NIRP 2025

The central bank of empire relinquished control to “Orange Bad Man” as it commenced a series of short-term interest rate reductions. ZIRP is the final objective. However, that interest rate is well below real inflation. In actuality, empire has been under NIRP for a long time. The ramifications are clear. As the rate reductions continue, asset and consumer prices will soar. And, money in the bank becomes essentially worthless.

On Monday, all personal Apple® devices were updated. The files for iOS 26 and WatchOS 26 were relatively large, so the process required a lot of time. The Liquid Glass “skin” doesn’t look too good on the small iPhone screen (especially with extremely dark backgrounds). The floating toolbars, however, seem to be a nice enhancement. There are a few new features, but the core OSes appear to be the same as the previous versions.

A bedbug was found on Monday morning as it crawled around on the Intex® airbed in the mausoleum in the “old folks home” in Waikiki. It was knocked unconscious and given a hot bath in the mausoleum’s vanity sink drain. The bedbug was either a stowaway in the gym bag, or it migrated from a neighboring tomb. Fortunately, there’s really no place on the plastic airbed where the varmit could get “comfy” and become a real nuisance.

The commode in the mausoleum nearly overflowed on Sunday. There was some kind of obstruction in the drainage pipe. Quite odd since the commode is only used for “draining the lizard” and flushed only twice per day. Given some information provided by fellow Sand Island homeless shelter alumnus and contractor (back in the “Corona” days), Randy, the problem was solved without the use of a plunger. Commode drainage pipes require regular flushing to incrementally move the sludge in the pipe to the main outlet. The commode was allowed to fill nearly to the brim, which the weight of the water pushed the sludge onward. The process was repeated multiple times until proper flow was restored.

Sleep deprivation, high blood pressure, and now … hemorrhoids! What is an old codger to do? Sheesh! A tube of generic hemorrhoid cream treatment was purchased at Target® to soothe the discomfort. A tube of generic hydrocortisone cream was purchased a week ago to deal with the odd rashes and insect bites that occur daily while sitting in International Marketplace. A lot of the homeless loiter there. Some of them have pets. A few of the scummy tourists could also be the source. Anyway, mortality is coming to the forefront.

The Subway® in Pioneer Plaza in town raised its prices this week. So, dining at the establishment will be phased out in a week or so. As the prices at all dining venues go from ridiculous to absurd, the latter venues will be phased out. Sadly, food preparation in the mausoleum will be the only option. Fortunately, the free year membership in Target® Circle 360® has been activated. A new microwave oven will be ordered and delivered soon.

Miscellany: The desire for coffee has abated significantly. The minor withdrawal effects have also abated. There are no plans for the resumption of coffee consumption.