https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240612-10-best-tv-shows-of-2024-so-far Been reading more international journalism lately and have been enjoying the BBC, if not only for the fact that the British have cornered the market on what it means to be adult. Reserved, responsible, long suffering. And in that vein I find British TV to be quite intelligent. I've reproduced their list below which... Continue Reading →
Forbes Trip & Travel insurance recommendations
Here is a direct link to the site to compare travel insurance providers. We have used these providers at least 5 times now and the policies have the high limits that Forbes recommends for medical treatment (primary meaning you file with them first) (250k+) and medical evacuation (250k - 500k). Browse any cruise group for... Continue Reading →
Investment citizenship, 2024 version
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/01/wealthy-americans-plans-leaving-united-states.html "For now, Malta remains the go-to second passport for the American rich. While expensive, at about $1 million to $1.2 million all-in, Malta’s investment citizenship program offers citizenship and unrestricted travel and residency in Malta and by extension the European Union, according to immigration attorneys. The EU has been challenging the Malta program in... Continue Reading →
These Two Rape Cases Are a Lot Closer to Home Than We Like to Admit (NYT)
These Two Rape Cases Are a Lot Closer to Home Than We Like to Admit https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/22/opinion/sean-combs-dominique-pelicot.html?unlocked_article_code=1.M04.Yex4.dHDtG3Xch1Il"But viewing women as subhuman and inferior is not just tolerated in much of American culture; it’s an integral part of it, as evidenced by double standards in the workplace, the oversexualization of women who are public figures, and the... Continue Reading →
Insurance: Nowhere to spread the risk, part II
The tsunami is rising in CA. Our rates have tripled and the coverage hollowed out; the list of removed line items from our policy was a document 100's of pages long. As Insurers Around the U.S. Bleed Cash From Climate Shocks, Homeowners Lose https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/13/climate/insurance-homes-climate-change-weather.html "In 2023, insurers lost money on homeowners coverage in 18 states,... Continue Reading →
Alarming Ocean Temperatures (NYT)
Hurricane Season Could Have More Than Two Dozen Storms, NOAA Says https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/weather/noaa-atlantic-hurricane-forecast-prediction.html?smid=nytcore-android-share ‘Alarming’ Ocean Temperatures Suggest This Hurricane Season Will Be a Daunting One https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/climate/ocean-temperature-hurricane-forecast.html?smid=nytcore-android-share
We’re Thinking About Obesity All Wrong (NYT)
A Year on Ozempic Taught Me We’re Thinking About Obesity All Wrong https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/07/opinion/ozempic-weight-loss-drugs.html "Drugs like Ozempic work precisely by making us feel full. Carel le Roux, a scientist whose research was important to the development of these drugs, says they boost what he and others once called “satiety hormones.”Once you understand this context, it becomes... Continue Reading →
Giant Batteries Are Transforming the Way the U.S. Uses Electricity: NYT
"Those batteries play a pivotal role in California’s electric grid, partially replacing fossil fuels in the evening. Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on April 30, for example, batteries supplied more than one-fifth of California’s electricity and, for a few minutes, pumped out 7,046 megawatts of electricity, akin to the output from seven large nuclear reactors. Across... Continue Reading →
Insurance industry has nowhere to spread the risk
Next Door confirms that So Cal homeowners insurance is next to impossible to get now. Forget what was true a year ago. "Despite some concessions from regulators, insurers are bracing for a tough future. Allstate’s Wilson said that everywhere in the country is at some risk from increasingly severe weather. “There is no place that’s... Continue Reading →
Travelers keep making the Same Mistakes – NYT
"You really need to leave a 24-hour cushion for anything important, and make it 48 for a once-in-a-lifetime event like a big wedding or cruise departure or Super Bowl kickoff. In the United States alone, 88,419 flights were canceled in the first three quarters of 2023." Help! It’s Almost 2024 and Travelers Keep Making the Same Mistakes.... Continue Reading →
Miscellaneous Nov 2023
- Black Friday: "Black Friday is a great time to buy TVs and tech products" https://lifehacker.com/what-to-expect-this-black-friday-1850941407. "Buying early is your best strategy if you want to score a deal. If you see a good discount in an early Black Friday sale, don’t assume it will be a precursor to a better deal in late November.... Continue Reading →
Cheapest form of electricity 2023
The question is not what caused global warming. The question is what are we going to do about it. . I Study Climate Change. The Data Is Telling Us Something New. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/opinion/climate-change-excessive-heat-2023.html (paywall)
Miscellaneous October 2023
“Whereas Tokyo is known as a city of transplants and Kyoto has a reputation for being inscrutable, Osaka is a stark contrast,” said Andres Zuleta, founder of Boutique Japan, a luxury travel specialist. “People in Osaka tend to be both very proud of their local culture and remarkably open to sharing it.” https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/visit-marseille-over-paris-osaka-over-tokyo-second-city-vacation-cc9fdd84?mod=djemwsjtravel Rejoice in these... Continue Reading →
Good news: Wind and Solar Outgenerates Coal in U.S.
Finally something to feel good about! Renewables are out producing coal: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/in-a-first-wind-and-solar-generated-more-power-than-coal-in-u-s/ And here's the 2022 data from the NYT: Solar and Wind taking off with the old data point of 23pct renewable energy expected in 2023 Why? The cost of renewables is dropping exponentially: And here is President Biden's contribution: "An equally potent force,... Continue Reading →
Call for Faster Climate Action – NYT
The most important issue facing us today. Call for Faster Climate Action
Where not to live
The news has become even more grim with discussions of record high temps. A few places to avoid: * Certain Southern states Red is 103 - 125deg F * The Three Furnaces of China: Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing * Guam, but for a different reason. Unless you're a contractor... "... Guam has become a strategic node... Continue Reading →
Heavy Turbulence on Flights Is Likely to Get Worse (WSJ)
Heavy Turbulence on Flights Is Likely to Get Worse
WearyTravelers.net 