OT I probably can't do that

Today I bought some 4" 10-foot treated posts, and then took them to a
sawmill to be split down the middle.

The owner took one look at them and said, I'm not sure they're big
enough to be held [in the machine].

This despite the fact that on the phone he'd told me twice that he could
do it. The first time 8 or 10 weeks ago when I gave him all the
details and the second time yesterday, when he didn't ask so I figured
he remembered me or it didn't matter what I had, that he could still do
it.

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague to
give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would start
off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.

micky wrote:
OT I probably can't do that

Today I bought some 4" 10-foot treated posts, and then took them to a
sawmill to be split down the middle.

The owner took one look at them and said, I'm not sure they're big
enough to be held [in the machine].

This despite the fact that on the phone he'd told me twice that he
could do it. The first time 8 or 10 weeks ago when I gave him all
the details and the second time yesterday, when he didn't ask so I
figured he remembered me or it didn't matter what I had, that he
could still do it.

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague
to give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would
start off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.

I don't have any idea exactly what "this way" or what "people say this a lot"
really means in this case, but do wonder about why you are splitting treated
posts. Once split, the treatment is rendered relatively useless, since the
center of the post contains relatively little of the treatment from what I've
seen.

On 9/29/15 10:37 PM, micky wrote:
OT I probably can't do that

Today I bought some 4" 10-foot treated posts, and then took them to a
sawmill to be split down the middle.

The owner took one look at them and said, I'm not sure they're big
enough to be held [in the machine].

This despite the fact that on the phone he'd told me twice that he could
do it. The first time 8 or 10 weeks ago when I gave him all the
details and the second time yesterday, when he didn't ask so I figured
he remembered me or it didn't matter what I had, that he could still do
it.

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague to
give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would start
off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.


Curious why you didn't buy treated 2x4s ?

In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:11:24 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

micky wrote:
OT I probably can't do that

Today I bought some 4" 10-foot treated posts, and then took them to a
sawmill to be split down the middle.

The owner took one look at them and said, I'm not sure they're big
enough to be held [in the machine].

This despite the fact that on the phone he'd told me twice that he
could do it. The first time 8 or 10 weeks ago when I gave him all
the details and the second time yesterday, when he didn't ask so I
figured he remembered me or it didn't matter what I had, that he
could still do it.

He did ask me yesterday if it was new or old wood, that is, if it might
have nails, etc.

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague
to give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would
start off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.

I don't have any idea exactly what "this way" or what "people say this a lot"
really means in this case, but do wonder about why you are splitting treated
posts. Once split, the treatment is rendered relatively useless, since the
center of the post contains relatively little of the treatment from what I've
seen.

I only got treated posts because that's what they sell. (Mostly they're
used for posts! By farmers. A big flat-bed trailer truck arrived when I
was leaving with about 10 bundles of posts, 30 posts to a bundle. The
guy helping me said the store sells that much in about a month.)

The goal was to get half-round rails, to replace those in my fence which
have worn out. Mostly the ones that don't get much sunlight. I don't
think the original rails were treated and they all lasted at least 20
years, many of them 35 years and counting.

They used to sell rails like this at Lowes, but styles have changed.
(If I'd known they were going to stop, I would have stocked up.)


BTW, he didn't give any words of reluctance after that. He measured
both ends and adjusted his mill, which used a circular blade about 4
feet in diameter. The whole thing was impressive. A bar came down to
hold the wood in place. The bed moved according to buttons he pushed.
Somehow his employee came over from another building and he took the
split parts and piled them near my car. Charged $30 to do 7 poles,
the most I could fit in my car.

It looked pretty funny my Solara convertible with 10 foot poles sticking
up and back from the back seat.

7 poles make 14 rails. All together, I use about 56 rails. I've
replaced about 14 already, and about 14 get loads of sun, so maybe I
will need 14 more a few years from now.

I found 5 or 10 portable lumber mills around here, that owners would
trail to wherever a big tree had been cut down, but I lost the list over
the winter and couldn't make the list again. The one guy I did find
again never callled me back. FWIW, they use a big bandsaw. Today was
more like the sawmill with the Olive Oyl tied to the log and Popeye has
to save her.

On 9/29/2015 11:26 PM, Retired wrote:



Curious why you didn't buy treated 2x4s ?


Probably because he wanted half rails for appearance. These were round
poles split in half.

In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:47:16 -0400, micky
wrote:


They used to sell rails like this at Lowes, but styles have changed.

The ones for sale as rails already had half of their thickness cut out
for the last 4 inches at each end, trimmed to curve around the post they
are nailed to.
.......
I found 5 or 10 portable lumber mills around here, that owners would
trail to wherever a big tree had been cut down, but I lost the list over
the winter and couldn't make the list again. The one guy I did find
again never callled me back.

I didn't expect them to come to me for this. I was going to go to his
home or wherever he kept his mill, on a day he wasn't doing someone
else's trees.

FWIW, they use a big bandsaw.

The portable saw mills are designed to cut and move down the same amount
after each cut.

I guess this guy's mill today does the same thing, Those trucks full of
enormous logs you see on the road sometimes, well, he had a bunch of
those logs lying around, and a few wide boards cut from them. I think
most of the boards he had cut were cut to order or were already sold and
gone.

Today was
more like the sawmill with the Olive Oyl tied to the log and Popeye has
to save her.

Sometimes a mouse is tied to the log, and my namesake has to rescue her.

On Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:47:16 -0400, micky
wrote:

It looked pretty funny my Solara convertible with 10 foot poles sticking
up and back from the back seat.

Your seat backs don't fold down?

I got these in my Prelude
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Packing%20honda.jpg

I take a 10' stick of 2" PVC with me when I am car shopping. If it
won't fit with the trunk closed, I keep looking

On 9/29/2015 7:37 PM, micky wrote:

["I can do" becomes "not sure I can do"]

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague to
give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would start
off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.

I think it boils down to folks not *seriously* considering what is
ACTUALLY being asked.

As a consultant, clients/potential clients FREQUENTLY (i.e., ALWAYS!)
ask impromptu questions as to whether something can be done, how much
it will cost, how long it will take, etc. And, they always condition
their request with "I'm not going to hold you to anything... just
give me a general idea..."

But, of course, when the time comes to actually (formally) *estimate*
the job, they are STUNNED at the discrepancy between your initial
"general idea/estimate" and your *formal* estimate:
"You told me it would take X months, so I estimated $Y from that!"
"But you didn't indicate what EXACTLY you were after! And, you
wanted an on-the-spot answer -- you didn't want me to THINK about
it -- possibly fearing I would uncover many subtle issues that would
complicate the effort, etc."
Over time, I learned to give answers that were as USELESS as these
REQUESTS!
"What do you mean: 'anywhere from 1 week to 5 years'?"
"Well, refine your requirements and I'll refine my estimate!"

Some years back, I had to have some medical tests done. While they
weren't "exotic", they were, nonetheless, not "standard fare". So,
I called to make sure the facility *could* (and DID!) perform the
tests. And, asked for information regarding what I had to do in
order to prepare for them, if I had to make an appointment ahead
of time, if they had to ensure they had the required test materials,
etc.

Fearing that the answers I got were just too "pat", I called, again,
some time later to see if I got the same story *twice*.

When I arrived for the test, it was as if I was asking to have my
DNA tested for Klingon ancestry. Or, to have them test for the
color socks I wore on my first day of kindergarten!

After an hour watching folks run around trying to figure out *if* they
could do the test, then trying to figure out who I had spoken with
on my two phone calls (no one would 'fess up), they finally sent me home
empty handed.

Should I have asked for a reply IN WRITING -- *notarized* -- before
considering it reliable?

In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:54:26 -0400,
wrote:

On Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:47:16 -0400, micky
wrote:

It looked pretty funny my Solara convertible with 10 foot poles sticking
up and back from the back seat.

Your seat backs don't fold down?

No, the convertible lower boot would be in the way for half of the area
if it did. Plus there is no need.

I got these in my Prelude
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Packing%20honda.jpg

Thjat's pretty good.

I take a 10' stick of 2" PVC with me when I am car shopping. If it
won't fit with the trunk closed, I keep looking

Makes sense.

In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:07:03 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 9/29/2015 7:37 PM, micky wrote:

["I can do" becomes "not sure I can do"]

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague to
give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would start
off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.

I think it boils down to folks not *seriously* considering what is
ACTUALLY being asked.

That might be it. Or part of it.

As a consultant, clients/potential clients FREQUENTLY (i.e., ALWAYS!)
ask impromptu questions as to whether something can be done, how much
it will cost, how long it will take, etc. And, they always condition
their request with "I'm not going to hold you to anything... just
give me a general idea..."

But, of course, when the time comes to actually (formally) *estimate*
the job, they are STUNNED at the discrepancy between your initial
"general idea/estimate" and your *formal* estimate:
"You told me it would take X months, so I estimated $Y from that!"
"But you didn't indicate what EXACTLY you were after! And, you
wanted an on-the-spot answer -- you didn't want me to THINK about
it -- possibly fearing I would uncover many subtle issues that would
complicate the effort, etc."
Over time, I learned to give answers that were as USELESS as these
REQUESTS!
"What do you mean: 'anywhere from 1 week to 5 years'?"
"Well, refine your requirements and I'll refine my estimate!"

Some years back, I had to have some medical tests done. While they
weren't "exotic", they were, nonetheless, not "standard fare". So,
I called to make sure the facility *could* (and DID!) perform the
tests. And, asked for information regarding what I had to do in
order to prepare for them, if I had to make an appointment ahead
of time, if they had to ensure they had the required test materials,
etc.

Fearing that the answers I got were just too "pat", I called, again,
some time later to see if I got the same story *twice*.

When I arrived for the test, it was as if I was asking to have my
DNA tested for Klingon ancestry. Or, to have them test for the
color socks I wore on my first day of kindergarten!

After an hour watching folks run around trying to figure out *if* they
could do the test, then trying to figure out who I had spoken with
on my two phone calls (no one would 'fess up), they finally sent me home
empty handed.

LOL

Should I have asked for a reply IN WRITING -- *notarized* -- before
considering it reliable?

Yes.

I needed a partiuclarly shaped piece of foam rubber one time, and called
in advance to see if he could do it. He said yes, and I went all the
way downtown when places much closer also sold foam rubber. I hadnt'
quibbled about the price at all, and he didn't bring it up either, but
he tried to talk me into a standard shape, just so he wouldn't have to
do the work, cutting, gluing.

On 9/30/2015 12:20 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:07:03 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 9/29/2015 7:37 PM, micky wrote:

["I can do" becomes "not sure I can do"]

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague to
give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would start
off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.

I think it boils down to folks not *seriously* considering what is
ACTUALLY being asked.

That might be it. Or part of it.

It's in keeping with my opinion that most folks are lazy -- "Why think
about what is being asked BEFORE a commitment is needed?"

As a consultant, clients/potential clients FREQUENTLY (i.e., ALWAYS!)
ask impromptu questions as to whether something can be done, how much
it will cost, how long it will take, etc. And, they always condition
their request with "I'm not going to hold you to anything... just
give me a general idea..."

But, of course, when the time comes to actually (formally) *estimate*
the job, they are STUNNED at the discrepancy between your initial
"general idea/estimate" and your *formal* estimate:
"You told me it would take X months, so I estimated $Y from that!"
"But you didn't indicate what EXACTLY you were after! And, you
wanted an on-the-spot answer -- you didn't want me to THINK about
it -- possibly fearing I would uncover many subtle issues that would
complicate the effort, etc."
Over time, I learned to give answers that were as USELESS as these
REQUESTS!
"What do you mean: 'anywhere from 1 week to 5 years'?"
"Well, refine your requirements and I'll refine my estimate!"

Some years back, I had to have some medical tests done. While they
weren't "exotic", they were, nonetheless, not "standard fare". So,
I called to make sure the facility *could* (and DID!) perform the
tests. And, asked for information regarding what I had to do in
order to prepare for them, if I had to make an appointment ahead
of time, if they had to ensure they had the required test materials,
etc.

Fearing that the answers I got were just too "pat", I called, again,
some time later to see if I got the same story *twice*.

When I arrived for the test, it was as if I was asking to have my
DNA tested for Klingon ancestry. Or, to have them test for the
color socks I wore on my first day of kindergarten!

After an hour watching folks run around trying to figure out *if* they
could do the test, then trying to figure out who I had spoken with
on my two phone calls (no one would 'fess up), they finally sent me home
empty handed.

LOL

Should I have asked for a reply IN WRITING -- *notarized* -- before
considering it reliable?

Yes.

So, by extension, my clients should have insisted on written estimates?
Which, of course, means they'll get NO estimates -- unless they are
willing to invest a comparable amount of time/money to prepare written
RFQ's!

Would you have been willing to prepare a written set of requirements
prior to expecting a *written* commitment from the mill operator?

I needed a partiuclarly shaped piece of foam rubber one time, and called
in advance to see if he could do it. He said yes, and I went all the
way downtown when places much closer also sold foam rubber. I hadnt'
quibbled about the price at all, and he didn't bring it up either, but
he tried to talk me into a standard shape, just so he wouldn't have to
do the work, cutting, gluing.

But, presumably, he would have been willing to produce the custom
shape -- at *some* price.

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

micky wrote in
:

OT I probably can't do that

Today I bought some 4" 10-foot treated posts, and then took them to a
sawmill to be split down the middle.

The owner took one look at them and said, I'm not sure they're big
enough to be held [in the machine].

This despite the fact that on the phone he'd told me twice that he could
do it. The first time 8 or 10 weeks ago when I gave him all the
details and the second time yesterday, when he didn't ask so I figured
he remembered me or it didn't matter what I had, that he could still do
it.

And the words brought back vague memories that iirc, people say this a
lot. It's often the opening words from someone I want to hire to do
something, and maybe from friends too. Memories are still too vague to
give examples.

Has anyone noticed this? Do you have any ideas why people would start
off this way. I'm still trying to remember if I do this.


Man, you need to get back on your Alzheimer's meds or get a stronger
prescription.

In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:00:43 -0700, Don Y
wrote:


Should I have asked for a reply IN WRITING -- *notarized* -- before
considering it reliable?

Yes.

Maybe I should have included a smiley, but that doesn't capture, "Yes,
it looks like that's what it takes."

So, by extension, my clients should have insisted on written estimates?
Which, of course, means they'll get NO estimates -- unless they are
willing to invest a comparable amount of time/money to prepare written
RFQ's!

Would you have been willing to prepare a written set of requirements
prior to expecting a *written* commitment from the mill operator?

I needed a partiuclarly shaped piece of foam rubber one time, and called
in advance to see if he could do it. He said yes, and I went all the
way downtown when places much closer also sold foam rubber. I hadnt'
quibbled about the price at all, and he didn't bring it up either, but
he tried to talk me into a standard shape, just so he wouldn't have to
do the work, cutting, gluing.

But, presumably, he would have been willing to produce the custom
shape -- at *some* price.

And he didn't actually charge much. Not much more than the basic shape
that foam wedges come in, iirc. And ironically, it turned out to be
too big for the place I planned it for. Then I found another wedge
already covered in cloth, and I didn't get around to using the first one
much for 25 years. I'm glad to say that although the foam in the
second one is falling apart -- it keeps getting smaller as the outside
"layers" fall off, the first one is still in good shape 25 years later
and 6 months of use haven't affected it. But like I say it was too
big and I'm not using the full thing. I'm using a 1.5-foot length of
it, and when that wears out (surely it will, since it's already so old)
, I'll split the remaining 3 feet and use each one in turn.

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

On 9/30/2015 11:30 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:00:43 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

Should I have asked for a reply IN WRITING -- *notarized* -- before
considering it reliable?

Yes.

Maybe I should have included a smiley, but that doesn't capture, "Yes,
it looks like that's what it takes."

Understood. My point was that this is just plain ridiculous. *Nothing*
would get done if that was the case. As opposed to "very little" getting
done "satisfactorily" without! :

So, by extension, my clients should have insisted on written estimates?
Which, of course, means they'll get NO estimates -- unless they are
willing to invest a comparable amount of time/money to prepare written
RFQ's!

Would you have been willing to prepare a written set of requirements
prior to expecting a *written* commitment from the mill operator?

Would the operator have even *bothered* for "such a small job"? Or,
would he prematurely have said "No" just to avoid the effort required
for that "proposal/estimate"? When does the "let your fingers do the
walking" approach fall apart?

I needed a partiuclarly shaped piece of foam rubber one time, and called
in advance to see if he could do it. He said yes, and I went all the
way downtown when places much closer also sold foam rubber. I hadnt'
quibbled about the price at all, and he didn't bring it up either, but
he tried to talk me into a standard shape, just so he wouldn't have to
do the work, cutting, gluing.

But, presumably, he would have been willing to produce the custom
shape -- at *some* price.

And he didn't actually charge much. Not much more than the basic shape
that foam wedges come in, iirc. And ironically, it turned out to be
too big for the place I planned it for. Then I found another wedge
already covered in cloth, and I didn't get around to using the first one
much for 25 years. I'm glad to say that although the foam in the
second one is falling apart -- it keeps getting smaller as the outside
"layers" fall off, the first one is still in good shape 25 years later
and 6 months of use haven't affected it. But like I say it was too
big and I'm not using the full thing. I'm using a 1.5-foot length of
it, and when that wears out (surely it will, since it's already so old)
, I'll split the remaining 3 feet and use each one in turn.

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

If I had only "invested" a couple of phone calls and the time to
drive to the facility, it would have been "merely annoying". But,
given that I had already been inconvenienced by having to prepare
for the test I was nowhere near as "accommodating" of their
idiocy.

In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:29:14 -0700, Don Y
wrote:


In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

If I had only "invested" a couple of phone calls and the time to
drive to the facility, it would have been "merely annoying". But,
given that I had already been inconvenienced by having to prepare
for the test I was nowhere near as "accommodating" of their
idiocy.

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

If the guy at the saw mill had said he couldnt' cut my poles, I would
have had to drive 30 minutes back to the store I bought them at and try
to get them to take them back. I guess they would have done it, but I
have an image of most of their customers knowing what they want, buying
what they need, and not bothering a farm store with annoying returns.

But actually the sawyer was very nice. I had a hundred, but I forgot
that I spent 130 at the computer store the previous day. I'd meant to
take a couple hundred in cash from my desk drawer, but forgot that too.
The farm store took charge carrds but the sawyer didn't. He said, Just
stop by and pay me later. I said, Can I mail you a check? He said,
Just stop by and pay me later. At first I thought he just didn't
want checks, but surely he gets paid by check very often. He must have
just been thinking I lived nearby and saying I didnt' have to rush to
pay him???

So I went to a cash machine and got money and paid him right away.

On 10/1/2015 5:20 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:29:14 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

If I had only "invested" a couple of phone calls and the time to
drive to the facility, it would have been "merely annoying". But,
given that I had already been inconvenienced by having to prepare
for the test I was nowhere near as "accommodating" of their
idiocy.

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

If the guy at the saw mill had said he couldnt' cut my poles, I would
have had to drive 30 minutes back to the store I bought them at and try
to get them to take them back. I guess they would have done it, but I
have an image of most of their customers knowing what they want, buying
what they need, and not bothering a farm store with annoying returns.

But actually the sawyer was very nice. I had a hundred, but I forgot
that I spent 130 at the computer store the previous day. I'd meant to
take a couple hundred in cash from my desk drawer, but forgot that too.
The farm store took charge carrds but the sawyer didn't. He said, Just
stop by and pay me later. I said, Can I mail you a check? He said,
Just stop by and pay me later. At first I thought he just didn't
want checks, but surely he gets paid by check very often. He must have
just been thinking I lived nearby and saying I didnt' have to rush to
pay him???

So I went to a cash machine and got money and paid him right away.

In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 01 Oct 2015 09:54:32 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 10/1/2015 5:20 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:29:14 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

If I had only "invested" a couple of phone calls and the time to
drive to the facility, it would have been "merely annoying". But,
given that I had already been inconvenienced by having to prepare
for the test I was nowhere near as "accommodating" of their
idiocy.

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy

Exactly.

usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

The consequences I didn't mind, but trying to drink it all was very
unpleasant. I didn't allow enough time either, because I had to go to
sleep. Torn between drinking and sleeping.

On 10/1/2015 10:30 PM, micky wrote:

usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

The consequences I didn't mind, but trying to drink it all was very
unpleasant. I didn't allow enough time either, because I had to go to
sleep. Torn between drinking and sleeping.

Or, *not* sleeping (because of an "urgency" shortly after you
lay your head down!)

Many tests require fasts (of varying durations). Some also require
"no fluids" (of any kind!)

I.e., you aren't comfortable when you set out to undertake these
tests. You *sure* don't want to be arguing with someone while you'd
previously CONFIRMED all would go without a hitch!

On Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 11:54:07 AM UTC-5, Don Y wrote:
On 10/1/2015 5:20 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:29:14 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

If I had only "invested" a couple of phone calls and the time to
drive to the facility, it would have been "merely annoying". But,
given that I had already been inconvenienced by having to prepare
for the test I was nowhere near as "accommodating" of their
idiocy.

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

If the guy at the saw mill had said he couldnt' cut my poles, I would
have had to drive 30 minutes back to the store I bought them at and try
to get them to take them back. I guess they would have done it, but I
have an image of most of their customers knowing what they want, buying
what they need, and not bothering a farm store with annoying returns.

But actually the sawyer was very nice. I had a hundred, but I forgot
that I spent 130 at the computer store the previous day. I'd meant to
take a couple hundred in cash from my desk drawer, but forgot that too.
The farm store took charge carrds but the sawyer didn't. He said, Just
stop by and pay me later. I said, Can I mail you a check? He said,
Just stop by and pay me later. At first I thought he just didn't
want checks, but surely he gets paid by check very often. He must have
just been thinking I lived nearby and saying I didnt' have to rush to
pay him???

So I went to a cash machine and got money and paid him right away.


I've had a camera up my tailpipe twice in the past year. I drank a gallon of GoLYTELY® both times but the first time I required an extra power flush.. I also had a camera snaked down my throat and I hope the camera was shoved down my throat first. o_O

[8~{} Uncle Camera Monster

On 10/02/2015 12:30 AM, micky wrote:

[snip]

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy

Exactly.

usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

The consequences I didn't mind, but trying to drink it all was very
unpleasant. I didn't allow enough time either, because I had to go to
sleep. Torn between drinking and sleeping.


I had that before an abdominal CT. A gallon of liquid that looked like
milk until I started drinking it.

--
84 days until the winter celebration (Friday December 25, 2015 12:00:00
AM for 1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Sex education classes are like in-home sales parties for abortions."
[Phyllis Schlafly]

On 10/02/2015 12:34 AM, Don Y wrote:

[snip]

Many tests require fasts (of varying durations). Some also require
"no fluids" (of any kind!)

I remember that "no fluids" restriction before I had gall bladder
surgery. The surgery went OK but the night before I had a cough (and so
a very dry mouth).

[snip]

--
84 days until the winter celebration (Friday December 25, 2015 12:00:00
AM for 1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Sex education classes are like in-home sales parties for abortions."
[Phyllis Schlafly]

On 10/2/2015 10:01 AM, Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10/02/2015 12:34 AM, Don Y wrote:

Many tests require fasts (of varying durations). Some also require
"no fluids" (of any kind!)

I remember that "no fluids" restriction before I had gall bladder surgery. The
surgery went OK but the night before I had a cough (and so a very dry mouth).

Yeah, living without food (for a day) is easy. But, nothing (not even WATER)
gets to be really bad after 4 or 5 hours! Go to bed. Plan on sleeping a LONG
TIME. Wake up and head *straight* to the procedure!

In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 1 Oct 2015 23:19:16 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:

On Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 11:54:07 AM UTC-5, Don Y wrote:
On 10/1/2015 5:20 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:29:14 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

If I had only "invested" a couple of phone calls and the time to
drive to the facility, it would have been "merely annoying". But,
given that I had already been inconvenienced by having to prepare
for the test I was nowhere near as "accommodating" of their
idiocy.

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

If the guy at the saw mill had said he couldnt' cut my poles, I would
have had to drive 30 minutes back to the store I bought them at and try
to get them to take them back. I guess they would have done it, but I
have an image of most of their customers knowing what they want, buying
what they need, and not bothering a farm store with annoying returns.

But actually the sawyer was very nice. I had a hundred, but I forgot
that I spent 130 at the computer store the previous day. I'd meant to
take a couple hundred in cash from my desk drawer, but forgot that too.
The farm store took charge carrds but the sawyer didn't. He said, Just
stop by and pay me later. I said, Can I mail you a check? He said,
Just stop by and pay me later. At first I thought he just didn't
want checks, but surely he gets paid by check very often. He must have
just been thinking I lived nearby and saying I didnt' have to rush to
pay him???

So I went to a cash machine and got money and paid him right away.


I've had a camera up my tailpipe twice in the past year. I drank a gallon of GoLYTELY® both times but the first time I required an extra power flush. I also had a camera snaked down my throat and I hope the camera was shoved down my throat first. o_O

I hear the throat is a lot worse than the rectum, which was nothing.

[8~{} Uncle Camera Monster

As to fasting, I have no trouble. On a couple occasions I've gone 18 or
20 hours without eating or drinking even when there was no reason to do
so. I was at home and just didn't want anthing.

I have to take a pill once a week now, to help replace bone calcium I
lost in the preceding few years, with a full glass of water, after not
eating for a while (all night?) and 30 minutes before eating, or
drinking anything other than water, or lying down. Lying down would let
the stuff come back up and damage my throat.

The first few weeks it was okay, but starting in July, I was back to
normal and I can barely manage to drink anything first thing in the
morning. Even after urinating. Sometimes I pour water in my mouth and
it spills out. But when not thirsty, it is easier to drink from a
bottle than a water fountain.

I only have 3 more months to go maybe, and I can stop taking this pill.

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 3:20:06 AM UTC-5, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 1 Oct 2015 23:19:16 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:

On Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 11:54:07 AM UTC-5, Don Y wrote:
On 10/1/2015 5:20 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:29:14 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

In my "medical test" example, they were unprepared to perform the
test at *any* price! "Sorry, but we can't do that test, here..."

My laughing was about everytiing but that you went home with nothing.

If I had only "invested" a couple of phone calls and the time to
drive to the facility, it would have been "merely annoying". But,
given that I had already been inconvenienced by having to prepare
for the test I was nowhere near as "accommodating" of their
idiocy.

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

If the guy at the saw mill had said he couldnt' cut my poles, I would
have had to drive 30 minutes back to the store I bought them at and try
to get them to take them back. I guess they would have done it, but I
have an image of most of their customers knowing what they want, buying
what they need, and not bothering a farm store with annoying returns..

But actually the sawyer was very nice. I had a hundred, but I forgot
that I spent 130 at the computer store the previous day. I'd meant to
take a couple hundred in cash from my desk drawer, but forgot that too.
The farm store took charge carrds but the sawyer didn't. He said, Just
stop by and pay me later. I said, Can I mail you a check? He said,
Just stop by and pay me later. At first I thought he just didn't
want checks, but surely he gets paid by check very often. He must have
just been thinking I lived nearby and saying I didnt' have to rush to
pay him???

So I went to a cash machine and got money and paid him right away.


I've had a camera up my tailpipe twice in the past year. I drank a gallon of GoLYTELYŽ both times but the first time I required an extra power flush. I also had a camera snaked down my throat and I hope the camera was shoved down my throat first. o_O

I hear the throat is a lot worse than the rectum, which was nothing.

[8~{} Uncle Camera Monster

As to fasting, I have no trouble. On a couple occasions I've gone 18 or
20 hours without eating or drinking even when there was no reason to do
so. I was at home and just didn't want anthing.

I have to take a pill once a week now, to help replace bone calcium I
lost in the preceding few years, with a full glass of water, after not
eating for a while (all night?) and 30 minutes before eating, or
drinking anything other than water, or lying down. Lying down would let
the stuff come back up and damage my throat.

The first few weeks it was okay, but starting in July, I was back to
normal and I can barely manage to drink anything first thing in the
morning. Even after urinating. Sometimes I pour water in my mouth and
it spills out. But when not thirsty, it is easier to drink from a
bottle than a water fountain.

I only have 3 more months to go maybe, and I can stop taking this pill.

I hope you don't you don't mean that you have three months to live. o_O

I had cameras stuck in both ends because I was anemic and had a low red blood cell count. Doctors were trying to figure out where the blood was going since I'm too old to have a period. It turns out that I had a bleeding ulcer in my stomach which was caused by excessive NSAID use. The NSAIDs were the only thing that helped fight the swelling in my joints and allowed me to move around. I'm down to two naproxen sodium tablets a day so my hands don't stick closed and I can bend my other joints. o_O

I got you beat on fasting. I went two weeks without eating back in the early 1980's consuming only sports drinks, vitamins and protein tablets. When I finally broke my fast I ate at a breakfast bar and the food was heavenly. ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Hungry Monster

In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 3 Oct 2015 08:21:27 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 3:20:06 AM UTC-5, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 1 Oct 2015 23:19:16 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:..........
I've had a camera up my tailpipe twice in the past year. I drank a gallon of GoLYTELYŽ both times but the first time I required an extra power flush. I also had a camera snaked down my throat and I hope the camera was shoved down my throat first. o_O

I hear the throat is a lot worse than the rectum, which was nothing.

[8~{} Uncle Camera Monster

As to fasting, I have no trouble. On a couple occasions I've gone 18 or
20 hours without eating or drinking even when there was no reason to do
so. I was at home and just didn't want anthing.

I have to take a pill once a week now, to help replace bone calcium I
lost in the preceding few years, with a full glass of water, after not
eating for a while (all night?) and 30 minutes before eating, or
drinking anything other than water, or lying down. Lying down would let
the stuff come back up and damage my throat.

The first few weeks it was okay, but starting in July, I was back to
normal and I can barely manage to drink anything first thing in the
morning. Even after urinating. Sometimes I pour water in my mouth and
it spills out. But when not thirsty, it is easier to drink from a
bottle than a water fountain.

I only have 3 more months to go maybe, and I can stop taking this pill.

I hope you don't you don't mean that you have three months to live. o_O

I'd better check with the doctor.

Wait, no, I'm sure I that's not what he meant.

I had cameras stuck in both ends because I was anemic and had a low red blood cell count. Doctors were trying to figure out where the blood was going since I'm too old to have a period. It turns out that I had a bleeding ulcer in my stomach which was caused by excessive NSAID use. The NSAIDs were the only thing that helped fight the swelling in my joints and allowed me to move around. I'm down to two naproxen sodium tablets a day so my hands don't stick closed and I can bend my other joints. o_O

Wow.

I got you beat on fasting. I went two weeks without eating back in the early 1980's consuming only sports drinks, vitamins and protein tablets. When I finally broke my fast I ate at a breakfast bar and the food was heavenly. ^_^

I coudln't go two weeks. Maybe 28 hours if I had to.

[8~{} Uncle Hungry Monster

On 10/3/2015 8:30 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 3 Oct 2015 08:21:27 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 3:20:06 AM UTC-5, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 1 Oct 2015 23:19:16 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:..........
I've had a camera up my tailpipe twice in the past year. I drank a gallon of GoLYTELYŽ both times but the first time I required an extra power flush. I also had a camera snaked down my throat and I hope the camera was shoved down my throat first. o_O

I hear the throat is a lot worse than the rectum, which was nothing.

[8~{} Uncle Camera Monster

As to fasting, I have no trouble. On a couple occasions I've gone 18 or
20 hours without eating or drinking even when there was no reason to do
so. I was at home and just didn't want anthing.

I have to take a pill once a week now, to help replace bone calcium I
lost in the preceding few years, with a full glass of water, after not
eating for a while (all night?) and 30 minutes before eating, or
drinking anything other than water, or lying down. Lying down would let
the stuff come back up and damage my throat.

The first few weeks it was okay, but starting in July, I was back to
normal and I can barely manage to drink anything first thing in the
morning. Even after urinating. Sometimes I pour water in my mouth and
it spills out. But when not thirsty, it is easier to drink from a
bottle than a water fountain.

I only have 3 more months to go maybe, and I can stop taking this pill.

I hope you don't you don't mean that you have three months to live. o_O

I'd better check with the doctor.

Wait, no, I'm sure I that's not what he meant.

I had cameras stuck in both ends because I was anemic and had a low red blood cell count. Doctors were trying to figure out where the blood was going since I'm too old to have a period. It turns out that I had a bleeding ulcer in my stomach which was caused by excessive NSAID use. The NSAIDs were the only thing that helped fight the swelling in my joints and allowed me to move around. I'm down to two naproxen sodium tablets a day so my hands don't stick closed and I can bend my other joints. o_O

Wow.

I got you beat on fasting. I went two weeks without eating back in the early 1980's consuming only sports drinks, vitamins and protein tablets. When I finally broke my fast I ate at a breakfast bar and the food was heavenly. ^_^

I coudln't go two weeks. Maybe 28 hours if I had to.

[8~{} Uncle Hungry Monster


I've gone nearly 7 weeks without being able to eat anything, but not
sure it's a fair comparison because they hooked me up to IV's off and on
when that happened. Sometimes, when I get sick (different illnesses)
I've gone long periods of time w/o being able to eat anything. It's
happened maybe 3 times like that, the most recent one was last year, but
it ended up being more than 7 weeks off and on.

--
Maggie

On 10/2/2015 11:58 AM, Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10/02/2015 12:30 AM, micky wrote:

[snip]

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my
insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy

Exactly.

usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

The consequences I didn't mind, but trying to drink it all was very
unpleasant. I didn't allow enough time either, because I had to go to
sleep. Torn between drinking and sleeping.


I had that before an abdominal CT. A gallon of liquid that looked like
milk until I started drinking it.


I had a gallon bad IV a few times! LOL

--
Maggie

On 10/3/2015 10:11 PM, Muggles wrote:
On 10/2/2015 11:58 AM, Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10/02/2015 12:30 AM, micky wrote:

[snip]

Yeah. I don't know what preparation you did but I once had to drink a
gallon - literally a gallon -- of something to flush out my
insides. It
was one of the few times I missed having a wife, who I figured might
pour it down my throat. But left alone, I couldn't do it. I think I
drank between 2 and 3 quarts. The guy the next day didn't complain.

Colonoscopy

Exactly.

usually requires that sort of prep -- make sure you're
squeaky clean inside! Drinking it isn't terrible -- it's the
*consequences* of drinking it that are... "unfortunate".

The consequences I didn't mind, but trying to drink it all was very
unpleasant. I didn't allow enough time either, because I had to go to
sleep. Torn between drinking and sleeping.


I had that before an abdominal CT. A gallon of liquid that looked like
milk until I started drinking it.


I had a gallon bad IV a few times! LOL


oops! typo .. thats "gallon baG" IV.

--
Maggie

On 10/2/2015 12:01 PM, Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10/02/2015 12:34 AM, Don Y wrote:

[snip]

Many tests require fasts (of varying durations). Some also require
"no fluids" (of any kind!)

I remember that "no fluids" restriction before I had gall bladder
surgery. The surgery went OK but the night before I had a cough (and so
a very dry mouth).

[snip]


Had the same surgery some years ago ... it was done in the morning and I
went home that night. Did you have a hospital stay or was it the out
patient version?

--
Maggie

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 8:31:04 PM UTC-5, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 3 Oct 2015 08:21:27 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 3:20:06 AM UTC-5, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 1 Oct 2015 23:19:16 -0700 (PDT), Uncle
Monster wrote:..........
I've had a camera up my tailpipe twice in the past year. I drank a gallon of GoLYTELYŽ both times but the first time I required an extra power flush. I also had a camera snaked down my throat and I hope the camera was shoved down my throat first. o_O

I hear the throat is a lot worse than the rectum, which was nothing.

[8~{} Uncle Camera Monster

As to fasting, I have no trouble. On a couple occasions I've gone 18 or
20 hours without eating or drinking even when there was no reason to do
so. I was at home and just didn't want anthing.

I have to take a pill once a week now, to help replace bone calcium I
lost in the preceding few years, with a full glass of water, after not
eating for a while (all night?) and 30 minutes before eating, or
drinking anything other than water, or lying down. Lying down would let
the stuff come back up and damage my throat.

The first few weeks it was okay, but starting in July, I was back to
normal and I can barely manage to drink anything first thing in the
morning. Even after urinating. Sometimes I pour water in my mouth and
it spills out. But when not thirsty, it is easier to drink from a
bottle than a water fountain.

I only have 3 more months to go maybe, and I can stop taking this pill..

I hope you don't you don't mean that you have three months to live. o_O

I'd better check with the doctor.

Wait, no, I'm sure I that's not what he meant.

You had me worried there Micky. I've lost too many friends in the last decade to all kinds of things. Me and my brother had heart attacks in the same year but we're too fraking ornery to die. O_o


I had cameras stuck in both ends because I was anemic and had a low red blood cell count. Doctors were trying to figure out where the blood was going since I'm too old to have a period. It turns out that I had a bleeding ulcer in my stomach which was caused by excessive NSAID use. The NSAIDs were the only thing that helped fight the swelling in my joints and allowed me to move around. I'm down to two naproxen sodium tablets a day so my hands don't stick closed and I can bend my other joints. o_O

Wow.

I got you beat on fasting. I went two weeks without eating back in the early 1980's consuming only sports drinks, vitamins and protein tablets. When I finally broke my fast I ate at a breakfast bar and the food was heavenly. ^_^

I coudln't go two weeks. Maybe 28 hours if I had to.


Humans weren't designed to eat continuously which is why it causes us so many problems. A period of fasting can be beneficial. When I went on a fast I was in my 30's and working full time. I dropped 35 lbs in those two weeks and I made sure to drink plenty of fluids including Gatorade to replace lost electrolytes because I was sweating so much. During that time I noticed that my senses sharpened. My sense of smell was more sensitive and I could see and hear much better. The effects were quite interesting and when I started eating again, the food tasted better than ever. ^_^

http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/...sting-20121116

[8~{} Uncle Fast Monster

On 10/03/2015 10:13 PM, Muggles wrote:

[snip]

Had the same surgery some years ago ... it was done in the morning and I
went home that night. Did you have a hospital stay or was it the out
patient version?


The out patient version. They did it with very small incisions that I
may not be able to find unless I knew where to look.

I was home when not allowed water.

Unexpectedly, the nurse called me the day after the operation to ask if
I was OK.

--
82 days until the winter celebration (Friday December 25, 2015 12:00:00
AM for 1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Preachers in pulpits talked about what a great message is in the book.
No matter what you do, somebody always imputes meaning into your books."
[Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel), 1904-1991]

On 10/4/2015 9:37 AM, Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10/03/2015 10:13 PM, Muggles wrote:

[snip]

Had the same surgery some years ago ... it was done in the morning and I
went home that night. Did you have a hospital stay or was it the out
patient version?


The out patient version. They did it with very small incisions that I
may not be able to find unless I knew where to look.

I was home when not allowed water.

Unexpectedly, the nurse called me the day after the operation to ask if
I was OK.


My experience was very similar to yours. Did you have any issues with
food after your surgery? It took my body a couple of years to adjust,
and occasionally I still have problems.

--
Maggie

My experience was very similar to yours. Did you have any issues with
food after your surgery? It took my body a couple of years to adjust,
and occasionally I still have problems.

--
Maggie

a humant go more than 2 or 3 days tops without water..

but food? the aveage american can go for at least a couple months without eating, but they wouldnt enjoy it.

a morbidly obese can survive for many months without food

On 10/04/2015 09:46 AM, Muggles wrote:

[snip]

Unexpectedly, the nurse called me the day after the operation to ask if
I was OK.


My experience was very similar to yours. Did you have any issues with
food after your surgery? It took my body a couple of years to adjust,
and occasionally I still have problems.


IIRC, the only food problem I had was the need to limit grease for a few
weeks.

--
82 days until the winter celebration (Friday December 25, 2015 12:00:00
AM for 1 day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Preachers in pulpits talked about what a great message is in the book.
No matter what you do, somebody always imputes meaning into your books."
[Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel), 1904-1991]