Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[beans-on-toast]

I waited half an hour in line to get into a grocery on Saturday. People are generally good about leaving space but you never know who you are standing with. This weekend I want to get there for 7AM when they open. With an empty store, I should be able to go right in.

I know of five people touched by covid. Two kids, they had a fever for a couple of hours and recovered. Both parents were in a hospital for four days, they were treated with drugs and inhalers. They are fully recovered now and back at work. The mom is a nurse and picked it up on the job. The last one was a family friend who didn’t make it. He was 91 and healthy, then fell ill for three days. It seems to be true, the younger you are, the easier it is to recover.

Older folks are having a hard time being in locked in. A woman that owns a corner store where I buy my water has her parents living with her, Korean tradition. She was upset this morning telling me how they are growing weaker each day from the lack of exercise and depression from being isolated. Everyone wants this to end.

 

[beans-on-toast]

TSA is security theater.

The epigraph in The Honourable Schoolboy reads (going by memory)

I know as all the people know
And all the children learn
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.

Two of the heavier shakedowns I've been through were at Los Angeles International and Wichita. LAX was the "you're the lucky random one now". Wichita was weird and that was during George the Elder's war. The security lady was at work with one eye bandaged behind glasses. All my luggage was gone through at security. All my luggage because as a highly experienced packer, I traveled with only a carry-on. And small enough that there is enough overhead storage space for my seatmates. I kind of miss that suitcase?

Yes, never check baggage. A single carry-on, a small computer bag, ladies get the bonus of having a huge purse. Packing efficiently is an important skill. Some people pack less and buy certain items such as socks and smalls at a discount store for the stay, then dispose of them before returning. Never tried that.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Company gave me a rolling carry-on with a detachable laptop compartment. Slick piece of gear. Of course they gave me that for a reason. That small thing was for international travel.

Once FAs gave the preflight instructions before they were projected on a screen. The FAs are able to see who pays attention. It's very important to know where the nearest exits are. What you don't know is if others know where the nearest exits are. Got to the point where I could recite the preflight instructions word for word in real time. Cracked up more than one FA.

 

[GwenOnBass]

We were supposed to have flying cars by now?

 

[Polish Thunder]

Company gave me a rolling carry-on with a detachable laptop compartment. Slick piece of gear. Of course they gave me that for a reason. That small thing was for international travel.

Once FAs gave the preflight instructions before they were projected on a screen. The FAs are able to see who pays attention. It's very important to know where the nearest exits are. What you don't know is if others know where the nearest exits are. Got to the point where I could recite the preflight instructions word for word in real time. Cracked up more than one FA.

I am 6'-5" and despise air travel more than just about anything. I travel enough for work that I hate it and not enough to get first class seats. I try to get the emergency exit seats whenever possible, which to a tall person, is almost as good as first class. So sitting in the emergency exit seat, I kind-a haft-a know where the emergency exit is.

Year ago on a flight, the FA went through the typical E-exit speech and then asked if I understood. Me, being a smart ass, replied "No hablo Engles" to which the FA sternly stated "I am going to ask you ONE MORE time before I move you to a regular seat". I quickly stammered..."Yes Maam. I DO understand". Lessons learned. Do not mess with the flight crew.

 

[Polish Thunder]

We were supposed to have flying cars by now?

View attachment 3806101​

I think it was a car parked on a side street in East St. Louis (reference to the Movie Vacation)...

Check out the beginning scene of the parked car.

 

[GwenOnBass]

There is a time within living memory pilots were free to give a tour of the cockpit for a lucky child.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I think it was a car parked on a side street in East St. Louis (reference to the Movie Vacation)...

Check out the beginning scene of the parked car.

That's extra funny considering how easy navigational errors are in St. Louis. Yep work sent me to St. Louis too.

 

[Charlie Tango]

I took commuter trains, one hour in each direction every day. There were signs posted, never flush when the train is in the station. Seems that when you flush, you can see the tracks.

Sung to the tune of Dvorak's Humoresque No. 7:

Passengers will please refrain from
Flushing toilets while the train
Is in the station, P.S. I love you...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humoresques_(Dvořák)#"Passengers_will_please_refrain..."

 

[beans-on-toast]

We were supposed to have flying cars by now?

View attachment 3806101​

Here you go, the technology has found it’s way into the latest aircraft.

starting here
Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar - Wikipedia



There are a number of gyrocopter products available for home use, some are affordable. Here is an interesting one at the higher end, $400K USD.

 

[Polish Thunder]

Here you go, the technology has found it’s way into the latest aircraft.

starting here
Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar - Wikipedia



There are a number of gyrocopter products available for home use, some are affordable. Here is an interesting one at the higher end, $400K USD.

In the first video, it makes me now wonder whether the TV show Lost In Space was real or fake...

 

[bobyoung53]

TSA is security theater.

The epigraph in The Honourable Schoolboy reads (going by memory)

I know as all the people know
And all the children learn
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.

Two of the heavier shakedowns I've been through were at Los Angeles International and Wichita. LAX was the "you're the lucky random one now". Wichita was weird and that was during George the Elder's war. The security lady was at work with one eye bandaged behind glasses. All my luggage was gone through at security. All my luggage because as a highly experienced packer, I traveled with only a carry-on. And small enough that there is enough overhead storage space for my seatmates. I kind of miss that suitcase?

I've had that happen in different countries too, the only difference is that they're usually pleasant while they do it, almost apologetic which is definitely not the attitude I've encountered in the States. I locked my bass case on the recommendation of my wife (who always locks her suitcases) and got the locks popped off in either Boston or Miami, that was highly irritating but at least they put some nice pretty TSA tape around it to keep the case from opening and dumping out my bass, the case was almost new too. I found a guy working in the street who fixed them very cheap and did a good job.

 

[12BitSlab]

Here you go, the technology has found it’s way into the latest aircraft.

starting here
Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar - Wikipedia



There are a number of gyrocopter products available for home use, some are affordable. Here is an interesting one at the higher end, $400K USD.

The single remaining Avro flying saucer is on display at the Air Force Museum near Dayton, OH.

 

[spiritbass]

I waited half an hour in line to get into a grocery on Saturday. People are generally good about leaving space but you never know who you are standing with. This weekend I want to get there for 7AM when they open. With an empty store, I should be able to go right in.

I know of five people touched by covid. Two kids, they had a fever for a couple of hours and recovered. Both parents were in a hospital for four days, they were treated with drugs and inhalers. They are fully recovered now and back at work. The mom is a nurse and picked it up on the job. The last one was a family friend who didn’t make it. He was 91 and healthy, then fell ill for three days. It seems to be true, the younger you are, the easier it is to recover.

Older folks are having a hard time being in locked in. A woman that owns a corner store where I buy my water has her parents living with her, Korean tradition. She was upset this morning telling me how they are growing weaker each day from the lack of exercise and depression from being isolated. Everyone wants this to end.

My mom fell and broke her left hip on the 14th of April. Haven't seen her since I dropped her off at the hospital. She's been in an "elder care" facility since the 22nd and of course, no visitors allowed. They've been using pain meds on her that disassociate her from reality and make her depressed. I think we're about to succeed in getting her primary doctor to switch the meds. Yeah, I've been 'touched' by Covid...

 

[SoulReflection]

The single remaining Avro flying saucer is on display at the Air Force Museum near Dayton, OH.

Thanks for this. Looks like we have a ways to go before we can be true space travelers!

 

[SoulReflection]

My mom fell and broke her left hip on the 14th of April. Haven't seen her since I dropped her off at the hospital. She's been in an "elder care" facility since the 22nd and of course, no visitors allowed. They've been using pain meds on her that disassociate her from reality and make her depressed. I think we're about to succeed in getting her primary doctor to switch the meds. Yeah, I've been 'touched' by Covid...

I am very sorry to hear about this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom. All the best!

 

[bobyoung53]

My mom fell and broke her left hip on the 14th of April. Haven't seen her since I dropped her off at the hospital. She's been in an "elder care" facility since the 22nd and of course, no visitors allowed. They've been using pain meds on her that disassociate her from reality and make her depressed. I think we're about to succeed in getting her primary doctor to switch the meds. Yeah, I've been 'touched' by Covid...

I'm not trying to stick my nose in your business but be careful, you don't want the elderly in pain, sometimes it's better to be comfortable and be in outer space than be aware and be in pain, I'm a retired RN.

 

[beans-on-toast]

My mom fell and broke her left hip on the 14th of April. Haven't seen her since I dropped her off at the hospital. She's been in an "elder care" facility since the 22nd and of course, no visitors allowed. They've been using pain meds on her that disassociate her from reality and make her depressed. I think we're about to succeed in getting her primary doctor to switch the meds. Yeah, I've been 'touched' by Covid...

Sorry for your stress. I know what caring for parents can put you through. I don't know what's with these doctors. My mom was senile and rushed to hospital from here care home. Despite having power of attorney and all the other care paperwork in place, the doctors ignored the family and were asking her to make medical decisions. They kept the family in the dark for two days.

 

[SoulReflection]

I am very sorry to hear about this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom. All the best!

This is truly sad. I can't say that I was fortunate but, considering what is going on today, I think I was.

In 2018, my mother was confirmed with Bone Cancer, at age 97. She had a bout with breast cancer 12 years earlier. Had one breast removed.

Because of her age and medical condition, she did not receive chemo, and the cancer returned. My wife and I, as well as the medical staff in Canada, did everything to make her comfortable. Fortunately, she did not suffer that much but, we did have to experience the "end of life".

To all of you out there, I hope you never have to experience this but, with the current problems, I think many of you have. To you, I say I am sorry but these are the times we live in. Hopefully, there are better time ahead.

Can we talk about happier times? I hope so.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Tried one of those Time Machines that transports you to the happiest, most magical times of your life. There's a substantial upcharge to skip the "commercials" that are the most traumatic times of your life. They're not getting my business again.