Coaxial wrote: Yes sir!
I broke in 3 different guys though the years. It was painful.
I tried to teach my son during the summer time while he was in high school.
He said he didn't want to do drywall finishing ever again. 
He's turned into a excellent metal fabricator though.

 haresfur wrote: I would love to pass on the things I've learned these past 50+ years.. but it's an attitude thing.
Back when I worked for sub contractors here in the Coachella Valley, it was almost all piece work. We got paid for the footage of sheetrock hung in each house we worked on.
Say there were maybe 12 different finishers working for that company. There were a small percentage of guys who would make the bigger money because they were just faster AND turned the quality work. The rest were also rans. They were happy with what they made.
I was the bread winner in our household while our kids were in growing up. A decision Debbie and I made when they were born. Because of that, I wanted to produce. And was rewarded for that.
Today there's not much of a percentage of finishers out there that seem to have the drive. They work mostly by the hour, and cheap too. No incentive. I think they're happy because they just don't know any better. Is ignorance bliss? They also live in a home with their extended families. Drive vehicles that kinda go down the road. Cheap labor.
Thankfully, I've got myself in a niche market. I know a few contractors who use me exclusively. I get all kinds of referrals. No advertising at all. When I show up on a job someone has hired me for, I get "Where's you crew?" I tell them I don't need one. And get out of my way. 

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote: 
Yeah, it's easier to do it yourself than mess with anyone else.

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
Taking your secrets to the grave?

We have a slave labour an apprentice system here. The lucky ones learn not only the trade but how to run a business. But geeze, it can be painful watching them learn. Like the time a young fella was servicing the evaporative cooler on our roof. Phone rang and it was him saying he knocked over his ladder and asking if I could put it back up. Luckily he didn't break any of my flower pots but the curry tree took a beating. I considered telling him to call his boss because they wouldn't let him live it down. Instead I told him he owed me a case of beer.  

 miamizsun wrote: Hey now!
Every time I think I'm slowing down, I just look at the currant crop of squids that will replace me and think I still can outproduce them by at least five to one. And I'm being nice there.
They have never been taught right.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: Most of those poor teachers need help.
They're overwhelmed with stupid paperwork.
If they just had to teach... it wouldn't be that hard.

 Coaxial wrote:
You mean my Bazooka.
I'll continue for a bit more/ car gets finished/ shoulders fall off/ rich uncle leaves me a little bit of help. I like my work... well most times. It's kind of brutal when the temps climb way up there along with those ridiculous dew points.

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

It's great that they don't just let all that talent go. 

 miamizsun wrote: 
I think they are holding up his truss.

 Coaxial wrote:

i heard from you know who that he has industrial strength suspenders holding it up now...

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote: 
Congrats to her...When are you going to hang up your toolbelt? 

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: It's great Debbie finally retired from teaching last year. I've always wanted to go places in the fall, but because of the school year, we never could.
Looking forward to going places without the hassles of too many people. And cooler weather.
But the school district wants her back bad as a teaching coach/ substitute. So she'll go back part time maybe 3 days a week. We'll have a lot more flexibility though. 

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

Just a little heads up and we have a spot for you! Yellowstone is great in October....

Debbie and I went to Julian, California yesterday for a short day trip. Lunch and apple pie/ ice cream. And for Debbie... shopping. And a little escape from the desert heat. Even though everyone in Julian was complaining about their heat. It was almost 15 degrees cooler up there.
We went a little different way than usual. Instead of skirting Borrego Springs and turning south on S-3 (San Diego County Road) to pick up California Highway 78 West to Julian... we went through the thriving community of Borrego Springs and got on S-22 that takes you the "back way" (for us) to Julian. It takes just 10 minutes longer than our normal route. But we've never been that way before.
What a treat! Well for me anyway. Debbie didn't care for the road that hung onto the side of the canyon we climbed up. What a view! Once we reached the summit there was a really nice drive though what California used to look like over 100 years ago. Oak trees along with a mixture of what looked like Monterey Pines and Junipers. They've had some recent big thunderstorms in the area. So there were signs of heavy run off all over.
A great short trip... except for Debbie's complaints from going up then down S-22. 

Here's an eagles eye view of Borrego Springs and Anza- Borrego State Park...

And our trusty Dodge Durango we take lots of places. Wyoming eclipse. Route 66 all the way to Chicago. All over California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah... and coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

 geoff_morphini wrote: Those White Mountains are pretty spectacular.
And they're just across the valley from the equally spectacular eastern Sierra Nevada.
The Owens Valley: 14,000' peaks on both sides of it!
I just love the 395!
A must for everyone. 

 sunybuny wrote: I love the rain... because I live where that stuff rarely occurs.
But... when it does... there's nothing like the smell of rain on creosote bushes.
And clouds. I love clouds... but the're rarely floating around here.

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

Sounds like a great trip! I camped at Westgard Pass on this road last year for a couple of weeks. Beautiful country!  You have to be nuts to stay at the Clown Motel!  

My friend Daniel, who loves the west as much as I do, chronicles his trips at https://takemytrip.com/

This is weird as we both live in verdant, always green, always steamy Florida.  Opposites attract I guess.

Thanks everyone.
Love road trips!
A good car.
A great wife who's semi- decent with navigation skills. "I think we turn right here. Or is it left?"

Awesome music with so many choices these days. I remember when you did something like this... you had to rely on things like 8 tracks and cassettes for music. All with horrible sound quality. Because FM stations were nowhere to be found in those deep back roads. I couldn't imagine being able to listen to Radio Paradise through a car stereo even 5 years ago.