#Milwaukee fuel

[onlyhappyvibes]

Rust prevention

#rust #surface rust #clear coat #wire wheel #Milwaukee #m12 #canyon #first gen canyon #concrete floor #shop #dailydriver #gas #slammed77 #Milwaukee fuel #Milwaukee tools

[ashtrayfloors]

Me, at Fuel Cafe // Milwaukee, WI // July 2001

(photo taken by Ali F.)

#photography #analog photography #not my photo #photos of me #fuel cafe #milwaukee #2001 #i later sent this photo to christy road to use as a reference #when she drew a cover for my zine in 2002 #also #god damn i miss fuel #ali aka filia #ashtrayfloors

[thegreatsurvey]

The Official Black Forest Bosch Fuel Injection Pump Shop sign.

24x24"

Acrylic on metal sign.

#drawing #illustration #draw #milwaukee #art #classic car #black forest #mercedes #mercedes benz #classic benz #bosch #fuel injection pump #bosch legacy #benz #handmade #painting

[top-tools]

#Fuel #milwaukee #PriceDifference #Worth

[thebardisabird]

Ok, so Imagine catching Karamatsu playing with your bike and he pretends it's his to show off to you. You're heading out to your motorcycle, helmet tucked away under your arm, and as you step outside, you see Karamatsu running his hand up the fuel tank and resting it at the throttle. You've seen him around town a few times before and have had fewer interactions, but you find it amusing to see him so interested in your bike. You clear your throat and he jumps, spinning around in surprise. “That's a nice bike,” You say matter-of-factly. He quickly rights himself and flicks out his sunglasses, placing them on before leaning against the motorcycle. “Heh, I see you've taken notice of my ride. It takes a true renegade to handle this wild stallion, and what's an outlaw without his steel horse.” He gives you a smirk and you have to hold back a snort at his obliviousness. “Ya, that Milwaukee 8 does make her pretty wild. But, y'know, it's kinda dangerous to drive around without one of these." You show off your helmet as you pull it out from under your arm. Karamatsu immediately stiffens up, the pieces clicking together in his head as he realizes the situation. “Oh, and you're gonna need keys if you want to get anywhere.” A key ring twirls around your finger, and Karamatsu takes a few stuttering steps back as you approach your bike to mount it. When you're comfortably seated, you look back up to see that Karamatsu’s glasses have slipped down the bridge of his nose and his mouth is left open in stunned silence. Before you go to place your helmet over your head, you give him a smile, offering, “If you ever want a ride, I'd be happy to show you the reins sometime~” And with that, you slide your helmet into place, turn the ignition on, and take off down the street. At this point, Karamatsu's jaw has snapped shut, his cheeks stained pink, and he's left wondering how soon he can take you up on that offer. Ok that's all thank you!!! (⁠≧w≦⁠)💕

Ohhhhh my god, not him getting caught leaning on a bike that's not his! 😭 Oh Karamatsu, poor sweet man, you would do something so silly. This was really cute, darling! Thank you for sharing! (Also have you considered posting more fanfic in general? 😊)

#asks #karamatsu

[weirdowithaquill]

What Fuel would NWR Steam Engines use Today?

This is a question that I think a lot of people in the fandom are asking, especially with ever-more stringent environmental laws, the war in Ukraine cutting off Russian coal and the end of coal mines in the UK and the western world.

So, what exactly are Sodor's options if Sir Topham Hatt wants to run a steam railway in the 21st century.

I will do a separate post based on what I think the Fat Controllers do to ensure their engines run safely and profitably into the 2020's, but this post is all about fuel. Now, let's talk options:

1: Coal:

This is what Sodor is already using, and is the option that I think Sodor would enter the 2000's with. However, the UK has been rapidly closing coal mines since then, with the last deep coal mine in the United Kingdom, Kellingley colliery in North Yorkshire, closing in December 2015, and many of the mines that produced engine-grade coal already being closed. From this point on, the NWR has two options really: American anthracite coal (which is in decline) or Russian anthracite coal. Most British heritage railways used Russian coal due to its cheap and plentiful nature, leading to their current predicament of skyrocketing prices caused by tariffs and a cut-off from the Russian coal supply. Polish coal is an option some railways are switching too, however this is also quite expensive and not as plentiful as the previous coal.

Another option would be Australian bituminous coal, which is a worse coal for engines but is far cheaper and more plentiful. This would be unlikely, but could potentially be used as a desperate measure by the railway while searching for a better and more permanent option. Remember, bad coal causes a lot of havoc on Sodor even when considering different grades of anthracite coal.

2: Electricity:

If you've ever watched Train of Thought's video on electric steam (find here), then you may just know what I'm about to suggest. During the 1940's, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) converted a pair of steam engines with pantographs and used the electricity to boil the water. There was also a patent taken out in Canada as recently as 1992 for a steam engine that uses electricity to boil the water.

The pantograph part of the design would not happen - as much as Sodor has updated and modified their engines, whacking a pantograph on them would be crossing a line. So, what are the other options? Well, they could potentially use a third rail, and hide the converters and other pieces inside the bunker or tender, with what space remains being a perfect spot for extra water storage. Another option is batteries in the place of the bunker or tender, this in essence turning the engines of Sodor into battery engines.

The issue here is that the batteries are not really very efficient above the size of a Tesla, and a third-rail system has the potential to cause issues with any safety equipment on the ground (GWR had problems with their AWS system when travelling near the Southern Railway or the London Underground).

The battery version is something I could see being implemented on branchline and shunting engines however, as they could stay near charging ports and best utilise the extra range and lower emissions such a change would bring, without having as many drawbacks. Another advancement would be using an electric battery to preheat the boiler and to power the electrics in the coaches.

3: Biodiesel:

Before anyone goes insane about the idea of converting the NWR engines to oil-fired, I think I should say that I mean torrefied biodiesel pellets, as tested by the CSR in the USA on steam locomotives since as early as 2016 (article linked here). Torrefied biodiesel pellets have similar qualities to coal, including the fact that they can be shovelled and stored similarly to coal.

They don't really look that different to coal, do they? And in this trial, the engine they were trialling it on (Milwaukee County Zoo Train No. 1924) not only ran on 100% torrefied biodiesel, but also reached just under 200PSI. CSR has also ran tests on standard gauge engines, and the fact is that the Skarloey Railway would probably be an early adopter.

Furthermore, Sodor is a primarily agricultural island, and due to globalisation, the farms would be looking to find new crops with which to make a profit from, as the prices of cheap international products hurts their smaller farms. The NWR looking at biofuels would be a golden opportunity for them, and the NWR would have the crops needed for biodiesel locally, decreasing shipping costs.

The issue with biodiesel as a fuel is that it does not burn as hot as conventional coal, and it burns quicker. It does however start burning sooner, meaning setting a good fire in the mornings would be easier.

Railways using steam power are currently being faced with these major issues, and Sodor would probably be at the forefront of the debate, as its heavy usage of steam and early diesel engines makes for problematic encounters with environmentalists. However, Sodor would also be one of the largest supporters and financers of steam research, and would, in my opinion, use a mix of electric steam and biofuels to preserve their fleet of engines well into the 21st century. And yes, it would be theoretically possible to create an entire scientific essay out of this.

One again, pictures are not mine, and remember to tell me your ideas!

#ttte au #ttte analysis #thomas the tank engine #skarloey railway #coal mining #biodiesel #electric #steam engines are beautiful #steam engines #Milwaukee country zoo engine #railways #railway series #2010s issues #heritage railway #electric steam #switzerland #This is just what I do on Tumblr now it seems

[caseydundrich]

is that ELLIOT FLETCHER? oh, no, that’s CASEY DUNDRICH, a TWENTY-SEVEN year old CHILDREN'S NOVELIST who uses HE/HIM pronouns. they currently live in QUILPUE, and the character they identify with most is WILL BYERS FROM STRANGER THINGS. hopefully they find their own little paradise here in el país de los poetas! (MAD, 27, THEY/THEM, PST)

Name: Casey Dundrich Nickname: Case Age: 27 Faceclaim: Elliot Fletcher Height: 5'7 Build: Slim Sexual Orientation: Homosexual Relationship Status: Single Education Level: College graduate with a degree in creative writing Occupation: Children's Novelist/Illustrator Vices: Alcohol, Cannabis, Gum Favorite Color: Blue & Green Favorite Halloween Candy: Kitkats

Quick Facts

Growing up an only child who didn't make friends easily, Casey quickly became drawn to the written word. An avid reader at a very young age it didn't take long for Casey to soon become interested in writing and jotting down the stories that his overactive imagination came up with. From the start Casey was destined to be a writer. He entered many young authors competitions and while he never won his second place and third place finishes were enough to continue fueling his passion. Along with writing Casey spent a lot of time drawing using that as a medium to get his ideas across when words failed him.

Casey went to college in New York for creative writing where he was absolutely ripped to shreds by his professors. There was always a child-like quality to his writing that was frowned upon by the courses he took. Distraught by the criticism Casey almost gave up on his dream but still finished out his degree even though it wound up with him taking his extensive knowledge of literature and working in a bookstore in NYC.

At the age of twenty-five Casey finally got the idea for a story about two brothers with a magical stone that transports them to distant lands (think of something along the lines of The Magic Tree House series). He pitched the story to some publishers and it became an instant hit amongst young readers which earned Casey a multi book deal.

Eventually Casey got fed up with the hustle and bustle of New York City. He knew he didn't want to return to Milwaukee where he grew up so he found himself in need of a new home. He always had a desire to travel and now that his book series is taking off he's no longer tied to any location to work. Casey decided on Chile for now but it's like they won't stay in the country for long. Right now they just project living there while he works on his current book.

He is currently working on the third book in the series and has hit a major bout of writer's block. He still has more to say in regards to the series he just doesn't have the words for it and deadlines are swiftly approaching.

When he isn't reading, writing, or drawing Casey is usually playing video games. He's a big fan of RPGs and fantasy games and still is an avid World of Warcraft player in 2024 (you should really see his mount collection).

Casey has never been in a serious relationship (though he desperately wants to be in one). He's had a few flings over the years but people tended to disappoint him or not be interested in taking things to the next level.

He's much more of an introvert than an extrovert. Making friends has never come easy to him but he's tried to put himself out there more after moving to Chile.

Casey is a DM for D&D and has been looking to start up a new campaign since moving to Chile. He goes quite over the top with his storytelling and hangs around the local game shop in search of new players (potential wanted connection!).

WANTED CONNECTIONS

Friends

Crush

Fellow coffee shop regulars

Love interest

D&D campaign members

Gaming friends

#valpohqintro

[fuckyeahlabynight]

Hey Tumblr Vamily, would you like to read Eva's backstory?

Yes, this is Eva's actual canon backstory, from Josephine McAdam herself. She gave me permission to share it.

Part 1

Part 2

(Part 3 of 3)

TL: DR

Strauss continued to torture Eva with Dominate for 10 years, forcing Eva to hurt others.

In 1985, Eva escaped, setting the library on fire and stealing some of Strauss' books. She travelled to LA.

1987 Eva arrived in LA, sets up shop in Griffith Park. Isaac Abrams allows her to stay if she does small blood magic for him sometimes.

Eva keeps to herself, sometimes helping people and Kindred. (She sheltered Nines during his blood hunt in the VtM: Bloodlines game.)

She had a dealer in LA who would help her feed from LSD drug users.

1975-1985 The weeks following Katya’s removal from the Chantry were filled with numbness on Eva’s part, then anger. The following few months and year entailed much acting out and aggression on Eva’s part towards Strauss for doing such a thing. Still being able to see the potential within her, and understanding she needed guidance now that her sire was gone, Strauss stepped in to try and address this problem Apprentice. His ideas required much domination of Eva’s mind, putting her in her place at the Chantry. “We all have a role to play… punishment and order is a vital part of keeping us all alive and in check.” Through much manipulation of Eva’s mind Strauss made her take on the role of punishing other transgressors within the Chantry. She was beaten into submission to do so, both mentally and physically and eventually fell into line, disdain in her eyes every moment (which Strauss clearly saw). At the end of these nights, oft covered in the blood of those she wished not to hurt, she spent her last moments before sleep staring into her mirror at what she’d become: red, crimson, and cold. She’d hold on to the ring Katya gave her to try and hear her guidance and voice and warmth in her heart… and imagined what Katya would say to her were she still alive: “My dear, you are stronger than all this, do not let this wilt the beautiful flower that you are. Take this Crimson Petal and make it whole again…” It is Eva who engraved the ring Katya gave her with “My Crimson Petal” - living her own fantasy of Katya’s view of her current state. And allowed that fantasy to fuel the fire within her to escape once and for all. Eva planned for weeks before implementing it all. She started a fire within the Chantry library and slipped off to Strauss’ quarters. The process would not go smoothly, being hurt badly by several wards, as she grabbed whatever books and possessions of his she could carry and ran out into the night. She set off for Los Angeles, where she had heard word of the free Anarch states taking hold. 1985-1987 Travels to L.A. - On the way meets Carna by way of passing through Chicago and then Milwaukee. 1987 - present Evangeline arrives in Los Angeles - it is here she adorned herself all in white, finally accepting her state sapped of colour, choosing to see it in as positive a light she could. She left behind the "Crimson Petal" and made an oath, bathed in white, to never engage in such bloodshed once again, to seek holiness and penance… and to search for 'Golconda'. She goes on to live a peaceful life as an independent, making a deal with Abrams to be able to stay in Griffith Park in exchange for minor blood sorcery when he needs. She stays out of Kindred affairs as much as possible only to aid in benevolence when she sees fit (gave Nines shelter in Griffith Park during the 2004 blood hunt put on him). The rest of her time is spent learning, reflective, and aiding mortals or animals lost in Griffith Park, as well as alerting Park Rangers of any fires or issues in her purview. A few refer to her as the “White Angel” early on and she takes this moniker and applies it to the other part of her needs as a Kindred… feeding. She has a dealer in Los Angeles, Tony, who let’s her know when he’s provided a client with his special “White Angel” LSD. “You take this and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime man. An angel in white visits and makes you feel incredible beyond description. It totally wipes you out afterwards but is 100% completely worth it.”

#la by night #eva #vampire the masquerade bloodlines #tw: torture

[williamrehmiv]

Revolutionizing Communication: A Journey Through the History of the Typewriter

The typewriter stands as a testament to human ingenuity, revolutionizing communication and shaping the modern world. Its history, rich with innovation and adaptation, reflects the evolution of technology and its profound impact on society.

In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes, a newspaper editor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, alongside Samuel Soule and Carlos Glidden, introduced the world to the first commercially successful typewriter: the Sholes and Glidden Type-Writer. Featuring the now-standard QWERTY keyboard layout, this invention marked a turning point in written communication. The QWERTY layout, designed to prevent jamming by dispersing commonly used letter pairs, has endured for over a century, cementing its place in typewriter history.

Despite its initial limitations, including manual carriage movement and slow typing speeds, the typewriter gained widespread acceptance due to its ability to produce legible and uniform text at a rapid pace. Offices around the world embraced this new technology, making the typewriter an indispensable tool for clerical work, correspondence, and record-keeping.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, continuous improvements were made to the typewriter, enhancing its functionality and usability. The introduction of features such as the shift key for uppercase letters and the backspace key for correcting errors streamlined the typing process, further fueling the typewriter's popularity.

The early 20th century witnessed the emergence of the electric typewriter, a game-changer in the world of typing technology. Electric typewriters eliminated the need for manual key pressing, offering faster typing speeds and improved efficiency. Automatic carriage returns and correction capabilities further enhanced the user experience, solidifying the electric typewriter's status as a modern marvel.

As the mid-20th century approached, portable typewriters made their debut, catering to users who required mobility and convenience. These compact and lightweight machines became popular among journalists, students, and writers, enabling them to type on the go with ease.

However, the typewriter faced stiff competition in the latter half of the 20th century with the advent of word processors and personal computers. While these technologies boasted advanced features and capabilities, many users remained loyal to typewriters for their simplicity, reliability, and tactile feedback. By the turn of the 21st century, typewriters had largely been replaced by computers in professional settings, signaling the end of an era. Yet, despite their decline in mainstream usage, typewriters continue to hold a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.

Today, typewriters are cherished for their nostalgia and timeless appeal. They serve as reminders of a bygone era when communication was tangible and deliberate, offering a tactile experience that modern technology cannot replicate.

In conclusion, the typewriter's journey through history is a testament to human innovation and adaptability. From its humble beginnings in the 19th century to its widespread adoption in the 20th century, the typewriter has left an indelible mark on the world of communication. Though its role may have diminished in the digital age, the typewriter's legacy lives on, inspiring generations to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of a bygone era

#typewriter

[theboarsbride]

Lowell Volkov - Character Bio

Name: Lowell James Volkov.

Age: 45 years old.

Identity: Cis male.

Family: Stanislav "Stan" and Clara Volkov (parents).

Personality: Intelligent, vengeful, envious, hateful, paranoid, arrogant.

Bio: Works as a museum educator and conservator at the Milwaukee Public Museum that specializes in prehistoric biology and megafauna (he's a dino nerd) that eventually turns to murder. As a short summary, he felt like the world was always against him, that his coworkers were always whispering little rumors about him, when in reality they never were and his paranoia was getting the best of him. So, fueled by this paranoia and rage, he murders those he feels have personally wronged him. He does this every full moon, until he's earned himself the nickname "The Big Bad Wolf" by the cops and press due to the brutal, animalistic nature of his kills.

He was afflicted with lycanthropy after scratching his hand on an artifact, and this leads to him becoming an arrogant asshole that's drunk on his new power and it lowkey becomes an allegory for toxic masculinity. So the 'big bad wolf' title initially comes from bystanders witnessing one of his murders on the street and believing him to be a man in a wolf mask.

Faceclaim: Bob Odenkirk

Spotify Playlist:

#those red nights #aesthetics : lowell volkov #werewolf #oc #horror #bob odenkirk #just something fun!!!! ive started making character moodboards whenever im bored #moodboard #character intro #character bio #Spotify

[ashtrayfloors]

Kosmomancy. The universe sent us a myriad of good signs, and that was the first catchphrase of the tour (when you spend that much time cooped up in a car with someone, you're bound ta develop catchphrases & inside jokes) - It's a good sign!

We had a day off before we had to head to St. Louis, so I showed her some favorite spots of my dear drunken city, we slipped in the mud and let the cool autumn drizzle coat our arm hair, walked to Fuel Cafe. It still trips me out that Fuel's gone non-smoking, has remodeled and cleaned up its act. I will always long for the Fuel of the late '90s/early '00s, when it smelled like shit & a permanent nicotine haze hung at the ceiling, and it was fulla strange old men with matted hair who drummed on the tabletops & young punkrock boys with comic book tattoos who made fun of my anarchy tattoo but lauded my amazing ability to scam free copies of my zine. But Fuel still has good strong coffee, still sells copies of Cometbus, so there we went. Two coffees to go, and I thought the Traveler Lid on my coffee cup said Traveler Kid, and - It's a good sign!

I drove us downtown for diner food and a glimpse at the Bronze Fonz, which is tacky and not even in a fun kitsch way, I mean, blue bronze? C'mon. And where's the bronze Laverne & Shirley? I did joke that me n' Emch should reenact the opening credits of that show...Give us any chance, we'll take it, give us any rule, we'll break it, we're gonna make our dreams come true.

We jammed in the basement of my apartment building for a couple hours; rain trickled down the small windows high up above us. Emchy got friendly with Lydia, my accordion, for we were sharing her on this tour. Ain't she lucky? I said. She gets to be squeezed by two lovely ladies. We worked out a couple duets to play, though we ended up only performing one of 'em in front of people; Emchy with the accordion and me with guitar & ankle bells. We strummed and squeezed in the basement, and even when we fucked up it was great, the two of us playing our hearts out under the bare buzzing bulbs amid the musty basement smells, with crumbling leaf corpses sticking to our pants and cobwebs brushing our foreheads.

Then south again, back to Bayview, to meet some friends at the Hi-Fi, and then I took her to Burnheart's. We meant to leave early, but there was so much whiskey to be had and so much soul-talk to be poured out, not to mention the horrible pickup lines. (You gals wanna talk about the Packers? -No. -How about Large Hadron Colliders?) We were there 'til barclose.

[excerpt from a longer piece, written in 2008]

#ashtrayfloors #jessie lynn mcmains #my writing #excerpt #2008 #friends #milwaukee #thee hobo love tour #it's a good sign #doin' it our way! #sigh #and now fuel cafe is CLOSED and i'd give anything to have even this era of it back

[rustbeltjessie]

Years ago, I made a zine mad lib. (You can read more about it/find the blank version here.) Today, I realized that I had never filled it out. So, I used various online generators and list randomizers and did it! The story that resulted is under the cut.

What We Sneer About When We Sneer About Chalga

Glam Anticipation

The day before, I'd fainted 1,277 miles, from Joliet to Ann Arbor. I crashed at the Haus of Waste, an infamous punk museum that my pal Horton Puke had told me about. The whole place smelled like stale peanut oil and rotting cabbage. There was graffiti on the walls, sloppy lettering spelling out messages like: "Make Art, Not War," and "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue." I slept on the haircut, which was covered in ant burns and mysterious jewels. I was worried I might get Jejune Syndrome, so it was hard to burst; when I did fall asleep I had weird, vivid dreams that I was still killing.

I was awakened early, by 19 mangy coatis nibbling on my toes. Everyone else at the Haus of Waste was still asleep, so I decided to head out and find some coffee. I wandered the wet, foamy streets of Sunlight Grove. The day was unseasonably silly, more like September than January. Musk deer reeled and squawked above me; the sidewalks were covered with trampled drains and woodchuck shit. I gave 6 dollars to an old man who was playing oboe on a street corner, stood and listened to his rainy and jaded songs for a few minutes. I walked a bit more, and then I came upon a coffee shop called Rise & Grind. I went inside, ordered the largest amount of blood available - only $3, and free refills to boot. I had them put it in my travel mug, the one I got from Fuel Cafe in Milwaukee.

"Oh shit, you're from Milwaukee?" the barista asked. "Sorta," I said. "But I live in Chicago now." "Awesome! I love both of those towns. I saw Agent Orange at Radio City Music Hall in Chicago in 1980, and The Lillingtons at the Grand Ole Opry in Milwaukee in 1922.” "Cool."

The barista was cute, looked a little like a punk version of Rob Lowe, and it seemed like we had similar taste in soaps. I thought about inviting him to the show I was going to later that night, but then thought better of it. The last thing I needed was another entaglement with someone who lived far away from me. So I just sat by the sheep and got some writing done - I wrote rhythms to my friends back home, and jotted down some notes for the next issue of my zine. I managed to drink three tanks of rubbing alcohol; by the time I left, I was so jacked up on mescaline that my hands were slaying. "Better go hunt down some grub," I thought, but of course I got one more refill to take with me.

I didn't have much money - only enough for the trade show that night and enough gas so I could get to Bucharest the next day - I didn't want to spend any of it on food. It was dumpster-scamming time. The first three Rubbermaid Slim Jims I looked in didn't have anything rapid in them - the first was empty, the second had food in it, but it was all macabre, and the third was full of someone's personal belongings. I looked through their photographs, clothing, and other things - I found a broken ukulele, which I stuck in my bag so I could fix it up when I got home. That was a hella rad find, but I was still imaginary. Finally, in the fourth dumpster, I found a bag of day-old seaweed. It was fragile and moldy, but edible. I ate until I thought I might dream.

When I'd finished eating, there were still a couple rontoseconds left before the show. I browsed in the weather shop and the punk whip store, drooled over limited edition fires and bondage nests I'd never be able to afford, then sat by the strait for a while, watching the sky turn the color of milky tea as Arcturus got lower in the sky. Then it was time to head to the funeral. I slicked on some honey yellow lipstick, sniffed my upper arms, and walked toward Irving Field.

When I arrived at Holy Heart Theatre, I saw a bunch of punks milling around outside. "Hey you!" one of them, a girl wearing a White Trash Debutantes t-shirt, shouted. "No way!" I replied. It was Sarah Voracious, a girl I knew through zines. "Me and my friends were just gonna go get drunk in the cave, wanna join us?" she asked. We all walked across the street. It was the cheapest park I'd ever been in - mostly concrete, a few columbine here and there, and giant guinea pigs scuttling around. Sarah passed me a 734 oz. of Emperor Ibex, and I took a few sips. Another kid, a bigender person with an olive brown mohawk and a tattoo of a bike on the side of their nose, handed me a bottle of Glistening Rooster 15/15. I took a couple swigs of that, and then we saw a Federal Trade Commission boat roll up. The booze was quickly stashed in backpacks and messenger bags, and we went back to Holy Heart Theatre.

The first band, Flags of the UK, sucked. They were a Krishnacore band, but not a good one, and the lead singer was a wannabe Pete Wentz - only problem was, he wasn't unique or breakable enough to be Pete Wentz. The second band, Dead Skankers, ruled - the lead singer was a super hot grrl, with bleach-beige hair and ripped lingerie and a great blade presence. I threw myself in the dirt when they did a cover of "Last Caress." While waiting for the headlining band - Against Me! - to go on, I started to feel abnormal. 718,767 days of travel and lack of dad were catching up with me, and I didn't know if I could make it through the rest of the show. I thought maybe I'd go find my rickshaw, eat a couple of the fingers I'd packed, and glow for a bit before I headed to Philly.

And then I saw him. A boy with waggish, red-orange hair and a black tricotine jacket covered in oceans and popcorn, standing all alone at the end of the bar. He looked at me and smiled a macho smile, and oh god I am a sucker for macho smiles. I walked over to him. "Hey," he said. "Hey." "I'm not feeling the seminar thing right now. "Me neither." "Wanna split? There's a great bridge nearby that the cops never check. I've got a flask of toluene and a can of spray beef in my tights." "Cool, let's go."

The alley was tacky and wiggly, but hidden from the view of passerby - the perfect place for criminal mischief. He pulled the toluene out of his inside jacket pocket. We passed it back and forth. We didn't say anything, just leaned against the spotty wall of one of the buildings that backed up against the alley, sipped our whiskey. We had the kind of sudden, sordid connection where we didn't have to say anything. After a bit, he got the spray rub out. He went first. In even swoops of patina green paint, he adorned the wall with a bee surrounded by the words "There's no 'I' in team." He handed the can to me. I thoughtfully scrawled "Cactus Girl."

The booze and fairy fumes had lowered my inhibitions, so I kissed him. He put his thighs on my belly and kissed me back, hard. We kissed, feverishly, bit at each other's lips. Soon hands were exploring under shirts and waistbands. "Got any protection?" he asked. "Yeah," I said, and got a quill from my bag. The sex didn't last long, but it was really goofy.

Afterward, we sat down on the slow cable for a while. We finished the whiskey, smoked some socks, talked. Turned out he was from Belfast, and knew some of my friends there. "Well," I said, "I gotta crash out for a while before I head to Philly." "Yeah," he said. "Hey, if you're ever in Belfast, look me up." "So messed up, I want you here," I replied. We hugged and went our separate ways. I probably won't ever kick him again, so I'm writing about him in my thesis.

#rust belt jessie #zines #mad libs #silliness #punk

[top-tools]

#Fuel #milwaukee #tools

[trustysprogram]

With discounts it’s only just over $500

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Designed for convenience, the M12 features an intuitive digital display, providing real-time torque readings for enhanced accuracy. Its ergonomic handle offers a comfortable grip, reducing fatigue during prolonged use. With Milwaukee's commitment to quality, Milwaukee Torque Wrench M12 is not just a tool – it's a testament to excellence in craftsmanship and a valuable addition to your toolkit, elevating your work to new heights of precision and efficiency.

#milwaukeetools #milwaukee

[falloutboydescribed]

Boys shoot for big time (Pioneer Press, August 21, 2003)

Written by Matthew Pais, staff intern

[Image description: A newspaper clipping of this article as it appeared in Alternative Press #303's "The Oral History of 'Take This to Your Grave'". It is captioned "Full page write up in the Pioneer Press." End ID]

For the young members of Fall Out Boy, homecoming no longer means football games, dancing and formalwear. Instead, it means a day-long stop in their hometown and the rare opportunity to sleep in their own beds. 

Which is exactly what three out of the four band members were doing one recent afternoon. The Boys had arrived on the North Shore at 5 a.m. that morning after playing a show in Lincoln, Nebraska. At 1 p.m., singer Patrick Strump, 20, guitarist Joe Trohman, 18, and drummer Andy Hurley, 23, were still sound asleep. 

Bassist Pete Wentz, 24, has learned to survive on no sleep. 

With tattoos running down his arms and a logo-free blue cap twisted on his head to a 30-degree angle from his forehead, Wentz may not be the prototypical alumnus of Winnetka's North Shore Country Day School. But he just might be the busiest. 

Fall Out Boy performed approximately 200 shows in the past year, traveling across the country in a run-down van to play their energetic brand of emotive pop-punk. 

On the road 

"We have to drive with the heat on when it gets hot," Wentz said, during a conversation at an outdoor table of a Wilmette sandwich shop. "You've never had it worse than driving with the heat on in 120-degree weather through the desert." 

Touring has its downside. "The first four days, it's really good and fresh," Wentz said. "Then homesickness sets in." 

According to Wentz, the band is rarely short on subjects worth arguing about, from the cost of a tour bus to the prospect of the music industry ever seeing another Beatles or Elvis. He said that the disputes never last long. "Five minutes later, we're laughing about it," he said. "These guys are like brothers to me, so our arguments are like family arguments." 

Wentz, a Wilmette resident, is not the only member of the band with a North Shore connection. Stumph, a native of Glenview, graduated from Glenbrook South, and Trohman lives in Winnetka and is a New Trier alum. Hurley is from Milwaukee. 

Early ambition 

Wentz learned to play the guitar when he was 7, and picked up a bass guitar at 14. "I kinda always wanted to be in a band," he said. "It's like the best job in the world." 

"I had no idea he was as talented as he obviously is, but it doesn't surprise me that he would be inclined to express himself in that way," says North Shore Country Day School teacher Kevin Randolph, who had Pete (or "Peter," as he calls him), in his 11th grade U.S. history class. 

"Some kids are just there for the grades, Peter was there because he had questions he wanted answers to." And even as a teen, Wentz was no follower. 

"He didn't take his cue from what was popular in terms of what to wear or what to listen to," said Randolph. "He clearly did not look like a kid out of Abercrombie and Fitch, but we are a school that values diversity." 

Falling in

Fall Out Boy started when Wentz and Trohman, already good friends, began writing songs just for fun. After meeting Strump, the three musicians soon added Hurley, an old friend of Wentz, to complete the band. 

The band soon moved onto the fast track. "When it took off, we dropped everything," said Wentz, who left DePaul University in his junior year to concentrate on music. 

He found leaving school an easy decision. "Nobody really looks back on their life and thinks they should have taken less chances." he said. 

In the past year, Fall Out Boy has released its debut album, "Take This to Your Grave," on Fueled by Ramen records, and has appeared at the South by Southwest exhibition in Texas, a prestigious showcase where record companies watch up and coming talent in concert. Wentz said the white-collar crowd did not really get a taste of what Fall Out Boy is all about. "Our performance was way more low-key and didn't really represent who we are." 

When watching the video for Fall Out Boy's "Dead on Arrival," it's hard not to think of the footage from the Beatles final concert or the video for U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name." Though the music may be faster and fiercer, the rebellion is undeniable: the police shut down Fall Out Boy's concert after only four songs, Wentz said. "It was just one of the most insane experiences of my life," he explained. 

The video was filmed at Arlington Heights' Knights of Columbus, where the band had previously played a show for a packed crowd of fans who sang along to all of the songs. Wentz said that experience proved that Fall Out Boy was on its way to something special. "We were like, 'Whoa, this is bigger than us,' " Wentz said. 

He adds that though he gets nervous before performances, ""As soon as I step on the stage, I know exactly what I'm doing," he said. "Afterwards, sometimes I throw up." 

Wentz's modesty reveals itself in his reaction to fame. "Why would anybody want my autograph?" he wonders. 

Dark side 

He may be young, but Wentz's lyrics, which comprise 90% of the songs on "Take This to Your Grave," reflect bitterness toward love. Consider "Chicago is So Two Years Ago," on which he writes, "You want apologies girl, you might hold your breath until your breathing stops/The only things you'll get is this curse on your lips: I hope they taste of me forever/With every breath I wish your body will be broken again." 

Writing has always been a way for Wentz to deal with his emotions. "Lots of times I'd rather sit at home with a pen on a Friday night than go out," Wentz said. He said that he often writes with acid in the pen, as evidenced by "The Pros and Cons of Breathing," in which he writes, "My pen is the barrel of the gun/remind me which side you should be on/I wish I was as invisible as you make me feel." 

You would never know it from his quick smile and easy manner, but sadness seems to be Wentz's best inspiration. On the band's Web site, he describes his favorite pastimes as "Misery, horrible thoughts and writing." 

Music as therapy 

Wentz said that he is not alone in his use of music as therapy. "Everyone medicates themselves with music," he said. "It's really important for music to be involved in everyone's life." 

The bassist adds that everything he writes is drawn from real-life feelings. "We write honest lyrics and honest music," he said. "I feel like these are issues that everyone can relate to." 

The band's commitment to honesty is reflected in Wentz's musical likes and dislikes. He lists The Police, The Cure, Elvis Costello, Green Day, and a slew of New York hard-core punk bands as influences but says he has little respect for the pop-punk posers on MTV. "These TRL guys who act like they have their hearts on their sleeve really just have their egos on their sleeve," he said.

Wentz is grateful for what the band has accomplished thus far. "I think we're the luckiest band around," he said. "I hope I can look back on it and remember it as a really important part of my growing up."

#this guy just does not spell patricks surname the same way twice and i respect him for it #fall out boy #fob #fob articles #fob archive

[that-stone-butch]

Good evening – do you have any recommendations for a good brand of cordless power drill?

hey riva!! of course! keep in mind that my advice is going to be informed by my experience in the trade of electrical work rather than dedicated carpentry or framing or anything of that somewhat more relevant wheelhouse.

the first thing to take into account is what you plan to do with your power drill. are you going into a trade? are you just working on home improvement, or DIY projects? this will inform the kind of power you need in a tool. trying to go for max torque and RPM might be overkill if you're, say, building shelves. but likewise a mere 12v system might not match up to the task of like, drilling out several layers of studs or thick metal.

another thing to consider is whether you're looking for a straight up drill, or an impact driver. an impact driver is similar to a drill in that it is a handheld tool that uses a motor to spin a bit. but an impact driver has an internal anvil system that detects resistance and applies torque to countersink the driven device (typically a screw). so while you may use a drill with a drill bit to bore out a hole in wood, if you're putting screws in wood you're likely better off with an impact driver that can properly seat the screw with its superior driving capabilities. because they have complimentary uses, many retailers sell impact drivers and drills together in a set. i highly recommend this if you can swing it, it will set you up to be able to complete most any DIY or professional project vis-a-vis drilling and screwing.

a hammer drill with various settings is shown on the left, whereas the impact driver is shown on the right. note the invariable chuck at the front of the impact driver. it will use driving bits only, and only those intended for the anvil effect of the tool. image borrowed from google.

i don't have particularly much brand loyalty, but i will say that i own a milwaukee m12 fuel impact/drill set, and for the most part it has held up. the m12 series (as in 12v set) is plenty strong for a hobbyist, however in my professional setting the drill has been lacking.

see, the m12 impact driver is capable of some decent torque and RPMs, nearly on par with its larger m18 counterpart. i have yet to find a task that my m12 impact lacked the torque to accomplish. however, the m12 drill hasn't held up to more demanding tasks. while it drills out electrical boxes and other small tasks just great, i doubt i could spend all day drilling out studs without breaking the damn thing. in this manner, a larger voltage drill would be essential for professional work. the only sheer advantage m12 has over m18 is their more compact frames allow them to be used in tighter environments with ease, such as in attics. this is, however, a more professional concern and may not factor into DIY needs.

milwaukee m12 drill/impact set shown above, their slightly beefier m18 counterparts shown below. image borrowed from reddit.

milwaukee tools are, however, pricey. (sales notwithstanding) the m12 set sits at $150-200, whereas the m18 set can be up to $400.

dewalt's 20v impact/drill set can currently be found at ~$150, and while i haven't personally owned the set, every dewalt hand drill that i've borrowed from a coworker has handled everything i've thrown at it.

either brand has a decent reputation for a reason, and their large selection of other cordless tools makes battery interchangeability a long-term non issue should you, say, want to invest in a cordless sawzall, circ saw, or even portaband down the line. nice and simple!

bottom line, if you can get a stronger/higher voltage set on sale (now is the time of year for that!), absolutely go for it. but the m12 or other voltage-comparable sets will do just fine for hobbyists/around-the-house work.

if you're just looking for a drill, no impact whatsoever, you can find any of the drills in these sets on their own. however, i strongly recommend the use of an impact driver to anyone considering projects that need screws, whether that's building cabinets or anchoring a shelf to a concrete garage wall. you'll save money in the long run by getting the impact driver now instead of going back for it and having bought each separately.

#ask #dykeredhood #advice #electricianposting