"Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help." - Alex Haley

OK, first a report on my day. I'll keep it brief, mostly because I'm still pretty ticked and I'm totally exhausted.

I was out at 5 a.m. and had a gun in my hand shortly after 5:30 when the sun was up and I had good light. What should have taken maybe three hours lasted until 2:30 p.m., which gives you a clue how it all went.

How many ways are there to spell FAIL?

The spec sheet I was given yesterday said 8-10 psi. Wrong, unless (as I now know) you're using a very high end specialty gun. If you're using the recommended gun I bought from the auto paint supply store where I took the classes it requires north of 35 psi. Little different, you say? Yep, and it took a whole lot of trial and a LOT of error before I figured that out.

Then there was....

• the spilled paint, incl. the significant amount now on the driveway.
• the major runs because of inadequate gun pressure.
• the wasted paint because of the way-too-heavy coat (and the stuff on the driveway)
• the repeatedly clogged nozzle because - you guessed it - the inadequate psi
• two (!) trips to the paint supply store to get more paint and catalyst. Not cheap stuff!

This is what I have now. The other parts are either out of camera or on the back patio waiting for tomorrow's action. The good news: I learned a lot of (expensive) lessons today that shorten tomorrow's learning curve. Also, tomorrow's layer only goes on areas that will get sanded, so no door jambs, not under the hood, or the back side of fenders, or the floor of the cab....

However, this layer has a pot life of 30 minutes at 75 degrees, it will be 80 when I start, and it's gonna get a lot hotter very quickly. I've been told to figure on 20 minutes, that the gun will have to be cleaned after every load, and I have to put on three to five layers. 

I have no sense of confidence. And this is just the first two layers... of six total. 

BTW, I simply must get tomorrow's layer on because if today's sits for more than about three days it won't accept this next one without sanding. And Monday I leave for four days in Seattle. 

No pressure. (pun intended)

I know some heroes disguised as normal people, otherwise ordinary folk doing extraordinary things purely because it's in their heart to do it. Not for the attention and glory, not even to meet some emotional need within themselves, but only because they have the means, and opportunity, and want to. If asked about what they're doing they'd shrug and probably smile, because what they're doing is mostly a source of genuine joy in their lives. It's no more remarkable to them than going to a resort is for you and me. Just something they want to do. 

The list of heroes I know begins with those who have room in their hearts and lives for children, and particularly special needs children. 

I am humbled by these giants.