IRS Tax Rebate Stimulus Plan

So when is your Tax Rebate coming from the Feds? Sometime in May? Yes, and this article from the IRS explains just how and when yours will be processed.

Cleveland - Christmas Story House

Hi Gang, I was away for several days in Cleveland, Ohio. I attended the NA08 Logistics Conference. Great to be back, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was tasked with finding some possible software solutions for warehouse operations. I found some. The real story though is Cleveland. Cleveland is a magnificent city. I read that Ohio is struggling with trying to lure people back to the city. Seems that taxes are out of control, and many businesses have closed up and left. Cleveland used to be a heavy manufacturing town, but much of that has been supplanted to China and Japan in lieu of lower costs and salaries.

They are working very hard to bring the city back. Most people who work there, leave after work, and the city becomes somewhat of a ghost town in the evenings. Some restaurants and activities do occur, but many of the local shopping venues are barren and empty after work. One mall, the Galleria closes at 5pm.

I found it a friendly city, with very pleasant people. They have the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers in the city limits. Low traffic problems, waterfront activities, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, great food at all of the various restaurants, and a great spring breeze from Lake Erie.

My favorite thing was visiting the Christmas Story House. It is on the southern outskirts of Cleveland. If you saw the classic movie, the house used in the film has been rehabbed, and you can tour and enjoy the internals of the house. The movie was originally filmed outside on the grounds of this house, but the inside scenes were filmed in a remote Ontario sound stage. However, the man who purchased the home has gone to great lengths to approximate the same look and feel the movie had. It is uncanny at the effort taken to provide details that were never actually inside the house. Complete with the Leg Lamp in the window!

Vice President - Great Lines at Annual Radio & TV Correspondents Dinner

April 17, 2008 appearance at the Annual Radio & TV Correspondents Dinner

Welcome to Maryland!

Boneheads, funny sign but true.

Apple Mail - Crappy - Definite BUG

Check this out, some smart person on the Apple website found my email problem. Seems that when he takes his website address out of the tag line area, his mail sends ok. So I tried it and it worked for me. Obvious bug, and another example of Apple problems. If Microsoft had this issue, the media would pound them, and someone would want to sue.

Re: Suddenly cannot send email through any SMTP server
Posted: Feb 20, 2007 11:07 PM

Hi,

Hope I'm not side-tracking people here but I've discovered a link between e-mails not sending and having my website address in my signature.

After reseting my POP accounts, if I include my website address in my signature (which is hosted by the same SMPTE server that I receive my mail through) then the e-mail won't send. It looks like it has been sent but it doesn't get through.

As soon as I remover the website address from the signature, the e-mails get through. Even if I slightly misspell the address, it will get through. But as soon as I put the web address back in the signature, anywhere in the signature, the mails don't get through..... very strange!

Mac Book Pro 15" Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Apple Mail - Crappy

Yes indeed, you read that correctly. I really get sick and tired of zealots claiming that Apple is far superior in all ways. The Apple Mail application has an underlying crappy design and is buggy. How do I know? I am unable to send email. I receive just fine. I have diagnosed it with their connection doctor (a cool utility in itself), and all is well. Then I remove the smtp server setting, close mail, reopen and then re-enter the smtp server setting. Nope, nothing works. Yeah, I have gone over my settings again and again. Here is the kicker, Microsoft Outlook Express works great! Thats right, it just plain works, from my PC laptop. Settings are all the same for servers and account info. The difference is it has been rigorously tested and software assurance levels have been reached by some form of process that makes sure simple things just work. Apple gets so high and mighty that they don't consider their Mail app would have any issues. Well just consider it, if I contact tech support they will send me "how to setup my server settings in 5 easy steps", swoon over how it may be my server or ISP service, or just plainly think I don't know how to click on buttons, drop down boxes or icons. What crappy software! The worst thing is I actually like Mail, I just need it to work!

Obama Steals Reagan Quotes

Want to hear the original person who spoke about change, and "Yes We Can"? This is one of the best speeches I have ever heard, and this is what America is all about!

Roy Spencer on Global Warming

Learn the REAL science behind Earth's climate from Roy W. Spencer, Ph.D.:

We live in an invisible atmospheric sea of water vapor, Earth's primary greenhouse gas. Our atmosphere could hold much more water vapor than it does, which would then lead to a much warmer Earth -- but it doesn't. So, why is the greenhouse effect limited to its current value? We don't know; scientists simply "assume" that it magically stays that way.

Current computerized climate models that predict large amounts of global warming only do so after making very crude and uncertain assumptions about how the Earth's natural greenhouse effect is maintained. In the following article I will explain why I believe that modern science can not say with any level of confidence how much of our current global warmth is caused by mankind without knowing why the Earth's greenhouse effect is limited to its current value.

In the following article I will explain why the answer to this question must be through the operation of precipitation systems, for only they can remove water vapor from the atmosphere. Even though all climate models DO contain the "average effects" of precipitation systems -- this is NOT the same as knowing how precipitation systems interactively regulate the climate system.

WalMart Stores united under ONE web address

WalMart has a new site online which gives you plenty of info on local community, opportunities, and health. What an American success story WalMart has become. The recipe for success: Give people low prices and good quality. America responds. Go to their site to learn more about this terrific company.

iPhoto Can NOT Burn a Windows Compatible Disc?

Thats right, Apple has decided that iPhoto, their photo library and editing application that comes bundled with the Mac, can not burn a Windows compatible disc. Yeah, the Mac can itself. If you use Finder you can create a disc that Windows pals can see. But if you stay in iPhoto, which is what Apple encourages, you are out of luck. Just another short sighted decision from Apple. Windows computers only make up about 90% of the computer market. No wonder. I hear how brilliant these Apple programmers are, but I keep uncovering missing features and bone head design issues. What's up with that?

Red Skelton - What is the Pledge of Allegiance

Red Skelton, famed Comedic Clown had a serious point to make about what the Pledge stands for. Please listen to this whole thing, it is short, and well worth the time.

10 Proven Gas Saving Tips!

1. Use only the manufacturers recommended octane. High test is a huge waste of money in 95% of all cars and trucks made in the last 10 years.
2. Drive like you have an egg under your gas pedal. Drive smoothly, no quick take off's.
3. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
4. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
5. Keep your vehicle as light as possible.Get rid of all that junk in your trunk!
6. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can loweryour gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
7. Fill up every other day when prices are spiking.
8. Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient.
9. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine .
10. Don't drive 20 miles out of your way to gas up because you heard from a friend or website that gas is cheaper over there.

Can Apple Maintain Software Properly Anymore?

Apple released a Security Update for Mac OS X today. Seems that people are already experiencing problems! The command line SSH utility that allows one to login to a mac remotely, is aborting on an error. I now have to ask this question. We know Apple can design nice devices, from computers to ipods and all in between, but are they able to maintain support over a long period on those devices? My initial response is no, Apple is not capable of providing world class, top notch support over a long period for their software products. Apple only knows how to create new stuff, not maintain the old stuff. It is no surprise, software code grows by leaps and bounds when feature glut happens. Mac OS X 10.5 is laden with all kinds of new features, many of which do not immediately enhance anything for the end user. Eye candy is great, pretty little icons, woa, cool. But reliability, something the Mac was known for over the last 10 years, has diminished. Microsoft is usually the butt of jokes when it comes to flunky buggy software, but Apple has been sharing the limelight, much of it due to this new 10.5. I am not impressed. Matter of fact, I want 10.4 Tiger back! But Apple doesn't allow 10.4 to be loaded on newer hardware. It is a monopoly of sorts internal to the catacombs of Apple. A way to force you to upgrade to the new OS. If Microsoft did that they would be taken to court. Hmm, maybe a class action suit would do the trick here.

Indiana Jones Movie May 22nd

My favorite! Wow, Indiana Jones will be back on the BIG screen May 22nd, Memorial Day weekend. Many years ago, I recall dragging my mom to Raiders of the Lost Ark, a seemingly dirty dusty boys movie, which I was sure she would hate. Ended up that the movie was so very good with much action, great characters, mystical ancient curses, and just alot of fun! We both loved it. Indiana Jones has endured many generations and Harrison Ford deserves much of the credit. Harrison's Indian Jones persona touched with sarcasm and riveting musical score is simply a huge hit to all ages. Karen Allen even reprises her role as Indy's flame from the past. I can NOT wait until May when I will go see this movie, probably a few times. There are not many movies fans go to the theater to see over and over; Star Wars, Raiders, and hopefully this one, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Florida Fools In Yet Another Voting Fiasco!

I have had enough of Florida. They couldn't vote properly in the Bush vs. Gore election in 2000, they didn't know how to punch holes in cards making detached CHADS. Then in 2004 Florida residents claimed the election was stolen due to thrown out ballots, apparently surreptitiously taken from polling sites, by unnamed assailants. It matters not that representatives from each party were there, but wether they were alive is another question. NOW we have Florida residents who simply can not find their polling place wasting $2500 to keep open a ghost town of a polling place. Perhaps the 68 registered voters in the Prospect Bend neighborhood can not read. Maybe they are all disabled? Or maybe they simply forgot to change the calendar from February to March, thinking leap year actually takes a whole month versus a day every 4 years. I don't know, maybe they just didn't give a hoot. But whatever the issue Florida residents have, they very well deserve sorrow, our heads bowed, and our hearts heavy with the prospect that some of them reproduce. What an utter shame and disgrace Floridians exhibit to the rest of the United States and the World. What a mess everything else must be in Florida.

Severn Maryland WalMart Opens - Well Received!

A new Super WalMart just opened here in Severn, Maryland on March 6th. Of course, we had to go visit for the Grand Opening! The store was simply amazing! We were greeted by a person handing us a MAP of the store!



It housed 4 acres of merchandise and food. The layout was simple, well thought out and easy to navigate. The store had a familiarity to it. Many of the other local WalMart stores in the area seemed to be setup in similar fashion. But this store added the Market on the left side. It beat just about any normal super market in square footage and product variety. Add to that the comparable prices, and you have a win-win situation. Of course, it was clean. I mean really clean. This store lacked the tile floor, but seemed to have a coated cement floor for the aisle ways. It gave the air of warehouse, but with a department store flare. It has a drive through pharmacy pickup, huge amount of shopping carts - 2 for everyone easily - fresh cooked chicken and meals section, every single register was open - more than 22 lanes - 4 different associates asked me if I needed help with something. Friendly people behind each section/counter/department, selection-selection-selection! Even though it was busy and "crowded" the aisles were so large it didn't seem like it, but the parking lot proved against that theory, almost the whole lot was packed save for a few end spots way out there. Not one grouchy person could be found who works there. Some of the help in the lunch meat department were slower than I would expect, but simply because they were new, I think. This WalMart has a Lube and Tire section for auto maintenance, a very large lawn & garden section, and a large selection of HDTVs and exercise equipment. I was not as impressed with the Toy section, which seemed smaller than I would have expected. But I did find a nicely priced Roddy Piper action figure. Cheaper than eBay right now. So they still score points. (Shown below)



All in all this store was a pleasure to shop in, and a huge success. Right off of Interstate Route 97 at the Quarterfield Exit, it is easy to get in and out with a dedicated stop light and direct access to Route 97. Looking forward to many years of service there, and have to give a large hand of approval to the transition team who closed down the Crain Highway store the night before. Wow!

John Coleman, Weather Channel Founder, Advocates Lawsuit Against Al Gore.

And yes, so do I. The Weather Channel founder has proclaimed that TWC has lost its track by advocating a stance on Global Warming that is untrue.

“[I] have a feeling this is the opening,” Coleman said. “If the lawyers will take the case – sue the people who sell carbon credits. That includes Al Gore. That lawsuit would get so much publicity, so much media attention. And as the experts went to the media stand to testify, I feel like that could become the vehicle to finally put some light on the fraud of global warming.”

Amen Brotha!

Natural Gas ONLY Major Heat Source in World, Proclaims Will Wagner

Thats right crew, I myself have proclaimed that Natural Gas is the only major home heating source in the World? What makes me such an expert? The audacity! Well, I can look at current world events and the answer is simple. Take for instance the standoff between the Ukraine and Russia. Russia has been cutting the Ukraine natural gas flow in an attempt to stem the democratic tide. if there were alternatives like our Global Warming wackos believe, this tactic would not only fail outright, but wouldn't even be tried. Russia would be wasting time using this tactic if there were all kinds of "green" alternatives that the Ukraine could use. Since there are no alternatives, we must admit that Natural Gas is the ONLY Major Heat Source in the World. Take that Al Gore you pinhead.

True Intellectual - William F. Buckley Dies @ 83

William F. Buckley, a true intellectual of our time, has passed away. If you research his life and achievements, you can only be in awe at how dynamic an individual he was. How really brilliant his thought. As with all of the great people in our lives, he will be missed!

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Danger, Life Threatening!

Ok gang, the idiots in office in our US Congress have made the regular light bulb ILLEGAL after 2012. To many people this seems like no big deal, until you realize that the replacement Compact Fluorescent Bulbs are DEADLY! The Boston Globe has an article on what you will need to do to pickup after a breakage of one of these bulbs. The article notes small amounts of Mercury will be released into the air, and kids, pregnant women are at risk of death. So just what are small amounts? The amounts released could be 100 times the suggested limit by the same federal government. In the guise of saving the planet from Global Warming, we are being forced to bring toxic chemicals into our homes.