Big thank you, good buddy!

Anyone who follows this forum has got to be impressed with the friendly advice and encouragement offered without reservation. I scan the threads often finding similar problems and realistic solutions … problems that mystified me because sometimes I just could not find the right words to describe this whatchamacallit or that thingamajig. So it is even more incredible to confirm what many of you already know about one of your own. Earlier this week, with my buddy PJ Lenihan following behind, I managed to limp up the mountain in my ailing 1970 MGB to Blowing Rock, NC to the friendly garage of Jack Austin. Many of you know Jack because of his frequent participation on this forum. Well folks please let me confirm, here is one guy who is for real. I can tell you from a couple visits to Jack’s garage that he is an incredible mechanic 1st of all, but a generous, patient and kind man as well. Jack not only took my car in, he would not quit until he … let me repeat that… he did not quit until he was satisfied all the problems were addressed and fixed. What started as a guessed at 10 minute adjustment extended into more than 4 hours of personal attention. Not only did Jack fix my problems he was not intimidated as I, a worried, confused owner, looked over his shoulder and asked a lot of stupid questions. What was more incredible, being in his shop, if you are interested, is like being in a classroom listening to a great professor lecture on a subject of great interest. He took the time to explain what failed, why it failed, how he intended to fix it and what steps were needed to prevent further problems. Of course, not being a gear head, most of this was lost on me, but I could not help but think how lucky I was to be in the presence of a real expert in the field of British car mechanics. So my advice to all of you across this country, if you have a problem with your British car, drive it, haul it, ship it or push it to Blowing Rock, NC. We never found the time nor the inclination to sit down but there are chairs nearby, snacks, a frig full of beer, and always time for just shooting the breeze whenever attention is not focused on the car. What a fun day PJ and I had. It was a great sense of relief and pure enjoyment that I felt driving my reborn MG back down the mountain to North Wilkesboro that evening. Thanks Jack, I really owe you, buddy.

I had a similar experience several weeks ago, but by email. Mr. Twig had spent at least 20 minutes on an email response to a simple question. I have had similar experiences with Hap, and David Anton. These are but a few of the folks who make this site what it is today.

I lost a dear, dear friend several weeks ago. He reminded me of Jack, Hap and others. He gave so much, and asked for so little. This fellow was brilliant. I spent hours and hours with him the last few months of his life. One of the things I pondered late one night as my friend drifted in and out of drugged consciousness, was how incredible it would be if we could somehow transfer all of that knowledge my friend carried in his head, and pass it on to another. This has given me the spirit to grasp any little tidbit of knowledge and hang on to it as best I can.

Our friends here on this website are no different than my friend who passed away. They give, and give, and ask nothing in return except the knowledge that they may have helped another soul. I suppose the best response we can give each other is a hearty thank you and try to pass that friendship and knowledge along to another.

well put

OMG !!! If you could see me I'd be blushing ! Now you have gone and done it Danny. The next step though is to rephrase some of that and send it to Kathleenl. As Rodney D use to say, I get no respect there. LOL

Seriously, I never claim to know everything or to have done all that much, but somehow I seem to farble through a few of the storms. I suspect that many of the other folks that were mentioned and many of those who were not feel the same way. We just accumulated stuff through experience and sweat and blood and it has become a part of us. Some speciaize and others take what comes around.

Only a bad guy would want to hold all of it in though. I don't have to prove anything to anyone and I am not in competition with anyone. Now there was once a time when I needed to do both, but with age comes a certain calmness and confidence that precludes hording and street-fighting.

BTW Chris, I am doing just that. We are starting out slow and gentle but Young James is hanging out here more and more. He has "the makings" and lots of stuff already in his head but time will tell how he learns to approach problems and deal with them. In the mean time I am letting him have his head and just nudging him a little from time to time. If enthusiasm has anything to do with it he will make a pretty good wrench some day, for money or for fun.

BTW: I ain't saying anything and you didn't hear it from me, but if you could get Young James to publish a photo of "his new self" you might be amused. The way that I hear it, a necessary visit to a girls house made him do it. LOL Sorry James! LOL

Jack

i always understood that gurus live on mountain tops and have beards....hmmm.....i wonder if he wears robes, too.....

If you helped Uncle Jack on the horse, would you help Uncle Jack off the horse. :D