Mobile Arcade Room

[shardian]

Also I went and picked up an old coke machine (the kind that dispensed bottles with the little door on it) and I just happened to notice that a bud light bottle fits perfectly in there  

Looks kinda rough but i can always repaint

Schweet! I am wanting a pop machine, and my mechanic has like three just sitting in his shop. I am tempted to offer to take one off his hands, but I had a dream the other night that included an old 7up machine with flames shooting out the top due to malfunction. After that, I have reconsidered a pop machine.

[ChadTower]

Bud Light?  Dude, the only reason I don't totally laugh at you is that you're drinking it in a husked out double wide anyway. 

Ah, hell.   

[shardian]

Schweet! I am wanting a pop machine, and my mechanic has like three just sitting in his shop. I am tempted to offer to take one off his hands, but I had a dream the other night that included an old 7up machine with flames shooting out the top due to malfunction. After that, I have reconsidered a pop machine.

Well I asked the mechanic about the old can pepsi machine in the back and I'm getting it and a replacement compressor for it...for FREE!!! I won't be picking it up until next weekend probably though.

[ChadTower]

Niiice.  In the fall, at my local recycling depot, there was a VERY NICE old school metal bodied Coke machine.  Probably worth a lot of coin, sitting waiting for the scrap metal pickup.  If I had any interest or knowledge of vending machines I'd have picked that sucker up as the attendant was willing to give it away free.  No idea of what it was like inside but the cab itself was bright red, few dents, no rust.

[shardian]

Niiice.  In the fall, at my local recycling depot, there was a VERY NICE old school metal bodied Coke machine.  Probably worth a lot of coin, sitting waiting for the scrap metal pickup.  If I had any interest or knowledge of vending machines I'd have picked that sucker up as the attendant was willing to give it away free.  No idea of what it was like inside but the cab itself was bright red, few dents, no rust.

You can turn that on ebay for good money even in non-working condition if the body is good and it is an old-school bottle machine with dedicated artwork. Alot of people want them for just for looks in their coke collections.

[ChadTower]

Yeah, would have been good for such a thing, had I not already been backed up by 75 projects in the queue.  I'm sure someone else snagged it.  It was definitely one of those with demand, it had no lights, was the molded metal type with the Coke art raised.

[CCM]

Yeah, would have been good for such a thing, had I not already been backed up by 75 projects in the queue.  I'm sure someone else snagged it.  It was definitely one of those with demand, it had no lights, was the molded metal type with the Coke art raised.

Damn, just looked on ebay, you could make a killing on old coke machines.  It wouldn't have been much of a project to pick it up for free and sell it on ebay as-is...

[ChadTower]

Wouldn't have worked out that way for me.  I would have rented a vehicle, picked it up, put it in the basement, then said for two years "I'm going to fix and then sell it" rather than selling it two weeks later.  Right next to the row of noworking cabs and pins that I said the same about.

[CCM]

so you do projects the same way I do...

[ChadTower]

Yep, the projects pile up faster than my free time will allow me to complete them.

[shorthair]

Bud Light?  Dude, the only reason I don't totally laugh at you is that you're drinking it in a husked out double wide anyway. 

Ah, hell.   

No, that's when they drink Pabst or Old Milwaulkee...or something more obscure they bought from the ABC store.

Well I asked the mechanic about the old can pepsi machine in the back and I'm getting it and a replacement compressor for it...for FREE!!! I won't be picking it up until next weekend probably though.

See, all's it takes is a little courage. Neow go git that Ms!

[psik0tik]

Who gives a crap what I drink...I'm sorry I don't drink metrosexual froo froo drinks..I apologize Either way the coke machine works...I had to have the compressor replaced now it works pretty good. I've been looking up fiber optic ceilings and I think I'm going to go with that. I guess I'll have to put in ceiling tiles but the whole effect of it will be cool. Plus I'm looking for some neon arcade signs.

[shardian]

Neow go git that Ms!

Nope, no more projects for me until everything I have is done! Besides I got raped with a $1600 doctor bill for the little one today. Out of network doctors SUCK!!!!!!!

[MikeQ]

Neow go git that Ms!

Nope, no more projects for me until everything I have is done! Besides I got raped with a $1600 doctor bill for the little one today. Out of network doctors SUCK!!!!!!!

I love how you can go to an in-network hospital and be seen by nothing but out-of-network doctors.  I just about went postal when that happened to me on a $30,000 bill.  It was an E.R. visit too.  Not like I could ask each doctor if they were in network before they saw me.  The surgeon I didn't even meet until after the surgery (I was sedated).  I never met the anaesthesiologist.

When I pointed this out to the insurance company they told me to write a "letter of appeal" explaining this.  I did, they denied it.  They told me I could appeal it.   I did.  They denied it.  Thank goodness for out of pocket maximums.  I ended up having to pay around $2500 out of pocket.

[shorthair]

Health care and pharmaceutical are the newest robber barons.

[jbox]

Yes, because all the other businesses in the world have a habit of just changing their mind against their own interests.    Any system were "oversight" = "myself" is generally always rubbish (politics, enron, etc...). 

[ChadTower]

Nope, no more projects for me until everything I have is done! Besides I got raped with a $1600 doctor bill for the little one today. Out of network doctors SUCK!!!!!!!

That happened to us a few years ago.  Younger son got the flu but ended up losing like 30% of his bodyweight (he was only 20 something pounds to start) so he had to stay for IV fluids for a few days... whack, took us two years to pay it off.  And that's with decent insurance.

Luckily, most medical providers will be startlingly flexible with people willing to pay.  You can go as low as $50/month on that so long as you actually make the payments.  They're usually very grateful when someone doesn't flake on them entirely.

[shardian]

What REALLY sucks about is that I had already met my in-network deductible for the year AND my break-point. Out-of-network has a completely different deductible to meet.

And yes, the doctor was at an in-network hospital, and originally the insurance company quoted the doctors office as being in network. I got hit with the big bill when I complained about paying 10%, which I shouldn't have due to meeting my break-point. Yesterday was a fun morning, let me tell you.

[ChadTower]

If they actually quoted it as in network to you, then changed their mind, that's a case I'd consider bringing to an attorney.  Probably not worth it for $1600, but if it were a higher figure, it could be worth doing.

[shorthair]

Yes, because all the other businesses in the world have a habit of just changing their mind against their own interests.    Any system were "oversight" = "myself" is generally always rubbish (politics, enron, etc...). 

I'm not quite sure of your meaning here, but I'll say this: two reasons those two I referenced are so big is that people have a hard time taking care of themselves, and our economic model is purely about wealth rather than the emotional development of society. (The reason they're problematic is because they inherently discourage emotional development.) The latter, though not impossible, is only incidentally possible through the current model.

[CheffoJeffo]

Health care and pharmaceutical are the newest robber barons.

I think you meant Health Insurance ... or, if you didn't, you should have.

[boykster]

Health care and pharmaceutical are the newest robber barons.

I think you meant Health Insurance ... or, if you didn't, you should have.

True that....doctors and hospital administrators aren't at fault here, it's all about insurace coverage, liability and malpractice insurance costs, etc.  Most doctors I know (and I know a lot, my father is a physician) pay way more $$$ in insurance than they actually make.

And as for the pharma industry, don't get me started.  I have worked in biotech/pharma for 10 years, and public perception vs reality is a huge gap.  There are MANY reasons that name-brand (non-generic) pharmaceuticals are so expensive, and it's not because we're a bunch of greedy bastids.  Do some research re: the cost of developing a new drug, and how long it's protected under patent before you start making assertions.

[Chris G]

Not to mention those big severance checks they have to write to folks.   

[boykster]

Not to mention those big severance checks they have to write to folks.   

KNOCKOUT!! 

[shorthair]

No, I meant health care and pharmaceuticals, as they're not about keeping people healthy - let alone making sure they don't eventually need such things, ever - but making sure they need something to fix what could otherwise be addressed, or even avoided, with a balanced lifestyle. And everyone involved in either or both of those 'fields' is an accomplice, whether unwittingly.

[AtomSmasher]

No, I meant health care and pharmaceuticals, as they're not about keeping people healthy - let alone making sure they don't eventually need such things, ever - but making sure they need something to fix what could otherwise be addressed, or even avoided, with a balanced lifestyle. And everyone involved in either or both of those 'fields' is an accomplice, whether unwittingly.

I saw that Seinfeld episode.  The one where George needs his tonsils out, but decided to go to a holistic healer instead.  Funny stuff.

[CheffoJeffo]

No, I meant health care and pharmaceuticals, as they're not about keeping people healthy - let alone making sure they don't eventually need such things, ever - but making sure they need something to fix what could otherwise be addressed, or even avoided, with a balanced lifestyle. And everyone involved in either or both of those 'fields' is an accomplice, whether unwittingly.

Just 'coz you read it in one of those cool blogs you read doesn't make it so ...

You attribute motives to industries that I doubt you have any knowledge of nor experience with -- if you do, please correct me.

If not, please return to shearing your sheep ... erm girlfriend.

[billf]

No, I meant health care and pharmaceuticals, as they're not about keeping people healthy - let alone making sure they don't eventually need such things, ever - but making sure they need something to fix what could otherwise be addressed, or even avoided, with a balanced lifestyle. And everyone involved in either or both of those 'fields' is an accomplice, whether unwittingly.

Balanced lifestyle???

[Jouster]

No, I meant health care and pharmaceuticals, as they're not about keeping people healthy - let alone making sure they don't eventually need such things, ever - but making sure they need something to fix what could otherwise be addressed, or even avoided, with a balanced lifestyle. And everyone involved in either or both of those 'fields' is an accomplice, whether unwittingly.

Yes, spoken by some one with no idea what they are talking about...what medical or pharmacy school did you go to?

Jouster

[boykster]

No, I meant health care and pharmaceuticals, as they're not about keeping people healthy - let alone making sure they don't eventually need such things, ever - but making sure they need something to fix what could otherwise be addressed, or even avoided, with a balanced lifestyle. And everyone involved in either or both of those 'fields' is an accomplice, whether unwittingly.

People don't want to be "kept healthy", they want to visit the doctor who will give them a cut and dry diagnosis, prescribe a pill that costs $0.01 and fixes the problem permanently in 5 minutes.  They don't want to be told to eat a healthy diet, be more active and exercise, avoid high risk behaviour, drink less, etc.  They want to be free to do whatver they want.

And if the doctor can't "fix" them immediately, or advises them at all about their lifestyle, they are the patient gets offended and the doctor is "incompetent".

Of course I'm speaking in generalities, but I've been around the industry my entire life and have seen it from a different perspective than you.  If you don't think that the PEOPLE of the healthcare industry don't care, then you don't know about fathers and mothers who spend 60-80 hours a week away from their families on a regular basis, missing birthdays of children, going in to do rounds on christmas and thanksgiving, etc.

Now go crawl back in your hole and stop reading blogs....

 

[shorthair]

Did I say there was an intended conspiracy? Did I say people didn't care?

You mistake what I say. People can have the kindest of intentions and use the wrong tools and methods. Those within the standard medical model are in this position. Not entirely, but largely. My girlfriend is a nurse (regular and psych), as is my aunt. I get confirmation of these things I've heard about from them/their experiences...as well as others'. Though you're right about people not wanting to be told what it takes for them to be healthy.

[AtomSmasher]

TOR: Kramer tells me that you are interested in an alternative to surgery.

GEORGE: Yes, yes I am.

TOR: (Blows into George's face) I think we can help you. See, unfortunately, the medical establishment is a business like any other business. And business needs customers. And, they want to sell you their most expensive item which is unnecessary surgery.

TOR: You know, I am not a business man. I'm a holistic healer. It's a calling, it's a gift. You see, it's in the best interest of the medical profession that you remain sick. You see, that insures good business. You're not a patient. You're a customer.

JERRY: (He thinks this, the audience can hear his thoughts) And you're not a doctor, but you play one in real life.

[NightGod]

Neow go git that Ms!

Nope, no more projects for me until everything I have is done! Besides I got raped with a $1600 doctor bill for the little one today. Out of network doctors SUCK!!!!!!!

Huzzah for self-insuring. I've yet to find a licensed doctor that's not in my network-I'm sure they're out there somewhere, just not anywhere I've been yet.

[Samstag]

Did I say there was an intended conspiracy? Did I say people didn't care?

Health care and pharmaceutical are the newest robber barons.

Do you know what a robber baron is?  If you do, then yes, you did say both of these things and implied much worse.

[CheffoJeffo]

Do you know what a robber baron is?  If you do, then yes, you did say both of these things and implied much worse.

There you go ... trying to hold shorthair to real definitions and meanings of words ! 

I predict that he will accuse you of letting 'popcul' seduce you with the meaning that you have in mind ... despite the fact that your meaning matches the definition in common use for eleventy or more decades. 

Perhaps, in order to understand shorty's intended meanings, we should all pick up a copy of  "Little Hitler's Guide To Obfuscatory Language Use"(tm). This is available as a companion to "Little Hitler's Guide To Genetics And Natural Selection"(tm) and comes as a lovely decorative boxed set.

Cheers

[boykster]

Anyway, back on topic:

I think the mobile arcade is a NEATO project, and even though you're basically gutting it all, that's good IMHO.  The fibre optic ceiling idea is an excellent one, I really wanted to put one in my home theater, but the wife vetoed it...she thought it would be distracting.

 

Keep us posted on progres....

[shorthair]

I guess as distracting as LED features on your panel?


AS: what you fail to realise is that you're using comedy as a source of authority.

sammay: I meant it metaphorically. You can call a person or group robber baron(s) in the way you mean. But an institution? Hence, metaphorically.

jeffy: see. not. (parse that one.)

[psik0tik]

I started raising the ceiling today I'm going to raise it 12 inches to compensate for the acoustic ceiling I have to install for the fibre optics. Most of the insulation is done (I'll never stop itching) and I repainted the coke machine and filled it up with sams adams and coronas (must be refreshed while working). I want to put up a division so my friend is etching a 5 x 5 foot piece of plexiglass with an asteroids theme and I'm going to use that as the division. Plus I'll use those under the car lights to illuminate it that's it for now. I'll have new pics soon.

[boykster]

I guess as distracting as LED features on your panel?

Au contrere....my equipment rack is behind closed doors, so no distracting LED's. 

[AtomSmasher]

AS: what you fail to realise is that you're using comedy as a source of authority.

    I love that you think I'm making serious comments when I'm posting quotes from Seinfeld.