Author Archives: bfrhodes99

Something New… For Me

Posted in Advertising, Cable TV, Compromise, TV Advertisements by

I was under the wrong assumption that all TV stations transmitted 1080 video on all channels. It’s simply not so. Most of the main channels are 1080, or at least 720. However most of the others are, at most 720 and even 480.

On my little 30 inch screen it’s difficult to see the difference. Naturally, old reruns, especially b&w don’t fill the screen. There is generally a few inches of blank space on each side of the image.

Apparently, the stations transmit the information and my TV displays it at the bottom of the screen 4 or 5 seconds after changing channels. On the other hand, the cable hid it from me all these years.

So, near as I can tell, I should have saved the money and bought a 720 TV. As I said, can’t tell the difference. More over, I don’t have it on 1080 channels that much. Most of the time I’m looking at 720. Right now, I’m on 480 and it looks just fine.

By the way, does anyone know where I can buy a copy of that image of the valley they show to sell that noise for sleeping. Don’t have any use for noise but I’d really like a copy of that winter evening scene of snow covered mountains with the road going between them. Wonder what they might charge me for a 1080i copy.

Who knows? Maybe, perhaps, conceivably others would like a copy or two of that image.

I. R. S.

Posted in Uncategorized by

Of those things I face repeatedly, nothing, but nothing causes me more anxiety than my yearly tax preparation. Somehow, I suspect I’m far from being alone. After all, there are thousands who make much of their living during tax season.

Even then, most of us live in fear of forgetting or ignorance of some little thing that just might result in what just might be the most feared word in our country, AUDIT.

What makes you most anxious?

Really Neat Invention

Posted in Dyslexia, Education, Mistakes, Reading by

It’s about 3 by 4 by a quarter inch. There is a small monochrome LCD screen and it has a little microphone on it. You press a button on it and say into it the word you can’t spell and it displays the right spelling on the little screen.

There is but one big problem with it. To the best of my knowledge, it doesn’t exist. No one has made it yet. It has yet to be invented. Leastways, I can’t find it.

I looked to see if I can find an ap but couldn’t find any. Even if I found one, I’d prefer a separate device. I’d prefer no one looking over my shoulder, so-to-speak.

If properly configured, it would also display hyphenated words and differentiations for words with same or similar pronunciations. That way I’d know to use affect or effect.

Well, guess this one will have to just remain in the wishing part of my imagination ’cause I suspect it will not get into the design phase. I suppose the folks who design such things don’t figure there is a need of such things.

So, when I want to know how to spell some French word as soufflé, I will just need to try various combinations until I find the right one. Fortunately, I don’t have to use such words very often.

Revisiting Tide Alergy….

Posted in Advertising by

I can’t help noticing the recent Tide commercials pushing the detergent for sensitive skin. It is highly unlikely that the new detergent is the result of my post a good while back.

As a small reminder and explanation, the post was about irritations all over. After a few doctors and a multitude of tests, none came up with the reason for the problem.

Then, one day, out of desperation, we switched from Tide and the problem went away. If the new deternent is the result of my remarks, my hat is off to them for listening. On the other hand, where is the public warning?

Doesn’t really matter. Just glad if my post might have done some real good. I do wonder how many others went through the suffering my wife did.

Still, I wonder if a CEO read my little post or is it simply vanity.

An afterthought: Maybe an allergist read my post and told the manufacturer of tide. I know. It’s a reach. Any way to convince myself I did some good.

Benefits of Incarceration of Criminals

Posted in Biden, Build the Wall!, Christian values, Crime, Deceit, Drug Abuse, FOC, Going Green by

Many try to use the cost of imprisonment to decrease it. Others like to say it doesn’t work. However, I will place before you many benefits of locking up the bad guys.

First, it discourages crime. If people see the possibility of spending serious time in real prisons, it just might decrease the temptation to steal the car or rob that store. If they realize that using any weapon in the the commitment a crime results in more hard time, it just might cut down on loss of life during crimes.

Then, there are indirect benefits, as in decreased insurance costs. Costs, in general would go down as they are related to theft in stores and medical costs due to injuries.

Oddly, even the “greenies” would benefit. Many cars have to be junked after they are stolen. This means more contaminants during the junking and the manufacturing of replacement autos.

My guess is that the biggest benefit is the decrease in murder. Murderers have a difficult time murdering from behind prison walls. This would far offset the cost of keeping the bad guys behind walls. Naturally, this is one of the aspects that can never be measured or calculated. Moreover, the pain can never be truly and totally known.

Then too, in an odd way, we can even save in the cost law enforcement. If we put the drug distributors in prison, we don’t need as many police officers, lawyers or judges. Oddly, it would help the dems in one of their goals…decreasing police funding. Ironically, I suspect even the police would like to see that. On the other hand, the lawyers just might not appreciate the loss of revenue.

Oddly, it might actually help one of the biggest goals of the libs. With the the decrease in crime, there would be a huge decrease in gun sales.

Then again, is it gun sales decrease they seek, or is it the second amendment they are actually after? I think I know the answer to that question, though the libs would prefer none of us ever know. The knowledge of the truth would ruin the effectiveness of the deceit.

As for me, the greatest benefit of incarnation of criminals is in the decrease of sadness from loss of life, property and the feelings of security while safely walking the streets.

New & Old

Posted in Important things, guard duty, gun control, Vietnam war, Truth, law enforcement, Crime, FOC by

A while ago, I noticed a new shooting range nearby. For a number of weeks I drove by looking from a distance. Yesterday, I went in, just to look around. I must say, I was very much impressed.

First, it was well stocked. They had a wide variety of new and used. Yes, they had many varieties of the AR15, the civilian version of the M16. To my surprise, they even had an M14.

Came close to buying it. It had been over fifty years since I touched one. I was surprised to realize that it felt quite familiar to me, if you’ll permit, as a long lost friend. Even so, I was reminded of its nine pound weight. I reluctantly decided against the purchase. I could afford the gun but not the hobby. Also, it would be a magnet to many a thief who might find out I have it.

Secondly, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. It didn’t take long for me to realize it. If a person is going to buy a gun, it is good to know they are buying from someone who knows his wares.

Finally, it seemed a good business. It is modern, clean and well organized.

I suspect they are the type that would seek out complaints, but there aren’t likely many.

Why can’t all businesses that way.

As for the M14 I much prefer it over the M16. I qualified with both and, though the M16 is much easier to tote and fire, I have far more faith in the M14. It might be older. It might have more kick. I am sure that it is more accurate and lethal. And that is what a rifle is for.

The Yearly Ritual

Posted in Lawyers and Representation, Our Legal Systems, Politcal Opinion, Socialists by

Yesterday, went through the yearly ritual. Came to the conclusion that I’d prefer sales tax over income tax, if for no other reason to avoid the yearly procedure. Sorta akin to getting teeth pulled.

I go way out of my way to stay legit but I still feel a huge relief knowing it’s done till next year. But, already I feel a little fear that I overlooked something.

Still, if they were to replace the income tax with a sales tax, it wouldn’t be long they’d have both. What a mess that would be.

Maybe it would better to have the government simply calculate our taxes from our income and send us a bill. It would reduce the apprehension. But then, that would be too easy. Besides, I think they like keeping us a little nervous.

Then too, think of all the tax preparers and lawyers they keep employed. I heard somewhere that the people of the US pay over a billion dollars each year to remain compliant with tax laws.

Maybe that is why Uncle has us figure our taxes. It’s too complex for them to do it.

Just thought of something. Uncle Sam ought to help me sell my books. If a few of my books became million sellers, it would mean a few extra dollars going into treasury. That would be nice. I wouldn’t mind. It would be mutually beneficial. Not only that, Amazon would benefit and maybe a few book stores.

Finally, the film industry might benefit from some wonderful new ideas. Think about it.

Well. I’m not building up my hopes. Somehow, I just don’t think that will happen. A real shame, don’t you think?

Perhaps The Worst Addition

Posted in Food by

It’s a fact. Eating can become addictive. I don’t know if the doctors and experts agree. I don’t care. Indeed, after 72 years of eating, experience has has qualified me as an expert.

The fact is that I cannot give it up, certainly no longer than a day. After just a short time, I can’t help it. I get this unexplainable urge to eat. Worse, right after stuffing myself with BBQ pork, I get this urge to re-enter the eating establishment and start all over again after the beautiful scent from the smoke lingering in the parking lot enters my nose. Not fair!

At one time, I was pushing 300 pounds. It was totally due to my desire to overfeed myself. Many berate diet beverages but I am so thankful for them. Without them I would likely weigh 350. Then again, I just might be pushing up daisies.

Yesterday, I ate a butterscotch sundae. First I had in years. When I was a teen, I ate such things almost daily. I guess, at that time, I built up my habit. I ate what I wanted and was 140 when I entered the Marines. It was perhaps one of the greatest things of being young. I could eat my fill of most anything and burn it all off by the time next mealtime, or snack time.

I admit it. I have a food addiction. The big problem about that is I can’t kick the habit, cold turkey. Oh! Speaking of cold turkey. I think it’s time to visit a Subway restaurant. They make a good turkey sandwich. Then, again, I might make it tuna. So many decisions. Well, I’ll try to hold it to the 6 inch size. The problem with that is I’ll still be hungry, a desire to eat.

Such is the way with the battle with food addiction.

As an aside, I think the US is about the only country where it is practical to sell diet food. Don’t know for sure. Maybe someone can help this expert with the facts. Is the US the only country that has a major problem with food addiction?

Does it Matter?

Posted in Biden by

Some say the shooting down of our drone by the Ruskies was intentional. Others insist it was accidental. In the end, in the practical sense, does it mattter?

Putin just found out Joe is a spineless wimp who is more determined to destroy our oil industry than the defense of the US.

By the way, regardless. The dumping of fuel was intentional. There is no bought adout it. Clearly, it’s casual to the most obvious observer. I am sure of it and I was nowhere near close enough to see it.

Water Spots

Posted in Customer complaints, Reporters, Microsoft Windows problem, Advertising, Pride, FOC, Priorities, GMC, CEO Princeple by

Over the years, working in the Marines and then in a few different civilian organizations, one thing I have learned is the importance to detail. Being a large picture person, I realize that I must constantly remind myself of the importance of dotting all the “i”s and crossing all “t”s with precision.

Maybe one of the best examples I’ve heard is the story of the couple that went to a classy restaurant where they were given nice flatware wrapped in high quality napkins. Once the couple took the flatware in hand, they noticed water spots on the flatware.

They each took a few seconds and the nice napkins to rub out the water spots and soon the spotless eating implements were set neatly in place. They then sat and enjoyed the dinnner. When done, they left without mentioning the water spots at all. Then, of course, they never returned.

As for me, the water spots would have not mattered. On the other hand, I have seen folks that would have asked for “clean” silver. Then others would have simply walked out before ordering.

Regardless of anything else, it is an example in 2 ways. First, as in a previous post, it speaks of competition. It seems, in this case, the lacking in one detail causes the loss of repeat customers. There are any of dozens of such details that can cause a restaurant owner, or any such businessman grief.

Worse, the managers might not be aware, which brings me to my second point, the un-voiced complaint. Every owner, every manager should seek complaints vigorously. Otherwise, how will he become aware thar something needs correction?

If the couple in the little story complained, the restaurant might have still lost the customers, but it might allow the correction before the loss of others.

Yet, I look this way and that way, and I find one business after the other where the owners seem to continue to try to remain oblivious to any problems in their business. In the long run such businesses will surely suffer. They may continue but not strong as they could. Mostly, they will fall behind the competition.

It would seem to some that encouraging complaints from a customer is contrary to success. However, how can a person hone his ability to compete if he doesn’t see where honing is truly necessary.

You might consider the following. There are customers that will notify the management of of a messy restroom and those who won’t. On the other hand, there are businesses that will clean the restroom when notified and there are others that basically say, “So what.” There are those who simply don’t care about customer complaints, even when they are meant to be helpful.

The question, “Do you really want to lose customers over water spots?”