Hot and humid, unpleasantly so. I was sweating balls yesterday while I was moving my stuff out of the storage unit. It was really hot in the sun, so I took it very easy. Still soaked to the skin. Today will be the same in all likelihood.
I did some domestic bliss yesterday morning. Some auction stuff, some self care. Cut my hair. Then I took a bunch of stuff out of the house, and commenced to moving out of one of my storage units. I was about half moved out anyway, and the lock was cut most of the way through last week, so I really wanted out of it. Ironically, it was my OTHER unit that was burgled. No one cares. I have to get a police report for the insurance so I’ll probably spend a couple of hours standing around next week waiting for someone to come by.
In the mean time, I moved out of that 5 x 10. One more at the same facility, but it will take a bit more work as there are a lot more smalls in that unit. And shelves. I was under the mistaken impression that I was running a store and should have “inventory”. That was wrong. I’m flipping this stuff as fast as possible, and no one is coming to my ebay store looking to see if I have some specific thing. I’m not the “microwave replacement plate” guy. I’m the “search for it and if I have it buy from me” guy. I will have some unsold stuff, but if it is sitting on the shelf too long, I bought the wrong thing.
It’s going to take some time to realign my mindset and my physical setup. I need to try though, as I really don’t need a bunch of stuff sitting around. Getting it to one place, where I can see it, and see what I have, will help.
In the other mean time, I have my non-prepping hobby meeting today, with discussion of our upcoming convention, and then I’m loading up and heading for the BOL. My buddy called to let me know the grass was knee high. Even if all I do is cut the grass, check all the things, and head back home Sunday, I need to get up there and do it.
I’d rather keep going with the momentum I’ve built this week, but needs must.
Always be working. Always be stacking.
nick
Time is very “mean” these days, Nick!
I have to head to the BOL today too, to make sure it’s still standing, etc. I have a new network switch in the bag, to replace the one that the lightning damaged. Hoping that will restore connectivity for the central heating, and that the ethernet module on the heating wasn’t also taken out by the spike that destroyed the gas valve solenoid.
The past couple of weeks at work have been brutal. Work, eat, sleep, work. Very glad to get to the BOL later, see some friends for a few hours, and maybe have a beer or three with them. All work and no play makes Jack…. etc.
Wishing you all a good weekend!
Voting for Paxton in the primary would be stupid for Republicans.
Paxton wants revenge against the club in Austin. His nuts should be crushed for that, but keeping the club membership is more important than winning for a lot of RINOs.
Texas Republicans are where Florida Dems were ~ 30 years ago. One narrow Senate race in 1990 was the catalyst for change which led to the party now being out of power for a generation.
The Dems still don’t completely understand what happened in 1990, as the Gore math expert witness demonstrated on the stand in Bush v. Gore 25 years ago.
Everyone in the room knew that Math Boy had it wrong. Even the Dem-appointed judge had a smirk on his face during the cross.
Wait. I thought they said that if they had a son, he would have been like Treyvon.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/06/20/michelle-obama-son-glad-barack-children/
Never forget, kids, Pam Bondi gave you “Treyvon”, prosecuting George Martin under state charges as Attorney General of FL when Seminole County would not indict the “White Hispanic” as the mob demanded..
At least Benny Crump was in it for the cash.
Rafael Edward didn’t have a stellar week either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smemFVe0l5E
Robert Francis has been quietly making the rounds in Texas, laying the groundwork to challenge Cornyn.
That is a lot of graft. I think $4000 each is very generous.
Sunny, and currently 79F. It almost feels like there is a coolness to the breeze. I’m sure I’m imagining that.
Ready to head to my meeting. I forgot to pull one thing, and ran out of time for another. Hate when that happens.
n
Everything involving government is someone’s soup bowl or entitlement.
What strikes me about this couple’s income situation isn’t the VA disability check – gotta wonder though – but rather the husband’s take home as active duty Navy MP, probably NCO.
Granted, he’s probably getting an off-base housing allowance – gotta wonder about that one too – but the take home for his check alone is more than mine on a monthly basis.
IIRC, the Navy in San Antonio is mostly about the service’s Medical Command, not exactly high risk duty even now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Eq65YGcBvg
As the host points out, every veteran he’s had on the show was on some percentage of disability.
I’m guessing the wife was raped.
I am doing some calculations on my income, now more than when I was working full time. Granted that was 10 years ago. My income is 98% from the government. Social Security, VA benefits. Half that money is tax exempt from federal or state taxes (state is moot to me as TN has no income tax). That is shocking even to me.
There are a lot of people in my situation, or even deeper. I know of more than a few drawing SS, VA disability, and military retirement. Pulling down over six figures and not working.
I know of one person, a retired full bird from the USAF, drawing 90% VA disability and working full time for Delta Airlines as a pilot. When he retires in six years he will get SS, VA, Military Retirement, and retirement from Delta. He will be pulling down close to $200K a year, retired, not working. He is trying for 100% from the VA.
I also view my situation the same as paying taxes. The goal is to use all the possible legal options to avoid paying taxes. I am not going to leave money on the table, regardless of the source.
Having that kind of cash flow at retirement age is different than having $10k guaranted per month for the people who are the age of the couple in the video. I think it removes the incentive to better themselves and do something useful for society with their remaining productive years.
The disability check is probably her issue applying for the PA schools. As much as those programs are often cash grabs by universities unable to get a medical school, they still want their alumni to be known for making positive contributions in the community and not sitting on the license at home.
I know things got so out of control with stay-at-home mommies sitting on nursing and PA licenses in WA State that keeping the license now requires continuous employment in a related job, even if only part time.
If the pilot is on 90% VA disability, how is he passing the physical to keep flying passengers?
The Class I required used to be tough.
Now We Know Why the Minnesota Assassin Story Disappeared Overnight
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/06/20/now-we-know-why-the-minnesota-assassin-story-disappeared-overnight-n4941019
Demented assassin believed that killing ex-MN House Speaker Melissa Hortman and others would pave the way for MN Gov Walz to run for U.S. Senate.
It’ s more likely that the retirement of Dr. Demento announced this week will open new career opportunities for Tampon Tim.
Walz isn’t even close to being in the same league intellectually.
“Walz isn’t even close to being in the same league intellectually.”
What’s your point?
Done with my meeting, loading up and heading out.
n
So am I, Paul, so am I. I am glad you are one of the cool folks!
I really enjoy our place here in the middle of the maelstrom, where we can respectfully and honorably agree and disagree with each other.
Criminals Going High-Tech: Big Surge in Chinese-Made Signal Jammers
“If this isn’t a good argument for homeowners arming themselves, then I don’t know what is. It’s important to remember, and this is just another illustration of this, that ultimately the responsibility for our security lies not with the government, not with the police, but with us. And no Chinese jammer ever made will interfere with an incoming .45 caliber attitude adjustment.”–Ward Clark
https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/06/21/criminals-going-high-tech-big-surge-in-chinese-made-signal-jammers-n2190743
It’s also a good argument to maintain a landline communications ability.
Wizard of Id: Mutual Destruction
https://www.gocomics.com/wizardofid/2025/06/21
Is this suppose to be Israel and Iran ?
“Juneteenth”
https://areaocho.com/just-give-them-what-they-want-5/
“Those of us who carry guns are often told that we don’t need guns to protect ourselves, we just need to remember that the robbers are just people trying to feed their families. If we just give them what they want, we will be fine. This assumes that robbery is merely a business transaction, and depends upon a criminal threatening violence being a moral and upstanding citizen.”
I just try to stay away from feral humans in general. It is not easy nowadays.
I’m tired of hearing that “feed the family” line. It is overused.
The WWII and Depression survivor generation who were sympathetic to that schtick because they witnessed real starvation, whether overseas or in this country, are almost all dead.
That is a lot of graft. I think $4000 each is very generous.
Sending out a SWAT team for each illegal is expensive.
While landlines continue to exist.
Well, my preps. got a little test today. Power went out at 0230, stayed out until 1530. Weather has been sunny and hot all day. Very few clouds. High temperature outside reached 94℉. High temperature inside reached 85℉.
Water stayed on.
Some habits are hard to break – whenever I went into the kitchen or the bathroom, as I went through the door my hand still reached for the light switch.
Cellphone service kept working, which meant I had internet access by mobile hotspot.
My regular laptop lasted 5 hours of normal use – mostly internet browsing and video streaming – but my powerbank wouldn’t charge it. Not sure why, it had done okay when I tested it before. I was too impatient to mess around with my little solar panels. So, plan C: to recharge the laptop, I took it out to my car, plugged it in to the 110v AC accessory outlet, and went on an hour’s scenic drive (with air conditioning!) on state highways out in the countryside. That brought the laptop batteries up from 15% to 95%.
Now that it’s over, it seems a pretty mild test, but there were still lessons to be learned.
The Costco closest to my house was “Christmas Insane” busy today.
I was out doing errands today and stopped to check my revived Costco Citi Visa activation, but when I saw that the line for checkout stretched the entire length of the store, I used the card to get the hot dog and drink special then got out.
Even the snack bar was seriously overwhelmed.
We could use some chicken thighs, but I’ll go to Sam’s for those.
If you go to Sam’s check out their limited edition Peaches and Cream ice cream sundae.
If you feel guilty, park your car at the end of the row before going in.
https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/06/21/scott-jennings-remarks-on-the-theater-kids-n2190748
I’d challenge the feds to arrest everyone they can, maximize the charges, and blow through that $50 million in a month.
BREAKING: US Hits Iranian Nuclear Sites
***TRUMP TO ADDRESS THE NATION AT 10 PM EST***
https://hotair.com/tree-hugging-sister/2025/06/21/breaking-us-hits-iranian-nuclear-sites-n3804043
The Iranians thought they had some time. Here’s hoping that means that all the important nuclear staff was working at Fordow and the site was completely destroyed.
https://x.com/LeighWolf/status/1936575606302691520
It’s about time tRump fixed Obola’s Iran militarization. PLT/Dumbo/LSM heads will explode tomorrow. With Iran remade, let’s start dropping the crimmigrants there.
Some doosh-judge will tell tRump he has to recall the bunker busters since said judge didn’t authorize them. Then repair all the damage. I’m sure the LSM will say tRump has started WWIII.
What Will Putin Do?
Cutie Pie (Hannity) is on the Faux News live feed.
Why? Trump said “Sign a nuclear deal within 60 days”, and on Day 61, the Israeli Air Force wiped out most of their air defenses and has been working overtime to eliminate their missile launch capability. Then Trump said “Abandon your nuclear program within 48 hours”, and I’d bet good money that the bombs started hitting Fordow in Hour 49.
What next? President Trump will tell is in about 45 minutes, at 10 PM Eastern time. He’s consistent with his ultimatums, and never threatens what he can’t deliver,
WRT signal jammers, my security industry trade magazine has a feature article on a new cell jamming detector. It’s an issue for high value targets. Now they can get a warning, if the cell gets jammed, prepare for incoming.
—–
I’ve been out of the loop all day. We bombed Iran?
n
Ah, FAFO.
That should set back their timeline for a while.
n
If the pilot is on 90% VA disability, how is he passing the physical to keep flying passengers?
The Class I required used to be tough.
Heart with drug controlled problems such as afib.
My dad’s friend had his 48 ? year old US Army full Colonel infantry son pass out while doing his daily five ? mile jog. The medics said afib. The Army medical retired him with 100% VA disability.
It is starting to look like our landline, that has been out of service for a month now, just might continue to exist for the time being, at least.
Technician visit number five was scheduled for Friday. Come 15.00 on a scorching hot afternoon, I was convinced it would be another no-show. I was wrong. The cable-break detection crew showed up! They also located the break after three hours’ work outside in the heat.
Two streets over, the local authority planted some new trees. Guess what they destroyed while doing that?
The guy said it will be an involved repair, but he’ll be back on Monday to effect it. If he is and he does, he’ll be getting a proper gratuity from me, and something cold to drink.
Fingers crossed…
>>The Costco closest to my house was “Christmas Insane” busy today.
@Greg, self-checkout lanes at your Costco? We’ve had them for a while now. New variation recently when self-checkout lines get long… an employee with an iPad goes up the line and scans your membership card and then scans all the items in your cart. When you get to the register you just scan your membership card and your Visa card and you’re done. They’ve also activated the hand-held scanners for members to use. Use them and you bypass the self-checkout scale. Chipping away at Sam’s (patented?) self-scan as you put items into your cart.
I dislike self checkout for more than half a dozen items and try to never use them. The costco self checkout takes forever, and they usually have a crewmember helping. I don’t like replacing people, probably because I was raised on Johnny Cash and the ballad of the steam drill.
—-
radio was poor tonight but the sky was pretty clear and dark. Lots of stars out. I had a tiny little fire and read. Time to shower and sleep.
n