So, I get an email from Google that I need to "Translate" my Blog to the "new" Blogger (or lose my URL) and asks me for a login that it forced me to change to my Gmail login from over 1.5 years ago???
Just so it could do it again??? in the process (since I forgot the old login I no longer used) I had to password recover not only my old Blogger login, but my Gmail account as well.
Some things can be over-engineered guys.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Slackers...
So, I realize that the world needs slackers so that the rest of us can succeed... but that doesn't mean I want my daughter to date one.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
So... Blago gets 14 years for doing what every politician does (lying), I think the "Occupy" movement should shift it's misguided gears to get every politician who lies convicted...
...but of course....then there won't be ANY politicians.
It would be a sure way to get and enforce term limits... work a term, get sentenced to a term :^D :^D :^D ;^)
...but of course....then there won't be ANY politicians.
It would be a sure way to get and enforce term limits... work a term, get sentenced to a term :^D :^D :^D ;^)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Could have been the worst week of my life...
If you asked me on Tuesday morning, I would have said it was... Still sucked, but good news and 10 tons of damage control by the Mrs and I won out...
Word of advice... Don't ever give your kids everything... Because in the end, they'll expect it.
We didn't, but clearly gave too much.
Be a parent first, and a friend second. Because at some point you'll have to stop being their friend to be their parent, but you can never stop being their parent.
Word of advice... Don't ever give your kids everything... Because in the end, they'll expect it.
We didn't, but clearly gave too much.
Be a parent first, and a friend second. Because at some point you'll have to stop being their friend to be their parent, but you can never stop being their parent.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Stock Market Fiasco
DJ down 391 points @ close.
If you haven't already moved your 401k into your fixed option... Do so ASAP.
Oh... Those schmoe's on the news who are saying the bond market is the only safe place to be... are LYING.
The bond market is in a bubble actually BIGGER than the housing one that put us here. Don't say I didn't warn you.
POP!
BTW... In case you haven't noticed... I'm BACK!
If you haven't already moved your 401k into your fixed option... Do so ASAP.
Oh... Those schmoe's on the news who are saying the bond market is the only safe place to be... are LYING.
The bond market is in a bubble actually BIGGER than the housing one that put us here. Don't say I didn't warn you.
POP!
BTW... In case you haven't noticed... I'm BACK!
Look for the union FABLE...
Remember that catchy jingle from the 70's?
From thefreeonlinedictionary.com:
fa·ble (fbl)
n.
1. A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.
2. A story about legendary persons and exploits.
3. A falsehood; a lie.
Union "brotherhood" is a Fable.
In "The City" it's definition #3.
From thefreeonlinedictionary.com:
fa·ble (fbl)
n.
1. A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.
2. A story about legendary persons and exploits.
3. A falsehood; a lie.
Union "brotherhood" is a Fable.
In "The City" it's definition #3.
Our Fine Union Leaders...
So... (As reported in the news) Dennis Gannon and a host of other union muckety-mucks (including
my union B.A.) got a sweetheart deal from the Daley administration to get their city pension based on their UNION Job salary (pension based on a pay level none of them would have EVER reached in their former city jobs)....
To add insult to injury, Gannon and others were able to collect that pension while STILL WORKING for the union in the job that pension is based on! Yes they paid into to the pension, but rules were changed and favors were done that basically rewarded them for being union officials dealing with the city's unions when they had worked both for the city AND the union, in Gannon's case, at the same time (for one day to cut his deal). This is something that in EVERY other way and shape would be against the City's ethics policy...which I know because the City drills it in my head every year with ethics training re-certification.
These are the same morons that agreed to (without a membership vote) give me 29 forced unpaid days off and took away overtime pay for the last two years (further under-funding the pension funds).
I think I'm gonna puke.
I can't believe one of these douche-bag double dippers actually had the nerve to hassle me for not paying the (voluntary) PAC (Political Action Committee) fee ($10 a quarter) when clearly the only action it pays for is getting themselves money and screwing the rank and file out of it.
While I make a good wage, in 17 years, I have NEVER received a raise of over $1/hour in a single year (for a single year). I've gone as long as three years with no raises (multiple times), and waited over two years (multiple times) to get minuscule back-pay raises due to their ineffectual contract negations.
This is what I pay $1200 a year in dues to be part of? In "The City" it's a SHAM!
my union B.A.) got a sweetheart deal from the Daley administration to get their city pension based on their UNION Job salary (pension based on a pay level none of them would have EVER reached in their former city jobs)....
To add insult to injury, Gannon and others were able to collect that pension while STILL WORKING for the union in the job that pension is based on! Yes they paid into to the pension, but rules were changed and favors were done that basically rewarded them for being union officials dealing with the city's unions when they had worked both for the city AND the union, in Gannon's case, at the same time (for one day to cut his deal). This is something that in EVERY other way and shape would be against the City's ethics policy...which I know because the City drills it in my head every year with ethics training re-certification.
These are the same morons that agreed to (without a membership vote) give me 29 forced unpaid days off and took away overtime pay for the last two years (further under-funding the pension funds).
I think I'm gonna puke.
I can't believe one of these douche-bag double dippers actually had the nerve to hassle me for not paying the (voluntary) PAC (Political Action Committee) fee ($10 a quarter) when clearly the only action it pays for is getting themselves money and screwing the rank and file out of it.
While I make a good wage, in 17 years, I have NEVER received a raise of over $1/hour in a single year (for a single year). I've gone as long as three years with no raises (multiple times), and waited over two years (multiple times) to get minuscule back-pay raises due to their ineffectual contract negations.
This is what I pay $1200 a year in dues to be part of? In "The City" it's a SHAM!
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Hiatus
Apparently, I have nothing to say, and when I do; I say it very poorly and nobody is paying attention anyways (so I've been told). Even the minuscule amount of time I've spent posting here in the last year is time I could/should have spent doing something else, because it's not specific to a "community" of sorts (who in reality don't want to read this much about me anyways).
Five & 1/2 years, I suppose I'm amazed it lasted this long.
Five & 1/2 years, I suppose I'm amazed it lasted this long.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Fender Blacktop Stratocaster, best electric in the Stable
First off, let me once again thank Rose for a wonderful Christmas Gift.
O.K. I LOVE this freakin' guitar! I took it by my fav Luthier Mike at A Sound Education in Brookfield last week, who tweaked the one thing I don't like to mess with (The Truss Rod in the neck), and now this thing is perfect.
Of the electric guitars in the Stable (This makes 4 for electrics) This is the most professional instrument of the bunch. Rose's Cortez Tele is great now after the mods, and has the that Tele and Broadcaster twang with the new pickups, but it is one heavy guitar (one piece Ash Body), it is also a bit temperamental to play with the "D" shaped neck. It's a great sounding guitar, average for playing. The Epi Les Paul, is also nice, but being an Epiphone, it's not made to the same Specs as a Gibson, and even after a trip to Mike, and trying a variety of strings, the action is still pretty high (compared to my other guitars) and even three years later the stain on the neck still comes off on my fingers when I play it. It sounds like a LP, and plays well, but it lags well behind the Blacktop for playability. Lastly my heavily Modded Squier '51; believe it or not this guitar comes in second in sound (I would describe it as More Strat sounding than a Strat) and playability to the Blacktop, but it's a very distant second, as even with intonation set perfect, it gets a bit wiggy sounding above the 14th fret.... Que tangent rant...
(Tangent Rant) Squier (on purpose I think) changes the scale length a tad less than on their models and then sets the bridge about 1/4 inch off (short) compared to the Fender models so that you can't (with the stock bridge placement) ever set intonation perfectly (or the saddles have to be so far back, you're at the full extent of their adjustment, which is not good either). I ran into the same problem with the Squier Stratocaster I gave my Brother 4 years ago. Rather than move the tremolo system back 1/4 inch (and have to route the trem cavity) I opted to put a fixed bridge (hardtail) on it at the correct position which helped it significantly (end Rant).
Back to the Blacktop: While this guitar can get quite Les Paul Sounding and has much more sustain than most Fenders, its string dynamics (and longer scale) prevent you from making it a fully convincing Les Paul replacement. Of the 5 switch settings two are standard Strat sounding, but are more bass-y than what you'd get from a single coil standard strat. It's also just a hair short of that Strat "Icepick in the head" squeal from the bridge pickup trademark Strat Sound...BUT with a good effects processor (Line6 Pod or Digitech), you can easily overcome these small shortcomings and easily gig with this guitar and get most of the sounds you would need from most of the Rock/Blues/Pop that I grew up with and not need to tote another with you for "Gibson Sound" songs.
I started out with Bass in high school, so often I'm fighting with the guitar because it's not as easily playable as a bass (not to mention how late in life I started with guitar). I am on occasion hampered by the other electric guitars in the stable, something in their playability or design. Not so with the Blacktop, its quality and playability is beyond my current playing ability, Riffs and chords that I've fumbled with on the other electrics just roll off my fingers on this guitar. While I know that the American made Strats are made to a higher standard that this Made in Mexico model, my hobbyist playing just does not justify $$$uch a guitar.
This one is perfect for me. Meet the new King of the Stable; The Fender Blacktop Strat.
Thank You Dear!
---
O.K. I LOVE this freakin' guitar! I took it by my fav Luthier Mike at A Sound Education in Brookfield last week, who tweaked the one thing I don't like to mess with (The Truss Rod in the neck), and now this thing is perfect.
Of the electric guitars in the Stable (This makes 4 for electrics) This is the most professional instrument of the bunch. Rose's Cortez Tele is great now after the mods, and has the that Tele and Broadcaster twang with the new pickups, but it is one heavy guitar (one piece Ash Body), it is also a bit temperamental to play with the "D" shaped neck. It's a great sounding guitar, average for playing. The Epi Les Paul, is also nice, but being an Epiphone, it's not made to the same Specs as a Gibson, and even after a trip to Mike, and trying a variety of strings, the action is still pretty high (compared to my other guitars) and even three years later the stain on the neck still comes off on my fingers when I play it. It sounds like a LP, and plays well, but it lags well behind the Blacktop for playability. Lastly my heavily Modded Squier '51; believe it or not this guitar comes in second in sound (I would describe it as More Strat sounding than a Strat) and playability to the Blacktop, but it's a very distant second, as even with intonation set perfect, it gets a bit wiggy sounding above the 14th fret.... Que tangent rant...
(Tangent Rant) Squier (on purpose I think) changes the scale length a tad less than on their models and then sets the bridge about 1/4 inch off (short) compared to the Fender models so that you can't (with the stock bridge placement) ever set intonation perfectly (or the saddles have to be so far back, you're at the full extent of their adjustment, which is not good either). I ran into the same problem with the Squier Stratocaster I gave my Brother 4 years ago. Rather than move the tremolo system back 1/4 inch (and have to route the trem cavity) I opted to put a fixed bridge (hardtail) on it at the correct position which helped it significantly (end Rant).
Back to the Blacktop: While this guitar can get quite Les Paul Sounding and has much more sustain than most Fenders, its string dynamics (and longer scale) prevent you from making it a fully convincing Les Paul replacement. Of the 5 switch settings two are standard Strat sounding, but are more bass-y than what you'd get from a single coil standard strat. It's also just a hair short of that Strat "Icepick in the head" squeal from the bridge pickup trademark Strat Sound...BUT with a good effects processor (Line6 Pod or Digitech), you can easily overcome these small shortcomings and easily gig with this guitar and get most of the sounds you would need from most of the Rock/Blues/Pop that I grew up with and not need to tote another with you for "Gibson Sound" songs.
I started out with Bass in high school, so often I'm fighting with the guitar because it's not as easily playable as a bass (not to mention how late in life I started with guitar). I am on occasion hampered by the other electric guitars in the stable, something in their playability or design. Not so with the Blacktop, its quality and playability is beyond my current playing ability, Riffs and chords that I've fumbled with on the other electrics just roll off my fingers on this guitar. While I know that the American made Strats are made to a higher standard that this Made in Mexico model, my hobbyist playing just does not justify $$$uch a guitar.
This one is perfect for me. Meet the new King of the Stable; The Fender Blacktop Strat.
Thank You Dear!
---
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Mixed Bag Christmas
By Mixed bag, I don't mean bad, just super different. Firstly most different without Mom, because she looked so forward to it, she didn't want to be the center of attention, but she wanted to see it all unfold. While we all attempted smiles and happiness, When the "from beyond" presents came out, no one had a moment that didn't include tears. I lost it a few times at our own house on Christmas as the tree is full of ornaments that Mom gave us over the years (including this years "from beyond" ornament via Dad and Moe). Rose found the same brand "Shiny Brite" ornaments that we've been using from her Dad's stock are being made again (glass with glitter that doesn't come off), so the tree had a red/green gold theme this year and looked especially good (as you can see).Needless to say, we're missing Ethel, Patti, and all the others who've gone over the years, but for me it's a Christmas milestone that I have not been MOSTLY happy the entire season. I've had happy this year, but it just feels so different. I suspect that as long as our parents are around, we can (like Peter Pan) still feel like kids, but now it's time to head back home and grow up.
In her effort to cheer me up, Rose went overboard and got me one of these Fender Blacktop Strats. It's almost too nice of a guitar, and also weird to have one that I don't want to ever "improve" in any way. It screams "Play Me" while it's inside the case, I've been so busy, I've only had a few minutes to do so since Christmas Day.... I'll get around to it : D
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Who's the new Chicago Mayor?
As far as I'm concerned, anyone who will stop outsourcing city services and remove the residency requirement for city employees.
.....and of course, keep the city trades union shops.
.....and of course, keep the city trades union shops.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Green Lantern on the brain....and on the lawn
O.K. I know Comic-con is coming up this weekend, and there is a lot of Buzz about the Green Lantern Movie. It may have been subliminal, but halfway through cutting the lawn on the parkway, I couldn't help but notice that I created this. I boosted the contrast so hopefully you can all see it too.
As an additional note: I've wanted a GL movie since I was a kid, but now the story line and the number of 2814 GL's is just so many and convoluted I don't think that we'll see more than one of these.... but Ryan Reynolds? he seems more like Kyle Rainer than Hal Jordan.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Phishing email on Gmail
In case any of you have a Gmail account and received the message quoted/hi-lighted below, be aware that Gmail will NEVER send you an email asking for your login and password. Even if you specifically requested to change your password, even then, they would not ask you for it in an email. Do not reply to the message which appears to be from the Gmail team, but is actually a spammed email address (though it LOOKS real when you look at the details).
Select the down arrow next to the "Reply" button in Gmail and select "Report Phishing"
No internet service providers, or buying sites (Amazon, ebay, paypal) will EVER ask you for your login and password in an email.
No matter how legit it looks, it's a trap.
This is the message I received at 01:23 on 04, Aug 2010:
"Dear User,
Select the down arrow next to the "Reply" button in Gmail and select "Report Phishing"
No internet service providers, or buying sites (Amazon, ebay, paypal) will EVER ask you for your login and password in an email.
No matter how legit it looks, it's a trap.
This is the message I received at 01:23 on 04, Aug 2010:
"Dear User,
As you have noticed, there have been a lot of recent changes to the new generation of internet browsing.
Which has given us the advantage of gaining stronger security features.
Although we have the confidence to assure you the quality of your browsing experience,
There are several thousand inactive accounts that must be deleted.
We are making this attempt to contact you, to verify the status of your account.
No response to this email within 30 days will result of termination of this Gmail address.
*********@gmail.comWhich has given us the advantage of gaining stronger security features.
Although we have the confidence to assure you the quality of your browsing experience,
There are several thousand inactive accounts that must be deleted.
We are making this attempt to contact you, to verify the status of your account.
No response to this email within 30 days will result of termination of this Gmail address.
Please respond with the following information:
The Gmail Team"
The real tip off is that there is NO way that my gmail account would be considered "inactive". Not to mention that I'm sure there are more than "several thousand" inactive gmail accounts.
Don't get scammed.
ux
- Account Name:
- Account Password:
- Date of Birth:
- Postal Code:
The Gmail Team"
The real tip off is that there is NO way that my gmail account would be considered "inactive". Not to mention that I'm sure there are more than "several thousand" inactive gmail accounts.
Don't get scammed.
ux
Monday, July 12, 2010
30 years ago
Who the HECK is this toothpick Kid?
Freaky I was so scrawny... and ate about the same I do now.
Things have changed in more ways that that, but I really can't complain. That big hair (naturally) and scrawny build nabbed me a girl who was (and is) way out of my league (and I love her all the more for it).
Concerning this picture: One thing I can complain about is that my fellow wedding band members actually ridiculed me into trading that beautiful Aira Diamonds Bass I'm playing for a Kingston Hofner (Beatle Bass) copy... saying it was big and dorky and not cool enough for the New Wave, Pop, and Power Pop we were playing. Not only was it a excellent sounding and playing bass, but being semi-hollow body, you could practice un-amplified (which I'm sure my parents were thankful for on those nights before gigs when I stayed up practicing half the night). Unlike the standard mid/late-60's Aria Bass, this one had a mother-of-pearl pick-guard and headstock as well as offset harmonics markers that made it really standout from the Gibson it was based on. While the big Rhinestone in the "Diamonds" logo on the headstock fell out (I think my bandmates pried it out), it never had any problems and very little hum (though I did re-ground it at the time). So unique is this Bass, that while Aria does have records of making this bass, they have no pictures of the original stock. As the Mrs. found this one just recently, I'll be sending it off to them shortly.
Of the instruments I've owned, this is the one I wish I had not let get away.
For those of you who might notice: Yes, that is terrible left hand position, I had only been playing 1 & 1/2 years at that point and I was playing a mash-up version of the Beatles "All My Lovin' " combing the melody and original Bass line (when I could fit it in). Also.... yes, my left foot is photoshopped in, the original pic had a persons head in the lower right corner.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
If you met us in Ireland....
.... and we offered you pictures, please post a reply to this post with your email address and after July 4th weekend, I'll get the pics/video to you or send you a link so you can download it yourself.
We had a great time, and the folks in Kilkenny were especially wonderful.
--
We had a great time, and the folks in Kilkenny were especially wonderful.
--
Friday, May 14, 2010
No good deed goes unpunished....
Ya know, when a Dad volunteers to coach a team...when he doesn't even have a kid on that team (but will next year) so he can coach it next year as well, he's going above and beyond the call of duty. That guy happens to be a hardworking, super nice guy, with great kids who show up to cheer your team on, and NEVER yells at (or is negative with) a single kid, and is one of the best kids coaches I've ever seen.
.....SO, when that guy asks you to help out, you don't mind (and I did help out). But when OTHER parents call to harass you and give you a 20 minute speech on what you're doing wrong and what that guy is doing/has done wrong (even if the person is correct on one account (see below)).... well.... it just rankles you.
No help on the sports Assc. side either when you're given incorrect information on how much to bill the parents for League/umpire fees (which is where the "wrong" came in here). Further when those OTHER parents try to FORCE you to admit you're wrong based on their information, when it conflicts with what you've already been told.
While the billing info I originally received was incorrect, what I billed the parents was pretty accurate based on the info I was given. So.... after having a bug forced up my butt by said parents, I confronted the sports assc. folks and FINALLY got the correct info, and promptly abandoned my normal sleep time to return the checks to the (very few) parents that had paid, and informed them of the situation (of course by the time I was done, I was too wound up to sleep anyways). While the OTHER parents seem to want to blame this on the coach, I have to blame in the incorrect fee info I was originally given on the matter.
The thing that REALLY rankles me...is that we're talking $20 bucks difference here. Even had I reached the point of submitting the overpayment, the refund would have come back to all the parents when the sports assc. books were tallied.
Despite my apparent crabbiness you've all seen here; I don't really get mad much, it REALLY takes something to truly make me P.O.'d.
So... When next year comes and I'm asked to nominate/support a coach/coaches for our team.... who am I going to nominate? The one who went above and beyond and used only positive reinforcement with my kid.... or the ones who called and burnt my ear and trashed my wonderful May evening over $20 they would have got back anyways?
___
.....SO, when that guy asks you to help out, you don't mind (and I did help out). But when OTHER parents call to harass you and give you a 20 minute speech on what you're doing wrong and what that guy is doing/has done wrong (even if the person is correct on one account (see below)).... well.... it just rankles you.
No help on the sports Assc. side either when you're given incorrect information on how much to bill the parents for League/umpire fees (which is where the "wrong" came in here). Further when those OTHER parents try to FORCE you to admit you're wrong based on their information, when it conflicts with what you've already been told.
While the billing info I originally received was incorrect, what I billed the parents was pretty accurate based on the info I was given. So.... after having a bug forced up my butt by said parents, I confronted the sports assc. folks and FINALLY got the correct info, and promptly abandoned my normal sleep time to return the checks to the (very few) parents that had paid, and informed them of the situation (of course by the time I was done, I was too wound up to sleep anyways). While the OTHER parents seem to want to blame this on the coach, I have to blame in the incorrect fee info I was originally given on the matter.
The thing that REALLY rankles me...is that we're talking $20 bucks difference here. Even had I reached the point of submitting the overpayment, the refund would have come back to all the parents when the sports assc. books were tallied.
Despite my apparent crabbiness you've all seen here; I don't really get mad much, it REALLY takes something to truly make me P.O.'d.
So... When next year comes and I'm asked to nominate/support a coach/coaches for our team.... who am I going to nominate? The one who went above and beyond and used only positive reinforcement with my kid.... or the ones who called and burnt my ear and trashed my wonderful May evening over $20 they would have got back anyways?
___
Monday, April 05, 2010
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