Monday Night Musings

WHAT’S ON MY MIND

Gas prices. It’s a given they will skyrocket this summer, but I’m not panicking over the possibility of gas rationing in California. The late 70s rationing happened due to price caps, and without them we'll either see people curtail their driving or park their vehicles. 

I’ll just budget accordingly.

WHERE I’VE BEEN

Besides the winery? Nowhere else in particular. 

WHERE I’M GOING

Best Buy. I found a cache of old phones that need to be recycled.

WHAT I’M WATCHING

YouTube videos on Cambodian macaques. They’re fascinating to watch since their troop mirrors human society. When mothers don’t discipline their kids, they remain screeching leeches that think the rules don’t apply to them. They kind of remind me of the worst elements of Generation Z -- their wilding, their street takeovers, and their TikTok slander and hatred of older generations. 

WHAT I’M READING

I started Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” the other night. I assume I’ll need to reread it at least once to absorb everything but I’m enjoying it so far.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

My MP3 music collection. I enjoy streaming SiriusXM during the weekdays, but this weekend I found it boring with talk show repeats and the same music I heard two hours earlier. I’ve put the music USB stick back in Artoria’s center console just in case that happens again.

WHAT I’M EATING

I opened the Wild Yeast Muscat Canelli last night and it was wonderful with yuzu citrus chicken and garlic and herb seasoned potatoes and veggies. I’ll finish the bottle with a Baja chicken bowl tonight and lemon pepper crusted salmon tomorrow night.

WHO DESERVES TO BE SLAPPED

Car dealerships. I’ve kept an eye on EV prices despite the fact I’ll keep Miku as my “city errand” car. Over the past week used MINI Cooper SE prices in America’s Costliest City have increased $1,000 despite not selling. The local Nissan dealership offers the new and greatly improved Leaf at $2,000 above MSRP. I suspect there’s similar price gouging for other EVs except Tesla. Used Model 3s are as plentiful as herpes at a Houston spring break party.

WHO DESERVES A FIST BUMP

I don’t have any candidates this week. Moving on…

WHAT I’M PLANNING

I’m contemplating another winery visit. There’s a handful of new items on the menu I’d love to try, and it’s also been about half a year since I’ve spent a Saturday afternoon hanging out at the members only viewing deck. 

I also might pay Total Wine a visit. I have a short list of white wines I’d love to try again.

WHAT MADE ME SMILE

The fact I sold TakeTwo Interactive (TTWO) stock at a 7% loss and still won. The loss will offset capital gains I’ve made from stock sales earlier this year.

I recently purchased Costco (COST) on the dip, and now I’ve done the same with Sandisk (SNDK). I expect to make money on those as longer term holds.