Daily, I arrive home grumpy.

Normally, there's a very simple, very easy explanation for my grumpiness: I haven't eaten since 7:30 AM.

As you well know, when I'm hungry, I'm grumpy. It's a fact of my life. It's also very easily overcome. Kris will ask me a question, and I'll respond with, "Ask me after I've eaten."

Coming home today, feeling as usual, eating didn't help. I am still grumpy.

I remember welding with oxy-acetylene, and having every last one of my joints look like perfection.
I remember welding with a 6013 stick, and having every last one of my joints look like perfection.
I remember welding with a 6011 stick.
I remember welding with a 6010 stick.
With a 7024 stick.

Every one last one: perfect.

Today, I moved up to MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding. Also known as GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding). My first issue was that my earliest welds looked like someone had placed very tiny cherry bombs into the weld, and blew holes through the whole thing. An easy fix: I had to turn on the 75% Argon/25% Carbon Dioxide gas mixture that shields the weld from oxidation. Wish my teacher would have helped with that.

After the gas was on, things seemed to be going pretty decently... I was able to finish my welds without any major defects. They still looked like beginner's work.

Two hours of joints looking like I'd never welded with MIG before in my entire life, and the frustration that went along with it... I was grumpy beyond needing to eat.

Then I remembered: I've never welded with MIG before in my entire life. I cannot expect perfection on the first day.

But I'm willing to take it on Day Two, if you're so inclined.