Author Archives: Joel

Looks like we got us a convoy. I never actually had enough power to try doing an equalization charge on the Lair’s batteries before, and yesterday afternoon I gave it a try. Of course the last couple of days have … Continue reading →

Here’s the perfect product! You can thank me later.

Okay, so there’s this itsy-bitsy news item that’s making the blogging rounds. And everybody’s all “How dare they? Pissant goatf*cking Egyptians have the effrontery to issue warrants for people in this country? Nukes! Rubble!” And I confess I had one … Continue reading →

Three times. Three out of three. It’s true! I was there! Three times I have lent Ari the Husband one of my guns, and three times that gun has come back broken. I’d be angry about it if it were … Continue reading →

In comments regarding Oleg Volk’s latest masterpiece… Perhaps in sixty years, an Iraqi, Iranian, or Afghani artist will be mirroring Volk’s virulently anti-German, but poignantly pro-citizen-armament work… …only the dead bad guys will be American kids. Our boys deserve better … Continue reading →

Family arrived safe yesterday afternoon, after an epic drive from Kansas. I showed them around the place (Daughter was particularly interested in M’s Dome, having developed an interest in (shudder) earthships) then brought them to the Secret Lair. Kaelyn met … Continue reading →

If no-talent idiots don’t have freedom of speech, nobody has freedom of speech. And if that gets some goatherder’s thobe in a twist, well, that’s why somebody coined the phrase “F*ck you, Achmed. Don’t watch it.”

Busy busy busy! Today’s the day I see Daughter and Granddatter! (and Ari the Husband.) I threw on some clothes, wolfed down breakfast, gunned up, loaded the boys into the the Jeep for their trip to Gitmo. There’s shit to … Continue reading →

I can usually tell when Tam comes wandering through my sleepy little elbow joint in the intertubz, spilling organic coffee and page views wherever she goes. This, for the benefit of those of you who don’t occupy the lower 99% … Continue reading →

No, not you, Zoe. I’m afraid you’re staying. THIS irritant! Yes! I got a call yesterday from my weekender neighbor S, whom I didn’t expect to see this weekend. He said, “I’m here, and so’s your new panel, and I’ll … Continue reading →

In New Jersey, Land of the Galloping Hoplophobe, everybody knows that if you talk about protecting yourself from bad people with guns by buying yourself a gun you’re just being a whacko. A hater. You’re allowing yourself to be ruled … Continue reading →

I’ve got guests coming! Whatever shall I wear? I’ll wear what I always wear, of course, because that’s what I’ve got. But a more important question, which only occurred to me late in the game, is “what will I feed … Continue reading →

Weer’d goes to the trouble of answering the questions in detail. But I think a more succinct answer is called for:

It’s never too early to say I hate winter. Outside temp in the forties this morning. First time, but it’s been clearly headed in this direction for several days. Grumble. Time to clean the chimney and find out what, if … Continue reading →

(This turned out kinda long. Forgive.) I was teaching a couple of basic courses for mechanics, for one of the American big three. It wasn’t my usual job, I mostly did instructional design back then: Needs analyses and training development … Continue reading →

And the sky this morning reminds me of one of the big things I disliked about Michigan. Gray, leaden, thick clouds. No sun at all yesterday, and little the day before. The system improvements have been a big help, but … Continue reading →

Like Claire, I wasn’t going to do the 9/11 thing this year because what’s left to be said? Then she found something that certainly deserves remembrance. I wasn’t going to write anything to mark this anniversary. I can’t stand the … Continue reading →

Late posting today, because I got an early start on M’s Dome. Long-time readers may have noticed that there haven’t been many M’s Dome updates lately. Yeah, M noticed that, too. And that’s because there’s been very little progress on … Continue reading →

…I left the Battery Minder on my battery bank, stealing power from M’s Dome through my comically kludged-together string of extension cords. Yesterday I finally gathered all the cords back up. Mission accomplished. First I just wanted to see how … Continue reading →

…Old Uncle Joel sees something that pushes his F*ck You button. When it happens it’s as likely as not to come from here, because a well-framed picture can be worth far more than a wall’o’words. This one leaned down hard … Continue reading →