I See What You Did There...Well Played.

I just wanted to take a few minutes and point out a couple of things that are happening but you may not be aware of it.

• Everyone always goes to the store and tries to find a place as close to the entrance as possible because we are basically lazy. But has anyone observed where they place the cart return corrals in the parking lot? That is right, further out in the lot so you have to walk (if you are playing nice and actually return the cart to safe place and care for the protection of others vehicles) some distance from your lucky spot close to the entrance. Forcing us to get exercise whether we want it or not.
• I recently had to update my "smartphone", along with going back into a two year contract in order to get a nifty pocket computer. Part of the upgrade included some wicked cool apps, but they expire unless I feel like continuing them at a "small" nominal monthly fee. One of those features is Caller ID, are you serious, that was once a regular feature on most modern phones and included as part of a package of features (call waiting, three way calls, speed dial, etc...) that normally come with any phone service. Now we have to pay extra for this feature...first of all, I usually don't answer the phone if I do not recognize the number and sometimes will choose to ignore a call even if I do recognize the number. So without the Caller ID, I guess I will be letting all the calls go directly to voicemail. BTW, I can also pay for an extra feature that will read my texts and type out my voice mails into text messages, no thanks. At least I still get unlimited calls and texts, but I am sure we will be going back to roaming charges soon as no one actually talks on their cell phones.

I did a cool feature at no extra charge, the new smart device has new setting for when I am driving similar to airplane mode, except it replays with a programmed message that tells the caller/texter that I am driving and will return any messages or calls once I am in a safe and convenient place. 

Writing

I have a job interview coming up in a few weeks and as part of the process I have to respond to a writing prompt. One of the reasons I started this blog was to have a reason to write and try to improve my voice in the written word. Having worked in the science/engineering world, I was trained to be a technical writer and not overly verbose (see example below).

My concern of writing the directed prompt is that I will be too short and concise, that I will not put enough color and redundancy into the piece, leaving the reader/grader thinking I lack basic writing skills and vocabulary.

I just have to relax and utilize the 30 minutes that will be allotted me to complete the task and what is necessary...although it is for a technical position, so maybe a to the point bulleted structure is the way to go...

Still Undecided and Definitely Not Happy

So I finally watched some of the political convention speeches last night (actually had no choice because everyone at work kept switching from the MLS All-stars v. Arsenal to the coverage...Arsenal won 2-1).

Although I did not watch the 'historic' acceptance of the Presidential nomination, I did see many of the speakers leading up to the 'keynote.' I will admit there were some very dynamic speakers that I agree with and share similar views, three in-particularly that really stood out, and if their message is heard and the nominee heeds their words we may be alright and there is still hope for the USA.

The first is Reverend William Barber, while I am not religious in one bit, this man brought it and delivered a message for the majority of the issues facing Americans today, by the end of his commentary I was a believer (still not religious though), hope the nominee got the same take-away I did and follows through with what needs to be done.

The second was Khizr Khan, this astute gentleman and father of a soldier killed in action, handed the other party's nominee his ass (pardon my language), not that that is a hard thing to do. And hopefully the nominees understand that we must end the fighting and senseless killing and hatred all over the world.

The last was Sheriff Lupe Valdez, she spoke of the violence and distrust between citizens and law enforcement. Her appearance on the stage also shut down the extreme right's claim that the other side of the aisle does not support and honor those killed in the line of duty.

While none of this was enough to win me over as an open supporter of the nominee, I am still forced to elect the lesser of two evils, I can not even consider the other party and their platform.

So the nominee has been given a decent platform, please follow through and learn some empathy.

Half Staff

I just noticed that the flags are being flown at half staff, so I had to go home and look up the reason, as I do not recall any dignitaries or war heroes passing this week. It may have been lost in the circus of the GOP...

The flags are being for the victims of Baton Rouge, not dignitaries or war heroes, but LEOs shot in the line of duty. So will the flag remain at half staff for the innocent soldiers killed in action over the last 230 years? If we are going to lower the flag for every person killed while on duty, the flag will never be a full staff again.

One side of the political agenda has pushed and propagated fear so much that the leaders of this country make decisions like this, disrespecting those that have served and been true heroes and dignitaries, in fear of negative criticism by arm chair patriots and jingoists.

Anyone that was a scout and/or served in the military knows when and why a flag is lowered in honor of the fallen. Instead of worrying that the kids are not saying 'under god' in the pledge, may be we should teach some basic citizenry. It is not for workers that have lost their lives while working. What is next? Half staff for a steel worker that has fallen off a beam? A fisherman that has fallen overboard?

I understand that there is a serious issue with the relentless killing of people in this country, so instead of doing something about that and trying to remedy the situation, let us create more symbolic honorifics and say our prayers, because that will rectify it all.

You want to Make America Great Safe Again, try stepping up and doing something and stop the fear mongering and proliferation of violence against each other...

Just Like That, It Was Gone

I had (key word is 'had') what I thought was a great post in my head yesterday. But I was too busy to stop and write it down. Didn't even jot down some simple notes; let alone scribble the whole premise on a piece of scrap paper.

This morning woke up and can't remember what it was at all, not even the topic.

Maybe it never existed at all and I only think I had something to write about. But I remember doing this a number times before, a few times the thought has seeped back to me, so maybe I will get lucky and it will return. I am blaming old age and the early onset of senility.

So in the mean time here are some random brain musings, quick before I forget them...

• I found my old shaving mug with soap and boars bristle brush, trying to decide if I should pack it or not. Currently I have no use for it, as I am 'stached and bearded, but this may not last forever.
• The weather has been good so far this summer, no prolonged heat waves yet, could use some more rain for the gardens, hope it holds for when I have to travel.
• Yesterday I shopped at three different places, all three transactions ended in even dollar amounts (50.00, 11.00, and 24.00), not sure what the harbinger of that is...
• Struck the nerve of someone I respect the other day. Not sorry that I did it, sometimes something needs to be said, and based on the reaction, what I said bothers them too. I do feel cheap that I went there, but they were trying to pin me in a corner, so the animal instinct kicked in and I used it.

Well here is to that other post idea coming back to me, Cheers

Adventures at DMV, End of an Era, and a Milestone

Adventures

I had to go to CT Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) to transfer registration and ownership. I was warned ahead of time that the wait was horrendous and that I should be in line at least 30 minutes before opening and to still expect to wait 2 hours.

Arrived at 8:45 for 9:15 opening, number at 9:22, served at 9:53, and completed with everything at 10:13. So in and out in 90 minutes, not bad...

Era

The end of the era is I no longer own and drive a Saab, and will probably not have the chance to again. Maintenance was getting too much, along with expense. Also the mileage was getting up there. They also stopped making them in 2013. I have now gone back to a Subaru wagon. Older, but very low miles, and easier to get parts and repairs done.

<This was the reason for the adventure at DMV>

Milestone

So the blog has had its 3,000 visitor, not extraordinarily robust in the traffic in the 3 plus years of existence, but hey I will take what I can get.

Thanks for stopping by and paying attention, I appreciate it.

Shoe Laces

So I need to replace laces on my favorite pair of boat shoes.

Figured I go to the local big box store and find what I needed. I was wrong.

After trying several other stores including a few shoe stores I could not find anything suitable to replace the worn and broken laces. So now I had to resort to the large online market places and still can not find anything satisfactory.

Seriously?

The soles are still in great condition, the leather uppers are just getting that perfect broken feel. The pair is truly agreeable with my feet, and I should be able to get another several years out of them.

Has the world we live in advanced so far down the path to a complete throw away society that one can not find simple shoe laces? Am I supposed to just throw out the shoes and buy a new pair? How do we expect to be kind to the mothership Earth, if we have to dispose of items that can refurbished, renewed, or replace simple parts to extend the life and use of a product? This is just sad, no wait, pitiful...

Consumerism, and more specifically capitalism, is ruining this world. It is the little things like this that is driving the human race to extinction. Built in obsolescence, this will soon become us, we will be obsolete (not that we not already become obsolete) and that the planet will not need humans, probably this big orb does not need us or really has never needed us. It existed prior to us and will most likely exist after we are gone.

I hope everyone is happy with our creation...