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.
From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Empire Falls, this slyly funny, moving novel about a blue-collar town in upstate New York—and about Sully, one of its unluckiest citizens, who has been doing the wrong thing triumphantly for fifty years—is a classic American story.
I would never boat in fog on purpose. Commercial fisherman do it all the time - no choice. Furthermore, they know their waters by heart.
Got stuck in a fog bank this morning for an hour or so. Not fun. Where would recreational boaters be without GPS? I do have radar but not expert with it. I am a fair-weather boater. Not in the past, but now.
Everybody has a dark side, or a "shadow self." Often, civilization and socialization buries it to varying degrees but do not underestimate its existence.
As usual, Jordan Peterson has trouble shutting up but Robert Greene has been an interesting and successful author. I did read his book about power, but only looked at his Seduction book because I do not need to think about that these days.
My Father's Day present. Unlike many guys, I am not a grill fanatic but it's ok. Not for fat ribeyes.
My last one rusted out and fell apart. Got a similar one, half propane and half charcoal/wood/smoker. Lowe's included free assembly, but I gotta give the guy $20 tip for that hassle. If nothing else, I always show gratitude for helpers. I've assembled big grills in the past, and it's a chore. Boat is in the water - no time.
Propane is quick, but I like charcoal+wood, especially for the TG turkey.
IQ expands options in life, but makes you no more honest, likeable, or happy. Statistically, it matters to socioeconomic outcome. Luckily, most people worry more about contentment than socioeconomic status.
You see neighbors - all waiting in a line. The location is ramshackle. It is pre-tech in every way but plenty of employees.
Going into the post office is like going back in time. Or back into Mr. Rogers.
I waited a while while a few people got their packages stamped by a little kiosk, then I got 100 stamps from the machine. Took too long for me to get the other 100, plus there were impatient people behind me.
At the end of his interview (we posted a week ago) with Lex, Elon Musk says he read the entire encylopedia in youth. Doesn't say which one. Britannica? Possibly.
There is no substitute for curiosity. There are plenty of people with Elon Musk's brain power, but who never try to apply it. That's OK but it is inspiring to see.
“Still, it is true, lamb," said Satan. "Look at you in war—what mutton you are, and how ridiculous!" "In war? How?" "There has never been a just one, never an honorable one—on the part of the instigator of the war. I can see a million years ahead, and this rule will never change in so many as half a dozen instances. The loud little handful—as usual—will shout for the war. The pulpit will—warily and cautiously—object—at first; the great, big, dull bulk of the nation will rub its sleepy eyes and try to make out why there should be a war, and will say, earnestly and indignantly, "It is unjust and dishonorable, and there is no necessity for it." Then the handful will shout louder. A few fair men on the other side will argue and reason against the war with speech and pen, and at first will have a hearing and be applauded; but it will not last long; those others will outshout them, and presently the anti-war audiences will thin out and lose popularity. Before long you will see this curious thing: the speakers stoned from the platform, and free speech strangled by hordes of furious men who in their secret hearts are still at one with those stoned speakers—as earlier—but do not dare to say so. And now the whole nation—pulpit and all—will take up the war-cry, and shout itself hoarse, and mob any honest man who ventures to open his mouth; and presently such mouths will cease to open. Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception.”
Water mats