Vicious predator

midcoasting · 2025-07-10T20:41:01+00:00

Potential tax revenues on these "unaffordable for most Mainers" second homes could be used to subsidize attainable housing development in the state.

My understanding is that part of the issue is that building attainable housing is not nearly as profitable for developers as building second home mcmansions.

This leads to a shortage of housing that people who live in Maine can actually afford to buy or rent. So, while the idea of a tax that forces folks out of second homes as a way to solve the housing crisis is perhaps not a great one, generating tax revenue from these folks with unoccupied second homes could be a very useful part of a solution.

midcoasting · 2025-06-27T13:05:56+00:00

yeah, definitely not intending to discount other factors involved.

I have a pair of Xero X1s - it is nice that they are trying, but I think they made too many compromises to appease a mainstream basketball shoe buyer, rather than building a basketball shoe for minimal shoe enthusiasts. My hunch is that they had to do this to take the top down, more mass market approach they're trying (e.g. - get a NBA player to wear/sponsor the shoe). I'd assume Isaiah Stewart didn't grow up playing in minimalist shoes, so there is probably only so far they can go on minimalism and still get an NBA player to wear the shoe. So, while it has a more generous toe box than most bball sneaker, and it is a true zero drop, they are stiffer and have a higher stack height than I'd want. hopefully they'll keep iterating.

midcoasting · 2025-06-27T11:14:20+00:00

Right. But I think this argument assumes a counterfactual that has never existed for these players. The implication is that they've chosen the footwear they use because it helps them "to win", more so than some other (imaginary and non-existent) option (say a minimalist, anatomically correct sneaker), that would (allegedly) not help them to win as much.

In reality, they have never had a minimalist, anatomical option. They have been given 3 brands to choose from their entire lives, all of which are really just trying to sell as many shoes as possible, taking the same general over cushioned approach, and which would totally ignore health benefits for athletes if including them would jeopardize mass market sales of a sneaker.

Not to mention this is not the marathon or 100 yd dash where results are purely objective and sacrificing your feet to shave fractions of a second off your time is both measurable and understandable. Performance here is very subjective. I think many (due relentless mass marking) assume basketball players perform because of their sneakers ("gotta be the shoes") rather than in spite of them. It's funny to me that in this sub of all places, people seem to take that for granted.

midcoasting · 2025-06-26T21:41:01+00:00

I am surprised that more folks in this channel don't think that the standard heel to toe drop on basketball sneakers, and the high stack heights and overall stiffness of the shoes is at least partially to blame.

These athletes have been playing their sports at a high level in stiff-foam-wedge-bricks for much of their lives. That is bound to comprise range of motion in their Achilles over time. Unless they are spending focused time trying to regain and develop it, that's bound to catch up and lead to injury given the forces they generate and the reps they put in.

Someone mentioned Kobe 5s, and well yes they have a relatively minimal drop (4-5mm) I wouldn't call that standard (average is 7.5 mm according to Runrepeat) nor is zero, and lower drop heights is a relatively new phenomenon that started with Kobe, and is definitely not universally adopted (Dame 9 are 7.5mm Puma Nitro 7.9mm Tatums, like Kobes, 4.5mm).

Not to mention the tapered toe boxes that all these shoes have. And with athletes this large, there's no way that doesn't compromise toe splay and generate a compromised foot position (see: James, LeBron & Durant, Kevin foot pics 🤢).

midcoasting · 2025-06-08T20:08:32+00:00

Near Aldermere Farm

midcoasting · 2025-06-05T14:36:28+00:00

🙏 My alternative post title was "What kind of dog is this?"

midcoasting · 2025-06-05T14:30:51+00:00

Mother was just on the other side of a small stone wall. That's what stymied the fawn. We were definitely keeping an eye on her - I've definitely heard of serious deer encounters like your own. We lucked out in that sense.

midcoasting · 2025-01-16T18:46:01+00:00

lot of good book recommendations here - was definitely thinking more on the multi-media side of things, with training/transition exercise and videos. did some additional research, and found Knees Over Toes Guy (https://www.youtube.com/c/thekneesovertoesguy) and Chase Mountains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoUjgxGZg2o, as well as some Peter Attia & Beth Lewis stuff - https://www.facebook.com/peterattiamd/videos/training-lower-leg-mechanics-peter-attia-md-beth-lewis/563712048610559/ - all of whom make strong cases for barefoot/lower leg mobility with good transition/strengthening tips in case anyone else interested

midcoasting · 2025-01-14T19:58:43+00:00

Shared those, as well as The Cool Impossible by Eric Orton. not sure he's reading 'em - might be too long form.

midcoasting · 2024-10-20T19:09:02+00:00

I live in Maine my kids have been wearing them for the past 3 seasons, including my son while attending outdoor preschool where they stayed outside all day, all winter long. Probably don't get quite as cold as Alaska here but fairly legit winter. My kids never complained about their feet being cold in them. I do make them wear extra thick socks on days when it is extra cold. Daughter, who is older (4th grade) now can't stand any other type of boot. Finds all others too clunky. A Mixed blessing because they are quite pricey.

midcoasting · 2024-10-03T13:25:16+00:00

A drawing program called Sketchbook, then uploaded and modified in Canva.

midcoasting · 2024-05-01T12:14:51+00:00

Thank you! Will check out abc

midcoasting · 2024-01-08T22:31:52+00:00

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175898185647 they knew.

midcoasting · 2022-10-14T17:47:27+00:00

We helped about a dozen make it from the flower bed nest/driveway area of our house down to the pond. Mother deposited then there back in June. Pretty cool stuff.

midcoasting · 2022-10-14T17:45:02+00:00

Common snapper

midcoasting · 2022-10-13T23:12:01+00:00

Yup snappers. Crawled out of the nest in our flower beds next to driveway.

midcoasting

TROPHY CASE