Amazing pod of Killer Whales having fun
Posted By RichC on August 7, 2013
http://youtu.be/kjDvaT5z1Lk
How to strike out with only one pitch
Posted By RichC on August 6, 2013
http://youtu.be/34-vgeCIMMU
A couple mid-summer house photos
Posted By RichC on August 6, 2013
It has been absolutely beautiful weather with cooler than normal temperatures and sunny days. I’m shocked to be cutting grass that is still green and impressed how nice it looks for August. By this time of year the front lawn is usually a yellow brown and the stripes of our leech bed pretty obvious … not so this year.
Speaking of “houses” … Katelyn informed me that our houseguest rodent rabbit has a new hutch ready for him in Columbus. It looks like he is getting ready to move. I’m not sure I’m going to miss his chewing on everything, but I will miss my normal routine of feeding him each day.
Katelyn showing off Pumpy Umpy’s new hutch
If Detroit is the canary in the coalmine for pubic pensions…
Posted By RichC on August 5, 2013
… what about employees and retirees of private companies – those who still have a pension plan?
Almost everyone realizes that public pensions are going to remain a major problem for our country, but not as many realize just how underfunded pensions are for most large corporations. A report published by S&P Dow Jones shows that large corporations have “growing” liabilities for their retirees and that low interest rates are impacting on how their employees retirement pensions are performing.
According to the report recently released, “S&P 500 companies set aside $1.60 trillion in 2012, covering $2.29 trillion in obligation with the resulting underfunding equating to $687 billion.” The point being made by Howard Silverblatt, Senior Index Analyst, is that “companies have only 77 cent for each dollar they owe in pensions and only 22 cents for each dollar of OPED obligations.”
The S&P Dow Jones Indices report also shows that estimated pension return rates declined for the 12th consecutive year, dropping to an estimated 7.31% in 2012 versus 7.60% in 2011 and 7.73% in 2010. Discount rates declined for the fourth year in a row, falling 78 basis points to 3.93% from 4.71% in 2011 and from 5.31% in 2010, significantly increasing projected obligations.
The report also reviewed the status of Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB). Within the S&P 500, 286 companies offered OPEBs in 2012. With $302.3 billion in OPEB obligations, only $67.4 billion was funded, leaving OPEB funding at 22.3%. OPEB’s funding status continues to pale in comparison to that of pensions (77.3%).
“The American dream of a golden retirement for baby boomers has dissipated for most,” adds Silverblatt. “Plans have been reduced and the burden shifted with future retirees needing to save more for their retirement. For baby-boomers it may already be too late to safely build-up assets, outside of working longer or living more frugally in retirement. For younger workers, they need to start to save early, permitting time to compound their returns for their retirement. Corporations have shifted the responsibility to them, and if they don’t step up now, they won’t have anything for retirement.”
Enjoying a Nathan’s hotdog!
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.
Latest WordPress upgrade to 3.6 and plug in changes
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
The old MB 300D hit the 200K milestone today
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.
Initial thoughts regarding the Freedompop Overdrive Pro
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.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.