(November 14, 2021 at 1:02 am)Fireball Wrote: "Macca's" coffee tastes like shit, based on my experience, which is about 4 years removed from my last experience. I'm pretty sure that it hasn't improved. "Mechanic's helper" would be someone who got to do all the lying on the ground getting filthy from oil and dirt while working on a vehicle. Your job would have been termed "Pump Block Salesman" here in the US. I did that for some time after I exited the Navy while at uni. I hired in, and when the boss discovered that I knew more than him about things mechanical, I was working in the repair bay, with only minimal time on the pump block, when business was slow. By the time I graduated uni, I was state-licensed for brakes, lamps and SMOG repair and inspection, and certified for engine tune-up and repair, brake repair, air conditioning service, and front end repair and alignment. I've probably missed something in there. I made that guy a ton of money in the time I worked there. I made a ton, myself. I could work Saturdays and Sundays, and summers, to support myself while at uni. I had the GI Bill from my time in the Navy, so while I wasn't swimming in dough, I was able to support myself and my wife (we met as we were both juniors) and myself.

 I have never known much about cars. Working on a service station at 16, I had to be shown which pedal did what. Took me a few minutes to grasp the concept of a clutch. ( I was not allowed to get my driver's licence until I was 18. Dad graciously allowed me to wash the car.)

Sadly, my knowledge has slipped a bit since then. Today I know how to drive without usually hitting anything , how to fill up the tank and how call the RAA if the car breaks. I got my very first mobile phone so I could phone the RAA. Didn't tell anyone I had  it for five years.

Ricky da man. He’s my second favourite celebrity atheist.

Boru

(November 15, 2021 at 11:56 pm)Oldandeasilyconfused Wrote:

(November 14, 2021 at 1:02 am)Fireball Wrote: "Macca's" coffee tastes like shit, based on my experience, which is about 4 years removed from my last experience. I'm pretty sure that it hasn't improved. "Mechanic's helper" would be someone who got to do all the lying on the ground getting filthy from oil and dirt while working on a vehicle. Your job would have been termed "Pump Block Salesman" here in the US. I did that for some time after I exited the Navy while at uni. I hired in, and when the boss discovered that I knew more than him about things mechanical, I was working in the repair bay, with only minimal time on the pump block, when business was slow. By the time I graduated uni, I was state-licensed for brakes, lamps and SMOG repair and inspection, and certified for engine tune-up and repair, brake repair, air conditioning service, and front end repair and alignment. I've probably missed something in there. I made that guy a ton of money in the time I worked there. I made a ton, myself. I could work Saturdays and Sundays, and summers, to support myself while at uni. I had the GI Bill from my time in the Navy, so while I wasn't swimming in dough, I was able to support myself and my wife (we met as we were both juniors) and myself.

 I have never known much about cars. Working on a service station at 16, I had to be shown which pedal did what. Took me a few minutes to grasp the concept of a clutch. ( I was not allowed to get my driver's licence until I was 18. Dad graciously allowed me to wash the car.)

Sadly, my knowledge has slipped a bit since then. Today I know how to drive without usually hitting anything , how to fill up the tank and how call the RAA if the car breaks. I got my very first mobile phone so I could phone the RAA. Didn't tell anyone I had  it for five years.

That’s largely how I am when it comes to car repairs. We have a mechanic I trust implicitly, so much so that paying largely consists of me stopping him from reading off his itemized list of what it did and interrupting with,

 ‘Is that wheezing, clunking, grinding, screeching noise gone?’

‘Erm…yes.’

‘Here’s your money.’

Boru

(November 16, 2021 at 7:16 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(November 15, 2021 at 11:56 pm)Oldandeasilyconfused Wrote:  I have never known much about cars. Working on a service station at 16, I had to be shown which pedal did what. Took me a few minutes to grasp the concept of a clutch. ( I was not allowed to get my driver's licence until I was 18. Dad graciously allowed me to wash the car.)

Sadly, my knowledge has slipped a bit since then. Today I know how to drive without usually hitting anything , how to fill up the tank and how call the RAA if the car breaks. I got my very first mobile phone so I could phone the RAA. Didn't tell anyone I had  it for five years.

That’s largely how I am when it comes to car repairs. We have a mechanic I trust implicitly, so much so that paying largely consists of me stopping him from reading off his itemized list of what it did and interrupting with,

 ‘Is that wheezing, clunking, grinding, screeching noise gone?’

‘Erm…yes.’

‘Here’s your money.’

Boru

Husband can fix pretty much anything mechanical. When we met he was working as a diesel truck mechanic. I have seen him diagnose issues by smell. He refers to many mechanics as 'parts changers'. Members of the extended family call him and he diagnoses their automotive issues over the phone. However, like the shoemakers kids going barefoot, I take my car to a place in town to get the oil changed and have for years. I take care of minor stuff like making sure I have windshield washer fluid...anything else I know I will have to find someone to pay to fix it then husband will tell me afterward how I was overcharged or what did/didn't need to be done.

(November 16, 2021 at 7:30 am)arewethereyet Wrote:

(November 16, 2021 at 7:16 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: That’s largely how I am when it comes to car repairs. We have a mechanic I trust implicitly, so much so that paying largely consists of me stopping him from reading off his itemized list of what it did and interrupting with,

 ‘Is that wheezing, clunking, grinding, screeching noise gone?’

‘Erm…yes.’

‘Here’s your money.’

Boru

Husband can fix pretty much anything mechanical.  When we met he was working as a diesel truck mechanic.  I have seen him diagnose issues by smell.  He refers to many mechanics as 'parts changers'.  Members of the extended family call him and he diagnoses their automotive issues over the phone.  However, like the shoemakers kids going barefoot, I take my car to a place in town to get the oil changed and have for years.  I take care of minor stuff like making sure I have windshield washer fluid...anything else I know I will have to find someone to pay to fix it then husband will tell me afterward how I was overcharged or what did/didn't need to be done.

I’m able to do some of the simpler car repairs and service (brakes, fluid changes, etc), I’m just at a point in my life where I choose not to.

Boru

(November 16, 2021 at 7:54 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(November 16, 2021 at 7:30 am)arewethereyet Wrote: Husband can fix pretty much anything mechanical.  When we met he was working as a diesel truck mechanic.  I have seen him diagnose issues by smell.  He refers to many mechanics as 'parts changers'.  Members of the extended family call him and he diagnoses their automotive issues over the phone.  However, like the shoemakers kids going barefoot, I take my car to a place in town to get the oil changed and have for years.  I take care of minor stuff like making sure I have windshield washer fluid...anything else I know I will have to find someone to pay to fix it then husband will tell me afterward how I was overcharged or what did/didn't need to be done.

I’m able to do some of the simpler car repairs and service (brakes, fluid changes, etc), I’m just at a point in my life where I choose not to.

Boru

I get that concept but this has been going on a long, long time. And you would think he would at least come with me to talk about repairs since he's the one with much more knowledge. Instead he waits till I have had to tend to it and then he criticizes my choices. Oh, how I love that man of mine.

BSBIV:
Ricky da man. He’s my second favourite celebrity atheist.

I'm not really a celebrity though.

(November 16, 2021 at 7:54 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(November 16, 2021 at 7:30 am)arewethereyet Wrote: Husband can fix pretty much anything mechanical.  When we met he was working as a diesel truck mechanic.  I have seen him diagnose issues by smell.  He refers to many mechanics as 'parts changers'.  Members of the extended family call him and he diagnoses their automotive issues over the phone.  However, like the shoemakers kids going barefoot, I take my car to a place in town to get the oil changed and have for years.  I take care of minor stuff like making sure I have windshield washer fluid...anything else I know I will have to find someone to pay to fix it then husband will tell me afterward how I was overcharged or what did/didn't need to be done.

I’m able to do some of the simpler car repairs and service (brakes, fluid changes, etc), I’m just at a point in my life where I choose not to.

Boru

This ^^^^, a thousand times, this^^^^.

I've been fortunate enough in life (worked my arse off, really) that doing so is a viable option.

I have what I call "The Hassle Factor" that emerges whenever I have some unpleasant task that needs doing.  The value varies, depending on the task, and the older I get, the larger value that factor represents.  It hasn't reached maximum value for every task, yet, but I can see the day when it will look a lot like a sideways eight for pretty much everything.  I'm "only" 65, but the Hassle Factor has already maximized for plumbing, house painting, cleaning toilets and car repair.

(November 16, 2021 at 7:11 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: Ricky da man. He’s my second favourite celebrity atheist.

Boru

Fascinating. I think he's a cunt.