Category Archives: Entertainment

Computers

Posted in Computers, Entertainment, experience by

The small business owner was asked over and over why he didn’t computerize his business. He kept replying that he already made mistakes fast enough. He didn’t need the help of a computer to only make them faster.

There is some truth to story, even though someone likely made it up. Computers are fast. If you don’t do things right when you set up a computer, most likely, you will make the man’s words come true. And, I have seen it happen a number of times.

At one time, computers were big and expensive. Worse, they were slow. Well, they were fast but not nearly as fast as the computers today. So, even the big businesses had one computer and it was put in the hands of a few people.

The hitch is that the owners of the companies knew a lot about business, but little or nothing about computers. The salesman came along telling the owner of the business that the computer will solve all his problems, even some he doesn’t know about. Of course, no one mentioned that the computer salesman knew only slightly more than the owner of the business owner.

Worse yet, the salesman didn’t actually know what the owner of the business could use the computer for. With those three things being true, it amazed me that anyone got anything right. What I write, I have seen firsthand. However, more than that, I have read many articles in computer magazines that have said the same thing. Therefore, I think I can say with a reasonable amount of proof that I was not the only one to notice it.

So it is, that many computers were purchased to do things the computer was not intended for and those who knew how to use the computers couldn’t.

Then, in come the programmers, those who know how to make computers do what they do. Naturally, they got busy writing programs that served little or no purpose. Let’s face it, they have no idea what the users need the computer for so they make programs that they think will be useful.

Then the owners of the companies discovered something about computers that they liked. They served the purpose of “big brother.” They permitted the boss to look over the shoulders of those on the line doing the real job. Granted, it did help the company run a little more efficiently, but it would have run 3 times better if the computer would be used for their proper purpose.

I saw it all happen and it really rubbed me the wrong way. When I was in the Marines, they had computers keeping track of all I did. I also worked for two civilian companies that did the same. In the Marines I spent almost as much time looking up codes as I did doing the work.

Ask the doctors. They spend 10 minutes with a patient and he pays a secretary for 20 minutes work to make sure it gets documented right. Then, if it not documented right, Medicare or the insurance company kicks it back and the doc doesn’t get paid until it is documented right. And you wonder why it is that medical costs keep sky rocketing.

One of the biggest advantages of the PC is that it brought control of the computers to the folks who can really use them and they know what to use them for.

Well, that’s not totally true. If the owner turns his back for a minute, his employees get busy surfing the web or playing games. I heard of one company that had to send out a message for every one to stop watching the Super Bowl on the computers as it was slowing down internet response.

I only heard of the one instance, but I am sure it still happens a lot. Only now they use their phone instead of the businesses internet. Well, at least they can get their work done in between touchdowns.

Migration Frustration

Posted in A Little About me, Entertainment, Passwords, Uncategorized by

Passwords are going to be the death of me yet. Two or three days ago, I bought an all-in-one Dell computer. I had to. My laptop was getting really slow and it seemed I was always having to update it. The computer is great. The migration was enough to make me want to pull out what hair I have left.

I guess, in a way, the all-in-one is similar to a laptop, just bigger and a great deal heavier. Well, I don’t guess anyone has put a battery in one, yet anyway.

Let me first say a little about the hardware. One slick thing is the camera. It slides down into the computer when not in use. Not only is it a little cleaner looking but the camera absolutely cannot be used when inside its little Hidie hole. It says a lot about security, and it begs the question, why didn’t someone think of that a whole lot sooner?

My laptop takes roughly 2 minutes after it’s turned on to do any real work. The new computer is ready to go in about 3 or 4 seconds. Try to convince me that wasn’t surprising the first time I turned it on. I use MS office 7.0. It pops right up there without any hesitation. It’s ready to go much quicker than I am. I don’t like the newer versions, or at least the one I used for about 10 minutes. Removed them immediately after. I suppose, after a while, I’ll try them again, but I’ll not be in any hurry.

The camera comes with a flash and takes very good pictures. The problem is that no one wants to see photos of me. I guess the one thing that surprised me most were the speakers. I have no idea how they did it but they really put some high-quality speakers in there. It’s not just that it sounds good, but it is easy to distinguish one instrument from another. Most speakers, unless they are very expensive, let the sounds from the clarinet combine with violin so that a band or orchestra has just one sound. With this system, each instrument could be easily distinguished from the other. And, by the way, I had to turn the volume down about half-way. Did not expect that.

Now, as for the migration. Just for the sake of helping anyone else fixing to go through the same thing, might I suggest one thing that will save everyone a lot of pain. Before starting the migration, make dead sure you know all your passwords. In fact, if I were to do it again, I would change them all to the same thing before starting. Normally, that is a bad idea, but it is only temporary, and it will save a lot of time. Once you have everything migrated and working, go back and change the passwords again. Indeed, it might be a good time to change passwords. They do suggest we change them regularly.

At any rate, after 3 days, I have most of the migration done. There is one more thing to set-up but after all the frustration, I might as well just say forget it.

On the other hand, that is sort of the problem, I mean, I just keep forgetting it, the passwords I mean.

Lost in Translation

Posted in A Little About me, Awkward Situation, Christian values, Entertainment, Religion by

I guess my memory still manages every now and then, but apparently, it works best on the older stuff. It seemed to me that I remembered an old I Love Lucy episode in which there were a number of people working together to perform a translation. I was right. I looked it up and the episode is titled “Paris at Last.” It seemed that while they were in Paris, as usual Lucy got them in trouble. So they are stuck in a Paris police station with 2 policemen, a stranger and Lucy could not explain her situation to the desk sergeant. So, she explained it to Ricky, who also knew Spanish, of course. Ricky explained it to the stranger who knew Spanish and German. The stranger explained it to the policeman who knew German and French. Then he explained it to his boss.

Oddly, while I was chasing down the episode, I found out that there were actually several such instances in Europe, though the string was not quite as long. I guess it does make us appreciate the computerized translators we now have access to, even though they might not be perfect.

However, the story I was really after was one from West Wing. I did enjoy that show, though I did find it leaned a little left. For those who read my post, “Humorous Things, Mostly,” I did find this show very humorous almost every week. At first, my memory partially failed me. I couldn’t remember if that was the show that had this episode, so I looked it up… and yes it was one of the better ones. The title of the episode was “Lost in Translation,” and it kept me laughing almost all the way through it. Like “Paris at last,” several people performed a translation.

It all started when those responsible for receiving foreign dignitaries realized that they just might have overlooked something. So, in a panic, they started looking a translator that could speak English as well as the little known foreign language. As you can imagine, they could find no one. However, they did manage to gather 6 or 7 people who, together could do the job, one of these, the head cook.

As you can imagine, when the dignitary arrived, they apologized as they explained that it was the best they could do. Then too, you can imagine one spoke to the one who spoke to the other who…. Well, you have the idea.

Amid out-roars of laughter, they were managing, though it was something like an awkward game of telephone. Finally the visitor suggested, “Don’t you think this would all be much simpler if I just spoke English?”

It was of course the punchline which they performed far better than I can portray here. I suppose there were those who expected it, but I certainly didn’t It was all carried out very well and it simply never occurred to me that the man could speak English, though, nowadays, English is likely the most common second language in the world. Common sense tells me that most heads-of-states do speak English, at least to some degree.

Both stories, especially “Lost in Translation,” prompted me to a thought. When we, who hardly know anything, accept Jesus as our Savior, we are permitted access to the King. And guess what. He understands our language. No chance whatsoever of anything being lost in the translation. Why would anyone want to pass up a opportunity like that?

In itself, it just about makes it worthwhile accepting Jesus as our Savior, which allows us to talk to the creator of the universe, Himself. By the way, their are many other benefits too, some which last forever.

Sometimes, Repetition is Good

Posted in Being woke, Biden, Bribes, Communist Takover, Entertainment by

I am sitting here, watching The Sound of Music, again. I would guess it’s about the 20th time. On the other hand, I’ve heard the music countless times and then some. I have also seen a couple of stage versions, one with Patrice Muncel. One nice thing about the stage versions is that the stage versions have 2, maybe 3 songs the movie doesn’t and they are nice songs.

Regardless, I am again enjoying the movie. There is the music and the scenery. There is the humor, the children, and of course, the plot, itself.

Don’t mistake my words. It was a horrible thing Hitler did, but he just might have saved us from something worse. The Communists were just as bad. The world fought off Hitler and his bunch, only to be left with far worse. Now, we not only have enemies outside our gates but inside as well. They have disguised themselves as the friends and advocates for the minorities. Of course, the only thing they really advocate is the unification of all governments under one authority and, of course for their good.

In another way, seeing the movie brings out my ire every time as it reminds me of what the Nazis did. Even so, I remember my history. While he took over Germany, they did keep the communists from doing the same, Had Hitler not stopped the communists, the world might have faced even a worse foe.

One might be surprised, but we ought not be. It was foretold in Daniel, in the Bible. It will happen one day. And it will be the worst of all authorities, the worst of all governments.

The thing is, I see no reason to hurry such things along, or at least, I don’t think so. I see no purpose in hurrying the communist takeover. It is only evil, start to finish. God will deal with it. He does know how.

So which is worse? The Nazis or the Communists? In affect, I am not sure there is a measurable difference.

They both specialize in killing and terrorizing.

Such a Shame

Posted in Entertainment by

I’ve sort-of gotten spoiled and I am sure others have too. The imposed black scrimmage line and the yellow 1st down line sure help the fans keep perspective, I guess that’s what it’s called.

As I watch a game on TV, I can’t help but think that it’s a shame they can’t put a light on the field that would do the samething.

I’m sure it can be done. However, there are at least 2 conceivably problems, maybe 3. Any time a player got between the projection and the ground, the line would show on the player, not the ground. I suppose the question might also come up, do the refs use the projected line or do they try to ignore them.

Then too, if the player fell, looking into the light, it might cause eye damage or perhaps temporary blindness. I guess they will have to wait just a while longer for the technology. Eventually, maybe all the lines will be protected. That would help when the field is muddy or covered with snow.

Then too, no 1 team could use it unless they all did.

The Age of Reversal

Posted in Biden, Bribes, Cancel Culture, Christian values, Communism, Controllers, Crime, Deceit, Entertainment, FOC, Gambling, law enforcement, Memories, Pelosi, Planned Parenthood, Religion, Schools, The god of education, Truth by

Down through time, there have been significant eras. There were the dark ages, the time after Rome fell. There was the time of enlightenment, when people started to read and understand that which the Catholic Church kept hidden. Then of course, the middle ages, the part betwixt and between.

Then, of course there was the industrial revolution. It was a time when people started leaving the farms to work in factories. If you want to go farther back in time, we have the rock age, the bronze age and the iron age. I suppose there might have been a glass age, but I don’t recall any. None-the-less, glass did change things. It permits us to look through walls without permitting the wind and insects in. That is kind of important too.

I think, if I had the where-with-all of naming an age, I would call the time of the 1960s through the 1980s, the time of reversals. Perhaps it might be called the time of change, but I would say that reversals more accurately describes it.

You see, many things reversed in that time. They didn’t just change; they reversed. Such as what, you ask?

Well, let’s start with gambling. In 1960, about the only place a person could legally gamble in this country was Nevada. If my memory serves me right, all other states made it illegal except on the horse and dog race tracks. In New York, many played the “numbers,” but it wasn’t legal. Many were put in jail for it.

Then one day, they started opening legal gambling here and there. The numbers became the lotto and now it is legal to bet on almost anything anywhere. At first, it was by trickle. I believe NY, NY was about the first to allow the lotto. It was “to support the schools only.” Well that didn’t last long. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect the schools don’t get any of the lotto money anymore. If they do, it is nothing more than a pretense.

It seems, invariably, almost anything will be permitted for the benefit of education, even if it isn’t. I don’t know who it was that said it, but it was said well. “When they start saying it’s for the kids, grab hold of your wallet.” (Or was it pocket book) Regardless, in the name of education, we have permitted a lot and we will very likely add to it in the future.

In 1960, there were no topless places, none. As for what is permitted now… I won’t even go there. I will say, that by 1990, almost all the restrictions were removed from that area of morality.

In 1960, the killing of babies before they were born was done only illegally. If a woman wanted that sort of thing, it was generally only done by doctors who had lost their licenses or by someone who had learned from someone else. Some had brought up the subject, but it would quickly get quashed. It was a subject to avoid. Certainly, it was not discussed on the 6 O’clock news where the kids could hear.

Now, at one time, they have actually considered killing babies after they are born. I suspect, behind closed doors, it was discussed far more.

It was indeed a time of reversal. Only those without morals, those without God that would consider it progress. Indeed, I’d say, we have taken a few giant steps back. I believe I have that on good authority. It isn’t so much that God agrees with me. I would suspect it is more that I agree with Him.

Perhaps one of the worst part of it all is that, nowadays, all of this new morality is taught in schools and if we complain, we get our names added to some list somewhere.

The Instant Millionaire

Posted in Awkward Situation, Entertainment, fun with math, law enforcement, Little known info, Memories, Our Legal Systems by

My memory is a little foggy. I tried to use the internet to clear things up but I failed. Sometime in the days of the top 40 being aired on the radio (late 1950s), there was a famous disc jockey. As I say, my memory is foggy, so please forgive me if I’m wrong. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say the man was Jim Hawthorne.

At any rate, whoever he was, came up with the idea and suggested it on the radio. He said, with 35 million in the United States, (or whatever it was back then) if everyone sent me just a quarter, I would be an instant millionaire. (and by the way, back then a million dollars was a fortune)

Well, he wasn’t serious, but many of his listeners took him seriously. Indeed, if I remember right, he did receive close to a quarter of a million dollars, in quarters.

It all sounds nice enough, but he got in some real trouble for that. I don’t know why; however, he was required, as much as possible, to return all the money.

Perhaps it is a law, maybe an FCC regulation. Maybe the radio station didn’t like it. However, that little case of foot in mouth disease cost the man plenty, over nothing more than a few quarters.

Odd. It seems harmless enough. However, I guess if a person is going to ask for money, there is a legal way of doing it. A person can’t just ask for it. I guess if they do, they are asking for it. As for me. I look at this way. It’s just another way to keep me from becoming an instant millionaire.

NOTE: Please do not send me any quarters.

I’m alright…It’s the rest of the world that’s messed up.

Posted in Biden, Bribes, CDC, Climate Change, Communist Takover, Crime, Deceit, Elections, Entertainment, FOC, Kamala Harris, law enforcement, Lawyers and Representation, Pelosi, Planned Parenthood, Psaki, Social Media, Socialists, Truth, Unions, United Nations by

If I used that expression even once, I have used it a thousand times. It’s somewhat become a reaction to when I find out I made a mistake. If there are others around, it almost always draws a laugh or two. I figure that’s a good thing. Someone ought to benefit from my tendency to make mistakes.

It is, to be sure, a joke. Obviously I don’t believe it to be true. On the other hand, there are those who do believe it of themselves. They do things the whole world knows is wrong and they try to convince us that they did it for the good. Old Joe started driving up the price of oil on day one. It shook the world to its core, figuratively. However, he says what he did was good for us. I’m still trying to figure if that is what he believes or if he is purposely trying to destroy our economy and drive the world to WWIII.

Many are trying to bring down our form of government for communist ideas. They want to do away with the Constitution, oddly using that very document to do it. They are trying to make our society lawless oddly, using the law to do it.

Right at the top of the list, they are trying to take away our right to free speech. And, that’s right. They are using free speech to do it.

Their hope is to blind us of what their real intention is. Odd… sounds very much like Satan’s ploy. They are trying to use lies and deceit. Odd… sounds to me like the same trick Satan prefers. If someone tries to do that which is good, they try to silence and destroy him. Strange. Seems to me they use the same tricks that Satan uses.

With these folks, they really do have something wrong with them and…it is the rest of the world they would like to have as their very own to control and manipulate. Seems an awful lot like what Satan wants to do with it.

I Hate Questions Like This

Posted in Entertainment by
Daily writing prompt
What’s your all-time favorite album?
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I have, literally close to a hundred albums. Picking one as my favorite is really tough. I guess at any one time, many of them were my favorite. Moreover, it sort of depends. That is to say, I have a favorite album of Christian songs. I really like my recording of the New World Symphony but I still don’t know if I want to call it my favorite.

I really like my album “Love is Blue” by Paul Mauriat. I really like the title song, but there are certainly 4 or 5 others that are great: San Francisco, Don’t Cry for me Argentina, etc.

The thing is, nowadays, many of us simply extract the songs we like and discard the others. In the case of the “Love is Blue album, I think I have extracted 5 or 6 off of it.

I have several John Gary albums and I certainly enjoy almost all his songs, though I can’t remember the names of the albums. I have an Ed Ames Album I just love. I actually think he is a better singer than actor. There are at least half a dozen songs on his album I listen to regularly.

If I may, might I change the question around a little and answer the question, what are my favorite songs. Let’s start with Whispering Hope sung by Gordon MacRae and Jo Stafford. I doubt there are many around that will remember it, but I will play it over and over when I feel really bad. It is what I thought of when I walked guard on rainy nights and saw the sun break through in the morning.

My second favorite is “Romance,” from “The Desert Song.” Most won’t like it because sopranos sing it and it does not have much of a beat. However, it does have some very thoughtful lyrics and once you get use to it, a haunting tune. By the way, that one is old too, written before I was born.

Then, of course there is Sunrise Sunset from “The fiddler on the Roof.” The fact is, I don’t think there are many who dislike that one, especially those of us who have seen our share of sunsets.

Kind of an honorable mention is a song sung by John Gary, Something Simple. I have never heard the song before him nor after. I guess we can say it is not so popular. I can understand why. The song is not just titled something simple but something simple describes it. The tune is simple, the words are simple. But they hide a very deep thought. If you get a chance to hear it, listen to it a few times. The concept it has is that it is the simple things that are so important, even complex, even the song itself.

Okay, as for my favorite album, right now, Paul Mauriat’s “Love is Blue. However, next week, it might be New World Symphony. I do have a tendency to change my mind regularly.

A Difficult Question

Posted in Entertainment, Fantasy, Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
What TV shows did you watch as a kid?
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I was born in 1947. It was not that long after the TV started becoming prominent in the homes. Now I am supposed to remember TV when I was 5 and 6? Well, actually, I do remember a few shows. Oddly, Amos and Andy was one of them. The whole family loved it. I even remember a few of the characters, a couple of their names. If you ask me to say something about any specific story plots, forget it.

Once I was half way through my sixth year, I remember a few more. Superman, Bennie and Cecil the seasick sea serpent. Of course I watched Superman. I think about every kid back then wouldn’t miss the show. I was one of those kids running around with a towel hanging off my neck and pretending to fly.

I guess Disneyland was one of my favorites. I remember very well each of the three part series of Davey Crockett. I also remember the theme song remained on the Hit Parade for, well it seemed months. I got the impression that those who had to sing the song each week got tired of coming up with new ways to present it. (if you don’t know of what I speak, Google “Your Hit Parade”)

But Disneyland wasn’t tied down to just one thing. There were the nature shows, the cartoons, Peter Pan and who knows what all. It really wasn’t like just one show. It seemed a little different each week and we all made sure to watch it.

Cartoons were prevalent. About 4 or 5 everyday, there were a bunch of them, Popeye, Felix the Cat. Sorry, just can’t remember them all. None of them were the likes of Spungebob Square Pants. I have no idea what kids today see in that thing.

Saturday morning was the best time for cartoons. There was Mighty Mouse, a variety of cartoons from Warner Brothers. Loved Speedy Gonzalez. Really got upset when they started targeting him because he was seen as racial. Roadrunner was and is one of my favorites. That poor coyote just couldn’t ever win. So many times, he ended up splatting at the bottom of that canyon. Loved those expressions those artist put on that poor guy when he realized he’d been had again. Then there was Tweedy Bird and Sylvester. Who would ever think such a small little bird could always cause such damage to that that big bad kitty cat.

As I aged a little, my interests turned to the westerns. Must have been dozens of them, most by Warner Brothers. The later ones, Gunsmoke, High Chaparral and Bonanza just never had my interest much. I mean they were dramas that were placed in the old west days, but they were not real westerns. I mean most of the plots would have fit right in today, with a few minor changes. By the way, don’t much care for most dramas, modern, ancient, or western. Have to hand it to that composer though; the one who wrote the Bonanza. It’s a great piece of music.

The others in the family liked Bonanza but when it came on, I generally found something else to do.

Finally, there was the private eye era. 77 sunset strip, Hawaiian Eye and so forth. Sorry. Just can’t remember them all. It did seem there were a couple on each of the networks.

I guess the private eye thing continued on to this day but it’s not nearly the same. It seems every time they come up with a good genera they just can’t wait to ruin it. I mean, the purpose of the show is entertainment. It really isn’t so good if it doesn’t entertain, regardless of what Hollywood or the critics think.

Consider, who would have ever considered a movie about a suave British agent doing the impossible with ridiculous gadgets? But it succeeded to the point it was copied, even on TV. Remember Man From Uncle and Get Smart? If you are less than 30, maybe not.

It seems that, these days, the folks producing shows are more interested in furthering the liberal agenda. If they entertain someone, it is totally by accident.