Hot and humid today, because Houston. Summer. Global warmening !11!!11 Yeah, the first two, not so much the third. It did get pretty dang hot in the afternoon, but there was a cool breeze if you were soaked to the skin, and in the shade. Had to sit in the air conditioned truck for a bit in the afternoon.
Got the widowmaker down and it was BIG. Stuff looks small up there in the tree…. but this would pulverize you if it hit you. There were some things that might have raised an eyebrow, but I went slow, was considering all the choices and likely reactions, and actually got a harness and lifeline on for the bit standing on the ladder with the polesaw.
And I managed to wear out the polesaw. The drive sprocket got eaten by the chain. It’s a cheap part but I won’t get it for 3-5 days. Good thing I finished most of the cutting and could use the regular chainsaw for the rest.
I thought about just buying a whole new one as a backup, but they are $125! I’ll wait for my mojo to bring another to the auctions. Should be lots coming up.
Drove out of town to get propane for the honda gennie. We’re SUPPOSED to get power restored to my address according to Centerpoint but I’ll believe it when I’m basking in the A/c.
Which might be earlier if I can get the other gennie running.
Today is more cleanup, work on the gennies, and see if the power comes on. Probably get a can of red beans and rice ready to go with the kielbasa sausage for dinner… so far I’ve been eating leftovers for dinner, but I finished most of them yesterday.
Still not into any “emergency” food. It’s only been a couple of days really. And with the cleanup to do, I’ve been getting up, working, eating, showering, and heading to bed. Not much spare time.
Disasters are pretty busy times. I know there are preppers who can’t wait for their normal lives to end, who think they will finally be able to read books all day, and get to all those projects they’ve put off. Sorry NO. It doesn’t work that way. All the modern conveniences that fill our homes and lives are what gave anyone other than royalty “free time”. If you don’t have human servants to do the work, better have some mechanical servants. Our homes are filled with robotic wonders to heat water, clean dishes and clothes, cook meals, and provide for our needs. Take those away and your day fills up pretty quickly.
Stacks can help you repair stuff when it breaks, two is one and one is none is true. I’ve done it several times already and it’s only been a couple of days. Stacks will feed you with handy prepared foodstuffs. Stacks will let you cook and clean easily. Stacks will easy your problems and give you options. So what are you waiting for?? Stack.
nick
Are you better off than you were …
https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2024/05/19/this-may-be-the-most-damaging-graph-for-biden-for-the-election-n2174394
The figured on how much more money you have to have coming in each month are eye-opening.
I doubt the situation was real for a lot of households until the student loan payments resumed in November.
The default rate on those is still very low compared to credit cards and auto loans. The threat of wage garnishment tends to provide an incentive to stay current.
We are deicing the plane in Helena. Two ladies in a bucket truck.
They work hard for the money?
It’s been decades since I’ve been on a plane needing deicing. Good luck.
If you can’t afford beef, you won’t be able to afford the tolls to leave your house on the privatized roads.
Nah, we dont need roads for skateboards.
Better safe than sorry.
Today I needed to do some work that required a ladder. I have one that would have been too short, and I would have been standing on the top step that you aren’t supposed to stand on. Or I could get the extendable roof ladder out, which is total overkill, but a lot safer. I got the roof ladder.
Lots of little stuff. We had a new drain put onto the balcony, and the water is then supposed to run down a chain. The guy who did the work – a local guy – just…isn’t that bright. He created a drain and put a chain in it, but the way he constructed things, the water doesn’t use the chain at all. Also, his construction is pretty “Rube Goldberg” and looks it. I won’t be using him again. Anyway, I have a couple of ideas how to fix what he constructed without major changes – trying the first one now. Rain coming tomorrow, so I’ll see then if it works.
Next round of beer in the fermenting tank. Solar cell for the new fountain mounted, rather than just sitting around. Student counseled. It’s a weird collection of stuff today…
It’s been decades since I’ve been on a plane needing deicing. Good luck.
We flew a Delta ER175 ?. There was a ¼ inch of ice on top of the wings.
We are in Salt Lake City now in a A220-300. Totally full plane.
“the top step that you aren’t supposed to stand on”
The nada step.
I remember buying a new 6’ aluminum stepladder in 1980. It had exactly 7 stickers warning about this and that.
Delta has Embrarer and A220s? That’s not good for Boeing.
Of course, Boeing shot themselves in the foot insisting on getting the tanker contract reopened.
The Airbus plant in Alabama which was supposed to build out the tankers now builds A220s.
Chase that government-provided soup bowl.
Delta has Embrarer and A220s? That’s not good for Boeing.
Delta brought a bunch of Embrarer planes up from Brazil a couple of years ago when their airline down there collapsed. We are still waiting for our collapse.
Pinhead Judge Rules Noncitizens Cannot Be Discriminated Against in Voting Matters
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/05/20/judge-rules-that-noncitizens-cant-be-discriminated-against-in-voting-matters-n3788693
Non-citizens have a 14th Amendment right to register people to vote?
Bull-puckey.
Gone where the goblins go…
https://legalinsurrection.com/2024/05/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-foreign-minister-killed-in-helicopter-crash/
Some friends flew from LAX to DIA in an Embrarer last month.
It could be the shortage of 737’s I suppose.
At some point the rising cost of fuel will overcome the advantages of the hub and spoke system and we will see more “direct” flights, but I doubt we are there yet.
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/05/20/fire-harrison-butker-kc-star-opinion-writer-says-yes-and-hire-female-kicker-n3788691
Looking for a petition that says the PLT’s and their cancel culture can get on their knees and kiss my grits.
If the PLT’s didn’t run social media such a petition would have a million signatures in a day.
Red Lobster has a blind date with Bankruptcy … and it looks like she ordered the unlimited shrimp plate.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/seafood-chain-red-lobster-files-043844918.html
And waitress, don’t forget the bread.
Lyin’ Cohen admits he stole $60K from tRump during the tRump porn-trial.
He admits lying under oath, then stealing, and the judge just yawns. Did Cohen get immunity for any and everything? Tell me this is a kangaroo court without telling me this is a kangaroo court.
Cohen is the star witness for the prosecution. I don’t see how a jury could convict tRump, except, tRump, tho.
Sorry, $30K.
Cohen admits to stealing thousands from Trump
https://redstate.com/bonchie/2024/05/20/michael-cohen-admits-on-the-witness-stand-to-stealing-money-from-trump-as-case-gets-more-absurd-n2174413
Bragg knew and did not charge. It’s only a coincidence that Cohen then changed his story and agreed to help Bragg get Trump.
Nothing to see here. Move on.
Ayatollah begs Devil for return of Butcher of Tehran, Devil says he will have to submit petition in person. . .
And we are back up… Trucks were in the street today, and did some pole work behind my neighbor’s house across the street. Then they moved to the end of my block (where the power is fed from) and did some more stuff. I guess we really did have a local issue.
Bless you linemen, and bless you Mr Carrier.
It was getting a bit wiff in the house as the temp rose.
And IDK what humidity is officially but in my neighborhood, it’s “get a snorkel” levels of humid.
I’m connected thru my home network and fiber too, so that’s all back up! Now to do a bunch more cleanup and maintenance. Like running the dishwasher to empty it. It stopped mid cycle with a foul soup of vomitus in the bottom.
School is still a question for the rest of the week. Even if they get power today, they will be scrambling to get ready for a start tomorrow, and the students still have power issues, and roads are still blocked for busses. I’m thinking Wednesday at the earliest, if ever. They still have finals to do for high school, but I think getting everyone back for a couple of days is just not gonna happen. Who knows, there is a lot of money involved.
n
Good news, @Nick
State minimums for days of instruction have to be met.
World mourns the loss of the Butcher of Tehran
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/05/20/condolences-pour-in-from-world-leaders-for-iranian-president-n3788717
If Trump wins in November he should tell UN they will have thirty days from Jan 20 to start moving out.
I’d back a Storage Wars NYC spinoff next year.
I called SS today. “43 minute estimated wait time”. You can press 1 for a callback. I tried that and I don’t know what my phone was doing. Some Verizon thing had crashed and I think I ended up with some sort of 3-way calling but I don’t know. After 27 minutes of horrible compressed music the line went dead. Huh, I have no cell service.
I rebooted the phone. Called again and I did press 1 for a callback. They called back about 45 minutes later.
Gave the SS numbers and names and a couple of other question and yep, everything is already in the system. I’ll get the survivor benefit of $250-ish. And yep, my SS amount is going away but I’ll get what he was getting. The claim is going to the Georgetown office.
I don’t have to go to Georgetown, that’s just the office that processes claims for this area. He said that office is backed up about six days. I should know more in a week.
Not at all the nightmare I was expecting.
I need a shower. I sweated off my deodorant. I think I have got it done.
@paul
Hope it does proceed smoothly from here.
Three fat Amish chicks:
Frontier Airlines passenger forces entire flight to deboard after refusing to comply with exit row instructions
It sounds like a nursery rhyme, but is a preview of what’s to come: reparations, entitlement, eviction, and Free-Shit-Army stuff,
I hope ole’ George gets showered in boos and tomatoes due to his doosh-nozzle wife:
Amal Clooney played key role in ICC bid to request arrest warrants for Israeli PM and Hamas leader – all while keeping dignified silence as she faced online abuse for ‘not speaking out on Palestine’
The man at SS said it appears we have everything we need. If they have a question at Georgetown they will call you. Otherwise you should have a letter in two or three weeks.
Forget the sneaker companies and Foot Locker. Apple and Tesla will be the big winners in reparations.
The beneficiaries won’t be flying. They’ll drive at Ludicrous Speed across the countryside.
God help the pigment challened people in line for the Superchargers at Love’s in George West the first weekend of Spring Break after the checks arrive.
That reminds me – heading out on errands on Saturday, I pulled up to a light behind a Tonymobile with a “PLAID” model designation.
Is that custom or something that comes from the factory?
That was my experience applying a few years ago.
You mean, the superchargers whose cables have been cut off so the thieves can sell the copper?
Electricity isn’t reliable in a low-trust society, because thieves frequently sabotage the equipment to steal small change.
I was in the Philippines from 1987- 1989. When the US Navy left the P.I., most of the infrastructure was left behind, including the HF radio antennas that could send or receive just about anywhere in the world. 3 months after the Navy left, the antennas were destroyed by Filipino thieves digging up the copper grounding radials, to steal the copper. Million-dollar antennas, destroyed to steal a few bucks worth of copper.
And it’s happening in the US, starting now.
Was happening when I was a kid, more than 60 years ago. Guess I lived in some rough areas.
I remember junk yard dogs. Only dogs I couldn’t befriend.
Nah. The pimps running the hookers in the Love’s parking lot will make sure nothing happens to the Superchargers. That would be bad for business.
Yes. “Everyone” said you have to go the SS office in Georgetown to apply for SS. Yep, drive over there and take a number like at the DMV and wait a couple of hours for your turn. Be sure to be there when they open, too.
I found a phone number and called. The conversation was pretty much “When do you want to start?” “What’s your bank’s routing number and your account number and is that checking or savings?” Oh, starting in August sounds good. First direct deposit happened in September. Easy.
I get e-mail from SS once in a while. So they have my e-mail address linked to my SS number. For the current thing, they may not call, just send an e-mail. Who knows? I can’t think of anything they would want other than a copy of the marriage license and I can e-mail that with a couple of clicks.
This judge in tRump’s porn-trial is a complete joke:
Donald Trump trial updates: Trump’s defense team draws gasps as they call shock new witness – seconds before judge erupts at ‘stare down’ and clears the court
Judge: I”m limiting anything this guy says. (and repeatedly admonishes him.)
DA and Judge: Object, sustained, Object, sustained, Object, sustained….
Earlier in the trial:
DA: Ms Daniels tell us in sorted details how you and tRump fcuked. This is important.
Defense: Object, relevance.
Judge: Overruled, yes tell us, don’t get too spicy. This is important. Don’t tell us about his pee-pee.
The defense asked a mistrial due to NO evidence about tRump. Denied.
I’m on a tear.
Mom had a pre-paid funeral plan. It was bought pushing 40 years ago. The nursing home and I assume medi* knew about it. They certainly asked and wanted copies of her insurance card several times.
Anyway. Mom died and I get a letter every year about the policy. $938 Death Benefit. $810 Cash Value. The letter reads to me that there’s no refund, it goes to the funeral home in Edinburg where Mom and Dad bought their policies and end of discussion.
I called today. What the heck?
The original policy was bought by another company. All of the account number’s check out. They never had a claim filed. Someone somewhere dropped the ball. Who paid for Mom’s cremation? I don’t know. Doesn’t matter, it’s done.
They are sending a claim form for me to complete. They want copies of both Mom’s and Dad’s death certs. E-mail copies of everything are fine. I can do that.
I’m doing something here. I can’t think of the term. But I’m pulling in the anchor or something like that.
I’m doing something here. I can’t think of the term.
Tying up loose ends?
I suppose tying up loose ends is the term. That’s not quite exactly what I mean. But it’s close.
My aunt had a life insurance policy from her days with Bell Telephone, then Atlantic Bell. I applied for the policy payout. Turns out I was not eligible. The money went to her spouse (deceased), then children (none), then siblings. My mother was her only living sibling. My mother got the $10K even though I did all the work. I had spent the last 10 years looking after my aunt’s affairs, managing her money, getting her necessary aid, wife checking on her well-being, admonishing the assisted living from the thefts of expensive adult diapers, etc. when she was in assisted living and when she was in the nursing home. I got stiffed on the policy.
My mother had a funeral insurance policy. That would have paid for her entire funeral. Almost $10K. Nope, my mother cashed it in to buy some piece of jewelry. Which we never found. Myself and my two brothers got stuck with $1,700+ each for the funeral costs. My plan was to dump my mother on the state, sell her burial plot, and let her get buried in a pauper’s grave. I was overruled by my brothers. They were not aware that my mother had stiffed me on the aunt’s insurance policy.
>>You mean, the superchargers whose cables have been cut off so the thieves can sell the copper?
Around here Blink seems to be the target. I’ve seen three locations (with two chargers each) with cables missing.
I recently found at missingmoney.com a $500 life insurance policy in my late mother’s name that no one was aware of. One hitch, policy was issued in her common name (Betty), not her legal name (Elizabeth). Let’s see who ultimately winds up with the money.
I rarely see any chargers, let along vandalized ones. I suppose there’s an app for that.
Sun baked my brain so I came inside. Ate too many carbs for lunch and crashed on the couch. 88F with a “Feels like” of 97F and no shade. I think I’ll sit inside and read. My everything is sore today anyway.
I’ve got my main pc back up and running, and using it this minute.
My linux box that is the NVR – well no picture. Some minor testing says monitor is somehow borked. I can get picture for a second when I do the “auto” adjustment. I’ve got other monitors to replace it with but I’ll test it on the second input of one of the other three on my desk first to be sure it’s not the video card.
Home Patrol scanner seemed to have died a couple weeks ago, but when it booted it displayed an error code about the SD card, and instructions to try… so that’s on the list too.
The whole house is in disarray, because I was gone for a week, and because the girls fled in haste, and with the temporary changes due to the storm…
Wife and kids think they will head home tonight on the off chance school will resume Wednesday. That’s ok, cuz now D1 will be home, and the pack will be together for her birthday this week.
—————–
@paul, that was an unexpected blessing that your experience with SS office was so pain free. Fingers crossed, all the paperwork and computer entries will happen as needed. There’s no need for the additional stress in your life at this time.
—————–
Life. Overrated. — not.
n
Sun baked my brain so I came inside. Ate too many carbs for lunch and crashed on the couch. 88F with a “Feels like” of 97F and no shade. I think I’ll sit inside and read. My everything is sore today anyway.
I left Helena, Montana at 34 F this morning as got off the plane in Houston at 93 F. I want to go back.
The chickens are upset. My wife sprayed weed killer on the lawn yesterday, so the birds can’t wander around and scratch and lie in the sun. I went to the run a number of times today, to gather eggs, fill the water, check the food tank, give them treats, and whatever. Each time, they ran up to the door and clamored to be let out, only to be disappointed and to start aaaawwwwwwkking at me.
Sign of the strongest economy in years: Today I received one headhunter email. None yesterday. Just a few in the couple days before that.
Six months ago I was getting a dozen or so a day. Four years ago I was getting probably sixty or seventy a day.
I’m getting fewer calls from hedge funds looking to buy my house. They’re the ones that can afford indian call centers to cold call. I still get some, but they seem to be more local, or at least US based or willing to buy high end call center services.
n
The article is not in fact “shocking”.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13427729/study-welfare-food-stamps-SNAP-junk-processed.html
The ten most bought items are exactly what you’d expect a family with kids in school to buy. The next 10 are pretty typical too.
I’d prefer they didn’t buy coffee and creamer, or water, with my tax money, but the list isn’t shocking. It’s not lobster and cigarettes.
There are some interesting numbers and observations buried later in the article though. This seems to be a formula with DM and stories about the cost of food. Clickbait title, lots of weasel words pertaining to the “shocking info” and then sneak in some real numbers about actual inflation, or the number of people on food stamps…
n
Oy, Now Climate Change Triggers Migraines
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2024/05/19/oy-now-climate-change-trigger-migraines/
Yeah, and PLT’s are hemorrhoids.
Why mess around with real estate when AI looks like easy money.
SMH was up 16% today alone.
People Watching WNBA Now Is Great and All, But It’s Unfair that Caitlin Clark is White
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/05/20/people-watching-wnba-now-is-great-and-all-but-its-unfair-that-caitlin-clark-is-white-n3788736
Quick, name a women’s WNBA star besides Caitlin Clark…
hahahahahahahahaha…
The LAT and the bad girls of the WNBA are whining.
Photographs (those racyss things according to the NYT!) show him to be of the white (really pink, as we know) persuasion, and historical fact is that he was born in Canada to Scottish parents and immigrated to the United States where he invented basketball. It’s also a fact that he was a Christian chaplain.
So, ladeez of color, it’s 133 years later and you are perfectly entitled to play basketball. But you don’t own it, you will never own it, and if you try, I’m going to play the “cultural appropriation” card hard on your ball-palming, traveling, under-talented heads.
@Nick
“Home economics” and “keeping house” used to be skills that were passed down the generations and taught in school.
There are entire swaths of the country that were never taught those things, whose idea of cooking is ramen noodles, and would starve if defrosting frozen food wasn’t an option or cereal wasn’t available.
Going on three generations of Democratic Death-grip on the teacher’s unions, is this any surprise?
I have two messages:
First, yes, I can solve this problem. It is not hard.
Second, no, I am not willing to throw more money at it, like the last time, and the time before that, and the time before that.
History has shown that the average child is capable of learning to read, write, do math, relate to other people, and be trained to be a useful member of society. This is true regardless of color or economic circumstances. It is a travesty that the grifters have destroyed public education, and the true cost has yet to be counted.
We get more text messages offering to buy our house, or our adjacent vacant lot, than we do actual phone calls. My response is always, “It’s for sale, for a high seven figures.” Somehow, that results in a hangup on the phone, or no response to my text. And then I block the number.
Roberta Pournelle had a reading program; she said that almost any 1st grader can learn to read using her program. And the few who couldn’t, could never learn anything else, either. I’m certain that home schooling with even half-way intelligent parents is far superior to any government run schools.
She and Jerry are both gone now, but I wonder if either of their children had any interest in reviving it.
IIRC, Rick rebuilt the whole program, but it’s in limbo at the moment as they own it, and aren’t doing anything with it.
n
Seems like it was apple Flashcard ™ based, if memory serves..
>>Wife and kids think they will head home tonight on the off chance school will resume Wednesday. That’s ok, cuz now D1 will be home, and the pack will be together for her birthday this week.
@nick, bravo, cherish the in-person celebrations while you can. Never know when they might move away from the, umm, delightful Houston weather excitement.
Yup, I put up our traditional birthday decorations, and wrap the presents, and joke about getting lumps of coal… and we’ll do her favorite foods.
I spent a lot of birthdays on the road working, alone. Didn’t enjoy that.
—————-
I’m wiped out, even without doing much today. I’m off to bed.
n