left homeless primitive tells a true story

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024358602

Oh my.

The primitive, originally from northern California, who's homeless but won't tell why, who's trying to raise dough from the primitives so he can get himself and his stuff down to New Mexico:

Left Coast2020 (2,042 posts)    Sun Jan 19, 2014, 05:06 PM

Proof that wonderful people exist in this world: A true story.

Many of you are familiar with my current set of circumstances of being homeless. I am feeling this will end soon--at least having some sight of the finish line. Its frustrating though. But something happened to me yesterday that I totally did not expect--besides the fact my car broke down.
 
After spending a night in a church (on the floor), I was brought back to facility along with the other individuals staying there, to where people hang out during the day. I was up early(4AM) believing it would be a good day to try to find a day job. Came back from church, went to start my car and nothing. Got a jump. It started, but then died. This shot my entire day of doing something with no wheels. Felt really down(that was Thursday). I later walked around some shops where there was a convenience store to get something to drink. Guy at counter asked how my day was going. Told my car won't start. He said he knew of a really good mechanic and gave me his number. Also said guy works out of his garage(assuming at his house).
 
I called, told the issue, and he thought it was fuel pump which is the gas tank. But assured he knew Honda's really well. I later got a call from someone from church who knows my current situation. He simply said I'll get you a tow since he had a free tow available from AAA. So yesterday just after lunch, tow truck showed up to take car to this dude with garage. What I discovered was a full-blown 1-man shop complete with electric lift and every guys dream: tons of tools (or toys) for anything.
 
To be short, I had had a brief conversation with this guy and told him I'm expecting a couple of days work on a pending paint job from a friend. Had no resources at the moment. He said hang on. So I waited about 3 hours--missing my chance to get on list for sleeping spot at church. I wound up sleeping in my car in apartment parking area. hardly slept. He was working on another car and had a ton of people calling him or asking about a car in back he's trying to sell. So he finally had time to do a couple of tests. The reason my car wouldn't start was the alternator. I thought oh boy! Not as serious as I thought. But I also have problems with a CV-boot on front axle that is about to break. Instead of starting to replace alternator, he instead started to remove my axle and was on phone to parts person of which axle he needed. He then asked from replacement alternator. I was wondering why he was pulling the axle out and relation to alternator. After waiting about 2 hours for parts, delivery person brings in a re maned' front axle, and alternator. He then said "we'll get you going on some better wheels" I was at a loss for words. But he didn't stop there. There was a problem with one of my cylinders not firing correctly. He re-threaded spake plug on head as someone had stripped threads. He also replaced the wire and connection. Then ran some other tests, tweaked a sensor adjustment that was lose, and battery connection.
 
The bottom line is, he said to send what I could when I get resettled and he was writing off the axel. At his point he was ready to close up and said to follow him to AM_PM station up the street and put $10 in.
 
There were other things in our conversation that I can't remember, but basically he said he understood.
 
I was absolutely amazed this guy did all this work..which was about 4 hours. He gave me his card and asked I refer people who have car problems--which I will do. But bottom line is I discovered there are truly people out there(including people on DU) who really care. I am still amazed.
 
I will no doubt remember this dude. I can't afford not to. I just had to share this. Couldn't hold back. Its inspiration for others.

adieu (724 posts)    Sun Jan 19, 2014, 06:27 PM

8. Well, post his contact info here!

Can't hurt, right?

Uh, no.

It would hurt.  A lot.

If who this guy is was advertised, every damned primitive in California would be stampeding to his place for free automotive repairs.

[Chris_]

All these generous church-going people.

Hmm.

[Dori]

Uh, no.

It would hurt.  A lot.

If who this guy is was advertised, every damned primitive in California would be stampeding to his place for free automotive repairs.

This business is in his home garage?  Most cities in CA don't like you doing that.  My city would fine you and shut you down.  When you operate a repair service like that, the city makes you jump through all kinds of hoops.

[dandi]

All these generous church-going people.

Hmm.

I was just thinking, the mechanic was probably a conservative Christian.

A Leftist would have commiserated with him, ranted for a minute about how the government should do more, give him the number to his Congressman, and closed up shop for 4:20 bong time. Maybe logged on to DU to send some Healing White Light.

That's if there are any liberal auto mechanics. They tend to shy away from physical work, especially the kind that gets your fingernails dirty.

[Chris_]

I was just thinking, the mechanic was probably a conservative Christian.

A Leftist would have commiserated with him, ranted for a minute about how the government should do more, give him the number to his Congressman, and closed up shop for 4:20 bong time. Maybe logged on to DU to send some Healing White Light.

That's if there are any liberal auto mechanics. They tend to shy away from physical work, especially the kind that gets your fingernails dirty.

I've never met one.  I have met plenty of liberal UAW line-workers, but those parts are clean and shiny.

[diesel driver]

I've never met one.  I have met plenty of liberal UAW line-workers, but those parts are clean and shiny.

Yeah, just because you work at a factory building cars doesn't mean you'll be a good mechanic.

[Carl]

There was a problem with one of my cylinders not firing correctly. He re-threaded spake plug on head as someone had stripped threads.

Uhm...what? 

[Chris_]

Uhm...what? 

Sounds like DUmmy had a stripped spark plug on the cylinder head.  Or maybe someone decided it was a quick fix for whatever is actually wrong with the engine (blown gasket or warped head).

[franksolich]

Uhm...what? 

I'm not so much any more, but there was a time I knew zero, zilch, nada, about automotive mechanics.

But even back then, I knew when to blame something on the alternator; it wasn't anything I knew how it worked, and it wasn't anything I could fix, but I at least knew what to blame.

[fatboy]

Missing from the story: LeftCoastNumbers speaking "the mechanic told me that once I get settled in NM, I need to go out and get a nut job".

[RobJohnson]

I was just thinking, the mechanic was probably a conservative Christian.

A Leftist would have commiserated with him, ranted for a minute about how the government should do more, give him the number to his Congressman, and closed up shop for 4:20 bong time. Maybe logged on to DU to send some Healing White Light.

That's if there are any liberal auto mechanics. They tend to shy away from physical work, especially the kind that gets your fingernails dirty.

 

[RobJohnson]

Uhm...what? 

Only Hondas use spake plugs, others cars still use spark plugs. 

[RobJohnson]

Sounds like DUmmy had a stripped spark plug on the cylinder head.  Or maybe someone decided it was a quick fix for whatever is actually wrong with the engine (blown gasket or warped head).

J B Weld.

[USA4ME]

Being thankful for those who have helped you is a good thing. Problem with the LC2020 primitive is his appreciation is aimed at the wrong people.

We here at CC are the one's who brought his plight to the spotlight and shammed the primitives into recognizing there was one among them in need. Had we not done so, he would be dead in a gutter somewhere NE of Sacramento, CA right now.

.

[Dori]

Funny how the DUmmies are always dissing religion, but who do they turn to when they are down and out?  Religious charities.

[landofconfusion80]

Being thankful for those who have helped you is a good thing. Problem with the LC2020 primitive is his appreciation is aimed at the wrong people.

We here at CC are the one's who brought his plight to the spotlight and shammed the primitives into recognizing there was one among them in need. Had we not done so, he would be dead in a gutter somewhere NE of Sacramento, CA right now.

.

Are you sure we really did the right thing?

[Karin]

Funny how the DUmmies are always dissing religion, but who do they turn to when they are down and out?  Religious charities.

It drives me absolutely nuts the way they do this.  When the shit really hits the fan, they turn towards the church.  If people at the church really knew what they were saying...

they'd help anyway. 

[Bad Dog]

Typical con tactic.  See how this good Samaritan helped me, this is how it's done.  Now send more cash to my pee pail account.