Oh wow, I've had pretty much the same experience with the smaller fruit thing! I think saving seeds is still worth it if you're not picky, but you really have to pick from the biggest and tastiest tomato in your harvest to keep those traits going.

Funny how once you finally try the thing you were resisting, it makes you wonder what else you've been making harder than it needs to be. Got that same feeling when I stopped fighting with old paint cans and just bought a proper opener.

Actually the smiley face thing is way more common than people think. I've seen photos from the Four Corners area where someone carved "2020" next to actual Ancestral Puebloan art. Archaeologists call that "modern defacement" not a new petroglyph. It's vandalism plain and simple. The really interesting part is how they can tell the difference based on weathering and tool marks.

Honestly, $200 for a paint shaker is kinda in that weird zone where you're paying more for a name brand than actual quality. I've seen a few guys at the local shop running those $150 harbor freight ones for a year now with no issues, so maybe check if you got a dud. Tbh, the $450 model might actually save you money in the long run if it lasts longer than a few months. Ngl, I skipped the middle ground and went straight for a used commercial one off Craigslist for $200, and it's been solid for six months now.

Check the oil return line bracket attachment point while you're at it. On older Lycomings, I've seen that bracket itself develop fatigue cracks where it meets the accessory case, not just the gearbox casting. A friend had one fail completely in flight on a 172 out of KSEE - the bracket let go, the line started whipping around, and it dumped enough oil to drop pressure before he got it shut down. I clean the area with brake cleaner, then use a 10x loupe to inspect both the gearbox casting and that bracket edge every annual now.