In Case You've Wondered

My blog is where my wandering thoughts are interspersed with stuff I made up. So, if while reading you find yourself confused about the context, don't feel alone. I get confused, too.

If you're here for the stories, I started another blog: scratchingforchange.blogspot.com

One other thing: sometimes I write words you refuse to use in front of children, or polite company, unless you have a flat tire, or hit your thumb with a hammer.

I don't use them to offend; I use them to embellish.

jescordwaineratgmail.com

Friday, May 9, 2014

Driving, Driving, Driving

An end  on a hydraulic cylinder broke on a large hydraulic excavator on the project today. The break was at the upper coupling pin housing, which is about three inches in diameter.

This isn't the first time this happened, and the problem is associated with crappy steel used for the initial fabrication. If I had to guess, forged steel was avoided, due to costs, and the manufacturer crossed their fingers, in the hope the warranty work would be minimal.

Anyway, the repair was warranted, so I had the exquisite opportunity to drive to Houston and watch it repaired.

Have you ever driven in Houston, Texas? If not, you should avoid it, unless necessary. There are enough drivers without the skills to drive in traffic to cause problems; maybe more than enough. People wandering in from the boonies are more than dangerous.

To add insult to injury, I've had enough experience driving in Houston; and I know enough about the freeway system to navigate with few problems. That's good for me, but leads to moments of anger, when people don't pay attention to the multiple signs that indicate in which lane a driver should exit. Their panic, last minute lane changes, and failing to accelerate into the merging traffic leads to all types of mayhem.

I escaped, before I lost my mind.


6 comments:

  1. Many years ago, when I was still young and fearless, I drove an 18-wheeler through Houston. I still have nightmares.

    Minneapolis has its share of lousy drivers. We blame it on the winters. The cold seems to freeze the brain cells needed to drive sensibly.

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    1. Did your blood pressure ever return to a normal level?

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    2. Nope. Not without serious medication. I made several of those trips. It is not an experience that i care to repeat these days. Would probably scare me to death!

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    3. I'm not to the point I dread driving in Houston, but I'm getting close.

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  2. I can say pretty much the same thing about Atlanta. And they don't even have those cheater access roads.

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    Replies
    1. I drove in Atlanta once. I can compare it to Houston and feel sorry for anyone that navigates the traffic daily.

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