18:01 Friday, 17 January 2025

Words: 118

So with the cold weather, I guess we won't have to look forward to Sean Spicer explaining the size of the Orange One's "crowd" because it was cold.

I know Spicer won't be the Press Secretary, but I can't help thinking of him as George Costanza.

"There was shrinkage!"

"Turtled on ya?"

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Countless Reasons

14:28 Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Wx: Temp: 61.54°F Pressure: 1020hPa Humidity: 48% Wind: 5.75mph
Words: 166

I gather the vast right-wing conspiracy has some plan for the Supreme Court to overturn all state gun control laws in the near future. Gosh, that sounds great.

But check out this report from a local news outlet. Take a look at that graph? I wonder what happened in 2008 that precipitated that sudden skyrocketing?

Oh, I remember... Obama, America's first Black president was going to take all our guns.

Oh, and the drop there in 2024? As the article makes clear, Floridians no longer need a concealed-carry permit.

What they should have done at Jax Today was show the crime rate in each county. Now, that's a double-edged sword, because the firearm fetishists would claim that low crime rates were because of high gun ownership rates. I would maintain that they are incredibly safe counties to begin with, and the only reason people feel the need to own guns is because they watch Fox News.

So looking forward to leaving this insanity.

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Kevin Drum On the NY Times

14:16 Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Wx: Temp: 61.41°F Pressure: 1020hPa Humidity: 48% Wind: 5.75mph
Words: 53

I stopped subscribing years ago. That decision has been affirmed again and again.

And again.

The Times may have been "the paper of record," once upon a time; but now it's just another competitor in an attention economy, and the only thing they seem to feel they have a responsibility to is themselves.

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Gym Rat

14:00 Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Wx: Temp: 60.66°F Pressure: 1020hPa Humidity: 51% Wind: 6.91mph
Words: 292

Just got back from a workout with our personal trainer. Stop me if you've heard this before:

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Same thing with going to the gym. I mean, it can't work miracles. I'm still fat and flabby, but boy do I feel better!

I loved running. It was meditative in a way. It got the day off to a great start. I wish I could run again, but I've got a bout of achilles tendonitis going on in my left foot right now for God only knows why. Once I get walking, it recedes into the background; but come home and sit for five minutes and, ow! Anyway, it is what it is.

But going to the gym and lifting weights and using the machines, even using rubber bands, it keeps my heart rate up. It's as good as running, I think, at least for me in my current condition. And when I'm done, I feel spent, I feel a bit weak, but I feel alive. Woo-hoo! Not ten years younger, but maybe five?

Mitzi's going up to Winterfell in March to work on countertop, sink and cabinet installations and she's going to sign us up for a gym membership while she's there, so we can roll right into it when we get there in June. Taking a break is a risky proposition.

It really helps to have a trainer. Keeps me from finding ways to slack off, keeps the variety up and makes it interesting. Gives you feedback on your form. So we'll be looking for another one of those too up there.

Anyway, "Feeling good, Billy-Ray!" and so forth.

The beat goes on...

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She's Moody

05:58 Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Wx: Temp: 41.94°F Pressure: 1022hPa Humidity: 63% Wind: 5.01mph
Words: 75

Wish I could give you some insight into Florida's new senator. She's been AG for about six years now. Culture warrior. Carries water for Governor Dumbass. Hasn't made much of an impression apart from the usual Florida Republican lack of empathy and inclination toward cruelty and performative bullshit. Makes Marco look like a statesman and a humanitarian.

She'll probably get elected too.

Every day, there are more reasons to look forward to leaving this state.

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This Morning's Moon 1-17-24

05:50 Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Wx: Temp: 41.94°F Pressure: 1022hPa Humidity: 63% Wind: 5.01mph
Words: 147

Watched the SpaceX Starship test yesterday. Pretty cool Super-Heavy booster landing, but wow, what happened to Starship, or "'Ship," as the cool kids call it?

Capturing that booster is just amazing. But I can't imagine anyone is going to tolerate launching those things with any kind of frequency greater than monthly, if that. Were those flocks of migratory birds I saw flying through the frame after recovery? Are they nesting there? Yeesh.

It's an astonishing technological achievement. I just don't see how it's compatible with any habitat on earth. They're sure as hell not going to be able to launch those things from KSC on the regular.

But what do I know? King Elon will issue a royal decree and it'll be game on! We're all going to Mars!

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