On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > >>>> later.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > >>>> place.
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > >>>> of all).
> > >>>>
> > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > >>>>
> > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > >>>>
> > >>>> :-)
> > >>>
> > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > >>>
> > >>> :-)"
> > >>>
> > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > >>
> > >> No, Liarboy.
> > >>
> > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > >>
> > >>>
> > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > >>
> > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > >
> > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > >
> >
> > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> >
> > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> >
> > :-D
> $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
>
> I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
>
> 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)

Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s

-hh

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > >>>> later.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > >>>> place.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > >>>> of all).
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> :-)
> > > >>>
> > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > >>>
> > > >>> :-)"
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > >>
> > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > >>
> > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > >>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > >>
> > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > >
> > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > >
> > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > >
> > > :-D
> > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> >
> > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> >
> > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
>
> -hh

Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal. I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.

On 2024-02-08 18:06, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
>> On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
>>> On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
>>>> On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
>>>>> On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
>>>>>>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new
>>>>>>>> RF98, so I thought I'd provide an update.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing
>>>>>>>> instruction to novice trackday participants, I ran my
>>>>>>>> Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch break at Mission
>>>>>>>> Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
>>>>>>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before
>>>>>>>> the next race, rather than discover them during the
>>>>>>>> practice session Saturday morning with the need to have
>>>>>>>> them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
>>>>>>>> later.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few
>>>>>>>> minor issues (such as a little extra slop in the gear
>>>>>>>> linkage cured by adding more appropriate, shanked bolts
>>>>>>>> and proper saddle washers), completely replacing the
>>>>>>>> brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
>>>>>>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown
>>>>>>>> run.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a
>>>>>>>> session for trying changes to the car; just a chance to
>>>>>>>> find any problems with time to resolve them before the
>>>>>>>> first race.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was
>>>>>>>> exactly as advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount
>>>>>>>> lateral instability at top speed which is probably just
>>>>>>>> a fresh alignment away from correction, and the shop
>>>>>>>> which installed the new engine before the car was sold
>>>>>>>> to me definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil,
>>>>>>>> but we took care of that before we'd even finished
>>>>>>>> unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced
>>>>>>>> with one that wasn't the proper length, so we had to
>>>>>>>> temporarily tape that panel into place.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it
>>>>>>>> sits in the garage right now. I have good information
>>>>>>>> from an experience prep shop for starting settings for
>>>>>>>> spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber and
>>>>>>>> caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop
>>>>>>>> to get its first alignment; mostly because I need to
>>>>>>>> fabricate a few things before I can do an alignment
>>>>>>>> myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most of
>>>>>>>> all).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> And... ...it feels fast.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the
>>>>>>>> Kents is that the Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in
>>>>>>>> at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are run without a rev
>>>>>>>> limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
>>>>>>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev
>>>>>>>> limiter in every conceivable situation, while the
>>>>>>>> Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly shorter ratio,
>>>>>>>> knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow"
>>>>>>>> down the longest straight, they can allow the engine to
>>>>>>>> rev past the optimum for short lengths of time. This is
>>>>>>>> one of the reasons that Kents have a small advantage at
>>>>>>>> tracks with long straights (along with slightly greater
>>>>>>>> top-end power).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear,
>>>>>>>> and even before trying to put together a full-on lap, I
>>>>>>>> was seeing speeds very near the rev limit before
>>>>>>>> braking for turn one.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the
>>>>>>>> racing season could be a lot of fun!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> :-)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the
>>>>>>> racing season could be a lot of fun!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> :-)"
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No, Liarboy.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas.
>>>>>> If it comes through, I'm taking it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will
>>>>>>> probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
>>>>>
>>>>> And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean
>>>> missing the racing season, but at least half of my hockey
>>>> season, and Christmas with my family in all likelihood, but
>>>> also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a day, 6 days a week for
>>>> about 6 months.
>>>>
>>>> Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
>>>>
>>>> :-D
>>> $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn
>>> good 6 months for a college drop-out.
>>>
>>> I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000
>>> a day + expenses for at least the next 6 months, and I can do it
>>> from here. At 5 days a week you do the math. Then add in my $145k
>>> pension and investment base income.
>>>
>>> 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
>> Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
>>
>> -hh
>
> Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but
> it fizzled because the multiple clients could not agree on an
> approach. Income was on that one was nominal. I did land a different
> project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and ran over into
> 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.

You are very good with excuses... ...dick.

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:06:43 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > > >>>> later.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > > >>>> place.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > > >>>> of all).
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > >>>>
> > > > >>>> :-)
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>> :-)"
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > > >>
> > > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > > >>
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > > >>
> > > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > > >
> > > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > > >
> > > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > > >
> > > > :-D
> > > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> > >
> > > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> > >
> > > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> >
> > Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
> >
> > -hh
>
> Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
> the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.

Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.

As ed pointed out to you, WTF?

The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
taken together sum to $145K.

Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.

> I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
> ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.

On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2:49:34 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:06:43 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > > > >>>> later.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > > > >>>> place.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > > > >>>> of all).
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > >>>>
> > > > > >>>> :-)
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> :-)"
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > > > >
> > > > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > > > >
> > > > > :-D
> > > > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> > > >
> > > > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > > > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > > > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> > > >
> > > > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> > >
> > > Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
> > >
> > > -hh
> >
> > Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
> > the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.
> Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
> and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
> wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.
>
> As ed pointed out to you, WTF?
>
> The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
> implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
> income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
> taken together sum to $145K.
>
> Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
> around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
> counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
> such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.
> > I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
> > ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.
> Which was much lower in total vs its prior potential, plus “billings” is a gross, not net,
> so it is not actual real, take-home income like the other numbers. Deduct off a few
> business trips, add overhead, and the balance left remaining for real net income is …?
> /s
>
> -hh

On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:32:52 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2:49:34 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:06:43 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > > > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > > > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > > > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > > > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > > > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > > > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > > > > >>>> later.
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > > > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > > > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > > > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > > > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run..
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > > > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > > > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > > > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > > > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > > > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > > > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > > > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > > > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > > > > >>>> place.
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > > > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > > > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > > > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > > > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > > > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > > > > >>>> of all).
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > > > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > > > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > > > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > > > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > > > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > > > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > > > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > > > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > > > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > > > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > > > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > >>>> :-)
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> :-)"
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > > > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > > > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > > > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > > > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > :-D
> > > > > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> > > > >
> > > > > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > > > > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > > > > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> > > >
> > > > Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
> > > >
> > > > -hh
> > >
> > > Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
> > > the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.
> >
> > Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
> > and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
> > wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.
> >
> > As ed pointed out to you, WTF?
> >
> > The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
> > implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
> > income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
> > taken together sum to $145K.
> >
> > Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
> > around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
> > counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
> > such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.
> >
> > > I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
> > > ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.
> >
> > Which was much lower in total vs its prior potential, plus “billings” is a gross, not net,
> > so it is not actual real, take-home income like the other numbers. Deduct off a few
> > business trips, add overhead, and the balance left remaining for real net income is …?
> > /s
> >
>
> OH MY GOD! Ask questions before you make assumptions. I retired in 2003, remember?

On 2024-02-12 08:32, Thomas E. wrote:

>>> Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
>>> the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.
>> Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
>> and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
>> wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.
>>
>> As ed pointed out to you, WTF?
>>
>> The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
>> implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
>> income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
>> taken together sum to $145K.
>>
>> Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
>> around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
>> counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
>> such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.
>>> I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
>>> ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.
>> Which was much lower in total vs its prior potential, plus “billings” is a gross, not net,
>> so it is not actual real, take-home income like the other numbers. Deduct off a few
>> business trips, add overhead, and the balance left remaining for real net income is …?
>> /s
>>
>> -hh
>
> OH MY GOD! Ask questions before you make assumptions.

You have GOT to be kidding, dick.

On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:39:36 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:32:52 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2:49:34 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:06:43 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > > > > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > > > > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > > > > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > > > > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > > > > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > > > > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > > > > > >>>> later.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > > > > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > > > > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > > > > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > > > > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > > > > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > > > > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > > > > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > > > > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > > > > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > > > > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > > > > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > > > > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > > > > > >>>> place.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > > > > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > > > > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > > > > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > > > > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > > > > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > > > > > >>>> of all).
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > > > > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > > > > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > > > > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > > > > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > > > > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > > > > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > > > > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > > > > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > > > > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > > > > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > > > > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> :-)
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> :-)"
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > > > > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > > > > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > > > > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > > > > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > :-D
> > > > > > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > > > > > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > > > > > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> > > > >
> > > > > Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
> > > > >
> > > > > -hh
> > > >
> > > > Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
> > > > the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.
> > >
> > > Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
> > > and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
> > > wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.
> > >
> > > As ed pointed out to you, WTF?
> > >
> > > The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
> > > implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
> > > income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
> > > taken together sum to $145K.
> > >
> > > Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
> > > around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
> > > counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
> > > such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.
> > >
> > > > I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
> > > > ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.
> > >
> > > Which was much lower in total vs its prior potential, plus “billings” is a gross, not net,
> > > so it is not actual real, take-home income like the other numbers. Deduct off a few
> > > business trips, add overhead, and the balance left remaining for real net income is …?
> > > /s
> > >
> >
> > OH MY GOD! Ask questions before you make assumptions. I retired in 2003, remember?
> No, you lost your job in 2003, and the severance package was $240K in cash (2 years
> of salary), plus a pension...which we've since learned was perhaps just $45K.
> > Even before retirement the options expired 10 years after issue. It was 5 years to
> > expiration from the day I retired. So in 2018 those options had been gone for 10 years.
> > Those expiration periods are somewhat standard. Have you ever received an employer
> > stock option? Do you even know how they work?
> Yes, we've had such options ... and have sold very little of them, so they're currently
> spinning off around $1K/mo in dividends.
>
> In any event, Stock Options was merely one of several ways that an annual income
> can have a transient bump up, so the lack of any remaining options on your part
> doesn't make it impossible for you to have income from the others...which you then
> admit to after your whining:
> > The RMD income started in 2016 (1946+70). That's the 2018 difference. You can
> > call it a 401k pension or investment income. I think of it both ways.
> Having a 401k is a retirement benefit, as it is tax-advantaged, but I'd never refer to
> it as a 'pension' regardless of additional modifiers because its a present value cash
> balance and structurally not an annuity, nor anything close to one.
> > That last project involved no travel or overhead, it was 100% billable hours.
> > The number is IRS-basis net income that does include some expenses that
> > are not deductible unless you have a home office and have a positive gross margin.
> Both of which you do have, which means you could have dumped into your 401k
> rather than to take it now as taxable income.
> > Yes, the project that fell through could have been worth at least twice that.
> > The operative word was "could". We will never know, will we?
> Same as your rampant speculation attempts on Alan's income.
>
> -hh

On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:39:36 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:32:52 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2:49:34 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:06:43 PM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > > > > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > > > > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > > > > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > > > > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > > > > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > > > > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > > > > > >>>> later.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > > > > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > > > > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > > > > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > > > > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > > > > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > > > > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > > > > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > > > > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > > > > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > > > > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > > > > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > > > > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > > > > > >>>> place.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > > > > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > > > > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > > > > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > > > > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > > > > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > > > > > >>>> of all).
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > > > > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > > > > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > > > > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > > > > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > > > > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > > > > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > > > > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > > > > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > > > > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > > > > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > > > > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > >>>> :-)
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> :-)"
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > > > > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > > > > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > > > > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > > > > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > :-D
> > > > > > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > > > > > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > > > > > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> > > > >
> > > > > Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
> > > > >
> > > > > -hh
> > > >
> > > > Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
> > > > the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.
> > >
> > > Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
> > > and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
> > > wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.
> > >
> > > As ed pointed out to you, WTF?
> > >
> > > The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
> > > implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
> > > income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
> > > taken together sum to $145K.
> > >
> > > Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
> > > around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
> > > counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
> > > such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.
> > >
> > > > I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
> > > > ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.
> > >
> > > Which was much lower in total vs its prior potential, plus “billings” is a gross, not net,
> > > so it is not actual real, take-home income like the other numbers. Deduct off a few
> > > business trips, add overhead, and the balance left remaining for real net income is …?
> > > /s
> > >
> >
> > OH MY GOD! Ask questions before you make assumptions. I retired in 2003, remember?
> No, you lost your job in 2003, and the severance package was $240K in cash (2 years
> of salary), plus a pension...which we've since learned was perhaps just $45K.

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:13:36 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:39:36 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:32:52 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2:49:34 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:06:43 PM UTC-5, Thomas E.. wrote:
> > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > > > > > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > > > > > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > > > > > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > > > > > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > > > > > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > > > > > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > > > > > > >>>> later.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > > > > > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > > > > > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > > > > > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > > > > > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > > > > > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > > > > > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > > > > > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > > > > > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > > > > > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > > > > > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > > > > > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > > > > > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > > > > > > >>>> place.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > > > > > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > > > > > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > > > > > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > > > > > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > > > > > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > > > > > > >>>> of all).
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > > > > > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > > > > > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > > > > > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > > > > > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > > > > > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > > > > > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > > > > > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > > > > > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > > > > > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > > > > > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > > > > > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> :-)"
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > > > > > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > > > > > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > > > > > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > > > > > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > :-D
> > > > > > > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > > > > > > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > > > > > > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -hh
> > > > >
> > > > > Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
> > > > > the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.
> > > >
> > > > Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
> > > > and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
> > > > wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.
> > > >
> > > > As ed pointed out to you, WTF?
> > > >
> > > > The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
> > > > implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
> > > > income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
> > > > taken together sum to $145K.
> > > >
> > > > Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
> > > > around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
> > > > counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
> > > > such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.
> > > >
> > > > > I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
> > > > > ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.
> > > >
> > > > Which was much lower in total vs its prior potential, plus “billings” is a gross, not net,
> > > > so it is not actual real, take-home income like the other numbers. Deduct off a few
> > > > business trips, add overhead, and the balance left remaining for real net income is …?
> > > > /s
> > > >
> > >
> > > OH MY GOD! Ask questions before you make assumptions. I retired in 2003, remember?
> >
> > No, you lost your job in 2003, and the severance package was $240K in cash (2 years
> > of salary), plus a pension...which we've since learned was perhaps just $45K.
> >
> > > Even before retirement the options expired 10 years after issue. It was 5 years to
> > > expiration from the day I retired. So in 2018 those options had been gone for 10 years.
> > > Those expiration periods are somewhat standard. Have you ever received an employer
> > > stock option? Do you even know how they work?
> >
> > Yes, we've had such options ... and have sold very little of them, so they're currently
> > spinning off around $1K/mo in dividends.
> >
> > In any event, Stock Options was merely one of several ways that an annual income
> > can have a transient bump up, so the lack of any remaining options on your part
> > doesn't make it impossible for you to have income from the others...which you then
> > admit to after your whining:
> >
> > > The RMD income started in 2016 (1946+70). That's the 2018 difference. You can
> > > call it a 401k pension or investment income. I think of it both ways.
> > Having a 401k is a retirement benefit, as it is tax-advantaged, but I'd never refer to
> >
> > it as a 'pension' regardless of additional modifiers because its a present value cash
> > balance and structurally not an annuity, nor anything close to one.
> >
> > > That last project involved no travel or overhead, it was 100% billable hours.
> > > The number is IRS-basis net income that does include some expenses that
> > > are not deductible unless you have a home office and have a positive gross margin.
> >
> > Both of which you do have, which means you could have dumped into your 401k
> > rather than to take it now as taxable income.
> >
> > > Yes, the project that fell through could have been worth at least twice that.
> > > The operative word was "could". We will never know, will we?
> >
> > Same as your rampant speculation attempts on Alan's income.
> >
>
> Actually, I have hard evidence from 2018 forward in my possession that all is not well
> with Alan's finances. I promised Alan I would never show that to anyone, including you.

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 7:30:18 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:39:36 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > On Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:32:52 AM UTC-5, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2:49:34 AM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:06:43 PM UTC-5, Thomas E.. wrote:
> > > > > On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30:16 PM UTC-5, -hh wrote:
> > > > > > On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 4:46:21 PM UTC-4, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 4:54:55 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > > On 2018-06-04 1:50 PM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > > On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 12:04:52 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > > >> On 2018-06-04 6:37 AM, Thomas E. wrote:
> > > > > > > > >>> On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:10:04 PM UTC-4, Alan Baker wrote:
> > > > > > > > >>>> I know that there are people eager for news of my new RF98, so I thought
> > > > > > > > >>>> I'd provide an update.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> Yesterday, in return for offering road racing instruction to novice
> > > > > > > > >>>> trackday participants, I ran my Van Diemen RF98 Honda during the lunch
> > > > > > > > >>>> break at Mission Raceway Park. I thought it would be better to discover
> > > > > > > > >>>> any issues with the car three and a half weeks before the next race,
> > > > > > > > >>>> rather than discover them during the practice session Saturday morning
> > > > > > > > >>>> with the need to have them resolved before qualifying just 115 minutes
> > > > > > > > >>>> later.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> So after going through the car's systems, fixing a few minor issues
> > > > > > > > >>>> (such as a little extra slop in the gear linkage cured by adding more
> > > > > > > > >>>> appropriate, shanked bolts and proper saddle washers), completely
> > > > > > > > >>>> replacing the brake and clutch fluid, flushing and replacing the
> > > > > > > > >>>> coolant, we packed up the car for an initial shakedown run.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> With only 20 minutes running time, this wasn't a session for trying
> > > > > > > > >>>> changes to the car; just a chance to find any problems with time to
> > > > > > > > >>>> resolve them before the first race.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> Only... ...there weren't any problems! The car was exactly as
> > > > > > > > >>>> advertised. OK... ...there was a tiny amount lateral instability at top
> > > > > > > > >>>> speed which is probably just a fresh alignment away from correction, and
> > > > > > > > >>>> the shop which installed the new engine before the car was sold to me
> > > > > > > > >>>> definitely put in too heavy a weight engine oil, but we took care of
> > > > > > > > >>>> that before we'd even finished unpacking the trailer back at the garage.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> Oh! There was one Dzus fastener that had been replaced with one that
> > > > > > > > >>>> wasn't the proper length, so we had to temporarily tape that panel into
> > > > > > > > >>>> place.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> However, I would run the car without hesitation as it sits in the garage
> > > > > > > > >>>> right now. I have good information from an experience prep shop for
> > > > > > > > >>>> starting settings for spring rates, anti-roll bars, ride heights, camber
> > > > > > > > >>>> and caster, and the car will be taken to a specialty shop to get its
> > > > > > > > >>>> first alignment; mostly because I need to fabricate a few things before
> > > > > > > > >>>> I can do an alignment myself (new brackets for the alignment bars, most
> > > > > > > > >>>> of all).
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> And... ...it feels fast.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> One area where the Honda-engined cars differ from the Kents is that the
> > > > > > > > >>>> Honda has a rev limiter which cuts in at 6750 rpm whereas most Kents are
> > > > > > > > >>>> run without a rev limiter. So when selecting a top gear, Honda cars must
> > > > > > > > >>>> choose a ratio which will keep the car below the rev limiter in every
> > > > > > > > >>>> conceivable situation, while the Kent-engined FFs can choose a slightly
> > > > > > > > >>>> shorter ratio, knowing that if they do happen to get a good "tow" down
> > > > > > > > >>>> the longest straight, they can allow the engine to rev past the optimum
> > > > > > > > >>>> for short lengths of time. This is one of the reasons that Kents have a
> > > > > > > > >>>> small advantage at tracks with long straights (along with slightly
> > > > > > > > >>>> greater top-end power).
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> But even having to choose that slightly taller gear, and even before
> > > > > > > > >>>> trying to put together a full-on lap, I was seeing speeds very near the
> > > > > > > > >>>> rev limit before braking for turn one.
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > > >>>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > > >>>>
> > > > > > > > >>>> :-)
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> "If I'm in town to enjoy it, I think the rest of the racing season could
> > > > > > > > >>> be a lot of fun!
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> :-)"
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> Already making excuses for no-shows!!!!!
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> No, Liarboy.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> I've got an opportunity for a six month contract overseas. If it comes
> > > > > > > > >> through, I'm taking it.
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > > > >>> Chicken-shit Baker is afraid to run the new toy! He will probably find a way to break even a Honda engine!
> > > > > > > > >>
> > > > > > > > >> You simpleton, what do you think the video was?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > And miss the whole season. How utterly convenient.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Very inconvenient in point of fact—not only would it mean missing the
> > > > > > > > racing season, but at least half of my hockey season, and Christmas with
> > > > > > > > my family in all likelihood, but also very lucrative. About $1,000USD a
> > > > > > > > day, 6 days a week for about 6 months.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Do the math. That will pay for a lot of future racing.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > :-D
> > > > > > > $156,000 is bit less than I made all last year, and a pretty darn good 6 months for a college drop-out.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I just signed a contract for project that could pay about $2,000 a day + expenses for
> > > > > > > at least the next 6 months, and I can do it from here. At 5 days a week you do the math.
> > > > > > > Then add in my $145k pension and investment base income.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > 2018 taxes could be pretty awful for both of us. :)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Just in case Tommy wants to deny that he made this claim... /s
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -hh
> > > > >
> > > > > Actually, we don't know if Alan's project came through. Mine did, but it fizzled because
> > > > > the multiple clients could not agree on an approach. Income was on that one was nominal.
> > > >
> > > > Not the point. The point was that here in 2018, you claimed “my $145K pension
> > > > and investment base income.”, yet in 2024, you claimed that your pension, plus your
> > > > wife’s pension, and both of your SS checks combined now sum to only $100K.
> > > >
> > > > As ed pointed out to you, WTF?
> > > >
> > > > The slight of hand appears to have been the just-ambiguous-enough phrasing which
> > > > implied a pension of $145K, plus an unspecified additional amount of investment
> > > > income, instead of the reading of it as a pension & investments income(s) which
> > > > taken together sum to $145K.
> > > >
> > > > Given your propensities, the latter is more likely. Particularly as 2018 would have
> > > > around the onset of RMDs of former employer 401k. Plus the phrasing allows for
> > > > counting of discretionary (& greater-than-RMD) transactions, and of “one-shots”,
> > > > such as the exercising of an old/expiring stock options, Roth conversions, etc.
> > > >
> > > > > I did land a different project though. It did not kick off until late 2019 and
> > > > > ran over into 2020. Total billings were over $100k. It was my last major project.
> > > >
> > > > Which was much lower in total vs its prior potential, plus “billings” is a gross, not net,
> > > > so it is not actual real, take-home income like the other numbers. Deduct off a few
> > > > business trips, add overhead, and the balance left remaining for real net income is …?
> > > > /s
> > > >
> > >
> > > OH MY GOD! Ask questions before you make assumptions. I retired in 2003, remember?
> >
> > No, you lost your job in 2003, and the severance package was $240K in cash (2 years
> > of salary), plus a pension...which we've since learned was perhaps just $45K.
>
> If you remember there was a 2021 divorce.