I slaved on machinery of every kind you can think of, for all my
working life/career.  Over 30 years.  PITA doesn't begin to describe
it.  Of course, machinery is _necessary_.  You wouldn't want to live
in a world without it, so I never had much of a problem finding a job
in no time at all.  That's is why I stuck with that line of
work...sort of a job security kind of thingy.  I always had a paycheck
within a few weeks of leaving somewhere else.  Competing against
hundreds if not thousands of other *applicants,* because of my Resume
credentials.

Now I look back, and say to myself "Thank G-D THAT IS OVER WITH!"

I couldn't take another day/week/hour of standing over a greasy,
electrified monstrosity that could tear me limb from limb without
slowing down 1 rpm if I made a *wrong move* at any moment.

Now the thing of it is, obsolescence forces one to stay in college on
the job forever, as older machinery you're familiar with is replaced
with the latest and the greatest.  So we could have been magicians
with yesterday's technologies, but now that they've gone the way of
the dinosaur, the younger bucks fresh out of school are going to beat
our a.ses sorry.  They can and will work harder, longer, for less
money, and have the latest information on stuff that is just coming to
market.

So as we grow older, we lose the endurance, the knowledge, the *will*
to rise through adversity for fame, glory, and money, because we now
know the ropes, and how companies operate, and have been scammed and
bamboozled enough times to say "f.ck it, YOU CAN TAKE THIS JOB AND
SHOVE IT"

So that's where I stand on the *issue* of sacrificing my mind body and
soul on the alter of corporate America.  They can shove it, cause I
ain't working here no more.

Lg

=============================================================

That is fortunately an option, but since I am living hand to mouth as
it is...it isn't always an option.

I have some tools.  Can do some things.  Limited.  Better in most
cases than nothing at all...putting myself at the mercy of the
*artists* out there, some who know how to play the music, and others
who know how to play the customer.

I just reviewed my Service Contract, and it is for 6 years, or 75k
miles, whichever comes first.  This is a good thing.  It is a 2003
vehicle, so I have 3 years left on my service warranty, emissions
components notwithstanding.

That means I have ANOTHER 36 months of warranty on major components
like engine and tranny, than I thought I did.  So...what me worry?
Not about _that_.  Not for another 3 years, I should live so long.  

Even with $100 deductible, it beats the $hit out of paying $3,500 for
a new transmission (AX4N IIRC).  Or a head gasket problem, or anything
else you can think of wherein the parts cost more than 50 bucks.

IOW, if *the job* looks like it is going to cost me more than $100 out
of pocket expenses for parts, off to the stealership it goes ;-\
Warranty pays parts and labor, but on MAJOR ITEMS ONLY.  The small
stuff I'll continue to do myself, to save a penny here, and a Henny
Penny there.

Lg

Now that's funny ;-)
My luck, I would choke to death on them.  Marbles?  Yes I bought a bag
of them at the hobby shop when I was in there to get something for my
dog.  I still have a few here and there...thought the cats might like
to play with them, but they're spilled alright...no doubt about that!

Let's face it.  Being a Mechanic is Dangerous Work.  You can get
killed, you can get injured.  You can do something right 100 times in
a row and on the 101st time, Trouble jumps up and bites you in the
a.s, and if you live to tell the tale, you remember =never= to take
anything for granted, never to become complacent.  And its hard work.
It's honest work, but hard work, and it will take its toll on you
body, mind, and spirit, as the years go by.

More power to you if you're still doing it at *my age.*  Call me 61,
and happy my livelihood doesn't depend on beating the monkey into
submission anymore.

Lg