Well this former Autotech Community College Dropout (past blog on going back to school) is back at the grind. I am sure you have seen pictures of the Z getting worked on, or remember younger pictures of N helping me change our wheels on her car, or dudeman Cruz helping me change an air filter.
This week in my auto shop class I handled something much less sexy. I rolled in our minivan, she turned the 100,000 mark during pandemic and was due for brakes. I got rotors and pads for all four corners, and bring our baby in. She has helped a college kid move back from pandemic, back to school, loaded mulch for the yard, tools for the garage, and tons of donations to Goodwill. I honestly enjoy driving the van and tell people don't hate on the van.
For those that think I know cars, I am no mechanic... I mean I can tell you what years the Fiero body style changed, when the new Z is coming out, and pretend to explain how a twin turbo works, and what the stock wheels options were on a '75 Datsun... but when it comes to wrenching I still have a lot to learn. Hence, maybe while I am taking classes... and on top of the personal learning, I have a long term project in which getting my Autotech Degree will serve a purpose.
So anyhow busted knuckles... I remember I wrote a blog years ago about privilege and perceptions (link here). As I walked around after (hands are still a little stained two days later) I started to get embarrassed, or kept my hands in my pockets, but you know, I am proud that I learned something. I am proud that my hands did my brakes, yeah I saved about $1,000 in labor, and I am thankful to the shop guys who caught my mistakes, laughed at me about mounting a rear rotor in the front, or just handed me tools and helped me clean up.
Well here is the van.. some before, some after, and the baby up in the air. Man I wish I had that lift in my garage! Ha.
