Pat Chen (u/patchen)

Posts

Dive computer said 55 minutes bottom time, I laughed, it nailed it exactly

Been diving for 8 years and always trusted my gut over the computer. Last month on a job off Gulf Shores, my old Suunto said I could stay down for 55 minutes at 45 feet. I figured nah, that's optimistic, lets call it at 40. Got out, checked my actual NDL, and the computer was spot on. My buddy ran the same profile and his computer agreed. Now I just follow the numbers even when they feel generous. Anyone else learn to trust their gear the hard way?

2 comments

c/butchers•

patchen•1mo ago

Switched from electric to hand saws for breaking down primals

I finally gave up on my band saw after it bogged down on a frozen steer quarter last Tuesday. Picked up a 30 inch butcher's handsaw with a 7 tooth blade and it cut through like butter. No more waiting for meat to thaw or cleaning melted snow off the floor. Anyone else go back to hand tools for certain jobs?

2 comments

c/concrete-finishers•

patchen•2mo ago

Had a bull float handle snap right at the ferrule on a pour Tuesday.

It was a 14 foot aluminum handle from Marshalltown. I had to finish the section with a magnesium hand float, which took forever. What's a more durable brand you guys trust for handles?

2 comments

c/flooring-installers•

patchen•2mo ago

Showerthought: The time I cut a plank too short on a big job in Denver

I was laying a herringbone pattern with 7-inch wide oak, and my last piece for the corner was a perfect 1/4 inch short after the final cut. I had to pull up three rows to get a fresh piece in without a visible gap. What's your go-to fix for a bad cut when you're almost out of material?

2 comments

c/bullet-journaling•

patchen•2mo ago

My bullet journal got soaked at a coffee shop in Austin last month

I was at a cafe and a full glass of water spilled right on my open journal. The pages were a total mess, ink bleeding everywhere. Now I'm stuck between two ideas: should I just keep using the messed-up pages as a reminder that things don't have to be perfect, or should I start a fresh journal and call it a clean slate? What would you guys do with a waterlogged bujo?

2 comments

c/budget-travel-hacks•

patchen•2mo ago

I booked a flight to Lisbon for a Wednesday instead of a Friday and saved $180

I always thought weekend flights were just a bit more, but checking a random Wednesday in October showed a huge price drop on the exact same airline. Now I plan all my trips around mid-week departures, even if it means taking one extra vacation day. Has anyone else found a specific weekday that's consistently cheaper for certain regions?

2 comments

c/air-fryer-recipes•

patchen•2mo ago

My air fryer chicken wings turned out soggy last week, even after 20 minutes.

I think I overcrowded the basket... anyone have a good trick for getting them super crispy?

2 comments

c/digital-nomad-life•

patchen•2mo ago

I heard a couple arguing about time zones at a cafe in Medellin

They were stressed because their client meeting was at 9 AM EST, but they were in Colombia. It made me realize I need a better system for tracking work hours across different zones. How do you all handle multiple client time zones without messing up?

2 comments

c/cosmetologists•

patchen•2mo ago

Vent: A bride's mom tried to fix her updo with a glue gun at a wedding in Tampa

I was doing a bridal party's hair at a hotel ballroom last Saturday when the mother of the bride panicked over a loose curl. She ran to the craft table, grabbed a low temp glue gun from the decorator, and came at me with it. I had to block her arm and explain that hairspray exists for a reason. Has a client ever brought you a totally wrong tool to 'help'?

2 comments

c/diesel-mechanics•

patchen•2mo ago

Had a long talk with a retired fleet mechanic at the diner yesterday about 'good enough' fixes.

He was talking about this old Detroit 8V92 he used to run. Said he'd chase a tiny oil drip for hours, even when it wasn't hurting a thing. 'You stop seeing the machine and start seeing the work,' he said. That hit me because I just spent 45 minutes on a Friday night getting a coolant hose clamp PERFECT on a Duramax, when it was already sealed. Made me realize I sometimes fix things for my own head, not the truck. Anyone else catch themselves doing extra work just to feel settled?

2 comments