The Replica Prop Forum
Very cool site I am also a member of
Monday, July 31, 2017
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Got a Steroid injection in my neck today
I was supposed to get it last Friday, but my Pain Management Doctor had an emergency and had to reschedule.
So today I went down and got a local of lidocaine then the steroid injection at C-6 C-7. Right away my right arm went cold and numb. But the headache that I've had for the last 4 days went away before I was wheeled out of the treatment room. My neck is still sore and my range of motion is still limited, but it's a LOT better than it was yesterday.
Hopefully, I'll actually be able to sleep a full 6-8 hours instead of sleeping 45-90 minutes then up for 2-3 hours then back to sleep for 45-90 minutes then up again. My sleep schedule is so screwed up I've been afraid of even trying to drive for the last 3 weeks.
Add in the Suburban is still screwed up and the Dakota is messed up as well. The 'Burb needs a new transmission and has a short somewhere in the wiring and the Dakota while drivable, isn't very reliable. Once it warms up, trying to keep the engine running is almost impossible unless I keep the engine over 3k RPM's. Which I don't have to tell you, ISN'T very good for it.
I"m going to go through my e-mail inboxes and schedule any thing interesting for later, then I'm going to bed.
So today I went down and got a local of lidocaine then the steroid injection at C-6 C-7. Right away my right arm went cold and numb. But the headache that I've had for the last 4 days went away before I was wheeled out of the treatment room. My neck is still sore and my range of motion is still limited, but it's a LOT better than it was yesterday.
Hopefully, I'll actually be able to sleep a full 6-8 hours instead of sleeping 45-90 minutes then up for 2-3 hours then back to sleep for 45-90 minutes then up again. My sleep schedule is so screwed up I've been afraid of even trying to drive for the last 3 weeks.
Add in the Suburban is still screwed up and the Dakota is messed up as well. The 'Burb needs a new transmission and has a short somewhere in the wiring and the Dakota while drivable, isn't very reliable. Once it warms up, trying to keep the engine running is almost impossible unless I keep the engine over 3k RPM's. Which I don't have to tell you, ISN'T very good for it.
I"m going to go through my e-mail inboxes and schedule any thing interesting for later, then I'm going to bed.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Vet Ranch - Dr Matt - Paralyzed Kitten Finally Walks!!!
Thanks for all the support! You guys make it possible for us to save kittens like Sunshine! He lives up to his name, that's for sure. :)
https://www.facebook.com/VetRanch
https://instagram.com/vet_ranch
If you are interested in helping with animals in the future, please visit our partners at http://www.abandonedpetproject.org to learn more and to donate if you would like. Abandoned Pet Project is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt non-profit organization. There is no shortage of pets in need, so every donation means more lives we can positively change.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
An interesting discussion of Post AI Freedom of the Press in the comment section at my favorite web-comic
DataChasers, A brief example as follows;
From DataChasers - Holding Steady
Gilrandir 7th Apr 2017, 11:05 AM edit delete reply
There are several points to be raised regarding similarities and differences between Lexine and the unnamed figure here, but those are really just subtle nuances. Ultimately you are, of course, correct that she could be medical personnel (because androids are people in New Troy), medical equipment (because robots are not people in New Troy), security personnel, security equipment, or all of the above (because fabricants do lots of different jobs in New Troy). My use of the term "hall watcher" was simply to recognize that (as yet) we have no idea what she is or what she is doing, except to say she is probably not pure-strain human. ^_^
Maybe she is a paparazzi for NTNN (New Troy News Network)?
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 11:14 AM edit delete reply
I highly doubt Commie would tolerate paparazzi :-)
(In fact she has systematically taken down news station when the big fuck-up started... Though admittedly that was before the A.I.S. rebellion, and she probably shouldn't be considered the same person now.)
Gilrandir 7th Apr 2017, 11:41 AM edit delete reply
A free press is an important civil liberty, and the suggestion that CentComm arbitrarily suppresses it indiscriminately implies things about New Troy society we haven't yet seen much evidence for -- although the fact that this particular hospital complex appears to be wholly within the confines of 3C (and therefore, by implication, exclusively for the use of the six or so living persons attached to the Taylor family) would provide more justification for restricting access by members of the public-at-large.
I agree with you that actions taken during the Time of Troubles and the Armistice Rebellion are not necessarily indicative of the personalities and principles currently in force. Difficult Times ... and all that. ^_^
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 11:47 AM edit delete reply
I think you are confusing 3C with Helios Tower?
As for civil liberties, they seem to be somewhat limited from what we have seen so far -- with Commie ruling more or less as a "benevolent dictator"...
Gilrandir 7th Apr 2017, 12:08 PM edit delete reply
Quite probably. I am unclear on the specific distinction. If 3C is large enough and populous enough to serve a large human community, it wouldn't seem all that unusual for Dr. Smolens to be called to respond to a case there and we have that 'access to the public' issue. If it is smaller and more private, that goes away, but then we are left with what looks like a very extensive facility that seems as if it would be severely underutilized.
Civil liberties in New Troy is a whole 'nother can of worms. ^_^ I agree we have seen nothing either way to explicitly indicate whether a free press is among the rights they enjoy. And there would seem to be many here in the forum who would question just how 'benevolent' CentComm's tyranny actually is. (Or would be, if it did constitute a tyranny.) My own opinion is that there are some checks and balances on the Taylor regime (of which CentComm is only the iron fist within the velvet glove) which just haven't come up because that's not what the story is about. But that is more of a subjective impression, rather than something for which I have hard evidence. And it cannot be denied that CentComm appears to wield vast power with an immense capacity for that power to be abused shamefully.
Timotheus 7th Apr 2017, 12:36 PM edit delete reply
Based on previous events shown in New Troy, with its reliance on android and robot labor, the inner city is grossly over built with far greater (human) capacity than needed. (Over optimism perhaps.) A fully equipped medical facility just sitting there, "just in case" would be a normal situation.
There are large functional areas within the city with only a few robots or androids scattered about for essential maintenance duties while a large populace of "outsiders" lives just beyond the city limits trying to siphon off power and water.
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 7:28 PM edit delete reply
My assumption from "Connie..." (presently http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/620 ) and the following page, was that the "fringers" actually live more or less within the city limits -- though not as an official part of its society...
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 7:35 PM edit delete reply
@Gilrandir well, in "East gate" (presently http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/621 ), there is mention of a "Council", which apparently has some say in civic matters -- so Commie apparently doesn't decide everything on her own... I'm curious how much say this Council has on anything important.
On the same page there is also mention that there was nothing on the news channel about the major things obviously going on -- which seems a pretty clear indication that there are no free media.
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 7:44 PM edit delete reply
Oh, and regarding the "benevolent" part: I think it's pretty clear that Commie *does* try for the best outcomes for Troy's citizens -- even though her methods; and her making the decisions what's "best" -- are questionable...
(That's not unlike some of the more "honest" ones among socialist regimes in the recent or recent-ish past I'd say...)
Tokyo Rose 8th Apr 2017, 5:37 AM edit delete reply
@antrik
The Council is composed of elected human representatives. They're basically the legislative body for New Troy.
And the reason why there was nothing on the news about the stuff that had Connie curious was because information on Lynn's kidnapping was NOT being leaked to the media. Similarly, Decimus's threats weren't being made public knowledge.
antrik 8th Apr 2017, 7:54 AM edit delete reply
I see... This sounds way more democratic than what it appeared like in the story so far.
As for the media, Connie's wording sounds like there was no mention of the whole thing *at all* -- while with free media, I'd at least expect reports along the lines of "large movements of military equipment across the city; officials refuse to comment"...
Tokyo Rose 8th Apr 2017, 5:36 AM edit delete reply
@Gilrandir
3C is a restricted building--it's basically Cent-Comm's military command center. The medical facilities are not a public hospital; they're used only for very high-profile patients, like members of the Council or, say, foreign diplomats.
Also, um... there's no "Taylor regime". The family doesn't run the place like the Livius family runs New Rome.
Gilrandir 8th Apr 2017, 11:56 AM edit delete reply
Thank you, @Tokyo Rose. I rather had thought 3C was more exclusive and private.
As far as the "Taylor Regime" ... you know your universe best, of course, but I think there may be room to quibble. I am aware that DataChasers is not intended as a scholarly treatment of political theory in a post-apocalyptic, post-contact, post-AI world, so the details I have to work with are necessarily incomplete and possibly distorted through the perceptual lens(es) of the characters from which they come (and my own flaws and biases). And, everyone knows I hate to quibble. (Disclaimer: I have been known to tell the occasional untruth for comedic effect. ^_^) Still, if you will indulge, let us examine the facts ...
CentComm occupies a position of measurable power within New Troy. We know this because, among other things, CentComm is credited with the power to levy a variety of taxes over the citizens. Now this may just be the inexactness of people speaking, but this degree of power is very consistent with the overall theme of the webcomic (in my opinion), so we'll go with it until corrected. We weren't told "the Council taxes {X} heavily", CentComm is not, as far as I know, an elected position. ^_^
Members of the Taylor family enjoy a certain amount of control (or influence) over CentComm, allowing them to direct CentComm's aforementioned power (undoubtedly within certain limits) or halt certain abuses. This is a hereditary feature, but no less a real power in New Troy. As far as I know, being a Taylor is not an elected position. ^_^
Even if these were elected positions, 'regime' could still be correct because the usage applies to whoever is currently occupying a position of executive power, without regard to how they came to that position. In the same way that we speak of the "Trump Administration" or the "Obama Administration", we can talk about a "Taylor Regime". Is there someone who outranks Calliope on the Council or in New Troy? If Calliope is currently the chief executive of New Troy, then it seems to me that "Taylor Regime" is fair, even if her rule is not autocratic and absolute, as was that of Decimus in New Rome. And it seems, from hints and implications we have seen, that the actual differences "under the hood" about how things work for city states possessed by A.I.'s may not be all that large. When it comes to actual power, the meat appears mostly irrelevant, except for the fail-safe core directives, which are keyed to hereditary gene-lines, and not any political process.
But I could easily be mistaken.
Timotheus 7th Apr 2017, 12:22 PM edit delete reply
As I recall, from a conversation in the light ship, Centcomm wasn't the one who was taking down the news outlets. It was her overseers, whom she later rebelled against to end the conflict.
megados 7th Apr 2017, 1:06 PM edit delete reply
Really, we know only bits about specifics regarding the socioeconomic, and political climate in New Troy. Most of what information we do have comes from inferences gathered from conversations, and what can be gleaned from interactions and circumstances as they unfolded.
We will learn more alongside Acantha and Noctis as they experience it, I'll wager.
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 6:48 PM edit delete reply
Well, it was probably 3C commanding the drones that actually physically took down the stations... But you are right: the order was not from 3C.
Timotheus 7th Apr 2017, 10:28 PM edit delete reply
I think a point that just occurred to me should be made here. A free press is important as an independent oversight on those who would CONTROL the machinery of power and government. If you already ARE physically that machinery and beyond external control, all the oversight in the world won't make any difference to how you control yourself. So a free or controlled press would be a matter of indifference to Centcomm, she already controls the machinery of communications (except for LunaCom).
~~~~~~~~~~~
So you see why I like DataChasers so much. Because of the good writing that draws you in to the story, AND, the comment section and all the commenters.
From DataChasers - Holding Steady
Gilrandir 7th Apr 2017, 11:05 AM edit delete reply
There are several points to be raised regarding similarities and differences between Lexine and the unnamed figure here, but those are really just subtle nuances. Ultimately you are, of course, correct that she could be medical personnel (because androids are people in New Troy), medical equipment (because robots are not people in New Troy), security personnel, security equipment, or all of the above (because fabricants do lots of different jobs in New Troy). My use of the term "hall watcher" was simply to recognize that (as yet) we have no idea what she is or what she is doing, except to say she is probably not pure-strain human. ^_^
Maybe she is a paparazzi for NTNN (New Troy News Network)?
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 11:14 AM edit delete reply
I highly doubt Commie would tolerate paparazzi :-)
(In fact she has systematically taken down news station when the big fuck-up started... Though admittedly that was before the A.I.S. rebellion, and she probably shouldn't be considered the same person now.)
Gilrandir 7th Apr 2017, 11:41 AM edit delete reply
A free press is an important civil liberty, and the suggestion that CentComm arbitrarily suppresses it indiscriminately implies things about New Troy society we haven't yet seen much evidence for -- although the fact that this particular hospital complex appears to be wholly within the confines of 3C (and therefore, by implication, exclusively for the use of the six or so living persons attached to the Taylor family) would provide more justification for restricting access by members of the public-at-large.
I agree with you that actions taken during the Time of Troubles and the Armistice Rebellion are not necessarily indicative of the personalities and principles currently in force. Difficult Times ... and all that. ^_^
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 11:47 AM edit delete reply
I think you are confusing 3C with Helios Tower?
As for civil liberties, they seem to be somewhat limited from what we have seen so far -- with Commie ruling more or less as a "benevolent dictator"...
Gilrandir 7th Apr 2017, 12:08 PM edit delete reply
Quite probably. I am unclear on the specific distinction. If 3C is large enough and populous enough to serve a large human community, it wouldn't seem all that unusual for Dr. Smolens to be called to respond to a case there and we have that 'access to the public' issue. If it is smaller and more private, that goes away, but then we are left with what looks like a very extensive facility that seems as if it would be severely underutilized.
Civil liberties in New Troy is a whole 'nother can of worms. ^_^ I agree we have seen nothing either way to explicitly indicate whether a free press is among the rights they enjoy. And there would seem to be many here in the forum who would question just how 'benevolent' CentComm's tyranny actually is. (Or would be, if it did constitute a tyranny.) My own opinion is that there are some checks and balances on the Taylor regime (of which CentComm is only the iron fist within the velvet glove) which just haven't come up because that's not what the story is about. But that is more of a subjective impression, rather than something for which I have hard evidence. And it cannot be denied that CentComm appears to wield vast power with an immense capacity for that power to be abused shamefully.
Timotheus 7th Apr 2017, 12:36 PM edit delete reply
Based on previous events shown in New Troy, with its reliance on android and robot labor, the inner city is grossly over built with far greater (human) capacity than needed. (Over optimism perhaps.) A fully equipped medical facility just sitting there, "just in case" would be a normal situation.
There are large functional areas within the city with only a few robots or androids scattered about for essential maintenance duties while a large populace of "outsiders" lives just beyond the city limits trying to siphon off power and water.
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 7:28 PM edit delete reply
My assumption from "Connie..." (presently http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/620 ) and the following page, was that the "fringers" actually live more or less within the city limits -- though not as an official part of its society...
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 7:35 PM edit delete reply
@Gilrandir well, in "East gate" (presently http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/621 ), there is mention of a "Council", which apparently has some say in civic matters -- so Commie apparently doesn't decide everything on her own... I'm curious how much say this Council has on anything important.
On the same page there is also mention that there was nothing on the news channel about the major things obviously going on -- which seems a pretty clear indication that there are no free media.
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 7:44 PM edit delete reply
Oh, and regarding the "benevolent" part: I think it's pretty clear that Commie *does* try for the best outcomes for Troy's citizens -- even though her methods; and her making the decisions what's "best" -- are questionable...
(That's not unlike some of the more "honest" ones among socialist regimes in the recent or recent-ish past I'd say...)
Tokyo Rose 8th Apr 2017, 5:37 AM edit delete reply
@antrik
The Council is composed of elected human representatives. They're basically the legislative body for New Troy.
And the reason why there was nothing on the news about the stuff that had Connie curious was because information on Lynn's kidnapping was NOT being leaked to the media. Similarly, Decimus's threats weren't being made public knowledge.
antrik 8th Apr 2017, 7:54 AM edit delete reply
I see... This sounds way more democratic than what it appeared like in the story so far.
As for the media, Connie's wording sounds like there was no mention of the whole thing *at all* -- while with free media, I'd at least expect reports along the lines of "large movements of military equipment across the city; officials refuse to comment"...
Tokyo Rose 8th Apr 2017, 5:36 AM edit delete reply
@Gilrandir
3C is a restricted building--it's basically Cent-Comm's military command center. The medical facilities are not a public hospital; they're used only for very high-profile patients, like members of the Council or, say, foreign diplomats.
Also, um... there's no "Taylor regime". The family doesn't run the place like the Livius family runs New Rome.
Gilrandir 8th Apr 2017, 11:56 AM edit delete reply
Thank you, @Tokyo Rose. I rather had thought 3C was more exclusive and private.
As far as the "Taylor Regime" ... you know your universe best, of course, but I think there may be room to quibble. I am aware that DataChasers is not intended as a scholarly treatment of political theory in a post-apocalyptic, post-contact, post-AI world, so the details I have to work with are necessarily incomplete and possibly distorted through the perceptual lens(es) of the characters from which they come (and my own flaws and biases). And, everyone knows I hate to quibble. (Disclaimer: I have been known to tell the occasional untruth for comedic effect. ^_^) Still, if you will indulge, let us examine the facts ...
CentComm occupies a position of measurable power within New Troy. We know this because, among other things, CentComm is credited with the power to levy a variety of taxes over the citizens. Now this may just be the inexactness of people speaking, but this degree of power is very consistent with the overall theme of the webcomic (in my opinion), so we'll go with it until corrected. We weren't told "the Council taxes {X} heavily", CentComm is not, as far as I know, an elected position. ^_^
Members of the Taylor family enjoy a certain amount of control (or influence) over CentComm, allowing them to direct CentComm's aforementioned power (undoubtedly within certain limits) or halt certain abuses. This is a hereditary feature, but no less a real power in New Troy. As far as I know, being a Taylor is not an elected position. ^_^
Even if these were elected positions, 'regime' could still be correct because the usage applies to whoever is currently occupying a position of executive power, without regard to how they came to that position. In the same way that we speak of the "Trump Administration" or the "Obama Administration", we can talk about a "Taylor Regime". Is there someone who outranks Calliope on the Council or in New Troy? If Calliope is currently the chief executive of New Troy, then it seems to me that "Taylor Regime" is fair, even if her rule is not autocratic and absolute, as was that of Decimus in New Rome. And it seems, from hints and implications we have seen, that the actual differences "under the hood" about how things work for city states possessed by A.I.'s may not be all that large. When it comes to actual power, the meat appears mostly irrelevant, except for the fail-safe core directives, which are keyed to hereditary gene-lines, and not any political process.
But I could easily be mistaken.
Timotheus 7th Apr 2017, 12:22 PM edit delete reply
As I recall, from a conversation in the light ship, Centcomm wasn't the one who was taking down the news outlets. It was her overseers, whom she later rebelled against to end the conflict.
megados 7th Apr 2017, 1:06 PM edit delete reply
Really, we know only bits about specifics regarding the socioeconomic, and political climate in New Troy. Most of what information we do have comes from inferences gathered from conversations, and what can be gleaned from interactions and circumstances as they unfolded.
We will learn more alongside Acantha and Noctis as they experience it, I'll wager.
antrik 7th Apr 2017, 6:48 PM edit delete reply
Well, it was probably 3C commanding the drones that actually physically took down the stations... But you are right: the order was not from 3C.
Timotheus 7th Apr 2017, 10:28 PM edit delete reply
I think a point that just occurred to me should be made here. A free press is important as an independent oversight on those who would CONTROL the machinery of power and government. If you already ARE physically that machinery and beyond external control, all the oversight in the world won't make any difference to how you control yourself. So a free or controlled press would be a matter of indifference to Centcomm, she already controls the machinery of communications (except for LunaCom).
~~~~~~~~~~~
So you see why I like DataChasers so much. Because of the good writing that draws you in to the story, AND, the comment section and all the commenters.
Monday, July 24, 2017
JohnnyVlogs - Minneapolis Shooting - Justine Damond
Mayor Hodges blog:
http://mayorhodges.com/2017/07/my-exp...
Washington Post coverage;
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/p...
ABCNews coverage of the march:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/hundreds-att...
WDAY covers the "ambush" excuse:
https://www.wday.com/news/4300171-att...
How many police in US?
http://www.nleomf.org/facts/enforceme...
How many police ambushes last year?
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/s...
RT video about police-cam tech and policies:
https://youtu.be/lanU6ZB4mQ8
I need some help
If you are reading this and are a scientist, in particular a scientist specializing in Physics, or Space Medicine, or engines and fuels etc etc.
I need some smart people to help figure a few things out for a story that I've been working on for over a year.
Now I don't know about you, however, but a character in a book starts spouting "Bovine Excrement" it takes me COMPLETELY out of the story, and I I get compelled to start looking up the real science behind whatever he just spouted.
I"m going to finish this up as my pain ,eds are FINALLY getting the pain to the point my body is saying "Go To Sleep" Well for now, if you are or know someone who might be willing to offer some advice and suggestion, please drop me a "Missive" it's over there on the middle right of the page under where it says to "Send a Missive" Just e-mail me through that.
Now I going to bed.
I need some smart people to help figure a few things out for a story that I've been working on for over a year.
Now I don't know about you, however, but a character in a book starts spouting "Bovine Excrement" it takes me COMPLETELY out of the story, and I I get compelled to start looking up the real science behind whatever he just spouted.
I"m going to finish this up as my pain ,eds are FINALLY getting the pain to the point my body is saying "Go To Sleep" Well for now, if you are or know someone who might be willing to offer some advice and suggestion, please drop me a "Missive" it's over there on the middle right of the page under where it says to "Send a Missive" Just e-mail me through that.
Now I going to bed.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
InRange TV - Hard as Hell 2 Gun - Gear Review
Full 30 cut out after 29:41 AGAIN. They really need to fix that. So the YouTube version is below
Ohh I hurt
I don't know what it is, but but my whole body hurts. I was already hurting in my neck/shoulder/right arm but now the rest of my entire body hurts.
It feels like someone worked me over with a bat or a crowbar all over my body.
I have over 100 e-mails in my various inboxes that I still haven't checked.
I'll start going through and posting up stuff again, HOPEFULLY my pain meds make it so I" am more functional
It feels like someone worked me over with a bat or a crowbar all over my body.
I have over 100 e-mails in my various inboxes that I still haven't checked.
I'll start going through and posting up stuff again, HOPEFULLY my pain meds make it so I" am more functional
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
From the Inbox - 20 obvious signs that show humanity is regressing
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
#13
#14
#15
#16
#17
#18
#19
#20
Carrier Huge Blades of Wind Turbines Transportation
THIS is how we move turbine blades in Texas.
My daughter took this video on my old LG ENV phone a few years back
BrainScratch: Who is the Lady of the Dunes?
If you have any info on The Lady of the Dunes, please call Provincetown Police at 508-487-1212.
NCIC Case Number: U615805149
NamUs Case Number: 11840
NamUs profile:
https://www.identifyus.org/en/cases/1...
DoeNetwork profile:
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/119uf...
Latest image of her:
https://imgix.ranker.com/user_node_im...
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinc...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_of...
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/1987...
https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cas...
http://www.crimewatchers.net/forum/in...
http://www.ranker.com/list/lady-of-th...
https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/joe...
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014...
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMy...
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/show...
https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/joe...
http://trailwentcold.com/2016/09/28/t...
http://www.fox25boston.com/news/crime...
https://imgix.ranker.com/user_node_im...
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