Amateur Astronomer photo of M51 – Whirlpool Galaxy
RichC | April 17, 2022
No time for a post today so I’ll include an amateur astronomer’s photo of M51 – Whirlpool Galaxy from a space-oriented social network group that was impressive.
Music Monday: “Early Morning Rain” – Gordon Lightfoot (image) … Can you see it?
RichC | April 4, 2022
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Freedom, bravery and sacrifice represented in 1, ok 2, photos
RichC | February 26, 2022
(click photo for actual Flag of Ukraine) Zelensky refuses US offer to evacuate, saying ‘I need ammunition, not a ride’ (CNN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down an offer from the United States of evacuation from the capital city Kyiv, the Ukraine embassy in Britain said Saturday on Twitter. "The fight is here; I […]
How many places do you call home … how about 11 in a lifetime?
RichC | February 23, 2022
Interesting tidbit: According to a post on social media (take that for what it is worth), “the average person lives in 11 homes in there lifetime.” It doesn’t detail if a college dorm is considering a “home,” but if I eliminate them … I’m up to EIGHT that I call “a residence.” In pondering my […]
Does she smile or not smile … that is the question?
RichC | February 20, 2022
The photo to the left is one of those photos taking up bandwidth and being passed around the Internet in emails and on social networks. The assumption is that most people see a photo of a girl who is NOT smiling. The suggestion is that if you “squint” a bit, you can see a photo […]
Tech Friday: Testing Twitter labels for automated bots
RichC | February 18, 2022
Over the years of playing (learning) Linux, setting up APIs and running webservers on a few Raspberry Pi computers, I’ve set up a Twitter “bot” in order to track them and keep them running. Last September 2021 Twitter launched an experiment of labels for these kinds of accounts that was voluntary. I run a “bot” […]
Starting a woodworking project on a cold winter weekend
RichC | February 8, 2022
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The Earth without water or atmosphere … and Mauna Kea #TBT
RichC | February 3, 2022
We rarely think about that which we cannot see … but saw a photo of the earth without water or the normal colors associated with having an atmosphere on social media and thought it was intriguing. Another comment that was made was that “IF” you were to stand on Mauna Kea in Hawaii without water, […]
Something a bit more amateur for this week’s Music Monday
RichC | December 27, 2021
Social media is filled with nastiness and ugly news … but it is also a place for upbeat positive news, scripture, prayer requests and a shared love of song and some heartwarming father-daughter bonding. I’m not sure who these “smiling” amateur singers are that appeared on my Twitter feed, but it made my day and […]
Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2021 – Elon Musk
RichC | December 26, 2021
Before the year 2021 disappears, it is worth highlighting Time magazine’s pick for Person of the Year – although I generally just roll my eyes. This time in picking Elon Musk, it is hard to disagree. The pick of Musk, the richest man on Earth, is a good one as he is not only an […]
Not the Christ you want, but the Christ you need
RichC | December 24, 2021
It is not easy to follow Christ, but His teachings, AND gift of salvation, are what we sinners need. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19 While mailing out our Christmas cards, decorating our Christmas tree and reflecting on this past year, I listened […]
Happy Winter Solstice; it is the shortest day of the year.
RichC | December 21, 2021
The planetary astronomer and science guru, Dr. James O’Donoghue, that I follow on Twitter posted a great video illustration that explains today, December 21st … or more appropriately a couple of days that occur as the seasons change. Today is the winter solstice and it marks the shortest day in the northern hemisphere. On December […]
Following NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover as it explores
RichC | December 17, 2021
It has been interesting following NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover “virtually” since the launch on July 30, 2020 and landing on Mars February 18, 2021. Since that time, Perseverancehas sent back hundreds of photos from the surface, collected (core samples) rocks and spent time “off-roading” on the surface. The terrain photo above (click it for larger) […]
The “fuel surcharge model” for TV cable content delivery?
RichC | December 11, 2021
It is a sneaky way to increase what I thought was a customer to Cincinnati Bell “contracted-each-year” cable TV and Internet monthly bill? Nope, according to @CincyBell … after being mislead by customer service that the below increases were “government related fees” and “out of their control” … the increases are negotiated contracts with content […]
Tech Friday: Is there too much of YOU on the Internet?
RichC | December 3, 2021
As years of your personal information accumulates on servers across the Internet, do you ever wonder just how much of your data has evolved from a generic interpreted sketch, to a colorful painting with specific details … to now a high resolution gigabyte sized photo of you and your life? Well it is past due […]
Green cars and hopefully green grass seed edging our driveway
RichC | December 1, 2021
Earlier this week on Twitter I shared this parking photo and thought that maybe my next vehicle should be “green?” But really just wanted to archive the kind of grass seed being used to reseed and along the edge of our new driveway.
A practical lesson for students who insist that socialism works
RichC | November 27, 2021
Filler Tuesday? An annoying animated gif from Twitter
RichC | November 23, 2021
Sort of planned to save this embedded Massimo tweet for a “Filler Friday” post or something … but needed something to plug a daily hole this week while getting ready for Thanksgiving. 😉 This has been called 'the most annoying gif on the Internet' [https://t.co/F0nU9wWnGf] but it has some interesting references, because it's a kind […]
Friday Filler: Tickling the ivories (a TikTok video snippet)
RichC | November 12, 2021
A few times before, I’ve highlighted unlikely … or maybe just surprising piano playing talent on My Desultory Blog … and this Friday Filler video is no different. The first was Jacob Toliver in an Ohio hardware store and that post still makes me smile.
Music Monday: “We’re having a Miles Davis Rally”
RichC | November 8, 2021
Although I usually don’t purposely listen to jazz, I do appreciate hearing it when it is played and discussed. Last week when Fox Business host Charles Payne mentioned “We’re having a Miles Davis rally” in reference to the stock market – and the “be there or be square” 1950’s slogan. I tweeted about it and […]
A Blue Whale in clear water off the coast of Western Australia
RichC | November 7, 2021
Maybe it is just me, but seeing this drone photo of a Blue Whale off the coast of Western Australia was impressive. Australia is one of those countries on my bucket list, but it is such a long and expensive flight … and Australia is a huge country to visit in a single trip, that […]
Tech Friday: I removed Facebook (now Meta) from iOS devices
RichC | October 29, 2021
It has been a slow process in giving up on Facebook … now Meta. I really never used it much as a social media platform, but stayed in touch with family over the years with it. The past few years I’ve tried to check in monthly and may have posted update every other month or […]
Pyramids: Amazing human-powered ancient engineering
RichC | October 17, 2021
Saw this last week posted on the @ArchaeoHistories Twitter feed. This is how the pyramids looked when they were built four thousand five hundred years ago. Where it was covered with white limestone and its top was made of gold to reflect the sun’s rays.
Tech Friday filler: Mobile Internet traffic worldwide
RichC | September 24, 2021
Saved an interesting graphic posted on social media this past week. It is interesting to look at and contemplate how we use our smartphones and tablets … it also works as a Tech Friday filler.
Music Monday: The Coasters, “Yakety Yak” and an aviation tweet
RichC | August 16, 2021
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Local banking issues, blockchain technology and the interesting book: Crypto Asset Investing in the Age of Autonomy
RichC | August 15, 2021
For decades now I’ve had a fairly positive relationship with both business (CPP) and personal banking … and particularly with local banks. I grumbled the 1990s when multiple bank mergers forced out the manager I worked with in NE Ohio. He knew me by name and often pulled me aside to see if there was anything […]
Interesting to see old Palm Treo phones in articles #TBT
RichC | July 22, 2021
Although the “installing engineered hardwood flooring” comment caught my eye in this @Forbes retweet from @ForbesAdvisor … I couldn’t help but noticed the “likely” canned image with an old Palm Treo hanging on the installers belt. Fun to remember those old days! It does bring back memories …
Lots of tools, more tools and an old Boy’s Life booksafe #TBT
RichC | July 15, 2021
After seeing this photo of someone workbench screwdriver holder, I don’t feel quite as bad about my multiple tool boxes and workbench racks. Without a doubt, I do have my share of tools and gadgets, but I’m not sure how many screwdrivers it is necessary to have in one holder? The Facebook photo above aside, […]
The mixed messages on inflation and what does it mean?
RichC | June 23, 2021
Although I’m likely tainted in having lived through a period where inflation was real and uncontrolled, I do worry that people living today either ignore or downplay the negative impact inflation, stagflation or worse … hyperinflation … can make on our country. For those who know me, I’ve likely been the “boy who calls wolf” […]
Jimmy Buffett in Delray Beach & automotive pandemic insanity
RichC | June 3, 2021
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Music Monday: “Signs” by Five Man Electric Band (1971)
RichC | May 24, 2021
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Civility in debating political views and “my” Letter to the Editor
RichC | May 12, 2021
In February 2021, I mentioned The Hustings news website which highlighted how much I appreciated that in America we can hold different political views and civilly debate issues without fear of government retribution (First Amendment). Unfortunately in the past decade or so our differences have become so divisive and derisive, that I’m not sure that […]
Tech Friday: Evaluating my newsfeed & “waste of time” tweeting
RichC | April 23, 2021
I’ve used Twitter as my interactive Newsfeed for almost 15 years now and it has been a struggle to decide if it is worth it or not? BUT, like most people who start the addictive habit of using social networks and reading “feeds” (newsworthy or not), it is a difficult habit to stop. For the […]
Music Monday: Not my taste, but definitely Bluegrass talent
RichC | April 19, 2021
This past weekend I saw what looked like an amateur musician in a college dorm or apartment video roll across my Twitter feed and thought, “this young man has talent.” It reminded me of a post from 2014 when Jacob Tolliver sat down at a piano in a Portsmouth, Ohio hardware store. This kind of […]
My new visual for the “blow your own horn [trumpet]” idiom
RichC | April 15, 2021
John Rowe, an automotive friend on Twitter, often shares a “ Today’s Useless Tweet” that I find entertaining. It fit with the idioms tag on MyDesultoryBlog and thought his “blow your own horn [trumpet]” (see below embedded tweet) would be fitting as a filler for today. Today’s Useless Tweet : 1972. 5th grade. Parents bought […]
Celebrities Then and Now Photos (popular on social media)
RichC | April 11, 2021
Last week my sister-in-law shared an update on her Facebook page of some well-known Hollywood celebrities that I thought would be interesting to at to MyDesultoryBlog. I downloaded the 30+ different-sized photos, resized a few and decided it might work as an automated slide show (if you want my resized originals, download this .zip archive). […]
Music Monday: The Band and Kodachrome photography
RichC | March 29, 2021
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At what point do or can you start cutting ties with BigTech?
RichC | March 20, 2021
A technology friend of mine, Scott Bilik (who was considered my Twitter “Godfather in 2007), has recently wiped some of the mud from his hypothetical digital footprints and is systematically freeing himself from Big Tech’s shackles. This current Silicon Valley monopoly has increased its political clout and has enticed or entrapped most of us in […]
Tech Friday: Twitter lock my account this week, but I don’t know who complained or what content infringed on copyright laws?
RichC | December 18, 2020
A daily routine for over a decade has been using the social network Twitter as an interactive newsfeed – replaced RSS feed reader. It has also been a place to post MyDesultoryBlog.com updates and interact on my RichC account with friends in a variety of groups: car club, aviation interests, sailing, finance, investing, and of […]
Funny, but not funny … perhaps it is the frustration we all feel?
RichC | December 16, 2020
Are you tired of this COVID19 lockdown yet? It is hard to believe the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic AND those politicians dictating shutdowns in their mini-kingdoms have not had more pushback than they have? Way too many small businesses, and especially people working in the travel and food service industry, will not be having much of […]
Memories of Grandmothers and Aprons plus photos #TBT
RichC | November 26, 2020
Since I’m pre-writing this by a few days for Throwback Thursday #TBT, I realized just before post it that it will also be Thanksgiving on Thursday. Our family won’t be getting together as usual (same for a lot of families for a COVID19 resurgence), but ours was planned that way since we rotate holidays; Katelyn, […]
Remembering a couple 1970s TV shows and commercials
RichC | November 24, 2020
A car enthusiast’s off-topic “Today’s Useless Tweet” got me thinking about old television shows that I enjoyed while growing up. I’m sure almost everyone my age flirts with nostalgia and can go on indefinitely with memories of their youth? His Banacek share (good show) and the George Peppard memory, which for me will always be […]
Tech Friday: Streaming services and a price increase by Netflix
RichC | November 6, 2020
Although it was announced in October 2020, most existing Netflix subscribers won’t be feeling the 8% price hike immediately (new pricing over the next few months) … but prices are going up again. In our house we also have Amazon Prime for the movies and Prime shipping, but haven’t added any other services … our […]
Reminder to myself: We need a new trash can. #video
RichC | October 20, 2020
Just a “beary” interesting video that is making its way around social media. The bear is a big one, but I’m more impressed with the trash can!
Friday Filler: Probably the cutest thing you will see this week
RichC | October 16, 2020
Watch what happens when this “magic hat” is put on a baby duckling …
An inexpensive Sailrite LSZ-1 sewing machine cart is finished
RichC | October 7, 2020
The Sailrite LSZ-1 sewing machine cart is complete and turned out great. Everything worked as planned (a rarity for me) and didn’t have to purchase anything new. The wider oak material was sitting in my stock shelf, the edge banding for the fold out table stripped from the glass top of my recently disassembled printing […]
Sold my Twitter $TWTR stock as the election nears
RichC | October 2, 2020
With Twitter $TWTR stock rising this week and the election around the corner, I debated buying a PUT option, but instead decided I would feel more comfortable in a cash position than wondering what direction the stock will move next time. Years ago I unfortunately picked Twitter as my social network investment and for the […]
What some will do to digitalize their kids drawings #TBT
RichC | August 13, 2020
There is no doubt in my mind that I would have tried to do this if Photoshop would have been as advanced when my kids were younger (or if I would have been has skilled – I’m basically a retoucher). As it was, I did include one of Katelyn’s computer art pieces (on my Mac SE […]
Someone’s Tesla is plugged into my 220VAC welding circuit?
RichC | August 9, 2020
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Tech Friday: CCleaner marked a PUA by Microsoft Defender
RichC | August 7, 2020
It is always concerning to use and recommended a software product for years and to hear negative news on the software from a reputable antivirus. Last month, Microsoft Defender marked the “crap cleaner” known as CCleaner as PUA (Potentially Unwanted Software) likely due to the “PC cleaning software’s bundling unwanted add-on and annoyance software. The […]
Music Monday: “The Captain And The Kid” – Jimmy Buffett
RichC | August 3, 2020
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NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance launched successfully today
RichC | July 30, 2020
The NASA liftoff of Perseverance (7/30/2020) was a great sight this morning as was hearing that the new new rover “phoned home” an hour later. Those who grew up with the space program are fondly remembering the race to the moon days as well as the excitement in man probing space. This trip to Mars […]
Jumping dogs, Yoda-like pigs and Ostrich wood #filler
RichC | July 29, 2020
If you spend much time on social networks, this is the kind of stuff you start to collect. So before tossing it … why not force it on someone else? 😊
Social networking with like-minded friends about cars and remembering camping with my family when growing up #TBT
RichC | July 23, 2020
Having the comradery of social media friends who enjoy similar interests doesn’t necessarily replace face to face friendships, but at least during the Coronavirus pandemic it is a way to stay connected. There are a few of us like-minded car guys who sort of have an appreciation for the mundane cars and share stories, photos and […]
Well so much for a smooth reopening in Ohio #COVID19
RichC | July 7, 2020
See a few more details leading up to this from Gov Mike Dewine on this post.
The Fiat 500X and selling hot dogs from a VW bus in NYC
RichC | June 7, 2020
Just an automotive kind of filler today after sharing Erwin Wurm’s “chubby” Volkswagen Hot Dog “microbus” from NYC last week on Tom Appel’s Twitter feed. The discussion started when I commented that the Fiat 500X Sport reminded me of the “plump when you cook it” Ballpark franks commercials in the 1990s. Eventually I shared the […]
Music Monday: Demonstrating your talent at a public piano
RichC | May 11, 2020
One of posts that once received a lot of traffic on my blog was Jacob Tolliver playing a piano in an Ohio hardware store several years ago. The Facebook embed was taken down, but I reposted the video from YouTube last year. I must not have been the only one who appreciates watching those with […]
A second post today to say Thank You
RichC | May 8, 2020
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Come on people, we are better than this! #COVID19
RichC | April 29, 2020
As one commenter on the Bluewater Sailing and Cruising FB social group stated, “People are disgusting.” Its also what we are all seeing in the parking lots of our communities during the coronavirus pandemic. All kinds of PPE is being lazily discarded. Without thinking, people toss their used rubber gloves, wipes and masks after they […]
Getting close to nature … this might be too close!
RichC | April 25, 2020
Once upon a time, I worked at Sea World in Aurora, Ohio. I did not work with the Killer Whales (Orcas), but was fortunate enough to have been able to “hang out” with them when the park was closed. I would often enjoy sitting on lunch breaks watching them “watching me” while exercising in the […]
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.