I'm working in Charlotte, N.C. next summer. I've never been there, and I can't get a good grasp on what's like... Banking town? Southern and sprawling?
I would welcome any descriptions of the city and especially any suggestions of exciting attractions/things to do. :)
Definitely going to the NASCAR museum, and maybe the Coca-Cola 600. :alberta: :cool:
I'm nearby. That makes Charlotte cooler than it would otherwise be. Other than that, there's Carowinds.
Looks like one of those $50-entry amusement parks. :hmm: And I don't do rollercoasters. That is one of my few bedrock principles. I've got enough fucking worries as it is. <_<
But I'd definitely like to make an excursion down to the lesser Carolina and shoot the shit. :) Unless you have business in Charlotte for some reason... I should have at least a beater to drive around in, since rent is so much cheaper down there. :sleep:
Charlotte is old town meets big fast growth. Has everything you need.
Law enforcement-wise, it's a microcosm of Baltimore. Big crime and related homicides relegated to the darkie neighborhoods.
So sorry, sucker.
The North Carolina Zoo at Asheboro is about 90 miles away from Charlotte but worth the drive.
OK.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 04, 2011, 01:44:20 AM
Charlotte is old town meets big fast growth. Has everything you need.
Law enforcement-wise, it's a microcosm of Baltimore. Big crime and related homicides relegated to the darkie neighborhoods.
So sorry, sucker.
:yes:
The only place worse crime-wise in NC is Fayettenam.
Is that in Vayettenam?
Quote from: Capetan Mihali on December 04, 2011, 01:05:38 AM
Definitely going to the NASCAR museum, and maybe the Coca-Cola 600. :alberta: :cool:
There you go. Do both.
Smells bad, looks worse. Charlotte is the Jaron of North Carolina metropolises.
Charlotte is the capital of NASCAR nation. :cool:
Quote from: Strix on December 04, 2011, 12:12:39 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 04, 2011, 01:44:20 AM
Charlotte is old town meets big fast growth. Has everything you need.
Law enforcement-wise, it's a microcosm of Baltimore. Big crime and related homicides relegated to the darkie neighborhoods.
So sorry, sucker.
:yes:
The only place worse crime-wise in NC is Fayettenam.
lol Fayettenam. Not even a police force made up of Green Beanies can save that town.
Quote from: Caliga on December 04, 2011, 03:08:37 PM
Charlotte is the capital of NASCAR nation. :cool:
:(
I just don't get NASCAR. I don't deny teh skill involved in not dying out there, but it just doesn't seem fun to watch.
People have told me a lot of the fun is related to the incredible noise. Sort of like an all day Blue Angels flyover.
Quote from: Caliga on December 04, 2011, 03:08:37 PM
Charlotte is the capital of NASCAR nation. :cool:
Wow Cal. You used to be cool.
Ok you used to be cooler.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2011, 09:38:40 AM
People have told me a lot of the fun is related to the incredible noise. Sort of like an all day Blue Angels flyover.
Yeah, and then they get teh noise canceling head phones with radios built in so they can hear the announcers. They even sit in the damn parking lot SO THEY CAN'T SEE THE FUCKING RACE and listen. If htere was lot's of gambling involved that would make sense.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on December 05, 2011, 09:26:37 AM
Quote from: Caliga on December 04, 2011, 03:08:37 PM
Charlotte is the capital of NASCAR nation. :cool:
:(
I just don't get NASCAR. I don't deny teh skill involved in not dying out there, but it just doesn't seem fun to watch.
I kind of liked it back when I was a kid, when they actually were racing cars that, except for some safety features, were actually
stock cars. You could hope that your dad might actually go to the dealership and buy one. By the time I was out of high school, they weren't really stock anymore and I had lost what little interest I had in NASCAR.
Depends on the track. Oval tracks like the superspeedway in Atlanta are perfectly deserving of the "rednecks turning left" pejorative. I'd happily watch a race on a track that requires actual driving skills, like Watkins Glen or Sears Point, though.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2011, 09:38:40 AM
People have told me a lot of the fun is related to the incredible noise. Sort of like an all day Blue Angels flyover.
I found the noise to be quite repulsive in person. It's like 43 misfiring tractors right on your ear, turning the volume up to 11. Ear plugs are mandatory unless you want to never hear those sounds again (or any other sounds).
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on December 05, 2011, 09:26:37 AM
Quote from: Caliga on December 04, 2011, 03:08:37 PM
Charlotte is the capital of NASCAR nation. :cool:
:(
I just don't get NASCAR. I don't deny teh skill involved in not dying out there, but it just doesn't seem fun to watch.
I can't watch it either, but if you ever catch a radio broadcast of the race they make it sound amazing.
I'd like to see Darrell Waltrip thrown into the 7th level of hell.
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2011, 11:44:15 AM
I'd like to see Darrell Waltrip thrown into the 7th level of hell.
The 5th circle should be good seats for you, Ed.
Quote from: The Brain on December 05, 2011, 11:48:13 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2011, 11:44:15 AM
I'd like to see Darrell Waltrip thrown into the 7th level of hell.
The 5th circle should be good seats for you, Ed.
:D
It's fun to watch in person, people. Don't knock it till you try it. I agree it's boring on TV ... so it's kind of like baseball IMO.
I have not followed NASCAR in years really tho... not since my favorite drivers Dale Earnhardt and JD McDuffie got killed. :(
Tim Richmond was my hero. :)
Also people watching at NASCAR races is fun. Imagine going into a Wat-Mart with 100,000 people in it. :bowler:
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 12:16:31 PM
It's fun to watch in person, people. Don't knock it till you try it. I agree it's boring on TV ... so it's kind of like baseball IMO.
I have not followed NASCAR in years really tho... not since my favorite drivers Dale Earnhardt and JD McDuffie got killed. :(
:huh: JD was killed 20 years ago. How old are you?
He was killed when I was a teenager... I saw him race at Pocono and Watkins Glen. Think he got killed at the latter track.
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 12:18:12 PM
Also people watching at NASCAR races is fun. Imagine going into a Wat-Mart with 100,000 people in it. :bowler:
:lol:
:yes:
There is 1 black guy there.
Death of Race drivers reminds me. Greg Moore :(
Anyway my dad, bro and I have been talking about meeting up for a race at Bristol or Martinsville. MY dad is a die hard NASCAR fan and my brother took him to Pocono for a race for his birthday last year.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 05, 2011, 11:40:42 AM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on December 05, 2011, 09:26:37 AM
Quote from: Caliga on December 04, 2011, 03:08:37 PM
Charlotte is the capital of NASCAR nation. :cool:
:(
I just don't get NASCAR. I don't deny teh skill involved in not dying out there, but it just doesn't seem fun to watch.
I can't watch it either, but if you ever catch a radio broadcast of the race they make it sound amazing.
The radio is for Tommy Finneran and Howie Carr.
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 12:16:31 PM
Dale Earnhardt... got killed. :(
"Got killed." Nice passive voice there. But you're right, no way we could identify the agent in that sentence.
IIRC it's not clear whether the accident was primarily caused by him, Kenny Schrader, or Sterling Marlin. :sleep:
I don't think anyone holds Schrader in any way responsible, or even potentially responsible. :huh: Schrader was an innocent bystander in that crash. Most sane fans don't hold Sterling Marlin responsible either, Earnhardt just went too far blocking for the benefit of his team, and paid with his life.
Quote from: DGuller on December 05, 2011, 07:19:30 PM
I don't think anyone holds Schrader in any way responsible, or even potentially responsible. :huh: Schrader was an innocent bystander in that crash. Most sane fans don't hold Sterling Marlin responsible either, Earnhardt just went too far blocking for the benefit of his team, and paid with his life.
You drive like a jackass, you die like a jackass. IMHO, the second most-pointless racing death, next to Senna.
@DG Dude, I don't remember all the minute details... I mean this happened like ten years ago now. :huh:
To the best of my prior recollection, Marlin tipped Schrader who t-boned Earnhardt. Given the speeds involved and tightness of the situation it'd be hard to say any one person was responsible though.
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 07:53:51 PM
@DG Dude, I don't remember all the minute details... I mean this happened like ten years ago now. :huh:
To the best of my prior recollection, Marlin tipped Schrader who t-boned Earnhardt. Given the speeds involved and tightness of the situation it'd be hard to say any one person was responsible though.
YOU VILL REMEMBER! OR ELSE!
I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 07:55:29 PM
I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?
^_^
Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR? My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion. Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened. :wacko:
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 07:57:24 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 07:55:29 PM
I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?
^_^
Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR? My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion. Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened. :wacko:
:( I cannot understand strong emotions when it comes to sports and sporting events. I just don't get it. Tribalism run amok.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 07:58:47 PM
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 07:57:24 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 07:55:29 PM
I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?
^_^
Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR? My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion. Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened. :wacko:
:( I cannot understand strong emotions when it comes to sports and sporting events. I just don't get it. Tribalism run amok.
<_<
*puts on my sweater vest*
@Ank Agree. :hug:
But my dad is such a big NASCAR fan that he named his Yorkshire Terrier Mark Martin. :cool:
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 07:58:47 PM
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 07:57:24 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 07:55:29 PM
I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?
^_^
Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR? My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion. Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened. :wacko:
:( I cannot understand strong emotions when it comes to sports and sporting events. I just don't get it. Tribalism run amok.
Man, the paroxysms of rage my family went into at Thanksgiving, when they had to cheer for the Packers against the Lions for the benefit of their pathetic Bears, were OSSUM to witness. I just chuckled, remembering my many years of suffering as a Packers fan.
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2011, 07:59:35 PM
<_<
*puts on my sweater vest*
Missing the point. I get enjoying a sport, I don't get people getting all worked up about it.
"Grow the fuck up!" is basically my inner feelings on it - save your emotional energy for something that actually matters.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:01:38 PM
Missing the point. I get enjoying a sport, I don't get people getting all worked up about it.
"Grow the fuck up!" is basically my inner feelings on it - save your emotional energy for something that actually matters.
You would probably not like to live in Louisville.
"YEWWWWWWWWVELLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"GO CATS!!!!! BIG BLEW NASHUN!!!!!!"
The funny thing is... the most diehard fans of UL or UK that I know were too stupid to manage to go to college. :)
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:01:38 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2011, 07:59:35 PM
<_<
*puts on my sweater vest*
Missing the point. I get enjoying a sport, I don't get people getting all worked up about it.
"Grow the fuck up!" is basically my inner feelings on it - save your emotional energy for something that actually matters.
You're no fun. LACES OUT.
I wish the NFL and NBA were forced to make their own farm teams so we can get colleges back into the education business. :menace:
KENTUCKY COLONELS Y'ALL :punk:
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:05:42 PM
I wish the NFL and NBA were forced to make their own farm teams so we can get colleges back into the education business. :menace:
I shan't bite sir.
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 08:06:20 PM
KENTUCKY COLONELS Y'ALL :punk:
The Harlem Globetrotters want to play them.
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2011, 08:09:30 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:05:42 PM
I wish the NFL and NBA were forced to make their own farm teams so we can get colleges back into the education business. :menace:
I shan't bite sir.
:lol: I was waiting for hate mail, was surprised by how long it took for a reply at all. :lol:
LeftbankerClanker is being pretentious again. Somebody stop him, before he starts whipping up his homemade brie for the Coteaux-du-Languedoc he's been fermenting on the side.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:10:45 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2011, 08:09:30 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:05:42 PM
I wish the NFL and NBA were forced to make their own farm teams so we can get colleges back into the education business. :menace:
I shan't bite sir.
:lol: I was waiting for hate mail, was surprised by how long it took for a reply at all. :lol:
I can keep my sports boner/hatred of others under control. Except for Pats fans. I almost fired one once for excessive douchebaggery.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 05, 2011, 08:11:41 PM
LeftbankerClanker is being pretentious again. Somebody stop him, before he starts whipping up his homemade brie for the Coteaux-du-Languedoc he's been fermenting on the side.
No, it's an honest POV, actually. Sports for pleasure in college and sports for profit in professional leagues as different entities is real discussion that could be had... but if you wish to do the strawman/ad hom thing, I can't stop you. :mellow:
Quote from: Ed Anger on December 05, 2011, 08:14:19 PM
I can keep my sports boner/hatred of others under control. Except for Pats fans. I almost fired one once for excessive douchebaggery.
:lol:
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:14:41 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 05, 2011, 08:11:41 PM
LeftbankerClanker is being pretentious again. Somebody stop him, before he starts whipping up his homemade brie for the Coteaux-du-Languedoc he's been fermenting on the side.
No, it's an honest POV, actually. Sports for pleasure in college and sports for profit in professional leagues as different entities is real discussion that could be had... but if you wish to do the strawman/ad hom thing, I can't stop you. :mellow:
Not after I spent the time Googling the correct spelling for Couteax-du-Languedoc, you're damned right you can't.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 05, 2011, 08:11:41 PM
LeftbankerClanker is being pretentious again. Somebody stop him, before he starts whipping up his homemade brie for the Coteaux-du-Languedoc he's been fermenting on the side.
No it's quite legit. I don't get it either.
QuoteNot after I spent the time Googling the correct spelling for Couteax-du-Languedoc, you're damned right you can't.
:lol:
:lol:
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 07:53:51 PM
@DG Dude, I don't remember all the minute details... I mean this happened like ten years ago now. :huh:
To the best of my prior recollection, Marlin tipped Schrader who t-boned Earnhardt. Given the speeds involved and tightness of the situation it'd be hard to say any one person was responsible though.
Marlin tipped Earnhardt, or rather Earnhardt ran over Marlin's nose. Schrader wasn't involved until Earnhardt collected him on his way to the wall.
Regardless of that, Earnhardt has no one but himself to blame. If he wasn't such a macho moron and installed his seat belts properly, and wore a HANS device instead of mocking those who did, he'd still be alive today.
Quote from: DGuller on December 05, 2011, 09:53:25 PM
Marlin tipped Earnhardt, or rather Earnhardt ran over Marlin's nose. Schrader wasn't involved until Earnhardt collected him on his way to the wall.
Regardless of that, Earnhardt has no one but himself to blame. If he wasn't such a macho moron and installed his seat belts properly, and wore a HANS device instead of mocking those who did, he'd still be alive today.
What is "When Actuaries Watch NASCAR", Alex?
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 12:18:12 PM
Also people watching at NASCAR races is fun. Imagine going into a Wat-Mart with 100,000 people in it. :bowler:
So half the crowd is Asian or hispanic? :huh:
I went to Charlotte once, for a database admin conference. I didn't go see much of the city; the days were taken up with conference biz and in the evenings I hung out with several of the attendees in the hotel bar.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on December 05, 2011, 11:18:50 PM
Quote from: Caliga on December 05, 2011, 12:18:12 PM
Also people watching at NASCAR races is fun. Imagine going into a Wat-Mart with 100,000 people in it. :bowler:
So half the crowd is Asian or hispanic? :huh:
Suddenly NASCAR interests me.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on December 05, 2011, 08:05:42 PM
I wish the NFL and NBA were forced to make their own farm teams so we can get colleges back into the education business. :menace:
NHL has junior hockey as its developmental system. I don't think its any better than the NCAA - at least the NCAA has to pretend to educate its players. The CHL does not. :(
So what are the best shore points in this neck of the woods?
I might get to Wilmington, N.C. An ex-girlfriend of mine is there getting an M.F.A. in creative writing.
Is Myrtle Beach still delightfully seedy? Another ex-girlfriend grew up there and worked at a stripper-wear clothing store there, in between psychiatric commitments.
We pretty much did Wrightsville Beach when I was a kid, but I haven't actually been there in years.
Quote from: dps on December 07, 2011, 11:02:40 PM
We pretty much did Wrightsville Beach when I was a kid, but I haven't actually been there in years.
That looks near to Topsail Beach/Surf City, where I spent some quality time a few years ago. Mainly getting sozzled with Marines and lesbian bartenders.
Quote from: Capetan Mihali on December 07, 2011, 10:48:49 PM
I might get to Wilmington, N.C. An ex-girlfriend of mine is there getting an M.F.A. in creative writing.
WTF is that all about? Why do you care what an ex-girlfriend is doing?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 08, 2011, 08:00:51 AM
Quote from: Capetan Mihali on December 07, 2011, 10:48:49 PM
I might get to Wilmington, N.C. An ex-girlfriend of mine is there getting an M.F.A. in creative writing.
WTF is that all about? Why do you care what an ex-girlfriend is doing?
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