Now I'm more bored. Even with the mystery!
201 May 17, 2020 8:49 am
Re: Just because nobody has posted anything I'll bore you with this (9 replies, posted in Track)
202 May 4, 2020 2:04 pm
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
No we don't.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Man: Is this the right room for an argument?
Other Man:(John Cleese) I've told you once.
Man: No you haven't!
Other Man: Yes I have.
M: When?
O: Just now.
M: No you didn't!
O: Yes I did!
M: You didn't!
O: I did!
M: You didn't!
O: I'm telling you, I did!
M: You did not!
O: Oh I'm sorry, is this a five minute argument, or the full half hour?
M: Ah! (taking out his wallet and paying) Just the five minutes.
O: Just the five minutes. Thank you.
O: Anyway, I did.
M: You most certainly did not!
O: Now let's get one thing quite clear: I most definitely told you!
M: Oh no you didn't!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: No you DIDN'T!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: No you DIDN'T!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: No you DIDN'T!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh look, this isn't an argument!
(pause)
O: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!
(pause)
M: It's just contradiction!
O: No it isn't!
M: It IS!
O: It is NOT!
M: You just contradicted me!
O: No I didn't!
M: You DID!
O: No no no!
M: You did just then!
O: Nonsense!
M: (exasperated) Oh, this is futile!!
(pause)
O: No it isn't!
M: Yes it is!
(pause)
M: I came here for a good argument!
O: AH, no you didn't, you came here for an argument!
M: An argument isn't just contradiction.
O: Well! it CAN be!
M: No it can't!
M: An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.
O: No it isn't!
M: Yes it is! 'tisn't just contradiction.
O: Look, if I *argue* with you, I must take up a contrary position!
M: Yes but it isn't just saying 'no it isn't'.
O: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!
O: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!
O: Yes it is!
M: No it ISN'T! Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says.
O: It is NOT!
M: It is!
O: Not at all!
M: It is!
(The Arguer hits a bell on his desk and stops.)
O: Thank you, that's it.
M: (stunned) What?
O: That's it. Good morning.
M: But I was just getting interested!
O: I'm sorry, the five minutes is up.
M: That was never five minutes just now!!
O: I'm afraid it was.
M: (leading on) No it wasn't.....
O: I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to argue any more.
M: WHAT??
O: If you want me to go on arguing, you'll have to pay for another five minutes.
M: But that was never five minutes just now!
Oh Come on!
Oh this is...
This is ridiculous!
O: I told you... I told you, I'm not allowed to argue unless you PAY!
M: Oh all right. (takes out his wallet and pays again.) There you are.
O: Thank you.
M: (clears throat) Well...
O: Well WHAT?
M: That was never five minutes just now.
O: I told you, I'm not allowed to argue unless you've paid!
M: Well I just paid!
O: No you didn't!
M: I DID!!!
O: YOU didn't!
M: I DID!!!
O: YOU didn't!
M: I DID!!!
O: YOU didn't!
M: I DID!!!
O: YOU didn't!
M: I don't want to argue about it!
O: Well I'm very sorry but you didn't pay!
M: Ah hah! Well if I didn't pay, why are you arguing??? Ah HAAAAAAHHH! Gotcha!
O: No you haven't!
M: Yes I have! If you're arguing, I must have paid.
O: Not necessarily. I *could* be arguing in my spare time.
M: I've had enough of this!
O: No you haven't.
M: Oh shut up!
(Man leaves the office)
203 May 3, 2020 12:43 pm
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Wish I could have been there. Next time!
204 May 3, 2020 7:18 am
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Yep sorry. That was the last one. Let’s race!
205 May 2, 2020 3:15 pm
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Okay, last post on this topic:
Does this not make you stop and think?
When the State tells you it’s safe to go to The Home Depot to buy a sponge but it’s too dangerous to go to a florist and buy flowers—it’s not about your health.
When the State shuts down millions of private businesses but doesn’t lay off a single government employee—it’s not about your health.
When the State bans dentists because it’s unsafe, but deems abortion visits safe—it’s not about your health.
When the State prevents you from buying cucumber seeds because it’s too dangerous, but allows in-person lottery ticket sales—it’s not about your health.
When the State tells you it’s too dangerous to go golf alone, fish alone or be in a motorboat alone, but the Governor can get his stage make up done, and hair done for 5 TV appearances a week—it’s not about your health.
When the state puts you IN a jail cell for walking in a park with your child because it’s too dangerous but lets criminals OUT of jail cells for their health—it’s not about YOUR health!
When the state tells you it’s too dangerous to get treated by a doctor of chiropractic or physical therapy treatments yet deems a liquor store essential—it’s not about your health!
When the State lets you go to the grocery store or hardware store but is demanding mail-in voting, IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.
What have we been asked to give up "in the name of health"?
206 May 1, 2020 7:40 am
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Howie, thanks for the offer. I would love to race, but have obligations that will prevent me from being there. Maybe next time, hopefully SOON!
207 May 1, 2020 6:59 am
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Not a doctor, Howie, but I read a lot. 94% of the deaths in Oregon are people over 60 with underlying co-morbidities. The bulk of cases resulting in hospitalization is for elderly people (like me) with underlying health problems (not like me), so the shutdowns are adversely affecting people who are NOT at risk, and causing more harm to them than benefit. I have spoken to folks with relatives in the health care field, and they tell tales of people with cancer, diabetes, other problems etc. that are NOT being treated because "elective" or non-covid related problems are not considered "essential" at this time (trying to avoid "overwhelming" hospitals). Well, the only hospitals that are being overwhelmed are in New York, and that's because of incompetent leadership. The hospital ship Mercy was hardly used, and then sent home. ANY death is a tragedy, and I'm not saying that people aren't getting sick, but we are finding out now that between 50-80% of cases of COVID-19 appear to be asymptomatic. That means that potentially MILLIONS of Americans have already been infected with NO adverse effects, and that the disease is far less lethal and dangerous than first feared. Keeping the economy stagnant is harming MORE people (30+ MILLION out of work) than will ever be hurt by the disease. It's time to get back to work.
Yes, the shutdowns are "for a reason," but not for protecting health.
208 April 30, 2020 3:34 pm
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Okay folks, I for one am ready to race again. We are on the downslope of the disease, most who were going to catch it caught it. We can be extra careful (maybe race red and blue lanes only to keep "socially distant," cover our faces with masks [I have a really cute plaid one], and generally ensure that things are clean) and go back to having fun. Oregon and Washington are beginning to make noises about "opening up" so maybe it's time...?
I'm in the "at-risk" demographic (over 70) so I should be really worried, right? But I'm not. This shutdown was unnecessary and dumb, and made the "cure" worse than the disease.
209 April 22, 2020 10:28 am
Re: OSCAR Three Race Tournament In Planning Stage (16 replies, posted in OSCAR)
I'd be building some, but my track is under wraps pending construction of our remodeled shop/game room. Our original contractor bailed on the day we were supposed to sign the contract. Fortunately, our next-door neighbor (also a contractor) who has done marvelous work for us before (shop deck and a study in the main house) had someone cancel on him so he was free to take over! We look forward to having a fine place to race in about 3-4 months, but as of now, I've got nowhere to work on or test cars.
210 April 21, 2020 9:12 pm
Re: OSCAR Three Race Tournament In Planning Stage (16 replies, posted in OSCAR)
I'd be interested, but have no cars for the races.
212 April 12, 2020 10:37 am
Re: R.I.P. Stirling Moss (1 replies, posted in NASTE)
His was a name I knew even before I knew about motor racing. One of the three greatest drivers ever. RIP.
213 April 5, 2020 11:55 am
Re: My "lockdown" projects. (38 replies, posted in Cars)
The unintended consequences of "sheltering in place."
214 April 5, 2020 5:15 am
Re: My "lockdown" projects. (38 replies, posted in Cars)
Sorry to hear that...I feel your pain!
215 April 4, 2020 12:52 pm
Re: My "lockdown" projects. (38 replies, posted in Cars)
I have the worst possible situation. My track is all buttoned up because we had prepared for the renovation of the shop into a game room/Airbnb 2nd unit, so I can't run anything, and I have no workshop space in the house. So NO SLOT ACTION AT ALL! For the foreseeable future; at least a couple of months.
Watching all you guys having fun working on stuff is really depressing!
216 April 3, 2020 7:48 am
Re: Bill's Junk (240 replies, posted in Slot Talk)
Mitch, I've been curious about those drill attachments. How well do they work, and can they cut tight curves?
217 April 2, 2020 12:25 pm
Re: Bill's Junk (240 replies, posted in Slot Talk)
Have you got a nibbler for cutting brass sheet?
218 March 29, 2020 2:36 pm
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Some interesting things I've found out while researching stuff. Apparently, people are only being tested for the virus if they show symptoms or have been in contact with those who have been tested positive. So far, Oregon has tested 11,426 people, with 548 testing positive for the virus, a positive rate of 4.7%. That means that of the tested people (those with symptoms or who have had contact), only 5% are testing positive; 95% of the people tested DO NOT HAVE the virus. This might mean a couple of things: the virus is less contagious than previously believed, or that "social distancing" is helping to slow the spread, which is the whole idea behind all of this quarantine stuff. Another possibility is that a LOT of people have the virus, but either have symptoms too mild to warrant testing, or are asymptomatic themselves. Either way, that is encouraging.
Another encouraging note is that a clinical study in France of 80 infected people, in which they were treated with the combination of hydroxychloroquine (the anti-malaria drug) and azithromycin (antibiotic), 78 of those in the trial recovered, 1 passed away (was too far gone at the beginning of the trial) and one remains in intensive care. This is a small sample, but the results are very promising, as it builds on another trial in which similar results were obtained. They're also experimenting with this same drug combo in New York.
We will beat this, and probably sooner than later.
219 March 27, 2020 2:42 pm
Re: Bill's Junk (240 replies, posted in Slot Talk)
She Who Must Be Obeyed. The Better Half. The Ball & Chain. My Beautiful, Loving Wife, the Light Of My Life.
220 March 27, 2020 11:51 am
Re: Bill's Junk (240 replies, posted in Slot Talk)
My wife has been saving her Barbies and Troll Dolls for our nonexistent "grandchildren" for 20 years. They are in boxes in the giant shipping container we've purchased to store all the stuff that was in the shop while we prepare for the renovation. My gut has always said that "if you haven't opened the box for more than 2 years you can throw it all away," but that somehow doesn't seem to make any difference to SWMBO.
221 March 27, 2020 8:39 am
Re: Bill's Junk (240 replies, posted in Slot Talk)
I came home from college one summer to find that my mother had given all of my Strombecker cars and track to a neighbor kid who promptly sold everything. In addition to that, Mom had given all of my comic collection (including an ORIGINAL Captain America 3D comic with the ORIGINAL glasses) away because "you had pinkeye one year and the comics were all contaminated." That Captain America issue sold for $15K at a comics trade show I dropped into while at another trade show I was working for my company. I was a little miffed with my Mom for a while...
222 March 27, 2020 8:35 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
Bill, I measured the "sections" on my track as to where the lane lengths were equal per section; i.e., where you placed your tape markers. Each section is the same length, so there's no advantage per lane, other than the imputed difficulty of the particular curve relative to each section. It's the same as the measured distance for a lane in a track meet; you know how a start is staggered to equalize the actual distance a runner travels per lane.
223 March 23, 2020 10:53 pm
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Good on you, Al and Donna! If we had a machine and fabric, we could do the same. People helping people is how we'll get through this mess.
224 March 23, 2020 6:50 am
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Just watching my stock go down ($200+K) and wondering now how I'll pay for the renovation of my shop/Airbnb that we had planned for this year. Finally got the plans approved (after 2 years of fighting with the county) and now there's no money to build it. So the slot track is covered up, all the cars are packed away (except those for a couple of classes in my box) and I'm stuck at home with no way to test my new DiFalco controller.
But...nobody's sick, and we're all still pretty healthy. Daughters are "sheltering in place." My mother-in-law is confined to her room in her "senior living center" where 3 have tested positive; she's feeling fine. They deliver meals to her room and disinfect everything several times a day, so she's probably going to be okay, but at 88, is wondering what's going to happen...
And our lousy government can't agree on how to get things going again.
225 March 19, 2020 8:21 am
Re: well we all are thinking it (84 replies, posted in NASTE)
Well, after all my ranting on this subject, you might think this is strange, but... after consultation with my medical advisor (SWMBO), I have been cautioned to avoid tonight's race meeting. Since I'm in the aforementioned "at-risk" demographic, it's probably wisest to obey. Have fun tonight, and stay healthy!! See you next time.