Hot and humid, although the storm brought lower temps overnight. 74F when I went to bed last night. I’m thinking today will be pretty much like yesterday. We’ll have a dry morning, wet afternoon, and moist night.
Had a weird morning yesterday. Got dizzy for no apparent reason, had to lie down for a bit. Pulse ox and heartrate were fine. Weird. Gonna have to find a doctor now.
Spent a little time doing auction stuff, then called my latest auctioneer. He’s agreed to start taking stuff in on Wednesday. HOOORAAYYY. Stuff can finally start leaving here.
Spent the rest of the afternoon picking up and spending time with daughter 2. We ended up assembling a book shelf unit for her room. Mom and d1 got home early so that ended that. Next step is paint or vinyl to change the look, but that will be next time.
Made a special dinner for d1 in honor of her Girl Scout mariner certificate. It’s one of my ‘specialty of the house’ dishes. Grilled lamb rib chops. I dug deep in the freezer and got a package from 2016 and one from 2019. From $10/lb to $14/lb in only 3 years. I didn’t look yet at a current one to see how much more it’s come up. Both packages were in the original heavy Costco vac seal and both were delicious (although the older one was slightly more ‘lamb’ smelling before rinsing). Nothing wrong with leaving stuff in the freezer if it’s vac sealed and consistently frozen. I keep the chest freezer at -2F.
I also tested one packet of a case of commercially packaged coffee I got at auction. 72 “4 cup” packs of Seattles Best decaf in commercial food service packs (think hotel room coffee setup.) It was $5 for the case, and it is past its ‘best by’ but smelled and tasted just fine. I don’t drink a lot of decaf but I’ll put it on the shelf (or in the freezer if there is room). If it actually ages out, I’m only out $5.
The burn on my forearm is dark red, smooth, and sore but itchy. I broke out the silvadene cream and have been putting that on it, and covering it with a big bandaid. What’s the point of having the stuff if you don’t use it when needed? I will be adding to the stocks to replace the open tube with unopened. Re-stocking is important-
Because I’m watching the humiliation of the US on the world wide stage. Every ally has to be re-thinking their assessment of our strength. Every enemy is going to be doing the same. Afghanistan is an invader breaker, and has been forever. And now it broke us. Oh, we’re not shuffling out into the snow, but the complete miscalculation, the refusal to understand that aliens are alien, the absolutely shameful way we abandoned YET ANOTHER set of local players, is a serious blow to our power and strength worldwide. It will surely give potential allies pause, and our enemies encouragement.
Those are not good things for me and you. I expect even more disruption to our economy and to our financial system. Confidence and optimism will be battered. When that happens, markets get roiled and prices fall. I’m as out as I can be, and my feelings on the casino for suckers should be pretty clear by now, so I won’t beat a dead horse, but if you’re in the markets, why? How much higher do you expect it to go? When it drops it will drop in a big hurry. I’m not giving financial advice but I’m going to be VERY conservative at this point. Tangibles you have control over. Just saying.
Other people are starting to notice the slide. There will be a point where it’ll be too late for a lot of things, at least for a while. Prepping will help you get through that time.
When I’m feeling pessimistic, I’m really pessimistic. Seeds. Antibiotics. Lots of reference books. Water treatment and power generation. Stealth. Really low key living. And when I’m worst casing, alternate ID. 30 million illegals are getting it somewhere. The mayor of Kabul probably wishes she had some. Just saying.
Keep stacking. I think we’re already in it. When everyone else figures that out, it will get ugly quick.
nick
I agree. 3 days is for the aid to START getting there. Better figure on 2 weeks, or more.
73F and 98%RH this morning. Not actually raining,but it sure is moist.
n
That was loose pack. Using tight pack like the slave traders used at least another 400 could have been packed in the plane. Seat belts not required if wedged in properly.
That was loose pack. Using tight pack like the slave traders used at least another 400 could have been packed in the plane. Seat belts not required if wedged in properly.
400 more militants.
“Jus’ plain folk” don’t rush a plane preparing for takeoff surrounded by armed guards, no matter how few. That’s training.
Americans watch too many movies and want to believe. The rest of the world views the compassion as a weakness.
https://gunfreezone.net/
n
No ‘women and children first’, just a mad scrum to save themselves.
n
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/08/breaking-china-dispatches-warships-asw-aircraft-fighter-jets-off-coast-taiwan-following-fall-afghanistan/
–well that was quick
It’s a BS move by the Russians, no doubt to deflect attention from the recent debacle with their new module. The most likely explanation is that there was a hole put their by a sloppy assembly crew, patched with superglue/and or epoxy (which would be enough to pass the pressure test on the ground), then it degraded on orbit.
It’s a BS move by the Russians,
–the NASA response had kind of a ‘damning with faint praise’ feel to it. The pictures look like drilled holes, and why would you put 8 holes in something? That’s beyond ‘sloppy’.
the whole thing had a very weird vibe when it was first reported.
n
After listening to this morning’s Pentagon briefing it seems that we’ll be airlifting out of the Kabal airport just about anybody that can make it there and can spell U-S-A.
Send them all to NYFC.
Also, think they are getting vaxxed? Or even tested for COVID?
Coming soon — vaccine arbitrage. The government recommending a third shot in an environment of vaccine mandates from businesses guarantees it will happen.
https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-21cd829d358e9b50b16515025dab2008
And send the illegal immigrants to Delaware.
But not anything like Saigon, right Joe?
Pics and audio/video clips here:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/holy-fk-holy-cow-shocking-new-imagesaudio-highlight-afghanis-desperation-amid-kabul
But not anything like Saigon, right Joe?
More like Mariel. As was the case with Castro 40 years ago, the Taliban control all access to the point of departure and who will get on the planes.
Nothing to see here folks, please move along . . .
Police Issue Warning After Rash Of Robberies Committed By Groups Of Teens Downtown, One Of Which Left Woman In Critical Condition After Beating
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/08/16/downtown-loop-south-loop-chicago-robberies-teens/
If you’re considering a 3rd jab best to get it now while supplies are available.
If you’re considering a 3rd jab best to get it now while supplies are available.
Or if you think your continued employment will soon depend on having at least the first jab.
I think a lot depends on what direction the numbers go this week.
It appears that CBS is behind the times. “Strangers” is the up-and-coming euphemism for feral black criminals.
I’d bet money that these ‘teens’ all have social media, and are all bragging about their ‘scores’.
n
I’d bet money that these ‘teens’ all have social media, and are all bragging about their ‘scores’.
Using pricey phones.
Huh, just looked up a book I grabbed for 50c.
If you have a bunch of Paladin Press books and you need some cash…
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=paladin+press&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=16&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1
They are selling well.
n
added- especially anything about snipers or sniping, silencers, and explosives. Take that as a data point.
Another Joe Bucks check arrived in the mail today, child tax credit advance I assume.
Will one will arrive every month through the end of the year?
Maybe if I save enough, I can afford to buy a graphics card for EBay just in time for that market to tank. Or some Pokemon cards.
Had a weird morning yesterday. Got dizzy for no apparent reason, had to lie down for a bit. Pulse ox and heartrate were fine. Weird. Gonna have to find a doctor now.
Check your blood pressure right now. I advise an Omron upper arm sit down cuff for accurate results. They are carried by some Walmarts and Walgreens.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RYBKNC2/?tag=ttgnet-20
Concur.
I got my blood pressure monitor at CVS. House brand, similar features and price as the Omron.
Keeping a record of regular testing really helped when on chemo and while recovering from it. I had some dizzy spells when my bp dropped into the 93/50 range, and the log helped me convince my doctors to adjust my daily meds.
Our robot overlords ….
https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/17/22628663/boston-dynamics-atlas-video-parkour-flips-falls-program
Freakily good….
Thanks, I’ve got a monitor in the closet…
I had something similar happen when I had the cast removed from my arm after surgery. It wasn’t pain, so much as a very strong sensation when the air and touch hit my arm again.
I wasn’t wearing a bandaid and might have pressed or banged my burn on the arm of the chair and caused a lesser version of that.
In any case, I haven’t had anything like it since.
n
Or fleas?
Got a different result each time I put the cuff on. between 120-139/ 81-89
Possible on the beginning of higher than normal, but the chart changes at 56 and I’m 55 so probably within the error bars.
Normally I’m a bit lower than that when tested in the Dr office.
n
(it’s one of the reasons I get p!ssed when people whine about how long it takes outside aid to arrive at the disaster. All those people and all their gear needs to muster, get transported, get squared away on arrival, and only then can they begin to help. It’s why you are on your own for the first three days, minimum.)
I agree. 3 days is for the aid to START getting there. Better figure on 2 weeks, or more.
Three days at best if your state governor is competent. If your state governor hates the President, figure a week or so. For example, see the case of the Louisiana governor refusing to call FEMA in after Katrina hit until several days after.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina
That Boston Dynamics vid is eerie. Even if they tweeked it to get to that point, it’s still uncanny. At least they’re not p!ssing it off by tripping it with a hockey stick or pushing it over. Getting near the point where that would be a bad idea.
n
Pearls Before Swine: Pre-existing Condition
https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2021/08/17
And people think that Single Payer is going to fix all this. Ha ! Oh yeah, we are headed there.
The fall of Saigon, stagflation, the Oil Crisis, it’s like Biden is taking every single Presidential disaster from previous administrations and having them at the same time.
I’m telling you right now, with the Taliban back in power, if you live near a skyscraper, just get the fuck out. Biden is going to relive that one too.
https://gunfreezone.net/
n
They have gotta get their 72 virgins somehow.
Boston Dynamics shows how bipedal Atlas robot flips, vaults, and falls over in latest videos
Now, give Atlas a carbine and send him after the enemy. Saw a video like that a few months ago. Might not have been Atlas, but imagine a fighter who comes at you with absolutely no fear.
Also, there are swarms of drones that act semi-autonomously. Give them some simple weapons, and sit back and enjoy the fun. Being human just might not be that great. If not worried yet, just wait for further advancements.
Check your blood pressure right now.
Concur.
I got my blood pressure monitor at CVS. House brand, similar features and price as the Omron.
Keeping a record of regular testing really helped when on chemo and while recovering from it. I had some dizzy spells when my bp dropped into the 93/50 range, and the log helped me convince my doctors to adjust my daily meds.
You and my wife. She walked into chemo #8 or #10 with a bp of 85 / 45 and they got real excited. By the time she had gone through the first iv bag of Benadryl and steroids, she was up to 95 / 50 and good for the hard stuff. And asleep with the half liter of Benadryl.
I have the opposite problem. I walked into an ER 12 years ago with a bp of 210 / 110 and not able to breathe. Felt like someone was shoving a knife in my chest and down my left arm.
Got a different result each time I put the cuff on. between 120-139/ 81-89
Possible on the beginning of higher than normal, but the chart changes at 56 and I’m 55 so probably within the error bars.
Normally I’m a bit lower than that when tested in the Dr office.
n
Are you sitting down ?
When I had my first heart attack at age 49, I was 130 / 85 in my doctor’s office in August. In November, I was 210 / 110 in the ER.
I was standing still.
n
From Sarah Hoyt, interesting points.
–hmm, headed out to Costco.
n
Something changed with that fall, something material. I don’t know what. But the mood in the country is different. It’s not quite 9/11 level, but there is a sense of vital outrage. I think people who’ve never paid attention are now awake and watching.
Afghanistan was so long ago and so far away that no one really cares except for the veterans. We should have started packing when Osama assumed room temperature.
The mood of the country has a lot more to do with the impending vaccination mandates enforced by employers and probability of third jabs, this time with arbitrage-driven “shortages”, just like TP and chicken wings.
I was standing still.
n
I have found that the Omron upper arm bp cuff only works consistently and properly when you are sitting down. I take my blood pressure each morning before things start going crazy.
“While The Left Was Busy Charging Conservatives As Radicals, Afghanistan Fell To Real Terrorists”
https://thefederalist.com/2021/08/17/while-the-left-was-busy-charging-conservatives-as-radicals-afghanistan-fell-to-real-terrorists/
“Stephen Colbert implied to his viewers Monday night that the U.S. would be better off to focus its efforts on fighting the Americans associated with the January 6 Capitol riot than murderous, women-hating terrorists in the Middle East.
“We’ve had troops there for 20 years. They fought, they sacrificed, their family sacrificed so that we wouldn’t have a terrorist attack in America planned in a foreign country. Why should our soldiers be fighting radicals in a civil war in Afghanistan? We’ve got our own on Capitol Hill,” Colbert said, which was met with laughter and applause from the audience.”
I don’t think so.
Hat tip to:
https://thelibertydaily.com/
“China aims to use space-based solar energy station to harvest sun’s rays to help meet power needs”
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3145237/china-aims-use-space-based-solar-energy-station-harvest-suns
“Support for the unconventional orbiting solar programme jumped after China announced its 2060 carbon neutral target
Civilian and military researchers will look at applications for the technology amid concerns about radiation and the potential for beams misfired from space”
I applaud the effort but mistrust the doer. JEP would be happy that someone is finally working on his solar power satellites again.
Hat tip to:
http://drudgereport.com/
I’m sure most people, not the CNN/MSNBC diehards, realize that something has been wrong for 5 years. Pretty much everything they threw at Trump, except for the “grab them by the p****” remark, has turned out to be wrong. People know the election was off, even if you are certain Biden won, you have to wonder if the voting machines really are secure. Even my D friend noticed that on J6, some “insurrectionists” were invited into the building by the cops, while a real riot was going on around the corner. People know something is wrong even if they don’t want to admit it.
None of this is good. Another visit to Costco is in my near future.
“We’ve had troops there for 20 years. They fought, they sacrificed, their family sacrificed so that we wouldn’t have a terrorist attack in America planned in a foreign country. Why should our soldiers be fighting radicals in a civil war in Afghanistan? We’ve got our own on Capitol Hill,” Colbert said, which was met with laughter and applause from the audience.”
Colbert’s continued gig at 11:30 depends on Trump being the boogeyman. He has nothing else.
Something was up last Summer with the big comedians positioning and making apology tours for the 90s. I think the expectation was that ABC and CBS would be looking for new late night hosts come January, but that didn’t happen for various reasons.
“Oryx and Crake (The MaddAddam Trilogy)” by Margaret Atwood
https://www.amazon.com/Crake-MaddAddam-Trilogy-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385721676/?tag=ttgnet-20
Book number one of a three book apocalyptic science fiction series. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback published by Doubleday in 2004. I have ordered both of the other books in the series and am reading the second book now.
Jimmy Snowman watches over the Children of Oryx and Crake on a seashore of North America. Crake was Jimmy’s best friend growing up in the 2100s. Jimmy was an adman before the virus that killed 99.9% of the humans in the world, but Jimmy and Children were not affected since Crake gave them the vaccine. The Children of Crake are very different from present day humans, eating grass for their nutrition and engineered to be docile.
The 2100s are very different from present USA. The first gene spliced spider / goat creature was presented to the public in 2100. Other creatures such as green rabbits, pigoons (pigs with human DNA able to grow a dozen human hearts or kidneys), wolvogs (crossed wolf / dog, very vicious), etc, etc, etc. Many treatments are gene spliced together and sold to the public as instant fixes for ailments.
And there are the eco-terrorists. They created a microbe to eat the tar out of asphalt roads, leaving only the gravel. And many other reprehensible creatures and acts.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Amazon rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (3,580 reviews)
Rhetorical question time: What’s worse than an orbital death ray controlled by the US government?
I’d like to see the energy budget for that metabolism. And the source of the elements needed to replicate.
Which doesn’t even get to the bigger question: why on earth were you reading anything by Moron-with-a-chip-on-her-shoulder Atwood? Did you manage to read every other book in existence? Were you trolling?
Geebus:
‘Gut punch’: American citizens informed the US government can’t guarantee their security as they make their way to the airport
Didn’t 800 goat herders just bum rush a US C-17 “and the hero pilot” took off? Since when are US Citizens put last? Don’t bother answering. plugs and every Dumbo President before him.
And, this is probably to good to be true:
Whoa … HUGE (and hilarious) if true: Kamala Harris reportedly goes off on Joe Biden, says ‘You will NOT pin this sh*t on ME!’
But who knows? Maybe plugs went off on a bi-polar rant and blamed her. Please.
a microbe to eat the tar out of asphalt roads
I’d like to see the energy budget for that metabolism. And the source of the elements needed to replicate.
Which doesn’t even get to the bigger question: why on earth were you reading anything by Moron-with-a-chip-on-her-shoulder Atwood? Did you manage to read every other book in existence? Were you trolling?
The microbe is probably solar powered.
There is a lot of dreck out there. It is not going to read itself.
China aims to use space-based solar energy station to harvest sun’s rays to help meet power needs
Rhetorical question time: What’s worse than an orbital death ray controlled by the US government?
An orbital death ray controlled by the Taliban ?
Geebus:
‘Gut punch’: American citizens informed the US government can’t guarantee their security as they make their way to the airport
Didn’t 800 goat herders just bum rush a US C-17 “and the hero pilot” took off? Since when are US Citizens put last? Don’t bother answering. plugs and every Dumbo President before him.
USA citizens are taught to stand in line in kindergarten. I suspect the Afghanis skipped kindergarten.
USA citizens are taught to stand in line in kindergarten. I suspect the Afghanis skipped kindergarten.
Americans are polite to a fault. The rest of the world, starting with my Taiwanese in-laws, consider it to be a weakness.
High-trust vs Low-trust societies.
The .Net developers were thrown under the bus with WinRT. Microsoft then placated the big customers with large investments in internal use apps by agreeing to support VB6 until Windows 10 sunsets.
https://visualstudiomagazine.com/articles/2021/08/17/silverlighted.aspx
I have an Omron wrist cuff model that was recommended in CR some time back and it too calls for you to be sitting in a chair for at least five minutes with both feet flat on the floor.
I sometimes bring it with me to the doctor’s office and compare it to his reading. Usually with +/- 5 points.
Also I believe some of the newer Omron models will average out multiple readings taken within a few minutes.
Hopefully folks have a pulse oxy meter and if applicable, a Kardia Mobile.
Afghanistan was so long ago and so far away that no one really cares except for the veterans
–people rushing to get on ‘the last flight out’, and falling from aircraft was yesterday. No one wants the think of that when they think of America. My wife couldn’t care less about any of the morass over there, but she’s ready to F someone up over leaving Americans behind, and the failures that led to it. She’s livid that they F’d up the exit so badly.
–there are about 19 million vets in the US. Multiply by 8 for the family they came from and the family they have (4 and 4, just because). That’s 152 Million people directly related to a vet, give or take a few million. Or HALF the population. I think you are discounting them far too much.
n
Americans are polite to a fault. The rest of the world, starting with my Taiwanese in-laws, consider it to be a weakness.
— who will they look to when that Chinese naval group in the Straights decides to drop a few live rounds onto the island?
–the cognitive dissonance of simultaneously thinking the US is weak, and living in the world dominated by the US and US culture, must be hard on them…
n
Obviously you’ve never lived in NYFC.
JEP, AFIR, we are going to space but nobody says that they will speak english, amigo
“Americans are polite to a fault.”
Obviously you’ve never lived in NYFC.
Still more polite than much of the rest of the world.
I’m not polite to the in-laws anymore after four years of “You Ain’t Got No Ice Cream” regarding my employment situation and our inability to afford a house in the Northwest. The last time a Number One Son showed up in Austin, I made it clear that he wasn’t welcome in our house — a huge insult to the “boss” cousin.
JEP, AFIR, we are going to space but nobody says that they will speak english, amigo
We know from the documentary series Firefly that people in space will talk in English and swear in Chinese.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_(TV_series)
What does AFIR mean ???
“yeah, but she’s OUR witch.”
“If wishes were horses we’d all be eating steak…”
n
I’m thinking “As Far as I Recall”. Although I would have gone with AFAIR.
That is only because you do not watch Chinese TV…
JEP said something like “It’s a given that man will live and work in space, it’s not a given that they’ll speak English.”
AFAIR…
n
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/unprecedented-police-operation-underway-sydney-enforce-covid-restrictions
–said of Australia, but appropriate here, and any other high trust society.
n
Arggg. I’ve been avoiding spending the time to re-watch the Firefly show and movie since I ripped them to my computer…. and now you are talking about it, making me quote it, and I MUST RESIST>>>>>>>>>
n
JEP, AFIR, we are going to space but nobody says that they will speak english, amigo
We know from the documentary series Firefly that people in space will talk in English and swear in Chinese.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_(TV_series)
That is only because you do not watch Chinese TV…
Does the Chinese version talk in Chinese and swear in English ???
JEP, AFIR, we are going to space but nobody says that they will speak english, amigo
We know from the documentary series Firefly that people in space will talk in English and swear in Chinese.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_(TV_series)
That is only because you do not watch Chinese TV…
Does the Chinese version talk in Chinese and swear in English ???
That was the implication but in all honesty: “I have No idea”.
Perhaps we can ask Greg but maybe he is at a non-speaking terms status with relatives by now….
BREAKING: Governor Greg Abbott tests positive for Covid.
BREAKING: Governor Greg Abbott tests positive for Covid.
Apparently, it isn’t a big deal since the Governor isn’t feeling ill.
He is receiving the same antibody therapy Trump received, however.
Perhaps we can ask Greg but maybe he is at a non-speaking terms status with relatives by now….
My mother-in-law is allowed in the house, but the other relatives are not.
When they get together, they cr*p on us in Chinese, but my wife knows enough to pick out what they are saying.
In the past, my mother-in-law would call her daughters a word that sounds a lot like Jackie Gleason saying “scum bum” in the PG version of “Smokey and the Bandit”. None of the relatives will share what it means, but I get the hint that it isn’t good from the looks on their faces.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9903215/Rick-Scott-suggests-REMOVING-Biden-office-Afghanistan-crisis.html
n
The same antibody therapy that’s readily available to every Texan with an asymptomatic case of Covid?
Or another ‘arbitrage’ item?
He did push for and set up extra antibody infusion centers, coupla weeks ago, iirc.
n
“A.F. Branco Cartoon – Burning Man”
https://comicallyincorrect.com/a-f-branco-cartoon-burning-man/
“Biden is a disaster with Afghanistan, the Border, Law & order, and the economy while blaming Trump. Political cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2021.”
Afghanistan is embarrassing, and Biden is incompetent. But I don’t see tying the two together. The Shrub started the mess, for reasons that made little sense. Peace Prize Obama massively increased the number of troops present, before starting a slow withdrawal. Trump continued the status quo. And now Biden mucks up the final withdrawal.
In all cases, the President was probably hardly involved. It was the staff, the bureaucrats, and the political generals who were really responsible. Meanwhile, Congress provided the funding that was poured down the rat hole.
Really, the US should never had had any permanent military presence in Afghanistan. There never were clearly defined, achievable objectives. Staying past the initial search for Bin Laden was idiocy.