Cool and damp in Houston. Slightly warmer than the BOL though. Still, chilly to start the day and a bit overcast too. The end of the week is looking better, so I’ll take a little grey now, if it helps.
Did my cleanup and closing up, then headed home from the BOL yesterday. Hit two auction pickups on the way home. Got mostly household stuff. I’m buying fewer things as I have most of what I need. And I’m considering the travel time and miles, and adding that to the price. Some of the auctions have had very high prices lately. That usually means new money is coming in. I’m guessing that more people have found the auctions. The sellers support that as they are complaining that the new buyers don’t really understand what they are bidding on and buying. I’ve been cheerleading for people to start shopping in the secondary economy, so I can’t really complain if they do, and if they run prices up because they don’t know any better…
Today I’ve got a Dr appointment in the morning, and then at least one pickup. I need to hit Lowes and get the stuff I need to finish at the BOL too. Plus, Tuesday is my big ‘kid taxi’ day. I’ll be busy, putting miles on the truck today. I guess I can complain, but no one really cares. And I really don’t either. I chose this, and I generally like it.
Doesn’t mean I won’t TRY to complain though. And of course, I’ll be stacking while doing it…
nick
Has anyone else who uses eBay seen a new security feature that requires you to complete a captcha to sign out?
It’s not only f-annoying, it is not secure—there are only two captchas that alternate.
The corporate entity known as the City of Houston has been technically insolvent for decades, with the City of Dallas not far behind.
Fasting this morning for my test. Showered instead of coffee. It’s not the same.
Kids are up, moving. Lunch is packed.
Looks like it might clear or be very light overcast.
n
First bribe I was ever aware of was a city of Chicago plumbing inspector on a job I had in High School. “Goddam there better be an envelop here for me Monday.” Our plumbers had tied into the city and buried it before inspection. Cheaper than digging it up, I guess.
@greg, curious, are there ANY first or second tier cities in the US that aren’t insolvent? They’ve all been promising pensions for a long time… last 40 years at least.
n
No, but I don’t sign out very often.
I did notice a new wrinkle when selling where pressing the “Purchase Shipping Label” button immediately triggered a transaction with the USPS, which had to be cancelled through a less obvious link on the next page.
EBay won’t print a packing slip for a sale unless you press that button.
The refund gets sent … eventually.
Below a certain dollar amount, I don’t bother with selling on EBay anymore, but I had a high dollar item finally sell after nearly six months.
Ha. Prepper fail.
I was abroad, and W1 didn’t order propane, waiting for my return. I ordered as soon as I got back, but gas co fulfilled my “rush” order at the wrong location (the BOL), despite my clear instructions and repeated calls. Tank at base has now run empty, and the house is cooling noticeably, with a cold snap forecast. Joy.
A previous incident indicates that relighting the heating may require intervention from the plumber to cajole the computer into non-error mode. Double joy.
I am hoping I still have the technician’s personal number on file, so he might kindly talk me through a restart on the phone. There will be a big tip in it for him if I can avoid having to book a visit.
Jenny, good luck to and for offspring with ukelele. I have relations who play in a uke band (shudder) and who profess enjoying it mightily.
I was wrong about the overcast, it looks pretty solid by eye. Looked light on the cams though….
n
Denmark to buy California?
https://ktla.com/news/california/thousands-of-danes-sign-petition-to-buy-california-from-u-s/amp/
Honestly, make me an offer…
@Greg Norton
“I did notice a new wrinkle when selling where pressing the “Purchase Shipping Label” button immediately triggered a transaction with the USPS, which had to be cancelled through a less obvious link on the next page.
EBay won’t print a packing slip for a sale unless you press that button.”
No immediate purchase for me last weekend.
I show a packing slip button on the upper right of the Order Details page (accessed by clicking on the order number above the item thumbnail shown on the Seller Central order page). Using Win11/Firefox. If you don’t see it check to make sure it isn’t cut off by an overly wide page only displaying the left-hand side.
Suddenly, snow is forecast for Thursday. Wasn’t in the forecast two days ago.
I have an Ego Power+ snowblower. Somehow, I seem to have bad luck with their stuff. One of my batteries (the snowblower takes two) regularly says that it is overheated, even when that is impossible. Of course, the warranty just expired. I handed it to the local dealer to look at – probably a bad temperature sensor, maybe fixable. But I’m going to need it back, or a substitute.
My weed-whacker broke twice (under warranty). The snow blower has also been in for repair (broken motor housing – maybe I hit a rock?). And now the battery. Maybe I’m just unlucky – other people seem to have no problems with their stuff.
I can’t quite decide whether to buy two more batteries, to have reserves for future problems, and to save on recharge time when we have a lot of snow. Or whether to give up and buy a gas-powered blower. The batteries are crazy expensive to start with, and then about twice the price here as in the US.
I switched to an Ego Trimer and Edger two summers ago. I only purchased one battery, which is enough to do both tasks at my house. The first summer was issue free. This past summer, I had one instance where I went to trim and the battery ran out of juice after a couple minutes. It was on the charger but didn’t charge up. I put it back and 30 minutes later it was charged up. I haven’t had any issues since. Maybe I didn’t seat it properly or an electronic glitch.
I’m still not completely sold on longevity. My gas blower is still working fine, as is my Honda mower. I will keep them until they need to be replaced.
Just acquired a second hand Thinkpad x280, 8GB/256GB W11Pro off eBay for GBP135 incl postage on behalf of a nephew. Looks like new. Comes with 12mth warranty. Very pleased with the purchase.
Home from the scan. Blowing rain and cold. BOL internet is off line.
Coffee so good…
n
Ego chargers will, intentionally, discharge the batteries to 20% if not used for 30 days. Solution is to remove, and reinsert, the battery in the charger a couple of hours before use.
I just finished my taxes. It really helps that I can download the information from Ameriprise directly into TurboTax. I filed electronically 30 minutes ago, already accepted by the IRS. I expect the refund, small as it is, by Friday.
Yes, but which Friday?
A lot of cities and states are in trouble, but Houston tops the lists I’ve seen.
Texas cities seem to have more problems than other states’ municipalities in general.
Not that it really matters. Detroit established the court precedent that pensioners will be paid first at full amount promised if the city declares Bankruptcy, bond holders be damned.
Blue cities.
n
“Dr., can he lead a normal life? ”
“No, he’ll be an engineer.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8vHhgh6oM0
Of this week. My experience from the last half dozen E-Filings that I have done is the refund is in my bank account in less than 5 days.
People that use H&R Block or other tax fraud companies, when they have relatively simple returns (W2’s, Interest, Dividends, cannot itemize) are getting scammed. These companies charge $200.00 for the doing the simple return and people getting an “instant refund” from the company. That is a really high interest rate. These people can file electronically, online for free, and get the refund in less than a week. Bookies charge less.
Lawfare is increasing against tRump. Activist judges are putting stays against tRump initiatives without any citing of harm. Just “this ruling COULD cause harm.” SCOTUS needs to do some serious smackdown on these insurrectionists. I could be hit by a bus walking out my front door, so all busses should stop when I go out. With PLT judges like this, we may not avoid CWII. A cleansing is needed.
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/pearland-band-dads-take-down-active-shooter-pasadena-school
– good for the dads. This is why I carry a bleeding control kit. And a pistol.
n
The plane that crashed on the ground in Scotsdale was owned by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14384569/landing-equipment-failure-motley-crue-vince-neil-plane-crash-scottsdale.html
n
“All Show, No Go”
https://areaocho.com/all-show-no-go/
“Check out this Trantifa warrior. LOL”
Bumper stickers on a rifle ?
“Wind, Solar, and Batteries Still Cannot Compete”
https://excellentthought.substack.com/p/the-high-cost-of-wind-solar-and-batteries
“The Failed War Against Fossil Fuels is Costing Americans Hundreds of Billions of Dollars”
“Billions of taxpayer money are also being spent on trying to maintain grid reliability as renewable penetration increases on the grid. From 2019 through 2023, Texas spent on average about $9.6 billion a year, for a total cost of $48.4 billion, attempting to deal with the reliability problems caused by renewables. One study found the cost of electrification and Net Zero policies in the Pacific Northwest are projected to increase the bill of the average residential customer in Oregon and Washington by $600 a month by 2050. In New England, another study found the cost of meeting the region’s decarbonization goals with renewables is estimated to cost ratepayers $815 billion through 2050.”
Renewables must compete without market upsetting subsidies from the various governments.
I have read that the largest subsidy holder for renewables is Goldman Sachs. I do not know if this is true or not.
Looks like Portland.
PSU coed.
“Bad news for our insurance premiums”
https://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2025/02/bad-news-for-our-insurance-premiums.html
“In mid-January I noted that California had implemented insurance “reforms” that would allow insurers to recoup losses in one part of the state (e.g. the Pacific Palisades fire) from all the insured in that state, by raising everyone’s premiums, no matter where they live.”
“It now appears that something similar is happening across America, even if we live thousands of miles away from the disaster area.”
I knew that this was going to happen. I am now paying tens of thousands of dollars for personal and business liability and property insurance on my various properties. Makes one want to get out of the business rental market as my tenant are tapped out and cannot pay any more rent.
“BREAKING: Trump Signs Executive Order Implementing Major Federal Workforce Reduction.”
https://thenationalpulse.com/2025/02/11/breaking-trump-signs-executive-order-implementing-major-federal-workforce-reduction/
“President Donald J. Trump issued a new executive order on Tuesday, instructing federal agencies to collaborate with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce staff levels and restrict hiring. The directive—which outlines a “workforce optimization initiative” led by DOGE’s Elon Musk—aims to significantly reduce the size of the federal government.”
“According to a Trump White House fact sheet, the directive tasks agency heads with working alongside DOGE to decrease federal workforce numbers and limit hires to roles deemed “essential.” Additionally, the order includes provisions for agencies to craft plans for “large-scale reductions in force” while evaluating non-essential functions not mandated by law.”
To hire a federal worker requires that four other people are fired or quit. Sounds good to me.
Hat tip to:
https://thelibertydaily.com/
“Is Ukraine selling US weapons to cartels and on the black market???”
https://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2025/02/is-ukraine-selling-us-weapons-to.html
“Tucker Carlson thinks so. Here he discusses the possibility with retired LtCol Daniel Davis. The video is keyed to start and end at the appropriate segment of their conversation, which is about five minutes in length.”
Nah, no way. Oh crap. Stingers for everyone !
I’ve spent way too much time listening to this ukulele group…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L63j8wUP8kY&list=RD13FbIhVkC1I&index=3
“Bad news for our insurance premiums”
Where is the state insurance commission that will tell an insurance company that they can’t lay off their losses in Cali on the heads of insureds in another state?
Saw another example of Generation H–no not hemorrhoid: HELPLESS–at Walmart today. Typical of the type: Phone wasn’t working properly, so all he could do was punch buttons and try waving it at the gas pump again for the 10th, 11th, 15th times…I should have started counting, but it was at least 15. In and out of the car three times, held up the entire line for 10 minutes, and finally left.
I hope he has nightmares and it turns into intimacy issues (fone fail>digital droop), bad breath, and yes, hemorrhoids.
Drive around town and consider: one stick of Alfred Nobel’s finest for each cell phone tower and this version of the USA will effectively cease to exist.
I’m sure GenH would starve if they couldn’t wave their phones at MacD, and half or more probably can’t get home without navigation if the DOT closes a street.
That sounds like a sad outcome of a very confused senior with a firearm. Fortunately, the person shot is reportedly going to be OK. Over this side of the pond, we have news items every day of confused senior drivers killing themselves and, too often, others.
Of course, it matters not one bit in the crucial moment whether the shooter is deranged, confused or just intent on mayhem. Having the wherewithal to respond is capital. Keep on packing.
And hurray for “Band Dads”.
The last time I checked, the WalMart gas station would take cash.
OTOH, the snack bar at the Sam’s Club near the office requires ordering via the smart phone ONLY. I assume that means they require digital payment as well.
No more grabbing a hot dog on my way out the door after making a quick purchase at lunch time.
I went in today after Zeiss lens wipes. Costco management engaged in another d*ck measuring contest with a vendor and dropped the old name in favor of some off-brand wipes they usually only stock in their UK and NZ stores.
The Band Dads should be driving home from work at that time of day in the suburbs of Houston.
“DHS Fires Four FEMA Employees Over $59M in Migrant Hotel Payments in NYC After Elon’s Tweet”
https://resistthemainstream.com/elons-doge-exposes-explosive-spending-triggers-terminations-in-key-gov-agency/
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that four employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be terminated Tuesday after they bypassed leadership and made controversial payments for hotels used to house illegal immigrants in New York City.”
“The firing of FEMA’s Chief Financial Officer, two program analysts and a grant specialist follows a tweet by Elon Musk on Monday in which he revealed that FEMA had sent $59 million to luxury hotels in the city last week to house illegal immigrants, as reported by Resist the Mainstream. Musk criticized the decision, arguing that funds meant for American disaster relief were being misused to support illegal immigration instead.”
So FEMA was paying for expensive hotel rooms and food for illegal immigrants rather than for citizens in North Carolina with serious hurricane damages. Unreal.
True band dads take time off work to volunteer.
n
Theater dads too.
“NASA to study “city-killer” asteroid as odds of hitting Earth go up”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nasa-to-study-city-killer-asteroid-as-odds-of-hitting-earth-go-up/ar-AA1yLdde
“Astronomers are enlisting the help of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to study an asteroid that has a small chance of striking Earth less than eight years from now. Characterized as a potential “city-killer,” the asteroid was first detected in December and its odds of impacting our planet have increased slightly since then, according to the European Space Agency.”
“The space rock is formally named 2024 YR4. Scientists say it currently carries a 2% risk of making contact with Earth when it eventually reaches this part of the solar system on Dec. 22, 2032. Although the asteroid will most likely pass by without issue, those tasked with monitoring its physical attributes and potential have shifted upward the probability of a crash since 2024 YR4 was initially discovered.”
Am I the only person who is suspicious of NASA crying wolf ?
I watched the Catholic Charities operation running illegals out to South Padre Island on the Saturday before the 4th of July in 2021.
The van pulled up to the motel across the street from Whataburger, everyone got out, and the driver handed gift cards for the restaurant to all the adults. I assume they were supposed to come back to get room keys.
Granted, the motel was Motel 6 level and the food came from Whataburger, but everyone in the van still received accommodations and dinner on South Padre island during a busy holiday weekend.
Wasn’t Catholic Charities one of the NGOs on the USAID payroll?
One illegal family walked across the street into the Whataburger, and the father was coughing so hard I was surprised internal organs weren’t coming up.
The dining room, nearly at capacity, emptied quickly.
I got the cap on my tooth replaced. It fell off this Saturday. It has been on the molar for so long I did not even know I had a cap on the tooth. Fortunately the old cap was able to be re-glued.
Wasn’t Catholic Charities one of the NGOs on the USAID payroll?
Yes, the biggest one, I believe. $50 million per year.
My wife used to work for Catholic Charities when I met her. They have really changed and not for the better.
>>Where is the state insurance commission that will tell an insurance company that they can’t lay off their losses in Cali on the heads of insureds in another state?
They’re busy enjoying their steaks, scotch and new lady-friends.
My wife wants to buy this house north of Abilene: 3/2.5/2 2,566 ft2 on 2.1 acres on the north side of I-20 in Abilene for $385,000
https://www.har.com/homedetail/-abilene-tx-79601/6532590
There is enough room to put in a large shop. Eight ??? foot ceilings. Not enough room to replace the electric stove with a 36 inch gas stove. Looks like the windows have been replaced with plastic frame dual pane.
The Abilene water treatment plant is a 1/2 mile away. That is not a septic plant. No HOA or MUD.
Master bedroom is only 14 by 17. Looks to be an old orchard. I like the big room with the elevated ceiling. Lots of built-ins. One a/c system. Is that linoleum in the kitchen ? Jack-n-Jill bathroom between the two other bedrooms.
The master shower is WEIRD. A privacy wall at the toilet would be nice. The house has a metal roof. There is a office. That road looks busy. Interesting.
Dude, that house is a LOT smaller than it looks in pictures. They are doing the weird stretching thing with the camera or lens. Clock looks like it’s 3ft across.
Original kitchen cabinets. Every drawer is probably worn out. Oven is 30-40 years old. Cooktop too. Island probably blocks the oven door or the fridge drawer. Appliances are all mis-matched so some are replaced, and with whatever was on sale, or cheap. They didn’t change the knobs on the cabinets, and you can still see dirt near the edges and around knobs. Kitchen is a gut remodel in other words.
Doors and knobs are original to the house, builder grade, 40yo, and worn out.
Cabinets in jack and jill bath are original, just painted. Probably worn out. The door is VERY narrow, no one with crutches or extra pounds is fitting thru that 24″ bathroom door without turning sideways. Tile and bathtub might be original with a cheap refinish. No bath fan, no windows.
Master bath – flipper upgrades. Vent fan over toilet, probably can’t clear the shower steam. no storage. No place to hang a towel to dry.
“Office”- no power anywhere near the desk. Narrow room.
“dining room” so small the round table fills it, and it’s off center to the chandelier.
——————–
Quick updates. Paint and lipstick. EVERYTHING is likely to need replacing. Any work was done quick and cheap. It’s a cosmetic flip. Any problems they found they likely just papered over.
Rugs on carpet means it’s worn or stained…
Gold tone fixture in bath is left over from before the flip- tells me they ran out of money, time or give a damn.
Every receptacle is probably worn out, and there aren’t enough. HVAC probably worn out. Cathedral ceiling in living room is a problem for the ducts, and for solar gain… Probably no real insulation.
I can see defects in the knock down wall treatment in the hall bath, so I’m sure it’s worse in person.
It’s a little house in the country, but it’s cheaply built and old. Probably very worn under the cosmetic updates.
Run, don’t walk. Or know it’s a project.
n
>>And I’m considering the travel time and miles, and adding that to the price.
@nick, and scheduling regular oil changes?
Dude, that house is a LOT smaller than it looks in pictures. They are doing the weird stretching thing with the camera or lens. Clock looks like it’s 3ft across.
Yeah, I figure that I would end up building a house for me next to it.
I love the 9 foot ceilings and eight foot tall 36 inch wide doors in my office building. I dislike the ten foot ceilings in my house where two of the four a/c filters are at. But 8 foot ceilings now seem short to me as I can reach up and touch them with my finger tips (very long arms and hands).
I have two questions about the activist judges ruling that some of Trump’s decisions have to be reversed:
1. Seems to me that the judicial branch has no say in internal activities of the executive branch. Is there any actual basis to support their rulings?
2. Presumably these are all federal judges, so not elected by the local populace. Are the appointed? By whom? How do you get rid of an activist judge?
Any armchair legal experts want to weigh in?
Nice plot. Those regularly spaced trees do look like an orchard. If those are fruit-bearing, you would have to do something with the fruit.
Interior looks mostly nice, but those photos are so heavily photoshopped that it hurts. Who knows what it actually looks like.
Some really weird design decisions, for example, why does the fridge stick out into the kitchen? Plastic-framed windows – ick. Metal roof – noisy. By American standards, 2566 is not very big. Given your daughter, well…
Nick’s analysis is a lot more brutal…
Metal roof – noisy.
Everyone in West Texas is installing metal roofs due to the constant hail in the spring, summer, fall, and winter.
I have two questions about the activist judges ruling that some of Trump’s decisions have to be reversed:
1. Seems to me that the judicial branch has no say in internal activities of the executive branch. Is there any actual basis to support their rulings?
2. Presumably these are all federal judges, so not elected by the local populace. Are the appointed? By whom? How do you get rid of an activist judge?
No basis.
They are appointed by various Presidents and confirmed by the Senate.
You get rid of a federal judge by impeaching him/her/it in the House and tried in the Senate. A 2/3rds majority of the Senate is required to throw the judge out of office.
A member of the House filed impeachment papers against the Judge Monday morning. The House may or may not move forward with a vote, the Speaker must concur and set a vote. Hopefully SCOTUS will jump in with both feet.