Tuesday, September 29, 2009
PS
Nope the ****computer did not reboot tonight, so maybe the tech guy will be able to figure something out, tomorrow...I don't know whether or not to be happy about the non-reboot. Technology you gotta love it!
It is driving me Nuts!
I am typing this on my laptop computer. That is the good news.. What is driving me nuts is that I am having trouble with this laptop. It does not boot a lot of the time. A very lot of the time. It is trying my patience. I do mean trying.
Camping a couple of weeks ago, the laptop refused to boot. I pushed the power button probably a dozen times to no avail. All that happened was that the power light lit, and the caps lock lit flashed. I probably punched that button a dozen or more times. Suddenly the laptop started. It worked fine, but I inadvertently (OK, unthinkingly!) just pushed the power button rather than let windows shut down properly. Yep, you guessed it the laptop would not reboot the next time I wanted to use it. Logically, it would seem that not shutting down properly was the problem.
Eventually after punching the power button more times than I want to admit this **** thing stated again. OK good, now let up go through the proper procedures for shut down. Now let us try to reboot. It works! Well, I figured that out didn't I?
Not quite! I used this computer for several hours, and shut it down properly several times. It rebooted each time, every time. I packed it away...for use when we were not at home, sometime.
Andrew (son) showed up Sunday with his new HP touchsmart laptop and showed that off. He asked was my laptop working now. Sure says I wanna see?
Well, it would not reboot. I punched that power button (20 times, a hundred times, a lotta times). For no apparent reason one time it rebooted. I used it for awhile and then it froze, while sending gmail. I held down the power button and then tried to reboot. It would NOT! However, the improper shut down procedure idea is still in play here.
Same scenario, many attempts, many failures, but after much anguish and a few improper words, it did reboot. I shut it down properly. Windows shut down and the laptop powered off.
Now it will power back up right? No that is wrong, it didn't
I have a friend who fixes computers. He suggested that I remove the battery and try running the computer only on AC. His thinking was that the battery was 'too dead to recharge' or 'shorted out'. I did as suggested. The laptop booted immediately, the first attempt. OK then logically that would seem to be the problem. I powered down properly and rebooted several times. I had successful reboots every and each time. So I ordered a new battery.
Then while I was using the laptop, showing Lori just how well it worked now, it froze! Would not do anything at all. Control-Alt-Del did not even work! So I unplugged the computer and tried to reboot. That's right it didn't. I tried and my patience was tried until I was nearly a patient myself. In biblical times I could have blamed the problem on God saying he was checking on my patience. It is doubtful that was what is happening, although the effect is the same.
I called my computer buddy again. He still leans toward there being a power supply problem, but he cannot really help me. He repairs PC's and almost never works on laptops. I called another computer tech and he will look at this laptop tomorrow at 9,
I did get the laptop to reboot just before he called. I was removing a security program that locks the laptop until the proper fingerprint is swiped. Last April a warning suddenly appeared on the laptop informing me of that feature on this laptop. I have not found a fingerprint scanner anywhere. That not withstanding and the fact that the computer locks, along with the fact that I have another security program working, made me decide to remove that program.
The result? Who knows? This computer has rebooted properly every time since. My feelings all along have been that there is a virus working or a program not working that should be. My anti-virus has not found a virus and the definitions are up to date. Of course there could still be a virus lurking around somewhere.
I would almost bet that when the computer guy gets here tomorrow this (nice words here!) computer will boot each and every time!
See why I am going Nuts!
Camping a couple of weeks ago, the laptop refused to boot. I pushed the power button probably a dozen times to no avail. All that happened was that the power light lit, and the caps lock lit flashed. I probably punched that button a dozen or more times. Suddenly the laptop started. It worked fine, but I inadvertently (OK, unthinkingly!) just pushed the power button rather than let windows shut down properly. Yep, you guessed it the laptop would not reboot the next time I wanted to use it. Logically, it would seem that not shutting down properly was the problem.
Eventually after punching the power button more times than I want to admit this **** thing stated again. OK good, now let up go through the proper procedures for shut down. Now let us try to reboot. It works! Well, I figured that out didn't I?
Not quite! I used this computer for several hours, and shut it down properly several times. It rebooted each time, every time. I packed it away...for use when we were not at home, sometime.
Andrew (son) showed up Sunday with his new HP touchsmart laptop and showed that off. He asked was my laptop working now. Sure says I wanna see?
Well, it would not reboot. I punched that power button (20 times, a hundred times, a lotta times). For no apparent reason one time it rebooted. I used it for awhile and then it froze, while sending gmail. I held down the power button and then tried to reboot. It would NOT! However, the improper shut down procedure idea is still in play here.
Same scenario, many attempts, many failures, but after much anguish and a few improper words, it did reboot. I shut it down properly. Windows shut down and the laptop powered off.
Now it will power back up right? No that is wrong, it didn't
I have a friend who fixes computers. He suggested that I remove the battery and try running the computer only on AC. His thinking was that the battery was 'too dead to recharge' or 'shorted out'. I did as suggested. The laptop booted immediately, the first attempt. OK then logically that would seem to be the problem. I powered down properly and rebooted several times. I had successful reboots every and each time. So I ordered a new battery.
Then while I was using the laptop, showing Lori just how well it worked now, it froze! Would not do anything at all. Control-Alt-Del did not even work! So I unplugged the computer and tried to reboot. That's right it didn't. I tried and my patience was tried until I was nearly a patient myself. In biblical times I could have blamed the problem on God saying he was checking on my patience. It is doubtful that was what is happening, although the effect is the same.
I called my computer buddy again. He still leans toward there being a power supply problem, but he cannot really help me. He repairs PC's and almost never works on laptops. I called another computer tech and he will look at this laptop tomorrow at 9,
I did get the laptop to reboot just before he called. I was removing a security program that locks the laptop until the proper fingerprint is swiped. Last April a warning suddenly appeared on the laptop informing me of that feature on this laptop. I have not found a fingerprint scanner anywhere. That not withstanding and the fact that the computer locks, along with the fact that I have another security program working, made me decide to remove that program.
The result? Who knows? This computer has rebooted properly every time since. My feelings all along have been that there is a virus working or a program not working that should be. My anti-virus has not found a virus and the definitions are up to date. Of course there could still be a virus lurking around somewhere.
I would almost bet that when the computer guy gets here tomorrow this (nice words here!) computer will boot each and every time!
See why I am going Nuts!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Health Care....Again!
I was talking with my son-in-law Bob at breakfast this morning about health care and health care reform. He made a pretty good point I think. He said that as long as health care was a business, there would be no meaningful health care reform. In fact, he believes that there will be no real health care in America at all.
Health care providers, the Doctors, and Hospitals, as well as the Insurance companies and pharmaceuticals require patients, or sick people. There is no incentive to cure the ill. Sick people are needed to make money. No sick people, no money coming in, it is that simple. He believes that the profit motive must be removed from health care in America.
He may be right...It seems as if family practitioners are getting harder to find, because there is more money in specializing? That has to be one reason. Why would a drug company develop a drug that actually cured a disease? From the kindness of their hearts? Doubtful...corporations do not have hearts. If a drug cured a disease, it would not be needed once the patient was well, then no more profit or even income from that patient. It would seem then that curing a disease would not be in the 'best interests' of the drug companies. If doctors cured illnesses rather than just bringing relief from the symptoms, they too could run out of patients. Well maybe not, because people are really good at getting themselves into harmful situations. But possibly oncologists could run out of cancer patients if a cure should be found. My mother's oncologist thought the cure for cancer was no more than 5 years away, in 1963! Think about that for a moment. It is nearly 2010, and a close friend died Friday from cancer. Could it be that the cure for cancer is not what is being researched or at least not being researched aggressively? Well, could it? We can know for a fact that cancer is still among us, as are diabetes, heart disease and whole list of other nasty illnesses.
I have heard that the insurance companies have spent 500 million dollars lobbying to defeat health care reform in America. I am checking on the veracity of that statement. I will let you know what I find out. But I believe it is logical to assume that some of our insurance premiums are being spent to defeat health care reform. The insurance companies are not going to be in favor of anything that might lower their 'bottom line'. It is not logical to think otherwise. Remember that money to fight health care reform came from the insureds' premiums.
I believe Bob has a point. His point might raise more questions than it answers. I believe that in order to solve a problem, the correct question must be asked. Perhaps that question is, Who has the most reasons for people to get and keep healthy, the health care industry or the people receiving health care?
Health care providers, the Doctors, and Hospitals, as well as the Insurance companies and pharmaceuticals require patients, or sick people. There is no incentive to cure the ill. Sick people are needed to make money. No sick people, no money coming in, it is that simple. He believes that the profit motive must be removed from health care in America.
He may be right...It seems as if family practitioners are getting harder to find, because there is more money in specializing? That has to be one reason. Why would a drug company develop a drug that actually cured a disease? From the kindness of their hearts? Doubtful...corporations do not have hearts. If a drug cured a disease, it would not be needed once the patient was well, then no more profit or even income from that patient. It would seem then that curing a disease would not be in the 'best interests' of the drug companies. If doctors cured illnesses rather than just bringing relief from the symptoms, they too could run out of patients. Well maybe not, because people are really good at getting themselves into harmful situations. But possibly oncologists could run out of cancer patients if a cure should be found. My mother's oncologist thought the cure for cancer was no more than 5 years away, in 1963! Think about that for a moment. It is nearly 2010, and a close friend died Friday from cancer. Could it be that the cure for cancer is not what is being researched or at least not being researched aggressively? Well, could it? We can know for a fact that cancer is still among us, as are diabetes, heart disease and whole list of other nasty illnesses.
I have heard that the insurance companies have spent 500 million dollars lobbying to defeat health care reform in America. I am checking on the veracity of that statement. I will let you know what I find out. But I believe it is logical to assume that some of our insurance premiums are being spent to defeat health care reform. The insurance companies are not going to be in favor of anything that might lower their 'bottom line'. It is not logical to think otherwise. Remember that money to fight health care reform came from the insureds' premiums.
I believe Bob has a point. His point might raise more questions than it answers. I believe that in order to solve a problem, the correct question must be asked. Perhaps that question is, Who has the most reasons for people to get and keep healthy, the health care industry or the people receiving health care?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
hey!
I got an email from President Obama! I emailed him a suggestion about health care reform, and I got an email back. I am not naive enough to believe that Mr Obama actually drafted the email. That would be just taking too much of his time. It does however indicate that someone has read my email and responded. Surprise! Do I think that my comments will be acted upon? No not really. Do I think that my comments will be even considered? No, not my comments, per se...I expect that my comments got filed with other similar comments and the aggregate will be thought about. My statements will be one of so many believing such and such. That is a more likely scenario.
But, and this is a big one, someone is paying attention! And someone is responding! I am surprised, and relieved both. In fact, both times I have 'contacted my President', I have received responses. Hopefully, this indicates a more 'open' administration. My cynicism is strong enough that I can think that maybe the administration only appears more open. It would be great if my cynical mind would be way off base. Occasionally, not often, I am wrong to be cynical. I want this to be one of those times!
There is more! I also got an email from Nancy-Anne DePerle, who is Director, White House Office of Health Reform. This was a blog actually, but important to read. So now I am 'on the list'. Whether or not this is good remains to be seen. I think it is good however. BTW, I also get emails from Michael Steele of the RNC. I would not want to appear to be close minded. I would like to point out though, that these emails all end with a plea for money...Somehow, that is just not the same thing...
But Hey! I got email from the President!
But, and this is a big one, someone is paying attention! And someone is responding! I am surprised, and relieved both. In fact, both times I have 'contacted my President', I have received responses. Hopefully, this indicates a more 'open' administration. My cynicism is strong enough that I can think that maybe the administration only appears more open. It would be great if my cynical mind would be way off base. Occasionally, not often, I am wrong to be cynical. I want this to be one of those times!
There is more! I also got an email from Nancy-Anne DePerle, who is Director, White House Office of Health Reform. This was a blog actually, but important to read. So now I am 'on the list'. Whether or not this is good remains to be seen. I think it is good however. BTW, I also get emails from Michael Steele of the RNC. I would not want to appear to be close minded. I would like to point out though, that these emails all end with a plea for money...Somehow, that is just not the same thing...
But Hey! I got email from the President!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sept Square Dance Campout
We arrived home here safely just before noon. It was a good Square Dance Campout. The reason being, the square dancers had some enthusiasm. In order to give the dancers enough 'rest' time between dances Friday evening, Lori and I sang and played a couple of songs between 'tips'. Saturday evening's dance we didn't even have to do that! Amazingly the dancers got up and danced without reluctance. I was impressed, and pleased.
Saturday's workshop went very well also. I 'taught' relay the deucy from the 'wrong' position. Or in other words so the men did the women's part. It took some practice, but the dancers 'got it'. See me smile!
I am not so nearly discouraged about calling for this group as I was last month. Calling was fun ths time again....
Saturday's workshop went very well also. I 'taught' relay the deucy from the 'wrong' position. Or in other words so the men did the women's part. It took some practice, but the dancers 'got it'. See me smile!
I am not so nearly discouraged about calling for this group as I was last month. Calling was fun ths time again....
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Health Care Debate
OK we all know that Health Care in America is the most expensive in the world...and probably not the best care in the world. I don't want to get into what is wrong with it, or how it can be improved at this point. I want to talk about the 'Debate'.
Or more accurately the lack of 'Debate'. There are a whole lot of people in America, and therefore, a whole lot of opinions. Some of these opinions I share while others I do not. That is normal and good. A 'debate' is when I express my opinions and then others with differing opinions express theirs. It is not calling and booing while a different opinion is being advocated.
Lately, I have been hearing of 'Tea Parties' about the Health Care situation. Where upon those who care can come and talk about their opinions. Too often only one side is allowed to give an opinion. Those opposing Mr Obama's Health Care Program are shouted down and booed during their presentation. Folks, this is Not 'Debating'.
This is no way to get any point across at all. In fact, it makes the ones shouting down and booing look like they have no point! If they had a point wouldn't they be able to express it more rationally? I would hope so. It definitely does not appear that way however.
I am sure there are rational arguments both for and against Mr Obama's program. Notice the word 'rational'. That would indicate a more calm approach to the debate. If one has something other than the fear of the unknown to bring to the debate, let them do it rationally. Likewise, to those in favor of the program. Speak your part rationally and clearly...Lets have less Screaming and Booing. If there is going to be a 'Debate', Debate!
Or more accurately the lack of 'Debate'. There are a whole lot of people in America, and therefore, a whole lot of opinions. Some of these opinions I share while others I do not. That is normal and good. A 'debate' is when I express my opinions and then others with differing opinions express theirs. It is not calling and booing while a different opinion is being advocated.
Lately, I have been hearing of 'Tea Parties' about the Health Care situation. Where upon those who care can come and talk about their opinions. Too often only one side is allowed to give an opinion. Those opposing Mr Obama's Health Care Program are shouted down and booed during their presentation. Folks, this is Not 'Debating'.
This is no way to get any point across at all. In fact, it makes the ones shouting down and booing look like they have no point! If they had a point wouldn't they be able to express it more rationally? I would hope so. It definitely does not appear that way however.
I am sure there are rational arguments both for and against Mr Obama's program. Notice the word 'rational'. That would indicate a more calm approach to the debate. If one has something other than the fear of the unknown to bring to the debate, let them do it rationally. Likewise, to those in favor of the program. Speak your part rationally and clearly...Lets have less Screaming and Booing. If there is going to be a 'Debate', Debate!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I should Blog
I Should Blog...but lately I don't feel like it. Not that nothing is going on. Too much is going on actually. There is the Health Care 'Debate'. Just the 'Debate' part of it would make a whole blog. There is Iraq and Afgahnistan. There is Lori has started back to work. There is music. All these things would be good subjects for a Blog.
The truth is I do not Feel like blogging. I feel like 'what's the use?' I feel as if my thoughts, feelings or rants do not matter enough to get started. I am also sure that if I did start I would keep going. So now I need to decide how to get off Top Dead Center and get moving again. Maybe this is a start?
The truth is I do not Feel like blogging. I feel like 'what's the use?' I feel as if my thoughts, feelings or rants do not matter enough to get started. I am also sure that if I did start I would keep going. So now I need to decide how to get off Top Dead Center and get moving again. Maybe this is a start?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Some Stuff, but not Rants
Finally, the long awaited trip to 'Up North to play music' happened. We followed Ken and Judy North to Ken's homestead Saturday morning. Michigan was doing it's typically Michigan weather thing again, so the drive featured wet roads and rainy skies, and chill temperatures. It was, thankfully, a completely uneventful trip for us. Ken almost got sideswiped at one point by a driver who for some reason could not see that big SUV. A near miss, but a miss just the same. That event did become the topic of some conversation during the weekend.
We did play music! Ken and I changed off playing Dobro and guitar. The guitar player did the singing, by the way. Judy played the bass and Lori fiddled her heart out. We sounded terrific! This remark is made, of course, by a completely impartial observer, me. Ken called the pastor of the church around the corner to see if he would be available to play piano with us. It turned out that he could and would.
Now we were five, and to the mix was added the piano as well as a whole bunch of 'new' songs, songs unfamiliar to all four of us. What fun! The five of us played music and talked until after midnight. Cy (piano) had to get up by 5:30 to get ready to preach, so we reluctantly stopped playing music and bedded down.
Sunday we four went to Cy's church...a little country church with very few members. We were 'special music'. Neat! We did three numbers...Judy and Ken sang a song about a 'Stairway', Lori did 'I'll Fly Away' and I sang 'Mountain Railroad'. Ken and I played 'each other's' instruments on the 'Stairway' song. Always before Ken played guitar and I played Dobro when we have done that song (in Bflat!) So we were both traveling down a new path. Butterfly time. But we all the music went well. Both Lori's number and mine were quite a bit more uptempo than that little church was expecting. So later, Cy's accompaniment to the next hymn was as well. That brought a comment from the song leader...I guess she thought it was too fast. But in my opinion, it was like it should be done. Happy! We were praising God so why not be happy?
We drove around the area for a couple of hours after church. We showed Ken a place up there where cars back Up the hill, which he had never even heard about before. We discovered it about 5 years ago when we accompanied my brother and his wife "up North'. I called my brother on the cell to get directions.
Then! More music! Only about 4 hours worth this time...but Monday morning arrived before we went to bed Saturday night. Monday morning we played music after breakfast (and a lot of talking) for an hour or so...then we walked Ken's property. What a beautiful sunny day for that, and what a beautiful spot also. God's country.
Then about 4 PM we left to come back South to Barry Co. Once again a completely uneventful drive, just like we wanted. For some reason, bedtime was not as late as it had been all weekend. Could it be we needed some rest?
What a great time we all had. Thanks Ken and Judy for including us in your plans. It was wonderful!
PS...Princess (Ken's cow) did not make the trip even though Ken had purchased a 'chariot' for her transportation. An earlier planned trip did not happen because Ken had no one to milk Princess, so now there is a horse trailer to 'bring Princess along'. This time however, a milker was available...
We did play music! Ken and I changed off playing Dobro and guitar. The guitar player did the singing, by the way. Judy played the bass and Lori fiddled her heart out. We sounded terrific! This remark is made, of course, by a completely impartial observer, me. Ken called the pastor of the church around the corner to see if he would be available to play piano with us. It turned out that he could and would.
Now we were five, and to the mix was added the piano as well as a whole bunch of 'new' songs, songs unfamiliar to all four of us. What fun! The five of us played music and talked until after midnight. Cy (piano) had to get up by 5:30 to get ready to preach, so we reluctantly stopped playing music and bedded down.
Sunday we four went to Cy's church...a little country church with very few members. We were 'special music'. Neat! We did three numbers...Judy and Ken sang a song about a 'Stairway', Lori did 'I'll Fly Away' and I sang 'Mountain Railroad'. Ken and I played 'each other's' instruments on the 'Stairway' song. Always before Ken played guitar and I played Dobro when we have done that song (in Bflat!) So we were both traveling down a new path. Butterfly time. But we all the music went well. Both Lori's number and mine were quite a bit more uptempo than that little church was expecting. So later, Cy's accompaniment to the next hymn was as well. That brought a comment from the song leader...I guess she thought it was too fast. But in my opinion, it was like it should be done. Happy! We were praising God so why not be happy?
We drove around the area for a couple of hours after church. We showed Ken a place up there where cars back Up the hill, which he had never even heard about before. We discovered it about 5 years ago when we accompanied my brother and his wife "up North'. I called my brother on the cell to get directions.
Then! More music! Only about 4 hours worth this time...but Monday morning arrived before we went to bed Saturday night. Monday morning we played music after breakfast (and a lot of talking) for an hour or so...then we walked Ken's property. What a beautiful sunny day for that, and what a beautiful spot also. God's country.
Then about 4 PM we left to come back South to Barry Co. Once again a completely uneventful drive, just like we wanted. For some reason, bedtime was not as late as it had been all weekend. Could it be we needed some rest?
What a great time we all had. Thanks Ken and Judy for including us in your plans. It was wonderful!
PS...Princess (Ken's cow) did not make the trip even though Ken had purchased a 'chariot' for her transportation. An earlier planned trip did not happen because Ken had no one to milk Princess, so now there is a horse trailer to 'bring Princess along'. This time however, a milker was available...
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