A Random Thought

It isn't surprising that Pfizer developed the first Covid-19 vaccine. Pfizer introduced Viagra, after all. 

So if they can raise the dead, surely they can heal the living.

😁

I Was Thinking...

I was thinking: if only 11 million people have Obama-Care, how will 24 million people die if it is repealed? Will an additional 13 million people be randomly shot?

 

I was thinking: if Donald Trump deleted all of his emails, wiped his server with Bleachbit and destroyed all of his phones with a hammer, would the Mainstream Media suddenly lose all interest in the story and declare him innocent?

 

I was thinking: if women do the same job for less money, why do companies hire men to do the same job for more money?

 

I was thinking: each ISIS attack now is a reaction to Trump policies, but all ISIS attacks during Obama's term were due to Climate Change and a plea for jobs.

 

 

I was thinking: we should stop calling them all the government payouts "entitlements". Welfare, Food Stamps, WIC, ad nauseum are not entitlements. They are taxpayer-funded handouts, and shouldn't be called entitlements at all. Social Security and veterans' benefits are entitlements because the people receiving them are entitled to them: they were earned and paid for by the recipients. The others were not.

 

 

I was thinking: if Liberals don't believe in biological gender, then why did they march for women's rights?

 

 

I was thinking: how did the Russians get Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the DNC to steal the 2016 primary from Bernie Sanders?

 

 

I was thinking: why is it that Democrats think Super delegates are fine, but they have a problem with the Electoral College?

 

 

I was thinking: if you don't want the FBI involved in elections, don't nominate someone who's being investigated by the FBI.

 

 

I was thinking: if Hillary's speeches cost $250,000 an hour, how come no one shows up to her free ones?

 

 

I was thinking: if Democrats don't want foreigners involved in our elections, why do they think it's all right for illegals to vote?

 

Now my head hurts; I'm going to quit thinking for a while!

A Non-Political Post, Almost

Since the vile, disgusting, uncivilized, uncouth, wicked, evil, iniquitous, heinous, villainous, diabolical, diabolic, fiendish, vicious, cruel, disagreeable, abominable, offensive, obnoxious, odious, repulsive (have I missed any?) behavior of the Senate Democrites has been on open display, my stomach has grown increasingly queasy.

Frankly, I can't stand to watch the proceedings. My heart breaks for Judge Kavanaugh and his family, the rule of law, the presumption of innocense, and for what used to be the United States of America.


So, moving on ...

I tried to use the ATM at our local bank this morning, but it was off-line. Strange, that. But I had other errands to run.

Returning to the bank when they opened at 10:00, I thought the interior lighting was a bit dim. A greeter (since when do banks have greeters?) let me in with a caution that a transformer had blown, and services were limited.

Since I had a single check to deposit, she assured me that it could be done, but was being done by hand with pen and paper.

It seems the power which was out destroyed the bank's I.T. infrastructure.

My question is, isn't that the result of rather poor planning? Moreover, why would you tell somebody that? Wouldn't that encourage, umm, depredations upon the bank?


On the bright side, it provided them the opportunity to inform me of another ATM machine, somewhat closer to my home.

But seriously, it triggered my building inspector experience (a previous job, in the '90s) to look at the building in a new light. I noted several weak points in building security and construction which would be unthinkable for a bank. Except they're there, and weren't hard to spot.

Please note I'm not naming the bank, nor providing its location. All I can say is, Frank and Jesse James would have loved that place.

Just a Few Thoughts

Very light traffic this morning; kind of a nice change of pace. How light? There were a couple stretches on the highway when I could use high beams. That almost never happens.

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I was beginning to think my constant fatigue was indicative of a health problem, until finding out that everyone is having the same issue. I maintain it's the lack of winter (no snow, no cold weather).

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All of the arrangements for the upcoming April vacation have been made. Older Daughter and I will be putting plenty of miles on the rental car. :)

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There has been sudden, fairly sharp increase in the number of shootings and other violent crimes in southcentral Alaska. I was going to say "in Anchorage", but we're not alone. Again, the lack of inclement weather has allowed the bottom-feeder element to take advantage of the long nights. Although the nights aren't as long as they were a couple of months ago, they're still long enough to allow for plenty of mischief.

Unsurprisingly, people here are talking about how the quality of life in Anchorage has "suddenly" soured.  I submit, Gentle Reader, that the criminal element has always been here; it's just that they're feeling empowered.

It also doesn't help that the local news keeps hammering on how the local PD has shrunk a bit. Mostly, it's the worsening economy that's kept officers from working overtime. I've always maintained that if you have to consistently work overtime to get the job done, it's either a) poor planning by management, or b) need to hire more workers.

In this case, however, it seems the Muni of Anchorage has been relying on State grants and other monies to hire additional officers and fund overtime. That source has dried up.

All of this forces the Municipality to show its cards, and clearly display where its priorities are. If the money isn't going to public safety (an essential service), then one must follow the money and discover where it does go.

I have a feeling many won't like the answers.

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Like many, we mourn the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. It's sad to say that he was the most staunch Constitutionalist on the Supreme Court. It's probably safe to guess that whomever is nominated to replace him won't be of the same quality.

I pray I'm wrong.

Random Thoughts as I Grow Older

Wouldn't it be great if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes; come out wrinkle-free and three sizes smaller!

Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet!

I don't trip over things; I do random gravity checks!

I don't need anger management. I need people to stop ticking me off!

Old age is coming at a really bad time.

When I was a child I thought nap time was a punishment ... now, as a grown up, it just feels like a small vacation.

The biggest lie I tell myself is ... "I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it."

Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!

I don't have gray hair; I have "wisdom highlights". It seems I'm becoming very wise.

My people skills are just fine. It's my tolerance for idiots that needs work.

Teach your daughter how to shoot, because a restraining order is just a piece of paper.

The kids text me "plz" which is shorter than please. I text back "no" which is shorter than "yes".

I'm going to retire and live off of my savings. Not sure what I'll do the second week.

When did it change from "We the people" to "screw the people"?

Even duct tape can't fix stupid ... but it can muffle the sound!

Why do I have to press one for English when you're just gonna transfer me to someone I can't understand anyway?

Of course I talk to myself: sometimes I need expert advice.

Oops! Did I roll my eyes out loud?

At my age "Getting lucky" means walking into a room and remembering what I came in there for.

Chocolate comes from cocoa which is a tree ... that makes it a plant, which means ... chocolate is salad!

 

h/t Dana

Naming Inanimate Objects, and Other Trivia

Happy Boxing Day, St. Stephen's Day, Second Christmas, depending on whether you're in the UK, Italy, or perhaps Amish country. But happy December 26th, anyway!

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I've never been one to name my firearms, although I was tempted to do so with my favorite old black-powder hunting rifle. I still miss that one.

But the new M1 Garand seems to cry out for a name. Still seems a little silly to name an object, but "Liberty" feels right. Hmm. Any thoughts?


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It's a sweltering 4 degrees at the ol' homestead this morning, and there was a decent buildup of frost on the cars. Fortunately, since we had a high of 0° F. yesterday, the frost was not hard to scrape. (It was -9° at noon yesterday, which didn't encourage anyone to leave the house. Go figure.)

AccuHunch is warning that it could be as cool as -15° tonight. That'll be a bit nippy in the morning.
The car I'm currently driving is a little fussy when it's really cold, but it still does okay.

Won't stop me from replacing it with a nice SUV, come springtime or sooner, as finances allow.

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I notice that three new folks have clicked the "Follow this site" button. Welcome!



Random thoughts are all I have this morning, so this must suffice. Y'all have a wonderful Thursday, and thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts

My muse has apparently gone on vacation without so much as a by-your-leave ... how rude.

Just a few random thoughts this morning:

a) As the president tries to convince congressional leaders to authorize a strike on Syria (a very, VERY bad idea, no matter which way you spin it), it occurs to me that - if they refuse - the feckless wimp could back out & blame them for their "failure" or "cowardice" or whatever, all the while hoping it saves face for him.

We have no business going into Syria in the first place, but that's already been said by many others.

b) There have been four more aviation deaths over the weekend. One plane crashed outside of McGrath, another went down at Tatitna, and two more were killed when they went down near Sutton. This is a very bad year for fatalities, and it's not yet clear why.

c) It's that time of year again: studded snow tires will be legal from Sept. 15 through April 30. Almost no one starts that soon, as we don't usually have snow on the ground until the end of October. But it's coming.

Now I get to instruct Older Daughter on how to drive a 4WD pickup in the snow. w00t!

It's a Dark and Gloomy Morning

The weatherman says all these clouds will eventuate in rain by tonight. I certainly hope so; what's the point in gloom if you don't get rain, too?

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You think you're having an exciting day? This guy found an unexploded 30-pound bomb while working on his property.

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Weird Alaska Fact of the Day: "Owners of flamingos may not let their pets into barber shops."

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A couple of new folks (new to the blog, not to being folks) have joined the list of followers. Welcome, Gerald & Rob!

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Brigid brings the story of a lady who can use our help. I know we hear about a lot of worthy causes, but this one really is. Go read, and help if you can.

Busy Today (Updated)

Lots going on. We've had a freezing fog with some melting of the snow, and everything is slicker than grease on a doorknob. Kinda like walking/driving in axle grease. Fun stuff.

The weatherman guesses we'll get some more snow this weekend; about time for that, too. We're still a foot below normal, and without that moisture it will be a dangerous summer for wildfires. Of course, in my 10 years here, we've seen years where over a million acres was burning ... and not a single mention on the so-called national news.

Alaska still isn't important to the talking heads, unless they can work in a nasty dig as Sarah Palin.

Tell you what: we have $43 billion (that's with a B) in the State's savings account. Maybe we should buy ourselves, and go independent. Whaddya think?


Make talk-talk later.