'Loydster's Ramblings' ---- Episode 10!!!

 

Another month ZIPS on past! AND--- what-do-you-know?--- here at the end of it.... ANOTHER episode of the pod-cast!!! This, as promised / threatened-- will be the last of the series, at least for now! 

Along with pretty much having said MOST of what I've wanted to say--- or blab about--- in these pod-cast episodes,  I've also found it's getting ever-increasingly TOUGH to carve out a chunk of time to put these episodes together! I have a daughter getting herself hitched next month, remember? That upcoming event's been gobbling-up more & more of whatever spare time I have! AND-- as the 'big day' (and it's related events: reception, etc...) draws closer, the so-called 'spare time' just keeps getting more and more TEENY-TINY!!!

So---- anyway-yay, for the LAST time (for NOW at least!).... here's 'ol Loydster, blabbin' away about something he's all GEEK-TASTIC over! This time its-----

SO---- just what the heck are you waiting for??? Scroll down yonder, point-and-click--- and get yourself the LAST (at least for the time-being!) of some 'Loydster-yakkin'!!!!-----

                                                                             ONE more Loydster-blab-session!

      

(for the POD-CAST, that is!--- I'll be BACK, sometime next month gang----with a 'regular' post!---consider yourselves warned!)

A long history of 'personalizing' stuff!

 

A 'Loyd-logo' from one of my old tool-boxes. Still have the 'box, though the logo's not in all that great a shape anymore! (see more images of when it was 'fresh', below!)

You can thank my 'significant other'--- the Lovely  Mrs. Debbie, for helping to inspire the subject of this here post! It all started, while I was tinkering around recently, with a 'tool-bag'. One I'd decided to convert to a 'gadget-bag', for carrying a tablet and other items, that I use on my breaks at work.

Like I sometimes do--- I got kinda carried away--- with all of the little doo-dads and gee-gaws, that I ended up attaching to this thing! That's when the wifey, witnessing all the above mentioned 'tinkering' (using our printer / scanner, to come up with some of the more unique images... breaking out the 'ol trusty E-6000 glue to attach most of the stuff to the bag, etc...)--- muttered, in that somewhat irritated way she does with me sometimes: 'you and these obsessions of yours!'

'Hey', I responded--- like the 'over-grown kid' that I (quite PROUDLY) am--- 'I'm just doing what I ALWAYS do.... 'personalizing' stuff! So EVERYONE doesn't have to guess who this belongs to--- or just what kind of things I'm all GEEKY about!' Anyway-yay, here's how the newly-christened 'gadget-bag' turned out!----

Any guesses as to just exactly WHAT things 'ol Loydster's GEEKED-OUT about? The stuff on this bag let's it be known pretty well, I think!

After that little conversation --- I started thinking back to other times I've added the 'Loydster-personal-touch' to stuff! Things like not ONLY tool-bags (AND tool-boxes!)--- but, putting my 'personal stamp' on whole areas where I've  worked, at various jobs over the years! Fortunately, I've snapped-off some pics at a couple of former places of employment---if nothing else, just to prove what a completely SHAMELESS-SUPER-GEEK that I've been!----

This tool-box, which I had to purchase, and bring into an aerospace-related company I worked for, back in 2008---- was one of the first times I tried to put most EVERYTHING on a work-related item, that I'd been all NERDY about over the years! Some of the images were 'home-made-magnets', some were simply glued-on to the box!

'Gee, I wonder just WHO this tool-box belongs too???'

From 2014 to just this past January, I worked as a painter at a vending company in Tulsa-- painting & refurbishing their vending machines and other equipment. After a fairly short time, THIS is what the paint-booth area & my tool-box looked like! This company furnished the tool-box, by the way! Good thing my bosses were pretty laid-back! OR--- they at least maybe understood my GEEKY-NESS!

The top of that same 'Painter's tool-box'!

A little closer look at the front of the 'box.

Just a little 'subtle reminder' to folks at the vending company--- whenever they'd feel like wanting to 'push' me to go faster, and 'produce more'! Doing a quality paint-job, is a 'time-intensive' process! This is a 'custom'-sticker ---I put on a shelf next to the paint-booth. It saved me from having to REPEAT this phrase over-and-over! (Though I STILL ended up saying it an AWFUL LOT!)

This 'tissue-box-cover', came about just because I was bored from looking at the same old 'generic-looking' tissue-boxes day-in and day-out! Blue masking tape, and black & silver paint-pens-- took all the boredom out of blowing my nose!

Some portable speakers I used, toward the end of my time at the vending company. The blue tape with flames was used again, this time to cover a nasty scratch on the 'bass' speaker!

So..... like anybody that's been following along with me here (for ANY length of time!) would NEED any more proof  that I'm the 'over-grown kiddo' that I'm ALWAYS gonna be--- well.... here's some more proof anyway!

Just because one has to work for a living, doesn't mean one can't at least make SOME of the work-environment a little more 'friendly'! It's ALWAYS helped me, over all the years I've been an 'ol 'working stiff'--- to have something near me that I can look at, that brings a smile to my face! 

I've also been blessed / fortunate, to have been able to work at places where they've let me express myself like I have--- SEVERAL times over the years! My little bit of SANITY that I've been able to hold onto---- is I'm SURE, thanks to that!

                                                   Stay safe, sane and HAPPY 'til next time gang!

'Loydster's Ramblings' ---- Episode 9!!!

   

Once AGAIN---- ready or NOT! Here's yet ANOTHER 'audio-assault' / 'verbal-blitz', from the 'ol Loydster! This time around, I'm waxing all SUPER-GEEKY-- about one of my ALL-TIME favorite vehicles. (NOT the Ford Mustang! That'll be ANOTHER 'geek-out-fest', for a post in the ---hopefully not TOO-far-distant-- future! Though, probably not a pod-cast---'Loydster's Ramblings' is going into 'deep-cold-storage' after next month, remember?)---- 

AND--- here's a little 'pictorial-help', to go along with all the 'classic-Corvette-blabbin'!--- My 'top-6-fave-'Vettes' list!----

        

1. The '57 'Vette. (And yes, I know the pic above, as well as the one of the '62, is REVERSED!)

2. The '62 'Vette. (See comment above!)

3. The '63 Stingray 'split-window'. ('TIMELESS CLASSIC'! 'Nuff said!)

4. The '68 Stingray.

5. The '84 'Vette.

6. The 2014 Stingray. Return of the 'Stingray' name, return of some TRULY wicked body lines!

AND---- A 'supplemental' / 'additonal-COOL-rides' list! The collection of pics above, (as well as my blab-session below--of COURSE!) includes 3 of my ALL-time favorite 'concept' / 'dream-'Vettes'!!--

A--The '59 Sting Ray concept vehicle. One wild-and-wooly, radically-racy-looking vehicle! Looks FAST just sitting still, doesn't it??? This WAY-ahead-of-it's-time car (and the '63 'vette-body-style that came after it!), was actually inspired by a sketch, drawn-up by Mr. Pete Brock, another Chevy design genius! 

Along with design-team head Bill Mitchell AND the equally gifted Larry Shinoda--- Brock was one of the 'fathers' of the '63-'67 Corvette. I regret not giving the credit to Mitchell and Brock in the pod-cast! ANOTHER 'Loydster-GOOF' sneaks into one of these little 'audio-epics'! Hey--- I just would NOT be ME, if I didn't fumble over a fact-toid now and then!

B--The  1965, Larry Shinoda-designed, 'Mako Shark 2'. Looks like a Super hero's car, right? (And--yes, I know there was a previous concept 'Vette-- the original 'Mako Shark', that made it's debut in '61. BUT-- it's the '65 / 'Shark 2', that's ALWAYS grabbed me and made me 'geek-out' the  MOST!)           

C--The 2009 'Stingray' concept 'Vette. It even had a 'spilt-window'---like the '63 model! Too bad this one was never 'mass-produced'! WILD, almost-cartoony-but-STILL-cool stuff!

That's PLENTY of introductory-type material! On with the 'Loydster-yimmer-yammering'! Scroll on down below, and do that pointing-and-clicking routine, to either listen right-here-and-now-- OR down-load it, if you're the 'saving & collecting' type!----

 

   A 9th edition of 'Loyd-a-blabbin'!

 

-----See you sometime in September, gang!-----

Our GROWN-UP kids and their soon-to-be spouses!

 Once AGAIN here at the 'ol blog-a-wog-a-wing-a-ding-thing---- I'm gonna discuss something that, in at least SOME ways, makes me feel a little like THIS GUY!!!----

                                   

Of the MANY things that can make a fella feel like an old duffer..... witnessing your kids become grown-ups is surely in the TOP ten! Our daughter, Shelby--- who's now 25--- and son Wade-- now 23---Are DEFINITELY not little tykes anymore! Just check-out the image below for PROOF of that! I'm the one in the middle, with all the WHITE in my whiskers, by the way!---

Two young folks and some old dude!

BUT---- the upside to this all-TOO-rapid passing of time? If you've put all of your BEST efforts into raising these now pretty much grown young people to become decent and responsible adults--- (and with the good Lord's help --of COURSE!-- their mother and I have managed to do just that!)--- these young folks will manage to find that just RIGHT 'significant other'! A partner they can move into the next phase of their life with. The 'all-grown-up-and-married-phase'! (Just made-up that term myself!)

Shelby first met up with her 'number-one-bestest-guy', Trent--- over 5 years ago. He's about the BEST type of young man I could ask for in a future son-in-law! Low-key, soft-spoken and EVER-so polite--- he's never been anything but a real young gentleman around Debbie and myself.

Shelby and Trent will officially 'tie-the-knot' in mid-October of this year, but--- as I told Trent when he and our daughter first got engaged--- he's ALREADY been a member of the family! I'm VERY proud to consider him a part of the 'Ferrell-clan'!

Wade and his sweetie, Chloe-- have been together for a bit over 2 years now. They've been engaged since last month. Wade even got down on one knee, while presenting her with the engagement ring and all that 'old-school' stuff!

Yet again, as with Trent--- I've got to say I couldn't ask for a better choice for a person to become my kid's partner in life! Chloe's been nothing but a TRUE sweetheart with us! AND-- she's even went on a few 'GEEK-outings' with Wade and I (TWO super hero movies, AND a trip to a vintage action-figure store! Not many young ladies would be brave enough to dive-off into all of that!), so she's scored BIG-TIME points with the 'ol Loydster just for THAT!

Here's a recent pic of the two young couples all together! (And--- amazingly enough-- it looks like they all actually kinda like each other too! NIFTY!)----

Shelby & Trent & Wade & Chloe! The 'Ferrell-clan' is about grow by two more members!

Seriously though, I feel REALLY fortunate and yes, even BLESSED! Both of my kids have managed-- again, with the good Lord's help (I believe!)--- to find a person they want to enter into a 'Life-partnership' with, that REALLY love & care for them! I sense that with BOTH Trent AND Chloe. 

With all of the MESSED-up relationships that young folks can get into out there, I'm VERY relieved that my two special young people, were guided toward some other special young folks, that will love and care for them--- like they DESERVE to be! 

To Shelby and Wade: (AND---their future-spouses!)-- 'Ol Loydster.... your 'ol DAD.... is VERY proud of you! ALL 4 of you! I wish nothing but good fortune and blessings to BOTH couples! May you all have a LONG, happy life together!

Hey--- maybe I don't mind the whole getting older thing so much after all! I'm still here and kicking--- AND--- I've been able to see my kids get hooked-up with EXACTLY the RIGHT people! Not so bad!

'Loydster's Ramblings' ---- Episode 8!!!

 

Yet ANOTHER month's ZIPPED nearly past--- and ready or not!!--- another episode of crunchy-GEEKY-goodness, featuring yours truly yakking about stuff he's all NERDY about! This time, I'm rattling on about pretty much my all-time FAVORITE set of crime-fighting-wheels! There MAY even be one or two of you out there, who are asking the BURNING question---

Before we dive off into the handy-dandy link-to-the-blab-session down below--- here's a few images that relate to what the 'ol Loydster's yammering about!---

 

T-shirts featuring the Caped Crusader's trusty steed, and License plate-frames that show-off my SHAMELESS love for that certain 'Bat-themed vehicle'! (NO-- I don't REALLY own another car that's a Batmobile! But MAN--- that would INDEED be cool if I somehow---magically---were able to, wouldn't it?!?!)

There were actually TWO Batmobiles in the 'Batman' comics of the early '60s. The 1964 version, was of course, designed / drawn by the legendary carmine Infantino (It's got kind-of a 'Jaguar' groove to it! Pretty COOL!).
Then, there's the unfortunate-looking BEAST on the right above, that I talk about in this episode! Poor 'Shelly' Moldoff--- he was alright, as a penciller of the adventures of the Dynamic Duo for MANY years! BUT--- a 'Batmobile-design-genius'? NOT exactly! (Sorry Mr. Moldoff!)

The animation-- up near the top of this here post ---on the episode's title-card, pretty much let's you KNOW that there's NO secret, as to just WHICH 'bat-ride' is my ALL-TIME favorite! Most fans of the '66 car, know that it started out as the 'Futura' concept car. The above pics (just like I blab about in the episode!) ---show how the car went from 'dream-car', to 'crime-fighter'!

Another 'fun-fact'--- Ford motor company let George Barris have this one-of-a-kind car (the 'Futura', that is!) ... for ONE DOLLAR! Truly unbelievable (BUT---it's TRUE!) !

AND---- here's the 'runner's up' / honorable mentions-list of 'Bat-rides'! Although, as I say in the episode, I'm not a big fan of the 'Tumbler-Batmobile's design / appearance--- I still can appreciate the the AMAZING amount of engineering and thought that went into it's creation!

The WILD 'Bat-pod' (that CRAZY two-wheeled beast from the 'Dark knight' flicks!), also came from part of the Tumbler's design. Another AMAZING feat of design and engineering itself! 

Alrighty then! That's PLENTY of build-up to this month's episode! Let's get on with the blab-o-rama about that certain 'crime-CRUSHING-car', shall we? Do all the usual 'pointing-and-clicking', and do that whole 'listening-thang' that you can do here once-a-month!---

                                                                           An 8th episode of Loyd-a-blabbin'!

           See you all back here next time around gang!

Loyd's BONUS video-clip!!--- # 44!!--- Yet ANOTHER couple of REALLY-NEAT-O 'Bat-items'!

 

Once AGAIN, one of my favorite 'UBER-GEEKS', Mr. Adam Savage--- has managed to showcase something both VERY COOL... and, once AGAIN-- 'Bat-related'! This time it's the 'spear-gun' from the '89 and '92 'Batman' movies (though it, as they point out in the video-clip--- is only used for ONE scene in the 2nd flick!)!

A couple of other kinda-cool things about this 'screen-used' prop.... it actually WORKS! AND---it's unrestored. It's in pretty decent shape, for something used in a movie made over 30 years ago! He checks out one of the 'Bat-chest-symbols', from the '89 movie as well! As you can imagine--- I was doing a little 'GEEK-happy-dance', while watching this! 

Also--- watch for a few other REALLY nifty comics-character-movie / TV-show items, in the video's opening moments!----

Like I've said here before folks--- check out the various videos Mr. Savage has posted up on YouTube. Some of the stuff he's showcased in his 'cave' (his actual nick-name for it!), as well as the things / projects that he works on in his 'one day build' videos, are pretty much mind-blowing! Fun, entertaining stuff!