Aww, shucks … another terrorist leader dead

| September 30, 2011

As someone who has never been comfortable with President Obama’s policies or what he says publicly (particularly his “apologies for America” overseas) or in regards to terrorism (does the Obama administration even use that word?) — I will  acknowledge that there  has been continued aggressive actions to the exterminate top Al-Qaeda leaders (and pretty successful […]

One of the most peaceful rest stops, if I had time

| September 29, 2011

Although this might just be my opinion, but the Bemus Point, New York rest area which overlooks Lake Chautauqua is one of the nicest stops I rarely miss. I know I’ve posted a few photos before, but today I though I’d give our (Brenda‘s) new Kodak Playsport Zx5 pocket camcorder a test. The video is […]

Kindle Fire and new eInk readers from Amazon

| September 28, 2011

Stopped to check on the big NYC coverage from Amazon for their new eInk Kindle Touch reader device and highly anticipated Kindle Fire 7″ tablet device. A couple surprises are the “Silk” browser and pricing at $199. For those looking for a competitor to Apple’s iPad … look elsewhere. The new Kindles are more of […]

Good news and bad news for the MGB idle problem

| September 28, 2011

So much for the carburetor tuning and electrical issues that have frustrated me lately (posted yesterday) … it wasn’t the problem. Can you tell what the problem is from this photo? I’ve been struggling to figure out why the 1975 MGB would not run smoothly at idle … now I know …  the problem is […]

Looks like my daughter will continue to get paid. Whew!

| September 27, 2011

Nationwide Children’s Hospital applauds the House of Representatives for voting in favor of H.R. 1852 which reauthorizes the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program. The bill, which was introduced in May of this year by Representatives Joe Pitts (R-PA), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), ranking […]

MGB idling problems – posting to a British car forum

| September 27, 2011

I’m posting my MGB idling problem to the MG Experience forums in hopes to gain a little help … if you’re “just a car guru” and have some advice I don’t mind the extra thinking – either leave me an email or Disqus comment below. Thanks and additional details below. From forum: First, a year […]

Northern Tools and Equipment markets to biodiesel customers

| September 26, 2011

It has been a while since I mentioned anything on biodiesel … primarily because the feedstock used to produce it have risen along with oil. The fact that new cars and their emission controls have also thwarted biodiesel fuel in higher than 5% doesn’t help. Still, it is interesting to see companies catering to the […]

Women can now vote Saudi Arabia, but not drive

| September 26, 2011

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud gave the kingdom’s women the right to participate in local elections and to become members of the country’s top advisory body, a sign that the elderly monarch hasn’t abandoned his program of cautious social reform despite political upheavals elsewhere in the Middle East. via Saudi Women Win […]

World’s Fastest Car Show debuts on EbayMotors

| September 24, 2011

Enjoyed the new World Fastest Car Show (WFCS) online video program on YouTube from Ebay Motors (video below) and learned something interesting right from the start. The Ford Mustang BOSS 302 got its name “BOSS” when the lead designer creating the original 1970 V-8 302 Mustang for Parnelli Jones was asked, “who ya doing that […]

Defunct Satellites: How many are there?

| September 24, 2011

Although my question wasn’t answered as to how many are due to plummet to earth in the next few years, it is good to know that “more recent satellites are designed so that operators can bring them out of orbit and control their trajectory as they take the final plunge through the atmosphere.” With an […]

About the only thing “certain” is that tax rates are “uncertain”

| September 23, 2011

Much of the political debate coming from Washington DC is focused on cutting the deficit, reforming the tax code and generating more revenue for the federal government. Hopefully those who currently pay federal income taxes (only 52%) are going to be given the loudest voice, but that may not be the case now that we’re […]

Markets sell off as fears rise that a world wide recession nears

| September 22, 2011

It is a painful day today on the financial markets as all “indicators” show heavy selling on Wall Street and even in the precious metals markets – not much optimism. It is difficult to watch as people who try to save for a home, for college or retirement, see their assets shed large chunks of […]

iPhone 5 Specs from Sprint News – Sprint Users

| September 22, 2011

Here are a few “probable specs” from SprintUsers regarding the assumed mid-October iPhone 5 release on Sprint: World Phone with a SIM-less Design Curved Glass Display A5 Chip with a clocking speed in the range of 1.2 or 1.5 GHz with 1GB RAM Wireless Charging as well as Sync & Back Up of data 4G […]

Video: Jetman flies his wing over the Grand Canyon

| September 22, 2011

I have posted some of Yves Rolly’s video in the past on my blog and thought I would archive his flight over the Grand Canyon from May 2011. A friend mine (a psychiatrist, by the way), email me the link saying that this clip reminded her of me. Hmm, I told her “when I strap […]

MRI day at the Cleveland Clinic and TWO doctor visits

| September 21, 2011

I’m traveling in Ohio this week with a “pleasure stop” for pictures  at the Cleveland Clinic [sarcasm] —  MRI of my malfunctioning shunt (btw, all was normal in my noggin’). The imaging was precautionary after my July tympanic steroid injection – all was a follow up due to my decade old Endolymphatic decompression and shunt […]

MGB engine rebuild photos on Microsoft Skydrive

| September 20, 2011

While still tweaking the new WordPress install, I wanted to test Windows LiveWriter and the online Skydrive set-up for ease of displaying a gallery of photos. It may be an easy way to upload and include photos, but I’m not all that pleased with how it works. The below photos are a few after starting […]

Why Tax reform? (testing flash video embed after blog move)

| September 20, 2011

Why we need to reform the tax code and create a structure that attracts business to the United States … a thought from Thomas Falk, CEO of Kimberly Clark this morning on CNBC. https://myarchive.us/av/cnbc_thomasfalk_110920.mp4 A personal note: It was challenging enough to start a business and compete in 1987; doing the same thing today would […]

Isarithmic depiction of the U.S. two-party system

| September 19, 2011

This was posted in late 2010, but I found the tracking of our two-party voting pretty interesting sped up over time. While trying to remember my American history, it is interesting to watch the political swings in ideology over the years. The swings between too much centralized government and regulation … and unregulated capitalism has […]

Netflix splits streaming & DVD business – CEO says he messed up

| September 19, 2011

After talking with a few disgruntled NetFlix subscribers (and ex-subscribers) this morning, I can attest that I’m not the only one thinking “spin-off” after CEO Reed Hastings relays the news that their new DVD-by-mail service will be a dying “wholly owned subsidiary” being called Qwikster. Netflix Inc. Chief Executive Reed Hastings said in a blog […]

Number of uninsured motorists one more sign of economic downturn

| September 18, 2011

Just a quick post to check the richc.posterous.com to MyDesultoryBlog.com … all should be well after the update. The article below hit home since we once had to deal with an accident from an unissured and “unlicensed” driver. Not good … and the economy is not helping. Sixteen percent of Ohio drivers don’t have insurance, […]

My Desultory Blog returns this weekend and a Roku2 XD

| September 17, 2011

After a few days off after arguing with my “previous” web hosting company in serving up my blog, I’ve moved the 12 gigabytes of files and content over to a new server. The task was not made any easier by my 6 years of linking photo, video and embedded content from a variety of places. […]

How to get a tall mast under a not so tall fixed bridge

| September 16, 2011

This skipper and his sailboat have something in common by going under the bridge in this way. I’m impress with both the ingenuity and boldness. How to get an 80′ rig through the 65′ bridges of the Intracoastal Waterway using two tons of water. The balls get swung out with an initial turn to port […]

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes are happening on my personal blog

| September 13, 2011

This content is restricted.

A new generation of patriots — the 9/11 Generation

| September 11, 2011

I knew reflecting on the tenth year anniversary of 9/11 was going to be difficult to capture in a single blog post — I have been mulling  what to archive. Watching the names scroll by on FoxNews coverage on 9/11/2011 The obvious would be to reflect on those Americans who were killed and are the […]

Rep Paul Ryan: “Permanence to plan and invest”

| September 9, 2011

Like him and his policies or not, it would be great if all politicians were as succinct and committal as Congressman Paul Ryan. His interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box Friday morning after President Obama’s speech was sharp and to the point although respectful toward the president and those holding other ideas. Well worth a listen. […]

Cars That Let Drivers Shift Gears—Without a Clutch

| September 8, 2011

Having just spent the weekend driving the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI with the DSG gearbox, it is wrong to compare it to a manual transmission. As good as the dual clutch gearbox is in quickly up and downshifting gears, it is not the traditional clutch and stick driving pleasure that traditionalist enjoy. I would say […]

Will the iPhone5 make Sprint/Nextel competitive?

| September 6, 2011

Looks like Sprint and Apple are gearing up for the iPhone5 … Sprint may have begun installing signal boosting equipment in and around Apple retail stores ahead of the rumored iPhone 5 launch on the carrier in October, according to a new report. “One thing I can tell you is that the electrical contractor that […]

Labor Day: Are we facing the end of the American Dream?

| September 5, 2011

It is odd how my “simple mind” works when contemplating a blog post on Labor Day. As I grappled with the history of the holiday, my thoughts drifted to present day directional changes our country is making – some reminiscent  of the reasons that triggered our end of summer holiday. In reading about our nation’s […]

A few photos from TDIFest 2011 happening this weekend

| September 3, 2011

Spent the day enjoying the TDIFest 2011 in Lexington Kentucky on Saturday and wanted to post a few photos. The guys I work with have done an outstanding job and expect that this evening pig roast was a big hit … waiting for an update.

And if the economy gets really bad …

| September 3, 2011

… we’ll just live on the boat (WSJ video below). Not supported video content

Picked up the 2012 Passat TDI for the TDIFest

| September 2, 2011

For those interested in all things TDI (that’s Volkswagen TDI diesel automobiles), the TDIFest is this weekend in the host city of Lexington KY. Our local CinciTDI club is hosting the TDIClub “fest” and it looks to be a good one. Hopefully the weather and activities will be enjoyable … I know that I’m looking […]

Splitsville is painful for Netflix and their shareholders

| September 2, 2011

There seems to be a little tarnish on the once high-flying Netflix who has dominated the DVD and streaming movie market since the demise of the big box video rental stores. Their model seemed to be invincible until someone realized that business is only as good as having content … and customers willing to pay […]

This is what I call “standing behind your product”

| September 2, 2011

As the employee of Texas Armoring Corporation comments before firing his AK-47 at his boss, CEO R. Trent Kimball … “don’t try this at home.” Now that CEO is confident that his product will do what it is designed to do … “resist bullets!”

Read only Google Docs and Calendar content available off line

| September 2, 2011

Google web-based products such a docs and calendar were once upon a time available for off line use; thankfully they are now being re-launched. Things are slowly coming back to a more useful state with the new off line viewing (read only) extension for the Chrome browser. I’m looking forward to hopefully once again being able […]

Sprint to double Upgrade Fee to $36 starting September 9th

| September 1, 2011

Good grief … when will the Sprint “nickel and diming” end? Yet another subtle increase coming to Sprint customers thinking about upgrading their phones. SprintFeed is reporting that we should brace ourselves for yet another hike in one-time charges on September 9th. This time, it’s the oh-so-beloved Upgrade Fee that’s the victim of inflation, getting […]

HTC Eternity Windows phone rumored to sport a 4.7″ display

| September 1, 2011

My friend Jeff and I were talking about computers, tablets, readers, phones, mp3 players and cameras the other day at lunch and debated what we really wanted. After seeing the “rumored” Windows HTC Eternity spy shots, I’m rethinking the gadgets and devices that being carried – and also having to keep charged. The more I […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog