I got offered another free van on the weekend. This one was a much bigger ford full size extended van. It was a 1983, with "new body panels professionally welded in years ago. Its on propane, which is really annoying to me, I hate propane. I was going to go and pick it up with the car dolly, if it was a gooder, maybe sell it, otherwise haul it to scrap. I called my favorite scrap yard, they would have given me only $120 for it, after the $50 bitchy propane charge. $25 to insure my truck a week early, $50 in fuel to drive it to the city, if it all worked out I could have made like $45 for probably about 5 hours of my time. I didn't bother.
Here is a quick video of the car dolly
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Honda Shadow
One last attempt to upload this stupid video, its not even that good. Glad I don't rely on uploading videos for my only lincome, sheesh.
That is now ultralow resolution for email and stuff. Wow is it ever faster to process. I found a gas tank at the wrecker for the shadow, but they wanted $200 for it. They have a really rusty tank they will let go for $100, but I am just going to hack it up and "try" to make something that can hold 24 liters, vs 12 factory liters, and still look nice. For $100 I will wait till winter, and hack into my good tank, committed, but knowing should things go terribly wrong, $200 buys me a mint used tank. Sounds like its no problem to get parts for the bike though.
The Ranger isn't going to be that bad, still $1000 over budget, but the sleeves were available for the 40 thou oversize bore, for less than $100.
I've been chipping up all the trees that I topped. One of the trees I didn't top actually blew down a week ago too, so I did that just in time. Our little trail from the back door leading to the cars, the shop and the offices, should really get a concrete side walk, but that costs money, and I have all these wood chips, so its getting a 4" thick wood chip walk way. Starting at the back door where the worst of the mud starts. Its really just twice a year, but in the spring and fall it gets all muddy. I don't really have enough chips to get very far from the back door, but it should still be enough to eliminate the mud in the house. Maybe I can get a picture today.
That is now ultralow resolution for email and stuff. Wow is it ever faster to process. I found a gas tank at the wrecker for the shadow, but they wanted $200 for it. They have a really rusty tank they will let go for $100, but I am just going to hack it up and "try" to make something that can hold 24 liters, vs 12 factory liters, and still look nice. For $100 I will wait till winter, and hack into my good tank, committed, but knowing should things go terribly wrong, $200 buys me a mint used tank. Sounds like its no problem to get parts for the bike though.
The Ranger isn't going to be that bad, still $1000 over budget, but the sleeves were available for the 40 thou oversize bore, for less than $100.
I've been chipping up all the trees that I topped. One of the trees I didn't top actually blew down a week ago too, so I did that just in time. Our little trail from the back door leading to the cars, the shop and the offices, should really get a concrete side walk, but that costs money, and I have all these wood chips, so its getting a 4" thick wood chip walk way. Starting at the back door where the worst of the mud starts. Its really just twice a year, but in the spring and fall it gets all muddy. I don't really have enough chips to get very far from the back door, but it should still be enough to eliminate the mud in the house. Maybe I can get a picture today.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Update
I am really pissed off with the Blockshop. I gave them my Ranger motor, and said, what do I need to order for pistons and bearings? The space between cylinders looks too small to use oversize pistons, do I need sleeves (a much more expensive job) or can I use oversize pistons. They said Yeh you can use 40 thou over pistons. I said "really, wow, I have room for 40 thou (1mm over) pistons, are you sure?". So I thought I saved myself $300 on the parts I ordered from Australia, and more than $600 in machining costs. They call me today and say, your engine sleeves are too thin, we have to resleeve it. I am really mad just writing about it. 1/4 of my less expensive $1200 kit, was just shipping to get it here, and I don't expect we can get 40 thou over sleeves, so I will need a whole new $1500 kit possibly. But what really erks me, is I waited 6 weeks, and paid the Blockshop $300 to measure, and tell me, to order the wrong parts. I wanted to order the sleeve kit, cause we knew it would work, and I could order it rite away, but they conviced me to "save some money" which is now going to cost me twice as much. Do I cut my losses and write the truck off or what? I will go and talk to the Blockshop in person tomorrow.
I have been trying to come up with a convenient way to carry my phone, so it doesn't get smashed. In preparation for my new Iphone 4. I have been carrying it around my neck on a lanyard lately, which has been working brilliantly until yesterday.
Yesterday I bent over to pick up a bucked of water, and my phone swung out from my belly button where it usually sits, and plopped in the water as I picked it up. I was in disbelief at first. I grabbed it and saw that it was now off, tried turning it on, nope not happening. So I pulled the battery, and thew it in the oven for an hour, to warm. I put the battery back in and tried to turn it on, then it made sizzling sounds like bacon going in the frying pan. So I left it the rest of the day. I actually went to buy a new one at the end of the day, took the old cracked water log piece w me. Made one last attempt, at the store to put the battery on and power it up. It worked.
Work is flat out. I had an old guy come and give me a card, looking for work. His card was "Such And Such Services Journeyman Electrician", he said "if you ever need a hand give me a call" I gave him my card and said "If you need a permit, give me a call." That was kind of cool since he was about 60, and as we talked he is just looking to "stay in town" somewhat like me.
I can't wait to get a smart phone, one that can keep track of my Google calendar. I double booked myself for Friday. This guy wants to paint his house on the weekend, and wants the electrical finished asap, so I pulled a late one last night to finish that in 7 hours. He had gotten confused and thought he was talking to the same guy, but acctually had a second electrician coming after me last night. If I hadn't shown up at 4 yesterday, the job would have been done by Friday and I would have missed out on that job.
One chicken died, slaughtered wile we were at work. Cosmo was at the vet, Gus is the only suspect, but CSI Andrew failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did it. I am going to set up permanent video cameras in the back yard, and on the street. You should see the stuff that drives by our house sometimes. Like this crane that was driving by wile I was taking a quick vid o my new bike. Wow major trouble uploading my HD vid to Blogger, and Youtube, so here is a low res version.
I have been trying to come up with a convenient way to carry my phone, so it doesn't get smashed. In preparation for my new Iphone 4. I have been carrying it around my neck on a lanyard lately, which has been working brilliantly until yesterday.
Yesterday I bent over to pick up a bucked of water, and my phone swung out from my belly button where it usually sits, and plopped in the water as I picked it up. I was in disbelief at first. I grabbed it and saw that it was now off, tried turning it on, nope not happening. So I pulled the battery, and thew it in the oven for an hour, to warm. I put the battery back in and tried to turn it on, then it made sizzling sounds like bacon going in the frying pan. So I left it the rest of the day. I actually went to buy a new one at the end of the day, took the old cracked water log piece w me. Made one last attempt, at the store to put the battery on and power it up. It worked.
Work is flat out. I had an old guy come and give me a card, looking for work. His card was "Such And Such Services Journeyman Electrician", he said "if you ever need a hand give me a call" I gave him my card and said "If you need a permit, give me a call." That was kind of cool since he was about 60, and as we talked he is just looking to "stay in town" somewhat like me.
I can't wait to get a smart phone, one that can keep track of my Google calendar. I double booked myself for Friday. This guy wants to paint his house on the weekend, and wants the electrical finished asap, so I pulled a late one last night to finish that in 7 hours. He had gotten confused and thought he was talking to the same guy, but acctually had a second electrician coming after me last night. If I hadn't shown up at 4 yesterday, the job would have been done by Friday and I would have missed out on that job.
One chicken died, slaughtered wile we were at work. Cosmo was at the vet, Gus is the only suspect, but CSI Andrew failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did it. I am going to set up permanent video cameras in the back yard, and on the street. You should see the stuff that drives by our house sometimes. Like this crane that was driving by wile I was taking a quick vid o my new bike. Wow major trouble uploading my HD vid to Blogger, and Youtube, so here is a low res version.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
My Tractor Is Too Small
I should have bought the 8000lb ditch witch! My lawn tractor just isn't doing it for me these days, without bypassing its safety features and precariously climbing on the front end to do the tractor pull.
I have work at least for a couple of weeks, flat out busy. But its light out till 9pm or later, so I managed to top all the Maples in the front yard tonight, with my new 20' ladder I had to buy for this job. The Maples don't need to be more than 25' high. They don't seem to root very deep, and they tend to be a bit off balance too. They fall down everywhere, not in my yard yet, but its only a matter of time. These ones have been positioned to take out my power line, and cars in the driveway. I was just dragging some of the branches to the back yard, hopefully I can borrow the neighbors mulcher this weekend n grind them up.
I have work at least for a couple of weeks, flat out busy. But its light out till 9pm or later, so I managed to top all the Maples in the front yard tonight, with my new 20' ladder I had to buy for this job. The Maples don't need to be more than 25' high. They don't seem to root very deep, and they tend to be a bit off balance too. They fall down everywhere, not in my yard yet, but its only a matter of time. These ones have been positioned to take out my power line, and cars in the driveway. I was just dragging some of the branches to the back yard, hopefully I can borrow the neighbors mulcher this weekend n grind them up.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Ditch Witch
I find a lot of people want to run underground wires, and need trenching. I have been thinking that would be a great piece of equipment to own. My plan was to tow the "trailer" backhoe, back from Harbor freight in the states, next time I drive to Mexico. They sell there for only $2000. A "Ditch witch" would be much quicker out here, and I saw a walk behind one the other day. I had never realized you could get walk behind units. So I started looking, and their are a few for sale, but they are all $3000 and up. Then I found this 40hp Ditch witch with a hoe, plow, and presumably 4x4, for $4000. I am sold on that. I can't find one anywhere online for less than $10k, without a hoe. I thought I have my 6000lb 6x12' trailer, I am going to buy this thing. It will be a money printing licence out here, and I can positively sell it at a profit when I am done with it. They answered all my questions wrong unfortunately. The thing is 7' wide, 20' long, and 8000lb. My trailer isn't going to work out. At 8000lb, I don't even think my dodge or Ranger could tow it. The only hope is the 57, which is far from ready to go pick up a ditchwitch. I will regret not buying this for years to come I am sure.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Bikes
The chain of events that spawned a new motorcycle.
First I went to Honda to buy a brake cable for Michelle's 185cc, which stops brilliantly now. The new brake cable made all the difference, I never would have guessed, cause the old one still works, but it sticks.
d
I have never fallen for the "new" bikes, but its interesting to see them. A salesman approached me and asked what I was looking for. Because of BC's insurance rates, and fuel mileage, I said I want a 750 cruiser. His eyes lit up and he said I have just the bike for you. Yeh rite I thought, I am not even really looking. Then he brings out this gorgeous 2008 Honda Shadow, and says they only want $7k for it, and its brand new. I was a little stunned. I went home and searched for used Shadows, and 2008's with lots of km on em people were asking 7k, to 10k even, whats wrong w these people. I wanted to buy this just cause it is such a good deal and a beautiful bike.
Then I came across an 85 Shadow, for $1500. This was less than 1/3 of any of the shadows listed for sale. The add said "call me" and then he didn't leave his #. No picture of the bike either.
So I went to look at the 85 armed w cash I got it for $1340. I can ride it all season, and if so inclined "chop it" this winter. But Michelle really likes it, and it fits her well, so she might graduate to it if she gets frustrated with the 185 on the highway.
This is the video of the old "garden worthy" bicycles at a local garage sale. Mom wants one, which one?
First I went to Honda to buy a brake cable for Michelle's 185cc, which stops brilliantly now. The new brake cable made all the difference, I never would have guessed, cause the old one still works, but it sticks.
d
I have never fallen for the "new" bikes, but its interesting to see them. A salesman approached me and asked what I was looking for. Because of BC's insurance rates, and fuel mileage, I said I want a 750 cruiser. His eyes lit up and he said I have just the bike for you. Yeh rite I thought, I am not even really looking. Then he brings out this gorgeous 2008 Honda Shadow, and says they only want $7k for it, and its brand new. I was a little stunned. I went home and searched for used Shadows, and 2008's with lots of km on em people were asking 7k, to 10k even, whats wrong w these people. I wanted to buy this just cause it is such a good deal and a beautiful bike.
Then I came across an 85 Shadow, for $1500. This was less than 1/3 of any of the shadows listed for sale. The add said "call me" and then he didn't leave his #. No picture of the bike either.
So I went to look at the 85 armed w cash I got it for $1340. I can ride it all season, and if so inclined "chop it" this winter. But Michelle really likes it, and it fits her well, so she might graduate to it if she gets frustrated with the 185 on the highway.
This is the video of the old "garden worthy" bicycles at a local garage sale. Mom wants one, which one?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Chickens Love Me
I like this video. The cell phone video not so much. I will admit that is just to see what kinda views I get with the Iphone4 title. I applied for the youtube partnership again today. I really should have at least 3x the views I have, but worst I can be is rejected. I do have 2 videos partnered already.
I am not going to take the job in Newfoundland. Mostly cause 2 shifts, and the summer is gone. I would go there and land, and thats it, I am stuck for 4 weeks. I have seen it so many times before, they say over time after 44 hours a week, so they will land you there the middle of the week, and fly you back mid week, so there are only 3 weeks with any over time hours. Something will happen in those 3 weeks to put a dent in that little bit of extra pay. Camp food is hit and miss, if you get in a camp w crappy food, and you are stuck their for 4 weeks yuckers. They will tell me there is internet, then once I get out there, no internet. And the employer doesn't care if you have to eat deep fried food every day, and don't have internet. There is no respect for employees, thats why I am working for myself.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
A few random thoughts and opinions
I have a mental video block now. I can apply again for the Youtube partnership (only once every 2 months) so I want my next video to be legendary, before I apply. That way if they bring up my account, my best video appears first. That has caused me to seize up a bit.
I have been hearing back from the Kijiji guy, daily, about trading my Hammerhead dune buggy for his Virogo 1000cc motorbike. That deal will happen this Saturday. It seems like a fair deal. I see 85 Virogos for $3500 all the time, and this one has all the extras that put it into that range. That is really all I expect to get for the dune buggy.
I just watched a 2 hour video on the new Iphone. I think they have addressed my #1 issue with smashing phones, with the 4th version of Iphone. Apple makes out like the glass screen is scratch resistant like glass, but bends and takes impact like lexan. They have so much faith in the glass they made both front and backsides from glass. They have also put an exceptional video camera, and video editing software on the phone, with better battery life. I was attracted to the Android phones, cause they have an SD slot, so I can take the SD card from my video camera, and put it in my google phone, which is then tapped into my google accounts. But now I think I will have to get the "more durable" Iphone, because its smaller, plus it is the best video camera/battery life/and all I would own. But not out in Canada till July. I will see if I can pre order one.
I have been asked many times, what the purpose of Twitter is. I will say, I don't really use it yet, but I will. It is all marketing.
Personally, besides marketing, I'll say its great to reach out to my favorite radio personality, when you couldn't get through on phone lines. Someone is skimming over their twitter, and if you have something good to say, it gets noticed, and mentioned. Where as the busy signal doesn't discriminate, doesn't matter how valuable your comment.
However the real value of Twitter is to make a niche targeted list quickly. Because of the ability to search out comments related to your specialty, like lets say forex. I can even automate Twitter to follow anybody that twits the word forex, and invite them to follow me back. You end up with a focused group of people interested in forex products.
But I am all over the place with my interests, I can't keep the same topic going for more than a few days, so nothing in my life is focused yet.
I applied for a job in BC, at a mill, with "Red Seal Recruiters". Never heard back on that job, but the last 2 days they have been calling me every day about some different job, so far a permanent job in Fraser Lake, and today a temporary job in Newfoundland. Newfoundland is a union strike situation, 4 weeks on, 12 hour days, 7 days a week, 1 week off. Lots of overtime, though its only time and a half, and it is calculated after a 44 hour work week. It would still be a good $10k a month, to get me back on track. Do I want to sell myself and lose another summer like that though? On the negative side the Newfoundland unions are notorious for taking things too far. I believed they have derailed trains of non union workers, killing people. I have also heard about them burning new buildings down, that were built non union, where they felt they should have been union. I would enjoy a trip to Newfoundland though, even if it was just in camp.
Here is another crappy sort of video of my broken phone.
I have been hearing back from the Kijiji guy, daily, about trading my Hammerhead dune buggy for his Virogo 1000cc motorbike. That deal will happen this Saturday. It seems like a fair deal. I see 85 Virogos for $3500 all the time, and this one has all the extras that put it into that range. That is really all I expect to get for the dune buggy.
I just watched a 2 hour video on the new Iphone. I think they have addressed my #1 issue with smashing phones, with the 4th version of Iphone. Apple makes out like the glass screen is scratch resistant like glass, but bends and takes impact like lexan. They have so much faith in the glass they made both front and backsides from glass. They have also put an exceptional video camera, and video editing software on the phone, with better battery life. I was attracted to the Android phones, cause they have an SD slot, so I can take the SD card from my video camera, and put it in my google phone, which is then tapped into my google accounts. But now I think I will have to get the "more durable" Iphone, because its smaller, plus it is the best video camera/battery life/and all I would own. But not out in Canada till July. I will see if I can pre order one.
I have been asked many times, what the purpose of Twitter is. I will say, I don't really use it yet, but I will. It is all marketing.
Personally, besides marketing, I'll say its great to reach out to my favorite radio personality, when you couldn't get through on phone lines. Someone is skimming over their twitter, and if you have something good to say, it gets noticed, and mentioned. Where as the busy signal doesn't discriminate, doesn't matter how valuable your comment.
However the real value of Twitter is to make a niche targeted list quickly. Because of the ability to search out comments related to your specialty, like lets say forex. I can even automate Twitter to follow anybody that twits the word forex, and invite them to follow me back. You end up with a focused group of people interested in forex products.
But I am all over the place with my interests, I can't keep the same topic going for more than a few days, so nothing in my life is focused yet.
I applied for a job in BC, at a mill, with "Red Seal Recruiters". Never heard back on that job, but the last 2 days they have been calling me every day about some different job, so far a permanent job in Fraser Lake, and today a temporary job in Newfoundland. Newfoundland is a union strike situation, 4 weeks on, 12 hour days, 7 days a week, 1 week off. Lots of overtime, though its only time and a half, and it is calculated after a 44 hour work week. It would still be a good $10k a month, to get me back on track. Do I want to sell myself and lose another summer like that though? On the negative side the Newfoundland unions are notorious for taking things too far. I believed they have derailed trains of non union workers, killing people. I have also heard about them burning new buildings down, that were built non union, where they felt they should have been union. I would enjoy a trip to Newfoundland though, even if it was just in camp.
Here is another crappy sort of video of my broken phone.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Victoria
The question has been asked, are we still coming to Victoria this summer?
I have been doing quote after quote here for electrical work, but I have been getting no work.
The diesel minivan is still an anticipated addition to my fleet. My neighbor has gone traveling for the summer, but left me his car dolly for the Victoria trip, to bring home Cass's diesel VW for my project. For the cost of fuel and all I had figured I would drive the diesel ranger to Victoria. Its the 7th today, and my builder just got around to measuring my crank bearing size. The good news, if your motor consumes a lot of oil, and you put a "fresh" liter in it every month, you really don't ever need an oil change. Case proven, cranks perfect, standard bearings required. Some 60,000km and no oil change, wile I owned it.
The bad news is I probably won't have it together for my trip to Victoria, as I sense the work coming down the line here, I have even pulled a permit for one job, but I can't start until their building permit comes through. So I will probably be driving the big ol dodge to Victoria again, good thing I didn't sell it.
Sheesh that didn't really answer the question. I suppose July is in about 3 weeks here. Looking at the calender, and I have put us down for leaving AB on July 5. Then my AB work, and Victoria entertainment will determine if we stay one week or four. Done.
I have been doing quote after quote here for electrical work, but I have been getting no work.
The diesel minivan is still an anticipated addition to my fleet. My neighbor has gone traveling for the summer, but left me his car dolly for the Victoria trip, to bring home Cass's diesel VW for my project. For the cost of fuel and all I had figured I would drive the diesel ranger to Victoria. Its the 7th today, and my builder just got around to measuring my crank bearing size. The good news, if your motor consumes a lot of oil, and you put a "fresh" liter in it every month, you really don't ever need an oil change. Case proven, cranks perfect, standard bearings required. Some 60,000km and no oil change, wile I owned it.
The bad news is I probably won't have it together for my trip to Victoria, as I sense the work coming down the line here, I have even pulled a permit for one job, but I can't start until their building permit comes through. So I will probably be driving the big ol dodge to Victoria again, good thing I didn't sell it.
Sheesh that didn't really answer the question. I suppose July is in about 3 weeks here. Looking at the calender, and I have put us down for leaving AB on July 5. Then my AB work, and Victoria entertainment will determine if we stay one week or four. Done.
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