United3dArtists Archive

Sewer, digging, sewer, digging. I think the pipe is orangeburg pipe used in WWII and into the 1970's. Roots got in and big holes are in one place. Digging to reveal a whole section to replace. Also will install a new access port for the plumber's pipe cleaner machine.

Sewer disaster. An iron pipe needs to be cut. Can't afford a plumber but maybe just to cut that. They can't even look at it for over a week. I can rent a tool to cut it. Although I haven't flushed the toilet for, oh, is this day 3 or 4, I'll think about things until tomorrow. Might get a shower at a friend's house.

There's more. Enough roots have grown in a remaining section that it is less work to replace it too than to remove the roots. More digging. More expense. With super inflation it is better to have the expense now than later.

Going really old fashioned and using a bucket until repair is done because this is going to take days. I'll accidentally dump that in the desert.

oh, that is a shitty situation you are in... ngl...

I rented a tool and cut most of the iron pipe. That threw dirty water from the pipe all over me. Need to dig some more to reach the last part to cut. The water pipe is near there and has some strange construction. Bumped that and water everywhere. It was easy to fix but the hole is full of water now so no electric cutting tool in there.

The rental place will fix my lawn tools. They are cheaper than the only other repair place.

I like to make fun of people who drink bottled water. The tap water is fine. The pipe however is rusty. Now I'm enthused for my project to re-do the water pipes.

its good to redo water pipes, if you plan to stay there longtherm... otherwise you just postpone disaster.

Finis wrote: 11 Mar 2010, 22:03 If you dig a hole in the wrong place it's a gas.

As someone who has driven a pick through a gas line and shut down a city block, I can confirm and approve this message.

Iron pipe is cut. Taking a break. Much digging to remove pipe with roots. Not likely I'll be able to get pipes until Monday. Can be done without plumbers so that is good. More optimistic. Customers calling. So far they are understanding that I can't work until this is fixed.

@Spacekdet Thanks. Now I feel better about my digging mistakes. Glad you weren't toasted.

@Bitkar Postponing disaster is my superpower. I turn most problems into disasters that way.

I make my living with a shovel. Use the best: Fiskars.

Ames Medieval combat with shovels ensues between clan Fiskars and clan Ames.

My Shovel

:D

trueBlue, cheater!
Bitkar, I'm optimistic now about the pipes. Success is in sight.

Getting mentally fatigued from thinking only about pipes. Adapted to the chamber pot ways of old times. Realized I can use the toilet at a store for number 2. So I'm working a bit slower on the pipes now and doing some yard work in between. Second section dug. Not enough to remove the pipe yet. Need to dig some working room in some places. I'll need about 20ft of pipe, two adapters, clean out T, clean out pipe to surface.

A friend suggested this motivational music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34CZjsEI1yU
One line is, "skin made of iron". Enough of my "hand armor" remains from last season that I haven't gotten any blisters.

I am NOT!
I can dig it
Happy Birthday Finis! Hope your project has a happy ending

Happy Birthday Finis !

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

Rained all day today. No work done.

Nearly done. $200 in pipes and miscellaneous. $42 tool rental. 20ft (6m) pipe, clean out part, 2ft (0.6m) riser pipe, cap thread part, cap, 2 adapters, plumber's putty, pipe adhesive and primer. 24ft trench about 2.5ft to 3ft deep.

The pipes will fit together well and have the fewest connections. Adapters to connect old to new.

One of my customers was at the hardware store check out when I was getting the clean out parts. She insisted on paying for that. It's about $80 of the $200. I asked her not to but cashier already did it. I'll give her discounts and premium yard work to pay her back. I probably won't need one short piece. Will return it. That'll save her a little.

The construction materials are for a garage/storage/shop building I started years ago. If can get time and money at the same time I'll finish that.

Work report: Fertilizer is more expensive.

As my boss is always reminding me: "Charge accordingly!"

Paragliders are in town to fly. They brought macho Jeeps to deal with the road. I may or may not get to drive but I'm not missing an opportunity to enjoy 4WD rock climbing. If not needed for driving I'll go along and film if there is room.

spacekdet wrote: 26 Mar 2022, 14:24Charge accordingly!

I raised prices 15% this year. I'll probably start applying fertilizer only if a customer confirms that they want it and will pay extra for it. There is little competition in lawn care here, plenty of customers, but the most affluent customers are hard to get. Too much price increasing and my mid-tier customers will drop out of lawn care. I won't be able to compete for enough high income customers to stay in business. Don't know what I can do then.

Better buy fertilizer now before it goes to even higher price.

Trouble with customers not watering or not enough and cold spring. There is not much profitable mowing to do when normally I'd have been mowing for a month. This is not good for business.

My stupid, it burns.

I could do nothing right today. Six yards to do (one from yesterday). One yard done.

A yard needed a new sprinkler. I got one. Dig hole. Old sprinkler on 3/4" pipe. New is for 1/2" pipe. I searched stores for a converter piece until tired without doing a yard yet. No such thing nor parts to make one. Hmm, easy to get a sprinkler for 3/4" pipe. Will do that.

Mower maintenance. Change filter and oil. Sharpen blade. Turned the gas line thing off so it wouldn't drip with the mower on its side. Go to yard. Mower won't run. Maybe it is this expensive thing or that time consuming repair. Or I could turn the gas line thing on.

I filled the 2 gallon gas can for 2 stroke tool gas and put 2 measures of oil in. Didn't I? Did I put the second one in? Not sure. Tools like the super octane gas, nearly $5/gallon. I'll put that in the truck and refill gas can and be sure to mix correctly. The truck won't mind a little oil but not enough is disaster for the tools.

This Friday is kept open for catch up and paperwork so I'll scoot work forward a day.

A neighbor gave me a rock chopper mower that wasn't starting. I got it running. Needs carb cleaning to run smoother but it is good.

Also I got insulated overalls, cold weather outerwear that is one piece, from a yard I worked in for the house remodeling guy. He puts stuff he finds in the houses out front to give away. It might fit me. Will try on again after washed. That would be good for my cold weather hiking and camping plans.

Business and Reporting Back

Cold Spring. Drought. Nothing growing. Not even weeds in alleys. Some customers not watering enough. Economy destroyed (it will get much much worse). So expenses are high and income is low. Business is not good. Also I have several customers who I should drop. They don't have lawns so it is intermittent weeds etc. and that is not profitable. There will be little opportunity to replace them until next Spring but no loss since I make no money there and I would gain time for other things.

I have some inherited land in Texas. The tax on that is quite a burden. This year Texas decided it is worth 37% more than last year. The tax will be that much higher. Even more if they raise the tax rate too.

Studying the candidates for a primary election. Not impressed. I hope the evil reichsstatthalter is removed in the general election. The followers of Antonio Gramski have thoroughly infiltrated the institutions and nothing has been done about fraud/cheating so the votes might not matter but it is no harm to vote in case it does.

Since I don't have time to hike and hang gliders aren't coming here due to road conditions there is nothing for me to film. The only reasonable thing to do is get a new camera with 4K video. I saw some ebay bargains for used normal point and shoots or bridge cams but they are too delicate for adventures. So I'm watching used prices for a Ricoh WG-6 or a Lumix ts-7/ft-7. The Lumix has a viewfinder that's great for sunny outdoor use. It will be a long wait since I have around a $150 budget.

There was no Memorial Day fly in for gliders. The first time that no one came here.

The insulated overalls are too short. I can put it on but mobility is limited. Will give to a thrift shop.

What about moving to texas when you have land there? or renting the land or something with it?

Also I would not buy a dedicated 4k camera if you are not pro and making money. 4k takes way more processing power, way more hard drive space etc. Its not too worth it for casual use. And if you want to, maybe just buy a new smartphone (like Sony Xperia 1 or smaller 5... mk III or the new mk IV). They have some professional functions even. The picture quality is already awesome, its gone optical zoom too. And its easy to carry and water resistant and such...

TX is better for freedom and that rural part of TX still has the old ways of strength and virtue. Although I am a Texan by birth and mostly culture, I grew up here in New Mexico and it is home. My land and that area is naturally heavily forested, interesting, pretty, and dangerous. Filled with climate, creatures, and plants that live to make you miserable. I want to keep the forest. To rent for farming or ranching means clearing it. There is no oil but companies are always making unsatisfactory offers for drilling permission. Since I want to leave it natural maybe I can get a special tax status. I should learn about that.

Smart phones are contaminated with goolag, uh I mean goolag, uh, google, and spyware built in. Their cameras are nice. Not much real zoom but tough adventure cams only have 5x. Yeah 4K is overkill but those cams are getting cheaper. I'd need peripherals like batteries, charger, and for 4K high speed high capacity sd cards too. What I'd really like is 1440p or 2.7K like go pros have but that is rare. I don't mind storage and processing needs. I like the photo/movie abilities of regular cams and big zoom for wildlife, some affordable used, but I need my investment to last vs. adventure so an armored cam is needed.

I got my Pentax wg-2 for about $100 + shipping used on Ebay. Patience and a good deal will appear. I could sell the Pentax.

well, if you know how you can degoogle phones... and btw: the optical zoom in Xperia IS REAL optical zoom.

Finis, I have no idea how things work in the US but a friend who wanted to keep his forest a forest was able to get favourable tax status when he had it declared a tree farm. He hires a couple of friends to harvest the sick and dying trees (necessary to keep your forest healthy) and he sells the larger trees to a local lumber mill. You might qualify for grants or loans for startup businesses which can help buy equipment.

hth

V3rd3 is here! I was getting worried if you were OK. Was going to make a Where's the Missing Artist post.

There are probably 'environmental' statuses I could get for leaving it undeveloped. I'll learn about the tax laws. Per logging company estimates all the trees of value to them if taken selectively, minimum cutting of anything else, would pay one or two years tax.

You are right about about health and undergrowth. The deep old forest is fairly open at the ground. Not much sun gets to the ground there. The front few acres were cleared when we lived there. That part is now dense and a fire hazard during droughts and snake heaven. I'd let neighbors run their cattle there to trample and eat the overgrown vegetation but snakes, poison plants, ... they would want it cleared before cows not by cows.

Not to worry Finis.... I still lurk in the shadows. Not much to say about most things these days. Politics, war and famine seem to be heading to our world as well as another round of tension between Capitalists, Oligarchs and Communism. Helluva world we have these days.

So I moved my tool box out of the truck to clear a seat for a passenger. My work log is in the tool box. Rain. Yep, work log soaked. It is still readable but some places take some effort. Lessons learned: Put things back where they go. Don't leave things outside on rainy days. Enter work into bookkeeping program often. Keep work log in a secure place.

... or put things in some waterproof bags, when they are somewhere where water can get.

Rain. Monsoon season usually is about 4 weeks in July-August. It started a month early, is still going, and is predicted to continue into September. Grass is growing fast so there is too much work. Poa Annua, annual bluegrass, is in everyone's xeriscaped areas (covered with small rocks). Hard to kill and there is plenty of it. I might experiment with a pre-emergent herbicide. That stops seeds from germinating.

A can of expanding foam exploded under my kitchen sink. Probably rusted from a leak I haven't fixed.

Shots fired about a block from me. I heard an engine rev up and two pops I thought were shots. I friend who listens to a police scanner confirmed it. There was a shoot out not far away several weeks ago too. The festivities started at a gas station and proceeded over a couple of hundred yards to Planet Fitness parking lot. Probably gangs. Lot of that in the last two years. Used to be pretty rare. No problem, I'm protected by expanding foam.

v3rd3 wrote: 09 Jun 2022, 05:20 Not to worry Finis.... I still lurk in the shadows. Not much to say about most things these days. Politics, war and famine seem to be heading to our world as well as another round of tension between Capitalists, Oligarchs and Communism. Helluva world we have these days.

Just don't spend too much time on the internet, it'll only exacerbate the sensation of tension

Finis wrote: 12 Aug 2022, 04:30 ...I'm protected by expanding foam.

Phew, I was starting to get worried

Challenging times for small business.

Tons of paperwork to catch up on. Neglected that during the rain-a-thon.

Temperature is cooler now and grass is growing slowly. Yards don't need anything about half the time. The mowing season will end soon.

My plan to drop some unprofitable customers is proceeding with some notified. I have a deal with "Mr. C", who remodels houses then rents them, to do more work for him. I clean up after he finishes a house and do the usual yard work at some of his properties. I'll also assist his construction/remodeling crew this winter. I'll reserve some days for his work next season. He is a good customer. A business man so he understands how stuff works, he insists I charge him plenty then gives me a bonus and sometimes venison.

My truck has been with mechanics for a week. I rented a uhaul and worked for a few days but I wasn't making enough to be worth it. Took the uhaul back and borrowed a friend's car.

With increasing inflation, minimum wage, utility bills, tax, energy prices, and more, expenses are high. Not much profit. The profit is my pay.

Texas land tax bills arrived. Yeeeooow. Need to find if there are different statuses or uses that could reduce that.

What am I supposed to be doing? Paperwork! Economy trouble or not some self discipline would be beneficial.

The Christmas parade starts in an hour.

Truck is running better. The leaves have fallen so there is a burst of work.

That looks safe. Right?

Finis wrote: 10 Dec 2022, 23:16
That looks safe. Right?
ElectricCord.jpg

As long as you stretch it out before you plug it in. The black electrical tape induces a force field that will keep you safe.
I have several of these. Just don't step on it in bare feet once it's plugged in. Don't ask me how I know.

I didn't know you were a Master Electrician!

@Steinie I can wire anything together ... whether it should be or not.

TS BOOKS UPDATE
Who wants these trueSpace books and CD's? You pay shipping. PM me.

trueSpace 3 User's Guide (claimed, not available)
trueSpace 5 User's Guide
trueSpace 7 Artist Guide
The RenderMan Companion, Steve Upstill, 1999

PlusPack1 CD
RayPack CD
trueClips3 CD
proTeam Courses CDs:
- HDRI in TS7
- Procedural Animation
- The Making of South Park Reloaded

Software and activation codes may or may not be included depending on legality and if I have them.

House remodeling guy has plenty of work for me. Lawn season is starting. Three or four weeks until the grass starts but there are weeds and preparation to do.

Removing cactus from a yard. Respect the cholla (choy ya). It's needles have sheaths with micro-barbs.

No luck yet finding a less used truck. Prices inflated and few around here. Plenty of F150's in Kansas and trucks in Tucson. Can't inspect them in person, how to go there and one, dealers elsewhere as dishonest as here.

This would do. Or this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK2-7H0ytOE&t=144s

.

that thing is like from Tango and Cash movie :) would be pretty uncomfortable to have all the tools so up high tho :)

Btw... what about vans? they are pretty practical. We use vans in Europe more than pickup trucks. You can fit more in and its covered from the elements better. You can even get a trailer and tow with it too. If you dont really need to go offroad for the customers... altough for slight offroad some vans are 4x4 and rised too. You dont need some superhuge pickup truck for everything. Its kind of american thing, but its not really needed. You can actually tow some stuff (trailer with some small "grass cutting little tractor") with just a normal compact car.

https://youtu.be/AMBGxOFMS-g

I saw photos of an even bigger custom F650. It had the body widened to match the big frame. The one shown is the body of the largest Ford pickup (F450 I think) put on the frame of an F650. F650's come with a cab and the back is just frame to customize for industrial use.

Base model F150, old, used, cheap is my preferred new truck. Here's one. Not so big, not fancy, not lifted, no big wheels/tires. Small trucks good too. Impractical consideration in favor of a truck is to get to remote places to hike.

(It was not easy to find this photo. Photos are almost all with no people or are made to exaggerate the size.)

Yeah, with a trailer it wouldn't matter what was towing it. Without a truck I'd have to have a trailer for hauling. I considered vans but, well they aren't trucks, I'd need a trailer too, and the ones for sale are platinum edition super luxury etc. Vans are selling much cheaper than trucks though.

The natives are restless. Customers wanting things. More work to do. Better get to it ...

.

I know how F150 is... its sold in Europe too.. I think the name is changed to Ford Ranger. (fun fact).
You can fit inside the van much more than to an F150 truck bed.

My truck will go to mechanics on the 16th to fix a suspension problem. It is making an alarming noise. It must last until I get a new vehicle.

Here a Ranger is a small truck similar to my small Nissan. Ranger's bed is too small for my work. A trailer is tempting even if I get a truck. Plenty of space, easy access, stack brush up high, low to ground and maybe a back ramp for mower, any vehicle can tow it. I found a cheap ramp for pickups so full size tailgate height no longer a problem.

A friend in Kansas has a lead on a small SUV plus trailer that is well within my price range. Trailer for work, vehicle to drive, 4x4 for my remote hiking adventures. I like that. A few months until it is for sale though. Kansas = farms = plenty of used trucks. How to get 'em from there to here?

Road trip!

btw what about some hated truck like Honda Ridgeline. Its been criticised for not being the reall offroad truck that americans are used to, so it can be cheap. Yet its stil Honda = low maintanence and reliablity and its still pretty practical even tho its not body on frame. Are those cheap?

You are helping me to have the right attitude and be more flexible. I still favor a regular size pickup since it does all the things plus plenty of room. But a trailer does that, is close to ground, and can be towed by a borrowed car if mine is not working. Honda! Mower engines must be Honda. I haven't seen any Ridgelines for sale. They get good reviews. Not often that Japanese ones appear in my price range but I'll consider them when they do.

Since my town is small and in a sparsely populated region there are few cars for sale nearby.

More local possibilities for a trucks.

Cactus poked a hole in my gas can. Weedeater is with mechanics. My efforts didn't fix it. Two old ones won't start either. I'll work more on one of them. The mechanics loaned me a small one but it is not efficient for work.

New bookkeeping system. Waveapps. It is online 'cloud' stuff but it is free and others are expensive and also 'cloud'. Limited functions but does what I need.

A customer loaned me his giant line trimmer, weedeater, but it is too giant. Better than the small one though. I'll try to get my backup one started.

I found a truck! $4000 + 5K below average? $9000 normal price? Mine is an '89. Bet I could get 10K. Then I could get a big diesel F250 4x4 with big tires. That website always has goofy prices but it does show more trucks nearby. Hauled some stuff to dump. This rifle case was in there. I'll keep it.

cool rifle case, nice find!
Also that Nissan truck looks super cool! I would take it if its in good condition. Those were pretty good quality. My friend has newer one, from 90s. If not rusted, they last forever. Although it says its only RWD?

They are great trucks! Here is mine. I bought it new in 1990. 400,000 miles (about 643,000 km) or more. Not sure because the odometer stopped working a long time ago. That website, carsforsale.com, has strange prices and claims everything is far under priced. If I see something good there I'll contact the seller to find the real price or find the car on another site.

A local car lot has a truck I'll ask about.

Back up weed eater is running.

Edit: corrected, I bought it new in 1990. 1989 model.

wow that has seen a lot. Awesome little truck. That site can be some scam maybe? be careful.
PS: iam shocked to see that we get Bronco in Europe and even Ranger (F150) Raptor. With 300 HP.

Still no luck finding a truck. I'll look at Ram 1500's too. The trucks for sale are often big, fancy, 4x4, and crew cab/four door. I need a simple base model but if the price is right. I should go in person to check on some local ones.

My internet was down yesterday. Had to wait for repair guy. New router and nearly twice as fast. It has wi-fi ability which does not meet my foil hat level privacy and security requirements. He turned that off but I'll test that it is not active. Really windy today. I did paperwork, tool maintenance, and handles for my wheelbarrow. Behind in yard work though.

Also it is cold. Freezing again tonight. 60's and 70's F in daytime. Chilly March and April not warming up either. Bermuda grass needs a day/night average temperature of 70F to thrive. This is delaying start of my money making season. House remodeling guy has work though so I can do that.

Wifi security is pretty good :) you dont need to worry, just use it. If you use a strong password, nobody can break in. And if there is somebody trying and able to, they are already going after you hard and you should head for (Old) Mexico asap anyway :)

Ferengi privilege. I deposited my paychecks at the commercial only drive up bank window. I feel so important and privileged. It was the shortest line and they are going into my business account so ...

@Bitkar
Security: A friend and I who have had government contractor jobs recently discussed security procedures. Some things may require two people to get access. That lead to a funny thought. So it's like this right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnJvsBbELvk

I haul things off for a house remodeling guy. I've been collecting metal from that to sell to a scrap yard. Treasure found! A foot long piece of railroad track!

Gave the rifle case to a friend. He has restored their family heirloom from the 1930's and needed a case.

Company website photos updated https://www.jackrabbitlawncare.com/index.php/gallery/

I looked at local car lots and they are overflowing with trucks. I'll shop there in person since the car websites aren't showing what I need. A customer might sell his Chevy Silverado. I'd prefer Ford or Dodge but I know he bought it new and has taken good care of it. Might be too new to be in my price range.

@Bitkar, I was going to rant about how an F-150 is not a Ranger. Technically true but new Rangers are bigger and new F-150's are smaller. Practically speaking there is little difference in the new base models. They vary in the upgrades. The F series scales up better for work (big engines, heavy duty versions, towing modifications, 250, 350, ...) while Rangers scale more for luxury and sport. Base model pretty similar though.

I got N95 masks a long time ago for dirty jobs but seldom used one until now. Cleaning up a place for house remodeler. Mask, gloves, safety glasses. Not like there was fungus growing on stuff but could be mice etc. and much dust.

Edit: modeler -> remodeler

nice new pics... that website header tho :D what a top notch graphics design ;D

Ya... I got to know that those models are not the same in the meantime... It was surprising to me. As I saw Dodge Ram 1500 here couple of times and the Ranger does not seem like a smaller class. So I assumed its pretty much the same, just for europe. Ranger seems big to me. I would like to see them side by side (comparable versions/trims).
We even have Ranger Raptor which I heard you dont have and some would like. I really dont know why Ford makes two cars, that are almost the same.

@Bitkar Before the Rangers got bigger and F150s got smaller. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMTXO9V085c The new Rangers would be a good size for me but only old trucks are cheap enough for me. Yeah, why two nearly the same?

New work pants. I wonder how long I've been walking around with the old pant's rear torn open?

the new Ranger is even more boxy and bigger I think than the one in the video you posted.
https://youtu.be/2EnZQcGfv-g

I think several customers will quit with this year's price increase. Instead of replacing them I'll use that time for the remodeling guy. I dropped one customer with no intention of having a lawn.

Catch up today on missed yards (unfriendly dogs, rain) so today is a work-a-thon with those extras.

No time to search car lots yet. Hopefully soon.

I'll do a GoFundMe and y'all contribute so I can get one of these behemoths https://www.ford.com/trucks/super-duty/ ... 0-limited/. Really, even if I could afford a shiny new one I'd rather have an old simple work truck without the fancy electronics and such. I would get a big 250 or 350 though.

Truck stopped suddenly and won't start. Ironically around 4 blocks from mechanics. All day working on it. Friend suspects the fuel filter, fuel pump, or power leads from coils to distributor. Fooled with the fuel filter. Could blow through it. Replaced cracked fuel line. Tested power leads. Then it started and ran great. Wouldn't start again. New fuel filter. No start. Now the battery is low from attempted starts.

The plan is to get it to mechanics then get something for work. Friend's truck also not starting. I'll borrow it if we can't fix it. My niece's family have trucks and trailers for their business. Maybe they can haul or tow it. Maybe loan me a truck.

Borrowed a small car for transportation.

It's good to know the Grand Nagus. I called my niece. I expected her to tow me with one of their giant pickups that I envy. Her husband called in the artillery. He knows everyone and is influential. He sent a guy to haul my truck to a mechanic he recommends. He will contact the mechanic to prioritize the fixing. He will watch out for used trucks too.

Tomorrow I help a friend get his truck going and borrow it for work. Probably a jump start. Maybe a new battery.

Too expensive to fix my truck. So it is retired now. I'll sell it for parts, trade in, etc. I borrowed a friend's Dodge Dakota midsize pickup for work. One customer has a Ram 1500 that looks great for my work. Probably not or sale but I'll ask about it. Another is interested in selling his Chevy in two or three months. Mostly mow and sleep otherwise.

Borrowed truck has a new battery and new $250 tire, owner paid for those, now some electrical problem. Mechanics closed until Wednesday (Independence Day holiday plus not open on weekends). I'll rent a Uhaul until it is fixed which means I'm breaking even, no profit, until then.

you should have lawn care business somewhere where is grass :) that would be much easier i gues ;D

bitkar wrote: 01 Jul 2023, 18:25 you should have lawn care business somewhere where is grass that would be much easier i gues ;D

This is actually funny!
Finis I feel bad for you but aren't you a goldfish in a desert?

New battery needed replacing. Warranty covered it. So no Uhaul needed.

Inferno Hike good. Now inferno work is here and increasing. My hike is usually near the start of June when the humidity is very low. Now the heat has returned and I'll be working in 102 and more for a week plus humidity so it is effectively 105F to 110F.

"somewhere where is grass" Ha ha. My customers have grass. It is moderately expensive to have a lawn here and more people are going to gravel or xeriscaping.

Hottest days since last year or two! El Niño heat wave is kicking my butt. Inferno Hike 116F, fun! Inferno Work 103F to 107F, not fun. The ground is hot down to the pipes. The "cold" tap water is warm. It has been like this for over two weeks. It should cool some soon. Then the monsoon.

El Niño and La Niña are part of ENSO. El Niño Southern Oscillation. Pacific ocean water west of South America cycles between hot and cold phases and those effect the weather over much of the world.

Fluent Spanish speakers correct me if needed ... El Niño, el neen-yo, means "the boy" or "the child". La Niña, la neen-ya, means "the girl".

its been hot here too... over 30C, close to 100F. That is a lot for us. But its summer, it happens. I dont believe on some climate change nonsense. Climate has never been stable.

@Bitkar Give me all your money and total control over you and the scary crisis will go away.

Borrowing my friend's truck until I can buy one. I have learned truck things. A rust bucket is best for lawn work. Worrying about paint, scratches, dents is trouble. "V8 magnum" engine can move along, spin tires, guzzles gas, and almost doesn't notice the AC is on. My small truck maneuvers easily. This mid size one is OK for that but for a full size I will need learning and adaptation for parking spaces, turning, ...

Several customers are not watering enough. Those who are grow a jungle between mows. Cheap fertilizer with iron (expert gardener or sta-green) is gone. It is all expensive now.

@Spacekdet How much travel pay would you need to come here and repair everyone's sprinklers?

The heat wave is over here. It was accompanied by drought. Even the drought tolerant heat loving Bermuda grass didn't react well so I had less mowing than usual during my main money making time. Made up for that with more work for the remodeling guy and rescuing babies. The monsoon is starting so grass will like that. Rained a bunch today but weather said that is from tropical storm Harold in the gulf.

Looks like I'll get a customer's Chevy pickup. A friend has a trailer he wants to give me.

finally a new trailer and a pickup...

I've been to hell.

Tuesday night (Thursday evening now) I got a sinus headache of unbelievable intensity. Relentless. A few hours sleep thanks to handfuls of Tylenol and aspirin. Not sure but that might have been as bad as "sheet of fire" disease (inflamed diaphragm) when I hoped for the mercy of death. Much better today. Regular cold discomfort. Now if the gremlins would stop sticking railroad spikes in my ribs.

oh, hopefully it will be ok soon enough! stay strong.

bitkar wrote: 20 Jul 2023, 20:20 its been hot here too... over 30C, close to 100F. That is a lot for us. But its summer, it happens. I dont believe on some climate change nonsense. Climate has never been stable.

Where you are the changes in weather are slight because it is hot all the time. The effects of climate change are affecting cold climates more. For example, the wildires in Canada this past summer spread over wide areas because the forest floors were dry tinder.

Equatorial changes will largely be increases in temperature until the forests and grasslands stop holding moisture. Droughts in major swaths of US farmlands are more and more common. Many farmers in the west experienced crop shortages because of abnormal drought conditions.

New truck. 2010 Chevy Silverado. 188K miles. 4.8L V8. 302hp. Insurance will be $200/yr more.

looks great! needs bigger wheels :D
200 USD per year for insurance is pretty cheap for what it is. I almost pay this for my old 1.8 liter Honda :D damn..

Insurance increased by $200 per year.

New truck is good. The truck I borrowed from my friend has the same power but is a mid size. It will spin the tires but my truck won't. Could be traction control or that it is heavier. Not that I want to spin tires. The borrowed truck was a good transition for my driving habits. I got used to the larger size, stopped trying to use the clutch and manual shift, and adapted to the different way V8's rev up.

Eventually I'll get a spray on bed liner and armor for high wear points.

PROS
- I got a great price on it.
- Runs great.
- Big. Lots of space for tools and my hair doesn't touch the ceiling. The Nissan had plenty of headroom too.
- 300 HP because America!
- Fancy things like functioning AC, automatic transmission, power steering.
- Towing mode. I won't be towing million pound things but this can give extra traction if needed.
- Up high I can see over most cars. Blocked visibility is sometimes an issue for turns.
- Has holes in top of bed wall for 2x4's to build side panels.

CONS
- 300 HP because America! means 17 mpg in town.
- Fancy things cost money to repair. More stuff to break.
- Electric windows. I like old mech. cranks.
- Big tires, filters, ocean of oil, parts, maintenance costs more.
- Mega-room for my tools but the bed height means less accessible from the sides.
- Shiny but for lawn care dents, scratches, rust is best. I appreciated the freedom the Nissan's demolished body gave.
- Parking next to big F250's/350's gives me shrinkage. Truck is never big enough.

- Big. Lots of space for tools and my hair doesn't touch the ceiling. The Nissan had plenty of headroom too.

That truck must have a tall roof!!!

Ha ha! Garth Brook's hat wouldn't touch the ceiling!

i actually had a car where he would fit ;)