My Training Moat

 i was supposed to post this several days ago - but the fricking heat (i hate summer).  

Now the "joke" is lost - a few days and $400 million late. The concept being if i won the Mega Millions jackpot i would get a big house with a moat - because who, of means, doesn't want a moat (to keep the pesky peasants out).

i was thinking this inflatable would be 3' long - nope 80" (or whatever that translates to in the metric world).  Blown up old-school, actually using my mouth in 90° room w/ 40+ % humidity.

i am accepting names in the comments for the inflatable alligator. i was thinking C. Ya Later, Insta, Investa, Masta, and Uncle Alligator (a callback from a fast-food restaurant i barely remember - Rax).  

Solar energy: my first Jackery exposure

Technically, i have had exposure to solar power before.  Who could forget those solar calculators that would sometimes work?  The you have the solar lights (basically operating off rechargeable AA batteries) that would occasionally work. You could never fully rely on either.

This time i decided to borrow my sister's Jackery 100W solar cell.  To be fair, i tried this on an overcast day. The peak wattage i was getting was about 20W.  If i was trying to charge a Jackery 240 at that rate, it would only take about 12 hours, the Jackery 1500 would be something like 60 hours.  It would likely be drained in less than 3.  Seriously, something like the Jackery type power station is best charged through the wall and used for camping/emergencies (though they are only rated for 500 or so charging cycles). 

So, do i think solar is the next big thing in energy?  Of course not. Solar relies on cells that have fairly low efficiency (like 23% or so) that will wear down over time - and, ironically, heat and exposure to UV radiation. With solar, you're always basically just charging a battery. Will you ever get your money's worth from solar?  Probably not.    

There would have to be dramatic increases in solar cell efficiency/technology and battery technologies to make them remotely feasible. They will never be able to meet energy on-demand needs. The amount of batteries and land that would have to be set aside for "solar farms" is vast.  Then you have places like where i am with a significant amount of "gray days" and drizzle. 

Solar does have its uses, (like low drain lighting/batteries) - but will never be ready for prime-time as the premier energy source. 

7-11 Day is dead to me

i suddenly realized it was July 11th today (7/11 in the US).  So, i go online to see if there are free small Slurpees this year. Turns out there is, but you have to jump through a hoop. You have to download an app and join a free loyalty program.

i know i'm alone in this, but i HATE phones. In the past, you just showed up and got your Slurpee, the added step is a step too far for me.  

The only things i buy at 7-11 are gift cards (like having physical cash as a constraint) and lottery tickets. Signing up for something i'll never use sounds like a waste.    

AMZN Prime Day Ad (2022)

It took me longer than it should have, but finally.  Doesn't the new Amazon Prime Day Ad (for 2022) have an uncanny resemblance to the Billy Ocean song "Get Outta My Dream, Get Into My Car"?  This is the ad that has been playing on Paramount plus (and 80s styled song ad).

What Kind of Plant is this?

 

Here is a cropped version showing the leaves

Not the greatest picture, i know (i suck at pictures).  Does anyone out there know what kind of tree/shrub is growing here.  i tried to grow a wild blackberry in the pot, but the only thing that grew was this.  So, i kept watering it. This is likely 1-2 years old.

i know this isn't a maple (i have that in a Lowe's bucket).  i don't think there are any alders in the area. i don't think this looks like a madrona. Most trees here are Douglas Firs or Cedars. 

AFI Top 100 Movies: Post 2 The Reposetning (spoilers)

 So the first format would have taken too long so let's do something different - the top AFI movies that i actually liked.  In previous posts, i said i had a semi-epic TV on DVD collection, well i also have Blu-Rays of some of the top 100 AFI Films and the anniversary list (34 or so).  Now i might spoil them for you...

What are the movies that i more than tolerated? Outside the top 10 (1,2,3,6,10)

Fourth of July: Fireworks show, the one time i went

Back in the year 2000, i was living/existing in an apartment complex called Forest Glen (i think) - behind a Fred Meyer. i had an interview and an attractive receptionist asked me what i was doing for the 4th of July. i asked what there was to do in the area and she said there was a firework show going on at Fort Vancouver.   

So, i walk 2+ miles up to Fort Vancouver not knowing what to expect.  There was this large grass field with a stage.  i sat down on the grass and watched the stage.  As time went on more and more people came, almost walking over me. So, standing up was the right play. The "the headliner" on the stage was a geriatric group known as the Letterman. However, the Neil Diamond tribute band before them was better. It got to about 10 PM and the firework show started.  It is a little different in person than it is on TV or from a distance. Yes, there is a soundtrack the fireworks are synced to.  Also, you can feel the "boom" fireworks (more sound than light). 

After 20-25 minutes the show was over.  Then came the next hassle, walking "home" in the dark.  My night vision is less than stellar, but somehow i made it without getting lost. 

So, what did i learn?

1. Yes, firework shows are better in person - if you can put up with all of the people
2. Bring a blanket, to reserve your physical space and not almost be trampled (field type scenario)
3. Wear sunscreen and a hat.  i forgot both and vaguely resembled a lobster for a couple of weeks after.