Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Sounds like you've come a long way man. Last I remember, you had gotten yourself back into shape, alleviated some back issues and started wrenching again. That in itself was a big step.

One things I've learned as I've gotten older, is that the money doesn't always matter. Working and living in an environment that is healthy for you is worth more than any dollar amount. The money can relieve some stress, but sometimes it's not worth the stress. I'm glad to see you're in a shop that is low stress. I've been around long enough to see that most shops where you make big money typically brings a ton of BS with it.

Congrats on the engagement. I've known you a long time, but I don't really recall you saying much about having anybody in your life. You're  good at the smoke and mirrors. The cottage also sounds awesome. I would love to do something similar, but the way the east coast is, there won't be much land to build anything on by the time I can retire. So if you sell your house for half a million, will that be about 7 dollars USD?

For me probably dark, likely be looking at dirt side of turf...

That makes one of us, he was a shiznit from word go...

Sometimes I miss tom renzo.

You certainly have time, as stated no indicators of these cars skyrocketing in value anytime soon LOL.

I'd like to know why I come across so many more modified Cougars than TBirds. I've *seen* three black 88 XR7's in the Northeast we'll say in the last 3-4 years. Two of which I bought.
There is a black GT40'd T5'd 4-eye Tbird on the southern NY state craigslist. I was impressed by that. I wonder what the landscape will look like on the showfields in 10-20 years.

For me probably dark, likely be looking at dirt side of turf...

I never really talked about my partner because I was never one to broadcast my personal life (In case you missed it, my partner is a dude - I'm one of those dudes that are into dudes). I never actively hid it, but never advertised it either. People close to me, including family and coworkers knew, but I never went out of my way to tell others because I just didn't think it was important. The shootings in Orlando earlier this year changed that, and for some reason I felt it was important to "come out". A lot of it was defiance - My marrying my partner is kind of a big middle finger to whack-jobs such as the Orlando shooter, but it was also to demonstrate love in a world that desperately needed more of it. I seems silly to write that now, but that was my frame of mind back then.

You are so right about how high stress isn't necessarily worth higher money. Working at a flat rate shop was super high stress - even though I was one of the top producing techs in the shop I still always wanted more (couldn't help myself) and absolutely dreaded getting the big warranty jobs because I knew they paid horribly (for example, replacing the piston rings in a V6 Accord pays around 6.5 hours!). I would stress out bigtime over things like that, even though I'd still end up with 125+ hours in a two week period. Where I'm at now I don't mind the big jobs at all, in fact I rather enjoy tearing into a BMW engine, or setting up the carbs in an old Volvo, or chasing an electrical problem in an old Alfa Romeo. It's much more interesting than maintenance and brake jobs - the gravy jobs at dealerships that pay well but are repetitive and boring.

If the Canada-US exchange rate stays the same, that $500k would be worth about $600K US. Unfortunately the buying power of that money will likely have greatly diminished by then, but I think we'll be OK living debt free with our retirement savings...

The only real thing you missed was me joining and building some cool !  lol

As for me and what I've done/been doing since 2008....3 kids, married (since 2010)  Mustangs..'84, '87, still live on my grandparent's farmstead that I inherited....just trying to keep on keepin' on. Lost a couple of really close friends not so long ago, other than that, life is good, no complaints.

Missed you Shawn . I'm still an asshole, lol!

Holy shiznitballs, what is this a class reunion?  I'll add my 2 cents a little while later this morning once I get home.

Since 2008? Well:

2008: Graduated undergrad, bought house.
2011: Started masters degree, bought brand new 2011 Focus.
2012: Finished masters degree, bought brand new 2012 Mustang.
2014: Got married.
2015: Started house renovations.
2016: Finished house renovations, got promotion to director of my own building, bought brand new 2017 Accord EX-L V6

Oh and I still have the same Thunderbird I've had since 2002......

It takes a lot of courage to come out. I've had a handful of friends that came out, only to receive a lot of hate from friends and family. On the other hand, the friends that stuck by have been lifetime friends at this point. It does show who your true friends and family are.

Man, sounds like your pull-out game was weak! It seems like a lot of us are getting to that age where friends start dropping off. It's almost surreal when it first starts happening. Glad life is good for you brother.

This is the longest I've had a job and probably the 'best' job I've had.
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