my journal: various subjects, opinionating, CW at times
The title explains itself.
If you're interested in the ramblings of a middle-aged man with chronic conditions who, at times, sees things a little too clearly for his own good, then read on.
Sometimes I get political, but it won't be all the time.
I don't mind comments in general but if you're going to differ with what I write, that's fine--as long as you can explain your position clearly & reasonably. Rants, shouting & general incoherence will be ignored or flagged, depending on the situation. Try to remember that not everyone else in this world holds your beliefs.
Every so often I may post art or snapshots of projects I'm working on.
If you're still interested after reading all the above, great. (I do wonder at how much time you have on your hands, though)
Well played, Kamala. Well played.
If you know, you know.
@PineTreeTree ⬆️ Just to not disappoint you. 😆
@slowdecline48 you have succeed in confusing me but that’s not new 😂
what am I disappointed or not disappointed in?
@PineTreeTree That I kept talking about politics. 😃
@slowdecline48 ah 😂
MY THOUGHTS SO FAR
Seen two parcels as of now; will see a 3rd one tomorrow. That will be the only day possible this week due to the weather, dammit. Traits:
- In K____ H____. 1.19 acres. Many trees but most of 'em are small pines; maybe four big ones--I would let the live oak one stand, initially. Most of 'em I could cut down & process myself if I'm careful...very quiet neighborhood. The neighbors keep to themselves but also notice if a strange person shows up, which is good. The soil is sandy...might be dirt fill on top of the original ground. Off the beaten path, which I like...but. All the nearby roads are dirt. One big storm will wash out some of 'em...who knows when they'll be fixed after that. I'd have to pack in a ton of stuff, especially for the first year there! No way can I live there without a pickup truck. My old bike won't do; if I want to ride then a MTB with front shocks will be a must. (That may be true everywhere) For any gardening or planting, soil improvement will be necessary.
- In S____, 1 acre. For a great price...but there are reasons why. It is in a flood zone. The nearest neighbor had to buy several tons of dirt infill so his/their house would be two feet higher...enough so it wouldn't get flooded every time it rains. Three lakes within driving (maybe cycling) distance. It faces a state road & a dirt side road so being able to get in/out wouldn't be an issue. That makes it a corner lot--will appreciate in value > a non-corner lot. Much taller trees--mostly pines, a few live oak--tall enough that felling them would be dangerous. Am still willing to try it but I would need help at some point, esp. if I cut one & it gets caught & hung up in another tree...a real possibility, since they're all rather close together. Hauling in tons of dirt infill might complicate things later when it's time to pour a foundation. And all the trees would have to be cleared. This place would require way more work than the first one.
The third one I will see tomorrow afternoon.
Decisions, decisions...
@mytwistedsoul -
A follow-up to our previous discussion, Twisty: one of the best ways to secure one's valuables, of course, is to not leave them where a thief would expect them to be.
I don't have many expensive things, but what I do have that's valuable is easily hidden. In fact the last time I caught a flight to the northeast to see a relative, I stashed them outside my apartment. Anyone who broke in wouldn't find anything unless he looked for at least a day in the most inconvenient places possible.
On an acre+ of undeveloped land there's 1,001+ places to hide a small--or even mid-sized--object.
@slowdecline48 You're absolutely right! It would be really easy to tuck things here and there in the undergrowth. Most days you would probably be out there too so the only opportunity any would be theif would have would be at night which would make it even harder for them
Update: I decided against the 3rd parcel. For my purposes it's the most suitable one but it is in the smallest town I've been in in FL so far...a wide spot in the road. Blink & you'll miss it. It does face a paved road but the road itself is not new, though it isn't patched either. It is way out in the boonies...the paved road is the only one for miles; all the others are hardpacked dirt & gravel. Good relations with neighbors would be paramount there because aside from them, I'd be thrown back on my own resources. Completely.
If a hurricane ever goes through the area, chances are at least a couple of nearby dirt roads would be washed out. In such a scenario, until the county fixes them I (& my neighbors) would be cut off from everything.
The town itself is an unincorporated area. It doesn't even have a supermarket anywhere.
On top of all that, it is the priciest parcel I've seen yet...not unaffordable, but still. 💵💵
Were I 20 years younger with no chronic conditions, I would be up for the challenge. But I'm not.
So it comes down to the first two.
I have about 48 hours to decide.
So I'm learning about earth anchors now.
If I were to bring in a storage container & hook earth anchors to it with steel cable, couldn't someone just cut the cables?...of course if you're gonna ask that question, the container itself can be cut through too. Only difference is it would take way too long for most thieves/burglars. And I'll be there much of the time anyway.
This immortal rap tune has been going through my head lately: The Humpty Dance
[CW: more of my opinions]
@slowdecline48 Slow, you fixed the internet! No one is bickering any more…..oh, wait, scratch that 😂
@PineTreeTree 😆 Don't I wish.
...it'll never happen. Something a few observers of our political scene don't understand: it is an expression of tribalism. And it predates the US by countless millennia. That kind of being together with like-minded people, with antipathy toward another group that is not one's own, was the default mode of existence for humans up to the Neolithic revolution & for some time after that. We're talking some 500,000 years for anatomically modern people. Chimpanzees, apes, etc. engage in tribal behavior all the time so you know it predates humanity itself. No one is going to get rid of it overnight; tribalism is in our DNA.
The above is one of the reasons I don't believe in modern democracy, BTW. It depends on citizens accepting others in their own nation as equals despite differences in beliefs, ethnic background, ideology, etc. That asks too much of most people.
Errrgh... Tired today.
...but it's all happening on Thursday. I can hardly wait!
@slowdecline48 This is great news Slow! Congratulations! 😄
Thank you, Mr. Twisty! It is great news indeed... Now if I can arrange for transportation before then, everything should go as planned. 🤞🏼
@slowdecline48 If it's ok to ask - which parcel did you pick? I'm thinking the first one? Putting everything up on pilings would be a total pain in the *** plus it would be an added expense and I remember the last one was a pretty good clip away. You have got to be pretty excited! 😆
@mytwistedsoul No, I picked the 2nd one.
There were a few factors to consider. Without listing every last one (who would want to read that text wall?), I will add that the first parcel is in a flood zone too & faces a dirt road, to boot. A few days of hard rain could wash out nearby roads; that would cut me & my neighbors off until the county fixes the roads...whenever that would be.
The one I picked is in one but most of it is in the best possible flood zone...the least wet overall, apparently. Only one corner isn't, so I figure that's the lowest point on the property. Getting some dirt infill & dumping it in the right spot would raise the ground level by two feet, which will remove all flood risk. I could have it done to the whole lot but I'd rather do it on the northern half first, & see how that works out.
Also, the 2nd lot faces a county road. Paved & maintained. Definitely a factor in my decision. Much as I'd like to be out in the middle of nowhere, I have to be able to get in & out. If I get seriously injured then emergency services must be able to get to me...a winding hardpacked dirt road would slow them down.
@slowdecline48 I didn't even give that a thought! Now that you've said that though - (cue the facepalm and duh) There's always ads around here of people wanting clean fill. It was even put here at one time
[CW: more of my unvarnished opinions]
The Ukrainian government is offering convicts in Ukraine's prisons a deal: if you serve in the army, your offenses will be pardoned & you'll be put on parole once the war is over.
The item above indicates their fortune (or the lack thereof) in their war with Russia. They are desperate for more men. I hate to say it but the odds aren't on their side...if I were a betting man, I would not put money on Ukraine. Speaking of money, I think the billion$$ we sent there in support were all a pointless waste. Ukraine is not a major trading partner, let alone a nation of strategic importance to us. Our focus should've been on China from the start, as the CPC wants Taiwan. Taiwan is a key source of microchips for us, so we need to protect it. If Ukraine deserves support then let the EU do it... The current Russo-Ukraine war is a ripple in the old pattern of Russian westward expansion & setback. Even if Putin & co. take the eastern region, Putin won't stay in office forever, Russia will weaken at some point & the Ukrainians will revolt...possibly with German & other Europeans' support & encouragement.
Every four years I return to a certain quote... Its truth is undeniable, despite the odiousness of its source. This year gave me additional motivation, with the results in Venezuela:
"It is enough that the people know there was an election. Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything."
- Iosif Vissaronovich Stalin
