CoTex

I know where they can get a ferry. Pete Davidson has an update on that ferry he bought with Colin Jost | CNN

It's complicated. If you watch traffic in the Corpus Christi ship channel, from Port Aransas on in, sometimes they use tugs. Spinning a big ass prop in a narrow channel with an 18 knot crosswind is a tricky proposition. Using the tug comes with its own cost, problems and risk. Is it going to connect with a cable? is it just going to ride on one side of the bow and push/pull? Those tug guys get killed from time to time because that job is dangerous. Hooking up tugs to everybody coming and going isn't a guarantee. I guess one could be thinking "rescue tug" that just sits there by the bridge and when something goes awry they go lasso the ship, throw it into reverse, and save the day. It would be fun to watch but I doubt it's a realistic plan. Data point - internet says wind was 6mph, gusting to 17, at 2am. I'm pretty sure that would be considered almost calm/very mild for this operation. Wind was not a factor. They had momentum and lost steering / power somehow.

We've got some US Navy people working on setting up a port/pier in Gaza right now. I bet they could have something up and running pretty quickly if necessary. It's really just money. If you want to throw $5,000 at this, you will make 0 progress. $5,000,000,000? It'll happen a lot faster. I don't know what their port and traffic alternatives are but right now they've got to figure out how to get the cars, ship and bridge wreckage out of the way, and those cars may have people in them. Didn't rooskies just rebuild a bridge in Crimea? How long did that take? Partial rebuild?

And, they likely had a lot of very experienced mariners on the bridge at the moment of crash. 1 captain will have a "master unlimited" license and a lot of sea time. Pilot(s) will have equal license and experience, along with local knowledge. Mates (2-3) will have the same, maybe less experience and a slightly lower license. One or more "AB's" or "able bodied seamen" who have sea time and coast guard licenses. One or more engineer who knows how to make the engine go, and has a coast guard or similar license. When shit hits the fan the engineer runs to the engine room like Scotty in a Star Trek movie. I predict they're going 5-10 knots and, when the engine stops (presuming it did), the ship is going to keep going 5-10 knots until it hits something hard or drifts to a stop.

As someone who has been on the bridge of a large vessel during docking maneuvers, I thought I would share a little about how it works. 1. The guy steering the boat isn't the captain. Some low level dude. 2. He's not holding a large wheel like Jack Sparrow. It's probably a knob on a panel. 3. Captain and pilot are standing nearby drinking coffee. 4. If they lost steerage, or power, this unfolded slowly and there was little they could do.

Defender of the Faith my good fellow. Get thee hastily to a church for a Holy Week refresher.

Stuart Scott's Battle With Cancer (menshealth.com)

Is the pancreas in the abdomen? The appendix? I thought the standard of care was to do some blook work and look for "tumor markers."

Second question - is there a good camp or summer program in Austin for an 11 year old guitar player? He'll be there for most of June and I would like to run him through something. Current plan is to find a guitar instructor and just take some lessons but I'm open to better options. We live in a rural part of the state and guitar lesson options are few unless you want to learn Baptist hymns.

Cool - thanks for the link. First thought is, kid is colorblind (not kidding, protanopia... he can't tell burnt orange from green). They say it comes from mother's side of the family but he damned sure has it. Second thought is...

I appreciate all the help and advice. He has a PRS Silver Sky SE - that's the daily player. It is played daily and by daily I mean at least 3 times a day. He starts before school each morning. He started 1 year ago and will not put the guitar down. He's also a responsible kid (for 11). He doesn't scratch or bang around on his stuff, keeps his room clean, basically the opposite of me when I was 11. I'm comfortable buying him a $1-$3,000 guitar because he has proven he won't tear up his stuff. Free tickets to Brad Paisley at the Houston Rodeo last Saturday made him a Telecaster fan. It didn't help that BP played 10 different guitars during the show. He made it appear as if musical success hinges on having a room full of gear. Thanks, Brad. Best part of the whole thing is, we don't even listen to much country music. He likes ZZ Top and John Mayer. There is a wealth of info out there and a lot of opinions - so far I like what I've heard here. I'm kinda thinking about bumping up to one of these Fender American Professional II Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Butterscotch Blonde | Guitar Center It is rewarding when your child finds something they really like - I've dealt with my fair share of kid's sports bullshit and "I don't want to do my homework." He's driving this and I'm happy to push some chips in to support him.

We try not to use profanity around my children but somehow "aaaaashole" in the child's voice from 2 or 3 gets the green light. If you say it that way, no questions asked, no smoke. If your movie changes the whole rule paradigm at my house... good movie.

Asking for advice: Son wants a telecaster. I don’t mind spending money and want something that he will appreciate for a long time. Can someone recommend to me a Tele or two that are nice enough that they will retain value? I’m not looking to ride an investment to the stratosphere, but I would rather buy this once, and it be nice forever, than be 2 years down the road and the purchase being inadequate - falling apart - or not nice enough. So, what’s a good long-term telecaster? Buy gently used or vintage or new?

I predict the Balinese room had a pungent aroma and iffy air conditioning.

Went to Brad Paisley at HLSR yesterday. Same thing - went in a casual observer and left a fan. He can play, and he gave a kid in the crowd a telecaster. Just a lighthearted fun afternoon. Grab a beer, watch some rodeo, watch Brad Paisley do his thing, home early. Kids had a blast. Reminded me that music doesn’t have to be deep.

I enjoy Captain Ron. Kurt Russel’s schtick. Martin Short’s overacting and spasticity. The overly simplistic plot. The whole damned thing.

Designer dog. Mutts are free - these things are priced at a premium.

Same shit, different characters. I don’t really get into the storyline. I just like to shoot.

What is the event that changes the public mood on the pit bull type dogs? Obviously it’s not human deaths. We’ve had plenty. I bet if one of those dogs bit Taylor Swift or a Kardashian that would get some attention.

I played all weekend and shot the shit out of many of your children, with everything from a sniper rifle to the thunderbolt of Zeus. You're welcome.

Compared to others mentioned like Kingpin and Debbie Does… I agree it develops slowly..

In a city it’s not like the black abyss. Streetlights, etc, right? When I land at commercial airports I can see a lot of shit just based off city background lighting. And if you’re coming down uncontrolled anyway, is a power line that great of a concern? It’s going to snap and fuck something up but it’s not going to electrocute anyone. Needs ground for that right? I understand that in controlled flight power lines are bad but if I’m crashing anyway I’m worried about immovable objects first, right? im not saying crashing in the dark is ideal but … just find a road bro.

25 posts before any mention of Chariots of Fire? WTF?

Where do you set up shop to get the best view? On the knoll or across the street?

Any time, any where, and you pick Galveston? I like your style.