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Post by epaul on May 1, 2024 13:13:53 GMT -5
4WD would be nice in Idaho. In AZ or similar, I wouldn't care (I would go 2WD and save the bucks). But Idaho has snow, ice, and mountains. Plus, every fall, there are all kinds of slippery potatoes on the road. 4WD would be real nice to have in Idaho.
The slightest winter hill can be an adventure in a pickup with 2WD. And icy roads? Uffda!
We did manage to survive with snow tires and a couple hundred pounds of sandbags in the bed, but the advent of 4WD was really nice advent in the north country.
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Post by epaul on May 1, 2024 11:49:31 GMT -5
Don't discount the Colorado et.al too quickly, at least without driving a few. Compared to a Colorado, driving an older Chevy Luv or Ford Ranger is like riding in a cramped, noisy tin can. $10-12 grand for a 2010 Colorado with "broken-in" miles isn't a bad deal. Non-crew cab pickups are a buyers' market (relatively speaking as most want a crew). And you can get a used Colorado with a smooth V6 instead of a noisy, under-powered little 4.
(you have a very reasonable chance of getting 200,000 plus miles on a well-cared for V6. A little turbo four? No way.)
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Post by epaul on May 1, 2024 9:28:48 GMT -5
Oh, and I got Wordle in one again!
(after my normal three starter words, which I don't count, as they are just starter words)
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Post by epaul on May 1, 2024 9:27:10 GMT -5
Morning.
Had a nice drizzly day yesterday and it sounds like more light rain coming tonight/tomorrow. Perfect!
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Post by epaul on May 1, 2024 9:14:21 GMT -5
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Post by epaul on Apr 30, 2024 19:20:03 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, Dan!
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Post by epaul on Apr 29, 2024 11:30:43 GMT -5
No musical. No circus. I have a nice empty day ahead. Other than the City Band concert tonight.
I just can't catch a break.
WOLVES WIN!
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Post by epaul on Apr 28, 2024 20:46:17 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, Steve!
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Post by epaul on Apr 28, 2024 20:38:32 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, Bob. Todd is just finishing up the installation of an "auto-steer" unit. Should be ready mid-week!
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Post by epaul on Apr 28, 2024 11:27:24 GMT -5
Two more shows. One and Five.
Circuses are an interesting deal. Out front, a glittering show. But backstage, it is all family. Once out of the show lights, the trapeze artist is relaxing with her husband the lion tamer while they have a hug and lunch with their children, who, if old enough, have their own chores of tidying up this or scooping the elephant that. Off in another spot the husband and wife team who have the shoot the arrow and pop the balloon while missing the spinning lady act are helping the motorcycle (electric) guy with his costume (also electric). Off in the corner, a couple clowns with their feet up and their wigs off are taking a deserved break from clowning.
A traveling family, whether by biology or choice, a close, extended family. A real family. The circus is home. Different but the same.
And from the Green Room, taking it all in while playing cards, mixing drinks, and telling stories of various adventures from this convention at that city or from that city at this convention, a bunch of Shriners and a small Shriner band.
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Post by epaul on Apr 27, 2024 22:42:46 GMT -5
I'm exhausted. Playing in a circus band, three shows a day, is a long day. Good crowds. The 11:00 and 3:00 show each had close to 5,000. The evening show tapered off some but was still close to 3,000. Circuses have gone pretty high-tech with sound and lighting. Some of acts were real pretty with house lights down and the performers lit up like LED Christmas trees flashing in the night. Trees on trapeze, wires, and summersaulting bikes.
Two more shows tomorrow.
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Post by epaul on Apr 26, 2024 10:53:23 GMT -5
That all sounds great, drlj. It feels good to see light at the end of the tunnel, doesn't it? As far as shoes, I picked up a pair of Sketchers slip on walking shoes because I'm not comfortable bending over yet. They truly do slip right on, hands-free, and they're quite comforable. Best ninety bucks I've spent in a long time. Nails look good, Todd. (umm, what else did they cut?)
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Post by epaul on Apr 26, 2024 8:50:17 GMT -5
The Shine Circus is in town. And that means the Shriner Band will be playing. And that means a certain trombonist who has been ordained an honorary Shriner for just these occasions will be playing his trombone ass off this weekend. Two performances today, three tomorrow, and two more on Sunday.
The Shriner's motto is "It's for the kids". I certainly hope so as it is certainly not for the money. Good thing I have wife with a salary. This trombone gigging is a lean operation.
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Post by epaul on Apr 26, 2024 8:45:18 GMT -5
Why do you cook rocks? (asking for Todd.) Cooking rock is slang for meth production. Watch "Breaking Bad" and learn something!
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Post by epaul on Apr 25, 2024 23:28:13 GMT -5
Again today I am brilliant. Wordled in 2. Tomorrow I will not be, but for this one day, I am word puzzle royalty. I got today's wordle in ONE. I don't count my three starter words as they are just the words used to start the game. My kids say I can't count it that way, but I say I can. And I do. And after those three starter words started the game, I got it in ONE!
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Post by epaul on Apr 25, 2024 9:30:25 GMT -5
It's DRAFT DAY! I'll be on the phone all day with Vikings coaches and management. Pretty intense. They're 11 and 23. Fat chance of picking up anyone. Which makes a good team of scouts all the more necessary. I work the fringes. Got a line on a 450lb nose tackle from NDSU. And the kid is still growing. He is a secret to the rest of the league as he is a music major and has never played a lick of football. So, you might call him a project. Ok, so he is definitely a project. If they want better work, they can pay me. (it appears the Vikes are desperate to trade up for a QB... and the entire league knows it. Hope they don't get fleeced!)
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Post by epaul on Apr 25, 2024 8:28:37 GMT -5
It's DRAFT DAY!
I'll be on the phone all day with Vikings coaches and management. Pretty intense.
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Post by epaul on Apr 24, 2024 11:11:26 GMT -5
It is NBA playoff time and the T-Wolves are up 2-0 on the Suns. And in that light, I would like to propose a modest wager on who will win last night's game, say a twenty. I'll even spot you 11 points.
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Post by epaul on Apr 24, 2024 9:02:30 GMT -5
Morning!
Sunny and cool, but my tomatoes are in their toasty greenhouse. And I'm in my toasty kitchen. With the musical done, I feel like I've just retired with my days all my own. What to do... too early to nap, think I'll do a little gloating while googling up some Phoenix sports columns, then maybe go for a walk with Casper.
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Post by epaul on Apr 22, 2024 21:41:28 GMT -5
Race and Hispanic Origin, Boise
White alone, percent 85.0% Black or African American alone, percent(a) 1.5% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 0.6% Asian alone, percent(a) 3.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) 0.3% Two or More Races, percent 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) 9.1% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent 81.2%
Wow! 85% white. That's not very diverse. I much prefer the diversity of my town, Grand Forks. We have a healthy balanced mix of cultures: 38% Norwegian, 26% Swedish, 24% non-Scandinavian White, 12% something else. I'm so invigorated by my daily exposure to this vibrant blend of humanity, there are days I can actually feel my brain growing. Well, that, or else it's those brownies I get from FC.
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