Thur. Aug. 11, 2022 – open thread

By on August 11th, 2022 in Random Stuff

Open thread.

72 Comments and discussion on "Thur. Aug. 11, 2022 – open thread"

  1. Geoff Powell says:

    @ITGuy1998:

    Nick – use the ban hammer as you see fit. It’s your house, we are all guests here. 

    +1000, even if I make a major faux pas and suffer the consequences.

    If more sites did that, we might not see so many posts that make the banhammer necessary.

    G.

  2. Geoff Powell says:

    @Lynn:

    “Tesla 500 mile range Semi Truck starts shipping this year, Cybertruck next year”

    Talk is cheap. Tesla has consistently over-promised and under-delivered. CyberTruck and Semi are several years late. “FSD” 5 years and counting.

    I’ll believe it when I can actually buy it off the forecourt – and yes, here in UK there are actual Tesla dealerships. My last $EMPLOYER’s previous site was next door to one (and that used to be a BMW (later MINI) dealership).

    G.

  3. Geoff Powell says:

    Here in UK, the NHS provides a lot of support for diabetics (of which I am one – Type II, to be precise) Today was one such instance. Once a year they check your eyes, because there is history of sight loss in diabetes.

    The check involves photographing your retinas, which means drops to dilate your pupils. No driving for 4 hours, and you may suffer from glare (I did, it’s a bright day). Results by letter in a week or so. 

    G.

  4. Geoff Powell says:

    Quoting me:

    If more sites did that, we might not see so many posts that make the banhammer necessary.

    As an alternative, you might consider implementing hiding posts, upon sufficient community downvotes, as TechDirt does – and that’s a WordPress site, so their solution might be easy to implement here.

    G.

  5. brad says:

    MonkeyPox: So, with a few thousand cases, this is now officially a health emergency?

    The disease spreads through contact with bodily fluids. At the moment, that is primarily gay sex. So – with around a 90% degree of correctness – MonkeyPox is an STD, and primarily on affecting the promiscuous male gay scene. Has the gay community learned nothing about safe sex? With this degree of stupidity, it won’t be long before the disease spreads more widely.

    Here’s a proposal: Any gay male who contracts the disease should be heavily fined. Call it an “idiot tax”. Collect the funds for use…see below.

    Meanwhile, it looks like it’s time for another round of vaccinations. Apparently the old smallpox vaccine works pretty well, until they develop a better one. Source of funding…see above.

  6. Greg Norton says:

    Something really bad must happened in the filming of that movie.

    That “Batgirl” film should have featured Rosario Dawson in the lead about 15 years ago.

    Hollywood has waited too long on a bunch of these projects. I think Dawson would still be believable, but she works for Disney now, who is about to essentially use her Batgirl persona in the form of Ashoka Tano to retcon their “Star Wars” mess.

    Some timey wimey stuff is probably going to happen on the Baby Yoda show and elsewhere.

  7. Greg Norton says:

    Here’s a proposal: Any gay male who contracts the disease should be heavily fined. Call it an “idiot tax”. Collect the funds for use…see below.

    Meanwhile, it looks like it’s time for another round of vaccinations. Apparently the old smallpox vaccine works pretty well, until they develop a better one. Source of funding…see above.

    The problem is that too many politicians would be caught in this plan.

    To recap, four years ago, this hot mess was the Dem nominee for Governor in the State of Florida. His loss was deemed a “stolen” election for about a year afterwards, and Andrew Gillum was regarded as a kind of Shadow Governor when the pandemic started and he began second guessing DeSantis in public forums.

    https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/04/22/police-release-photos-of-hotel-room-where-andrew-gillum-found-in-apparent-incoherent-state/

    The old US rule about not getting caught with a dead girl or live boy still applies.

  8. ITGuy1998 says:

    Here in UK, the NHS provides a lot of support for diabetics (of which I am one – Type II, to be precise) Today was one such instance. Once a year they check your eyes, because there is history of sight loss in diabetes.

    The check involves photographing your retinas, which means drops to dilate your pupils. No driving for 4 hours, and you may suffer from glare (I did, it’s a bright day). Results by letter in a week or so.

    Glad you’re keeping up with the health checks. My Type I son had his first post diagnosis eye exam with an ophthalmologist last month. He has one because he also had an unrelated eye issue that required surgery and it was his year post-surgery follow-up. He gets the joy of getting dilated every year now instead of every other year.  They also took images of his retinas so they can use as baseline for future exams.

  9. JimM says:

    In regard to recent conflicts:

    What I find useful/interesting here are commentary and news. I like to read reports about what people are doing or have done, how they solve problems that they encounter, and what they see changing. I don’t find debate to be either useful or interesting; it is just an effort to defeat someone. Discussion is useful or interesting as long as it doesn’t degenerate into debate.

  10. drwilliams says:

    Here’s a proposal. Any person who spreads the disease to a minor will be neutered and executed. Or vice versa.

    News reported two children in daycare have the disease.

  11. JimB says:

    I get my eyes dilated and examined every year or so. No big deal for me; I just add some disposable sunglasses over my usual sunglasses, and go outside. My near vision is affected for a couple hours, but distance vision for driving is fine. My doc says I am very tolerant.

    I wonder if my normally smallish pupils have anything to do with this. I will try to remember to ask.

  12. Clayton W. says:

    WRT Eye Dilation.  I have been told that lighter eyed people have more trouble with dilation.  Florida DR’s are supposed to provide a counteraction drug, but it burns and most people don’t want it.  It also has a short shelf-life when opened, so it isn’t offered often.  I get it when I can since I basically can’t do anything for several hours after dilation.  Even watching TV is a strain.  Reading is right out. 

    Baby blues have a downside.

  13. drwilliams says:

    Tip back in the recliner and listen to Jethro Tull.

  14. drwilliams says:

    Astonishing command of temper and vernacular:

    https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2022/08/11/beto-at-rally-stop-laughing-at-me-motherfr-n488985

    Should have stomped his foot, too. 

  15. Ray Thompson says:

    Baby blues have a downside.

    I have blue eyes  Dilation doesn’t seem to bother me. I I just use my regular RayBan sunglasses. I have had a lot done to my eyes. LASIK, vitrectomy, cataracts, retina lasered, some membrane destroyed. Amazing what the surgeons can do.

  16. Geoff Powell says:

    @ray:

    I just use my regular RayBan sunglasses

    In my case, it’s photochromic prescription lenses in my specs. The only effect I observed, today, was just after I came out of the facility, when highlights were blown out, as in what you get in an over-exposed photo. That went away quite quickly, possibly because I was waiting for a bus while sitting in shade. Did I mention “no driving for 4 hours”?

    I’ve had no other invasive work done on my eyes, so far. Not even LASIK, because of the risk of irreparable damage. Can you say “paranoid”? I can. That said, there will be cataract surgery in my future, unless I can postpone it enough with the photochromic lenses, and a hat with a brim, to shade my eyes.

    G.

  17. Geoff Powell says:

    @brad:

    The disease spreads through contact with bodily fluids. 

    There is anecdotal evidence (which means I can’t cite) that there may be airborne transmission, as well.

    G.

  18. Ray Thompson says:

    there will be cataract surgery in my future, unless I can postpone it

    Do it, don’t postpone if you need the procedure. They do one eye at a time. When I had the first eye done the results were so impressive that I immediately scheduled the next eye as soon as possible.

    The procedure is trivial. No discomfort. Follow the surgeon’s instructions to the letter, especially with the eye drops. The results are just absolutely remarkable.

  19. CowboyStu says:

    I agree with Ray, I have had both blue eyes decataracted.

  20. drwilliams says:

    “There is anecdotal evidence (which means I can’t cite) that there may be airborne transmission, as well.”

    2fer:

    Promiscuous gay bathhouse bunnies: “it’s not always us”

    Fauci: “get the jab or get locked up”

  21. Geoff Powell says:

    @ray:

    The only reason I know about it is my spectacle provider told me that the cataracts are visible on examination. They currently have no effect on my vision.

    So, on the basis that you don’t do anything until it’s needed, surgery is still in my future.

    G.

  22. drwilliams says:

    Biden: “I didn’t know about the raid. ……
    ………… Jill?”

    Garland: “I didn’t know. Ask Wray.”

    Wray: “It was a search, and I have an important plane to catch.”

  23. Ray Thompson says:

    The only reason I know about it is my spectacle provider told me that the cataracts are visible on examination. They currently have no effect on my vision.

    You may not think the cataracts are affecting your vision. My experience with my eyes was, ahem, eye opening. My vision was very much affected even though I thought otherwise. I was having a followup from the vitrectomy when the surgeon mention I was starting to develop cataracts, a side effect of a vitrectomy.

    The vision after the cataract procedure was immediately clearer, sharper, less dull, more vibrant colors. One of those WOW moments. The next thought was why didn’t I do this sooner.

    My surgeon told me the decision was mine to make as to when I have the procedure. Waiting would not make any difference in the procedure.

    Vision can also be corrected. I opted for distance vision as everyone develops a need for reading glasses as they age. Vision distance was more important to me. Driving without glasses was something I had wanted for years. Lasik gave me that. I wanted to keep that.

  24. Alan says:

    >> Have you looked at Regional A boxes? Not a flat-rate box but similar. Two configurations, one chunky and one flatter. 15-lb limit, ships for the two-pound rate.

    Boy, memory lane times here…I recall Bob getting his science kits packed into the Regional Rate boxes. 

  25. Robert "Bob" Sprowl says:

    After my cataract surgery everything I see with my right (dominant) eye has a shadow – very similar to a shadow font – off to one side and up or down.  Makes focusing closing near impossible.  Aiming a gun is very difficult. 

    At night I see twice the number of actual small tail lights.

    I was told they didn’t have a clue as to why it happed, could not fix it,  and I would just have to live with it.

  26. Greg Norton says:

    Astonishing command of temper and vernacular:

    Should have stomped his foot, too. 

    Robert Francis has some scary security goons at his events if you look carefully at the video coverage.

    Alex Stein seems to be trying to get beaten by one in particular, but I think he needs to be careful on that effort. The security guy always seems steamed enough to kill Stein.

    Ironically, Robert Francis “career” before marrying William Sanders’ daughter was being an au pair (male nanny) to spoiled rich children in New York City. That was a hip thing to do in the 90s.

    The only way O’Rourke becomes Governor is a day or so of rolling blackouts across Texas, and the power generators seem to be burning everything they can to make sure it doesn’t happen.

    3
    1
  27. EdH says:

    I have to get my eyes dilated every six months for something “we should keep an eye on”.  Generally I am good for driving in three or four hours.

    I keep expecting cataracts, since both younger brothers had them (and surgery), but so far, while present, they are but minor.

    One brother had no problem with the surgery, btw, but the other (also an amateur astronomer) reports LARGE floaters. Ugh.

  28. ITGuy1998 says:

    Sunday is move in day for our son at college. He has been cleaning his room and packing on and off all week. Teenagers are slobs. I’m going to completely empty the room, clean the carpet, and paint. His bathroom? Nuke from orbit sounds good.

  29. Jenny says:

    @Geoff Powell

    Not even LASIK, because of the risk of irreparable damage. Can you say “paranoid”?

    It’s not the risk, it’s the consequence.

    I’ve known a number of folks who’ve had satisfactory outcomes from LASIK. I know one who is virtually blind. 
     

    Nope.  

  30. Ray Thompson says:

    One brother had no problem with the surgery, btw, but the other (also an amateur astronomer) reports LARGE floaters.

    Vitrectomy will fix that. Usually done by a retina surgeon. I got mine down for two reason. I had burst blood vessel which caused billions of dots. I was very near sighted and the vitreous fluid was turning into gel, normal with age. The thickening of the gel was pulling on the retina.

    Interesting procedure. They knock you out through the IV so the eye can be deadened. Then wake you up to watch the procedure. Seeing the gel being sucked out is interesting.

    The first eye went well. The second eye, done several days later, hemorrhaged. The next day I was blind in that eye. Surgeon said not a problem, it will clear. He even called me on a Saturday to reassure me. He was correct.

  31. JimB says:

    WRT Eye Dilation.  I have been told that lighter eyed people have more trouble with dilation. Florida DR’s are supposed to provide a counteraction drug, but it burns and most people don’t want it.

    My eyes are light brown, almost hazel, so that might be part of my tolerance. Many years ago, I received the counteraction drug, and don’t remember any burning. It seemed to work OK. Then the drug seemed to disappear. I recently asked a practitioner about it and was told it was no longer used in that practice because people complained about burning and ineffectiveness. Fine by me. The fewer drugs introduced into me the better.

    Regarding cataracts, I promised myself I would get the surgery done before I had significant degradation, and did. I am not sure if it was worth it, because I developed glaucoma in each eye immediately following the surgery, which was four years apart. I could argue that it would have happened either way, but who knows. Even my doctors don’t want to guess. Two kinds of drops control the glaucoma, and the second eye has a stent implanted during cataract surgery, based on what was learned from the first eye’s surgery. The first eye also has since had a Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), where a laser stimulates the meshwork to increase drainage and lower pressure. That was successful, but has worn off, so I am scheduled for another procedure next month. It is a very safe procedure with no side effects.

    I rarely wore sunglasses before my cataract surgery, but I don’t spend a lot of time outdoors. My distance eye (I have monovision) developed a cataract in the center of the lens, which is not surprising. This made my outdoor daytime vision degrade to about 20/30, noticeable but not severe. Meanwhile, my nighttime vision was fine. I complained to my optometrist, and he said, “It’s time.” I scheduled a session with my ophthalmologist, and got a lifestyle lens that was supposed to allow some accommodation (focus from infinity to about 30”). That failed, and left me with only infinity. Fortunately, I had chosen a type that was a full aperture clear lens with a hinge for focusing, so I don’t have any visual artifacts at night. This failure was disclosed to me beforehand, and I made the choice, so I have no complaints. The surgery included a PRK touchup, and the vision was 20/20.

    I did notice a color balance shift between the eye with the new lens and the other eye, but that was usually not too noticeable. I got he second eye done four years later. Now, both eyes have the same color balance and more vibrant colors. The second eye has a toric implant to correct astigmatism, and the vision is about 20/10 for reading, excellent results.

    I only describe so much detail to emphasize that everyone should work with their eyecare professionals to get the outcome desired. There is a doc I know about who just puts in standard implants, and most patients wind up needing glasses to correct minor errors. I couldn’t accept that. I want good vision without glasses, just as good or better than before the cataract surgery.

  32. Michael says:

    If you have health insurance and diabetes they will cover an eye exam once a year here in Dairyland.  They always tell me to wear sunglasses or give me a cheap plastic pair but don’t tell me not to drive.

  33. Rick H says:

    Yearly eye checkups for this Type 2 Diabetic (but my A1C is down to just at the border of pre-diabetic and type 2). Using Metfornim to control A1C levels. And mimize carbs.

    Eye checkup includes the usual things, plus those indicated for diabetics: dilation, etc. I drive home afterwards with just regular sunglasses (from the dollar store, because I am cheap).

     I get some minor starbursting of bright lights (reflections, etc), but not enough to affect vision. 

    The starbursts are pretty.

  34. Ray Thompson says:

    Insurance will cover cataract surgery. Insurance will not pay for the lens. At least mine didn’t. $800.00 a lense.

  35. JimB says:

    After my cataract surgery everything I see with my right (dominant) eye has a shadow – very similar to a shadow font – off to one side and up or down.  Makes focusing closing near impossible.  Aiming a gun is very difficult. 

    At night I see twice the number of actual small tail lights.

    I was told they didn’t have a clue as to why it happed, could not fix it,  and I would just have to live with it.

    There might be a cure for that. One possibility is to replace your implanted lens. I asked about that with my failed focusing implant, but was discouraged from doing it. It will depend on the exact cause of your double vision. Many years ago, I had double vision and other artifacts, and they are very annoying. Fortunately, in my case those were corrected with PRK. I don’t recommend this either, as it is an old procedure. Finally, if the problem is with the front surface of the cornea, there are semi-scleral contact lenses that can correct for that. There is also a new treatment that reshapes the cornea chemically. Don’t know much about that, either.

    There are many developments in vision care that are not widely known. I learned about some by asking my practitioners, but had to search the Internet for others. Seeing a regional practice that participates in new developments might be a good idea. The best of luck.

  36. JimB says:

    Whoever recommended the Regional Rate boxes for Priority Mail, thanks. I do see all the options when I am entering my shipping decisions on USPS Click N Ship. I just don’t have all those boxes on hand, so I use my own. Last time, I did use a Medium Flat Rate box, and I decided to stop at the Post Office and stock up on all the boxes. They are great if I can use them, but I have a lot of recycled boxes on hand. Usually, using “own packaging” costs less for me.

  37. paul says:

    Yesterday wasn’t a barrel of fun.  Changing the spare on the van, left rear tire, and it’s 100f according the temp display in the truck is, ah, not fun.  But I got it done.  Today I’m walking like Fred G. Sanford.  Not exactly sore.  Stiff.

    On the way over there was suddenly a white Toyota pick-up riding my bumper.  Now, the speed limit on the back road is 35 and I’m toodling along at 40.  It’s a narrow and twisty road.  Most of the time I can take it from Marble Falls to my road and not see another car.  I get to the van, turn into a driveway and the Toyota lays on his horn as he passes.  What the heck?  I back out, park behind the van, and turn on the hazards.

    My truck is a Nissan Frontier.  Over in Europe it’s called a Navara.  Named after a mountain in Spain which makes total sense somehow for a Japanese vehicle.  The Toyota on my bumper is the same size.  I didn’t notice if it said TRD on the side.  By the way, I don’t read TRD, I read turd. 

    Well.  Get the van jacked up.  Barely get the lugs nuts off.  Find the hole in the carpet where the nut to lower the spare is hidden.  The little 12v compressor was very handy.  Can you imagine?  The compact spare needed air and it’s /just/ 22 years old.  Half way through tightening  nuts on the spare, that dang Toyota blasted by going about 40.  Some kind of moron.

    It could have been worse.  It could have been 50f and raining.  I’ll take in the shade and 100f any day.

    Anyway.  I don’t know if I offended anyone the other day.  If so, I’m sorry.  I just went off. 

  38. drwilliams says:

    Didn’t read anything offensive. 

  39. Rick H says:

    The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the nation should move away from restrictive measures such as quarantines and social distancing and focus on reducing severe disease from Covid-19.

    In new guidelines released Thursday, the agency no longer recommends staying at least 6 feet away from other people to reduce the risk of exposure — a shift from guidance that had been in place since the early days of the pandemic.

    From CNN here.  Similar reports and details in other media.

    1
    1
  40. ech says:

    This batch of Covid that is making the rounds seems to be not much worse than the flu or cold. People are not dying in large numbers.

    This is probably due to a number of factors:
     – vaccinations, which cut risk by 50% or so
    – Paxlovid
    – monoclonal antibody treatment
    – general better understanding on how to manage severe cases

  41. paul says:

    The astronomy stuff?  I don’t know what I’m looking at beyond the Big and Little Dippers.  That the Moon isn’t round anymore doesn’t help.  That “they” built a woman’s prison, up on a hill, with more lighting than a grocery store parking lot, does not help at all.  When we moved here it was dark.  Like, if you get off of the path at night you will walk into a tree or the side of the shed you are going to.  Which is actually funny.  

    They built the prison and what Milky Way?  I’d rather have to carry a FLASHLIGHT but I wasn’t asked what I want. 

    A suggestion: when the admins delete a comment, would it be possible to leave the
    comment entry – and thus the poster’s name – with “comment deleted” ?

    This is a good idea.  I’ll miss what was said but I won’t be going “what?”.

    Ivermectin’s effectiveness as a preventative or treatment for a certain chinese bioweapon is an open question, but derisively calling it “horse medicine”

    Ok.  Having said this, have you bought any Vitamin I?  The local feed store and Tractor Supply sell the stuff.  You can buy the injectable and then deal with scary needles or you buy the “horse paste” which is in a big plastic syringe that had a “locking ring” of sorts on the handle.  Set the ring, squeeze out the dose.   That’s why it’s called “horse medicine”.

    By the way, you want the pure stuff.  Some formulations have meds for things horses get.  You probably don’t have liver flukes.

    Or a photographer who does not want to do a wedding for certain groups. I got slammed as being something, don’t remember, don’t really care. I had to explain that I don’t understand their lifestyle and would do a lousy job at capturing the event. If they wanted to persist I can guarantee the pictures would be horrible and it would be in the contract.

    I remember this.  You don’t this for a living and if you don’t like the folks, why hire yourself?

    This has nothing to do with the bakery in Colorado.  Those folks went to a “Christian” bakery and wanted a cake for a gay wedding.  There were plenty of other bakeries in the area.  There was no need to sue the bakery.  Just go elsewhere.  I think the bakery won.  Then the lawyer turned around and wanted a cake with a dildo on it for someone coming out as trans.  Insane.

    I have heard of a few older car mechanics who turn down work that they don’t think they can a good job on. 
     

    There was a guy down the road that worked on cars.  The Stratus needed something, like new spark plugs, and after 20 minutes of visiting and him going about how front wheel drive cars are all crap, we took the car elsewhere.  Never went back.  And it’s wasn’t for anything major to do with the drive train.  Change the oil, grease what needs grease and new brake pads and rotate the tires.

    All stuff I can do.  I was just trying to give the guy some business. 

  42. ech says:

    Ivermectin may or may not have any clinical effect on the prevention or treatment of Covid.   

    A look at the studies from around the world that weren’t full of fraud markers showed that it had some effect in treating COVID in places where worm and parasite infections are endemic. (Not the US, btw. Think Africa, S. America, and Asia.) Parasite infections are known to compromise immune responses.
     

  43. ech says:

    CVS is free to decide what they want to sell in their stores.

    maybe, but not in their pharmacies.

    Actually, they can refuse to sell whatever they want in their pharmacies. They discontinued selling a lot of opioids a few years ago.

  44. Rick H says:

    @ech – glad to see you back. Your comments contain useful and accurate information. IMHO.

    1
    2
  45. ech says:

    There was an unexpected 40% increase in ‘all cause deaths’ in 2021

    266 views Premiered Aug 8, 2022 Dr. Kelly Victory explains on Good Morning San Diego which is broadcasted on KUSI News in San Diego California.

    Yes, some age groups had big increases in mortality last year.
    Here’s one deep dive by an actuary that works in the insurance field. She has great experience in datamining the CDC death certificate database.

    For older middle-aged people, 40-59:
    https://marypatcampbell.substack.com/p/middle-aged-massacre-too-increase

    And for millennials, 18-39:

    https://marypatcampbell.substack.com/p/young-adult-mortality-trends-1999

    https://marypatcampbell.substack.com/p/millennial-massacre-part-2-increase

    As for the “military data” she talked about, it was a problem with two databases being out of sync.
    https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/jan/31/instagram-posts/numbers-were-based-faulty-data-military-spokespers/

  46. paul says:

    Actually, they can refuse to sell whatever they want in their pharmacies.

    I could be mistaken but I think the problem was the pharmacist acting like he knew better than the doctor that wrote the prescription and tossing the prescription in the trash. 

    Yeah.  No.  It’s not suppose to work that way.  Doctor says “take this” and where does the dude filling the bottle of pills get the right to over-ride the doctor? 

    If the pill filler has a say, how about me working as a checker in the grocery store refusing to sell the obese and bad smelling cow on the electric scooter her cart load of sodas and chips and cookies and other crap food?

    Just saying. 

    If I as a cashier have to scan and sell all the crap anyone wants to buy, I don’t see how the dude in the pharmacy has a choice. 

  47. paul says:

    My glorious wISP just announced an $8 a month rate increase.  Which is oh…. currently $92.12 a month so tack on $8 plus tax.  Ok, add on $8.80 to the bill.  No mention of an increase in plan speeds.

    Current plan is 30 down and 10 up.  I don’t get that, I get a lot of “we’ll be there Monday morning” stuff but nothing happens.

    Yeah.  Starlink at $125 a month plus taxes for 200 Mb down is really looking like a good deal.

  48. drwilliams says:

    @ech

    Any thoughts on the Paxlovid rebound effect?

    Is it of concern to the primary patient or more about spreading the virus?

  49. paul says:

    I just double checked.  

    Hyperfusion has a “Simple  Plan”

    Download Up to 20 / Mbps  Upload Up to 5 / Mbps  $47.00”

    Huh.  I’m getting about 25 down if the wind is blowing right and maybe at most 1.5 up.

    I believe I’m going to change my data plan in a few months.

    And I believe I’m going to change my data plan anyway in a few months even if they ever, ever after almost a year, come out to fix my connection.

    Hey.  As long as Sling on the Roku is doing Nascar in HD, it’s all good. 

    Doing the budget on SS is interesting.

  50. EdH says:

    I am finding that there are a lot of subtle factors with eyesight and eyepieces in astronomy.

    I am astigmatic, much more in one eye than the other.  If the “bundle of rays” exiting out of the eyepiece is, say, 4mm or larger then this is quite apparent, stars aren’t dots.  As the bundle diameter shrinks it becomes less apparent but “floaters” become more visible.

    There are lenses one can buy, the “dioptrx” from Televue, that specifically correct the astigmatic  portion of ones prescription, the “cylinder”.  They start at about $119 retail, per lens (eye), and come in steps of about 0.25. It fits over the eyepiece (and only a few specific eyepieces therefore) and you can rotate it to adjust.

    I have  ordered one, slightly stronger than my prescription (as recommended), and hope to try it out soon.

  51. EdH says:

    *Today I’m walking like Fred G. Sanford.  Not exactly sore.*  Stiff.

    Heh.  I can sympathize.

    I have been putting in landscape blocks, weedblock, bricks, and bark around my tree’s to keep moisture up and temperature down: the current forecast is 100/100+ for the next 10 days here in the California High desert. 

    Each tree means about 1200# of masonry moved, weedblock down, leveling and replacement of masonry and new bark. 

    Even starting with 4 Ibuprofen I am moving very slowly afterwards.

  52. Ray Thompson says:

    Got the news that my anus will be reattached on December 20th

    So many jokes butt that is such a seriously shitty situation I will restrain myself. It will be good to get things moving again. (Damn, I did it again.)

    You realize the asshole is the smartest muscle in the body. It can separate gas, liquid, and solid.

    Seriously, good fortune with the procedure. I am certain it will be a relief to get somewhat back to normal. Positive outcome that solves the underlying problem.

  53. drwilliams says:

    whoops… revising…

    Biden: “I didn’t know about the raid. ……
    ………… Jill?………………….  uh-oh””

    Garland: “I authorized it for a case I can’t win. Totally non-partisan. How dare you question us? Orange Man Bad. “

    2
    1
  54. Greg Norton says:

    Garland: “I authorized it for a case I can’t win. Totally non-partisan. How dare you question us? Orange Man Bad. “

    The lost Supreme Court nomination had absolutely nothing to do with the decision.

    The comments running around today saying that Garland would have done less damage to Republicans sitting on the Court are overlooking that Obama nominated him to replace Scalia in Rhenquist’s chair, a major lifetime philosophical balance shift in the Court.

  55. Kenneth C Mitchell says:

    ITGuy1998:  When my son left for college at age 18, it took MONTHS for me to finish cleaning out his room. It had been a running joke; my black plastic combs had been disappearing for the previous few years. I found over 20 combs in his room; I’ve never needed to buy another, here 18 years later. 

  56. Kenneth C Mitchell says:

    Robert “Bob” Sprowl says:

    At night I see twice the number of actual small tail lights.

    Talk to your optometrist about a prism correction for your glasses.  I had a stroke about 20 years ago, and one of the effects was double vision; one eye was now pointed in a slightly different direction. A fairly substantial prism correction in one lens fixed that. 

  57. ~jim says:

    >>Seriously, good fortune with the procedure. <<

    Thanks, Ray. I hope everything comes out all right.

    I’ll second what you said to me years ago: If you need cataract lens replacement just do it, especially if you’re nearsighted. It’s a cinch and you’ll be so glad you did!

    The usual disclaimers apply: Possible penalties for early withdrawal, etc.

  58. Alan says:

    >> I’ve known a number of folks who’ve had satisfactory outcomes from LASIK. I know one who is virtually blind.

    I thought about LASIK once and decided glasses aren’t that bad after all. 

  59. Robert "Bob" Sprowl says:

    I wear glasses for reading or for middle distance things (arm length) like using the computer or at a work bench.  Driving I don’t wear glasses; I just deal with (ignore as best I can) the shadows.  I seldom drive at night.  Lighted signs almost impossible to read useless give them my full attention which I can’t do as a driver.  

    The shadows are usually present but not always.  Tonight both eyes have shadows without glasses (down on both eyes, offset to the right with the left eye) while I’m using the computer; with my middle distance Walmart readers (+1.50), no shadows.  

    Using the +1.50 readers I can’t read a paper back book.  Using either the +2.00 or +2.25 readers the book is readable but the computer is fuzzy, out of focus.  

    And tonight no shadows!  This afternoon the shadows were awful; I trouble seeing the slots in Philip head screws when I was fastening the OSB flooring in my shop’s loft.  

  60. Robert "Bob" Sprowl says:

    My wife wore coke bottle thick glasses to correct her vision starting when she was 8 years old.  She had LASIK eye surgery at age 68 and never wore glasses again.  Her eye doctor was the one that did my eyes.  (I was his computer systems guy.)  He was the considered to be the best in town. 

  61. Ed says:

    Wow! This seems bad. Even horrifying. 

  62. ~jim says:

    >>Wow! This seems bad. Even horrifying.  <<

    USAnews, via WaPo, via Reuters? Might as well be a smoke detector for all we know, but it’s Nukular!

    The end is Nearer! The end is Nearer!

  63. drwilliams says:

    @Robert “Bob” Sprowl

    Have any recent photos of shop construction?

  64. Alan says:

    >> Yeah.  No.  It’s not suppose to work that way.  Doctor says “take this” and where does the dude filling the bottle of pills get the right to over-ride the doctor?  

    Well, suppose it’s your first time seeing this doctor and while filling out the ‘new patient paperwork’ you put down that you’re currently taking Drug A but you forget to put down that you’re also taking Drug B. Doctor finishes his exam and gives you a prescription for Drug C, which unbeknownst to you is contraindicated if you are already taking Drug B. In this case you’ll be happy that the pharmacist catches the error in his computer and doesn’t give you the bottle of Drug C pills. 

  65. Alan says:

    >> *Today I’m walking like Fred G. Sanford.  Not exactly sore.*  Stiff. 

    https://youtu.be/stdi-1tIUhM

  66. Robert "Bob" Sprowl says:

    I need to take the time to upload them.  

    Many things aren’t really finished.  Every part of the shop is “started, mostly finished but looks awful” because I’m waiting for some part, or someone to come by and help with the last step. 

    Some paid work was so bad I’m having to re-do it.  For example the lift installer’s left the safety   release wire so frayed I’m afraid to use it and have it break with a car in the air.  Need to rent a man lift to fix it.  Have another job – lights in carport area that are started but need the man lift to finish that.  

    Granddaughter’s live-in helped me lift the large OSB sheets into the loft but mis-stepped and punched one ceiling sheet rock panel to floor (and broke a fan blade off the ceiling fan.  Reggie was OK and more upset about it than I was.  “Stuff Happens.”  He was OK and I’ll get it fixed when I can.  I’ll have to make to two new fan blades (to get the balance right); I’m not paying $120 for a new set.

    Did get most of the cheap plywood paneling up but still have a few places that aren’t done because to some electric work needs to be done first, after I figure exactly I what  or because the building erector’s crew faked the insulation install (backing sheet is there but no insulation under it) and I need to repair that before I panel it.  Etc., etc., etc. …    

    I’m picky about doing it right and not having to come back to it and make it right later.  So I’m slow and I’m 76 and keep forgetting (won’t admit) that I can’t do some things like I used to.  I often have to drill a hole to start a screw that a younger me would have driven directly …

    I live alone and have three acres that need upkeep so I don’t get as much done each day as I plan.  I lost 4 months when I got the wuflu, but try to get something done each day.  

    I ran the wire for the loft light and loft winch today and then worked to the OSB floor.  I need to cut the edge pieces of OSB, install those, build the north railing, install the lights, design the loft crane mount and build it, wire the winch and build the south railing and the ladder and landing, etc.  

    Some photos are on my site – http://fordfe.info/AL-Shop.html but I haven’t added any lately. 

  67. Gavin says:

    If I as a cashier have to scan and sell all the crap anyone wants to buy, I don’t see how the dude in the pharmacy has a choice. 

    In this case you’ll be happy that the pharmacist catches the error in his computer and doesn’t give you the bottle of Drug C pills. 

    I think there’s a world of difference between those, as the second is a professional responsibility for the pharmacist. I stayed up way too long after bedtime reading New Jersey and California regulations on pharmacists, because they are 2 states where the pharmacist has a legal duty to fill a legal prescription, or meets some very limited criteria to decline, and MUST assist in finding another pharmacist or pharmacy to fill it if they can’t (out of stock) or won’t (religious objection) fill the prescription. It was an odd and interesting rabbit hole.

  68. drwilliams says:

    @Robert “Bob” Sprowl

    Thanks for the info.

    Look forward to seeing more photos when you have time.

  69. EdH says:

    @Robert “Bob” Sprowl: 

    Very nice. 
     

    Tree’s that grow on their own,   without watering, strange. 
     

    That last caption says 8” steel walls – don’t be surprised if the battleship USS Texas people come looking for replacement armor plate 😉

  70. Alan says:

    Hmm… 

Comments are closed.