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I’m still not watching news channels. I get snippets of what’s going on in the political arena by checking a bit with twitter and reading an occasional article online. Looks like a bunch of Goldman Sachs’ billionaires will be running the country. Well, about time we did away with the middlemen (right?)
Currently I’m into diversions and still mucking through the seemingly never-ending paver stone project here, which is tricky to do between rain storms. The soil has to be dry enough to work with, and having pure clay soil means it’s a real drag when saturated (I’m sick of this job to be honest. I just want it to end). I kinda have too much on my plate overall in truth.
I also have to cut down three trees this afternoon for a gentleman who’s helping me with this paver stone project. It will be cool and sunny today, so I have to do it this day since it won’t be raining.
I'm getting an "education" from this gentleman. He's a super nice guy. He has all the right equipment to do this type of thing. He’s retired and has plenty of free time. He wanted to help me, and so I say yes to his generosity...something I never do.
He is totally about FOX NEWS. His favorite personality is Hannity followed by Brett Baier. I've learned from talking with him that he's completely within the bubble, but he’s a really super nice guy who likes people and likes to talk. We actually get along great. It’s giving me a chance to converse and try to understand the type of person who is immersed in FOX NEWS.
The subject of ObamaCare came up. He’s on MediCare and told me ObamaCare has badly weakened MediCare and must end. I asked him where he got that. He said from Paul Ryan. I told him Paul Ryan is the 3rd most powerful person in government and he’s telling a lie, which I find quite sad. I told him ObamaCare actually made MediCare completely solvent for 12 more years than it was prior to the ACA, and that the "donut hole" folks on MediCare pay for prescriptions will be closed by 2020 under ObamaCare, if we keep it. He didn't believe me.
He brought over ½ of a pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day for us.
So, I’m into diversions to keep me sane right now. Today I’ve decided to throw up some silly math hacks for shits and giggles.
Here’s a joke I told smileycreek on Thanksgiving once we received our ½ pumpkin pie from my paver stone project buddy. Take a pumpkin. Measure it’s circumference. Measure the diameter. Divide that circumference by the diameter and voila perfect pumpkin pi. Every time!
He told me we have to allow people to buy health insurance across state lines and allow states to have oversight of it. I told him that's been the law since 2012 and that states have all been allowed to have oversight, such as we do in California. It’s called the California Department of Insurance. I told him even though insurance companies have been able to sell policies across state lines since 2012 they haven’t. Then I explained why they haven't and why it wouldn't work.
He did conclude that my explanation about why it wouldn't work was correct. He didn't believe me about insurance companies being allowed to sell policies across state lines yet. Why? Because how could that be true when the GOP is claiming we need to do that now as some sort of panacea to lower the cost of buying health insurance polices.
How about a simple hack when multiplying numbers by 11. Let’s take 32 times 11. Simple. Write down the number “3,” then a space, then the number “2.” Add the numbers in 32 together. That gives you “5.” Write the “5” in the space you left when you wrote “3” and 2.” You end up with 352, which is 32 times 11.
He is a very religious man. He belongs to a Fundamental Church. He gets up at 3 AM every day and reads his Bible and prays until 7 AM. He quizzes me about things. I answer. Then he tells me “the right answer.” The right answer is always in the Bible. I learned from him that you always do everything by the number 7 because the Bible says so. When I wrap Teflon tape around a threaded pipe, he makes me wrap it 7 times because that’s the rule. I asked him why 7 is the rule. He said because God created the world in seven days. OK.
Wanna know an easy way to do percentages? This comes in handy when trying to figure out a tip. Let’s take 20% of 320. The trick is to take the first number in 20% (the 10’s digit) which gives you “2.” Next drop the last number (the 1’s digit) from other number, in this case you get “32.” Multiply those numbers together. “2” times “32” = 64 which is 20% of 320. Voila. In a restaurant, you just need to round the total cost of your meal up or down to a whole number.
He’s the sweetest man ever. I’m not being sarcastic. He’s so friendly and engaging. And, no, I won’t be joining his church. But I have learned that the answer to everything is found in the Bible, and FOX NEWS tells you the real truth. Sounds really simple!
Wanna impress people with your mad math skills! This blows folks always every time. You can quickly get the answer to multiplying big numbers together. The looks on people’s faces is amazement. Take 96 times 84. Here’s the trick. Take 100 minus 96. That gives you 4 (remember that). Then take 100 minus 84. That gives you 16 (remember that too). You can write them down and no one will think a thing about it. Add 4 + 16 = 20. Now take 100 minus 20 = 80. I know, I know...seems confusing. But hold on. All you need to remember are three numbers now (with a little practice this becomes easy!). The answer to 96 times 84 = 8064 What? That’s right. 80 was the last number you got. Write that down first. Then you multiply the first two numbers you got (16 times 4) = 64. You then take that and put it after the 80. Play around with this a bit and you’ll see how easy it really is.
I don’t know how to talk with people when I’m using facts while they use disinformation which they believe is true. This is the tough nut that must be cracked or we will continue to fragment more and more.
Got any math hacks to share?
As always, this is Open Thread Time!
LET'S BUILD IN-REAL-LIFE COMMUNITIES!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events. We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in. If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
The orange pinpoints are the location of each organized group of Daily Kos readers. If you'd like to join a group, click on a point and a box will pop up showing contact links. If you'd like to start a group, contact navajo for instructions.
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Colorado: Sunday Mornings
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Let us know if you’ve got any events that would be of interest to other readers of Daily Kos IN-YOUR-REAL-LIFE space.
Saturday, December 17th, 1:00 PM
Private residence in Pasadena
Please RSVP to 714day or gmats get an address and let them know what you’re bringing for potluck.
Details here: 12/17/16, 1 p.m. Meet in Pasadena Change in Venue
RSVPS
1. 714day — pasta & salad
2. gmats
3. jakedog42
4. ursulafaw
5. Dretutz
6. J Graham
7. Joe Bacon
8. murphy
9. susans — entreé
10. Zack from SFV — cold drinks & an hors d’ouevre
MAYBEES:
Just Saying
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Leftcandid and ColoTim, leaders of Daily Kos’ endorsed Colorado Community, would like to invite you to our Caffeinating Liberally meet-up on December 17th. We meet at the Common Grounds Coffee House, 44th and Vallejo, in Denver from 9:00 AM to noonish at the table by the piano. Come meet fellow Daily Kos readers and other like-minded folk, enjoy wake-up coffee to start your weekend off and discuss how we take back America. For questions and RSVP's, you can contact Leftcandid or ColoTim.
NEW GROUPS FORMING:
Leftcandid and ColoTim, organizers for the Denver area met at Caffeinating Liberally which meets every 4th Saturday morning, except next month when it will be Dec. 17th.
Leftcandid deserves special recognition for taking supplies to Standing Rock, his thoughtful account is here: Colorado State Open Thread: North Dakota. You can still recommend it. He did a lot in his short time there. Thanks, Joe!
About 35 readers of Daily Kos in the San Francisco Bay Area met for a salmon grill and pot luck in the Wine Country north of Santa Rosa, CA. It was a wonderful group hug after the election. Numerous photos here.
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries about your event or if you have changes or additions.