Cold, but I don’t know how cold. Not even sure we got below freezing last night. My weather station is still locked up. Not enough sunshine to charge the batteries, I guess. Time for some new ones.
Speaking of batteries, I have been running eneloops in my EDC FLASHLIGHT, the Pelican 1920. I discovered that the eneloops have a much softer case than other disposables. The ends are particularly soft. When I dropped my FLASHLIGHT, the shock caused the tit of one battery to dimple the butt of the other, and they no longer made good contact. Now I’m careful to put the dimpled battery in last so it contacts the spring, and the tit presses firmly against the first battery’s flat butt. Anyone else notice this?
I opened 4 rusty cans from my LTS food last night. I needed the cans for a science experiment, and I don’t trust the ones with rust. Two were ‘pop top’ black beans, and two were normal cans of collards. In all cases the cans were still holding vacuum, despite the rusted edges. Looking inside the cans though, in one case you could see discoloration where the rust was almost through the can. They’d all still have been good to eat, but I’m not taking chances when I don’t have to.
Also, when cleaning some of the cans, I found a swollen can. It was pineapple and about 5 years old. I threw that away. Two pop top campbells soup cans were soft to the touch, ie. not holding vac. Those went into the trash too. Visible rust on the cans. Due to modern cost cutting, I don’t think we can count on cans lasting as long as they used too. Take that into consideration.
My storage area and conditions leave a LOT to be desired. Clearly not the proverbial cool, dry place. Still, I hate to see can failures. At one point I swore off cans because of the rust. But in order to get some variety, and save money, I just accept that I will lose cans. Heck, I’ve lost pouches and boxes too.
Make your conditions as good as you can. Cover your cans. Rotate and inspect your stock. Store what you eat, eat what you store.
And stack it high.
n
Yah, that’s where I’ve come to, as well. Ditto for boxes and such. I mitigate as best I can, mainly by rotating, but just accept it as part of the process. At least I have a forest behind the house, with critters always interested in whatever I might give them, and a compost pile for anything I don’t want to toss to the critters.
In my case, losses due to family greatly exceed losses due to mice, failing cans, and all other methods.
I have had that happen with regular alkaline batteries. It largely depends on how the dropped device strikes the surface and of what the surface is constructed.
Tit & butt. While this is the first I’ve heard those terms used as such they of course are perfectly legit in spite of the sophmoric humor involved (probably just me). I’ve always used bump & flat.
(Thanks SteveF for the contibution last night on ‘fart bombs’. Friends in low places.)
85º F in Grenada. Humidity not far behind. I’ve been using my Grayl GeoPress for filtered water. I get weird looks ‘cause it doesn’t look like a pump/suck filter. As far as I can tell, tap water in Grenada is safe. I haven’t seen people urping everywhere.
Wolf ButtHead on CNN asks Kellyanne Conway “there are issues with your marriage so…” What kind of asshole brings your marriage into a political conversation. Yet, nothing will happen to ButtHead. Totally disgusting. Nobody should even watch CNN anymore after that. She should have beaned him with the closest object.
Long distance sailors used to coat their canned goods with paraffin wax. First they’d remove the paper labels to prevent them from being cockroach fodder – and a mess when they got wet. Then they’d use a marker to label each can, then paraffin dip.
Here’s a guy who did an experiment ashore:
http://www.endtimesreport.com/waxing_cans_and_boxes.html
I believe some would alternately use varnish. Seems a bit dicey with the mild toxins to me, though.
I opened a vacuum-pack of three pounds of rice I packaged four years ago. I made dinner with it, and put the rest in the cupboard for regular use. Leftovers are for lunch today.
In my first attempts at packaging I used plastic vacuum bags and did not use an oxygen absorbers. I am working through my older repackaged bulk items slowly. With my later bulk repackaging I used Mylar pouches and oxygen absorbers. So far, no signs of vermin or broken seals.
Now I need to remember to buy more bulk stuff and do another round of packaging.
“Due to modern cost cutting, I don’t think we can count on cans lasting as long as they used too. “
This. I’ve noticed a lot of packaging lately, where I am just astounded at how thin they can make it. Still works for the immediate purpose, which I suppose is laudable (reduced waste and all that). But for durability…not so great…
Our neighbor from hell: she’s baaaack. After finally approving our access road – which is now about half-built – she’s just sent us a furious email. Once the road was underway, it became apparent – as anyone would expect – that the pretty profile lines on the official terrain map only had a passing resemblance to reality. So the construction company had to shift things around a bit. Perfectly normal, and nothing affecting our neighbor, but it doesn’t match the plan! OMG! Eleventy!
I wrote an answer this morning, but haven’t sent it yet. Still need to tone down the part where I tell her what I think of her ancestry. Also, more importantly, I sent a copy of her email to our attorney, just to see if he thinks it’s time for him to answer, rather than us.
I’d love to send her a link to the book “101 signs you may be an asshole”, but I suppose that wouldn’t be conducive to productive discussions…
85º F in Grenada. Humidity not far behind. I’ve been using my Grayl GeoPress for filtered water. I get weird looks ‘cause it doesn’t look like a pump/suck filter. As far as I can tell, tap water in Grenada is safe. I haven’t seen people urping everywhere.
Is Ross University still there?
My wife isn’t impressed with the output of that institution’s med school, but a lot of money is involved with that place without any student loans … at least not standard ones. Families write big checks. The water would have to be safe on campus at a minimum.
“Consumers Will Be Hit Hardest In New York Utility Clash”
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/consumers-hit-hardest-york-utility-153000992.html
OK, we have a natural gas utility trying to be responsible after the New York State government banned them from securing new supplies of natural gas to meet the needs of new customers. I predict that lawyers will get rich on this.
The rise in natural gas usage across the eastern seaboard is being caused by the premature shutdowns of the Maine Yankee nuclear power plant, Vermont Yankee, and a couple of other nuclear power plants. The remediation costs of these nuclear power plants has been out of sight. Plus several coal power plants have been shut down also due to the cost of transporting the coal from the western USA (Wyoming, etc) since the nearby coal mines have been forced to close.
With our global cooling finally occurring, the people standing in the way of getting new facilities built such as pipelines, etc are being fools. Their constituents are getting what they voted for though.
“5 Books About War and Military Culture” by Sean Danker
https://www.tor.com/2019/11/11/5-books-about-war-and-military-culture/
I have read 4 out of the 5. I passed on the Eddings book.
He is correct about “Speaker for the Dead”.
And where are the David Weber, John Ringo, and Jerry Pournelle books ?
I keep thinking I will at least dip the ends of the cans in lacquer. It dries fast and is resistant to most things except alcohol. I’d have to have a setup that was in place and ready, each time I brought groceries home, or I wouldn’t use it. In the mean time, my plan is covered plastic bins, instead of just the cardboard ‘flats’ from Costco.
got back from school. We burned a bunch of chips and nuts, heated water, and recorded the time and temperature rise. No actual science, since we didn’t record or control sample size, water volume, or any of the other things one does when calculating KCals…
Kids had fun though. Surprising how many acted afraid of the fire, recoiling from the very idea… Once going they were engaged and forgot to be afraid.
so we used the setup and method for calculating the stored energy, but didn’t actually do it. That made some of the presenter’s conclusions very suspect if not outright wrong.
n
“America’s Federal Budget On ‘Unsustainable Path,’ Warns Fed Chair Jerome Powell”
https://dailycaller.com/2019/11/13/jerom-powell-budget-national-debt/
“His testimony came the same day that the U.S. Treasury Department released data showing the federal government ran a deficit of $134 billion in October.”
This cannot go on forever. I know how to cut expenses, start by firing the “whistleblowers” in the State Department and CIA. I suspect that these are all GS-15 or above types in do nothing jobs. And do not give them pensions.
“Disney’s new streaming service warns of ‘outdated cultural depictions’ in some of its classic films”
https://www.fox5ny.com/news/disneys-new-streaming-service-warns-of-outdated-cultural-depictions-in-some-of-its-classic-films
“LOS ANGELES – Disney’s highly anticipated streaming service has placed a disclaimer on some of its classic animated movies warning that the films may contain “outdated” stereotypical depictions users might find offensive.”
“The disclaimer was featured in the description of popular Disney classics like “The Aristocats,” “Fantasia” and “Lady and the Tramp.””
““This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions,” the disclaimer reads.”
I wonder what the ‘outdated cultural depictions’ are in “Lady and the Tramp” ?
I wrote an answer this morning, but haven’t sent it yet. Still need to tone down the part where I tell her what I think of her ancestry. Also, more importantly, I sent a copy of her email to our attorney, just to see if he thinks it’s time for him to answer, rather than us.
Time to go through the lawyer. You might even want to bounce her emails back to her.
I wonder what the ‘outdated cultural depictions’ are in “Lady and the Tramp” ?
Portrayal of Italians for a start.
The Disney live action films from the 50s are pretty bad by today’s standards. “Swiss Family Robinson” is really ugly among others.
The Disney live action films from the 50s are pretty bad by today’s standards. “Swiss Family Robinson” is really ugly.
What ? I loved that movie as a child. I think that we own it on VHS. 82% / 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1020736_swiss_family_robinson
I remember wandering through the “Swiss Family Robinson” treehouse at the Orlando ??? Disney park in 1982 ??? It was neat.
I’ve wondered if I am related to Dorothy McGuire. There are only a few million of us McGuires in the States.
Portrayal of Italians for a start.
Yeah, ’cause Italians are such wusses. Eating spaghetti? Talking funny?
This is different than all of Germany wearing swastikas und talking funny? Or the French saying we-we all the time?
The Disney live action films from the 50s are pretty bad by today’s standards. “Swiss Family Robinson” is really ugly.
Sure, the old stuff is cheesy. And there’s no cussing and very little sex. The color is Kodachrome or something that looks old. The jokes are corny. The singing is tacky most of the time.
I’m not seeing a problem as long as the story is good.
Most of what Disney has made is junk.
Tell the story. Leave out the swearing and stuff that you don’t want your 7 year old kid seeing.
Wow, my server host, http://www.pair.com , is going to apply a microcode patch to my server processor next Monday night. I did not even know that the Intel processor patches were available for FreeBSD machines.
Sure, the old stuff is cheesy. And there’s no cussing and very little sex. The color is Kodachrome or something that looks old. The jokes are corny. The singing is tacky most of the time.
I’m not seeing a problem as long as the story is good.
Most of what Disney has made is junk.
Tell the story. Leave out the swearing and stuff that you don’t want your 7 year old kid seeing.
Ok, I will pass on “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes”. But the original “Freaky Friday”, “That Darn Cat”, “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”, “The Black Hole”, “The Ugly Dachshund”, “The Shaggy DA”, “The Love Bug”, “The Parent Trap”, and “Blackbeard’s Ghost” were pretty good entertainment for live action movies. And I can watch them with my daughter without being embarressed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Walt_Disney_Pictures_films
Hey, I did not know that “Escape to Witch Mountain” was a Disney movie.
I still remember “Mr. Boogety” as being a favorite when my kids were little. It hasn’t been available anywhere since then. I might subscribe just to see that.
And I do have fond remembrances of Uncle Remus and his friends. My dad (uncle) used to read those stories to us when I was around 9-10, using different voices for the various characters. I even think that we had an old record of those stories that we used to play often.
I don’t really care if they are not ‘culturally sensitive’. They were made in a different time, with different standards than today. I still like going on that plume ride at Disneyland and seeing Brer Rabbit and others. I can still hear Brer Rabbit saying “Don’t throw me that briar patch!”
And I can watch them with my daughter without being embarressed.
That’s pretty much my point.
Once, watching a Bette Davis (I think) movie on TV I asked my Mom “did she just make a dirty joke?”. Yes, she did.
“The Disney live action films from the 50s are pretty bad by today’s standards. “Swiss Family Robinson” is really ugly.”
What ? I loved that movie as a child. I think that we own it on VHS. 82% / 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
I don’t have a problem with the Disney back catalog being widely, even “Song of the South”, but I understand why they air a disclaimer in front of some of the movies.
The Chinese pirates in “Swiss Family Robinson” are definitely a casting decision of that era. Like “Charlie Chan” movies staring Warner Oland.
BTW, don’t let any Chinese person tell you that “Number One Son” isn’t a big deal, racisim perpetuated by “Charlie Chan”. If WA State taught me nothing else, it is that being Number One is a huge deal in the families, especially Number One of a Number One like my wife’s jerk cousin in Vantucky.
Of course, Number One in “Star Trek” is something completely different and possibly a misrepresentation of British Navy custom. In that case, Hollywood may have it wrong.
I don’t have a problem with the Disney back catalog being widely, even “Song of the South”, but I understand why they air a disclaimer in front of some of the movies.
They are noting that “Song of the South” is not available on Disney Plus. Yet.
I seem to remember watching SOTS at home when my kids were young. I wonder if we own it on VHS ?
Or maybe I am just thinking of Disney’s Singalong VHS tapes. We had all of those. Was a good way to get the kids to quiet down for a while.
They aren’t published by Tor books, or one of their imprints.
Heck, if they really want my money, among other things, I think Disney+ should have “Captain EO” even though the film loses a lot away from the special theater and 3D effects.
Angelica Houston. Michael Jackson. George Lucas. Francis Ford Coppola. All at the height of their creative abilities.
And if you ever wonder where the idea for The Borg on “Star Trek” came from, go watch “Captain EO” — stolen from the best.
As soon as I get approval, there will be something new about Jerry’s books. I’ll note it here, but it will be published on Jerry’s site.
You can subscribe to get email notice of new posts on Jerry’s site.
They are noting that “Song of the South” is not available on Disney Plus. Yet.
The rerelease of “Song of the South” in roughly 71-72 was my earliest in theater childhood memory. If it shows up on Disney+, they’ll probably get Whoopi to do a long disclaimer in front of the flick. IIRC, she does that for the recent “Looney Tunes” DVD releases.
My earliest movie memory period is “Patton” at the drive in. I’ll never forget that flag. I think I was 2 or 3. My parents went to a double feature of “Patton” and M*A*S*H — holy ideological whiplash, Batman. California when Orange County was still hardcore Republican and Reagan occupied the Governor’s Mansion.
I did that with my kids. In particular, I’d take take them to the library and we’d pick out half a dozen books and rip through them. Before I was halfway done I’d have a ring of kids sitting on the floor in front of us. And afterward, not infrequently have a grandparent good naturedly complaining that he didn’t think he could meet the new, higher bar for story time.
Re: “Song of the South”
Husband got a copy of the film from I don’t want to know where.
Watched it with 7 year old, really enjoyed it. It’s been months and she’s still singing the songs.
It was a product of its time and you couldn’t make it today. We had lots of “Did they really just say that / do that” moments and we are not particularly sensitive to what is / isn’t supposed to be offensive these days.
Re: “Song of the South”
Husband got a copy of the film from I don’t want to know where.
I think it is generally available in East Asia. I have no doubt it is on torrents.
My wife’s Chinese relations are fond of referring to African Americans as “colored” when the “hillbillies” aren’t around. They slipped a couple of times while we were in WA State, however, nearly wetting themselves when they realized that the big redneck from Florida (me) was in the room.
Well into the early 90s, tubes of Darkie — now Darlie — toothpaste were stocked on the shelves of the Asian market we frequented in Little Saigon in Orlando. And the brand logo was exactly what you imagine with a name like that.
Yes, and highly touted by the locals. I don’t know why. If I got a doctor from Grenada, I might go uh…I need a second opinion. I don’t know if they can go right to the US for residency.
And where are the David Weber, John Ringo, and Jerry Pournelle books ?
They aren’t published by Tor books, or one of their imprints.
Actually, David Weber’s Safehold books are published by Tor. And Baen Books is partially owned by Tor if I remember correctly.
Watched it with 7 year old, really enjoyed it. It’s been months and she’s still singing the songs.
If I ever have grandkids, I plan to convert our VHS singalong songs tapes to DVD. Only a couple of the VHS tapes have been converted to DVD for some reason. Here is Snow White Heigh Ho VHS. They are only 20 minutes to 30 minutes long. I’ll bet that we have 20 of these tapes.
https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Sing-Along-Songs-Heigh-Ho/dp/6300276864/?tag=ttgnet-20
One of the singalong songs tapes has Patsy Cline singing her “I go walking at midnight” song with an original video starring Minnie or Pluto, I cannot remember. My daughter was singing that the other day and was wondering where she knew it from. I reminded her about the Disney singalong song VHS tapes.
And then rip them to video files so you can play them on a cheap (kid proof) tablet or screen mirror them from your phone to a TV when you visit them. Ain’t tech wonderful! 🙂
Aww, you’re just an ole softie. And talented!
Then there is your other side… dynamic range… yeah, that’s it! 😉
Yes, and highly touted by the locals. I don’t know why. If I got a doctor from Grenada, I might go uh…I need a second opinion. I don’t know if they can go right to the US for residency.
Yes they can, but residency numbers are already not adequate for US school grads.
Still, if the parents have enough cash to send the kid to Ross, they’re probably capable of making a large donation to a hospital in return for a slot in a residency program.
Well, just finished reading a book with my 10yo. My wife and I alternate with the kids each night. When we started with the toddlers, we alternated nights, but read the same book. that meant missing every other chapter. We did a couple of books that way then switched to each reading our own book.
I just finished the fourth in this series with 10yo. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Strike-of-the-Sweepers-Janitors-by-Tyler-Whitesides/283602673839
I’ve done voices from the very beginning. Not huge variations, but definitely personalities. Reading aloud is hard. It’s a learned skill and takes practice. Also, some authors are easier to read aloud, some are nearly impossible.
We read and re-read the original Little Golden Book (Big Golden Book) compilation of the Uncle Remus stories from Disney. Great illustrations. Yes, I do voices and dialect. I do tone it down a bit, and there has been some drift if they captured the dialect accurately when written. They are great characters and great stories.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Golden-Book-Walt-Disneys-Uncle-Remus-Stories-1947-early-printing/352848131650
We’ve read and re-read The Swiss Family Robinson starting with a severely abridged and adapted picture book thru to the most popular “complete” version. I own several variations, mostly with different illustrations. I LOVED that book. Wore out a paperback copy. I don’t remember much about the movie except on particular dead fall trap, and that it felt contrived to find a girl for the oldest boy…
WRT the live action Disney movies, when you crank out that many, some are going to be brilliant, some ok, and some will not be good at all. I have been looking for the Witch Mountain movies (not the remake with “The Rock”) for years. Ditto for Herbie the Love Bug, and Freaky Friday. Although I have to say, the FF remake is very good, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan… we didn’t make it thru Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but Bedknobs and Broomsticks was a hit. I bet the original Nutty Professor still works… and the Eddie Murphy remake probably didn’t suck.
I grew up watching Disney (presented by Mutual of Omaha) on Sunday night, and Disney movies every week in our mainstreet movie theatre. I saw The Black Hole there with Max Von Sidow?sp? and recently grabbed the DVD. First Disney PG movie, btw….
n
I would think every OS loads microcode patches early in the boot process. Linux has for as long as I can remember.
-20% performance, apparently, to fix all the leaks.
Oh, and the pc violation in Lady and the Tramp is the siamese cats, according to another article on the warnings.
My kids LOVED Lady and the Tramp and I don’t give a fat flying fart flap for the Siamese and if they are offended. Anyone wants to white knight on their behalf can talk to my hairy backside. I’m also done letting anyone white knight without challenge.
FWIW, the Disney movies from that time, lady and the tramp, aristocats, jungle book, and others I’m too tired to think of captured some truly awesome jazz performances. Louis Prima as King Louis??? OMFG yes. The number when Thomas O’Malley, the alley cat takes the Duchess to meet his hep cat friends? F’ing brings down the house!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rrXR6n0RTY gets going around 1:19
n
Well, just finished reading a book with my 10yo. My wife and I alternate with the kids each night. When we started with the toddlers, we alternated nights, but read the same book. that meant missing every other chapter. We did a couple of books that way then switched to each reading our own book.
If you aren’t into church, get a copy of one of the old school editions of “Egermeier’s Bible Story Book”, preferably one published before the author died.
That’s the gold standard for exposing kids to the material.
Posted here, only for reference
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/11/saugus-high-school-shooter-warned-of-shooting-on-instagram-post-one-dead-at-least-7-injured-in-santa-clarita/
I haven’t had a chance to look at anything related to this shooting yet.
n
Do it now. The tapes can degrade over time. Plus the equipment to do the conversion is going to get rare and expensive.