Thursday, June 30, 2005
The Clan of Six
If you desire to find out how many "true" friends or relatives
you have, just ask them for $100, no questions asked....If you
can count 6 people, who would really and truly do it without
any questions, then you are a lucky human being....
I have always held that we all are a member of a "clan of 6"....
In some cases two clans will join and you are now a member
of a clan of 12....Beyond that number, things tend to get messy
because a clan of 18 is really 3 clans of 6 and a Soap Opera...
Bear in mind that once you leave your "clan of 6" no one really
is interested in your welfare.....And others are only concerned
about "their" own "clan of 6"......
Nations are built with thousands of "clans of 6"....But the basic human
need and security is still, sitting around a warming
fire in a cave, as a member of "the clan of 6"....Pumps
you have, just ask them for $100, no questions asked....If you
can count 6 people, who would really and truly do it without
any questions, then you are a lucky human being....
I have always held that we all are a member of a "clan of 6"....
In some cases two clans will join and you are now a member
of a clan of 12....Beyond that number, things tend to get messy
because a clan of 18 is really 3 clans of 6 and a Soap Opera...
Bear in mind that once you leave your "clan of 6" no one really
is interested in your welfare.....And others are only concerned
about "their" own "clan of 6"......
Nations are built with thousands of "clans of 6"....But the basic human
need and security is still, sitting around a warming
fire in a cave, as a member of "the clan of 6"....Pumps
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
The Expectant Generation
Boy, I love this wording....The WWII generation produced
the "baby boomers".....The baby boomers produced the
"expectant" generation.....Previously entitled, and in error,
"generation X"or is it "Y" or "Z"?....
I guess no one knew what the generation would become,
so someone used a "letter"....But now we know what
they have become "expectant"....
The returning war hero wanted to make life better for his
offspring....And so they did.....In turn the offspring wanted
to make life better for theirs....Result..."Spoiled" children
with no sense of purpose, human struggle or goals....And
with only one desire, "I need".....
The price for "I need" or "I want" was taught, at a much
earlier age, to children years ago....Unfortunately this
new generation is finding out, the hard way, that "I need"
does not get you too far when you have reached your 20's...
The realities of life will come late to this "expectant"
generation....But, like other things, it will come....Pumps
the "baby boomers".....The baby boomers produced the
"expectant" generation.....Previously entitled, and in error,
"generation X"or is it "Y" or "Z"?....
I guess no one knew what the generation would become,
so someone used a "letter"....But now we know what
they have become "expectant"....
The returning war hero wanted to make life better for his
offspring....And so they did.....In turn the offspring wanted
to make life better for theirs....Result..."Spoiled" children
with no sense of purpose, human struggle or goals....And
with only one desire, "I need".....
The price for "I need" or "I want" was taught, at a much
earlier age, to children years ago....Unfortunately this
new generation is finding out, the hard way, that "I need"
does not get you too far when you have reached your 20's...
The realities of life will come late to this "expectant"
generation....But, like other things, it will come....Pumps
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Once Upon A Time #5
Once upon a time margarine was not yellow.....It was white...
Margarine was a necessary and needed by-product of WWII...
Butter was rationed during the war, so another "spread"
was needed....But when the first margarine was made the
dairy industry was "up in arms" over the fact that the new
products was going to look like "their" butter....Butter was
butter - margarine could not be butter.....
So the first margarine was white and was packaged in a plastic
bag, similar to today's Glad and Ziplock...Inside the bag was
a white "glob" which looked like lard and a capsule, similar to
today's M&M...What you had to do is break the capsule, inside
the bag with your fingers....This released a yellow dye which
changed the white glob to a yellow glob....
Now you had yellow margarine, which looked like butter...Pumps
Margarine was a necessary and needed by-product of WWII...
Butter was rationed during the war, so another "spread"
was needed....But when the first margarine was made the
dairy industry was "up in arms" over the fact that the new
products was going to look like "their" butter....Butter was
butter - margarine could not be butter.....
So the first margarine was white and was packaged in a plastic
bag, similar to today's Glad and Ziplock...Inside the bag was
a white "glob" which looked like lard and a capsule, similar to
today's M&M...What you had to do is break the capsule, inside
the bag with your fingers....This released a yellow dye which
changed the white glob to a yellow glob....
Now you had yellow margarine, which looked like butter...Pumps
Monday, June 27, 2005
Carpal Tunnel syndrome
The recent notoriety of this malady is the definite result of
the computer age....Namely the keyboard design....
For the better part of a century people have been typing
on manual or electric typewriters and teletype machines....
Every large cooperation had a "pool" of typists and during
WWII countless thousands of men and women typed
teletype messages continually for eight hour shifts....
Did anyone hear of Carpal Tunnel back then?....
No, because the typing keyboard was in a "step" design...
Not flat as is a computer keyboard....The olde machines
required one to "pound" the keys which resulted in fully
exercising the fingers and wrist...The modern computer
keyboard requires almost no physical effort which results
in muscular tension and stress...Result Carpal Tunnel...
Anyone remember the olde carriage return bar on a
Royal, Remington or Underwood?....No tension or
stress there.....Pumps
the computer age....Namely the keyboard design....
For the better part of a century people have been typing
on manual or electric typewriters and teletype machines....
Every large cooperation had a "pool" of typists and during
WWII countless thousands of men and women typed
teletype messages continually for eight hour shifts....
Did anyone hear of Carpal Tunnel back then?....
No, because the typing keyboard was in a "step" design...
Not flat as is a computer keyboard....The olde machines
required one to "pound" the keys which resulted in fully
exercising the fingers and wrist...The modern computer
keyboard requires almost no physical effort which results
in muscular tension and stress...Result Carpal Tunnel...
Anyone remember the olde carriage return bar on a
Royal, Remington or Underwood?....No tension or
stress there.....Pumps
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Always Blame The Seniors
Every time someone over the age of 65 has a major car accident,
some organization calls for the retesting of every senior with a
drivers license....."Get the seniors off the road they are a hazard".
Well it is interesting to hear that 6 states finally have laws which
prohibit teenagers from using a cell phone while driving.....It
also seems that they are causing as many accidents as the DWIs....
Does anyone hear a call for getting the "inexperienced" or "under-
trained" teenage driver off the road?.....NO.....Go after the olde
farts first.......BULL....
A senior's reflexes may have slacked a little but this loss has
been replaced with over 50 years of experience behind the
wheel of a vehicle.....A claim that can not be made by a
person 3 to 4 years past puberty....Pumps
some organization calls for the retesting of every senior with a
drivers license....."Get the seniors off the road they are a hazard".
Well it is interesting to hear that 6 states finally have laws which
prohibit teenagers from using a cell phone while driving.....It
also seems that they are causing as many accidents as the DWIs....
Does anyone hear a call for getting the "inexperienced" or "under-
trained" teenage driver off the road?.....NO.....Go after the olde
farts first.......BULL....
A senior's reflexes may have slacked a little but this loss has
been replaced with over 50 years of experience behind the
wheel of a vehicle.....A claim that can not be made by a
person 3 to 4 years past puberty....Pumps
Saturday, June 25, 2005
The Dying Art Of The Hand Signal
Many moons ago the automobile was not equipped with
multiple tail/stop lights or directional signals.....Vehicles
were also not equipped with air conditioning....Also no
cell phones or food to go.....
One drove with the windows open and operated the
1 to 2 ton vehicle with BOTH hands.....The Driver's
Manual instructed you as to the use of your left hand.....
It was used to signal the car behind you for the purpose
of stopping and whether you desired to make a right or
left hand turn, along with turning the steering wheel
(which by the way was not "powered").....
Climate control in the modern vehicle has resulted in
the dis-use of the hand signal.....Next time, you are
driving with the window open and not using you cell
phone, drop your hand out the window if you have to
make a SUDDEN stop, or the car in front of you is
making one......Watch the "nut" on your "butt" drop
back---instantly.....Hand signals still work...Pumps
multiple tail/stop lights or directional signals.....Vehicles
were also not equipped with air conditioning....Also no
cell phones or food to go.....
One drove with the windows open and operated the
1 to 2 ton vehicle with BOTH hands.....The Driver's
Manual instructed you as to the use of your left hand.....
It was used to signal the car behind you for the purpose
of stopping and whether you desired to make a right or
left hand turn, along with turning the steering wheel
(which by the way was not "powered").....
Climate control in the modern vehicle has resulted in
the dis-use of the hand signal.....Next time, you are
driving with the window open and not using you cell
phone, drop your hand out the window if you have to
make a SUDDEN stop, or the car in front of you is
making one......Watch the "nut" on your "butt" drop
back---instantly.....Hand signals still work...Pumps
Friday, June 24, 2005
Cereal
The local newspaper has a headline "General Mills targets
children"....Dah.....Is this something new?....
Since the early days of cold cereals back in the late 30's
and early 40's both General Mills and Kellogg marketed
towards children....Back then they even had prizes inside
each cereal box and usually a box top and 15 to 25 cents
got you a "decoder ring" or a "Hop Harrigan" airplane...
Marketing in itself is not bad....But the addition of large
amounts of sugar to cereals is worse....Remember if the
product does not sell, put sugar on one side....If it still
does not sell, put sugar on both sides...If it still does not
sell the color the sugar.....Chocolate is the last resort....
Ah yes, the Junior Shredded Wheat Spoon Men....Pumps
children"....Dah.....Is this something new?....
Since the early days of cold cereals back in the late 30's
and early 40's both General Mills and Kellogg marketed
towards children....Back then they even had prizes inside
each cereal box and usually a box top and 15 to 25 cents
got you a "decoder ring" or a "Hop Harrigan" airplane...
Marketing in itself is not bad....But the addition of large
amounts of sugar to cereals is worse....Remember if the
product does not sell, put sugar on one side....If it still
does not sell, put sugar on both sides...If it still does not
sell the color the sugar.....Chocolate is the last resort....
Ah yes, the Junior Shredded Wheat Spoon Men....Pumps
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Hospital Parking #2
Another great gripe of mine is the misuse of "handicapped
parking" placards, especially in hospital parking lots....
There are a number of hospital or other medical personnel
that manage to get the "handicap tag", to place in their
personal car window, from another medical professional...
One can often see people dressed in nurse or office medical
garb using the handicapped parking spaces in order to
go supermarket or drug store shopping...
Today was another example of "RN PATTY" parking in
a hospital handicap space with the use of a "temporary"
handicap placard...It is hoped that nurse Patty enjoyed
her short walk to work today....Pumps
parking" placards, especially in hospital parking lots....
There are a number of hospital or other medical personnel
that manage to get the "handicap tag", to place in their
personal car window, from another medical professional...
One can often see people dressed in nurse or office medical
garb using the handicapped parking spaces in order to
go supermarket or drug store shopping...
Today was another example of "RN PATTY" parking in
a hospital handicap space with the use of a "temporary"
handicap placard...It is hoped that nurse Patty enjoyed
her short walk to work today....Pumps
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Hospital Parking
There are of course parking garages and valet parking
service at large hospitals....But there is also free parking
at many lots around the hospitals.....
The public lots are empty until about 6AM in the morning
then they are filled by employees....The parking spaces
left for visitors are so far away from the main buildings
one has to be long distance hiker to get there......
Maybe at some hospitals they have small shuttle buses
from the outer parking lots to the main buildings but not
at all....I guess it becomes cost prohibitive and it is not
reimbursed by any insurance, private or governmental....
Hospital visitation can leave one feeling the need for a
wheel chair, just to get into the place.....Pumps
service at large hospitals....But there is also free parking
at many lots around the hospitals.....
The public lots are empty until about 6AM in the morning
then they are filled by employees....The parking spaces
left for visitors are so far away from the main buildings
one has to be long distance hiker to get there......
Maybe at some hospitals they have small shuttle buses
from the outer parking lots to the main buildings but not
at all....I guess it becomes cost prohibitive and it is not
reimbursed by any insurance, private or governmental....
Hospital visitation can leave one feeling the need for a
wheel chair, just to get into the place.....Pumps
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
The Doctor's Office
As one gets older, one spends more time in a doctor's office...
There you sit, awaiting your turn, with a group of other
people....If you are in a specialist's office those other people
most likely have the same problem as yourself...
Did you ever see anyone in a hurry in a doctor's office....NO...
Most of the personnel are "laid back" and usually with
their mind and thoughts some place else....The attitude
of the staff appears to be one of casualness...
And, God help you, if you ask a question of one of the staff....
The "medical wall" goes up and now you are talking to a
"professional" medical personage....(Possibly a $8.50 an hour
part timer.)...No wonder your blood pressure is usually higher
when the nurse or doctor finally takes it in the exam room...
Pumps
There you sit, awaiting your turn, with a group of other
people....If you are in a specialist's office those other people
most likely have the same problem as yourself...
Did you ever see anyone in a hurry in a doctor's office....NO...
Most of the personnel are "laid back" and usually with
their mind and thoughts some place else....The attitude
of the staff appears to be one of casualness...
And, God help you, if you ask a question of one of the staff....
The "medical wall" goes up and now you are talking to a
"professional" medical personage....(Possibly a $8.50 an hour
part timer.)...No wonder your blood pressure is usually higher
when the nurse or doctor finally takes it in the exam room...
Pumps
Monday, June 20, 2005
Movies, Again
Hollywood is still complaining that they are not making
enough money from their product....Movie ticket sales
are still down in respect to past years....Hollywood is
seeking answers.....
Here are a few ideas that Hollywood may want to take a
look at......The product itself.....The movie ticket pricing....
The quick DVD releases, in order to make more quick
money....."On Demand" cable viewing...And lastly the
cost of plasma televisions and surround sound systems....
The homeowner has to amortize that $1,500 hanging on
the wall or in the corner of the den...Just wait 3 to 6 months
and have the whole family watch the movie in their own
theater for only $3.99 or $19.95 if you want to keep the
DVD....The popcorn and sodas are also cheaper....Pumps
enough money from their product....Movie ticket sales
are still down in respect to past years....Hollywood is
seeking answers.....
Here are a few ideas that Hollywood may want to take a
look at......The product itself.....The movie ticket pricing....
The quick DVD releases, in order to make more quick
money....."On Demand" cable viewing...And lastly the
cost of plasma televisions and surround sound systems....
The homeowner has to amortize that $1,500 hanging on
the wall or in the corner of the den...Just wait 3 to 6 months
and have the whole family watch the movie in their own
theater for only $3.99 or $19.95 if you want to keep the
DVD....The popcorn and sodas are also cheaper....Pumps
Sunday, June 19, 2005
The Penny
Once again the penny has come up for discussion in the US
government as to its importance in trade....Every few years
someone questions the necessity of the poor penny in
the world of commerce.....
It seems the penny is costly to make....People save them...
And nothing costs a penny any more......"Let's just round
things off to the nearest nickel", they say.....
Do you know how much money will be made in the business
world if the penny is done away with.....Companies will
price their goods and services so that anything ending in
2.3 or 2.4 cents will be rounded out to 5 cents....That is a
gain of 2.6 cents on a transaction....When you have many
transactions these few cents add up to a lot of dollars....
To prove a point just look at how 4.5%, 5.5% and 6.5%
sales taxes are currently handled....A 75 cent newspaper
with a 4.5% tax totals 78.375 with tax...Some storekeepers
round it out to 78 cents others to 79....With no pennies
it would be 80 cents....The tax man will still get only his
3.375 cents while the merchant will pick up an additional
1.625 cents...It's a retailer's dream.....Pumps
government as to its importance in trade....Every few years
someone questions the necessity of the poor penny in
the world of commerce.....
It seems the penny is costly to make....People save them...
And nothing costs a penny any more......"Let's just round
things off to the nearest nickel", they say.....
Do you know how much money will be made in the business
world if the penny is done away with.....Companies will
price their goods and services so that anything ending in
2.3 or 2.4 cents will be rounded out to 5 cents....That is a
gain of 2.6 cents on a transaction....When you have many
transactions these few cents add up to a lot of dollars....
To prove a point just look at how 4.5%, 5.5% and 6.5%
sales taxes are currently handled....A 75 cent newspaper
with a 4.5% tax totals 78.375 with tax...Some storekeepers
round it out to 78 cents others to 79....With no pennies
it would be 80 cents....The tax man will still get only his
3.375 cents while the merchant will pick up an additional
1.625 cents...It's a retailer's dream.....Pumps
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Once Upon A Time #4
Once upon a time there was an employment "benefit
package"......At a job interview, the interviewer would
openly state all the benefits you would receive it you
decided to join their company....Boy have times changed....
In the 60s-70s your interviewer could offer you
medical coverage from two insurance plans....One
free and the other you paid for.....Or, you could sign
up for both.....The paid plan was about $12 month for
a "family plan" and for $2 extra you could get dental....
Things began to change in the 80's because you were no
longer offered 14 holidays and 2 weeks vacation after
one year of employment......
In the 90's medical plans began to change and holidays
reduced to the bare minimum....(Election Day use to be
a holiday -- Are they trying to bring that one back?)....
Today if you are non-union, you can expect 6-8 holidays,
monthly medical contributions of almost $100 along
with a $15-20 co-pay for a doctor's visit......And a lot
of people still say that the olde days were not that
great.....Who are they trying to kid?......
Oh, by the way, years ago "hospitals" were not big
business....Now we have "hospital chains" like
McDonalds and Pizza Hut....Pumps
package"......At a job interview, the interviewer would
openly state all the benefits you would receive it you
decided to join their company....Boy have times changed....
In the 60s-70s your interviewer could offer you
medical coverage from two insurance plans....One
free and the other you paid for.....Or, you could sign
up for both.....The paid plan was about $12 month for
a "family plan" and for $2 extra you could get dental....
Things began to change in the 80's because you were no
longer offered 14 holidays and 2 weeks vacation after
one year of employment......
In the 90's medical plans began to change and holidays
reduced to the bare minimum....(Election Day use to be
a holiday -- Are they trying to bring that one back?)....
Today if you are non-union, you can expect 6-8 holidays,
monthly medical contributions of almost $100 along
with a $15-20 co-pay for a doctor's visit......And a lot
of people still say that the olde days were not that
great.....Who are they trying to kid?......
Oh, by the way, years ago "hospitals" were not big
business....Now we have "hospital chains" like
McDonalds and Pizza Hut....Pumps
Friday, June 17, 2005
The Great Conundrum
Cigarette taxes are going up...Many local politicians believe
the tax revenue will "fill their coffers" and solve their budget
problems.....
On the other hand the "smoking police" are attempting to
stop everyone from smoking anywhere, anytime, any place....
If you get everyone to stop smoking what are the politicians
going to do for tax revenue?....Raise taxes on toilet paper?....
Will then a "toilet police" be created with the goal of stopping
that "habit" also?......Pumps
the tax revenue will "fill their coffers" and solve their budget
problems.....
On the other hand the "smoking police" are attempting to
stop everyone from smoking anywhere, anytime, any place....
If you get everyone to stop smoking what are the politicians
going to do for tax revenue?....Raise taxes on toilet paper?....
Will then a "toilet police" be created with the goal of stopping
that "habit" also?......Pumps
Thursday, June 16, 2005
It's Still Only Music
Recently a telemarketer suggested an upgrade in my TV
service...I replied that it is still a picture whether it be
analog or digital...And a picture is a picture....
Music is the same.....There was the first wax cylinders,
than 78 records, then 10 and 12 inch 33-1/3, then 45's...
On to 8 Track tapes, then cassettes and finally the
current CDs and MP3s.....Considering that "quality"
of sound is in the ear of the listener, it comes down
to the simple fact that it is still music....
So Beethoven'5th may sound a little different between
the olde 78 and today's CD but no matter which way
you look at it, it is still Beethoven's 5th....Pumps
service...I replied that it is still a picture whether it be
analog or digital...And a picture is a picture....
Music is the same.....There was the first wax cylinders,
than 78 records, then 10 and 12 inch 33-1/3, then 45's...
On to 8 Track tapes, then cassettes and finally the
current CDs and MP3s.....Considering that "quality"
of sound is in the ear of the listener, it comes down
to the simple fact that it is still music....
So Beethoven'5th may sound a little different between
the olde 78 and today's CD but no matter which way
you look at it, it is still Beethoven's 5th....Pumps
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
End Of The Road
Once there was a phrase which meant the "end of the road"
when you were driving a vehicle.... Dead End ....
Well it came to pass that people, who wanted to be
politically correct, did not want to be considered dead
at the end of a road so the phrase was changed
to No Outlet .....
With America's new found wealth and expensive homes,
No Outlet also became unsuitable....It had no "class"....
So now we have cul-de-sac ... A nice French "classy"
sounding word....
If you check a dictionary you will find that cul-de-sac means
a blind alley... Checking the literal meaning of the words will
reveal that they mean bottom of (the) bag....
To tell you the truth, for some reason, living on a dead end
sounds a lot better than at the bottom-of-bag...Especially
if you have an expensive home....Pumps
when you were driving a vehicle.... Dead End ....
Well it came to pass that people, who wanted to be
politically correct, did not want to be considered dead
at the end of a road so the phrase was changed
to No Outlet .....
With America's new found wealth and expensive homes,
No Outlet also became unsuitable....It had no "class"....
So now we have cul-de-sac ... A nice French "classy"
sounding word....
If you check a dictionary you will find that cul-de-sac means
a blind alley... Checking the literal meaning of the words will
reveal that they mean bottom of (the) bag....
To tell you the truth, for some reason, living on a dead end
sounds a lot better than at the bottom-of-bag...Especially
if you have an expensive home....Pumps
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
The Great Crap-Shoot
The only true form of democratic government, which remains,
is the "Town Hall Meeting" held for the purpose of an election
which still exists in some corners of New England....Otherwise
voting is a "crap-shoot" at best....
Now a days you vote for someone you never met and do not
know...If you are lucky you may have shaken his/her hand,
a long with the rest of the masses, in an auditorium or on a
crowded street corner...This hand function is not a great insight
into their character....But you elect them into office none the
less....
Now during their elected term you begin to know the person
you voted for.....Now judgments can be made and opinions
formed....Now and only now does the true election vote have
some merit for the candidate running for re-election....
Do your re-elect them in or vote them out? ....Pumps
is the "Town Hall Meeting" held for the purpose of an election
which still exists in some corners of New England....Otherwise
voting is a "crap-shoot" at best....
Now a days you vote for someone you never met and do not
know...If you are lucky you may have shaken his/her hand,
a long with the rest of the masses, in an auditorium or on a
crowded street corner...This hand function is not a great insight
into their character....But you elect them into office none the
less....
Now during their elected term you begin to know the person
you voted for.....Now judgments can be made and opinions
formed....Now and only now does the true election vote have
some merit for the candidate running for re-election....
Do your re-elect them in or vote them out? ....Pumps
Monday, June 13, 2005
Land - Wealth - Religion
From the time of recorded history wars have been fought
in the name of one or more of the titled subject...
Over the years wars have mostly been fought in order
to gain land and any wealth that came with it.....But soon, since
all of the world's land mass had a valued owner the
wars became fought for wealth contained on, in or under
it....(The two world wars are a good example of this.)....
But during the past one thousand years or so, it has
become more increasing common to fight a war over
-- religion....
A war in the name of religion never has a winner...The gains
of one generation are lost by the next and then regained by
another...The bigger the loss in battle, the more fervent
the religious belief grows...These wars produce no heros
just martyrs which adorn the standards of the next battle
or who's names form a battle cry....Pumps
in the name of one or more of the titled subject...
Over the years wars have mostly been fought in order
to gain land and any wealth that came with it.....But soon, since
all of the world's land mass had a valued owner the
wars became fought for wealth contained on, in or under
it....(The two world wars are a good example of this.)....
But during the past one thousand years or so, it has
become more increasing common to fight a war over
-- religion....
A war in the name of religion never has a winner...The gains
of one generation are lost by the next and then regained by
another...The bigger the loss in battle, the more fervent
the religious belief grows...These wars produce no heros
just martyrs which adorn the standards of the next battle
or who's names form a battle cry....Pumps
Sunday, June 12, 2005
The No-Call List
Politicians are just too smart...A few years ago they decided
to relieve some of the telemarketing pressures placed on
the US citizenry...
Put your name on a "No-Call" list and a whole bunch of
people will stop calling and bothering you between the
hours of 9AM and 9PM...There were of course exceptions
as to who may call....Your telephone company or credit
card company could call because you were doing business
with them....That's fair.....Maybe they had a good offer
you might be interested in....
But one of the major exceptions was the politicians
themselves.....During even a minor political campaign
they have become more annoying than the local lawn
care service or building siding telemarketer....No wonder
everyone is so "ticked off" by election day, that they
do not bother to vote....Pumps
to relieve some of the telemarketing pressures placed on
the US citizenry...
Put your name on a "No-Call" list and a whole bunch of
people will stop calling and bothering you between the
hours of 9AM and 9PM...There were of course exceptions
as to who may call....Your telephone company or credit
card company could call because you were doing business
with them....That's fair.....Maybe they had a good offer
you might be interested in....
But one of the major exceptions was the politicians
themselves.....During even a minor political campaign
they have become more annoying than the local lawn
care service or building siding telemarketer....No wonder
everyone is so "ticked off" by election day, that they
do not bother to vote....Pumps
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Neo-Geography
No wonder the schools do not do a good job teaching geography
anymore, every thing has changed....The 1950's version of
King Solomon's Mines was filmed in British East Africa.....
Can you find it on a map today?....
Every US town has a Peking Chinese restaurant....Can
you find Peking on a new world map?.....Ceylon tea
now comes from Sri Lanka.....Did Ceylon sink?.....Sixty years
ago how many British troops died in Myanmar?....And so it
goes.....
When a young man or woman gets out of school these days
they can enjoy all the scuba diving they desire, but not in
British Honduras....Not unless they studied neo-geography...
Pumps
anymore, every thing has changed....The 1950's version of
King Solomon's Mines was filmed in British East Africa.....
Can you find it on a map today?....
Every US town has a Peking Chinese restaurant....Can
you find Peking on a new world map?.....Ceylon tea
now comes from Sri Lanka.....Did Ceylon sink?.....Sixty years
ago how many British troops died in Myanmar?....And so it
goes.....
When a young man or woman gets out of school these days
they can enjoy all the scuba diving they desire, but not in
British Honduras....Not unless they studied neo-geography...
Pumps
Friday, June 10, 2005
Buyer's Market
Always remember that a house for sale is ONLY worth what
someone is willing to pay for it...And so is everything else....
No matter what "list" or "suggested list" price is placed
on a item, it is the buyer which eventually controls the
sale...Should the set price be "above and beyond" the buyer's
means -- no sale....Should the set price "appear" to be too
high for the buyer -- no sale....Should the "quality" of the
item not meet the buyer's approval -- no sale....
The buyer is ALWAYS in control...The only exception was
quoted by Mr. P. T. Barnum, "A sucker is born every
minute."....Always shop wisely...It also saves money that
can be spent on other passions....Pumps
someone is willing to pay for it...And so is everything else....
No matter what "list" or "suggested list" price is placed
on a item, it is the buyer which eventually controls the
sale...Should the set price be "above and beyond" the buyer's
means -- no sale....Should the set price "appear" to be too
high for the buyer -- no sale....Should the "quality" of the
item not meet the buyer's approval -- no sale....
The buyer is ALWAYS in control...The only exception was
quoted by Mr. P. T. Barnum, "A sucker is born every
minute."....Always shop wisely...It also saves money that
can be spent on other passions....Pumps
Thursday, June 09, 2005
The Olde Cliffhanger
The "cliffhanger" was a product of the old movie chapters or
serials which were shown during the 30's and 40's....They
were designed to get you back into the theater the following
week to see the story continue....To some extent the present
day TV Soap Opera does the same...."Tune in tomorrow."
The real big important "cliffhangers" are still used at the end
of a TV season when the last episode has you "hanging" until
the series returns in September or October...
Unfortunately a lot of people are now left "hanging" forever
because the TV series is canceled and no longer in production...
In some instances a one or two hour series finale may be
forthcoming but do not hold your breath...
One is lead to believe that there are more TV viewers who
would like to have their hands around some TV producer's
neck instead of "clutching to a cliff"....Pumps
serials which were shown during the 30's and 40's....They
were designed to get you back into the theater the following
week to see the story continue....To some extent the present
day TV Soap Opera does the same...."Tune in tomorrow."
The real big important "cliffhangers" are still used at the end
of a TV season when the last episode has you "hanging" until
the series returns in September or October...
Unfortunately a lot of people are now left "hanging" forever
because the TV series is canceled and no longer in production...
In some instances a one or two hour series finale may be
forthcoming but do not hold your breath...
One is lead to believe that there are more TV viewers who
would like to have their hands around some TV producer's
neck instead of "clutching to a cliff"....Pumps
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
GM & Social Secuity
Are the current problems with the GM medical and retirement
plans a sign of the future?....Some 25-30 years ago
Management and Labor made a deal...When you retire
we will give you X amount of $......
Times change, prices changes and now one GM employee
can not produce enough funds to support the 2-1/2 retired
workers he/she is required to.....
Social Secuity and Medicare are heading the same way with
benefit problems expected in 25-30 years....
The one common fact with both situations is that the retiree
is not, in any way, responsible for his $......He/she let a CEO
or Union Leader may the decisions....Now they are having
to live with that decision may by two people who really
did not care about him/her in the first place....And remember
the Federal Government cares even less....Pumps
plans a sign of the future?....Some 25-30 years ago
Management and Labor made a deal...When you retire
we will give you X amount of $......
Times change, prices changes and now one GM employee
can not produce enough funds to support the 2-1/2 retired
workers he/she is required to.....
Social Secuity and Medicare are heading the same way with
benefit problems expected in 25-30 years....
The one common fact with both situations is that the retiree
is not, in any way, responsible for his $......He/she let a CEO
or Union Leader may the decisions....Now they are having
to live with that decision may by two people who really
did not care about him/her in the first place....And remember
the Federal Government cares even less....Pumps
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Post Marks
Has anyone noticed that when you get a "bill" in the mail
that the envelope it comes in is designed for bulk mailing
and does not have a "post mark"....
When did the company send it????....Was there a delay
in the US Postal transit of the letter/"bill"?....
We all know when the "company" says they want your
money in payment....It is no longer a turn around of 30 days
like it use to be....Now you have a "closing date" on the
invoice - an unknown mailing date - the date you receive
it - and payment due 7-10 days before the next "closing
date".....One "hic-up" by the Post Office or a week of
vacation and your next "bill" has a late payment fee
attached.....Just what the "billing company" wants.... Pumps
that the envelope it comes in is designed for bulk mailing
and does not have a "post mark"....
When did the company send it????....Was there a delay
in the US Postal transit of the letter/"bill"?....
We all know when the "company" says they want your
money in payment....It is no longer a turn around of 30 days
like it use to be....Now you have a "closing date" on the
invoice - an unknown mailing date - the date you receive
it - and payment due 7-10 days before the next "closing
date".....One "hic-up" by the Post Office or a week of
vacation and your next "bill" has a late payment fee
attached.....Just what the "billing company" wants.... Pumps
Monday, June 06, 2005
EZ-Pass via Satellite
Coming soon to a toll road near your will be payment, per
miles driven, measured by a satellite....Yes friends, no more
nasty toll booths to stop at....Just get on the road and go....
All charges will be deducted through your transponder....
Both Australia and Great Britain are beginning to test the
system on certain designated roads using the movement
of trucks or lorries.....The vehicle enters the road and
when it exits the road its mileage and road toll are calculated
via a satellite.....The trucking company is charged the toll or
will have it deducted from its "debit card"....
Be mindful, once this system is proven to work....The
technology will be exported....First trucks and then
personal vehicles.....
The only good thing about it, barring convenience, is that
the toll booths will come down.....By that time there should
be another reason for traffic delays.....Pumps
miles driven, measured by a satellite....Yes friends, no more
nasty toll booths to stop at....Just get on the road and go....
All charges will be deducted through your transponder....
Both Australia and Great Britain are beginning to test the
system on certain designated roads using the movement
of trucks or lorries.....The vehicle enters the road and
when it exits the road its mileage and road toll are calculated
via a satellite.....The trucking company is charged the toll or
will have it deducted from its "debit card"....
Be mindful, once this system is proven to work....The
technology will be exported....First trucks and then
personal vehicles.....
The only good thing about it, barring convenience, is that
the toll booths will come down.....By that time there should
be another reason for traffic delays.....Pumps
Sunday, June 05, 2005
LBS
Yes, lbs....Recently I was asked what lbs ment....
Like in 140 lbs .... We all know that it means
pounds.... So the real question is why is it not
pds for pounds since oz means ounce or ounces?...
Well, for all that are interested, lbs or rather lb
is an abbreviation for the Latin word libra ...
Their word for pound...Therefore 140 lbs=cxl lb...
And just so that no one gets further confused,
library comes from the Latin liber or libarius ...
A different Latin word....Pumps
Like in 140 lbs .... We all know that it means
pounds.... So the real question is why is it not
pds for pounds since oz means ounce or ounces?...
Well, for all that are interested, lbs or rather lb
is an abbreviation for the Latin word libra ...
Their word for pound...Therefore 140 lbs=cxl lb...
And just so that no one gets further confused,
library comes from the Latin liber or libarius ...
A different Latin word....Pumps
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Beef Prices #2
My local paper had an article yesterday entitled "Near-record
prices of beef expected to fall"....It was a short AP story out of
Denver, Colorado....
The news story mentioned short term price reductions because
the "grilling season" will end soon....And long term reductions
due to enlarged herds which will reduce prices in 2007...But...
For those who read my blog of May 19th, where I mentioned
Canadian beef.....There was a newspaper article today in the
Lincoln, Nebraska paper which says one of the US's biggest
meat processors is expanding their operations in Alberta,
Canada...
How come I believe that these two stories are somehow
interrelated...But one way or another the price of beef should
drop....The question, do we have enough charcoal to keep
the fire going until 2007?....Pumps
prices of beef expected to fall"....It was a short AP story out of
Denver, Colorado....
The news story mentioned short term price reductions because
the "grilling season" will end soon....And long term reductions
due to enlarged herds which will reduce prices in 2007...But...
For those who read my blog of May 19th, where I mentioned
Canadian beef.....There was a newspaper article today in the
Lincoln, Nebraska paper which says one of the US's biggest
meat processors is expanding their operations in Alberta,
Canada...
How come I believe that these two stories are somehow
interrelated...But one way or another the price of beef should
drop....The question, do we have enough charcoal to keep
the fire going until 2007?....Pumps
Friday, June 03, 2005
Once Upon A Time #3
Once upon a time there was the 60 to 75 minute movie...
These little "gems" were always a grade "B" film and
used as the second half of a "double bill"....
For the admission fee of 18 cents, you got to see the
"premiere" film, the shortened "B", a handful of
cartoons and the newsreel....A Saturday matinee could
have you in a movie seat for almost 4 hours after they
added the next "Chapter" episode and a travelogue or
other "Short"...
Turner Classic Movies should be commended for showing
these short "B" films...They are little "classics", in there
own right, and were a good "proving ground" to a lot
of young actors and other people in the movie industry...
Pumps
These little "gems" were always a grade "B" film and
used as the second half of a "double bill"....
For the admission fee of 18 cents, you got to see the
"premiere" film, the shortened "B", a handful of
cartoons and the newsreel....A Saturday matinee could
have you in a movie seat for almost 4 hours after they
added the next "Chapter" episode and a travelogue or
other "Short"...
Turner Classic Movies should be commended for showing
these short "B" films...They are little "classics", in there
own right, and were a good "proving ground" to a lot
of young actors and other people in the movie industry...
Pumps
Thursday, June 02, 2005
IRS Form 1099
Have you noticed that there is a #1099 form for everything....
Div for dividends, Int for interest, R for retirement income
and MISC for an independent contractor, plus many others...
One thing about the #1099 is that the recipient is responsible
for paying the taxes on the amount denoted...Most of us have
filed our taxes with the Div, Int and R recorded....However
the MISC is becoming misused...
A lot of small business owners have found it easier to pay
people on a #1099-Misc thus avoiding all the W-2 filings,
Medicare, income tax and FICA withholding paperwork and
governmental scrutiny....
The big question is how many people are paying the taxes
due on the #1099 amount?....Does the IRS match up every
filing?....And, if not, how much money in tax revenue is the
US losing each year?....Pumps
Div for dividends, Int for interest, R for retirement income
and MISC for an independent contractor, plus many others...
One thing about the #1099 is that the recipient is responsible
for paying the taxes on the amount denoted...Most of us have
filed our taxes with the Div, Int and R recorded....However
the MISC is becoming misused...
A lot of small business owners have found it easier to pay
people on a #1099-Misc thus avoiding all the W-2 filings,
Medicare, income tax and FICA withholding paperwork and
governmental scrutiny....
The big question is how many people are paying the taxes
due on the #1099 amount?....Does the IRS match up every
filing?....And, if not, how much money in tax revenue is the
US losing each year?....Pumps
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Telemarketing In India
It is common knowledge that companies are "out-sourcing"
telemarketing and computer support jobs to India...And
due to ethnic accents the caller is immediately identifiable
However have you considered the time difference between
India and America....It is plus 10 hours.....That means that
the person calling you at 6PM, dinner time EDT, is
making the call at 4AM, their time.....
I suspect that we are creating some kind of weird nocturnal
society....When these people get off of work, do they go
to dinner and a "Bollywood" movie at 8AM in the morning?...
Next time you get a call from Calcutta or Bombay ask them
if there is a full moon...Maybe their cubicle is near a window...
Pumps....
telemarketing and computer support jobs to India...And
due to ethnic accents the caller is immediately identifiable
However have you considered the time difference between
India and America....It is plus 10 hours.....That means that
the person calling you at 6PM, dinner time EDT, is
making the call at 4AM, their time.....
I suspect that we are creating some kind of weird nocturnal
society....When these people get off of work, do they go
to dinner and a "Bollywood" movie at 8AM in the morning?...
Next time you get a call from Calcutta or Bombay ask them
if there is a full moon...Maybe their cubicle is near a window...
Pumps....
