xrac

I hope your feeling better. I haven't talked to you in a while.   

I'm so freakin' pissed.  If you receive the Sept. issue of Brake and Frontend you'll notice a cover story about diesel particulate filters.  The weird part is that there is no author to the story listed.  Well, that author is me.  I did NOT authorize this story to be printed again (originally printed in 2015) and it's obvious that they don't want YOU to know who the author is because there is NO mention of it anywhere.  I'm currently seeking something to be resolved about this.  Mainly, because this is my lively-hood  since I was forced to sell my shop (due to health reasons)... So, why am I telling all of YOU about this for???   I need your support. Call the Babcox magazine and complain on my behalf.  I'm seeking restitution for this blatant attempt at making money using my writing skills without any recognition by publishing this without my name attached.  These stories are there to sell advertising and how they approach new clients.  It's also how I introduce myself to prospective clients who are in the need of a writer/mechanic... which is exactly my status at the present time.  So, if you want to help out an fellow mechanic/writer... call them and bitch them out for me...  thanx in advance.  and... if you're wondering... there is NO agreement with Babcox on 'owning' and reproducing an article.  It's strictly a hand shake deal... which is not binding in the court of law.   Basically put, NO they DO NOT own the story... but they seem to think they do. (I've already talked to a lawyer) 

Just wanted to commiserate with you on helping people. Over the years I have attempted to help many people. My failures outweigh my successes by many. I still keep trying because I don’t want to miss the one that actually gets it. It was heartening for me to hear of your attempt to help someone and get burned by it. I thought I was just a fool. Maybe not?

Well, might as well make it official.  I'm selling the shop and or parting it out.  Most likely parting it out.  After much thought has been put into it I've decided to go the route of writer/teacher for my next leg of automotive.  After 33 years of running a shop I guess you could say... I've seen it done it and own lots of T shirts. 

Equipment wise I've got most everything up for sale.  Including a few specialty tools that aren't even around anymore.  Such as a gauge tester for anything from 95 on back... Very handy.  I'll try to put together a list... but if there is something you'd like to know if I have one... send me a message.  I'll get back to you. 

Week 7 from busy shop owner/mechanic/writer to an open heart surgery survivor.  

Just started rehab.  Oh what fun that is.  Picture this, I'm in a room with a bunch of 90 year old guys with pace makers and wearing a bib with your first name on it which holds your heart monitor while barely pedaling their exercise machines and googly eyeing the pretty nurses.  Yea, those heart monitors are recording their real heart rates.  LOL.  Me, I'm trying to get my strength back so I'm concentrating on keeping the rpms up and let the nurses watch the screen and tell me when I'm over doing it based on the heart monitoring I'm also wearing. (Yea, mine says Gonzo on it) 

I've got one more day of teaching, which I've got to admit I think I'm really cut out to be a teacher.  Did a quiz on naming A/C components (which is part of the class schedule) along with several A/C gauges mocked up that they have to give the most likely diag. on what the gauges show. (Hi and Lo gauge readings) Then. they have to draw a complete A/C system using a fixed orfice tube and all the components, and direction of flow, showing the liquid and gas.  

    Out of 15 students. 12 got a 100. two with 75, and one kid got a 60 (he has only showed up three or four times. and the ones that got the 75 come in late everyday)  I think that's a pretty good return on a teachers effort if ya asked me. 

Anyway, I can't go back to the shop until the middle of Sept. according to the doctors. So. I've turned in anything that I have to pay a monthly or weekly fee, such as uniforms, and any other rental type stuff including any cleaning services etc...   no sense in paying for something I'm not using. 

Come mid Sept.  I've got to decide... go back to work, run the shop, maybe hire in, maybe not.  Or do I sell out, sell off. and retire.  Assuming my other side line work, manual writing, webinars, column, and sub. teaching is a better way to finish out the last of my working years.  Heck, I might even be able to travel a bit and visit all you guys that read all the crappy stuff I write. LOL  The real sad part is its most likely that I probably won't make a whole lot on the sale of the shop or equipment due to the economy, but I've got some really great equipment that has been well cared for considering only one person has operated and cared for most of it. (namely me)

Any thoughts and words of wisdom or suggestions would be encouraging.  It's a tough decision to make after 33 years in business.   

 But, it's truly something to even be here... when you considered I actually died on two different occasions as they tried to fix my heart problem ... I've got a lot to be thankful for. 

5 weeks after open heart surgery and I'm doing great, feeling better every day.  Lots of aches and pains, but... it beats the alternative.  Still can't drive, hopefully tomorrows doctor appointment will change that.  Next, is to see if the doc. will let me play golf soon.  Hopefully I can at least get outside, goof around on the putting greens and hang out with my buds.   I'd like to thank all everyone for all the kind words and prayers.  This is a very challenging thing to go through and friendship that you've all showed me makes it a lot easier to get through.     again... thank you.  

Had an 02 Explorer in today with a door ajar light stuck on.  The guy had it at another shop who charged him for a door jam switch but it came right back on.  They told him to come see me.  I've got an IDS, but it's been so long I forgot which cable to use to get into the security side of things.  (that's where you can see all the door ajar switches)  well, when I finally got it all figured out and saw it on the screen the other shop changed the wrong switch.   What I'd like to know is how in the HELL did they determine which switch it was without properly diagnosing it.   I think they guessed..and guessed wrong.  

new twist on things.  I've been writing the Haynes repair manuals for several years now.  But, they've thrown me a new ball to play with.  Writing the scripts for the videos they've shot.  Geez, what's next?  Director, producer, sound man?  Everything from timing belts to tires.  whatever they send me in video I write a script for it.  amazing...  

Who owns a SUV and loves it?? @ Carmedix Auto Repair https://t.co/rmDL6zv1mc

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE! ! ! 

Getting hot this week, I don't mind the heat... it's the hot that gets me. LOL

So, what's wrong with a car with 255k on the dial, greasy hand prints all over it, and the engine is covered in gunky greasy slime. But, the owner says their regular mechanic thinks it's "electrical"...

A small business owner was dismayed when a brand new corporate chain much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read BEST BLACK FRIDAY DEALS. He was horrified when another competitor opened up on his right, and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading LOWEST BLACK FRIDAY PRICES. The small business owner panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own shop-it read... MAIN ENTRANCE.

What an atrocious week for sales we had last week. I am hoping this week will be sunnier skies.

This news isn't car related, but it was AWESOME never the less. I had a hole in one today. 150yd par 3... and YES I had witnesses. LOL

It's been a good summer for A/C work.

June was our best June ever but the first day of July was a stinker.

6 weeks left in Europe. Much needed time away from work.

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers. And, yes as things to do... all shall pass...even a large kidney stone. For those who are wondering and want the TMI side of the story. The stone is too big to slide through a standard drinking straw without being forced through. Yea...tell me about it. It friggin hurt like you wouldn't believe. Well, it's back to recovery, video work, writing, general shop duties, and everything else. In two weeks I visit "the" doctor

Been a rough week. Wed. while driving in to work, I noticed a twinge in my back, that led to the ER. Kidney stone. OMG. had one before, and this one was worse. Sorry to say, no story this week, heck.. no work either. Hardly any sleep, and lots of pain pills. If you never had a kidney stone before.... it's gotta to be the worst pain a man can go through.

I'm almost ready to sign a contract AVI (Automotive Video Inc.) I'll be doing videos, teaching, and appearing at numerous conventions across the country. And, still.... running a shop. Maybe not as big as it used to be, but still a shop owner.

Just got back from a week in Florida shooting video spots for AVI. Glad to be home again.

This weekend my youngest...and yes... the last one still in the house is graduating high school. It's a big day for him as well as the wife and I. In a few months he's off to the University of Denver to study computer science. First time to be an empty nester... I think I'm going to like it. LOL Congratulations are in order for my son Mitchell! ! (super smart kid btw)

I will be in Kansas City all next week presenting the Fly with the Eagles course for Elite. Always an amazing event.

Excited to join AutoShopOwner!