My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on June 27, 2015

Read ONLY if you don’t’ mind getting lost in the weeds. I felt bit lost in my own country after the Supreme Court decisions this week and am concerned for the future. As a Christian, I’m trying to looking past my own traditional value and faith-based Biblical beliefs which have long been part of our country and hoping that there will be positives that I currently don’t see. Perhaps reflecting on previous generations will help?

Part One

I remember watching my grandparent’s utter disgust as they watched the boomer generation coming of age in the 1960s and early 70s. They were not unlike today’s “me” concerned with the changes they were seeing. In 1967 and ‘68 they feared the spread of racially charged firebombings in their neighborhood … during and after the Detriot riots. The rioters were discontented with the slow pace of peaceful change and charismatic leaders/groups convinced blacks to take a violent path; protests turn to burning homes and businesses … eerily similar to 2015 in Ferguson and Baltimore?

For me and many, the Martin Luther King Jr. nonviolent civil disobedience made a lasting impression that peaceful protesting will win over hearts and minds in a way that  force and violence can never accomplish (did the Black community lose than lesson?)

The anti-police movement in urban cities, the riots in Ferguson and Baltimore do more to further the divide and anger. The same for calling for the “forced” elimination of the Confederate flag; it only inflamed those from the south who see it as a symbol (both good and bad) of their history and pride. Most have put slavery, segregation and discrimination in the past and receiving yet another jab has them reviving their defenses. It may be counter productive?

This look back at history also has me wondering about my past and my grandparents … and parents; would they be seen at racist? From my recollection they didn’t seem to be racist “before” the riots and burning. They were for the most part accepting the peaceful change and integration (of course we were in the north, it could have been a more challenging situation below the Mason-Dixon Line).  After the riots, they were definitely less comfortable around the young black bereted “colored people” (their term of that day). As far as I know (around me) their race thoughts were kept private, but “having prejudice thoughts” wouldn’t really have surprised me since many immigrants of their generation already segregated themselves by nationality anyway.

What I really noticed (as I was getting older) was the disrespect many rebellious youths had for their elders (it went both ways, but the general expectation was to respect your elders – that was missing). The “long haired, grungy hippies” who protested our government in the unpopular Vietnam War were vocal and they were definitely disliked by my veteran grandfather (and veteran father) who had both been drafted and served. The only thing worse to them were the “communist cop haters” willing to kill and blow up “pigs” as this self proclaimed  “New Left” movement turned their protest violent (WUO). Besides the blatant activists, there were the more obvious but steady social changes disagreed with by grandparents and parents:  There was the  “free love” anti-marriage and woman’s liberation movement and all were counter to the modus operandi and values assumed sacred by the prior generation (again … not unlike today with open homosexuality and marriage approval). Slurry this 1960 counter-culture with the with the growing use of “dope” — as they called marijuana and drugs — and the future of our country looked bleak. We watched it played out every evening on the latest news delivery technology … the black and white picture tube (TV). This over saturation “for the time” reminds me of today’s computers, Internet, social networks and all our mobile devices oversaturation the news and opinions elevating the temperature until thing boil over). But it is what it is … we are the ones who need to adapt to the fire hose of information and opinion.

Part two on Sunday June 28, 2015.

Category: History, News, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: History, marriage, opinion, riots, scotus, supreme court, values

Posted By RichC on June 25, 2015

Most Americans, not covered under government healthcare programs, have been feeling the higher cost of healthcare since Obamacare as traditional policies give way to high deductible plans which cost them more than their previously “more” inclusive lower deductible plans – so much for “keeping your healthcare plan.” Commonsense dictates that restructuring so those who actually pay are now required to pay the subsidies for those who previously couldn’t afford healthcare will have to pay more. Free or subsidized “mandated” lunches aren’t really free.

Today the Supreme Court ruling came down on the language used to “pass the law” in 2010 which offered subsidies to states which established exchanges to be more inclusive than the initial “carrot on a stick” or “punitive” wording (intended to force states into compliance if the Obamacare architect Jonathan Grubber is to be believed).

The court ruled in a 6-3 decision to uphold subsidies to all who purchase from Obamacare exchanges … including those run by the Federal government.

Chief Justice Roberts said the challengers raised strong arguments that snippets of the law’s wording supported their position, but he agreed with the Obama administration that the structure and context of the law supported its interpretation that insurance subsidies should be available nationwide.

The insurance subsidies “are necessary for the federal exchanges to function like their state exchange counterparts, and to avoid the type of calamitous result that Congress plainly meant to avoid,” he wrote.

The subsidies are a central element of the law, which aims to make it possible for low- and middle-income Americans to buy coverage if they don’t have access to health benefits through a job or government program such as Medicare. They are directly linked to other provisions in the law, including the requirements that most individuals buy coverage or pay a penalty, and that large employers offer health benefits or pay a penalty. The subsidies also are key to the workability of the law’s requirements for insurers to sell coverage to everyone regardless of their medical history.

The Internal Revenue Service issued regulations in 2012 implementing the subsidy provisions, saying the law meant for subsidies to be available in all states, not just in those that established their own exchanges. The Supreme Court’s ruling upheld the IRS rules.

WSJ LINK

Category: Health, News | No Comments »
Tags: exchanges, obamacare, STOTUS, subsidies, tax, wsj

Posted By RichC on June 24, 2015

Almost a year since our deposit (ALL IN was in November 2014) and our Elio delivery is still a year or so away … even if everything stays on track! Ugh.

Also they are looking to raise a few dollars as a start-up company … although it goes without saying, this should be money you can afford to risk.

Category: Automotive, Video | No Comments »
Tags: cars, deposit, elio, reservation, vehicle, youtube

Posted By RichC on June 23, 2015

S O L D

My mother-in-law no longer drives her 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT 4WD and we’ve decided it is time to sell it.  It would make a great family car for somene who is looking for a solid vehicle. The V-6 five-passenger SUV has a low 62,000 miles and spent most winters in Florida. The interior is leather, has a sunroof, 4-wheel drive and tow package. There is a scrape on the front passenger-side plastic bumper cover and dimple in the rear bumper plastic. Those are the only issues.

Here are a few photos: 2008ChevyTrailblazerLT4WD

On the scale — Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent … Kelly Blue Book (see below) has it priced at $11,300 for “Good Condition” … so in my opinion it is a pretty good buy at $11,000 (and perhaps more-so for me than you since I know the entire maintenance history, etc). Help me get this off our insurance policy … and save me from renewing the registration/plates for another year!

 Contact me

Category: Automotive, For Sale | No Comments »
Tags: 4sale, Chevrolet, for sale, momh, SUV, trailblazer

Posted By RichC on June 22, 2015

For those of you who are NOT Wall Street Journal readers, but have always wanted to try it out, here’s your chance. The $1 price is about as cheap as I’ve ever seen from WSJ.com  … for a 3 month introductory deal. The yearly or normal monthly subscription is higher and can be hard to justify for all but the most loyal WSJ readers. A a truehearted reader, even I can’t justify $28.99/mo or the $260/yr price as I lamented about it back in 2012.

The $1 for 3 months will get you the digital only version (works great on iPads and tablets), but for $4 more they’ll also include the newspaper. The catch is that Dow Jones will charge your credit card the $28.99 price if you do not call to cancel your subscription – 1-800-568-7625.

LINK (valid until June 22)

If you are a little nitpicky about remembering to call on these automatic bills … then use a virtual credit card number like those offered by Citibank. Sneaky, eh?

Category: Advice, Business, News, Tablet | No Comments »
Tags: deals, digital, newspaper, reading, subscription, wsj

Posted By RichC on June 22, 2015

Taylor 2.0 … on his way to work (left).

Monday, June 22, 2015, is my son’s first day as Planner for Clermont County, Ohio. Hopefully the last two years of high paced work in Williston, North Dakota have set him up well? He should be the perfect fit … but every new position has its challenges. I’ll be anxious to hear how it goes.

I’m also going to include a photo recap of our busy Father’s Day. I spent some of the day with my son (Brenda and Mom Howard) down at his place in East Walnut Hills (Cincinnati) and part of it with my Dad in Sidney … and the balance of the day driving back and forth. Thankfully in today’s connected world, I was also able to also talk with Katelyn and Drew in Wayzata, MN – thanks for the Happy Father’s Day call (she work the day so it would not have mattered even if she were living close).

Category: Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: brenda, drew, east walnut hills, family, katelyn, momh, taylor

Posted By RichC on June 21, 2015

I’m looking forward to visiting with my dad today and am thankful to still be able to visit with him for another Father’s Day. It’s been a busy year for my brother and me between the concern over him living alone last year, to the hospital stay, rehab and month or so in the nursing home earlier this year. I’m thankful things have settle down and both ‘he’ and ‘we’ are pretty satisfied with the Park Lane assisted living facility and staff in Sidney, Ohio.

Unfortunately … with the staff being relatively new, and the assisted living facility only a year old, a few items are getting overlooked. This really shouldn’t be the case considering the fairly steep monthly cost. Hopefully this will steadily improve.

It take a little more vigilance on our part to be sure his care is what it should be … especially since dad’s mind is in and out of focus and sharpness is not what it use to be. Dementia, for millions of aging seniors, is a debilitating condition. For now I’m just content to know my dad understand he needs the help and  is mostly appreciative for the assistance.

BTW, Happy Father’s Day to all dads.

Category: Holiday, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: dadc, dementia, family, fathers day, lane park, sidney

Posted By RichC on June 20, 2015

Users had some fun with a few of the Twitter Periscope programmers this past week in participating in their Mad Libs update copy for the App Store. In keeping with geeky humor (see the “Peter” joke), the jovial staff decided to include 900 of their users in the live update of Periscope Version 1.1.1. Each of the words and names included were pick from “live” scope and used in the Apple App Store description.

I enjoyed seeing my “YeeHaw!” exclamation include as it was great fun, even for an old self-proclaimed techie … on the other hand, Mad Libs predates me!

Periscope

By Twitter, Inc.

Editors’ Choice

View More by This Developer

 

Description

Periscope lets you broadcast live video to the world. Going live will instantly notify your followers who can join, comment and send you hearts in real time. The more hearts you get, the higher they flutter on the screen.

Other features:
[+] REPLAY: When your broadcast is over, you can make it available for replay so viewers can watch later. Viewers can replay your broadcast with comments and hearts to relive the full experience. Replays currently last 24 hours. You can delete your replay at any time.
[+] PRIVATE: If you want to broadcast to specific people, press the lock icon before going live and choose who you want to invite to your broadcast.
[+] TWITTER: You can choose to share your Periscope broadcasts on Twitter by tapping the bird icon before you start broadcasting. When you go live, you’ll tweet a link so that your Twitter followers can watch on the web (or in the app)
[+] MANAGE NOTIFICATIONS: Periscope will suggest people for you to follow based on your Twitter network. You can always follow new people, or unfollow them if you don’t want to be notified when they go live. You can also adjust notification preferences in Periscope Settings (in Profile)
[+] HEARTS: Periscope keeps track of how many hearts you get from your viewers. The more hearts, the higher you get in the “Most Loved” list.

Twitter, Inc. Web SitePeriscope Support

What’s New in Version 1.1.1

Mad Libs for this version were •lovely• composed LIVE by Periscope’s •flower• community:
[+] The next time you think, “•Yeehaw!• If Mrs. •Andie• •Pennington• misses this, she’ll •jump•…”, fear not! You can now copy the share URL for any live broadcast/replay and •squat• it directly to her.
[+] Are you sometimes confused when tapping your •deltoids• to •frolic• hearts alongside countless others? It’s now easier to distinguish your own hearts from everyone else’s.
Other •adorable• changes:
– Improvements to how we sync comments for replays.
– Fixed a weird rotation bug that was happening for certain iPad users.
– Fixed a bug where you couldn’t double tap to flip the camera while broadcasting (if you were on the list of viewers)
– Fixed a bug where "blank" broadcasts would occasionally appear at (0,0) on the map.
– Fixed a bug where the in broadcast map would not be centered on the broadcaster’s location.
– Fixed some crashes that were happening to users on the map.
Have •foxes• or •nuclei•? We love hearing from you. Get help at help.periscope.tv.

Category: Apple, Humor, Social Media, Software, Technology | 1 Comment »
Tags: app store, fun, periscope, programmers, twitter, update

Posted By RichC on June 19, 2015

Plugins for CMS like WordPress are a dime a dozen and many improve the look and use of a WordPress.org blog, but usually at a sacrifice of speed. Recommending them is not usually something I would do … believing that a lean and fast site is better than bulky and slow sites. Unfortunately I’ve fallen prey to a few of them and find the slower speed is secondary to the convenience they add to the blog.

This week I added a plugin that improves “how” a site loads called A3 Lazy Load and it has been working well by prioritizing what is loaded on a page (ie. what you see visually and delaying images and video). It is particularly helpful when accessing MyDesultoryBlog with a mobile device (FYI, I removed the WordPress Mobile Edition after several years, finding most smart devices do a pretty good job with full sites nowadays).

So if you are running WordPress, give this plugin a try, but only AFTER you remove the plugins that are slowing your site down. Try running P3 (Plugin Performance Profiler) temporarily … (yes, another plugin), to analyze your site’s performance.

EDIT: After about a month of testing with this plug-in and switching to without, the consensus is that 90% of the time the sites seems faster or at least better without the delayed loading of content. Deactivated and removed A3 Lazy Load.

Category: Blogs, Technology | 2 Comments »
Tags: blog, cms, plugin, tech friday, techfriday, wordpress

Posted By RichC on June 18, 2015

For those who carry or admire those multi-folding tools like the Swiss Army knives and tools (like me), here’s something that pre-dates the popular red ones that many of us carry from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, UK. This multi-function spoon, fork, knife and picks “eating implement” was made from iron and silver and was used by the Romans between 201 – 300 AD. See the museum LINK.

Category: Art, History, Tools | No Comments »
Tags: army, england, knife, museum, roman, swiss, tool