Normally hot, normally humid. It was a beautiful clear day Sunday, but it was HOT. Loading out, the wind felt like opening an oven door. I could use a bit of cooler today.
I had a good last day of the show. Didn’t win any door prizes, but did do good business. One day to cover my expenses, one half day the same, and one good day to make the show… plus lots of good fellowship and conversation. Just like my hamfest I’m usually the last man standing with stuff to sell, and the last man to leave the site. There is almost always someone to sell some stuff too, and chat with as I pack up that is thankful I stuck around.
Today I’ll take the trailer back and get the large item ready to ship. I didn’t get a time for the shipper to pick up yet, but I told the buyer that it would be ready Monday afternoon at the earliest. I can probably do some sorting and stacking once it’s on a pallet.
Getting out and among people is a good thing. Having interests outside of stuff on teh intarwebs is a good thing. It’s especially good if the group is varied and widely distributed geographically, politically, and economically. It’s a reality check against doomer bias and being in an echo chamber. Get out there, do something fun.
And stack.
nick
Made it to Germany. Long flight, arrived a little early. It took an hour to get through immigration. 12 booths, only four of them staffed. Two full flights arrived at the same time.
To get the train to our destination required riding a shuttle to another terminal, lots of people waiting, then a long walk, wait for the train, transfer at the main Frankfurt train station, while lugging heavy suitcases. I could not use the train tickets, on the app, without some type of data, WiFi or cellular. I could not risk traveling on the train without valid tickets. We decided to just take a taxi and spend the $100.00.
I could not activate my eSIM that I was provided. That takes WiFi. The WiFi on the plane would not work because the eSIM can only be activated in Germany. I did the attempt while taxiing at the Frankfurt airport. I guess the connection to the web from the Delta WiFi indicates somewhere other than Germany. I was able to activate the eSIM at our guest location once I connected to WiFi.
The Flight was long, as expected. The upgraded seats were worth it in my opinion. More legroom, I could actually stretch out my legs all the way. The food service was also a better class with actual table cloths, and food dishes. The food was hot and quite good for airline food.
There was a good selection of movies, including the Mission Impossible movie. It was a little confusing and really stretched reality to fiction with the “entity”, and the capabilities of the “entity”. The water scenes were totally unbelievable as Ethan Hunt would have been dead in seconds.
As Mr. ATOZ indicated, some of the scenes were stretched much too long. The flying scenes and the special effects were quite good. The scenes in the sub were disorienting even as a viewer.
I ate dinner, watched the movie, then tried to sleep. I got maybe an hour of sleep. A nap is on the radar for today.
And Comcast/Xfinity sucks, again, still, continuously. I cannot access my email because my password is incorrect when using Outlook. Yet that password works to sign on to Xfinity. I have no idea what the issue is with the imap password. I thought I would change my password. Nope. Xfinity sends a code to my phone, at my U.S. number. That is not going to work.
I tried to add the account back onto Outlook on my MacBook. Nope. I just get an error message that something went wrong. How f*cking useless.
I guess that Xfinity blocks, restricts, does not allow, does not understand, who knows, when dealing with IP addresses from foreign countries.
Texas “Republicans” showed their true colors in their reaction to the pandemic. The response in Austin was a pale imitation of Florida’s true leadership on the issue.
Paxton also bailed out Griddy, writing a check to cover the bills without any debate about the moral hazard created with the customers or whether bailing out the Clinton operatives in the management was a good idea.
And, as I’ve stated before, I think Austin was looking the other way on Texas Children’s building a facility to conduct sex changes on minors not far from my house until the RINOs needed a distraction from their kicking the can on property taxes two years ago.
76F this morning. Steeping some tea, getting the kids moving.
I’m pretty stiff and sore. I moved a lot of plastic bins in the last few days.
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I’ll probably nap after the kids leave.
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Lunch is packed.
n
Speaking of selling stuff.
I sold a set of old rallye wheels from the Corvette on Sunday. They were 15″ wheels and I put on 17″ wheels several years ago. The old wheels went up in the attic loft and have been there ever since. I brought them down, snapped some pics, and listed them on FB marketplace at 1PM for $150. They were gone by 1:45PM. Sold cheap, but I wanted them gone.
I had 11 inquiries in 10 minutes. I’ve learned that I just wait and send answers to all questions to all messages. Its also strictly first come, first serve. No holding. I will hold if its a more expensive item, or if I have really good communication throughout. That is rare though.
I’ve found marketplace good for selling big things. A few months ago, I sold a drywall lift, patio table and 4 chairs, and an old craftsman toolbox. I’m about out of big things to sell.
There is a neighborhood yard sale coming up in October, so we are going to participate and see if we can get others to pay us to get rid of some smaller stuff.
I’ve been on a serious purge of stuff after dealing with Mom’s stuff. The struggle is real.
@ ITGuy1998, I ‘ve been to plenty of estate sales where the estate’s parent’s treasures are still there in a pile of boxes.
It’s genuinely hard for most people to go thru the stuff and get rid of any of it.
n
@Ray: Enjoy Germany! Still a nice country, anyway, as long as you avoid the increasing number of “not-so-nice” immigrant areas.
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I’m back to teaching today. Modern medicine, minimally invasive surgery, almost no side effects. Amazing stuff! Need to go by my GP tomorrow to get a prescription.
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In news that may be is of interest to someone: A couple of years ago I ordered some “multifocal” contacts. As long as you don’t ask for correction to astigmatism, you can get very cheap daily lenses. This was just to try them out, and I have to say that I am seriously impressed at how well they work. Despite the lack of correction for warped eyeballs, I see quite well with them.
I used to wear contacts all the time, and generally prefer them to glasses, which is the motivation here. Anyway, after that successful experiment, I am finally getting around to an appointment at a discount optician, and will probably walk away with multifocal-toric lenses, i.e., ones that also correct for astigmatism. Those will cost a bit, which is understandable, and will be monthly lenses. I’ll be interested to see how well they work…
Good vision is priceless. It will be money well spent. The technology in surgery and contact lenses is really amazing.
Took a couple hour nap and feeling much better. Phone and watch were almost dead so time to recharge them. I had to order new outlet adapters because I could not find two that I know I had. After they arrived I was able to find the two that I could not find.
The new ones I ordered have three U.S. outlets, 1 USB-A port and two USB-C ports. So a little more versatile. The ones I could not find are just single plugs.
Mr. Ray, perhaps sign up for a free tier level of a VPN and use a US server as the exit point to get you a US IP.
Not worth the hassle. I can get the email by going to the Xfinity website.
@brad, I found torics to be incredibly uncomfortable, but that was 20 years ago. It was like having a dime on my eye.
They must have improved significantly since then.
n
Crude! Even Quicken is giving me fits saying the file is not mine. I try to take ownership and Quicken says my password is not valid. I restored a copy from the online backup. Quicken startup says there is no file and would I like to use an existing file. Quicken did nothing and refused to open the file. I told Quicken to use a backup file. That worked.
The only difference in my environment is the location of the my connection, Germany. Last time I was here I had no such problems tracking my purchases on Quicken. Something has changed and I guess security has been tightened.
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/08/this-wheels-on-fire.php
I am skeptical that there are so many Sikh drivers because they are so skilled.
Past time to do the data analysis to see how safety records compare between U.S.-born drivers, legal immigrants, and H-2B (a subset of the latter).
Then make any appropriate decisions based on the data.
As noted before, we don’t need any more H-2B visas for truck drivers, and should let the existing ones expire.
And since we know that there are irregularities in the CA and WA CDL licensing system, immigrants holding CDL’s should be re-tested for English proficiency and required to retake the CDL exam.
Part of one of my very interesting and engaging conversations yesterday was with a liberal, mostly lefty, about how liberals try to control how people think by controlling the words used.
This article is interesting because it lists many of them.
Think Tank Urges Dems To Drop These 45 Terms That Turn Off Normies
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/think-tank-urges-dems-drop-these-45-terms-turn-normies
n
Those terms are also calls to arms for lefties. The won’t be able to stop using them, or else they will just be replaced.
Of course, righties have their own terms…
I just looked these up, and was surprised to see how many types of contact lenses are now available. I also saw that these are soft lenses. One drawback of soft lenses for us, ahem, older people, is chronic dry eye. I will assume that you don’t have dry eyes. However, if you ever have that discomfort, you might consider semi scleral lenses:
https://modernod.com/articles/2022-july-aug/new-improvements-in-multifocal-scleral-lens-technology
Semi scleral (often just called scleral) lenses now come in multifocal designs. Another modern miracle.
Most semi scleral lenses rest on the junction between the cornea and the sclera, and vault over the cornea with no contact. The gap is filled with saline solution, which keeps the cornea hydrated. As such, they are incredibly comfortable. Dry-eye users report more comfort with the lenses in than without them.
There’s more. The lens forms a new front surface of the cornea, and can correct for complex aberrations, either natural or caused by previous surgical procedures such as radial keratotomy. Since it is rigid and sticks firmly to the eye, the lens is rarely dislodged during vigorous motions. It is also precisely located, and can correct vision precisely.
I wear one in one of my eyes (the other eye has good vision and no need.) I can attest to excellent vision and great comfort. There are two downsides. I sometimes get oily tear deposits on the lens. Although some artificial tears can sometimes reduce this effect, it is usually better to remove and clean the lens. I also have to put drops in my eyes three times a day. This requires removal and a 30 minute wait for reinsertion. I usually only do this in the afternoon: I do the morning drops before insertion, and the night drops after removal. I also don’t wear the lens on most days, only those that require better distance vision. I have monovision, and my near eye is OK without correction.
Even though this is a rigid lens, adaptation is practically nonexistent. I was a long-time rigid lens wearer, and figured I would have to adapt. The first time I inserted the lens, there was a brief foreign body sensation, but after a few minutes, no sensation at all. I agree that the lens is slightly more comfortable than with it out.
Although I am very pleased, I would welcome a procedure that could fix that eye. I have been told that is not yet practical for me. There is nothing better than natural, fuss-free, vision.
Who’s screwin’ who?
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/08/whos-screwin-who.php
If I were governing a state contiguous to California with a refinery, I’d have a conversation: “Don’t even think about it.” Suggest a $5 tax per gallon on gas refined in the state, and a $5 tax credit for every gallon sold for in-state consumption, with an adjustment for “traditional” markets, e.g. intra-state to the natural service area, not to states that kill their own production.
‘It Will Stun You’: Miller Warns D.C. Crime Manipulation Is Worse Than Previously Known
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2025/08/25/miller-details-how-dc-was-cooking-to-books-on-crime-data-n2662322
I commend Mr. Miller’s attention to 18 U.S. C. §1001,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_false_statements
It would seem clear that every D.C. official who participated in preparing and submitting to the federal government a false report on crime in the District of Columbia can and should be charged with committing a felony.
“No one is above the law”
Houston Homeowner Shoots and Kills Two Men in Ski Masks Dressed as Police
https://www.shootingnewsweekly.com/crime-and-punishment/houtson-homeowner-shoots-and-kills-two-men-in-ski-masks-dressed-as-police/
Houston Homeowner Shoots and Kills Two Men in Ski Masks Dressed as Police
https://www.shootingnewsweekly.com/crime-and-punishment/houtson-homeowner-shoots-and-kills-two-men-in-ski-masks-dressed-as-police/
Nope. The murderer of the Minnesota politician and her husband, who also severely wounded two other people, had a pretty good copy of a cop car complete with blue lights.
“You say you have a warrant? Fine. I’ll be happy to take service as soon as I can confirm your identity. I’ve already called 911. If you attempt to breach my home in the meantime I have reasonable grounds to assume you are imposters and you will be resisted. If you survive I will call the EMT’s and give first aid, but I warn you that I am willing to accept a charge of castrating using a blunt knife without a license.”
And I have not forgotten the examples of Bryan Malinowski, Ruby Ridge, and the Branch Davidian compound.
The perps allegedly had body armor.
I want to know what king, and what the homeowner used in self-defense.
Home from shipping the ebay item. I was finishing the strapping down when the truck rolled up. Turns out my phone number was off by one on the documents, so he couldn’t give me the heads up. Good thing I went in and got it ready.
It’s always a hassle. and the ebay fees ate ⅓ of the sale, rather than ¼ which is my usual guess. Different fees in different categories.
Boy it’s hot and humid. Mid 90sF and humid as a swamp.
n
Accidentally got reminded that I had other blogs… I had set up 4 other blogs on blogger.com. And I completely forgot about them. One has 8 posts, mostly on the anniversary of 9-11. One has 12. One has none.
I can’t believe I completely forgot.
n
And Haley Atwell’s assets save the world.
Hopefully, you get “F1” on the flight back.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/08/22/f1-the-movie-how-to-stream-brad-pitt/85776356007/
Every single dime of the $250 million Apple spent on “F1” is on screen.
Kosinski will win another Sound Oscar just for the girl’s accent alone.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g-WRVTEk0_Y
Starship 10 launch scrubbed just now due to adverse weather conditions. Next launch window is tomorrow.
South Padre Island, just across the bay, will start filling up for the holiday weekend on Friday.
Lots of tourists, every one with a camera phone.
Fore…
https://drdarinwolfe.substack.com/p/whats-trumps-hand-tells-us-about
Had indian food with sibling who was in town. Home now. Still 84F and maybe a bit less humid.
I’m full of curry and naan bread… Time to do some tech support?
n
“I’m full of curry and naan bread… Time to do some tech support?”
Is that code for reading tech manuals near the Charmin dispenser?
President Trump Fires Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2025/08/25/president-trump-fires-federal-reserve-governor-lisa-cook-n3806152
Some are whining that criminal referral for mortgage fraud (cough James, cough Schiff) is not enough cause. See first comments below article.
@alan
That link goes nowhere now.
Is that code?
– Please to reinstall windows. I am helping you very much sir…
n
It’s always a hassle. and the ebay fees ate ⅓ of the sale, rather than ¼ which is my usual guess. Different fees in different categories.
Are those high dollar or low dollar items ?
Listing was for ~$2k, I got one offer after a month for $1k and took it. Most people offer what they really want to pay, and counteroffering is usually unproductive. In person, it’s different, but online, that has been my experience.
The listing was in Industrial Equipment, then a couple of subcategories down, essentially something for a metalworking shop, but not a primary tool.
And I’m splitting the proceeds with my buddy since he had it sitting in his shop for six years taking up space I wasn’t paying rent on.
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I am still up and a bit wired. Drank some Dr Pepper too late in the day…
n
Site has had some 30x errors in the last hour, just hit reload, I don’t know what it was, but one message said “system capacity or maintenance” was the likely cause.
It is always the database servers fault. Except, when it is not.