Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order! Putting things in order always means getting other people under your control.
Author: Derek
Chronicles of Ward Manor
Over the weekend, The Wife and I helped move The Wife’s Niece’s workstation back to the niece’s apartment. Thus endeth having a third teleworker and a toddler at Ward Manor during the week. We also transported over the big Barbie playset. The good news is that we got her all set up – and I got rid of some items I no longer needed to help her out. We were glad to help the niece with the transition to working from home – and really glad that the transition is now fully complete. The clowder is immensely grateful.
My writers block for my humorous speech has mostly gone. I’ve got most of it written. Although The Wife and I are competing against each other, we also need to practice and work with each other on editing/improving. It’s an odd dynamic. Of course, I’ll post my entry after the contest.
Monday Links
This is going to be one of those heavy weeks for links.
Let’s start out with probably the biggest media story – the new indictment against Donald Trump. The Dispatch has had the best take on the whole issue thus far.
What may actually be the more important story is Fitch downgrading the US credit rating from AAA to AA+ (Reuters article). Of course, Reason explains why this is a function of our current governmental disfunction.
In that same vein, Reason examines the broken budget process.
Sticking with Reason, here’s a couple of gun-related articles. First, an examination of how New Zealand can’t keep its registry of gun owners private. Second, a law professor advocating officials hiding behind qualified immunity to enforce unconstitutional gun laws.
Keeping in the RKBA vein, John Richardson discusses the latest push to rebrand gun control as “gun responsibility.”
From Ars Technica, an article about Reddit not having to reveal user names who discussed torrenting.
From Vox, an article advocating using “windfall profits” from AI companies to fund a universal basic income. For the entire planet. Let me be clear – when you use the term “windfall profits,” your whole proposal sounds uneducated.
From The Atlantic, an article debunking the common wisdom on learning styles.
From Cato, a fun little game called “The Green Card Game.” Can you navigate the current immigration system?
From Your Observer, a local library is offering teens a course on “Adulting 101.”
Whew! We need some light items.
First, you can now watch the first season of the original TMNT.
Second, T.REX Arms has done a bunch of detail scans to make holsters. They’re offering those scans up for other companies to use.
This last one you just have to watch.
Friday Quote – Alexander Hamilton
There are approximately 1,010,300 words in the English Language, but I could never string enough words together to properly express how much I want to hit you with a chair.
Speaking to thomas jefferson
Ward Manor Chronicles
- Three weeks to the day after I got rear ended, The Wife and I picked up the Ward Wagon from the collision repair place. This was a bit of a journey as it entailed traveling almost an hour north to collision place. Then, an hour to The Brother’s to return his car. He was very gracious letting us borrow his vehicle while the Ward Wagon was in the shop. Then, it was another hour back home. Which entailed driving right through the same stretch of highway. I’m not getting flashbacks, but I will admit to a slight increase in tension as we passed where I got hit.
- Boo’s chest X-rays showed that he has an enlarged heart. Next stop is the kitty cardiologist for a consult and echo. We’re hoping it’s going to be something that can be treated with medication and monitoring. In the meantime, he’s still our little landshark, but he’s acclimating well to the new environment.
- The grandniece’s birthday is next month. SIL – her grandmother – acquired a used Barbie Playhouse from a coworker. By agreement, it was stashed in our garage. MIL tried to hide it with some boxes. Unfortunately, the grandniece saw part of it while I was pulling in the trashcans. This resulted in her wanting to get back into the garage to investigate further. Including reminding me that I need to get soda so that she can “help”. Honestly, I don’t know if I was annoyed or impressed.
- The Wife and I are competing against each other in our Toastmasters club’s Humorous Speech contest. The Wife already has her first draft written. I’m having a bit of writers block. I still have a couple of weeks, but damn. I need to churn something out.
Budgeting Speech – Tag Team With The Wife
The Wife came up with the idea of doing a speech together on personal budgeting. She would talk about how it impacted her life, and I would talk about the mechanics.
Metal Tuesday – Evanescence – Bring Me To Life – Plus Bonus!
I’m surprised I haven’t done this song before. Then I checked when The Brother sent me the Bonus Video! So, I’m rectifying.
Monday Links
A couple of Reason links about cops. This is how you get BLM.
Police destroy a man’s business and stick him with the bill.
Arizona law limiting recording police struck down by judge.
From ABC, an article about the lack of infrastructure for recharging EVs. Something to consider if you’re looking to get one.
From The Verge, an article about a new tool that can do a lot of wireless tasks.
Still confused about large language models powering the new chatbots? Here’s a primer.
From Active Response Training, here’s a trick when practicing live fire with your weapon-mounted light. I started doing this after noticing the carbon scoring on my original Streamlight.
Friday Quote – Neil Gaiman
Read. Read anything. Read the things they say are good for you, and the things they claim are junk You’ll find what you need to. Just read.