Before we begin, an unashamed plug for Amazon (“get ’em while you can”) as Cyber Monday Power Tool deals are here. Best seen with your spouse present (and you in handcuffs).
If you’re not already maxed out from Black Friday, life is short and power tools are safer fun than chasing something extra (ahem) on the side. Way cheaper than a divorce, after, lol.
Design Failure School
Growing up, Pappy always insisted that a “good” design was one where, under normal use, if something failed, it would remain in service, and no one would be injured.
So, when I wandered through the tractorport this week (my consigliere, visiting, is prepping for a trial next week) I noticed this design abomination created by my own hand and in violation of Construction Axiom #86.
Which says – and I will paraphrase since children (under 55) may read this column:
C. Ax #86: Oriented strand board is a piece of shit, next-to-useless material that weighs too much and unless used under a watertight membrane as roofing underlayment; should be burned at the earliest possible moment.
The reason was clear instantly. A week ago, before out house guest, this was a dead-level shelf installation which made the tractorport look at least half-assed organized. It has sagged and now looked like shit.
If you’re in “right mind” this early (who is?) you’d surmise that the droopiest shelf is the one bearing the most weight. You’d get the optional green star.
How to fix?
Well, since OSB sags like an old SOB over age 65, the only thing to do is to add a reinforcing piece of real wood. Since I keep spare 2-by-4’s for such uses, it was easy to find some 48-inch lengths.
One was placed on the top of the shelf, like so:
And then a squeeze clamp applied at the middle, like this:
And a couple of additional clamps were added at the midpoints between ends and the center clamp.
Then the Master of Drillermanies came along and put in more screwing than the previous sitting of the U.S. House and removed the clamps.
Repeated on the (they were going to anyway over time) remaining shelves, the after view of things looked a lot more organized:
Takeaways here:
- Don’t buy OSB. I got five sheets of the stuff (wasn’t needed) on the roof project which was nicely done. So, there was no out of pocket.
- Don’t use OSB: If you are going to build your own roof, plan on using 5/8ths exterior “playwood” and you will thank me in perpetuity.
- If used, install with four-sides supported. In this, there’s no back shelf support, so over time it will sag there. But this can be fixed with a 3/4″ rail into the back wall.
I was in a hurry (always too much urgency to do right, but the do over was OK) and that will get you over time.
OHSA Note
Elaine, who actually worked construction a bit (running a jack hammer and such for an outfit that rebuilds apartment building carports all over the PNW back in the 1990’s, or earlier) is quite the little OSHA Inspector.
She spent the better part of five-years coming through the shop and complaining that I’d kill myself one day on the assortment of electrical cords, air hoses, and vacuum lines running this way and that.
To her credit (and persistence) I can proudly say there is nothing on the floor to trip an old man.
Out in the tractorport, while working on this little hemorrhoid of a sagging shelf, there was the power cord over to the battery float charger on the tractor.
After about killing myself at least three times (I’m a slow learner) I decided that a 20-foot extension could be run up into the roof supports and over under the purlins and drop down over the tractor.
One of the lines goes to the pressure washer, the other is on the droop to here:
This isn’t a big deal if you are young, still drinking heavily and used to falling over (a lot). But as bones (and heads) get more brittle with age, and the cardiologist’s suggestions begin to sink in, falling becomes a less enjoyable thing.
Keep a few extension cords around in the inventory to keep cords in the clear.
One of these days, I will run a water supply overhead to the pressure washer, which for now is still a tripper when in use.
Merry e-Spa
Elaine and I have noticed over the past year, or so, that our feet have begun to get tender after a few days of hard work outside around the ranch. I mentioned recently that I’d bought her (really us) a foot massager.
It sits under the desk in the conversation room so we can take the odd 15-minute break and go get a foot rub:
Well, this got me thinking:
“As long as I’m sitting on my ass, wasting time, is there anything else I can plug into?”
Sure! The LED “light crown” works great.
A few more sittings and I started thinking “More!!!”
Lo and behold, here comes a complete chair shiatsu thingy:
“Well, Ure, now you are getting somewhere: Foot massage, light therapy, and a body rub. What ELSE can be added, then?”
The latest additions Saturday (while our guest worked on trial prep remember) was to toss on the shiatsu neck and shoulder machine – a splendid addition.
And the coup d’ville: Remember, I told you Elaine had run a jack hammer while working construction? Well, now she has a hand massager, too!
Somewhere in here, our consigliere took a break from making mincemeat of opposing counsel’s legal brief. “You know, my mom had one of those lift chairs and it vibrated, too…”
I’d seen those – thought about them – but then with “design failures” recently in mind, decided to go this route for a little home therapy.
The nice thing about this is a) You don’t need $1700 out of pocket to build this kind of e-Spa chair. You add a piece at a time until you’ve rubbed every possible body part just so.
b) It strikes me that the chairs don’t even do the feet. And while some do the arms, those are in the $2-kilobuck and up range.
No, this has been a lot more fun to sneak up on. Piecewise.
With our guest now gone, the next step is to hook up a 10-outlet power strip and connect all the massage elements to that. Plus, mood lighting and so forth. Aroma diffuser?
All of these, in turn, will plug into a Kasa smart outlet which then let’s us come strolling into the room and tell our silicon slave: “Alexa, turn on spa!”
Yes, that’s right. Alexa is our silicon slave and while Amazon may have lost a bundle of dough making it all work, we have really enjoyed it for the many entertainment and personal safety aspects that voice dialing and so on bring into seniorhood.
You’re welcome to steal as much of the e-Spa project you feel like. I’m going to go get a foot rub and coffee now.
Write when you get rich,
George@Ure.net
Always love your Sunday columns George even though I am a klutz at making and fixing things. My talents lie in other places I guess. I do have a question for you though. Do you have a bidet and/or plan to get one?
The reason I ask. Last week, I went through a series of physical assessment tests. I did well on everything except the “back scratch” test where you put hand over shoulder and see how far down your back you can reach. Well, I failed miserably and concluded that if I have to scratch an itch any lower than the back of my neck, I will need to get a long back scratcher tool.
A bigger problem I see coming though. Wiping after a bathroom visit! I am a long way from being a “save the planet and don’t use toilet paper” person but my arm flexibility may soon cause me to take action.
So here is where I have been spending time this morning (after reading your column of course),
https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/best-bidets
No wise cracks now but do you have any suggestions to help this man with an aging body?
Look into a Japanese toilet – they supposedly don’t use toilet paper – they have a small water heater that essentially pressure washes and then blow dries (we’ll leave the humor lines out, lol)
We don’t have one yet, butt that’s my research direction over time.
Thanks, and I gave you such an opening for “I can’t lend a helping hand.”
“Look into a Japanese toilet – they supposedly don’t use toilet paper ”
NOW.. I know it sounds weird or odd.. but a bidet is a very useful thing.. when I was all mottled and couldn’t use my hands.. you have no IDEA what that is like.. the simplest things like lifting a cup of water.. or using a fork.. or spoon.. is a horrendous experience.. and what do you do.. after you get the constitution expelled and ready to put the remains to paper.. yell out.. “I’M DONEEEE” with a sing song voice..
the art of getting in and out of a shower .. oh my that two inch lip could be mount Everest for all anyone knows.. it is a major job..
I had Bidets put on all toilets.. I bought the wands.. not the seat..
https://www.amazon.com/RinseWorks-Aquaus-Handheld-Sprayer-Shower/dp/B09TQ8524D/ref=sr_1_52?crid=2Q9Q6622UKWT2&keywords=wand+bidet&qid=1669561461&sprefix=wand+bidet%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-52
I tried the side mounted one.. you flip a lever and it projects unter the target area.. LOL didnt work nearly as good.. the other thing I did was had a friend install a wheel chair accessible shower stall..
I actually need to replace that.. but don’t have a plumber that wants to do a small job like that.. all they want is new construction.. told the grand kids.. become a plumber.. do only repairs and maintenance.. sell a repair contract that says you will be there in forty eight hours.. and thirty percent off of parts.. ( you mark up the parts thirty percent more LOL all a mental thing) then sell it for ten bucks a month.. since plumbers only want new construction.. a handyman I will repair service is priceless around the wastelands.. they would sell a thousand contracts in a week.. make ten grand a month and not even have to get out of bed.. people love the idea of security in the time of need… and it took me four years to get someone to fix the furnace.. I had to shame them into working on it.. My boss at the time.. lived in a mansion.. they come out assess the situation maybe even stop the leak.. charge you for that initial service then says.. well we are pretty busy .. it will be a couple days.. they just don’t mention which couple days and which week or month or year.. and they are gone.. to their new construction.. she sat in a mansion with a big hole in the ceiling for over a year.. it took one woman two years to get her swollen and sticky doors shaved and new hardware..
NO one wants to work on a repair even though they are getting hourly mileage and wages paid.. its easier to do new construction..
https://youtu.be/UQEc3_CZUkk
“I am a klutz at making and fixing things. ”
Don’t feel bad BIC… I can tell you.. there is a profound difference to store bought.. and I made it.. here as well .. with my measure once and cut it four times and it is still to short LOL.. the boss says.. you have more worthless knowledge than anyone she knows LOL LOL crap that will never be useful to anyone at all.. lol lol lol
I still think writing a book on this knowledge is a worthwhile endeavor. For those who are not production writers, I’ve suggested just recording verbally and using text-to-speech. You, or someone else can edit the result of the stream of consciousness verbiage. You can proofread it and the result may actually be useful. Toss it on Amazon and see what happens.
I’m still appreciating the Marmite recipe from a couple of days ago! Possibly useless for many, but profound for a select few.
Thought error – it was supposed to be speech to text!
“I’ve suggested just recording verbally and using text-to-speech.”
LOL LOL dragon speaking.. LOL… @NM Mike when I was laid up.. my hands were so swollen they looked like two footballs.. hurt.. my god the pain was horrible.. I had the long term disability policies.. at work.. at the bank, on the credit cards.., and a personal income disabiility policy to help with expenses.. once a year they would bring all the employees in and say.. what if.. well what if happened to me.. and the first thought is.. a sigh of relief the family would be ok.. they wanted me in hospice.. going to die thing.. the first order of business is.. the claim for long term disability.. get it back.. oh we need more info.. then they quit accepting them.. would give you the we quit taking claims at noon and yours was punched in at twelve fifteen please resubmit.. LOL LOL then they wouldn’t accept the claims until you sent it certified mail.. ( the post office would show you a list of how many times they attempted to get it to them.. and was refused.. ) then it had to be sent by the state board of insurance.. you had to submit it by fax snail mail and certified.. just to get them to send it back.. most worthless piece of crap you can get.. don’t waste your money. anyway.. a friend got me a thirty day free trial of dragon.. and put it on the computer along with efax.. ( a great program and great company) etc.. so I was filling out one of the forms.. the kids.. ( now grown and married and with kids) were bouncing on the bed and the computer was in the bedroom.. I was in a wheel chair and couldn’t use my hands.. so I was going to fill it out with the program.. the kids bouncing and laughing and chattering .. all of a sudden dragon took off and started to type all kinds of stuff.. LOL LOL so it got scrapped..
the only disability policy that did pay on it.. was from the bank.. the bank called me and asked.. on friday before memorial weekend. do you plan to continue living in your home.. of course.. well you need to file a claim.. they won’t accept our claims.. OMG.. it was two oclock in the afternoon.. sent the wife down to send off a certified letter with the claim form in it.. and I faxed the company and the state.. ( efax will send to multiple parties ) what comes back is.. unable to connect try again.. so every couple of minutes I would hit enter.. LOL LOL for three days I did that.. I was in so much pain even the morphine wouldn’t touch it.. so I couldn’t sleep.. and fear of the wife being shoved out into the cold.. I was desperate.. On tuesday morning at eight o five.. I get a call from the state department of insurances.. DON’T SEND ANYMORE CLAIMS WE GOT IT.. five minutes later.. a call from the insurane company calls and says.. DON’T SEND ANYMORE WE GOT IT.. and they paid I didn’t have to send anymore.. it was the only one that paid anything and it took almost six months for them to accept that one..
Now the disability insurance will pay if you stub your toe or break an arm for a couple of weeks.. but don’t accept anything more from them in the event of a serious situation.. they are not in the business to pay out.. but to make money for their investors.. the other thing I discovered is almost all of them are sold by the same underwriter.. talk to any insurance department at any hospital or clinic and ask them.. they will be the first one to tell you .. after they stop laughing.. that it is a waste of money..
I have never tried the speech to text since.. except on the phone and we can see what auto text and auto correct is like.. LOL LOL
https://www.efax.com/lp/free-trial-14d?
efax one great program.. great company to work with to..
the second order of business was the hospital drops the insurance on anyone that gets sick.. because your not able to do your job.. the last guy that lived in our spare room had that happen to him.. his wife got cancer.. they dropped the insurance then took his rental home his business his farm.. and left him with just the clothes he had on..
and a mountain of debt..
heck twenty five visits to therapy was almost sixty big ones.. and wasn’t covered.. medications.. god if you can.. get them in canada.. you will save thousands of dollars.. I believe canada only allows drug companies a fifty thousand percent profit LOL LOL LOL and they are working hard to try and get that changed.. LOL
Drugmakers offer Canada C$1 billion to scrap some pending pricing rules..
I always like to think a project thru even to the point of making a drawing. (I have a background in engineering.) It usually takes a little more time to make sure I don’t paint myself in a corner. Once had a customer tell me “Dan you’re not fast but you’re not exactly slow either. I kinda hope his meaning was that I was half fast in my endeavor….:)
Friend recently had bidet installed. Cost $1,200 CDN just for the electrician, another $700 plumber who had to be called back as they remove the shutoff and didn’t put it back.
Plumber friend in Toronto works for Kohler, says he installs lots of bidets.
Had many bidets installed over the years and they are not cheap cause of low demand in the past. Most expensive parts were the fawcett set/required vacuum break. Most plumbers had little or no experience with them. Plumbing supplier in one town of 25k residents told me, as to his knowledge, mine was the only bidet in town. Going back over two decades here.
I love my Tushy, works great and can be installed quickly on all W/C with a seat and removes quickly to change out to another W/C
Biobidet 2000 is the best on the market. Even has an enema mode. Drys your bum and your privates. Good product except the LED nightlight is on the outside of the bowl. Someone stopped thinking at that point. Around 500 bucks but worth it for anyone who has gastro issues. I tried them all, returning them one by one as they failed the test. Most made in Asia so failing American needs, but if you have any issues with bathroom business, it greatly helps. ….. Blessings
Thanks Steve. This is a good help. Nothing like taking advice from someone who has the experience of trying them, sending the losers back and settling on the winner.
By the way George, do you think you could hook the bidet up to Alexa. Has interesting possibilities.
I was thinking he should hook the bidet up to a scream box for some sound EFX.
I may come to that. Several months back, my kid asked me why it took so long for me to get off the pot. I explained: It takes me a full half-minute to wipe because it takes about 12 seconds to convince my back that it should twist & bend in the necessary manner, then it takes another 15 seconds to convince my shoulder that it should allow my arm to extend to where cleanliness can abound. Then, in the case of EBS (Exploding Butt Syndrome — what most people call “diarrhea”) the cycle repeats…
I go through the same decision process except it includes whether to go in from the front or the back BUTT it doesn’t seem to matter.
Things have turned …
https://www.wallstreetpr.com/european-officials-say-us-profiting-from-ukraine-war-call-inflation-reduction-act-very-worrying-48431
Scripted or not … Now I have to wonder if europe will eventually take some kind of actions against us, or even become so angered, to war against us.
https://youtu.be/nPbmXkmxexM
PB – no worries – we are still hear in one piece..da “comet” ISOM did not hit Earth as planned/foretold/predicted/foreseen…What/Who made ISOM go poof is a mystery way above my payscale..
– So we are on new/different timeline than one foretold at end of the book of evil abrahamic bullsceisse aka bible.
Keep eye on US supremes and current case as it regards a missing piece of time/law from election 2020 fiasco…1/2 of Congress may be Out! and I aint talking “out” like prince chuck AINT..yet.
Guidance,what happens next ? easypeasylemonsquessy – Watch Brazil –
USA to follow..
Got Odin?
https://substack.com/redirect/dbc53c07-a6bb-46e9-a078-1508d035b85f?r=1kk4yd =
“we are still hear in one piece..da “comet” ISOM did not hit Earth”
forget the comet… we have a moron with alzheimers that’s blindfolded by the fact that he’s never worked a real job been at the feed troughs of DC for sixty years..printed up what 6 or 8 years budget ti rebuild our country and hasn’t done anything large enough to notice.. gotten us in a war we cannot win..
and will leave us all vulnerable.. driving the car.. making the image of Ricky Bobby driving blindfolded looking like a master racecar driver..
it’s just my opinion but I believe we are totally screwed..
the thing is .. are the puppeteers ready to let Ukraine and all their Morally questionable activities and industries go.. or not..
consider.. the alternative.. poison pawn trap..
(A “poisoned” pawn or piece is one that looks like it can be won freely, but in fact cannot be captured without suffering consequences. There is even a famous line in Garry Kasparov’s beloved Najdorf Sicilian Defense called the “Poisoned Pawn Variation,” popularized by American World Champion Bobby Fischer.
You can consider a poisoned pawn a particularly devious kind of gambit. Remember, a gambit can be considered any move that offers a piece in exchange for some positional (or future material) advantage. What sets poisoned pawn variations apart is their complexity for both sides.
The major variations of poisoned pawns—particularly the poisoned pawn line of the Najdorf Variation of the popular Sicilian Defense—are some of the most heavily studied lines in the game of chess, which makes them especially hazardous for beginners.)
For us and all NATO countries.. we are using our strategic reserves.. leaving the country open.. and our line of defense weakened.. if a war broke out for us.. how long would we be able to defend ourselves..
At this point our length of defense is seriously diminished..
considering this aspect.. the other smaller countries are beginning to realize that.. they are now vulnerable over this unending support of the Ukraine war…
https://warnews247.gr/to-politico-deichnei-niki-rosias-to-metopo-diaspatai-megalo-chasma-ipa-ee-me-fonto-ton-polemo-stin-oukrania/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/26/world/europe/nato-weapons-shortage-ukraine.html
this is a win win for the opposition.. see we no longer manufacture.. if we continue we either way loose.. if this war is won.. then we loose our top position of influence.. Now this could go the other way.. but would involve the USA and NATO to march into the middle of this conflict.. but they would have to commit to it before their strategic arms supplies diminish.. and throw everything at it.. to break Russian influence and power.. this leaves open.. china.. who hasn’t commited very much to it.. and we sold out.. hell they were paying the perv millions to gain position of strength..
so we could win the war but loose the battle .. or be broken altogether.. or win with serious losses.. and keep our position in the chess game of the world..
At this point the only thing I see for the best outcome is a depression unlike any other depression in the history of modern societies..
we loose our political postion and go to a multi polar planet.. ( which I can see happening.. heck we can’t handle our own issues or keep our own country in repair what makes us think we can handle everyone elses issues when we can’t even repair our own..)
“heck we can’t handle our own issues or keep our own country in repair ”
Of course we can. For some reason, our “leaders” choose not to…
LOOTB,
consider looking out for yourself and leave politics to those even more unqualified ;-) to judge. See what it did to “Adolf?” No thanks ever for HIS accomplishments, either. This is well meaning from an already too old man; Take care my friend!
“ Remember, a gambit can be considered any move that offers a piece in exchange for some positional (or future material) advantage.” … like this, possibly?
https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/cuba-wins-china-debt-relief-new-funds
C. Ax #86: Oriented strand board is a piece of shit, next-to-useless material that weighs too much and unless used under a watertight membrane as roofing underlayment; should be burned at the earliest possible moment.
That made me laugh as I couldn’t agree more!
The really funny thing is. Just dont be anywhere near fumes, flames or smoke. OSB is glued together with a couple of formaldahydes and other waste products illegal in disposal without super restriction. Easily disposed in OSB tho.
Inhaling dust during cutting or demolitions is also unsafe for lungs and eyes.
ALL manufactured wood products use formalin-based glues. Most plywoods use resorcinol glues, which, once dry, are benign. There’s a McMansion neighborhood a couple miles from me. I used to drive through as they were building the houses (cancer palaces — formaldehydes are highly carcinogenic), drive past the rich-folks’ mansion being built a couple miles in the other direction, and note the differences in materials and construction. In 100 years, exactly one of these houses will still be standing. Care to guess which…?
The only use I’ve found for the OSB boards I salvaged from some pallets years ago are upright surfaces to attach my targets to on my portable rifle and pistol target stands I made. When they’re all shot to heck I can just toss them and put up another.
Splendid use. Although on our range we use vy heavy small tempered steel which has a distinctive p[ing when hit.
You will know where your shot was by sound, with a lil practice…
True, OSB is rather crappy. There are various grades, but the standard 7/16 stuff at the box stores is the lowest common denominator. It is dimensionally stable if kept dry though, and can be used to get projects done. Keeping any OSB installed horizontally dry is essential, and a good idea always. I will say that it’s a lot better than particleboard – especially if used for floors. Many houses used particleboard in the past, and it just dissolves when wet. The 3/4 OSB subfloor product is not that bad – as long as it stays dry and is supported and secured well.
“All of these, in turn, will plug into a Kasa smart outlet which then let’s us come strolling into the room and tell our silicon slave: “Alexa, turn on spa!”
I had to laugh at this.. the boss came home from work the other day all giggling.. and said one of the nurses lost her keys.. and then said the nurse said…. ALEXA WHERES MY KEYS…. the ebook reader chimmed in and started to ask her which keys were lost LOL LOL shocked the heck out of the wife.. she then said.. I wonder if she knows what the temperature and the weather is like.. alexa chimmed in with a weather report LOL LOL.. Now every once in a while I hear her asking alexa who is in what movie or what it is about LOL
You can enable Alexa on your Kindle Fire, too, you know.
I chose (in setup_) to have the Kindle respond to the name “computer”
otherwise she will argue with herself, lol
LOL LOL LOL I love it..
Re: bulls in a China shop
Folks,
It seems the tragic tower fire in the distant Chinese provincial city of Urumqi, “beautiful pasture”, continues to spark smouldering embers of young protest in Urumqi Road, Shanghai. The Chinese DW correspondent Mr. Yang’s report quoted protesters identifying as Jason, Emma, and Andy.
Check out this video from the motorcycle guys. They are married to Chinese women and lived there for 10+ years:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRDLqggwQU
The situation seems to be far more widespread than advertised. Whether the protests will stop after pushback from the PRC/CCP is anyone’s guess. A government needs to provide a minimal level of utility to its citizens or it won’t survive. At some point, there’s nothing left to lose.
“They are married to Chinese women and lived there for 10+ years:”
I have met wonderful people from many ethnic groups and countries.. personally I wouldn’t have an issue with anyone connecting or becoming soul mates.
I teach my kids and grand kids.. Be the Blind man….or woman..a blind man does not know or care about where you came from or what ethnic or social class your in.. they can only judge who you are inside.. if you connect personality wise and how you treat them and others..
a young waitress asked me once if I’d have trouble visiting communist China or russia.. no.. I said there are good and bad in all countries..just stay away from the bad..
Re: “High Society” feat. Louis Armstrong
Folks,
Best be digging out the N’awlins party hats for Thursday’s shindig at the White House. French President Macron will be a first state dinner honoree of the Biden administration as he also was during the Trump term. The latter’s event in 2018 featured rack of lamb served upon golden fringed dinner plates followed by musical accompaniment from the Washington National Opera.
While Mrs. Obama was known to secure the services of Beyoncé and Gwen Stefani on stately occasions, the Dr. Biden team has confirmed that multi Grammy award winning singer Jon Batiste will serenade the A-list DC crowd and honoured guests. Perhaps the New Orleans native son will share anecdotes as bandleader on “The Late Show” and BLM advocate. One only hopes that diplomatic paths can be found around matters of a menu with or without foie gras. The delicacy has of course been banned by the King in British Royal Households.
Published schedules advise that the day following the Washington carnival will find Mr. Macron in The Big Easy founded 304 years ago by a Montreal-born francophone. It’s something about announcing funds for French language instruction in the region. Apparently with almost 90% of French expats in America voting for the Macron ticket, thank you cheques get hand delivered.
the thing is .. are the puppeteers ready to let Ukraine and all their Morally questionable activities and industries go.. or not..
consider.. the alternative.. poison pawn trap..
(A “poisoned” pawn or piece is one that looks like it can be won freely, but in fact cannot be captured without suffering consequences. There is even a famous line in Garry Kasparov’s beloved Najdorf Sicilian Defense called the “Poisoned Pawn Variation,” popularized by American World Champion Bobby Fischer.
You can consider a poisoned pawn a particularly devious kind of gambit. Remember, a gambit can be considered any move that offers a piece in exchange for some positional (or future material) advantage. What sets poisoned pawn variations apart is their complexity for both sides.
The major variations of poisoned pawns—particularly the poisoned pawn line of the Najdorf Variation of the popular Sicilian Defense—are some of the most heavily studied lines in the game of chess, which makes them especially hazardous for beginners.)
For us and all NATO countries.. we are using our strategic reserves.. leaving the country open.. and our line of defense weakened.. if a war broke out for us.. how long would we be able to defend ourselves..
At this point our length of defense is seriously diminished..
considering this aspect.. the other smaller countries are beginning to realize that.. they are now vulnerable over this unending support of the Ukraine war…
https://warnews247.gr/to-politico-deichnei-niki-rosias-to-metopo-diaspatai-megalo-chasma-ipa-ee-me-fonto-ton-polemo-stin-oukrania/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/26/world/europe/nato-weapons-shortage-ukraine.html
this is a win win for the opposition.. see we no longer manufacture.. if we continue we either way loose.. if this war is won.. then we loose our top position of influence.. Now this could go the other way.. but would involve the USA and NATO to march into the middle of this conflict.. but they would have to commit to it before their strategic arms supplies diminish.. and throw everything at it.. to break Russian influence and power.. this leaves open.. china.. who hasn’t commited very much to it.. and we sold out.. hell they were paying the perv millions to gain position of strength..
so we could win the war but loose the battle .. or be broken altogether.. or win with serious losses.. and keep our position in the chess game of the world..
At this point the only thing I see for the best outcome is a depression unlike any other depression in the history of modern societies..
we loose our political postion and go to a multi polar planet.. ( which I can see happening.. heck we can’t handle our own issues or keep our own country in repair what makes us think we can handle everyone elses issues when we can’t even repair our own..)
How did I post this twice LOL
Blame Alexa.
Two medical memes:
1) My doctor asked me one day,
“Do you know any old people?”
I replied, yes.
“Well, do you know any fat people?”
Yes…
“Do you know any old, fat people?”
mmpff…..
(Helped me lose over 100 lubs over three years.)
————————————————
2) His comment on a trip hazard.
A) Fall.
B) Break hip.
C) Pneunomia.
D) Die.
I trained the cat to stay out from underfoot
with a series of gentle “toe-launched Doppler
Kitty” experiences. He’s mostly black, and sees
better in the dark than I do… He also learns quick.
Mine said something similar. We have good fat longevity – mom was (generally my shape at her same age), Made it to 93.
If I lose too much, I will outlive the WORLD.
“If I lose too much, I will outlive the WORLD.”
The way things are going, we may all outlive the world… if only briefly.
“If I lose too much, I will outlive the WORLD.”
The way things are, that may only require that you live another week…
I know a few old fat people. I’m one of them. Blessings
It’s Thanksgiving. I’m workin’ on pumping up the fat and with a knee that’s been giving me fits for the past week-plus I’m not working much off. Talked myself into playing with the free weights a bit today but I know grazing through the sweets and left overs I didn’t even begin to work off that many calories. I’ll probably have a dream about a bathroom scale chasing me tonight.
My go to Sunday read on all things fintech-related relays what the outgoing CEO of Visa said during a cnbc interview this week regarding crypto:
“Here’s (Visa CEO) Kelly’s take on crypto’s future as a form of payment on his network.
None.”
So, other than gov’t blockchain (which isn’t freedom crypto, it’s closed/controlled/controlling blockchain), crypto is dead unless someone finds a way to go around Visa, MC, Discover, PayPal, government/Fed, etc, etc.
There was also mention that everything will need to be converted from cypto to cash (the fee to do this is where the real money is) and will always need to go through the fed.
So, maybe the credit card processors and fed will fall by the wayside some day and be considered the old way of doing things. (Start building your bartering network and always have something someone else needs.)
Feel free to read the entire article here:
https://www.wellesleyhillsfinancial.com/2022/11/27/visas-al-kelly-on-cryptocurrency-future/
A couple of comments on the DIY project:
1. I would have put two 2×4’s on length-wise under the OSB edges. If you turn that piece over, you can still take that approach. If you want a rail on top, smaller lumber would be better.
2. Texas squirrels and field rats think plywood is candy, but I have never seen them touch OSB. Structurally, marine grade plywood is superior, but I have had projects vandalized (and in one case destroyed) by hungry vermin. Slathering Kilz on exposed surfaces being gnawed on can help.
Great point 2 notes – I’m not old enough to know it all — yet
the other easy thing is a third brace in the middle..the shelving looks similar to the ones I have.. I actually have to put in a third brace because of the same reason on one shelf..
the down side with putting the two by on the bottom is you have to have two.. one in the back and one in the front.. the middle brace is the cheaper alternative..
Had a standardbred stallion a few years back that morphed into a beaver and began on the new stalls made of PT wood. Local horse store sold me a gallon of something (40$) that would cure. It was like ketchup on fries! Local polo enthusiast instructed tobasco sauce for paint. Got a jug at bulk grocer= problem solved. Ho Ho cheap tricks
Using our logic regarding crypto where people choose to overlook, purposely not see, the faults in crypto and use rose colored glasses to either buy it or hold onto it…can this logic be applied to other areas of life?
Example 1: Amazon. Are we overlooking the fact that the owner of Amazon also owns the Washington Post and spends the money we just gave him to destroy our freedom? Maybe he’d prefer us as slaves to work in his warehouses? I’ve found 7 out of 10 times that prices elsewhere are cheaper…even cheaper at a box store. Maybe we should consider taking off the rose colored glasses of Amazon’s “great prices” and convenience and find someone less organized in killing us to spend our money with?
Example 2: Trump. Didn’t T say the vax was the greatest thing ever? Didn’t he sign, months prior to the vid scare happening, an executive order asking for and pushing new medicines to roll out in record time? And, how about his choices for filling positions and his choices for endorsements? Don’t take this wrong…I’m not for DeSantis since the meanstream media and other America haters are starting to push for him to run. And maybe Trump was just setting everyone up so they would show themselves because Americans do gloss over EVERYHING bad and do continue being stupid if someone tells them something as opposed to someone experiencing bad stuff and getting their own personal taste of reality.
EXAMPLE 3: We even ignore our retirement account statements because we want to live in the dreamland that everything is okay.
EXAMPLE 4: Insert yours here.
Have the powers that be programmed us to overlook the underlying bad? It doesn’t matter who is to blame. What matters is we apply the logic to everything and stop helping those who wish to kill us.
Many years ago there was a short fad about prepping — for nookwar in this case, as I recall. (Cuban rocket deal?)
Anyway, the rugged (and ornery) individuals of the day were blue-skying about what to do when the money was no good.
One guy put aside in his attic maybe 150 to 200 cases of Ivory Soap, each one lovingly encapsulated in a plastic bag to eliminate evaporation of the included water. Each case held a gross (144 bars) of soap. He planned on using it for money. His logic was that “people will ALWAYS want to get clean.”
“And,” he added, “I will never run out of soap as long as I live, if I don’t need it as money.”
Can’t argue with that….
phew.. prepping.. it is one thing to keep a little extra to see you through a storm.. but to prep for surviving through a major catastrophic world changing event.. it almost impossible.. for my christmas cards last year I sent out a cute little book that basically made fun of prepping.. etc.. when FEMA asked all the smaller communities to make up an emergency plan.. I was in on that.. and helped them make up the community emergency plan for a shtf scenario.. the fema guy said it was one of the best he had seen.. I suggested they make the plan for the community.. not the individual..
in my church.. there was one of the presidents that brought this up in a magazine.. the ensign.. monson suggested in the event of a shtf scenario would we be willing to assist others that aren’t prepared.. I loved that man and the way he thought.. he in my opinion was right on.. the youth of today have not had the struggles that many before them have.. we have had great weather high paying positions and leisure activities .. the struggles I have seen.. I took as learning lessons.. we work and build as a group.. everyone has value.. in a quote from a book Waterborne the water school.. https://www.amazon.com/Waterborne-Water-School-Robert-Dell/dp/1945674067
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you..”
to have the knowledge to make a change to help someone and guide them.. Its real easy for someone to sit in their magic chair watch a football game and know exactly how the players should be playing.. it is quite another adventure to be in their shoes and trying to play the game with what they have..
http://www.waterschool.com is a great thing to give on oneself for the xmas gift.. to oneself..
like so many.. once you see the pain in someones expression.. or experience the situation up front and personal.. once you have seen it and are haunted by it .. it is really hard to sit back and ignore it exists..
https://youtu.be/P5AkNqLuVgY
by prepping as a community you see everyones gifts that they each have.. from all walks of life.. each has a gift.. it may be knitting.. or building.. doing something.. when Greece had their big drop.. young women had to sell their bodies for a can of soup to feed their hungry kids.. old people were diving deep into the trash to gather food to survive..
just trying to survive..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7gDBVmgIRA
the best thing to trade is information to be able to teach and show others how to make something they don’t have.. the youth of today have maybe what a weeks worth of food in the cupboards.. why invest in it.. we live in a really prosperous country with a lot of resources.. It hit me hard when my grand daughter went through her struggle.. husband ran off left her with four babies.. and of course she didn’t want to come to me.. to her it would say.. I am a failure.. so far she got through it.. the whole thing was so monstrous.. that there wasn’t any way I could help to the extent she needed.. and no programs that eveyrone says is there to actually jump in to help..
It is amazing.. and the problem is.. people have this idea .. well if they made better choices.. when I went down the tube it didn’t make any difference on what choices I made.. I had to live in the world I was in..
I gave a dinner bag to a few people for thanksgiving.. nothing much a small dinner bag.. the look in the eyes.. seen so much relief in the look they had.. it was gratifying..
I have always been a supporter of this one..
https://donate.worldvision.org/gift-catalog/animals
even though I am sure that the vast majority of the assistance goes to some schmuck that doesn’t need it.. the business model of me..
watching animals.. fill a bird feeder.. the smallest and weakest eat first.. then the bigger better.. they take turns..
https://youtu.be/K4a_QuVAP80
All of us in my opinion should take a hard look at what other people are living.. we live in the world of plenty.. the what if.. there isn’t plenty.. what happens.. if you push a pencil.. can you build shelter gather food.. survive the street.. a show thirty days was on the going green channel.. unfortunately only six shows were made.. it put someone with plenty in the postion at the bottom to show how hard it was for the one on the bottom.. only one in those six shows did it.. the rest opted out or cheated..
remember when FEMA was doing this ? What year ? See Comet ISON …yerp.
few moar clueberts? Surtainly!
ISON was discovered 9/20/2012 – 2 mile wide, nobody knows where it came from, nobody.
10/30/2012 strange article written uncle Gordon (Duff) “what can be told” this short piece warned VT readers of impending calamity of biblical proportions.
NASA shut down from October 1st -17th, with fewer than 600 allowed to work. Regular government went into partial shutdown during this time as well.
It waz hinted that approaching comet ISON (Sion) was the real reason for both the shutdown, the systemic arming of law enforcement agencies like they were branch of military, erection of FEMA camps,disappearing of Nuclear inventories and Removal of nuclear force commanders (hello warhammer?). mentioned also was the launching of space based weapons system (S)..just as Rocking Ronnie Raygunz had predicted at UN speech.
https://substack.com/redirect/24804031-6e94-499e-b276-c33741d889ba?r=1kk4yd from chinese space agency. ?See what looks like 2 L shaped 3-d spaceshps?
Tyler over at Secure10 even posted a “clandestine” interview of a NASA whistle blower “dr norton” posted Oct 20, 2013. In which norton talks about “massive 3-d structures in space advancing on Earth. Last seen – hiding on other side of Moon..https://substack.com/redirect/9dea2d3b-b7f8-447c-9d99-c40338b544dc?r=1kk4yd On January 18th, 2014 the same shape was picked up on Google Moon at coordinates 22 42’38.N 142 34’44.52″ E
https://youtu.be/SHhrZgojY1Q
..and I get on my knees and pray, we dont get fooled again..” The WHO
Design Engineers…. a dirty word in my vocabulary. I spent a lifetime fixing, repairing, and modifying stuff that clearly was never meant to be disassembled and fixed. My dream was to slaughter a design engineer by forcing him to repair what he had designed… over and over. Things like having to remove an engine to replace spark plugs.
You said it. Newer vehicles have these design issues. Ridiculous. I keep pointing out old trucks from the 50-60’s to my young teen son and telling him he ought to consider fixing one up for driving as they lack the sensors tech and computer complications of newer cars. I think he’s warming to it.
Off topic, haven’t heard from Warhammer lately.
Maybe no news is good news?
“Design Engineers…. a dirty word in my vocabulary.”
They’re theoreticians, just like theoretical politicians or soldiers. They have no concept of how the world works. They simply spawn an idea and then implement it without regard to its practicality.
BTW the dealer wants nearly $700 to replace the spark plugs in my Highlander. My friendly wrench quoted me less than $300 and explained the plenum had to be removed, or the engine pulled, to access the rear bank. Refrickingdiculous…
no need for fancy bidets, simply use the loo then hang ass over the edge of the tub and apply soap and shower massage. sorry if that’s tmi lol.
Tech’s reality check: How the industry lost $7.4 trillion in one year.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/25/techs-reality-check-how-the-industry-lost-7point4-trillion-in-one-year.html
Broken Web The Coming Collapse of the Internet Kindle Edition.
prescient?
Obfuscated c/c++ 911? Cause?
re: construction ‘failures’
This makes me recall something from a college programming class many years ago “if your program fails, ensure it fails elegantly.” I’ve tried to remember that concept in most of the things I do.
Things WILL fail but it isn’t that hard to ensure something is in place to add a bit of control to the outcome of the failure…
Good Luck to Us All
Mauna Loa is erupting! After weeks of earthquake swarms at the summit area, it finally cracked open. Eruption confined to summit caldera at this time. Lava glow can be seen from Kona side of island. No immediate danger, but warning level RED now in effect.
https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates