They are so big and bulky even on a 3/4 or maybe 1 ton pickup truck. Really not my thing — who wants that big-ass camper swinging back and forth on your truck bed as you go down the road? Then again, I’m really not into all that comfortable padding stuff and the comforts of home — while I like my camper shell, I’m quite fine with cooking outdoors and doing my business outdoors in the woods with a bucket. Rather keep the smells and moisture outside, and it’s bulky enough getting my big jacked up truck back in the woods to some of those remote campsites.
A Busy Hump Day ðŠ
Climbing the hump once again. Not that I ever have much free time these days, it’s one data job after another, along with some camping up in the wilderness, riding my mountain bike, burning things and smoking pot. You know good life stuff as the seasons quickly shift in the autumn gear. Friday at this point I should be back up in the wilderness, remote working out of Speculator, or at least at Speculator Library for another long weekend.
Driving into today, ðŧ as tonight is the Save the Pine Bush dinner. ð― It’s the first SPB dinner since early 2020, so it’s been four years now. Actually for a while during the pandemic they did take out dinners, but then that stopped when we lost our venue to operate out of. âŠI also think I want to stop at Northern Lights and get some cannabis ðŽ for the weekend up north, and also some cash from the bank. ðĩ You know like a few one dollar bills for dinner and anything miscellaneous needed. I do like how the ATMs now print out as many $1 and $5 you want, although only 40 bills at once.
I went to Lowe’s this morning hoping to get a propane hose for my heater, ðŪ so I can use both my stove to make coffee â and heat my hands on the heater, prferrably before I head north for the long weekend to remote work ðĪ from Speculator. Both the Moose Festival in Inlet and Apple Festival is going on Spectulator. ð I can’t imagine they have many orchards or apples in Spectulator, but the local chamber of commerce wanted something to celebrate during leaf peeping season. ð The thing about it was once I got out to my truck with the new hose, I realized it was the wrong type and promptly brought it back into Lowes to get my mney. So far they haven’t refunded my card, but I have a feeling it will happen soon. ðģ I am gong to look online to see if there is any place locally I can also get a hose. I’d really like to have it for camping, on those cold autumn mornings, like coing up on Friday.
It’s just been busy, busy, busy. ðĐðž Moving a lot of data, fixing problems, working into the night. I was working down at the library after getting home last night until 8:45 PM when an error popped up on my screen from an issue with some of my code, ðĒ and I said it’s time for bed. Got home and collapsed in bed. Yesterday, I rode both ways to work, ðē the bicycle is working pretty well and got some groceries on the way home. ð I almost missed that stop sign by the office ð as I was distracted by an incoming text ðŽ and of course got another strike on the insurance reduction app. Truth is I’m not going to get the best savings, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not about the money but getting myself into safer driving habits.
I feel guilty heading out of town every weekend, âš but it’s not all that much money for the gas, and I figure use up my truck while I still can. â― I think this winter with the road salt is going to be tough on the truck, I am seriously thinking I’ll probably be replacing it next year. So might as well take advantage of it, especlally when we are getting such nice autumn weekends. ð I’ll probably head north on Friday before work and come home on Monday evening after work. I think this weekend will actually be less busy then last, and I want to spend some good time riding gravel, maybe hiking Watch Hill and enjoying all the color. Plus just some good ol’ fashion hammock time.
Radical Acceptance
I have been thinking a lot about the ammunition background checks and the new fees in New York. It upsets me and annoys me to no end, much like the burn ban and so many other things in New York State. But alas I’m powerless to change the direction of the state and while eventually I can relocate for now I’m embracing Radical Acceptance, much like the sign over Sheldon Silver’s old Capitol Office – It is What It Is.
Still it bites me to no end every day I read the news articles and the direction our state is going. But I try to avoid getting too hung up on it, and embracing Radical Acceptance and staying away from the news and social media platforms – and planning to stock up in Pennsylvania or West Virginia. Some day though I’ll move to a state that respects my freedom.
Radical acceptance is a concept often associated with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It involves fully and completely accepting reality as it is, without judgment or resistance, even if you don’t like or agree with the situation. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Accepting Reality: Radical acceptance means acknowledging the facts of a situation as they are, without trying to deny, avoid, or change them. It’s about coming to terms with the present moment, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it may be.
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Letting Go of Judgment: It also involves letting go of judgment and criticism towards yourself and others. Instead of labeling things as “good” or “bad,” you simply acknowledge that they are what they are.
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Embracing Emotional Responses: It doesn’t mean you have to like or approve of a situation, but rather that you acknowledge your emotional reactions to it. This can help you better understand your feelings and work through them constructively.
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Reducing Suffering: Radical acceptance is a way to reduce emotional suffering. When you stop resisting reality and accept it as it is, you can free yourself from the additional pain caused by fighting against what you cannot change.
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Problem-Solving from Acceptance: It’s important to note that radical acceptance doesn’t mean you should never take action to improve your situation. In fact, it can be a foundation for effective problem-solving. Once you’ve fully accepted reality, you can make clear-headed decisions about how to move forward.
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Mindfulness Practice: Mindfulness is often a key component of radical acceptance. By staying present in the moment and observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment, you can more easily practice radical acceptance.
Overall, radical acceptance is a valuable skill for coping with challenging situations, reducing emotional distress, and fostering personal growth and resilience. It allows you to approach life with a more balanced and open mindset, even when facing difficulties.
Smoggy Volkswagons
It should be noted that the illegally polluting Volkswagen TDI produce as much NOx as a model year 1998-2004 Tier 1 (0.3 g/mi). Which is much higher then the current Tier II Bin 5 standard of 0.02 g/mi, which they are accused of violating, but far below historic pre-controlled cars of the 1960s, that put out 3.0-3.5 g/mi.
So if you have a 10-year old car, it is likely putting out as much NOx as the new Volkswagon TDI. But that’s not an excuse — if everybody has to follow the law for current model year cars — so should Volkswagon. 10-year old cars are becoming rarer on the road, and will mostly be scrapped within the next few years.
Latham Circle Bypass
Here are some great pictures of the Latham Circle both before and after the bypass was built. Ironically, with the Adirondack Northway well underway and largely built probably a lot of traffic already was bypassing the circle.
Good technology
It would be mistake to say that I am opposed to technology but I do oppose highly commercial, glittery, closed source technology that is the hallmark of suburbanite lifestyle. I like simple technology that I can understand, is durable and hackable for my own uses. Technology that doesn’t focus on entertainment but better understanding my own life and the world around me.
I’ve long said that I will never have a television or internet at home. Don’t get me wrong, I like my smartphone and I do go down to the public library to use the internet for uploading or downloading large files. But it’s different than watching bright flashing pictures and for hours on end for canned entertainment purposes.
Even when I own my own home I can’t imagine having internet or television. I would want my very inexpensive smartphone and cell service with the basic data package, but nothing more than that. I probably wouldn’t totally forgo having electricity but it would be a very small and simple solar system for lighting, charging phones and maybe pumping water. Good technology is simple and understandable, and easy to understand and close to nature.
Indian Summer
“Indian Summer” is a term used to describe a period of unseasonably warm, dry, and sunny weather that occurs in late autumn, typically during September and October in North America. During an Indian Summer, temperatures rise above the normal range for the season, and the days often feel more like summer than fall.
The origin of the term is somewhat debated, but it likely has its roots in early American settlers’ observations of Native American weather patterns. Indian Summers are characterized by clear skies, warm temperatures during the day, cool and crisp nights, and a lack of precipitation. This weather phenomenon can be quite pleasant and is often associated with a final burst of outdoor activities before the onset of colder winter weather.