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RTDNTOTO 🐻 Random Thoughts Deserving No Thread Of Their Own 20 (2025)

Thursday, July 24, will be just a normal day to most of you. But here in Utah, that is a state holiday - Pioneer Day. Or as some call it, Pie and Beer Day. I and @ursus (any others?) will have the day off. The day we are to celebrate Mormon pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. And contrary to what most people say, the words of B. Young were "This is the right place" and not "This is the place."
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
A lot of people also figured out that they had leaks.
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We found that out with the smart water meter. The city actually sent me a text and email saying there was an apparent leak. I looked and even in the middle of the night there was a little water running. I shut off my sprinkler system main and it stopped so.... it's in the sprinkler system somewhere. My sprinkler guy put an automatic shutoff value at that spot and it opens when any of the other valves open. So the leak is still there, it just doesn't leak unless the system is on.
 
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I'm always amazed that Zevon was able to work brucellosis into a song. I don't know if people get it very often, but its a fairly common disease for cattle.
 
I really like a lot of Warren Zevon stuff and think he was a fantastic soungwriter, but the more I've read about him, the more he sounds like a pretty terrible person.
 
I love having a pool... I don't love maintaining it, but it is worth it.

Good thing is we have a pool store that does free water testing. The past 3 times I have been there they said everything looks good and to keep doing what I am doing. So I know they are not 'selling' me.

But in hot stretches like this, it makes living in the South so much more enjoyable.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
I really like a lot of Warren Zevon stuff and think he was a fantastic soungwriter, but the more I've read about him, the more he sounds like a pretty terrible person.
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He was an increadibly scummy guy, but its not going to stop me from being a Warren Zevonista.

I feel similar about Philip Glass, womanizing arsehole who has been married four times, and has a 30something romantic companion now at age 88. But he's a genius and changed 20th century music in many ways I respect and appreciate.
 
The Terminator said:
He was an increadibly scummy guy, but its not going to stop me from being a Warren Zevonista.

I feel similar about Philip Glass, womanizing arsehole who has been married four times, and has a 30something romantic companion now at age 88. But he's a genius and changed 20th century music in many ways I respect and appreciate.
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I skimmed over Wiki but did not see what the problem was with Warren. I know not all is revealed on Wiki and if so, can be deleted. Other than the typical drug and alcohol abuse, what are you referring to?
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
Thursday, July 24, will be just a normal day to most of you. But here in Utah, that is a state holiday - Pioneer Day. Or as some call it, Pie and Beer Day. I and @ursus (any others?) will have the day off. The day we are to celebrate Mormon pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. And contrary to what most people say, the words of B. Young were "This is the right place" and not "This is the place."
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I will be in Bear Lake, baby!
 
Doohickie said:
View attachment 64917

I noticed there was a truck from the Water Department parked out in front of the house. There was a guy working on the water meter. I walked over and asked him what was going on, and he said he was replacing our electronic water meter. Apparently it hasn't been reading correctly since last December, so our water bill was WAY down. The guy from the Water Department said they wouldn't try to back bill or anything since it's on them to make sure the equipment is functioning properly.

The bad news is we'll be paying our fair share again.
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Our town hasn’t had water metering ever. We pay an allotment quarterly. They did recently install meters though but they won’t be turned on until January.
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
I skimmed over Wiki but did not see what the problem was with Warren. I know not all is revealed on Wiki and if so, can be deleted. Other than the typical drug and alcohol abuse, what are you referring to?
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He was self-admittedly "Mr. Bad Example", beat the crap out of Crystal his wife and would threaten her with loaded guns in many of his drunken/drug stupors. He also had consent and boundary issues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Sleep_When_I%27m_Dead:_The_Dirty_Life_and_Times_of_Warren_Zevon (I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon - Wikipedia)

But he also was a genius and the most underrated songwriter of latter century mainstream rock, and a tortured soul who experienced lots of early life Trauma growing up in LA as the son of a Jewish gangster in the 1950s. So I can seperate the art from the artist.
 
My office breakroom includes a soda machine. I am a lucky bastard. I was feeling low, so this morning I am drinking the most exquisite thing I've tasted in a while: Diet Mountain Dew, blue Power Ade, and pineapple syrup. I'm floating.

What are we drinking this afternoon / morning, Cyburbians?
 
ursus said:
My office breakroom includes a soda machine. I am a lucky bastard. I was feeling low, so this morning I am drinking the most exquisite thing I've tasted in a while: Diet Mountain Dew, blue Power Ade, and pineapple syrup. I'm floating.

What are we drinking this afternoon / morning, Cyburbians?
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Water, and lots of it. I'm working outside this week. You know what? I don't like working outside as much as I once did.
 
ursus said:
My office breakroom includes a soda machine. I am a lucky bastard. I was feeling low, so this morning I am drinking the most exquisite thing I've tasted in a while: Diet Mountain Dew, blue Power Ade, and pineapple syrup. I'm floating.

What are we drinking this afternoon / morning, Cyburbians?
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Made popcorn there many times - job at movie theater came in handy. Still have the popcorn machine? Old CM was Pepsi guy to he brought in Pepsi since Coke was already there.
 
The Terminator said:
He was self-admittedly "Mr. Bad Example", beat the crap out of Crystal his wife and would threaten her with loaded guns in many of his drunken/drug stupors. He also had consent and boundary issues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Sleep_When_I%27m_Dead:_The_Dirty_Life_and_Times_of_Warren_Zevon (I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon - Wikipedia)

But he also was a genius and the most underrated songwriter of latter century mainstream rock, and a tortured soul who experienced lots of early life Trauma growing up in LA as the son of a Jewish gangster in the 1950s. So I can seperate the art from the artist.
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Its been a long time since I've seen the documentary around the last album and his cancer. It seems like he owned up to being a horrible person at times and tried to make amends as his life was ending. Not everybody gets the chance and it doesn't discount his past actions. At the same time some people when the end is near don't take the time to try to make amends.

I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock in the 90s, which was 1961-1979 at the time. While I loved his more playful songs like Werewolves of London, Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, and Lawyers Guns and Money (most of songs really aren't that playful when you finally look at the lyrics). It wasn't till I picked up someone's used CD collection with a few of his full albums in grad school that I really saw his talent. I happened to be sitting hungover in a lobby of a hotel in Atlanta after getting dumped on New Year's Eve waiting for the rest of the group (including my ex) to head back home when "Desperado's Under the Eaves" came on and I fully understood the pain of rock bottom loneliness in the song. There are few songs that have such a visceral effect on me.
 
ursus said:
My office breakroom includes a soda machine. I am a lucky bastard. I was feeling low, so this morning I am drinking the most exquisite thing I've tasted in a while: Diet Mountain Dew, blue Power Ade, and pineapple syrup. I'm floating.

What are we drinking this afternoon / morning, Cyburbians?
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Diet Mtn Dew, water, and a mocha coffee protein drink
 
kms said:
Water, and lots of it. I'm working outside this week. You know what? I don't like working outside as much as I once did.
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Lost a lot of its shine for me, too. I laid some sod the other day in my tiny, tiny little back yard at the townhouse and it felt like I had just dug the Panama Canal. I wanted to be inside sipping something and watching something and maybe telling somebody to be a little quieter...I am more suited to those activities now. :)
 
ursus said:
My office breakroom includes a soda machine. I am a lucky bastard. I was feeling low, so this morning I am drinking the most exquisite thing I've tasted in a while: Diet Mountain Dew, blue Power Ade, and pineapple syrup. I'm floating.

What are we drinking this afternoon / morning, Cyburbians?
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I can't stop drinking instant coffee. Throwback to the poverty days where I didn't even have hot water (ok, just not nearby) to use and it was water fountain coffee all day long.
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
Its been a long time since I've seen the documentary around the last album and his cancer. It seems like he owned up to being a horrible person at times and tried to make amends as his life was ending. Not everybody gets the chance and it doesn't discount his past actions. At the same time some people when the end is near don't take the time to try to make amends.

I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock in the 90s, which was 1961-1979 at the time. While I loved his more playful songs like Werewolves of London, Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, and Lawyers Guns and Money (most of songs really aren't that playful when you finally look at the lyrics). It wasn't till I picked up someone's used CD collection with a few of his full albums in grad school that I really saw his talent. I happened to be sitting hungover in a lobby of a hotel in Atlanta after getting dumped on New Year's Eve waiting for the rest of the group (including my ex) to head back home when "Desperado's Under the Eaves" came on and I fully understood the pain of rock bottom loneliness in the song. There are few songs that have such a visceral effect on me.
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Look away (look away) down Gower Avenue, look away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes. I think Warren was vindicated in death. He is still one of my icons and heros, I wasnt trying to disparage the man. Im just realistic about hero worship.
 
Has anyone dealt with these fiber optic node buildings? I have a meeting tomorrow and want some ideas. I believe it's a midspan node between the central hub and the neighborhood. It sounds like it's just a shack with electronics in the neighborhood, but I want some design standards of some kind.
 
I was in a Teams meeting today and was looking for interesting background pics for myself. I found this one and was uploading it while the discussion veered toward a problem our group is having. Just as I was switching over to the new background my manager asked me what I thought of the situation. I mustered my most sarcastic intonation and said,

"IT'S FINE. IT'S ALL FINE."

The background?

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Yes, people chortled.
 
I used to use a plane being shot down for really bad applications when I did team meetings. It was a great background.
 
DVD said:
Has anyone dealt with these fiber optic node buildings? I have a meeting tomorrow and want some ideas. I believe it's a midspan node between the central hub and the neighborhood. It sounds like it's just a shack with electronics in the neighborhood, but I want some design standards of some kind.
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First I've heard of that, sorry. Your assessment sounds right....
 
DVD said:
Has anyone dealt with these fiber optic node buildings? I have a meeting tomorrow and want some ideas. I believe it's a midspan node between the central hub and the neighborhood. It sounds like it's just a shack with electronics in the neighborhood, but I want some design standards of some kind.
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DVD said:
Has anyone dealt with these fiber optic node buildings? I have a meeting tomorrow and want some ideas. I believe it's a midspan node between the central hub and the neighborhood. It sounds like it's just a shack with electronics in the neighborhood, but I want some design standards of some kind.
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We've had two come through. The one's we've seen are small precast modular buildings with power. One was extremely small like 300-400 square feet. The other was 850 square feet. The larger one decided to find a nice spot between two cities that had no zoning so they didn't have to do anything to "dress it up." No water/sewer. I think one of the guys told me someone comes by once a month to make sure its still there, but there was almost no activity on site. We asked about light and noise. There was minimal site lighting and noise was supposed to be limited to about like a residential AC unit.
 
DVD said:
Has anyone dealt with these fiber optic node buildings? I have a meeting tomorrow and want some ideas. I believe it's a midspan node between the central hub and the neighborhood. It sounds like it's just a shack with electronics in the neighborhood, but I want some design standards of some kind.
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Fort Worth has "comm closet" buildings in a lot of the neighborhoods. I think they used to be actual telephone exchanges with operators and stuff back in the day, but I think now they're just comm hubs.

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ursus said:
My office breakroom includes a soda machine. I am a lucky bastard. I was feeling low, so this morning I am drinking the most exquisite thing I've tasted in a while: Diet Mountain Dew, blue Power Ade, and pineapple syrup. I'm floating.

What are we drinking this afternoon / morning, Cyburbians?
Click to expand...

Is that like a Utah soda machine where you can get all sorts of wacky flavors and combinations?

I had to fly out to California a few months ago and had a layover, both ways, in SLC and was sort of bummed that the airport doesn't have one of those soda bars where I could get a "Dirty Soda" that I've heard so much about over the past couple years.

I had taken the day off yesterday so my drink of choice was a Coke with a bit of lime Coke mixed in thanks to the Coke Freestyle machine when I took our daughter to go see Elio at the movie theatre after lunch.
 
We have a few of those comm buildings sprinkled throughout the area. We've been relatively built-out for decades so a lot of those buildings have been there for a long time and are being converted over to nodes for fiber and other more current technology.

The vast majority of them look something like this:

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Looking at the tax information for the ones I know off the top of my head, they all seemed to be owned outby Comcast or AT&T and I will say that they are generally very well maintained and blend into the surroundings nicely. I don't get out into the hinterlands where there is more new development too often but now DVD's question has me wondering what kind of stuff the providers are constructing out there. Some sort of pre-fab or modular building would definitely not fly around here.

We also have this larger AT&T facility in our downtown that I imagine at one time had a bunch of women sitting at switchboards inside there but I've never seen anybody go in or out of in all my years here. I like to imagine it's something like 33 Thomas St or Room 641A.

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This place is right smackdab in the middle of our downtown where real estate is $$$$ and it takes up half of an entire block. I always wonder how long it makes sense for AT&T to keep this facility as opposed to selling it off to some developer and moving their equipment elsewhere. I cannot imagine there is as much equipment in one of these buildings as there was 50 or 60 years ago?
 
WSU MUP Student said:
We have a few of those comm buildings sprinkled throughout the area. We've been relatively built-out for decades so a lot of those buildings have been there for a long time and are being converted over to nodes for fiber and other more current technology.

The vast majority of them look something like this:

View attachment 64952

View attachment 64953

Looking at the tax information for the ones I know off the top of my head, they all seemed to be owned outby Comcast or AT&T and I will say that they are generally very well maintained and blend into the surroundings nicely. I don't get out into the hinterlands where there is more new development too often but now DVD's question has me wondering what kind of stuff the providers are constructing out there. Some sort of pre-fab or modular building would definitely not fly around here.

We also have this larger AT&T facility in our downtown that I imagine at one time had a bunch of women sitting at switchboards inside there but I've never seen anybody go in or out of in all my years here. I like to imagine it's something like 33 Thomas St or Room 641A.

View attachment 64954

This place is right smackdab in the middle of our downtown where real estate is $$$$ and it takes up half of an entire block. I always wonder how long it makes sense for AT&T to keep this facility as opposed to selling it off to some developer and moving their equipment elsewhere. I cannot imagine there is as much equipment in one of these buildings as there was 50 or 60 years ago?
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It's not only the equipment but the infrastructure coming into and going out of the building.
 
We've got a giant comms building across from city hall, but the garbage I'm dealing with is fiber optic companies trying to create a service in the area. Most of the lines and equipment goes in the ROW, but they need these little buildings the size of a large backyard shed to be placed in a residential neighborhood. One of our experts in the ROW utility stuff says there are a bunch of these things quietly sitting in strip malls, but our permit guru says it's odd because he hasn't seen any electrical permits for something like that. The boss is more worried about private companies wanting to set up the land and then lease it out to 5 different companies like a cell tower and creating some kind of new nightmare business venture across town with ugly little sheds.
 
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