Forecast calls for heavier rain, T-storms, etc. Given our microclimates, I’ll hope for the best, and find stuff to do if it rains.
Spent Saturday afternoon running around, and then doing cleanup and organizing, and re-stacking at my secondary. Then headed home. Not much interesting, except I’m going through a patch of increased serendipity and heightened coincidence…. and that usually gets weird.
Plan for the day is organizing at my nearby storage unit, in order to get more ebay stuff out of the foyer. I need listed items close enough I can ship them the same day but I also need them out of the house. The storage unit is temporary, as I clear out more space elsewhere.
Everything takes more time and more effort than you think. That’s why it’s so important to get started.
Whatever you’ve identified as something to add to your preparations for the hard times ahead, get started. Take the first step.
And keep stacking.
nick
I’m getting periodic audio glitches during youtube playback. It was a problem before, then went away, and is back. This is on my main machine, win8.2, in ffox. I’ve tried updating ff.
I suspect that something else is causing the playback glitch because when it happens page scrolling freezes, and mouse movement freezes. SOMETHING is basically locking up the whole pc for a split second every 15 or 30 seconds. It’s not regular.
Do you have the latest driver for your video card?
Firefox attempts to use hardware acceleration by default. The fastest/safest way to turn this off to see if the acceleration causes your problem:
Preferences->General->Performance. Turn off “Use recommended performance settings”. Then turn off “Use hardware acceleration when available.”. Restart Firefox.
If it doesn’t work, just reactivate the acceleration.
Something has seemed strange with Firefox since they started mixing in DLLs built with Rust, particularly the core rendering engine.
Rust is a Hot Skillz, however.
CV-19 vaccination today. And, of course, it snowed. Jane was already planning to chauffeur me to the town hall, where the vaccination centre is. She doesn’t like driving in snow, so that was a bit of a problem.
The jab was a complete nothingburger, just a prick as the needle went in. They kept me “for observation” for 15 minutes, otherwise it was in-and-out. Next shot 10-12 weeks.
G.
Tyler Durden cowardice covering for someone reporting a little too much honesty about Bezos hypocrisy.
Fraud? What? I’m shocked. Shocked!
https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/amazon-demands-person-union-vote-after-arguing-mail-ballots-raise-risk-fraud
Ah, the Legend dies hard. The Legend Of Jeff, Family Man, Drives A Honda, Wears The Same Type Of Shirt To Work Every Day (TM).
Unions will bring an end to the economic viability of the Brown Truck Shopping Mall And Food Court (TM) real fast.
Saturday afternoon I had to make one of my periodic visits to McAlester Oklahoma to fill an ATM in a bar. My brother always gives me grief about my visits there because of the way its portrayed in the original True Grit. In the movie, McAllister is shown with snow capped mountains in the distance and my brother asks if I plan on some skiing after work. The real thing is set among low brown, rather ugly, flat country. Not a mountain in sight.
In the evening I put most of our pasta and rice in vacuum sealed bags then into 5 gallon buckets. Tip, vacuum sealing bow tie pasta is not the best idea. They snap and sharp edges pierce the bag ruining the seal. After my mouse discovery, I wanted to get our pasta out of cardboard boxes and into something a little less fragile.
Also made a list for my next Sams club run. Haven’t been to Sam’s since last May. Its a fairly long drive but we do need to replenish a lot of stuff we have been burning through last year.
@harold, for pointy stuff, like rib bones, I sometimes slide one bag into another, don’t seal the inner bag, and trim it so it doesn’t interfere with the seal of the outer bag. Or, with my machine, you can hit the Seal button, part way thru the cycle to stop the vac, and start the seal… I do that when most of the air is out, but liquid is being sucked toward the edge.
n
I vacuum seal fragile stuff and powder in Ball jars using the FoodSaver. As an experiment, years ago, I sealed a quart of flour, rice, macaroni, and crackers in Ball jars and stuck them in the back of the pantry. When we moved to Vegas, I discovered the jars and packed them for shipment. On arrival, I inspected each jar. The lids were bowed in showing a vacuum was still present. We opened each and all the items were useable. Even the crackers. They were in the jars for 5 years. I can fit three pint jars in my Vacmaster, which draws a better vacuum than the FoodSaver. Quart jars lie on the side, but limits what can be sealed, ie, larger dry foods.
Professor explains: Biden’s executive order on equity: a critical assessment
This article shows the *quality* of plugs’ EOs. They are nothing but partisan gimmes. How can you talk about inclusion and not even mention the largest portion of the population.
Biden Administration Thinking of Taxing You by the Number of Miles You Drive
Appointing Petey Buttplug must be a payback or “I APPOINTED A GAY GUY!!!!!” gimmick. The Plug ™ will try to issue edicts like this for four years. ALL FOSSIL FUELS MUST BE DESTROYED! Unfortunately, RINO Redumblicans will let some of this through for political points. Screw you sheeple.
Ah, finally.
‘No borders! No nations! Abolish deportations!’ Violent anti-ICE protests continue in Portland even after Biden inauguration as Seattle police chief vows to get tough on left-wing vandals”
–FINALLY “left wing”. And a tacit admission that they are democrat supporters.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9181643/Anti-ICE-protests-turn-ugly-Portland.html
n
Appointing Petey Buttplug must be a payback or “I APPOINTED A GAY GUY!!!!!” gimmick. The Plug ™ will try to issue edicts like this for four years. ALL FOSSIL FUELS MUST BE DESTROYED! Unfortunately, RINO Redumblicans will let some of this through for political points. Screw you sheeple.
The thinking might be to run Buttigieg for Governor in Indiana in four years, riding on Kamala’s coattails, putting him in a stronger position to make another Presidential run in 2028.
Nick mentioned trying Brave yesterday. I’ve been very happy with Vivaldi. The UI has a lot of options, and takes a bit if getting used to, but it also have decent privacy settings (no tracking, etc).
For all you master rat hunters
https://ogdaa.blogspot.com/2021/01/sunday-video-3_24.html
Pyromania 101
https://dailytimewaster.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-guy.html#comment-form
That trap only works because the rats in the bottom are eating themselves full. If they were making distressed noises, the rest would flee. and you are left with the problem of 20 angry rats to kill…
It’s a clever variation on a classic bucket trap, that never worked for me.
And timely, because I have evidence that something is moving thru the soffits of the house and garage again.
I need ot set some poison and traps I guess.
n
My own experience has been to use snap traps first then stickey followed lastly by poison. Much fewer dead rotting rats to track down. The poison finished off the smart ones. Of course it’s best to find the source. First time I had an issue I’m sure there were other places nearby with infestations. The poison also makes them stupid as they come out of hiding looking for water which of course makes them easier to find. Have to be sure the dogs don’t get to them.
“Protester learns not to stand in front of a car and attack it the hard way – Update”
https://gunfreezone.net/protester-learns-not-to-stand-in-front-of-a-car-and-attack-it-the-hard-way/
Sooner or later the cops are just going to start shooting first.
“181 Dead So Far From US COVID Vaccine”
https://principia-scientific.com/181-dead-so-far-from-us-covid-vaccine/
“There was at least one death recorded of an unborn baby dying just after the mother received an experimental mRNA Pfizer shot while pregnant:”
Who in their right mind gave a vaccine injection to a fairly pregnant woman ?
Hat tip to:
https://thelibertydaily.com/
Who in their right mind gave a vaccine injection to a fairly pregnant woman ?
The woman probably insisted on having the vaccination. Or she went around the OB’s back.
I don’t think my wife will go back to private practice as long as we are in Texas. Certainly not in Austin.
As I’ve noted before, my wife can’t decide if my former management’s problem is Adderal or T-therapy, but she’s leaning towards Adderal simply because she’s written at least an order of magnitude more prescriptions for the med in Austin than she did in WA State or Florida.
“The Tar-Aiym Krang (Adventures of Pip & Flinx Book 2)” by Alan Dean Foster
https://www.amazon.com/Tar-Aiym-Krang-Alan-Dean-Foster/dp/034530280X/?tag=ttgnet-20
Book number two of a fifteen book space opera psi series. I read the well printed and well bound MMPB published by Del Rey in 1972. I have 2 or 3 copies including the newest that I just bought. I own and have read all fifteen books in the series.
I first read this book in 1975 ? 1978 ? I loved it then and I love it now. I have reread this book at least 6 or 7 times. I have also read the entire series. This is actually one of my six star books.
The author has a website at:
https://www.alandeanfoster.com/
My rating: 6 out of 5 stars
Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (164 reviews)
While running on a generator the other night, notices that the standard light bulbs were flickering a tiny bit. I assume that was because the generator output is not quite ‘clean’.
I have all of my electronics on surge protectors, so I don’t suspect the possibility of damage there. And I don’t have to worry about thunderstorms here in my part of WA (Olympic Peninsula).
But wondering if a surge protector (or something) on the generator 50A power cord that connects to the bypass panel – similar to those available for RV connection to ‘shore power’ – might be a worthwhile investment.
Or maybe a whole-house surge protector installed in the main breaker box is better?
While running on a generator the other night, notices that the standard light bulbs were flickering a tiny bit. I assume that was because the generator output is not quite ‘clean’.
This could be so many problems.
1. Is your generator running at constant speed or is it surging ? Of course, new generators have a built in DC to AC inverter so they modulate their speed for maximum fuel efficiency.
2. Is your ground rod good and deep in moist soil ?
3. Is your strap to the ground rod good and tightly bolted ?
4. Are your connections from your transfer panel to your main panel good and tight ?
5. Is your generator grounded ?
Not a bad idea by what I’ve read. Although I don’t see how it’s going to help if you are on the generator.
Generator might just need a new spark plug.
@lynn
1) Generator running at constant speed. Champion 6000/7000 . Similar to this one; https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/100538-7500-watt-generator/
2-3) No ground rod on the generator. Ground rod at breaker panel. Champion sez no ground rod needed.
4) Connections all tight. New 50A power cable (twist connection).
5) Generator not grounded (see 2-)
Lights are just barely flickering. Sort of like a vibration flicker. No dimming of lights.
NFL history? The Yucs?
They’re going to need a bigger boat -er- pirate ship at Raymond James.
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2021/01/24/bucs-packers-live-updates-a-chance-to-make-history/
Meh, no interest at all in watching. Let the ones they kneel to support them.
“Sources: Biden to halt all oil, gas & coal leasing on Federal lands & waters”
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2021/01/24/sources-biden-to-halt-all-oil-gas-coal-leasing-on-federal-lands-waters/
“WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) –President Joe Biden is poised to suspend the sale of oil and gas leases on federal land, which accounts for about a tenth of U.S. supplies, according to four people familiar with the matter.”
“The moratorium, which would also freeze coal leasing, is set to be unveiled along with a raft of other climate policies next week, according to the people, who asked for anonymity to discuss plans not yet public. The moratorium is separate from a 60-day leasing and permitting pause ordered Wednesday, two people said.”
“While idiotic, such a move might actually be legal and would be far less damaging than a totally illegal refusal to approve permits for existing leases. It would simply result in the US importing about 1 million bbl/d more from Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran by the end of this decade.”
“It would also kill about 500,000 jobs on top of the up to 70,000 jobs Biden killed the day he was installed into office.”
Biden is not gonna be known as the jobs president.
@rick, I don’t think what you are seeing is anything a surge protector would mitigate. Surge protectors act to clamp overvoltage to ground.
When describing ‘flickering’ it’s important to actually describe the issue.
Are they getting BRIGHTER or are they dropping out and getting dimmer?
Brighter is possibly harmonics from inductive loads. Dimmer could be an issue with brushes/slip ring/ whatever the generator uses to get the power out, like a dirty spot, or arc damage, or something similar.
Does the engine sound steady or is there a rhythm that matches the flicker?
n
Bobiverse Book 4 (Heavens River) arrived on the Kindle this morning, looking forward to a pleasant evening of reading.
In other news a friend of mine, a credentialed teacher and therapist in the state of California, mentioned that she spent hours filling out forms last week to apply for her Covid shot, only to be told that she wasn’t going to get it because none were available.
When I laughed and said “Yeah, California is is officially 50th of 50 states in giving out shots!” she was surprised. It’s quite the main stream blackout on how badly the governor and state here have botched things.
@rick – I’ve been wanting a transfer switch for my Champion 7500 dual fuel generator since we moved in. A local electrician said he would install the transfer switch for $1000 if I provided the switch @ about $450. But if you can do it I think I will give it a try. Any spacific tips for an un-handy man?
@Harold
It was actually quite easy to install the transfer switch (bypass switch). The company I got it from had videos of the process, which I watched a few times before ordering it. And the instructions that came with the product were well-written and clear.
I outlined what I did here (see yesterday’s comments for links). It was quite easy. I was just careful: main power off; verify with non-contact voltage tester. Keep my hands away from those big fat wires at the very top (with the main breaker off, wires at each individual breaker are dead – but I verified with the non-contact tester anyway).
And good planning beforehand – I spent the time to identify the circuits I wanted to be on the generator, kept good notes of where they were, and then proceeded carefully. I gave myself plenty of time (started late morning), did it on a sunny day (my panel is inside the garage) so I’d have lots of natural light. And I worked slowly and carefully.
I spent about 2 hours doing the actual wiring (I pre-positioned the bypass box prior to starting). Would have taken a professional about 45 minutes, but ‘slow and steady’ and all that.
I got one from Reliance Controls http://www.reliancecontrols.com . Great install docs. Spent time figuring out features needed (I got the model 306CRK ). Got great email support for questions about the product I needed. So – recommended.
If you are somewhat ‘handy’ (have only one thumb on each hand), it can be DIY – just research and use caution while installing. Reading all the docs and watching the videos from the Reliance Controls site gave me the confidence to do it myself. I’ve done home DIY stuff before (did a lot of the work on a kitchen re-do on my first house, and have added circuits in the garage).
Don’t think I would take on a bigger device (whole-house, etc), but the 6-panel box I got was all that I needed. Saved me about $1000 doing it myself.
“It would also kill about 500,000 jobs on top of the up to 70,000 jobs Biden killed the day he was installed into office.”
Biden is not gonna be known as the jobs president.
New Mexico is already complaining. It is easy to forget that they are in on the Permean Basin boom. The voters there obviously did.
Coal would be Wyoming. Cheney’s daughter is toast.
New Mexico is already complaining. It is easy to forget that they are in on the Permean Basin boom.
Coal would be Wyoming. Cheney’s daughter is toast.
60% of New Mexico’s state revenue is from oil and natural gas wells on federal lands (income is split between state and feddies). Those artists in Santa Fe make a lot of pretty pictures but not much money to pay state income taxes.
Wyoming is a lot of natural gas also. Maybe as much as coal. Much of Wyoming’s natural gas is sold to Canada since it is low sulfur (Canadian natural gas is very high sulfur and requires a lot of treatment).
Cheney’s daughter was in trouble the minute she voted to impeach Trump. Trump is very popular in Wyoming. She will be primaried in 2022.
Those artists in Santa Fe make a lot of pretty pictures but not much money to pay state income taxes.
We drove through Albuquerque moving from WA State. “Breaking Bad” is set there for a reason, but the whole state has a poverty vibe from what I saw.
We stopped and ate at Frontier Restaurant. I can’t complain about the food.
http://www.frontierrestaurant.com/menu.html
Wyoming is a lot of natural gas also. Maybe as much as coal. Much of Wyoming’s natural gas is sold to Canada since it is low sulfur (Canadian natural gas is very high sulfur and requires a lot of treatment).
Wyoming along I-80 seems like an endless series of company towns for the oil, coal and gas companies. Sinclair, WY is just a gigantic refinery.
I admit I haven’t read the article, because I HATE reading on my phone, but I wonder as to the data. I know that in the UK “Vaccine Deaths” include ANYONE who dies shortly following vaccination. So if you die of a stroke or heart attack following the jab, you are counted as a vaccine fatality. In one case I read of a woman who died in a car accident on the way home from the jab was counted as a vaccine death. The count seems to be just as bad as counting covid deaths. At this point I just don’t trust ANY numbers.
I do know that of the three people I personally know who have gotten the jab, not one has had any side effects or died. Small but reliable sample.
@rick – Thank !!
Your story yesterday really hit home because my wife also is on a oxygen generator and we have already converted the house to all LED lighting. Living in Tornado Alley I am very sensitive to weather related outages. In the year we have lived here we have only seen a couple of hours of outage and our neighborhood utilities are underground but … I want to be prepared. I just sourced a 250 Gal propane tank free from my MIL so run times wouldn’t be an issue. I much prefer propane as it’s much cleaner than gasoline and stores forever without degradation.
I will start studying up. BTW the Reliance unit you mentioned (306CRK) is under $100 at local appliance sources and over $350 from Walmart.
Meh, no interest at all in watching. Let the ones they kneel to support them.
The Yucs’ hearts aren’t into that nonsense, players and coaches. They all want that ring.
The (liberal) sports writers have been waiting for Tampa to melt down all season, particularly once Antonio Brown rolled into One Buc Place.
Kudos to whoever kept a lid on Brown. Of course, he wants a ring too.
I have one of those RV power protection devices.
https://www.campingworld.com/southwire-surge-guard-portable-50-amp-120240-volt-bluetooth-capable-surge-protector-118087.html#q=Power%2Bprotection&lang=default&start=3&cgid=outside-rv%2Fpower-protection%2Fsurge-protection
It not only protects the RV and it’s devices, it will check for proper power and connections. I went to a state park and plugged in the device. The device refused to allow power to the RV because it detected a defective ground on the 30 ampere circuit. I have a 30 ampere unit but use an adapter that allows me to plug into a 50 ampere circuit which tested OK.
I notified the park office and within 30 minutes maintenance arrived. Turned out it was a bad 30 ampere outlet which they replaced. Had I not had the device I would have never known.
If the voltage dips, or gets too high, or current gets too high, the device will disconnect the power. The display shows voltage and current.
The 50 ampere is really not really a 50 amperes circuit, but two 25 ampere circuits sharing a common neutral and ground.
@hcombs
Those lower prices may not include the outlet connector (female 50A connector). Or the connecting cable. Or might be an older model.
Prices currently are in $300-400 range. But the tech support at the site is excellent – they answer ‘noob’ questions. Cemented the deal, in my case.
No issues with the Moderna vaccination I got Friday. I often have sore arm after a shot so that is nothing new.
The ground here was wet from 1.5 inches rains we had so I didn’t work outside. Worked on the book I’m writing a bit.
Installed Brave as my browser and setup a Protonmail account. Can’t get the Android version to install. I used to use Thunderbird; I need to look at it again.
Today I was able to trim the branches off the two 70+ foot tall pines and stack them for burning. I will add the trunks to the trunk pile tomorrow.
Looked at my 2020 income taxes. I will cut my Social Security withholding in half this year as I over withheld by a couple of thousand.
Brown did not play due to a knee injury.
At last you have come to wisdom, Grasshopper.
I distrust numbers whose authors refuse to provide the underlying data and method for computation, or whose authors have a known agenda, or the funding for which is hidden. It’s not quite the case that I distrust all published statistics and forecasts and projections, but it’s mighty close to all.
Yah, that’s a bit cynical. But, according to the wisdom of that great sage, SteveF, “cynical” is just another word for “experienced”. And according to a number of rather depressing studies, cynics and pessimists have a worldview much closer to reality than do optimists or “head in the sand”ers and are more likely to be able to predict future events or guess at underlying causes of events.
I just bought my mother-in-law a new tablet. She’d been reading and watching videos on her phone, which is a regular-sized phone, not one of those gigundos. Come to find out, the large and expensive iPad that one of her sons bought her died exactly a year after she got it, which was more than a year after it was invoiced. It was out of warranty and apparently not worth fixing. My wife hunted around and found a good deal on a non-Apple tablet and spent the past few days setting it up with Chinese menus, installing apps, and such. I dug around the pile of “not needed but not totally broken or worn out” stuff and found a case to fit it, with a bluetooth keyboard which she’ll probably never use. Grandma’s very happy with it.
Now if only she’d use the wireless headphones we got her, rather than cranking the volume for her videos so high that from twenty feet away they’re louder than the podcasts I’m listening to through noise-cancelling headphones…
Interesting. For the last four years I have paid $0.00 in taxes even with SS for wife and I. Only reason I am paying this year is I cashed in a couple of IRA’s. Standard 20% withholding on those, nothing on the SS and I am getting money back. Standard deduction, no itemizing.
“SHOCKING: The Democrats’ First Bill of 2021 Is to Lock In Fraudulent Election Maneuvers and Steal Elections in Perpetuity”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/01/shocking-democrats-first-bill-2021-lock-fraudulent-elections-forever/
That is quite the list.
Allowing 16 year olds to vote ?
Outlawing Voter ID ?
“Kudos to whoever kept a lid on Brown. Of course, he wants a ring too.”
Brown did not play due to a knee injury.
Antonio Brown’s problems start as soon as he’s off the field.
Someone kept him from spinning out of control this season.
“Netflix Surpasses 200 Million Paid Subscribers”
https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/netflix-surpasses-200-million-paid-subscribers/
That is a lot of users.
My wife just binged the two years of “Virgin River”, the Hallmark ripoff, in three days. 35 or so episodes. I am only halfway through it.
https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/4/22154185/how-is-virgin-river-no-1-on-netflix
Interesting. For the last four years I have paid $0.00 in taxes even with SS for wife and I. Only reason I am paying this year is I cashed in a couple of IRA’s. Standard 20% withholding on those, nothing on the SS and I am getting money back. Standard deduction, no itemizing.
I started my main corporate income taxes last Thursday. If I am right, my fellow shareholders and I are going to have a big loss in 2020.
RE Taxes. This is the first year that I’m filing as a widower (single). Only income is military retirement, Social Security and a trivial amount of interest. I sometimes have a bit dyslexia so numbers aren’t right. Wanted to overpay as the fees for underpaying are ridiculous.
Wow.
Invalidate everything that makes elections reliable.
Allow 16 year-olds to vote, when they don’t pay taxes (usually) or face the responsibilities of being an adult.
Require states to allow everything that can be abused to manipulate the result.
Did I move to Uganda?
@Bob Sprowl Can’t get the Android version to install.
I have been using BlueMail on my android phone for some time. I was having too much drama with Outlook.
https://bluemail.me/
Outlook is a great product, but protonmail is the place to be for security.
I note that facebook etc doesn’t allow signups from protonmail. It must be good!
Thanks Mark.. I’d forgotten about the security angle.. 😉
Tour of russian grocery store, small ‘hyper mart’… not like the old days. Some very familiar brands on the shelves.
And he jokes that in the future the ruble will be worth less than the cheapest russian toilet paper brand, “if things go the way they are going”.
Interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6wAtzrTZbo
n