The Anything Thread

[jakespoppy]

My only concern is how will I keep from breaking the pencils?...

I'm sure someone as resourceful as you are will be able to find a place to stick your pencil where it will stay safe and dry.

Don't snap them in half?

...or just do this. And keep it dry, too.

I thought that was Blake, then I remembered he'll be flying solo.

Blake, now you got others involved in the General Shaving Forum!
Tsk, Tsk Tsk!

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=199700

Welcome back Randy, I don't need a Nakiri for making onion soup, but it sure helps. It's like how I don't need a DE and nice soap/cream adn brush for shaving... it just makes the process batter. Also a few months ago I got to meet Hiroshi Kato san, the man who made the knife I now have in my kitchen.

Thanks Darren. Gadgets are always more fun when you have a connection with the creator like that.

My wife got a new car

This pic is not it, but it looks just like it

Scion Xb RS 8.0

My wife loves it!, I liked the Lincoln. But it does get 30 mpg, opposed to 11

That's a pretty cool looking car, and will look even better as gas prices continue to rise.

Now that just makes too much sense to work at work, Blake.

...and that seems to be pretty rare at Blake's place of work.

Randy, just so we're clear, I will never ever insert myself in between Rob and Blake to mediate anything if all they are wearing is chaps.

Well, I hope you don't insert yourself between Rob and Blake for anything. No matter what they're wearing!

That's a myth. Fisher developed those pens independent of any government funds

Is that the same Fisher that makes toys?

On offense, but they look kind of ugly to me.

Now hold on there, that's not.....oh, you mean the car. Nevermind.

 

[SRock]

Seriously? They're still living in it? On the second floor? Are they nuts? It doesn't even look structurally sound anymore.

Yup, unfortunately like most others they don't have anywhere else to go and I'm sure they feel like they can lessen the burden by staying in their house. With the lower level ripped out that means, no heat, water, cooking etc.

I saw families living in barns that survived (because of location) when their houses were washed away. There are families living in the homes which were washed into their rice fields basically intact. I've seen families living in just one room or in their garage if those areas are intact. Its definitely a sad state of affairs.

 

[SRock]

The Fisher Space pen thing is partially true. NASA really did spend millions trying to develop an anti-gravity ink pen. That said, Fisher developed theirs independently and the Russians really did stick to pencils for a great deal longer than the US.

There is only slight truth in the urban legend.

 

[jakespoppy]

Yup, unfortunately like most others they don't have anywhere else to go and I'm sure they feel like they can lessen the burden by staying in their house. With the lower level ripped out that means, no heat, water, cooking etc.

I saw families living in barns that survived (because of location) when their houses were washed away. There are families living in the homes which were washed into their rice fields basically intact. I've seen families living in just one room or in their garage if those areas are intact. Its definitely a sad state of affairs.

Thats very sad. Even with all the relief efforts going on here to raise money and send help, and even with all you and others are doing there, Rob, there's no way these people can recover quickly.

 

[gollum83]

...and that seems to be pretty rare at Blake's place of work.

True, but I find you can say that about a lot of places people work.

Well, I hope you don't insert yourself between Rob and Blake for anything. No matter what they're wearing!

Randy you can just stop talking now, please.

Is that the same Fisher that makes toys?

Nope. They just make pens.

Yup, unfortunately like most others they don't have anywhere else to go and I'm sure they feel like they can lessen the burden by staying in their house. With the lower level ripped out that means, no heat, water, cooking etc.

I saw families living in barns that survived (because of location) when their houses were washed away. There are families living in the homes which were washed into their rice fields basically intact. I've seen families living in just one room or in their garage if those areas are intact. Its definitely a sad state of affairs.

You know, now that you mention that, it doesn't seem so crazy. It just seems sad.

 

[gollum83]

The Fisher Space pen thing is partially true. NASA really did spend millions trying to develop an anti-gravity ink pen. That said, Fisher developed theirs independently and the Russians really did stick to pencils for a great deal longer than the US.

There is only slight truth in the urban legend.

Actually they spent thousands on mechanical pencils, not pens. Remember their budget was only something like $500 million in the early 60's and eventually reaching about $2 billion by the middle of the decade, with most of that going towards developing Gemini and Apollo, not pens.

Anyway, if anyone is interested on the history of the space pen: http://history.nasa.gov/spacepen.html

 

[SRock]

Actually they spent thousands on mechanical pencils, not pens. Remember their budget was only something like $500 million in the early 60's and eventually reaching about $2 billion by the middle of the decadde, with most of that going towards developing Gemini and Apollo, not pens.

Anyway, if anyone is interested on the history of the space pen: http://history.nasa.gov/spacepen.html

Indeed, thousands. Semantics.

 

[gollum83]

Indeed, thousands. Semantics.

Not to nitpick here, but how is that semantics? There is a real difference between millions and thousands, pens and pencils, and buying as opposed to developing. Yes, government can be wasteful but come on a space agency developing pens over rocket launchers and space capsules?

 

[SRock]

Not to nitpick here, but how is that semantics? There is a real difference between millions and thousands, pens and pencils, and buying as opposed to developing. Yes, government can be wasteful but come on a space agency developing pens over rocket launchers and space capsules?

Well, when you account for inflation.

 

[Intrigued]

I'll help you out here Blake. Don't take a pencil or a pen on your trip, even if NASA made it. Take a felt marker or a crayon, so that Rob and Matt will rest easy.

 

[jakespoppy]

True, but I find you can say that about a lot of places people work.

True dat!

You know, now that you mention that, it doesn't seem so crazy. It just seems sad.

Actually they spent thousands on mechanical pencils, not pens. Remember their budget was only something like $500 million in the early 60's and eventually reaching about $2 billion by the middle of the decade, with most of that going towards developing Gemini and Apollo, not pens.

Anyway, if anyone is interested on the history of the space pen: http://history.nasa.gov/spacepen.html

I love pens, and I think the early years of the space program is interesting, so yes, I'll check this out. Thanks!

...Randy you can just stop talking now, please.

Okay, that's probably a good idea. Goodnight TATers.

 

[gollum83]

Well, when you account for inflation.

Oh that... excellent point...

Okay, that's probably a good idea. Goodnight TATers.

Yes, it is and not just for you. 'Night all.

 

[SRock]

I went through and found some videos of places I've been or places near where I live.

This first video is during the quake. It shows buildings in the city swaying:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieWDQp9Krac&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

Truly a testament to Japanese engineering.

This next video is at the epicenter in Sendai (about 230 miles South of me). The scary stuff is at 4 minutes when you see the nuclear plant engulfed in flames:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8GBNanmdnc[/YOUTUBE]

The next video is the closest major city from Misawa. Hachinohe is about 20 minutes South. The damage in Hachinohe was severe along the coast, but not nearly as bad inland as it was all the way down at Sendai:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fchEWTxXqOs[/YOUTUBE]

This next video is from our AFN (American Forces Network) station on Misawa, during the actual quake (They didn't start recording until the quake was winding down, doesn't really do it justice):

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVIgqAbZJJc&feature=relmfu[/YOUTUBE]

As you can imagine the base was on point with disaster recovery. We have missions going out daily to help the people of Japan recover:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb3BRUEBqH8[/YOUTUBE]

This video is a story about American teachers who evacuated from Sendai down South to Misawa Air Base. They "commandeered" a bus and drove the 4 hours North to the base. By the time they got to us that night we already has cots/bed down in place for hundreds. The initial wave was only 57 students and teachers:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soP6p4DMgJ8&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

This last video is of our Navy brethren kicking butt:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1YDE_zaITk&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

It was really emotional putting this together. I've been to all of the places and I know so many of the military people seen in these videos. This truly is a trying time.

Attached is a picture of me helping dig out a small shop in Hachinohe, yesterday. When we got there they had about 3 feet of mud in the first floor.

 

[RichGem]

My only concern is how will I keep from breaking the pencils?



I can't help it if all the cool kids are there.

Seriously, it is neat to have the mixture of past and current TATers with a few additions.

Think mechanical pencils.

 

[RichGem]

Attached is a picture of me helping dig out a small shop in Hachinohe, yesterday. When we got there they had about 3 feet of mud in the first floor.

Huh. You seem shorter on line.

 

[SRock]

Huh. You seem shorter on line.

 

[blackfoot]

I'm sure someone as resourceful as you are will be able to find a place to stick your pencil where it will stay safe and dry.

Maybe with a couple of cigars.

 

[jakespoppy]

Maybe with a couple of cigars.

Good idea! You definitely want to protect those cigars!

 

[DFrancis]

Good idea! You definitely want to protect those cigars!

Do they sell camping humidors?

EDIT: yep http://www.amazon.com/Xtreme-Count-Traveling-Humidor-Caddy/dp/tech-data/B003V0L4T2

 

[Duckster]

Do they sell camping humidors?

EDIT: yep http://www.amazon.com/Xtreme-Count-Traveling-Humidor-Caddy/dp/tech-data/B003V0L4T2

How is he supposed to keep that thing dry?