***The OFFICIAL Weekend Singles Thread*** March 7-9, 2008 - The Bucket List

March 7, 2008 | WFTR

[LantzALot]

When I think engineering, I think Purdue...of course I'm a bit biased as that's my alma mater

On my list of places to go back to is my home state; and part of that would be a visit with my brother, whose wife works for Purdue.

(BTW: were you aware some of your best pix disappeared from your profile page?)

[Nowhere Man]

That's a fun trick. Of course, the trick is more fun for me to hear you tell than it would be for you to hear the ghetto blaster in the middle of the night.

I know. Another cat, Pansy, she knocked the shortwave radio that's on my headboard on my head a few times during the night while other times she turned it on, one time at 3 AM, Radio Habana Cuba came blasting out of the speaker. Pansy was another one, I do miss her but she was a gem. I think there are times she sent Rascal to us or us to him. There is a local lady here in the Pittsburgh area who takes cats and kittens from kill shelters, mainly here in the Pittsburgh area and around West Virginia although some cats come from as far as North Carolina or even Georgia. Rascal was from Preston County, West Virginia. Anyways, this lady goes to local pet stores and supermarkets to find people to adopt the cats/kittens. One Friday night, after Mom and I got home from work, we were going food shopping, we almost cancelled, we were tired but something told us to go and so when we got there, the lady was there with the kittens and Rascal so we took Rascal in. I strongly feel Pansy sent him to us. A few months later, we lost Boo and Corky so he was a great help to us.

[Nowhere Man]

I would sorta like to write a book someday. At this point, I'm not sure what kind of book I'd like. I've played with some fiction, and maybe I'd write a fiction book. I've also considered trying to write something about my field of engineering. I've done some travel in the United States, and I've considered some kind of travelogue or travel guide. Another possibility would be something about the care of reptiles.

I'd like to try my hand at alternate history stories myself, "alternate history," aka "what-if," stories are a fave of mine. It's like if there were no Bill Gates or if he failed or got hit by the proverbial bus/truck at the age of 9, we could be using MacIntoshes now and Steve Jobs of Apple computer would be the "alternate Bill Gates."

[Nowhere Man]

I personally think that cold fusion is one of those ideas that WILL (or at least COULD) be made to work, and be the ULTIMATE energy source for the planet’s needs.

I'm a role playing gamer (RIP E. Gary Gygax) so one of my favorite games is The Morrow Project and one of the "gee whiz" technology of the game is using hot fusion to run most of the vehicles like a V-150 armored car, X-311 vehicle (like a two seat proto-Hummer), and so on. Some gamers like the idea of cold fusion and if I can find a semi-plausible way to see how it would would, I'd prefer that because IIRC, you don't have to worry about really high energy items like a containment field along with huge shielding for the radiation. A side note, I kind of like having a "retro touch" to where to initiate the reactor for the first time, you would have to crank it like a 1960's era lawn mower. B-) One version of the Morrow Project game I'm in uses regular fossil fuels but this game, I was frozen in 1950 (woke in 1999 after World War III happened in the 1950's) so fusion was only in science fiction at that time. It was used as a "hand wave" plot device to avoid the "fuel trek" (hunting for more fuel or making ethanol/methanol) to keep our "wheels" going) problems conventional vehicles have.

I'm going to start up a game locally soon and I'm kicking around cold fusion or even micro fission reactors or Radioactive Thermo Generators (RTG's) for the large vehicles. BTW a side note, Philo T. Farnsworth was working on fusion from the 1930's on and I think he claimed to have achieved it.

And fuel cells (especially those that accept non pure hydrogen sources, like methanol, without reformation) are DEFINITELY the answer for the automotive and small-energy plant needs. I have LONG been intrigued with them, and REALLY feel that had the apollo program gone ahead as planned—then fuel-cell technology would have advanced WAY beyond the current state it it in now. Perhaps—it would be “road ready” today. After all—the ONLY thing preventing an electric car from being a REAL substitute for oil power(gas and diesel) is storage. Fuel cells would take care of that problem nicely.

I think that would make a good compromise, some of us would stil like the old gas engines, I know I would, just love the low whine I get when I really step on it. B-)

OTOH, well, you could make a 4WD car with two electrical motors, one for each driveshaft or even 4 independent motors for each wheel. I did a little research there and the DeSoto Motor Company under Chrysler designed and was planned to release a fuel cell powered car, like you described, for 1959 or 1960 but it never came out. The car could run on gasoline, diesel, methanol, ethanol, and so on. Fuel cells have been around a long time, I think the idea goes back to the 1830's or 1840's at the earliest but back then, there were very little uses for it.

I remember in the 1970's, the idea of fuel cells were used to come up with the idea of more locally generated power stations for housing plans and so on. Wouldn't be a bad idea, if we can somehow put software into the system to "island" them if there is a power failure. Lately the power went out so much here that I feel like I live in a third world country, a fuel celled plant wouldn't be a bad idea. Even at work, it affects us, but Fed Ex Ground has enough diesel to run the place for 13 days.

The Apollo Program, well, the new Orion looks a lot like it, sometimes I think we wasted a lot of time with the shuttle. Well, maybe the shuttle was a good idea but it can't do everything, it's good if you need a space truck to bring something back, but to go to the Moon we need something else. IIRC, astronaut Gene Cernan did receive a phone call from President Nixon while he was on the Moon and the story was that Nixon told him that "he (Cernan) would be the last man to walk on the Moon in the 20th Century. It's a big shame. In many ways we have come forward since then but in many other ways, we have stepped backward.

[Nowhere Man]

About that tagline...

I WAS somewhat fearful of that. Nearly ALL of the “signs” that the Bible describes apply to him.

BUT—he has stumbled BADLY lately. An while he is FAR from out—the “shine” has begun to wear off of him, so to speak. that press conference where he stomped out like a child, the defeat Tuesday night, and the in-fighting between him and the dyke are starting to HURT his image a LOT. He was seen as "unbeatable” and “untouchable” and now— a LOT of his OWN people are wondering if it was all just “fluff”.

So he COULD still be—but maybe not THIS round.

Yeah, I think he did stumble a bit but I still say he has the upper hand. However, you never rule out the power of the "Clinton Machine" either. I think the Clinton Machine has a tough nut to crack here but I can't rule them down and out either. Still Obama scares the bejeebers out of me, he could charm a corpse back to life.

[A knight without armor]

Hey gang I just heard this funny country western song on the radio:

Artist: Paisley Brad
Song: Online
Album: 5th Gear Brad Paisley Sheet Music
Brad Paisley CDs

I work down at the Pizza Pit
And I drive an old Hyundai
I still live with my mom and dad
I’m 5 foot 3 and overweight
I’m a scifi fanatic
A mild asthmatic
And I’ve never been to second base
But there’s whole ‘nother me
That you need to see
Go checkout MySpace

‘Cause online I’m out in Hollywood
I’m 6 foot 5 and I look damn good
I drive a Maserati
I’m a black-belt in karate
And I love a good glass of wine
It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell them I don’t want nothing serious
‘Cause even on a slow day
I could have a three way
Chat with two women at one time
I’m so much cooler online
So much cooler online

When I get home I kiss my mom
And she fixes me a snack
And I head down to my basement bedroom
And fire up my Mac
In real life the only time I’ve ever even been to L.A
Is when I got the chance with the marching band
To play tuba in the Rose Parade

Online I live in Malibu
I pose for Calvin Klein, I’ve been in GQ
I’m single and I’m rich
And I’ve got a set of six pack abs that would blow your mind
It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell them I don’t want nothing serious
‘Cause even on a slow day
I could have a three way
Chat with two women at one time
I’m so much cooler online
Yeah, I’m cooler online

When you got my kind of stats
It’s hard to get a date
Let alone a real girlfriend
But I grow another foot and I lose a bunch of weight
Every time I login

Online
I’m out in Hollywood
I’m 6 foot 5 and I look damn good
Even on a slow day
I could have a three way
Chat with two women at one time
I’m so much cooler online
Yeah, I’m cooler online
I’m so much cooler online
Yeah, I’m cooler online

Yeah, I’m cooler online

Yeah, I’ll see ya online

[slugbug]

(BTW: were you aware some of your best pix disappeared from your profile page?)

Oops! They were stored on imagestation which is no more so that's probably why they disappeared. Thanks for the heads up as I rarely look at my profile page. I'll try to fix it.

On my list of places to go back to is my home state; and part of that would be a visit with my brother, whose wife works for Purdue.

My oldest daughter goes to Purdue so I'm up there quite a bit. If you ever make it back to visit, give me a holler...I'd love to meet another freeper!

[DeLaine]

Lantz, I love to meet internet friends. :D
I actually met an internet friend in Hawaii the first time I went there. Her husband has now been transferred to Delaware and we were on email just now, arranging to meet up there when I’m traveling.

[slugbug]

The music video for that song is pretty funny. It has Jason Alexander, Maureen McCormick and William Shatner in it. I believe it’s up for some country music award as well.

[MaggieM]

I own my own catering service!
I took on a partner that latter part of 07, after a family illness. Its been very helpful.
Black Hills has amazing places to hike. When the kids were younger, we went out every weekend the weather allowed.
Sounds like you've done your share. Its a terrific way to spend the day!
Thank you, for the camera info. I appreciate it, and will look into it.
My son always had some sort of snake, or lizard. They do require a lot of care. I would have appreciated a well written, informative book during that time!
Off to work! Enjoy your Saturday:)

[LantzALot]

My oldest daughter goes to Purdue so I'm up there quite a bit. If you ever make it back to visit, give me a holler...I'd love to meet another freeper!

I'd love to meet another FReeper, too. It might be summer before I can make it. Bro is recovering from surgery, and I'm in the middle of Chemo regimen, and we figure we'll both be ready to go fishin' about June / July. If & when plans are made, I'll freepmail you.

[A knight without armor]

Not George Costanza! I AM George Costanza!

BTW, have you ever had William Shatner’s muffins? They are easy and delicious.

[NeoCaveman]

No bucket list here.

Dow being down is a bummer but I can touch the IRA for another nearly 30 years more so I’ll just think of this as a buying opportunity.

[WFTR]

Saturday Night Singles
Please freepmail DaveLoneRanger to be added / removed

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Bonus Questions

1. Have you done your taxes yet? If you have a refund, how will you spend it?

2. How many of your New Year's resolutions are you still keeping?

3. What signs of spring have you seen this week?

[toothfairy86]

1.) No, I haven’t done my taxes, and I don’t expect a refund.
2.) Didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions.
3.) The only signs of spring I’ve seen is that my dog finally shed his winter coat.

[WFTR]

You have some wild dreams. I tend to have nightmares, but I can't imagine turning one of them into a book. A scary waking thought is that they might sell in today's market if made into a book or movie. I forget most of my dreams before I'd have time to write them as novels.

Your warhead idea might be picked up by any publisher if you did a good job, but I think you'd have to go to a religious publisher to sell the tribulation book.

[WFTR]

I can understand how you wouldn't think to take a walk during the day. For you, teaching and research are a primary career. When you are thinking about your journal articles, you probably think of little else. When I think about teaching, I'm thinking about something I'd do as a paid hobby in my retirement.

I'll see how things go with the community or junior colleges. I plan to leave my area after I retire, so I could move to a place specifically because the area had a college where I might teach.

[WFTR]

Seeing Alaska and Israel are neat goals. How did you arrive at those two? What do you think you'd write that might get published?

Thanks for the story about your dog. That's a fun picture to think of your older dog showing that kind of energy.

[slugbug]

BTW, have you ever had William Shatner’s muffins? They are easy and delicious.

No, I've never had them but I did a search and found the recipe. They do sound good.

[slugbug]

1. Have you done your taxes yet? If you have a refund, how will you spend it?

I just turned all my stuff in to my accountant yesterday so it will be a few weeks before I find out...but generally I do get a refund. Not sure how I'll spend it yet.

2. How many of your New Year's resolutions are you still keeping?

I don't usually make resolutions.

3. What signs of spring have you seen this week?

LOL...well we had an ice storm earlier this week and about 6 inches of snow last night so I'd have to say I've seen absolutely no signs of spring yet.