My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on March 14, 2025

The manic markets and crazy movement down and up (today) are enough to have investors pulling their hair out. Thankfully there was a reprieve from the steady down movement over the tariff dispute between President Trump and many of our trading partners (more on that this weekend). 

Consumer sentiment is not positive and will likely continue to keep negative pressure the financial markets and on investments— perhaps a buying opportunity for younger retirement savers looking longterm?  

For now, I’ve debated on posting a pulling hair out photo on my blog (below the break), but since it is  only embarrassing for me, I’ll include it. Rarely do I go much more than a month between haircuts, but it has been nearly 3 months, and the vain element in me wondered just how it was holding up … so a “losing hair over the stock market gyrations” seemed like as good of a reason as any. 😊 

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Category: Financial, Humor, Misc, News, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: hair, hair loss, investing, richc, stock market

Posted By RichC on March 14, 2025

Since I’ve not truly committed to using artificial intelligence tools from one company, I’ve been attempting to put each of the leading AI tools through their paces. Earlier this week I tested Otter.AI to transcript from an audio recording … and now for Tech Friday this week it’s Google’s Gemini and the “Deep Research” tool — a no cost invitation was extended.

So, since tariffs are in the political and economic news lately, I decided to see just what Gemini Deep Research could “dig up” on the different kinds of trade restrictions, tariffs, taxes and fees are put on exports from the United States and in return what happens to imports from other countries. Interestingly I also asked Gemini to analyze the proposed tariffs that are tossed back in forth in recent days. AKA: A trade war.

Here’s the result in a 17 page report (PDF) and a chart and a snippet from the full document below. What was impressive to me is that the report was researched, compiled and “written” in less than 5 minutes … and included up-to-date information. The world is changing rapidly. 

Perhaps it was the series of requests, but the results were not exactly what I was looking for … maybe I’ll need to refine my requests better next time?

A Comparison of Trade Barriers Between the United States and Key Trading Partners

1. Executive Summary:

The global trade landscape is currently marked by a noticeable increase in protectionist measures, with the United States recently implementing several policies that affect its major trading partners. This report analyzes the tariffs, taxes, and product restrictions currently in place between the United States and Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the countries within the European Union …

LINK to FULL PDF

Category: AI, News, Politics, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, barriers, deep research, gemini, tariffs, taxes, trade, vat tax

Posted By RichC on March 13, 2025

This content is restricted.

Category: Personal, Photos, TBT, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, beach, ellerie, family, florida, granddaughters, haircut, TBT

Posted By RichC on March 12, 2025

After excellent comments by retired 4-star General Jack Keane the other day, I heard him again this past weekend with Mark Levin.

No matter what your thoughts are on politics or views on foreign affairs, Jack Keane is someone with a lot of knowledge, experience and insight … and his commentary is worth listening to — or perhaps reading along below (testing Otter.ai’s transcription from audio. Below the break). 
 

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Category: AI, Audio, Millitary, News, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: jack keane, mark levin, otter.ai, russia, transcription, ukraine

Posted By RichC on March 11, 2025

Although it isn’t a surprise to see those who I’ve drawn inspiration from when it come to boats, sailing and the cruising lifestyle, another writer and book author has passed away (January 2025). Don Casey has been an icon in teaching boat owners and sailors for years and his writing have been most appreciated and treasured on my bookshelf. 

He believed that sailors should be capable of maintaining and repairing their boats, not just to save money but to foster a deeper connection with their vessels and the sea.

Don and Olga spent over four decades cruising on “Richard Cory,” a 30-foot Seawind ketch named after a poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson. The boat became their home as they explored the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and beyond. 

Sailrite posted a great write-up on their blog (snipnet above) and I saved a PDF version just in case the link disappears. For now, we are another wise voice short when it comes to excellent boat maintenance and cruising advice. I’ll continue to treasure his books.

Don Casey is a well-known marine author who has written extensively on sailboat maintenance and repair. He is the author of numerous books, including “Don Casey’s Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual,” which combines six core volumes into a single, dependable resource that answers frequent questions and explains major systems to help keep boats in good condition.

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Category: Books, Obituary, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: author, Books, dan casey, Obituary, sailing, sailrite

Posted By RichC on March 10, 2025

Although Fleetwood Mac has been mentioned several times times before on Music Monday, here is “Over My Head” (Christine McVie) remastered in 2017 from one of my favorite albums.

I can’t say Pandora on the Apple Watch is the best way to listen to music (the iPhone is much better), but it does help save my limited phone plan data when walking on the beach. I know, downloading music and listening would make far more sense than streaming over 5G (watch or phone data plan) … but my monthly data is a use it or lose it on the iPhone and unlimited on the watch, so it really doesn’t matter. 😊 
 

Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: fleetwood mac, music monday, musicmonday, over my head, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on March 9, 2025

While on our walk on the beach the other day, we spotted an unusual looking crab (posted a couple crab photos last month and this month too). After a little digging on the Internet, I think this crab appears to be a Florida Rough Box Crab (Calappa gallus) or a closely related species of Box Crab (Calappidae family) … and yes, I used ChatGPT (4.0) to research this from my photo. 😉 

Here are some key details:

Identification & Appearance:

• Shell (Carapace): Dome-shaped, rough, and textured, often with sand or debris clinging to it for camouflage.
• Coloration: Typically reddish-brown, tan, or sandy-colored to blend into the beach environment.
• Claws: Box crabs have disproportionately large claws that they tuck under their bodies, giving them a “boxy” appearance when at rest.
• Legs: Short and sturdy, adapted for burrowing rather than swimming.

Habitat & Range:

• Found in shallow coastal waters, sandy beaches, and seafloors along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida.
• Often buries itself in sand for protection from predators and to ambush prey.
• Commonly found washed up on beaches after storms or rough surf.

Diet & Behavior:

• Primarily scavengers and carnivores, feeding on small mollusks, clams, and other shellfish by cracking their shells with powerful claws.
• Nocturnal behavior—most active at night while hunting or burrowing.
• Their camouflaged shell helps them avoid detection from predators like fish, birds, and larger crabs.

Interesting Facts:

• Sometimes referred to as a Shame-faced Crab due to how it tucks its claws under its body.
• Despite their intimidating look, they are not aggressive toward humans.
• Their natural defense mechanism is burying themselves in sand rather than fighting.

 

Category: Environment, Nature, Photos, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: atlantic dunes, beach, box crab, crab, delray beach, florida, walk