Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Two Year Mess
From my humble mind, I am not looking forward to the next
two years with any glee.....I suspect it will be the time to rent
more movies from Blockbuster and watch the low rated TV
shows the networks will air.......To watch anything of a political
nature will be a disaster.......
Whether it be ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, or NBC there
will be so many "untruths", "lies" and "spin" any normal
human mind will not be able to compriend it all.....
And, what is worst of all, is that "IS" their intention.......They
want you to vote in 2008 for the "best looking" "soft spoken"
"reliable" person......To hell if he/she knows what they are
doing.......This is the Super Bowl of Politics.......
Marketing 101........"Impulse buying"........
This 2008 is no shopping day at the supermarket.....Watch
your choices.......Remember that bad can of peas you once
bought???.........Pumps
two years with any glee.....I suspect it will be the time to rent
more movies from Blockbuster and watch the low rated TV
shows the networks will air.......To watch anything of a political
nature will be a disaster.......
Whether it be ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, or NBC there
will be so many "untruths", "lies" and "spin" any normal
human mind will not be able to compriend it all.....
And, what is worst of all, is that "IS" their intention.......They
want you to vote in 2008 for the "best looking" "soft spoken"
"reliable" person......To hell if he/she knows what they are
doing.......This is the Super Bowl of Politics.......
Marketing 101........"Impulse buying"........
This 2008 is no shopping day at the supermarket.....Watch
your choices.......Remember that bad can of peas you once
bought???.........Pumps
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Year Of The Pig
On February 18th of this year, the Chinese will celebrate their
New Year......This year is the Year of the Pig, according to their
lunar calender and zodiac/horoscope.......(It is a 12 year cycle.)....
If I remember correctly, the Chinese people have been around
for a great number of years and have a long history........Well
some "upstart" Iman, from a religion/society that has only been
in existence for the past 1300 years is "pissed" that he received
a New Years card with a picture of a "pig" on it.........
If I remember my history the Chinese people and culture were
far more developed in the Fifth Century when this Iman's
relatives were sitting on a camel in a barren desert......
I wonder what this Iman will do next year when he gets a
New Years card for the year of the RAT...?.......Pumps
New Year......This year is the Year of the Pig, according to their
lunar calender and zodiac/horoscope.......(It is a 12 year cycle.)....
If I remember correctly, the Chinese people have been around
for a great number of years and have a long history........Well
some "upstart" Iman, from a religion/society that has only been
in existence for the past 1300 years is "pissed" that he received
a New Years card with a picture of a "pig" on it.........
If I remember my history the Chinese people and culture were
far more developed in the Fifth Century when this Iman's
relatives were sitting on a camel in a barren desert......
I wonder what this Iman will do next year when he gets a
New Years card for the year of the RAT...?.......Pumps
Monday, January 29, 2007
New Orleans - Revisited
If you ever saw three children arguing, on a street or in a
playground, over the ownership of a bat or ball, you can
picture the bureaucratic muddle about the recovery of
New Orleans......The money for rebuilding is there.....The
paperwork problem between Federal, State and City
agencies is also there.....And every agency is blaming the
other for the lack of progress......
Senator Lieberman of Connecticut said recently that it
will take 10 years to rebuild New Orleans.....Try more
like 25.......And by then the signs on Bourbon Street will
be printed in English, French and Spanish.....
Yep, the void of citizens in New Orleans is being filled
by the Hispanic working class......And guess what?.....
There is a Hispanic baby boom going on.......
Mardi Gras, Easter, then Cinco de Mayo.......Pumps
playground, over the ownership of a bat or ball, you can
picture the bureaucratic muddle about the recovery of
New Orleans......The money for rebuilding is there.....The
paperwork problem between Federal, State and City
agencies is also there.....And every agency is blaming the
other for the lack of progress......
Senator Lieberman of Connecticut said recently that it
will take 10 years to rebuild New Orleans.....Try more
like 25.......And by then the signs on Bourbon Street will
be printed in English, French and Spanish.....
Yep, the void of citizens in New Orleans is being filled
by the Hispanic working class......And guess what?.....
There is a Hispanic baby boom going on.......
Mardi Gras, Easter, then Cinco de Mayo.......Pumps
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sound In The Air
I must be a different sort of person......I remember "pieces"
of music but do not remember the official titles or the
words, if there are any......It is just the sound that
I remember......
It seems odd to me but I suspect that I am not alone......
People's lives may require them to remember every note
or syllable of a musical piece......I am not and never was
one of them......
I just enjoyed the "Sound In The Air"......It seem so
relaxing and uninvolved......Pumps
of music but do not remember the official titles or the
words, if there are any......It is just the sound that
I remember......
It seems odd to me but I suspect that I am not alone......
People's lives may require them to remember every note
or syllable of a musical piece......I am not and never was
one of them......
I just enjoyed the "Sound In The Air"......It seem so
relaxing and uninvolved......Pumps
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Jim Webb Hype
These comments are made by a "little guy" voter......
Since Jim Webb was elected a senator for the State of
Virginia in November of 2006 the "blog-o-sphere"
has been full of what a great man he is and all that
other political crap......
The first survey has been released by Survey, USA with
the following results.....42% Approve of his performance
and 47% Disapprove......11% Not Sure........
Please give my idiot mind a break.....He has been on the
senate floor for about two weeks....The few votes he has
cast were along Democratic party lines.....This man has
done nothing to "rate" a performance opinion pole.....
I suspect the only thing he can be rated on is how well
he changes his new kid's diaper, and if the "nanny" is
doing it, well you can not rate him on that either.....
And always remember speeches do not make the man.....
Actions do.......Pumps
Since Jim Webb was elected a senator for the State of
Virginia in November of 2006 the "blog-o-sphere"
has been full of what a great man he is and all that
other political crap......
The first survey has been released by Survey, USA with
the following results.....42% Approve of his performance
and 47% Disapprove......11% Not Sure........
Please give my idiot mind a break.....He has been on the
senate floor for about two weeks....The few votes he has
cast were along Democratic party lines.....This man has
done nothing to "rate" a performance opinion pole.....
I suspect the only thing he can be rated on is how well
he changes his new kid's diaper, and if the "nanny" is
doing it, well you can not rate him on that either.....
And always remember speeches do not make the man.....
Actions do.......Pumps
Friday, January 26, 2007
Is NASCAR Becoming Politically Correct?
I will admit that I do not follow NASCAR racing, but I do live
here in Jabunyaville, south of the Mason and Dixon Line, and
so car racing is absorbed by a process of mental osmosis.....
Some years back they ran races Sunday after Sunday for
a full season and the one with the most "points" WON.......
Since there could be a "run away" winner some years, the
NASCAR "powers that be" said we will have the top drivers
run the last few races in order to make the "winning" more
exciting.......
Well it seems that is not doing it for them......To create more
excitement, they are playing with "points" again...Five "points"
for this, ten "points" for that.......
I wonder when all this racing started if the "moonshiner" or
the "revenu'ers" cared about "points"?...........Pumps
here in Jabunyaville, south of the Mason and Dixon Line, and
so car racing is absorbed by a process of mental osmosis.....
Some years back they ran races Sunday after Sunday for
a full season and the one with the most "points" WON.......
Since there could be a "run away" winner some years, the
NASCAR "powers that be" said we will have the top drivers
run the last few races in order to make the "winning" more
exciting.......
Well it seems that is not doing it for them......To create more
excitement, they are playing with "points" again...Five "points"
for this, ten "points" for that.......
I wonder when all this racing started if the "moonshiner" or
the "revenu'ers" cared about "points"?...........Pumps
Clinton - Richardson
I have an odd feeling in my gut and maybe a little common
sense in my head.......
The whole political establishment in America is talking about
a Clinton/Obama 2008 Presidential ticket......But, take my
point of view......#1 Bill Richardson of New Mexico is an olde
"Clintonite".....#2 He knows the "Clinton rules"......#3 He is
of Hispanic descent.....#4 He is out West while Hillary is
in the East.......
In conclusion she will bring in the votes from the Eastern
Democratic (Blue) States and he will pick up the Western
votes of CA, AZ,NM, NV, UT,CO.......OR and WA are Hillary
States already.......Obama will retain his senate seat and
Edwards will continue in his law practice.......
Why did Richardson announce he was running in 2008 only
two days after Hillary?......Name recognition perhaps?.....
Pumps
sense in my head.......
The whole political establishment in America is talking about
a Clinton/Obama 2008 Presidential ticket......But, take my
point of view......#1 Bill Richardson of New Mexico is an olde
"Clintonite".....#2 He knows the "Clinton rules"......#3 He is
of Hispanic descent.....#4 He is out West while Hillary is
in the East.......
In conclusion she will bring in the votes from the Eastern
Democratic (Blue) States and he will pick up the Western
votes of CA, AZ,NM, NV, UT,CO.......OR and WA are Hillary
States already.......Obama will retain his senate seat and
Edwards will continue in his law practice.......
Why did Richardson announce he was running in 2008 only
two days after Hillary?......Name recognition perhaps?.....
Pumps
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Pluto: The Non-Planet
When you went to school, some 50 years ago, Pluto was planet
number 9......Now this poor little speck of rock out there in the
universe has been "downgraded" to something like an "almost-
planet".....But this is not the subject of this blog.....
Rather it appears that there are some in the scientific
community which have noted that there is global warming
on this "piece of rock"......That's right, without any humans,
coal fired plants, SUV's and cow flatulence, the non-planet
is getting warmer......Some 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit or slightly
less than 2 degrees Celsius....(Centigrade for us olde folk.).....
The rise in temperature has occurred over the past 14 years......
Now the way I look at it is that if #3 and #9 are getting warm
it must be due to that big orange ball in the sky which both
orbit around, aka the Sun......Pumps
number 9......Now this poor little speck of rock out there in the
universe has been "downgraded" to something like an "almost-
planet".....But this is not the subject of this blog.....
Rather it appears that there are some in the scientific
community which have noted that there is global warming
on this "piece of rock"......That's right, without any humans,
coal fired plants, SUV's and cow flatulence, the non-planet
is getting warmer......Some 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit or slightly
less than 2 degrees Celsius....(Centigrade for us olde folk.).....
The rise in temperature has occurred over the past 14 years......
Now the way I look at it is that if #3 and #9 are getting warm
it must be due to that big orange ball in the sky which both
orbit around, aka the Sun......Pumps
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Passports
Effective today, 1/23/2007, if you leave the territorial land of
the United States, you will be required to present a valid
US Passport to reenter the country and sleep in your own bed.....
This is a result of 9/11/2001........
This year it applies to air travel, next year it will apply to
cruise ships and automobiles.....It affects travel to Canada,
Mexico, the Caribbean (except Puerto Rico and other American
territories) and of course the rest of the world......
A passport costs about $97.00, plus picture costs.....And, last
year the US State Department issued 12 million of them......
In 2007, they expect to issue 16 million......
That means the US Government has made approximately
1.2 billion dollars in '06 and expects and additional 1.5 billion
in '07......Has anyone heard about this new "windfall" of
money to our US Treasury Department?.......Pumps
the United States, you will be required to present a valid
US Passport to reenter the country and sleep in your own bed.....
This is a result of 9/11/2001........
This year it applies to air travel, next year it will apply to
cruise ships and automobiles.....It affects travel to Canada,
Mexico, the Caribbean (except Puerto Rico and other American
territories) and of course the rest of the world......
A passport costs about $97.00, plus picture costs.....And, last
year the US State Department issued 12 million of them......
In 2007, they expect to issue 16 million......
That means the US Government has made approximately
1.2 billion dollars in '06 and expects and additional 1.5 billion
in '07......Has anyone heard about this new "windfall" of
money to our US Treasury Department?.......Pumps
Monday, January 22, 2007
Home Owner's Insurance
The home owners on the beaches of the gulf and southern
Atlantic states along with those in the entire state of Florida
are seeing there housing insurance being raised some
200% to 600%......All the result of possible future tropical
and hurricane storm damage......
The TV media believes that this is unfair........The poor
home owner.......There is no mention of the insurance
companies losing money......But so what.....
When a TV show is put on the "air", if it does not find
a viewing audience, it starts to lose "production" money
and it gets cancelled......
It seems a TV news anchor wants an insurance company
to lose money but his CEO has different ideas about
losing money on a bad TV show.....Pumps
Atlantic states along with those in the entire state of Florida
are seeing there housing insurance being raised some
200% to 600%......All the result of possible future tropical
and hurricane storm damage......
The TV media believes that this is unfair........The poor
home owner.......There is no mention of the insurance
companies losing money......But so what.....
When a TV show is put on the "air", if it does not find
a viewing audience, it starts to lose "production" money
and it gets cancelled......
It seems a TV news anchor wants an insurance company
to lose money but his CEO has different ideas about
losing money on a bad TV show.....Pumps
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Telemarketing Via Bombay
I guess by now that everyone is aware that one of the jobs
"outsourced" to India has been telemarketing......(Along with
computer tech support.).......
It has also been made known that the Indian people do not
like the "attitudes" of their American clients or customers.....
Go figure........
Well the other day, I answered my telephone at 3PM EST
(1AM Bombay Time) with my usual NON interest.....To which
the voice at the other end asked, "May I speak to Mr. -----"
I replied with INTEREST, "What do you want to sell me?".....
I guess he had a rough day, and at 1AM in the morning,
his answer was, "My dick".......I hung up the telephone.......
It appears that America's greatest export has been "tude"
and not McDonalds or Starbucks.......Pumps
"outsourced" to India has been telemarketing......(Along with
computer tech support.).......
It has also been made known that the Indian people do not
like the "attitudes" of their American clients or customers.....
Go figure........
Well the other day, I answered my telephone at 3PM EST
(1AM Bombay Time) with my usual NON interest.....To which
the voice at the other end asked, "May I speak to Mr. -----"
I replied with INTEREST, "What do you want to sell me?".....
I guess he had a rough day, and at 1AM in the morning,
his answer was, "My dick".......I hung up the telephone.......
It appears that America's greatest export has been "tude"
and not McDonalds or Starbucks.......Pumps
Saturday, January 20, 2007
New Gasoline Day
If you have your own home, in the 'burbs', you always need a
little supply of gasoline......Home Depot sells empty red plastic
cans by the thousands......
Well today is the day I got rid of my two year old supply of
gasoline and purchased "new"......Although I use a product
by the name of Sta-Bil in my gasoline supply, it was about time
to change the remainder of my 2 year old supply, which was
in the 'shed'........
The old gasoline which I bought for $2.40 a gallon in 2005
went into my pick-up truck.....The new gasoline cost $2.01....
Now I can start out 2007 with new gasoline for my lawn
mowers, generator and pressure washer.......Pumps
little supply of gasoline......Home Depot sells empty red plastic
cans by the thousands......
Well today is the day I got rid of my two year old supply of
gasoline and purchased "new"......Although I use a product
by the name of Sta-Bil in my gasoline supply, it was about time
to change the remainder of my 2 year old supply, which was
in the 'shed'........
The old gasoline which I bought for $2.40 a gallon in 2005
went into my pick-up truck.....The new gasoline cost $2.01....
Now I can start out 2007 with new gasoline for my lawn
mowers, generator and pressure washer.......Pumps
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Today Show
Well it looks like the NBC network is trying to push a good thing
too far......Now they are thinking of having 4 hours of the show
in the mornings........7AM to 11AM.........
Their 7AM-8AM hour is for news and politics.....Its concluding
minutes may lead into social or medical issues.....
The 8AM-9AM hour continues the social and/or medical
themes......The "cancer story je jour" or the best eye liner
to use that costs $50 a tube......
9AM to 10AM is a continuation of social, medical and attire
programing.......This hour is the "lightest" of the three.....
Gone are the highly paid hosts.....The "work hogs" like
Ann Curry and Al Roker continue the hour of "gourmet food"
and "over priced" clothing segments......
To extend this program for an additional hour is the most
insane decision one could make.......But after all NBC does
need the money to support shows like the Apprentice.......
too far......Now they are thinking of having 4 hours of the show
in the mornings........7AM to 11AM.........
Their 7AM-8AM hour is for news and politics.....Its concluding
minutes may lead into social or medical issues.....
The 8AM-9AM hour continues the social and/or medical
themes......The "cancer story je jour" or the best eye liner
to use that costs $50 a tube......
9AM to 10AM is a continuation of social, medical and attire
programing.......This hour is the "lightest" of the three.....
Gone are the highly paid hosts.....The "work hogs" like
Ann Curry and Al Roker continue the hour of "gourmet food"
and "over priced" clothing segments......
To extend this program for an additional hour is the most
insane decision one could make.......But after all NBC does
need the money to support shows like the Apprentice.......
Thursday, January 18, 2007
I Missed "Woodstock"
I have to admit that I have lived a life that missed most of the
world.......I was just one of those people who grew up, went
to school, learned how to read and write, and off to work
I went........
One of the original "follow the money" people........Support
a mother and younger sister, then a wife and a couple of
kids and so on......I look at old "news reel" footage and say,
"Where was I when that happened?"......The answer is
always the same, "Too busy working, no time to notice".......
I am one of those people that never walked in a "demonstration",
never carried a "sign", and never went to "Woodstock"......
I was just too busy supporting someone and trying to make
a buck........Tell you what, I think there are a lot more of my kind
than there are "Woodstock People".......Pumps
world.......I was just one of those people who grew up, went
to school, learned how to read and write, and off to work
I went........
One of the original "follow the money" people........Support
a mother and younger sister, then a wife and a couple of
kids and so on......I look at old "news reel" footage and say,
"Where was I when that happened?"......The answer is
always the same, "Too busy working, no time to notice".......
I am one of those people that never walked in a "demonstration",
never carried a "sign", and never went to "Woodstock"......
I was just too busy supporting someone and trying to make
a buck........Tell you what, I think there are a lot more of my kind
than there are "Woodstock People".......Pumps
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Frozen Orange Juice
Well the price of oranges and orange juice products will be
increasing due to the cold weather in California......Guess
we will have to settle for South African produce......
Cold weather in nothing new to "sunny" southern California....
Here are a few record low temperatures between the 11th to
17th in the month of January........1888-32F and 34F.......
1949-32F.....1950-34F.......The average high temperatures
during this time of the month are only from the mid 50s to 60s......
I think the Public Relation people are doing a good job in
telling the rest of the United States that California never
gets cold......But it seems it does.......Pumps
increasing due to the cold weather in California......Guess
we will have to settle for South African produce......
Cold weather in nothing new to "sunny" southern California....
Here are a few record low temperatures between the 11th to
17th in the month of January........1888-32F and 34F.......
1949-32F.....1950-34F.......The average high temperatures
during this time of the month are only from the mid 50s to 60s......
I think the Public Relation people are doing a good job in
telling the rest of the United States that California never
gets cold......But it seems it does.......Pumps
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Robbing Peter To Pay Paul
Well it is starting to happen......But not in America yet.......
With the addition of ethanol to our gasoline, which is made
from corn, the price of corn has gone up on the "grain
market" exchanges.......
The first thing, this increase in prices has, effected is the
price of the simple Mexican tortilla......And yes in Mexico......
With the demand for corn all the speculators are beginning
to find a way to make more money.......In the US everyone
is blaming the gasoline companies.....In Mexico everyone
is blaming the tortilla manufacturers........
If a tortilla is a staple in Mexico, than corn is a staple
in the US for our cattle, etc......While we will be happy about
our price of gasoline, I doubt if there will be any complaint
about the raise in beef and Corn Flakes...... Pumps
With the addition of ethanol to our gasoline, which is made
from corn, the price of corn has gone up on the "grain
market" exchanges.......
The first thing, this increase in prices has, effected is the
price of the simple Mexican tortilla......And yes in Mexico......
With the demand for corn all the speculators are beginning
to find a way to make more money.......In the US everyone
is blaming the gasoline companies.....In Mexico everyone
is blaming the tortilla manufacturers........
If a tortilla is a staple in Mexico, than corn is a staple
in the US for our cattle, etc......While we will be happy about
our price of gasoline, I doubt if there will be any complaint
about the raise in beef and Corn Flakes...... Pumps
Monday, January 15, 2007
Tunagate
I do not like to get political but this Nancy Pelosi > Minimum
Wage > Samoa > Tuna Fish congressional news story is
interesting to watch unfold.......
The story involves the proposed $7.25 minimum wage and its
effect on Samoa, home of a Star Kist packing plant owned by
Del Monte Foods with headquarters in San Francisco, in the
8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT of Nancy Pelosi.......
While Mrs. Pelosi says she is not involved in any with the
issue, the House Bill was written by Mr. George Miller of the
7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT of California......Just turn
port after going under the Golden Gate Bridge......
Mr. Miller and Mrs. Pelosi go a long way back together in the
political arena......This story is a typical example of Washington
politics in action......
Who would have ever connected dancing Samoan girls, tuna
fish and Nancy Pelosi?.......Pumps
Wage > Samoa > Tuna Fish congressional news story is
interesting to watch unfold.......
The story involves the proposed $7.25 minimum wage and its
effect on Samoa, home of a Star Kist packing plant owned by
Del Monte Foods with headquarters in San Francisco, in the
8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT of Nancy Pelosi.......
While Mrs. Pelosi says she is not involved in any with the
issue, the House Bill was written by Mr. George Miller of the
7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT of California......Just turn
port after going under the Golden Gate Bridge......
Mr. Miller and Mrs. Pelosi go a long way back together in the
political arena......This story is a typical example of Washington
politics in action......
Who would have ever connected dancing Samoan girls, tuna
fish and Nancy Pelosi?.......Pumps
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Bulletin
Today "bulletin" is not complete unless the word "board" is
behind it......Such was not always the case.......
Back in the days of radio and early television, every time
an important news development occurred there would be
a "break" in the normal broadcast program for the "news
bulletin"........
Then it was decided by the media people that "bulletin"
was becoming a scary word and frightened it listeners or
watchers.......The word "bulletin" was no longer to be used.....
So what do we have today?......Just different words to scare
people.....Examples: "Alert" - "Special Report" - "Breaking
News"......What the heck is the difference......
It is "breaking" into the programing that scares people,
not the words they use or flash across the TV screen in
super large text.......I think is safe to use "news bulletin"
again......Pumps
behind it......Such was not always the case.......
Back in the days of radio and early television, every time
an important news development occurred there would be
a "break" in the normal broadcast program for the "news
bulletin"........
Then it was decided by the media people that "bulletin"
was becoming a scary word and frightened it listeners or
watchers.......The word "bulletin" was no longer to be used.....
So what do we have today?......Just different words to scare
people.....Examples: "Alert" - "Special Report" - "Breaking
News"......What the heck is the difference......
It is "breaking" into the programing that scares people,
not the words they use or flash across the TV screen in
super large text.......I think is safe to use "news bulletin"
again......Pumps
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Boomer's Money
It appears to me that the great marketing minds today are
going after the Boomer, more now, than the Senior......Let's
face it these marketing guys know where the money is.......
I suspect that they have concluded that anyone
over 70 years of age has all they need by now and are not
going to purchase more, unless as a replacement.......
The Boomers, 45 and older, are still trying to stay young and
have money to keep trying......Today there is an increased
marketing effort to get them to spend it, perhaps in the
search for the Fountain of Youth.......
While all of us over the age of 70 know that the Fountain
does not exist, it is tough to tell a "young'in" to save their
money rather than spending it on a useless quest.....
What you do not save in your 40s and 50s does not produce
"interest" when you need it in the 70s and 80s.......Pumps
going after the Boomer, more now, than the Senior......Let's
face it these marketing guys know where the money is.......
I suspect that they have concluded that anyone
over 70 years of age has all they need by now and are not
going to purchase more, unless as a replacement.......
The Boomers, 45 and older, are still trying to stay young and
have money to keep trying......Today there is an increased
marketing effort to get them to spend it, perhaps in the
search for the Fountain of Youth.......
While all of us over the age of 70 know that the Fountain
does not exist, it is tough to tell a "young'in" to save their
money rather than spending it on a useless quest.....
What you do not save in your 40s and 50s does not produce
"interest" when you need it in the 70s and 80s.......Pumps
Friday, January 12, 2007
Degree Days
Degree Days are no longer popular.....In fact this little bit of
weather information is only being used by the home heating
oil fuel companies.......
The United States Weather Service has established "mean"
or "normal" temperatures for each day in the year in each
part of the country.......Here in Jabunyaville, during the
second week in January our "degree day" average for
heat is 28.......(In the summer the degree days are for
cooling)......
Well winter may be finally coming to this part of the world....
For the past three days the "actual measured" degree days
have been 24 - 30 - 29......Just about the average of 28.......
Last Friday and Saturday the "actual" was only 3 & 4.......
It is a crazy little statistic.....But for those who use it, it is
a perfect weather guide.......The fuel oil company knows
how much oil you are burning and for those who have
electric, you can get an idea if you can afford that extra
dinner out........Pumps
weather information is only being used by the home heating
oil fuel companies.......
The United States Weather Service has established "mean"
or "normal" temperatures for each day in the year in each
part of the country.......Here in Jabunyaville, during the
second week in January our "degree day" average for
heat is 28.......(In the summer the degree days are for
cooling)......
Well winter may be finally coming to this part of the world....
For the past three days the "actual measured" degree days
have been 24 - 30 - 29......Just about the average of 28.......
Last Friday and Saturday the "actual" was only 3 & 4.......
It is a crazy little statistic.....But for those who use it, it is
a perfect weather guide.......The fuel oil company knows
how much oil you are burning and for those who have
electric, you can get an idea if you can afford that extra
dinner out........Pumps
Thursday, January 11, 2007
WebMD.com
This medical site is advertised on my local TV......It is supposed
to be your main site for medical related information......
I have found one fault with their claims.......There are too many
advertisements and video commercials on the site which
interfere with access to the medical knowledge you seek....
Pity.....Try http://medlineplus.gov Pumps......
to be your main site for medical related information......
I have found one fault with their claims.......There are too many
advertisements and video commercials on the site which
interfere with access to the medical knowledge you seek....
Pity.....Try http://medlineplus.gov Pumps......
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
New Hospital Advertisement
Two miles and about 10 minutes away from my house, the
new St. Francis Medical Center opened with its fountains
and marble facade......
For the past few months my local TV stations have been
advertising its opening and the medical services it
provides to the local community......
Well today I had occasion to visit the "campus" for a routine
medical office visit......And there in the front of their main
entrance was another "advertisement".....
A young woman, from a medical ward, in her hospital
gown and some under clothing, was smoking a cigarette.....It
should be noted that the outside morning temperature
in Jabunyaville today was 29F degrees........
Ah yes, "Complete Health"........Pumps
new St. Francis Medical Center opened with its fountains
and marble facade......
For the past few months my local TV stations have been
advertising its opening and the medical services it
provides to the local community......
Well today I had occasion to visit the "campus" for a routine
medical office visit......And there in the front of their main
entrance was another "advertisement".....
A young woman, from a medical ward, in her hospital
gown and some under clothing, was smoking a cigarette.....It
should be noted that the outside morning temperature
in Jabunyaville today was 29F degrees........
Ah yes, "Complete Health"........Pumps
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Nothing Is The Same In Nature
You learn in high school that every fingerprint is different.....
That means that 300 million people with 10 fingers each
have a total 3 billion finger prints.......
They are using eye "scans" for identification these days
because no two eyes are alike......
Yet we have a lot of people out there who believe that our
weather should be the same every day, every year,
every decade and every century......
It seems that some of these college professors have
forgotten what they learned in high school.....Pumps
That means that 300 million people with 10 fingers each
have a total 3 billion finger prints.......
They are using eye "scans" for identification these days
because no two eyes are alike......
Yet we have a lot of people out there who believe that our
weather should be the same every day, every year,
every decade and every century......
It seems that some of these college professors have
forgotten what they learned in high school.....Pumps
Monday, January 08, 2007
I Wish I Could ----
After all the words and promises made by the powers that
be in Washington DC, it appears that it is the "same-0ld,
same-old"......"Do as I say (or order you) and not as I do".......
Next week has a federal holiday in it......That means that
it will be a four day week for most in DC.......Last week
they had a three day week because of the Presidential
funeral......
So "one" would expect that this is the week to get started
doing the work they promised.......That "100 Hours" thing......
But no.......There is a football game on tonight at 8:30PM
so they took the day off to order their beer and wieners......
If I ever told one of my bosses that, he would have told
me to find another job right then and there.......
It must be nice to be a primadonna......Pumps
be in Washington DC, it appears that it is the "same-0ld,
same-old"......"Do as I say (or order you) and not as I do".......
Next week has a federal holiday in it......That means that
it will be a four day week for most in DC.......Last week
they had a three day week because of the Presidential
funeral......
So "one" would expect that this is the week to get started
doing the work they promised.......That "100 Hours" thing......
But no.......There is a football game on tonight at 8:30PM
so they took the day off to order their beer and wieners......
If I ever told one of my bosses that, he would have told
me to find another job right then and there.......
It must be nice to be a primadonna......Pumps
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Spin
The modern day media and politicians are know for their
"spin" on the facts......."Spin" is a nice new modern word
for "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear"......
Today's New Orleans is the closest thing to a "wild west"
town that we have in the United States.......It is "chaosville"....
Political infighting between City and State officials, lack of
tourism and infrastructure are preventing it's recovery......
The crime rate has soared......Last year alone there were
161 murders in the city.........
Now the spin.......The NO Police Department is saying that
this figure of 161 is the lowest in the last 30 years........
BUT THERE ARE HALF AS MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN
NEW ORLEANS TODAY......What was the pre-Katrina rate
322?......Pumps
"spin" on the facts......."Spin" is a nice new modern word
for "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear"......
Today's New Orleans is the closest thing to a "wild west"
town that we have in the United States.......It is "chaosville"....
Political infighting between City and State officials, lack of
tourism and infrastructure are preventing it's recovery......
The crime rate has soared......Last year alone there were
161 murders in the city.........
Now the spin.......The NO Police Department is saying that
this figure of 161 is the lowest in the last 30 years........
BUT THERE ARE HALF AS MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN
NEW ORLEANS TODAY......What was the pre-Katrina rate
322?......Pumps
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Decision Making
I have concluded, after my years in business, that there are two
types of "decision makers"........The first will make a decision and
if it is a bad one, they will change it and the problem is solved
again, it is hoped......
The second type does not make a decision at all......These people
hope the problem will resolve itself and go away or that someone
else will solve the problem......It is the "Wait and See 101" course
in management or personal relations......
I hate the latter method.......In my opinion the "do nothings" are
hoping they will succeed without any commitment to the
problem........Some of these people have risen to great position
and power but in the long run their lack of ability to solve a
problem usually comes to light.......
Have the BALLS to make a decision.....If it is wrong, then have
the BALLS to change it.......This method of, "I hope it will go
away", is a bunch of crap........A problem never goes away.......
Pumps
types of "decision makers"........The first will make a decision and
if it is a bad one, they will change it and the problem is solved
again, it is hoped......
The second type does not make a decision at all......These people
hope the problem will resolve itself and go away or that someone
else will solve the problem......It is the "Wait and See 101" course
in management or personal relations......
I hate the latter method.......In my opinion the "do nothings" are
hoping they will succeed without any commitment to the
problem........Some of these people have risen to great position
and power but in the long run their lack of ability to solve a
problem usually comes to light.......
Have the BALLS to make a decision.....If it is wrong, then have
the BALLS to change it.......This method of, "I hope it will go
away", is a bunch of crap........A problem never goes away.......
Pumps
Friday, January 05, 2007
CEO Retirement Package
It is in the newspapers again, the CEO of Home Depot is
leaving his job, it seems he did nothing to improve the profits,
with a "goodbye package" of over 200 million dollars......
What the "big corporate boys" do with their play money
is of no concern of my with one exception........That 200 million
dollars came out of my pocket......It may have been only
one dollar but it also happened to 200 million other people,
as well, when you purchased anything at HD........
Now let us face it these other 200 million people are getting
taken, for $1, by other CEOs in other companies........
Getting to my point........A $1 here and $1 there is costing ME
money when I go shopping.........These guys yachts, mansions
and life styles are being paid by MY BUCK.......
I also suspect that the CEO of Home Depot will not retire like
the rest of us.......His search is now on for another
"non-performing" job which should cover his wife's
expenses.........Pumps
leaving his job, it seems he did nothing to improve the profits,
with a "goodbye package" of over 200 million dollars......
What the "big corporate boys" do with their play money
is of no concern of my with one exception........That 200 million
dollars came out of my pocket......It may have been only
one dollar but it also happened to 200 million other people,
as well, when you purchased anything at HD........
Now let us face it these other 200 million people are getting
taken, for $1, by other CEOs in other companies........
Getting to my point........A $1 here and $1 there is costing ME
money when I go shopping.........These guys yachts, mansions
and life styles are being paid by MY BUCK.......
I also suspect that the CEO of Home Depot will not retire like
the rest of us.......His search is now on for another
"non-performing" job which should cover his wife's
expenses.........Pumps
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Corner Office
In my previous life, I worked for a few large corporations.......
The goal of every employee was to be able to "swap" his
desk or cubical for a "corner office".....There were a least
four on each floor of the building.....A bright office, with
windows on two walls and a large wooden desk......
To open its door every day meant that you were the BOSS.....
Your underlings only had offices or a "fancy" cubical with
only one window and aways a "cheaper" metal desk......
Today in Washington DC offices are being changed.......The
winners are moving into the "fancy" and "corner" offices
and the losers are moving down the halls to a cubical next
to the broom and utility closet.......
There have only been a few exceptions to the rule but
men (and women) do enjoy the status of a "corner" office
with windows and a mahogany desk......However, history
has often shown that many who obtain the "corner" are
not deserving of its occupation.....Pumps
The goal of every employee was to be able to "swap" his
desk or cubical for a "corner office".....There were a least
four on each floor of the building.....A bright office, with
windows on two walls and a large wooden desk......
To open its door every day meant that you were the BOSS.....
Your underlings only had offices or a "fancy" cubical with
only one window and aways a "cheaper" metal desk......
Today in Washington DC offices are being changed.......The
winners are moving into the "fancy" and "corner" offices
and the losers are moving down the halls to a cubical next
to the broom and utility closet.......
There have only been a few exceptions to the rule but
men (and women) do enjoy the status of a "corner" office
with windows and a mahogany desk......However, history
has often shown that many who obtain the "corner" are
not deserving of its occupation.....Pumps
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
A Blank Page
I have to admit there are days when it is difficult to put
words on a computer in order to satisfy my two regular
readers........But I think that today is one of them.......
My little 3-1 HP printer had a minor "glitch" which
demanded most of my attention this afternoon........
The world seemed really quiet today.......The mail
finally arrived after 3 days of no service and there was
not a bad "piece" in the batch........The outdoor
temperature got up into the mid-50s and this is
January in Jabunyaville........Even the WalMart parking
lot has emptied out some......
I guess it was just a good day.......Pumps
words on a computer in order to satisfy my two regular
readers........But I think that today is one of them.......
My little 3-1 HP printer had a minor "glitch" which
demanded most of my attention this afternoon........
The world seemed really quiet today.......The mail
finally arrived after 3 days of no service and there was
not a bad "piece" in the batch........The outdoor
temperature got up into the mid-50s and this is
January in Jabunyaville........Even the WalMart parking
lot has emptied out some......
I guess it was just a good day.......Pumps
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Passing Knowledge On
I am now at the same age as my grandfather was when he
handed down, or taught me a little, cooking trick......
It seemed that he and others realized that you could not
get ALL the ketchup out of a Heinz bottle.......There was, and
still is, the little bit of ketchup that sticks to the side of the
bottle walls....."Hey, we paid for it, we have to get it out".....
So the little trick......Which I still use this day, along with others
on how to get that little bit of thick "stuff" out of the bottle.....
He used about a tablespoon or so of water......Put the cap back
on the bottle, give it a little shake and, behold, what you paid
for, at the store, is now yours......
A little red wine in a tomato paste can also works wonders
for a lot of recipes......Pumps
handed down, or taught me a little, cooking trick......
It seemed that he and others realized that you could not
get ALL the ketchup out of a Heinz bottle.......There was, and
still is, the little bit of ketchup that sticks to the side of the
bottle walls....."Hey, we paid for it, we have to get it out".....
So the little trick......Which I still use this day, along with others
on how to get that little bit of thick "stuff" out of the bottle.....
He used about a tablespoon or so of water......Put the cap back
on the bottle, give it a little shake and, behold, what you paid
for, at the store, is now yours......
A little red wine in a tomato paste can also works wonders
for a lot of recipes......Pumps
Monday, January 01, 2007
Seven Years Later
Above my computer I have a button which I purchased back
in 1999......It is a faux Egyptian button with a picture of a
black bug and the words "Original Y2K Bug".....
Seven years have passed since the impending collapse of
the World Wide Web and the Internet......We are still here
"on-line", perhaps a little slower, at times due to "traffic",
but none the less still here..........
In these seven years, since Y2K was not fatal, THEY have
found other "dooms day" things to worry about.......The
climate, bird flu, lettuce/spinach, trans-fats.......THEY sit
and await the next "mad cow" outbreak........Since THEY
have nothing better to do than worry about the destruction
of mankind, let's us normal people just have a
HAPPY NEW YEAR...................Pumps
in 1999......It is a faux Egyptian button with a picture of a
black bug and the words "Original Y2K Bug".....
Seven years have passed since the impending collapse of
the World Wide Web and the Internet......We are still here
"on-line", perhaps a little slower, at times due to "traffic",
but none the less still here..........
In these seven years, since Y2K was not fatal, THEY have
found other "dooms day" things to worry about.......The
climate, bird flu, lettuce/spinach, trans-fats.......THEY sit
and await the next "mad cow" outbreak........Since THEY
have nothing better to do than worry about the destruction
of mankind, let's us normal people just have a
HAPPY NEW YEAR...................Pumps
