Musical Monday 2

COUNTRY (AND COUNTRY-ISH)

Not going to waste any time here. Here are some of my favorite country songs.
Don't hate. Country is good.

Here are some of my favorite county/fringe country songs

Junk Post?

Same old same.

It's that time again, oncall. (EDIT: I wrote this before I went oncall. It's over now, and I dont want to rewrite the whole thing.)
So far so good, but we are just 2 days into. Anything good happens I'll let you know.

Day to day life has been average, random at best.

Been tinkering around the garage. Going to use this week to tidy up my side, and start working on the go karts. I need to tighten down the Jegs kart, and get some wheels on it. The neighbor bought some weird looking off road kart, and now the oldest son really wants to get on a kart. KART BATTLE.

I'm going to start working on my second 212 engine, get all the "Stage 3" parts in it, and get that on the other kart frame.

Trying to keep the Passat clean now that its in the garage, and I'm remembering why I hate black cars. They only look good from 20 feet.

In preparation for next hurricane season, I purchased a generator from Harbor Freight. Their 8750/7500W Predator.

My in-laws let me borrow their generator last year, when the power was out for a day or two. It was a great help, so I figured we'd get one ourselves.  It's sized decently, and I think it will power pretty much what ever we need. I plan on hooking it up to the home through a interconnect breaker.

I need to do some electrical math and add up what I think the demand will be for us. I don't plan on having the generator run everything in the house, but all bedrooms and the refrigerator should be fine.
Eventually I am going to see if it can handle the HVAC system solo, but worst case I'll buy a window unit for one of the bedrooms, and we will hunker down in their as a family on hot nights.

Oncall Catch Up

Had a couple of main breaks, and a lot of little stuff. Nothing too bad. As I type it's 8PM on Sunday, just a few more hours to go.

Main break in Lake Asbury

This one was in OP. 

So... That's it. More to follow. I guess.

Musical Monday

Moday's, for the most part, are horrible.
Music, for the most part, is good.
Lets take the two, combine, and find out what happens.

Every Monday, Ill be sharing a play list of music. This playlist will be themed. A certain subject, style, genre, decade, whatever.

FAIR WARNING
I dont usually listen to overly explicit music, but there might be some. Coming from a listening stand point, I usually just focus on instruments and the over all sound, and bleeps and cut outs drive me crazy. Just letting you know, while most of the music is PGish, there might be some hard PG13/Rs


NO MORE. MUSIC NOW.

This week I'm going to share some bass. Famous or funky bass lines, or just bass lines I like.
All the songs here I listen to because the bass.



A small, playlist. There are obviously a ton more, but these are a recent favorite.

BRO. COME ON.

sorry.

i'll try harder.




it's been tough.




the aspen is gone.

Pulled her out, and sent her off. 

Well, I put up a post in an Apsen/Volare Facebook group, and in one hour, she was spoken for. Gentleman came out and hauled it away. He plans on making it a daily driver. He has a few at his house, and was glad to take in another.

This, of course lead to a CLEANish GARAGE!

Bro there is another car in there now!

Some much room for activities.

I've got most of the garage set up the way I want now. Just some tidying up to do.
Plenty of room to work in the garage now.


Well, that's it for right now. I have another post already typed out that I will release tomorrow. Trying to get back in the groove again.

Captains Log : Seven - Old Habits Die Hard.

So...

It's been a minute. (Like almost a month!?)



Life has been hectic these past couple of weeks. Nothing too serious, just a lot all at once. Really took a hit with that oncall week, and just haven't been able to keep up ever since. I lost a 30 year battle with my neighbor over a giant oak tree. I wouldn't say lost, more like gave in after we both came to an agreement that I might not have wanted to take in the first place. Long story short, the tree was cut down. That's gotten me down in the dumps. Other than that, not too much has changed. Ill just try to get you guys up to date.

Go Karts: Acquired another kart. Like a legit kart! Helped my buddy out with some things, and he paid me in a kart frame! He and his kids race dirt ovals, so it's set up for that. I haven't really had a chance to work on anything, but that leads me to my next thing.

Tires are wider on one side, for all the sweet turning action on a dirt oval.

The Aspen: Well, I've finally decided to let it go. My garage is at maximum capacity, and there is now zero room to do anything. I am heavily attached to the Aspen, as it was my Great Grandpa's, and the starting point for my automotive interests. However, the time has come to let it go. I was adamant to not just scrap it, as even though it's not worth anything from a money standpoint, it does mean a great deal to me. I found a guy local who wants it, and plans on using everything he can off of it before it goes to scrap. Once it's gone, I can start work on the garage.

The Duke will live on in our hearts and our minds.

The Garage: As mentioned before, the garage is full. At one point in time, two cars fit in the garage. I worked out of it as well, doing small auto repair for friends and family, as well as bike repair for the local kids. I can't do any thing in it now. The two kart frames, as well as four bikes and two lawn mowers and a plethora of other things has turned the garage into a waste land of stuff. Once the Aspen is gone, I hope to replace the space it leaves with a small go kart garage and repair space. That would allow me to move all my tool chests and repair items to one side, and allow the wife to park her Passat in the garage.





That's pretty much it. There are a few other things going on right now that we might get into later.

• Disaster Relief tool bag has grown! Tool Showcase and Review to come!
• Good bye VW Rabbit? Selling of the Rabbit and it's (possibly) blasphemous replacement!?
• Campground Prep. Getting ready for camping and possible VW Passat prep for light towing.
• Yard Improvement. Its no secret I hate yard work. However, summer is upon us, and I have ideas!

Well, that wraps up this post, I have a few more set up for this week, and there is always the chance of a leak at work!

Captain's Log: 6TH (Official Kart Post: 1)

I just wanna go fast daddy.

Where we had to play catch up with the work, we will also have to with the personal.

The thing that's been taking up most of my time recently is GOKARTS

No... not those kind (yet). I'm wanting to get my kids into something, and I think Karting might be it. The oldest does not seem to want to do any ball sports, and the youngest absolutely loves any thing car. So, I figured we would ease into the world of competitive racing with the simplest of forms. 

YARD KARTS

Introducing: The "Jegs" Kart

Glorious.

I've been wrenching on this kart off and on for about two weeks now. I keep getting deeper and deeper as I keep finding it's secrets. Biggest hurdle now is converting it back to a live axle. It's getting a torque converter but matching up sprockets for the jackshaft is where I am at now. I've broken in the engine and hooked up the throttle cable, and once I can get the jackshaft issue ironed out, wheels are next.

It's actually more quite at idle with the header pipe than the stock muffler.

I started working on building the engine, but realized that maybe I should just leave it alone for now, let the boys get used to it, then slowly step it up from there. As follows:

• Stage 0 - Stock Predator 212 (with header pipe) stock governor
• Stage 0.5 - remove governor, install cast aluminum flywheel and performance air cleaner.
• Stage 1 - Install Mikuni carb, wider gear.

Because I can't leave well enough alone, and I knew I would start messing with the engine, I bought another one. This one is getting the works. "Stage 3" kit, and who knows what from there. Currently looking for an old racing kart frame to put it on.

I don't know where this will take us in life, but out of the house is good. As I wrench, i'll be documenting what I can.

Something Else

I've started collecting watches. I know. That sounds awesome.
Mind you, I am a strange individual, so my watch collection should follow suit. I am only collecting watches that I can buy for under $100.

To be honest, $100 is pushing it.

After having two smart watches (a Pebble and a Fit Bit, both great smart watches, in my opinion), I have found I've missed the analog look and feel of a good plain old wrist watch. I want the time, maybe the date, and nothing more. While I originally just wanted one watch, I figured two wouldn't hurt. I had a dark watch, so getting a light one would only make sense. It has spiraled from there, and I now sit at a comfortable 6 watches.

My collection is mostly comprised of Timex watches, but I do have two Seikos. I dont think I've spent over $40 each on the Timex, and I think the Seiko's were $80 each.

Of course I had to get a box. Also, they all tick at the same time.

I find it an interesting thing to collect, and can see (yet am still confused by) how people collect watches that cost more than $1000 dollars. I fortunately like plain watches. The less shiny the better, and I prefer only three hands, none of that chronograph/extra mini watches on the face.

A few of my watches...

Seiko 5. The fanciest watch. It's automatic and has no battery. I also have a white one.

Timex Easy Reader. Old man watch. I dont like the metal stretch band. Pulls my arm hair.

Timex Expedition. The first watch I bought. Also my favorite. I have one in white.

We will see where the watch thing goes. just something to keep the mind at ease. I've already thought about hitting up the resale and 2nd hand stores to see what they have.

WELL. Thats about it. Another week is upon us. I hope that all goes well for you and yours. May the week go by smoothly, and any troubles that arise be dealt with appropriately, and with great thought and care.

LATER.

I think I'll Go Home Now

Mercy sakes alive... what a week.

It's been a bit since the last post. I went oncall last Monday (02.26) and was just swamped.
The week was ok, just a few calls a night. This last weekend, however, was gross. On top of that I still have to work my regular work week.

So to catch you up on the mud hole action, I'll ease back on the commentary, and just post some pics with captions. I didn't get a pic of everything, things got hairy at times, so pictures were not the first thing on my mind.

Monday 02.26.2018

Had to replace a 2" meter with a 3/4"x5/8". The meter did not want to leave.

3/4"x5/8" Meter on riser

This little Colorado was my chariot for the week. GMC was in the shop.

Leak under a drive way. Always fun.

Tuesday 02.27.2018

Started early! Lift Station call

Hmmmm.....

Walked in to find this. Safety third!

Like a warm hug, Wawa's is there.

Wednesday 02.28.2018

Remember that giant mudhole from a post ago? BOOM. Gone.

 

Customer requested us to clean her driveway. Sprayed it down with the Jet Truck

Curbstop change out!

 

Thursday 03.01.2018

More curbstop change outs!!!!!!

It did not go as planned, so we adapted.

I started an investigation into why a local school is using twice their normal amount of water.

That's ground water.

Oncall leak!!!! Crane truck broke both services



Finishing up.

Friday 03.02.2018

Only picture I took. Me and a coworker had to walk through a cow field. Fearless leaders stood at the gate to lock us in.

 

Saturday 03.03.2018

3 inch main break under a driveway.

TEAR IT UP

It had a split.

Now it does not.

I still haven't figured out what this is... but it broke too.

This looks cool, but it blew apart. Repaired it without adding a flushing hydrant.

 

Sunday: 03.04.2018

Some stuff happened on this day too, but I was way too busy to take pictures.




I think that's about it for the work related things. I get another post out here soon about what I've got going on around at home.

For now I am still trying to recover from the week end, as I did not get much sleep.

I think I am sleeping right now. Maybe this is just a dream...