Post:My Siblings only call when they need car repair...

From Fozzee.net

My siblings only call when they need car repair. That basically sums up my day. Dad called around noon, apparently Carly's car wouldn't start, or starts and then promptly dies (headlights and all). I went and picked her up after work, and went and found her car. We'd worked on the electrical system a while back, after a short circuit had melted most of her ground cable, so this car has a history of battery issues. As advertised, the car was basically dead, especially when it came under high load. Under the hood, the positive terminal was just green. I couldn't even find the clamp, it was so corroded. I scraped the green off with my Leatherman, and put it back together, and it started right up. We swung by the parts store to pick up some battery terminal cleaner, and some "terminal protector" (which seems to be just dielectric of some sort, and looks like strawberry jelly), and cleaned everything up nice with a wire brush.

Also on the automotive front, I picked up the rest of my shocks and struts (for my Jetta tonight. What's on the car now is just destroyed, between old age, aggressive driving and the ever-present potholes. I still have to order the "Stretch Bolts" to put it all back together, as they need replaced every time they're removed. Ron tells me that their official name is "torque to yield" bolts, though I believe that VW calls them "Stretch", since German cars don't know how to yield. As soon as I figure out what I need, I'll get it ordered, and get it all put together as soon as schedule allows.

Tangentally related, Blake has finally fixed his trailer, so the Desk Project project can get back underway. We have a date for next week to begin cutting bases.