u/mdramsey

Tama, the Siamese mix rescue.

Anyone else's toasty Siamese like to make a mess before they settle in their resting spot? Tama is a master.

My neighbor's tortie, Snicker, loves resting at this exact spot under my truck. She doesn't go in the engine bay, nor does she jump on top and walk around. It's her spot in the shade...just about the same time every day.

Naturally, I chalk it up to having good taste because she doesn't do this with my other neighbor's Nissan. 😜

Tldr; go to https://privacy.ca.gov/ to request your info be removed from all non-direct relationship data brokers. Enforcement begins Aug 1st. data broker registration and compliance is mandatory, enforced by fines and a dedicated enforcement team.

Just read (skimmed briefly, as is the custom 'round these parts) a KCRA article that the state has a new quick 'n easy online platform to request your data be removed from data brokers that may have bought and stored your data without a direct relationship to you.

There's apparently a dedicated enforcement team and some brokers have already been fined for not registering.

https://www.kcra.com/article/california-residents-can-now-delete-personal-data-from-brokers-through-new-online-platform-ca-politics-360/73174313

Here's the link to the request site.

https://privacy.ca.gov/

Many thanks to u/MoM_RUBBERducky for sharing the Noonchester Mine Trail info which leads above Lake Tahoe. It was absolutely worth the trip. A couple parts I worried about breakover clearance but other than that, the truck just walked its way up without any drama. Though there was a bit more dirt erosion than I expected, revealing quite a bit of loose rocks. The missus didn't care for the bumpy ride, but she liked the adventure, so now I'm finding slightly less rocky spots to take her.

PSA for my fellow Sacramentans: The mosquitoes are bad this year, and West Nile Virus season is apparently just getting started. Please protect yourselves! Since I went through this experience I have been reading up and wanted to share some info:

WNV has been in California for ~23 years, it is considered an "established disease" in the Sacramento region. I was pretty panicked when I learned that the bird I saw die in my yard tested positive. I was slightly reassured when I read that: ~80% of people who get infected with WNV never have any symptoms. ~20% do have symptoms that sound awful, but recover within a couple weeks. 1 out of 1500* people die of WNV.

MVCAC (Mosquito Vector Control Association of California) started a "Dead Bird Call Center" in April of 2024 - they ask that residents of Sacramento county call 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473), or make an online report here https://westnile.ca.gov/report if they see a dead bird.

I wanted to share a PSA because I had not heard about this program/task force, and didn't know they wanted us to report dead birds until just a couple of weeks ago.

Like the title says, I saw a juvenile scrub jay fall out of a tree in my backyard last week. I was out watering plants in the early morning, and was surprised and confused when I saw a bird fall. I walked over and it was clearly not well - seizing in a gruesome manner. The poor little bird died right in front of me within a minute of it falling from the tree.

I made the call that morning - and the woman I spoke with thanked me multiple times and collected some details from me. She requested that I send a picture of the bird via email. She also asked that I place the bird in a bag and leave it on my porch, and said that someone from the program would come pick it up later that day. They did.

Today I received a call to let me know that the bird tested positive for WNV. The rep explained that their next steps include taking mosquito samples in the area to hone in further, and will likely be doing targeted pesticide treatments.

The rep shared that there had been 3 other birds that their team has collected since January that have tested positive for WNV - those were in Carmichael and Tahoe Park. I live in the Rosemont suburb of Sac.

He strongly encouraged me to wear protective clothing and/or use bug spray when outside - ESPECIALLY at dawn and dusk. Apparently the breed of mosquitoes that carry WNV are most active at those times.

I think we've all heard the "no standing water" PSA - he told me to make sure to think about potted plants that sit on a saucer to catch water, and said this is often overlooked.

I am looking into mosquito-protective clothing as we speak. Stay safe, friends!

More info here:
https://dhs.saccounty.gov/PUB/Pages/Communicable-Disease-Control/GI-WestNileVirus.aspx

https://www.mvcac.org/west-nile-virus-and-dead-bird-call-center-now-live/

Halter Standing Desk.
Manual lift - up to 16 inches.

It works great even as a sitting-only desk item as it provides great elevation to the monitors.

Used, but good condition, fully functional.

Happy to deliver locally in the Elk Grove/Sacramento area.

Edit to add: Thanks for the interest, y'all. It has been claimed. If for some reason it doesn't work out, I will reconnect with those I have messaged whom expressed interest.

When we weren't outside the wire stirring up shit, we were inside the wire stirring shit...

Who else can smell this pic?