PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

It holds up quite well, l usually respray every 2 or 3 years.

 

I like the fact it won't make u messy. I have to wear long sleeves and gloves when I'm under my truck....

 

That makes a huge difference, it's nice to be able to work under the truck without getting covered in goop.

 

I have to dress in long pants and sleeves just to mow and weed eat my yard. (Poison Ivy)
I’m not about work on my truck in the same manner too. I hate working on it in the first place.

 

@ABA180
@ColoradoTJ
@shakerhood
@Taco critter
@TnShooter

I went over to Helen's again today to check up on her, and I am happy to say that Carlisle Events refunded the show entry fee after Helen explained the situation. The bed and breakfast in downtown Carlisle where she and Jim have stayed for years also will not be charging any fees, given the circumstances. Helen really wants me to have the Porsche "Stuttgart" badge that is presently bolted to the grille of Jim's Ridgeline; I actually considered mounting on it on the front of my truck, but it wouldn't look particularly good attached to my custom HomerTaco grill, and I also don't want anything to happen to it. Like the zombie patch that Jim gave me three days before he died, the Porsche badge is destined to become a cherished heirloom that I would prefer to keep out of the elements. It has survived five years on the front of Jim's Honda, but I don't want to try my luck...

 

I am 33 years old, and I don't like to cry in front of people. My grandmother told me years ago never to cry for anything that can't cry for me, but Jim obviously didn't fall into that category. He most certainly was capable of crying for me, and I certainly cried for him when Helen told me that he'd died. I was still standing on the back porch of their house, in full view of anybody who was passing by, crying uncontrollably as I hugged Helen; I haven't cried this much since we had to euthanize Mandy due to failing health back in 2019. Mandy was our rescue dog, a Corgi/Lab/Terrier mix with a rare congenital kidney disease, who we only had for ten months and who we put to sleep when she was a year old.

I got most of my crying out on the day I found that Jim died; I was crying for the first 45 minutes or so after I heard the news, I was crying when I called my mom to tell her that Jim had died and I wasn't sure I could safely drive home. While alone in my bedroom later than same day, I started crying again, and I was crying when I called my grandma. My cousin called me while I was talking to my grandma, and I was crying when I took that call.

Due to a backlog at the veterans cemetery, and because services are only held Mondays through Fridays, Jim's service will likely not be until early October; I have no doubt that something will come up between now and then, which will trigger an emotional response from me. If they play taps at the funeral, I will start crying for sure.

There is a lot of shit going on in the world, both at home and abroad, that really stresses me out. However, that's life. Shit happens.

Unexpectedly losing someone you came to view as a second father over the course of the last decade really takes a lot out of you, to which shitty situations on the world stage can't even compare...

 

Taps is very difficult to near impossible to hold it together, no shame at all in letting it out.

 

Makes sense especially given the reputation.

 

Let me see if I can isolate a couple of things:

Unfortunately we are indoctrinated at a very young age that it is bad or not worth it to cry. We are sometimes told to just "suck it up and deal with it." Crying is a natural manifestation of sadness which is a natural emotion that every human is born with. It is never a bad thing to show or feel sadness when you are enveloped with this emotion especially in times like this and crying should never be something that someone is ever afraid of doing. I am proud of you that you were able to let yourself feel in this way.

This is very common and happens to all people even if they have already gone through the grieving process. The memory of Jim not being here for you in the physical sense can remain very painful but the more that we are able to focus the positive memories that we have of them and the guidance he instilled in you that made you who you are today, the more that you can cherish the time you spent with him and how you can pass that same guidance unto others.

And that is 100% normal and 100% ok to let it happen.

Unfortunately, the world today is much more stressful yes, and something like this happening in times that already stressful can feel like a "Punch in the gut," but always remember to practice self care in any way that you can to help. I know you have many things that you do to bring a smile to your face and a lot of your hobbies that you already engage in can greatly help you "tune out the craziness of the outside world" even for just a moment so you can catch your breath.

@JaCado sums this up very well. Even though there are 5 general stages of the grieving process, recognize that not everyone might acknowledge each stage. We also needs to keep in mind that going through the grieving process is subjective and each person goes through it differently, in their own way, and within their own time. Some may be cliché about it and say that "time heals all wounds." This is somewhat correct but it is how a person is able to grieve during that time is what counts. Some things to be aware of:

1.RECOVERY FROM A LOVED ONE'S DEATH REQUIRES MORE THAN TIME.
Yet, if we allow ourselves the time to mourn we can gradually break grief's grip on us. Recognizing the role and value of the grieving process orients us to accepting the fact of the death. Acceptance marks a major step towards recovery.

2.GRIEF IS UNIVERSAL - GRIEVERS ARE DISTINCTIVE.
Grieving follows a pattern, but each griever experiences it differently. Awareness of the basic pattern reveals common ground for mutual help and support. Recognition of uniqueness enables grievers to help themselves, guides sympathizers in what to say and do.

3.SHOCK INITIATES US INTO MOURNING.
We go numb when someone we love dies. We feel stunned, in a trance. This is nature's way of cushioning us against tragedy. The length and depth of this state varies according to our relationship, the cause of death, whether it was sudden or expected, etc. Shock allows us time to absorb what has happened and to begin to adjust. The guidance of caring people can sustain new grievers. As numbness wears off and acceptance grows, we regain control of the direction of our lives.

4.GRIEF CAUSES DEPRESSION.
Grievers typically, but in varying degrees, experience loneliness and depression. This pain, too, will pass. Being alone need not result in loneliness. Reaching out to others is a key way to lessen loneliness and to overcome depression.

5.GRIEF CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH IF WE DENY IT OR TRY TO COVER IT UP.
The mental and emotional upset of a loss by death causes physical distress and vulnerability to illness. Grievers sometimes neglect healthy nourishment and exercise, overindulge in drinking, smoking or medication. Feeling it may be difficult but it helps in the healing process.

6.GRIEVERS NEED TO KNOW THEY'RE NORMAL.
The death of a loved one makes the future very uncertain. We might panic in the face of the unknown and fear life without the one who died. Panic prevents concentration and defers acceptance of the finality of death. It tempts us to run from life, to avoid people and to refuse to try new things. We might even think we're going crazy. Patience with ourselves and a willingness to accept help enable us to subdue panic and outgrow its confusion.

7.GRIEVERS SUFFER GUILT FEELINGS.
Many may blame themselves after a loved one's death, either for the death itself or for any possible faults in the relationship. We have all made mistakes and sincere regret is the best response to them. However, self-reproach out of proportion to our behavior affects our mental health and impedes our recovery. Close friends or your counselor can aid you in confronting and dealing with guilt feelings, whether justified or exaggerated.

8.GRIEF MAKES PEOPLE ANGRY.
People in grief naturally ask "Why?" Why him? Why me? Why now? Why like this? Most of these questions have no answers. Frustration then causes us to feel the resentment and anger. We want someone to blame: A higher power, doctors, clergy, ourselves, even the one who died. If we can accept the lack of answers to "Why?" we might begin to ask, instead, what can we do now to grow through what has happened. Then we have started to move beyond anger and towards hope.

9.EMOTIONAL UPHEAVAL CHARACTERIZES GRIEVERS.
A loved one's death disrupts emotional balance. The variety and intensity of feelings seem overwhelming. Other grievers and counselors can help us interpret and deal with these feelings. As we come to understand what we experience, we can find appropriate ways to ventilate our emotions and to channel them constructively.

10.GRIEVERS CAN OFTEN LACK DIRECTION AND PURPOSE.
At times in the grieving process, a kind of drifting occurs. Mourners find familiar and necessary activities difficult. We prefer to daydream about what was or fantasize about what might have been. If we can foster gratitude for the past and begin to assess our potential for the future, this will prove a passing phase, not a permanent state.

11.HEALING BRINGS HOPE TO GRIEVERS.
It takes time and effort, but gradually hope dawns for bereaved people. We learn to express emotions without embarrassment or apology. We cherish memories, bittersweet though they are. we begin to feel concern for and show interest in others. We make decisions and assume responsibility for ourselves. The example of the recovered grievers helps us discover and develop our own potential.

Will is 100% correct in this statement. TAPS can bring out the emotion for anyone.

 

The Pagans have shown up at a few car shows I've been to. They do not seem to cause trouble though. Did the owner of the panhead express concern about their interest, or was he just as friendly as he could be until they left?

One time back in 2020, I was at a huge car show in downtown Pottstown and this huge group of bikers came roaring down the street, in formation; I just started taking pictures of these guys, since many of them were on some pretty sweet bikes. It was only after they passed me and I saw that they were wearing Pagans vast that I realized I probably shouldn't have done that. One of the bikers had his girlfriend or possibly wife would on back of his bike, and her vest said "Property of so-and-so", so that was a clue that they were legit outlaw bikers. One of the bikers started shaking his head and motioning when he saw me taking pictures, but nothing bad actually happened. There was a motorcycle club made up of veterans that had a booth set up right on that street corner. They were very nice guys, and after talking to them, I got a lesson in how to properly tell a legit biker gang from a bunch of guys on bikes. I see guys wearing outlaw-style vests all the time, but unless they were a well-known club like the Hells' Angels or the Pagans, I never knew for sure.

This one biker from the booth who was a former Marine and part of this non criminal group turned around, showed me his vest, and pointed out the key differences between his vest and what a legit outlaw biker might wear. Now I have a better understanding who it's not a good idea to take pictures of.

 

Symmetry!

 

The owner stayed cordial but hung around until after they left for a bit before he headed home.

I've never personally had any run ins with one percenters directly but have seen them cause trouble at some events with other people so given the choice I'd prefer to not have them around. The last time I was at Laconia Bike Week in 1998 the Hell's Angles started a ruckus on the day we were leaving that resulted in the state police calling for back up so I don't really need that in my life.

 

Had to delete the original post and repost due to a problem with the pictures...

After years of not caving into the demands of their three kids to get a dog, my neighbors across the culdesac relented and bought an adorable Mini Dachshund named Salvatore. Everybody on the culdesac now has a dog!

 

I took all of these pictures the day we got home from California...

 

My other neighbor's Poodle, Gemma...