The Boyz (and Girl) R Back

 

Safety first, kids. 

Well, friends, I'm finally back! I've regained some use of my leg, enough to crutch around the shop, so I managed to make it down there thrice this week. I spent a lot of time in my precious rolly chair (you don't know how heavy your leg is until it's hanging like a piece of meat in a butcher's shop from your hip), and generally was a hindrance to all. 

It was an eventful week at the shop, involving two stolen cars, broken radiators, the inevitable oil changes, and some offroading tires. A lot of starter problems came in this week, as well as broken ACs and radiators-- with the heat came people using their air conditioning systems for the first time in probably 9 months. 

With one week remaining in my senior project, I've set two goals: 

1) learn how to change the tires on my car. While I've learned how to change tires in the shop, if I ever get a flat on the road, it's likely I won't have access to the specialized tools that the team does. Witt has repeatedly complained that changing your tires should be a test that goes with getting your driver's license (and he's probably right). 

2) change my engine oil. I've watched more than a dozen of these in my short time at the shop, and honestly I feel pretty confident I could do it myself, but I'd like professional supervision in case I royally screw something up.

I'm quite sad to be wrapping up the project this upcoming week. This past month has been a step into a learning area for what feels like the first time this year. I absolutely detested zoom school, and felt like I lost my passion for new knowledge. My general curiosity is something I've always prided myself on, and the past few weeks have sparked that in me again. Cars are like big puzzles, especially once the hoods are open. I've had a marvelous time figuring out what the living hell a transmission is, and getting more familiar with something as ubiquitous as my ride to work.

TTFN, 

Sophie

Matt's Motto: If it doesn't work, try hitting it with a hammer.