Official Not So Random Thoughts Thread Version 2.2

Cramer · Post #1001 » by **Cramer** » Tue Apr 5, 2011 12:10 am

So, did you ever get a chance to spend some time at the bar with the guy that was your childhood hero, and he turns out to be probably the nicest guy you ever met? Well I did today.

Frank Howard of the old Washington Senators. What a wonderful guy. Spent a while just chatting about baseball and other odds and ends and I'm still just giddy. The guy thanked me for being a fan back in the day. I said are you kidding me, I still am.... I still can't get over it. I sat and had a beer and talked baseball with Frank Howard while watching the O's home opener on the tube. Are you kidding me? UFB.....

One of those small slices of time that I'll never forget.

Spence · Post #1002 » by **Spence** » Tue Apr 5, 2011 12:13 am

Very cool, Cramer. My Dad would love that, he's a big fan of Hondo.

Cramer · Post #1003 » by **Cramer** » Tue Apr 5, 2011 12:26 am

It was sooooo cool, and the thing is, he's so damn nice. He walked away and I'm not thinking that was Frank Howard (OK, well yea I was and still am...) but I was just thinking that's the nicest man I ever met. And I knew it after about 30 seconds...

Post #1004 » by **LyricalRico** » Tue Apr 5, 2011 5:53 pm

This...

dobrojim · Post #1005 » by **dobrojim** » Tue Apr 5, 2011 6:04 pm

I remember going to an O's-Nats game in 1969. I think Howard
drew a walk off McNally early in the game. Seeing him on
first base next to Boog Powell...2 huge individuals.

I also remember those whitewashed seats in the upper deck
of RFK where Howard had parked one. Awesome.

Post #1006 » by **Ruzious** » Tue Apr 5, 2011 11:47 pm

Strangest looking box score I've ever seen - Bucks v Orlando with 8:40 now left in the 2nd quarter - all 5 of the Bucks starters are scoreless.

Post #1007 » by **LyricalRico** » Sat Apr 9, 2011 1:28 am

"Welcome back to HVAC talk. I'm your host, LyricalRico."

Okay, I have a 25 year old split heat pump system that's killing my electric bill and could go at any moment. I bought the house 2 years ago and plan on staying for another 5 or so (not my "forever" house). I'd like to replace it but the line-set is undersized (liquid line is only 1/4 or 5/16 inch). Had a load calc done and I need a 1.5 ton. After comparing price, warranty, and contractor (which I hear is most important) I'm down to choosing between the following:

Brand: Amana

Outside Unit: ASZ140181A
BTU: 18,000
EER: 13
SEER: 15
HSPF: 8.5
db: 70

Air Handler: ASPF183016
KW: 10

Warranty: 10 year parts, lifetime compressor, 2 years labor

Contractor: Don Hoffacker

Price: Lowest by 30%
-------------------------------------

Brand: Trane

Outside Unit: 4TWR5018E1
BTU: 18,000
EER: 13
SEER: 15.5
HSPF: 9.0
db: 76

Air Handler: ??? (can't find the part #)
KW: 10

Warranty: 10 year parts, 10 year compressor, 1 year labor

Contractor: Cropp Metcalfe

Price: 30% higher than Amana
---------------------------------------

I know replacing the line-set is recommended. Problem is I'd have to cut through several walls/ceilings and I'm REALLY hoping to not have to do that (both for hassle and cost). Both contractors took an extra day or two to do research and both say their unit will work with the existing line-set. I'm leaning towards the Amana because of: lower price, quieter system, friendly and knowledgeable local contractor.

Would I be making a good choice to go with the Amana? Are there any other brands that might be better suited to my existing line-set (heard Rheem might be compatible)? Any other advice for someone in my situation?

dobrojim · Post #1008 » by **dobrojim** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 4:09 pm

looking forward to seeing Jane Goodall this afternoon giving
a talk at NIH. I hope I get a seat in the auditorium.

fishercob · Post #1009 » by **fishercob** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:06 pm

The Warriors should be contracted. They let NINE Nuggets score in double figures and Gallinari and Harrington didnt even play. Kosta Koufos had 18 and 9 in 19 minutes!

fishercob · Post #1010 » by **fishercob** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:47 pm

Joe Johnson is doing remarkable things to honor the legacy of Mitch Richmond.

Post #1011 » by **pineappleheadindc** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:35 pm

.
I like free.

So...just want to share with you'all that today is Free Ice Cream Cone Day at all of the Ben and Jerry's stores across the country. From noon - 8:00 p.m.

You can bet that I'm taking my wife and daughter for some ice cream tonight.

:nod:

Just FYI.

Post #1012 » by **LyricalRico** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:25 pm

fishercob wrote:Joe Johnson is doing remarkable things to honor the legacy of Mitch Richmond.

dobrojim · Post #1013 » by **dobrojim** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:52 pm

Jane Goodall was amazing yesterday. Very powerful.

Post #1014 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:28 pm

pineappleheadindc wrote:.
I like free.

So...just want to share with you'all that today is Free Ice Cream Cone Day at all of the Ben and Jerry's stores across the country. From noon - 8:00 p.m.

You can bet that I'm taking my wife and daughter for some ice cream tonight.

Just FYI.

Definitely gonna try and take my niece to this tonight.

dobrojim · Post #1015 » by **dobrojim** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:39 pm

dang, missed the B&J freebie

on a much more serious note, a friend of my older daughter (15) made
a suicide attempt last night. I'm not entirely clear on all the details
but it appears that this troubled young lady was manipulating my
daughter as part of the drama. But perhaps the worst part was
when the father of the girl posted on FB an accusation that
all her friends had effed up because they knew something
(which isn't clear to me from what I have been told)
and didn't get in touch with him and/or his wife. I want to be
as compassionate as I can for these parents and this girl. I cannot
imagine the pain and distress that they are going through. But I
feel a strong need to protect my own from being used either
by the girl or being a scapegoated by the father for anything
that might happen in the future. Very troubling.

Post #1016 » by **Rafael122** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:48 pm

Man, I can't imagine what he was going through. The teen years are probably the most challenging years a parent will always go through.

SUPERBALLMAN · Post #1017 » by **SUPERBALLMAN** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:57 am

A great nick name for Blatche... Soft Belly.

I think it's great & could definately catch on. It perfectly describes his game & it's got a great sound to it.

Andray "Softbelly" Blatche.

It sounds like the name of an old blues musician or something.

Post #1018 » by **pineappleheadindc** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:17 am

dobrojim wrote:dang, missed the B&J freebie

on a much more serious note, a friend of my older daughter (15) made
a suicide attempt last night. I'm not entirely clear on all the details
but it appears that this troubled young lady was manipulating my
daughter as part of the drama. But perhaps the worst part was
when the father of the girl posted on FB an accusation that
all her friends had effed up because they knew something
(which isn't clear to me from what I have been told)
and didn't get in touch with him and/or his wife. I want to be
as compassionate as I can for these parents and this girl. I cannot
imagine the pain and distress that they are going through. But I
feel a strong need to protect my own from being used either
by the girl or being a scapegoated by the father for anything
that might happen in the future. Very troubling.

Jim,

I understand perfectly your instinct to protect your daughter. It may help to understand that it wasn't the other girl's father saying those things, but it was his emotions that make him lash out at others.

Difficult times.

We all like to think of our teenage years as great times, but really, they're full of so much crap - teens generally have a tough time. I think teens nowadays have it harder than when we old guys were growing up.

My dos centavos.

Spence · Post #1019 » by **Spence** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 3:35 pm

Don't you hate it when this happens?

Man ‘Engulfed In Flames’ At San Francisco Porn Shop
April 13, 2011 9:34 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) — A man was hospitalized Wednesday evening with life-threatening, third-degree burns after catching fire inside a San Francisco porn store, authorities told CBS 5.

The fire occurred at an adult arcade at Sixth and Mission streets just after 6 p.m.

Police officers across the street from the porn shop saw a man run out the front door of the store “engulfed in flames,” an SFPD spokesman said.

Some firefighters who happened to be about a block away at the time were immediately summoned and extinguished the flames.

Arson investigators said it was not exactly clear how the man caught fire. Police indicated he had apparently been watching videos in a private booth when the fire ignited.

Must have been some pretty hot porn.

daSwami · Post #1020 » by **daSwami** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:00 pm

Spence wrote:Don't you hate it when this happens?
Man ‘Engulfed In Flames’ At San Francisco Porn Shop
April 13, 2011 9:34 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) — A man was hospitalized Wednesday evening with life-threatening, third-degree burns after catching fire inside a San Francisco porn store, authorities told CBS 5.

The fire occurred at an adult arcade at Sixth and Mission streets just after 6 p.m.

Police officers across the street from the porn shop saw a man run out the front door of the store “engulfed in flames,” an SFPD spokesman said.

Some firefighters who happened to be about a block away at the time were immediately summoned and extinguished the flames.

Arson investigators said it was not exactly clear how the man caught fire. Police indicated he had apparently been watching videos in a private booth when the fire ignited.

Must have been some pretty hot porn.

Rumor has it it was the newest Spinal Tap drummer.