New and Experienced Climbers over 50 #34

Alan Rubin wrote:

I'll now exponentially compound my 'Debbie Downer' prognostications. This entire tariff 'regime', along with it's many other major downsides, is ( intentionally, I'm sure) a perfect set-up for massive corruption ( especially with the 'I'm open to negotiations' subtext). Of course, thanks to SCOTUS, Trump now knows that he will be immune from prosecution ( these are, of course, 'official acts' of the Presidency)---not that his appointees such as Patel and Bondi would ever investigate or prosecute him, nor this Congress ever impeach him, and everyone knows that he will preemptively pardon all his cronies. And, as the  protests to the impacts of his policies mount, he ( and Patel, Bondi, and their minions), will just be looking for any excuse to deem them violent and launch a full-on crack down against any form of dissent--we've already seen people legally in the US swept off the streets by masked Feds--it won't be long before the same happens to citizens. Sorry to be so bleak, but.....

Trump is trying to manoeuvre himself into a more powerful financial position, but is, inadvertently pushing our allies further away and bolstering the BRICS countries.

Japan and South Korea are looking at a trade pact with China now.

Emerging nations are looking towards China and BRICS.

Russia’s economy may double in the next decade or so? Harris or Trump, this outcome would not have changed.

Trump is a bit misguided, and delusional. USA is not as powerful as it used to be, and his strategy isn’t going to work. USA has many weapons, and the largest military, but much of it is rapidly becoming outdated.

Biden was also misguided for the same reason with his sanctions against Russia and China.

USA needs to be more cooperative with other nations, and not attempt to isolate nor fight against “rival” nations. It’s not a football match. It’s life.

M M wrote:

I need a newer work vehicle and my guess is there will be lots of used cars that people can't afford popping up soon.

My market advice for the day.

Do any of you guys follow the FB page Gray Power 50+? That dude who downclimbed into the same waterfall over and over, upside down sometimes even, finally met his maker... his videos seemed on the verge of being suicidal and I had to block him

I had not seen that but I went and looked at it.  Pat Ament's post there on the subject was very, very moving.

You can say "He died doing what he loved" all you want but for me, whenever I hear that line in the regards to a healthy person dying in a free-soloing event or something equally reckless, all I can think of is the line from "Full Metal Jacket":  "The dead only know one thing, it is better to be alive."

Not to be too melodramatic but I have seen a lot of death in medicine and on my 4 deployments to Iraq and Afghan and that lines rings too true.

Sorry, talk about your Debbie Downers.

sorry but that guy who always scrambled waterfalls was a total hack and a dead man walking. 

It occurred to me yesterday that the one thing I appreciate most about this thread is the generosity of this group, the kindness and goodwill. The older we get the less time we have for ego.  It’s a group that so far hasn’t splintered or turned against itself.

I think there’s a room here for some serious dialogue and outrage. It has felt to me that Trump came at his agenda this time around with a true “shock and awe”.  I thought it would be more of the same crap from his previous administration, but this is a more organized and intentional attack. For one thing, disabling this country financially removes all power from the citizens. Just trying to keep up with the mayhem, ie deporting Americans, firing federalemployees and crippling agencies nationwide leaves everyone breathless.

I don’t like complaining without some kind of action plan. Today there is protest here in Joshua Tree and apparently across the nation. Does standing on a street corner waving a Fuck Trump sign change anything? If it will help, I am there. I wrote to our senators and local congressman after Trump‘s treatment of Zelenskyy in the oval office and received three personal and lengthy responses. At least they know, but are they the ones who can stand against him? 

So besides bitching and moaning, I’m looking for some kind of effective protest.  
—-

Taking just a moment for something Climbing related – – I managed to get to the lab yesterday for some bloodwork. I had an exhausting day climbing on Thursday and an even more exhausting day yesterday. When my lab results showed up this morning the first thing I noticed was extremely low sodium.  That would explain a lot—leg cramps, foot cramps, fatigue. 

We’ve talked about hydration and electrolytes here. Some people need more than others. I have tried the sodium rich LMNT but also the higher potassium powders. I crave salt on everything.

The last thing my doctor said to me on my visit this week was “keep that sodium way low. Don’t use salt “. Another Maxim doctors say to old people.  More and more I am an advocate for listen to your own body and there’s nothing like having real numbers to support whatever you choose to do.  I’ll be using LMNT or a home brewed sodium electrolyte going forward.

If Congress can get their shit together and take back the powers that they are supposed to exercise, 

It's been happening for a long time. The Imperial Presidency, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., 1973. 

It’s not a football match.

And it's not a real estate deal. But unfortunately, that is the only perspective he has; I win, you lose. 

Lori - Paula will be looking for you today at the Hands Off protest.

Lori, “shock and awe” only apply to the fact that he’s doing exactly what he campaigned on, and nobody believed he’d actually done it.  

Li Hu wrote:

Lori, “shock and awe” only apply to the fact that he’s doing exactly what he campaigned on, and nobody believed he’d actually done it.  

Getting lots of amusement from this thread… 

Lori - you feel rage?  

Yes I voted for Trump and would do so again if the election was today.

The Democrats- each and everyone of them- have managed to destroy California with out of control taxation, bloated wasteful spending, crazy ass ideas about justice, insurance and our environment.
What your 401k has never lost value?

I’m more terrified of not being able to sell my house because a new buyer can’t purchase fire insurance in California - for any reasonable amount- and the state insurance “system” has failed completely.

That sucks. 

In the end- go climbing, don’t watch your 401 daily.

Later all 

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

sorry but that guy who always scrambled waterfalls was a total hack and a dead man walking. 

It was over the top and soooo many folks tried to get the guy to stop. Wet, mossy and polished rock is not your friend,  my kid learned that by age 3. 

So Guy voted for trump while knowing that trump wants to see CA burn ? I  lived in Conservative Utah and liberal CT for years and saw how bad it can get with one party ruling, both of those states have major flaws but still I'd have voted for Kermit the Frog over DJT

M M wrote:

Do any of you guys follow the FB page Gray Power 50+? That dude who downclimbed into the same waterfall over and over, upside down sometimes even, finally met his maker... his videos seemed on the verge of being suicidal and I had to block him

I stopped reading his posts after about the 2nd time. It was painful to see what looked like mental illness being celebrated by some as some kind of zen/ nature communing lifestyle.  Surprised it took him this long to die. Still, sad for his friends and family. 

Back to climbing…..leaving in a week to go back to my remote Arizona project.  I’ve been training hard for three months, went 45 days without booze to now only once per week that seems sustainable, and I’ve lost seven pounds down to my fighting weight.  Climbing the best I have in 10 years anyway.  I have a friend with me for the first two days, then I will be trying it alone until Paula and my daughter show up the following week.  Wish me luck.   I just might need it!

Guy Keesee wrote:

The Democrats- each and everyone of them- have managed to destroy California with out of control taxation, bloated wasteful spending, crazy ass ideas about justice, insurance and our environment.
What your 401k has never lost value?

I’m more terrified of not being able to sell my house because a new buyer can’t purchase fire insurance in California - for any reasonable amount- and the state insurance “system” has failed completely.

Guy, Can you say more about the insurance situation? I'm not in CA. My impression from where I live (far away) is that California and some other states have been experiencing more extreme weather events, and so insurers are raising rates to cover losses that are expected to grow higher in the future. Isn't that pretty much how insurance works? Does CA have state insurance for property, or are there some particular regulations you're talking about? I'm not trolling, I really want to understand your perspective. I understand that it sucks to own property that has become uninsurable. People in FL and some flood-prone states are experiencing something similar, I understand. But from what you're saying, CA itself is involved in insurance, in some way (which strikes me as weird and interesting).

Ward Smith wrote:

Back to climbing…..leaving in a week to go back to my remote Arizona project.  I’ve been training hard for three months, went 45 days without booze to now only once per week that seems sustainable, and I’ve lost seven pounds down to my fighting weight.  Climbing the best I have in 10 years anyway.  I have a friend with me for the first two days, then I will be trying it alone until Paula and my daughter show up the following week.  Wish me luck.   I just might need it!

Good luck Ward. You've got this!!!!

Ward Smith wrote:

Back to climbing…..leaving in a week to go back to my remote Arizona project.  I’ve been training hard for three months, went 45 days without booze to now only once per week that seems sustainable, and I’ve lost seven pounds down to my fighting weight.  Climbing the best I have in 10 years anyway.  I have a friend with me for the first two days, then I will be trying it alone until Paula and my daughter show up the following week.  Wish me luck.   I just might need it!

Venga venga!!!  

(Hey, it works for Sharma!)

Ward Smith wrote:

Back to climbing…..leaving in a week to go back to my remote Arizona project.  I’ve been training hard for three months, went 45 days without booze to now only once per week that seems sustainable, and I’ve lost seven pounds down to my fighting weight.  Climbing the best I have in 10 years anyway.  I have a friend with me for the first two days, then I will be trying it alone until Paula and my daughter show up the following week.  Wish me luck.   I just might need it!

A noble undertaking, my young friend.  

Ward Smith wrote:

Back to climbing…..leaving in a week to go back to my remote Arizona project.  I’ve been training hard for three months, went 45 days without booze to now only once per week that seems sustainable, and I’ve lost seven pounds down to my fighting weight.  Climbing the best I have in 10 years anyway.  I have a friend with me for the first two days, then I will be trying it alone until Paula and my daughter show up the following week.  Wish me luck.   I just might need it!

Best of luck and remember to have some fun too (from the stuff I've read from you here, that does not seem to be a problem).

A Rhodie Loadie send or it doesn't count, Ward! Don't forget to breath.

Dragons      

I don’t want to go all political because it’s useless to try to change anyone’s beliefs.

California has some laws that have been passed by the one party legislature/government/ruler we live under.

Things like: If you do a major remodel or build a hew house you must have an internal fire suppression system- same as commercial buildings. This adds a huge price, I’ve read some opinions that this adds a minimum of $20,000 to a home and it must be maintained and certified annually.
Anything built new or major up grade/remodel must meet all current requirements- for Solar, for insulation, all electric (no gas, propane) allowed because we have an entire planet to save.
The cost of the “permitting” is out control…. Example: My city now wants $120 from me to let me install a new water heater. Two years ago there were no such fees. Comming up in 2027 you will not be allowed to install a gas water heater, even as a replacement. (I’m going to get one in Arizona, sneak it in and install it myself in the dark of night) 

My state has an “insurance commissioner” - a typical California lefty- all academic theory, zero experience with insurance. He uses buzzwords and speaks word salad saying nothing- just like Kamala Harris. He refused to allow fire insurance companies to raise their rates so they can cover the new charges imposed. So as an alternative the state set up its own Insurance plan for people. Only down side is this- The state knows nothing about insurance. Now that lots of burned out home owners are making claims the CA- fire fund is showing its weakness. People in the Eaton Fire and The Palisade fire discovered that they get “One Hour” of work to fix “smoke damage” ….
Insurance Companies are not stupid, they know how much it will cost to replace X amount of homes. And they can evaluate the effect of a water company that can not supply water or a Fire Department that has 45% of its resources unavailable due to maintenance issues.
Just to name a few reasons.
A sad state of affairs.

Later 

Edit to add: Best of luck on the project Ward!
May your sacrifice and dedication pay dividends. 

Many (but not all) of the sentiments being expressed today in the Hands Off events across the country (including in my town) are pretty valid concerns to my eye. I'm pretty dubious about the tactic of mass protestations, though- that's exactly the kind of evidence this administration is seeking to know that what they are doing is the 'right' thing. Whatever actual systemic change they are trying to bring, these kinds of protests become clear evidence they are 'pwning the Libs', which is red meat for their political strategy. If these protests devolve into any kind of violence...or if it occurs anywhere nearby, even if it had nothing to do with the protests (or equally likely, initiated by someone with anti-Left interests), it will perfectly serve the political interests of the extreme Right.

A truly effective reaction to all of this chaos would be coordinated, quiet, and smart. These characteristics are not something the progressive Left has any real skill in utilizing- there is a faction there that is every bit as anarchic and destructive as those that are currently in power.