Miscellaneous Discussion Thread
A couple of months ago, I bought two batches of Amazon returns that was mostly men's Jeans. The suggested retail prices were insane. One pair had gold trim around the rear pockets and gold piping down one leg. It looked like a Nursery School art project but had a $249
price tag. Another had ice cream cone patches on the thighs for $199. Yet another had military style patches down both legs and was also $199.
Who wears this nonsense and do I really want to be dealing with " that type"?
A big thank you to RXWINE who in post #69 of the Coronavirus Math thread noted: "... Suddenly reminded me of the Japanese guy who survived two atom bombs. (Worst travel plan ever, btw)". As a result of this comment I have spent most of the morning researching on the computer the back story behind this 2 time bombed guy. It was interesting to learn about this event. It is this type of thing that keeps me wanting to read more on this message board - in the past based on posters comments I have explored things like combinations and permutations and monte carlo simulation. Thank you, thank you.
Quote: MaxPenNo one ever said running a restaurant was easy.😀
We started the restaurant business 60 years ago. I started working overtime 39 years ago, mosltly as a cashier and cook. We had 10 locations. These were not issues we had back then. The problems started 10 years ago. The young people working today are not the same. I can see a difference in attitude in the workers and repair men. My ex workers complain about service. The only people who seem the same are the salemen. But my bookkeeper complains about them too. They seem nice, but my bookkeeper complains of getting ripped off or ridiculous mistakes. Even the old people have changed. I was walking thru home depot and saw an old lady talk back to the manager. the manger said to report for a class after her break. She snapped at him for no reason.
11 years ago, different employees would complain to me that the local radio station was defaming us. It is a different city, almost like a different country. The service industry here is not good. I always get ripped off, so I got certified in AC, plumbing, electrical. We never had to do ours in house.
Here is a funny story from yesterday: employee quits and applies for unemployment. He wrote that he quit because of his back. Workforce asks questions. He said that the back injury was before he worked for us, he didn't ask us for a different position, he just stopped coming. Workforce denies him. He appeals. He failed to call during conference call appt.
Worker calls health dept. that an employee claims she was exposed to the coronavirus. We texted the employee, who said that she cleans a hospital. She said that her boss said that someone is being treated there for the coronavirus. But she hasn't even gone into that room. So everyone in our plant walked out. Health dept never calls us.
3 workers quit and apply for unemployment. Their reason is that they are scared of getting the coronavirus and bringing it home to their family. No one has tested positive at our fast food restaurant.
People are still paranoic, but this will bring a bit of peace to everyone and the ones that are thinking about quiting (influenced by their co workers) will think twice, after all they need the job
I'm sure they mine my browsing data to target ads, but these two were out of left field!
Any opinions on value for cost?
Quote: rxwineI've seen a couple different companies advertising "car repair" insurance. I guess that's what it's called. Mostly for repair that might be needed beyond the warranty.
Any opinions on value for cost?
General rule of thumb is not to insure yourself against an event you can comfortably afford to pay for.
I am sure these repair companies are like home warranty companies, who always have 101 reasons why they can refuse to cover something.
Quote: rxwineI've seen a couple different companies advertising "car repair" insurance. I guess that's what it's called. Mostly for repair that might be needed beyond the warranty.
Any opinions on value for cost?
I've been looking at Car Shield, as I'm purchasing my leased car.
When I called them, I was quoted $169 a month. When I balked, I was offered $25 a month off if I signed up immediately. By the time I got off the phone, it was down to $125. I get at least one postcard a week with offers as low as $89.
That turned me off a bit, but I'm still considering it.
Quote: JoemanAnyone else come across wacko sidebar ads playing on Videopoker.com? Last week it was an Arab women dating site, which, when Mrs. Joeman spied over my shoulder, raised an eyebrow or two. Last night, I got one that said only "Happy Pets" and had a picture of a dog that appeared, well, happy. I kinda had a hunch, so I clicked the ad. Yup, CBD oil for your pets! And I could almost swear that the cat in the picture on the landing page looked stoned.
I'm sure they mine my browsing data to target ads, but these two were out of left field!
There only seem to be about a half dozen posters over there anymore, and most of the posts seem to be on the political fringe. I'm guessing the ads are geared to attract those sorts of people.
I think one of the reasons Ken Smith closed down his blackjack forum was the bizarro ads being generated from the ZenZone sub-forum.
When I questioned him about an ad for a neo-nazi book, he said he had no control over it. A few weeks later, he rather abruptly shut down the forum.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/treasure-chest-hidden-in-rocky-mountains-finally-found/ar-BB15aofI?ocid=spartanntp
Quote: billryanI had a few friends who followed this fairly seriously. They were going to actually go out there, but one friend thought it was in New Mexico and the other thought it was in Utah. Both made good arguments based on how they interpreted the poem. I'm very curious where it was and what was in it.
I have my doubts about this whole story. Fenn did not provide any proof the treasure was found. He said the person who found it wanted to remain anonymous. Fenn did not enclose the location or even show a picture of the found treasure. I think of all the thousands of people who have searched over the past 10 years they deserve some proof.
I was thinking the same thing, but then I was wondering if the delay of information is some sort of strategy to build and stretch the story out as long as possible.Quote: vegasI have my doubts about this whole story. Fenn did not provide any proof the treasure was found. He said the person who found it wanted to remain anonymous. Fenn did not enclose the location or even show a picture of the found treasure. I think of all the thousands of people who have searched over the past 10 years they deserve some proof.
Her father started the war as a Confederate and saw action early on. In 1863, his unit went North to Gettysburgh, but he remained behind recovering from a camp illness. When news came that over 90% of his unit was either Killed, Wounded, Missing, or a POW, he deserted and joined a pro-Union band of North Carolina militia. For his service to our country, we have been paying this man and his family a pension for well over a hundred and fifty years.
Quote: billryanHer father was in his 80s when he had her and named her as his beneficiary.
Didn't need Viagra.
Quote: billryanIrene Tripplett passed away this week at ninety. She was living an obscure life until a routine government audit a few years ago revealed an amazing fact. She was the last person collecting a pension check based on Civil War service. Her father was in his 80s when he had her and named her as his beneficiary. Her death means the government can now close the books on the costs of a war that ended in 1865.
Her father started the war as a Confederate and saw action early on. In 1863, his unit went North to Gettysburgh, but he remained behind recovering from a camp illness. When news came that over 90% of his unit was either Killed, Wounded, Missing, or a POW, he deserted and joined a pro-Union band of North Carolina militia. For his service to our country, we have been paying this man and his family a pension for well over a hundred and fifty years.
The new York State pension system has a similar plan. When you retire, you can name a beneficiary who will receive payments for his or her entire life after the retiree dies. I could have chosen a 2 year old grandchild (if I had one...) and that kid would be getting payments for life after my demise. Now, to be fair, by doing so, I would have received less per year. But not as much less as you would think would be reasonable for the state.
My mother in law retired maybe 20 years ago, and was getting a small pension from NYS, around $6k per year. We discussed having one of my sons as the successor. So if she was only going to get $5k, then we would pay her the extra $1k per year. But then there would have needed to be lawyers involved (so the other son, and his cousin and possible future cousins would get some.) We didn't do it.
Quote: SOOPOOThe new York State pension system has a similar plan. When you retire, you can name a beneficiary who will receive payments for his or her entire life after the retiree dies. I could have chosen a 2 year old grandchild (if I had one...) and that kid would be getting payments for life after my demise. Now, to be fair, by doing so, I would have received less per year. But not as much less as you would think would be reasonable for the state.
My mother in law retired maybe 20 years ago and was getting a small pension from NYS, around $6k per year. We discussed having one of my sons as the successor. So if she was only going to get $5k, then we would pay her the extra $1k per year. But then there would have needed to be lawyers involved (so the other son, and his cousin and possible future cousins would get some.) We didn't do it.
In general, I think it works better to take the full pension and buy a large life insurance policy. The last time a friend retired from NYPD, he had a choice of a $53,000 payout for life or about $37,000 with his beneficiary receiving that after he died. They bought a million dollar twenty five term life insurance for about half of that difference. They figured the interest on a million dollars would offset the $37,000they were giving up.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/3-las-vegas-strip-restaurants-add-optional-covid-19-surcharge-2049098/
This triggered me a little. I don't often count my change or look at my receipts, so I probably wouldn't have noticed something like this.
It really pisses me off that they add something to your bill first and make you ask for it to be taking off if you don't like it. That is a complete b******* scam if you ask me. Why not just ask people up front if they would like to contribute/ donate? Because, they know damn well that some people are too embarrassed to ask for something like that to be removed and some people won't even notice. I will avoid any place doing that, if at all possible.
𝘽𝙐𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀 𝙄𝙎 𝘼 𝙁𝙄𝙁𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉 𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙐𝙏𝙀 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 𝙇𝙄𝙈𝙄𝙏
damn!..............what's a guy supposed to do?.......................cut a Viagra into fourths?................😃
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/17/coronavirus-live-updates-us/#link-ZDUA73Z5TNCKBMETRWZ6FJYBAE
Quote: lilredroosterhouses of ill repute have reopened in Greece
𝘽𝙐𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀 𝙄𝙎 𝘼 𝙁𝙄𝙁𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉 𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙐𝙏𝙀 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 𝙇𝙄𝙈𝙄𝙏
damn!..............what's a guy supposed to do?.......................cut a Viagra into fourths?................😃
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/17/coronavirus-live-updates-us/#link-ZDUA73Z5TNCKBMETRWZ6FJYBAE
I thought you were going to say what is a guy supposed to do for the other 12 minutes.
This is the third death by bee swarming I've read of since moving here about a year ago.
Quote: RogerKint3 deaths is too many!!! Ban bees now til we get a vaccine!!!!
I would say that a full lockdown of Arizona is justified at this point.
Quote: DRichI would say that a full lockdown of Arizona is justified at this point.
If you can't find shelter from a bee swarm, you may have to run for a quarter mile to get away.
Quote: rxwineIf you can't find shelter from a bee swarm, you may have to run for a quarter mile to get away.
I can't even run for a tenth of a mile. I will just assume my fate as death and honey.
Quote: KeeneoneI went to a Nevada DMV office yesterday for a new vehicle registration (out of state sale). They have been having a number of difficulties with IT (and other issues) since reopening on June 15th. They are appointment only now (with limited services). I was in and out in about 20 minutes. It was the best experience I've had at a DMV.
20 minutes? You are so quick, you can try the Greek whorehouse next.
pretty cool
if you miss it you'll have to wait another 6,800 years to see it again............(-:}
https://www.nytimes.com/article/neowise-comet.html?searchResultPosition=1
Yellow is moving towards the top of the board. It is yellow's turn. His only move is to jump blue, becoming a king.
My question is can he immediately jump the other blue piece, or does reaching the opposite end of the board end his turn?
"The search also uncovered 83 driver's licenses, 14 insurance cards in multiple names, a counterfeit $100 bill and books on how to get away with committing crimes. A recovered flash drive contained forgery documents, background checks on various people, tutorials on how to counterfeit money and Excel spreadsheets with more than 1,000 names."
Quote: WizardI have a question on the rules of checkers. Suppose the board looks like this. All are regular pieces (not kings).
Yellow is moving towards the top of the board. It is yellow's turn. His only move is to jump blue, becoming a king.
My question is can he immediately jump the other blue piece, or does reaching the opposite end of the board end his turn?
no, he cannot immediately jump the other blue piece - his turn is ended
from the link:
"When a single piece reaches the last rank of the board by reason of a move, or as the completion of a 'jump', it becomes a king; and that completes the move, or 'jump'."
http://www.flyordie.com/games/help/checkers/en/games_rules_checkers.html
I also know this from playing checkers on this popular site where I have seen that happen and am not allowed to make a further move:
https://cardgames.io/checkers/
Quote: KeeneoneI went to a Nevada DMV office yesterday for a new vehicle registration (out of state sale). They have been having a number of difficulties with IT (and other issues) since reopening on June 15th. They are appointment only now (with limited services). I was in and out in about 20 minutes. It was the best experience I've had at a DMV.
https://imgur.com/GZbdhvK.jpg
I’ve never seen a DMV that fancy.
In Pennsylvania they are all in beat up strip malls.
The DMV has kiosks around town where most transactions can be done, and if you do need to go you can make an appointment. The only real issues seem to be parking. Of course, pre-virus, many people would just show up without an appointment and that line sometimes extends into the parking lot, but appointment breeze in and out.
Unlike the NY DMV, the workers actually seem to want to help.
Quote: WizardI have a question on the rules of checkers. Suppose the board looks like this. All are regular pieces (not kings).
Yellow is moving towards the top of the board. It is yellow's turn. His only move is to jump blue, becoming a king.
My question is can he immediately jump the other blue piece, or does reaching the opposite end of the board end his turn?
For the two most common variants:
"English rules" The turn ends once the player get a king - he may not capture the other blue piece. (8x8)
"International rules" The player have to capture both pieces, and he will not get a king. (10x10)
Edit: And if I remember correctly: The English rules are a "solved game" for white.
Quote: Torghatten"International rules" The player have to capture both pieces, and he will not get a king.
Huh? I don't get it. to capture both pieces the piece would have to move backwards after jumping and only a king can move in 2 directions
please explain
thanks
Quote: lilredroosterHuh? I don't get it. to capture both pieces the piece would have to move backwards after jumping and only a king can move in 2 directions
please explain
thanks
Pieces can move in only one direction, but may capture in both, and always have to follow the path which give most captures.
King may move any number of squares in both directions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWW4n7bjdgE
Had my eyes closed when I felt the bed shake. So she was in another room, and the cat has almost no impact when she jumps on the bed. What was going on?
So I looked over and saw a floor lamp swaying almost a foot side to side. Called to the wife and asked, "Did we just have an earthquake?" She had felt nothing but did hear something flapping, probably window blinds.
Turns out that it was the biggest quake in NC in 94 years -- 5.1 on the scale, about 80 miles from here, and only 5.7 miles deep. Perhaps you folks from CA are accustomed to such things, but I can do without this kind of morning.
"You can't be the best in the world at anything by practice alone no matter how hard you try."
The rationale is, the best in the world also practice a whole lot but are also born with one or more inherent traits or gifted abilities. and those few people are in competition for the top spot among themselves. You need the hard work and the natural gifts to be the very best.
the first few times I felt an earthquake here in Nevada I thought for sure there was something wrong with me as I suddenly felt off balance and a little woozy. Now I seem to instantly know what's going on.Quote: DocWoke up about 7 this morning with the worst back pain I have had in five years (other than perhaps when I had a kidney stone flare up). Stayed in bed while my wife stepped into the kitchen to fix her coffee.
Had my eyes closed when I felt the bed shake. So she was in another room, and the cat has almost no impact when she jumps on the bed. What was going on?
So I looked over and saw a floor lamp swaying almost a foot side to side. Called to the wife and asked, "Did we just have an earthquake?" She had felt nothing but did hear something flapping, probably window blinds.
Turns out that it was the biggest quake in NC in 94 years -- 5.1 on the scale, about 80 miles from here, and only 5.7 miles deep. Perhaps you folks from CA are accustomed to such things, but I can do without this kind of morning.
Quote: onenickelmiracleI think obesity should be a crime. I can see people being overweight bit what I saw at the buffet is an abominatiom.
200 is the new slim.
"They call me the Fat man, cause I weigh 200 pounds."
Quote: DocWoke up about 7 this morning with the worst back pain I have had in five years (other than perhaps when I had a kidney stone flare up). Stayed in bed while my wife stepped into the kitchen to fix her coffee.
Had my eyes closed when I felt the bed shake. So she was in another room, and the cat has almost no impact when she jumps on the bed. What was going on?
So I looked over and saw a floor lamp swaying almost a foot side to side. Called to the wife and asked, "Did we just have an earthquake?" She had felt nothing but did hear something flapping, probably window blinds.
Turns out that it was the biggest quake in NC in 94 years -- 5.1 on the scale, about 80 miles from here, and only 5.7 miles deep. Perhaps you folks from CA are accustomed to such things, but I can do without this kind of morning.
Felt this one myself. Woke up, thought my eyes were bad as room seemed to sway a bit. I guess I'm about 50 miles away (Johnson City, TN). I'm on the side of a mountain, so not a good feeling.
Quote: rxwineDo you believe the following statement:
"You can't be the best in the world at anything by practice alone no matter how hard you try."
The rationale is, the best in the world also practice a whole lot but are also born with one or more inherent traits or gifted abilities. and those few people are in competition for the top spot among themselves. You need the hard work and the natural gifts to be the very best.
I'm reminded of two things when I think about this. It may be better, up to a point, to do things solo. Kevin Durant was unlike most current NBA players in that, as a young man, he did almost all solo skill drills and workouts. He played very little pickup or recreational ball. More than 90% of his time was solo workouts. The other thing -- when I read mini-biographies of the best 50 basketball players, I was stunned at how little some of them practiced. Quite a few were just tremendous natural athletes who were winging it on the court. Not everyone is Kevin Durant or Larry Bird.
Also, I remember showing up for my first day coaching fifth graders in State College, PA (Penn State). The first kid who showed up was small, but he could do everything. Perfect right handed layups. perfect left handed layups. Shot 80% free throws. He had never really played in games before, but his dad was a high school star. I thought, "Boy, if the rest of the team is like this, we're going to tour Europe." Well, the rest of the team was not like him. Playing against the other kids did not really do much for him other than adapt to their limitations. His dad, however, really wanted him to get used to playing with other people.
