I've traveled quite a bit through the southeast. Asheville, NC would probably suit me best. Temps just a little warmer than Boston, a little shy on snow and it leans blue...
Temperature wise, I'd probably prefer to live near Birmingham, England. I do business with a company there and they temp range is 45 to 70 F. Of course, 1" of snow shuts the country down and everyone hides from the sun.
and on your fancy pants machine, can't you just go into the menu and pick which system you want to display?
For some reason my speedo is only calibrated in kms. Most cars do have both, in fact every other car I have drivin has had both, except this one.
My fancy pants machine can get mileage in kms or miles, temp in C or F, everything, except the speed is in kms.
You would be surprised at how many of your countryman cross the border, in Buffalo or Niagara Falls, see the sign that says 100 kms per hour, and start driving 100 MILES AN HOUR!!!! They had to make the signs clearer.
I thought having a basement could be a problem. Of course, in Florida no one has a basement...it would probably become a swamp. In Southern Ontario most houses have basements, very stringent building codes - not too many prefabs around.
But, I was thinking just kind of a little box with a strong door, that is just below ground level. Could be like a strong casket, could even get double use out of it one day. Of course, it would be a little wierd crawling into this thing and then closing the door on yourself. Guess they could have a couples and a family unit as well. And then you just have to hope there isn't a flood....back to the drawing boards.
Temperature wise, I'd probably prefer to live near Birmingham, England. I do business with a company there and they temp range is 45 to 70 F.
I think the ideal place to live is to have a place in Maine May to September - preferably on the ocean, and then a place in Florida from Oct to April - preferably on the Gulf coast.
It's like anything - cost vs benefit. Some folks will say they'll never get hit so why spend $10K on one. But when they need it, they'll realize it's short money in comparison....
I think the ideal place to live is to have a place in Maine May to September - preferably on the ocean, and then a place in Florida from Oct to April - preferably on the Gulf coast.
Maine on the ocean anywhere north of Portland would be nice. I'd go as far south as North Carolina. Personally, I don't get the allure of Florida. I've visited dozens of times over the years and just wouldn't live there unless I could move into Disney World. I know folks that love it there - but like I said - everyone picks where they live for reasons specific to them.
If someone doesn't like rain or a lot of grey days, they would hate Seattle.
During the summers when I lived in Palm Desert, I used to fly to San Francisco for a 4-day weekend or fly up to Seattle for a few days - beautiful summers there. We would also rent a car and spend some time in Victoria.
From Palm Desert, we would drive up to Lake Arrowhead ((7800 ft. elev.) or Big Bear Lake (7000 ft. Elev.) or Idlewild (9000 ft. Elev) which were about 90 min. Drives - but cool up on the mountains (70's). That was the only relief from the desert heat. Even the CA coast was a relief.
But you are correct - Seattle is delightful in the summer.
Perhaps it has something to do with injuries related due to the seat belts themselves. In NY all school buses have lap belts for every student but no one is required to use them. After the schools spent millions someone thought to do a study and found out that unbelted passengers were likely to fare better than belted ones. They found evidence that lap belts would snap spines whereas unbelted passengers would just bounce around the padded seats.
So now the kids just beat each other with the buckles. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I'm in the middle of a roadtrip through Colorado. Yesterday I was caught by a hail storm, which is quite common when a huge heat wave just ends. What really set me off, was number of drivers without lights on. It's dark grey, dense rain or hail, visibility of couple hundred yards at best sometimes less and morons have no lights. I can flash all day long - no clue. And of course dark car owners seem to be especially light averse. What's more disapointing, it was the number. It's probably about 1 to 20, but it sometimes feels like 1 in 5. It is trully disapointing. Do they teach that stuff in driving schools? I swear those luminescen gauges make it worse, I bet many think they have lights on, because their speedo is lit. Police of course couldn't be bothered, they're people, too and rain is a perfect time for a donut. They'd rather stop you in the middle of a sunny day for speeding than go after real menace of safety.
wouldn't live there unless I could move into Disney World.
Disney World is the last place in the world I would want to live. Florida itself isn't that beautiful, but it is a good way to get out of the snow, ice and cold during the winter....and that's all I am looking for. Not to mention it is affordable, restaurants are plentiful and reasonable, and there are lots of activities to keep you occupied.
I would say it is a lifestyle thing...not for everyone, but if it suits you, it is perfect. And that sunshine sure feels good during the winter.
I know, you go from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned car to an air conditioned office or stores....still!
Speaking of heat and high temperature zones where people choose to live. America’s affluence has led to decadence and the desecration of the natural environment. Places like Las Vegas and Phoenix were not meant for people to live in such large numbers. If they choose to live in such extreme places they should adapt to the environment rather changing the natural environment to keep them comfortable.
For example, my first car had no air conditioning. Today, one would be hard pressed to find even the most inexpensive econobox without AC. When it comes to home AC we did not have central air conditioning until the mid ‘80s yet we survived for years without it. To cool off during the summer we went to the lakes and the beach and to picnics with friends and relatives. Such simple pleasures are a distant memory.
And by the way, the press is to blame for much of this decadence and artificial lifestyle. As soon as the temperature climbs to 90 degrees they make it sound like a crisis--warning people of the dangers of heat stroke and the need to move to cooling centers. I wonder what would happen if we had an electricity blackout for a week during the summer?
To cool off during the summer we went to the lakes and the beach and to picnics with friends and relatives. Such simple pleasures are a distant memory.
No doubt, once you get used to something it is hard to be without it. Can you imagine life before the remote control for the TV? You actually had to get up every hour to change the channel, and heaven forbid if you had to flip the channels..........no to mention, there were only about 6 channels.
Nah, better to have a/c at home and all the latest devices. There is no going back.
btw..agree, the press has slow news days so makes things bigger than they are.....does the humidex reading really mean anything in the real world. I have heard people using the humidex as the real temp, as in, it's hot out there, it is 110 but it is really "only" 90!
Places like Las Vegas and Phoenix were not meant for people to live in such large numbers
bwia, you are correct about places that are not naturally conducive to human habitation along with the industry and commerce that accompany human habitation. Phoenix certainly was never meant to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people - and with the manufacturing and industry that has been built up because of human habitation, it brought smog and foul air.
Since I lived out there for many years, I thought I would share a little information about the area, if you will permit.
The Los Angeles Basin is another area that cannot withstand industry and manufacturing - where do you think all that smog came from in the 50's and 60's and 70's, and to some extent, it's still very prevalent.
The Southeast Coast of Florida was nothing but beach and swamplands until Flagler and others opened up the area to vacationers, hotels, etc. Then, when the coastline became heavily populated, they invaded the Everglades. Most of the area where I live was swamp and Everglades before then.
In the Desert Southwest, habitation of cities like Las Vegas and suburbs, Phoenix and suburbs, Yuma, Barstow, and many other areas in the southern Nevada, Central and southern Arizona and southern California was all made possible by the construction of the Hoover Dam for controlling water for irrigation and drinking from the Colorado River and creating hydroelectric power.
When it comes to home AC we did not have central air conditioning until the mid ‘80s
I believe it was way before the mid 80's that central air conditioning became a "fixture" in homes and "condos." My first home, which was built in 1971, came standard with Central Air-Conditioning.
... decadence and artificial lifestyle...
You stated you "blamed" the press for the decadence and artificial lifestyles - in actuality, it was "money" and "capital" that created that.
The discovery of gold brought many of the first waves of population to California and the discovery of silver brought many to Nevada and Arizona. The "press" was used to advertise the west and southwest so people would come, build towns and cities, and of course - they brought their ability to pay taxes as well in order to support those towns and cities.
I wonder what would happen if we had an electricity blackout for a week during the summer?
That has already happened to the eastern deserts of California - a major power blackout that caused people to leave those areas for several days - but a 45 minute drive is all it took to go to Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake or Idlewild - areas that are 6-9 thousand feet up in the mountains right near Palm Springs.
You should also know that the cities of Indio, Rancho Mirage, Bermuda Dunes, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, LaQuinta and Palm Springs were settled by the early Spaniards who traveled from Northern Mexico to the Pacific - these were the sites of underground wells which sustained the explorers. There is enough water under the southwestern Mojave Desert (all the cities mentioned above) to last for many, many decades, if not centuries. That's how these cities survive - deep drilled wells.
LOL, just put a tank on that thing and it would look like a giant toilet !!! If water started leaking in, I can just hear the people yelling, "Don't flush, don't flush" !!
I thought I would share a little information about the area,
Thanks for the info...very interesting.
Your thoughts make me realize how creative and ingenius man really is. Making cities out of deserts, finding water where you think it doesn't exist, finding a way to harness electric power etc.
There are cities where there shouldn't be, but as long as there is a buck to be made man will find a way to do it.....and that's a good thing. Now, he has to find a way so these unnatural places to live don't get flooded out, don't go dry, or don't have blackouts. Man usually comes through in the end, hope he finds a way to overcome these obstacles again.
Since I lived out there for many years, I thought I would share a little information about the area, if you will permit.
--Mike, very nice mini history lesson which motivated me to do a little digging on Wikipedia. To my surprise, I found Phoenix to be the sixth largest city and the largest state capital in America.
Like Florida, a lot of seniors have moved to Arizona. Don't know who is responsible for urban sprawl in that area but at that rate of development the city of Phoenix will collapse under its own weight.
--Driver, settlement and development of the desert South West, although remarkable, is not quite the feat the Chinese are attempting to pull off. The Chinese want to urbanize its rural population by moving 250 million people from the farms to cities (many of them new) and industrial centers. This form of social engineering is shaping up to be a disaster of biblical proportions, all under the facade of economic progress and prosperity.
Fire is about the only thing that moves faster uphill than downhill. Just another tidbit of worthless knowledge that I possess. Useless unless I am trying to outrun a fire I guess.
Where can you find rivers that don't run, oceans with no water, and mountains that are completely flat? First correct answer gets free dues for the month.
As I perusing car ads I sometimes see a 90s Ford equipped with a 4.6L V8. I assume that this is the same 4.6L they later used in the Mustang. The newer Mustang engine has at least a 100 hp more than the old version.
My question: how hard would it be to swap a newer 4.6L from say a 2005 Mustang into say a 97 Thunderbird? Would it be feasible?
Might make for an interesting sleeper. I was watching Power Block today and they put a LS1 GM engine into a 90s Mazda RX-7.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The Chinese want to urbanize its rural population by moving 250 million people from the farms to cities (many of them new)
We went to China about 5 years ago and saw the 3 gorges dam...as they said the largest dam in the world.
I believe 1.3 million people have been displaced by the dam and Yangtze River. The guide said these people are much better off, because they had lived in tiny huts with no electricity or power, and they were moved to apartments in large cities like Chongqing where the population is 28 million....that's one city! Population of all of Canada is about 37 million, and that is one city.
I think their government does an amazing job, considering they have a population of 1.35 billion people to manage. A very interesting place to visit, sure glad I don't live there.
I think their government does an amazing job, considering they have a population of 1.35 billion people to manage.
An amazing job, *driver? Hmmmm, I guess a totalitarian government may be the only form of authority that can maintain a country that is so heavily populated. Democracy might be the wrong form of government in such a society. I haven't thought very much about alternative forms of government for that situation, however India has a democratic form of government and seems to be surviving, even with a huge population.
Maybe India can survive because of its history with democracy (British Colony and all) whereby China has very little experience with democracy in recent history.
I am no expert, however democracy is not always the best form of government in all situations. I have doubts as to whether China would be better off as a democracy due to its huge population.
I need to ponder this a bit more before I can agree or disagree with your comments.
I need to ponder this a bit more before I can agree or disagree with your comments.
Oh, I defitely agree that a democracy is by far the best kind of government possible......not perfect, but, far better than any alternateive.
In China, they are experimenting with the capitalistic system and does seem to work. If someone can save enough money, they can start a business, such as a restaurant....and this semi-capitalism seems to be working.
It was when I wrote that and I didn't like the word amazing when I wrote it, the idea I was trying to convey was how do you administer to and control 1.35 BILLION people? Everyone is given a minimum allowance to afford accomodation. I just came up with a a word better than amazing...what I should have said was "mind boggling".
Farmer....I've busted knuckles on quite a few of those 4.6L V8s. If I remember, the '90s T-Birds had mounting points for 4 cyl (turbo), 6 cyl, and the 4.6L. So, it should bolt right in. Now, the mounting points for A/C, P/S pump, etc will be different, but the V8 should be a straight bolt in. The ECU will be different, along with the rest of the anciliaries, too.
For a track machine, where none of the anciliaries really matter, it would be relatively simple. However, if it's going to be a street legal machine, the swap would be much, much more involved.
probably much easier, and overall cheaper, to just massage the engine in the T-bird for more output. Basic hot rod stuff, or get fancy and bolt on a S/C.
Mind-boggling sounds a bit more to the point, don't you think? In other words, what form of governance would be effective in administering a society with a population of1.35+ billion people while at the same time meeting the needs of the people and the society as a whole? That is what is mind-boggling! Also, one must consider the fact that so much of the population lives near, at or below what minimalists might consider the poverty level. And then, what about literacy? What about values? What about cultural differences?
Yes, mind-boggling is a much more effective term, IMHO.
I am a staunch believer in "mixed capitalism" (capitalism with government controls to circumvent fraud, theft, etc.) and "democracy". But maybe not for every society - I believe it depends upon the evolution of that society as to whether democracy is more appropriate than socialism or even totalitarianism.
Also, one must consider the fact that so much of the population lives near, at or below what minimalists might consider the poverty level.
I agree completely....mind boggling, to keep control of a country with over a billion people, and the country itself covers a huge diverse area.
Speaking about cars, Between 2000 and 2010, the number of cars and motorcycles in China increased twentyfold. In the next 20 years it is forecast to more than double again, which means there will be more cars in China in 2030 than there were in the entire world in 2000.
The big brands argue that there is room for growth. Only one in 16 Chinese people owns a car, which is less than half the global average. If the country were to match the three-in-four ownership levels of the US, that would mean an extra 900m vehicles.
Something will have to change though, cities like Beijing have reached saturation point.
China has more cars than any other country. Check out this traffic jam, 60 miles long and took 11 days to clear up.
For Mike & Craig. Does the "end of the month" as far as meeting sales goals correspond with the way the manufactures financing and leasing programs? So Hondas June program runs until July 8th. Do the sales people have to meet their goal or quota by 6/30 or do they have an extra week due to the fact that the "program" runs an extra week?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
"The waterproofing systems used today could probably deal with the issues. Now they just have to convince people to pay for the basement when the house is built."
Rob--
That's exactly right. On a local NPR segment a basement contractor said he was battling perceptions that were 40 years out of date. You can build an effective, waterproof basement today despite the high water table and clay soil in much of OK. I have several friends who have basements. One had a problem with a wall that required hiring a contractor to better direct rainfall away from the house--something that could happen to a basement in any part of the country.
Most folks just don't want to pay the extra expense and many contractors think the (mis)perceptions will make it nearly impossible to sell a spec house with a basement. After Moore, OK that sentiment may be changing. We have a drop-in storm cellar in our garage, which makes for close companionship. All the companies that make/sell storm cellars are booked until 2014. Some have added factory and installation help.
"But, I was thinking just kind of a little box with a strong door, that is just below ground level. Could be like a strong casket, could even get double use out of it one day."
Driver--
That's exactly what we have, in effect. It's supposed to hold up to six people after the wood steps are removed (once you are inside). It's made of steel and is surrounded by concrete. The top is about an inch above the other concrete of the garage floor. It's clean, but not a place one wants to spend much time. I have a bucket and jug of water next to the opening. The top steel door slides on bearings and locks into place with a simple hinge. Inside the cellar there is a hand winch that can move something like two tons should something land on top of the steel door. It's really a rather elegant solution. Ours was under $3K and well worth it for the piece of mind during storm season. It's very easy to sweep or vacuum, which is important as scorpions and brown recluse spiders like to congregate there for some reason (maybe because it's dark).
I took a bunch of photos of the installation, which was done in 5 hours!
"There are plenty of companies already offering them: "
Rob--
We have the Ground Zero 6-person unit. They have a great installation video on their website--or at least they did at one time. As I mentioned to Driver, under $3K for some piece of mind, you just can't suffer from claustrophobia!
I live near Tampa, but I'm stuck out in the desert again, and I'm not a ford person.
On the Equus cars. I saw those all over Korea back in 2002 and 2004. They tried real hard to make it look like an MB didn't they - almost as much lexa$$ does. :P
Ours was under $3K and well worth it for the piece of mind during storm season.
Thanks for explaining...I had no idea such a contraption was available. That's why the capitalistic system is so wonderful.....where there's a way to make a buck someone will invent it.
I think it is a must have for $3000 if you are going to live in a tornado belt. Just a quick question, is it waterproof in case of flooding? And, if it is waterproof how do those spiders get inside?
"Might make for an interesting sleeper. I was watching Power Block today and they put a LS1 GM engine into a 90s Mazda RX-7. "
Farmer--
It seems sacriligeous to replace that Wankel Rotary with big Detroit iron no matter what the horsepower gain. My brother had a 93 twin Turbo RX-7 and that car could really haul. Wish he hadn't sold it.
This reminds me of a dealer who tried to date the initial payment 45 days out from the delivery date instead of 30, with a resulting payment increase that would have totaled several hundred dollars more for being able to make the first payment 15 days later. I caught it, and had them write a proper 30 days out amortization. This was a while ago, but it's never ending. :sick:
For Mike & Craig. Does the "end of the month" as far as meeting sales goals correspond with the way the manufactures financing and leasing programs? So Hondas June program runs until July 8th. Do the sales people have to meet their goal or quota by 6/30 or do they have an extra week due to the fact that the "program" runs an extra week?
For sales quotas and incentives/bonuses for sales people, it's the end of the calendar month. For the manufacturer, it can be extended. When manufacturers determine sales for the top dealership in the country, it is also the end of the calendar month and calendar year. But special consumer incentives and rebates can extend into the first few days of the following month, especially if the end of a month is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Out here in Missouri, we have issues with people building homes along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Of course they are not able to get insurance on these homes and, predictably, every 10 or so years, we get floods that completely destroy those homes. Wouldn't be any of my concern except that the news is then filled with sob stories about these homes/towns that are washed away, and the families waiting on a government bailout. I really don't feel that making a foolish decision with entirely forseeable negative consequences should qualify someone for sympathy or public money, but that's just me.
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no, that is not just you. I feel the same way here in Jersey, when people build houses right on the ocean beach on a little spit of barrier island sand. And don't even want big dunes to block the view.
then when a storm washes the house away, they want someone (meaning the rest of us) to rebuild it.
hey, flood plains and barrier islands are there for a reason, to absorb the water when it hits. Building a house there, you know is taking a chance.
Same thing in California. A lot of celebrities and people with lots of money build homes in Malibu on the beach or they build in dry canyons that are full of brush. Like a tinder box.
At least once every ten years homes in Malibu get wiped out by storms and fires consume dozens of these houses.
It's like they never learn.
So sad to hear of 19 firefighters who lost their lives yesterday in Arizona.
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I've traveled quite a bit through the southeast. Asheville, NC would probably suit me best. Temps just a little warmer than Boston, a little shy on snow and it leans blue...
Temperature wise, I'd probably prefer to live near Birmingham, England. I do business with a company there and they temp range is 45 to 70 F. Of course, 1" of snow shuts the country down and everyone hides from the sun.
For some reason my speedo is only calibrated in kms. Most cars do have both, in fact every other car I have drivin has had both, except this one.
My fancy pants machine can get mileage in kms or miles, temp in C or F, everything, except the speed is in kms.
You would be surprised at how many of your countryman cross the border, in Buffalo or Niagara Falls, see the sign that says 100 kms per hour, and start driving 100 MILES AN HOUR!!!!
They had to make the signs clearer.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I thought having a basement could be a problem. Of course, in Florida no one has a basement...it would probably become a swamp. In Southern Ontario most houses have basements, very stringent building codes - not too many prefabs around.
But, I was thinking just kind of a little box with a strong door, that is just below ground level. Could be like a strong casket, could even get double use out of it one day. Of course, it would be a little wierd crawling into this thing and then closing the door on yourself. Guess they could have a couples and a family unit as well. And then you just have to hope there isn't a flood....back to the drawing boards.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think the ideal place to live is to have a place in Maine May to September - preferably on the ocean, and then a place in Florida from Oct to April - preferably on the Gulf coast.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
There are plenty of companies already offering them:
http://www.tornadoguard.com/stormshelters/stormshelters.php
http://www.groundzeroshelters.com/flattop.html
http://www.fiberglasscreations.com/shelters/
It's like anything - cost vs benefit. Some folks will say they'll never get hit so why spend $10K on one. But when they need it, they'll realize it's short money in comparison....
Maine on the ocean anywhere north of Portland would be nice. I'd go as far south as North Carolina. Personally, I don't get the allure of Florida. I've visited dozens of times over the years and just wouldn't live there unless I could move into Disney World. I know folks that love it there - but like I said - everyone picks where they live for reasons specific to them.
But, it never get's THAT cold and it doesn't snow often. Most years we get none or very little but I can drive east for 20 miles and get all I want.
Summers are glorious even during a "heat wave" like this week when it's probably going to hit 90. That is very rare however.
Very few bugs or mosquitos, never seen a cockroach. No rattlesnakes or Black Widows.
But...we do have RAIN! 75 inches a year where we live!
Actually, where I grew up on the So. Calif coast is just about perfect. Summer temps almost always in the mid-high 70's. Mild winters.
During the summers when I lived in Palm Desert, I used to fly to San Francisco for a 4-day weekend or fly up to Seattle for a few days - beautiful summers there. We would also rent a car and spend some time in Victoria.
From Palm Desert, we would drive up to Lake Arrowhead ((7800 ft. elev.) or Big Bear Lake (7000 ft. Elev.) or Idlewild (9000 ft. Elev) which were about 90 min. Drives - but cool up on the mountains (70's). That was the only relief from the desert heat. Even the CA coast was a relief.
But you are correct - Seattle is delightful in the summer.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Oh, that hurts just thinking about it. If that happened to me I'd be so mad I'd come back and haunt someone.
I'm looking forward to enjoying one of the last defined benefit pensions left on the planet--- for a long long time.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Perhaps it has something to do with injuries related due to the seat belts themselves. In NY all school buses have lap belts for every student but no one is required to use them. After the schools spent millions someone thought to do a study and found out that unbelted passengers were likely to fare better than belted ones. They found evidence that lap belts would snap spines whereas unbelted passengers would just bounce around the padded seats.
So now the kids just beat each other with the buckles. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2018 430i Gran Coupe
There are plenty of companies already offering them:
Oh no...they stole my idea!
This one will bring the family closer together.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Disney World is the last place in the world I would want to live. Florida itself isn't that beautiful, but it is a good way to get out of the snow, ice and cold during the winter....and that's all I am looking for. Not to mention it is affordable, restaurants are plentiful and reasonable, and there are lots of activities to keep you occupied.
I would say it is a lifestyle thing...not for everyone, but if it suits you, it is perfect. And that sunshine sure feels good during the winter.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The only problem is the earthquakes and fires!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Speaking of heat and high temperature zones where people choose to live. America’s affluence has led to decadence and the desecration of the natural environment. Places like Las Vegas and Phoenix were not meant for people to live in such large numbers. If they choose to live in such extreme places they should adapt to the environment rather changing the natural environment to keep them comfortable.
For example, my first car had no air conditioning. Today, one would be hard pressed to find even the most inexpensive econobox without AC. When it comes to home AC we did not have central air conditioning until the mid ‘80s yet we survived for years without it. To cool off during the summer we went to the lakes and the beach and to picnics with friends and relatives. Such simple pleasures are a distant memory.
And by the way, the press is to blame for much of this decadence and artificial lifestyle. As soon as the temperature climbs to 90 degrees they make it sound like a crisis--warning people of the dangers of heat stroke and the need to move to cooling centers. I wonder what would happen if we had an electricity blackout for a week during the summer?
No doubt, once you get used to something it is hard to be without it. Can you imagine life before the remote control for the TV? You actually had to get up every hour to change the channel, and heaven forbid if you had to flip the channels..........no to mention, there were only about 6 channels.
Nah, better to have a/c at home and all the latest devices. There is no going back.
btw..agree, the press has slow news days so makes things bigger than they are.....does the humidex reading really mean anything in the real world. I have heard people using the humidex as the real temp, as in, it's hot out there, it is 110 but it is really "only" 90!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
bwia, you are correct about places that are not naturally conducive to human habitation along with the industry and commerce that accompany human habitation. Phoenix certainly was never meant to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people - and with the manufacturing and industry that has been built up because of human habitation, it brought smog and foul air.
Since I lived out there for many years, I thought I would share a little information about the area, if you will permit.
The Los Angeles Basin is another area that cannot withstand industry and manufacturing - where do you think all that smog came from in the 50's and 60's and 70's, and to some extent, it's still very prevalent.
The Southeast Coast of Florida was nothing but beach and swamplands until Flagler and others opened up the area to vacationers, hotels, etc. Then, when the coastline became heavily populated, they invaded the Everglades. Most of the area where I live was swamp and Everglades before then.
In the Desert Southwest, habitation of cities like Las Vegas and suburbs, Phoenix and suburbs, Yuma, Barstow, and many other areas in the southern Nevada, Central and southern Arizona and southern California was all made possible by the construction of the Hoover Dam for controlling water for irrigation and drinking from the Colorado River and creating hydroelectric power.
When it comes to home AC we did not have central air conditioning until the mid ‘80s
I believe it was way before the mid 80's that central air conditioning became a "fixture" in homes and "condos." My first home, which was built in 1971, came standard with Central Air-Conditioning.
... decadence and artificial lifestyle...
You stated you "blamed" the press for the decadence and artificial lifestyles - in actuality, it was "money" and "capital" that created that.
The discovery of gold brought many of the first waves of population to California and the discovery of silver brought many to Nevada and Arizona. The "press" was used to advertise the west and southwest so people would come, build towns and cities, and of course - they brought their ability to pay taxes as well in order to support those towns and cities.
I wonder what would happen if we had an electricity blackout for a week during the summer?
That has already happened to the eastern deserts of California - a major power blackout that caused people to leave those areas for several days - but a 45 minute drive is all it took to go to Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake or Idlewild - areas that are 6-9 thousand feet up in the mountains right near Palm Springs.
You should also know that the cities of Indio, Rancho Mirage, Bermuda Dunes, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, LaQuinta and Palm Springs were settled by the early Spaniards who traveled from Northern Mexico to the Pacific - these were the sites of underground wells which sustained the explorers. There is enough water under the southwestern Mojave Desert (all the cities mentioned above) to last for many, many decades, if not centuries. That's how these cities survive - deep drilled wells.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Thanks for the info...very interesting.
Your thoughts make me realize how creative and ingenius man really is. Making cities out of deserts, finding water where you think it doesn't exist, finding a way to harness electric power etc.
There are cities where there shouldn't be, but as long as there is a buck to be made man will find a way to do it.....and that's a good thing. Now, he has to find a way so these unnatural places to live don't get flooded out, don't go dry, or don't have blackouts. Man usually comes through in the end, hope he finds a way to overcome these obstacles again.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
--Mike, very nice mini history lesson which motivated me to do a little digging on Wikipedia. To my surprise, I found Phoenix to be the sixth largest city and the largest state capital in America.
Like Florida, a lot of seniors have moved to Arizona. Don't know who is responsible for urban sprawl in that area but at that rate of development the city of Phoenix will collapse under its own weight.
--Driver, settlement and development of the desert South West, although remarkable, is not quite the feat the Chinese are attempting to pull off. The Chinese want to urbanize its rural population by moving 250 million people from the farms to cities (many of them new) and industrial centers. This form of social engineering is shaping up to be a disaster of biblical proportions, all under the facade of economic progress and prosperity.
I spent the bulk of my years in CA and was never affected by either a fire or an earthquake.
People build homes in fire prone areas that are dry and full of brush. They build in canyons where fires spread quickly.
Homes continue to be built in areas that nobody would have dreamed of moving to as they push the desert back and back.
Then they commute two hours each way to their jobs.
Not for me!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Where can you find rivers that don't run, oceans with no water, and mountains that are completely flat? First correct answer gets free dues for the month.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
My question: how hard would it be to swap a newer 4.6L from say a 2005 Mustang into say a 97 Thunderbird? Would it be feasible?
Might make for an interesting sleeper. I was watching Power Block today and they put a LS1 GM engine into a 90s Mazda RX-7.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
We went to China about 5 years ago and saw the 3 gorges dam...as they said the largest dam in the world.
I believe 1.3 million people have been displaced by the dam and Yangtze River.
The guide said these people are much better off, because they had lived in tiny huts with no electricity or power, and they were moved to apartments in large cities like Chongqing where the population is 28 million....that's one city! Population of all of Canada is about 37 million, and that is one city.
I think their government does an amazing job, considering they have a population of 1.35 billion people to manage.
A very interesting place to visit, sure glad I don't live there.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
An amazing job, *driver? Hmmmm, I guess a totalitarian government may be the only form of authority that can maintain a country that is so heavily populated. Democracy might be the wrong form of government in such a society. I haven't thought very much about alternative forms of government for that situation, however India has a democratic form of government and seems to be surviving, even with a huge population.
Maybe India can survive because of its history with democracy (British Colony and all) whereby China has very little experience with democracy in recent history.
I am no expert, however democracy is not always the best form of government in all situations. I have doubts as to whether China would be better off as a democracy due to its huge population.
I need to ponder this a bit more before I can agree or disagree with your comments.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Oh, I defitely agree that a democracy is by far the best kind of government possible......not perfect, but, far better than any alternateive.
In China, they are experimenting with the capitalistic system and does seem to work. If someone can save enough money, they can start a business, such as a restaurant....and this semi-capitalism seems to be working.
It was when I wrote that and I didn't like the word amazing when I wrote it, the idea I was trying to convey was how do you administer to and control 1.35 BILLION people? Everyone is given a minimum allowance to afford accomodation. I just came up with a a word better than amazing...what I should have said was "mind boggling".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
For a track machine, where none of the anciliaries really matter, it would be relatively simple. However, if it's going to be a street legal machine, the swap would be much, much more involved.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
As a jurist, have you watched any of the two days of prime ear-witness testimony on HLN in the Zimmerman trial?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Mind-boggling sounds a bit more to the point, don't you think? In other words, what form of governance would be effective in administering a society with a population of1.35+ billion people while at the same time meeting the needs of the people and the society as a whole? That is what is mind-boggling! Also, one must consider the fact that so much of the population lives near, at or below what minimalists might consider the poverty level. And then, what about literacy? What about values? What about cultural differences?
Yes, mind-boggling is a much more effective term, IMHO.
I am a staunch believer in "mixed capitalism" (capitalism with government controls to circumvent fraud, theft, etc.) and "democracy". But maybe not for every society - I believe it depends upon the evolution of that society as to whether democracy is more appropriate than socialism or even totalitarianism.
I guess it is a matter of philosophy and reality.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I agree completely....mind boggling, to keep control of a country with over a billion people, and the country itself covers a huge diverse area.
Speaking about cars, Between 2000 and 2010, the number of cars and motorcycles in China increased twentyfold. In the next 20 years it is forecast to more than double again, which means there will be more cars in China in 2030 than there were in the entire world in 2000.
The big brands argue that there is room for growth. Only one in 16 Chinese people owns a car, which is less than half the global average. If the country were to match the three-in-four ownership levels of the US, that would mean an extra 900m vehicles.
Something will have to change though, cities like Beijing have reached saturation point.
China has more cars than any other country. Check out this traffic jam, 60 miles long and took 11 days to clear up.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Rob--
That's exactly right. On a local NPR segment a basement contractor said he was battling perceptions that were 40 years out of date. You can build an effective, waterproof basement today despite the high water table and clay soil in much of OK. I have several friends who have basements. One had a problem with a wall that required hiring a contractor to better direct rainfall away from the house--something that could happen to a basement in any part of the country.
Most folks just don't want to pay the extra expense and many contractors think the (mis)perceptions will make it nearly impossible to sell a spec house with a basement. After Moore, OK that sentiment may be changing. We have a drop-in storm cellar in our garage, which makes for close companionship. All the companies that make/sell storm cellars are booked until 2014. Some have added factory and installation help.
Gogiboy
Driver--
That's exactly what we have, in effect. It's supposed to hold up to six people after the wood steps are removed (once you are inside). It's made of steel and is surrounded by concrete. The top is about an inch above the other concrete of the garage floor. It's clean, but not a place one wants to spend much time. I have a bucket and jug of water next to the opening. The top steel door slides on bearings and locks into place with a simple hinge. Inside the cellar there is a hand winch that can move something like two tons should something land on top of the steel door. It's really a rather elegant solution. Ours was under $3K and well worth it for the piece of mind during storm season. It's very easy to sweep or vacuum, which is important as scorpions and brown recluse spiders like to congregate there for some reason (maybe because it's dark).
I took a bunch of photos of the installation, which was done in 5 hours!
Gogiboy
Rob--
We have the Ground Zero 6-person unit. They have a great installation video on their website--or at least they did at one time. As I mentioned to Driver, under $3K for some piece of mind, you just can't suffer from claustrophobia!
Gogiboy
On the Equus cars. I saw those all over Korea back in 2002 and 2004. They tried real hard to make it look like an MB didn't they - almost as much lexa$$ does. :P
Thanks for explaining...I had no idea such a contraption was available. That's why the capitalistic system is so wonderful.....where there's a way to make a buck someone will invent it.
I think it is a must have for $3000 if you are going to live in a tornado belt. Just a quick question, is it waterproof in case of flooding? And, if it is waterproof how do those spiders get inside?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Farmer--
It seems sacriligeous to replace that Wankel Rotary with big Detroit iron no matter what the horsepower gain. My brother had a 93 twin Turbo RX-7 and that car could really haul. Wish he hadn't sold it.
Gogiboy
2002 Equus does look like a Mercedes. Someone told me Hyundai buys the designs for their cars from Mercedes. I don't know if that is true or not.
You can really see it in this 2004 model;
Interior isn't too shabby either;
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
For sales quotas and incentives/bonuses for sales people, it's the end of the calendar month. For the manufacturer, it can be extended. When manufacturers determine sales for the top dealership in the country, it is also the end of the calendar month and calendar year. But special consumer incentives and rebates can extend into the first few days of the following month, especially if the end of a month is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Hop that answers your question nyc!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
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then when a storm washes the house away, they want someone (meaning the rest of us) to rebuild it.
hey, flood plains and barrier islands are there for a reason, to absorb the water when it hits. Building a house there, you know is taking a chance.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
At least once every ten years homes in Malibu get wiped out by storms and fires consume dozens of these houses.
It's like they never learn.
So sad to hear of 19 firefighters who lost their lives yesterday in Arizona.