Thanks, all! Went out for a full body comp scan then out to lunch with My Favorite Redhead. Worked out at home due to rain and tornadoes, a prime filet and corn picked that morning with a lovely 2019 Bordeaux. Life is good, although 70 is a LOT cooler than 71. For some reason, I detested 50, but loved both 60 and 70. Have lost a lot of weight and my skeletal muscle was beyond their ratings. Once I shed some more pounds I'll be the new Ahhhnold with my resistance, HIIT and cardio training.

Your brain is very much like a muscle in that you have to exercise it, and in different ways. When I started out doing the daily Jumble I would sometimes have a hard time identifying the words. Now its zip zap done. New neural pathways. That applies to music, games, reading, anything you have to focus on and learn. I'm completely convinced that continuoous learning is key to mental health, as well as happiness.

craft

I don’t think there’s anything cowardly about following the secret service’s instructions on these things but funny is funny. [image: 1786558623910-1000005089.jpeg]

Only two things come to mind for you to consider - Musee de la Musique - it’s a little out of the way but lots of cool old instruments if you like that kind of thing The Catacombs - really needs to be seen to be believed. Quite literally millions of bones and skeletons stacked and arranged in the most curious of ways. I think it’s over 6MM remains all transferred from overflowing cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. There’s nothing else like it in the world to my knowledge. Lots of stairs to access it. Over 100. If this were twenty years ago I’d give you restaurant recommendations… but I don’t dare now. If it’s warm you might consider a boat tour on the Canal St Martin. Lots of history and architecture. And it’s not a big time commitment

Fun!

Pig squealing contest in France. https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2087431388253524443/video/1?s=46

Very nice! Would make an interesting project.

Would you say electric vehicles are an even smoother drive than automatics, which are already a smooth drive compared to manuals(stick)?

Yes, moving. Thanks, people. New skit about my alma mater. Link to video He/ they continue to find ways to fulfill their destructive mission.

"He doesn't really mean that." Is what many said before they voted for him. What preparations for that are being done? I have no faith in the DNC.

That's what I thought, but wasn't Air Force One the plane that WAS properly outfitted against attacks?

@wtg thanks for this. My most recent hotel stay was actually on a university campus, so I used the campus wi fi service (which is called eduroam and should be very secure). But I have a lot of conference travel coming up this fall and next spring, and most of those are massive hotel/convention center places.

RIP Jackie. At a campground last week we got to watch an eagle fishing in the lake. He had a mate, whom we could see with binoculars, but he did all of the fishing. Magnificent bird, elegant and majestic, who never failed to capture the fish he dove in to catch. A real pleasure to view.

@DougG

Regarding washing machines, Miele get my confident vote. My good friend has had his for over 20 years, recommended the brand and we've had ours for about 15 years, and it moved house with us. This last year the machine has been washing for two households... it ran 6 washes today!

Air travel continues becoming even more dismal.