My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on January 1, 2014

Happy New Year 2014!

The end of the year is a time many of us make a New Year’s Resolution, often about how we can improve in the coming year. As I started this post, I thought my resolution was to be more tolerant of others and of their views. Over the years, and as politics have become more divisive, I’ve become less patient and a bit less tolerant. Besides that particular personal flaw shared by a few others (cough, cough), I’ve notice “we” Americans have become “self-focused.”  In my opinion, we’ve placed our interest above that of others and this self-absorbed nidus demonstrates lack of humility translating to attention inward rather than outward. We have become a selfish and self-centered society that often ignores the needs of other people and instead showboat or whine about our own lives. Even in my blog about a New Year’s resolution, I’m feeling pretty “self-centered” … although hopefully in a way that changes my focus?

I am not the only one noticing the “preoccupation with self,” especially in 21st century America. In fact my generation is probably responsible for raising children who over prioritize their own self-importance. From the “look-at-me” world of Facebook, Twitter and Google+ … to personal blogs, trophies and awards, the trend toward “selfies” on Instagram. Public figures aren’t much help either with even President Obama turning a cellphone camera on himself this past year. Chest pounding and dancing athletes are emulated on school playgrounds and entertainment celebrities continue to try and “one-up” each other with outrageous flaunting behavior as our culture becomes more “me, me, me” focused.  Schools believing they are giving children confidence have gone to the point of rewarding mediocrity with all the esteem building pats on the back. I’ve seen the change in schools over the last few decades which has translated to youth sports where everyone is declared a winner and deserving of a trophy. It’s no wonder “self” has become so important as children become teens, begin careers or fail to find happiness in marriage. Serve others or putting the needs of someone else first has never been taught.

It is time for “less self” and attention to building up others. For 2014 … I’ll be more tolerant and focus on serving others.

Category: Holiday, Misc | 1 Comment »
Tags: 2014, new year, resolution

Posted By RichC on December 31, 2013

The LSSU List of Banished Words and Phrases for 2013 comes as no surprise to me as the top two should definitely be retired … after my New Year’s Resolution post goes live tomorrow morning.

The comments in the 39th annual list article are more enjoyable than the actual list of words. Here are the top four and a few choice comments (or read them all):

1. Selfie:  “It’s a lame word. It’s all about me, me, me. Put the smartphone away. Nobody cares about you.” — David, Lake Mills, Wisc.
2. Twerk: Let’s just keep with ‘shake yer booty’ — no need to ‘twerk’ it! Hi ho, hi ho, it’s away with twerk we must go.” – Michael, Haslett, Mich.
3. Hashtag: “… everyone seems to add it to everyday vocabulary. #annoying #stopthat #hashtag #hashtag #hashtag .” – Alex, Rochester, Mich.
4. Twittersphere: “There cannot possibly be any oxygen there.” – Matt of Toledo, Ohio

Category: Misc | 1 Comment »
Tags: 2013, banished, lssu, words

Posted By RichC on December 31, 2013

Just a filler post to keep the Postie WordPress plugin alive. Happy New Year!

Category: Humor, Photos | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on December 30, 2013

Offering up a reminder to those running Windows (or any OS really) without or with ”OUTDATED” virus protection — questionable links, website and emails are plentiful. Most of them, from what I have read, still target the Microsoft Windows users, but we should assume most popular operating systems are at risk as well. Do your part to protect the computers you use with free anti-virus scanning and detection, and do your part to prevent spreading infected links by email. I do know better than to click on email links, even from friends and family … but in moments of laziness appreciate Avast! protecting my computer. So as a end of year reminder, double check your updates; make sure you keep your guard up and your computer protected.

Category: Computer, Software | No Comments »
Tags: avast, protection, virus

Posted By RichC on December 29, 2013

My cousin Diane and I exchanged Christmas greetings and updated each other with the goings-on of our families on Friday night. While talking about gifts, I realized that I didn’t have a photo of the “Tool Stools” that I made for Taylor and Drew. Since one of them was still at home, I took a photo and sent it to Diane … and then decided it should be included and archived on the blog.

The Tool Stool idea came from an old beat up plywood stool that I regularly use in the garage and workshop. It’s a perfect height for crouching and working on a car and is great for holding tools, as a small bench or a small sawhorse.  I even used it for years in place of a tailwheel on my airplane project for years.

Instead of a junky plywood tool stool, I decided to glue up hard maple and oak strips for the step/top and rabbeted to the oak sides in order to “show off” the end grain … and to make it butcher block durable. I gave it a slight nautical flare with rope handles and tapered the sides slightly to give it more stability – helpful when using as a step stool (I thought it looked nice too). I added pads to the feet so it wouldn’t scratch wood or tile floors (unlike mine!) and a small suction cup mountable vice which the boys can use elsewhere.

The other purpose for the “tool” stool was as a way to give the boys a few of my late father-in-law’s “well worn” tools. A couple tools were also hand me downs from their great grandfather who was a furniture craftsman in Jamestown NY. All in all Dad Howard’s tools and the new stools were very much appreciated by both Taylor and Drew … although am not sure if they will get as much abuse as I initially intended?

Category: Archive, Holiday, Personal, Photos, Tools, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: christmas, drew, gift, grandfather, howard, stool, taylor, tool

Posted By RichC on December 28, 2013

2013 introduced us to the pain of what sold to America as the Affordable Health Care for America Act by the 2008 Democrats during President Obama’s first term. Instead of “affordable,” Obamacare launched with high premiums, high deductibles and far more frustrations for those who were already insured by their employers or paying for health insurance on their own. Not only has the Healthcare.gov launch gone poorly, but it has also pushed 7 million previously insured into scrabbling to find a new health insurance … often more expensive policies with poorer coverage than the ones that were cancelled.

Some politicians are ignoring the reality (or vacationing in Hawaii) trusting Obamacare will be fixed by even more executive orders or a taxpayer funded marketing campaign which encourages the young and healthy to sign up for pricey policies. Or perhaps they secretly believe Americans will beg for an even bigger government take over of healthcare (I’m waiting for the proposed single-payer solution to be floated by the left leaning Socialists)?

Next year we will receive even more eye opening  and painful news. Insurance companies will submit their new “shortfall” actuarial numbers causing politicians who voted for the Affordable Healthcare Act to claim “faux shock” that insurance premiums need to be higher, coverage more limited, reimbursements reduced and taxes raised in order to bail out the insurance companies who suffered losses selling unrealistic Obamacare policies … the ones many Americans were “force to purchase by law” and could neither afford or may not have wanted.

Excuses and deflection seems to be approach to date for the administrations’ many shortcomings and failures … but the blame Bush, the Tea Party, the obstructionist Republicans or Fox News excuse has become “see-thru” for all but the most partisan liberal hack. Neil Cavuto summed it up well in telling President Obama that the “smell is your law.” It’s time to pull the plug.

Category: Health, Politics, Video-TV | No Comments »
Tags: cavuto, foxnews, healthcare, obamacare

Posted By RichC on December 27, 2013

It has been both a wonderful and unsettling year of change for our family. We’ve had the highs of a wedding (Katelyn and Drew) and a college graduation (Taylor),  AND the emotional lows with the passing of parents. The above events were as they should be and in keeping with the human condition … but the unexpected changes were in dealing with what we didn’t anticipate or at least didn’t plan for. From Taylor moving far enough away that we don’t see him, to a father learning to live life “alone” after the passing of his wife … or a mother-in-law moving in with daughters and struggling with the all too common decline in mental ability “enough to interfere with daily life” known as Dementia. It’s the latter which has impacted our lives the most in 2013.  Giving the proper care to Brenda’s mom has been the most challenging change for us as we adjust from caring for kids to caring for parents. Obviously we are not the only families caring for parents with dementia; according to numbers from 2010, there were 35.6 million affected worldwide. There isn’t a “cure,” although cholinesterase inhibitors are being used in an attempt to slow the progression (with less than optimum results). Hopefully with diligent exercise for both the body and mind there might be a way “we” can learn successfully navigate, living with, and living with someone who has dementia?

It is peculiar how dementia affects the mind. Brenda’s mom for the most part is happy and content to be living with her girls. She is still opinionated and loves to share her thoughts on a variety of subjects. Some are spot on, but other times they can be a bit eccentric or questionable (not sure she needs that cute convertible sports car – then again, do any of us really “need” a convertible sports car?) Then there are times she will truly amaze you … like out of the blue when saying grace at the table, she recites an entire hymn from childhood memory.

Category: Audio, Faith, Health, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: aging, dementia, Health, medical, momh

Posted By RichC on December 26, 2013

Volkswagen Group of America announced that in 2013 between their VW and Audi nameplates they have sold sold over 100,000 diesel TDI-equipped vehicles in the U.S. “That’s the highest number of diesels the company has ever sold here in a single year.” Read more

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: audi, diesel, tdi, vw

Posted By RichC on December 25, 2013

What a wonderful time we had over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. We were happy to have Taylor, Katelyn and Drew home together with us for a couple days holidays (photo above) … and thankful some in the Corbett side of our family with us for dinner. It was a great to be together.

Besides gift exchanging and eating, playing board games became the highlight of our evenings. Settlers of Catan was the go to game this year and even after Brenda and I were in bed the kids were still up playing at 2AM. Even Taylor’s friend Mike came over to take over my color. It’s great to see them all enjoying time together.

One of the comical moments was when Katelyn accidently “photobombed” this shot …

Category: Holiday, Personal, Photos | 4 Comments »
Tags: brenda, christmas, drew, family, katelyn, taylor

Posted By RichC on December 24, 2013

A Cambridge Online Survey included in the Sunday NYTimes was both fun and interesting. In my case, it was amazingly accurate considering I grew up near Toledo (it was even highlighted on “my” map above) and lived in several distinct areas of Ohio.

It would be interesting to know how the Chameleon types, who move to different areas of the country for longer periods of time, survey … yes Jeff, I’m talking about you.

Category: Misc | No Comments »
Tags: dialect, linguistics, speech, study, survey