A long time ago in a garage far, far away a young man of 16 became involved with the repair and maintenance of automobiles. The entire process immersed him in a world that he understood and related to. In a sense it was what he would and had become. Tools and equipment were a big part of the attraction. All shiny and new, awaiting the touch of a mechanic (now technicians) to bring them to life in their daily use. The screwdriver was probably the most popular with this young man as he could carry it with him from job to job, a pocket screwdriver that is. It was always there and ready to help solve the problems facing him in his daily quest to fix what was in front of him. He still carries one with him to this day. I know because I am that young man, albeit a little older, somewhat grayer and a little rougher around the edges.
Tools today are no different. They still fascinate me and intrigue me as to their workings, use and design. I just unpacked the latest in scan tools for the shop. We now have 9 and still don't have enough to fix all the cars that come in the door. We always need to look to the next one. Scan tools are a way of life for mechanics now, as essential as the pocket screwdriver was (and still is in some cases) and without one it is just about impossible to repair vehicles without swapping parts and hoping you get lucky. Look at the picture of the new Pegisys from OTC as seen here and in the blog column.
Looks like a game boy on steroids, right? Notice the resemblance to a laptop computer with all the connections on the side. USB, Network, wireless card. Clearly we are using computers to HELP us fix computers (that's what the cars are today) and the pocket screwdriver has been replaced.
P.S. Don't ask what they cost; just know that auto repair has become very expensive on both sides of the counter...
In a previous blog, “A Runners Wife” I spoke about my husband training for the NYC marathon. All I have to say is that the months of training all came together of an amazing race. Race day is a grueling day for runners, and the family. But a miracle happened...
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder testified before the senate judiciary committee and basically shrugged when asked if any other enemy combatant captured overseas had ever been brought to civilian criminal court to face justice. Talk about an incompetent boob, not to mention a disgrace.
Here is a list of wines all from Spain, and menus from restaurants in Brooklyn where a crew of us did a food / wine crawl through Carrol Gardens and Williamsburg recently
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