As My Mind Keeps Me Awake

Before I went to bed - as I was standing outside - I heard the sound of a multi-engine jet flying overhead, which is a common occurrence. In the past, before I moved to under a flight path, I never really paid attention to jets. After I moved, I noticed how I far the jet was from the apparent location that the sound revealed. It made me think of why, so as I thought, it came to me that at their altitude, and with their speed, the sound was arriving long past the current position of the jet. I had to look some things up, and built a spread sheet. 

Using the typical speed of commercial airlines, and their typical cruising altitude, I could use trigonometry to determine the angular difference between the sound and the location. While the parameters were basically wild-ass guesses, observation revealed the angular distance between the sound, and the jet, was pretty close to what was calculated. Still, on some occasions during the day, I couldn't find the jet, although I could hear it. This leads to the reason for this post, which became a compelling task when I woke at 1:30 am and couldn't fall back asleep. 

The atmosphere was mostly clear right after sunset, but the jet I was trying to find was pulling a contrail. As followed the contrail to the jet, faint navigation lights showed its location. From what I could see, the distance between the sound, and the jet, was greater than what I usually observe. This led me to realize the jets I couldn't find in the day were flying at an altitude where binoculars would be required to observe them; if they sky was really clear, and I managed to find them with binoculars. So, I'm thinking they're military jets. They're allowed higher altitudes than commercial flights. I might be wrong, but judging from the sound (which is fainter), and the fact even military transports are limited by air speeds similar to commercial transports, I think I'm right. 

I know some might be thinking calculus is more appropriate for calculating such things; and I think they're right. I don't know calculus, although I could probably learn it in some rudimentary way...if I was so inclined, which brings me to the second reason for this post. 

I was thinking of how Isaac Newton plotted the motion of planets. I can understand the method, but the demand for accurate timekeeping is necessary, and I wondered how that was done during his lifetime. I looked it up. It was using water-clocks, which are considered very accurate. 

Now I probably need to try to sleep, but I don't feel like it. I'll make a cup of coffee and see if that helps. If not, I'll wait a few hours and cook breakfast.

Early to Bed Early to Rise

I went to sleep early last night. I was tired, and followed my brains demand to get some sleep. The reward was to wake before 5:00 am, and have the opportunity to enjoy the quiet of the early morning. 

With the Perseids in full swing, I saw two meteors by accident. If I had been out earlier, watched more closely, I probably would have seen more. Still, I did observe Venus, and Jupiter, which were close the morning. That, and noticed Orion fully above the horizon. That's the harbinger of the approaching colder days. Summer is starting to fade, and the morning temperatures reflect the change. 

My little dog decided to join me on the porch for awhile. He had to have a short bark at something only he was aware of. Whatever it was, the bark must have chased it off. Then again, since I'm not completely aware of dog society, it might have been a morning shout-out at the dogs in the neighborhood. If so, they didn't respond. He wanted back in, so I honored his request.

Texas Democrats fled to other states to avoid their responsibility. It's a figurative holding of breath to show their childish displeasure of not getting their way. I have a feeling they'll get a spanking, and since Beto's funds for helping are cut off, and he's being investigated, the tantrum might yield more grief than anticipated. The new threat of punishment is having them removed from office due to abandonment. If that sticks, the Democrats in Texas might find their mouths wrote a check their asses can't cover.

Local news brings reports of shootings, traffic mayhem, displeasure of highway construction, and the mishmash of reports that fill the spaces. Some actually have follow-up, but many don't. 

I'm getting tired of the refuge ducks that appeared a few months ago. They're nasty, loud, and why relatives keep feeding them is beyond my comprehension. Without food, they could just wander off, or return to the derelict neighbor that allowed them to escape from their pen. In the past, when confronted by escaped animals, he denied ownership. This time has been no different, but with 21 possible pots of duck gumbo wandering around, the colder weather might bring some good meals. I need to learn the easiest way to dress out a duck. Domestic duck has a wonderful flavor, which is much better than wild duck.

...and I have to add: If you don't pay your traffic tickets, you go to jail. If you attempt a coup, nothing happens, and you get a book deal from publishers that would sell their mother's wheelchair for improved sales.

Water Logged and Pickle Juice

The climate where I live isn't as hot as a desert, but with the humidity, the heat index can bring conditions as brutal as any desert. Working outside brings sweat immediately, and it doesn't dry. Clothes are soaked within minutes, and regardless of how much water you drink, it doesn't replace the electrolytes. Your stomach is bloated with water, and severe heat cramps are soon to arrive. 

I've tried many different things, but a supplement called Medi Lyte is a big help, and nothing helps better than slugging a few gulps of juice from a bottle of pickles. Products like Gatorade help, but I found too much will not do the job, and have seen people vomit after drinking too much. 

When I worked, we would fill two large water jugs each day. One was plain water, and the other had half the powdered Gatorade that was considered the right amount. I kept supplements on hand, and watched the crew closely. Over the years, I had a few I had to place in an air-conditioned truck to cool down, and had one I had to call for an ambulance. His reaction to the heat led to hyperventilation, which aggravated his heat exhaustion. I had one employee that had to be driven home because his heat cramps prevented him from driving. 

I had days where I know I drank well over a gallon liquid during a day at work. On one project, I literally poured sweat from my work boots in the evening. The 16 hour days, brutal heat, and lack of sleep whittled 20 pounds off me in a month. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't.

So, stay hydrated, avoid exposure to the heat, and keep a bottle of pickles handy...just in case.

Analyzing the Market

New homes are expensive. Older homes are expensive, too. Home prices have now reached the point a few percentage points in interest can lead to not having the ability to purchase a home. So, who will blink first? Lenders, those selling homes, or those buying homes? If the product is beyond what people can, or will, pay, either the price goes down, or the seller has to sit on their merchandise. 

Even rental prices are going beyond what people can pay. That, in my opinion, will break the stalemate. Large apartment complexes are money pits without renters. They're building them as fast as they can, hoping the market will support the endeavor. I don't think it will, and either the prices go down, or the properties are sold at a reduced price (future lower rents). Bankruptcy for the investors is always an option, but leads to problems with future investment opportunities. In the end, all that invested in the bloated market will suffer. It's now only how much money will be lost.

Physic, Energy and Potatoes

I like potatoes. I like them cooked to where a small amount of salt is all needed for seasoning, and covered with butter, sour cream, chives, bacon and cheddar cheese. They're good, and I decided to write this post after reading on how potatoes are fattening. 

Potatoes have potential energy. We use the chemical energy as food, which is not only tasty, it offers some important vitamins and minerals. Eat a tiny amount, and there isn't enough energy to keep you alive. Eat too much potato, and you eventually accumulate fat you don't need. Otherwise, a potato isn't fattening; your appetite is fattening, and thinking you just need to avoid potatoes doesn't remove the fact eating potatoes has nothing to do with your weight gain. 

After thinking about this post, I started wondering just how much energy a potato has, if you could release it all at once. Would it just be small, bright light? Maybe a little more, such as a singed spot on a table? Or, would it take out the walls of a room, and scare the crap out of everyone within hearing distance? I made a half-hearted effort to find out, but became frustrated after seeing so many articles on how a potato can be used like a battery to light small light bulbs used for headlights on gnats. I guess I'll never know. 

She Could Have Handled It Differently

 Melania Trump was invited for tea with Jill Biden. She declined for a good reason. She took the high road, instead of accepting the offer, meeting here for tea, throwing it in Jill Biden's face, and stomping a mud hole in her ass. Jill would have deserved it. She could have denounced the actions of her husband, but her failure shows she was all for the incredibly callous act of thuggery by her husband. 

A Fleeting Memory

 I was watching a television show about searching for proof of aliens. It was interesting, but like most, it was full of subjective opinions, a lack of definitive proof, and the questions raised by the experiences of people. It brought back a short conversation I had with someone over forty years ago, while working on a project on a rural highway in the East Texas woods. 

I was young, and the man I was talking to had worked for decades for what was then known as the Texas Highway Department. I brought up a report I read about an encounter by two women on a rural highway near the city of Dayton, Texas, which is now known as the Cash-Landrum incident. I was skeptical, and his response was he saw the highway where the incident was reported to have happened. Something very hot had damaged the paving, and it had to be repaired. He had no idea if it was real, or not, but something did happen to the paving. 

As time goes on, and people are gone, things that may be important disappear. Considering how the incident was "investigated" by those with the most to hide makes me wonder what really did happen. Those that would really know are either gone, or getting close, and if there is any proof, it's hidden away in some classified file never to be revealed. 

The one thing I always found as odd was the proximity of the reported incident to Houston, Texas. At about forty miles away, and with an operational military facility nearby, it hardly seems to be a place any alien intelligence would reveal their existence. The women did report a substantial amount helicopters (some having twin rotors) around the object, which would indicate military involvement. Somewhere, somebody knows something, but will never tell, and it will remain a mystery for a long time.

It's Halloween

The forecast for the local folks is not good for tricks and treats. Not only may there be rain, some may come from severe thunderstorms So, the children will miss a late evening moon; rising over the trees; tendrils of high clouds making the moon appear as sailing on a wispy sea; swirling leaves in the dark shadows leaving thoughts of scurrying, tiny night creatures;  the damp, cool breeze inspiring pulling up a collar; and the trek home, with bags of treats to protect from the hidden ghosts behind the wide trunk of the old oak tree.

Oh well, there's always next year.  Happy Halloween!

Maybe It's Time

I read a news report about a college where many students want areas that don't allow people with white skin to have access. In my opinion, it's just another sign the too many university level students are not serious about their education. That, and too many have a sense of entitlement.

Maybe it's time for all public funding of universities to end. That, and the elimination of government backed student loans. Too much of it is wasted, those graduating are too many times only barely more functional than a good high school student, and with the liberal indoctrination, too many are obtaining degrees without a practical application.

Personally, I think it is. Considering student loan debt is over a trillion, collecting is hard, too many will take too much of their life to repay, and it's obvious the universities are only in it for the money, the money pit of college education shouldn't be the responsibility of the taxpayer.

I know many will disagree, but that's fine. They can allocate more of their income toward the education of others, and leave mine alone. I have to deal with enough dumbasses daily. Funding a constant stream of dumbasses is a waste of tax dollars.

So, I Learned Something Today

I was reading a news report about those having a hard time returning to New York City society, after going to "Burning Man". Many are depressed, which - to me - means somewhat of a traumatic return.

I never heard of "Burning Man". I had no idea the event existed, until I looked it up on the internet, After reading, I realized the event, which started as a bonfire with friends on a beach in California, now involves thousands in the Nevada desert. A "radical form of self expression", as described by the creators of the event, which involved burning a man, and his dog, in effigy, is now an annual event in a pseudo-city built for the event. After the even the city disappears, without a trace; a requirement demanded by those that volunteer, and the Bureau of Land Management.

From what I've read, the conditions are rather primitive (many only bathing with wipes for the week), and the Woodstock atmosphere of free expression allows for the attendees to throw away their daily lifestyle for an alternative lifestyle reminiscent of the days of the flower children.

So, now what was once just a few friends gathering on the beach, is a worldwide network of similar events, which promote an alternative lifestyle for one week. I guess that's good, but in a way, it reminds me of a cult, and cults can be disasters.

Political Obfuscation

Years ago, my cousin ran for a local office. Although I didn't support their party affiliation, I knew they were more than capable of the job. Then, the process started.

The ads were horrific against their opponent. It was muckraking, conjecture, and outright attacks that left me wondering how my cousin could allow such dirty actions to continue.

They lost, but the process is seen in all elections today. Somewhere the true candidate is to be found, but the effort to find the candidate is a waste of time. To make things worse, too much of the information presented to voters is a Hollywood version of reality, and voters end up voting for hype, instead of substance.

Maybe the future will bring a demand for less glitter, honest reporting, and avoiding the candidates that are so willing to let their campaign obfuscate for a win, instead of what's right.

I Have No Title

I have much to write about, but time - and my sometimes inability to put it all into words - prevents me from writing. Still, I have some things to relate.

                                                                 ***

I think I need a squirrel trap. If there isn't what I envision, I have a good idea that involves bird seed, a good spring door, some heavy cord, and little patience. The only problem I have is what I should do with the squirrels after capture. I have some ideas:

 - Make gumbo.
 - Take them down the street, and release them in the neighbors yard.
 - Catch a few, and teach them how to ride little bicycles, and jump through tiny hoops.
 - Build an elaborate system, and let them run on wheels to generate electricity.

There are probably more things I could do with squirrels, but sending them to Washington, D.C. would only add to the problems with Congress. Enough squirrels have offices, and write laws.

                                                                 ***
I'm having a hard time with the presidential election. Not that it's not interesting, but all problems are caused by a lack of basic fiscal responsibility. With the current state of our Capitol, such problems are way beyond their mental acuity, and elections are only a waste of money. Promising anything only costs more, and the credit card is maxed out.

                                                                ***

Johnny Manziel, with a promising future, decided he'd rather be a spoiled rich kid, and drink himself to obscurity. It's wasted talent.....literally.

                                                                ***

Hillary Clinton is a criminal. So is her husband, and anyone that supports the Clinton Foundation.

                                                               ***

We've had too much rain. While some may blame this on Global Warming,, or Climate Change, or whatever they're calling it today, I know it's the weather, which is what we have every year; regardless of the current effort to steal money with "feel good" legislation and general B.S.

                                                               ***

If someone came into my house without permission, I'd be upset. If they tried to take my job, demand I speak another language, and want free healthcare, my squirrel trap idea would become larger....except the gumbo.

I wonder how many people it would take to run in a hamster cage to keep my house cool?

That's all for now. More will come.

Projected Increases

I was listening to a news report on the radio, which stated the Postal Service is predicting a 10% increase in holiday mailings. My mind started wandering, and I had a few questions:

How do they come up with this data? Do they ask people with questions like: "As a percentage, what is your projected increase in mailings this Christmas?" If so, who do they ask? I know they didn't ask me, and I'm curious about whether any of my readers were asked.

If they didn't ask anyone, how much did they arrive with their data, and how much did it cost? I can see some bureaucrat trying to justify their salary - which is wasted on their daily internet surfing - and thinking: "I think we need to hire a consulting firm to determine if we need to increase our spending to cover the costs of increased mailings this holiday season." After that, they convince their supervisor, who is a bigger waste of tax dollars, and it's on. After all, if they spend too much, they'll just beg for more of the Chinese loan money to cover their asses. Of course, the consulting firm manufactures all the data, places it in a shiny Powerpoint presentation, and even the smartest Senator will be impressed.

So, I'm sitting here and wondering about the report, while thinking of what difference it really makes if the Postal Service is a little behind, and someone doesn't get a Christmas card, until after Christmas day. Will the world end? Of course not. Will someone's life be terribly affected if Aunt Martha's three armed sweater doesn't arrive until New Years? I doubt it.

So, once again, my thoughts are on another great mystery that has no answer. I know in my heart I'll never have the answer, so I'll place it in the file with my question on why fast food restaurant clerks can't remember I told them "to go" in the few seconds required to repeat my order. I guess these things are like black holes. They exist, but it will take some really patient scientist to convince me an entire star is compressed to the size of nothing.

Nonsense

Life is short
Time is real
So why does it all
Have to be uphill?

Election Cycle?

"Cycle" is defined as a serious of repeating events. At one time, it was an accurate description of the process of electing a President. Since this is now a constant event, electing the President is now an "election drudgery".

You're welcome. Now you can better define your irritation at the constant bombardment of hype, rhetoric, and stupidity.


_ and I have to add a comment on the candidates: They don't sweat, they don't have blemishes, they wear makeup, and not a hair is out of place. It's like we're electing someone to accept the Academy Award, instead of someone to run the United States. We don't elect Presidents anymore; we elect the best supporting actor, or actress, in a movie loosely based on reality. 

Increasing Heat

Rain is not on the horizon, the temperature is supposed to reach the upper nineties to low hundreds, and the event is supposed to last to the middle of the week, at least.

The summer of 2011 was similar, and we had one worse in the late nineties, when afternoon temperatures reached 108. That was a brutal summer, and our work hours were 6:00 am to 2:30 pm. With temperatures over 100 by noon, it was dangerous to work in the brutal heat. Even those most accustomed to the work were beat by the early afternoon and close to dehydration.

So, we have another summer, where everything is the same, and everything is different. Like those before, it will end and Autumn will arrive.

I'm looking forward to the first morning, when the temperature is in the low sixties, and the afternoon high is less than eighty.

Maybe a Good Class Action Suit

I've been reading how Planned Parenthood is harvesting fetal tissue, after the mothers sign releases to allow the process for "medical research". I wonder if there's an opportunity for a shrewd attorney to make billions by suing the organization for coercion by fraud, since the complete abortion procedure, dissection of the fetuses, and final disposition of the parts wasn't completely described by the abortionists? I think a good attorney would have a slam-dunk, if he can get enough women to join the suit.

When The Big Boys Play

It's evident that the President of the United States, and Prime Minister of Israel, are not the best of friends. The media fawns over this conflict, and many - supposedly unbiased - choose sides.

From my vantage point, when any personality conflict arises with heads of state, the final outcome depends on the person. In this situation, those involved are remarkably opposites.

Netanyahu has fought terrorists as a soldier, and loves his country. He's unwilling to offer the Palestinians unbridled access to the real estate he governs.

Obama...well....obviously loves himself, has obvious disdain for the military, and wants to give illegal aliens full access to our country.

So, who wins? The answer is obvious. Obama doesn't have a chance of winning this in the court of world opinion.

Observation and a Question

 Why is it that things you have you don't need;  and things you need you don't have?

Bee Business

I stopped at a coin car wash on the way to the office this morning and cleaned my pickup. After doing some paperwork, and finishing my weekly report, I went and found hundreds of little brown specs on my truck.

I know what they are, since we had the same problem last year, until a local property owner took up a petition to have a local farmer move some hives on his land.

The hives are back, which means a few hundred supers and the thousands of bees they house.

They fly over, as they work and crap all over everything. It's on cars, buildings, fences....everything - including into the coffee of the local property owner, as he greets the day.

So, my truck needs washing again. The little turds will turn into brown concrete if I don't wash them off.

And people wonder why I stay pissed off.