Cool again, but it’s not getting quite as hot later. Yesterday took a while to get to 80F and didn’t go that much higher. It was still 80F after dinner though. Clear, with some clouds, and we’ll see if there is any scattered showers.
I left the house early with the best intentions, but you know how that goes. I ended up talking to a new seller for far too long. It was interesting, and I want resellers to succeed so I have somewhere to buy from. I try to cross pollinate the sellers and share what I know doesn’t work. Plus, she has chickens and a prepping mindset.
After that, I did another pickup on my way home. Stopped at my shop and unloaded. Got a detailed picture for a potential buyer of one of the items I’m selling for my buddy. Came home and had a heat and eat entree for dinner.
I try to rotate dinners and aim for a week where I have one cheap meal, involving hamburger or canned chicken and a box. One meal in the oven or slow cooker. One meal from costco that’s convenient/heat and eat. One nice steak dinner. Another quick meal like ham steak, sauteed shrimp, or pot stickers. Then I might have another roast (beef or pork), or a steak/pork chops on the grill. Some weeks a precooked chicken finds its way home, or some ribs get grilled, or we get takeout. If there are leftovers, one night will be leftover night. Sometimes there will be pasta with a cream based sauce worked into the mix. In any case, I try for one of those to be a nice full meal with side dishes.
With the kids getting more involved in school and outside activities, getting a sit down dinner is becoming harder. That’s life though.
Today I’ve got stuff around the house to do. I am going to get out of the house for lunch, and turn some money into noise and smoke. I shouldn’t have any pickups, I’ll save them for Friday. That will give me some time to do stuff, cuz more stuff needs to leave the house.
I do have to get my ebay shipping out the door, but that won’t take long.
Keeping up my fine motor skills is an important prep. Getting out in meatspace and connecting with people is too. Go do something, then stack!
nick
Aromatherapy! Enjoy.
We saw “Sleepy Hollow” on a big screen last night as part of the Halloween film series at Flix Brewhouse. Peak Tim Burton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB-y10r77V8
“Shaun of the Dead” is Saturday.
Christina Ricci’s adult career started with “Sleepy Hollow”, but this is the line which will play with her obit reel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zCO4j4MrxE
Two dead in synagogue terror attack on holiest day of the year for Jews as ‘killer in suicide belt’ is pictured: Britain on high alert
— be careful out there.
n
That is an iconic line, but so is “all your life” as an aside to “I’ll be the victim!!111!!”
n
https://youtu.be/2_YkzOYFZdQ?si=Q8M5raJy0W6GMRZn&t=24
It was 73F and very damp when I got up, and it’s 76F now, so the day is warming up.
Sunny with clouds, but nothing that looks like rain yet.
n
Well, the roofing final bill turned out to not be too bad. The original quote was $12.5K. The damage and extra work added a another $385.00. I don’t feel like the company did anything to rip me off and was honest in their pricing. The work seems good, even some of the facia needed to be redone with new metal.
The old roof did not have a drip edge. There were some other shortcuts taken that resulted in the roof sagging on the ends. I think I paid $12K 20 years ago. Although at that time some of the rafters needed replacing and almost all of the OSB needed to be replaced. A lot more work that took two days to complete.
I had budgeted $30K for the roof based on what others had told me. I actually expected a lot more problems than what was found and more work than what was actually estimated. There were no leaks found and no rotted OSB. Just some of the OSB needed replacing because of squirrels and the sag. There was some water damage, no rot, around the chimney. That did not surprise me as the chimney bricks were flaking and the flashing was buckling. We had the chimney replaced and refreshed about 3 years ago.
I am pleased with the roofing company and would recommend them to others. A local company that has to survive in the local economy. They either do the work correctly at a decent price, or word of mouth will shut them down quickly. As happened with a couple of other roofing companies.
Now to get that big dumpster out of the driveway. A big sucker, takes a big truck to handle it and load it.
https://www.raymondthompsonphotography.com/Roof
Looks like a nice roof. There’s room in the dumpster! Clean the garage time.
If you haven’t seen tRump’s “Sombrero” memes of Schemer and Hack’em, do it. Hilarious. The second one is on loop in the WH briefing room. Even funnier is the LSM and PLTs crying raycissss!
The line about Girl Scout cookies is from the first film which had a troubled production and endless rewrites.
Jeffries could be on the verge of getting the Speakers gavel in another year.
I honestly laughed harder when she said, “I can’t swim” at the end.
Cool again, but it’s not getting quite as hot later. Yesterday took a while to get to 80F and didn’t go that much higher. It was still 80F after dinner though. Clear, with some clouds, and we’ll see if there is any scattered showers.
Come over here on the south side of Houston. We hit 100 F yesterday. It is as if Houston has about six different microclimates.
“Shaun of the Dead” is Saturday.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365748/
That is an awesome movie. Don’t leave until the credits are over.
Then watch “Paul” for the rudest, crudest alien you will ever meet.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092026/
Pearls Before Swine: Rock In Space
https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2025/10/02
Yeah, and that rock is on a liquid outer core and a solid inner core. We are all sailors going around and around.
@Ray Thompson
CertainTeed shingles?
But Wait, There’s More: ‘Iowa Educator’ Ian Roberts’ Academic Record Unravels Along With His Sketchy Past
https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2025/10/02/but-wait-theres-more-iowa-man-ian-roberts-devolving-academic-record-and-sketchy-criminal-past-n2194642
Illegal alien. In possession of a loaded firearm in a government vehicle. No doctorate other than a mail-order EdD version in 2024, long after he started claiming. One ex-wive and one current wife in another state–both probably in on the grift–and at least five baby mamas scattered about getting support.
The final order for deportation was entered in 2024. Don’t have all the immigration details as yet but don’t need them. Screw any more delays. Shoot his ass back to Guyana on the next discount airfare.
Note that his former employer got burned multiple ways, including paying $19k to vet his background, and they are looking to file a lawsuit. Begs the question what the Des Moines school board did, or more likely, did not do, and why. I’d suggest someone put up a reward for inside info leading to the arrest and conviction of said school officials for dereliction of duty, fraud, and theft.
I went with middle of the road shingles. I don’t want to pay for 30 year shingles when I will be in the house 10 years or less. I got these installed. Pewter grey.
https://www.gaf.com/en-us/roofing-materials/residential-roofing-materials/shingles/timberline-hdz
How many women are on the Des Moines school board?
Women “of color”?
Big hands …
“Tesla reports blowout Q3 deliveries as buyers plow in before federal tax credit expires”
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-reports-blowout-q3-deliveries-as-buyers-plow-in-before-federal-tax-credit-expires-132327966.html?guccounter=1
“Tesla (TSLA) reported blowout third quarter global deliveries, as the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit in the US likely juiced sales.”
“Tesla said Q3 deliveries came in at 497,099, easily topping Bloomberg consensus estimates of around 439,800 and the 462,890 units delivered a year ago. Tesla said Q3’s total was a new quarterly record for the company.”
“Tesla stock opened up solidly but fell over 5% in Thursday trading. Competitor Rivian (RIVN) on Thursday issued a dour forecast that cast a spotlight on the EV industry’s gloom, as it looks to a world without the federal credit.”
Wall Street is the most short sighted place on the planet. All Wall Street cares about is the next quarter.
Thass raycis!
I mean, thass sessis!
xkcd: “Measure Twice, Cut Once”
https://www.xkcd.com/3149/
Yeah, I am fairly sure that serial killers rarely, if ever, measure before cutting.
Explained at:
https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3149:_Measure_Twice,_Cut_Once
I have my own copies of the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy. “Hot Fuzz” is my favorite.
“Paul” was okay but needed Edgar Wright’s touch.
Trump leaving CAFE at 38 MPG is a bigger problem for The Real Life Tony Stark since the other manufacturers won’t have to pay his extortion in the form of “carbon credits” to make up for their inability to deliver 50 MPG.
Unfortunately, it is probably too late for Chrysler.
I have most of Wright’s catalog, including a box set for “Spaced” which I picked up in Tennessee last week.
I even have “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”. Granted, it is an acquired taste,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJS8hHv8OIY
The recent animated series uses the same cast to voice the characters … after they kill Scott Pilgrim first.
Production took place before Get Woke Go Broke.
I’m sure Edgar Wright will respond in “The Running Man”. Look carefully at who mans the water gun at the end of the trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD18ddeFuyM
Mr. Pilgrim.
This isn’t really the best time to have a likely Academy Award Best Picture nominee – or anything, really – on Netflix, but it isn’t like Guillermo had much of a choice.
At least it will be in theaters for a brief time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aulMPhE12g
Trump leaving CAFE at 38 MPG is a bigger problem for The Real Life Tony Stark since the other manufacturers won’t have to pay his extortion in the form of “carbon credits” to make up for their inability to deliver 50 MPG.
Unfortunately, it is probably too late for Chrysler.
What is too late for Chrysler ?
Moving the CAFE back to 38 MPG. Chrysler essentially paid the R&D budget on the Cybertruck trying to keep the V8 family saloon alive.
Punched some holes in paper. New over the ear active ear pro from Radians worked pretty well. There were a couple of guys in a group with something LOUD and they were rapid firing. They spent a ton of money. Another guy had 3 shot bursts… didn’t see what he had but it was short.
I did ok, once I adjusted the sights. Might have a mechanical issue with extraction, more inspection and some youtubing might be in order.
Good times.
n
Watching the MCU in order now has me up to Thor: Blood and Blunder. An hour in, good heavens, what a pile of crap.
Question for anyone who’s watched them all: Are any of the next half-dozen movies worth watching, even with the intention of laughing at them? Thunderbolts* has almost universal praise, Critical Drinker being the only reviewer who panned it that I know of. Is anything before that worth watching? TIA.
Currently binging “Person of Interest” (TV series 2012-2015) via Prime. Just finished the first season.
As excellent as I remembered from the original viewing back then, and then a re-viewing of all seasons via DirecTV last decade.
Highly recommended. Will be continuing the binge.
A week and a half ago drwilliams commented on the YouTube roboreads of what seem to be AI-written stories about workplace betrayal and revenge. I’d been seeing them, then they mostly went away, and now they’ve come back with a tweak to the algorithm. Going by the images and words in the thumbnails, the protagonists are always women, which is totally realistic, right? Because as we all know, all of the genius IT architects, all of the most knowledgeable systems operators, and all of the inventors of revolutionary, patented encryption protocols are women.
re: xkcd: “Measure Twice, Cut Once”
I have visited xkc many times without following daily. Does it often have popups appear if you leave the cursor on the cartoon. Never noticed until tonight.
Marvel movies?
Disney has to make “Avengers: Doomsday” work next Christmas or they’re done as far as superhero movies are concerned.
. Does it often have popups appear
– yes, always. It’s usually a kind of easter egg that extends the joke.
n
Still learning after all these years…
I think I mentioned before that I wasn’t aware of the comments here until I had been reading Bob’s posts for a while including the archives, months at least, and ended up rereading years of posts again so I’d have the context.
Of the short list of AI revenge/redemption stories that I saw, one was about the male IT head who had written/admin-ed custom software for a property management company.
OTOH, a lady military sniper demoted to a mere armorer redeems herself.
I kinda enjoyed the lawyer focused stories about inheritance disputes over the deceased’s toaster.
It was a really nice toaster.
“No Man’s Land: Volume 1” by Sarah A. Hoyt
https://www.amazon.com/No-Mans-Land-Sarah-Hoyt/dp/1630110698?tag=ttgnet-20/
Book number one of a three book space opera science fiction series in the Chronicles of Lost Elly. I read the well printed and well bound POD (print on demand) trade paperback published by Goldport Press in 2025. I have ordered the second book in the series and I will order the third book when it becomes available.
Ok, this one is little strange but very good. Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus Kayel Hayden, Viscount Webson, Envoy of the Star Empire, a retired Commodore in the Britannia Empire of Star System, becomes a roving junior ambassador for the Queen Eleanor. One of many junior ambassadors, also known as Skip Hayden. While drafting a new trade agreement with the newly found lost colony planet Draksall, Hayden is attacked by several men with Terran blasters. In the ensuing melee, Hayden is transported to another lost colony planet, Elly.
Elly is unlike any other lost colony planet found to date. There are no women, there are no men. All of the human beings are hermaphrodites. And there is magic, lots and lots of magic. Not much technology, mostly swords and bows. Hayden ends up on the run with the young King of Elly and a couple of his retainers.
The author has a fairly busy website at:
https://accordingtohoyt.com/
My rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars
Amazon rating: 4.7 stars out of 5 stars (50 reviews)
Lynn
“Authors, Time to Get That (Anthropic) Bag” by John Scalzi
https://whatever.scalzi.com/2025/10/02/authors-time-to-get-that-bag/
“To begin, for those of you who do not follow such things with intense interest, a little context about the “AI” company Anthropic being sued for stealing authors’ works and reaching a settlement. Go read that and come back when you do.”
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/us-judge-approves-15-billion-anthropic-copyright-settlement-with-authors-2025-09-25/
“The law firm representing authors in the suit has posted up a searchable database listing which works are included in the settlement. I went and looked and had 17 qualifying works, and filed claims for them; at $3,000 per title it adds up. Now, how much of that $3k/title I get after lawyer payout and other shenanigans will be another question entirely, but that’s for another time.”
I wonder if any of my five technical books are on that list ?
I think I mentioned before that I wasn’t aware of the comments here until I had been reading Bob’s posts for a while
@gavin, I was the same. I’d decided that most comment sections were a waste of time, or enraging, and I was quite pleasantly surprised when I finally found the community here. I missed years before I found out what I was missing.
n
Had a nice tiny little fire while sitting out by the water feature. The pump makes the water burble nicely and there are bushes and low plants that partially screen the street depending on where I put my chair.
Read my book and just enjoyed being outside, even though it was still 80F when I went out.
——-
Time now for a shower and bed.
n
We hit 100 F again here in south Fort Bend County. At least that is what my truck said while I was driving around, 98 F to 100 F.
It’s call the “alt” tag in HTML. Pop-up captions. Firefox seems to suppress the tag. I know I have alt tags on all of my pictures on my site and none show.
Let’s see. From xkcd, view page source:
<img src=”//imgs.xkcd.com/comics/measure_twice_cut_once.png” title=”"Measure zero times, cut zero times." –carpenter who has achieved enlightenment and realized the wood is fine where it is” alt=”Measure Twice, Cut Once”
Oh. What you are seeing is the “title”.
I wonder when alt stopped working?
@paul
Thanks
Friend of mine used to quote
”Thee may be old but they sure are slow.”
Can’t remember where it was from.