That this happened.
(http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/ht_Bridge_ac_130523_wg.jpg)
http://abcnews.go.com/US/bridge-collapse-skagit-river-washington-sends-cars-people/story?id=19246280
Two hours after he drove over it.
Of course, it's not like we could have seen it coming. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Accountability/bridges
Oh, wait, I guess we did.
The terrifying thing is that there are over a thousand bridges in the region which are similarly critical, and also over a thousand dams... many of which have towns in the flood zone. But the US is budgeting over half its resources for "defense", and critical infrastructure repairs are being shoved aside.
Well, we have to have that 13th aircraft carrier.
Something has to give, if you'll pardon the expression.
I'm glad your uncle made it over.
Just heard about this. Glad your uncle is okay. We'll probably see more of this before all's said and done.
Isn't that just the very picture of a decaying empire?
Quote from: Old Sting SongThe teachers told us, the Romans built this place
They built a wall and a temple, an edge of the empire
Garrison town,
They lived and they died, they prayed to their gods
But the stone gods did not make a sound
And their empire crumbled, 'til all that was left
Were some stones the workmen found
You know, we have a bunch of people out of work.
And an infrastructure in dire need of repair.
If only you could find a common solution...
...Naw, the free market will take care of it.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 24, 2013, 04:45:02 AM
You know, we have a bunch of people out of work.
And an infrastructure in dire need of repair.
If only you could find a common solution...
...Naw, the free market will take care of it.
Yeah. The people out of work probably deserve it anyway. They'd be absolutely shitty at y'know, working. If they didn't suck at it, they'd have jobs already.
Quote from: Cardinal Pizza Deliverance. on May 24, 2013, 04:47:02 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 24, 2013, 04:45:02 AM
You know, we have a bunch of people out of work.
And an infrastructure in dire need of repair.
If only you could find a common solution...
...Naw, the free market will take care of it.
Yeah. The people out of work probably deserve it anyway. They'd be absolutely shitty at y'know, working. If they didn't suck at it, they'd have jobs already.
Why pay 7.25 or more an hour when you can wait for them to steal something and get them for room and board?
But tax breaks for the rich make us all richer.
It's because of the wealth trickling down, like a golden stream from above...
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 24, 2013, 04:45:02 AM
You know, we have a bunch of people out of work.
And an infrastructure in dire need of repair.
If only you could find a common solution...
...Naw, the free market will take care of it.
"Capitalism is the only way any of this shit ever gets done right! Government can't get anything done!"
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 24, 2013, 04:38:57 AM
Well, we have to have that 13th aircraft carrier.
Something has to give, if you'll pardon the expression.
I'm glad your uncle made it over.
The expression is completely and literally correct. We make our priorities, we place our resources, and we reap our consequences.
There are a lot of downstream towns, is all I have to say. I hope we don't forget how deliberate and preventable this was. And how deliberate and preventable all the future collapses are.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 24, 2013, 04:43:48 AM
Isn't that just the very picture of a decaying empire?
Quote from: Old Sting SongThe teachers told us, the Romans built this place
They built a wall and a temple, an edge of the empire
Garrison town,
They lived and they died, they prayed to their gods
But the stone gods did not make a sound
And their empire crumbled, 'til all that was left
Were some stones the workmen found
That is exactly what it is.
Quote from: stelz on May 24, 2013, 05:03:02 AM
Quote from: Cardinal Pizza Deliverance. on May 24, 2013, 04:47:02 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 24, 2013, 04:45:02 AM
You know, we have a bunch of people out of work.
And an infrastructure in dire need of repair.
If only you could find a common solution...
...Naw, the free market will take care of it.
Yeah. The people out of work probably deserve it anyway. They'd be absolutely shitty at y'know, working. If they didn't suck at it, they'd have jobs already.
Why pay 7.25 or more an hour when you can wait for them to steal something and get them for room and board?
Make 'em earn it.
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 24, 2013, 05:57:23 AM
But tax breaks for the rich make us all richer.
It's because of the wealth trickling down, like a golden stream from above...
:crankey:
Quote from: The Johnny on May 24, 2013, 06:06:22 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 24, 2013, 05:57:23 AM
But tax breaks for the rich make us all richer.
It's because of the wealth trickling down, like a golden stream from above...
:crankey:
Clearly, we can fix it all with the golden trickles from above.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 24, 2013, 06:42:03 AM
Quote from: The Johnny on May 24, 2013, 06:06:22 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 24, 2013, 05:57:23 AM
But tax breaks for the rich make us all richer.
It's because of the wealth trickling down, like a golden stream from above...
:crankey:
Clearly, we can fix it all with the golden trickles from above.
THANKS, OBAMA!
If I hadn't been offered a few hours of overtime to come in and work the dinner rush tonight because of a fuckton of huge parties, I'd have been up at Deception Pass today. And possibly driving back home around then.
So there's this city here in RI, called Pawtucket. It was built by the WPA. Remember the WPA? Of course you don't, that liberal bastard FDR started that. Putting Americans to work after a depression? Are you kidding me?! That's why we got into World War II, isn't it?
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/yReL0NnMwdOfT33mRg4XeA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zNjE7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/76c47c3b6333c011320f6a7067008eec.jpg)
There were only a few people on the bridge, thank goodness.
Yeah, nobody died or was even seriously hurt. Fucking lucky as hell.
So, the media is trying to pin this on an oversize load that crossed right before the collapse. They are using the word "hit" as in, the truck carrying the load "hit" the bridge. There is no specific description of the truck or part of the load striking the bridge in a collision, so I am deeply suspicious of this reporting. The truck was appropriately permitted though the Washington DOT.
I suspect that the weight of the oversize load may have triggered the collapse, but the bridge should have been able to hold up to it, so the fault still lies in the bridge, and not in the passage of the truck.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 24, 2013, 06:45:08 PM
So, the media is trying to pin this on an oversize load that crossed right before the collapse. They are using the word "hit" as in, the truck carrying the load "hit" the bridge. There is no specific description of the truck or part of the load striking the bridge in a collision, so I am deeply suspicious of this reporting. The truck was appropriately permitted though the Washington DOT.
I suspect that the weight of the oversize load may have triggered the collapse, but the bridge should have been able to hold up to it, so the fault still lies in the bridge, and not in the passage of the truck.
The bridge had been rated as "fracture critical", meaning that one component failure would cause the collapse of the bridge, which in any sane world is COMPLETELY FUCKING UNACCEPTABLE. I won't even allow our SCAFFOLDING contractors to do that shit.
Well if people would just stop DRIVING all over these bridges, maybe they wouldn't collapse. It's not rocket science.
IIRC, a good chunk of bridges throughout the US are in the "needs a bit more duct tape -> collapse imminent" condition, yes? Which sort of rationalizes my irrational fear of driving over bridges. Which isn't terribly comforting.
The spy museum in DC had a list of infrastructure grades. I think Pennsylvania was the one that scored lowest for bridge and road structures.
Electrical grid is a tad worrisome for everyone.
http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/ (http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/) Ooh a website. Pennsylvania not as bad as I thought.
Quote from: The Johnny on May 24, 2013, 07:13:51 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 24, 2013, 06:42:03 AM
Quote from: The Johnny on May 24, 2013, 06:06:22 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 24, 2013, 05:57:23 AM
But tax breaks for the rich make us all richer.
It's because of the wealth trickling down, like a golden stream from above...
:crankey:
Clearly, we can fix it all with the golden trickles from above.
THANKS, OBAMA!
My family has been trickled-on by Reagan, Clinton, both Bushes, now Obama.
It's a real bipartisan effort, all this trickling.
Reagan let the steel industry collapse. Our family lost the house we'd just mortgaged. Ironic as hell considering my parents had just voted for the guy.
Quote from: Suu on May 24, 2013, 12:55:48 PM
So there's this city here in RI, called Pawtucket. It was built by the WPA. Remember the WPA? Of course you don't, that liberal bastard FDR started that. Putting Americans to work after a depression? Are you kidding me?!
Those bastard liberals! how DARE they!
Quote from: Balls Wellington on May 24, 2013, 07:23:39 AM
If I hadn't been offered a few hours of overtime to come in and work the dinner rush tonight because of a fuckton of huge parties, I'd have been up at Deception Pass today. And possibly driving back home around then.
I'm glad you're ok. I'm glad nobody was killed.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 24, 2013, 06:48:15 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 24, 2013, 06:45:08 PM
So, the media is trying to pin this on an oversize load that crossed right before the collapse. They are using the word "hit" as in, the truck carrying the load "hit" the bridge. There is no specific description of the truck or part of the load striking the bridge in a collision, so I am deeply suspicious of this reporting. The truck was appropriately permitted though the Washington DOT.
I suspect that the weight of the oversize load may have triggered the collapse, but the bridge should have been able to hold up to it, so the fault still lies in the bridge, and not in the passage of the truck.
The bridge had been rated as "fracture critical", meaning that one component failure would cause the collapse of the bridge, which in any sane world is COMPLETELY FUCKING UNACCEPTABLE. I won't even allow our SCAFFOLDING contractors to do that shit.
Oh, yeah. The Critical Bridge Report nailed over 1200 bridges in Oregon and close to that many in Washington, and that was about ten years ago.
So far, Oregon has repaired about 200 bridges. :horrormirth:
I don't know if I've mentioned this, but there are also over a thousand DAMS on the critical list. Many of them with towns downstream.
There will be some critical dam failures in the next few years.
Just for, y'know, perspective: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/news/2012/09/20/38679/the-10-states-most-threatened-by-high-hazard-deficient-dams/
This is not an issue that people tend to talk about, but I've sat in on some of the meetings and the prognosis is grim. No money to rebuild, no money to relocate people. Shit gonna get interesting.
Thanks, Past America, for thinking that Future America would just somehow magically be able to deal with the problems you created for us.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:22:04 AM
There will be some critical dam failures in the next few years.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:21:28 AM
I don't know if I've mentioned this, but there are also over a thousand DAMS on the critical list. Many of them with towns downstream.
I'm avoiding the obvious pun here...be thankful. :evil:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bridge-collapse-fall-deaf-ears-congress/story?id=19252065#.UaA0tdLvu0l
QuoteObama renewed in February his nearly annual call for $50 billion in additional transportation and infrastructure spending as part of his 2014 budget request. But Republicans said the proposal amounted to an unfunded wish list.
To be sure, Congress did pass a highway transportation funding bill last year, but advocates say it's simply not enough. The bill allocated just enough money to keep transportation spending at status quo levels and it only funded projects for two years, as opposed to the usual five or six.
To maintain roads and bridges alone, the Federal Highway Administration estimates that every year $190 billion would need to be infused into the system, compared to the $103 billion now being spent.
And that isn't saying anything about dams.
QuoteAlthough dam safety legislation has ramped up since a string of catastrophic dam failures in the 1970s, the number of high risk dams needing repairs has actually increased over the last decade as dams age and government budgets dwindle...
Out of 14,000 high hazard dams–a few of which are federally owned–half lack an emergency action plan in case of a catastrophic failure.
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/09/09/safety-be-dammed/
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking
placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
It's kind of ironic.
In so much Americana there used to be the plot about how the bad guys wanted to blow up a dam to drown a city; now you don't need a bad guy to blow it up, it breaks down on it's own.
Here you go:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BigDamPlot (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BigDamPlot)
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:08:01 AM
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
The only way to do it is to build a second dam and then remove the first one. It's fucking EXPENSIVE.
But it's also necessary.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:35:10 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:08:01 AM
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
The only way to do it is to build a second dam and then remove the first one. It's fucking EXPENSIVE.
But it's also necessary.
In most cases, the dams aren't even providing any value and can simply be demolished, providing the downstream populations aren't at risk of flooding. Which often they are.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:45:15 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:35:10 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:08:01 AM
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
The only way to do it is to build a second dam and then remove the first one. It's fucking EXPENSIVE.
But it's also necessary.
In most cases, the dams aren't even providing any value and can simply be demolished, providing the downstream populations aren't at risk of flooding. Which often they are.
I didn't know that. I assumed that most were hydro-electric.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:08:01 AM
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
Some are earthen dams, like the barker-cypress one.
But yeah, point taken...
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:35:10 AM
The only way to do it is to build a second dam and then remove the first one. It's fucking EXPENSIVE.
But it's also necessary.
So basically, rebuild a dam, then demolish the existing one.
...Think I will let my subconscious churn that around, it seems like there ought to be a way to do it differently.
...No, I'm not sure how, but if I tell my subconscious to work on it, sooner or later something bizarre and possibly useful will pop out.
There's not a lot of hydroelectric dams here-waterflow's too variant.
But there are in Nigel's neck of the woods.
I'd guess the majority of dams are for ensuring a water supply and for flood prevention.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:59:18 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:45:15 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:35:10 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:08:01 AM
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
The only way to do it is to build a second dam and then remove the first one. It's fucking EXPENSIVE.
But it's also necessary.
In most cases, the dams aren't even providing any value and can simply be demolished, providing the downstream populations aren't at risk of flooding. Which often they are.
I didn't know that. I assumed that most were hydro-electric.
Nope. I think here are about 2000 hydroelectric dams in the US, out of about 75,000. Most of them are about "water control", ie. people being monkeys about something.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 07:05:24 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:59:18 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:45:15 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:35:10 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:08:01 AM
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
The only way to do it is to build a second dam and then remove the first one. It's fucking EXPENSIVE.
But it's also necessary.
In most cases, the dams aren't even providing any value and can simply be demolished, providing the downstream populations aren't at risk of flooding. Which often they are.
I didn't know that. I assumed that most were hydro-electric.
Nope. I think here are about 2000 hydroelectric dams in the US, out of about 75,000. Most of them are about "water control", ie. people being monkeys about something.
Well, nobody better steal my Goddamn water, that's all I'm saying.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 07:09:28 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 07:05:24 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:59:18 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:45:15 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 25, 2013, 06:35:10 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:08:01 AM
Fun fact about dams: while they may be "in need of repair", they are rarely "repairable", due to not having a technology that repairs decaying concrete underwater. Or above water.
The only way to do it is to build a second dam and then remove the first one. It's fucking EXPENSIVE.
But it's also necessary.
In most cases, the dams aren't even providing any value and can simply be demolished, providing the downstream populations aren't at risk of flooding. Which often they are.
I didn't know that. I assumed that most were hydro-electric.
Nope. I think here are about 2000 hydroelectric dams in the US, out of about 75,000. Most of them are about "water control", ie. people being monkeys about something.
Well, nobody better steal my Goddamn water, that's all I'm saying.
Exactly. :horrormirth:
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
My Darwin money is on the fire ants for now, but we might have a new contender (http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/17/18325690-nasty-home-wrecking-crazy-ants-even-drive-out-fire-ants-in-southeast?lite).
I do tend to see a lot more population density in places that are semi-habitable, like the east coast. The Pacific coast is really nice too, not sure why it's not packed there.
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 04:24:25 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
My Darwin money is on the fire ants for now, but we might have a new contender (http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/17/18325690-nasty-home-wrecking-crazy-ants-even-drive-out-fire-ants-in-southeast?lite).
I do tend to see a lot more population density in places that are semi-habitable, like the east coast. The Pacific coast is really nice too, not sure why it's not packed there.
Old Weird Ben.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
Because the property and costs of living are very cheap in relative terms? :fap: :fap: :fap:
Perhaps a parallel with living in the city vs. commuting? I do that.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:54:11 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 04:24:25 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
My Darwin money is on the fire ants for now, but we might have a new contender (http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/17/18325690-nasty-home-wrecking-crazy-ants-even-drive-out-fire-ants-in-southeast?lite).
I do tend to see a lot more population density in places that are semi-habitable, like the east coast. The Pacific coast is really nice too, not sure why it's not packed there.
Old Weird Ben.
Oh God. :aaa:
Quote from: The Johnny on May 25, 2013, 05:38:52 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
Because the property and costs of living are very cheap in relative terms? :fap: :fap: :fap:
Perhaps a parallel with living in the city vs. commuting? I do that.
I don't know how much your gas costs down there, but up here it's no longer cheaper to live in the suburbs and commute in most cases.
Also, I can understand living in Texas or Arizona before I'll EVER understand living in a goddamned suburb.
Quote from: Balls Wellington on May 25, 2013, 08:52:43 PM
Quote from: The Johnny on May 25, 2013, 05:38:52 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
Because the property and costs of living are very cheap in relative terms? :fap: :fap: :fap:
Perhaps a parallel with living in the city vs. commuting? I do that.
I don't know how much your gas costs down there, but up here it's no longer cheaper to live in the suburbs and commute in most cases.
Also, I can understand living in Texas or Arizona before I'll EVER understand living in a goddamned suburb.
Well, the gas factor only applies in a city vs. suburb commuting scenario, which is valid: the only reason it pays off for me is because my work only requires my presence twice a week to present my work in the context of some meetings or support other members of the team. So if I had to be present, gas vs. rent maths wouldn't indeed work out.
Now, the other scenario involves the cost of land: how much does a square meter of property is valued in California in average vs. say, Nevada? I dont think it even matters how much it costs now, because what I'm implying is that at some point, a lowly populated area had cheaper land costs and thats when people thought "oh, thats a cheap strip of land where i can build a house and live" instead of living on the making rent threshold.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
West Texas is like that, except for the rain part, mostly.
Where I live could best be described as somewhat swampy.
Except when it's droughty. Or flooding.
We get either too much rain or too much sun or too much heat, and maybe the occasional mild tornado.
I stay here because I can get a job here, something not guaranteed if I lived somewhere else.
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 26, 2013, 04:19:18 AM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
West Texas is like that, except for the rain part, mostly.
Where I live could best be described as somewhat swampy.
Except when it's droughty. Or flooding.
We get either too much rain or too much sun or too much heat, and maybe the occasional mild tornado.
I stay here because I can get a job here, something not guaranteed if I lived somewhere else.
The further east of San Antonio, the more it turns into tropical bloodweeds and vines and giant insects and snakes hanging out of trees and shit.
Quote from: The Johnny on May 26, 2013, 12:50:20 AM
Quote from: Balls Wellington on May 25, 2013, 08:52:43 PM
Quote from: The Johnny on May 25, 2013, 05:38:52 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: stelz on May 25, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 25, 2013, 06:04:01 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on May 25, 2013, 05:01:24 AM
BTW, my city also has a dam in imminent need of repair.
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
QuoteAny dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.
...Texas is rather prone to catastrophic weather events.
Then again, so is the Pacific coast, right?
I would be surprised if it didn't, given that most dams were build around 50 years ago and the lifespan for a dam is about 50 years.
The Pacific Coast is, perhaps oddly, not prone to catastrophic weather events at all. In fact, it is downright motherfucking placid. It is, however, prone to the occasional high winds, earthquake, volcano, or tsunami.
Even the rain is different there, it's SOFT. I couldn't believe the flowers that grow there.
Ours comes down like a cow pissing on a flat rock with flash floods and power outages and wind knocking down trees and lightning hitting all kinds of shit. Then the sun comes out, the steam rises from the cement and no more rain until winter, hot hot hot everything dies.
The thing that's amazing is that people LIVE THERE. Why? :?
See, if I designed a species, they just wouldn't bother living places that suck. They've leave Texas to the rattlesnakes and whatever other deadly things like to live in deserts.
Because the property and costs of living are very cheap in relative terms? :fap: :fap: :fap:
Perhaps a parallel with living in the city vs. commuting? I do that.
I don't know how much your gas costs down there, but up here it's no longer cheaper to live in the suburbs and commute in most cases.
Also, I can understand living in Texas or Arizona before I'll EVER understand living in a goddamned suburb.
Well, the gas factor only applies in a city vs. suburb commuting scenario, which is valid: the only reason it pays off for me is because my work only requires my presence twice a week to present my work in the context of some meetings or support other members of the team. So if I had to be present, gas vs. rent maths wouldn't indeed work out.
Now, the other scenario involves the cost of land: how much does a square meter of property is valued in California in average vs. say, Nevada? I dont think it even matters how much it costs now, because what I'm implying is that at some point, a lowly populated area had cheaper land costs and thats when people thought "oh, thats a cheap strip of land where i can build a house and live" instead of living on the making rent threshold.
I'm thinking pre-rent. When people came across a stretch of hostile desert and said, "yeah, this works for me".
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on May 26, 2013, 04:58:00 AM
I'm thinking pre-rent. When people came across a stretch of hostile desert and said, "yeah, this works for me".
...Making a pile of rocks and calling it home...eating rattlesnakes, picking prickly-pear spines out of their ass in the evenings...having coyotes fight over your poo and the cancer make blue blobs all over your face...Yeah...r
omantic...
I have said that I would happily move somewhere where I never had to experience having to fish my boots out of the mud after they got sucked off my feet, and where the cockroaches don't nearly warrant FAA regulation.
Quote from: stelz on May 26, 2013, 04:39:32 AM
The further east of San Antonio, the more it turns into tropical bloodweeds and vines and giant insects and snakes hanging out of trees and shit.
Alligators.
I have got within 10 feet of a torpid 'gator that was bigger than myself.
It didn't eat me.
I assume because it knew I was too full of crap.
Also gotten off topic, what the hell was I talking about?
Dam, I think I forgot. We were taking it to the bridge...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajzpd-ONOdo
Quote from: Balls Wellington on May 25, 2013, 08:52:43 PM
Also, I can understand living in Texas or Arizona before I'll EVER understand living in a goddamned suburb.
I hate the suburbs too, but I have to get my shit more positively TOGETHER in a nice hard cash sort of way before I can turn down living with no rent.
At least I'm only driving to work 4 days a week now, and then once I get the motorbike running and learn to ride it, things will be MUCH better.