the struts on the Mazda. Now, struts aren't really a hard
job, but if you don't have the right equipment, it can be very unsafe, as
we all know. After seeing a 'spring clamp' (one of those things that
barely hooks onto the spring) go through a cinder block wall, I decided
this may not be the job for me. I bought a decent Lisle compressor that
actually BOLTS onto the spring, but I chickened out and returned it 2 days
after I bought it a few years ago. If I can't afford a GOOD tool for this
job, I'll pay someone that has the proper tools.

So, I asked the Mgr of the local Meineke if he could do them for me. He
said, yeah, bring it Thursday. What I DIDN'T hear was, "Drop it off in the
morning." I waited for a while and then went to get a haircut. I come back
from the haircut, the cars on the lift, the fronts are done, and the Lead
Tech (also a friend of mine) says, where's the rears? They're in the trunk!

The trunk's open he steps over and starts throwing stuff (trash) out of
the trunk...Muffler box..That's not it...clamp box..nope...hangers, nope,
not there...

Then I realize...they're in the Scion...

Now, I have an 'Advantage' card at AutoZone, for every $100 I spend I get
$20 off my next purchase. So, I saved $20 on the price of the
struts...which I then spent on a CAB to go home and get the rears.
Wooo-hooo.

We get back, they open one box, pump the strut and put the spring on it.
Onto the car. Open the other strut, and he's about to release it and says,
What's this? Instead of the plastic thingy they put on the struts to hold
them in, it's wired. Then I hear WHAT THE F@CK?!?!

The original nut was gone, there was a Hardware store nut on the strut,
and the threads were GONE! Some Bozo tried to put it on his car, must have
cross-threaded the original nut and then totally ruined the strut with the
hardware store nut, then wired it up, and sealed the box, and probably
returned it saying he didn't need it.

AutoZone is right across the street, so I brought it back. Now, this was a
Special Order, with none at any other stores; right from the warehouse. My
chances weren't looking good. Well, at least they refunded my money, and I
think the Ass't Manager was madder than I was, and she was apologizing
profusely.

Call to a local car parts place...nope. Call to another one...nope. I Knew
CarQuest didn't have them, so I call NAPA...nope. I fianally locate one 25
miles away in Northampton; ONE left. At least they deliver! 40 minutes
later the strut arrives, we get it in, and...no hardware. There was one
nut in really good shape from one of the old struts, so we used that and
got it all back together. Sheesh!

Remind me to tell you guys about the Mopars that were there...

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:ZHpgh.3734$e26.1088@trndny04...[color=blue]
>I know most of the mechanics in the area, so when there's something I
> don't feel I should do myself, I talk to one of them.
>
> Case in point, the struts on the Mazda. Now, struts aren't really a hard
> job, but if you don't have the right equipment, it can be very unsafe, as
> we all know. After seeing a 'spring clamp' (one of those things that
> barely hooks onto the spring) go through a cinder block wall, I decided
> this may not be the job for me. I bought a decent Lisle compressor that
> actually BOLTS onto the spring, but I chickened out and returned it 2 days
> after I bought it a few years ago. If I can't afford a GOOD tool for this
> job, I'll pay someone that has the proper tools.
>
> So, I asked the Mgr of the local Meineke if he could do them for me. He
> said, yeah, bring it Thursday. What I DIDN'T hear was, "Drop it off in the
> morning." I waited for a while and then went to get a haircut. I come back
> from the haircut, the cars on the lift, the fronts are done, and the Lead
> Tech (also a friend of mine) says, where's the rears? They're in the
> trunk!
>
> The trunk's open he steps over and starts throwing stuff (trash) out of
> the trunk...Muffler box..That's not it...clamp box..nope...hangers, nope,
> not there...
>
> Then I realize...they're in the Scion...
>
> Now, I have an 'Advantage' card at AutoZone, for every $100 I spend I get
> $20 off my next purchase. So, I saved $20 on the price of the
> struts...which I then spent on a CAB to go home and get the rears.
> Wooo-hooo.
>
> We get back, they open one box, pump the strut and put the spring on it.
> Onto the car. Open the other strut, and he's about to release it and says,
> What's this? Instead of the plastic thingy they put on the struts to hold
> them in, it's wired. Then I hear WHAT THE F@CK?!?!
>
> The original nut was gone, there was a Hardware store nut on the strut,
> and the threads were GONE! Some Bozo tried to put it on his car, must have
> cross-threaded the original nut and then totally ruined the strut with the
> hardware store nut, then wired it up, and sealed the box, and probably
> returned it saying he didn't need it.
>
> AutoZone is right across the street, so I brought it back. Now, this was a
> Special Order, with none at any other stores; right from the warehouse. My
> chances weren't looking good. Well, at least they refunded my money, and I
> think the Ass't Manager was madder than I was, and she was apologizing
> profusely.
>
> Call to a local car parts place...nope. Call to another one...nope. I Knew
> CarQuest didn't have them, so I call NAPA...nope. I fianally locate one 25
> miles away in Northampton; ONE left. At least they deliver! 40 minutes
> later the strut arrives, we get it in, and...no hardware. There was one
> nut in really good shape from one of the old struts, so we used that and
> got it all back together. Sheesh!
>
> Remind me to tell you guys about the Mopars that were there...[/color]

You never cease to amaze me. You have this uncanny ability to recollect play
by play of a mishap involving shortsightedness or forgetfulness.
Has your wife mentioned this too or as far as she's concerned you get it
right the first time?
I mean, it's no big deal. Your stories are interesting. I think if I had to
follow you around for a day it would be the last time I did. LOL!
mark_

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:03:57 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
> news:ZHpgh.3734$e26.1088@trndny04...[color=green]
>>I know most of the mechanics in the area, so when there's something I
>> don't feel I should do myself, I talk to one of them.
>>
>> Case in point, the struts on the Mazda. Now, struts aren't really a hard
>> job, but if you don't have the right equipment, it can be very unsafe, as
>> we all know. After seeing a 'spring clamp' (one of those things that
>> barely hooks onto the spring) go through a cinder block wall, I decided
>> this may not be the job for me. I bought a decent Lisle compressor that
>> actually BOLTS onto the spring, but I chickened out and returned it 2 days
>> after I bought it a few years ago. If I can't afford a GOOD tool for this
>> job, I'll pay someone that has the proper tools.
>>
>> So, I asked the Mgr of the local Meineke if he could do them for me. He
>> said, yeah, bring it Thursday. What I DIDN'T hear was, "Drop it off in the
>> morning." I waited for a while and then went to get a haircut. I come back
>> from the haircut, the cars on the lift, the fronts are done, and the Lead
>> Tech (also a friend of mine) says, where's the rears? They're in the
>> trunk!
>>
>> The trunk's open he steps over and starts throwing stuff (trash) out of
>> the trunk...Muffler box..That's not it...clamp box..nope...hangers, nope,
>> not there...
>>
>> Then I realize...they're in the Scion...
>>
>> Now, I have an 'Advantage' card at AutoZone, for every $100 I spend I get
>> $20 off my next purchase. So, I saved $20 on the price of the
>> struts...which I then spent on a CAB to go home and get the rears.
>> Wooo-hooo.
>>
>> We get back, they open one box, pump the strut and put the spring on it.
>> Onto the car. Open the other strut, and he's about to release it and says,
>> What's this? Instead of the plastic thingy they put on the struts to hold
>> them in, it's wired. Then I hear WHAT THE F@CK?!?!
>>
>> The original nut was gone, there was a Hardware store nut on the strut,
>> and the threads were GONE! Some Bozo tried to put it on his car, must have
>> cross-threaded the original nut and then totally ruined the strut with the
>> hardware store nut, then wired it up, and sealed the box, and probably
>> returned it saying he didn't need it.
>>
>> AutoZone is right across the street, so I brought it back. Now, this was a
>> Special Order, with none at any other stores; right from the warehouse. My
>> chances weren't looking good. Well, at least they refunded my money, and I
>> think the Ass't Manager was madder than I was, and she was apologizing
>> profusely.
>>
>> Call to a local car parts place...nope. Call to another one...nope. I Knew
>> CarQuest didn't have them, so I call NAPA...nope. I fianally locate one 25
>> miles away in Northampton; ONE left. At least they deliver! 40 minutes
>> later the strut arrives, we get it in, and...no hardware. There was one
>> nut in really good shape from one of the old struts, so we used that and
>> got it all back together. Sheesh!
>>
>> Remind me to tell you guys about the Mopars that were there...[/color]
>
> You never cease to amaze me. You have this uncanny ability to recollect play
> by play of a mishap involving shortsightedness or forgetfulness.[/color]

Well, the Doctors say that my problem is my plate is too full, and I'm
thinking on TOO MANY planes at once!

I thought they were going to give me Ritalin or something to speed me up;
instead they gave me something to slow me DOWN!


[color=blue]
> Has your wife mentioned this too or as far as she's concerned you get it
> right the first time?[/color]

Oh, she got tired of my craziness a long time ago!
[color=blue]
> I mean, it's no big deal. Your stories are interesting. I think if I had to
> follow you around for a day it would be the last time I did. LOL!
> mark_[/color]

Yeah, a lot of people make that mistake. Problem is, *I* know what I'm
doing, and my plans usually come off fairly well! It's usually Mission
Accomplished, and people are generally amazed at how fast and how well I
get things done. It's kind of an "absent-minded professor" scenario.

When I plan something, I make the plans in a big way. I'm often
disappointed when things don't turn out as I anticipated them, but people
will come up to me and say, Hey,that was GREAT! Good job! I don't often
let on that the outcome wasn't what I had expected, except to my closest
friends.

Anyway, I was going to give you another holler! Hadn't heard from you for
a while. Don't be such a stranger!

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:ZHpgh.3734$e26.1088@trndny04...[color=blue]
>I know most of the mechanics in the area, so when there's something I
> don't feel I should do myself, I talk to one of them.
>
> Case in point, the struts on the Mazda. Now, struts aren't really a hard
> job, but if you don't have the right equipment, it can be very unsafe, as
> we all know. After seeing a 'spring clamp' (one of those things that
> barely hooks onto the spring) go through a cinder block wall....[/color]

Through a cinder block wall? Who's writing this? Mark Twain? :-)

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:Rqygh.2$Pq4.1@trndny08...[color=blue]
> Anyway, I was going to give you another holler! Hadn't heard from you for
> a while. Don't be such a stranger![/color]

I've been trying out new recipes lately. My latest endevour is crabmeat
rangoons. I made three batches so I could settle on the right wonton
wrapper. I also discovered it's better to use dehydrated onion and garlic.
Moisture can build up and cause the stuff to ooze out much like those old
fashion black snakes around the fourth of july. I'm sure you remember those.
Anyway, those who like crabmeat gave me a thumbs up.
I wanted to fry them on location. Well, wouldn't you know I miss matched the
frying pan and heat controll. I grabbed the control for the griddle instead.
See? Just knowing you rubs off!

mark_

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:28:29 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
> news:Rqygh.2$Pq4.1@trndny08...[color=green]
>> Anyway, I was going to give you another holler! Hadn't heard from you for
>> a while. Don't be such a stranger![/color]
>
> I've been trying out new recipes lately. My latest endevour is crabmeat
> rangoons. I made three batches so I could settle on the right wonton
> wrapper. I also discovered it's better to use dehydrated onion and garlic.
> Moisture can build up and cause the stuff to ooze out much like those old
> fashion black snakes around the fourth of july. I'm sure you remember those.
> Anyway, those who like crabmeat gave me a thumbs up.
> I wanted to fry them on location. Well, wouldn't you know I miss matched the
> frying pan and heat controll. I grabbed the control for the griddle instead.
> See? Just knowing you rubs off!
>
> mark_[/color]


OK! I'm glad I'm not the ONLY absen-minded professor here!

Where do you do your cooking? In Spfld, or outside the city?

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:zcKgh.117$386.35@trndny01...[color=blue]
> On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:28:29 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>> news:Rqygh.2$Pq4.1@trndny08...[color=darkred]
>>> Anyway, I was going to give you another holler! Hadn't heard from you
>>> for
>>> a while. Don't be such a stranger![/color]
>>
>> I've been trying out new recipes lately. My latest endevour is crabmeat
>> rangoons. I made three batches so I could settle on the right wonton
>> wrapper. I also discovered it's better to use dehydrated onion and
>> garlic.
>> Moisture can build up and cause the stuff to ooze out much like those old
>> fashion black snakes around the fourth of july. I'm sure you remember
>> those.
>> Anyway, those who like crabmeat gave me a thumbs up.
>> I wanted to fry them on location. Well, wouldn't you know I miss matched
>> the
>> frying pan and heat controll. I grabbed the control for the griddle
>> instead.
>> See? Just knowing you rubs off!
>>
>> mark_[/color]
>
>
> OK! I'm glad I'm not the ONLY absen-minded professor here!
>
> Where do you do your cooking? In Spfld, or outside the city?[/color]

Anywhere there's an electrical outlet :)

On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:21:08 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
> news:zcKgh.117$386.35@trndny01...[color=green]
>> On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:28:29 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>>> news:Rqygh.2$Pq4.1@trndny08...
>>>> Anyway, I was going to give you another holler! Hadn't heard from you
>>>> for
>>>> a while. Don't be such a stranger!
>>>
>>> I've been trying out new recipes lately. My latest endevour is crabmeat
>>> rangoons. I made three batches so I could settle on the right wonton
>>> wrapper. I also discovered it's better to use dehydrated onion and
>>> garlic.
>>> Moisture can build up and cause the stuff to ooze out much like those old
>>> fashion black snakes around the fourth of july. I'm sure you remember
>>> those.
>>> Anyway, those who like crabmeat gave me a thumbs up.
>>> I wanted to fry them on location. Well, wouldn't you know I miss matched
>>> the
>>> frying pan and heat controll. I grabbed the control for the griddle
>>> instead.
>>> See? Just knowing you rubs off!
>>>
>>> mark_[/color]
>>
>>
>> OK! I'm glad I'm not the ONLY absen-minded professor here!
>>
>> Where do you do your cooking? In Spfld, or outside the city?[/color]
>
> Anywhere there's an electrical outlet :)[/color]


LOL! I got one in my backyard!

*ARE* you a cook?

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
news:EN2hh.686$3R4.284@trndny06...[color=blue]
> On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:21:08 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>> news:zcKgh.117$386.35@trndny01...[color=darkred]
>>> On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:28:29 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>>>> news:Rqygh.2$Pq4.1@trndny08...
>>>>> Anyway, I was going to give you another holler! Hadn't heard from you
>>>>> for
>>>>> a while. Don't be such a stranger!
>>>>
>>>> I've been trying out new recipes lately. My latest endevour is
>>>> crabmeat
>>>> rangoons. I made three batches so I could settle on the right wonton
>>>> wrapper. I also discovered it's better to use dehydrated onion and
>>>> garlic.
>>>> Moisture can build up and cause the stuff to ooze out much like those
>>>> old
>>>> fashion black snakes around the fourth of july. I'm sure you remember
>>>> those.
>>>> Anyway, those who like crabmeat gave me a thumbs up.
>>>> I wanted to fry them on location. Well, wouldn't you know I miss
>>>> matched
>>>> the
>>>> frying pan and heat controll. I grabbed the control for the griddle
>>>> instead.
>>>> See? Just knowing you rubs off!
>>>>
>>>> mark_
>>>
>>>
>>> OK! I'm glad I'm not the ONLY absen-minded professor here!
>>>
>>> Where do you do your cooking? In Spfld, or outside the city?[/color]
>>
>> Anywhere there's an electrical outlet :)[/color]
>
>
> LOL! I got one in my backyard!
>
> *ARE* you a cook?[/color]

I spent a year studying/ serving at a monastery primarily seafood. I was
known as a fish friar or chip monk.

(naw, just kiddin')

It's just a passion that I've also passed on to my kids. My oldest spent
some time at the military's culinary school in California. My youngest was a
prep for AppleBees. And my daughter makes the best darn home-made fudge and
chocolate chip cookies. Crunchy on the outside and gooey in the inside.

"mark_digital©" <976-XXX@comcast.com> wrote in message
news:wJqdnZiSd-sp0hjYnZ2dnUVZ_s6onZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
> news:EN2hh.686$3R4.284@trndny06...[color=green]
>> On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:21:08 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>>> news:zcKgh.117$386.35@trndny01...
>>>> On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:28:29 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>>>>> news:Rqygh.2$Pq4.1@trndny08...
>>>>>> Anyway, I was going to give you another holler! Hadn't heard from you
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> a while. Don't be such a stranger!
>>>>>
>>>>> I've been trying out new recipes lately. My latest endevour is
>>>>> crabmeat
>>>>> rangoons. I made three batches so I could settle on the right wonton
>>>>> wrapper. I also discovered it's better to use dehydrated onion and
>>>>> garlic.
>>>>> Moisture can build up and cause the stuff to ooze out much like those
>>>>> old
>>>>> fashion black snakes around the fourth of july. I'm sure you remember
>>>>> those.
>>>>> Anyway, those who like crabmeat gave me a thumbs up.
>>>>> I wanted to fry them on location. Well, wouldn't you know I miss
>>>>> matched
>>>>> the
>>>>> frying pan and heat controll. I grabbed the control for the griddle
>>>>> instead.
>>>>> See? Just knowing you rubs off!
>>>>>
>>>>> mark_
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> OK! I'm glad I'm not the ONLY absen-minded professor here!
>>>>
>>>> Where do you do your cooking? In Spfld, or outside the city?
>>>
>>> Anywhere there's an electrical outlet :)[/color]
>>
>>
>> LOL! I got one in my backyard!
>>
>> *ARE* you a cook?[/color]
>
> I spent a year studying/ serving at a monastery primarily seafood. I was
> known as a fish friar or chip monk.
>
> (naw, just kiddin')
>
> It's just a passion that I've also passed on to my kids. My oldest spent
> some time at the military's culinary school in California. My youngest was
> a prep for AppleBees. And my daughter makes the best darn home-made fudge
> and chocolate chip cookies. Crunchy on the outside and gooey in the
> inside.[/color]

Hmmmm. Like some pussy!

[color=blue]
>[/color]