When you hit middle age you really only have two choices: you can get fat and lazy until you roll over and die, or you can can get off your ass and do something, like maybe ride a bike.
Bluntness
I've also been told I have little tact, so if this offends you simply ride on.
And here in Central PA the rain continues. Purportedly, the showers and thunderstorms should end sometime tomorrow an we'll have a few days before they start up again. Overnight lows are in the mid 50s (F), which is nice sleeping weather. While the constant rain may be somewhat depressing, on the positive side everything I've planted is growing by leaps and bounds, but then so is my lawn; it will need to dry out before I can mow it.
More chores were done yesterday than I had been anticipating. Having Monday's off is nice, however that extra day does mess with my mental calendar. I was just sitting here thinking that it's Wednesday and payday is Friday, only to realize I've just moved into Tuesday.
And I did get a rowing session in yesterday. I tried linking the rower to my Garmin account and there was an error. I'd tried it before and got the same error, so I guess Concept2 and Garmin are having problems communicating. I may try it again today. Maybe I'll make the attempt using my tablet, since sometimes it depends upon the device you're using.
I find it fascinating that the political party that so desperately wants to yell "shut up! we're in charge!" has totally failed to take into consideration the wants and desires of their constituents, those people who actually voted them into office. I can't even imagine the mindset these Republican Congressmen and Senators have that permits them to think those people who cast their ballots did so in order to lose the benefits many of them consider sacred. I know several Republicans who are furious that their Social Security might now be in jeopardy. These people posted numerous memes on Facebook telling their representatives to stay away from their Social Security. Now they're upset because those same representatives are ignoring them. These Republican townhalls would not be erupting in chaos if these voters had simply paid attention. But no, when the Orange Anus said that he wants to be a dictator for at least a day, they shrugged it off, saying "he doesn't mean it, that's just the way he is." Now they're discovering to their horror that he really did mean it, and they're being carried away.
So, it's Thursday morning and we have rain. The temperature is predicted to climb up into the mid 70s (F) today, humidity is supposed to increase, and late this afternoon or early this evening we may or may not be having additional thunderstorms. This is the weather pattern we're under for the next several days. Most of the rain from Hurricane Helene will have dissipated by the time her remnants roll into Central PA, at best they're saying we might get another inch of rain.
I went rowing yesterday rather than cycling. Different muscle groups. I should have remembered what happens when new muscle groups, those that haven't been stretched or worked in a while, get used. I didn't, and last evening I got a cramp in my right quad when I stood up. Honestly, it was a very good thing I wasn't holding a glass of wine.
One of the conversations I had while in Greece was about how expensive it was to live in Athens, that a decent apartment went for around 900 Euros a month. (I checked, for a one bedroom apartment, the average rent is between $700 and $900 per month.) And I said something to the effect of that being similar to what people pay in Central PA. Being a home owner, I was clueless when it came to knowing what people pay for rent. Also, being the curious type, yesterday I spent a few minutes checking to see what the average rent payment withing a 5 mile radius of my house. Wow! was I wrong. While you can get a studio apartment for around $1000, it's tiny. The average cost for a one bedroom apartment with appliances is between $1400 and $1600 a month. I also know that the average take home pay from one of our full time plumbing specialists is around $1900 a month. So, over here we get paid better, but our rents are about $500 a month higher, and that's in Central PA. An apartment in a city comparable in size to Athens would be much more expensive.
Here's an old picture of me holding my first Cannondale. This was taken around 25 years ago.
And it seems as though Eric Adams, the Mayor of NYC, was caught taking... handouts from foreign governments like Turkey, and Israel (there are several more listed). When ever I hear things like this, I just want to smack these people up side their heads. I get angry because they turn out to be that stupid, thinking they're going to get away with it. Why are so many, so easy to corrupt. Why do they fail when it comes to making a moral judgement? I don't feel sorry for this man in the least. He rationalized his way into make a terrible decision, and now his historical footnote will be that he was corrupt.
Out in my backyard, the temp is 48 (F), and it going to get warmer, up into the upper 50s (F) to low 60s (F). I don't mind this. That being said, the cold doesn't really bother me either, though this past winter was anything but cold. I've heard last month was the warmest February on record. That doesn't surprise me either. What makes me laugh is those numbnuts who will tell you "they've only been keeping records for 250 years, so this past winter is not a precursor of Global Warming." I actually work with someone like this...
I got a row in yesterday, 20 minutes, over 3000 meters. I liked the row, I didn't like the video which was filmed by someone rowing through a wealthy community in Florida, where every house had a boat dock. I couldn't help but think that these people earn way too much money. But then, this is Florida, the home white booted Ronnie DeSantis, where the state legislature is pushing through bill that will decrease what employers need to do for employees during periods of high heat. I've been to Florida, in the summer, when the temps easily top 100 (F), and the Republican politicians are more concerned about cutting business expenses and growing profits than they are with humans working in high heat environments.
Remember Ronnie D? Here's a snap in case you forgot.
And Nikki's no longer running for president. Honestly, I'm not surprised, campaigns cost money and many of her backers started pulling funds. The bit that Republicans would like to bury is that she was quite successful in illustrating to American how many Republicans are dissatisfied the current party and it's presumed candidate. Even though she lost almost every primary, she easily syphoned off 33% to 37% of Republican voters. Republicans are also desperately telling themselves that in the General Election those voters will come back and vote for Trump. I don't know about you, but I find it fascinating to see how easy it is for some people to blow smoke up their own ass. Those voters may not like Joe Biden, but that doesn't count, what does is the fact that they see a Donald Trump presidency as a worst case scenario for the nation. They see the lies, the deceit, and the corruption, and, as a result, are going to sit this election out.
The State of the Union speech is tonight. Unfortunately, I'll be at the movies.
So it's Thursday. The spring-like temps continue. Today we're predicted to hit the mid 50s (F), which is not bad for mid February. Long range forecasts have our temps dropping back down into something considered more normal by next week, of course we all know how reliable long range forecasts are.
I finished playing Starfield last night by becoming Starborn. As with most Role Playing Games, Bethesda is looking for replay value, the incentive for players to play the game again. With Starfield, you can replay the main storyline again, or you can do other things, I chose other things. While I did lose all of my weapons, I did retain all of my traits and abilities. To make it interesting, as a Starborn, I've transitioned into a new universe (part of a multiverse scenario), so while they original characters are still there, they've changed. In one universe, some of the good guys are now bad, so while the quests remain the same, you're dealing with an entirely new world. How long will I continue to play? Well, that all depends on when I get bored. I might find a nice comfy planet and start building a settlement.
I tried a combo workout yesterday, rowing and then cycling. The result was interesting. It was the first time I'd used the laptop on the new stand, and it didn't roll as easily as I had been expecting. I'm ambidextrous with a lot of things, working a mouse isn't one... yet, all I have to do is practice. I did get to row with a gentleman named Kevin Scott, who has decent videos on that Kinomap I signed up for. Yesterday he and I were rowing in Lake Mead. What makes his videos interesting is that he changes the direction of the camera, so for a while you're seeing where you're going, and then for a short time you're watching him row. Here's a teaser of him rowing in Tahiti. As you might expect, it's a teaser to get you to sign up for Kinomap.
And the Supreme Court get's to hear arguments today on whether states can kick Trump off of the ballot. This is not the same as when they have to decide if he has immunity, if they even take that hot potato. I find the entire thing fascinating. Conservatives so desperately want the court to give them a pat on the head (that's why they loaded it), however they are a minority. While they did backflips of joy when Rove v Wade was overturned, it has cost them elections, which shows just how shortsighted they are. Ballot initiatives enshrining abortion rights in state constitutions are easily passing, ripping their joy from their dark, tiny hearts. Even in Florida, that Cracker Jack Crazy land of DeSantis, the state Supreme Court look dubiously at Republicans efforts to keep on such initiative off of the ballot. Florida conservatives are going to fail. Can you hear me laughing?
