Hot and humid. Yes, it is monotonous. It’s also typical Houston. It’s even been a bit of a dry year, and no hurricanes with few named storms. I’m sure it’s gonna kill us all because Mother Ghaiah has a sad. More of the same today.
Did my kid duties. It’s D2 who I haven’t declared a strike against. She still gets the backlash at [lack of] dinner time, and having to manage her own TP supply.
Tried to get some makeup sleep. Worked, mostly. Didn’t feel up to anything challenging so I finished the assembly of the gantry. It went together pretty well. There were only a couple of bolts missing, which is a miracle given that they were all in a ball of stretch wrap, loose in the torn open packaging. Seems like it will be a big help for getting stuff in and out of the truck. I’m dreading taking it apart and moving it to the shop, where it will eventually live.
Today I’ll try to sleep a bit, then see what I can get done. I still have some stuff to break down for scrap a the shop, and the piles still need organizing. We’re home this weekend, so maybe I’ll tackle some of the bigger stuff in the driveway or on the patio.
There’s always something that needs doing. And stuff won’t stack itself.
nick
Well, it was that or be seen as not sufficiently sensitive.
Friday. Hooray, but busy, busy.
I am at the BOL, but heading back to base in my lunch break, as I have offered to help a buddy move a yacht tomorrow for craning out and laying-up, and that is in another country, soI need to get a bit closer today.
Weather forecast looks decent, so we should be only an hour or two on the water. Laying-up dinner will be on him. W1 is kindly going to come along and do land-taxi duty. Dinner will be jolly.
If there is not too much traffic, I will try to stop at the fun shop presently en route back to base. Woohoo.
Have a good Friday!
Gonna be Friday all day.
Make the best of it.
73F and the sky is lit up orange… I think this is the coolest morning since Spring.
Snack is made. Beasties have been provoked.
———-
Back hurts. Lots of bending and lifting yesterday with the gantry assembly. Plus tiredness and a bit clumsy.
Still, every day you wake up is by definition a good day.
n
I had a couple of these for breakfast one morning in Madrid. Very tasty!
I put in my two week notice at work this Monday – right after returning from vacation. If I hadn’t had the PTO requested a year in advance, someone could accuse me of planning it that way…
I had my final interview with the new place during my 5 hour layover at JFK in the Delta One lounge. They have quiet rooms for working/phone calls/etc which are very handy.
I accepted the position over the vacation. I told my current employer I was open to a counter offer, but so far they are just letting an HR drone handle it. This consists of stating they need a copy of my offer letter to match. No. They are not seeing where I am going, and not what I am going to make. I am waiting to see if the VP actually talks to me. It’s 50/50 at this point.
For me to actually stay, it would take a lot more money – in the range of a 40k pay bump. I know the company can do it. I still don’t think I would accept anyways. The number one reason people leave a company is not money, but management. Still with that pay bump, it would accelerate my retirement plans significantly.
I’m at peace either way, and am looking forward to a change if it likely turns out that way.
Oh, the bonus is that the new position is purely technical. I am not a manager. If previous situations are any indicator though, I’m sure that will change in a year, but I will try to resist it.
If you stay there will be people that will make every effort to poke a stick in your spokes. Say thanks and good bye.
There is an alternate universe close by ours where Don Henley is looking to get out of prison soon.
F2M?
i’ve seen negative personality changes in women first hand from much smaller doses on testosterone as part of “T therapy”.
Vitamin T!
I can’t imagine the effects of doses large enough to give them the secondary sex characteristics of men.
Most nurses are already strange in my experience.
NICU nurses doubly so.
DOD contractor company? Both?
It looks like a lot of soup bowls are going to be resized after the midterms, and the US cannot afford a $1.5 Trillion spending spree on the military grifts as proposed.
I wouldn’t take any counter offer seriously unless it was in writing.
There is an alternate universe close by ours where Don Henley is looking to get out of prison soon.
What? Why?
Am sitting in ER with severe abdominal pain.
For me to actually stay, it would take a lot more money – in the range of a 40k pay bump. I know the company can do it. I still don’t think I would accept anyways. The number one reason people leave a company is not money, but management. Still with that pay bump, it would accelerate my retirement plans significantly.
Retirement before 65 is very dicey without company health insurance. Obamacare sucks dead bunnies.
Most companies are dropping retiree health insurance due to the cost jumping double digits every year.
And congrats on the new job!
@Lynn
Prayers for you this morning. Hang in there.
Henley came very close to getting arrested with a couple of barely teens.
Imagine your chagrin when they press on your abdomen to localize the pain and you let out a giant fart and the pain goes away.
Imagine your chagrin when they press on your abdomen to localize the pain and you let out a giant fart and the pain goes away.
I wish.
But the pain is dropping.
“NASA buys three more SpaceX manned flights to the ISS”
https://thesilicongraybeard.blogspot.com/2026/09/nasa-buys-three-more-spacex-manned.html
“This extends the amount of time SpaceX will fly Crew Dragon on the Falcon 9 to the Space Station for “at least another four years.” On Friday, Sept 18, NASA awarded SpaceX $946 million to fly three more crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS), a “period of performance” that runs through 2030.”
Not cheap. I thought that NASA was going to splash the ISS?
Of course, you are correct. Heck, one of the main reasons I’m leaving is a lot of people have been poking for years…
DOD contractor, both current and new. Yeah in writing or nothing.
I agree about the funding pending spree, but I think I am fairly insulated to the risk. Current and new contracts I’ll be working are on missile defense. That has been fairly stable over the years. Nothing is guaranteed, of course.
Thanks!
This is my biggest obstacle. I could retire at 55 in two years if it health insurance was easy. My wife is 4 years older than me, and I am on her plan, so I could still do it. She plans to work until 62 or 63. that would lessen the number of years on ACA. Hopefully decent subsidies come back. Screw the younger generations, I need cheap insurance! (I kid…maybe).
When I turn 55 I’ll look at the options again. I will also continue to pile up as much money as I can.
@lynn:
AIUI, after 2030.
G.
I was confused, too. I like the way Libs of TikTok does it. When talking about a trans, she says “Woman pretending to be a man” or “Man pretending to be a woman”. This avoids all confusion, since journalists can’t be bothered to get even the basic facts straight.
My recent experience working in a healthcare setting from 2007 to 2021 is that the mostly female nurses are walking exemplars of Dunning-Kruger. Keep them in their lane and they’re ok. I also know some who are bright and competent, but they stand out.
My first-born son was slightly premature and quite sick, and spent his first 2 weeks in life in the NICU. So except for when we were sleeping, his mother and I also were in the NICU a lot. My memory of the NICU nurses at the time was careful and compassionate care given with love. Even the babies whose parents couldn’t be there to watch like we did.
Of course, this was in 1982 in Spokane. The hospital had lots of capacity because it was the largest medical center between Minneapolis and Seattle, and only 70 miles from Canada, so it got lots of patients who didn’t want to die on the “Free Healthcare” waitlist. Even back then.
He was born a week before Christmas and came home with us on New Year’s Eve.
I had an appointment with the VA audiologist this morning. My hearing is getting worse as I suspected. A new hearing test was done and adjustments made to the profile on my devices. The sound is different and will see if it helps.
I am getting new hearing aids in October. The newer devices have improved noise rejection. I will be getting the new Phonak Sphere devices. My current devices are three+ years old and the VA can provide replacements every 3-5 years. My current devices will become spares.
Imagine your chagrin when they press on your abdomen to localize the pain and you let out a giant fart and the pain goes away.
– hah, he’s not a cow! But man, what a party trick 😛
———
I really need to get my sleep and awake back on a schedule. The cascading effects of one short night cost me too much now.
Time to do something.
n
I have mostly learned that lesson. I get up on workdays at 0530. On off days, I will sleep in no later than 0630. Any later, and I struggle on Monday. I am naturally a night owl, so it makes it tougher.
@ray, you just got your current aids sorted out, and you want to start that carousel again?
If you ears or the tech has changed I guess it’s worth it, but what a circus.
n
Currently 86F in the shade.
NICE
n
Rookie.
Not a lot of other choices that are any better. It would be difficult to afford hearing aids on the open market, even at Costco.
I have been wearing hearing aids for about seven years. I had issues with the first set. I have had issues with this current set. The audiologist said the current devices are out of warranty and I guess that is the three years after which the VA will consider replacement.
The technology has changed quite a bit over the last three years. Better CPUs, better algorithms, more efficient electronics so longer battery life. My current devices get about 18 hours on a charge. The new devices will get about 30 hours on a charge.
I am under the opinion, based on what the audiologist told me, is the devices have a warranty for a reason. None of the brands are infallible, some more problematic than others. Phonak, the ones I currently have, is one of the better options along with Opticon. The amount of technology packed into those devices is amazing. My new devices will have two processing chips, one specifically to eliminate background noise, the other to process the sound profile and other functions.
I take phone calls with the devices. I can stream music. The devices adjust for the environment which I can clearly hear the difference when they adjust.
I knew I needed an adjustment in the profile as sounds are not as “sharp” as the sounds were in the past. It has been three years since my last hearing test and profile setting making a new test desirable.
So, yes, I need to do the carousel again. Plus, I will now have a spare set for when the next set has issues. And with changing hearing as I age, I can never get off the carousel.
I am in the hospital with a gall bladder attack and they just admitted me for possible surgery. Both of my parents had ruptured gall bladders, i do not want to go that route.
Mom at 60, dad at 86 and it killed him. Sepsis is very nasty thing and will kill you.
Get the gall bladder removed, Mr. Lynn. MrsAtoz’s almost burst because she waited too long. It got infected and popped when the surgeon was taking it out. That required a drain tube for a week to leak out the infected goo. She also had pain like you do and tried to gut it out.
Get it out!
When I turn 55 I’ll look at the options again. I will also continue to pile up as much money as I can.
And that is what I am doing at 66. Gonna work at least until 70, maybe 75. As long as my software company can hang in there.
I am very concerned about a financial apocalypse in the USA and how to survive that with some assets. I doubt that I will live until 85 but I think that I should plan for it. And plan for my wife to live to 95. And our daughter is an enigma.
I do plan on starting my social security next year when I turn 67, my FRA. I expect to see ss modified when the apocalypse comes.
Good luck Lynn, surgical interventions are what western medicine is best at.
n
very detailed article about greenland
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/09/how-greenland-fits-arctic-strategies-u-s-china/
n
@lynn: Best wishes, sounds rough.
Mine has zero function, but healthy enough that the specialist docs recommended against removal after various tests, but I would say do whatever the specialists, not the GP, says to do.
Just my 2 cents, I am not a doctor.
Prayers and best wishes, Mr Lynn, for a swift and effective treatment, followed by a speedy recovery.
Don’t forget to ask the surgeon to keep the offending organ, so you can give it to your dog. That usually gives them pause, followed by a laugh.
I don’t see why Lynn is in the hospital for gall bladder problems. Give him a mirror, a sharp knife, a darning needle, and a bottle of high-proof ‘shine (for internal and external application) and let him take care of it himself. America was built by self-reliant men with a can-do attitude! Don’t let the nation down, Lynn.
In 2002 a Nigerian entrepreneur asked me to invest in a can’t miss deal with a great payback. I told him I would need some collateral, and wrote up a procedure for his use. I still have it somewhere, and by substituting “gall bladder” for “left testicle” and making a few other small tweaks, I’m sure it would work for the current emergency.
Lynn; I’m sorry to hear about the problem. Get well soon!
92F at noon.
April may be the cruelest month, but September is just doggone mean.
I had to take the room phone off the hook. I have gotten six scam phone calls so far.
Twelve so far today for me on the cell (9) and home phone (3). Always about Medicare something or other. I block each number, but the numbers are different each time. I just click the end button any of these calls, but it does not help. I have not found a strategy that works to stop the call entirely.
Good fortune on the gall bladder issues. I suspect by Monday at this time your gall bladder will be in the burn pile at some place where hospitals dump used people parts. Did that cheer you up?
Does insurance cover self-inflicted surgery?
@Lynn: Adding my best wishes to the ones expressed by previous commenters, with perhaps some reservations about the advice offered by SteveF. 😉
[Philadelphia] DA Krasner in Deep Trouble
https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2026/09/25/da-krasner-is-in-deep-trouble-n3819360
Along with his assistant. The linked article has serious allegations backed by his staff. And to top it off, a Fordham University law professor’s brief that Krasner tried to use to back his position was described as “a disorganized mess”.
Amazon prime delivery is indeed messed up.
I ordered yesterday for prime delivery today. Even paid $4 per item more to get them today rather than a week from now.
4 identical batteries, and a headphone padding replacement kit. The batteries were added to the cart at the same time, from the same seller. The headphone refurb kit was added an hour later.
Three of the batteries arrived today. The last battery and the kit “experienced a problem” with delivery and are delayed until tomorrow. WTH is going on? Why wouldn’t the 4 batteries ship together? (I ordered quantity 4 of the single item, rather than quantity 1 of the 4 item set because the 4 item set had a week delivery time). Maybe the difference was not having 4 in the same warehouse? BTW it’s a 12v 7Ahr SLA battery for my UPSs.
n
My lovely and brilliant bride, who is a retired nurse, got one of those calls. She said “I know WAY more about Medicare than you do. You’re blocked!”
You’re in the best place and time to have that dealt with. I wish you a speedy recovery.
@lpdbw
“I just started the new method ice cubes this afternoon. I’ll let you know how it works out tomorrow, if I remember. The old method is foolproof, but quite a bit of work.”
Update?
The Fastest Rent Cut in America Is Named ICE, and Cooperating Cities Are Seeing It First
https://twitchy.com/justmindy/2026/09/25/rents-drop-when-illegals-leave-n2432727
Cheaper labor and higher rents. Businesses and landlords profiting off the invasion of our country.
The Fastest Rent Cut in America Is Named ICE
– I can’t even count the number of shirty apartment buildings that got a coat of bright paint and a spanish name in the last few years. No down payments, no deposits, utilities included, El Mariposa, El Zocolo, El someoneelseispaying…
I hope they all default on their notes.
n
“I hope they all default on their notes.”
Why do i anticipate a spate of apartment building fires?
Spent a half hour renewing permits.
TSA PreCheck. ~$60 to avoid the mess they made.
TX Fishing license ~$50 to catch fish, that I’ve only ever caught twice in 4 years of trying.
———-
Before the light faded, I spent some time banging on my truck bed. Turns out I have a tool to do some body work, so I decided to see if I could pull out enough of the damage from being rear-ended that I wouldn’t need to do the bed swap. Mainly I just want to see what I can accomplish. Did move some metal around before dark, but I’ll need some more time and hammering.
Best case, I only change out the tailgate, lights, and bumper. Worst case, I swap the bed as well.
n
added — the sheet metal of the bed is very thick. Makes a big noise when you hammer on it, and doesn’t move all that easily. VERY big contrast to contemporary vehicle sheet metal. One more reason to keep old trucks running.
n
Ice cubes summary
I had 2 silicone molds. One is 8 large cubes, the other is about a dozen smaller cubes. I put them into a six-pack sized Igloo cooler that has no lid. I stuffed the gap between them with a washcloth for insulation.
The idea is that ice that freezes from top down (or bottom up, but that’s way harder) is crystal clear – to a point. All the air and impurities are forced down with the freezing.
The cubes came out very clear for about ¾ or more of their height, with a little white cloudiness at the bottom. I let them freeze overnight, so they froze solid.
If you want pure crystal clear ice, you’d use the old method. No molds, just put about 4 inches of water in the igloo, and set an alarm for 20 to 24 hour later. No more! You want a small amount of unfrozen water when you pull it out.
Turn the cooler upside down in the sink or some catch basin and wait for it to come free and drop. It will be a terrible mess, because it’s not frozen solid; there’s unfrozen water on the bottom.
That’s got all the air and impurities in it. The frozen part is perfection. It’s also a big rectangle about 8x10x3 inches. At this point, we pull out the dedicated retired breadknife and start slicing it into cubes that fit our drink glasses, mostly on-the-rocks glasses. The cut pieces go into a tupperware or ziplock bag. Sometimes, we use a wooden mallet on the breadknife instead of sawing.
Next time I do this with the molds, I’ll try to figure out the timing so I can empty the silicon molds while there’s still a small unfrozen layer on the bottom. But I feel like this is a happy compromise. One big ice cube that’s mostly clear, a little whiskey or whisky and 2 minutes later enough has melted that the white part is gone anyway.
Someone who actually studied thermo and who cares more than I do can let me know if I get more cooling with less melting from the one big ice cube vs. several small ones. I just like how the big one looks. If I cared about that stuff I’d use my whisky stones.
The fixed income part of your 401(k)/IRA/Penson fund depends on those notes.
The largest portion of a balanced fund where I keep “cr*p” money is a REIT.
All my retirement money is cash or a capital protected annuity.
n
Sold out of the REIT. The low income housing partnership ran it’s course and dissolved.
n
Addendum:
Lest you think I’m entirely thermo stupid, I make the simplifying assumption that cooling happens via state change from ice to water, and surface area might affect the rate but not the total heat transferred.
I still like the single big ice cube in the glass. Aesthetics are important.
I was getting ready for my tiny little fire to be much earlier tonight so I could get to sleep earlier. That ain’t gonna happen.
Both kids are at different football games, and will be getting home late, one much later than the other.
So I’ll be sitting up, and probably driving to get D2 when she gets back in town.
Maybe there will be some wildlife.
Forgot to mention the gunshots last night, couple of distant mag dumps. Joy.
n
No gunshots tonight but a couple of cats came by. One smaller one came to drink but was immediately run off by a big one that came out of nowhere…
Couple of helos and one small twin engine flying fairly low. Busy. Lots of people walking around at midnight when I went to pickup the kid too.
72F and feels really nice.
But now it’s past time for bed.
n