tell me something...

[dicksbro]

^^^^ Some guys have all the luck! :)

[jseal]

Alas! (http://tinyurl.com/ngftgeo)

[Coaster]

It's been one looooong day...........................

[Lilith]

I had a candy apple today and it was awesome.

[Lord Snow]

As long as you don't over do it, I know plenty of people who have the occasional sweet with minimal side effects.

[dicksbro]

Seems like a lot of good science could be done to make the foods that really taste good (Hot fudge sundae's for example) healthful and doctors would encourage us to have one daily if we wanted to loose weight and improve our health. :D

[Oldfart]

Marian is looking at putting up gabian walls in our garden.

[dicksbro]

Just for clarification ... is she looking to put up gabian walls or is she looking to have YOU put up gabian walls. :)

Anyway, looks like I'm going to have to do leaves again this week. It is beginning to look like all the trees are thinning out pretty nicely so maybe this will be the last time. :wish:

[gekkogecko]

Sounds like the leaves are doing you, DB.

[Lord Snow]

Well I had a major bummer today. I had to go through open enrollment for my health insurance through work because my current plan had been dropped "to make it easier". Now my premiums are tripled for no reason other than the cheap plan sucks.

[PantyFanatic]

Checking here at home while doing a fly-by.

[PantyFanatic]

........
Anyway, looks like I'm going to have to do leaves again this week. It is beginning to look like all the trees are thinning out pretty nicely so maybe this will be the last time. :wish:
There'll be one MORE after the 'thinning' is my thought. ;)

[dicksbro]

:faint: I was afraid someone would say that! :faint:




:D

[gekkogecko]

Went walking around some artificial lakes in the neighborhood after lunch today; a Great Blue Heron flew by, landed in the shallows and started fishing. That was fun watching.

[AZRedHot]

It's cooling off fast today, and my feet are cold, despite my ridiculous socks. (They have monkeys on them; they were a gift.)

[Oldfart]

Just for clarification ... is she looking to put up gabian walls or is she looking to have YOU put up gabian walls. :)

Gabian's are too much like hard work for this little black duck. There are people who do this so they won't fall down. Apparently this is a good thing.

[dicksbro]

Isn't it true, though, that what goes up must come down? :confused:

[Lord Snow]

I do believe the idea that OF is trying to convey is that they would be less likely to come down as quickly if he hired the professional than if he attempted it himself.

[dicksbro]

Yep. (I would have done the same thing. But, I had to tease him a bit.)

:)

[Oldfart]

Yep. (I would have done the same thing. But, I had to tease him a bit.)

:)

sob

[dicksbro]

I sorry. :(

[gekkogecko]

Today's XKCD is a good one: http://xkcd.com/1604/

[jseal]

^^ That is cute. TY!

[gekkogecko]

We did it! WRT Chessiecon, our goal was to have the number of pre-registrations meet or exceed our total attendance last year. Last's years through-the-door number: 366. As of the "close" of pre-registration Sunday, our number: 367.

[dicksbro]

We got news last night that our friend of over 50 years has taken a turn for the worst and is currently unresponsive. :( She's in hospice care and we're going to head out there this morning to try and be with her for a while. Please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks.

[gekkogecko]

That suXXorz, DB. (sympathetic head bobs).

[NastyGuy]

I just posted my first four ebooks on Smashwords. Before, I could pretend to be an undiscovered erotic literary genius. Now, if I don't succeed, it's entirely my fault.

That's scary.
:eek:

[gekkogecko]

Aaaaaah! Only a week until Chessiecon!

[dicksbro]

My wife and I will be visiting 7 or 8 shut-ins from out church this morning. It always amazes me how no matter how hard it is getting going to make these visits ... it's always so rewarding afterwards. These are some really terrific people whose health or circumstances just don't let them get out like they used to. :thumbs:

[gekkogecko]

The amount of recycling we've generated of late is exceeding our ability to off-load it.

[Lilith]

I'm in a web meeting with super grouchy folks

[Lord Snow]

I'm in a web meeting with super grouchy folks

Show them your boobs. I know that would make plenty of people here happy.

[Lilith]

Only sweet peeps get bewbs. Grouchy folks get nada.

[gekkogecko]

Only three days until Plesiosaurs in Party Hats!

[Lord Snow]

Only sweet peeps get bewbs. Grouchy folks get nada.

Sweet is only good if there is a spicy side imo.

[rabbit]

Going to have my first colonoscopy today... :booty:

[AZRedHot]

Got my Christmas lights up today! Whilst wearing shorts and sandals. :)

[Oldfart]

Going to have my first colonoscopy today... :booty:

Keep us updated.

[dicksbro]

Sounds like fun, doesn't it OF? Rabbit, here's hoping all goes well! :thumbs:

[gekkogecko]

Got my Christmas lights up today! Whilst wearing shorts and sandals. :)

That's still too much clothing.

[Lilith]

I think we need a pic thread of AZ decking her halls ;)

[grotochp]

I got a new man cave to escape to where i can work and relax at the same time.

[Oldfart]

I think we need a pic thread of AZ decking her halls ;)

especially only in her shorts and sandals.

[Fangtasia]

I am still kicking.......I am hoping this nightmare year will end, and next year will finally take some pity on myself and my family

[gekkogecko]

Ah, but are you kicking anyone in particular, and are you doing so with spike heels?

[Fangtasia]

Ah, but are you kicking anyone in particular, and are you doing so with spike heels?
I wish I could....a couple of peeps in particular

[gekkogecko]

If every day you say to yourself, "Tomorrow I'm going to die.", one day you'll be correct.

[AZRedHot]

That's still too much clothing.

My neighbors haven't earned the honor of me in less clothing. ;) Though I see the guy across the street in his boxers and t-shirt regularly during the summer.

[jseal]

My neighbors haven't earned the honor of me in less clothing ...
They don't appreciate what they're missing!

[gekkogecko]

My neighbors haven't earned the honor of me in less clothing. ;)

But have we? (Once again, I mean...your photo threads are numerous. And well-loved.)

[AZRedHot]

Might could be. ;) And that's kind of you. Thank you.

[Lilith]

The mistletoe is hung

[dicksbro]

^^^^ Good idea! :) :x:

I've got to usher at church this morning.

[gekkogecko]

The mistletoe is hung

As well-hung as the stockings?

[rabbit]

Keep us updated.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it OF? Rabbit, here's hoping all goes well! :thumbs:

Thanks fellas. I'm clear!!

The sedatives they gave be beforehand did have an interesting amnesic effect...don't remember huge blocks of time after I awoke from the procedure. That was fun. The worst part was actually the day prior, trying to drink 64oz of vile mixture...ugh.

[gekkogecko]

The Chessiecon Turkey Awards Page for this year is up: http://chessiecon.org/turkey.html

[dicksbro]

Looks like a good time was had by all!

How'd you do?

[dicksbro]

We had a good time yesterday visiting twelve shut ins. Had a great time. These are some really terrific people who struggle because of age and/or physical difficulties ... but who are really some of the warmest and nicest people you could ever want to meet. :thumbs:

[dicksbro]

Ice storm hit us yesterday knocking out our power from 10AM until about 10AM this morning (24hour outage). Without power, our basement flooded with maybe 5" of water. Fortunately, a friend brought over a generator today and we've drained the basement of water (although more is coming in, the restored power is letting our sump pump take care of it). Then our old sump pump froze and so we had to install a new one. Fortunately, the old one had lasted long enough to get rid of almost all the water and so we got the new one in with little additional damage. Anyway, from 10AM yesterday amid freezing temperature, our house dipped only from 73 to 61 when the power came back on today. Without power, of course, no router or modem and so no pixies this morning. Hopefully no more heavy rains and freezing temps building up ice on the trees and lines ... and least not in the immediate future. We're ready for a break.

[PantyFanatic]

Sorry to hear about your testing, DB. :( I suffered much less last night myself. I'm a bit too close to the Lake now so the all night rain with 55 knot gusts took out my power for only 23 hrs, (21:00-20:00). No water damage but the wind cooled the house pretty quick. My biggest problem was waking up with a cold nose. Guess that makes me a healthy dog. :blink:

[Lilith]

It's 80 here

[Lord Snow]

I'm getting tired of the rain, but that's about all the problems weather wise we've had.

[jseal]

I'm getting tired of the rain ...
Amen to that!

[dicksbro]

It's dark out. Of course it's only 2:30AM. :shrug:

[gekkogecko]

It's 5:00 somewhere.

[Lord Snow]

Shhh....this is a secret, but.....................something

[Lilith]

I'm wishing my sweet Pixies and the old cranky one a wonderful new year!

[rabbit]

I'm wishing my sweet Pixies and the old cranky one a wonderful new year!

Happy New Year to you, too Lil! :love:

[dicksbro]

Happy New Year to Pixies ... everywhere!

[BIBI]

Happy New Year to Pixies ... everywhere!


:x:

[Goofy]

Happy New Year to you, BIBI, and to DB! :thumbs:

[Oldfart]

Happy New Year everyone.

[gekkogecko]

Got to work, took care of the turltes, got home OK despite the fatigue. Think I partied too much.

[dicksbro]

Slept soundly until a while ago ... now, I'm wide awake. :shrug:

[AZRedHot]

I'm right there with you, DB, without the sleeping soundly first. I thought I was ready for bed. Instead, I'm wide awake and too warm. Ah, middle age...you're a rat bastard! :)

[gekkogecko]

OK, DB, what's up with the aircraft? The other day it was a DH 2, now it's an AEG G-IV.

[dicksbro]

Just the labels on the drawings. Not personally that familiar with the almost countless number of models and variations on aircraft from WWI. :shrug: I just like how they look.

[gekkogecko]

Ah, well, the one today is a Nieuport 17/23 (small, mostly internal differences between the two models). What will it be tomorrow?

[dicksbro]

Albatros D-III today. This one was labeled! :)

[gekkogecko]

So it is, and I was about to comment on it, then I saw the label.

BTW, the Albatros D-III was the aircraft used by M. v. Richthofen to score more than a quarter of his credited 80 victories.

[gekkogecko]

And the famous Camel. But where's Snoopy?

[Oldfart]

He upgraded to a Spitfire.

[jseal]

One of my BILs is in CICU. Poor prognosis.

[Oldfart]

Is this the BIL whose health has worried you before?

[gekkogecko]

And today, Dicksbro returns to the ever-so-famous Albatros Flugzeugwerke GmbH, with their type D-V.

[gekkogecko]

And now, the Pfalz D-III. Keep 'em coming, DB.

[Lord Snow]

Went to the gym for the first time in 2-3 weeks. I'm woefully screwed at the moment. The heater in my fish tank went pbbbtttt, so I have new one on the way. It's the Fluval E200 (which I am loving the Fluval brand).

[gekkogecko]

I've always heard god things about the Fluval brand label. Let us know how it works out for you, LS.

And today, Dicksbro features the SPAD S.XVI. Not one of Bécherau's better efforts.

[dicksbro]

And, today, we have the Halberstadt. Got some good comments from our own gecko already. :thumbs:

[AZRedHot]

I think I'm going to have to add onion rings to the ever-growing list of things my aging body can no longer handle happily. :(

[jseal]

Is this the BIL whose health has worried you before?
No sir. He passed on a couple of years ago. This is his younger brother. It's been a difficult few days.

[gekkogecko]

Today's featured aircraft by Dicksbro is mislabelled. There was no such thing as the Halberstadt CL-I. Instead, the aircraft illustrated is the widely-successful CL-II.

The confusion comes from the Luftstreitkräfte's designation system during the First World War.

At the beginning of the war, the system was quite simple: A for monoplanes, B for biplanes. (And this was at a time when the LSK didn't, as such, exist yet; it was still called IdFlieg, Inspektion der Fliegertruppen) Later, when people started arming aircraft, the Germans decided that category C aircraft would be two-seat, armed general-purpose aircraft.

The the IdFlieg/LSK decided to start doing a more or less mnemonic, rather than strict alphabetic system: D, Doppeldecker (biplane); E, Eindecker (monoplane); Dr, Dreidecker, (triplane: all D, Dr, & E also imply single-seat aircraft); G Grossfleugzug, large aircraft, multi-engine bombers, (originally K, Kampffleugzug, "Battle aircraft); R, Reisenfleugzug, giant aircraft, some even larger than many WW II bombers; J, apparently a throw-back to the alphabetical system, armored ground-attack aircraft.

And then the more specialized aircraft:
N, Nacht, (night) aircraft specially designed for night operations);
CN, night-adapted C aircraft, later simply N;
DJ, single-seat aircraft adapted fr ground attack;
CL & GL: CL is, of course, the class to which the featured aircraft belongs. The addition "L" implies "Licht" (light): lightweight versions of C or G aircraft. In the case of C aircraft, the original purpose was to produce a two-seat escort fighter. They could also carry a few light bombs, and when ground strafing & close air support became part of their regular duties, grenade racks were added to their regular equipment.

[gekkogecko]

And as a follow-on to that:
There was never any such aircraft as the Halberstadt CL-I because the company & army both were apparently following the numerical sequence from the earlier types produced by the same company. To add t the confusion, there were a couple of different Halberstadt C-I aircraft: an experimental C-I, and then a licensed-built copy of the DFW C-V (originally known also as the Halberstadt, then the designation was changed to DFW C-V (Halb)). Then the Halberstädter Fleuzug-Werke built their CL-II. They also did produce a "regular" C-III, and followed up their CL-II with a CL-IV, also fairly widely accepted by the Luftstreitkräfte.

[dicksbro]

Interesting insights, gecko! Thanks. Appreciate your comments. Today's Armstrong-Whitworth is interesting, because only one was completed and the model never went into production. It was a three-seated fighter (very unusual) with two gunners. It's performance however was not adequate and further research was dropped.

[gekkogecko]

Yep, either the F. K. 5 or 6-one example of each built, with the 6 being the follow-on to the 5. Fuselage height/depth suggests the illustration is the F. K. 6. By the time it was actually designed and ready for testing, it was already obsolete, and fortunately for the aircrews that would otherwise have had to fly it, the status was recognized-a sharp contrast to several Royal Aircraft Factory products of the First World War.

And the designation "FK" for Armstrong-Whitworth aircraft products refers to Frederick Koolhoven, a Dutch designer working for Ack-W. (And what other famous Dutch aircraft designers of the period do we know about?).

[gekkogecko]

And today, it's the Friedrichshafen G-III. Actually a more widely-used bomber than the more famous Gotha G types, it was also probably more effective; the sources I have claim that the aircrews involved with the types praised the Friedrichshafen's reliability over the Gotha.

[Lord Snow]

I've noticed a prevailing amount of German aircraft.....no American or English DB?

[Oldfart]

There were no serious American aircraft in the European theatre in this time period. The French SPAD was the primary mount for the Yanks.

[gekkogecko]

OF is entirely correctly here-the US talked a big talk, but the plans to fill out the US ranks with US design, built & operated aircraft were badly implemented, rife with corruption, and generally pie-in-the-sky (yes, pun intended) hopes. The US had to make due with (sometimes US-built) British designs (DH 4, DH 9 & 9A) and French (Nieuport Ni.28, SPAD S.13, Breguet Br.14) aircraft. The US designed & built "Liberty" engine, in varying power ratings did power many of the foreign (to the US) designed, US-built aircraft though.

For my own part, I wonder if DB is trying to set up a challenge, see if I will have t skip commenting on something he pictures. We are getting close, but I do have a whle lot of reference materials handy.

Vickers F.B. (Fighting Biplane) 24-another aircraft that never made it beyond the prototype stage The engine that it was designed to mate with, the Vickers -developed Hart, was to unreliable. It probably could have been made to work, but by the time the might have happened, the British already had a very servicable Two-seat fighter aircraft, the Bristol F.2b. In stark contrast to a lot of British products,t he F.2b was one of the best aircraft of the war, completely obscuring the Vickers F.B.24.

[Lord Snow]

I'm not that into planes, but I remember there being quite a few in WW2 that were American design, made, and piloted. I kind of figured it might have been similar in WW1.

[Oldfart]

Yes LS, the lessons of WW1 were learned, but not until America started supplying planes to Britain did the rush of adequate planes begin.

[gekkogecko]

So today we have the ever so famous Fokker E-II. Honestly it was an adequate design; Antony Fokker was building more-or-less copies of the pre-war Morane monoplane (as the A-I); after he was shown Roland Garros' deflector wedges for dealing with the problem of building a machine gun & aircraft combination that a single pilot could deal with, Fokker claims to have invented an interrupter gear that would avoid the problem of degrading propeller (and thus aircraft) performance, the problem of a basic 'pusher' type design that also degraded aircraft performance, and still allow a single-seat airborne weapons system. In reality, such a design existed before the War, patented by Franz Schneider (by then working for LVG); but official indifference and Schneider's realization that military-grade ammunition often 'hung fire' made Schneider drop the project.

So, Fokker got the credit, mated the interrupter gear with his A-I, built several of them before switching to the improved E-II design, worte a whole bunch of utter bullshit about it in his autobiography, the Fokker E-series of aircraft (at least all the early ones, E-I through E-IV) launched several early famous German air heroes on their careers, and the Allies more-or-less panicked because the Germans were suddenly shooting back and created several exaggerated phrases like 'Fokker Scourge'.

[Lord Snow]

Sounds like modern business to me. Someone does all the work, someone else takes all the credit and then exaggerates the idea with bullshit.

[dicksbro]

I think you hit the nail on the head, LS. May not, however, been just the case with "modern business" but probably goes way, way back! :shrug:

[gekkogecko]

Ah, yes, Antony Fokker, despite being a Dutch native, thoroughly absorbed the principles of American big business. Build your company on the back of giants.

Today, DB features the Nieuport Ni 28. This was a follow-on to a series of quite successful single-seat fighter aircraft; Nieuport Ni. 11, Nieuport Ni. 17 then the 28. However, by the time the 28 was developed & put into service, the lightweight, comparatively flimsy construction was a flawed design concept. Or, at least badly implemented. The French had the SPAD S. 13 by then, and while the Nieuport company built plenty of 28s, they saw comparatively little service in the Aéronautique Militaire. Instead, when the Americans showed up, and lacked aircraft, the French foisted the Nieuport 28s off on them-initially even without armament, since they were supposed to be only used as advanced trainers. Then the Americans got the guns, and tried to use them as front-line fighters. The famous ace Eddie Rickenbacker, in fact, was nearly killed early in his flying career when he maneuvered his 28 too violently, almost all the fabric peeled off of his right wings, and he crashed.

[dicksbro]

Today's little jewel is the Morane Saulnier N. "The Morane-Saulnier N, also known as the Morane-Saulnier Type N, was a French monoplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. Designed and manufactured by Morane-Saulnier, the Type N entered service in April 1915 with the Aéronautique Militaire designated as the MS.5 C.1. It also equipped four squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps, in which it was nicknamed the Bullet, and was operated in limited numbers by the 19th Squadron of the Imperial Russian Air Force."

[dicksbro]

Today is also the day my wife and I will be visiting shut-ins from our church. We do this about once a month. What amazes me is how rewarding it is to visit folks who aren't able to get out and about much because of age or health issues. So many are really great people who have a lot to share. :thumbs:

[gekkogecko]

Today's little jewel is the Morane Saulnier N. "The Morane-Saulnier N, also known as the Morane-Saulnier Type N, was a French monoplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. Designed and manufactured by Morane-Saulnier, the Type N entered service in April 1915 with the Aéronautique Militaire designated as the MS.5 C.1. It also equipped four squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps, in which it was nicknamed the Bullet, and was operated in limited numbers by the 19th Squadron of the Imperial Russian Air Force."

And as it so happens, I have two of them (see attached). There's this game I like, a WW I (and in another version WW II) aerial combat game that uses 1/144th scale miniatures. Wings of Glory, currently published by Ares Games. When they produce a given miniature, they go to the trouble of painting the various models in the colors/paint schemes of individual pilots, when they can. (That is, when their research gives them the needed information). In my case, the two depicted are: on the left, slightly behind, the aircraft of Sergent Jean Chaput, Escadrille N. 31; on the right, the aircraft of Eugène Gilbert, Escadrille MS. 49 . Both Aéronautique Militaire.

Interesting thing about the M-S Type N; it was never equipped with a synchronization gear; instead, it relied on the less efficient, and somewhat more hazardous deflector wedges pioneered by Roland Garros.

And the squadron designations above: the French were the only ones to have homogenous squadrons at the beginning of the war: This was vastly easier on the ground crews, as it meant they did not have to try and stock spare parts for 4 or five different aircraft types, or learn as many different rigging schemes, etc. But it also meant that the French designated their squadrons with both a service series number and an abbreviation indicating the aircraft manufacturer of the type the squadron was equipped with. (Nieuport, or Morane-Saulnier in the above examples). Theoretically, the alphabetic designation would change when the squadron re-equipped, but this did not always happen.

[Lord Snow]

It actually snowed here in middle TN. A real snow, somewhere between 4-6 inches I guesstimate. Thick, white, fluffy, and beautiful. Now if only I could convince my g/f to go play in it with me......

[jseal]

^^ Have fun!^^

The snow began here late yesterday afternoon, and hasn’t stopped. We’ve already accumulated seven inches or so, and expect to double that before the snow stops late tonight.

I wonder what inside activities we can enjoy to while away the hours?

[dicksbro]

No doubt you were thinking of Cribbage or Scrabble. :boink:

Then, again, maybe not. :D

[gekkogecko]

Wow, DB's getting more & more obscure with the aircraft. The Ponnier M-1? Not really used by any one; first the French rejected it, then the Belgians did too. Although I think there was about what, maybe a squadron's worth of the aircraft that may have made it into French service for a little while.

[dicksbro]

Yep.

[gekkogecko]

And from the obscure to the incredibly famous. The Fokker D-VII was widely touted as "the best German fighter aircraft of the war." Probably not, because there were later aircraft that the Germans barely go to the front before the war ended; but it was certainly the best widely-used aircraft the Germans had. It was the result of a competition held at Adlershof in January, 1928. During this competition, the Red Baron himself was persuaded to try out Fokker's prototype, the V (Versuchs, "research", or prototype) VI; Richthofen said the speed & climb were satisfactory, but the handling characteristics in terms of stability & spinning tendencies were bad. Fokker had his chief engineer, Reinhold Platz make a few changes to the fuselage & tail, and somehow persuaded Richthofen to give it another go. After this, Richthofen wholeheartedly endorsed the aircraft, Fokker won the competition, and the D-VII was adopted so enthusiastically that the rival companies Albatros & LFG Roland were directed to build the design under license, and pay Fokker a royalty on the design.

Richthofen himself never flew it in combat, though: the first examples were barely at the front in late April, 1918, when he was killed in his Fokker Dr-I. But there were other very famous German fighter aces who did: Ernst Udet, Hermann Göring, and Rudolf Berthold are examples. And the aircraft specifically picture in DB's userpic is that of Vizefeldwebel (a rank equivalent roughly to deputy Sergeant-Major) Max Holtzem, Jagdstaffel 16.

[dicksbro]

My avatar for today is the US built Curtiss H.12.

I found the following and offer it as additional information dealing with this aircraft ...

"Up until the entry of the United States into the war the sole domestic aircraft designer and manufacturer who had a routine business with the Allied powers was the Curtiss Company. The H-12 design of late 1916 was a significantly scaled-up version of earlier H-boat designs. Initially intended to be powered by two 160 hp Curtiss V-X-X engines, these were deemed unsatisfactory by the British, who substituted 275 hp Rolls Royce Eagle engines in the aircraft which they purchased.

As U.S. participation in the war became imminent the U.S. Navy was finally able to purchase these twin-engined flying boats. The first of 20 H-12's were delivered in March 1917. Engines were the 200 Curtiss V-2-3 type which were later replaced by Liberty engines. The serial numbers of these aircraft were A152 and A765-A783.

While the H-12 served in the RNAS in England, the U.S. Navy opted not to assign the machine to foreign duty. Therefore, active service by the Navy was limited to anti-submarine patrol duty at domestic naval air stations."

[gekkogecko]

^^^ Yep, and that decision was just another factor which kept any US-designed, US-built, US-crewed planes out of the First World War. Not that that's a bad thing, nor a good thing, just a thing.

[dicksbro]

It was sure cold, damp and windy yesterday. Suppose to be on a warming trend into the weekend with temps near 50 by then. That'll be nice. :)

[gekkogecko]

And today, DB features the Breguet Br 14. The US enthusiastically adopted the French aircraft, as it was fast, robust, and versatile. It had two main versions the A.2 reconnaissance variant & the B.2 bomber variant. And in fact, some of the latter were fairly easily adapted to use the US-built 'Liberty' engine. It was so successful, in fact that it continued in widespread service after the war, both in various Air Services, and in some modified and specialized civilian variants.

[gekkogecko]

And now we have the Gotha G-IV. As mentioned before, the Gotha series of G-type were quite famous for being the "type of choice" to carry out the strategic aerial bombardment of England during WW I. It was also the first of the Gotha types to feature the "tunnel"-a cut-out in the lower fuselage allowing the rear gunner/observer to fire through the fuselage at an aircraft attack from below and behind. Also like the Fokker D-VII mentioned previously, the Gotha G-IV was built by manufacturing firms other than the original designer. In this case, Siemens-Schuckert Werke (SSW), and Luft Verkehrs Gesellschaft (LVG).

[gekkogecko]

Did DB run out of WW I aircraft icons?

[dicksbro]

Temporarily. Sometimes I just like to change themes for a while. :)

Who knows, I may return!

[Oldfart]

DB has entered a higher plane.

[dicksbro]

It could also be I was doing a barrel roll and just fell out. :yikes:

Nah!

[Oldfart]

Too many choruses of "Roll out the Barrel"?

[gekkogecko]

Maybe he's just been reduced to wearing a barrel.

[Oldfart]

It was his turn in the barrel.

[Lilith]

I wonder if there is a Pixies wherever we go after here. I can picture Mr.Boogerface, STO, and Wyndhy hanging out.

[dicksbro]

Maybe he's just been reduced to wearing a barrel.
Somehow, I feel like you've got me over a barrel ... or inside one at least. :boink:

[Oldfart]

I wonder if there is a Pixies wherever we go after here. I can picture Mr.Boogerface, STO, and Wyndhy hanging out.

There wouldn't dare not be.

[PantyFanatic]

I wonder if there is a Pixies wherever we go after here. I can picture Mr.Boogerface, STO, and Wyndhy hanging out.

I'll let you know. :jester:

[Lilith]

I'm sure your old ass will be back haunting me before they even close the casket.

[dicksbro]

That would be ASS-tonishing to say the least. :faint:

[FlirtWithMe]

I need to be asleep :yikes:

[Coaster]

Nice being under FWM!!!

"I Feel Good.... nananana na na!"

[FlirtWithMe]

Nice being under FWM!!!It's been too long!

[Coaster]

Yes it has................





and getting longer!

[FlirtWithMe]

and getting longer!Are you talking about yardsticks again? :p

Good friends have made a bad day bearable today :nod:

[PantyFanatic]

I'm sure your old ass will be back haunting me before they even close the casket.
I'm already practicing. Where do you think those KILLER CLOWN dreams are coming from? http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sleep018.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

[dicksbro]

I'm already practicing. Where do you think those KILLER CLOWN dreams are coming from?
Ronald McGoner's Hamburgers Ground Fresh? :shrug:

[sodaklostsoul]

I wonder if there is a Pixies wherever we go after here. I can picture Mr.Boogerface, STO, and Wyndhy hanging out.
:nod:

[dicksbro]

:thumbs:

[FlirtWithMe]

Epilation doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would :)

[dicksbro]

Hard to believe February this year is virtually over with only today left.

[PantyFanatic]

... and you even had an extra day. :)

[PantyFanatic]

Very clever Google avatar today with the Delta sign and the bunnies. :nod:

[dicksbro]

Nine months and 21 days and it'll be Christmas. :)

[gekkogecko]

About 1" (2.5cm) of snow on the grounds, none on the roads, right at the freezing point now, going up to a high of 41F/5C, occasional snow supposed to end now. Life is good.

[PantyFanatic]

12 Days, 11 hours, 20 minutes and it'll be the BIG day.http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/PantyFanatic/leprechaun-stpats-large.jpg (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/PantyFanatic/media/leprechaun-stpats-large.jpg.html)

[dicksbro]

Ah, I remember an evening at Paddy O'Flaherty's here in our town with a gang Pixies enjoying the music and some great refreshments. :irish:

[gekkogecko]

Please dont' remind me, PF.

[gekkogecko]

I cancelled my allergist appointment today, due to the severe cold I have. Yes, I'm too sick to go to the doctor.

[dicksbro]

We're suppose to get some rain this morning and again tonight and tomorrow. But, at least the temps won't be too bad.

[gekkogecko]

I'm playing a table-top game with people around the world in a few.

Isn't it terrible the way the internet and smart phones have taken away "real" human interaction?

[AZRedHot]

I see what you did there, GG. ;)

It's been way too long since I checked in here.

[gekkogecko]

I see what you did there, GG. ;)


It's even more amusing when I say that to someone, and they're not at all paying attention, and they not only agree with the second statement, but start on a mini-rant about how "true" it is.

[AZRedHot]

Relationships via the internet are as genuine as the people who engage in them. And it's usually extraverts who insist that only in-person, meatspace interaction counts.

[dm383]

Relationships via the internet are as genuine as the people who engage in them.

Yep, quite agree with that.

:D

DM

[dicksbro]

I've got bunch of stuff to do today if it doesn't rain. Maybe I'd better check the weather soon.

See if I'll be procrastinating for another day. :)

[Lord Snow]

My g/f and I just started the long arduous process of buying our first house. We met with the bank to find out how much house we can afford. Next week he's supposed to give us some more accurate numbers than he gave us today so we can go to a real estate agent and start seriously looking.

[dicksbro]

Good luck to you, LS! Hope you find the perfect place for a lower price than what you expected to pay in a great area with a fantastic lot! :thumbs:

[Lord Snow]

Thanks, I think we're going to need it. Unfortunately it seems that right now it's a seller's market, but there is some good news. I qualify for two different programs that allow for 100% financing.

[gekkogecko]

Whoo!Hoo! That's great, LS.

[FlirtWithMe]

Great news, LS! Lots of luck and happiness to you and your g/f :)


Tell me something, tell me something... hmmm...

I often wonder if I will ever feel like I belong somewhere.

[dicksbro]

Of course you belong somewhere ... right here at pixies. Just wouldn't be the same without you. :grope:

[AZRedHot]

This insomnia crap is getting old.

[FlirtWithMe]

I should be in the shower and getting ready for work but Pixies Place is more appealing :nod:




Of course you belong somewhere ... right here at pixies. Just wouldn't be the same without you. :grope:Thanks DB, that means a lot :kisser:

[gekkogecko]

The Dalai Lama frequently uses various social media to communicate. Today's post:

Just as heat dispels cold, loving-kindness counters anger. We need to learn how to counter our various emotions. Distraction is just a temporary measure. The longer lasting remedy is to be able to see positive qualities in something or someone you otherwise see as negative. Since there is rarely any justification for destructive emotions, we need to become aware of what gives rise to them and what the antidotes are.

[dicksbro]

A very wise man, indeed, GG. If only humanity would learn that lesson and apply it.

[Oldfart]

Interesting.

My puter's time reads 9:11AM.

An Pixies edit I just made tells me that it's 7:55am.

Am I retardised?

[gekkogecko]

The Washing Capitals finished their regular season play yesterday with the President's Trophy for the best regular season record. 56-18-8.

Playoffs start Thursday evening against the Philadelphia Flyers.

[gekkogecko]

Hm, it's the birthday of both my sister & a friend of mine. 365 days out of the year, and they have to pick the same one.

[gekkogecko]

A security bug that's actually real:
http://www.snopes.com/2016/04/16/government-advises-windows-users-to-delete-quicktime/

[Lord Snow]

I just went and saw Batman vs. Superman. For the most part I liked it, however it is one of those movies that you watch the first 3/4 for the last little bit. Ben Affleck isn't the worst Batman I've seen, but he's far from Keaton and Bale in my opinion.

[gekkogecko]

The Washington Capitals practically wiped out the Philadelphia Flyers last night, 6-1. Caps now lead the series 3 games to 0, just one more to win to go on to the next round of the playoffs.

[AZRedHot]

My neck has been killing me for 2 days. We are not amused.

[dicksbro]

I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!

:D How about that? :D

[AZRedHot]

I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!
I'M BACK!

:D How about that? :D

YAY! :cheerlead

[jseal]

Welcome back Sir! :thumb:

[gekkogecko]

(welcoming back head bobs) to DicksBro!

[PantyFanatic]

Happy to see you back. :) I hope loss and/or expense was minimal.

Welcome home. http://www.pic4ever.com/images/999.gif

[Lord Snow]

Well, I've gotten a pre approval letter from a mortgage broker, and my first showing in the morning. I googled the house, and it's a pretty good sized corner lot with a two car detached garage, a storage shed, concrete drive, and covered back porch. Hopefully the interior is just as nice as the exterior.

[dicksbro]

Best of luck to you, LS! We'll keep our fingers crossed.

And, thanks to the gecko, jseal and PF! It's good to be home. Costs were not as much as I thought. Actually ... pretty cheap. :D

[gekkogecko]

Grrr, now my computer is acting up. Power supply port. Not sure if it's just loose connection (which re-soldering would fix), or the port itself is going bad (which would mean new motherboard, may as well buy a new laptop.

[PantyFanatic]

The Washington Capitals practically wiped out the Philadelphia Flyers last night, 6-1. Caps now lead the series 3 games to 0, just one more to win to go on to the next round of the playoffs.
I'm hoping for you today. :wish: I want you to win today so the Penguins can :nuts: beat you like a blue eyed baby in a black family.

[gigi]

I'm hoping for you today. :wish: I want you to win today so the Penguins can :nuts: beat you like a blue eyed baby in a black family.

:hockey:

:roflmao:

[gekkogecko]

Penguins don't stand a chance.

:hockey: :spank: :hockey:

[PantyFanatic]

That could be true .................................... when they play the Black Hawks in a couple weeks. :rofl:

[gekkogecko]

Here extra early, so I can go help out with the election today.

[AZRedHot]

I'm going back to bed. Not ready to Tuesday yet.

[Lord Snow]

I'm going back to bed. Not ready to Tuesday yet.

Can I come? I don't want to go to work.

[AZRedHot]

Can I come? I don't want to go to work.

Anytime, m'lord. :)

[dicksbro]

Going to be a busy day. Today's the day we're going to visit several shut-ins. Always a rewarding experience.

[jseal]

Can I come? I don't want to go to work.
I like how you think!

[FlirtWithMe]

I've been busy :p

[gekkogecko]

Game 1 of the Caps-Pens series went to the Caps 4-3 in overtime. Game 2 tonight. Looking forward to it.

[AZRedHot]

Working on a song draft for the first time in ages.

[dicksbro]

^^^^ Great! Hope it goes really well. Actually, I've no doubt that it will! :thumbs:

[gekkogecko]

OK, so the Penguins tied up the series last night. Score for the game was 2-1. But there are still at least three games to go in the series.

[AZRedHot]

^^^^ Great! Hope it goes really well. Actually, I've no doubt that it will! :thumbs:

Thanks, DB. I hope so! :)

[dicksbro]

I think this week we'll gradually see the weather go back to spring after a week of trying to back up again. I hope so anyway.

[Lilith]

It's been a shit day. I might be losing my job and my sweet birdie died.

[dicksbro]

Sorry about the loss of your birdie and here's hoping if you do lose this job it'll only mean that something better is waiting for you. At least we'll be praying that's the case. :wish:

[gekkogecko]

It's been a shit day. I might be losing my job and my sweet birdie died.

Oh, FUCK everything.

[dicksbro]

Last Sunday we went over to Allerton Park (bit under two hours from here) since the Peonies were in bloom. (Note my avatars) Had a picnic with a long-time friend. My wife's out of school for the summer. We saw the doctor yesterday for her and all was well. Today we'll visit about 5 shut-ins and tomorrow we're thinking of a movie. It's been a pretty good week! :thumbs:

[Lord Snow]

Fuel pump in my g/f's truck just went boom. Just my luck these days.

[dicksbro]

Another busy day here in the heartland. Well, okay, maybe not in the whole heartland, maybe not even in the whole town ... but at least busy for us. Lot's of running around to do. :(

[dicksbro]

Went to see Alice Through the Looking Glass. Good show. A complicated plot but well done. At least we enjoyed it. :)

[Lilith]

Our department is getting absorbed and I don't know if I will be or not.

[dicksbro]

Going to take a ride on The Spirit of Peoria stern-wheel riverboat. We'll be celebrating our great-grandson's 7th birthday along with 26 other members of our family. Even our daughter from Georgia will be up here for the party! :thumbs:

[gekkogecko]

Our department is getting absorbed and I don't know if I will be or not.

You'll still have a home here.

[Lord Snow]

Our department is getting absorbed and I don't know if I will be or not.

They'd be a fool not to. You rock, and unlike a lot of people I've come across in my life, you care about the work you do.

[AZRedHot]

I saw The Lobster tonight. It started out delightfully absurd, and then it turned really dark.

[gekkogecko]

But was it darkly absurd?

[jseal]

It’s interesting to contrast and compare the changes in my neighborhood over time. I was talking with my son this morning, and commented on the similarities between the current Hispanic music that was wafting in the back screen door and the Italian that he heard growing up here. Jack, who once danced in the Bali D’Italia, cocked his head, listened for a moment and concurred, saying “Yeah, I could dance a tarantella to that.”

[AZRedHot]

But was it darkly absurd?

Maybe, but mostly just dark. I spent the first half of the movie enjoying the weirdness, and the second half just kind of horrified.

[Lilith]

I spent the weekend at my *cough*cough* 30th reunion. So fun. Saw the boy I made cream his jeans just by kissing. Fun times

[gekkogecko]

Lilith, did you put in a repeat performance?

[Lord Snow]

I spent the weekend at my *cough*cough* 30th reunion. So fun. Saw the boy I made cream his jeans just by kissing. Fun times

Impressive. Are you giving away free samples?

[dicksbro]

The kisses or the cream? :confused:





:D

[gekkogecko]

Sirens went screaming down my street, turned onto a neighboring street, and stopped two houses in yesterday afternoon. Haven't found out what was up with that yet.

[Lord Snow]

The kisses or the cream? :confused:





:D

If she'll provide the kisses, I can definitely give her the cream.

[gekkogecko]

Hoo-boy. Came to work today, found one of my cow-orkers had proceed me to the office. Not unusual in itself, but he had the door locked, being the only one here. That is unusual. Got the full explanation. Short one: Court appearance recently from a whacko ex.

[Lord Snow]

It's official. I just signed away the next 30 years of my life to a mortgage.

[jseal]

^^^ Congratulations on your purchase! :thumbs: ^^^

[Oldfart]

It's official. I just signed away the next 30 years of my life to a mortgage.

It's amazing how not being answerable to an intrusive landlord can make everything so much calmer.

[Oldfart]

Saw the boy I made cream his jeans just by kissing. Fun times

You can do that by just touching a keyboard.

[dicksbro]

Congrats LS! Time will fly by. Those 30 years will go quick!

[Lord Snow]

It's amazing how not being answerable to an intrusive landlord can make everything so much calmer.

Thanks everyone for all the congrats.

OF, I never really had any intrusion from the property manager or maintenance.

[Lord Snow]

Interesting dig (http://www.archaeology.org/news/4605-160628-siberia-medieval-weapons-foundry)

I know there are a few people that will find this interesting.

[gekkogecko]

That is interesting, LS. Thanks for the link.

[dicksbro]

The link is very interesting LS. Once again, you learn something every day (if, of course) you visit pixies every day! :)

[Lord Snow]

Don't you hate it when you're packing stuff up, and then you have just a few items that should go in that box that just won't fit?

[gekkogecko]

Make it fit, even if you have to chop your toes & heels off.

[Lord Snow]

I'm not destroying my dvd's. My feet sure, but not my movies.

[dicksbro]

We're going to spend part of the 4th at a cookout along the Illinois River at a nice campground.

[PantyFanatic]

Juno in in orbit! :nana: :nana:

[Oldfart]

Juno in in orbit! :nana: :nana:

Jupiter's wife has gone to check on her husband and his lovers.

[dicksbro]

Was she going to join in or just take inventory? :shrug:

[gekkogecko]

Yep, was coming to this thread to post about Juno.
http://www.space.com/33343-nasa-juno-spacecraft-arrives-jupiter.html

[dicksbro]

While Juno studies Jupiter, I think I'll go ahead and get my annual CT Scan this morning (follow-up on my cancer ... which I think I'm free of for now).

[gekkogecko]

(follow-up on my cancer ... which I think I'm free of for now).

Good on you for that. Keep it up.

[dicksbro]

Going to say goodbye to some friends we've had since 1977 when we moved here. They've sold their home and are going to move up to Plainfield (Chicago area) to be nearer their kids. Can't blame them for that. We'll seem them at coffee this morning before they leave.

[gekkogecko]

Waaaaaay better than other reasons for saying goodbye.

[Lord Snow]

Well it looks like no new flooring for me. The time tables just don't measure up. My fishtank is more important than pretty flooring.

[gekkogecko]

Just hope the pretty fish don't end up on the pretty floor.

[dicksbro]

I'll visit my cancer doctor today to see how the CT Scan came out. Hopefully, I'll be clear for another year. :)

[gekkogecko]

Yeah, here's hoping, DB.

[dicksbro]

Came out okay! Next regular check (no CT scan) will be in about 6 months. It'll be based primarily on a blood test (we've only done CT scans about once a year.

[AZRedHot]

That's great, DB!

[gekkogecko]

Allllllll riiiiiight!