Posted By RichC on November 3, 2023
Simple test for my automated MyDesultoryBlog’s X.com account after an API update. This WordPress plug-in using a newly updated service should start to work again.
This post will probably be deleted although 
since I like the Elon Musk ani-gif, I might just keep it. Will this feature work again?
Posted By RichC on November 3, 2023
For years I’ve been running Parallels on my iMac after switching from Bootcamp on the old Mac Mini. It has been a love -hate relationship, but I’ve sort of always 
needed to run Microsoft Windows. Since adding the MacBook Air M2 without Parallels or a Windows10 option, I’ve learned to function fairly well without “at least” and everyday need to run an OS other than MacOS.
For the few items I do still need a Windows machine to do, I can still boot up my old Lenovo notebook, but then again .. who really wants to maintain another operation system or update to the latest Windows11? So as my Parallels subscription is up for renewal this November, I’ve decided to say goodbye … likely because they have upped the price this year to a $69.99 annual renewal. Nope … I’m going to say goodbye and hope that it is not needed again.
Posted By RichC on November 2, 2023
Both Brenda and I enjoyed the World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks this year. I really didn’t think I was going to get so emotionally involved considering the teams were not ones that I followed through the season … BUT, as with previous October playoff baseball, I did get fired up … even if it did only go 5 games.
Since it was late on Wednesday night when game 5 was over, I figured I’d let Google Bard AI work up a post to wrap up the series for a Thursday post.
The 2023 World Series ended on November 1, 2023, with the Texas Rangers defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in 5 games. It was the Rangers’ first World Series title in franchise history.
The Rangers entered the World Series as the underdogs, but they were able to pull off the upset thanks to a strong pitching staff and a timely offense. The Rangers’ pitching staff led the majors in ERA during the regular season, and they continued to dominate in the playoffs. Ace Jacob deGrom was particularly impressive, winning two games in the World Series and allowing just one run in 14 innings.
The Rangers’ offense was also able to come up big when it mattered most. In Game 5, the Rangers trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the 8th inning, but they scored 5 runs to come back and win the game and the World Series. Marcus Semien was the hero of the game, hitting a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 8th to give the Rangers the lead.
The Rangers’ victory in the 2023 World Series was a Cinderella story. The team had not made the playoffs since 2016, and they had not won a playoff game since 2011. But in 2023, the Rangers were able to put it all together and win their first World Series title.
Posted By RichC on November 2, 2023
An older video popped up on on of the cloud archive sites for one reason or another last month (don’t recall), and after quickly glancing at it, decided it was worth including for a Throwback Thursday #TBT.
The short clip was Brenda driving to work in her 1998 Toyota Rav4 and was from 2011. It was a beautiful October morning and made me appreciate our home and LIFE!
Posted By RichC on November 1, 2023
It will not be easy for the Coral Reefer Band to keep traveling and performing without Jimmy Buffett, but all the bandmembers have talent and many of them have been together for years if not decades together … “as a family.” So, it is sounding as if they intent to give the concert tour a go without Jimmy … and knowing Parrotheads (the carnival like fans as they are called) … they will probably still come out to sing along and enjoy the party atomsphere.
Would James William Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) want it any other way? Fins Up Forever …
I appreciated the comment from long time friend … and at great musician in his own right … Mac McAnally as quoted in Rolling Stone:
Even while Buffett was being treated for Merkel cell skin cancer, he would make his way to a stage, only for a few moments, if it meant he could perform for his fans and feed off of their energy. Recalling a New York performance where Buffett made a surprise appearance, McAnally said: “We played ‘5 O’Clock Somewhere’ and when it got to [the line], ‘What would Jimmy Buffett do?,’ nobody knew that he was there. Nobody knew and he walked out from behind the stage. It was maybe 400 people there and they all came up out of their seat. It was like somebody hit them with 220 volts.”
Posted By RichC on October 31, 2023
This content is restricted.
Posted By RichC on October 30, 2023
For most of my life, hearing the 1971 counterculture era song “One Tin Soldier” automatically triggered the band Coven in my musical memory … until last week. It was only then that I realized that the song was recorded (not surprisingly) a couple years earlier by the Canadian folk group The Original Caste (below).
(more…)
Posted By RichC on October 29, 2023
Before the photos from our October 2023 vacation to Florida are buried too deep on my phone, I’ll use this weekend post as is an excuse to archive them. Brenda and I had great weather for most of our vacation and enjoy many days walking on Delray Beach. She has recovered from hip surgery impressively and can now out-walk me on the beach and could not be happier with how well the rehab has given mobility back in less than a year.
Posted By RichC on October 28, 2023
What is there about October that upsets people and financial markets?
For nearly a century investors get nervous this time of year. Unfortunately watching the market as closely as I do, one would think I would have sold stocks at the first sign of trouble in October. Nope, I expected better from a few of my conservative holdings , but they are not immune ($CVX, $XOM and utility CEFs and ETFs).
Shares of Exxon, the largest U.S. oil producer, rose as much 2.1% in early trading Friday before sliding to decline as much as 2.28% after the company said its third-quarter net income at $9.1 billion, or $2.27 per share, was off 54% from the same quarter in 2022.
Chevron’s shares, meanwhile, plunged more than 6% Friday after the No. 2 U.S. producer said its net profit fell 42% from the same period a year ago to $6.5 billion, or $3.05 per share on an adjusted basis. The per-share results missed consensus expectations by 28 cents.
Posted By RichC on October 27, 2023
“In other news” as the 6PM nightly news talking head would say, Rich broke his Fitbit Versa 2 watchband last night while raking the first drop of the leave this year. Bummer … but thankfully replacements on Amazon are just $7.99 or $9.99 for THREE (two of the three are the wrong colors for me, so a single black nylon band it will be).
