Advice.
1990:
Someone once told me, "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." When it comes to fixing cars, my dad embodies the latter half of that theory. Back in the days when I was learning how to do my own car maintenance, I used to ask dad how to go about fixing the various and numerous things that broke on my old truck (the venerable SS RUST).
The first few times I tried solo projects, I'd pay heed to his advice and take good notes, following his instructions carefully. But invariably, his advice would take me in ridiculous directions. I'd get halfway into the job and start wondering what the hell he was talking about. It took awhile, but it finally dawned on me...
Get dad's advice, and do the exact opposite of what he suggests.
After I figured that out, I never had a problem fixing the truck. To be fair, he wasn't wrong all the time - he often steered me in the right direction in the bigger picture, but got the details wrong. He meant well. And I learned.
Who knows, maybe he steered me wrong on purpose.
Someone once told me, "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." When it comes to fixing cars, my dad embodies the latter half of that theory. Back in the days when I was learning how to do my own car maintenance, I used to ask dad how to go about fixing the various and numerous things that broke on my old truck (the venerable SS RUST).
The first few times I tried solo projects, I'd pay heed to his advice and take good notes, following his instructions carefully. But invariably, his advice would take me in ridiculous directions. I'd get halfway into the job and start wondering what the hell he was talking about. It took awhile, but it finally dawned on me...
Get dad's advice, and do the exact opposite of what he suggests.
After I figured that out, I never had a problem fixing the truck. To be fair, he wasn't wrong all the time - he often steered me in the right direction in the bigger picture, but got the details wrong. He meant well. And I learned.
Who knows, maybe he steered me wrong on purpose.
posted by steve at 8:46 PM
2 Comments:
Muffler? On your head, I mean. AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH A HELMET? Jealous.
Fixing things with my dad was always a health hazard. Good thing screwdrives have a rubber handle. I got electrocuted more than he and I will ever admit to.
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