1st Gen. Lunch Table - General Discussion

It's better to pay it off now while you aren't accruing interest as there's no need to wait. Also you will go from having that money go out to pay it off these months and it going elsewhere, then when you go to start paying it off again you no longer have the money allocated for it.

 

Boy, these "instructions" are nice.

 

wonder if they could send me the spanish version lol

 

They are ‘Professional’. I like them.

 

said Ron Swanson

 

I almost spit out my worter.

Yes, I saw that. They feel professional. I figure that I can Torque my cam bolts with this after each alignment without pulling the steering rack.

Also, they're almost a flare wrench sorta.

 

yeah, I get it. I have the money set aside to knock it out as soon as it starts accruing. it’s more on the off chance the the fed decides to forgive student loans that I’m leaving it. It’s only about 3 grand, so it’s not like it’s a huge sum of money.

 

Real nice

$58 Neiko 03324A Crowfoot Wrench Set 1/2" and 3/8” Drive, 15 Piece, Metric Crows Foot Wrench Sizes 8mm-24mm, Chrome-Moly Flare Nut Wrench Set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N7DHFK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

same here. I've been holding off paying the last 2 months waiting to see what will happen, if anything, with fed loans as well. I'd hate to dump 4-6K into it and then it gets forgiven lol.

 

I was lucky in that I only had $7K in loans when I graduated in 2011. I paid it off in around 15 months. In TN we have free community college for everyone that's 100% funded by money raised from lottery ticket sales. Zero tax dollars are used. They also use the lotto funds to pay for a big portion of 4 year college too. So all those people that blow their money on scratch-off's paid for about half my college tuition.

 

That’s great. In MN we have an early college program that lets students combine their high school generals with their college generals, so I had 2 years of my college done free by high school graduation.

 

In KY, at least locally, you could take "dual-credit" courses in high school that were also collegiate level credits.

I never had high enough test scores for entry...

I remember the second time I took the ACT as a junior. It was a summer day, and I was pissed because it felt wonderful outside.

I was sitting in class with 20 other students of various grades. Some freshman, some seniors, some sophomores, some middle schoolers!

I'm sitting there quietly waiting. Listening in on small talk going on about the room. The two guys seated to my immediate right were Jordan, and Billy. Both in my grade, both from well-to-do families, both very "preppy."

They're talking, and discussing how many times they've taken this test to improve their scores. Billy made a 32 last time, and was hoping for a 34. Jordan made a 34, and was hoping for a perfect score of 36.

Here I am, sinking low in my seat because I made a 15 last time, and was trying desperately to qualify for college. (I think that was a score of 18 to qualify.)

We take our test. Jordan, and Billy are done early on. More people finish, and file out of the room. Eventually its just me, and a middle schooler.

We finish, and turn in our packets within a few minutes of each other. I left almost in tears at how incredibly stupid I am.

I went home, and went to the woods. I cut dead trees down with an axe to relieve all my teenage angst, and anger. Repeating to myself, "stupid son of a bitch. Can't even qualify, and those jack asses are going for perfect scores." This went on for a few hours until all the dead trees were fallen.

Few weeks goes by, and my score showed up in the mail. Boy, I was nervous. I opened that letter. 19. I was jubilant.

College enrollment rolled around, and I enrolled in community College. Unsure of what I wanted.

I overhead Billy, and Jordan in the hall way one afternoon before we graduated. They hod Colleges from all over the country reaching out to them with scholarships opportunities. Prestigious places to boot!

Meanwhile, I didn't even qualify for the free pail grants.

Again, I felt lower than my shoes.

 

I did everything you're "supposed" to do, did 4 years in college, got a desk job, and hated every minute of it.

Went back to working janitorial for a couple years, got certified as a pesticide applicator, and moved to the Athletic department, and now I love going to work nearly every day.

Don't run yourself down about how things play out. Everybody does something and none are better than others.

Right now I'm on track that I could retire around 50. Likely couldn't say that if I'd stuck with the desk job.

 

I went to school for IT and wound up in construction.

 

Don't let that define you. My best score was a 20. I've always been a horrible test taker. I know several people that got scores in the 30's and haven't gone on to do anything meaningful with their lives. My wife did horrible on the tests also. She didn't even go to college and she now has a great job making more money than some people I know that have masters degrees.

Work ethic and ambition will get you further in life than an ACT score. The only thing holding you back is that small town KY doesn't have a ton of jobs. Life is short, if you are happy then fuck everything else.

 

DO IT!! That's when I was able to retire 2 years ago and it's been great!

 

Grew up in the shadow of a Coal Mine Mountain. Pop worked hard to put food on the table. Ended up traveling out of town for a KimChee Class I read about in the local paper (before internets). It was there I got my lucky break when my Hands were discovered by another class member from the Big City. Worked for Vincenzo for a few years and then scored a Jergens Hand Lotion Contract Spot.

Pops never understood. He called the entire thing gay.

 

That story is from about 6-7 years ago. Since then I've learned that I should just do me. Quit looking over there at Billy Bob fuckhead, and focus on what I want.

I hope, and am planning on an earlish retirement, but this is life. Things don't always go according to plan, and thats okay. Rolling with the punches.

I've learned to not let it define me, and its actually a story that I look back on with glee. I recall it as a defining moment in my adult character. Those moments in time had so little significance at the time, but they did help me longterm.

Like you, tests aren't my thing. Wrenches apparently are, and I enjoy it.

I have no clue what Billy, and Jordan do now, and honestly there's no possible way that I could care less. They aren't a presence in my life, and I am not here to compete. I'm here to do me.

I went to community College for a semester. It wasn't for me. Went to work at Hankook. Made tires. Wound up an industrial maintenance intern. 3 years later I'm still here. Full time. 60+ hours a week.

With the way that my body is currently breaking down, I expect a shorter life than most. Former smoker. Feet broken, cancer in family, arthritis in family, heart attacks in family. I expect to live until 40.

One day I won't be in small town KY. Its in the plan. If I live that long.

 

Don't let your health go. While family history plays a role lifestyle is something you can change any time.

7 years ago I was obese, prediabetic, and the doc was talking about putting me on blood pressure meds. I dropped 75 pounds, started moderating my food, and exercising. Now all the blood work is normal and I feel much better.

My advice pick something and start small even if it's a 20 minute walk.

 

Been pondering what to do with my Captains Chairs Arm Rests in terms of covers. Got up to grab a Lager and stretch the legs. Looked out the window and saw a Rabbit eating my nice grass under the moon light. Been wondering why the grass seems thin in that area so is this a good idea? Might be a nice offset color to the Silver Sheep.

 

I feel like the carbon credits would go down from all the work to get your arm rests al natural.

 

Yes. I’m feeling the Ying and Yang on this too. Need more meditation time.

 

That’s exactly what I was thinking,
The rabbit is a very essential part of the circle of life.

 

Yes. The Pellets fertilize and then makes the grass grow so he can then eat the grass. Thank you for saving this Rabbit. You earn Wurrld Peas Award of the Week for this.

 

Currently, I'm obese. 250#s, 6'2. All my vitals are at good levels for a young man like me. The guys joke with, or at me. (Not sure which.) That I'm "ole gimpy," or ole "Hop-a-long." I limp almost every day, and never crouch anymore. Metatarsals can't take that.

I think the local rails to trails should be fine for a nice bike ride. That seems like a low impact lower body workout. 11 miles of paved railway, one lane wide, and gradually sloped uphill. Need new wind proof jacket.

I lead a fairly active life, and am only still when I'm asleep. Days that I work, I average 7-10 miles in a 10 hour shift. Days that I'm off I average about 5 a day. Bike ride should work "new" muscles, and shock my system into burning more calories. Shedding weight. Will need to find new ways to continue to make it fun. I used to paintball, but can't run like I used to. Not without being down, and out for another 4 months with my feet propped up.

My eating habits were junk, and still are junk. I have reduced the quantity of food that I was intaking since November 2020.
Soon I will begin the transition into better quality foods. Fixing more salads, and less pasta. Less ramen noodles, and more granola.

Less bread, less PBJ, less southern food. More salads.

This is a process that I will need help with initially. Once the process gets started, and I find my way it will get easier.

 

Don’t forget the Collard Crisps and Wild Leek Soup!

 

Biking is good, swimming too. Don't underestimate bodyweight stuff either, squats, push-ups, etc.

Starting is the hard part so you're already past that. MyFitnessPal is a good tool as well as a good food scale.

Just don't give up, treat every meal as a one off. If you screw up a couple it's no big deal. I follow the 80/20 rule.

 

Your dad is right you know

 

Me too!
80% of my meals, I eat 20% more than I should.

But seriously. I would be slim n trim if I ate right. Junk food and fast food are my kryptonite. Especially when I’ve been working 5-8hrs without a break on calls and we end up having to stop at a crappy fast food joint just so we don’t die since we can’t find the time to make it back to the firehouse.....something needs to change!

 

That bit O' airbag on passenger side has me to wondering - anyone know?

Do the trucks with the RSCA off button have side curtain airbags & it's all an optional equipment pkg,
or did side curtain airbags come in all trucks starting in some given year, just some trucks got an off button?