50+ thread

str8edgMTBMXer · May 14, 2021

Tacoma Mike said: ↑

All I ever wanted to do was to fix things.

To do something most people couldn’t.

To do it with pride.

To do it with respect.

To do it with knowledge gained to make myself the best at my craft.

It started when the family moved and of course a new neighborhood and kids.

Was just riding around on my bike and down one street and I heard a loud noise.

It was a engine. I followed the sound to a house and in that yard was a oval track race car running. Numbers on the side etc. To me, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I just road by for weeks.

Come to find out there was a bunch of older kids that were working on it with the

Adult owner. So one day I stopped and actually went onto the driveway and talked to the guys.

One of the kids was actually a family friend’s son.

So this started be an a ritual after school. I started helping, a little. Christ I was 13.

I lied about my age to get into the races a few years later.

I gained a lot of knowledge.

I was a sponge.

I was reading hot rod magazines as fast as I could earn money.

I could recall little details and at one race the car was not right.

Backfire, skipping. The guys were lost.

I didn’t say much.

I was a tag along until this day.

They had given up on the car for the night and they were just going to start the race with no expectations.

When they were in line before going out on the track I ran up to the owner in the car

And I yelled.

“Take the air cleaner off ,Take the air cleaner off.”

They had changed the air cleaner a few weeks earlier but we had gotten rained out for 2 weeks.

I ran to the oldest kid and yelled the same thing.

Cars were starting and he just took off running.

Popped the hood and yanked it off.

He started last due to qualifying.

He finished third

Car was as fast as before.

Owner got out of the car and walked over to the oldest kid and

said “Good call”

The kid said “ Don’t thank me, thank Mike”

I became part of the Crew then and there.

Went to Vocational School.

Went to Vocational College. Did double classes and did two years in one.

I tore into things and with my race experience I was so far ahead of the others the

teacher asked why I was even there. I could use all the machine tools. Rebuilding

Connecting rods, pistons, cranks. Boring cylinders, honing.

You name it, I did it.

Had to be shown once and then, I was off and running.

Started working for Chrysler.

Got all my certificates.

Taught a few classes.

Became a Master tech

Big wigs came down cause they had heard I was fixing a problem they couldn’t.

Other dealers were towing cars from out of state to my shop.

I wouldn’t tell them unless they made me rich.

So I’m still poor. Don’t care.

Started working on Toyota’s

Got all my certificates.

Became a Master Tech.

I was not a back yard flunky.

Not a guy that tinkered.

Not a grease monkey.

I am a professional.

I mastered my craft.

I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

Honest

Never ever did something or upsold something that in my heart wasn’t needed.

Reliable

Always showed up on time. Even during a blizzard. Vary rarely closed.

Respectful

Even now when lots of customers are pieces of shit assholes, when I had to talk to them,

I never was demeaning, or insulting, or derogatory. I would explain why things had happened and how I could get them on the road.

UNTIL,,,, THEY DISRESPECTED ME.

Then, the gloves were off.

Calling me liar or a thief was the worse thing they could say.

Many many times it was not pretty.

I don’t have a filter.

Never got an apology when i proved I was right.

I’m human.

I make mistakes.

Not very many but I do.

I take the hit.

I make it right.

I tell the customer what happened and how it was resolved.

I did the right thing.

It’s been 48 years.

I’m beat and battered, like all other physically hard working people.

We get no thank you.

No pat on the back.

Just a faster, or how much longer ( which would infuriate me. WTF you think

I’m doing back here.)

Things change all the time.

Always going to school.

Learning to fix the crap and shit the car companies put in these vehicles.

Never ending.

But now, the end is here.

Today is my last day as a full time Master Auto Technician.

To all my faithful customers that followed me during my career

(Some of them as much as 33 years) that trusted me, gave me gifts of

Cards, Food, ( Dam your blueberry pie was always so awesome Diane) thank you notes, you have no idea what it means and how I respected our relationships.

I will miss you all.

To all the others.

Unfortunately I cannot change your opinion.

I tried all my career.

I was talked to from the higher up’s so many times about my low

Upsell numbers I can’t begin to count.

If I wasn’t as good as I was I think I would have not been around.

When I first started, it was a service. To help.

Now, it’s a business, to make money.

Big business changed the industry.

Big business didn’t change me.

I am sorry you didn’t trust me.

I have done all I could do.

I gave it everything I had.

I have no more to give.

I have my integrity

I have my honesty

I can go to sleep well tonight knowing I did it right.

I’m Done

Click to expand...

congrats dude!!

hopefully as the time goes, you will only remember the good of people...not the idiocy. Hopefully in retirement you will get to have more time in the good of people

soak it in!! I remember when my dad retired, he turned into a much happier guy. He got to retire 10 years early

now you have to remember to keep us up with pics of your travels!!!

CVYota · May 14, 2021

Tacoma Mike said: ↑

All I ever wanted to do was to fix things.

To do something most people couldn’t.

To do it with pride.

To do it with respect.

To do it with knowledge gained to make myself the best at my craft.

It started when the family moved and of course a new neighborhood and kids.

Was just riding around on my bike and down one street and I heard a loud noise.

It was a engine. I followed the sound to a house and in that yard was a oval track race car running. Numbers on the side etc. To me, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I just road by for weeks.

Come to find out there was a bunch of older kids that were working on it with the

Adult owner. So one day I stopped and actually went onto the driveway and talked to the guys.

One of the kids was actually a family friend’s son.

So this started be an a ritual after school. I started helping, a little. Christ I was 13.

I lied about my age to get into the races a few years later.

I gained a lot of knowledge.

I was a sponge.

I was reading hot rod magazines as fast as I could earn money.

I could recall little details and at one race the car was not right.

Backfire, skipping. The guys were lost.

I didn’t say much.

I was a tag along until this day.

They had given up on the car for the night and they were just going to start the race with no expectations.

When they were in line before going out on the track I ran up to the owner in the car

And I yelled.

“Take the air cleaner off ,Take the air cleaner off.”

They had changed the air cleaner a few weeks earlier but we had gotten rained out for 2 weeks.

I ran to the oldest kid and yelled the same thing.

Cars were starting and he just took off running.

Popped the hood and yanked it off.

He started last due to qualifying.

He finished third

Car was as fast as before.

Owner got out of the car and walked over to the oldest kid and

said “Good call”

The kid said “ Don’t thank me, thank Mike”

I became part of the Crew then and there.

Went to Vocational School.

Went to Vocational College. Did double classes and did two years in one.

I tore into things and with my race experience I was so far ahead of the others the

teacher asked why I was even there. I could use all the machine tools. Rebuilding

Connecting rods, pistons, cranks. Boring cylinders, honing.

You name it, I did it.

Had to be shown once and then, I was off and running.

Started working for Chrysler.

Got all my certificates.

Taught a few classes.

Became a Master tech

Big wigs came down cause they had heard I was fixing a problem they couldn’t.

Other dealers were towing cars from out of state to my shop.

I wouldn’t tell them unless they made me rich.

So I’m still poor. Don’t care.

Started working on Toyota’s

Got all my certificates.

Became a Master Tech.

I was not a back yard flunky.

Not a guy that tinkered.

Not a grease monkey.

I am a professional.

I mastered my craft.

I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

Honest

Never ever did something or upsold something that in my heart wasn’t needed.

Reliable

Always showed up on time. Even during a blizzard. Vary rarely closed.

Respectful

Even now when lots of customers are pieces of shit assholes, when I had to talk to them,

I never was demeaning, or insulting, or derogatory. I would explain why things had happened and how I could get them on the road.

UNTIL,,,, THEY DISRESPECTED ME.

Then, the gloves were off.

Calling me liar or a thief was the worse thing they could say.

Many many times it was not pretty.

I don’t have a filter.

Never got an apology when i proved I was right.

I’m human.

I make mistakes.

Not very many but I do.

I take the hit.

I make it right.

I tell the customer what happened and how it was resolved.

I did the right thing.

It’s been 48 years.

I’m beat and battered, like all other physically hard working people.

We get no thank you.

No pat on the back.

Just a faster, or how much longer ( which would infuriate me. WTF you think

I’m doing back here.)

Things change all the time.

Always going to school.

Learning to fix the crap and shit the car companies put in these vehicles.

Never ending.

But now, the end is here.

Today is my last day as a full time Master Auto Technician.

To all my faithful customers that followed me during my career

(Some of them as much as 33 years) that trusted me, gave me gifts of

Cards, Food, ( Dam your blueberry pie was always so awesome Diane) thank you notes, you have no idea what it means and how I respected our relationships.

I will miss you all.

To all the others.

Unfortunately I cannot change your opinion.

I tried all my career.

I was talked to from the higher up’s so many times about my low

Upsell numbers I can’t begin to count.

If I wasn’t as good as I was I think I would have not been around.

When I first started, it was a service. To help.

Now, it’s a business, to make money.

Big business changed the industry.

Big business didn’t change me.

I am sorry you didn’t trust me.

I have done all I could do.

I gave it everything I had.

I have no more to give.

I have my integrity

I have my honesty

I can go to sleep well tonight knowing I did it right.

I’m Done

Click to expand...

About time.

Glad you are able to retire from that load of crap. Still going to make the patch.

So now just racing and fishing and taking care of the queen

Tacoma Mike · May 14, 2021

CVYota[OP] said: ↑

About time.

Glad you are able to retire from that load of crap. Still going to make the patch.

So now just racing and fishing and taking care of the queen
Click to expand...

That picture will become my new avatar so your skill will be displayed.

Hardscrabble · May 14, 2021

71tattooguy said: ↑

1. Jalapeño, onions , ketchup of course , Sauerkraut
2. Drakes
3. ?
4. Dog
5. Donkey Shows
6. Coffee
7. Just Bacon
8. Over
9. Either way I’m good
10. Med Rare
11. F
12. Mayo

Click to expand...

Welcome Dino. Not sure about that hot dog...

Tacman19 said: ↑

Okay, edits
Zim

Click to expand...

Awesome pictures Zim!

MTgirl said: ↑

And I'm on vacation

Good Lord....i don't know what doc is doing to the guy in the next room but I can hear him grunting through the walls
Click to expand...

What does @MQQSE say? Oh yeah...never take the bait.

netdoctored said: ↑

Well over 50 and have been enjoying the banter. Hopefully my test will get me into the clubhouse.

Mustard of course

Hostess

The sprinklers

Dog

?! Everyone knows its all about donkeys

Coffee

Bacon makes everything better

No holder, put them on the counter

Daylight savings is the devil!

Walk the cow over and I will cut off the parts I want

°F

Mayo

Click to expand...

Welcome aboard. Nice answer to 10.

Tacoma Mike said: ↑

All I ever wanted to do was to fix things.

To do something most people couldn’t.

To do it with pride.

To do it with respect.

To do it with knowledge gained to make myself the best at my craft.

It started when the family moved and of course a new neighborhood and kids.

Was just riding around on my bike and down one street and I heard a loud noise.

It was a engine. I followed the sound to a house and in that yard was a oval track race car running. Numbers on the side etc. To me, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I just road by for weeks.

Come to find out there was a bunch of older kids that were working on it with the

Adult owner. So one day I stopped and actually went onto the driveway and talked to the guys.

One of the kids was actually a family friend’s son.

So this started be an a ritual after school. I started helping, a little. Christ I was 13.

I lied about my age to get into the races a few years later.

I gained a lot of knowledge.

I was a sponge.

I was reading hot rod magazines as fast as I could earn money.

I could recall little details and at one race the car was not right.

Backfire, skipping. The guys were lost.

I didn’t say much.

I was a tag along until this day.

They had given up on the car for the night and they were just going to start the race with no expectations.

When they were in line before going out on the track I ran up to the owner in the car

And I yelled.

“Take the air cleaner off ,Take the air cleaner off.”

They had changed the air cleaner a few weeks earlier but we had gotten rained out for 2 weeks.

I ran to the oldest kid and yelled the same thing.

Cars were starting and he just took off running.

Popped the hood and yanked it off.

He started last due to qualifying.

He finished third

Car was as fast as before.

Owner got out of the car and walked over to the oldest kid and

said “Good call”

The kid said “ Don’t thank me, thank Mike”

I became part of the Crew then and there.

Went to Vocational School.

Went to Vocational College. Did double classes and did two years in one.

I tore into things and with my race experience I was so far ahead of the others the

teacher asked why I was even there. I could use all the machine tools. Rebuilding

Connecting rods, pistons, cranks. Boring cylinders, honing.

You name it, I did it.

Had to be shown once and then, I was off and running.

Started working for Chrysler.

Got all my certificates.

Taught a few classes.

Became a Master tech

Big wigs came down cause they had heard I was fixing a problem they couldn’t.

Other dealers were towing cars from out of state to my shop.

I wouldn’t tell them unless they made me rich.

So I’m still poor. Don’t care.

Started working on Toyota’s

Got all my certificates.

Became a Master Tech.

I was not a back yard flunky.

Not a guy that tinkered.

Not a grease monkey.

I am a professional.

I mastered my craft.

I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

Honest

Never ever did something or upsold something that in my heart wasn’t needed.

Reliable

Always showed up on time. Even during a blizzard. Vary rarely closed.

Respectful

Even now when lots of customers are pieces of shit assholes, when I had to talk to them,

I never was demeaning, or insulting, or derogatory. I would explain why things had happened and how I could get them on the road.

UNTIL,,,, THEY DISRESPECTED ME.

Then, the gloves were off.

Calling me liar or a thief was the worse thing they could say.

Many many times it was not pretty.

I don’t have a filter.

Never got an apology when i proved I was right.

I’m human.

I make mistakes.

Not very many but I do.

I take the hit.

I make it right.

I tell the customer what happened and how it was resolved.

I did the right thing.

It’s been 48 years.

I’m beat and battered, like all other physically hard working people.

We get no thank you.

No pat on the back.

Just a faster, or how much longer ( which would infuriate me. WTF you think

I’m doing back here.)

Things change all the time.

Always going to school.

Learning to fix the crap and shit the car companies put in these vehicles.

Never ending.

But now, the end is here.

Today is my last day as a full time Master Auto Technician.

To all my faithful customers that followed me during my career

(Some of them as much as 33 years) that trusted me, gave me gifts of

Cards, Food, ( Dam your blueberry pie was always so awesome Diane) thank you notes, you have no idea what it means and how I respected our relationships.

I will miss you all.

To all the others.

Unfortunately I cannot change your opinion.

I tried all my career.

I was talked to from the higher up’s so many times about my low

Upsell numbers I can’t begin to count.

If I wasn’t as good as I was I think I would have not been around.

When I first started, it was a service. To help.

Now, it’s a business, to make money.

Big business changed the industry.

Big business didn’t change me.

I am sorry you didn’t trust me.

I have done all I could do.

I gave it everything I had.

I have no more to give.

I have my integrity

I have my honesty

I can go to sleep well tonight knowing I did it right.

I’m Done

Click to expand...

Congratulations on your retirement Mike! Thank you for your integrity and dedication to the maintenance of our vehicles. All the best to you sir!

Cwopinger · May 14, 2021

Tacoma Mike said: ↑

All I ever wanted to do was to fix things.

To do something most people couldn’t.

To do it with pride.

To do it with respect.

To do it with knowledge gained to make myself the best at my craft.

It started when the family moved and of course a new neighborhood and kids.

Was just riding around on my bike and down one street and I heard a loud noise.

It was a engine. I followed the sound to a house and in that yard was a oval track race car running. Numbers on the side etc. To me, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I just road by for weeks.

Come to find out there was a bunch of older kids that were working on it with the

Adult owner. So one day I stopped and actually went onto the driveway and talked to the guys.

One of the kids was actually a family friend’s son.

So this started be an a ritual after school. I started helping, a little. Christ I was 13.

I lied about my age to get into the races a few years later.

I gained a lot of knowledge.

I was a sponge.

I was reading hot rod magazines as fast as I could earn money.

I could recall little details and at one race the car was not right.

Backfire, skipping. The guys were lost.

I didn’t say much.

I was a tag along until this day.

They had given up on the car for the night and they were just going to start the race with no expectations.

When they were in line before going out on the track I ran up to the owner in the car

And I yelled.

“Take the air cleaner off ,Take the air cleaner off.”

They had changed the air cleaner a few weeks earlier but we had gotten rained out for 2 weeks.

I ran to the oldest kid and yelled the same thing.

Cars were starting and he just took off running.

Popped the hood and yanked it off.

He started last due to qualifying.

He finished third

Car was as fast as before.

Owner got out of the car and walked over to the oldest kid and

said “Good call”

The kid said “ Don’t thank me, thank Mike”

I became part of the Crew then and there.

Went to Vocational School.

Went to Vocational College. Did double classes and did two years in one.

I tore into things and with my race experience I was so far ahead of the others the

teacher asked why I was even there. I could use all the machine tools. Rebuilding

Connecting rods, pistons, cranks. Boring cylinders, honing.

You name it, I did it.

Had to be shown once and then, I was off and running.

Started working for Chrysler.

Got all my certificates.

Taught a few classes.

Became a Master tech

Big wigs came down cause they had heard I was fixing a problem they couldn’t.

Other dealers were towing cars from out of state to my shop.

I wouldn’t tell them unless they made me rich.

So I’m still poor. Don’t care.

Started working on Toyota’s

Got all my certificates.

Became a Master Tech.

I was not a back yard flunky.

Not a guy that tinkered.

Not a grease monkey.

I am a professional.

I mastered my craft.

I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

Honest

Never ever did something or upsold something that in my heart wasn’t needed.

Reliable

Always showed up on time. Even during a blizzard. Vary rarely closed.

Respectful

Even now when lots of customers are pieces of shit assholes, when I had to talk to them,

I never was demeaning, or insulting, or derogatory. I would explain why things had happened and how I could get them on the road.

UNTIL,,,, THEY DISRESPECTED ME.

Then, the gloves were off.

Calling me liar or a thief was the worse thing they could say.

Many many times it was not pretty.

I don’t have a filter.

Never got an apology when i proved I was right.

I’m human.

I make mistakes.

Not very many but I do.

I take the hit.

I make it right.

I tell the customer what happened and how it was resolved.

I did the right thing.

It’s been 48 years.

I’m beat and battered, like all other physically hard working people.

We get no thank you.

No pat on the back.

Just a faster, or how much longer ( which would infuriate me. WTF you think

I’m doing back here.)

Things change all the time.

Always going to school.

Learning to fix the crap and shit the car companies put in these vehicles.

Never ending.

But now, the end is here.

Today is my last day as a full time Master Auto Technician.

To all my faithful customers that followed me during my career

(Some of them as much as 33 years) that trusted me, gave me gifts of

Cards, Food, ( Dam your blueberry pie was always so awesome Diane) thank you notes, you have no idea what it means and how I respected our relationships.

I will miss you all.

To all the others.

Unfortunately I cannot change your opinion.

I tried all my career.

I was talked to from the higher up’s so many times about my low

Upsell numbers I can’t begin to count.

If I wasn’t as good as I was I think I would have not been around.

When I first started, it was a service. To help.

Now, it’s a business, to make money.

Big business changed the industry.

Big business didn’t change me.

I am sorry you didn’t trust me.

I have done all I could do.

I gave it everything I had.

I have no more to give.

I have my integrity

I have my honesty

I can go to sleep well tonight knowing I did it right.

I’m Done

Click to expand...

Congratulations on retiring Mike. Enjoy doing whatever you want to do next.

johneman · May 14, 2021

Tacoma Mike said: ↑

All I ever wanted to do was to fix things.

To do something most people couldn’t.

To do it with pride.

To do it with respect.

To do it with knowledge gained to make myself the best at my craft.

It started when the family moved and of course a new neighborhood and kids.

Was just riding around on my bike and down one street and I heard a loud noise.

It was a engine. I followed the sound to a house and in that yard was a oval track race car running. Numbers on the side etc. To me, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I just road by for weeks.

Come to find out there was a bunch of older kids that were working on it with the

Adult owner. So one day I stopped and actually went onto the driveway and talked to the guys.

One of the kids was actually a family friend’s son.

So this started be an a ritual after school. I started helping, a little. Christ I was 13.

I lied about my age to get into the races a few years later.

I gained a lot of knowledge.

I was a sponge.

I was reading hot rod magazines as fast as I could earn money.

I could recall little details and at one race the car was not right.

Backfire, skipping. The guys were lost.

I didn’t say much.

I was a tag along until this day.

They had given up on the car for the night and they were just going to start the race with no expectations.

When they were in line before going out on the track I ran up to the owner in the car

And I yelled.

“Take the air cleaner off ,Take the air cleaner off.”

They had changed the air cleaner a few weeks earlier but we had gotten rained out for 2 weeks.

I ran to the oldest kid and yelled the same thing.

Cars were starting and he just took off running.

Popped the hood and yanked it off.

He started last due to qualifying.

He finished third

Car was as fast as before.

Owner got out of the car and walked over to the oldest kid and

said “Good call”

The kid said “ Don’t thank me, thank Mike”

I became part of the Crew then and there.

Went to Vocational School.

Went to Vocational College. Did double classes and did two years in one.

I tore into things and with my race experience I was so far ahead of the others the

teacher asked why I was even there. I could use all the machine tools. Rebuilding

Connecting rods, pistons, cranks. Boring cylinders, honing.

You name it, I did it.

Had to be shown once and then, I was off and running.

Started working for Chrysler.

Got all my certificates.

Taught a few classes.

Became a Master tech

Big wigs came down cause they had heard I was fixing a problem they couldn’t.

Other dealers were towing cars from out of state to my shop.

I wouldn’t tell them unless they made me rich.

So I’m still poor. Don’t care.

Started working on Toyota’s

Got all my certificates.

Became a Master Tech.

I was not a back yard flunky.

Not a guy that tinkered.

Not a grease monkey.

I am a professional.

I mastered my craft.

I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

Honest

Never ever did something or upsold something that in my heart wasn’t needed.

Reliable

Always showed up on time. Even during a blizzard. Vary rarely closed.

Respectful

Even now when lots of customers are pieces of shit assholes, when I had to talk to them,

I never was demeaning, or insulting, or derogatory. I would explain why things had happened and how I could get them on the road.

UNTIL,,,, THEY DISRESPECTED ME.

Then, the gloves were off.

Calling me liar or a thief was the worse thing they could say.

Many many times it was not pretty.

I don’t have a filter.

Never got an apology when i proved I was right.

I’m human.

I make mistakes.

Not very many but I do.

I take the hit.

I make it right.

I tell the customer what happened and how it was resolved.

I did the right thing.

It’s been 48 years.

I’m beat and battered, like all other physically hard working people.

We get no thank you.

No pat on the back.

Just a faster, or how much longer ( which would infuriate me. WTF you think

I’m doing back here.)

Things change all the time.

Always going to school.

Learning to fix the crap and shit the car companies put in these vehicles.

Never ending.

But now, the end is here.

Today is my last day as a full time Master Auto Technician.

To all my faithful customers that followed me during my career

(Some of them as much as 33 years) that trusted me, gave me gifts of

Cards, Food, ( Dam your blueberry pie was always so awesome Diane) thank you notes, you have no idea what it means and how I respected our relationships.

I will miss you all.

To all the others.

Unfortunately I cannot change your opinion.

I tried all my career.

I was talked to from the higher up’s so many times about my low

Upsell numbers I can’t begin to count.

If I wasn’t as good as I was I think I would have not been around.

When I first started, it was a service. To help.

Now, it’s a business, to make money.

Big business changed the industry.

Big business didn’t change me.

I am sorry you didn’t trust me.

I have done all I could do.

I gave it everything I had.

I have no more to give.

I have my integrity

I have my honesty

I can go to sleep well tonight knowing I did it right.

I’m Done

Click to expand...

CONGRATULATIONS Mike as you start a new part of your life. You gave for more years than others have and you can hold your head up because you did right by your customers even though many of them didn't respect you for it. Sir enjoy your retirement. It is well deserved. Congrats again and enjoy.

71tattooguy · May 14, 2021

Hardscrabble said: ↑

Welcome Dino. Not sure about that hot dog...

Awesome pictures Zim!

What does @MQQSE say? Oh yeah...never take the bait.

Welcome aboard. Nice answer to 10.

Congratulations on your retirement Mike! Thank you for your integrity and dedication to the maintenance of our vehicles. All the best to you sir!
Click to expand...

Thank you bro

Hardscrabble · May 14, 2021

71tattooguy said: ↑

Thank you bro
Click to expand...

You’re welcome. Happy birthday (belated).

Cuffs · May 14, 2021

Still waiting on suspicious cryptic comment news.

MTgirl · May 14, 2021

Cuffs said: ↑

Still waiting on suspicious cryptic comment news.
Click to expand...

\/ \/ \/

Tacoma Mike said: ↑

All I ever wanted to do was to fix things.

To do something most people couldn’t.

To do it with pride.

To do it with respect.

To do it with knowledge gained to make myself the best at my craft.

It started when the family moved and of course a new neighborhood and kids.

Was just riding around on my bike and down one street and I heard a loud noise.

It was a engine. I followed the sound to a house and in that yard was a oval track race car running. Numbers on the side etc. To me, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I just road by for weeks.

Come to find out there was a bunch of older kids that were working on it with the

Adult owner. So one day I stopped and actually went onto the driveway and talked to the guys.

One of the kids was actually a family friend’s son.

So this started be an a ritual after school. I started helping, a little. Christ I was 13.

I lied about my age to get into the races a few years later.

I gained a lot of knowledge.

I was a sponge.

I was reading hot rod magazines as fast as I could earn money.

I could recall little details and at one race the car was not right.

Backfire, skipping. The guys were lost.

I didn’t say much.

I was a tag along until this day.

They had given up on the car for the night and they were just going to start the race with no expectations.

When they were in line before going out on the track I ran up to the owner in the car

And I yelled.

“Take the air cleaner off ,Take the air cleaner off.”

They had changed the air cleaner a few weeks earlier but we had gotten rained out for 2 weeks.

I ran to the oldest kid and yelled the same thing.

Cars were starting and he just took off running.

Popped the hood and yanked it off.

He started last due to qualifying.

He finished third

Car was as fast as before.

Owner got out of the car and walked over to the oldest kid and

said “Good call”

The kid said “ Don’t thank me, thank Mike”

I became part of the Crew then and there.

Went to Vocational School.

Went to Vocational College. Did double classes and did two years in one.

I tore into things and with my race experience I was so far ahead of the others the

teacher asked why I was even there. I could use all the machine tools. Rebuilding

Connecting rods, pistons, cranks. Boring cylinders, honing.

You name it, I did it.

Had to be shown once and then, I was off and running.

Started working for Chrysler.

Got all my certificates.

Taught a few classes.

Became a Master tech

Big wigs came down cause they had heard I was fixing a problem they couldn’t.

Other dealers were towing cars from out of state to my shop.

I wouldn’t tell them unless they made me rich.

So I’m still poor. Don’t care.

Started working on Toyota’s

Got all my certificates.

Became a Master Tech.

I was not a back yard flunky.

Not a guy that tinkered.

Not a grease monkey.

I am a professional.

I mastered my craft.

I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

Honest

Never ever did something or upsold something that in my heart wasn’t needed.

Reliable

Always showed up on time. Even during a blizzard. Vary rarely closed.

Respectful

Even now when lots of customers are pieces of shit assholes, when I had to talk to them,

I never was demeaning, or insulting, or derogatory. I would explain why things had happened and how I could get them on the road.

UNTIL,,,, THEY DISRESPECTED ME.

Then, the gloves were off.

Calling me liar or a thief was the worse thing they could say.

Many many times it was not pretty.

I don’t have a filter.

Never got an apology when i proved I was right.

I’m human.

I make mistakes.

Not very many but I do.

I take the hit.

I make it right.

I tell the customer what happened and how it was resolved.

I did the right thing.

It’s been 48 years.

I’m beat and battered, like all other physically hard working people.

We get no thank you.

No pat on the back.

Just a faster, or how much longer ( which would infuriate me. WTF you think

I’m doing back here.)

Things change all the time.

Always going to school.

Learning to fix the crap and shit the car companies put in these vehicles.

Never ending.

But now, the end is here.

Today is my last day as a full time Master Auto Technician.

To all my faithful customers that followed me during my career

(Some of them as much as 33 years) that trusted me, gave me gifts of

Cards, Food, ( Dam your blueberry pie was always so awesome Diane) thank you notes, you have no idea what it means and how I respected our relationships.

I will miss you all.

To all the others.

Unfortunately I cannot change your opinion.

I tried all my career.

I was talked to from the higher up’s so many times about my low

Upsell numbers I can’t begin to count.

If I wasn’t as good as I was I think I would have not been around.

When I first started, it was a service. To help.

Now, it’s a business, to make money.

Big business changed the industry.

Big business didn’t change me.

I am sorry you didn’t trust me.

I have done all I could do.

I gave it everything I had.

I have no more to give.

I have my integrity

I have my honesty

I can go to sleep well tonight knowing I did it right.

I’m Done

Click to expand...

Cuffs · May 14, 2021

Oh. My bad.
I am soooo tired this week I totally did not relate the two things.

WOOHOOO happy days are ahead! Ifn you do some traveling @Tacoma Mike ill be at the Grand Canyon for the next few years! Always a place to stay for ya!

Tacoma Mike · May 14, 2021

Cuffs said: ↑

Oh. My bad.
I am soooo tired this week I totally did not relate the two things.

WOOHOOO happy days are ahead! Ifn you do some traveling @Tacoma Mike ill be at the Grand Canyon for the next few years! Always a place to stay for ya!
Click to expand...

Thank you...

You Never Know

kamakazie_1 · May 14, 2021

US Marine said: ↑

Welcome aboard

Now as others have suggested please take the test on page #1 and then post the answers here for the Elders to review

During the test remember Ketchup is #1
Click to expand...

Good try NOT!!

RJ

MTgirl · May 14, 2021

well.... i think i am as packed as i can be. clothes, food, etc. got a quick couple errands to run in town in the am then home, throw the camera and last few things in the truck and i am gone!

CVYota · May 14, 2021

MTgirl said: ↑

well.... i think i am as packed as i can be. clothes, food, etc. got a quick couple errands to run in town in the am then home, throw the camera and last few things in the truck and i am gone!
Click to expand...

We never heard how the water heater issue was resolved

MTgirl · May 14, 2021

CVYota[OP] said: ↑

We never heard how the water heater issue was resolved
Click to expand...

its not.

netdoctored · May 14, 2021

Tacoma Mike said: ↑

All I ever wanted to do was to fix things.

To do something most people couldn’t.

To do it with pride.

To do it with respect.

To do it with knowledge gained to make myself the best at my craft.

It started when the family moved and of course a new neighborhood and kids.

Was just riding around on my bike and down one street and I heard a loud noise.

It was a engine. I followed the sound to a house and in that yard was a oval track race car running. Numbers on the side etc. To me, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I just road by for weeks.

Come to find out there was a bunch of older kids that were working on it with the

Adult owner. So one day I stopped and actually went onto the driveway and talked to the guys.

One of the kids was actually a family friend’s son.

So this started be an a ritual after school. I started helping, a little. Christ I was 13.

I lied about my age to get into the races a few years later.

I gained a lot of knowledge.

I was a sponge.

I was reading hot rod magazines as fast as I could earn money.

I could recall little details and at one race the car was not right.

Backfire, skipping. The guys were lost.

I didn’t say much.

I was a tag along until this day.

They had given up on the car for the night and they were just going to start the race with no expectations.

When they were in line before going out on the track I ran up to the owner in the car

And I yelled.

“Take the air cleaner off ,Take the air cleaner off.”

They had changed the air cleaner a few weeks earlier but we had gotten rained out for 2 weeks.

I ran to the oldest kid and yelled the same thing.

Cars were starting and he just took off running.

Popped the hood and yanked it off.

He started last due to qualifying.

He finished third

Car was as fast as before.

Owner got out of the car and walked over to the oldest kid and

said “Good call”

The kid said “ Don’t thank me, thank Mike”

I became part of the Crew then and there.

Went to Vocational School.

Went to Vocational College. Did double classes and did two years in one.

I tore into things and with my race experience I was so far ahead of the others the

teacher asked why I was even there. I could use all the machine tools. Rebuilding

Connecting rods, pistons, cranks. Boring cylinders, honing.

You name it, I did it.

Had to be shown once and then, I was off and running.

Started working for Chrysler.

Got all my certificates.

Taught a few classes.

Became a Master tech

Big wigs came down cause they had heard I was fixing a problem they couldn’t.

Other dealers were towing cars from out of state to my shop.

I wouldn’t tell them unless they made me rich.

So I’m still poor. Don’t care.

Started working on Toyota’s

Got all my certificates.

Became a Master Tech.

I was not a back yard flunky.

Not a guy that tinkered.

Not a grease monkey.

I am a professional.

I mastered my craft.

I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.

Honest

Never ever did something or upsold something that in my heart wasn’t needed.

Reliable

Always showed up on time. Even during a blizzard. Vary rarely closed.

Respectful

Even now when lots of customers are pieces of shit assholes, when I had to talk to them,

I never was demeaning, or insulting, or derogatory. I would explain why things had happened and how I could get them on the road.

UNTIL,,,, THEY DISRESPECTED ME.

Then, the gloves were off.

Calling me liar or a thief was the worse thing they could say.

Many many times it was not pretty.

I don’t have a filter.

Never got an apology when i proved I was right.

I’m human.

I make mistakes.

Not very many but I do.

I take the hit.

I make it right.

I tell the customer what happened and how it was resolved.

I did the right thing.

It’s been 48 years.

I’m beat and battered, like all other physically hard working people.

We get no thank you.

No pat on the back.

Just a faster, or how much longer ( which would infuriate me. WTF you think

I’m doing back here.)

Things change all the time.

Always going to school.

Learning to fix the crap and shit the car companies put in these vehicles.

Never ending.

But now, the end is here.

Today is my last day as a full time Master Auto Technician.

To all my faithful customers that followed me during my career

(Some of them as much as 33 years) that trusted me, gave me gifts of

Cards, Food, ( Dam your blueberry pie was always so awesome Diane) thank you notes, you have no idea what it means and how I respected our relationships.

I will miss you all.

To all the others.

Unfortunately I cannot change your opinion.

I tried all my career.

I was talked to from the higher up’s so many times about my low

Upsell numbers I can’t begin to count.

If I wasn’t as good as I was I think I would have not been around.

When I first started, it was a service. To help.

Now, it’s a business, to make money.

Big business changed the industry.

Big business didn’t change me.

I am sorry you didn’t trust me.

I have done all I could do.

I gave it everything I had.

I have no more to give.

I have my integrity

I have my honesty

I can go to sleep well tonight knowing I did it right.

I’m Done

Click to expand...

Congratulations on your retirement. A long career of helping people brings a satisfaction that few take the time to reflect on. Your head is in the right place. Enjoy yourself!

Pointeman · May 14, 2021

MTgirl said: ↑

its not.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear. Do you have a back up plan? Heating water on he stove? Solar shower? Campground facilities? We have a Coleman H2Oasis instant hot water unit that works nicely but realize time is a factor for you.

MTgirl · May 14, 2021

Pointeman said: ↑

Sorry to hear. Do you have a back up plan? Heating water on he stove? Solar shower? Campground facilities? We have a Coleman H2Oasis instant hot water unit that works nicely but realize time is a factor for you.
Click to expand...

right now hoping that i can get into one of the RV dealers i'll be passing in a week. theres a bypass valve so i can still fill up the fresh water tank and leave the water heater empty. i've tried everything i can think of but dontwant to get carried away for fear of making the problem worse. night give it one more go in the morning. i dunno. just frustrated.

Pointeman · May 14, 2021

MTgirl said: ↑

right now hoping that i can get into one of the RV dealers i'll be passing in a week. theres a bypass valve so i can still fill up the fresh water tank and leave the water heater empty. i've tried everything i can think of but dontwant to get carried away for fear of making the problem worse. night give it one more go in the morning. i dunno. just frustrated.
Click to expand...

I can only imagine. Is there a campingworld close to where you are going? They have done some work on the relatives rv when the were traveling. Hope it works for you.

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

50+ thread

#203141
str8edgMTBMXer Well-Known Member

#203142
CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

#203143
Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

#203144
Hardscrabble Well-Known Member

#203145
Cwopinger Random guy who shows up in your threads

#203146
johneman Life is good relaxin' on the porch!!

#203147
71tattooguy Well-Known Member

#203148
Hardscrabble Well-Known Member

#203149
Cuffs Well-Known Member

#203150
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203151
Cuffs Well-Known Member

#203152
Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

#203153
kamakazie_1 Well-Known Member

#203154
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203155
CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

#203156
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203157
netdoctored Active Member

#203158
Pointeman Well-Known Member

#203159
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203160
Pointeman Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

50+ thread

#203141 str8edgMTBMXer Well-Known Member

#203142 CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

#203143 Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

#203144 Hardscrabble Well-Known Member

#203145 Cwopinger Random guy who shows up in your threads

#203146 johneman Life is good relaxin' on the porch!!

#203147 71tattooguy Well-Known Member

#203148 Hardscrabble Well-Known Member

#203149 Cuffs Well-Known Member

#203150 MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203151 Cuffs Well-Known Member

#203152 Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

#203153 kamakazie_1 Well-Known Member

#203154 MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203155 CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

#203156 MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203157 netdoctored Active Member

#203158 Pointeman Well-Known Member

#203159 MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203160 Pointeman Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: Off-Topic Discussion Thread: 50+ thread

#203141
str8edgMTBMXer Well-Known Member

#203142
CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

#203143
Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

#203144
Hardscrabble Well-Known Member

#203145
Cwopinger Random guy who shows up in your threads

#203146
johneman Life is good relaxin' on the porch!!

#203147
71tattooguy Well-Known Member

#203148
Hardscrabble Well-Known Member

#203149
Cuffs Well-Known Member

#203150
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203151
Cuffs Well-Known Member

#203152
Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

#203153
kamakazie_1 Well-Known Member

#203154
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203155
CVYota [OP] Damaged goods

#203156
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203157
netdoctored Active Member

#203158
Pointeman Well-Known Member

#203159
MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

#203160
Pointeman Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in