6-19-26

 W: 315.0            BS: 164            BP: 116/62

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When the Rose of Sharon comes in, this will be every more beautiful

Turns out duck eggs make Darn Good deviled eggs!

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Come witness the inherent hypocrisy of the Tribe!

Giant Foods.... sneaky sneaky bastiches.

 

Here we have a screen shot of my shopping today at the Giant Foods website.  Their weekly sale sheet shows chicken thighs or drumsticks at .99 cents a pound.  Cool.... BUT.... look again.   I put one pack of thighs into my cart.  It shows up at regular price (top right corner), not sale price.  Giant does this a lot. Some 'sale' items every single week will do this.  It means one must check the actual price on every single item one chooses.

In this case there was a hidden coupon that was not available anyplace except if one RE-clicked on the item AFTER it was in the cart, and then the coupon showed up.  Still had to click on the coupon to get the price.

I.T. moronicity or devious thievery?  In any case, I do most of our food shopping with Walmart now.  They never seem to play games like this.

SpaceX value peaked at 2.9 Trillion, then settled down a bit.

Here's a tech reporter writing about SpaceX and it's valuation compared to Amazon.  His point seems to be Amazon makes a profit, and SpaceX has not made a profit yet.

Umm..... what does that matter Mr. O'kane?  You have not only missed the point, you didn't even make it to the right ball field.

• SpaceX does space stuff.  Amazon sells consumer stuff.  That's not apples to oranges.  That's squirrels to watermelons.  The only thing the two companies share is selling stock on an exchange.  O'Kane chose them because they have similar high valuations.  That's pointless comparison.
• SpaceX literally IS the future.  Not only have they surpassed every human record in launching technology to space, they have an unlimited future ahead of them.  For SpaceX, the sky is NOT the limit.  The entire solar system is.... at the moment.  That might one day be the entire galaxy.
• Amazon, on the other hand, has pretty much reached it's limits.  There can be fine tuning left ahead, and maybe a few new ventures to swallow up, but Amazon already sells pretty much everything they can.  Their market might grow, but the fractious nature of national politics has become their limiting factor.

Some day in the future may find Amazon shipping toothbrushes and spatulas to Mars, but they will travel on a SpaceX ship, arriving at Tesla spaceport.

Stick a fork in them, the frogs are finished.

 

MEMES! Many memes (and cartoons).

 

6/18/26

 W:  314.0         BS: 64        BP: 127/64

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6-17-26

 W: 316.4            BS: 124        

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Gun CONTROL fascists are all about 'Only Police and Military'.
Forgetting who murdered the most people in the last couple centuries.
Or... maybe that IS the point?  They want people killed off?
 

This is going around strong, and many like it. Seems reality may be overriding the 
"Spend YOUR money the way I demand you do!!" folks.

This bears thought, if energy stability and supply concern you.

My own experience with people of that ilk is limited, but 
significant to me.  I can be friendly, but do business?  Never.

The USA has never had a stronger crowd of sycophants and power hungry people
rooting for it's downfall and demise.

Track and observe your congresscritters financial shenanigans....

Go HERE.

Read more HERE.

Corn Salsa.... Mama Says 'Make It'.

Corn salsa, when corn is in season because it takes fresh stuff.

Two cups roasted corn, cut off the cobs.

One cup chopped onion of choice.  They all work.  Red works best. Yellow is good.

One cup chopped peppers.  Green, red, yellow, Jalapeno if you have it.

Two tables spoons chopped garlic.

Three tablespoons vinegar of choice.  I use red wine. White balsamic works great.

Three tablespoons olive oil

Three tablespoons white sugar.

Juice on one lime.

One tablespoon kosher salt.

Lots of fresh ground black pepper.

One tablespoon powdered jalapeno.

One tablespoon sweet Mexican spice blend of choice.

One tablespoon Mexican oregano.

Cilantro, if you are one of THOSE people.

Mix it all, breaking up the cut corn from the cob. Put it in a serving bowl that can be covered. Refrigerate at least a day before eating.  Stir occasionally to keep flavors melding.

6-16-26

 W: 315.6            BS: 108

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So very seldom we get a good political cartoon from the left.
Whoever did this, I wonder if they did one for the White 
House pride carnivals?

6-15-26

 W: 314.4            BS: 94

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Spencer Pratt says he's all in...

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What do you get when you combine a rhetorical question and a joke?

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Look, you can push the envelope all you want, but it’s going to remain stationary.

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"You're not going crazy, Arthur. You're going sane in a crazy world!" -The Tick

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A case for rationalizing laziness....

 

So... there I wuz.....

After I cleaned up the kitchen, starting laundry and dishwasher, roasting the fresh corn so it wouldn't go to waste, starting dough for bread because we are out, and making up meatball mix for dinner this evening....  I was overcome by a wave of laziness.

I usually make meatballs using a sorbet scoop.  Scoop a portion of meat, drop it into my hands, lovingly form a perfect smooth ball 'o meat, and put it on the baking sheet. Today, not so much. 

I reached the scoop point, and just looked it.  What if.... what if I say, I just plopped that scoop of meatball mix on the tray?  Skip the 'make a ball' stage.  That would save me entire minutes of effort.  But how do I justify the laziness?  Lets consider....

• No one has ever complimented my nice round balls.
• Plunked meatballs have rough bits to hold sauce.
• Plunked meatballs have sticky-outy bits that will get crunchy in the oven.
• Crunchy bits = Maillard effect = flavor.
• Maybe someone will compliment my nice rough balls...

Okay, roughly plopped balls it is.  Lets see if the family cares, or even notices my well thought out and superior planned meatballs.

 

6-14-26 Meme dump, now with more goats!

 W: 312.         BS: 100

Me?  Who am I?  I'm a fucking ghost, and I'm alright with that.

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6-13-26

 W: 312.8                BS: 134              BP 120/73

Woke at 4am with a dream that left me agitated and sweating.  Ugh.  Decided to get up and just drink coffee, so clowns don't eat me in my sleep.  Came downstairs to this...

My 4am surprise

Yesterday, before the high blood pressure incident that put me in the chair most of the afternoon, I had the sinks scrubbed and all dishes washed.

Oh, and somebody locked little Ripley outside all night and SHE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

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I'm old and busted retired, but....

 I found this in my email today.  Huh. 

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Hello, I was impressed by your extensive background as a lead technician, shop manager, and long-time automotive instructor, and I think you may be a strong fit for the A-level Automotive Technician role at XXXXXXXX. Your deep experience in diagnostics, electrical, engines, and drivetrains appears to align very well with our high-production, process-driven, AC shop. If you’re open to a flat-rate, no-weekends opportunity with strong earning potential, please apply or review the job details to learn more. Thanks, XXXXXXXXXXXXX, LLC Recruiting Team

Apply

Decline

Job details

Job title:

A-level Automotive Technician $5k sign-on, NO WEEKENDS, AC SHOP

Company:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Automotive Technician – XXXXXXXX Are you working hard but not getting ahead? Stuck in a slow shop with no cars? Dealing with outdated equipment that kills your productivity? Working nights and weekends with nothing to show for it? If you’re a technician who wants more—more opportunity, more efficiency, and more income—keep reading. About Us My name is XXX XXXXXX, owner of XXXXXXXXX. My wife XXXXXXX and I run the shop together. We believe strong businesses are built by strong people. When our team performs at a high level, the results follow—for everyone. This is a two-way street: You help us hit our goals. We help you hit yours. What That Looks Like * Consistent workflow — you will stay busy * Efficient systems — no wasted time * Clean, organized, process-driven shop * Advisors on 100% commission — they sell what you find * Ongoing training — improve your skills and income We’ve built an environment where productive technicians can thrive. Compensation * A-Level Technicians: $40–$50/hr flat rate and $5k sign-on bonus * B-Level Technicians: $30–$40/hr flat rate and $2,500 sign-on bonus * +$2/hr bonus after 50 billed hours * +$5/hr bonus after 60 billed hours *Your income is driven by your production.* Benefits & Schedule * Monday–Friday (no weekends) * 75% of healthcare covered * Paid training and development * Financial Peace course available Shop Environment * Air-conditioned shop * Modern, well-maintained equipment (Hunter, Launch, Snap-on) * Structured processes — no chaos, no guesswork You won’t be standing around waiting for work. What We Expect * Show up ready to produce * Take ownership of your work * Follow proven systems * Maintain efficiency and accountability If you need constant direction or motivation, this may not be the right fit. If you take pride in your work and want to push yourself, you will do very well here. Not Sure Yet? Come work a day with us. We’ll pay you for your time. No commitment. No pressure. You’ll see how we operate, meet the team, and decide if it’s the right fit. We’ll evaluate your skills and how you fit within our team. If it’s not a fit, we shake hands and part ways. If it is, we move forward together. Let’s Talk We’re growing quickly and looking for the right people to grow with us.

SKIL 40v trimmer/blower set, a review.

I've lived in this home for 15 years, and in that time I've used up two expensive gas weed-eaters.  The latest was a Cub Cadet 4-stroke that gave me 6 years before the head quit.  Luckily I have a bladed shaft that fits, so it's not dead-dead.

I decided this time to go battery, and spent a day researching. I arrived at this one for a balance of value, good ratings, and features.  Trimmer, blower, 40v battery, and charger for $180. This morning the set got their first work out as I tried to beat the heat.

First impression:  So light and quiet, it CAN'T work that well, yet it does.  No sturm and drang, no waking the neighbors, no looking like I fought the weed wars.  It just whacks down the weeds and grass.  From seedlings up to 5 foot tall poke, all slaughtered easily and quietly.  It's the grim reaper scythe of weed whackers.  In addition, it doesn't splatter me with weed guts from head to toes.  No more stripping on the front porch and marching to the shower.  I'm sure the neighbors will be pleased with that.

Line usage was less than half what the Cub Cadette burned through.  It seems raw (and loud) power uses line like crazy.  This SKIL thing just chewed through green stuff and soldiered on, miserly on the trim line.  I also found it easy to operate in close quarters around my veg plants and roses.  Precision is a snap compared to the big gas model.

Assembly was silly easy, taking all of 5 minutes.  If I had gotten a real Torx driver instead of the crappy thing  that came with it, it would have been 2 minutes.  Two screws for the handle and two screws for the line guard.  That's it.  A note on the crappy included tool, it bent in my fingers.  Be gentle with it, or throw it away and use a real tool.

Operation is intuitive. Slide a charged battery on and GO.  Variable speed is handy and the 'safety' button is well placed for a natural grip.  Not having to deal with a finicky gas engine is why I went this route.  Getting too old and too crotchety to put up with that when THIS tech is right here.

The blower is even easier.  Snap on the tube (.5 seconds), slide on the 40v battery, and it's go time.  One variable speed lever and no waiting.   Just blowing. Plenty of air moving to clear the road, walk, and drive...and quietly too.  I ordered a reducing nozzle to increase air speed and I expect it will work even better with that installed.

Battery life?  Juuuuust right for me.  This morning I did the front yard, around my garden and driveway, and all the road frontage.  Then I swapped the battery to the blower and cleared the areas I trimmed.  Putting the battery on charge when done, I see I used about half it's charge.  That means it would have also done the back yard and patio as well, if I chose to.   I expect to order another battery just because.  Not that I need to to weed whack for hours at a time (too old for that crap now) but it would be nice to let the wife play along at the same time.

6-12-26

 W: 317.0                BS: 109

• Weeds
• Dishes
• Garden
• Vacuum
• Laundry
• Party stuff
• ?

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Still air stands witness
Drowning In colorless light
Hours turning to ash

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