A little light humor for the day

| May 31, 2012

I would make a few jokes about this … but it would be sure to offend someone AND I’m sure you can think of a few on your own.

Kayak surfing Nelscott Reef in Oregon

| May 30, 2012

Living on the edge when it comes to navigating natural hazards in the breaking ocean isn’t for the average kayak surfer … one mistake and not only will the sea and reef grind your plastic boat to bits … it most likely would do the same for flesh and bone. "There is something about knowing […]

Memorial Day hits some deeper than others

| May 29, 2012

  I didn’t want to let this story get away from me so I will post it after Memorial Day. Taylor had a few friends over this weekend and they enjoyed the sunshine, played football in the rain, cooled off in the pool and watched a couple movies. Brenda and I are thankful our kids […]

Scamander — on and off road … including water

| May 29, 2012

Hmm, may have found my next car? Posted via email from RichC’s posterous

Memorial Day respect, Patriotism 101 and archived posts

| May 28, 2012

I would be remise not to mention Memorial Day and our nation’s honoring and remembering those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. It is a day that many of our citizens tend to blend with honoring all veterans … not a bad thing … but in some respect causes confusion over the purpose […]

Keeping my eye on subtropical storm Beryl

| May 27, 2012

Just watching … although north a bit too far for more than a little wind, heavy surf and rain to really be a threat to Encore or the marina. … thankfully. Currently sustained winds are 65mph and the speed is increasing. It is a little concerning considering this is the second named storm of the […]

Personal: An update on my mom …

| May 27, 2012

My mom would not like this personal post talking about her, but since I’m archiving partially for my own journaling I wanted to write down what was buzzing around in my head this past year. Between my dad, who is with mom almost all the time, my brother Ron (thankfully able get to Sidney regularly—he […]

Mitt Romney has an image problem – he looks like a politician

| May 26, 2012

Although the polls have risen for GOP candidate and presumed Republican nominee Mitt Romney, he still suffers an image problem. I’m not sure what it is …maybe he just looks too much like a politician? Some say he seems stiff or scripted; that he is out of touch with regular America. The talking heads paint […]

Just for the fun of it … where is this?

| May 25, 2012

A stray image found on my phone … where was I?

Looking forward to a new MB GLK diesel in 2013

| May 25, 2012

Ever since the debut a few years ago, I’ve thought the rugged looking MB GLK sport utility vehicle has been a nice smaller addition to the Mercedes Benz SUV line up … but it would be been better as a diesel. Next year it looks like the U.S. may get the little 2.1 liter 4-cylinder […]

How will the warm spring impact the 2012 hurricane season?

| May 25, 2012

I’m not sure how the NOAA models forecast the hurricane season but Adminstrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D. predicts a “less active season compared to recent years. I was assuming that will the warmer spring and mild winter that thre U.S. would be seeing more named storms? Go figure?   For the entire six-month season, which begins […]

Sunny – but hot – Memorial Day weekend forecast

| May 24, 2012

I was glancing ahead thinking about mowing grass and noticed the weekend forecast looks nice for the Cincinnati area. We’ll most likely see some isolated thundershowers with the heat rolling in, but sunny skies sound good to me. About the only complaint for the official summer kickoff would be that 90+ degree days are starting […]

Jon Kitna’s greatest play: NFL QB to high-school math teacher

| May 23, 2012

Thanks for sharing this article Tim. Jon Kitna is still one of my favorite Bengals quarterbacks — he earned respect both on and off the field … and continues as a high school math teacher “by choice.” A great guy for all to look up too. TACOMA — “We’re working,” Jon Kitna says. “We’re working.” […]

Dorothy Love: A nice place for rehab [edit]

| May 22, 2012

Everyone wants to head home after a hospital stay … and that includes my mom, but if rehab is called for and skilled nursing care required, I can’t think of a better place than the Dorothy Love community. It is just a few miles from my mom and dad’s house in Sidney Ohio and an […]

Left over photos from our recent trip to the boat

| May 22, 2012

I found this one on my phone, another one on Brenda’s Kodak Zx5 camcorder gizmo and the other couple that included yours truly from Katie’s huge album on Facebook (Taylor’s friend)… a really enjoyable memory seeing all of her photos.    

Nice to find parts to repair 26 year old Spinlock line clutch

| May 21, 2012

It’s not that the plastic cam actuating handles were cheap … considering the shipping, but being able to repair a 26 year old $260  line clutch to match the other three is a good feeling. I really needed just one handle, but I replaced both so as to keep the old “good” cam handle as […]

Facebook IPO day two, just “move along”

| May 21, 2012

So much for day two of the Facebook IPO … no need to look here for some stock market excitement. As the Star Wars line goes, “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for … move along.”  Perhaps there was just too much hype? Thankfully I didn’t jump when offered a few shares at $38 … […]

Cable subscribers could have better connections while traveling

| May 21, 2012

Interesting hotspot agreement reached by cable companies … Five large cable operators said Monday they will join forces to give customers access to each other’s wireless Internet hot spots in the most sweeping Wi-Fi roaming agreement struck by the industry to date. The consortium includes Comcast Corp., CMCSA +0.48% Time Warner Cable Inc., TWC +1.28% Cablevision Systems […]

Testing MP4 compression for streaming

| May 20, 2012

This is a video test to check for streaming compression using Handbrake on a PC. (this is a test for Keith Thomas at GroupBibleStudy.com) Deleting the Hana-FLV-Player plugin from WordPress as it is no longer supported.

Terrific weather day for outdoor spring cleaning

| May 19, 2012

Saturday was a great day for cleaning the pool decking, ‘one’ of the back patios, grill and teak outdoor furniture. Ten years or so in, I’m still pleased with how our unfinished teak cleans up even after spending the winter outdoors. I don’t expect to finish the job tomorrow since I’m planning to visit my […]

The highly anticipated Facebook IPO was priced right for day 1

| May 18, 2012

Facebook made it stock market debut today with a $5 move from the $38 IPO price to above $42/share and then kind of drifted back to close the day at $38.23. There was plenty of interest. Lots of hype and even a NASDAQ snag to prevent an on time opening this morning. For employees of […]

Rally Sign? Market Most Oversold Since Financial Crisis

| May 18, 2012

CNBC.com Article: Stocks are at their most oversold levels since the doom days of the financial crisis and bound for a rally, according to one measure. Full Story:http://www.cnbc.com/id/47473723 Posted via email from RichC’s posterous

Dependence on government and the value of a dollar

| May 18, 2012

As a country, a nation and a generous people … we are heading down the wrong path when assistance programs fail to teach the value of a dollar [insert joke here about the “value” of a dollar] and instead teaches the next generation dependence on government. “Over the last four decades, our government has quietly […]

Facebook priced at $38/share as investors head for Treasuries

| May 17, 2012

Stock market heads down again as investors and traders head for the sidelines and U.S. Treasuries, which by the way are hitting all time lows. In fact the 10-year note closed at 1.70% yield … a record low yield for the security of U.S. notes. On the other hand the much anticipated Facebook IPO (FB) […]

U.S. Markets are not as bad as they seem

| May 17, 2012

Just my opinion, but the “social” disease that infected Greece, Spain, Portugal and other European states should not be impacting markets in the U.S. in the way that they are. Sure we have our major issues when it comes to be fiscally responsible all the way around: corporate governance, banking and housing, personal spending and […]

Archiving: Friends Mark and Dar had their cushions recovered

| May 16, 2012

Very nice job … I’m going to have to get the name of the boat upholstery shop.     click for larger images

A long drive with rain off and on – I26 & I40 were beautiful

| May 15, 2012

  Headed home after a quick few days with Taylor and his friends on the boat. Project were minimal but we had a great time and had some interesting stories – the one about “Rick” would have any parent giving a lecture (ah … memories). Surprisingly I found the time comfortable on the boat even […]

Sailboat repairs and How-To questions

| May 13, 2012

In keeping with my sailboat repairs theme, I removed one of the Spinlock line clamps thinking I might be able to order parts and repair at home. Unfortunately getting the bolts out and permanent bonding materials to let go was another issue. I did finally get the cam lock off. I’m also reworking some of […]

Happy Mother’s Day to Brenda (Taylor’s mom) and my mom

| May 13, 2012

Mom, from the time I was really young, I realized I had someone…you, who always cared, who always protected me, who was always there for me no matter what. You taught me right from wrong, and pushed me to do the right thing, even when it was hard to do. You took care of me […]

Joe Murray’s Ohio Piper Cub flight

| May 13, 2012

Archiving and supporting a aviation article with Ohio connections – as in connecting airports: KSU professor to attempt to land antique aircraft in each of Ohio’s 88 counties – Local – Ohio

Parts, repair, replacement for Spinlock line clutches

| May 13, 2012

  As with older boats (and newer), parts age and eventually fail. I have 4 sets of duel Spinlock line clutches that are used all the time and the levers are breaking. One was broken when I bought the boat and one broke yesterday. I’m now down to deciding which lines I want clutched or […]

Mom’s out of surgery but a bit groggy

| May 12, 2012

My mom’s surgery went semi-okay today. The surgeon indicated that he was able to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, but unfortunately with the infected tissue (and possibly bone) they were unable to “cement” the vertebrae fractures. Long term this will be a problem but can’t be repaired until infection is gone. She […]

Spinal Decompression surgery and a few days on the boat

| May 12, 2012

I’ll start off with the stressful update that my mom will be going in for spinal decompression surgery at OSU Wexler Medical Center on Saturday … and that I won’t be there.  Her doctors are cautious, but confident that they will be able to relieve pain by eliminating pressure the nerve bundles and spinal cord […]

Taylor and a couple friends made a spontaneous trip to the boat

| May 11, 2012

A couple of Taylor’s friends were over after their college graduations and while pondering life’s next big moment, decided within and hour to hop in the car and drive 16 hours down to the boat. I hope this isn’t the happiest you’ll see them as the marine forecast is for a bit more wind and […]

Off to Columbus to settle mom into the hospital

| May 10, 2012

Posting a personal update today as we are dealing with doctoring issues for my mom. She has been suffering with a lot of pain and various testing  for several … way too many … months. On Monday, the OSU neurosurgeons reviewed my mom’s case,  consulted each other over last weeks CT scans of her spine […]

Outstanding hypermiling in a 2012 VW Passat TDI

| May 9, 2012

Thought I would post some impressive VW Passat TDI clean diesel numbers … John and Helen Taylor – Volkswagen calls them "mileage experts" and "the world's most fuel efficient couple" – recently drove a stock 2012 Passat TDI SE all the way from Houston, TX to Sterling, VA without refueling. That's 1,626.1 miles from just 19.3 gallons. […]

Cheap protection for the back of an iPad

| May 8, 2012

I couldn’t resist spending $3.35 on a plastic snap on slim fit back at Amazon to put on my iPad. I’ve be semi-pleased with the non-skid surface (not sticky) when holding the tablet for reading outside the case and now no long cringe when the aluminum back slides on a rough surface. For just a […]

Interesting rooftop photos …

| May 7, 2012

Check eleven of them out on Slate’s slideshow: http://tinyurl.com/6vqlj9m

Archive: Triggering a Christian’s everyday mindset

| May 6, 2012

Christ calls us to be “fishers of men” not just “keepers of the aquarium.” Be bold today. Share the gospel in your deeds AND words.

How common to Ohio is the common five-lined skink?

| May 6, 2012

I’ve spent quite a few hours/years out in our yard working around, but today was the first I’ve ever noticed a tiny green lizard zipping around the foundation of our house. I’ve seen hundreds of little skinks in Florida, but haven’t notice many around our house. At first I though one must have hitched a […]

Supermoon and a green pool on Cinco de Mayo

| May 5, 2012

   A late in the evening couple of photos to mark Cinco de Mayo. First, the warm winter and spring … and late opening of the pool for us … gave a bit more growth to the pool water than what I find inviting. Yuck. But it has already improved with a little cleaning, pumping […]

The feeding and trapping of ”Chubby” my car mouse

| May 5, 2012

I was busy driving to and fro this week and had my usual granola bars and peanuts in the center console. Unbeknownst to me, I picked up a traveler … probably while  in New York opening up my father-in-law’s barn for the season. I left the rear hatch open on my Honda Pilot while accessing […]

My sailing friends know how to be thankful

| May 4, 2012

I received a needed lesson in blessings and being thankful today. My sailing friends Mark and Judy Handley have been sharing their daily lives online for many years while cruising around the world. Their circumnavigation ended over a year ago, but Judy continues to document their return to a “somewhat” more normal life. Unfortunately this […]

Volkswagen concept car in China

| May 3, 2012

My friend Scott (@sbilik) tweeted me this excellent "Volkswagen concept car in China" video this morning. Although I can’t understand the audio, it was well done and something I think many my age thought might be a reality in our lifetime.

Anarchists had multiple targets in northeast Ohio

| May 1, 2012

Traveling through NE Ohio today, I had thought about driving across route 82 this morning … but hearing the news that anarchist planned to blow up had me rethinking my route (not that there was really any danger — thank you FBI). I’ve often thought, that just as with the “interstate snipers” from a few […]

Do I wait for the VW TDI Alltrack?

| May 1, 2012

Posted via email from RichC’s posterous

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