What Would YOU Do?

[Humboldt Cat]

Having to work on my project in the open is sometimes weird, and today gave an extra reason why.
I've been doing the remaining prep work on my '57 in the neighbor's driveway, a few feet from the street; untarped the ride to work on it, today (it's all bare metal and filler patches, right now), and had just returned from picking up the kids from school to continue when I noticed the oddest thing on its roof: a weight block that wasn't my block on some fresh sheets of 50 grit (not mine) and some fresh sanding on the door's filler.
I'd been gone an hour, and thought Kevin (the generous carnut neighbor) contributed some time, but he later said he hadn't. I can't think of anyone else I know on my block that would, so... who?
At least the Random Help's hand was good at what they did, but what should my reaction be? A bud laughed with me over it, said I should leave a note, but saying what?
This is weird. I'm thankful for the help, puzzled, feelin' vulnerable (it's not like I can keep a 24-hour eye on it).
Luckily, I've had no problems with theft or anyone messing with it. Especially considering the door locks & hands are off.
So, if this had happened to you, what would you do? If you left 'em a note in your absence, what would it say?
This pic is not my street, it's at a friend's alley/garage in August, but it's an idea of the truck's state.

[Tuck]

I would leave a list of things to do...

[ray]

if they did a good job, i'd take a LOOONG vacation and hope for the best when i got back!

[metalshapes]

I had a neigbour mow my lawn once, does that count?
( turns out he was going to sell his house, and I had let it go a bit )

[briggs&strattonChev]

Leave a note saying "hey, up in North Dakota theres a kid with rust holes the size of Uranus, how are your welding skills?"


I think it must be a prank by someone you know, funny as hell if it isnt though. Good they didnt mess it up at all.

you must have very understanding neighbors to let you work on your truck in the driveway.

anyway, good luck to you and the phantom helper

[Humboldt Cat]

I don't know where to start- great ideas, guys! Nutty ideas that equal the nutty nature o' the sitch.
My neighbor Kevin's cool, he and his girlfriend have this patch of space in front of one of their gates (the driveway is a loop-around, the house back behind a wooden fence), after the city and some neighbors came down hard on me for working on it in the street, they had no prob letting me keep it in front of the gate, especially since he's in to older rods, too.
Better days to be had, for now, and am trying to make up for lost time.

[Humboldt Cat]

[ QUOTE ]
I think it must be a prank by someone you know, funny as hell if it isnt though. Good they didnt mess it up at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm wondering if it's my supervisor, Dan, who sometimes drops by on his lunch hour (my weekend is Mondays and Tuesdays), not neccesarily as a prank. Well, who knows. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif But yer right- good thing they knew how to sand it in. Vacation sounds good right 'bout now...

[kustombuilder]

YUP! i'd leave em a list and thank em for the help.

i mowed my neighbors yard (just the ten feet on either side of their 150 yeard long driveway) a bunch of times cuase they never seemed to ge to it and i was right there doing mine anyway. one day the lady came over and started bitching about it, says her husband likes it doenea certain way. hell i thought i was doin em a favor. that part got done about every three times he did the rest of the yard. i've learned ya can't please some people.

[Humboldt Cat]

Strange as that sounds, I'd thought of that, too, well something similar. Something inside thought,"Is somebody trying to tell me something? Like, 'Speed Up With It, Pal' but only 'cause I'm self-concious. That's nuts about yer neighbor. Way to say "Thanks", right?

[Humboldt Cat]

I've gotten alot of PM's about this, so thought you'd like an update:
It was too wet and rainy to work on it, today, yet when I went to the gf's car to pick up the kids, I saw a sheet of 36 grit on the roof. Tarp still covered and tied in the same intricate way I had it yesterday, yet the part that's always uncovered is the grille and front rolling pan, which has some need-to-perfect filler areas (them corners 'n tight angles are hella hard to get done smoothly.
Sure enough, the rolling pan had been smoothed out more than before.
Here's the twist: it's one thing to have random help on your own driveway. But this is on [generous!!] neighbors' property, in front of their gate. They have a nice buffer zone in front of their actual house.
Anyway, I would've put out a discreet thank you note in an icebox with a soda or sandwich with their sandpaper, or something (the last thing I want to do is seem unappreciative, and risk retribution), but checked with the nieghbors, who, understandably, feel iffy about encouraging it. They've had other problems with weird activity in front of their home.
I just don't want to screw up this great opportunity to finish prep work on level ground (hilly street) without having to worry about constantly moving the truck around (the engine's running really bad, it's an effort just to keep it from stalling out once running).
The kids think it's a friend who's keeping me in suspense, but am running out of candidates.
Don't know whether to laugh or be nervous about the whole thing, so I'm doing both at the same time. Gonna put out a discreet note asking them to contact me first.
Y'know, I don't know of any Humboldt-area HAMB'ers, but if they're reading this post as they gearing up to head back out to Searles Rd.: thank you. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif The story writes itself.
<font color="green">That, or Purple's been carrying out some long-distance secret missions from Redding. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif</font>

[cadlights]

I think it's your neighbor, ya owe him a beer.

[Wowcars]

Kinda in the same predicament. About two months ago I was burning a stump in my yard, thought I had it put out before I left, but it burned underground to a stack of tires I had. Needless to say the tires were gone and my scrap metal pile was toast along with about a hundred feet of grass, but some local savior must have seen the fire, pulled everything out of my vulnerable yard shed, and put out the fire before it hit the shed and scrap lumber pile inside. Have no idea to this day whodunit, but I'd like to thank them very much!

[Crease]

Rodents, highly skilled rodents..........with big paws?

Just a guess, but Im pretty sure that's what's goin on.

[Humboldt Cat]

Giant rodents!! heh heh Y'know at this point, that would makes sense. Rodents. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
That yard fire story's really something.
I wish it was the neighbor, I already owe him a mess a beer for letting me keep it there and work on it. I just don't want them to regret it. I'm sure it'll work out fine.
What a mystery, though. Glad you buds like it too, helps take the edgy wierdness out of it. But funny-wierd, that's got my vote any day.
Thanks for the replies.

[autocol]

i strongly doubt the 'culprit' is unknown to you... i mean, i've read about some wierd shit happening in the states, but most of it doesn't pertain to hot rodding samaritans.

i'd guess that someone that you talk rods with is having a bit of fun with you, and probably reading the HAMB if they know about it... anyone you know lose their job recently? nothing better to do than wrench on their buddies ride?

[Humboldt Cat]

[ QUOTE ]
nothing better to do than wrench on their buddies ride?

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds like Purple, heh heh KIDDING man. Far from the truth, really. But it makes me wish we lived in the same area, again. Also wish there were some Humboldt HAMBers out there.

[purple]

<font color="purple"> No not me, I don't have enough gas for that trip. But I may be in your area soon. I'll probably be helping Lura with her mom's place and will need your help (and your van http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ). </font>

[rikaguilera]

I would check the trees next to the car. Any hollow? I bet you will find a squirel or two with body hammers, tape, bondo dust, etc.. See down here there are a few guys that will leave projects unfinished so that the hot rod elves will finish them out. They do exist. At least down at "Aces and Eights".

[hankcash]

Maybe, hopefully, it's Monique!
HC

[CalifCarl]

Humboldt, what part of town do you live in? I lived on the end of Pine street when I was real young.

[Deyomatic]

HankCash, good call, I think we all forgot about the French foreign exchange student possibility.

[hankcash]

And when you get done with re-building your car while listening to Howard Jones, you can speak the "international language".
HC

[30roadster]

This is a great story!... i see mini-series! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif no really...i had someone at work putting 3 and 4 v8 juice bottles at a time in the back of my truck every day.....drove me crazy trying to figure out who it was....so figured what times of the day it must be happening and set up a video camera in the back window of a co-workers car....caught the bastard too http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif..... just a thought

[BELLM]

Not Monique, she only does Camaros! Its the body work fairy!! Not fag, fairy. Keep a fresh supply of 80 grit in a zip lock bag under the tarp, maybe leave a pint of POR-15 out every now &amp; then. Maybe if you wish hard enought the engine repair fairy will show up &amp; get it running good.

Very strange. But a good thing!!

[Gr8ballsofir]

Your name's not Geppetto is it? Mabye some day it'll grow up to be a REAL truck...

[Humboldt Cat]

[ QUOTE ]
Humboldt, what part of town do you live in? I lived on the end of Pine street when I was real young.

[/ QUOTE ]
Pine... Pine... am trying to remember where that is. Southwest end of town, near Wabash, Del Norte, Broadway, that area?
I'm in Myrtletown, up to the left of when you enter town from 101 South. Know of any Humboldt HAMB'ers? Lemme know when yer coming to town, we'll meet 'n hang out.
I love the hot rod elf theory, but would hope for Monique... (grrowl...)

[Humboldt Cat]

30Roadster- that's hilarious 'bout the V8 bottles! Haven't figured out 'who' yet, and not as nervous anymore 'bout the generous neighbor being bothered by it, but hell it's hard not to laugh about it. At least no damage has occured. Someone at work suggested leaving some light talc powder around ground, near the edge of the truck where'd they'd step but not see.
With my luck I'd forget, and would step into it.
My supervisor told me of a great-great-great uncle who thought he had a problem with midnight theft in the barn, so he rigged a shotgun to a door, for when it opened.
Sad thing is, it was the great-great-great uncle, sleepwalking all along. Until that demise, of course.
Sounds like a tall tale, but he says it's true!
I love yer theories, guys. Monique ain't that bad lookin', either. How quick can I learn French?
-- Humboldt "Gepetto" Cat

[Rix2Six]

[ QUOTE ]
Monique ain't that bad lookin', either. How quick can I learn French?
-- Humboldt "Gepetto" Cat

[/ QUOTE ]

I already speak French... send her my way! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[29EHV8]

My dad-inlaw has kinda the same weirdo-funny thing happen to him.He is a total hotwheels collector.Once in a while when he comes home from work and checks to see if he has mail there will be a couple of hotwheels in the mailbox.This has been going on for years and he still doesn't know who it is.Weird eh.
HumboldtCat,when it gets closer to being finished leave a painters smock,HVLP and a bucket of seude.Maybe the sanding fairy can spray it for you too!Hopefully he doesn't tint your color to pink!........Shiny

[BUICKNAILHEAD]

Can I park My 59 Buick in your yard.. I have a few patches to get done... maybe whomever did it will like the buick as well... heheheh http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[plmczy]

Oh YEAH!!! I'd never forget monique. I wish she was around when I was workin on my car. later plmczy

[Deuce Roadster]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif



My Dad is 82......he gets around but not real good....

When he leaves to go out, his grass gets cut......Big yard too...

A tree fell on his fence........gone within 2 days......

Halloween....some kids toilet papered his two big trees in the front yard.........cleaned up Sunday when he got home from church.......


There are good people out there.......
Mom died in 1979........ and for the last 5 - 6 years....the neighborhood ladies (young and older.....married and single, white and minority..a great mix) look out for him......bring him food, call and check on him.

He lives 100 miles from me and I appreciate the folks helping. He has the finances to eat and pay for all the stuff that is done (great retirement pension and social security) ........ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. They are just great people.

Just be thankful..........God works in all kinds of ways.....


.

[50mercfan]

sounds like you have a closet customizer in the nieghborhood. i would at least leave him some supplies so he dosn't have to bring his own.

[Jkustom]

could it be a neighborhood kid? you know, not yet 16, but into hotrods just the same and whats to be invloved in one? sounds like a long shot, but Id buy it. If not, I say its your next door homie messing with ya. Just keep playing dumb so he'll keep doing it! Wish my neighbors would help me out a bit...instead of calling the city complaning about too many cars. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif -J.

[BELLM]

Speakin of neighborhood kids when I lived in Houston new bunch moved in down street ratty kid came by pushing bicycle flat tire, I was working in garage saw him stopped him talked fixed his flat tire. Kid would always stop after that, real friendly. Couple months after that every car parked on the street had outward facing tires knifed except the two in front of my house, his house. Not too hard to figure out. His dad drove a tow truck, painted a Harley tank for him, used leftovers, didnt charge. I was building totals in my home 2 car garage at time, that got me 10 or 12 free wrecked car to my house tows before he got locked up for God knows what. A little kindness sometimes pays. Maybe you done someone a favor getting paid back.

[Kilroy]

I think you smoked a massive bowl of that NorCal weed and did it yourself.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif