So why do I always end up trying to open the wrong end of a trash bag?
With human intelligence and adaptive learning being what it is, one would think knowing which end of the trash bag to open when pulling one out of the box or roll would favor me getting it correct? I’m here to tell you that this is not the case … even after a lifetime of doing it.
I haven’t scientifically tested this, so it is not possible to state it as a fact, but I’m convinced that statistically, I’m wrong more than I’m right.
Am I an outlier or is this “wrong end of the trash bag thing,” or is this one of those universal truths?
This past weekend I moved forward in getting the mini split AC unit installed in my home office. I started the planned chair rail and cork wall (insulation, sound deadening and a place to pin maps, etc). I’m not sure about the can of worms I’ve opened, but I spent half the day on Saturday hauling “junk” out of my office. From holiday décor and seasonal stuff “stuffed” in the closet to boxes of books, papers, magazines and gadget boxes. One has to wonder why I’ve kept so much stuff over the years?
Still though after tossing a lot, I’ve managed to keep way too much that I just moved into the guest bedroom for now. The big question is whether I’ll find the time and ambition to finish the cord wall, build the corner cabinet, fit the crown moulding and paint the walls and trim? If that were not enough, Brenda would like me to tackle some kind of laminate wood flooring rather than carpeting … then extend the look to a guest bathroom remodel and guest room.
The current pile of books to read is too high for my nighttime side table; I think I need to move a few to my office … or better yet, finish reading them!
Since Alistair Begg is a favorite teaching pastor of ours (Parkside Church was our home church when we lived in NE Ohio), I opted to include his new bookBrave By Faith in a pile of tiny gifts to Brenda for our anniversary last weekend. She really liked the “wooden” rose (petals made of woodshop shavings) and of course Good & Plentylicorice candy … but I think both of us will enjoy reading Alistair’s new 2021 book.
Those who know me are familiar with my double-duty gift giving so there’s no surprise in buying a book that we’ll both read.
Also … Japanese pilots regarded the US Marine and Navy’s Corsairs the most formidable American fighters of World War II. U.S. aviators achieved an 11:1 kill ratio against Japanese pilots and planes.
Every time I see a picture of an F4U Corsair, they frequently have white stripes in front of the cockpit windscreen. These appear to surround the fuel tank and maybe are tape of some kind. Can you tell me their purpose?
Thanks, Bob Hewitt
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Dear Mr. Hewitt,
Among the many problems that turned up in operational F4U-1 Corsairs was a leaky fuel tank, which was located between the pilot and the engine for the most favorable center of gravity. Corsair pilots I spoke to said that a virtually universal practice to keep the windshield clean was to seal the fuselage panels with strips of white tape. The oil on the cowling flaps also leaked, spattering the windshield and also affecting visibility, hence the upper cowling gills were fixed shut and they were eliminated entirely on later models.
We had a great time celebrating Taylor’s 32nd birthday last night after work at Pepp and Dolores restaurant in Cincinnati thanks to Megan. Brenda and I enjoyed arriving a little early and sitting at the bar talking with the bartender while sipping some Italian wine. We ended up discussing menu since she wasn’t overly busy. The restaurant opened December 2020 just before COVID19 shut them down, so it was nice to see the restaurant thriving and the staff back now that they are fully open again. It was a surprise to us that this was Megan and Taylor’s third time there. It seems they really enjoy the appetizers and have a pretty good handle on the menu.
When it comes to investing, I’m primarily a “value investor” who relies on fundamentals, but as for “trading,” which I have tinkered with for 30 years now, I’m an advocate self imposed rules and focusing on channel trading. Of course there are zillions of gurus boasting how they have perfected buy and sell signals, I continue to remain skeptical that any “trading system” is foolproof.
In other words, who really knows when it is time to buy and time to sell … or what kind of outside event will trigger the next crisis … or bailout will degrade our dollars buying power? About all we can do is to gain an edge on things and looks at statistical odds and use a little common sense in determining that markets seem a bit out of whack. You would not be alone in wondering when the pendulum will swing in the other direction once government support and the Fed’s easy money policies disappear. Only a true MMT-er believes government can debt fund forever without consequence.
I saw this S&P 500 vs Morgan Stanley’s Market Timing Indicator interesting … and like every indicator these days, I get nervous about holding even dividend paying values stocks as we continue to see the indexes climb.
It was a “work around the yard” weekend for me and besides power washing the patios on Saturday, I cut down honeysuckles in preparation for the new concrete driveway project later this summer (if it is still scheduled and affordable )?
Along with sawing trees and hauling limbs, I started the old dried out honeysuckle cuttings and fallen sticks piled up on the ever growing bonfire-it was getting way too large and out of control. Thankfully the wind was light and rain dampened things a bit … and to answer my daughters question, “Did you need to call the fire department?” Um .. NO… thankfully.
But … it was a busy and active weekend and as you can see from my Fitbit step counts for Saturday and Sunday … now to get into a more ambitious weekday schedule.
With human intelligence and adaptive learning being what it is, one would think knowing which end of the trash bag to open when pulling one out of the box or roll would favor me getting it correct? I’m here to tell you that this is not the case … even after a lifetime of doing it. 
