As they say, April Flowers bring May showers or so it seems when you look at the forecast for the second half of the week. But it was a good weekend, bar some maintance issues with the bikeand the SuperDuty getting, well SuperDuty gasser gas milage. Lol, I shouldn’t ever look at that screen.
It says 13.1 MPG based on all trips since I got it from the manufacture, 🛻 having driven around 300 miles now though a lot of them were city though climbing the hills and mountains, and some off-road/dirt road doesn’t help. It keeps dropping. Back wheels are super light without the cap or gear in the back, which will definately help on the steep dirt roads and getting going. Lot of torque on those rear wheels with that big-beefy 6.8L engine, and that’s not even the Godzilla. Still I was hoping for better, though I suspect it will improve on longer trips. Honestly though, I should just not look at that screen. Rarely did on Silverado especially after it was lifted, because the speedometer was never right.
I wanted to go to Game Farm Preserve in Berne, ⛰️ but once I got to the hill yesterday morning, fairly bright and early, the county had a big sign saying “Park Closed – Do Not Enter”. Apparently the demolished some of the old buildings like the ruffled grouse hatchery. Honestly I didn’t think it needed much work, though the road to the lodge at the top of the hill was pretty eroded. Well I guess it’s good that county took over the preserve, as the rural town of Berne really didn’t have the resources for upkeep of the property, and it’s better to see it preserved then developed, as there are some nice views of the Switz Kill Valley and South Berne from there. 📸 It was good going up the hill, I got to try out the four-wheel drive on SuperDuty and on way down the hill descent control. The hill descent control is interesting, it reminds me a lot of engine braking or riding the brakes but without actually having to hold down the brake. Good for going down steep, rough roads without the vehicle speeding up. 🔘 You accelerate and brake like normal, and when you take your foot off the brake it doesn’t accelerate unless you press the gas, the ABS and engine vaccum hold the vehicle back. Also played with that a bit more on Boys Camp Road in afternoon after visiting the observation tower.
Ended up heading up to Gifford Hollow Road and riding up Partridge Run Road. 🚴 Riding I caught the derailuer multiple times in the spokes which wasn’t cool, but I think this morning I have it bent straight enough to ride. What is happening is the spoke guard, now missing, kept hitting the cassette keeping the wheel from freewheeling, which caused slack in the chain, which caused it to jump off the cassette and hit the spokes. Didn’t break any spokes, but yeah, not cool. I am going to order a new cassette, chain, and spoke guard today. While technically the lack of a spoke guard is the immediate concern, if I am going to pull the cassette, it’s going to be replaced. I’ve found on my bike, despite what the bike shop says, even when you measure chain stretch, if you don’t replace the cassette and chain at the same time, you have problems. The crank can be cranky between low and high at first but those chains stretch enough quickly that I find that crank, which is the extensive part, rarely needs replacement. Plus I don’t really have the low range working properly on my bike.
Rode up along Partridge Run Road, checking out the falls, 💦 and then up past White Birch Pond, Fawn Lake, Tubbs Pond, Upper Wood Duck Pond, then up along Bradt Hollow Road to Cook Hill Road, then to the Bradt Hollow Cementary, 🪦 up and over High Point Road, over Sickle Hill to Ravine Road past a surprising number of homes with burn barrels and that off-grid homestead, then over to the Gulf. Lot of black flies, so I didn’t spend a lot of time hanging out and reading. 📚 As I had kind of planned for part of the afternoon. Drove over to Boys Camp Road, did the observation tower 🔭 and hiked the little accessible nature trail, then drove over past Crystal Lake and then Route 358 overlooking the Catskills. 📸 Beautiful spring day, and it was nice to get out and enjoy the fresh air even if at times the black flies were bad. It was good to try out the capacities of the SuperDuty and just drive it a bit, even if gas milage was what I expected it to be. But I make good money these days, 💰 and it’s not a commuter vehicle. Those SuperDuties (and Silverado HD trucks) are really popular out in the country, even if you don’t see them as much in the city. 🛻 Went to mom and dad’s for Sunday dinner 🍽️ and to wash my wash and empty my slop bucket, 🪣 then did an evening hike at Holt Preserve and watched the sun set. 🌇
Well I want to head in early to work, 🚲 as I am not totally certain of my bike adjustments, and I have a lot of things that need to get done once I’m in the office. 🚿 Shower and was the grease off my hands, 🤲 get to work, order the bike parts and this evening I will stop by Hannaford and get some groceries. 🛒 I was going to stop at Walmart last night but with no way to easily lock the bike 🔒 without the truck cap, I decided I better wait, and just get groceries on the bike ride home this evening. Later in the week, if it’s raining out I could decide to drive in and stop at Walmart on the way home. 🌲 I do got the Pine Bush Dinner on Thursday, and I want to ride to that, despite the rain and my concerns about riding the bike without a spoke guard and the worn out chain. 🔗 Though I do hope to order those parts and hopefully have them installed by then.
That dashboard screen, a glowing fright, Of fuel consumed in thirsty flight, The numbers low, the logic thin, For thirty-threes and heavy tin.
But those who count the cost of miles Forget the currency of smiles. I didn’t buy this rig to creep Through city lanes while others sleep, Or sit at lights in grey despair, But for the crisp and mountain air.
To find the hollows deep and green, Where only 1-ton steel is seen. It rides up high, a factory grace, To find a remote camping space, Without the sway or lifted doubt, Just solid axles, heading out.
Past silent farms and forest floor, Away from every city chore. So let the trip computer weep, I’ve got a mountain road to keep.
The tailgate is my favorite chair, With campfire smoke and messy hair. For every gallon that I spend, There’s joy around the river bend.
Everybody has opinions. Life is short, buy that farm. You don’t need a SuperDuty. Buy an F-150. Oh, you’re not getting a full slide in camper for you one ton truck that can easily handle it? Lead acid batteries for camp power? How old fashioned, get a jack off box, they’re great.
You can’t please everyone so you best please yourself.
Maybe I’m wrong about many things, buy into the propaganda and ideology. Or are stubborn and refuse to change. I try to be open to new ideas but I often know what works best for me. I’ve been doing these things for a long time, done my research and know what works best for me. I have my reasons for my choices and I know what will make me happy today and what best suits my needs.
Technically, you do not call emergency services such as police or the fire department during an emergency.
You call emergency services during a disaster, as an emergency is a serious situation that can be handled internally without summoning outside help. For example, a pot on your stove catches on fire, you cover it up, and the fire goes out. That’s an “ordinary” emergency not a disaster. Disasters overwhelms local capacities and requiring summoning outside help, while emergencies are able to be addressed with resources on hand.
The reason why they call police and fire departments emergency services, is because they are able to handle a serious situation without requesting outside state and national resources as would be in case of a disaster. From their perspective, they are just responding to an “ordinary” emergency, not a disaster, as they are not summoning additional assistance.
A manifesto is a public, written declaration of intentions, motives, or views, often outlining a new vision or a plan for change. Key features include a critical stance on the status quo, a clear set of goals (often SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound), and a call to action to inspire others.
It is technically a neutral term for a public declaration of beliefs or aims, but it has increasingly gained a negative connotation in modern usage. While historically associated with significant political or artistic movements, it is now often associated with extremism, violence, or excessive self-importance (e.g., terrorist manifestos or unhinged rants).
Key Aspects of the Term “Manifesto”
Neutral/Historical Definition: It is a public declaration of intentions, motives, or views, often launching new political parties or artistic movements.
Negative Connotation: In recent years, the word has become associated with the “hate-filled” documents released by mass shooters and terrorists, leading some to call it a “document of hate”.
Alternative Usage: It is still used positively in business and art, such as a “brand manifesto” to describe a company’s purpose and values.
Connotation Variations: While it can sound “wordy” or self-important in some contexts, it generally retains its function as a powerful, necessary statement of change.
In modern discourse, a manifesto is seen as a way to challenge norms, but it is frequently linked to extreme or, at minimum, very intense ideologies.
Spending mindfully is the practice of being intentional and aware of where your money goes, ensuring your financial choices align with your core values and long-term goals rather than fleeting impulses.
Core Strategies for Mindful Spending
The “Pause” Method: Before any non-essential purchase, implement a mandatory waiting period—typically 24 hours for small items and up to 30 days for larger ones. This “cooling-off” period helps determine if the item is a true need or a temporary craving.
Identify Spending Triggers: Reflect on whether your urge to spend is driven by emotions like boredom, stress, or social pressure. Finding alternative ways to de-stress, such as exercise or a hobby, can curb “retail therapy”.
Add “Friction” to Purchases: Disable one-click buying on sites like Amazon and remove saved payment information from your browser. The extra steps required to check out provide a vital moment to reconsider.
Calculate “Life Energy”: Before buying, translate the price into hours worked. Asking, “Is this item worth 5 hours of my life?” often shifts your perspective on its value.
Use Physical Cash: Research suggests that handing over physical money feels more “real” than swiping a card, which can naturally reduce overspending.
Helpful Frameworks
The 50/30/20 Rule: A common guideline where 50% of income goes to needs, 30% to wants (mindful fun), and 20% to savings or debt.
Values-Based Budgeting: Instead of just cutting costs, identify your top values (e.g., travel, health, family) and prioritize spending there while aggressively cutting what you don’t care about.
Zero-Sum Budgeting: Assign every single dollar a “job” at the start of the month so no money is left to be spent mindlessly.
