Turns out I can "activate AdSense" and "monetize my blog" using advertiser content.
Let me tell you why that's not going to happen:
- I find most advertisements to be insultingly stupid. Seriously - if you've got an IQ over room temperature, you probably think so too.
- It doesn't look like I'd get to review/approve adverts in the rotation. If I don't get to sign off on them, I'm damned sure not going to make it look like I'm endorsing them by allowing them to be displayed.
- Supposedly, AdSense is going to select adverts according to the content of my blog. You know, I'm half-tempted to see what it's going to suggest as "relevant adverts" to my posts here, then write AdSense and ask them why their advert selection algos don't worth worth a damn. Seriously - what advertised products could even begin to be relevant to what you've been reading here?
- Most people online use some variety of ad blocker anyhow. I do - mostly because adverts are stupid, or because the "streaming video" in ads is irritating and takes up resources I would rather have allocated to something else, or the "streaming audio" interferes with whatever I'm listening to at the time (and are repulsively stupid.)
I don't mind adverts that are reasonably well-written, somewhat intelligent, usefully informative, and can manage to be entertaining. The only ad campaign I can think of that's worth a damn by any of thise criteria are the Dos Equis ads with "The Most Interesting Man in the World" - even though I won't buy Dos Equis (I'm not big on beer, I prefer rum,) I find myself actually wanting to listen to/watch those ads just to see what they've come up with this time.
And the next time I have to hear "twenty-twelve" or "twenty-thirteen" on a car dealer's advert, I'm going to punch someone. Why can't you say "two thousand twelve" or "two thousand and twelve?" It's not a police-band radio using APCO brevity codes, it's public broadcast radio that doesn't need the compressed language for efficiency in communication! (I don't know why that irritates me so, but it does. Kinda like someone coming over and pawing everything on my desk and not putting it back where it was found, or sticking fingerprints all over my monitors, instead of pointing at something on the screen.)
Sure, I could probably make a few bucks using AdSense on here, but it's not worth it to me. If I were to get to where I'd attract advertisers, I'd insist on retaining final approval for any advertisements being posted or linked (not just the products being advertised, but the adverts themselves!) and anyone who can't agree to that doesn't get to advertise. If I want stupid adverts, all I need to do is turn on the televisor (which I generally only do immediately before or after turning the DVD player on. Typical broadcasts are silly, pointless, and insulting - and don't even get me started on the programming!)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Kicking a few more things around...
As I mentioned in my previous entry, I'm staring pretty hard at forty. And, I've explained why it's probably a more reflective time for me than it is for most.
I feel like there may be a rash of entries over the next month or so, but I won't swear to it.
However, as things crystallise, and given that the intention of this blog is as much to express my frustrations with people, places, and things as it is for anything else, I feel I should say something up front:
- I will probably be describing more than a few of these people, places, and things in a rather unfavourable light. I do this in an effort to provoke thought.
- I generally do not specifically name people as sources of discontent, unless they are public figures who are probably causing headaches for everyone. Ergo, if you see yourself in these writings and I haven't named you, consider that fact before you spout off and identify yourself. I probably haven't named you for a reason - just as I've described what you're doing to piss me off for a reason.
- When would I name someone who isn't a public figure? Look up the code duello, and use that for a guideline. If someone is doing something for which I would have been well within my rights to call them out on public, they'll get properly named and denounced. If they have previously identified themselves specifically and publicly in connection what whatever it is, then they've opened the door and I see no reason to close it.
- Of course, this blog is published under my own proper name. If it's important enough to say, it's important enough to sign. I don't hide behind a pseudonym or nom de plume here, nor do I intend to. Likewise, I do not send anonymous letters to Washington or Sacramento - if it's important enough to say, it's important enough to sign. If I don't feel like I can put my name to it, I'm not going to send it.
- And, I don't say anything that I wouldn't want to see on the front page of to-morrow's paper, above the fold.
Also, if you spot yourself in writing here, and you want to jump on me about it, you are perfectly free to do so. However, know that I bite, I kick, I scratch, I spit - and I haven't had all of my shots. Don't start a fight you're not prepared to lose - I fight dirty, and I fight to win.
And, since I do so much thinking in song lyrics (and I've got a positively HUGE library to draw on!) let me close with something from Guns & Roses. Bill, you may have been a pain all through school, I still can't understand how you could maintain a personal relationship longer than a week, and I honestly don't understand how Izzy and Slash could work with you for so long. You're arrogant, egocentric, and generally a worse pain in the ass than my old man - but you are able to do one thing he can't. Every now and again, you can actually say something worth the trouble to listen to and that I might even agree with (but not very often. And don't get cocky...) My old man never could managed that - he thought I was hard of hearing, but the problem was that he never could say anything worth the trouble and effort to listen to. I didn't need an audiologist, I still have excellent hearing. He, however, could use the services of several good psychologists...
"Don't damn me/when I speak a piece of mind,
" 'Cos silence isn't golden/when I'm holding it inside!
"I've been where I have been/and I've seen what I have seen,
"I put the pen to the paper/'cos it's all a part of me."
Another useful little tidbit to keep in mind (I don't remember where I first saw this,) "It's not enough to bash in heads. You've got to bash in minds." I've been kicking people squarely in the mind for at least 25 years, and I'm not about to stop anytime soon...
BBL, kids.
I feel like there may be a rash of entries over the next month or so, but I won't swear to it.
However, as things crystallise, and given that the intention of this blog is as much to express my frustrations with people, places, and things as it is for anything else, I feel I should say something up front:
- I will probably be describing more than a few of these people, places, and things in a rather unfavourable light. I do this in an effort to provoke thought.
- I generally do not specifically name people as sources of discontent, unless they are public figures who are probably causing headaches for everyone. Ergo, if you see yourself in these writings and I haven't named you, consider that fact before you spout off and identify yourself. I probably haven't named you for a reason - just as I've described what you're doing to piss me off for a reason.
- When would I name someone who isn't a public figure? Look up the code duello, and use that for a guideline. If someone is doing something for which I would have been well within my rights to call them out on public, they'll get properly named and denounced. If they have previously identified themselves specifically and publicly in connection what whatever it is, then they've opened the door and I see no reason to close it.
- Of course, this blog is published under my own proper name. If it's important enough to say, it's important enough to sign. I don't hide behind a pseudonym or nom de plume here, nor do I intend to. Likewise, I do not send anonymous letters to Washington or Sacramento - if it's important enough to say, it's important enough to sign. If I don't feel like I can put my name to it, I'm not going to send it.
- And, I don't say anything that I wouldn't want to see on the front page of to-morrow's paper, above the fold.
Also, if you spot yourself in writing here, and you want to jump on me about it, you are perfectly free to do so. However, know that I bite, I kick, I scratch, I spit - and I haven't had all of my shots. Don't start a fight you're not prepared to lose - I fight dirty, and I fight to win.
And, since I do so much thinking in song lyrics (and I've got a positively HUGE library to draw on!) let me close with something from Guns & Roses. Bill, you may have been a pain all through school, I still can't understand how you could maintain a personal relationship longer than a week, and I honestly don't understand how Izzy and Slash could work with you for so long. You're arrogant, egocentric, and generally a worse pain in the ass than my old man - but you are able to do one thing he can't. Every now and again, you can actually say something worth the trouble to listen to and that I might even agree with (but not very often. And don't get cocky...) My old man never could managed that - he thought I was hard of hearing, but the problem was that he never could say anything worth the trouble and effort to listen to. I didn't need an audiologist, I still have excellent hearing. He, however, could use the services of several good psychologists...
"Don't damn me/when I speak a piece of mind,
" 'Cos silence isn't golden/when I'm holding it inside!
"I've been where I have been/and I've seen what I have seen,
"I put the pen to the paper/'cos it's all a part of me."
Another useful little tidbit to keep in mind (I don't remember where I first saw this,) "It's not enough to bash in heads. You've got to bash in minds." I've been kicking people squarely in the mind for at least 25 years, and I'm not about to stop anytime soon...
BBL, kids.
Monday, May 21, 2012
A Pirate Looks at Forty
(With sincere apologies to Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy, if this catches your notice, I've long wanted to sit and yarn with you for a few hours. I've been listening to your songs for over thirty years, they've made me have a tendency to be a happy drunk, and there's just too much life behind them.
(A spin in your Stearman would also be a joy!)
My wife said I should call this "A Soldier Looks at Forty" - but, while I've been a warrior for a while, I've been a irate for far longer. I've never been averse to bending rules - or breaking them outright - to get the greater job one.
Turning forty has long been thought of as a time for reflection on one's life. You've done most of your education save continuing job stuff, or if you decide to change careers,) you've probably been settled into a career path (or even a long-term job, if you've found one,) or you've gotten yourself established as a businessman of some variety.
Forty years is a while, you're going to be looking back at what you've done, looking forward at what you're planning to o for the next twenty years or so, you're looking (strongly!) forward to your kids moving out - if they haven't already - and deciding whether or not you're going to retire or whatever you want to do.
So, it's a time to reflect.
However, my reflections are further complicated. You see, I didn't expect to make it to thirty, much less forty. Not because of an illness or congenital defect, or anything like that - but I expected to be a trauma case a good fifteen years ago, as a consequence of the life I've decided to live.
I'm a "protector" type. I've sacrificed my health and comfort to make the world incrementally a better place for everyone, I've tried to handle threats as they presented themselves, I've tried to correct the mistakes of others when they put other people in danger - you get the idea.
(My wife also has a strong "protector urge" - it made her want to be a cop early on. It's also helped her raise her kids effectively. But, she's also got a healer impulse, which dilutes her protector impulse. I'm not a healer - I'm a medic, incidental to being a warrior and protector - but the extent of that is keeping you alive and reasonably healthy until a surgeon can get to you, or you can get to a hopsital (and I'll do my damnedest to make sure you get there.))
I've no kids of my own, but my wife has two - and I've thought of them as my own (even though the difference in age between the kids and me isn't great - I'm closer in age to her kids than I am to her, go figure.)
Career path? My resume would read like an act list for the Ed Sullivan show - I've got experience and learning in probably a dozen different trades. I've worked in several technical fields. I've done sales (which I hated,) I've fixed things (which I enjoyed greatly,) I've built things from raw material (even more fun!) and I've been told I'm very handy to have around. My wife things I can fix anything - and doesn't get disappointed (fortunately) if it turns out she hands me something I can't fix. Hell, I didn't design the thing, and I am somehwat limited in available tooling and materials.
I may not have depth of experience in a given field, but I've got breadth of experience through a large number of fields.
Personally, I've been through an awful lot as well.
I am pleased to note that, when asked my advice, it does generally get followed. An example - my/her boys once asked career advice from me (!) I told them that, whatever else you wanted to do, you should learn a trade. A tradesman need never go hungry, they can't offshore repair and construction.
One is a plumber (he wants to be a cop, but it's a good fallback position,) and the other is a carpenter (working on his degree in construction engineering.)
I've not tried to be a father to them (I'm turning forty - they've both passed thirty!) but I have tried, when it seemed appropriate, to be a "dad." And, being a "dad" can be much more work than being a "father." It did feel awfully funny being called "grandpa" at 33, tho... (Upside - my grandkids have a twice-great grandmother, I hope I can get her out here to meet them. Not everybody has any great-great grandparents, my nanna has FOUR twice-great grandkids!)
Anyhow, you can probably understand my confusion by now. I fully expected to be a major trauma case by the time I was thirty (oddly enough, I was. And again before I was forty,) but I didn't expect to be around to be confused afterwards. I am happily married, but I have an awfully interesting family life... It was a bit confusing at first, but I've had fifteen years to get used to it, and I seem to have done just that.
But, between family oddities (and while I didn't try to be a father to the boys, I'd like to feel some acknowledgement for what I've done over the years...) and the asininity I see in the news (the latest being the guy who's fathered thirty kids with eleven different women, and "wants a break" on his child support. He was looking to get a break in court at 21 kids - then had nine more! He'll probably get it, but I think castration would be a more effective option.)
And, as a result of how I've lived my life (often putting myself in harm's way,) the idea of a "career" really doesn't work anymore. Doesn't mean I can't work - I just can't work for someone else anymore, on someone else's schedule, and I can't put out the sort of effort I used to be able to.
But, I'm still trying to do something. I've got a business (started it the second time in college to try to make money for books and such,) and I'm writing a few technical books - and even started a novel (had a dream that hurt my mind. I finally recovered enough to talk about it with my wife, and it's turned into the core idea for a novel. I never thought I'd even be able to start a novel, because I'm not that kind of writer. But, you never know. I'm not sure what genre it would fit into, tho, it's probably going to cross a few genre lines. My other books are either technical or training-oriented.)
The way I've been feeling (physically) of late probably hasn't been helping - the song I ripped off for a title has a line - "... I have been drunk now for over two weeks/passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks ..."
I haven't been "drunk for over two weeks," but I'd probably feel better if I had. The bad thing about accumulating injuries like I have is that they never really stop hurting. I recall a conversation I was having with a doctor about fifteen years ago:
"You know, you're going to have a lot of pain when you get older."
"You go right to Hell, Doc - I've got a lot of pain now. Is there anything we can do about it?"
(Sadly, no. Too many old fractures, too many deep scars. Let's just say I don't have a very high tolerance for pain because I WANT it...)
Yeah, I could be "fixed" so I'm not in pain anymore - once they figure out how to grow new bones for people, and they figure out how they can replace: my skull, most of my spine, about half of my ribs, my pelvis, ... Oh - throw in a few organs while I'm about it. Not much else I can do right now, so I live with it.
Anyhow, it's the reflections that I wanted to talk about, and the whole "coming to grips" thing. Things like:
- When did commercials get to be insultingly stupid? The only ones that have any entertainment value whatever are the ones for Dos Equis beer ("The Most Interesting Man in the World" campaign - shows creativity, I think.) The rest? I'm offended that admen think I'm honestly that stupid. I may have gotten a bunch of IQ points knocked out of my head when I got my brains rattled, but it didn't make me that stupid!
- Entertainment isn't much better. I sit through whole episodes of Will & Grace, Seinfeld, or Friends waiting for the punchline - I can't figure out why they're so damned popular. (To be fair, Seinfeld or Friends has some small entertainment value - usually muted so I can't hear the dialogue, and I only pay attention on bits where Julia Louis-Dreyfus or Jennifer Aniston are on screen. Otherwise, why bother?)
- Sports. Could someone please explain the fixation on sports to me? I don't care, I don't watch them, I think they're boring and silly, and a phenomenal waste of time. I tend to prefer more traditional competitions of "warrior skills" - go to a Highland Games sometime, you'll see what I'm talking about. Full-contact martial arts competition (but not MMA/UFC.) The Ranger Challenge on ESPN2, if I happen to catch it. Or feats of strength - World's Strongest Man. (Mum tells me I'd be good at caber tossing...)
And why do we idolise these people? I don't get it. If you can throw a ball well, people look up to you? I've been asked why my heroes are - then I get to watch the screen go blank when I mention people like: Roy Boehm , David Hackworth, Roy Benavidez, Charlie Beckwith, and the like. They're not teaching these kids in school anything important these days...
- Government. There's a very good reason that "I'm from Washington, and I'm here to help!" is such a feared phrase. It's only been getting worse. I know I'd never get elected, and I don't really want the job, but I sometimes think I'd like to take a good swing at being President - see if we can't reverse course. This is getting ridiculous.
- Economy. Schools and media treat it like a "hard science," but I have a hard time with that idea. Why? It's a mass hallucination based upon a pure fiction - the fiction is that money is actually worth something (hasn't been since we got off of the specie standard,) and it's a mass hallucination because everyone else believes it. Track inflation pre- and post-specie money, and you'll see what's really happening. We've got "fiat money" now - "It's worth what we say it's worth," and they keep playing with it. You want to fix the economy? Fix the price of gold at $400/Troy ounce, and make the (paper) dollar redeemable upon request in gold or other comparable resource. (I know the Constitution says "gold or silver," but that can be expanded. List? Gold, platinum, silver, other rare metals, diamonds, other rare gemstones - essentially, any durable asset of acknowledged value. Our "fiat dollar" is essentially a petrodollar - tied to the availability of petroleum. Petroleum is a consumable resource of finite value, and you wonder why the dollar is devaluing.)
- Terrorism. The problem is simple of solution, but no-one wants to show the balls to do it (I would.) The solution? Call in the CO of SEAL Team Six & SFOD-Delta. Tell them that the various intelligence services are ordered to co-operated with each other - and with the field units - that we've unlocked their cage doors, and it's open season with no bag limit. Terrorism is a war of annihilation - the only way the war can be won by us is to eliminate the other side. Why? They won't be happy until they've either eliminated or totally subjugated us. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you, but do it first."
Once terrorists are handled, we should be able to eliminate the "security theatre" we're seeing in airports and such. "Big Brother is watching you," - Orwell was right, he was just thirty years off.
- Consumerism/product quality. People are convinced that they need to keep buying the newest thing that comes out (or otherwise get it - the bitching of kids this last Christmas because they didn't get the right colour of iPhone, or didn't get the car they wanted, positively amazes me. Our boys wanted cellphones, I told them they were welcome to go get them, but I wouldn't sign anything. They said they were ready for cars, I told them I'd check out cars they wanted to buy, but come up with the money on your own. "Do not handicap your children by making their lives too easy" -Robert A. Heinlein.)
Of course, what is being made these days is crap; so you're not only trying to keep up with trends, but you're constantly replacing stuff that breaks for no good reason. And you wonder why I like to build things myself.
- Drama. Please. I've had a headache since 2007, I don't need people adding to it. Get some sense of perspective, get some common sense, and get a life - in no particular order. If you're only happy by making someone else twisted and miserable, I can recommend some professional help and probably a few meds that will help you. I typically counter drama with "People like you are why people like me need medication."
- Cellphones. I really don't get this one - I mean, how did H. sapiens even manage to survive the last 15,000 years or so without cellphones?
I'm inclined to say we did quite well. Yes, I do have a cellphone. Yes, it comes in handy every now and again. I have it for my convenience and no-one else's. I don't text. I don't have voicemail. I have "pay-as-you-go" service. I spend about $40 per year on it - and I think that's still a bit much (but it's acceptable.)
We don't need to be constantly patched in, but I see people going about with these cellphones stuck to their head like they're sutured to their ears. "Smartphone" users are even worse.
And, with all of the social networks out there, cellphones, mobile email, "smartphones" (I put that in quote - I don't think "smartphones" are really all that smart...) and every-damned-thing else, we now have a generation that talks all the time without saying anything useful.
Gang, that's not "communicating." The idea of communication involves either a dissemination of useful information or a two-way exchange of ideas and information. I'm seeing neither. "See what I'm having for lunch!" is neither informative nor useful.
And please don't plaster pix of me up everywhere. If I'd wanted a pic of me out there, I'd have put it there myself. (And you wonder why I hide from cameras...)
Oddly, my wife feels the same way about this point.
(And don't go around bitching to your friends about how much you're paying for cellphone service on your cellphone! Seriously, I've seen this happen a few times over the years. If you want your bill to go down, stop using the damned thing so much!
(Also, I cannot understand why any child - particularly any child under the age of twelve - would require a cellphone. I got through childhood just fine without one - I didn't get my first cellphone until I was 23, and I got that only because it gave me a point of contact that allowed me to co-ordinate work. It got tedious, so I did without one for a few years to give myself a break. Glad I did.)
I'll shut up for the moment, but I'll probably have more later. I turn forty in about a fortnight, and it is (as I mentioned earlier,) a time for reflection.
As always, I welcome comments and discussion. I somehow doubt I'm the only person thinking along these lines, but I won't know unless you tell me.
Jon
(A spin in your Stearman would also be a joy!)
My wife said I should call this "A Soldier Looks at Forty" - but, while I've been a warrior for a while, I've been a irate for far longer. I've never been averse to bending rules - or breaking them outright - to get the greater job one.
Turning forty has long been thought of as a time for reflection on one's life. You've done most of your education save continuing job stuff, or if you decide to change careers,) you've probably been settled into a career path (or even a long-term job, if you've found one,) or you've gotten yourself established as a businessman of some variety.
Forty years is a while, you're going to be looking back at what you've done, looking forward at what you're planning to o for the next twenty years or so, you're looking (strongly!) forward to your kids moving out - if they haven't already - and deciding whether or not you're going to retire or whatever you want to do.
So, it's a time to reflect.
However, my reflections are further complicated. You see, I didn't expect to make it to thirty, much less forty. Not because of an illness or congenital defect, or anything like that - but I expected to be a trauma case a good fifteen years ago, as a consequence of the life I've decided to live.
I'm a "protector" type. I've sacrificed my health and comfort to make the world incrementally a better place for everyone, I've tried to handle threats as they presented themselves, I've tried to correct the mistakes of others when they put other people in danger - you get the idea.
(My wife also has a strong "protector urge" - it made her want to be a cop early on. It's also helped her raise her kids effectively. But, she's also got a healer impulse, which dilutes her protector impulse. I'm not a healer - I'm a medic, incidental to being a warrior and protector - but the extent of that is keeping you alive and reasonably healthy until a surgeon can get to you, or you can get to a hopsital (and I'll do my damnedest to make sure you get there.))
I've no kids of my own, but my wife has two - and I've thought of them as my own (even though the difference in age between the kids and me isn't great - I'm closer in age to her kids than I am to her, go figure.)
Career path? My resume would read like an act list for the Ed Sullivan show - I've got experience and learning in probably a dozen different trades. I've worked in several technical fields. I've done sales (which I hated,) I've fixed things (which I enjoyed greatly,) I've built things from raw material (even more fun!) and I've been told I'm very handy to have around. My wife things I can fix anything - and doesn't get disappointed (fortunately) if it turns out she hands me something I can't fix. Hell, I didn't design the thing, and I am somehwat limited in available tooling and materials.
I may not have depth of experience in a given field, but I've got breadth of experience through a large number of fields.
Personally, I've been through an awful lot as well.
I am pleased to note that, when asked my advice, it does generally get followed. An example - my/her boys once asked career advice from me (!) I told them that, whatever else you wanted to do, you should learn a trade. A tradesman need never go hungry, they can't offshore repair and construction.
One is a plumber (he wants to be a cop, but it's a good fallback position,) and the other is a carpenter (working on his degree in construction engineering.)
I've not tried to be a father to them (I'm turning forty - they've both passed thirty!) but I have tried, when it seemed appropriate, to be a "dad." And, being a "dad" can be much more work than being a "father." It did feel awfully funny being called "grandpa" at 33, tho... (Upside - my grandkids have a twice-great grandmother, I hope I can get her out here to meet them. Not everybody has any great-great grandparents, my nanna has FOUR twice-great grandkids!)
Anyhow, you can probably understand my confusion by now. I fully expected to be a major trauma case by the time I was thirty (oddly enough, I was. And again before I was forty,) but I didn't expect to be around to be confused afterwards. I am happily married, but I have an awfully interesting family life... It was a bit confusing at first, but I've had fifteen years to get used to it, and I seem to have done just that.
But, between family oddities (and while I didn't try to be a father to the boys, I'd like to feel some acknowledgement for what I've done over the years...) and the asininity I see in the news (the latest being the guy who's fathered thirty kids with eleven different women, and "wants a break" on his child support. He was looking to get a break in court at 21 kids - then had nine more! He'll probably get it, but I think castration would be a more effective option.)
And, as a result of how I've lived my life (often putting myself in harm's way,) the idea of a "career" really doesn't work anymore. Doesn't mean I can't work - I just can't work for someone else anymore, on someone else's schedule, and I can't put out the sort of effort I used to be able to.
But, I'm still trying to do something. I've got a business (started it the second time in college to try to make money for books and such,) and I'm writing a few technical books - and even started a novel (had a dream that hurt my mind. I finally recovered enough to talk about it with my wife, and it's turned into the core idea for a novel. I never thought I'd even be able to start a novel, because I'm not that kind of writer. But, you never know. I'm not sure what genre it would fit into, tho, it's probably going to cross a few genre lines. My other books are either technical or training-oriented.)
The way I've been feeling (physically) of late probably hasn't been helping - the song I ripped off for a title has a line - "... I have been drunk now for over two weeks/passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks ..."
I haven't been "drunk for over two weeks," but I'd probably feel better if I had. The bad thing about accumulating injuries like I have is that they never really stop hurting. I recall a conversation I was having with a doctor about fifteen years ago:
"You know, you're going to have a lot of pain when you get older."
"You go right to Hell, Doc - I've got a lot of pain now. Is there anything we can do about it?"
(Sadly, no. Too many old fractures, too many deep scars. Let's just say I don't have a very high tolerance for pain because I WANT it...)
Yeah, I could be "fixed" so I'm not in pain anymore - once they figure out how to grow new bones for people, and they figure out how they can replace: my skull, most of my spine, about half of my ribs, my pelvis, ... Oh - throw in a few organs while I'm about it. Not much else I can do right now, so I live with it.
Anyhow, it's the reflections that I wanted to talk about, and the whole "coming to grips" thing. Things like:
- When did commercials get to be insultingly stupid? The only ones that have any entertainment value whatever are the ones for Dos Equis beer ("The Most Interesting Man in the World" campaign - shows creativity, I think.) The rest? I'm offended that admen think I'm honestly that stupid. I may have gotten a bunch of IQ points knocked out of my head when I got my brains rattled, but it didn't make me that stupid!
- Entertainment isn't much better. I sit through whole episodes of Will & Grace, Seinfeld, or Friends waiting for the punchline - I can't figure out why they're so damned popular. (To be fair, Seinfeld or Friends has some small entertainment value - usually muted so I can't hear the dialogue, and I only pay attention on bits where Julia Louis-Dreyfus or Jennifer Aniston are on screen. Otherwise, why bother?)
- Sports. Could someone please explain the fixation on sports to me? I don't care, I don't watch them, I think they're boring and silly, and a phenomenal waste of time. I tend to prefer more traditional competitions of "warrior skills" - go to a Highland Games sometime, you'll see what I'm talking about. Full-contact martial arts competition (but not MMA/UFC.) The Ranger Challenge on ESPN2, if I happen to catch it. Or feats of strength - World's Strongest Man. (Mum tells me I'd be good at caber tossing...)
And why do we idolise these people? I don't get it. If you can throw a ball well, people look up to you? I've been asked why my heroes are - then I get to watch the screen go blank when I mention people like: Roy Boehm , David Hackworth, Roy Benavidez, Charlie Beckwith, and the like. They're not teaching these kids in school anything important these days...
- Government. There's a very good reason that "I'm from Washington, and I'm here to help!" is such a feared phrase. It's only been getting worse. I know I'd never get elected, and I don't really want the job, but I sometimes think I'd like to take a good swing at being President - see if we can't reverse course. This is getting ridiculous.
- Economy. Schools and media treat it like a "hard science," but I have a hard time with that idea. Why? It's a mass hallucination based upon a pure fiction - the fiction is that money is actually worth something (hasn't been since we got off of the specie standard,) and it's a mass hallucination because everyone else believes it. Track inflation pre- and post-specie money, and you'll see what's really happening. We've got "fiat money" now - "It's worth what we say it's worth," and they keep playing with it. You want to fix the economy? Fix the price of gold at $400/Troy ounce, and make the (paper) dollar redeemable upon request in gold or other comparable resource. (I know the Constitution says "gold or silver," but that can be expanded. List? Gold, platinum, silver, other rare metals, diamonds, other rare gemstones - essentially, any durable asset of acknowledged value. Our "fiat dollar" is essentially a petrodollar - tied to the availability of petroleum. Petroleum is a consumable resource of finite value, and you wonder why the dollar is devaluing.)
- Terrorism. The problem is simple of solution, but no-one wants to show the balls to do it (I would.) The solution? Call in the CO of SEAL Team Six & SFOD-Delta. Tell them that the various intelligence services are ordered to co-operated with each other - and with the field units - that we've unlocked their cage doors, and it's open season with no bag limit. Terrorism is a war of annihilation - the only way the war can be won by us is to eliminate the other side. Why? They won't be happy until they've either eliminated or totally subjugated us. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you, but do it first."
Once terrorists are handled, we should be able to eliminate the "security theatre" we're seeing in airports and such. "Big Brother is watching you," - Orwell was right, he was just thirty years off.
- Consumerism/product quality. People are convinced that they need to keep buying the newest thing that comes out (or otherwise get it - the bitching of kids this last Christmas because they didn't get the right colour of iPhone, or didn't get the car they wanted, positively amazes me. Our boys wanted cellphones, I told them they were welcome to go get them, but I wouldn't sign anything. They said they were ready for cars, I told them I'd check out cars they wanted to buy, but come up with the money on your own. "Do not handicap your children by making their lives too easy" -Robert A. Heinlein.)
Of course, what is being made these days is crap; so you're not only trying to keep up with trends, but you're constantly replacing stuff that breaks for no good reason. And you wonder why I like to build things myself.
- Drama. Please. I've had a headache since 2007, I don't need people adding to it. Get some sense of perspective, get some common sense, and get a life - in no particular order. If you're only happy by making someone else twisted and miserable, I can recommend some professional help and probably a few meds that will help you. I typically counter drama with "People like you are why people like me need medication."
- Cellphones. I really don't get this one - I mean, how did H. sapiens even manage to survive the last 15,000 years or so without cellphones?
I'm inclined to say we did quite well. Yes, I do have a cellphone. Yes, it comes in handy every now and again. I have it for my convenience and no-one else's. I don't text. I don't have voicemail. I have "pay-as-you-go" service. I spend about $40 per year on it - and I think that's still a bit much (but it's acceptable.)
We don't need to be constantly patched in, but I see people going about with these cellphones stuck to their head like they're sutured to their ears. "Smartphone" users are even worse.
And, with all of the social networks out there, cellphones, mobile email, "smartphones" (I put that in quote - I don't think "smartphones" are really all that smart...) and every-damned-thing else, we now have a generation that talks all the time without saying anything useful.
Gang, that's not "communicating." The idea of communication involves either a dissemination of useful information or a two-way exchange of ideas and information. I'm seeing neither. "See what I'm having for lunch!" is neither informative nor useful.
And please don't plaster pix of me up everywhere. If I'd wanted a pic of me out there, I'd have put it there myself. (And you wonder why I hide from cameras...)
Oddly, my wife feels the same way about this point.
(And don't go around bitching to your friends about how much you're paying for cellphone service on your cellphone! Seriously, I've seen this happen a few times over the years. If you want your bill to go down, stop using the damned thing so much!
(Also, I cannot understand why any child - particularly any child under the age of twelve - would require a cellphone. I got through childhood just fine without one - I didn't get my first cellphone until I was 23, and I got that only because it gave me a point of contact that allowed me to co-ordinate work. It got tedious, so I did without one for a few years to give myself a break. Glad I did.)
I'll shut up for the moment, but I'll probably have more later. I turn forty in about a fortnight, and it is (as I mentioned earlier,) a time for reflection.
As always, I welcome comments and discussion. I somehow doubt I'm the only person thinking along these lines, but I won't know unless you tell me.
Jon
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Damned Daylight Saving Time...
Could someone PLEASE tell me why we still bother with this?
We change clocks twice a year - for no good reason I can determine.
For all of the automatic clocks out there, we have to wait for the central server to update their software - which doesn't always happen. Therefore, for at least a couple of weeks, we have clocks giving at least two different times (yes, I could set them all myself - but then I have to correct them all again a fortnight later, as everything catches up. So, why bother? Then I'd have to change them FOUR times a year, instead of just twice.)
Given the globalisation of industry and the economy, and the fact that a number of "civilised" or "industrialised" nations do not observe DST, why are we holding out?
And, not even the entire United States bothers with it - AZ and HI are still holding out (Mitch Daniels made IN follow DST ca. 2005 - much to the dismay of everyone still in the state - and me, even though I don't live there anymore.)
And then some nitwit in DC decides to extend DST by a month or so - "because it puts smiles on people's faces." You know what would put a smile on my face? Stop making me change the clocks every spring and fall.
As the old Indian chief said - "Only the white man things that cutting one foot off of one end of his blanked and sewing it on the other end would give him a longer blanket."
I don't care which time we pick - pick one and stick with it! The sun won't rise any earlier or set any later - the conceit to think that we can affect that is appalling.
Also, changing the clocks twice a year may - in theory - save energy, but it also causes at least a month of diminished productivity and increased traffic congestion:
- Diminished productivity because it screws with everyone's body clock twice a year - and it generally takes a good fortnight to recover fully and be back up to speed. Two weeks twice a year is about a month - so we're only getting eleven good working months to produce economically.
- Increased congestion because it screws with everyone's body clock twice a year - and reduces the (already diminished, y'ask me) capability of the public to drive. (It would be less of a problem if we actually went to the trouble to train people to drive, but that doesn't happen anymore from what I'm seeing. Driver's Education is too farcical to even count as bad comedy...)
Of course, the diminished productivity in the workplace is irrespective of the lost productivity caused by the increase in roads incidents, lost work due to hospital stays, and economic losses due to property damage.
So, again, where's the benefit to this? I've given up writing Op-Eds to the local paper - they probably got tired of getting letters from me twice a year on this subject and don't print them anymore. So, I'm turning to you - if we can get enough people to agree that this is a silly idea these days, maybe we can finally put this idea to rest...
Discuss.
We change clocks twice a year - for no good reason I can determine.
For all of the automatic clocks out there, we have to wait for the central server to update their software - which doesn't always happen. Therefore, for at least a couple of weeks, we have clocks giving at least two different times (yes, I could set them all myself - but then I have to correct them all again a fortnight later, as everything catches up. So, why bother? Then I'd have to change them FOUR times a year, instead of just twice.)
Given the globalisation of industry and the economy, and the fact that a number of "civilised" or "industrialised" nations do not observe DST, why are we holding out?
And, not even the entire United States bothers with it - AZ and HI are still holding out (Mitch Daniels made IN follow DST ca. 2005 - much to the dismay of everyone still in the state - and me, even though I don't live there anymore.)
And then some nitwit in DC decides to extend DST by a month or so - "because it puts smiles on people's faces." You know what would put a smile on my face? Stop making me change the clocks every spring and fall.
As the old Indian chief said - "Only the white man things that cutting one foot off of one end of his blanked and sewing it on the other end would give him a longer blanket."
I don't care which time we pick - pick one and stick with it! The sun won't rise any earlier or set any later - the conceit to think that we can affect that is appalling.
Also, changing the clocks twice a year may - in theory - save energy, but it also causes at least a month of diminished productivity and increased traffic congestion:
- Diminished productivity because it screws with everyone's body clock twice a year - and it generally takes a good fortnight to recover fully and be back up to speed. Two weeks twice a year is about a month - so we're only getting eleven good working months to produce economically.
- Increased congestion because it screws with everyone's body clock twice a year - and reduces the (already diminished, y'ask me) capability of the public to drive. (It would be less of a problem if we actually went to the trouble to train people to drive, but that doesn't happen anymore from what I'm seeing. Driver's Education is too farcical to even count as bad comedy...)
Of course, the diminished productivity in the workplace is irrespective of the lost productivity caused by the increase in roads incidents, lost work due to hospital stays, and economic losses due to property damage.
So, again, where's the benefit to this? I've given up writing Op-Eds to the local paper - they probably got tired of getting letters from me twice a year on this subject and don't print them anymore. So, I'm turning to you - if we can get enough people to agree that this is a silly idea these days, maybe we can finally put this idea to rest...
Discuss.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
I know it's been a while...
But I've been busy, and haven't really had much of a chance to do any real thinking.
However, the fact that people are going nuts in ever-increasing numbers is no particular mystery to me. Look at what we have to deal with...
Frankly, I'm blaming outsourcing for much of the headaches we're facing. There's no situation so difficult that you can't introduce a third party and make it worse.
We've been fighting with the COBRA administrator (third party) to get coverage done properly. This is not the first fight we'd had with these people.
Last time, we'd had to invoke an attorney (like we're going to get anything back for that. If they were smart, they'd pay us back, issue an apology, and maybe compensate us for the trouble and effort. That's an awfully big if...)
This time, it took them three weeks to figure it out - and we ended up having them pushed from both ends (from us, and from the carrier. "Both ends against the middle.")
For two weeks, I was out of meds. Oh - they kept her coverage up - but they lost track of me (which I still don't understand - it's a common account.)
Their answer? "Just pay cash and you can get reimbursed later." Right.
So, in addition to the eight hundred dollars we're out for COBRA coverage, you want me to just fork over $1500 for meds - then wait a month for you to figure out what the Hell you're supposed to do and we're out the money in the meantime - that's assuming we can come up with it in the first place.
Is it any wonder at all why I want to begin conversations with these people with some variation on "Listen up you hollow-headed piss weeds!" and things will likely get progressively darker from there?
The problems, as I see them:
- No-one wants to take ownership of a problem anymore. Used to be, when you found out something was wrong, you kept at it until it was either solved, you found out you had to up the chain with it, or it was agreed all around that the problem /could/ /not/ /be/ /solved/ with materials, methods, and rules at hand.
- Little to no empathy. "It's not a problem for me, why should I care?"
- Scripted responses. "Sorry, it's not in my scripted reply book, I don't know what to do." That's easy - /go/ /up/ /the/ /chain/ /and/ /find/ /out/! That's not such a difficult idea.
- And, no-one wants to finish any sentence that begins with "I don't know." I don't like using that phrase, but I'm not averse to using it. However, I have always considered "I don't know" to be the beginning of a sentence, not a compleat sentence in its own right. Acceptable finishers?
-- "but let me find out."
-- "give me a(n) (half-hour/hour/day/fifteen minutes/whatever) to find out."
-- "but I will know shortly, and I'll pass it along."
- Lack of independent thought. The "party line" gone mad.
Discuss.
However, the fact that people are going nuts in ever-increasing numbers is no particular mystery to me. Look at what we have to deal with...
Frankly, I'm blaming outsourcing for much of the headaches we're facing. There's no situation so difficult that you can't introduce a third party and make it worse.
We've been fighting with the COBRA administrator (third party) to get coverage done properly. This is not the first fight we'd had with these people.
Last time, we'd had to invoke an attorney (like we're going to get anything back for that. If they were smart, they'd pay us back, issue an apology, and maybe compensate us for the trouble and effort. That's an awfully big if...)
This time, it took them three weeks to figure it out - and we ended up having them pushed from both ends (from us, and from the carrier. "Both ends against the middle.")
For two weeks, I was out of meds. Oh - they kept her coverage up - but they lost track of me (which I still don't understand - it's a common account.)
Their answer? "Just pay cash and you can get reimbursed later." Right.
So, in addition to the eight hundred dollars we're out for COBRA coverage, you want me to just fork over $1500 for meds - then wait a month for you to figure out what the Hell you're supposed to do and we're out the money in the meantime - that's assuming we can come up with it in the first place.
Is it any wonder at all why I want to begin conversations with these people with some variation on "Listen up you hollow-headed piss weeds!" and things will likely get progressively darker from there?
The problems, as I see them:
- No-one wants to take ownership of a problem anymore. Used to be, when you found out something was wrong, you kept at it until it was either solved, you found out you had to up the chain with it, or it was agreed all around that the problem /could/ /not/ /be/ /solved/ with materials, methods, and rules at hand.
- Little to no empathy. "It's not a problem for me, why should I care?"
- Scripted responses. "Sorry, it's not in my scripted reply book, I don't know what to do." That's easy - /go/ /up/ /the/ /chain/ /and/ /find/ /out/! That's not such a difficult idea.
- And, no-one wants to finish any sentence that begins with "I don't know." I don't like using that phrase, but I'm not averse to using it. However, I have always considered "I don't know" to be the beginning of a sentence, not a compleat sentence in its own right. Acceptable finishers?
-- "but let me find out."
-- "give me a(n) (half-hour/hour/day/fifteen minutes/whatever) to find out."
-- "but I will know shortly, and I'll pass it along."
- Lack of independent thought. The "party line" gone mad.
Discuss.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
First Response - SB798
If it looks like boilerplate and quacks like boilerplate...
But at least the response was on-topic, so I'm assuming that someone read it! (I once wrote former Speaker Pelosi on a gun control measure, her office replied about some Child Custody Act. Wait, what?)
Anyhow, here's what I got back in return from Assymn Jim Beall (Assymn for my district):
----- SNIP -----
Dear Mr. Kelley:
Thank you for contacting me regarting your opposition to SB798, Firearms: BB Devices, Imitation Fireaerms. I want to take this opportunity to apprise you of the latest action taken by the California State Legislature.
At this time, SB798 is awaiting a vote before the Assembly Public Safety Committee. I have not yet had the opportunity to vote on this legislation. I am currently reviewing this bill in its final form so that I can make the most informed decision possible on this piece of legislation. Please be assured that I will keep the views of all my constituents in mind, including yours, should SB798 pass out of Committee and come before me for a vote in the Assembly.
I appreciate knowing your views on this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again regarding this or any issues of concern to you.
----- SNIP -----
The last two paragraphs of the letter are fairly standard - where to find text of bills, monthly newsletter signup, and like that.
As I said - if it looks like boilerplate and sounds like boilerplate... I've gotten plenty of letters back of similar format on other issues - but at least getting another checkmark in the "No" column on his list, and hoping some staffer tells him what was read, will help.
It can't be a "government of the people" if the people don't make their views known. Meanwhile, I may be writing the Chair of the committee mentioned in the next day or so - probably sometime this week-end. Seems to me that the California legislature should have much larger concerns before them anyhow...
But at least the response was on-topic, so I'm assuming that someone read it! (I once wrote former Speaker Pelosi on a gun control measure, her office replied about some Child Custody Act. Wait, what?)
Anyhow, here's what I got back in return from Assymn Jim Beall (Assymn for my district):
----- SNIP -----
Dear Mr. Kelley:
Thank you for contacting me regarting your opposition to SB798, Firearms: BB Devices, Imitation Fireaerms. I want to take this opportunity to apprise you of the latest action taken by the California State Legislature.
At this time, SB798 is awaiting a vote before the Assembly Public Safety Committee. I have not yet had the opportunity to vote on this legislation. I am currently reviewing this bill in its final form so that I can make the most informed decision possible on this piece of legislation. Please be assured that I will keep the views of all my constituents in mind, including yours, should SB798 pass out of Committee and come before me for a vote in the Assembly.
I appreciate knowing your views on this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again regarding this or any issues of concern to you.
----- SNIP -----
The last two paragraphs of the letter are fairly standard - where to find text of bills, monthly newsletter signup, and like that.
As I said - if it looks like boilerplate and sounds like boilerplate... I've gotten plenty of letters back of similar format on other issues - but at least getting another checkmark in the "No" column on his list, and hoping some staffer tells him what was read, will help.
It can't be a "government of the people" if the people don't make their views known. Meanwhile, I may be writing the Chair of the committee mentioned in the next day or so - probably sometime this week-end. Seems to me that the California legislature should have much larger concerns before them anyhow...
Friday, May 13, 2011
Going from bad to worse...
Apparently, they're thinking that airguns are just as "dangerous" as real firearms. I see two major flaws in the "logic" at use here:
1) There are no "dangerous weapons" - only "dangerous men."
2) Airguns, firearms, airsoft guns, paintball markers - they're all inanimate objects, and can take about as much action on their own as the typical brick. It's the guy HOLDING it that does something stupid and gets himself hurt!
That said, here's what's going on now - read the link: http://sd22.senate.ca.gov/news/2011-04-26-press-releaselegislation-protect-police-and-public-dangers-fake-firearms-passes-out-
And here's what I had to say about it:
----- SNIP -----
Senator de Leon;
I am writing to you in protest of your SB798. It is my belief that this is ultimately going to be an unproductive bit of legislation that we just don't need.
SB798 continues the "animation" of firearms and related objects, attributing them with their own volition and ability to take real action. They can not, and they do not.
The incident that has prompted your writing of SB798 was not caused by the use of a replica firearm - or even a real firearm - but by the inability of an individual to follow simple instructions. If I'd failed to lay down whatever I had in my hands when ordered to, I'd fully expect to get shot myself! And this would be MY fault, not the fault of something I had in my hands.
As an avid airgunner and enjoyer of MILSIM (Military Simulation) scenario games, I take issue with the idea of making all airguns "obvious" - after all, it rather defeats the purpose of camouflage, and would make the play of MILSIM scenarios difficult to impossible! Have you ever tried to camouflage yourself with bright blue or red gear? It doesn't work very well.
I grow weary of the anthropomorphisation of inanimate objects by legislators - instead of addressing the real problem, which is the individual HOLDING the inanimate object!
I will also be sending this letter to the State legistlators for my district, and I honestly hope that we can have this act defested and the source of the problem properly addressed - the problem is a lack of education, not the colour of the objects used. (California had taken a similar tack with fireworks some years ago - and, despite fireworks being illegal, I'm sure we still log a large number of pyrotechnic injuries around July and February. It is difficult to educate people about something when it has been outlawed...)
Jon D. Kelley
San Jose, CA 95118
----- SNIP -----
If you're in California, and you think this is a dumb idea, write in. If you're NOT in California, and you think this is a dumb idea, I still urge you to write in (California is often hailed as a "bellwhether" in the field of legislation - and stupid ideas always spread.
(Granted, I think California is more of a "Judas Goat" than a "bellwhether" when it comes to things like this, but I need help convincing others of that!)
If and when I get replies, I'll put them up here as well. I'm sending out written letters, so it may take a bit. Wish me luck!
("Bellwhether" - the sheep in the flock that wears a bell to lead the others. "Judas Goat" - the goat with a bell that leads the other goats into the slaughterhouse.)
1) There are no "dangerous weapons" - only "dangerous men."
2) Airguns, firearms, airsoft guns, paintball markers - they're all inanimate objects, and can take about as much action on their own as the typical brick. It's the guy HOLDING it that does something stupid and gets himself hurt!
That said, here's what's going on now - read the link: http://sd22.senate.ca.gov/news/2011-04-26-press-releaselegislation-protect-police-and-public-dangers-fake-firearms-passes-out-
And here's what I had to say about it:
----- SNIP -----
Senator de Leon;
I am writing to you in protest of your SB798. It is my belief that this is ultimately going to be an unproductive bit of legislation that we just don't need.
SB798 continues the "animation" of firearms and related objects, attributing them with their own volition and ability to take real action. They can not, and they do not.
The incident that has prompted your writing of SB798 was not caused by the use of a replica firearm - or even a real firearm - but by the inability of an individual to follow simple instructions. If I'd failed to lay down whatever I had in my hands when ordered to, I'd fully expect to get shot myself! And this would be MY fault, not the fault of something I had in my hands.
As an avid airgunner and enjoyer of MILSIM (Military Simulation) scenario games, I take issue with the idea of making all airguns "obvious" - after all, it rather defeats the purpose of camouflage, and would make the play of MILSIM scenarios difficult to impossible! Have you ever tried to camouflage yourself with bright blue or red gear? It doesn't work very well.
I grow weary of the anthropomorphisation of inanimate objects by legislators - instead of addressing the real problem, which is the individual HOLDING the inanimate object!
I will also be sending this letter to the State legistlators for my district, and I honestly hope that we can have this act defested and the source of the problem properly addressed - the problem is a lack of education, not the colour of the objects used. (California had taken a similar tack with fireworks some years ago - and, despite fireworks being illegal, I'm sure we still log a large number of pyrotechnic injuries around July and February. It is difficult to educate people about something when it has been outlawed...)
Jon D. Kelley
San Jose, CA 95118
----- SNIP -----
If you're in California, and you think this is a dumb idea, write in. If you're NOT in California, and you think this is a dumb idea, I still urge you to write in (California is often hailed as a "bellwhether" in the field of legislation - and stupid ideas always spread.
(Granted, I think California is more of a "Judas Goat" than a "bellwhether" when it comes to things like this, but I need help convincing others of that!)
If and when I get replies, I'll put them up here as well. I'm sending out written letters, so it may take a bit. Wish me luck!
("Bellwhether" - the sheep in the flock that wears a bell to lead the others. "Judas Goat" - the goat with a bell that leads the other goats into the slaughterhouse.)
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