That's not a tenet of Monotheism. Many monotheists openly speculate about what extra-terrestrial beings/life might be like... heck stodgy old CS Lewis wrote an entire trilogy about it.
I'm not sure "Contact" is a reliable source of Monotheistic belief.
Somewhat tongue in cheek... I'm not sure Mormons are Monotheistic...but they certainly are multi-celestial.
I'm sure we could find some monotheists somewhere who hold the belief dogmatically, but, alas, we can find monotheists who hold just about any belief dogmatically.
Back in December I thought it would be helpful to caution the family that while things are looking up, February/March will probably be tough months in-between pandemic lockdowns and winter lockdowns/blahs.
And while correct, I can report that the advanced cautioning was not in fact helpful. We've no choice but to double to rations of grog.
All good points... I don't know... one thing we've learned though, is that school districts are good at planning for and executing on unexpected contingencies.
I think you're right... barring some a radical change in Covid rates/vaccinations/strains... they will be open or, as you say, a big reckoning. Which is to say, the current trends are seen as perfectly adequate levels of risk to proceed at that point.
"A solar powered well pump? Seems easy enough to do, what’s the difficulty?"
I know, right? Haven't been able to find someone with the skills/equipment willing to do the work... plumbers won't do it, electricians won't do it, and solar guys won't do it. Solar guys don't like the plumbing, plumbers don't like the electric/solar and Electric don't like the plumbing/solar. Like the Bermuda triangle of trades.
I kinda gave up after a bunch of calls... there's probably someone somewhere, but sometimes you can only build what people in your area know how to build.
I think it has to do with the fact that no-one would *ever* buy solar if it was 100% back-up power... and if it doesn't tie into the grid to at least offset the usage without having to pick one or the other at any given moment... then no-one would buy it. So the Electric companies say, fine... but no way we're cohabitating without getting married. Or something like that.
Yeah, On-Grid = OK, off-Grid = OK, Hybrid = Well, you have to understand.
I'm monitoring the Battery tech... but my design spec isn't for a temporary outage but for one-week+ outage after a hurricane... we've had friends with longer outages - it's all a matter of where the tree falls on which segment of which line that determines the length. All I really need is water... then the animals won't die.
Mostly I was just hoping you'd say, "Don't worry March, I've got some time off and I'll build you that 30kwh hybrid system and damn the regulations..."
I take your point... partly I'm just pointing out how close Fairfax County seems to be to defecting... on the stipulation that if you lose Fairfax, the game is officially changed.
Regionally and locally? I hope it plays out a thousand ways with a thousand new alternatives.
But, conversely, once Fairfax (and the other 'key' districts) fall back in line, the full weight of the Dept. of Ed will come down like a freight train on how bad alternative education is for children... after all, look at the terrible job *we* did, and *we're* the experts.
I'm all for redundant systems and renewable resources... ironically one of the reasons I've never pulled the trigger on Solar for our property is because in Virginia once the grid goes down, your solar shuts off.
Now, I get the reason... since we're back-feeding in ordinary circumstances, it has to for safety reasons. My engineering question was why couldn't we fail-over - even manually - to a separate panel a'la a generator (or batteries)... to which the installers replied: laws.
Batteries destroy the cost curve, and don't really provide a reserve more than a day... a lot less than a propane generator - esp. with an existing 1000 gal tank.
So in concurrence... it's more than just subsidies, it's engineering specs and dealing with the political fall-out of Electric companies and their interests (and frankly the franchise Solar companies who don't want to engineer solutions... just install panels).
Certainly it could... for example the family wanted one of the kids to 'opt-out' of an online *zoom study period* since it was, well, kids on zoom reading or doing their own homework.
They were, of course, told, No you can't 'opt out' but not only that, the *way* they were told really irked them.
They are opting-out of whatever they can... but, and this is the big question, will they defect? Maybe, they certainly could... but then the Fairfax schools - when they are functioning - are quite good (from their worldview), convenient, and bought/paid-for by Fairfax county taxes.
And, when the time comes for schools to start up... the foretaste of attempting to opt-out of study-hall will be nothing like the backlash against those who try alternatives. Sure, you can always send you kid to Exeter, but even Exeter has a limit.
For my policy preferences I'd like to see that... but my current guess is that while the brink is near, it will all be patched up by August.
I can all but guaranty there will be in-person schooling in August... the idea that there won't be (or that it will require the levels of vaccinations of children being bandied about?) is the sort of nonsense up with which these people will not put.
Of course, schools and districts are local and have different challenges/approaches successes and failures, but I'm watching Fairfax County, VA... as I mentioned my daughter is working for a family there; a family that would be representative of the sort of folks who know people who know how things are done and shaped.
Solidarity with Teachers and Public Schools right now is teetering. Not so much in the 'end-all-public-schools' sort of way, but in the 'do these people know what their jobs are and who calls the shots' kinda way. Bumped to the front of the line for Vaccinations... special treatment and thumbs on scales for them specifically (vs. Rando teachers)... hiring 'docents' to sit in the 'hot zones' while they are remote?
Clearly we're seeing this playing out real-time in Psaki feeds... but as Fairfax goes, so goes policy.
That's a good way to put it... I have the same memory issue when it comes to re-reading. I can re-read Austen, Waugh and yes, Chesterton.
I've read (most?) everything by Chesterton including a sizable chunk of his ILN columns; I prefer him as an essayist rather than an 'author'... but if we're honest most of his books are really just strung together essays. His novels strike me as great ideas that he lost interest in mid-way through writing them. But, we should be so lucky as to have such deficiencies of genius.
I lean towards a bullet dodged rather than an oppty missed... one day an adventure makes. A year?
My little brother had adventures like that... just seemed to have things happen to him. He'd come home and tell us that he went with his girlfriend to a black tie event, but didn't know it was black tie so just wore his t-shirt and jeans... the t-shirt that the Bull's players signed because it was that kind of event, and they thought it was cool that this dumb kid was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Pippen and Horace Grant were nice to hang with.
Stations are a good practice... spiritual reading has always been tough for me... besides being Devotionally Challenged my other dad joke is that I'm Religious, not Spiritual. I can do Religious Philosophy and Literature, but that's about it.
I deleted FB a few years ago too... same reasons, really.
For the friends/family updates, Instagram (still Facebook property) works better... pictures no words.
Hey... there's so-and-so's new baby... how cute... Wow, Aunt M is in Burma? huh.
As long as you don't use it for trends or culture... don't follow any 'influencers' then it turns out the things we hate are the words... we hate the words of our fellow man.
I take your point about feeling a little bit 'stretched too thin' ... I'll continue a practice I learned from some religious brothers living in community... rather than giving something up - which you still contemplate in it's glorious goodness - consider a small irritant as more of a constant reminder. For the heroic that might be a hair shirt... for the likes of me it's making my coffee all wrong... every day... each cup.
On the positive side, will engage in what my protestant friends might call some light idolatry by praying Lauds from the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary... historically known as just "The Little Office". It's a much more simple version of the Divine Office. The FSSP version uses the Douay-Rheims translations of the Psalms ... so it feels completely new compared to the old Office (which they've updated as of a year or two ago... and that's worse... 'cause the Psalms/Canticles you memorized are just enough different to make everyone say something different, ruining the smooth chant/word).
My eldest daughter, now living on her own, has for the past couple of years returned to her ancestral roots by doing the strict Greek Orthodox fast... which in it's fullness makes Vegans look like libertines.
"Cooper was then sent to the Critical Therapy Center where she was provided with “psychoeducation and therapy services” about racial equity that were designed for “introspection and progress.” "
Zoinks. We write sentences like this in public now.
Yeah, SSC is a weird Cancel Culture confirmation victory...
He got wind of the story before it landed, attempted to negotiate some terms, had his terms rejected, then deleted his content, exited his job, set-up a new business (and a new business model for Psychiatry), and re-entered the public sphere over 3-months in a new, hardened position.
On “Perseverance Does the Impossible Again”
That's not a tenet of Monotheism. Many monotheists openly speculate about what extra-terrestrial beings/life might be like... heck stodgy old CS Lewis wrote an entire trilogy about it.
I'm not sure "Contact" is a reliable source of Monotheistic belief.
Somewhat tongue in cheek... I'm not sure Mormons are Monotheistic...but they certainly are multi-celestial.
I'm sure we could find some monotheists somewhere who hold the belief dogmatically, but, alas, we can find monotheists who hold just about any belief dogmatically.
On “Weekend Plans Post: Smack Dab In The Middle Of February”
Back in December I thought it would be helpful to caution the family that while things are looking up, February/March will probably be tough months in-between pandemic lockdowns and winter lockdowns/blahs.
And while correct, I can report that the advanced cautioning was not in fact helpful. We've no choice but to double to rations of grog.
On “Rep Ayanna Pressley Federal Jobs Guarantee Resolution: Read It For Yourself”
For the constituency that doesn't like work-for-welfare requirements, have I got a plan for you!
So much abuse this will see.
In the future memes will be written about 'if you could go back in time and kill *one* govt program, what would it be'
On “Thursday Throughput: Texas Power Outages Edition”
All good points... I don't know... one thing we've learned though, is that school districts are good at planning for and executing on unexpected contingencies.
"
I think you're right... barring some a radical change in Covid rates/vaccinations/strains... they will be open or, as you say, a big reckoning. Which is to say, the current trends are seen as perfectly adequate levels of risk to proceed at that point.
"
"A solar powered well pump? Seems easy enough to do, what’s the difficulty?"
I know, right? Haven't been able to find someone with the skills/equipment willing to do the work... plumbers won't do it, electricians won't do it, and solar guys won't do it. Solar guys don't like the plumbing, plumbers don't like the electric/solar and Electric don't like the plumbing/solar. Like the Bermuda triangle of trades.
I kinda gave up after a bunch of calls... there's probably someone somewhere, but sometimes you can only build what people in your area know how to build.
"
I think it has to do with the fact that no-one would *ever* buy solar if it was 100% back-up power... and if it doesn't tie into the grid to at least offset the usage without having to pick one or the other at any given moment... then no-one would buy it. So the Electric companies say, fine... but no way we're cohabitating without getting married. Or something like that.
So yer sayin' there's a chance?
https://www.rpssolarpumps.com/backup-water-systems/#1584320099948-90461073-7ddc
"
Yeah, On-Grid = OK, off-Grid = OK, Hybrid = Well, you have to understand.
I'm monitoring the Battery tech... but my design spec isn't for a temporary outage but for one-week+ outage after a hurricane... we've had friends with longer outages - it's all a matter of where the tree falls on which segment of which line that determines the length. All I really need is water... then the animals won't die.
Mostly I was just hoping you'd say, "Don't worry March, I've got some time off and I'll build you that 30kwh hybrid system and damn the regulations..."
Or this... come on out and engineer this for us. :-)
"
Eastern Loudon? Plenty of Schools. Western Loudon? I think you need a special use permit to have a child.
"
I take your point... partly I'm just pointing out how close Fairfax County seems to be to defecting... on the stipulation that if you lose Fairfax, the game is officially changed.
Regionally and locally? I hope it plays out a thousand ways with a thousand new alternatives.
But, conversely, once Fairfax (and the other 'key' districts) fall back in line, the full weight of the Dept. of Ed will come down like a freight train on how bad alternative education is for children... after all, look at the terrible job *we* did, and *we're* the experts.
"
I'm all for redundant systems and renewable resources... ironically one of the reasons I've never pulled the trigger on Solar for our property is because in Virginia once the grid goes down, your solar shuts off.
Now, I get the reason... since we're back-feeding in ordinary circumstances, it has to for safety reasons. My engineering question was why couldn't we fail-over - even manually - to a separate panel a'la a generator (or batteries)... to which the installers replied: laws.
Batteries destroy the cost curve, and don't really provide a reserve more than a day... a lot less than a propane generator - esp. with an existing 1000 gal tank.
So in concurrence... it's more than just subsidies, it's engineering specs and dealing with the political fall-out of Electric companies and their interests (and frankly the franchise Solar companies who don't want to engineer solutions... just install panels).
"
Certainly it could... for example the family wanted one of the kids to 'opt-out' of an online *zoom study period* since it was, well, kids on zoom reading or doing their own homework.
They were, of course, told, No you can't 'opt out' but not only that, the *way* they were told really irked them.
They are opting-out of whatever they can... but, and this is the big question, will they defect? Maybe, they certainly could... but then the Fairfax schools - when they are functioning - are quite good (from their worldview), convenient, and bought/paid-for by Fairfax county taxes.
And, when the time comes for schools to start up... the foretaste of attempting to opt-out of study-hall will be nothing like the backlash against those who try alternatives. Sure, you can always send you kid to Exeter, but even Exeter has a limit.
"
For my policy preferences I'd like to see that... but my current guess is that while the brink is near, it will all be patched up by August.
I can all but guaranty there will be in-person schooling in August... the idea that there won't be (or that it will require the levels of vaccinations of children being bandied about?) is the sort of nonsense up with which these people will not put.
"
Of course, schools and districts are local and have different challenges/approaches successes and failures, but I'm watching Fairfax County, VA... as I mentioned my daughter is working for a family there; a family that would be representative of the sort of folks who know people who know how things are done and shaped.
Solidarity with Teachers and Public Schools right now is teetering. Not so much in the 'end-all-public-schools' sort of way, but in the 'do these people know what their jobs are and who calls the shots' kinda way. Bumped to the front of the line for Vaccinations... special treatment and thumbs on scales for them specifically (vs. Rando teachers)... hiring 'docents' to sit in the 'hot zones' while they are remote?
Clearly we're seeing this playing out real-time in Psaki feeds... but as Fairfax goes, so goes policy.
"
The indifference is deafening.
"
Efficiency is a rich man's god.
On “Lent!”
That's a good way to put it... I have the same memory issue when it comes to re-reading. I can re-read Austen, Waugh and yes, Chesterton.
I've read (most?) everything by Chesterton including a sizable chunk of his ILN columns; I prefer him as an essayist rather than an 'author'... but if we're honest most of his books are really just strung together essays. His novels strike me as great ideas that he lost interest in mid-way through writing them. But, we should be so lucky as to have such deficiencies of genius.
On “ZZ Top and Me”
I lean towards a bullet dodged rather than an oppty missed... one day an adventure makes. A year?
My little brother had adventures like that... just seemed to have things happen to him. He'd come home and tell us that he went with his girlfriend to a black tie event, but didn't know it was black tie so just wore his t-shirt and jeans... the t-shirt that the Bull's players signed because it was that kind of event, and they thought it was cool that this dumb kid was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Pippen and Horace Grant were nice to hang with.
On “Lent!”
Stations are a good practice... spiritual reading has always been tough for me... besides being Devotionally Challenged my other dad joke is that I'm Religious, not Spiritual. I can do Religious Philosophy and Literature, but that's about it.
"
Metaphorically and penitentially... you could totally under butter your bread if that's something you do every day.
"
I deleted FB a few years ago too... same reasons, really.
For the friends/family updates, Instagram (still Facebook property) works better... pictures no words.
Hey... there's so-and-so's new baby... how cute... Wow, Aunt M is in Burma? huh.
As long as you don't use it for trends or culture... don't follow any 'influencers' then it turns out the things we hate are the words... we hate the words of our fellow man.
"
I take your point about feeling a little bit 'stretched too thin' ... I'll continue a practice I learned from some religious brothers living in community... rather than giving something up - which you still contemplate in it's glorious goodness - consider a small irritant as more of a constant reminder. For the heroic that might be a hair shirt... for the likes of me it's making my coffee all wrong... every day... each cup.
On the positive side, will engage in what my protestant friends might call some light idolatry by praying Lauds from the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary... historically known as just "The Little Office". It's a much more simple version of the Divine Office. The FSSP version uses the Douay-Rheims translations of the Psalms ... so it feels completely new compared to the old Office (which they've updated as of a year or two ago... and that's worse... 'cause the Psalms/Canticles you memorized are just enough different to make everyone say something different, ruining the smooth chant/word).
My eldest daughter, now living on her own, has for the past couple of years returned to her ancestral roots by doing the strict Greek Orthodox fast... which in it's fullness makes Vegans look like libertines.
On “One, Twice, Three Times A Maybe: A History of Presidential Losers and Potential Trump Run”
Did he then?
On “Amy Cooper “Central Park Karen” Case Dismissed”
"Cooper was then sent to the Critical Therapy Center where she was provided with “psychoeducation and therapy services” about racial equity that were designed for “introspection and progress.” "
Zoinks. We write sentences like this in public now.
On “Slate Star Codex has been deleted”
Yeah, SSC is a weird Cancel Culture confirmation victory...
He got wind of the story before it landed, attempted to negotiate some terms, had his terms rejected, then deleted his content, exited his job, set-up a new business (and a new business model for Psychiatry), and re-entered the public sphere over 3-months in a new, hardened position.
That's all it takes.