After 10-ish months of work... and against all odds... Fargo went from a rusty shelf sitting on jack stands to a rusty car that's surprisingly predictable and easy-to-drive...

There aren't enough words to describe the euphoria I'm feeling... none of which I'd feel without the wonderful people here on Oppo, though @BigRigButterz gets a big shout-out for keeping me grounded through every stage of this process. It was truly surreal to be both driving this hunk of junk, and even more surreal watching others drive it... I mean, my dad, his friend, and Mr. Butterz himself all put their trust in a vehicle I have been tinkering with... Not a great idea.

Here's a bit of a video dump, all hastily edited, put to sappy yet sentimental acoustic music, and thrown onto YouTube. Unsure why the quality is crap, it looks better on my phone, but that's what I got:

As an aside, with Fargo moved, I was able to inspect the damage he'd done to my garage... oh boy...

It doesn't look so terrible from this photo... just gas stains towards the front and rust everywhere else... but then I decided to see what it looked like under the rubber... after all, that mat has been there since before fargo (or B.F. as versus A.F. which is how I'll be keeping track of my life).

Yeah... unless I do a deep clean, I don't think I'm getting my security deposit back... but as they say:

I made my bed, now I'll lie in it.

I genuinely feel unfathomable joy, despite the fact that I'm dog-tired. This car is something I poured my soul into, and dragged all of you along with me, and now it's a car, not just a cool thing to look at or a fun conversation starter... It does smoke quite a bit once warmed up, which is oil leaking out of the valve covers and onto a hot exhaust. I have new ones, just never put them in. But beyond that, a horn, some seatbelts, and a floor, this thing is drivable...

And I'm baffled...

Either way, all this means is that I finally got to get a family photo... or rather, many family photos...

You bet your sweet bippy I'm getting this last one framed.

I'll end this incoherent shitpost with this... my dad's friend (now a nomad country wanderer, the lucky bastard) is a very spiritual and philosophical person, and asked me the story of why I bought this car. I started with the whole "I love station wagons and trunk space" ramble (which is true), and ended by stating the more sentimental reason... I would've never, never forgiven myself if I didn't buy this car when I had the chance. I would've lived in regret knowing I could've had my dream and decided against it.

And after experiencing the sheer joy this stupid car gave me, I finally realized how true that was. I experienced true happiness, pride, and worth, which makes me sound like an egomaniac, but those are feelings I rarely feel thanks to a cripplingly low confidence level... which I happen to hide with sarcastic comments and self-deprecating jokes I often believe.

You wouldn't think it, but this car saved my life... for better or worse

Looking forward to the day I can drive this car on a road. But now, it's time to rest

What compels a man with no automotive experience to buy a borderline-lost-cause project car? How could someone in their right mind put cash into such a clunker? Is it the internet fame and popularity boost? Is it the fortune gained upon reselling a restored classic? Or perhaps the wisdom gained makes the whole experience worthwhile?

Nay, my companions. One does not thrust themself at such a lofty task because of logic or reason, nor do they do it out of emotion or love. The reason is the challenge.

Everest was not conquered because of careful calculations nor a deep love of hiking, but because of man's natural instinct to overcome obstacles, even if those obstacles never had to be conquered. While logic and passion may play a part in these expeditions, nobody ever had to reach the peak.

It was never about discovering what was at the top. It was about whether or not one could even make it there.

A test to see just how far one could go...

Here is my Fargo. A 1972 Volkswagen Squareback with... problems... but by slowly solving each one, I'll step closer and closer towards an invisible finish line. I'll find out just how much automotive knowledge I'll gain by the end of this ordeal. And maybe I'll walk away from this with a running car (either that, or a flaming pile of money figuratively and potentially literally).

Thoughts both here and on the VW forum The Samba have been mixed, but none of those thoughts matter now, as I've already sunk work into the car and it's now in my garage. Too late now.

The story begins with the seller, who claims Fargo was in running condition and only needed a fuel pump... This was the Squareback he was going to keep, since the FI system (supposedly) works. But if the fuel pump was the only thing wrong with it, I see no reason he couldn't have fixed that in a day... I know this because I ended up replacing the front end of the fuel system in a day.

I sourced the original pump with relative ease, and only decided to go with a different one because 1.) it made the fuel system even simpler (a 2 port pump replacing a 3 port pump, so fewer fuel lines), and 2.) it was easier to get ahold of in a shorter amount of time...

But after doing that and turning key (for longer than I should've, I'll admit), Fargo didn't start. Now, I probably should've clued into the problem earlier, as it was a fairly simple explanation that I noticed, but considering it was 11pm and I'd been wrenching all day, I'll cut myself a little slack for not noticing.

I replaced the braided fuel lines and original pump/filter at the front, but I didn't touch the lines connecting to the injectors. This led to gas spilling out, leaving little to none for the injectors to inject.

So now, the first task is taking this crusty engine out of this crusty car and doing a thorough pick n' pull of all the systems. I like the idea of keeping the fuel injection in, even if carbs are easier to work on, but the system would still get an overhaul. A thorough cleaning, new lines, and possibly new electrics considering I'm still not certain it's getting spark (I should've insisted we test it when @Snuze brought his spark plug tester... also, shout out to Snuze for even coming in the first place).

So the ignition system may very well be shot, but what else does this thing need... well, here's the running list of known problems:

• The front half of the floor pans are shot (though the rears are actually okay).
• The brakes are broken
• The accelerator pedal is there physically, but not mentally (as in, there's no cable/pedal feel)
• The gas tank will need to be cleaned up
• Tires are tired
• There's a hose on the air filter that goes... somewhere? It's intended location is still a mystery.
• The passenger's side mirror broke somehow between when I first saw the car and when I loaded it onto the trailer.
• The driver's side blinker housing is broken
• The driver's side taillight housing is broken
• Dents everywhere
• The cassette player doesn't play cassettes (this was a real bummer, but at least the radio works)
• The interior is in shambles and everything needs to be cleaned.
• Many spiders)

But other than those problem areas (and the many more problem areas to come), I'm already in love with how ridiculously simple this car is. I needed to take the spare tire out of the front (as seen below). Turns out the holder is held on by a single 10mm bolt... just one. Take that as you will in terms of securing a spare tire, but to me that's just fine.

Very very very very dar down the line, I plan on turning this space into a cassette storage center, with rows and rows of them on display.... though, before I start collecting tapes, I should probably get the cassette player working...

Also, in case you're curious, Fargo is up on stands because those front tires slowly lose air... figured I'd rather have it somewhere sturdy (the good news is that all the important bits of the frame and bumper are super secure, so I have no worries about lifting this car up whatsoever!)

In other news, Fargo is a secret wizard!

Well, not really, but at some point, somebody went to Bryn Mawr College located in Pennsylvania!

I think the Squareback would've been right at home there... also I love that rear end...

So this marks the start of a very interesting adventure, one that I can already see becoming a problem. I find myself losing track of time in my garage, and I know that this Sunday I'll be spending the day tinkering and maybe even attempting to pull the engine. After all, this project car isn't gonna start itself!

Though, I did already start adding performance upgrades...

That's gotta be good for at least a few crabpower, right?

Here's to something really stupid, but really fun

Yep, you read that right. Fargo exploded… multiple times a second… internally… and relatively consistently…

In other words, HE F***ING STARTED!!!

Above is a video of the proceedings.

First sputters I got too excited and stopped turning the key before he was actually started. Got worried because I also took my foot off there clutch when the engine gave out and though he was in gear.

The next few attempts were hindered because my helper decided to start the car and then immediately turn it off. Before that, while not recording it ran for a little bit only for him to yell for me to shut if off because “it smelled funny…”

I did ask him to tell if things got dicey, gas leaks or fires, but in both instances I probably should’ve been more clear…

Regardless, I let the car cool down, got back into the drivers seat, and took my time getting it going… and boy the Fargo go!

That engine revs fast and loud! And with no tachometer, it was pretty hard to tell if it was revving too fast… my theory is that, at the beginning of attempt 2 (before my nephews neighbor shut it off) was the proper idle speed… this seemed very excessive, but the Samba should be able to enlighten me a bit more.

Here was the final piece of the puzzle: the starter.

Like the legend he is, @Snuze came over on Friday to help recrimp fuel injector 3 and managed to stuff it back into its original connector housing. But after all that, and recharging the battery on a trickle charger, it made no noise. Could’ve probably replaced only part of the starter, but at $50 from Napa I really couldn’t complain.

But yeah, Fargo LIVES! Now the general path ahead seems to be:

• tune engine to not only run, but run right
• rip out interior and do a deep clean of all the dried out rust
• replace pedal box
• replace brake lines (which requires you to remove the interior, hence why I would do it)
• replace brakes (discs in front, drums in rear)
• at the very least, put the drivers seat back in
• attempt to actually move the car

There are a few things left out of that, such as getting new tires, but those are tiny. Now that it runs, it’s time to start working towards getting it to drive.

A little snippet of me being delighted with a fire extinguisher.

But I'm not too worried, I was missing that kidney before I left...

For starters, what a trip. Everything was wonderful, the Oppos were wonderful, and the days were cold, but wonderful. I've never been disappointed meeting Oppos and this was no exception, so let's do that again sometime!

Thanks @derp for your Ferd Fifteenthousand headlights.

Now, I know you want to hear about the weekend and see photos. But before I do that, I would like to preface that, as the days rolled on, I became increasingly and soon incredibly hesitant about taking Blue A month's worth of mysterious coolant loss, a puddle found on the floor just a few nights before, and the fact that it's $500 Volvo will make you a little nervous... okay, a lot nervous, as @BigRigButterz can confirm.

In fact, I only deemed Blue ready enough about 5 minutes before we got in and set off. I had a new heater core ready to go, but after exposing the core in the car and a day lunchbreak of testing, it was not proven to be the problem.

In other words, setting off, I was still under the impression that I was leaking coolant. So, I overfilled the reservoir by maybe a half inch above the max line, expecting it to drop...

Well, it did, but not nearly as fast as I thought it would:

This is where the fluid level sits after the 1000+ mile trip. Just a smidge under the max line with the engine cold. It was not topped off once. In fact, it was over the max line pretty much every time I checked it, even though I had been consistently topping it off the past few weeks...

Either way, the further we traveled, the less worried I became. Each check proved that Blue could hold his liquor coolant, which meant I could enjoy an amazing weekend... one I took very few pictures of.

First stop at our Friday night hotel with @ranwhenparked what relaxing. Basically just pumped up the air mattress, passed out, woke up the next morning, and shot over to Michigan, which is where the fun began.

Zoom and enhance...

Erm... maybe just zoom...

Anyways, we convoyed over to lunch, where we enjoyed quality conversations about buying more cars than we really need and other things that I can't remember cause my brain refuses to retain information.

Hell, even though I was told them many times, I couldn't tell you the actual name of anyone in this photo, except for the one I drove over here with, just usernames... and that's the way I want it to stay.

Anyways, we went to a junkyard, where I laid eyes on @David-Tracy, as he wrenched away at a Jeep trying to snag the shifter off it. It was amazing to watch the master at work, knowing every bolt size he needed, and having a plethora of fans with a vast assortment of tools, including a Sawzall that did get put to use.

This is where I'd put a photo, if I had remembered to take one. Sorry about that.

There was also a one-of-a-kind work of art that will surely get posted on the Autopian. A hand-painted tailgate of a crazed bald eagle with a military helmet smoking a cigar wearing a leather jacket and holding alcohol while looking at the silhouette a WWII plane.

I didn't take a photo of that either... but I did take a photo of one of the fender flares my buddy took off the same truck.

Kind of gives you an idea of what this tailgate looked like. Yes, that is lightning shooting out of a skull's eyesockets...

And yes, for shits and giggles, we did hold it up to his El Camino to see how it'd look.

Alright, back to the story at hand. The party at David's was crowded, though not nearly as crowded as I thought. Met many cool people and struck up a few conversations despite the fact that I don't do great with strangers. Oppos were okay, I've interacted with most if not all of you on various occasions. And Oppos are known to be the coolest people ever. But other more automotive-inclined individuals than I, as well as the two big celebs David and Torch, were certainly elusive...

However, my nerves soon lightened as we got back to the hotel and played "Million Dollars, But" until midnight in the conference room, then listened to fascinating military tales and conspiracies by @derp until two in the morning, all while drinking @DSM_OR_DIE's phenomenal apple pie cider. If you ever get a chance to mooch off his booze, I highly suggest you do so.

Oh... and I met god...

I'm still confused, and rattled to the core, by the accidental domino effect that lead to this... Hail UppU...

Then we slept and I, miraculously, wasn't hungover and ready to dart out of Michigan and the perpetual snow. Took a quick trip to Ohio and spent an hour or so having lunch with @MM54 and gawking at his WRX.

It looks like a car. Which is amazing because 5 months ago it simply wasn't. Also, super clean garage, just a nice place to be.

Also visited a bud in Grove City PA, non Oppo related, crashed at the hotel, woke up this morning, and drove home. My bud described it best, this felt like a fever dream. Going 1000+ miles in a weekend to hang out with strangers, poke around a junkyard, and go to a party in the freezing cold is a wacky weekend... but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Took this one good photo at the sleepiest gas station in PA... beyond that, these are all the photos I have of this trip... sorry for not taking more... but man, what a weekend, and what a steed. I have the wonderful folks of Oppo to thank for pretty much everything I hold dear today (@atfsgeoff in particular for Blue. Performs as advertised).

As for @FourMalibus @Roundbadge @derp @DSM_OR_DIE @KITT222 @Green @K-Roll-PorscheTamer @Miss-Mercedes @Urambo-Tauro @ranwhenparked @Just-Jeepin and anyone I missed, may we all meet again... sooner rather than later.

And if I haven't met you yet, I sincerely hope we do. Oppos are great.

Today we had an “all employee” meeting, which isn’t entirely true, as some people have to stay behind to do their job while our general manager flaps his mouth. I stuck around in parts today, though I wish I’d gone to the meeting because I wanted to know if they were going to address a few things.

For starters: hazard pay. We’ve been in an active construction zone. We’ve been frozen, deafened, and poisoned thanks to the exhaust of these diesel heaters keeping us above freezing. It’s gotten in everyone’s way. And we’ve been expected to work as if nothing changed. It’s total bullshit.

But it gets better.

A couple months ago, the service manager posted some stuff on our little bulletin board (where they also keep the hours sheet for the techs). It was a stupid sales competition, blah blah blah profits blah blah blah sell parts blah blah blah go to Mexico. We thought nothing of it.

Apparently, we won.

Not that we would’ve ever know, because we learned it from a technician.

Suddenly we read about what this win meant. As it reads, it sounds like the parts department that wins sends one person on an all expense trip to Mexico while the others get $500.

But guess what? Neither me or my other parts counterperson are going, or were even offered to go.

Instead, our parts manager, who couldn’t receipt inventory to save his life, gets to go.

And on top of that, we apparently arent entitled to any further compensation. It was just a reward for one person. Which is ridiculously stupid because we’re all a fucking team.

Clearly, our general manager doesn’t understand that.

At todays meeting, I was told that he barely mentioned GM, glorifying the excellence of Subaru, Mazda, and VW (who, by the way, have a heated, in tact building). And rather than address any concerns or questions about this trip, they just… didn’t… my parts counter colleague had to privately meet with the parts manager who may or may not meet with the general manager to even get us any compensation for both the construction and the bonus we are so rightfully owed.

But that’s not the worst part

See, while things suck in parts, the department hit hardest has been service. We see 20 some oil changes a day, dozens of used cars, big jobs for regular customers.

And yet, we have one service advisor…

one…

The amount of work that man does is invaluable. And it’s visibly taxing on him. And I’m honestly surprised he’s still dealing with it. Parts is okay because I’ve got someone to complain with, but he’s on his own, in a totally different building, surrounded by oblivious sales people and out crap general manager while he single handedly moves every gmc and used car on our lot, and supports all the techs…

Our general manager gave him a shoutout…

And forgot his fucking name…

I would’ve walked out. Never looked back. Hell, had I been at the meeting and heard this I would’ve started to rant. The sheer lack of respect or care, the incredible distance between the higher ups and the people doing the goddamn work, it’s staggering. It’s offending. It’s unbelievable. I am deeply saddened that I’ve willingly given so much of my time and effort to a company that gives nothing back.

It ends today.

I’m now actively searching for new employment (actually suggested by my parts counter person after he got back). Probably won’t be another parts department, I’ve got a writing degree after all. But at this point, working for good people is all I want, no matter what field I’m working in.

Though, on a similar note, @Miss-Mercedes and @Mark-Tucker, I’d still love to write for @The-Autopian in any way I can, because at least I know the people there have a soul…

I haven’t been this angry in a long fucking time… but it feels good because (I think) my anger is 100% justified.

Fuck this.

Hello Oppo, I believe I owe you a story.

As you may know, I went to meet my hero tonight, a 1972 Volkswagen Squareback. The car is an hour away, but considering that’s the closest I’ve ever seen one of these things on sale, I had to at least look at it.

I get there and am greeted by Nick, a total hippie who I learn has owned more Volkswagen Squarebacks than people have cars (he thinks about 7), and this is the last one to sell before he packs up and moves to the mountains of Columbia… quite a colorful life.

Regardless, he shows me the car which… well… it’s pretty rough.

Those are the only two photos I took, because I took many more photos with my eyes. But the car isn’t in excellent shape cosmetically. The interior especially is in shambles, with holes in every seat and pretty terrible seat covers. There’s trim hanging from the ceiling too, which is nice.

That all has to either be cleaned or chucked, and I’m honestly not opposed to a bare interior provided it’s a clean one…

Then there’s the rust…

That would be the drivers side floor pan, which is pretty much gone. Yes, I have my tetanus shot, but no it’s not exactly ideal…

however

Upon inspecting (and standing) in the rockers/banging on other beams and bars, the rust doesn’t extend beyond the pans.

And the best part is that these floor pans aren’t welded in, but rather held on by a bundle of 10mm bolts. A simple swap, from what I understand.

So cosmetically, it’s terrible, but I don’t really mind because I think it’s adorable… but it doesn’t drive either.

Other than the tires and weak battery, the fuel pump is bad. And for that, my options are a bit complicated.

I have to do some research, but if I’m not mistaken the stock fuel pump limits the fuel to like… 9 something? And many people send them to VW experts to have those pumps rebuilt… but I don’t have time for that and know that, eventually, the pump will go out again.

So, to remedy this, many people take an aftermarket fuel pump (from Audis) and throw a regulator on it. Rewrite the fuel lines and presto, good as new. Mess it up and the car becomes a fireball, but people have done it so that the car doesn’t spontaneously combust, and that’s the route I think we’re going to take as well.

but wait Taylor, who is “we?”

You see, I haven’t actually bought the car yet. I slid the guy $100 thanking him for his time, and agreed that once I gather the other parts necessary, I’ll come back on the day we pick up the car and we’ll actually get the thing back together. Air in the tires, a new battery, and the aforementioned fuel pump. I’ll also get a crash course on the engine and all it’s inner workings so I’m not flying blind afterwards.

Once I get a few shifts in/see the thing move/prove the thing actually runs even after it’s been parked, then I hand over the money (I talked him down from $3500 to $2500, which isn’t a lot but it’s something).

Also, just FYI, it shifts real nice… at least when it’s in park… and the title is clean, and real, I have a photo of it!

So TL:DR - I sort of bought the car.

Now, I won’t lie, I’m woefully underprepared to take care of this car by myself. And I’m well aware many people are going to look at me, a complete idiot, and wonder why I think I can do this…

But I couldn’t help wonder if this opportunity would ever present itself again.

I mean, I’ve never seen one of these, let alone seen one for sale. And an hour away is nothing in the grand scheme of things. And if I said no, or at least walked away without trying to give it a shot, I don’t know if I’d ever forgive myself.

Is it wise? No. But dammit, I couldn’t say no to that face.

Now, if you’d excuse me, I have some parts to find and a book to read:

Bonus dog:

Slightly misleading title, but tonight has certainly been interesting…

Picture, if you will, your typical 1,000-follower Instagram celebrity entrepreneur with “their own” clothing line and a couple of blunts at the ready who will one day own a Ferrari and a Lamborghini cause that’s the path their on… got the picture?

This is my neighbor's nephew. A nice guy, but barely comprehensible with all the “ayos” and “for real for reals” and “I/you/we/they was likes” he stuffed into sentences… hell, sometimes the sentences was “Ayo for real for real he was like ayo for real…” a very deep thinker, and almost as much of a rambler as me…

Regardless, he spent most of his evening helping me by cranking Fargo. Why? Cause tonight we did a compression test… and Fargo passed with flying colors!

Yes, my handwriting is crap. But if you can read it, that’s 125 to 135 for each cylinder and holy shit I’m chuffed!

Other than the engine being together, another highlight is that I took off one of Fargos wheels for the first time. Fairly painless, though the stoner actually outsmarted me when the sockets would stick to the lug nuts due to heat and energy. I tried every other method possible for at least 20 minutes, but only he was brave enough to tap the socket with a hammer…

Needless to say, his idea was better.

Other things I learned is that Iris and Fargo share the same lug nut size, but not the same torque spec. Not exactly surprising, Iris has 5 lugs and only needs them torqued to 80. Fargo has 4 lugs and needs them torqued to “87 - 94” according to the Brown Bentley Book… I settled for a solid 90.

Now I sit in the tailgate of Iris looking at the tailgate of Fargo. It’s too lovely an evening to eat inside. I’m happy with the day.

Have a lovely rest of your evening and a great weekend!

… But I don’t think I’ll have a Walmart Brand Girlfriend for long.

Confused? So am I. Allow me to explain this strange set of circumstances.

Every Wednesday (that I’m up for it) I’ve been going to a local game night with various new friends. Gets me out of the house, which is very good. And for any get together or occasion, I always go to Walmart to pick up sodas for the non-drinkers (such as myself. Woop woop!)

I am exiting the Walmart, three bottles of soda and a pack of party sized Oreos, darting glances at cars passing by (so I don’t get run over) and those around me (many of whom looking at me funny for wearing a button down shirt. A rare sight in buttfuck WV, and possibly an important detail to the story).

Well, I spot an older and younger sister sitting in a Jeep Liberty (perhaps a warning in-and-of itself) eating candy or something, I couldn’t tell. The older girl, sitting in the drivers seat, was indeed very pretty.

I continue to walk, minding my business and avoiding to stare as to not look creepish.

“She thinks you’re cute!”

The high pitched voice of the younger sibling rings out. Older sister and I make eye contact, she’s nodding aggressively. And my instinctual response is:

“Who? Me? No way!**”

Then I continue walking. Pleased by the compliment, but confused with how I should’ve responded. It seemed very genuine, I was touched, and it certainly made my day…

By the time I had processed what just happened, the two girls had gone into the Walmart… So I ripped a little piece of paper out of Fargos log (which I happened to have in my car for some reason), wrote a little thank you for making my day, and left my number…

Half an hour later, I get a text from this “Walmart girl” and learn her name too.

She seemed glad to have gotten a number, as was I. A potential date? Me? Again I say no way!

Shows how confident I am in my dating abilities…

Either way, she’s nice to talk to, though my texts are a little longer (I ramble a bit) and her answers were basic… not quite dry, but not exactly conversation boosters either…

Regardless , we get to the point where we’re talking hobbies and interests. She likes volleyball. Neat! I like cars/attempting to fix them. She says “oh dang you must have money!”

I say “more like I have bad spending habits.”

It illicits a “haha” light back and forth continues as I juggle texting a girl with playing a space-themed version of Texas Hold’em. Then I ask is she works a job or is just “living life.”

She says, and I quote, “No I don’t have a job I need a sugar daddy huh”

I hope that uploaded as a gif. Either way, big red flag. I’m still not sure if that was supposed to be a joke, but I tell her I’m not sugar daddy material, though still would hit the town sometime just for fun.

The conversation has stopped there, and while it is rather late, I’d be shocked if she ever responded again.

But hey, it’s been a fun adventure! I mean, I got a girls number… sure, it was in a Walmart parking lot, and there’s a good chance she just wants to use me to and be spoiled (something I am incapable of doing, I’m to cheap to spoil anyone, even myself), or I could be dead wrong/overthinking all this and she’s just kidding around about getting a sugar daddy and is actually somewhat interested, but either way there’s still hope that maybe, just maybe, I’m not slathered in lady-repellant…

It’s been an interesting night, but now I have a good story to tell people, and a phone number I’ll probably have to block in a few days.

Doesn’t matter now though, because it’s my favorite time of the day. Time for bed!

G’night!

It's been a hot minute since I posted about the fact that I'm dying. The good news is I'm not actually dying anymore. In fact, the pain and chest swelling are nowhere near as bad as they were... it got real dicey on Monday night, couldn't breath without pain yet still felt out of breath... but now I'm fine!

Got shoved into a big magnetic tube to get some MRIs and MRAs. Sounds like it's a torn muscle, but haven't received any official doctor confirmation. Though if it's torn I find it odd that I'm feeling fine after just a week... tears don't usually heal that fast, and surgery may be in the cards... that's what I'm seeing another doc for on Tuesday to find out.

In any case, today is a day where I have nothing to do and aren't in a whole lot of pain. Tomorrow a buddy is coming over to help with the heavy lifting parts of an oil change and tire rotation, but today is a lazy day. I've already wasted the morning, may as well waste the afternoon too!

Figured I'd update the masses. I am dying, but in a slow, controlled, age-related manner that will actually kill me in 70 or so years. No other issued to report!

Have a Daihatsu Bee for your time!

My current "summer vacation" ends on July 11th, and I've managed to score a job that starts on July 12th. It's a remote, salaried gig (quite generously for someone in my position) writing about cars, a topic I'll actually like writing about. Win-win, right?

Well, it's cool in the sense that I get to be a financially stable individual hot out of college... it's less cool that I have a literal end date for being a kid... well, I haven't been a kid since I turned 18, but now I'm really not a kid. I'll be independent and have responsibilities and pay taxes which is cool but also sucks. Double-edged sword or something...

And yeah, there's vacation time and all that, but it'll certainly be less time than I've ever had. Which is funny since I'm at a point in my life where I have a bundle of personal projects I'd like to continue as well, and I find myself always longing to go back home/relive the good ol' days with pals... Missing opportunities for fun at home because of work will certainly hurt like a bitch...

So yeah, I'm in a very good position, especially in comparison to some of my peers, but I'm also jumping headlong into adult life... I'm sure making that good good green will help sway me though.

At least I have Oppo to keep my young. I had a conversation with my mom about this site yesterday and she commented that talking about it made me light up, all excited and buzzed. It's like I really care about this place and all the cool people here. That'll keep me sane for sure

Next up is finding my own apartment... which should be fun...

@atfsgeoff said in [Citation needed]:

Sadly I think he needs to check/verify his sources a bit more, because he quotes among others, Motor Biscuit and hotcars.com, which as far as I can tell are just chatbot content farms

Can confirm... having kinda worked for both...

@Mr-Ontop But speed is key, as I was hungry, and they're good either way (at least to me and my low standards)

@Mr-Ontop step one: buy frozen onion rings.

Step two: air fry for 5 minutes

Just clocked out of my last day of work. I no longer sell car parts…

Will still be buying many though. Either way, it’s a much needed step into the unknown. Have a meeting in Annapolis tomorrow with the person I’ll likely be working with. From there, who knows?

As for tonight, I think I’m making air fried onion rings

@way2blu my vote will always be duct tape… though, in Blues case, he has a pretty significant exhaust leak (throwing a code) but thanks to living in West Virginia, my clunker is street legal!

I really should fix that… but considering I was wacko before the CO2 poisoning, I’m probably okay.

@Britishvillaininatl you forgot to open with “in this Ted talk…”

In seriousness, I didn’t watch his original video, nor do I follow Ferrari trends. But I agree wholeheartedly with your points

@gmctavish see, if you think about it as a second home rather than a car that would take up parking space, you could make it a camper van

@ttyymmnn it’s the second coming of Christler

@pip-bip I mean, I guess that’s worse, but only marginally.

@Esotericars welcome new friend! Congrats on your own whip, though idk if you said what it is.

In terms of wrenching, 99% of everything I learned about general automotive maintenance came from this site. And now I own three of them! And 1 and 3/4 of them work perfectly! You’ll get a grasp on this sort of stuff sooner or later, because if a dummy like me (or the 17 year old lube tech in our shop) can figure this all out, surely an intelligent gent such as yourself can to!