77F with 83%RH, water on everything, and it’s guaranteed to get hotter. SNAFU here in the swamp.
Woke up planning how to get thru the day, which would have been ok, but the day I was planning for is tomorrow. The week is short enough without my sub-conscious stealing days from me!
More swim, more, more…
Might have bought a commercial 80w solar panel. Think I did. We’ll see. If so, it was my prep for the day.
n
76f and rain here in the home of the Blues this morning.
If the clouds break the humidity will make life even more unbearable.
The family is in Oklahoma visiting relatives and the house is far to quiet without them. I will drive down for a quick visit over the weekend but have to be back at my desk next week. My prep, if you can call it that, was to identify the canned goods spoiled by heat and humidity in the garage over the last few years.
70º and sunny on the north coast. I picked up a race for this Saturday and a large triathlon for the end of July. Both were dates I had open, which I hate to have. Good to pick up work.
The battery in my wife’s car died the other day. She called & said it wouldn’t start & borrowed her mother’s car to get to work. I started it when I got home (borderline-not enough juice) by turning off the lights, radio, etc. and got it started. The replacement was $200 – an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat). I find plenty of argument about which is better, but this one had the longest replacement warranty.
I checked the charging system – 13.8 volts just after startup. That worried me – should be 14.2-14.7. Then I turned on the accessories (put a draw on it) and the voltage went to 14.3. Seems the charging system is smart as well. We’ll see. If I have to replace the alternator I will. Not hard to do.
Returned from our week in Oregon last night. Great trip actually. Left Portland at 1900 and and arrived Burbank at 2100. Home by 2330. Special hell for the CalTrans manager on the I5 project through Newhall pass and Santa Clarita Reduces a major route to two lanes, especially where the truck bypass rejoins the main route.
Was pretty hot yesterday in Portlandia, too many white bodies exposed for the first time in months. Heat wave due here for the next week with highs in the 100+ range.
Now to catch up
I’m tired already (or maybe I am not fully awake yet, yawn). Today is the longest day (of sunlight) of this year, so it’s all downhill from here.
One of our local raccoons hobbled by yesterday with an injured right front paw. He was having a tough time washing his “hands” in our ground-level birdbath. Called the “wildlife guy” who is coming out to set some traps. I’ll have to keep an eye out that the local feral and outdoor cats do not get caught in the traps, he likes cat food. Raccoons do not like to be trapped so he has to bring out the heavy-duty ones and stake them well to the ground. I’ll try to put out a remote cam(s) to watch the trap(s).
A fellow in our town got a surprise when he came home from work on Monday, a coyote pup came in through his doggie door. His Akita German Shepherd mix dog was wanting to play but the coyote was having nothing to do with the dog. The “wildlife guy” came and captured the coyote pup (full set of teeth, healthy looking) and released him up in the Horse Heaven Hills.
97°F yesterday (91°F predicted), 94°F predicted for today but I predict at least 101°F. Wind is from the usual SW 8mph average with gusts to 18mph, just a normal “gentle” Tri-Cities breeze.
Was pretty hot yesterday in Portlandia, too many white bodies exposed for the first time in months. Heat wave due here for the next week with highs in the 100+ range.
Right on schedule. We always made a point of getting out to Newport, OR or Long Beach, WA during the first week of July.
Still overcast and super humid. Dripping wet standing still.
One more hour of swim practice, then I can start working……
N
Happy Summer Solstice day ! It is all downhill from here.
Oh, who am I kidding. It is all dreary here. We have caught up on our rain and then some with about eight inches over the last few days. Channeling that old Steve Martin movie as the traveling preacher show,”Don’t pray for rain, pray for it to stop !”.
And the Brazos river came up six ft and is now retreating. Still, I can see that I am nervous about it now.
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=HGX&gage=RMOT2
“High Court: Online shoppers can be forced to pay sales tax”
https://apnews.com/332abb7455cb4b60b2effc0852ff3c89/High-Court:-Online-shoppers-can-be-forced-to-pay-sales-tax
and
https://www.atr.org/norquist-statement-south-dakota-v-wayfair?amp
Well, well, well. It appears that SCOTUS does believe in taxation without representation. I note that the South Dakota internet tax law is somewhat reasonable in that a retailer has to have 200 transactions per year or invoice $100,000 per year in the state to invoke paying the sales tax. What do you want to bet that California will enact that any transactions must pay sales tax ?
And it is is not just the collection and remittance of sales tax to any and all states that is onerous. It is also figuring out how much sales tax to charge as there are many sales taxers in communities and things can change just a street over.
ADD: I still will not let a California auditor examine my business books without a search warrant. And I doubt many other private businesses will either.
Well, well, well. It appears that SCOTUS does believe in taxation without representation. I note that the South Dakota internet tax law is somewhat reasonable in that a retailer has to have 200 transactions per year or invoice $100,000 per year in the state to invoke paying the sales tax. What do you want to bet that California will enact that any transactions must pay sales tax ?
They overturned National Bellas Hess? Wow.
Again, wow.
As much as I’m not thrilled with Roberts in general, especially after the Obamacare fiasco, he was on the right side of history with the Prog justices on this one. Too much precedent is based on National Bellas Hess, and the court just opened a can of worms.
Amazon is ready and willing to help with your sales tax computations … for a price
And, on a side note, fulfilling my duty as a Keeper Of Odd Knowledge in this discussion, Ginsburg’s husband was Ross Perot’s tax attorney. No one should be surprised how she voted — Mama needs a new pool cabana … and cabana boy.
WHY CARS ALL LOOK THE SAME NOW.
How effective is all that sophisticated aerodynamics when your car is embedded in the turbulence caused by the vehicles surrounding it in moving traffic?
Hey, Mr. Nick, does this tax ruling affect your online sales? Are *used* items exempt?
WHY CARS ALL LOOK THE SAME NOW.
Aerodynamics, but also the requirement that the car support X times its weight in a rollover accident.
Volvo went broke and sold out to the Chinese because everything is now built like a Volvo.
No idea about sales taxes. I’m supposed to collect from TX residents in TX, but don’t really have any TX customers.
Ebay has lobbyists to fight that sort of thing. I’m sure I’ll get an update explaining any changes.
n
@greg,
added to why cars, all the designers come out of the same art program in Cali. They all learn the same illustration techniques.
It’s like woodworkers stuck on “contemporary” style, ie. the 70s. Or sam maloof chairs or james krenov cabinets on stands.
Every once in a while you get someone different who gets the mandate of heaven, and then you get the distinctive modern “cadillac” look, or the recent dodges.
Too many of the design houses have different teams working on the back end and front end of the vehicle, which results in a visual barf bag like the Nissan Armada….
n
(for another example, what no talent picked and mandated that all the chevys have that chrome strip across the back over the bowtie?) Yeah it unifies the branding but jeez it’s ugly.
Hey, Mr. Nick, does this tax ruling affect your online sales? Are *used* items exempt?
Depends on the state. Some states don’t tax sales, some do. Some states don’t tax food, some do. Some states tax food at the full sales tax rates, some at a reduced rate. Some states many taxing entities, some don’t. Some states tax service work, some don’t (Texas only has sales tax on parts). Some states tax water, Texas does not. I could go on for weeks.
added to why cars, all the designers come out of the same art program in Cali. They all learn the same illustration techniques.
I’m sure that was a consideration in Toyota moving to Plano.
Every once in a while you get someone different who gets the mandate of heaven, and then you get the distinctive modern “cadillac” look, or the recent dodges.
Or the 2010s Chrysler lineup wearing the Mercedes logo.
The Mustang is also unique … for now.
I nearly pulled the trigger today on a used Sentra. Fortunately, my son neglected to sign up for the drivers ed class and sanity prevailed.
I would have ended up stuck with the Sentra for a while. An 18 year old Solara with a leaky power steering system is still a better car.
I would have ended up stuck with the Sentra for a while. An 18 year old Solara with a leaky power steering system is still a better car.
My brother and I replaced the power steering rack on his 1982 ??? Nissan 280ZX turbo back in 1990 ??? It was leaking about a can of power steering fluid per 10 miles.
Just don’t fix it yourself. We stupidly did it without a lift. We almost dropped the engine on us when we removed the lower engine mount bolts. The engine suddenly dropped eight inches. We both screamed like little girls and rolled out from under the car. The job took us another 7 or 8 hours to complete.
My brother had a 240Z, 260Z, and the 280ZX turbo. All were fun cars. The 240Z had a Holley four barrel carburetor on that inline six instead of the old Strombergs. The inside cylinders were fuel rich and the outside cylinders were fuel starved. It also had a custom dual exhaust with glass packs which back fired at just about every shift of the four speed manual. The air conditioner perpetually leaked on the passenger side, rotting out the floorboard. You could pull up the floor mat and watch the road go by underneath.
We had an ’82 280ZX bought used in ’85. In ’91 we had a kid. Oh well fun while it lasted.
Just don’t fix it yourself. We stupidly did it without a lift. We almost dropped the engine on us when we removed the lower engine mount bolts. The engine suddenly dropped eight inches. We both screamed like little girls and rolled out from under the car. The job took us another 7 or 8 hours to complete.
The leak is actually from the power steering hose assembly. Leak Stop seems to have done the job, but I’m not sure I can get the car through inspection due at the end of the month unless I use the right inspector (won’t put the car up to look underneath).
Parts are the killer cost of the hose swap out, not labor.
The car isn’t a sports car, but it is nice to drive, much better than a newer model Sentra with a CVT transmission and the same 1.8 L engine they put in the Versa.
We had an ’82 280ZX bought used in ’85. In ’91 we had a kid. Oh well fun while it lasted.
I had a 93 Probe bought new on an A-plan (employee) deal through my father. It was a blast to drive, but had lots of premature trim deterioration and pricey Mazda parts under the hood.
I couldn’t wait to get rid of that car near the end. My Toyota, on the other hand, will be a really tough separation. I’ve been through a lot and seen about 1/2 of the country in that car.
The leak is actually from the power steering hose assembly. Leak Stop seems to have done the job, but I’m not sure I can get the car through inspection due at the end of the month unless I use the right inspector (won’t put the car up to look underneath).
The annual inspection in Texas is supposedly just an emissions inspection nowadays. And windshield wipers.
The Solaras were/are nice cars. If you like driving a car dodging the potholes …
Speaking of potholes, grrr. The voluminous rain revealed several new potholes in the office gravel road to me. So, I may be out this weekend with my wheelbarrow and a shovel. It sure would be nice if I could afford to asphalt the rest of the main road to the office cutoff. Only about $15K or so for 250 ft of 23 ft wide gravel road.
The annual inspection in Texas is supposedly just an emissions inspection nowadays. And windshield wipers.
Leaking power steering fluid, even trace amounts, is an environmental hazard they still look at closely.
The wipers are original to the car. They have never come up.
Yes, I know. I have a popular wiper size, and every time I think about wiper blades, the parts store is sold out.
hey guys, what was the site to d/l windows with all the updates rolled in?
never mind, found it in my bookmarks
n
Back in the US. Arrived in Atlanta a couple of hours ago. Will be crashing soon.
Very short connection in Munich. Plane arrived in terminal 2, everyone had to get on a bus so had to wait until the plane was empty. Got to terminal 2 and no display showing our flight and no gates. Found someone that said Delta leaves from Terminal 1. Another bus trip. Got to terminal 1 and still could not find the flight. One of the security people knew the gate. While fast walking to the gate we heard an announcement stating the “Thompson’s needed to report to their gate immediately.” Us and two other people were the last ones on the plane.
Atlanta had a 20 minute walk to get to immigration, a long distance. Of course we get there, there are 32 stations, only four are staffed. Line we were in only had one person working. I think immigration does that to show they are in charge and you will comply.
Only questions this time were where we coming from and how long had we been gone. That information is already on their screen.
Took a couple of trips and the road leaves Croatia, travels through Bosnia for 5 kilometers, then back in Croatia. Did that twice and had entry and exit stamps for Croatia each time. Bosnia did not care.
Good to be home. Will crash in about 30 minutes.
Atlanta had a 20 minute walk to get to immigration, a long distance. Of course we get there, there are 32 stations, only four are staffed. Line we were in only had one person working. I think immigration does that to show they are in charge and you will comply.
Atlanta compounds the usual TSA kabuki with the dominant demographic of Fulton County seeking to remind you that they run the city, not you, White Boy.
I believe Dr. Pournelle used to write, “Scalve slave”. I’m sure Nick or someone can correct me.
“Has the West the will to survive?”
http://www.wnd.com/2018/06/has-the-west-the-will-to-survive/
““If you’re … pathetically weak, the country is going to be overrun with millions of people, and if you’re strong, then you don’t have any heart, that’s a tough dilemma. … I’d rather be strong.””
“So said President Donald Trump, on issuing his order halting the separation of children from parents caught breaking into the country. Trump’s enemies are celebrating a victory. Yet the issue remains.”
Welcome home Ray! Now get some sleep!
n
[snip] Depends on the state. Some states don’t tax sales, some do. Some states don’t tax food, some do. [snip]
Don’t forget the municipalities. The city government mentioned in my mailing address (I actually life in the unincorporated part of the county) imposes a 1% sales tax. But they deny that it’s actually a sales tax, instead couching it as a “gross receipts license fee”, and the FL Supreme Court gave their blessing to this legal fiction. So even if you purchase something which is exempt from Florida’s (& local) sales tax, you pay the 1%. Four cases of water @ $2.50 each = $10.10. But wait there’s more – Florida’s sales tax applies to the sales price including the city’s tax. Rent a condo on the beach for $2000 / week, it costs you $2332.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5871519/Scientists-reveal-best-way-tickle-RATS-new-study-improve-welfare-captivity.html
“They’re known to make 22-kHz sounds when they’re stressed or fearful, as in situations where they’re exposed to predators, experiencing pain, or engaging in a fight.”
I’m tellin’ you, they talk to each other.
n
Welcome home Ray! Now get some sleep!
Hey, that is Traveling Ray !
My favorite character in Fraggle Rock is Uncle Traveling Matt:
http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Uncle_Traveling_Matt
Pretty good shortwave tonight, across all the bands, not noise free, but good DX…
n
got new zealand for a while, could distinguish the song, but had to get the headphones out for the station id…
Welcome back, Travelin’ Ray!
Re: Sales Tax
California has long had not just a sales tax but a use tax. California residents can be forced to pay tax (same rate as sales tax) on purchases made out of state. The Board of Equalization (Orwellian name if there ever was) usually only pursues the big buys. Now they can try for all.
Local robbers have decided to place a 1% local sales tax on the November ballot. City manager has admitted about 13% will go towards pension obligation and that it will only increase over time. That should kill it.
California has long had not just a sales tax but a use tax. California residents can be forced to pay tax (same rate as sales tax) on purchases made out of state.
Pretty much all the states that have sales tax have use taxes.
Pretty much all the states that have sales tax have use taxes.
Yes, Texas has a use tax. My dad and three other guys bought a boat in Florida in 1975 ??? and had it trucked to Texas. Texas promptly send them an invoice for the sales tax (use tax) on the $75K ??? price when they registered it. If I remember correctly, Florida sales taxes did not cover boats at the time. BTW, it was a Morgan Out Island 41, a sloop sailboat. Wallowed like a pig with that 14 ft beam but she was easy to handle for us landlubbers.
Local robbers have decided to place a 1% local sales tax on the November ballot. City manager has admitted about 13% will go towards pension obligation and that it will only increase over time. That should kill it.
And the other 87% will go to the homeless.
We cannot tax ourselves into prosperity but California is sure trying.
Yep, I built a trade show booth for an out of state customer, and only would have had to charge the use tax if they ever used it on a show in TX… no sales tax to them, they were responsible for filing with their state.
Growing up in Illinois, but minutes from Indiana, we’d often buy one thing or another out of state. Gas was much cheaper in IN. IN has/had a personal property tax where they would inspect your home and goods, which is a scene in one of the Christmas Story movies, when the parents are hiding all the new stuff they’ve bought…
n