The End of the U.S.

Today's Wall Street Journal has a front page article about a Russian that is forecasting the breakup of the United States sometime in 2010. He believes our country is near collapse and there will be civil war.

He forecasts the division of the country into segments - the west coast being Chinese oriented, central US being part of Canada (or Canada leaning), the east will be European oriented and the south attached to Mexico. I think he is wrong, surely California will become Mexican.

I didn't read what will happen to Hawaii. What do you think? I suspect it might become part of Antarctica but could be wrong.

December 2008 Update

We have been busy this month, first with a transatlantic cruise, then Christmas in Morrisville with Chris, Laura, and Maya, and then a bonus, a trip to visit our future puppy. More about the cruise and Christmas to come - maybe before 2010 even.

We are adopting a new puppy in late January - sometime around the 19th. It is a Havanese and the breeder invited us to come see the puppy she thought would fit us the best. Dexter as he is now known will become Archie when he joins us...or Archimedes for short.



We agreed with the breeder, Archie is an outgoing lively pup. We have been thinking about Archie being a therapy dog and also doing agility training. He seemed to be a good fit for both these endeavors but it will be up to him.



After an hour of play, tumbling, climbing and exploration Archie showed he was still a young puppy and decided it was time to nap.

The End is Near (for some things)

The New York Times has an article in Today's paper titled "Nearly the End of the line for S.U.V.'s." I view this as one of the good things coming from this recession. I've always had a somewhat jaundiced view of America's love affair with over sized vehicles.

True, they have features that attract and I was tempted to own one. But do our cities really need a Suburban lumbering through the streets, driven by a house husband on his way to the grocery store? There are exceptions but I think they are a huge excess and the shift to smaller, more fuel efficient cars is to be celebrated.

On the personal level, isn't it better to have room to park your car? To drive our highways without the threat of a testosterone bloated asshole trying to intimidate you by tailgating you 70 mph is appealing? That would just leave the testosterone bloated asshole in the Ford Prius.

Home Again

Hi everyone...well, maybe one...I think one person is reading this beside Hazel. So for that special one, we are home from our cruise and had a great time. We wish you a Merry Christmas.

I'll write more about the cruise in the near future and include a few pictures. I think I took over 700 shots so should find a couple worthy of posting. Most will be deleted. Shot a lot of sunrises and sunsets as we crossed the ocean and usually with them you end of dumping most since only a few are at the peak moments.

Also, since I shot them in raw format it will probably take over an hour to download them all. Then I have to edit and remove the unwanted shots, then convert them to smaller files for uploading. Most times I get tired of messing with them before I get through the whole process and just never post them. This time I promise I will...it might be 2010 but I'll get there.

Why shoot in raw if they are that much trouble? I'm always hopeful that one will turn out well and be worth printing. True, I know some shots aren't even in contention but it gets troublesome to switch the camera back and forth between the formats and I'm certain I'll forget to do so for the one great shot I was looking for.

San Francisco November 2008

We are in San Francisco, visiting our grandchild Tyler. While here we have said hello to his folks and to our other son and daughter-in-law...and our friends. We always enjoy these trips and miss living here. In the city there is a special individual freedom that I experience no where else. People have a greater freedom to be themselves.

That freedom spawns some interesting offshoots. In the local paper "Guardian" is a note about an event focused on participatory art. Spanning several days, it involves a panel discussion titled "Open Works." A discussion of the notion of indeterminacy and openness to chance and change. Sadly I'll miss that, and even worse, the Thursday night series titled "The Art of Drinking Beer with Friends Is the Highest Form of Art." Also, not to be missed, but we will, "Silent" musical score 4'33", occurring daily, 4'33" bypasses instrumentation, shifting attention to the audience and ambient sounds.

I think my musical genius would enhance such an event. Baritone farts providing antiphonal balance.

Obama and Race

I got a email a while back pointing out the subtle racial tones of this presidential race. I don't recall some of the points made - some very valid ones and as is usually the case some which were such a stretch they undermined the message.

What I remember, for example, is it saying what if Obama stood on a stage with a seventeen year old out of wedlock daughter. Race stereotyping would come to play as we thought yeah, "those" people have no morals! There were better comparisons but I do not recall them, sorry.

The sense of the email was how unfair our attitudes are toward a black running for president. I found it interesting but what it didn't say, if it had been a balanced and fair comment on race, is that if Obama were white it would be very unlikely he would even be in the race.

Think about a white freshmen senator with little experience, far left contacts, very liberal voting record and so on. I doubt he would get a chance to get any where near a primary. His early record would be enough to make people reject as too liberal to support. What if our "white" democratic contender had a extremist pastor that said "God damn America?"

So please, don't bring up that argument, it goes both ways.

Oh, and was really amused to see Sarah Palin on TV questioning Obama's experience. What's the term....hutspah? Well, would Sarah Palin be leading a Republican ticket if she had gone into the race on her own? I doubt it - too inexperienced, very conservative religious views, etc. She is running only as vice-president only because John McCain selected her. Conservative Republicans might have liked her but she would not engender enough support through the party and on a national level to do it on her own. Do you disagree? I think there are similarities here.

I don't think our political process does a good job of selecting the best candidates to lead our country. I think we should ask five year olds! The "Are you smarter then a five year old" show on TV has shown how highly qualified they are!

Magicjack

I heard about this new phone tool Magicjack that allows you to make free local and long distance calls through your computer (in some area codes). It looks like it could be a good deal for some folks but this website, as is the case for many now days, makes it very hard to find out the cost.

I am always irritated when they make it so difficult to find product costs, I guess they want to "sell" me on the product first. Sometimes I end up pretending I am going to buy the product and go through the initial purchase information, and then close the window before completing with the transaction.

It is another case of customer dis-service. Companies, like people are lemmings on concepts. One or a few start moving in a direction and most others do the same just because it is the way they think you achieve results. If some are doing it, then it must be right.

Sure would be nice if companies returned to the days when they made a genuine effort to service the customer. As for Magicjack...how much does it cost? Don't know, didn't want to waste more time finding out.

The Stock Market is Normal

Stocks dropped significantly today on news that retail sales are down. Duh...what did they think they would hear? Of course the public curbed their spending when Washington was panicking.

I've always viewed the market with bemusement when it responds to the obvious like this. The way I see it, speculators dump stocks, or buy, on the slightest whim and it is they who are causing today's swing. Speculators make lousy barometers of the market's overall health.

To think that the market swings are over or that we are through the worse and it will be a steady upward trend is out of touch with reality. However, I can actually view today's market response with some optimism because it is Wall Street functioning like it normally does...abnormally.

The Economy

Finally couldn't resist making a comment about the plunging economy. Yesterday the Wall Street Journal published graphs showing the stock market during the Great Depression, the recessionary 1970's and the most recent period of 2000 to present. In the first two, unemployment was a major factor that brought the market down. That hasn't been the case in the present period but don't give up hope.

Unemployment is sure to rise drastically and when the stats are announced will likely trigger another Wall Street sell off by frenetic investors. I doubt the sell off will be huge as the market will have pretty much bottomed out by then (I suspect around 7000 on the Dow). Another buying opportunity for the daring or reckless.

As to the Dow low point, I should start a pool. Who wants 8000?

The Lesser of Evils

It always seems to become a choice between the lesser of evils in the presidential race. This time I have to decide whether I want to vote for a man that is, in my estimation, too old to serve two terms (I think that is a requisite) with a running mate that is a hockey mom, inexperienced in world politics; or a man I view as a glib opportunist with little in the way of real credentials or experience. A man that has questionable ties to others and rose in power through the corrupt good old boys stage of Chicago politics.

Hell, maybe our local county sheriff should run for president as soon as he gets out of prison.

Who Can You Trust?

This plunging economy has wrecked havoc. You can't even trust a bunny.

Football on Steroids

The Wall Street Journal had an article yesterday about steroid use in the NFL. Essentially it said that steroids are heavily used, especially by linemen. The reason no one seems to be concerned is those folks are not well known.

Barry Bonds is well known and has had major influence on game results. Thus the investigations, etc. Unless you are a major football buff, you probably cannot name more then one or two linemen...if that. They undoubtedly have impact on game results but not near that of the money boys - quarterbacks and receivers so no one seems to care.

The astounding statistic cited is that NFL linemen are 90 lbs heavier, on average, then 25 years ago. The NFL has thus enacted more rules to protect quarterbacks, etc. from body damage but it seems I see more and more players being carried off the field. Its time to ban steroids from all sports - and be serious about it.

NC DMV

I recently got a renewal notice and dutifully sent my check to them via the postal system. It came back noting that it had been rejected because I had not included a $1.00 handling fee for renewals made by mail. The alternative was to go online and pay with a credit card.

I'm bemused that in this economy where they lament the huge credit card debt the state is pushing us to add to it. Yeah a buck isn't much but the point is the thinking behind it. Instead of encouraging cash they want us to add to our debt load for their convenience...and most people that pay with credit card are carrying a balance so that $1.00 ends up costing more.

I've also wondered how much it costs the state to reject my renewal for that extra buck. Think I'll do it again. My passive aggressive attack against big government! I bet its got Raleigh scared.

Oh, maybe this buck goes for Bill's salary. Maybe I might reconsider.

Drambuie has Sailed Away

I've sold Drambuie and it has figuratively sailed away. Actually, it was put on a truck to western New York where it was off loaded, mast restepped and sailed across Lake Ontario to a new home in Toronto Canada.

The new owner plans to continue outfitting her for cruising and in a couple years set out for the Bahamas and points south. The new owner has strong cruising experience and I am glad Drambuie (under a new name) will be doing what she is so well designed to do.

PLEASE do not say the happiest two days in a boat owners life are when he buys a boat and when he sells the boat. True for some, maybe many, but insulting to me! Have I already said that?

Part of this process is accepting that some dreams will never be realized. A process that marks our process of aging. As I grow older I'll have to accept other limits, other freedoms gone. It ain't fun doing that.

Henry Ford and iTunes

End of July I made a side trip to visit my brother George who lives near Detroit. From Detroit I went on to New York to attend the 50th reunion of my high school class.

George and his wife. Carolyn, took Hazel and I to the Henry Ford Museum. Naturally a substantial part of the museum was devoted to the auto industry. I almost just wrote "its rise and fall" because within the exhibits and the placards were the seeds of present day Detroit's decline.

Henry Ford was not the first to try mass production of the automobile, but he was the first to standardize. His motto to give them black resonated through the entire process and was instrumental in the early success of Ford. Cars became affordable and more reliable. General Motors recognized that the consumer wanted more then black and marketed a range of models that gave the car buyer a choice. A choice coupled with mass production. By 1920 GM had wrested major market share from Ford.

I found it ironic that GM, the company that championed giving the customer a product they wanted, is now in market and financial trouble because they lost sight of that truism. They, like many companies, tried to drive the market to what they wanted to produce (and provides the most profit) so that sooner or later its nemesis, in the most original meaning of the term (nemesis: the spirit of divine retribution against those who succumb to hubris - hubris: to indicate overweening pride, self-confidence, superciliousness, or arrogance, often resulting in fatal retribution) initiated its downfall. GM got greedy. Not everyone wanted SUV's and the potential for that market failing was shown during the oil shortage of the 1970s. Sure they had a good run for awhile but in the hundred years or so of their existence, a short run. The seeds of decline were evident as far back as late 60's. There were many that wanted a small economical car that had decent reliability. VW came first and then the Japanese. Each whittling away at that market. The Japanese have continued to recognize its importance, the importance of giving the consumer a choice.

Last Thursday's issue of the Wall Street Journal has an article about iTunes and how it is making some artists (and label executives) unhappy. iTunes simply gave the consumer want they wanted, the ability to buy singles instead of CD's often containing one or two good songs and the rest a rehash or bundle of garbage music. Hooray for iTunes. I am a fan and a loyal customer because Apple recognized and gave me what I wanted. The RIAA is still seething and some labels (e.g. Atlantic records) have pulled some music from iTunes in an effort to pressure Apple - in effect rollback the clock.

The poor label executives, managers and artists are upset that iTunes, with few exceptions, requires that songs be made available separately. I can accept that in a some cases the artist may want to keep their music as one piece of work. Mozart, if he were alive today, may have felt that way. But I strongly doubt LL Cool and 50 Cent are of that persuasion. Yeah, I know some poor groups like The Eagles are realizing a few million $ less than in the past. Never the less, I suspect they are still well compensated.

The industry is twisting in the wind. A long deserved position. Apple sells 90% of the digital downloads and that has some like Kid Rock's manager crying iTunes is a "part of the death knell of the music business." They stupidly try to stuff the genie back in the bottle (like Atlantic Records). Goliath iTunes has them by the short hairs though and efforts thus far have failed. I'll bet they are even trying to lobby congress for some sort of antitrust action to squelch Apple.

Apple has a mindset, however, that will likely be its undoing. It likes to dictate the terms even when doing so may not be in their long term best interest. I've always thought that Apple could have been Microsoft if instead of trying to bundle their software into a pricey computer system had sold their operating system to run on pc's.

For now I enjoy the specter of squirming Music Labels. My hope though is that the competent artists, not at the top of the charts, are realizing decent income (not buckets of money) from their music.

So for now, Toyota and Apple are up, Ford, GM and RIAA are down. Works for me. Funny how providing the product that consumers want seems to lead to success.

Puppy Mills

Its been awhile since I last posted and I have several blogs I want to write but much has been happening and there has been little time. My hopes are that soon I can write more but this came across my email tray and I had to take the time to write.

I used to think those cute dogs in cages in chain pet stores were well treated and came from good reputable dog breeders. That is not necessarily, in fact, often not the case. Puppy mills are the suppliers and in addition to promulgating poor strains that are prone to disease and physical problems, the conditions can be horrendous. I will never buy from a pet store again.

This news item in the Parkersburg, VA News and Sentinel tells of one such puppy mill. Please take the time to read the entire article.

Maya's Birthday

We got a granddaughter and sugar high.

Koko is Gone

It was only a few hours ago when I wrote my last blog about Koko. Nothing sudden really happened - we just took a hard look at how she was behaving and realized it wasn't going to get better.

She was finding it hard to breathe or be comfortable - tending to stand instead of lying to rest or sleep. Last night she panted all night long. Perhaps to an outsider without the emotional ties it would have been obvious but that final decision is not easily made.

Goodbye baby.

Koko Update

Koko is doing better then when I lat wrote but is still not the perky dog that has been with us so many years. The good news is she is not in the intense pain and discomfort.

Last week, since she was doing better, we took a chance and left her with some people when we went to Raleigh for Maya's birthday. It was sort of a test to see how well she would do. When we picked her up Sunday she was okay but over the last two day we can tell she doesn't move as freely and believe she is uncomfortable.

For a week or so after her last "episode" I was begining to think she might fully recover. She has had previous back problems which cleared under "bed rest" and she regained her normal buoyancy. However, it is now a matter of time I am sure.

During our weekend trip Koko got to play with another dog she likes, Peanut. Peanut is a friendly little terrier that seems to enjoy Koko's visits so we were glad Koko could have that pleasure.

Browsing Music

I was browsing music and followed a link to Amazon.com for a group called "Quiet Village." I liked some of the music but not enough to buy the album for $14 or $11 from used and new. Out of curiosity opened iTunes and checked there, cost is $10. Of course iTunes limits my use of the music. This is info you can't live without.

One advantage of checking the two sites is that Amazon's music sampler allows you a little longer sound bite to judge whether you like the music.

And...check out Noisetrade.

Koko's Last Days?

Yesterday Koko seemed to be in intense pain, her back hunched as she walked - slow and gingerly. Hazel gave her some meds we had at home and that handled the pain and Koke was moving normally. She has had events like this in the past and after a few days she improved.

This morning, however, she was in pain again. More meds and this time, a visit to the vet. He gave us more medications for her and she is pretty dopey right now. He also told us that when she couldn't stand up, it was time to put her to sleep. We have seen her have moments when she had to struggle a little to stand, much like older large dogs do.

What is especially ominous is the vets comment. It was similar in tone to that given when he gave Brue only days to live. Brue had to be put down only two days later. He has seen this play out numerous times. Maybe I am fooling myself to think she has time yet but I'm also not so sure she will improve this time.

It is hard to contemplate putting her down. She is alert, not experiencing dog dementia (that we know) and has become more trusting and close to us as she has aged. Yet I remind myself of our neighbor that died of cancer. The intense pain he experienced in his last weeks and days. I hope to never experience that pain and suffering - I hope I have the option of physician assisted suicide should it come to that.

Living our final moments in agony is not living, it is torture and I'll not torture Koko.

Now, Koko says to me to not be too hasty to put her down. She plans to recover (she has before) and outlive me. She just might.

I Like Cats

Yes, I really like cats but they have their place. I stole this from another blogger.

Contrarian Party

I think we should form a new political party called the Contrarian Party. Contrarian because until politicians get it right, we adopt as our platform the motion to always vote incumbents out of office. Our own representatives wouldn't stay in office either but that wouldn't matter.

In private enterprise, companies seek to remove individuals that do not perform, that do not do what they say will. So why in the world do people continue to vote incumbents into office?

I recall at the last election Democrats entered office with fanfare - announcing they were going to do something about earmarks. If that means increasing them, perhaps they were right. Washington is unable to enact balanced legislation, work through differences and accomplish anything. The Bush administration had a majority in congress yet has a dismal record. The Democrats have done nothing better.

How about spending and the budget? Vote 'em out until they start balancing the budget and curbing spending. Our tax system is simply a blank check. Raise taxes whenever we spend too much...or print more money. Either way, we lose.

You might argue that some would vote for an incumbent because they vote your views. You may, for example, favor remaining in Iraq and think you should vote for the "pro-remaining-in-Iraq" incumbent. Well how about the rest of the mess. Has the fundamental climate changed for the good? Hell no!

When politicians realize they will only keep power and stay in office by actually being good stewards, working together, being responsible and honest. Our Contraian Party will disband. In the meantime I won't have to debate as to who might do a better job or holds views like mine, I just vote them out.

McCain or Obama? Neither! They are incumbents. Instead, how about Ralph Nader, or if you don't like him, write in Alfred E. Neuman? Yeah sounds a little chaotic but is that any worse? It would be very interesting indeed if the political establishment were suddenly confronted with a serious threat such as this - they would huddle in their back rooms and say "we had better give these folks something to calm them down."

"Later we can return to 'normal'."

Friends

I don't recall where I found this so cannot attribute to the source but just acknowledge it is not original with me.

"Friendships are like a flower garden in the backyard. We tend to care for it but find it easy to put off to another day."

I think about the wonderful friends I have had over the years and how special they were. Yet, like the quote, it is so easy to put off nurturing that friendship to another day. Usually it happens when we move to a new city or state and distance inevitably attenuates our connection.

We plant new flowers in our friendship garden which bloom nicely but the flowers of friends past weakly bloom or wilt. Perhaps that is at it should be but never the less, I am nostalgic for for the beauty that once was.

Maya Gets Her Nails Done

Maya is drying her newly polished fingernails.

Speaker System

Someday I dream of getting a good speaker system. To that end I have been browsing online reviews and articles encompassing a staggering array of speakers and home theater systems. Except for a few like Polk and Bose, the names are unfamiliar so I find myself quickly wading through reviews and sometimes rejecting because the name doesn't "sound" right (get it?).

My first criteria is cost so it is usually necessary to scan several pages of review to get the bottom line. Speaker systems can typically range from only a couple hundred up to $15,000 to $20,000. As I was scanning a review I encountered this paragraph by the reviewer: "In simple language that even I can understand: The crossover-processor corrects, in the digital domain, the time delay inherent in the horizontal stacking of the point-source array, while using four linear-phase digital filters combined with the appropriate time-aligning delay filters to carefully limit the response of each transducer's operating range." Ahhhh, okayyy, seems pretty clear to me!

Further in the review I discovered the complete system cost around $250,000. I don't like the sound of that system.

Internet Weather

I was thinking this morning about how marvelous the internet is. How we can summon incredibly diverse information with only a few computer clicks.

The reason for my rumination on the internet is I had wanted to paint our front door. However, clouds loomed above us, moving on a familiar storm track. Since rain on fresh paint might not be a good thing, I decided to check the weather radar on the internet.

The radar showed that the storms were moving off shore and very shortly be gone. Great! I wanted to get that prime coat on the door today and if I didn't have the internet would have looked at the sky and decided that I had best delay the work.

Of course I got everything set up and just started to paint when thunder rolled across the area and it commenced to rain. Man, is the internet great or what?

Need a Name

Trying to think of a name for my new country. You see, I'm going to secede from the United Sates and become an independent dictatorship. As a dictator I will not reveal how many citizens live in my country, where we exist, or what deodorant we use.

What I am going to do is announce to the world that I have a nuclear armaments program underway. It will be so secret that the US intelligence services will never find it but not wanting to be found ignorant, will say they have some evidence it may be so.

I will then contact the pres and say I'm a nice dictator and if the US were to maybe pony up a few hundred million dollars (Euros would be better) I will only use my program for peaceful purposes.

Otherwise I might use my weapons against Rhode Island and Berkeley. Have already tested one and learned a little ammonia in water fired from a plastic revolver shaped receptacle works nicely in getting the feral cat off my porch. Got to use scientific terminology here to impress everyone.

Thanks AJ for the tip.

Dream Tickets

There is all this noise about a dream ticket - Obama and Clinton. Well folks, isn't it time to think outside of the box. There are other dream tickets out there! For example, how about Obama and Ron Paul? Or, McCain and Clinton? Obama and Sean Hannity? Its time for this nation to throw off the yoke of conventionalism and plow new furrows in the mud of politics! Surely, you can think of some wonderful dream tickets?

Blogs

When I just want to zone out, take a time out from my routine I browse blogs. I've mentioned this before. It only happens late in the evening or in the middle of the night. I do it because it gives me connection. Each blogger shares a piece of themselves, a piece of their soul.

Sometimes I'm amazed at the creativity, or sometimes it is simply sharing something they enjoy such as recipes. OK, I don't cook and do not study the recipes like I know some do, analyzing the ingredients and wondering how it would come out. I know some can even look at the recipe and say that's too much salt or vermouth. Not me so I move on but I understand.

All this reminds me of my humanity, of our connection as humans, and tells me that there are extremes but the vast majority - masses if you insist, are living life in love, happiness, anger, sadness, loneliness, frustration, joy, and more often in quiet desperation (the term is so accurate but I dislike it because it's negative). but living our lives the only way we know how. Shakespeare said:

"All the worlds a stage,
and all the men and women players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,"

That is each of us, here. Our blogs show a minuscule part of our stage, but all actors only show a small part. We go onto the stage, do our act, and return to our dressing room and our life. The best actors understand their part and relate to their audience. They live their part and if they do well, the audience gets it

Drambuie is Listed

Drambuie is listed on the internet. One of the major websites for yachts is Yacht World where you can see the listing.

The broker said she was the nicest IP 37' he had ever seen so that sounded good. I haven't gone through all the posted pictures (already seen the boat) but he clearly wants to show the boat off. Sometimes you only see one or two photos which may indicate the boat is in poor condition and they can't show much, preferring to get a buyer to look at it in person so they can try to sell them.

There is already someone interested in seeing the boat and I have mixed emotions. Now that it is on the market it would be nice to make a quick sale but I had sort of expected Drambuie to be around for awhile. This isn't easy.

Drambuie is Moving On, I hope

Yesterday I met with our yacht broker to officially list Drambuie for sail. It isn't the best time of year to list. Some folks are hesitant to do anything with the hurricane season. Further, our location is off the beaten track so will not have as many visitors. I could have moved it to a more popular location but by keeping it here can continue to use it and insure that it stays in good condition.

On a positive note, those who are seriously looking for an Island Packet will come. When I bought I traveled over the eastern seaboard in my search. This means people who do come are likely to be serious buyers. And, they are on a schedule and with an agenda that will not be influenced highly by time of year.

It will take months to sell in this market. The good news is the boat is in great shape, in fact, our broker said it is the best condition IP 37 he had ever seen.

The boat listing should be up in a day or two and I'll put the link in my blog.

PLEASE, do not anyone say that boat owners happiest days ware hen they buy the boat and again when they sell the boat! This has been a hard decision and I am not happy to be listing the boat and cannot be happy to see it sold. True, if this becomes a multi--year listing my relief will grow but I'm not happy selling my dream and the means that could see it realized. Being a sailor I might deck the person that says it.

Guess I better practice some people skills.

On Being Retired 1

I had thought at one time about writing a separate blog relating my experiences on becoming a retiree. I imagined a blog with advertising that was read by thousands and then, perhaps setting up a video site and making serious money.

When I was approaching retirement age I went online to find what others had written about their experience. There was plenty of information on saving for retirement but little about the actual experience of being retired or even about investing after retirement although there was some. Don't worry about the investing stuff if you are not comfortable handling your money, there are plenty of people out there that are.

I was trying to get into the mental set and visualize what it would be like. True, I wouldn't have to get up early to go to work and deal with those issues but what is retirement really like? Well if you really want to know, Send me $50 (worth every penny) for my new book "On Being Retired." Not sure when it will be published yet because one thing I've learned is that I'd like to continue earning money but don't want to commit my time and effort to it.

One basic thing I will share. Whatever you were before retirement, you will be after retirement. I was a "things to do" list maker, organized, and always felt I had to be battling to reduce the size of the list. I tired to live without the list but wasn't comfortable trying to remember what I had to get done, even if I could put it off for days or weeks. So now I make lists.

I also worried that I would be bored and not have much to occupy myself. Perhaps someone that was totally immersed in their work would struggle with that, I have had no problem. For me, it is sometimes an issue of wanting less to do.

I have other topics I can discuss about retiring and maybe will if I am so moved. I am retired though so I'll get to it when I get to it. Meanwhile, don't forget to send me your money.

I Voted

Seems like everyone I have spoken to about how we voted the other day thinks I cancelled their vote. That is power! I can now cancel every one's vote which must mean mine is the only one that counts.

That makes me tremble with the awesome responsibility.

I mention this so if you are thinking of voting again you need not bother, mine cancels yours so you shouldn't bother even taking the time to go to the polls.

Memory Trick

I have a simple little trick I've used over the years to help recall some one's name. It has been surprisingly effective. It works when I know I know the name and it's on the tip of my tongue.

When that happens I slowly go through the alphabet thinking of each letters sound. For example, "A" could be Ann or Arron or Aronquil, note how they have a similar sound.

It has saved my butt a bunch of times, just the other day I was trying to remember my wife's name and used this trick. Sure enough, Harriet's name jumped into my mind.

Crime Spree

I had no idea how serious the crime is in this area. I felt living in the Bible belt, in a semi-rural area we would be relatively safe. Such does not seem to be the case.

The weekly newspaper State Port Pilot publishes the "Sheriff's Report." It lists the officer reports for the previous week. One report really caught my eye. It seems some unscrupulous dastardly thief stole two cans of roach spray from a business. Value of the goods was placed at $5.25. Another business in the same block reports two packs of cigars stolen, valued at $600.

I'm not a cigar smoker but am a little surprised at the value of those two packs of cigars.

Always thought I'd make a good police detective with my superior analytical skills. Thinking about these thefts led me to a shrewed surmise that it was probably Bubba planning to go fishing. Roach spray for the bugs and cigars to relax while waiting for a bite.

Zeus

Given the children murdered by pit bulls in the Bay Area and the increasingly stringent laws related to their ownership, a news item about such an attack near Wilmington caught my eye.

It seems that a part pit bull part something dog had just bitten a third person since 2004. After the second attack, the dog was declared dangerous and got a tattoo. I wasn't certain whether this was rite of passage into the ranks of dangerous dogs or what the designation meant. Perhaps he had arrived at a new exalted level of dogdom. The dog received that status when its second victim complained.

Now the dog, Zeus, has bitten again. The dog is being released to its owner and if its third victim complains, a panel will review the circumstances and it dog may face further restrictions. That's it?

I am not a fan at all of these dangerous breeds. Their owner's always say how loving the animal is but that loving animal has a deserved reputation of violent attacks. Why own one? I admit that if I were living in a very dangerous neighborhood I might think about having one but that is seldom the case.

I really think people that own these dogs have psychological issues that go beyond their desire for protection. Anger? Perhaps. Meanwhile, Zeus has another notch on his collar and it may only a matter of time before his next attack seriously injures or kills a child.

Zeus lives in a mobile home park in a nearby suburb to Wilmington - I don't see it as being a dangerous environment.

Tests

Hazel is teaching at the local community college, Perhaps I should ask her this:

"If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?"

Obama's Special Interest

Hillary and Obama are advertising heavily here in North Carolina. Nice to know we are important. NC didn't push their primary up to January 1st and now it has paid off.

Anyway, noted that Obama is announcing in his ad that he "doesn't take money from oil companies." I guess he counts on us being ignorant that it is ILLEGAL for him to take money from oil companies and those of us that know it, won't feel insulted stupid claim. He doesn't say anything about taking money from oil executives though, and that is legal.

Barack Obama and The National Anthem

Last September Barack Obama was photographed during the National Anthem. He did not have his hand over his heart as he was supposed to. Today I received this email which had been copied to a multitude of people:

HELLO PEOPLE IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

Maybe someone needs to tell OBAMA his actions are not acceptable and if he does not want to accept the AMERICAN way he should not be running for President of the UNITED STATES!!!!!!! If you LOVE your
Country and want to keep it FREE then send this to everyone in your
address book.

The following, all by itself, should sink Barack Obama's candidacy. He has said, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides.' If he were to be President of the United States , exactly whose side would he represent?

From LtCol. Pete Ginn, USAF (Ret.).....


Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, 'During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.'

'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides,' Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'

'I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial.' - Barack Obama.

.........................................
Comment:
If someone had told me 64 years ago, as I was roaring down the runway in the
most beautiful airplane in the world, that I would see our country subjected to
one of the most disgusting Presidential elections imaginable, I would have told
them they were crazy as hell....
What in the world have we come to?

Ed Evans
MGySgt., USMC (Ret.) & Pastor


The internet provides a means of communication unparalleled in our history. With it, however, comes new responsibilities. One is to fairly evaluate and confirm the accuracy of the information before dessiminating it to thousands. Therefore go to snopes and see what they say.

I am not a Obama fan but it behooves me to validate the information I am given in order to make as fair and considered judgement I can. Blindly accepting scandulous rumor does an immense disservice to Obama, to myself and to our country.

Oh and by the way, I haven't always placed my hand over my heart during the National Anthem. Have you? If you didn't, does that mean you don't value the sacrifice of our service people or honor our country. C'mon, be reasonable.

You're Getting Old When...

People call you at 9 pm and ask if they woke you?

Who Loves You Most?

Put your dog and your wife in the trunk of the car. Leave them there for an hour and then let them out and see who is happiest to see you.

On Being A Manager

I recall the struggle I went through when faced with the dismissal of an employee. I'd worry that they wouldn't find another job, their ego would suffer, their family would suffer, etc. And, to be honest, how do to it gently so they wouldn't be hurt. Thus I tended to delay the inevitable at a cost to others.

As the years passed I came to have a different perspective. First was the evaluation. If the employee was sincerely trying and was simply, for some reason, unable to perform the job, I still sought to terminate them with compassion and gently as I could. If, on the other hand, they were showing me that they were deliberately undermining the company and employees through their behavior and actions - the end would come swiftly and with little gentleness. We are each responsible for our actions and behavior as adults.

The primary factor that I kept to the forefront of my mind was the other employees. Was I being fair to them to continue the employment of someone that couldn't or wouldn't do their job? I needed to respect those who showed maturity, integrity and effort.

Perhaps the person I was dismissing was trying to do their best, had a family to support, etc., these were never easy but I reminded myself the folks remaining had families and had their own life problems. A company is not a counseling center (normally) or there to support people beyond that which could reasonably be done and still achieve its profit making goals. A company not making a profit is not serving the needs of anyone.

What struck me was how relieved everyone else was when I did terminate the person. Either it was relief at having a dysfunctional personality out of their midst or relief that they no longer had to watch a train wreck in progress.

Therefore my mantra was, who am I supporting and respecting. Are they doing what must be done? It was never just me and the other person, it was the entire group.

Imponderable

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

A Great Website

Once in awhile I rearn of a website that belongs in the top 100 of my much most enjoyed. Its content is unique and of great value. Consider these:



Check it out.

Robotics

The science of robotics has coming a long way. When you consider the technical issues involved, advances displayed by this video are incredible. Check this out.


And, of course, others seek to compete and further the science. When that happens, new problems arise. I felt a pang of sympathy for the inventor of this robot.

George

My brother George came to visit for a couple days. He and wife Carolyn were on their way to Florida where they will visit our sister. The siblings in my family don't get together often but we love each other and I can honestly say we have never had conflict among ourselves.

Perhaps that is because we were born several years apart but I don't think that is the reason. I believe it is more that we are a product of our parents rearing, they found that right balance that permitted us to live our separate lives without jealousy or envy. In some ways people may not see us as a tight loving family, we have moved hundreds of miles apart, only see each other every few years, speak on the phone every few months. We have gone our separate ways but still carry a place in our heart not sullied with bad memories, anger or envy.

We love each other and it is always good when we meet.

Pickles Cartoon

Brian Crane authors a comic called "Pickles." Today's strip resonated with me as it explored the definition of "geezer." Two older gentlemen are talking and one says "geezerhood is not defined by age. Its determined by behavior."

His litmus test for geezerhood is the longest distance you've ever driven with your turn signal on. His companion replies, "28 miles." He then asks "how fast were you going?" Answer, "40 miles in the fast lane."

Nailed it! And geezer should definitely not be gender specific

Please don't ask me those questions, I'm busy driving and the turn signal is annoying me with that constant clicking.

Back fom San Franciso

As I write this Hazel and I are on the way back from San Francisco after spending a week visiting friends and family. Considering weather and the recent flight cancellations by Delta our trip has gone smoothly.

This trip was a little more rushed since Hazel had to be back to teach so we didn’t get to see everyone or do everything we would have liked. Maybe next time, the third time will be the charm and we will get to see DeYoung Museum.

I never fly now without thinking about 9/11 and about security – hard not to do as you walk and those around you walk barefoot or in stocking feet pass often brusque and serious looking TSA employees. And, listening to the PA caution us to report any unattended or “suspicious” looking bags I decided to do just that. I’m not really sure what a “suspicious” looking bag is like – does it have shifty eyes or loops and wire attached to red sticks?

Hazel and I arrived at our SFO gate and as we went to sit down I noticed an unattended bag! Mmmmm this could be serious, does no one take our safety seriously. I decided to watch it and see if someone returned. Since I had to go to the counter in a futile effort to get Hazel and I seated together I waited until that was done and still no bag owner.

I asked a woman sitting a couple seats away if it was her bag or did she know who it belonged to? No but she though it might be someone standing in the line at the counter. I went over and asked everyone if the bag was theirs’ – again, No. I looked around to see how to report this unattended bag. It didn’t seem to be productive to stand in line at the airline counter again and better yet, TSA was just around the corned.

So I went around the corner and saw a man in TSA uniform. Ahhhh, this will take care of that unattended bag. I told him about the bag at gate C40. He told me it probably belonged to someone that had just stepped away and they would return in 5 minutes or so. Now he was friendly and even smiled. Okay. Someone did return…after we had been there 20 minutes. God I feel safe when I fly. No terrorist are going to penetrate our security!

I’ll have to tell my other TSA story sometime.

Well we got on the plane and I encountered another story. Our flight was going to continue on from Atlanta to Russia, was overbooked, and big, meaning slow to load. Finally got aboard and sat in my comfy middle seat next to a young woman that appeared to be sleeping. She was slouched down in a diagonal posture that had her leaning into my seat area. This meant I had to jostle with her for seat space. She didn’t seem to understand that she was crowding me and the only way to give her room was to lean into the person on my other side.

I could have politely asked her to shift back into her space but she had shifted a little so I knew she was awake and certainly aware of our close proximity. Instead I commenced to read my newspaper, moving as needed to turn pages and change sections. Suddenly she said “Will you stop moving, I’m trying to sleep!” I hadn’t expected that and not wanting to be at lost for words said “I don’t give a damn!” I continued to say, “I can’t give you more space, I am the size I am and these seats are small.” She was lucky I am not a big man.

She didn’t say anything more nor did she slug me. In fact in a short while she shifted so we both had room and the remainder of the trip was flown in “relative” comfort. Aren’t all things relative? About that close proximity to a young woman? After all, I am a grumpy old man that reports unattended luggage - what do you expect?

Glenn Beck's Asteroid

Today's New York times had an article by Glenn Beck that I have provided a portion here:

" NEW YORK (CNN) -- Let's say a giant asteroid was headed toward Earth right now and experts say it has a good chance of ending civilization as we know it. Let's also say that we've known about this asteroid for years but even as it gets closer and closer our leaders do nothing.

"Don't worry," they tell us, "The next administration will figure something out."

With the future of our country at stake, would Americans really sit back and tolerate that kind of inaction? Of course not -- we'd be sharpening our pitchforks and demanding answers.

Well there may not be a space asteroid heading toward us, but there is an economic one -- and the threat to our future is just as severe.

You might think that I'm talking about the recession (sorry: potential recession) or credit crisis, but I'm thinking bigger. Much, much bigger.

Let me give you three numbers that will put this economic asteroid into perspective: $200 billion, $14.1 trillion, and $53 trillion.

# $200 billion is the approximate total amount of write-downs announced so far as a result of the current credit crisis.

# $14.1 trillion is the size of the entire U.S. economy

# And $53 trillion is (drum roll please) the approximate size of this country's bill for the Social Security and Medicare promises we've made.

While no one will ever mistake me for Alan Greenspan, it seems to me that the third number is quite a bit larger than the other two. It also seems very few people care.

According to the latest Social Security and Medicare Trustees report (and I use that term loosely since it has the word "trust" in it) released earlier this week, the economic asteroid will first make impact in the year 2019 when the Medicaid trust fund becomes insolvent.

Only an immediate 122 percent increase in Medicare taxes and a 26 percent increase in Social Security taxes can prevent (or more likely, delay) its impact.

Realizing that Americans have become pretty much numb to these kinds of ridiculous sounding proposals, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson tried to up the ante this week. "Without change," he said, "Rising costs will drive government spending to unprecedented levels, consume nearly all projected federal revenues, and threaten America's future prosperity."

Now, I know we're all worried about important sounding things that none of us understand, like CDO's, SIV's, and Credit Default Swaps, but did you hear what our Treasury Secretary just said?

"Rising costs will ... consume nearly all projected federal revenues ..."

Translation: Every single tax dollar that is sent to Washington will be used to pay for just these two programs.

That means no money is left for anything else. Nothing. No Department of Defense or Homeland Security, no Department of Energy, no Department of Justice, no Environmental Protection Agency, no Internal Revenue Service. Actually, knowing our government, they'd probably keep the IRS going somehow.

Of course, none of this is exactly breaking news. Our leaders have known about this rapidly approaching asteroid for years now and they've done nothing but debate it. At the same time, I'm a realist. I understand that this stuff is "the third rail of politics," but our leaders' negligence on this issue is damn near criminal. No, correction, it is criminal.

Americans aren't afraid of the truth. In fact, we crave the truth only slightly more than we crave a leader who will actually give it to us. But part of the problem with this issue is that numbers followed by 12 zeroes aren't very relatable to the average American. Instead, try this on for size.

A million seconds is 12 days. A billion seconds is 32 years. A trillion seconds is 32,000 years. And 53 trillion seconds? 1.7 million years.

In an article that will appear in an upcoming issue of my magazine, Fusion, former Comptroller General of the United States David Walker tries a different tactic. He writes that our unfunded promises translate into "an IOU of around $455,000 per American household."

Wow. Does the size of our debt hit home now?"


What further astounds me is that Washington wants to provide Universal Health Care - how in hell will they fund that?

It is laudable that our politicians want to extend this benefit (aren't they altruistic). This reminds me of the American household that has maxed its credit cards, borrowed against all the equity in their home, has debt payments way beyond their means, and then buys a luxury SUV. When do they pay the piper?

Its About the Oil?

I have heard and still hear the refrain that the Iraq war was really about the oil. Well why not? Why shouldn't it be?

Oil exploration has uncovered the existence of huge oil fields in Iraq which rival the Saudis'. Imagine Saddam Hussein remaining in power with the control and economic clout this much oil represents, especially when oil has risen in demand by the Chinese. A dictator that admired and copied Hitler. A dictator that through past action had proven himself a serious threat to world stability. A dictator that wanted to drop nuclear bombs on Israel.

Now its popular to to retract your vote for invasion (Hillary) or to have voted against it (Obama) but if they had there way, I wonder how precarious this world would be today. We are a country which has to consider its self-interest. To withdraw now without influence can have devastating consequences.

I dislike the way we handled the aftermath of the invasion, we screwed up big time! But it is not the time to compound it.

Spam Messages

I was checking my email spam folder in case an errant message had landed there.

I was tempted to open one due to its subject line. "Hillary Wants to get Laid"

Decided my conjecture about the contents would be better then the reality so I deleted it unread.

Exploring Blogs

Occasionally I like to browse other blogs to see what people have created. I especially like the creative blogs that contain art or photography. When the mood strikes I simply click on the "Next Blog" at the top of my blog and see where it leads me.

Generally most blogs seem to fall into a few categories. Among them are the "grand baby" blogs posted to show the new baby to grandparents, friends and relatives. N one have babies as cute as Maya and Tyler. And, there some that like to talk about entertainment mediums such as movies, TV, actors/actresses, etc., there are hobbies, political discussions, or organization oriented such as "Save the Cockroaches." A few are entrepreneurial and the blogger is trying to sell something...tonight is was a quilter - I like them too because they usually create the product with there own hands and some are very clever. Viva capitalism.

Over the year or two I've done this I've noted a continuing shift to more of an international flavor (at least on Blogspot). Tonight, to develop a statistic I counted the number of blogs that were in English as opposed to some other language (e.g. Senegalese.) Drum Roll...the results are 5 English, 15 Other language.

My God, they are over running this country. Everybody knows we own the Internet.

Insurance

Last year we went to a Cinco de Mayo celebration at our neighbors home. The hot topic of conversation was how every one's home insurance had jumped. I recall one homeowner had a 35% increase. I wasn't sure at the time what my increase had been but knew it was pretty reasonable. Well the insurance police found me this year and yup, I had a serious jump. My homeowners policy rose 50% over last year. Good thing I didn't have any claims and there were no hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, ice storms, boll weevil infestations, burning bushes, parting seas, or mudslides. I guess the odds are that we will have another hurricane because after all, the last two years have been mild.

Also renewed my boat insurance. Now, that stayed about the same...except the policy is written with so many restrictions and clauses (e.g. if the moon is in the first phase when sunspot activity declines but Uranus burps)...well you know...huge weasel room. I strongly suspect that insurance companies now hire ex-politicians.

Oh, and since my yacht is getting older, I had to have it hauled and surveyed with resultant things like - replace fire extinguishers, flares, new battery $300) for the EPIRB (even though the old one is fine) etc. etc. Cost for the survey and changes were more then the policy. Trouble is, if I shopped around, the other companies would want it surveyed too - and last time I got quotes, they were a third higher. The devil you know.

Anyway, with costs like that I will henceforth call Drambuie a yacht! And my home is a mansion! Psst, don't tell the IRS.

On the Radio

Definition: Transistor - A priest that wears nun's clothing.

New Cell Phones - Maybe

In mid-January I canceled Hazel's and my cell phone account with Verizon. this was recommended to us by a Verizon rep since we wanted to have cell phones with local area codes. Went to Costco and had a rep handle it there. We opened a new account with new numbers and new phones - they are nice.

I assumed that our old numbers would be discontinued and I'd receive no further billing - that is what the Costco rep told me would happen. Wrong. Since Verizon was automatically debiting my checking account, I received their usual notice that they were going to take more money in a few days - the full amount. Oh oh. So on 2/18 I called Verizon and spoke with two different customer reps and it was presumably handled, my old account was now canceled. I was impressed how quickly and smoothly it was handled, I guess the Costco rep just didn't do it right so all is well. NO.

Checked this morning and discovered they were still going to debit my checking account for my old numbers - and in the full amount. Called the contact number listed on Verizon's website - it says they will take calls 6am to 11 pm Monday thru Sunday. This is Saturday around 7:30 am so no problem. Wrong, get a message about their hours of availability and then dumped back to automated voicemail menus. Apparently that is west coast time and they don't realize they have service in the east.

Waited until after 9 am and this time got a contact. Explained my situation and the rep told me I would just be billed for 4 days of the current cycle up to the day I contacted their customer service on 2/18. I said that was not acceptable since I had expected my account to be canceled in January and not as of 2/18 when I called Verizon. So, writing this while on hold, the Verizon contact is talking to his supervisor.

Well, the supervisor tells the charge will continue to go through in its full amount but next month I am supposed to get a credit. The only problem is the credit only starts from 2/18 (when I called about the problem) to the end of the billing cycle - March 12th.

Thus I am still going to be charged for 5 days of service on numbers which were supposed to have been canceled.

Here Comes Hillary

When Hillary Clinton has a weak showing in Ohio and Texas she will press to have the Florida and Michigan delegates seated. Even though the states defied Democratic party rules. This, to me, is but a small reflection of the type of person she is. And it won't end there. Expect her to stage a serious floor fight at the convention to win the nomination, doing anything within her power. Integrity, honesty, truth...what's that? I wish the Democrats had found a better woman.

This time I had some optimism that I could be for a candidate instead of against one I viewed as the poorest candidate. However, as this race goes on I find my thinking shifting again to the lesser of evils mode.

It would be nice if we could select some of the best qualities from the various candidates and meld them into a superhero. If so, what would you take from each? Either as a personal quality or as a position on an issue?

Mmmmmmmmm....which one likes dogs the most I wonder? Do any of them golf? Any like popcorn? What do they think about legalizing U-turns on I5 or I95 (you know, population control)?

By the way, traveling in New Jersey...watch your speed. A very serious push is on by the state - 5 mph over the limit may net you a ticket. Troopers are expected to issue a ticket every 10-20 minutes. They have added 30 brand new cruisers. Push is on for the next 30 days from 2/11 to around 3/11/08. The state expects to generate 9 million dollars with a million of that going toward trooper overtime.

Berkeley Non Grata

The recent declaration of the Berkeley City Council about military recruiters and particularly marines has earned my contempt. The Council stated that "If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders;" and goes on to applaud residents and organizations that "volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley."

It will color my actions and influence my future visits to that city in such a way to avoid, when possible, support to any business or organization that is resident in that city. No doubt there are many that disagree with the Council but it is incumbent upon them to make their voices heard and rescind the Council's action.

It was attitudes such as this that enabled the shameful treatment of Vietnam veterans. There are many today, myself included, that are embarrassed that we did not speak up then. I do now. May Berkeley go to Hell!

Relationship With God

A 75-year-old man goes in for his annual physical.

All of his tests come back with normal results. The doctor asks, "Bill, everything looks great. How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Are you at peace with God?"

Bill replies, "God and I are tight. He knows I have poor eyesight. God's fixed it so when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom 'poof' the light goes on!. When I'm done 'poof' the light goes off."

"Wow, that's incredible," the doctor says.

A little later in the day the doctor calls Bill's wife. "Ethel," he says, "Bill is doing fine! But I had to call you because I'm in awe of his relationship with God. Is it true that he gets up during the night and 'poof' the light goes on in the bathroom and when he's done 'poof' the light goes off?"

"Oh my goodness!" Ethel exclaims. "...he's peeing in the refrigerator again!"

Please Mr. President, NO!

I just finished reading a February 6, 2008 Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post by Robert J. Samuelson. Mr. Samuelson reflects the consensus of many economists that presidents have usually had serious negative consequences when they attempt to influence the economy.

I recall Nixon's wage and price freeze which screwed me out of a raise. It worked long enough to get him elected during a short term economic boom which subsequently led to 12 percent inflation (1974) when the controls were removed.

In 1933 Franklin Roosevelt imposed New Deal policies designed to end the depression. They had little impact, World War II ended the depression.

Kennedy and Johnson followed expansionary policies to reduce unemployment. They ultimately led to high inflation.

Ronald Reagan's tax cuts and spending restraints are thought by some to have reduced inflation (thanks Nixon) from 13 to 4 percent. The real hero was the Federal Reserve which, giving credit deserved, Reagan supported.

Clinton was one of the most successful presidents in matters of economics. He left things alone and didn't try to manipulate the economy.

So, when the public clamors for presidents and congress to improve the economy, watch out.

Kitchen Fire

I'd heard that you could use baking soda to extinguish a kitchen fire. This seems better if conditions permit.

A public service announcement.

Dream Office

Another step closer to my dream office. As you can see here, I have a new installation.



Now, I need to add a refrigerator for my beer and I will be content.

Eye Contacts

Hazel was going to order a new set of contacts and the online company required a current prescription be provided. Another intrusion of government at the behest of special interest. Presumably fashion contacts were being ordered that could potentially cause eye damage.

What happened to a warning sheet with the order? Another alibi was that most eye injury come from using contacts at night. How does a prescription prevent that?

While I am ranting...do you really think those signs that say "Drive Carefully" make a difference? They cost taxpayer money, is it wisely spent? Got onto this while thinking about all the stupid warnings we are given - and ignore. How about those radio ads which, at the end, a voice rattles off some gibberish - yea for government. Think I will become a Libertarian. I may not fully agree with their view but at least they are going in the right direction. I feel surrounded by government, rules and laws.

Free Credit Report - Not

You are eligible to receive a free credit report per law. Today I decided to check credit report via TansUnion. I discovered you have to give them credit card info and that you are automatically enrolled in one of there offerings - that after 30 days will charge your card. You have to CALL customer service to cancel your membership. Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions on their site or it won't be free!

San Francisco Bound

We are planning to go to San Francisco on March 20th and return home on the 28th. Not sure which underpass we will sleep under while there. Kinda nervous about it because they tend to collapse during earthquakes and tanker truck explosions. Anyway, thats our plans.

We will probably stay with friends and relatives, I understand that Jax has extended an invitation although not sure I want to stay with a dog that runs away from cats. Unless it's one of those that escaped from the zoo.

New Cell Phones

Yesterday Hazel and I bought new cell phones. The purchase was prompted by bluetooth technology, we wanted to use the phones in our car which also has hands free link via bluetooth,

It's nice to have new phones and they seem to reflect some improvements but we have always used cell phones as phones, not as cameras, toasters, web browsers, etc. We are retiring our Motorola StarTacs. The StarTacs have been good phones and, although something of an anachronism, have become a small source of pride for me. I once went into a Verizon store and the salesman referred to my phone as an antique. My chest swelled at pride that I finally owned an antique, and that was several years ago!

And, I have had several people come up to me and ask "is that a StarTac?" "Yes" I reply. They then say something like "I wish I still had mine, it was one of the best phones I ever had." Hearing that encouraged me to stay the course. I bought the phones in the late 90's if memory serves me - it usually doesn't but I don't remember when it has failed me.

We will be contacting friends and family with our new number but if somehow we haven't relayed that information to you by the end of the month please call our old cell phone number. It won't work by then but that may mean we don't want you to have the new number...or maybe I forgot.

Well science marches on...or is marketing?

Lawsuits

I received an email today which had an attachment listing the "Stella Awards" for the year. The Stella Awards are named after the infamous lawsuit in which Stella Liebeck was awarded $2.9 million dollars in damages against McDonald's Corporation. Her claim was that the coffee was brewed too hot and scalded her when she spilled it in her lap.

The Stella Awards are real but this particular email contained bogus examples and as is usual will circulate on the Internet for years to come. There are real cases that you can find on The Stella Awards website but the unfortunate thing is this seriously distorts reality. The Stella Awards are seeking to exploit these judicial awards and make money. They have a stake in distorting the truth.

Our judicial system has major imperfections and yet provides one of the fairest and thoughtful approach to jurisprudence in the world. Instead of being titillated by the bogus and the extreme, lets keep our perspective. This article says it well.