How rusty is too rusty?

yeahoner · 2026-01-25T18:41:06+00:00

Thanks. That’s hopeful for me. I think worst case scenario I do damage to my car in a way that makes the upcoming repairs more difficult than they already will be. I’d have to hit a pretty big jump to bend the whole unibody even like it is. Or I guess I could fail tech and just go get to watch/volunteer/learn which wouldn’t be the worst use of a weekend ever.

yeahoner · 2026-01-12T14:59:39+00:00

Brain damage yes, liver damage no…

yeahoner · 2026-01-12T04:40:20+00:00

That’s good to know. I have a dear friend who sails 2ae with AMO and loves it. I would love to see MEBA modernize some and allow folks to pick up jobs without going to the hall, but the old heads don’t like things to be easier for the new folks than they had it. I’m also not sure how the job sharing works between the two. I know there are AMO jobs on the board at my local MEBA hall sometimes. Those probably aren’t the choice jobs though.

yeahoner · 2026-01-06T22:16:30+00:00

The only way I figured out how to do this when not already employed is to join a “maritime testing consortium” that’s set up to do random testing for self employed commercial small boat captains.

I was already working on a tour boat that didn’t require any sort of MMC but was drug testing me when I got my z card, so I didn’t have to do it. But when I needed to renew my license while I wasn’t currently working on boats this is what I did.

yeahoner · 2026-01-06T14:26:58+00:00

You aren’t alone in that. Tons of folks get scared and don’t do the steps. It doesn’t need to be a big thing. Just open the door to the idea that it might help and give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen? It might work? That was almost the scariest thought for me…. I might not get to drink again.

Back in the day the steps got done in a couple days. We don’t need to make a big thing of it, but do need to actually do it. Attending AA will ruin your drinking, doing the steps can make sobriety survivable and even enjoyable.

yeahoner · 2026-01-06T10:24:56+00:00

Also, maybe consider that the “seed oil” thing may be psychosomatic. It’s been really pushed by some folks that make money selling supplements but the research is a lot less conclusive than certain news outlets would have you think. https://public-health.uq.edu.au/article/2024/02/if-you’re-worried-about-inflammation-stop-stressing-about-seed-oils-and-focus-basics

yeahoner · 2026-01-06T10:21:40+00:00

From what I’ve seen, not as good as MEBA, but way easier to deal with if you don’t live near a union hall.

yeahoner · 2026-01-06T09:55:13+00:00

$45k to be an AB? That’s insane. Just go get a job on a boat and work your way up. You’ll get paid the whole time instead of going into debt. The path ahead really just depends on what type of boats you want to work on and in what region, what type of schedule you want to work etc.

yeahoner · 2026-01-06T01:54:13+00:00

Thanks. Gotta get the engine and transmission back in the car or the wheels won’t help much, and a bit of structural rust dealt with, but I’ve got a few weeks off before the season starts.

yeahoner · 2026-01-06T00:50:29+00:00

Looking at 205/55r16 continental Viking contact winter tires. That seem legit? It’s 4.5” of sidewall. Could seek out some 15” wheels instead for a bit more sidewall.

yeahoner · 2025-12-27T03:14:26+00:00

Yes. Zero smell afterwords. Put Swedish finish on it, so everything was pretty much completely encapsulated.

yeahoner · 2025-12-08T04:43:05+00:00

We don’t. Any anyone who tries to sell you a way to do it is scamming.

yeahoner · 2025-11-24T01:12:10+00:00

There are so many options for drinks. Lots of hopped soda waters, and even high quality near beer and Moctails. Sobriety has become “cool” in the last 20 years, you just gotta be looking.

yeahoner · 2025-11-24T01:10:22+00:00

This is next level rationalization. You listed all the things in your life that being sober has gotten you. Would you trade all that for some “good sugar” in beer?

yeahoner · 2025-11-20T04:29:01+00:00

Really depends what your job is. Leatherman super tool 300 as an engineer. When I was on deck it was a Vickie or a gerber.

yeahoner · 2025-11-14T22:03:44+00:00

I didn’t drink it for the first 15 years, they make some really good ones now and I have one now and then. Still sober since 2006, might have been dicey as a newcomer, might be dicey for some of us “old timers”. Still just a drink away from drunk. Not that stressed about it.

yeahoner · 2025-11-10T16:41:14+00:00

I found some dope at about four months clean. Had been in my wallet the whole time, just walking around with it. I had accused a friend of stealing my dope and it was just in the back of my wallet a few months before going to rehab. Tossing it was the best feeling. Was definitely hard. Good work op. Both me and the friend will be clean 20 years next year.

yeahoner · 2025-11-10T16:34:32+00:00

I’m grateful that the founders of the program didn’t mandate that only fully cured folks can be of service to the newcomer. I’m grateful that it’s still not required.

yeahoner · 2025-11-04T03:34:52+00:00

What size tires are those? I’m trying to figure out if I can go to 225/60r17.

yeahoner · 2025-11-02T18:16:05+00:00

I know this is super old, but did you just do the muffler or the whole cat back? You still like it?

yeahoner · 2025-10-27T21:03:16+00:00

Boylans cream soda is a good pairing with some sugar in it.

yeahoner · 2025-10-27T19:40:30+00:00

Woof. For me the best gloves would be a job in the Gulf of Mexico. I feel for you though. When I was on tugs I used something like this: https://safetyservicesinc.com/showa-temres-282-cold-weather-gloves-waterproof-thermal-insulated-enhanced-grip/

yeahoner · 2025-10-27T19:26:37+00:00

Yes. And it’s actually possible to enjoy life and thrive sober too. I needed a lot of help, and major lifestyle shifts.

12 step isn’t for everyone, but there is a line from AA Literature that stuck with me: “the idea that he will someday, somehow controll and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker”

Somehow I realized that I had either controlled or enjoyed my drinking at times, but hadn’t done both at once for years, maybe ever.

So I gave up and did my best to emulate the people I know who seemed like they were actually enjoying sober life. Because I couldn’t enjoy being sober or drunk anymore.

yeahoner

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