Your Survival Guy was fishing this summer and came into these pods of bottlenose dolphins. You can see some of the famed Newport mansions in the background. Best viewed on a mobile device. Originally posted on Your Survival Guy. … [Read more...]
A Plan for Cutting Federal Government Spending
At the Cato Institute, Michael Chapman discusses GOP presidential primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's intent to cut federal government spending, and the detailed plan created by Cato's Chris Edwards. Chapman writes: In a recent speech, GOP presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy outlined a multi‐year plan to reduce the federal workforce by 75 percent, slash regulations, and “shut down redundant federal agencies,” if elected. While Ramaswamy’s goals may seem fantastic, scholars at the Cato Institute have presented detailed policies for reducing the size of the federal government and its … [Read more...]
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
Your Survival Guy feels life is pretty good, especially after reading The Wager by David Grann. Just thinking about life back in the mid-1700s makes me appreciate the simple creature comforts of today. Being shipwrecked is no one’s idea of fun. And that’s a story that Grann tells with such detail you wonder if he was there and, for that matter, what’s his trick for surviving all these years? From the back cover: On January 28, 1742, a ramshackle vessel of patched-together wood and cloth washed up on the coast of Brazil. Inside were thirty emaciated men, barely alive, and they had an … [Read more...]
RIP Jimmy Buffett: Death of an American Treasure
Jimmy Buffett—just writing his name makes me think of a different place and time—will be remembered as a pirate who brought his listeners treasure. What a blow it was Saturday morning after learning that he died the night before. In an instant, I knew what it felt like the day the music died. My life flashed before my eyes, the memories of living life with his songs. His Labor Day weekend shows at Great Woods in Mansfield, MA, now over. Every time we'd prepare for a family party, I'd prep with his music playing. For birthdays, we'd have "Lovely Cruise" playing. We had Jimmy Buffett's … [Read more...]
SHARKTIVITY: Can You Have Too Much Information?
With all the surveillance technology, I don’t know if we’re safer or just more scared. The phone app “Sharktivity” tells you the latest shark sightings. Its Terms of Service agreement explains: “You should not rely on this app to determine if sharks are present or where it is safe to swim. The only way to avoid sharks is to stay on shore.” Great, just what we need, more disclaimers. Now, I’m no fan of swimming with sharks, but with all the hoopla, is it any wonder beachgoers are freaked out? Yes, if you see a seal, it’s probably a good idea to get out of the water. Same for an open wound. … [Read more...]
Jaws
Not too many years ago, You Survival Guy (and Gal), kids, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew, jumped off “Jaws” bridge. Located on the road between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. Jumping off the bridge was a highlight of our annual boat trips. It’s where part of the movie Jaws was filmed. The kids hadn’t seen the movie yet. But the adults all had. And if you did too, you know how scary it was swimming after seeing it. The music running through your head, hesitating before jumping in, flailing like mad to get back onto the boat or raft. That was scary. Walking our … [Read more...]
July in Newport Is for Rosé
There’s something quite inviting overlooking the water with a cool glass of rosé on a warm July night in Newport. Cheers! In The Wall Street Journal, Lettie Teague discusses the declining sales of rosé but the sustained popularity of certain bottles. She writes: ARE WE in the middle of rosé malaise? According to the retailers I talked with, the answer is yes…with an asterisk. Thanks to the rise of competing drinks (hard seltzer, canned cocktails), continuing Covid fallout and a boom in production all over the world that helped fuel a rosé glut, rosé sales are definitely less robust than … [Read more...]
When You Live in and Visit Nice Places
When you live in and visit nice places, remember this: the cost of living may be pricing out first responders. I'm not here to ruin your day or your vacation. Don't shoot the messenger. But when you consider places like Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, the cost of living is pricing them out. Being separated by a bridge or on an island can put a strain on situations where every second counts. You're seeing the same issues, though not life-threatening (depending on who you talk to), in the service industry. When operating with a thin margin of safety, the pressure on the individual … [Read more...]
Safety of Income and the Best Days of Your Life
Do you remember not working during the summer? Neither do I. Scooping ice cream at Oxford Creamery for just over three bucks an hour put money in my pocket. It gave me income. Freedom. I could buy a ticket to a movie, a Coke, and Twizzlers for a few hours of work. A pretty good tradeoff. Plus, cleaning up after the baseball teams had come and gone and the mad rush over, we could cook a cheeseburger on the grill, mop the floors and have a coffee frappe for the bike ride home. When I think about your retirement income, I think about bonds. I think about steady work. I think not about what … [Read more...]
Happy Independence Day
In a 3 July 1776, Founding Father John Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail: "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and … [Read more...]
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