Learned to wear a full-face shield after a rock decided to disintegrate.

Watched a crew in Oaxaca do a whole patio by hand, same deal. The key was they mixed the concrete a little wetter, which let them work it longer before it set. Yeah, it took all day, but the surface was like glass and had zero cracks after two years. Sometimes the old way just works better for the place and the material, you know? Machines can't always feel when the mix is just right.

Oh wow, I used to always try and make the client happy even if it meant cutting corners. Then I saw how a rushed job just comes back to bite you later when it doesn't look right. That's exactly why saying no is the better call.