Have you ever noticed when you have a good computer program, the publisher will try to make it better, but it doesn’t work as well. I have had that experience many times. The first one that jumps to my mind is PRINT ARTIST. Print Artist was an affordable program which let you make greeting cards, business cards, stationary, letterhead, etc, etc. I used it a lot. I had flower shops, and small retail businesses who would call me when one of their customers wanted a personalized birthday card, or anniversary car, or get well card, in return they would put my little sign up which included other things like website building, etc. This was before all the cookie cutter sites went up. When companies thought a thousand dollars for a website was a bargain. Then one day the publisher decided to make it better (?). All they accomplished was making it more difficult to use. There was nothing more you could do with it than you could with the original. Oh, yes it cost a little more too. I had friends who upgraded a couple of times. The eventually migrated to another program too. When I was in high school our class had about 21 students, and then there was me, But we learned more than the kids at the big school in the county which had about 150 students in a class. Then they came up with school consolidation. What a big mistake. Oh yes you had a better offering of classes, and a couple of sports more to participate in. I visited one school when my sons were wrestling, I was told the freshman class that year had 1,000 students. That is just too ridiculous. With the small schools you knew everyone in your school. You generally played your sports together since you were small. At our county’s big school with 150 kids in the class they didn’t know all their classmates. I got around the classes not offered at my school by going to big school for summer classes. As an example let us look at basketball in our county. At one time we had 10 schools scattered throughout the count. We had an “A” team, and a “B’ team. Each team consisted of 12 players. (subs included). Usually 4 cheerleaders, and a couple of “student managers” who kept statistics, tended to injuries, kept the uniforms in shape, and swept the gym floor. That makes what 30 students involved with basketball, per school. Take that times the 10 schools, we had 300 kids playing basketball. Then came CONSOLIDATION. Our 10 schools became 3. With the same number (30) per school participating in basketball, we were left with 210 kids with nothing to do but get in trouble. (Then our leaders wanted to know why we had more kids in trouble). With the small schools we had age old rivalries, not only the county schools but other nearby schools. The bigger schools developed rivalries, but nothing like with the small schools. They were a sense of pride for the towns. Everyone attended a basketball, football, or baseball game. After consolidation. The pride was lost. As if this was not bad enough. Someone about 12 years ago came up with the idea of CLASS sports, (Aren’t we supposedly a classless country?) Which killed all rivalries, a decreased interest in sports, lower attendance, and now at our larger schools the coaches practically have to go around and ask students to participate. Parents have to insure the younger athletes have a way to travel the 20-25 or more miles to practice. And of course with the CLASS system travel to games is outlandish. One instance that come to mind is Football sectionals. The farthest we would travel for a sectional football game was about 2o miles. Now the first game you play may be a hundred miles away. I missed one because I got off work at 6 pm the game started at 8 pm. (not a problem if you only have to go 25 miles, but if you have a 2+ hour drive to the game. you have to eat while driving. The game gets over around 10 pm another 2+ hours to get home, and I had to be at work at 6 am. Oh yes I had to wait for the team bus to arrive at our school. The kids always stopped at at McDonald’s or somewhere to eat after the game. Of course this takes time for them to give all their orders, and preparation of the orders, eat, and rehash the game. then get back on the bus, to continue the trip home. The bus got home around 1:45 am. Remember I had to be at work at 6 am for another 12 hour day. I could go on and on (and I have made this too long already and only covered 3 subjects), so I’ll get off my soap box for now. Just so you know I really am not a fan of most change. That Is How I See It. high school became involved Views: 235
Month: June 2011
Cost Of Entertainment On Rise
I just read where Disney World is increasing the price of a day pass. Admittedly it may not be a big increase. I really don’t know. I once won a 3 day stay there, which included flying down, and back, with a room and continental breakfast. I told them to give it to someone who would go. It would take about a $million to get to Florida. Well I might go for $100,000.oo. I was there once. Drove 18 hours to get there, After reaching our destination, I stayed 5 hours and came back home. Worst place I have ever been. Exception might have been Camp Eagle. But that is another story. It may just be in my blood. My Dad went there to visit my Uncles who moved down there. He hated it too. My son went to college there one year. He is a little more lenient than my Dad or me. He will go there for a day or two to visit friends. But back to the rise in costs for Disney World. Now it isn’t just Disney World, it seems most amusement parks are raising their prices. We all know sometimes a price increase has to come along. As employee’s need raises, and employee benefit cost raise. So I’m not really knocking them for the price increase. However, when you think about the overall cost for someone like me to go as a family of four, it really is quite pricey. Assume it is still the 1800 miles I traveled the last time. (There wasn’t Interstates all the way, so went by U.S. Highways), I think a good estimate for cars now is 26 mpg average. So round trip of 3600 miles, figure gas cost now about $3.50 a gallon, equals about $485.oo. Entry at $80.oo time 4 equals $320.oo. Now we are at $805.oo. Even for me 1800 miles is too much for a one day trip. Figure, driving the interstates, it is at least a 2 day drive. Thus we end up with at least 10 meals each for the round trip. Even eating at Burger King, we are looking at $200.oo for food, and that is not counting any drinks or snacks you have while on the road. Two overnight stays at a motel, (one going, and one coming home), that’s at least another $300.oo. I don’t know if Disney World charges to park there, I have been to some Amusement parks that do. But most don’t. So I’ll assume Disney doesn’t. Now we are at $1300.oo and just getting in the gate. Assuming, (again), you and your children spend what we spent the last time I took my family, which was several years ago, on drinks and food and souvenirs we’ll ad another $100.oo. Up to $1400.00 now. And let’s face it how much are you really going to get to see or do in one day? I know most of you are probably thinking WOW! that’s not bad. I suppose not but after driving 12 hours a day, for 2 days to get there, and 12 hours, a day for 2 days to come home. (Let’s not forgetting listening to the children and wife all that time while trying to keep your mind on driving), is it really worth it? Again probably yes, just to see the kid’s having fun. But for me that is more than I make each month. AND I still have my house payment, utilities, food, auto expenses, etc. But don’t worry, even if I could afford it I wouldn’t go. Disneyland in California would be another thing. That Is How I See It. have been just getting Views: 125
Europeans A More Relaxed People
I have just been contemplating my busy lifestyle. Which by the way is probably not as busy as yours. (That is why I have time to write these little opinions of mine). It comes to mind that most of us here in the United States, are at least a little addicted to sports. We get excited at baseball, basketball, wrestling, football, auto racing, and a number of other sports, Sorry if I failed to mention your favorite. Then it occurred to me the Europeans must have a more relaxed lifestyle. When you look at all of the sports we enjoy. The smack of the ball coming off the bat, the nervous tension when a runner tries to steal a base, the anticipation of a home run or fly out. The constant motion of basketball, the 3 pointers, will that winning free throw rim in or out. That last second tip in, or the foul that caused us to lose. Wrestling, the real WRESTLING, like they do in high school, not that scripted stuff on TV. It is all you have for up to 6 minutes, (longer if it is a tie). You can’t let up , even for a second or you may lose. Football, you have 22 men and 7 zebras on the field. It is a game of battle strategy. The ball is the bomb. The 11 offensive men are trying to deliver the bomb to the opposing teams, camp. The 11 defensive players are trying to stop that delivery or if possible get possession of the bomb and turn it on the other teams camp. The 7 Zebras are there to monitor the action and assure that no team gets an unfair advantage. (Anyway that is what they are supposed to do. Ask any fan of the losing team and they will tell you differently). Auto Racing. We have so many varieties to choose from. Take NASCAR for example we have 43 large heavy cars being driven by athletes in top shape. Sometimes battling on tracks that if strung out in single file would have the lead car touching the last car’s bumper. Sometimes driving over 600 miles, in unbearable heat, shifting gears, stopping for fuel, tire changes, and dodging each other. These things we Americans find exciting. Now for the Europeans. They must have a very sedate lifestyle. When you look at the things that get them excited. Formula One. A parade of overpaid computer geeks who have computers do almost all the racing. The driver steers, and occasionally brake. The only time there is any racing going on is during the qualifying, which is all the cars driving around the track, for some time period, and the one who records the fastest time during this drive around gets to lead the start of the “race“. There is rarely any on track passing. I remember the first race I saw the leader spun out in a turn and still maintained the lead. Lead the race from start to finish. Whoopee! But for some reason the Europeans find this exciting and are very much into it. To me this not racing. Had I been born in Europe, I might. (Doubt it.) Then we have that game that little girls played when we boys were playing football. We call it Soccer, they call it by other names like footie. You have 22 people on the field (just like in Football) NOTE the number may vary depending on the league). One referee who has “full authority” to enforce the Laws Of The Game. (They don’t have rules. they have 17 LAWS OF THE GAME). Unlike Football they are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands, Unless they are special, These special players are called goalkeepers. The games I watch there is more contact in a non-contact game like Basketball, than is allowed in Soccer. (HOWEVER), I have seen some European games found some mild contact which if caught by an official draws a penalty. If the contact is deemed excessive a player might be punished by being given a YELLOW card. By being given a Yellow card the player is said to be BOOKED. the referee writes the offenders name in his book. A second YELLOW card can lead to a RED card, Even more excessive misbehavior and he may be punished with a RED card. The RED card is usually the one which sends the player off the field and no substitute allowed. The average score for a 90 minute game is 2.48 goals. Very BORING, in American terms. But the Europeans find this exciting and apparently they take it so seriously they often times end in having a free for all. (Maybe this is where their excitement comes in.) While I find Soccer a game for athletically challenged people. I must admit that all the running is a good way to keep in shape for sports. That Is How I See It. high school they have find find find Views: 593
Riot in Vancouver
JUNE 15, 2011: VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA “It is extremely disappointing to see the situation in downtown Vancouver turn violent after tonight’s Stanley Cup game. Vancouver is a world-class city, and it is embarrassing and shameful to see the type of violence and disorder we’ve seen tonight. The Vancouver Police and Vancouver Fire Department are doing an exceptional job under challenging circumstances to maintain control of the situation and keep people safe, and emergency crews are working tirelessly to assist those who were injured.” This quote from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, sort of says it all. This is a not limited to Vancouver, You find this kind of reaction in the United States, as well as about any country where Soccer is played. The Soccer ones come to mind as they seem to be the most publicized ones. But in the USA we see this kind of behavior after Baseball, Basketball, and Football. And let us not forget Hockey, is Canada’s National Past time. Am I the only one? Or does anyone else find this to be the DUMBEST thing to do. I mean what is accomplished. To me the only thing that has happened is the “FANS”, (Which is short for FANATICS) , have shown their disdain for their very own team and city. This type of behavior illustrates a total lack of respect for the effort THEIR team put forth. A lack of respect for THEIR city and lack of respect for themselves. We also see this behavior when teams win. I’m no psychiatrist, and I’m sure they could give you a scientific name and what prompts this action. I can’t. All I see is someone immature, and no self respect. After all to respect others, one must first respect themselves. I know in a situation like this it is impossible to find all the guilty parties. But those who are identified should have to pay restitution to the businesses, and individuals, who suffered a property loss. To the GOVERNMENT for the expense incurred trying to protect the properties. And to the TEAM for the black eye they received by the fans reactions. Or maybe just add a TAX to citizens to cover the damage. That Is How I See It. find find find Views: 155
Mark Twain Humor Award
Will Farrel to receive award. I cannot bring myself to even put Will Ferrel and name of the person whose name is on the award in the same sentence. I feel it a slap in the face of Mark Twain for the above mentioned person to receive an award associated with him. Other than getting naked in films. What has Will Farrel done. I love comedy, watch as many comedies as I can. But not even one time has Farrel made me laugh not a chuckle, not even a tee hee. I know there are other recipients who I have felt the same way. I suppose there are enough of those people who are comedy depraved that would disagree with me. I don’t care. I have a keen sense of humor, that is not off color or in any way jaded. I realize the younger crowd sees things differently. We have the generation of you owe me. The digital game generation who sit and play games all day, and night. These people unfortunately have never been exposed to real comedy and don’t know it when they see it. Well I suppose these are your days, regardless of what you don’t know. That Is How I See It. Views: 131
Baseball/Softball Umpire Strange Calls
Nothing against baseball umpires. They are Human (?) Well sometimes. Most of the time and as we all know to err is human. What we have here are a few of the calls I have seen umpires make. These are high school umpires, and lower. I guess the earliest incident I recall is a high school game when I was about 8 years old. My high school was playing a county foe. This is what happened. the visiting team had a runner stealing 2nd base. The catcher threw the ball. Our second baseman caught the ball. He placed his hand between the base and the runner. The runner slid (feet first, as that was how they slid then. I was an exception, I always slid head first. It seemed to make more sense to me to keep going forward than to lean backward and slide). Anyway the runner slid into 2nd, his spikes went through the 2nd baseman’s glove and caused the baseman to have to have stitches. During this the 2nd baseman still had the ball in his glove. The call Runner safe. HOW? Another call I saw years later, A runner stealing 2nd, again, he slid on top of the bag. the ball arrived while he was lying across the bag. Runner out. When I questioned the umpire about this call his reply was. “The runners stomach came up off the base 1/4 of an inch when the tag was made.” I guess he just had a better view than i did, The next two happened to me, while playing softball. I hit a grounder to shortstop. The shortstop bobbled the ball, saw he couldn’t make the play at 2nd, threw ball to first to get me. I was a step pass 1st when the ball reached the 1st baseman, I did not make a turn. He called me out. The fans sitting near the base let him know I was safe. I knew the umpire from many years of playing and him umpiring. After the game and we both left the field, he came up to me and apologized, saying ” I didn’t see the play, but I had to make a call”. The second was while I was running to home. There was aplay attempted on me. The rules state I either had to slide or give myself up. (No hard contact rule to protect the player). I chose to slide, when I did the catcher dropped the ball. SAFE! no I was called out for, (get this), SLIDING TOO HARD. These others are during the past 3 years. During a JV softball game, the home team had a girl on 1st and 2nd, The coach called for a double steal. The runner was called safe at 3rd. the runner going for 2nd, was called out. Now get this. The home coach said the runner could not be out, because he had time out. The home plate umpire said, “you did”? “Yes”, replied the coach. The umpire ruled the runner was safe at 3rd, and the runner that was called out would return to 1st. Got that one figured out? How do you have a timeout if the Umpire doesn’t know it? Isn’t he the one who has call TIME? Then at an 8th grade game the opposing batters stood at the plate with their toe just behind the point of home plate. Their objective was to get hit by the pitch and get on base. When the pitch they would turn into the plate, thus blocking at least half the plate, getting hit by the ball. After the game I asked the umpire about the legality of this stance. He said, “As long as the batter has any part of his foot in the batter’s box it is a legal stance”. How many of you have feet big enough to to have your toe lined up with the point of home plate and still have part of your foot in the batter’s box. Also questioned an attempt to get out of the way of the ball. He told me as long as they turned he considered it an attempt to get out of the way of the ball. Because I am running so long on this post. I will make this my last one. It was an 8th grade game in a big city. The home team attempted a steal of 2nd base. The runner was caught in a run down. Just before he was about to get tagged he raised his hand and asked for a timeout. Timeout was granted and he was told to return to 1st. Hope you enjoyed some of these strange calls. That Is How I See It. high school between Views: 254
Sign Helps Aid Safety For Motorcycles
As we all know the number one reason given for auto/truck and Motorcycles is, “I didn’t see it.” I know this to be true. Even as a rider myself, (and I’m sure I’m not alone here), I watch out for motorcycles everywhere I go even during the winter months, just in the event there is a winter rider. But I find I sometimes do not see bike. Sometimes they just pop up over a hill, and sometimes they are hidden by another vehicle, and sometimes they decide to pass just as they approach an intersection. And I admit sometimes I just don’t see them the first time, That is why I take a second, and third look. But I think what I have recently become aware of a sign some cities and areas are posting along the streets and highways. I only wish more of these signs that alert drivers to the presence of motorcycles were posted in all areas. For a start they could post at city limits. Park entrances, and areas where motorcyclists tend to gather. I know in our little town we have a “watering hole” where you will find more motorcycles than cars, or trucks. Maybe to get things rolling this business could purchase the signs and petition the state, (as it sits on a state highway, and would need their permission to put the sign up) There is another place about 15 miles south which is frequented by bikers. I intend to talk to these establishments and our town about putting up these signs. Below is picture of the sign. Will you help in your areas. Perhaps it could be a club project. That Is How I See It. I recently became aware of some cities posting signs to remind motorists of the presence of MOTORCYCLES. I wish more cities and areas had these signs posted. became find find find Views: 235
Hat Can Tell About You
Hats can tell a lot about men. Many times men wear hats because they are unable to come to grips with thinning hair. Or being bald. Some wear hats as a symbol of their faith, Some wear hats because it is part of their employment uniform, Some wear hats because they like to advertise a favorite brand, (without compensation, HECK they even pay for the privilege). Whether they admit it or not they may wear a certain style of hat because, “Dad wore one of these”. Now I have never been one to wear hats, I wore one because it was part of my baseball uniform, then part of my softball uniform, (It does help keep the sun out of one’s eyes. I even wear it a little off to the side when the sun is coming from a different angle. I wore one while in the military. Again because it was part of my uniform, I wore one during my two year stint as a plumber, (YOU really need one here to keep the cooties out of your hair). I wear one to support the schools teams. But unless I have a reason I won’t wear one. Mostly during the summer I only wear one when it rains. This is because it helps keep the rain off my glasses, and I can see better. So there are places for a hat. One reason I never liked hats is because, as a young lad I usually seen bald people wear hats. I equated this with hats, Hats keep your hair from getting the air it needs to grow, and holds in sweat. Thus it must kill hair. Can’t say I’m wrong. My brother lost his hair at a lot younger age than I have started. (He always wore a hat). But there are places for hats. I was raised to take your hat off when entering a building. You rarely see men do this anymore. But It is the proper thing to do. After all there is no rain inside no hot sun beating down. MEN take off your hat. It is a show of respect to the people around you. to your host, (Note a barn is a different story, as is a garage, when working with something over your head). But the thing that really IRKS me is the inconsiderate men who apparently had no proper upbringing, are so uncouth as to place their hat on the eating table. When in a restaurant or somewhere I see this…. I just want to go over and smack the guy up along the side of his head and teach him something called manners. What kind of person would do this thing. Perhaps someone raised by animals. Someone who never had a proper example set. One who disrespects his fellow man. When you see someone put their hat on the table it tells me this person was probably raised by slobs. Maybe their Mother’s tried but they didn’t have respect for their mother, or family mothers. This is the first thing that comes to my mind. It is a reflection of your parents. So if you don’t mind people thinking your mother was a slob. Then I guess you will continue to place your hat on the table. As for me. I remove my hat when entering a building, At restaurants, I sometimes leave my hat in the truck. When I go in I remove my hat, and put it in the sleeve of my jacket so I don’t lose it. If I have no jacket I place it on my knee. You see my mother was no slob. I was taught right. Hat on ONE slap. Hat off a kiss. That Is How I See It. PS: For some of you. It really wouldn’t hurt to change the oil on your hat once in a while. Views: 483
Oil Company Subsidies
Obama wants to end oil company subsidies. This sort of makes sense, as these subsidies are meant to promote domestic drilling and exploration. Which we know they don’t do, at least not aggressively. These subsidies amount to billions of dollars. But, what happens if they do remove the subsidy. The greedy oil companies will just raise our cost at the pump to make up for loss. Is there any way for the consumer to win. I don’t see any, and keep it a free enterprise. We can’t cut back on our use, because they will raise the price to maintain their profits, which would be lost because of less sales. We can’t use more, because they will raise their prices due to demand. I guess they just have us all “over the OIL barrel”. That Is How I See It. Views: 405
GM CEO Asks For $1 Gas Tax Hike
You may recall an article I wrote about how people in our area who drive GM products do not seem to be in touch with rules of the road, WELL how about this. General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said he would favor a $1 dollar hike in gasoline tax, including a 50 cent immediate hike… are you ready for this “To take advantage of the recent DECLINE in gas prices.” Did I miss this DECLINE?? According to Akerson this would put people in the position of buying more fuel efficient cars and lessen the burden on the auto industry to meet future mileage goals. I know I can’t afford a new car period let alone one of those HIGH-Priced hybrids and the like. I’m sure I’m not alone here. Heck it’s getting to the point I could not afford a USED car as those prices have gone up so much. A friend who sells used cars told me used cars are getting harder to buy. New car dealers who once brought the cars to auction are now selling them on their lots. I once had a New car dealer tell me he would not keep a car on the lot if it had 50,00o miles or more on it. Now I see he has cars with 150,000 miles with a price of $5,000,oo (or more). A friend traded off his 2000 Oldsmobile for a new car and was only offered $1000.00 trade in. Later the dealer had it on his lot with a $5,900.oo price tag. There is gold in them thar used cars. Now, I know the CEO of GM can afford the tax increase. Heck, he probably doesn’t even buy gas, as evidenced in his statement about the decline in gas prices. I’m sure he doesn’t buy his cars as they are most likely part of his compensation package. In other words he isn’t among the core people of our country. He hasn’t a clue about what he is saying. He is only looking at saving his company money so he can get a bigger bonus. Before I close this entry. Greg Martin, Gm’s Washington spokesperson confirmed Akerson’s statement reflects Gm’s VIEW. But GM will not actively pursue the passage of such a tax, as it would be very difficult to get enacted. I suppose that is how GM drivers feel too. After all they are supporting the company by buying GM products. That Is How I See It. Views: 186
