1st Gen. Lunch Table - General Discussion

Is it wrong of me to enjoy working?

There's something about putting a machine back together, amd then watching it run/make parts/operate that I just can't explain.

Can anyone help me put that satisfaction into words?

 

I used to get that a lot, still do but not as much. I used to do a lot of work in school kitchens, most of those (usually) ladies, were soooo nice and soooo happy stuff was getting fixed/done.
We do a lot of stuff I’m not 100% vetted on and not always sure how it works to fix what’s wrong, so I do enjoy that part, but sometimes it’s like “hope this works!”
It would be nice to get some more training on some of the stuff we have no business working on.

 

Absolutely not! People spend their whole lives hating their job and dreading going to work. You’re lucky you found something you enjoy doing. The paycheck doesn’t matter as much if you’re enjoying life!

The feeling of accomplishment!

 

I was going to say sense of accomplishment.

but since i've started playing xbox again, i'll say


then, just make a silly title for any achievement.

so yesterday, i helped a neighbor get his weedeater running, cleaned the plug, and a little carb cleaner... so giggled to myself, 'good as used' was my achievement.

 

Too many words, but not in a way that'll help

That same sentiment is the reason I refurbish such a wide variety of stuff. Vintage audio/guitars. Vintage bikes. Vintage cars, though I can't do that anymore now the kids are here and I have zero space. Vintage video game systems and other electronics. The enjoyment of taking something not working, or something someone else has abandoned, given up on, and making it whole & functional again is exhilarating, gives a sense of intrinsic purpose and value, self worth.

The fact you can do it as a job is kickass. Until it's not. I hope you never get to the "it's not" stage, though.

 

I agree. I figured @5N0W808 was in his 20s still. Idk why. I'm only 24 myself. I think in the last year or 2 the 'old' has started to hit me a little bit (loosing hair gaining a few pounds.
It is interesting hearing about some of the other stuff in people's lives that don't involve trucks. Everyone had a different upbringing and experiences and some have good advice. @shifty` in particular always seems to have some kind of advice for any situation though.

 

PS - I think at the end of the day, "I just like fixing shit"

And I love teaching people how to think through trying to and/or actually fixing their own shit too, it's a core part of my 9-5 the last 10-15 years of my career (or more).

Shocking that carries over into my interests and hobbies online, right?

 

you have been successfully assimilated into the borg.

 

Live as f'ed up a life as mine (I shoulda been dead decades ago, many times over) and you get to a point where you can hand out lots of advice.

It's not something to be envious of, trust me. You don't want to go through what I went through getting the experience that lends to that advice.

EDIT: I will say, my life is phenomenally, unexpectedly, miraculously far better than I could've ever imagined nowadays. There's always hope, I guess?

 

See, that right there is halfway what I was worried about. I've been feeling so accomplished at work that when I go home, and get into potato mode that I just feel worthless.

I don't want to work myself to death by any means, but I almost dread going home. Maybe I need to change some things in my home life...

I don't know fellas.

 

All these positives though. You guys rock being able to put things as you have. Much better with words than I!!!

One of these days I'll figure out what the hap is fuckening.

 

going home & settling into potato mode is a learned behavior.

Settle into learning mode. building mode. volunteering mode. teaching mode. charity mode.

 

You have to keep the passion/hobby alive at home! Find or make little projects that keep you feeling accomplished. Big or small, accomplishment is a good feeling! Idle hands are the devils workshop!

 

These were both posted after I typed out my last post.

I'm good at what I do at work. I'm good at fixing stuff in general I'd like to think. I like fixing stuff at work at home wherever. I think its just a man thing I guess. I enjoy my job most days. They pay me well they just want us in here every day of the week and weekend.

I really want to buy another vehicle but I'm trying to refrain from it just because I know it doesn't make financial sense but I'm gonna have to get into something before too long before I loose my mind.

I think once you get a place of your own (I don't think you have yet) and have some free time and some budget to spend on stuff you want to do it's not bad. I've been working on putting subwoofers in my Corvette the past few days and while a few things have been stressful and annoying I enjoy it. I hate days when I have nothing to do and I watch a few episodes of something on TV but then I just really feel like I'm not accomplishing anything.

 

I find Death comes looking for a freebie every decade or so. So far I've been able to recognize him.

 

That, my friend, sounds like textbook depression, in a nutshell. Something I'm no stranger to. When home becomes a place you feel trapped, it's more prison than palace.

I used work as an escape in my 20s for the same reason. It saved my life, as stupid as it sounds. Both saving me from doing something stupid, and it also propelled me into a phenomenal career because I wouldn't say "no" to more, had at least 10-14 hours working every day, and just got fed crazier and crazier stuff.

What you just described is exactly why I have lots of small projects at home. I can actually use those projects, i.e. how many I get done, and how long it takes me to finish, as a litmus on how depressed I am. It's my escape, since home usually isn't much of an escape with a family in a full house.

I don't want to sound like a bitch, but you may want to start writing shit down somewhere other people won't get to it. If you could change 3 things, what would be the most impactful things you could easily change today? Top 3 most impactful things you could change that aren't so easy, but would be total game changers?

Sometimes cashing out/purging/getting rid of your shit and starting over can be a big one too. Just make sure you have the resources you need before taking the leap.

 

Agreed. I've been taught that the last few months. Hmmm...

I mean you guys know how hard I went at the silver truck, Crackie, and my job. Then everything came to a screeeeeeching halt. It's almost like I've been shaped into a completely different person... Ever feel like you woke up from a loooong sleep, looked around, and then went "What the fuck man?"

I need some time to think... maybe I can have some of this figured out before/after Wednesday. It's crazy man.

 

See y'all around 2pm cst tomorrow

 

Camper. I think that was probably a heap of motivation behind the camper. It's an inexpensive way to gtfo, easily, and have the basics you need to get by. There are plenty of campsites with water and electric hookup these days that are hella cheaper than what landlords expect for rent.

I know a guy (former boss) who's a millionaire today because he swallowed his pride, bought two acres of land outside the city, dropped a mobile home on it, and lived in it for 10 years, socking away money. Still had a project or two here or there. But 10 years of no rent, basic utilities, and constant working set him up to invest in stuff that paid off bigtime.

 

@Tundra2 when you make your leap, or crawl to changeville - tell the cigarettes to



Old age is hard enough, being strapped to an oxygen tank...

 

I’ll give him 2500 for the mr2 lol

 

Followed the same path: https://www.tundras.com/threads/banned-bst-memorial-thread.33358/page-13#post-2949870

 

Yeah I knew about the camper. I was thinking more of your own place on your own land but I do suppose something is better than nothing. Gotta start somewhere.

 

If I knew I needed to GTFO and I had a camper that was functional to sleep/cook/shit/shower/shave, and it's weatherproof, first thing I'd do is go to work and research nearest RV parks close to my work (cut down on fuel costs), what amenities they have, and daily/weekly/monthly pricing so I knew what I needed to save up for to live off of for a couple of months.

I'd factor in budget for food, gas, etc. and stockpile dry goods that were easy meals. When I had a few weeks of food stocked, a few hundred extra in the bank, and enough to pay for at least a month or two of hookup at the RV park, best believe I'd be hooking up and rolling on if needed.

After I was locked up a while, I was in survival mode when I got out. I lived off pretty much package ramen, eggs, rice, bread, and occasionally splurged on a head of broccoli or 1lb ground beef here and there for a year or two after while couch surfing. I knew I had to keep going and did what I could to stay off the street.

If I knew I'd need a few small easy meals for a couple of days, box of rice-a-roni, can of black beans, and a can of stewed tomatoes w/green chiles makes a hell of a one-pot dish that will hold up unrefrigerated for a few days if you gotta.

It's possible. It sucked for the first 6-12 months, but I got enough footing to get a room of my own, then worked as much OT and side work as I could.

 

No I knew what you meant by that. She knows who I was referring to…. Haha

 

I call it victory. The sweet feeling of conquering an opponent. Feels good.

Good reminder not to doubt yourself.

A sense of closure, like ending a school year, or turning a page to your book.

Pride.

 

Heard ya the first time

 

too many clouds to be sure, but i doubt its gona nova.

 

Beats the hell out of heavy pollution.

 

This red oak has been drying all summer. And who knows how long it was dead before i got it.

its still kicking my ass. Freshly sharpened splitting axe just bounces out until the log shatters.

i'd build a splitter, but i like doing it the hard way.