Want to vent about something? Mention something happening in your life? Have an opinion on something, football or not? Discuss the meaning of life? Bring it up here and shoot the xxxx without starting an entire thread about it.
Current events welcome but no politics.
But isn't this the purpose of this board, sort of a friendly bar where we can share thoughts and express opinions?
Since you asked.
Let's start off with something heavy, this George Floyd murder trial.
I have ALWAYS been pro Blue. Yes, there are some bad cops, but, for the most part, myself, I could never do their job, not knowing if they will be coming home when they leave the house every day. That said, I always try to look at a cop the way he MIGHT feel under circumstances that we can just read about, but they have to live thru. Can we feel if they think there is danger, does a simple traffic stop mean a life and death situation? We can only surmise what we MIGHT do in certain situations, but unless we have walked in those shoes, we really don't know.
So, this particular cop who is on trial, basically for his life, is he getting a royal shafting because it sure looks like the deck is stacked (really stacked) against him?
There is no doubt what he did was excessive, he killed a guy doing it. Everyone has testified that it was excessive and should not have been done at all. Myself, I feel this cop has a snowball's chance of getting off--deservedly so--probably, but again, we weren't there and we do not know what was going on in his mind at the time. For sure, he wasn't threatened by Floyd, but the crowd was menacing, could that have anything to do with it. ?
Why nobody come?
We saw the video but that is just a snippet of the entire incident and parts may be taken out of context.
MY stance, the officer used unnecessary force to subdue someone who wasn't resisting. Why did he have his knee on Floyd's neck? Was Floyd resisting that we didn't see?
To sum up, I will always back a cop when he is trying to do his job. I just think this particular cop went over the line. Should he be tried for murder, myself, if he was doing the job he was trained for, and he has never shown behavior like this before, I think murder is over the line. It's just the way I see it. If he has a rep for behavior like this in the past, and he has been reprimanded on certain things, maybe he felt like he can do what he wants. Fry him.
Quote from: LennG on April 07, 2021, 06:08:23 PM
But isn't this the purpose of this board, sort of a friendly bar where we can share thoughts and express opinions?
Since you asked.
Let's start off with something heavy, this George Floyd murder trial.
I have ALWAYS been pro Blue. Yes, there are some bad cops, but, for the most part, myself, I could never do their job, not knowing if they will be coming home when they leave the house every day. That said, I always try to look at a cop the way he MIGHT feel under circumstances that we can just read about, but they have to live thru. Can we feel if they think there is danger, does a simple traffic stop mean a life and death situation? We can only surmise what we MIGHT do in certain situations, but unless we have walked in those shoes, we really don't know.
So, this particular cop who is on trial, basically for his life, is he getting a royal shafting because it sure looks like the deck is stacked (really stacked) against him?
There is no doubt what he did was excessive, he killed a guy doing it. Everyone has testified that it was excessive and should not have been done at all. Myself, I feel this cop has a snowball's chance of getting off--deservedly so--probably, but again, we weren't there and we do not know what was going on in his mind at the time. For sure, he wasn't threatened by Floyd, but the crowd was menacing, could that have anything to do with it. ?
Why nobody come?
We saw the video but that is just a snippet of the entire incident and parts may be taken out of context.
MY stance, the officer used unnecessary force to subdue someone who wasn't resisting. Why did he have his knee on Floyd's neck? Was Floyd resisting that we didn't see?
To sum up, I will always back a cop when he is trying to do his job. I just think this particular cop went over the line. Should he be tried for murder, myself, if he was doing the job he was trained for, and he has never shown behavior like this before, I think murder is over the line. It's just the way I see it. If he has a rep for behavior like this in the past, and he has been reprimanded on certain things, maybe he felt like he can do what he wants. Fry him.
You make a lot of good points about the danger police face with every encounter. As for the murder charges, I wonder if you saw all the video presented in the trial? I don't believe he intentionally tried to kill him. His own police chief testified that his actions were not policy and what he was trained to do. There was no struggle and once he was cuffed and on the ground there was no need for that type of restraint.
Here are the charges against him. Second degree unintentional felony murder, third degree
Much is made about the dangers of being a law enforcement officer. Yet the statistics don't really support that claim, as law enforcement comes in 22nd for the most dangerous jobs. In fact according to the stats when I was supervising maintenance in a hospital, I was more likely to die on the job than a police officer. The guy driving the Amazon delivery van is even in a more precarious situation.
https://www.ishn.com/articles/112748-top-25-most-dangerous-jobs-in-the-united-states
I also have a firm opinion that with great power comes great responsibility. A badge and a gun represent great power. It is the job of the police to the grown-up in every situation they encounter.
There is nothing that can justify killing a man who is handcuffed and outnumbered, nothing. The best you could say about the situation is that maybe he didn't mean to kill him. However, the dangerous behavior the officer engaged in is akin to knowingly driving drunk (you drove to a bar with the intention of getting drunk) then killing a man driving home. His lack of care for the people he took an oath to serve and protect resulted in one of those people being killed. That should have very serious consequences. In fact, since he is an officer of the law, it should be greater, not lesser consequences because of the power and trust he was given.
I will not debate the issue as we all have our views on it. I still stand by my thought of we cannot speak about how someone might act in a certain situation unless we walked in his shoes.
As I see it, yes, obviously more force was used than was necessary, but I still feel second-degree murder is excessive
You want another topic
Many of us 'older folks' are always talking about those "Good Old Days'
Where they really the Good Old Days? Was life better back then, than it is now?
Quote from: LennG on April 08, 2021, 06:11:43 PM
You want another topic
Many of us 'older folks' are always talking about those "Good Old Days'
Where they really the Good Old Days? Was life better back then, than it is now?
IMO, not really. Some of us just remember the "good times" better than the bad ones. For others, it's the opposite. I know people like that. Bob
Last year was tough for everyone. Between my wife's family and mine, we lost 6 close family members. It was tough emotionally. Having to deal with the quarantine and changing our way of life forced us to adapt, as I'm sure everyone here has had to do as well. The racial and social turmoil that came to a head and the volatile political landscape also kept everyone on edge.
However, my wife and I tend to look at the bright side of things to keep our spirits up. Despite the loss of loved ones, 2020 and so far, 2021 have been very good to us.
- Our oldest son gave us our first grandson (second grandchild)
- I turned 50!
- We were looking for new house to downsize to and decided to go in the opposite direction and started building our new dream home (see Photography thread for pics) and we move in next week!
- We started a family business doing auto detailing (a hobby and passion of mine)
- This August I will be retiring from the Air Force Reserves after a combined 26 years active and reserve time
- My mom and dad split when I was five years old and will be in each other's presence at my retirement ceremony for the first time since. I have no recollection of them ever being together.
- My wife will be celebrating her 60th birthday during the same weekend so hopefully the COVID restrictions will be relaxed enough to have a mini family reunion for both
We have been tremendously blessed and we owe it all to the Almighty God. Staying true and faithful to Him has done nothing but kept our spirits up and allowed us to be a blessing for others.
I love being here with all of you and despite the few flare ups, there is no place I'd rather spend my online time than here. Thanks to all of you for being a part of this community!
I love you guys!!! :ok:
Quote from: T200 on April 10, 2021, 01:17:21 AM
I love being here with all of you and despite the few flare ups, there is no place I'd rather spend my online time than here. Thanks to all of you for being a part of this community!
In the words of Charles M. Schulz, "You're a good man, Charlie Brown." Bob
Tim
having met you and your lovely wife, broken bread together, and enjoyed just a great evening with you and friends, I am so glad that you are getting and enjoying what life is giving you. As we all know, when life gives us lemons, we need to make lemonade.
And, as I would say to a good friend Mazel Tov on your retirement and new digs.
Quote from: LennG on April 10, 2021, 12:01:16 PM
Tim
having met you and your lovely wife, broken beat together, and enjoyed just a great evening with you and friends, I am so glad that you are getting and enjoying what life is giving you. As we all know, when life gives us lemons, we need to make lemonade.
And, as I would say to a good friend Mazel Tov on your retirement and new digs.
Thanks Len! I really appreciate that :ok:
A reminder to never let the bad overshadow the good. Gratitude.
Quote from: T200 on April 10, 2021, 01:17:21 AM
I love being here with all of you and despite the few flare ups, there is no place I'd rather spend my online time than here. Thanks to all of you for being a part of this community!
I love you guys!!! :ok:
Nice post. As we do you!
Any hardwood floor experts here? We bought a condo that has nice hardwoods but there are a few high traffic spots where they look darkened. I kind of doubt a spray bottle of Bona will get it out but I fear something too strong will strip the shiny finish. Getting it professionally cleaned would cost around $400.
Quote from: squibber on April 22, 2021, 01:40:03 PM
Any hardwood floor experts here? We bought a condo that has nice hardwoods but there are a few high traffic spots where they look darkened. I kind of doubt a spray bottle of Bona will get it out but I fear something too strong will strip the shiny finish. Getting it professionally cleaned would cost around $400.
squib: We had them installed new in a few areas of our house.
After putting in the boards, they stained the wood. Later, they put a shiny (polyurethane?) finish over the top (to protect the stain and repel dirt, I guess).
Can you tell by examining non-darkened areas (i.e., those with no traffic at all) whether the boards were "finished" with a clear coat after they were stained?
Bob
Quote from: squibber on April 22, 2021, 01:40:03 PM
Any hardwood floor experts here? We bought a condo that has nice hardwoods but there are a few high traffic spots where they look darkened. I kind of doubt a spray bottle of Bona will get it out but I fear something too strong will strip the shiny finish. Getting it professionally cleaned would cost around $400.
Squib
We have an entire house with hardwood floors. If they were finished and you now see dark areas where the poly has worn away, just bite he bullet and have them redone. Unless you can physically get down on your hands and knees, sand the affected area, put new poly down and 'hope' it matches the old finish, that is a tough sell. Also, you can rent a sander from Home Depot and 'do it yourself' but I tried that many years ago and never again. Pay the guys who know what they are doing and live with it. One thing I will tell you, regardless of what they say to get you to do the job. Any pro will sand the wood down and then put a sealer on it before doing at least 2 coats of poly. There is even a certain poly that is stronger than regular poly but it stinks and will smell for several weeks afterwards, and is usually more expensive, but it is harder than regular poly and is suppose to last longer. All I know of it is it is a milky white liquid. With a sealer and 2 coats of poly you should be good to go for another 5 years.
Again, bite the bullet and do it.
Bob, the non darkened parts of the floor are pretty shiny actually so I think it has a polyurethane coating. I
Lenn, thanks for the advice. I guess the expensive option is the only option. That
Quote from: squibber on April 22, 2021, 08:35:21 PM
Lenn, thanks for the advice. I guess the expensive option is the only option. That
Quote from: Bob In PA on April 23, 2021, 12:38:01 AM
squib: Everyone I asked agrees with Lenn. If you're resigned to spending the money, get a mild floor cleaner and try it on a small area... just to be sure. But be careful to first read the label of anything you use... even certain mild cleaners specify they are NOT for wood floors!!! My wife says (and I agree) if you already need to call in a pro, you haven't got much to lose by trying (if you use a product intended for cleaning wood). Bob
Bob, thanks for the sound advice!
Quote from: squibber on April 23, 2021, 07:31:04 AM
Bob, thanks for the sound advice!
If the floor still shines and you think the poly is intact, then try cleaning the area yourself. There is a product called Bruce's Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Go to Home Depot and get a the spray bottle and buy the poly buffer pad with the stick handle. It will also bring back some of the luster so I recommend you do it on the entire floor. The affected area may take a few attempts. I use it once a month or as needed.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bruce%27s+hardwood+floor+cleaner&sxsrf=ALeKk00IQpKm8AXIlyCBY-foKY6y8QFZeg:1619182202807&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=Cb4wiCSbwW_dwM%252CMWqbiMnNxLimlM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQPhS1EiKBCFbQqHT0pIRMVHZ9lgw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqgJngs5TwAhWRg-AKHRHQCS0Q_h0wA3oECBsQCQ&biw=931&bih=516&dpr=3#imgrc=Cb4wiCSbwW_dwM
https://us.e-cloth.com/products/10620-deep-clean-mop?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4ImEBhDFARIsAGOTMj-mutQ5WsxLE29N8OAeP-ohdOKpasfEib1_Uq_-Wxt0yOVDXs5IPY0aAmfiEALw_wcB
Thanks, Ed! Worth trying.
Interesting subject as I too had stains on my hardwood floors. I ended up renting equipment to refinish the main floors. It took a few days of prep and sanding (especially getting into the corners where the machine didn't reach) and then spent hours on my hands and knees putting on three coats of satin polyurethane over a 2-week period. Lotta work!
Since we are sitting on a bar stool, here's a question:
What is a better feeling - hitting a home run and the feel of the bat in your hands when you know you "got it" or, hitting the sweet spot with your driver and dropping the ball exactly where you wanted it about 350 yards away?
I really want to know because I have never had a drive like that, although in HS and college (and later in life, fast pitch softball) I hit multiple HRs and it is a great feeling - simply an incredible feeling. For some reason, my hand eye coordination was such that seeing/timing/shifting weight at a 90 mph fastball coming towards me came easy to me, but for the life of me, I can't seem to consistently hit my driver like I'd like. With thousands of swings, I've hit some solid shots, but the ball hooks or slices or just ends up lost in the woods. Any good feeling in my hands are erased by knowing the ball is probably lost. The harder I try, the more likely I am to worm hop it or skull it so bad that it's embarrassing. And if there's water, my balls automatically seek it out and grasp it from the air - so consistently that it seems like a conspiracy from the Almighty! So, in order to play a reasonable round of golf, I take easy 3/4 swings to let the club do the work while my golf partners out drive me by a hundred yards and tell me lovely things like "hike up your skirt next time" or ask me "does your husband play?", etc. I can't "grip it and rip it" because if I try to hit the ball long and hard, I never marry that sweet spot on the club head with the ball. It looks so easy and people tell me my hands are right, my stance is right, and that my swing is exactly what it should be. So why can't I hit the @#$ little white ball like I used to hit baseballs and the ole Dudley softballs? I want to know that feeling of driving a ball like an amateur DeChambeau ~X(
Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 25, 2021, 10:12:13 AM
Interesting subject as I too had stains on my hardwood floors. I ended up renting equipment to refinish the main floors. It took a few days of prep and sanding (especially getting into the corners where the machine didn't reach) and then spent hours on my hands and knees putting on three coats of satin polyurethane over a 2-week period. Lotta work!
Since we are sitting on a bar stool, here's a question:
What is a better feeling - hitting a home run and the feel of the bat in your hands when you know you "got it" or, hitting the sweet spot with your driver and dropping the ball exactly where you wanted it about 350 yards away?
I really want to know because I have never had a drive like that, although in HS and college (and later in life, fast pitch softball) I hit multiple HRs and it is a great feeling - simply an incredible feeling. For some reason, my hand eye coordination was such that seeing/timing/shifting weight at a 90 mph fastball coming towards me came easy to me, but for the life of me, I can't seem to consistently hit my driver like I'd like. With thousands of swings, I've hit some solid shots, but the ball hooks or slices or just ends up lost in the woods. Any good feeling in my hands are erased by knowing the ball is probably lost. The harder I try, the more likely I am to worm hop it or skull it so bad that it's embarrassing. And if there's water, my balls automatically seek it out and grasp it from the air - so consistently that it seems like a conspiracy from the Almighty! So, in order to play a reasonable round of golf, I take easy 3/4 swings to let the club do the work while my golf partners out drive me by a hundred yards and tell me lovely things like "hike up your skirt next time" or ask me "does your husband play?", etc. I can't "grip it and rip it" because if I try to hit the ball long and hard, I never marry that sweet spot on the club head with the ball. It looks so easy and people tell me my hands are right, my stance is right, and that my swing is exactly what it should be. So why can't I hit the @#$ little white ball like I used to hit baseballs and the ole Dudley softballs? I want to know that feeling of driving a ball like an amateur DeChambeau ~X(
JBG how true!!!!
I only golf once or twice a year - mostly to hang out with friends and have a couple of beers. If there is a hazard to the left I hook it it, to the right I slice it.
Did you ever play Genegantslet back in the day? They had a hole (long since changed - can't remember what number) that used to run parallel to Rt 12. I took out a car's windshield while it was driving up Rt 12 with a wicked slice once.
Quote from: philo43 on April 25, 2021, 10:48:38 AM
JBG how true!!!!
I only golf once or twice a year - mostly to hang out with friends and have a couple of beers. If there is a hazard to the left I hook it it, to the right I slice it.
Did you ever play Genegantslet back in the day? They had a hole (long since changed - can't remember what number) that used to run parallel to Rt 12. I took out a car's windshield while it was driving up Rt 12 with a wicked slice once.
Yeah, I've played Genny a few times. I mostly play Ely or Maple Hill in Marathon. I try to get out once a week, but my golf partner got in a wreck a few weeks ago and is in bad shape. You may have read about it. He fell asleep on Rt 81 along that stretch across from SUNY Broome and ran into a tractor trailer. The next week, all the large electronic signs on 81 and 17 had things like, "Stay Awake - Live", etc. It's what happens when you try to work 80 hours a week and keep up with his son's soccer games and his daughter's field hockey games. Anyway, last year my grandson got really into golfing so he is now my partner. He pushes me to get out and be active. In the winter, he constantly drags me out to go skiing and he's getting good enough that it's getting hard to keep up with him.
Getting back to Genny. The most memorable shot I had there was one of my shots that dribbled into the water. Very close to the shore line and only in a couple inches of water so it was possible to stand on the bank without getting wet and hitting the submerged ball. I chose a wedge because I was only about 50 yards out from the hole. Anyway, I took a full swing and displaced about 2 gallons of water right on top of my head. I was soaked from head to tail...LOL. My "buddies" really got a kick out of it!
Here's a couple of shots with my grandson (Willowbrook Golf Course, Cortland, NY):
(https://i.postimg.cc/pXHdpd3N/001.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9fR2x3st/003.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v1sCBKYc)
New bar room subject:
Racquetball or Squash?
Tennis or Pickleball?
As for me (at 68 years old), I prefer Squash over Racquetball even though I was the Racquetball champ in college for a couple of years. I just don't have the energy and endurance to chase the bouncy racquetball like I used to. Squash is more mental IMO, sorta like playing chess compared to playing checkers. There are no second chances when a ball gets beyond you and bounces back for a second chance to recover like with racquetball. I still play squash on occasion, but have trouble digging the ball out of the bucket or when the ball is too close to the side wall.
I don't have the flexibility, endurance, and eye sight that I used to have and I used to love tennis. Haven't played it in a couple years now. I have never tried pickleball, but it looks right up my ally. Maybe once I get to move to Florida, I'll get to play it. Anyone here have experience with pickleball?
Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 25, 2021, 01:48:40 PM
New bar room subject:
Racquetball or Squash?
Tennis or Pickleball?
As for me (at 68 years old), I prefer Squash over Racquetball even though I was the Racquetball champ in college for a couple of years. I just don't have the energy and endurance to chase the bouncy racquetball like I used to. Squash is more mental IMO, sorta like playing chess compared to playing checkers. There are no second chances when a ball gets beyond you and bounces back for a second chance to recover like with racquetball. I still play squash on occasion, but have trouble digging the ball out of the bucket or when the ball is too close to the side wall.
I don't have the flexibility, endurance, and eye sight that I used to have and I used to love tennis. Haven't played it in a couple years now. I have never tried pickleball, but it looks right up my ally. Maybe once I get to move to Florida, I'll get to play it. Anyone here have experience with pickleball?
Jolly: For me it was once racquetball and tennis (I don't think pickle-ball had been invented back then LOL). These days, it is just tennis, and rarely that. It's not due to old age but rather to lack of free time. Bob
Quote from: Bob In PA on April 25, 2021, 02:48:08 PM
Jolly: For me it was once racquetball and tennis (I don't think pickle-ball had been invented back then LOL). These days, it is just tennis, and rarely that. It's not due to old age but rather to lack of free time. Bob
I don't think the game is more than a few years old. I've never played it because I've never been around a court and don't even know where I'd find one. I would like to try it though and I suspect I'd really like it because it's less running. Specially now that I'm an old fart!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtCRY67SqvU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtCRY67SqvU)
Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 25, 2021, 06:36:38 PM
I don't think the game is more than a few years old. I've never played it because I've never been around a court and don't even know where I'd find one. I would like to try it though and I suspect I'd really like it because it's less running. Specially now that I'm an old fart!
Jolly: It's a bit like playing ping-pong while standing on the table. LOL
Quote from: Bob In PA on April 25, 2021, 11:42:52 PM
Jolly: It's a bit like playing ping-pong while standing on the table. LOL
That's what it seems like to me as well. I love ping pong and I love tennis - sort of a compromise :laugh:
Jolly Blue Giant, I have to go hitting a slow pitch softball over hitting a golf ball although I didn
Quote from: squibber on April 26, 2021, 04:27:29 PM
Jolly Blue Giant, I have to go hitting a slow pitch softball over hitting a golf ball although I didn
Quote from: Bob In PA on April 25, 2021, 02:48:08 PM
Jolly: For me it was once racquetball and tennis (I don't think pickle-ball had been invented back then LOL). These days, it is just tennis, and rarely that. It's not due to old age but rather to lack of free time. Bob
I played racquetball for several years when I worked at the YMCA in Portland Maine. I was a pretty good B player but nothing like the A players. One of the men I worked with at the Y was one of the Maine Doubles Champion and it was just amazing to see him play. I really loved the game but time and bad knees have ended my ability to play anymore.
I had lunch with one of my former competitors a few weeks ago and I said that if I could have 1 day to be able to do something I could not do now it would be to have a day that I could play racquetball one more time!
Bill
Our only child moved out of our home. It sucks. Things aren
Quote from: squibber on May 03, 2021, 04:27:32 PM
Our only child moved out of our home. It sucks. Things aren
Ha Squib
We have 3 children and our last, seemed as if he was NEVER going to get out. He stayed with us for about 8 years after he graduated from college and if we saw him for 10 minutes each day, that was a lot. He did eat dinner with us on Friday nights as that is our Sabbath, but other than that, I did everything I could to get him to move out, alas with no luck. It took a wonderful girl to get him to move out from us and in with her. I danced for joy, but my darling wife, not so much. We do enjoy our 'freedom' now==a lot.
Quote from: LennG on May 03, 2021, 06:21:09 PM
We have 3 children and our last, seemed as if he was NEVER going to get out. He stayed with us for about 8 years after he graduated from college and if we saw him for 10 minutes each day, that was a lot. He did eat dinner with us on Friday nights as that is our Sabbath, but other than that, I did everything I could to get him to move out, alas with no luck. It took a wonderful girl to get him to move out from us and in with her. I danced for joy, but my darling wife, not so much. We do enjoy our 'freedom' now==a lot.
Lenn: Have you guys "downsized" yet or are you still in the family homestead? Bob
I
I
I wish I could offer you some advice Squib, but in reality, I can't.
About a year ago, my wife had some dental work done. About 3 months later, she noticed a bump/lump on the side of her mouth. We went to the doctor and he advised us to see an ear/nose/throat specialist which we did. Until we saw him, we were plenty worried as we always worry about everything. Out doctor said he felt it was nothing but just to be sure, see the specialist. The specialist took one look at it and said it was nothing and probably caused by the dental work. It might go away or it might never. Obviously we were relieved.
Don't know how this may apply to you, but sometimes we overthink things. Whatever you do, don't look things up on the internet and try and self-diagnose things, that is a complete waste of time and energy.
Hopefully, the reports come back with great news.
Thanks, Lenn!
Not yet, Ed. Thanks. The biopsy is scheduled for July 5. I will post the results of the biopsy.
Update On My Wife: The doctor called today to let us know the results of the three biopsies of the back of the tongue. It took longer because he was on vacation last week.
They were negative! No cancer and he doesn
God bless her! There's nothing better than good news.
Quote from: squibber on July 21, 2021, 11:25:05 AM
Update On My Wife: The doctor called today to let us know the results of the three biopsies of the back of the tongue. It took longer because he was on vacation last week.
They were negative! No cancer and he doesn
Oh, excellent news squibber!! Time to celebrate!!
Quote from: squibber on July 21, 2021, 11:25:05 AM
Update On My Wife: The doctor called today to let us know the results of the three biopsies of the back of the tongue. It took longer because he was on vacation last week.
They were negative! No cancer and he doesn