.
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I just can't sleep. I feel it, yes sir, I do want to sleep, both mind and body. My eyes even hurt. I used to think that might be some kind of headache or some mental condition, when I used to believe in that. As my head has cleared, I see more clearly about more things than what I could keep conscious enough to really pin down before. Got to hand them something for that, as these medicines ARE actually improving my life. And what I see is this pain is neither mental or a headache, it is my eyes hurting because of a lack of fluid. My eyes rub my eyelids, dry eyelids, or maybe just sore from being open too long while dry along with the blinks combined with no lube. Something like that. It is just my eyes telling me to suck fluid like a fool or my body will hurt me even more. You know how many times they have hurt like that, for long periods, and I just ignored because I didn't know what it truly was? I'm surprised I haven't hurt myself silly ignoring things I couldn't become awake enough to know where a problem and tend. Well, knowing isn't immediately helping but I am trying to hydrate.
I wrote to the proprietor of SurvivalBlog, giving thanks for a couple of articles that got me started. One I read tonight, the other I read recently. Combined with all else, and a friend, I am just extremely grateful to have some kind of loose but possible plan for an energy and heating/heating-cooling system. This is real, I can see the numbers working, I can see (with the money in hand) me truly getting into the project, digging deep, pushing, pulling, scraping, drilling, sawing, and... getting it done. It most certainly will not be done in a week, or three, or even three months. It might take me a year or two to make it happen. If I can indeed get to it in the first place. Like I said, an $18k system would, in finality, end up costing me about $8.1k. Which, with the first lump of cash that could be arriving soon (need to call and check) might leave me enough to buy a rechargeable 20 volt power tool kit, extra batteries for that, standard rechargeable batteries, consider a low-power freezer and refrigerator, and still have a bit to pay off one of the more irksome of my bills.
My deal is doing even more research, deciding on whether to go with solar and wood burning and propane generator with ac, or geothermal. Woops. I kept thinking I knew nothing about geothermal, so I did some digging. A ballpark figure for geothermal seemed to be about $26k. It is NOT something I could install myself, at all. Okay, so that is out of the picture. Oh, they would finance it. They suggest $302 a month, indicating that is how much I am supposed to be paying on my utilities a month as is, which I could just now pay them, but forgetting (ignoring) that geothermal is only more efficient. It still uses from 28% to 60% of what I am currently paying (only the 60% applies to me, currently, as I have no AC, which is where this unit shines in comparison, and it is only hot enough to really use AC a month or two out of the year, for me and here). However, an $18k solar system would easily see me through, perhaps without the need of a propane generator for the window ac? I am not even sure I would need that much of one? Just... scrambling eggs.
Oh, one little snag. An add to complexity and cost, to be sure, as well. The only way to receive those government rebates, at least from Utah, is to have a grid tied system. That doesn't necessarily mean I would have to have it installed, it does mean a lot more of a new and complex design element must be considered. Why can't the government just leave us alone to do what we think is best? I know they just want it so that they can grab if they want or need. I simply don't trust the state. I wonder how long it must remain grid available? It seems that, as soon as possible, dismantling the grid tie might be very wise. Then again, maybe not. I hate that anyway. Oh, and it definitely adds to cost, reducing the potential power availability per money invested.
Boy, those "eco" places sure push for you got get the "cheaper and maintenance free" grid tied (non-functional in a grid down) systems. It looks like most of them work directly for the power companies, which are all so heavily regulated they might as well be state agencies, companies right out of Hitler's Germany, to be honest. Oh, I know, you can still install a battery panel and some other equipment and set both up, which simply adds expense on expense with no return on the grid tie-in switching, which will undermine the whole notion of any kind of rebate, which is exactly what they want to get most people to not go that route. Gah, I hate that. Still, it isn't a deal breaker, just a bit of a setback.
Bleh. I'm done with research for now. Later or good night.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Okay, something I hadn't considered regarding renewable energy.
.
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While reading at Survivalblog, about man who just went through Irene and learned some things, and decided to share his new understanding. A man who had, if timidly due to his wife and her family, prepped. A man who thought it was all set. A man who learned better. Thank you, sir, for sharing. And thank goodness you survived without too many losses, and a great new gain.
While his story was horribly shocking, and answers much of why I sometimes sweat and roll before sleeping, it also taught me some things. A wife. I have to make sure any woman I bring on board IS on board. It isn't a maybe, she will haul the water or walk the plank. A little kink wouldn't hurt either, once in a while, either. (I'll figure out how to get a dancing pole installed, for love and her health, mind you.) and (Just saying.) Another thing I learned? Those stupid little things, those seeming insignificant details I am trying to fill in? Yeah, that's not bad except that it might be too slow. Especially with no wife and kids who really do need some of the money, currently. Except I need to have that a bit more coherently going forward. Then again, I have been buying some rather good stuff. While wool and silk socks, special "outdoorsman" skivvies, and a hatchet might not seem all that good, they are. But I need to figure out a more solid plan. I do spend much of my free money on some of this little stuff. But now to focus that, look to needs and potential needs in some kind of order. This part is quite difficult! Staying on such a plan is just as difficult. Oh, and lifestyle over survival. I really have to try and... bend that more toward survival. I might be able to allow them to come together, if that won't be quick or painless. Oh, and I am starting to take OPSEC more seriously, if I am going to have to learn much more regarding that and my internet usage. My guess is I have absolutely blown my OPSEC. On the good side, I have very little actually worth looting, for the most part... currently.
The other thing, and this is quite important, is that the type of renewable energy is not quite what I thought. What do I mean? When I started looking at the best system for my area, from reading this man's suggestion that solar was only good if you could dump a ton of money into it. D.C. sort of intimated 6k, and I think he did all his own work, so at least double that for an installed equivalent system, and that requires special appliances so it works. So, I ended up looking over a renewable energy database for my county. And what I learned from that is wind power is out, biomass is rated very well (though I don't think I could personally use that, though I need to know more), geothermal is highly rated here, solar is good (5.1-5.5 kWh/m2/day), but wind is very bad.
So, my choices for viable renewable energy for personal use are probably limited to geothermal (which seems to be used singularly for heating/cooling, but I honestly know nothing more than what was written in that database) and solar. Solar is only average here, on their charts. I don't know, I just keep wanting to dig and get as much knowledge as quickly as possible and begin making a plan to try and get that installed. Time is not on my side, nor is money, health, function, or anything. But... those things aren't the point. I need to figure out how to bull through. Now, I like a wood oven, for winter. And though I live near mountains, have you any idea what bringing three to seven cords of wood from the mountain to my home would be like on foot, even with horses? And all of that would have to then be chopped by hand, and it would probably be brought down as eight to ten foot lengths, so would first need to be sawed to 17" to 21" lengths, depending on the cook stove/wood stove used (though if I went that way, I would want to make those two things use the same length of cuts).
So, geothermal or wood? Is geothermal even affordable? More research. Wood burning devices would cost... say... $7k-$12k, plus installation adding, perhaps, another $3k-$5k depending on what they find while doing the work, or $1k-$2k if I could put my hands to it. But wood fired would not handle cooling. That would require a generator, probably propane, along with a 2k buried propane tank, which would give me just a bit each night to allow earlier sleep so I could get up and march into the mountains before the sun was up, or ride my bike to get water and haul 80 some pounds of water back home, which might add $3k to $8k, depending on burial costs, rental or purchase of tank (they might not rent a buried tank?), and such. Plus, I would need to get some appliances that ran on propane or they might not bother renting me such a large tank, if they do rent buried tanks?
Anyway, the moral of the story is, no matter what you do, it will be a little thing, or bunch of them, that begin turning into their own hurricane of disasters right when you don't need injury on insulting injury. Getting this right also means stepping up to manage, coordinate, purchase, install, upgrade as needed, and maintain such a wide variety of systems and subsystems that my head is swimming. No, no no. Not a problem. I went through this in engineering school almost every day. I... should I be honest? Yeah, okay... I enjoy this feeling. *wee!* This is were I work my best, in the shit of whatever sort, over my head, with a bag over my face, and something hitting or punching me. I can't even tell, I don't know, and I don't need to know. I don't take it personal, I just want to change the shit into a calm, without dieing, giving up, or losing so I can get on to my next, deeper or new horror.
Oh, by the way, there is a 30% federal tax credit and a 25% state tax credit (with a max of $2k per year on the state, though any excess over the max can be carried out for four years). A self-designed (and installed I think? You know how reading government garbledygook is?) system might actually qualify with less stringent requirements than professionally installed systems! That could... yeah, that might work. That might be enough of a carrot to get this eleph-mule off his... well... mule. S.O.B. While spending money isn't striking gold, if I can figure out and install an $18k system, for example (which includes solar, biomass, and or geothermal systems, my final cost would be, roughly, $8.1k (if the state rebate ($4.5k) would take three years (including the instant $2k from the install year, so two years once it was certified) to collect. The feds offer an immediate and full 30% rebate ($5.4k in this case). However, I am not sure if the rebates overlap, if one is pulled before the other is figured, or what? S.O.B. I can do that, and before long, if too I would have to just not pay off some bills as I had sort of hoped to do. Son of a gun. Maybe... You have no idea what having a dependable, solid, off-grid electric and heating/cooling rig set up would do for my bean. *RELIEF* And now, I have an inkling of a plan. Just a glimmer of a hope, almost palpable, playing at the edges of my psychic periphery like sugar plum dreams in the Christmastimes of my youth.
But it did get me thinking, looking, planning, and going. Then again, it was D.C. who kicked it all off, in the first place, along the way, and again just recently, in truth. Most recently by pointing to food and water transport (the bike and systems for it). Oh yes. I need a little guidance, a little nudge, a clue that isn't cryptic from time to time. Anyway, it is bed time.
[Note to all. Read D.C. and learn! I don't know how much time you have, but... Even Christ did not know some things. Though those with eyes to see and ears to hear have to know it is coming down. Read, watch, learn, ask, do. He or his site can at least get you started.]
Good night.
.
While reading at Survivalblog, about man who just went through Irene and learned some things, and decided to share his new understanding. A man who had, if timidly due to his wife and her family, prepped. A man who thought it was all set. A man who learned better. Thank you, sir, for sharing. And thank goodness you survived without too many losses, and a great new gain.
While his story was horribly shocking, and answers much of why I sometimes sweat and roll before sleeping, it also taught me some things. A wife. I have to make sure any woman I bring on board IS on board. It isn't a maybe, she will haul the water or walk the plank. A little kink wouldn't hurt either, once in a while, either. (I'll figure out how to get a dancing pole installed, for love and her health, mind you.) and (Just saying.) Another thing I learned? Those stupid little things, those seeming insignificant details I am trying to fill in? Yeah, that's not bad except that it might be too slow. Especially with no wife and kids who really do need some of the money, currently. Except I need to have that a bit more coherently going forward. Then again, I have been buying some rather good stuff. While wool and silk socks, special "outdoorsman" skivvies, and a hatchet might not seem all that good, they are. But I need to figure out a more solid plan. I do spend much of my free money on some of this little stuff. But now to focus that, look to needs and potential needs in some kind of order. This part is quite difficult! Staying on such a plan is just as difficult. Oh, and lifestyle over survival. I really have to try and... bend that more toward survival. I might be able to allow them to come together, if that won't be quick or painless. Oh, and I am starting to take OPSEC more seriously, if I am going to have to learn much more regarding that and my internet usage. My guess is I have absolutely blown my OPSEC. On the good side, I have very little actually worth looting, for the most part... currently.
The other thing, and this is quite important, is that the type of renewable energy is not quite what I thought. What do I mean? When I started looking at the best system for my area, from reading this man's suggestion that solar was only good if you could dump a ton of money into it. D.C. sort of intimated 6k, and I think he did all his own work, so at least double that for an installed equivalent system, and that requires special appliances so it works. So, I ended up looking over a renewable energy database for my county. And what I learned from that is wind power is out, biomass is rated very well (though I don't think I could personally use that, though I need to know more), geothermal is highly rated here, solar is good (5.1-5.5 kWh/m2/day), but wind is very bad.
So, my choices for viable renewable energy for personal use are probably limited to geothermal (which seems to be used singularly for heating/cooling, but I honestly know nothing more than what was written in that database) and solar. Solar is only average here, on their charts. I don't know, I just keep wanting to dig and get as much knowledge as quickly as possible and begin making a plan to try and get that installed. Time is not on my side, nor is money, health, function, or anything. But... those things aren't the point. I need to figure out how to bull through. Now, I like a wood oven, for winter. And though I live near mountains, have you any idea what bringing three to seven cords of wood from the mountain to my home would be like on foot, even with horses? And all of that would have to then be chopped by hand, and it would probably be brought down as eight to ten foot lengths, so would first need to be sawed to 17" to 21" lengths, depending on the cook stove/wood stove used (though if I went that way, I would want to make those two things use the same length of cuts).
So, geothermal or wood? Is geothermal even affordable? More research. Wood burning devices would cost... say... $7k-$12k, plus installation adding, perhaps, another $3k-$5k depending on what they find while doing the work, or $1k-$2k if I could put my hands to it. But wood fired would not handle cooling. That would require a generator, probably propane, along with a 2k buried propane tank, which would give me just a bit each night to allow earlier sleep so I could get up and march into the mountains before the sun was up, or ride my bike to get water and haul 80 some pounds of water back home, which might add $3k to $8k, depending on burial costs, rental or purchase of tank (they might not rent a buried tank?), and such. Plus, I would need to get some appliances that ran on propane or they might not bother renting me such a large tank, if they do rent buried tanks?
Anyway, the moral of the story is, no matter what you do, it will be a little thing, or bunch of them, that begin turning into their own hurricane of disasters right when you don't need injury on insulting injury. Getting this right also means stepping up to manage, coordinate, purchase, install, upgrade as needed, and maintain such a wide variety of systems and subsystems that my head is swimming. No, no no. Not a problem. I went through this in engineering school almost every day. I... should I be honest? Yeah, okay... I enjoy this feeling. *wee!* This is were I work my best, in the shit of whatever sort, over my head, with a bag over my face, and something hitting or punching me. I can't even tell, I don't know, and I don't need to know. I don't take it personal, I just want to change the shit into a calm, without dieing, giving up, or losing so I can get on to my next, deeper or new horror.
Oh, by the way, there is a 30% federal tax credit and a 25% state tax credit (with a max of $2k per year on the state, though any excess over the max can be carried out for four years). A self-designed (and installed I think? You know how reading government garbledygook is?) system might actually qualify with less stringent requirements than professionally installed systems! That could... yeah, that might work. That might be enough of a carrot to get this eleph-mule off his... well... mule. S.O.B. While spending money isn't striking gold, if I can figure out and install an $18k system, for example (which includes solar, biomass, and or geothermal systems, my final cost would be, roughly, $8.1k (if the state rebate ($4.5k) would take three years (including the instant $2k from the install year, so two years once it was certified) to collect. The feds offer an immediate and full 30% rebate ($5.4k in this case). However, I am not sure if the rebates overlap, if one is pulled before the other is figured, or what? S.O.B. I can do that, and before long, if too I would have to just not pay off some bills as I had sort of hoped to do. Son of a gun. Maybe... You have no idea what having a dependable, solid, off-grid electric and heating/cooling rig set up would do for my bean. *RELIEF* And now, I have an inkling of a plan. Just a glimmer of a hope, almost palpable, playing at the edges of my psychic periphery like sugar plum dreams in the Christmastimes of my youth.
But it did get me thinking, looking, planning, and going. Then again, it was D.C. who kicked it all off, in the first place, along the way, and again just recently, in truth. Most recently by pointing to food and water transport (the bike and systems for it). Oh yes. I need a little guidance, a little nudge, a clue that isn't cryptic from time to time. Anyway, it is bed time.
[Note to all. Read D.C. and learn! I don't know how much time you have, but... Even Christ did not know some things. Though those with eyes to see and ears to hear have to know it is coming down. Read, watch, learn, ask, do. He or his site can at least get you started.]
Good night.
I hope to sleep well, finally.
.
.
While the sun was still up, I looked at the outside temp. It read 64 F? Wow. At first I thought it had to be wrong. So I stood there for a bit. No, it really is cooling quite a bit. Yesterday it got down to 72 inside my home, which actually felt cold (in my skivvies). As soon as I read and believed the temp, I opened everything up and turned on the fans to download as much of that cool as bandwidth allows. I don't mind feeling cold, I relish it. I am hoping, after two wreckages of sleep cycles, that tonight will be the night.
Since I wasn't able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation today I am going to try and be there for confession tomorrow. I am not sure I will make it, but I need it. I need it for it's two purposes. The first is obvious. The forgiveness of sins. The second is just as important. I need the Eucharist more than I need food, and have for a while now. A very long while. I am going to try and push it through. If I can, then I can go to Mass right afterward and receive the Eucharist. Further, I will do what I can to make it to Church on Sunday. Now that I have broken the ice, woken up, shaken my world... I need to act fast before that window closes again for a while. I feel like I am playing hopscotch with life, only the rules change, my capacity changes, and everything is contrary to itself even while it IS itself. No matter, keep your eye on the ball and swing. Striking out is no shame if too it isn't a win. Sttttt-rike! But which strike is it? I can't aim for a bunt, I have to aim for the bleachers. Last inning, 2 down, with two in play. Uhrm, is that how they say it with baseball? Haven't watched baseball since I was... 13? Yeah, something like that.
Just had some prank doorbell ringing. Whatever. I know it was kids, adults don't move fast enough to escape that quickly. The cats knew where they were, I could have found them if I had wanted. At this point, I am not going to fuss over it. If it continues I will fix it, legally mind you. No little arms or heads will be removed via my method, though a sheriff might be talking to child and parent. As will I. No charges, I wouldn't press them, not here. And I don't even care so long as it doesn't become a daily daily, or even a weekly thing. Hmm, if it comes down to it, I think I could forgo all problems if they work off my bother by pulling some weeds, raking, and such. Yes, yes. I am... generous that way.
Sunday, after church, I will have to rush home and change to take my friend out shooting. The 9 mm rifle and pistol and the .45 he thinks. So be it. I had thought the .357 but I don't have any of that ammunition and he didn't suggest visiting his sister to get some. I have magnum loads for it, he sold me those as they are too hot for him to shoot. As noted, they are too hot for him to shoot! Dinner and a shoot-out. Actually it is far more expensive than dinner and a movie, at least the start up costs of buying a gun and ammunition. How much shooting pays for itself, entertainment wise? No amount can. Perhaps it shouldn't be on the ledger as entertainment. If you ever need a gun and the skill to shoot it accurately no amount of money would be too much. Since you don't have a rewind, recut, it is best to pay and lose than to not pay and lose. Money versus life, or even temporary freedom. A lesson for the government regarding the military too.
Hmm, I best get my shoes polished and check to make sure my good clothes don't smell musty. I am sure my good belts, perhaps a tie or three, are close around as well. I am sure the slacks could use dry cleaning and pressing but there is not time, so cords and a dress shirt, with the Oxfords, and perhaps the bohemian sport coat? Maybe or maybe not the sport coat. It is a heavier wool and that might still be a bit on the hot side. Hmm, but to wear that two days in a row? Well, I do have two different cords, and several dress shirts, with several different ties. Do I remember how to tie a tie? Ugh. I'll... figure it out.
Good night.
.
While the sun was still up, I looked at the outside temp. It read 64 F? Wow. At first I thought it had to be wrong. So I stood there for a bit. No, it really is cooling quite a bit. Yesterday it got down to 72 inside my home, which actually felt cold (in my skivvies). As soon as I read and believed the temp, I opened everything up and turned on the fans to download as much of that cool as bandwidth allows. I don't mind feeling cold, I relish it. I am hoping, after two wreckages of sleep cycles, that tonight will be the night.
Since I wasn't able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation today I am going to try and be there for confession tomorrow. I am not sure I will make it, but I need it. I need it for it's two purposes. The first is obvious. The forgiveness of sins. The second is just as important. I need the Eucharist more than I need food, and have for a while now. A very long while. I am going to try and push it through. If I can, then I can go to Mass right afterward and receive the Eucharist. Further, I will do what I can to make it to Church on Sunday. Now that I have broken the ice, woken up, shaken my world... I need to act fast before that window closes again for a while. I feel like I am playing hopscotch with life, only the rules change, my capacity changes, and everything is contrary to itself even while it IS itself. No matter, keep your eye on the ball and swing. Striking out is no shame if too it isn't a win. Sttttt-rike! But which strike is it? I can't aim for a bunt, I have to aim for the bleachers. Last inning, 2 down, with two in play. Uhrm, is that how they say it with baseball? Haven't watched baseball since I was... 13? Yeah, something like that.
Just had some prank doorbell ringing. Whatever. I know it was kids, adults don't move fast enough to escape that quickly. The cats knew where they were, I could have found them if I had wanted. At this point, I am not going to fuss over it. If it continues I will fix it, legally mind you. No little arms or heads will be removed via my method, though a sheriff might be talking to child and parent. As will I. No charges, I wouldn't press them, not here. And I don't even care so long as it doesn't become a daily daily, or even a weekly thing. Hmm, if it comes down to it, I think I could forgo all problems if they work off my bother by pulling some weeds, raking, and such. Yes, yes. I am... generous that way.
Sunday, after church, I will have to rush home and change to take my friend out shooting. The 9 mm rifle and pistol and the .45 he thinks. So be it. I had thought the .357 but I don't have any of that ammunition and he didn't suggest visiting his sister to get some. I have magnum loads for it, he sold me those as they are too hot for him to shoot. As noted, they are too hot for him to shoot! Dinner and a shoot-out. Actually it is far more expensive than dinner and a movie, at least the start up costs of buying a gun and ammunition. How much shooting pays for itself, entertainment wise? No amount can. Perhaps it shouldn't be on the ledger as entertainment. If you ever need a gun and the skill to shoot it accurately no amount of money would be too much. Since you don't have a rewind, recut, it is best to pay and lose than to not pay and lose. Money versus life, or even temporary freedom. A lesson for the government regarding the military too.
Hmm, I best get my shoes polished and check to make sure my good clothes don't smell musty. I am sure my good belts, perhaps a tie or three, are close around as well. I am sure the slacks could use dry cleaning and pressing but there is not time, so cords and a dress shirt, with the Oxfords, and perhaps the bohemian sport coat? Maybe or maybe not the sport coat. It is a heavier wool and that might still be a bit on the hot side. Hmm, but to wear that two days in a row? Well, I do have two different cords, and several dress shirts, with several different ties. Do I remember how to tie a tie? Ugh. I'll... figure it out.
Good night.
I have been thinking about women.
.
.
No guff, as my friend likes to say. But, I mean in the right way. I have been pondering the question if there might actually be a woman out there for me. Oh, sure, I might be dieing. We will know more after the angiography, and more still after we get my medicines fully up to level and have it there for three months. But I will say this, I don't think I am going to die anytime soon, barring an accident. And, I will wait to know for sure before actively beginning any possible pursuits. No, I am discussing thinking about whether there really are any woman I myself could tolerate to associate with enough to possible end up marrying.
While it seems, since I write about women often, that I do think there are women out there. The truth is I have been quite agnostic about whether there is a woman out there I could handle handling. We live in a crass world these days. Women have decided, in many cases, to take the crassness of men and distort themselves and publicly in such a way as to make the crassest of men seem tame. There are women who, just by what they wear, make this old (if retired at it) horn-dog blush. And more, women are turning into men altogether. But I have been thinking on the proposition anyway.
I started thinking, are there any women I have met or know, regardless of their availability or their ability to fit into my requirements, whom I would marry. As my mind went around, considering the many women I have met recently, I considered them top to bottom, side to side, and inside out. I found about five women with potential and one I definitely would consider. Now, my consideration comes from brief conversations and my sense of the woman as a human. While any woman could satisfy my natural instincts, few would pass muster beyond that. I have to be able to like her, up front, and easily, because it gets much more difficult after that. I would call it a natural affinity, based on some qualities. A humble, kind, generous, abiding, submissive, yet strong nature is required. There is a feel, or a click, when I am near such a woman.
Okay, so now that I suspect there are some women I could not only tolerate, but enjoy, being around, the question goes to other areas. Is she or would she be willing to become Catholic? Can she have children and would she do so? Can she be trusted in the long run? Hell, in the short run? But that is a whole other set of questions. That has nothing to do with whether there really is even a woman that I would consider taking as a wife.
Hopefully as I begin going to Church and it becomes known that a reformed alpha (or, that's the story, one way or the other) is open to finding a good woman I will be forced into fight or flight and will be tricked into enough calm to be trapped. Doh! Bachelorhood made me write that, in... those words. I meant to say, that with the story that a bachelor with some potential is looking for the right woman, perhaps someone knows a woman who might fit the profile and, you know, make introductions. I will also let it be known that I don't take hints. At all. I am nearly perfectly incapable of taking a hint, and I mean to be. Having a single, available, right woman sit beside me in Church for the next ten thousand years would never lead to anything save two dusted seats. Arrangements have to be made, with notifications, a letter of intent (signed, sealed, notoried), and permission slips from both parents and maybe grandparents might be required as well. Just... thinking and saying.
Actually, as I hear it, Adam couldn't take a hint either. Want to hear the story? Okay, fine, since you insist.
'God, of course, made Adam. After God had Adam name all of the animals, and seeing that none were fit to be Adam's mate, and that Adam was lonely, God decided to create him a mate. So God crafted Eve from a rib of Adam, in order that blood of one's blood would bind the two. After doing so, God watched from afar, then closer, closer, then He set aside His God-Nintendo to spend most of His time checking on the two. Nothing was happening, and I mean nothing.'
'So God decided that a small intervention might be critical. God was patient, but Jesus was getting better at the Nintendo, maybe up to God the Father's own level, and He needed to get back up there before He lost His standing. So He calls Adam over and suggests that Adam, while reclining with Eve, put his arm around her shoulder, hoping a little contact would lead to their being fruitful. Adam agrees, happily, and does as suggested. But, that's it. Nothing happens beyond that.'
'Disappointed, God calls Adam back and suggests he kiss Eve once in a while. Adam goes over to Eve, puts his arm around her shoulder... then just sits there. He then comes back to God and asks, "What is "kiss", Father?". So God explains. Ah, good. Adam returns to Eve, puts his arm around her, and kisses her. Throughout their time cuddling, Adam kisses her once in a while. Nothing progresses.
'Again, God calls Adam back over. He decides to suggest another intermediary step, as He wants Adam to simply figure things out on his own. So God suggests that, beside hugging and kissing, that Adam always touch eve, caress her body. Adam agrees immediately, and goes back to Eve, settles in, then looks confused. He comes back to God and asks, Lord, what is caressing? God, again, explains the basics. Ah, fine. Adam goes back and does all of these things over time. Nothing advances beyond that point.'
'Finally God decides it is time for the whole "birds and bees" speech. So He calls Adam over again. This time God suggests that Adam make love to Eve, so that they might bear God some grandchildren. Of course, Master, Adam says. And again he returns to Eve. Again he looks lost and confused, and returns to ask God what this "making love" is and how to do it. God almost thumps His head with an open palm, but stays His hand. He then explains it to Adam as if to a child. Ah, of course, right to it, Father. And off he goes. He settles in with Eve, then begins his play. All of a sudden, he looks lost and confused again. He again rises and heads over to God. God is a bit perplexed this time, He knows He explained everything, explicitly. Adam gets to God, finally, and asks... Father? What is a headache?'
Never mind. But, the idea about not taking a hint IS IN there.
I had, at one time, a Mormon ask me about women and marriage. I was quite honest with them. I said I wouldn't mind marrying a Mormon women, but that I was so powerful I would convert her in a heartbeat. And I mean that. If she is a solid Mormon, she knows who the husband is, religiously. She knows what he does for the family. This would not be a surprise (to her). So she would, most likely, either not entertain the notion of marrying a strongly religious man outside of her faith or be prepared to change. He... did look at me sideways. I think he had some notion that my want of a wife might induce change. I am not sure he has met such faith. Oh, don't think my faith is anything of a personal power. It was a gift, one I have nourished to my fullest capacity (humble and weak as that is, in truth, but there it is), that is all. I thank God for it, but I take no credit for it. None, responsibility, aye, but not credit. A gift, and a pretty one. My finest gift, ever.
Anyway, the thing is, now I at least believe there is the possibility that a Mrs. Doom exists. I need to start shaking bushes, looking under furniture, checking closets, and shooing her out into the open. Only the Lord knows why she hides from me, it is I who am in trouble. Perhaps she is trying to spare me the rod, you know how soft women are. Ha! Oh, don't even look at me like that. No crossed eyes or wrists on hips allowed. Such bluster goes nowhere with this man who knows women as I do! If you are a woman, any woman, you know XACTLY what I am talking about, so hush it, you! And any man knows exactly what I mean too. Wolverines they are, shoving even grizzly bears aside or chasing us off, often just for fun I think. Or like the bunny in Monty Python, the one that killed a bunch of knights as the rest of them "Run away, run away!". Though they don't kill, they do worse! They make us live forever just to make sure "until we die" becomes a blessing. I hope the Lord is kind to me, in this regard. But I think even He has His hands tied when it comes to women. (And thankfully, I think He did this to Himself or otherwise He would have destroyed them for pestering His sons so! :O :P :) Or destroyed us to stop the whining! :)
Just... toying with notions and laughing at the scary scenarios. Ignore the blogger gimp in the corner making faces at the sun and howling at the moon and even daring to think disparaging thoughts about the invisible woman he may well marry. Hush, you!
.
No guff, as my friend likes to say. But, I mean in the right way. I have been pondering the question if there might actually be a woman out there for me. Oh, sure, I might be dieing. We will know more after the angiography, and more still after we get my medicines fully up to level and have it there for three months. But I will say this, I don't think I am going to die anytime soon, barring an accident. And, I will wait to know for sure before actively beginning any possible pursuits. No, I am discussing thinking about whether there really are any woman I myself could tolerate to associate with enough to possible end up marrying.
While it seems, since I write about women often, that I do think there are women out there. The truth is I have been quite agnostic about whether there is a woman out there I could handle handling. We live in a crass world these days. Women have decided, in many cases, to take the crassness of men and distort themselves and publicly in such a way as to make the crassest of men seem tame. There are women who, just by what they wear, make this old (if retired at it) horn-dog blush. And more, women are turning into men altogether. But I have been thinking on the proposition anyway.
I started thinking, are there any women I have met or know, regardless of their availability or their ability to fit into my requirements, whom I would marry. As my mind went around, considering the many women I have met recently, I considered them top to bottom, side to side, and inside out. I found about five women with potential and one I definitely would consider. Now, my consideration comes from brief conversations and my sense of the woman as a human. While any woman could satisfy my natural instincts, few would pass muster beyond that. I have to be able to like her, up front, and easily, because it gets much more difficult after that. I would call it a natural affinity, based on some qualities. A humble, kind, generous, abiding, submissive, yet strong nature is required. There is a feel, or a click, when I am near such a woman.
Okay, so now that I suspect there are some women I could not only tolerate, but enjoy, being around, the question goes to other areas. Is she or would she be willing to become Catholic? Can she have children and would she do so? Can she be trusted in the long run? Hell, in the short run? But that is a whole other set of questions. That has nothing to do with whether there really is even a woman that I would consider taking as a wife.
Hopefully as I begin going to Church and it becomes known that a reformed alpha (or, that's the story, one way or the other) is open to finding a good woman I will be forced into fight or flight and will be tricked into enough calm to be trapped. Doh! Bachelorhood made me write that, in... those words. I meant to say, that with the story that a bachelor with some potential is looking for the right woman, perhaps someone knows a woman who might fit the profile and, you know, make introductions. I will also let it be known that I don't take hints. At all. I am nearly perfectly incapable of taking a hint, and I mean to be. Having a single, available, right woman sit beside me in Church for the next ten thousand years would never lead to anything save two dusted seats. Arrangements have to be made, with notifications, a letter of intent (signed, sealed, notoried), and permission slips from both parents and maybe grandparents might be required as well. Just... thinking and saying.
Actually, as I hear it, Adam couldn't take a hint either. Want to hear the story? Okay, fine, since you insist.
'God, of course, made Adam. After God had Adam name all of the animals, and seeing that none were fit to be Adam's mate, and that Adam was lonely, God decided to create him a mate. So God crafted Eve from a rib of Adam, in order that blood of one's blood would bind the two. After doing so, God watched from afar, then closer, closer, then He set aside His God-Nintendo to spend most of His time checking on the two. Nothing was happening, and I mean nothing.'
'So God decided that a small intervention might be critical. God was patient, but Jesus was getting better at the Nintendo, maybe up to God the Father's own level, and He needed to get back up there before He lost His standing. So He calls Adam over and suggests that Adam, while reclining with Eve, put his arm around her shoulder, hoping a little contact would lead to their being fruitful. Adam agrees, happily, and does as suggested. But, that's it. Nothing happens beyond that.'
'Disappointed, God calls Adam back and suggests he kiss Eve once in a while. Adam goes over to Eve, puts his arm around her shoulder... then just sits there. He then comes back to God and asks, "What is "kiss", Father?". So God explains. Ah, good. Adam returns to Eve, puts his arm around her, and kisses her. Throughout their time cuddling, Adam kisses her once in a while. Nothing progresses.
'Again, God calls Adam back over. He decides to suggest another intermediary step, as He wants Adam to simply figure things out on his own. So God suggests that, beside hugging and kissing, that Adam always touch eve, caress her body. Adam agrees immediately, and goes back to Eve, settles in, then looks confused. He comes back to God and asks, Lord, what is caressing? God, again, explains the basics. Ah, fine. Adam goes back and does all of these things over time. Nothing advances beyond that point.'
'Finally God decides it is time for the whole "birds and bees" speech. So He calls Adam over again. This time God suggests that Adam make love to Eve, so that they might bear God some grandchildren. Of course, Master, Adam says. And again he returns to Eve. Again he looks lost and confused, and returns to ask God what this "making love" is and how to do it. God almost thumps His head with an open palm, but stays His hand. He then explains it to Adam as if to a child. Ah, of course, right to it, Father. And off he goes. He settles in with Eve, then begins his play. All of a sudden, he looks lost and confused again. He again rises and heads over to God. God is a bit perplexed this time, He knows He explained everything, explicitly. Adam gets to God, finally, and asks... Father? What is a headache?'
Never mind. But, the idea about not taking a hint IS IN there.
I had, at one time, a Mormon ask me about women and marriage. I was quite honest with them. I said I wouldn't mind marrying a Mormon women, but that I was so powerful I would convert her in a heartbeat. And I mean that. If she is a solid Mormon, she knows who the husband is, religiously. She knows what he does for the family. This would not be a surprise (to her). So she would, most likely, either not entertain the notion of marrying a strongly religious man outside of her faith or be prepared to change. He... did look at me sideways. I think he had some notion that my want of a wife might induce change. I am not sure he has met such faith. Oh, don't think my faith is anything of a personal power. It was a gift, one I have nourished to my fullest capacity (humble and weak as that is, in truth, but there it is), that is all. I thank God for it, but I take no credit for it. None, responsibility, aye, but not credit. A gift, and a pretty one. My finest gift, ever.
Anyway, the thing is, now I at least believe there is the possibility that a Mrs. Doom exists. I need to start shaking bushes, looking under furniture, checking closets, and shooing her out into the open. Only the Lord knows why she hides from me, it is I who am in trouble. Perhaps she is trying to spare me the rod, you know how soft women are. Ha! Oh, don't even look at me like that. No crossed eyes or wrists on hips allowed. Such bluster goes nowhere with this man who knows women as I do! If you are a woman, any woman, you know XACTLY what I am talking about, so hush it, you! And any man knows exactly what I mean too. Wolverines they are, shoving even grizzly bears aside or chasing us off, often just for fun I think. Or like the bunny in Monty Python, the one that killed a bunch of knights as the rest of them "Run away, run away!". Though they don't kill, they do worse! They make us live forever just to make sure "until we die" becomes a blessing. I hope the Lord is kind to me, in this regard. But I think even He has His hands tied when it comes to women. (And thankfully, I think He did this to Himself or otherwise He would have destroyed them for pestering His sons so! :O :P :) Or destroyed us to stop the whining! :)
Just... toying with notions and laughing at the scary scenarios. Ignore the blogger gimp in the corner making faces at the sun and howling at the moon and even daring to think disparaging thoughts about the invisible woman he may well marry. Hush, you!
I did get out, a bit, and more later.
.
.
I showered and shipped out in time to make it to my appointment. We discussed a number of issues, including joining the ministry for prisoners. It seems the heavy requirements, background checks, and such, are more of a local than a state issue. Even the priest I spoke with today, after being a priest for 27 years, is having to submit a four page form and have something notarized before being allowed access, assuming he is approved! He suggested that the woman in charge of this ministry locally was suggesting that they need more people recently. I might suggest we get people together and discuss with politicians a lowering of the onerous requirements (at least for clerics). Especially when, in SLC, all one has to do is show identification and have credentials or be credentialed through an organization. I might have to see if they have thought of this. Sometimes people just accept things as they are, never thinking to question let alone outright challenge things. I am quite guilty of that myself, sometimes.
We discussed several other things. He had another appointment so I missed the confession part, though I did ask a few questions regarding confession. Honestly, I think he has heard of me. Much like in medicine, your reputation precedes you. However, when I suggested much of my trouble deals with a bad heart I think it made him have to reconsider everything he had been told. All those thoughts about bipolar, depression, whatnot... They all come into question when such a serious physical ailment really is involved. Is a man screaming curses and attacking anyone near him a lunatic? Not if he is on fire and no one is doing anything, or seemingly even noticing. Perspective. (Not that I did or do that, only giving an example of judgment without enough information).
Oh don't be silly. The Mormon and Catholic and probably your church, when you move somewhere and start up (within the denomination) they... communicate to each other. Possibly outside of your denomination. Even though I am not Mormon, because of my friend and association with past missionaries, I am quite sure they have a file on me, that came here with me, before me even. Such is the way of things. Do not think me a fool. I learned much in the military, and through a minute amount of study, learned where the military learned what it knows. Ha!
Paranoid much? But, yeah, I believe that. And I no more worry about it then I worry about the same thing happening in academics, a career, etc. It's just the way of things. If you didn't know, now you do. If you don't believe, scratch the surface just a bit the next time you travel. You'd be surprised at how well you are known. The thing is, that knowledge is a collection of words, is often at least slightly inaccurate, and only you can alter it (not by words mind you, by action or in my case providing that physical ailment that fills in the blanks).
I then went to lunch. My favorite Mexican Restaurant was the place. Instead of a Mexican dish, I went with shrimp and artichoke pasta, with tomato sauce and penne pasta. They serve large meals but I usually can handle that easily. Not having eaten well for a bit made my meal too large to finish. I did my best, ate all of the shrimp and artichoke, but left a quarter of the rest. It wasn't my absolute favorite of their offerings, but because of my preferences not the meal itself. I was just trying something new. The meal was fresh tasting, excellent, and if you love shrimp artichoke on penne with tomato sauce, this would be as good or better than any other. Ah well, it is nice to be different once in a while. Plus, I want to sample their other offerings. It is one of those restaurants that is worth taking some "risks" in dining while visiting.
I received what I had thought was a spam email. At first I thought it was someone trying to comment with a spam link to this blog. I save those, to review (and often chuckle at), when I have time. Being busy I hadn't quite gotten to it. Finally, today, I looked it over. Not only did it not have a link, nor was it a post, but merely an email asking for my opinion regarding a potential project. Further, I liked the idea. So, finally, I responded. Something about an app that would "score" good and bad behavior, to promote working out and eating right, like a first person shooter game somehow, which would link to rewards (coupons or such) as you gained points and increased in ranking. I have a smartphone, but I have never been into apps. I might consider trying such a thing (though my situation is slightly different, so I'm not sure it is quite as applicable to me). Some days I simply can't do anything, so the rewards might come too slowly to add incentive. Still, it might be worth having just to track food, or... a few other things. I think I would also add that I think rewards should come more easily in the earlier stages, where more incentive is more critical and where good behavior is less likely to otherwise go forward and wouldn't be going on as frequently. Another idea I just thought of is the thing should have programmable events. For me, perhaps, taking my medicine might be a behavior that counts for points. As well, another thing might be the ability to program in scheduled reminders to do things. Yeah, that starts getting heavy, but it would be more used if it is more useful. I will be sending these recommendations shortly. I think my main suggestion was that she not have all of the rewards be "healthy" or even "semi-healthy". Don't put a bag of granola in front of me in order to get me to climb a mountain. Put a Snickers and a Coke top of the mountain at least. Don't ask me to pedal twenty miles for a vitamin, have a steak dinner waiting. You see were I am going with that, right? Maybe as rank is attained the rewards can begin tending toward the dry and painful (healthy). But not at first.
I would love to sleep but I promised my friend I would help him escape for a bit. The life of a prisoner is harsh, even with those delicate pretty young women who act as his jailers. A pink prison is no less a prison. A dinner at Jimmy John's maybe, and a bit of shopping. He does like to shop, window shop, and just be about town once in a while. Plus, when we go shooting Sunday, we won't have to stop anywhere but for a meal so we won't be rushed to get him back on time. That should make it much easier. I am going to pick up his soda before I pick him up, too. Then he won't be watching the time and shrieking the "Danger! Danger, Will Rodger! Danger!" about the time. Oh, I know, he just doesn't want to press his luck and get tossed out. As you get older, you worry more I think.
.
I showered and shipped out in time to make it to my appointment. We discussed a number of issues, including joining the ministry for prisoners. It seems the heavy requirements, background checks, and such, are more of a local than a state issue. Even the priest I spoke with today, after being a priest for 27 years, is having to submit a four page form and have something notarized before being allowed access, assuming he is approved! He suggested that the woman in charge of this ministry locally was suggesting that they need more people recently. I might suggest we get people together and discuss with politicians a lowering of the onerous requirements (at least for clerics). Especially when, in SLC, all one has to do is show identification and have credentials or be credentialed through an organization. I might have to see if they have thought of this. Sometimes people just accept things as they are, never thinking to question let alone outright challenge things. I am quite guilty of that myself, sometimes.
We discussed several other things. He had another appointment so I missed the confession part, though I did ask a few questions regarding confession. Honestly, I think he has heard of me. Much like in medicine, your reputation precedes you. However, when I suggested much of my trouble deals with a bad heart I think it made him have to reconsider everything he had been told. All those thoughts about bipolar, depression, whatnot... They all come into question when such a serious physical ailment really is involved. Is a man screaming curses and attacking anyone near him a lunatic? Not if he is on fire and no one is doing anything, or seemingly even noticing. Perspective. (Not that I did or do that, only giving an example of judgment without enough information).
Oh don't be silly. The Mormon and Catholic and probably your church, when you move somewhere and start up (within the denomination) they... communicate to each other. Possibly outside of your denomination. Even though I am not Mormon, because of my friend and association with past missionaries, I am quite sure they have a file on me, that came here with me, before me even. Such is the way of things. Do not think me a fool. I learned much in the military, and through a minute amount of study, learned where the military learned what it knows. Ha!
Paranoid much? But, yeah, I believe that. And I no more worry about it then I worry about the same thing happening in academics, a career, etc. It's just the way of things. If you didn't know, now you do. If you don't believe, scratch the surface just a bit the next time you travel. You'd be surprised at how well you are known. The thing is, that knowledge is a collection of words, is often at least slightly inaccurate, and only you can alter it (not by words mind you, by action or in my case providing that physical ailment that fills in the blanks).
I then went to lunch. My favorite Mexican Restaurant was the place. Instead of a Mexican dish, I went with shrimp and artichoke pasta, with tomato sauce and penne pasta. They serve large meals but I usually can handle that easily. Not having eaten well for a bit made my meal too large to finish. I did my best, ate all of the shrimp and artichoke, but left a quarter of the rest. It wasn't my absolute favorite of their offerings, but because of my preferences not the meal itself. I was just trying something new. The meal was fresh tasting, excellent, and if you love shrimp artichoke on penne with tomato sauce, this would be as good or better than any other. Ah well, it is nice to be different once in a while. Plus, I want to sample their other offerings. It is one of those restaurants that is worth taking some "risks" in dining while visiting.
I received what I had thought was a spam email. At first I thought it was someone trying to comment with a spam link to this blog. I save those, to review (and often chuckle at), when I have time. Being busy I hadn't quite gotten to it. Finally, today, I looked it over. Not only did it not have a link, nor was it a post, but merely an email asking for my opinion regarding a potential project. Further, I liked the idea. So, finally, I responded. Something about an app that would "score" good and bad behavior, to promote working out and eating right, like a first person shooter game somehow, which would link to rewards (coupons or such) as you gained points and increased in ranking. I have a smartphone, but I have never been into apps. I might consider trying such a thing (though my situation is slightly different, so I'm not sure it is quite as applicable to me). Some days I simply can't do anything, so the rewards might come too slowly to add incentive. Still, it might be worth having just to track food, or... a few other things. I think I would also add that I think rewards should come more easily in the earlier stages, where more incentive is more critical and where good behavior is less likely to otherwise go forward and wouldn't be going on as frequently. Another idea I just thought of is the thing should have programmable events. For me, perhaps, taking my medicine might be a behavior that counts for points. As well, another thing might be the ability to program in scheduled reminders to do things. Yeah, that starts getting heavy, but it would be more used if it is more useful. I will be sending these recommendations shortly. I think my main suggestion was that she not have all of the rewards be "healthy" or even "semi-healthy". Don't put a bag of granola in front of me in order to get me to climb a mountain. Put a Snickers and a Coke top of the mountain at least. Don't ask me to pedal twenty miles for a vitamin, have a steak dinner waiting. You see were I am going with that, right? Maybe as rank is attained the rewards can begin tending toward the dry and painful (healthy). But not at first.
I would love to sleep but I promised my friend I would help him escape for a bit. The life of a prisoner is harsh, even with those delicate pretty young women who act as his jailers. A pink prison is no less a prison. A dinner at Jimmy John's maybe, and a bit of shopping. He does like to shop, window shop, and just be about town once in a while. Plus, when we go shooting Sunday, we won't have to stop anywhere but for a meal so we won't be rushed to get him back on time. That should make it much easier. I am going to pick up his soda before I pick him up, too. Then he won't be watching the time and shrieking the "Danger! Danger, Will Rodger! Danger!" about the time. Oh, I know, he just doesn't want to press his luck and get tossed out. As you get older, you worry more I think.
Ah well.
.
.
I can't sleep tonight either. I have an appointment with my priest. The appointment is early, the time is late, and if I slept I would not rise. So...
While awake, I decided to look at what I have, in the way of food, and what I need. I must admit that I have been... procrastinating, yes that would be it... procrastinating about buying food due to a number of factors. For grain, I have been holding back since I don't have a grinding mill, for example. For other items, it is because I don't have a good enough idea about how to store them, exactly. Oh, sure, I have been told, shown online, and researched, but it simply isn't the same thing. And for all of it, I have some worry about quality, price, and... everything! Much like a cat near water, new things, sometimes, often, perhaps too often, have me creeping around them, curiously toying with the notion, but getting nowhere near just diving in. *tap, tap, tap* *runs away (fast)*
I have, academically, in theory beyond that, decided that I need to just go ahead and buy the foods and worry about the rest of it afterward, to a degree. To a degree, I have to be a little less cautious with my money too. I end up spending it anyway. Bleh! I need to plug my emotional/intellectually questioning/pesimistic nose and take the medicine of buying the foods. There is a chance I will figure things out along the way, or shortly after purchase. If all else fails at least I will have some foods for some period of time. To that end I found one of the food calculators tonight and began playing with things. My goal, of course, is to have enough food for one adult for one year. However, I may have guests. Family is not the only potential, though there is that. In a true EOTWAWKI scenario, I am guessing some people will be absorbed here locally, even if most are rejected and sent on their way or outright fought off. I have room, and more hands (and boobs) would not be a bad thing. Just... sayin'. Having enough for myself, another adult, and a child would be a good thing. It would also extend my "year supply" even if no others arrived, or add barter goods to my list.
To that end, I am sort of picking an area, in this case sugars, to start. Why sugars and not wheat or beans or meats or whatnot? Because with sugar, or sweeteners actually, I can fill a one man one year supply this month. The list includes regular sugar, a bit of confectioners and brown sugar, molasses, honey, and maybe maple syrup (the real stuff, for my larder anyway). One of the recommendations is powdered drinks, which actually would be the most expensive part of that, for a year's supply, at least what I am considering. Most of that, barring the drink mixes, can be bought at any grocery store. I will need to read labels as one must make sure corn syrup is not mixed with the molasses or maple syrup because it shortens the shelf life considerably. I am guessing I could get a year's supply of all save the powdered drink mix for, say $50 to $70, even with pure maple as not all that much is recommended of maple syrup.
Now, as to powdered drink mixes? I had, quite honestly, never considered this before. It was on the lists I have seen, I am quite sure, but it wasn't something that showed up on my radar and so had never been considered. A bit of searching did come up with a drink mix. I didn't want simple Cool-Aid or such, it is empty calories. The problem is that the stuff I prefer is not recommended for children, pregnant women, women who are nursing, women during pms, or mean women. Okay, well, maybe I stretched the list. Oh, fine, I made some of that stuff up. But it's alllll twue! However, since it is just me and any women (I know of) who might show up are far past pregnancy, thus nursing (or pms, mostly), even if they are both mean, I will probably go with Emergen C.
I found one that is good for the heart. Now, a year's supply of mixed varieties, at one a day, would be about $100. Then again, I don't plan on drinking it every day in a grid-down. It would merely allow for a bit of flavor once in a while. But I do plan on buying enough for a packet a day. I had thought about replacing soda and my daily vitamin (if after closer review it seemed feasible) with this stuff. For the heart healthy stuff, actually, come to think of it and off hand, given their recommended amounts, it would be way too expensive to replace my daily vitamin and soda. Yep, a calculator check says the cost would be almost $800 for a year's supply at four packs a day. Not... going... to... happen. Though I will be including some of it in my order, and could always order a few extras to stock away. Hmm, as it replaces my soda, which can be $5 a twelve pack, I might be able to afford adding plenty of extra, over time, without killing my budget. Well, not really. But, not drinking soda will cut into the costs of the mix. Anyway.
So, my goal this month, I think, is to get my sugars in order. Next month, legumes/beans (which I will vastly overdo, as I am a bean eating machine) and "cooking essentials" (baking, leavening, and such items). Then dry milk the month after that. Then I will hit the big one, grains. Well, meats will be the most expensive, if a couple of cases of tuna, corned beef, and a few other such products will at least start the meat collection until or unless I can figure out home canning meats as they come on sale. I might, if I have enough to buy some kit while my mom is here, ask her to show me how it is done. Just a small sample size of some cut of beef she has canned before. She used to put up enough beef for about a year of her cooking, when we were kids, when we lived anywhere long enough to store stuff. I can't remember if she canned any meat other than beef, though I suspect so. Canned pork would do just fine with some Mexican dishes. Though I don't think she ever canned fowl (though D.C. did, and blogged it well). The reason I am trying to hit these food groups in this way is that I NEED to see success, movement, storage. Not so much because I believe the collapse is absolutely imminent, though there is that to a degree, we are on extremely globally shaky economic legs. More because success breeds success, and I need some breeding. Or... something like that.
Hmm, since I have to be up, and I am rather hungry, I may go into town and have a tidy little breakfast somewhere, go in and pay my auto tax and make sure the escrow is paying my property tax, and then, if there is time before my appointment, go in and buy some or all of the sweeteners to be stored. Hmm, no. I'll wait until after my appointment in order that I can do my regular shopping too. I am dithering about whether to order the mixes now, or wait until I get a better idea of my finances this month? No, I best order. I'll... figure it out if I begin running a bit shy. Actually, I am probably going to wait until the 3rd, and use the account that gets paid then. Yes, yes. It is a plan.
By the way, while visiting a blog, I was sort of given fresh ideas, thus this post. One of the other things included getting going on a trailer for a bike. So, while I happened to be at Amazon, I decided to see if anything new had come on their market. Sure enough, I think I found what I want. While it seems to have issues, mostly instructions being poor and the coverlet for the thing not fitting well enough to be water-proof/resistant, I figure I can handle that, and fix it if needed.
On to breakfast. Have a great day!
.
I can't sleep tonight either. I have an appointment with my priest. The appointment is early, the time is late, and if I slept I would not rise. So...
While awake, I decided to look at what I have, in the way of food, and what I need. I must admit that I have been... procrastinating, yes that would be it... procrastinating about buying food due to a number of factors. For grain, I have been holding back since I don't have a grinding mill, for example. For other items, it is because I don't have a good enough idea about how to store them, exactly. Oh, sure, I have been told, shown online, and researched, but it simply isn't the same thing. And for all of it, I have some worry about quality, price, and... everything! Much like a cat near water, new things, sometimes, often, perhaps too often, have me creeping around them, curiously toying with the notion, but getting nowhere near just diving in. *tap, tap, tap* *runs away (fast)*
I have, academically, in theory beyond that, decided that I need to just go ahead and buy the foods and worry about the rest of it afterward, to a degree. To a degree, I have to be a little less cautious with my money too. I end up spending it anyway. Bleh! I need to plug my emotional/intellectually questioning/pesimistic nose and take the medicine of buying the foods. There is a chance I will figure things out along the way, or shortly after purchase. If all else fails at least I will have some foods for some period of time. To that end I found one of the food calculators tonight and began playing with things. My goal, of course, is to have enough food for one adult for one year. However, I may have guests. Family is not the only potential, though there is that. In a true EOTWAWKI scenario, I am guessing some people will be absorbed here locally, even if most are rejected and sent on their way or outright fought off. I have room, and more hands (and boobs) would not be a bad thing. Just... sayin'. Having enough for myself, another adult, and a child would be a good thing. It would also extend my "year supply" even if no others arrived, or add barter goods to my list.
To that end, I am sort of picking an area, in this case sugars, to start. Why sugars and not wheat or beans or meats or whatnot? Because with sugar, or sweeteners actually, I can fill a one man one year supply this month. The list includes regular sugar, a bit of confectioners and brown sugar, molasses, honey, and maybe maple syrup (the real stuff, for my larder anyway). One of the recommendations is powdered drinks, which actually would be the most expensive part of that, for a year's supply, at least what I am considering. Most of that, barring the drink mixes, can be bought at any grocery store. I will need to read labels as one must make sure corn syrup is not mixed with the molasses or maple syrup because it shortens the shelf life considerably. I am guessing I could get a year's supply of all save the powdered drink mix for, say $50 to $70, even with pure maple as not all that much is recommended of maple syrup.
Now, as to powdered drink mixes? I had, quite honestly, never considered this before. It was on the lists I have seen, I am quite sure, but it wasn't something that showed up on my radar and so had never been considered. A bit of searching did come up with a drink mix. I didn't want simple Cool-Aid or such, it is empty calories. The problem is that the stuff I prefer is not recommended for children, pregnant women, women who are nursing, women during pms, or mean women. Okay, well, maybe I stretched the list. Oh, fine, I made some of that stuff up. But it's alllll twue! However, since it is just me and any women (I know of) who might show up are far past pregnancy, thus nursing (or pms, mostly), even if they are both mean, I will probably go with Emergen C.
I found one that is good for the heart. Now, a year's supply of mixed varieties, at one a day, would be about $100. Then again, I don't plan on drinking it every day in a grid-down. It would merely allow for a bit of flavor once in a while. But I do plan on buying enough for a packet a day. I had thought about replacing soda and my daily vitamin (if after closer review it seemed feasible) with this stuff. For the heart healthy stuff, actually, come to think of it and off hand, given their recommended amounts, it would be way too expensive to replace my daily vitamin and soda. Yep, a calculator check says the cost would be almost $800 for a year's supply at four packs a day. Not... going... to... happen. Though I will be including some of it in my order, and could always order a few extras to stock away. Hmm, as it replaces my soda, which can be $5 a twelve pack, I might be able to afford adding plenty of extra, over time, without killing my budget. Well, not really. But, not drinking soda will cut into the costs of the mix. Anyway.
So, my goal this month, I think, is to get my sugars in order. Next month, legumes/beans (which I will vastly overdo, as I am a bean eating machine) and "cooking essentials" (baking, leavening, and such items). Then dry milk the month after that. Then I will hit the big one, grains. Well, meats will be the most expensive, if a couple of cases of tuna, corned beef, and a few other such products will at least start the meat collection until or unless I can figure out home canning meats as they come on sale. I might, if I have enough to buy some kit while my mom is here, ask her to show me how it is done. Just a small sample size of some cut of beef she has canned before. She used to put up enough beef for about a year of her cooking, when we were kids, when we lived anywhere long enough to store stuff. I can't remember if she canned any meat other than beef, though I suspect so. Canned pork would do just fine with some Mexican dishes. Though I don't think she ever canned fowl (though D.C. did, and blogged it well). The reason I am trying to hit these food groups in this way is that I NEED to see success, movement, storage. Not so much because I believe the collapse is absolutely imminent, though there is that to a degree, we are on extremely globally shaky economic legs. More because success breeds success, and I need some breeding. Or... something like that.
Hmm, since I have to be up, and I am rather hungry, I may go into town and have a tidy little breakfast somewhere, go in and pay my auto tax and make sure the escrow is paying my property tax, and then, if there is time before my appointment, go in and buy some or all of the sweeteners to be stored. Hmm, no. I'll wait until after my appointment in order that I can do my regular shopping too. I am dithering about whether to order the mixes now, or wait until I get a better idea of my finances this month? No, I best order. I'll... figure it out if I begin running a bit shy. Actually, I am probably going to wait until the 3rd, and use the account that gets paid then. Yes, yes. It is a plan.
By the way, while visiting a blog, I was sort of given fresh ideas, thus this post. One of the other things included getting going on a trailer for a bike. So, while I happened to be at Amazon, I decided to see if anything new had come on their market. Sure enough, I think I found what I want. While it seems to have issues, mostly instructions being poor and the coverlet for the thing not fitting well enough to be water-proof/resistant, I figure I can handle that, and fix it if needed.
On to breakfast. Have a great day!
Too much, too fast, too hard.
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All a day in the life of Doom, mind you. I seem to like to shoot myself in the foot, just to make sure it still hurts. No, not really, it just might seem that way to a casual observer. "Is that Doom with a loaded gun pointed at his foot again?" "Why, yes, I believe it is." "Hey Doom..." *bang* "...be careful... Whatever."
My appointment. I made it by not sleeping at all, quite by foolish accident. I did make it in time to scarf a bite to eat on my way in, but just barely and nothing fancy. As I am getting ready to leave the restaurant (across the parking lot from the office) to go check in, my phone says I have a message(s). I check it. From two days ago, or so, I finally get two messages. One is from my friend, though he doesn't say anything, I just know. Trust me, at least on this. I know these things. The other is from the clinic I am just about to check into. The woman tells me that the hygienists are no longer working at the time of my appointment (the one I am about to check in for), or there is a meeting, or both, or something. That I need to call and reschedule. Now, that call came in when the missionaries where here. Neither they nor I heard the call ring through, despite the phone being on and sitting right beside me. Actually both calls happened at that time. Since I hadn't heard the calls, I asked if they had, just for a 'sanity' check. Nope. Okay, I don't know what is happening with Verizon, but I am having this happen far too often. Phone calls that don't ring through and messages being delayed. Further, after they left, I checked my phone messages to see if the callers had left a message. Not a message to be found a half hour to hour after the calls came through silently.
Well, Verizon aside, there I am, at an 8:00 appointment that had been canceled, having spent $30-$50 in gas. Mad? Well, yes, but certainly not at the V.A. A bit at myself, but I did try as best as I was able to check. Verizon has most of my ire. I went in anyway, to reschedule. She suggested I could wait a couple hours to see if a cancellation would occur. None were showing and I was dieing on the vine as it was. And the cancellation might not be for morning, if one came in. I just couldn't stay. I explained that my phone had messed up, that I had tried to check the afternoon before, and just sort of shrugged. More to receive a little sympathy and then to let it go. I got sympathy, and more. They took care of me. I am quite grateful.
I did go on to get some other things done. I picked up a package from an order and then went looking for the BCI, the place where you apply for a conceal weapon permit in person if you are going to do it that way among other things. Now, being tired, dehydrated, and SLC being slightly larger than my home town, things didn't go well. I think that was my first experience of driving around, realizing I was lost, and continuing to drive around, and in the same area (the male stereotype). Usually, immediately after realizing I am lost, or even if I think I could be or will be, I would stop and ask. I knew it wasn't where I was searching, but I couldn't find a place that looked like it was worth stopping at to ask, didn't know where else to go, wouldn't give up, so did this stupid loop through a construction area which really made the travel far worse, for an hour or two, which went on like a bad dream. It was driving hell!
Finally I pulled into a place that is often a gas station and fast food joint combination, a chain I have only seen in Utah though it might be regional. It turned out to be the only one like it that was just a food place that I have seen. I was driving on out through the parking lot as I doubted anyone there would know when I saw a man, a worker I suppose, having a smoke in the parking lot. I drove over to him and asked if he knew where BCI was. By the look of him, as I got closer, I sort of suspected if he knew anything about BCI it had nothing to do with a gun permit (BCI is the bureau of criminal investigation). Being broad daylight, fully capable of self defense, and a bit too late to change my mind, I just waited for an answer. Nope, he knew nothing.
A guy I had noticed in my periphery, in a car nearby, told me right where it was. He suggested he did a lot of work there, that he was some sort of investigator. He said it with a slight grin. I had to grin back. I thanked him, and after figuring things out, made it to the place. I had been searching 3500, though in my sleepy mind I kept looking for 3400 (which doesn't exist as a main road), it was on 5400 (which I know, just not in such a withered state it seems). I have, now, finally, officially applied for my conceal weapon permit. The investigator, however, with the knowing grin and a sort of understanding, sticks in my mind. Predators of predators have an understanding, no matter what our official or unofficial titles or standings may be. I enjoyed the meeting, brief and anonymous as it was. Then again, they often are. *grins*
Okay, but I was pretty cooked by this time. I was dehydrated, but more. I was tired and dehydrated but there was even more. But what? I just didn't know. And like the driving lost scenario, I couldn't even tend the dehydration. Yeah, the mind gets funky when you deprive it, push it, shove it. As I was heading home I really wanted to stop and eat. Being very tired, by this time, I worried that stopping and eating might exaggerate my exhaustion. Food can do that. So I pretty much just headed for home. I was having a huge problem staying awake but I couldn't afford a room and it was far to hot to have tried to pull off for a nap, so on I struggled. I made it home, but don't remember how, when, or much. I didn't feed the cats. The only thing I remember though, was checking that they still had dry food and water available. I put food out before heading out along with water, in volume, when I will be traveling. I closed my door so they couldn't bother me, or did I? Whatever. I crashed, hard. Just waking a bit ago. But I figured out what the other problem was shortly after waking.
I somehow messed up. I haven't taken medicine for four days. You know what? I am either one of the luckiest or healthiest sick people you will ever meet. Going off those medicines, cold turkey, can and does kill people. I am taking Friday's pills, in spite of it being Saturday technically, and will try to sleep in a few hours again, then get back on the drug farm (if not exactly the drug farm they get the big bucks to sing about). Oh, wait, it IS Friday. I will take Thursday medicine tomorrow then. *chuckling* Yeah, I like my stupid humor and foibles, even as they are.
Well, later. Probably good night once I figure out how to get some fluid and food, if that might require a drive.
.
All a day in the life of Doom, mind you. I seem to like to shoot myself in the foot, just to make sure it still hurts. No, not really, it just might seem that way to a casual observer. "Is that Doom with a loaded gun pointed at his foot again?" "Why, yes, I believe it is." "Hey Doom..." *bang* "...be careful... Whatever."
My appointment. I made it by not sleeping at all, quite by foolish accident. I did make it in time to scarf a bite to eat on my way in, but just barely and nothing fancy. As I am getting ready to leave the restaurant (across the parking lot from the office) to go check in, my phone says I have a message(s). I check it. From two days ago, or so, I finally get two messages. One is from my friend, though he doesn't say anything, I just know. Trust me, at least on this. I know these things. The other is from the clinic I am just about to check into. The woman tells me that the hygienists are no longer working at the time of my appointment (the one I am about to check in for), or there is a meeting, or both, or something. That I need to call and reschedule. Now, that call came in when the missionaries where here. Neither they nor I heard the call ring through, despite the phone being on and sitting right beside me. Actually both calls happened at that time. Since I hadn't heard the calls, I asked if they had, just for a 'sanity' check. Nope. Okay, I don't know what is happening with Verizon, but I am having this happen far too often. Phone calls that don't ring through and messages being delayed. Further, after they left, I checked my phone messages to see if the callers had left a message. Not a message to be found a half hour to hour after the calls came through silently.
Well, Verizon aside, there I am, at an 8:00 appointment that had been canceled, having spent $30-$50 in gas. Mad? Well, yes, but certainly not at the V.A. A bit at myself, but I did try as best as I was able to check. Verizon has most of my ire. I went in anyway, to reschedule. She suggested I could wait a couple hours to see if a cancellation would occur. None were showing and I was dieing on the vine as it was. And the cancellation might not be for morning, if one came in. I just couldn't stay. I explained that my phone had messed up, that I had tried to check the afternoon before, and just sort of shrugged. More to receive a little sympathy and then to let it go. I got sympathy, and more. They took care of me. I am quite grateful.
I did go on to get some other things done. I picked up a package from an order and then went looking for the BCI, the place where you apply for a conceal weapon permit in person if you are going to do it that way among other things. Now, being tired, dehydrated, and SLC being slightly larger than my home town, things didn't go well. I think that was my first experience of driving around, realizing I was lost, and continuing to drive around, and in the same area (the male stereotype). Usually, immediately after realizing I am lost, or even if I think I could be or will be, I would stop and ask. I knew it wasn't where I was searching, but I couldn't find a place that looked like it was worth stopping at to ask, didn't know where else to go, wouldn't give up, so did this stupid loop through a construction area which really made the travel far worse, for an hour or two, which went on like a bad dream. It was driving hell!
Finally I pulled into a place that is often a gas station and fast food joint combination, a chain I have only seen in Utah though it might be regional. It turned out to be the only one like it that was just a food place that I have seen. I was driving on out through the parking lot as I doubted anyone there would know when I saw a man, a worker I suppose, having a smoke in the parking lot. I drove over to him and asked if he knew where BCI was. By the look of him, as I got closer, I sort of suspected if he knew anything about BCI it had nothing to do with a gun permit (BCI is the bureau of criminal investigation). Being broad daylight, fully capable of self defense, and a bit too late to change my mind, I just waited for an answer. Nope, he knew nothing.
A guy I had noticed in my periphery, in a car nearby, told me right where it was. He suggested he did a lot of work there, that he was some sort of investigator. He said it with a slight grin. I had to grin back. I thanked him, and after figuring things out, made it to the place. I had been searching 3500, though in my sleepy mind I kept looking for 3400 (which doesn't exist as a main road), it was on 5400 (which I know, just not in such a withered state it seems). I have, now, finally, officially applied for my conceal weapon permit. The investigator, however, with the knowing grin and a sort of understanding, sticks in my mind. Predators of predators have an understanding, no matter what our official or unofficial titles or standings may be. I enjoyed the meeting, brief and anonymous as it was. Then again, they often are. *grins*
Okay, but I was pretty cooked by this time. I was dehydrated, but more. I was tired and dehydrated but there was even more. But what? I just didn't know. And like the driving lost scenario, I couldn't even tend the dehydration. Yeah, the mind gets funky when you deprive it, push it, shove it. As I was heading home I really wanted to stop and eat. Being very tired, by this time, I worried that stopping and eating might exaggerate my exhaustion. Food can do that. So I pretty much just headed for home. I was having a huge problem staying awake but I couldn't afford a room and it was far to hot to have tried to pull off for a nap, so on I struggled. I made it home, but don't remember how, when, or much. I didn't feed the cats. The only thing I remember though, was checking that they still had dry food and water available. I put food out before heading out along with water, in volume, when I will be traveling. I closed my door so they couldn't bother me, or did I? Whatever. I crashed, hard. Just waking a bit ago. But I figured out what the other problem was shortly after waking.
I somehow messed up. I haven't taken medicine for four days. You know what? I am either one of the luckiest or healthiest sick people you will ever meet. Going off those medicines, cold turkey, can and does kill people. I am taking Friday's pills, in spite of it being Saturday technically, and will try to sleep in a few hours again, then get back on the drug farm (if not exactly the drug farm they get the big bucks to sing about). Oh, wait, it IS Friday. I will take Thursday medicine tomorrow then. *chuckling* Yeah, I like my stupid humor and foibles, even as they are.
Well, later. Probably good night once I figure out how to get some fluid and food, if that might require a drive.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
What a zinger.
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I was watching the time, to try and make sure to be to bed to get a few hours of shuteye. It was getting a bit late, so I decided to close up shop and get ready to settle in for a bit of sleep. I happened to look at my wristwatch. No can do. I forgot to reset the computer clock to real time. I have to be on the road in two hours. On the good side I am feeling great, or at least good enough. Which, for me, is feeling great, come to think of it.
I may just shave, jump into the shower, brush my teeth, put on something clean, and head out early so I can have breakfast first. Well, since I will be seeing the dentist, and having breakfast, I will take along my toothbrush and such. It's just common courtesy. I've always felt a little bit bad about being a chewer, and going in. So I have always at least tried to take that out and rinse my mouth out a couple of times before walking in, and brush. Oh, it isn't in order to hide the fact, they can tell. It is merely so someone else doesn't have to deal with one of my flaws.
But where to eat? Hmm, there is a decent restaurant just down the hill, on the way in. It is nothing fancy, though it can be quite expensive with just a side order or two. I think it ended up being nigh on to $20 last time. I'm still not sure how it ended up that high with tea to drink, a main entree, and a side of sausage or bacon? That was before tip. I must admit that I didn't look at the prices, but usually in chains the breakfast entrees are $8 or $9 less? Perhaps I missed the price spike, that is happening everywhere. I could try another restaurant, a home cooking type joint. I had lunch there for far less than the $20. I'm not sure when they open though. Hmm, I wonder if they are online? It's a mom and... well just mom I think... joint. It has been on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, which makes it famous. The jury, for me, is still out on how good it really is. I guess though, as a minor fan of the show, I sort of would like to see the place be good. Either for breakfast or lunch, I think I will eat there. Hmm, maybe both. I have a reason to be in SLC up into the afternoon, so... And I do need to eat. I'll think on it.
Have a good one.
.
I was watching the time, to try and make sure to be to bed to get a few hours of shuteye. It was getting a bit late, so I decided to close up shop and get ready to settle in for a bit of sleep. I happened to look at my wristwatch. No can do. I forgot to reset the computer clock to real time. I have to be on the road in two hours. On the good side I am feeling great, or at least good enough. Which, for me, is feeling great, come to think of it.
I may just shave, jump into the shower, brush my teeth, put on something clean, and head out early so I can have breakfast first. Well, since I will be seeing the dentist, and having breakfast, I will take along my toothbrush and such. It's just common courtesy. I've always felt a little bit bad about being a chewer, and going in. So I have always at least tried to take that out and rinse my mouth out a couple of times before walking in, and brush. Oh, it isn't in order to hide the fact, they can tell. It is merely so someone else doesn't have to deal with one of my flaws.
But where to eat? Hmm, there is a decent restaurant just down the hill, on the way in. It is nothing fancy, though it can be quite expensive with just a side order or two. I think it ended up being nigh on to $20 last time. I'm still not sure how it ended up that high with tea to drink, a main entree, and a side of sausage or bacon? That was before tip. I must admit that I didn't look at the prices, but usually in chains the breakfast entrees are $8 or $9 less? Perhaps I missed the price spike, that is happening everywhere. I could try another restaurant, a home cooking type joint. I had lunch there for far less than the $20. I'm not sure when they open though. Hmm, I wonder if they are online? It's a mom and... well just mom I think... joint. It has been on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, which makes it famous. The jury, for me, is still out on how good it really is. I guess though, as a minor fan of the show, I sort of would like to see the place be good. Either for breakfast or lunch, I think I will eat there. Hmm, maybe both. I have a reason to be in SLC up into the afternoon, so... And I do need to eat. I'll think on it.
Have a good one.
Internet problems.
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I am not sure what the problem is specifically. But I am getting only moments of connectivity, then being jammed. I have heard that it might be a FireFox update that is killing things. Though I wonder about government and even foreign interventions, including everything from our government doing hacking poorly to finding out what they can shut down, where, and practicing it. With foreign governments and entities, I would more suspect a mass denial of service attack on the web or a botched (or successful?) large scale hack. I don't know, I just know that I have just enough time to visit a blog and read it. I rarely have enough connecting time in order to comment.
It has been this way, off and on, for the last week. It is getting worse.
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I am not sure what the problem is specifically. But I am getting only moments of connectivity, then being jammed. I have heard that it might be a FireFox update that is killing things. Though I wonder about government and even foreign interventions, including everything from our government doing hacking poorly to finding out what they can shut down, where, and practicing it. With foreign governments and entities, I would more suspect a mass denial of service attack on the web or a botched (or successful?) large scale hack. I don't know, I just know that I have just enough time to visit a blog and read it. I rarely have enough connecting time in order to comment.
It has been this way, off and on, for the last week. It is getting worse.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Spam.
.
.
Not the canned version, depending on how loosely you understand canned and spam, actually. Something about boycotting American women. His option, through his site, was mail-order brides from India. What he and many others absolutely fail to understand is that women would do anything to get to America, and then do anything to be free of any obligation that got them here. American women are, for the most part, wretched. Women who haven't known the wealth and freedom we know in America, who suddenly find themselves living in it (I remind you, our poorest people are richer than some local elders (foreign rich people)). It drives foreigners insane, unless they have a very strong faith system, and that would be foreign to any American man. Well, that and I am not into interracial kink. I'm not even into inter-religious marriage, though mostly for the sake of the marriage and the children.
No, going foreign, unless you plan on living there, and make sure she understands that should she divorce, that you will leave them all and return to America, you would have a worse time with a foreign bride than even an American women. If I was going to suggest a boycott, I would suggest men stop marrying any woman. Let them know that until justice is corrected and the family is made more vital than a woman finding herself or whatever, that marriage is too unsafe for men, and for our potential children, to venture. I guarantee the right politicians WOULD get elected, probably in some middle term election. But most men, as we know, are almost as weak as women. As for my part, I doubt if there is a woman, American or not, who is worth marrying. Fucking, sure, if she is doped up, and we are both slathered in latex these days. But I am done with that. While I look, I am almost certain there is no hope. Even most of the women I have counted on for guidance, my mothers, aunts, older sister types... even they advise against marriage. They have very little good to say about modern women.
I still think it is the wealth we know that will kill us off. While many believe the middle class and the poor suffer greatly, that isn't true at all. Actually, I have seen food kitchens in which the poor are fed better than I eat, at least regularly. Oh, but that is one meal a day, you say? And? I often go without food because I have no means of preparing it, no way to keep the place clean from the cooking, or simply no way to physically get up and cook, throw in shopping requirements and... Yeah. You can literally live off nothing but begging in America. I have heard the average day of begging brings in $100 to $150, and it's tax free. We are far from poverty, even our poorest. The only people who have trouble feeding their children have a problem with feeding a habit as their first priority as the problem, not any access to money or food.
Gold is wonderful, I am sure. Unless you are barely keeping your head above moral water and you keep grabbing more of it from wherever you can get it. Whether a loadstone is made of lead or gold, it works just the same. And while I regret our nation working toward bankrupting itself and our citizens, I do see a silver line without a single pun intended. While I think there is a better way, it will work too. If a woman realized that if she left, with the kids or without, that she would get nothing for it but being alone and broker, would she really do it? If she knew that her husband could not offer enough (or anything) to provide for his and their sustenance, and she knew that the government would not help at all, would she still divorce? Probably not, or at least most wouldn't take the kids, the few that are unfit as wives and mothers and would abandon all for themselves. Would that make the world perfect? No, but it would make it better.
I am not sure I would honestly want a wife to be considered property, but I certainly don't think her emotions should be the guide for family law to the exclusion of all else, as it is now. Anyway, no Indian, or probably any other kind of, wife for me. I keep looking, I suppose it was planted in us by God to look. I've test driven a... few... different varietals and, pretty much, in that way, there isn't that much difference. Further, with a little work, a few chats, a little play-acting, you can get one woman to be quite like another or as you like. What you can't do is trust her and the courts. As I said, I wouldn't want to own one. I'm not quite that good, don't want to be quite that responsible for a barely domesticated creature, and don't think it would work. I would, however, love to live with one, in surety.
I got into town, took my friend a meal, and that was that. I will be going in again Friday, taking him a meal. A Jimmy John sandwich I do believe. Though we might go out and get his shopping out of the way rather than me just stopping in. I think I have a dental appointment tomorrow very early. I called to check on it tonight. They don't have it on file, but they don't have any dental appointment in their record and since I set it up myself, I know one was coming up. I think it was the first because that is when I thought my mother was going to be arriving. And I went ahead with it because it was early enough that I would still have time to pick her up and it would pay for gas for the trip. A long day, but I figured it would tie it all together. So, instead, I will be putting in my conceal carry application afterwards. I simply hope to get a bit more sleep tonight.
A warm wind is blowing. The wind is keeping it from cooling, actually. It is not really hot, 77 F according to one sign as I was leaving Logan. It doesn't feel like it has cooled at all since, though and either. Oh well. I suppose it is better than 80 plus.
Good night.
.
Not the canned version, depending on how loosely you understand canned and spam, actually. Something about boycotting American women. His option, through his site, was mail-order brides from India. What he and many others absolutely fail to understand is that women would do anything to get to America, and then do anything to be free of any obligation that got them here. American women are, for the most part, wretched. Women who haven't known the wealth and freedom we know in America, who suddenly find themselves living in it (I remind you, our poorest people are richer than some local elders (foreign rich people)). It drives foreigners insane, unless they have a very strong faith system, and that would be foreign to any American man. Well, that and I am not into interracial kink. I'm not even into inter-religious marriage, though mostly for the sake of the marriage and the children.
No, going foreign, unless you plan on living there, and make sure she understands that should she divorce, that you will leave them all and return to America, you would have a worse time with a foreign bride than even an American women. If I was going to suggest a boycott, I would suggest men stop marrying any woman. Let them know that until justice is corrected and the family is made more vital than a woman finding herself or whatever, that marriage is too unsafe for men, and for our potential children, to venture. I guarantee the right politicians WOULD get elected, probably in some middle term election. But most men, as we know, are almost as weak as women. As for my part, I doubt if there is a woman, American or not, who is worth marrying. Fucking, sure, if she is doped up, and we are both slathered in latex these days. But I am done with that. While I look, I am almost certain there is no hope. Even most of the women I have counted on for guidance, my mothers, aunts, older sister types... even they advise against marriage. They have very little good to say about modern women.
I still think it is the wealth we know that will kill us off. While many believe the middle class and the poor suffer greatly, that isn't true at all. Actually, I have seen food kitchens in which the poor are fed better than I eat, at least regularly. Oh, but that is one meal a day, you say? And? I often go without food because I have no means of preparing it, no way to keep the place clean from the cooking, or simply no way to physically get up and cook, throw in shopping requirements and... Yeah. You can literally live off nothing but begging in America. I have heard the average day of begging brings in $100 to $150, and it's tax free. We are far from poverty, even our poorest. The only people who have trouble feeding their children have a problem with feeding a habit as their first priority as the problem, not any access to money or food.
Gold is wonderful, I am sure. Unless you are barely keeping your head above moral water and you keep grabbing more of it from wherever you can get it. Whether a loadstone is made of lead or gold, it works just the same. And while I regret our nation working toward bankrupting itself and our citizens, I do see a silver line without a single pun intended. While I think there is a better way, it will work too. If a woman realized that if she left, with the kids or without, that she would get nothing for it but being alone and broker, would she really do it? If she knew that her husband could not offer enough (or anything) to provide for his and their sustenance, and she knew that the government would not help at all, would she still divorce? Probably not, or at least most wouldn't take the kids, the few that are unfit as wives and mothers and would abandon all for themselves. Would that make the world perfect? No, but it would make it better.
I am not sure I would honestly want a wife to be considered property, but I certainly don't think her emotions should be the guide for family law to the exclusion of all else, as it is now. Anyway, no Indian, or probably any other kind of, wife for me. I keep looking, I suppose it was planted in us by God to look. I've test driven a... few... different varietals and, pretty much, in that way, there isn't that much difference. Further, with a little work, a few chats, a little play-acting, you can get one woman to be quite like another or as you like. What you can't do is trust her and the courts. As I said, I wouldn't want to own one. I'm not quite that good, don't want to be quite that responsible for a barely domesticated creature, and don't think it would work. I would, however, love to live with one, in surety.
I got into town, took my friend a meal, and that was that. I will be going in again Friday, taking him a meal. A Jimmy John sandwich I do believe. Though we might go out and get his shopping out of the way rather than me just stopping in. I think I have a dental appointment tomorrow very early. I called to check on it tonight. They don't have it on file, but they don't have any dental appointment in their record and since I set it up myself, I know one was coming up. I think it was the first because that is when I thought my mother was going to be arriving. And I went ahead with it because it was early enough that I would still have time to pick her up and it would pay for gas for the trip. A long day, but I figured it would tie it all together. So, instead, I will be putting in my conceal carry application afterwards. I simply hope to get a bit more sleep tonight.
A warm wind is blowing. The wind is keeping it from cooling, actually. It is not really hot, 77 F according to one sign as I was leaving Logan. It doesn't feel like it has cooled at all since, though and either. Oh well. I suppose it is better than 80 plus.
Good night.
Absolutely beat to death.
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I had trouble sleeping last night. Then, about what should have bedtime I got a hankering to do some cleaning. I picked some things up, rearranged this and that, started in, but couldn't really get more than a bit done. And that little bit took a long time. So, I didn't get to bed until... 10:00? I had people coming by for a visit at 14:00, so... I did make it up, just in time to take a shower and get dressed. Further, I promised my friend dinner at around 18:00. So, no nap.
I get stretched in these odd moments. I have this, that, and the other thing, I can't sleep, I am trying to work (whenever I see the opportunity), and... it gets a bit much. But I have to do what I can when I can or even the little that I do will not get done. In some ways, the little life I lead is brutal. I either do, and can do, little or nothing for long stretches, and then I have to try to jump and run because it all comes down hard and fast.
I just got out of the shower when I received a call. It appears the V.A. did not pay for a bill from the hospital. Why? Because the hospital did not bill the V.A. The door rings, I'm still toweling off talking to this collection agency, and trying to then get dressed. Okay, I get dressed, let my guests in, we sit and I try to finish the call. This woman tells me that I need to contact the V.A. and see what they will do, if they will do anything. I assure her I let the hospital know, it was on them to act on the information I gave them. I had been to that hospital before, the E.R., and they had billed the V.A. They had to know. She again insisted that I contact the V.A. I told her it was not me wanting the money, I suggested she contact the V.A., let them know that the hospital slipped in it's billing of them, that they had been sending information to an incorrect address (and it hadn't been getting to me, so I didn't know), and to make sure she sent along the medical information so they know what the bill was for. She kept insisting that I do her job, so I hung up and that is that. If they want their money, there is only one place they will get it. I have explained how, done.
Anyway, a bit more work, possibly, at some point today. Cleaning, of course. It is not that my house is filthy, it is merely cluttered again. Well, save for the dishes. They aren't filthy either. I washed them once, let them set to be washed again. And, well, they have sat since. It has simply been too darned hot to do anything and I haven't been doing well. Ah, I best get my medicines down. That will probably be as much as I can get done until after I see my friend.
Such is the life of a guy without a proverbial leg to stand on. But hey, it ain't all bad. I just wish I was able to do more so as to provide a meaning for the food I eat and the air I breath. Life, however, isn't a secular thing. If I please the Lord, even in this state, and that is my goal if there seems little I can do about it in any case, then so be it.
Good day.
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I had trouble sleeping last night. Then, about what should have bedtime I got a hankering to do some cleaning. I picked some things up, rearranged this and that, started in, but couldn't really get more than a bit done. And that little bit took a long time. So, I didn't get to bed until... 10:00? I had people coming by for a visit at 14:00, so... I did make it up, just in time to take a shower and get dressed. Further, I promised my friend dinner at around 18:00. So, no nap.
I get stretched in these odd moments. I have this, that, and the other thing, I can't sleep, I am trying to work (whenever I see the opportunity), and... it gets a bit much. But I have to do what I can when I can or even the little that I do will not get done. In some ways, the little life I lead is brutal. I either do, and can do, little or nothing for long stretches, and then I have to try to jump and run because it all comes down hard and fast.
I just got out of the shower when I received a call. It appears the V.A. did not pay for a bill from the hospital. Why? Because the hospital did not bill the V.A. The door rings, I'm still toweling off talking to this collection agency, and trying to then get dressed. Okay, I get dressed, let my guests in, we sit and I try to finish the call. This woman tells me that I need to contact the V.A. and see what they will do, if they will do anything. I assure her I let the hospital know, it was on them to act on the information I gave them. I had been to that hospital before, the E.R., and they had billed the V.A. They had to know. She again insisted that I contact the V.A. I told her it was not me wanting the money, I suggested she contact the V.A., let them know that the hospital slipped in it's billing of them, that they had been sending information to an incorrect address (and it hadn't been getting to me, so I didn't know), and to make sure she sent along the medical information so they know what the bill was for. She kept insisting that I do her job, so I hung up and that is that. If they want their money, there is only one place they will get it. I have explained how, done.
Anyway, a bit more work, possibly, at some point today. Cleaning, of course. It is not that my house is filthy, it is merely cluttered again. Well, save for the dishes. They aren't filthy either. I washed them once, let them set to be washed again. And, well, they have sat since. It has simply been too darned hot to do anything and I haven't been doing well. Ah, I best get my medicines down. That will probably be as much as I can get done until after I see my friend.
Such is the life of a guy without a proverbial leg to stand on. But hey, it ain't all bad. I just wish I was able to do more so as to provide a meaning for the food I eat and the air I breath. Life, however, isn't a secular thing. If I please the Lord, even in this state, and that is my goal if there seems little I can do about it in any case, then so be it.
Good day.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Just some things that made me chuckle.
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This first one requires some knowledge of Monty Python's the Life of Brian. It is an old movie, some of us thought a funny movie. I won't bother to explain. Of course, it stands on it's own, too, though.
This one is about as scientific a rebuttal of the 'truthers' as I actually need. No, no, there is plenty of science that absolutely rebuts, well, along with everything that isn't scientific. Anyway...
Both shamelessly, and I do mean shamelessly, from The Jawa Report.
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This first one requires some knowledge of Monty Python's the Life of Brian. It is an old movie, some of us thought a funny movie. I won't bother to explain. Of course, it stands on it's own, too, though.
This one is about as scientific a rebuttal of the 'truthers' as I actually need. No, no, there is plenty of science that absolutely rebuts, well, along with everything that isn't scientific. Anyway...
Both shamelessly, and I do mean shamelessly, from The Jawa Report.
Seven or eight police cars?
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I'm not sure what is going on but in the last few minutes I have had at least seven police cars go by, heading out into nowhereland. With lights and sirens. I am not sure if there was an abulance in the first group or not, though usually they sound enough different that they are easy to separate. Then again, the first sounds were pretty distant, probably coming from a different route and coming through the far side of town. I don't know if there was a firetruck(s) either. Out here I suspect... a fire or a bad accident. I just opened my front window curtain a bit (I've been keeping curtains closed due to the heat, of course). It looked, as I just barely looked in time, like a red fire SUV but sounded exactly like a police car. Now I can't be sure how many of what may have passed by.
It just reminded me of when I lived in Iowa City-Coralville. Only it was always police, and several times a month somewhere between six and eight, or more, squad cars surrounded the apartment complex next door and went in with swat gear. Yes, the same town where when I called to report a drug deal I was told they would have someone get right back to me, and three days later some secretary called to ask what I had called about. I just told her to never mind, it was just a drug deal, nothing for her to worry about, then hung up. I knew, then and there, it was time to leave. Here? It means if I can, it is time to consider offering to volunteer at the fire department. Even if all I can reliably be counted on is to occasionally go over and do some minor tasks, sweep, help sort gear, whatever, and when I can.
It's a different world out here. And I like it that way. Oh, since there really isn't a local paper, other than perhaps in Logan, I sure wish I could be more social. I would like to know more about what is happening here. The only way to find out would be to know people who know people, I think. There is a little store in the middle of town. I think they have a little spot for resting one's bones and eating. Though not really a restaurant at all, or even really a coffee spot, I think it might be what passes for that. I might have to... be adventurous and risk planting my feet there. Hmm, I don't know though. I am so opinionated that it might not work.
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I'm not sure what is going on but in the last few minutes I have had at least seven police cars go by, heading out into nowhereland. With lights and sirens. I am not sure if there was an abulance in the first group or not, though usually they sound enough different that they are easy to separate. Then again, the first sounds were pretty distant, probably coming from a different route and coming through the far side of town. I don't know if there was a firetruck(s) either. Out here I suspect... a fire or a bad accident. I just opened my front window curtain a bit (I've been keeping curtains closed due to the heat, of course). It looked, as I just barely looked in time, like a red fire SUV but sounded exactly like a police car. Now I can't be sure how many of what may have passed by.
It just reminded me of when I lived in Iowa City-Coralville. Only it was always police, and several times a month somewhere between six and eight, or more, squad cars surrounded the apartment complex next door and went in with swat gear. Yes, the same town where when I called to report a drug deal I was told they would have someone get right back to me, and three days later some secretary called to ask what I had called about. I just told her to never mind, it was just a drug deal, nothing for her to worry about, then hung up. I knew, then and there, it was time to leave. Here? It means if I can, it is time to consider offering to volunteer at the fire department. Even if all I can reliably be counted on is to occasionally go over and do some minor tasks, sweep, help sort gear, whatever, and when I can.
It's a different world out here. And I like it that way. Oh, since there really isn't a local paper, other than perhaps in Logan, I sure wish I could be more social. I would like to know more about what is happening here. The only way to find out would be to know people who know people, I think. There is a little store in the middle of town. I think they have a little spot for resting one's bones and eating. Though not really a restaurant at all, or even really a coffee spot, I think it might be what passes for that. I might have to... be adventurous and risk planting my feet there. Hmm, I don't know though. I am so opinionated that it might not work.
Until 15:00.
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Cool, again. Very cool. Fantastically cool. I still couldn't cool off and then get to sleep until 5:00 or 7:00 or something like that because of being active yesterday or something. But I slept well and long. Being as late as it was, I didn't want to risk sleeping past time to close things down so I did that preemptively, before going to bed. All save the windows in my bedroom. I then closed my bedroom door, too. That worked well and actually kept my bedroom cooler, somehow, as the heat of the day increased. I woke to a pleasant temp and yet I have to think it is at least in the lower to mid 90's again. Something to do with having part of one wall of my bedroom being rock, and keeping the other side of it cool, is my guess.
Today is a day for work, if I can get to it. This room I compute in, a general trash and recyclable collection, and if I still have some juice, a few dishes and some laundry. It'll be an hour or two before I can get my lump going. So be it. My engine simply doesn't turn over very quickly, beside not generally being high revving. I am hoping, having ice available and so drinking more standard water and Gatroade, the world will become easier too. I have been hitting the soda way to hard. Beside probably jacking my sugar levels it has probably been cutting my fluid levels. Neither is good, I seem to have just defaulted to 'coolest mouth feel' and gotten stuck on stupid. It happens.
Have a great day!
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Cool, again. Very cool. Fantastically cool. I still couldn't cool off and then get to sleep until 5:00 or 7:00 or something like that because of being active yesterday or something. But I slept well and long. Being as late as it was, I didn't want to risk sleeping past time to close things down so I did that preemptively, before going to bed. All save the windows in my bedroom. I then closed my bedroom door, too. That worked well and actually kept my bedroom cooler, somehow, as the heat of the day increased. I woke to a pleasant temp and yet I have to think it is at least in the lower to mid 90's again. Something to do with having part of one wall of my bedroom being rock, and keeping the other side of it cool, is my guess.
Today is a day for work, if I can get to it. This room I compute in, a general trash and recyclable collection, and if I still have some juice, a few dishes and some laundry. It'll be an hour or two before I can get my lump going. So be it. My engine simply doesn't turn over very quickly, beside not generally being high revving. I am hoping, having ice available and so drinking more standard water and Gatroade, the world will become easier too. I have been hitting the soda way to hard. Beside probably jacking my sugar levels it has probably been cutting my fluid levels. Neither is good, I seem to have just defaulted to 'coolest mouth feel' and gotten stuck on stupid. It happens.
Have a great day!
Okay, nice system.
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I just noticed this at SurvivalBlog. This guy seems to have a plan. Actually, this is his plan. No, seriously, that is a well laid out plan, allowing for a good deal of what is needed and some of what would be very wanted in a grid down situation, and for a rather lengthy period of time. I am not exactly sure how long the propane would last him, but if he used that just for ac in the summer, I am guessing it would last for years.
But I noticed nothing about money, cost, or such. My guess? $30k to $60k, when you add in panels, connections, generator, batteries, and all the rest, and not including installation. If he did it himself, while technically free any diy'er knows it is not free. The price is serious time, effort, and an temporary abrogation to many other aspects of life.
Worthwhile? Only if it is ever needed as designed. While a solid possibility, and not just for a complete grid down situation (imagine if Obama gets even part of his way in shutting down coal fired electric plants, and just that alone, prices will soar!). And, it doesn't even have to be an international or even national collapse. A hurricane, tornado, massive electrical storm, regional grid failure, or a thousand other things could do that. I guess it would be worth it even if nothing happened, simply through peace of mind. And, of course, you would be saving some money on utilities as a standing functional system, making some of your money back. Given that this man's bills were $240 in the winter and $400 in the summer (though, it sounds like he lives... rather well), he would of course never regain his expenditures (like I said, with the exception that the grid goes down).
I honestly wish people would include costs. While it is nice to hear that someone has found his way to doing this, it is impossible to consider the feasibility factor without some kind of pricing. He indicates he has an engineering degree and a Ph. D. from one of the Ivy League schools, or top ten as he puts it. Well, okay, but he still has to look at the price tags, doesn't he?
Anyway, that looks like a solid system. I think the only think I would do differently, money not being an issue, is get a much larger propane tank. I think they go to 2k, rather than 300 gallons. You can hook up your stove, a clothes dryer, and a few other things, as well as make sure (as he seems to do?) have a tap so you can fill smaller tanks. A home would never use 2k. That would last as long as a single homeowner would live, almost, and offer some minor barter as well. It may not be legal, where he lives however, to have such a large quantity of propane. I am wondering if that was his situation, since he seems pretty able to do pretty much what he wants financially.
He even takes care of most maintenance issues by using the better batteries. I have always wondered if, after creating a battery panel, if you could purchase back-up batteries and store them? That seems to me to be an excellent idea, assuming batteries have a shelf life significantly longer than battery use life. Something I will be investigating (though too, I know those batteries are a significant expense). I know, if money was available and I had such as system, if nothing else and I saw the SH'ingTF, I would try to get a second round of batteries as a last thing. The card(s) get maxed? And?
Just... thinking.
.
I just noticed this at SurvivalBlog. This guy seems to have a plan. Actually, this is his plan. No, seriously, that is a well laid out plan, allowing for a good deal of what is needed and some of what would be very wanted in a grid down situation, and for a rather lengthy period of time. I am not exactly sure how long the propane would last him, but if he used that just for ac in the summer, I am guessing it would last for years.
But I noticed nothing about money, cost, or such. My guess? $30k to $60k, when you add in panels, connections, generator, batteries, and all the rest, and not including installation. If he did it himself, while technically free any diy'er knows it is not free. The price is serious time, effort, and an temporary abrogation to many other aspects of life.
Worthwhile? Only if it is ever needed as designed. While a solid possibility, and not just for a complete grid down situation (imagine if Obama gets even part of his way in shutting down coal fired electric plants, and just that alone, prices will soar!). And, it doesn't even have to be an international or even national collapse. A hurricane, tornado, massive electrical storm, regional grid failure, or a thousand other things could do that. I guess it would be worth it even if nothing happened, simply through peace of mind. And, of course, you would be saving some money on utilities as a standing functional system, making some of your money back. Given that this man's bills were $240 in the winter and $400 in the summer (though, it sounds like he lives... rather well), he would of course never regain his expenditures (like I said, with the exception that the grid goes down).
I honestly wish people would include costs. While it is nice to hear that someone has found his way to doing this, it is impossible to consider the feasibility factor without some kind of pricing. He indicates he has an engineering degree and a Ph. D. from one of the Ivy League schools, or top ten as he puts it. Well, okay, but he still has to look at the price tags, doesn't he?
Anyway, that looks like a solid system. I think the only think I would do differently, money not being an issue, is get a much larger propane tank. I think they go to 2k, rather than 300 gallons. You can hook up your stove, a clothes dryer, and a few other things, as well as make sure (as he seems to do?) have a tap so you can fill smaller tanks. A home would never use 2k. That would last as long as a single homeowner would live, almost, and offer some minor barter as well. It may not be legal, where he lives however, to have such a large quantity of propane. I am wondering if that was his situation, since he seems pretty able to do pretty much what he wants financially.
He even takes care of most maintenance issues by using the better batteries. I have always wondered if, after creating a battery panel, if you could purchase back-up batteries and store them? That seems to me to be an excellent idea, assuming batteries have a shelf life significantly longer than battery use life. Something I will be investigating (though too, I know those batteries are a significant expense). I know, if money was available and I had such as system, if nothing else and I saw the SH'ingTF, I would try to get a second round of batteries as a last thing. The card(s) get maxed? And?
Just... thinking.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Into town again.
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Nothing fancy. I did have a rough time waking up from my "nap". A few hours turned into barely making it to town to get my haircut and get my friend out for shopping and dinner. On the good side, beside getting him to the grocery store I was able to let him do a bit of gun shopping. No, he didn't buy a gun. There were several he wanted to look at. One of the things he does is reads gun magazines and sees what's new that he might like. He enjoys his pocket-pistols. He just got rid of one, a .32. I would have bought it but that was the one that bit me so harshly. If I had thought he would ever want it back, I would have bought it though, greased it, and put it away for him. I just didn't think he really liked it.
While I was there I examined the XD and XDM in the 9 mm, in the subcompact and the 4" barrel config. The guy at the counter seemed to think the subcompact will accept a 19 round mag. I have heard that it accepts the 19 and that the largest capacity mag it accepts is the 16. I simply don't know. Perhaps some years were different, or the XD and XDM models allow for different things. In any case, I could happily buy the subcompact or the compact. But I would prefer to be able to use a 19 round magazine. Why? Because. While, after shooting the 9 mm my friend owns I and having read up on ballistics and stopping power given the newer ammunition types, I am more sure of the caliber, I am still just a bit shy when using less than a .45 or .357 magnum. It's probably ingrained in my psyche.
Nothing fancy for dinner. Roast beef sandwiches. He has asked me to bring him something to eat Wednesday, a McDonald double cheese meal. Well, I can do that. I did get my hair cut, but this time I had her keep it longer on top. I just wanted it cut so as to create as much of a flattop as possible, trim the sides back up, and that was that. My friend thinks I should have had her take more off but that's why I ignore friends sometimes! The problem with my hair is that I have a serious natural curl to it. I can train it, shorter or longer, but every time it gets cut more than just a smidgen it goes absolutely wild again. I hate retraining it after every cut. Plus, I liked the longer spike looking flattop better than the shorter one. It looks like I just saw a ghost, too. I like that. I did. Well, I might fib from time to time.
I don't care if it is cooler, 90 F plus, while running around in it, is murder. Dry heat just doesn't matter. It is probably better that we didn't go shooting this last weekend. Next weekend it should be in the 80's. And more, as we go up into the mountains there is a temp drop the higher you go. I really wish he would figure out how to get out on a weekday (not Friday) to go shooting. On the weekends people are just thick up there. Bikers, of both kinds, atv'ers, horse riders, campers, 4x4's, you name it, everyone uses their off time to try and get away (to where everyone else is going). Fair enough, and more so. Guys who work for a living deserve it more than we do, so I would like to go when they can't go and give them just a little more space.
The books arrived. I have put them in order of how I am planning to read them. Perhaps something might change, though I doubt it. The first book up is a basic introduction to economics. While I do understand economics on a limited scale, talking about it or understand what all the phrases means, is not something I have. And economists, as with all specialists, tend to take perfectly good words and phrases with a long and solid history and crapping on tradition and just using those however they please so that no one really knows what the heck they are talking about even if they know exactly what they should have meant. It's the old insider versus layman thing, just a way to keep it in the family (and not be questioned as easily on their bullshit notions). I will hurry up with Chesterton. Though I still think, if you are into conservativism or libertarianism, his "What is Wrong with the World" would not be a bad read. He explains, a hundred years ago, what was happening to get us to where we are. Same shit, different year, but Britain then seems to be about where we are now. Interesting.
Not much going on. I am still cooking from the mean hot streets. I'll... figure out how to cool off. And, if tonight is another cool one, I'll enjoy the process. Just for giggles, I may take another ride into town and pick up some more food while I set the house to cooling. It says it is only 76, which is quite nice. I must still just be really hot from the afternoon. Have a good one, later, or something.
.
Nothing fancy. I did have a rough time waking up from my "nap". A few hours turned into barely making it to town to get my haircut and get my friend out for shopping and dinner. On the good side, beside getting him to the grocery store I was able to let him do a bit of gun shopping. No, he didn't buy a gun. There were several he wanted to look at. One of the things he does is reads gun magazines and sees what's new that he might like. He enjoys his pocket-pistols. He just got rid of one, a .32. I would have bought it but that was the one that bit me so harshly. If I had thought he would ever want it back, I would have bought it though, greased it, and put it away for him. I just didn't think he really liked it.
While I was there I examined the XD and XDM in the 9 mm, in the subcompact and the 4" barrel config. The guy at the counter seemed to think the subcompact will accept a 19 round mag. I have heard that it accepts the 19 and that the largest capacity mag it accepts is the 16. I simply don't know. Perhaps some years were different, or the XD and XDM models allow for different things. In any case, I could happily buy the subcompact or the compact. But I would prefer to be able to use a 19 round magazine. Why? Because. While, after shooting the 9 mm my friend owns I and having read up on ballistics and stopping power given the newer ammunition types, I am more sure of the caliber, I am still just a bit shy when using less than a .45 or .357 magnum. It's probably ingrained in my psyche.
Nothing fancy for dinner. Roast beef sandwiches. He has asked me to bring him something to eat Wednesday, a McDonald double cheese meal. Well, I can do that. I did get my hair cut, but this time I had her keep it longer on top. I just wanted it cut so as to create as much of a flattop as possible, trim the sides back up, and that was that. My friend thinks I should have had her take more off but that's why I ignore friends sometimes! The problem with my hair is that I have a serious natural curl to it. I can train it, shorter or longer, but every time it gets cut more than just a smidgen it goes absolutely wild again. I hate retraining it after every cut. Plus, I liked the longer spike looking flattop better than the shorter one. It looks like I just saw a ghost, too. I like that. I did. Well, I might fib from time to time.
I don't care if it is cooler, 90 F plus, while running around in it, is murder. Dry heat just doesn't matter. It is probably better that we didn't go shooting this last weekend. Next weekend it should be in the 80's. And more, as we go up into the mountains there is a temp drop the higher you go. I really wish he would figure out how to get out on a weekday (not Friday) to go shooting. On the weekends people are just thick up there. Bikers, of both kinds, atv'ers, horse riders, campers, 4x4's, you name it, everyone uses their off time to try and get away (to where everyone else is going). Fair enough, and more so. Guys who work for a living deserve it more than we do, so I would like to go when they can't go and give them just a little more space.
The books arrived. I have put them in order of how I am planning to read them. Perhaps something might change, though I doubt it. The first book up is a basic introduction to economics. While I do understand economics on a limited scale, talking about it or understand what all the phrases means, is not something I have. And economists, as with all specialists, tend to take perfectly good words and phrases with a long and solid history and crapping on tradition and just using those however they please so that no one really knows what the heck they are talking about even if they know exactly what they should have meant. It's the old insider versus layman thing, just a way to keep it in the family (and not be questioned as easily on their bullshit notions). I will hurry up with Chesterton. Though I still think, if you are into conservativism or libertarianism, his "What is Wrong with the World" would not be a bad read. He explains, a hundred years ago, what was happening to get us to where we are. Same shit, different year, but Britain then seems to be about where we are now. Interesting.
Not much going on. I am still cooking from the mean hot streets. I'll... figure out how to cool off. And, if tonight is another cool one, I'll enjoy the process. Just for giggles, I may take another ride into town and pick up some more food while I set the house to cooling. It says it is only 76, which is quite nice. I must still just be really hot from the afternoon. Have a good one, later, or something.
Well?
.
.
I think I need a bit more sleep. My rocket lit, rose from the surface, headed for orbit, then petered out. I think the parachutes are working as intended. A soft crash landing along with a little disappointment is the worst of it. Then again, I like soft crash landings! Later.
.
I think I need a bit more sleep. My rocket lit, rose from the surface, headed for orbit, then petered out. I think the parachutes are working as intended. A soft crash landing along with a little disappointment is the worst of it. Then again, I like soft crash landings! Later.
Hmm, what an odd sleep.
.
.
A very cool and comfortable night last night, one I thought would lead to a good long sleep. I guess I over slept enough yesterday night that I simply couldn't sleep last night. No matter. After four or five hours, I woke with no complaints and feeling rested. The cats were grumbling, but they always grumble and I am usually able to ignore them, and quite happily. No, I was just finished sleeping.
I am not moving fast or well yet. I got on the scale, a daily routine. I took my first doses of medicine. I turned on the computer, and went through the ritual to get this dieing loaner to boot, then watched television. I like checking the local news, from time to time, FOX news (when it isn't all ________ (fill in the blank, flooding and hurricane for now), and the one occasionally very good channel, the Catholic Channel. It was this last channel where I caught one of my favorites discussing a book with another gentleman.
Too asleep, still, to catch much of the detail, something did filter through. Just a notion. My favored speaker, at least a monk and perhaps a priest (they can be both), who also happens to be a clinical psychologist or some such (which, in this case, I don't hold against him too much) was discussing something about liberalism, conservativism, and his notions, personally. One thing that was interesting was his idea that, while not liberal by any means, he, as a psychologist (I am surprised he didn't say priest, perhaps he is just a monk) has to have some liberal notion about people who he deals with. Yes, I think I can handle that.
Actually, I like to think I share that notion. I suppose most liberals I know have shown me none of that liberal spirit that they proclaim, instead leading mean little lives in which the only thing they have is a bunch of constantly changing rules, rules changed by their decided overlords for whim or personal profit. Think of Gore, Clinton, Steinem, or the various authors and speakers. The peasants constantly try to align themselves with their obviously bloated, grotesque, careless, thoughtless, greedy 'heroes' while being brutally evil to any who do not follow in their footsteps. Even to worshiping people like Lenin, Stalin, and even Pol Pot and Guevara. They have murdered the spirit of what they profess to follow the rules regarding through the dogma of the rules, whatever those rules are on any given day of the week. Soulless and dead, just waiting for their last breath, not knowing how dreadful they seem to any who know them. Sure, you can love them, but it doesn't mean anything to them. They just want you to become like them. Yes, that is it. It reminds me of some criminals and drug users I have met.
Now, mind you, when I suggest a feature, skill, virtue or such that I claim, I don't claim to own it. I mostly claim to see it as a positive and make efforts to attain some part of it. My efforts, commonly, will fall flat. I will fail. It doesn't always come out the way I intended. If not an abject failure, or a complete cripple, I am certainly not Christ. The worst of it is when He suggests that we know not what we do... I do and I still fail. I knocked and belittled Peter for losing faith and falling in the water, until I finally understood. I AM Peter! A thousand times over. So, just for the record, you have it from the horse's mouth.
I have already closed up the house. My bedroom reads 76, the kitchen reads 70 F, even with my door, the windows open (until I just recently closed them), and the fans going. I just kick out a lot of heat. A low and slow morning, maybe a bit of work here and there. But I have a couple of things to do this afternoon and I am almost starting over from scratch again. At least it isn't from illness this time. All good, I can do this. I will get there. There will be set-backs. I will stumble. And yet I have and will move forward more than I slide back. Maybe never in an Olympic speed record style, but those are sort of phony anyway. Not that everybody could do it, but obviously people willing to put excessive amounts of time and effort into running 100 meters really fast can do quite well, assuming someone will pay them to do it nearly to exclusion of, you know, working, somehow, some way. A fruity world we live in, when it comes right down to it.
I suppose I am just trying to hold up progress. Then again, I don't seem to be completely alone!
Ah well, later.
.
A very cool and comfortable night last night, one I thought would lead to a good long sleep. I guess I over slept enough yesterday night that I simply couldn't sleep last night. No matter. After four or five hours, I woke with no complaints and feeling rested. The cats were grumbling, but they always grumble and I am usually able to ignore them, and quite happily. No, I was just finished sleeping.
I am not moving fast or well yet. I got on the scale, a daily routine. I took my first doses of medicine. I turned on the computer, and went through the ritual to get this dieing loaner to boot, then watched television. I like checking the local news, from time to time, FOX news (when it isn't all ________ (fill in the blank, flooding and hurricane for now), and the one occasionally very good channel, the Catholic Channel. It was this last channel where I caught one of my favorites discussing a book with another gentleman.
Too asleep, still, to catch much of the detail, something did filter through. Just a notion. My favored speaker, at least a monk and perhaps a priest (they can be both), who also happens to be a clinical psychologist or some such (which, in this case, I don't hold against him too much) was discussing something about liberalism, conservativism, and his notions, personally. One thing that was interesting was his idea that, while not liberal by any means, he, as a psychologist (I am surprised he didn't say priest, perhaps he is just a monk) has to have some liberal notion about people who he deals with. Yes, I think I can handle that.
Actually, I like to think I share that notion. I suppose most liberals I know have shown me none of that liberal spirit that they proclaim, instead leading mean little lives in which the only thing they have is a bunch of constantly changing rules, rules changed by their decided overlords for whim or personal profit. Think of Gore, Clinton, Steinem, or the various authors and speakers. The peasants constantly try to align themselves with their obviously bloated, grotesque, careless, thoughtless, greedy 'heroes' while being brutally evil to any who do not follow in their footsteps. Even to worshiping people like Lenin, Stalin, and even Pol Pot and Guevara. They have murdered the spirit of what they profess to follow the rules regarding through the dogma of the rules, whatever those rules are on any given day of the week. Soulless and dead, just waiting for their last breath, not knowing how dreadful they seem to any who know them. Sure, you can love them, but it doesn't mean anything to them. They just want you to become like them. Yes, that is it. It reminds me of some criminals and drug users I have met.
Now, mind you, when I suggest a feature, skill, virtue or such that I claim, I don't claim to own it. I mostly claim to see it as a positive and make efforts to attain some part of it. My efforts, commonly, will fall flat. I will fail. It doesn't always come out the way I intended. If not an abject failure, or a complete cripple, I am certainly not Christ. The worst of it is when He suggests that we know not what we do... I do and I still fail. I knocked and belittled Peter for losing faith and falling in the water, until I finally understood. I AM Peter! A thousand times over. So, just for the record, you have it from the horse's mouth.
I have already closed up the house. My bedroom reads 76, the kitchen reads 70 F, even with my door, the windows open (until I just recently closed them), and the fans going. I just kick out a lot of heat. A low and slow morning, maybe a bit of work here and there. But I have a couple of things to do this afternoon and I am almost starting over from scratch again. At least it isn't from illness this time. All good, I can do this. I will get there. There will be set-backs. I will stumble. And yet I have and will move forward more than I slide back. Maybe never in an Olympic speed record style, but those are sort of phony anyway. Not that everybody could do it, but obviously people willing to put excessive amounts of time and effort into running 100 meters really fast can do quite well, assuming someone will pay them to do it nearly to exclusion of, you know, working, somehow, some way. A fruity world we live in, when it comes right down to it.
I suppose I am just trying to hold up progress. Then again, I don't seem to be completely alone!
Ah well, later.
Wonderful!
.
.
It was a fine ride into town. It seems to be somewhere in the upper 60's tonight. The wind picks up to pretty hefty gusts from time to time, but plenty of gentle air movement all the time as well. I had hoped to be to bed earlier, but once I get used to a bedtime, it is sort of difficult to change. Oh, I'll still be to bed probably two to six hours earlier. I had just hoped to be to bed four to eight hours earlier.
I have tried to discuss feminism with some women. But if they are feminist, there is no talking. Many of the ones I know are about at the end of their working days. My mother among them. She thinks she has been in charge of her life. She doesn't understand that she has been married the whole time. When it wasn't to a particular man, it was to a boss or the government. She has no idea what it would be like to actually be in charge of her life, and responsible for obtaining food, building a house, or any such real thing that men not only do, but continue to do if more as specializations for the most part. A drastic change in the economy, where specialization isn't as lucrative, might very well change that. Men will handle it just fine, women will learn that they are not equal, or emancipated, or any of that.
Just because a woman isn't considered property by a husband doesn't mean she is free. Currently, industry and the state are vying for ownership rights. But should either, or both, decided women aren't worth owning, they will be left to their own ways. And we will be full circle to why Queen Elizabeth created much of the law and norms regarding women that SHE instituted. Yes, these norms and laws were created For women BY a woman. Make no mistake, women are not equal and would be squashed like a bug in the real marketplace, without much of what passes for tradition. All it takes is men no longer respecting women or children, even their own, and the tide will change. If you want a visceral example, watch a man and women get into a real no-bars-held fist fight. That, my friends, is what is about to occur. After he wins, he does what he wants with her and leaves her to her own devices. Men are fed up and politics is changing. The glue that has kept man in check, religion, is dieing. No, I am not saying "God is dead. Nietzsche", I am saying "Nietzsche is dead. "God"". But not all dead men are in the dirt.
It is impossible to debate someone whose history goes back, at best, 100 years, and then only includes the viewpoint of a gender that, well, isn't prone to solid history score-keeping, let alone broader understanding. Women, as a whole, are socialists. It works in their world view, so long as they have no real power outside of the home. And while I can see why they believe this would work elsewhere, I also realize they don't even understand how benevolent men are to them. No modern American woman has not known this, despite what she might think. That time is ending. Not my affair.
Personally, before that time comes in full, I hope to be wormfood. While I might, in the darkest of my thoughts, enjoy watching some of it. I think it is going to happen so hard and so fast there isn't going to be a prevue or warning. It won't be the only thing to happen, of course. Christians should also realize they will be the direct social and political targets. When young men rule as gangs, truly. And old hippies who have become atheist businessmen and military leaders who use them to their advantage and truly hold the keys of power, life will become hard for all. And, no, that doesn't mean the end. It only means a return to the normal ways of world business until the next revolution.
I think Chesterton has it right. Feminism is a surrender of women to the ways of men. Through this they are trying to become like men, join in our fighting, jostling, competing, and such. But they want that all to be "fair" (set in such a way in which they can compete). But that is not how men play or how the world works. Men have played along for quite some time, as this "fairness" has made even their jobs easier. But that has created a whole bunch of men who can't defend themselves from their true betters. One way or another this will change. Women may not love the home, but they will find it a whole lot safer. If that is, they are even allowed back into it. We might have to wait for the next feminist revolutionary who happens to be luckily in line for the power of the king of the most powerful nation of her time, and the bloodlust to keep it and change things back so that women are allowed... anything.
Ah, just happened to see where feminism has taken women. Check it out, from a modern feminist herself.
Not being owned is not necessarily being free. It, quite often, just means you are a target of those who can and will take what you can't defend.
.
It was a fine ride into town. It seems to be somewhere in the upper 60's tonight. The wind picks up to pretty hefty gusts from time to time, but plenty of gentle air movement all the time as well. I had hoped to be to bed earlier, but once I get used to a bedtime, it is sort of difficult to change. Oh, I'll still be to bed probably two to six hours earlier. I had just hoped to be to bed four to eight hours earlier.
I have tried to discuss feminism with some women. But if they are feminist, there is no talking. Many of the ones I know are about at the end of their working days. My mother among them. She thinks she has been in charge of her life. She doesn't understand that she has been married the whole time. When it wasn't to a particular man, it was to a boss or the government. She has no idea what it would be like to actually be in charge of her life, and responsible for obtaining food, building a house, or any such real thing that men not only do, but continue to do if more as specializations for the most part. A drastic change in the economy, where specialization isn't as lucrative, might very well change that. Men will handle it just fine, women will learn that they are not equal, or emancipated, or any of that.
Just because a woman isn't considered property by a husband doesn't mean she is free. Currently, industry and the state are vying for ownership rights. But should either, or both, decided women aren't worth owning, they will be left to their own ways. And we will be full circle to why Queen Elizabeth created much of the law and norms regarding women that SHE instituted. Yes, these norms and laws were created For women BY a woman. Make no mistake, women are not equal and would be squashed like a bug in the real marketplace, without much of what passes for tradition. All it takes is men no longer respecting women or children, even their own, and the tide will change. If you want a visceral example, watch a man and women get into a real no-bars-held fist fight. That, my friends, is what is about to occur. After he wins, he does what he wants with her and leaves her to her own devices. Men are fed up and politics is changing. The glue that has kept man in check, religion, is dieing. No, I am not saying "God is dead. Nietzsche", I am saying "Nietzsche is dead. "God"". But not all dead men are in the dirt.
It is impossible to debate someone whose history goes back, at best, 100 years, and then only includes the viewpoint of a gender that, well, isn't prone to solid history score-keeping, let alone broader understanding. Women, as a whole, are socialists. It works in their world view, so long as they have no real power outside of the home. And while I can see why they believe this would work elsewhere, I also realize they don't even understand how benevolent men are to them. No modern American woman has not known this, despite what she might think. That time is ending. Not my affair.
Personally, before that time comes in full, I hope to be wormfood. While I might, in the darkest of my thoughts, enjoy watching some of it. I think it is going to happen so hard and so fast there isn't going to be a prevue or warning. It won't be the only thing to happen, of course. Christians should also realize they will be the direct social and political targets. When young men rule as gangs, truly. And old hippies who have become atheist businessmen and military leaders who use them to their advantage and truly hold the keys of power, life will become hard for all. And, no, that doesn't mean the end. It only means a return to the normal ways of world business until the next revolution.
I think Chesterton has it right. Feminism is a surrender of women to the ways of men. Through this they are trying to become like men, join in our fighting, jostling, competing, and such. But they want that all to be "fair" (set in such a way in which they can compete). But that is not how men play or how the world works. Men have played along for quite some time, as this "fairness" has made even their jobs easier. But that has created a whole bunch of men who can't defend themselves from their true betters. One way or another this will change. Women may not love the home, but they will find it a whole lot safer. If that is, they are even allowed back into it. We might have to wait for the next feminist revolutionary who happens to be luckily in line for the power of the king of the most powerful nation of her time, and the bloodlust to keep it and change things back so that women are allowed... anything.
Ah, just happened to see where feminism has taken women. Check it out, from a modern feminist herself.
Not being owned is not necessarily being free. It, quite often, just means you are a target of those who can and will take what you can't defend.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Avoidance.
.
.
Not being able to get in gear and go to town quickly enough to take my friend out, I was feeling very guilty. No doubt, I needed that sleep. Absolutely, the cool night was an absolute joy, and I don't regret finally getting more than a few hours of sleep, and having seriously deep delicious sleep, either. I just didn't like that someone else had to pay a penalty. I kept expecting him to call. Finally the call came in. Well, he understood. And, yes, he could see that. I asked if I could bring him in a sandwich or something tomorrow, or Wednesday. No, but I could get him out of there for a bit, to eat a meal and do some shopping. Hmm, I suspect he is out of cigarettes. I hate being a party to that at all, but my choice would be to stop seeing him and leave him locked up in the psychical rehab/nursing home. I wouldn't do that to my worst enemy. He needs to hurry up and learn to use his new foot though! :P
From what he is saying, he has only even seen the prosthetic once so far. They have him training with something else. My guess is he has the brace and weights, though his telling or my understanding could be way off. They have him try to extend his leg, and do this or that sort of thing with it. He tells me they think he is doing very well. I suspect he is. Not that he has a great health underneath it all, it is mostly that he just doesn't know how to stay down. He won't fight you, he'll just keep trying to get up, because... that is what he does, or something.
My home is cooler tonight. It might just feel like it, I haven't checked the thermometers, but I'd bet your left leg on it (not for mine, just whether we take your leg... that's... how I bet, so don't bet me). I can see storms off in the distance. The air is moving. Nothing heavy, windwise, just a good solid occasional movement, and perhaps at times even a steady mild flow. Tonight will be another great night for sleep. Perhaps, with these conditions and the quicker cooling, I might be able to get to sleep much earlier.
If this cooling does come, and lasts, I should be ready to get back into prepping my home for my mother. I would like to spend a day on each room, which should take about a week. Then spend a few days just covering any fine details that become apparent with each room done. Then sleep for three days straight so when the whirlwindwoman arrives I might survive. heh Just watching her work exhausts me and she is nearly 70, has had two major back surgeries, has had at least one hip I think and one or both knees replaced, has had several surgeries on her feet, smokes, and is a bit overweight to boot! Don't ask. She doesn't know. She just does. I suppose being raised in poverty on a farm was better for her than her memories of it might indicate.
I would like to figure out the wood for the solar oven, but right now I am having to watch pennies. While in town tomorrow I might price sheets, again, anyway. I thought they were in the $30-$40 range, but if there is a delivery fee, it will be around $80 so I don't want to buy just a few things, I want to get it all and some extra. I would like to get a number of things in that shipment, including several extra sheets of 3/4" plywood (3 or 4), several sheets of several other sizes, a bunch of 2x4's, and a couple of 4x4's (for the wheels). If I have to pay a ton for delivery I don't want to have to pay it often.
I might make another run into town, just for more food. Now that I am about ready to become more active I need to have something more than some grapes and a few ounces of salami in me. I do try to feed up when getting ready for heavy work. And it does help. Then again, when the heat is high, food doesn't look all that interesting either. Go light on the lazy days, whatever the cause, then beef up for the heavy or hard work. Uhm, just writing about it has the system hungering. Yeah, it's time to pull up to the feed wagon.
Good night, I do believe. I'll be getting to bed right after my trip. Oh, but trash and recycling first... Bleh!
.
Not being able to get in gear and go to town quickly enough to take my friend out, I was feeling very guilty. No doubt, I needed that sleep. Absolutely, the cool night was an absolute joy, and I don't regret finally getting more than a few hours of sleep, and having seriously deep delicious sleep, either. I just didn't like that someone else had to pay a penalty. I kept expecting him to call. Finally the call came in. Well, he understood. And, yes, he could see that. I asked if I could bring him in a sandwich or something tomorrow, or Wednesday. No, but I could get him out of there for a bit, to eat a meal and do some shopping. Hmm, I suspect he is out of cigarettes. I hate being a party to that at all, but my choice would be to stop seeing him and leave him locked up in the psychical rehab/nursing home. I wouldn't do that to my worst enemy. He needs to hurry up and learn to use his new foot though! :P
From what he is saying, he has only even seen the prosthetic once so far. They have him training with something else. My guess is he has the brace and weights, though his telling or my understanding could be way off. They have him try to extend his leg, and do this or that sort of thing with it. He tells me they think he is doing very well. I suspect he is. Not that he has a great health underneath it all, it is mostly that he just doesn't know how to stay down. He won't fight you, he'll just keep trying to get up, because... that is what he does, or something.
My home is cooler tonight. It might just feel like it, I haven't checked the thermometers, but I'd bet your left leg on it (not for mine, just whether we take your leg... that's... how I bet, so don't bet me). I can see storms off in the distance. The air is moving. Nothing heavy, windwise, just a good solid occasional movement, and perhaps at times even a steady mild flow. Tonight will be another great night for sleep. Perhaps, with these conditions and the quicker cooling, I might be able to get to sleep much earlier.
If this cooling does come, and lasts, I should be ready to get back into prepping my home for my mother. I would like to spend a day on each room, which should take about a week. Then spend a few days just covering any fine details that become apparent with each room done. Then sleep for three days straight so when the whirlwindwoman arrives I might survive. heh Just watching her work exhausts me and she is nearly 70, has had two major back surgeries, has had at least one hip I think and one or both knees replaced, has had several surgeries on her feet, smokes, and is a bit overweight to boot! Don't ask. She doesn't know. She just does. I suppose being raised in poverty on a farm was better for her than her memories of it might indicate.
I would like to figure out the wood for the solar oven, but right now I am having to watch pennies. While in town tomorrow I might price sheets, again, anyway. I thought they were in the $30-$40 range, but if there is a delivery fee, it will be around $80 so I don't want to buy just a few things, I want to get it all and some extra. I would like to get a number of things in that shipment, including several extra sheets of 3/4" plywood (3 or 4), several sheets of several other sizes, a bunch of 2x4's, and a couple of 4x4's (for the wheels). If I have to pay a ton for delivery I don't want to have to pay it often.
I might make another run into town, just for more food. Now that I am about ready to become more active I need to have something more than some grapes and a few ounces of salami in me. I do try to feed up when getting ready for heavy work. And it does help. Then again, when the heat is high, food doesn't look all that interesting either. Go light on the lazy days, whatever the cause, then beef up for the heavy or hard work. Uhm, just writing about it has the system hungering. Yeah, it's time to pull up to the feed wagon.
Good night, I do believe. I'll be getting to bed right after my trip. Oh, but trash and recycling first... Bleh!
Oh the bother!
.
.
But it is funny too.
Not quite being up to much lately, I have been trying to do more than play a stupid game, watch television, or even just sit and read. Those things have limits to how much time they can effectively eat, in any case. While I am physically capable of sitting and reading all day, my mind likes to take large breaks in which to sort through the exposure. Television is saved for when my brain and body are wanting sleep hard but cannot come by it. And the one game I have gotten to work on this old loaner is... getting quite old (Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project *dance for me baby*).
Today I am looking over the prospect of building my own cabinets. I am quite sure that if not absolutely needed, a table saw would be exceptionally handy. It is something I have checked into but without much in the way of returns. There are the 'big box' table saws, little devices that, if hedged, with additions, and if carefully scrutinized, might do in a pinch. I haven't see any real options though. Perhaps the larger more professional ones are so high priced that if you have to ask, you should have known better? Then again, I am not really seeing those offered anywhere, either. I have seen old ones, being offered online at sites like Craigslist. Nice, but... most of them remind me of buying a model-t, that has sat for a decade or four. Hmm, no. No, I think not.
In any case, I think I have most other tools. I might consider a plane or three. I would probably want a router. While a saw would be fine for, say, just a single solar oven double box construction, I don't think I would really want to work through a dozen cabinets, bases, and drawers, using a hand saw. Just saying. But for the most part, I have a decent grouping to tools. I have a very basic understanding of how to use those tools. I even have safety gear, though I think a triple tap outdoor GFCI adapter might be a great addition.
So, other than everything needed, I still wanted to look at advice regarding construction of cabinets. To be honest I think it would be relatively easy work. The reason most people don't do it is that it takes a lot of time. Now, I am not saying I could just swing and hit, I am saying that I could swing and stumble through the process relatively painlessly, so long as I don't rip the old ones out first and then be pressed by time to get the new ones in (not a chance). I think the other reason people buy prebuilt is that, if far from cheaper, it is easier to get a loan for pre-built installed units than it is to get a loan (or buy over time) the tools and supplies needed. Of course, that is part of the problem with modernism. It has created a specialized status that makes earning or gaining access to debt much preferable to doing things personally. Time has indeed become money, and an engineer or accountant would do far better to do a little overtime or take on an extra account or three than to gather the money, then the tools and skills, and finally build their own cabinets. It is actually, in many areas, seen as... geekish, or "fundamentalist" (on secular grounds, but nonetheless), or foolish. "Let the peasants do that sort of work, George. Your place is up here in the clouds with the rest of us know-everything-do-nothings"!
Yes, I think I could do the work, given the tools. Oh, and there would be mistakes. But, you didn't think those pre-builts were perfect, did you? Beyond, what are built with? Will that "wood" handle getting wet? Really? Will they even handle being installed, or will the installer just do whatever it takes to get it in and... not bother letting you know how fail it is? Honestly, you don't and won't know unless you do it yourself. And it isn't as hard as all that, regardless of what some try to make you think. Or, at least, how about this. It can be complicated, but it isn't hard.
One thing that bothers me is that, on every diy'er site, it seems the notion of using solid hard woods is considered passe. The cheaper types of wood, it is suggested, are used on everything save a few commonly viewed small pieces. Plywood, I am sure, is just fine. But does it really last? What about the other types of wood product? Has hard wood become too expensive to even consider? I hope not, but that may be the truth of it. Of course, I am sure we have saved the spotted owls though, right?
I still have more questions than answers. But I am nearing a place to jump off, if a few more things come together (tools, a little experience with the solar oven construction, and the money for materials and tools). When I first moved here, I didn't have a quarter of the tools I now have, and no power tools save that lame 12 or 14 volt drill. Things are moving along. Even if it feels like at a tortoise's pace. I'll get there, if I live long enough.
.
But it is funny too.
Not quite being up to much lately, I have been trying to do more than play a stupid game, watch television, or even just sit and read. Those things have limits to how much time they can effectively eat, in any case. While I am physically capable of sitting and reading all day, my mind likes to take large breaks in which to sort through the exposure. Television is saved for when my brain and body are wanting sleep hard but cannot come by it. And the one game I have gotten to work on this old loaner is... getting quite old (Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project *dance for me baby*).
Today I am looking over the prospect of building my own cabinets. I am quite sure that if not absolutely needed, a table saw would be exceptionally handy. It is something I have checked into but without much in the way of returns. There are the 'big box' table saws, little devices that, if hedged, with additions, and if carefully scrutinized, might do in a pinch. I haven't see any real options though. Perhaps the larger more professional ones are so high priced that if you have to ask, you should have known better? Then again, I am not really seeing those offered anywhere, either. I have seen old ones, being offered online at sites like Craigslist. Nice, but... most of them remind me of buying a model-t, that has sat for a decade or four. Hmm, no. No, I think not.
In any case, I think I have most other tools. I might consider a plane or three. I would probably want a router. While a saw would be fine for, say, just a single solar oven double box construction, I don't think I would really want to work through a dozen cabinets, bases, and drawers, using a hand saw. Just saying. But for the most part, I have a decent grouping to tools. I have a very basic understanding of how to use those tools. I even have safety gear, though I think a triple tap outdoor GFCI adapter might be a great addition.
So, other than everything needed, I still wanted to look at advice regarding construction of cabinets. To be honest I think it would be relatively easy work. The reason most people don't do it is that it takes a lot of time. Now, I am not saying I could just swing and hit, I am saying that I could swing and stumble through the process relatively painlessly, so long as I don't rip the old ones out first and then be pressed by time to get the new ones in (not a chance). I think the other reason people buy prebuilt is that, if far from cheaper, it is easier to get a loan for pre-built installed units than it is to get a loan (or buy over time) the tools and supplies needed. Of course, that is part of the problem with modernism. It has created a specialized status that makes earning or gaining access to debt much preferable to doing things personally. Time has indeed become money, and an engineer or accountant would do far better to do a little overtime or take on an extra account or three than to gather the money, then the tools and skills, and finally build their own cabinets. It is actually, in many areas, seen as... geekish, or "fundamentalist" (on secular grounds, but nonetheless), or foolish. "Let the peasants do that sort of work, George. Your place is up here in the clouds with the rest of us know-everything-do-nothings"!
Yes, I think I could do the work, given the tools. Oh, and there would be mistakes. But, you didn't think those pre-builts were perfect, did you? Beyond, what are built with? Will that "wood" handle getting wet? Really? Will they even handle being installed, or will the installer just do whatever it takes to get it in and... not bother letting you know how fail it is? Honestly, you don't and won't know unless you do it yourself. And it isn't as hard as all that, regardless of what some try to make you think. Or, at least, how about this. It can be complicated, but it isn't hard.
One thing that bothers me is that, on every diy'er site, it seems the notion of using solid hard woods is considered passe. The cheaper types of wood, it is suggested, are used on everything save a few commonly viewed small pieces. Plywood, I am sure, is just fine. But does it really last? What about the other types of wood product? Has hard wood become too expensive to even consider? I hope not, but that may be the truth of it. Of course, I am sure we have saved the spotted owls though, right?
I still have more questions than answers. But I am nearing a place to jump off, if a few more things come together (tools, a little experience with the solar oven construction, and the money for materials and tools). When I first moved here, I didn't have a quarter of the tools I now have, and no power tools save that lame 12 or 14 volt drill. Things are moving along. Even if it feels like at a tortoise's pace. I'll get there, if I live long enough.
Back and forth regarding cooling.
.
.
With just a little more cooling capacity, my home would be just about perfect. The stone main of the home is exceptionally good at keeping things pleasant. But when cooling at night gets to a certain point, there is nothing cooling that mass. This year the length of time that I was uncomfortable was excessive, to my mind. So I am seriously considering getting in some kind of cooling system.
I have heard, from several people, both long-timers, people more or less passing through, and people who also just recently moved in, that central air conditioning is the way to go. And, for the most part, that is what I have been considering. I keep hearing about swamp coolers though too. Some people swear by them. I know my brother and his wife, when they lived in Vegas (Air Force related), used a swamp cooler. But then I have been to Vegas. In high heat, nothing really works, save Casino type systems, which, if I had to guess, use both types and allow (force) each system to feed off the other. Not a bad plan if you don't mind massive electric bills and extreme water use, plus can afford the upkeep. While my brother's home was, comparatively, comfortable, it isn't what I would have called pleasant. Then again, Las Vegas wasn't exactly a pleasant place. It is insanely hot there and it never really cools, not in high summer. And to my mind, not even really in their "winter". Heh
What I would love to do is find someone locally who owns a swamp cooler and experience how well it cools. I have had people say this or that is lovely. But for my tastes it really isn't. Swamp coolers can cool from -15 to -40 F degrees, from my sources (whole house, not room or window units). I think my question is, would that be with or without the stone of my home? Would those things work together, or be separate or even contrary. My common sense says that the stone would gather the cool, storing it. But common sense can and does bite me in the worst of places when I just assume common sense is the way of it.
I do have ducts already because of my forced air heating. These need reworked a bit as they are not set the most efficiently. I heard that from several people who looked over the system when I purchased the home. Thankfully, most think the work would be rather inexpensive to re-work. So, at least I have that going for me. The options for non-ducted houses is quite expensive.
Central air has some advantages, and it is used more locally (from my small sampling). It does work, and well, from what I have seen and experienced. It is also more expensive and less efficient, from what I have heard. Swamp coolers have several things in it's favor. It is less expensive, it moisturizes (though I seem well acclimated to the dryness, already, skin and all... perhaps due to the water softener?), and you actually keep the windows open with it, which I very much like, I think? The part about the swamp cooler that I don't know is how much work the monthly upkeep is (and it's required), how well it works after, say, a rain with humidity running up to 50% (haven't seen it much higher, but I have seen it that high), and how much I would actually like it once installed. And with both, longevity and maintenance in the larger scale are a concern.
I guess I need to speak to a pro, or three. I will need to get my house in order to begin having people in to look things over, offer advice, get estimates, and begin figuring things out. Now, one thing I do consider, is that having a solid working cooling system in the house might be an expense, it will bring value to the home. I will lose money to it, no doubt. But I will also raise the number of people who would seriously look at buying the place, raise the price just a bit, as well as live more comfortably while I live here. Yep, I best get onto some things.
Oh, by the way, when I had people in, when I was buying the house and trying to get a new furnace and central air package, the price was running right at $5k to $7k, I do believe (for both a new and high efficiency furnace and central air, with installation). So a swamp cooler might really cut into that (then again, maybe not, if plumbing the thing is an issue). I would love to do something like what D.C. is doing. But if I could do that I would be in college again, first. :p
.
With just a little more cooling capacity, my home would be just about perfect. The stone main of the home is exceptionally good at keeping things pleasant. But when cooling at night gets to a certain point, there is nothing cooling that mass. This year the length of time that I was uncomfortable was excessive, to my mind. So I am seriously considering getting in some kind of cooling system.
I have heard, from several people, both long-timers, people more or less passing through, and people who also just recently moved in, that central air conditioning is the way to go. And, for the most part, that is what I have been considering. I keep hearing about swamp coolers though too. Some people swear by them. I know my brother and his wife, when they lived in Vegas (Air Force related), used a swamp cooler. But then I have been to Vegas. In high heat, nothing really works, save Casino type systems, which, if I had to guess, use both types and allow (force) each system to feed off the other. Not a bad plan if you don't mind massive electric bills and extreme water use, plus can afford the upkeep. While my brother's home was, comparatively, comfortable, it isn't what I would have called pleasant. Then again, Las Vegas wasn't exactly a pleasant place. It is insanely hot there and it never really cools, not in high summer. And to my mind, not even really in their "winter". Heh
What I would love to do is find someone locally who owns a swamp cooler and experience how well it cools. I have had people say this or that is lovely. But for my tastes it really isn't. Swamp coolers can cool from -15 to -40 F degrees, from my sources (whole house, not room or window units). I think my question is, would that be with or without the stone of my home? Would those things work together, or be separate or even contrary. My common sense says that the stone would gather the cool, storing it. But common sense can and does bite me in the worst of places when I just assume common sense is the way of it.
I do have ducts already because of my forced air heating. These need reworked a bit as they are not set the most efficiently. I heard that from several people who looked over the system when I purchased the home. Thankfully, most think the work would be rather inexpensive to re-work. So, at least I have that going for me. The options for non-ducted houses is quite expensive.
Central air has some advantages, and it is used more locally (from my small sampling). It does work, and well, from what I have seen and experienced. It is also more expensive and less efficient, from what I have heard. Swamp coolers have several things in it's favor. It is less expensive, it moisturizes (though I seem well acclimated to the dryness, already, skin and all... perhaps due to the water softener?), and you actually keep the windows open with it, which I very much like, I think? The part about the swamp cooler that I don't know is how much work the monthly upkeep is (and it's required), how well it works after, say, a rain with humidity running up to 50% (haven't seen it much higher, but I have seen it that high), and how much I would actually like it once installed. And with both, longevity and maintenance in the larger scale are a concern.
I guess I need to speak to a pro, or three. I will need to get my house in order to begin having people in to look things over, offer advice, get estimates, and begin figuring things out. Now, one thing I do consider, is that having a solid working cooling system in the house might be an expense, it will bring value to the home. I will lose money to it, no doubt. But I will also raise the number of people who would seriously look at buying the place, raise the price just a bit, as well as live more comfortably while I live here. Yep, I best get onto some things.
Oh, by the way, when I had people in, when I was buying the house and trying to get a new furnace and central air package, the price was running right at $5k to $7k, I do believe (for both a new and high efficiency furnace and central air, with installation). So a swamp cooler might really cut into that (then again, maybe not, if plumbing the thing is an issue). I would love to do something like what D.C. is doing. But if I could do that I would be in college again, first. :p
Cool!
.
.
Or, at least, cool enough. I still can't remember when I was finally able to crawl into bed and sleep. It was after 3:00, at least closer to 4:00 and maybe later. With heat pushing me to stay awake my day is both hard and seemingly too long. And, since heat wakes me up I haven't been sleeping much or deeply. Today I slept until right around 14:00. Of course, without shutting the house up until then, it was rather warm. The stone does keep the cool though, so after I closed things back up, some of the cool returned to my home. It isn't perfect but it does work out to some degree.
It is too late to go shooting today. There was no help for it. As well, I am bushed. This long haul through the heat has been brutal. One night of good, deep, sound, long sleep will not fix all the woes, if it is a start. I have it that tonight might also be a cool night. And there is the possibility of storms coming through, which might help as well. I sure hope so, I have things to do and no capacity to really get to things without a reprieve. I go on being relatively happy, enjoying my little life as I may, right through it though. Health is still being good even with the minimalist sleep and extra fluid intake, so far.
Hmm, what to do today? Not much, it has gotten hot again. This too shall pass.
Later.
.
Or, at least, cool enough. I still can't remember when I was finally able to crawl into bed and sleep. It was after 3:00, at least closer to 4:00 and maybe later. With heat pushing me to stay awake my day is both hard and seemingly too long. And, since heat wakes me up I haven't been sleeping much or deeply. Today I slept until right around 14:00. Of course, without shutting the house up until then, it was rather warm. The stone does keep the cool though, so after I closed things back up, some of the cool returned to my home. It isn't perfect but it does work out to some degree.
It is too late to go shooting today. There was no help for it. As well, I am bushed. This long haul through the heat has been brutal. One night of good, deep, sound, long sleep will not fix all the woes, if it is a start. I have it that tonight might also be a cool night. And there is the possibility of storms coming through, which might help as well. I sure hope so, I have things to do and no capacity to really get to things without a reprieve. I go on being relatively happy, enjoying my little life as I may, right through it though. Health is still being good even with the minimalist sleep and extra fluid intake, so far.
Hmm, what to do today? Not much, it has gotten hot again. This too shall pass.
Later.
Cooling in the future?
.
.
It looks like it. This week is supposed to drop to the low 90's until the 1st, then into the mid to low 80's F from then on. Tonight it is supposed to dip into the 50's. I have my doubts, sitting here at 1:45 and still sweating. Then again, I have seen it actually dip into the 50's but for such a short time that it didn't really matter. Oh I am sure hoping for even a bit of cooling. Further, with a high centered a bit south and east of us, storms are being pulled through. While I have seen things farther off, nothing has come in to help cool things very close by. I'm not sure that the humidity would be worth the cooling though. Who knows.
A shower, a trip to town, cat food and manfood was all that was purchased. The cats are, mostly, happy. Sam now really likes her wet food but she can mostly tolerate all dry if that is the way it is swinging. Sassy, not so much. Meow, beg, beg, meow... light, very light, claw, maybe a nip, beg, meowl. Ceaseless that beast is! Of course, I don't really mind. And I will break her of begging. I refuse to feed her when she begs, well, the good stuff. She has dry available all the time. I think in the heat she was getting to me. My mind slipped in the heat and I fed her more than I had intended though. It's sort of like driving on a road you know, when it is particularly hot, and just missing the turn that you would normally take without even thinking. Brat. But I will give her points for effort. And she is the cutest little beasty. :)
After reading and thinking about main battle rifles, I may have changed my mind. While a 20 round magazine sounds great, and is, especially in a heavy firefight and compared to a 10 round magazine, given the caliber, I am thinking longer range accuracy trumps a double the capacity round dump. And with the .308, you aren't able to shoot extremely quickly while maintaining accuracy in any case. A 7.62 x 51, as a machine gun, at least IIRC and at least in my day, was a two man operation, same as with the .50. Now, absolutely technically, the two rounds aren't the same. You can shoot the 7.62 x 51 in the .308, but not necessarily the reverse. Something to do with pressures in the chamber, the .308 bullet puts out more and rifles for them, then, can handle more pressure. Never mind. So, I am probably thinking more like this kind of rifle. If it is the one I have seen online, I have seen it for as low as $1,445, give or take. Yes, a bit on the pricey side, but... all decent things are. As I said, I will simply have to save a little extra here and there. I would love to buy magazines for it, and other items, but until you have a rifle that is stock right out risky.
I am feeling better. Perhaps just thinking that the heat is passing, or might be passing, is adding to optimism. Perhaps it is slightly cooler and I am feeling it. The thermometer out my door read 64 F, or so, but it's still pretty hot in here. With windows open and fans blowing, I'm not sure what the problem is. It just is not cooling (if too, it does remain 20 F degrees cooler than the outside temp, or more, at high heat). Yeah, yeah, but I want more.
Tomorrow is shooting day. My friend did not call, so I will try to be up a bit earlier tomorrow to call him. If the storms move through we might have to settle on a bit of a drive up some canyon, over to some towns, and back around. Getting out for a meal and maybe a bit of shopping. We will just have to see what the world offers, as usual.
Good night, for your part. I've got a couple more hours until the heat dissipates enough for sleep. Blah.
.
It looks like it. This week is supposed to drop to the low 90's until the 1st, then into the mid to low 80's F from then on. Tonight it is supposed to dip into the 50's. I have my doubts, sitting here at 1:45 and still sweating. Then again, I have seen it actually dip into the 50's but for such a short time that it didn't really matter. Oh I am sure hoping for even a bit of cooling. Further, with a high centered a bit south and east of us, storms are being pulled through. While I have seen things farther off, nothing has come in to help cool things very close by. I'm not sure that the humidity would be worth the cooling though. Who knows.
A shower, a trip to town, cat food and manfood was all that was purchased. The cats are, mostly, happy. Sam now really likes her wet food but she can mostly tolerate all dry if that is the way it is swinging. Sassy, not so much. Meow, beg, beg, meow... light, very light, claw, maybe a nip, beg, meowl. Ceaseless that beast is! Of course, I don't really mind. And I will break her of begging. I refuse to feed her when she begs, well, the good stuff. She has dry available all the time. I think in the heat she was getting to me. My mind slipped in the heat and I fed her more than I had intended though. It's sort of like driving on a road you know, when it is particularly hot, and just missing the turn that you would normally take without even thinking. Brat. But I will give her points for effort. And she is the cutest little beasty. :)
After reading and thinking about main battle rifles, I may have changed my mind. While a 20 round magazine sounds great, and is, especially in a heavy firefight and compared to a 10 round magazine, given the caliber, I am thinking longer range accuracy trumps a double the capacity round dump. And with the .308, you aren't able to shoot extremely quickly while maintaining accuracy in any case. A 7.62 x 51, as a machine gun, at least IIRC and at least in my day, was a two man operation, same as with the .50. Now, absolutely technically, the two rounds aren't the same. You can shoot the 7.62 x 51 in the .308, but not necessarily the reverse. Something to do with pressures in the chamber, the .308 bullet puts out more and rifles for them, then, can handle more pressure. Never mind. So, I am probably thinking more like this kind of rifle. If it is the one I have seen online, I have seen it for as low as $1,445, give or take. Yes, a bit on the pricey side, but... all decent things are. As I said, I will simply have to save a little extra here and there. I would love to buy magazines for it, and other items, but until you have a rifle that is stock right out risky.
I am feeling better. Perhaps just thinking that the heat is passing, or might be passing, is adding to optimism. Perhaps it is slightly cooler and I am feeling it. The thermometer out my door read 64 F, or so, but it's still pretty hot in here. With windows open and fans blowing, I'm not sure what the problem is. It just is not cooling (if too, it does remain 20 F degrees cooler than the outside temp, or more, at high heat). Yeah, yeah, but I want more.
Tomorrow is shooting day. My friend did not call, so I will try to be up a bit earlier tomorrow to call him. If the storms move through we might have to settle on a bit of a drive up some canyon, over to some towns, and back around. Getting out for a meal and maybe a bit of shopping. We will just have to see what the world offers, as usual.
Good night, for your part. I've got a couple more hours until the heat dissipates enough for sleep. Blah.
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