@cameroncarr nailed it with the hard water thing. Portland's water is soft compared to some places, but it still has minerals that build up. I had the same issue with tight, flaky skin. Switched to a cheap shower filter from Amazon, cost me like $30. Cleared up in a week.

Six months and not even a dent in those forks? That's wild, I figured they'd at least start getting brittle after a few months of rain and sun.

@sean_walker45 knows what's up. The lid trick for the first bit makes a huge difference. I do about the same ratio but I'll add a pinch of salt early to draw the moisture out faster. Also, don't crowd the pan too much or they'll steam instead of caramelize.

Oh man, I ran into the exact same problem with my old Stanley planes. I started saving a few specific eBay searches and checking them maybe once a month, just 10 minutes while I drink my coffee. It keeps my pricing fresh without turning into a full time job.

Gotta call this out differently. That degree guy probably did get his resume tossed for lacking real work, sure, but that doesn't mean certificates are better across the board. You landed a good gig because you showed up with actual proof you could do the job, not because a piece of paper from community college is some magic key. Most places still filter by degree first, especially for anything past entry level. One win is great, but it's not a trend. Respect the hustle though, just don't bet your whole career on one lucky break.