Something Random
- Thread starter ddrueding
- Start date
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
I don't think I want to know that much about dd's sex life, man.
ddrueding
Fixture
Funny enough, I am currently at the restaurant that started this thread, on my fourth bottle of Hahn Meritage, being presented with many options. I clearly love my wife very much.
Who said anything about the ddudering?
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
He's SSDdrueding, remember?
ddrueding
Fixture
Home safe with my very pregnant wife, after managing a meeting with the city council while very drunk without them suspecting a thing. Nice to know that after years on the wagon I haven't lost the skills 
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
I just bought four CorelDraw x6 licenses. The license numbers are all identical except for the last digit. Anyone want to bet on what would happen if I used the next number in sequence?
ddrueding
Fixture
Sometimes you have to wonder how people that dumb get trusted with that kind of responsibility.
Stereodude
Not really a
Their license police will burst through your door and have you hog tied and fed into a wood chipper?!?!?!
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Please. Corel is a Canadian company. They would politely ask me to stop and then apologize and offer me some Tim Horton's.
Either nothing will happen if it has already been used or you will ruin someone's day when they find that license unusable.
ddrueding
Fixture
Managed to get cleaned up from the bike crash in time to make it to a "casino night" fundraiser for a local school. Managed to convert 1,000 into 75,000 in 4 hours of Blackjack. Not my favorite game, but there wasn't a hold-em table set up.
mubs
Storage? I am Storage!
A man of many talents! Kudos, DD.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
In the last month, I've had five different people ask me if I could convert some misbegotten PDF back in to its editable source. Sometimes, it's possible and sometimes it's not. Today it was a Powerpoint presentation so the answer was no. I suspect this is going to become a bigger and bigger problem. End users clearly do not know what PDFs are for and more things are making them these days. Arg.
ddrueding
Fixture
Last week I had to photoshop-edit 40+ pages of PDFs. Font-matching, updating tables, graphs. What a pain in the ass. The user typed it up, printed it, didn't save it, then scanned it to PDF using the copier. As a lesson, I made them stand there and watch as I made the changes and berated them the whole time.
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
I had a "fun" day in hospital yesterday, due to being involved in a motorbike accident on the way to work... Basically, the front tyre blew, I managed to get off the freeway crossing 3 lanes to do so (as it was peak-hour I was only doing 45-60kmh), but couldn't pull up safely and went into the guard rail. (loss of steering control as I had no front tyre).
Just came out with a heavily bruised knee, some gravel rash and bruising to the left leg. Otherwise unscathed. Mind you my left boot was shredded, my jacket** has a nice slice along the belly region and left arm is scratched up badly, and a few very minor scratches on the helmet... so all the gear I wear even in 30C+ heat did its job...
The bike, no idea, but the tow truck driver mentioned that it's most likely a write off. I didn't get to see the bike personally, as the paramedics had me stay were I was on the grass on the other side of the guard rail.
So I'll have to wait for the insurance to come through and I get to go bike shopping!
Don't worry, my wife joked with me saying, "I know you wanted a new bike, but seriously there are better ways than writing it off".
So a week off work/uni in bed, at least for a few days while the swelling in the knee goes down, and lot's of time online...
The whole event has certainly made me re-evaluate what my wife and kids means to me...
** I wear one of the modern style jackets with kelver mesh and high-density foam inserts as the protection.
Just came out with a heavily bruised knee, some gravel rash and bruising to the left leg. Otherwise unscathed. Mind you my left boot was shredded, my jacket** has a nice slice along the belly region and left arm is scratched up badly, and a few very minor scratches on the helmet... so all the gear I wear even in 30C+ heat did its job...
The bike, no idea, but the tow truck driver mentioned that it's most likely a write off. I didn't get to see the bike personally, as the paramedics had me stay were I was on the grass on the other side of the guard rail.
So I'll have to wait for the insurance to come through and I get to go bike shopping!
Don't worry, my wife joked with me saying, "I know you wanted a new bike, but seriously there are better ways than writing it off".
So a week off work/uni in bed, at least for a few days while the swelling in the knee goes down, and lot's of time online...
The whole event has certainly made me re-evaluate what my wife and kids means to me...
** I wear one of the modern style jackets with kelver mesh and high-density foam inserts as the protection.
ddrueding
Fixture
Wow. Glad to hear you came out of it alright. Even at only 60kph going down in a lane of traffic could have been pretty bad; good job keeping it upright as long as you did. Any idea the cause of the blowout? How were your tires?
It sounds like you did really well to get to the side of the road. I'm not sure many riders could have done anything but go down once the front tire was gone.
Any idea if insurance will replace your gear as well?
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
Thanks guys.
No idea what happened with the front tyre, could've been a nail, screw, sharp stone, could've been the valve blowing, no idea... All I know is that I lost all air pressure in under 5 secs, saw a line to get off the road avoiding other traffic (so I don't get run over by a car - hitting a guard rail is one thing - only getting myself hurt - getting hit by a car, on a whole new level), and went for it.
Unfortunately only the bike is covered by insurance, so new jacket, boots, helmet have to come out of our own pocket. (It's an option to have rider accessories covered, but the premium increase vs just replacing it ourselves doesn't make sense).
No idea what happened with the front tyre, could've been a nail, screw, sharp stone, could've been the valve blowing, no idea... All I know is that I lost all air pressure in under 5 secs, saw a line to get off the road avoiding other traffic (so I don't get run over by a car - hitting a guard rail is one thing - only getting myself hurt - getting hit by a car, on a whole new level), and went for it.
Unfortunately only the bike is covered by insurance, so new jacket, boots, helmet have to come out of our own pocket. (It's an option to have rider accessories covered, but the premium increase vs just replacing it ourselves doesn't make sense).
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
The important question is, does one maintain bowel control while doing mid-air acrobatics on a busy expressway?
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
In this instance, yes one does maintain control... Things happen too quickly... (The adrenaline doesn't have time to kick in nor reach sufficient levels for the typical instinctive bowel release - actually there is a lot of research into this instinctive reaction to fear or personal safety).The important question is, does one maintain bowel control while doing mid-air acrobatics on a busy expressway?
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The important question is, does one maintain bowel control while doing mid-air acrobatics on a busy expressway?
I don't know, but I hate it when you masjr all the way home, run into the lav, then crape pants last minuten.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
mubs
Storage? I am Storage!
Glad you're ok, Chewy!
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
It wouldn't bother me too much, it would be more a case of ,"&^*^* dropped the screwdriver, gotta climb back down to get it. Hope no-one was under the tower".
I've known a few riggers in my life time, and some of them are nuts...
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
Thanks.
ddrueding
Fixture
Near my office a crew from the power company has been working on the high-voltage transmission lines with a helicopter. They have a rope ladder hanging from the heli, and they hang from the ladder as the heli flies cross-country from tower to tower. When they get to a tower, the workers just grab one and let go of the other. Since the heli isn't grounded, no one gets electrocuted. Really neat work, I could do that for sure. Lots of videos on Youtube.
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
I can assure you that they let one go BEFORE grabbing the other one, because doing those steps in the reverse order would result in a crispy repair tech.
I'm also glad Chewy hasn't been hurt severely. Speaking of motorcycles, my little brother is getting one soon. He's not a young man anymore and he doesn't really have experience riding a bike other than the class he'll follow to obtain his permit. He doesn't have a particularly good eyesight either. I hope he'll have enough brain to learn this quickly or there are good chances I'll be out of brothers soon.
mubs
Storage? I am Storage!
Somebody else posted a link to this video quite a while back; DD or Merc or someone else.
Makes me nauseous just to see the video. Those guys are so nonchalant about it, though. Likewise construction, electrician types who clamber to the tops of buildings.
I'd think at those heights, the guys might be exposed to strong winds and on the way up, bird attacks.
Make sure he gets good gear and wears it every time.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Back in December, I took my ladyfriend on an adventure to an Apple store to get her iphone fixed after it fell out of her purse. It wasn't under warranty, so she paid $150 for a replacement.
In January it fell out of her coat pocket onto concrete floor and the screen broke. Rather than pay Apple, I replaced the screen for her.
Last night, walking out of the place where we had dinner, she slipped on some ice and her phone ended up in a puddle. It was in a "waterproof/shockproof" case. The damned thing still got wet and now the speaker doesn't work.
I'm starting to think that the reason Apple sells so goddamned many phones is that young ladies need new ones every six weeks. Either that or someone needs to invent the smartphone equivalent of mitten clips.
In January it fell out of her coat pocket onto concrete floor and the screen broke. Rather than pay Apple, I replaced the screen for her.
Last night, walking out of the place where we had dinner, she slipped on some ice and her phone ended up in a puddle. It was in a "waterproof/shockproof" case. The damned thing still got wet and now the speaker doesn't work.
I'm starting to think that the reason Apple sells so goddamned many phones is that young ladies need new ones every six weeks. Either that or someone needs to invent the smartphone equivalent of mitten clips.
ddrueding
Fixture
My Galaxy S3 was in my pocket unprotected when I fell at nearly 30MPH and banged around sliding on the ground for a long way. Other than some scuff marks on the back, it is fine. It has been dropped onto concrete and asphalt by me at least a dozen times without issue.
What is Apple doing to their product to cause such failures? A female friend of mine is on her third this year.
What is Apple doing to their product to cause such failures? A female friend of mine is on her third this year.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
Not a phone, but my Garmin Legend HC GPS endured a couple of hits to the pavement at 20+ mph when the bike mount failed. It works just fine, although it can no longer read the map on the SD card (that problem was actually occurring intermittently before the first fall). I've since made a better mount out of a piece of aluminum to prevent future falls.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
I get nauseous myself just watching it. It's not so much the height which bothers me, but being completely out in the open. I've been on the platform on the roof of the World Trade Center 1320 or so feet up and I was just fine. I can't say the same had I been hanging on to a big pole at the same height like those guys. The last part is especially scary, where they go right on top, and then anchor themselves to what looks like a pretty flimsy pole. I'm also sure there's strong winds, and most of the year cold temperatures, which can only add to the "atmosphere". Then again, if I did this every day, after a while I might be as casual about it as those guys. It's amazing what you can learn to get used to.
ddrueding
Fixture
Actually, they use a metal pole connected by wire to the helicopter. As they approach, the connect the helicopter to the pole electrically. That way they have the same potential and you can move freely between them. Since the heli isn't grounded, the electricity doesn't go anywhere. It does make a neat arc when you connect it, though.
This is the one to watch.
Howell
Storage? I am Storage!
Helicopters generate plenty of static electricity on their own. They better have something.
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
Thanks Coug. What saved me was wearing all the right gear, so my advise for any rider is to wear it, and don't skip it. Full face helmet, jacket, gloves, real leather boots is a must. Case in point, my jacket has a 10cm gash along the belly region (from sliding along the top of the guard rail), but the jacket took the damage, inside of having my guts split open and spread over the side of the motorway... (jacket is the kelver mesh type, stuff that is stab/knife proof, and yet it was still split open).
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
The big problem with the iPhone 4 and 5, is that Apple used thinner materials to keep weight down, which has had the effect of a less robust structural integrity. My boss went through 6x iPhone 4's and his iPhone 5 only lasted two weeks before it's screen cracked. According to him, it only fell a foot, failing out of his bag onto the ground, yet needs both the front and back glass replaced...
But my cheap HTC Wildfire has been dropped, kicked, abused and only has a tiny scratch on the front glass... and I know a lot of other people with Nokia's, Samsung's, HTC's, LG's that all take the abuse but keep working fine... Apple users, well they all seem to have problems. I have noticed that the small phone repair store at the local mall seems to do 3-4 apple devices for each other brand. I don't know if that is because i-devices are more popular or if they are more fragile, or their users just treat their phones like crap....
But my cheap HTC Wildfire has been dropped, kicked, abused and only has a tiny scratch on the front glass... and I know a lot of other people with Nokia's, Samsung's, HTC's, LG's that all take the abuse but keep working fine... Apple users, well they all seem to have problems. I have noticed that the small phone repair store at the local mall seems to do 3-4 apple devices for each other brand. I don't know if that is because i-devices are more popular or if they are more fragile, or their users just treat their phones like crap....