Music Monday: Remembering Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion 1975
Posted By RichC on October 7, 2019
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Do you participate in Us vs Them with life and political issues?
Posted By RichC on October 5, 2019
Most people recognize how polarized our country has become … thanks in part to politicians and the media fanning the divisive flames. I’m not sure why we fall prey to their tactics, but generating hate and dislike for each other does seem to work when it comes to building campaign war-chests and rabid supporters.
I recognized it this past week even within our family. Rather than recognizing positive ideas because they represented a a good economic or environmental position … rational, thoughtful and decent people bash the opposing political party behind them. Each side, even within family, are unwilling to acknowledge positive movement because it comes from an overall ideology that they dislike. For the economic side of things, the economy under President Trump is stronger and ALL willing to work and live within their means are better off now than in recent years (unfortunately no one in Washington DC wants to cut spending, reduce waste or deal with divisive issues). As for those on the left proposing ideas to better care for our environment, those on the political right “for some crazy reason” are unwilling to recognize simple, painless and small steps each of us can make to be smarter about using resources and damaging our environment. Not every small step has to mean an economic setback, moves us backward or makes life difficult (ie. So we give up a few plastic water bottles or straws – painless, but good for the environment) Since the back and forth mentioned above was between generationally different people, I thought of this “Green Thing” video (below) … it definitely falls into the us vs them, one group vs the other, etc. Can’t we all be a little more respectful and realize we can all find “some” middle ground?
Now I understand the “give an inch, they take a mile” once the ball gets rolling position. I’m as guilty as the next person fearing compromise on constitutional issues. For example, if safety and improved gun control were really the modus operandi by anti-second amendment activists, I’d be far more willing to discuss what we can do to get a handle on gun violence … but I also know those using the term “commonsense gun laws” aren’t planning to stop at improved background checks or limiting just those “evil black guns.” The give and inch and they’ll want a mile is very real.
Tech Friday: Loving the new Amazon Echo Auto in my car
Posted By RichC on October 4, 2019
Last week, Amazon authorized my invitation and gave me a promo code for the Echo Auto Alexa device for the car (it was a long wait, but they did discount to $24.99 for invitation holders). 
For the passed several months I’ve been using an Echo Input (no speaker) in my BMW X5 35d in an attempt to simulate the Echo Auto set-up (I picked one of those up for $14.95). It has worked surprisingly well, although the WiFi takes longer to connect than the bluetooth Auto version – both require a smartphone connection.
As for ordering and installation, the new device arrived within a few days and I simply replaced the wired Echo Input with the EchoAuto. Initially I did try to connect the audio to the Avin Android based Nav PLUS display – really not all that great … and very difficult to keep multiple devices connected. So instead, I stuck with the AUX cord that I was using for the Input device. That aside, what I was surprised with, besides how quick it connected to my iPhone, was that it will hand-off what ever streaming audio that I’m listening to in the car to my After Shotz bluetooth headset when I turn off the car. Nice!
So far I haven’t tried much more than the basics … questions, leaving Alexa messages and “dropping-in",” setting audio volume, controlling lights and home devices and streaming SiriusXM or Pandora … but will soon try it for navigation and phone calling (unsure if it dials and switches to my iPhone or using Amazon two-way communication?) So far I think Amazon has a winner … and expect they’ll work a deal to build in their Echo devices in new cars.
Problems with refrigerator water filters from Crystala
Posted By RichC on October 3, 2019
Late in the spring of 2019, I ordered three new refrigerator filters from an Amazon seller for Crystala replacement filters. I’ve opted for third party filters before and really didn’t think much about it … but as more vendors use Amazon Marketplace, consumers need to be more careful since their support isn’t what we might be use to from Amazon or local retail stores.
In late summer I replaced the previous filter with a new one and noticed the taste wasn’t quite right. After running a few gallons of water through the filter, I started to wonder if these were “discount” filters and didn’t have the charcoal component that removed some of the chemical taste in our chlorinated city water.
I opted to switch out the first filter with another one and noticed that it would not install easily (see below) … almost as if it didn’t fit our Samsung Refrigerator? About that same time, I started a conversation with customer service who indicated that I was past my return period (I didn’t open for a few months). After a gruff reply from me in getting no support, and post to Amazon complaining about lack of support, a supervisor named Luke responding as “Crystala Filters Support” under the Express Parts Amazon Marketplace email address, contacted me. He had me install the 3rd filter about that time I noticed that the top rubber o-ring was missing (see photo). This must-have permitted the water to bypass the filter and caused the “unfiltered” taste. In the back of my mind, I wondered if the o-ring may have either been missing or stuck in the red cap … then thought about the difficult fit inside the refrigerator. Hm, could the o-ring have prevented the correct seating of the filter in the mount?
Never the less, the supervisor would not replace the 2 filters, but said he would credit back 30% of my purchase price – one filter. Personally, it should have been both defective filters, but since I only threw away one of them, I can probably use an o-ring from the installed third filter an add it to the second in order to get it to work. All in all, I’m glad to have figure out the problem.
Who really wants Northern Water Snakes in their pool?
Posted By RichC on October 2, 2019
Although they are not venomous, the people I know don’t like to go swimming with snakes … Northern Water Snakes in this case (I think – see screen grab below). 
After being away for a week, once again the local wildlife has decided to make our pool their home – it has been dry. I tried the “Snake Shield” repelling granules in the spring and will reapply again to see if I can keep them out of the pool house and pool. Thankfully this little guy was just feisty and is not poisonous, but he wasn’t easy to fish out of the pool as they are good swimmers. BTW, when bigger, they do like to bite.
Surprise ‘Friends’ Big Screen 30th Birthday Party for Megan
Posted By RichC on October 1, 2019
My son Taylor was in hot water most of Saturday afternoon trying to delay Megan from arriving early to the TV sitcom ‘Friends’ 25th anniversary 
birthday surprise hosted by her parents. He used the “watching college football” excuse and did everything he could to keep Megan from arriving early.
Denni and Dave did a fantastic job of hosting a VIP room at the theater and decorating it with photos and ‘Friends’ memories (a favorite show for Megan and her mom). A bunch of Megan’s friends were their as well as some of her family and us. We enjoyed the show and a great dinner … as well as surprising Megan for an early 30th birthday party (the actual date is still yet to come). What a fun time.
Music Monday: Ruby Tuesday – Rolling Stones 1967
Posted By RichC on September 30, 2019
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Ever hear a Florida alligator bellow? #video
Posted By RichC on September 29, 2019
This must be what it was like to live in the Jurassic era … or camping in the Everglades as mating season begins for the gators in Florida? (been there, done that!)
A post on Facebook from the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens in Naples, Florida shows three alligators bobbing in the water, making loud growling or roaring sounds.
A person nearby can be heard comparing the sound to dinosaurs.
“It sounds like something out of Jurassic Park,” the person is overheard saying.
According to the zoo’s caption on the video, alligators bellow all year, but they do it more often during mating season.
So much fun babysitting Annalyn in NW Ohio this past week
Posted By RichC on September 28, 2019
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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.