Billion Dollar Jackpot Post 12/27/24

So, it turns out there was another billion-dollar jackpot for Mega Millions.  Actually, it was for Xmas Eve, but it jumped up to $1 Billion right before the drawing.  Nobody won so now it is up to $1.15 Billion ($516.10 Million cash option, which almost every potential winner would take - as 30 years is a long time for a payout). 

i would kind of like to win this (and be the sole winner), though the way i estimate is is probably on the low side - use 30% of the cash option, though i hear it could be as high as 75%.  i could use $153 million, though it would be a nightmare to get and set up checking/savings/investment accounts (fiscal logistics).  

Reminder, in April, the cost of Mega Millions tickets will be going up to $5 a ticket.  i hated the increase to $2.  Needless to say, i will be buying fewer tickets.  The proposed changes suck and are not worth the increased cost.  At that price, the jackpot would have to be over $1 Billion for me to even buy a ticket.

i like to buy tickets for Friday the 13ths (one in 2025), birthday, Halloween, Xmas, New Years, before Black Friday, or sometimes when i feel like crap.

Happy Solstice and other things

Another solstice is upon us. Unfortunately, the next one will really, really suck. i cannot overstate how much i hate summer.

Well, the solstice presents have been opened. Let's say the Solstice Abominable Snowman delivered them (that is a bit wordy though).  All i really wanted for Solstice was a winning Mega Millions ticket.

- Someone slipped a Vanilla Visa gift card under my tree.  Have i ever mentioned that Vanilla Visas are a pain in the ass (cash is always better).  You want to check the balance - just what i've always wanted another f*ing "system error".  Last time i had one, i gave up and traded it to someone else (it took them hours to finally use the thing).

My Xmas List 2024: CC Elves in the Mailroom and Santa Claus

 Dear Santa,

This year i have not been overtly evil. So, what do i want for Xmas this year?

My Xmas List:

* Gobots: Leader-1, Cy-Kill, and Scooter

* LEGO: Monster Fighters Haunted House (10228)

* Madballs original 1985 on card: Horn Head (or 2007 Series 1 release)

* My Pet Monster

- all items above in new/unopened condition.

What i really want is $100 million dollars after taxes. With that i could fulfill most of my material needs and wants. Some sense of security and permanence would be nice.

On December 24, 2025, i would like to wake up as healthy as i was at 22 in my own house, in my own bed, next to a woman who unconditionally loves me.  Some place/person combination where i know i belong.  

i know some miracles are even out of your reach though.

Sincerely, 

Me

Xbox Year in Review 2024

i kind of used to use a Video Game "blog" thing, but don't play as much as i used to.  Kind of a down year of playtime for me (played 920 hours in 2023 and only 640 in 2024).  Maybe because i only had Game Pass for 4 months.  Also, lots of Hulu streaming.  Apparently, i didn't play that many games i "own" this year.

So here are my stats for 2024 (not sure they're completely accurate), subject to change a little bit before 2025:

* Time Spent: 640 hours

* Achievements Earned: 457

* Gamerscore Earned: 13,452

* Games Played: 55

* Preferred Platform: Console (531 hours)

* Genres: Role Playing (40%), Action/Adventure (23%), Card/Board (17%), Family/Kids (8%), Other (12%)

Most Anticipated Game of 2025: Lunar Remastered Collection (Spring 2025). Not a stat they would know, but it is true.

Hulu Anime Binge

So, the Hulu $.99 a month deal was ending and i decided to see what the deal with anime was. So, i decided to watch a bunch of it. Here is my list of stuff i "watched" in the last year (incomplete, some are no longer on the service).  i think 12-22 episodes is the sweet spot. Some of the longer running ones really pad the episode totals. Black Clover was better at most at not padding episodes.  Though, to be fair, these were not meant to be binged like i did.  Mostly watched dubbed versions.

i "grew up" playing JRPGs and wanted something different than the US sitcoms. Some of these are weird.  Not all of these are winners, though i would like a next season on a bunch of these (also Chivalry of a Failed Knight).

My current $.99 a month account does not have the same watchlist (different account) - so list is for my benefit.  Household trade off on subscription services: i had Hulu in 2022 and just got it this year (2024) on a Black Friday deal.  Someone in the household paid the $.99 a month for 2023.

Numbers indicate through episodes.  Some series use an episode numbering scheme (Season 2 of a series that had 12 episodes in season 1 would be 13.  Pretty sure Bleach does this), some are more traditional (Season 2 Episode 1, is just that regardless of Season 1 episodes). 

Radio Station changed to Xmas already

So, i finally heard "Last Christmas" on the radio, unfortunately, it was the auditory abomination that is the Taylor Swift version.  Every version i've ever heard, sans the original suck (guess Darren Hayes version was not completely nails on a chalk board).  Taylor Swift's voice is not what i would good (kind of average-ish).

A station already changed Xmas only.  i heard Thanksgiving this year falls on the latest date possible.

If you don't have a radio station near you that has changed over "Alexa play 106.9".  That is basically what i use my Echo Dot for (radio and a clock).  i have my Xmas tree on a smart plug set to turn on at 4:15 and off at 9:03 both PM.  Alexa turn on "tree" - guess you have to not mute the input for it to work (also actually say it).

Here is my Xmas tree, now that it is not naked (has ornaments on it).  i wonder if artificial trees were meant to have ornaments on them.  Kind of seems like they were not.

Yes, i do decorate a little with dog toys (see the Bark Box Frosty and Rudolph behind the tree).

Too bad my Toshiba CD player is functionally deficient, just in time for when i use it the most (Xmas season).  Pretty sure the Magnavox replacement will have worse sound.

This Christmas (Parody) - truly awful

Not in a zany Weird Al style of parody.  Just a change some of the words style.  Since females are mercurial creatures, i decided to try and reword "Last Christmas" by Wham! (Music From the Edge of Heaven album) into a prequel.  Sorry George Michael.  

i may use real phrases from the existing song in some places.  Keeping the flow of the "song" is kind of difficult - don't know how you do it Mr. Yankovic.  Because i kind of can't.  Never really tried this before.  Since this is not an "original" it can go here, not like some other place exists where those type of things are.  Trust me, you don't want to look that up.

This Christmas ("Parody" of "Last Christmas"):

i, for one, welcome Nuclear Annihilation

The US (and its proxy NATO) seem to be ramping up tensions in Ukraine.  i am so tired of American accelerationism (TM).  The outlook for NATO countries must be worse than even i anticipated if they are trying to start WWIII.  By "helping" they essentially ensured further death and destruction in Ukraine.  The US is playing with matches in a tinder box to prop up their installed puppet.

Apparently, the US didn't learn any lessons from the unnecessary "Cold War".

They are setting up a situation where using nuclear weapons turns into the "trolley problem".  A country should value its citizens above those of every other country in the world.  If they don't something is sinister in that government.  Should Russia see Ukrainian citizens as being worth less than Russian citizens?  Definitely.  By using a nuclear weapon against Ukraine, they likely protect the lives of some Russian citizens (and deter NATO/UN encroachment).

Random Musings Today: Xmas tree, Wile E. Coyote problem, etc

 Ready for another installment of my popular Random Musings series?  Afterall, low single digit (but hopefully non-zero) readers can't be wrong.

* Xmas specials watched so far this season: Twas the Night Before Christmas, Grinch, A Pinky and the Brain Christmas, and Rudolph.

* No Trick or Treaters this year, though the porch light was off and no pumpkins out.  Thought candy was too expensive this year to give away.  If the world goes the way i assume it will, i might need the candy for myself.

* i like Holiday Mint M&Ms and Wild Cherry Lifesavers (hard to find) - just saying.  Milk chocolate with mint, i can't stand dark chocolate.  However, $3.96 for a 9.2oz bag is pricy.  The Wild Cherry Lifesavers used to be prominent in the Sweet Story Books we'd get many Xmases (now days it is just 5 Flavors).  Another favorite was Butter Rum, Walmart had them (BR) last year and Safeway the year before.

* Watched some horror movies (as is proper) for Halloween.  Though not sure anything in them is scarier than the modern world.  From Army of Darkness to Urban Legend (forgot to watch overrated Young Frankenstein).  Started too late, probably should have watched Universal Monster movies too.  i forgot to watch the Michael Jackson "Thriller" video for the first time in years. 

Voting

Another election is upon us.  The only saving grace is the political ads will go away for the next two years. 

 i've decided that i much rather have the right to veto instead of vote.  i only registered to vote to have another form of ID with my address on it.  Has my vote ever mattered?  No.  Thoreau likened voting to gambling.  i'd argue the establishment is the House (the house always wins).  Beginning to think Married with Children was right ("The Chicago Wine Party" episode) - some quotes at the end of the post.

Al Bundy: "One thing I know, we're never going to win through the system. Voting has never been the American way. We didn't get away from that pansy country England by voting". 

What is voting?  Voting in giving the people the illusion that they are somehow involved in government, not just powerless subjects of it.  Which is a lie.  It is basically pacifying the sheep so the government can shear them.  Or put another way, voting is a suggestion box.  Nice in theory, if they ever read the suggestions.  If voting really mattered people in charge wouldn't let you do it.

Happy Halloween

 "Growing up" Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. Though, in the kid world, Xmas reigned supreme.  i don't remember us getting a ton of candy growing up, so Easter and Halloween were welcomed occasions.

i vaguely remember going out trick or treating with my alleged younger brother.  Going door to door asking for and getting candy.  Though there would be some joker out there who would give out wax lips, cheap "toys", Dum Dums, or toothbrushes.  We put candy in pillowcases (in a good year, over 50% full).  i would learn later, but the variety i got would have cost more than $50 today.  Buying your own candy kind of sucks.

There were always urban legends about razor blades or drugs in Halloween candy, but i never believed them.  i probably would have accepted caramel (no extraneous "A" in my pronunciation) apples and homemade treats too, but you can't do that anyplace but a high trust society.

i identify as a trick or treat age kid on Halloween.  Isn't that the way it works in the modern age?

Random Musings Today: Ads, FEMA, and other stuff (maybe)

 Have you ever found yourself in the store thinking that the Muzac is better than it used to be? Who among us has not sang along to a song in the supermarket?  Actually, that is not true, now they start including newer songs that suck. 2000s pop/rock kind of sucks.

* Saw "We Built This City" (sort of) on a Quilted Northern Ad.  Waiting for the extended version with the faux traffic report. Also saw an IHOP "Working for the Weekend" ad.  i guess these are technically parodies. 

Really, is nothing sacred.  Have modern crap "music" on your ads.  80s music rocked, try to hock you wares with something different.  Maybe some Taylor Swift shit (or is that redundant).

Random Musings Today: Lunar, Kids Names, Halloween

 Well, time for another post of meandering musings

- One of my favorite video games of all time is going to get released on Xbox, Lunar Eternal Blue.  Now i have to wait until Spring 2025 (assuming such a thing exists for me).  Silver Star Story was not terrible either (Dragonmaster Alex). 

- Kids names: i always hoped to sire 3 kids (assumed 2 daughters and a son).  However, going 0 for the Millennium kind of puts a damper on that. 

Random Musings Today: F*ing Political Ads and Voting

 What's weak this week. Lame, lame, lame.

* Political Ads: 

- If i wanted to watch a Marxist prostitute i wouldn't be watching Hulu.

Was watching Hulu yesterday, there were 12+ ads for Kamala Harris. One political ad is one ad too many.  Worse, the way they do the add with the Green screen and Hulu logo makes it look like it is a Hulu sponsored ad.  Have Hulu due to a $.99/month deal ending near Thanksgiving.

What side is the real cult?  One of the least popular Vice Presidents in history is suddenly Obama cult 2.0 (the whole Obama thing was a media creation).  Can't believe the democrats found someone less likeable than Hillary Clinton, but they have.  As is usual, taking soundbites completely out of context to promote a misleading narrative.

"We're not going back"... something all lemmings want to hear.  When you're on the verge of going over a cliff, going back sounds like a good idea. If the US actually "elects" this fraud, they deserve what they get.

Voting for Harris (who shouldn't be eligible in the first place "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" applies to all foreign nationals, not just diplomats).  Is akin to cartoon physics.  Trust me, you don't want to look down.

Happy 50th Birthday to Malevolence

In September 2022, i posited that if evil had a birthday, it would be September 20th - for no reason.

That got me wondering how old malevolence would be.  My answer is 50 (though some would say 49) - also for no reason.

No, i didn't use a thesaurus (always picture it as a type of dinosaur) - i actually use the word "malevolent" (or variations) at least once a quarter.

Random Musing Today: More Library Movies, Halloween is Coming, etc.

 In today's random musings, i will muse about whatever pops into my head or is annoying me.

* Had to pass a stupid Twitter/X Arkose Challenge. Replying to stupid MMT/UBI types, liars like Robert Reich and Biden are not spamming.  Like those accounts don't virtually spam Twitter/X with their inanity?  Wish that BS would quit showing up on my timeline.  Apparently, they put a flag on my account accusing me of being a spammer or something.  Had the account for a few years (i think).  

* More movies from the library: 

LEGO Sets That i Wish i Had

This post is a post of some of the LEGO sets i wished i had.  Many of these are from before i bought my first LEGO Classic set (right before "15 days to flatten the curve" COVID "pandemic" kickoff in the US).  Turns out, i'm not creative and need instructions to make anything.

Here are some of the sets i would get if i had a time machine and unlimited money.  There are probably more i don't know about.  Maybe Jaws and Bumblebee (Transformers) from this year, though not at those prices.

Just Saying 8

 Finally, Just Saying post 8 is a reality (well after i click the publish button).

i gave myself LEGO Notre-Dame Cathedral as a birthday present.  An annual "tradition" since Architecture sets tend to release around August 1st.  Last year it was Himeji Castle.

What did i do my B-day weekend?  i built a cathedral, you? 

This was the biggest Architecture series set to date, weighing in at 4,383 pieces (the 10,001-piece Eifel Tower isn't an architecture series). Also, the most expensive one too.  Kind of reminiscent of the LEGO Creator Expert sets that were retired long before i bought my first set.

Random Musings Today: i Hate Smart TVs, birthday, etc

 So, time for another random musings post.  What am i thinking of today

- Have i mentioned i hate smart TVs?  i just want plug and play.  Streaming sticks do the internet thing better than the TV does.  i don't want the TV to scan every time i change inputs (5 devices, 3 inputs).  Then we'll get into the shitty remotes that come with today's TV. Remember when they used to have real remotes, not garbage "voice command" ones?  A Toshiba HDTV remote vs a Samsung 4K ready set.

- The Xbox 360 online store has ended - end of an era.  Moved my 360 to a different room (since Wi-Fi in my room is really bad) so i could download a few final things.  Took a lot of tries to get my Samsung 4K ready (UN30MU6300) to finally recognize the 360.  When it did, the display was suboptimal and kept cutting out.

- Having a hard time with WI-FI lately, keeps buffering and disconnecting/reconnecting randomly on different devices.  Wired is always superior to WI-FI (if available).

- Got an Enhanced ID last week (well, not delivered yet). Precisely why i signed up for voter registration a few years ago - "document" with proof of address/residency.  

- As a practical matter, voting in this state is beyond useless.  The only thing i ever voted for that won was advisory votes (which are meaningless and have since been discontinued).

- "Happy" Birthday to me.  i still contend i was the biggest bomb to come out of that calendar day, not Nagasaki (Fat Man).  If you're asking, i'm somewhere between 15 and 16.

- Why do my winning lottery tickets always turn losing after i check them?

- Finally started my LEGO Notre-Dame Cathedral.  Biggest LEGO set so far, by piece count.  So far, a decent build, though LEGO has issues with curved sections 

- Playing some video games.  Kind of weird that Game Pass (MSFT Rewards) has me holding off playing games to get the daily achievement "reward" of virtually $.005.

- Liberals online are kind of insufferable (though the most insufferable are paid accounts/astroturfers).  i'm getting some serious Schmeerskahoven vibes from them, buuudy.

Happy 8/8/88

 Happy 8/8/88 for all those who celebrate.

Hopefully, this awful summer will end soon.  Though, i'm not looking forward to going back to school.

Only a month or so until the Seoul Olympics start.  At least USSR is in this one.  Though those East German women kind of look like guys.  Kind of the opposite of Aerosmith's "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)".  Top Secret wasn't wrong.  Probably going to watch this on our Montgomery Ward color TV (dad got for the 1984 Olympics) hopefully the antenna on the roof will work.

Wearing out my Faith tape.  George Michael has such an awesome voice.  The new song "Monkey" is kind of cool - i like the radio better than the album version.  Guess the same was true with Wham! "Everything She Wants".  But i still can't get "One More Try" out of my head.  i would never sing along to it, would i?  Probably going to need to listen to Make It Big (listen to it more when i get stressed) a lot of times this year.  Wonder what is one the radio - when is Casey Kasem's countdown again?  Maybe i should just "Roll with It".

Wondering what's on TV? Probably not much since it's summer.  Can't wait for the new seasons of Alf, Growing Pains, Night Court, Head of the Class and others.  Too bad Family Ties is getting kind of preachy.  Can't believe APK went so soft.  i blame his ex-girlfriend, Ellen.  Never fall for a liberal.

What about this new movie Die Hard?  i think it is with the guy in Moonlighting.  Too bad i can't see it because it's a R Rated movie.  Maybe i should see Roger Rabbit, Big, or Short Circuit 2 (wait they made a sequel?).

Election year: am i going to have to put up with all of those stupid political ads again?  Hopefully Bush can continue the Reagan awesomeness.  Maybe this is the year my state finally has a GOP governor (one hasn't been elected since 1980).

WA Political Ad Season Again

Like the Olympics every four years (used to be) an annoying spectacle is once again upon us - political season. That is Washington state (US), not Western Australia (though i'm sure it's bad there too).

Funny how the party who wants to get "money out of politics" spends so much money. Think the ad spend is something like 8:1 (at least the spots aired seems to be).

Still think all ballots should have a Montgomery Brewster option - "None of the Above".

i Hate July

It may shock you to learn i am not a fan of Summer (more of a pluviophile).  Summer only had any positive connotations when i was still in school.  But when you get out it's just a hot, sticky, annoying, agonizing, uncomfortable mess.  August generally sucks too, but i hate July.  Nothing positive really come out of it (especially now that fireworks are banned everywhere).

i love the '80s just not the 80s where you hit 0176 (on numeric keypad) while holding the ALT key.

This July: i had to deal with a bathroom renovation during the hottest stretch of the year (hopefully) and my computer decided to not output visuals anymore.  Hot weather seems to be somewhat unpleasant for me (maybe aggravates some conditions, and i've always been prone to "heat rashes").  At least i haven't been lobsterized.

Then you get into the historical misery (that i don't think i'll ever completely get over, at least with my memory). My father died in mid/early August, trying to remember if i was told his cancer was terminal in July. Two ways my life essentially ended - the end of hope.

Say hello to my new computer (previous computer was named Tsunami). This computer remains nameless for now.  Looking for cool names - maybe something like cataclysm, apocalypse, or calamity.

Hopefully Window 11 isn't the shit show that Windows 10 was.

July 4th Tip: Moving Tables

July 4th is almost upon the US.  With it comes BBQs/picknicks.  Maybe you want to move a picknick table.  My tip for you is to watch your feet.  Spatial awareness of obstacles can be the difference between successfully moving the table and injury. This could include sprinkler heads or unseen depressions.  Easier said than done while moving something that likely obscures some hazards from view.  

Say you are moving a table between properties, going between a fence, one wrong step you could break your left ankle.  There goes your summer internship.  Then we get into possibly unnatural acts with an ice cube.

Ideally, you wouldn't move the table (as they tend to be heavy and unwieldy). Moving furniture in general is usually a pain.  Don't get me started on the maneuvering necessary to navigate the malevolent doorway. 

Random Musings Today: Waiting Sucks and Personality Quirks

 What semi-random thing pop into my head today (not sure true randomness exists)?

1) Waiting sucks. i could have done this weeks ago, but i guess i am honing my restraint by waiting until my B-day (if it happens).  Never a guarantee, seems like every year the odds get worse.  Feels kind of like i'm just running out the clock.  Still got a little while.  Picture time...

2) What have i been doing.  Playing video games on Game Pass. Have "beat" a few. Put numerous hours into RPGs. Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes - an average (at best) game with the worst controller drift i have ever seen.  Virtually unplayable.  Also, enough with the stupid, unnecessary mini games. if something is billed as a "spiritual successor", play the original.

Random Musings Today: Video Games, Flying, etc

 Ready for more random musings that go nowhere?  Too bad you get them anyway.

* What do i have in common with Tom Selleck?  Maybe he has the Complete Series of Magnum P.I. on DVD too (don't know).  i have never sent a text message.  Have i ever mentioned that i hate phones. 

* Persona 3 (video game): i probably put 40+ hours into Persona 3 Reload this last week. i did beat it and got all the achievements expect the one for maxing all Social Links. Too much micromanaging for my taste.  That one is kind of ridiculous: get level 10 for 20 or so people (some which start gated behind a characteristic score - like courage, charisma, or academics).   Then you get into the annoying structure of basically after school and evenings.

i never had that many relationships in high school: my number was closer to zero.  Never felt like i was ever really part of anything. 

Random Musings Today: Ad Deja Vu, streaming, miscellaneous

 Now for another stream of consciousness thread...  Numbered for no reason.

1) Ever not see someone for years, then suddenly see someone on a commercial who strongly reminds you of them (despite how much you tried to forget their existence)?  For me it was the Good Rx commercial (i think it was called) "You can save without insurance".  The second woman, sitting at her computer saying she ran her own business strongly reminds me of a girl who i wanted to be "the one" in college.  Or at least what i pictured she would look like. 

2) Girls, you are not livestock (probably) so cool it with the awful nose piercings.

Happy Tax Day (US) to Those Who Celebrate

Ronald Reagan: "Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15."

Let's see who celebrates the day of remittance to a parasitic organism? H&R Block employees, tax accountants and Democrats.

Income tax always seemed strange to me. Why should you have to pay the government for the "privilege" of working? Why were people/states dumb enough to go along with the 16th Amendment (1913 was a bad year for the US)? It was supposed to be limited... how did that turn out?

There should be no tax withholding (doesn't benefit you in any way). There should be no deductions or credits. The tax code should not be so utterly ridiculous and complex. 

There should be no such thing as a tax refund. If you want to overpay the government, feel free to do so but don't expect any of it back.

2024: Billion Dollar Jackpot Part II

 As expected, the Powerball jackpot has climbed to $1 Billion for the Monday (April Fool's Day drawing). 

Update: now up to $1.3B for Saturday, April 6th drawing.

i hate Monday lottery drawings. 

Can't we just go back to the good old days of two drawings a week (or one), slightly better odds (though still virtually impossible) and $1 tickets?  i wish.

When i win, maybe i should try and take over the world. Just kidding, most of the world isn't worth taking over.

2024: Billion Dollar Jackpot Part I

Well, it is another $1 Billion dollar jackpot (or the more impressive $1,100,000,000), this time for Mega Millions (Tuesday March 26, 2024). Powerball is threatening a part II (at $800 million). 

i could use an Eostre miracle (a fiscal resurrection, if you will).

Yes, i want to win the jackpot. No, i do not look forward to all the logistical hoops involved with a deposit of that magnitude.

Definitely going to take the lump sum (my alleged father died of cancer 4 years older than i am now). Wonder with taxes how much i would really see. $525.8 million cash option if only winner (unlikely). i know federal withholding is supposed to be 24%. But if it counts as income would definitely increase my tax bracket (maybe the 37% one).  

i always use the concept of getting to keep only 30%. So, only $157.54 Million after taxes. Say 2 other winners: $52.58M proceeds. Anything above that is a bonus.  Prove me wrong, large Mega Millions jackpot win. 

Random Musings Today: AMZN, Oppenheimer, etc

 So, i've been thinking... ready for a bunch of disconnected ideas? Too bad

Valentine's Day

Notice how i didn't say "happy Valentines Day". Probably because it never really has been. Of all the manufactured "holidays", Valentine's Day is among the most annoying. A day celebrating the commercialized caricature of love. Selling cards, candy and jewelry. If you are perpetually on the outside looking in, it can be depressing and hopeless.

What is love? Does it really exist?

i've been waiting for someone other than Foreigner to tell me - no, show me. Does love exist?  My answer is no - at least not in the way it is portrayed in songs and movies. One of my sisters says, "love is a mutual decision".  A decision with no permanence that can change at any time. Maybe that's why she's divorced.

In my limited experience (assuming i actually ever had any), love is more like addiction - a mixture of wanting somewhere/someone to belong, pretending someone really cares, and misinterpreted lust.

Unconditional love seems like an awesome concept. The problem is that humans never do anything unconditionally.  

Though, maybe i'm just one of the mutants over at table 9 who will never find true love (always been a bigger fan of true love finding me). Every time i have taken a chance it has blown up in my face. Once bitten infinity times shy.

Much of human behavior is not free will, but programming. Couple that with the abstract modern view of life - traditional/evolutionary realities cast by the wayside (especially by females) chasing rainbows better not caught.

Wish i would have been assigned a mate at 15 or so. As far as i'm concerned, dating should be one of the deeper levels of Hell (yes, referencing a book i've never read).  People pretending to be something they are not so they will be accepted (or at least get some).

My Conservative Manifesto Rewrite: The Indexing

 In 2022, i revisited my conservative manifesto. i didn't fundamentally change most of my views. Here is a (attempted link) to put this all together in one jumping off point. Not sure all of my links work (some of the links look wrong). If they don't, look for the tag "MCMr" tag.

As i stated in the first post, when i say manifesto, i mean more along the lines of Jerry McGuire - not the Unabomber. Want any more, ask. i probably have a view on it. Want me to expand on sections a little more, ask.

i joke to myself that if i ever won the lottery (net $100M), i would run for president (despite social anxiety issues).

Just Intimating IV

 Roman Numerals - that'll show you it is a sequel post.

In this episode: MEGA Snake Mountain and a bonus appearance by a K'nex marble run set that doesn't really work.

Random Musings Today: Xmas Gifts, Puzzles, Seinfeld, etc

 What have i been thinking about lately? Where will this post go? Another good question

 - Xmas Presents: Usually, i get myself some movies and stuff for Solstice. i still get some presents from Santa. Only one series left to watch from past years - Sgt. Bilko (Phil Silvers show). Usually, i "watch" TV shows on DVDs and movies while doing a puzzle or LEGO sets.

i got a marble coaster set from K'nex. Bad directions and it doesn't actually work right the vast majority of the time. At least i guessed correctly most of the time what the right piece was (the white bars of varying lengths). The tolerance for this to work were miniscule - an some of the pieces shift or warp.

- Puzzles: Every year i get myself 2 or so puzzles. The last 2-3 years it has been Thomas Kinkade Studios Xmas puzzles. Yes, i like his style - kind of a less abstract more commercial version of Impressionism (with some Norman Rockwell elements mixed in). i finished a few puzzles - mostly 1,000 piece in 3 days each (who knows the number of hours). 

Just Saying 7

Xmas and Solstice came and went yet again. i got myself some more LEGO sets and Santa got me another one. Pictured below (poorly) are these sets (Not pictured: a LEGO Classic set with functions/gears (posted on intimating post) and a small similar set i got for free when ordering Himeji Castle.)

i could use more space. Too bad Santa Claus yet again forsook me. Could have used that new 2,500+ sq ft house.

Just Intimating 3

So, the Solstice/Xmas season has passed. Got a couple/few new MEGA Construx or off-brand (LEGO-likes). There is still one more MEGA and a Kinex Marble Coaster Run (which i'm not sure qualifies) that i have left to put together.

Yes, i make mistakes and following directions has never been my strongest attribute. Assembling stuff without my fear of power tools creeping in.

They had to screw up Windows Photo App (on garbage Windows 10) didn't they? i long for days where stuff worked and wasn't updated all of the time.