The Hobbit Hole V - Where Many Paths and Errands Meet...

ecurbh

[ecurbh]

Welcome to The Hobbit Hole!

Where Many Paths and Errands Meet...

• First thread: New Zealander builds Hobbit hole
• Second thread: The New Hobbit Hole
• Third thread: The Hobbit Hole III - Journey to the Cross-roads! (Congratulations, we filled it up!)
• Fourth Thread: The Hobbit Hole IV - The Road Goes Ever On...

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

[Ramius]

I have an office in Philly... and frankly... its a pain in the asterisk.

Philly is a "union" town in sorta the way that the Vatican is a "catholic" town. I went there a couple years ago to connect up the LAN in our new office, and I had to close and lock the door to the network closet while I was working in there... because if any of the UNION electricians had happened to see ME in there setting up MY NETWORK they would have WALKED OFF THE JOB. Nevermind that NONE of the UNION labor there was qualified for low-voltage networking. Nevermind that.

[300winmag]

It's kinda funny that even regular switchblades are illegal anywhere. Like, what? they're sharper and cut differently from some other folding knife?

Technically, they're illegal to pass in interstate commerce. If someone makes switchblades in your state, there is no federal concern about them being sold to state residents, as long as they don't go through any form of common carrier. I'm not sure, but there may be some knifemakers in WA that would have something legal for you.

Of course, if you are authorized police or military, all doors are flung open for you. There are some very good, heavy-duty switchblades out there for $200-300. They're no better than a good one-handed opener at half the price, but they have that aura of "cool" and "forbidden" that us poor civilians aren't allowed to partake in.

[Wneighbor]

Wonder what happened to Ruthy?

[JenB]

Good evening, Bear, good night, Bear. I'm going to bed. Just ordered some books from Amazon and must get to bed before I spend my whole paycheck...

[Overtaxed]

Should be on Palm Sunday

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Another reason I'm glad to live in Texas... right-to-work state.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Good night!

I'm watching TV on my computer. :)

[Wneighbor]

One of the reasons I have a bad taste left from Penn. is that a company I worked for closed down a union plant there and moved it to our plant in Waco. I spent lotsa time up there getting engineering information.

Of course, it was not the best of circumstances. But, with all the union rules and regs it doesn't take much to figure out how those guys bargained themselves right out of jobs.

In a different city there we had to deal with the *worst* sales office I've ever had the displeasure to deal with in my life. The absolute stoopidest bunch of people I've ever had to try to do business with bar none!

Between dealing with people in those 2 places I just don't have a favorable impression of people there at all. -- except Jen.

[Wneighbor]

And for those of us who have always been in a right to work state it just seems sacriligious to think of things another way. Unfortunately, I have run across lots of unions here in WF. Surprised me about this area.

[smaagee]

I have a few spare moments this morning, so I thought I would fill everyone in on what we do here. Our primary mission is the transportation of bulk fuel, all types. We are a off road unit and drive very large uncomfortable trucks that are capable of navigating almost anything. Many times when the RA gets behind we get called on to haul whatever they need besides fuel. We are on the road nearly every day going to different forward bases. In essence we keep the northern half of Iraq moving, whether on ground, or in the air. We come from all different backgrounds in civilian life. We have truck drivers, carpenters, firefighters, students, diesel mechanics, and one lowly police officer. We range in age from 21 to 43 with the average age being 29. Our years in the army range from 1.5 to 24, with the average years being 9. Just thought you guys would like to know a little about your newly adopted children in Iraq. God Bless
Steve

[smaagee]

Got your package last night after getting back to the barracks. Once again just in time. My partner and I are much alike in that we snack on candy while we drive. Our truck supply was getting low when your package arrived. We are on the road again today, and now we are re-stocked. Thanks again.
Steve

[300winmag]

Philly is a "union" town in sorta the way that the Vatican is a "catholic" town.

It ain't got nuthin' on Detroit. On big construction jobs, you have to make sure the IBEW and CWA don't appear on the same day. One, or both, unions will walk off if the other is present.

The Detroit Auto Show is always a big embarrassment. The convention center is owned by the city, and the union is a city union, and nothing gets away from the curb without a work order, and some hefty fees. Then to add insult to injury, one year there was a big stink about the setup guys going through the hospitality suites, drinking the booze and eating the food while the auto companies were trying to impress the world automotive press.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Not many unions in Austin, and none at all in the high-tech fields. I like it that way. :)

[Ramius]

So is Washington.

I really do not understand how anything ever gets done in towns like Philly. It comes up all the time. Anything we want to do costs two or three times as much to do as it would *anywhere* else. Even simple little crap that we can easily do ourselves we have to contract with a UNION laborer. If the UNION finds out that a non-UNION person actually PLUGGED IN A COFFEE POT without an electrician with a UNION CARD then suddenly there is no power to the building and no phones and there are pickets out front.

I am not kidding and I am not egaggerating with the coffee pot example. It is absolutely that silly.

[Wneighbor]

Will keep that candy in mind for ya then Steve! Thanks for the information on your guys! Let them all know we love you all and appreciate you all!

Meant to tell ya after your earlier post... don't worry too much about spending your 1/2 hour internet time with us. After my son-in-law's months in Baghdad I know how much it means to your wife to have that time online with you. Take it. We will be here for you at all times anyway! HUGS TO ALL OF YOU!

P.S. That police officer is no lowly thing! no, not at all.

[Ramius]

Good to hear from you! Hopefully all is well with your unit today?

An "off road unit"??? I'm thinkin' these aren't yer regular 18-wheelers? :-)

Hang in there. We're pulling fer ya.

[smaagee]

I wonder if you could just get a letter from my dad and have him sign my name, it might be a lot faster, and no one can read my signature anyway. He could even have my wife sign it, she has POA while I am gone. Either way, if you need me to write a letter just let me know. I think part of the problem may have been on our end as we were at three different camps in just over a month, and the postal detachment was shut down for most of it. THey are working again, and say that they are caught up, so I am still watching for the knives everyday. (a little faith never hurts) Catch ya later, got some liquid gold to go deliver.
Steve

[Wneighbor]

I like it that way too. Surprising that a little area like WF is heavy on unions while Austin is not huh?

[Ramius]

We have an office in Detroit too. And yes, they are that silly too.

[smaagee]

not your everyday street truck, When I get the pictures up, you'll see them.