Tuesday, May 31, 2005
The Chinese Warranty
Everybody has bought something made in China...It is unavoidable
these days...But yet, has anyone seen a "Chinese" warranty on
any item you purchased?....
Yes, you got a warranty, limited or not, which was printed in
Chinese English on Chinese paper but the warranty is honored by
the "importer" of the item...The importer may or may not have
designed the item...Also the importer may or may not have been
involved it the "quality control" during the manufacturing
process....All the importer does is buy and import the item....
So for the record.....The Chinese Warranty, on any manufactured
product, expires when the freighter, and the shipping container it's
in, pulls away from the Chinese dock...From there on in it is the
importers QC problem...
No wonder the Chinese do not really have to care....Pumps
these days...But yet, has anyone seen a "Chinese" warranty on
any item you purchased?....
Yes, you got a warranty, limited or not, which was printed in
Chinese English on Chinese paper but the warranty is honored by
the "importer" of the item...The importer may or may not have
designed the item...Also the importer may or may not have been
involved it the "quality control" during the manufacturing
process....All the importer does is buy and import the item....
So for the record.....The Chinese Warranty, on any manufactured
product, expires when the freighter, and the shipping container it's
in, pulls away from the Chinese dock...From there on in it is the
importers QC problem...
No wonder the Chinese do not really have to care....Pumps
Monday, May 30, 2005
Apples, Eggs and The Sun
Yes, the three items in "The Title" do have something in
common.....First they were good for you and then they
were not and then they were good again....
It appears that people who receive government financial
grants must produce a theory or thesis to prove that the
money was well spent on their studies and drawn
conclusions...
The apple was studied in the '70s, the egg in the '80s and
the sun in the '90s...The apple gave us "spiced apples"
which were safe to eat....The egg resulted in "liquid
egg whites with coloring added" and the sun with "sun
block"....
Now the sun is once again good for you....(I guess one
fellow found it offensive for the last few millions of years)...
So you are allotted about 15-20 minutes of "raw" sun
a day, the time it takes to find your "sun screen lotion"
in your beach bag....All is still well....Pumps
common.....First they were good for you and then they
were not and then they were good again....
It appears that people who receive government financial
grants must produce a theory or thesis to prove that the
money was well spent on their studies and drawn
conclusions...
The apple was studied in the '70s, the egg in the '80s and
the sun in the '90s...The apple gave us "spiced apples"
which were safe to eat....The egg resulted in "liquid
egg whites with coloring added" and the sun with "sun
block"....
Now the sun is once again good for you....(I guess one
fellow found it offensive for the last few millions of years)...
So you are allotted about 15-20 minutes of "raw" sun
a day, the time it takes to find your "sun screen lotion"
in your beach bag....All is still well....Pumps
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Tennis "Open" Season
Well it is that time of the year for TV tennis...Where people
watch a ball go back and forth, over the net and between
the sharp white lines...
It appears to be a game for the young with talent and great
puberty producing hormones, which increases and sharpens
their reflexes...Every year the young beat the old....At the
age of 30 you should join the senior circuit, in this game, but
few do....The elders still try to reclaim fame and once
again hope the hormones will flow....But alas they do not....
We are forced to listen to sports commentators lamenting
the glory days of the defeated one minute and the next minute
acting surprised at the abilities of the young....It is the same
every year...
The best thing about this TV sport, for seniors, is watching the
ball....It exercises the optic muscles...Pumps
watch a ball go back and forth, over the net and between
the sharp white lines...
It appears to be a game for the young with talent and great
puberty producing hormones, which increases and sharpens
their reflexes...Every year the young beat the old....At the
age of 30 you should join the senior circuit, in this game, but
few do....The elders still try to reclaim fame and once
again hope the hormones will flow....But alas they do not....
We are forced to listen to sports commentators lamenting
the glory days of the defeated one minute and the next minute
acting surprised at the abilities of the young....It is the same
every year...
The best thing about this TV sport, for seniors, is watching the
ball....It exercises the optic muscles...Pumps
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Pollution
There are people and organizations today that lobby against
pollution, global warming, ozone, melting ice caps, etc...
I have been watching "film footage" of the Second World
War since the mid-fifties....(It started with Victory at Sea)...
And it appears that the History Channel has found every
piece of film taken during those years....But anyway....
What has happened to all the pollution from the bombing,
oil fires and blown up ammunition dumps?....When you
watch these films all you see in big bellowing clouds of
black smoke....
Where has it all gone and what effect has it had on the
world some 60 years later, if any?....Pumps
pollution, global warming, ozone, melting ice caps, etc...
I have been watching "film footage" of the Second World
War since the mid-fifties....(It started with Victory at Sea)...
And it appears that the History Channel has found every
piece of film taken during those years....But anyway....
What has happened to all the pollution from the bombing,
oil fires and blown up ammunition dumps?....When you
watch these films all you see in big bellowing clouds of
black smoke....
Where has it all gone and what effect has it had on the
world some 60 years later, if any?....Pumps
Friday, May 27, 2005
Responsibilities
What ever happened to responsibilities?....Why is no one
responsible for anything anymore...It seems any error
or mistake is your fault or the fault of some other poor
soul or an electronic device...
Human development relies on mistakes...But there are
those who do not seek this human advancement...
Yet when push comes to shove these underdevelopers envy
those who have profited from their mistakes...They will
whine that they have not succeeded, while others have....
But remember in the long run it is your still your fault...
You were responsible for their developement...Pumps
responsible for anything anymore...It seems any error
or mistake is your fault or the fault of some other poor
soul or an electronic device...
Human development relies on mistakes...But there are
those who do not seek this human advancement...
Yet when push comes to shove these underdevelopers envy
those who have profited from their mistakes...They will
whine that they have not succeeded, while others have....
But remember in the long run it is your still your fault...
You were responsible for their developement...Pumps
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Supersized
Years ago a family of four, and one pet, bought a 950 sq. ft.
house > now they live in a 2500 sq. ft., or larger, one...Years ago
the household owned one car > now they have two, or three,
if there is a teenager...
There use to be one telephone either in the living room or
kitchen > now there is one almost in every room and let
us not forget the cell phones....There was one brand of
sneaker "Keds" > now there are sneaker emporiums...
And finally, years ago mama or papa managed to save
a little money, be it in a bank or mattress > today it
is all spent on supersizing everything we buy, use and
even eat...Frugality is extinct....Pumps
house > now they live in a 2500 sq. ft., or larger, one...Years ago
the household owned one car > now they have two, or three,
if there is a teenager...
There use to be one telephone either in the living room or
kitchen > now there is one almost in every room and let
us not forget the cell phones....There was one brand of
sneaker "Keds" > now there are sneaker emporiums...
And finally, years ago mama or papa managed to save
a little money, be it in a bank or mattress > today it
is all spent on supersizing everything we buy, use and
even eat...Frugality is extinct....Pumps
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
** to ***
All our newspapers now contain a TV listings page....(Much to
the dismay of TV Guide magazine....
These TV listing contain the star rating of the movies to be
shown that day or week....Has anyone noticed that some of
the recent movies releases which did not get good ratings when
shown in the theaters now have better ratings when shown on
TV, as reruns....It seems that the "star" is upgraded by
at least "one-half" or a "full" one...(My base source is Leonard
Maltin"s Movie Guide)....
This ratings adjustment does not apply to older movies....It is
just the releases in the past 5-10 years....I suspect the reason
this is being done is because the TV Network must pay to
show the film...An increased rating may attract more viewers...
Pumps
the dismay of TV Guide magazine....
These TV listing contain the star rating of the movies to be
shown that day or week....Has anyone noticed that some of
the recent movies releases which did not get good ratings when
shown in the theaters now have better ratings when shown on
TV, as reruns....It seems that the "star" is upgraded by
at least "one-half" or a "full" one...(My base source is Leonard
Maltin"s Movie Guide)....
This ratings adjustment does not apply to older movies....It is
just the releases in the past 5-10 years....I suspect the reason
this is being done is because the TV Network must pay to
show the film...An increased rating may attract more viewers...
Pumps
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
The Two Car Family
Let's consider the typical family with husband, wife (forget the
children) and their two cars...Have you ever noticed that
the wife always drives the better vehicle of the two and the
husband drives the "escapee from the junk yard"...
This is because the wife tells the husband that, "If you really
love me you would not want me to get into any trouble
or stuck on the road" with the older vehicle...We all know
that she will drive his car if she has to....Let say when he has
go to get her car serviced or inspected...
In this era of woman's independence, it is amazing that they
forget about their being "liberated" when it comes done to
driving the better car...Pumps
children) and their two cars...Have you ever noticed that
the wife always drives the better vehicle of the two and the
husband drives the "escapee from the junk yard"...
This is because the wife tells the husband that, "If you really
love me you would not want me to get into any trouble
or stuck on the road" with the older vehicle...We all know
that she will drive his car if she has to....Let say when he has
go to get her car serviced or inspected...
In this era of woman's independence, it is amazing that they
forget about their being "liberated" when it comes done to
driving the better car...Pumps
Monday, May 23, 2005
Things Have Not Changed
In watching the History Channel lately, I was made aware of
the fact that the news media has not changed, at least since
the Civil War...
One event involved a Lt. William B. Cushing and his raid on
a Confederate iron clad ship in the Roanoke River in North
Carolina...It appears that his "secret" raid plan was published in
the northern newspapers before he had a chance to conduct it....
The second involved the fact that General William T. Sherman
would not tell anyone regarding his plans to march on Atlanta,
Savannah or Columbia (SC) for fear the newspapers would
advise the enemy...
Has anything really changed with the modern day media still
doing the same thing...And, now you why they get annoyed
when no one wants to tell them anything...Pumps
the fact that the news media has not changed, at least since
the Civil War...
One event involved a Lt. William B. Cushing and his raid on
a Confederate iron clad ship in the Roanoke River in North
Carolina...It appears that his "secret" raid plan was published in
the northern newspapers before he had a chance to conduct it....
The second involved the fact that General William T. Sherman
would not tell anyone regarding his plans to march on Atlanta,
Savannah or Columbia (SC) for fear the newspapers would
advise the enemy...
Has anything really changed with the modern day media still
doing the same thing...And, now you why they get annoyed
when no one wants to tell them anything...Pumps
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Housing Bubble
The major housing boom of the real estate market has made
lots of money for its investors...Let us all hope that the
bubble does "break" and soon...Us retired people can not
afford to contribute any longer...
What has happened is that the newer housing cost so much
that the older homes that most retired people live in are
now classified as "first time" or "entry level" housing...
And yes you can sell this type of housing at great profit, but
the profit is not enough to buy the newer housing without
incurring additional debt...
In the mean time the local tax assesor raises your land and
structure taxes becuse its market value has gone up...Taxes
up, drugs up, food up, gas up....Retirement funds down,
eating out down, vacations down, and if you had oil in your
back yard you could not drill for it because it is black and
dirty stuff and some kid would come into your back yard
and drink it....Making him/her sick...Then the law suit...
And the lawyer winds up with the oil profits...Pumps
lots of money for its investors...Let us all hope that the
bubble does "break" and soon...Us retired people can not
afford to contribute any longer...
What has happened is that the newer housing cost so much
that the older homes that most retired people live in are
now classified as "first time" or "entry level" housing...
And yes you can sell this type of housing at great profit, but
the profit is not enough to buy the newer housing without
incurring additional debt...
In the mean time the local tax assesor raises your land and
structure taxes becuse its market value has gone up...Taxes
up, drugs up, food up, gas up....Retirement funds down,
eating out down, vacations down, and if you had oil in your
back yard you could not drill for it because it is black and
dirty stuff and some kid would come into your back yard
and drink it....Making him/her sick...Then the law suit...
And the lawyer winds up with the oil profits...Pumps
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Bank Mergers
In the past 10 years my normal day to day banking has
involved 5 banking corporations....And, has come full
circle...
Ten years ago I left bank "A" (a large regional corporation)
and went to bank "B" (a 4 branch local one)..."B" then
combined with three other locals to form "C" (a 12 branch
local)..."C" was then bought out by "D" (a large regional).
"D" has now merged with "E" (a supersized regional)...
It should be noted that "E" was formed by merger of
bank "A" and "W"....My money is back in the same bank
but under a different name...
If I go to bank "F", for that friendly personal service, I
most likely will be back to bank "E" in another ten years...
Changing banks is more difficult these days with all the
electronic transactions...Oh well...."E" it is......Pumps
involved 5 banking corporations....And, has come full
circle...
Ten years ago I left bank "A" (a large regional corporation)
and went to bank "B" (a 4 branch local one)..."B" then
combined with three other locals to form "C" (a 12 branch
local)..."C" was then bought out by "D" (a large regional).
"D" has now merged with "E" (a supersized regional)...
It should be noted that "E" was formed by merger of
bank "A" and "W"....My money is back in the same bank
but under a different name...
If I go to bank "F", for that friendly personal service, I
most likely will be back to bank "E" in another ten years...
Changing banks is more difficult these days with all the
electronic transactions...Oh well...."E" it is......Pumps
Friday, May 20, 2005
Uncle Weatherbee
While watching my local TV weather report, I was reminded
of Uncle Weatherbee...
My local weather reporter stood in front of his "blue" screen
and pointed out the incoming weather patters...The screen also
showed the sweep of six radar towers...I suspect that this
is to mean that no corner of the area was missed....
Years ago in New York there was Tex Antoine....He was one
of the first live, on screen weathermen, who worked with
hand drawn charts and Uncle Weatherbee...."Uncle" was a
"figure" on a magnetic board...Tex would "dress" Uncle
with a rain hat and slicker - for rain or in shirt and shorts,
under a bright sun - for sunny days....
Things were a little simpler then and in searching out the
history of Uncle Weatherbee Google produced
http://www.bobtilden.com/6800.htm who says it better
than I....Pumps
of Uncle Weatherbee...
My local weather reporter stood in front of his "blue" screen
and pointed out the incoming weather patters...The screen also
showed the sweep of six radar towers...I suspect that this
is to mean that no corner of the area was missed....
Years ago in New York there was Tex Antoine....He was one
of the first live, on screen weathermen, who worked with
hand drawn charts and Uncle Weatherbee...."Uncle" was a
"figure" on a magnetic board...Tex would "dress" Uncle
with a rain hat and slicker - for rain or in shirt and shorts,
under a bright sun - for sunny days....
Things were a little simpler then and in searching out the
history of Uncle Weatherbee Google produced
http://www.bobtilden.com/6800.htm who says it better
than I....Pumps
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Beef Prices
Anyone notice that the price of beef, in the supermarkets,
has risen dramatically over the past six to nine months
in the United States...I wonder if this has anything to do
with the fact that Canada does not export one million head
of cattle to the US anymore?....
In May of 2003 there was a case of "mad cow" disease in one
imported cow...As a result a "ban" was placed on future
imports of Canadian live stock...The forces of supply and
demand have taken over in the industry and the prices
of beef have risen sharply...
I suspect that Canada will start to increase its own
processing production which will in turn decrease US
production...And prices will continue to rise...
It is amazing what one million cows can do...Pumps
has risen dramatically over the past six to nine months
in the United States...I wonder if this has anything to do
with the fact that Canada does not export one million head
of cattle to the US anymore?....
In May of 2003 there was a case of "mad cow" disease in one
imported cow...As a result a "ban" was placed on future
imports of Canadian live stock...The forces of supply and
demand have taken over in the industry and the prices
of beef have risen sharply...
I suspect that Canada will start to increase its own
processing production which will in turn decrease US
production...And prices will continue to rise...
It is amazing what one million cows can do...Pumps
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Just A Tonka Toy
There are men who spend thousands to modify a standard
sized pick up truck into a highrider sport vehicle, many with
a super Baja light package...They are impressive to look at...
Then there are boys who spend less and modify a Nissan or
Toyota compact pick up truck in the same manner...
As you drive down the road it is just fun to look at these
oversized Tonka toys...The additional height from the suspension
with big balloon tires and light rack on top of the passenger
compartment now dwarf the size of the original vehicle itself...
It is a shame that they have spent all their money on the
modification and lack the additional funds to purchase the
ladder needed to get their parents into it, for a ride...Pump
sized pick up truck into a highrider sport vehicle, many with
a super Baja light package...They are impressive to look at...
Then there are boys who spend less and modify a Nissan or
Toyota compact pick up truck in the same manner...
As you drive down the road it is just fun to look at these
oversized Tonka toys...The additional height from the suspension
with big balloon tires and light rack on top of the passenger
compartment now dwarf the size of the original vehicle itself...
It is a shame that they have spent all their money on the
modification and lack the additional funds to purchase the
ladder needed to get their parents into it, for a ride...Pump
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Paper & Pencil
Years ago cash registers did not have the "addition function"...
The local grocer would add up your purchase by using a
pencil and the side of a paper bag...Once totaled the cash
register keys were pressed down with the "total amount"
and the cash draw would open...
The grocery purchase was transacted by mental addition...
I once new a gentleman who could watch the grocer "list"
the prices, of purchased items, on the paper bag...When
the grocer drew the "total line", at the bottom of the column
of numbers, this gentleman would announce the sum total,
having read the numbers upside down with the grocer on the
other side of the store counter...
This mathematical ability was a result of talent and training...
It is a shame that talent of this type goes to waste, now a
days, because the paper and pencil have been replaced with
an electronic device...The calculator....Pumps
The local grocer would add up your purchase by using a
pencil and the side of a paper bag...Once totaled the cash
register keys were pressed down with the "total amount"
and the cash draw would open...
The grocery purchase was transacted by mental addition...
I once new a gentleman who could watch the grocer "list"
the prices, of purchased items, on the paper bag...When
the grocer drew the "total line", at the bottom of the column
of numbers, this gentleman would announce the sum total,
having read the numbers upside down with the grocer on the
other side of the store counter...
This mathematical ability was a result of talent and training...
It is a shame that talent of this type goes to waste, now a
days, because the paper and pencil have been replaced with
an electronic device...The calculator....Pumps
Monday, May 16, 2005
KISS Cooking
Well summer is here for most of us above the equator...
Extra heat in the kitchen, from cooking, is no longer
desired for warmth...So the "Keep It Simple Stupid
Culinary Institute" offers some cooling suggestions...
Any person who cooks knows the advantage of keeping
a potato or pasta salad in the refrigerator for use as
a "side" for a meal...To these staples, I add the following...
A can or jar of Three-Bean salad, a jar of Harvard Beets
or Sweet and Sour Cabbage...Even a can of chilled green
beans, adorned with Italian dressing will work for some...
The use of chilled creamed-corn would be a "stretch"...
The KISSCI believes the frequent use of a jar or can
opener is the route to cooking success...Pumps
Extra heat in the kitchen, from cooking, is no longer
desired for warmth...So the "Keep It Simple Stupid
Culinary Institute" offers some cooling suggestions...
Any person who cooks knows the advantage of keeping
a potato or pasta salad in the refrigerator for use as
a "side" for a meal...To these staples, I add the following...
A can or jar of Three-Bean salad, a jar of Harvard Beets
or Sweet and Sour Cabbage...Even a can of chilled green
beans, adorned with Italian dressing will work for some...
The use of chilled creamed-corn would be a "stretch"...
The KISSCI believes the frequent use of a jar or can
opener is the route to cooking success...Pumps
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Remember "THINK"
Some 50 years the International Business Machine Company
(IBM) became famous, along with the electric typewriter
and early computer main-frames, for the word "THINK".
Somewhere on your desk or in your office, this word had
to appear....A wall sign perhaps or a desk placard...Which
was designed to remind you to "THINK".....Produce an
intelligent utterance as a result of an intelligent thought...
It is a pity that the days of intelligent thought have be
replaced by emotional reaction...People now just
make an emotional "u-turn" without consequence and
any "accident" is the result of another...Pumps
(IBM) became famous, along with the electric typewriter
and early computer main-frames, for the word "THINK".
Somewhere on your desk or in your office, this word had
to appear....A wall sign perhaps or a desk placard...Which
was designed to remind you to "THINK".....Produce an
intelligent utterance as a result of an intelligent thought...
It is a pity that the days of intelligent thought have be
replaced by emotional reaction...People now just
make an emotional "u-turn" without consequence and
any "accident" is the result of another...Pumps
Saturday, May 14, 2005
UPC > EPC
Over the past twenty years, we have all become accustomed
to the UPC (bar code) on every package, of anything, we
purchase....The forthcoming years will produce the arrival
of the EPC....The Electronic Product Code...
The new EPC will use, and place into mass production, RFID
technology, used to track open range cattle movement for
years...Radio Frequency Identification....
The EPC/RFID technology is great for use in manufacturing,
distribution and store inventory systems, but if the "transmitter"
is allowed to remain intact, it can transmit from your person
or home....If a device sends a radio signal to it, it will send it
back and provide all information contained in it...
Fire when controlled will cook your food, uncontrolled it will
burn down your house...The EPC/RFID will also need some
controls...Especially when it is inbedded in your driver's
licence...Pumps
to the UPC (bar code) on every package, of anything, we
purchase....The forthcoming years will produce the arrival
of the EPC....The Electronic Product Code...
The new EPC will use, and place into mass production, RFID
technology, used to track open range cattle movement for
years...Radio Frequency Identification....
The EPC/RFID technology is great for use in manufacturing,
distribution and store inventory systems, but if the "transmitter"
is allowed to remain intact, it can transmit from your person
or home....If a device sends a radio signal to it, it will send it
back and provide all information contained in it...
Fire when controlled will cook your food, uncontrolled it will
burn down your house...The EPC/RFID will also need some
controls...Especially when it is inbedded in your driver's
licence...Pumps
Friday, May 13, 2005
What The Traffic Will Bear
Well an investigative report by a local TV station has
confirmed that stores like Wal-Mart and Target will
sell the same item for different prices in the same
town or metropolitan area....
It seems that the prices are higher in the section of
the town with higher real estate values...I guess the
bottom line is that, "If you can afford the house, you
can afford them"....
While the cost of the item is the same between one
store to another, the manager has the option to set
the pricing at the level he/she so chooses....This of
course results in added profits and a larger bonus
for said manager.....
So I guess it is best to know your prices and shop
in the poorer side of town for the best bargains...Pumps
confirmed that stores like Wal-Mart and Target will
sell the same item for different prices in the same
town or metropolitan area....
It seems that the prices are higher in the section of
the town with higher real estate values...I guess the
bottom line is that, "If you can afford the house, you
can afford them"....
While the cost of the item is the same between one
store to another, the manager has the option to set
the pricing at the level he/she so chooses....This of
course results in added profits and a larger bonus
for said manager.....
So I guess it is best to know your prices and shop
in the poorer side of town for the best bargains...Pumps
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Orange Juice
It is a shame that the taste of "real" orange juice has not
touched the majority of modern day palates...
Years ago one had to squeeze their own juice in order
to drink it....At home you used a squeezer and
extracted the juice by rotating each half of the orange
over a glass or metal serrated knob....(They are still
being manufactured)...Or, the juice was extracted by
a compression device, at the local diner or ice cream
parlor....A Nedick's anyone...
Then came Minute Maid...(Bing Crosby made a fortune
off of this one.)....Ready made, pre-squeezed OJ in a
milk type container...A little different in taste but it
was still "real".....
Then came "frozen concentrate".....This in turn created
OJ from "concentrate"...Extract water - ship concentrate -
replace water - sell product locally...It has become the
accepted version of orange juice....
A rare few people still remove, from the refrigerator,
chilled oranges, cut them in half, and sqeeze out the
juice...Only these few, have happy palates......Pumps
touched the majority of modern day palates...
Years ago one had to squeeze their own juice in order
to drink it....At home you used a squeezer and
extracted the juice by rotating each half of the orange
over a glass or metal serrated knob....(They are still
being manufactured)...Or, the juice was extracted by
a compression device, at the local diner or ice cream
parlor....A Nedick's anyone...
Then came Minute Maid...(Bing Crosby made a fortune
off of this one.)....Ready made, pre-squeezed OJ in a
milk type container...A little different in taste but it
was still "real".....
Then came "frozen concentrate".....This in turn created
OJ from "concentrate"...Extract water - ship concentrate -
replace water - sell product locally...It has become the
accepted version of orange juice....
A rare few people still remove, from the refrigerator,
chilled oranges, cut them in half, and sqeeze out the
juice...Only these few, have happy palates......Pumps
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Right on Red
Some thirty years ago there was a gasoline shortage and the
price of gas also "went through the roof"....In order to save
gas and cut down on "congestion", making a right hand turn
at a red light, after coming to a complete stop, was approved
by the Government....
Well once again the roads have become congested....The
price of gasoline is high and many gallons are being wasted
at intersections, waiting for the red light to change...
Since "over-passes" and "sky-ways" are expensive, I wonder
what new idea the Government will come up with this
time.....Pumps
price of gas also "went through the roof"....In order to save
gas and cut down on "congestion", making a right hand turn
at a red light, after coming to a complete stop, was approved
by the Government....
Well once again the roads have become congested....The
price of gasoline is high and many gallons are being wasted
at intersections, waiting for the red light to change...
Since "over-passes" and "sky-ways" are expensive, I wonder
what new idea the Government will come up with this
time.....Pumps
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
There IS Joy In Mudville
Well there is a lot of joy in my neck of the woods...
A gallon of gas has dropped in price to $1.99 US....If I have
calculated correctly this converts, for my Canadian friends,
into $0.61 a liter...
It also has been reported today that movie theater attendance
has declined over the past 11 weeks...Perhaps next weekend
"Junior" will now be able to afford gas, movie tickets and
popcorn for himself and his date...
Nothing has changed much, since this "Junior" made $0.76
a hour and gas climbed from $0.18 to $0.21 a gallon and
the $5.00 allowance had to stretch for two weeks...Pumps
A gallon of gas has dropped in price to $1.99 US....If I have
calculated correctly this converts, for my Canadian friends,
into $0.61 a liter...
It also has been reported today that movie theater attendance
has declined over the past 11 weeks...Perhaps next weekend
"Junior" will now be able to afford gas, movie tickets and
popcorn for himself and his date...
Nothing has changed much, since this "Junior" made $0.76
a hour and gas climbed from $0.18 to $0.21 a gallon and
the $5.00 allowance had to stretch for two weeks...Pumps
Monday, May 09, 2005
Everything Has Got To Be Finite
Everyone has a grandmother that never used a recipe...Now,
in these times, every part of the recipe has to be exact, the
ingredients, the cooking temperature and the method of
preparation...
Even on packaged foods, people prepare the product precisely
following the printed instructions...Never is one moment of
thought given to the fact that the instructions were the
result of preparing the food in a food laboratory and not
a home kitchen with a slightly miscalibrated oven setting
or burner sensor...
Grandma added this, changed that and had a "feel" and love
for her finished product...Many of the cooks today have lost
the art of "feel" and have replaced it with "finite"...Pumps
in these times, every part of the recipe has to be exact, the
ingredients, the cooking temperature and the method of
preparation...
Even on packaged foods, people prepare the product precisely
following the printed instructions...Never is one moment of
thought given to the fact that the instructions were the
result of preparing the food in a food laboratory and not
a home kitchen with a slightly miscalibrated oven setting
or burner sensor...
Grandma added this, changed that and had a "feel" and love
for her finished product...Many of the cooks today have lost
the art of "feel" and have replaced it with "finite"...Pumps
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Once Upon A Time #2
On this 60th anniversary of VE day, an olde man attempts to
recall his contribution to the war effort when he was an
adolescent...
#1. Paste "war stamps" into the war stamp book...When the
book was filled you exchanged it for a "war bond"...
#2. Collect small pieces of "tin foil" from candy, gum and
cigarette packaging in order that it could be formed into a
large ball and taken to the recycling center...
#3. Memorize all the silhouette shapes of enemy aircraft which
were printed on the back of the bubble gum cards...
#4. And let us not forget the collection and bundling of any
piece of newspaper, not matter what its condition...
#5. Also with mother in mind, on this Mother's Day, waiting
for her at the trolley stop, to walk her home after her long
day at the defense plant, which was on the other side of
town...Pumps
recall his contribution to the war effort when he was an
adolescent...
#1. Paste "war stamps" into the war stamp book...When the
book was filled you exchanged it for a "war bond"...
#2. Collect small pieces of "tin foil" from candy, gum and
cigarette packaging in order that it could be formed into a
large ball and taken to the recycling center...
#3. Memorize all the silhouette shapes of enemy aircraft which
were printed on the back of the bubble gum cards...
#4. And let us not forget the collection and bundling of any
piece of newspaper, not matter what its condition...
#5. Also with mother in mind, on this Mother's Day, waiting
for her at the trolley stop, to walk her home after her long
day at the defense plant, which was on the other side of
town...Pumps
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Secularism
1. worldly spirit, view, or the like; esp., a system of doctrines
and practices that disregards or rejects any form of religious
faith and worship. 2. the belief that religion and
ecclesiastical affairs should not enter the functions of the
state, exp. into public education.
Being one that belives that things are not "that" different
around the world and periods in history tend to show a
cohesiveness of policy amoungst Western governments, I am
beginning to suspect that secularism is the reason for the
rebirth of islamic militarism...
This worldly "Que Sera, Sera" attitude may also have a
connection to the global immigration problem....Pumps
and practices that disregards or rejects any form of religious
faith and worship. 2. the belief that religion and
ecclesiastical affairs should not enter the functions of the
state, exp. into public education.
Being one that belives that things are not "that" different
around the world and periods in history tend to show a
cohesiveness of policy amoungst Western governments, I am
beginning to suspect that secularism is the reason for the
rebirth of islamic militarism...
This worldly "Que Sera, Sera" attitude may also have a
connection to the global immigration problem....Pumps
Friday, May 06, 2005
The Ten To One Ratio
Years ago I learned that an item with a list price of $100.00
cost $12.00 to manufacture...The $12.00 only represented
the cost of raw materials, packaging and assembly labor...
Over the years I have found that this formula has not
basically changed...If the list price is $10.00 then it cost
$1.00 to make...The $9.00 difference is consumed by
warehousing costs, all salesmen's commissions and retailer
profit...
Of course there are sales, quanty buys and other marketing/
sales incentives which effect the price, but the next time you
are in a .99 cent or $1.00 store look at the item you want to
buy...Did it only cost .10 cents to make?.....Pumps
cost $12.00 to manufacture...The $12.00 only represented
the cost of raw materials, packaging and assembly labor...
Over the years I have found that this formula has not
basically changed...If the list price is $10.00 then it cost
$1.00 to make...The $9.00 difference is consumed by
warehousing costs, all salesmen's commissions and retailer
profit...
Of course there are sales, quanty buys and other marketing/
sales incentives which effect the price, but the next time you
are in a .99 cent or $1.00 store look at the item you want to
buy...Did it only cost .10 cents to make?.....Pumps
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Cinco de Mayo
The battle between the Mexican and French at the town of
Puebla, Mexico in 1862 was a great reason to have a Spring
holiday in Mexico....In the United States the Spring holiday
is Memorial Day...
It appears that in the last 15 years or so May 5th has become
a good reason to sell more Corona Beer and El Paso Taco Mix
in the US...Modern marketing and merchandising has created
end isle displays in every supermarket for any food or drink item
which in anyway is associated with Mexico...
But let us be realistic...This holiday could not be in September,
when Mexico celebrates it's own independence, because it
would be a greater conflict with Labor Day...And in all fairness,
to our Northern neighbor, "Canada Day" is on July 1st...
Extra, marketing and merchandising holidays, have to be
properly positioned in the calander year...Pumps
Puebla, Mexico in 1862 was a great reason to have a Spring
holiday in Mexico....In the United States the Spring holiday
is Memorial Day...
It appears that in the last 15 years or so May 5th has become
a good reason to sell more Corona Beer and El Paso Taco Mix
in the US...Modern marketing and merchandising has created
end isle displays in every supermarket for any food or drink item
which in anyway is associated with Mexico...
But let us be realistic...This holiday could not be in September,
when Mexico celebrates it's own independence, because it
would be a greater conflict with Labor Day...And in all fairness,
to our Northern neighbor, "Canada Day" is on July 1st...
Extra, marketing and merchandising holidays, have to be
properly positioned in the calander year...Pumps
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Eggs In One Basket
All the large communication conglomerates want you to buy
every service they offer...My cable company is offering,
TV cable service, High Speed Internet service, and local/
long distance telephone service...
They fail to realize that if the "fibre optic cable" has a
problem you are "up a creek without a paddle"....(Unless
you have a cell phone and that is another conglomerate.)...
Years ago if you lost electrical power at least your rotary
telephone worked so you could call the electric company...
Combining communication services into one "basket" is a
no-no...It limits your options...It is nice to have everything
under one roof at times, department stores for instance...
But TV cable, internet service, telephone and cell phone
service should all be separate...It is just a matter of simple
survival....Pumps
every service they offer...My cable company is offering,
TV cable service, High Speed Internet service, and local/
long distance telephone service...
They fail to realize that if the "fibre optic cable" has a
problem you are "up a creek without a paddle"....(Unless
you have a cell phone and that is another conglomerate.)...
Years ago if you lost electrical power at least your rotary
telephone worked so you could call the electric company...
Combining communication services into one "basket" is a
no-no...It limits your options...It is nice to have everything
under one roof at times, department stores for instance...
But TV cable, internet service, telephone and cell phone
service should all be separate...It is just a matter of simple
survival....Pumps
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Middle Management
These opinions of middle management personnel only apply
to their attitudes while conducting business...They are
entirely different at the back yard barbecue when surrounded
by non-business type friends...
Have you noticed that in order to succeed in a middle
managemtent position, you must have the ability to produce
"falsehoods" with a straight face...In order to maintain their
salary and corporate position, they must dispense the dictums
of their superiors...This means keeping their underlings in the
muddle of "falsehoods"...
As usual "falsehood" will begot "falsehood"....
Now, if sucessful in middle management, one gets promoted
up the ladder...There at the top, sitting around the big executive
table, are a select group of individuals which are the best
begoters of "falsehood".....Pumps
to their attitudes while conducting business...They are
entirely different at the back yard barbecue when surrounded
by non-business type friends...
Have you noticed that in order to succeed in a middle
managemtent position, you must have the ability to produce
"falsehoods" with a straight face...In order to maintain their
salary and corporate position, they must dispense the dictums
of their superiors...This means keeping their underlings in the
muddle of "falsehoods"...
As usual "falsehood" will begot "falsehood"....
Now, if sucessful in middle management, one gets promoted
up the ladder...There at the top, sitting around the big executive
table, are a select group of individuals which are the best
begoters of "falsehood".....Pumps
Monday, May 02, 2005
Screws
Has anyone noticed that the Chinese can not make a good
quality screw or nail?....
The whole world is now living with products that are made
in China but they have yet to master the art of screw or
nail making.....If they can not manufacture the parts that
hold everything together, then what does this say for the
quality of the finished, completed, product...
Since China likes to buy used equipment to manufacture
its products, this leads me to belive that the Western world
is still in possession of the "screw machines" and the
machinists that "tool them up"....
What is even worse, a Chinese screw driver rarely fits
into a Chinese screw head....Check it out for yourself....
Pumps
quality screw or nail?....
The whole world is now living with products that are made
in China but they have yet to master the art of screw or
nail making.....If they can not manufacture the parts that
hold everything together, then what does this say for the
quality of the finished, completed, product...
Since China likes to buy used equipment to manufacture
its products, this leads me to belive that the Western world
is still in possession of the "screw machines" and the
machinists that "tool them up"....
What is even worse, a Chinese screw driver rarely fits
into a Chinese screw head....Check it out for yourself....
Pumps
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Once Upon A Time #1
Once upon a time milk only came in bottles...Recently some
supermarket chains are selling "real homemade cow's milk"
once again in bottles...Nostalgia marketing?...
However one thing is missing from the bottle's packaging...
The piece of wire which went around the cap...
Prior to World War II, the milk bottle had a small cardboard
disk, with a thumb nail tab, at its top...Covering that was
a disc of thick "waxed" coated paper which was crimped
around the bottle's neck...To hold this outer covering a piece
of thin galvanized wire was used...It circled the bottle and was
twisted, forming a tight seal...
No one threw these pieces of wire away unless they had a good
supply in their household...The wire was about six
inches in length and repaired almost anything...If thick carpet
thread did not work, use the milk bottle wire...
During the early days of WWII, the wire was discontinued and
the bottle's outer cover was "heat sealed"...The wire became
part of the military industrial complex...
So if today you find a small coil of thin galvanized wire in the
back of grandpa's junk draw, you will know why it is there...
Pumps
supermarket chains are selling "real homemade cow's milk"
once again in bottles...Nostalgia marketing?...
However one thing is missing from the bottle's packaging...
The piece of wire which went around the cap...
Prior to World War II, the milk bottle had a small cardboard
disk, with a thumb nail tab, at its top...Covering that was
a disc of thick "waxed" coated paper which was crimped
around the bottle's neck...To hold this outer covering a piece
of thin galvanized wire was used...It circled the bottle and was
twisted, forming a tight seal...
No one threw these pieces of wire away unless they had a good
supply in their household...The wire was about six
inches in length and repaired almost anything...If thick carpet
thread did not work, use the milk bottle wire...
During the early days of WWII, the wire was discontinued and
the bottle's outer cover was "heat sealed"...The wire became
part of the military industrial complex...
So if today you find a small coil of thin galvanized wire in the
back of grandpa's junk draw, you will know why it is there...
Pumps
