Hey kids,

This is our third season on Lake Powell. And our first season with our own powerboat.

The initial attempts to enter the powerboat era we’re unsuccessful. Overheating, shift cable adjustments, and missed water line connections plagued and almost sank the poor little 18 footer. But it taught me some lessons.

1. Don’t just assume all is ready to go. Research, eye-ball, and become familiar with something new before you put your faith in it.
2. Leaky things are more of an issue on a boat than a car.
3. Enjoy life. Even the bad times are valuable. I know my boat better than I would have if everything went smooth from the start and I appreciated it more when things went right.

It may have been some headache I thought I didn’t want, but at the end of the day yesterday, we cruised a small part of the lake and explored the parts previously explored only via kayaks and a little bit beyond.

On future trips, I’m sure we’ll be out on the old river channel and to parts we’ve never seen and way too far to have reached via paddle power.

Hey kids, It’s my birthday too!

53 turns around the sun done, #54 is now started.

I’m sitting on a boat floating over 90′ of rising water on Lake Powell. I’ve had a few days here by myself, working on the shared houseboat and a little on the 18′ boat I bought for myself. My time alone ends in an hour or so- about the same time my birthday does.

I’ve had some time to reflect, some time to figure some things out, a little time to at least plot a course. It’s been in the works for a while now. But here I go.

Year #54. Is this the year that things happen? Why not?

Hey kids.

It’s been quite a week or so. During the current pay period, I’m now 2 days ahead in the amount of hours worked over what would be normally expected. I also feel like I’m two days short in living.

The money is good, but the loss of time is expensive. What might I have done with that time for myself. Instead, I cashed it in. It’s a terrible habit to get into. But then again money buys the things I like. Getaways, dinners and movies with my favorite person in the world, my wife; and the ability to keep the lights on, the heater warm, and the vehicles working. For all the evil money might bring, it can bring good things too.

I had a dream recently. In this dream I had the impression that I would only live to 57. That gives me 4-5 years. What am I doing with those years? Where is this trajectory heading? Is that much time enough? What if that really is all I have?

I know it was just a dream. But it makes me think. What if it isn’t.

I work for the dumbest department ever. I leave work almost every day shaking my head and wishing I could just walk away. Not almost every day, but every day. It’s must be what it’s like to play on a professional sports team that really sucks. You get the game, you can try your best, but the collective effort from the team is lacking. Lacking to the point that it’s laughable. I’m struggling to want to step in the batters box, knowing that the pitcher can just pitch around you. And if he doesn’t, your hits, or number of hits don’t matter because no one is batting behind you to drive you around the bases for a run. And even if you do score a run every now and then, your pitching sucks. You just hope the organization trades for better people around you, or maybe even trade you off to a contender.

The trade wire is quiet.

So I have a few more seasons to win a championship. Or maybe just a batting title. Or even a golden glove. Is there still enough gas in the tank? Is there a way to rise above or away from a losing team? Is there still a dream to realize?

I must try.

To not would be like a called third strike.

As we move into the future, the opportunities of being watch, recorded, and listen to are constantly increased. Phone mics can be activated remotely, webcams can be used to spy, and digital assistants are always listening, learning, and getting to know our preferences.

Are we ever alone?

Does it alter what you would do if no one was watching?

January is the diet month. The month many people resolve to lose that extra weight. The month to start the year to make a difference.

But how to diet?

Some say low carb. Others high carb. Again others say high protein, or low protein, or moderate protein.

Some say red food, some say green.

You see, if you start to read about diets, you’ll find they all work and at the same time, none of them do.

If you’re one of the many hoping to make this year the year to diet your way to a new you. Good luck.

I am one of those who belong to that new religion of Instant Pot.

I love watching Infomercials, especially for music collections and cooking devices. The pressure cooker show sold me completely and I put it on my goal list to add this device to my collection.

I may be gullible but I’m also really cheap. I hate to spend money, mostly because I generally have none to spend. It’s a great combination actually, cuts down on the clutter, but I recognized a good idea when I saw one.

The featured pressure cooker may have been great in principle, but was it the best one. It’s very important to get the best bang for the buck! After hours of searching, researching, watching videos, and watching eBay and Amazon, I finally settled on an 8 quart Instant Pot brand pressure cooker.

I didn’t realize until after my purchase that it had such a cult following, but its faithful brought a lot of information to the table. I could learn to cook anything. And I did. And I am continuing to grow as a member of this new religion.

Like in most belief systems, there would come a trial of my faith. Popcorn.

The videos made it look so simple. Put the oil in. Put the popcorn in. Start the movie and snuggle up on the couch with my sweetie and listen to her shower me with praise of how perfect the popcorn tasted. Alas, it didn’t work. I had way more not popped kernels than popped and a distinct burnt smell throughout the house.

Again I tried and failed.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Had I been duped? Back to YT university I went.

A hack they call it. A simple way to manipulate a device for a better result. There in the scriptures of visual revelation a video appeared in my search. I tried it. It worked. My wife loved me again, at least my popcorn anyway.

The solution was simple; put a quarter under the pot and over the temperature sensor. This little act attenuates the reading and leaves the heating element on for a longer period of time.

Is it safe? I’m sure. Is it recommended? Probably not. Did it work? Yes!

From car repairs, to conspiracy theories, to unlocking cooking secrets; I am a faithful student of You Tube University. I only wish they gave out degrees to put on my resume.

As the current version of a federal government shutdown continues, I would think there would be some important issues. I guess some things are more important to others than to me.

I grew up believing the less government the better, and I still feel that way. And shutdowns on occasion seem like a good idea really. Maybe we can learn that all these services actually cost something and we can rethink what we pay for. Somethings may be good, some bad.

Apparently, according to the news casts, bathrooms at public parks are the biggest issue. Barring “emergency situations” can we not as a people hold it a little. #1 is a little tough to manage but can we not control #2 a little better than leaving it behind to a point the parks need to be shut down?

Do we really need the government to be our potty master?

Hey kids,

I’ve got my lazy moments. At the time of this writing, I’m sitting in my chair with my feet up, with the TV on, and sipping raspberry tea.

Of course, this is following a near 14 hour shift.

I have my lazy moments and maybe I’m slow in getting my next book finished; but if you need something, if you need me, if there’s something that needs to be done; I’m there.

I don’t know what it is that makes one person willing to work and another willing to let others do it. I don’t understand a person that is willing to stand back and watch someone else do something they could do but won’t, or concede that someone can out work them, or willing to be the served upon.

It frustrating to see it. It’s aggravating to watch lazy. But deep down I’m glad as hell I’m not one of those people.