Comments for blog.limedaley.com/post/jonathan-notes

Comment #2619

2010-04-03T04:38:50Z

True, I hadn't thought about that.

Comment #2618

2010-04-03T02:05:09Z

Also note that the hourly rate saved working on a car is tax free - so is effectively even more.

Comment #2617

2010-03-30T20:36:35Z

I just noticed that what I wrote makes it look like I run stop lights with my bike. I don't. I try to balance on the bike without getting off, so that I can start that fraction of a second faster. The stop lights even out the time it takes by car and by bike because often I can catch up while the cars are waiting. (Sometimes the opposite happens, and I'm the one always stuck.)
I agree that "getting paid" 26/h for learning how to fix a car is a pretty sweet deal!

Comment #2616

2010-03-30T18:59:51Z

The job took 28 hours, and I calculate that to the job again on my car would take 21 hours tomorrow, though that might be a little high.

I spent around $130 in parts, some of that going to pay for things that aren't exactly "parts", gas for a friend's car when I borrowed it, new jug of gojo soap when I used up the last of it for a friend.

I spent $150 in tools, and some of them aren't brake specific, but some wrenches in sizes I didn't have, etc.

The mechanic was going to charge $1000. Though I gather he was way overcharging, and a more reasonable rate would be $600 or so.

But, assuming that I wouldn't have shopped around, since I haven't been able to find a mechanic in our area (though in the process of looking for a specialized tool, I was recommended a new mechanic, so I might check them out the next time), the hourly rate I saved was $26/hour.

And assuming the $600 estimate was correct the rate for doing it a second time would be $28/hour.

The rate is significantly lower than what I charge people, but I don't work constantly either, though I do have a lot of work backed up right at the moment.

I didn't get a quote on installing a water heater but we put that in last week as well.

And I figure saving $26/hour while learning how to do something is pretty good.

Heather picked up the car, so I didn't get to talk to the mechanic too much, but he just said everything looked good.

Comment #2615

2010-03-30T11:22:04Z

I watched B design his own bike at the Connecticut Science Center. Too bad you can't push a button and have it made for you!

Comment #2614

2010-03-30T11:11:08Z

Great job on the story, Jonathan! T & B are working on stories, too. I know B's is about a cat and some dogs, but I don't really know what T's is about.

B is looking at a new bike. He really wants what is called a cyclo-cross bike. It is like a hybrid bike (cross between mountain bike and road bike), but with the curved handlebars like a road bike. I don't think he is planning on entering cyclo-cross races, he just likes the bike. See if you can find a youtube video of cyclocross. Seems like something Frazz would get into.

Try looking at Critical Thinking Co. for logic stuff.

Comment #2613

2010-03-29T10:56:07Z

Hey Jonathan,

it's lunch break at work, so I thought I'd check and see if your dad had fixed the brake lines yet. I was telling Aunt Janet that I'd be a little worried if I had to repair the car's brake lines, but I guess your dad thought of a way to test the brakes without going downhill like Uncle Wiggily's cheese.

I think zooming is what having a bike is all about. Where we live, many shops are close by, and it's much faster to get there by bike than it would be by car. That's because there are many stop lights and one way streets, and because it takes a long time to find a parking spot. I remember two summers ago when you first rode on the small bike in the cemetery near the hospital, and even then you were pretty good at zooming, though if we ran fast we managed to outrun you. I bet we couldn't anymore!

Anyway, better get back to work...

Comment #2612

2010-03-29T10:31:06Z

Oh yes, and don't forget you also solved my problem while doing all this other stuff (I think; I haven't completely tested it yet).

Comment #2611

2010-03-29T10:29:59Z

Whew. I hope you're sleeping now.

Congratulations on the brake job! I wonder how your hourly saving rate for doing the brake job compares with your hourly earning rate. Of course, you have to remember to adjust it for the learning opportunity. :)

Comment #2610

2010-03-29T07:23:45Z

Jonathan must have read the list of things a blogger should do - ie. ask the readers a question at the end of the post...

I promised a customer I would do a job for them "tonight", on Sunday afternoon, since I broke something on their website on Friday. It's still the night, so I still have time left.

(and the brake lines are replaced and working great, and both of the Anderson's computers are now working as well, which is what I've been doing for the last two days, or even part of the whole week - I'll need to calculate my hourly rate, as compared to the $1000 my mechanic wanted to charge me for the job).

Comment #2609

2010-03-28T22:56:55Z

Although I didn't recognize the name, thanks to Jonathan's summary, I recognized the plot. I still think that's the very best of all the Star Wars movies.

Comment #2608

2010-03-28T22:52:47Z

Hi, Jonathan! I like big numbers, too, as you can tell by the Math Paths. Your Star Wars Part 1 is great!

I am having fun reading a book called "The History of the Ancient World." There's a LOT of history, so it's a long book. I am about one third finished.

The other day I rode my bike to the library. I didn't zoom, however, because the streets were busy so I had to be especially careful.

Love,

Grandma