Tuesday, November 14
Just More Opinions
SpaceX to Launch 2nd Starship
The potential launch from SpaceX's Starbase test site at Boca Chica Beach near Brownsville, Texas will mark the company's second test flight of an orbital class Starship and Super Heavy booster — the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. SpaceX launched its first Starship test flight in April, but it exploded shortly after liftoff.
"Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval," SpaceX wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, late Friday (Nov. 10). READ MORE...
Monday, November 13
Billionaires to Support Israel
The media campaign — called Facts for Peace — is seeking million-dollar donations from dozens of the world’s biggest names in media, finance and technology, according to an email seen by news website Semafor.
More than 50 individuals are being courted, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Dell CEO Michael Dell and financier Michael Milken. They have a combined net worth of around $500bn, Semafor said. READ MORE...
Just Opinions
Far Worse Than Imagined
His wife and daughter were among 176 people killed, including 55 Canadian citizens, when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on Jan. 8, 2020. That shattered any illusions the Ontario man had that his family would live happily ever after in Canada. READ MORE...
Sunday, November 12
Back in the Day
This phrase, automatically implies that the past was better somehow than the present, although the present does not last very long at all... because in a moment or two, the present always moves into the past, as we and time move forward.
Back in the Day, for me, is the 1960s...
Unfortunately, it is not the 1960s in the USA but the 1960s in Cairo, Egypt.
My family and I lived in Cairo, Egypt for four years, 1962-1966... I left to go to college and they remained.
Cairo, Egypt in the 1960s was nothing like the USA.
- We did not have cars to drive
- We did not have drive-ins to drive the cars too
- We did not have drive-in theaters
- We did not have College or Pro athletics
- We did not have McDonalds hamburgers and French fries or milkshakes
But what we did have was much better and much different.
- We had no curfews
- We went to nightclubs in Cairo
- We rode camels and Arabian horses into the desert
- We climbed up pyramids
- We had 28 students in our senior class, representing 18 different nationalities
- We played squash at the country club along with pool and snookers
- We rode in taxis everywhere
- We could buy a hashish cigarette for five cents
- We had no age limits on drinking alcohol
Why Do Billionaires Need All Their Money?
- And we call this country GREAT?
- And we call this country the land of opportunity?
- And, we abide by a constitution that says all people have a right to happiness?
- They give their money to charities that don't help those living below the poverty line.
- They give their money to the colleges and universities they attended that don't help those living below the poverty line.
- They give their money to political campaigns that don't help those living below the poverty line.
Women of the Silk Road
Saturday, November 11
Personal Update
I am just finishing up my 15th year of fighting Lymphoma with infusions and pills and my 10th year of fighting Melanoma with chemo infusions. I had a heart attack 15 years ago, had stints put in but I still have to watch what I eat. And, in 2022, I had 5 lumbar disks fused because of spinal stenosis. I can walk fine, but not as fast and not with the same ease as before...
A few months ago, we downsized to a smaller yard and a house without stairs or a basement. It has really made a difference for both of us, and our cats seem to like it better as well. Our three cats are 13 years old and are showing only minor signs of aging.
While my wife and I are not planning any cruises or taking any flights to Europe as we have done in the past, we are planning on spending some time at Daytona Beach in Florida and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina next year.
We will probably be looking to upgrade our vehicle in the next year or two, but it will not be an EV...
Reasons:
- EVs are really expensive
- Not enough charging stations
- Too long to charge when on vacation
- Cost of replacement batteries
- Low resale value
Tennessee Valley Weather Forecast
I hate to brag, but this fall weather is damn near perfect and without high humidities...
Granted, if you go farther south, the weather is even warmer but in many of those warmer areas, the cost of living is much higher; of course, I am sure that in parts of Mississippi and Alabama I can find lower costs of living but who wants to live in those states?
Right up the road from us is the Bristol Motor Speedway, home to NASCAR.
Right below us is Chattanooga and to the west of us is Nashville if you are into country music.
Our little community is full of retired folks like us who park their cars inside a garage and keep the outside of their house looking well-manicured. Our little community is excellent for walking as it provides flat areas as well as little hills and valleys to give one's body a well-rounded approach.
Most houses decorate outside for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas but do not go overboard. Many of the residents will help you out if you need a favor.
But, the most important aspect of where we live is the weather... and right now, we are mildly warm and will stay that way for several days.