My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on October 15, 2013

Category: Computer, Tablet, Technology | 6 Comments »
Tags: 4G, freedompop, hotspot, lte, sprint

Posted By RichC on October 14, 2013

Since I’m looking to bring my son home from North Dakota over Christmas, I figured it might be time to archive a list of shopping tips I copied and saved in a document a few years ago … can’t remember where I found them? I can’t vouch for the current accuracy, but I’m using the 4 tips as a starting point in shopping. (Hopefully experience travelers will be able to update the tips in the comment section below — my friend Steve  is a big advocate for Matrix its Software and as a traveler and aviation expert, he always have helpful tips)

#1: Shop for domestic airfare Tuesdays at 3pm EST. The best day to shop is Tuesday. An airline will typically kick off an airfare sale late Monday. Other airlines join in to stay competitive. Price matching is usually complete by early Tuesday afternoon. Newly discounted airfares hit reservation systems by 3pm EST. 

#2: Don’t buy airline tickets earlier than 3 ½ months before departure. Airlines don’t begin actively “managing” prices until three or four months before departure, and if you buy any earlier than that, chances are good you’ll pay too much. Airlines typically have as many as 10 different prices points on a single plane. Knowing when to buy and when not to buy is key to getting cheap plane tickets.

#3: Don’t buy too early, but don’t buy too late, either. Airfare prices can rise dramatically within 14 days of departure. When it comes to most legacy carriers (which include American, Delta, United and US Airways),  airfare prices can rise dramatically inside the 14-day before departure window; with discount or low cost airlines, that window is usually 7 to 10 days before departure. This is to take advantage of the last minute  business traveler who often doesn’t know his/her travel schedule much in advance and is willing to pay higher prices.

#4: The cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Most people want to squeeze as much time out of a vacation as possible which is why flights on Fridays and Sunday are so popular. However, the airlines know this and they usually charge more for flights on those days. The cheapest days to travel are the least popular days to fly: Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. Fly these days and you’ll almost always save on airfare.

Category: Archive, Shopping, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: airfare, flights, matrix, pricing, tickets

Posted By RichC on October 11, 2013

When information on Buzzy came to my inbox, I had to forward the URL to my daughter just in case she wasn’t aware of it as won’t be long before she’ll be finished with her residency. She is currently in her third year at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus and will soon be joining or starting a practice. Buzzy might be just the thing to improve a doctors’ bedside manners and keep patients returning and passing along positive comments. 

Buzzy is a reusable and inexpensive device that provides natural pain relief.  Gate control is the basis for the device and it works by confusing the body’s own nerves and distracting attention away from the poke. The stimulation dulls or eliminating sharp pain from shots, itching, or burning from medications. It has been independently verified by research and can be used for dentistry, immunizations, splinter removal, flu injections, etc. 

Buzzy®’s contoured design tucks under a standard tourniquet, or fits easily in the hand to deliver powerful pain blocking right where you need it. This more compact Buzzy® optimally delivers vibration, even for smaller hands or locations. Buzzy® leaves fingers free to help with needle procedures. Durable design. Comes with 2 reusable single-patient slip on Softies Wings, comfort strap, instructions, and batteries.  Single screw makes replacing AAA batteries simple!

Check it out — buy a Buzzy.

Category: Health, Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: buzzy, katelyn, medical, pedicatics

Posted By RichC on October 10, 2013

A long time friend and fellow EAA284 chapter member Ken Miracle passed away last week and his family will be holding a gathering and a memorial service this Friday evening  (10/11) and Saturday morning (10/12). I regret being unable to attend.

Ken was one of the first EAA guys to befriend me when I joined the local aviation chapter many years ago and he continued to be my buddy whenever we’d work on chapter projects. He is the man I think of when I hear someone called a “gentleman” … he was perhaps the most “gentle” man I have ever know (those who have met him will know what I mean). I will miss working with Ken … be it tinkering on hanger projects or flipping pancakes at the Taildragger Fly-in.

Bob Luken shared a comment from his wife Barbara: “In July, our daughter took us down to the Waynesville Airport … on a Saturday.  A beautiful day…. sunny with beautiful white clouds … Ken sat in the SUV with the windows down and enjoyed watching all the action.  Lots of planes coming and going and he would tell us about each one.  That was a good day for him!  We had ice cream at McDonalds in Waynesville before taking him back to the nursing home.  A good memory.”

Ken Miracle

Kenneth F. Miracle, age 80, of Xenia, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at the Greene Memorial Hospital. He was born March 13, 1933 in Manchester, Ohio the son of Silas and Opal Miracle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother: Robert Miracle.

Ken was a proud graduate of Lockland High School, Class of 1952. He was a four year veteran of the US Air Force in the air-sea rescue. A graduate of Miami University, he taught at Springfield North and Xenia High School, before retiring from Greene County Career Center. He loved flying and was a private pilot and club member at the Waynesville Airport. A faithful Christian at First Church of Christ, he loved serving in the area of Missions, and was helpful on many other projects.

He is survived by his wife of 53years, Barbara (Poll), sons: Kenneth S. (Terri) of San Diego, CA; daughters: Lisa (Rich) DeWees of Macon, GA; and Lori (Russ) Lawrimore of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren: Kyla and Colter DeWees, Nicholas and Sam Lawrimore; sisters: Mildred Bollmer, of Mason, OH, and Joan (Mike) Foster of Jacksonville, FL; brothers: Ric Miracle of Bradenton, FL and Don (Chris) Miracle, of Denver, CO; as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

A Gathering of Friends will be held 6-8 pm Friday October 11, 2013 at First Church of Christ, 441 Ledbetter Road, Xenia. A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Saturday, October 12th at First Church of Christ. Interment will be in Arlington Memorial Gardens in Cincinnati. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Church of Christ, Missions Fund, 441 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, 45385.

Category: Aviation, Obituary | No Comments »
Tags: eaa, eaa284, ken miracle, Obituary, waynesville

Posted By RichC on October 9, 2013

Category: Humor, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: Humor, latenight, leno

Posted By RichC on October 9, 2013

Category: Photos, Space | No Comments »
Tags: astronomy, contest, imac, photography, pixelpumper

Posted By RichC on October 8, 2013

I ran across a “Packard: An American Classic Car” documentary on You Tube the other day and know it is something my dad will enjoy watching. I downloaded a copy to my iPad (using McTube Pro) and am archiving the 44 minute clip to my blog — might purchase the DVD as it would make a great Christmas gift?

If you like cars, the Packard story is a great one … but the companies downfall is pitiful and walking through the old Detroit Packard complex even more depressing for this great American nameplate.

Category: Archive, Automotive, Video-TV | No Comments »
Tags: dadc, dvd, History, packard, tv

Posted By RichC on October 7, 2013

Category: Humor, Video | 1 Comment »
Tags: Humor, skeleton, youtube

Posted By RichC on October 6, 2013

In a previous post, I commented on the Obama administration choosing to shutdown U.S. memorials and parks in what many perceived as unnecessary. It is obviously that it is purely politics when it requires more federal workers and costs more to close sites like the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial (never closed in previous government shutdowns -below) than permitting access. Turning the public away from “even viewing” Mt. Rushmore is ridiculous, but even worst seeing government golf courses open.

Anyone who can’t see that the shutdown is little more than theater simply isn’t paying attention. If the above examples aren’t enough for you then look no further than to President Obama’s favorite golf course, which remains open. President Obama frequents Andrew’s Air Force Base Golf Course, which boasts three 18-hole courses. It is located on prime Washington D.C. property.

According to the PGA the US government spends an average of $384,000 – $1,000,000 per year on every golf course it owns. The federal government operates some 234 golf courses around the world. Combined, that’s a total of about $140 million per year on golf courses.

The course remains open. Officials cite that the course receives payments from private individuals on snacks and course fees, but it is clear that the courses still run on tax payer dollars. Many federal golf courses are also national parks, such as Yosemite National Park Golf Course.

Even so, how is that any different than the privately owned Mt. Vernon, or the WWII memorial, which has zero staff or operational costs. How is it different than the privately funded Air Force, Navy athletics departments? Why block people from taking pictures of a rock more than a mile away from the actual entrance?

LINK

PAST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS

1976
Thursday, Sept 30 10 Monday, Oct 11

1977
Friday, Sept 30 12 Thursday, Oct 13
Monday, Oct 31 8 Wednesday, Nov 9
Wednesday, Nov 30 8 Friday, Dec 9

1978
Saturday, Sept 30 17 Wednesday, Oct 18

1979
Sunday, Sept 30 11 Friday, Oct 12

1981
Friday, Nov 20 2 Monday, Nov 23

1982
Thursday, Sept 30 1 Saturday, Oct 2
Friday, Dec 17 3 Tuesday, Dec 21

1983
Thursday, Nov 10 3 Monday, Nov 14

1984
Sunday, Sept 30 2 Wednesday, Oct 3
Wednesday, Oct 3 1 Friday, Oct 5

1986
Thursday, Oct 16 1 Saturday, Oct 18

1987
Friday, Dec 18 1 Sunday, Dec 20

1990
Friday, Oct 5 3 Tuesday, Oct 9

1995
Monday, Nov 13 5 Sunday, Nov 19
Friday, Dec 15 21 Saturday, Jan 6, 1996

Category: Politics | No Comments »
Tags: golf, government, memorials, obama, parks, shutdown

Posted By RichC on October 5, 2013

Don Imus had an excellent interview with commentator and bestselling author Bill O’Reilly a few days ago and the exchange has me even more interested in reading O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus. The book is presented as a “history” rather than a religious book but as a Catholic, O’Reilly believes inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit and thinks he was directed to write Killilng Jesus — upcoming 60-Minutes interview. (ordered a hard cover version including shipping for $12.41 from a less than reputable seller on an eCrater.com store — we’ll see if saving $5+ bucks was worth the risk?). 

O’Reilly has taken a bit of criticism over his new book, but has done a pretty good job of defending the information he includes and that which he excludes. It would challenging to sift through the  2000 years of information and the many languages that deal with the birth, life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. O’Reilly comments that he did not write the book to convince people that Jesus is God, but rather as history. His opinion is that the Gospels are the embellished writings of oral history, but his goal was to present the accurate description of the life and death of Jesus.

Foxbusiness IMUS/O’Reilly interview video clip

Category: Books, History | 1 Comment »
Tags: Books, christianity, History, imus, jesus, oreilly