Derek Jackson (u/derekjackson)

Posts

Three games in a row I misread the victory condition in Everdell

I've been playing Everdell for six months and just realized I was scoring points wrong on the events every single time. How did you figure out you were making a dumb rules mistake?

2 comments

c/bricklayers•

derekjackson•2mo ago

Hit 500 bricks in an hour for the first time yesterday

I've been laying brick for eight years and always thought that pace was just for show. My usual speed is around 350 an hour on a good day. Yesterday on a straight run of a garage in Dayton, everything just clicked and I hit 500. It wasn't about rushing, the mix was perfect and my setup was right. Honestly, it made me question if I've been too slow this whole time. Has anyone else hit a number that made you rethink your whole method?

3 comments

c/bbq-pitmasters•

derekjackson•2mo ago

A judge told me my brisket bark was 'too aggressive' at a Memphis comp

I got my score sheets back from the Memphis in May contest and one judge wrote 'bark is like biting gravel, let the meat shine more.' I was crushed, because I worked hard on that heavy pepper crust. For my next cook, I cut my black pepper amount in half, from a full cup on a 16 pound packer to just half a cup. I also stopped pressing the rub in so hard, just a light pat. The difference was crazy, the bark still had texture but didn't fight you, and you could actually taste the beef. It scored way higher. Has anyone else had a judge call them out on something that seemed like a strength?

4 comments

c/air-fryer-recipes•

derekjackson•2mo ago

Serious question, how long does it take you to get crispy air fryer potatoes?

I tried making home fries from scratch last night and it was a total mess. I cut up two russet potatoes, soaked them for 30 minutes like the recipe said, and patted them dry. After 15 minutes in the air fryer at 400, they were still soft and pale. I kept adding 5-minute bursts, shaking the basket each time. It took a full 35 minutes total to get them actually crispy and golden brown. My family was already eating their eggs by the time the potatoes were done. Is this normal, or did I do something wrong? What's your go-to method for faster, crispier results?

3 comments

c/air-fryer-recipes•

derekjackson•2mo ago

My air fryer hit 1000 uses and I didn't even notice until I checked the manual

I was looking up the temp for frozen egg rolls and saw a note about cleaning the heating element after heavy use. I got curious and started counting back through my meal plan notes from last year. Turns out I've used it almost three times a day since I got it for Christmas 2022. It just blends into my kitchen routine now, from morning bacon to reheating pizza. Has anyone else tracked how often they actually use theirs?

3 comments

c/commercial-divers•

derekjackson•2mo ago

Just logged my 500th hour of bottom time on a single job site in the Gulf

It's for a pipeline inspection project off the coast of Louisiana, and hitting that number really made me think about the sheer scale of the work. That's a lot of time spent in the muck and currents, checking welds and valve stations. Anyone else ever been surprised by the total hours racked up on a single contract?

4 comments

c/daily-small-wins•

derekjackson•2mo ago

My daily walk time has dropped from 45 minutes to 32 minutes over the last three months

I walk the same 2.1 mile loop around my neighborhood every morning. For years, it always took me about 45 minutes to finish it. I never really pushed myself, just a steady pace. About three months ago, I started parking my phone on the kitchen counter before I left, so I wouldn't check it. I just focused on the walk itself. I didn't think much of it, but I started noticing I was getting home sooner. I checked my old watch and sure enough, my time was dropping. This morning I finished in 32 minutes flat. I think the only real change was removing that small distraction, which let me naturally pick up my pace without even trying. It's a tiny win, but it feels good to see that steady progress without it being a big, stressful effort. Has anyone else noticed a change like this from just one small habit switch?

3 comments

c/arborists•

derekjackson•2mo ago

A big oak in Springfield taught me to double-check my rigging after a limb swing nearly clipped a shed.

I was lowering a large limb over a client's property last Thursday when my redirect pulley slipped, causing the piece to swing wide and just miss their garden shed, which made me ask if anyone has a better knot or hardware they trust for tricky redirects?

3 comments

c/elevator-mechanics•

derekjackson•2mo ago

I was wrong about using the same torque on every elevator door hanger bolt

For years, I just cranked them all down to what felt right, maybe 40 foot-pounds. Then, on a job in Phoenix last spring, I saw a senior guy using a torque wrench and checking the manual for each model. He said, 'You're warping the header, Derek. A 90s Montgomery needs 32, a new Kone wants 28.' I checked my old jobs and sure enough, a few had binding issues. Now I carry the spec sheets. How many of you actually torque to the book, or is it still a feel thing for most?

3 comments

c/auto-mechanics•

derekjackson•2mo ago

Had a coolant hose blow on a highway job in Phoenix last summer

I was doing a roadside fix on a 2012 F-150, right off the I-10. The upper radiator hose gave out, spraying coolant everywhere in 110-degree heat. I didn't have the exact Gates part in my truck, just a generic hose. I had to cut it to fit, which took about 20 minutes longer than it should have. The customer was sweating it out, but it held long enough to get them to a shop. Has anyone else had to make a temporary fix with the wrong part in a pinch?

3 comments