Spring 2025 Banter Thread

[OrdIowPitMsp]

9 hours ago, A-L-E-K said:

 

 

[WestMichigan]

1 hour ago, A-L-E-K said:

more dust storm related than fires but we really should get serious about how we're using (ie wasting) some of the most fertile soil on the planet growing industrial monocrops in about the most ecologically harmful manner possible

I don't disagree, but wow, that came out of left field.

[roardog]

What is up with these Canadian wildfires every May? I understand a couple of years ago when Canada had that record or near record warm May. That would obviously cause the snow to melt and everything to dry up but not greened up yet. This year, the majority of Canada has had below normal temperatures this month. It seems all it takes anymore is a few “warm” days and you have spontaneous combustion of the forests. Are warmer and shorter winters causing more vegetation that then goes dormant for the winter allowing more fuel for the fires?

[TheClimateChanger]

Definitely something to keep an eye out for. Computer models are depicting widespread lofted smoke spreading in across the Midwest over the next 48 hours, with air quality concerns [near surface smoke] in northern parts of Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. I wonder if this will mute the expected warmup somewhat.

[Jackstraw]

So I was in a Big Box store today buying dumb stuff I don't need. There was a younger couple in there buying GMO veggie plants for their garden. I'm sure they try and show off to their neighbors, who both probably live in  700k dollar 3 designs, 6 colors available cracker box's in a 200 unit HOA'd subdivision with 3ft trees  close enough together the husbands can toss toilet paper back and forth from the bathroom windows and probably plant the exact same genetic hybrid squash, complaining about the weather. I'm also sure (yes I'm sure again) they were driving one of the 50 80k dollar SUV's that crowded the lot (I recently complained about "storm related driving" in the area I just happened to be shopping in, its why I'm sure ). I heard them tell the cashier they lost some plants this year. They always plant 3 weeks before Memorial Day. (WT holy F!! this is Indiana people!!) I had to chuckle to myself.  I mean do they not get that Memorial Day is about 2 days earlier every year until it isn't?  People like that are why there's GMO tomato plants for sale in July around here lmao.

[Chinook]

Off topic question here. I have an older laptop that works great. The front face of the laptop does not snap in place at all anymore. The screws are in normally. When I've tried to get the front face to snap in place, it goes back to the situation you see in this picture. I am wondering if there's some sort of fix for this.

 

[Jackstraw]

3 hours ago, Chinook said:

Off topic question here. I have an older laptop that works great. The front face of the laptop does not snap in place at all anymore. The screws are in normally. When I've tried to get the front face to snap in place, it goes back to the situation you see in this picture. I am wondering if there's some sort of fix for this.

 

One BIG very important thing is to make sure that its not the battery keeping it from closing. Older Lithium Ion laptop battery's can swell up and possibly catch fire, especially if they are plugged into AC power for long periods at a time. Pull it out look and feel up and down it, you'll be able to tell. If its swollen get it out of there. You can get refurbished ones for most laptops on Ebay for 20 bucks or less.

I've got one like that (am actually typing this on it, kinda). If it's like mine (and not the battery) it's probably got a couple three broken tabs that hold the clam shell together. No easy fix (that I know of) unless you feel comfortable removing the guts and putting them in an identical (if you can find one) clam shell off of Ebay. It's a common "break" on older laptops and isn't a big deal unless you are still very mobile with it.

Or you could do what I've done with mine.

Mine is the original version of the Intel Core I5 (late '08) and it does the same thing as yours, on 2 sides lol. Hell, half the keys on the keyboard are gone and the screens broken lol. I just put a piece of duct tape (with a small slit to enhance cooling on the old bird) on it to secure it where it pops open. . Mine is plugged via HDMI into my TV with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse on the coffee table.  It was my work PC for 10 years. It's been through hell and back including sliding off the top of my car while getting on I95 just N of Savanah GA because I forgot to put it into my bag lol. Scratched up but still fired right up. Still works like a champ to this day even though it's in nearly 16 years old. Takes most anything I throw at it, in it or on it lol (except gaming stuff of course).

I'll use it until it smokes. One of the best 2k bucks I ever spent. Old Acer's where rock solid laptops.

 

[mississaugasnow]

On 5/28/2025 at 11:37 AM, roardog said:

What is up with these Canadian wildfires every May? I understand a couple of years ago when Canada had that record or near record warm May. That would obviously cause the snow to melt and everything to dry up but not greened up yet. This year, the majority of Canada has had below normal temperatures this month. It seems all it takes anymore is a few “warm” days and you have spontaneous combustion of the forests. Are warmer and shorter winters causing more vegetation that then goes dormant for the winter allowing more fuel for the fires?

Nah its been really hot in Northern Canada (Northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, NWT) Hay River NWT just broke the all time May record for the Territory with a high of 94F and there was still ice on the lake. 

 

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/weather/forecasts/record-breaking-heat-reaches-canadas-far-north-as-temperatures-soar-to-nearly-35-degrees