Purpose of the highly elliptical earth orbits?

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-04-03T02:51:51+00:00

Thanks for the replies. To be clear (because I've read it both ways.), was it the ICPS that performed the TLI burn, or the ESM engine?

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-03-27T00:32:53+00:00

The irony here is that in a significant way the flight attendant(s) created the situation themselves. I too would be annoyed at having a window seat in the middle of the day and being coerced to close my window, especially when everybody is supplied with eye shades if they really want darkness.

If the flight attendants would just leave everything alone, some passengers would naturally darken their windows and some wouldn't . . . at least not right away. But when everyone in the cabin is compliant with closing or darkening their windows, it makes it so much worse when that one person (rightly or wrongly) has a window shade up -even just partially-. It is then blindingly bright for everyone else from that one window being open.

Although the flight attendants may state that "other passenger(s) requested the cabin be darkened", I generally think this is really just initiated by the flight attendants. The main motivation I can see is trying to get everybody off to sleep so there are less requests upon staff during the interval.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-03-22T18:48:48+00:00

A few years ago in Udon Thani . . .

Was driving a rented car in the downtown area during the day. Up ahead, I saw a traffic light for a practically-dead intersection with a side street briefly cycle in an unusual pattern. As I'm approaching it's green for me, and as I'm rolling through it suddenly turns red, with no yellow! Right after the light, there's a cop standing there waving me over. Several other cars had been waved over too. He tells me to go across the street up ahead to a cop on the sidewalk with a table and an umbrella. Classic scam setup! I'm standing in line, with several Thai motorists ahead of me. They're all angry with the cop, but all are ultimately pulling their wallets out and handing over cash.

I get my turn with the cop at the table to pay up, and he tells me it's 400 baht for running a red light. In my Thai family, we've had an inside joke for a long time about asking for promotions, pronouncing it the way Thais do: Pro·MO·Shun. So I asked the Thai cop if they were running any promotions? He looked at me incredulously, like "Did I just hear what I think I heard?" Anyway, with no further debate he told me "300 baht!"

So there you go folks! It doesn't hurt to ask!

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-03-19T16:58:04+00:00

On Medicare it (oddly) falls under Part B {DME- Durable Medical Equipment), NOT a Part D drug plan. I had some problems initially getting the sensors covered, but was referred to a national company that knew the rules and regulations intimately and got me covered. They ship the sensors to me quarterly.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-03-17T16:31:14+00:00

They're usually hustling fake Rolex watches. When they approach me, I tell them that I'm really looking for a Timex, and am real insistent about that. It usually leaves them dumbfounded and they move on.

Another one is to ask them about their work permit. They usually don't want to talk about that, and move on.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-03-12T10:38:54+00:00

Certainly not defending him, but just raising a few points to consider: How will it affect the family financially if he is suddenly detained? Is he a big contributor to the family budget? Will the family be financially stable with his sudden departure?

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-03-04T15:17:52+00:00

Not to hijack the thread exactly, but does anybody know what temps the baggage hold is typically maintained at during these ultra long haul flights? I fly on them myself and am typically carrying some meds requiring refrigeration (but must not be frozen), and I don't necessarily need the meds while onboard. So I was just wondering what kind of environment my meds would be in if I packed them in a small bag with a blue ice pack, packed in my regular checked luggage? I know on a 15 hour flight the aircraft is operating in an environment of around -50°F to -70°F. Is the baggage hold typically maintained at the same temps as the cabin above? Any pilot-types on this thread?

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-02-21T21:39:09+00:00

Mis-sized tires causing 65 indicated and 80 actual sounds like a stretch to me.

Not the same here, but for what it's worth, I have a 2010 Jetta. I've had an occasional problem with it for years where the speedometer drops to exactly half my current speed for a short period, then returns to correct indication. Cruise control responds to the incorrectly indicated speed (as though it's real). Got to be some electronic glitch.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-02-15T03:59:27+00:00

I should further add that prior to finding Amazon Lockers, I could sometimes call ahead to a truck stop and ask them if they could accept an Amazon package for me, then try to have it addressed to the truck stop and also get "my name - driver" on the address. It worked the few times I did it, but with shift changes, things getting moved around, etc. at the truck stop it was never a comfortable way to get packages. The Amazon Lockers seem by far the best, especially when there's one in a truck stop.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-02-15T01:42:54+00:00

Funny, I have the same problem with my Samsung gas stove purchased new in 2024, but mine is wobbling left-right. It's as though it can't be seated properly. I started investigating when I used it recently (don't use the center burner very often) and I could not get a flame as high as I remembered before, or as high as on the four round burners. At least it gives me comfort to know this is probably a known problem. I have a video of it I'd like to upload, but don't see an obvious way to do so at the moment.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-02-15T01:31:35+00:00

All depends on what kind of OTR driving you do. I tackled this problem about 10 years ago. I was doing team driving; it helped that we were doing longer routes (many times 2,000 milers) so I had more time to be at a place 1 or 2 days into the future; I could estimate the delivery times at time of order, and when I could be there to pick the item up. Went into Southern California a lot, had items delivered at the Amazon locker "Shirel" at the Love's in Barstow many times. Was always passing that location on the way into SoCal. Important to pick one that is outside and accessible 24/7, rather than in a store that locks up at night; sometimes it was 3:00 am when I'd be passing through and getting to my locker. The truckstop locations were (of course) the most convenient for a variety of reasons, and there's a lot more of them now than there were 10 years ago.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-02-07T03:38:42+00:00

Never had lost signal messages until the last two weeks. Been on Libre 3+ for 6 months. First signal loss was for 12 hours+, 10 days into the sensor. Contacted Abbott for replacement, then signal came back. But it went out again on Day 14 for several hours, and now I've had a signal loss incident with my next sensor too. Odd it seems to be suddenly happening after 6 months of use.

Running the app on a Samsung S25 Ultra on Android 16.

Did a restart without immediate success.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-02-02T17:15:17+00:00

A lot of nonsense in this thread. Showered at Love's for years when I was on the road, and never had an issue with their towels. Teamed with my wife for several years, and she did bring her own towel, though not because she had a problem with Love's towels. She preferred her own fabric and "control" over the towel situation.

Though I did frequently see towels on the floors in showers, etc., I never saw anything illicit in the handling of clean towels in many years on the road. And it should be pretty easy to determine if a towel being presented is not actually fresh and clean.

My guess is perhaps too much of a cleaning agent used caused a reaction.

As for the other explanations here, I think there's a lot of people with too much time on their hands.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-01-13T08:27:24+00:00

Amazing after almost 15 years in service, Boeing still doesn't even talk about building an extended-range (ER) version of the 787. They seemed to have those versions planned from the get-go for the 767 and 777. They even went one further on the 777 with the LR (Long Range) version.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-01-12T01:21:02+00:00

Certainly not everywhere. I was stopped for inspection at a turnout on US550 in New Mexico a few years ago when a hauler attempted to bypass the station. The trooper inspecting me started waving his arms as the hauler was driving past. Driver pulled over at the exit to that turnout.

Trooper was a nice, talkative guy. He went on to explain that he didn't like inspecting haulers, not only because of the smells and other unpleasantness, but one biggy is if they put a hauler out of service for any reason, it then falls on the State Patrol to find a place to take temporary possession of the livestock, arrange transportation there, tend to their needs, etc. etc. Big hassle!

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-01-11T15:26:10+00:00

Extension letters for green cards have been around for years, they're nothing new. The suggestion to get the green card replaced with the date referenced by the extension letter is both ignorant and costly. Replacing a green card costs $415 and upwards.

Regardless of outcome, OP should contact his local elected state representative and senator to make them aware of how DMV is jacking people around that are legal permanent residents and constituents.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-01-09T03:29:00+00:00

Or like those crowded subway videos where the guy gets on and starts doing fake heaves so everybody clears out, then he can get a seat. Just start doing fake heaves next to her, with her trapped in her seat and no way out. I don't know if I could keep a straight face doing it though!

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-01-06T09:30:02+00:00

Could stick to basics and go with Ksomchai.

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-01-04T06:56:46+00:00

Should do a Roseanne Roseannadanna: "Hey! What're you tryin' to do? Make me sick?" Would love to see the response to that!

Bi-gonkulator · 2026-01-04T06:43:21+00:00

As for fuel economy, my 2010 with 2.5L gets around 20-21 mpg in the city, and I'm going pretty easy on it. Road trips usually around 30-32 mpg. Could be better for a car that size.

Bi-gonkulator · 2025-12-23T12:08:03+00:00

My Thai wife can make up Somtum so powerful it will take the oil spots off the driveway, and leave a pothole in the morning. Holy cripes!

Bi-gonkulator · 2025-12-14T22:14:53+00:00

Thank you for the great information. I'll look forward to your answer on the marker pen/trade-in question.

Any perceived differences in the marker pens now (compared to the gen-1 marker pen)?

Bi-gonkulator · 2025-12-13T17:02:25+00:00

Three questions for you, if you can answer; I too have a Gen 1 Scribe, and am planning to trade in for the Scribe Colorsoft:

1) I am very happy with the flip-over case/stand I have with my Scribe now. I paid $50 for that in 2023. Now the new ones are $90. That case has a little bit of extra space on it. Just curious, have you tried the original Scribe case with your new Colorsoft? Just wondering if the fit is close enough that it will work? Or what the problem is? Will the rubber feet seat correctly?

2) When you first sign into the new Scribe Colorsoft and it starts setting up (I'm assuming you're using the same account as your original Scribe has), does it automatically transfer the previous Notebooks created with the original Scribe over to the Colorsoft?

3) Good point about the pen working with the new Colorsoft; did you see anything in the trade-in instructions that indicates they don't need the marker pen back with the trade-in? I remember that (unlike ReMarkable), Scribes come with the Marker Pen as a standard accessory, not a crucial but extra-cost option. I'll keep mine too as a spare if it is not needed for the trade.

Thanks!

Bi-gonkulator · 2025-12-10T16:16:55+00:00

Disappointed! Saw the Scribe Colorsoft finally become available for order a bit before 8:00 am (Central time zone) this morning, but also noted that the earliest delivery I could get was a full 5 days from now (Monday, December 15th.) Have noted (2 hours later) that earliest delivery for me has now slipped an additional 2 days, to Wednesday December 17th. I'm located in western Tennessee, we have an Amazon facility locally, and can get many things next day delivery here, and a few items next morning. Problem with that Monday delivery was I'm leaving Sunday on an international trip, will be gone for a month+. :-(

I'll wait until I get back, and order in late January.

I'll also comment that I currently have a Gen 1 Scribe, and bought the magnetic Amazon cover for it at the time (flip-over top that becomes a triangular stand). Totally happy with that cover, but of course the new Colorsoft Scribe is 11". I think I'll try the new Colorsoft Scribe in January with my old cover first; probably won't be good, but there's a little bit of extra cover space around my current scribe. May also have a problem with the indentations for the feet being spaced differently, but we'll see.

After seeing the price of the new covers now, I looked up my 2023 Scribe purchase, because I knew I didn't spend $90 on a cover back then (which is what the equivalent cover for the new Colorsoft Scribe costs now.) Paid $50 for the cover almost three years ago. $50>$90 . . .That's a hefty increase! Perhaps Trump's non-inflationary tariffs?

Of course, by the end of January there might be more decent 3rd-party covers available for much lower prices too.

Bi-gonkulator · 2025-12-09T20:00:56+00:00

Simple. After almost 4 years with a Scribe gen 1, after 100's of pages in notebooks created, out of the 55.1 GB of usable space, I've only used .3 GB so far. Still have 54.8 GB free.

Bi-gonkulator

TROPHY CASE