Wednesday, August 31, 2005
The Bathroom
The following is just an exercise in mental thought, and
nothing more.....
Does anyone know how many names/words we have
for the little room down the hall or in the back of a
public building or restaurant?.....Here goes......
The John
The Head
The Facilities
Ladies Room
Mens Room
(Countless thousands of Boys/Girls in different languages,
and themes.).....
The Can
The Crapper
Restroom
Water Closet
Comfort Station
Lavatory
Out House
Latrine
The Sh*tter
Potty or Port-a-Potty
The Powder Room
And last but not least.....The Toilet......Pumps
nothing more.....
Does anyone know how many names/words we have
for the little room down the hall or in the back of a
public building or restaurant?.....Here goes......
The John
The Head
The Facilities
Ladies Room
Mens Room
(Countless thousands of Boys/Girls in different languages,
and themes.).....
The Can
The Crapper
Restroom
Water Closet
Comfort Station
Lavatory
Out House
Latrine
The Sh*tter
Potty or Port-a-Potty
The Powder Room
And last but not least.....The Toilet......Pumps
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Red Heads
Alas, some college stud has come to the conclusion that
"red headed" people are more subjected to sun burn
due to their lack of body pigment.....It took 2005 years
of history to acknowledge this fact.....
Did any one ask a red headed person if they got sun burn
prior to the year of 2005?.....The next thing we will be
told is that darker skinned people do not "sun burn"
as much.....Maybe because dark skinned people live near
the Equator and light skinned people live closer to the
Arctic Circle.....Anyone remember Eric the Red....
What a sham......I wonder if science will ever have an
answer for the development and sociological life style
of a dark pigmented person with red hair?....They do
exist......Pumps
"red headed" people are more subjected to sun burn
due to their lack of body pigment.....It took 2005 years
of history to acknowledge this fact.....
Did any one ask a red headed person if they got sun burn
prior to the year of 2005?.....The next thing we will be
told is that darker skinned people do not "sun burn"
as much.....Maybe because dark skinned people live near
the Equator and light skinned people live closer to the
Arctic Circle.....Anyone remember Eric the Red....
What a sham......I wonder if science will ever have an
answer for the development and sociological life style
of a dark pigmented person with red hair?....They do
exist......Pumps
Monday, August 29, 2005
A Constitution
Has anyone noticed recently that no one can agree on a
constitution in Baghdad?.....This faction is talking to that
faction and while this is going on this faction does not like
what the other faction is doing.....These people just
simply can not get things "done" for some reason.....
Baghdad?.....Sounds like Washington DC to me.....Or am
I missing something.....It seems like politicians are
politicians no matter where they are in the world...
It is still a quest for power and rule....And it has been
that way throughout out the pages of history.....Pumps
constitution in Baghdad?.....This faction is talking to that
faction and while this is going on this faction does not like
what the other faction is doing.....These people just
simply can not get things "done" for some reason.....
Baghdad?.....Sounds like Washington DC to me.....Or am
I missing something.....It seems like politicians are
politicians no matter where they are in the world...
It is still a quest for power and rule....And it has been
that way throughout out the pages of history.....Pumps
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Obesity
If you read the newspapers, internet or watch TV only
Americans are getting fat......Every day there is another
research study completed that says Americans are over
weight......Such is not the case.....
Did you know that there are fat people in Canada, and in
England, Scotland and Ireland.....The're even some in
the Philippines and Africa.....
I have come to the conclusion that where there is food, and
money to buy it, there will be fat people....If you want to
tie this subject into one of my previous "posts", do not
eat, you will not get fat.....Some people consider being fat
to be a disease....Pumps
Americans are getting fat......Every day there is another
research study completed that says Americans are over
weight......Such is not the case.....
Did you know that there are fat people in Canada, and in
England, Scotland and Ireland.....The're even some in
the Philippines and Africa.....
I have come to the conclusion that where there is food, and
money to buy it, there will be fat people....If you want to
tie this subject into one of my previous "posts", do not
eat, you will not get fat.....Some people consider being fat
to be a disease....Pumps
Saturday, August 27, 2005
The Olde Hardware Store
Sorry to say the olde hardware store is gone, like buggy
whips, into the annals of history.....The olde hardware
store was dark, dusty and had strange smells.....Anything
you wanted was most likely in some draw with a brass
handle behind the counter.....And only the store owner
knew in what draw what you wanted was.....
The closest thing to the olde stores are the newer, Ace
or True Value franchises.......Within in these new walls,
there is still a sense of personal service and they usually
have a small spot in the corner which has the item you
are looking for.....
The Big Box Stores have everything that you should spend
money on.....But do they have what you need?.....Today,
passing one, they had at least twenty John Deere riding
mowers for sale.....Not my day though.....Still need that
1/4-20 x 1/2" thumb screw.....Tomorrow it is off to Ace,
I may get lucky at their Grand Opening....Pumps
whips, into the annals of history.....The olde hardware
store was dark, dusty and had strange smells.....Anything
you wanted was most likely in some draw with a brass
handle behind the counter.....And only the store owner
knew in what draw what you wanted was.....
The closest thing to the olde stores are the newer, Ace
or True Value franchises.......Within in these new walls,
there is still a sense of personal service and they usually
have a small spot in the corner which has the item you
are looking for.....
The Big Box Stores have everything that you should spend
money on.....But do they have what you need?.....Today,
passing one, they had at least twenty John Deere riding
mowers for sale.....Not my day though.....Still need that
1/4-20 x 1/2" thumb screw.....Tomorrow it is off to Ace,
I may get lucky at their Grand Opening....Pumps
Friday, August 26, 2005
The DMV
I have to honestly admit that one thing has changed for the
better over the years and that is the processing lines at
the Department of Motor Vehicles......At least here in
Virginia anyway.....
Years ago you went into some olde dimly lit government
building and got on line....Then you got on the next line
and so on until the process, for what you were in there
for in the first place, was finished.....You were also at the
mercy and whim of little local bureaucrats....And God help
you if one was having a "bad hair day"......
Must say with all the new computerization and the improved
"traffic" flow of people, the process is no longer to be feared....
"In and out" was the word of the day....Even to my surprise
my renewal letter was "encoded" and scanned by a computer
to speed things along....Three cheers for the VA DMV....Pumps
better over the years and that is the processing lines at
the Department of Motor Vehicles......At least here in
Virginia anyway.....
Years ago you went into some olde dimly lit government
building and got on line....Then you got on the next line
and so on until the process, for what you were in there
for in the first place, was finished.....You were also at the
mercy and whim of little local bureaucrats....And God help
you if one was having a "bad hair day"......
Must say with all the new computerization and the improved
"traffic" flow of people, the process is no longer to be feared....
"In and out" was the word of the day....Even to my surprise
my renewal letter was "encoded" and scanned by a computer
to speed things along....Three cheers for the VA DMV....Pumps
Thursday, August 25, 2005
A Different World
A simple fact has "struck home"....Young adults entering
college this year were 10 years old between 1995 and 1997.....
For a senior, like myself, I now fully understand why
I do not understand the attitudes, music and philosophy
of life held by these young people.....There is not ONE
"point of view" on which we can agree.....All historical
and sociological perspectives have changed dramatically
over the last 60 years or so.....
Their only telephones have been "cell", a computer has
replaced their need for "thought" and communication
has been reduced to a cryptic text message.....
Yep, and my only glee is to remember that in 60 years
they will live in a "different world"......Pumps
college this year were 10 years old between 1995 and 1997.....
For a senior, like myself, I now fully understand why
I do not understand the attitudes, music and philosophy
of life held by these young people.....There is not ONE
"point of view" on which we can agree.....All historical
and sociological perspectives have changed dramatically
over the last 60 years or so.....
Their only telephones have been "cell", a computer has
replaced their need for "thought" and communication
has been reduced to a cryptic text message.....
Yep, and my only glee is to remember that in 60 years
they will live in a "different world"......Pumps
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Moan & Groan
Prices of everything are going up and the lament is beginning...
I guess some of us seniors should go out and shout the
loudest in the hopes that we can stop the tide of rising
prices....But did we not do that once....Maybe even
twice before, in our lifetime.......
A newspaper was 2 cents, a Coke 5 cents and a pack of
cigarettes only 20 cents.....Of course you only made
50 to 75 cents a hour.....Today people make $10 to $15
dollars a hour.....The paper is 50 cents, the Coke 75 and
the cigarettes over $3.....
I suspect that moaning and groaning is just part of being
a "human" thing....Pumps
I guess some of us seniors should go out and shout the
loudest in the hopes that we can stop the tide of rising
prices....But did we not do that once....Maybe even
twice before, in our lifetime.......
A newspaper was 2 cents, a Coke 5 cents and a pack of
cigarettes only 20 cents.....Of course you only made
50 to 75 cents a hour.....Today people make $10 to $15
dollars a hour.....The paper is 50 cents, the Coke 75 and
the cigarettes over $3.....
I suspect that moaning and groaning is just part of being
a "human" thing....Pumps
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Announcer Whisperer
I have always been one that believed that in order to make
a point, and have someone listen closely to what you are
saying, is to drop your voice and whisper....The lower in
volume you speak, the more attentive the listener becomes....
If you have noticed, there is a TV announcer which
does work for NBC, Bravo and PBS....He does most of
the promotional advertising....The "Tonight at 9" type
of stuff....
This guy has to be making a small monetary fortune, he is
all over the TV.... And just think we all have bought super large
TV screens, and surround sound, just to have someone
whisper in your ear and get your attention....Pumps
a point, and have someone listen closely to what you are
saying, is to drop your voice and whisper....The lower in
volume you speak, the more attentive the listener becomes....
If you have noticed, there is a TV announcer which
does work for NBC, Bravo and PBS....He does most of
the promotional advertising....The "Tonight at 9" type
of stuff....
This guy has to be making a small monetary fortune, he is
all over the TV.... And just think we all have bought super large
TV screens, and surround sound, just to have someone
whisper in your ear and get your attention....Pumps
Monday, August 22, 2005
Please Stop Eating
Never mind every week, but now every day some research
group announces another food which is not good for you to
eat....And, eating it will cause a cancer of some sort.....
So the conclusion is that you must stop eating food....Of
any sort....This is the only way you will be able to survive
and live to a ripe olde age and be disease free...And please,
do not forget to exercise while doing so...
It is now a confirmed fact that if you have ingested many
types of food during your lifetime, you will die....
Please stop eating now it is the only way to live....Pumps
group announces another food which is not good for you to
eat....And, eating it will cause a cancer of some sort.....
So the conclusion is that you must stop eating food....Of
any sort....This is the only way you will be able to survive
and live to a ripe olde age and be disease free...And please,
do not forget to exercise while doing so...
It is now a confirmed fact that if you have ingested many
types of food during your lifetime, you will die....
Please stop eating now it is the only way to live....Pumps
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Souvenirs
Souvenirs are part of everyone's life.....We travel and have
to bring home a memento so in the years to come we can look
upon it and reminisce.....
For some, souvenirs present a problem......According to a
recent Canadian newspaper article, a Chinese professor
desired to buy a Canadian souvenir and bring it back to her
children in China.....(Yep, you got it)......
The struggle to obtain a "true" souvenir manufactured in
the country you are in is hard to find anymore......Because
the little tag on most items says "Made in China".....(Some
do say Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand)....Pumps
to bring home a memento so in the years to come we can look
upon it and reminisce.....
For some, souvenirs present a problem......According to a
recent Canadian newspaper article, a Chinese professor
desired to buy a Canadian souvenir and bring it back to her
children in China.....(Yep, you got it)......
The struggle to obtain a "true" souvenir manufactured in
the country you are in is hard to find anymore......Because
the little tag on most items says "Made in China".....(Some
do say Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand)....Pumps
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Things Have Changed
Yesterday I saw a young teenager try to jump a curb with
his bicycle in a strip mall.....We have all done the same thing...
We have all pushed an action to the "edge"....Today they
are calling them "X-Games".....
So our teenager tries to make the jump with his bike....
He fails....The rear tire and rim hit the curb....He breaks
the "bead" on his tire and looses all air.....Disgruntled he
stops....Feels the tire with his foot and confirms that he
has lost air pressure in the tire....He now knows that he will
have to "trudge" home....Alas, but no......
He takes out his "cell phone"....Now in panic mode he tries
more than three times, on his phone, for someone to come
and rescue him...."Mommy, Daddy, anyone, please".....
"Trudging home" is no longer a modern option.....Pumps
his bicycle in a strip mall.....We have all done the same thing...
We have all pushed an action to the "edge"....Today they
are calling them "X-Games".....
So our teenager tries to make the jump with his bike....
He fails....The rear tire and rim hit the curb....He breaks
the "bead" on his tire and looses all air.....Disgruntled he
stops....Feels the tire with his foot and confirms that he
has lost air pressure in the tire....He now knows that he will
have to "trudge" home....Alas, but no......
He takes out his "cell phone"....Now in panic mode he tries
more than three times, on his phone, for someone to come
and rescue him...."Mommy, Daddy, anyone, please".....
"Trudging home" is no longer a modern option.....Pumps
Friday, August 19, 2005
We All Adjust
It would appear that the price of gasoline is now high enough
for people to start to alter their daily routines....Revised
budgets will now effect grocery shopping patterns,
restaurant eating and travel....
The younger generation will have trouble in adjusting....They
are now forced to make decisions....How much IS really left
on the debit card?....What does my credit card TOTAL, up to?....
What are my financial expenditure priorities?......They are
not really used to "this kind of stress"....
Us older folks are.....We grew up with it....At a very young age
we made the decision on how to spend that "special nickel"
someone gave you......The "seniors" know how to adjust, now
is the time for the "baby boomers" to learn.....Pumps
for people to start to alter their daily routines....Revised
budgets will now effect grocery shopping patterns,
restaurant eating and travel....
The younger generation will have trouble in adjusting....They
are now forced to make decisions....How much IS really left
on the debit card?....What does my credit card TOTAL, up to?....
What are my financial expenditure priorities?......They are
not really used to "this kind of stress"....
Us older folks are.....We grew up with it....At a very young age
we made the decision on how to spend that "special nickel"
someone gave you......The "seniors" know how to adjust, now
is the time for the "baby boomers" to learn.....Pumps
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Norton-Symantec Almost Sucks
Well I got my computer problem solved and it did not cost
me $29.95....That is the good news......
The bad news is that I had to correct the problem by using
Norton's Internet Tech Support......First I got an e-mail that
said that they received my question.....Then I got an answer
which told me to what tutorial I had to go to.....When you
opened this first tutorial it had you print out about 3-4
additional tutorials....These 3-4 tutorials lead to other
tutorial print outs.....
Needless to say after reading tutorials and two hours of
trial and error, I solved my e-mail problem......Then I sent
a "thank you" e-mail to India....Now I have received two
more e-mails, from India, asking me if I have resolved my
problem.....Life use to be much simpler.....Pumps
me $29.95....That is the good news......
The bad news is that I had to correct the problem by using
Norton's Internet Tech Support......First I got an e-mail that
said that they received my question.....Then I got an answer
which told me to what tutorial I had to go to.....When you
opened this first tutorial it had you print out about 3-4
additional tutorials....These 3-4 tutorials lead to other
tutorial print outs.....
Needless to say after reading tutorials and two hours of
trial and error, I solved my e-mail problem......Then I sent
a "thank you" e-mail to India....Now I have received two
more e-mails, from India, asking me if I have resolved my
problem.....Life use to be much simpler.....Pumps
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
More On Telemarketing
We all have joined no call lists but that does not stop a certain
amount of telephone marketing calls during the dinner hour
or later, up to the "no call" hour of 9PM....The subject of this
"blog" applies only to the 6PM to 9PM call....
The people making these telephone calls are most likely part
timers who are trying to pick up an extra buck in order to
pay off their credit cards.....(I know maybe two will have medical
bills.).....If you want to stop these people in their "tracks"....
Try this one.....
The first words out of your mouth should be, "Are we enjoying
our part-time job?"......If they do not hang up immediately, you
may be asked to repeat what you said.....After you do so, they
will definitely hang up on you....#1 because they know you have
a negative attitude and #2 because they are "ticked-off"...Pumps
amount of telephone marketing calls during the dinner hour
or later, up to the "no call" hour of 9PM....The subject of this
"blog" applies only to the 6PM to 9PM call....
The people making these telephone calls are most likely part
timers who are trying to pick up an extra buck in order to
pay off their credit cards.....(I know maybe two will have medical
bills.).....If you want to stop these people in their "tracks"....
Try this one.....
The first words out of your mouth should be, "Are we enjoying
our part-time job?"......If they do not hang up immediately, you
may be asked to repeat what you said.....After you do so, they
will definitely hang up on you....#1 because they know you have
a negative attitude and #2 because they are "ticked-off"...Pumps
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
People Forget
There are a lot of people complaining about the price of
gas these days and how it is effecting their lives.....Most of
these people, those 45 and older, have forgotten how they
survived the last time gas was high......
The gas shortages, that is right shortage, along with high
prices occured in the US during the mid and late 70's.....
The last number on your licence plate told you which day
of the week you could buy gasoline.....(The heck with the
price of it.).....
People live in "current time".....If you stubbed your toe today
it is a big thing.....If you stubbed it 20 years ago, you have
forgotten about it....(You may remember the pretty nurse
that bandaged it though, but not the pain.)....Pumps
gas these days and how it is effecting their lives.....Most of
these people, those 45 and older, have forgotten how they
survived the last time gas was high......
The gas shortages, that is right shortage, along with high
prices occured in the US during the mid and late 70's.....
The last number on your licence plate told you which day
of the week you could buy gasoline.....(The heck with the
price of it.).....
People live in "current time".....If you stubbed your toe today
it is a big thing.....If you stubbed it 20 years ago, you have
forgotten about it....(You may remember the pretty nurse
that bandaged it though, but not the pain.)....Pumps
Monday, August 15, 2005
Norton-Symantec Sucks
No wonder older people have trouble with computers....
You buy Norton Internet Security 2005 and install it
on your computer....Months later your "click" to receive
the latest updates....Something in these updates now
blocks your proper Outlook Express e-mail connection....
When you call Symantec and go through there 5-6 step
telephone menu.....(Can't use the dial/pulse phone for
this transaction.)....You are put on hold for 15 minutes and
then talk to someone in Mumbaia, India (aka Bombay)...
For the sum of $29.95 they will gladly tell you how to
solve a problem they caused....They suck....Pumps
You buy Norton Internet Security 2005 and install it
on your computer....Months later your "click" to receive
the latest updates....Something in these updates now
blocks your proper Outlook Express e-mail connection....
When you call Symantec and go through there 5-6 step
telephone menu.....(Can't use the dial/pulse phone for
this transaction.)....You are put on hold for 15 minutes and
then talk to someone in Mumbaia, India (aka Bombay)...
For the sum of $29.95 they will gladly tell you how to
solve a problem they caused....They suck....Pumps
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Focus
You spend over fifty years behind the wheel of a vehicle
and all of a sudden they want you to go back to Driver's
Ed.....The latest edition (Sept/Oct 2005) of the AARP
magazine contains the newest article on the subject.....
Paragraphs entitled, "act your age", "focus", "stay on
the ball" and keep out of harm's way" are all intended
for the senior to become a better defensive driver when
everyone else on the road between 16 and 64 is
AGGRESSIVE and does not give a "hoot" about you.....
If anything they get annoyed that you are driving
PROPERLY.....
We know that our neck hurts if we have to turn it
quickly....We know that our "reaction" time has slowed...
We also know to keep two hands on the wheel....
Unfortunately the young'ins see no need for this
driving method....It interferes with their cell phone
calls, lipstick applications and burger eating....
Heaven forbid you should do the speed limit and keep
one car's distance for every 10 mph of speed.....
At the speed of 50 mph there is room for at least
4 burger chompers and one cell phone user to get
in front of you, and then do 40 mph because they
suddenly feel "pre-occupied"......Pumps
and all of a sudden they want you to go back to Driver's
Ed.....The latest edition (Sept/Oct 2005) of the AARP
magazine contains the newest article on the subject.....
Paragraphs entitled, "act your age", "focus", "stay on
the ball" and keep out of harm's way" are all intended
for the senior to become a better defensive driver when
everyone else on the road between 16 and 64 is
AGGRESSIVE and does not give a "hoot" about you.....
If anything they get annoyed that you are driving
PROPERLY.....
We know that our neck hurts if we have to turn it
quickly....We know that our "reaction" time has slowed...
We also know to keep two hands on the wheel....
Unfortunately the young'ins see no need for this
driving method....It interferes with their cell phone
calls, lipstick applications and burger eating....
Heaven forbid you should do the speed limit and keep
one car's distance for every 10 mph of speed.....
At the speed of 50 mph there is room for at least
4 burger chompers and one cell phone user to get
in front of you, and then do 40 mph because they
suddenly feel "pre-occupied"......Pumps
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Olde Dial/Pulse Telephone
When good olde Ma Bell was forced to break up in 1986 their
Western Electric Division started to sell off their telephone
hand sets.....These telephone units were indestructible...
At the same time the phone system changed from pulse
dialing to tone dialing....
The pulse dial telephone operates on an electrical supply
of very low voltage.....There are still some tone phones
which also operate this way....Most tone systems now
require a transformer and 120 volts to work....No electric,
no phone....(Unless you have a cell phone and good
batteries.).....
The benefit of a pulse telephone is that you can not "Press 1"....
One day a sharp lawyer will make a lot of money for his/her
client because the other party, in the case, could not accept a
"non Press 1" telephone call....
That olde dial/pulse telephone is now 20 years old....The voice
transmissions are clear as a "bell"......It does have a few modern
"draw-backs" though.....It does not take pictures, receive text
messages and connect with the internet....Pumps
Western Electric Division started to sell off their telephone
hand sets.....These telephone units were indestructible...
At the same time the phone system changed from pulse
dialing to tone dialing....
The pulse dial telephone operates on an electrical supply
of very low voltage.....There are still some tone phones
which also operate this way....Most tone systems now
require a transformer and 120 volts to work....No electric,
no phone....(Unless you have a cell phone and good
batteries.).....
The benefit of a pulse telephone is that you can not "Press 1"....
One day a sharp lawyer will make a lot of money for his/her
client because the other party, in the case, could not accept a
"non Press 1" telephone call....
That olde dial/pulse telephone is now 20 years old....The voice
transmissions are clear as a "bell"......It does have a few modern
"draw-backs" though.....It does not take pictures, receive text
messages and connect with the internet....Pumps
Friday, August 12, 2005
Gray Hair #2
The reason companies are hiring older people, with gray
hair, is because of their established "work ethic".....
A "work ethic" is not something that the young modern
mind can comprehend......This "mind" has not been given
an opportunity to develop this sense of responsibility....
And, if given it, has made every effort to reject it.....Because
the "rejection" is the norm for his or her peers......
Over the years, I have had the privilege to see a lot of young
people finally be confronted with the word "ethic and
responsibility".....Those who survive will get gray hair and
be acknowledged.....The rest go through the remainder of their
lives saying, "what happened".....(But, if they had a lot of
sex during the journey, they will not really care either)....Pumps
hair, is because of their established "work ethic".....
A "work ethic" is not something that the young modern
mind can comprehend......This "mind" has not been given
an opportunity to develop this sense of responsibility....
And, if given it, has made every effort to reject it.....Because
the "rejection" is the norm for his or her peers......
Over the years, I have had the privilege to see a lot of young
people finally be confronted with the word "ethic and
responsibility".....Those who survive will get gray hair and
be acknowledged.....The rest go through the remainder of their
lives saying, "what happened".....(But, if they had a lot of
sex during the journey, they will not really care either)....Pumps
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Gray Hair #1
A recent TV news report noted the fact that many companies
are hiring older people.....The report also mentioned that as
the "baby boomers" age there will be more "seniors" in the
work force....
If you need advise while your are shopping for something, do
you trust the answer given by a young adult or by someone
with gray hair?.....The answer to this question is most likely
the latter.....(An exception could be made when purchasing a
new piece of high-tech equipment, I suppose.....A "geek" does
have a field of expertise in some matters).....
When you question the opinion of one with "gray hair", the
chances are your opinion will be found to be not valid....Pumps
are hiring older people.....The report also mentioned that as
the "baby boomers" age there will be more "seniors" in the
work force....
If you need advise while your are shopping for something, do
you trust the answer given by a young adult or by someone
with gray hair?.....The answer to this question is most likely
the latter.....(An exception could be made when purchasing a
new piece of high-tech equipment, I suppose.....A "geek" does
have a field of expertise in some matters).....
When you question the opinion of one with "gray hair", the
chances are your opinion will be found to be not valid....Pumps
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Daylight Savings Time #2
Here we go again.....The world abounds with "Chicken
Littles".....The "sky is falling".......
Some five years ago everyone went crazy with concern
that the millennium change would effect every piece
of computerized technical equipment....."Woes me."....
The only thing that really happened was the some
people made a small fortune off of the "Y2K" panic.....
Today, it is, heaven forbid, that we change our clocks and
"play" with daylight savings time, again....People may have
to manually adjust some of their computer or recording
equipment....MANUALLY, what a dirty word it has
become....Just think you may get some dust or even a
cobweb on your hand....Then you will have to run for the
antiseptic hand cleaner in order to prevent sudden
death.....
I think that mankind is brave enough to accept the
daylight savings time challenge and survive....Pumps
Littles".....The "sky is falling".......
Some five years ago everyone went crazy with concern
that the millennium change would effect every piece
of computerized technical equipment....."Woes me."....
The only thing that really happened was the some
people made a small fortune off of the "Y2K" panic.....
Today, it is, heaven forbid, that we change our clocks and
"play" with daylight savings time, again....People may have
to manually adjust some of their computer or recording
equipment....MANUALLY, what a dirty word it has
become....Just think you may get some dust or even a
cobweb on your hand....Then you will have to run for the
antiseptic hand cleaner in order to prevent sudden
death.....
I think that mankind is brave enough to accept the
daylight savings time challenge and survive....Pumps
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Today in 1678
On this date in 1678 Jonas Bronck bought from the local
Indians, for 400 beads, what the New Yorkers call
"The Bronx"....One of its five boroughs.....
In the past 300 years, or so, this large wooded area has
seen its share of farms, an American Revolutionary skirmish,
and a multitude of apartment houses.....While the Bronx
Zoo and Botanical Gardens have survived, Freedom Land
was replaced by more apartment buildings....
History has recorded all there is to know about The Bronx,
except the quality of the 400 beads....For one day Mr. Bronck
went hunting up along the East River and was killed by the
local Indians.....Poor Jonas......Pumps
Indians, for 400 beads, what the New Yorkers call
"The Bronx"....One of its five boroughs.....
In the past 300 years, or so, this large wooded area has
seen its share of farms, an American Revolutionary skirmish,
and a multitude of apartment houses.....While the Bronx
Zoo and Botanical Gardens have survived, Freedom Land
was replaced by more apartment buildings....
History has recorded all there is to know about The Bronx,
except the quality of the 400 beads....For one day Mr. Bronck
went hunting up along the East River and was killed by the
local Indians.....Poor Jonas......Pumps
Monday, August 08, 2005
Once Upon A Time #7
The Ink Well....When I grew up the "ink well" was a thing of the
past....It no longer held "ink"....It was just a whole in the upper
right hand corner of the desk...
It served no purpose unless you wanted to try to take a
"spit ball" and "shoot" it into the hole with your index finger....
Also, if you were tall for your age, you could view a "chit sheet"
(a piece of paper with test answers) through the desk hole...
This hole became obsolete because your Waterman's fountain pen
now held its own supply of ink...No need to "dip" into the well....
A little lever on the side of the pen compressed a "rubber bladder"
into which the ink would be drawn when the lever was returned
to its original position....That fountain pen and one bottle of ink
would last a school year, if not longer.....
Now you buy a package of 12 Bic SoftFeel pens, (please let us not
have are children's fingers hurt in school), for only $5.99 with 12
pens free....This supply will last the school year but these 24
pens can not "squirt" ink....Where has the fun gone?.....Pumps
past....It no longer held "ink"....It was just a whole in the upper
right hand corner of the desk...
It served no purpose unless you wanted to try to take a
"spit ball" and "shoot" it into the hole with your index finger....
Also, if you were tall for your age, you could view a "chit sheet"
(a piece of paper with test answers) through the desk hole...
This hole became obsolete because your Waterman's fountain pen
now held its own supply of ink...No need to "dip" into the well....
A little lever on the side of the pen compressed a "rubber bladder"
into which the ink would be drawn when the lever was returned
to its original position....That fountain pen and one bottle of ink
would last a school year, if not longer.....
Now you buy a package of 12 Bic SoftFeel pens, (please let us not
have are children's fingers hurt in school), for only $5.99 with 12
pens free....This supply will last the school year but these 24
pens can not "squirt" ink....Where has the fun gone?.....Pumps
Sunday, August 07, 2005
The Law
Currently there is a continuing story regarding a truck driver
in the State of Maine who really does not care about the law....
He is in his 40's and has a record of 42 driving convictions
and 19 suspensions....Also two people have died, as a result
of his driving, one in '94 and one now in '05....
Has anyone ever noticed that "laws" only work when people
have a conscience and obey them...Modern progressive thought
is that of "feeling".....If you "feel" like passing a school bus,
while it is discharging children, than do so.....
What the end result will be in this matter I do not know....
It appears that some people are trying to find a new "law" or
something....Why do we not go back to the olde conscience?....
Pumps
in the State of Maine who really does not care about the law....
He is in his 40's and has a record of 42 driving convictions
and 19 suspensions....Also two people have died, as a result
of his driving, one in '94 and one now in '05....
Has anyone ever noticed that "laws" only work when people
have a conscience and obey them...Modern progressive thought
is that of "feeling".....If you "feel" like passing a school bus,
while it is discharging children, than do so.....
What the end result will be in this matter I do not know....
It appears that some people are trying to find a new "law" or
something....Why do we not go back to the olde conscience?....
Pumps
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Imported Medicine
It seems that everyone is going crazy with the issue of
imported pharmaceuticals...."Give us access to imported
drugs so that the prices will be lower.".....
Question are the cheaper Canadian drugs made in Canada?
Fact: Since I buy my drugs in a 90 day supply and via
the mail, I receive a properly labeled white plastic bottle,
with child proof cap, which bears the name of an American
pharmaceutical manufacturer.....Low and behold, in a corner
of the label is printed, "Made In Ireland".......
I just think that American pharmaceuticals are high because
most American's can afford them......I wish I knew what the
pill cost in Ireland?....Pumps
imported pharmaceuticals...."Give us access to imported
drugs so that the prices will be lower.".....
Question are the cheaper Canadian drugs made in Canada?
Fact: Since I buy my drugs in a 90 day supply and via
the mail, I receive a properly labeled white plastic bottle,
with child proof cap, which bears the name of an American
pharmaceutical manufacturer.....Low and behold, in a corner
of the label is printed, "Made In Ireland".......
I just think that American pharmaceuticals are high because
most American's can afford them......I wish I knew what the
pill cost in Ireland?....Pumps
Friday, August 05, 2005
Immigration
I have held to the belief that many countries of the World have
had the same problems at the same time in history.....Social
and economic conditions were similar during periods of
exploration, wars and trade.....The same is holding true
today....
The United States is not the only country with an immigration
problem...While the US is concerned with Mexicans, Spain has
a Romanian problem, Germany a Turkish one....Italy on the
other hand is worried about the Albanians, France the
Algerians and Australia has "boat people" problems with
East Indians and Pakistanis.....
All these immigrants are on the move because the money
is better on the other side of the "border".......Man's quest
for a better life is the subject of many a history book....Pumps
had the same problems at the same time in history.....Social
and economic conditions were similar during periods of
exploration, wars and trade.....The same is holding true
today....
The United States is not the only country with an immigration
problem...While the US is concerned with Mexicans, Spain has
a Romanian problem, Germany a Turkish one....Italy on the
other hand is worried about the Albanians, France the
Algerians and Australia has "boat people" problems with
East Indians and Pakistanis.....
All these immigrants are on the move because the money
is better on the other side of the "border".......Man's quest
for a better life is the subject of many a history book....Pumps
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Suggested Retail Price
We all know that a "suggested retail price" is a retailer's
dream....They would like to charge all their customers this
listed price and make the great profits which go along with
the "suggested retail".....
Today I purchased a 2006 calendar which was printed in
China....Sale price was $1.00 plus tax....On the back of the
calendar was printed the following.....Suggested Retail Price
US $9.95 CAN $13.95.......
This pricing even goes against my "mark-up" theory.....I
suspect that the retailer even made $0.50 profit on the
sale of each calendar, if not more....Oh, by the way, it was
a nice calendar to boot.....Proves once more that you have
to know an item's "true" value.....Pumps
dream....They would like to charge all their customers this
listed price and make the great profits which go along with
the "suggested retail".....
Today I purchased a 2006 calendar which was printed in
China....Sale price was $1.00 plus tax....On the back of the
calendar was printed the following.....Suggested Retail Price
US $9.95 CAN $13.95.......
This pricing even goes against my "mark-up" theory.....I
suspect that the retailer even made $0.50 profit on the
sale of each calendar, if not more....Oh, by the way, it was
a nice calendar to boot.....Proves once more that you have
to know an item's "true" value.....Pumps
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
The Confession Book
Any good Roman Catholic will go to "confession" on a
Saturday afternoon prior to receiving "Holy Communion"
at a Sunday mass.....That being said.....There used to be
a little book of "sins"....
To prepare for "confession" one was suggested to "thumb"
through the pages of this little book, so that one could
refresh one's memory as to one's "sins" since one's last
"confession"....
Mortal Sins were printed in bold type.....And.....
Venial Sins (pardonable ones) were printed in italic type....
The only thing lacking in this little book were number
assignments for these mortal and venial sins.....The line
at the confessional would have been a lot shorter if you
just went into it and told the priest that you did a #19 once,
a #54 three times and a went to see the movie "The Outlaw"...
("The Outlaw" movie had "cleavage"..That's a venial.)....
Pumps
Saturday afternoon prior to receiving "Holy Communion"
at a Sunday mass.....That being said.....There used to be
a little book of "sins"....
To prepare for "confession" one was suggested to "thumb"
through the pages of this little book, so that one could
refresh one's memory as to one's "sins" since one's last
"confession"....
Mortal Sins were printed in bold type.....And.....
Venial Sins (pardonable ones) were printed in italic type....
The only thing lacking in this little book were number
assignments for these mortal and venial sins.....The line
at the confessional would have been a lot shorter if you
just went into it and told the priest that you did a #19 once,
a #54 three times and a went to see the movie "The Outlaw"...
("The Outlaw" movie had "cleavage"..That's a venial.)....
Pumps
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Cell Phone Etiquette
I guess we have all had our fill of cell phones these days....
They have changed the way people conduct their lives...Once
a person has a cell phone they are now "connected", "alive",
"wanted and needed"....One wonders how they survived
long enough until the "security" of a cell phone was
available to them.....
Have you ever noticed that if you are talking to someone
and THEY get a cell phone call, YOU suddenly do not exist
in the world anymore.....Their attention immediately goes
elsewhere....Their need for "security" "information" and
"consolation" lies at the end of the phone connection....
And in many cases they do not even excuse themselves
when leaving YOUR world to communicate with the OTHER....
It is always comforting to know that the cell phone CALLER
is more valued, than YOURSELF......Pumps
They have changed the way people conduct their lives...Once
a person has a cell phone they are now "connected", "alive",
"wanted and needed"....One wonders how they survived
long enough until the "security" of a cell phone was
available to them.....
Have you ever noticed that if you are talking to someone
and THEY get a cell phone call, YOU suddenly do not exist
in the world anymore.....Their attention immediately goes
elsewhere....Their need for "security" "information" and
"consolation" lies at the end of the phone connection....
And in many cases they do not even excuse themselves
when leaving YOUR world to communicate with the OTHER....
It is always comforting to know that the cell phone CALLER
is more valued, than YOURSELF......Pumps
Monday, August 01, 2005
Where Has Habibi Gone
Does habibi exist anymore?.....The world has changed so much
in the last 50 years that one wonders where things went
wrong.....
During WWII every combatant had a need for oil in order to
supply it's war machine.....The United States found Saudi
Arabia and after the war created Aramco....(The American
Arabian Oil Company).....Soon between East and West....
Everyone was happy....Everyone was making money...
Everyone was "habibi".....Then a new generation said that
"habibi" is a sin......
Today there is no "habibi" only "jihad.....Will the next generation
bring back "habibi"?.....Let's hope so.....(habibi=love)....Pumps
in the last 50 years that one wonders where things went
wrong.....
During WWII every combatant had a need for oil in order to
supply it's war machine.....The United States found Saudi
Arabia and after the war created Aramco....(The American
Arabian Oil Company).....Soon between East and West....
Everyone was happy....Everyone was making money...
Everyone was "habibi".....Then a new generation said that
"habibi" is a sin......
Today there is no "habibi" only "jihad.....Will the next generation
bring back "habibi"?.....Let's hope so.....(habibi=love)....Pumps
