Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?

[NKato]

Basically, the idea is that Oppos book a bay at Stew's Self-Service Garage in Kirkland, WA corresponding to the time frame for the meet, and wrench with friends.

Would anyone be open to the idea? That way everybody gets a chance to see the inside of each other's rides from a new perspective and talk shop. And help each other, if needed.

Stew's has seven bays, two of which are drive-on (one is extra-large) for vans, trucks, etc. They have practically all the tools you could need, apart from very specialized gear. (https://stewsgarage.com/faq/)

The hourly rate is $47. (https://stewsgarage.com/pricing/)

I want to see if anyone is interested in actually doing an Oppo Wrench Meet, as that would be an interesting way to share our interests in cars.

We'd need to settle on a date and a time, and figure out who's gonna book which bay, at what time, and for how long. The best way to coordinate this would be to book out about two months in advance, when there's barely any bookings on the calendar for Stew's. If there's enough interest, I'll probably use the poll system to help figure out the details.

Also, Stew's sometimes has a vintage car parked next to Bay 1. Every time I visit, it's always a different car.

I plan to go to Stew's in August anyway, since I need to do an oil change, install a Fumoto valve to the oil pan, rotate the tires, install the oil filter relocation kit, and reorganize the wiring on my auxiliary lights. I was thinking about also doing the rear control arm+watts link upgrade, but that can wait - I'd need the drive-on lift, and you can't do a tire rotation on that.

[EssExTee]

@NKato You just want free labor for your car

[NKato]

@EssExTee Nope, planning to wrench on my own.

Seriously, that's the first response you have? "This is totally sus, you want free labor"?

Most of the work I have planned, I can do entirely on my own. And what I can't do on my own, is being deferred anyway.

Alright, fuck this. What's the point of trying a new meet-up format if it's immediately met with suspicion and doubt like this? Come on.

[spacekraken]

@NKato said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

Alright, fuck this.

okay then?

[NKato]

@spacekraken I was expecting, or more hoping for, a more positive response. I'm not a very social person, and even wanting to host anything is a huge stretch for me.

So imagine having an interesting idea and some dude comes by and shoots it down in a single, insulting sentence.

Why do I even bother with people?

[spacekraken]

@NKato It's oppo. I don't think it was meant as anything more than a joke since we all appreciate free wrenching help

[NKato]

@spacekraken said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

@NKato It's oppo. I don't think it was meant as anything more than a joke since we all appreciate free wrenching help

I see. I'm not good with jokes, you know that.

[pip bip]

@NKato i'll come if you pay the airfare from Oz

[NKato]

@pip-bip said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

@NKato i'll come if you pay the airfare from Oz

If I had the cash. Thanks for the thought, though.

[BicycleBuck]

@NKato said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

@spacekraken said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

@NKato It's oppo. I don't think it was meant as anything more than a joke since we all appreciate free wrenching help

I see. I'm not good with jokes, you know that.

Yeah, he was just yanking your chain.

And it was funny.

Part of growing up in Oklahoma is developing a rather dry sense of humor with a heavy dollop of sarcasm. Unfortunately, my wife doesn't get it at all. My poor kids had to deal with it. Fortunately, my wife, even though she didn't get the jokes, at least recognized my attempts at humor and was quick to tell the kids, "it's just another bad joke." They learned to recognize the signs and not get upset, then they learned to understand the jokes. Now they have a properly formed dry sense of humor with a heavy dollop of sarcasm. I'm so proud.

I think a key step was to start with the assumption that anything their dad said was intended to be funny. It's easier to start from that position and backpedal if necessary rather than immediately jump to the conclusion that someone is calling you out.

My answer would have been along the lines of, "yep, I need someone to do the work while I drink a beer and supervise. After you're done with the oil change, wash and wax the car. Don't try to short me, Biff. I want TWO coats of wax this time."

Even if you really think they're trying to be mean, acting as if it was an attempt at humor and responding as such puts you in a position of power. Getting defensive and angry doesn't help, especially if they really were trying to be sarcastic and funny.

Now, I'm all for a PNW wrenching meetup. I'd prefer not to rack up the miles, so if you'd just come down here to Louisiana with a trailer and pick up my car, I'll fly up and meet you there. The steering rack has developed a leak and access to a lift would make it much easier for you to make the repair. When you're done, be sure to clean up the bottom of the car - the leak has made a big mess of things. Sure, some might see it as rust proofing, but since we don't have to deal with salt, I'd rather the undercarriage be clean. You might want to bring a slicker suit and face shield so you don't get covered in grime. When you're done, please deliver my car back to my driveway. I'll be sleeping off all the beer.

[Roadkilled]

@NKato

I really don't need to do anything to my car right now other than to pound out a dent in the rear fender. However, if you need somebody to provide free bad advice and slipshod labor, I'm happy to show up.

[Wrong Wheel Drive]

@NKato said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

@EssExTee Nope, planning to wrench on my own.

Seriously, that's the first response you have? "This is totally sus, you want free labor"?

Most of the work I have planned, I can do entirely on my own. And what I can't do on my own, is being deferred anyway.

Alright, fuck this. What's the point of trying a new meet-up format if it's immediately met with suspicion and doubt like this? Come on.

I'd have read it as a joke, I think the idea is awesome! I would definitely go if I was local to the area.

[MidEngine]

I'd drop by and drink beer, I don't need access to a lift at the moment. Reminds me, I do need to do something about getting a lift for the shop.

[EssExTee]

@NKato It was meant as a joke, I apologize if I did not telegraph that more clearly.

[NKato]

@EssExTee said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

@NKato It was meant as a joke, I apologize if I did not telegraph that more clearly.

It's fine. It was 2AM, I was ready to pass out, and I tend to get interesting ideas at odd hours.

[NKato]

@MidEngine said in Wondering if PNW Oppos would consider doing a Meet'n'Wrench kind of get-together?:

I'd drop by and drink beer, I don't need access to a lift at the moment. Reminds me, I do need to do something about getting a lift for the shop.

Yeah, it's not an alcoholic establishment. The people renting the bays have to operate the equipment themselves.

[gettingoldercarguy]

@NKato I would love to get some wrench time in, but my ability to get out of the house is usually limited to a few hours max for errands. #Parenthood