No Predictions

There are many predictions about this year on multiple sites. Some are fun, some are serious, and all are pure speculation. I'm not making any because not only will I forget what I predicted, but if they're right, there is no prize, and such things demand really, really good prizes.

The new year started good, with clearing weather, and the promise of more rain. The rain is starting this morning, and is forecast to continue until tomorrow. Theoretically, we don't need any more rain, but if we have a long dry spell ahead, we'll with for it.

I played cards with the in-laws on New Years Eve. It was fun, although the games were new to me. I'm used to poker in the multiple games usually played, so the game of "Hoodwink Brother in Law" (or something with a different name, but with the same result.) was new to me. It's like Bourre, except more expensive. It's a good thing my wife only had $15 in quarters, and I was shrewd enough to keep $3 out of play. If I hadn't, I would have lost $15.

So, Happy New Year. I've resolved to not get fat this year. That, and not spend money at theaters. The later resolve has been in effect since the year "Star Trek -The Wrath of Khan" was released, and easy to keep. Theaters never really appealed to me, and I've heard the distraction are now worse than ever. This surprises me, since tasers have been on the market for years.

Drizzly Drips

Yesterday the skies had high clouds, with a few darker solid gray layers. The darker clouds would bring light sprinkles and would pass in a few minutes. The north wind was strong, and the damp chill was uncomfortable. Today is different.

This morning, the skies were solid gray, with some low scud out of the north. It was almost calm, but the wind picked up, and the rain began. It's been like that since, and the only way to describe the weather is miserable.

One good thing is the temperature. The thermometer is hovering around 50, and I'm glad it's not hovering right below freezing. The last time that happened (decades ago), the heavy ice accumulation eventually took out the power, and it took over a week for the line crews to repair the damage.

 It was miserable, since my home at the time had electric heat, and the small generator I had could barely keep one small space heater working. The water well was 220, and although I could have changed it to 110, it was safer to just drain the pump and tank. I had a bathtub full of water for flushing, and bottled water to drink. Sponge baths were all that was available, and the water was heated on a colander placed over a large candle. 

So, this year ends with nasty weather, but better weather is forecast for the first. It won't last long, and we've expecting more rain in the middle of the week.

Cost Analysis

I found the following from the Raconteur Report. It's what the media should be reporting daily, and the reason the southern border walls should be built.

Regardless of what some people think, everyone pays taxes, whether outright on income, or through increased costs due to government bureaucracy and waste. Everyone should be pissed about how much money is spent on illegal invaders, and be determined to kick them out.

Political Garbage

An eight year old boy died of an illness, so the national news reports the event. The national news doesn't report on the death of other children that died from an illness, but this one is different: The boy was from Guatemala, and is one of the illegals trying to become U.S. citizens. Regardless of how the death has nothing to do with politics, the media thinks it's important, since they think it glorifies their political garbage.

The article doesn't report what the child died from. Was it a dangerous communicable disease? Was it a simple cold, but the child was not in good health? An allergic reaction? We'll probably never know, since most people worry tremendously about their own children, and would not be very gracious towards those bringing unknown illnesses into the the country. The boy might have died from an illness not common in the United States, and the exposure to the population could lead to severe health problems.

Linus Christmas Speech