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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 12, 2016 19:38:10 GMT -5
In my younger days, I did a lot of roofing. 20s-30s. I enjoyed it and used to tear it up...literally! After I turned 40 and got the Melanoma, I decided it best not to be in the roofing business. A long time friend and customer who I have done two roofs for on separate homes, contacted me about doing one in his current house. I let my ego get involved, and agreed to replace his roof. I have not done a full roof replacement in almost 7 years.
Let's just say it like this....
There will be no work on the Willis until this is over.
My hands hurt so bad that I can't hold my Brass Nuts!
Now , before you start with the comments about suck it up and all that Jazz..
There is only one trade in my opinion that is harder on the body than roofing. That would be tree cutting.
I have a friend that I have known for 20 years in that business. He is my go to guy.
Same customer asked if I still knew the tree guy.
Of course he's my man!
I called and he came out to the site within an hour.
I have referred many people to him, but have not seen him in 8 years!!!
When we shook hands and looked at each other,
I could see in his eyes, as well as I am sure he could see in mine, that what the hell happened to you look.
For the next 30 minutes we both bitched about our ailments.
We both agreed that the younger generation has no interest in what it is to work hard, and complained about our busted up hands, backs, and feet.
As we parted for the day, I asked him would he have changed anything If he could. A different life perhaps? He rolled his eyes as I did mine and we both said....NOPE!
There is honor in getting your hands dirty and knowing you broke yourself working hard.
I will never be monetarily wealthy , but I have been blessed.
I have a loving wife and fantastic children.
I have great people in my life that care about me and are like minded.
I have so many in my life that actually do make me smile
There is a reason and a purpose for everything.
Rant over ...
I have a feeling everyone here will understand what I mean.
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Post by surveypunk on Jan 12, 2016 20:07:57 GMT -5
Yep. In my line of work, there are people that either love it or hate it and move on. Same as it was back in the 70s.
I wouldn't change a thing.
JB
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2016 20:10:48 GMT -5
"I have a feeling everyone here will understand what I mean."
Exactly, including the part about roofing. BW
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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 12, 2016 20:51:38 GMT -5
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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 12, 2016 21:00:49 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2016 21:59:01 GMT -5
Yep! I roofed too. I have the AK's also on my head, and we even carried each bundle up a ladder. When the building suppliers started delivering to the roof, we though we were in heaven. Now, if you think you had it hard, go read the book: The carving Of Mount Rushmore. Look at what those guys did all day. Air drills, granite rock, hanging on a sling, 85 pound drill, long air hoses, out in the weather and sun on a white granite face. Then blasting with dynamite, and the staircase was 550 steps up and back every time you came or went. Those guys are heros. Oilly
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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 12, 2016 22:32:08 GMT -5
So maybe what I said was 100% true and rings a bell? Wow.
I made a difference .. And that was the goal.
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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 12, 2016 22:41:59 GMT -5
Bundles... I used to carry two! That's no BS! I prided myself in that. I think I could still do it..... maybe tomorrow..
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2016 22:53:04 GMT -5
Rings loud and clear my friend!........... I recently had a like conversation with one of our retired operators. Jeff retired 12 years ago, and a person I admire, we both agreed we entered the construction industry because that's what work was available at the time, we are successful at what we do. Our bodies suffer from years of abuse...... He is enjoying retirement and I hope to in a few years!. He asked me, so are we lucky, or dumb!, I answered dumb comes natural so I must be lucky, LOL.....  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2016 22:56:46 GMT -5
Roofing sucks no doubt, I have shingled 3 roofs in my life, and never again!. Two garages of friends and my own.... A bad hail storm years back ruined my house and garage, the pole she'd had minor damage, so my house has standing seam metal, the garage has pole barn tin, the only way to go for us!.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2016 23:38:06 GMT -5
When I started in commercial construction back in "62", we had no electric tools. We worked with a hand saw, and a hand brace and bit. On my first job, we had set the anchor bolts about 8" too high! Guess who learned how to use a 3lb hammer and cold chisel to break the footing wall out to reset the anchor bolts. That was 8" down for the top of the bolts and another 8 for the length of the bolt. That was for about 8 columns.
Yeah I'm hearing you alright!! That's why I retrained for RV tech at age 51!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 5:41:58 GMT -5
I am now patiently waiting for the stories about arthritis and bursitis and all the other “Itis” brothers.
Yes. We are getting older, physically and mentally.
Yes. Most of us have been ridden hard and put up wet.
Yes our backs are swayed,
Wear it gracefully, in the manner of a gentleman. Weathered, wrinkled skin is a sign of experience, pain suffered and age. That hitch in his step most likely came honestly. But above all remember this,
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 7:38:49 GMT -5
Oh my gosh...you guys are SO soft! None of you know the pain of carrying a dozen calluses on each hand due to hitting millions of golf balls in a lifetime. And then the walking...walk a mile in these softspike shoes, lightweights. Quit yer griping and go do something productive.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 7:50:08 GMT -5
I only did one roof with brank new galvanised corrugated tin. Was like working on a mirror. Then there were sawed cedar shingles, shakes, and 12-12 pitches. Your feed got so hot they turned white from sweat and looked like you had soaked them too long in the tub. One summer I spent 3 weeks here in SD in 110 degree weather on a roof and bleetched my blonde hair (which is now gone) clear. That's right, I said clear. Toe boards, ropes, shingling hammers , peeling off old shingles , going to the dump with a stock truck full of shingles that had no dump bed. You couldn't shove or shovel those things. All by hand. Oh, it took hours to unload all the while the cattle kill plant was dumping cattle guts right next to me. The next guy would pop the stomaches for me.  |
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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 13, 2016 20:45:10 GMT -5
Oh my gosh...you guys are SO soft! None of you know the pain of carrying a dozen calluses on each hand due to hitting millions of golf balls in a lifetime. And then the walking...walk a mile in these softspike shoes, lightweights. Quit yer griping and go do something productive. Much as I don't love you.. I am not even going to respond to this. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 20:53:23 GMT -5
Oh my gosh...you guys are SO soft! None of you know the pain of carrying a dozen calluses on each hand due to hitting millions of golf balls in a lifetime. And then the walking...walk a mile in these softspike shoes, lightweights. Quit yer griping and go do something productive. Much as I don't love you.. I am not even going to respond to this. Pssssst! HG... You just did |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2016 20:59:47 GMT -5
Roofing sux.... Period
But the reality is, somebody's got to do it... At least your willing to sweat and bleed to make a living. I wonder what the permanent adolescent generation that's coming up is going to do when there is nobody to do the dirty work..... There is no shame in work, there is shame in being a mooch all your life..
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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 13, 2016 21:11:37 GMT -5
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Post by Haines Garage on Jan 15, 2016 22:57:29 GMT -5
So here I sit, because I can't barely stand, when I do walk around I look like a crippled old man. I am not a doctor guy, and the health insurance I had with Obummers BS . Canceled out, and now I don't qualify. I make too much to qualify for state insurance, and too little to qualify for a credit from the government. Go figure. I am that guy who falls right in the crack...every time. I cannot afford a $1200.00 a month health plan with a $9000.00 deductible. Point here is, work hard be honest , get screwed. Lie cheat steal...come out on top. It is very disheartening.
Here's what's going to happen.
My back will heal, I will get out there and do it some more. Eventually I won't be able to, but I still will.
I wish I could post something of more progress on the Jeep. I tried working on it tonight and almost fell to the floor.
Then the Mrs. Gets upset and worried about me.
I am down right now, but I in no way, shape, or form am out....
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2016 4:47:36 GMT -5
If you can, and you know what I mean, take it easy for a few days.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2016 7:58:45 GMT -5
Your down, but you'll get back up! Don't try to do it too soon, you'll just be down longer.... Your right, it sucks, try to honest and all you get to do, because of it, is bend over and grab your ankles on a regular basis.... Somethings got to change...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2016 8:08:27 GMT -5
You have to learn as you get older. Pace yourself. Take little bites instead of all at once. Use your brain more than your braun. Do not pick that heavy stuff up anymore. Reduce it's weight or use hoists, come-alongs, hydrallics what ever it takes to move that stuff. Mind over matter. That said, I also learn not to take it on at all if it's going to cause physical hardship. Possibly hire the big young bucks. Better to save the body and make a little than wreck yourself trying to make alot. "You're going to die in the end anyway, so let's have fun while we're here". And----------"no jobs to tough for the man not doing it" . My two slogans in the real world. Heal up my friend. Oilly
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Post by Ryan_M on Jan 16, 2016 11:51:30 GMT -5
Yikes. Sorry to here you're gimped up. I'm right there with you in that health insurance abyss. I can't afford that lousy coverage either. I went 4 years without and just got lucky with no major mishaps. Fortunately my wife's employer now takes care of us with a slightly more affordable plan. And as for those lazy unemployed who get free care every time they show up at the ER with a toothache.....err...don't get me started.
While not as fun as wrenching on the Willis bed rest can be a great opportunity to research whatever the next part of the project is. Surf the web, read service manuals, etc.
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