My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on October 21, 2015

Rep Paul Ryan leaving his office on Tuesday

It looks like Rep Paul Ryan is open to running for Speaker of the House “if” all the political components in the Republican party can unite. In today's divided congress (not just Democrats and Republicans), this will not be a small task. I personally hope that this Miami grad (MU Ohio) will be able to bring both the traditional moderates wing and relatively new conservative right wing of the party together. I hope he gets the chance.

WASHINGTON—Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) indicated to House Republicans on Tuesday that he would be open to running for speaker under certain conditions, according to lawmakers attending a closed-door meeting.

The Wisconsin Republican told the lawmakers that he would need the support of the hard-line conservative group the Freedom Caucus, centrists in the Tuesday Group and the Republican Study Committee, a larger conservative group within the caucus.

Mr. Ryan has said he doesn’t want the job but has been wooed by his colleagues as the one lawmaker with leadership and vision to bridge the divides in the fractious conference. On Tuesday night, he gave his GOP colleagues his strongest indication yet that their entreaties could pay off.

Mr. Ryan said he wanted to know by Friday if the three major caucuses would endorse him. He said he wouldn’t support rules changes to benefit any one caucus, said Rep. Charlie Dent (R., Pa.).

According to a Ryan aide, if the members “agree with his requests and share his vision, and if he is a unity candidate—with the endorsement of all the conference’s major caucuses—then he will serve as speaker,” an aide said. “He will be all in.”

Full WSJ article LINK

Category: News, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: congress, paul ryan, republican, speaker

Posted By RichC on October 20, 2015

Very ingenious …

Category: Innovation, Misc | 1 Comment »
Tags: close, open, sign

Posted By RichC on October 19, 2015

While helping Taylor look for his next car, I ran across a higher mile (highway), one owner 2010 BMW X5 35d that needs a little work. I'm confident I can take care of the minor body work and paint … but nervous about the computer issues and non-working AC. After a little research on how to connect to the vehicle without a dealer's assistance with the onboard computer, it sounds a bit more challenging than our Volkswagens with my VAGCOM setup. We'll see how my offer and negotiation skills go (stay tuned) … half the battle has already been won — my wife's approval.

Category: Automotive, BMW, Diesel, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: BMW, diesel, SUV, x5 35d

Posted By RichC on October 17, 2015

We waited long enough in deciding what to do with our 20+ year old KitchenAid refrigerator as the cheap paint fix can only do so much in extending the life of our old refrigerator. We opted for the Samsung that I’ve been sitting on the fence about for over a year and realized that we were not going to be remodeling the kitchen anytime soon. The new refrigerator fits great, looks good and is a quiet as a mouse. Although the ice maker doesn’t make and store as much as the old, the in-the-door feature and added freezer space is a plus. The only glitch is that the brushed stainless steel doesn’t match the Bosch dishwasher perfectly … but as I pointed out to Brenda, the angles are different and with the lighting you’d be hard pressed to notice.

Let’s see if I’m as pleased in 20 years!

Category: Misc, Personal, Photos | 1 Comment »
Tags: home, improvements, kitchen, refrigerator, samsung, update, upgrade

Posted By RichC on October 16, 2015

I wrote and email the other day explaining my thoughts to someone commenting that they were impressed with the Democrats and and not so impressed with the Republicans after watching three recent debates by 20+ different candidates. Since I put a little time and thought into my reply, I figured it might be blog-worthy … or maybe not???

Sorry to hear that all you digested 16 person field of Republican candidates was the press ballyhooing Donald Trump’s comments (BTW, NPR is not going to give you balance).

Before you jump onboard Democratic Socialist movement (currently their leaning), you better review history as it relates to presidential leadership necessary for a peacemaking superpower nation:

1. National security — what does it takes to protect Americans, prevent war in the world, ethnic killing and terror training sanctuaries?
   A: Strong U.S. leadership, a "big stick" approach feared by those who pose or attempt to be a threat and has the ability (with a strong leader)  to build a coalition that respects and follows a perceived winner.
2. Strong economy — what creates upward mobility and financial success?
   A:  Balanced budgets, smaller government, low taxes, fewer entitlements, companies competing in free market capitalism(stimulates innovation) and a minimum amount of regulation. This strength creates more and better jobs with higher wages searching for the best employees and demanding more from schools and universities.
3. Moral Values — how do we continue 200+ years of American exceptionalism?
   A:  By adhering to and teaching traditional American values that built this nation which derived inspiration from biblical principles and upholds basic rights granted to each "individual." Government should not impinge this liberty (judicial branch),yet needs to uphold the laws (executive branch) enacted by the people (legislative branch). Building this foundation starts with encouraging family – preferably a mother and father to teach by example and extending to the citizen directed locally controlled schools.

You don’t have to go too far back in history to see what happens when nations don’t pursue the above:  

• Weak international leadership = national security problems. 
• Centrally controlled  bloated government = slow economy, loss of jobs, low wages. 
• Disregard for morality = single parents, disruptive and failing schools, disregard for rule of law, lack of purpose or focus, poor work ethic, corruption, lack of respect and a nation in decline.

Let "history" be your guide … as philosopher George Santayana is credited, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Think more about the philosophy each candidate (and party) will be pursuing rather than those saying things for attention or pandering to interest groups for their endorsement, campaign donations and votes.

–signed–

PS. Remember Margaret Thatcher’s comment, "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money."

Category: Archive, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: candidates, capitalism, debate, dem, gop, opinion, Politics, socialism

Posted By RichC on October 15, 2015

Who knows if this was a good decision or not … but my son Taylor decided to sell his 2007 Volkswagen GTI (no … not a diesel TDI tarnished by the VW emissions scandal) and is looking to buy something new. Maybe it was due to driving a full size pickup and a large SUV in Williston, North Dakota for the last two years or perhaps it is just a young man wanting a change? I suspect one of the issues is the age old “dollars to repair verses dollar toward a newer car” debate we’ve all been through. Nevertheless, his sporty little performance car now has a new owner … a young girl just learning to drive a stick. Let’s hope this little pocket rocket doesn’t get her in any trouble.

Speaking of Volkswagen things … I just replaced my daily VW water thermos bottle with a new Klean Kanteen. The old one was given to me as a gift when our CinciTDI car club hosted the TDIFest here in Cincinnati. I dropped it one too many times and the vacuum seal has leaked and it no longer keeps my water as cold as it once did. Hopefully the new stainless steel thermos will live up to its $24 and positive reviews.

Category: Automotive, Tidbits, Volkswagen | 1 Comment »
Tags: bottle, gti, kanteen, klean, sold, taylor, thermos, volkswagen

Posted By RichC on October 14, 2015

 
My old Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio office in 2015 and before moving in back in 1987

While calling on customers in NE Ohio last week, I had an hour to enjoy the sunny autumn weather and drove by to see my old building. RC Norman Construction has been in it a few years now and has giving it a new lease on life. It looks great.

 
A Consolidated Printing and Publishing Company Christmas card from 1995

Below are a few more old photos before remodeling and moving printing equipment in back in 1987 (posted once before). Brenda and Katelyn (no Taylor yet) spent a lot of time there with me especially in those early days (and nights!)

 
as usual, click for larger

View Larger Map

Category: Archive, Business, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: archive, brenda, Business, cpp, cppnet.com, katelyn, Personal, Photos, remodel

Posted By RichC on October 13, 2015

From Cruising World’s Facebook page: It’s How-To Tuesday! Here is one of our favorite, quick and easy ways tie a dependable stopper knot that won’t slip.

Category: Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: cruising world, encore, knots, sailboat

Posted By RichC on October 13, 2015

It’s been almost 10 weeks since Brenda fractured her pelvis and busted up her shoulder and today is “return to work day.” We are hoping she can tolerate it.

The physical therapy has gone well but it has been a challenging recovery in getting to this point. Brenda is exceedingly appreciative to one particular occupational therapist (Angie) who in Brenda’s opinion has made a big difference in getting most of her motion back without too much intolerable pain. We are optimistic and confident that she she will eventually have full use back.

Because Brenda does not read my blog, I’ll express a bit of my concern. She hasn’t been able to make additional progress recently in lifting her left arm above the 90 degree position. With assistance or if laying down, she can move her arm above the 90 degree position and can handle the above her head motion, but using her muscles in the left arm alone is a problem. It is as if there aren’t enough muscle fiber connected to the right places?

It is still premature for me to express my reservations for 100% recovery, but after her initial advancements every week I thought Brenda was going to defy the surgeon’s “80% prognosis.” Now I’m a tad more concerned over getting full use back and the lack of recent progress has me wondering if gaining full movement and strength is possible (way to early to give up tho).

On a totally different topic, I came across a couple crazy collectable items … both toys Katelyn had as a little girl … and I sort of wonder if we still have them?  Shocking prices IF the toys are in mint conditions: Cabbage Patch Kid and Teddy Ruxpin.

Category: Archive, Health, Personal, Tidbits, Video-TV | No Comments »
Tags: accident, brenda, collectible, pelvis, progress, recovery, shoulder, surgery, toys

Posted By RichC on October 12, 2015

Lynwood Laboratories, Inc Shoo-Fly – save information and purchase link to be tried aboard Encore.

It doesn’t matter what you call them—no-see-ums, gnats, sand fleas—yeah, you know who I mean … those maddening flying teeth! And it’s beyond belief how these little Houdinis can get through, or around, even the finest and most tightly-fit hatch and port screens. But not so much if you spray your screens with shoo-fly Screen & Surface Insect Spray. Turns out this repellant (unlike an insecticide) gives them an old-fashioned hot foot, burning their tiny feet as they land and try to gain entry. You can almost see the Disney or Pixar animators at work here … as the hordes land and then skyrocket back into the dusk, swearing and wondering what just happened. I have to admit, I laugh every time I imagine it! The downside is shoo-fly isn’t easy to find. Our best luck has been at local Ace or TrueValue hardware stores. So keep an eye out, the search is well worth the effort … and entertainment.

Category: Archive, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: bugs, encore, sailboat, shoo-fly, spray