Covid19 Spare time

Donstar · March 13, 2022

On 3/10/2022 at 8:17 AM, diyer2 said:

IMO

They know someone will buy it at full price. They can wait.

You're absolutely correct. I ended up being the person to pay full price!

diyer2 · March 13, 2022

If you're happy, thats all that matters.

Edited March 13, 2022 by diyer2

Donstar · March 13, 2022

On Friday I picked up a slightly used Harley Davidson Freewheeler(3 wheels) using a rented box trailer from Home Depot. Yesterday I drove it for the first time. My hours of spare time YouTube viewing of reviews and test drives of the Freewheeler helped tremendously. Riding a full-sized touring trike is a modified combination between a sports car and a motorcycle with its own characteristics. The benefit of 44 mpg is not unnoticed. A 5 gallon container of gas, safely tucked away, could serve us well in an emergency. The pandemic and the war in Ukraine are issues demanding a lot on our personal security. Even if we believe we know the solution or the person(s) to blame, we still are facing some very real individual fallout. Look after #1, or put on your own oxygen mask first!

Donstar · March 19, 2022

I'm travelling now to attend a special birthday for a close family member. Most Covid restrictions have eased but I am pleased that so many people continue being respectful of others. I usually wear a mask in public venues but not embarrassed if I forget to put one on! These past two years have created a new awareness. (I don't like "new normal") Having the extra time forced me to enjoy my surroundings. It is nice to stay in a hotel and visit new places and people but I am sure looking forward to getting back to my things! It is also quite a shock to spend so much money so fast! Every night in a Hotel translates to one less accessory for my Harley and/or my Wife!

Donstar · March 22, 2022

We spent three days in the big city area and I was impressed with the hybrid covid models in the hotel, shops and public conveyances. People were doing as they pleased within these abbreviated restrictions and all were respectful to one another. Watching the news from home last night could lead me to believe everyone is fighting over Covid stuff! We have people protesting past, present and future mandates! It is important to be informed but it is also good to turn off the media to experience the real world and appreciate life! We look after our own mental health so that we are able to contribute in a productive manner. I get saddened when the horrific coverage of Ukraine is back to back news with local anti-mask convoys. Our energy, concern, empathy, support and fund-raising efforts are all needed to protect these victims of this disgusting "war". It is incomprehensible how anyone alive today can accept the deliberate killing of others. Mrs. D and I made a donation to the Red Cross for the people of Ukraine. I know its a proverbial drop in a very big bucket. However, if we're not part of the solution, we're part of the problem.

KARNUT · March 22, 2022

29 minutes ago, Donstar said:

We spent three days in the big city area and I was impressed with the hybrid covid models in the hotel, shops and public conveyances. People were doing as they pleased within these abbreviated restrictions and all were respectful to one another. Watching the news from home last night could lead me to believe everyone is fighting over Covid stuff! We have people protesting past, present and future mandates! It is important to be informed but it is also good to turn off the media to experience the real world and appreciate life! We look after our own mental health so that we are able to contribute in a productive manner. I get saddened when the horrific coverage of Ukraine is back to back news with local anti-mask convoys. Our energy, concern, empathy, support and fund-raising efforts are all needed to protect these victims of this disgusting "war". It is incomprehensible how anyone alive today can accept the deliberate killing of others. Mrs. D and I made a donation to the Red Cross for the people of Ukraine. I know its a proverbial drop in a very big bucket. However, if we're not part of the solution, we're part of the problem.

Contrary to some people may believe I do lots of research. It’s hard being moral people not to want to do more. After much though I was against giving planes now I’m for. I had forgotten we promised to protect them after they gave up nukes. We should as they were amassing on Ukraines boarders reminded Putin we have protection agreement with Ukraine. As did they. And will give them all they need to protect themselves and their solvency. We seem to be pretty bad about keeping promises, especially now. Our boarders, pipelines, soldiers, etc. People watching this sickness are getting to the point where they are going to say. Stop this by any means at our disposal. Judging the performance of Russia equipment. Their nukes probably wouldn’t clear their silos, if lite at all. Ifs that’s really a possibility.

Donstar · March 24, 2022

I also try to keep informed yet nothing I have found comforts me about people killing one another. The acquisition of territory or people by physical force is barbaric, archaic and uncivilized. Humans are pretty intelligent and most of us learn in our toddler years that words are more effective than our fists. I can understand a leader drunk with power going off his/her rocker but I'm stymied how they attract such followers that will give their lives for them. At least there are avenues open for me as an individual to help the victims of this current war.

We are so lucky that we can turn off the news and safely go about our daily lives. The picture below reflects my Covid journey and I won't bore you by repeating the details of why I say this! The funny thing is that this trip on my trike was to pick up a box of free rapid covid tests from our pharmacy. Covid is still making its rounds!

customboss · March 24, 2022

1 minute ago, Donstar said:

I also try to keep informed yet nothing I have found comforts me about people killing one another. The acquisition of territory or people by physical force is barbaric, archaic and uncivilized. Humans are pretty intelligent and most of us learn in our toddler years that words are more effective than our fists. I can understand a leader drunk with power going off his/her rocker but I'm stymied how they attract such followers that will give their lives for them. At least there are avenues open for me as an individual to help the victims of this current war.

We are so lucky that we can turn off the news and safely go about our daily lives. The picture below reflects my Covid journey and I won't bore you by repeating the details of why I say this! The funny thing is that this trip on my trike was to pick up a box of free rapid covid tests from our pharmacy. Covid is still making its rounds!

We in the west have become accustomed to allowing others to fight for democracy whilst we enjoy its benefits. That will come home to haunt us in near future.

It's interesting that Africa is not dying from covid like the rest of the world. Will be interesting to see how that lesson and reason bears out.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/23/health/covid-africa-deaths.html

Enjoy your trike!

diyer2 · March 24, 2022

I don't see things the same way you do Donstar.

Humans are pretty intelligent? I doubt that frequently. Words are more effective than fists? Our judicial system uses words contained in laws. Isn't very effective to me when you consider the repeat offender numbers.

Donstar · March 27, 2022

Last night I watched a YouTube documentary on the Monkees (1960's TV rock band). it is a story about four individual young actors being hired to portray a successful rock band of the era. Initially the music and show were hugely successful and the four stars went on to struggle to live their television roles in real life. It was a great story on how we can be influenced by our public/media/environment. This analogy might be a stretch, but I do believe we're all pretty similar in our thinking. We are all heavily influenced by our surroundings and often adopt other people's thoughts without employing our own! As a school administrator, I dealt with many, many school yard fights. In most cases the squabbles became physical because of peer pressure, and escalated with increasing peer pressure. It takes a strong person to "appear" weak to their public. Over the past two years, my wife and I have had lots of time to explore and define our own futures. It is incredible how everything we plan is framed by the approval of family, friends and neighbors!

diyer2 · March 27, 2022

I'm my own person. I'll leave it at that.

customboss · March 27, 2022

11 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

I'm my own person. I'll leave it at that.

We all are influenced greatly by our choices, environment, and bias. Even us strong willed.

KARNUT · March 27, 2022

My wife and I forged our own path by taking the best of our parents and grandparents paths in life. Especially the grandparents. My generation and especially after it seems keeping up with the Jones was the theme. Everyone seems to worry about appearances and branding. My peers were buying high end cars while we saw the value early with the Genesis. Now highly rated. Most people I know drive Denalis while I always bought Texas edition. While listening to Dave Ramsey and carefully planning I retired at 58 while my Denali driving friends are still working in their 60s.

customboss · March 27, 2022

21 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

I'm my own person. I'll leave it at that.

Here’s what leveraged opinions in our generation.
1949 Fairness Act was struck down and game on for misinformation pumped out originally in AM talk radio most listened to sitting in traffic.
https://www.tpr.org/show/the-source/2020-03-01/how-conservative-talk-radio-transformed-american-politics

KARNUT · March 27, 2022

One of the greatest examples of mindless excess is Starbucks coffee. I still can’t get over that one. In contrast my mother in law a few years ago was over for thanksgiving. I had a pod coffee pot. I asked her if she wanted a cup. She assumed it was an expensive using pods and answered after you. Meaning run my pod a second time. She’s an army wife and very well off. And a bit extreme. But a good example.