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Title: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 10, 2018, 04:11:16 PM
Just got power back. Power went out at around 5:30 am on Thursday according a neighbor.

Huge number of trees down in my town. I hear it was worse in Bob Leonard’s town.

Bob, if you get on line and need help, let me know. Actually, if any of you are in the metro west area of Boston (between I95 & I495 and need help, let me know. I have chain saws and generators and submersible pumps.

We had it better than most. I have a standby generator that handles the important stuff so we were comfy. I judge by the frost lines on the propane tanks that I have another 3 days or more of fuel for it.

Thursday after lunch I walked down the street with a bunch of neighbors to look at the wreckage. Our street was somewhat passable thought not plowed. When we got to the next street we found out why... a 24” oak was down across the street. Plows could not pass.

I went back home and loaded my chain saw in the truck and proceeded to cut my way down to the oak. Then I started in on it. Deryl, my wife, dragged branches. In a bit, the neighbors that owned the tree came out with their saw and the 4 of us went at it. Soon, more folks joined in. Two and half hours later we had cleared it sufficient for emergency vehicles to get in and for us to get out.

Tomorrow I plan to go harvest some firewood.



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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on March 10, 2018, 05:13:39 PM
Just got power back. Power went out at around 5:30 am on Thursday according a neighbor.

Huge number of trees down in my town. I hear it was worse in Bob Leonard’s town.

Bob, if you get on line and need help, let me know. Actually, if any of you are in the metro west area of Boston (between I95 & I495 and need help, let me know. I have chain saws and generators and submersible pumps.

We had it better than most. I have a standby generator that handles the important stuff so we were comfy. I judge by the frost lines on the propane tanks that I have another 3 days or more of fuel for it.

Thursday after lunch I walked down the street with a bunch of neighbors to look at the wreckage. Our street was somewhat passable thought not plowed. When we got to the next street we found out why... a 24” oak was down across the street. Plows could not pass.

I went back home and loaded my chain saw in the truck and proceeded to cut my way down to the oak. Then I started in on it. Deryl, my wife, dragged branches. In a bit, the neighbors that owned the tree came out with their saw and the 4 of us went at it. Soon, more folks joined in. Two and half hours later we had cleared it sufficient for emergency vehicles to get in and for us to get out.

Tomorrow I plan to go harvest some firewood.



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That is crazy Rob ... sorry for all you guys up there. Great job on taking the lead on that tree - I am sure many folks benefited and were very thankful for your efforts - Way to go Rob!!

Bob ... I hope you are OK.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Luke Geis on March 10, 2018, 07:04:20 PM
I'm heading to NJ for a show tonight!!!!! Sounds like snow on Tuesday and cold weather altogether. Good thing I will be indoors most of the time!!!! Perhaps my Cali swagger will scare off the Nor'easter weather :)
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Dave Garoutte on March 10, 2018, 08:31:39 PM
Wait, is this the lumberjack forum??
I know I love dropping trees!
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on March 10, 2018, 08:37:17 PM
Snow happens, not so much in MS...

glad you managed but is anybody surprised?

JR
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Henry Cohen on March 10, 2018, 08:47:38 PM
. . . Bob ... I hope you are OK.

Bob is fine. He figures while everyone else is preoccupied with the snow, he's over at Gillette stadium "working" on the visitor's intercom sys . . . Oh, sorry Bob; guess I shouldn't say anything.

Never mind.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 11, 2018, 10:30:50 AM
Cohen, you turkey! May all of your standing wave ratios go extremely high. I throw the curse on you.

I was in the same shape as Rob who only lives a few miles away. The generator worked fine for me so that wasn't an issue. The big problem was the oak trees and the falling limbs. Especially the limbs that fell on my wife's truck. Luckily my chain saw wouldn't start so I had the fun of cutting limbs by hand. Oldest daughters boyfriend then came over and finished the job while I moved snow. Thought I was going to stroke out. My youngest daughter just sold her house and haven't passed papers on the new house yet so they're staying in an apartment complex down the street. She got power back last night, 4 days after the outage.

Grocery stores are without power, gas stations, and everything needed is either without power or running on generators. I'm up to my ass in equipment failures, even in some of the best data centers on the planet. Oh well, there's always another day (I hope.).
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Henry Cohen on March 11, 2018, 11:56:14 AM
Cohen, you turkey! May all of your standing wave ratios go extremely high. I throw the curse on you.

I was in the same shape as Rob who only lives a few miles away. The generator worked fine for me so that wasn't an issue. The big problem was the oak trees and the falling limbs. Especially the limbs that fell on my wife's truck. Luckily my chain saw wouldn't start so I had the fun of cutting limbs by hand. Oldest daughters boyfriend then came over and finished the job while I moved snow. Thought I was going to stroke out. My youngest daughter just sold her house and haven't passed papers on the new house yet so they're staying in an apartment complex down the street. She got power back last night, 4 days after the outage.

Grocery stores are without power, gas stations, and everything needed is either without power or running on generators. I'm up to my ass in equipment failures, even in some of the best data centers on the planet. Oh well, there's always another day (I hope.).

Bob - Curses not withstanding (get in line), I'm sorry to hear of your (and Rob's) storm damages and tribulations. It sucks and I hope things can return to 'normal' as soon as possible.

(But please realize your unapologetic enthusiasm for your home teams is great fodder at times, although this was likely not one of those times.)
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 11, 2018, 02:32:00 PM
Thanks Henry, curse removed.

Of course you realize many or most of my sports related posts are intended as fodder. Especially for guys like you who can enjoy the game (pun intended.). Hope you and the family are also well Henry. Look's like the Yankmee's are building a winning team, and the Sox have picked up a bat. Should be a great season to watch.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 11, 2018, 02:35:50 PM
PS.

I finished with the INFOcomm weeks ago. The config password is HUT 1,2,3. Now everything said by the visiting team is broadcast through the PA and posted to the jumbo screen in seven (7) languages.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Henry Cohen on March 11, 2018, 05:43:32 PM
Thanks Henry, curse removed.

Of course you realize many or most of my sports related posts are intended as fodder. Especially for guys like you who can enjoy the game (pun intended.). Hope you and the family are also well Henry. Look's like the Yankmee's are building a winning team, and the Sox have picked up a bat. Should be a great season to watch.

Thank you Bob. We were essentially unaffected, other than the typical treacherous driving and wind blown debris. Most fortunate indeed.

Go accounts payable  ::)
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Henry Cohen on March 11, 2018, 05:58:42 PM
PS.

I finished with the INFOcomm weeks ago. The config password is HUT 1,2,3. Now everything said by the visiting team is broadcast through the PA and posted to the jumbo screen in seven (7) languages.

New England
New York
Southern
Southern Florida,
Midwest
West coast (except LA)
LA
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Ned Ward on March 13, 2018, 12:54:59 AM
All - be careful before taking a saw to downed trees, as sometimes those trees blocking roads may have taken down a power line that could be covered in snow... My parents in NJ got 2' and power out in town since last Tuesday, but they have a big enough generator and the service cut the tree blocking the driveway and plowed them out. If I were still on the east coast I would have been over there to do it myself.

I made a lot of money in high school with a Jeep CJ5 with a Meyers plow on it. We found neighborhoods where back in '85 $40 got the driveway cleared, extra if you wanted the walk shoveled.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 13, 2018, 11:55:01 AM
Here we go again...
Lost power last night at 12:40 am till 2am. Had another short outage this morning.
Snowing heavily right now with some wind gusts and 31 degrees. Hoping for dry enough snow to use the big snow blower once it stops.
In the mean time, the fuel cans (diesel & gasoline) are full as is the snow blower & bobcat. Chain saws are ready.

Stay safe everyone!



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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Dave Garoutte on March 13, 2018, 03:21:05 PM
And warm.
Some people complain about the lack of seasons out here, but when I hear these stories, I'm not envious. 
65 degrees and drizzly now.


Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 14, 2018, 04:23:18 PM
I had a wonderful night. 27" of snow, limbs from the pine behind the house came down and took out a window and door, chain saw that shit the bed, broken shear pins, cold, wet, and fucking done with this shit.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on March 14, 2018, 04:29:38 PM
At my age I prefer to visit snow, not have it visit me...

Be well 

stay dry and warm...

JR
Title: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 14, 2018, 06:28:15 PM
You need help Bob? I have saws.

Just finished repairing snow blower. Broke a double roll pin in the PTO drive yesterday.

This was yesterday afternoon in the driveway.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180314/31ffcdccbba00849cd2199a2945093bd.jpg)


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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on March 14, 2018, 07:23:25 PM
And all we can do down here is complain because temperatures are 20 degrees lower than usual........sorry guys- good luck!!
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 14, 2018, 09:17:29 PM
You need help Bob? I have saws.

Just finished repairing snow blower. Broke a double roll pin in the PTO drive yesterday.

This was yesterday afternoon in the driveway.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180314/31ffcdccbba00849cd2199a2945093bd.jpg)


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Thanks Rob for the offer. Your front yard looks like mine.

I ended up using my sawzall and 15" blade last night.

Today I ordered a Husqvarna 455 with a 20" bar to replace my 40 year old McCulloch. Couldn't decide on Husqvarna or Stihl. The husky won and I'll have it Friday. 

And Rob. I bought shear pins at O'Conner's, and after the experience I've had with them I won't buy from them again. I bought OEM on Amazon because I think that, no I'm actually sure that, the O'Conner's generic bolts are under size and not the proper alloy. They just shear way to easily for an Ariens Pro 28 with 15 horse power, and the generic bag they have them in gives no clue as to where they may have come from.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on March 14, 2018, 10:36:58 PM
I gave up trying to fix my old POS Poulon last year and bought a small Stihl... No complaints (yet).

Husky makes well respected bikes too.

JR
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 14, 2018, 10:43:57 PM
I get my Kubota shear pins (for the auger) at the dealer. The impeller uses a standard grade 5 bolt.

I have 2 Stihls (one is 20 years old) and a husky 450. I have a lot of trees. Many fall down


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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Tim McCulloch on March 14, 2018, 10:50:52 PM
Thanks Rob for the offer. Your front yard looks like mine.

I ended up using my sawzall and 15" blade last night.

Today I ordered a Husqvarna 455 with a 20" bar to replace my 40 year old McCulloch. Couldn't decide on Husqvarna or Stihl. The husky won and I'll have it Friday. 

And Rob. I bought shear pins at O'Conner's, and after the experience I've had with them I won't buy from them again. I bought OEM on Amazon because I think that, no I'm actually sure that, the O'Conner's generic bolts are under size and not the proper alloy. They just shear way to easily for an Ariens Pro 28 with 15 horse power, and the generic bag they have them in gives no clue as to where they may have come from.

And you probably don't want to know where they've been... :D

As for your chain saw...  I don't recall grandpa's answer when I asked him if we were related to the "chainsaw Macs" but they were popular saws back then.  They were gone from market for 20 years or so (I think) and someone is using the brand name again.

My gas chainsaw will be a Stihl.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 15, 2018, 06:55:25 AM
Yea, there seems to be two chain saw camps. Stihl and Husqvarna.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 15, 2018, 11:25:53 AM
Yea, there seems to be two chain saw camps. Stihl and Husqvarna.

Unless you shop at home depot, then there is only Echo


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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 15, 2018, 09:26:59 PM
Many people think Echo's are decent chain saws, just like many people think Behringer makes good speakers. Popular for people who cut brush around the house once every other year.

How do you like the 450 Rob?
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 15, 2018, 11:18:22 PM
I have not used much yet. My old Stihl was working too hard on the big oaks.


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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 16, 2018, 11:05:19 PM
Got the saw today and the overall construction and design is really, really good. Went up to O'Conner's and picked up chain oil, and canned gas mix. I'll run it in for a bit tomorrow if I have the energy.

This is the saw.

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/455-rancher/965030290/
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Stephen Swaffer on March 17, 2018, 09:51:48 AM
I've had the same saw for several years and like it a lot.  The only thing I have had issues with was the manual compression relief for starting.  I didn't realize it wasn't seating correctly and trashed the cylinder-low compression made it run too lean.  The local dealer said it wouldn't be warranty as it had a "dry slide" condition.  I called Husqvarna directly and they told him to fix it under warranty as there had been issues with the compression relief.  This was 6-7 years ago, so maybe they have improved the design.

Be careful-storm cleanup can be tough and dangerous.  Part of me wants to complain at the officially "unknown" icy precipitation we are getting right now-but knowing what you guys have been dealing with, I dare not whine!
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on March 17, 2018, 11:04:19 AM
Gas powered chain saws (and snow blowers) are modern conveniences we take for granted.

I'm still waiting for laser tree saws, ray beam snow melters.  8) (not really waiting for them).

JR
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 17, 2018, 12:07:57 PM
Got the saw today and the overall construction and design is really, really good. Went up to O'Conner's and picked up chain oil, and canned gas mix. I'll run it in for a bit tomorrow if I have the energy.

This is the saw.

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/455-rancher/965030290/

Nice. I looked at that saw too and almost went for it but decided on the 450 to save a few pounds for my lower back.

O’Connors is my favorite toy store.



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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 17, 2018, 12:49:24 PM
O'Conner's is great when you need something no one else has. My father and Jerry O'Conner were great friends and back in the early 50's the store was in one of the big Victorian houses in Billerica Center. Seemed like every Saturday my father and I would go their for one thing or another. The big prize was being brought into the basement to look for something in one of the hundreds of boxes of stuff Jerry had down there. eventually you always found what you needed.

O'Conner's would also sell toys on occasion. My best buddy and I found out they had the toy version of the "Wanted dead or alive" mares leg and we decided to a road trip up 3A the 2 miles to the center of town to see it. 3A was forbidden territory when you were 8-9 years old because once in a while a car would drive on it. We made it about a 1/4 mile before my buddy's father drove up behind us in his ford beach wagon, put us in the back, drove us home, and we both ended up with what was commonly known as a beating. Never did get that toy gun, and even asked Santa for it.

Here's some history;

http://www.oconnorhardware.com/about-us/history

And the age of innocence;

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ-h1idHuKA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c__touv60w



Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 17, 2018, 01:31:29 PM
I remember the squeaky floors as well. Jerry would rake out a pound of nails for you from the stacked wooden barrels into a paper bag.



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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Fruits on March 17, 2018, 02:08:08 PM
Another plus for the Husqvarna, the sheer joy from properly pronouncing the name.  It's sort of like the joy from a half century ago when you could properly pronounce Moog Synthesizer.*

*Just for the youngun's playing along at home, it's Moog as in vogue, not Moog like a wet cow.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: GenePink on March 17, 2018, 05:10:13 PM
Not to rub it in......

On second thought, yeah, to rub it in, today's weather here:
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 17, 2018, 10:54:43 PM
Gee, that's nice Gene. I hope you get a sunburn on your dick.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Tim McCulloch on March 18, 2018, 02:40:57 PM
Gee, that's nice Gene. I hope you get a sunburn on your dick.

His banana plug is well tanned as you can see in his avatar.

Bob, you could be here in Kansas - where it's hot, humid and windy in the summer and cold, windy with occasional blizzards and ice storms... and windy... in the winter.  Those other seasons, fall and spring?  We're lucky if they last 3 weeks each with 4 consecutive days of consistent weather in each...

Oh, and we have tornadoes and earthquakes for your entertainment pleasure...

New England is gorgeous territory and represents a huge amount of American history.  The weather is part of the price you pay to live there.  I'm still trying to find the payback for living in the Great Plains other than relatively cheap cost of living.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on March 18, 2018, 06:21:55 PM
His banana plug is well tanned as you can see in his avatar.

Bob, you could be here in Kansas - where it's hot, humid and windy in the summer and cold, windy with occasional blizzards and ice storms... and windy... in the winter.  Those other seasons, fall and spring?  We're lucky if they last 3 weeks each with 4 consecutive days of consistent weather in each...

Oh, and we have tornadoes and earthquakes for your entertainment pleasure...

New England is gorgeous territory and represents a huge amount of American history.  The weather is part of the price you pay to live there.  I'm still trying to find the payback for living in the Great Plains other than relatively cheap cost of living.
Since I've lived in both KS and MA I will only say you are correct.

The coldest I ever was in my tender sheltered life was pulling guard duty in FT Riley KS  :o.

Cheaper and warmer here in nowhere MS.

JR
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: GenePink on March 18, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Gee, that's nice Gene. I hope you get a sunburn on your dick.

Great comeback. +1. My wife laughed, too.

I do wish you guys up there the best, in digging out from under. Been there (NJ), moved to TX. Gave away my snow shovel before leaving, as a statement.

So now my efforts are in eradicating fire ants, scorpions, and the occasional rattlesnake. But save the tarantulas, they help out with these problems.

And fixing flats on the lawnmower from pear cactus needles.

Gene
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Tom Roche on March 20, 2018, 07:48:16 PM
Great comeback. +1. My wife laughed, too.

I do wish you guys up there the best, in digging out from under. Been there (NJ), moved to TX. Gave away my snow shovel before leaving, as a statement.

So now my efforts are in eradicating fire ants, scorpions, and the occasional rattlesnake. But save the tarantulas, they help out with these problems.

And fixing flats on the lawnmower from pear cactus needles.

Gene

And watch out for unattended packages.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Fruits on March 20, 2018, 09:08:11 PM
Gave away my snow shovel before leaving, as a statement.
Perhaps you should have reenacted that bit from Homer (NOT Simpson) and taken it with you till someone said, "Hey mister, what's that thing" then you would know you had come far enough.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 20, 2018, 10:56:09 PM
Another storm tomorrow and it's supposed to bring another 12" or so. Well this time I'm ready GD it. 20 shear pins, genny and snow blower full of gas, trucks full of gas and a brand new Husqvarna chain saw also full of gas and chain oil. Come on at me mommy nature, I'm ready to tweek your tits.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: frank kayser on March 22, 2018, 11:33:57 AM
Another storm tomorrow and it's supposed to bring another 12" or so. Well this time I'm ready GD it. 20 shear pins, genny and snow blower full of gas, trucks full of gas and a brand new Husqvarna chain saw also full of gas and chain oil. Come on at me mommy nature, I'm ready to tweek your tits.
You sound ready to take her head on.  Don't forget the salt bags on the roof - ice dam(damn?)-ing.  Of course, you learned that a couple years ago.  Good luck.  We got about 8" from the storm yesterday, but we had nothing but Crocus' on the ground beforehand.  Work smart, and take care of the ol' ticker.
frank 
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Rob Spence on March 22, 2018, 02:06:50 PM
Well, for me it wimped out. About 2” and that was half gone an hour after it stopped. There was almost nothing on the front walk.  More time to finish my taxes


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Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Bob Leonard on March 23, 2018, 09:46:07 PM
Well, for me it wimped out. About 2” and that was half gone an hour after it stopped. There was almost nothing on the front walk.  More time to finish my taxes


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Wimped out is an understatement Rob. We scared it south and damn glad of it.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: John Roberts {JR} on March 24, 2018, 10:08:43 AM
Wimped out is an understatement Rob. We scared it south and damn glad of it.
Didn't snow here in MS and damn glad of it.  ;D

JR
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Jonathan Johnson on March 27, 2018, 12:25:21 PM
O'Conner's is great when you need something no one else has. My father and Jerry O'Conner were great friends and back in the early 50's the store was in one of the big Victorian houses in Billerica Center. Seemed like every Saturday my father and I would go their for one thing or another. The big prize was being brought into the basement to look for something in one of the hundreds of boxes of stuff Jerry had down there. eventually you always found what you needed.

We had a store like that in my hometown (pop. 1500). One time Dad needed some oddball fasteners -- some kind of stove rivet or something -- and had been all over the neighboring town (pop. 30,000) without success. Went to the local hardware store, asked the owner, who though for a minute then said "follow me." They went down into the basement (where customers normally didn't go) and found exactly what Dad was looking for.
Title: Re: This weeks Nor’easter
Post by: Dave Garoutte on March 27, 2018, 12:44:28 PM
 We were driving cross country from SF to the races in NH, when the axle bearing on the trailer toasted, melting the spindle right off the axle.  Other than a mysterious puff of smoke, the first indication was a thump and the wheel passing us on the highway.

Sunday evening. Middle of Kansas. :-\

Chased down the wheel.  Took off the axle.
Went in to town, the auto parts guy was at the restaurant and opened up the store to get a new bearing.
The junk yard guy pointed us to a trailer builder down the road who let me scrounge through his junk pile.
I found THE EXACT spindle NEW under a pile of parts (he only had one).
Sawed off the melted spindle and welded on the new one.
Only charged us $100 for the spindle and to use his shop.

I think all told we only lost about four hours.
Nicest, most helpful people. 
Crazy bunch of luck.
Great story to tell.
I've been trying to pass it forward ever since.