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After following the likes of grizz thread Prozac for the soul Prozac for the soul, I thought I would create a similar thread albeit about the garage freshen up and not a vehicle. I find myself at the age of 37 struggling with depression and anxiety so to try and switch of the chaos in my head, I retreat to the sanctuary my garage. Here is the fortress of solitude in question.  It's actually two precast concrete garages bolted together and as you can see I like signs and weird stuff to adorn the outside. It pleases me to look at it from the kitchen window.  The graffiti on the inside of the door is the reason for the name of this thread. One of our painters at work was making up some stencils and I made this one from his leftovers. I tend to daub it across random things as you will see later in the story. This is the organised chaos that greets you when you open the door.  Contents are; 1x Mk1 VW Caddy- mostly complete. Currently being used as a storage facility for the building materials being used on my rear extension. 1x Mk1 Capri- mostly in as many pieces as it is possible to get a car in. Recently sold and soon to be collected. One of the reasons for the freshen up. 1x K1 Suzuki SV650S- mostly out of MOT but good for taking out for a run to clear the mind when the need arises. The shelves full of Capri before it went off to live with it's new owner.  And after  Much better. This along with more Capri stuff stored in the loft and also in the rafters of the garage. Here is the car on collection day along with loft contents.  The rotisserie is made up of two engine stands which have been cut and made taller. The car is mounted to them on the bumper mounts.   The back of the storage Caddy  And after Capri had gone I spent a few hours tidying, sweeping, chucking out which left it looking like this.   The cleanup revealed my collection of car badges. I never set out to collect them as such, I just found myself with a lot of them and people donate other for me to add to the collection.  Some other signs and guff I have hanging around.    The clean up left me with this plastic shelf unit now defunct. Is it of any use to a fellow RR member? If so it's your's for free. Much like Grizz, I like to follow the mantra of pay it forward. I know it's only a small thing but every little helps.  I have this sign waiting to be painted. I picked it up at the NSRA swap meet at Arena Essex a few weeks ago.  The tumble drier and dog food storage will soon have a new home in the newly built extension so that will create a little more room. I have plans to update the media centre too. So now the clean up is mostly finished, the plan is to freshen up the walls, paint the work bench, vice and tool boxes, re paint the floor or maybe some kind of tiling and generally make things look a little nicer and make it a happier place to be than the inside of my head  |
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Cool thread and posting.
You will find that even just the sharing will help your head clear up some days.
I like a lot of the stuff you have, some like the car badge collection made me smile..... people adding to it as well.
I may have some treasures to add to your shed too. We can discuss that some time.
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Ooh. Treasures. I have pharmaceuticals to help me. I have tried to talk to therapists in the past, but I'm not a naturally talkative person so I don't find it easy and I don't feel like it's helping me at all. But I know how to type so maybe I can share my silly little hobby with some like minded people and maybe the demons will rest just a little. I will take some more detailed pics of the things that people have gifted me over the years.
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Its nice to see other peoples collectables.
I too collect random stuff, but I really need a clear out, I find both buying the stuff and selling it is good therapy, as quite often I buy then wonder why several months later
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It will come in handy even if you never use it
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Interesting that there seems to be a few people on here who have 'problems', and I count myself as one. I have great difficulty in getting started but once started and then completing a job I get great satisfaction.
As a distractor I have found building Lego is a great activity, I tend to build versions of sets and the sourcing, planning and then building process is what I like. Of course it is also too good a distactor for somebody who works from home...
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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Interesting that there seems to be a few people on here who have 'problems', and I count myself as one. I have great difficulty in getting started but once started and then completing a job I get great satisfaction. As a distractor I have found building Lego is a great activity, I tend to build versions of sets and the sourcing, planning and then building process is what I like. Of course it is also too good a distactor for somebody who works from home... These issues are far more common than we think, its a good start when people can discuss them |
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It will come in handy even if you never use it
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Interesting that there seems to be a few people on here who have 'problems', and I count myself as one. I have great difficulty in getting started but once started and then completing a job I get great satisfaction. As a distractor I have found building Lego is a great activity, I tend to build versions of sets and the sourcing, planning and then building process is what I like. Of course it is also too good a distactor for somebody who works from home... These issues are far more common than we think, its a good start when people can discuss them Agreed. |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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I'm glad I opened this thread today.
I go for my first counselling session tonight, not that I think it will help, I don't know.
Think it's a new commen struggle with this modern world.
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Interesting that there seems to be a few people on here who have 'problems', and I count myself as one. I have great difficulty in getting started but once started and then completing a job I get great satisfaction. As a distractor I have found building Lego is a great activity, I tend to build versions of sets and the sourcing, planning and then building process is what I like. Of course it is also too good a distactor for somebody who works from home... I do the same thing but with plastic model kits. Cars obviously! 22 hours ago winchman said: MiataMark Avatar 22 hours ago MiataMark said: Interesting that there seems to be a few people on here who have 'problems', and I count myself as one. I have great difficulty in getting started but once started and then completing a job I get great satisfaction. As a distractor I have found building Lego is a great activity, I tend to build versions of sets and the sourcing, planning and then building process is what I like. Of course it is also too good a distactor for somebody who works from home... These issues are far more common than we think, its a good start when people can discuss them Agreed. Also agreed. I think the more that people are aware of these type of issues, the less of a taboo subject it becomes. When I was first diagnosed years ago, I didn't have a clue about depression. My sister in law recognised the symptoms but they had already been on going for a while and caused issues at work and between me and Mrs Fred. Luckily she is very understanding and helped me through it. |
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I know that I suffer from depression some times, never been diagnosed but I have been around enough people with it, and (kinda) working in psychology I recognise it from the outside. As w*nky as it sounds, I have really found running to be a great release. Combination of time outside, time to cleat my head, and a bit of physical suffering / endorphins does seem to help me.
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Our new kitchen arrived during the week so most of it is now residing in the newly tidied garage. So for the moment I will have to hold off some of the garage freshen up.  As part of my attempts to sort out the demons, I am starting a new job tomorrow which means I will no longer have a work van, so this is my new daily. Treated her to a cam belt change plus new lower engine mount and two new anti roll bar drop link. I'm not too sure about the wheels, they may have to go. Anyone interested?  Seeing as the weather has been glorious today, I took the opportunity to polish up my back mode of transport and also reaseal the fuel valve.  Just to show a little more of my collection, this is my mantique shelf. All stupid things but I enjoy looking at them. A Commodore 16, a MK1 Golf model, a Land Rover model, a bottle opener I won made from a con rod, a MK2 Cortina model my best man bought me and a Coke bottle with my name on.  I was lucky enough to be gifted this too. It was found in a family members shed and they new just the person who would appreciate it.  |
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dazcapri
North East
Enter your message here...
Posts: 1,061
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Great thread bookmarked but your names not Fred?
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Mk3 Capri LS
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Apr 10, 2017 18:30:24 GMT
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No. Fred is my stage name
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steve900
Part of things
Idle & Shiftless
Posts: 85
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Ooh. Treasures. I have pharmaceuticals to help me. I have tried to talk to therapists in the past, but I'm not a naturally talkative person so I don't find it easy and I don't feel like it's helping me at all. But I know how to type so maybe I can share my silly little hobby with some like minded people and maybe the demons will rest just a little. I will take some more detailed pics of the things that people have gifted me over the years. I know the 'silly little hobby' is a throwaway remark if you like but if it makes you happy then it's certainly not silly! I often find when I'm struggling with things I have to force myself to DO something, whether that be car jobs, house jobs or just going for a nice walk to make myself feel a bit better. Garage tidying or even just pottering always helps too! |
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Saab 900
Saab 9000
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Apr 16, 2017 19:20:24 GMT
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I find time alone in the garage is good therapy for me. I'm not an anti social person but I do appreciate being alone and pottering too. It gives me a lot of satisfaction. New wheels acquired for the daily. It has transformed the ride. The guy I got them from also has a remapped ECU and he fancies the old wheels so we may have a deal on the two.  I broke the light pull switch string during the week. It was always being blown around by the wind and being trapped in the door. I needed something heavy to stop it getting damaged again so I had a rummage around for something and came up with this.  New job is going well. Mostly inductions and training at the moment but significantly less stress and most importantly, more money. Keep smiling. |
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Apr 16, 2017 19:43:12 GMT
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I like to spend time in my garage ..... but i get depressed looking at all the half started 'ideas' i had before my back issue last year.  Its a mess ........ But this weekend,after nearly 2 yrs,finished building the roofrack and got it fitted.  So sometimes things get done eventually ....... even though many times i did feel like giving up and getting rid, esp when you only get a couple of hours at a weekend..... |
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Apr 17, 2017 12:01:53 GMT
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I'm glad I opened this thread today. I go for my first counselling session tonight, not that I think it will help, I don't know. Think it's a new commen struggle with this modern world. Counselling will help if you want it to. I found that the only way out of depression is to DECIDE not to be depressed - as in, you have to make a choice whether to be that way or not. I also think that people bring it on themselves - saying "i feel/am depressed" will only do one thing, and some people I've seen even use it as an excuse to excuse poor behaviour. Continuing in those traits will only make it come about - there is power in the spoken word and just saying the opposite, ie "I am NOT depressed" every morning or something similar can totally change your perspective and your mind. |
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Apr 20, 2017 19:56:15 GMT
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I'm glad I opened this thread today. I go for my first counselling session tonight, not that I think it will help, I don't know. Think it's a new commen struggle with this modern world. Counselling will help if you want it to. I found that the only way out of depression is to DECIDE not to be depressed - as in, you have to make a choice whether to be that way or not. I also think that people bring it on themselves - saying "i feel/am depressed" will only do one thing, and some people I've seen even use it as an excuse to excuse poor behaviour. Continuing in those traits will only make it come about - there is power in the spoken word and just saying the opposite, ie "I am NOT depressed" every morning or something similar can totally change your perspective and your mind. That may be true in some cases. I didn't truly know what was wrong with me to begin with. My wife noticed the symptoms. I just knew that something was wrong and needed to change, but I couldn't have told you what the problem was or what was needed to change. I was extremely confused and not sleeping which only amplified the problem. This went on for around 18 months and then a further 18 months of anti depressants, counselling and trying to save my marriage. But this thread is all about promoting positivity so small update now. The compound which I was working from previously had to dismantle the Portkabin offices which meant the LED floodlights were removed and thrown in the skip. I dutifully removed them and gave them a new home on the outside of the garage.  They are 35 watt items. I have two more to put up plus I also found some LED strip lights in the same skip so I brought them home for inside the garage. Once I have fitted some of the kitchen I'll have some more room to manoeuvre the ladders to screw them to the ceiling. This is how it looks at around 8pm. Plenty of light.  My wife bought me an Amazon Fire stick for Chrimbo so I thought I'd better get it working. I already had internets but not WIFIs so I acquired a wireless router.  Never set one up before. It was incredibly easy! I should have done it years ago. The stick streams perfectly. The laptop I used previously was always crashing and freezing so this is a good improvement plus I can use my phone down there without sapping all the data.  The deal with guy selling the wheels didn't come through so the old ones are now up for sale. 5 x 100 7JJ ET40 multifit Lenso Concept Five with OK tyres and hub centric 10mm spacers. I have the centre caps but they need to be siliconed on. I think they look better without. I also have the wheel bolts but one has a stripped thread. £100 buys them.  |
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May 22, 2017 20:55:28 GMT
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No progress on the garage recently. I have started a new job which has significantly less responsibility. It has done my mood the world of good. Definitely a step in the right direction. Less anxiety and I'm sleeping better. I have been using the black MK4 Golf to commute. It's an OK car. It goes well a looks OK but it's just a little.......meh. I have been looking round for another Discovery to replace it with but I had a few stipulations. 1 It must NOT be red! I hate red cars. I can't explain it. They just don't look good to my eyes. Just, no. 2 It must have a manual gearbox. Harder to find than you might think especially in the large luxury car market. I don't get auto's. What are you supposed to do with your left foot?? 3 It must be in OK condition. I already have 2 other vehicle projects I can't devote enough time to aswell as the extension to finish, so I could do without buying yet another old nail. 4 It must have dark coloured interior. Land Rover have some interesting ideas when it comes to colour scheme for the insides of their cars. I owned an L322 Range Rover for a few years. It was the same colour green inside as it was outside! The early Disco's came with baby blue or camel yellow. Niiiiice! So black or grey it must be. So after much searching, I found one that matched my stiplulations and it wasn't the other end of the country. Which means the Golf of dailyness is for sale.  £600 buys it. It does have some issues though! The battery drains over night. It's an intermittent issue. I've had it looked into but whatever is causing the drain hasn't been identified and the windscreen is cracked. On the plus side it has a new battery, cam belt was changed 2 months ago, 4 good tyres, MOT until December and drives great. It's the GT TDI PD130 model so has lot's of power. I'll post up some pics of the new daily tomorrow as my phone no longer wants to cooperate! Thanks for checking in |
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So a while ago I acquired this old gas powered BBQ with the thought of converting the CarBQ to gas. I know, I know it's cheating but it currently takes about about a bag of coal each time I use it and at least an hour to get to temperature. If I convert it to gas I will get to use it alot more often. Here is said BBQ looking very sorry for itself.  The CarBQ looking very sorry. Surrounded by weeds and building material languishing at the bottom of the garden.  The gas BBQ got stripped down and given a clean and I tried the burner box in for size.  Fitment looks good, even enough room to operate the controls and I can still close the bonnet.  The original CarBQ never had hinges. The bonnet just rested on top so I reused the ones from the gas burner.  I wanted to have some shelving on either side of the burner box and had planned to use some redundant chequer plate i have lying around. The old shelves were lying in the pile of bits so I tried them in for size.  They fit!!! So I drilled some holes and screwed some screws and they're in.  A quick rub down and a few coats of paint later saw it looking like this.  After a good de-weeding and clear up of all the other curse word, it's looking much better. I stacked my collection of Bavarian beer crates next to it for company.  That was as far as I got. Tomorrow I will refit the grille and bonnet and give the rest of it a good valet. I want to buy some solar powered lights to fit into the original headlight, fog lights and indicators too. |
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