Thursday, September 17, 2009
Supply of Celebrities
Our nation's celebrities seem to be dropping like flies lately. Is the government doing enough to ensure a fresh supply?
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Projects will help kids walk, bike to school - CharlotteObserver.com
Imagine kids walking and biking to school! Imagine lowering our country's out of control childhood obesity stats! Imagine a world free of Ho-Ho's and donuts! Imagine!
Projects will help kids walk, bike to school - CharlotteObserver.com
Projects will help kids walk, bike to school - CharlotteObserver.com
Thursday, September 03, 2009
What does a total lack of ambition feel like?
I hate it when old men, I mean pretty old, call someone on the phone (like their wife) and when she answers they say "How You Doin'" like Joey from friends. It's just wrong.
I am writing this while sitting at an airport gate.
They say that character is how you behave when no one is watching. I think how employees act when they are not "on" also speaks volumes. I just passed two airline gate workers jawing with each other while riding (not walking) on a people mover.
Not only were they lounging on the people mover, but when I walked up behind them, they made no effort to let me pass. They continued their conversations about how hard their jobs are or some other blathering.
If I had an employee who moved so slow (well....not at all in this case) while they were on the clock I would fire them on the spot.
The other day I was wondering what it must feel like to have absolutely zero ambition. I think these two demonstrated to me that it feels pretty relaxing.
I am writing this while sitting at an airport gate.
They say that character is how you behave when no one is watching. I think how employees act when they are not "on" also speaks volumes. I just passed two airline gate workers jawing with each other while riding (not walking) on a people mover.
Not only were they lounging on the people mover, but when I walked up behind them, they made no effort to let me pass. They continued their conversations about how hard their jobs are or some other blathering.
If I had an employee who moved so slow (well....not at all in this case) while they were on the clock I would fire them on the spot.
The other day I was wondering what it must feel like to have absolutely zero ambition. I think these two demonstrated to me that it feels pretty relaxing.
Monday, August 31, 2009
We are spoiled by our health insurance
John Stossel brought up an interesting perspective the other day. He pointed out that making insurance companies pay more is not the answer to the healthcare crisis. The problem is that we people have no stake in driving down the price of healthcare because it is free.
For comparison, he brings up that the cost of Lasik surgery has been driving down for years. Why? Because its not covered by health insurance. Make sense to me!
I started thinking that we treat our home and car insurance in kind of the same way. When something goes wrong with our plumbing or heating, we can a repairman, shop around for the best deal and go with one that meets all our needs. We don't call the insurance company! Imagine how much a plumbing or HVAC repair would cost if it was paid for by insurance? But if a tree falls on your house or something major happens, that is what insurance is for!
Similarly for your car. You don't charge tires, oil changes, and brake jobs to your car insurance provider. Insurance covers you in case of theft, accidents, etc.
Imagine if we applied that same kind of logic to health insurance. We'd shop around for the best prices on basic "personal" maintenance and minor repairs. Of course if we get cancer or some serious diagnosis then that is what insurance is for. That would save all of us money and make our system better because there would be price competition.
Of course the problem isn't this simple but this is the kind of mindset that would help. We need people to take responsibility for their own "maintenance" and basic upkeep. Insurance should be for unexpected, major, or catastrophic events.
For comparison, he brings up that the cost of Lasik surgery has been driving down for years. Why? Because its not covered by health insurance. Make sense to me!
I started thinking that we treat our home and car insurance in kind of the same way. When something goes wrong with our plumbing or heating, we can a repairman, shop around for the best deal and go with one that meets all our needs. We don't call the insurance company! Imagine how much a plumbing or HVAC repair would cost if it was paid for by insurance? But if a tree falls on your house or something major happens, that is what insurance is for!
Similarly for your car. You don't charge tires, oil changes, and brake jobs to your car insurance provider. Insurance covers you in case of theft, accidents, etc.
Imagine if we applied that same kind of logic to health insurance. We'd shop around for the best prices on basic "personal" maintenance and minor repairs. Of course if we get cancer or some serious diagnosis then that is what insurance is for. That would save all of us money and make our system better because there would be price competition.
Of course the problem isn't this simple but this is the kind of mindset that would help. We need people to take responsibility for their own "maintenance" and basic upkeep. Insurance should be for unexpected, major, or catastrophic events.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Best product writeup ever?
BonkTown.com: Shimano America Dura-Ace Hollowtech Double Crankset - $223.99 - 53% off: "Shimano America Dura-Ace Hollowtech Double Crankset:
Mmm…sexy sexy. The Shimano Dura-Ace Hollowtech II Double Crankset is stiffer than a frozen boner, flashier than Liberace, and lighter and hotter than a pair of titanium panties. The sleek two-piece design, oversized spindle and hollow-forged crankarms trim every last gram of fat while simultaneously boosting system rigidity. Near-seamless construction means unmatched power transmission to the custom machine-lightened Dura-Ace chainrings, pickle-crisp shifting, and a lust factor that will parch the salivary glands of your comrades."
Mmm…sexy sexy. The Shimano Dura-Ace Hollowtech II Double Crankset is stiffer than a frozen boner, flashier than Liberace, and lighter and hotter than a pair of titanium panties. The sleek two-piece design, oversized spindle and hollow-forged crankarms trim every last gram of fat while simultaneously boosting system rigidity. Near-seamless construction means unmatched power transmission to the custom machine-lightened Dura-Ace chainrings, pickle-crisp shifting, and a lust factor that will parch the salivary glands of your comrades."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Catching Up Today
OK, well yesterday.
Yesterday morning we were shocked to hear the pitter patter of little feet coming down the hall at around 8 am. You see Caroline woke up (again) during the middle of the night and Elizabeth put her in John's bed (since John was at a friend's house.) Caroline normally sleeps in a crib. She apparently woke up and realized she wasn't in prison and was able to slide to the floor upright. It seems like a small thing but it was definitely a milestone!
My email box this morning contained my long anticipated invite to Google Voice. I just finished setting up my new number, 704-759-6140, and can't wait to figure out how to use it. The VM transcription looks pretty cool!
On the personal side, its Tuesday and its been since Saturday afternoon that I last did any exercise. Granted that was the finish of a 140 mile bike ride that wore me out! I also did yard work for about 6 hours in the 92 degree heat on Sunday. So I guess I've actually only slacked off yesterday and today....and its only 9:20 on Tuesday. Perhaps I'm being too hard on myself. I'll get out and do something in the afternoon!
Yesterday morning we were shocked to hear the pitter patter of little feet coming down the hall at around 8 am. You see Caroline woke up (again) during the middle of the night and Elizabeth put her in John's bed (since John was at a friend's house.) Caroline normally sleeps in a crib. She apparently woke up and realized she wasn't in prison and was able to slide to the floor upright. It seems like a small thing but it was definitely a milestone!
My email box this morning contained my long anticipated invite to Google Voice. I just finished setting up my new number, 704-759-6140, and can't wait to figure out how to use it. The VM transcription looks pretty cool!
On the personal side, its Tuesday and its been since Saturday afternoon that I last did any exercise. Granted that was the finish of a 140 mile bike ride that wore me out! I also did yard work for about 6 hours in the 92 degree heat on Sunday. So I guess I've actually only slacked off yesterday and today....and its only 9:20 on Tuesday. Perhaps I'm being too hard on myself. I'll get out and do something in the afternoon!
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Blink XT2 Thumbnail Failed Fix
Well, this is a bit frustrating. I have one outdoor Blink XT2 camera from Amazon which I installed about a year and a half ago...or maybe tw...
