Man, I used to think a hose was fine until I wasted a whole afternoon like that too.

My grandpa was a welder and he'd just shake his head at my first beads. He showed me how to listen to the sizzle to know my speed was right.

Ever notice how the best advice always comes from someone who's been doing the thing longer than you've been alive? It's not just about drywall. It's the same with mechanics, cooks, anyone who works with their hands. There's a whole layer of skill you can't get from a book or a video. That old guy saved you weeks of sanding and a bad finish just by speaking up. Most people won't tell you when you're doing it wrong.

My buddy had that exact @the_robert experience last winter, coughing up dust for a week.

I read a library blog that said a book's spine can handle about 200 rough closures before the glue fails. Seeing someone slam it shut just makes me wonder, are they trying to hit that limit faster? It's such a simple habit to close it properly.