Thread: What should one do when this happens...

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Ryan, you're way too young to hate the general public already!!!!! That's reserved for old farts like me. Friends used to pick on me because the shop had an unlisted phone number and a sign on the door that said "Private Shop, Stay Out". I've still got a customer base who refuse to believe that I'm retired, Mike alone has 4 more cars that "we're" going to do----ie, he finds parts, I do work! Drag racing starts soon, we'll be at the dyno and tune up shop a couple days this month learning how to tune with a lap top and use a Data Acquisition system to analyze the runs---Heck, I thought we were state of the art when we had a movie camera that would play back in slow motion!!!! Point is, guy's your age are approaching the peak of your potential. Learn from the lessons of the old and embrace the new technology with equal fervor! The "go fast" opportunities are there for the people who are willing to learn the new technology and help advance it! Enjoy the time now, later you can have a shop with an unlisted number and "keep out" sign!!!!!!

I'd be fine with dealing with these people if they'd just pay their bill and not jerk a guy around. It happens all to often. I'd rather spend time with my kids than repair some dead beat's vehicle and then find out I'm not getting paid on top of it.

For me the main thing has always been the build. There’s just something about taking something out of a junk yard and making it into something just a bit different than what anybody else has. I enjoy figuring out how to make things that weren’t designed to work together….work together.

Most of the regulars here know I make at least one 4000 mile drive to Illinois and back every year. I enjoy the trip and it has always been the test to see how well I’ve built the car/truck.

I used to do the car show thing a lot but anymore I usually park in the parking lot and wander around seeing and talking to old friends more than looking at the cars.

As far as where my passion currently is, I would have to say it’s working with my 11 year old grandson and trying to teach him a few things while I can. Watching him grasp new (to him) concepts and get better working with his hands is really about the most satisfying thing I thing I’ve done.


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