Did you try messing with your pedal stroke at all when you switched back, or just ride the same way? Because I think the oval only helps if you change how you push down, otherwise it's just a weird shaped round ring.

Trust your taper but verify with a light, that's just good practice on any job where paint follows. I'd rather catch a bumpy seam with a halogen than hear about it from the painter after the fact.

Ugh, tell me about it! I got told once that I sounded like a phone tree recording, all polite and no pulse. So I overcorrected and started rambling about my cats in the middle of a question about my weaknesses. Now I just aim for "slightly nervous but real person" and somehow that's the sweet spot. It's wild that being LESS prepared actually makes you sound more qualified, but here we are. I swear hiring managers just want to see a little sweat on the forehead.