Red-Ringed Tupperware Party with (ineffective) Tin Foil Hats

[Woolburr]

About 70,000 people here....250K in the metro area.

[liza]

I live in a town of 40,000 and this is the suburbia!

I guess that officially puts me in "the middle of nowhere."

Nice pics, Yoda! They're very beautiful and calming.

[Woolburr]

Looks like maple icing on my computer. Think I want a donut. :)
Yoda- Those are great. I can't see anything like that near here.

I thought I was the only nut that saw maple creme frosting on the coast...hehehe ;)

[Permagrin]

I thought I was the only nut that saw maple creme frosting on the coast...hehehe ;)

Well, you are the only nut, but there is maple there for sure :lol:

[Lightstream]

Looks like maple icing on my computer. Think I want a donut. :)
Yoda- Those are great. I can't see anything like that near here.

mmmmm donut :D

Here is one more shot of the sand itself.. you'll notice it looks very rusty, some of the signs noted that this is because of the high amount of ferrite (iron) content in the sand. It's very unusual terrain and a unique geographical feature. My high school geography teacher would have been proud...too bad, they didn't make their lessons more practical like this though :D

http://pix.lightrefineries.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1605&g2_serialNumber=1

[wu_wei0]

I thought I was the only nut that saw maple creme frosting on the coast...hehehe ;)
great (nut) minds think alike!

Someday, when I have someone to share the driving with, I want one of those homes on wheels. Always wanted to be an itinerant photographer/sociologist

[Lightstream]

I guess that officially puts me in "the middle of nowhere."

Nice pics, Yoda! They're very beautiful and calming.

Thanks Liza :) not hard to see why this little weekend expedition did me a lot of good...I will do it again in the near future :)

I missed half of what I intended to shoot (I planned too short a route), but that is just an excuse to do it all over again :D

I thought I was the only nut that saw maple creme frosting on the coast...hehehe ;)

Well, you are the only nut, but there is maple there for sure :lol:

Oh, so there are three nuts dreaming of maple now.... :mrgreen:

[Lightstream]

great (nut) minds think alike!

Someday, when I have someone to share the driving with...

That's the only thing I could have wished for... significant other on this trip with me :)

[Woolburr]

mmmmm donut :D

Here is one more shot of the sand itself.. you'll notice it looks very rusty, some of the signs noted that this is because of the high amount of ferrite (iron) content in the sand. It's very unusual terrain and a unique geographical feature. My high school geography teacher would have been proud...too bad, they didn't make their lessons more practical like this though :D


Seeing is believing...especially in education...this is proof of the value of a field trip. I was so lucky as a kid...my grandfather loved to travel and see things...my grandmother hated to travel...so as soon as I was old enough...grandpa and I set out to see North America....I wish my kids could have had the same experience.

Keep the pics coming Yoda...you have a captive audience...we are enjoying the show and the lesson!:D

[Lightstream]

Seeing is believing...especially in education...this is proof of the value of a field trip. I was so lucky as a kid...my grandfather loved to travel and see things...my grandmother hated to travel...so as soon as I was old enough...grandpa and I set out to see North America....I wish my kids could have had the same experience.

Keep the pics coming Yoda...you have a captive audience...we are enjoying the show and the lesson!:D

:) :) actually it also depends on how receptive the kids are.... I imagine that earlier in life I would probably not have realized the magnitude of what I am looking at. I did however get an "A" in my final geography exam when I left school.. (that's the one that'll follow me through life)

I need to get some food now, and postprocess more of them. Nearly 400 frames to wade through, de-dust, crop and kick up the saturation.. I tell you the 5D does us a lot of favors with the Landscape picture style... I shot a fair few of them in "Standard" when Landscape would have been better (erring on the side of caution).

I'll be back in a short while, but here is one more... a sunset: (little bit dark, but that's the way it was!)

http://pix.lightrefineries.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1591&g2_serialNumber=1

[Woolburr]

great (nut) minds think alike!

Someday, when I have someone to share the driving with, I want one of those homes on wheels. Always wanted to be an itinerant photographer/sociologist

Itinerant is fine...it is when you become a vagrant that the troubles begin. ;)

These are no harder to drive than a car....just a bit bigger is all...they handle and operate just like any other vehicle. I have freinds that own one....the wife is 4'11" and 90 pounds soaking wet...she drives theirs all the time...it is 4' longer than mine and an additional 7,000 pounds.

[Woolburr]

Came across this on my afternoon drive today.
http://www.pbase.com/woolburr/image/70834028.jpg

[Permagrin]

Pretty, Wool. Definitely adds to the atmosphere!

And you're right. Itinerant okay, vagrant not okay....but you forgot the "UP WITH VAGABONDS!" (sheesh, some people never read their telepromter...)

[Woolburr]

Who said I could read?

[Permagrin]

Who said I could read?

well what'dja do with that mime I sent over?

[Lightstream]

Back!

Got any interior pics of the RV? I have always been curious to see what those look like.

[Woolburr]

Bang...Just bang...

What else would you do with a mime?

[Woolburr]

Back!

Got any interior pics of the RV? I have always been curious to see what those look like.

I do...just have to look a bit.

[Permagrin]

Bang...Just bang...

What else would you do with a mime?

WOOL!! Mimes are a terrible thing to waste!

(kidding, I find olive loaf works quite well actually)

[wu_wei0]

Itinerant is fine...it is when you become a vagrant that the troubles begin. ;)

These are no harder to drive than a car....just a bit bigger is all...they handle and operate just like any other vehicle. I have freinds that own one....the wife is 4'11" and 90 pounds soaking wet...she drives theirs all the time...it is 4' longer than mine and an additional 7,000 pounds.
No doubt I could drive the thing. Do have trouble sitting in one position for very long.

[Lightstream]

After spending most of the past few days in a car my @ss is sore too ;)

At least the results are nice... (am slowly picking through the rest of the footage)

http://pix.lightrefineries.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1608&g2_serialNumber=1

[Woolburr]

Here is part of the living/dining room area.
http://www.pbase.com/image/70835707.jpg

[Woolburr]

This is the kitchen area.
http://www.pbase.com/image/70835992.jpg

[puddlepirate44]

Hard to believe that's in a vehicle. :shock:

[Lightstream]

Wow, definitely looks cosy. Actually, if not for the windows, and how densely things are packed together, it looks like a small little apartment.

Hard to believe that's in a vehicle.

Yes, exactly! :)


Wool......very nice.....how do other things like electrical power, toilets, and water work?

[Woolburr]

http://www.pbase.com/image/70836228.jpg

The unit is totally self contained. There is an 80 gallon water tank...hot water heater, furnace...holding tanks for waste/waste water, 5500 watt generator, 12 volt water pump, 2000 watt inverter for quiet operation.

[puddlepirate44]

I like it, but, Man, all that plastic on the floor has just got to go!

[puddlepirate44]

That unit probably has it, but I don't see it... Don't you think that something like that should come with one of those GPS navigations systems? :shock:

[Permagrin]

That unit probably has it, but I don't see it... Don't you think that something like that should come with one of those GPS navigations systems? :shock:

Why? Guys don't use maps anyway...

[puddlepirate44]

Why? Guys don't use maps anyway...

No, sure, we don't use maps, but a GPS Nav system is a toy. Big difference.

[Woolburr]

I like it, but, Man, all that plastic on the floor has just got to go!

That unit probably has it, but I don't see it... Don't you think that something like that should come with one of those GPS navigations systems? :shock:

These are from the day I bought it....the plastic is long gone. The navigation system is portable and goes in the house when I am not traveling.

http://www.pbase.com/image/70836655.jpg

[Lightstream]

The unit is totally self contained. There is an 80 gallon water tank...hot water heater, furnace...holding tanks for waste/waste water, 5500 watt generator, 12 volt water pump, 2000 watt inverter for quiet operation.

Amazing. Even saw the beds in your next picture.. so you don't have to sleep on sofas or things like that. Do the batteries charge when you are on the move?

Why? Guys don't use maps anyway...

No, sure, we don't use maps, but a GPS Nav system is a toy. Big difference.

By that definition I must be a chick ;)

I plot the routes on computer before I leave, then it's a straight download to the GPS. I also memorize the routes and use paper in the event of a sat nav failure, however I am someone who is perpetually lost, so I rely a lot on the GPS to save my bacon. It is also very reassuring to know where you are going and how far you are from your destination.

However, it's been a love hate relationship all these years with unreliable units, slow acquisition, slow CPU, and everything. Only lately has Garmin come up with something I am truly happy with.... I am using the Garmin Quest.

Funny story as to how I ended up with the Quest.. friend's GF contacts me out of the blue one day saying she would like to give him something and that I am the resident GPS 'expert' (not really, but I have owned a few units). I recommended the Quest.. they got it.. I played with it, initially did not like the changed layouts over the traditional Garmin layouts, until my 76CS pissed me off beyond imagination (and came to a nasty end). Next thing I know I have a Quest and once I learned the new workflow, I was genuinely impressed. This GPS was instrumental in saving my bacon out there in roads so dark you can't even see behind you in your rear view mirror. I HATE being lost and it saved me from three wrong turns (two before I made them, one after I made it) before I started to lose it (late at night, tired, can't see, visibility is zero without lights, add lost and that could likely really tick me off)

http://www.garmin.com/automotive/products.html#automotive

Mine is the older Quest 1, they have since introduced a new model.

[Woolburr]

There is a queen size bed in the master bedroom...the sofa folds out to a queen size bed....and the dining room table folds down to a full size bed...you can sleep six if you are friendly.

There is a solar panel for charging the batteries...they can also charge from the generator, shore power or from the vehicle alternator.

[Lightstream]

There is a queen size bed in the master bedroom...the sofa folds out to a queen size bed....and the dining room table folds down to a full size bed...you can sleep six if you are friendly.

There is a solar panel for charging the batteries...they can also charge from the generator, shore power or from the vehicle alternator.


Wow....I am impressed... very well equipped! Solar is a great idea since you are under the sun most of the day and you have a decent roof surface. Battery power's essential, after all we digital photogs need our laptops.

Add one more item: satellite Internet, and that'd be perfect.

[Woolburr]

No need for Sat Net...I have wireless broadband....works in most areas of the east coast...many camping areas have wireless internet too.

Last pic to answer Dan's question about the Nav system...I can use the screen to the left of the steering wheel....normally used for the back-up camera...It has jacks that let me plug in the nav system and display it there.
http://www.pbase.com/image/70837918.jpg

[Lightstream]

No need for Sat Net...I have wireless broadband....works in most areas of the east coast...many camping areas have wireless internet too.

Last pic to answer Dan's question about the Nav system...I can use the screen to the left of the steering wheel....normally used for the back-up camera...It has jacks that let me plug in the nav system and display it there.


Lucky you US users! I have to contend with fighting with PABX systems and dial access (and risk being nailed for long-distance charges)....

[Woolburr]

I can dial in via cell phone too....for a 56K modem....not real fast...and you do have to be aware of potential charges.

[Permagrin]

Lucky you US users! I have to contend with fighting with PABX systems and dial access (and risk being nailed for long-distance charges)....

Heck, I didn't know you'd stopped using carrier pigeons...
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108890997-S.gif

[Woolburr]

Heck, I didn't know you'd stopped using carrier pigeons...
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108890997-S.gif

He just upgraded to passenger pigeons. ;)

[Lightstream]

I can dial in via cell phone too....for a 56K modem....not real fast...and you do have to be aware of potential charges.

Ah, I have full 3G (I believe their transport is CDMA-1X) coverage here, so I was using that to check weather forecasts since I have a small free data quota and hardly use it. However, unless you are on one of their high volume data plans (fairly expensive for infrequent users like myself) it can be very expensive very fast.

Actually it was good to be away from a computer over the weekend. I was on the move so much there wasn't very much 'idle' time anyway. If I was going on an extended expedition you bet I would consider switching to a high volume plan...

[Permagrin]

I can dial in via cell phone too....for a 56K modem....not real fast...and you do have to be aware of potential charges.

Wool (I'm just cracking up because 3x now I've typed your name Wook!!!), you've got a really nice system there...especially since you don't fly, it's a REALLY nice way to travel in comfort!

[Permagrin]

Heck, I didn't know you'd stopped using carrier pigeons...
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108890997-S.gif

He just upgraded to passenger pigeons. ;)

I can just see it now...his passenger pigeons have wireless internet and are sending him memos to pick up their laundry http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108890997-S.gif

[liza]

Bang...Just bang...

What else would you do with a mime?

WOOL!! Mimes are a terrible thing to waste!


OMG!! That's awful! :lol: :lol: :lol:

There is a queen size bed in the master bedroom...the sofa folds out to a queen size bed....and the dining room table folds down to a full size bed...you can sleep six if you are friendly.

There is a solar panel for charging the batteries...they can also charge from the generator, shore power or from the vehicle alternator.

Impressive set up! You could start traveling west from your location and pick up the regular members of this thread along the way. When we hit the west coast we could all visit Mareen and Belmondo. :)

[Lightstream]

Heck, I didn't know you'd stopped using carrier pidgeons...
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108890997-S.gif

He just upgraded to passenger pigeons. ;)


Ohhhh.... such luxury, yes..

I don't even use pigeons, I have to make do with gulls, and they are very unreliable ;)


It is also interesting to note that there IS a specification for transmitting Internet data over carrier pigeons (released in '99), it's quite well known to those of us who work this line. What is even more crazy and outrageous is that some nerd actually *TESTED* the specification and reported his findings.

You basically capture a data packet from your computer, print it out, roll it into a piece of paper, attach it to the pigeon, launch it, and when it arrives, unroll the paper, and scan it into the computer. It's been known that this approach WILL work (apart from being outrageously slow), since it is technically sound, but I never imagined someone would actually benchmark it. I can find you the docs if you are interested.

[Woolburr]

ROFL....you figure because we have Yoda that there should be a Wookie too?
I think that is a member of the cast too?

[Permagrin]

ROFL....you figure because we have Yoda that there should be a Wookie too?
I think that is a member of the cast too?

That must be it...you're our dear Wookie (or "walking carpet" if you will) now! :lol:

[Permagrin]

It is also interesting to note that there IS a specification for transmitting Internet data over carrier pigeons (released in '99), it's quite well known to those of us who work this line. What is even more crazy and outrageous is that some nerd actually *TESTED* the specification and reported his findings.

You basically capture a data packet from your computer, print it out, roll it into a piece of paper, attach it to the pigeon, launch it, and when it arrives, unroll the paper, and scan it into the computer. It's been known that this approach WILL work (apart from being outrageously slow), since it is technically sound, but I never imagined someone would actually benchmark it. I can find you the docs if you are interested.

I TOLDJA HE USED 'EM!! :lol:

[Belmondo]

When we hit the west coast we could all visit Mareen and Belmondo. :) Wouildn't that be a hoot?

[Lightstream]

That must be it...you're our dear Wookie (or "walking carpet" if you will) now! :lol:

Hahahahahaa! PG is now responsible for both our predicaments ;)

I TOLDJA HE USED 'EM!! :lol:

That's why I haven't been able to post over the weekend! Imagine just how long it takes to load one page! :p

[Permagrin]

Wouildn't that be a hoot?

I think it'd be great....a US POTN migration all straight to Belmondo's ;)

[Woolburr]

That sounds interesting...a coast to coast safari....

[Permagrin]

That sounds interesting...a coast to coast safari....

Well, really I'd probably just head south if I were me...;)

[Lightstream]

I think it'd be great....a US POTN migration all straight to Belmondo's ;)

That sounds interesting...a coast to coast safari....

Man, I wish I could be there!!!!!

And we can all raid Dante's Diner (and someone will try to make off with the 300/2.8 while his back is turned :D)

[Permagrin]

Man, I wish I could be there!!!!!

And we can all raid Dante's Diner (and someone will try to make off with the 300/2.8 while his back is turned :D)

Maybe that's what we should all do for next years vacation!

[Woolburr]

Maybe that's what we should all do for next years vacation!

I'm game. :D

[Permagrin]

I'm game. :D

Our vacation never falls until late in summer or early fall, but I was serious...it'd be awfully fun.

[Woolburr]

Every day is vacation for me....:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Permagrin]

Every day is vacation for me....:lol: :lol: :lol:

Well, me too in a way...but Dan sort of has to be at his job for a better part of the year...and I don't think he'd like it if I went coast to coast w/o him...well, on second thought, after all the work he put in on that equip. today, he'd probably be quite happy if I said I would be away for a while :lol:

[Claire]

Perma, you tried the machine out yet?

[Lightstream]

Well, me too in a way...but Dan sort of has to be at his job for a better part of the year...and I don't think he'd like it if I went coast to coast w/o him...well, on second thought, after all the work he put in on that equip. today, he'd probably be quite happy if I said I would be away for a while :lol:

Taking advantage of it while the going is good eh :D

BTW, how long do you think this adventure will take - to drive from coast to coast?

[Woolburr]

Perma, you tried the machine out yet?

She looked at it while Dan was putting it together....does that count?

[Lightstream]

hmm...

I was doing some calculations with the GPS map, from SF to NY it's 4500km via I-80. Come to think of it Australia is not that much smaller, Perth to Sydney (via Melbourne) would be 4100, and if you go all the way up to Brisbane it would be 4700.

(conversion factor to miles: 1.6 km per mile)

You could push 500km a day and be there in 9 days but that would be quite unpleasant and not much of a vacation - hardly time to sightsee.

[Woolburr]

Taking advantage of it while the going is good eh :D

BTW, how long do you think this adventure will take - to drive from coast to coast?

About 2400 miles from here to San Diego....In an RV...it is very hard to make the same time as you could in a car...I am guessing the trip would be a reasonable 6 day drive from here.

[Belmondo]

We usually drive from here to New York in 4 days. It's a little over 2700 miles from our driveway to NYC, and we usually push pretty hard. Our normal stops are: Albuquerque, New Mexico, Springfield, Missouri, Columbus, Ohio, New York City. The last trip took 4 1/2 days because we had to stop in Wendover, Utah, to buy tires.

[Lightstream]

Wow.. 1100km per day!!

I am a single driver (nobody cares enough to go on an adventure like this with me, or nobody that I would actually WANT to have with me). Max limit is 500km per day, I can do it, but it's not pleasant. I typically cap it at this for safety reasons - Calicokat smacked himself into a tree and is lucky to be here AT ALL today, I don't wish to follow in those footsteps..

Actually, I meant to ask.....what's a nice relaxed schedule to drive coast to coast on? Two weeks?

[Belmondo]

A lot depends on what you're used to, and how good the roads are between Point A and Point B. On Tuesday, we're driving up to the San Francisco Bay Area, roughly 500 miles. We'll leave here at 4:00am, and be there for lunch. We do the trip in reverse on Friday.

My wife is perfectly capable of driving, but we've determined long ago that if I'm going to be in the car, I want to drive. The only time she drives now is when I get sleepy, and then for only an hour or so.

[Woolburr]

From here to my parents house in NY is 711 miles...all but 9 miles of the trip is Interstate. I can do it in 12 hours by car...usually takes 16 in the motorhome....that is pushing hard for both. I don't think I would want to drive any further than that by myself.

[Lightstream]

A lot depends on what you're used to, and how good the roads are between Point A and Point B. On Tuesday, we're driving up to the San Francisco Bay Area, roughly 500 miles. We'll leave here at 4:00am, and be there for lunch. We do the trip in reverse on Friday.

My wife is perfectly capable of driving, but we've determined long ago that if I'm going to be in the car, I want to drive. The only time she drives now is when I get sleepy, and then for only an hour or so.

From here to my parents house in NY is 711 miles...all but 9 miles of the trip is Interstate. I can do it in 12 hours by car...usually takes 16 in the motorhome....that is pushing hard for both. I don't think I would want to drive any further than that by myself.

Ah, some very good points. Of the 1000km I covered (3 days) last weekend, a mere 100km of that was on the freeway. Following the UK system, those are the "M" class roads, or interstate-type roads. "I" equivalents in the US I believe. BTW, what are the speed limits on interstate roads? (roughly) we are capped at 100km here under optimal conditions. Even on M roads.

Otherwise you get the A class roads, and those are not even very much of an "A" grade. They take you through the small towns and the worst part: you are throttled to a 50-60kmh speed limit. That, IMO, is not the way to build roads - you build around them then drop ramps into them. Then again, it's probably a cost factor. I was alone most of the time on the roads so they are not heavily trafficked, so less incentive to build huge freeways when nobody will use them.

I have no cruise control either, so it was foot on the gas all the time. (don't even get me started on this one.. trust me.. there are *BIG* compromises involved.. and this is NOT my usual choice of vehicle. Driving anything else besides a Honda for me is like shooting with a Noink or worse. Honda == Canon. Period.)

[Woolburr]

Interstate speed limits vary by state and terrain....65-70 mph is the norm.

[Belmondo]

Most of the southwest is 75mph, which means you can go 80 with very little risk of problems with the law.

[Lightstream]

Interstate speed limits vary by state and terrain....65-70 mph is the norm.


Ahh, ok.. that's around 100-110 so that's fine.

Over here they are overly preoccupied with speed - there's a ticket waiting around every corner. The problem is that they have been taught to 'fear' going fast, because 'speed kills'. And the worst part - they ticket for just a few k's over.

Yes, speed kills, but one must look carefully at the origin of the problem - every couple of weeks, some stupid joyriding irresponsible teen punk will wrap a car around a big hard obstacle at speeds ranging from 150-200kmh in the middle of the night. Usually killing their 5 drunk passengers, and usually everybody except themselves. I am not criticizing teens in general, I'm slamming the irresponsible ones who are spoiling EVERYBODY'S market.

No amount of legislation will stop these people. Nor will ticketing daytime drivers going a few k's over. Speed kills, but it's not in the way they think it does. The best I can suggest is what we'd do at home - ensure they NEVER drive again for the rest of their natural lives (we do issue lifetime driving bans for incidents of this kind of extreme severity).

[saravrose]

Ahh, ok.. that's around 100-110 so that's fine.

Over here they are overly preoccupied with speed - there's a ticket waiting around every corner. The problem is that they have been taught to 'fear' going fast, because 'speed kills'. And the worst part - they ticket for just a few k's over.

Yes, speed kills, but one must look carefully at the origin of the problem - every couple of weeks, some stupid joyriding irresponsible teen punk will wrap a car around a big hard obstacle at speeds ranging from 150-200kmh in the middle of the night. Usually killing their 5 drunk passengers, and usually everybody except themselves. I am not criticizing teens in general, I'm slamming the irresponsible ones who are spoiling EVERYBODY'S market.

No amount of legislation will stop these people. Nor will ticketing daytime drivers going a few k's over. Speed kills, but it's not in the way they think it does. The best I can suggest is what we'd do at home - ensure they NEVER drive again for the rest of their natural lives (we do issue lifetime driving bans for incidents of this kind of extreme severity).

You know, from the ninth to eleventh grade I attended three funerals of classmates who died in car accidents. One was drunk and ran her car into a telephone pole, one was hit by a forty year old drunk man in a truck while he was driving a Geo, and one hit black ice and went over a cliff... Spoiling markets is the last thing on my mind.. if they have to ticket everyone on the offchance that at some point one ticket will make one person slow down to take some extra care on the road then good for them...

[Woolburr]

5 over is almost never a problem....typically speed limit + 10% is the minimum for enforcement.

[Lightstream]

You know, from the ninth to eleventh grade I attended three funerals of classmates who died in car accidents. One was drunk and ran her car into a telephone pole, one was hit by a forty year old drunk man in a truck while he was driving a Geo, and one hit black ice and went over a cliff... Spoiling markets is the last thing on my mind.. if they have to ticket everyone on the offchance that at some point one ticket will make one person slow down to take some extra care on the road then good for them...

This is going to sound extremely harsh, but drinking and driving is typically THEIR problem. Black ice - ok, that one's subjective so I won't comment on that one. Truck accident - the other twit is responsible but it's an ALCOHOL, not a speed problem. First one.. you already know what I am going to say so I won't say it outright.

Put it this way - if I killed myself drinking and driving I doubt anybody is going to cry for me. And I would say.... (to myself too) you deserve it for being an idiot. So I stay off the roads when I've had a few drinks.

I don't suppose you have had the experience of being nailed for going 3-4 over the limit? I haven't either - but my neck gets sore from watching the dial while everybody is high beaming me from behind. In fact I am forced to watch so much I am probably more of a hazard than if I was allowed to drive normally.

5 over is almost never a problem....typically speed limit + 10% is the minimum for enforcement.

That's OK with me. Back home they do that and while we have the reputation of some of the strictest enforcement around, it's quite undeserved and I have never had any worries. 3-4mph (5-6kph) over is ridiculous.

[liza]

I got a speeding ticket earlier this year, but I wasn't drinking. I just had the audacity to pass an unmarked state police officer doing 82 mph.

[Lightstream]

Anyway... back to photography, which is better than getting myself and others all riled up over things we cannot change in the immediate future.

A few more good picks from the weekend... a very unusual 'rock with a view'. The camera and I were hiding in the shadow to avoid ending up in the frame ;)
http://pix.lightrefineries.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1608&g2_serialNumber=2

[Permagrin]

Perma, you tried the machine out yet?

Yes, and actually I liked it (he hasn't finished with the bowflex yet but the elliptical was really easy on my hip). Not to say I don't feel like h*@% at the moment...well I'm a little better because I just took a hot bath. But I like "the machine" ;) I used to ride bikes about 6 mi. a day (3 or 4x/wk) before I broke my hip. This really is kind of like that...it's a good hurt ;). Hope I'll stick to it.

She looked at it while Dan was putting it together....does that count?

Yeah, I looked at it and when I was later using it and he was working on the other machine (they aren't very easy to assemble..at least not these) I had the nerve to say "boy I'm SO tired" :lol:

I got a speeding ticket earlier this year, but I wasn't drinking. I just had the audacity to pass an unmarked state police officer doing 82 mph.

I was talking to some police officers around here, they'd just got new Dodge Chargers for the city and it's got the same engine in it as my car....so I was talking to them, asking them how they liked the new cars...and talking about mine...and just suddenly said "BOY is it easy to speed with an engine like that..." (I've never had a ticket in my life...so far) They both just looked at me (quite shocked like) and of course, I lamely followed up with "...not that I ever speed"....

Dan just drug me away from them before I got myself arrested :lol: :lol:

[liza]

We need to get our "before" photos taken, girls. Then we'll start our dieting and toning. I think I'm gonna do salad bar at work every day and run the track. How 'bout you other ladies?

[Permagrin]

We need to get our "before" photos taken, girls. Then we'll start our dieting and toning. I think I'm gonna do salad bar at work every day and run the track. How 'bout you other ladies?

I'll have a before photo taken tomorrow, when Dan's not "tired" (that's what we call it in our house when he's overworked and wants peace" http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108967255-S.gif) ;) But I won't POST it until I'm at my goal, then I'll post both. (I'll PM it to you if I must...)

I can assure you Liza, it's going to take me a heck of a lot longer to reach mine than you yours! But I am determined to do it.

edit: oh and I'm doing weight watchers (and toning). I've had success with w/w before and I don't have to do anything really different in how I cook (since mostly I already cook lean). Just how much I eat...and stop sitting around on my blooming arse...(so it'll stop blooming of course) ;)

[liza]

Good idea about delaying the posting of photos. I'll have to ask Wyatt to take mine. It won't take long for me to drop a few pounds, but it sure will take some time before I'm properly toned. The abs are my main concern.

[Maureen Souza]

Impressive set up! You could start traveling west from your location and pick up the regular members of this thread along the way. When we hit the west coast we could all visit Mareen and Belmondo. :)

Come on...the door is open.

I'll have a before photo taken tomorrow, when Dan's not "tired" (that's what we call it in our house when he's overworked and wants peace" http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108967255-S.gif) ;) But I won't POST it until I'm at my goal, then I'll post both. (I'll PM it to you if I must...)

I can assure you Liza, it's going to take me a heck of a lot longer to reach mine than you yours! But I am determined to do it.

edit: oh and I'm doing weight watchers (and toning). I've had success with w/w before and I don't have to do anything really different in how I cook (since mostly I already cook lean). Just how much I eat...and stop sitting around on my blooming arse...(so it'll stop blooming of course) ;)
Does this mean I have to pour the rest of my Bloody Mary down the drain?!?!

[Permagrin]

Come on...the door is open.


Does this mean I have to pour the rest of my Bloody Mary down the drain?!?!

You didn't say you were dieting...besides 3/4 of it is V8, so it's semi-healthy right? :lol: :lol:

[Maureen Souza]

You didn't say you were dieting...besides 3/4 of it is V8, so it's semi-healthy right? :lol: :lol:
Well.....maybe 2/3 of it is V-8:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Permagrin]

well, it's getting late around here so night all!

Oh and Wookie dear, here's a vagabond for ya http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108898435-S.gif

[Lightstream]

well, it's getting late around here so night all!

Oh and Wookie dear, here's a vagabond for ya http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108898435-S.gif

Very nice emoticon...... cya later!

[Claire]

We need to get our "before" photos taken, girls. Then we'll start our dieting and toning. I think I'm gonna do salad bar at work every day and run the track. How 'bout you other ladies?

Salad every day? Yikes. I get too hungry for that. I do it maybe 1-2 times a week. The gym I have set for min 2 times a week, preferably 3 times/week.

I'll have a before photo taken tomorrow, when Dan's not "tired" (that's what we call it in our house when he's overworked and wants peace" http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108967255-S.gif) ;) But I won't POST it until I'm at my goal, then I'll post both. (I'll PM it to you if I must...)

I can assure you Liza, it's going to take me a heck of a lot longer to reach mine than you yours! But I am determined to do it.

edit: oh and I'm doing weight watchers (and toning). I've had success with w/w before and I don't have to do anything really different in how I cook (since mostly I already cook lean). Just how much I eat...and stop sitting around on my blooming arse...(so it'll stop blooming of course) ;)

I eat quite healthy already, it's the moving around I need more.:rolleyes: Anyone got a good program in the gym?

[Woolburr]

I prefer dance aerobics....gets my heart rate up just walking in the door.;)

[Lightstream]

I prefer dance aerobics....gets my heart rate up just walking in the door.;)


Wool goes hunting.... :D

[Woolburr]

I prefer to think of it as "window shopping"....

[Lightstream]

I prefer to think of it as "window shopping"....


Never too late to start again? Ya never know... :)

[Woolburr]

Never too late to start again? Ya never know... :)

I'd like to think that as long as you were still breathing that there would be some hope for you. ;)

[Lightstream]

I'd like to think that as long as you were still breathing that there would be some hope for you. ;)

I like that... :)

Something tells me - love may be dead, but hope survives. Keep waiting..... in the meantime I'll have another beer while waiting. :)

[Woolburr]

Beer is good too. :lol:

[Lightstream]

Beer is good too. :lol:


Have you seen my keg?

http://pix.lightrefineries.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1526&g2_serialNumber=4


This is a truly awesome product. Now I can drink however much I want, in whatever increments I want, without having to worry about leaving half a bottle. If I want half a glass, I will fill half a glass... :)

[Woolburr]

Those are pretty neat...I keep hoping that one of the other breweries will hop on the bandwagon...would love to have a keg of Labatt's on tap.

[Permagrin]

I'd like to think that as long as you were still breathing that there would be some hope for you. ;)
Sure there is! I keep telling Lightstream that too...
I like that... :)

Something tells me - love may be dead, but hope survives. Keep waiting..... in the meantime I'll have another beer while waiting. :)
It's not dead Lightstream...it's waiting for the right moment and the right person to come along...then you'll be glad you waited ;)

[wu_wei0]

I like that... :)

Something tells me - love may be dead, but hope survives. Keep waiting..... in the meantime I'll have another beer while waiting. :)
Not dead, but in some cases (mine), perhaps more of a (semi) permanent vegetative state. :)
Beer is always good.

[Permagrin]

Not dead, but in some cases (mine), perhaps more of a (semi) permanent vegetative state. :)
Beer is always good.

I don't think it's dead either. I just don't know what the current way is to meet compatible people. A lot of times, because of the pace of the society we live in, we're very limited in our exposure....to co-workers, or club members or church or whatever...and often those that we're most compatible with aren't in that group (when I was in the work force, I definitely was incompatible with those I worked with...and sense of humor is almost non-existant at work for sure!). Just look at this thread...none of us live near each other, have any of the same skills and yet we get along great.

[Claire]

(when I was in the work force, I definitely was incompatible with those I worked with...and sense of humor is almost non-existant at work for sure!).


Not at my work... The production team is nuts...in a good way. :) Today A tried to make me believe J had crashed a car during his driving test. On Friday the bosses, A & J were fixing Google adword ads & one of my bosses kept coming up with stupid search words like sex, girls etc. They were all laughing & grinning until the CEO went "Guys, tone it down, N's in the room". My reply was "You obviously got no clue what A, J & I talk about in here at times!" ;)


Just look at this thread...none of us live near each other, have any of the same skills and yet we get along great.

We do? :p

[Permagrin]

We do? :p

I said "this thread" http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/113290785-S.gif

[Claire]

I said "this thread" http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/113290785-S.gif

Ah, true. :D

[liza]

Salad every day? Yikes. I get too hungry for that. I do it maybe 1-2 times a week. The gym I have set for min 2 times a week, preferably 3 times/week.

I eat quite healthy already, it's the moving around I need more.:rolleyes: Anyone got a good program in the gym?


My diet consists of coffee for breakfast, a salad and OJ for lunch, and a small portion of whatever I want in the evening, within reason. I'm gonna start hitting the track next week, run a mile a couple of times per week to start, and then kick that up to 3x weekly. The key to sticking with a program is having a partner with whom I can exercise.

I don't think it's dead either. I just don't know what the current way is to meet compatible people. A lot of times, because of the pace of the society we live in, we're very limited in our exposure....to co-workers, or club members or church or whatever...and often those that we're most compatible with aren't in that group (when I was in the work force, I definitely was incompatible with those I worked with...and sense of humor is almost non-existant at work for sure!). Just look at this thread...none of us live near each other, have any of the same skills and yet we get along great.

Oh, there's no way I could ever go out with a co-worker. There aren't any eligible men I would even remotely consider. And no one at my work place has a sense of humor either. They're all too uptight and religious. I meet a lot of area males either through networking with others or online.

[Permagrin]

Well, I've resolved the "great steak debacle" to my satisfaction. My mother reminded me that I didn't give them the photos on CD but posted them to a gallery online where they could download and order them. I know the woman has only downloaded a couple of them, (I just checked) so I removed the gallery. Now if they want the photos, they'll have to order from me. Ain't I a little devil. (I'm certainly mad enough...gone way beyond being sad and insulted right to PO'd, which rarely happens...) http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108966737-S.gif

[liza]

Nah, you aren't a devil at all. If you put the gallery on Smugmug, you should have enabled right click protection and left the gallery intact.

[Permagrin]

Nah, you aren't a devil at all. If you put the gallery on Smugmug, you should have enabled right click protection and left the gallery intact.

I don't have pro-smugmug and you can't disable it on the others.. I've got the mid-level....because normally I don't sell my photos. Technically, even now I've never sold one, though I thought I had :lol: :lol: Anyway, the photos are still there, just moved to another private gallery.

[Lightstream]

Those are pretty neat...I keep hoping that one of the other breweries will hop on the bandwagon...would love to have a keg of Labatt's on tap.

That would be very cool! Heineken solved some of the big issues, namely that of constant pressure, freshness, and adequate carbonation. Their keg has been out for over a year, I remember when they first launched it and every one of them came with a feedback form soliciting comments on its performance. I did not have enough fridge space to participate at that time... :D

Sure there is! I keep telling Lightstream that too...

It's not dead Lightstream...it's waiting for the right moment and the right person to come along...then you'll be glad you waited ;)

http://pix.lightrefineries.org/img/grouphug.gif thanks PG....

Not dead, but in some cases (mine), perhaps more of a (semi) permanent vegetative state. :)
Beer is always good.

http://pix.lightrefineries.org/img/beer.gif

Well, I've resolved the "great steak debacle" to my satisfaction. My mother reminded me that I didn't give them the photos on CD but posted them to a gallery online where they could download and order them. I know the woman has only downloaded a couple of them, (I just checked) so I removed the gallery. Now if they want the photos, they'll have to order from me. Ain't I a little devil. (I'm certainly mad enough...gone way beyond being sad and insulted right to PO'd, which rarely happens...) http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108966737-S.gif


You didn't give them the photos on CD after all? Brilliant!!

That's the way to go... no CDs, but downloadable stuff....that way you can pull it, or if you had pro smugmug, suddenly raise the prices on those items 3X.... :D

[Woolburr]

Permie...watching the snow in Seattle?

[Permagrin]

Permie...watching the snow in Seattle?

Yep...I hope green bay can use it to their advantage too...

Hey Wook, this is for you (took me a while to find a star wars smilie site, but nothing but the best for a friend) http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/113293189-S.gif

[Woolburr]

Yep...I hope green bay can use it to their advantage too...

Hey Wook, this is for you (took me a while to find a star wars smilie site, but nothing but the best for a friend) http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/113293189-S.gif

OK...I give up....what is that thing? BTW...I have never seen Star Wars or and of the sequels.:D Not my kind of movie.

[Permagrin]

OK...I give up....what is that thing? BTW...I have never seen Star Wars or and of the sequels.:D Not my kind of movie.

oh lol! It's the "wookie" on Star Wars...too bad you haven't see it...:lol:

[Woolburr]

It does look vaguely like my son.

[Permagrin]

It does look vaguely like my son.

:lol: :lol: That's funny. Haven't seen your kids but I figured they'd be clean cut like their padre! :lol:

[Woolburr]

My boy is pretty fluffy.
http://www.pbase.com/woolburr/image/52356510/medium.jpg

[Permagrin]

My boy is pretty fluffy.


Not something you usually hear a pop say!

(somehow I just want to make a "looks just like ya" comment here...) :lol:

[Woolburr]

Not every dad has such a fluffy kid.;)

http://www.pbase.com/woolburr/image/20975870/medium.jpg

[Permagrin]

Not every dad has such a fluffy kid.;)

http://www.pbase.com/woolburr/image/20975870/medium.jpg

Wook my friend, that's an ADORABLE photo. I'm not a dog person (was bitten at a young age, in the face) but he looks like a cuddly pooch...

[Lightstream]

Wook my friend, that's an ADORABLE photo. I'm not a dog person (was bitten at a young age, in the face) but he looks like a cuddly pooch...

Gentle dogs are good.... Wool's looks like it fits the bill.

[Woolburr]

Actually....this guy was on death row at the shelter for being a vicious dog. Supposedly he hates men and had attacked several. He didn't look all that nasty to me...I asked to have him let out so I could take him for a walk...the shelter staff refused...said it was too dangerous...so I opened his cage and let him out myself....he jumped in my arms and about licked me to death...he came home with me.

[Permagrin]

Actually....this guy was on death row at the shelter for being a vicious dog. Supposedly he hates men and had attacked several. He didn't look all that nasty to me...I asked to have him let out so I could take him for a walk...the shelter staff refused...said it was too dangerous...so I opened his cage and let him out myself....he jumped in my arms and about licked me to death...he came home with me.

Wow, that was bold of you. I'm surprised they let you adopt him, if he'd attacked people. Have you had any trouble with him at all? He's adorable looking.

[Lightstream]

Actually....this guy was on death row at the shelter for being a vicious dog. Supposedly he hates men and had attacked several. He didn't look all that nasty to me...I asked to have him let out so I could take him for a walk...the shelter staff refused...said it was too dangerous...so I opened his cage and let him out myself....he jumped in my arms and about licked me to death...he came home with me.

Hmmmmm....I really don't know what to make of that..... it just says to me looks are deceiving...

[wu_wei0]

Actually....this guy was on death row at the shelter for being a vicious dog. Supposedly he hates men and had attacked several. He didn't look all that nasty to me...I asked to have him let out so I could take him for a walk...the shelter staff refused...said it was too dangerous...so I opened his cage and let him out myself....he jumped in my arms and about licked me to death...he came home with me.
He just needed to find the right fella, I guess.

[Woolburr]

He was about six months old when I got him. I was getting undressed one night and went to remove the belt from my pants...he about turned himself inside out trying to find a place to hide. Obviously, someone had beat the crap out of him with a belt....to this day, he still hides when I take my belt off.

[Permagrin]

He was about six months old when I got him. I was getting undressed one night and went to remove the belt from my pants...he about turned himself inside out trying to find a place to hide. Obviously, someone had beat the crap out of him with a belt....to this day, he still hides when I take my belt off.

Oh, that's very sad! No wonder he hated men...too bad you can't find out who the previous owner was and remove your belt over there!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (I HATE cruelty to animals, just HATE it!) (I can be a vicious Permie if I need to...)

[Woolburr]

Trust me....if I could have tracked down the idiot that did that to him...I would gladly have shown him the proper use of a belt. Woolburr weighed in at 27 pounds when I adopted him, obviously a real threat to a 200 pound man.

[Lightstream]

Hmm.... perhaps the shelter staff were going by what they'd been told when he was given up... not based on firsthand experience as I assumed.

[Woolburr]

They were going by what they had been told by the previous owner...they never saw any behavior to indicate there was a problem. I think if someone had beaten me so badly as to cause that kind of fear...that I might be a bit anti-social around them as well.

[Lightstream]

They were going by what they had been told by the previous owner...they never saw any behavior to indicate there was a problem. I think if someone had beaten me so badly as to cause that kind of fear...that I might be a bit anti-social around them as well.

Ah, ok... the root cause is a problem ex-owner who also provided bad information (or was root cause of both anyway).. not the animal...

As I was saying he really does look like a gentle animal from the picture. I have a Shetland who is soooo amazingly gentle he won't even disturb wildlife in the garden.... I really DON'T like aggressive (or hyperactive) breeds.

[Woolburr]

There was never any problem with the dog...other than he had been abused. Takes a pretty sick person to beat up on a puppy.

[Permagrin]

yep, but sadly the world is full of sick-o's.

[Woolburr]

The good news is....there are plenty of decent people in the world too.

[Permagrin]

The good news is....there are plenty of decent people in the world too.

Well, I don't know if I'd go so far as to say "plenty" but you're right, there are a good number ;)

[Woolburr]

I'd like to think that there are far more decent people in the world than there are sickies!:shock:

[Lightstream]

I'd like to think that there are far more decent people in the world than there are sickies!:shock:

I've MET far LESS decent ones than the other kind! :(

[Permagrin]

I'd like to think that there are far more decent people in the world than there are sickies!:shock:

Oh, you're probably right. I've just run into a lot of the other kind lately...

[Permagrin]

Poor Wool, you seem to be surrounded by cynics tonight.

Auuuugh...Green Bay lost to Seattle...(or will in 16 seconds)

[liza]

Glad to hear that the pup got a good home. I love a happy ending. :)

[Woolburr]

Poor Wool, you seem to be surrounded by cynics tonight.

Auuuugh...Green Bay lost to Seattle...(or will in 16 seconds)

Oh well....I'm just a happy idjit....:lol:

Pretty crappy game.

[Lightstream]

Oh well....I'm just a happy idjit....:lol:



No, far from it..... you are a reminder that there is still some good in the world left :)

[Permagrin]

No, far from it..... you are a reminder that there is still some good in the world left :)

Well said!

and yes, it was a "crappy" game...

[Woolburr]

But...but...but....but...I was perfectly content just being a happy idjit. Call it a lifelong dream...

[Permagrin]

But...but...but....but...I was perfectly content just being a happy idjit. Call it a lifelong dream...

I wish I had "the power" to change your title to "happy idjit" then...and fulfill your dream ;)

[Woolburr]

Thanks!

[liza]

Pretty crappy game.

Speaking of a crappy game, our varsity girls were trounced tonight by the Lawrenceville Indians. It was brutal! They beat us by a 30 point margin. On the bright side, our JV girls beat them by the same margin. :)

[Lightstream]

*STRESS*

All flights out of here are have no seats....hmm great, looks like I won't be going home for Christmas :(

Waitlisted for 2 weeks....probably wait a LONG while more....

Need a backup plan...

[Permagrin]

Speaking of a crappy game, our varsity girls were trounced tonight by the Lawrenceville Indians. It was brutal! They beat us by a 30 point margin. On the bright side, our JV girls beat them by the same margin. :)

You know, when I played bb, days like that didn't go down well at all...not at all. It was always terrible to lose and the JV never made it easy on us when they won and we didn't.

[Permagrin]

*STRESS*

All flights out of here are have no seats....hmm great, looks like I won't be going home for Christmas :(

Waitlisted for 2 weeks....probably wait a LONG while more....

Need a backup plan...

Okay that's bad. Have you tried all the online services? First class seats and everything?

[Lightstream]

Okay that's bad. Have you tried all the online services? First class seats and everything?

Oh, business class is definitely available.

Problem is.... the damage for international travel is eye popping... that would buy you a couple of L's.. and not cheap ones either!

This is the bloody problem with being stationed far from home in the name of a career.. it's not like moving between cities in the US, if there was a land bridge, I don't care if I have to floor the throttle for 4000km, I'll make it home one way or other.

Problem is, the car don't drive so hot in water.......

[liza]

You know, when I played bb, days like that didn't go down well at all...not at all. It was always terrible to lose and the JV never made it easy on us when they won and we didn't.

Their varsity girls were BIG. And buff, too. Looks like our girls need to spend some time in the weight room.

[Permagrin]

Oh, business class is definitely available.

Problem is.... the damage for international travel is eye popping... that would buy you a couple of L's.. and not cheap ones either!

This is the bloody problem with being stationed far from home in the name of a career.. it's not like moving between cities in the US, if there was a land bridge, I don't care if I have to floor the throttle for 4000km, I'll make it home one way or other.

Problem is, the car don't drive so hot in water.......

Yeah, I know it. Our trip to AU, (including roundtrip airfare, lodging and food & etc) for 14 days cost almost as our combined kits. In fact, we scrapped the trip and bought the gear instead.

[Permagrin]

Their varsity girls were BIG. And buff, too. Looks like our girls need to spend some time in the weight room.

Speaking of weight training, this bowflex is supposed to guarantee weight loss and tone in 6 weeks...so maybe, I'll give an update in 6 weeks, just to see if it works or not.