Interesting Times

I didn't go for a ride last evening - rest day, and it's always odd when I do that, the extra time I suddenly have on my hands.  Don't worry, I can always find something to do.  Like set up my new coffeemaker, which took all of about 15 minutes.  Yes, there was some assembly required.  This isn't one of your 'plug and pour' coffeemakers.  The old blue one is in the trash.  Normally, I'd set it out on the curb on garbage day for scavengers, however because of the 'programming' issues, that fact that it turns itself on at random times, I was concerned about the fire hazard it presented.  So, out in the trash it went.  Here's what the new one looks like on my counter.

I think the copper finish goes well with my tile.  I will have to figure out what to do with the electric cord, which is definitely more substantial then the power cord on the last coffeemaker.
So, I guess the Idiot Jerk and some of his minion, like Stevie Mnuchin, had planned on ending quite a bit of Foreign Aid - "too much fat," were the words they were bandying about.  For those who don't know it, this is what half-assed Corporate Greed looks like.  The deficit is rising at an astounding rate and, and like all true Conservatives, this administration tries to cut programs which help.  They are anything but smart.
And I saw Macron gave Boris some crow meat for that pie he and his fellow Brexiteers are going to be eating in a couple of months.  Boris' problem is that he longs for the 'old days,' when the UK was an empire.  Those days are gone.  The same thing is true for the Nationalists in this country who desperately want us to be the only 'super power.'  They don't understand their definition of 'power' is no longer valid.  Allies are very important.  The world learned that lesson from the two World Wars, however Conservatives don't like that definition.  They turn away from the idea that more allies you have, the stronger you are.  Evolution happens to everything;  species, politics, religious beliefs.  Unless you adapt, you will die off.  The old beliefs are entering their death throes.  Isolation is not the key to survival.  'I' and 'my' are not the correct pronouns.  There is no way to stop globalization.  Because of this we are living in interesting times.
Oh crap, I just dumped out my recycling can because there was a little opossum in it.  I have to make sure he gets away before I let the dogs out.

What's brewin'

Well, I did a 12 mile ride yesterday with just my Suunto Spartan and there were no erratic numbers.  I averaged around 124 BPM with an increase up to 143 BPM.  Maybe the belt needs a new battery.
I also ordered a new coffeemaker - a good one.  It has a copper finish.  The blue retro maker I'd bought a while back just isn't making.  I don't like having to unplug it when I'm not using it, that's something I'm not used to.  There have been days when I've accidentally plugged it in only to find a few hours later the burner was on because it tried to brew a pot of coffee.  Damn, that's not good.
And I do go back to work today, after one day off.  I have another four scheduled.  I'm off Sunday and Monday, and then that gets repeated the following week, which happens to be Labor Day.
I see where Boris Bumblebrain is trying to get the EU to renegotiate the "divorce" and they're having none of it.  Oh, and negotiating trade deals with the US is turning out to be more difficult than he and his Brexiteers were expecting.  Sorry, Bumblebrain, did you really think the Idiot Jerk's administration had any intention of giving you a fair deal?  You see, Boris is intelligent... he's just not smart.  He doesn't wield any significant bargaining chips.  Now the Danes?  They have Greenland.  Now, that's one piece of plum real estate.  If the Danes were to choose to sell Greenland, any price they name would turn the Idiot Jerk into a drooling lapdog.  However, they're not even going to consider offers.... oohh, nooo, and so the Idiot Jerk's going to snub them.  Cancelled his trip, he did.
Or maybe that's just an excuse.  Perhaps the Idiot Jerk doesn't want to go to Denmark because one his henchies said there's some serious recession issues coming down the pike.  Of course, that can't be right.  The Idiot Jerk, himself, has said that recession talk is fake news.  And still, he, himself has also said his administration is looking at "temporary payroll tax cuts" to stimulate the economy.  Which means he wants to put the country even deeper into debt in order to get the American Consumer to buy more.  It's the same reason he wants Powell to drop the Prime Rate... so credit is easier to get... so the American Consumer can buy more.
I'm doing what he wants America to do... buy stuff.  Most of what I buy, however, is rather inexpensive and comes from... China, because if Americans manufactured these products they'd cost a hell of a lot more.
Except for the new coffeemaker, that comes from the Netherlands.  It's a Moccamaster by Technivorm and comes with a 5 year warranty.

Most coffeemakers have a one year warranty, but let's be honest here, because they tend to be inexpensive most simply get replaced.