March 11, 2021

Yesteryear
One year ago today: March 11, 2020, Millennial moron checklist.
Five years ago today: March 11, 2016, they never called back.
Nine years ago today: March 11, 2012, intuitively & naturally.
Random years ago today: March 11, 2017, remember the Rebel.

           The new America. They have lots of customer service lines, they just don’t answer them. My second day trying to get though to my dental insurance and every call has been on hold so long it’s eventually dropped off. How goes your day? It’s slow days like this that reveal the daily journal underpinnings of this blog. If nothing exciting happens, we switch to what is productive. My woodworking nemesis is hinges. I’ve done about what I can to learn installing them manually. Here’s an update.

           See this hinge? It’s representative of my trial and error approach. Many times I install hinges that don’t fit or don’t match the box design. My goal is functionality though I’ve been watching European how-to videos for pointers. I think the next step is to purchase specialty tools to make the hinge recesses better than I’ve managed so far. Split wood, too deep, too shallow, honestly, maybe one set in twenty goes like I’ve planned. As before, I am sure my poor results stem from bad measuring skills.

           Please don’t hand me any lip about learning to “measure better” like it is something anybody can do on cammand. I’ve had better success with the indirect approach of getting the right tools and learning to set the tool instead of measure the wood. Example the instant success of using the pocket hole drill. Others must not experience that judging by the number of special jigs and clamps offered to assist the build. I often find learning the tool first helps me better learn the manual method after, just one of those things.
           Today was also a three-hour waste of time over a business proposition that I won’t go for. The other party has run a business for years, but does not do so in a business-like fashion from my perspective. He tends to perform the work as the tasks arise, I prefer to line the work up so it proceeds smoothly in large batches. I feel we would clash. You remember Elliott and the Turkish girl? Same thing all over, I can’t go partners with those who are not systematic. These parties also tend to underrate the cost and value of the paperwork.

Picture of the day.
Red Bay, Canadian cruise port.
Remember to use BACK ARROW to return to blog.
           Coffee. It’s in my veins. A perfect late winter afternoon, here is another view of the new work counter under the scooter canopy. On pleasant days this quickly became the work center. The bigger tools are set up inside the large shed, where they can be locked. This arrangement you can see is designed to be accessible from inside or outside, usually depending on the weather. The eight-foot work space is also handy. There is a secondary lower shelf planned underneath this higher than usual work area, meant to bring projects up to mid-chest height while working standing up.

           Here [below] is a photo of the sales ticket for that $6 piece of lumber, a 2x3” stud. This adds up so quickly, some projects are to be put on hold until things settle down. Will prices ever drop? No usually, but the tripling of lumber costs will bring lots of jobs to a standstill. I have exactly twelve pieces of lumber left. Most people would look at the price I’m pointing at. Not Elliott, he wants to know why I’m paying for one piece of lumber with a $100 dollar bill.
           Tearing out old drywall isn’t my concept of fun, but I began on the back bedroom east wall. This is the work area wired for several dozen wall receptacles. It’s the lowest priority and only getting attention because I need to set up the office desk

           Behind the scenes, I’ve spent the past week trying to find dentist who accepts my insurance, or in their terms is (I think), “not out of network”. I’m now on hold at the 20th contact, an office downtown where I’d rather not drive. People are helpful but so far, are not much help. The reason for this chasing about is the dental plan that I have is not answering their phones, probably some COVID excuse. And I have that existing appointment made to weeks ago with the $1,160 price quote. I figure on plenty of time to find somebody else, but now the deadline approaches without success.
           Later, because of that stiff price tag, I’m cancelling the appointment. I’ve lived with this broken tooth a month now and can always go back there, they took a shine to me. I’m finding the majority of dentists do not accept government adult dental insurances. What do they know that we don’t? This is the tooth that may require an oral surgeon. If dentists don’t like my plan, what hope is there for [finding] a specialist?

Last Laugh