I cleaned my 500th chimney yesterday and it felt like a big deal

It was a standard brick flue on a house in Cedar Rapids. I know some sweeps say the count doesn't matter, you just do the job right. But hitting 500 made me stop and think about all the soot and creosote I've seen over the years. Do you guys keep track of your numbers, or do you think focusing on the total misses the point of the work?

My neighbor saw my grocery receipt and asked why I was still buying name brand beans.

Rant: My sleeping bag was useless for years because of one dumb mistake

I spent three seasons shivering in my old down bag, convinced it was just a cheap model. Last month in the White Mountains, a guy at the next site saw me packing it and asked if I ever washed it with regular detergent. I always had, about twice a year. He told me that soap strips the natural oils from the down, killing its loft and warmth. I got home, washed it with a special down cleaner, and it puffed up like new. Has anyone else wrecked their gear by using the wrong soap?

Hail damage left my sliding door looking like a spiderweb

I was cleaning up after that big storm and saw the glass on my patio door is all cracked now. It's got these lines all over like a web, and I'm worried it might shatter. I want to replace it myself but I've only done small picture windows before. This door is big, maybe six feet tall. What's the best way to handle tempered glass for something this size? Do I need special clamps or just regular suction cups? Also, how do I make sure the new sealant holds up in wet weather?

Coding with my team weekly turned out way better than solo practice

I thought going solo on code projects was the only real way to learn. Then a coworker got me into our group sessions and fixing bugs together made it way easier. How do you guys handle learning from people at work?