From a Carl’s Jr. on Topanga Canyon
Showing posts with label venting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label venting. Show all posts
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The times are a-changing...
A client sent me this in a forwarded email - so I can't take credit for writing it.
Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come!
1. The Post Office. Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.
2. The Check. Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.
3. The Newspaper. The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. They certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.
4. The Book. You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a book.
5. The Land Line Telephone. Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they've always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes.
6. Music. This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It's the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem.
The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is "catalog items," meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, "Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, "Before the Music Dies."
7. Television. Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they're playing games and doing all lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator.
Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It's time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.
8. The "Things" That You Own. Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in "the cloud." Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest "cloud services." That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider.
In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That's the good news. But, will you actually own any of this "stuff" or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big "Poof?" Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.
9. Privacy. If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And "They" will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again.
All we will have that can't be changed are memories.
Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come!
1. The Post Office. Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.
2. The Check. Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.
3. The Newspaper. The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. They certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.
4. The Book. You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a book.
5. The Land Line Telephone. Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they've always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes.
6. Music. This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It's the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem.
The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is "catalog items," meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, "Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, "Before the Music Dies."
7. Television. Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they're playing games and doing all lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator.
Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It's time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.
8. The "Things" That You Own. Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in "the cloud." Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest "cloud services." That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider.
In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That's the good news. But, will you actually own any of this "stuff" or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big "Poof?" Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.
9. Privacy. If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And "They" will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again.
All we will have that can't be changed are memories.
Monday, April 5, 2010
iTunes 9.1 on Windows 7 (64-bit) is BROKEN
Just updated my iTunes to 9.1, and now it won't start.
Apparently I'm not alone:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=150&start=45#threads
No error messages, no apparent problems during installation. :(
UPDATE: TURNS OUT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH BONJOUR - WHICH IS USED FOR APPLE TV. I REMOVED IT AND ALL IS WELL WITH THE WORLD.
Apparently I'm not alone:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=150&start=45#threads
No error messages, no apparent problems during installation. :(
UPDATE: TURNS OUT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH BONJOUR - WHICH IS USED FOR APPLE TV. I REMOVED IT AND ALL IS WELL WITH THE WORLD.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Disney/Pixar's UP Blu-Ray - second disc won't play
I just got "UP" on Blu-Ray, and put the "Special Features" disc in my PlayStation 3. No dice.
It loops at the dog with the wagging tail - endlessly. I sent an email to Disney's Blu-Ray support team, and I'm waiting for a response.
UPDATE: They're sending me a pre-paid label so I can mail them the disc. If they determine it's "defective", they'll send me a replacement.
It loops at the dog with the wagging tail - endlessly. I sent an email to Disney's Blu-Ray support team, and I'm waiting for a response.
UPDATE: They're sending me a pre-paid label so I can mail them the disc. If they determine it's "defective", they'll send me a replacement.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Obama money...
The video below has nothing to do with Rush Limbaugh, it’s just that he re-played the audio from a radio “man on the street” report on his show. It needs no explanation.
Of course, this reminds me of this...
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Saw this at the grocery store
Saw this magazine at the checkout line. It's hard to see, even if you click to see it larger. The pink burst at upper-right says "Bad Girl Issue - for sexy bitches only"
I don't think they should print "bitches" on the cover (not Kim, the pink burst at right), since many moms bring their kids with them shopping.
-- Post From My iPhone
I don't think they should print "bitches" on the cover (not Kim, the pink burst at right), since many moms bring their kids with them shopping.
-- Post From My iPhone
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Hollywood Supporting a Pedophile?
It looks like hundreds of "big names" in Hollywood have signed a petition in support of Roman Polanski, who pled guilty to drugging and sodomizing a 13-year old girl in 1977. He was 44-years old at that time.
Some of the people who've signed it:
- Martin Scorsese
- Woody Allen (no surprise there)
- Monica Bellucci
- Pedro Almodovar
- Tilda Swinton
- David Lynch
- Terry Gilliam
- Fanny Ardant
- John Landis
- Mike Nichols
- Salman Rushdie
- Steven Soderbergh
- Diane von Furstenberg
- and what appears to be the majority of the entertainment industry in France.
View the entire list here:
http://www.sacd.fr/Tous-les-signataires-de-la-petition-All-signing-parties.1341.0.html
In case 32 years have made the facts fade in their memory, maybe they should read these excerpted transcripts from the grand jury testimony:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gg5_is0FiV6_hzuCv8BEeqLek4YwD9B21HU00
TheSmokingGun.com has posted more of the transcript here:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html
It's amazing how they're acting as if he's just a poor misunderstood victim who deserves their support. He pled guilty. He expected to get probation, but when he learned the judge was likely to "throw the book at him", he fled from justice.
For over 30 years, he's avoided prison. Most people wouldn't be able to do that. His wealth and lack of morals protected him from the fate he earned. The people who've signed this petition should be ashamed.
Some of the people who've signed it:
- Martin Scorsese
- Woody Allen (no surprise there)
- Monica Bellucci
- Pedro Almodovar
- Tilda Swinton
- David Lynch
- Terry Gilliam
- Fanny Ardant
- John Landis
- Mike Nichols
- Salman Rushdie
- Steven Soderbergh
- Diane von Furstenberg
- and what appears to be the majority of the entertainment industry in France.
View the entire list here:
http://www.sacd.fr/Tous-les-signataires-de-la-petition-All-signing-parties.1341.0.html
In case 32 years have made the facts fade in their memory, maybe they should read these excerpted transcripts from the grand jury testimony:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gg5_is0FiV6_hzuCv8BEeqLek4YwD9B21HU00
TheSmokingGun.com has posted more of the transcript here:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html
It's amazing how they're acting as if he's just a poor misunderstood victim who deserves their support. He pled guilty. He expected to get probation, but when he learned the judge was likely to "throw the book at him", he fled from justice.
For over 30 years, he's avoided prison. Most people wouldn't be able to do that. His wealth and lack of morals protected him from the fate he earned. The people who've signed this petition should be ashamed.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
ACORN
Just listened to Glenn Beck in the car. He was going through yet another hidden camera exposé on ACORN. Why is NO ONE ELSE reporting on this?
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, September 14, 2009
Kanye West is a Douchebag
I didn't watch this year's MTV Video Music Awards, but I became aware of a controversy stemming from Kanye West ripping the mic out of Taylor Swift's hand as she tried to give an acceptance speech. Viacom removed all of the videos of it from YouTube, but here's the clip on MTV's site:
http://www.mtv.com/global/music/videos/popout/?id=1620605&vid=435995
For someone as successful as he is, he sure seems to have a victim mentality. The truth is, if Taylor Swift was white, he wouldn't have done it. He's a racist douche who needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.
http://www.mtv.com/global/music/videos/popout/?id=1620605&vid=435995
For someone as successful as he is, he sure seems to have a victim mentality. The truth is, if Taylor Swift was white, he wouldn't have done it. He's a racist douche who needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Wonder if Pelosi will acknowledge this?
You know how the liberals in Congress have been dismissing the protests at recent Healthcare "Town Hall" meetings, calling them "astroturf"? She (and others) figured that by de-legitimizing them as "professionally organized" she'd be able to get people to ignore them.
The reality is that ACORN and other organizations that have the President in their pocket are doing this themselves. Watch this:
The reality is that ACORN and other organizations that have the President in their pocket are doing this themselves. Watch this:
Monday, July 27, 2009
Clown Shoes
I've always wanted a chance to use the term "Clown Shoes" properly. I finally got it.
A friend/client of mine called about three weeks ago, apparently he got a new phone system.
The guy who installed it said that I needed to make some changes to their router to allow them to service the phone system remotely.
I told the client to have the phone guy email me what he needs. I heard nothing. Or so I thought. For three weeks or so, I told the client I heard nothing. Because I truly believed that I hadn't.
Anyway, the client finally forwards the phone guy's email to me.
Turns out, the phone guy sent me an email with no subject line, and when he entered his name in his email settings, he used some goofy capitalization - "Shmuly GOldsmith". Between the goofy spelling, lack of subject line, and the fact that I don't know anyone with that name, I figured it was spam and marked it as such. Mystery solved. Of course, this would also block him from sending me mail in the future as well.
Here's what I wrote to the client once I figured it out:
"I think I figured out why it got marked as spam.
His name is shown with goofy capitalization, and he put NO subject line.
Fucking clown shoes."
Anyway, "Shmuly GOldsmith" -- thanks for the outstanding opportunity to use "Clown Shoes". Next time take less than a friggin' minute to type your own name correctly and enter a subject line.
A friend/client of mine called about three weeks ago, apparently he got a new phone system.
The guy who installed it said that I needed to make some changes to their router to allow them to service the phone system remotely.
I told the client to have the phone guy email me what he needs. I heard nothing. Or so I thought. For three weeks or so, I told the client I heard nothing. Because I truly believed that I hadn't.
Anyway, the client finally forwards the phone guy's email to me.
Turns out, the phone guy sent me an email with no subject line, and when he entered his name in his email settings, he used some goofy capitalization - "Shmuly GOldsmith". Between the goofy spelling, lack of subject line, and the fact that I don't know anyone with that name, I figured it was spam and marked it as such. Mystery solved. Of course, this would also block him from sending me mail in the future as well.
Here's what I wrote to the client once I figured it out:
"I think I figured out why it got marked as spam.
His name is shown with goofy capitalization, and he put NO subject line.
Fucking clown shoes."
Anyway, "Shmuly GOldsmith" -- thanks for the outstanding opportunity to use "Clown Shoes". Next time take less than a friggin' minute to type your own name correctly and enter a subject line.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Obama's Credit Card Bill for USA
Click this to see it larger:
Obama's Credit Card Bill for USA
Originally uploaded by syedbalkhi
Obama's Credit Card Bill for USA
Originally uploaded by syedbalkhi
Just something to think about...
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Double standard?
If, as David Letterman insists, this is
the "slutty stewardess look"...
Then what, pray tell, is this?
First Lady Obama exiting Westminster Abbey.
the "slutty stewardess look"...
Then what, pray tell, is this?
First Lady Obama exiting Westminster Abbey.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
More about Obama firing IG Gerald Walpin
When asked for the reason for firing Gerald Walpin, the White House rep said that Walpin had appeared "...confused, disoriented, unable to answer questions and exhibited other behavior that led the Board to question his capacity to serve." Essentially, they called him SENILE.
See http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/white-house-plays-hardball-says-fired-ig-walpin-was-confused-disoriented-engaged-in-inappropriate-co.html
Really? Well, it seems Glenn Beck thought this was pretty unreal as well, so he proved that Mr. Walpin is anything but senile.
See http://hotair.com/archives/2009/06/17/sweet-glenn-beck-gives-gerald-walpin-a-senility-test/
See http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/white-house-plays-hardball-says-fired-ig-walpin-was-confused-disoriented-engaged-in-inappropriate-co.html
Really? Well, it seems Glenn Beck thought this was pretty unreal as well, so he proved that Mr. Walpin is anything but senile.
See http://hotair.com/archives/2009/06/17/sweet-glenn-beck-gives-gerald-walpin-a-senility-test/
Barbara Boxer is petty and small
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) unleashed her wrath on a Brigadier General for calling her "ma'am" yesterday.
If that video goes down, try this.
She was absolutely out of line. I don't know what caused her to snap on this particular officer, but I'm certain others have called her "ma'am" before.
I'm also certain that the Brigadier General worked a lot harder (and longer) to earn his title.
Barbara Boxer showed herself to be petty and self-absorbed. She should be ashamed.
She's up for re-election in 2010. Hopefully she'll be answering to "ma'am" again soon.
If that video goes down, try this.
She was absolutely out of line. I don't know what caused her to snap on this particular officer, but I'm certain others have called her "ma'am" before.
I'm also certain that the Brigadier General worked a lot harder (and longer) to earn his title.
Barbara Boxer showed herself to be petty and self-absorbed. She should be ashamed.
She's up for re-election in 2010. Hopefully she'll be answering to "ma'am" again soon.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Another bad sign...
The Americorps' Inspector General is supposed to be independent, so that he/she can investigate government waste and misconduct. The most recent Inspector General, Gerald Walpin, was just fired by President Obama because he was investigating a friend of Obama's, Kevin Johnson. See the the following:
http://www.google.com/search?q=fired+Inspector+General&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090612/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_national_service_inspector_general
http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1151ap_us_national_service_inspector_general.html
Why is this not on the mainstream (non-cable) TV news?
http://www.google.com/search?q=fired+Inspector+General&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090612/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_national_service_inspector_general
http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1151ap_us_national_service_inspector_general.html
Why is this not on the mainstream (non-cable) TV news?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Chastity Bono -- Becoming a Man
Chastity Bono -- Becoming a Man
Yeah, yeah... Empathy, tolerance, yada yada yada...
I just can't wrap my head around this sort of thing.
If I was with a "woman" who told me that she had been born a man, I'd be very upset about what I consider false advertising.
One of the articles on TMZ mentions that Chastity Bono has been in a committed relationship for several years. This relationship is with a LESBIAN woman. So when she changes to LOOK MORE LIKE A MAN (because she's still got female chromosomes) will her partner suddenly be "going straight?"
Or will she be like that "pregnant man" who has a beard and KEPT THE VAGINA AND OVARIES???
Yeah, yeah... Empathy, tolerance, yada yada yada...
I just can't wrap my head around this sort of thing.
If I was with a "woman" who told me that she had been born a man, I'd be very upset about what I consider false advertising.
One of the articles on TMZ mentions that Chastity Bono has been in a committed relationship for several years. This relationship is with a LESBIAN woman. So when she changes to LOOK MORE LIKE A MAN (because she's still got female chromosomes) will her partner suddenly be "going straight?"
Or will she be like that "pregnant man" who has a beard and KEPT THE VAGINA AND OVARIES???
Monday, June 8, 2009
Burkah wearing teacher at a Christian school?!?!?!
This may seem a little "out there" now, but in this PC world nothing surprises me. She'll probably not only keep her job, but receive some sort of financial settlement.
Society, here's your handbasket. Enjoy the trip.
Society, here's your handbasket. Enjoy the trip.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
"Outrage" over "Police Brutality"
Some idiots decided to run from police and engage in a high-speed car chase. After one of the guys got out and ran, then laid down because he realized it was hopeless, the police kicked him. I say BIG DEAL. Wanna know why? First, take a look at this scumbag:
Yes - the name of his gang is TATTOOED ON HIS UPPER LIP. One of his buddies in the car has the gang's initials TATTOOED ON HIS CHIN - in thick block letters.
Why we let these sons-of-bitches drain our police resources is beyond me.
Of course, what makes this worse is that he'll probably sue and receive millions of taxpayer dollars.
More pictures and the full story here:
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_12361988
Yes - the name of his gang is TATTOOED ON HIS UPPER LIP. One of his buddies in the car has the gang's initials TATTOOED ON HIS CHIN - in thick block letters.
Why we let these sons-of-bitches drain our police resources is beyond me.
Of course, what makes this worse is that he'll probably sue and receive millions of taxpayer dollars.
More pictures and the full story here:
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_12361988
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