GTKY: Daily Question Thread - May 2023 Edition

[ejala]

Easy ones for now. 

A very short drive is 10-25 minutes into town.  The hour drive to the most frequented parts of the nearest bug city isn't long. 2or more hours is. 8 hours is a day long trip.

 

Skipping motorcycles for now.

 

If I'm ever going back to Europe, it won't be for racing, it'll be for art museums.  So I'd rather Paris or Florence or London. 

Indianapolis is just the big highway mess on the way to Illinois.  Grandparents and other family were and still are in Illinois, as well as some of my favorite museums and aquarium in Chicago.  We went back every year until grandma died. Never really stopped in Indy. Stayed over on the way back from Railcon last year.  Only slept and ate at hotel then back on road.  Racing is less interesting to me than paint drying. If the paint is dry I can continue work on a mini. And gencon is too big and expensive to consider when origins is only a hour drive.

[TGP]

21 hours ago, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Saturday May 27th.

I'm at the race track running race control for the first motorcycle race round this weekend.

I hope you can post pix of some of the bikes. So we can learn what sorta machines they are. 
 

21 hours ago, Jasper_the_2nd said:

What are your views on motorcycles in general?

No interest in riding one myself. Other people?  They can do what they like. 
 

I have a dim view of the street-takeovers by Ninja bikers. Also doing wheelies with a Ninja bike while running at 55-70mph along an Interstate. 
 

@Chaoswolf it was on a stretch of 820, westbound, just past Mark IV Parkway exit, late at night, it was full dark. The guy held the wheelie for about a mile and a half, he passed my pickup while doing so. I was going about 55. He and his two wingmen passed me in the left lane. 
 

21 hours ago, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Are you a rider?

Never have I ever. 

And I have no such aspirations. 
 

[WhiteWulfe]

On 5/26/2023 at 7:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Friday May 26th.

In your area, what is considered a long drive vs and short or average drive?  And do you measure the length of a drive in kilometers/miles, or in time?

 

It depends on whether we're talking local or out of town, as both have different scales.  Generally I'll talk in time, as it's a more readily understood concept by many, but I'll also use distance (in kilometers) to budget out rest and/or stretch breaks.  As someone that grew up with regular road trips happening, my views on what's short versus long is probably different than most, but for in town anything over half an hour is considered "long" (because you have to factor in return time as well) or even day trip if we're talking going to Ikea...  But I also used to not really mind driving two hours to visit friends if it was the weekend.  Anything 6+ hours one way is definitely a "three day weekend required" kind of thing, mainly because you lose two days in travel. 

 

On 5/26/2023 at 7:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Saturday May 27th.

I'm at the race track running race control for the first motorcycle race round this weekend.  What are your views on motorcycles in general?  Are you a rider?

 

It's hard to say.  I've always wanted a motorcycle, and sort of grew up around them, but the real problem I tend to see with them is they are very much so an enjoyment kind of bike, with not much practical aspect involved.  You can't really get a week's worth of groceries for two with most bikes.  I am NOT a fan of cruiser bikes, doubly so the attitude far too many of the locals have with such (they don't need to see me, they'll hear me!) because a) you're a jerk for having a loud bike, and b) maybe if you'd stop tailgating people in their blind spots they'd be able to see you... 

 

A lot of bikers are good people, it's just here we have a lot of idiotic morons who ruin things, and yes, I'm also referring to the crotch rocket crowd in this - far too many weave in and out of traffic.  Yes, your bike is capable of doing such (provided you don't hit a rock or something) but one really should keep the aggressive antics to the track where they're not only welcomed, but ENCOURAGED and it's an actually safe place to do such...  Plus the track time has other perks, like helping you refine your reaction times and HOW you react.  Also, a lot of them have no concept of the words "speed limit" (I mention this because autocross, solo 2 especially DOES have speed limits, both for average speed, and max allowed). 

 

I've always wanted a bike, although my preferences over time have steadily changed.  Originally I wanted a Yamaha or Honda 1000cc, until I found out just how big, bulky, and heavy those bikes are, and my tastes slowly shifted over to the adventure touring models, because they're a nice hybrid, and can carry some cargo while still handling mainly like sportier ones.  I originally wanted a Triumph Tiger (well, actually it was a KTM 640 that I can't remember name of), but now it's the Triumph Street Triple, because by the gods the Tiger is a heavy bike. 

 

In summary, my views are I like motorcycles, and if you're a responsible rider I like you too.  I'm also that weird guy driving the two ton truck that "refuses" to let you be right next to his cab, and deliberately slows down just a touch to put you ahead of him (aka get them out of my blind spot - I prefer bikes to be ahead of me, where I not only can see them, but WILL see them).  I've had a few riders when they caught on to what I was doing smile or even wave. 

 

Oh yeah, I have family that I think still races, mom hasn't talked about my cousin much, but I suspect given who he is (and the fact that I could have sworn he made a national team) that if he can, he's still doing it. 

 

On 5/26/2023 at 7:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Sunday May 28th.

Today is the Monaco F1 Grand Prix and the Indy 500. Have you ever been to Monaco or Indy? Would you like to travel to either (for the race or any other time)?  

 

 

I have not been to either.  I was going to go to the Edmonton one, but they cancelled the year I actually had money, which kinda sucks, but oh well.  I've considered going to a race just to see what it's like in person, but getting nosebleed seats is expensive enough, plus all that travel I'd have to do to get to one that's even "close" is... I dunno.  Also, while the Indy 500 sounds awesome, I prefer racing to involve corners ~_^

[Zink]

On 5/26/2023 at 7:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Saturday May 27th.

I'm at the race track running race control for the first motorcycle race round this weekend.  What are your views on motorcycles in general?  Are you a rider?

 

Had a dirt bike for a few years in highschool and as an adult. While it was a lot of fun I gave up on motorbikes after a couple accidents in the hills, one of which left the handlebars and front wheel of my bike mangled and me realising I was lucky it wasn't me that was mangled with it. Rode one a few times since then but was never real interested in owning one because of the safety issues. They're handy but give zero protection if something goes wrong. On the road bikers aren't a problem around here. Most are just people that like motorbikes and not gang members and they're usually respectful and decent drivers.

[Count Urlik]

On 5/26/2023 at 6:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Friday May 26th.

In your area, what is considered a long drive vs and short or average drive?  And do you measure the length of a drive in kilometers/miles, or in time?

 

 

Drives around here are measured by time.  Downtown seattle could be 25 minutes or over an hour depending on the time of day.  Very few folks around here have commutes under 20 minutes.  Traffic is still  a lot better than pre-pandemic, but it’s still a major reason for people to leave the area. 
 

I don’t know about most people, but long drives are when you’re measuring by hours instead of minutes!

[Count Urlik]

On 5/26/2023 at 6:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Saturday May 27th.

I'm at the race track running race control for the first motorcycle race round this weekend.  What are your views on motorcycles in general?  Are you a rider?

 

I think the race track is a perfect place for them.  My view is that motorcycles are noisy, polluting and dangerous.  I don't ride.  I liked them as a kid, but by high school I had a friend that lost a leg and another that died, both in accidents that weren't their fault.  My experiences in college and beyond pretty much reinforced that.  

[ManvsMini]

On 5/26/2023 at 9:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Friday May 26th.

In your area, what is considered a long drive vs and short or average drive?  And do you measure the length of a drive in kilometers/miles, or in time?

 

For areas that I am familiar with, I measure the length of a drive in time. Big trips are measured in miles.

 

In my area, I consider a short drive to be to any of the surrounding towns, roughly 15-25 miles radius (work is only 13 miles away, but is a 20 minute drive). That distance won't get me to any major city hubs. The closest city is roughly 45 miles away to the outskirts, about a 40 minute drive. To get to most places I need to go in that city it takes pretty much 60 minutes.  I'd call that a medium drive. Anything over an hour drive is a long drive for me since I have to get out of the car and stretch out all the achy body parts. I don't think I've done a 2 hour drive in several years because of this.

 

 

On 5/26/2023 at 9:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Saturday May 27th.

I'm at the race track running race control for the first motorcycle race round this weekend.  What are your views on motorcycles in general?  Are you a rider?

 

I am not opposed to motorcycles, I have several friends and co-workers that ride, but I'll never own or ride one. My mother's favorite nephew was taken by a motorcycle accident when I was about 10 or 11; he was a safe rider, always wore his helmet and obeyed speed laws, but it didn't save him. She was extremely heartbroken. I made a promise to her after that not to ride so she wouldn't go through that pain again with one of her own children. I try to be a man of my word, and I've kept it for nearly 30 years. Some will say I'm not living life to the fullest, but I've just never given riding motorcycles much interest.

 

Now, fixing them and tearing them apart to see how they work... I'd be open to learning, that's a new fascination since I've begun building and repairing transmissions over the past year. Turns out I really like tinkering and working with my hands, and knowing how everything works.

[TGP]

On 5/26/2023 at 8:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Sunday May 28th.

Today is the Monaco F1 Grand Prix and the Indy 500.

I wonder if either of those is streamed over the Internet?

 

On 5/26/2023 at 8:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Have you ever been to Monaco or Indy?

No. Furthest East on the globe I've ever reached is either Cape Canaveral or St. Augustine, Florida.

Never been to GenCon either.

 

On 5/26/2023 at 8:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Would you like to travel to either (for the race or any other time)? 

If some benefactor was footing the bill, sure I would go!  But it is not something I would try to save up for.

[haldir]

Tgp espn has coverage on thier site thru your cable/sat provider. It may be on abc, so you should be able to get it regardless.

 

Just look for something that says Watch on the top of their homepage (espn .com).

 

It's early like 8 or 9 am.

 

The 500 is on NBC, so it can be streamed through NBCsports .com or their app.

[Zink]

On 5/26/2023 at 7:21 AM, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Sunday May 28th.

Today is the Monaco F1 Grand Prix and the Indy 500. Have you ever been to Monaco or Indy? Would you like to travel to either (for the race or any other time)?  

 

Never been to either and don't plan to. Not that into racing and I just don't think I'd fit in Monaco at all.

[TGP]

17 hours ago, Zink said:

Never been to either and don't plan to. Not that into racing and I just don't think I'd fit in Monaco at all.

If I worked for some A-list corporation, or had a heap of lottery money to burn, or some other way of going on other peoples dimes . . . I would cheerfully stand out like the sore thumb. 
 

I would not fit in either, but right circumstances? I’d check it out. 
 

 

As it happens I failed to find any way of streaming or tuning in to either event. 
 

So who won @Jasper_the_2nd ?

[Jasper_the_2nd]

I'll get around to answering my questions later, may even find some pics.  I got home late and had to actually go into the office for an ergonomic assessment (and confirmed, our desk chairs are crap......well, they are probably fine if you are 5 foot 6 or something, but not if you are 6'2").

Question, Monday May 29th.

We are seeing a significant number of wildfires breaking out in our area, which is fairly unusual traditionally for our area.  How are things weather related your area?  Are they the expected norm or are you having an unusual year for conditions?

[WhiteWulfe]

7 minutes ago, Jasper_the_2nd said:

I'll get around to answering my questions later, may even find some pics.  I got home late and had to actually go into the office for an ergonomic assessment (and confirmed, our desk chairs are crap......well, they are probably fine if you are 5 foot 6 or something, but not if you are 6'2").

Question, Monday May 29th.

We are seeing a significant number of wildfires breaking out in our area, which is fairly unusual traditionally for our area.  How are things weather related your area?  Are they the expected norm or are you having an unusual year for conditions?

I haven't been able to airbrush for a few weeks because of how bad the fires have been, although today is the first time without smoke in a while... Aaaand of course I'm working today... 

 

Fire season hit a full month earlier than usual, and way harder than normal too. 

[Glitterwolf]

26 minutes ago, Jasper_the_2nd said:

I'll get around to answering my questions later, may even find some pics.  I got home late and had to actually go into the office for an ergonomic assessment (and confirmed, our desk chairs are crap......well, they are probably fine if you are 5 foot 6 or something, but not if you are 6'2").

Question, Monday May 29th.

We are seeing a significant number of wildfires breaking out in our area, which is fairly unusual traditionally for our area.  How are things weather related your area?  Are they the expected norm or are you having an unusual year for conditions?

 

End of March/Start of May we had the wettest Spring since 1906.

 

Now it's back to normal

[strawhat]

1 hour ago, Jasper_the_2nd said:

Question, Monday May 29th.

We are seeing a significant number of wildfires breaking out in our area, which is fairly unusual traditionally for our area.  How are things weather related your area?  Are they the expected norm or are you having an unusual year for conditions?

 

The weather is unusually dry, as was last year.  "Severe" or "moderate" drought according to the sciency-types.

 

Other parts of the state are getting some rain, just not really us.  There's been a burn ban going for some time now, and the city is trying to get folks to limit their respective watering.  We don't really water (just the garden) so it's not a big deal to us--we are of a similar outlook of a friend of Pa Strawhat who said that if he couldn't eat it he wouldn't water it.