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Gonzo

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  • Posts

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Gonzo last won the day on July 15 2021

Gonzo had the most liked content!

Business Information

  • Business Name
    SUPERIOR AUTO ELECTRIC (Retired - sold the business)
  • Business Address
    15031 s. 4150 rd, claremore, Oklahoma, 74017
  • Type of Business
    Auto Body
  • Your Current Position
    Other
  • Automotive Franchise
    None
  • Website
  • Banner Program
    None
  • Participate in Training
    Yes
  • Certifications
    ASE CMAT
    USMC
    TEA (Tulsa Executive Association) Past president and chairman of the board
    FATHER, HUSBAND,
  • Your Mission Statement
    Monthly columnist for Babcox magazines. You'll find my column, "Gonzo's Toolbox" in Brake and Frontend, Import Car, and Underhood Service magazines.
    Writer/Editor for Haynes Repair Manual Company. Write and edit as well as research the latest new DIY repair manuals you'll find at every parts store across the country.
    Columnist, on staff editor, and technical adviser for AVI - Automotive Video Innovations
    Consultant for various automotive marketing and franchise companies, including new product evaluations (BETA testing).

    I also do a few training videos for DAYCO and AVI.
    Some of which can be found on You Tube.

    I'm also an author "Hey Look, I Found the Loose Nut" as well as a guest speaker at various local colleges and conventions.
    Nothing like a little humor in auto shop.

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Gonzo's Achievements

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Single Status Update

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  1. 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. 

     

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. skm

      skm

      Follow your heart! I know yours is still on the mend but once it gets stronger you will make the right choice.. Remember all good things must come to an end, but with every end there is a beginning . Take your time decide what is most important in life and go from there. Sometimes we need to stop and smell the roses or at least slow enough to get a whiff as we pass by !

    3. Gonzo

      Gonzo

      Financially this is a mess, but fortunately I'm managing.  It's looking more like a sell off than a sale.  I'm almost certain that I won't be going back to the shop to work. For many reasons, but here's a perfect example of things I can't control coming through the front door of the shop until they've presented themselves.  But by then... the blood pressure has gone up.  My wife was down at the shop taking care of some paper work when a rather rude guy walked in the lobby even with the closed sign up and a note about my condition.  He tells her, "I've been here five different times already and the door has been locked where is he? I need my electric seat worked on!"  My wife explained to him the situation but that didn't seem to phase him.  "So when is he going to be back?"  She told him that I was more than likely not going to be back but maybe in a consulting aspect sometime in Sept.  That wasn't good enough for him.  He wanted something NOW.  She finally had to ask him to get out. He storms out the door ticked off and muttering something about the BBB. 

      It's those kind of "daily" arseholes I seem to run across, that are really making the decision for me.  People and their attitudes like this guy, are one of the many reasons your blood pressure can climb.  I don't need it, don't want it, and don't want to deal with it.  Time to cool down, slow down, and relax away from all the stress.  Doctor said, "Lower your stress."  I think I'll take his advise. 

       

    4. skm

      skm

      I hear ya ! People even my wife doesn't understand the stress these kind of people put on you, and then the worst ones are the waiters.. I can't stand them , I get out of my car with my hands full off stuff (lunch etc) and they are approaching me asking me stuff or just saying " I wanted to let you know I am here" well no shit sherlock I can see you ! I usually walk right by them without saying a word.. but when they are there it always makes the job harder since you have them breathing down your neck, some things like taking door panels off and stuff like that at times is a little rough and makes a lot of noise like things are breaking. I don't need that with the owner over my back, then you feel rushed or pressured even though they tell you no rush .. yea no rush then why the hell are you still waiting here. no rush means you can drop it off and pick it up when I am done. It is a lot more stressful than people think that is for sure.

       

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