Posted By RichC on January 19, 2015
Football was on call for Sunday afternoon and evening with the final two NFL playoff games. First was perhaps the most exciting game I’ve watched in a long time seeing the conservative play-calling of the Green Bay Packers dominate the first 3 quarters of football. Then last years Superbowl champs lead by Russell Wilson came roaring back in the 4th to take the lead only to have Aaron Rogers move the Packers into field goal range making it a 22-22 tie. This took the game into overtime. In OT the coin toss had the Seahawks with the ball first and for the only possession they needed to score a TD and win the game 28-22.
The second game wasn’t even a contest as the playoff experienced New England Patriots destroyed the Indianapolis Colts … it was never a game. NE 45 – Indy 7.
Superbowl XLIX in Arizona is set for February 1st … it should be an interesting game.
Category: Sports |
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Tags: football, nfl, patriots, playoffs, seahawks, superbowl
Posted By RichC on January 18, 2015
I’m sure this idea has been around for a while since I’ve even tried my hand at welding with a car battery … but did you know you can create fire by cutting gum foil and using a small 1/1/2 volt battery?
Category: How-To, Video |
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Tags: battery, emergency, fire, foil, gum, prepper, youtube
Posted By RichC on January 17, 2015
While visiting my dad in Sidney, Ohio this week I could help but catch the headlines in the local paper – Honda invests $340M in AEP (Anna Engine Plant). The area has certainly changed since I was in high school … and Honda’s manufacturing investment and jobs starting in 1985 has been a real boost to this traditionally farm based county. Now with even millions more going into the plant (after $215M in 2014) and a new engine design, I suspect a few more jobs and economic recovery to surge for those supporting the auto jobs. People are going to need places to spend their paychecks … do you need a place to hang your shingle?
According to the article, Honda has not announced the models they will be putting the new VTEC Turbo engine … but since this is slated to be a highly efficient 4-cylinder, I suspect it could be used in several of their vehicles … most likely a high production model.
Honda hasn’t yet released which models the engine will be used in, but Mendel said the new, more fuel efficient engine is made for every driver.
It has a “broad application,” with fuel efficiency, power and is “providing a larger dynamic range,” he said.
It is unclear yet whether the new engine will mean more jobs in Anna or just continued use of the existing workforce, though it will mean the addition of a third assembly line especially for 4-cylinder engines.
LINK
Category: Automotive, Local, News |
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Tags: anna, engine, honda, News, ohio, sidney
Posted By RichC on January 16, 2015
This content is restricted.
Category: Audio, Music |
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Tags: britian, fanclub, mp3, Music, pandora, teenage
Posted By RichC on January 16, 2015
It has been a few years since my wife and I have gone to the movie theatre, but when Katelyn and Drew were visiting 
they convinced us to go with them to the movie Unbroken. Besides being a history oriented true story based on the book by Lauren Hillenbrand, the WWII timelined story put to film by Angelina Jolie was very much my taste. I enjoyed the movie so much that I added the book Unbroken to my Overdrive library borrowing app on my iPad (see more below).
The movie follows the first 32 chapters of the book (movie trailer at bottom of post), but knowing a little be about the WWII hero and Olympian Louis “Louie” Zamperini, I’m looking forward to chapter 33 to the end and his Christian testimony. Besides forgiving his Japanese captors for the brutality Zamperini suffered in POW camps, he is a great example of what can happen when Christ is first in ones life. Louis Zamperini is a terrific example of what can happen when “The Light of the World” takes hold and for those who are compelled to do what Billy Graham spent his lifetime doing.
As for the Tech Friday part of this post, I wanted to mention one of my favorite apps for the iPad. It is call Overdrive for iOS or Andriod and along with an Ohio Digital Library associated membership, permits “checking out” books to read for 2 weeks. It’s not perfect, but if you have patience for a book to become available, it offers the “free” one is accustom to from a public library … only in the convenience of a digital reading device. A worthwhile addition to your tablet.
Category: Books, Movies, Tablet, Video |
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Tags: book, library, movie, overdrive, reading, techfriday
Posted By RichC on January 15, 2015
While watching the stock market decline and gold prices 
rise this week (Swiss franc against the euro decoupling) and listening to economists suggest deflation is likely, it is becoming clear that the slowdown overseas will be impacting earning for large cap companies and international funds. The U.S. economy seems to be holding up, but pension funds and retirees heavy in bonds and interest oriented investments will likely lag the returns seen by mid and small cap 
stocks and funds where sales are more heavily tied to North America.
Perhaps the one conservative investment to look at is something tied to gold? It may move higher as European investors continue to look for safety after the Swiss National Bank announcement and signs that gold has risen past it’s 200-day moving average.
The Spot Gold price today (below) rose over 2%on today’s news making a climb of nearly $80/oz since the beginning of the year … only 15 days ago (graph right).
Category: Financial, News |
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Tags: economy, euro, gold, investing, swiss franc, trading
Posted By RichC on January 15, 2015
While posting a few bits on Facebook this weekend, I ran across a January “sale” for Cubic Mini Woodstove sized for RVs and boats. I’ve entertained the idea before and concluded that a small propane fired bulkhead stove aboard Encore would be the best way to warm up the cabin, but there is something attractive and cozy about a little woodstoves. I suspect everyone thinks that way until they get real about installing, hauling wood, tending and cleaning soot of the decks. I might be premature in mentioning “soot” but from my experience in heating our home when we live in Hudson, Ohio I suspect there is a bit more smoke than propane or even a diesel fired stove?
Anyway there are a few more items vying for the few 2015 boat dollars this year so the Cubic Mini Woodstove will get filed under the “archive” category.
I made and inquiry about size in order to check on the space in front of our salon table … just in case I opt for one.
PDF diagram for installation size with shield and a PDF front view
Category: Archive, Sailing |
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Tags: boating, cubic, encore, heat, sailboat, woodstove
Posted By RichC on January 14, 2015
Imagine the Elio if it also came with wings? It might look something like the Aeromobil 3.0 prototype. I have to admit that I’m one of those dreamers who envisioned a flying car in my lifetime. Perhaps it is just a pipe dream, but I do envy those fortunate enough to be working on projects like the Terrafugia or Aeromobil.
Below is a short video highlighting the concept … who knows, with the driverless vehicles nearing reality … we might be getting closer to flying cars?
Category: Automotive, Aviation, Innovation, Video |
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Tags: airplane, driving, flying, vehicle, youtube
Posted By RichC on January 13, 2015
When looking at the U.S. financial indices for the first half of January 2015, one would be hard pressed to believe the optimistic opinions from most financial analysts and those talking about the domestic economy. Most cite the low interest environment and low energy prices as a reason to be optimistic, but day to day movement on Wall Street tells a different story … one that may look more like a roller coaster.
After a early morning “off to the races” move for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the markets slid over fears of “deflation” worldwide. The triple-digit swings are becoming more normal as perhaps should be expected as the Dow now trades in the 17,500 point level. Still going up 1.5% then down 1% is 400 points – not something that is easy to get use too.
Category: Financial |
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Tags: djia, economy. wall street, index, investing, trading
Posted By RichC on January 13, 2015
The first ever College Football Playoff Championship game will determine this season’s best college team as the National Championship game starts in about and hour. The game with see the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks against “our” Big Ten champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Odds makers favor the Ducks by 7.
Both teams have have had an outstanding year, although few expected Ohio State to even make it to the big game (seeded again #1 rated Alabama in the ), particularly since they are down to their 3rd string quarterback. BUT … football being a team sport saw the Buckeyes come together and rally behind their talented running back Ezekiel Elliot and quarterback Cardale Jones. The question is, can they even compete against Oregon who crushed the Florida Gators 59-20.
The Ducks have Marcus Mariota, an extremely talented Heisman Trophy winner leading their team and if he plays even half as well as he did in the Rose Bowl, Oregen will be a challenge for the battered Buckeyes. For now … it is nearing the pre-game and I still have supper dishes to clean up! (Written Pre-game)
Tune in … ESPN.
Postgame: 12:30AM
The Ohio State faithful couldn’t have been happier as the high speed Oregon offense was matched and beaten by a strong showing by every member of the Buckeye defense who kept the Ducks to 20 points. The Buckeye’s young offense did their part … and more … by dominating the clock and controlling the ball on the ground. Ezekiel Elliot and the OSU offensive line tired the Ducks defense and even with 4 giveaway turnovers were able to score 42 points. The most amazing player had to be the young 3rd string Buckeye quarterback Cardale Jones won made his 3 career start in this National Championship game. He was the picture of calm control and used his strong downfield arm and 6′-5″ 250 lbs size to keep a series alive. I’m not sure Urban Meyers would have wanted a different leader. Congratulations to all those who made us proud to be from Ohio.
Ohio State 42 – Oregon 20
Category: Sports |
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Tags: bucks, championship, college, ducks, espn, football, national
