by "EL_ULY" (uly)
Published 09/29/2017 at 14:28
by "EL_ULY" (uly)
Published 09/29/2017 at 14:28
Tags: uly mamadas
STARS: 30
It was a tough one OPPO :’(
Me and my wife flew out Friday the 22nd. Fresh from all the trouble still present in Houston, things seen on TV from my CDMX got real very quick.
My wife’s grandmother was telling us about a home around the corner that collapsed and that the people trapped underneath were yelling for help. Those yells faded before we got there. The rubble was too heavy, even for about 10 of us to move. A couple blocks down, a brand new apartment complex also collapsed. There was no real count of who may be under there. A lot of us were able to move the rubble....
... one by one, we started to see the bodies. The area we live has grown recently with a lot of young wealthy types. Young professionals and students. We pulled 3 lifeless young females and 2 young chaps. All in their early 20s. Their family’s screams as they were identified is something I will never forget. Once we went somewhere else, the count we heard just kept rising. Eventually after many days, help arrived to this area.
Per Mexican politics, which rival the BS happening in Washington DC, a lot of local aid fell to corruption. Entire truck loads of supplies were being confiscated by “officials”. People from near by towns and beyond were not allowed to enter the neighborhoods to help or drop off much needed things. Federal funds were diverted to other manners not related to the relief effort. Mass corruption, damn it all.
My aunts were finally located at a shelter since both were staying in one house and it became structurally compromised. Besides to 2 victims I mention in the other post, a good friend of mine was injured after the stairway collapsed while he was trying to escape. He fell and broke his right leg, 2 ribs and a mean scrape to the side of his head plus a bit concussed.
Before the trip, we were helping a family friend (one of many) who’s house was initially safe from the flooding, but when the dam was opened, their house had 3 feet of water within an hour in the middle of the night. No chance to save things.
With no insurance, they are paying out of pocket. FEMA is supposed to help but at last check, there is about 20,000 people ahead of them. Local city officials stop by all the areas and taking notes and building cases to fund help. I believe the engineers of these dams are supposed to get sued or something. All that will take years for sure. The Red Cross, with all the money they’ve received, have been MIA around many parts of town. You can maybe guess which parts of town *wink wink* unfortunately. Their whole funding seems like a scam. They are helping indeed and I understand the many ways they are spending all these millions donated to them that is not reported on the news (hotel fees, rescue vehicle repairs, shelters) but many things they do seem like a total scam.
One thing that ticks me the fuck off is the stories from friends who work construction. Immigrants who are hired to do work at hella shady pricing. Contractors (wealthy die hard Trump types) who are in masses going to the rich areas of town effected and charging ridiculously for basic repairs. Basic pluming, floors, electrical, A/C, etc. Soon after they agree to repairs, they find immigrant workers to do the work for chump change as usual and they pocket the rest. A good friend of our said that one client was quoted over $20,000 to redo their kitchen cabinets. Wealthy customers agreed and the contractors made bank. They want to kick us out but after we fix their precious homes and clean up their city all paid under the table. Shit like that and the lack of rush to help Puerto Rico is the BS I what I read once back to the good ol’ USSR of A.
On a lighter note, we just had the new? Vanquish S come in to my work. Looks identical to all the other bazillion Vanquishe we’ve sold lol. The “S” has a new front bumper, rear diffuser and wheel options. HP is bumped to 595 and with the new but old 8 spd, its 0-60 is under 4 seconds.
One customer purchased a new Vanquish S and a V90 Cross Country. Luckyyyyyy!
Also, here are some Lotus in my shop of all shapes and sizes.
Also, some TFritch and AMGTech bait. We got this rare item traded in the other day. I forget what edition these were called.
Lastly...
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
I had 40 days of vacation that accumulated but due to my time off in Mexico and a millions bills that were late for the last 2 months, I cashed in 37 of those days this pay period and will take of Monday- Wednesday. I will be headed to New Braunfels on Sunday, South Padre Island Monday and Tuesday then Corpus Christi on Wednesday. 3 days to not think of work and bills and recharge my batteries for fucking once!
"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
09/29/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 0
Fuck, that’s rough. Hard to even know what to say aside from God Bless.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
09/29/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 1
ULY!!! I’ve been wondering about you and your family after not having heard from you since your last Oppo post. I’m so, so sorry for all the things you witnessed, my friend. But I’m glad you found your tias and that your family is going to be ok.
Thank you for updating us. *hugs*
"$kaycog" (skaycog)
09/29/2017 at 14:41, STARS: 0
Thank you for sharing with us, friend. Hang in there!
"nermal" (nermal)
09/29/2017 at 14:42, STARS: 0
Holy crap, that’s some nightmare-ish stuff. I couldn’t imagine what it’s like, but good on you for traveling to help. Don’t forget to take care of yourself either, all of the stress can add up quickly.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
09/29/2017 at 14:44, STARS: 1
I have endless amounts of respect for you and the other people that helped in the search for people.
"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
09/29/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 0
Wow. Glad you were able to help and sorry you (and your family) went through it.
I’ll pardon the burnt cookies for once - go try and relax. “Do nothing” vacations are the best vacations.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
09/29/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 1
Welcome back. Glad you were able to get there and get back without much trouble.
Now it’s question time.
What is going on with those blocks?
I’ve never seen that style of block nor have I seen block installed in that orientation. Most cinder block construction here orients the holes vertically so that every few holes can be reinforced with rebar and concrete poured down the shaft. That creates solid concrete columns within the walls. Why would they orient the shafts horizontally?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
09/29/2017 at 15:00, STARS: 0
I can’t even imagine pulling out those broken bodies.
Just glad you’re home safe. Enjoy your rest.
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
09/29/2017 at 15:01, STARS: 0
Jesus, man... devastating. Thoughts with you, your family and friends, here and in Mexico. Outrage does not begin to describe feelings towards those who enrich themselves on the back of the needy, stealing from those most affected.
Enjoy your deeply deserved vacation, make the most of it. Thanks for keeping in touch.
Interesting W210, that’s a Lorinser kit if I’m not mistaken.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
09/29/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 0
Glad you’re ok and that you were able to at least help some people out. I have a pretty wealthy family member who’s a big Trumpista, but any time he adds an edition to his house it’s immigranta who he hires to do the work. Funny how that works.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/29/2017 at 15:10, STARS: 0
Such a sad trip. Thanks to you and your wife for going, though, and being there for your friends, family, and their neighbors. It takes a lot of heart to do that.
I’ve spent time in CDMX, and it’s such a wonderful city — but the tentacles of corruption are everywhere there. It’s awful. And f*ck the people who are stealing aid and profiting from poor construction with a cattle prod.
I hope you are able to relax, enjoy yourself, and forget about work/bills etc. this coming week!!!
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
09/29/2017 at 15:14, STARS: 0
*Tight hugs* I have no idea how it feels to see what you’ve seen, I can’t even comprehend it. I can only cry tears with you and want to give you the biggest hug ever. You are awesome, please do enjoy that vacation, you enjoy it. I hope you and your family fully recovers from all of these events!
"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
09/29/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 0
Estuvo horrible. Animo, desde Monterrey un abrazo.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/29/2017 at 15:21, STARS: 2
Those are terracotta blocks. Whenever you see an area utterly devastated like this after an earthquake, it’s because the prevailing construction methods are unreinforced masonry. Places that primarily use wood and steel fare much better, because they flex. Unreinforced masonry just crumbles.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/29/2017 at 15:22, STARS: 0
I had a feeling that was why you were MIA for a while. I don’t even no what to say. Such a shame, all of it.
Enjoy your vacation! It is richly deserved!
"DutchieDC2R" (dutchiedc2r)
09/29/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
Uly, glad youre back in one piece.
Enjoy your vacay man, you deserve it.
"vondon302" (vondon302)
09/29/2017 at 15:42, STARS: 0
Your a good man El_ULY. I’d buy ya a drink if I could.
"KnowsAboutCars" (knowsaboutcars)
09/29/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 0
That all sucks massively. You’re doing god’s work. I hope you’re alright and will enjoy the well deserved vacation.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
09/29/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 0
Material is one thing, orientation another. Is there something inherent in terracotta that keeps it from being installed with the hole oriented vertically? It seems to me that if it were oriented that way in the first place, a bunch of buildings could be reinforced after the fact by inserting rebar and concrete from the top.
"fintail" (fintail)
09/29/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 0
Congrats on the vacation, condolences on what you’ve been dealing with. Unreinforced masonry is the devil.
I think that W210 has Lorinser bits.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/29/2017 at 16:33, STARS: 0
I honestly couldn’t tell you if it’s meant to be installed vertically or not, because it’s not a material we really use in the US. Orienting it vertically will give it more compressive strength, but that’s not what causes these collapses. Masonry is super strong in compression, but when the ground shakes, it crumbles no matter what. It’s not cohesive enough, and it has no ability to flex and bend.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
09/29/2017 at 16:33, STARS: 0
I’m fully aware that no words I could say will really help, but I’ll still try: I’m so sorry for the victims and for the people of Mexico City, and for your family’s lost friends. I’m glad you were able to go and help out where you could, and I’m glad you’re back.
It sounds like the Red Cross is not the best place to donate after crises (not surprising after 9/11 and Haiti). Are there any organizations that you have seen doing good on the ground, either in Houston or CDMX?
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
09/29/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 0
Welcome back home, I hope you get to enjoy your well deserved vacation.
Glad you were able to get down there and help/check up on family and friends, and a heck of a lot of respect for you too. It’s a pretty selfless thing to walk away from your own city in the middle of disaster recovery, and go help others.
"valis86" (valis86)
09/29/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
VERY glad to hear that you are back Houston side safe and sound. It absolutely sucks what you went through in Mexico City, but you are a helluva person for getting down there. One of my co-workers is roughly at Eldridge and Little York, and she had the same damn thing happen; went to bed, all was fine, woke up in the middle of the night when her dog came paddling into the bedroom. Would’ve been funny if the house wasn’t essentially rendered uninhabitable.
Be well, and again, damn glad to hear that you are back up here.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
09/29/2017 at 17:03, STARS: 1
I found an answer, whether it is correct or not, it is from an authoritative source.
“The difference in volume and bed of the mortar joint between side construction and end construction offsets the difference in ultimate crushing strength of the tile, when built up in the wall, between side construction and end construction. therefore, regardless of the method used, the strength of the finished wall is about the same. So it is a matter of choice based on personal preference and other considerations as to which form of construction should be used.” - Handbook of Hollow Building Tile Construction , 1922
To alleviate any confusion, the hollow blocks were called tiles.
I suppose some builders preferred to have the larger mortar bed that comes with orienting the holes horizontally instead of vertically. Perhaps their contracts were for time and materials.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/29/2017 at 17:09, STARS: 0
That sounds about right to me.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 17:19, STARS: 1
indeed Williams thankx, saludos hermano!
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
09/29/2017 at 17:22, STARS: 0
My condolences for everything. Do yourself a favor: go see a psychologist. You just went through some harrowing stuff, it’ll help even if you think you’re good mentally. When I was a firefighter, I saw plenty of friends’ mental health crumble after bad scenes. Don’t risk being like them.
Otherwise, float the river in Gruene on Sunday. The Guadalupe’s water has healing powers. Pro Tip: take the North run down, outside of New Braunfels’ jurisdiction.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 17:22, STARS: 1
There are various local places, not sure which to recommend or of a website that organizes them. Puerto Rico is the place that needs it badly
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 1
When I lived in SA, we had the hook up in that area but didn’t go back there after various run ins with sneks lol. We are most likely doing the classic Comal run.
Thanks for the tip and i’ll make sure to monitor that no matter how I think I feel. Really puts things in perspective, especially today at work when these morons are complaining that the coffee from this huge new machine we got tastes odd. They literally have spent 3 hours complaining
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 17:29, STARS: 0
Thanx buddy. It’ll be a short one but every second will be precious for sure. Hope you and your have a kickass rest of the weekend.
Confirmation on the Lorinser kit. The car is solid and could be mine for $2500.
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
09/29/2017 at 18:02, STARS: 0
Events like what you went through can alter your entire sense of reality, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. I got through my firefighting career with my mind intact, but many of my friends went through substance abuse and severe mental issues due to the same experiences that I had. Their issues didn’t necessarily appear immediately, either.
You’ll probably be fine, but if you find yourself experiencing nightmares, personality changes, or just feeling like you’re acting differently, go see a counselor.
The Comal run should be fun.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 1
Thanx R&D. It’s basic instinct down there and common at all times, not just after an event like in the US it seems. We all gotta look out for each other ALWAYS
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
09/29/2017 at 18:28, STARS: 0
Damn, Uly... I just have no words...
Glad you were able to be there for your family, and that your aunts were found okay. So sorry for the families that lost loved ones.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:30, STARS: 0
lol indeed sir, take care and have a good rest of the weekend
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:31, STARS: 1
thanx buddy :] Take care and enjoy the weekend duuuude
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:31, STARS: 0
Thanks buddy. Have a rad weekend !
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:32, STARS: 0
This was an oooold building indeed. Craziness, all of it.
Car could be mine for $2500, very tempted :]
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:33, STARS: 1
Thanx BvdV. It’s human nature to help, always.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:33, STARS: 0
It’ll be a short one but it will help :] Take care KAB and have a good weekend
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 1
Yeah dude it was tough. Such young lives taken throughout all these events :’(
We all have to learn to love more and hate less. Take care and have a rad weekend buddy
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 0
Thanks Dutchie, take care my homie :] Have a rad sauce weekend
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:36, STARS: 1
Indeed sir, we all have to take care of each other, always. Have an awesome weekend buddy
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:37, STARS: 0
Make mine a strawberry Nesquik lol :] Have a cool weekend vondon
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:37, STARS: 1
thanks $kay I will, have a rad weekend buuuuddy :]
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:39, STARS: 1
Le neta hermano. Que tristesa al chile. Igual con nuestros latinos en Puerto Rico. Saludos compa!
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:41, STARS: 1
Yup, especially in that area precisely. Crazy that whole security net was over loaded. Gotta continue working and being ultra rad to our fellow humans.
Take care and have a rad weekend valis86
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:56, STARS: 1
thanx buddy. Craziness all around for sure but recovery is top priority. We just gotta keep helping our fellow man and learn to hate less.
Cheers and have a rad weekend duuuude
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 1
damn that sounds scary. We definitely feel like all is normal but gotta check all that first, both me and my wife.
"valis86" (valis86)
09/29/2017 at 20:04, STARS: 0
You as well, my friend. You as well. Got my son, gonna hit the batting cages, and have him read this post of yours. He will enjoy it and respect you for it, so thanks again. Kudos and be well.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
09/29/2017 at 20:34, STARS: 0
seeing a dead body is bad enough, no way i could carry one out of rubble though.
but enjoy your break
"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
09/29/2017 at 21:11, STARS: 0
"fintail" (fintail)
09/29/2017 at 21:27, STARS: 0
What’s wrong with the 210?
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
09/29/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 1
Love your ability to stay positive and your focus on making the world a better place through all of this.
You too, homie.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 2
There is no other way. It’s natural
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0
Nothing, they don’t give much for trade ins. That is what they paid which is what we pay
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 23:07, STARS: 0
We were all just a unit formed of neighbors doing what the state wasn’t doing. All was just a natural reaction. The city is mega huge. The effort, triumph and tragedy is obviously something I’ll never forget. Seeing those young peeps that had their whole life to live really puts things in prospective. Fpr now, all that will take a back seat these next couple of days. Have an awesome rest of the weekend my good buddy Pip :p
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 23:08, STARS: 0
Heck yeah dude batting cages are so rad! I always wanted one of my own in the back yard. Also, an air hockey table.
"fintail" (fintail)
09/29/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
Very cool. I’d do it for an oddball spare car, something to interest fans of aging MBs, or maybe a quick flip - I bet someone out there would want it. If I had time/space/energy, I might hound you for it :)
I am pretty sure those are original Lorinser exhaust tips, too.
"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
09/29/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 0
1.) yikes thats some crazy shit. Glad you’re ok.
2) Aston has the laziest designers as every gen looks almost the same, but beautiful every time.
3) from what i read, along with teh fear of the water overfloawing, there were major concerns on how long the dams could hold water, that the sides could turn to mush, as they were designed to fill up in a sudden rainstorm, not 3+ days of constant rain.
4) have fun
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 23:34, STARS: 0
In the northern portions on the dam, water did spill around one of the edges. It was crazy but indeed much worse if it had collapsed. Damn Houston landscape is flatter than a piece of printer paper.
Have a rad weekend buddy!
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/29/2017 at 23:36, STARS: 0
Indeed buddy. Used car sales manager will even let me pay for it in segments since he isn’t going to put it on the lot. I think he is the devil, tempting me like a mofo lol
"Agrajag" (Agrajag)
09/29/2017 at 23:43, STARS: 0
You continue to be an inspiration, El_Uly. I hope you are able to get the rest you deserve.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/30/2017 at 00:19, STARS: 0
Oh I will! Rolling out dark early for the Gambler 500-Illinois!
"fintail" (fintail)
09/30/2017 at 00:48, STARS: 0
Are you going to do it?
I’ve heard of the same thing at dealerships here , the interesting somewhat oldies get snapped up by dealership employees before they go anywhere. And then when something interesting does hit the lot, they will ask the moon for it (a year or two ago a nice low miles 97-98 SL500 with pano hit the used section, but at over 20K, nope. It eventually sold though). Funny how this 90s-tastic 210 interests me much more than the new cars in your pics :)
"vondon302" (vondon302)
09/30/2017 at 08:01, STARS: 0
Lol. You too buddy get some rest and recharge.
Fyi damnyou guys got some nice metal in your shop.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/30/2017 at 08:37, STARS: 1
They are neat but headaches lol :]
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/30/2017 at 08:41, STARS: 0
Indeed. Our used car tech hoped on a mega clean W201 190E Cosworth non Evo for I think $1800. Car was in tip top shape. The owner (some old guy with a bunch of cars) traded that and a W211 for a new E-class.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
09/30/2017 at 08:42, STARS: 0
cooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You need some LaLD stickers! I’ll send them to you
"fintail" (fintail)
09/30/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0
Must be a weird position to be in, so old and/or loaded that you just don’t care, you want the old cars out of your sight. The 16 valve cars aren’t worth a fortune yet, but still a lot more than that trade-in value, and they have a lot of upside potential (any Evo car here would be a private import, and by the time they hit the road, grey market cars were very difficult). So the 201 and 211 maybe covered tax on the new car. I guess if you have enough money, you don’t care.
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
10/05/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0
How was your vacation?
"EL_ULY" (uly)
10/06/2017 at 09:45, STARS: 0
Sup duuude. It was too short lol. I worked Saturday. Sunday went down to the Comal River for some rad tubing. Monday and Tuesday was paradise down on South Padre Island. Wednesday was spent in Corpus Christi on the USS Lexington and other sights. Lots of yummy food and time relaxing with phones turned off enjoying river, pool and beach waters :]
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
10/06/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 0
Awesome good to hear. This is a great time of year to go to South Padre. How much of an impact from Harvey was evident? If you’re ever passing through SA give me a shout and I’ll buy you a margarita.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
10/06/2017 at 10:18, STARS: 0
None. Some roofs were a bit tweaked in Corpus but the most dadamaged areas I saw were Sinton and especially Refugio. The closer to the coast of Rockport, the more devastation was still very present. Where at in SA do you stay at? I lived there for 4 years off of Blanco near the Wurzbach Pkwy
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
10/06/2017 at 12:12, STARS: 0
Thanks for the reply. A buddy of mine has family in Rockport and was there last weekend saying there is tons of cleanup to do and will be for a long time there. I live in NW Bexar county just past Helotes. Our neighborhood has a huge bond debt from building sewers in the 1970's so nobody wants to annex us :) I actually used to rent an apartment on Blanco at Bitters just a mile down the road from Wurzbach Pkwy so I know that area well. It’s been 8 years or so since I moved out. They’ve really developed a lot down there and it is turning into a major through-way on that north-central part of town. Hardberger Park is open down there now and they really did a great job with it - huge dog park, huge playground for the kids, lots of trails.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
10/06/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 0
oh wow rad. I know a couple peeps out near Helotes. I lived in SA in some apartments on Blanco form 06 to 10. Haven’t been back in a good while. My friends at the time were mostly in the south side or way up north in Timberwood Park or near Bracken
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
10/06/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 0
Crazy I lived in that apartment on Blanco from 08 to 09 - we were neighbors! If you’re ever back by give a shout and maybe we can meet up.