 |
| US Soldier on Bedrolls after 1st Night in Battle of the Bulge 1944 (Source) |
Sunday morning upon the first day of the ever-popular (YMMV) Daylight Saving Time wondering just why I was awake, other than the fact that I had a cat sitting next to me prodding me and making sad "meow" noises. Said noises I interpreted to mean "Oh Dear God, I have not eaten in nearly twelve hours, oh human, will you not help me in my hour of need?"
Deciding that, as the sun was up and I had to answer the call of nature anyway, also the realization that feeding the cat was the only thing I had to do that day, I got out of bed. Surprisingly Anya had actually eaten all of her food, she can be finicky at times. Empty dish equates to "feed me," at least in feline terms it does.
So I did my business, took care of Anya, then set course to once again hit the sack. After all, it was only 0730, er, I mean 0830. Yes, yes, we were once again in the grips of Daylight Saving Time. While I did actually go back to bed, I awakened only an hour later and realized that at the rate I was going I could possibly stay in bed all day. Something that the younger version of me would have had no problem with. However, older me realizes that staying in bed too long produces back pains, blurred vision, and a general crankiness not to be scoffed at.
So I got up to a breakfast of a bagel and coffee (looking much like the soldier in the opening photo I think) and contemplated the day. It was far too late to go to church, not being Catholic I feel zero guilt about such things, especially if The Missus Herself isn't around to "enforce the law."
So Sunday was a lazy, really unproductive day, just the way I like 'em.
Now about that DST-thing ...
Apparently there is a bill out there which proposes to make DST permanent. This falls into the category of "bad idea" to my way of thinking. We tried this once before, back in 1974, this article talks about that, it wasn't very good. It's too damned dark in the morning during the winter months if you keep DST year round. For those of you who are interested, this is the bill which mandates this business. (I wanted to write "nonsense" instead of "business" but before doing that I anxiously await those of you among the readership who might have a good argument as to why it's not nonsense. DST that is.)
Anyhoo, I don't care for DST, YMMV.
Another trip to Sandy Eggo ...
In April I shall once again be traveling to Sandy Eggo. First two weeks of that month, which means I can do my taxes before I go, or do them the weekend I get back. Neither prospect appeals to me. Before you begin making suggestions, I always do my own taxes, it's a thing with me. As I'm not getting money "back" from the Feds (after all, it began as my money, how is that getting it back?) there is no need to hurry. Mail it at the deadline and be done with it.
By the way, not all taxation is theft. Unless you'd like to spend your weekends training in the militia, fixing the roads, or performing one of the other various and sundry things you don't have to do because your taxes pay for others to do that.
Much like mowing my lawn, I can do it myself, or I can pay someone to do it. I don't mind providing someone with meaningful work for a fair wage. I guess the problem most folks have with taxes is that not everyone pays their fair share (and who decides what's fair, politicians?) and that a lot of your tax dollars goes to some really, really stupid things. Like paying your Congress critters to not do their jobs. (I mean when's the last time they actually passed a budget, let alone stuck to it?)
Retirement ...
I am looking forward to leaving the corporate world, especially as my version of it has changed drastically over the last two years. Not for the good.
You see, we "merged" with another company a year or so ago. In essence, they bought us, kept most of our name but are now busy instituting their way of doing things. Let's just say, I am not impressed with the way they do things. Next year, apparently, diversity and inclusion is going to be emphasized. I'm guessing at the cost of fielding usable weapons systems.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for D & I, just not the way most corporations and government bodies interpret what that means. I don't intend to get into the business of pointing out the pitfalls of that "business," Sal does it very well over at his place. (That word is in quotes for a reason, see my comment above.)
The Book and the Blog ...
Yeah, I got a little whiney over the weekend. Being overtired will lead me to letting things bother me more than they should. Which bothers me even more as I like to cultivate a "who gives a damn?" kind of attitude. I try to worry about the stuff I can control and let the other stuff go. I can't fix it, so why worry?
The book is paused for a bit as I am suffering from a certain lack of "disciplined creativity." Oh, I could write for hours and just make stuff up as I go, but the book is supposed to track with history. Mind you, I'm not teaching history, just using it as a framework for the story. To do that, research is required. While I do know a heckuva lot about WWII in Europe (and am filling out my knowledge of the Pacific as well), I don't know everything. So I do research.
Miscellany
I actually got to break the drums out over last weekend. It was cold so all the windows in the house were closed, no neighbors to annoy dontcha know? (Electric kit so I can control the volume.) Also, with The Missus Herself out on the West Coast, I wasn't annoying her. While the kit does accommodate headphones, I can't hear the music I'm playing along with while I beat on the electronic skins. I also developed a dislike for headphones about thirty years ago, they really detract from my situational awareness. (To wit, playing a game on my computer, using headphones, a very intense game mind you, when TMH walks in, from behind, and scares the living doo-doo out of me when she taps me on the shoulder. So headphones, no, just no.)
That's all I've got for today, bear with me as I work through this creative desert. The map shows an oasis ahead. (Yup, map, not chart. There's a difference, discuss.)
* SJC
Can remember that political cartoon showing Nixon cutting a foot off one end of a blanket, sewing it onto the other end of that same blanket and then claiming the blanket was longer?!? Still do my own taxes Sarge, scheduled this week, like you having to pay, ugh, those yahoos can't spend it fast enough. There's an oasis? What time? Remember Midnight at the Oasis? Maria Muldaur? 1973, yegads.......
ReplyDeleteI remember that song well, in fact, it's now stuck in my head. 🙄
DeleteI don't care whether it is DST or not, just pick one and stay with it, I'm to the age where my body does not accommodate change at all well.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that one.
DeleteSplit the baby, go to 30 minutes between DST and ST and be done with it. Nobody will be happy, so it’s probably the best solution.
DeleteSeems like the best bet, I mean a good compromise pleases no one. Right?
DeleteI've been pushing what Comrade Misfit said for years. It's the one that, short of just staying with ST, makes the most sense.
DeleteConcur.
Delete(Don McCollor)...That 1/2 hour suggestion is good!. My further suggestion (based on a couple misunderstandings) is to tell time in Zulu (CUT). One trip was to a ND power plant in MST at 09:00 (so their email said and dated). Turned out all the workers came from Bismarck that was in CST, so the plant ran on that time. Call to my boss from the plant "Where are you guys?"...
DeleteYup, need to cross multiple time zones and no one thought to call out which time zone you're in, GMT would work. But the problem there is, if their cell phone doesn't tell them the time, they have no clue.
DeleteWe've had a tax guy for years and years and we found that is a much better idea for us than when we did it.
ReplyDelete"(To wit, playing a game on my computer, using headphones, a very intense game mind you, when TMH walks in, from behind, and scares the living doo-doo out of me when she taps me on the shoulder. So headphones, no, just no.)"
Indeed. After some spirited discussion, The Hot Chick now pauses at the entry to the room where I'm gaming at the computer, and she flicks the lights off and on until I pause and lookup at her. That has mostly worked and it prevents the need for a UPSKE.
(Pronounced Upskee, UnPlanned SKivvy Exchange)
Retirement and changing goals.
I found that some of what I'd planned to do in retirement weren't as important to do as I thought they would be.
I'd spent part of the last ten years of my Federal LEO time as a collateral duty certified Firearms Instructor and Armorer, and I wanted to continue that by teaching in the civilian world.
I went as far as getting my first certification to teach through the NRA and then realized I just didn't want to do that even part time.
There is time enough in retirement to satisfy my endless curiosity and learn new things, while finding what things I wanted to keep on doing.
Heh, "spirited discussion," been there, done that. UPSKE, I like it, the acronym, not the event itself.
DeleteWhen I want to read a history (I think a very good one) of WWII and the events in Germany that led up to it, I read Richard J. Evans' three volume series: extremely detailed, so dry it squeaks as you turn the pages. A great historian is one who gets his facts straight and backs them up with references; OTOH, a great writer is entertaining, makes you want to turn the page to find out what's happening next.
ReplyDeleteSam Clemens was a great writer, (IMHO) you are a great writer (and you can check, I do not have a brown ring around my mouth).
Particularly, as I get older, I find there are very few writers that I feel are worthy of that title (those who can write a decent English sentence and hold my interest for more than ten pages).
Please continue at your own pace; your fans aren't really pushing you that hard (heh); the wait's worthwhile.
Thanks Boron.
DeleteHistory as written by folks like Evans is superb for research purposes, but the dry part is why many have never heard of him. Personally, I don't think he's that dry. I've seen much worse.
(Don McCollor)...Once I had a fellow worker (second language English ,but fluent) ask how to improve to a higher level. I suggested for him to read a book by Winston Churchel. Not having to agree, but noting that every word is chosen precisely to convey a meaning...
DeleteSir Winston certainly had a grasp of the nuances of the English language.
DeleteOn DST; I'm of the "pick one and quit dickin around" camp. Split the difference for all I care. I don't have a job to compel me to get up at a certain time anymore (Johnny Paycheck anyone?). Winter darkness ain't my favorite but I deal with it. I'm glad for more sunshine in the day.
ReplyDeleteBoat Guy
Splitting the difference works for me, though given a choice I'd dump DST altogether.
DeleteWhen I had my side business, it was worth me having someone (usually my Cousin) do my taxes. When I started the job I have now, I put the side business on hold. Between the increase in salary and overtime, I didn't need it. If I have excess time I can always work overtime. The pay is about the same and I don't have to wait 90 or 180 days to get paid. Once I started doing that my Cousin told me to just pay TurboTax to file. If I had any questions I can call him, but, after three years I haven't had any.
ReplyDeleteMy taxes are relatively easy, so I've got that going for me.
DeleteHaving shifted my biological clock over the past several decades, I'd be fine with leaving Std Time in place. But that's just grumbly old me.
ReplyDeleteRoger that.
DeleteSarge, I just honestly wish we would choose a time and stick with it. I could go either way, just make a choice.
ReplyDeleteI once heard a pretty persuasive argument that it is not specifically taxes themselves, but the way the taxes are used that make them so irritating to many people. I get that there are legitimate needs that we as a state have: the fact that the money is constantly frittered away makes me angry (and - if the government is going to just borrow money anyway they do not have, why just not charge any taxes at all? It is all made up at that point anyway).
I know I have said this - and I know you know it - but writing is hard work, as hard as any other mental activity and occasionally as mentally exhausting as any physical activity. There is a reason graduate students essentially drop out of the world for a year or three to focus on writing; for the rest of us we have to fit in.
Retirement - The corporate world is indeed becoming a much less fun place to be. I am considerably behind you in the curve, but am working on simply plodding forward and finding a way out via exchanging my lifestyle for a lesser but more fulfilling one or just dumb luck (it could actually happen). For now I just put my head down and do my job like a steer in a blizzard.
I will go read Sal's post - agreed that such things really have become a "business" and much like a government agency never go away, as they never solve the problem they were created to address.
Sal has his Diversity Thursdays every now and again, look for those (the link above is general).
DeleteI just found out yesterday that the Monday after "spring ahead" day is National Napping Day. It has been since 1999. You can look it up.
ReplyDeleteI told my wife I was going to do my patriotic duty for Napping Day, and she asked what made that day different from any other day. She doesn't appreciate how hard I work to stay retired.
National Napping Day? I need to start celebrating that one!
DeleteBTW Sarge, if you liked Odin with the guy from Warduna and Faun, check out more of Faun. They have been around for over 20 years and have some interesting influences.
ReplyDeleteSome interesting music there.
DeleteDST. Hmmph. The cows don't believe in it, either. I'm beginning to think that in a truly modern world, we would not even use "time zones", we'd use Terrestrial Time and end this nonsense. I'm not going to hold my breath. (I ran into TT in learning celestial navigation after UTC and maps; the concepts of the different "times" used in the world gets (to me) rather deep. Wikipedia does a good job explaining them, the political noise has not penetrated there yet. There are links to the other flavors of time.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrestrial_Time
ReplyDeleteTerrestrial Time, cool name, I'll have to read up on that.
DeleteMany moons ago, tired of the whole tax thing, I actually got the whole rule book for short form and long form and did an Excel spreadsheet and plugged it all in. Amazing what reading the damned instructions will do for you. It was most helpful the years of many many medical stuffs, as travel and other things really added up.
ReplyDeleteThen life slowed down and it has gotten really simple.
I don't mind paying taxes, as long as the taxes are used properly. Paying for illegal immigrants and for military-aged-male-refugees to be here, and paying them 3-4 times what oldsters on Social Security get, that peeves me.
Any use of government funds to support illegals should be a felony.
DeleteI won’t blather on with how I feel about manipulating clocks.
ReplyDeleteI will, however, mention that the voters here, in California, approved a measure to stop the nonsense.
Unfortunately, the actual change to the code has to be made by the legislature, and they’ve chosen to ignore the voters.
There are words to describe such villainous folk, but they don’t belong being used in public.
Ah, since when do the legislators have to listen to the voters, when they get reelected no matter what they do?
DeleteThere is a reason Standard Time is called Standard Time.
ReplyDeletePrecisely.
DeleteI just heard on the news that the U. S. SENATE unanimously voted to keep daylight time in force tear round. Watch out for the youngsters waiting for the school bus in the dark. Old Guns.
ReplyDeleteShould read year round. We used to tear around waiting for the bus. OG
DeleteWhat a group of absolute fools.
DeleteTear around year round ...
DeleteBut of course!
My truck has headlights, so I don't give a damn how dark the mornings are. Daylight Saving Time or no, it's dark either way when I leave for work. I just like coming home & having daylight wherein to do things around the house, and especially in summer, when it isn't dark 'til almost 2100. Standard Time works too, just stop jerking us around twice a year. We're not getting any more daylight than the sun provides, either way.
ReplyDeleteAs far as schoolkids go, most of them seem to be too stupid to find their way up the driveway to the house, & the other direction. I can tell because the parents have to drive them to the end of a 40-foot driveway.
--Tennessee Budd
That last bit, I see that in Little Rhody as well. Hell, the school bus will stop three times in a quarter mile so the little darlings don't have to walk a couple hundred yards.
DeleteHey AFSarge;
ReplyDeleteThere was a thing running around that if President Trump had gotten rid of DST he would have won reelection..As far as taxes goes, it is necessary, but our government pisses soo much away in stupid crap, they are not a good steward of the Public trust. They forgot that the money don't belong to them.
Bingo! MrG's got Bingo!
DeleteHow many of you would like to have big rolls of US issue wool blankets now. I slept under them for almost a decade. I have one moth eaten one now. Would like some new ones.
ReplyDeleteI've slept under those, even made a lean-to out of one up in the Rockies.
DeleteGood times.