ddavelarsen

Now that's cool; check another one for vaping! If people can quit smoking without gaining weight, there will be no more excuses!

I hear you there. I think battery dimensions come into play a lot on that score. Me, I'm big on big batts! But I sure know what you mean about style.

Agreed! Here you go: Stuff I've Made Don't take me too seriously though, I really am just a hack. Just a hack who knows what he likes. I will also edit to add that it's great to meet another knife enthusiast!

Cripes man, me and electrical stuff are a disaster! But I admit I've been thinking about DannyBoy's idea for an American-made atty. We need to follow that one up. But I think I'll leave it to the eggheads out there. I'm just a hack. But thanks for the vote of confidence mcquinn! You made my day.

Me too nana, though it took a while much to my own discredit. They don't come any better than my father.

Okay, I've got to admit it; I've had a Deadhead sticker on every car I've owned since I was 18 -- and that's a lot of Deadhead stickers! But never political stuff. And really, voting incumbents out is more anti-political than anything, isn't it?

Cool! I'm so pleased this idea is getting some traction. We've been promoting it for several years. The political parties really are clones of one another; that is, they work for the highest paying lobby. Constituents generally get lip service. Anyone who doesn't believe me, try writing to your congress critter. If you're not writing along their party or lobby line, you get a form letter that says nothing except no support for your opinion. If you're on 'their side' you'll get a signature. They've sold out. But they've forgotten that we still get to vote! And that (so long as we still can count votes, e-voting notwithstanding), we still have the last word. Beware voting systems the public cannot audit.

nana, I'm not sure whether I prefer conservatives or liberals. Neither, I guess. They're both nuts. I'm too moderate for polite political discussion! Everyone disagrees with me. That said, I'm sure on the conservative side when it comes to the Constitution. What a wonderful document; I wish congress would believe in it again. But it really isn't friendly to the bottom line for corporations, which is a serious downside for politicians. I'm really thankful that we have diversity of political views here. Knifemakers are generally very conservative, and not often big on 'thinking.' Party line for knifemakers. My father sometimes rues the day he decided to teach his kids to think for themselves! But he's up for it. My father is a great man, one I'm deeply thankful for. But we sure get into some hairy political discussions! (He's a dyed-in-the-wool conservative; just say "democrat" to him and sit on back! )

Thanks for looking Brian! Knives can be beautiful, which is something the uninitiated don't expect. When my buddy was first trying to introduce my wife to me, he called me "Dave the Knifemaker." She's going, "Yeah, that's all I need; another biker!" Little did she know -- knives can be beautiful. She fell for me.

Travis, that makes great sense to me. I've been thinking about a 6V unit, just because -- more is better, right? And the Big Chuck is what I've settled on to get, eventually. I'm using a VP2 and find it exceptional. 3.7V has its merits and the battery life is what I need. I'm just really curious what 6V will do for me, if anything. Perhaps some of the juice I have that hasn't blossomed, will under 6V. Or maybe I'll consistently get that great throat hit I love. Or just throw bad money after good. Dunno yet. In any event, I'm really looking forward to the results of your decision, Cade. Please keep us posted. Are you leaning towards more voltage?

Precisely! Thanks man, that is the best reply yet. At least, that's how I feel about it too. I think every conversation about vaping is an opportunity to promote its strengths. I've quit smoking; for everyone who knows me, that is the absolute best recommendation there can be. They always are concerned (rightly) whether it's truly safer than analogs. But I have no doubt, and leave them with none. Vaping is a good thing. Never doubt that or feel defensive about vaping. You are doing good in the world when you vape for everyone to watch and learn.

Wow, now that is worthwhile. Thanks Cade! You're now my new hero. I've been buying 60 ml at a time of the flavors I find out that I like, but my supplier uses plastic bottles. Now I think I'll start transferring stuff to glass. I always carry 6 ml bottles that I fill with a pipette; works for me.

You're my hero! I don't make New Year resolutions either, but it's just because I give them up on Jan 2. If I lose some weight it'll be because I gave up my other two vices: beer and ice cream. But that sounds awful stringent! This man needs a vice, which vaping isn't. At least not in my book. Vaping is a safer way to get the nicotine I got used to all those years ago. The other night a friend told me that if I took the right supplements I wouldn't look for so much sugar. Really? What are they?! I dig supplements, particularly if they'll help me ditch these 40 lbs I earned but didn't want. But that's sure not a resolution. It's a wish. (What's the cliche? Wish in one hand and spit in the other? Which fills up first?) No, I'm not conflicted!

&nbsp;They don't allow firearms.<div><br></div><div>Edited to add: They prefer victims. Victims are more politically correct. </div><div><br></div><div>One more edit! Sorry for all the tags that got in there somehow that I can't get rid of!</div>

Wow, great replies to an interesting subject. I've tried Chantix too of course; I've tried everything to quit smoking. Sheesh. Best to never start, but try telling that to some kid who desperately needs to be cool. Anyway, nothing worked. There's only so much gum you can chew until you puke. And it tastes like a... well, not the best. Even mint. Though I will say that as a smoker mint nicotine gum has gotten me though a ton of interminable meetings. Might still use it for that since I haven't the huevos to whip out my VP2 in a meeting with a bunch of high-and-mighty people who hold careers in their hands. And I have to say I've had a few analogs here and there. I week or so ago, for whatever reason I bought a pack of smokes when I was at the courtesy counter in the grocery store. Stuck them in my shirt pocket and promptly forgot about them. When I got home from work a couple days later my wife told me how lucky I was that they hadn't come apart in the laundry! Yikes! (You'd have to know her, but trust me.) Yep, that pack of smokes was still intact after having gone through the washing machine with my shirt. Cigs were still dry! So, we smoked em over the next few days. Analogs taste like a... well, not great. But they sure can be sneaky. I even had thought about buying some when I was out this evening. But I forgot. I think that's the best recommendation for vaping there is - it works. That is, it effectively does replace cigarettes. No wonder Phillip Morris is so panicky! Speakeasy, your story should be in the VT book. That's the best thing I've read in a long time. Right on keenan! I've mentioned it on VT a few times before and will take the opportunity here again. A year or so ago my father and I had bumper stickers printed that say, "Vote Incumbents Out!" If anyone wants one PM me and I'll send you one - or however many you need. I'm pleased to say that one other forumite has asked for a couple; made my day. People forget that congress acts at our discretion. We have a responsibility to our country to make sure that it's run as a democracy - not a forum for special interest's profits. That means Vote. And given the sad performance of most congress critters, that means it's time for some new blood. Break up the Good Ole Boy's Club that does not work for our best interests but for its own. Vote Incumbents Out! Or quit bitching.

Yep, I'm with the rest of you - don't care whether it's true, it's a great story - with a moral. I guess all great stories have a moral though. I've never been able to figure out whether Iowa is a conservative or liberal state. I think we're just after money, and to heck with political persuasions. But in my county at least, the Sheriff (county sheriff determines the extent of concealed carry in Iowa, by county) believes that an armed society is a safer one. Shortly after I got my CCW a pizza guy was held up at gunpoint. He also had a CCW, and shot his attacker in self defense (didn't kill him). The state did not press charges; the sheriff got on TV and made him a valued citizen. Of course, Pizza Hut fired him. Carrying a weapon is a huge responsibility. It's not for everyone. But I believe that where honest citizens with proven skill and discrimination are allowed to carry at their discretion, society is more civil. The criminals have to think twice - their intended victim might not be a victim at all.

I got that today too and forwarded to everyone I know very well. In a similar vein, my father and I had a bunch of bumper stickers printed, "Vote Incumbents Out!". Anyone wants one, I'll be happy to send it to you, just PM me.

Thanks folks, it's sure good to be among the happy again!

Yeah guys, being cutoff from the world is a real *****. We sure take a lot for granted, don't we? Maybe that's what occasional deprivation is for - remind us how dependent we are on civilization. I sure hope it keeps plugging along for a couple decades more! But sometimes I wonder; truly I do. It's sure good to be back, though I'm still wading through email... Can't wait to see what's been going on around here.

I'd say so too. Must've been cool to see them at 'home'; I've seen the Dead somewhere in North Carolina (can't remember the venue, it was too long ago!), and in Kansas City once. I think those were the only Dead shows I've been to. I've gone to see the Others a couple of times, but it's just not the same...

Indeed! That really says something doesn't it? Truly a lifestyle change to be thankful for. I've been offline for three days (long story; I love Mediacom (or not)), and it's sure good to be back in the wider world! I hope you all had a great Christmas if that's what you celebrate, and a wonderful bunch of days regardless. Take care,

I'm back and I'm glad. Haven't read anything here (or anywhere) for three days and man who'd have thought these conversations were so important to a dedicated introvert like me... But they sure are. I have a lot of catching up to do, and hopefully I'll get some of that done today. See you all around!

nana, I think that's one of the coolest things I've ever heard on Christmas. Thank you!

Here's our Christmas photo.

Christmas Eve has always been a special day for me. I was raised in a Christian home and I subscribe to the 'real' meaning of Christmas, as opposed to its commercial one. While I often struggle to accommodate both faith and science in one soul, my upbringing gave me a wonderfully stable foundation for life. I'm thankful for it. Before I start cleaning house for the madness this evening, I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa, beautiful Thursday and anything else you might choose to celebrate. Maybe it's a fellow vaper's birthday! I hope you all have a wonderful day.