hitman

Hood (The physcology as to why the ill fated HMS Hood was the first to pop in my head has to be intresting........to bad I don't get into that stuff)

Changes A few days back I made my first pub post in several months. The forced vacation was more due to the economic realties of my life than anything else. Having posted however I began to think about the things that had transpired in the intervening period . First up I lost my truck and with it my income, lifestyle, and to some degree my pride. I was one of the worlds last true over the road wildcat truck drivers. My life wasn't always easy but as I have posted before it had rewards beyond monetary value. I think chief of these was my pride, I was very proud of being a business owner and one of the last of a dieing breed. Unfortunately like most castles made of sand mine fell into the sea. Long story short four payments behind on a truck note of forty thousand dollars on a truck thats only worth thirty and the knee breakers will work with you two payments behind on an eight thousand dollar balance with a truck worth twenty four thousand dollars and the repo man comes a knocking. Oh well according to my brothers attorney it would have been lost in his bankruptcy any way. Then on December first in the year of our Lord two thousand and seven I was wed to my soul mate. WOOOOOOOOOOOT Of course this is even more incredible seeing as how I was very much unemployed at the time. After a month and a half of searching I found a job running locally between a Kaolin mine and the port in Savannah. good setup nice pay but no benefits cause I am and independent driver. So here I sit my wife has a Lincoln Navigator to drive around and I am still a driver and a businessman I guess somethings haven't changed but for a while there things seemed to be going down hill rather quickly. Life is good the sun still sets on the hill in front of my porch and now I see it most days. Oh and for any one who might be curious I did not take part in the trucker strike a few weeks back. I fail to see what two days inactivity will do. I nearly lost a lot more than my truck for refusing to haul cheap freight and not jumping into a bad situation as soon as the truck was lost. After three years doing things the right way I refuse to mar them by spending two days doing things the wrong way.

I enjoyed Baa Baa Black Sheep by Pappy Boyington. Even if it is more than a little exagerated.

Forgot to mention I finished up Clive Cusslers The Chase and Blind Mans Bluff last week. Also Matusalem given the subject matter of your current book you might want to check out The Landscape of Slavery. It's being put out by the Universty of South Carolina press and is to accompany an art excepiton regarding the progression of slavery and plantations in southeren art from antebellum to moderen times.

25 Centuries of Sea warfare by Jacques Mordal and a Kippling collection

Hey Patrick and crew nice to see everyone is still up to their old tricks. I was kinda wierded out by the whole stem punk thing when i first heard about it several months back mainly cause putting moderen componets in antique housing has been something my family has done for years. Not quite steam punk but I plan on building my own hd projector useing lumenlabs stuff and housing it in and old stand up radio my mom found at an antique sale. It should look great with my mp3 jukebox that I started making in an old floor model radio/record player I got when someone was throwinging it out. Just need the time and money at this point.

Listening to The Thirteen Gun Salute by Patrick O'brian and

I am now reading and or re-reading Sherlock Holmes stories from a book i have owned since I was 9.

OOOOPS BRB I can't upload images to photo bucket given my sat's slow upload speeds. So instead of hogging someone elses bandwidth I'm gonna post the link to this image here for those intrested in seeing it. http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pictures/s-z/w...fe/m/2afull.jpg This picture of Thomas Wolfe has fasinated me since child hood. It just seems to scream both Southern and intelligent. I always wondered why he wasn't smiling when I was a little kid.

Mission my understanding as to the railroads was the joining of the rails. Where as we use an old school plate and bolt system tracks for high speed trains are welded together. I can't say as I rember the introduction of electronic fuel injection as I was born in Dec. of 79 but I did read an intresting article in Hot Rod a few years back. (I can't rember when reletivly recent though) Where the editors tried to once and for all end the carb vs. injector debate in perfomance motors. Through extinsive dyno testing they found that a carb and injection system make the same power and fuel mileage when correctly tuned. The problem of course is that no one can or will keep a carp tuned to that level of perfection. The computer can correct for altitude, fuel quality, etc. The carb has to be adjusted by hand. A little off topic that but figured you might like it.

^ NO ! < Is enjoying haveing thhouse to himself but missing his fiance V Pass the question

Morgan Dreadlocke I think in the near future we will see 60mpg cars with 200+ pony's and of respectable size. Indeed perhaps one day the 60mph suv will come about. I see this future not as a revolution but as a continuation of the current status quo in the auto industry. Unlike in the late 70's and early 80's when meeting smog restrictions meant little motors with even less power todays motors are cleaner and meaner. Why efficiency , with multi port fuel injection,electric engine fans, serpentine belts, etc. more power is made with less waste. I agree that a 60mpg car is possible but I do not want to make said trade offs and with a little more time most likely won't have too. (I LOVE TORUGE) Lady Alyx A solar power field built in the desert sounds good to me and would meet the stupid simple requirement for the home owner. In regards to mass transit it's gonna have an uphill battle in this country for multiple reasons (including the physiological ones mention by Mission) but the most pressing of all is infrastructure(in the physical line at least). Europe is smaller than the Good Old U.S.A. and hence isn't as worried with this as you can see with their more advanced cell network and the numerous countries now offering fiber to the curb Internet service. Our existing rail roads (as I have been told) are not ideal and are potentially unsafe for high speed passenger service. Replacing these would not happen without a demand for rail service in this country as the Govt. can't afford it and the private sector sees no profit in it. No one wants to ride the bus and the Nancy Hank stopped make'n her rounds in these parts many moons ago. In addition in the rural area where I live mass transit could be as much a environmental disaster as a help. I also don't see electric cars ever getting "there". They have failed to meet the challenge of the internal combustion engine twice already (Turn of the last century and the late 80's early 90's) and without a revolution in battery tech (which our best and brightest have been working for without success for several decades now.) I can't see them ever becoming successful. Mission I still see wind beating solar long term but agree whole heartedly on keeping the Govt. as hands off as possible. Or as Charles De Montesquieu put it, "Unnecessary laws weaken the necessary ones."

Lady Alyx as I understand it the solar panels manufactured at your company are to be used on satellites. It's is also my understanding that these satellites are maintained at an orbit higher than most space debris and thus although not existing in a perfect vacuum are much closer to it than any where on earth. Were these panels to exist inside the belt of space debris orbiting this planet I may see it differently but I can't imagine the owners of these multi million dollar machines allowing them into an orbit were dust particle size debris travels at several thousand miles an hour and hits with an impact many times that of a gun shot. Thus protected and without snow,hail,rain,sand, or sleet to attack them these panels have different stresses to contend withthan there teresstrial conterparts. Hence I do not see how there longevity in space can be compared to longevity on earth. Although one would presume the vast temperature extremes and the necessary allowances for this give them great protection from seasonal change not everything made for space lasts longer here. In truth my camping tent is much more durable here on earth than the skin of the lunar lander which was so thin the astronauts could have easily punched through it little lone a good late summer thunder storm. In addition to the panels the wiring, sealant,etc. can also fail leaving yet another maintenance worry. Granted this happens now so it's repair is not a major deal. Yes the people who already have solar power do sell some power back to the grid but those who do not have the money for a large enough battery grid and or don't live in say Florida or Southern Cali. also use electricity either from the grid or from a natural gas generator during periods of low or no light. All that being said however the panels you work with or vastly different than those I have come into contact with and although I would be surprised to see these panels last in excess of 15 years here on earth it wouldn't be a great shock. As for clean vehicles what is your standard a zero emissions vehicle which either uses a massive battery array causing pollution with the mining for it's materials and there disposal or a hydrogen fuel cell which although emitting no green house gases while in use does reguire that we use the same pollution plagued methods of oil drilling for what is also (sans nuclear production) essentially a nonrenewable resource. For my own sake a naturally aspirated 4 or 6 cylinder car that makes roughly the same power as a 60's muscle car while producing less air pollutants than a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine from the early 90's is pretty d*** clean. In addition this is by no means the climax of such developments. These generalities of which I speak are over 8 years old now. With constant improvements at every level from the afore mentioned lawn mower engines to the Detroit 60 series that I push around this country. Recently Honda announced that it would be bringing a diesel powered economy car to these shores so clean that it would pass with ease the restrictions enacted by C.A.R.B.. Add in biodesel fuel and we have a low emissions vehicle with the fuel efficacy of a hybrid, what on an individual level would amount to a vast reduction in foreign oil consumption, and the ease of maintenance found only in a diesel motor. To end this I'd like to agree with you on this quote "We are creatures of habit have have a hard time adapting unless we are forced to" On this I totally agree hence my disbelief in solar going mainstream. Without a giant and pressing need to do so we will for the most part cling to the old ways of doing things. Depending on Govt. regulations and the major corporations of this country to make the changes we would if of course it wasn't so inconvenient. P.S. I did read your comments on solar panels as I am not in the habit of posting to a thread without reading prior comments first. I simply do not see how getting a solar panel in space to last better than a decade (something we have been doing for roughly 4 decades now) applies to the same panels placed on earth.

A few quick thoughts on the strategy and or Technique to be used when encamped. 1 Choose a spot on the high ground. 2 Insure water needs both supply and drainage. 3 If erecting fortifications either earth or wooden ensure they provide adequate cover. 4 Clear tree line beyond the range of small arms. (If possible choose a spot already so cleared.) 5 Keep ammo (most especially Black Powder) protected and dry!!!! 6 Insure proper and reasonably safe area for treatment of wounded 7 Provide adequate stores. 8 Realize that although a great force multiplier all fortifications will succumb to siege if the attacker has adequate supplies, determination, and time. Examples of what not to do, Fort Necessity, Battle On June 28, a party of 600 French and 100 French-allied native tribesmen left Fort Duquesne to attack the British party. At the time, the bulk of the British garrison had been sent to Gist’s plantation (present Brownsville, Pennsylvania) on the Monongahela River. Washington decided that this outpost was indefensible and gathered all his remaining strength at Fort Necessity. On July 1, the whole garrison had returned to the Great Meadows and began construction of trenches and further fortifications. Several allied bands of natives including Half King's group argued that Fort Necessity was also indefensible and abandoned Washington. Washington briefly considered abandoning Fort Necessity but decided that his men were too fatigued and the French forces too near to make a safe and orderly retreat. The French expedition against Fort Necessity was led by Captain Louis Coulon de Villiers, who was the brother of the slain Ensign Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. Captain de Villiers was outraged by the death of his brother, which he considered to be a cold-blooded murder. He was further enraged when he passed Jumonville Glen and discovered that the British had failed to bury the bodies of the slain French soldiers. At about 11:00 on July 3, the French column arrived at the Great Meadows and immediately began a vigorous attack. Washington’s misjudgment of the Great Meadows site quickly proved disastrous. The French were able to conceal themselves in the cover of the tree line and fire on the fort from an elevated position. The British in the fort were exposed in the shallow trenches and the log walls of the palisade provided little cover. The poorly supplied British quickly began to run short of ammunition. Compounding the problems of the British, it began to rain heavily a few hours later, filling the trenches with water. By evening, Washington realized the hopelessness of his situation. At about 20:00, he asked the French for terms of surrender. The negotiations were slow and difficult. None of the British officers spoke French and none of the French officers spoke English. One Colonial of Dutch descent spoke English and French just well enough to provide basic communication. They were given a surrender document. Washington could not read French, but to not appear foolish in front of his soldiers, he signed the document, unaware that it stated that he would accept all responsibility for the death of Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. This "admission" would later be used as propaganda against the British and nearly ruined Washington's reputation. The fort was handed over on July 4 and the bulk of British garrison were allowed to return to Maryland honorably. Two British prisoners, Robert Stobo and Jacob Van Braam, were retained by the French as a guarantee of compliance with the terms of surrender. The French burned the fort and returned to Fort Duquesne. Washington would pass by the destroyed fort one year later as part of the Braddock expedition. The site of the fort and battle are preserved as Fort Necessity National Battlefield. From wikipedia complete article at, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the...e_Great_Meadows The battle for Dien Bien Phu again from wikipedia and this time only the link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dien_Bien_Phu I grant you both examples are out of our time frame but the lessons were learned many times many centuries before and indeed still apply today.

Mission I most heartily agree that should solar power go mainstream the price will continue to fall then stabalize with following improvments taken in at the same price point. I just don't think solar will gain that level of popularity. Here of course we can only wait and see however I really do believe that although no one would argue agianst "green" energy very few will do much to realise it from their end. I grant you numerous people have already made the switch to solar but the trials involved scare away most. In addition there would almost certainly be a consderable intial outlay in cash. In these times of ecnomic hardships few will be willing and or able to lay out these funds in cash or credit. No if I'm right the switch to renewable energy will take place largly within the power company's themselves. Also I had fun with the Inflation calculator . Just for kicks I plugged in the MSRP of a 2008 Ford Taurus and a 1920's model T. Works out something like this, 1920's Model T = $300 (lowest price in production run) adjusted price = $3385.76 in 2006 2008 Taurus = $23245 (baseline) adjusted price = $2059.65 in 1920 Thats about a thousand less than for a baseline series 59 Caddy(four door touring with seating for seven), or about $11,000 less than a baseline Model J Duesenberg . Man I need a time machine get a model J for less than an econo box

^All the time. My home has become the family self storage yard so discovery's are constant. < Wants to retire on a sail boat but keep his toys LOL V Modify the question Ever find a long lost treasure or tool from a hobby you had long ago let slide then find yourself right back in said hobby?

Thats the thing mission I doubt very seriously that the cost of solar will continue to decrease. Look at say computers yes we get a lot more for the 1800 smackers we pay for todays top end machine than we did for that of yester year but we still pay about $1800 for high end (or really now days mid range given the cost of gaming rigs) rigs as we did in the 80's. The cost of solar would have to drop a lot and then continue to improve in the same price point for it to become mainstream or anything like that. Plus I still see maintence as a major factor. In the end we are talking about roofing our homes with glass. No matter how resilant of a glass still glass. Imagine the increased cost of home owners insurance. Not to mention many people fail to do the basic roof maint. required for asphalt shingles. Would these same people then maintain a glass roof. Plus without said maint. wouldn't the efficancy drop greatly. I just think it's got to be stupid simple and or taken care of by industry not home owners.

Ok time for the trucker to stand up and as an owner operator and a huge fan of the internal combustion engine I'd like to make a few quick points here. 1 The tech to make cleaner trucks not only exists but is being put into place. The new 2007 engine standards (By the way federal controls mandated changes in 2000,2007,and 2010.) not only changed the way the motor works but has once again changed the fuel we have to use in addition it also changes the engine oil we use. The 2007 engines (witch I do not yet own) are reasonably clean even by the standards of a 60's pickup truck. The 2010 standard is reffered to as a cleaner out than in as the exhaust from our trucks will have less pollution in ppm than the air in many major cities. The end result for me however is less money not only do the new motors make less power per cubic inch but the new fuel (witch more often than not is the only kind avalible) makes less power when it burns and costs more at the pump. Since I am the owner I pay for this lack of efficancy. 2 In regards to making things cleaner several really dumb laws have been and are being put into place for just this reason but like many laws they really only prove that the people who write them are idiots. For example in your home state of California it is a felony to leave a pet in the car if the engine is not running with the climate control on. It is however a misdemeanor for me to idle my truck over night in 100 degree heat...for a mandatory 10 hours! There are numerous other such examples especially in the state of California. For instance we do not in this country have small cars powered by deisal motors thanks to the C.A.R.B. ruling and auto manufactures unwillingness to produce a car ineligible for sell in Cali. However they do have these in Europe they have as good if not better mileage than hybrid cars. Have longer life spans and cause less environmental damage not only in their production but also in maint. and eventual disposal. 3 The internal combustion engine is the single greatest invention since the wheel. It has already bested electric, steam and every other form of propulsion that has been thrown up against it. Take for instance a comparison of Henry Ford and Leonardo Davinci. Now even though my blood runs blue oval blue I wouldn't say (nor would anyone else I'd wager) that Henry Ford was the smarter of the two. Yet each man shared a common experience and hence a common desire. They both witnessed their mothers work themselves to death in the hard life of subsitance farming. (organic substance farming I might add.) Both tried to invent ways to alleviate the agony and toil of farming but DaVinci failed and Ford succeeded why the internal combustion engine. All of Leonardo's designs in the agricultural line were abandoned as they were more tedious than the old ways...why lack of a power supply. Indeed a few years ago lawn mower engines were regulated by the EPA as they produced more pollution than a four cylinder car. To me this should not be considered a condemnation of the lawn mower but a success for the car. Ok I have gone off on enough of a rant here I think. I apologize for it in that I do not mean to boar. Oh and Mission I really doubt Solar will be the path of the future I just don't see the cost coming down not just for production but the maintenance of the glass.

As a person who loves penuts but doesn't eat trail mix ( never cared for it meself) I'd guess the reason they are so used is they are cheap. On the other hand despite there low cost I do love fresh boiled penuts....mmmmmmmmmmm Did I mention I was southern lol

Lovely pic Mission. She looks as if she saying "ok ok ok just take the damn picture then lets get back to our conversation. You know you really are silly to think any one will want to see me."

^ Cheap appliance's good lord those damn things are way to much trouble < spent today and almost assuredly tomorrow replacing a head gasket on a 60 Series Detroit ( Motor in my rig) although with gas burners I am fairly compotent this is the kinda thing I couldn't have undertaken without help but then 165 for the gasket beats 1500 for the repair. V When it comes to cars would you consider yourself a stocker or hot rodder. (leave it mostly stock or serious mods)

I remeber an Energy Offical once talking about how there was a group opposed to every form of green energy for one reason or another. Wind power is possibly the most viable of all alt. Energy sources other than nuclear, and pherhaps hydro, but we ain't gonna build any more dams in this country and nuclear waste will always be a problem. Most people opposed to wind fall into one of two groups. Bird lovers and civic groups opposed to the "destruction of our scenery". Both these problems are seemingly minute but are why there aren't more wind plants. I for one am reasonbly sure my power is green as the two nearest power plants to my home are a hydro electric damn and a nuclear plant that hopes to add a new reactor. Future plans also include a wind farm off the Georgia cost.

Well then I would highly advise all intresteded to download Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 by Julian S. Corbett http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/16695 Although not laying out pirate tactics they are the rules of the road for British Naval Commanders until Trafalger.

Heard about the one that got away..... Seriously hope he was alright a lot of guides get killed releasing big fih when they get tangled in the line.

Amen