Thursday, April 29, 2010

The last blog of Howard Mahoney

Howard A. Mahoney passed away on April 19th, 2010 at the age of 80. In Memoriam, I present his eulogy. May he rest in Peace.

Timothy R. Mahoney
_________________________________________________________________


2 Corinthians 4:16-15:8

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

___________________________________________________________________

Father…Husband…Teacher…mechanic…truck driver…businessman…thinker...Airman…Sailor…A man of Faith.


How many ways can you describe one man? Dad lived each one of these and more. He was a devoted husband, a father who loved his kids the best he knew how. He passed on his knowledge to all he could. He worked in many different jobs and careers, striving to do it right. But three things always stood above all else: God, Family, and Country.


Everything Dad did had one goal, to make a better life for his family. He had many goals and plans, but each one had a single guiding thought: How to make Mom’s life better. He was always concerned about how hard she worked. He also tried to raise his kids the best he could. He knew he wouldn’t be around forever, and he wanted to make sure we knew how to make it in this world.


He gave us many passions and abilities. He passed on his love of flying, and saw it in me and his grandson. He shared his love of World War II with his great-grandson. His love of racing found its way into his kids. He gave his kids a gift of mechanical ability, and an intense curiosity. He taught that if you’re going to do something, do it the best you can. “The right tool for the right job” was a favorite phrase. For the first part of life he was my father and teacher. We had our arguments and disagreements. Later, as I am raising my own kids, I saw him as a friend and mentor.


Dad’s best gift was his sense of humor. Hiding a gift at Christmas was a favorite. Other times, jokes and stories spilled out, and filled the room with laughter. Once he got email, a day didn’t pass that he didn’t find something funny to share.


Something else Dad gave us was a sense of patriotism. To him, this country was the best there ever was and ever will be. He didn’t always agree with what the president or congress was doing, but he always loved this country. He hated to see the flag disrespected, and thought there was only one way to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Dad served in the military not once, but three times. One of his proudest claims was being a veteran.


Dad lived his life on his terms, but he never forgot his relationship with God. Even when he was unable to come to church, he still watched the masses on TV. Dad was a man of faith who trusted and loved God. He always told me that you need God in your life, and that God would always be in you.


Many years ago, when stations signed off the air at night, some has a video of a plane flying with a voice-over of a poem. This poem was written just before the US entered World War II. I’d like to share it with you now.


Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds

- and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of

- wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.


Dad led an interesting life. He taught his kids what he knew, the best he knew. He was preparing us to walk on our own. Last week, I told my wife that I wasn’t ready to lose my dad. But over the last week, I realized everything he has given me has prepared me. The training wheels are off. I’m ready to solo, Dad.


Sunday, August 9, 2009

FW: VIDEO: Fantastic and fanciful old-timey explanation of the differential

 

 

Feed: Autoblog
Posted on: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:01 PM
Author: Jonny Lieberman
Subject: VIDEO: Fantastic and fanciful old-timey explanation of the differential

 

Filed under: Technology, Videos, Chevrolet

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How works the differential -- click image above to watch the video


During the first couple of minutes of this clip, you might be asking yourself why a bunch of Tom of Finland types are riding around the desert on motorbikes. Like many of life's great mysteries, all is eventually revealed, if not explained. Speaking of mysteries, differentials are pretty nifty. We still remember getting a fancy-pants Technical Lego set one birthday and spending one week straight just watching the little plastic differential at work. So cool! And speaking of cool, you simply must watch this Chevy PSA about differentials. It's just fantastic. Note to world: many more of us would have gone much further in life if this was the sort of thing we got to watch in school. Full 9+ minute clip after the jump. Thanks to Alex for the tip!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fantastic and fanciful old-timey explanation of the differential

VIDEO: Fantastic and fanciful old-timey explanation of the differential originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Lost tapes

I’m trying to locate two recorded tapes Luther H. Mahoney made before his death about this time spent with RUDOLPH VALENTINO AND AN EMPLOYEE! I have access to the first tape but need the other two hours to complete the set!

 

If you have or know anyone who might have these tapes please contact me at howard@mahoney-ranch.com

 

Thank you, Howard A. Mahoney

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

DAILY CHRONICLE #14 VOL 15

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 14 VOL 15

TUESDAY OCTOBER 14TH 2008

WEATHER; COOL, LOW HUMIDITY, 66/80 DEGREES

I DIDN’T GO TO TOWN TODAY SO I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE GAS PRICES ARE!

 

I’M SORRY FOLKS BUT I’M JUST NOT UP TO DOING THE CHRONICLE FOR A WHILE, AT LEAST TILL I GET THIS TAIL BONE TAKEN CARE OF! I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND!

 

THAT’S “30” FOR A WHILE

 

HOWARD

 

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

DAILY CHRONICLE #13 VOL 15

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 13 VOL 15

MONDAY OCTOBER 13TH 2008

WEATHER; WARM, LOW HUMIDITY, 66/81 DEGREES

LOCAL GAS PRICES ARE STILL ON THE DOWNWARD PLUNGE! THE ONLY REAL CHANGES I NOTICED OCCURING THIS WEEKEND WERE   THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WAS DOWN TO $3.31 AND A BARREL OF OIL HAD DROPPED ANOTHER $3.00 TO $69.00!

 

SORRY FOLKS, I TRIED TO DO THIS CHRONICLE LAST NIGHT BUT THIS TAIL BONE INJURY JUST HURTS TO MUCH FOR ME TO SET AT MY COMPUTER! I’VE TRIED DIFFERENT PILLOWS AND BRACINGS TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE BUT TO NO AVAIL! I WRITE A LITTLE AND THEN HAVE TO GO SET IN MY RECLINER WITH A BIG PIECE OF HI-DENSITY FOAM! THIS PIECE OF FOAM IS WAY TOO BIG TO USE ON MY COMPUTER CHAIR AND IT ONLY HELPS FOR A FEW MINUTES! I’M WAITING FOR A CALL FROM THE DALLAS VA TELLING ME WHEN I’M TO COME DOWN THERE FOR A REVIEW OF THE INJURY AND WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR IT!

 

MOM WENT IN TO HELP SHANNON AND THEN TAKE HER TO THE DOCTOR! I GUESS EVERYTHING IS OK OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD!

 

I HAD MOM STOP AT AUTO-ZONE AND PICK UP 2 QTS OF LUCAS THAT I KEEP PUTTING IN THE ENGINE! HAVE ANY OF YOU HEARD THE STORY ABOUT “STP?” WELL, LUCAS MUST BE LIKE STP! HERE’S HOW THE REPORT READ ABOUT THE GERMAN VEHICLES CAPTURED DURING THE WW II NORTH ARICAN CAMPAIGN; THE ALLYS WOULD CAPTURE A BUNCH OF GERMAN VEHICLES AND FOUND THEM OUT OF GAS OR DIESEL AND NO OIL IN THE CRANK CASE! SOME AMERICAN MOTOR POOL MECHANIC FILLED ONE WITH DIESEL BUT DIDN’T CHECK THE OIL IN ONE OF THEIR TRUCKS THE  EQUILIVANT TO OUR 6 BYEs (6 WHEEL DRIVE) AND STARTED IT UP AND GOT IN A CONVOY LINE AND DROVE IT ABOUT 200 MILES TO A RE-PO DEPO AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHERE THE ALLYS WOULD PAINT OUT THE GERMAN SWASTEKA AND ALL THE IDENTIFYING NUMBERS AND PAINT ON THE WHITE STAR AND THE NEW ASSIGNED NUMBERS! THIS WAS HIS TRUCK FROM THEN ON AND ANYTIME IT WAS USED TO HAUL FREIGHT/TROOPS HE WOULD BE THE MECHANIC/DRIVER! AFTER THE 200 MILE RUN HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE IT THE ARMY’S 21 POINT INSPECTION! WHEN HE GOT TO THE OIL HE DIDN’T FIND ANY AND ASSUMED IT HAD THROWN IT OUT OR BURNED SINCE THE DRAIN PLUG WAS STILL IN PLACE!   SO HE FILLED IT UP AND MADE A NOTE ON THE CHECK LIST TO CHECK THE NEXT GERMAN VEHICLE HE FOUND STOPPED BY THE SIDE OF HE RODE

BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF FUEL OR BECAUSE OF SMALL ARMS FIRE! HE FOUND A GERMAN SCOUT CAR (VW) AND CHECKED IT AND FOUND NO OIL AND STARTED IT UP AND DROVE IT ALL OVER THE LANDSCAPE AND RACED THE ENGINE TO WHERE IT BUMPED UP AGAINST THE GOVERNOR BUT HE COULDN’T MAKE IT OVERHEAT OR LOCKUP LIKE IT WOULD DO IF IT WAS OUT OF OIL! THIS REALLY GOT HIS CUROSITY UP AND HE FOUND A GERMAN MOTORPOOL MECHANIC IN A POW CAMP WHO WAS WITH ROMMELS AFRICA CORPS AND ASKED HIM WHAT THEY USED IN THE CRANKCASES OF THE ENGINES OF THEIR VEHICLES! THE MAN TOLD HIM IT WAS JUST THE BY-PRODUCTS OF THE REFINING PROCESS AND IF HE WANTED SOME HE KNEW WHERE THERE WAS A WHOLE TRUCK LOAD OF IT! THE MAN TOLD HIM WHERE IT WAS AND THE AMERICAN MOTORPOOL MECHANIC WENT TO HIS N.C.O.I.C. AND THEY WENT TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND CONVINCED HIM AND HE ORDERED A 6 BYE AND THEY HEADED BACK TO GET THE TRUCK LOAD OF THE STUFF WITH THE GERMAN MOTORPOOL MECHANIC! WHEN THEY GOT TO TOBRUK AND FOUND THE STOCK OF ADDATIVE THEY DRAINED THE ENGINE OF THE 6 BYE AND ADDED 3 LITRES OF THE STUFF AND STARTED THE ENGINE AND HEADED BACK TO THE AMERICAN LINES! IT RAN BEAUTIFUL! FROM HERE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WENT ON BUT IF I REMEMBER RIGHT THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE MOTORPOOL WAS AN AMERICAN LT. COLONEL NAMED GRANATELLI!

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT “LUCAS” IS THE SAME PRODUCT THAT USED TO BE CALLED “STP!”

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISSUE.

 

HOWARD

 

Sunday, October 12, 2008

DAILY CHRONICLE # 12 VOL 15

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 11 VOL 15

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11TH 2008

WEATHER; WARM, HIGH HUMIDITY, 64/84 DEGREES

LOCAL GAS PRICES; $2.54 WAL MART $2.59 EXXON AND OTHER MAJORS! NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.35! OIL DOWN TO $72.00 A BARREL TODAY!

 

MOM WENT IN AND HELPED SHANNON WITH HER SHOWER AND WASHING HER HAIR THEN TOOK HER TO GET HER HAIR CUT AND STYLED! I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING BUT STAY OFF MY FEET AND WATCHED CNN! PRESIDENT BUSH WAS BACK ON TV TODAY WITH MORE INPUT ON HOW TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE MESS HE AND CHENEY CREATED! THEY SHOULD KNOW HOW TO FIX IT SINCE THEY’RE THE ONES ALONG WITH A FEW HUNDRED OTHERS WHO CREATED IT!

 

TIM CALLED TO TELL US THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE BRADELY TO THE EYE DOCTOR TO HAVE HIS EYES CHECKED AND FOUND OUT HIS VISION WAS 20/60 SO THEY HAD HIM FITTED FOR GLASSES! WE HAD TO HAVE TIM FITTED FOR GLASSES WHEN HE WAS IN THE 6TH GRADE! THAT’S WHEN WE FOUND OUT HE HAD A NYSTAGMUS (SP?) AND HAD TO TAKE HIM DOWN TO DALLAS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK FOR TREATMENT!~ ONE OF THE TREATMENTS THEY HAD US DO AT HOME WAS A FLASLIGHT WITH TWO HI-INTENSITY BULBS THAT FLASHED OUT OF SYNCHRONIZATION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO STRENGTHEN THE EYE MUSCLES!

 

THERE ISN’T MUCH GOING ON DURING THE DAY AROUND HERE EXCEPT FOR WATCHING KONNER PUSH HALLEY JO UP THE HILL BETWEEN US AND KELLY’S ON HER TRIKE! HE GETS HER ALMOST TO THE DRIVEWAY AND STEPS ASIDE AND SHE GOES DOWN BACKWARDS AND HE STANDS THERE LAUGHING! I YELLED AT HIM THE OTHER DAY AND TOLD HIM TO BE CARFULL THAT SHE COULD GET HURT BUT, I SAW THEM DOING IT AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER SO I JUST SHUT UP AND DECIDED TO LET GLENDA TKE CARE OF IT!

 

I RECEIVED THE SPECIAL SHOES THE VA ORDERED FOR ME ONLY THEY’E A SIZE 14 4 WIDE! I WAS SUPPRISED I COULD GET THEM ON AND THE FIT PRETTY GOOD! I WORE THEM TO THE VA FRIDAY AND DIDN’T HAVE ANY TROUBLE DRIVING OR WALKING! IT’S POSSIBLE WHEN I WAS FITTED FOR THE FIRST PAIR AND USED THE HI-DENSITY DRY FOAM IN A SHOE BOX I STEPPED IN TO GET THE IMPRESSION OF MY FEET THAT IT WASN’T THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE! THIS TIME THEY HAD ME STAND ON THE TILE  FLOOR AND USED THREE DEVICES, ONE FOR THE LENGTH, THE OTHER FOR THE WIDTH AND THE THIRD ONE FOR THE HEIGHT OF MY INSTEP! OH YEAH! THEY SENT ME TWO PAIR, ONE BROWN AND THE OTHER BLACK! I FIGURED THEY WOULD WANT ME TO WEAR THEM ON ALTERNATE DAYS SO THAT’S THE PROGRAM I’M SETTING UP! I’ WEAR MY OTHER WHITE SHOES ON SUNDAYS AND/OR OTHER DAYS!

 

SOMETIMES I SET OVER AT THE VA AND HEAR VETERANS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CARE THEY’RE GETTING! I DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING I GET FROM THE VA! I WAS SETTING THERE ONE DAY AND THIS ASSHOLE WAS BLOWING OFF ABOUT HOW HE COULD GET SO MUCH BETTER DOWN TOWN! I FINALLY ASKED HIM IF HE WAS AN OFFICER OR ENLISTED MAN! I WAS A CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY HE SAID! I TOLD HIM HE SOUNDED MORE LIKE A SECOND LOOIE, YOU KNOW, A 90 DAY WONDER! I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS COLMPLAINING ABOUT AND HE SAID NONE OF MY BUSINESS SO I SHUT UP BUT HE NEVER SAID ANOTHER WORD!

IF I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL THE THINGS THE VA HAS DONE FOR ME IT WOULD BE MORE THAN $250,000 AND THEY’VE NEVER REFUSED ANYTHING I’VE ASKED FOR!

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISSUE.

      

HOWARD

 

Saturday, October 11, 2008

DAILY CHRONICLE #10 VOL 15

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 10 VOL 15

FRIDAY OCTOBER 10TH 2008

WEATHER; COOL, MED HUMIDITY, 63/83 DEGREES

WE FILLED UP ON OUR WAY TO THE VA IN BONHAM, TEXAS FOR $2.68 A GALLON! ON THE WAY HOME WE WENT BY THE SAME STATION AND IT HAD DROPED TO $2.64! WE WENT BY THE EXXON AND IT WAS $2.89! THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WAS $3.35! OIL DROPPED TO $77.33 A BARREL!

 

THEN THERE’S THE STOCK MARKET! IT ENDED THE DAY AT –128 AND 8451.19! HENRY PAULSON GOT ON THE TV AND SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO BUY UP THE BANK STOCK!  I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY HOPE THIS WILL DO!

 

I WENT TO THE VA TO HAVE MY TAIL BONE X-RAYED! THE DOCTOR CALLED ME THIS EVENING AND TOLD ME I HAD BROKEN IT AND HE WAS MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DALLAS CLINIC TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE! TO ME IT’S LIKE A BROKN TOE! JUST PUT UP WITH IT AND LET IT HEAL IN ITS OWN TIME WHICH IT WILL DO! I DON’T KNOW BUT I THINK THEY’LL WANT TO OPERATE AND PUT A PIN IN IT AND I GUESS IF IT’S NOT SELECTIVE SURGERY I’LL HAVE TO LET THEM DO IT! THE DOCTOR INCREASED THE PAIN PILLS FROM 1 TO 1 AND ½, 3 OR 4 TIMES A DAY WHICH HELPS!

 

THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM TECHNICAL SUPPORT

* "DO YOU HAVE A SLEDGEHAMMER OR A BRICK HANDY?"

* "THAT'S RIGHT, NOT EVEN MCGYVER COULD FIX IT."

* "SO -- WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?"

* "DUUUUUUDE! BUMMER!"

* "LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GONNA NEED SOME NEW DILITHIUM CRYSTALS, CAP'N."

* "PRESS 1 FOR SUPPORT. PRESS 2 IF YOU'RE WITH 60 MINUTES. PRESS 3 IF YOU'RE WITH THE FTC."

* "WE CAN FIX THIS, BUT YOU'RE GONNA NEED A BUTTER KNIFE, A ROLL OF DUCT TAPE, AND A CAR BATTERY."

* "IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, WE CALL THAT THE HINDENBURG EFFECT."

* "HOLD ON A SECOND... MOM! TIMMY'S HITTING ME!"

* "OKAY, TURN TO PAGE 523 IN YOUR COPY OF DIANETICS."

* "PLEASE HOLD FOR MR. GATES' ATTORNEY."

 

AN AIRLINER

AT A RECENT SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT COURSE IN THE US, THE PARTICIPANTS WERE GIVEN AN AWKWARD QUESTION TO ANSWER. "IF YOU HAD JUST BOARDED AN AIRLINER AND DISCOVERED THAT YOUR TEAM OF PROGRAMMERS HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FLIGHT CONTROL SOFTWARE HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD DISEMBARK IMMEDIATELY?"

AMONG THE ENSUING FOREST OF RAISED HANDS, ONLY ONE MAN SAT MOTIONLESS. WHEN ASKED WHAT HE WOULD DO, HE REPLIED THAT HE WOULD BE QUITE CONTENT TO STAY ONBOARD.

WITH HIS TEAM'S SOFTWARE, HE SAID, THE PLANE WAS UNLIKELY TO EVEN TAXI AS FAR AS THE RUNWAY, LET ALONE TAKE OFF.

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISSUE.

 

HOWARD