I finally got a chance to upload the best 2 picts from last nights fire.
[gallery]
Friday, March 31, 2006
Friday March 31, 2006
The last 24 (or so) hours have been rather interesting. Wednesday night on the way home from Goodland the speedometer in the Voyager started acting erratically, and Matt complained that something didn't sound right in the right rear wheel area. Thursday morning I started off to work and the speedometer didn't work at all. Then I went back to swap for the LeMans. As I walked around the Voyager I kicked the right rear tire - and it moved! I think I may have lost a speedo cable and probably rear wheel bearings and brakes. Good thing I have spares.
So, I drove the LeMans. I really need to fix the power lead for the radio in that car. I also need to find out why it isn't coming down from fast idle.
But, instead of doing that Matt and I went to SkyWarn training Thursday night. I've been wanting to do that for years but I always find out about it after the fact or have a prior commitment that I can't get out of. I wish I had gone earlier; it was well worth the time. I also would suggest that everyone should TRY to get to the training at least once in their life, this is VERY useful info.
On the way home from SkyWarn we were tooling down 434 approaching the last hill before home and I see a glow in the sky (after dark, maybe 7:30 - 7:45 pm?). Unusual. Then as we come to the crest of the hill we see flames leaping into the sky!! It was on the left side, we live on the right, but...is the neighbors house or barn or hay or ? burning!!?? As we get over the hill it doesn't look like Budd's house or barn. Maybe his hay? No, it is farther away than that. Maybe his rental house on the hill? No, it isn't far enough to the left. Ah!! It is the old abandoned homestead on the opposite hill. OK, so probably there is no danger; although most of the snow cover is gone the ground is still very soggy and the next house in the direction of the wind is across a creek. Then, as we get closer, we see a vehicle parked at the corner near the fire, I can see parking lights. We stop at home to see if anyone has called the fire department yet. No one has noticed it, Betty will get on the phone. Evvy jumps in the car, I grab my camera, and we continue towards the corner. As I pull out of the driveway and turn towards the fire the car at the corner pulls around the corner. I'm thinking that it is probably the neighbor, keeping an eye on the fire. As we get closer to the fire the other vehicle starts pulling up the road and I'm thinking "Who is it?" Any of the neighbors would stay to talk. The vehicle ahead accerates hard up the road. Now I'm suspicious. Why would they be in such a hurry to leave? I hit the gas and chase them at speeds much higher than I would rather drive on a muddy road. We get close enough to get the plates and determine that it is probably an SUV or truck, something in the Blazer/S-10 size range and red or brown in color, and they are going fast!!! I then turned around and went back to the fire. I was concentrating on driving fast on a treacherous road with a poorly handling car, Evvy didn't have her contacts and was taking notes while Matt was trying to ID the vehicle. Kinda wish I hadn't been driving, I could have gotten a better look at the vehicle and maybe gotten some pictures of it. I did get some excellent pictures of the fire, I will try to get them posted later.
The local Volunteer Fire Department finally showed up and dowsed the fire, we saw the roof fall in and then the sides fall in before they arrived. I wanted to get pictures of both things but my batteries died before I could do that. Looking at it this morning it looks like whatever was left fell into the basement; I couldn't see anything through the rain and fog this morning. I hope to get up there this weekend (in between working on the Voyager and the trailer) and take a look around. I do not think the barn was touched which is nice, that is a fine example of an old barn. In pretty bad shape but it was in much better shape than the house was.
Until next time!!
So, I drove the LeMans. I really need to fix the power lead for the radio in that car. I also need to find out why it isn't coming down from fast idle.
But, instead of doing that Matt and I went to SkyWarn training Thursday night. I've been wanting to do that for years but I always find out about it after the fact or have a prior commitment that I can't get out of. I wish I had gone earlier; it was well worth the time. I also would suggest that everyone should TRY to get to the training at least once in their life, this is VERY useful info.
On the way home from SkyWarn we were tooling down 434 approaching the last hill before home and I see a glow in the sky (after dark, maybe 7:30 - 7:45 pm?). Unusual. Then as we come to the crest of the hill we see flames leaping into the sky!! It was on the left side, we live on the right, but...is the neighbors house or barn or hay or ? burning!!?? As we get over the hill it doesn't look like Budd's house or barn. Maybe his hay? No, it is farther away than that. Maybe his rental house on the hill? No, it isn't far enough to the left. Ah!! It is the old abandoned homestead on the opposite hill. OK, so probably there is no danger; although most of the snow cover is gone the ground is still very soggy and the next house in the direction of the wind is across a creek. Then, as we get closer, we see a vehicle parked at the corner near the fire, I can see parking lights. We stop at home to see if anyone has called the fire department yet. No one has noticed it, Betty will get on the phone. Evvy jumps in the car, I grab my camera, and we continue towards the corner. As I pull out of the driveway and turn towards the fire the car at the corner pulls around the corner. I'm thinking that it is probably the neighbor, keeping an eye on the fire. As we get closer to the fire the other vehicle starts pulling up the road and I'm thinking "Who is it?" Any of the neighbors would stay to talk. The vehicle ahead accerates hard up the road. Now I'm suspicious. Why would they be in such a hurry to leave? I hit the gas and chase them at speeds much higher than I would rather drive on a muddy road. We get close enough to get the plates and determine that it is probably an SUV or truck, something in the Blazer/S-10 size range and red or brown in color, and they are going fast!!! I then turned around and went back to the fire. I was concentrating on driving fast on a treacherous road with a poorly handling car, Evvy didn't have her contacts and was taking notes while Matt was trying to ID the vehicle. Kinda wish I hadn't been driving, I could have gotten a better look at the vehicle and maybe gotten some pictures of it. I did get some excellent pictures of the fire, I will try to get them posted later.
The local Volunteer Fire Department finally showed up and dowsed the fire, we saw the roof fall in and then the sides fall in before they arrived. I wanted to get pictures of both things but my batteries died before I could do that. Looking at it this morning it looks like whatever was left fell into the basement; I couldn't see anything through the rain and fog this morning. I hope to get up there this weekend (in between working on the Voyager and the trailer) and take a look around. I do not think the barn was touched which is nice, that is a fine example of an old barn. In pretty bad shape but it was in much better shape than the house was.
Until next time!!
Monday, March 27, 2006
Monday March 27, 2006
More disturbing news. The following are quotes:
"The housing slowdown merits close attention because it may have more serious consequences than were first believed. New numbers from Moody's indicate a whopping 9.8% of all U.S. workers can trace their livelihoods to the housing market. Since 2002, nearly 40% of all newly-created jobs were in industries related to housing."
"...offshore interests also purchased 51% the U.S. government's publicly traded debt."
"...consider a small-scale example. If a person goes to a foreign car dealer and makes a $30,000 purchase, he expects to suffer the loss of his money. But imagine what would happen if the dealer sends him home with both the car and his money with the stipulation that he, or his children, can pay it back at some distant point in the future? Our car buyer would probably feel pretty flush, and would be tempted to spend the $30,000 on something else."
"...economists agree the U.S. is in hock so deeply we can't possibly pay our obligations at full value. The only solution is to significantly devalue our currency, primarily through inflation."
"...Inflation spikes are especially common during postwar periods. During the war, the government borrows whatever amount of money it needs to get the job done. Afterwards, inflation permits Uncle Sam to pay everybody back at a discount. We saw the "inflation solution" most recently after the Vietnam War ended in 1975."
And visit www.ntu.org and see how Uncle Sam REALLY spends your money!
"The housing slowdown merits close attention because it may have more serious consequences than were first believed. New numbers from Moody's indicate a whopping 9.8% of all U.S. workers can trace their livelihoods to the housing market. Since 2002, nearly 40% of all newly-created jobs were in industries related to housing."
"...offshore interests also purchased 51% the U.S. government's publicly traded debt."
"...consider a small-scale example. If a person goes to a foreign car dealer and makes a $30,000 purchase, he expects to suffer the loss of his money. But imagine what would happen if the dealer sends him home with both the car and his money with the stipulation that he, or his children, can pay it back at some distant point in the future? Our car buyer would probably feel pretty flush, and would be tempted to spend the $30,000 on something else."
"...economists agree the U.S. is in hock so deeply we can't possibly pay our obligations at full value. The only solution is to significantly devalue our currency, primarily through inflation."
"...Inflation spikes are especially common during postwar periods. During the war, the government borrows whatever amount of money it needs to get the job done. Afterwards, inflation permits Uncle Sam to pay everybody back at a discount. We saw the "inflation solution" most recently after the Vietnam War ended in 1975."
And visit www.ntu.org and see how Uncle Sam REALLY spends your money!
Monday March 27, 2006
Interesting weekend. Didn't do much 'cept work on the Gladiator and watch slides.
Did the rear brakes on the Gladiator, wheel cylinders, shoes, hardware. Still pulls to the right. Guess I will try swapping tires next.
My Bro sent me four more boxes of my Grandmother's slides. Pictures from around the world. Don't have a clue where 99% of the pictures are from or who the people are or why the picture was taken, and I can't ask. They just go in the trash if I cannot I.D. them.
Did some fascinating economic research last week that others should look at also. Check out www.shadowstats.com and read the "Primer on Government Economic Reports". Then go to http://www.gillespieresearch.com and follow the links to interviews found on the lower left. For a different viewpoint see also http://www.speciousargument.com/blog.
Fortunately I'm not (generally) interested in having a fancy car or house or boat or [you name it] or even computer; I prefer to spend my time and money on more lasting things. However, I fear that as our economy globalizes that the gap between the "Haves" and the "Have nots" will increase. It is only reasonable to assume that as the cash flows out of the U.S. downhill to places like Iran, India, China, and the Philippines that as their standard of living increases that our standard of living will decrease, at least some and perhaps quite drastically. Prices of Energy, foodstuffs, building materials, will NOT go down but will continue to increase as resources dwindle and as our money decreases in real value. As the workforce becomes more globalized we will see more and more routine jobs (such as fry cooks, network admins) become lower and lower in pay and jobs that require original thinking and creativity (artists, musicians, inventors) receiving more and more.
Time to get back to my routine job.
Did the rear brakes on the Gladiator, wheel cylinders, shoes, hardware. Still pulls to the right. Guess I will try swapping tires next.
My Bro sent me four more boxes of my Grandmother's slides. Pictures from around the world. Don't have a clue where 99% of the pictures are from or who the people are or why the picture was taken, and I can't ask. They just go in the trash if I cannot I.D. them.
Did some fascinating economic research last week that others should look at also. Check out www.shadowstats.com and read the "Primer on Government Economic Reports". Then go to http://www.gillespieresearch.com and follow the links to interviews found on the lower left. For a different viewpoint see also http://www.speciousargument.com/blog.
Fortunately I'm not (generally) interested in having a fancy car or house or boat or [you name it] or even computer; I prefer to spend my time and money on more lasting things. However, I fear that as our economy globalizes that the gap between the "Haves" and the "Have nots" will increase. It is only reasonable to assume that as the cash flows out of the U.S. downhill to places like Iran, India, China, and the Philippines that as their standard of living increases that our standard of living will decrease, at least some and perhaps quite drastically. Prices of Energy, foodstuffs, building materials, will NOT go down but will continue to increase as resources dwindle and as our money decreases in real value. As the workforce becomes more globalized we will see more and more routine jobs (such as fry cooks, network admins) become lower and lower in pay and jobs that require original thinking and creativity (artists, musicians, inventors) receiving more and more.
Time to get back to my routine job.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Thursday March 23, 2006
Yesterday was a "hmmm" kind of day. The Gladiator has had a bad pull to the right when braking. I had replaced the front brakes about a year ago for the same reason and I assumed it must be a sticking caliper again, so I bought a caliper and installed it yesterday. Still has the exact same pull to the right when braking.
My next idea is that it might possibly be the rear brakes. I know that the wheel cylinders are weeping and the brake linings are getting thin; in fact, I have wheel cylinders, shoes, and hardware kits sitting on my bench so I can replace them at the first opportunity.
I was planning on doing it today after work but......IT'S SNOWING!!! Only about 1/4" on the ground but more coming down. Roads very slippery with the snow coming down on the ice from the snow melting. Maybe this weekend.
My next idea is that it might possibly be the rear brakes. I know that the wheel cylinders are weeping and the brake linings are getting thin; in fact, I have wheel cylinders, shoes, and hardware kits sitting on my bench so I can replace them at the first opportunity.
I was planning on doing it today after work but......IT'S SNOWING!!! Only about 1/4" on the ground but more coming down. Roads very slippery with the snow coming down on the ice from the snow melting. Maybe this weekend.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Tuesday March 21, 2006
omigosh but you need to check out this website -- especially if you like geeky stuff.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/hero/
http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/hero/
Tuesday March 21, 2006
Not much to say. Weather is too nice to be sitting here but...I have work to do.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Wednesday March 15, 2006
Cold morning; -4F at home. And I still haven't replaced the heater in the Voyager. Saturday is supposed to be sunny and 28F, maybe if it is I will take a few hours and do it. I'm fairly certain that it will take at least 4 hours to tear down the dash, remove the AC, remove and replace the heater core and rebuild the dash.
Of course, by the time I do that I won't need the new heater. But if I don't do it now I won't think of it until next fall when the temp drops.
Put new spark plugs in the Voyager last week. Now I get 23 mpg. I'm shooting for 30. But 23 is a whole bunch better than the 15 I would have gotten with the Gladiator, especially at $2.45/gal.
Rant time.
I don't quite understand the Oil companies, other than the fact that they are just plain greedy. Yesterday the price of a gallon Unleaded went from 2.35 to 2.45. That is nearly a 5% jump. After a jump from 2.25 to 2.35 last week. I just hope that American grassroots ingenuity can quickly find a way to not use gasoline to run a car. I know that there are quite a few electric/fuel cell/solar concepts out there. We just need one that is reliable and that people like me can afford. That is the tough part. Would I buy a more economical vehicle? You bet. Do I have the money to do it? No, I have to buy gas for the car and fuel oil for the house. Could I heat the house more economically? Sure, if I could front $25,000 for a ground source heat pump. At the price of fuel oil right now I could pay for the heat pump in less than 12 years, which I don't think is too bad. To buy a car like the Prius would cost $22,000 and that would take 20+ years for payback, which is ridiculous. The Venturi Fetish would do nicely, but the payback on $660,000 isn't worth it either. What I need is a good $500 solar powered car. ha.
Of course, by the time I do that I won't need the new heater. But if I don't do it now I won't think of it until next fall when the temp drops.
Put new spark plugs in the Voyager last week. Now I get 23 mpg. I'm shooting for 30. But 23 is a whole bunch better than the 15 I would have gotten with the Gladiator, especially at $2.45/gal.
Rant time.
I don't quite understand the Oil companies, other than the fact that they are just plain greedy. Yesterday the price of a gallon Unleaded went from 2.35 to 2.45. That is nearly a 5% jump. After a jump from 2.25 to 2.35 last week. I just hope that American grassroots ingenuity can quickly find a way to not use gasoline to run a car. I know that there are quite a few electric/fuel cell/solar concepts out there. We just need one that is reliable and that people like me can afford. That is the tough part. Would I buy a more economical vehicle? You bet. Do I have the money to do it? No, I have to buy gas for the car and fuel oil for the house. Could I heat the house more economically? Sure, if I could front $25,000 for a ground source heat pump. At the price of fuel oil right now I could pay for the heat pump in less than 12 years, which I don't think is too bad. To buy a car like the Prius would cost $22,000 and that would take 20+ years for payback, which is ridiculous. The Venturi Fetish would do nicely, but the payback on $660,000 isn't worth it either. What I need is a good $500 solar powered car. ha.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Tuesday March 14, 2006
Too busy with boring stuff lately to do any entries, but tonight I am playing with the new VMWare Server beta that I just received. I love virtual PC's, so this Virtual Server will be very interesting. I'm setting up a couple of servers in it, then I may try using my M$ Virtual PC's as clients and see what happens.
I almost forgot: I finally found my dream car: the 2005 Morgan Aero 8. A good place to start with this car is at http://smogthis.net/indexaero.html.
I almost forgot: I finally found my dream car: the 2005 Morgan Aero 8. A good place to start with this car is at http://smogthis.net/indexaero.html.
Friday, March 3, 2006
Thursday, March 2, 2006
Thursday March 2, 2006
Another day, another dollar. Well, our big storm left a little sleet and a little snow. Nothing serious in this area. Worked on the Elna sewing machine last night, upper tension was all messed up. What a job to get to. Easier now that I have done it once, but they don't make it easy to open the cover on those things. You would think they don't want anyone to maintain them.
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Wednesday March 1, 2006
Back at work again. I hate being sick and missing work 'cause now I have to do everything I didn't already do, so, while I was feeling like I was almost caught up I now am days behind again. Job security, they tell me.
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