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dickthegrouch

dickthegrouch's Journal
dickthegrouch's Journal
December 8, 2024

I presume you're referring to pedialyte or equivalent bottles

Those are the worst I know of
I’ve been buying “SaltStick” electrolyte fast chew tablets, and “Ultima Healthcare” powders to avoid those ridiculously difficult inner seals.
They are very nicely flavored for my taste and zero calorie which is an added benefit.

December 8, 2024

I often have to ask for water bottles to be opened for me

I’ve recently found places that won’t let the staff (with presumably relatively clean hands) open them, which means I have to ask a total stranger who’s hands have been who knows where to open it instead.
Even if I succeed in opening it, the new improved (not!) plastic-saving bottle is so thin I often end up with water all over me because it’s been overfilled and the pressure exerted to get it open causes squeezing sufficient to waste 1/4 of it.

December 5, 2024

I've come back from the brink of bankruptcy twice

In fact I’d completely forgotten that I had a reasonable 401k plan I might have been able to draw from, but the 10% penalty would have given me pause if I’d remembered the savings.
That’s the real key: savings from as early as possible and a rigid decision not to dip in unless you absolutely have to. 10% of every $ received is the usual recommendation, I only got up to 8% as debts and car problems kept me stretching. But that iron commitment to not spending savings, saved me now as I’m in retirement.
Since you’re over 50, use the top-up provision for 401k contributions if you can.
I reduced all spending to the absolute minimum during my first long period of unemployment (2001-2003+) and made it through but it was touch and go at the end. I was 54 when I got the new job in my old field, by ignoring the advice of the job hunt advisor and listing my entire experience, not just 10 years. The job I landed was specifically looking for someone with well rounded and “extensive “ experience.
I’ve been lucky and I have survivor guilt over it.

To @Sympthsical I’m not selecting a category because user IDs can be seen easily for the all votes.

Sorry long post without much actual assistance. But it can be done.

November 11, 2024

I always resort to steamed vegetables

It’s just about the only thing I can keep down when I’m really nervous.
I also listen to hours of my favorite music which happens to be J S Bach choral works, and Baroque and Renaissance harp or guitar pieces. They are so intricate that I can listen to the exact same piece many times and hear a different piece every time. I can get ‘lost’ in those for hours and then finally calm enough to eat again.

November 11, 2024

I think this should be the stated consequence of

TSF failing to show up Wednesday, or failing the daily security briefing tests that Biden and his professionals should administer in public, after said briefings.

November 11, 2024

I totally disagree with "There is little or no evidence of widespread cheating by Republicans."

Two words: Gerrymandering and SCROTUS
republicans and tsf have cheated at every single turn for decades, enabled by the ridiculous rulings from Robert’s scrotum.

November 10, 2024

Transmit video on a live streaming service of

Anyone who tries to detain you.

Setup the short cut on your phone for your favorite apps now, allow it from the Lock Screen.

Have innocuous sounding “under duress” codes setup with trusted friends.

November 9, 2024

Certainly worth further investigation

I’ve never heard of him, but the premise is entirely plausible.

I’m a fellow cybersecurity analyst

October 30, 2024

Charge them all as accessories

Legislators, Governors, judges who failed to accord equal protection, even donors to campaigns. They are all complicit in this murder.

Profile Information

Gender: Male
Hometown: SF Bay Area, CA
Current location: SF Bay Area
Member since: Wed Sep 7, 2005, 12:01 PM
Number of posts: 3,586

About dickthegrouch

40 years as a computer engineer and manager. Well familiar with iteratively defining and solving problems. Now that I’m retired, putting that skill to hopefully good use by suggesting fixes to perennial political and policy failures.
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