Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967

How 'bout a lightweight vest? Quite dashing!

And the sad news is... here in good ol' california we're allowed to possess a maximum of one pound.

Twilight Zone.

I remember that coach in that branch... kind of a circular-shaped building, as I recall. I believe it became a Sharper Image store after Wells Fargo moved out. Dunno if that particular coach was restored or a replica... but either way, it was still neat!

The dude is likely guilty, but... did I miss the part where he was tried and convicted...?

Reminds me of the old "bumper jacks" every car came equipped with when I was a kid. Those came with a part that matched the car's bumper. A fair system at best, with the flimsy bumpers of the period. So with this modern version, what the heck do you use for a "lift point" on a basic pickup type vehicle? 'Specially the front end??

There was a time when that was true in California, too... when then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein tried it in San Francisco, it was overturned. Nowadays I suspect San Francisco or Los Angeles or Sackamenna or whatever-danged-place can do pretty much whatever they danged want to.

Oughtta work - even works on lead crystal. From OSHA's site: [ https://www.osha.gov/lead/lead-test The lead detector kits are designed to offer a simple and immediate estimation as to whether or not the lead in paint or other solid materials is at a hazardous level and whether abatement measures are needed. According to the manufacturers, in addition to paint, other materials such as dust, soil, ceramics, lead crystal, solder, foil, pewter, and other metals can be examined for lead. The kits are easy to use. No analytical laboratory time is required. The kits are inexpensive. The pink color obtained upon reaction of lead with the kit reagents is very distinct. The tests appear to be specific for lead when a pink color is obtained. They do not give a positive reaction with several metals used in lead-free solders. The chemicals used are stated to be nontoxic; however, the usual precautions in handling any chemicals should be followed. Note: Each kit is provided with test papers that contain lead to assure effectiveness in testing. Care should be used in handling these test media. The kits are not recommended for users who are color-blind in the red/pink region of the color spectrum. The kits are not designed to detect lead in water. Possible interferences include barium, calcium sulfate in plaster, chromate in lead and zinc chromate, and red paint pigments. See Section 2. below. The kits give only a positive/negative response. For a more thorough lead determination, the samples must be sent to a certified laboratory, or another more expensive field procedure used.

Did your CPAP "Coach" put any effort into fitting you with a mask? I tried perhaps a dozen or so before I found one that was a "fit." The nose-only ones were horrid... if I opened my mouth all that air pumped into my nose went right out my mouth. Weird sensation, that! I finally found a full-face type that is quite comfortable - and as long as I keep my beard reasonably trimmed it seals nicely. Now, a comment on "coaches:" The gal whom I worked with at our medical center was, in my opinion, a self-centered twit. During a review she read the downloaded data and declared that my mask leaks. A lot. I tried to assure her that it in fact did NOT leak; she argued that she could see it on her computer screen. I had my machine and mask with me, and suggested I put it on so she could see for herself - but she was insistent that it was not necessary, as she could see on her computer that it DID leak and I didn't know what I was talking about. I didn't have the patience to point out to her that the "leaks" she thought she saw were most likely due to the mask having, by design, a series of vent holes. According to her I absolutely needed a "nose-only" mask with a strap to hold my mouth shut. I left. Full-face masks continue to be quite comfy and work well.

There was virtually nothing left. Very sad... The picture brings to mind the remains of a P-51 I once came across near the Mendocino National Forest.

Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon... they're pretty common. Been buying 'em for years.

Here's another that was really cool! I got to watch it fly at Chino... sadly, it crashed about a month after this flight.

Allie, that is most WONDERFUL news!!! As with everyone else, prayers are continuing - 'specially since we now have confirmation they work!! (We knew they would)

For goodness sake, don't start calling yourself Austrifornia!!

Any idea what "fayre water" might be...?

Some may say it's childish; some may say it's in poor taste. And it may be all that. I think it's about the funniest thing I've seen in a LONG time! "Let's Go Brandon!"

I read his autobiography many years ago - a good read; I'd recommend it. (The man's hobby was tinkering with old Volvo automobiles!) I later had the opportunity to hear him speak at an event and thoroughly enjoyed it. The man had a presence! Extremely bright, a set of values most of us would largely agree with, and a good sense of humor. RIP, General. And thank you for being here when you were.

Kinda like all them souls broadcasting or writing news stories, or authors of books where there's shooting going on, or about half the folks at cowboy shoots,* most of my family,** and anyone who writes for or watches television: "There were shell casings found outside the crime scene!" Remember... "Casings" are for sausage, "Cases" are for cartridges. But what the heck ~ we all kinda know what they mean. * Of course, we all just say "Brass!" ** They don't know nuttin' no-how no-way anykow.

Not necessarily so. Generally, if you have accrued sick time you can use it; however, it does protect you from disciplinary action for doing so. A bit under two years before I retired I got to spend a couple of days in the cardiac ward, after driving myself to the hospital in the next county at 0300 one morning. I literally called in sick from the ER. AFIB. Undoubtedly triggered by job stressors (mentioned in other posts). It was serious; my doctor and I had a heart-to-heart (pun not intended!) discussion, and he strongly recommended I expedite my retirement.* I explained that I absolutely had to hang almost two more years; Doc explained FMLA to me and said that he was going to expedite the paperwork for me. He did, for an unheard-of 18 months. He said that at the end of that time I was to contact him for a six-month extension. (Note: FMLA is for 12 weeks, but this can be cumulative. During my entire time on FMLA I actually used very little time off - and had leave time available when I did. Unfortunately, my doctor retired a year later. At the end of the first 18-month period, I did approach my new doc about an extension. He was very reluctant, and said that if he did at all it would be for only six weeks. I handed him a copy of my old doc's paperwork - he was incredulous after reading it. "Wow! I had NO idea of your history! Tell ya what... I'll give you another six months, and we can extend it again if we need to." We didn't. I retired four months later. But back to the original event: At that time I had something like over 1,200 hours of accrued sick time on the books, and this was after "donating" several weeks to other staffers over the years. I also had a reputation of being highly dependable - I was the guy who was NEVER sick, and still showed up if I was. But my boss was not impressed. I had to report to the labs at least twice a week for blood work for several weeks, and then weekly, then bi-weekly, and periodically through today. So... I had all that time available, and my boss (lovely lady - not!) in a snarling voice said to me "That lab [60 mile round trip from home] opens at six o'clock in the morning. That means you have time to get there and have your butt at your desk by eight o'clock and I expect you to do just that!" I figured that in the interest of survival it was prudent to comply. I stuck it out. Just before the FMLA extension was up I turned in my paperwork, and was retired about six months before Social Security started. The agency's Executive Director asked me what I was going to do; I told her I intended to file for unemployment to bridge the gap until my "pension" kicked in. Surprised, she said that she thought one could not collect unemployment after resigning - I carefully explained that indeed I could; if the agency refuted my claim I was almost guaranteed a win on appeal... but that was a moot point, as resigning for a serious health issue is considered a viable reason in this state... and it was a matter of record that the job had already put me in the cardiac ward. She chuckled and winked and said "You don't have a thing to worry about" and gave me a hug.** But, bottom line - I would encourage pursuing the FMLA thing. (Note: FMLA is for 12 weeks, but this can be cumulative. During my entire time on FMLA I actually used very little time off - and had leave time available when I did. For me, the main thing was FMLA also prohibits employers from firing, disciplining, or penalizing employees in any other way for taking FMLA leave. In my case, it had the effect of somewhat reducing the harassments. But my job was essentially safe.) * I have a friend who is an LCSW. One evening we were discussing work scenarios, and he asked about my job. An hour later he told me that first thing the next morning I needed to make two phone calls - the first to my doctor, the second to a lawyer. I didn't; however, the trip to the ER happened shortly after. Same pard later told me "Dude! You need to retire A*S*A*P~! Ya gotta do it SOON, before either that place kills you or someone has to read you your rights!" ** We'd been "work buddies" for years before she ascended to the Executive Director position. To her credit, she did not "meddle" with her subordinate department managers, and I would not have asked her to. And when I left, she called me in to her office to personally apologize. But six months later I had to decline with a grin when she asked me if I'd come back as a consultant. Good Luck, JB~!

I read that. Actually, it's Superman's son... and he's "bi-," not "gay transexual transvestite." Not that it matters - not on my reading list. Personally, I'll stick with Mighty Mouse!