What are you doing right now?

[sfmarine]

Made it to Philly to say my goodbyes to the SS United States. She's getting moved on Friday.

[fighthefutureofhd]

It's really sad that the SS United States is sturdier and more afloat the actual United States. This country's got more holes than the Titanic.

Originally Posted by sfmarine

A rake lol.

Go down to Lowe’s and get yourself one of these.

Don't bother. I'll come over and do that for free.

[civiclx]

Stopped at Golden Corral for lunch on the way back to San Jose. I’m not too hungry right now but this is the closest one to San Jose and I don’t come this way often so here I am!

[Lucy Diamond]

WEDNESDAY:

Happy New Internet Upgrade Daaaaaaaaaayyy!!!!

I can't wait to get home to faster internet for way less money.

Always call your internet service provider guys!!!

I was so outdated.

[Batman1980]

Lifting weights before I head to my sister's house to finish downloading fantazio and use their wifi on my laptop

[VictoryAtNight]

Day off. Just got back from getting my flu shot. Also, stopped by Spectrum to get a replacement remote control.

[sfmarine]

Back from Philly. A few more photos.









There was a guy with a drone flying over and a few others taking photos.

The drone guy mentioned that it was not moving on Friday as previously reported. While I do not see anything indicating it was postponed online, it would not surprise me as it’s a logistical nightmare considering it’s size. The port side anchor is also still visible and I read that it would be removed and relocated to Florida. The starboard side one is on the bow as pictured. They weigh 30,000 lbs.


A few quick facts:

-The SS United States is over 100 feet longer than Titanic. Thanks to her reduced weight and powerful engines, the SS United States could go almost as fast in reverse as the Titanic could go forward.

-The SS United States’ designer, William Francis Gibbs, wanted his ship to be fireproof, so he insisted that no wood be used in her construction or fittings. One exception: the ship’s grand pianos were made from fire-resistant mahogany. A Steinway piano was tested in advance by dousing it with gasoline and lighting a match. (It didn’t burn.)

-On her maiden voyage, the SS United States shattered the trans-Atlantic speed record in both directions. She was the first American ship in 100 years to capture the coveted Blue Riband (awarded to the fastest trans-Atlantic ocean liner). Amazingly, she still holds the record more than 60 years later.

-How fast was the SS United States? During her speed trials, she sliced through the waves at an astonishing 38.32 knots – 44 miles per hour!

-Built to be converted from luxury liner to troop transport in the event of war, the SS United States was able to carry 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling.

-Four U.S. presidents sailed aboard the SS United States: Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Bill Clinton.

-Famous passengers included Marlon Brando, Coco Chanel, Sean Connery, Gary Cooper, Walter Cronkite, Salvador Dali, Walt Disney, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

-Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was a special passenger aboard the SS United States in ‘63. It was returning to the Louvre after being on display in the U.S. at special exhibitions in NY and Washington. She stayed in a temperature-controlled room and enjoyed the protection of armed guards around the clock.

[Waboman]

Cool pics, but where's the cheesesteak pics?

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Waboman

Cool pics, but where's the cheesesteak pics?

Heh..I should have factored that in but I ate on the road and got into Philly at 10 so it was rather early. IKEA food court wasn’t even open yet. I hit Costco on the way home.

If the removal is postponed, I’ll definitely get down there another time and hit Geno’s.

BTW..the Mc passed the 2-month mark. I’m hopeful I hear something from our friends up in Binghamton before the end of the year.

[civiclx]

Just paid off my auto loan from USAA. I bought the car in January of 2023 on a 60-month loan and while I wanted to use the money for a down payment on a bike, it was the smart thing to do.

I have work tonight so I'm about to get some more rest before heading in.

[fighthefutureofhd]

It may have been the smart thing to do, but when has doing the smart thing ever gotten anyone. You're freer from debt, but you're no closer to fun. I say screw that and let loose. The bills will always be there, but you won't. Don't waste your time today doing what you could put off til next week.

[Batman1980]

Going to plug the Series S back in so I can grind a bit more in Metaphor Refantazio before bed!

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Heh..I should have factored that in but I ate on the road and got into Philly at 10 so it was rather early. IKEA food court wasn’t even open yet. I hit Costco on the way home.

If the removal is postponed, I’ll definitely get down there another time and hit Geno’s.

BTW..the Mc passed the 2-month mark. I’m hopeful I hear something from our friends up in Binghamton before the end of the year.

You mentioned it's a logistical nightmare. Does the ship still actually function and will sail to Florida? I wonder what the plan is for the ship?

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by BizCat

You mentioned it's a logistical nightmare. Does the ship still actually function and will sail to Florida? I wonder what the plan is for the ship?

It’s completely stripped for the most part which honestly was the beginning of the end for her. It will never sail under its own power again. It will be towed down by multiple tugs but it’s going to Virginia first for some cleaning and prep work before the demolition/scuttling.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by civiclx

Just paid off my auto loan from USAA. I bought the car in January of 2023 on a 60-month loan and while I wanted to use the money for a down payment on a bike, it was the smart thing to do.

I have work tonight so I'm about to get some more rest before heading in.

Being financially responsible is very hard to do. Once I paid off all my debt (before I bought my house) was the first time I was debt free in over 30 years....can't tell you how well I slept that first night.

[BizCat]

Would love to get my debt under control; need a higher paying salary which I am working on.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by BizCat

Would love to get my debt under control; need a higher paying salary which I am working on.

LOL, I could use one as well. I got divorced 4 years ago and moved out and into my dads house (mind you, I am over 50) for a couple of years. Living with my dad rent free so I could save money was the only way I could have done it, but it came with a price. I was isolated and 2 hrs away from my kids and had to accept the fact I was living with my dad at that age....but I accepted it as a fresh start and moved forward.

Today, I own my own home and my mortgage is my only debt, my son lives with me, I have an active social life and even got a new position with my current employer that adds overtime to my income. I am not making tons of money now, but I am a lot better off than I was 4 years ago, so I focus on the positives and have a renewed sense of gratitude.

[Waboman]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Heh..I should have factored that in but I ate on the road and got into Philly at 10 so it was rather early. IKEA food court wasn’t even open yet. I hit Costco on the way home.

If the removal is postponed, I’ll definitely get down there another time and hit Geno’s.

BTW..the Mc passed the 2-month mark. I’m hopeful I hear something from our friends up in Binghamton before the end of the year.

Gotta love the $1.50 hot dogs.

Has it been 2 months already? Time really flies. So no word from Binghamton yet?

[Waboman]

Pho Thursday with spring rolls, yo.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Waboman

Gotta love the $1.50 hot dogs.

Has it been 2 months already? Time really flies. So no word from Binghamton yet?

And fountain drink.

I knew it would be a while but if they fix it…I don’t care if it takes a year. I am a bit conflicted given the fact that I haven’t heard anything. You would think someone would have at least powered it on by now just to take a few notes and update the ticket OR it could be collecting dust on a shelf. Kinda thinking the latter.

Pretty sure the process will include calling me with a repair estimate and then take things from there. Moreover, The fact that I provided a new transport should expedite things. I read online where a customer sent his unit in and they refurbished the transport… who knows if that’s even a thing.

Perhaps no news is good news at this point?