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Macanudo

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Posts posted by Macanudo

  1. On 5/3/2018 at 1:03 PM, TrashMaster G said:

    I don't think it was a league-generated thing.  I think it was a particular crew that has a natural bent against Texas.  The bullshit penalties started early because the guys on the crew couldn't be unbiased with UT on the field if their lives depended on it.

    When Charlie got that totally bullshit flag, I wished he had walked to the 50 and completely lost it with the head referee.   Just screaming and yelling and making a tremendous ruckus.   Bring it to light that the the officiating had been shit all game long and the unsportsmanlike call on the sideline was initiated by the side judge and was motivated.   Make the Big XII have to explain all the bad calls and the official bumping Charlie and then flagging him.

    And if that didn't happen, Texas should have publicly made application to the PAC-12 and Big 10 the very next day with the caveat that if either application was denied, we would be leaving the BIG XII at the end of the season due to the rampant cheating and poor officiating and would be an independent.  

  2. a little research:

    http://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorders/infantile-spasms/

    About 1,200 children in the US are diagnosed each year with IS - There are two in Rockford, IL among city workers kids?

    Infantile spasms are so uncommon that most pediatricians will see only one or two IS cases during all the years of practice.  - And yet there are two in Rockford?

    Seems like someone needs to figure out what the fuck is in the coffee at the Rockford city hall.    

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epileptic_spasms

    Epileptic spasms, also known as infantile spasms, juvenile spasms, or West syndrome[1] is an uncommon-to-rare epileptic disorder in infants, children and adults.

    As of 2017, data on optimal treatment was limited.[8] Therapies with hormones is the standard of care, namely adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), or oral corticosteroids such as prednisone.[8] Vigabatrin is also a common consideration, though there is a risk of visual field loss with long term use.[8] The high cost of ACTH leads doctors to avoid it in the US; higher dose prednisone appears to generate equivalent outcomes.[8]

    Prednisone is pretty freaking cheap.   Are the city doctors prescribing Vigabatrin or something else?  

    Incidence is around 1:3200 to 1:3500 of live births.  Rockford has a population of around 150,000.  And they have 2 city worker's kids with this?

  3. On 5/3/2018 at 12:32 PM, After irth said:

    Had some kickass Chinese takeout the other night.  I totally pigged out.  Wife didn't eat all hers.  I'm usually polite with eating someone's specific leftovers, at least for the first few days.  My wife had mentioned, "Help yourself to the Chinese leftovers if you want them."

    Screwing around the house this morn, getting us ready to take off for a long weekend.  Been thinkin' about that Chinese, man.  Gonna crack a cold one and grub out for lunch with my feet up.  Will be awesome.

    Grab a plate, go to the fridge, pull out the container, open it up.  Has two bites in it.  Two bites!  What the hell?

    Ate the two bites while I tried to figure out what to have for lunch now...

    I don't care who's freaking leftovers they are.  Either eat a full portion or don't touch it.   I can't count the number of times I have grabbed a leftover container from the fridge to take for lunch only to discover that was a meal portion when it was put away is now 1/2 or more eaten.  

  4. 1 hour ago, Landomatic said:

    Did this really warrant it's own thread?  You want recs with some substance on Dallas or Fort Worth or even Arlington?  Fine.  But, starting a thread for "I want to stay in any number of safe, clean, chain hotels close to six flags and all we're doing is sleeping" is pretty worthless.  Don't act like you're some kind of traveler looking to uncover the best kept secrets in Arlington.  You're going to fucking six flags and crashing for one night, admittedly as close to six flags as you can get.  Just pick the cheapest one you can live with, sleep there and go home.  Jesus.

    Thanks, smart ass.  

     

    I've never been to Arlington.   I have no idea what the area around there is like.  If I use my reference point for where AstroWorld used to be, the hotels in that area can be in some very not nice places.   When I lived down by the Dome/NRG in the early 2000s, there were still a number of rent by the hour type places.    South Main was not the kind of area you really want to stay in. 

    So forgive me if i asked a specific question about some place you might be know very well.   I've just never fucking been there.

  5. 6 minutes ago, dingleberryswitzer said:

    Before you do all that shit mac recommended rememeber youre at high altitude.  Start of with short activities and see how you handle it.   AlSo for some season I get drunk easier at high aaltitude.

    He'll be in Denver for a few days first.   It's not like he's getting off a plane and driving straight out there.

  6. Need a place to crash after a day at Six Flags.  It'll be me and one of the Macanudo-ettes.   I don't know the area at all.  Is the area decent right around the park?  There's a fair amount of hotels right around there.  Stay there or somewhere else?  I'd rather not drive all over the Metroplex especially since we'll be tired since we're getting up at 5:00 am to be up there.

    Why not go up Friday night you ask.   It's a school field trip and I'm a chaperone.   She has to ride the bus on the way up (don't ask.)   But I 'm allowed to take her home.   Rather than get home at 2:00 in the morning, I'd rather just stay there and get a decent night sleep.    

  7. 3 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

    Are you going to eat while you're there?  Vail and Aspen are also expensive.

     

    99% chance they can find a condo with a kitchen.   At a minimum they can eat breakfast at the condo.   

     

  8. 14 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

    Breck is a good, albeit expensive, choice.

    Not necessarily expensive... ON VRBO there are A LOT of 1 bedroom condos right in town for less than $150 a night and some closer to $125.   I picked a random time in July (11th-14th) and got at least 35 possibilities. 

  9. 13 hours ago, Jhawk said:

    I truly think this country has a ton of economic woes coming in the next 20 years.  Stuff that is very bad for much of the country.  But I can't say that it isn't going to be self inflicted (not by politicians but by our own self-worthlessness).  Our citizens have always taken the easy way out of anything we possibly can.  Automation in manufacturing, credit/debit cards instead of cash/check, self driving teslas so my lazy ass doesn't have to push on the gas pedal.  Nearly everything that we produce is for convenience or has a convenience aspect to it.  So when someone converts siri from an iphone app to a cashier at mcdonald's are we surprised?  Of course we shouldn't be.

    In my opinion this is evolution working.  In every species ever there have been changes over time and portions of populations are left behind and eventually die.  We have a shitload of people and those that have the desire to evolve into the new conveniences and realities of the world are the ones who will survive.  But that couple who works at pizza hut who sees that job as their career and who has kids who they have no intention of educating isn't going to make it and we shouldn't be surprised by that.  The biggest question the people who can evolve and learn will face is "can/should we help these people?"  The morbid reality is that we likely can't help them because of how many people are sitting in that situation both in the US and worldwide.  At some point, you can't just rely on the high income people to care for the low income people because there is only so much money to go around.

    I don't know what the solution is but if you aren't preparing for there to be MAJOR issues in the next 20-30 years then you should start preparing for that by either educating yourself on new tech/opportunities or by saving a metric fuckton of money and putting it into various currencies so you are protected from various economic collapses. 

    Look at countries like Venezuela.  Their political climate is obviously different, but I would guess that the wants and needs and maybe even the political leanings of their populations aren't far off from ours (speaking to the left/right spectrum here).  Their population is 1/10th of ours.  When our economic system finally gets killed by too much unemployment or too many working in poverty we will come down very hard.  I don't think I want to be around for that show.

    Seeing more and more evidence that millenials tend to lean left and are even starting to flirt with socialism.   It's more of the "liberal" socialism like the Swedes practice but I'm pretty sure in my lifetime (assuming I live another 30+ years), that we'll see some really political change in this country.  I just hope it's not bloody.

  10. Skip Vail and stay in Breckenridge.

    Vail is basically just three shopping/condo areas along I-70.   If you're really lucky you can even look out your window and see the freeway.

    We've stayed in Breckenridge and Vail but really prefer Breckenridge.   Vail is spread out along I-70 and doesn't really have a decent "downtown."   Breckenridge is also close to Frisco, Dillon and Silverthorne.   These are more residential and not near the ski runs.   They have stuff like a Wal-Mart, Lowe's and other shopping.   Breckenridge has a decent grocery store so for the most part there's not much of a reason to be in Frisco.  Other than excursions, we have found ourselves content to hang out in Breck and relax at the house or go for a walk in the afternoon.  

     

    Make sure to check the calendar before/when deciding to go.   There are festivals at different times and can cause traffic/congestion.   There is only one road from I-70 through Breck and one out the other direction (Colorado 9).   Westbound I-70 on Friday night and Saturday mornings is a beating.   Eastbound is bad on Sunday.   There's a beer festival in July.   Never been but have heard it draws a crowd.   There is also a fairly nice art festival in late July.   That doesn't shut down parts of town like the beer festival does.  

    Main Street, as the name implies, is the main drag with restaurants, art galleries, t-shirt shops, etc.   It's a decent stroll with some stuff to look at/window shop.    

     

    The area we've stayed in twice now is right at the south end of "downtown" in a three bedroom house.  Look up stuff on VRBO/Home away.   It's pretty easy to find a good 1 bedroom condo either just south of downtown or on the west (slope side).  There are some really good restaurants in Breck but they are pricey.   There is zero fast food in Breck.   You have to drive back to Frisco.   The main grocery store (called City Market but it's really a Kroger) has everything you'll need.  It's on the north end of town and not within walking distance of the neighborhood we stay but it's only a few minutes by car.   There is another grocery store within walking distance but it has Whole Foods vibe and is kind of over priced.   They do have a decent liquor store next door (as does City Market).   Friday afternoon and Saturday morning are the worst times to hit the store since Denverites are in town for the weekend.

     

    Breck is within a 20-30 minute drive of several different hikes of various difficulties.   If you drive up to Boreas Pass there's a good hike from an old train stop.   BUT.... the drive up there is  little hairy.  About 2/3 of it is on a single lane road with occasional pull outs or wide shoulders for passing.   So you might end up having to back up or pull over to let a car pass.   If anyone is a white knuckle driver/rider, this may not be worth it.   Right at the edge of town is an old mining area (Iowa Hill) with a hike through the old equipment.   Pretty easy to do.   There is also Continental Falls.   This is a pretty hike and the falls are awesome but it's a trek.   A lot of the hiking will depend on what kind of shape your in.  McCullough Gulch is south of town and a pretty hike too.    From the Fun Park, you can take a ski lift up some trails.   One of these is a fairly level trail along the Ten Mile Range.   If you want to really wear yourself out, you can hike to the top of Peak 9.   The view is amazing.   You can see Rocky Mountain National Park to the north and look down into Copper Mountain.  Word of warning...  this was the hardest hike I have ever done and it's not really that far.   It up hill the entire way.   And the descent is a pain.   But the view is more than worth it.   

     

    If you're really adventurous, the drive up Independence Pass toward Aspen is breath taking.   But other than the Maroon Bells hike (which is spectacular) there's not a lot to do over in Aspen and it's a good 2 hour drive each way.   The Independence Pass route, while two lane and in good shape, has some sheer drop offs that are a little scary.   I don't mind windy roads but I wouldn't drive this in the dark.   You can come back on I-70 from Aspen but that adds some time.

     

    As with everything in a ski town, the paid activities can be a little pricey but the ones below are worth it in my opinion.  Weekends will be busier and more hectic since everybody from the Denver area flocks to the mountains then.        

     

    Check out the Breck Fun Park.   In the summer this has a couple of fun things to do.   We normally only do this once and avoid going on a weekend day as that will be busier.  You can walk to the Gondola from town and ride that it up.   Some of things are more geared toward younger kids but the coaster, Alpine slide and zip line are a lot of fun for everybody.  You can also rent bikes and ride the trails.   I did that last time we were there and it was a blast.  But keep in mind, these are dirt paths and some times single track.   The last run of the day, I went down the hardest one and ate it several times before I decided that I was going to have to walk down a ways.   The other runs back toward the Fun Park are much easier. 

    There are bike rentals places who will take you up to Vail Pass.  You ride down the pass back  to Frisco, Dillon, or if you're really ambitious, Breck or Keystone (depending on where you rented your bikes from.)   If you decide just to stop in Frisco, they'll pick you and take you back to where you rented from.   This is one of my favorite things to do.   It's almost completely downhill, paved and more than wide enough for passing.  Nothing stupidly dangerous but there are a few places where your going to use your brakes.  I've had my youngest on a tandem with me each time and it wasn't hard all.   There's a stream that runs along the path for a ways and some beaver dams.   We've seen big horn sheep and elk.    Overall, it's just a fun ride.   Highly recommended.  

     

    There's an old mine that you can tour.   It's 10-15 minutes from Main Street by car.   Also a little pricey.   Just looked at the prices and I don't remember it being as high but it's kind of cool and you can try your hand at gold panning at the end.   This is actually a good thing to do if it's a rainy day.  

     

    Speaking of rain, in the summer they have afternoon thunderstorms but it almost never rains all day.   But pay attention to the weather.   You do not want to be stuck out on a hike or somewhere outside when one comes in.   Been there, done that and it was one of the scariest moments of my life.  Weather forecasts are pretty spot on so if there's a chance of afternoon showers, plan your activity around it and you're good. 

    There are power and pontoon boat rentals on Lake Dillon.   We brought lunch and drinks and rode around the lake.  There's no swimming (and the water is pretty cold any ways) but it was relaxing and every now and then we just cut the motor and drifted for a while.   

     

    There's no white water rafting in Breck but there are several places within 60-90 minutes to go.   If you have never done this, I highly suggest it.   How much white water will depend on when you go.  By late July it's fairly tame but still worth it.   We've done Brown's Canyon and the Colorado River.  Brown's Canyon had more rapids but was not a massive amount of work.    

    The Breckenridge Backstage Theater puts on some really good plays and musicals.  They're doing Monty Python's Spamalot and Annie this summer.   We've seen The Full Monty, Chicago and a couple of other things and enjoyed it.   They use two facilities; the theater and the Riverwalk Center.   The theater only has about 100 seats and is fairly intimate.   The Riverwalk Center has several hundred seats.   Tickets range from around $25 to $45.   There are also classical music performances ranging from string quartets to orchestra sized.   

     

    There's a pizza place in town called Downstairs at Eric's.  They have a decent arcade with video games (classics like Galaga and Pacman), skee ball, pin ball and other stuff like that.   We probably do it 2-3 times during each trip.   You can play at the arcade without having to eat.   They have a fairly good beer selection too.   They advertise 30 beers on tap and probably 10-12 are local Colorado things or stuff you wont find down here.   

     

    Broken Compass Brewing is on the north end of town.   They have a small tap room and brew some "different" things but it was all good.   Most of the places around town carry their stuff.  

     

    The Breckenridge Brewery has pretty good food and I like their beer even if they did sell out to Bud.   They have some stuff on tap that you wont find anywhere else.  

     

    The Breckenridge Tap House may have the best beer selection in town.   They also have fairly good street tacos and is reasonably priced.  

    The Canteen has kind of a pub feel but good food and decent beer selection.  

    South Ridge Seafood.   This is very good.  Pricey.   Maybe a place for you and the wife if the boys could be home alone.

     

    Some stuff on getting there...   The drive is pretty damn boring until you get past Amarillo.   It's a two day drive unless you just feel like spending 18 hours in the car.  We like the Residence Inn on the west side of Amarillo.   They have 1 and 2 bedroom suites that are reasonable on price and you get a buffet type breakfast.   If you're coming from Houston, don't take any other route to Amarillo other I-45 to 287 and then I-40.   If you're coming from Austin or San Antoni, take I-35 to Fort Worth then grab 287 there.  There is a route that takes your through Abilene and other smaller towns.   Don't do that.    Unless there's some massive road closure or something, stick to the main route.   Coming out of Amarillo you can take I-40 west almost all the way to I-25 but this adds on a lot of time.   Take US 385 north out of Vega to US 87 in Dalhart.   This will eventually connect with I-25 at Raton, NM.   

     

    About 2-3 hours NW of Amarillo is the Capulin Volcano National Monument.  This is an extinct cinder cone volcano.   You can drive up to the crater and then walk the crater edge.   It's pretty cool, a good way to stretch your legs without being too strenuous and because the National Park system is awesomely cheap, $7 for a car load.  

     

    Once you get to Colorado you can take I-25 all the way to Denver and then take I-70 into the mountains.  Unless you have some reason to be in Denver, skip this route.  There's a better than average chance that you will get stuck in traffic especially on I-70 during the weekend or I-25 on the week days.   The way to go is US 50 west at Pueblo to Colorado 9.   That takes you right into Breckenridge.   9 connects to I-70 at Frisco.   That takes you to Denver if you end up going that way.   

     

    Also consider a detour along the way and stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park.  If you go there, you would take US 160 west at Walsenburg to Colorado 150.   We did this last time and stayed a night in Alamosa.   The Sand Dunes were pretty cool and there's a (relatively) easy hike to a waterfall (Zapata Falls) near there too.   The road to the trail head is unpaved, rocky and very bumpy.  But once you get to the parking area, it's a 30 minute or so hike to the Falls and you can walk right up to it.   We picnicked our lunch before the hike at the trail head.   There are picnic tables and a bathroom there.  

    So, yeah, go to Breck.

     

     

     

    • Like 7
  11. On 4/27/2018 at 3:04 PM, GhostRider said:

    So what you're saying is...  If  you want to become a psycho serial killer, start with your family first.

    I have a question.   Do they take DNA samples from victims and catalog them?  Seems like this might not be the simple approach some of you think it is.

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