Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Playing soccer is one of many hobbies I have. I enjoy watching, but I prefer to play… even my old knees are creaking lol

Anyways, recently one of the cleat brand released limited edition cleats. Sadly I couldn’t pre-order on time. So I had to purchase in second hand (fraction more than actual cost). On the weekend, it came, so I try em on. I thought I knew my size, or they change the shape of the cleats, it’s a bit big. About 1/2 size bigger than I like. It’s a leather cleats, so it will stretch, so I need tighter to get the leather fit perfect to my feet. I cannot send it back, cuz it’s second hand (eBay) & seller don’t take back. Now I’m debating to buy another one.

Do I have the money (+$300)? Yes. Is it necessary? No.

Should I buy or nah.

Do like we did in the old Army, to get new leather combat boots to fit perfectly. Chose a really hot day, thoroughly soak the boots in hot water, put em on and lace them up really tight. Go for a 10 mile hike carrying a full backpack.

After your cleats dry out and your feet heal up thoroughly, your feet and the cleats will get along fine.

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I’m honestly not sure yet. It looks like from the manual it detected a refrigerant leak but I checked everywhere and don’t see any signs of leaking. Of course the weather just hit so all the HVAC guys are busy.

It really depends on what happens with work. SLC was also a production facility that supplied like 4 other branches as well as having a ton of routes. Well for some reason they had to shut down production recently and they are getting supplied from NV and it has been a shit show. It will probably be in the next month or two if I have to go. This whole merger thing(some would say a hostile takeover) has been a mess the last 6 months nationally. Luckily we have been largely unaffected.

Oof! I hate those unknown leak issue. This is the reason why I still have house warranty. I’ll let the specialist take care those issues.

Yeah I remember you were saying how crazy the merge was in the Discord. Still a mess huh? I wonder how long they gonna go at this.

Originally Posted by humfrz

Do like we did in the old Army, to get new leather combat boots to fit perfectly. Chose a really hot day, thoroughly soak the boots in hot water, put em on and lace them up really tight. Go for a 10 mile hike carrying a full backpack.

After your cleats dry out and your feet heal up thoroughly, your feet and the cleats will get along fine.

Issue is, cleat is 1/2 size too big.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Playing soccer is one of many hobbies I have. I enjoy watching, but I prefer to play… even my old knees are creaking lol.

I think @NoHaveMSG has the right idea, that's what I would do (sell one buy again).

Speaking of soccer, I got season tickets for Atlanta United this year for my 3 sons and me. We've had a great time going to the games, even if United is sucking it up this year. Our seats are at a 45 degree angle to the right corner and in the second tier of the home goal but Mercedes Benz stadium doesn't have a bad seat in it. The seat across the aisle from us (towards center) was $400 more per seat for the season, so we're doing OK.

Mercedes Benz Stadium also has realistic concessions pricing (for example, $2 hot dogs, $2 refillable sodas, $5 domestic beers, $6 chicken fingers and fries) which all makes the experience better.

We also get MLS on AppleTV for free as part of the passes so I've been watching a lot more soccer than I have since probably college. Going to the games encouraged my youngest son (no a school counselor) to get back into the game. He's playing in a league now, as a keeper.

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I think @NoHaveMSG has the right idea, that's what I would do (sell one buy again).

Speaking of soccer, I got season tickets for Atlanta United this year for my 3 sons and me. We've had a great time going to the games, even if United is sucking it up this year. Our seats are at a 45 degree angle to the right corner and in the second tier of the home goal but Mercedes Benz stadium doesn't have a bad seat in it. The seat across the aisle from us (towards center) was $400 more per seat for the season, so we're doing OK.

Mercedes Benz Stadium also has realistic concessions pricing (for example, $2 hot dogs, $2 refillable sodas, $5 domestic beers, $6 chicken fingers and fries) which all makes the experience better.

We also get MLS on AppleTV for free as part of the passes so I've been watching a lot more soccer than I have since probably college. Going to the games encouraged my youngest son (no a school counselor) to get back into the game. He's playing in a league now, as a keeper.

Nice! Me & Mrs ichi were thinking of buying a season tickets this year… but things came up & didn’t buy it. Thankfully that was a good idea, cuz RSL sucks this season! I can barely watch it. The funds will be used for mini Mr/Ms ichi lol

[Dadhawk]

MomHawk and I did our first ever Auto-X yesterday as part of a "Mustang Unleashed" experience she got when she bought her Mustang last year.

It was an all-day event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway at the Ford Performance Racing School. The package she chose consisted of several events.

The Auto-X was at the end of the day. We drove stock Mustang GTs. Each person (owner and guest) got three laps with last lap being the one that "counted". All but one of the 8 pairs were Male/Female. About half the group (including us) had never done Auto-X before. MomHawk took honors as fastest female by almost 2 seconds, in fourth place overall. I took 3rd place, beating her by less than .02 seconds. We were the fastest pair as well, both with clean laps with no penalties.

There was one couple who were both the fastest of the entire group and the most experienced but on their timed laps they both hit two cones, knocking them out of contention.

Besides the Auto-X, there was a road tour where we went to several Racing Museums and the NC Music Hall of Fame. We drove a provided Mustang GT or EcoBoost, and during the drive times the lead car went over features in the car via radio, like active cruise control, switching drive modes, etc. There was also a Poker Run (which we won with two pair). Favorite stop was the Mustang Owner's Museum where, amongst other vehicles, they had one of the original clay full size models of a Mustang. I had no idea until I read the sign it was clay. The interior in the background is also clay. (picture below)

We then took a pace lap around Charlotte Motor Speedway, but at a relatively pedestrian speed of about 50MPH.

After lunch, there was a Legacy Ride where we got to drive all the Generations of the Mustang on two laps around the Speedways Cart track, switching drivers after each one. What we learned is they don't build them like they used to, and that's a good thing! My favorite was an orange 1972 MACH 1 that had no power steering and had a Radio Shack Realistic tape deck in it. Each car had hit music from its era playing in it while you drove.

We then did an emergency swerve and ABS brake run at 30MPH, 35MPH and 40MPH. This was followed by the Auto-X.

[Stephen W.]

Dadhawk, of all the places the wife worked at she was at the Ford dealership the longest. Any of the events we attended were all very well done. Sounds like your wife’s “Mustang Unleashed” was no exception. Very happy you two had such a wonderful time.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

MomHawk and I did our first ever Auto-X yesterday as part of a "Mustang Unleashed" experience she got when she bought her Mustang last year.

It was an all-day event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway at the Ford Performance Racing School. The package she chose consisted of several events.

The Auto-X was at the end of the day. We drove stock Mustang GTs. Each person (owner and guest) got three laps with last lap being the one that "counted". All but one of the 8 pairs were Male/Female. About half the group (including us) had never done Auto-X before. MomHawk took honors as fastest female by almost 2 seconds, in fourth place overall. I took 3rd place, beating her by less than .02 seconds. We were the fastest pair as well, both with clean laps with no penalties.

There was one couple who were both the fastest of the entire group and the most experienced but on their timed laps they both hit two cones, knocking them out of contention.

Besides the Auto-X, there was a road tour where we went to several Racing Museums and the NC Music Hall of Fame. We drove a provided Mustang GT or EcoBoost, and during the drive times the lead car went over features in the car via radio, like active cruise control, switching drive modes, etc. There was also a Poker Run (which we won with two pair). Favorite stop was the Mustang Owner's Museum where, amongst other vehicles, they had one of the original clay full size models of a Mustang. I had no idea until I read the sign it was clay. The interior in the background is also clay. (picture below)

We then took a pace lap around Charlotte Motor Speedway, but at a relatively pedestrian speed of about 50MPH.

After lunch, there was a Legacy Ride where we got to drive all the Generations of the Mustang on two laps around the Speedways Cart track, switching drivers after each one. What we learned is they don't build them like they used to, and that's a good thing! My favorite was an orange 1972 MACH 1 that had no power steering and had a Radio Shack Realistic tape deck in it. Each car had hit music from its era playing in it while you drove.

We then did an emergency swerve and ABS brake run at 30MPH, 35MPH and 40MPH. This was followed by the Auto-X.

That sounds like a damn enjoyable day!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

That sounds like a damn enjoyable day!

Particularly given it was "free" for both of us with the purchase of the vehicle. The package MomHawk chose is not the one I would have picked (her car her rules) as the other two involved more track time (one had speedway track time, the other had drag track time) but really Ford and the Ford Performance Racing team did a great job.

I would 100% do it again.

[korhun]

I was thinking about ultra and humfrz lately, I dont know why.. Just saw their recent messages and got happy somehow.. cheers

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by korhun

I was thinking about ultra and humfrz lately, I dont know why.. Just saw their recent messages and got happy somehow.. cheers

They are the few OG of the forum

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by korhun

I was thinking about ultra and humfrz lately, I dont know why.. Just saw their recent messages and got happy somehow.. cheers

Happy because YOU'RE NOT OLD!

[Spuds]

Is it just me, or does this place look different?

[JD001]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Happy because YOU'RE NOT OLD!

At point does one become old? Is it a number? Is it when one's hair decides to vacate one's head? Is it when one realises buying new kitchen utensils that will most likely outlast what ever years are ahead of one? Or is it when you move to slip on shoes?

[blsfrs]

Earlier this week, my son got a real good deal on a 2020 Model 3. We gave him permission to plug it in here since we have rooftop solar. He got a NEMA 6-50 adaptor to plug into my welder outlet.

Can you tell when he is visiting? Hint: His visits also seem to coincide with meal times.