BruteForce

Ferrari Enzo –v- Super Cuda

2010-03-18T21:43:09Z

This story appeared on Leftlane's Backpage -- a new section dedicated to the unusual, interesting, funny, scary, and outrageous automotive topics that don't make it to the front page.

Video: LMC Super Cuda races Enzo Ferrari over 200 mph

03/11/2010, 8:51 PM

By Mark Kleis

Legendary Motorcar Company decided to create a twin-turbo V10 1,000+ horsepower monster of a 1970 Chrysler Barracuda – a project that has taken over 5,000 man hours over the course of nearly two years. Just days after completion, LMC took the ‘Cuda to Chrysler’s Proving Grounds to race it against a Ferrari Enzo supercar.

LMC started with a rusted out shell of a 1970 Barracuda and a salvaged red Dodge Viper. Then they spent two years combining the two together in the process of creating a supercar-rivaling beast of a classic. When it was all said and done the folks at LMC said they invested 5-6,000 hours creating this metallic green ‘Cuda, and their hard work paid off as they broke 200 mph at Chrysler’s Proving Grounds in Michigan.

Adventure World, Episode 6

2010-03-12T04:04:27Z

Original Source - Posted w/permission

Guess what's in Episode 6? Yup, more hang gliding, ATV riding and comedy.

Finally!

2010-03-12T04:02:17Z

After having my new 5th wheel Toy Hauler in service for 4 weeks, we’ve finally got it back. The downside is that the dealer didn’t order the correct colored decals, so we have mis-matched decals on the door (original was grey, the dealer installed black).

Additionally, my Brute Force 750i ATV is again back from yet another front cylinder rebuild. The dealer feels confident they’ve finally figured out the issue: Oil hose was blocked, preventing oil from reaching the front and rear cylinder.

I’ll be heading out tomorrow (Friday, March 12th), to put at least 60+ miles on the ATV to confirm that it’s been repaired, then its a phone call to Kawasaki to have them extend my warranty.

5 months in the making: Truck + Toy Hauler

2010-02-02T15:06:00Z

A basic timeline on this experience:

May 2009: Via the auto auction, we purchase a used 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 (Quad Cab, Big Horn Edition, 6.7L)

October 2009: After having my truck inspected for 5th wheel readiness, we start shopping for a 5th wheel trailer

October 2009: We enter an agreement to purchase a 2010 Road warrior 395RW

October 2009: 3 days before we take receipt, I back out after determining my truck would have been insufficient.

January 2010: We begin shopping for a larger truck – a Ford or Dodge Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) heavy duty

January 2010: After hitting every dealer in an 80 mile radius, we find a suitable truck: 2009 Ram 3500 MegaCab

February 2010: One day after purchasing the truck, we’re back at Sierra RV re-negotiating our trade-in and purchase. We come to closure and again sign papers. The new RV is slated for pickup on February 5th.

The big challenge now is to ensure I can back this rig into my RV space. Based on measurements, I’d only have 2 inches to either side of my gate. My sawze-all is ready.

Audiences experience 'Avatar' blues

2010-01-12T15:02:00Z

Note: WTF? What is with people?

Original Story

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January 11, 2010 8:06 a.m. EST

(CNN) -- James Cameron's completely immersive spectacle "Avatar" may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora.

On the fan forum site "Avatar Forums," a topic thread entitled "Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible," has received more than 1,000 posts from people experiencing depression and fans trying to help them cope. The topic became so popular last month that forum administrator Philippe Baghdassarian had to create a second thread so people could continue to post their confused feelings about the movie.

"I wasn't depressed myself. In fact the movie made me happy ," Baghdassarian said. "But I can understand why it made people depressed. The movie was so beautiful and it showed something we don't have here on Earth. I think people saw we could be living in a completely different world and that caused them to be depressed."

A post by a user called Elequin expresses an almost obsessive relationship with the film.

"That's all I have been doing as of late, searching the Internet for more info about 'Avatar.' I guess that helps. It's so hard I can't force myself to think that it's just a movie, and to get over it, that living like the Na'vi will never happen. I think I need a rebound movie," Elequin posted.

A user named Mike wrote on the fan Web site "Naviblue" that he contemplated suicide after seeing the movie.

"Ever since I went to see 'Avatar' I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora and all the Na'vi made me want to be one of them. I can't stop thinking about all the things that happened in the film and all of the tears and shivers I got from it," Mike posted. "I even contemplate suicide thinking that if I do it I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora and the everything is the same as in 'Avatar.' "

Other fans have expressed feelings of disgust with the human race and disengagement with reality.

Cameron's movie, which has pulled in more than $1.4 billion in worldwide box office sales and could be on track to be the highest grossing film of all time, is set in the future when the Earth's resources have been pillaged by the human race. A greedy corporation is trying to mine the rare mineral unobtainium from the planet Pandora, which is inhabited by a peace-loving race of 7-foot tall, blue-skinned natives called the Na'vi.

In their race to mine for Pandora's resources, the humans clash with the Na'vi, leading to casualties on both sides. The world of Pandora is reminiscent of a prehistoric fantasyland, filled with dinosaur-like creatures mixed with the kinds of fauna you may find in the deep reaches of the ocean. Compared with life on Earth, Pandora is a beautiful, glowing utopia.

Ivar Hill posts to the "Avatar" forum page under the name Eltu. He wrote about his post-"Avatar" depression after he first saw the film earlier this month.

"When I woke up this morning after watching Avatar for the first time yesterday, the world seemed ... gray. It was like my whole life, everything I've done and worked for, lost its meaning," Hill wrote on the forum. "It just seems so ... meaningless. I still don't really see any reason to keep ... doing things at all. I live in a dying world."

Reached via e-mail in Sweden where he is studying game design, Hill, 17, explained that his feelings of despair made him desperately want to escape reality.

"One can say my depression was twofold: I was depressed because I really wanted to live in Pandora, which seemed like such a perfect place, but I was also depressed and disgusted with the sight of our world, what we have done to Earth. I so much wanted to escape reality," Hill said.

Cameron's special effects masterpiece is very lifelike, and the 3-D performance capture and CGI effects essentially allow the viewer to enter the alien world of Pandora for the movie's 2½-hour running time, which only lends to the separation anxiety some individuals experience when they depart the movie theater.

"Virtual life is not real life and it never will be, but this is the pinnacle of what we can build in a virtual presentation so far," said Dr. Stephan Quentzel, psychiatrist and Medical Director for the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. "It has taken the best of our technology to create this virtual world and real life will never be as utopian as it seems onscreen. It makes real life seem more imperfect."

Fans of the movie may find actor Stephen Lang, who plays the villainous Col. Miles Quaritch in the film, an enemy of the Na'vi people and their sacred ground, an unlikely sympathizer. But Lang says he can understand the connection people are feeling with the movie.

"Pandora is a pristine world and there is the synergy between all of the creatures of the planet and I think that strikes a deep chord within people that has a wishfulness and a wistfulness to it," Lang said. "James Cameron had the technical resources to go along with this incredibly fertile imagination of his and his dream is built out of the same things that other peoples' dreams are made of."

The bright side is that for Hill and others like him -- who became dissatisfied with their own lives and with our imperfect world after enjoying the fictional creation of James Cameron -- becoming a part of a community of like-minded people on an online forum has helped them emerge from the darkness.

"After discussing on the forums for a while now, my depression is beginning to fade away. Having taken a part in many discussions concerning all this has really, really helped me," Hill said. "Before, I had lost the reason to keep on living -- but now it feels like these feelings are gradually being replaced with others."

Quentzel said creating relationships with others is one of the keys to human happiness, and that even if those connections are occurring online they are better than nothing.

"Obviously there is community building in these forums," Quentzel said. "It may be technologically different from other community building, but it serves the same purpose."

Within the fan community, suggestions for battling feelings of depression after seeing the movie include things like playing "Avatar" video games or downloading the movie soundtrack, in addition to encouraging members to relate to other people outside the virtual realm and to seek out positive and constructive activities.

Despite Obama's Statement, We're Already in Yemen

2010-01-12T14:54:22Z

Original Story

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Obama administration officials say there are no plans to put regular troops into al Qaeda-infested Yemen, but that is only half the story. CIA spooks and operatives from the Joint Special Operations Command, the supersecret home of Delta Force, are in Yemen, say officials. They are working with a highly specialized unit known for hacking terrorist computers, intercepting phone calls, and tracking militants from the air. Meanwhile, with Yemen emerging as the next Pakistan in the war on terrorism, officials say that the president is eyeing an increase from 58,000 to 72,000 Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Delta Force members, and Green Berets for the Special Operations Command based in Tampa.

Such is life (my day as Santa Claus)

2009-12-09T12:31:16Z

For the past 3 or 4 years now, I've volunteered to be Santa Claus for a friend. Our friend (Jody) runs an exceptional day care and each day sponsors and open house to visit with Santa, take photos, etc.

This year, we added a Sub-for-Santa event to collect shoes/boots for a specific elementary school. The event was a success and we collected 28 pairs of shoes.

Two very memorable photos from that day:

Before (with dog and unhappy child):

And After: Puppy was trying to eat my face.

High-tech WWII Japanese Subs Found

2009-11-23T15:09:10Z

Original Story

The remains of two high-tech World War II Japanese submarines designed to attack the United States mainland have been found off Oahu.

The announcement was made this morning by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Undersea Research Lab at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and the National Geographic Channel.

The submarines -- the subjects of a National Geographic special, "Hunt for the Samurai Subs" -- were part of a top-secret Imperial Japanese Navy plan to attack cities on the U.S. mainland, including New York and Washington, D.C.

The I-14 was capable of carrying two fighter bombers while submerged; the I-201 was the fastest attack submarine of its time.

Dr. Hans Van Tilburg, maritime heritage coordinator for NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries in the Pacific Islands, said the submarines incorporated design and warfare concepts in use today.

"If you look at a sub like the I-201, it was nothing like anybody had in World War II," he said. "It had a streamlined body and conning tower and retractable guns. It looks more like a Cold War sub.

"And the (400-foot-long) I-14 predates the cruise missile concept."

Similar to a modern-day "boomer," the I-14 carried enough fuel to travel around the glode, Van Tillburg said. That meant it could pop up off the East Coast, assemble and launch its folded-wing planes within 10 minutes and then submerge again.

After the war, five of the subs were captured by the U.S. and brought back to Pearl Harbor where they were studied. They were intentionally sunk by the U.S. Navy in 1946 when Russian scientists began to demand access to the technology under terms of the treaty that ended the war.

Since 1992, a team led by Hawaii Undersea Research Lab operations director Terry Kerby has used the manned submersibles Pisces IV and Pisces V to hunt for the Japanese subs.

In March 2005, the team discovered the I-401, which could carry three aircraft.

The I-14 and I-201 were found in February in 3,000 feet of water.

Kerby said the search for the I-14 and I-201 was aided by veterans after the discovery of the I-401 became public.

Joe Gould, who was assigned to be the executive officer of the I-14 while it was at Pearl Harbor, shot 16mm film of the sinking of the sub somewhere off Pearl Harbor.

"As the (camera) panned from Kaena Point to Diamond Head, we were able to pick out landmarks and triangulate a rough position," Kerby said.

Van Tilburg said Japan began working on the new fleet of submarines too late in the war and was only able to produce a small number of them.

"If they had been able to produce them earlier, it might have turned the tide in some battles," he said.

None of the submarines' missions were carried out.

"Hunt for the Samurai Subs" premieres Nov. 17 on the National Geographic Channel.

Midnight meteor delights, alarms Utahns

2009-11-18T15:33:34Z

Well, it wasn't the end of the world, or even of all life as we know it. Not even a close encounter of the third, or even fourth kind.

But a bright light in the sky just after midnight Wednesday morning certainly got the attention of skywatchers in northern Utah.

The light, described some as a bright green glow that may have exploded in a bright display, was a meteor, NASA Solar System Ambassador Patrick Wiggins told Fox 13. Scientists say the meteor traveled into our part of the heavens from the northeast.

The space rock, possibly a late arrival from the recent Leonid meteor shower, also may have created some sonic booms; there were even some unconfirmed reports of car alarms being set off by the cosmic visitor.

No injuries or property damage were reported, but it by all accounts it was quite a show, seen in northern Utah, Idaho and Nevada.

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The photos below are after and before photos from my home surveillance camera showing just how bright the sky was illuminated:

News reports also claim strange circle (almost like con-trails) were seen over Tooele county this morning. The photograph below was observed by me East over the Wasatch early this morning (and to the West over Tooele County), but I also saw the same thing while hiking yesterday around 1400 over Tooele County. I DO NOT believe these strange patterns were resultant from the meteor, as I saw them yesterday -- hours before the meteor explosion:

Soldier Canyon to Jacob City Loop (Hiking, ATV'ing, Snow Shoeing)

2009-11-18T13:55:50Z

Decided that since I've been averaging 12 hour days at work, that I would give myself a "comp-day" and get outside yesterday (Tuesday, 17 Nov. 2009).

Since there was still snow on the ground, I thought I would certainly find areas where I could dismount the ATV and shoe through the higher elevations; I would not be proven incorrect in this thought.

I left home at 0730. Outside, it was a balmy 22F with ice on the ground and virtually everything in a frozen state.

I arrived at the mouth of Ophir Canyon just before 0830 and unloaded my gear. The external temperature was still near 22F - so I grabbed a sweat shirt, my baraclava and some new cold weather gloves I had just purchased.

From this location, I rode about 6 miles North to the Jacob City staging area (just outside Stockton) and proceeded to ride into Soldier Canyon.

I looped around trying to discern where the various snow packed trails would lead, but virtually all of them dead-ended or placed me at a fence marked "PRIVATE PROPERTY". After an hour of exploring, I got back on the main trail and rode through Solider Canyon.

There was hardly a living thing moving at this time of morning. It was still quite chilly and the sun was just coming over the Oquirrh Mountains.

My first discovery was an area of charcoal kiln ruins. Based on their level of destruction, I could only guess they were at least 50+ years old.

I placed a geocache to mark this location and proceeded to the end of the canyon. I found a small side trail, put on the snow shoes and attempted to bush wack about 100' straight up hill -- with very little success. After getting stuck more than once (snow shoes don't work well while bush wacking), I turned around and slowly made my way back downhill.

After this bit of shoeing, I turned around, departed Soldier Canyon and started the 4000+ feet climb to the top of Jacob City (to reach around 10,500 in elevation). As I climbed higher, the amount of accumulated snow was determined by the amount of direct sun shine and location. Some areas had well over a foot while others just traces.

The view was spectacular.

Now having reached the summit of Jacob City (Ophir), I decided to pursue a geocache on the top of Bald Mountain.

From my start location, it was a straight up climb well over half a mile one way. Seeing no snow on the initial ridge, I left the snow shoes on the ATV and proceeded up. Half-way up, an Apache helicopter flying nap-of-the-earth broke over the mountain and buzzed me. I'm sure he wasn't expecting to see a human at that location. Now having reached the first ridge (of three), I started to encounter deep snow and was regretting the decision to leave snow shoes behind.

The first ridge line at just under 10,000'

From this location, I had phenomenal views for well over 40 miles in every direction! In the snow, it was evident that deer and elk frequented this ridge. (Noted for future hunting locations).

Trip Detail:

- ATV'd: 36 miles
- Snow shoed: 3 miles (straight up and down hill through oak trees)
- Hiked: 2 miles (straight up)
- Total elevation gain: +4000'
- Starting temperature: ~17F
- Ending temperature: ~38F
- Start time: 0830
- End time: 1500

Wife poses as schoolgirl online to snare husband

2009-11-14T14:41:15Z

Note: 61 years old and filming himself to a 14 year old? What's wrong with these people? Did he really think a 14 year old was going to want to get busy with him?
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Original Story

Sometimes a man can be betrayed by his wife in a good way.

A 61-year-old woman from Bridgend, Wales, had been married to her husband, for almost 20 years when, according to a court report from the Telegraph, she noticed a curious message on their computer at home.

She focused and realized that the message had been sent by an underage girl to whom her husband had been sending messages in a chat room. The message was of a sexual nature and included her husband's original message to the girl.

Perhaps some spouses would have been so stunned as to not know how to react.

This woman was different. She decided to use another computer in a different part of their house. She then entered the same chat room her husband had been using, posed as a young girl and made contact with him.

The prosecuting lawyer told the court: "Her husband had no idea but soon he was chatting with his own wife, believing it was a 14-year-old girl."

The woman didn't merely get written replies from her husband. He also used a Webcam to film himself for their supposed mutual pleasure.

Still, the court heard, she didn't confront him. Instead, she went straight to the police and the British National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

The man, who has grown-up daughters, only discovered that it was his wife who had betrayed him when interviewed by the police. He was given a three-year community order. He was also banned from having any contact with children under the age of 18, a ban that holds for both the real and the online worlds.

After the case, the woman, who is now divorcing her husband, told the Telegraph: "I did the right thing and I don't regret it. Now I just need some time to think and put all this behind me."

However, she was indignant that her husband did not receive a more stringent penalty. She said: "I thought the judge would be a lot harder and that he might go to prison."

Sometimes, we never even know those closest to us. Or sometimes we do, and then one day, they just change.

Heartland Road Warrior 395 - Toy Hauler trailer

2009-11-11T22:35:53Z

Those of you that know me, know that I've recently been looking to trade-in our 31' Jayco Class-C motor home (31SS).

A few weeks ago, we signed a promissory note ($73k) for the above trailer. What I didn't know at the time (before we took possession) was that my 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 (6.7L Turbo Diesel) simply didn't have the GCVRW to manage this 18,000 pound triple axle trailer.
2010_RW_Literature_web.pdf

My truck has a GCVRW of 20,000 pounds, of which the truck = 7500#, leaving me almost 7000 pounds over weight on the rear axle and frame (trailer=18,000 + truck=7500).

Knowing my engine could easily haul the weight, I was still concerned that my brakes, frame and rear suspension would be massively overloaded -- we backed out of the deal.

We've now started to look for used (2001) Diesel OTR rigs. We've found Volvo's with 10-19 gears with over a million miles on them for under $5000 and we're tempted.

Road trips just won't be the same after trading out a 31' Class-C to a detachable 42' toy-hauler.

..to be continued!

Chinese police raid workshops producing counterfeit condoms

2009-11-11T13:52:24Z

Note: WTF?

Original Story

Safe sex may not be quite so safe in China. Police have uncovered underground workshops churning out fake condoms in the latest expose of China's counterfeit industry.

The spread of knock-off prophylactics is rampant, state media said. Users can expect little or no protection even though the condoms in question carry the most famous brand names.

The scandal surfaced when police raided a workshop in central Hunan province that was producing counterfeit condoms. The police warned that the contraceptives had already been distributed nationwide and many people may have already bought and used the poor quality items, risking both pregnancy and disease.

Police are still looking for as many as a million condoms produced by the illegal factory.

Four people have been arrested in that condom bust and police described the operation as well organised in the 20-square-metre workshop.

Bare-chested employees were found using vegetable oil to lubricate the condoms to make them smooth and shiny before placing them directly in fibre bags without bothering with sterilisation.

Since March, the workshop had turned out 2.16 million unsterilised condoms labelled as "Jissbon", "Durex", "Rough Rider", "Six Sense" and "Love Card". The workshop had earned about 80,000 yuan (£7,000).

One police officer said: "This is by far the largest case involving producing and selling fake condoms in Hunan Province."

He warned buyers that price was a good clue to a counterfeit condom. One online shop based in Hunan province was offering Durex and Six Sense condoms at 15 yuan (£1.30) per pack of 12. The normal market price for Durex condoms in supermarkets and pharmacies is 49 yuan a pack.

The owner defended his products, before hanging up the telephone. "All my products are genuine and sourced from the authorised agencies of the manufacturers."

The temptation is high to turn out fakes in China -- whether DVDs, Louis Vuitton handbags or BMW cars -- due to the low cost of labour and raw materials and the difficulty for the police in tracking down such enormous and spread-out workshops.

Officials estimate that a third of all condoms in some areas are fake. The condom market in China is the fourth-largest in the world with annual sales of about two billion. The market is important in a country with a strict family planning policy that restricts urban families to one child per couple.

Video Shows US Ammo in Enemy Hands

2009-11-10T16:10:19Z

Original Story

KABUL -- Television footage broadcast Tuesday showed insurgents handling what appears to be U.S. ammunition in a remote area of eastern Afghanistan that American forces left last month following a deadly firefight that killed eight troops.

The U.S. military said the forces that left the area said they removed and accounted for their equipment.

Al-Jazeera broadcast video showing insurgents handling weapons, including anti-personnel mines with U.S. markings on them. The television station reported that insurgents said they seized the weapons from two U.S. remote outposts in Nuristan province. It was unclear when the video was filmed.

Nuristan was the site of an Oct. 3 battle in which some 200 fighters bombarded a joint U.S.-Afghan army outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells. Eight U.S. troops died - as well as three Afghan Soldiers - in one of the heaviest losses of U.S. life in a single battle since the war began.

Lt. Col. Todd Vician, a spokesman for NATO forces, said the material in the footage "appears to be U.S. equipment." He said it was unclear how the insurgents got the weapons.

"It's debatable whether they got them from that location," Vician said, referring to the mountainous Kamdesh district of Nuristan where the nearly six-hour battle took place.

But Gen. Mohammad Qassim Jangulbagh, provincial police chief in Nuristan, said, "The Americans left ammunition at the base."

Three American platoons were deployed at the two posts, mostly troops from Task Force Mountain Warrior of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The U.S. destroyed most of the ammunition, but some of it fell into the hands of insurgents, Jangulbagh said.

After the attack, the Pentagon said the isolated post in Nuristan was on a list of far-flung bases that U.S. war commanders had decided were not worth keeping. The Pentagon said that decision was on the books before the assault - part of plans by top U.S. commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal to shut down such isolated strongholds and focus on more heavily populated areas as part of a new strategy to protect Afghan civilians.

Jangulbagh lamented the pullback of U.S. forces from the outposts. "Unfortunately, only the police are in Nuristan. There are no foreign troops," he said.

Farooq Khan, a spokesman for the Afghan National Police in Nuristan province, also said U.S. forces left behind arms and ammunition when they left the area, which he said is now in insurgent hands.

However, Gen. Shir Mohammad Karimi, chief of operations for the Afghan Defense Ministry, was skeptical.

"As far as I know, nothing was left behind," Karimi said.

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Footage (taken from Al-Jazeera site):

Taliban displays 'US weapons'

Al Jazeera has obtained exclusive footage showing the Taliban in Afghanistan displaying what appears to be US weapons.

The fighters say they seized the arms cache from two US outposts in eastern Nuristan province.

Days after the alleged assault, the US military pulled out its troops from the area.

Al Jazerera's Jonah Hull reports.

'60 Minutes'--Cyberwar: Sabotaging the system

2009-11-09T15:37:38Z

Cyberwar

Nothing has ever changed the world as quickly as the Internet.

Less than a decade ago, "60 Minutes" went to the Pentagon to do a story on something called information warfare, or cyberwar as some people called it. It involved using computers and the Internet as weapons.

Much of it was still theory, but we were told that before too long it might be possible for a hacker with a computer to disable critical infrastructure in a major city and disrupt essential services, steal millions of dollars from banks all over the world, infiltrate defense systems, extort millions from public companies, and even sabotage our weapons systems.

Today it's not only possible, all of that has actually happened. And there's a lot more we don't even know about.

It's why President Obama has made cyberwar defense a top national priority and why some people are already saying that the next big war is less likely to begin with a bang than with a blackout.

"Can you imagine your life without electric power?" Ret. Adm. Mike McConnell asked "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft...