My memories of my 21st is Mopar related....
Since where I worked you got your birthday off and were paid for it, I decided to sleep in a bit and then mosey in and do a little cleaning in my stall.
Just after lunch one of the head mechanics called out for the 'Weasel'
I was sometimes called in to help when they needed a small hand to go into a tight spot-like cluster lights.
They were pulling the engine in one of the mechanics 69 Barracuda that had yanked the 340 and stuffed in a 440. Of course, it lasted about 3 weeks.
Instead of separating the exhaust at the end of the manifold, they tried to be stupid and unbolted the manifolds from the heads. Of course when they tried to hoist it out, they found that they had missed 1 bolt. I got the call.
I was able to get my fingers on it but they had to raise the engine just a bit.
No go, raise it some more and the guy working the hoist heard me say that I got it but raise it just a tiny bit more, he dropped the hoist.
My left ring finger kept the thing from gouging the steering box! Split it from the 2 knuckle all the way to the fingertip.
Ever so kindly I asked him to lift it up and he stood there with a dumb look on his face. I again screamed at him to lift it off my hand and heaved a large box end wrench at him- which missed and damaged 2 customers cars.
I spent about 7 hours at the hospital and couldn't really do any mech. work for 6 weeks. But the pharmecuticals made up for some of it.
The doctors did a great and I have only the scars to show for it.
And yes, having stitches where my fingernail was is extremely painful, even after they drowned my hand in novacaine.
Hell of a 21st birthday way back in 1972. And I missed my party.
. 21st B-day will probably be somewhat similar as I don't drink anyway.
