Neanderpundit

with Partner and Werner. We did the whole gunstore run, Werner had never been to Cabelas so it was a nice change for him.

Werner DID bring up his Jetta Diesel, which he let me drive around so we didn’t have to spend any time navigation- I had been a while since I drove a stick but I didn’t kill it and only did avery little grinding.

The verdict is that I could easily drive one as my daily driver. I was extremely pleased with the way it drove, and handled, and while it was underpowered it wasn’t horribly underpowered. And again, I am not looking for a race car, I’m looking for an economical daily driver, something I can drive 1500 miles for less than $200. The best part is the clutch is feather light, and the engine torquey as shit. So I may start shopping for one sometime soon.

Werner didn’t find anything he couldn’t live without, but he did manage to pick up some ammo, and we got to visit for a while, which is rare- usually when I get to see Werner it means we’re working our butts off. Partner, too, got to visit, we’re like peas in a pod, three grouchy old men who are anxious for the world to go fuck itself. Best day I’ve had outside of bed in a LONG time.

Plus, speaking of bed, the Ogwife got up and took the Oglet to her fencing match, so I didn’t have to be out of bed till after eight. A good time was had by all.

the dreams aren’t so bad.

I dreampt I had to go out on a job; it was a tough one which would have taxed my skills, but I was told I’d have assistance.

Dad picked me up at the airport.

I was so tickled to see him I cried. He did too; we embraced a long time, then got in a rental and drove out to the job.

It was a tough job, the hard engineering aspects of it were difficult, and the physical work itself was taxing. We worked nonstop through the weekend, not speaking much other than to communicate needs or offer assistance. We finished the job on time and set the system in motion, and it ran like a well oiled Swiss watch.

In the car on the way back to the airport, I asked “When did you pick up the robotics skills?” Dad had done automation all his life, but it was crude compared to the work I’d just seen him do. “I had plenty of time to get the education I always wanted” he said, and then I noticed the ring on his finger, the only academic accomplishment I’d ever coveted. Apparently there are Universities in heaven.

“What’s it like?” I asked, after a silence. There was so much to say, but just being together felt so good, I didn’t want to waste it yapping.

“I can’t say much about it. There is a lot of hard work, but the work brings you joy, just like this job, and there is no fatigue, ever. You’ll like it.”

He dropped me off and waved goodbye.

I have for many years kept his pipe rolled up in a red shop rag in my toolbox. he had retrieved it while we worked, and as he drove off I could see the smoke curling from the bowl.

I haven’t woken in that good and peaceful a mood in a very, very very long time.

Did HR3200 not drive home the lesson that the FedGov will do precisely as it pleases with or without your support, despite or perhaps because of your protestation? How many times do you have to be burned before you stop sticking your hand in the fire?