Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Austin,
Thanks for the SNL video. I remember it. LOL.
Reminds me of another skit that depicted Southern Belles talking about the charm of a friend or neighbor Ker-nal Ling-GUS on the porch of some plantation..
One woman raves and says, “Tell me about any girl who does not like or love Ker-NAL—LING-GUS.”
Cal
Thanks for the SNL video. I remember it. LOL.
Reminds me of another skit that depicted Southern Belles talking about the charm of a friend or neighbor Ker-nal Ling-GUS on the porch of some plantation..
One woman raves and says, “Tell me about any girl who does not like or love Ker-NAL—LING-GUS.”
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
A report suggests that not only input costs like lumber, sheetrock, appliances will go up adding to inflation, but but also will add to the cost of home construction making new homes more expensive.
This in turn will also make existing homes also more expensive, and the housing shortage does not go away.
They say almost a quarter of the workforce in the construction industry are illegal immigrants.
So increased input costs and a worker shortage promotes further escalation of housing prices and will make the housing shortage worse.
Remember that under-building has happened since 2007-2008, so it would take a prolonged period of overbuilding to balance the housing market.
The way I see it home ownership separates the haves and the have-nots, and high home prices and further price increases (inflation) is a safe bet. The housing shortage and misguided government policy ensures and reinforces high home prices.
Cal
This in turn will also make existing homes also more expensive, and the housing shortage does not go away.
They say almost a quarter of the workforce in the construction industry are illegal immigrants.
So increased input costs and a worker shortage promotes further escalation of housing prices and will make the housing shortage worse.
Remember that under-building has happened since 2007-2008, so it would take a prolonged period of overbuilding to balance the housing market.
The way I see it home ownership separates the haves and the have-nots, and high home prices and further price increases (inflation) is a safe bet. The housing shortage and misguided government policy ensures and reinforces high home prices.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I paid $255.00 for the baritone Strat neck, and if I had to custom order one it would cost $425.00.
It was being offered as a blowout sale and it featured a 9-14 inch compound radius that is a $35.00 up charge.
I think the distinct Arizona Turquoise dot inlays made it perhaps having limited appeal and a less universal appeal, but it looks stunning in my application. This was another $35.00 upgrade.
Know that I ordered the neck with stainless steel frets, so I added this to the low price to get to the $255.00 end cost.
Some of the best money I ever spent. The sonic blue Thinline is a rather distinguished guitar.
I am lurking for another miracle deal for another baritone neck, but this one be built out to be an actual baritone with oversized thicker strings. This voicing suits my vocal voice.
Hmmm.
Cal
It was being offered as a blowout sale and it featured a 9-14 inch compound radius that is a $35.00 up charge.
I think the distinct Arizona Turquoise dot inlays made it perhaps having limited appeal and a less universal appeal, but it looks stunning in my application. This was another $35.00 upgrade.
Know that I ordered the neck with stainless steel frets, so I added this to the low price to get to the $255.00 end cost.
Some of the best money I ever spent. The sonic blue Thinline is a rather distinguished guitar.
I am lurking for another miracle deal for another baritone neck, but this one be built out to be an actual baritone with oversized thicker strings. This voicing suits my vocal voice.
Hmmm.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Friday’s Non-Farm Payroll numbers could tip the markets into a correction. Pretty much would be a validation of recession fears and a slowing economy.
Ethnically I’m southern Chinese (Cantonese), but pretty much I don’t really consume Chinese products, in fact I avoid buying cheap goods. Partly because I buy to keep and not to fill landfills. Tariffs on China has really no effect on me because not only do I not purchase cheap Chinese products, I go out of my way not to buy them.
Many a time I look to see where made, and if in China, I put it back on the shelf.
But then there are households that shop at Walmart and Target, and guess where most of their products come from…
Today we went to the granddaughter’s confirmation, then we had lunch. Killed the day.
I thought about the number of electric guitars I have and discovered that most of them have alder bodies. My three swamp ash go against 7 alder bodies. Point is I think I have a preference.
Going forward I think I have my swamp ash needs met, but perhaps a solid alder baritone guitar is needed…
I’m diseased…
High and dry. One trick is to not test fate by going full bladder, this basically is asking for a leak or tempting one. Another I think is my strength exercises that pretty much strengthen and unify everything.
Tomorrow I go to my urologist/surgeon. In the leasat I’ll get a PSA test, and we expect a zero reading.
Cal
Ethnically I’m southern Chinese (Cantonese), but pretty much I don’t really consume Chinese products, in fact I avoid buying cheap goods. Partly because I buy to keep and not to fill landfills. Tariffs on China has really no effect on me because not only do I not purchase cheap Chinese products, I go out of my way not to buy them.
Many a time I look to see where made, and if in China, I put it back on the shelf.
But then there are households that shop at Walmart and Target, and guess where most of their products come from…
Today we went to the granddaughter’s confirmation, then we had lunch. Killed the day.
I thought about the number of electric guitars I have and discovered that most of them have alder bodies. My three swamp ash go against 7 alder bodies. Point is I think I have a preference.
Going forward I think I have my swamp ash needs met, but perhaps a solid alder baritone guitar is needed…
I’m diseased…
High and dry. One trick is to not test fate by going full bladder, this basically is asking for a leak or tempting one. Another I think is my strength exercises that pretty much strengthen and unify everything.
Tomorrow I go to my urologist/surgeon. In the leasat I’ll get a PSA test, and we expect a zero reading.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Median age for dementia is 83.7 years, but personality can be an important factor. Being an extrovert, have a positive outlook, and being conscientious reduces the risk.
On the other hand being neurotic, negative outlook, and not being conscientious can increase your risk factor.
Anxiety can be a condition, but is not proven to be a factor.
I am researching this because I don’t think I’m at risk, but I wonder about “Maggie.” In a ways I already am a caretaker for a woman who is a bit neurotic. Also there is some family history…
So eyes wide open, and how to make the most of it. Do things now over the next decade, or right away.
Anyways a passing thought on how to navigate a possibility.
Cal
On the other hand being neurotic, negative outlook, and not being conscientious can increase your risk factor.
Anxiety can be a condition, but is not proven to be a factor.
I am researching this because I don’t think I’m at risk, but I wonder about “Maggie.” In a ways I already am a caretaker for a woman who is a bit neurotic. Also there is some family history…
So eyes wide open, and how to make the most of it. Do things now over the next decade, or right away.
Anyways a passing thought on how to navigate a possibility.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Over the weekend I spoke to an old friend of mine from the Navy, who lives down in Alexandria, VA. I reached out to him, asking if he was still employed. He reminded me that he is a contractor, so he wasn't included in the firings so far, but his company is on edge as they could lose their contract and funding. He mentioned that he works aside government workers and has seen people go. Since he is in one of the biggest suburbs of DC, he's hearing folks are already worrying about foreclosures.
When all this settles, if it actually does, there are going to be a lot of foreclosures on houses, and it will take at least two presidential administrations to rebuild government to a point of it actually working.
Phil
When all this settles, if it actually does, there are going to be a lot of foreclosures on houses, and it will take at least two presidential administrations to rebuild government to a point of it actually working.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Today I visit my urologist/surgeon. The PSA should be a “zero” and that is what is expected. Eventually though the Cancer will come back, and then comes the secondary treatment of radiation (4-6 weeks 5 days a week) and hormone therapy (6 months -2 years).
The newer second and third generation home treatments have less side effects, so the fem-out might be less. Also everyone is different… Still there is the possibility of becoming a nasty bitch.
Then we have to deal with “Maggies” Pulse-A-Tive Ten-I-TIS that may or may not be something serious. Of course Maggie is worried and anxious. From my reading though all causes are treatmentable. Could be a plaque buildup that needs to be addressed, worse case a brain tumor, or some circlitory problem.
Friday she gets 3 Cat-Scans of her head and throat.
Friday’s job report has the potential to shake up the markets. Other indicators are pointing to a slowdown of the economy and the first lame quarter that might be the beginning of a recession.
Meanwhile the FED really can’t change rates lower to stimulate the economy without reigniting inflation. Looks like a prolonged bout of stagflation is ahead and likely. This could be lengthy because both the consumer and the government maintain huge record setting debt loads.
As I say, “The money has to come from somewhere.”
So if the FED raises rates it will compound the debt burden. In the government’s case it will increase the deficit. Being able to roll over debt is no longer practical.
So either way I see austerity ahead, and that too will compound matters…
As always, best to not have debt and live below your means, otherwise you FXXX’ed yourself.
Cal
The newer second and third generation home treatments have less side effects, so the fem-out might be less. Also everyone is different… Still there is the possibility of becoming a nasty bitch.
Then we have to deal with “Maggies” Pulse-A-Tive Ten-I-TIS that may or may not be something serious. Of course Maggie is worried and anxious. From my reading though all causes are treatmentable. Could be a plaque buildup that needs to be addressed, worse case a brain tumor, or some circlitory problem.
Friday she gets 3 Cat-Scans of her head and throat.
Friday’s job report has the potential to shake up the markets. Other indicators are pointing to a slowdown of the economy and the first lame quarter that might be the beginning of a recession.
Meanwhile the FED really can’t change rates lower to stimulate the economy without reigniting inflation. Looks like a prolonged bout of stagflation is ahead and likely. This could be lengthy because both the consumer and the government maintain huge record setting debt loads.
As I say, “The money has to come from somewhere.”
So if the FED raises rates it will compound the debt burden. In the government’s case it will increase the deficit. Being able to roll over debt is no longer practical.
So either way I see austerity ahead, and that too will compound matters…
As always, best to not have debt and live below your means, otherwise you FXXX’ed yourself.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The banks did not lower mortgage rates, even though the FED lowered rates.
Pretty much they hedged themselves against the foreclosures that Phil posted about. Pretty much the bank’s thinking is we will ave enough problems, so let’s avoid risk.
The lower FED rate though made it easier for the banks to make larger profits. No help for the little people though who will getr crushed like ants.
Oh-well, little people don’t count…
Cal
Pretty much they hedged themselves against the foreclosures that Phil posted about. Pretty much the bank’s thinking is we will ave enough problems, so let’s avoid risk.
The lower FED rate though made it easier for the banks to make larger profits. No help for the little people though who will getr crushed like ants.
Oh-well, little people don’t count…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I see a lot of validity in seeing a foreclosure spike. I had not considered this. This is no way to solve the housing shortage.
Today, I reflect that my life has been saved. This aggressive prostate Cancer could of taken me out, and pretty much if I was overweight, not so fit, or had a poor diet, the Cancer would of gotten far along enough to be a death sentence.
I was kinda reassured that I would at least have a healthy decade ahead, and the odds are good for me for perhaps 15 years out, and that brings me out the the old median age of 82. Pretty much a normal life expectancy, but one that is healthy, active, and not handicapped, free of chronic age related disease.
So I honor that blessing today, and I’m committed to not wasting this great opportunity to live fully.
Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame predicts the future for most Americans will be a downsizing. I kinda see this. No more living “large” and exploiting “Free-Money.” That era is gone. So moving forward Americans have to ground themselves in a new reality. Perhaps an enforced living below your means.
This might not be a bad thing, but the transition will be mighty rude for many. Everlasting growth, like Cancer, eventually kills.
*********************
So Myrtle Beach is not far away from where “Maggie’s” brothers reside in the southern costal end of North Carolina. Seems like dry weather and winds across the south and the plains will support dangerous wild fire conditions.
This is an area that I would judge as having a lack of infrastructure. Pretty much any disaster gets compounded.
Not good…
******************
My prediction is a pivot in the markets this Friday. My judgement is that we are in a bubble of sorts, and I don’t think AI is really sustainable, too much water and energy required, and in a way it is jumping the shark as they say and got way ahead of itself.
I don’t see the productivity that is predicted. Can AI make smarter weapons? Surely, but the problem I see is execution. “Garbage in: Garbage out,” as they say.
Prime example is me, Calvin August, getting parole reminders from Colorado, and me being mistaken for someone else.
AI promotes confusion… problems… and chaos.
Look out below, as a trap door opens and a free fall happens until impact with the ground.
Cal
Today, I reflect that my life has been saved. This aggressive prostate Cancer could of taken me out, and pretty much if I was overweight, not so fit, or had a poor diet, the Cancer would of gotten far along enough to be a death sentence.
I was kinda reassured that I would at least have a healthy decade ahead, and the odds are good for me for perhaps 15 years out, and that brings me out the the old median age of 82. Pretty much a normal life expectancy, but one that is healthy, active, and not handicapped, free of chronic age related disease.
So I honor that blessing today, and I’m committed to not wasting this great opportunity to live fully.
Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame predicts the future for most Americans will be a downsizing. I kinda see this. No more living “large” and exploiting “Free-Money.” That era is gone. So moving forward Americans have to ground themselves in a new reality. Perhaps an enforced living below your means.
This might not be a bad thing, but the transition will be mighty rude for many. Everlasting growth, like Cancer, eventually kills.
*********************
So Myrtle Beach is not far away from where “Maggie’s” brothers reside in the southern costal end of North Carolina. Seems like dry weather and winds across the south and the plains will support dangerous wild fire conditions.
This is an area that I would judge as having a lack of infrastructure. Pretty much any disaster gets compounded.
Not good…
******************
My prediction is a pivot in the markets this Friday. My judgement is that we are in a bubble of sorts, and I don’t think AI is really sustainable, too much water and energy required, and in a way it is jumping the shark as they say and got way ahead of itself.
I don’t see the productivity that is predicted. Can AI make smarter weapons? Surely, but the problem I see is execution. “Garbage in: Garbage out,” as they say.
Prime example is me, Calvin August, getting parole reminders from Colorado, and me being mistaken for someone else.
AI promotes confusion… problems… and chaos.
Look out below, as a trap door opens and a free fall happens until impact with the ground.
Cal
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Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
"This is no way to correct the housing shortage"
I said the exact same thing in my conversation with my Navy buddy.
I know that the administration is doing this in a short-sighted manner, and have not even considered the tertiary consequences and further ripples down-market which the policies will eventually cause. Like I said in a previous post: the 8==D-tater creates a massive national problem, scapegoats some marginalized people, says he's the one to fix it, then gets SCOTUS to revisit the 22nd amendment, declare it "unconstitutional" and gets Congress to repeal it through coercion. There are enough team orange sociopaths out there to do his bidding on a whim. All he has to do is get on one of his national loudspeakers and say something analogous to "cut the grass" just as was done in Rwanda.
Phil
I said the exact same thing in my conversation with my Navy buddy.
I know that the administration is doing this in a short-sighted manner, and have not even considered the tertiary consequences and further ripples down-market which the policies will eventually cause. Like I said in a previous post: the 8==D-tater creates a massive national problem, scapegoats some marginalized people, says he's the one to fix it, then gets SCOTUS to revisit the 22nd amendment, declare it "unconstitutional" and gets Congress to repeal it through coercion. There are enough team orange sociopaths out there to do his bidding on a whim. All he has to do is get on one of his national loudspeakers and say something analogous to "cut the grass" just as was done in Rwanda.
Phil
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
He'll be re-elected, don't worry. Or some even worse version of him. The last election was the last free and fair election in this country. But we'll continue to have elections, of course. Just like they do in Russia. Just enough to keep up the pretense of "democracy".
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Like I said earlier, part of me believes in the rule of law, but my inner pragmatist and truly patriotic Navy veteran, and eagle scout took a few of these founding documents very seriously.
Phil
Phil
valdas
Veteran
But that’s the reason you have the Second Amendment in US, to be able to protect your democracy, no?
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
The last in-context line of Lincoln's 1855 letter to Joshua Speed:
"When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty -- to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocracy [sic]." Full text: Abraham Lincoln's 1855 Letter to Joshua Speed
While I am quoting out of context, as the discussion was regarding slavery and the Missouri Compromise, the sentiment is the same. Hypocrisy. Here we have thinly veiled autocracy through lip-service democracy.
On a photo relate note, I took out the old M4 with 2.1cm O-Nikkor today. Snapped a few photos of some fun geometric play of light in narrow alleyways.
Phil
"When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty -- to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocracy [sic]." Full text: Abraham Lincoln's 1855 Letter to Joshua Speed
While I am quoting out of context, as the discussion was regarding slavery and the Missouri Compromise, the sentiment is the same. Hypocrisy. Here we have thinly veiled autocracy through lip-service democracy.
On a photo relate note, I took out the old M4 with 2.1cm O-Nikkor today. Snapped a few photos of some fun geometric play of light in narrow alleyways.
Phil
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Had the PSA blood taken. In a few days the results.
So the expected zero might not be the case. I was reminded I have an aggressive Cancer, and also it did make the jump to the neck of my bladder.
There is a threshold of 0.1 on my PSA. If higher then the secondary treatment begins: if below then another PSA text in three months.
On my way in I ran into my suite mate in the hospital I had post-surgery. Basically another patient of my surgeon that had also a radical prostatectomy, but earlier in the day.
Pretty much he recovered his bladder control as I did. The Internet says it typically takes 3-6 months. My friend mentioned that he has a friend who had the same procedure a year ago and still leaks and gushes, likely one of the 10% who never recover bladder control.
Cal
So the expected zero might not be the case. I was reminded I have an aggressive Cancer, and also it did make the jump to the neck of my bladder.
There is a threshold of 0.1 on my PSA. If higher then the secondary treatment begins: if below then another PSA text in three months.
On my way in I ran into my suite mate in the hospital I had post-surgery. Basically another patient of my surgeon that had also a radical prostatectomy, but earlier in the day.
Pretty much he recovered his bladder control as I did. The Internet says it typically takes 3-6 months. My friend mentioned that he has a friend who had the same procedure a year ago and still leaks and gushes, likely one of the 10% who never recover bladder control.
Cal
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
That was the theory behind it. In practice, there are more loonies with guns who would destroy it under the guise of "exercising their rights".
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
In the waiting room of a lab, I saw a complete episode of Deal-No Deal.
I don’t watch TV, so it was kinda interesting. Pretty much a contestant is playing against an Al-gur-rythem for $1M.
I would rename the show Greed-No Greed…
Anyways spoke to me a lot about American culture.
Filled up my gas tank: $3.739 a gallon for Moble Premium.
Cal
I don’t watch TV, so it was kinda interesting. Pretty much a contestant is playing against an Al-gur-rythem for $1M.
I would rename the show Greed-No Greed…
Anyways spoke to me a lot about American culture.
Filled up my gas tank: $3.739 a gallon for Moble Premium.
Cal
valdas
Veteran
Yes, I was being sarcastic (to some degree, because in theory this can still help).
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I was married to a woman from Costa Rica.
Back in the day the Nicaraguan Revolution had just been won, and I asked why and how the Sandinistas got entrenched. One Costa Rican revealed the history that happened in Costa Rica after they experienced a Civil War.
They were told to take their guns home to defend their Democracy, but in Nicaragua the Sandinistas said the fighting is over, so turn over your weapons.
Pretty much the difference was the right to bear arms…
Then another history happened in Canada. They had “The Year of the Gun” where there were a series of mass murders, and mass shootings. The Canadians regulated and enforced gun laws, but also maintained the right to bear arms.
So perhaps I’m a bit of a Right Wing Liberal if there can be one. I fully support the right to bear arms, but of course with sensible restrictions. I’m also in full support of “King of the Castle” so that if someone invades my home I am entitled to use lethal force. In my book “King of the Castle” is self defense.
So I go back to my spin on Rule of Law verses Rule of the Jungle. I think you know where I stand having known and experienced hate crimes.
L. Mangeone is looked upon as a folk hero, but think about some terminally ill patient, or some marginalized senior citizen, or some other person that has nothing to loose. The way things are going there will be many lone wolves who were once decent outstanding law abiding citizens who were cornered and pushed too far.
Street justice will prevail because there is no rule of law.
Cal
Back in the day the Nicaraguan Revolution had just been won, and I asked why and how the Sandinistas got entrenched. One Costa Rican revealed the history that happened in Costa Rica after they experienced a Civil War.
They were told to take their guns home to defend their Democracy, but in Nicaragua the Sandinistas said the fighting is over, so turn over your weapons.
Pretty much the difference was the right to bear arms…
Then another history happened in Canada. They had “The Year of the Gun” where there were a series of mass murders, and mass shootings. The Canadians regulated and enforced gun laws, but also maintained the right to bear arms.
So perhaps I’m a bit of a Right Wing Liberal if there can be one. I fully support the right to bear arms, but of course with sensible restrictions. I’m also in full support of “King of the Castle” so that if someone invades my home I am entitled to use lethal force. In my book “King of the Castle” is self defense.
So I go back to my spin on Rule of Law verses Rule of the Jungle. I think you know where I stand having known and experienced hate crimes.
L. Mangeone is looked upon as a folk hero, but think about some terminally ill patient, or some marginalized senior citizen, or some other person that has nothing to loose. The way things are going there will be many lone wolves who were once decent outstanding law abiding citizens who were cornered and pushed too far.
Street justice will prevail because there is no rule of law.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
BTW my judgement that my Cancer was caught just in time was validated by today’s meeting with my urologist/surgeon.
He emphasized I have an aggressive Cancer, and my PSA might not be the expected “zero.”
Pretty much at this point a coin toss.
Cal
He emphasized I have an aggressive Cancer, and my PSA might not be the expected “zero.”
Pretty much at this point a coin toss.
Cal