VikkiDp said:
In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :
That's amazing!!! And you know - i recognized both places in the pictures
Have a question for you about the first one - what do you see on the photo below?
Hey, I know that road!
And that hotel there in the background, that bridge, that fountain, and those steps by the waterfront where the "I Dnipro" sign is
Don Fip said:
That looks amazing!
I was thinking of doing something like that with my stamps. I might use yours as an idea template!
And speaking of stamps, VikkiDp has added two more sets to the raffle!
First up is a sheet of "Russian Warship.... done" stamps with a "Russian Warship, go f-yourself" postcard
Second up is a sheet of stamps, an envelope, and postcard "Putin, go f-yourself"
Original painting by Bansky when he went to Kyiv:
Both, of course, will be sent by Mrs. Dp herself directly from Ukraine.
And in the spirit of fairness, I would also like to open this to the donors of the video game forum as they've been pretty generous in their sharing of raffle items as well.
Here's our Monday update everyone!
We're still ahead of the game on our Kisgorbo fund as we're not yet half-way through the month, and over half-way towards our goal. I really cant believe how amazing you guys have been with this one over the course of the year and couldn't say enough about it. I've heard it from Ira (who does the art therapy in Budapest) and from others as well. They value donations like this above all others as we don't expect anything in return. No reports, no accountability, no sternly worded e-mails or threats of holding back funds if it doesn't go exactly to x, y, or z. With this sort of donation, they can do anything they need. Either for the place or for any of the individuals staying there.
Our GFM is off and running! We've collected nearly $500 over the course of the weekend, and still have a long way to go. I'm still looking for outlets that can give this thing some visibility though, so if you guys can think of something be sure to let me know. I know Toyota's been tried a couple times, but maybe we're not reaching the right people? Either way, the more eyes the better I think.
The truck is still moving under her own power but the windows are giving me fits again. With the move happening still (we're mostly moved, but cleaning the old place and unboxing the new place) I haven't had time to finish the adjustment of that TPS or meter the AFM. But I'll get there. In the meantime the back window has fallen into the tailgate (parts on order), and the driver's window regulator is gotten "crunchy" and wont work without a lot of muscle...
I bought manual window regulators to put an end to all this electric window business, but will need to do something about the door cards as my current ones dont have provisions for a window crank handle.
All good times though, and definitely no show stoppers.
Cheers guys. And thank you for doing all you do.
Hey, I know that road!
And that hotel there in the background, that bridge, that fountain, and those steps by the waterfront where the "I Dnipro" sign is
You're right
but pay attention to the left side of this photo and look at the watercolor picture - these buildings painted on it and we passed them on our way to the Children hospital
So you can definitely say: "There i was..."
Reports from the Rehab center
- Office supplies and other stuff for the psychologist - she works with teenagers and adults refugees
- The dishwasher(including delivery, a pump and installation)
- cell phone and phone case to contacts clients
- router 2 ea
And a few words from the director of the rehab center
- Translation -
Thank you so much for your help. All what we bought work.
We're planning to renovate kid's rooms and buy some equipments.
We'll certainly invite you to visit us to show you all we did
to have a cup of coffee and sweets
It's such a big help that you can't even imagine it
Its been a weird year for me. I didn't have to care. I didn't know anybody in Ukraine. I didn't know any Russians. It was just some patch of dirt on the other side of the world that didn't efect me in any appreciable way. Doesn't matter. Easy things to say from my privileged position where nobody was currently trying to kill me.
But for some reason it did. I don't know why. I remember the third day of the war. Watching a video of people in Odessa digging up their beach to make sandbags while a drummer was wailing away in time to Bon Jovi's "It's my life" an objectively terrible song that really hits different when people are actually coming to kill you. I wept. I thought of those poor brave bastards, who were doomed. The Russians would have the capital in a week. I wept because there was nothing I could do.
I was wrong. Like most of the world, I overestimated Russia, and underestimated th grit of the Ukrainian people. I knew in the first week that, much like the French had cemented their reputation as Cowards in WWII, Ukrainian would forever be shorthand for Tough S.O.B.
As an overweight 40 year old with little training and bad knees, I wasn't exactly foreign Legion material. Bill gave me a way to do something helpful. Not in the Red Cross, here's fifty bucks to take away my guilt way but in real measurable ways. The direct application of funds to small but meaningful causes seems to be effective. This forum's continued support has made me feel pride, and has given me hope.
I now think of Vikki and her neighbor almost every day, even tough I've never met them. They have become the avatars of their country. While it's still a bit weird to me that I'm thinking of an individual stranger thousands of miles away, with whom I have nothing in common, and don't even share a language, and thinking "gods, I hope they're ok."
I look forward to a day in the future where there is peace, and we can meet up and share a drink. I'm buying. Until then, Godspeed, and Fight like Ukrainian.
Thank you for attending my TED talk.
In reply to AClockworkGarage :
Thank you for putting into words what I think many of us have been feeling through this journey... I mean, aside from the whole 'bad knees' thing.
In reply to VikkiDp :
It is beautiful to see how they are putting it all to such good use! Thank you again for continuing to share the responses you're getting. I know that nobody here is doing this for any amount of recognition, but there is something about being able to actually see the difference you are making that is very powerful.
84FSP
UberDork
3/17/23 9:01 a.m.
While I typically keep a close bead on international news or work purposes I don't normally end up emotionally involved.
This tragedy has hit home in a real way, seeing the folks like Vikki and Hungary Bill step up really shows the power of caring.
Slava Ukraine! May this offensive bring the occupiers to their knees and push them out.
Hi everyone!
I have not good news today - do you remember Sergey - my neighbor that we help many times?
He has not been feeling well since January. He had heart surgery on this Monday and now he needs to take pills for a long time.
His illness is related to military service.
We talked with Bill if i can buy some medicine for Sergey. I have some money left in "Moms and kids fund" for urgent situations or if someone needs help and support. So we decided we can help Sergey and i've already ordered first part of medicine - i'll get them on Monday.
So good news - we can help and we help!!!
Thank you all for help and support!!!
In reply to VikkiDp :
I'm sorry to hear about Sergey's medical concerns, but also glad to hear that we had funds already available to help with the meds.
36 stuffed animals are on their way Bill! Did you get my earlier package?
Sorry to hear about your neighbor Vikki.
In reply to AClockworkGarage :
Thank you thank for your words and your support
Honestly i would prefer that the World to learn about Ukraine in a different context and other circumstances.
Nobody expected what happened.
And you know - just knowing that someone is thinking, praying and wishing you(all Ukrainians) good luck when you get scared and sometimes lose heart - it really helps us to know we're not alone with what is going on.
I always tell everyone we help that it's ordinary people from all over the world who help us.
I look forward to a day in the future where there is peace, and we can meet up and share a drink
I would be happy to see you in Ukraine - Lviv, Dnipro... and of course ... to have a mug of beer to celebrate peace
Cheers!!!
36 stuffed animals are on their way
Wowww!!! that's GREAT!!!!
Some update from the rehab center
UV lamps in operation
They've started to renovate a few rooms for children
Before
After
Messages from the director of the rehab center
- Translation -
this is what one room already looks like
others are renovating
this is what it looked like before
so that you can see the difference
It's all thanks to you and your help
Kids will have a rest in good conditions
GIRTHQUAKE said:
36 stuffed animals are on their way Bill! Did you get my earlier package?
Sorry to hear about your neighbor Vikki.
That is a BOX!!!! Holy smokes!
Not yet, I haven't. but shipping this way does take time as it's all sent "space available". No worries, we'll get it and then we'll get it to where it needs to go.
Thank you so much for that!
In reply to VikkiDp :
That is AMAZING!!!! I'm so happy to see how much they're able to do with such a modest amount of money, it really makes me happy!
I hope Sergey is feeling better. I expect to hear his laugh and see him smile when we get to town next.
We've had a lot of progress this week. Our GoFundMe has raised enough to buy the microscope (the first item on our list!), and our monthly donaiton to the Kisgorbo shelter is up to 360,111huf (and we've still 10 days left in this month!)
here's the update:
Cheers, guys!
I expect to hear his laugh and see him smile when we get to town next.
You can be sure it will be!!!
He feels better!!!
The first part of medicines for Sergey - done!!!
In reply to VikkiDp :
AWESOME!!!! You guys are amazing neighbors, and I'm glad he's getting the medicine he needs.
Ok guys, new update. our fundraiser has received enough in donations that we were able to purchase the first item on the list!
Originally this item was slated to come from a US based vendor and I absolutely could NOT find a European distributor that had one available and for sale (Even the Hungarian website wouldn't respond to my inquiries). Apparently I have a friend in the medical field, and she ("Anna") was able to work her magic and get us a German distributor! This saved us an easy $500 in VAT and shipping.
And you know I love it when a plan comes together!
Good times.
One more:
The truck!
Ok, so I didn't immediately go after that Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) because it was pretty close to spot on and I wasn't entirely convinced it could be causing all my problems with it just being a fraction off.
Instead I decided to shoot my timing, and I found it had slipped 2-degrees. I advanced it back up to 7btdc static and immediately noticed that the engine smoothed itself out almost right away. When it did THAT, I heard the unmistakable tapping of the 22re valve train. Since I was already under the hood, I decided to check my valve lash:
I found that the #1 and the #3 intake valves were a couple thousandths loose. It wasn't anything at all to tighten them back up, and out for a drive we went. The low end was "improved" but not "corrected" and the power still came on really strong when I went to wide open throttle or when I went above 3500rpms (it's like a light switch), but still I could tell that on the highway I would spend 100% of my time with the gas floored to keep up with traffic.
Back to the garage I went, where I discovered a missing screw on the TPS!
(Makes sense, those African roads I was driving on would vibrate the teeth out of your mouth!)
Luckily I had a spare screw on my spare throttle body (I have a spare TPS there too, although the part numbers don't match). I got it in and tightened up and then took my time getting it adjusted right. It turns out that there is actually a VERY small window that you're shooting for with this thing....
Once I got everything dialed in, I found my timing had advanced again by 2-degrees. I bumped that back down to (again) 7btdc and took her for a drive. I am happy to report that the misfire is all but gone, power has (mostly) returned, and she did just fine on the way into work.
Now. me bein' me. I really can't help but notice there is still the SLIGHTEST bump in power when I go to WOT. It's not as linear as the rest of the throttle range, but it's not even a thing we should be worried about. This could just be a characteristic of an old engine management system, but I'm going to keep fiddling a bit with some of the adjustments to see if I cant bump that low end power up a little and get rid of that slight switch-like transition.
Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) said:
Now. me bein' me. I really can't help but notice there is still the SLIGHTEST bump in power when I go to WOT. It's not as linear as the rest of the throttle range, but it's not even a thing we should be worried about. This could just be a characteristic of an old engine management system, but I'm going to keep fiddling a bit with some of the adjustments to see if I cant bump that low end power up a little and get rid of that slight switch-like transition.
You're exactly right. IIRC, the TPS closes a new circuit when the throttle gets opened to a certain point, and when that happens the ECU goes into open loop mode, reverts back to its base fuel map, and no longer trims the mixture based on oxygen sensor feedback. A noticable change in feel as WOT is approached is to be expected.
Have we talked about turbocharging? Seems like that truck could use a few pounds of boost...