The Wicks of the Menorah Miraculously Burned for Eight Days!
"The Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. According to the Talmud, a late text, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting." source: wikipedia
It seems that BB is a Maccabee:
It may not be obvious in the picture, but the fuel filter seems never to have fuel in it. That is directly before the carburetor, so I'm not sure how the carburetor could have fuel in the float bowl. The evidence, however, suggests that it does, under most circumstances...
Now commences a story which touches upon human frailty, specifically the frailty of confirmation bias.
"Confirmation biases contribute to overconfidence in personal beliefs and can maintain or strengthen beliefs in the face of contrary evidence. Poor decisions due to these biases have been found in political and organizational contexts.[3][4]" source: wikipedia
This tale definitely includes some poor decisions!
Having just finished (more or less, having forgotten to tighten some of the bolts, which I'll cover in a later chapter) the suspension upgrades to BB, I got her started and took her to the gas station. I pumped until the nozzle shut off and then tried again and got another shut-off. I thought it a bit odd that only a half a gallon was needed to fill her up, having been sure that I had 1/4 of a tank before starting the work. I also thought it odd that the gas gage (repaired in an early post) was reading 1/4 of a tank, but I assumed it broke again. Also strange was the trip meter was on 265 miles. I always reset the trip meter when I fill up so it should have been at 10 miles for a half gallon of gas. I supposed I had forgotten to reset it.
So, with a full tank of gas, it was time to make a top down trip to work! First day went well. I texted Kara that BB got me there and back in spite of the strange fuel filter issue. Then I decided to try again...
Yes, that's a selfie of me and BB in and on the tow truck! You may, at this point be asking "How does this guy feed himself everyday?" and I beg you to reconsider confirmation bias. The empty fuel filter and shutting off gas pump had me convinced the tank was full so I assumed the empty fuel filter was due to a faulty fuel pump and called for a tow. To my credit, the seller had warned me that the fuel pump might be due and the filter was empty after all.
One of the pleasures of stalling out on the way to work, is the time you get to spend with your co-workers! At least 6 people with a similar commute stopped to offer help. You find out who your friends are but I was sure the fuel pump was out so I repeatedly declined the offer of a ride to the gas station.
I have to admit that I'm glad I made these mistakes. It makes a great (if somewhat humbling) story, reminded me of confirmation bias and the Menorah, and introduced me to the most interesting tow truck driver living.
I was pleased to see him when he arrived and complimented me on my car. He took great care in hooking up the straps to pull BB onto the flatbed, even noting the newly painted suspension parts and protecting them. The we set off for Copley. During the these interesting 35 minutes I learned:
During my eventual drive home in the Explorer, I reflected on the weight of the evidence and decided to try adding some gas when I got home. I poured the mower gas in and she fired right up! Since then, I've driven about 300 miles. There is still no fuel in the filter but I always get where I'm going. Thanks, BB!
It seems that BB is a Maccabee:
Now commences a story which touches upon human frailty, specifically the frailty of confirmation bias.
"Confirmation biases contribute to overconfidence in personal beliefs and can maintain or strengthen beliefs in the face of contrary evidence. Poor decisions due to these biases have been found in political and organizational contexts.[3][4]" source: wikipedia
This tale definitely includes some poor decisions!
Having just finished (more or less, having forgotten to tighten some of the bolts, which I'll cover in a later chapter) the suspension upgrades to BB, I got her started and took her to the gas station. I pumped until the nozzle shut off and then tried again and got another shut-off. I thought it a bit odd that only a half a gallon was needed to fill her up, having been sure that I had 1/4 of a tank before starting the work. I also thought it odd that the gas gage (repaired in an early post) was reading 1/4 of a tank, but I assumed it broke again. Also strange was the trip meter was on 265 miles. I always reset the trip meter when I fill up so it should have been at 10 miles for a half gallon of gas. I supposed I had forgotten to reset it.
So, with a full tank of gas, it was time to make a top down trip to work! First day went well. I texted Kara that BB got me there and back in spite of the strange fuel filter issue. Then I decided to try again...
Yes, that's a selfie of me and BB in and on the tow truck! You may, at this point be asking "How does this guy feed himself everyday?" and I beg you to reconsider confirmation bias. The empty fuel filter and shutting off gas pump had me convinced the tank was full so I assumed the empty fuel filter was due to a faulty fuel pump and called for a tow. To my credit, the seller had warned me that the fuel pump might be due and the filter was empty after all.
One of the pleasures of stalling out on the way to work, is the time you get to spend with your co-workers! At least 6 people with a similar commute stopped to offer help. You find out who your friends are but I was sure the fuel pump was out so I repeatedly declined the offer of a ride to the gas station.
I have to admit that I'm glad I made these mistakes. It makes a great (if somewhat humbling) story, reminded me of confirmation bias and the Menorah, and introduced me to the most interesting tow truck driver living.
I was pleased to see him when he arrived and complimented me on my car. He took great care in hooking up the straps to pull BB onto the flatbed, even noting the newly painted suspension parts and protecting them. The we set off for Copley. During the these interesting 35 minutes I learned:
- He had been driving tow trucks since he was 16, around 35 years.
- He had seen a customer killed by a reckless semi in the hills of West Virginia.
- His wife was killed in a T-bone accident in there 60's Corvette Stingray.
- His daughter objects to his horny comments concerning her high school teachers.
- He and his wife needed something new to do one night so they went to a swinger's club and enjoyed it.
- They met her parents there and the Dad commented "I knew there was a reason I liked you, boy."
- There are multiple swinger's clubs at houses around us in Copley. I declined the invitation to take the tour.
During my eventual drive home in the Explorer, I reflected on the weight of the evidence and decided to try adding some gas when I got home. I poured the mower gas in and she fired right up! Since then, I've driven about 300 miles. There is still no fuel in the filter but I always get where I'm going. Thanks, BB!
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