You can deny reality as long as you like...

But you're just setting yourself up for an even bigger task when you finally, necessarily, inevitably have to face reality. Let me know, America, when you're using the metric system like the rest of the world. Until then, carry on in your prideful ignorance. Worship your celebrities. Worship your billionaires. Worship your right to carry military-grade weapons. 

It has been decided, by a majority of the people, that we're going to go through some things. I know a bit about the Chinese Cultural Revolution of 1966-1976. I cannot imagine why anyone would think that something like that would be a good idea. But here we are. 

Thoughts and prayers? I pray. I pray for America.

Birdsongs are different today.

I got up at 04:30 this morning, and I noticed right away that the birdsongs were completely different. I already miss Perry County nature greatly, but it's on me to do a better job of seeking out the nature that still exists here. There are pockets.

20241106

I don't think I can do it anymore.

At 20241103-1500, I successfully returned my rental car at San Francisco airport. I don't think I can do it again, the whole rental car at SFO and driving at high speeds in SF Bay area traffic. 

I have been known to whine about the need for regular medical testing as we age in order to monitor what skills are being lost. 

It turns out that those tests are provided by the real world. Put me down for the following:

• No driving at night
• No airport rental cars and big city freeway driving 

I have a plan, someone that I intend to train as my capable escort. One thing is certain. I can no longer lead international travel expeditions. 

Thank you, drivers of Thailand.

I did not imagine that I owed the drivers of Thailand a debt of gratitude. But I do. Thank you, drivers of Thailand for teaching me to accept near-death experiences on the road as a normal part of driving. 

There I was westbound on Kentucky 60 on my way to the Rockport Bridge. Running at 90 to 95 kph (55 to 60 mph), I saw ahead of me, coming right at me, a white car trying to pass a tanker truck. 

It didn't look right. The tanker was too fast and the white car too slow. The white car was in my lane and headed right at me. 

But I felt no fear, none at all. I slowed down, and there was plenty of road shoulder for me to pull into. I used the shoulder, the white car used my lane to finally pass the tanker, and I calmly moved out of the shoulder and back into my lane. 

My heart rate increased not at all. There was no cursing. No reaction of any sort. Witnessing that kind of dangerous passing is completely normal to me.

In the dangerous driver's defense, there was plenty of shoulder, easily enough for us to make three or four lanes out of the two painted lanes if necessary. In this case, we turned it into three lanes, and it wasn't hard to do. The alternative would have been a head-on collision had I insisted on remaining within the painted lines.

Painted lines and lane markings, traffic rules and regulations, what do they really matter in the end. The drivers of Thailand have taught me well. There is only one rule: Don't hit or be hit. 

And a near-death experience or two or three or more on a drive? Keep calm and carry on my friends. Today is not your day to die.

Remember books?

20240722

As it should be on Planet Earth

Here in Tell City, even during a heatwave, you can still get outside in the mornings and evenings. 24 degrees at 21:35 hours, with an AQI (air quality index) reading of 14 (very green).

I spent a long time living on Space Station Thailand. For a person who has to be outdoors, living on a space station just gets harder and harder over time. I miss some people, but I don't miss the environmental destruction. Concrete. Diesel. No trees. Once upon a time, it was a natural paradise.

Space station escapee rides again...

Having escaped from Space Station Thailand (extreme long-term air pollution, extreme long-term heat), I rode a bicycle again for the first time in months. It was glorious!!!

20240511

Almost heaven, Tell City, Indiana (and Southern Indiana).

Southern Indiana hills, Ohio River.

Highway 37, take me home.

Note:
One spends a lot less time online when living in nature. Such a long time I was on that space station!!! Ouch!!!

Sentinel Tree at Sunset Park

Blackberry (I think)

The sweet smell of honeysuckle!!!

Mulberries

This is what Southern Indiana thunderstorms do to trees.

Tell City Riverwalk

My first deer sighting (Windy Creek Trail)

They did a great job on the water towers.

Just about dawn over Mom's (previous) house.

Photo of the tree before it got a couple of its limbs snapped off by a powerful thunderstorm.

Tugboat moving along real good...

Bunny rabbit at Tell City Riverwalk says: "You can't see me because I'm not moving."
Fair enough... I couldn't see you. Neither can the people looking at this video.

Buzzards over the Ohio

Now that's the Windy Creek I remember.

The local cow herd in Dale.

Bun-Bun eating his apple...

Barge on the Ohio

2024 May

Bottle of water after security: 19 cents plus paperwork.

"Passport, please."

"Passport?" (As in, you've got to be kidding me...)

"Yes."

I give the lady my passport. She does something on the computer. Talks to her coworker.

"Boarding pass."

"My boarding pass?" (disbelief)

"Seven baht, please."(As if the transaction is just now starting...)

I gave her a 20 baht note.

She gave me back my 13 baht change.

I walked out with my USD 19-cent bottle of water, happy about the price, but sad about the paperwork required.

To all my computer genius buddies, I am sorry to break it to you, but you have succeeded in f-ing up just about everything in the entire world. Well-done, I guess, at least in an alternate reality where everything that sucks is actually great.

Put me on your No Electronic BS plan.

I beg you to have mercy on me with all your electronic BS. Let me buy an economy class airplane ticket with an aisle seat. After that, I do not want to visit your website or mobile app again. I don't want to find passwords. I don't want your authentication codes via SMS. I don't want any of it.

The frustrating hell you put me through for seat selection and additional charges is evil. Soon, I will go to your ticket counter to check in, already well-enraged.

Should I ever be presented with the opportunity to flood your server rooms, I will do so with gusto. Expedia, American Airlines, Starlux Airlines, all of you all suck elephant balls!!!