OT: OT thread number 11 | No More Bad News PLEASE!

[yukoner88]

Goes to show how fragile life is and how much of a gift it is at the same time.

 

[Jumptheshark]

 

[yukoner88]

View attachment 579056

 

[Jumptheshark]

that is disturbing

 

[Drivesaitl]

View attachment 579056

As much as it was only posted for humor dangerous obsession impacts a lot of people, and takes a lot of lives. Not just climbing but skyjumping, base jumping, bungee jumping, high risk lifestyles, After having worked Victims services (notifying loved ones of a death) It rings hollow when people say someone died doing what they love. Spouses and children (abandoned) often wish they stayed home and stayed put more often.

Also worked with several families that had fathers in MMA. Every one of the wives wanted the guy to get a normal job before he got critically injured. Thing is most of the guys, just to be in MMA were popping pills for pain, taking roids, using other substances and were AHOLES to be with. MMA had often changed them to an unrecognizable degree. Their obsession with winning fights was making them lose everything else. None of them could see it.

The lesson could be that some passions are dangerous or fraught with difficulty. It made sense to climb Everest as Edmund Hillary. With that became fame, made lives, history in the making. To be the first, to show that men could do it.

But to be one of the thousands to attempts or do it just starts looking like obsession. They don't put your name on a list every year. You're just there. Mountain climbing, like a lot of things just turns into addiction. Need for 10 summits turns into 20, 100, and then death defying Everest.

 

[Drivesaitl]

This story just came across my news feed. Never heard of it before but its the Robinson Crusoe real life.

The Man Who Bought a Tropical Island and What He Did With It » Explorersweb

In 1962, Brendon Grimshaw did something many of us only dream of: He bought a tropical island. Moyenne Island lays 4.5km off the north coast of Mahé, the largest of the 115-island Seychelle archipelago. Uninhabited, overgrown, and with legends of pirate treasure, Grimshaw fell in love with the...

explorersweb.com

Imagine all that. "Stop the world, I want to get off." This guy actually did that, and bought his own paradise. Could have solid it for 50M and never wanted to. Great story.

The guy eschewed all the trappings of modern life and gave it up purposely. Wanted no part of it. Missed the 60's, the moon landings. Missed all the decades since but I bet his life was very full.

 

[bellagiobob]

This story just came across my news feed. Never heard of it before but its the Robinson Crusoe real life.

The Man Who Bought a Tropical Island and What He Did With It » Explorersweb

In 1962, Brendon Grimshaw did something many of us only dream of: He bought a tropical island. Moyenne Island lays 4.5km off the north coast of Mahé, the largest of the 115-island Seychelle archipelago. Uninhabited, overgrown, and with legends of pirate treasure, Grimshaw fell in love with the...

explorersweb.com

Imagine all that. "Stop the world, I want to get off." This guy actually did that, and bought his own paradise. Could have solid it for 50M and never wanted to. Great story.

The guy eschewed all the trappings of modern life and gave it up purposely. Wanted no part of it. Missed the 60's, the moon landings. Missed all the decades since but I bet his life was very full.

Very interesting life. You’d probably enjoy his book and the doc that followed it, both called A Grain Of Sand.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Just jk about this but If I was never married and somebody told me the entire millennium would be about the Kardashians, PC agenda, virtue theater, I'd be looking for a desert island as well.

But Brendon Grimshaw is one reaction to a world that had already seen multiple World Wars in a century, had already had Orwell and other thinkers forecast the future/present. His reaction to society, it seems almost logical.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Very interesting life. You’d probably enjoy his book and the doc that followed it, both called A Grain Of Sand.

For sure. Will do that. Thanks. I've read some other real life stories like that as well. Also voyages of people like Thor Heyerdahl, other sailors that sailed, navigated the world. That kind of thing is like another form of space exploration. I find it fascinating. from my comfortable couch. I'm not naturally inclined as an adventurer but still respect it.

Adam Shoalts, a Canadian hiker and navigator of still unknown territory is another interesting read. The guy should be getting more print.

 

[bellagiobob]

For sure. Will do that. Thanks. I've read some other real life stories like that as well. Also voyages of people like Thor Heyerdahl, other sailors that sailed, navigated the world. That kind of thing is like another form of space exploration. I find it fascinating. from my comfortable couch. I'm not naturally inclined as an adventurer but still respect it.

Adam Shoalts, a Canadian hiker and navigator of still unknown territory is another interesting read. The guy should be getting more print.

While those guys are far too adventurous for me, I do find myself appreciating the get off the grid lifestyle a bit more as I get older. Too many crazy people out in the world these days. Have to admit that part of the pandemic lifestyle has grown on me. Still enjoy getting together with friends on occasion, but for the most part enjoy late night walks in solitude, a midnight swim where I have the lake to myself, playing games with the family, etc. I used to enjoy driving, going on a random drive to nowhere, but now it’s a chore, simple going from A to B, hoping that that some reckless idiot doesn’t plow into me. Maybe I’m just getting old and cranky. Or maybe just more comfortable in my own skin. Probably a bit of both.

 

[Jumptheshark]

another sign in the UK

 

[Jumptheshark]

welsh humour

 

[Jumptheshark]

you may need to use your VPN for it--I had a good laugh

 

[Drivesaitl]

While those guys are far too adventurous for me, I do find myself appreciating the get off the grid lifestyle a bit more as I get older. Too many crazy people out in the world these days. Have to admit that part of the pandemic lifestyle has grown on me. Still enjoy getting together with friends on occasion, but for the most part enjoy late night walks in solitude, a midnight swim where I have the lake to myself, playing games with the family, etc. I used to enjoy driving, going on a random drive to nowhere, but now it’s a chore, simple going from A to B, hoping that that some reckless idiot doesn’t plow into me. Maybe I’m just getting old and cranky. Or maybe just more comfortable in my own skin. Probably a bit of both.

Oh I can relate. I think the hammer of retirement and pandemic has hit me like that. But more and more I realize that travel was the attempted antidote to work stress. On holidays I'd be white gripping it out of town practically burning rubber to get out of dodge, and seeminly out of the rat race. Except you're sometimes going to crowded places like Banff, Jasper, Radium, Vancouver etc because the wife likes it. Me myself and I would just as soon camp in Wilmore wilderness or anywhere on Forestry Trunk road or some place like that. I can deal with solitude because my inner voice has plenty to say..

But yeah. travelling, driving far less now. Just don't see the point and I'm happy as a clam in my backyard or outside anywhere. Would be nice to have a spread like you do but the wife would hate the country living. Really the reason we never considered it. We used to be on the edge of the city here. Now unfortunately the city has closed in all around us and we've not even close to edge now. Used to be able to walk 2blks to farmers fields. That was nice. Now its areas like Laurel where all the houses look the same, theres no horses and they would have no name, and its not even a decent place for a walk. lol that they don't even have their own stores, convenience stores, gas stations, nothing. just pure housing. no commercial designations. Its one of the weirdest neighborhoods. Zero years from now somebody will wonder why they slapped up all dem ugly houses. Its just an eyesore. Don't get me started on train tracks tamarack. lol

 

[bellagiobob]

Oh I can relate. I think the hammer of retirement and pandemic has hit me like that. But more and more I realize that travel was the attempted antidote to work stress. On holidays you'd be whit gripping it out of town practically burning rubber to get out of dodge, and seeminly out of the rat race. Except you're sometimes going to crowded places like Banff, Jasper, Radium, Vancouver etc because the wife likes it. Me myself and I would just as soon camp in Wilmore wilderness or anywhere on Forestry Trunk road or some place like that. I can deal with solitude because my inner voice has plenty to say..

But yeah. travelling, driving far less now. Judy don't see the point and I'm happy as a clam in my backyard or outside anywhere. Would be nice to have a spread like you do but the wife would hate the country living. Really the reason we never considered it. We used to be on the edge of the city here. Now unfortunately the city has closed in all around us and we've not even close to edge now. Used to be able to walk 2blks to farmers fields. That was nice. Now its areas like Laurel where all the houses look the same, theres no horses and they would have no name, and its not even a decent place for a walk. lol that they don't even have their own stores, convenience stores, gas stations, nothing. just pure housing. no commercial designations. Its one of the weirdest neighborhoods. Zero years from now somebody will wonder why they slapped up all dem ugly houses. Its just an eyesore.

I know there will come a time that we will need to move into town (likely SP), as my cranky back isn’t getting any better, and some of the maintenance becomes more difficult to handle. I dread even thinking about it. Once upon a time our dream was to retire in Kelowna. Spent a fair bit of time there 20 or so years ago when our son would attend a hockey camp there each summer, so got to know the area quite well, especially by bike. Cut to today, and I can barely tolerate going there a couple times each summer to go to Costco. Way too busy for me now. Guess I’m just a small town boy at heart.

 

[McDNicks17]

Anyone watching House of the Dragon tonight?

Is Crave our only option up here if we want to watch it legally?

 

[Drivesaitl]

I know there will come a time that we will need to move into town (likely SP), as my cranky back isn’t getting any better, and some of the maintenance becomes more difficult to handle. I dread even thinking about it. Once upon a time our dream was to retire in Kelowna. Spent a fair bit of time there 20 or so years ago when our son would attend a hockey camp there each summer, so got to know the area quite well, especially by bike. Cut to today, and I can barely tolerate going there a couple times each summer to go to Costco. Way too busy for me now. Guess I’m just a small town boy at heart.

Your prior post reminded me of this tragedy this weekend. It was probably on your mind a lot.

Edmonton couple killed in motorcycle crash honoured by family: ‘They gave us such love and guidance’ - Edmonton | Globalnews.ca

An Edmonton couple was killed by an alleged impaired driver on Sunday, Aug. 14 while out for a leisurely motorcycle ride in Strathcona County.

globalnews.ca

I sure wouldn't be riding a motorcyle at my Age in Alberta. maybe PEI. Alberta has the largest % of drug abusing dough heads and young people that haven't learned better. The person that hit the couple who were just having a sunday joy ride took two lives away while he was driving impaired and reportedly on the wrong side of the road. Passing? Or one of these idiots that gets confused on an interchange and starts going the wrong way. (they live among us on highways and freeways, the infamous you're going the wrong way drivers)

Its gotten to the point where I even avoid roads that are two lanes, and if I'm on one I try to be behind a semi. I like divided highway. I know what drivers are like here. Since legalized marijuana and a meth/crack epidemic its only gotten worse.

I used to drive cars here. No way now I would be in anything but a truck or SUV. At least have a chance of coming out of some accident.

The man that was killed was the famous former owner of Mikes Newstand. RIP this poor couple were in their years where you should be able to enjoy life. Without asshats around killing you. The asshat in question was alcohol impaired AND had cocaine in his vehicle. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of the latter types these days and far less of the former. These were great people. Killed. Time to start throwing the keys away on people who get behind the wheel impaired. Wonder if there were priors.

Another motorcyclist was killed in Morley this weekend. By another impaired driver who had crossed over the center lane resulting in a head on collision. That driver was released from custody DESPITE having priors and despite being not allowed to drive at the time of the fatal collision. So that she was driving illegally while she caused impaired driving death. Then released again. Something very wrong. She's already in contempt of court recommendations and obviously not compliant. But she's trusted to appear in court on her own recognizance and refrain from further impaired illegal driving and further carnage. Circumstantially how does that person get released? Not that I'm surprised. I'm well acquainted with our release difficulties.

Morley resident charged in death of motorcyclist in two-vehicle collision

A 33-year-old Morley resident is facing multiple charges in relation to the death of a Fort Saskatchewan woman killed in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 1A near Morley Road Friday night (Aug. 19).

www.rmotoday.com

The impaired driving carnage continues unabated with regular deaths and yet all this vision zero bs we see in cities. pretty soon we'll all be mandated to drive 30k everywhere but the chronic impaired drivers. They can just keep getting behind the wheel and keep getting released, even after killing people. In the Morley case people are very upset about the release, and rightly so.

The driver was impaired. Repeat offenses. Has committed a drunk driving death. She failed to remain at scene of crime, she failed to offer assistance, she fled, she was not allowed to drive as her licence was disqualified. But somehow she's trusted to report to court on her own recognizance. How? She didn't have the basic decency to stay at scene or to offer assistance to a dying person. This was a judicial release meaning a judge or somebody representing had to grant the release. Under what advisable grounds? None?

 

[Beerfish]

Gonna miss Gord Steinke when he retires from Global in a few days after all these years.

 

[bellagiobob]

Your prior post reminded me of this tragedy this weekend. It was probably on your mind a lot.

Edmonton couple killed in motorcycle crash honoured by family: ‘They gave us such love and guidance’ - Edmonton | Globalnews.ca

An Edmonton couple was killed by an alleged impaired driver on Sunday, Aug. 14 while out for a leisurely motorcycle ride in Strathcona County.

globalnews.ca

I sure wouldn't be riding a motorcyle at my Age in Alberta. maybe PEI. Alberta has the largest % of drug abusing dough heads and young people that haven't learned better. The person that hit the couple who were just having a sunday joy ride took two lives away while he was driving impaired and reportedly on the wrong side of the road. Passing? Or one of these idiots that gets confused on an interchange and starts going the wrong way. (they live among us on highways and freeways, the infamous you're going the wrong way drivers)

Its gotten to the point where I even avoid roads that are two lanes, and if I'm on one I try to be behind a semi. I like divided highway. I know what drivers are like here. Since legalized marijuana and a meth/crack epidemic its only gotten worse.

I used to drive cars here. No way now I would be in anything but a truck or SUV. At least have a chance of coming out of some accident.

The man that was killed was the famous former owner of Mikes Newstand. RIP this poor couple were in their years where you should be able to enjoy life. Without asshats around killing you. The asshat in question was alcohol impaired AND had cocaine in his vehicle. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of the latter types these days and far less of the former. These were great people. Killed. Time to start throwing the keys away on people who get behind the wheel impaired. Wonder if there were priors.

Another motorcyclist was killed in Morley this weekend. By another impaired driver who had crossed over the center lane resulting in a head on collision. That driver was released from custody DESPITE having priors and despite being not allowed to drive at the time of the fatal collision. So that she was driving illegally while she caused impaired driving death. Then released again. Something very wrong. She's already in contempt of court recommendations and obviously not compliant. But she's trusted to appear in court on her own recognizance and refrain from further impaired illegal driving and further carnage. Circumstantially how does that person get released? Not that I'm surprised. I'm well acquainted with our release difficulties.

Morley resident charged in death of motorcyclist in two-vehicle collision

A 33-year-old Morley resident is facing multiple charges in relation to the death of a Fort Saskatchewan woman killed in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 1A near Morley Road Friday night (Aug. 19).

www.rmotoday.com

The impaired driving carnage continues unabated with regular deaths and yet all this vision zero bs we see in cities. pretty soon we'll all be mandated to drive 30k everywhere but the chronic impaired drivers. They can just keep getting behind the wheel and keep getting released, even after killing people. In the Morley case people are very upset about the release, and rightly so.

The driver was impaired. Repeat offenses. Has committed a drunk driving death. She failed to remain at scene of crime, she failed to offer assistance, she fled, she was not allowed to drive as her licence was disqualified. But somehow she's trusted to report to court on her own recognizance. How? She didn't have the basic decency to stay at scene or to offer assistance to a dying person. This was a judicial release meaning a judge or somebody representing had to grant the release. Under what advisable grounds? None?

I don’t want to get forum banned, so all I’ll say is lifetime in prison is far too good for these people.

 

[ThreeOfAPerfectPair]

Pretty cool thread on AI produced art.



ex.
(prompts entered)kneeling cat knight, portrait, finely detailed armor, intricate design, silver, silk, cinematic lighting, 4k, --ar 9:16 --beta --upbeta

 

[harpoon]

Very interesting life. You’d probably enjoy his book and the doc that followed it, both called A Grain Of Sand.

Sadly, that documentary was kind of a let down. I get that the man was well into his senior years and thoughts of his legacy were probably foremost in his mind, but that was just an hour and a half of repeating the same point over and over. Crass consumerism bad - which isn’t a difficult argument to make and certainly needn’t take up the entire allotted time.

I blame the documentary maker for asking bad questions, and interspersing the commentary with overly long ‘artistic’ shots of the same rock and trees blowing in the wind. All that time and we still have no idea of the actual layout of the island. How did he survive in the early days. How far is the boat ride to a place where supplies can be picked up. Did he have any dangerous moments. What about the pirate graves he found. Did he look for treasure. What about the old homestead. Who lived there and why did they leave. What prompted him to start conserving the tortoises. Those are such cool creatures and he must have a wealth of stories in that topic alone. But alas. More arty shots of a leaf instead. There were a thousand questions I wanted to hear about, but Mr. Director just wanted to talk about his first world guilt, and squeeze in every shooting technique he learned in film school 101.

I guess the part with the school children was kind of nice, but honestly, even that felt a bit contrived and coached. Maybe I’m cynical, but a whole classroom of kids and nobody wants to sell their island for $30 million? Really? Either they don’t understand what $30 million is, or those are some very pure children.

This is the kind of story I really like so I was excited to see your recommendation and went to watch it that very evening. Even allowing for it being made fifteen years ago, I was still disappointed. Wonder what you thought of it.

 

[joestevens29]

PGA Tour's radical change: Big names will play more often for more money

The PGA Tour has unveiled some of the most radical changes in its history, giving more money to top players.

ca.yahoo.com

Say what you will about the LIV, but it now appears to be benefiting a lot of guys from the PGA.

Giving a league minimum to players is great for the lower end guys. As is the extra money for missing a cut if you are a lower ranked guy. Having commitment from the higher end guys is also going to be great.

I've often heard and said golf is tough to get excited about when you don't have commitment from the top players. McIlroy himself said this "When I tune into a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game I expect to see Tom Brady throw a football. When I tune into a Formula 1 race I expect to see Lewis Hamilton in a car.”

 

[Drivesaitl]

I don’t want to get forum banned, so all I’ll say is lifetime in prison is far too good for these people.

Sorry if I triggered anything with that. I did feel that the tragedy (I can't find a word that conveys my feelings that I could use here) was connected to your earlier comment being concerned about driving much now. PM if you ever want. We could discretely go over any views.

For others, again I would like to mention that the tragedy took the lives of the owner of Mikes Newstand, a once venerable institution in Edmonton, and his wife. Both killed on the weekend by a drunk driver. RIP again to Jim and Annie Mcdonald. Such a senseless tragedy.

'It has shattered our family': Children of motorcyclists killed in crash raising money and awareness for MADD

An Edmonton family changed forever on Aug. 14. 'Saying we are devastated would be an understatement. They just lived for their families and we really – none of us know what to do without them.'

edmonton.ctvnews.ca

Encourage people as well to donate or assist the MADD organization, one way in which people can try to do their part in ensuring vigilance over such impaired driving tragedies. We can't stop such drivers from turning the ignition. But we can keep remembering those that perish tragically through impaired drivers actions and further to trying to get those drivers off the streets and legislation to assist in that.

 

[Nunymare]

Your prior post reminded me of this tragedy this weekend. It was probably on your mind a lot.

Edmonton couple killed in motorcycle crash honoured by family: ‘They gave us such love and guidance’ - Edmonton | Globalnews.ca

An Edmonton couple was killed by an alleged impaired driver on Sunday, Aug. 14 while out for a leisurely motorcycle ride in Strathcona County.

globalnews.ca

I sure wouldn't be riding a motorcyle at my Age in Alberta. maybe PEI. Alberta has the largest % of drug abusing dough heads and young people that haven't learned better. The person that hit the couple who were just having a sunday joy ride took two lives away while he was driving impaired and reportedly on the wrong side of the road. Passing? Or one of these idiots that gets confused on an interchange and starts going the wrong way. (they live among us on highways and freeways, the infamous you're going the wrong way drivers)

Its gotten to the point where I even avoid roads that are two lanes, and if I'm on one I try to be behind a semi. I like divided highway. I know what drivers are like here. Since legalized marijuana and a meth/crack epidemic its only gotten worse.

I used to drive cars here. No way now I would be in anything but a truck or SUV. At least have a chance of coming out of some accident.

The man that was killed was the famous former owner of Mikes Newstand. RIP this poor couple were in their years where you should be able to enjoy life. Without asshats around killing you. The asshat in question was alcohol impaired AND had cocaine in his vehicle. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of the latter types these days and far less of the former. These were great people. Killed. Time to start throwing the keys away on people who get behind the wheel impaired. Wonder if there were priors.

Another motorcyclist was killed in Morley this weekend. By another impaired driver who had crossed over the center lane resulting in a head on collision. That driver was released from custody DESPITE having priors and despite being not allowed to drive at the time of the fatal collision. So that she was driving illegally while she caused impaired driving death. Then released again. Something very wrong. She's already in contempt of court recommendations and obviously not compliant. But she's trusted to appear in court on her own recognizance and refrain from further impaired illegal driving and further carnage. Circumstantially how does that person get released? Not that I'm surprised. I'm well acquainted with our release difficulties.

Morley resident charged in death of motorcyclist in two-vehicle collision

A 33-year-old Morley resident is facing multiple charges in relation to the death of a Fort Saskatchewan woman killed in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 1A near Morley Road Friday night (Aug. 19).

www.rmotoday.com

The impaired driving carnage continues unabated with regular deaths and yet all this vision zero bs we see in cities. pretty soon we'll all be mandated to drive 30k everywhere but the chronic impaired drivers. They can just keep getting behind the wheel and keep getting released, even after killing people. In the Morley case people are very upset about the release, and rightly so.

The driver was impaired. Repeat offenses. Has committed a drunk driving death. She failed to remain at scene of crime, she failed to offer assistance, she fled, she was not allowed to drive as her licence was disqualified. But somehow she's trusted to report to court on her own recognizance. How? She didn't have the basic decency to stay at scene or to offer assistance to a dying person. This was a judicial release meaning a judge or somebody representing had to grant the release. Under what advisable grounds? None?

Quite frankly way too many people do not give the respect that operating a 1 ton+ hunk of steel at high speeds should command. Speeding, impaired driving, tailgating, blatantly disregarding laws... and minimal enforcement, unless something worse happens, which in many cases the penalties are still light. I still cycle on roads in the city but my head is always on a swivel and the amount of people who will risk a life for a few seconds (to get caught at a light or have to immediately slam their brakes) is baffling. Driving is much more enjoyable if you just chill out and go zen mode, lol (and you'll probably save money on gas from less sudden acceleration, speeding and sudden braking).

 

[MoneyGuy]

Gonna miss Gord Steinke when he retires from Global in a few days after all these years.

Me, too. Imagine Gord retiring and Bryan Hall hanging around forever.