Highly Suggested Reading: Red Dwarf by Grant Naylor 📚

I have always loved Red Dwarf and cannot rave enough about the companion books or audio versions narrated by Chris Barrie. Just a reminder to get out there, be silly, and enjoy yourself.

Book cover with Red Dwarf logo in a vague planetary circle above a free way style sign which reads “Infinity welcomes careful drivers”. One corner of the sign appears broken with pieces floating off from what looks to be a vapor trail from supposedly an unseen space ship. The authors name is in the lower right Grant Naylor.

Numbers and death are hard…if you don’t care

A voice of reason yet again. Sadly, one not engaged in our public institutions and barely involved in our online discussion. Discussing RFK’s testimony before the senate.

The life-expectancy for Americans is lower than all other western industrial countries, yet the U.S. spends more than twice as much on health care per capita. There are several reasons for these figures. First, one of the factors lowering average lifespans of a population is high infant mortality, i.e., the death of a child before his or her first birthday. Compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. infant mortality rate is fifty-fifth, and is at least twice as high as all other first-world nations. Add to that that the U.S. maternal death rate is close to five times that of all other major industrial countries and is continuing to rise.

Think about these number for just a moment…

When roughly a third of the U.S. population does not have a regular health care provider and almost half the population cannot afford even routine health care without going into debt, one might think these factors just possibly might contribute to a lower life expectancy for Americans, but for some reason, so far as I could tell, the only factor that was touched on was the high cost of medical care for those who can afford it, when the reason for lagging life expectancy lies in those who cannot afford or obtain adequate medical care.

Power and systems do not care…

So why don’t Senators and Representatives know these numbers… or is it that they don’t care?

Sunday brunch playlist has been pretty great so far. Next up Deep Forest. A reminder that there is a benefit to seeking out and owning music so that you can be pleasantly surprised when you put it on shuffle. #plexamp

A Plexamp music playlist is displayed on a screen featuring various songs and artists.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Get Up Kids. If you were of a certain age 4 minute mile was an essential album. Matt Pryor’s distinct voice is a big part of their charm. Imagine my surprise to know he is releasing his 7th solo album. I have some catching up to do.

Guided by Voices announce a new album

the world -

(of course i kid and good on them for keeping at it and putting it out there)

Working on another book cover. This time for Michael D. Grover. As usual you can check it out over on Magical Jeep

A group of silhouetted children is featured in front of an abstract background with blue and black elements, accompanied by text and reviews for "Fatherless Children" by Michael D Grover.

Finished up the front seats. Nice way to spend part of the day. Ami really did a great job finding the correct vinyls and altering the top panels on both seats to fit the wider headrests.

An interior view of a vw type 3 car shows black seat covers, a simple dashboard, and two boxes on the floor.

Well, we had to go searching for matching vinyls and alter the original seat cover but, overall….job well done I’d say.

Orange car interior with black seats.&10;

Got out for a walk today. I am very lucky to live in an incredibly beautiful landscape. It’s hard to remember when things aren’t what you want them to be how lucky you really are. Stay Posi kids!

A wooden staircase winds through a lush, green forest with dense foliage and towering trees.A rope swing hangs from a tree on a tranquil, pebbly beach overlooking calm waters.A tree is growing from the hollowed-out base of an old tree stump surrounded by lush greenery.

Been super busy as of late and seems i have totally slept on Deep Sea Diver

They are making me quite happy right now.

I am at once default skeptical of giving permissions to my most private memories, and amazed at how sweet and serendipitous this idea is.

Cassette

So, leave it to me to take on reupholstering my seats on my 72 VW square and realize I have the wrong vinyl ordered a couple years ago. I have since grabbed some seats from a local person and they were apparently from a 68-69 as the headrest is wider.

The, ironically, newer seats need a lot of tlc.

1972 VW squareback interior shows a worn, dusty floor with visible foam and coconut debris.&10;A disassembled and exposed 72 squareback chair frame with visible springs is placed on a wooden worktable outdoors, surrounded by tools and scraps.A finished 72 VW car seat is placed on a table surrounded by various tools and woodworking items on a porch.A upper 69 chair frame with springs is placed on a wooden table along with some tools.

Had a lovely time this week catching up with work mates during a summit. We even did some hiking which did me a world of good. I am so lucky to work with a group of people where kindness is the priority. twin falls, and snoqualmie falls

A lush forest with dense trees and a distant view of a waterfall nestled in a mountainous landscape.A large tree stump with exposed roots is surrounded by lush green forest vegetation.A waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff surrounded by lush green forest into a calm pool of water below.A waterfall cascades into a rocky pool surrounded by lush green trees, with a building located at the top left of the scene.

Had a few days off and enjoyed a visit to a local car museum with my daughter(who was just too fabulous as per usual). You can find it over on LeMay Collections

A person wearing a blue cap, a blue and white striped shirt with an open back, and blue jeans stands on a sidewalk next to a wall.Someone made a vintage Volkswagen Beetle with a unique front grille look like a Morris Minor. Displayed between two other classic cars in a showroom setting.Minitature set up with two people are in a garage-like setting filled with vintage automotive signs and various car parts.A miniture vintage red truck is parked inside a shed, accompanied by a colorful statue of a man holding a pan, surrounded by boxes and signs.A display cabinet contains vintage oil cans and various metal caps on shelves.A vintage-style room features neon signs, a classic motorcycle, and a collection of nostalgic memorabilia.A custom-built, green dragster-style car with an alligator-themed design is showcased in a museum setting.A vintage automobile with a brass radiator and leather seats is displayed in a museum setting.A collection of unique and vintage cars is displayed in a showroom, featuring a vehicle with a distinctive red and gold wing-like design.

It’s officially HAWT in the PNW so working on putting up the pool. Seems like you definitely spend more time taking care of a pool than enjoying it. I’m gonna try and reveres that this year and say yes anytime the kids ask me to get in the pool. A circular patch of soil in a backyard is prepared for a new project, surrounded by tools, a shed, and fencing.A backyard scene features a dog on wooden stairs, a fenced lawn with a pool on the right, and a small green shed in the background.A person is using a pressure washer in a backyard with an above-ground pool, lawnmower, and fence.A backyard features a grassy lawn, a raised wooden deck with furniture, a green shed, and a small above-ground pool, all under a clear blue sky.

It’s our anniversary so like always we’re working on some diy. Happy anniversary to my amazing partner in crime.

Anytime someone in a city says, “I know a shortcut…” go ahead and add 20 mins to your travel estimate. They in fact do not know a shortcut. They have a preferred route which they are comfortable with, that invariably involves an inordinate amount of 4 way stops.

Enjoying the weekend with a bit of a walk and throw with a very good buddy!

Working on another book cover. This time for a chap book by Christy Prahl. I am a fan of mid 70’s abstract loveliness. Check out the book over at Magical Jeep

Had a nice time grilling on my 1970’s charcoal burner. Previous owner kept the instructions and kept it pristine by putting clay cat litter in the bottom prior to charcoal. Pretty cool.