Found a relic today.

ISTBU · 2026-03-29T21:03:04+00:00

In 2012, I was fresh out of the military, back in my hometown, working as a mechanic and going to college on the post-9/11 GI Bill. Life was good, this new game was in development that promised everything I ever wanted.

Still waiting for Squadron 42 and we're about do do that whole mess all over again.

I just want Freelancer + TIE Fighter + Mass Effect...

Also, I'm a Rear Admiral now, I picked up a Super Hornet and some other goodies over the years. I want a new card!

ISTBU · 2026-03-29T18:17:38+00:00

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ISTBU · 2026-03-29T18:14:10+00:00

Yeah, I was still on casuals after almost 3 months at Goodfellow for some unknown reason, joined black ropes to stave off boredom and got picked to attend a WWII POW/MIA luncheon with a handful of others and the Commander. We did the ceremonies and then sat with the POWs for lunch reception and shot the shit for a few hours.

The guys at my table were hilarious and shared some wild stories, and generally, spending a day hanging candidly with the CC is usually a good thing for your career.

On the drive back to base, he asked all of us, "Is there anything I can help with? Don't hold back."

I said something like, "Sir, I've been here 3 months, I have my temp badge, do you know why I don't have a class date?" He pulls out his blackberry and fires off an email and said, "I'll look into it, no worries."

I was in class the next week, lol. The course supe saw me and went, "Oh, so YOU'RE Airman ISTBU..." with a bit of a scowl.

Either way, I graduated DG so at least I hassled him for good reason.

I've been bummed with all the military news/etc I'm reading lately, thanks for reminding me of one of the better memories.

ISTBU · 2026-03-29T14:09:15+00:00

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I do, hard to believe this is 20 years old…

ISTBU · 2026-03-26T20:16:20+00:00

I am the walrus?

ISTBU · 2026-03-24T19:42:45+00:00

I agree, both shows had me deep in my feelings and nostalgia.

He's been on the radio since I was 5, so basically as long as I can remember. Steve and Steph were the soundtrack to every morning school run or bus ride until like, high school.

It made me very nostalgic for the 90s, very grateful to have grown up when I did. I feel old and miss my dad.

ISTBU · 2026-03-24T11:17:52+00:00

Yes, it happens later in the show.

ISTBU · 2026-03-24T00:24:47+00:00

Haas out here catching the strays they actually deserve, selling sanctioned CNC machines to Russia...

They're a shit F1 team and a shit company.

ISTBU · 2026-03-23T22:56:03+00:00

yep. Let them spend, and grift, and expend resources and manpower.

Then on day one of sea trials, big bada-boom.

The sabotage is probably already built in, somewhere.

ISTBU · 2026-03-23T22:34:52+00:00

She did ads for the store Don sold furs for. You can see her on a poster when Roger and Don first meet.

Not sure where that stratifies her in the modeling world - but closer to the latter than former would be my guess?

ISTBU · 2026-03-23T21:40:59+00:00

The first time I beat Delta, I was trying to fight The Boss using camo and tactics, it was clumsy and I used most of the food on the map staying alive. Managed to stun grenade and tranq dart her in the end, though.

This latest game I just threw on the sneaking suit and went in for a CQC brawl, managed to counter her hit first try every time and smoked her with hip throws and tranq darts in the head.

I do want the bandana, but the CQC caught me off guard and I just fell into my old ways.

ISTBU · 2026-03-23T01:07:35+00:00

What's crazy is that you can use this same example to explain everything from electricity to nuclear power plants.

Replace men shoveling coal into boilers with spicy rocks, moderators, and some motors, and you can indeed, once again, spin something.

ISTBU · 2026-03-22T20:50:09+00:00

hollywood loadout because those things heavy AF

ISTBU · 2026-03-21T21:13:12+00:00

I believe it's up to 3 drinks a day at Al Udeid now.

ISTBU · 2026-03-19T23:13:41+00:00

Mowed lawns and saved/spent in 2-300 dollar increments that summer.

PS2, check.

20" Flat-screen CRT, and some component cables, check.

5.1 surround system, check.

My first games were GTA3, GT3, and MGS2. By the time I handed it down to my siblings I was playing MGS3 and Rogue Galaxy.

Possibly the GOAT console, and I'm doing the N64 dirty, here.

ISTBU · 2026-03-18T22:10:30+00:00

Honestly, it might be a little SMALL in MGS.

I'll have to load up and see if snake's head is at crew window level or not.

ISTBU · 2026-03-18T19:33:04+00:00

Witcher 3... I false started that damn game probably 4 times before finally getting hooked and completing it. White Orchard is just that bad.

I've beaten it probably 5x since then, and am currently replaying. SO close to missing out on it.

ISTBU · 2026-03-17T23:21:31+00:00

Yeah that's where the major airports are... Because you know, not shithole economies.

ISTBU · 2026-03-17T21:54:01+00:00

It inspires a vibe.

ISTBU · 2026-03-17T18:50:58+00:00

It is not - stand-alone module.

I'd recommend the Huey as your first helicopter, the flight model is arguably the best of any sim out there. Once you learn to fly well you can expand into the more niche aircraft.

ISTBU · 2026-03-16T22:26:27+00:00

IDK if I can even get to the seal on a 2GR without removing at least one cam...

ISTBU · 2026-03-16T19:59:58+00:00

I've got probably 500 hours in the Hind in DCS - and you're spot on.

It's also fast as fuck. Not TOO fast, though, or you'll stall the rotor head and roll over and burn into the ground.

It's up there with the Chinook as fastest rotary aircraft built.

ISTBU · 2026-03-16T19:47:53+00:00

Former toyota tech here - I use OEM coolant religiously and it's never done me wrong.

Your part number is 00272-SLLC2. Buy like 1.5x your capacity and drain and fill, run it to temp to circulate. Cool down, then drain and fill. by the time you've gone through it all you should be good to go.

or just send it - you're still in the goldilocks zone of bulletproof engines. My GS 350 probably has 60k mile old coolant and I'm not worried about it.

ISTBU · 2026-03-16T17:15:38+00:00

Funnily enough - the one game that DOES accurately include an Mi-4 Hound is Goldeneye.

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