My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 24, 2019

It may not be the latest and greatest iPhone from Apple, but having one that works sure beats struggling with a microphone that does not. Thankfully staying persistent that the replacement battery service is likely what caused my microphone problem paid off. The local Apple Store may have failed me, but a return call from Apple Support promised to follow up and “make it right.”

After an initial hiccup with having the wrong phone active on my account (last week’s store issue), “Hasan” reactivated my old phone within a day so that he could authorize an “Express Replacement.” It arrived yesterday and after a few steps, an experienced VirginMobile representative was able to activate the old SIM to the new IMEI number of the iPhone 7-plus.

Unfortunately even with a full Apple iTunes backup of my old phone, there are things that do not transfer correctly. Updating apps, password access for each, Apple pay data as well as all Bluetooth and WiFi settings all require pecking in numbers, etc. It’s probably all good for security, but a pain when realizing just how many things are kept in a phone that we take for granted … and usually having to find it at the most inconvenient time. All in all, I’m glad to have a working phone again.

Category: Cellphone, Personal, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: 7-plus, apple, battery, iphone, microphone, problems, replacement, virginmobile

Posted By RichC on April 23, 2019

Although Brenda worked Easter Sunday this year, the weather could not have been more beautiful in Cincinnati for a few chores.

I buffed out the oxidation on our 2002 Honda Odyssey, as the Florida sun is hard on paint. After buffing, I wax and buffed again in order to add a layer of protection … my dad would have been pleased (personally, I think it looks pretty good for a 17 year old “work-wagon.”)  Also, before packing a few tools and supplies back in the van for a trip south, I headed out into the yard to enjoy the sunshine … as well as take a few “flowers in bloom” photos for the archive as a few times before (like 4/16/2017). I forgot just how beautiful our Lilac bushes, Redbud trees, Magnolias and Tulips are in the spring, especially against the dark green grass after the first mowing (which was last week). 

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Category: Archive, Hobby, Holiday, Personal, Photography, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: camera, cincinnati, flowers, gx8, honda, house, lumix, odyssey, ohio, photography, Photos, spring, van, yard

Posted By RichC on April 22, 2019

The subject line of this post is definitely one of the quirkier tidbits for a Music Monday song, but I thought it was a somewhat unique way to mention Into The Mystic and post a couple different YouTube videos – here’s the LP version (pretty cool) and a live version embedded below. According to a BBC survey, this Van Morrison song is “one of the most popular songs for surgeons to listen to while performing operations.” They say it is because it has a “cooling, soothing vibe.”

Van Morrison’s music ranks high on my list of favorites, especially his music from the 1970s … the release day from the album Moondance was February 1970. His songs have been included before, but I think a live Into The Mystic (lyrics) is worth including (no longer available).

Category: Music, Tidbits, Video | No Comments »
Tags: into the mystic, moondance, music monday, musicmonday, van morrison, you tube

Posted By RichC on April 21, 2019

Happy Easter … He Is Risen. He Is Risen Indeed! The resurrection of Jesus and His “ascension” to heaven is a vision we can only imagine.

When I’m too busy to blog, a beautiful photo from space works well as an Easter post. Here’s a photo from the International Space Station (#ISS) just after a Shuttle launch a few years ago. Impressive! (click for larger)

Category: Archive, Faith, Holiday, Photography, Photos, Space | No Comments »
Tags: ascension, clouds, easter, iss, jesus, launch, nasa, photography, rocket, shuttle, space

Posted By RichC on April 20, 2019

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Idioms, Memories, Nature, Personal, Photos, Recreation, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, brenda, drew, family, hiking, idiom, katelyn, megan, national park, Photos, taylor, Travel, trips

Posted By RichC on April 19, 2019

After a first cutting of the backyard, the flowering phlox and Redbud trees make even a cold and gloomy “Good Friday” worth taking a panorama photo.

But let’s keep our focus on what Jesus did for us and the reason we refer today as “GOOD Friday” – I like what Rev Franklin Graham shared on Twitter (embedded below).

What’s so good about Good Friday? pic.twitter.com/cKnKKFQSR2

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) April 19, 2019

Category: Faith, Nature, Personal, Photography, Photos, Social Media, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: backyard, christianity, Faith, flower, franklin graham, good friday, pano, panorama, phlox, photo, redbud, trees, twitter

Posted By RichC on April 19, 2019

All who have been through computer and cellphone issues know what a headache little glitches can become. For me, ever since having my battery replaced on my iPhone 7-plus back in January, the front facing microphone has not worked. After a couple back and forth evening phone calls with Apple Support, we set up an appointment to have the phone looked at in the local Apple Store. I was not overly concerned since I have AppleCare and my phone still functional when using a bluetooth headset … but I definitely wanted to get it fixed (I still love the phone).

So, over lunch this past week one of Apple’s nonconformist gurus from the “genius bar” (they all look eccentric to me, IMHO) took a look at it. He powwowed with his fellow geniuses and concluded Apple would just replace my phone with a new iPhone 7-plus. Unfortunately, 2 hours later and after signing the agreement for the new phone (and watching it update from the cloud over WiFi), I was still sitting there with him struggling to get the VirginMobile SIM to activate on the new phone. Three phone calls to different VirginMobile reps later, he was totally exasperated, as was I (FYI, a good deal was why I switched to VirginMobile). No matter how hard he tried, he could not get my old SIM to work in the new phone OR a new SIM from Apple to activate on the phone either. The customer service mistake was that the AppleStore sent me home without resolving the issue and with my old phone wiped clean; thankfully my phone number was still active on my old phone. Of course I still have the same defective microphone that I came in to resolve 2-1/2 hours previous … and a promise someone from Apple would call me.

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Category: Apple, Business, Cellphone, Personal, Productivity, Technology, Video | No Comments »
Tags: 7plus, apple, complaint, customer service, iphone, microphone, problem, rant, virgin mobile

Posted By RichC on April 18, 2019

It is Thursday before Easter  and besides thinking about a Throwback Thursday post, it is also Maundy Thursday – the day in which Christian’s commemorate the Last Supper. It also reminds me of the times we would get together with our families on or around Easter. Sometimes it was with my parents and other times with Brenda’s parents – a few times at their condo in Florida (1997 #TBT photos).

It is also a reminder that I need to get my project in order since our Canadian renters will be heading home and it will be time for me to head down and clean up. I have been thinking about it and getting my “work-wagon” Honda Odyssey van ready for the trip; I’ve also noticed the pile of stuff Brenda keeps adding to for me to take south. I do have the base of the vanities, sinks and faucets ready to go, but still need to coordinate the other items I’m going to need for the master bathroom remodel. I’m half looking forward to it and half feeling overwhelm with things to do at home too – it is spring.

As for the #TBT tie into this post, I thought of my nephew Justin, wife Keity and growing kids the other night after seeing a photo on Facebook mentioning they were at the Minnesota Twins game and that Madelyn and Evan were on the jumbotron at Target Field. Now that we don’t drive to Wayzata to visit Katelyn, Drew and Annalyn anymore, we don’t see the Howards as often … but still get the occasional text message and phone call from Justin. What a great family.

The Howards – Justin, MomH, Aaron, Jackie and DadH in 1997

Category: Holiday, Personal, Photos, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: aaron, bathroom, condo1718, dadh, delray beach, easter, family, florida, howard, jackie, jumbotron, justin, master, maundy, minneapolis, minnesota, momh, projects, spring break, TBT, throwback, thursday, twins, vacation

Posted By RichC on April 17, 2019

It was a struggle to contain my frustration as I watched Senator Bernie Sanders pitch his version of Democratic Socialism to a “townhall” Q & A hosted by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum of Fox News on Monday night. I “SO” hope that the American people have far more commonsense than to head further down a path that has failed in every country it has ever been tried. On the contrary, for all the challenges we have with our  system that embraces free markets and capitalism, it has demonstrated success in lifting the quality of life for all – it is what attracts millions from everywhere else to come to America. Let’s not lose that risk-reward motivation and competitive edge.

I keep looking and listening for a simple sound bite that will make sense people from all backgrounds. Below is a paraphrased comment from Art Laffer (of Laffer curve theory) when discussing overly punitive progressive taxes and taxes on wealth. He commented that “the more earnings and wealth government takes from achievers, the more it deters them from working harder and taking risks. The more government provides and gives to workers, the less motivated they are to take risk, achieve and work harder.”

Competitive markets work and capitalism naturally advances a society, where socialism and a heavy reliance on government provided services reduces competition, improvement and innovation … and almost always proves to be the least efficient provider of goods and services. If America’s current system is leaving too many people behind, let’s improve our free-market , incentive based system and not go to a punitive based government controlled system. Competitive markets,  risk – reward and capitalism work … and is the only economic system proven to improve the quality of life for all willing to participate.

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Category: Financial, Humor, Politics, Video | No Comments »
Tags: art laffer, bernie sanders, capitalism, democrat, foxnews, Humor, incentives, progressive, republican, socialism, townhall, video

Posted By RichC on April 16, 2019

Besides finishing the painful tax filing this weekend, I replaced the rear shocks in my 2002 Honda Odyssey  “work-wagon” and Florida vehicle. It is still the lowest mile vehicle we have, but unfortunately, it is showing its age … especially the rusting undercarriage. Still, it runs well and is reliable … knock on wood.

I’ve been noticing the chatter when going over bumps lately and a glance at the passenger side rear shock indicated the oil damper had leaked out – the shock no longer returns to position. Below is a quick glance at the bad shock on top and the “still acceptable” but replaced shock on the bottom. The good shock will return after being compressed … the bad one is dead.

Category: Automotive, Misc, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: honda, mp4, odyssey, phrase, repair, replace, shocks, superstition, van, video, words