A Work in Progress

"It is my life goal to change my own oil today." The guy at the auto parts store stared back at me, a little befuddled, but willing to hear me out.  I had, of course, run into another snag trying to change the oil in the mini. I guess I should start at the beginning.  I have some admissions here, dear readers, admissions of ineptitude.  But, never stop learning, right? Back in the fall I decided that changing the oil in the mini would be a project that would help me bond with the me car and was some preventative maintenance that surely I could handle.  Well, so, I thought. I was full of fire and motivation one day and went out to buy the necessary items.  Bottle jack, jack stands, and fancy oil in tow, I returned ready to get this oil changing party started.  Okay, so after I figured out how to use the jack, I placed it in what I thought was the right spot.  Well.  "What I thought" is the key phrase in this sentence.  Every...

Once I was asked what kinds of things I had learned from this line of work.  I was asked in a very philosophical way by someone who doesn't understand this job at all.  Maybe he was being nice, but I found him trying.  The first things that came to mind did not include a deeper understanding of my fellow man, a closer relationship with God, or insights into the meaning of life.  What came to me were the practical things.  For example, don't climb a ladder with a saw in your hand.  Don't climb a ladder without someone holding the bottom.  Don't climb ladders.  Life is better when you don't do drugs., but do take your medication.  Don't drive motorcycles while drunk.  Don't drive motorcycles without a helmet. Don't drive motorcycles.  Knowing full well these were not the answers this person was looking for made them all the more satisfying to me.  He returned this sound advice with a blank stare.  You're welcome. ...