Thursday, August 31, 2006
Opinions Of An Ex Smoker
This blog in not pro or anti smoking.....I gave up the "things"
some 25 years ago and have never infringed on any one's
right to smoke or not smoke......
It was a rainy day in Jabunyaville today and at a medical
appointment I observed a number of smokers standing on
a "shipping dock" enjoying their cigarettes.......As is common
today a smoker can no longer smoke in an office environment,
so out to the street and "open air" the smoker must go.....
My thought at seeing this was, "boy this is great".....You can
get away from your desk......You can get away from your
telephone.......You can be less productive in your work day......
And you still get paid the same amount, for the same job, as
the non-smoker sitting next to you......If there is no telephone
"voice mail", your co-worker may even have to answer your
telephone and solve your work problems while you are on
the "shipping dock" enjoying your "butt"......
Since the US Government has said on many occasion that the
efficiency of the American worker is up, it must be due to the
fact that the non-smoker can not take a "cigarette break".....
Pumps
some 25 years ago and have never infringed on any one's
right to smoke or not smoke......
It was a rainy day in Jabunyaville today and at a medical
appointment I observed a number of smokers standing on
a "shipping dock" enjoying their cigarettes.......As is common
today a smoker can no longer smoke in an office environment,
so out to the street and "open air" the smoker must go.....
My thought at seeing this was, "boy this is great".....You can
get away from your desk......You can get away from your
telephone.......You can be less productive in your work day......
And you still get paid the same amount, for the same job, as
the non-smoker sitting next to you......If there is no telephone
"voice mail", your co-worker may even have to answer your
telephone and solve your work problems while you are on
the "shipping dock" enjoying your "butt"......
Since the US Government has said on many occasion that the
efficiency of the American worker is up, it must be due to the
fact that the non-smoker can not take a "cigarette break".....
Pumps
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Apples To Apples
In this one year anniversary of Katrina and its effect on the city
of New Orleans, every one is concerned as to is their little
town or city prepared for the same unfortunate disaster.....
Media people of TV, print and radio are still asking the same
stupid question or questions......"What would you do if a
Katrina type storm hit 'this' city"?......."Are you prepared?"....
I have heard Orange County in California mentioned in the
"what if" question......Here in Jabunaville, the same concern
"what if".......It has become a joke.......
New Orleans is a city at the bottom of a "cereal bowl"......Now
what other American city, do you know of, was built and
engineered, over the past 200 years, that way?......
Most of the coastal towns in America have a low lying area
which is prone to flood during a heavy rain storm....But can
you name another American town which was build in a
"cereal bowl"?.......
So in fairness to all, why does not the media just compare
Katrina/New Orleans to Rotterdam, Holland......Pumps
of New Orleans, every one is concerned as to is their little
town or city prepared for the same unfortunate disaster.....
Media people of TV, print and radio are still asking the same
stupid question or questions......"What would you do if a
Katrina type storm hit 'this' city"?......."Are you prepared?"....
I have heard Orange County in California mentioned in the
"what if" question......Here in Jabunaville, the same concern
"what if".......It has become a joke.......
New Orleans is a city at the bottom of a "cereal bowl"......Now
what other American city, do you know of, was built and
engineered, over the past 200 years, that way?......
Most of the coastal towns in America have a low lying area
which is prone to flood during a heavy rain storm....But can
you name another American town which was build in a
"cereal bowl"?.......
So in fairness to all, why does not the media just compare
Katrina/New Orleans to Rotterdam, Holland......Pumps
Monday, August 28, 2006
John Mark Karr #2
This is just an idle thought......When his story first broke, in the
news media, about his arrest in Thailand, there was a single
voice on my TV that said maybe "he had to get out of Thailand"....
While Thailand and Bangkok are known for their openness to
prostitution the local government police get pretty strict with
the perverts and other "odd balls".....In fact, according to some
accounts in the Australian newspapers, they get down right
nasty........
Considering that he has been kicked out of any school he has
taught in, because of his "oddness", maybe his loss of a job,
in the Thailand school he taught in, did not fit the "tourist"
profile of the Thai police?......Like I said, just a thought....Pumps
news media, about his arrest in Thailand, there was a single
voice on my TV that said maybe "he had to get out of Thailand"....
While Thailand and Bangkok are known for their openness to
prostitution the local government police get pretty strict with
the perverts and other "odd balls".....In fact, according to some
accounts in the Australian newspapers, they get down right
nasty........
Considering that he has been kicked out of any school he has
taught in, because of his "oddness", maybe his loss of a job,
in the Thailand school he taught in, did not fit the "tourist"
profile of the Thai police?......Like I said, just a thought....Pumps
Sunday, August 27, 2006
It Is Getting A Bit Much
It appears that the Supervisors of a small Pennsylvania town
have enacted a new ordinance to comply with the United
States Department of Environmental Protection......
It is known as the "On Lot Disposal System Management
Program".......
Its main purpose requires that you "mark" the site of your
SEPTIC TANK so that it can be found easily in order to be
pumped out every three years or so......
The only purpose of this new "Program" was in order to
enact a new series of "fines" if you failed to pump it out....
$100 to $300 in some cases......It is now even costly to
take a 'you know what'......
And by the way, just remember that some one in
Washington DC got paid a lot of money for the words,
"On Lot Disposal System Management Program".....
Pumps
have enacted a new ordinance to comply with the United
States Department of Environmental Protection......
It is known as the "On Lot Disposal System Management
Program".......
Its main purpose requires that you "mark" the site of your
SEPTIC TANK so that it can be found easily in order to be
pumped out every three years or so......
The only purpose of this new "Program" was in order to
enact a new series of "fines" if you failed to pump it out....
$100 to $300 in some cases......It is now even costly to
take a 'you know what'......
And by the way, just remember that some one in
Washington DC got paid a lot of money for the words,
"On Lot Disposal System Management Program".....
Pumps
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Nagin Spoke
It seems that Ray Nagin has once again put his foot in his mouth,
or has he?......In answer to a news reporter's question as to why
more had not been done in the rebuilding of New Orleans he
reminded the reporter that there was an unfilled hole in New York
City that had not been repaired in 5 years......(World Trade
Center site)......
Boy did a lot of people give him a "flack" for his remark......
But it is true......And the reason for the slowness of repair at
"Ground Zero" and New Orleans' Ninth Ward are the same
LOCAL POLITICS.......Just as much as people in New Orleans
can not agree, so true is the same in New York City......
Every politician wants a "piece" of the financial pie....Special
interest groups want their "whims" fulfilled (they have to prove
to their supporters that 'their' money did something).....
So while there is a lot of 'clucking' in the hen house no one is
producing eggs.......(Nagin did lay a verbal one).....But let's
face it, like it or not, politically correct or not, the fact is
correct and true......Pumps
or has he?......In answer to a news reporter's question as to why
more had not been done in the rebuilding of New Orleans he
reminded the reporter that there was an unfilled hole in New York
City that had not been repaired in 5 years......(World Trade
Center site)......
Boy did a lot of people give him a "flack" for his remark......
But it is true......And the reason for the slowness of repair at
"Ground Zero" and New Orleans' Ninth Ward are the same
LOCAL POLITICS.......Just as much as people in New Orleans
can not agree, so true is the same in New York City......
Every politician wants a "piece" of the financial pie....Special
interest groups want their "whims" fulfilled (they have to prove
to their supporters that 'their' money did something).....
So while there is a lot of 'clucking' in the hen house no one is
producing eggs.......(Nagin did lay a verbal one).....But let's
face it, like it or not, politically correct or not, the fact is
correct and true......Pumps
Friday, August 25, 2006
John Mark Karr
Mr. Karr is now a famous 'player' in the JonBenet Ramsey
murder case.....This blog has no intent to dwell on his
alleged innocence or guilt, but rather pieces of his past......
Here is a man, twice married, with two ex-wives and three
children, by the latter, who has lived in Alabama, visited
Georgia and then went off to California......OK, fair enough.....
But, he has been in a bookstore in Paris, France and taught
school in Costa Rica, Honduras in Central America.....And
finally in Thailand in Asia......
News reports all mentioned the fact that his school teaching
periods were relatively short.....Perhaps just weeks......
Question, where in heck did this man get the money to
travel the world and sustain himself?......Where was the
money coming from?......His little apartment in Thailand
its self was $14 a day ($420 a month).....?????......Pumps
murder case.....This blog has no intent to dwell on his
alleged innocence or guilt, but rather pieces of his past......
Here is a man, twice married, with two ex-wives and three
children, by the latter, who has lived in Alabama, visited
Georgia and then went off to California......OK, fair enough.....
But, he has been in a bookstore in Paris, France and taught
school in Costa Rica, Honduras in Central America.....And
finally in Thailand in Asia......
News reports all mentioned the fact that his school teaching
periods were relatively short.....Perhaps just weeks......
Question, where in heck did this man get the money to
travel the world and sustain himself?......Where was the
money coming from?......His little apartment in Thailand
its self was $14 a day ($420 a month).....?????......Pumps
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Once Upon A Time #20
In the early days of television there was a detective show named
Rocky King, Inside Detective.....Believe it or not the show was on
the air for about 5 years and was LIVE, in a weekend time slot,
and only one half hour long......Before Dragnet, before Naked City,
there was Rocky King.....
What makes this show so memorable was that is was produced
so cheaply and still so good.....It was 'aired' on a small, New York
City based, network that never got off the ground.....Dumont......
I doubt if a lot of people in the US saw it, in those days.....The
early '50s.......
Each week Roscoe Karns would solve a crime case with the only
thing he had.....A good script and plot......The poor lighting,
set furniture and store bought clothing were the simplest at
best.....But when it was broadcast there you were glued to
the new "box with a picture tube" watching the latest adventures
of Rocky King, Inside Detective......Come to think of it, he never
did really go "outside"......Pumps
Rocky King, Inside Detective.....Believe it or not the show was on
the air for about 5 years and was LIVE, in a weekend time slot,
and only one half hour long......Before Dragnet, before Naked City,
there was Rocky King.....
What makes this show so memorable was that is was produced
so cheaply and still so good.....It was 'aired' on a small, New York
City based, network that never got off the ground.....Dumont......
I doubt if a lot of people in the US saw it, in those days.....The
early '50s.......
Each week Roscoe Karns would solve a crime case with the only
thing he had.....A good script and plot......The poor lighting,
set furniture and store bought clothing were the simplest at
best.....But when it was broadcast there you were glued to
the new "box with a picture tube" watching the latest adventures
of Rocky King, Inside Detective......Come to think of it, he never
did really go "outside"......Pumps
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Enjoy The Quiet
Just a reminder that you have another two weeks of political
peace and quiet......After Labor Day the proverbial S will hit
the fan.......Politics, commentary, "talking heads" 24/7 until
November 7th.....
Here in Jabunyaville, I have to elect a Senator and a
Congressman......Both have more money than God, but I
suspect I will get a telephone call or two or five for
contributions to the "cause".....Some lobbyist will give them
more money than I could and they will vote their way,
if they get re-elected anyway.....Waste of money on my part....
And on November 8th, just think, the battle lines will be
drawn for the 2008 Presidential Election.....Then you will have
politics, commentary, "talking heads" 24/7 for two more
years.......Like I said, enjoy the 14 day of quiet while you
have them......Pumps......
peace and quiet......After Labor Day the proverbial S will hit
the fan.......Politics, commentary, "talking heads" 24/7 until
November 7th.....
Here in Jabunyaville, I have to elect a Senator and a
Congressman......Both have more money than God, but I
suspect I will get a telephone call or two or five for
contributions to the "cause".....Some lobbyist will give them
more money than I could and they will vote their way,
if they get re-elected anyway.....Waste of money on my part....
And on November 8th, just think, the battle lines will be
drawn for the 2008 Presidential Election.....Then you will have
politics, commentary, "talking heads" 24/7 for two more
years.......Like I said, enjoy the 14 day of quiet while you
have them......Pumps......
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Williams - Gibson - Couric
With regard to this forthcoming TV season of evening national
news, at the 6 o'clock hour, let the games begin.......NBC, ABC
and CBS have drawn their "lines of battle"......
The real funny thing about this "contest" is that no one really
cares......Most of the people today get their everyday news from
the Internet and 24 hour Cable TV.......If something is happening
in the world, why wait until 6PM or 6:30PM to get the news.....
The first place you will go to is CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and chances
are that you local TV station will have a national news "feed"
on "whatssssuuppp".......
SYNOPSIS ---- That is what you will get.....These three people
will have a half hour to give you what really is a "movie review"
of what happened that day......Their views will be directed to
people who do not care anyway, for it they did they know the
full story anyway........
So it comes down to the fact that for 23 and 1/2 hours a day
you get your "fill of news"......For 1/2 hour a day you can get
a "review" by Williams, Gibson or Couric......Does anyone
really believe a "movie reviewer"?........Pumps
news, at the 6 o'clock hour, let the games begin.......NBC, ABC
and CBS have drawn their "lines of battle"......
The real funny thing about this "contest" is that no one really
cares......Most of the people today get their everyday news from
the Internet and 24 hour Cable TV.......If something is happening
in the world, why wait until 6PM or 6:30PM to get the news.....
The first place you will go to is CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and chances
are that you local TV station will have a national news "feed"
on "whatssssuuppp".......
SYNOPSIS ---- That is what you will get.....These three people
will have a half hour to give you what really is a "movie review"
of what happened that day......Their views will be directed to
people who do not care anyway, for it they did they know the
full story anyway........
So it comes down to the fact that for 23 and 1/2 hours a day
you get your "fill of news"......For 1/2 hour a day you can get
a "review" by Williams, Gibson or Couric......Does anyone
really believe a "movie reviewer"?........Pumps
Saturday, August 19, 2006
"Excuse Me"
It occurred to my while shopping that the subject title of today's
blog is missing an additional word.....I must admit that I am not
an "excuse me" type of person.....I will wait 30 seconds or so
for someone else to 'clear' a shopping isle or move an obstructive
cart.....
But in the world we live in today, everyone seems to be multi-
tasking or in a hurry to drive quickly to next 'red' traffic light.....
So when you are out an about, doing your shopping chores, expect
to hear the words "excuse me" a lot.......
And the next time your hear the words 'excuse me" see if it is
followed by the word "please"......I doubt it, because that is the
word that is missing.....I guess the modern day society does not
see a need for this minor courtesy.....It seems that in their haste
they have also forgotten their manners.......Pumps
blog is missing an additional word.....I must admit that I am not
an "excuse me" type of person.....I will wait 30 seconds or so
for someone else to 'clear' a shopping isle or move an obstructive
cart.....
But in the world we live in today, everyone seems to be multi-
tasking or in a hurry to drive quickly to next 'red' traffic light.....
So when you are out an about, doing your shopping chores, expect
to hear the words "excuse me" a lot.......
And the next time your hear the words 'excuse me" see if it is
followed by the word "please"......I doubt it, because that is the
word that is missing.....I guess the modern day society does not
see a need for this minor courtesy.....It seems that in their haste
they have also forgotten their manners.......Pumps
Friday, August 18, 2006
The Choke
Yes, there was a simpler time and that is when automobiles had a
'manual choke'.......The new generations only know that a choke
exists on a gas powered lawn mower or weed wackier......
But once upon a time they were on the dashboard of a car and
they did the same thing then, as they do today.....THEY MAKE
STARTING A GAS ENGINE EASIER.......
Your olde "tin Lizzy" would start, depending on it's condition,
if the choke was pulled out 1/4, or 1/2 or 3/4 or all the way.....
There was a choke position of summer starting, rainy day
starting and cold winter day starting......You knew them all.....
Four pumps on the gas peddle, the right choke position and
off you went.......As the car's engine 'warmed' up, the choke
knob got closer to the dashboard......Simple......
Today you have some computer chip communicating
electronically with a carburetor sensor and interconnecting
with an exhaust module.....And if one of these little 'units'
fails you can wait until the "cows come home" for your
little car to start.......
Just remember, modern technology has come a long way....
If you car does not start, your lawn mower will.....Pumps
'manual choke'.......The new generations only know that a choke
exists on a gas powered lawn mower or weed wackier......
But once upon a time they were on the dashboard of a car and
they did the same thing then, as they do today.....THEY MAKE
STARTING A GAS ENGINE EASIER.......
Your olde "tin Lizzy" would start, depending on it's condition,
if the choke was pulled out 1/4, or 1/2 or 3/4 or all the way.....
There was a choke position of summer starting, rainy day
starting and cold winter day starting......You knew them all.....
Four pumps on the gas peddle, the right choke position and
off you went.......As the car's engine 'warmed' up, the choke
knob got closer to the dashboard......Simple......
Today you have some computer chip communicating
electronically with a carburetor sensor and interconnecting
with an exhaust module.....And if one of these little 'units'
fails you can wait until the "cows come home" for your
little car to start.......
Just remember, modern technology has come a long way....
If you car does not start, your lawn mower will.....Pumps
Thursday, August 17, 2006
An Honest Person
If I remember my Greek history was there not some guy
who walked down the beach with a lantern looking for an
'honest man'......Well I found one......In a Big Box store......
Corporate apron and all.....
When asked a question, he answered, "I do not know".......
Here you are walking around this big store looking for a
small object and he said, "I do not know!".....The first "associate",
I asked, sent me down the wrong isle........Eventually I walked
down 10 isles or so, from these verbal exchanges, and found
what I was looking for......
Don't you think it is about time for these Big Box stores to
have people wear an apron which denotes their exact
responsibility.......IE: "Hi, I'm Plumbing"......Or "I'm Hardware"....
Then all you have to do is go to a person with an apron that
says, "Hi, I'm Directions".......
The poor , "I don't know guy" may have been from
the Floral Department.....And on his way to the bathroom, but
at least he was honest........
But he was at least honest.....A rare breed these days....Pumps
who walked down the beach with a lantern looking for an
'honest man'......Well I found one......In a Big Box store......
Corporate apron and all.....
When asked a question, he answered, "I do not know".......
Here you are walking around this big store looking for a
small object and he said, "I do not know!".....The first "associate",
I asked, sent me down the wrong isle........Eventually I walked
down 10 isles or so, from these verbal exchanges, and found
what I was looking for......
Don't you think it is about time for these Big Box stores to
have people wear an apron which denotes their exact
responsibility.......IE: "Hi, I'm Plumbing"......Or "I'm Hardware"....
Then all you have to do is go to a person with an apron that
says, "Hi, I'm Directions".......
The poor , "I don't know guy" may have been from
the Floral Department.....And on his way to the bathroom, but
at least he was honest........
But he was at least honest.....A rare breed these days....Pumps
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Two Richmond Egyptians
Two of the eleven Egyptians (see yesterday's blog) were found
here in Jabunyaville.....Having lived in New York City, I have
a lot of questions (that no one will ever get the answers to)...
These two students were last seen at JFK Airport in the
Queens section of NYC......Yes, there are many ways to get
into the City from the airport....Taxi, mass transit etc.....
But, how did they know where to buy a bus or Amtrak ticket
for Richmond Virginia?.....
How did the get from the Richmond bus station (in one part
of town) or the train station (in another part of town) to
an apartment in South Richmond?......Taxi driver needs an
address......
How did they rent an apartment in South Richmond which,
by the way, is at least 20 miles from either terminal and
ACROSS THE RIVER?.......
Why did they feel so comfortable sitting on the 'stoop' of
their apartment house?.....And perhaps safe?........
I wonder if the others found in Des Moines, Minneapolis,
Dundalk, MD and Manville,NJ also felt safe?.....Pumps
here in Jabunyaville.....Having lived in New York City, I have
a lot of questions (that no one will ever get the answers to)...
These two students were last seen at JFK Airport in the
Queens section of NYC......Yes, there are many ways to get
into the City from the airport....Taxi, mass transit etc.....
But, how did they know where to buy a bus or Amtrak ticket
for Richmond Virginia?.....
How did the get from the Richmond bus station (in one part
of town) or the train station (in another part of town) to
an apartment in South Richmond?......Taxi driver needs an
address......
How did they rent an apartment in South Richmond which,
by the way, is at least 20 miles from either terminal and
ACROSS THE RIVER?.......
Why did they feel so comfortable sitting on the 'stoop' of
their apartment house?.....And perhaps safe?........
I wonder if the others found in Des Moines, Minneapolis,
Dundalk, MD and Manville,NJ also felt safe?.....Pumps
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Eleven Lost Egyptians
This has the great title and makings for a good board game....
Any number of players can divide up the eleven playing
tokens and see if they can make their way from JFK
Airport in New York City to Montana without winding
up in jail........
Eleven students JUST decided to get lost in America.....
Eleven students JUST could not find Montana, while a
few others did.......
These eleven, officially, are not to be considered as a terror
threat to the US......And maybe not......But I suspect that
they were making a 'test run' for someone else......
Let's change the name of that game to, "How To Get Lost
In America Successfully".......Pumps
Any number of players can divide up the eleven playing
tokens and see if they can make their way from JFK
Airport in New York City to Montana without winding
up in jail........
Eleven students JUST decided to get lost in America.....
Eleven students JUST could not find Montana, while a
few others did.......
These eleven, officially, are not to be considered as a terror
threat to the US......And maybe not......But I suspect that
they were making a 'test run' for someone else......
Let's change the name of that game to, "How To Get Lost
In America Successfully".......Pumps
Monday, August 14, 2006
The Rear View Mirror
Many years ago there was only ONE rear view mirror in an
automobile.....It was inside and was attached to the bottom of
the roof and it was used to see through the back window......On
a few models it was mounted on the dash board in the center.....
Today, while driving, I followed an individual which had a
hanging air freshener tied to the rear view mirror mount.....
With the driver's side and passenger's side windows open
this piece of cardboard, with a smell, was twirling in the wind......
Fact, in days of old, it was illegal to hang any thing from the
mirror mount or bracket, inside the car, because it was
considered to be a DISTRACTION for the driver and could
cause a accident while driving.......Boy have times changed.....
Now we have burgers, soft drinks, facial makeup and cell
phones for a distraction.....And, none of them are illegal.....
Pumps
automobile.....It was inside and was attached to the bottom of
the roof and it was used to see through the back window......On
a few models it was mounted on the dash board in the center.....
Today, while driving, I followed an individual which had a
hanging air freshener tied to the rear view mirror mount.....
With the driver's side and passenger's side windows open
this piece of cardboard, with a smell, was twirling in the wind......
Fact, in days of old, it was illegal to hang any thing from the
mirror mount or bracket, inside the car, because it was
considered to be a DISTRACTION for the driver and could
cause a accident while driving.......Boy have times changed.....
Now we have burgers, soft drinks, facial makeup and cell
phones for a distraction.....And, none of them are illegal.....
Pumps
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Good Olde People's Airline
Some twenty or so years ago, an entrepreneur had an idea......
Establish an airline, which ran like a Greyhound bus......Pull
the empty airplane up to a loading dock and let people on......
Bring a bag or two with you, but not in flight service.....You
could by an apple or a soda......And when the plane was full
of people it would take off.......
Not a bad idea, at the time, but the poor company went
bankrupt because the idea was ahead of its time.....Fly
New York City to Boston for $39.00....A dollar more if
you bought the apple or soda.....
Here it is some twenty or so years later and the flying
public is getting use to the absence of frills and human
comforts.....Soon you will be HAPPY just to get on a plane,
get to where your are going and savor the taste of your
apple all the way.....Pumps
Establish an airline, which ran like a Greyhound bus......Pull
the empty airplane up to a loading dock and let people on......
Bring a bag or two with you, but not in flight service.....You
could by an apple or a soda......And when the plane was full
of people it would take off.......
Not a bad idea, at the time, but the poor company went
bankrupt because the idea was ahead of its time.....Fly
New York City to Boston for $39.00....A dollar more if
you bought the apple or soda.....
Here it is some twenty or so years later and the flying
public is getting use to the absence of frills and human
comforts.....Soon you will be HAPPY just to get on a plane,
get to where your are going and savor the taste of your
apple all the way.....Pumps
Friday, August 11, 2006
Beef Prices #4
Well it seems that 'it has come to pass'......You can either
buy a $12 steak at the supermarket or take your local
newspaper coupon down to the a restaurant and get one
cheaper.......And we all know that the restaurant
quality is a better 'cut' of beef......
The food restaurant chains, which by in bulk, can now
serve you a piece of meat which in the end is less expensive
than a lower grade supermarket cut......
The Mad Cow panic is long gone......Immigrant labor
is working is most of the major beef slaughter and
preparation facilities in the mid-West, but, like I
said before, once they got the price up, it would not
come down.......(Think gasoline)......
So it seems now is the time to save up a little money
for a 'server' tip and go out to a steak house for a
dinner.......No cooking, no preparation of any 'sides'
and no dish washing......Pumps
buy a $12 steak at the supermarket or take your local
newspaper coupon down to the a restaurant and get one
cheaper.......And we all know that the restaurant
quality is a better 'cut' of beef......
The food restaurant chains, which by in bulk, can now
serve you a piece of meat which in the end is less expensive
than a lower grade supermarket cut......
The Mad Cow panic is long gone......Immigrant labor
is working is most of the major beef slaughter and
preparation facilities in the mid-West, but, like I
said before, once they got the price up, it would not
come down.......(Think gasoline)......
So it seems now is the time to save up a little money
for a 'server' tip and go out to a steak house for a
dinner.......No cooking, no preparation of any 'sides'
and no dish washing......Pumps
Thursday, August 10, 2006
The Little Chemical Store (Revisited)
I believe I discussed this subject before......But, in the light of
the airplane bomb threats in England, my mind returns once
again to that little store in New York City......
Before terrorists there were Lawyers.......Before both there
was FUN......In the '40s and early '50s, in the days of the
Gilbert Chemistry Set, a little kid with a few coins in his
pocket could walk up the the second floor of a building on the
west side of Manhattan, around 37th Street, and buy all
the chemicals to make gun powder......It was there in little
bottles, on shelves, along the walls......
All the elements and compounds you were learning about in
Chemistry high school class was yours for the coins or dollar
bills you had with you......Of course there were flasks, beakers,
glass stirring rods and microscopes, but mainly there were
the chemicals.......
And yes, a few of us got hurt trying to convert paper knowledge
into an experiment, but it was a learning experience......But
that's life, before lawyers......
Times have indeed changed......Today if a 16 year old boy got
caught with a bottle of sulfur or carbon in his pocket he would
be hauled off to jail......And in those days, I had to take the
subway home......I would be up for 10 to 20, hard time....Pumps
the airplane bomb threats in England, my mind returns once
again to that little store in New York City......
Before terrorists there were Lawyers.......Before both there
was FUN......In the '40s and early '50s, in the days of the
Gilbert Chemistry Set, a little kid with a few coins in his
pocket could walk up the the second floor of a building on the
west side of Manhattan, around 37th Street, and buy all
the chemicals to make gun powder......It was there in little
bottles, on shelves, along the walls......
All the elements and compounds you were learning about in
Chemistry high school class was yours for the coins or dollar
bills you had with you......Of course there were flasks, beakers,
glass stirring rods and microscopes, but mainly there were
the chemicals.......
And yes, a few of us got hurt trying to convert paper knowledge
into an experiment, but it was a learning experience......But
that's life, before lawyers......
Times have indeed changed......Today if a 16 year old boy got
caught with a bottle of sulfur or carbon in his pocket he would
be hauled off to jail......And in those days, I had to take the
subway home......I would be up for 10 to 20, hard time....Pumps
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
The Efficiency Expert
In the days prior to the Human Resources Department, there was
the Personel Department which usually 'outsourced' a company
that specialized in efficiency.....Thus the Efficiency Expert.....
Well folks, those days are gone.....HR Departments now a days
are complicated, legal, health, and lost prevention organizations....
The Efficiency Expert has gone by the wayside.......
Today a Chicago paper reported that out of an 8 hour day,
people are non productive for 1.82 hours....This time does not
include normal lunch or other authorized break periods......
The conclusions of the non productive time were based on use
of the internet, cell phone and "water cooler' talk......
It seems the HR Department which 'schedules' 1 hour a day as
non productive is happy the time is not in excess of 2 hours......
But what has changed......Before the internet and cable television
the non productive time was 1.06 hours a day.......(Data from the
'50s and '60's)......
Just remember, if you have an office job, the managers will let you
'scratch' yourself for 8 minutes an hour......It seems that it has
always been that way.......But the additional 10 minutes with
personal e-mail or text-messaging is now becoming a problem....
Remember there is very little difference between the
Efficiency Expert of the '60s and Big Brother of the 21st
century......Pumps
the Personel Department which usually 'outsourced' a company
that specialized in efficiency.....Thus the Efficiency Expert.....
Well folks, those days are gone.....HR Departments now a days
are complicated, legal, health, and lost prevention organizations....
The Efficiency Expert has gone by the wayside.......
Today a Chicago paper reported that out of an 8 hour day,
people are non productive for 1.82 hours....This time does not
include normal lunch or other authorized break periods......
The conclusions of the non productive time were based on use
of the internet, cell phone and "water cooler' talk......
It seems the HR Department which 'schedules' 1 hour a day as
non productive is happy the time is not in excess of 2 hours......
But what has changed......Before the internet and cable television
the non productive time was 1.06 hours a day.......(Data from the
'50s and '60's)......
Just remember, if you have an office job, the managers will let you
'scratch' yourself for 8 minutes an hour......It seems that it has
always been that way.......But the additional 10 minutes with
personal e-mail or text-messaging is now becoming a problem....
Remember there is very little difference between the
Efficiency Expert of the '60s and Big Brother of the 21st
century......Pumps
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Blogging
Every human on this Earth is a 'blogger'.....It is only the ones
that can 'type' that make it on to the Internet.....
Blogging is just a form of communication.....A simple way to get
your thoughts out.....Years ago it was done at some town meeting,
verbally, now it is via cyberspace........You do not see people
assembling in the Town Square anymore, orally venting.....
Years ago the "Town Crier" or the "Newspaper Boy" told you
the news which occurred outside your realm of influence......(Fancy
words for neighborhood or town)......And you 'believed' the
front page of your local information source......
Now since the entire world, the typists, can in one way or
another confirm or deny the information, so loudly heralded
by that "Crier", if anything we have become a more informed
society.....
Sometimes I think that we are now inundated with too much
information and counter-information.....But we can always
go to bed and read a nice classic novel or pull the covers over
our heads and weep......Pumps
that can 'type' that make it on to the Internet.....
Blogging is just a form of communication.....A simple way to get
your thoughts out.....Years ago it was done at some town meeting,
verbally, now it is via cyberspace........You do not see people
assembling in the Town Square anymore, orally venting.....
Years ago the "Town Crier" or the "Newspaper Boy" told you
the news which occurred outside your realm of influence......(Fancy
words for neighborhood or town)......And you 'believed' the
front page of your local information source......
Now since the entire world, the typists, can in one way or
another confirm or deny the information, so loudly heralded
by that "Crier", if anything we have become a more informed
society.....
Sometimes I think that we are now inundated with too much
information and counter-information.....But we can always
go to bed and read a nice classic novel or pull the covers over
our heads and weep......Pumps
Monday, August 07, 2006
Lance Armstrong
It appears to me that Lance Armstrong has lived on a 'slide'
under a microscope for the past 7 years or so......In the
sport of Bicycle Racing, all of the world has wondered why
he could continue winning......He must have had some
pharmaceutical help, they said.....
Well I think that Mr. Armstrong is now 'off the hook' and
'out of the spotlight'......The sport now has its sacrificial
lamb......His name is Floyd Landis.......
It is not my place to judge Mr. Landis and say if his problems
are due to his guilt or innocence, but I do know one thing
Mr. Armstrong can now lead a quiet and peaceful life, if he
so chooses, because the 'spotlight' is now focused on another.....
And will be for many years to come......Pumps
under a microscope for the past 7 years or so......In the
sport of Bicycle Racing, all of the world has wondered why
he could continue winning......He must have had some
pharmaceutical help, they said.....
Well I think that Mr. Armstrong is now 'off the hook' and
'out of the spotlight'......The sport now has its sacrificial
lamb......His name is Floyd Landis.......
It is not my place to judge Mr. Landis and say if his problems
are due to his guilt or innocence, but I do know one thing
Mr. Armstrong can now lead a quiet and peaceful life, if he
so chooses, because the 'spotlight' is now focused on another.....
And will be for many years to come......Pumps
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Selective Service Classified 2D
Most older people will remember the "Draft" or US Government
Selective Service System......Watch any early 1940's movie
and you will hear, "I'm 1A" or even, "Sorry, kid but you are
4F"....
But the range of classifications was boundless.....If you joined
a religious order, with desires to become a priest or religous
teach, you were classified as 2D......I once asked what 2D meant?..
I was told, " It means you fight when the enemy is on the roof"...
It seems that Americans today, religious or not, fit into this
'classification'......It seems that the 'complaisant American' is
continent as long as something does not bother him/her as an
individual.....
With the exception of those who join any military service,
the remaining ones will only get involved when "The enemy
is on the roof".......Let's face it they have other more important
things to worry about.......Pumps
Selective Service System......Watch any early 1940's movie
and you will hear, "I'm 1A" or even, "Sorry, kid but you are
4F"....
But the range of classifications was boundless.....If you joined
a religious order, with desires to become a priest or religous
teach, you were classified as 2D......I once asked what 2D meant?..
I was told, " It means you fight when the enemy is on the roof"...
It seems that Americans today, religious or not, fit into this
'classification'......It seems that the 'complaisant American' is
continent as long as something does not bother him/her as an
individual.....
With the exception of those who join any military service,
the remaining ones will only get involved when "The enemy
is on the roof".......Let's face it they have other more important
things to worry about.......Pumps
Saturday, August 05, 2006
"One Way" People
Have you ever noticed that there are some people who know
only ONE way to do anything?.....One bus route to take.....One
car route to work or shopping.......
Should there be any traffic tie-up or other mass transit
congestion caused by accident, these people are completely
lost on how to eventually reach their destination......And
their first reaction is "against" the congestion rather their
ability to "divert" from it......
People do not like to get lost.....But being lost does have its
advantages......The "alternate" route you may be required
to take, one day in the future, just may be the one you were
"lost" on previously......When it all comes back to you, there is
such security in knowing where you are, and the feeling is
just unexplainable......Pumps
only ONE way to do anything?.....One bus route to take.....One
car route to work or shopping.......
Should there be any traffic tie-up or other mass transit
congestion caused by accident, these people are completely
lost on how to eventually reach their destination......And
their first reaction is "against" the congestion rather their
ability to "divert" from it......
People do not like to get lost.....But being lost does have its
advantages......The "alternate" route you may be required
to take, one day in the future, just may be the one you were
"lost" on previously......When it all comes back to you, there is
such security in knowing where you are, and the feeling is
just unexplainable......Pumps
Friday, August 04, 2006
Wind Turbines, Again
I just love some people......With their complaining about the need
for alternate energy sources, the people of Maine are falling over
them selves again......
A plan to construct 30 wind turbines and reduce the amount of
pollution into the air by three quarter of a million pounds,
AIN'T RIGHT........It will harm the birds.....It will look unsightly.....
The turbines are in the wrong place.......
WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE WANT??????
No atomic power, no wind power, the next thing they will be
complaining about the 'glare' of solar panels on roofs and
saying that they are reflecting needed sunlight back into the
atmosphere......Get a life, you people........Pumps
for alternate energy sources, the people of Maine are falling over
them selves again......
A plan to construct 30 wind turbines and reduce the amount of
pollution into the air by three quarter of a million pounds,
AIN'T RIGHT........It will harm the birds.....It will look unsightly.....
The turbines are in the wrong place.......
WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE WANT??????
No atomic power, no wind power, the next thing they will be
complaining about the 'glare' of solar panels on roofs and
saying that they are reflecting needed sunlight back into the
atmosphere......Get a life, you people........Pumps
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
The Department Of Motor Vehicles
The two residents of this Jabunyaville household had to go to the
local DMV office to renew a simple ID card....Yes ID card not a
Drivers Licence or Vehicle Title.....Just a simple ID card with a
picture of a 66 year old on it......
The ID card was a simple renewal.....DMV web site said ID was needed
to get an ID card for the first time......Wrong.....You have to have
ID to get an ID card.......Two 12mile round trips, two waits on the
Information Line, two waits on the lobby seats, and finally two
trips to the designated window......And yes $10.00......
A fair warning to all......No matter how old you are.....No matter
how many times you have been to the DMV in your life.....No
matter what you are going there for.....Please bring every piece
of documentation you have to PROVE who you are.....I also
suggest a piece of personal used toilet paper just in case they
will require a DNA sample.....Do not contaminate the toilet paper
sample with Air Wick......
Welcome to the over correction of the Bureaucracy.....Pumps
local DMV office to renew a simple ID card....Yes ID card not a
Drivers Licence or Vehicle Title.....Just a simple ID card with a
picture of a 66 year old on it......
The ID card was a simple renewal.....DMV web site said ID was needed
to get an ID card for the first time......Wrong.....You have to have
ID to get an ID card.......Two 12mile round trips, two waits on the
Information Line, two waits on the lobby seats, and finally two
trips to the designated window......And yes $10.00......
A fair warning to all......No matter how old you are.....No matter
how many times you have been to the DMV in your life.....No
matter what you are going there for.....Please bring every piece
of documentation you have to PROVE who you are.....I also
suggest a piece of personal used toilet paper just in case they
will require a DNA sample.....Do not contaminate the toilet paper
sample with Air Wick......
Welcome to the over correction of the Bureaucracy.....Pumps
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Remembering Weather
I have come to the conclusion that people do not remember
weather, from one year to another, unless something else
happens in their lives......You only remember a bad ice storm
if a tree falls on your house or your car windshield cracks,
and has to be repaired.....
You remember a hot day in the summer if your air conditioner
decides to stop running.......No matter what season of the year
you connect the outside weather with some other event that
also happened during that period.......
To most people, weather is just something you have to walk
in and protect yourself from if necessary.....Do I need an
umbrella or should I put on my snow boots?.....
During a 'high heat' period, which we are currently having in
Jabunyaville, the newspapers and TV are full of statistics
concerning past weather 'heat' events......Who remembers the
'heat spell' of 1953?......Who even remembers the weather on
August 1, 2005?.......
The only people who do are the ones that are making money
from the knowledge and statistics.....The rest of us just get an
umbrella out of the closet or drink more water.......Pumps
weather, from one year to another, unless something else
happens in their lives......You only remember a bad ice storm
if a tree falls on your house or your car windshield cracks,
and has to be repaired.....
You remember a hot day in the summer if your air conditioner
decides to stop running.......No matter what season of the year
you connect the outside weather with some other event that
also happened during that period.......
To most people, weather is just something you have to walk
in and protect yourself from if necessary.....Do I need an
umbrella or should I put on my snow boots?.....
During a 'high heat' period, which we are currently having in
Jabunyaville, the newspapers and TV are full of statistics
concerning past weather 'heat' events......Who remembers the
'heat spell' of 1953?......Who even remembers the weather on
August 1, 2005?.......
The only people who do are the ones that are making money
from the knowledge and statistics.....The rest of us just get an
umbrella out of the closet or drink more water.......Pumps
