Ive heard rumors of this working in the past so I guess it is true. Some people have to do whatever it takes in order to save $$$ on gas nowadays.
TOPSHAM, Maine — Many motorists seeking to improve their mileage as gas prices soar this summer are examining everything — right down to the air in their tires. And for a growing number, plain old air isn't good enough.
George Bourque of Fairfield is one of those who's driving around on tires filled with pure nitrogen, the same stuff that NASCAR racers use.
Bourque, an engineer, said he has seen a 1 to 1.5 mile-per-gallon increase since he began filling his tires with nitrogen, which is touted as maintaining tire pressure longer and resisting heat buildup on hot summer days.
"I analyze everything," he said.
Nitrogen has been used for years in the tires of race cars, large commercial trucks, aircraft and even the space shuttle.
Monday, July 31, 2006
How to....
For th ose of you fancying the ability to eat w/ chopsticks. I have never been able to use them correctly, but then again Im an American, Ill use a fork, thanks....
How to Eat With Chopsticks
Do you love Asian food, but want the full experience by eating it as it was meant to be eaten--with chopsticks? Watching others using chopsticks can make it look so easy, but when you try it, you end up asking for a fork. Here's how to say goodbye to that fork for good and put those chospticks to work!
Steps
Pick up the first chopstick with the middle finger and thumb. Stiffen your hand for a firm grip. Have the broad end of the chopstick lay on the part where your thumb and index finger connect. Rest the narrow end on the tip of your ring finger, and hold it in place with the tip of your middle finger.
Grip the second chopstick with your index finger. Place your thumb over the second chopstick. Adjust your grip to a more comfortable position.
Hold it steady. This chopstick should not move when you attempt to pick up food.
Practice opening and closing the chopsticks.
click to enlargePick up food at a good angle; slightly lift it up. If it feels unstable, put it down, and try again.
How to Eat With Chopsticks
Do you love Asian food, but want the full experience by eating it as it was meant to be eaten--with chopsticks? Watching others using chopsticks can make it look so easy, but when you try it, you end up asking for a fork. Here's how to say goodbye to that fork for good and put those chospticks to work!
Steps
Pick up the first chopstick with the middle finger and thumb. Stiffen your hand for a firm grip. Have the broad end of the chopstick lay on the part where your thumb and index finger connect. Rest the narrow end on the tip of your ring finger, and hold it in place with the tip of your middle finger.
Grip the second chopstick with your index finger. Place your thumb over the second chopstick. Adjust your grip to a more comfortable position.
Hold it steady. This chopstick should not move when you attempt to pick up food.
Practice opening and closing the chopsticks.
click to enlargePick up food at a good angle; slightly lift it up. If it feels unstable, put it down, and try again.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Featured Product
This is considered by some to be the ultimate tool. With its waterproof properties, it was quickly adopted for a specific military application when originally introduced. The US Government also has recommended that all homes have it available. Along with its waterproof properties, it is known for its superior bonding, is heat resistant, and is extremely strong. It is easy to use with no training required, and is widely available in various sizes and colors. NASA thinks so highly of this, it is included on every flight that leaves the launch pad. No home, military unit, or spacecraft should be without it.
What type of tool is this?
This is considered by some to be the ultimate tool. With its waterproof properties, it was quickly adopted for a specific military application when originally introduced. The US Government also has recommended that all homes have it available. Along with its waterproof properties, it is known for its superior bonding, is heat resistant, and is extremely strong. It is easy to use with no training required, and is widely available in various sizes and colors. NASA thinks so highly of this, it is included on every flight that leaves the launch pad. No home, military unit, or spacecraft should be without it.
What type of tool is this?
Saturday, July 29, 2006
How to.....
Maybe this will come in handy for someone. I recentley had to bail someone out come first thing in the AM, but not overnight.
How to Help a Friend Who Gets Arrested in the Middle of the Night
DWI StopIt is 2 AM and someone you know has just been arrested. You know you need legal help. You do not want your friend to make a confession or be in a line-up or even get fingerprinted if it can be avoided. It is tough to know what to do or who to trust. Moreover, you do not know who will even answer the phone at that time of day. Here is what you need to know if this happens in the United States of America.
Steps
Find out where they are being held and by what police agency. Whether you get the call from a police officer or your friend, make sure that this is the first thing you ask. If you can, tell your friend or family member that you are finding him a lawyer and not to answer any compromising police questions until that lawyer arrives. In short, the 'name, rank, and serial number' response will do fine. Your loved one should always cooperate with the authorities but the less said about the reason for being arrested (even to you over the phone,) until a lawyer can do his job on your loved one's behalf, the better. The reason for this is not to hamper a police investigation, but to protect your loved one from unintentional further harm. Anything said can be used against your loved one in court, having a lawyer present is essential as a defense mediation between your loved one and the police department. Your friend must invoke his rights himself; only the arrested subject can invoke his rights.
Ask what the charges are and what time the arrest was made. Do not let your friend directly tell you what happened. The call is not privileged and it can, and probably will be, recorded by police for later use against your friend. They should just tell you the actual charge. If they cannot tell you without explanation, tell them that it doesn't matter, and continue to step three below. If the arrested is an adult, the police are not required to tell a friend or family member anything.
Tell your loved one not to make any statement or take any test and tell them you are getting a lawyer and not to do or say anything until they hear from that lawyer. (In some states, you have a very limited time or no right at all to contact a lawyer regarding alcohol testing. Also, in many states, refusal to take an alcohol test is treated as an admission of guilt and carries the same penalty as a test failure. If you don't know, ask the officer.) Only the arrested subject can invoke his rights; you can not do it for them.
How to Help a Friend Who Gets Arrested in the Middle of the Night
DWI StopIt is 2 AM and someone you know has just been arrested. You know you need legal help. You do not want your friend to make a confession or be in a line-up or even get fingerprinted if it can be avoided. It is tough to know what to do or who to trust. Moreover, you do not know who will even answer the phone at that time of day. Here is what you need to know if this happens in the United States of America.
Steps
Find out where they are being held and by what police agency. Whether you get the call from a police officer or your friend, make sure that this is the first thing you ask. If you can, tell your friend or family member that you are finding him a lawyer and not to answer any compromising police questions until that lawyer arrives. In short, the 'name, rank, and serial number' response will do fine. Your loved one should always cooperate with the authorities but the less said about the reason for being arrested (even to you over the phone,) until a lawyer can do his job on your loved one's behalf, the better. The reason for this is not to hamper a police investigation, but to protect your loved one from unintentional further harm. Anything said can be used against your loved one in court, having a lawyer present is essential as a defense mediation between your loved one and the police department. Your friend must invoke his rights himself; only the arrested subject can invoke his rights.
Ask what the charges are and what time the arrest was made. Do not let your friend directly tell you what happened. The call is not privileged and it can, and probably will be, recorded by police for later use against your friend. They should just tell you the actual charge. If they cannot tell you without explanation, tell them that it doesn't matter, and continue to step three below. If the arrested is an adult, the police are not required to tell a friend or family member anything.
Tell your loved one not to make any statement or take any test and tell them you are getting a lawyer and not to do or say anything until they hear from that lawyer. (In some states, you have a very limited time or no right at all to contact a lawyer regarding alcohol testing. Also, in many states, refusal to take an alcohol test is treated as an admission of guilt and carries the same penalty as a test failure. If you don't know, ask the officer.) Only the arrested subject can invoke his rights; you can not do it for them.
goodmorning.....
Hidden Time & Again III
Inside each set of the following words, there is a pair of smaller words. By putting & between them, lo & behold, you'll make a familiar phrase. For example, "Thighbone/Swallowtail" conceals "High & Low."
1. Firecracker/Misconstruing
2. Blockbuster/Doohickey
3. Shunting/Bespeckled
4. Proliferation/Climbable
5. Heartstrings/Consciences
time for me to go fishing, see ya....
Inside each set of the following words, there is a pair of smaller words. By putting & between them, lo & behold, you'll make a familiar phrase. For example, "Thighbone/Swallowtail" conceals "High & Low."
1. Firecracker/Misconstruing
2. Blockbuster/Doohickey
3. Shunting/Bespeckled
4. Proliferation/Climbable
5. Heartstrings/Consciences
time for me to go fishing, see ya....
Friday, July 28, 2006
Automatic Transmission Pussies.com
So, Melissa and I had to buy a car today. Some kid decided that falling asleep at the wheel of mom's minivan at 3:30 in the AM on the Saturday before the 4th of July was a good idea, and totalled three cars on our street, including the Melissa's '96 Corolla with only 81K miles on it. At least he didn't leave the scene.
But, alas alack, we needed new wheels. I fought the insurance company for a reasonable settlement. I fought with the dealership for a reasonable deal. And in the end we now have an '04 Corolla with 63K on it. Spent more than the insurance money by over double. Damn auto industry.
But I must ask, why is it so hard to find manual transmission cars. It's all we drive. It's all we like. They are safer. More powerful. They can be more fuel efficient if you want. You can get more torque if you want. More control. More fun. What's the problem. Well, one salesmen said when we inquired, "Don't you ever watch the news? American's are lazy!" How true my friend. How true. Now, I acknowledge that stick isn't for everyone. Some people need to keep a hand free to reload the DVD player, program the GPS, dial a cell phone, and eat McDonald's drive through fat burgers. That's fine. A little disconcerting when done simultaneously, but whatever. I just want to be able to find a standard transmission every few years or so when I have to buy a freakin' car. So, tell me fair people. Why doesn't anyone buy fucking stick shift cars. If you try to tell me because its tiring in rush hour then I reply you are a sad sack lazy American with no real appreciation for well made Japanese autos. And if you tell me I'm taking jobs from American's, then I'll tell you that Toyota manufactures more cars stateside than anyone else. That's part of why Toyota just passed GM for the #1 manufacturer spot. That, and the fact that they make cars that actually work for more than 100K miles.
So put down the hamburger, hang up the cell phone, and drive a real car please.
In the meantime, I think I'll need to start a new website called automatictransmissionpussies.com.
With love and props to all my 4 speed automatic friends.
But, alas alack, we needed new wheels. I fought the insurance company for a reasonable settlement. I fought with the dealership for a reasonable deal. And in the end we now have an '04 Corolla with 63K on it. Spent more than the insurance money by over double. Damn auto industry.
But I must ask, why is it so hard to find manual transmission cars. It's all we drive. It's all we like. They are safer. More powerful. They can be more fuel efficient if you want. You can get more torque if you want. More control. More fun. What's the problem. Well, one salesmen said when we inquired, "Don't you ever watch the news? American's are lazy!" How true my friend. How true. Now, I acknowledge that stick isn't for everyone. Some people need to keep a hand free to reload the DVD player, program the GPS, dial a cell phone, and eat McDonald's drive through fat burgers. That's fine. A little disconcerting when done simultaneously, but whatever. I just want to be able to find a standard transmission every few years or so when I have to buy a freakin' car. So, tell me fair people. Why doesn't anyone buy fucking stick shift cars. If you try to tell me because its tiring in rush hour then I reply you are a sad sack lazy American with no real appreciation for well made Japanese autos. And if you tell me I'm taking jobs from American's, then I'll tell you that Toyota manufactures more cars stateside than anyone else. That's part of why Toyota just passed GM for the #1 manufacturer spot. That, and the fact that they make cars that actually work for more than 100K miles.
So put down the hamburger, hang up the cell phone, and drive a real car please.
In the meantime, I think I'll need to start a new website called automatictransmissionpussies.com.
With love and props to all my 4 speed automatic friends.
How to.....
How to Surf the Web Anonymously With Proxies
One of the easiest ways to hide your computer, and thus hide you, while on the web is to use proxies. Proxies act as a computer between you and the rest of the web. When you are surfing the web through a proxy, any web servers you connect to, actually think you are connecting from the proxy computer.
You can, for instance, connect to the web through a proxy in Japan even though you are in the United States. Any web server you connect to will think you are connecting from Japan, and would direct you to a Japanese version of their web page (if a Japanese version were available.)
Steps
Setting up a proxy for Microsoft Internet Explorer
Find a proxy host.
Search Google for "Proxy list" to find hundreds of websites that list public proxies.
Alternatively, go straight to websites like Public Proxy Servers. When looking at the list of proxies, find one labeled "anonymous".
Open Internet Explorer, and click on Tools>Internet Options.
Click on the "Connections" tab, and then the "Lan Settings" button.
Locate "Proxy Servers", then click the box for "Use a proxy server for your lan".
Copy the IP address (the string of numbers that looks like 123.45.678.90) from the proxy list you found, and paste it into the "Address:" box.
Copy the port number from the proxy list, and paste that into the "Port:" box.
Click "OK", and then click "OK" again
One of the easiest ways to hide your computer, and thus hide you, while on the web is to use proxies. Proxies act as a computer between you and the rest of the web. When you are surfing the web through a proxy, any web servers you connect to, actually think you are connecting from the proxy computer.
You can, for instance, connect to the web through a proxy in Japan even though you are in the United States. Any web server you connect to will think you are connecting from Japan, and would direct you to a Japanese version of their web page (if a Japanese version were available.)
Steps
Setting up a proxy for Microsoft Internet Explorer
Find a proxy host.
Search Google for "Proxy list" to find hundreds of websites that list public proxies.
Alternatively, go straight to websites like Public Proxy Servers. When looking at the list of proxies, find one labeled "anonymous".
Open Internet Explorer, and click on Tools>Internet Options.
Click on the "Connections" tab, and then the "Lan Settings" button.
Locate "Proxy Servers", then click the box for "Use a proxy server for your lan".
Copy the IP address (the string of numbers that looks like 123.45.678.90) from the proxy list you found, and paste it into the "Address:" box.
Copy the port number from the proxy list, and paste that into the "Port:" box.
Click "OK", and then click "OK" again
Billiards Tournament
Seven amateur billiards players gather to play a billiards tournament. The players were divided into two sections: Section A has 4 players; and Section B has 3 players. Each player played against every other player in his/her Section. With the information below, can you determine each person's section, and to whom they won and lost.
Players: Betty, Chris, Greg, Jill, John, Mary, and Tina.
1. Every player from Section B has the same win-loss record.
2. John lost all of his games.
3. Mary, who defeated Jill, won more games than exactly 5 of the players.
4. Jill lost to Greg, and Tina defeated Chris.
Seven amateur billiards players gather to play a billiards tournament. The players were divided into two sections: Section A has 4 players; and Section B has 3 players. Each player played against every other player in his/her Section. With the information below, can you determine each person's section, and to whom they won and lost.
Players: Betty, Chris, Greg, Jill, John, Mary, and Tina.
1. Every player from Section B has the same win-loss record.
2. John lost all of his games.
3. Mary, who defeated Jill, won more games than exactly 5 of the players.
4. Jill lost to Greg, and Tina defeated Chris.
D’s Visit / Party
A big thanks needs to be made to the Barson Family for hosting our little gathering, and most especially Pete for taking the initiative to organize and plan this event. Diana was as youthful and vibrant as I remember her, it was a real sight for sore eyes to see her again. Our time together was of course way to short so we hope she will some day soon find time to visit once again. Until then, we look forward to her presence here on the OMI Blog.
Also of note our brother Mark M… whom I have not seen in something like 15 years made his face shown, and it was great to see a few of us connect faces with friends known only here on our blog. Mark you as well looked as youthful and vibrant as I remember, albeit a bit more scruffy than D.
A last note, Colin seemed to also make a few new buddies at D’s part, most notably Tiffany and Elizabeth. Thank you again Tiffany for all of your help keeping an eye on my little buddy with me.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Cool Video (all ages)
more cool stuff from the Chicago Critical Mass list Serve
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8867862777896510907
It's a little long but the end is cool
KRST (baptism), Liabach
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8867862777896510907
It's a little long but the end is cool
KRST (baptism), Liabach
Presidential Scrambler 4
Unscramble the words below and follow the directions in parenthesis. Unscramble the new letters to get the name of a former U.S. President.
ehoseasr (take the 4th and 5th letters)
nkoyem (take the 3rd and 5th letters)
figreaf (take the 2nd and 7th letters)
murle (take the 2nd and 5th letters)
larsuw (take the 1st and 6th letters)
Unscramble the words below and follow the directions in parenthesis. Unscramble the new letters to get the name of a former U.S. President.
ehoseasr (take the 4th and 5th letters)
nkoyem (take the 3rd and 5th letters)
figreaf (take the 2nd and 7th letters)
murle (take the 2nd and 5th letters)
larsuw (take the 1st and 6th letters)
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
police frequencies....
damn canadians....
How to Separate Canadian Coins from American Coins
Ever had a big box of coins that you wanted to use, but had both Canadian and Ameican currency in it? This guide will show you an easy way to seperate them.
Steps
Spread the coins out over an area where they are no more than two or three coins thick.
Take a magnet and slowy pass it through all the coins.
All the Canadian coins will stick to the magnet, but the American ones will not.
Continue this process until no more coins stick to magnet.
A nice quick and easy way to get rid of useless canadian currency! Damn Canadians.
Ever had a big box of coins that you wanted to use, but had both Canadian and Ameican currency in it? This guide will show you an easy way to seperate them.
Steps
Spread the coins out over an area where they are no more than two or three coins thick.
Take a magnet and slowy pass it through all the coins.
All the Canadian coins will stick to the magnet, but the American ones will not.
Continue this process until no more coins stick to magnet.
A nice quick and easy way to get rid of useless canadian currency! Damn Canadians.
Just Enough Time to Deliver the Message
Justin Case and Auntie Bellum are fellow con artists who deliver coded messages to each other to communicate. Recently Auntie Bellum was put in jail for stealing a rare and expensive diamond. Only a few days after this, Justin Case sent her a friendly letter asking her how she was. On the inside of the envelope of the letter, he hid a code. Yesterday, Auntie Bellum escaped and left the envelope and the letter inside the jail cell. The police did some research and found the code on the inside of the envelope, but they haven't been able to crack it. Could you help the police find out what the message is?
This is the code:
llwatchawtfeclocklnisksundialcirbetimersool
Justin Case and Auntie Bellum are fellow con artists who deliver coded messages to each other to communicate. Recently Auntie Bellum was put in jail for stealing a rare and expensive diamond. Only a few days after this, Justin Case sent her a friendly letter asking her how she was. On the inside of the envelope of the letter, he hid a code. Yesterday, Auntie Bellum escaped and left the envelope and the letter inside the jail cell. The police did some research and found the code on the inside of the envelope, but they haven't been able to crack it. Could you help the police find out what the message is?
This is the code:
llwatchawtfeclocklnisksundialcirbetimersool
Weekly Random Photo 7/26
Yesterday I spoke with Pete on the phone and learned that our dear brother Frank is having a difficult summer due to an illness in the family. I have intentionally left out the details out of respect for his privacy, how ever I know he would very much appreciate if you would keep he and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Commenting on the Photo, I think this is the youngest image I have of out beloved Frank in the Offmen Archive.
Touched, Vast
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
in the news....
I think vodka is p ure evil, but this is interesting....read on;
KOTKA, Finland — Heini Alajaaski doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. For her vodka, or viina in Finnish, is mostly about having a good time and not what it's made of. But battle lines have been drawn in a Europe-wide "vodka war" as nations wrangle over the definition of the centuries-old spirit. The stakes are high as rival groups fight for dominance in a booming world vodka market worth around $12 billion in annual sales.
Finland is aligned with Poland, Sweden and other traditional vodka producers around the Baltic Sea, who want the European Union to insist that only spirits made with traditional ingredients — barley grain and potato — should be allowed to carry the vodka label.
Pitched against them is a group led by Britain, the Netherlands, France and Austria — and backed by London-based multinational drinks producer Diageo — which take a more relaxed view of what can go into vodka, for example grapes, beets or citrus fruit.
Does anyone here drink vodka???
KOTKA, Finland — Heini Alajaaski doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. For her vodka, or viina in Finnish, is mostly about having a good time and not what it's made of. But battle lines have been drawn in a Europe-wide "vodka war" as nations wrangle over the definition of the centuries-old spirit. The stakes are high as rival groups fight for dominance in a booming world vodka market worth around $12 billion in annual sales.
Finland is aligned with Poland, Sweden and other traditional vodka producers around the Baltic Sea, who want the European Union to insist that only spirits made with traditional ingredients — barley grain and potato — should be allowed to carry the vodka label.
Pitched against them is a group led by Britain, the Netherlands, France and Austria — and backed by London-based multinational drinks producer Diageo — which take a more relaxed view of what can go into vodka, for example grapes, beets or citrus fruit.
Does anyone here drink vodka???
How to...
How to Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
More and more people are wondering how they can do their part to help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. While change won't happen overnight, here are steps that you can take against a hypothesized cause of global warming.
Steps
Around the House
Don't use a leaf blower. Instead, get a broom and a shovel. Do it by hand. It will make your place look cleaner and you get a little bit of exercise. Your neighbors will thank you for the noise reduction, too!
Consider using a reel mower instead of a gas- or electic-powered lawn mower. Again, more exercise, less noise, and more importantly, less CO2 emission.
Buy local produce when you go to the grocery store rather than items trucked in from far away.
Plant a tree. Well-placed landscaping cuts energy costs in summer and winter. Whilst alive, the tree will store carbon dioxide that would otherwise be in the atmosphere.
Repaint your house with latex paint instead of oil. The paint releases significantly fewer harmful fumes while drying and smells a lot better.
Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before running them to save energy and money.
Buy energy efficient appliances with the "Energy Star" label.
Call your local utility and sign up for renewable energy. If they don’t offer it, ask them why not.
Get a home energy audit. Many utilities offer free audits, which may reveal simple ways to cut emissions.
Weatherize your home, caulk, and weather-strip your doorways and windows. Not only will this save energy, but it will save you money
More and more people are wondering how they can do their part to help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. While change won't happen overnight, here are steps that you can take against a hypothesized cause of global warming.
Steps
Around the House
Don't use a leaf blower. Instead, get a broom and a shovel. Do it by hand. It will make your place look cleaner and you get a little bit of exercise. Your neighbors will thank you for the noise reduction, too!
Consider using a reel mower instead of a gas- or electic-powered lawn mower. Again, more exercise, less noise, and more importantly, less CO2 emission.
Buy local produce when you go to the grocery store rather than items trucked in from far away.
Plant a tree. Well-placed landscaping cuts energy costs in summer and winter. Whilst alive, the tree will store carbon dioxide that would otherwise be in the atmosphere.
Repaint your house with latex paint instead of oil. The paint releases significantly fewer harmful fumes while drying and smells a lot better.
Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before running them to save energy and money.
Buy energy efficient appliances with the "Energy Star" label.
Call your local utility and sign up for renewable energy. If they don’t offer it, ask them why not.
Get a home energy audit. Many utilities offer free audits, which may reveal simple ways to cut emissions.
Weatherize your home, caulk, and weather-strip your doorways and windows. Not only will this save energy, but it will save you money
Hidden Time & Again II
Inside each set of the following words, there are a pair of smaller words. By putting & between them, lo & behold, you'll make a familiar phrase. For example, "Thighbone/Swallowtail" conceals "High & Low."
1. Gulliver/Clearness
2. Tragicomedy/Pentagon
3. Chinchilla/Magdalene
4. Terrestrial/Ecoterrorist
5. Thundershower/Intellectual
Inside each set of the following words, there are a pair of smaller words. By putting & between them, lo & behold, you'll make a familiar phrase. For example, "Thighbone/Swallowtail" conceals "High & Low."
1. Gulliver/Clearness
2. Tragicomedy/Pentagon
3. Chinchilla/Magdalene
4. Terrestrial/Ecoterrorist
5. Thundershower/Intellectual
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