My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 8, 2013

It’s the perfect time to share a short shared video from Brittany, Scott and Isla, a couple Internet sailing friends, on their way south in order to be out of the track of most hurricanes this time of year. They are without a doubt one of the most envied young sailing families with a strong following and terrific blog.

After making a few adjustments to their routine (a one-plus year old baby, need anymore be said?), and acquiring a new larger boat – Asante, a Brewer 44 – they set off from Florida via the Bahamas in order be in Grenada by the time tropical storms and hurricanes normally make their through the Caribbean. This year has been weather-safe so far, but tropical weather doesn’t really heat up until late summer and early autumn after the waters are really warm. That said, June is the beginning of hurricane season and tropical storm Chantal is heading east, so Brittany and Scott are watching the projected path while in an anchorage a bit north of their destination. According to a recent post and tweets, they are preparing and setting a second hook, while hoping for a “fizzle” of a storm.

Category: Blogs, Friends, Sailing, Weather | 2 Comments »
Tags: blogs, chantal, family, hurricane, sailing, windtraveler

Posted By RichC on July 8, 2013

I’ve recently started to follow the product launch and shopping site called The Grommet as a few of the recent product introductions are intriguing. The One Log Fire and Sun Mullet were both interesting project ideas for the do-it-yourselfer and the Lazy Bunz for … well … just being lazy in the pool or while taking a swim off the boat!

Those items aside, I really liked learning about the  “earbud-like” product called the EarHero Pro since it might help me use a headphone like device in my “one good ear” yet be able to hear surrounding sounds. I’m not sure it is worth the $149, but have sent an inquiry explaining my Ménière’s disease induced deafness to see if it might be worth considering. Who knows, maybe they make a single ear mono model?

Category: Archive, Cellphone, Shopping, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: earhero, grommet, lazybunz, onelogfire, sunmullet

Posted By RichC on July 7, 2013

Having a recent college graduated living at home and looking to start his career gives me intimate insight on what young adults and their parents are facing. The frustration exacerbates the strong opinions regarding the new health care law and the economic policies put in place by the federal government under the leadership of President Obama. I don’t question big government proponents idealistically believe their policies are best for the country, but at the same time wonder just how stagnant and sluggish the economy will have to remain  before our citizens (particularly the idealistic younger voters) decide that centralized controls are inefficient and cost society in not just dollars, but in future growth. The lifeblood of our country is a strong economy and without policies that encourage expanding business (less regulation, tax planning certainty, global competitiveness), there isn’t a compelling reason for companies to hire fulltime U.S. employees or to increase compensation to those who are employed. I’ve watched as business managers ask more from their current employees and keep those willing to be more productive. If additional production is needed, squeeze more from those who are already receiving benefits or add part time employees perhaps even an unpaid intern that was once was an entry level position?

College graduates are almost happy to be offered an another no or underpaid internship seeing it better than part time work in retail or food service. Those with student loans are almost forced into continuing with college and borrowing even more money … otherwise they face the prospect of paying back their student debt while working part time and living at home. For those with college debt and degrees that do not prepare them for real-world careers (too many), I’m not sure what the answer is … but know that adding more bureaucracy is not the answer or a sustainable solution.

I heard an interesting 2+ minutes from the UMD business professor Peter Morici this morning discussing how businesses are dealing with the future … it is worth sharing.

Peter Morici(mp3) July 7, 2013

Category: Audio, Education, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: college, employment, government, graduate, jobs, morici, mp3, obama

Posted By RichC on July 6, 2013

Twitty photo stream

After seeing the photos from the air, the crash of Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 in San Francisco today looks to have touched down short of the runway 28L. Who knows why the impact was short, but the rock jetty looks to have been impacted by the landing gear and at least the tail of the 777. It will be interesting to know what caused the plane to touch down short?

Category: Aviation, News | No Comments »
Tags: accident, aviation

Posted By RichC on July 6, 2013

Whoa! Lots of summer rain this morning and used the excuse to try a couple more panorama photos with the iPhone 5. I’m not sure how much came down or how fast, but from the water shedding off our back acreage (and neighbors) was significant, at least in Liberty Twp. Ohio.

The morning was spend checking my newly repaired pumps, piping and drainage arrangement (still not good) and replumbing our pool pump to reduce the backup in our backyard. I’m not sure I really did much good since the pool water has taken on a brownish color. Hmm … perhaps I need to rework my drainage plan or add a much larger backup pump for these occasions?

Category: Misc, Photos, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: flooding, iphone, panorama, pool, rain

Posted By RichC on July 5, 2013

What a great time with my neighbors for the 4th of July. Thank you Rich and Dawn Newsted for the great celebration and terrific fireworks!

Category: Holiday, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: fireworks, neighbors

Posted By RichC on July 4, 2013

I purchased a new latch opener for the driver’s side door of the Mercedes Benz 300D and was depressed to see how poor the quality of the aftermarket part was. The castings of the new part is so poor that I’m embarrassed to put in on the car.

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Mercedes | No Comments »
Tags: 300d, mercedes, parts, repair

Posted By RichC on July 3, 2013

Having July 4th fall on a Thursday this week is creating chaos with my travel schedule. Each appointment scheduling call I’ve made is finding everyone taking a few days off … I should have done the same?

Anyway, spending time in town gave me a chance to dust off my TIG welding skills or lack there of after my brother dropped off a couple lawn chairs which are in need of repair. Since I’ve been wanting to repair the rocker panels and 4 jack points on the Mercedes 300D and have been leery of my welding expertise, a little practice was helpful. I’ve already treated the rust multiple times and need to do some final grinding and sanding before adding new metal, a zinc chromate primer and a few coats of TP Tools and Equipment’s Miracle paint. (still yet to be decided – below)

The Bill Hirsch line of restoration paints. Bill Hirsch has been servicing the auto restoration market for over 35 years. His line of paints is considered to be the best available. You can feel confident you are getting a product that will keep your project looking beautiful for years to come!
Stop rust dead in its tracks with Miracle Paint!

Designed to be painted directly over rusted areas. Simply scrape away loose rust scale and coat with this amazing product. Moisture-cured nonporous paint bonds to rusted and corroded metals like no other coating. It dries rock hard and will not crack, chip, or peel. Miracle Paint is impervious to gasoline, oil, anti-freeze, lacquer thinner, salt, and most acids. Will seal metal, concrete, grout, wood, and porous tile like nothing else!

Permanently seal your frame, chassis components, and engine compartment. Apply 2 coats of Miracle Paint anywhere rust attacks. Can be sprayed, brushed, or rolled – no thinning required. If exposed to sunlight, it is recommended that you topcoat Miracle Paint. Can be top-coated with enamel, lacquer, or urethane topcoats. For an original factory finish, we recommend coating with Super Black Chassis Undercarriage Paint. Made in USA.
Available in gloss black, silver, clear, or white.

Category: Automotive, Photos, Tools | No Comments »
Tags: 300d, diesel, mercedes, rust, welding

Posted By RichC on July 1, 2013

I’ve voted for two of the listed small startup ventures that the WSJ editors believe could be worthy of going public and have listed in their WSJ Startup of the Year pages. Personally I’m pulling for PlanetReuse Marketplace seeing it as a way to use technology to network recycled building materials to those who could use them. We waste far too much and could do much better than just filling landfills with building debris (currently 40% of all landfill waste). This startup uses a QR-coded connected database that would make it much easier to connect a buyer to a seller of recycled materials – Ebay should buy this company.

As far as total votes, Speek.com is generating the most interest and although they have and easy to use conference calling service, it really isn’t anything new. I played with it today on a couple of calls and it wasn’t bad … but nothing new. Here’s a listing of how the top 13 stand as of July 1, 2013.

SEE FULL RANKINGS

Category: Business, Financial | No Comments »
Tags: Business, entrepreneurs, startups, venture, wsj

Posted By RichC on June 30, 2013

Click for larger panarama at Aaron’s (Growler) VW TDIClub GTG on Saturday

Owning a diesel car again after a couple year hiatus (Katelyn’s doesn’t count) was a weak excuse to go to a TDIClub GTG in Millersport, Ohio on Saturday, but took the Mercedes Benz 300D to the Volkswagen diesel gathering just the same – I was shunned but not kicked out.

Since Aaron’s place is somewhat close to Columbus I also connected with my daughter Katelyn and Drew and enjoyed a late lunch at the Brazenhead in Grandview with them. We had a nice time.

Also connected with a few old-timer TDI guys (like me) – Glen (L) and Bruce (R).

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: cincitdi, drew, growler, katelyn, tdi, tdiclub, volkswagen