Hi 👋

[Rayk]

So how is everyone? Well I hope . Figure I’d share some notes and mindless mutter .

First off I lost both my remaining parents. In the last year . There was a sad moment but actually as weird as it sounds it wasn’t really hard to deal with . My folks were strong minded always laughing and always having happy hour . They were a roll model for all to see as to how relationships and love should be. They each knew their time and pops predicted his almost to the day .

I miss them but yet I don’t maybe it’s because I feel them around me all the time . Gosh now that I’m thinking about hope their not watching me and well you know …. lol as pops says That's my boy just as mom slaps him ! Hahaha

Ok moving on . My job I love but after 20 years and new management the good o’l boy scenario still rules and I was passed over again for a promo . So wish we had a union . I know they have faults but there’s also pros .

Ok hope that part was ok and not against the rules if so I’ll delete it .

Hmm what’s next ? Oh ! Guitars , I’ve gotten into this phase that’s been driving me nuts it’s the “ I wants “ mode . lol

So I want things I want a Blueridge BR 371 , I also have this new recording king ROS-729 all koa 12 fret on my mind . Lastly there’s another one I just really really want but I’ll keep it a secret . It’s a bit outside the affordable range for me . lol anyways I guess I just want to play them to see if I really want them but buying is easier then finding one hanging on a wall somewhere. lol

Now the electric side geez , walrus audio Fable and Sloer peddles have my interest! lol

Next my Gib The Paul has original 250k pots but 500k would be better . Not sure if should swap them or not . Gib folks say yes ! lol

And then there is Acoustic guitars to fix and a deck to fix and a need for a car port and another grill for outdoor kitchen oh an outdoor fridge to replace the old one that died .
And I guess a new/newer truck as parts for 2002 Dakota are strangely hard to find very hard to find interior parts .
Annnnnnnd so on . Quite the dilemma. there’s always the lotto or most likely my next life ! Lmao

Ok hope everyone is doing great !

 

[MartyG]

Cheers Rayk. I hope the life I try to model for my kids and grandkids has the same effect you described. Just live your life and find joy in simple things. And like you, I suffer (well, maybe not suffer, maybe more like lustful thoughts) from the "I wants" from time to time, but I try to give it a week or so before pulling any triggers and lo and behold I'm already on to another want. If things come to me unexpectedly - like let's say a '75 M-85 - then I roll with that.

I've got plenty of plans for the next life - but plenty of to-dos in this one to keep me happy.

Marty

 

[Rayk]

Cheers Rayk. I hope the life I try to model for my kids and grandkids has the same effect you described. Just live your life and find joy in simple things. And like you, I suffer (well, maybe not suffer, maybe more like lustful thoughts) from the "I wants" from time to time, but I try to give it a week or so before pulling any triggers and lo and behold I'm already on to another want. If things come to me unexpectedly - like let's say a '75 M-85 - then I roll with that.

I've got plenty of plans for the next life - but plenty of to-dos in this one to keep me happy.

Marty

True that hope ya get the M85 ! I’m going to try and do a few things today first coffee ! then work on the deck and try to fix my massive screw up after that work on recording . Both of those things I start but haven’t been able to complete. lol

 

[Opsimath]

Hi Ray! Good to hear from you.

I'm very sorry about the loss of your parents. You're likely correct - they're keeping an eye on you. (Somebody has to, right?)

How's your boy? He's how old now?

I've had "different car fever" for about a week. Can't say "new" because that's not in the cards. Stuff just keeps breaking on the 2004 Nav, generally the electronics. It was a glorious ride when it ran well, though. Right now it won't crank. Battery? Shouldn't be but could. Something else? No telling. Being stranded stinks.

I think I'll enroll in mechanics school. Not really. Well, probably not really.

I hope your projects go well and quickly so you can get back to your guitars and other fun stuff!

I need to mow the grass.

Enjoy your coffee! Later....

 

[chazmo]

I need to mow the grass.

Turning sprinklers on here in central MA for the first time this year. Had my fertilizer/herbicide treatment a few days ago so I'll wait on mowing a week or so... The grass is popping, but it's still very inconsistent. In a week, it'll need it.

 

[davismanLV]

Hi Ray!! Things are starting to heat up here in Vegas. Yesterday was nice and it rained a bit, but mostly the heat is here and going UP!! The a/c kicks in now afternoons and evenings. UGH!!

Also, knowing that we're downsizing and letting a couple of guitars go. Every time I focus on one, then I pull it out and play it for a bit, then I want to keep it. Gotta photograph and list on Reverb. I also need to fold laundry and vacuum, and various chores but it's easier to just go to Happy Hour for a couple of hours and then I don't care so much. Life is always a challenge!!

Keep up the good work!!
Tom

 

[geoguy]

Rayk: Consolations on losing your parents. Sounds like they were good people in your life.

Opsimath: A no-crank condition can be caused by a lot of things, but a common cause on an older vehicle is a poor electrical grounding point. Sometimes just removing the nut or bolt that is affixing the grounding cable, cleaning it up with sandpaper or a Scotch-brite pad, and re-attaching the nut or bolt is all that is required.

The following video shows that type of trouble-shooting/repair on an older Ford Focus, starting at about 29 minutes.

South Main Auto - A Day in the Shop, Pt 2

 

[Rayk]

Thanks no auto work here . I’m afraid to get a newer ride with the man using them to spy on us all the time .

It would cost I’m thinking 20 grand to go through my Dakota for full factory refresh
Thing is interior parts are hard to find and I only need a master window switch bezel and a steering column shift lever boot . Find the switch bezel or ones with switch’s on eBay have missing clips broken clips and are not close enough to mint . There’s no column boots any where go figure there’s a ton of them for chevy’s not one for Dakota’s lol

If anyone of you have good salvage yards around you let me know my Dakota is a 02 SLT 4.7 quad cab dark gray interior.

One the other side I worked on my deck which wiped me out redecking it . Lots of pain . Lumber is terrible inconsistency in edge lines big knots , crook and Wayne twists etc . This has lead my 45 deg board pattern to get out whack to a point of 4” at one end and 10 “ at the other end so I had to swing the boards out or like fan them out at one end to close up the gap . It was either that or strip the whole thing and start over . Which would more bucks then I could spare .

Take in consideration that the old boards had to come up . Rusted screws ever 12 on center was very big pain to remove . Most broke so had to remove the heads from the boards and then remove what of the shafts the remained in the joist's . Vise grips are my friend ! lol but man bending over was tough I mean it was a lot of bending over .

I’m still pretty flexible but my knees don’t like to play after all that surgery they had . I guess it’s the nerves and blood flow issue ?

I did some short vids on FB maybe I can post them on here ? I’ll try . lol

No guitar playing today

 

[Rayk]

Dinner anyone ?

 

[tonepoet]

So wish we had a union . I know they have faults but there’s also pros .

First off, condolences on your Folks passing. My Dad's been gone 12 years and I think of him and miss him everyday. Mom is 95 but coming into the bed-ridden stage of her decline. It's all tough stuff.

Secondly, yes, Unions have their Pros. I am retired from 31 years Unions and am glad I was a Union worker and that I am a Union retiree.

 

[tonepoet]

my Dakota is a 02 SLT 4.7 quad cab

I had a white '04 Dakota SXT 2-door 3.7 Magnum. Great truck. Had it 14 years

 

[tonepoet]

downsizing and letting a couple of guitars go. Every time I focus on one, then I pull it out and play it for a bit, then I want to keep it.

My problem exactly. I think I'm going to sell a guitar, but then I pull it out of the case, play it a bit and say "Nope, can't do it!"

 

[Rayk]

First off, condolences on your Folks passing. My Dad's been gone 12 years and I think of him and miss him everyday. Mom is 95 but coming into the bed-ridden stage of her decline. It's all tough stuff.

Secondly, yes, Unions have their Pros. I am retired from 31 years Unions and am glad I was a Union worker and that I am a Union retiree.

Thanks .