Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Tim Kaine
Mr. Kaine has been elected Governor of the State of Virginia
and will serve for the next 4 years.....As Betty Davis once
said in a movie, "It's going to be a bumpy ride".....
Our ex-Governor Marc Warner, who has ambitions for a
national office, President or Vice-President, will
help Mr. Kaine perform some of his new chores.....
Mr. Kaine's first chore is to represent the Democratic Party
and offer a response to the State of the Union address
tonight....I suspect that some thought went into choosing a
political unknown, at least in the national arena, for this
task.....I guess the "big guns" want to stay out of the press
for a while....."Let Timmy do it"......Pumps
and will serve for the next 4 years.....As Betty Davis once
said in a movie, "It's going to be a bumpy ride".....
Our ex-Governor Marc Warner, who has ambitions for a
national office, President or Vice-President, will
help Mr. Kaine perform some of his new chores.....
Mr. Kaine's first chore is to represent the Democratic Party
and offer a response to the State of the Union address
tonight....I suspect that some thought went into choosing a
political unknown, at least in the national arena, for this
task.....I guess the "big guns" want to stay out of the press
for a while....."Let Timmy do it"......Pumps
Monday, January 30, 2006
The Smallest Fry Pan
I had a "quest" to buy the smallest frying pan in order to
make an "Egg Mc-Something" for breakfast.....Lo and
behold, I found it.....There is a company which makes
egg timers, egg separators, egg slicers and a ONE egg
fry pan.....
Everyone knows you can go to the local "fast food"
chain, on the nearest corner, and buy a breakfast biscuit
or something for a buck or so......But.....
Who can't beat homemade.....One muffin or bagel $.040,
one egg $0.10 and one slice of cheese $0.15......
Total $0.65.....That even beats a dollar menu item....
Good "rule of thumb".....If it costs a $1.00, at a fast food
emporium, you are eating $0.33 of food.....Pumps
make an "Egg Mc-Something" for breakfast.....Lo and
behold, I found it.....There is a company which makes
egg timers, egg separators, egg slicers and a ONE egg
fry pan.....
Everyone knows you can go to the local "fast food"
chain, on the nearest corner, and buy a breakfast biscuit
or something for a buck or so......But.....
Who can't beat homemade.....One muffin or bagel $.040,
one egg $0.10 and one slice of cheese $0.15......
Total $0.65.....That even beats a dollar menu item....
Good "rule of thumb".....If it costs a $1.00, at a fast food
emporium, you are eating $0.33 of food.....Pumps
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Vermont
Some thirty years ago I lived there, worked there and even
got elected to public office....I think I won 26-14....They just
hated the other candidate.......In light of the fact that this
State is in the news lately, I thought I might comment.....
Neither for, nor against......
There are very few people in Vermont......Some are natives,
others "Flatlanders".....The natives run the little small towns....
Usually there is one family in a town which has had all family
members hold one office or another through the years......
Selectman, Constable, Town Clerk or Viewer of Fences......
The "Flatlanders" come from the big cities trying to escape
the pressures.....They bring money and mostly liberal ideas.....
They start little businesses and get into local politics......
In the larger cities they have a little more control than
farmer Jones and his family, but the real point is The Joneses
really do not care.....Just do not interfere with their lifestyle
and you can do what you want......
The "Flatlanders" are never accepted, only tolerated, by the
gun toting "deer slayers"....This results in a lot of apathy either
in one group or the other, depending on the issue....
The ex-hippies, ex-ski bums, liberal college "types" think they
run things.....But at any Town Meeting olde Grandma Jones
can outwit the best of them.....If she has a feel'in to do so,
on that given March day.....Pumps
got elected to public office....I think I won 26-14....They just
hated the other candidate.......In light of the fact that this
State is in the news lately, I thought I might comment.....
Neither for, nor against......
There are very few people in Vermont......Some are natives,
others "Flatlanders".....The natives run the little small towns....
Usually there is one family in a town which has had all family
members hold one office or another through the years......
Selectman, Constable, Town Clerk or Viewer of Fences......
The "Flatlanders" come from the big cities trying to escape
the pressures.....They bring money and mostly liberal ideas.....
They start little businesses and get into local politics......
In the larger cities they have a little more control than
farmer Jones and his family, but the real point is The Joneses
really do not care.....Just do not interfere with their lifestyle
and you can do what you want......
The "Flatlanders" are never accepted, only tolerated, by the
gun toting "deer slayers"....This results in a lot of apathy either
in one group or the other, depending on the issue....
The ex-hippies, ex-ski bums, liberal college "types" think they
run things.....But at any Town Meeting olde Grandma Jones
can outwit the best of them.....If she has a feel'in to do so,
on that given March day.....Pumps
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Miss Rheingold
In these days of the declining Miss America pageant, it only fair
to mention a beauty competition that ended some 40 years or
so ago with no fanfare at all.....It just stopped...Fini....
During the 1940's and 1950' New York City saw the
prominence of three large breweries.....Ballantine, Ruppert and
Schaefer....Ruppert manufactured a popular beer known as
Rheingold.....In order to maintain market share, once a year
there would be the popular voting for a Miss Rheingold......
Pictures of the contestants were seen inside subway cars,
outside on busses and in newspaper advertisements.....
When you went to your local bar, delicatessen or small grocer
there it was....A cardboard easel display, voting ballot
(small coupons) and ballot box.....
Then the displays disappeared, ballots were counted and
newspaper ads announced the winner.....I still suspect that
a Miss Rheingold got more votes than a city mayor....
As time would have it, the beer market changed, Burt and
Harry Piels became a cartoon and the lovely ladies were
never seen again.......Pumps
to mention a beauty competition that ended some 40 years or
so ago with no fanfare at all.....It just stopped...Fini....
During the 1940's and 1950' New York City saw the
prominence of three large breweries.....Ballantine, Ruppert and
Schaefer....Ruppert manufactured a popular beer known as
Rheingold.....In order to maintain market share, once a year
there would be the popular voting for a Miss Rheingold......
Pictures of the contestants were seen inside subway cars,
outside on busses and in newspaper advertisements.....
When you went to your local bar, delicatessen or small grocer
there it was....A cardboard easel display, voting ballot
(small coupons) and ballot box.....
Then the displays disappeared, ballots were counted and
newspaper ads announced the winner.....I still suspect that
a Miss Rheingold got more votes than a city mayor....
As time would have it, the beer market changed, Burt and
Harry Piels became a cartoon and the lovely ladies were
never seen again.......Pumps
Friday, January 27, 2006
The Great Hidden Scam
This is not a scam that effects the public......It is a scam that
effects corporate telemarketing firms......
It is simple......I paid off my house mortgage some ten
years ago......But my name is still on some US Government
list that says that I "bought" one......This list has been sold
to countless of telemarketing firms by someone.....The
list is now being outsourced overseas.......Companies are
spending "good" money for lists and lists of outdated and
useless information.......
I do not care if the name cost a "cent" each.....It still adds up,
when you buy thousands of names which have no value.....
Telemarketing Companies do have costs and overhead....
They would see a higher profit if they used current and
accurate data.......But so what?.....They still try to sell a car
to someone who does not have a driver's license....Pumps
effects corporate telemarketing firms......
It is simple......I paid off my house mortgage some ten
years ago......But my name is still on some US Government
list that says that I "bought" one......This list has been sold
to countless of telemarketing firms by someone.....The
list is now being outsourced overseas.......Companies are
spending "good" money for lists and lists of outdated and
useless information.......
I do not care if the name cost a "cent" each.....It still adds up,
when you buy thousands of names which have no value.....
Telemarketing Companies do have costs and overhead....
They would see a higher profit if they used current and
accurate data.......But so what?.....They still try to sell a car
to someone who does not have a driver's license....Pumps
Thursday, January 26, 2006
The Sandwich Generation
The "Boomers" are complaining again......Now they have
created this "Sandwich Generation" thing since they have to
watch their kids and parents at the same time......Leaving
no time for themselves......So what else is new.....It was
that way years ago and no one ever complained......
Prior to World War II there were plenty of three story
homes in the world......No one story ranches yet......
Grandma and grandpa had one bedroom on the main
floor, Mom and Pop had their bedroom on the second
floor (The Gramps had it a few years earlier) and the kids
lived on the third floor.......The whole family lived under
one roof and a "Sandwich" was something you had for
lunch.....
Mom and Pop, having left home in their twenties to do
their thing, now find themselves back in the "clan" from
which they came......They sit and cry at the unfairness
of it all.....A fact that Grandma and Grandpa just lived
with, in the normal course of their lives......Pumps
created this "Sandwich Generation" thing since they have to
watch their kids and parents at the same time......Leaving
no time for themselves......So what else is new.....It was
that way years ago and no one ever complained......
Prior to World War II there were plenty of three story
homes in the world......No one story ranches yet......
Grandma and grandpa had one bedroom on the main
floor, Mom and Pop had their bedroom on the second
floor (The Gramps had it a few years earlier) and the kids
lived on the third floor.......The whole family lived under
one roof and a "Sandwich" was something you had for
lunch.....
Mom and Pop, having left home in their twenties to do
their thing, now find themselves back in the "clan" from
which they came......They sit and cry at the unfairness
of it all.....A fact that Grandma and Grandpa just lived
with, in the normal course of their lives......Pumps
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Do As I Say, Not-----
Being retired, it is quite common that you find yourself in a
medical office once or twice a month.......Most of the time
these "visits" are normal, routine or follow-up in nature......
Has anyone ever noticed how many over weight people
work in these places......I do not know whether they are
nursing, technical or administrative staff but these people
do send an alternate message......
You sit on one other side of the desk, in a place which informs
you what pills to take, what regimen to follow, what life
style to lead for the purpose of protecting your health, looking
at a person constructed of McDonald's Big Macs and Twinkies....
How come you never see an "out of shape" instructor in a
health gym?.......Am I missing something here?......Pumps
medical office once or twice a month.......Most of the time
these "visits" are normal, routine or follow-up in nature......
Has anyone ever noticed how many over weight people
work in these places......I do not know whether they are
nursing, technical or administrative staff but these people
do send an alternate message......
You sit on one other side of the desk, in a place which informs
you what pills to take, what regimen to follow, what life
style to lead for the purpose of protecting your health, looking
at a person constructed of McDonald's Big Macs and Twinkies....
How come you never see an "out of shape" instructor in a
health gym?.......Am I missing something here?......Pumps
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Toilets
Years ago the "Save Everything People" convinced everyone
that two much water was used to flush a toilet....The entire
toilet manufacturing industry converted to a "low flush"
toilet to appease the concerned populace.....
Local municipal communities gave tax rebates for the
installation of one of these new "low flush" Johns.....
Guess what all the new toilets come with, an adjustable
float mechanism which controls the amount of water
leaving the tank......Also there must be physics involved
when it takes > water "X" to remove solid "Y"......
I suspect that the "People Who Save Everything" set their
flushing standards with the piece of "tissue" used
to wipe their eyes, after a delayed "float" drop...Pumps
that two much water was used to flush a toilet....The entire
toilet manufacturing industry converted to a "low flush"
toilet to appease the concerned populace.....
Local municipal communities gave tax rebates for the
installation of one of these new "low flush" Johns.....
Guess what all the new toilets come with, an adjustable
float mechanism which controls the amount of water
leaving the tank......Also there must be physics involved
when it takes > water "X" to remove solid "Y"......
I suspect that the "People Who Save Everything" set their
flushing standards with the piece of "tissue" used
to wipe their eyes, after a delayed "float" drop...Pumps
Monday, January 23, 2006
FORD
Fix-Or-Repair-Daily.......Found-Onside of-Road-Dead......Yep,
that is what we would call them but it was a car....It may have
been your first car?.....
Today the company will "down-size", restructure and attempt
to make money in other markets overseas.......The big problem
is that anyone who worked for Ford will now complain.....They
were accustomed to lay-offs, tooling changes but now it is
permanent......Never did anyone of them think "out of the box"...
The days of "job security" started to dwindle in the late 80's....
Nothing stays the same.....Why do people think that it will, and
then complain when it does not?.......Pumps
that is what we would call them but it was a car....It may have
been your first car?.....
Today the company will "down-size", restructure and attempt
to make money in other markets overseas.......The big problem
is that anyone who worked for Ford will now complain.....They
were accustomed to lay-offs, tooling changes but now it is
permanent......Never did anyone of them think "out of the box"...
The days of "job security" started to dwindle in the late 80's....
Nothing stays the same.....Why do people think that it will, and
then complain when it does not?.......Pumps
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Politicians
Here in Virginia a new governor was elected by the name of
Tim Kaine......During his campaign period he promised not
to raise taxes......Eight days after his inauguration he is
proposing a tax increase on new car purchases from 3% to
5%....Sounds like a tax increase to me.....(Although some
say he did not promise not to raise taxes on anything to
do with transportation).....
What also gets me is that the Va. Auto Dealers Assoc.
donated nearly $100,000 to his election campaign.....
Since a $400 tax increase on the purchase of a $20,000
will effect car prices and sales, how is that for a
"Thank You"......
It is said that the ghost of Diogenes now roams the streets
of Richmond, at night, with his lighted lantern looking
for an honest politician......Pumps
Tim Kaine......During his campaign period he promised not
to raise taxes......Eight days after his inauguration he is
proposing a tax increase on new car purchases from 3% to
5%....Sounds like a tax increase to me.....(Although some
say he did not promise not to raise taxes on anything to
do with transportation).....
What also gets me is that the Va. Auto Dealers Assoc.
donated nearly $100,000 to his election campaign.....
Since a $400 tax increase on the purchase of a $20,000
will effect car prices and sales, how is that for a
"Thank You"......
It is said that the ghost of Diogenes now roams the streets
of Richmond, at night, with his lighted lantern looking
for an honest politician......Pumps
Saturday, January 21, 2006
70-1/2
For the younger generation and even the "boomers" this
figure means little to you......70-1/2 years of age only
means something to one who is 65 or older.....
Reaching the age of 70-1/2 is a "bitch"......I know, that
is what a financial adviser told me and it is true.....
After all those years of planning for your retirement
70-1/2 is the age when the United States Government
(IRS) wants you to cash in your chips and leave the
table......
No matter how much or how little you were able to
"squirrel" away, the decisions your are required to
make and the governmental paperwork are a "bitch"....
Guess what?.......I am 70-1/2........Pumps
figure means little to you......70-1/2 years of age only
means something to one who is 65 or older.....
Reaching the age of 70-1/2 is a "bitch"......I know, that
is what a financial adviser told me and it is true.....
After all those years of planning for your retirement
70-1/2 is the age when the United States Government
(IRS) wants you to cash in your chips and leave the
table......
No matter how much or how little you were able to
"squirrel" away, the decisions your are required to
make and the governmental paperwork are a "bitch"....
Guess what?.......I am 70-1/2........Pumps
Friday, January 20, 2006
Duct Tape & Hose Clamps
Let's face it, not all men walk into Home Depot or Lowes......
There are people who will recognize a light bulb but will
have difficulty in screwing it into the socket.....Is it right
or left hand thread?.......
For these people I suggest that you have tape and clamps
somewhere in the trunk of a car or in a box of unknown
tools under the back porch......
With duct tape or even electrical tape and hose clamps you
can make a temporary repair to almost anything designed
by man.......And remember for repairs on smaller items
there is always the twist-tie from the bread wrapper.....
Happy fixing.....Pumps
There are people who will recognize a light bulb but will
have difficulty in screwing it into the socket.....Is it right
or left hand thread?.......
For these people I suggest that you have tape and clamps
somewhere in the trunk of a car or in a box of unknown
tools under the back porch......
With duct tape or even electrical tape and hose clamps you
can make a temporary repair to almost anything designed
by man.......And remember for repairs on smaller items
there is always the twist-tie from the bread wrapper.....
Happy fixing.....Pumps
Thursday, January 19, 2006
ROYGBIV
Color.....In High School, years ago, you were taught ROYGBIV....
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet.....The
colors of the rainbow......
Early man duplicated some of these colors with basic pigments
and painted cave walls.....Today your local paint or hardware
store can convert ROYGBIV into 1,000 different shades, in
one brand of paint.....A second brand has another 1,000 shades....
And so on.......
There was no choice, years ago....Today you can have any color
you like....But it comes with at a dear price.....YOU do not know
what color you really want......The color on the chip or chart is
always different than on your wall......This leads to unhappiness,
confusion, mental stress and re-tint/repaint problems......
Life was much simpler when all you had was the seven colors
of ROYGBIV.......Sometimes "choice" is not good.....Pumps
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet.....The
colors of the rainbow......
Early man duplicated some of these colors with basic pigments
and painted cave walls.....Today your local paint or hardware
store can convert ROYGBIV into 1,000 different shades, in
one brand of paint.....A second brand has another 1,000 shades....
And so on.......
There was no choice, years ago....Today you can have any color
you like....But it comes with at a dear price.....YOU do not know
what color you really want......The color on the chip or chart is
always different than on your wall......This leads to unhappiness,
confusion, mental stress and re-tint/repaint problems......
Life was much simpler when all you had was the seven colors
of ROYGBIV.......Sometimes "choice" is not good.....Pumps
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Bombay Telemarketing
Well it seems that the "call centers" in India are being used
for other things besides computer technical problems.....
"Call centers" are now handling telemarketing calls for
mortgage refinance.....Soon I expect the Credit Card
companies will be using them......I doubt if Lawn Care
or Window Replacement companies ever will.....
The local banks want too much money for a rupee
conversion......
In order to answer the very polite people from India,
I have come along the word naheen or nahi.....If my
internet search is correct these words mean NO......
In all fairness, since they are questioning me in my
language, I think it is only fair to answer them
in theirs......Pumps
for other things besides computer technical problems.....
"Call centers" are now handling telemarketing calls for
mortgage refinance.....Soon I expect the Credit Card
companies will be using them......I doubt if Lawn Care
or Window Replacement companies ever will.....
The local banks want too much money for a rupee
conversion......
In order to answer the very polite people from India,
I have come along the word naheen or nahi.....If my
internet search is correct these words mean NO......
In all fairness, since they are questioning me in my
language, I think it is only fair to answer them
in theirs......Pumps
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Liberal Or Conservative
I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of people
who want YOU to belong to one camp or the other.....They
say that there is no "grey" area......That is not true.....
Most people tend to be Liberal when they are young and
Conservative when they are old......Granted, that maybe
33% are Liberal, 33% are Conservative and 33% are both
during the rest of their lives......
When the "money flows" then it is Liberal to say "let the good
times roll".....If things "get tight" then it is time to be a
Conservative.....To be a Social Liberal and Financial
Conservative at the same time is not uncommon.....But
you rarely see a Social Conservative and Financial Liberal.....
Let's face it, the people with the "labels" are trying to make
money "off of it" somehow......"Sell the idea"......Is often
used, and that statement proves "it"......Pumps
who want YOU to belong to one camp or the other.....They
say that there is no "grey" area......That is not true.....
Most people tend to be Liberal when they are young and
Conservative when they are old......Granted, that maybe
33% are Liberal, 33% are Conservative and 33% are both
during the rest of their lives......
When the "money flows" then it is Liberal to say "let the good
times roll".....If things "get tight" then it is time to be a
Conservative.....To be a Social Liberal and Financial
Conservative at the same time is not uncommon.....But
you rarely see a Social Conservative and Financial Liberal.....
Let's face it, the people with the "labels" are trying to make
money "off of it" somehow......"Sell the idea"......Is often
used, and that statement proves "it"......Pumps
Monday, January 16, 2006
Skiing
With the Winter Olympics coming up next month in Italy,
one US downhill races has admitted to being "buzzed" or
"sloshed" during some of his past downhill events.....
Having tended bar in a ski resort for some 6 years, what
else is new.....The only sober people on the slopes are,
for one, the family man with his wife and children on
a vacation.....And, secondly, a female puritan.....I used
to serve everyone else of drinking age......
It appeared to me that most skiers put an "edge" on their
skis with a file and took the "edge" off their nerves with
a beer or booze......Also, some took the "edge" off more
than others......
After the long cold ride up on the ski lift, there is a welcome
break in the "summit lodge" before the downhill run.....
Coffee and cocoa were for the family.....Pumps
one US downhill races has admitted to being "buzzed" or
"sloshed" during some of his past downhill events.....
Having tended bar in a ski resort for some 6 years, what
else is new.....The only sober people on the slopes are,
for one, the family man with his wife and children on
a vacation.....And, secondly, a female puritan.....I used
to serve everyone else of drinking age......
It appeared to me that most skiers put an "edge" on their
skis with a file and took the "edge" off their nerves with
a beer or booze......Also, some took the "edge" off more
than others......
After the long cold ride up on the ski lift, there is a welcome
break in the "summit lodge" before the downhill run.....
Coffee and cocoa were for the family.....Pumps
Sunday, January 15, 2006
TV Ratings
In case anyone has not noticed, TV shows are now rated in order
to protect the children....It seems that the "boomers" grew up
watching television and what they saw had such a profound
bearing on their lives that they must now protect others.......
On TV Land "All In The Family" episodes are rated PG-DL
for Parental Guidance and Dialog........
What gets me is if it was go enough for "today's"
parents to watch some thirty years ago, what the heck
is wrong with it now?....
No wonder the kids of today have trouble "growing up",
it's because no one will let them.....Pumps
to protect the children....It seems that the "boomers" grew up
watching television and what they saw had such a profound
bearing on their lives that they must now protect others.......
On TV Land "All In The Family" episodes are rated PG-DL
for Parental Guidance and Dialog........
What gets me is if it was go enough for "today's"
parents to watch some thirty years ago, what the heck
is wrong with it now?....
No wonder the kids of today have trouble "growing up",
it's because no one will let them.....Pumps
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Potpourri
Don't you just love the driver who is on someones "tail"
(3-4 feet) doing 55 miles a hour while talking on his
cell phone?.....As he weaves in and out of traffic and fights
to get ahead of the "pack" you wind up next to him at
a traffic light some two miles down the road....
When you went to a butcher shop, with your mother,
did you ever see the butcher clean the "butcher block"
with a Clorox handy wipe?.......No.....After he cut the
chicken up on the "block", to your mother's specifications,
he would wipe his hands on his apron and wipe off
the "block" with a dirty towel......Then he would cut your
mother's beef order......And YOU are still alive......
Every kid would play King of the Hill on any local sand or
dirt pile......Guarantee you needed a few "band-aids" after
this game, in order to cover the scratches you got.....
Now the contractor or person who left the sand pile is
sued for the cost of the 1 million dollar "band-aid" if
anyone gets hurt playing on it....Even if it is on someone
else's property.....(Think no fence.).....
Pumps.....
(3-4 feet) doing 55 miles a hour while talking on his
cell phone?.....As he weaves in and out of traffic and fights
to get ahead of the "pack" you wind up next to him at
a traffic light some two miles down the road....
When you went to a butcher shop, with your mother,
did you ever see the butcher clean the "butcher block"
with a Clorox handy wipe?.......No.....After he cut the
chicken up on the "block", to your mother's specifications,
he would wipe his hands on his apron and wipe off
the "block" with a dirty towel......Then he would cut your
mother's beef order......And YOU are still alive......
Every kid would play King of the Hill on any local sand or
dirt pile......Guarantee you needed a few "band-aids" after
this game, in order to cover the scratches you got.....
Now the contractor or person who left the sand pile is
sued for the cost of the 1 million dollar "band-aid" if
anyone gets hurt playing on it....Even if it is on someone
else's property.....(Think no fence.).....
Pumps.....
Friday, January 13, 2006
Sports Management
Boy have times really changed.....I just found out today that
a part time employee, working for my olde company, will be
completing his final semester and will graduate this June
with a Bachelor's Degree in "Sports Management".....
For some, unknown, reason I thought young people went
to university to study science, literature, art or engineering.....
I never suspected one would spend four years learning how
to schedule soft balls games, in the local municipal park.....
Or instruct others on how to properly mow grass more
efficiently......
Oh well! Since he does not have a "minor" in his curriculum,
I hope all goes well for him.....I would hate to see him fail
and become a "team mascot" for all his efforts......Pumps
a part time employee, working for my olde company, will be
completing his final semester and will graduate this June
with a Bachelor's Degree in "Sports Management".....
For some, unknown, reason I thought young people went
to university to study science, literature, art or engineering.....
I never suspected one would spend four years learning how
to schedule soft balls games, in the local municipal park.....
Or instruct others on how to properly mow grass more
efficiently......
Oh well! Since he does not have a "minor" in his curriculum,
I hope all goes well for him.....I would hate to see him fail
and become a "team mascot" for all his efforts......Pumps
Thursday, January 12, 2006
TV Advertisments
When TV first started back in the late 40's, there was one
advertiser for one show.....Texaco, Lucky Strike, Kraft.....
Today due to the cost of TV production most programs
have multiple advertisers.....On the cable channels the
advertisers just buy anywhere from 5 seconds to 30 seconds
of TV time........
If you watch a 3 hour movie, on cable, you may see
the same ad 4 to 6 times in each hour.....You are just
inundated with the same commercial.......
A TV advertisement is design for one purpose and that
is for you to buy and TRY the product......(If you like it, then
buy more.).....But what happens when you have no need
for the product or buy it and DO NOT like it?.......The end
result is to watch a countless number of commercials which
now become so annoying.......Pumps
advertiser for one show.....Texaco, Lucky Strike, Kraft.....
Today due to the cost of TV production most programs
have multiple advertisers.....On the cable channels the
advertisers just buy anywhere from 5 seconds to 30 seconds
of TV time........
If you watch a 3 hour movie, on cable, you may see
the same ad 4 to 6 times in each hour.....You are just
inundated with the same commercial.......
A TV advertisement is design for one purpose and that
is for you to buy and TRY the product......(If you like it, then
buy more.).....But what happens when you have no need
for the product or buy it and DO NOT like it?.......The end
result is to watch a countless number of commercials which
now become so annoying.......Pumps
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Chavez's Oil
Hugo Chavez the, socialist, president of Venezuela made a deal,
during the recent period of high gas prices, to provide cheap
oil from his country to the Northeastern part of the United
States this winter......It appears that there was a Senator from
the State of Massachusetts involved in the "deal".....
Well I guess the oil has arrived because the "local" papers
are "touting" the benefits of the cheaper oil for the Northeast
customers.......
Has anyone noticed the temperatures in that part
of the United States......Friends of mine are happy that
they have a little snow but above normal winter temperatures....
It was 40F degrees today in Portland, Maine......IT IS THE
SECOND WEEK IN JANUARY......
Does this mean that in order to save the world's supply of
fossil fuel we should have "that" Senator make some kind of
a deal for more global warming.....LOL......Pumps
during the recent period of high gas prices, to provide cheap
oil from his country to the Northeastern part of the United
States this winter......It appears that there was a Senator from
the State of Massachusetts involved in the "deal".....
Well I guess the oil has arrived because the "local" papers
are "touting" the benefits of the cheaper oil for the Northeast
customers.......
Has anyone noticed the temperatures in that part
of the United States......Friends of mine are happy that
they have a little snow but above normal winter temperatures....
It was 40F degrees today in Portland, Maine......IT IS THE
SECOND WEEK IN JANUARY......
Does this mean that in order to save the world's supply of
fossil fuel we should have "that" Senator make some kind of
a deal for more global warming.....LOL......Pumps
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
"It Works"
About a month a go I read a newspaper article regarding how
to bypass the an "automated telephone answering system"
and talk to a human, if the "menu" does not have one......
So a call is made to a prominent credit card company in order
to obtain a "simple" piece of information which requires
a personal answer......Well you dial the eleven digit 800 number,
then enter your 16 digit card number that go through press
one, two, three, four or five.....To repeat press "star"....If you
press one through five you reach another "menu".....At no time
do you hear. "To talk to a service representative - press six"....
Then the "penny drops" and I remember the secret "hint".....
Press zero, three times in a row, and guess what.....A human
voice says, "May I help you?"......Just zero three times to end
the frustration.......Who knew......Pumps
to bypass the an "automated telephone answering system"
and talk to a human, if the "menu" does not have one......
So a call is made to a prominent credit card company in order
to obtain a "simple" piece of information which requires
a personal answer......Well you dial the eleven digit 800 number,
then enter your 16 digit card number that go through press
one, two, three, four or five.....To repeat press "star"....If you
press one through five you reach another "menu".....At no time
do you hear. "To talk to a service representative - press six"....
Then the "penny drops" and I remember the secret "hint".....
Press zero, three times in a row, and guess what.....A human
voice says, "May I help you?"......Just zero three times to end
the frustration.......Who knew......Pumps
Monday, January 09, 2006
Household Paperwork
Today, in Jabunyaville, it was the day to catch up with the
record keeping.......Not on the computer......The olde
fashioned way......On three hole, green, six column analysis
paper, or what ever they call it......
Putting all the figures in a three ring binder makes it easy
to read at the kitchen table......I know the "boomers" use
a computer but I start with a "hard copy" in the beginning
and do not have to worry about "crashes"or "worms" which
destroy an electronic file.......
If recording non-electronically was good for the Egyptians,
Romans and the Monks of the Middle Ages, I believe the
process has survived the test of time.......Besides I have come
to the conclusion that it takes the same amount of time to
perform either handwritten or computer task......
I remember that the "experts" a few years back said that
the world would become "paperless".....I have yet to see
that happen.....It seems with the necessity of having
"hard copies", we are using more paper than before....Pumps
record keeping.......Not on the computer......The olde
fashioned way......On three hole, green, six column analysis
paper, or what ever they call it......
Putting all the figures in a three ring binder makes it easy
to read at the kitchen table......I know the "boomers" use
a computer but I start with a "hard copy" in the beginning
and do not have to worry about "crashes"or "worms" which
destroy an electronic file.......
If recording non-electronically was good for the Egyptians,
Romans and the Monks of the Middle Ages, I believe the
process has survived the test of time.......Besides I have come
to the conclusion that it takes the same amount of time to
perform either handwritten or computer task......
I remember that the "experts" a few years back said that
the world would become "paperless".....I have yet to see
that happen.....It seems with the necessity of having
"hard copies", we are using more paper than before....Pumps
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Recorded Sound
Ever since Thomas A. Edison invented the phonograph, over
one hundred years ago, man has been trying to improve on
the quality of the "reproduced" sound.....
From the early vinyl 78's, to the 33-1/3's and their Hi-Fi
stereophonic sound.....Then Dolby and now Digital the true
recreation of sound has been in the forefront of the audio
industry.....Until......
Every one decided they wanted their sound to be more
portable.....This created the need for an "ear plug"
system and "tinny" cell phone reproduction.......
It is a pity.....We have come all this way in audio science
to manufacture sound systems which are just a little
better than Edison's first patent......Pumps
one hundred years ago, man has been trying to improve on
the quality of the "reproduced" sound.....
From the early vinyl 78's, to the 33-1/3's and their Hi-Fi
stereophonic sound.....Then Dolby and now Digital the true
recreation of sound has been in the forefront of the audio
industry.....Until......
Every one decided they wanted their sound to be more
portable.....This created the need for an "ear plug"
system and "tinny" cell phone reproduction.......
It is a pity.....We have come all this way in audio science
to manufacture sound systems which are just a little
better than Edison's first patent......Pumps
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Marcus Vick
A timely subject to say the least.....A man with a "run-a-way"
ego who thinks he is above it all......A person who feels he
has earned all the money he has yet to earn......
This Mr. Vick, unlike his older brother, will learn how it
is to earn.....The leaving of school (Virginia Tech) is no problem
for him.....One must leave the chaff behind, somewhere.....
Marcus will join the ranks of the NFL and become a
professional football player......It is here he will be taught the
values of life which he refused to be taught at Tech.....
I suspect that on his first play, as quarterback for an NFL
team, his offensive line will somehow disintergrate and
one ton of defensive line backer muscle will sit on Mr. Vick's
face and whisper "sweet nothings" in his ear.......As his ego
is pressed into the playing field he will then have to earn
what he refused to learn.....
But let's face it, big "bro" has already "taken care of ma-ma"
so who knows if he will ever want to learn.......Pumps
ego who thinks he is above it all......A person who feels he
has earned all the money he has yet to earn......
This Mr. Vick, unlike his older brother, will learn how it
is to earn.....The leaving of school (Virginia Tech) is no problem
for him.....One must leave the chaff behind, somewhere.....
Marcus will join the ranks of the NFL and become a
professional football player......It is here he will be taught the
values of life which he refused to be taught at Tech.....
I suspect that on his first play, as quarterback for an NFL
team, his offensive line will somehow disintergrate and
one ton of defensive line backer muscle will sit on Mr. Vick's
face and whisper "sweet nothings" in his ear.......As his ego
is pressed into the playing field he will then have to earn
what he refused to learn.....
But let's face it, big "bro" has already "taken care of ma-ma"
so who knows if he will ever want to learn.......Pumps
Friday, January 06, 2006
Advice To The Young
I believe that everybody should learn how to shop and cook.....
It seems that people try to avoid these two mainstay
functions of life.....Since people do not handle rejection well,
a shopping mistake or a poorly cooked meal cause many
to avoid performing these necessary survival tasks.....
What do you think toilets and "home-delivery" pizza are
for?......The mistakes.......The first recipe in any cookbook
used by a college student is always, "How to boil an egg".....
You have to start somewhere......
These days too many people avoid the shopping/cooking tasks
and rely on prepackaged prepared foods.....I guess it is less
"stressful" to do so......But in each "life" the time comes when
"How to boil an egg" does come in handy.....My advise is to
prepare for that time......Pumps
It seems that people try to avoid these two mainstay
functions of life.....Since people do not handle rejection well,
a shopping mistake or a poorly cooked meal cause many
to avoid performing these necessary survival tasks.....
What do you think toilets and "home-delivery" pizza are
for?......The mistakes.......The first recipe in any cookbook
used by a college student is always, "How to boil an egg".....
You have to start somewhere......
These days too many people avoid the shopping/cooking tasks
and rely on prepackaged prepared foods.....I guess it is less
"stressful" to do so......But in each "life" the time comes when
"How to boil an egg" does come in handy.....My advise is to
prepare for that time......Pumps
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Eye - Ear - Nose & Throat
Years ago a doctor covered all these body parts in his
practice.....In this age of specialization the "eye" has left
the group.....
The use of Ipods and MP3 players is expected to effect
the hearing of the young people as they grow older....For
years every one knew that loud sounds will cause damage
to the inner ear......Boomboxes and auto stereo systems
have not helped the situation either.....
Now with the cell phone being capable of doing everything
except cooking food, I expect that the eye doctors of the
future will have an increased patient load due to the eye
strain of watching the little picture screen on their hand
held units......Can you imagine watching a 90 minute
movie on your cell phone?.......A breed of near sighted,
cross-eyed individuals is in development ...Pumps
practice.....In this age of specialization the "eye" has left
the group.....
The use of Ipods and MP3 players is expected to effect
the hearing of the young people as they grow older....For
years every one knew that loud sounds will cause damage
to the inner ear......Boomboxes and auto stereo systems
have not helped the situation either.....
Now with the cell phone being capable of doing everything
except cooking food, I expect that the eye doctors of the
future will have an increased patient load due to the eye
strain of watching the little picture screen on their hand
held units......Can you imagine watching a 90 minute
movie on your cell phone?.......A breed of near sighted,
cross-eyed individuals is in development ...Pumps
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
The 24 Hour News Cycle #2
I guess the events that happened at the Tallmansville
West Virginia coal mine today prove my point of
yesterday's blog.....The demand for news, 24 hours a day,
leaves no time for a "second or third story confirmation".....
With the "news feed" hitting the "news wires" right in the
middle of the day's newspaper printing left a lot of local
newspaper editors holding the bag as a result of an
incorrect headline......But if it sold newspapers, the only
thing you will see is a small "correction" somewhere in
the pages of later issues or their web sites......
With the need for"news", people lost sight of the fact that
a "correction" was due to 12 families.....And it should not
have taken 3 hours to accomplish.....Pumps
West Virginia coal mine today prove my point of
yesterday's blog.....The demand for news, 24 hours a day,
leaves no time for a "second or third story confirmation".....
With the "news feed" hitting the "news wires" right in the
middle of the day's newspaper printing left a lot of local
newspaper editors holding the bag as a result of an
incorrect headline......But if it sold newspapers, the only
thing you will see is a small "correction" somewhere in
the pages of later issues or their web sites......
With the need for"news", people lost sight of the fact that
a "correction" was due to 12 families.....And it should not
have taken 3 hours to accomplish.....Pumps
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
The 24 Hour News Cycle
When you really come down to it, do the people of Jabunyaville
need 24 hours of news?......Years ago you read a newspaper
at breakfast or on a train ride to work and you watched one
hour of news at dinner time......You kept informed.....
Now with the 24 hour news cycle and other print and computer
media, one just feels inundated with it all......Show after show
talking about the same thing....Minor news items just
blown out of proportion.....Every political "talking head" with
his/her professional opinion.....Enough already......
I suspect that if people are avoiding Hollywood movies because
of the "same-olde, same-olde".....They may continue to
develop other interests and avoid the TV news channels
except for the BIG stories.....
NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and their format changes may
be interesting to watch in the future.....Pumps
need 24 hours of news?......Years ago you read a newspaper
at breakfast or on a train ride to work and you watched one
hour of news at dinner time......You kept informed.....
Now with the 24 hour news cycle and other print and computer
media, one just feels inundated with it all......Show after show
talking about the same thing....Minor news items just
blown out of proportion.....Every political "talking head" with
his/her professional opinion.....Enough already......
I suspect that if people are avoiding Hollywood movies because
of the "same-olde, same-olde".....They may continue to
develop other interests and avoid the TV news channels
except for the BIG stories.....
NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and their format changes may
be interesting to watch in the future.....Pumps
Monday, January 02, 2006
"Blessed Are They -"
"Blessed are they, who go around in circles, fore they will be
known as BIG WHEELS"......An olde saying of mine.....Another
great word is -CONUNDRUM......Both the saying and the
word do apply to computers......Yes, I am on the subject again...
This time it is to find out how to solve a problem on my own
computer......First you use "help" from your ISP, then you go to
"help" on Microsoft.....Each says go to the other.....Then the ISP
say "try" your firewall/anti virus software provider.....
I will agree, that each of these sites does not really know YOUR
problem......The key to proper computer operation is PATIENCE,
UNDERSTANDING and the ability to THINK......
Now I know why IBM had "THINK" for its corporate motto
50 years ago, a the birth of the computer age.......Pumps
known as BIG WHEELS"......An olde saying of mine.....Another
great word is -CONUNDRUM......Both the saying and the
word do apply to computers......Yes, I am on the subject again...
This time it is to find out how to solve a problem on my own
computer......First you use "help" from your ISP, then you go to
"help" on Microsoft.....Each says go to the other.....Then the ISP
say "try" your firewall/anti virus software provider.....
I will agree, that each of these sites does not really know YOUR
problem......The key to proper computer operation is PATIENCE,
UNDERSTANDING and the ability to THINK......
Now I know why IBM had "THINK" for its corporate motto
50 years ago, a the birth of the computer age.......Pumps
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Once Upon A Time #15
First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR, to my small band of followers.....
It is amazing that "once upon a time" could only be five years
ago.....Above my computer there is placed a small, purchased,
remembrance of the good olde Y2K bug......Remember that
great panic of 1999......A few wackos had it as the end of the
world but the intelligentsia predicted the end of the computer....
A piece of electronic equipment could not properly handle
the addition of one minute of earth time......
Well, as we all know, it never happened and my little souvenir
reminds me of the "doomsday sayers", "negative thinkers"
and the "Chicken Littles" of the world.....I suspect there will be
a multitude of future happy new year days but it is tough to
convince people of that.....And I guess, from what History tells us,
it has always been that way.....HAPPY NEW YEAR again...Pumps
It is amazing that "once upon a time" could only be five years
ago.....Above my computer there is placed a small, purchased,
remembrance of the good olde Y2K bug......Remember that
great panic of 1999......A few wackos had it as the end of the
world but the intelligentsia predicted the end of the computer....
A piece of electronic equipment could not properly handle
the addition of one minute of earth time......
Well, as we all know, it never happened and my little souvenir
reminds me of the "doomsday sayers", "negative thinkers"
and the "Chicken Littles" of the world.....I suspect there will be
a multitude of future happy new year days but it is tough to
convince people of that.....And I guess, from what History tells us,
it has always been that way.....HAPPY NEW YEAR again...Pumps
