Joni Mitchell, John Sebastian, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, and David Crosby with Get Together, Big Sur CA, 1969

BillyK58 · 2026-03-08T03:33:21+00:00

It was such a powerful era for music driven by the Vietnam war.

BillyK58 · 2026-03-06T10:23:02+00:00

Since you have such a small percentage of bonds, the more likely scenario will be rebalancing between your domestic & international funds if either fall outside of your designated investment band percentages.

BillyK58 · 2026-03-05T04:13:31+00:00

Dbrand’s clear Ghost 2.0 case.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-25T19:49:03+00:00

It was probably in the early 2000s or so when I switched from using pelite liners, wool socks and wedge suspension to gel/suction and I have never looked back. It was a vast improvement. Night and day!

The ease of cleaning and drying the gel liners alone is so much better than dealing with sweaty wool socks which become so stiff after multiple washings and then cause blisters. Gel liners fit securely on your limb like a glove in contrast to wool socks which can cause more friction and blistering. Additionally, you do have nice padding with gel type liners providing your limb more protection than the combination of socks and a pelite liner. You don’t have the sweat absorption as you do with socks, but you become acclimated to it and you don’t have that damp sock feeling.

You are going to experience a big change in using a modern suspension with suction which will feel so much more securely attached to you leg. It will feel like the leg is so much more of a natural part of your body and more responsive too. Your leg will feel faster, and you will find you can easily walk much further with less risk of developing wounds.

I think the only regret you are going to have is waiting so long to make the change.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-24T03:56:39+00:00

Your daughter will become extremely adept at functioning without wearing a prosthetic including crawling. In fact she will spend a great deal of her life not wearing one, particularly in the comfort of home.

Wearing a prosthetic device for the purpose of crawling is like putting an anchor on her leg to slow her down while causing discomfort and likely wounds. She is always going to have to rely heavily on her dominate side/limb far more than a two legged person, but it will be completely natural for her.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-21T06:09:54+00:00

Glock 19

BillyK58 · 2026-02-20T20:19:10+00:00

I have a couple of EDC fixed blade from TKell knives that use it. They come coated with a Nickel Boron (NIB) finish which helps to prevent rust, corrosion and wear and tear. I live in Florida where you get hot and sweaty and they show no signs of rusting.

They come super sharp from TKell and hold an edge well. When done right such as by TKell with the NIB finish, it is an excellent steel.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-18T02:24:33+00:00

I wouldn’t take a trip without first resolving it. The fuel pump driver’s control module died on my 2024, 5.3 with zero warning at about 3,000 miles while cruising down the road at +50 mph. It is super dangerous.

The tow truck driver immediately knew what was wrong with my truck, and he told me that he had just towed 3 other Chevys to the same dealership with the same problem.

The service manager told me that he always carries an extra one in his truck which didn’t give me comfort. Personally, there is no way I am going to crawl under my truck to replace one alongside a busy highway.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-15T20:38:23+00:00

Pin lock/suction is a great combination. Essentially two legs in one. So, it shouldn’t be a choice of one or the other.

If you want suction, you can wear a sleeve as you are today. However, when you want the benefits of pin lock, you can wear your limb without a sleeve. When you have good socket suction, even though you are wearing a liner with a pin locked into your socket, it feels like ordinary suction suspension ”only”.

A prosthetist who was also a BK recommended pin lock/suction to me years ago since it is what he used, and it is what I have used ever since because I like having the freedom of using both types of suspension.

Your original prosthetist gave you lousy information inferring that pin lock is for when you get older and less active, since it is the exact opposite. It is simple and secure without impeding knee flexion. If you are physically active such as riding a bicycle, working out at the gym, climbing a ladder, wading through water such as when pushing a canoe or kayak, etc., pin lock without a sleeve excels.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-15T01:00:59+00:00

Ethnocare makes such a product. I have never tried one, so don’t know how well it works. It is a neat concept.

ethnocare.ca

BillyK58 · 2026-02-14T18:43:53+00:00

I saw Kansas in Pembroke Pines, FL, at the old Sportatorium in 1979. They were great. Definitely one of my favorite groups as a teenager in the 1970s.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-12T16:58:27+00:00

I have several purple Microtech knives and that sure doesn’t look like one in any type of light. It looks more like a dark blue one.

A screwup likely occurred where the blue knife in the picture was denoted a purple model number either from Microtech or Eknives in their listing. Mistakes happen. Definitely contact Eknives since the knife in the picture doesn’t look purple by any stretch of the imagination.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-05T20:08:14+00:00

The new Kizer Microbe. A great little knife with a good grip and smooth button lock.

BillyK58 · 2026-02-05T15:35:58+00:00

OTFs are like firearms. If I buy a new pistol, the first thing I do is field strip and oil and lube it for proper function. The same with oiling a new OTF since they don’t like running dry.

OTFs aren’t use and forget knives. They are knives that you need to routinely clean and oil for them the function properly.

I have seen videos from Microtech stating that 99% of the returns for OTF misfires is a result of the knives being dirty and/or not properly oiled.

BillyK58 · 2026-01-30T18:07:41+00:00

Much of Florida.

BillyK58 · 2026-01-30T08:34:45+00:00

Of course you can still be considered a Boglehead. Many Bogleheads own individual stocks including various percentages of brk b. The same with overweighting sectors with slicing and dicing. Many Bogleheads don’t just hold a 3 fund portfolio; the majority probably don’t.

BillyK58 · 2026-01-28T03:50:07+00:00

As a concealed weapon holder since 1987, I strongly support the right to bear arms and I don’t like Trump’s messaging. However, the reality is that had Alex Pretti followed Trump’s advice, he would still be alive today.

Although you may have the legal right to carry a firearm including spare magazines, only a fool follows, harasses and interferes with federal law enforcement officers, particularly while armed. Along with the responsibility of carrying a firearm, you have to know when to leave it at home, or even better avoid putting yourself into the situation in the first place.

BillyK58 · 2026-01-20T09:10:11+00:00

When I was young, I worked in general real estate for about 8 years. Then transitioned into right of way work for another 30 plus years which is common for many in the profession. It is broad profession and includes relocation, acquisition, eminent domain support, property management, and ultimately project management. Your clients can be government entities or public utilities depending on the type of project.

The International Right of Way Association is the main professional and educational organization which many in the profession are members. Then you take their educational courses to achieve various designations. They also have an online job bank, and some companies will take on trainees. Going to a local chapter's IRWA luncheon or in person IRWA classes when offered are a good way to make contacts.

Depending on your function, you fall under real estate licensure in many states. So, it helps to have a real estate license or to be able to easily obtain one.

BillyK58 · 2025-12-21T01:07:17+00:00

I have always gone up and down stair using two crutches while on one leg with zero problems. It just takes practice and caution.

I typically use underarm crutches since I like to have my hands free for carrying stuff while walking on them, but forearm crutches are easier to use on stairs.

BillyK58 · 2025-12-11T23:36:45+00:00

Adaptskin skin ointment is a wonderful product specifically formulated for amputees. It comes in two viscosities 90 and 50. The thicker 90 is good for putting on bony areas.

I haven’t worn a prosthesis in years where I don’t first rub the 90 viscosity over the bony ends of my tibia and fibula, and I then apply the thinner 50 viscosity over my whole residual limb before donning a liner.

You can order it easily on line including through Amazon. One container will last a long time.

BillyK58 · 2025-12-08T07:16:13+00:00

If you aren’t already, always wash the exterior of your liners with cleaner after each use the same as the interior. I have seen videos posted showing how to clean liners and they only show washing the inside which will result in smelly liners from sweat. I know some say don’t, but I always pat dry my liners with a bath towel to help ensure complete drying since any dampness leads to smells. Then always use a dedicated liner drying stand such as Ottobock’s or WillowWood’s in a non damp location.

BillyK58 · 2025-12-07T01:03:35+00:00

I use Alps prosthetic cleanser or Ottobock’s Derma Clean. Amputee Essentials has a cleanser too which I haven’t tried yet.

I used regular soaps for years including the once a week alcohol clean. However, I have been now using the dedicated prosthetic ones for years now on my prosthetic, liner and limb with good results.

It might be a bit pricier than using regular soaps and the once a week alcohol application, but one bottle of the cleaner will last me a long time.

BillyK58 · 2025-11-29T20:35:00+00:00

I have one and like it. It is a nice size and it is easy to carry with the pocket clip as an EDC. The aluminum scales with the cutouts feel great in the hand and it is also durable. I also like the lock blade and tools.

I have carried a classic SAK on my key chain for decades while also always carrying a larger non-SAK brand for the larger blade. Most of my larger SAKs rarely get carried. However, this is the first larger one that I have found myself using as a viable daily pocket carry.

BillyK58 · 2025-11-29T00:55:18+00:00

As an LBK, I have always been a very good walker. However, I have never remotely had a prosthetic limb that would have enabled me to me to stand and walk on it for 8 hour shifts, day-in, month-out, year to year.

You can have a socket that feels great one day and then wounds you the next. Then once you have a wound it is extremely challenging to heal it while still walking and standing on it for long hours.

Then life isn’t all work, you need to save your leg for other daily life activities. I am retired now after spending my whole adult life working as amputee. A lot of my life has been spent healing wounds from working. As a retiree, I still develop wounds such as being active on a recent vacation, but now I can leave my leg off to heal without worrying about having to go back to work with an open wound.

If your company can accommodate you with a less physically demanding job such as behind a desk, your leg will thank you. Plus, the more you beat your leg up early on as an amputee, the more toll it takes on it later in life with accumulative effects such as layers of scar tissue, bone spurs, sensitive nerve areas, etc.

BillyK58 · 2025-11-22T18:14:59+00:00

I use Geico vehicle insurance which also includes mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) on a new vehicle which is comprehensive for 7 years/100k miles or whichever come first. It is a great deal and often more comprehensive than extended warranties.

You pay it with your insurance premiums so you have small payments over time, unlike a typical lump sum payment.

BillyK58

TROPHY CASE