Posted By RichC on August 4, 2013
Brenda and her mom enjoying a near perfect day in Cincinnati (West Chester) having a Nathan’s hotdog. EDIT: The original image was tinted so red from under the umbrella that I opted to go black and white for a change.
Posted By RichC on August 4, 2013
It has been a few years since the automatic update from WordPress.org failed on my server … and only after the fact did I regret not doing a full backup prior to attempting the update (really, I’m posting just to see that all is working after the upgrade). After downloading the new install files and upgrading manually, all is now fine. Having to rebuild a few things also gave me the opportunity to root around and clean up some files, optimize the database (and do a full back up) as well as cleaning out some lessor used plugins. ALL was overdue since I’ve been neglecting this basic blog housekeeping.
It is interesting to see what is being search for while within the blog from the new to me Relevanssi Search plugin after recently switching from using Google within MyDesultoryBlog.com:
Last 7 days Query # Hits donna lange 124 36 jessica watson 98 20 palm pre 84 80 earthrace 55 25 volkswagen jetta tdi 46 119 slingplayer treo 45 61 register 44 25 solar rally 34 91 hawaii 31 43 back porch 29 28 sunoco 29 27 biodiesel algae 27 66 treo 700p 27 74 sunoco biodiesel 26 76 “donna lange” 25 34 sunoco biodiesel 151 25 78 exit 151 24 38 john kerry strike 22 76 honda fcx 21 50 porch 17 28
Posted By RichC on August 3, 2013
This odometer mileage isn’t that impressive for a Mercedes diesel, but anytime a 30-plus year old car is still cruising the highway at 200,000, it’s something to crow about.
Posted By RichC on August 2, 2013
Disappointing to say the least. 
The latest device available from Freedompop (low cost/ free wireless hotspot) is the Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro utilizing the Sprint 3G/4G WiMaxx network which I thought might be similar to their previous 4G only devices – Photon. Unfortunately the refurbished Overdrive Pros are all that impressive from the moment one opens the box and sees the “sticker” stuck to the mobile hotspot device.
The disappointment didn’t end there as the standard micro USB charging cable was a 110volt only model AND would not initially charge the device. I attempted to plug in another USB from my computer which was do-able but very slow. I tried another USB 110v (one from my JamBox) and it fully charged the puck overnight.
In the morning turn the Overdrive Pro on and found that my signal quality was low on both the 3G and 4G connections. Both my Sprint base iPhone and Photon 4G Freedompop devices worked just fine in precisely the same spots. I was able to finally connect by placing the new Overdrive device on a window ledge … but obviously an external antenna will have to be used (unless this puck is faulty?)
Speedtests proved disappointing as well using both the 3G and 4G Wimaxx connections
Once connected I updated the admin features and renamed the hotspot device as well as the password. I was able to connect with both my notebook and my iPad and after updating the Overdrive Pro’s firmware (a 50MB download) and I ran a couple speedtests at my home location. (3G registered 60% signal strength and 4G only 20% according to the admin web interface) The speeds were not all that different from my old tethered Palm Pre when it came to 3G, but were way behind the Photon device in the same location. The device also disconnects the WiFi regularly and frustratingly will not continue to charge when it is being used and plugged in. I receive the message “charging paused” from the control panel. Another glitch is that twice now the device has discharged to 45% battery power and completely turned off. This second time I have been unable to recharge and turn back on … it is now a “brick” … albeit a small brick.
I’ve put a service ticket call into Freedompop but who knows how quickly they will respond or even if they will be able to help. At this point I’m expect they will ship a new device … (update pending)
Your request (#11xxx11) has been received and is being reviewed by your Personal FreedomPop Support Agent. You can expect an answer within the next 1-2 business days. Please reply to this email if you have any additional questions/concerns, as submitting a new ticket will increase the time it takes to respond.
Check out our Support FAQ at http://www.freedompop.com/support to find answers on commonly asked questions.
Posted By RichC on August 1, 2013
Last year I animadverted about the inserts in my boat shoes and recently noticed that my August 2012 post was a recent MyDesultoryBlog’s top five … according to Google Analytics. Considering it is a top 5, it might be time for a boat shoe update?
Boat shoes are a go to shoe in our house especially in the summertime … as well as when on the boat. I’ve worn several different brands since high school (yes we had boat shoes way back then!) and I have always been particularly fond of Sperry for their consistent quality and decent construction. To be fair, I’m not overly hard on shoes in comparison to others, like my son for example … who’s sweaty feet can ruin even a good pair of shoes in short order. Him aside, Brenda and I can stretch our shoe into years of service, but we also spend a little more time caring for our leather shoes … something my dad expected me to do every Saturday night. Nowadays I’m slipping when it comes to polishing and caring for shoes, but for leather boat shoes 
I do use a lanolin based Kiwi product, albeit once a year, besides I always dry my shoes shortly after getting them soaked (adds to the leather’s life). Still, the weak link is the insole, hence last year’s quandary.
After that post, I ended up tossing the attempted epoxy repaired Topsider insoles after failing to revitalize them. Instead I found SofSole insoles at a local Finishline. They were a bit thicker than the originals, but because the older shoes had stretched, they fit nicely. Now after almost of year of wearing them I can highly highly recommend SofSole insoles for shore use … I’m not sure how well they work after getting wet on deck?
Shop around though, because SofSole inserts aren’t the cheapest way to stretch the life out of a pair of boat shoes, although they are comfortable! They locally retail for $25 (saw them for $20 online) compared new purchasing new Topsiders which I found for $60 (the darker brown shoes in the photo above). Let me know if there are better options.
Worth sharing a little Sperry history via video:
Posted By RichC on July 31, 2013
A friend of mine took a photo of his wife while on a bike ride in southwest Ohio.
This is really impressive "stalk" growth for the end of July. I hope the ears are equally as impressive come harvest time.
Posted By RichC on July 31, 2013
My son Taylor shared a bunch of eighth grade exam questions and wondered if I thought today’s high school graduates could even pass this test. Not only were we shocked with what students from 1912 were expected to learn, we were doubly impressed that the test was from a county school in Kentucky (no offense to Kentucky residents).
see http://www.bullittcountyhistory.com/bchistory/schoolexam1912.html
Posted By RichC on July 30, 2013
FORT MEADE, Md.—A military judge acquitted Pfc. Bradley Manning of the most serious accusation against him—that he aided U.S. enemies—but found him guilty Tuesday on most other charges related to his disclosure of documents to the antisecrecy website WikiLeaks. (WSJ)
No matter which side of the argument you come down on in dealing with soldiers or personnel with “clearances” who expose confidential military or government data, the recent trial of Bradley Manning and the current in limbo man Edward Snowden highlight the risk. In PFC Manning’s case, the presiding judge, Col. Denise Lind “convicted Private Manning on charges related to taking information from government databases, bypassing security mechanisms and using classified information for other than its intended purpose.” His most obvious “leak” was to provide WikiLeaks a video of a 2009 Iraqi airstrike. Most seeing the video are appalled at how our military functioned, as no doubt did Manning. On the other hand, there is a appropriate change of command and implication for the security of our country as well as troops in harms way. The way I see it, those appropriately serving around the world receive the brunt of any reaction from our enemies when others are not professional or leakers bypass the chain of command and release confidential information. To Mannings favor, judge Lind acquitted him of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy.
In the current case of Edward Snowden, he is reluctant to return to the U.S. and face charges. He continues his “vacation” at a Moscow airport attempting to negotiate the best option for his decision to leak files of secret information about U.S. surveillance programs to the foreign press. Snowden faces criminal charges of stealing and passing secret information.
Posted By RichC on July 30, 2013
I watched Taylor climbing pine trees in order to cut of a few dead branches and started to wonder if he was going to cut the ones below him … the ones he needed to climb back down. 
Besides the odds and end chores around the house and yard, we bought new tires for Brenda’s aging Rav4. It looks like we’ll have to keep it until at least 300,000 miles now!
Posted By RichC on July 29, 2013
My brother’s daughter Keira was married this weekend to her “ONU Sweetheart” Ben Ankrom at a nice ceremony and reception in Dayton Ohio – Engagement Announcement (FYI: Sweethearts = Ohio Northern University’s name for alumni couples who marry – which includes Brenda and me). We enjoyed the entire day on Saturday and the friends and family reception. Everyone had a great time.
Congratulations Keira and Ben … we couldn’t be happier for you. (Archiving a few phone pics below, some of which I need to start deleting for space reasons – click for larger)
