The "HARDER than it LOOKS" thread

[Wolfgang]

This thread is for you to post about some activity, skill, or product usage that is deceptively harder -- much harder -- than it looks.

I'll go first, ya lazy bums.

[Wolfgang]

I invested in a rope saw (aka rope chainsaw).

We have several tall trees on our property, one of which needs to be taken down. Half of the branches are dead and we're worried some of them will break off during the upcoming winter season (when strong winds are common) and crash into our windows or rooftop. I thought about hiring a tree contractor but then, during a casual online search, I found a bunch of rope saws. If nothing else, it seemed fun. So I bought one a couple weeks ago.

The rope saw allows you to saw off tall branches while you're on the ground.



Well, this morning, I sawed off one branch. This thing's harder than it looks. Some problems you'll encounter:

1. You have to throw one end over the branch you're trying to cut. Sounds easy. But I think I needed over 20 reps to get one end over the right branch. Throwing UP (and high enough at an upward angle toward a target) is hard. (Yes...that one end is weighted with a little sandbag.) A lot depends on the complexity of your tree, the way the branches are shaped, and where it's located. Yes...you should always try to get the lowest (and more accessible) branches first. But even that lowest branch was a challenge! In the future, I'll use a long pole and gently "carry" one end of the rope over the target branch and then release it once it's over. No more throws.

2. If you managed to get that rope over the target branch, you now have to make sure that the end drops down to you. That rope (and its rope saw parts) gets easily tangled or stuck on all sorts of things on the tree.

3. If you managed to get that rope end down to you and you're now ready to saw, it's better to do it with two people. I did it by myself and it was exhausting. After 50 reps (each right-left pull of the rope), I was beat. After a brief break, I was back at it again. Another 50 reps and my muscles were burning.

4. You have to also predict where that branch will fall. If you have something precious down below, you better move them or provide them with some protection. I placed two ladders on them to break the fall of the branch. But, some stray branches will fall where you don't expect. There will be stray flying projectiles.

5. Wear a safety helmet. I wore my bicycle helmet. I'm glad I did because a stray branch flew straight down onto the top of my helmet.

6. You should also wear safety goggles because without them, sawdust will come floating down into your eyes. Guaranteed.

[azvb]

Shot a 87 on Monday. Shot a 105 on Thursday. Same course.

[Wolfgang]

The back bridge

I can finally do this but only after 2 months of every-other-day training. I can't do it from a standing position at all. But I can do it while lying on my back and then pushing up into the back bridge position. Even then, I don't think my form is perfect.

[azvb]

Reffing volleyball

[gtrich]

Finish Carpentry. I can bang out 90% of most projects, but watching someone that really knows what they are doing finish that last 10% is a whole different level of skill that I’ll never have. I was doing a kitchen remodel and needed a 3/4” spacer between two lower cabinets. I had the board to do it, but needed it ripped to 3/4”. My carpenter said give it to me and I’ll cut it. I said how, we don’t have a table saw. He just laughed, grabbed his circular saw and freehanded the cut. The thing fit perfectly. Even with a table saw I couldn’t have made the cut as cleanly and perfectly as he did feee handed. Seven years later and I’m still amazed at that one board in my kitchen that no one even realizes is there (unless I had cut it and then you would see it every time you walked in).

[Deleted]

Hitting a pitched baseball.

[tomclen]

Okay. I'll say it. I thought this was about a porn movie.

[mikegarrison]

Reading the text of articles before you post links to them. (Apparently, anyway.)

[blue-footedbooby]

Releasing a trapped fox from a cage. Did that this morning and man you do not want to risk getting rabies from
those critters.  And those traps are meant to spring close and remain nice and snug and trying to re-open one
without exposing your fingers is no easy task.

[XAsstCoach]

Riverboarding. It’s where you go down the river rapids on a boogie board. First saw it on The Amazing Race while they were in Rotorua, NZ. I accidentally found the company was showcased guiding the racers in the episode. By accident I mean I found out our guide, Grant, was the guide for some of the racers AFTER I (cough) finished (cough) the day, was in my hotel room healing the wounds and saw Grant’s picture in the episode recap.

Even with fins on the rapids was taking me down River really fast. At one point I nearly missed the eddy where we were suppose to gather after a set of rapids. If Grant hadn’t reached out to grab my board and yank me into the eddy, I would have floated down with 2-3 other people. 🤣 harder than it looks, for sure. There was a group photo afterwards and my shoulders couldn’t sag any more than what was shown…I was that exhausted.

[Deleted]

Critical thinking, apparently.

[leftcoaster71]

Nov 5, 2023 16:31:25 GMT -5 azvb said:

Reffing volleyball

Only the queen can ref and birth a baby at the same time!

[Wolfgang]

Nov 5, 2023 16:31:25 GMT -5 azvb said:

Reffing volleyball

These are soooo funny!

Some, I literally laughed out loud. I can't say that about all funny posts -- even the ones where I post "LOL!"

[NebraskaVBfan93]

The old NordicTrack ski machines. If you've ever been on one, you know there is a learning curve to finding one's balance. I still have one bought in 1997 and it works as good as the day I brought it home.