Random Thought Thread

[Big DJ]

I would like to hear your thoughts on it?

Me too.

 

[Big DJ]

Being in the trades has been very good for me and my family for the last 47 years. Plumbing, heating and cooling isn't very glamorous but it pays pretty darn well. And I get to build stuff every day. I like that I have tangible results of my labor.

 

[WValtakis]

But what it really comes down to is that you can make better money than I make and have better benefits without destroying your body in the process for somebody who considers you expendable.

Doing what, though? That sounds great, some cushy white collar job...until you realize that competition for those jobs are insane and the labor market is flooded. Almost everyone I know who is in some sort of non-trades type job is underemployed and underpaid, half of them aren't even able to get a job that actually pertains to their degrees.

I tell anyone who asks, get into utility work if you always want to have a job that pays well...we'll always need power/water/sanitation.

 

[Cap’n Smudge]

Being in the trades has been very good for me and my family for the last

20 years ago things were a lot better (for me).

And Murphjd25 is correct in that it has a lot to do with where you are working. My pay and benefits were much better when I lived out in Portland, Oregon.

 

[Cap’n Smudge]

Doing what, though? That sounds great, some cushy white collar job...until you realize that competition for those jobs are insane and the labor market is flooded. Almost everyone I know who is in some sort of non-trades type job is underemployed and underpaid, half of them aren't even able to get a job that actually pertains to their degrees.

I tell anyone who asks, get into utility work if you always want to have a job that pays well...we'll always need power/water/sanitation.

Until you get hurt. Then you have nothing.

 

[Cap’n Smudge]

And to be fair:
One of my best friends is a commercial/industrial plumber in a large east coast city. Every winter when construction slows down, and they are laying people off, he volunteers. Makes more than enough (50% more than a good year for me) in nine months to pay for the life he wants/has.


In case anybody is thinking perhaps I’m not very good at my job. That is not the case. I’ve always been picked to run jobs (foreman)by my employers within 3 months of being employed. This often pisses off guys that have been at the company for years. I’ve only failed one inspection in my career as a foreman and, by the inspectors own admission, he was being a dick because he was having a bad day.

 

[WValtakis]

Until you get hurt. Then you have nothing.

That's not a failure of the trades, that's a failure of our for-profit medical care system in my opinion.

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

I mean, the obvious answer is to become a hedge fund manager. Those guys make zillions.

 

[frc505]

The Wilson M7 thread in Custom and Handmade is a nice example along the lines you are thinking.
However, in my opinion a short sword is not a survival knife, so I would keep the sheath cleaner and simpler, then pack the other kit separately.

Richard338,
Yes I've seen and read that thread before I'll have to go and re-read it again !...I like the M.O.A (MAKE IT OUT ALIVE) kit idea that Wilson has on some of his knives...
I agree that a short sword Is not the best suited blade for being a survival knife but that's why I'll have my Cpk UF2 in another sheath that will be able to attach to the sword sheath and then I can always take it from the sword sheath and put that UF2 sheath on my belt !so if I need to I can always leave the short sword at camp and put my UF2 on my belt so I'll always have a blade close at hand that's why Duramax and I have been exchanging ideas for this sheath/s!
I'm sure ones its all said and done I'll have a great new sheath system for both my short sword and my UF2 !...

FRC505 aka Frank Cervantes

 

[Lorien]

we'll always need sanitation.

some of us more than others

 

[bellyfulls]

There's some great stuff going on in this CPK forum.

I'm still exploring but the "tryout and passaround" thread had me pissing my pants.

I need some terotuff now.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Old North Georgia squirrel solution was to put a pie tin full of Sprite in the attic or wherever they were getting in. I’m sure it attracts all kinds of other problems, such as ants, and I’m not sure it works but I just thought it was interesting. Nothing is probably as effective as just shooting it.

Are you certain it was Sprite and not antifreeze? Because the latter is a surefire way to remove critters (and maybe your dog/cat if you aren't careful).

 

[Murphjd25]

This was expensive, but they are the only ones who make a custom locking cap for the new Cummins fill neck. Hopefully the tweakers don’t just drill a hole in the bottom of my tank now

Ram Diesel Locking Fuel Cap Green EZ-Loc

Now you can lock the fuel filler on your 2013 to 2019 Ram 1500/2500/3500 Turbo Diesel. A simple twist of the key allows you to lock or remove this fuel cap.

www.genosgarage.com

 

[jlauffer]

This was expensive, but they are the only ones who make a custom locking cap for the new Cummins fill neck. Hopefully the tweakers don’t just drill a hole in the bottom of my tank now

Ram Diesel Locking Fuel Cap Green EZ-Loc

Now you can lock the fuel filler on your 2013 to 2019 Ram 1500/2500/3500 Turbo Diesel. A simple twist of the key allows you to lock or remove this fuel cap.

www.genosgarage.com

Skank and Gutterboy won't be denied!

View attachment 1762760

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

.... for years, ...

Math.

Is that what you're down to now? Correcting obvious typos (ever notice the "g" next to the "f" on the keyboard?).

And sucking at "the maths" was a joke, dude. Not even a typo.

Seems you have some sort of burr up your ass about me. Maybe better to put me on ignore before things get ugly.

 

[Box_Opener]

Many years ago when I was a teenager, I was on a site punching down a telephone room. I somehow talked to one of the contractors there for a bit about his job. I said that I thought his job didn’t look so bad. He said, in effect, yeah but my knees are shot and I can’t stop working. Really changed my outlook. My father-in-law ran his own steamfitter business in NYC for many years. His knees are shot. FWIW Retirement isn’t much if your body is destroyed.

 

[Blues]

Many years ago when I was a teenager, I was on a site punching down a telephone room. I somehow talked to one of the contractors there for a bit about his job. I said that I thought his job didn’t look so bad. He said, in effect, yeah but my knees are shot and I can’t stop working. Really changed my outlook. My father-in-law ran his own steamfitter business in NYC for many years. His knees are shot. FWIW Retirement isn’t much if your body is destroyed.

I've only been dealing with one wonky knee for two or three weeks now and it's pretty much driving me crazy...especially since I refuse to miss my workouts because of it.

 

[Box_Opener]

I've only been dealing with one wonky knee for two or three weeks now and it's pretty much driving me crazy...especially since I refuse to miss my workouts because of it.

You have my sympathy. Truly. A knee is not easy to recover.

 

[ferider]

And sucking at "the maths" was a joke, dude. Not even a typo.

Google Poe's law, please.

 

[sickpuppy1]

My workout comes on a daily w,lol using a snow pusher today cause it’s too wet for the blower. Carpentry, plumbing, bending stooping all throughout the the day. Apartment maintenance at a smaller complex (200 units). And I’m 67 the nd of this month. Yes I get social security, as of 66 and 2 months, but need t keep plugging away at it, bills don’t quit so I can’t either! Fun never ends does it.
But at least now I have some extra for my, ahem, necessities…..

Edit, who am I kidding, I need to keep doing this stuff, I enjoy this type of work. And if I retired all together I’d seize up and croak.