Monday, I went to a friends house and changed the brake pads on my car. You have to understand that I may have remembered almost everything from High School, but I didn’t take Shop. Put another way, I have very little ability with the care and maintenance of an automobile. Yet, I actually changed one of them myself, instead of contracting the work out like Tom Sawyer. (My brother still claims that the only time I mowed the lawn before college, I subcontracted it out to a friend for part of my allowance.) It’s not like someone (MrTool) hadn’t shown me before. I just had to do it. I am grateful for the immense patience given to me.

It turns out that I managed to put one of the brake pads on backwards. This made the show larger than normal causing me to grind the rim itself. I also ground the rotor as well, because the wrong side was performing the braking action. With the help of a co-worker’s tools, I was able to correct this in the parking lot. (I have a socket set, but it’s somewhere in my garage…)

There are other things which, despite the best folks showing me, I just cannot grasp them: I cannot tie a necktie. Really, I cannot tie one. I’ve had tons of people show me. Just like curing hiccups, though, most are convinced that their unique combination of methodology and personality will be the great shaft of light into my darkened understanding. I repeat, I am unable to tie a necktie and this is not something that needs to be fixed. Kurt, MrTool, this is the wide open opportunity to compare notes. I still have at least one tie from each of you that you tied for me that remains tied and hanging in the closet. (I also have one from my brother-in-law.)

I have learned to accept it, begrudgingly. I hope you can accept it, too. I cannot tie a necktie. I have aggravated salespeople. I’m talking upscale salespeople who believe that the customer can do no wrong. Trust me, an hour plus tying a necktie the wrong way will send even the most loving, patient soul screaming into the parking lot. (He actually said, ‘excuse me’, and I never saw him again.) I have aggravated myself standing in front of a mirror thinking that this is such a simple thing, how can I be this terrible at this? Seriously, I have aggravated myself to the point of rage trying to tie one.

The first one of you that gives me a necktie for Christmas…

Humility is important in both cases. In the first case, it’s good to ask for help and accept help. In the second case, it’s good to know your limitations. I am just grateful for my friends that put up with me.

More later.