U.S. Census reports population is 308,745,538
Posted By RichC on December 22, 2010
Census report says U.S. population at 308,745,538; up 9.7 percent since 2000.
Another reason to put a skidplate on your VW TDI
Posted By RichC on December 21, 2010
Long time readers know that upon occasion Volkswagen TDI diesel related posts show up on my blog and am a big advocate for adding a skidplate. Recently a friend in a forum posted photo from his wife’s 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon after an encounter with a 6” curb. The damage to the unprotected cast aluminum oil pan was not the only casualty (photos below).
His description is worth sharing:
I have to say it wasn’t entirely her fault. We had a nice day here and she was driving with the window down. A hornet decided to visit and get personal. Luckily she was only doing about 45 and cut off the engine a couple of seconds later. In addition to [replacing] the pump and pan, it now has a Dieselgeek Panzer Plate with FMJ. Mine gets one next.
Duane
’03 Jetta TDI wagon – Tornado Red – mine
’03 Jetta TDI wagon – Mohave Beige – wife’s
Epocrates disappearing from webOS devices
Posted By RichC on December 20, 2010
Unless HP gets their act together soon, webOS is going to distance themselves from more and more users. With the elimination of Epocrates support, those in or going into the medical profession will pretty much write off webOS phones and their eventual tablet device. Even I, someone who likes his Palm Pre, am becoming increasingly concerned for the long term success when competing with Android, Apple and Microsoft lightweight OS based products.
With the unfortunate and oddly-timed announcement that Epocrates will be ceasing to support webOS early next year, individual healthcare practitioners as well as enterprise managers in hospital systems may be wondering whether webOS devices are a viable option for them moving forward. Well fellow providers, take heart! As it turns out, there are plenty of fantastic medical reference resources still available on the platform. Read on for a tour of all the tools you can still put in your “doctor’s bag.”
More at precentral.net
Follow up on using GoldStash.com to sell old jewelry
Posted By RichC on December 19, 2010
In a previous post I mentioned that Brenda and I were going to try selling a few pieces of broken gold jewelry, some tarnished silver and a few odd ‘lost and found’ type items that we knew we wouldn’t wear. Sure I could have taken them to a local gold buyer, but since the conservative financial radio guy Dave Ramsey endorsed GoldStash.com we figured it was worth a try – they paid the shipping.
For our miscellaneous items they offered a check of $114.55, which I took; I didn’t think the amount was too bad and it was certainly more than I expected. Still, my greedy inner-self now wonders if it was worth more than that? Brenda wished she would have plucked the opal out of one of the broken necklaces. Hmm … we might try selling some sterling silver next go around since we have a set of “nut trays” my wife purchased at an estate sale – who needs “nut trays” anyway — we don’t even have sterling silver flatware to set a table with them anyway.
Fortune Magazine has a well written article in the December 27th issue on “Gold Fever” (the article is not online yet). The author start and finishes on panning or slewing for gold and offers up a few history lessons for those getting caught up in the varied reasons and rush to own gold in one way or another. One wonders, if like run-ups in precious metals of the past, whether we’re in for a correction or even a crash from the near $1500/oz level. I would say ‘yes’ … but who knows when and how high it could go before we see it back to more realistic numbers. I thought this page of minted gold coins from around the world was interesting (click for larger image).
S/V Encore – we own a sailboat once again
Posted By RichC on December 18, 2010
Christmas has come early for me as we finalized the closing on the “new to us” sailboat – 1986 36’ Westerly Corsair called Encore. Although Brenda and I have been looking at boats for years, we realistically planned on putting off owning our next boat until both kids were out of college and comfortably on their own. Things change … and the right boat, at the right price, stimulated both of us at the same time (a rarity); we weakened together feeling life swiftly moving by. Voilà … we made an offer, negotiated a few times and came to an agreement. 
A month later found me surveying and off to ‘freezing’ Florida for a seatrial then closing yesterday.
So … as of Friday 12/17/2010 we are boat owners once again (this has happened about every ten years or so to us). When we were first married (pre-kids) we lived on our sailboat ‘Brenich’ most of the summer (the photo of the block on the right was from the 1980s – photo of the boat here). Then after kids sold the boat, bought a bigger house and started a business. When Katelyn and Taylor were in grade school we once again ventured in to the sailing realm by purchasing ‘Tulla’ and thought it would be a great way to keep the family together – we were wrong. Soccer, karate, baseball, figure skating, gymnastics, church, school and friends took over our weekends and the demands of our suburban bliss (cough, cough) became all consuming. Our beautiful investment sat humbly at it dock and was rarely enjoyed. It was a mistake for us to think we could both sail and stay fully connected with the activities of youth … but thankfully both boats were purchased and sold at a profit (except for the “cost of ownership”). It was the case of buying the right boat in the right market and doing the same when selling. There are no guarantees we will be 3 for 3 … but then I have no intention on selling.
Besides our cruising sailboats, there were a couple of other small boats, an 18’ Thistle, a couple of sailing and motoring dinghies that I could car top on occasion, but nothing to satisfy a cruising sailor.
Hopefully this third boat will stick around a while. I have enough update projects on my to-do list and as it is with a 1986 boat, there are plenty of improvements that will keep on coming. We’re still questioning each other and wondering if it is the right time, but all is a bit late to turn back now. Stay tuned and you’ll eventually know if the timing was right.
Do you know any airplane fanatics interested in a Sonex experimental airplane project with a new Aerovee engine … 80% complete … with the proverbial 80% to go.
We’re having a cold and snowy December this year
Posted By RichC on December 17, 2010
Palm Pre photo after clearing the driveway on Thursday
I’ve had to put the snowblower on my old John Deere 330 a bit early for SW Ohio this year since we’ve had significantly more snow and colder weather this entire month. In years past I remember crossing our fingers that some snow would whiten the ground for Christmas, but that doesn’t look to be a problem as we close out December 2010. According to the month long forecast, Cincinnati will not see a single day in December even touching the historical averages.
DECEMBER 2010
Residency interviews are half over for my daughter
Posted By RichC on December 16, 2010
Time is flying by as my daughter’s fourth year of med school is half over and she’ll be moving from paying to learn to getting paid to learn (residency) and also working a few hours for a hospital – a poorly worded joke for those who actually know how many hours per week residents work.
For the fun stuff, I’m on the receiving end of Katelyns’ photos which often depict nice hotel rooms … or views like this one from Rochester NY today. Nice view … one I didn’t know hotels in Rochester even had?
Hall of Fame Bob Feller Dies at age 92
Posted By RichC on December 16, 2010
One of my all time favorite baseball players and Cleveland Indian star, Bob Feller died on Wednesday night. We had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mr. Feller back when my son played youth baseball and appreciated his signing my son’s ball glove and a photo. He was a remarkably healthy senior well into his 80s and had both an entertaining personality and sharp mind.
CLEVELAND — Bob Feller, the Iowa farm boy whose powerful right arm earned him the nickname “Rapid Robert” and made him one of baseball’s greatest pitchers during a Hall of Fame career with the Cleveland Indians, has died. He was 92.
Feller died at 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday night of acute leukemia at a hospice, said Bob DiBiasio, the Indians vice president of public relations.
Remarkably fit until late in life, Feller had suffered serious health setbacks in recent months. He was diagnosed with a form of leukemia in August, and while undergoing chemotherapy, he fainted and his heart briefly stopped. Eventually, he underwent surgery to have a pacemaker implanted.
In November, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and Feller was recently released into hospice care.
Even as his health deteriorated, Feller continued doing what he loved most — attending Indians games deep into last season.
“Nobody lives forever and I’ve had a blessed life,” Feller said in September. “I’d like to stay on this side of the grass for as long as I can, though. I’d really like to see the Indians win a World Series.”
Feller, in fact, was part of the rotation the last time the Indians won it all — in 1948.
Fiercely proud and patriotic, Feller was an American original. He won 266 games during 18 seasons — all with the Indians, who brought him up to the majors as a 17-year old. Feller’s win total remains a Cleveland team record, one that seems almost untouchable in today’s free-agent era.
“Bob Feller is gone. We cannot be surprised,” Indians owner Larry Dolan said in a statement. “Yet, it seems improbable. Bob has been such an integral part of our fabric, so much more than an ex-ballplayer, so much more than any Cleveland Indians player. He is Cleveland, Ohio.”
Feller was part of a vaunted Indians’ rotation in the 1940s and ’50s with fellow Hall of Famers Bob Lemon and Early Wynn. He finished with 2,581 career strikeouts, led the American League in strikeouts seven times, pitched three no-hitters — including the only one on opening day — and recorded a jaw-dropping 12 one-hitters.
His numbers would no doubt have been even greater had his career not been interrupted by World War II.
The first pitcher to win 20 games before he was 21, Feller was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1962, his first year of eligibility.
The Indians retired his No. 19 jersey in 1957 and immortalized the greatest player in franchise history with a statue when they opened their downtown stadium in 1994. The sculpture is vintage Feller, captured forever in the middle of his patented windmill windup, rearing back to fire another pitch.
Baseball was only a part of Feller’s remarkable story.
Stirred by Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy the following day — the first major league player to do so. He served as a gun captain on the USS Alabama, earning several battle commendations and medals.
Never afraid to offer a strong opinion on any subject, Feller remained physically active in his later years. At the end of every winter, he attended the Indians’ fantasy camp in either Florida or Arizona. One of the highlights of the weeklong event was always Feller, in uniform, taking the mound and striking out campers, some of whom were 50 years younger.
Another rite of spring for Cleveland fans was seeing Feller at the Indians’ training camp. Before home exhibition games in Winter Haven, Fla., or more recently in Goodyear, Ariz., Feller would throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Introduced to a rousing ovation every time, Feller delivered the throw with the same high leg kick he used while blazing fastballs past overmatched hitters.
An eight-time All-Star, Feller compiled statistics from 1936 through 1956 that guaranteed his Hall of Fame enshrinement. He led the AL in victories six times and is still the Indians’ career leader in shutouts (46), innings pitched (3,827), walks (1,764), complete games (279), wins and strikeouts.
Despite losing his two starts, Feller won a World Series title with the Indians in 1948.
When he returned from military duty in 1946, Feller arguably had his finest season, going 26-15 with a 2.18 ERA and pitching 36 complete games and 10 shutouts. For comparison’s sake, the Indians’ entire pitching staff had 10 complete games and four shutouts last season.
Born Nov. 3, 1918, near Van Meter, Iowa, Robert Andrew William Feller was 16 when he caught the eye of Indians scout Cy Slapnicka.
Feller made his first major league start on Aug. 23, 1936, two months shy of turning 18. He never pitched in the minors, and when the Indians decided to use him in a relief role on July 19, 1936, he was the youngest player ever to pitch in a major league game. Many wondered if the kid — who would later credit his arm strength to milking cows, picking corn, and baling hay — was in over his head.
Hardly.
Using a fastball later dubbed “the Van Meter heater,” Feller struck out 15 — two shy of the major league record in his first game, beating the St. Louis Browns 4-1 — a star was born. Later that season, Feller established the AL record by striking out 17 Philadelphia Athletics.
In 1938, Feller set the major league record by striking out 18 against the Detroit Tigers. The record stood for 36 years before being broken by Nolan Ryan in 1974. By the time he joined the military at 23, Feller had won 109 games and was well on the way to baseball fame.
In his day, nobody threw harder than Feller, who sometimes had trouble with his control. Because speed devices weren’t as advanced as they are today, it’s impossible to gauge precisely how fast Feller threw in his prime. There is famous black-and-white film footage of Feller’s fastball being clocked as it races against a motorcycle said to be traveling at 100 mph.
Feller once said he was clocked at 104 mph.
Even in his later years, Feller could recall pitch-for-pitch duels with great hitters like Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. He said his biggest thrill in the game was when he returned from the military to pitch a no-hitter against New York at Yankee Stadium.
“I had been away four years and people were saying I was washed up,” Feller said. “They had a right to say it, too, since few come back after being away so long. But this game proved to me that I was still able to pitch.”
He always credited his father, Bill, with encouraging his baseball ambitions.
“My father kept me busy from dawn to dusk when I was a kid,” Feller said. “When I wasn’t pitching hay, hauling corn or running a tractor, I was heaving a baseball into his mitt behind the barn. I couldn’t repay my debt to him, but I wanted to pass along the thought that if all the parents in the country followed his rule, juvenile delinquency would be cut in half in a year’s time.”
Feller said the greatest hitter he ever faced, without question, was Williams, although Williams had only a .270 average against him.
“I was a little luckier against him than the others,” Feller said. “But he beat me in more games than I care to remember. Joe DiMaggio was the only right-hander who hit me consistently. The fellow who hit me best, though, was Tommy Henrich, the Yankees’ old reliable.
“Funny thing, I’ve run across a lot of former ballplayers who said to me, ‘You know, Bob, I wasn’t a great hitter, but I’ve always had pretty good success against you.’ I must have kept a lot of .250 hitters in the game.”
After retiring from baseball, Feller worked in the insurance business, but he never got completely away from baseball. In 1981, he returned to work for the Indians as a spring training pitching coach and in the team’s public relations office.
As recently as last season, Feller was a fixture in the press box at Progressive Field. Sitting in the media dining area before games or in the same seat during them, he would offer his thoughts on any current event and, of course, give his assessment on how the Indians were playing.
Feller didn’t care for crowds and didn’t particularly enjoy interacting with fans, but he often attended memorabilia shows to sign autographs for a nominal fee. Sometimes gruff, Feller would sign his autograph and listen as fans asked him questions and posed for pictures with an iconic man who meant so much to them.
Feller was critical of contemporary ballplayers. He viewed them as spoiled and felt they didn’t work as hard at their craft as he and his peers. Feller never softened on his stance that Pete Rose, baseball’s hits leader, should remain banned for betting on baseball and he was revolted by the idea that players who cheated by taking steroids could one day join him as a Hall of Famer.
Feller, who lived in Gates Mills, Ohio, is survived by his wife, Anne, and three sons, Steve, Martin and Bruce.
GoPro Camera/Video looks to be great for action sports, etc.
Posted By RichC on December 15, 2010
I’m not endorsing this $259 GoPro Hero camera (“Naked” as they call it) since I haven’t used it, but from the promotional photos, and particularly HD video (see below), it looks great. The fixed lens setup may be a limitation but it is one of the nicest action sports cameras I’ve seen to date and might work for a variety of activities. The quality is outstanding and the optional mounts, as well as protection from the elements, looks excellent – the price doesn’t seem out of line either.
One of the first guys I thought of was my EAA buddy Steve — check out his flying videos on his blog – this could be his next camera (if he didn’t work for Kodak!). 
EDIT: Adding a WSJ.com 3D option video clip on 12/20/2010.
Roz Savage – National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year
Posted By RichC on December 14, 2010
Congratulation Roz (previous posts) … you are National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year for 2010. (and she’s working on another book about rowing the Pacific)
The Rower
Roz Savage solo rowed the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans—the first woman ever to do so.
Before she rowed across two oceans, Roz Savage was a management consultant, working 14-hour days in London. “There has to be something more adventurous,” she thought. “I’m not getting any younger. Why not get on with it?” So she did. In 2005, Savage paddled the Atlantic in 103 days, battling several storms in one of the worst seas on record. This year, paddling to increase awareness of the ocean’s plight and show the extraordinary impact one person can have when they set their mind to something, the 42-year-old completed an 8,000-mile, three-part row across the Pacific. After 250 days and 2.5 million oarstrokes, she reached Madang, Papua New Guinea, on June 3, becoming the first woman ever to solo row across the largest ocean in the world. In 2011, Savage will set out to row 5,000 miles across the Indian Ocean.
—By Ryan Bradley
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.