icantdrive55

So many new books on Amazon are bad quality reprints.

Certain subjects depend on quality, clear illustrations.

I just assumed a new book meant quality of the original, but I was wrong.

Years ago, when I was learning watch repair, I bought a new copy of The Watch Repairer's Manual, by Henry Fried. Published by the American Watchmaker's Press. It wasen't cheap then either.

As I was reading it, the diagrams seemed fuzzy. I thought it was just me though. I'm a first edition collector, and have a huge library. You would think I would have spotted a bad printing run.

Well, I happened to buy the same book off eBay, but was published in 1973. The pages, and illustrations were crisp, and clear.

I learned my lesson though. It's a clever way to sell a new book. My lesson was don't trust new book anywhere. Used, old print is fine by me.

New is not better when it comes to certain books. In the back of my mind, I wondered how anyone could offer a new copy of an obscure book. Well, it's by inferior printing.

There's a market for quality reprints of certain books. We like to think we made so much progress, but not when it comes to printing books. We have regressed. Pick up any magazine from the 40's through the 70's, and you will notice the quality difference. I'm not saying we need to go back to Linotype printing. Im just saying we have regressed in printing.

(My grandfather was a completely color blind printer. He went his whole career never telling anyone. He was laser focused on the print quality, or "tack sharp" as he used to say. Yes--completely color blind. He would ask his coworkers, customers if the colors looked right. He would then make color adjustments. His best advice to me was moderation in everything. This was coming from a 3 pack/day smoker, eight drink minimum, with a 1/2 hose feeding his lower extremities due to plaque. He lived until 80. Crazy?)

Yea, I bought an Atari St 1200 I believe in 1983 for college.

It did seem like a big purchase initially. I used it for 6 years of college. I mainly used it for word processing. It never skipped a beat.

Once every two years, I would need to re-ink the ribbon with ink myself. Just dipped the ribbon into the bottle, and rewind. I was too cheap to buy a new ribbon.

Besides the initial outlay, I spent $2.00 days on ink in six years.

If I had foresight, I never would have thrown away a great computer. I miss the word processor program. I definetly miss that dot matrix printer. (I never told anyone at school about my about my computer. I felt like I was cheating. Not one professor noticed the dot matrix print type.

What people miss about old hardware from the days was everything was built like tanks.

The thought of buying a new computer every two years was unthinkable. In my world, it's still unthinkable.

I really believe we have been duped by the industry--on all levels.

1. They were having sex in vechicles.

2. There was nepotism in hiring.

3. The founder "hit" on employees. The founder also has a hedge fund in the city? What a guy. Quite the go getter. BOD gave him the boot, but will be at the end of the year.

4. The Vice President supposedly paid women to loose weight, and he kicked garbage cans. (He denied everything, except kicking the cans. 'There's So much stress in a start up!'

5. I still don't know what the company does, nor care. I don't know what allegations are true, or false.

6. Moral of story--don't say anything off color, sexually suggestive at work. That goes for females too. Don't have sex at work--ouch! Gotta be hard being a CEO in this bubble? So many difficult rules! So much stress for the Founder! (I hope this dudes wife has a prenup? Then again I'm still not exactly sure what crime he committed, other than being a privileged white male, with poor social skills?

7. I'm still kind interested in his hedge fund. I'm astonished over the money certain white males can accumulate in America.

8. If I owned any company. My first speech would be, "Don't use this bubbly job as a place to socialize." And that's the rub. So many people use that bubbly job as their hatching ground for socializing. My ex went to work daily in SF, and complained the gay men at work wouldn't hit on her. I once told her that if she's using work to socialize, it's pathetic. She read me the riot act. Never said anything about her job again. I need to say this-- San Francisco runs very low on available straight men to socialize with. I've seen women throw themselves at average dudes. Average in all categories. For one--stop it. To the guys who get the big egos; stop it. Or, keep it up, and get kicked out of your own company.

1. I haven't read the article. Why--because for myself, all the talk makes the problem worse.

2. For myself, going on generic bupenorpine, and tapering off was not that bad. I took a year to taper off. I probally could have tapeed off the opioids if I was given a chance. The problem is most Doctors just cut you off. Completely ridiculous, especially if the patient is a serious individual. (I got lucky to find a doctor to prescribe bupenorpine without driving me crazy with endless office visits. I also just happened to be given the drug for another disorder.)

3. The generic bupenopine is still pricey. I don't quite get it, other than most Dr's don't trust their patients to not abuse opioids, so there isn't a huge demand for generic Subutex? There are still some sensible people who just want to stop the original addiction. On the other hand, I wouldn't be schocked if the price of generic Subutex is the result of some shenanigans.

4. Most people will be given Suboxone, that has Naloxone in it. It makes doctors feel safe, and that's what was taught in the course they had to take in order to prescribe/treat. Crazy again. (I felt Nalaxone just raised the price of the drug, but some of you will need an opoid antagonist in your treatment, especially if street drugs are easily available, or you don't have not much self control.)

4. My point is if you Taper off, all the drama is spared. My story will never be on Lifetime.

5. It's still a pain in the ass with the Dr. visits, and getting scripts though.

6. I can offer this, if you want to stop, Taper off. Yes--I know it's just not that easy. The system we currently have makes getting off difficult. Again crazy?

7. Stay away from all the support group sites. They just scared the hell out of me, especially the ones on the internet.

8. If you are addicted to anything, most of you can successfully taper off yourself. Very few of you need the drama, and expense of a rehab. Again--the system is so rediculious, we are forced into going to the rehabs, just to get the opportunity to taper off. Again crazy.

9. We have a crisis. It's not giving addicted people the easy/cheap way to Taper off the most controlled substances. It's no wonder people turn to the streets to feed their cravings.

Oh boy.

Public housing: Section eight has been closed for years. The sign up list has been closed for years now--in many counties. Of yea, the current lease for Section 8 housing is 47 pages in my county. 47 pages of "can't, and do this!". It's beyond petty.

Food Stamps: Requires a degrading elegabily approval. Designed so people just don't even sign up. (Clinton made it very degrading, and cut people off after a certain time period. Obama had a heart. Who know what Wonder boy will do to the program.) Then finding stores to buy food. Then being told you can't buy orange juice. Why--I don't know, just overheard the demeaning conversation. Another one that stuck with me. A mom bought a cheap birthday cake for her child. The Checker "schooled" her on how to bake a cake from scratch. The women said, "I need to buy 10 ingredients for one birthday cake?" Cashier, "I don't make the rules lady!". Yea--I wanted to pull the guy across the counter. She walked out in silence, with child looking perplexed.

Public Education: great if you live in the right district.

Medicaid/Medical: It's almost like having no insurance. So much is not covered. So many doctors don't take it. 30 day supplies on a very restrictive Formulary. I imagine it does when wheeled into the emergency rooms.

So many of our Welfare Programs are purposely administered so people just give up. Personally, I think we need to open up any available federal, state, and county land to allow homeless to at least pitch a tent. Right now being homeless is for all practical purposes a crime. We are beyond finding solutions. Americans shouldn't be forced to sleep on the sidewalks--just waiting for a ticket, or being the victim of a random crime.

We have a huge problem in America. And it's the way we treat those that don't fit in. Tech community should take notice. When the balloon pops; you just might see the misery first hand. I know Willie Brown is wondering out loud what San Francisco will do when Iwasfired.com happens.

And they should be. Two employees at my local hospital died sitting on the can in the bathroom, with a fentanyl Patch lying on the ground.

One was a nurse, and the other a janitor. (They took the used patches out of the garbage.).

(That said, we should legalize at least bupenorpine, the generic version. Addicts would have an alternative to street drugs, and doctors who just charge too much. Plus--drug education should be taught early in school. And tell the truth. Like for nine months, the drugs will work. Then you will spend years just trying to feel the way you did before you took opiates:; if you're lucky.)

If you're lucky you have someone to drive you to one specialist after another, and all they seem to care about is their fee.

People don't need hand holding, but they don't need to put up with doctors who are deep in professional deniability.

I don't have a solution.

I watched my father go through hell with his cancer diagnosis. They had residents comming into his hospital room Palpating his liver tumor. The last straw was when this very young person came in, and started to lift his gown.

I had a feeling what was going on, but asked anyways, "What are you doing?" White smock, "Oh, I need to palpate the patient!" Me, "You are the third person pushing into his right upper quadrant, for no apparant reason? Are you a resident, and just learning on my father?" The person abruptly left the room.

All the doctors said we can't help you father, but we had to drag him into their fancy offices. And they loved his insurance plan. It was a good one. Paid 90% of whatever they charged, and they charged.

Specialist, "Well after reviewing your chart, I can't help."

Rinse repeat, after another doctor's office call. "I would like to see you!"

Done. I thought Pallitive Care would be efficient.

Then a call from a Doctor. "I can help you." He also gave a speech on drinking. I knew at the time, this little stocky dude was enticed by the good insurance, but what do I know?

Well, after a week, my dad gets the call. "I'm sorry. I can't help you." He did seem sincerely dissapointed.

Weeks later my father slowly wither away in pain. The hospice doctors never quite gave enough medication.

(It got to the point, if I knew a drug dealer, I would have gone out to buy heroin for my father. Great system?")

Yea, this is way past due.

Along with these implementations, I would like to see just an AA in psychology, and require at least 12 units of law, including a course in constitutional law.

Just a high school diploma is not enough.

They just gave up, and that's the reason?

You're probably young, and have a wonderful support sysyem (these days, a rich, sympathetic father), but be careful about throwing around aspersions.

Life will throw you some real curves. It might get so ugly, you will look back upon your youth idealism and literally cry?

I have found when it comes to money, and career; 95% just go along with the flow. "Hay--its legal?"

(I got my first dose of reality in Chiropractic School. It was obviously placebo, but placebo was just not talked about. Selling out is so common. I'm not talking the cute TV version on of selling out, but the real people who con the uninformed, and vulnerable out of their money daily. There's a lot of denial in so many professions.)

The plastic bags that cheap wine comes in is Rogue river, class 5-6, over Rainey Falls, sucked 10 feet into the vortex tested.

A few years ago I took a two week river trip with a buddy. We bought three boxes of wine.

We nixed the boxes, and the wine bladders were just strapped to to raft with all our other stuff.

At the end of the trip, we we both surprised how much abuse those bags went through, and not even a small leak.

Now--the raft was another story.

1. In the United States most insurance will pay for a handful of Therapy sessions.

2. I had a breakdown years ago. Looking back it was just a massive Panic Attack. What really surprised me is I woke up the next morning feeling o.k., then out of the blue--life crushing anxiety. Anxiety so bad I just physically shook, and was always in tears. This went on for years.

3. After a week into the anxiety, I saw a Ph.D in psychology. I spent all my savings on these sessions. The result--not a bit of help. Now, they will claim that twice a week for 9 months is "not giving it enough time", but at a $100 a session it was just a waste of money.

4. I was finally referred to a Psychiatrist. He put me on all the antidepressants. None worked. He put me on a long half life benzodiazepine, and with a bottle of wine I was kinda functional.

5. My point is try Psychology/Psychiatry. Remember it's more of an art, than a science. I didn't realize this when I was in my twenties. Over the years, I have seem the spark dwindle from my Psychiatrist's eyes. I think if he had a do over, he would have picked a different speciality.

6. If I had a do over, I would have skipped it all. I did eventually stop drinking, but for years it was the only drug that worked, besides having to beg for low doses of benzodiazepines. I'm now trying to get off benzos, but figure why, at this point in my life. It's still a bitch getting any controlled drug from most doctors.

7. I can say this. So many of you will just get better with Time, but it might take awhile. (The "Professionals" conviently leave this out. There are some studies praising time verse therapy/drugs, but they are buried, and were small studies. I my case, it felt like I wounded my brain that night of the huge anxiety attack, and it would take years to heal. The experts told me most people do get better in a few weeks. I didn't. The depression arose because my life went from great to just lucky to get to sleep. Exercise did help eventually. At first, it didn't at all. I needed alcohol. I didn't want to blow out my liver in my twenties, so I only drank when I absolutely needed it. Don't overload that liver.

8. I once had a talk to a resident Psychiatrist. At first, he was a a cheerleader for his decision to specialize in psychiatry. After some debate, and honest reflection, he admitted to me all the modalities/drugs work a tiny bit in some patients, and the profession has a way to go.

9. I do know this, patients whom have been on a drug for a period of a few years shouldn't have to go into those prearranged sessions, just to refill a script. If the drug does not require blood monitoring, the patient should get refills. I know so many people who self medicated with alcohol, because our American system of treating mental illness sucks.

10. Time. I know, who has time. I need to function tomorrow. You have my heart.

I have found the average HN'er who summarizes does a better job the the original author, in many cases. They might have a better understanding of the information, or just better writers?

I don't like reading wordy articles. I don't like reading rushed, or poorly researched articles behind a paywall.

Traditional journalists/authors have another problem on their hands these days.

They have people out there summarizing their information, many times better, and more concise than the original article--for free. This whole change in the way things were once done is hurting all of us financially.

There are so many times I come here and get such a better understanding of said article by reading the comments.

(I do the think publications need to up their game a bit. It seems like too many decided to hire new college graduates, on the cheap, whom seem to reluctantly spit out a article, or they hire wordy authors who can't write well, but got the job because they know someone at the organization. This is not the time for any publication to hire employees kids, or practice any form form of nepotism. I understand they can't pay like they used to, but this is the time to up your game especially if you want us to pay. Even if they up their game--they might have lost the war. And in certain cities/locales a lot of important issues/information will go under the radar; which I find sad. Maybe the federal government should step in and fund certain publications, but in a hands off approach?)

Really good story. Really good writing.

I wasen't expecting this. I thought it would be another blame the alcoholic father.

My dad was an alcoholic. He died of a football sized tumor in his liver. It went undiagnosed for at least a decade. The doctor thought it was just scar tissue from a previous umbilical hernia operation.

Now my father was a piece of work, but it wasen't the alcohol that made him difficult to be around. It was just his personality. He was actually more pleasant to be around when he was drinking.

As to his drinking, and driving. Some of you will question what I'm going to say, but he was a better driver when drinking. I know blasphemy, but true.

It could be that he was more coordinated than the average person, or that he was driving daily since he was 14. Yes, he drive to high school in the Richmond district in San Francisco. Forget the high school, but that actress in West side Story, and Rebel without a Cause--Natalie Wood went to. It was Lincoln high. His could I forget that school?

Any who, he was the good driver sober, or after a few. And he was a functional alcoholic. He never missed work due to a hang over. Then again it was a different era.

Drinking on the job was almost encouraged. Yes--union electricians could drink beer if doing something mundane. It wouldn't happen these days, but did back in the day.

He was very conservative guy, but always kinda nervous. It could have been genes(he was Irish), or just his personality?

He used to say if opium wasen't illegial, I think I would like the effect.

Later on life, I knew what he was getting at. I don't know the alternative to alcohol is. It's not benzodiazepines, anti-depressants, or opium. You would think by now, we would have a safe drug to take tge edge off? And no, he tried all the strains of marijuana. It just name him more nervous.

Anyways, keep up the truthful--honest writing. Don't sellout.

Fun fact: My dad worked on the TransAmerica Pyramid as an electrician. He once took me to work. I was always asking him about the very top.

That day, he took me to the top. He opened a steel door, and set up a 6' wooden ladder. He climbed up the ladder, and there was a 1' x 1' square that you could fit your head through. He stuck his head through, and said it wasn't that great. I knew he was playing it down, for my sake.

I asked him one more time if I could climb up and look.

He climbed down, picked me up, and he climbed the ladder, and put my head through the hole. The hole was unfinished, and it was dirty inside the space. I remember seeing a gum wrapper, and that fine construction dirt up there. Looking back it was probably Sheetrock dust.

I vaguely remember I could see the city, but the glass, or plexiglass, was dirty. It was neat though. The kids at school didn't believe me. He didn't want me to climb in, but I asked.

The best part of that day was being with my dad. We ate lunch, and my dad said, 'Well at least your mom took the wrapper off the cheese today.' (This was the late 60's, or 70's, and my mom hated being a homemaker.)

It's hard to prove. Meal is gone. Should I save my throw up?

I have had 18 gauge wire in my buritto, but figured it was just an accident.

I have worked in restaurants. Some are filthy. Some workers could care less about food handling, especially the restaurants that hire the cheapest help, which is most. It's pretty easy to pass a health inspection. Just keep the meat on the bottom shelf, and keep the coolers at the right temp.

My remedy--don't eat out as much. It's unhealthy. And it's increasingly expensive.

(It's practically impossible to prove food poisoning. If I owned a restaurant, I would hire the best, and put cameras everywhere.)

I've lived in San Fransisco/Bay Area my entire life.

1. Agree with most of what you have to say about San Franciso. Personally, even though I don't smoke, it doesn't bother me.

2. The real cheerleaders of San Fransisco are usually people who just moved here. Maybe their city was worse?

3. The weather is just grey. My dad had to move from the Richmond District because he was literally considering suidide. He said, he would get up, and just grey. He finally moved to Petaluma, and was happy, but all his buddies were still in the city.

4. Socially--it's great for single men, or gay man. It might be the worst place a single lady could ever end up in, on a social level. My last two girlfriends live in SF. I have seen them walk up to men they want, and get rebuffed. Now--the men were gay, but it's not easy ladies. (No one ever talks about this aspect of San Francisco.).

5. On the positives, if you do end up here, you just might be suprised just how strong unions are here. Whether a cop, a electrician, or garbage man; you will be taken care of--if you get into the union.

6. I do like most of the diversity. I don't like the income inequality though, but that's taking over every city.

7. Theft! Just remember to lock that bike, or put a kill switch in any vehicle. There's a good chance it will be taken. Actualy, the bike will be stolen, and you will eventually have a window broken out of your vechicle. Don't leave anything of value in the vechicle--ever.

8. My last thought is this, I always thought of SF as half a city. It's not like New York, and thank god. It's just a weird small city. It's nothing like the media portrays it. Just remember that song, 'I've never been as cold as the summer I spent in San Francisco". I forget the lyrics, but you get my drift?

If anyone is really interested in Watchmaking, I wouldn't start out with G. Daniel's book. It's really about making a watch from raw materials.

I would start with books by Fried. If you feel comfortable with 90% of Practical Watch Repair in a year, or two; go for Daniel's book. I guarantee most will not get through Practical Watch Repair, but might come back to the hobby/profession later in life. When time is more cherished?

George Daniels was a brilliant Watchmaker. The book is o.k. There are parts of the book where it seemed rushed. George expects the reader to have a working knowledge of basic watch repair, and know exactly how a mechanical watch function. There's not much on repair, cleaning, or oiling.

I really liked Kikuno's workshop. That is years worth for tooling too. It's not cheap stuff either. My point is don't go out and spend a fortune on tooling until you can clean, oil, and time a 17 jeweled wristwatch with under $500 worth of tools.

It's a really a good feeling resurrecting an older watch, and knowing how to fix it if it breaks down, or runs slow.

That said, I'll get political. Many of the major watch houses will not sell you parts for your watch. You buy a $10 grand Rolex, and can't buy a new crown. They claim it's for quality assurance, but it's a money grab. That's it. The govenemment knows it violates The Sherman Anti-trust Act, but they have bigger fish to fry--I guess? They said it was a rich man's problem? This said while they wearing Rolexes(couldn't be gifts?), with Lobbyists scurrying around in the chambers.

If you do get good at watch repair, you will look at watches, maybe the world, differently?

Since I got into watch repair, I stopped looking at the outside of many mechanical things. It just happened? Maybe because I used to be an auto mechanic, but I believe it was the watch repair that changed me.

Because we are at a time in history where we just pay the other guy to make a supposedly better product.

I'm looking to buy a new vechicle. I asked the Salesman about repair/maintance of the vechicles on the lot.

He said, "Oh--no one works on their cars anymore. It's what the service wing of the dealership is for."

He wasn't kidding. And there's customers sipping Starbucks, eating pastries, and watching movies in the lush waiting room. I thought, how can these people afford $175/HR. for a Service mechanic?

I didn't even question him. Even if I had a lot of disposable income, I'm not paying $175 hr(last I looked) to anyone to work on my vechicle.

(Guys have been building electric vechicles for the last twenty-thirty years. Twenty years ago my community college was offering a electric vechicle conversion course. It took the students from theory to a finished electric VW. Now--if you buy the right salvaged car; you can fool around with autonomous controls.).

"general incompetence of public management, by misunderstanding how contractors manipulated costs to reach their estimates and establishing perverse incentives"

1. In the Bay Area, we have a Civil Contractor who's name rhymes with the Italian treat gelato.

2. For years, I wondered how they procure every job.

3. I have seen the jobs go on for years. It's beyond irritating.

4. As a inactive Contractor, I kinda know how the system works.

5. Basically, the county/state/public entity puts up a project to bid upon.

6. They collect at least three bids. I always thought, How is Gilato always winning the bid?

7. I started looking closely at three contenders in the contest. I noticed a Gilato is in all the "competing" companies. (It looked like they sent their kids/grandkids to Sacramento to get their contractor's license. A pretty easy feat. )

8. I have a weird feeling this family is bidding against themselfs, but can't prove it. Even if they are, it might not be illegial? I don't even think it's illegial to share those expensive toys. "Hay dad--I need that loader for Friday!"

9. All I know is it's taking forever to get a project completed.

Even if we have a big infrastructure bill pass through congress, I don't think it's going to put a lot of people back to work; so much of these projects are done by big machines. They will hire a lot of sign holders though.

It's a lot more nuanced than my simple rambling, but throwing a bunch of money at Giloto will scare me--if Trump gets this infrastructure bill passed. I gave no real proof for what I just said, other than noticing familiar names in the competing contracting companies.

I don't have an answer either.

I do think they should make student loans bankrupt-able. It's time.

Oh yea, and put a hiring freeze/salary cap on all administrative personnel for any school that accepts federal loans.

The best teachers I had were at community colleges, and usually had summer jobs.

I never figured out what most of the administration did besides irritate the better teachers.

Or, a company just refuses to sell you parts.

If the Rolex on my wrist stops working, I can take it apart, and clean/oil it, but couldn't buy a part from Rolex.

That is without going through a lot of expensive training, and certification.

Even then--their master plan is just restricting parts, so you need to send it back to them. "Here is you $900 bill from the Rolex factory".

Companies will just start ramping up the whole "Quality Assurance" BS. It's my expensive gadget. It's out of warranty. Allow me access to parts, and information--if you have them? I'm not being unreasonable?

Would I buy a new high end watch again--no, with the exception of a Seiko. They sell parts.

(I've been repairing watches for 15 years now.)

On the right day, you can get a high end watch for a lot less than going into a boutique.

I bought a Omage Aquaterra, with the big white dial for $1400 years ago. This watch was going for $3500 in the authorized retail stores.

Swatch took Costco to court, and lost.

There's no factory warranty, but most of these new high end watches will keep perfect time for 10 plus years. Oh yea, Costco does have some watchmaker that supposedly repairs watches. I can repair, so I don't trust anyone anymore.

It's too bad companies continually screw Americans on price, on so many products--the medication cost difference really bothers me.

I agree, but let's say why we are doing it; we want to look better than the rest.

There's nothing wrong with it. These days it just might backfire though. "Hay--what's fancy boy trying to hide? Ability?"

I got used to dressing for work, and occasions. I still tuck my shirts in. I would never wear a hoodie to work, or even cringe saying hoodie.

I always refused to wear the noose for men--the Tie.

I wish that adornment was relegated to The Smithsonian.

Never saw the need. It was always in my way. Never liked the feeling of them around my neck. Plus--I'm color blind, so matching always enticed small talk, "That's a in--teresting Tie?"

I am so glad the younger generation toned down the business garb. I got to hand it to Zuckerburg. Keep those tees, and jeans. I hope he's 80, and still dressing down.

I'm at the point now, where I question the ability of the fashion plate at work. And that goes for both genders.

Modern car engines reach around 200k--depending on the make.

The transmissions are another beast. They just seem to die at 140k, plus, or minus how you drive.

Their wasen't constant valve adjustments, or carb adjustments , distributors were dead simple. 90% of the time it was a bad condenser, or the points contacts needed sanding, unless you happened to own a British Vehicle.

And yes Amercan vechicles made in the late 70's, and 80's were aweful.

Old was not necessarily better, but Shade Tree mechanics could work on them.

There's a reason wealthy men buy old classic cars. A few years ago the average guy could buy a vice classic. Today--it's changed. Their are guys stockpiling older collectable vechicle.

Every wonder why the new cars offer just 7 year, or 100,000 miles of the Powertrain warranty?

I like their trucks, and their high-end vechicles. I consider the Mustang high end.

It's their entry line that's lacking. I'm looking for a new car, and would love to buy a Ford.

Actually it's for an aging relative, and don't see much. I don't even want to walk up to that Focus, and I can't get her near it. Now she will listen to me on the impracticality of buying a Cooper Mini, and she will listen to me on what vechicles look nice, but are just too exotic for our future repair budget--basically me with with parts a account. But she won't look at a Ford, except the F150, which she can't even get into.

If anyone from Ford is listening. Buck the trend. Build a vechicle, that a customer can put 400,000 on. Build it like a 80' Toyota. Meaning just use common sence. Replaceable Ball joints, maybe at the most two computers. Nothing exotic. Just a people mover, with a splash of style? No dashboards that look like a sensor waiting to fail. Mechanic friendly. I had a Slick Rick car Salesman tell me no one works on their own vechicles anymore, and they all finance. He was naieve, or just trying to hussle? I know he knew nothing about about how a vechicle is put together, and shouldn't. Just a Salesman. Just a dude who checks his oil at every fill up--still can't figure out why. Maybe it can't be done with government regulations? I don't know.

Go ahead and put in six beverage holders, just make the thing last.

Make the thing last? Toyotas, and Hondas spend years honing that reputation, and are raking it in now. Do the same thing? You hit it out of the park on so many newer vechicles, now go back to the company roots. A vechicle your employees can afford, and want to buy?

(If there's any mechanics here, I would love your recommendations on some 2012 to 2016 vechicles that are good buys, and practical.)

I think what you were taught in med school was correct.

I was told by an emergency room nurse that Vicodin is not killing patients/abusers; it the liver damage that results from the acetaminophen.

A few years ago, I heard they were talking about removing it, but lost track of the outcome.

I repair watches.

I started out just loving Rolex Bubblebacks--years ago. I loved all watches. I started learning about the repair of watches. It took me a awhile to accumulate the right tools, at the right price. In order to be be efficent, it did take me a few years, but it was a hobby for myself.

The love of mechanical watches will just come around for a lot of people. I haven't figured if it's because certain people like precisely engineered items, like Apple products, or it's kinda the only acceptable form of adornment for men in all cultures, or men are subconsciously aware they die earlier than females.(Yes--some women just love all aspects of horology, but in my experience, it a different passion than men. Plus--I can't sell women's high end watches. It's so difficult, I don't even buy them for resale anymore. It's changing a bit though, especially with the Fitbit, and even female Rolexes are not sitting on a website for years anymore.

That said, once you imerce yourself in watch repair, there's a moment where you look at an older Rolex movement, and a say a modified(usually just engine work on the movement) on a better ETA movement, and don't see why a Rolex costs so much more. Yes, their are differences quality differences, but not to the tune of thousand of dollars more. Basically, a Rolex, Patek, IWC, etc., were machined to be easily taken apart. A lot of thought was put into ease of repair. It's ironic you can't buy parts for said watches from the factory?

And here I go, that Rolex some of you are wearing on your wrist, when it goes out of warranty, you won't be able to have just anyone repair it. Rolex, the Swatch Group, along with most of the other watch brands will have you send your timepiece back to the factory when it needs a service, or repair. At factory prices. I refuse to spend $800 on a clean, and lube.

See, when you buy that $10,000 watch, even if you spent years learning how to repair, they won't sell you parts, or even offer service diagrams. It's like buying a car, and having to take it to the dealership fir repairs forever, and not being able to buy parts for it.

Seiko is one watch company that still sells parts to consumers.

O.k.--what's my point? Certain high end watch companies, appear to be guilty of The Sherman Anti-trust Act. Yes--the federal government looked into it, but figured it wasen't a top priority, and called it a rich man's problem.

To those interested, a grey market watch, like those at Costco, were bought overseas at overseas prices. Rolex warranty will not honor those watches if they stop, even if under warranty.).

I just read the post about GI's not being able to code. If you happen to like watches, there's a few watch repair schools left on the world. Rolex is sponsoring many of them. They need technicians at their factories. Many schools offer free tuition, but not boarding. It's not a bad deal.

And again--if you're about to spend thousands on a fine watch, call the watch company and ask about parts, and "just what will happen when it goes out of warranty, and needs a service?".

I have found people like to claim they would do the ethical/moral thing, but from what I have seen; it's maybe 1 out of a thousand that will walk, especially when it comes to their job/career.

There's this weird denial that takes place. I see it in all professions.

I'm color bind too. I'm actually jealous I didn't think of this. I have been working in Krita lately, and I'm guessing on colors. Krita will give hexadecimal # of a particuliar color, but not a worded description of the color.

This has so many potential uses--fashion websites for one. I can't go by the color on websites for the clothing; I need to look at the details for the written color. I usually just buy black, and people call me Jonny Cash. A therapist once asked me why I always wear black. Just too dissalusioned on so many levels to tell why. That was my last session.

I imagine sites like The Gap would pay for a custom app incorporated into their site?

Will I pay for this app? Maybe? It will be my first bought app. All these years, and I never gave Apple my CC, on principle. They might get it today though.