It is hard to believe that Brenda and I have been with the same insurance company for auto and home since 1982. I’ve rarely put in a claim (although the basement water damage comes to mind), but after a $400 renewal bump in our automotive policy that Liberty Mutual could not tweak or requote lower, it was time to shop around. I did end up with a new auto policy that seems to offer equal if not better coverage for $400/year less … and today “bundled” the home and umbrella with that same new company.
After all these years … I’m hoping it was the right decision, but frankly, the numbers weren’t even close … perhaps I just needed a little fiscal motivation to leave?
We attended and enjoyed the wedding for Taylor’s long time “birthday buddy” and grade school, high school and college friend Katie Gormas to Jason Kirklin in downtown Cincinnati this weekend. Beside a high traffic parking fiasco that almost made us late, the evening was very nice. Taylor and Megan arrived even a few minutes after us so we weren’t too late as it seemed (the wedding was also delayed a few minute to accommodate others having the same problem). Whew.
The ceremony was very nice and we all enjoyed the reception at the same location, The Spot on West Fifth in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Our table #18 of the parents of Katie’s friends was somewhat mature. 😉
While looking thorough my library borrowed e-version copy of Woodworker’s Journal magazine (Oct/Nov 2023), I scanned an interesting tip. Since the paraffin wax that I usually apply to a heated wood screw take a little more effort (butane torch the screw threads and stick it in the wax), I thought I might try this great reader tip … I even like the dispenser idea!
BUT … today we celebrate Veterans Dayand all the brave men and women who have served our country. They have made tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom and way of life … and we owe them a debt of gratitude. This year, Veterans Day is on November 11, 2023, and regardless of the war or conflict, we want to honor your sacrifice and commitment to protecting America and her citizens. A simple “thank you” doesn’t seem enough.
Happy Birthday @USMC .. and thank you from America! “The history of the force sometimes called the nation’s “tip of the spear” dates to Nov. 10, 1775 and action taken by the Second Continental Congress in advance of the Revolutionary War.”
It is not a normal Tech Friday kind of week as I had some SSL problems (still do) for a few domains that I service and a Linux server update problem (primarily related to MySQL database problems).
All in all I’m busy with double checking my backups, archives and snapshots to be sure there is a fallback position. Since I’m in the middle of maintenance, it seemed like a good time to update WordPress to 6.4 “Shirley”(for jazz singer Shirley Horn) and be sure the plugins were up-to-date on the blog too.
After all the updating, snapshotting and restarting … I think the load levels and “swappiness” (yes, that is the Linux term for RAM to harddrive) … I think the server is running normally. I’m crossing my fingers.
Not all that long ago, I blogged on the need to start looking for a replacement pocket knife for my all-time-favorite EDC Swiss pocket knife. I could never quite cough up the money since the “blades” on my Mini Champ were still good and it spends most of its time in my pocket anyway.
BUT … last weekend, a little more of the plastic chipped away and is now snagging in my pocket. I’ve given thought to an epoxy repair, but think it is time to bite the bulletor add to my Christmas list???
On Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, I actually stood in line for 20- 30 minutes at the polls in order to vote in an off-year election! It wasn’t a big deal, but I wasn’t expecting a line considering I met my son for brunch after his doctor’s appointment and timed it purposely to not be at the polls during the noon hour. Who knew the two issues on the ballot in Ohio would garner so much attention: abortion and marijuana legalization? On the other hand, it was a nice sunny day to be out and about … and a chance to have brunch with Taylor, talk my neighbor while in line.
I also downloaded a new World War II book by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver titled Pacific Thunder(in this case the 2017 13h 15m audiobook – below in Hoopla) to continue in the previous theme of reading and study. As mentioned before, I’ve been focused on the war in the Pacific … although since this is audio, I may save it for a trip (Brenda enjoyed listening to both Eugene B. Sledge books with me).
The weather was just right this past weekend to work on the second batch of leaves for 2023. Even Brenda enjoyed coming outside to help as the sun was shining and was warm (HOT when working) for a breezy 60 degrees. We had a productive Saturday.
On Sunday the weather was even better and about this time of year, the sun shines in our back windows from the south and they are noticeably terrible. As I mention each spring and late fall or winter, we are going to have to hire a window cleaning company to take the job of cleaning them. BUT for now, I spent the afternoon before the NASCAR championship race and Sunday night football (Bengals beat the Bills) cleaning the windows in the back of the house and poolhouse garage (minus climbing the extension ladder for top windows).
Although I’m sure I’m not the only one, but today’s Music Monday song (and YouTube served music video) is one of those songs that after hearing it, I can’t get out of my head … in other words, an earworm.
The “Best Day of my Life” from 2013 is by pop band American Authors and has a catchy 96 beats per minute tempo that has a stuttering “the best day of my li-i-i-i-ife” and occurs in the recurring “whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh” chorus as well. Reader warning … don’t play it if you are susceptible to earworm songs.
It is hard to believe that Brenda and I have been with the same insurance company for auto and home since 1982. I’ve rarely put in a claim (although the basement water damage comes to mind), but after a $400 renewal bump in our automotive policy that Liberty Mutual could not tweak or requote lower, it was time to shop around. I did end up with a new auto policy that seems to offer equal if not better coverage for $400/year less … and today “bundled” the home and umbrella with that same new company. 
After all the updating, snapshotting and restarting … I think the load levels and “swappiness” (yes, that is the Linux term for RAM to harddrive) … I think the server is running normally. I’m crossing my fingers. 
occurs in the recurring “whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh” chorus as well.