Window hardware installed

All of the window hardware is installed. Before I install the actual windows, I need to get the windshield weatherstrip installed, and the rear pillar post weatherstrip installed, then the t-tops. Then I can install the door glass and adjust it.

Once the glass is in, I'll finish the door lock actuators (wohoo, keyless!), and put the door panels on.

But first, I'll try and finish the headlights and bleed the brakes.

The sounds are dead

Okay. The doors are ready for the hardware. The locking mechanisms are installed on both sides. The keys and outside door handles are installed. The window regulators have been removed and cleaned up, and the botors are fried. So, replacements will be here tomorrow. Perhaps by the end of the week, the doors will be complete.

Simply, I need to attach the motors to the regulators, clean them up once again, install them and the other glass channels, install the keyless units, the trim for the doors, weather strip, and the door panels. I could have those done this week! Sweet!

The update on the car

Okay, okay. It's been a while. But, alas, I've been spending more time on the car than online. Seriously. I think I might be able to finish this project in spite of struggles, mine or otherwise.

The fuel tank is installed and the lines are connected. I have the rubber lip for the tank to be installed. I've had someone ship a new drivers' side door latch to replace the one the body shop (NuDeez Customs) forgot to put back in the car and subsequently lost. At $90 for a used part, it hurts, but alas, I gotta get this thing done.

I have the drivers' side exhaust panel installed.

I have the brake booster installed and I cleaned up the master cylinder. (Believe me, chrome rusts, and it is tough to clean up, but it does clean up. Not all master cylinders are the same, either, mine apparently has a smaller cylinder than what was in there originally. Or the parts stores rebuild kits are too large.)

I have the T-Top's trim cleaned up, polished, and installed.

I found that I am missing one of the brake lines that goes from the distribution block to the master cylinder, or I'd have those hooked up, too.

So, here is the list of things to finish :

• Headlights
• Fuel Tank protector (sits around the gas cap)
• Transmission radiator installation
• Hood
• The last brake line, then bleed the brakes
• Intake manifold
• carburetor
• distributor
• Dynamat
• Glass hardware cleanup
• Door glass
• Door panels
• Fabricate 1/16" plate to house the shifter
• carpeting
• windshield
• install the center console
• install the ignition switch and alarm switch in the fender
• install the dashboard
• connect the emergency brake and speedometer cables
• install the door glass
• Install the battery and starter

Sounds like a big list, but it's really small stuff. Yahoo!

Body Damage before I start going

Okay. I know, Nudeez Customs didn't do as good a paint job for 16,727.21 as I would have liked, and there are a few issues. However, I just added even MORE trouble to the infamous corvette.

I'm trying to install the passengers side mirror, and the bolts just DON'T want to attach. I lost three bolts, and the fourth one caught. The mirror slid and scratched the paint. No biggie, I can wet sand/cut it and fix that. I try installing the OTHER bolt to ensure the mirror is on there, and realize that the bolt holding the mirror is cross threaded. I try to pot the mirror forward, and it ends up flying about two feet forward, gouging the paint and fiberglass, and falling to the concrete and chipping the paint on the mirror in a number of places.

This is bad, because I don't have the paint formula, and I'm unwilling to take it back to the painter who did the paint job. He broke his contract in providing pictures of the body work, and also in providing the paint formula. So, he's no longer an option.

Instead, I need a local shop who can :

• re-formulate the paint
• fix the mirror
• provide me with a little extra paint to get back and repair the body gouge

And I can't wait to see the bill.

When I grow up....

...I want to be like Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard. It all started....

It was a dark and stormy night, and there were dog tracks in the yard. After a good day of being lazy (well, just me, my lovely sweet heart's form of lazy wears me out). We decided to step out and get some "American" Chinese take out, but couldn't think of any good places as soon as we had left. Instead, we decided to head over to the Mountain City Restaurant, a great little place in Holladay. Sugarmuffin flags my attention to where three men and two women are dining, and promptly tells me that one of the men is Nate Wade (of the Subaru dealership). His wife is there. The other woman is Sister Ballard. The two men are Elder Ballard and Elder Oaks.

It was quite a nice surprise.

I think I'd better put out a little background. You see, at this restaurant, it's operated by an elderly oriental couple. And the hostess has given us a little flack (well, primarily me) because we don't have kids. She's tossed around a "You make baby yet?", and even had the audacity to tell me I might have to ask my brother about how to "make baby". She's a riot.

So, the table of "Elders" had finished, and were leaving. Thinking I got off free because she didn't mention any of the "make baby" (and thereby garnering the attention of these prominent individuals), we finished up (she did give us a little flack about it, and Elder Oaks was still in earshot, but wasn't paying attention.... phew!), we paid, and decided to head home to watch the Jazz game.

As we got to the front door, I realized that Elder Oaks was standing by the front door with Sister Ballard. It was both raining and snowing outside, and it took me a minute to realize that Elder Ballard went to get the car. He pulled up as I stepped outside. I was able to ask whether she wanted the front or the back, and she was trying to opt to the back so Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard could talk. But, being the true gentleman that he is, Elder Oaks stated that she belonged by her husband, and I grabbed the door for her as Elder Oaks walked her to the car.

Those "Elders" have more care and concern for their precious companions than we often realize. A good woman is priceless, and they take the time to ensure they have good food, and are taken care of well.

When I grow up, I want to be like Elder Ballard and Elder Oaks... but without the calling.

pepper spray

Okay. My father LOVES peppers. He has three full plants full of habanero's. So, I grabbed a few and brought them in to work. The results are in :

• One man thought he was tough, and decided to bite a little bit out of one. He stormed out of the office, crying, and trying to maintain his dignity, stating (shakily at that), "this is how we roll".
• One man bit half off, and it hurt so bad he was hiccuping. And choking. Poor guy. That one at least knew what he was getting into.
• One more thought that we should be sticking one into someone else's water bottle. Probably not a good idea.
• And someone took some home, used some turbinado sugar, and candied the habaneros. He brought in some habanero lollipops. I was tearing up on that, because it keeps the pepper right in your mouth for even longer, and keeps the fire going. Nice thought! Candied Habanero Pepper Lollipops!

Do I really work with these crazy people? Yup. I don't like to think I'm one of them, but that topic is for another conversation. Just don't ask my wife.... or them.

Top Ten: things I've learned in 1 year of marriage

Last night, I'm sitting at dinner in a restaurant with my sweet Sugarmuffin, and she asked me a question. "What are the top ten things you've learned this year?" We laughed through a couple of items listed, and she also had to ash a couple of times for clarification. I've thought about this list many times since last night, and have modified a bit. Some have been left off, some have been modified, and some haven't even been touched (e.g. the first two things). So... without further adieu....

1. Keep my mouth shut. Do I need to add anything to this one?
2. Speak up about things. Some things shouldn't be left unsaid.
   
   I know these two rules may seam contradictory. Sugarmuffin was thinking that things were a little more volatile (meaning things change), which caused these two. However, I did clarify that. There are some things that are better to keep my mouth shut over. If she asks why so quiet, often a lesser "gripe" is better to toss out there. After all, gripes are really minor things to worry about anyway.
   
   
3. The extra leaf in the table can stay long enough to wash the dishes. Keep things in perspective, because some things don't matter. After all, an extra leaf in the table when there is just the two of us is really unimportant when compared with something that lasts forever.
4. Large projects can wait. She felt bad for an instance thinking I was referencing a long-term project I've been working on for 13 years. I did need to clarify this one to include everything. Think about it - it's been in that state already for some time, it won't kill anyone to leave it in that state while doing something else for a moment.
5. Even as a couple, we're still individuals (Remember the curtains?). She understood this, but I'll clarify the post a bit. On our back door, we haven't had curtains put up yet. This is a natural result of both of us not completely agreeing on something. I'm a guy - I'd just throw on any old curtains. She's not a guy in any way (imagine that), so consideration has to be given to fabrics, colors, styles, strengths, furniture, season, holidays, which family members are coming, and how often the sprinklers turn on. Seriously, I can't just go grab curtains and throw on there - she's too perfect, and I don't want to mess with that. I like her just the way she is.
6. Keep my hands out of the fancy candy jar. It's only there for looks, not as a candy repository. This is one of those things I have to keep re-learning. Hey, look! A bowl full of candy! Again, and again. I suppose this really translates to learning what territory is her's, and what territory of mine I can encroach on.
7. Veggies won't kill me. In fact, I'm learning that I should be eating those things. BTW, Steak is not a veggie. All this time I thought it was a post-processed veggie (the cow ate some veggies, processed them, and now I get them in a more refined state), but... noooooo.... they must be eaten before the animal eats them.
8. Forgiveness is crucial. If I can't ask forgiveness for doing something stupid, I'd be way in the hole. Waaaaay. I think I'm always doing something stupid.
9. If something is causing someone stress, obviously, it's not as minor as you think. Stop thinking about it and just fix it.
10. "Here's my problem" doesn't equate to "Fix my problem." These are supposedly two distinctly separate concepts. I think this is also something Sugarmuffin has learned, because she is starting to preface the "Here's my problem" talks with "Here's my problem that I want you to listen about. Don't fix it." I know she's smart enough to solve her own problems, but it's just a guys nature to fix the problem so that it isn't a problem any more. Do we need examples of this? I'd better avoid throwing out an example.

Now, as funny as some of that might seem, it's still a very accurate list of things I've learned. Perhaps a "top-ten" list in another year, to see how this list has changed. Maybe I'll grab her list and toss it on here. As long as it's not in the candy jar.