Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Electric roads
Instead on electric cars, wouldn't it be cheaper and safer to make electric roads. Sort of like bumper cars?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Susan Boyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk&NR=1 (cut and paste)
You've got to listen to this. WOW!
You've got to listen to this. WOW!
more pain
Writing with crippled hands is hard enough. Now I have tendonitus in my right shoulder. ouch!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
credit card myths
I think it is absolutely preposterous to believe that the solution for this ailing economy is to begin using our credit cards again. Somnehow we have been sold a bill of goods that the way our fathers lived (pay as you go) keep this country from growing and we have accumulatyed so many things now because we purchase on credit.
I believe we have less because we purchase on credit. Someone else has more but not us. Really.
For example, let's say I make have a take home paycheck of $400.00 per week. I just purchased a new home and now I have to cut the grass everyweek. It's hard with a push lawn mower so I want to buy a riding mower but the one I want cost $1,200.00. I can either save for it or buy it now on credit. The hardware store has a deal on it. Get their crdit card and save $10.00 and buy the mower for just $48.00 a month. (You figure it out-if I make just the minimum payment at 16% interest, just how much is that mower going to cost me when I get it paid for?)
I also want a china cabinet yo display my beautiful dishes. I find a great bargin for only $1389.00 so I put it on my Visa (13.9% interest) and only have to pay %59.00 per month. I also charge the labor to install a water pond in my back yard since i don't feel like digging the big hole. The $800.00 bill goes on my Discovery card.
I could have waited a year or so and saved up the money and paid cash. The drawbacks to that is the price may have increased, I might have missed a once-in-a-lifetime sale, and I have lose the interest I would have made if that money had remained in the bank.
What if instead I took out a whole life insurance policy with the idea that I wanted a huge reserve to to borrow money from not not for the death benefits. I would draw interest on the face value of the policy even if I borrowed the cash value so I would not lose the interest, I would have a savings plan that would allow me to take advantage of those once-in-a lifetime deals, I can buy it now and I would also know the income accumulating in my policy was tax free income.
Wow. I can have it now, not accumulate debt, and still make interest on my investments.
Go ahead, Get yourself another card. I like my way better.
I believe we have less because we purchase on credit. Someone else has more but not us. Really.
For example, let's say I make have a take home paycheck of $400.00 per week. I just purchased a new home and now I have to cut the grass everyweek. It's hard with a push lawn mower so I want to buy a riding mower but the one I want cost $1,200.00. I can either save for it or buy it now on credit. The hardware store has a deal on it. Get their crdit card and save $10.00 and buy the mower for just $48.00 a month. (You figure it out-if I make just the minimum payment at 16% interest, just how much is that mower going to cost me when I get it paid for?)
I also want a china cabinet yo display my beautiful dishes. I find a great bargin for only $1389.00 so I put it on my Visa (13.9% interest) and only have to pay %59.00 per month. I also charge the labor to install a water pond in my back yard since i don't feel like digging the big hole. The $800.00 bill goes on my Discovery card.
I could have waited a year or so and saved up the money and paid cash. The drawbacks to that is the price may have increased, I might have missed a once-in-a-lifetime sale, and I have lose the interest I would have made if that money had remained in the bank.
What if instead I took out a whole life insurance policy with the idea that I wanted a huge reserve to to borrow money from not not for the death benefits. I would draw interest on the face value of the policy even if I borrowed the cash value so I would not lose the interest, I would have a savings plan that would allow me to take advantage of those once-in-a lifetime deals, I can buy it now and I would also know the income accumulating in my policy was tax free income.
Wow. I can have it now, not accumulate debt, and still make interest on my investments.
Go ahead, Get yourself another card. I like my way better.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
dtwd
Don't text while driving (please).
"Shasta County prosecutor Stephanie Bridgett said the 49-year-old woman had paid several bills by cell phone in the moments before the crash.
She was in the middle of one of those transactions when she struck a vehicle that burst into flames, killing 46-year-old Petra Winn.
Defense attorney Jeffrey Stotter said he will appeal."
I think if a lawyer appeals a conviction and loses, the client should receive a longer sentence and.or the attorney should forfeit pay. Some appeals should be automatic to ensure proper procedures were followed but to tie up the court system just because one doesn't like the outcome is getting out of hand. I'm sure, in this case, the dead woman would like a do over too but her fate is final.
"Shasta County prosecutor Stephanie Bridgett said the 49-year-old woman had paid several bills by cell phone in the moments before the crash.
She was in the middle of one of those transactions when she struck a vehicle that burst into flames, killing 46-year-old Petra Winn.
Defense attorney Jeffrey Stotter said he will appeal."
I think if a lawyer appeals a conviction and loses, the client should receive a longer sentence and.or the attorney should forfeit pay. Some appeals should be automatic to ensure proper procedures were followed but to tie up the court system just because one doesn't like the outcome is getting out of hand. I'm sure, in this case, the dead woman would like a do over too but her fate is final.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
firefox
I tried firefox and was pleased by the limited number of adware added to my computer but was irratated to have to enter my info to log into my e-mail every time I wanted to check my mail. If they could fix that problem I would use firefox but it was too much of an irratant. On a happier note, somebody finally beat Villanova.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Pet Peeves
This is the time I like to take to rant about things that bug me. I have been keeping this rant under my hat for quite a while because some of my co-workers read my old blog so I wasn't free to express myself. You see, this rant involves them.
I take pride in my work, striving to produce the best quality I can while still doing my best to be a productive employee. One of my co-workers believes his value to the company lies in the fact that he can out-produce everyone else. He does that by using methods that makes things harder on his fellow co-workers, producing inferior products, and skirting company policies on dating.
A good example of this is in the making of some of our specialty items. I take the time to measure the ingredients according to the recipes provided us while the other guy eyeballs his ingredients. I could write twenty or thirty pages on the irritating things this guy does and the short cuts he takes just so he can brag about how fast he is but I won't. sometimes I get so frustrated with some of the things this man does wish I could afford to quit.
In case one of you may be thinking I am just expressing my dislikes because he is the number one guy and I am his back-up, suffice it to be know that all of my co-workers feel the same about his work as I do and everyone assistant that has come through our market (we are the training store so that number is quite substantial) has attempted to talk the manager into making me the number one guy. No "because the other guy is faster" is the reply.
I suppose the way the manager looks at things, he is the more profitable cutter.
Suppose he cuts $2000 worth of product of which 10% gets marked down and I cut $1600.00 worth of product of which only 4% gets marked down, I actually made more net profit for the company but he put more dollars through on the sales side and our bonuses are figured on % of sales and not profit dollars.
I guess he cuts enough passable meat so everyone can find a descent piece for their family and the bagin hunters can always get their discount. But I look at the long range picture and believe the key to building a business is customer satisfaction and doing a good job consistently.
I take pride in my work, striving to produce the best quality I can while still doing my best to be a productive employee. One of my co-workers believes his value to the company lies in the fact that he can out-produce everyone else. He does that by using methods that makes things harder on his fellow co-workers, producing inferior products, and skirting company policies on dating.
A good example of this is in the making of some of our specialty items. I take the time to measure the ingredients according to the recipes provided us while the other guy eyeballs his ingredients. I could write twenty or thirty pages on the irritating things this guy does and the short cuts he takes just so he can brag about how fast he is but I won't. sometimes I get so frustrated with some of the things this man does wish I could afford to quit.
In case one of you may be thinking I am just expressing my dislikes because he is the number one guy and I am his back-up, suffice it to be know that all of my co-workers feel the same about his work as I do and everyone assistant that has come through our market (we are the training store so that number is quite substantial) has attempted to talk the manager into making me the number one guy. No "because the other guy is faster" is the reply.
I suppose the way the manager looks at things, he is the more profitable cutter.
Suppose he cuts $2000 worth of product of which 10% gets marked down and I cut $1600.00 worth of product of which only 4% gets marked down, I actually made more net profit for the company but he put more dollars through on the sales side and our bonuses are figured on % of sales and not profit dollars.
I guess he cuts enough passable meat so everyone can find a descent piece for their family and the bagin hunters can always get their discount. But I look at the long range picture and believe the key to building a business is customer satisfaction and doing a good job consistently.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Cop prevented RB from being with dying relativeAssociated Press
A traffic cop sees a SUV pull through a red light so he decides to pull the vehicle over and determine what is going on. The passenger jumps out of the vehicle. The officer has no idea if she is a danger to him or not so he asks her to get back in the vehicle. She refuses and runs off. He then asks the driver for his proof of insurance and the man says "Get it yourself. My mother-in-law is dying and you are wasting my time."
I've seen enough episodes of "Cops" to know that sometimes policemen unsnap their guns when approaching a vehicle and almost always unholster their weapons when an occupant of a stopped car becomes belligerent and uncooperative.
Had the woman and man followed proper protocol and remained calm, apologized for running the red light and explained why, I'm sure the officer would have understood.
The headlines seem to indict the officer as to doing something intention to prevent the family from being with a dying relative. Shame on the Associated Press for such a biased headline.
I've seen enough episodes of "Cops" to know that sometimes policemen unsnap their guns when approaching a vehicle and almost always unholster their weapons when an occupant of a stopped car becomes belligerent and uncooperative.
Had the woman and man followed proper protocol and remained calm, apologized for running the red light and explained why, I'm sure the officer would have understood.
The headlines seem to indict the officer as to doing something intention to prevent the family from being with a dying relative. Shame on the Associated Press for such a biased headline.
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - An F-22A Raptor, the Air Force's top-of-the line fighter jet, crashed Wednesday in a remote area of the Mojave Desert, killing a test pilot for prime contractor Lockheed Martin Corp.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of David and our concerns, thoughts and prayers at this time are with his family," the statement said.
Contrast that last sentence with the opening sentence and then compare this article with the story on Jose Tabita.
I will admit the news value of this story is about the plane crash but I still disagree that it should be.
A women, posing as an immigration official, talked a Mexican couple into handing over their baby to her after informing them that they were under surveillance for possible deportation. The women, 43, is married to a 20 year old hot baseball prospect who started with the Yankees but is now with the Pirate organization.
The story was mainly about her husbands baseball career and few facts were mentioned about her. Her story was the lead in but the body of the article was about him.
It is a similar attitude that caused the reporter to write these articles after the same fashion as those about the missing men on the capsized boat. Only three men were routinely mentioned in those articles. One only because he survived and two others because their played in the NFL. The fourth was relegated to a possible mention in the last sentence in the articles.
There is another story floating about in the news. Some football player was drinking and driving and speeding when he struck and killed a man walking across the street. He may not be charged because the man might have been jay walking. The football player seemed to have had enough time to toot his horn but not to apply his brakes. His chosen career should not be a mitigating factor in determining if he was guilty of a crime or not but it sure seems to be.
Somehow, the emphasis placed on the events or the particular people in the stories seems more based on cash value rather than human worth. That just doesn't seem right to me.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of David and our concerns, thoughts and prayers at this time are with his family," the statement said.
Contrast that last sentence with the opening sentence and then compare this article with the story on Jose Tabita.
I will admit the news value of this story is about the plane crash but I still disagree that it should be.
A women, posing as an immigration official, talked a Mexican couple into handing over their baby to her after informing them that they were under surveillance for possible deportation. The women, 43, is married to a 20 year old hot baseball prospect who started with the Yankees but is now with the Pirate organization.
The story was mainly about her husbands baseball career and few facts were mentioned about her. Her story was the lead in but the body of the article was about him.
It is a similar attitude that caused the reporter to write these articles after the same fashion as those about the missing men on the capsized boat. Only three men were routinely mentioned in those articles. One only because he survived and two others because their played in the NFL. The fourth was relegated to a possible mention in the last sentence in the articles.
There is another story floating about in the news. Some football player was drinking and driving and speeding when he struck and killed a man walking across the street. He may not be charged because the man might have been jay walking. The football player seemed to have had enough time to toot his horn but not to apply his brakes. His chosen career should not be a mitigating factor in determining if he was guilty of a crime or not but it sure seems to be.
Somehow, the emphasis placed on the events or the particular people in the stories seems more based on cash value rather than human worth. That just doesn't seem right to me.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Hindsight versus wisdom
http://drjshousecalls.blogspot.com/2009/03/natasha-richardson-medical-blogosphere.html
Dr. J, wise lady that she is, had the perfect combination of wisdom and common sense to answer those people who believed they could have saved Natasha Richardson's life had they been there. The truth is, they weren't.
The most famous shot in NCAA basketball was one made by Christian Latiner (not sure of the spelling of his last name and too lazy to look it up). It wasn't a shot that hadn't been made before by other college kids, high school kids, and even my brother in junior high. It wasn't necessarily the shot itself but the number of people who witnessed the shot and the importance of the shot. Any number of other players could have made that shot but only Christian had that chance. Of all the people who believe that they could have saved Ms. Richardson's life, none had the opportunity.
What they do have is the opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone else. Just like there are thousands of basketball games ever year and millions of points scored, there are millions of opportunities to do some good. The truth is, it isn't making baskets in losing basketball games that kids dream about but making that once in a lifetime shot that wins the biggiest game and brings them a lifetime of glory.
I dare say if that had been one of Greensboro's crack addicted prostitutes who had been mugged and needed that once in a lifetime miracle in order to live, most, if not all, of those who could have saved Ms. Richardson would have just passed on by.
One of the greatest stories ever told was that of the "Good Samaritan" Know what was missing from that story? The name of the hero. He didn't do it for glory. He did it because it was the right thing to do.
Dr. J, wise lady that she is, had the perfect combination of wisdom and common sense to answer those people who believed they could have saved Natasha Richardson's life had they been there. The truth is, they weren't.
The most famous shot in NCAA basketball was one made by Christian Latiner (not sure of the spelling of his last name and too lazy to look it up). It wasn't a shot that hadn't been made before by other college kids, high school kids, and even my brother in junior high. It wasn't necessarily the shot itself but the number of people who witnessed the shot and the importance of the shot. Any number of other players could have made that shot but only Christian had that chance. Of all the people who believe that they could have saved Ms. Richardson's life, none had the opportunity.
What they do have is the opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone else. Just like there are thousands of basketball games ever year and millions of points scored, there are millions of opportunities to do some good. The truth is, it isn't making baskets in losing basketball games that kids dream about but making that once in a lifetime shot that wins the biggiest game and brings them a lifetime of glory.
I dare say if that had been one of Greensboro's crack addicted prostitutes who had been mugged and needed that once in a lifetime miracle in order to live, most, if not all, of those who could have saved Ms. Richardson would have just passed on by.
One of the greatest stories ever told was that of the "Good Samaritan" Know what was missing from that story? The name of the hero. He didn't do it for glory. He did it because it was the right thing to do.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Rhetoric
When George Bush raised taxes after he uttered "Read my lips-no new taxes" he was called a liar as where most politicians who failed to keep campaign promises. However, that seems not to be the case with Obama. He is referred to as coming to grips with reality.
Does the media love this guy or what?
Does the media love this guy or what?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Love is never having to say you are sorry.
"...the president (Obama) told host Jay Leno he'd been practicing at the White House's bowling alley but wasn't happy with his score of 129. Then he remarked: "It was like the Special Olympics or something."
Sometimes it is better to think before you speak. Sometimes saying sorry just isn't enough. Ask ismus.
Sometimes it is better to think before you speak. Sometimes saying sorry just isn't enough. Ask ismus.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Rumors
Wal-mart in Randleman is the victim of a rumor about a mexican gang initiation taking place tonight in which three employees, three women and three children are supposed to be murdered. Randleman police are on scene to provide protection but things could still go down if the rumors turn out not to be rumors at all.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Missing at sea
Two NFL football players and two college players went on a fishing trip. There was one survivor after their boat capsized and he has told several versions of what happened. Is he telling the truth about what happened?
It could very well be he doesn't know the truth. I read the horrifying account of a US Navy vessel lost at sea during WWII and from the accounts of the survivors of that tradgedy, the mind plays horrible tricks.
It could very well be he doesn't know the truth. I read the horrifying account of a US Navy vessel lost at sea during WWII and from the accounts of the survivors of that tradgedy, the mind plays horrible tricks.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Death of a icon
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer will publish its final paper tomorrow. One reporter said "The P-I has its strengths and weaknesses but it always strove for a noble cause, which was to give voice to those without power and scrutiny of those with power.”
Wish we could say the same for the major paper in this area.
Wish we could say the same for the major paper in this area.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Get your ESP testing kit for only $19.99
Someone is selling ESP testing kits via TV ads and even throwing in a Dream Solutions book for free. Some fool will buy this kit. Probably a lot of somebodies.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Obama eyes reaching out to moderate Taliban
Moderate Taliban? Isn't that like negotiating with a moderate killer, one who has killed only three or four versus six or more? or maybe a moderate drug dealer who sells to adults but refuses to sell to junior high students.
One has to talk to them all or to none of them.
One has to talk to them all or to none of them.
Analysis: Obama's economic style is unnerving
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29575082/
Most people I talk to are uneasy about what is going on and are more uneasy about where Obama is leading this country. I think it is to a bad place.
Most people I talk to are uneasy about what is going on and are more uneasy about where Obama is leading this country. I think it is to a bad place.
It's the person, not his skin color.
Deep down we know that's true but why is it that the one black family in the neighborhood always seems to copy the sterotype> I live in a neighborhood with room for 41 families. One property is still undeveloped and two homes are unoccupied.
In the house where the black (African-American, if you must) live twp vehicles come and go. One is a mid-size car like the Chevy Cavalier but I don't know what kind it really is. The other is a Blazer but the to cars are never there at the same time. Every afternoon four men stand on the front porch chugging their 40 oz Colt 45's.
Last night I was startled awake by a heavy booming sound. It kept a steady beat like eater dripping except it was all bass. After twenty minutes of this I got up and looked out the window. Sure enough their was a "ride" parked in front of the black families house with parking lights on playing rap music. It's two oclock in the a.m. in a neighborhood for heaven's sake.
It was at that moment that I wished I had a big spotlight like the kind used at airports or in lighthouses. I would have lit that sucker up until he casme over to complain.
I wish this was just an isolated incident but I grew up during segregation and lived in a quiet neighborhood. There were numerous families with kids but the kids were seldom seen outside except at the park. The first family of blacks that moved in had two kids that were older teenagers or adults, one boy and one girl. The female, the oder of the two, had a job but no car and the boy had a car but no job. It seems he sold drugs, ot at least that what his arrest record claimed, and he had numerous friends come by to see him but none stayed more than a few minutes. Of course, everythime a car came or went it blared rap from his pricy speakers.
In the house where the black (African-American, if you must) live twp vehicles come and go. One is a mid-size car like the Chevy Cavalier but I don't know what kind it really is. The other is a Blazer but the to cars are never there at the same time. Every afternoon four men stand on the front porch chugging their 40 oz Colt 45's.
Last night I was startled awake by a heavy booming sound. It kept a steady beat like eater dripping except it was all bass. After twenty minutes of this I got up and looked out the window. Sure enough their was a "ride" parked in front of the black families house with parking lights on playing rap music. It's two oclock in the a.m. in a neighborhood for heaven's sake.
It was at that moment that I wished I had a big spotlight like the kind used at airports or in lighthouses. I would have lit that sucker up until he casme over to complain.
I wish this was just an isolated incident but I grew up during segregation and lived in a quiet neighborhood. There were numerous families with kids but the kids were seldom seen outside except at the park. The first family of blacks that moved in had two kids that were older teenagers or adults, one boy and one girl. The female, the oder of the two, had a job but no car and the boy had a car but no job. It seems he sold drugs, ot at least that what his arrest record claimed, and he had numerous friends come by to see him but none stayed more than a few minutes. Of course, everythime a car came or went it blared rap from his pricy speakers.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Poll: Obama's rating at all-time high
Like the man but not his policies. I believe we heard that story before when Bush was President. I wonder if Obama will be as dogmatic about his policies as W was about his. Americans fought Bush on everything but it seems Americans are letting Obama lead them around by the ring in their nose.
ead them around by the ring in their nose.
ead them around by the ring in their nose.
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