Thread: Bitching and Moaning

Originally Posted by Magpie

Because I HAVE to.

I don't get any cell service at home, so if anybody tried to call that number, I would never get the call. I just drove 8 hours up to Maine for the class with Tim Zowada, only to find out once I arrive that Tim was involved in a motorcycle crash on Friday, and the class has been canceled.
From what I understand, Tim is bruised and battered, but will mend. For this, I am sure many many people (especially Tim!) are thankful, but damn it, I wish somebody had made more of an effort to get the word out to us students that we should not come! I gave up a paying gig for this class, and now I not only miss out on that paycheck, but I have to pay for the gas and tolls for this journey of no reason or reward.
Every other word out of my mouth right now is a deleted expletive!

Even without cell reception, they could have emailed. Then again, depending on when it happened and when you left, there is an 8 to 16 hour gap during which any sort of communication would have passed you by.

Went to breakfast, stopped at some antique stores. Visited a gun shop where I was able to purchase ammo that is still sold out at home. Went by the school, and found myself itching to hit things with a hammer, so I signed up for a one day class, since I am already here. Make the most of this!
Also made note of how they told me to put on safety goggles when in the work area, but were ALL merrily hanging around the grinder with no respirators!
Even the pros need a reminder now and then.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Also made note of how they told me to put on safety goggles when in the work area, but were ALL merrily hanging around the grinder with no respirators!
Even the pros need a reminder now and then.

You'll find that many pros disdain personal safety equipment and treat it like 'girly'.
What you've seen is the norm rather than the exception.
Look after yourself and do the right thing for you. You cannot correct them.

Originally Posted by Bruno

You cannot correct them.

Sure you can, I do it every day. Of course it helps if you have an established Behavioural Based Safety program and supervisors/superiors who support it.

Originally Posted by jfleming9232

Sure you can, I do it every day. Of course it helps if you have an established Behavioural Based Safety program and supervisors/superiors who support it.

Indeed, a swift kick and a jack stand, safety glasses or a mask hurled seems to work!

Well, here's the story. I was going too fast, with a street bike, on a dirt road. I was rushing to get to the bank before departing for Maine the next morning.

I hit some very soft sand. The bike stopped. I didn't. The result is three ribs snapped in two, about two inches from my spine. I have at least one more that is cracked. Maybe up to three...

Currently, I'm trying to get some paperwork done, while on Percocet. We'll see how that goes...

It will be about two months before I swing a hammer. But, thankfully, I have plenty of bench work to do, and a couple new ideas swimming aound in this fog of Percocet.

I'm checking in to getting the class re-scheduled.

Heal yourself first, don't rush it.

Glad you are OK, Tim. Nothing like going down or doing the "flying W" . Ribs are painful, I should know.
I hope you heal up steady and proper.
Tom

Tim, If I had more free time available, I would drive out and provide an assist for you. I like helping. I'm odd like that.
Lifting stuff with broken bones is always a "pain"

Bruno, I pointed out to the gents that "if you can smell it, you're breathing it" and proceeded to put on my respirator. I brought my own, because I don't share that particular piece of equipment with other people.
I understand how cumbersome they can be, but I have watched too many people suffering with OPD problems to want to add that to my list of things I bitch and moan about!
I had a great time, forged the standard coat hooks and leaf shaped objects, and then they had me make a knife blade. There was not enough time to complete it, but I took it all the way to ready for heat treating. I am rather proud of being able to produce what I did on this, my very first time at the forge. I look forward to more time at the forge, and applying my new skills to the razor realm. I can sense another tremendous drain on my wallet coming soon!

Excellent!