Quick Cold Update

For those wondering, I did indeed survive the storm and the clean-up. Mostly. Looks like we got 10-12 inches here at the house with a fair bit of drifting. I did do a bit of snow shoveling (with the blessing of my cardiologist) and per agreement kept it slow, careful, and watchful for signs of overdoing it. I was very glad the housemate took over the shoveling duties Monday afternoon once he got up (he works night shift) as I was feeling it on a muscular level.

Since then, we’ve had several days of below-zero lows (-8 to -10 here at the house) with highs in the teens. I did get out yesterday for some quick errands and a meeting with my priest in regards something I’m learning to do. I did have to pick up more distilled water but am still good on most things.

I use distilled water for making beverages, cooking, and drinking. It is also used in the new humidifier for my room. I had based my reserves for the storm on the ‘normal’ use of the humidifier, which turned out to be insufficient when the storm hit. As the temps dropped and the snow fell (and the heat runs almost constantly), the humidifier went to continuous max operation. That proved to be about five times normal usage, which meant I needed to get more yesterday. That proved problematic as my regular store was out and steam-distilled water was hard to find. Got it, and stocked back up, but lesson learned.

For those still paying attention, the NTSB is getting ready to release it’s final report on the DCA crash. As I suggested at the start, there is plenty of blame to go around and the NTSB is mincing no words that a majority of it lies with the FAA. The only people to come out clear are the Piedmont pilots who were NEVER warned of the helicopter approaching them. I’m going to link to some of the recent briefings released here soon and go over what some of them mean. I will note, especially for those who bayed for the blood of the helicopter pilot being instructed, that while she and the IP did make mistakes, one of the things noted by the NTSB is that the helicopter itself — and others within the battalion in question — were not registering an accurate altitude. This indicates battalion and higher issues. It is also why both the instructee and the IP were consistently 100 or more feet higher than they thought they were, with tragic results. Again, more soon with links as it is a sad tale that was indeed 100 percent avoidable that had been known and squashed by FAA leadership multiple times.

Also have some thoughts on Iran. I do wish that action had been taken on day 4 of the uprising, when POTUS urged them to take to the streets. Revolutions have a rhythm, and I think much bloodshed could have been avoided if there had action rather than just words. As it is, I think the revolution can still succeed, but I think the delays in promised actions will change the flavor of things to come in ways that could have been avoided. As it is, read here, here, and here for some good background and takes. I’ll have more soon I hope.

Also, while I think a lot of us saw this coming, do read this in regards the first Minneapolis shooting. Everything there (and in a few other cities) has been rather carefully planned and fully funded. One hopes that DOJ really is looking into this.

Lots to write about that I hope to get into soon, but: still recovering from the respiratory infection; dealing with a lot of snow and some serious cold weather; and, my seminary course is like trying to drink out of a firehose. It is also not quite as “asynchronous” as I had thought, which may ultimately be a good thing.

More soon. Be prepared, keep your friends and family close and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Quick Addendum: Picking up grenades to throw back at people rarely works out well unless they forgot to pull the pin (that does happen). Also, never try for CS or smoke grenades unless you have a heat-resistant glove on as they are exothermic and have been known to cause fires and burn flesh. Knowing is half the battle, and a lot better than half a hand.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.