Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Fun with machines.
On Saurday Dixie and I drove the M35A2 in the local Veteran's Day parade. (Well, I drove and Dixie napped in the cab for the first half of the parade. . . . and then I started using the air horns.)
On Sunday I decided to take the little CJ-5 for a afternoon drive . . . . but upon inspection it had:
-a bunch of old books piled in the cab that Dixie wanted "out of the house,"
-mold growing on the inside of the top,
-a general patina of dust and grime from the coal-fired power plant.
It needed some TLC . . . I removed the top and gave it a thorough bleaching and scrubbing, washed the inside and out, and pitched the now-krinkled books into the waste can. But after the cleaning frenzy the bumper really looked bad . . . little bit of rust, layers of old paint, etc. I though to myself, "Self, a coating of spray-on truckbed liner sure would look good . . . I'll just knock off a little of this loose paint and spay it up!"
And then this happened.
Yes, what was going to be a nice Sunday drive turned into a 4 hour grinding, sanding, masking and painting extravaganza! It really looks nice, but by the time I finished it was too late and dark for a picture of a black bumper to come out. More later.
Monday my dad and I played with our Tonka toys on the ranch. We are going back tomorrow.
On Sunday I decided to take the little CJ-5 for a afternoon drive . . . . but upon inspection it had:
-a bunch of old books piled in the cab that Dixie wanted "out of the house,"
-mold growing on the inside of the top,
-a general patina of dust and grime from the coal-fired power plant.
It needed some TLC . . . I removed the top and gave it a thorough bleaching and scrubbing, washed the inside and out, and pitched the now-krinkled books into the waste can. But after the cleaning frenzy the bumper really looked bad . . . little bit of rust, layers of old paint, etc. I though to myself, "Self, a coating of spray-on truckbed liner sure would look good . . . I'll just knock off a little of this loose paint and spay it up!"
And then this happened.
Yes, what was going to be a nice Sunday drive turned into a 4 hour grinding, sanding, masking and painting extravaganza! It really looks nice, but by the time I finished it was too late and dark for a picture of a black bumper to come out. More later.
Monday my dad and I played with our Tonka toys on the ranch. We are going back tomorrow.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
New from our Lakeland Linder Airport Bureau
With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week.
Larry LaPrise, the man that wrote "The Hokey Pokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.
Larry LaPrise, the man that wrote "The Hokey Pokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Hsssss
Our MIT based Boston Bureau Chief brings us the following story: (you may need to watch a 30 commercial first)
The video from CNN
The resident wonders what it was doing there; the consulting herpetologist suggests that it was looking for water.
My theory: the snake just want a Sssssssslurpee and needed some spare change.
And no, the fact that the room is illuminated by Christmas lights did not slip past my observant eyes.
The video from CNN
The resident wonders what it was doing there; the consulting herpetologist suggests that it was looking for water.
My theory: the snake just want a Sssssssslurpee and needed some spare change.
And no, the fact that the room is illuminated by Christmas lights did not slip past my observant eyes.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Friday, October 05, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Rubber Side Up!
I flopped my Jeep on to its side yesterday. That was a first.
There are pictures on someone's camera . . . but I don't know whose . . . all I could see out the left window was dirt, and sky out of the right.
No damage to anything or anyone. Hooray for the armor plated Jeep!
I did lose about 3 -4 gallons of fuel out through the filler tube though.
Stay tuned.
(And Scarlet, don't freak. Your daughter was not on this trip. . . . . . she would have been fine though.)
There are pictures on someone's camera . . . but I don't know whose . . . all I could see out the left window was dirt, and sky out of the right.
No damage to anything or anyone. Hooray for the armor plated Jeep!
I did lose about 3 -4 gallons of fuel out through the filler tube though.
Stay tuned.
(And Scarlet, don't freak. Your daughter was not on this trip. . . . . . she would have been fine though.)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Mew.
Australians cook up wild cat stew
By Phil Mercer BBC News, Sydney
Australians have come up with a novel solution to the millions of feral cats roaming the outback - eat them.
The felines are the descendants of domestic pets and kill millions of small native animals each year.
A recent Alice Springs contest featured wild cat casserole. The meat is said to taste like a cross between rabbit and, perhaps inevitably, chicken.
But wildlife campaigners have expressed their dismay that Australia's wild cat now finds itself on the nation's menus.
Cat stew recipe
Feral cats are one of the most serious threats to Australia's native fauna.
They eat almost anything that moves, including small marsupials, lizards, birds and spiders.
The woman behind the controversial cat stew recipe has said Australians could do their bit to help the environment by tucking into more feral pests, including pigeons and camels.
But it was a recipe for feline casserole that impressed some of the judges at an outback food competition in Alice Springs.
Preparing this unusual stew seems simple enough.
The meat should be diced and fried until it is brown. Then lemon grass is to be added along with salt and pepper and three cups of quandong, which is a sweet desert fruit.
It is recommended that the dish be left to simmer for five hours before being garnished with bush plums and mistletoe berries.
Marinated moggie was not to everyone's taste. One of the competition judges found the meat impossibly tough and had to politely excuse herself and spit it out in a backroom.
Wild cats are considered good eating by some Aborigines, who roast the animals on an open fire.
This outback cuisine does come with a health warning.
Scientists have said that those eating wild cats could be exposed to harmful bacteria and toxins.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6974687.stmPublished: 2007/09/02 06:28:49 GMT© BBC MMVII
By Phil Mercer BBC News, Sydney
Australians have come up with a novel solution to the millions of feral cats roaming the outback - eat them.
The felines are the descendants of domestic pets and kill millions of small native animals each year.
A recent Alice Springs contest featured wild cat casserole. The meat is said to taste like a cross between rabbit and, perhaps inevitably, chicken.
But wildlife campaigners have expressed their dismay that Australia's wild cat now finds itself on the nation's menus.
Cat stew recipe
Feral cats are one of the most serious threats to Australia's native fauna.
They eat almost anything that moves, including small marsupials, lizards, birds and spiders.
The woman behind the controversial cat stew recipe has said Australians could do their bit to help the environment by tucking into more feral pests, including pigeons and camels.
But it was a recipe for feline casserole that impressed some of the judges at an outback food competition in Alice Springs.
Preparing this unusual stew seems simple enough.
The meat should be diced and fried until it is brown. Then lemon grass is to be added along with salt and pepper and three cups of quandong, which is a sweet desert fruit.
It is recommended that the dish be left to simmer for five hours before being garnished with bush plums and mistletoe berries.
Marinated moggie was not to everyone's taste. One of the competition judges found the meat impossibly tough and had to politely excuse herself and spit it out in a backroom.
Wild cats are considered good eating by some Aborigines, who roast the animals on an open fire.
This outback cuisine does come with a health warning.
Scientists have said that those eating wild cats could be exposed to harmful bacteria and toxins.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6974687.stmPublished: 2007/09/02 06:28:49 GMT© BBC MMVII
I am shocked . . . shocked I tell you.
Study: Men Men Go for Good Looks
Monday, September 03, 2007
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer
WASHINGTON — Science is confirming what most women know: When given the choice for a mate, men go for good looks.
And guys won't be surprised to learn that women are much choosier about partners than they are.
"Just because people say they're looking for a particular set of characteristics in a mate, someone like themselves, doesn't mean that is what they'll end up choosing," Peter M. Todd, of the cognitive science program at Indiana University, Bloomington, said in a telephone interview.
Researchers led by Todd report in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that their study found humans were similar to most other mammals, "following Darwin's principle of choosy females and competitive males, even if humans say something different."
Their study involved 26 men and 20 women in Munich, Germany.
Participants ranged in age from 26 to their early 40s and took part in "speed dating," short meetings of three to seven minutes in which people chat, then move on to meet another dater. Afterward, participants check off the people they'd like to meet again, and dates can be arranged between pairs who select one another.
Speed dating let researchers look at a lot of mate choices in a short time, Todd said.
In the study, participants were asked before the session to fill out a questionnaire about what they were looking for in a mate, listing such categories as wealth and status, family commitment, physical appearance, healthiness and attractiveness.
After the session, the researchers compared what the participants said they were looking for with the people they actually chose to ask for another date.
Men's choices did not reflect their stated preferences, the researchers concluded. Instead, men appeared to base their decisions mostly on the women's physical attractiveness.
The men also appeared to be much less choosy. Men tended to select nearly every woman above a certain minimum attractiveness threshold, Todd said.
Women's actual choices, like men's, did not reflect their stated preferences, but they made more discriminating choices, the researchers found.
The scientists said women were aware of the importance of their own attractiveness to men, and adjusted their expectations to select the more desirable guys.
"Women made offers to men who had overall qualities that were on a par with the women's self-rated attractiveness. They didn't greatly overshoot their attractiveness," Todd said, "because part of the goal for women is to choose men who would stay with them"
But, he added, "they didn't go lower. They knew what they could get and aimed for that level."
So, it turns out, the women's attractiveness influenced the choices of the men and the women.
Monday, September 03, 2007
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer
WASHINGTON — Science is confirming what most women know: When given the choice for a mate, men go for good looks.
And guys won't be surprised to learn that women are much choosier about partners than they are.
"Just because people say they're looking for a particular set of characteristics in a mate, someone like themselves, doesn't mean that is what they'll end up choosing," Peter M. Todd, of the cognitive science program at Indiana University, Bloomington, said in a telephone interview.
Researchers led by Todd report in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that their study found humans were similar to most other mammals, "following Darwin's principle of choosy females and competitive males, even if humans say something different."
Their study involved 26 men and 20 women in Munich, Germany.
Participants ranged in age from 26 to their early 40s and took part in "speed dating," short meetings of three to seven minutes in which people chat, then move on to meet another dater. Afterward, participants check off the people they'd like to meet again, and dates can be arranged between pairs who select one another.
Speed dating let researchers look at a lot of mate choices in a short time, Todd said.
In the study, participants were asked before the session to fill out a questionnaire about what they were looking for in a mate, listing such categories as wealth and status, family commitment, physical appearance, healthiness and attractiveness.
After the session, the researchers compared what the participants said they were looking for with the people they actually chose to ask for another date.
Men's choices did not reflect their stated preferences, the researchers concluded. Instead, men appeared to base their decisions mostly on the women's physical attractiveness.
The men also appeared to be much less choosy. Men tended to select nearly every woman above a certain minimum attractiveness threshold, Todd said.
Women's actual choices, like men's, did not reflect their stated preferences, but they made more discriminating choices, the researchers found.
The scientists said women were aware of the importance of their own attractiveness to men, and adjusted their expectations to select the more desirable guys.
"Women made offers to men who had overall qualities that were on a par with the women's self-rated attractiveness. They didn't greatly overshoot their attractiveness," Todd said, "because part of the goal for women is to choose men who would stay with them"
But, he added, "they didn't go lower. They knew what they could get and aimed for that level."
So, it turns out, the women's attractiveness influenced the choices of the men and the women.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Two quick bulletins
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Mayonnaise, Maggots, Mirrors . . . . . and naked sign language.
Barkeep: Would you like to try our new cocktail?
Businessman with loosened tie: Sure, whats in it?
Barkeep: Muddled snails, bong water and emu vomit.
BWLT: Sure, sounds better than what I had at Nakamura's yesterday.
****************************************************************
It would seem someone absconded with all of the mirrors in the trailerpark, sorry, strike that. I mean, Chateau de Skank.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"You are sole proprietor and owner of the Whizzo Chocolate company?"
"I am"
__________________________________________________
This is an outrage! I am, of course, referring to the stripping [of the government subsidy.]
Businessman with loosened tie: Sure, whats in it?
Barkeep: Muddled snails, bong water and emu vomit.
BWLT: Sure, sounds better than what I had at Nakamura's yesterday.
****************************************************************
It would seem someone absconded with all of the mirrors in the trailerpark, sorry, strike that. I mean, Chateau de Skank.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"You are sole proprietor and owner of the Whizzo Chocolate company?"
"I am"
__________________________________________________
This is an outrage! I am, of course, referring to the stripping [of the government subsidy.]
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Ever wonder?
For those of you who have ever wondered, "How much would it cost to have someone drive to my home and remove 900 gallons of human waste?"; the answer is $215. And worth every penny.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
All is not well in the Animal Kingdom
Dog Owners gone bad.
Cat Owners gone crazy (surprise, surprise.)
Bad news for the environment.
Speechless.
Australian goo invasion.
Cat Owners gone crazy (surprise, surprise.)
Bad news for the environment.
Speechless.
Australian goo invasion.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Space Rack Truck to blame?
Good thing they launched from Florida . . . . that way there is no deductible on the replacement.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Please Mark Your Calendar!
.JPG)
Greetings my friends!
As many of you know I am on the board of The Life Enrichment Center, a not-for-profit that provides continuing education classes and other services to our community’s active seniors.
On Friday, September 7th, we will be having our annual art show; I have attached the invitation.
It is my hope that you (and your friends) will attend, peruse the paintings, and maybe even take one home with you! This is our annual fund raiser; food and drink will be available, live music, and other fun activities! You might even catch me on the dance floor.
* Please feel free to invite your friends, and repost on the web!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Today's Headlines
Awww, c'mon, who didn't camp out in the back yard as a kid?
Snakes.
"That was actually us."
Fun Bags from our Friends to the North.
In my Chief Wiggum voice, "That's some mighty fine police work there, boys."
I think I sit behind this guy's American counter part at the Performing Arts Center.
Snakes.
"That was actually us."
Fun Bags from our Friends to the North.
In my Chief Wiggum voice, "That's some mighty fine police work there, boys."
I think I sit behind this guy's American counter part at the Performing Arts Center.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Too good . . . .
This article really has it all, namely, in no particular order:
- A police officer with a funny last name
- References to Special Ops
- crazy dollar amounts like "$85,000"
- a monkey
Click here.
- A police officer with a funny last name
- References to Special Ops
- crazy dollar amounts like "$85,000"
- a monkey
Click here.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Investment or cabin site, you can't go wrong!
These lots are amazing . . . . . . great area of N.C. too, just outside of Blowing Rock and Boone . . . . minutes away from Lineville Gorge, Grandfather Mountain, the New River (ironically the oldest river in the U.S.) Appalachian skiing and Appalachian University.
Let me know if you have any questions!
The realtor handling the sales is Bob Novacek at Blowing Rock Properties, 800-849-0147.
http://www.navica2.net/displays/?n=390&i=129050&k=qRbtee
Let me know if you have any questions!
The realtor handling the sales is Bob Novacek at Blowing Rock Properties, 800-849-0147.
http://www.navica2.net/displays/?n=390&i=129050&k=qRbtee
Monday, July 23, 2007
Myspace
Hmmmmm. Something funky went on with myspace and it would seem I have been highjacked.
If you have received an email from me about some myspace nonsense, it is invalid.
I deleted my account to nip the problems in the bud. I doubt I will reopen a new account . . . . all of my friends know how to get hold of me.
If you have received an email from me about some myspace nonsense, it is invalid.
I deleted my account to nip the problems in the bud. I doubt I will reopen a new account . . . . all of my friends know how to get hold of me.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
I am happy to report that I won the poker game on Tuesday, which almost makes up for NOT WINNING A SINGLE HAND last week.
The FedEx guy should be here at any moment with some off-road lights for the Jeep. Nothing really special, but I am excited non-the-less. There will also be a fluid reservoir bottle that I am going to adapt to be a brake fluid reservoir for the Deuce that will be positioned in an easier to reach location.
And in today's news:
The key quote in this article is "The tests are designed to be incredibly difficult and TSA does anticipate a fair level of failure." Hopefully the terrorists will be less tricky.
Badger . . . Badger . . . Badger!
The FedEx guy should be here at any moment with some off-road lights for the Jeep. Nothing really special, but I am excited non-the-less. There will also be a fluid reservoir bottle that I am going to adapt to be a brake fluid reservoir for the Deuce that will be positioned in an easier to reach location.
And in today's news:
The key quote in this article is "The tests are designed to be incredibly difficult and TSA does anticipate a fair level of failure." Hopefully the terrorists will be less tricky.
Badger . . . Badger . . . Badger!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Poker on Tuesdays
Don't forget the usual suspects play poker at Gaspar's Grotto on 7th Ave most Tuesday evenings.
Let me know if you need more info. Happy hour and BS session starts at 6:30, game - on at 7:30ish.
Let me know if you need more info. Happy hour and BS session starts at 6:30, game - on at 7:30ish.
Baah-Whoooosh! Crocodiles, The Virgin Mary and a "Happy Ending."
This is one of those articles where each time you read it, it gets better and better.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Independence Day
Old Glory was flown over the cab of the deuce, a group of friends loaded in the back, and we rolled in the Temple Terrace parade as 20 Jeeps followed close behind.
Here are some pictures . . . .
Here are some pictures . . . .
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
Fenders: Finished
After lots of masking, I completed the fenders this weekend. The black "paint" is actually a textured substance similar to spay-in truck bed liner.
Marketing 101
Want to effectively promote your Jeep club? Emost demonstrates how of increase your number of logo impressions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- tjcouch
- Former gigs: Animatronic creature tech for film and live action, production studio manager for USF, film production consultant, cameraman for WTVT, IMAX Theatre director, museum director, harbor cruise ship captain. Current gigs: loan officer, commercial property manager, Vice Chairman of The Life Enrichment Center, Trustee of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Director of the University Area Community Development Center, Director of a private grant-making foundation.