Messages

1

Random / Re: Happy Birthday Creek!

« on: Today at 06:17:29 AM »

Rick'ster... As someone pretty well ahead of you, don't get too thankful for birthdays.  The S-O-Bs come all too soon.  Still, have a good time and go play with your sharks.

Jim

2

Random / Nobody doesn't like fireworks, right?! This is special...

« on: April 20, 2021, 09:53:21 AM »

This movie is not the Queen's Gambit but is stunning visually, and the artist, Cai Guo-Qiang , is refreshingly human.


https://www.netflix.com/title/80097472


Jim

3

Random / Re: Doge to a Dollar

« on: April 20, 2021, 09:06:24 AM »

I wonder if the Fed should not have dispersed the funds in one-way credit cards?   I gather—the collective we—are banking it.

"On average, households are using or intending to use 34% to pay down debt and saving 42% of the stimulus payments they received from the most recent Covid relief bill, which passed in March, which are worth up to $1,400 per person. Only about 25% of the checks are going to spending, according to the survey."

Perhaps all those companies in China 'heard' we have all this loose cash... 

But! 

In December, spot freight rates were 264% higher for the Asia to North Europe route, compared with a year ago, according to Mirko Woitzik, risk intelligence solutions manager at supply chain risk firm Resilience360. For the route from Asia to the West Coast of the U.S., rates are up 145% year over year.

Compared with last March’s low prices, freight rates from China to the U.S. and Europe have surged 300%, Mark Yeager, chief executive officer of Redwood Logistics, told CNBC. He said spot rates are up to about $6,000 per container compared with the usual price of $1,200.

Don't even bother looking for a deal on something of any size via Alibaba. Shipping is often close to the unit cost. 

Jim

4

Training, Diet, and Fitness / ' Interesting look at the Keto diet

« on: April 17, 2021, 12:09:52 PM »

I don't know much about it myself, but this is an interesting perspective, as I hear it is very popular...

https://www.statnews.com/2021/04/16/ketogenic-diet-belief-medical-school-pariah/?utm_source=STAT+Newsletters&utm_campaign=85e86120ed-Daily_Recap&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-85e86120ed-151101361

Jim

5

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Too many wing companies

« on: April 15, 2021, 10:29:33 AM »

New entrants keep up the pressure: better for us.  I was kind of surprised how long Ozone took (given they own the production facility) to respond with a v2, but they are a pretty busy and diverse shop.  If you want to get nervous about missing out on the latest—check out the tail end of Robert Stehliks' podcast with Rob Whittall of Ozone.

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2JsdWVwbGFuZXQvZmVlZC54bWw/episode/Ymx1ZXBsYW5ldC5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS9kODNjMTFhNC1hYmVjLTM5YjAtOWVlNC1jMjFjMDJiZDE1Y2I?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwj4maOS4YDwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ&hl=en

...and do the forum and newbies a favor - sell your 'aged' wings and foils here.

Jim

6

SUP General / Re: Fun for the whole Family.... even the Foil Crew!

« on: April 01, 2021, 07:17:33 AM »

'Don't let it hit you in the ass on your way out.'   You haven't lost a step, Ricky. 

I would suggest however, you stay off the bike trials.  Water will want to play with you unless you enter Darwin's waiting room—Ground's payback is a little more like revenge for the slightest infringement.  Play on...

Jim

7

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: New Epickites

« on: April 01, 2021, 07:05:26 AM »

Cowboy,  All you need to do is look a General Motors' history from the '70s thru the 2000s to confirm you (the consumer) need options. We, here, would all be driving Gen1 Pontiacs if GM dominated.   

I am a little off-put by Dimitri's (anybody's) 'hard sell' in his presentation.   My only direct encounter with him: he was essentially forced by the shop owner to give me a kite lesson in HAT in the early 2000s.  I remember him as a type to 'not suffer fools' well. But - that may be the energy required to break through what seems a pretty full market.  I hope his wings make others work harder.

Jim

8

Random / Migration ...think it's bad

« on: March 28, 2021, 10:16:25 AM »

...now?!  I have heard of recent surveys where 1/2 the under-30's in the Levant and other parts of the Mideast are ready to pack. It seems like even more in North and Central Africa are looking for an escape.  Here's a predictor about the US southern border...

https://news.gallup.com/opinion/chairman/341678/million-migrate.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top

I listen to all the political handwringing on both sides...  The Left dodges the question of 'The number?'  ..how many is too little or too many?  The Right games it by flapping on the ground about an 'invasion' ...all the while happily hiring the 11mil. illegals here w/o providing benefits accrued by locally born labor.  In case you were distracted by the border w/MEX drama... for 2019, DHS reported ~675,000 folks from everywhere flew in and 'overstayed' their visa.   

This is like budget deficits—your kids will deal with it, while you book your next three Carnival Cruises. (I know, not likely too many here.)

Jim

9

Random / COVID stuff you don't hear on the news...

« on: March 24, 2021, 02:08:57 PM »

There's a shooting somewhere - the call goes out: 80% of the news staff have the next 24-48hrs off.  The health rotations are predictable as are their instructions and laminations. Same people/same script/different day.  Here are two things I didn't have a clue about.

https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/03/06/face-masks-can-give-the-immune-system-a-helpful-hand


The second is really disappointing...  rather than bring this young fellow forward, both the Gvmt. and media go back to the same old playbook.  Same old 'reliable' sources...  If the Gvmt. ignores him - why is the electronic media not bringing him forward? 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-19/covid-pandemic-how-youyang-gu-used-ai-and-data-to-make-most-accurate-prediction

...and God forbid you may want to know what is happening over our contiguous borders ...forget the Mideast or Africa.  F'ing-A.

Jim

10

Random / Re: What did you think of the America's Cup?

« on: March 24, 2021, 01:11:06 PM »

Solent...  You are clearly a lot more sensible than I am. With all the history, sailing precedents, etc...  My instinct is to 'just fix it'. I like your keeping them in the starting box a LOT longer—a hard, tight race within.  Maybe even making 12kt avg winds the minimum ...or bring them out of those 'stadiums' where there may be a seaway - ' then pissoff the spectators.  I imagine it looked much like a video game, tho' I have never played one.

There was also the stoopid sound during the replays - they kept nearly the same level for both the commentators and the cockpit?  (' think they could have culled the 'hydraulic groaning' ya? It drove my wife nuts.)  In one race, the cockpit voices blanketed the commentators 80/20.  I thought that would be fixable in post-production?  ...for all the $$$ the teams spent—you'd think they would demand better.

Carib.. flagged another issue—'Where? When?'  One Youtube, it said; 'Not available in your country.' (America's Cup?!). The postings even within the specific AC channel were haphazzard and disorganized.  I got a better selection with a VPN pretending I was in DK.  For some races there were full replays ...others - not?

NZ won it ..and congrats, but I seem to have a little Italian in me, as they put a lot in it besides technics and muscle. Italy winning might have attracted some other Continentals to step up.  The Germans certainly know how to sail...  Or a consortium of Baltic States. (ya right..)  But, just the time zone travel alone must be buku bucks.

Jim

11

Random / What did you think of the America's Cup?

« on: March 23, 2021, 07:04:40 AM »

I am usually pretty quick with the 'Thumbs Up' ..or, Down, but this series has me puzzled. Setting aside 'the rich played' while the Capitol is attacked and 400,000 died while Trump twittered .. not to mention Brazil, Italy, and deaths elsewhere.  There was something structurally wrong when basically an entire 6-legged race hinges on the start, or a structural breakdown. 

I fricking loved watching those boat round a mark! The complexity of the boats and the crewmanship was superb. The idea of only the mast and foil legs being single-sourced was excellent.  Just confining enough without appearing to let 'the largest budget win'. I thought the Cats in San Francisco were good - these are better.

As for a change.. I would either make it a three-boat series or have them start 'dead in the water' X100 meters from the starting line.  I would prefer the complexity of 3-boats, but something has to replace; 'He who wins the start..." 

I would also not allow 'paid guns'.  There is time to pick a home-grown crew. (Maybe not from Turkey or El Salvador... but then they're not likely to race anyway?!).   

I loved it, but it was like hollow calories.

Jim

12

SUP General / Re: Is there SUP Surf life after 70?

« on: March 19, 2021, 08:36:51 AM »

100% Ricky!

have high expectations of yourself,
Don't accept norms
Step outside your comfort zone!
Pushing the limits is how to keep performance up, long past where most expect you to slow down.

Just remember when you walk over the dune, you will not be winded from the journey needing a 'Big Gulp' and a nap.  Age provides the opportunity to develop character not necessarly needed when young. Press on!

Jim

13

Technique / Re: Rut row...going from a 28" wide to 22" wide SUP is a HUGE difference!

« on: March 14, 2021, 02:03:34 PM »

Copy ...report back, and good luck. 

Jim

14

Technique / Re: Rut row...going from a 28" wide to 22" wide SUP is a HUGE difference!

« on: March 13, 2021, 12:42:06 PM »

Loudoun,  I've had the fin mentioned in this 2011 posting for (Red in color)  ...it also lacks a screw. If you'd like to simply try it send me a PM.  It's yours to test for the cost of postage. 

https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=11744.0


Jim

15

Random / Re: AC 75 boats, flaps and footage - Unreal

« on: March 11, 2021, 07:32:32 AM »

Perhaps most already know... But, we in the States do not get a full replay of the AC finals on the America's Cup channel via YouTube.  I used it to record British TV series we did not get here, but had not used it in a long time.  I just logged in and 'relocated' to Copenhagen ...and NOW I can record the full race replay, rather than highlights, to watch at home (no cable access) using the Audials program that copies virtually any form of video or audio.

Jim