Saturday, June 30, 2007
Poor Con Ed
Consolidated Edison is the name of the electric company
that supplies electric power to the 8 million people in
New York City........
Most of the electrical service in NYC is provided by
underground lines under the city's streets.......(If you
see some olde pictures of NYC in the late 1800's you
will see more "telephone" poles then in modern day
Los Angeles).......
Everything that makes New York City work is underground......
The subway system, the gas lines, the electric wires and,
believe it or not, steam.......The only things above the street
are the skyscraper buildings..........
Everytime something does not work in NYC there has to
be an investigtion in order to place blame......Once "blame"
is placed, it does calm the "savage beast" of it residents.......
The subway system is over 100 years old, the gas and
electric lines are also vintage, and who the hell still uses
steam in New York?.......
But still everything is still the fault of Con Ed should the
lights ever go ou, even as they did once in Buffalo - a
whole State away.......Pumps
that supplies electric power to the 8 million people in
New York City........
Most of the electrical service in NYC is provided by
underground lines under the city's streets.......(If you
see some olde pictures of NYC in the late 1800's you
will see more "telephone" poles then in modern day
Los Angeles).......
Everything that makes New York City work is underground......
The subway system, the gas lines, the electric wires and,
believe it or not, steam.......The only things above the street
are the skyscraper buildings..........
Everytime something does not work in NYC there has to
be an investigtion in order to place blame......Once "blame"
is placed, it does calm the "savage beast" of it residents.......
The subway system is over 100 years old, the gas and
electric lines are also vintage, and who the hell still uses
steam in New York?.......
But still everything is still the fault of Con Ed should the
lights ever go ou, even as they did once in Buffalo - a
whole State away.......Pumps
Friday, June 29, 2007
The One Season Chef
Many moons ago, I knew a restaurant owner who would
hire a "chef" just out of cooking school......It was a win-win
for both.......The young person had his first chance at
showing his "cooking skills" and the owner got the best
of the newest recipes......After the short 6 months of ski
season both would part ways.........
The same philosophy is currently practiced in corporate
America........"Come on board, after college, teach us what
you know and then move on"........
Here in Jabunyaville there is a large corporation that will
hire people, pay them top dollar, suck out every bit of their
brain and then fire them......What amazes me is that people
are happy to work for them......I guess when you are
college educated you do not think of yourself as a "BODY",
but in today's world be it McDonalds or IBM - you are
just a "BODY".......What do you think Human Resource
Departments are for?.......They do not handle "personnel"
like they did years ago.......They just handle "BODIES"......
Pumps (thankfully an ex-body)..........
hire a "chef" just out of cooking school......It was a win-win
for both.......The young person had his first chance at
showing his "cooking skills" and the owner got the best
of the newest recipes......After the short 6 months of ski
season both would part ways.........
The same philosophy is currently practiced in corporate
America........"Come on board, after college, teach us what
you know and then move on"........
Here in Jabunyaville there is a large corporation that will
hire people, pay them top dollar, suck out every bit of their
brain and then fire them......What amazes me is that people
are happy to work for them......I guess when you are
college educated you do not think of yourself as a "BODY",
but in today's world be it McDonalds or IBM - you are
just a "BODY".......What do you think Human Resource
Departments are for?.......They do not handle "personnel"
like they did years ago.......They just handle "BODIES"......
Pumps (thankfully an ex-body)..........
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Ketchup
Ketchup or Catsup in the United States is a tomato
condiment, great on french fries and hamburgers........
In the Far East, especially in countries like the
Philippines, VietNam, and Thailand this condiment
is made from bananas and is "spiced" up.......A little
"dab" of oriental ketchup does wonders for your
Sunday morning's eggs........
Shopping today in a Hispanic section of a grocery store
I saw a bottle of "La Lina" Ketchup with picante (hot)
seasonings.......It was a fancy packaged bottle of tomato
ketchup, for $0.99, which was made in Thailand.....
First example of Mexican food made elsewhere....Pumps
condiment, great on french fries and hamburgers........
In the Far East, especially in countries like the
Philippines, VietNam, and Thailand this condiment
is made from bananas and is "spiced" up.......A little
"dab" of oriental ketchup does wonders for your
Sunday morning's eggs........
Shopping today in a Hispanic section of a grocery store
I saw a bottle of "La Lina" Ketchup with picante (hot)
seasonings.......It was a fancy packaged bottle of tomato
ketchup, for $0.99, which was made in Thailand.....
First example of Mexican food made elsewhere....Pumps
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
New HP Printer
Well "we" got a new HP printer in the computer room.....
Hardware and software is up and running........
This new printer is also a good example of the modern
"disposal society"......The first printer was bought in
Walmart for about $75 and it lasted 3 years......The
new one was bought "online only" from Walmart and
cost me $50.......If it give me more than 2 years of
service, I "luck out".......
The $50 printer is "almost" the same as the $75 one......
It has a few less "bells and whistles" and some of its
shell is made of different and less expensive plastic
but it works and prints just like the old one.......
My computer service man told me that when the
printer breaks and refuses to take "software commands"
it is time to just throw it away......And it seems for
$25 a year of service, he just may be right....Pumps
Hardware and software is up and running........
This new printer is also a good example of the modern
"disposal society"......The first printer was bought in
Walmart for about $75 and it lasted 3 years......The
new one was bought "online only" from Walmart and
cost me $50.......If it give me more than 2 years of
service, I "luck out".......
The $50 printer is "almost" the same as the $75 one......
It has a few less "bells and whistles" and some of its
shell is made of different and less expensive plastic
but it works and prints just like the old one.......
My computer service man told me that when the
printer breaks and refuses to take "software commands"
it is time to just throw it away......And it seems for
$25 a year of service, he just may be right....Pumps
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
United States Senate Bill #1639
I am a poor "schlep" living in Jabunyaville, Virginia....
I have a Mexican family living across the street.......
Seven to 10 people live in a rental house and three
children are going to school.....(The little one is
learning how to speak English.).......I do not want
empty Corona beer bottles on my front lawn.......
The vote today in the US Senate kept this immigration
bill alive......But what gets me is that MY two Senators,
one Democrat and one Republican voted NEY (No) the
first time this issue was presented on the "Senate"
floor back in June.......Today, some weeks later, they
both voted YEA (Yes), which kept the bill alive.......
What goes through the minds and pockets of two
politicians in the time of 6 weeks or so........If it was No
the first time why was it not No the second time......
Getting into politics these days is not a duty or honor.....
It is a money making proposition......Their concerns for
their voters is absent unless there is something in it
for THEM.........
And the writers of history always question why a
revolution occurred.......Now you know why....The BIG
GUYS don't care about us little "scites".......Pumps
I have a Mexican family living across the street.......
Seven to 10 people live in a rental house and three
children are going to school.....(The little one is
learning how to speak English.).......I do not want
empty Corona beer bottles on my front lawn.......
The vote today in the US Senate kept this immigration
bill alive......But what gets me is that MY two Senators,
one Democrat and one Republican voted NEY (No) the
first time this issue was presented on the "Senate"
floor back in June.......Today, some weeks later, they
both voted YEA (Yes), which kept the bill alive.......
What goes through the minds and pockets of two
politicians in the time of 6 weeks or so........If it was No
the first time why was it not No the second time......
Getting into politics these days is not a duty or honor.....
It is a money making proposition......Their concerns for
their voters is absent unless there is something in it
for THEM.........
And the writers of history always question why a
revolution occurred.......Now you know why....The BIG
GUYS don't care about us little "scites".......Pumps
Monday, June 25, 2007
It Has Come To Pass
If it has anything to do with corn, the price has gone up......
High fructose corn sryup - Corn feed for cows, pigs and
chickens - Everything you eat, in one form or another....
The price is going up because the demand for corn and
its use to make ethanol, the gasoline additive.......
Archer Daniel Midland Company is making a fortune.....
Have you ever seen their TV advertisements on how
their company is "thinking ahead" and making your life
better......What a joke.......
Here is your latest use of corn......The City of San
Francisco does not like the normal plastic shopping bag.....
It costs "them" to much money to dispose of and besides
it is made from oil......So they want shopping bags made
from corn starch......Can't use paper because it will hurt
a tree.......
So when you are in "Frisco" and are shopping for a
Mexican dinner remember that the taco, salsa and
chicken plus the shopping bag all used corn to make......
PS: Latest price of corn on the cob in Jabunyaville
is 6 for $2.00......There goes a "buck and dozen"....Pumps
High fructose corn sryup - Corn feed for cows, pigs and
chickens - Everything you eat, in one form or another....
The price is going up because the demand for corn and
its use to make ethanol, the gasoline additive.......
Archer Daniel Midland Company is making a fortune.....
Have you ever seen their TV advertisements on how
their company is "thinking ahead" and making your life
better......What a joke.......
Here is your latest use of corn......The City of San
Francisco does not like the normal plastic shopping bag.....
It costs "them" to much money to dispose of and besides
it is made from oil......So they want shopping bags made
from corn starch......Can't use paper because it will hurt
a tree.......
So when you are in "Frisco" and are shopping for a
Mexican dinner remember that the taco, salsa and
chicken plus the shopping bag all used corn to make......
PS: Latest price of corn on the cob in Jabunyaville
is 6 for $2.00......There goes a "buck and dozen"....Pumps
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Civility
Civility has, I suspect, left the mind of every living
American......Times have changed........It is now
a "me-me-me" attitude.......No one cares or even
thinks about the feelings of the person you just
"beat" to get on line, etc........Patience and forthought
are long gone......
But Americans "will be" Americans.......The rewards
are to the swift and the brave.......The result of all of
this has been an "in your face attitude"......The world
of the "bully"......A lesson, some people think that,
we have taught the world......
Well if the Immigration Reform Bill is passed into law
by our representatives in Washington, D.C., our
country will have acquired 12-20 million new people
who will be "in your face"..........Pumps
American......Times have changed........It is now
a "me-me-me" attitude.......No one cares or even
thinks about the feelings of the person you just
"beat" to get on line, etc........Patience and forthought
are long gone......
But Americans "will be" Americans.......The rewards
are to the swift and the brave.......The result of all of
this has been an "in your face attitude"......The world
of the "bully"......A lesson, some people think that,
we have taught the world......
Well if the Immigration Reform Bill is passed into law
by our representatives in Washington, D.C., our
country will have acquired 12-20 million new people
who will be "in your face"..........Pumps
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Computer Maintenance
Yesterday was clean up the computer day.......While most
computer owners set their cleaning schedules to be done,
automatically during the middle of the night, I shut my
computer down when not in use and do my "cleaning"
manually........(That being inserting all the computer
commands personally)........
This is a time consuming process.......There is spyware
and malware to hunt for.......You have to look for unwanted
"Trojan Horses" which try to take over you machine.......
Then there is the "Anti-Virus" search.......Not to mention
things like "Defraging" and purging your "Temp Internet
Files".......But "we" got it all done.......Now "we" are clean as
a whistle........
When you have an olde computer like I (7-1/2 years), which
is running as fast that its components will allow with its
new upgrades, it still takes hours to get the above mentioned
tasks done.......
Thus the reason for no blog yesterday.......Pumps
computer owners set their cleaning schedules to be done,
automatically during the middle of the night, I shut my
computer down when not in use and do my "cleaning"
manually........(That being inserting all the computer
commands personally)........
This is a time consuming process.......There is spyware
and malware to hunt for.......You have to look for unwanted
"Trojan Horses" which try to take over you machine.......
Then there is the "Anti-Virus" search.......Not to mention
things like "Defraging" and purging your "Temp Internet
Files".......But "we" got it all done.......Now "we" are clean as
a whistle........
When you have an olde computer like I (7-1/2 years), which
is running as fast that its components will allow with its
new upgrades, it still takes hours to get the above mentioned
tasks done.......
Thus the reason for no blog yesterday.......Pumps
Thursday, June 21, 2007
It's All About Money
Here we go again.......Every year or so the name of a
sports venue changes in favor of some corporate
sponsorship.........
NASCAR known for its Winston Cup racing from
1972-2003 until the anti-smoking people did not like
the name, was changed in 2004 to the more socially
acceptable Nextel Cup......This move must have
saved R. J. Reynolds a lot of advertising money......
Now it appears that in 2008, the Sprint Cup will
replace the Nextel Cup......Since these two companies
are competing for your cell telephone service, now
you know where most of you telephone bill
charges have and will be going.......Prize money for
the winning driving teams......Pumps
sports venue changes in favor of some corporate
sponsorship.........
NASCAR known for its Winston Cup racing from
1972-2003 until the anti-smoking people did not like
the name, was changed in 2004 to the more socially
acceptable Nextel Cup......This move must have
saved R. J. Reynolds a lot of advertising money......
Now it appears that in 2008, the Sprint Cup will
replace the Nextel Cup......Since these two companies
are competing for your cell telephone service, now
you know where most of you telephone bill
charges have and will be going.......Prize money for
the winning driving teams......Pumps
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Global Warming News
As reported by an Australian newspaper, the Netherlands
Environmental Assessment Agency has concluded that
China has surged past the United States in becoming the
world's biggest producer of greenhouse gases....In 2006
their carbon emissions were 8% higher due to burning of
fossil fuels, cement production, their aviation, shipping
and deforestation.....The report also included methane
and nitrous oxide gases.......
The news article also noted that China has committed
itself to improving energy efficiency but has rejected
mandatory emission cuts requested by the international
community......China says that any cuts could slow their
economic growth and cause social unrest.......
It appears that China does not give a "scite" and is telling
the rest of the world to "buzz off"........Pumps
Environmental Assessment Agency has concluded that
China has surged past the United States in becoming the
world's biggest producer of greenhouse gases....In 2006
their carbon emissions were 8% higher due to burning of
fossil fuels, cement production, their aviation, shipping
and deforestation.....The report also included methane
and nitrous oxide gases.......
The news article also noted that China has committed
itself to improving energy efficiency but has rejected
mandatory emission cuts requested by the international
community......China says that any cuts could slow their
economic growth and cause social unrest.......
It appears that China does not give a "scite" and is telling
the rest of the world to "buzz off"........Pumps
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
William And Harry
It seems that the young princes and heirs to the British
throne have recently gone on TV during the period of
the 10 year anniversary of their mother's death, Princess
Diana......
While their mother was know to "play" the media to
her advantage at times, it now seems that her sons
are doing the same.......
The National Broadcasting Company, in America, paid
the two young gentlemen over 2 million dollars for an
interview......Since both these men do not need the
money themselves, they will donate it to a charity........
The way I see it, is that the British monarchy has not
lost a dime on the deal.....Their fortunes, which are
accrued from the taxation of their British subjects,
is safe behind the walls of Windsor Castle......
Once again America gives money to England......I think
it was called Lend-Lease some 70 years ago....Pumps
throne have recently gone on TV during the period of
the 10 year anniversary of their mother's death, Princess
Diana......
While their mother was know to "play" the media to
her advantage at times, it now seems that her sons
are doing the same.......
The National Broadcasting Company, in America, paid
the two young gentlemen over 2 million dollars for an
interview......Since both these men do not need the
money themselves, they will donate it to a charity........
The way I see it, is that the British monarchy has not
lost a dime on the deal.....Their fortunes, which are
accrued from the taxation of their British subjects,
is safe behind the walls of Windsor Castle......
Once again America gives money to England......I think
it was called Lend-Lease some 70 years ago....Pumps
Monday, June 18, 2007
200 Hot Dogs
This is a story of successful business management......
Some thirty years ago I had the privilege to know a man
that only sold 200 hot dogs a day......He was an ex-New York
City school teacher who left the "daily grind" to sell hot dogs,
with his road side cart, in Vermont.......His business
philosophy was to each day bring to his cart only 200 hot
dogs and fresh fix'ins......When he sold the 200 he closed up
his cart and went home.......(I should mention that his cart
was on a well traveled "truckers route".)........
He would "open" about 11AM........Closing time could be as
early as 1PM or as late as 4PM, depending on the 200.......
When asked why he did not want to sell more, he told me
that, it would cost him more time and money.....His profit
margin would be less.......
A lot of modern companies have lost sight of this simple
business principle.....Selling more does not mean you make
more money because it takes more people, wages, insurance,
compensation to do so.......Making something larger, with
an incorrect business model, does not make things "better"....
By the way, his hot dogs were GREAT..........Pumps
Some thirty years ago I had the privilege to know a man
that only sold 200 hot dogs a day......He was an ex-New York
City school teacher who left the "daily grind" to sell hot dogs,
with his road side cart, in Vermont.......His business
philosophy was to each day bring to his cart only 200 hot
dogs and fresh fix'ins......When he sold the 200 he closed up
his cart and went home.......(I should mention that his cart
was on a well traveled "truckers route".)........
He would "open" about 11AM........Closing time could be as
early as 1PM or as late as 4PM, depending on the 200.......
When asked why he did not want to sell more, he told me
that, it would cost him more time and money.....His profit
margin would be less.......
A lot of modern companies have lost sight of this simple
business principle.....Selling more does not mean you make
more money because it takes more people, wages, insurance,
compensation to do so.......Making something larger, with
an incorrect business model, does not make things "better"....
By the way, his hot dogs were GREAT..........Pumps
Sunday, June 17, 2007
More Fees
After the Savings Bank Scandal of the mid-80's, financial
institutions had to find a way to make money rather than
losing it in bad investments.....So, since they realized that
their "customers" HAD the money, they would start to
charge "fees" for this and that......A sure way to make
money from someone who had it, in the first place.......
I suspect that the banking industry, along with their credit
card business, make more money from "fees" than they do
from "loan interest".......It may be a "nickle and dime"
operation but it all adds up in the end.....
As the years go by and "fees" become profitable, other
companies are getting into the act......The latest one I can
report on is my cable company......Now, if you want to pay
your bill by telephone (I guess with a credit card), it will
cost you a "fee" of $4.95.......
If the transaction takes 5 minutes, that means that a
"service representative" can handle 12 transactions a hour.......
Total $59.40 in "fees".......Payroll cost, with benefits, to
the employee should be about $15.00 per hour.....Total
profit to cable company $44.40 per hour.......
And the company's cry that they are losing money.....Pumps
institutions had to find a way to make money rather than
losing it in bad investments.....So, since they realized that
their "customers" HAD the money, they would start to
charge "fees" for this and that......A sure way to make
money from someone who had it, in the first place.......
I suspect that the banking industry, along with their credit
card business, make more money from "fees" than they do
from "loan interest".......It may be a "nickle and dime"
operation but it all adds up in the end.....
As the years go by and "fees" become profitable, other
companies are getting into the act......The latest one I can
report on is my cable company......Now, if you want to pay
your bill by telephone (I guess with a credit card), it will
cost you a "fee" of $4.95.......
If the transaction takes 5 minutes, that means that a
"service representative" can handle 12 transactions a hour.......
Total $59.40 in "fees".......Payroll cost, with benefits, to
the employee should be about $15.00 per hour.....Total
profit to cable company $44.40 per hour.......
And the company's cry that they are losing money.....Pumps
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Chinese Food #2
Well it seems that the second recall of a Chinese product has
not been food but toothpaste.......
I have often said that any Chinese warranty ends when the
ship leaves Hong Kong or any other Chinese port.....If they
mis-manufacture a product, whether by accident or on
purpose, they just ship it out of the country.......
The big problem is that the "importing companies" have no
desire to perform any "quality control" tests on what they
buy........The result has been the recall of a lot of Chinese
items either for "lead paint" or "improper assembly".......
Every American company has a Quality Control Department.....
Some are large and others may be small.......But there is
a desire, by these companies, either for financial or legal
reasons, to protect the public........This "mind set" does not
exist in China......All they want to do is sell the "crap" they
manufacture - to anyone.......
Buyer beware.........Pumps
not been food but toothpaste.......
I have often said that any Chinese warranty ends when the
ship leaves Hong Kong or any other Chinese port.....If they
mis-manufacture a product, whether by accident or on
purpose, they just ship it out of the country.......
The big problem is that the "importing companies" have no
desire to perform any "quality control" tests on what they
buy........The result has been the recall of a lot of Chinese
items either for "lead paint" or "improper assembly".......
Every American company has a Quality Control Department.....
Some are large and others may be small.......But there is
a desire, by these companies, either for financial or legal
reasons, to protect the public........This "mind set" does not
exist in China......All they want to do is sell the "crap" they
manufacture - to anyone.......
Buyer beware.........Pumps
Friday, June 15, 2007
Sugar On Cereal
The "Food Police" have once again convinced the Kellogg
Cereal Company to change it's products and marketing.......
The changes are being made for fear of parent and advocacy
group legation........
Does anyone realize that the "parent" and "advocacy people"
where the ones that wanted the sugar on the cereal in the
first place?..........They are the ones that were the "little brats"
who would not eat their breakfast unless it was sweet........
FACT: During WWII there were no cereals with sugar on
them.....Sugar was a rationed item and you were lucky if
you got 1/2 of a teaspoon to put on your Corn Flakes........
After the war, when sugar became available, we had Tony
The Tiger and Frosted Flakes......
Every adult today, which wants less sugar on cereal, were
the ones who "eat it up" years ago.........Kids today are fat
because they are not allowed to "play", "get hurt" or "run
around" for fear of some legal action.........
Fears of legation are preventing kids from eating sugar
or having exercise.......
Now, since sugar is not rationed anymore, a child will put
1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar on their morning cereal.......
Lawyers will sue parents for child abuse........Pumps
Cereal Company to change it's products and marketing.......
The changes are being made for fear of parent and advocacy
group legation........
Does anyone realize that the "parent" and "advocacy people"
where the ones that wanted the sugar on the cereal in the
first place?..........They are the ones that were the "little brats"
who would not eat their breakfast unless it was sweet........
FACT: During WWII there were no cereals with sugar on
them.....Sugar was a rationed item and you were lucky if
you got 1/2 of a teaspoon to put on your Corn Flakes........
After the war, when sugar became available, we had Tony
The Tiger and Frosted Flakes......
Every adult today, which wants less sugar on cereal, were
the ones who "eat it up" years ago.........Kids today are fat
because they are not allowed to "play", "get hurt" or "run
around" for fear of some legal action.........
Fears of legation are preventing kids from eating sugar
or having exercise.......
Now, since sugar is not rationed anymore, a child will put
1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar on their morning cereal.......
Lawyers will sue parents for child abuse........Pumps
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Survival
Survival is a vital human trait.....Today I received an e-mail
advertisement from Amazon concerning the paperback book
edition "Global Warming Survival Handbook".....
The author if the book is a 30 year old British man by the name
of David Mayer De Rothchild......While Mr Rothchild is an
adventurer and environmentalist he is a heir to the famous
fortunes of the De Rothchild banking empire.......
I am sure Mr Rothchild has spent some time in the forests
of a distant country, but I suspect that he has also spent
time in a foreign opulent hotel room.......
It seems that an author of this type of book should be a
person living in a log cabin somewhere on a mountain.......
Pumps
advertisement from Amazon concerning the paperback book
edition "Global Warming Survival Handbook".....
The author if the book is a 30 year old British man by the name
of David Mayer De Rothchild......While Mr Rothchild is an
adventurer and environmentalist he is a heir to the famous
fortunes of the De Rothchild banking empire.......
I am sure Mr Rothchild has spent some time in the forests
of a distant country, but I suspect that he has also spent
time in a foreign opulent hotel room.......
It seems that an author of this type of book should be a
person living in a log cabin somewhere on a mountain.......
Pumps
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The Lawn Mower #2
Having been a guy that fixed many "things" over the past
50 years, I am happy to say that my lawn mower is once
again fully operative........The new drive belt has been
successfully installed........
When I worked for an "Elevator Company" back in the '60s,
I learned that the harder it is to manufacture something, the
more money it costs to make and the profits can be effected.....
That is why a fancy Italian car can cost hundreds of thousands
because it is hand made and a Chevy costs twenty thousand
because it is assembled on a production line......
So also with the lawn mower.......The removal of two screws and
a plastic shield gave you access to the pulley......Untightening one
more screw relieved belt tension.......While it took me only about
10 minutes to replace the belt, I suspect the belt was installed
in the factory in seconds........That's how you make a profit in
the manufacturing business........Pumps
50 years, I am happy to say that my lawn mower is once
again fully operative........The new drive belt has been
successfully installed........
When I worked for an "Elevator Company" back in the '60s,
I learned that the harder it is to manufacture something, the
more money it costs to make and the profits can be effected.....
That is why a fancy Italian car can cost hundreds of thousands
because it is hand made and a Chevy costs twenty thousand
because it is assembled on a production line......
So also with the lawn mower.......The removal of two screws and
a plastic shield gave you access to the pulley......Untightening one
more screw relieved belt tension.......While it took me only about
10 minutes to replace the belt, I suspect the belt was installed
in the factory in seconds........That's how you make a profit in
the manufacturing business........Pumps
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
HP Printer - Day 4
My little olde HP All-in-One printer has decided, all by itself,
to cause paper problems.......Just press the "On" button and
it will pull a piece of paper in half way, stop, and then light up
like a Christmas tree with all sort of ERROR information......
For the past three days I have contacted HP Technical Support
only to receive the same "form" letter and information in
reply.....After four days of performing every corrective task
they requested, multiple times, the printer still pulls in 1/2
piece of paper, stops, and lights up like a Christmas tree......
Over the years Customer Service departments in corporations
have been reduced and automated.....
If you want to talk to a "person", sometimes with an East
Indian accent, it will cost you $29.95 and up......Inexpensive
printers can be bought for as little as $50.00......(And a
new set of ink cartridges cost about $60.00).....Everything
is designed to be thrown into the "town dump" when it
breaks........
Oh well, I guess it is off to look at a Canon printer this time......
My first one was way more dependable than this HP....
It is a pity it was not an All-in-One......Pumps
to cause paper problems.......Just press the "On" button and
it will pull a piece of paper in half way, stop, and then light up
like a Christmas tree with all sort of ERROR information......
For the past three days I have contacted HP Technical Support
only to receive the same "form" letter and information in
reply.....After four days of performing every corrective task
they requested, multiple times, the printer still pulls in 1/2
piece of paper, stops, and lights up like a Christmas tree......
Over the years Customer Service departments in corporations
have been reduced and automated.....
If you want to talk to a "person", sometimes with an East
Indian accent, it will cost you $29.95 and up......Inexpensive
printers can be bought for as little as $50.00......(And a
new set of ink cartridges cost about $60.00).....Everything
is designed to be thrown into the "town dump" when it
breaks........
Oh well, I guess it is off to look at a Canon printer this time......
My first one was way more dependable than this HP....
It is a pity it was not an All-in-One......Pumps
Monday, June 11, 2007
Lying
Studies are showing that most people lie, for the purpose
of maintaining their self-esteem or for the purpose of not
offending others......Thus the studies show and are proving
that it is alright to lie.......Bull........
In my 70 or so years I have found out that 50% of the
people you meet, like you and the other 50% do not.....It
makes no difference if you tell them the truth or not.......
Fifty percent of people, when they hear the "real and honest"
truth either will believe it or think you are giving them a
"very good line of bull"......You can not win for losing either
way......
So if lying is really a 50/50 "crap shoot", I tell the truth
whether people like it or not......If you want to be a "yes"
person and lie in order to have friends, then do so......
The odds are still 50/50 you will either win or lose in the
long run.......Pumps
of maintaining their self-esteem or for the purpose of not
offending others......Thus the studies show and are proving
that it is alright to lie.......Bull........
In my 70 or so years I have found out that 50% of the
people you meet, like you and the other 50% do not.....It
makes no difference if you tell them the truth or not.......
Fifty percent of people, when they hear the "real and honest"
truth either will believe it or think you are giving them a
"very good line of bull"......You can not win for losing either
way......
So if lying is really a 50/50 "crap shoot", I tell the truth
whether people like it or not......If you want to be a "yes"
person and lie in order to have friends, then do so......
The odds are still 50/50 you will either win or lose in the
long run.......Pumps
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Tree Day
Yep, yesterday was tree day.....Acording to the Global
Warming folks, a day of infamy.....Trees were cut down......
One thing about living around trees is that like other
things on Earth - they die......If you do not remove them a big
wind or storm will do so and there goes your "financial
budget" out the window (along with a tree limb)......
The best way to remove a tree is to do it right.....Call in the
professionals, with "bucket" truck, "chippers" and "stump"
grinder......It costs a little more but in the end every part
of the tree is off to be recycled somewhere.......(There is
money in wood chips.)......
Now I have to find a way to tell the Global Warming folks
to plant 5 trees somewhere in the world which will live for
about 150-200 years and then die like mine did.....Pumps
Warming folks, a day of infamy.....Trees were cut down......
One thing about living around trees is that like other
things on Earth - they die......If you do not remove them a big
wind or storm will do so and there goes your "financial
budget" out the window (along with a tree limb)......
The best way to remove a tree is to do it right.....Call in the
professionals, with "bucket" truck, "chippers" and "stump"
grinder......It costs a little more but in the end every part
of the tree is off to be recycled somewhere.......(There is
money in wood chips.)......
Now I have to find a way to tell the Global Warming folks
to plant 5 trees somewhere in the world which will live for
about 150-200 years and then die like mine did.....Pumps
Thursday, June 07, 2007
"Bass Ackwards" Politics
Trying to follow how your favorite local, state or federal
politician votes on a piece of legislation is tough.....
When "bills" are written they are done so in such a way
that if you vote YEA it means you are against the "bill".....
If you vote NAY, you are for it.......
Politicians and their legal staffs are always trying to
confuse the public.......And, when someone says, "I voted
for it before I voted against it", does that me he/she
vote YEA for "no" and then later NAY for "yes"......Or
was it YEA for "yes" and NAY for 'no"......
One thing is for sure about politicians, they will always
make sure the "vote" works for them, not necessarily
for you......Pumps
politician votes on a piece of legislation is tough.....
When "bills" are written they are done so in such a way
that if you vote YEA it means you are against the "bill".....
If you vote NAY, you are for it.......
Politicians and their legal staffs are always trying to
confuse the public.......And, when someone says, "I voted
for it before I voted against it", does that me he/she
vote YEA for "no" and then later NAY for "yes"......Or
was it YEA for "yes" and NAY for 'no"......
One thing is for sure about politicians, they will always
make sure the "vote" works for them, not necessarily
for you......Pumps
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The Lawn Mower
A year ago, I bought a new "self propelled" push-type lawn
mower......After some minor carburetor difficulties, due to
winter storage, it was up and running for a new season of
grass cutting.......
The last time it was used the wife finished mowing her piece
of the lawn and put the mower away in the shed.......Today,
when restarted for another day of service, there was no
"self propelled" feature......The designated lever would
not activate the rotation of the front wheels........Physical
inspection revealed that there was no "drive belt".......
Now comes the diplomacy......How to find out what went
wrong with a mower when your wife was the last one to
use it?.......One wrong word and "the wife" will never, never,
ever touch the mower again........Calm must rule the day......
Some 6 hours later the exact route the wife took to the
shed prior to storage became quietly known.......And
there on the ground were the remains of a cut drive belt......
No fault of her's.......Belt just flew off and was demolished.....
New belt on order......Isn't love just great.....Pumps
mower......After some minor carburetor difficulties, due to
winter storage, it was up and running for a new season of
grass cutting.......
The last time it was used the wife finished mowing her piece
of the lawn and put the mower away in the shed.......Today,
when restarted for another day of service, there was no
"self propelled" feature......The designated lever would
not activate the rotation of the front wheels........Physical
inspection revealed that there was no "drive belt".......
Now comes the diplomacy......How to find out what went
wrong with a mower when your wife was the last one to
use it?.......One wrong word and "the wife" will never, never,
ever touch the mower again........Calm must rule the day......
Some 6 hours later the exact route the wife took to the
shed prior to storage became quietly known.......And
there on the ground were the remains of a cut drive belt......
No fault of her's.......Belt just flew off and was demolished.....
New belt on order......Isn't love just great.....Pumps
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Das Boot
"The Boat" is a 1981 German submarine movie......When it was
dubbed into English and released in American theaters some 26
years ago it was a "hit" and won many awards........Due to its
popularity it was also "cut up" and expanded into a 6 part
mini-TV series for the German TV market in 1984.......
I like submarine movies...There are the batch of US made WWII
movies made in black and white and color......Then there are the
more recent Crimson Tide (leadership conflict) and Hunt For
Red October (search and destroy) movies.....But Das Boot is an
everyday story of living and fighting in an underwater craft.....
No great plot line, just "day-in and day-out" life.......
My VHS copy is excellently dubbed......I know that this movie
has been expanded and released on DVD (remember the
mini-TV series).......It is worth a look, if you can find it with
a dubbed English voice tract or if you speak German, its
original filmed language........Pumps
dubbed into English and released in American theaters some 26
years ago it was a "hit" and won many awards........Due to its
popularity it was also "cut up" and expanded into a 6 part
mini-TV series for the German TV market in 1984.......
I like submarine movies...There are the batch of US made WWII
movies made in black and white and color......Then there are the
more recent Crimson Tide (leadership conflict) and Hunt For
Red October (search and destroy) movies.....But Das Boot is an
everyday story of living and fighting in an underwater craft.....
No great plot line, just "day-in and day-out" life.......
My VHS copy is excellently dubbed......I know that this movie
has been expanded and released on DVD (remember the
mini-TV series).......It is worth a look, if you can find it with
a dubbed English voice tract or if you speak German, its
original filmed language........Pumps
Monday, June 04, 2007
A Tree
Growing up, everybody was told to LOVE a tree.....Everybody
read Joyce Kilmer's poem - Trees........The tree was a
beautiful thing......It was something to climb and have fun it.....
It was a place for the birds to nest.......It's leaves provided
sustenance and nutrition to the earth.......
BULL......People today, involved in Global Warming, want your
money to plant them.......Once they die, people want your
money to cut them down and take them away.......I suspect,
in my olde age, that a tree is perhaps the biggest of all
weeds.......
Fine, they do convert CO2 into O and help us all live, but
a dead tree in the wrong place, at the wrong time, does not
work well with me......A tree that falls over on a house does
not work well with me either.......A tree that falls over on my
neighbor's house really causes a problem........
SO, as a young person you are happy to be a Boy Scout and
plant a tree to save the world......Then some 60 years later,
as a senior citizen, you have to PAY to have it removed......
Why plant it in the first place?..........Pumps
read Joyce Kilmer's poem - Trees........The tree was a
beautiful thing......It was something to climb and have fun it.....
It was a place for the birds to nest.......It's leaves provided
sustenance and nutrition to the earth.......
BULL......People today, involved in Global Warming, want your
money to plant them.......Once they die, people want your
money to cut them down and take them away.......I suspect,
in my olde age, that a tree is perhaps the biggest of all
weeds.......
Fine, they do convert CO2 into O and help us all live, but
a dead tree in the wrong place, at the wrong time, does not
work well with me......A tree that falls over on a house does
not work well with me either.......A tree that falls over on my
neighbor's house really causes a problem........
SO, as a young person you are happy to be a Boy Scout and
plant a tree to save the world......Then some 60 years later,
as a senior citizen, you have to PAY to have it removed......
Why plant it in the first place?..........Pumps
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Guyana
The country of Guyana will be in the news for the next few
days due to an attempted bomb plot at JFK Airport in New
York City......
I had the privilege of supervising a number of Guyanian
woman, while a factory boss, back in the mid '80s and I
did study the history of the country to get to know my
workers better......
Guyana is a small country in the northern part of South
America.....When we went to school we learned about
British Guiana, Dutch Guiana and French Guiana (home
of Devil's Island)......Remember?.......
These three countries became part of the East Indies
and slave trade......Major products were minerals and
sugar cane......In 1837 the British Empire got out of the
slave trade business and set free all the black slaves
who were cutting sugar cane in Guiana.....In order to
replace the workers, the British hired, low paid,
immigrants from India......
Today the country's governing class is mostly black, the
East Indians (Christian, Hindu or Muslim) are a minority,
with the latter attempting to gain governing control......
I believe a newspaper reported that only 9% of the
population is Indian-Muslim.......
So, my avid fans, now you know how a Muslim got into
Guyana......Also Trinidad/Tobago are two islands off the
shores of the Guianas, with similar cultures and
histories.....The Olde East Indies.......Pumps
days due to an attempted bomb plot at JFK Airport in New
York City......
I had the privilege of supervising a number of Guyanian
woman, while a factory boss, back in the mid '80s and I
did study the history of the country to get to know my
workers better......
Guyana is a small country in the northern part of South
America.....When we went to school we learned about
British Guiana, Dutch Guiana and French Guiana (home
of Devil's Island)......Remember?.......
These three countries became part of the East Indies
and slave trade......Major products were minerals and
sugar cane......In 1837 the British Empire got out of the
slave trade business and set free all the black slaves
who were cutting sugar cane in Guiana.....In order to
replace the workers, the British hired, low paid,
immigrants from India......
Today the country's governing class is mostly black, the
East Indians (Christian, Hindu or Muslim) are a minority,
with the latter attempting to gain governing control......
I believe a newspaper reported that only 9% of the
population is Indian-Muslim.......
So, my avid fans, now you know how a Muslim got into
Guyana......Also Trinidad/Tobago are two islands off the
shores of the Guianas, with similar cultures and
histories.....The Olde East Indies.......Pumps
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Weather Panic
I think it was Mark Twain that said, "If you do not like the
weather wait 15 minutes and it will change."......That was
said somewhere back in the late 1800's.......
On May 30th and 31st, my TV newscasts contained a
story about Lake Okeechobee in Florida......It seemed that
the lake was going dry and was 4 feet below its normal
water level......It was "panic time"......The whole ecosystem
of South Florida was ready to implode......
Well on June 1st and June 2nd, my TV newscasts contain
a story about Tropical Depression Barry which was bringing
39 MPH wind and rain to South Florida.......It is "panic time".....
The hurricane season started on June 1st......Everyone is
doomed.......
No where did I see a story that mentioned the fact that
the much needed rain was once again going to partially
refill Lake Okeechobee and supply water to the people
and crops in Florida......Not once did a reporter say, "Thanks
for the rain."........Pumps
weather wait 15 minutes and it will change."......That was
said somewhere back in the late 1800's.......
On May 30th and 31st, my TV newscasts contained a
story about Lake Okeechobee in Florida......It seemed that
the lake was going dry and was 4 feet below its normal
water level......It was "panic time"......The whole ecosystem
of South Florida was ready to implode......
Well on June 1st and June 2nd, my TV newscasts contain
a story about Tropical Depression Barry which was bringing
39 MPH wind and rain to South Florida.......It is "panic time".....
The hurricane season started on June 1st......Everyone is
doomed.......
No where did I see a story that mentioned the fact that
the much needed rain was once again going to partially
refill Lake Okeechobee and supply water to the people
and crops in Florida......Not once did a reporter say, "Thanks
for the rain."........Pumps
Friday, June 01, 2007
Poor Al Gore
No, Al Gore is not "poor"......He has more money than one
can imagine......
What gets me is since he was not elected president of the
United States, he has tried to become important in other
endeavors.......First it was Global Warming and now it is
a book entitled "The Assault on Reason"........A Tom Payne
he ain't.........
But here he goes and publishes a book.......To do so you
need paper......The paper must come from trees.......Which
are needed to solve the CO2 Global Warming problem.......
Somehow this seems to be "counter-productive" to me,
the idiot......There should have been some way to publish
the book on the internet, for people to read, while still
making him some more money.........
The "carbon footprint" of an internet page is far less than
the use of a piece of paper........Pumps
can imagine......
What gets me is since he was not elected president of the
United States, he has tried to become important in other
endeavors.......First it was Global Warming and now it is
a book entitled "The Assault on Reason"........A Tom Payne
he ain't.........
But here he goes and publishes a book.......To do so you
need paper......The paper must come from trees.......Which
are needed to solve the CO2 Global Warming problem.......
Somehow this seems to be "counter-productive" to me,
the idiot......There should have been some way to publish
the book on the internet, for people to read, while still
making him some more money.........
The "carbon footprint" of an internet page is far less than
the use of a piece of paper........Pumps
