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Just an update: had to shelve quite a few plans due to work, new hires, a big grant, and the fact I have less than two weeks to finish the 500$ ScienceMobile to be able to get into a limited window site before it gets bulldozed for tract houses. looks like there’s fossils to be had nearby, so I’ll report back in a few weeks...gotta go rebuild the CVS on my forward drive shaft and finish the lift to get these 31s on. Also have to install the snorkel to get across the river.

People are free to debate Covid risk to the general population, but the indisputable fact is that whatever risk is present is magnified and projected disproportionally onto our brave and respected health care workers. For that reason, I developed and prototyped a device to help keep health care workers safe during in-vehicle patient testing. This project was done on evenings and weekends outside of my normal work responsibilities. I'm hoping to get some clinic time with it within the next few days.

Whether you hunt, fish, hike or collect, you have probably left your vehicle unattended for hours at a time in some seedy and/or remote areas and hoped/ prayed that the miscreants of society leave it alone. My reliable old 2000 F250 Powerstroke diesel had served me well over the years on many an excursion all over Texas and beyond, but as I returned to the road yesterday after pulling a few catfish from a honey hole, my greatest fear (short of injury afield) unfolded....my truck was STOLEN! My wife had to drive all the way out into nowhere to get me, and was surprised how calmly I handled this. Probably good that I did not encounter the human filth responsible in the act....southern genteel would not have ensued. This doesn't change my view of humanity, as I think 95+% want to make the world a better place. But there will always be those out there with no respect or morals, either by upbringing or by choice. Rather than go off in the weeds about human nature, perhaps we can take this opportunity to brainstorm vehicle security. Having had this truck broken into 3 times in the last 15 years (2 door lock cylinders punched out, one window smashed in), perhaps I had placed too much faith in my "security system". When left unattended, I usually padlocked a heavy chain through my steering wheel and through the passenger door handle, so that the wheel couldn't be turned. I assume that yesterday's felons punched out the driver door lock and then had bolt cutters on hand to cut the chain. Do any of you practice or can you suggest additional measures? It would have been nice to have a GPS locator hidden on the truck to guide police in with handcuffs. I've heard of the Tile, but I think its range may have limitations. Are there better locating devices to consider? Also, are there better mechanical security devices to consider. Ignition kill switches make sense as well. Feel free to comment.