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A different perspective on Thanksgiving. . .
While they're at it, why doesn't the "Woke Folk" eschew everything in the long list of things Western culture produced.
To help them get started, here's a few suggestions for where to start: everything indebted to. . .
Euclidean geometry. Parabolic geometry. Hyperbolic geometry. Projective geometry. Differential geometry. Calculus: Limits, continuity, differentiation, integration. Physical chemistry. Organic chemistry. Biochemistry. Classical mechanics. The indeterminacy principle. The wave equation. The Parthenon. The Anabasis. Air conditioning. Number theory. Romanesque architecture. Gothic architecture. Information theory. Entropy. Enthalpy. Every symphony ever written. Pierre Auguste Renoir. The twelve-tone scale. The mathematics behind it, twelfth root of two and all that. S-p hybrid bonding orbitals. The Bohr-Sommerfeld atom. The purine-pyrimidine structure of the DNA ladder. Single-sideband radio. All other radio. Dentistry. The internal-combustion engine. Turbojets. Turbofans. Doppler beam-sharpening. Penicillin. Airplanes. Surgery. The mammogram. The Pill. The condom. Polio vaccine. The integrated circuit. The computer. Football. Computational fluid dynamics. Tensors. The Constitution. Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes, Aeschylus, Homer, Hesiod. Glass. Rubber. Nylon. Roads. Buildings. Elvis. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. (OK, that’s nerve gas, and maybe we didn’t really need it.) Silicone. The automobile. Really weird stuff, like clathrates, Buckyballs, and rotaxanes. The Bible. Bug spray. Diffie-Hellman, public-key cryptography, and RSA. Et cetera.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. Thanks to Fred Reed for his list. Fred Reed
Men's Fashion Collection for 2020 has been released.
Men's Fashion
Unfortunately, they left out this one. . .
Cheers, PW.
Should dead men leave no reviews?
Recently, I bought a flashlight. I checked the reviews. The red one received five stars while the blue one only sported three. Other than the colour, they are identical.
And like James Panero experienced, feedback was solicited. What could I say? I was living in darkness. I bought a flashlight. I can now see stuff that I couldn't previously. Nirvana!
And the same story with other mundane stuff. I bought an outdoor extension cord -- one hundred feet long. Can I review it?
Sure. Whenever I'm operating my weed trimmer, neighbours watch with envy as I drag my magnificent extension cord across the lawn. I can see in their eyes that they're dreaming that "some day" they'll own an extension cord like mine -- if life would only be so kind. When my work is done, and it's time to put my extension cord away, I'm constantly interrupted by people requesting my autograph, but I know this is only a ruse -- their true aim is to get close enough to touch my extension cord, or if they're truly blessed, get to hold it while I secure it with some twine.
My laptop battery reached the end of its life. I bought a replacement. What can I say about it? It arrived on time. It fits. It works.
I'd like to review groceries, but cannot. Recently, I bought some Swiss cheese, and when I opened the package, it was full of holes!
Cheers, PW.
P.S. I thought I was the only one annoyed by constant requests for reviews of unremarkable purchases. (But a Funeral Home? That's profoundly tacky.)
I'm now unable to create additional accounts.
I don't use the latest version of Windows 10, so I cannot address how it's done currently, but I can suggest the "Back Door" that works on my older Windows 10 system.
User accounts can be accessed from the old style Control Panel. But that's hard to find too. There's an obscure way of getting the same utility: Enter this string into the Run Command or Explorer Address box.
C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Scroll down until you get to "User Accounts" and look for "Create an account." Windows should guide you through the steps.
Cheers, PW.
Microsoft didn't remove Local Accounts, they simply changed the name of the link used to create one.
It's now called by the intuitively obvious "Domain Join Instead." which appears on the screen inviting you to create an Internet based account.
Cheers, PW.
He shook his head and ran out. . .
I'm trying to figure out what happened in the changing room. Who did the head shaking and which head was shaken: the customer's, the customer's 10 inch buddy's, or the security staff member's?
Cheers, PW.
P.S. When I read the story, this thing came to mind. . .
Ruler
And don’t cancel a job interview over a Zumba class.
Clearly, the author has no appreciation for how difficult getting into a Zumba class can be!
Cheers, PW.
We adopted metric a few decades ago. The system's advantages seem offset by its disadvantages.
First, all packaging shrunk, but prices didn't. Marketing exploited the confusion to play consumers as suckers.
Then came the fun of home improvements. Try fitting new (metric) stuff to existing structures. And try doing it without two sets of tools.
But it's the weather reporting that's annoying on a daily basis. Before metric, most outside temperatures ran from zero to one hundred. For the rare days outside of this range, expect to freeze or roast. Now, for half the year, we're juggling negative values. (Although I wear the same jacket at 5 or -5.)
Where I live, drivers must be tested when they turn 80. Most people this age learned to drive before metric. Now, they must provide metric answers to metric questions.
Speaking of driving, consider tyre inflation. Metric air pumps use kilopascals. I have no clue whether putting 200 kilopascals of pressure will result in a flat tyre or blowing the thing to bits. Metric also uses bars. (I'd rather visit a bar.)
I do prefer metric for the speed of light. 300,000 Km/sec is easier to work with than 186,282 miles/sec. But I rarely use this value. More important to me is the speed of stupidity. My world is being dragged in that direction, and it seems way much faster.
Cheers, PW.
Paraskevidekatriaphobia: Fear of Friday 13th.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. A few more. . .
2019_12_13
2020_03_13
2020_11_13
2021_08_13
2022_05_13
2023_01_13
2023_10_13
2024_09_13
2024_12_13
2025_06_13
Grocery Self Checkout strategy. . .
In my area, Self Checkout is experiencing a population explosion. Unfortunately, they're replacing the "Quick Checkout" used by people purchasing a small number of items.
The Self Checkout area is monitored by an employee. In theory, this person comes to the aid of customers having difficulty. I'll wager the "Real Reason" is to reduce theft.
When I'm in a hurry, I stand motionless in front of the Self Checkout machine. The assistant comes to my aid immediately. While "Showing me how" my purchases get processed -- and I'm on my way in an instant.
Over time, the assistant has learned to recognize me as "Untrainable." This has sped things up even more. I now enjoy the fastest checkouts ever.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. I always thank the person helping me. As well, I reply to the machine when it says "Thank-you for shopping with us" with a cheerful "And you have a nice day too!"
In interesting perspective on manners today. . .
Mind Your Manners
Example: On overhearing mobile phone conversations. . .
They have a right not to hear your grating voice, your huffy exchanges that convey the banality of your interests, all of which, on a bad day, when spirits are low, can make those around you want to ruffle in their purse for a pistol with which to shoot themselves in the head.
Cheers, PW.
I wonder how they account for people like me who take great delight in responding to poll questions with random answers.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. For example. . .
Q: What, to you, is the most serious issue?
A: Deodorant stains
Q: Who's policy is the best?
A: The Clown Party.
Q: Who will you vote for?
A: The Musical Party.
I tried the "Grade 2" test and found it challenging.
The first obstacle I needed to overcome was their blocking Non-USA access. After this challenge, the questions were easy, except for one where I needed to guess.
They showed a picture of the small and large intestine and asked if it were a stomach or lungs. Since it was neither, a guess was necessary. I assumed they didn't know "guts" from "tummy" and picked stomach; the answer they expected.
I cannot fathom adults having difficulty with these questions.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. One question asked, "Is the world covered in water or dirt?"
Since stupidity wasn't an option, I chose water.
Fan use in the humid conditions (temperature at 104 degrees Fahrenheit, humidity at 50 percent and HI at 132.8) reduced core temperature and cardiovascular strain while improving comfort.
Meanwhile, in the arid conditions (temperature at 116.6 degrees, humidity at 10 percent and HI at 114.8) the fan use raised core temps and cardiovascular strain, and made the men feel hotter. . .
I wonder what the results would've been had the dry air not been 12.6 F degrees hotter during the experiment.
Kinda strikes me like opening the oven and refrigerator and comparing how the air that comes out makes me feel. Hint: Both make me hungry.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. I must admit that discovering something that "made men feel hotter" has value.
Recently, we've heard of cases where bank safe deposit boxes have been emptied mysteriously. The banks did NOT take responsibility.
Unsafe Deposit Boxes
Now we learn that our deposits are at risk too.
All this makes me wonder about Stocks and Bonds held in our investing accounts at the bank.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. A guy gets even with the bank (and made me smile). . .
Little Guy Wins
P.P.S. A few places on the Internet are mentioning that when companies ask us to change our Passwords "For Added Security" the truth is their systems have been breached and customer data has been stolen.
P.P.P.S. On an unrelated topic, Our Solar System. . .
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
My refund. (The one they claim is in the mail)
With apologies to Ceres, Charon, and Eris for leaving them off my list.
Women do not belong in combat situations.
Here's one who does!
She's already started a war -- over getting her nuts waxed.
Background story
Cheers, PW.
One can archive their Microsoft Windows games success by making copies of these files. . .
"%LocalAppData%\Microsoft Games\Chess Titans\ChessSettings.XML"
"%LocalAppData%\Microsoft Games\Minesweeper\MinesweeperSettings.XML"
"%LocalAppData%\Microsoft Games\FreeCell\FreeCellSettings.XML"
"%LocalAppData%\Microsoft Games\Solitaire\SolitaireSettings.XML"
"%LocalAppData%\Microsoft Games\Spider Solitaire\SpiderSolitaireSettings.XML"
"%LocalAppData%\Microsoft Games\Hearts\HeartsSettings.XML"
Restoring your scores is simply a matter of replacing these files with the copies you made previously.
Cheers, PW.
"The link between type 2 diabetes and the rapid deterioration of brain function is already well established," Cherbuin said.
I agree wholeheartedly. I deal with compelling evidence daily.
But once in a while, I encounter a situation that restores my confidence. Usually, but not always, it involves spotting a trap before I'm caught.
For example:
A couple of days ago, the store put one of my favourite cheeses on sale and I couldn’t resist. The package sported an unfamiliar sticker: “Win $10,000!
Yeah right. The odds of me winning are zero. I popped the cheese into the refrigerator and forgot about the prize.
This morning, I opened the package. The sticker had some fine print. So fine, it couldn’t be read, even though I was wearing my reading glasses. This sparked my curiosity: What were they hiding? I reached for a magnifying glass.
I didn’t discover any secrets. Basically, it was a website one must visit to enter. Something else caught my eye: The prize wasn’t $10,000 at all. It was 25 $400 prizes. Hey! Maybe I’d have a chance. After all, how likely is it that 25 people would have the patience to bother?
I visited the website. The entry form required a code from the package. My package didn’t have any code. Maybe the code was inside. I dismantled the packaging without finding any code. The sticker said the code would be printed on the inside and the website claimed the code would be printed on the sticker. It wasn’t printed under the sticker either.
As well, to continue, I was required to indicate that I had read the contest rules. But where were they? I saw no indication of their location. I tried another trick: I used my computer mouse to explore the web page. Sure enough, the link to the rules was in the same type size, font, and colour as the rest of the site. When I examined the (dozen) pages of rules, I was surprised. And not pleasantly.
No purchase necessary:
Sure, there’s no purchase necessary. But without a purchase, they require a fifty word HANDWRITTEN letter outlining what I enjoy about Summer. Of course, this must be mailed to them using the Post Office.
It gets worse.
If one wins a prize, they must provide a copy of their ID, and this ID must have their photo. And if this isn’t enough, winners must authorize the company to use their information AND PICTURE however they want!
As for the $400 prizes. It’s not cash. It’s an assortment of stuff. A coupon for a bottle of wine, some (plastic) wine glasses, and $25 in coupons for the company’s cheese. Plus a choice of an outdoor speaker or a hammock; thus winning would necessitate a trip to the Good Will drop off.
It goes without saying that entering the contest also constitutes giving our approval to be sent marketing E-Mails.
It’s kinda sad in a way. I really like their cheese. But I despise their attitude. I’ll bet few people skim the rules, and even fewer read them in detail. Most simply click YES .
So much for winning something.
When I approached becoming a Senior, I looked forward to new adventures coming my way with enthusiasm. I anticipated a few of the changes and prepared for their arrival. For me, the pace of life in general has slowed. I can relax where I used to hurry. People have lower expectations of Seniors, and I enjoy living down to them. But if there’s a downside, and it’s the extra vigilance that’s necessary when we’re seen as easy prey.
But soon this stuff will be inconsequential. I’ve been contacted by a man trying to get his family’s wealth out of Nigeria. My share for helping him will be substantial. I can’t believe my good luck!
Cheers, PW.
A suggestion for reducing today's outrage and grievance. . .
Make Dueling legal again.
Cheers, PW.
I do not know if this is true -- it's that hard to believe.
A teacher was fired because he showed a PICTURE of a gun to his High School class.
Story
Cheers, PW.
A few Fathers' Day videos. . .
Solar panels on truck. . .
On my I-Hub profile, my Favorite Quote is "My Solar Panels Face North" so if I were to remain true to my own words, I'd only be able to drive in one direction.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. Of course, if I were to put solar panels on windmill blades and used this contraption in my truck, I could catch the sun's rays no matter which direction I was going. (And I'd also catch the admiration of the scientifically challenged environment groupies.)
P.P.S. Please excuse the Sunday morning silliness.
When, by government fiat, we're all driving electric vehicles (because they're the only thing available,) I'll be getting a pickup truck. That way, I can put a gasoline powered generator in the box, and with a bit of luck, charge the battery enough to make it home.
Cheers, PW.
A few Mothers' Day videos. . .
"Americans live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries, thank-you"
Good advertisement featuring good shooting. . .
Print from WordPad. . .
Click on File in the upper left corner. A menu will appear with Print as one of the options.
Cheers, PW.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez's wild, wacky, and wonderful questioning of Wells Fargo chairman.
I know little about this woman, so I don't know if the information in this video is accurate.
Not sure who said that. . .
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:28, King James Bible.
Cheers, PW.
Normally, I hate the news, but once in a while something makes me smile.
This guy writes about Senator Warren.
From his article. . .
She speak-um with forked tongue one time too many, and now The Washington Post, of all places, has scalped her. The smoke signals went out last night — as early as 1986 she was lying on a Texas bar application that she was “American Indian.”
From Article
Cheers, PW.
From a summary of today's media. . .
The media doesn’t make the news. It’s just the noisiest part of the echo chamber, amplifying messages from lefty politicians from above and lefty social media trends from below.
Media
Cheers, PW.
Uncovering the secrets of men who work to ban guns. . .
Wants guns banned
Cheers, PW.
Thank-you for the links. Here's some text lifted from one of them. . .