Something Random

[Pradeep]

I think at this point the "hydrogen highway" concept is as dead as a door nail. It offers no advantage whatsoever over today's much better batteries, and has lots of drawbacks (extra complexity, cost, the need to carry a very dangerous fuel). Sure, electrics need charging stations. If enough people start buying them these stations are almost trivial to add. Remember that when gas cars started being made there weren't an abundance of gas stations, yet somehow we managed.

To me, a consumer of natural gas, hydrogen production could be powered by a solar array, combined with a small fuel cell generating enough power for the house, hot water also a benefit. Electric charge times are very lengthy compared to a fill of 5000 bar hydrogen, and 4kg in a composite protected cell that disperses into the atmosphere is preferable to 15 gallons of petrol that will pool and explode.

From what I see the all electric cars need at least 3 hours to fully charge, this with a 240 Volt 70 Amp connector which is beyond my 100 Amp service.

 

[Mercutio]

Awful British tabloid prints it, so it must be true: IT Geeks are the best lovers.

 

[LunarMist]

Awful British tabloid prints it, so it must be true: IT Geeks are the best lovers.

Yeah, right.

 

[Mercutio]

So today I found out that there's something wrong with my right eye; an optometrist says he can't see anything wrong with the eye itself, but my vision can't be corrected to 20:20, either.

Which is a little bothersome.

And then I tried to go to a doctor, because I have a skin infection someplace slightly embarrassing. The first place I went said they had no physicians who can see me and to go to a different clinic. The second clinic said they had a four hour wait.

I said screw it. I'll get my ex to write me a prescription.

I love our wonderful free market health care system!

 

[jtr1962]

This thread is destined to be a classic of all time. Just read the first few pages to see what's going on. I was laughing my ass off by about the third page. :diablo:

 

[Handruin]

That can't be real jtr!?! Who the hell does that! I didn't read past the 3rd page, but wow.

 

[jtr1962]

That can't be real jtr!?! Who the hell does that! I didn't read past the 3rd page, but wow.

Sad to say but reading further I think the guy is serious. And yes, I've come in contact with people dumb enough to actually do stuff like that. The thread gets funnier and funnier as it goes on. No time now to read it through, but just the first ten or so pages and my sides are hurting. :drinka:

 

[ddrueding]

So today I found out that there's something wrong with my right eye; an optometrist says he can't see anything wrong with the eye itself, but my vision can't be corrected to 20:20, either.

Which is a little bothersome.

And then I tried to go to a doctor, because I have a skin infection someplace slightly embarrassing. The first place I went said they had no physicians who can see me and to go to a different clinic. The second clinic said they had a four hour wait.

I said screw it. I'll get my ex to write me a prescription.

I love our wonderful free market health care system!

You can get good care, but you have to pay for it. Go to a boutique practice and pay $300/mo (no insurance). That way you can have as many doctor visits as you want, be able to e-mail the doctor directly, and know that they are willing to spend as much time with you as you like. Of course, specialists, tests, and procedures are all on top of that.

That is the free market system at work.

 

[LunarMist]

So today I found out that there's something wrong with my right eye; an optometrist says he can't see anything wrong with the eye itself, but my vision can't be corrected to 20:20, either.

You should be seeing an ophthalmologist, not just an optometrist. There are many disorders and diseases of the eye. Don't delay in getting further evaluation and treatment.

 

[LunarMist]

Merc,
What is the status of the Element and your collectibles? What are you driving now?

 

[CougTek]

What are you driving now?

Maybe this?

 

[Handruin]

That's a pimp ride.

 

[CougTek]

I'm bored to death.

I completed this evening another week of work in which I've put too many hours. I slept a few hours later this evening because I was burn out. I should continue to sleep, but I'm not tired enough. Everything is closed now (it's passed two O'clock), except bars, but you don't go to bars this late and I'm not in my environment in these places (I deeply despise "Dance music"). I don't have any movie to watch and my Internet connection is too slow to begin downloading a two hours movie and hope to see it before sunrise.

I'm alone, of course. I have a few friends, but most of them have families. I only have one friend who's a lonely guy like I am, but he doesn't share at all my (healthy) living habits and I'm kind of tired of sitting there, doing nothing but having a beer (more often five or more) and listening to music. It's fun at times, but not every week. Besides, I'm well past the age of this teenage life-style.

I simply know nobody I could do sports with. Anyway, in the kind of shape I am, few could keep up. So I'm more or less confined to individual sports. Tomorrow, at the gym, I plan to try lifting something I've never been able to lift since August 2005. My left elbow is injured (something with the tricep attachment), so I doubt I'll be able to.

That's my life, in short. Working too many hours. Not being rewarded with enough money. Having no friend I can really relate to. Still trying to push my limits but asking myself why do I still bother. And being alone. Always. I feel I'm born with a judgment to spend my entire life alone. This September, it will be ten years that I live alone. Most people in prisons must be less lonely than I am.

Why does it seem so easy for some people with limited skills, intelligence and virtue to go thru life with money, friendship, love and relative success and so hard for others who are overall much more accomplished individuals?

On this philosophical thought, I leave you to seek a way to waste my time until either sleep wins over me or the sun rises with the rest of my society.

 

[mubs]

Merc, You should take care of your eye like LM said. It's not something you procrastinate about.

Coug, that sounded like something Merc would write. Don't you see anybody at the gym / individual sports places that would have common interests? You have to do something different, or life will continue the way it is.

 

[Handruin]

Why does it seem so easy for some people with limited skills, intelligence and virtue to go thru life with money, friendship, love and relative success and so hard for others who are overall much more accomplished individuals?

On this philosophical thought, I leave you to seek a way to waste my time until either sleep wins over me or the sun rises with the rest of my society.

It has a lot to do with balance and finding those who fit better with your personality and lifestyle. You seem very confident with yourself which might come across the wrong way to people you encounter in your daily life. What about trying organized sports in your area? If we're wasting your time...then why bother asking for some thoughts?

 

[Mercutio]

Merc,
What is the status of the Element and your collectibles? What are you driving now?

No idea. The only thing I've heard is that the Chicago parts storehouse for Honda didn't have some of the body panels I need so they're coming from someplace else. I imagine the stuff inside the car is probably trashed but I'd rather have the car back.

I'm driving my father's Element right now. He bought it just because it's a good car for someone who has dogs.

re: Ophthalmologist. There's one in the town where I live. His office was closed Friday and I imagine it won't be open Monday either.

ddrueding, as far as I know, there are no "boutique" medical practices like the one you described, nor do I think primary care is worth $300 a month right now for one healthy person at my age.

Coug, I know what you mean but I don't particularly have any sort of remedy for you. My friends are all online, and I only wish I could be working as much as I was last year at this time. My friends are more or less all on the internet, and even given that I could arrange to meet one or more of them, I choose not to because I so keenly hate the idea of travel. I think some people are just meant to be alone.

 

[ddrueding]

A laptop was left on my desk with the note "Won't open time card". No kidding, it won't even boot :roll:

 

[Stereodude]

A laptop was left on my desk with the note "Won't open time card". No kidding, it won't even boot :roll:

Return it with a 2nd note saying, "you're right".

 

[Handruin]

Do it...

:rotfl:

 

[ddrueding]

I would, but I don't even know who it belongs to. One of the foreman, but I'll have to wait until they follow-up.

 

[LunarMist]

Is there no asset bar code label?

 

[ddrueding]

Is there no asset bar code label?

There is (there wasn't before I started), but it is assigned to the pool of foreman. Those guys switch around hardware all the time.

 

[LiamC]

Return it with a 2nd note saying, "you're right".

It's too good an opportunity not to...:lol:

 

[Mercutio]

I might get my car back on Friday. Maybe.
Unless they're lying.

And, here's my random thought:

Toothbrush technology is both amazing and useless.
I go to buy a new toothbrush every three months. I can never find the same toothbrush twice. Every time I look, there's some new thing. I think there would be some natural stopping point for evolution in toothbrush efficiency, but my toothbrush has a different angle from handle to brush, or different clusters of bristles, or battery operation. My new one has broad, soft rubber bits that are supposed to scrape more efficiently.

I'm regularly amazed at the variety of ways someone thinks might somehow improve my oral hygiene, even though I can't tell the difference. I have to imagine that somewhere, there are competing groups of dentally-inclined engineers, each striving for some kind of insignificant improvement in dentifricial technology.

Anyway, I had that random thought.

 

[Will Rickards]

Well yeah down in the land of manual toothbrushes. Just get a sonicare and be done with it all. It even has an induction charger so it has sort of a geek factor.

 

[Stereodude]

And, here's my random thought:

Toothbrush technology is both amazing and useless.
I go to buy a new toothbrush every three months. I can never find the same toothbrush twice. Every time I look, there's some new thing. I think there would be some natural stopping point for evolution in toothbrush efficiency, but my toothbrush has a different angle from handle to brush, or different clusters of bristles, or battery operation. My new one has broad, soft rubber bits that are supposed to scrape more efficiently.

The same thing exists with laundry detergent. It's always getting better. :rotfl:

 

[CougTek]

Tomorrow, at the gym, I plan to try lifting something I've never been able to lift since August 2005. My left elbow is injured (something with the tricep attachment), so I doubt I'll be able to.

Well, I did it and yesterday, I lifted the most important weights in my entire life. My triceps is holding on. There is still some juice left in this old body.

 

[timwhit]

Well, I did it and yesterday, I lifted the most important weights in my entire life. My triceps is holding on. There is still some juice left in this old body.

How much weight and what kind of lift?

 

[CougTek]

100lbs per free weight (x2), shoulder press.

 

[timwhit]

100lbs per free weight (x2), shoulder press.

Is that the same as military press? If so, that is an injury prone lift.

 

[CougTek]

IIRC, the military press is with a bar while the shoulder press is with two free weights. I prefer free weights because if I can't complet my series, I don't knock myself on the head with the steel bar.

 

[udaman]

LM is going to complain this is why he left SR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJu0DgpiK8c&feature=player_embedded

^As simplistic/sarcastic way of saying the economy is fooked pretty bad, even if leading economic indicators show an improvement. It will take time to see what the diirection is going to take.

One thing for sure, fuel prices are up significantly over just one month ago. Back to $3+/gal gasoline for the summer I appears

ah crap, how do I embed an youtube vid here?

 

[Handruin]

ah crap, how do I embed an youtube vid here?[/QUOTE]

You don't.

 

[Stereodude]

You don't.

And we like it that way. :rofl:

 

[LunarMist]

Well, I did it and yesterday, I lifted the most important weights in my entire life. My triceps is holding on. There is still some juice left in this old body.

How old is that, approximately?

 

[LunarMist]

You don't.

:thumbright:

 

[Mercutio]

Last week I was told my car would be done on last Friday.
I called today and the chick told me they haven't done anything at all to my car, and that it might be done Friday after next.

I'm thinking it's not going to do a damned bit of good to go down and yell at the shitheads holding my car hostage but isn't 39 days a teensy bit unreasonable? Even if they had to paint stuff (and they don't; 2003 Elements only came in one color), I'd think they could get it all bolted on within a five week timeframe.

 

[Handruin]

That sucks. Can you call your insurance and see if they can switch to a different repair place or are you paying for this one on your own?

 

[CougTek]

How old is that, approximately?

Somewhere between David and Bozo.

...not enough to have been in Viet Nam.

 

[CougTek]

...isn't 39 days a teensy bit unreasonable? Even if they had to paint stuff (and they don't; 2003 Elements only came in one color), I'd think they could get it all bolted on within a five week timeframe.

Do you know if they have received the check from the insurance company? They might be waiting for this. Otherwise, it is utterly unacceptable. Give the contract to another garage just for the sake of it. Pay the towing if you have to. Get it done.