jaygietl.com

I got a cold I guess, I am tired. I’m sore from working on the House, the Scout and the Audi over the holiday weekend.

The bad news is I am mentally exhausted, I think the burden of the last 12 months has just recently hit me like a semi truck. It was almost to the day a year ago I knew something was wrong. Living through that, the recovery which is more than just physical. It’s mental too. Getting sharp again and making sure things are okay.

We had multiple pet emergencies, the dog with the landscape edging, losing JJ to cancer this Summer and of course now I am worried about poor Elvis.

I had to totally change my diet immediately that involved cutting out all food and drink with gluten. It’s not that bad to do at first, but after about a month you start going crazy wanting to eat and drink the things you used to have on a daily basis.

This is probably why I feel like crap, I am beat down, down in the dumps, I wont use the term depressed because it’s not depression, but it is a depressed state. I look forward to my time off around Christmas, but it wont really be a vacation. We will be heading to New Mexico for the holiday, then we come back and we will ski for a day or two when we get back and then it will be New Years and who know what that entails.

Sometimes life is like standing in the batters box waiting for the next pitch. You hope it’s a fast ball so you can blast it out of the park, but you don’t really know what’s coming. Most of all you don’t want to strike out. Of course I feel like I am striking out, but I keep hoping for that grand slam.

In the mean time I guess, bring it on stressful things, I at least have learned a better understanding of how to deal with stress. I used to get really worked up. I wouldn’t say I just brush things off, but sometimes all you can do is sit back and say, what does getting all worked up about it solve? It doesn’t solve anything.

Sure it takes action, but sometimes I need to analyze things. Figure out what is the greater good type option. I am realistic and know that sometimes things just wont work out no matter how hard you try. However, the trade off is something else will be resolved or become better in the process. Or at least that’s the hope right?

Still, if you were to ask me if I am stressed out, I would reply YES! Is my stress level the same as it used to be, possibly, but I don’t let it overwhelm me like it used to.

I am always one to offer advice wanted or not, I guess it is a trait I picked up from my Dad. It is a good one I think, I always try to help people think things through, and evaluate their options before making a decision on things. However, I never do that for myself, I don’t think I know how.

Sigh, life is very challenging, why does it seem like it is so easy for some people?

Sticking with the madness theme (if you can call it that) in titles here is another. Recently I replaced the entire fuel line in the Scout. It was long overdo and as it turns out extremely dangerous in it’s former state. After doing that I realized I probably needed to change my plugs as I was always running pretty lean with the fuel starvation.

Went and bought some Autolite 85’s and gapped them to .035 for my 1977 IHC Scout II with a 304 V8. I know this is not what the counter monkey’s at the parts store say to use, but it is what is widely regarded as the best choice in the IH community.

I also posted most of that above for others searching for those details. Anyway, replaced the plugs, the Scout seemed to run a lot better! I drove it to work and it was fine until my last turn before reaching the office and it began stumbling like it was missing. I figured it was a loose plug wire.

I had to meet a fellow Audi owner at lunch to pick up some parts for the S4 and when we were done talking I decided to finally check the plug wires. Much to my amazement all the plugs wires looked to be in place, I see 8 orange caps…wait a minute! Once of the wires popped out of the cap! I was probably arcing to the block!

A quick phone call to a co-worker yielded me a ride to the parts store and a new set of plug wires. Did a quick fix replacing one in the Best Buy parking lot. Scout runs good again now, but I still need to replace the other seven so they are all equal. I just need some daylight!

Driving the Scout every day while the Audi is out of commission has been an adventure. I look forward to it reverting back to a regular Scout II and enjoying it more. It really is a fun vehicle to drive and I feel bad about neglecting it for so long. It’s really not that hard to work on. Just need to bite the bullet and tackle the job.

It is that time of year, when we completely throw out all common courtesy on the road, in stores and online. Why? It’s all in the name of Jesus right? I mean Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Christ right? No this post isn’t about religion, but more about how normal everyday people become complete jerks around the holiday’s.

While I do my best to avoid partaking in “black Friday” it was necessary for us to make a trip to the Lowe’s nearby to pick up some items. We went late in the afternoon so it wouldn’t be too busy. Not to mention is was about 24 outside and snowing. As soon as I got into the parking lot everyone was an instant asshole. I maneuvered into the lot, attempted to turn down a parking aisle where a lady just looked at me like I was insane for being alive. I attempted to turn into a parking spot but said lady was occupying the majority of the aisle. She finally makes her turn as I proceed to back up a little to better enter the spot. As I do a guy in a white pathfinder races into the lot turns down the aisle and right on my ass keeping me from backing up.

So now, halfway into this spot I have no where really to go so I find if I turn hard enough I can get out of the spot and go park in one of the other 8 million spots nearby. After doing so I see he is doing some crazy maneuvering to get into a spot.

Now while in the store we go grab the few items we need and head into the hardware aisle as we need some longer screws for replacing some electrical receptacles. While looking for the correct diameter screw a guy walks in, walks right in front of me and just lays out all his shit for finding screws removing my ability to even see what’s there. It’s not like I was far away, I needed to move to allow him to stand right in front of me.

This was just a harmless trip to the Lowe’s, I can only imagine what the malls and other retail stores were like yesterday. I’m not sure what it is about this time of year that really brings the worst out of people, but it does.

With that, why is it that everyone feels like they have to go out and buy all sorts of high end shit and go into debt. That’s not what it’s about. Giving is nice and feels good, but if you can’t afford to do it, then don’t. There are numerous options. You can make gifts, like baking cookies, or buying an inexpensive frame and giving a framed photo as a gift. What about music? Make some CDs of music that the recipient will really enjoy.

Christmas, Chanukah, are not about who gives what and what it costs or if it’s the coolest shit out there. It’s about family, friends, respecting other human beings, peace, love, kindness, laughter, sadness, remembrance, religious beliefs, caring, sharing, and any other things you can think of that strengthen the relationships we have or are making.

Take it easy out there and treat others as you expect to be treated. Kill em with kindness. Life is way way way too short to worry about stuf this time of year. Just enjoy life.

Just go to the record store, check iTunes, check Naptser, whatever your favorite source for music. Ask for Medium Rare from the Mighty Mighty BossToneS. Their first album release in 4 years (or so).

Here is the track list courtesy of the Bosstones (Chocolate Pudding is just an awesome track):

Medium Rare Trak List

1. This List
2. The Meaning
3. Don’t Worry Desmond Dekker
4. To California
5. The One With The Woes All Over It
6. So Many Ways
7. A Reason To Toast
8. Who’s Fooling Who?
9. Katie
10. This Time Of Year
11. Chocolate Pudding
12. Is It?
13. Favorite Records

So what’s next in these two situations….

Situation 1:
A few months ago we lost our cat JJ to cancer, it is still too fresh in our minds. Yesterday one of Renee’s other cats she had living with her mom passed away. She was 21 and had been ill for a couple years so she lived a good life, but it still it pretty hard.

So what’s next?

Situation 2:
The drivers side front spring on the Audi broke, regardless it is going to be expensive to get taken car of, it is just a matter of how much. If H&R honors their warranty and covers it woo hoo, that cuts down the cost significantly, but labor will be a lot.

It is time to replace the timing belt on the Audi, so the money it would cost to do that is now spread too thin because of the broken spring.

So what’s next?