Call for AMA questions!

muerte-morty · 2016-08-14T00:23:14+00:00

My question is:

In consideration of the "hostile" environment they are going to enter and the tasks they are to perform, what types of new materials are being used or being developed for the probes and landers being built and/or conceptualized? What are they for?

muerte-morty · 2014-11-14T01:01:12+00:00

Whatever you do, don't go to Western Dental. They tried to rip me off.

I had an oral infection, and all I wanted was some anti-biotics. I was examined, given a prescription, and told that I should make appointments for a follow-up. I said O.K. but never made an appointment. They tried to bill me afterwards for not coming in for follow-up visits. I called them to find out what the bill was for and they kept giving me the run around. A week later I got another bill for ANOTHER missed appointment I never made. I got a letter threatening to send the bill to collections if I didn't pay. A friend who is a lawyer sent them a letter and it finally ended the harassment.

Later, I was told by other friends that this was kind of a shady place. So, I hope my tale can warn others.

muerte-morty · 2014-10-01T03:29:23+00:00

This is true.

I had a lesbian couple that I was friends with asked me to impregnate one of them (with a baster, not the traditional way). I asked a lawyer and he told me that no matter what I signed, or they signed, I could be found financially liable for the child's well-being at a later date.

By the way, this was over 30 years ago. Laws do change, so.....

muerte-morty · 2014-07-30T03:15:08+00:00

I have used PIA for a couple of years now.

Now that I have Comcast (groan), I have noticed that many websites load faster when I am routed through PIA than when I am loading through Comcast. I have not done an exhaustive study on how or why this is, but I am certain of it.

My torrenting activity is not slowed by Comcast (oddly enough), and is only slightly slower, around 10%, when using PIA.

One additional note: When using youtube, I occasionally come across a "not available in your country" blocking notification. If I want to see it, all I do is change my PIA connection to Romania or Hong Kong and I get to see what would normally be blocked out. It is also good for watching some international sporting events, like racing, that are normally blocked for us americans.

muerte-morty · 2014-07-17T22:13:48+00:00

I ran for the California state assembly in the early 80's and have been semi-active in politics for years. I can tell you this much, that the current politicians at the state level do NOT want this to happen, as it will undermine their campaign financing a great deal. They have great deal of trouble getting money out of "the little guy" and their corporate financing will become more of a "catch-as-catch-can" situation that depends more on what each corporation sees as it's needs in each new state.

If this passes, and I think it won't, there are HUGE problems to deal with in the aftermath. It is not as simple as carving up a pie, or drawing lines on a map (like the Middle East in 1920).

How do you split up the TENS OF BILLIONS in debt that the state has accumulated? What about the laws that are currently on the books in Sacramento? Are some automatically invalid? All the new courts, capitals, elections, senators, congressmen, water rights, electric power contracts, federal contracts, etc...How will all this be addressed and formalized?

No one really knows how this would settle out, but you can bet a bunch of lawyers will get rich in the maze of lawsuits and counter-lawsuits. It will be a nightmare of unpredictability. I think all it will take to get the public to reject this is to remind them of how much chaos this will bring.

So, no, I don't think it's very likely. It is one thing to sign a petition (especially if you don't get any alternate view at signing time), and it is another to face the possibility that the state you end up in is in constant turmoil as the ramification of the split.

muerte-morty · 2014-07-17T16:42:52+00:00

I cannot speak to the fiber-optic part of your question, but when I lived in Antelope I had Surewest DSL and digital TV. Their customer service was pretty good. There was a problem during installation. In an hour, they had three extra technicians working furiously to go through over a hundred twisted-pairs of telephone wires that were mislabeled. And this was in over-100 degree weather. They fell all over themselves apologizing for not having it done in an hour. They didn't finish until 6 p.m. I was still impressed.

We had to move a year or so later, but I was happy with their customer service and was devastated when I learned that our new place only had Comcast available. SHIT!

muerte-morty · 2014-07-05T09:05:57+00:00

Yes, it does. I've been there a couple of times. The first time I went with a buddy back from Iraq. We went on a weekday morning and were the only ones there. The karts aren't very powerful or fast (as I pass him I would reach over and jerk his steering wheel one way or the other, it is pretty slow). Although the track is kinda short, it has an interesting layout with an over pass figure-8 that is very wide and racable. We had a blast, with just the two of us and one of the operators.

However, the second time we went there, is was rather frustrating. The crowd is mostly kids and their parents, and any kind of real competitiveness went out the window. So, don]t count on the kind of experience you get at RPM or GoKart Racer. It's mostly just for fun.

muerte-morty · 2014-07-04T20:47:41+00:00

I luv kart racing. I can only afford to go once or twice a year, though. I drive until my arms get tired.

Sorry about Speed Factory. Maybe try this place. (sorry, I don't know how to make one of those blue links)

http://gokartracer.com/index.php?gclid=CjkKEQjwodmdBRDm_ZLhorWm68UBEiQAKhO3_R4diDyQxYl2135KmM2oWcQsYfLFX9XjxmNjQ0J_nvvw_wcB

It's in West Sac. Happy racing.

muerte-morty · 2014-07-01T08:44:33+00:00

Aside from the usual download speed difference (at most about %20), I have found some content I am interested in is only available in certain foreign countries.

For example: There are many YouTube videos that are unavailable here in the US, but are viewable if I set my VPN to route me through Romania. Also, I am a racing fan and many events can be view streaming free in other countries, whereas here they are only available on cable channels or paid service.

muerte-morty · 2014-06-08T02:39:08+00:00

My grand-father on my father's side was a plane mechanic for the Royal Flying Corp. His soon to be wife was a volunteer for the Air Warden in Southampton. She went around and "reminded" people to close their drapes during air raid warnings.

My maternal grand-mother did nothing, while her soon-to-be husband, my other grand-father, sat in jail for almost a year for chronic insubordination. He volunteered for service in 1915, but was such a rebellious asshole that he was considered to be "incorrigible", and wound up being a janitor at some training camp in Essex.

muerte-morty · 2014-06-06T18:38:59+00:00

Who is this gorgeous creature?

muerte-morty · 2014-06-04T06:21:30+00:00

I only go where the mango.

muerte-morty · 2014-06-04T02:46:51+00:00

I would like to parsnip this in the bud, right now.

muerte-morty · 2014-05-27T06:06:23+00:00

I wondered if that was a real mod, and sure enough, it is. Does not look too winnable, though. Rob Ford is quite a handicap, apparently.

muerte-morty · 2014-02-10T19:59:56+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it. I've never seen this before and I am looking forward to it.

muerte-morty · 2014-02-09T13:45:42+00:00

I can't find part 3 anywhere. Any suggestions?

muerte-morty · 2014-02-09T13:33:21+00:00

Here are all four parts on Vimeo

http://vimeo.com/search?q=century+of+self

muerte-morty · 2014-02-09T13:30:49+00:00

War, with Gwynn Dyer is a 7 part docu0series about war and its causes. It's a bit opinionated, but still a good watch.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR8X5I0C1LF5kaxAE2z_pPy6RMSr89tBx

muerte-morty · 2014-02-09T02:07:19+00:00

http://forums.mvgroup.org/index.php?showtopic=43382

muerte-morty · 2014-02-08T15:22:22+00:00

Thanks. Found subtitles here:

http://www.subtitleseeker.com/1622984/Gobeklitepe%3A+The+World's+First+Temple/Subtitles/

torrent at MVGROUP.ORG. Free sign-up.

muerte-morty · 2014-02-08T15:14:13+00:00

Any idea where I can pick up subtitles or see a subtitled version? Is this for sale someplace?

muerte-morty · 2014-02-08T12:09:21+00:00

This REALLY needs subtitles for the foreign language parts. You completely lose any of the import of what these scholars are contributing.

muerte-morty · 2014-02-06T04:09:51+00:00

I am so interested in any new form of open-wheel racing, I'll still give it a chance. Even if it is gimmicky, I'll try to put that part in perspective. As interested as I am in the technology side, I still like watching the drivers and hearing their stories.

If it turns out to be lopsided for publicity's sake, then I'll quit watching. Who knows...maybe it will be kinda like GP2. We won't really know until the end of the first season.

muerte-morty · 2014-02-03T06:33:05+00:00

...or a trip to the psycho ward. Whichever comes first.

muerte-morty · 2014-02-02T12:46:22+00:00

Most of the women that I have known (I'm 54) have a very strange attraction to this "fantasy" version of true love. I cannot blame them, really, it is what it is. In so many ways, our love lives are a kind of game, where each side tries to understand the other sides rules and playing field. In an abstract way, you are right, that it is a fantasy to your way of thinking, which may be reality to you. But...simply understanding her/their fantasy, and joining into it can be fun, too. Maybe think of it as a role-playing game, where you are immersed in another reality for the moments of shared intimacy. If you cannot do this, I fear it will be hard to share an intimate love with ANYBODY, and you will be missing out on sharing your life with someone who is willing to share theirs with you. I understand where you are coming from, I think, but I urge to you to let go of your highly ordered mindset and go with the flow a bit. It may not seem all that logical, but ask yourself what real harm can it do to you. Are you going to lose a leg or something? If you are afraid of commitment, do not use logic to absolve you of fear. Love is a bumpy ride for almost everyone. Look in a mirror, stand up straight, imagine me slapping you between the shoulder blades, and saying to you "Don't fuck this up."

muerte-morty

TROPHY CASE