We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
This will surely be the most entertaining election in US history, and probably the most pointless, too. After all, Hillary wants to use government to make Government Great Again. And Trump promises to use government to make America Great Again.
With Springtime finally upon us up here, the skis are put away and the hiking boots come out.
When people get out of town, they want and need to get off the sofa and hiking in the woods and mountains. Here are a few ideas for tougher, and easier, hikes:
Squats are among the Big Five or Big Six essential multi-muscle strength conditioning exercises. Contrary to what this lady implies, it's not for "toning." It's for functional strength and general endurance (but I guess it can cure Saggy Butt Syndrome too).
I found that I had to work up to barbell squats by using the leg press machine, doing plain squats, and doing goblet squats or heavy ball squats. Now I can do barbell squats. I did 5 sets of 6-10 this morning of increasing weights, and man do I feel it.
Her form is perfect. Get that butt back, chest out, head up, and go low. Perhaps lower than she goes if you can. This gal is strong and fit:
All of New York City - not just Manhattan - is a patchwork of neighborhoods. If somebody asks you where you live, you name a neighborhood, not a street. The neighborhoods, with their mostly fuzzy edges, are distinctive in character and more like towns with invisible boundaries.
During this Maggie's Hike on the past Saturday I figure we explored, or at least passed through, these Manhattan neighborhoods: Lower East Side and Alphabet City, the East Village, Gramercy Park, Murray Hill, a bit of Midtown, a slice of the Upper East Side, most of Central Park, the Upper West Side, and Morningside Heights to the edge of Harlem. Not bad for a day's stroll.
That was 12 miles in all and 7 hours total, including pit stops, lunch break, visits into some places of interest, etc. Heck, Advil works!
Pic above is not our starting DD on Delancey St. - that pic is on Houston St.
Our team included friends, relatives, friends of Maggie's (new friends) from all over.
We also had with us celebrities like Stuart of Had Enough Therapy, Francis of Manhattan Contrarian, Dave of Assistant Village Idiot, Donald Trump and Bob Dylan - Fine fellows all and engaging, entertaining companions. Delighted to meet them.
Pic documentary below the fold to see what you missed -
The only thing I would do differently would be to permit sustainable hunting, and build a rustic hunting lodge or two. Rustic enough to deter people looking for comfort.
I only do the Conventional, because I do deads mainly to sturdy-up my "posterior chain," ie neck to back to calf to ankle. It has done a lot for my posture and my overall power. See recent pic of me, below (actually, not me but I self-identify as that so you have to accept it - and if you do not you may not use my bathroom):
21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
21:2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;
21:4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away."
21:5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."
21:6 Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
Scoop of Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream. Splash with a shot of your best Scotch whiskey, then lightly dust with freshly powder-ground dark espresso coffee bean. Scotch whiskey on an Italian dessert? I call that cultural appropriation.
If you don't like this, there is something wrong with you. Plus, it combines a sweet, an after-dinner drink, and after-dinner coffee, all-in-one.
Last night, friends served us home-made vanilla gelato with a handful of raspberries on top, then sprinkled with mini chocolate chips. Damn simple and tasty.
The other day, I tackled the vexing question of why so few Americans seem able to save enough. Today I’ll tackle the vexing corollary to this question: the assertion that if individuals can’t manage to save, the government must step in. Corporate pensions are dying, the argument goes, and private savings is laughably inadequate. Obviously, what we need is a much more generous Social Security system...
The Average American 29-Year-Old - Forget media archetypes of older Millennials as college-educated singles living in cities. The typical 29-year-old is living with a partner in the suburbs—without a bachelor’s degree.
But be contented: when that fell arrest Without all bail shall carry me away, My life hath in this line some interest, Which for memorial still with thee shall stay. When thou reviewest this, thou dost review The very part was consecrate to thee: The earth can have but earth, which is his due; My spirit is thine, the better part of me: So then thou hast but lost the dregs of life, The prey of worms, my body being dead, The coward conquest of a wretch's knife, Too base of thee to be remembered. The worth of that is that which it contains, And that is this, and this with thee remains.
Ever wonder why people say "codfish" instead of "cod"? Easier to understand with Tuna: "Tuna" is at the fish market, "Tunafish" is that stuff in a can you make sandwiches out of with white bread, mayo, and capers or sliced gherkins.
Cod, Scrod, or Haddock all work.
Like the best crab cakes, codfish cakes are best without any filler like mashed potatoes or dough. Maybe just a dash of flour and egg to hold it together.
The ingredients in this recipe are good, but I disagree with putting the meat in a food processor. Best to simply steam the meat a little until it begins to flake, and then stir it around with the mix so it breaks up somewhat.
Probably the most classic version is made from dried salt cod, "bacala", but there is no need to use that.
Serve with lemon, tartar sauce, or even red seafood sauce. Or best, nothing but salt and a glass of wine.
We'd like to meet ya regardless of any political nonsense.
By or before 10 am at 140 Delancey St., outside the Dunkin Donuts there. Our Great Leader Bulldog will have some identifying something. (God knows, the Dunkin had better be there or we're all screwed up.) Tall skinny hipster-looking dude with some cap or hat and a nice wife.
Hike details. Should be perfect weather and a good, long, tiring but congenial hike. Cameras, bottle of water, good shoes, binocs if you are into the early warblers in the Park. Around 12:30, snacks at the Grand Army Plaza food trucks.
I expect a good but not-unwieldy bunch, including at least 2 of my sisters and probably my bro.
Got a ride last night in a pal's new Tesla. After two whiskeys, even he was startled by the acceleration. Everything loose in the car flew to the back. Rocket Man. Then he had to demonstrate its no-hands driving. Sheesh.
When the angry bull-dyke Senator visits, they can show her how enthusiastic they are for girls in combat. This also requires a catalog of euphemisms and esoteric rules to game the theocrats. Everyone in the military now speaks in tongues.
Regulatory
Arbitrage, Rent-Seeking and the Deal of the Year - See more at:
http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2016/04/regulatory-arbitrage-deal-of-the-year.html#sthash.0fa5Lo0p.dpuf
Regulatory
Arbitrage, Rent-Seeking and the Deal of the Year - See more at:
http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2016/04/regulatory-arbitrage-deal-of-the-year.html#sthash.0fa5Lo0p.dpuf
Fancy folk have Chubb and the others, but good old Allstate has been a boon to our family over the past few months. Also, pleasant, helpful, and easy to deal with. Eager to please.
A near-total car crash and, this week, a burst water pipe in the basement. Whatever it is, they send people to fix and repair every mess, like the Cat in the Hat.
We have their Homeowner's, their Auto, their Business, and their Umbrella. Worth it.
We have been expensive to them this year, but 25 years with only one (also a basement water pipe) previous claim. Hope they don't cancel us. Thanks, Allstate.
How Facebook Reached A Blowout Quarter 
Photo: Why does this compassionate German gal hold a sign in English? 
Scoop of Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream. Splash with a shot of your best Scotch whiskey, then lightly dust with freshly powder-ground dark espresso coffee bean. Scotch whiskey on an Italian dessert? I call that cultural appropriation.
You’re the Parent. 
Ever wonder why people say "codfish" instead of "cod"? Easier to understand with Tuna: "Tuna" is at the fish market, "Tunafish" is that stuff in a can you make sandwiches out of with white bread, mayo, and capers or sliced gherkins.