Random Thoughts Thread

[G. David Felt]

Speedtest by OOKLA of my new service that got installed today. Not bad, but will need to tweak my router.

[ocnblu]

Well, we've been split into two "teams" @ work.  I am on the "A Team", so I will be working M-T-W.  Havoc.

[balthazar]

? Had a heartbreaking dream that Jennifer Aniston dumped me. And after all that excellent shagging we did.

[Robert Hall]

9 hours ago, dfelt said:

Speedtest by OOKLA of my new service that got installed today. Not bad, but will need to tweak my router.

Mine can be that slow at times...just ran speedtest, 375 Mbps...I've seen it over 700Mbps at times...(Cox Gigablast). 

Edited March 19, 2020 by Robert Hall

[G. David Felt]

6 hours ago, balthazar said:

? Had a heartbreaking dream that Jennifer Aniston dumped me. And after all that excellent shagging we did.

One of the few times I dreamed, it was that I was J-Lo's Sex toy!  

Also dreamed of Park Min Young, Korean actress and Merei Kiritani, Japanese Actress. Both totally beautiful.

[ocnblu]

54 minutes ago, dfelt said:

One of the few times I dreamed, it was that I was J-Lo's Sex toy!  

Somehow not surprised you would dream yourself to be battery powered.

[G. David Felt]

6 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

Somehow not surprised you would dream yourself to be battery powered.

Like the Energizer Bunny, I keep going, an going, an going.................................

?

[daves87rs]

On 3/18/2020 at 5:49 AM, ocnblu said:

New Buick Envision, shares a platform with Cadillac XT4, powered by a 2.0t gasoline engine.  Production version of the Enspire Concept.  Looks pretty tame, but better than the current car.  Sry for the low-res photo.

It’’s different!

[G. David Felt]

@daves87rs So why the down vote on my service speed test? ? Inquiring minds would like to know.

[G. David Felt]

FYI, Washington State just updated our numbers. 74 dead and 1,376 infected in isolation with Coronavirus. 15,819 people tested.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-updates-washington-state/281-28696f19-ae8b-4a07-be1b-6306c3e6fc24

We also have a map of the state by county with the numbers of dead and infected.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/tracking-coronavirus-outbreak-in-washington-state/281-087d2383-e25b-4c09-afdf-df526506cee9

Pandemic Craziness, but gotta work through this.

We were warned in 2006 by the epidermologist doctor who helped defeat smallpox of a pandemic and sadly while the next two administrations listened which helped us avoid sars / mars, the medical advice fell on deaf ears.

https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-interview-larry-brilliant-smallpox-epidemiologist/

Really good read for those interested from a medical standpoint and what to expect next.

[G. David Felt]

Have to say this had me laughing as to what a Kia pickup truck would look like. Two photoshop versions that give one a Chevrolet / Kia truck and another a clear old GMC Concept / Kia looking truck with suicide doors. The GMC /Kia looks so dated as I remember the GMC concept when it came out.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/kia-pickup-rendering-looks-like-a-silverado-optima-mix-141955.html#

The GMC/Kia truck is an actual Kia Concept called the KCV-4. 

[G. David Felt]

Supposedly Ford and GM are in talks with the White House on helping to build Ventilators for the Hospitals and world to help Coronavirus patients.

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-ford-gm-could-build-ventilators/

[daves87rs]

3 hours ago, dfelt said:

@daves87rs So why the down vote on my service speed test? ? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Sorry, fat fingers on an IPad. Fixed it... ? 

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, daves87rs said:

Sorry, fat fingers on an IPad. Fixed it... ? 

LOL, No problem, I was just curios to understand. Thank you for responding.

[riviera74]

3 hours ago, dfelt said:

Have to say this had me laughing as to what a Kia pickup truck would look like. Two photoshop versions that give one a Chevrolet / Kia truck and another a clear old GMC Concept / Kia looking truck with suicide doors. The GMC /Kia looks so dated as I remember the GMC concept when it came out.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/kia-pickup-rendering-looks-like-a-silverado-optima-mix-141955.html#

The GMC/Kia truck is an actual Kia Concept called the KCV-4. 

I do hope that KIA is wise enough NOT to do this.  The unibody Ridgeline is NOT a good seller, especially compared to the domestics in its class.

[G. David Felt]

4 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

I do hope that KIA is wise enough NOT to do this.  The unibody Ridgeline is NOT a good seller, especially compared to the domestics in its class.

Right! This clearly needs more time in the kitchen before they bake it and serve it up to the public.

[balthazar]

I would love for the Silverado crew to go suicide, but it’s likely roll-over standards would not allow a cabin of that length without a B-Pillar. Sigh.

[G. David Felt]

38 minutes ago, balthazar said:

I would love for the Silverado crew to go suicide, but it’s likely roll-over standards would not allow a cabin of that length without a B-Pillar. Sigh.

That would be so COOL to have a Suicide Crew Cab!

The space you would have to get things into the back if you folded the seats down or removed them. Love the Idea, wonder if they could get a High Strength low Alloy steel into the doors and roof sections above the doors to support this and hold up during a roll over. ?

[balthazar]

Would need to incorporate a high-strength 'ring' around each side opening, and tie that together across the windshield and rear window- like a roll cage. The problem is; race cars with roll cages don't weigh 7,000 lbs.

[balthazar]

sorting onions, Rice Minnesota, 1939 ::
 

[G. David Felt]

$3 dollar low cost virtual tour of the Peterson Automotive Museum to keep staff employed and keep the education virtual tours for schools free.

https://www.thedrive.com/tech/32642/take-a-virtual-tour-of-the-petersen-automotive-museums-stunning-vault-from-your-couch

Cool read, some amazing auto's. All from the safety of your home keeping you socially distant!   

Funny read for those interested in a little history of the Military and their search for the best hand gun. XM-10 or wiener gun as some call it.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/32663/hot-dog-gun-shows-how-someone-really-felt-about-the-armys-failed-xm10-pistol-competition

BIG NEWS BIG NEWS BIG NEWS

https://www.thedrive.com/news/32651/2020-chevrolet-corvette-c8-orders-closed-after-overwhelming-demand

Yup, Corvette C8 orders are closed for 2020. Over whelming demand has this year all sold out.

May 21st 2020 you can order your 2021 Corvette C8.

First shipment of C8 Corvettes have left the building for delivery.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/32478/get-ready-america-first-2020-chevrolet-corvette-c8-shipment-has-left-the-building

C8 versus C7 comparison on the track. Very cool video with Pro's and Con's.

https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/32486/c8-corvette-vs-c7-corvette-zr1-side-by-side-laps-show-mid-engine-pros-and-cons

Seems the C8 might be getting Carbon Fiber rims just like the Mustang got. Pretty cool I think.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/32337/these-might-be-the-chevrolet-c8-corvette-z06s-carbon-wheels

Over all, excited to see the C8 out on the roads soon.

[G. David Felt]

Seems GM Mexico plants are now to be shutdown for Coronavirus concerns.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus/gm-mexico-to-halt-operations-at-san-luis-potosi-plant-from-march-20-april-13-idUSKBN21646Q

[balthazar]

[daves87rs]

1 hour ago, dfelt said:

Seems GM Mexico plants are now to be shutdown for Coronavirus concerns.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus/gm-mexico-to-halt-operations-at-san-luis-potosi-plant-from-march-20-april-13-idUSKBN21646Q

Wonder what was built there..Trax?

[G. David Felt]

23 minutes ago, daves87rs said:

Wonder what was built there..Trax?

According to this story I found from last year :https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jan/03/gm-now-top-automaker-in-mexico-as-it-idles-us-fact/

Chevrolet Trax, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Blazer and Chevrolet Silverado

[balthazar]

[G. David Felt]

31 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Awesome Train, thanks for posting

[trinacriabob]

16 hours ago, dfelt said:

a map of the state by county with the numbers of dead and infected.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/tracking-coronavirus-outbreak-in-washington-state/281-087d2383-e25b-4c09-afdf-df526506cee9

Pandemic Craziness, but gotta work through this.

https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-interview-larry-brilliant-smallpox-epidemiologist/

Really good read for those interested from a medical standpoint and what to expect next.

First, the map confirms a few things and brings up more questions.  The counties of King and Snohomish have the bulk of the cases.  Then, the numbers in Pierce (Tacoma) and Thurston (Olympia ... typical diverse, multi-ethnic workforce of state capitals) are surprisingly low.  Numbers up in Whatcom County, with WWU, and right beneath Canada are also low.  When the border was open, there was a lot of transit through there.  Out at the desolate coastal counties, the numbers are super low ... good.

Second, that's a good article.  We are behind the curve in testing.  These aren't blood tests.  They're swabs, right?  They need to amp up both testing and mask availability.  People are going out sparingly, to do necessary errands. If they used masks sparingly when they did that, it would help.  It's that people have hoarded them up.  I don't see anything wrong with people having a few boxes each.  We've got a few boxes of most household things in our homes.

I saw photos of students in Florida on spring break, huddled together and goofing around at the beach.  De Santis didn't act to close the beaches, so local jurisdictions did.

[Robert Hall]

9 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

First, the map confirms a few things and brings up more questions.  The counties of King and Snohomish have the bulk of the cases.  Then, the numbers in Pierce (Tacoma) and Thurston (Olympia ... typical diverse, multi-ethnic workforce of state capitals) are surprisingly low.  Numbers up in Whatcom County, with WWU, and right beneath Canada are also low.  When the border was open, there was a lot of transit through there.  Out at the desolate coastal counties, the numbers are super low ... good.

 

The data from Ohio is strange also, a lot more cases in my county (Cuyahoga) than the state capital (Franklin) and both counties are of similar population (about 1.2 m) and population density.    More testing here in the Cleveland area than in Columbus (Franklin County)?  Not sure..

[G. David Felt]

18 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

First, the map confirms a few things and brings up more questions.  The counties of King and Snohomish have the bulk of the cases.  Then, the numbers in Pierce (Tacoma) and Thurston (Olympia ... typical diverse, multi-ethnic workforce of state capitals) are surprisingly low.  Numbers up in Whatcom County, with WWU, and right beneath Canada are also low.  When the border was open, there was a lot of transit through there.  Out at the desolate coastal counties, the numbers are super low ... good.

Second, that's a good article.  We are behind the curve in testing.  These aren't blood tests.  They're swabs, right?  They need to amp up both testing and mask availability.  People are going out sparingly, to do necessary errands. If they used masks sparingly when they did that, it would help.  It's that people have hoarded them up.  I don't see anything wrong with people having a few boxes each.  We've got a few boxes of most household things in our homes.

I saw photos of students in Florida on spring break, huddled together and goofing around at the beach.  De Santis didn't act to close the beaches, so local jurisdictions did.

Will say that Pierce county which is where Tacoma is located is now reporting deaths and increase in infections but no numbers on the news this morning. I suspect this afternoon we will see just how much it has increased down there.

Clearly places that have more frequent travelers are more susceptible to getting infected faster.

[daves87rs]

14 hours ago, dfelt said:

According to this story I found from last year :https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jan/03/gm-now-top-automaker-in-mexico-as-it-idles-us-fact/

Chevrolet Trax, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Blazer and Chevrolet Silverado

So it looks like one of my GMs were built at one plant, and one of the other. Both the Trax and Equinox were built there...

[G. David Felt]

Seems that while NO2 emissions are dropping across Europe and Especially in Italy due to the Pandemic, China which has seen a huge drop in emissions is now ramping back up as they allow people to go back to work and move about.

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/03/20/coronavirus-china-emissions-recovery-pollution/

Very cool video to watch from Space.

[trinacriabob]

36 minutes ago, dfelt said:

Seems that while NO2 emissions are dropping across Europe and Especially in Italy due to the Pandemic, China which has seen a huge drop in emissions is now ramping back up as they allow people to go back to work and move about.

What?  China is letting people circulate at this time?  City or region specific?

[Robert Hall]

24 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

What?  China is letting people circulate at this time?  City or region specific?

I haven't seen anything about specific areas, but did read they are now 2  days without a new locally transmitted confirmed infection...

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/asia/coronavirus-covid-19-update-china-intl-hnk/index.html

Edited March 20, 2020 by Robert Hall

[G. David Felt]

27 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

What?  China is letting people circulate at this time?  City or region specific?

Does not seem to say and have not seen any clear statement but the increase in industry emissions seems to indicate that factories are getting back up and running which would imply people are moving about, going back to work it would seem.

[Robert Hall]

2 hours ago, daves87rs said:

So it looks like one of my GMs were built at one plant, and one of the other. Both the Trax and Equinox were built there...

Interesting...didn't realize they were building Traxes in MX...thought they were still sourced from SK.

[riviera74]

14 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Interesting...didn't realize they were building Traxes in MX...thought they were still sourced from SK.

Buick Encores are sourced in SK; Envisions are sourced in China.

[ocnblu]

24 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

Buick Encores are sourced in SK; Envisions are sourced in China.

For a Buick automobile, that is unacceptable.  For the founding brand of GM?  Disgusting.

[Suaviloquent]

Anybody else eating ramen and drinking instant coffee, while huddled at home afraid of the virus? (me right now)

[balthazar]

Apparently I’m an ‘essential business’ so I guess I can keep running around.

[riviera74]

33 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

For a Buick automobile, that is unacceptable.  For the founding brand of GM?  Disgusting.

I understand.  Actually, I agree.  There is only one problem: about 75% of all Buick vehicles sold are sold in China, not here.  Without China, Buick goes the way of Oldsmobile (1897-2004 RIP).

[balthazar]

Nonsense.

Another iPhone 8 bug photo : 

[ocnblu]

Those are cool beetles I forget what they're call

[balthazar]

Apparently a ‘black ground beetle’.

Bill, you probably made a pie of these with yer grandmaw back in the day, right? BlackBerryBeetlePie? ?

[daves87rs]

3 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Interesting...didn't realize they were building Traxes in MX...thought they were still sourced from SK.

I thought so too...but noticed the window sticker said made in mexico

[daves87rs]

2 hours ago, Suaviloquent said:

Anybody else eating ramen and drinking instant coffee, while huddled at home afraid of the virus? (me right now)

Raises hand*

[balthazar]

L Motors Dodge, NYC 1948 :

[ocnblu]

8 hours ago, daves87rs said:

I thought so too...but noticed the window sticker said made in mexico

Korean built vehicles have a "K" as the first digit of the VIN.  Mexican built vehicles have a "3".

[ocnblu]

Check out this hood ormanent!

 

[balthazar]

went to the ShopRite this AM around 6:15, probably around 70% stocked (vs. the usual 100%). Lot of boxes in the aisles for restocking, but a few commodities may continue to go missing. Store was limiting frozen veggies to a maximum of 4- heard in passing at checkout.

It's an eye-opener. NJ Gov going to make an announcement today, no doubt it'll be along the lines of PA's recent one; that everything non-essential is going to be shut down. In PA tho- the liquor stores are state-run, and they're closed there I heard. Danger danger.

I ponder how long I can continue to work; reputedly home repair is an essential service/business, but I'm not sure -for example- installing a bead-board ceiling on a 40-ft wide front porch, over a perfectly servicable luaun porch ceiling, constitutes 'repair'.  My truck is not lettered but I carry my license with me always- no one really knows what I'm doing out & about. Have probably 3 weeks lined up IF the deck job I also have greenlighted DOES gets delayed. That'll take a good 5 weeks if it's still on.

There's ALWAYS the B-59 to keep me busy.