u/Mecha_Frogzilla

Fried yellow and sweet potatoes over rice with two sunny side eggs I had for breakfast some time ago. Simple and delicious, got me through the day strong.

I’ve(26M) posted here before, under much happier context. That part of my life is still great, but something else is bothering me down inside.

I’ve been in HVAC since I was sixteen helping my best friend’s dad on weekends. I went full time after high school back in 2018. I quit once or twice before I was 20, to pursue other things, but always returned to it since it’s a field I’ve always been able to get work in. All in all, I’ve been in my field for a decade. I’m 6’2, built like a truck, and I’ve always been on the heavy side. I also go to the gym and my body doesn’t trim, it bulks. I just turn into a brick wall when I exercise.

I’m also a pen/ink and digital media artist, which means my wrists do a lot of work.

Back to work, over the last ten years, my career has taken a toll on my body. Over the years I’ve developed nerve damage and arthritis in both hands, in my right leg, even in my ribs somehow, and in my knees. Over a year ago in July ‘25 I had surgery in my right knee to remove over 85% of my left miniscus.

In the last two months, all of my pain has doubled. In my arms, legs, hands, knuckles, and most of all, my knees. I’ve worked so hard to advance my career and income to a place where I can overcome the debts I’ve accrued when I was younger and stupider. College debt from two incomplete degrees. Rising rent. My payment on my truck which I rely on constantly for myself and my friends and family.

God dammit I’m hurting and I’m terrified that I have to leave my field and someway, somehow, find something that matches or exceeds my current income, in a different field that I’m not as readily able to justify the money I need within.

My body is breaking, and I’m being humbled by it.

Guys I scored this Mitsubishi WS-65411 rear projector on marketplace FOR FREE. It was a behemoth for my buddy and I to move into my place. I was so excited to start it up and play some DooM 3.

Well I pressed the power button and wouldn’t you know it, there was a three second safety shut off. I took off the rear panel to take a look and see if it was as simple as changing one of the fuses, and I believe what I’m seeing is multiple leaking capacitors. You’ll see in my last photo one of the boards, a thin mostly clear liquid coating part of the board.

Guys, am I cooked? Can I save this thing somehow? Could I swap in new guts and use the old emitters?

I really want to fire this thing up, I don’t want it to collect dust in storage, or wind up at a landfill. Any advice on bringing this old girl to life is welcome.

EDIT: got some advice in other subs and the boards in this thing are fried. If anyone thinks they can make use of the projection tubes, DM me to discuss shipping or pickup.

Grocery cold section sushi and a can of Fosters. Specially chosen reward after a 14 hour shift.

I’ve been with my girlfriend for years now and she has a child. I won’t say his age or ours for safety reasons.
I love them both. They make me proud. I didn’t realize it at first but the choices I make, I make for the three of us. Not just myself. Where to live, what to buy, career choices. Taking us to dinner, showing up to events. I’ve sauntered into having a family, at an age where I frankly didn’t expect to, and I’m quite happy. My girlfriend and I are talking about getting married someday. I love her boy and treat him like my own. I’m excited for the future in a deep and rooted way that I haven’t felt in years.

EDIT: Thank you to everyone who commented. I’m really thankful and I’m looking forward to the days and years to come.