Great Ideas

Health

“What’s Coming Is WORSE Than A Recession” — Richard Wolff’s Last WARNING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVAQoLZKSRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9MRVZFnOZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2SHGkaXnxE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPTaNdx195A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-psCZv0-0Po

Invicta Grammar School for Girls

‘Lalla Rookh’ by Thomas Moore (1800-1849)

Reply to the Royal Academy of Music Library Subject: Re: Inquiry Regarding Alice Mary Smith Manuscript (Lalla Rookh Overture)

Dear [Librarian’s Name or “Royal Academy of Music Library Team”],

Thank you so much for your kind and informative response—I truly appreciate your time and expertise in confirming the manuscript’s authenticity. It’s an incredible privilege to work directly from Alice Mary Smith’s hand, and I am eager to ensure that her music is transcribed as faithfully as possible.

As I progress with this project, I wanted to inquire whether this task has been undertaken before. Do you know of any individuals or institutions who have worked on transcribing or performing Lalla Rookh in a modern edition? I have found references to a performance conducted by Ben Knowles (link) and the Invicta Grammar School for Girls in Maidstone (2024), but I would love to consult with any musicologists or musicians who have engaged with this score in a scholarly or practical capacity.

Additionally, there are certain sections of the manuscript that appear incomplete or ambiguous, and I would be grateful for any guidance on how such areas might have been interpreted in previous editions—if any exist.

Thank you once again for your assistance. I deeply appreciate the work you do in preserving and making available these important historical materials.

Best regards, Robyn [Your Surname]

Hygiene and OldPerson Odor

From Linda Hunt on Quora:

What is the cause of the common odor many senior citizens have (despite good hygiene)? I am 78 and I sure hope I don’t smell like an old lady. In my professional career I have encountered quite a few stinky people. It was either from unwashed bodies, hair, or clothes, or else stale perfume, or some combination thereof. Also, one loses one’s sense of smell so it doesn’t register with them.

Bathe daily, wash your hair and behind your ears, use unscented products as much as possible, and sniff your clothes. Dead skin breeds dust mites, so keep things clean. Drops of urine tend to be absorbed by your knickers, then give off odors, so rinsing it off with water and drying off with a facecloth is better than blotting with toilet paper, also less irritating on your skin. Do that as much as possible. I learned that from the babies. Never got diaper rash if I washed them rather than just wiped them off. If you leak, deal with that too, and check your outer clothing for smells.

Oral hygiene is important too, and one of the worst smells, according to professional tasters, is stale saliva. So drink plenty of water, floss, brush, and blast out the food particles with a water pick. If you have dentures, keep them fresh.

Unwashed hair smells really gross. Take a sniff of an old brush. Yuck. Wash your hairbrush and combs too. And behind the ears. That is a source of oil that goes rancid. Launder the pillowcases.

Walk in the front door of a nursing home and you will gag. Combination of piss, scented cleaning products, years of dust, and poor ventilation.

Omigosh, deal with this stuff as long as you can. If you don’t smell it, others might, so make it a habit.

Alzheimers and Medicine’s Approach to Disease

Dr Robert Lustig and Dr Dale Bredesen discuss their experiences and findings.

Takeaways:

Alzheimers can be reversed. Not a disease, a syndrome.

Genetic component: APOE e4 allele (most common)

Amyloid PET scan will reveal amyloid plaques collecting in the brain. Tau proteins malfunction and stick together to form neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles are associated with the abnormal brain functions seen in Alzheimer’s disease. According to Bredesen, the amyloid buildup is a response to various metabolic and other toxins[a], including micotoxins (including molds in homes).

Typical treatment: amyloid drug trial. Can make matters worse.

The disease process must be evaluated on multiple bases: biologically, toxicologically, genetically, etc. No one answer will resolve the issue… and it’s different for each individual.

Four basic causes for this neurological degenerative process

Anything that causes ongoing inflammation (pathogens / leaky gut / poor oral microbiome)

Anything thst is toxic (organic or inorganic toxins)

Energetics (must support the brain, including oxygenation, mitochondrial function, ketones)

Trophic support (regenerative growth: exercise, B vitamins)

Eight subcellular pathologies contributing to chronic disease

glycation

oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species)

mitochondrial dysfunction

insulin resistance

membrane instability

inflammation

methylation

autophagy

Insulin resistance is top of that list, contributes to all four pathogical processes in Alzheimers

inflammation due to non-enzymatic glycation of protein

insulin resistance-related toxicity

trophic processes (brain cell regeneration) requires insulin: neurons need insulin as a growth factor, pathology which goes from synapto-plastic state (making new neurons) to a synapto-clastic state (protective signalling driving amyloid-precursor proteins, which is part of the protective mechanism / innate immune response)

Alzheimers is a neurological degenerative disease that is a deficiency disease borne of excess

Also:

Food and Spices

Add Garlic Last

If you enjoy trying new dishes with bold, delicious flavors, you might have noticed a pattern: recipes rarely tell you to toss garlic in a dish first. But why is that?

Garlic is almost always added after you’ve begun cooking other aromatics, like celery and carrots, to prevent it from overcooking or burning.

Those who have cooked with minced garlic before are likely well aware that it burns incredibly fast. Unlike onions, which get a delicious caramelization effect as they cook, overcooked garlic is acrid and not the most savory flavor. Adding garlic after you sauté other ingredients can help prevent that burnt flavor from invading your recipe.

Unlike onions and other aromatics, garlic has less water content which is why it’s so prone to burn. When you start your dish with an ingredient like onions, they release water into the pan. By creating that layer in the pan and then adding garlic, you’ll help prevent burning.

Worried about if cooking your garlic later will mean less garlic flavor? Don’t be. In a test done by Serious Eats, garlic was added to a pan at the same time as onions in one dish, and in another dish, the onions were sauteed first with garlic added second. Turns out, adding garlic to a recipe later actually results in more garlic flavor, not less.

The next time you’re tempted to add your garlic first because you think it’ll boost flavor, think again.

Seasonings - HelloFresh

All American Spice Blend:

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp cayenne

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp smoked paprika

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp salt

1 tsp dried parsley

.5 tsp black pepper

.5 tsp dried mustard

.5 tsp red pepper flakes

.25 tsp ground allspice

.125 tsp ground cloves

Berbere Spice Blend:

3 part paprika

1 part cayenne

.5 part ground coriander

.25 part ground ginger

.125 part ground cardamom

.125 part ground fenugreek

Bold and Savory Steak Spice Blend:

1 part red chili flake

1 part crushed coriander seed

2 parts crushed dill seed

3 parts crushed mustard seed

4 parts dried minced garlic

4 parts crushed black pepper

Blackening Spice Blend:

3 tsp smoked paprika

1.5 tsp garlic powder

.5 tsp white pepper

.5 tsp black pepper

.25 tsp thyme

.25 tsp oregano

.125 tsp low heat cayenne

Burger Spice Blend:

1 Tbsp paprika

1.25 tsp salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

.5 tsp garlic powder

.5 tsp brown sugar

.5 tsp onion powder

.25 tsp cayenne

Cajun Spice Blend:

2 part paprika

2 part onion powder

1 part garlic powder

1 part dried oregano

1 part dried thyme

.5 part dried basil

.5 part cayenne

Enchilada Spice Blend:

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 tbsp. paprika

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. light brown sugar

2 tsp. kosher salt

1.5 tsp. onion powder

1.5 tsp. garlic powder

1.5 tsp. Mexican oregano

1 tsp. chipotle chili powder

1 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. black pepper

.25 to .5 tsp. cayenne pepper

Fajita Spice Blend:

1 part Salt

1 part Pepper

1 part Onion Powder

1 part Garlic Powder

1 part Paprika

Fajita Spice Blend (Alternative):

4 parts paprika

1 part onion powder

1 part garlic powder

1 part chili powder

1 part cumin

1 part oregano

Fall Spice Blend:

3 parts dried thyme

3 parts ground sage

2 parts garlic powder

1 part onion powder

Fry Seasoning:

1 part garlic powder

1 part onion powder

1 part paprika

Herbes de Provence Blend:

1 part savory

1 part thyme

1 part rosemary

1 part basil

1 part tarragon

1 part lavender flowers

Indian Spice Mix:

Gr. Coriander

Gr. Cumin

Gr. Mustard

Gara Masala

Tumeric

salt

pepper

Italian Seasoning Blend:

1 part garlic powder

1 part oregano

1 part basil

1 part black pepper

1 part parsley

Meatloaf Seasoning:

2 parts onion powder

2 parts garlic powder

Mediterranean Spice Blend:

2 parts dried oregano

1 part dried mint

1 part sumac

1 part ground coriander

Mexican Spice Blend:

2 parts chili powder

1 part oregano

1 part smoked paprika

1 part cumin

Moo Shu Spice Blend:

1 part ground ginger

1 part garlic powder

Nan’s Seasoning (aka Grandma’s Seasoning):

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp Sugar (tip: use coconut sugar)

0.5 tsp Sea salt

0.5 tsp Garlic powder (not salt)

0.5 tsp Onion powder (not salt)

0.5 tsp Black pepper or 0.25 tsp black pepper + 0.25 tsp turmeric

Shawarma Spice Blend:

2 part tumeric

2 part cumin

1 part dried coriander

1 part garlic powder

1 part paprika

.5 part ground allspice

.5 part black pepper

Southwest Spice Blend:

4 part garlic powder

2 part cumin

2 part chili powder

Smoky BBQ Seasoning:

8 parts smoked paprika

6 parts granulated sugar

2 parts garlic powder

1 part dry mustard

1 part ground cumin

1 part ground ginger

.5 part black pepper

Smoky Cinnamon Paprika Spice Blend:

1 part ground cloves

8 parts onion powder

8 parts ground cinnamon

6 parts smoked paprika

16 parts mustard powder

24 parts sweet paprika

24 parts white granulated sugar

Steak Spice Blend:

1 part red chili flakes

1 part crushed coriander seed

2 parts crushed dill seed

3 parts crushed mustard seed

4 parts dried minced garlic

4 parts crushed black pepper

3 parts kosher salt

Sweet Smoky BBQ Spice Blend:

8 parts smoked paprika

6 parts sugar

2 parts garlic powder

.5 part black pepper

1 part dry mustard

1 part cumin

1 part ground ginger

Thai Seven Spice Blend:

2.5 tsp white sesame seeds

1 tsp chili flakes

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp onion powder

.5 tsp garlic powder

.5 tsp shrimp extract powder

.25 tsp cinnamon

.125 tsp low heat cayenne

Tunisian Spice Blend:

4 parts ground caraway seed

4 parts ground coriander

4 parts smoked paprika

4 parts turmeric

4 parts chili powder

4 parts garlic powder

1 part cayenne pepper [7.5 k (hu)]

1 part cinnamon

1 part ground black pepper

Turkish Spice Blend:

2 part cumin

2 part garlic powder

1 part ground coriander

.25 part ground allspice

.25 part chili flakes

Tuscan Heat Spice Blend:

4 parts dried basil

2 parts dried rosemary

2 parts dried oregano

2 parts garlic powder

1 part cayenne pepper [7.5 k (hu)]

1 part ground fennel

Home Improvements

Blue-ing: Rust Replacement

From the SawmillCreek.org Forum:

The black or gray residue is a very nice thing to have. It is a form of iron oxide, or rust. It is however different from red rust as it does not expand cracks and promote further rust. It does however, and here is the big thing, add a bit of resistance to rust. It makes a somewhat self-healing layer of protection. The only reason you would not want that coating is if you have a cosmetic need for shiny.

You may have seen this greyish flat finish on an old kitchen knife. It is a classic old time method of steel protection.

US Citizenship Stuff

Rescinding your US citizenship.

Advice About Possible Loss of U.S. Nationality and Seeking Public Office in a Foreign State A U.S. national’s employment, after attaining the age of 18, with the government of a foreign country or a political subdivision thereof is a potentially expatriating act pursuant to Section 349(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act if the individual is a citizen of that foreign country or takes an oath of allegiance to that country in connection with such employment. Such employment, however, will result in one’s expatriation only if done voluntarily with the intention of relinquishing U.S. citizenship. Running for foreign office, even foreign head of state, is not a potentially expatriating act; only accepting, serving in, or performing the duties of a foreign office are potentially expatriating as described above.

The Department has adopted an administrative presumption that U.S. nationals intend to retain their U.S. citizenship when they naturalize as nationals of a foreign state, declare their allegiance to a foreign state, or accept non-policy level employment with a foreign government. See 22 CFR 50.40(a); see also 7 FAM 1200 (additionally applying the presumption to serving as an officer in the military forces of a foreign state not engaged in hostilities against the United States). Questions concerning whether a foreign government position is a policy level position should be referred to the Office of Legal Affairs for Overseas Citizens Services.

U.S. nationals employed in non-policy level positions with foreign governments are not required to take any action to retain their U.S. nationality if they wish to retain it because the Department presumes that U.S. nationals employed in such positions do not have the requisite intent to relinquish their U.S. nationality. An individual who is employed in a non-policy level position will only lose his/her U.S. nationality if he or she establishes clearly and credibly, by a preponderance of the evidence, an intent to relinquish U.S. nationality upon assuming or serving in such foreign government employment.

In cases where U.S. nationals are employed in policy-level positions, the Department of State will seek to ascertain the individual’s intent to retain or relinquish his or her U.S. nationality upon accepting the policy level position with a foreign government. An individual assuming such a position who wishes to retain U.S. nationality should state clearly to the Department or post that he or she intended to retain U.S. nationality. An individual assuming such a position who wishes to relinquish U.S. nationality may come to Post and follow the required steps to complete the Certificate of Loss of Nationality application process.

Cases involving service of a U.S. national as a foreign head of state, head of government, or foreign minister raise complex questions of international law and are reviewed by the Department on a case by case basis. Serving as a foreign head of state/government or foreign minister may affect the level of immunity from U.S. jurisdiction that a dual national may be afforded. All such cases should be referred to the Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs.

Thoughts

America is the Greatest…

Why America Sucks at Everything:

Gun Control in Oz

Here’s why this is effective… the statistics bear it out.

Is This An Ideal Morality

Looking at those Republican moralisers with a bit of irony. Je ne suis pas qualifié pour soigner les fous.

Ha! MTG

Dear Ms. Taylor Greene:

We write you on behalf of our client, Andre Young p/k/a Dr. Dre, composer and performer of the hit song ‘Still D.R.E.’ You are wrongfully exploiting this work through the various social media outlets to promote your divisive and hateful political agenda.

Andre Young is the owner of the copyright in ‘Still D.R.E.,’ with the exclusive right to exploit same. Mr. Young has not, and will never, grant you permission to broadcast or disseminate any of his music. The use of ‘Still D.R.E.’ without permission constitutes copyright infringement in violation of 14 U.S.C. § 501.

One might expect that, as a member of Congress, you would have a passing familiarity with the laws of our country. It’s possible, though, that laws governing intellectual property are a little too arcane and insufficiently populist for you to really have spent much time on. We’re writing because we think an actual lawmaker should be making laws not breaking laws, especially those embodied in the constitution by the founding fathers.

The United States Copyright Act says a lot of things, but one of the things it says is that you can’t use someone else’s song for your political campaign promotions unless you get permission from the owner of the copyright in the song, a step you failed to take.

Demand is hereby made that you cease and desist from any further unauthorized use of Andre Young’s music.

This letter shall constitute formal notice to you of the matters set forth herein. Accordingly, please provide me with written confirmation that you have complied with these demands before January 11, 2023 by 5:00 pm EST.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed an admission of any fact of a waiver of any rights.

Adding Notes

Physio complaint detail form (Redland Bay Physio):

Lower back pain, radiating into the gluteus and lateral left calf almost at the ankle. I've had persistent pain in L4-5 region radiating L5 left side for the past two weeks when lying in bed or standing, less when walking and relieved by sitting. CT-scan on Friday revealed minor upper lumbar scoliosis convex right leading to disc space narrowing right side L3-4 and particularly L4-5, with mild degenerative anterolisthesis of L5 on S1. Dr Budge concluded the lower back pain may relate to severe facet arthropathy at L4-5 and L5-S1, with potential impingement of the L5 nerve root at the subarticular recess by a left central disc extrusion L4-5. I'll bring in the full report tomorrow for your perusal.
The injury is likely an old one, as the symptoms are not unfamiliar, incurred during my 40-odd years of nursing. My recent works around the house, which involved shoveling rocky, wet dirt, pushing a heavy wheelbarrow and lifting heavy timber served to cause a flareup of the symptoms, which have not subsided despite cessation of those activities.