Music Monday: “Angel Of The Morning” – Interesting Tidbits
Posted By RichC on July 30, 2018
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Oil leak panic for the Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel
Posted By RichC on July 29, 2018
Whew … I was worried on Friday while driving the old 1982 Mercedes Benz for a reasonably close business call as I noticed oil leaking everywhere. My first concern was for an engine seal or gasket since there was so much oil dripping under the car. As a babied the car home, I feared the worst but was hoping it might just be an ill-fitting valve cover gasket, it was hard to tell when looking under the hood — oil was everywhere.
After a little more digging, I was relieved to figure out what was wrong. It seems the epoxy blob that I thought was added to the valve cover by a previous owner was not added to “just” hold on a small square of carpet to keep the engine from touching the rod that hold up the insulation under the hood … but was actually patching a worn hole in the aluminum valve cover. As the epoxy heated and cooled over the years it aged and eventually cracked loose, allowing oil to leak from the valve cover.
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I could have shopped for a new valve cover or taken the old one off and welded some new metal in, but instead use some JB Weld SteelStik 
to make the repair. I still need to keep an eye on the “now padded” rod that is under the hood, but at least I know what the previous owners repair was there for now. Crisis averted.
Previous leftover old epoxy on the left and rod under the hood with oil saturation on right
EDIT: After buffing and waxing on Sunday afternoon, the “old girl” is looking pretty good.
Mike Rowe talks about doctors in his #TheWayIHeardIt podcast
Posted By RichC on July 28, 2018
As a fan of Mike Rowe‘s The Way I Heard It podcasts, his praise for medical doctors highlights the debate of earning the "title" of doctor and being addressed as ‘Dr.’ based on "what you want to be called" or receiving honorary degrees.
As Mike Rowe comments on Twitter, "according to my producer, this brand new #episode is going to "ruffle a few feathers." I hope so. A little "feather-ruffling" is just the thing to keep the conversation lively." (podcast link)
| Just What The Doctor Ordered Mike Rowe – June 24, 2018 |
Tech Friday: Facebook stock drop demonstrates investing risk
Posted By RichC on July 27, 2018
If you have any vested interest in the stock market, Thursday’s huge drop for social networking’s behemoth Facebook ($FB), demonstrated what go up, can come down … and can come down fast! The "biggest ever one-day loss in market value for a U.S. listed company" happened yesterday and saw investors in $FB (or any pension fund, mutual fund or ETF holding shares) losing a whole lot of the gains they have seen this year.
The hugely successful tech company lost nearly $120 BILLION in market value in one day as shares of $FB fell 19% to close at $176.26 on Thursday. As the Wall Street Journal pointed out, "technology stocks have ripped higher, outpacing the broader market" all year and were the place to be invested for 2018. At some point the optimism for growth never-ending was bound to change and DID after Facebook reported slower than expected revenue growth was reported on Wednesday after market close; those paying attention knew Thursday was going to be an ugly day. Perhaps the question for many after Netflix’s miss Q2 miss a week ago and now Facebook’s tumble … is whether the FAANG stocks are now out of favor? 
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Yardwork, jury duty and enjoying the July 2018 night sky
Posted By RichC on July 26, 2018
We been enjoying summer and mostly great weather around the house and yard so far this year in 2018 and Brenda’s growing landscape mounds are all flowering and looking really nice (she has been working on them although her current Grand Jury duty is cutting into her free time). The last few days of slightly cooler weather has given way to sunshine and hotter weather now and so was finally able to get the backyard cut again. It is unusual to still have the lawn so green this late in July.
I’ve been outside each evening that the sky has been clear viewing planets and the larger than usual Mars. Last night, I was hoping to get a glimpse of the International Space Station (ISS) as it might have been possible to see it for about 10 minutes as it arced across the west-northwestern sky (red arc below), but unfortunately the high level clouds or perhaps lack of sun reflecting off of it kept me from seeing it. BUT … Venus and Jupiter were brilliant.
Photo left was edited to highlight, where photo on right is straight from my iPhone
Preparing HTTPS server and site security for the eventually day
Posted By RichC on July 25, 2018
While doing a bit of server housekeeping on the CPP servers and preparing for the eventual push to make all websites secure for users, I ran across a helpful Qualys SSL Labs site to check on certificates, etc. If you are working to get websites updated and compliant for the day ALL site will need to be secure, check out their free scan.
Since I also run a couple WordPress sites (including this blog), I’m looking at a few simple plug-ins, including WP Hide & Security Enhancer to see if it might be worthwhile in adding an additional layer of simple security for clients … although have not tried it yet (only researching).
NEARLY TWO YEARS ago, Google made a pledge: It would name and shame websites with unencrypted connections, a strategy designed to spur web developers to embrace HTTPS encryption. On Tuesday, it finally is following through.
A new pair of Sperry flip-flops and kitchen knife sharpening
Posted By RichC on July 24, 2018
Having owned a several pairs of different branded sandals and flip-flops over the years (decades), I’ve settled on my boatshoe brand of choice, the Sperry brand, as the flip-flops I prefer. Some of the more inexpensive brands wear out too quick, others, like the ones I really like from Eddie Bauer, are slick when the surface or your foot is wet (including Crocs) … and others like my toe protective and durable Keens are just less comfortable (they also continue to click).
I leave my current favorite Sperry flip-flop sandals, the Baitfish in Florida, so really needed a new pair for home … and will try a new lighter duty Wahoo flip-flop first at home to see how they hold up. So far I like them. (more…)
Music Monday: Sunshine (go away today) by Jonathan Edwards
Posted By RichC on July 23, 2018
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Another great night for viewing our neighboring planets
Posted By RichC on July 23, 2018
The moon and Jupiter circled from my iPhone on Sunday night July 22, 2018
I have fond memories of sitting out with Katelyn when she would get out her telescope and was learning astronomy … but I do also still enjoy special nights like last night to "try" to capture the amazingly bright and large planets and moon (sometimes I wish I had a telescope but the iPhone skywatching apps are great).
Mars on the left and Jupiter with some lens refraction on the right
Sunday evening with Mars as close as ever gave a great opportunity to see the "red planet" in all of its color. Saturn at 11:30PM was sharp as could be just to the left of the 3/4 moon here in Cincinnati before the clouds moved back in. Jupiter (mentioned and photographed before) was also as bright as could be … and if it was not for bedtime, I’m sure many other celestial bodies could be check off as well. What great viewing.
Mars in all of its "red" beauty from a short Lumix video – 400mm.
Fun and frustration rigging up an old Little Tikes swing
Posted By RichC on July 22, 2018
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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.