Doc1647545523

78.1%. Helped by medical knowledge and survival skills, hindered by age and physical condition. Clearly I would need Drewhop and Mojoe as my minions to have a chance at survival.

Not sure if the problem you experienced was entirely due to the water, but I'm a believer in only using filtered water for coffee. If a coffeemaker requires de-mineralization, using filtered water or distilled water will cut down on the need for that, besides improving the flavor. About twenty years ago I started drinking (almost exclusively) water from a home distiller, which distills and then uses an activated carbon filter. I use it for coffee, carry it with me to drink when away from home, even use it for ice cubes. It's really spoiled me for the taste of pure water. What got me on the "pure water kick" around 1990 was reading articles on the decay of the public water systems in cities and even in homes. Since this part of the system is past where water is typically tested by public health officials, further purifying the water seemed like a smart idea. However, once I started drinking the homemade water, I did it for the taste.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/ben_franklin_on_liberty_and_safety_poster-p228307136875566820t5wm_400.jpg

Civilization IV

It's lookin' pretty dead, so let's pass on tonight. If you hit the roads, watch out for the drunks and the popo. I hope you all have a happy and prosperous 2012. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/demotivational-posters-mayans.jpg

If we have a few more by 6 p.m. we'll figure it's a go. If not, probably not worth your drive. I'll post a thumbs up or thumbs down by 6.

From the looks of KennyFKINPowers's thread, there doesn't seem to be much happening tonight for CR folks. Last night we had about 10-12 come to the hangout. If there's interest, I'm willing to open the place up again tonight. I'd suggest pizza and a movie, but there's foosball, forza and the garage is available also. Just no alcohol. Post here if you want it open or if you have other suggestions. Happy New Year to you all.

The only "hosing" you'll be responsible for tomorrow will be the track staff having to hose down the track from the bilious spew gushing from your jalopy after it breaks. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/emoticons/ChainGun-1.gif

Funny how Jones was all enthusiastic about this until I mentioned I might take a real luxury car up there and run it. At least the long waits will give him an excuse to bow out gracefully from lining up his 4-ringer on a track against the Bentley. I can't believe I put "Jones" and "gracefully" in the same sentence.

It's looking like it will be dry tomorrow for this. Hmmm. I've heard people say that there's an awfully lot of waiting, idling connected with this. Any comment from people who have been there past years?

Very good. I'll have the heat on in the office, but if there isn't anyone needing the shop, I won't warm it up. It's about 50 without the heat on. Doesn't sound as though there's much interest in meeting first for a meal, so I'll just leave the option open to order pizza to eat there. You're also welcome to bring food in if you want. Chris, if you bring Taco Bell, don't forget the mild sauce. You need plenty of mild sauce, bruh. All I've got in the cupboards is salty bar grazing snacks, and they won't make much of a meal. And there's always the Hamburger Inn afterwards. You can't be driving home hungry.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/default%202/d17c6d167196ae559325a615a41434d414f4541.jpg Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder, a friend of mine. Incredible first novel. Written by gear head, racer, co-founder of FlatOut Motorsports. Some of you met him when his team raced at Mid-Ohio a few years ago. A few of you on CR have inscribed copies of the book on their way here as we speak. They were shipped Wednesday. The book is also available as an e-book. Steve emailed me yesterday to say that the book is already in its second printing and also that his second novel in the series is scheduled to go to print this coming summer. He's coming to Ohio this October to visit and I think we'll have an open house for him at the hangout. From Libdrone Books review: http://libdrone.info/2011/05/31/book-review-purgatory-chasm-by-steve-ulfelder/ Steve Ulfelder’s Purgatory Chasm was a very different kind of reading experience for me. Protagonist Conway Sax is kind of an anti-hero. A former race car driver and car mechanic, on parole after serving time for manslaughter, Sax is stumbling through his life and stumbles upon a complex and many-layered case involving drugs, murder and money. While the librarians have not classified Purgatory Chasm as a mystery, it contains some elements of that genre, as well as some elements of the thriller or action novel. Conway Sax is a recovering alcoholic and a devoted member of his rather bad ass local AA group, the Barnburners. An obnoxious member of that group asks Sax for his help in recovering his vintage Mercedes which has been at a mechanic’s shop for some time, and the shop is not doing any of the restoration work that had been ordered. While Sax clearly does not care for Tander Phigg, his obnoxious acquaintance, he will never refuse help to anyone in the Barnburners and so begins looking into Motorworken and its owner Ollie and his employee, Josh. Few things are as they appear and Sax is drawn into trying to solve the mysteries he uncovers. Occasionally, Sax’ interest and ability in solving crimes seems a bit contrived, but by and large the character comes across as a street-wise tough guy who uses both brains and brawn, as Tander Phigg is killed and the police suspect him of involvement in the crime. Purgatory Chasm is to a large extent, a “men’s novel”. For the most part, the book’s few female characters play secondary roles and most of the interactions are between Sax and his Barnburners sidekick Randall, and with the late Tander Phigg’s son Trey. There is a lot of fighting, a lot of fast driving and a lot of straight male camaraderie. If you enjoy novels about bad boy anti-heroes, Purgatory Chasm is well-written, richly plotted and a lot of fun. You can buy the book many places; here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Purgatory-Chasm-Mystery-Steve-Ulfelder/dp/0312672926 Racing expenses written-off the taxes as "advertising?" Steve's "book car" http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/default%202/05hood.jpg

Sorry, almost forgot the weathermap that proves the inevitability of my predictions: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/f-Future-Cast-56241.jpg

Jeez, Louise. This forecasting stuff is really tough. How can I say something that intimates something horrible, yet leaves some wiggle room if there's no weather apocalypse? How's this: Cold rain on and off Tuesday, changing to snow by the evening commute. Windy and chilly, low's in the mid 20's. It will be dark shortly after 5 p.m. The roads won't be slippery, but traffic will all be snarled because people will want to drive 10 mph. Road crews will put down enough salt and brine de-icer to melt the polar ice cap. Wednesday morning there will be one half inch of snow on the ground, a dusting as Damreds said. It won't be light until 8 a.m. Paul's backporch steps will be icy and his fiance will have no idea how to get down the steps without falling. During the day it will be cloudy and cold, but there will be no more snow. There will still be a few wet messy spots on the roads during the day. Thursday it will warm to 40 and the last of the wet messy spots will be dried out. Friday there will be rain for a few hours and it will hit 45. That's all you need to know. Don't wash the car this week.

Not a thread jack or a downer at all. It never hurts us to be reminded while we enjoy our families and our material blessings at Christmas that our fellow citizens have in the past and continue to be willing to sacrifice their comfort and safety to preserve and defend us. Thanks for that.

Pretty sobering, Joe. Puts our stateside gifts into prospective. Stay safe. Come back. Race in Rally.

Iron Pony $352.22 WalMart $20.00 Not looking for other gift cards, but will sell these below face value.

Paul, I hope you enjoy your sweaters. They knew the perfect gift for you. Like Brandon, I got a kickass car shirt: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/carshirt.jpg My great niece raided my photobucket account to get the image. :fuckyeah:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/d8f2755703dd7785c6ad10b4cf4a03e05e.png Especially for you, Anthony.

http://www.someecards.com/ seems to always have a way of saying it best: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/hanukkah-kwanzaa-happy-holidays-christmas-season-ecards-someecards.png

First of all, this isn't about fair. Secondly, although eman has "moved on from Miatas," the stain he left on the marque is indelible.

Four reasons come to my mind. 1) I think part of it's jealousy -- it's a very fun car for little money. Lots of us spend much more on cars that we don't enjoy driving as much as you enjoy your Miata. 2) People hate on cars they see as wannabe cars. Plymouth Prowlers, Toyota FJ Cruisers, PT Cruisers, New Beetles, and Mini Coopers are all fine cars in their own right, but they connote something more to those who remember the "originals." Miata's harken back to the British roadster. Truth is, the Japanese have made a better British roadster than the British ever did. 3) It's a strange group of owners. We've all seen the retired couples motoring around in their shiny Miatas with the tops down, Hawaiian shirts, straw hats, headscarves, big sunglasses, gray hair blowing in the breeze, looking like they're having the time of their lives. They should stop acting like they're teenagers and just stay in their retirement villages, playing bridge. How dare they take to the roads with heedless abandon. 4) Eman

I don't know who originated this rule, but it seems to get circulated pretty heavily by jewelers and by gold-digging floosies. Gives one pause ..... I'd say spend whatever the two of you decide is appropriate. I was best man at a wedding with simple gold bands, but the bride wanted a $50k wedding (which the groom himself paid for). My mother wanted my father to buy her an engagement ring. He told her, "Let's just get simple rings now, and when we have enough money, I'll get you diamonds." Dad never felt he had enough money to do that, but it didn't prevent Mom from staying married to him for the next 63 years. It took Death to part them, as the saying goes. Of course, a diamond is forever ........

And I remember how self-conscious you were at the picnic having that earring in your right ear and all. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/July%203rd%20CR%20cookout/Cordell.jpg

Some very good advice in the thread, although you've got to sift through a lot of crap, too. I think Smokey gave you some really worthwhile info. I can make you a killer deal on an 18k white gold set, or on top quality (E-F color, VS1 clarity) diamonds separately. I've had spare jewelry for a few years now and am willing to sell it pretty far below wholesale. I haven't been willing to try to sell it online but would love to see it go to a buyer directly. PM me with your email if you have interest.