Absolutely right about checking the weather more often. Saw a close call once when a gust hit out of nowhere during a steel lift. Our spotter was watching but the load still turned sideways. Had to drop it fast before it got worse. Now I tell my crew to watch the trees and flags, not just the forecast. You really can't cut corners with this stuff.

Back in high school art class, I refused to use rulers for drawing lines. I thought freehand was more real, like how you saw flash as ruining the mood. Then my teacher made me try it, and the clean lines made my sketches look more planned and detailed. It's a common thing where we get stuck on clean ideas in a hobby and miss out on tools that help. Your Eastgate photos sound like that moment of seeing the value in what you once avoided. Now I keep a ruler in my sketchbook, just as you'll probably keep flash in your kit for the right shots.

Try a foam brush for smoother coats.

Lol the "workout routine" comment is funny, but lowkey that undersells it. Those dances are crazy hard, but it's more about perfect timing and looking effortless, not just burning calories. Your coworker isn't totally wrong though, I'd be sore for days.