Low 50s and damp. [actually, 60F and 99%RH]
Beautiful day yesterday. Started cool and overcast but turned into a picture postcard day. Chamber of Commerce weather.
My calendar for today is completely clear. All the things I need to do are MY things. I better get some done. No excuses today. Groceries are in. Kids are at school. No pickups or sales. Just fix stuff to list, fix stuff to use, list stuff, and maybe take a load to auction.
Hopefully the news cycle will leave me alone so I can work on stuff.
Late last night in yesterday’s comments I posted a link to a zerohedge article about the fedgov takeover of broadcasting. 1934. Funny how that year crops up in other places that seriously curtail another amendment to the constitution. Almost as if there was a change in the character of our government…. Anyway, if even half the stuff he writes about is accurate, and his interpretation is correct, it explains a lot about how we got to here.
Some other things to think about are real ebola and pig ebola. One is still going on in africa, the other in China. I should have a list of things I’ve gotten wrong. Price movements for food would appear several times on the list… almonds got a couple of bucks more, then went back down. Ham got expensive, then went back down. Maple syrup is down almost 3 or 4 dollars from its high. Stock market didn’t crash (yet). Oil came down from $100/bbl. So maybe I’m not the best predictor of market prices, but if china has killed or lost almost twice the number of pigs in the whole US, and this pig ebola is now spreading outside of China, it might be time to stack some bacon and chops in the freezer. Just sayin’. You can always eat them later, and they are inexplicably cheap atm (unless it’s because of impending feed shortages, and farmers are selling off herds before they get sick, especially with high demand). In any case, if it’s cheap, and might get dear, putting some away makes sense.
If you thought you might like to raise some chickens, this would be the time to start climbing that learning curve.
The same goes for shooting supplies.
80% lowers are no good without at LEAST having barrels (same for stripped lowers). And complete uppers can be had cheaply ATM. Heck, PSA has complete AR kits, minus the lower receiver, for very good prices. (I’ve posted links previously.) My gun store buddy can’t compete and doesn’t see how they can do it for long. Ammo, mags, and parts kits, as well as web gear, could all become very dear literally overnight. Personal armor could vanish with the stroke of a pen, just like bump stocks.
When things get bad, they usually do it very quickly and it catches people by surprise. SOME people though see it coming. Do you see any path at all that has things getting better before they get worse? If not, what are you doing to get ready?
nick
Off to the VA facility in Murfreesboro TN today to get my hearing aids. I have put it off long enough. I have no idea what is involved in the fitting and installation. I have no idea how long it will take. I have no idea if the VA will spend enough time with me or just show me the box and send me on my way. I also have no idea what to expect when I have the units. Getting old sucks and is not for wimps.
@ray, no matter what else happens, there will be an adjustment period for your ears and brain. Stick with it.
n
WRT raising chickens: It is best to get new chicks in the Spring. Those little critters are very sensitive to cold, even if your temperatures are in the 50 to 60s. Raising chicks requires a lot of infrastructure and attention, so hedge your bets and wait until spring to get your chicks (best place is your local Farmers Co-Op). You can start doing your learning and purchasing your equipment now. It will be a big investment of time and money but if you do it right you will not have to re-do and re-do. You have to have everything in place and ready to go before you introduce chicks. Even if you buy older chicks you still have a lot of care to do.
@Ray: Good luck, and tell us your experiences.
I have a friend who has used hearing aids for years. He change models last year, and needs 2-3 months to really get used to them. He had to go back for support a time or two as well, as there are so many setting and adjustments that can be made.
Here in central coastal California, I’m still out of PG&E power. It went down about ten minutes after I posted on Saturday evening. We still have water, and there is power within a half a mile of us so food & fuel will not be a problem for a while. We tried to eat out last night, but restaurant lines were a half hour to 45 min long, so we ate at home. We got a warning last night that there are more high winds predicted so there may be another shutdown on Tuesday. We may not get power back before then. I’m running my generator about two or three hours at a time with two or three hours off between. That is keeping the refrigeration going. It saves gas and gives us a break from the noise. We don’t need it for much else, other than cooking a bit, and charging our phones. My ISP is Xfinity, though, and I don’t have connectivity now. Last time, I had a brief interval of net access, then it got flaky and dropped out. Our Verizon cell service provides web services for the phone, but doesn’t have enough bandwidth for tethering. I’m using my neighbor’s DSL link (AT&T) right now – it has stayed up.
I had some trouble with the cords vibrating loose from my generator. It is a Generac that is very loud with lots of vibration. I dug out a twist-lock cord to fix that problem. I have been using a variety of gas cans with vapor minimization nozzels. Some are worse than useless, some are kind of OK, and the ones with the pushbutton to turn the flow on & off are actually better than the old style non-vapor control nozzels. Overall, we are getting by without much trouble. No sign of civil unrest, or at least more than is usual around here.
I have heard that from several people. I am going to get my servicing office transferred to Knoxville. This 300 mile round trip sucks. But Knoxville was backed up for 6 months on fittings.
I will. An entire new experience for me.
Lot of people in this huge facility that are in bad shape. Probably no older than me. I guess I should feel fortunate.
Ray, I still don’t need hearing aids, but have several friends who do. Brad’s comment on a long adjustment period seems typical. Also, the more difficult your profile, the more satisfied you will be if you can do your own adjustments via your phone or a dedicated remote control. At the very least, you should be able to choose profiles for different environments.
@JimM, thanks for the update.
I use a simple hand squeeze bulb pump to transfer fuel from the can to the gennie. My wife can’t lift and hold a 5 gallon can securely enough to refill on her own. I’ll admit, I don’t like it either. The pump makes it safer and easier.
We ran our gennie during the day, mostly straight thru once we determined that refueling wouldn’t be a problem. You want everything good and cold before you shut down for the night. And we shut down every night. The noise attracts thieves from miles around. Chain up your gennie. At least use ropes tied up in a clusterfusk to slow them down…
Noise is why I have the stack of solar PV panels, but thrift and busy-ness is why I don’t have them installed yet…. I’d like to be able to at least run the fridges and freezer at night, and maybe a few lights. But that will take batteries and an inverter.
Anyway, good luck and keep us informed when you can …
n
Lot of people in this huge facility that are in bad shape. Probably no older than me. I guess I should feel fortunate.
I see the same thing at the Austin VA. I’m usually over there twice a week.
Seeing 20 somethings messed up by the “wars” is really sad. I can’t imagine what San Antonio is like since the really grim cases go there.
At least you will be able to enjoy Mrs. Thompson’s snoring and blabbing again. 😉
My trips to the VA hospital in Vegas were grim on the entry level. Usually about twenty people with missing limbs and more with who knows what is wrong. Pretty evenly divided from codgers to youngsters. Beautiful facility and my late BIL received quality care.
Spain is being culturally enriched by the diversite’….
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7621499/One-man-dies-two-badly-injured-Barcelona-knife-brawl.html
And those wonderful folks south of our border keeping the magic alive, but not their victims….
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7621255/Mexican-cops-40-skulls-FETUS-jar-Satanic-altar-set-drug-traffickers.html
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you… Build the wall.
n
(and part of the golden horde if things go to sh!t here.)
Getty fire along I405 in Sepulveda Pass
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Evacuations-Ordered-Near-Getty-Center-LA–563969391.html
I’m 3 miles south of the 405 but 38 miles south of the fire. Somewhat windy here, but we are OK and power still up. Our coastal area is without brush and natural trees.
Lines like this are why I really like the Wilder blog….
n
“I know my rights!” :: “He didn’t even do nuthin'”
https://twitter.com/i/status/1188619224379461633
sure….
n
Freefall: a fire hose of information
http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff3400/fc03349.htm
Welcome to today’s life, a fire hose of information.
“A.F. Branco Cartoon – Loose Lips”
https://comicallyincorrect.com/a-f-branco-cartoon-loose-lips/
“ISIS leader Baghdadi has been killed during an operation ordered by President Trump but he withheld it from Pelosi and Schiff due to past Democrat leaks. Political cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2019.”
Now I understand the diversionary message about withdrawing our troops from Syria. It was to draw out the bad guys.
You know, if you can’t help the situation then maybe you can be an idiot. So Mittens, you were a useful idiot.
We ran our gennie during the day, mostly straight thru once we determined that refueling wouldn’t be a problem. You want everything good and cold before you shut down for the night. And we shut down every night. The noise attracts thieves from miles around. Chain up your gennie. At least use ropes tied up in a clusterfusk to slow them down…
One of my neighbors ran his gennie for two days after hurricane Ike in 2008. It was a noisy piece of junk. The rest of us on the block were ready to pour gasoline on it and set it on fire after a single night trying to sleep with our windows open and the drone of his gennie not luring us to sleep …
You’re Texans, aren’t you? Why didn’t you ride up on your hosses, Peacemakers on your hips, lasso the varmint, and throw the rope over the nearest tree branch? (Where “varmint” can mean the generator or the neighbor, your pick.)
One of my neighbors ran his gennie for two days after hurricane Ike in 2008. It was a noisy piece of junk. The rest of us on the block were ready to pour gasoline on it and set it on fire after a single night trying to sleep with our windows open and the drone of his gennie not luring us the sleep …
I trust they had a legitimate need — *medical* need — for the generator and it wasn’t simply running a TV and DVD player.
Even a freezer full of meat would be iffy in my book if it meant I couldn’t sleep.
“Ball or beer? Hilarious moment Nationals fan avoids catching a home run ball to save his two drinks at World Series (but then they are super expensive!)”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7620571/Hilarious-moment-Nationals-fan-takes-home-run-ball-stomach-avoid-spilling-beer.html
That was hilarious last night when the double fisted beer drinker took the home run ball in the gut.
One of my neighbors ran his gennie for two days after hurricane Ike in 2008. It was a noisy piece of junk. The rest of us on the block were ready to pour gasoline on it and set it on fire after a single night trying to sleep with our windows open and the drone of his gennie not luring us the sleep …
I trust they had a legitimate need — *medical* need — for the generator and it wasn’t simply running a TV and DVD player.
Even a freezer full of meat would be iffy in my book if it meant I couldn’t sleep.
Freezer full of elk and deer meat IIRC.
Back from the VA. Took about 45 minutes to get the devices adjusted. Consisted of putting something in my ears and the doctor playing a sentence about rainbows, I guess with some key works and enunciation that were needed. I arrived early and was seen early, a pleasant surprise.
The devices are small, as in really small. 50% of that is taken up by the battery. According to the doctor I got state of the art, top of the line, hearing aids. Retail for $7K on the commercial market. Of course the VA does not pay that amount. Here is a link to the models that I received.
The settings were made and then saved to the devices. I guess they can easily reprogram the profile using the computer. Then the devices were paired to my iPhone. There is a setting in IOS that will natively pair with hearing devices. I have downloaded the Resound app for my phone which gives me some control over the device. I may make some adjustments in the high frequency portion after a few weeks. For now I am going to deal with the default settings to adjust before making any rash decisions.
Lots of sounds I have not heard for a long time. The clicking of the keyboard is much louder than I would have imagined. I can even hear the clicking of my mouse buttons, have not heard that in a long time. The primary boost is in the high frequency range. I can now hear the rustling of paper. Driving home the road noise sounded about the same. The devices may have some sort ambient noise bypass or ignore.
So far the devices are comfortable, no real issues there. Slight echo when I speak as the device is amplifying my voice and there is ever so slight a delay due to the digital processing. The devices are extremely light, no sensation of wearing them. The only determination is that I can feel something in my ear.
The receiver does not completely block the ear. That is supposed to make sounds seem more natural. I can use the devices with my phone to as basically a Bluetooth headset.
VA replaces the devices every four years. During that four years I can get a couple of replacements if I lose a device. Damages are covered by warranty and will be repaired by the VA at no charge as long as abuse is not indicated.
Wife said she can barely see the devices behind the ear as they are partially hidden by my hair. Only front facing indication is the small wire tube that runs over the top of the ear next to the scalp and out the front into the ear. Unless you are looking for it I doubt it would catch anyone’s attention.
First shipment of batteries and wax filters is automatic. After that I have to order through the VA’s website and the items will be shipped to my home address. Batteries are not expensive, 60 of them for $20.00. Each battery generally lasts 4 to 5 days. So for $20 you get 4 to 5 months worth. Not a significant cost item in my way of thinking. Is something I will have to take with me on any trips.
Thus far a positive experience.
Crap, next weekend is the end of Daylight Savings Time. We are changing the clocks again.
Wait, this is the FALL BACK weekend ! An extra hour of sleep before church starts ! Sweet !
TN voted to stay on DST permanently. But the change cannot be made until approved by congress. I wonder how long that takes.
The time change really annoys me, messes with my sleep patterns. I would rather have 3 hours or 6 hours for when I travel to Europe rather than a 1 hour. I also have several devices in the studio that need to have their time changed. Just something else to do that should not longer be needed.
–even at a vigil for the victims they can’t get along without shooting at each other.
— I couldn’t find in the article if it ever says the two dead were students.
–750 millenials at a party, and only two videos? Naw, no way. And there must have been days of social media posts leading up to it. Anyone posting about settling a beef??
–if the victims were targeted, what does their social media look like?? Come on presstitutes, do some looking.
n
TN voted to stay on DST permanently. But the change cannot be made until approved by congress. I wonder how long that takes.
Have you ever heard the phrase “until the death of the Sun” ?
750 millenials at a party, and only two videos? Naw, no way. And there must have been days of social media posts leading up to it. Anyone posting about settling a beef??
If it was a Greek event, the national organization is involved and directing the scrubbing of social media out of fear that the local house will be sanctioned or removed from campus.
Suspect arrested in deadly Texas party shooting:
Brandon Ray Gonzales: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
I have now.
Brandon Ray Gonzales: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Not a sanctioned Greek organization.
“The Homecoming party, “Twerk or Treat,” was hosted by The Goodfellas, a group from Commerce, but not an official university fraternity.”
Also probably a for profit event.
n
Orangeman bad! So bad!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/10/hah-hah-best-president-ever-trump-surprises-fake-news-media-on-air-force-one-serves-them-the-garbage-halloween-lunch-they-deserve/
I made these for my family tonight! The recipe I used has macaroni noodles in it, which look like brains under the lid, and worms where they peek out of an eye or nose….I’ve been planning it since last week when I bought the peppers. Freakin peppers are $1.25 each.
n
I made these for my family tonight!
Did you make a kitty litter cake too?
Nope, I put them on a bed of mashed potatoes with bacon crumbles. Best buy of 2014 powdered mashed. They were good with the butter and bacon.
n
“The Homecoming party, “Twerk or Treat,” was hosted by The Goodfellas, a group from Commerce, but not an official university fraternity.”
Also probably a for profit event.
The people in charge at the school need to be aware of all the events involving students even if they are unsanctioned and off campus. Greenville is a small town, and the requisite intelligence gathering isn’t rocket science.
The media turned the story into being about something that happened at the university … probably hoping it was a white male shooter.
And with all the ‘fusion centers’ trolling social media, no one flagged this event as a possible riot in the making? ONE off duty officer?
n
Took over my provisional apartment today. We’ll move the furniture over the weekend, but I probably won’t actually move in for a couple of weeks.
I’m looking forward to it 🙂
Somehow, it’s a trip back to younger days, a bachelor apartment. Not that I don’t like being married, but – subliminally – I’m sort of looking at the place as a refuge from all the responsibilities of managing a house, earning a living for a family, wrangling two sons, etc…
You have a man cave as big as an apartment!
n