Going to St. Petersburg and.. ladies who will visit me this summer...

[Sculpto]

If they yell "PLANK!", how would you know if they want a piece of wood, or just played a practical joke on you ?

Well thats the problem isnt it?  Like I really need to learn cantonese because I am so sure that I will heading off to canton sometime in the near future.. ugh.. nevertheless.. its getting harder and harder to find an american crew around here.  Everyone is quitting the trades and getting computer jobs.. in part because the immigrants in the trades will work for peanuts so its gotten harder for some guys to charge what they think they are worth.. but.. it seems in the last year or two a critical mass has been passed.. maybe with the crisis running off a lot of contractors and builders or something i don't really know.. but.. for example one of my best sources for work is a cantonese contractor.. he does nice work.. is a real good guy.. but his accent is so bad no one can understand him.. so.. I function as his mouthpiece when he gets American clients and he feeds me the work.. the problem comes when I am working with his crews and want to teach them how to do better work and can not communicate with them.  But.. we are all learning.  Its interesting anyway and I get to eat some damn good food at lunch time.. they all have wives that cook you know..

[Sculpto]

Don't be silly.  They sell it to restaurants who make sushi for tourists from California.

LOL.. well.. all my ladies insisted the fisherman don't eat the fish and just throw them back or sell them in the bazaar.. but.. I always asked the fisherman and they always said they eat the fish..

BTW.. I did eat sushi one time and it was rather good.. for the kind of place it was and the quality of the sushi and presentation.. the price was fair.. right about the same as it would have been here.. about 60 bucks for two.. we had a boat with several rolls and sashimi.. some other thing I cant remember and several fruit shakes.. its was about 35 degrees that night..

[kievstar]

Sculpto, I grew up a little different than you think.  I have built houses with my hands, I have cattle herded for 2 summers, I fought mixed martial arts before UFC, I paid 100% for my college.   I can also take a part a car and put it together as that was required to be an executive at one of the companies I worked at.  I never have taken unemployment as that is a lazy thing to do. 

Many people think high level executives have had it easy.  You get to the top and become successful by knowing how to do every job below you.  For example I machined steel pipes this past Saturday on a deep water accessory with a new thread connection. Wanting to know if we are charging the customers the right price best to do it yourself.  This included using the forklift to bring the 20 foot plus pipe over and loading it in the machine and gaging the dimensions per the customer print to order.  I than copper plated it which is a process of using several chemicals with electricity.  All this in heat index over 120.  I worked 10 hours no breaks. I also did it quicker than standard.  So we lowered standard time this week. 

Non lazy executives usually started off blue collar and became white collar.  I can do every job in all our manufacturing plants that was under my control in my work history.  Working 48 hours no sleep no problem for me.  Do it often.  I guarantee you will be long to sleep before you tire me out.  You had issues walking 15 miles in average temperatures in Saint Pete.  Try working in one of our plants in Texas with no air conditioning and heat index over 110 for most of the summer.  Can not have airconditioning as it impacts quality of the gaging of the parts. 

I was taught you better be more efficient than the world or you will be left behind.  You better improve every day or expect your salary to be cut.  You only worth what your customer will pay. 

You gave two examples of lazy Americans which supports my view that most Americans are lazy.  So are Russians. 

What I do currently 6 people used to do.  By the end of the year I will be doing what 10 people used to do.  I embrace lean and continuous improvement. I embrace outsourcing if quality to customer improves.  I embrace that my job could disappear everyday as it may become no value to customer and if it does I will be first to eliminate it. 

I am not saying your lazy either Sculpto.  I am saying most Americans are.  You maybe a hard working and efficient person.  How much someone makes has no bearance on hard working.  I know people who work at McDonald's I would consider very hard working. 

Hours at work does not mean hard working.  What value you provide to the customer is key.

[Gylden]

Sculpto and Kiev,

Heck, after reading your guys resumes posts, I'd hire both of you!!

 

[Sculpto]

Kiev..

I think you are a cup half empty kind of guy.  Not a value judgement.. just an observation.

Anyway.. i have never heard of a metal shop where working in 110 degree heat was a benefit to keeping tolerances.. on the contrary...

and you copper plated some pipe 20 foot long pipe using which system? 

What does this have to do with FSUW? 

[acctBill]

Sculpto, you really think people work hard in Russia or America?  America is not competitive at all.  Reason why there more than 2 million skilled jobs no one in America is qualified for currently open.  

Kievstar one of the classic estimations of productivity is nominal GDP per capita. Using the latest data from three different sources, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the CIA Factbook the US ranks no worse than 13th in the world in productivity, Russia no better than 59th.  With results like this under no circumstances could Russia or any FSU country be considered more productive than the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29_per_capita

[kievstar]

Sculpto started this rant and called me out earlier today.  So I responded in previous post. 

acctBill, I never said Russia was more productive than the USA.  Also if the USA is not in the top 10 countries further points to not being competitive.  GDP is not a good measure of total population but if you think so that is fine. 

Sculpto, accessory pipe requires precision gaging and air conditioning throws off the gaging.  Were not talking mass assembly.  Regarding copper plating you do not do the entire pipe.  You very well know that copper plating is around the threading of the pipe. 

I am a lean thinking guy always wanting to make things better.  Half empty or half full - I always see opportunity to improve.  I could spend 2 days with your business and make your business easily double in profit and cut your hours worked personally.  But that is not important in your life.  You seem more of a care free guy and doing enough to get by.   

Regarding Russian women I learned how dating agencies worked and developed a process that worked for me and others I have met personally.  However others complain about agencies.  I would consider this a half full guy with agencies.  Regarding Americans working better I am guilty and view it half empty.  Government gives out to many handouts and people actually take it. 

[SANDRO43]

Kievstar one of the classic estimations of productivity is nominal GDP per capita. Using the latest data from three different sources, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the CIA Factbook the US ranks no worse than 13th in the world in productivity, Russia no better than 59th.  With results like this under no circumstances could Russia or any FSU country be considered more productive than the US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29_per_capita

Statistics are dangerous, the above might start a stampede to wealthy Luxembourg, ill-equipped to handle it considering its total area of 998.6 sq. miles and population of half-a-million, or to even smaller Liechtenstein  (61.96 sq. miles and 35,000) .

[acctBill]

Statistics are dangerous, the above might start a stampede to wealthy Luxembourg, ill-equipped to handle it considering its total area of 998.6 sq. miles and population of half-a-million, or to even smaller Liechtenstein  (61.96 sq. miles and 35,000) .

Sandro I'm sure you know that countries like Luxembourg,  Liechtenstein, Switzerland and others in the list ahead of the US have strict rules regarding citizenship and property rights for foreigners, rules that the majority of foreigners will not be able to meet and thus not qualify for citizenship or be able to own property. Also all of the countries ahead of the US are small in size and have very low populations.  The reality is the US has or is near the top of nominal GDP per capita for the industrialized world.

[Sculpto]

Kiev.. the USA might not dominate the world economy like it once did.. but it is still by far the largest and most productive economy in the world. 

You can take your lean manufacturing and just in time process and dump them in the garbage.  These practices are destroying the quality and as a vendor I am getting killed because of so many factory mistakes.  There is a certain point where its just not possible to be more efficient or to cut any more corners without compromising the quality of the products.

One FSUW hooked me up with links to the kitchen cabinet business in Russia.  The quality of the cabinets looks pretty decent and the price is lower than the crappy Chinese stuff that is all over the place in California now. 

Lots of people work hard.. in fact.. most everyone does.  I have been around guys like you on job sites and in the back office.  I am not trying to start anything but are you as "confident" in how you communicate to the people you work with as you are here with us?

[Sculpto]

So I am renting a car tomorrow.. I think I got a Yaris or a Ford Focus.. and then picking up Miss Sacto around 8 pm and we will drive over to Groveland and stay the night in a Yurt so we can get up early and head to Yosemite Creek Campground and hopefully get a spot.  If that fails will head up to Tuolumne Meadows where there are a lot more drop in camp sites but much higher up and further from the park entrance.  I love Yosemite Creek though because the hike to the top of the falls is awesome and the view over the valley is truly exceptional.  I am bringing a small tent, a queen size air mattress and queen size sleeping back.. a few pillows and normal camping gear.. I usually sleep outside so I hope she doesn't freak out about that idea.

Miss Sacto is in a very good mood.  With a loan from her Uncle, the sponsor of her visa, she has purchased her first car today.  She got a used Sentra.  She still needs to get it licensed and insured but she is already asking me where we can road trip in it.    I suggested we head to Big Sur for the first trip in her car and I think she liked the idea even though she has no clue what Big Sur is about.    She is very worried about getting lost in SF and asked me to meet her someplace before SF and help her drive into the city.  So, I will ride the BART to the farthest out station which is very close to the freeway and she can jump off and meet me there and theni can guide her into the city and also teach her how to be a good navigator at the same time.  

Anyway, I get the strong feeling something is going to happen this weekend.  Her tone all week since I got back has indicated it.  We have a nice three hour drive in which to clarify expectations and enhance transparency.  Nevertheless.. this becomes a delicate and crucial moment int he development of the relationship.  If her expectations at this point are too high our Yosemite experience will simply be two friends on a nice walk... but... I think she is a realistic girl and understands the situation so I am hoping for romance by the campfire under the stars.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8zn63ADiIE[/youtube]

[Gator]

Sculpto,

I wish everything goes well with Miss Sacto.  Yosemite is spectacular.


I am confused.  You first mention Yosemite, then the Big Sur, then Yosemite.  Unless earthquakes have moved them closer, I recall them being far apart, as in a day.

Other confusion:  the photo can not be Miss Sacto unless your city now has a BALTICA outdoor bar.

[Olga_Mouse]

the interesting thing about the pool of blood was after I found it I was contemplating how I might take a photo of it.. but the store keeper came to the front of the store and was giving me dirty looks..

the dog poop along the grassy areas near the canals was a much more serious situation though. or the puke in the park next to some of the benches... sunday morning puke obstacle course was challenging.

...and who has cancelled the good old "look where you walk" rule, I'm wondering?  

Have never seet any pools of blood on the Russian streets - but hey, I've lived here only 37 years, so what do I know?

As to dog's дерьмо - here in Russia people walk their dogs on grass, not on the pavement at least!! So according to my experience Paris is the city with the highest level of every morning, day and evening дерьмо obstacle.

It didn't mean, however, that coming to Paris in August I was wearing sneakers & socks - sandals combined with attentively looking where I was stepping worked just fine.

[Sculpto]

LOL Olga.. I was shocked to see a pool of blood.. but that is what it was.. I would have to ask you though.. do you go to areas where one might find such pools of blood?  I mean.. here in SF I have some friends who would be in shock if I said the same thing about SF.. but the facts are in my area a pool of blood isn't that big of a deal.. happens all the time.  And you are right.. Parisian dogs tend to leave their deposits just about everywhere and I have seen much much much worse in Paris than I have ever seen in Russia... eww for even bringing it up and making me revisit those wonderful images..

Anyway.. I always get it wrong with clothes going to Russia.  In November my coat was too warm.. in March it wasn't warm enough... I think next time I am going to bring nothing and buy clothes upon arrival. 

Dan.. aside from the above reference about the habits of Russian and Parisian dogs...

The methods by which some people hijack threads for the purpose of humiliating members is shown quite clearly in the MIRROR of that animation.  And.. its funny.    Anyway Dan.. this has been informative and I hope you have gained a deeper understanding of my psychology but I am working outside today and need to go pick up Miss Sacto at 5 which means crossing the Bay Bridge in the middle of rush hour, so its time for me to get going.  We can pick this up next week when I am back from Yosemite if you and the forum would like to know how things go with Miss Sacto and I have a new camera to play with and should have some amazing photos.    I am sure I will have some interesting information to share, whichever way it goes with her.

[Lazarus]

Anyway Dan.. this has been informative and I hope you have gained a deeper understanding of my psychology...

We can pick this up next week when I am back from Yosemite.....

Thank GOD.
There will be some peace and quiet on RWD for a few days. 

...if you and the forum would like to know how things go with Miss Sacto...

[Seeker]

Thank GOD.
There will be some peace and quite on RWD for a few days. 

Welcome to RWD Lazarus, is the choice of name meaningful?  Seems you are not new here... yet this is your first post.

[Lazarus]

Welcome to RWD Lazarus, is the choice of name meaningful?  Seems you are not new here... yet this is your first post.

Matthew 7:15 

[Seeker]

Matthew 7:15 

Point taken... and noted.  Where do you fall in all of this?

Note: I was raised to be a minister, so I am not new to what this name and quote might mean.

[Jack]

  Agreed,.... welcome Lazarus.   Glad you stopped lurking and made your first post.

[Sculpto]

So nothing special to report from this weekend.  Miss Sacto has some intimacy issues that will prevent a relationship from developing.  I am not referring to sex.. but rather emotional intimacy.  So, I made the choice to move into a friends status and leave it at that.  I don't know if I will see her again.. I suppose if she drives into the City I would but I won't make another drive to see her. 

What is more interesting is a local RW that I had some casual correspondence with a few months ago is organizing a social group for RWs and AM here in the SF area and wrote me to ask me to join.  It is designed to be a dating/singles group and may be quite promising.  It is particularly interesting since it is being organized by women.  So.. we will see if anything materializes out of that.  The first outing/event should be in a couple of weeks.

and FIGS are in season!  Are there any special Russian recipes with figs?  Post in the food thread please. 

[SANDRO43]

and FIGS are in season!  Are there any special Russian recipes with figs? 

I don't know about Russian recipes, but for us a VERY simple summer recipe is just ripe figs and Parma ham .

[Sculpto]

I don't know about Russian recipes, but for us a VERY simple summer recipe is just ripe figs and Parma ham .

I got that hooked up today Sandro.. and I also picked up some awesome cheeses.

[SANDRO43]

Figs are a problem fruit, nowadays in supermarkets they are often too green since they decay so quickly . On the other hand, a properly ripe fig is a mess to peel, but such an incomparably heavenly taste .   

[Sculpto]

Figs are a problem fruit, nowadays in supermarkets they are often too green since they decay so quickly . On the other hand, a properly ripe fig is a mess to peel, but such an incomparably heavenly taste .   

We have purple and green and I would never buy them in the supermarket.. only at the Farmers Market which means they were picked the day before.. which by the way is about 6 blocks form my house.. lol in Russia it would be called the bazaar and "proper" people won't go there.. its where the bottom of the barrel types go to save money.. And what are you doing peeling a fig????  The skin is fine! 

On the other hand.. in SF.. I noticed there are a rather large number of good looking women there.  Finally I was out and about and saw a reasonable amount of very good looking girls.. and really.. how easy is it to meet girls when you can compare fruit?!@?@!?@  "Excuse me Miss can you squeeze my fruit and tell me if it is ripe?"  HAHAHA!  its a JOKE!  But.. food advice is a really easy ice breaker and given the culinary culture of this city.. anyway.. feeling newly confident from two great weeks in Russia.. I am gonna go for it and see what happens.

S, lets see if next week I can't get some fruit with my fruit at the farmers market.   

languages heard on last visit to farmers market.. English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, Cantonese, Tagalog, Italian, French, German, Russian, Polish, Irish (its not English!) Redneck, Dutch, Portuguese (brazillian and lisboa) Arabic, Tongan, Mayan, Hindi (I think), Ebonics, Eritrean and a few others I am not sure about.  And the food these folks grow.. man.. its really something special...

[Gator]

a properly ripe fig is a mess to peel, but such an incomparably heavenly taste .   

Peel?  We eat them without peeling.  Cut them in half and use your hands - I grew up in the South, close to nature.  If vine ripened, I would just bite them open. 

I ate figs in Sochi.

Delicious but nothing extraordinary. Well short of a tree ripened peach, so ripe that when you pick it juice runs onto your fingers.
Such peaches are soooo good, eat them fuzzy peel and all.