Meet the Modders

[timerover51]

Any lifetime Cubs fan deserves a free drink - coffee or otherwise.

Greetings, Blue Monkey. I seem to recall that you live in the area of the San Andraes Fault. As I will be out there for at least a week before my son's wedding in the San Jose area, can I collect my free drink then. And yes, I have been a life-long Cubs fan.

 

[timerover51]

That was my question - it is in the middle of the Pacific, but also the territory of a major North American country. Not sure if that makes Hawaii (and other Pacific US territories like Guam) Oceanic or North American lands.

When I was teaching World Geography, Hawaii was considered part of North America. Basically, Oceania sometimes includes Australia and New Zealand, and if not Australia, then definitely New Zealand, and includes those islands to the east of New Guinea and Australia that were settled by the Polynesians. The Mariana Island group and Easter Island are toss-ups from including in Oceania. The Marianas from being north of the Equator, and Easter Island for being so far to the east, so that it is closer to South America.

 

[Blue Monkey]

Greetings, Blue Monkey. I seem to recall that you live in the area of the San Andraes Fault. As I will be out there for at least a week before my son's wedding in the San Jose area, can I collect my free drink then. And yes, I have been a life-long Cubs fan.

California is deceptive. People think of Alaska and Texas as really big, but not CA for some reason. San Jose is about a 6 hour drive (about 400 mi.) from me. I'm closer to the southern end of the fault.

 

[timerover51]

California is deceptive. People think of Alaska and Texas as really big, but not CA for some reason. San Jose is about a 6 hour drive (about 400 mi.) from me. I'm closer to the southern end of the fault.

No, I know how long California is, having driven from San Francisco to LA and back. I was thinking that you were further north.

 

[Gojira54]

I believe he is slightly northeast of me

 

[Kyriakos]

Thanks Quintillus and Ozymandias

The book seems to be doing quite well, and has only been in bookstores for 10 days by now..

 

[timerover51]

At the optometrist today, as I am having problems with the vision in my right eye. Does not look like it can be fixed, as it is simply a sign that my body is getting older. This makes it a bit harder to work on the laptop, as I really need a larger screen. Have to see how it goes.

 

[ronning]

My Travel

 

[Blue Monkey]

My Travel

Interesting spread - Lithuania & Philippines.

 

[Steph]

Last Sunday I went to my first "reharsal" for the Aikido black belt exam.
We did 2.5 hours going through the different techniques you can be asked when you are kneeling and the attacker is standing (so you spend half the time moving on your knee, ouch), and then the afternoon it was a mock exam, with groups of 3. 30 minutes where your pass to show any technique the examiner can ask from the whole panel (both kneeling, one kneeling - one standing, two standing, then weapons, and to finish two against one), and then 2x15 minutes where you are the attackers against the two others.

It was hard and tiring, and I was a little afraid my level was too low, but compare to the others it's not that bad.
I have 3 more sessions like that planned for the coming months, not counting what we'll do at my club to prepare.

Hopefully I can have my black belt end april

 

[ronning]

Interesting spread - Lithuania & Philippines.

Hong Kong and Manila are personal favorites. Especially Manila (Makati region). As capitalism, free enterprise, and the invisible hand of the marketplace have created a boom there. Thousands pour into the city from the poverty of the provinces every month to get a piece of the action.

Eastern Europe has an appeal, Western Europe I don't travel to much anymore, because its too painful to see what has happened to the great civilizations of the West now in the twilight of history. Soon night will fall. However in the East it is different. Having spent half a century with socialism and communism around their throats, the people in the Eastern countries, have a love of freedom and have an optimism that is contagious and refreshing. There is a determination to preserve the heritage of their individual cultures and traditions.

Anyone interested can write the Prime Minister's office of Hungry at these addresses to offer support.

Palma Gyimesi is handling the incoming mail from abroad
itkarsag@me.gov.hu

1055 Budapest,
Kossuth ter 1-3
Hungary

 

[Blue Monkey]

@ Steph - I'm confident you will do well. Like a lot of us here at C3 C&C you judging yourself "mediocre" = other people's "very good".

@ ronning = Hong Kong is on the bucket list. good to hear that it's still an enjoyable place to visit.

 

[Nathiri]

Well, I thought I should see how I stack up against others here in terms of countries visited. I included places I went through as a baby (which only made a couple additions), and also airports I passed through. I decided to share it here too.



California, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C. (may have missed a couple of states)
Belize, El Salvador, Panama,
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland,
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Isle of Man, Netherlands,
Hong Kong, Singapore,
Israel
Australia (NSW, QLD, SA, Vic)
Fiji
Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica,
Columbia

 

[Quintillus]

I'm sorry to hear about the vision problems, timerover51.

ronning, I'm impressed that you've visited, by what I can see on the map, quite possibly all 48 of the lower U.S. states. While I know a number of people who've visited most of them, there's usually at least a couple missing, and as you can see on the previous page I've done OK with my region but have a lot to visit in the rest of the country.

 

[timerover51]

Here is my Travel Map. I have covered a lot of the US.

http://www.travbuddy.com/maps/6894962

 

[ronning]

I'm sorry to hear about the vision problems, timerover51.

ronning, I'm impressed that you've visited, by what I can see on the map, quite possibly all 48 of the lower U.S. states. While I know a number of people who've visited most of them, there's usually at least a couple missing, and as you can see on the previous page I've done OK with my region but have a lot to visit in the rest of the country.

Yes, I've been to all lower 48 as an adult many times. I've lived in California, Nevada, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Pensylvania, Washington, and New York City. I know my way around I think every major city in the US. Top 5 favorites in order...

1. New Orleans
Food, food, food... Nightlife, " daisy dukes ," regional landscape. ( love the bayou )
2. San Diego
Sun, my home town, beaches
3. Las Vegas
No comment needed... It's Vegas
4. Memphis
I love the American South, food, music history, the Mississippi River
5. Miami
Beaches, pretty girls, an ethnic cultural environment. Sun

Other cities.... New York of course, but it's losing it's appeal due to expense, difficulty traveling, and the heavy Police pressence/laws forbidding virtually everything.
Chicago, but only in the spring time, San Fransisco, but the homeless population and vagrants roaming the city are a problem. Nashville... Almost made the top 5.

 

[WildWeazel]

Stereotypical American here...

http://www.travbuddy.com/maps/6895395

 

[Blue Monkey]

So, my home town is in the news. Not going to go all OT, but I'll just say that there's a lot of spin & what led up to it is a lot more local than is likely to be widely published.

 

[timerover51]

Yes, I've been to all lower 48 as an adult many times. I've lived in California, Nevada, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Pensylvania, Washington, and New York City. I know my way around I think every major city in the US. Top 5 favorites in order...

1. New Orleans
Food, food, food... Nightlife, " daisy dukes ," regional landscape. ( love the bayou )
2. San Diego
Sun, my home town, beaches
3. Las Vegas
No comment needed... It's Vegas
4. Memphis
I love the American South, food, music history, the Mississippi River
5. Miami
Beaches, pretty girls, an ethnic cultural environment. Sun

Other cities.... New York of course, but it's losing it's appeal due to expense, difficulty traveling, and the heavy Police pressence/laws forbidding virtually everything.
Chicago, but only in the spring time, San Fransisco, but the homeless population and vagrants roaming the city are a problem. Nashville... Almost made the top 5.

As we seem to be discussing cities here, this is my list of favorite cities, and not-so-favorite ones.

Favorites, in no particular order:
1. Anchorage, Alaska: Aside from fantastic scenery, the only city I know where moose can cause traffic jams, and wolves can watch from the side of the road. Fantastic seafood, with King Crab cheaper than steak. Yes, I have lived through Alaskan winters, minus 62 Fahrenheit straight cold to be exact.
2. London, England: The British Museum, Fortnum & Masons, the Victoria and Albert Museum (jewel vault and an acre of silver plate), Kew Gardens, Baker Street, the list is quite long.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland: The Penguin Parade and HAGGIS!!!!!
4. Chicago, Illinois: Great to live near, World-Class museums, fantastic deep-dish pizza, Aurelio's Pizza, and the Cubs.

Not-so-favorite cities, again in no particular order:
1. Washington, D. C.: Does have the Smithsonian Museum complex and the National Archives, along with a lot of difficult memories.
2. Los Angeles, California: Dirty, horrible traffic, bad roads, lousy air quality
3. Las Vegas, Nevada: One visit was enough, back only to get together with friends.
4. Boston, Massachusetts: Has the frigate USS Constitution in its favor, but horrible traffic and drivers. Good seafood though, but can get that in Mystic Seaport and Portland, Maine.

 

[Gojira54]

So, my home town is in the news. Not going to go all OT, but I'll just say that there's a lot of spin & what led up to it is a lot more local than is likely to be widely published.

Yup. I know people who lost people...