Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[beans-on-toast]

I had two Gretsch instruments at one time. I still have an orange colored 6120 with TV Jones pickups and harness. The other was a 50’s black Gretsch New Yorker acoustic. I really regret giving up that one.

I swapped it for a mint 1964 Vibro-Champ which I also still have. I once saw my old guitar in a glass case being offered for a large sum. Despite that, I think that getting the amp was well worth it. It turned out to be one of those magical sounding amps. Studios are always asking for it. I tried to blueprint it to see what made it so special. I even made a copy substituting a part at a time. I never quite figured that one out. The one mod I made was to slow down the tremolo.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Jeff Scott]

...mint 1964 Vibro-Champ ..... magical sounding amps. ..... I tried to blueprint it to see what made it so special. I even made a copy substituting a part at a time. I never quite figured that one out.

I take it that during your blueprinting process you completely unwound both the power and output transformer, right?

 

[beans-on-toast]

I take it that during your blueprinting process you completely unwound both the power and output transformer, right?

I wish. Not the power transformer in this case. They were measured though. Mercury Magnetics makes a good sounding output transformer for the Vibro-Champ.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Dear Abby,

I needed to buy a USB-C cable and epencil tips from Apple. They have a store about a half hours walk from home, items were in stock. Instead, I opted for free next day delivery. I simply want to avoid all the crowds and exposure to viruses.

Am I being covid crazy or just lazy?

Waiting in seclusion.

 

[Al Kraft]

Dear Abby,

I needed to buy a USB-C cable and epencil tips from Apple. They have a store about a half hours walk from home, items were in stock. Instead, I opted for free next day delivery. I simply want to avoid all the crowds and exposure to viruses.

Am I being covid crazy or just lazy?

Waiting in seclusion.

Dear Secluded Waiter,

You're simply smart...don't overthink a good decision you've already made.

for Abby,
Her Friend Al

 

[SoulReflection]

Dear Abby,

I needed to buy a USB-C cable and epencil tips from Apple. They have a store about a half hours walk from home, items were in stock. Instead, I opted for free next day delivery. I simply want to avoid all the crowds and exposure to viruses.

Am I being covid crazy or just lazy?

Waiting in seclusion.

I do that all the time because I am waiting in seclusion

 

[Charlie Tango]

Dear Abby,

I needed to buy a USB-C cable and epencil tips from Apple. They have a store about a half hours walk from home, items were in stock. Instead, I opted for free next day delivery. I simply want to avoid all the crowds and exposure to viruses.

Am I being covid crazy or just lazy?

Waiting in seclusion.

You're being neither crazy nor lazy. You're being smart.

I've read Thomas Boswell, the sports columnist for The Washington Post, since he's been there. He has a test he says he uses for various things. He calls it (something like) the "How stupid would I feel if...?" test. I've used it plenty, especially since the pandemic arrived. So yeah, getting stuff shipped vs. contactless pickup vs. in-person shopping...well, I haven't done any in-person shopping for four months now, have done contactless pickup twice and the rest has been "send it" shopping. Mrs. Tango, being younger and healthier, has done a smattering of masked, very cautious in-person shopping, picking her times, but almost always does the pickup thing. The only in-person stuff I've done has been medical-related.

Man, how stupid -- and regretful -- would I feel right before they had to intubate me, you know?

 

[SoulReflection]

You're being neither crazy nor lazy. You're being smart.

I've read Thomas Boswell, the sports columnist for The Washington Post, since he's been there. He has a test he says he uses for various things. He calls it (something like) the "How stupid would I feel if...?" test. I've used it plenty, especially since the pandemic arrived. So yeah, getting stuff shipped vs. contactless pickup vs. in-person shopping...well, I haven't done any in-person shopping for four months now, have done contactless pickup twice and the rest has been "send it" shopping. Mrs. Tango, being younger and healthier, has done a smattering of masked, very cautious in-person shopping, picking her times, but almost always does the pickup thing. The only in-person stuff I've done has been medical-related.

Man, how stupid -- and regretful -- would I feel right before they had to intubate me, you know?

I am with you 100%. Amazon and curb-side pick up are my personal shoppers. Haven't seen the inside of a supermarket or any other store since March. Haven't visited a gas station either. I get my meds by mail and don't know what to do for my next medical check-up...maybe a telephone appointment. The last place I want to go is where there are sick people . (Disclaimer: it helps to be retired).

 

[Charlie Tango]

I am with you 100%. Amazon and curb-side pick up are my personal shoppers. Haven't seen the inside of a supermarket or any other store since March. Haven't visited a gas station either. I get my meds by mail and don't know what to do for my next medical check-up...maybe a telephone appointment. The last place I want to go is where there are sick people . (Disclaimer: it helps to be retired).

I have had both telemedicine and in-office medical visits. The key to decision-making for in-office visits is to learn beforehand what their scheduling and safety protocols are in light of the pandemic. I have felt safe and comfortable any time I've needed to go in. I have put off, though, non-essential visits, such as the annual dermatology skin check and dental checkup. I recently went for my eye exam, and they were extremely cautious in their methods and procedures in the office and exam room.

 

[Charlie Tango]

And, as regards wearing one's mask when out and about, I recently saw the meme of the ex-Men's Wearhouse guy (You're going to like the way you look - I guarantee it) saying something like, "If 4.5 million Americans had been kicked in the crotch and the culprit was still out there, you'd wear a cup everywhere. I guarantee it."

Yep. That says it nicely. Especially when the culprit has been kicking about 47,000 people a day recently. Like Dirty Harry said, "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"

I dunno about you, but I'm wearing my cup mask.

 

[GwenOnBass]

The procedure for admittance to my hairdresser is stricter than the procedure for admittance to the hospital. I'm required to wash my hands after my temperature is taken at the salon, and not so for the hospital offices.

Some telemedicine works for me. And I am personally grateful there are no tele-ultrasounds. I'll stop there.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Haven't visited a gas station either.

Must be nice to get your gasoline delivered to you. Does a tanker truck roll up to your driveway?

 

[beans-on-toast]

And, as regards wearing one's mask when out and about, I recently saw the meme of the ex-Men's Wearhouse guy (You're going to like the way you look - I guarantee it) saying something like, "If 4.5 million Americans had been kicked in the crotch and the culprit was still out there, you'd wear a cup everywhere. I guarantee it."

Yep. That says it nicely. Especially when the culprit has been kicking about 47,000 people a day recently. Like Dirty Harry said, "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"

I dunno about you, but I'm wearing my cup mask.

Masks are required at all indoor facilities and outdoors when in a crowd. So I wear one.

The problem is, a mask doesn’t do much to protect you unless it is rated N95 or better. Those ones cost more than most other masks. You wearing a fabric or unrated paper mask mostly prevents your spit spray particles from reaching others.

A mask lends a feeling of protection to some. Problem is, most people feel that the mask makes them have super powers and they don’t distance. That’s why it is better to avoid people.

 

[Charlie Tango]

Must be nice to get your gasoline delivered to you. Does a tanker truck roll up to your driveway?

I last bought gas in February. Still have just under a half tank. Was gonna put Sta-Bil in there, but the car runs like a dream.

 

[Charlie Tango]

Masks are required at all indoor facilities and outdoors when in a crowd. So I wear one.

The problem is, a mask doesn’t do much to protect you unless it is rated N95 or better. Those ones cost more than most other masks. You wearing a fabric or unrated paper mask mostly prevents your spit spray particles from reaching others.

A mask lends a feeling of protection to some. Problem is, most people feel that the mask makes them have super powers and they don’t distance. That’s why it is better to avoid people.

He||, I avoided people before covid, so that part comes natural-like!

 

[beans-on-toast]

I am with you 100%. Amazon and curb-side pick up are my personal shoppers. Haven't seen the inside of a supermarket or any other store since March. Haven't visited a gas station either. I get my meds by mail and don't know what to do for my next medical check-up...maybe a telephone appointment. The last place I want to go is where there are sick people . (Disclaimer: it helps to be retired).

When I buy gas, I wear a disposable glove and pay at the pump. They don’t want you inside.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Too much effort to actively avoid people when you can get them to avoid you first.

 

[SoulReflection]

Must be nice to get your gasoline delivered to you. Does a tanker truck roll up to your driveway?

Very funny...Less Driving=Less Gas. Guess some things must be spelled out .

 

[SoulReflection]

When I buy gas, I wear a disposable glove and pay at the pump. They don’t want you inside.

The only way to go...

 

[SoulReflection]

Too much effort to actively avoid people when you can get them to avoid you first.

What's your secret, other than no mask?