Saturday, July 28, 2012

LA Parking Meters


the new meters will generate more than $280,000 per year

Parking meters generate revenue far beyond the cost of parking enforcement. Meter Maids cannot command very high salaries.
There are fines attached to illegal parking in Los Angeles. Here are a few:

  • Obstructing handicap spot or misusing disabled parking placard: $363
  • Parking in a bus zone: $293
  • Red zone parking: $93
  • Street sweeping violation: $73
  • Overnight parking fine: $68
  • Parking on a bridge or in a tunnel: $68
  • Expired meter: $63
  • I would never wish to be found in violation. Costs are way too high.What are your parking experiences in your home town?

    Monday, July 23, 2012

    'Pay Up or Die': Thousands of Australians Receive Death Threat Text Message

    Where is the society going? At every turn we see the workings of evil people who have no respect for others. In fact, they obviously lack any self-respect.


    Resources available to investigate disturbing activities throughout the world have to be stretched exceedingly thin.  We live in sadly evil times.


    Resource story.

    Sunday, July 22, 2012

    Logitech Flight Controls


    Technical Details

    • Authentic design inspired by military and commercial planes and helicopters
    • Force Feedback Joystick
    • Dual throttle lets you precisely control multi-engine aircraft using the split lever
    • Rudder pedals with toe brakes
    • Interactive, programmable throttle-base buttons
    I have gone off the deep end. However, with this set I will have realistic control of aircraft provided by X-Plane's simulator application. I could have settled for a joystick that provides rudder control by twisting the stick. The rudder pedals (with toe brakes) provides realism.

    The remaining element in the equation is flight simulator software. X-Plane was chosen because it provides simulation software for simulators that the big guys use. X-Plane is highly rated, and from personal experience has tech support on a par with that of Apple Corporation.


    X-Plane 10.0 is the latest version of the simulator app. 


    An aircraft's control panel view allows important flight settings to be made. Raising the landing gear after take-off and lowering it for landing is one example for having the cockpit view.



    The view can be rotated to getting behind the plane and seeing where it is going. The attitude (climbing, descending, banking right or left) can be controlled while in this view. I am awaiting the arrival of the X-Plane app and the controls.

    In meantime, view a YouTube presentation. Here is another one.

    Enjoy!

    Thursday, July 19, 2012

    Chick-fil-A's Gay Marriage Stance Causing A Social Storm



    There are likely as many supporters on Facebook of this eatery as there are bashers.


    One supporter noted, "People who are bashing Chick-Fil-A for their Christian stances need to find more important things to complain about." (News venues might find more important issues to report on as well.)


    As for me, Chick-Fil-A's financial support of California's Proposition 8 ended my customer relationship with them. And that is the best policy: quietly vote with your feet. Many people did that back then, and apparently this latest issue has prompted many to claim they will no longer support Chick-Fil-A.


    Besides, I did not find Chick-Fil-A's offerings as tasty as such from other chicken specialty shops in my area. That is a better reason to support the others.


    Read the news article.

    Friday, June 01, 2012

    Air Filler

    Inject a chocolate bar with a gazillion tiny air bubbles. What you get is less candy at high cost. Now, Hershey is calling this crazy candy bar "Air Delight." All of those air bubbles could not possibly make this chocolate bar delightful.


    Over the years the candy bar makers have managed to shrink the size of candy bars while increasing cost to the consumer. And adding air bubbles to the mixture for a chocolate bar is the latest insult.


    Among the product ingredients listed on the wrapper, one of them should be "air." The manufacturer has the audacity to advertise its product that reveals obvious air pockets when the consumer bights into it as "Air Delight." OMG… what next?


    The first time the commercial aired I was ROFLMAO (rolling on floor laughing my ass off), at least figuratively. The size of the chocolate bar has not shrunk in spite of less product in the item. All those air bubbles puff up the size to normal.


    Would any chocolate lover want to purchase an Air Delight?

    Thursday, May 31, 2012

    Oh Ye Who Doubt



    There are Republicans attempting to revive the birther conspiracy against President Obama. Spewing lies will certainly hurt their credibility on other issues.

    Saturday, May 26, 2012

    $1-Per-Pack Cigarette Tax


    Illinois will add a tax to a pack of cigarettes that will drive the cost up one more dollar. The added tax will go to the state's Medicaid program. Here in California it is possible to find a $4.50 per pack price at some Smoke Shops. If we added the same kind of tax then a two-pack-per-day smoker would spend nine dollars daily. That comes to a tobacco habit costing $270 monthly. (An upcoming Prop 29 affirmative vote on June 5th in California will bring this increase to us.)


    That would be maximum motivation to quit, for me. Luckily I stopped smoking back in 1980. I started smoking while in high school when cigarettes were 25¢ per pack.

    Friday, May 25, 2012

    View The Program — Skip Commercials

    A new DVR from DISH Network allows the customer to view recorded programs and skip commercials.


    "The TV networks are saying that DISH has, in effect, violated their copyrights by stripping away the traditional way they make money. (Reference)


    "For their part, Dish argues that people have been skipping TV ads, in one way or another, since the invention of television. Viewers have muted ads for decades, and the DVR's fast-forward function only hastened the process." (Reference)


    There is a 1-day delay before Ad Hop works for a recorded program. Viewing prior to that brings the ads with the the show. Still, fast-forwarding is available.


    We fast-forward through advertising when we watch a recorded show. DirecTV has not provided the same ad-hopping technology because they obviously do not want the legal battles.


    Will DISH customers be required to pay to have the new DVR? Will CBS, NBC, and FOX networks get an injunction against DISH to keep this new technology out of customers' hands, at least during litigation?

    Saturday, May 12, 2012

    Stolen GPS Recovery


    Some mistakenly believe that a stolen GPS device can be recovered through the system's ability to locate it. This is not true. The device interacts with triangulation from three satellite signals to show your location on its displayed map. The device cannot send its location back to the GPS system for purposes of locating it for recovery if it has been stolen or lost.


    My Garmin Nuvi was stolen when my vehicle was inadvertently left unlocked. The thief also got the dashboard mount. The power cable, however, was not taken from the center console. It has an FM receiver that gives detour routing when the usual route is blocked by an accident. The recipient of my stolen Garmin will need to find a power cord to keep the battery charged and use the traffic feature.


    I will call Garmin on Monday to report my Garmin stolen. By having the serial number they can refuse service on the unit if someone attempts to get it.


    My Auto Club Insurance people can tell me if I am covered for stolen property. I shall file a police report in case they check the pawn shops. 

    Tuesday, May 08, 2012

    Advanced TeleZapper

    The original TeleZapper model emitted only one tone that signaled automated dialers to drop the called number from its list. It was highly effective until the marketers updated their dialers to require the triple-tone signal for disconnected numbers.


    A seller at e-bay is offering a used TeleZapper II (that emits the triple-tone) where my $15 bid is currently the highest. It can be found for around $35 at various places online; however, if I can get it for twenty dollars or less with the "free shipping" offer I will be satisfied.


    The original single-tone model is currently serving our phone line. The Digitone Call Blocker also serves our land line system. Still, when we answer a telemarketer that has not yet been blocked the TeleZapper might perform its magic at that moment.


    Our phones are much quieter now since using the Digitone device. Any further degree of telephone silence is our goal. We do not mind the sound of a ringing phone when it is someone we are willing to speak with.

    Saturday, April 28, 2012

    Buyer Beware

    A marketing representative for Southern California Telephone Company was rather persuasive that we would discover savings by accepting their Senior's Service Package, which meant leaving Verizon's landline service.


    We would get a separate billing from them; however, our other services would remain bundled with remaining Verizon services + DirecTV. Imagine our surprise when DirecTV notified us that it was now unbundled from Verizon's billing.


    All of this meant that our $48 monthly discount had vanished. Where was the wisdom in switching to Southern California Telephone Company? This necessitated a quick phone call to Verizon to switch back to them.


    And some hassle has been added to the situation. I had to pay DirecTV around $95 (April's billing) to re-establish the bundling to my Verizon bill. And because of where we are in the billing cycle I may need to pay DirecTV for May's services. By June we will definitely be back on the Verizon bundle with DirecTV.


    What a mess. The representative for Southern California Telephone Company misinformed us. Was it intentional, or did she just not know what she was talking about? When a representative has not researched specific issues regarding bundling then that is tantamount to intentional misrepresentation, IMO.


    To my California friends I would say "buyer beware." The special package for seniors might be a good deal for some telephone service consumers. It was definitely a bad move for us. The money saved by switching away from Verizon was less than the lost monthly $48 discount from bundling.

    Friday, April 27, 2012

    Stop Unwanted Phone Calls

    This unit seemed to offer the best features; albeit, a bit on the pricey side. It has an 80-number capacity. A blocked number is answered after the first ring, then the caller gets disconnected. The unit can be set so that the first ring is heard, or a silent mode provides no audible evidence of a blocked call coming in. Silent mode seems desirable.


    It is possible to block all 800 numbers (or any entire area code) and still program specific numbers in that area code to get through.


    And blocking numbers one-by-one is simple.


    A "night mode" blocks any and all calls (excepting VIP calls) for a specified time period. Numbers placed on a VIP List will still ring through. Awesome!


    So, why have we bothered to get this unit? Because we are bothered by not having it. When we placed our phone number on the National Do Not Call List our expectation was that eventually the unsolicited marketing calls would end. Never happened!


    Lately there has been an increase in calls to us by telemarketers. When the presidential campaigns ramp up we expect telephone traffic from those entities. Unwanted callers will only reach us once. Afterwards we will not be bothered by them.


    Manufacturers of call-blocking devices must be pleased to have a market for their units. I gladly pay their cost for having the benefit (and features) offered.


    Are you pestered by telemarketing phone calls? If so, how do you handle them?

    Saturday, April 21, 2012

    Mystery Shopper Scam

    The e-mail looked innocent enough. It appeared to be from a WalMart e-mail address. My wife was asked to sign up to be a WalMart mystery shopper for which she would earn money.


    For signing up, Shirley received a UPS shipment containing two MoneyGrams. Each was in the amount of around $865 which she was to deposit into her bank account. Then she was to shop at WalMart, spending no more than $100. As well, she was to retain $100 as payment for her shopping excursion, wiring the balance of the monies to an individual in Kentucky.


    Doing all of this quickly would get her a $100 bonus on the next shopping assignment. There was never a survey form to fill out that referenced her shopping experience at WalMart.


    After having gone to Western Union and wired the $1,530 to the individual in Kentucky did my wife explain the mystery shopper arrangement. As Shirley described it there were bells (and red flags) going off in my head.


    I immediately called the FBI. An agent explained this was a known scam and the two MoneyGrams would come back to Shirley's bank as being fraudulent. Oh no! Now what to do?


    Proactively, Shirley notified her bank about the MoneyGrams that would be bouncing.


    Shirley had not paid additional fee to have the Western Union money delivered immediately, opting for "next day" delivery. This allowed sufficient time last night to cancel the transaction with Western Union. She got back the $1,530 from Western Union this morning.


    Next, we went to her bank and deposited the refunded cash. As well, I put in $300 of my money to make her bank account good again. When the MoneyGrams do come back Shirley will call the agent who helped us and be forgiven any bank fees for the returned checks.


    How did Shirley get hooked into this? She is overly trusting in many situations. This is a prime example. I wish she had run this by me when she initially received the mystery shopper offer. I wonder how many others have been caught up in this scam.


    I am a misanthrope. Loosely defined, a misanthrope is one who is distrustful of humankind. My question is, have you ever been scammed? It is embarrassing to admit, but there are tons of victims who have fallen for similar financial offers.

    Monday, April 16, 2012

    Gophers–Be–Gone

    Harmless Looking Critter

    Very Destructive Varmint in the Garden and Yard

    One tomato plant in James' and Stephanie's garden has already been attacked. Most of the plant has been pulled below the soil level. No doubt the roots have been damaged.


    We are researching methods for elimination. It is only a matter of time, we believe, for other plants to be hit.


    Currently we are leaning toward the use of poison (placed safely underground) and the smoke bomb methods. Hopefully we can turn this around and keep the garden safe from harm.


    We welcome suggestions based on the positive experiences of others.

    Thursday, March 08, 2012

    Third Generation iPad

    Apple's new iPad is a "must have" for me. Yet, I must be able to support the price without digging a financial hole for myself.


    Today I shipped my iPad 2 to a wholesaler that will purchase it. And by applying creative budgeting along with that sale I have covered the cost of Apple's new third-generation iPad. This is very fortunate for me because without the sale and budgeting I would not be so lucky.

    Sunday, February 26, 2012

    Noam Chomsky On U.S. Criminal Behavior


    CHOMSKY on WIKILEAKS from CaTV on Vimeo.

    Unruly Children Unwelcome — Loud Diners Unappreciated

    When dining, Shirley and I welcome a quiet setting in which to enjoy our meal. Two situations can truly make our experience unpleasant. The first is where guests at a nearby table are talking so loudly that we wonder if everyone is hard of hearing. Shirley and I sit across from each other at our table and converse back and forth. We are certain that those at a table next to us cannot hear what we are saying.


    So why must others speak so loudly that someone sitting across the room can understand their every word? No one is interested in their cruise to the Caribbean. And their lack of respect for others reveals low self-respect.


    The other situation is when parents allow their children to run free in the restaurant, which is usually accompanied with these children yelling as if they were at recess on a school playground. Those parents turn a blind eye and deaf ear to their unruly children.


    A restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia has a printed a caveat on its menu for parents, asking them to remove their unruly children from the restaurant. Although some patrons have not returned due to this policy, the restaurant owner claims that his business has seen a percentage increase in customers and revenue.


    Patrons who respect a venue for nurturing a quiet dining experience might respect their fellow-diners with low-volume conversations as well.

    Friday, February 24, 2012

    Drug Test Welfare Recipients

    Two dozen states are said to be considering mandating drug testing for welfare recipients. That will get the ACLU jumping up and down. I am among the first to stand up for personal rights. However, I feel very strongly about my tax money not be supporting a drug addict. And I do know of someone who got food stamps, then sold them at discount to get money to purchase drugs.


    No doubt an applicant for social services assistance can become clean for the time of his or her request. Yet, this initial testing should be done. Then, random testing from time-to-time afterwards should be required as well. It is important that people receiving public assistance monies not misuse such funds.


    Drug addiction is an insidious condition. Addicts will do almost anything to get drug money. Misuse of welfare funds is probably more common than most of us suspect. It seems important to require drug testing for welfare recipients.

    Wednesday, February 15, 2012

    Patio Warmth Augmentation

    The Presto® HeatDish® Plus Parabolic Heater is available from Costco Website for under $75 that includes shipping. Last evening's light breeze on the patio made the propane-fired heater a little less effective. I immediately thought about the infra-red heater dish that Costco carries.


    This will not replace, but augment, the function of our current patio heater. Placed at the other end of the picnic table it should fill in quite nicely.


    I expect the heater to arrive this coming Monday or Tuesday. The device's dimensions are 18.5" high by 12" wide by 16" long. It weighs 5.9 lb. I believe we will be quite pleased with its performance.

    Tuesday, February 14, 2012

    Reality of Relationships

    We all remember the candy hearts we took to school to hand out to our classmates on Valentine's Day. Good thing the above examples were not in the mix back then.

    Friday, February 03, 2012

    In With The New


    The original unit's outdoor temperature sensor has bit the dust. It lasted five years through extremes of hot and cold. I could not find a replacement sensor for the older model. I hated to spend the money; yet, one feature is important to have.


    Shirley is always checking the outdoor temperature to decide whether she should grab her jacket before going out the door. And on this new device the outdoor temperature display is larger than the indoor temp reading.


    The atomic clock technology in this instrument means daily accuracy for the time, as well as automatic adjustment for beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time.


    Outdoor Sensor


    Tuesday, January 31, 2012

    Patio Warmth In Winter

    The heat focusing reflector adjusts easily to direct warmth. This patio heater truly kicks. We had a family BBQ last Saturday. As dusk approached the patio area was quite chill. The decision to get the heater came easily afterwards. We tested the heater last evening. There will be no more family gatherings on the patio in winter with uncomfortable chill to deal with.

    The heater cost was $179 with another $42 going for a filled propane tank. Refilling the tank will cost only $24. We will keep a back-up tank for when the grill or heater runs out of fuel. Next day refill will be easy.

    Tonight we plan to grill steaks and enjoy our patio in the early evening. Color us spoiled.

    Go to YouTube and check out our patio video.

    Sunday, January 15, 2012

    Keeping Girl Scouts "Safe"

    Girl Scouts accepts transgender kid, provokes cookie boycott… 
    When fear spotlights ignorance we can only shake our heads about people who are unable to apply critical thinking.  Their false, slippery slope, arguments reveal this ignorance.

    One individual is referred to in the news report: "I ask all fellow Girl Scouts who want a true, all-girl experience not to sell any Girl Scouts cookies until GSUSA (Girl Scouts of the USA) addresses our concerns," says the girl, identified as a teen named Taylor, a troop member from California, in some news reports. "I ask all parents who want their girls to be in a safe environment [emphasis mine] to tell their leaders why you will not allow your girls to make any more money for GSUSA."

    I believe that Taylor's parents have transferred their "adolescent penis phobia" to their daughter. And how will allowing the transgender child into the troop create an unsafe environment? When parents wish to marginalize children who are different within the scout subculture they teach non-acceptance and intolerance among their offspring.

    How sad for those girls in scouting and for those children who are honest about their emotions and feelings. Hopefully, the transgender child in question will receive appropriate support from all directions so that her self-esteem will not suffer.


    As for me, I generally do not buy Girl Scout Cookies because I am diabetic. However, I liked how one person was quoted about the issue. She said that she would buy the cookies and give them away to others. That is a plan worth following. Let's offset the boycott of the ignorant.

    Saturday, January 07, 2012

    Sounds For Sleep

    Sound Oasis S-550-05 Sound Therapy System
    Ocean Surf, Summer Night, White Noise, Wind, Rain, and Stream are the choices. The sounds of ocean surf and summer night are my top two favorites. Volume adjustment permits the drowning out of street noise for day sleepers; yet, helps to set the mood according to personal preference when listening to nature's sounds.

    The model pictured above accommodates sound cards for additional sleep therapy choices. These include Rhythms of the Sea, Wilderness Journey, and Tropical Rain Forest. I sampled the tracks for the expansion cards and found nothing I just had to have.

    One of the testimonials on Sound Oasis' site was given by an individual who had had chronic insomnia that was not related to depression. After many years of seeing various medical specialists for management of her condition she finally, out of absolute desperation and personal researching, got the Sound Oasis Sleep Therapy System. (Not one specialist ever recommended this.) Her sleep patterns and periods returned to normal rather quickly, ending years of pure hell with her sleep efforts.

    I generally have no problem sleeping. Nonetheless, I truly liked listening to ocean surf when I went down for a nap today. The time setting allows for continuous sound. Three other choices are for 30, 60, and 90 minute periods. The final several minutes play out as the volume lowers slowly. Hopefully any sleeper never is aware of this volume attenuation.

    Tonight I will have ninety minutes of ocean surf when I turn in for the night.

    Wednesday, January 04, 2012

    Alarm Clock Radio With Atomic Clock Technology

    All that I wanted was an alarm clock radio with Atomic Clock technology. A search on Amazon.com yielded the very item I wanted. Or so I thought. Not until its arrival and during set-up was it apparent there was no accommodation for Daylight Saving Time (DST). Yes, my Honeywell atomic clock kept accurate time (never losing, never gaining); yet, that was the extent of using the Ft. Collins, Colorado standard time server.


    The company that sold the Honeywell clock through Amazon has agreed to reverse the debit on my credit card. Further searching on the Internet was fruitless. Suddenly I decided to call my local Radio Shack to explain my dilemma. To my amazement the lady I spoke to stated that they carried the very item I wanted.


    Jolene explained she owns the Timex Redi Set, and that it does indeed adjust at beginning and end of DST.


    Years ago Shirley got the Sony Dream Machine. Every spring she had to manually forward the time by one hour and set it back in the fall.  When I upgraded our analog kitchen clock it was time to order a clock radio with Atomic Clock technology as well.


    The clock on our microwave oven is now the only timekeeper that requires manual assist for semi-annual changes.
    .

    Eastern Classic Thai Restaurant

    [CLICK ON VIDEO TO SEE LARGER VIEW]
    Eastern Classic Thai Restaurant serves award winning Thai cuisine at reasonable prices. The above video was put together and links to its YouTube home were e-mailed to people Shirley and I know in the Redlands area. Additionally, we asked that they forward the presentation to people on their e-mail lists. This has resulted in first-time patrons for the restaurant. The service is great and the food is tasty, so return patronage is a given.

    This was my first venture into producing this type of video. Fun!

    Tuesday, January 03, 2012

    Phishing Alert



    The above video presents information about protecting
    your personal and financial information. Please view it.

    I received a recorded message via telephone from someone identifying herself as being with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Her message is that I may have been recently contacted by an entity that claims to be a company with whom I have recently done business. The warning is to never give up personal and financial information, no matter how urgent the matter may seem.


    The practice of getting people to give up their personal and financial information is called "Phishing."


    Our government provides considerable consumer protection information at OnguardOnline.Gov that is easy to access.
    .

    Saturday, December 31, 2011

    In With The New — 2012

    Thomas Edison is holding his awesome invention, the incandescent lamp bulb. That technology has been the standard for years and years.


    "But come January 1, when a light-bulb law setting new efficiency standards is set to take effect, it's out with those old incandescents and in with the new."


    Apparently any new incandescent bulbs must meet more rigid energy standards;  yet,  competitive types will be the compact fluorescent and LED lamps. It is said that by having the energy-efficient conversion that thirty large power plants can be closed down in the U.S.


    Our home has been converted to compact fluorescent for a few years now. Thereby, energy consumption for home lighting is 25% of what it used to be. That is a considerable savings.


    The new compact fluorescent lamp bulbs are no longer the stark white color that seemed so unnatural to the eyes. The fluorescing substance in this type is available that give the softer, warmer light that we have come to like about incandescents.


    So, I guess this means that stores will no longer carry the "outlawed" lamp bulbs. Be prepared for pricier bulbs with claims that they will last far longer than the conventional incandescent.


    Are you ready for the change?

    Friday, December 30, 2011

    ANOTHER lottery jackpot at risk!

    Unknown lottery winner still hasn't come forward after a year.


    "If you bought at Hot Lotto ticket last December in Des Moines, Iowa you might want to start looking for that, like, now.

    One ticket hit a jackpot worth $16.5 million dollars one year ago and it has so far gone unclaimed. And unless someone can present the winning ticket fast, the money will be gone for good. The chance to claim the prize expires at 4 p.m local time Thursday."

    What would we do if we found a winning lottery ticket after the jackpot had expired. In my case, for my emotional health and sanity, I would convince myself that this was meant to be. Perhaps the winnings would somehow lead to my ruin.

    What would you do under similar circumstances?

    Wednesday, December 28, 2011

    December Solstice

    The December Solstice is also known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere due to the seasonal differences. What it means for us here in the U.S. is December 22nd was shortest day of the year. Successive days are now lengthening.


    Although days become longer, our oceans influence some yet colder days to come in our new winter season.

    Tuesday, December 27, 2011

    Lazy-Butt Me

    "Creature of comfort" I am. That is a euphemism for "lazy–assed bastard." And one may wonder why that twice a year clock setting, once when we spring forward (Daylight Saving Time) and again when we fall back (Standard Time), is such a chore for me.

    Finally, after several years of mulling this issue, I bit the bullet. Searching for this item finally revealed a 10" Kitchen Clock. Earlier choices offered a larger clock to replace our current non-atomic kitchen clock. This one seems perfect, and at a reasonable $20 cost.

    Atomic clock technology, as you probably know, involves radio broadcast receiver technology. Every morning at 2:00 a.m. the clock's receiver is activated, whereupon it tunes automatically to a time standard server in Colorado. This means that the displayed time on the clock face is always on the money. It never gains or loses time.

    Then, on each respective time change date the clock adjusts forward or backward by an hour. Why is this important to me?

    Having our personal computers, including iPad, to always display the current time, along with our wireless phones, the semi-annual time adjustments are done without our thinking about it. The time display for DirecTV is always accurate as well. The cordless base and handsets that serve our landline phone system is also up-to-date.

    Then there is my bedside clock and our weather station that displays indoor and outdoor temperatures. Same convenience.

    This leaves one clock to change manually. That happens to be the clock on our microwave oven. No doubt, some day there will be models that offer the time-change option. I will never replace our current microwave oven just to get this convenience. Nonetheless, when our microwave does fail I will be on the lookout for an oven that has the advanced time-display technology. It is bound to happen some day.

    How many clocks in your home must you adjust manually twice a year? Once you start going atomic you will be hooked, I feel certain.

    Friday, December 23, 2011

    Hurtful Hernia

    The diaphragm is our main muscle for breathing. The esophagus (food tube) passes through a natural opening (esophageal hiatus) at the diaphragm after which it joins the stomach. A hiatal hernia is when a portion of the top of the stomach slides up through the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm towards the chest cavity. This results in pressure on the esophageal walls, and often manifests intense discomfort. Due to its location the pain of a hiatal hernia feels like a heart attack.


    I just spent fours days in hospital where after two endoscopies and one CAT scan I was diagnosed with two kidney stones, gallstones, and a hiatal hernia. Ouch!


    I am home now in recovery mode. As well, I am learning how to live with a hiatal hernia.

    Friday, December 09, 2011

    Cigarette Pack: $15

    As a youth I could buy 3 cartons of cigarettes for $15.00. New Yorkers now spend that for one pack: twenty cigarettes. That comes to 75¢ per cigarette. Crazy!


    If ever there was a motivation to quit the cost looms large. A 2-pack per day smoker parts with thirty dollars every day. A month of thirty days calculates to $450. I can truly think of better ways to spend that kind of money month-to-month. (OMG… one year costs approximately $5,400.00.)


    Why do people shell out this kind of money? The answer in one word. Nicotine. Highly addictive. On the level of heroin as to how our brains latch on to nicotine's effects.


    Yet, as an ex-smoker, I know that quitting is possible once one makes up his or her mind to stop.


    The majority of smokers wish they didn't. Are you an ex-smoker? Are you a smoker who would like to quit?

    Thursday, December 08, 2011

    December Birthday

    Our oldest son has his birthday anniversary on December 10th. Birthdays in the Christmas month can add to the financial outlay at this time of year. Perhaps those born on Christmas day (or a couple days before or after) can expect a "combined" Christmas and Birthday present.


    Fortunately our son is old enough to be OK with a celebratory dinner that includes his siblings and their families. John's oldest daughter and her boyfriend will be joining us as well.


    And getting everyone together for some enjoyable time together is perfect for the beginning of December. As well, where did this year go? Feels like only yesterday that we were starting out in the new year.


    Anyone else out there with a December birthday?

    Saturday, December 03, 2011

    Joining The Home WiFi Network

    CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

    A new HP printer has joined our home WiFi network. The set-up was simple and straightforward. With the old printer there was a "sharing" setting that allowed Shirley to send a print job from her laptop. However, she had to ensure the printer had been turned on manually.


    Presently the printer is in a stand-by mode that allows it to spring into action when a device on the network sends its print request. Son John downloaded the Windows version of the new printer driver to his PC, thus joining the WiFi network for his printing needs. (He already had been networked for Internet browsing.)


    And my iPad 2 now finds the printer when I wish to print something from the iPad. How cool is that?


    Yes… ours is a secure, password-protected, wireless network. Yet, we have expanded the network's function, thus providing great convenience.


    I enjoy living at a time of phenomenal technology growth. In mid-year 2012 I will upgrade to an iPhone (something I have successfully resisted up to now). I want to experience Siri's helpful capabilities. By then Siri may have been through a significant upgrade.


    I am spoiled. How about you?