Ep. 279 – Loosen The Grit
From Happy Hour with Dennis and Erik by Erik Rasmussen and Dennis Schrantz
April 24, 2026 · 1h 2m · Episode 279
About this episode
The hosts discuss Erik's experiences in Spain and London, childhood memories, and various topics including office life and home improvement.
The hosts discuss Erik returning to Spain after a week in London and how crossing streets in the UK prompts second-guessing, prompting Dennis to recount a childhood jaywalking accident where a motorcycle severely injured his ankle and left him in a full leg cast for months. They compare big-city office life and commuting with working from home, then Dennis shares a long-running oak furniture story that leads to his “tool of the day,” a vibrating square sander used to restore an old round oak table. Erik describes speaking at a London conference, playing a sponsor’s space-bar game that earned him a high score and a Lord of the Rings LEGO set he declined, which later went to an emotional volunteer, plus other prizes like a signed coding book and AI cloud tokens. Erik also recounts joining an English-speakers group in Bilbao and doing an “outdoor escape room” treasure-hunt tour through the old medieval city, followed by beers and snacks, and ends with notes on listening to 60s funk, Dennis’ Kalamazoo weather and river-brewery plans, and Erik’s London meals including mozzarella tasting and a Sunday roast.
People in this episode
Hosts: Erik Rasmussen, Dennis Schrantz
Topics covered
- travel
- childhood stories
- office life
- home improvement
- conferences
- social activities
- food
Keywords
- Spain
- London
- jaywalking
- vibrating square sander
- Lord of the Rings
- Bilbao
- 60s funk
- Kalamazoo
- food
Mentioned in this episode
Products: vibrating square sander
Books & works: Lord of the Rings LEGO set
Places: Spain, London, Bilbao, Kalamazoo
More episodes of Happy Hour with Dennis and Erik
- Ep. 282 – Who Washes The Washers? · June 5, 2026 · 1h 8m
- Ep. 281 – Through the Screw Hole · May 22, 2026 · 1h 6m
- Ep. 280 – New Broom Sweeps Clean · May 15, 2026 · 1h 0m
- Ep. 278 – It Just Looks That Way from Across the Street · April 17, 2026 · 1h 9m
- Ep. 277 – Kick it in the Ice Hole · April 10, 2026 · 1h 9m
- Ep. 276 – Measure Once, Cut Twice · April 3, 2026 · 1h 11m
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