Music Monday: Remembering David Soul – “Don’t Give Up On Us”
Posted By RichC on January 22, 2024
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An away from home work-table and a long overdue desk chair
Posted By RichC on January 21, 2024
Really this is to archive a few project ideas (below the break) for Taylor. He is a Mid-Century Modern lover and has consistently focused his decorating with this kind of taste.
If dollars didn’t limit his shopping, I think he would be living in a Frank Lloyd Wright home and have it decorated with a bunch of furniture from the 1950s!
On the more cheap “form follows function” side, I needed something more than a simple chair to sit on when I’m away from my home office. Even when we are at the condo, I do spend a significant amount of time sitting at my mini-desk and investing/trading station. Part of it is that I’m still handling a handful of CPP customers when it comes to printing and mostly server needs … and
part of it is that I’m not really comfortable retiring just yet. 😊
So … I found an inexpensive smallish desk chair that isn’t all that bad. It was an Amazon buy with a markdown and promo discount that triggered a buy. Probably could have done better if I were to shop around, but really just wanted a more comfortable desk chair with flip-up arms.
Escape: It is not perfect weather, but better than Ohio
Posted By RichC on January 20, 2024
The weather up north is … well wintery and cold … so we are not complaining this year in our escape to Delray Beach, FL. We are disappointed as usual to see the substantial amount of plastic washing up on the beach during our walks. It reminds me of growing up in the 1960s and 70s when people (and industry) jjust discarded garbage, cigarette butts, etc out their car windows and into rivers and lakes (Cuyahoga River in Cleveland catching fire). 
Wouldn’t it be great to see EVERYONE voluntarily decide enough was enough and JUST STOP tossing plastic in a place where it can end up in the ocean?
While walking, we also saw a Tayana 37 beached (likely in a storm), abandoned and stripped. Sad for the owner and a loss of such a capable and wonderful cruising sailboat. Very reminiscent of our Baba 30, “Brenich” that we owned and sailed when first married. (more…)
Tech Friday: It is shocking how iPhone cameras have improved!
Posted By RichC on January 19, 2024
When it comes to taking phones on a cellphones (especailly low light) … the cameras on all smartphones have definitely improved over the past decade. I’ll let you guess which photo above was my iPhone 7 Plus and which one was Brenda’s iPhone 14?
A Right-of-Center Take on Jason Chaffetz’s “The Puppeteers” – Exposing Hidden Hands in American Politics
Posted By RichC on January 18, 2024
As a right-of-center political person, Jason Chaffetz‘s “The Puppeteers” struck a a chord with me. His exposé of the unelected forces shaping American politics confirmed many suspicions and shed light on shadowy corners that aren’t always clear to the casual political observer. 
Whether you agree with every conclusion, the book sparks vital questions about who truly holds the reins of power in our nation.
Chaffetz, drawing on his experience as a Republican congressman, paints a chilling picture of a “Deep State” network. From career bureaucrats wielding unelected influence to shadowy special interests pulling strings behind the scenes, he argues that ordinary Americans are being governed by forces they barely understand. This resonates deeply with many who feel a growing disconnect between elected officials and the realities of everyday life.
The book excels in its detailed examples. Chaffetz delves into specific instances where unelected entities appear to have overridden the will of the people, from regulatory capture by industry giants to the alleged manipulation of electoral processes. While some claims lack hard evidence, the sheer volume of anecdotes builds a compelling case for a system in need of scrutiny.
A couple of humorous meme photos for Wednesday
Posted By RichC on January 17, 2024
What parent hasn’t made that Great White Shark face and an excellent sailboat name.
Family is busy enjoying the winter weather and MLKJr.
Posted By RichC on January 16, 2024
Although the temperatures around the US have taken a deep dive 
and have brought a cold and snowy winter to much of the country, our family is making the most of it. Taylor and Megan spent the long weekend skiing with some in her extended family in Utah and KDAE made the most of the fresh snow in Whitehouse, Ohio.
Music Monday: “God Only Knows” – Beach Boys
Posted By RichC on January 15, 2024
After watching a couple wildcard playoff NFL blowout games over the weekend, a Music Monday song was triggered during a wrap up after the Green Bay Packers smoked the Dallas Cowboys to move on to San Francisco. The Packers were the underdogs by nearly all the analysts, but even as a young team, they did not play like it. They dominated three quarters and only after playing an early prevent-defense with their second string gave up a few extra points; they were not intimidated. Well done Jordan Love and team.
The “wrap up song” was “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys.
Social media Triple Tail Thursday aviation tweets
Posted By RichC on January 14, 2024
Aviation has been a hobby of mine for a long time, even though I no longer fly airplanes or spend time homebuilding an airplane or being active in my local EAA Chapter (Hm, I’m missing our chapter meeting today).
I do still enjoy the social connection with aviation friends on Twitter/X.com … one that posts about “Triple Tail” aircraft on Thursdays (aka: #TripleTailThursday). Last week I commented with a photo of a Bellanca 14 19-2 Cruisemaster as most of the photos are of larger commercial aircraft.
EV and hybrid vehicle advertising is starting to tempt me
Posted By RichC on January 13, 2024
The advertising from Tesla is working on me as the range and charging infrastructure continues to improve. Having driven and watched my son-in-law use his Tesla Model3 (mostly for daily commuting) since 2019 with impressive success, a Model3 might make a great second car … IF the price were lower or incentives better (perhaps a “known-owner” lightly-used Model3 or Toyota Hybrid)?
As mentiioned previously, I’m still interested in a small Mazda CUV with hybrid EV set-up … if it were to ever come to market? The CUV uses a rotary engine “as a range extender” on the Mazda MX30 R-EV. It also is currently the only one my wife has “any” interest in as a replacement for her 2010 Acura RDX (although our 1988 Mazda 626 Turbo was still her favorite car). Unfortunately at this point, the “rotary range extender” MX30 R-EV version is not even imported to the U.S. (see segment from previously included 5/2023 post below).
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.