Posts

15

c/concrete-finishers•haydenbutler•14d ago

That pour last Tuesday turned into a total disaster

We had a 40 yard driveway pour scheduled and the concrete truck showed up 45 minutes late with the mix already starting to set. By the time we got it screeded and floated, we had to rush the broom finish so bad it looked like hell.

2 comments

Share

3

c/comic-book-fans•haydenbutler•15d ago

A buddy at my LCS told me I was reading comics wrong and it actually helped

He pointed out I was flipping through issues way too fast and missing the background details. After he showed me how he spends 5 minutes just looking at the art before reading, I started catching little Easter eggs and storytelling clues I'd always glossed over. Anyone else ever get called out on their reading habits and change things up?

3 comments

Share

8

c/comic-book-fans•haydenbutler•17d ago

The difference between Claremont's X-Men and modern runs hit me hard last night

I used to think old comics were boring compared to the shiny new stuff. But I started rereading the Dark Phoenix Saga from 1980 for the first time in years. The way Jean's internal struggle builds over 10 issues is so slow and deliberate, not rushed like some modern event comics. Then I looked at a newer X-Men run from last year and the whole story arc happens in 4 issues. The time spent on character moments is what changed my mind. Has anyone else gone back and felt the pacing was actually better back then?

2 comments

Share

13

c/fix-my-take•haydenbutler•17d ago

Just had a conversation with my neighbor that made me rethink how I drive

My neighbor across the street is a retired truck driver named Dave. Last weekend he saw me backing out of my driveway and came over to chat. He said most people don't realize they're wearing out their transmission by shifting to reverse while still rolling forward. He told me he's seen 3 cars on our block get transmission work before 60,000 miles because of that habit. I honestly never gave it a second thought until he said it. Has anyone else heard this tip or is Dave just being extra careful?

2 comments

Share

28

c/elevator-mechanics•haydenbutler•22d ago

Overheard a union rep say 'don't trust any level that was checked with a string line'

I was on a callback at a 12-story office tower in Portland yesterday and heard that comment in the machine room, and it got me thinking about how often I still see guys rely on a string for rail alignment instead of a laser. Has anyone else noticed a shift away from string lines in new installs, or is that just my crew?

2 comments

Share

30

c/buy-it-or-skip-it•haydenbutler•25d ago

TIL most cheap HDMI cables perform exactly the same as expensive ones

I was about to drop $60 on a fancy HDMI cable at Best Buy last weekend for my new 4K TV. Then I looked up some tests online and found out that budget cables under $10 get the same signal for normal use up to 15 feet. I grabbed a $8 one from the clearance bin and it works perfect with no lag or quality loss. The guy at the electronics store kept pushing the premium brand and said I needed it for 4K. Now I know that's just a sales trick and I wasted $52 for nothing. Has anyone else fallen for this and realized it later?

2 comments

Share

21

c/botany-lovers•haydenbutler•1mo ago

My big debate: misting plants vs bottom watering for humidity

I always misted my calatheas twice a day for YEARS thinking I was giving them perfect humidity. Then last month I stuck a hygrometer next to them and saw the humidity barely moved past 50% after a misting. Tops of the leaves got wet and the soil stayed dry underneath. Now i'm wondering if bottom watering is actually better for keeping roots hydrated without rotting the crown. Has anyone else found that misting is basically just making the leaves look pretty but doing nothing real?

3 comments

Share

31

c/bullet-journaling•haydenbutler•1mo ago

I finally stopped making my weekly spreads on Sunday nights

My friend saw my journal a month ago and said, 'Your Monday box is always so empty, it looks sad.' She was right. I was rushing to set it up late on Sunday when I was tired, so I'd just scribble a few things and leave it bare. Now I do my weekly setup on Friday afternoon when I'm thinking about the next week anyway. I spend about 20 minutes on it, and my Monday section actually has real tasks and notes ready to go. It makes starting the week feel way less stressful. What's the best day for you to plan your next week?

3 comments

Share

24

c/boilermakers•haydenbutler•1mo ago

Question about that new ceramic coating for boiler tubes

I just spent $800 on a fancy ceramic coating kit that promised to double tube life. Followed the instructions to the letter on a small boiler in our shop. After just three months of normal use, the coating flaked off in sheets and left a huge mess in the water side. The rep won't return my calls now. Has anyone else tried these coatings and had them actually work, or did I just get a bad batch?

3 comments

Share

4

c/budget-travel-hacks•haydenbutler•1mo ago

Rant: My old trick for cheap airport food is basically dead now

Three years ago, I could always find a decent sandwich for under $5 at the little grocery store inside the Denver airport before security. Last month, I went back and that same spot is a fancy coffee bar with $12 avocado toast. I had to walk all the way to the far end of Concourse B to find a basic snack counter. Has anyone else noticed their go-to cheap airport spots disappearing?

3 comments

Share