Spring Cleaning Coming Up

. . . And I don't mean cleaning the house.

Over time a computer can get bogged down with all sorts of electronic 'dust bunnies.' As I've added and removed applications and documents, bits and bytes of files still remain hidden in the dark recesses of the computer's mind. Consequently it's time to clean up our computer's act.

I'll be spending some time toiling over a hot keyboard and mouse over the next few days to back up all the 'stuff' then 'byte' the bullet and reformat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system, update the drivers and add all the programs again. NOT a fun time - but it has to be done.

It's a good policy to perform this task on a regular basis . . . but I'm a professional; don't try this at home . . . unless you know what you're doing . . . otherwise I'll be seeing you at the Ole Computer Store.

Thank goodness we have more than one computer to fall back on.

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Military School

No, I wasn't sent to Military School because I was a difficult child. I went because I WANTED TO!

In 8th grade I attended the now closed Barbour Hall Junior Military Academy near Kalamazoo, Michigan operated by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Yes, it was a Catholic Military School. It was wonderful. I learned a lot.

The primary focus was academics with a secondary focus on a Catholic upbringing; military structure was third.

For high school, I moved on to Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Illinois where I graduated in 1964. Marmion is run by the Benedictine Monks of Marmion Abbey with a focus on academic preparation for college. I owe them my life! As a result of this experience, I became a survivor. One either makes it in military school, or you are out. I succeeded. I truly had fun in this environment. My grades were 'so-so' but still enough to graduate.

My gratitude to Father Andrew and Father Luke (R.I.P.) and Father Martin (R.I.P.), Father Peter (R.I.P.) and others for the great education they provided me and my fellow cadets.

I must also thank my Saints of parents for offering me this opportunity to grow up. I firmly believe that if I hadn't succeeded in military school, I would not have survived Vietnam and the Army. In military school I learned how the military functions and how to make it 'all you can be.'

I was fortunate and blessed to have received this foundation for my life.

So you see, attending military school isn't all bad. As a matter of fact, I can state that it isn't bad at all. It did wonders for me!

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The Computer - An Appliance!

Having a part-time 'hobby job' in a friend's computer store has been interesting to say the least. I have come into contact with persons from all walks of life, all socio-economic levels, and various levels of computer knowledge. One point that I have noticed is the fact that a computer has turned into . . . an APPLIANCE!

Everybody "needs" a computer.

It is 'needed' to correspond with others, check the weather, observe the news of the world, pay bills, watch your stocks tank on wall street, check the banking account, do homework, check out books from the library (yes, there still is a library), work from home, catch the TV episode you missed, post your family photos, read gossip, shop for groceries and other products, and play games just to mention a few.

In our current economic situation, I'm finding that people still 'need' computers. And when they 'break' or malfunction, they bring them to our service department for adjustment, or come in and buy parts to fix or upgrade the computer.

Depending upon the backlog of units waiting to be 'fixed,' it could be a few days until it is ready.

The comments I hear are interesting . . . all related to how soon they want it back, and how will they function without the computer.

I've been involved with computers since the late 1970's, starting out with magnetic computer cards, similar to the ones IBM mainframes used with the punchcards. I've seen it evolve from those cards to cassette tapes, 8 inch floppies, 5 1/4 inch floppies, 3 1/2 inch floppies, hard drives, all the way to the flash drives (thumb drives or jump drives) we use today. Next is the solid state hard drives (no moving parts).

I've seen the personal computer go from being a rare, novelty item in a home to now, where people cannot live without them in many, if not all, cases. Is that good or bad?

It is as common in a home now as an icebox (refrigerator) or stove. How many homes have microwave ovens? How many homes have more than one computer?

IT IS NOW AN APPLIANCE!

Additionally, I have observed that more people are having older computers fixed or upgraded, and buying fewer new computers. Many are now starting to build/configure computers by themselves. It's not hard at all to do. Just a little advice and help from you friendly computer store, and you are set. Some individuals are even buying used computers which others have discarded as part of their upgrade path.

I had three computers until recently when I reluctantly disconnected my older Macintosh which I hadn't used in over a year. I've crossed over to "the dark side" as I used to say to my old Mac Buddies.

Over 20 years ago I set my 2 1/2 year old daughter in front of a Macintosh and showed her how to run it for her games and learning programs. The staff at the Montessori school said that was a bad idea. Her Macintosh notebook is her lifeline to the world now.

Usually I spend about a total of three hours a day on the computer doing all the tasks I mentioned above. I haven't played a game on my computer (or iPod - yes, have one) for over a year or more.

Could I exist without it? Not very well. How about you?

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Early Morning Awakening - Again!

Up again early today, this time due to another Vietnam flashback dream. I'm grateful that they aren't as violent as they used to be, but I'd rather not have them at all.

I don't know if this is considered normal since I was a participant. I usually dream about wierd, abstract things, but sporadically these dreams make their appearance.

And I dream in color!

I've had quite a few life experiences in my 62+ years, but apparently Vietnam was one of those which made an impression in my subconscious. I am very grateful that I'm not as bad as some of my fellow 'Nam Vets, who have severe issues. I pray for them.

I do suffer from survivor's guilt, however. I made it back - in one piece. A buddy of mine didn't (check my posting for August 23, 2008). I'm not sure if I'm getting better about this as I age or not. I would hope that as I get older and get further away from the actual dates, it would go away.

Well, it's there, I did it, I guess I have to accept it. But I didn't think it would be so difficult.

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Up early today - shoulder pain

3:55 a.m.

My right shoulder is signaling pain. I'm awake with this, then my mind starts up. When that happens I might as well get out of bed instead of tossing and turning and waking my beautiful bride.

The only place to go without disturbing her each day is to the computer. Being a 'morning person' (some people detest us), I wake up completely functional. Well at least my mind is, not necessarily the rest of my body.

I check the news (CNN, Grand Rapids Press, local TV sites); download my email and peruse all the messages, scams and spams; check out the various blogs and sites I follow; then maybe make a few postings (like this morning).

There is so much out in cyberspace that I could spend the rest of my waking hours checking all the topics of which I have interests, and they are many!

But the reason I'm awake is because of the pain. I've developed a 'rotator cuff tear' which is extremely painful and debilitating. The drugs my physician have prescribed could bring me a fortune on the open drug market, but they reduce the pain to about 70 percent. I'm facing surgery sometime on March 10th.

This will not be the first time I'll be 'put to sleep.' I survived a Quadruple Cardiac Bypass surgery in 2001, so this should be a cakewalk. It's usually done in the office as an outpatient procedure, but with my medical history, I'll be at the hospital. I should be able to go home that same day if there are no complications (ME - No complications? Ha!).

I developed this injury due to all the snow I so brazenly welcomed. I was shoveling the stuff, when the blade hit an uneven edge of the concrete driveway. BANG. ZIP. PAIN! OUCHY!

Instant pain zipped up my arm to the right shoulder and I yelped loudly.

Did I stop shoveling . . . No. We have received almost 100 inches of snow so far this season and I had to clear the steps and porch. Just a couple of weeks later I happened to slip and fall off the steps to our sunken living room. Can you guess what arm I fell upon? YUP! I thought I had broken it, there was so much pain. But the arm could move . . painfully.

Off to the doctor's office I traipsed a bit later in the month (December). Got drugs and the usual . . . ."If the pain continues, call us." It did and I did. An MRI confirmed the worse "Significant Rotator Cuff Tear." Off to the surgeon, once I could get an appointment, "Sorry, the doctor only sees patients on Mondays and Wednesdays." It was a Wednesday when I called.

Pain went from annoying to hurting to painful to severe to generating tears. "More drugs, please." I hate putting chemicals in my body, I'll be declared a brownfield by the EPA soon.

Saw the orthopedic surgeon and he convinced me I would need to be repaired . . . with metal screws and the like. Oh, great, another reason to develop a personal relationship with the friendly folks of the TSA at the airport.

Prognosis: Two weeks at home recovering; six weeks in a sling; six months or so for pain to disappear. We'll see about that.

I am a terrible patient. I am a wimp! I whimper and whine, I'm more cranky than normal - and I am NOT normal! I am also right-handed and Irish - I talk with my hands (great - a communications barrier). How will I get my thoughts across with my right arm imprisoned and held hostage with a sling?

Additionally, I am a hyperactive personality. I've been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). But I am happily medicated for that as well.

So I will not be able to use my right hand and arm for a period of time. Being right-handed this will be an exciting excursion into the land of left-hand useage. Fortunately, I am ambidextrous so I can use both arms and hands to function.

My life has never been less than exciting and adventuresome. Pray for my wonderful wife as she will be contending with my recovery and rehabilitation. It's not going to be a pretty sight.

Gee, I'll have more time to think about subjects to blog (rant and rave) about. I'm sure glad I bought that software that turns my dictation into words on the screen.

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Windows 7 is coming - Goodbye Vista

This is geek news, so feel free to skip this one.

PC Users get prepared for Windows 7. Here is a review of the upcoming release (copy and paste this link):

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windows7/Windows_7_Beta_1_Review_1.html

I currently use Windows XP. I refuse to use Windows Vista. IMHO, Vista is the Windows ME of the 21st Century.

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English Translation . . .

I enjoy my hobby job at the computer store. It is never boring and I meet all sorts of folks with varying levels of computer knowledge. Plus, one of the 'kids' (if they're younger than me - they are 'kids.') is a cornucopia of computer information - I'm ALWAYS learning something new everyday (and I thought I knew a lot about computers).

Anyway, back to the purpose of this posting . . . we obtain the various parts and products we sell for computers from many sources. You can imagine the points of origination for many of these parts. You guessed it - Asia!

Pictured above is a box containing a memory card reader which is designed to be installed inside a computer tower (desktop). These parts are for INTERNAL installation. Obviously the description was lost in translation. Somebody at the store said that Asians have trouble pronouncing "R" and that is why the letter "L" had been substituted for the letter "R" on the box labeling (but 'reader' is spelled correctly).

Sorry for the poor quality of the image, it's from my cell phone camera.

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MY PICK - Best Picture & Best Actress

______________________________________

***** FIVE STARS

That's my rating of this very well-penned theatrical production. Viewed it Friday. I didn't have any inkling of the plot so I came into it with an open mind.

WOW!

It grabbed me right from the beginning and sucked me in completely. I was magnetized to my seat as I became a voyeur to the life of the protagonist.

You must see this film!

I was planning to have a movie double-header day, but when the film was over, I was not willing to take on another flick. It was heavy and very thought provoking.

I will be honest, parts of the movie are erotic, that's why it has an "R" rating from the MPAA. But disregard it when you consider the overall aspect of the production.

Kate Winslett deserves the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance - no question!

"The Reader" deserves the Oscar for Best Picture. I would be flabbergasted if it didn't get it.

The awards ceremony is Sunday the 22nd, so try and see it before then, if possible; if not, see it sometime.

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Here we go again - Postage Increase - Forever!

Since email has cut back on the profits for the Postal Service, they say they are losing money, so it is time once again to raise the rates. It will soon cost us 44 cents (per ounce) to mail a letter.

To avoid paying the extra 2 cents, one can run to the post office window now and purchase the "Forever" stamp for 42 cents each . . . and it can be used 'forever' despite any future rate hikes.

Gee . . . a 'bargain' from the government.

Being a former philatelist I like to use what I consider to be 'attractive' stamps. The Postal Service has in the past come up with some really ugly images for their stamps. The "Forever" stamp is OK . . . not great, but OK. Considering that we can use it 'forever' this means it will be sticking (pun intended) around for some time.

So I guess I'll buy into this 'bargain' and deliver my money to the post office through rain, sleet, snow or hail to save some change.

Why didn't Benjamin Franklin propose the 'forever' stamp back in 1847?

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Finally . . . a President that communicates intelligently!

It was so nice to watch a Presidential News Conference and not be shouting back at the stupid, illiterate comments being made, and questions not answered.

Here is an elected representative OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, and FOR THE PEOPLE trying to do WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

President Obama listens to Americans, hears Americans, and is attempting to do what Americans want. There are some segments of Congress that don't want it that way. They want to continue the mistakes of the previous eight years.

Well, folks, look where it got us.

We're not gonna' do it again.

If you are so stupid and ignorant not to be able to understand what the American people want and need, then you do not deserve to be their representative in Washington.

I have to give President Obama credit for attempting to work with all the parties in an effort to steer the ship of state to a safe harbor of economic stability, and not sink it any lower. I truly believe that we finally have someone heading up this country whose only interest IS the best interest of this country.

God Bless America!

Pets . . . . Can't live without them.

My daughter had to move this week. She had three great, loving, adoring cats, "Molly," "Macaroni" and "Cheese" but couldn't find a place to live that would take her and the cats. She found a place for her, but had to give "Molly" to one friend, and "Macaroni" and "Cheese" to another friend. It was tough. I shed a few tears as well during the transfer.

She'll be able to get them back at some point in the future when they can live together again, but she thinks she is . . . . "A bad kitty Mama." NOT SO!

Pets are wonderful. I know I've become attached to several during my lifetime. But when they are gone for whatever reason, it can make us distraught. Pets, specifically cats and dogs provide Unconditional Love. They are always there for us no matter what, regardless of moods, time of day, economic conditions or size of household.

I just had to make a note of this event. My lovely wife and I would have taken them but for the fact that some family members have health issues with cats, and that we travel a great deal. It wouldn't be fair to all concerned. Of course there is the fact that we would have to kitty-proof the homestead, and at this point in my life, I'm too grumpy to do that (just kidding!)

I told her that if she would settle down and get married, she could have as many pets as she wanted in a home of her own. After all, houses are at bargain basement (pun intended) prices.

But, (sniff) she misses them now, (blink away a tear), at least she can visit them at her friends homes.

Don't worry, Kiddo, I miss them too.

Dad

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Greed and Arrogance

That's what got this country into the economic mess we are in today.

Banks, Wall Street, CEOs, bean counters, all have to take the blame for this quagmire.

How many of them have any idea how much a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk costs?

Think about what goes up . . . and what goes down:

PRICES go UP
STOCKS go DOWN

Who benefits?

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Television . . . A Constitutional Right?

The Digital TV Transition has been pushed back to summer because not everyone has a coupon to buy a converter box at a discount.

HUH?

Because money ran out funding the discount program for the converter boxes, Congress has decided to postpone the transition from February 17 to summer.

WHY?

I don't think that the government has the responsibility to ensure that everybody has good TV reception after the changeover, a change which has questionable reasons to do so in the first place. Yes, it will free up more bandwidth for public service (emergency) communications signals. But this plan was originally intended to be implemented back in 2006, and was pushed back. Millions of dollars have been invested by TV broadcasters to execute these changes mandating the changeover on the 17th, and to promote and inform the public of this action.

Now, back to square one, making sure more coupons are printed/minted to enable every one to have TV.

TV is a Constitutional Right? NOT!

This is FUBAR to the utmost, everyday government SNAFU.

Give me a break . . . . Television is NOT a NEED, it is a WANT.

I've said it before and I'll say it again . . . . I Love My Country, it's the Government I'm Afraid of!

TV is an appliance, not a requirement.

AAAARRRRGGGHH!

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Quest to see all the Oscar Contenders

We are well on our way to see all the Oscar contenders before the awards are handed out on February 22nd. This is a very good year for films, and after viewing the trailers for upcoming Flix, it will be a good year next year as well.

I am disappointed to say that my favorite movie, WALL-E (***** My Rating), was not nominated in the best picture category, but placed in the Animated category. The is film is excellent entertainment for the entire family, and has several subtle messages as well.

So far we have viewed:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button *****
Doubt ****
Slumdog Millionaire **
Marley & Me ***
Grand Torino ****
Revolutionary Road **
Iron Man ****

We hope to check out:
Milk
The Reader
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Australia
Defiance

I will NOT view Frost/Nixon, as it doesn't interest me in any way.

As far as music scores go, I hope to pickup copies from:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Grand Torino
Revolutionary Road - maybe
Marley & Me

I rarely make an actual purchase of any film on DVD, but I had to have my own copy of WALL-E.

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