Shop Time w/T.W. Friends. Where is your wallet…..poll

Nooooooo… the Realist is the guy who knows that life REALLY sucks, and understands they REALLY are out to get him. He's prepared with at least Plans 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D', and usually options 1, 2, and 3 for each!

 

In the day to day there probably isn't much need to pack recovery gear for a trip to the Post Office.
(unless you want to look cool that is)

On the other hand some folks count on luck daily far more than I could ever be comfortable with.

Often just 5 minutes of thought and preparation can dramatically improve the outcome of a situation -- checking the fluids and tires before a road trip for example.

 

Pessimists rarely walk home.

 

I used to have those!

 

I've been called a realist; example, I told a coworker that it would be more of a possibility of being shot by one of our own here at work other than a outside threat. Also the used to do major preventive maintenance and inspection on our diesel engine for backup generator. When I first started I ask why they always tearing that thing apart, it's got to be one of the worst things for it. Coworker replied; yes that be like you buying a new diesel duramax truck and every six months drop the transmission out and take it all apart on your garage floor and put it back together and in. Those big diesel meant to run 24-7 / 365 on a ship.

 

I'm a realist. I don't expect the best or worst to happen. I just deal with the hand I'm dealt.

 

The old saying, "ill cross that bridge when i get there". Is me

 

Watch that price, unless the tires are new. I got mine for $350 w/tires, swapped wheels and sold the set for $400!

 

Hmmmm I see some country style steak and mashed potatoes in my near future. Now I'm being optimistic.

 

I'm thinking Zaxby's, now I'm hungry

 

What is this new avatar, you get a new truck?

 

I started in industry as a floor mechanic then moved to plant services.

The floor mechanic might at a maximum have a department down and usually there was stock to feed the next department for a while -- being down didn't attract too much attention too quickly.

When plant services go down (chill water, hot water, steam) the entire plant goes down -- lots of attention real fast.

If one wanted to stay out of the limelight, vigilance to the details kept services on line and if they went down there was a tiny window of time to recover before pandemonium broke out.

Those experiences stuck with me all these years.
My takeaway: Most breakdowns can be avoided by daily attention to details and when the unexpected does occur down time can be minimized by having the right parts at hand.
(And a $50 part on the shelf ultimately costs less than losing a days production.)

 

Wife asked me the other day if we should get me a new truck. I’ve always been a little ahead of the curve around here on the battery powered tools/equipment. My next truck may be electric, but she got me to looking and I like that Lightning. BUT, my Tacoma now only has 52,000 miles on it and if the frame will last another 10 years I’ll wait and trade then.

 

Our power went out yesterday evening about 6:30, kids and I went and set the groundhog trap and rode by a buddies shop. His brother works for the local power company and said a line had rotted near the house, he said they should be able to isolate it and have the power back on soon. By the time we got back home it was on. I'm guessing with the inspections they do they probably knew it wasn't in the best of shape but didn't do anything about it.....until it failed.

 

I also like the Rivian, but not the price tag!

 

In industry the old "time is money" is always on our mind.

For the utility company -- they kept the replacement cost off the books for however long and you will just use the power when it comes back on so no loss for them.

 

Glad I was sitting down when I read that...

 

Good friend of mine is the director of interiors for Rivian, his name is Max and hes the driver in the video they did called "To the Max". One of the smartest guys I've ever met and a true true car guy. They aren't cheap but I've got faith they will be successful.

 

In reality....I'm optimistically a pessimist.