breakthrough

[opabinia]

When you approach a new hobby, there's a nasty learning curve, and it's hard to learn anything because you don't know anything to begin with -- like the vocabulary. You also spend lots of time floundering about looking for simple bits of information that are practically intuitive to those in the know. You lack a tech support network, and you also lack a source of encouragement and kindred enthusiasm for whatever silly project you've become interested in.

I think the phone call I got five minutes ago represents the end of that stage in

I called a fella about some parts he had advertised. He called me back, we talked about them, I tried to make sense of what he was talking about (vocabulary, remember?), I told him I still don't know a spindle from a caliper... He was helpful, but I still didn't really know what he was talking about. I politely backed away from the conversation, thanked him, told him I needed more time to learn these things, and that perhaps I would call back.

Forty minutes later, my phone rings. It's the same guy. He basically said this:

1. I have a lot of other stuff for sale, but that's not why I'm calling.
2. I'm a fellow G-body enthusiast, and I know the cars inside out.
3. I have a network of suppliers, acquaintances, and friends that are way into them.
4. Call me whenever you have any questions, come to me when you need parts cheap, let me help you with your project, I don't care who you buy parts from, this shit is fun.

Wicked. There's also antihero983. He offered to help earlier, and he went to Car School. I'm looking forward to spinning wrenches with a fellow nut. :)

Oh, and the rust repairs will be finished by Friday afternoon. For real this time. It took some psychotechnology, but I have succesfully made the rust surgeons comply. They're operating as I type.

Comments

[tk7602.livejournal.com]

i learned how one replaces the fuel pump in my truck this weekend. and it really wasn't that bad. as i learn more about how it all works, it becomes much less intimidating.