Mid-November must be time to rake leaves in Ohio? #TBT
Posted By RichC on November 15, 2018
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Pocket dust, the bane of micro plugs in our smartphones
Posted By RichC on November 14, 2018
It is shocking just how much lint and dust can accumulate in the tiny holes and connectors of our smartphones. If you notice 
questionable connections and charging difficultly with your iPhone or Android phone your first look should be at the cord, plug and socket of your phone. In my case, the amount of lint at the base of the lightning plug on my Apple iPhone built up enough to occasionally prevent the plug from inserting fully. The solution was to use a small dental tool to "gently" loosen the built up pocket dust from the socket. A little suction from a shopvac hopefully will take care of the rest.
How prepared are we for the next economic downturn?
Posted By RichC on November 13, 2018
After Monday’s selloff (see below), what lies ahead for the U.S. economy? That thought has some of seriously thinking the next economic downturn could come sooner rather than as expected … later.
The sell off … "again" … has me wondering if we are prepared for the next recession? Is the U.S., or the world, is ready for downturn?
Usually central banks try to soften a recession by lowering interest rates, increasing money supply, controlling reserves and the buying/selling of government bonds here and abroad in order to stimulate the economy. But our Federal Reserve is barely back to normal levels after a prolonged period of stimulating the economy with their monetary policies.
Besides banking, there is also fiscal policy where governments attempt to juice the economy by investing/spending or returning taxes to consumers, so they can cut taxes and deficit spend in order to stimulate the economy (sarcastically, "that’s the norm").
"Recessions occur where there is too little spending to keep an economy’s
resources from falling idle." – Ryan Avent of The Economist
Obviously there are repercussions from both monetary and fiscal policies since at some point good economies needs to be able to stand on their own, at least between recessions. The Federal Reserve in the U.S. still has not fully recovered from the last recession and we all know our elected representatives can’t even agree on a balanced budget year to year, let alone manage the taxes they do collect wisely. It is difficult to be optimistic having just watched our nation’s debt double in the last decade; it is now $21.7 Trillion – that is mindboggling.
Dow Falls 600Pts As Tech Rout Hits Stocks
Monday’s selling began in the technology sector, then morphed into a broad rout that dragged lower everything from oil conglomerates to manufacturers to entertainment firms. It was the latest setback for the stock market, which has struggled to break out to new highs since the S&P 500 capped off its worst month in more than seven years.
The Dow industrials fell 602 points, or 2.3%, to 25387. The S&P 500 lost 2% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.8%.
Music Monday: A Rumours of Fleetwood Mac recap
Posted By RichC on November 12, 2018
After posting on last weekend Rumours of Fleetwood Mac concert on Friday night for Saturday’s post, I realized the music related post would have made a great Music Monday post. Since part of being a VIP attendee was a bunch of swag including a promo video, so below a little bit of what the concert performance was like … or check out the previous post.
Veterans Day – 100 year anniversary of the Armistice ending WWI
Posted By RichC on November 11, 2018
The "Bells of Peace" will ring out nationwide from smartphones on
the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" to mark the centennial
of the end of World War I in November 1918 – click for app
On the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month … one hundred years ago … in 1918, the guns of World War I fell silent as the Armistice ending WWI was signed … it unfortunately was not to be the war to end all wars.
Today, Veterans Day, the citizens of our nation honors ALL of our veterans … and we thank them for their service. Although the last living veteran who fought in World War I died in 2012, we appreciate those veterans who followed in their footsteps serving in the military and 
protecting us from the tyrannical evil in the World War to follow, as well as when our nation called and calls them, again and again. Thank you veterans for answering that call and for your service to our country.
Veteran’s Day (formerly Armistice Day) is celebrated on November 11th each year. This is a day for us to honor our nation’s veterans, and in particular on this centennial year, remember those who served in the First World War.
Origin
During August 1914, immediately after the outbreak of the war, British author and social commentator H. G. Wells published a number of articles in London newspapers that subsequently appeared as a book entitled The War That Will End War. Wells blamed the Central Powers for the coming of the war and argued that only the defeat of German militarism could bring about an end to war. Wells used the shorter form of the phrase, "the war to end war", in In the Fourth Year (1918), in which he noted that the phrase had "got into circulation" in the second half of 1914. In fact, it had become one of the most common catchphrases of the First World War.
In later years, the term became associated with Woodrow Wilson, despite the fact that Wilson used the phrase only once. Along with the phrase "make the world safe for democracy", it embodied Wilson’s conviction that U.S. entry into the war was necessary to preserve human freedom.
If you enjoy music, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is a great concert
Posted By RichC on November 10, 2018
It has been 41 years since Fleetwood Mac released their ginormous selling album called Rumours which was a must have by college students like me in the late 1970s (45 million copies of Rumours has been sold). Brenda and I attended a Rumours of Fleetwood Mac concert marking the 40 years milestone this past week with a couple VIP passes to meet the band members … 
and listen to (and record) a few songs LIVE (below) during their pre-concert "sound check." We made the most of our 6 hour date night with dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the 2-1/2 hour concert that started at 7:30. The walk down memory lane included original pre-1970s Fleetwood Mac "blues," every Rumours song (including Silver Springs excluded from original release due to space), ending with a raucous version of Tusk that was enjoyed by all attending in downtown Cincinnati’s Taft Theatre. Smaller venues are really nice … especially with a pre-concert warm-up along and chance to talk with the band.
| Dreams – performed LIVE 11/8/2018 during “sound check” Rumours of Fleetwood Mac |
We both enjoyed the entire evening and can recommend it if you enjoy 1970s and 80s music. A video introduction by Mick Fleetwood started the evening 
which is all that much more interesting since he and several member of the 70s and 80s Fleetwood Mac group are performing in North America this year too. They are not getting any younger! The younger English band members who were very talented were all very personable and seemed to enjoy performing. The concert included a bunch of early Fleetwood Mac photos and videos which displayed on screen as the music was performed. All in attendance were on their feet by the end of the concert. When the band came out for their final bow, their genuine smiles looked as if they appreciated the cheers and applause. Below is some iPhone "pre-concert sound check" footage with a couple photos from our evening slipped in.
Tech Friday: Brydge keyboards for the new iPad Pro 2018
Posted By RichC on November 9, 2018
Having used a Brydge keyboard with an iPad from their first introduction, I can say that IF I were to update my current iPad Air2 to the 2018 just introduced iPad Pro that I would seriously consider waiting for the 2019 Brydge keyboard … they are that good.
But with all current Apple updates to products, there come higher and higher prices – and it has been significant in the last couple product cycles. The once inexpensive accessory, the cellphone, is no longer on a normal person’s 2 year upgrade cycle now that smartphones are becoming our computers. Speaking of computers, this decades models are so capable that the average user can keep them for years without feeling they are antiquated. Speed, size, battery life and storage are no longer major issues for 5 year old computers.
Same for my first iPad2 and iPad Air2 … it still does most everything I ask of it: 1) lasts all day, 2) run relatively fast, 3) updates the current apps & iOS, 4) is small enough to carry most anywhere, and 5) has a display of an appropriate size and resolution. Do I "want" better … yes. Do I "need" better … not really. Is it worth paying twice as much for the new one than the previous model? It is hard to justify for a penny pincher like me.
Tech companies developing phones, tablets, notebook or desktop computers, their accessories and software … or even televisions … are going to step up their game by either giving me a reason to upgrade or at least entice me with a better price point and NOT double the price of the "still functioning previous model.
Phases of life – early retirement travel and in school already
Posted By RichC on November 8, 2018
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DEMs grow governorships & flip House, but GOP gains Senators
Posted By RichC on November 7, 2018
The midterm election is finally over and those who are tired of pile of flyers in their mail, phone calls, email spam and still watching cable TV network stations are no doubt thankful that is the case.
As for the results, each political party can claim some degree of victory. The Democrats definitely gained ground from a deep hole by winning the majority of governorships and the majority in the 
House. Republicans can claim it wasn’t the "blue wave" many pollsters had predicted and in fact gained larger majority in the Senate. All in all, both sides can pat themselves on the back … but the work now begins.
The DEMs can no longer obstruct and resist IF they want to keep their new majority in the House, as they now have to "stand for something." If they are going to prove themselves productive, they will have to work with President Trump on something (unless they take the low road and attempt to impeach him). The bickering Republican senators might still disagree with each other, but better get unified if they want to keep their seats. President Trump’s job either just got harder or perhaps easier since he might just make deals with congress in order to keep the country functioning. Let’s hope for the later.
One of the biggest changes in the last 14 years has been that both Democrats and Republicans have become more entrenched. The extremes of both parties is noticeably stronger and the moderates from each party are disappearing. If you pay attention to any news, get togethers or water cooler talk, you can feel the tension among co-workers, friends and family.
Make it a good day and be sure to exercise your right to VOTE
Posted By RichC on November 6, 2018
This year Brenda and I voted absentee … or by mail. I knew it was an important mid-term and wanted to be sure our votes counted, but do miss the feeling of standing in line with others and waiting my turn at the polls. That said, minus the hiccup with our verification system (missing digits for driver’s license number), sitting down and carefully reading about each candidate and our only issue gave me a chance to research a little bit. Thankfully I knew the details since my son wanted to review them with me last night — good job being an informed voter Taylor.
And as if my prepared video post for today didn’t lift my spirits, the predicted rain was sunshine … and the Orca log-in screen greeting me on my Windows Lenovo notebook computer rewarding.
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.