tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66367083232960553132024-03-13T10:56:30.494-07:00Random Thoughts and Musings.A collection of conversations, happenings, thoughts and the like.Sesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294832042936915695noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636708323296055313.post-67170088573299681512009-10-02T21:46:00.000-07:002009-10-02T21:50:02.697-07:00Recent searches and results.Earlier today I went on a google hunt for more precise information on Machu Picchu. I've memorized much of it, but not the exact weights/measurements of the stones found there. I think I was talking to Jenno about it actually as she was at her own computer. For some reason or another I've turned to estimating anything with a numerical value. Rather than simply stating with 100% certainty that the number I chose at this particular point in time is correct; I prefer to give an estimated range. Using said ranges I feel as if I am not spreading misinformation. An added bonus is that if my audience was interested in the topic they, themselves would have to do research to find the correct answer thus leading to and increase in knowledge overall. I don't claim to be a scholar and hope no one sees me as such. <br />
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My search for information on Machu Picchu quickly became a search for Angkor Wat. I encourage researching the topic for those of you who do not know what Angkor Wat is or the history of it. This ancient site would best be summed up as a temple complex hidden by the jungles of Cambodia for who knows how many years. Although hidden it was not completely abandoned and the moat around this architectural masterpiece kept it from being completely overtaken by the jungle. This quote, by French explorer Henri Mouhot, is worth mentioning as it was the first time it was popularized/recognized by western civilization.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">"One of these temples—a rival to that of Solomon, and erected by some ancient Michelangelo—might take an honourable place beside our most beautiful buildings. It is grander than anything left to us by Greece or Rome, and presents a sad contrast to the state of barbarism in which the nation is now plunged." <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Perhaps not grander than every Greek or Roman structure. Close, but not quite.<br />
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This search in turn led to another search. Megaliths. I found your general hyper-advanced ancient technology/Atlantis theories at first. However, among these I did find something noteworthy. Apparently there is a pillar in Delhi, India constructed of iron around the 5th century CE or as early as 912 BCE depending on which "authority" you choose to believe. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/QtubIronPillar.JPG/445px-QtubIronPillar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/QtubIronPillar.JPG/445px-QtubIronPillar.JPG" width="310" /></a> The most amazing fact of this single iron pillar is neither the height (nearly 22 feet) nor the weight (over 6 tons) of it. Take time to think briefly to any unpainted, untreated metal surfaces you've ever seen which have been in open air for longer than 20 years. We're assuming said metallic object has been exposed to all of nature's fury for the full extent of those decades. What did that object look like? Corroded and a nice dark crimson and brown color? Well, not this pillar. After 1600 years minimum or perhaps 2 millennia this pillar still stands strong and intact. Okay, not completely intact. From humans hugging it for decades it has started to show signs of wear. Leave it to humanity to mar a work of marvel which has stood immune to the elements for so very, very long. Has metallurgy actually fallen backwards as time has progressed? Sure we can create steel rather than simple iron, but strong stainless steel is rather expensive in comparison. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do not worry, I'm not about to go on a huge "Pyramids were created by aliens or at least influenced by them." rant. I do not believe this to be true. The ancients did have amazing stone and metal working skills, this much is true. However, aliens seem a bit far-fetched. Not that they do or do not exist or have or have not been to this planet. I just believe there would be other signs besides the apparent livestock mutilations (theory of ET causes have been debunked by the way), hypnosis therapy sessions (humans are crooked and can suggest something occurred to guarantee a repeat customer) and ramblings of countless other inept sources.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just feel as if the ancients had problems much unlike our own. For one our survival is assured and we have more resources on which to draw from. They had what they could find in their region as travel was slow and treacherous. Conflict is the mother of all invention and intuition. If one has a problem that endangers themselves they must adapt and invent in order to conquer it. It's one of the absolute truths I have found in the world.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I will take a page out of JW's book and break this into multiple blogs. Hopefully they will be a bit more frequent. Working 50+ hours per week for barely over minimum wage takes a lot out of me both psychologically and physically. Until next time. I hope you, the reader, enjoyed this post and ran a quick google search if nothing else to find more information on the places, objects I listed above.<br />
</div>Sesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294832042936915695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636708323296055313.post-24992522524958491042009-09-24T19:27:00.000-07:002009-09-25T19:34:59.835-07:00New recruit.So we have a new employee over at the parts store whom I am training. As usual, I have my doubts about new people. Not so much if they can handle the job, but more if they can handle the rest of us. We're all bullshitters and make terrible lowbrow comments and jokes. Most of which are extremely offensive and directed at one another. The thing is though, it's an important part of the job. If one can't take it and/or dish it out then the blue-collar mechanics we deal with, who behave in the same manner mind you, feel less at ease around them. You have to have thick skin and a sharp tongue to earn respect as a "new guy."You have to be able to drop the normal employee/employer roles and look your boss in the eye and tell him, "Go grab yourself a nice hot cup of shut-the-fuck-up." One guy I work with is the most knowledgeable one of all of us just needs to be told to "Play hide-and-go-fuck-yourself." It's what he expects. It's what we all expect. Hell, it's what our commercial accounts expect. It's why they come to us first and not one of the other stores in the area. They like our sense of humor, our crudeness and the fact we can get them what they need and entertain them at the same time. It's almost like the Circle K hotdog stand in Chicago. As a customer you insult the employees and they insult you back; business thrives and everyone's happy. Like we say at work, "It is what it is."<br />
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The way we act isn't very business-like, but that's what we do...Well, with the regulars anyway. The other aspect of the job is knowing who to act like a complete asshole to, when and how to do it. Around normal customers we're friendly, ask what they need, call them sir or ma'am thank them for their business, etc. It's just the way things are. Someone has to learn and learn quickly how to switch back and forth back and forth all day long. As much as we tease and insult one another and our most loyal customers, we still take care of them. I've been known to spend hours off the clock thinking and researching a problem for a commercial account. The same commercial account that earlier who earlier that same day told me I needed to get off my lazy, good for nothing ass and do something. To which I replied something about his wife and a goat. Like I said. It's just a strange relationship and work environment. But in the end we're just joking, no one's getting upset and we're taking care of each other. My hard work makes his business more profitable and his purchases earn the store commission as well as job security which in these tough times is hard to come by.<br />
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Back to the new guy though. We were talking and joking in the back tonight about methamphetamines and anal leakage. His girlfriend called and asked what he was doing and he had no problem telling her yet was just asking "How may I help you, sir?" not even five minutes earlier. I think he'll turn out just fine after he learns the parts database and how to research older, obscure parts in paper catalogs.<br />
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Till next time, same bat time, same bat channel.Sesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294832042936915695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636708323296055313.post-29483159399840917922009-09-22T21:40:00.000-07:002009-09-25T19:35:17.275-07:00Introduction.<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Well, for my first post I thought best to introduce myself. I'm just an ordinary guy in a small town overrun by strange circumstances. Most of which are caused by methamphetamine, high poverty levels and possibly just something in the air. Everyone here has a story, most are tragic, but can inspire others if shared at the correct opportunity. I, myself, was one of the drug-addled minds wandering to and fro like zombies looking for their next high.<br />
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Once that stage in my life was over; I then turned to deep thought and reflection in order to keep my mind busy and at ease. Which still continues to this day albeit not in the quantity in which it once was. The thirst for knowledge is still there, but able to be controlled, much unlike the past. That thirst became a considerable advantage at my current job. I'm an aftermarket auto parts sales man/delivery driver/manager/trainer. Basically a jackass-of-all trades combined with a detective. My coworkers and I must on a daily basis find parts for obscure vehicles or parts that were never meant to be used for the application, but are the only parts that will work. So, I would suppose that being a "Thinker-Monkey" as my girlfriend calls me isn't such a terrible thing after all.<br />
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Hopefully throughout my writings someone will find something that will make them chuckle, think and maybe even inspire them. As they said in Shadowrun (not the terrible Xbox 360 version) G'luck with your struggles.<br />
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