My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on December 16, 2012

I’ve been spending most of my time by my mother’s bedside (previous post), but wanted to share a little cheer as well. My daughter Katelyn had a wonderful bridal shower hosted by the friends of her future mother-in-law (Barb Oostra) in Toledo on Saturday. They enjoyed brunch and presents at the Inverness Club and the single word response from Katelyn when she called me me was: “amazing.”  When I told Brenda, she asked … “what does that mean?” — I think it means Katelyn was very happy!

On my wife’s return to Cincinnati, she stopped to see my mom and detailed the entire affair down to the “sparkling shoes” Katelyn was wearing and a relayed message from  my cousin Diane who is very close with my mom (thanks for representing our side of the family in Toledo). I know my mom would have been pleased – just wish she could have been there.
 
Also … I wanted to thank my fellow “outlaw” Lynda for driving to the shower from New York … we very much appreciated the long trip and that she made it a priority to be there. Thank you Lynda.

Katelyn and Diane Mears   |   Lynda Howard and Katelyn

Category: Personal, Photos | 1 Comment »
Tags: brenda, katelyn, shower, wedding

Posted By RichC on December 15, 2012

This Thursday thru Saturday has been challenging for my dad, brother and me. My mom, who has been in hospice care the last few months, is now in the "active dying" stage according to the nurse. Her vital signs have been up and down the last couple of days and we’ve been trading round the clock shifts to be by her bedside, as well as plenty of overlap. It seems like there should be something more that I could be doing for the one who nurtured me into this world?

The nursing care is most appreciated as they are keeping mom in a drug induced unconscious state for the most part, yet it is still uncomfortable to watch and listen to the human body struggling to shut down. For those who make end of life care a career calling and to compassionately assist family through the process, I’m grateful you exist. Mom is in compassionate hands. One nurse in particular has been there for much of my 5PM to 5AM shifts and she has been very kind and loving … thank you Jane.

As has been said by those who are assured in their salvation in heaven, “it is not death that we fear, it is dying.” My prayer is that God would find it in His mercy to take mom home gently (but a little quicker) and keep her from suffering … and to bring peace to those around her.

Those who have concluded that Jesus is who he proclaimed to be … and have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior … have little to fear from death.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29

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Category: Personal | No Comments »
Tags: mom c, momc

Posted By RichC on December 13, 2012

Ah … we’re finished with this year’s Corbett Christmas Letter … they are in the mail! (click for a PDF copy)

One of my favorite things about celebrating Christmas is the reminiscing — especially when putting up, or just looking at, the decorated tree in our house. We have a mish-mash Christmas tree with decorations from all phases of our lives. There are “Baby’s First Christmas” and memento ornaments as well as photos of Katelyn and Taylor ornaments and homemade hanging “things.” A couple cute school project items and even one from my past: a simple plastic gingerbread man. He has hung on every tree I can remember since I was a little boy. It is not the fanciest of ornaments or even one of any value to anyone but me … but this little guy triggers fond memories. (I plan on adding a few photos or some video to this QR Coded post after Christmas, so check back!)

EDIT – added a few family Christmas related links:

• Katelyn had a bridal shower in Toledo (12/15)
• Mom Corbett passes away peacefully (12/17)
• Returning to normal after the funeral (12/21)
• Our Christmas Tree (12/24)
• Catering Christmas dinner to Columbus (12/25)
• Celebrating our later than usual family Christmas (12/30)

Along with gingerbread ornaments we also hung candy canes on the tree … who didn’t? According to The World of Christmas, the candy cane and its J-shape has an interesting story.

The Legend

It is widely believed that the candy, which earlier was straight as a stick, was given its distinctive J-shape by a German choirmaster. It is said that during service one evening, the children were being very loud and noisy, creating quite a ruckus and not paying any attention to the choirmaster. To keep them quiet and still for the nativity ceremony, he gave them a long, white, sugar candy stick. Since giving chocolates and candies at church was considered sacrilegious, he bent these sticks at one end to make them look like a shepherd’s cane and thus, attached a religious significance to them. In Christianity, Jesus is regarded as the Good Shepherd and so, the staff is considered to be a sacred symbol. The Staff also represents the shepherds who came to visit the infant Jesus.

The candy cane became popular when, in 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio, who liked candy canes a lot, decided to string them on his Christmas tree as decorations. The idea soon caught up became quite a fashion in no time. By 1900, candy canes, which were earlier only white, came in red stripes, and with peppermint and cinnamon flavoring. Of course, now it’s a popular tradition everywhere.

The candy canes became a much sought-after Christmas-decoration item as the ‘hook’ in the candy made it easier to hang them on the Yule trees, and the unique shape made it an eye-catching attraction.

Symbolism

Traditionally, the only symbolism that was associated with the candy was that of the shepherd’s staff. But now, there is a modern allegorical interpretation of the candy cane. It is said that since the candy cane, when inverted, becomes J-shaped, it is a direct representation of Jesus Christ. The white color of the candy denotes the purity of Christ while the stripes represent His sacrifice and the whipping he received at the hands of the Romans, the color red symbolizing his blood. It is believed that even the peppermint flavor of the candy is so because it is similar to hyssop which, according to the Old Testament, symbolizes purification and sacrifice.

Category: Archive, Holiday, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: archive, brenda, Corbett Christmas Letter, drew, family, katelyn, pdf, rich, taylor

Posted By RichC on December 12, 2012

A couple of us spotted a Google+ post the other day highlighting Contact Juggling and found it intriguing and an impressive skill … plus I didn’t write a blog post for today.

EDIT: Also upgraded WordPress to “Elvin” — version 3.5.

Category: Blogs, Video | No Comments »
Tags: contact, japan, juggling

Posted By RichC on December 11, 2012

Got to love the “balanced” approach to the fiscal cliff of Sen. Harry Reid. [sarcasm] Does he really represent his constituents and does he know we “all lose” if congress and President Obama can’t manage spending?

Posted via email from RichC’s posterous

Category: Misc | 1 Comment »
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Posted By RichC on December 11, 2012

Those of us watching the “dance” in Washington DC over the looming taxes and possible spending cuts closing in on every American can make one’s head spin. What we all know is that our government spends too much and seems unable to even come close to balancing their budget or coming up with a plan in order to realistically address it. A couple positives — The U.S. economic engine “could” address the revenue side IF encouraged to grow. Even an increase of 2% in economic grow (over the current 2% growth) could generate enough in tax revenues that would dwarf the tax rate increases demanded by President Obama. So my question is “Why isn’t the focus on growth?” The second positive is that neither Democrat or Republican benefits by going over the fiscal cliff, so there is an incentive to get a deal done before sequestration.

Unfortunately there is a list of never ending negatives. For this post, I point only to the tax rate and structure being trumpeted by President Obama and his merry band of mainstream media groupies. I’m not suggesting that increasing income tax rates from the current 36% to 39.6 for $200,000 and up earners ($250,000 joint) is alone going to sink our country, but don’t think that it solves any of our fiscal problems, nor does it encourage growth or make funding our government any more “fair.”

One of my primary concerns is that there will be an inevitable tax rate change – primarily because it sells well to the average Joe. Unfortunately it creates a long-term growth deterrent. It heavily impacts the small business owners who create the majority of jobs in America. This is the exact group we need to be encouraging in order to get the above mentioned national economy to 4%. These higher taxes seem to be coming at the same time big corporations are lobbying for more competitive U.S. corporate tax rates (which are needed, btw). Most people looking at the chart below understand, as do politicians, that U.S. based corporations are at a disadvantage worldwide. Most agree that putting American corporation on a level playing field with other developed nations make sense and that bringing their rates to somewhere around 25% (or Dems think 28%) needs to be done.

Of course what does this do if you are a “small business” paying taxes at the individual rate is being pushed up to 40%? (not to mention the additional 3.8% plus .9% Medicare tax and their state taxes  — ie. 14% in California.)

So, let’s say rates go up to 40% on top earners and small business … and taxes drop for American corporates to under 30% … what do you think will happen? Isn’t it logical?

• Small business with “busy” CPAs will file C corp and switch from paying current 36% (proposed 40%) to expected lower corporate tax 25% or (28%)
• Big Corporations will compete more efficiently and keep income in the U.S. and will expand/locate in states where taxes are low or zero if they haven’t already.
• Less sophisticated and the smaller profitable small businesses will not expand or hire new employees due to higher taxes, Obamacare (cost of doing business) and find their companies less competitive with larger corporations paying lower taxes.
• The expected revenue increase will be a net sum gain (unless economy grows and corporations bring cash home) while small business in America will get the short end of the stick and be hit with a higher tax bill, close their doors or just operate less profitably.
• The big corporations will get bigger and those small businesses spending more for tax lawyers and CPA guidance may be able to avoid some additional taxes based on restructuring as a C corp for additional professional advice and $$$.

Is the “dance” seemingly around higher taxes instead of reducing spending and making government more efficient one worth going to? (of course we don’t have a choice … we are being shoved toward this cliff)

Category: Financial, Politics | 1 Comment »
Tags: Business, economy, fiscal cliff, government, taxes

Posted By RichC on December 10, 2012

While following the Kabuki Theatre between President Obama and congress in Washington DC focused on increasing the top tax rate, cutting government spending and dealing with what has become known as the “fiscal cliff,” it was interesting to hear what European’s think of our latest governing hurdle.

The BBC offered up a video interview with Christine Lagarde, the well respected head of the International Monetary Fund where she voiced concern over the “political games” being played in Washington DC, but admits she understands the politics involved. Lagarde warned the fragile economic recovery around the world would suffer if the U.S. in unable to come to an agreement and triggers a recession. Economist for the most part agree that the U.S. will see significant job losses and a 2% decline in economic growth. The projection is not that much better for Canada and Mexico which would also suffer a similar economic decline (maybe 1%) and that Europe which is still trying to dig their way out of a recession. All in all, the world would suffer a slow-down if the American economy (nearly 20%) fails to deal with their fiscal issues.

The BBC headline is was interesting (it has since changed) … considering the kid gloves President Obama has been handled with by the U.S. mainstream media:

Obama Pushes Tax-The-Rich plan 

US President Barack Obama is to address Michigan car workers to build support for his plan to raise taxes on the rich and avert a looming "fiscal cliff".

The visit follows face-to-face meetings with Republican House Speaker John Boehner at the White House on Sunday.

After their first private talks since Mr Obama won re-election, both sides said communication lines "remain open".

Deep spending cuts and tax rises due to take effect on 1 January threaten to derail US economic recovery.

Last week, Barack Obama visited a toy manufacturer in Pennsylvania to talk about his plan

Extended benefits for the long-term unemployed and a temporary cut to payroll taxes are also scheduled to expire at the same time.

International observers, such as Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund, have warned that there would be ripple effects for the rest of the world if US lawmakers are not able to agree to a deal.

‘Shifting focus’

Mr Obama’s appearance at a car factory outside Detroit is his latest public outreach effort in recent weeks to sell a plan that would increase taxes for the rich while extending Bush-era tax cuts for everyone else.

The president’s plan calls for $1.6tn (£990bn) in new tax revenue over 10 years.

Mr Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, has said that he is prepared to consider increasing tax revenue – by closing loopholes and limiting deductions rather than raising rates.

Neither side revealed details about the meeting between Mr Boehner and Mr Obama on Sunday, but representatives released identical statements saying "the lines of communication remain open".

On Monday, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters travelling with the president to Michigan: "The president does believe that we can reach an agreement.

"We, broadly speaking, continue to engage in this process with important players and stakeholders."

Although Republicans are philosophically opposed to raising taxes, some congressmen have recently suggested they would consider agreeing to Mr Obama’s demand.

Republican Senator Bob Corker told Fox News on Sunday: "There is a growing group of folks looking at this and realising that we don’t have a lot of cards as it relates to the tax issue before year end."

He added that if Republicans accepted the higher top tax rate, "the focus then shifts to entitlements, and maybe it puts us in a place where we actually can do something that really saves the nation".

The Republican counter-offer would aim to collect $800bn in revenue by closing tax loopholes and deductions.

It would also reduce government spending by $1.4tn, raising from 65 to 67 the age of eligibility for Medicare, a popular healthcare programme for the elderly, and by changing the way annual increases in Social Security payments are calculated.

So far, Democrats have appeared reluctant to discuss reforms to major entitlement programmes.

Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin told NBC News on Sunday: "We need to address that in a thoughtful way through the committee structure after the first of the year."

The White House has repeatedly said it would not support any deal that did not increase tax rates on the wealthiest.

If a deal cannot be reached, economists say the fiscal cliff would suck about $600bn out of the economy.

The measures were partly put in place within a 2011 deal to curb the yawning US budget deficit.

BBC © 2012

Category: Audio, Financial, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: bbc, christine lagarde, economy, fiscal cliff

Posted By RichC on December 8, 2012

My kids roll their eyes when I strike up offhanded conversations with strangers in parking lots, gas stations, etc. Take Friday for instance, I saw a guy get out of his new Passat TDI and glanced over to ask how he liked his new diesel. He grinned and exclaimed, “I’m getting 47 mpg!” which I assumed that meant he liked it.

Unfortunately our conversation went down hill from there as talk quickly eroded into the price of fuel … and in particular the premium price he felt he was paying for diesel fuel (over $4.00/gallon while gasoline is currently $3.26). He stated that when he was younger, “diesel was always cheaper than gasoline” and that even in Europe diesel was less expensive than gasoline … so I started my lecture and will summarize below.

The ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels we purchase today are more refined with less sulfur than years ago. This makes them better for the environment and the higher winter cetane rating also help with ignition. Rarely do we see the heavy clouds of smoke and difficult starts as in years gone by … especially in passenger vehicles like the newer Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Volkswagens. Also in the U.S., gasoline get a preferred tax structure with the rationale that larger diesel vehicle damage the roads more and diesel car drivers pay the penalty too. In Europe the opposite exists in order to encourage the more  efficient diesel over the gasoline engine (diesels are up to 35% more efficient … ie. mid-sized VW Passat at 47 mpg). Add to the political factors that we also use fuel oil … a close cousin to ‘diesel’ … in the winter to heat homes therefore making less of the heavier hydrocarbon crude oil available for road use this time of year – it all adds to inching up of the price. In good economic times this could even be more pronounce because oil producers will sell their desirable “ULSD — clean diesel” to the buyers who will pay the most … often overseas.

Here in the U.S. we are trying to offset this demand with new products that don’t use crude oil … or as much of it in the blend, since it do take 25% more crude to make a gallon diesel than a gallon of gasoline (remember physics and the laws of thermodynamics – heat, energy, etc … a BTU is a BTU). Those of us recognizing this are advocates for alternatives to petroleum and are hoping farming and industry can offset petroleum demand by adding biodiesel. That industry has stepped up with a variety of feedstock options in order to create a form of diesel fuel made from plant materials and as well as recycled cooking oil. Hopefully we’ll continue to see the newer algae based “grown materials” and that they will prove to be fast growing economical feedstocks. If perfected, this will create an entirely new fuel industry reducing the demand for food-based biodiesel as well as supplement petroleum diesel.

With natural gas being cheap and more plentiful here in the U.S. due to hydraulic fracking, I’m also hoping companies working on synthetic diesel derived from natural gas can be economically viable. Royal Dutch Shell is already producing it overseas and other oil companies could start processing in the next few years as well.

But for now, the price will be set by demand … and tweaked by politicians who are coerced by the energy lobbiests with the most influence – ok, so I’m cynical.

Category: Biodiesel, Diesel, Energy, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: alternatives, biodiesel, diesel, energy, natural gas

Posted By RichC on December 7, 2012

Tell me I’m not crazy, but this is the third  time that I’ve purchased an all-in-one multifunction printer in the past several years. For one, inkjet printer heads and ink are challenging to keep flowing without problems, particularly when using refills and remanufactured inks – link. The customer support phone line suggested that using “their branded” replacement ink prevents problems, but purchasing them can have consumers scratching their heads and looking at  empty wallets.

Years ago, I filled my own ink cartridges and tinkered with cleaning heads, but sometimes it is wiser to just replace the printer. Improvements in speed and features justified (at least in in my mind) a device replacement, because even trying a new set of “branded” cartridges is cost prohibitive. This was frustrating enough when it was only the important black cartridge, but in my current Epson Artisan 800 printer, one empty (or plugged) color cartridge prevents a printer from operating “even in grayscale mode.” A call to Epson customer service recommended taking the device to the nearest repair facility which is over an hour away … or to to replace the device with the brand “loyalty discounted one.”  This was an easy call when the price of the new multi-function printer is nearly what it would cost me in fuel to drive to the repair facility or purchase SIX new ink cartridges. (see below) More junk heading for the landfill I guess?

VS

Category: Computer, Personal, Technology | 2 Comments »
Tags: epson, ink, printer

Posted By RichC on December 6, 2012

I remember Cox model plane and car engine when I was a boy, but this “Tiny” 4-stroke “popper” is as impressive as a Swiss watch.

Category: Misc, Video | No Comments »
Tags: engine, hobby