One Word

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I should have been a comedian. With just one word, I can make them laugh, well sometimes two. Let me explain, please. The wife and I walked into the restaurant and the young lady behind the counter, asked, “How are you?” I know. For the most part it was rhetorical. It’s a greeting. Most of the time people say, “Fine,” or nothing at all. Some will reply to the question with another, “Fine, how are you?”

I like to do things a little different. I like to reply as if she means the question. I said, “Hungry.”

Not only did the girl behind the counter burst into laughter but also the three other folks behind me. As usual, my wife got angry with me and chastised me verbally and loudly. That got another laugh. That’s right. we’re a good team.

Actually, I guess my wife is right. One of these days, some one is going to hit me. To be truthful, not everyone likes my humor. Some have scowled at me. One or two have actually yelled at me. I guess, one day someone will actually hit me. I don’t know.

From time to time I get a little brave. The man says, “Excuse me.” I reply, “I’ll try.” Usually, he laughs and we go our separate ways. Then, of course, my wife yells at me. “One of these days, someone who is a little unbalanced is going to haul off and hit you.”

Well, in the meantime, I will bring smiles to many. Sometimes, I will get a little laugh or two. I can’t help it. It’s in my nature. I just like to see people smile, even when it’s because they are laughing at me rather than with me. I especially consider myself successful when it takes just one word.

On the other hand there are those who like to use one word… to make people cry. It makes me wonder why people want to do that.

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.

Afraid I’m Done Traveling

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That is unless we have a big inheritance, and soon. Not much time left.

Can’t complain. Well, I guess I could but it would be pointless. However, I have done my share of traveling.

Speaking of inheritance. If I had the money, I would really like to get a 25 foot travel trailer and and go from one end of this country to the other and from top to bottom. I’d love to visit every state, a few maybe twice. Well, I’m afraid that trailer would not go to Hawaii or Alaska. That’s alright. I’ve talked to people who have been to Hawaii and they said it was a lot like California. Besides, I have been in both states. We landed in Alaska for a while when I was on the way to Vietnam and Hawaii on the way back.

Of course part of it would be just so I will be able to say I’ve been everywhere. As an aside, I have already been in many states already. I have been from one end of Interstate 40 to the other. Hence, I have been in all all the states it goes through. Also, I have been in Nevada and Kansas. Even spent some time there. I’m in no hurry to return. They both have miles and miles of miles and miles and not much more. Also. Just happened to think; I was in Syracuse for 10 weeks; Illinois for a few weeks and Pennsylvania for quite a while. That is a state I would love to revisit, especially in the Quaker area. God really put some good landscaping in there. Makes me think it would have been good to have settled there instead of here.

Regardless, it would be nice to stop any time or place I want to stop or go when I get ready to go. It has been a dream most of my life.

Daily writing prompt
What are your future travel plans?
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Assassination Attempt?

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Normally, I prefer to wait a week or two after a shooting to say anything about it. I prefer to avoid the appearance of trying to profit from it. However, very carefully, I do think a short statement might be good.

Someone said that President Trump should move to indoor venues. In a way, I hate that. It would mean that the shooter profited from his effort. He has altered the way that Trump campaigns. It would also limit the size of the crowds. I really hate to say this, but I suggest in this case, it would be a good idea to let this murderer and those that would cheer him on to have their little bit of success.

Moreover, I would hope President Trump would agree with me. You see, It’s not just his own life he is risking. One supporter was killed and two more were badly wounded. Therefore, for the safety of those that support him, he needs to take a little more caution in the future.

I feel I should wait a couple of weeks to say more. I need to wait for all the facts to come out and I need to wait for things to calm down so that I can maintain a little more objectivity. I’m not a fan of those who would like to profit from shootings before the barrels of the guns cool.

I’m Retired

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So I’ll reply retroactively. Actually, unless my memory has deceived me again, I think I already said something about that. Well considering the number of posts I posted, it would stand to reason I did say something about it.

I used to have a really good job. I had checklist I had each night and I did what was on it. I started at 5:00 PM and left about 1:00 AM. Moreover, I worked alone. There was no one around to complain about what music I played or how loud. It was better than being at home where my wife complained about the sopranos and the volume. (singers, not the mob show) Also, sometimes I tried to sing along, which she would have really complained about.

I listened to show tunes, songs by John Gary, Ed Ames, Percy Faith, ABBA, Simon and Garfunkel, and kind of the whole pre-80’s things. I listened to some pre-1950’s things. I was constantly adding to my list of selections. It irritates me that I have lost a few of them.

Many of them were of special interest. Simon and Garfunkel produced the song, “Homeward Bound.” While I was in Vietnam, I was not the only one who liked that one. I know. It has nothing to do with those of us carrying around a rifle and wearing a helmet. Still, many of us did adopt the tune.

I listen mostly to same thing now. I have added a little. I listen when at home, sometimes while writing posts. I listen to them while walking. I listen to them while in the car. By the way, the car system has about the best sound, especially with it being electric. No engine noise to interfere.

There are two differences now that I’m no longer listening at work. I have to turn the volume down and I can’t sing along. My wife would complain and, maybe, the neighbors.

I wish I could listen while eating in restaurant, especially with some of what they play over their speakers. I suspect the management would complain. If they didn’t some of the customers would.

Daily writing prompt
What do you listen to while you work?
View all responses

A Whole Gaggle

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The wife and I were driving on a small road that goes from Baptist Desoto Hospital to Airways when I had to slam on my breaks. That’s right. To my surprise there was a gaggle of them walking in single file across the street. They were pretty much equally spaced and not in much of a hurry, about 20 or so geese. (neglected to count them. another reason for the camera)

They didn’t bother going to a crosswalk and they didn’t wait for a walk light. They gave no warning. They simply walked across the street.

I wished I had one of those dashboard cameras. I keep meaning to get one, considering the Memphis drivers down here. I might could have posted it on U-tube or one one of those other things.

After I brought the car to a full stop, I turned to my wife and asked, “Why did the gaggle of geese cross the road?”

She just looked back at me, shrugged and said, “I don’t know. Why?”

If anyone knows, please tell me.

An Ounce of Prevention

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One thing I never understood is why President Bush never thought about prevention. He was a pilot in WWII. He should certainly understood the concept. When Saddam Hussein made threats to Kuwait, Bush should have responded immediately. It should have been enough to simply tell him not to do it. With our national power at the time, it should have been eggnog.

However, if he really wanted to make a threat, make it simple. Tell him if he attacks Kuwait, then his southern oil fields would soon belong to the the USA. He knew it could happen. He knew the oil was a big part of his power. He would not have wanted to lose that oil. He would not have gone into Kuwait.

Even if he had, conquest of the oil fields would take weeks, if that long. There would not have been a need to build up troops. The Marines with the assistance of the Navy could have gone in there, and the Iraqi army would have run.

There would not have been a need to set up a no fly zone. There would have been no need to search out Hussein and there would have been no need to for the second war. They would have been no attack on the trade buildings in NY, NY. Thousands of lives would have been saved and the US would have had all the oil we needed.

Most important, the world would have know better than to threaten the US. We would have had no reason to go into Afghanistan. Oh, and by the way, don’t you know the leaders in Iran would have taken notice. Do you think they would be trying to gain the Nuclear advantage. Do you think they would be providing funding for terrorists organizations. All any president would have to say is, “You remember what happened to Hussein? We can take your oil fields too, you know.”

It is important for our opposition to know what we can and will do. It will save lives, and not just ours. It would have saved lives world wide.

This evening, I have two asides. Bush would have been able to keep his promise, “No new taxes,” and he would have won the election. Low cost fuel would have helped him too. Clinton would have never been elected or impeached.

Also, the Arab countries would have never been able to use the price of oil over us. It is conceivable that the price of gas would have gone back down to close to a dollar and remained there.

To be sure, there would still be wars and rumors of wars. Jesus told us this but maybe a little less so if Saddam had never gone into Kuwait. It would have been a good ounce of prevention. It is but one reason I am so impressed with Trump. It is how he works. He doesn’t believe so much in war, but in prevention. Prevention is more betterer every time.

Hard Headed?

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I was napping, as I do too much of these days and I was awoken by someone at the door. When I answered the door, I was still a little groggy and it took me a while to figure out he was trying to sell security cameras.

When I realized it, I explained to him that we are living on Social Security and we are looking for ways to save money, not how to spend it. I went on to explain that I had no money in my little budget to buy security cameras. Then of all things, he asked, “No money at all?”

I said, “Look, let’s get down to basics. The reason you are talking to me is that you are trying to get my money. But you are wasting your time, being as I have none.”

I am sure he would have continued to figuratively hit his head against the wall but I turned and went back in the house. Only then did he leave.

I really don’t much understand him knocking on my door anyway. A quick look at my house will tell you two things. I don’t have much money to go buying things I don’t really need and I certainly don’t need some expensive security system to protect what little I have. As a side note, I have about come to the conclusion that the cameras don’t do much good anyway. It seems every night on the news, I see someone has been robbed and they have some video to prove it. However, beyond that, I don’t see the video doing any good.

At any rate, we never got around to discussing price. I had no need to. No doubt in my mind that the guy was going to tell me that he had a real bargain for me. The problem I’m sure would be that his idea of a real bargain and mine would likely be miles apart. I’m sure that for one of my Social Security checks he could have put together a good security system.

Obviously, the question comes up, how do I eat? I have come accustom to that, you know. Who is going to pay the electric bill? If I don’t pay the water bill, they will turn it off and it will cost me a bundle to get it turned back on.

Okay, we aren’t that bad off. We might have even been able to pay for the security system. Still, I don’t see the point of it. There are dozens of places close by here that have systems as good or nearly as good for half the price. And, as I said, I’m more interested in finding places to save money than finding places to finding places to squander it. If I really want to throw my money away, I may as well buy a lotto ticket or go to one of the near by casinos. At least I can have have fun doing that, or at least that’s what all the TV ads say.