Baksteen

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Posts posted by Baksteen

  1. 15 hours ago, wmw999 said:

    I didn't answer, because I believe my son got 2 swats in his life. We used counting (which gave him time to reconsider his actions), and removing from the situation when he was too small to reason with. He, too, has turned out to be someone I'm very proud of.

    I don't know what we would have resorted to if he had been a very oppositional child. I'd like to hope that it wouldn't have been spankings, but that's in the imaginary past.

    Wendy P.

    I got spanked only once, when I was about ten-ish. A single smack on the bottom, not even that hard, but all the more shocking for the fact that it happened at all.

    I clearly remember that even at the time I had to admit to myself that I really, really deserved it.

  2. 15 hours ago, billvon said:

    <<snip>> In most cases, you are subject to the laws of the state you are in.  <<snip>>

    There is an exception - the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.  It was passed in response to free states giving safe harbor to slaves who escaped from the South.  It was a federal law that required the arrest of people who helped escaped slaves, and punished authorities in free states who would not make arrests, and also required that slaves be recaptured and returned to slave states.  

    So that's the prototype that conservatives would use to arrest and jail women who travel to other states to get abortions - and people who helped them.

    That's ironic on a sad and very deeply disturbing level.

  4. On 5/16/2022 at 3:18 PM, skybytch said:

    Boogies can be hazardous to your financial health. You go thinking it's just going to be a few days of fun, maybe demo a new main or two, drink some cheap beer... and you come back home and order a complete new rig.

    We went to a pinball festival in October, played a bunch of games and fell in love with one. In November we drove to North Carolina from California and bought one.Crazy? Yeah, but we've played the shit out of that machine already, we have no plans to sell it anytime soon and it's got a great story attached to it now - plus it's already worth about $1000 more than we paid for it..

    We went to a pinball festival on Saturday, played a bunch of games and fell in love with one. Either Wednesday or Thursday, I leave to drive to Milwaukee to buy a Batman 66.

    We could each have a new rig for what this thing is going to cost. Happily, pinball machines are appreciating in value these days, unlike skydiving gear, so it's really an investment.

    Really it is.

    So anyway, do I know anyone who lives along I80 between Reno and Wisconsin? Happy to buy you lunch, coffee or a beer in exchange for some conversation and an hour or so break from the road.

    So.. basically you went to a Pinball boogie, thinking it was just going to be a few days of fun, maybe play a game or two, drink some cheap beer... and came back home and ordered a complete new rig?

    • Like 1

  5. · Edited by Baksteen

    On 5/29/2022 at 6:05 PM, JoeWeber said:

    Somehow school dress codes and uniforms don't interfere with learning elsewhere. It's a guess but I'd guess where all kids are dressed the same at school there is less social bullying.

    I very much doubt it. I was bullied relentessly as a kid. 

    Anyway, I went on to do some volunteer's work with kids for 28 years.

    In my experience bullies will always find a new stick to hit with.

    The accent you speak with, your skin colour, hair colour, gadgets, whether or not you have hit puberty yet, which sports you (don't) play, which team you support, what your mum packed you for lunch, being the teacher's pet, not liking what your bully likes - or liking what your bully likes, not being as good at X as your bully - or being better at X as your bully .....just to name a few.

  7. Eliminating the obvious:

    Are the bottles touching the back or side wall of the fridge or is your fridge very cold?
    Is the beer heavily carbonated?

  8. On 4/14/2022 at 11:40 AM, Gimpymoo said:

    ^.^

    It is deceptive though on that first jump when you have nothing to relate to, I honestly thought my feet were about to brush the grass... was rather funny when I flared and expected grass and NOTHING, and I realised at that moment "oops".

    Tree top height though... :ohmygod: Did you hold the flare? How was the landing?

    Yes, I held the flare as I was taught and I made an adequate PLF. What with the adrenalin of a first jump on the one hand and lacking any frame of reference whatsoever on the other, I didn't notice anything untoward. Also this was sixteen years ago (damn - when did I become a dinosaur?). But in hindsight I am glad my (then) 85 kg ass was suspended under a nicely forgiving and easygoing Manta 288 rather than something smaller and snazzier. :-)

  9. 12 hours ago, Gimpymoo said:

    Please do not misunderstand, the radio did not quit... I was hearing nothing and thought the ground was closer than it was so THOUGHT it was not working.

    When I had committed to the flare, I then heard the instructor go "Flare Flare Flare", at that moment, I knew I was just a fraction too early and prepared for the landing.

    Lesson learned, just have trust in your instructors.

    I can relate. 

    There happened to be video in the LZ during my first jump, the cameraman having ironically dcided to shoot over the shoulder of the instructor on duty. I never saw the signals this instructor gave me (visual signals at the time) and therefore I flared when I judged it time.

    Due to circumstances I never got to see the video until I had 30 jumps or so.
    I actually gasped out loud along with the people in the video when I saw myself flaring at treetop height. :-)

  10. · Edited by Baksteen

    On 3/17/2022 at 1:32 PM, Phil1111 said:

    I'm surprised that anyone could say that as the response seems to be. Buy more weapons and increase defense spending.

    I've been offline for a while, but I still would like to answer (sarcasm or no) :-)

    There is a lot of chest beating (echoed in this thread) about all the aid going to Ukraine, monetary and otherwise. Last week it became apparant that though the EU donated approximately a billion of aid (monetary and otherwise), they also bought for 35 billion of energy from Russia. Mind you, that is since the war started.

    Also, buying more weapons (for Ukraine) is pretty useless without Ukranian fingers to pull the trigger. Putin can win by sheer numbers.

    • Like 1

  12. 45 minutes ago, metalslug said:

    When this happens, what do you suppose Putin may do next? Pack up his troops and withdraw? ...maybe launch a nuke?  Would you expect that direct military action by NATO within Ukraine right now would change Putin's action decisions either way ? ...if you believe that provocation absolutely doesn't factor into his decision making.

    It's a tough situation and I am glad I do not have to make a decision.

    Military action may be the exact excuse Putin needs to escalate this conflict.

    But so may military INaction. Putin could just quietly move on to the next 'nazi militarised' non-NATO country after Ukraine. Finland maybe?

    And what if it IS a NATO country that is being invaded next time? I mean, it's only one single country, right? Totally preferably to lose a single country to nuclear annihilation?

    Also, in other news and regarding monetary sanctions:
    Dutch companies import coal by ship from various countries, including South Africa, Colombia, Australia and the United States. Russia is the largest supplier so far, with an annual share of 25 to 30 percent. That is (including transit) about 10 million tons of coal, with a value of about 3.5billion euros. 

    https://www.nu.nl/klimaat/6188528/russische-steenkool-niet-nodig-maar-nederland-koopt-nog-schepen-vol.html (article in Dutch)

    And that is just the tiny Netherlands.

    The article goes on to explain that we could easily do without Russian coal, as the other coal producing countries could scale up production using existing infrastructure. That is because in recent years production had been scaled down due to a decline in global demand.

  13. On 2/12/2022 at 9:35 PM, brenthutch said:

    Has anyone gotten their “free” covid tests?

    Responding to a post a couple of pages back, but this got kinda buried.

    Yes, I got two free government-issued "self tests" in the mail (these tests can also be bought at the local supermarket for reasonable prices).

    In addition, I got COVID-like symptoms about 4-5 times during the pandemic. I got a free PCR test each time. The government-issued PCR tests cannot be used for access to events/holidays abroad. For those "testing for access"-tests, you foot the bill yourself.

  14. With the indications becoming clear that Omicron is less likely to send you to the ICU, our freshly appointed minister of health and public safety has said the new policy will be one of "keeping access to healthcare open for everyone, yet driven by socio-economic impulses" or something to that effect. Ironically this minister of health was the president of the association for Dutch ICUs until just before his appointment, and always advocating caution with regards to opening up the country.

    On the plus side, COVID has never spread faster and further within the Netherlands than that it does at the moment. I'll remain cautious, thank you.
    I'm fully vaccinated/boostered and therefore taking part in more activities than I used to, but things like skydiving (where I have no control who is breathing down my neck for twenty minutes) is at the bottom of my priority list right now. Just below "vacations abroad" (I do not drive) and "sitting shoulder to shoulder in restaurants". 

  16. On 12/24/2021 at 4:36 AM, billvon said:

    I'd be fine with recognizing a recent antibody test on an equal footing with vaccination.  (You can't really do "prior infection" because every anti-vaxxer out there will lie about that.)

    Actually, in the Netherlands at least, the "prior infection and cured" certificate is issued by the government after they test you positive and after you are considered cured (14 days after the initial positive test). 

    There is a considerable amount of fraud and non-compliance since the certificate is checked via a government-developed and -issued app. But at least you cannot just lie about it; you have to try a little harder.

    • Like 1

  17. On 1/4/2022 at 5:14 AM, nipp1e_boy said:

    So want to get some advice from the brain trust. I'm about to get back in the air after a loooong hiatus. DZ website says mask required when within 6ft of others. So how are they doing RW? Mask under my fraphat? Or over? What if it blows over my goggles? Seems pretty unsafe or am I overthinking this? Rather take my chances catching it from the meeker.

    Nipple Boy
    A-19820

    "Safety First! Fun Forever!"

    Wear your mask over your fraphat and tie it at the back using a rubber band. Once you enter freefall the mask will either hold for the entire jump, or blow off alltogether.

    If you want to play it safe, I'd plan for the second eventuality. I therefore advise doing only backins and compressed accordeons. That way your buddy is breathing away from you, or at least as far away from your face as possible.

  19. · Edited by Baksteen
    changed "coach" to "expert" to prevent confusion with USPA-rating

    5 hours ago, nwt said:

    Of course. I don't know why you're saying "maybe" three times as if you're sure I'd disagree. I think I've made it abundantly clear that sliding isn't for everyone and that my recommendation is to learn the technique from a professional coach. If there are missing prerequisite skills, they will be put on the right path for them.

    I agree with this as well. When I slide, I've already been moving horizontally just above the ground with zero downward speed. There is no vertical speed to mis-judge.

    I've already explained at least once in this thread that the proper technique has the femur absorbing the impact and not the spine. If you're coming down with anywhere near enough vertical energy to break your femur, I would absolutely recommend a PLF.

    I honestly can't believe you guys. I'm not trying to convince anyone to slide. I'm saying it's an option people can talk to their coaches about if they want to. And you guys are saying what? Don't talk to your professional canopy coach about it, we know better? That's really a disservice to the community.

    I can't speak for the others, but my own aversion against slidings has nothing to do with your arguments.

    It's due to all the people who are rock-solid convinced that any stand-up landing is a perfect landing, that PLFs are for N00Bs, that slidings are better than PLFs because they are (name the excuse).

    You on the other hand are saying that the sliding is an advanced landing technique which may be applicable in some circumstances provided that you first learned how to do them in controlled circumstances with feedback of an expert.

    You are right. But for a large part of people that's not going to be the take home message.

    To sum up, the standard approach to any landing in dodgy circumstances - or perhaps to any landing, period - should be "PLF, unless..."

    • Like 1

  20. On 11/27/2021 at 5:34 PM, JoeWeber said:

    I'm not so sure it's all on the Dutch government. Here in the DWI's it's currently wide open for Dutch tourists. Tui cruise ship's included. The clear majority of Dutch locals and tourists show absolute disdain for masking and social distancing no matter if the rules are clearly posted. Not just amongst themselves but towards everyone. At the hotel where I'm at, nicest in the city, they don't think twice about going unmasked everywhere including joining you in the elevator. Is that the way it is at home, too?

    Non-masking (this includes incorrectly worn masks) is a major annoyance.

    Thankfully the majority of the population at least complies with the rules such as they are. Unfortunately the government does not seem to have learned anything in the past two years. They tend to just wait for people to notice by themselves when the infection rates go up and start adhering to measures by themselves.

    The government then proceeds to take the measures they should have taken "two weeks ago". They cannot seem to understand that

    a) infection rates are a prediction of hospitalised / ICU cases
    b) there are other people besides COVID-patients who need ICU beds.

    Finally, when they do take measures they undermine their own credibility with statements like "These measures will only last three weeks" - only to come back two weeks later with even more strict measures which last another month. Or, last july, "no more facemasks" and "Lockdowns are a thing of the past", when the infection rates seemed under control and vaccination rates were on the rise. 

    So yes, compliance is partially due to the population lacking common sense, but the goverment has done a stirling job undermining said compliance and common sense by their general bumbling approach to dealing with the virus.

    Lastly, I suspect that in any country people who are willing to travel for hours/days by plane or boat packed together with lots of other people are not necessarily the  people who are most terrified of COVID. 

    On 11/28/2021 at 7:01 AM, Erroll said:

    At this time there is absolutely no evidence that it 'originated' in South Africa. The South African virology scientists, who are among the most advanced and pro-active in the world(having had to deal with HIV, Ebola, Malaria etc.), were the first to discover the variant. The rest of the international community, led by the UK which has 10 times more daily infections than South Africa, had a massive knee-jerk reaction and as a result almost all international travel from South Africa has been banned. It feels is if the country is being punished for being at the forefront of virology research.

    Look at it this way, at least the residents of those highly infected countries are not coming your way to infect your countrymen either.

  21. Well, it is not as if the scientific community hasn't been warning about the risk of something like this happening for a long time. It is a direct result of vaccination efforts focusing on the rich countries (and, no doubt, the rich areas in poor countries).

    We'll see how the vaccines hold up. I am a bit resigned in this matter since the Netherlands have (mis)managed to make a giant mess of the COVID control even with the current variants. Tonight we are probably getting more strict measures again.

  22. On 11/19/2021 at 3:36 PM, nwt said:

    I don’t know how to summarize it any better than the tweet. What don’t you get?

    It was a grammar/context thing. Thanks to Mrcwood for elaborating.

    • Like 1

  23. Yes, I agree that Muad'Dib would have gotten his arse kicked at the Shield Wall if the Harkonnen and Sardaukar would have had access to ivermectin.

    Otherwise I do not know where that tweet is going.

  25. On 11/15/2021 at 6:03 PM, JoeWeber said:

    By creating chaos amongst innocent vehicalists by careening around town on a semi-invisible, two dimensional suicide contraption? 

    You know, that is a perfect description of foreign tourists renting a bike in Amsterdam.

    Fortunately they are easily recognised by their incessant ringing the bell. I swear to god, most of them act as if the contraption is powered by ringing the bell instead of pedalling.