CAUTION! Shopping on Amazon. Com Can Become Very Habit Forming

Posted in Uncategorized by

Many moons ago I saw my first ad for A projector that could be plugged into a computer What a wonderful thing I thought. Two things kept me from buying it on the spot. There was no way I could afford it and there was nothing I could legitimately use it for. I would have had to invent one, and believe me, I did try.

That was years before Amazon. Since Amazon, I pseudo window shop entirely too much. Since then, I have purchased many things by Amazon. I willingly admit, too many and a few I regret.

This morning, in spite of the known hazards, I went wading through some of the dangers of Amazon ads and I was again about to be pulled in by the undertow. There on my monitor was a beautiful picture of one of those projectors.

Of all things, the picture showed a couple watching a movie using the one of those projectors. Of all things, they laid in a bed and they were looking at a huge 100 inch image on the ceiling.

NOW that was too much, really. I burst into laughter as I considered how it would be for my wife and I. I wanted that projector. Moreover, all I would need to do to afford it would be to give up eating for two weeks.

I was saves from pressing that make believe button by one fact. It would not work in my house. In the middle of each of my rooms is a light fixture and fan. I considered pulling one of them. We really don’t have a real need for all of them anyway.

Besides, the projector had five lasers. That is important for better skin tones. And then I saw one that contained its own battery. Now, I could imagine myself out in the woods, swatting bugs while watching my copy of Kelly’s Heroes. Yep, that’s right. I would visit our wild animal friends just so I would be able to use my new projector.

Then the reality hit me. I do like to eat. Besides, I have seen Kelly’s Heroes at least ten times. I guess the projector can wait. So I purchased some really comfortable socks instead.

Saving Time

Posted in Uncategorized by

I keep getting these requests for surveys, oddly most frequently near election time. If you happen to be one of them, don’t. I don’t do surveys. First, I find they are likely not much more than tools of persuasion. If they really want to know what I believe they have access to my blog year round, not just election times. Moreover, they wouldn’t use questions that are worded for persuasion.

On the other hand, you might want to save yourself some time and read the following. Most of those who read my points will tell tell you I am a little right of Rush Limbaugh in my political views. However, I would have preferred that his behavior would have been more in line with Christianity.

Now if I could get all those surveyors to read my blog. I suspect it would save us both some time. More importantly, it would serve the proper purpose of surveys; to find out my beliefs. Then again, as I have said, that’s not the real reason of the surveys anyway, right?

Violent Crime

Posted in Abuse of Power, Bribes, Collusion, Crime, Deceit, Drug Abuse, Elections, Uncategorized by

Tis buzz words of the day. The politicians love to use the term almost as a battle cry. To some degree it’s a good thing. Certainly it is bad when people use violence or the threat of violence in the commission of a crime.

Nonetheless, I ask the question, would you rather have ten dollars stolen from you at the point of a weapon or a hundred grand by fraud.

My reply is I’d prefer neither. I suspect most would say about the same. My hope and I suspect your hope is that our government would do what it can to hold down violence, but I would hope they don’t forget those that would take our fortunes, our good names, and our shelters from us by fraud or deceit.

My belief is theft is theft rather it be in a court room or by violence. The penalty should be the same. However, when a person uses a weapon, a few years should be added onto the culprit’s sentence. Nonetheless, those that steal IDs ought not be ignored. After all, they are thieves too. Perhaps, they are worse even than the burglar who steals in the night. For he who uses deception and fraud commit their crimes right out in the daylight. In a sense their crime is not against a person, but society too.

They cause a fear in our normal banking and real estate business. Why should the crook in the thousand dollar suit get any better treatment than the one wearing the clothing from the second hand store.

If you agree with me, maybe you can raise your voice a little to those able to do something about it.

You Can’t Take It With You

Posted in Uncategorized by

Not only is it true. It is one of the most well known statements, maybe in the world. Even so, it would seem there are those who have tried. The pharaohs certainly made their try at it. With all the power at their hands, they left it all, every bit of it. In spite of all their efforts, it didn’t work regardless of their beliefs.

Jack Benny had his famous theory: he said if he couldn’t take it with him he just wouldn’t go. That didn’t work either. Truth be told, I suspect he was well aware it wouldn’t work, he did make a good try at it. Though he always claimed to be 39, he was 80 when he finally left his worldly things behind.

There are fakes the world round who try to sell wonderful potions and promise many of additional years of life. My MD prescribes for me drugs that hold my blood pressure down and very expensive pills that keep blood clots from forming, there is nothing mystical or magic about them. However, I must admit, they do seem to provide me for a few more years. However, I have no illusion about it. One day, any day, any time, I too will cease to breathe.

However, I do have, for sure, one argument with the old saying. You see when I go on to be with the Lord, I will bring many of my friends and relatives with me. Some have or will go on before. Some will follow.

Now of all we ever had, wouldn’t it be horrible to find out our most precious of all, that is our children, our friends, our relatives will never ever join us.

Indeed we can take our loved ones with us. However, if they never accept Jesus as their savior, they will remain forever separated from us.

It just might be a good reason to make sure they understand the plan of salvation, without delay.

Then again, the opposite would also be horrible, for them to go on to heaven without you.

You can take your most precious ones with you. My advice, make sure you do.

The pharaohs failed to take their gold and treasure. We have the ability to take that which is more precious than gold with us.

One Thing, Maybe Three

Posted in Uncategorized by

When I was in the Marines, I had a supervisor that told me I tried to do multiple things at once. It was the first time I thought about it but I realized he was right. Before I finish one thing I start another to this day.

I guess it comes from a fear that there is never enough time. It was a subconscious thing I guess. It’s something I fight daily.

On the other hand that supervisor was a obsessive detail oriented person. I don’t mean a little bit either. The first day he arrived, I swear that he touched everything on the desk and reposition it, if but a fraction of an inch.

I suppose we were pretty much opposites. However, we got along well. Some might be surprised by that but, our methods seemed to complement each other. On the other hand, if I had been the supervisor, I wonder how well things would have worked.

I don’t mean to say anything by it. I just find the thought interesting. Is it something that is significant?

A Thought About Democracy

Posted in Uncategorized by

What happens to democracy when 60% of our population votes communist. To be sure, democracy ceases and dictatorship reigns.

If you want democracy, don’t vote for liberals or you will lose your vote.

On the other hand, if you neglect you vote, it will have the like result.

Hitler was voted into office….democratically.

Firing Squads

Posted in Uncategorized by

It has been decided to use a firing squad to execute that character that killed all those men on that Army base. Normally I would say getting people willing to be part of a firing squad would be difficult. Twelve soldiers shooting one man in a blind fold does generally go against the grain of a good man. However, in this case, I suspect they will not have any difficulty finding the men very willing to do it.

Ads, Ads and More Ads

Posted in Uncategorized by

When they first started making cigarette ads illegal, I wondered what they were going to replace them with. As an old man I remember seeing them, it seemed continuously they spoke of all lies. We all knew they were falsehoods, but so many of them were so ‘cute’.

Many of the quips and jingles, if I quoted them today many would turn and look at me in remberance. I must admit, as much as I disliked smoking, those advertisers could come up with some winners, the type you could actually enjoy.

Not that I am in favor of smoking and all the problems it brought, but sometimes I miss those old commercials. Many were actually entertaining. I suspect that might be one of reasons they wanted to rid the airways of them.

They not only went after the actual commercials but also the subtle ads. In the movies they actually paid to have smoking sequences to make it appear the natural and normal thing to do. It was rare to see a movie where such methods were used.

Today, they continue to use the same methods, but not with tobacco. Today it is alcoholic beverages. Today they show people in bars wrapping up things after the big law case. I mean it is what they all do in real life, right. And for sure, which is worse, tobacco or alcohol. You likely have your opinion. However, I’d much rather see ads for cigarettes than booze. Isn’t it just wonderful seeing those Clydesdale horses pulling those huge wagons piled high with beer.

Certainly, alcoholic beverages have helped pull up the slack. We now have far more entertainment being sponsored by far more drinks. And, by the way, let’s remember, those pictures are far better quality today. That takes expensive equipment don’t you know. And those selling alcohol are more than willing to provide the ads.

However, might I remind you that, according to a PSA, Public Service Announcement, thirty percent of fatal accidents are caused by people under the influence of alcohol. I haven’t seen any stats on those that are injured, maimed or permanently disabled, but I would expect those numbers too are far more than they should be. Might I also suggest that spouse and child abuse is likely almost always accompanied by the spirits.

If they had reason to stop tobacco ads, they have far more reason to remove alcohol ads. But then, if they did that, who would pay for the commercial television?

Well, I do have a partial answer, all those part C Medicare advertisers. Come this time of year, they are on every commercial break, sometimes twice. They keep those things up and I’ll start begging for them to bring back the tobacco ads.

A Grand Conspiracy

Posted in Uncategorized by

When I was a kid, for quite a while we lived near L.A. One benefit to living in that area of the country was that someone was thinking when they built the TV transmitters. They put them all in one place, on top of Mount Wilson. Antenna installation was simple and quick.

Many didn’t even put one up. They just used the rabbit ears. However, to get the really clear pictures, we needed a pole and four elements, that is to say, horizontal pieces of aluminum form something that resembled to arrows.

Once installed, one person gets in the house, one gets on the roof and if there is a third person, he stood in the backyard. The person on the roof adjusted the direction of the antenna while the one in the house reported the picture quality.

So there it was. No genius required. It was a piece of cake. If a person didn’t know which direction Mount Wilson was, he could get a hint by looking at the antennas on the surrounding houses.

Occasionally, problems were encountered. One of my teachers told me that when antenna was lined up properly at his house he had two images, a ghost image on the screen. After trying to adjust the ghost image out for A while, he turned the antenna towards a nearby water tower…problem solved. He was getting a reflection off the tower that was stronger than the direct signal from the mountain.

Nonetheless, it really worked out good for us. Though the transmitted were close to fifty miles away, we all received good signals. Aaaand, it was handy all five stations were in the same direction. There was no need to reposition for each channel.

Since they came up with the new signal standards, I find myself wondering if it still works out so well. It makes me wonder if it works out at all. I must guess, at the least, those people that settled for rabbit ear antennas before are likely having to make other arrangements. Maybe, if I have some readers in the Los Angeles area, you might let me know.

I have known a few around here that gave up and got cable. It does make me wonder if the cable companies are behind some huge grand conspiracy.

No Other Country

Posted in Uncategorized by

What destination sits at the top of your bucket list?


I’ve already explored Vietnam, Japan, and Australia. To be frank, I have no interest in leaving the US again. Rather, my ambition is to discover this country comprehensively: traversing from west to east, north to south, visiting every state—many of them repeatedly. That would bring me complete fulfillment.


In the past, I felt some curiosity about experiencing other nations and distant landmarks. However, given the current situation, I’d prefer to keep these size 15s planted firmly on American soil.