2021-06-05 — Muchos Carros

So… I did a long work day. A looooong workday. Probably not the best idea. I sort of justified it because I haven’t worked on cars much at all lately, so there’s been a lot of outgo on the money front, nothing on the income, and lots and lots of people just waiting and waiting for me (I’ve been surprised by how many people have just waited. Usually people are like “if you can’t get me today (sometimes right now), they’re like, “Okay, I’ll find someone else.” So it’s been interesting to see how many people have waited weeks for me. 😶

Anyway, so I did 8 cars today, paid for 6. Here’s the quick rundown:

1st car: Checking up on the car I accidentally goofed on yesterday (2004 Corolla) by forgetting to plug in the radiator fan (sometimes it’s hard to stay focused when people are there watching you, and you’re teaching them about how their car works. At least, I’m gonna use that as my excuse). Seemed totally fine, so we’re good on that one, I think. 👍

2nd car: Misfire. 2010 MKX. He thought it was bad electrical connection. Turned out to be a bad coil. Boom. Done.

3rd car: No start. 2008 CRV Turned out to be the starter, but they didn’t want me to do the job because they didn’t have the money, so I taught him how to do it himself, and he was really grateful for that. He even took a video of me walking him through everything.

4th car: Door lock and parasitic drain issues (2008 Accord). Got there and realized the part I ordered online was the wrong part inside the bag with the right sticker on it… so… that was a bust. So… I’ll have to come back and finish that one another day… in about a week when the parts come in.

5th car: No start… starter was bad again (1999 Mountaineer). It’s a warranty. The interesting thing… he’s blown through two starters in just a few months, but I couldn’t find anything wrong that would be burning starters out, and it wasn’t overheated or anything. It was pretty crazy though, I had him try to start it while I was under the truck looking at the starter, and it flashed a bright blue, big arc of electricity. 😶 Not sure what the deal was there. I’m a little concerned there’s something burning starters out, but I couldn’t find a short anywhere. I did find a messed up bolt on the back of the starter. It was a reman starter, so… that’s probably the issue, just a reman starter that was bad from the factory.

6th Car: Then it was a 2013 Dodge Avenger with a coolant leak that turned out to be a bad water outlet (cracked). Boom, done.

7th car: Coolant leak. 2006 Acura RL. Turned out to be a water pump, which is a big deal on that one because it’s timing belt driven water pump. So I referred him out.

8th car: 2009 Ridgeline. No start. Died driving. Timing belt jumped, ruined one of the heads. 😕 One head had 120 psi compression. The other? 30 psi. 😬

9th car: (guess I did nine paid for six) 2016 Nissan Sentra front brake pads and rotors.

Whew!!!

My eyes are grainy and starting to close on me. Stayed at AutoZone with Jimmy chatting during and after the brake job. That was good. It was nice to have company while working on the car. We chatted until… midnight ish? I don’t remember.

Oh! The van! I’m sooooooo liking this van. AC!!! What a wonder is air conditioning!!! Bless the soul who invented it. Amazing stuff. And so much room! and not a nightmare to get to everything. And and and.

How funny is it that I finally get a good work vehicle right as I’m about to hang up the wrenches. Funny. 🙃

#1. I’m grateful for my work van. That it makes it easier to stay on the right side of the edge (more AC means less water leaking to the outside of my body, which means less I have to remember to drink 🙃)

#2. I’m grateful to have been able to figure out every car I worked on 9 cars (even if I only got paid for 6 today).

#3. I’m grateful to have been safe in my travels all day.

#4. I’m grateful for Sunday day of rest. 😊

#5. I’m grateful that AutoZone delivers to me. So so so so nice.

Daily Accountability:

The Positive

1. 12 Days and counting clean with the porn issue front.
2. I still haven’t given in to the temptation to go look at sports news even though I made it really hard on myself yesterday. I fought it off, and today it was a little twinge here and there, but much much less, so cross your fingers, I might escape that one. But good stuff. Sports at bay.
3. I’ve still managed to stay pretty solid in fighting off the negativity and being positive.

The Needs Improvement

1. Uh… can I say I’m early? 😅
2. I’m sure I was triggered today, but I didn’t do pushups. I was in my car a lot. I’m not sure what to do yet when triggered while driving. Pushups are such a fabulous way to beat the triggers, but can’t do those and drive at the same time. Hm….

Tomorrow (Sunday) is likely gonna be a super challenging day for me. Preditatio malorum. I’m gonna be grateful for it. I’m gonna choose peace and happiness. I’m gonna choose optimism. I’m gonna choose excitement for growth opportunities. It’s…

My perfect moment. 😊

Please send prayers/positive universe vibes to my friends Cory and Brittani and Matt… and to me, please. Some tough things here, continuing, and coming. Thx!

Loves and hugs, my peeps.

Lift the World.

~ stephen