60% charge after 18 years? man that is wild. I had an old Game Boy Advance SP in the bottom of a closet, and when I found it, the battery had bloated so bad the shell was cracked open. Those old Apple batteries were built different or something. Your iPod is basically a time capsule at this point, I'd be scared to even plug it in honestly.

Heard duct tape and prayer is the real pro move for tent poles.

Oh man, new stuff is totally worth the risk though. That's where the real breakthroughs happen.

Rust on a Ford hood sounds legit. Did that pattern look like it was mostly caused by rocks or salt eating through the clear coat, or was it more of a factory paint flaw that just went wild?

You try the GE Supreme Silicone yet? I used it in my shower after acrylic failed twice in a row, and it's been solid for almost 6 months now with no mildew spots. The key for me was getting the surface bone dry before applying, and I used a little dish soap on my finger to smooth it out. Also make sure you get the 100% silicone version not the hybrid stuff, the tube should say it right on the front.