Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday before bed.
That way you'll be 2 hours ahead of every one else.
A Blog About Anything & Everything.
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Don't Forget Turn Clocks Ahead
Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday before bed.
That way you'll be 2 hours ahead of every one else.
Friday, October 31, 2025
Michael Jackson | What You Need To Know About Him
In this world of ugliness nothing stands out as a better example then what was done to Michael Jackson. Hence a good deal of my bitterness towards it both then and now in this current environment. It was bad then and even worse now.
Michael Jackson - The Most Philanthropic Popstar in History
Michael Jackson was Misunderstood and Attacked More Than Anyone
This post demonstrates the worse parts of the human race that I want no part in.
Michael Jackson was Misunderstood and Attacked More Than Anyone
This post demonstrates the worse parts of the human race that I want no part in.
Ya No' U'r A Redneck When..
Repost
You take your dog for a walk and you both use the same tree.
Your boat has not left the driveway in 15 years. 
The Salvation Army declines your furniture.
You come back from the dump with more than you took.
Your grandmother has 'ammo' on her Christmas list.
You keep flea and tick soap in the shower.
You have a rag for a gas cap.
Your house doesn't have curtains, but your truck does.
You wonde
r how service stations keep their rest-rooms so clean.
U have a complete set of salad bowls that all say 'Cool Whip'.
The biggest city you've ever been to is Wal-Mart.
Your working TV sits on top of your non-working TV.
You've used your ironing board as a buffet table.
You've used a toilet brush to scratch your back.
You missed your 5th grade graduation because you were on jury duty.
You think fast food is hitting a deer at 65
Thursday, October 30, 2025
TV Is Crappy These Days
Repost From November 2013
Except for about two dozen shows aired at various times throughout the year, TV has become about as entertaining as a power outage. It's a shame when I find infomercials for the old Carol Burnett Show or the Dean Martin roasts more amusing.
Even some of the shows I've watched for several seasons are becoming more dark. A few weeks ago 'Covert Affairs' featured a horrific torture scene much like 'The Mentalist' did during the same week. These like 'The Good Wife' no longer feature the 'good guys'. I'd given up on 'Burn Notice' long before it was cancelled because there were no longer any good guys on either side and became so gory it was no longer watchable either. Each of these are competing lately to be more malicious then the other.
Sitcoms with their canned laughter drives me crazy along with their zooming jiggling palsy like camera work.
I've just about totally have given up on so-called cable news altogether.Hosts news readers are spending time trying to make a fool of vice president Biden or bashing the oval office, past or present depending which flavor political party you favor. The good news is most of the viewers in the United States aren't even watching these B.S. artists. Take for example Bill O'Reilly. He consistently has the highest rated cable news show with around 3.5 million viewers. A little over 1% of the population of the United States. Shows like NCIS and 'Person Of Interest' draws between 13 million to 18.5 million viewers. So it's very obvious about 99% of the United States viewers don't give a flying fig what they are saying. So thank God they're not representative of what most Americans are thinking (although they'd like you to believe they are). They're like the side show carneys you see at the fair... all hats, no cattle!
Can't stomach C-span either much these days which is presently covering the Senate & House hearings. "Hearings"? That's a joke. They've become tribunals. Department heads are suppose to appear so members of Congress can respectively ask them questions in order achieve a better understanding of what kind of legislation is needed to fix problems. They are not there to be bashed, accused and demeaned. This by congressional members who have more dirt in their own closet then there is sand on a beach. Every time I see them I can't help but thinking of the saying, "he who is without sin.." .
Then there was the big award show of the week. The CMA's. I already knew I wasn't going to watch the same old tired predictable year after year (they all sound alike) country performers. Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, George Strait and so forth.
You could take any one of their hits and have the other perform them and who'd know the difference?
None of them have a unique style like the older country performers. To name a few, Dolly Parton, Dave Dudley, 'Whispering' Bill Anderson, Hank Williams Jr., Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash and so forth. These were vocalists who listeners would instantly recognize for their own distinctive vocalizations and style.
As if the so-called award show weren't phony enough there was the performance by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley who took cheap shots at the glitches with Healthcare Reform.
Before some criticize me for not having a sense of humor let me explain. The CMA's were handed out for 47 years and never in those past 46 years has it become political until this year. This is suppose to be about country crooners. Not about their political beliefs. It wasn't done to George Bush (1 or 2). Not to Bill Clinton. Not to any other administration. I don't give a damn how these yodelers feel about Washington politics. This so-calledfixed award show was suppose to be about country music and it's performers.
When news, comedy and entertainment shows (including SNL) take to political satire they inevitably piss off one side or the other. Entertainment is suppose to make people feel cheerful, not piss people off. Which is exactly what I find TV has become. More annoying then entertaining. Programs are interjecting their political hogwash more and more when all I'm trying to do is get away from that very kind of B.S.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The music entertainment industry has become one giant corporate controlled mega machine pumping out narrowly defined vocalists and musicians. The days when truly unique sounding artists like Little Richard, Elvis, The Beatles and countless others could walk in the front door are over. Rarely will you see a female singer with her pants on anymore. What's with that?
TV comedies no longer are filmed before a live audience. If they are, there are numerous retakes if they deviate from the script unlike the days of Red Skelton or Jack Benny.
Do me a favor. Watch American Idol, the X-factor and dozens of other shows where they flash to the audience. Look at their mouths. Are they screaming or just applauding? No shows including 'The View' and other day time shows are real. All use enhanced audience audio tracks with people screaming a cheering. PHONY.. BALONEY!
Do me another favor. Pay attention to what you're watching on TV. Whether it's a reality show, drama or comedy... is the main element dependent on creating entertainment at the expense to another character on the show? Each are becoming increasingly alienating towards it's other characters. Whether it's a show based on competition. A drama that kills/tortures the bad guy or a comedy that derives it humor from putting down someone else. They all have one thing in common. The alienation between two sets of groups or individuals.
Now think back to comedy shows like Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason and Carol Burnett. Or the highly charged politically balanced TV show 'All In The Family. What each had in common was they made fun of themselves. Not others.
Think back to the drama shows that didn't use graphic blood, guts, torture and killing to make their point. Shows like Murder She Wrote, Baretta, The Rockford Files, Columbo, McCloud, Kojack, McMillion & Wife and about a hundred of others. All of which were wildly successful without using blood stained tortured corpses, action packed explosions or machine gunning down the bad guys.
Are there shows left that I do enjoy?
Damn right there are!
Shows like the PBS's 'Masterpiece Theater" series which rely on writing excellent scripts rather then shoot em' ups. TNT's ' Rizzoli & Isles' who utilize levity. ABC's 'The Middle'. Anyone who's ever had to live from check to check and had kids can relate to that show. USA's 'Necessary Roughness' which takes us for a behind the scenes look (ripped from the headlines) at what is going on in today's world of sports teams. These to name few.
Which brings me to why I haven't blogged lately as much as I used to over the last few days It seems wherever I look people are more against things and other people rather then for them. Congress is against themselves. People are criticizing nearly everything and everyone else these days. "Gotcha" seems to be the hottest theme in today's social media and the news. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to source material for this blog that doesn't contain an element of that.
I look through 200 or 400 RSS feeds a day and visit a bunch of other internet sites. What I'm finding is either most of the material coming through is either fluff, self promotion or he said she said bickering. If the mood strikes me that something becomes available that promotes a positive aspect and outcome for others I will pass that along here. Right now I'm not seeing much of that coming through.
I want for this blog and myself to be a greater force for uniting and imparting useful information then what I've been able to come across over the last few days. If that requires fewer posts, so-be-it. But I felt a compulsion to share my views as to why I've not been around for a few days. There's no point joining the chorus around here lately bitching about things or one another. Besides throughout my entire life I've always changed course from where the rest of the fish are swimming. I pride myself on that.
Gee I can hardly wait to see what I will post next
How about You?
:-) pt>
Except for about two dozen shows aired at various times throughout the year, TV has become about as entertaining as a power outage. It's a shame when I find infomercials for the old Carol Burnett Show or the Dean Martin roasts more amusing.
Even some of the shows I've watched for several seasons are becoming more dark. A few weeks ago 'Covert Affairs' featured a horrific torture scene much like 'The Mentalist' did during the same week. These like 'The Good Wife' no longer feature the 'good guys'. I'd given up on 'Burn Notice' long before it was cancelled because there were no longer any good guys on either side and became so gory it was no longer watchable either. Each of these are competing lately to be more malicious then the other.
Sitcoms with their canned laughter drives me crazy along with their zooming jiggling palsy like camera work.
I've just about totally have given up on so-called cable news altogether.
Can't stomach C-span either much these days which is presently covering the Senate & House hearings. "Hearings"? That's a joke. They've become tribunals. Department heads are suppose to appear so members of Congress can respectively ask them questions in order achieve a better understanding of what kind of legislation is needed to fix problems. They are not there to be bashed, accused and demeaned. This by congressional members who have more dirt in their own closet then there is sand on a beach. Every time I see them I can't help but thinking of the saying, "he who is without sin.." .
You could take any one of their hits and have the other perform them and who'd know the difference?
None of them have a unique style like the older country performers. To name a few, Dolly Parton, Dave Dudley, 'Whispering' Bill Anderson, Hank Williams Jr., Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash and so forth. These were vocalists who listeners would instantly recognize for their own distinctive vocalizations and style.
As if the so-called award show weren't phony enough there was the performance by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley who took cheap shots at the glitches with Healthcare Reform.
Before some criticize me for not having a sense of humor let me explain. The CMA's were handed out for 47 years and never in those past 46 years has it become political until this year. This is suppose to be about country crooners. Not about their political beliefs. It wasn't done to George Bush (1 or 2). Not to Bill Clinton. Not to any other administration. I don't give a damn how these yodelers feel about Washington politics. This so-called
When news, comedy and entertainment shows (including SNL) take to political satire they inevitably piss off one side or the other. Entertainment is suppose to make people feel cheerful, not piss people off. Which is exactly what I find TV has become. More annoying then entertaining. Programs are interjecting their political hogwash more and more when all I'm trying to do is get away from that very kind of B.S.
The music entertainment industry has become one giant corporate controlled mega machine pumping out narrowly defined vocalists and musicians. The days when truly unique sounding artists like Little Richard, Elvis, The Beatles and countless others could walk in the front door are over. Rarely will you see a female singer with her pants on anymore. What's with that?
TV comedies no longer are filmed before a live audience. If they are, there are numerous retakes if they deviate from the script unlike the days of Red Skelton or Jack Benny.
Do me a favor. Watch American Idol, the X-factor and dozens of other shows where they flash to the audience. Look at their mouths. Are they screaming or just applauding? No shows including 'The View' and other day time shows are real. All use enhanced audience audio tracks with people screaming a cheering. PHONY.. BALONEY!
Do me another favor. Pay attention to what you're watching on TV. Whether it's a reality show, drama or comedy... is the main element dependent on creating entertainment at the expense to another character on the show? Each are becoming increasingly alienating towards it's other characters. Whether it's a show based on competition. A drama that kills/tortures the bad guy or a comedy that derives it humor from putting down someone else. They all have one thing in common. The alienation between two sets of groups or individuals.
Now think back to comedy shows like Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason and Carol Burnett. Or the highly charged politically balanced TV show 'All In The Family. What each had in common was they made fun of themselves. Not others.
Think back to the drama shows that didn't use graphic blood, guts, torture and killing to make their point. Shows like Murder She Wrote, Baretta, The Rockford Files, Columbo, McCloud, Kojack, McMillion & Wife and about a hundred of others. All of which were wildly successful without using blood stained tortured corpses, action packed explosions or machine gunning down the bad guys.
Damn right there are!
Shows like the PBS's 'Masterpiece Theater" series which rely on writing excellent scripts rather then shoot em' ups. TNT's ' Rizzoli & Isles' who utilize levity. ABC's 'The Middle'. Anyone who's ever had to live from check to check and had kids can relate to that show. USA's 'Necessary Roughness' which takes us for a behind the scenes look (ripped from the headlines) at what is going on in today's world of sports teams. These to name few.
I look through 200 or 400 RSS feeds a day and visit a bunch of other internet sites. What I'm finding is either most of the material coming through is either fluff, self promotion or he said she said bickering. If the mood strikes me that something becomes available that promotes a positive aspect and outcome for others I will pass that along here. Right now I'm not seeing much of that coming through.
I want for this blog and myself to be a greater force for uniting and imparting useful information then what I've been able to come across over the last few days. If that requires fewer posts, so-be-it. But I felt a compulsion to share my views as to why I've not been around for a few days. There's no point joining the chorus around here lately bitching about things or one another. Besides throughout my entire life I've always changed course from where the rest of the fish are swimming. I pride myself on that.
How about You?
:-)
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
HUMOR: Now That I'm Older
Repost
Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old to spend
an additional 5 months in a nursing home
at $7000 per month.
My grandpa started walking
five miles a day when he was 60.
Now he's 97 years old and we
don't know where the hell he is.
I do have flabby thighs,
but fortunately my stomach covers them
I joined a health club last year ...
spent about 400 bucks.
Haven't lost a pound.
Apparently you have to go there.
This enables you at 85 years old to spend
an additional 5 months in a nursing home
at $7000 per month.
My grandpa started walking
five miles a day when he was 60.
Now he's 97 years old and we
don't know where the hell he is.
I do have flabby thighs,
but fortunately my stomach covers them
I joined a health club last year ...
spent about 400 bucks.
Haven't lost a pound.
Apparently you have to go there.
Monday, October 27, 2025
Imagine Your Medical Insurance Costing $4,363.57 A Month!
PoliticsGirl, also known as Leigh McGowan, continues to live with a rare, chronic, and potentially terminal lung/heart disease. For years, McGowan has described a difficult daily regimen to manage her illness, which includes: Sleeping with oxygen. Carrying a full suitcase of medical supplies when she travels. Taking medication every three hours, which requires alarms to remind her.
The "budget showdown 2025":
A political stalemate between House Republicans and Democrats over the federal budget.The conflict is driven by disagreements on spending levels and policy provisions, particularly regarding the extension of enhanced health insurance subsidies.
What's In Your Burger?
Reposted from: April 3, 2012
"Why are these hard-to-pronounce ingredients added to everything from a burger served in schools to veggie burgers in the frozen food aisle of the grocery store?"
What's Inside The 26-Ingredient
School Lunch Burger?
by Allison Aubrey | NPR
School Lunch Burger?
by Allison Aubrey | NPR
"Why are these hard-to-pronounce ingredients added to everything from a burger served in schools to veggie burgers in the frozen food aisle of the grocery store?"
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Allentown Flashbacks
Reposted From September 23, 2010
Excerpts from an article published in the Morning Call Sept. 15, 1999 by Jim Kelly
Do you remember these?
I'll add a few of my own.
Feel free to add your own to the list.
Excerpts from an article published in the Morning Call Sept. 15, 1999 by Jim Kelly
Do you remember these?
I'll add a few of my own.
Feel free to add your own to the list.
Saturday, October 25, 2025
15 Comments Since January 1, 2025
Gee ain't that swell. Now you know why I'm doing reposts. Why should I spend and hour or two researching with links things that are important to me if nobody gives a shit. I could say a lot more but what's the point?
The Ontario anti-tariff ad which led Trump to end trade talks with Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump said late Thursday that he was ending “all trade negotiations” with Canada because of a this television ad opposing U.S. tariffs and featuring the voice of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.Trump posted, “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs.”“The ad was for $75,000,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts,” Trump wrote on his social media site.
The Ontario anti-tariff ad which led Trump to end trade talks with Canada
Former US president Ronald Reagan FULL 1987 speech on tariffs and free trade
Any Comments?
Former US president Ronald Reagan FULL 1987 speech on tariffs and free trade
Any Comments?
Friday, October 24, 2025
My Opinion Of Computer Self Driving Cars
Repost From 2016
WHAT ARE YOU NUTZ !
Yeah sure there are a lot of people who shouldn't be driving who can't even walk straight, but... I could go on and on. If people are too stupid to drive or pay attention anymore and wish to rely on computers in the future to do all our thinking for us we've reached a very sorry point in our evolution.
I may be an old fart, but these contraptions seem, dangerous to me. I'm predicting they'll never replace human drivers.
If they do, heaven help us if we become so stupid as to not being able to make our own judgments on the road or with anything else for that matter.
Yeah sure there are a lot of people who shouldn't be driving who can't even walk straight, but... I could go on and on. If people are too stupid to drive or pay attention anymore and wish to rely on computers in the future to do all our thinking for us we've reached a very sorry point in our evolution.
If they do, heaven help us if we become so stupid as to not being able to make our own judgments on the road or with anything else for that matter.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Cool Website I Came Across
Repost
If you ever find yourself with a little bit of time on your hands visit boredpanda.com. They feature some truly unique photos and other stuff.
I got a kick out of "10+ Accidents Waiting To Happen Thanks To These Architects And Designers". Here's a bit of a sampling from that post.
If you ever find yourself with a little bit of time on your hands visit boredpanda.com. They feature some truly unique photos and other stuff.
I got a kick out of "10+ Accidents Waiting To Happen Thanks To These Architects And Designers". Here's a bit of a sampling from that post.
Why The World Is Going Crazy
Repost
A lot of food for thought. The way I see this all that was said can be defined with one word, "CHILL". Do things like fishing, music or what ever else brings peace to a troubled mind. The world has always been filled with troubles. It's when we become too attached trying to resolve these conflict arises.
Like the song says...
Sage Advice
Therein lies most of today's problems. Many people simply don't know when it's best to stand down. There are troubled souls living on this Earth who are nourished by hatred and anger. The more of it the stronger they become. The less they are fed, the less will be.
Each individual has the opportunity to decide for themselves which path they pursue. One emboldening discontent. The other insuring a way to a more peaceful existence. Both will most decidedly produce results for the actions each person resolves to take.
A lot of food for thought. The way I see this all that was said can be defined with one word, "CHILL". Do things like fishing, music or what ever else brings peace to a troubled mind. The world has always been filled with troubles. It's when we become too attached trying to resolve these conflict arises.
Sage Advice
Therein lies most of today's problems. Many people simply don't know when it's best to stand down. There are troubled souls living on this Earth who are nourished by hatred and anger. The more of it the stronger they become. The less they are fed, the less will be.
Each individual has the opportunity to decide for themselves which path they pursue. One emboldening discontent. The other insuring a way to a more peaceful existence. Both will most decidedly produce results for the actions each person resolves to take.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
HUMOR: How To Avoid The Flu
Repost
~OR~
My grandmother always said, "A shot in the glass beats one in the ass!"
Eat right. Make sure you get your daily dose of fruits and veggies. Take your vitamins and bump up your vitamin C.
Get plenty of exercise because exercise helps build your immune system. Walk for at least an hour a day, and go for a swim.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Wash your hands often. If you can't wash them, keep a bottle of antibacterial stuff around.
Get lots of fresh air. Open doors & windows whenever possible.
Try to eliminate as much stress from your life as you can.
Get plenty of rest.
Get plenty of exercise because exercise helps build your immune system. Walk for at least an hour a day, and go for a swim.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Wash your hands often. If you can't wash them, keep a bottle of antibacterial stuff around.
Get lots of fresh air. Open doors & windows whenever possible.
Try to eliminate as much stress from your life as you can.
Get plenty of rest.
~OR~
Take your doctor's approach.
Think about it... When you go for a shot, what do they do first? They clean your arm with alcohol...Why? Because Alcohol KILLS GERMS.
So.......
I walk to the liquor store. (exercise)
I put lime in my Corona...(fruit)
Celery in my Bloody Mary (veggies)
Drink outdoors on the bar patio..(fresh air)
Tell jokes, laugh....(eliminate stress)
Then pass out. (rest)
The way I see it... If you keep your alcohol levels up, flu germs can't get you!
Think about it... When you go for a shot, what do they do first? They clean your arm with alcohol...Why? Because Alcohol KILLS GERMS.
So.......
I walk to the liquor store. (exercise)
I put lime in my Corona...(fruit)Celery in my Bloody Mary (veggies)
Drink outdoors on the bar patio..(fresh air)
Tell jokes, laugh....(eliminate stress)
Then pass out. (rest)
The way I see it... If you keep your alcohol levels up, flu germs can't get you!
My grandmother always said, "A shot in the glass beats one in the ass!"
Monday, October 20, 2025
Capitalism On Steroids
Repost
A bunch are calling for unrestricted capitalism. Some on the other side have an over abundance of socialist ideas. Here's the way I see it. Why can't we have something in between these two extremes. For instance, here's a few ideas... I could go on but I'm sure many readers didn't bother reading this far. Suffice it to say it's come to the point of ridiculous between the rich, poor and what remains of the middle class. We can either standby and watch the few accumulate ALL the marbles or somewhat level the playing field. My point of view is no human is so valuable they deserve 100,000's the worth then those who labor under them. There's no justification this. It's flat out capitalism allowed to run amuck.
Who Is Gonna Fix This?
Don't think for a second it'll come from a change of heart by those at the top of the food chain. They'll keep feeding guilt on those below them on which to feast that somehow they are being envious, greedy, unpatriotic or even socialists for questioning why they deserve part of what these fat cats feel entitled to. I'm not encouraging rebellion nor anger. All I'm simply asking is people get out and vote for people like Bernie Sanders and others this November. Candidates who see through this facade and will make the changes necessary before we all end up living in tents working 60 hours a week. (That's not an exaggeration for many).
Pissed Off?
THEN
Here's The Disgusting Thing...
I'll bet 90% never read this whole post.
99.99% won't leave a comment.
A bunch are calling for unrestricted capitalism. Some on the other side have an over abundance of socialist ideas. Here's the way I see it. Why can't we have something in between these two extremes. For instance, here's a few ideas... I could go on but I'm sure many readers didn't bother reading this far. Suffice it to say it's come to the point of ridiculous between the rich, poor and what remains of the middle class. We can either standby and watch the few accumulate ALL the marbles or somewhat level the playing field. My point of view is no human is so valuable they deserve 100,000's the worth then those who labor under them. There's no justification this. It's flat out capitalism allowed to run amuck.
Who Is Gonna Fix This?
Don't think for a second it'll come from a change of heart by those at the top of the food chain. They'll keep feeding guilt on those below them on which to feast that somehow they are being envious, greedy, unpatriotic or even socialists for questioning why they deserve part of what these fat cats feel entitled to. I'm not encouraging rebellion nor anger. All I'm simply asking is people get out and vote for people like Bernie Sanders and others this November. Candidates who see through this facade and will make the changes necessary before we all end up living in tents working 60 hours a week. (That's not an exaggeration for many).
Pissed Off?
THEN
Here's The Disgusting Thing...
I'll bet 90% never read this whole post.
99.99% won't leave a comment.
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Friday, October 17, 2025
Senior Humor From The eMail Inbox
Repost
$5.37... That's what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell said to me. I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher.
Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change
When the kid with the Elmo hairdo said the hardest thing anyone has ever said to me. He said, "It's OK. I'll just give you the senior citizen discount." I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me. "Only $4.68" he said cheerfully.
I stood there stupefied. I am 56, not even 60 yet?
Senior citizen?
I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering what was wrong with Elmo. Was he blind?
As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil. Old? Me? I'll show him, I thought. I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter, And there he was waiting with a smile. Before I could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me, Like I could be that easily distracted!
What am I now?
A toddler?
"Dude! Can't get too far without your car keys, hey?"
I stared with utter disdain at the keys. I began to rationalize in my mind! "Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly! It could happen to anyone!" I turned and headed back to the truck.
I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn't turn. What now? I checked my keys and tried another. Still nothing.
That's when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror. I had no purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror. Then, a few other objects came into focus: The car seat in the back seat. Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard. A partially eaten dough nut on the dashboard. Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle.
Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot, Relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life. That is when I felt it, deep in the bowels of my stomach: hunger! My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito, Only it was nowhere to be found. I swung the truck around, gathered my courage, And strode back into the restaurant one final time.
There Elmo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish. All I could think was, "What is the world coming to?" All I could say was, "Did I leave my food and drink in here"? At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle, And then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits. Elmo had no clue. I walked back out to the truck.
Suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention. He was holding up a drink and a bag. His mother explained, "I think you left this in my truck by mistake." I took the food and rink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized. She offered these kind words: "It's OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time."
All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40 mph zone. Yessss, I was racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius. And no, I told the officer, I'm not too old to be driving this fast. As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall. I handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket.
I promptly sat in my rocking chair and covered up my legs with a blankey. The good news was that I had successfully found my way home.
Notice the larger type?
That's for those of us who have trouble reading at our age :-)
(By the way did I email you this already?)
$5.37... That's what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell said to me. I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher. Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change
When the kid with the Elmo hairdo said the hardest thing anyone has ever said to me. He said, "It's OK. I'll just give you the senior citizen discount." I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me. "Only $4.68" he said cheerfully.
I stood there stupefied. I am 56, not even 60 yet?
Senior citizen?
I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering what was wrong with Elmo. Was he blind?
As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil. Old? Me? I'll show him, I thought. I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter, And there he was waiting with a smile. Before I could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me, Like I could be that easily distracted!
What am I now?
A toddler?
"Dude! Can't get too far without your car keys, hey?"
I stared with utter disdain at the keys. I began to rationalize in my mind! "Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly! It could happen to anyone!" I turned and headed back to the truck.
I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn't turn. What now? I checked my keys and tried another. Still nothing.
That's when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror. I had no purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror. Then, a few other objects came into focus: The car seat in the back seat. Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard. A partially eaten dough nut on the dashboard. Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle.
Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot, Relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life. That is when I felt it, deep in the bowels of my stomach: hunger! My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito, Only it was nowhere to be found. I swung the truck around, gathered my courage, And strode back into the restaurant one final time.
There Elmo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish. All I could think was, "What is the world coming to?" All I could say was, "Did I leave my food and drink in here"? At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle, And then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits. Elmo had no clue. I walked back out to the truck.
Suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention. He was holding up a drink and a bag. His mother explained, "I think you left this in my truck by mistake." I took the food and rink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized. She offered these kind words: "It's OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time."
All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40 mph zone. Yessss, I was racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius. And no, I told the officer, I'm not too old to be driving this fast. As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall. I handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket.
I promptly sat in my rocking chair and covered up my legs with a blankey. The good news was that I had successfully found my way home.
Notice the larger type?
That's for those of us who have trouble reading at our age :-)
Thursday, October 16, 2025
A New Threat- Swarms Of Drones
Repost From 2019
As if we didn't have enough to worry about...
Keep in mind whatever we come up with, so too our enemies. Imagine if you will a squad of our soldiers coming under attack. Each drone pre-programmed within having no need for wireless communications or able to be withdrawn till they've accomplished their algorithm (software) designed missions.
We've all seen how extensive troop loses are when trying to invade a city or country by foot soldiers. The problem with atomic bombs is they nearly destroy every structure invaders would hope to reoccupy. Also leaving behind highly radiated buildings, water, air and land rendered unoccupable. Numerous swarms of armed mini drones solves both those problems. All this seems like a nightmare Science Fiction movie except the threat to human life is very real.
Just as it was, and still is, neither nuclear missiles nor these latest weapons of war can be put back into Pandora's Box now that they've come to life. No doubt billion$ will be spent creating and in trying to develop defenses by all parties concerned. Money that could be better used to enhance human life instead of trying to destroy it. No doubt too there will be an insane amount of bartering to sell these weapons on the black market to rogue nations.
These things can be programmed for facial recognition, heat signatures, license plates... oh hell, just about anything. Who knows one day they could be used for police work.
With the advent of all this 'artificial intelligence' and the ability to communicate between each other they could operate on their own when they detect a threat. Let's hope one day the threat they perceive to themselves ain't us.
As if we didn't have enough to worry about...
Keep in mind whatever we come up with, so too our enemies. Imagine if you will a squad of our soldiers coming under attack. Each drone pre-programmed within having no need for wireless communications or able to be withdrawn till they've accomplished their algorithm (software) designed missions.
We've all seen how extensive troop loses are when trying to invade a city or country by foot soldiers. The problem with atomic bombs is they nearly destroy every structure invaders would hope to reoccupy. Also leaving behind highly radiated buildings, water, air and land rendered unoccupable. Numerous swarms of armed mini drones solves both those problems. All this seems like a nightmare Science Fiction movie except the threat to human life is very real.
Just as it was, and still is, neither nuclear missiles nor these latest weapons of war can be put back into Pandora's Box now that they've come to life. No doubt billion$ will be spent creating and in trying to develop defenses by all parties concerned. Money that could be better used to enhance human life instead of trying to destroy it. No doubt too there will be an insane amount of bartering to sell these weapons on the black market to rogue nations.
These things can be programmed for facial recognition, heat signatures, license plates... oh hell, just about anything. Who knows one day they could be used for police work.
With the advent of all this 'artificial intelligence' and the ability to communicate between each other they could operate on their own when they detect a threat. Let's hope one day the threat they perceive to themselves ain't us.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Summoned For Grand Jury Service
Reposted From August 8, 2012
Oh NO.. The wife got tagged a week ago!
This is not about the virtues or non-virtues of 'Grand Jury Service'. This post is about our personal experience, viewpoint on this and the impracticalities involved.
Needless to say my heart skipped a beat when the wife was notified. I even had trouble sleeping the night before. It wasn't because of her being required every Tuesday for 18 months to serve.
Nor because of her job being disrupted. No, the near panic is having to go in and out of Philadelphia 72x's between this past Tuesday and until February 3rd, 2013. Here's why.
My wife's van is 21 years old. Mine isn't much better, it's 22 years old. They both serve us well since I'm retired and her work is only 2 miles away, but shuttling back and forth to Philadelphia with these old vehicles is a really, really bad idea. So that left us with only two choices. Drive or take the bus.
In order for her to report she would have to catch the 5:45AM bus to get her there before the appointed time, 8:30AM. That's 1 hour and 50 minutes travel time by bus. Then walk 5 blocks down to the courthouse. Or I could drive her down in little over an hour. We elected to chance the old van and drove.
First off, the exit from the Vine Street expressway to the 6th street exit was not clearly marked and I missed it and ended up on I-95 South. Oh CRAP!
I took the next exit off I-95 and after a few blocks managed to find 7th Street. Anyone who's familiar with Philadelphia realizes what they call streets are alleys. Long story short, that cost me 20 minutes. I did manage to find a parking garage at 9th & Arch. We both walked to the courthouse at 6th & Market. The folks there are a accommodating as they can be under the circumstance. They offer coffee, juice and some snack vouchers. They even left me go in with her for two hours before chasing non-summed family members out.
As it turned out that day there was a ozone & heat advisory. OH crap again. Talk about miserable. I walked around to kill time. I went to the Gallery, to Washington Square park and other places but each 15 minutes seemed like an hour. Trying to make this already long story short, the wife was not picked... THANK YOU.. OH THANK YOU!
As a result (unlike the less fortunate souls) she was dismissed at 12:35PM and called me on the cell phone to meet her back at the courthouse. See now here's the thing.. if she had taken the bus, the next bus out was at 4:15PM. She would have had to wait almost 4 hours and the bus would not have arrived back into Allentown until 6:10PM !! That sucks!!
So we hopped into the van and headed back home around 1:00 PM. Oh it gets better...
At the 48 mile marker, between Quakertown and the Lehigh Valley exit, the van started bucking and died about one mile later leaving us stranded on the side of the turnpike. OH SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!!!!
Well after a few minutes of monkeying under the hood I got the van to limp along the shoulder at about 20 mph. Yea I know dangerous, but every foot we go is another foot closer to home. All in a sudden the van blew a hole in the muffler and we took off. So I assume the muffler decided to close up and choke off the engine, but the hole made it possible to get home after another 20 minute delay. WHEW!
So here's a few observations
I couldn't think of a worse place to require grand jurors to report every week. The district the court serves couldn't be located any further South from the counties where it has jurisdiction. We have a federal courthouse right here centrally located in Allentown and yet... what's with that?
Let's face it, 'Grand Juries' are nothing but fishing expeditions for prosecutors and investigators who have too weak a case to bring to court. The deck's stacked because 'defense' is not part of the equation. The jurors provide an economical advantage for prosecutors' budgets who'd otherwise pay more for actual trained professional investigators.
Another thing. No matter how many times they tell those summoned that they have been handed an "opportunity", looking around at the faces and with 50% of the hands going up to declare hardships, few are buying that. :-)
I repeat, security and all the folks who work down there tried very hard to excuse and accommodate as much as they possibly could. They reimburse tolls, mileage and parking. Despite all of this.. traveling into the busiest part of Philadelphia at the busiest part of the day sucks. Not to mention the pitfalls of Schuylkill Expressway when there's inclement weather and the inevitable resulting accidents.
Back to the bus. Regular Grand Jury duty is normally supposed to end at 4:00PM. The bus leaves at 4:15PM. That doesn't leave enough of a buffer. Miss the 4:15PM and the next one is at 5:30PM, getting you back into Allentown at 8:05PM.
Now we could talk public transportation all you want, but the fact is for draftees coming from Berks, Lehigh or Northampton counties they are looking at a 2 hour bus ride and that's after hooking up with the bus either in Allentown or Bethlehem. This is the only alternative unless they have a decent vehicle and the driving skills necessary to navigate the busy streets and expressways of Philadelphia. Some of you folks who live in the Lehigh Valley may do this as a daily habit, but for the majority of us in our 60's, this just plain sucks.
If Only
We have a perfectly fine U.S. District Courthouse centrally located in this distict in Allentown. Then again when you are the U.S. government who has the power to fine, jail and sentence for not showing up for duty, you can pretty much ignore the inconveniences imposed.
One last concern I have is the physical risks involved. Yeah some of you may call me a pansy, but according to Wikipedia the Schuylkill Expressway,I couldn't agree more!
No matter how you slice it, traveling to Philadelphia for 'Grand Jury Duty' gives me extreme anxiety like I never felt before. On that day I related to our cat when we take him to the vet in his cage. I felt like a trapped animal and couldn't wait to escape. Call it a mental condition or the anxiety of someone who doesn't get out enough, but that's my reality. That's just how it is with me and I can't be the only one.
SEE:
United States Jury Service
ALSO SEE:
FAQ's
This is not about the virtues or non-virtues of 'Grand Jury Service'. This post is about our personal experience, viewpoint on this and the impracticalities involved.
Needless to say my heart skipped a beat when the wife was notified. I even had trouble sleeping the night before. It wasn't because of her being required every Tuesday for 18 months to serve.
Nor because of her job being disrupted. No, the near panic is having to go in and out of Philadelphia 72x's between this past Tuesday and until February 3rd, 2013. Here's why.
My wife's van is 21 years old. Mine isn't much better, it's 22 years old. They both serve us well since I'm retired and her work is only 2 miles away, but shuttling back and forth to Philadelphia with these old vehicles is a really, really bad idea. So that left us with only two choices. Drive or take the bus.
In order for her to report she would have to catch the 5:45AM bus to get her there before the appointed time, 8:30AM. That's 1 hour and 50 minutes travel time by bus. Then walk 5 blocks down to the courthouse. Or I could drive her down in little over an hour. We elected to chance the old van and drove.
First off, the exit from the Vine Street expressway to the 6th street exit was not clearly marked and I missed it and ended up on I-95 South. Oh CRAP!
I took the next exit off I-95 and after a few blocks managed to find 7th Street. Anyone who's familiar with Philadelphia realizes what they call streets are alleys. Long story short, that cost me 20 minutes. I did manage to find a parking garage at 9th & Arch. We both walked to the courthouse at 6th & Market. The folks there are a accommodating as they can be under the circumstance. They offer coffee, juice and some snack vouchers. They even left me go in with her for two hours before chasing non-summed family members out.
As it turned out that day there was a ozone & heat advisory. OH crap again. Talk about miserable. I walked around to kill time. I went to the Gallery, to Washington Square park and other places but each 15 minutes seemed like an hour. Trying to make this already long story short, the wife was not picked... THANK YOU.. OH THANK YOU!
As a result (unlike the less fortunate souls) she was dismissed at 12:35PM and called me on the cell phone to meet her back at the courthouse. See now here's the thing.. if she had taken the bus, the next bus out was at 4:15PM. She would have had to wait almost 4 hours and the bus would not have arrived back into Allentown until 6:10PM !! That sucks!!
So we hopped into the van and headed back home around 1:00 PM. Oh it gets better...
At the 48 mile marker, between Quakertown and the Lehigh Valley exit, the van started bucking and died about one mile later leaving us stranded on the side of the turnpike. OH SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!!!!
Well after a few minutes of monkeying under the hood I got the van to limp along the shoulder at about 20 mph. Yea I know dangerous, but every foot we go is another foot closer to home. All in a sudden the van blew a hole in the muffler and we took off. So I assume the muffler decided to close up and choke off the engine, but the hole made it possible to get home after another 20 minute delay. WHEW!
So here's a few observations
I couldn't think of a worse place to require grand jurors to report every week. The district the court serves couldn't be located any further South from the counties where it has jurisdiction. We have a federal courthouse right here centrally located in Allentown and yet... what's with that?
Another thing. No matter how many times they tell those summoned that they have been handed an "opportunity", looking around at the faces and with 50% of the hands going up to declare hardships, few are buying that. :-)
I repeat, security and all the folks who work down there tried very hard to excuse and accommodate as much as they possibly could. They reimburse tolls, mileage and parking. Despite all of this.. traveling into the busiest part of Philadelphia at the busiest part of the day sucks. Not to mention the pitfalls of Schuylkill Expressway when there's inclement weather and the inevitable resulting accidents.
Back to the bus. Regular Grand Jury duty is normally supposed to end at 4:00PM. The bus leaves at 4:15PM. That doesn't leave enough of a buffer. Miss the 4:15PM and the next one is at 5:30PM, getting you back into Allentown at 8:05PM.
Now we could talk public transportation all you want, but the fact is for draftees coming from Berks, Lehigh or Northampton counties they are looking at a 2 hour bus ride and that's after hooking up with the bus either in Allentown or Bethlehem. This is the only alternative unless they have a decent vehicle and the driving skills necessary to navigate the busy streets and expressways of Philadelphia. Some of you folks who live in the Lehigh Valley may do this as a daily habit, but for the majority of us in our 60's, this just plain sucks.
If Only
We have a perfectly fine U.S. District Courthouse centrally located in this distict in Allentown. Then again when you are the U.S. government who has the power to fine, jail and sentence for not showing up for duty, you can pretty much ignore the inconveniences imposed.
One last concern I have is the physical risks involved. Yeah some of you may call me a pansy, but according to Wikipedia the Schuylkill Expressway,I couldn't agree more!
No matter how you slice it, traveling to Philadelphia for 'Grand Jury Duty' gives me extreme anxiety like I never felt before. On that day I related to our cat when we take him to the vet in his cage. I felt like a trapped animal and couldn't wait to escape. Call it a mental condition or the anxiety of someone who doesn't get out enough, but that's my reality. That's just how it is with me and I can't be the only one.
United States Jury Service
ALSO SEE:
FAQ's
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
What Are Black Lines Along School Bus For?
Repost
Here all along I thought they were just there to make it look pretty.
Here all along I thought they were just there to make it look pretty.
Monday, October 13, 2025
What Is A Boltzmann Brain?
Repost
Brian Greene
Further Clarifcation
Ah, just as I thought.
You all just a figment of my imagination.
Good to know :-)
YEAH..KINDA LIKE THAT :-)
Further Clarifcation
Ah, just as I thought.
You all just a figment of my imagination.
Good to know :-)
YEAH..KINDA LIKE THAT :-)
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Underground Beneath Philadelphia Streets
Repost
When the wife worked for the Wanamaker department stores she occasionally had meetings in Philadelphia. We always used an underground parking deck about a block away. From it you could directly enter a bank lobby (always unlocked) which had direct access to a subway walkway. From there we walked directly to the basement retail floor entrance of the Wanamaker building. No snow, rain nor cold weather problems whatsoever. I'm sure there a number more Philadelphia residents might be familiar with.
Comment from one viewer-
When the wife worked for the Wanamaker department stores she occasionally had meetings in Philadelphia. We always used an underground parking deck about a block away. From it you could directly enter a bank lobby (always unlocked) which had direct access to a subway walkway. From there we walked directly to the basement retail floor entrance of the Wanamaker building. No snow, rain nor cold weather problems whatsoever. I'm sure there a number more Philadelphia residents might be familiar with.
Comment from one viewer-
"Many tunnels were simply filled with utility lines and the walkways were moved to parallel tunnels, most of the concourses are still in use, and one can walk from 7th to 19th now, and from near arch street down to spruce...same as for past 90 years. the walkways connect two major regional commuter stations, a dozen commuter lines, 5 trolley lines, and 4 subways including one to NJ, many fantastic office towers, shops, department stores, government buildings, and restaurants. The arch street portion was cleverly and responsibly converted to a beautiful facility for homeless to shower and rest...
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Friday, October 10, 2025
Allentown We Don't Do That No More
Repost
Allentown once thrived.
Here a few of the large businesses once exclusive to Allentown that have since disappeared from the city (other then retail and eateries).
Furniture Stores: (Berman & Glazier, Harold Furniture Co., Stern & Co., Miller Furniture Co. and J.B. VanSciver). Dry Cleaners: (Kohlers, Allen Laundry, Tidy-Didy Diaper Service). Men's & Women's hat, clothiers and tailoring shops. Grocery stores: (Mohican market, A&P, Food Fair). Dozens of knitting and sewing mills: (Franklin knitting, Charis, Phoenix, Levin's). These along with A&B meats, Mack Trucks two huge locations (S. 10 Street & 12th & Lehigh), Breweries: (Neuweiler, Horlacher & Daeufer-Lieberman). Shoe manufacturers: (Quaker), several city founded banks, Appliance/electronic sales and repair: (Eastern Light, Laubach & Johnson, Peters, Lafeytte),.... I could go on and on.
The Point Is We can't make Allentown thrive once again hosting only offices, retailers and eateries. Yes It's true most of these older jobs I mentioned either went overseas, relocated to industrial parks outside of the city or are no longer in demand. But what we still need are neighborhood jobs if we're going to improve. Years ago businesses were scattered throughout town. These days concentrated industrial/warehouse areas are the way to go. So how could we have found better ways in trying to revive the city?
One way we can't do it is by trying to make us a bedroom community for blue collar jobs residing outside the city. Offices and eateries can only take us so far. One of the things Bethlehem has done well is to set up a large industrial area close to I-78 and rail service. We've gone in the opposite direction. For example rather then encourage development along Lehigh Street near I-78 it's filled with car dealerships and retailers. It started off well enough (near the rail tracks to the South) but we never fully exploited the opportunity when we had it. We also dropped the ball in the Basin Street and 7th & Lehigh Street areas which houses older buildings. Each having close access to the Allentown rail yards.
Don't get me wrong I like Coca-Cola baseball park as much as anybody, but wouldn't it been better located on what currently is Allentown's non profitable golf course? There's just as easy an access off of 309 (I-78) or down Cedar Crest from Route 22 much like it is now. The area where the ball park is currently located would have been a perfect location for industrial warehouses seeking easy access for both trucks leaving and to the airport bringing in shipments.
Besides Industrial Parks? HOUSING:
Allentown doesn't need more housing. What we need is the "right" kind of housing. I understand it can take a long time but the city needs to be more aggressive with it's boarded up housing problem. Instead of incentivizing new construction--dilapidated current structures should be brought up to standard or torn down. Why not offer someone who is willing to buy and fix them up--with the contingency they have to live in them--the opportunity to live tax free for a few years? After all most of these boarded up properties aren't generating taxes now anyway. What we're seeing instead is a handful of individuals from outside the city sitting on these properties. Small individual homeowners will always have a greater stake in what happens within our neighborhoods when they have to live in them.
SMALL BUSINESS STARTUPS:
One or two years tax free dependent on them owning the building. It's important for them to own the building. Otherwise some will stiff the landlord--take the money and run. Some may argue they could do the same with taxes. Not if they agree the city holds a "deed of trust" for the first one or two years if they should skip town after bagging the profits.
SCHOOLS:
Let's not kid ourselves Allentown schools are a mess. We've had several neighbors move here. When they started to have children--or when their kids were old enough to go to school--they sold their homes and moved out. One of the reasons ours schools are such a mess is because of administration not the educators. Check out this story in The Morning Call on April 14, 2017-- Report finds 'waste, abuse' of money in Allentown School Distriact's business office-- "The Morning Call had filed a Right-to-Know request for the report, but the district denied the request. The request was also denied at the state level on appeal." Unless/until we straighten our Allentown schools things aren't going to improve the situation either.
In Summary We may not be able to turn back the hands of time, but there's better ways of going about then the way we have.
I do think Allentown stands a chance to improve. What we all need to understand is the situation isn't hopeless--but without a clear understanding of the past mistakes made and taking future course corrections these hopes grow dimmer It's my wish--with the upcoming elections looming on the horizon--whoever leads the city and the school district forward in the next few years manages to do better jobs.
 |
| Time Flies |
Allentown once thrived.
Here a few of the large businesses once exclusive to Allentown that have since disappeared from the city (other then retail and eateries).
Furniture Stores: (Berman & Glazier, Harold Furniture Co., Stern & Co., Miller Furniture Co. and J.B. VanSciver). Dry Cleaners: (Kohlers, Allen Laundry, Tidy-Didy Diaper Service). Men's & Women's hat, clothiers and tailoring shops. Grocery stores: (Mohican market, A&P, Food Fair). Dozens of knitting and sewing mills: (Franklin knitting, Charis, Phoenix, Levin's). These along with A&B meats, Mack Trucks two huge locations (S. 10 Street & 12th & Lehigh), Breweries: (Neuweiler, Horlacher & Daeufer-Lieberman). Shoe manufacturers: (Quaker), several city founded banks, Appliance/electronic sales and repair: (Eastern Light, Laubach & Johnson, Peters, Lafeytte),.... I could go on and on.
One way we can't do it is by trying to make us a bedroom community for blue collar jobs residing outside the city. Offices and eateries can only take us so far. One of the things Bethlehem has done well is to set up a large industrial area close to I-78 and rail service. We've gone in the opposite direction. For example rather then encourage development along Lehigh Street near I-78 it's filled with car dealerships and retailers. It started off well enough (near the rail tracks to the South) but we never fully exploited the opportunity when we had it. We also dropped the ball in the Basin Street and 7th & Lehigh Street areas which houses older buildings. Each having close access to the Allentown rail yards.
Don't get me wrong I like Coca-Cola baseball park as much as anybody, but wouldn't it been better located on what currently is Allentown's non profitable golf course? There's just as easy an access off of 309 (I-78) or down Cedar Crest from Route 22 much like it is now. The area where the ball park is currently located would have been a perfect location for industrial warehouses seeking easy access for both trucks leaving and to the airport bringing in shipments.
Allentown doesn't need more housing. What we need is the "right" kind of housing. I understand it can take a long time but the city needs to be more aggressive with it's boarded up housing problem. Instead of incentivizing new construction--dilapidated current structures should be brought up to standard or torn down. Why not offer someone who is willing to buy and fix them up--with the contingency they have to live in them--the opportunity to live tax free for a few years? After all most of these boarded up properties aren't generating taxes now anyway. What we're seeing instead is a handful of individuals from outside the city sitting on these properties. Small individual homeowners will always have a greater stake in what happens within our neighborhoods when they have to live in them.
SMALL BUSINESS STARTUPS:
One or two years tax free dependent on them owning the building. It's important for them to own the building. Otherwise some will stiff the landlord--take the money and run. Some may argue they could do the same with taxes. Not if they agree the city holds a "deed of trust" for the first one or two years if they should skip town after bagging the profits.
SCHOOLS:
Let's not kid ourselves Allentown schools are a mess. We've had several neighbors move here. When they started to have children--or when their kids were old enough to go to school--they sold their homes and moved out. One of the reasons ours schools are such a mess is because of administration not the educators. Check out this story in The Morning Call on April 14, 2017-- Report finds 'waste, abuse' of money in Allentown School Distriact's business office-- "The Morning Call had filed a Right-to-Know request for the report, but the district denied the request. The request was also denied at the state level on appeal." Unless/until we straighten our Allentown schools things aren't going to improve the situation either.
I do think Allentown stands a chance to improve. What we all need to understand is the situation isn't hopeless--but without a clear understanding of the past mistakes made and taking future course corrections these hopes grow dimmer It's my wish--with the upcoming elections looming on the horizon--whoever leads the city and the school district forward in the next few years manages to do better jobs.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
A Nation Of Renters
Repost
We're becoming a nation of renters. I don't see this as a good thing. Car and home ownership is becoming out of reach. It's always better to own rather then be subjugated to the terms and conditions set by others who have their own best interest in mind. It's almost like being beholden to a master.
New vehicles have become so expensive many are opting to lease instead. There's a few problems as I see it. (1) In two or three years lessees are forced out of their much needed transportation. Sometimes costing them more at the end for things they haven't factored in such as exceeding mileage or vehicle wear. (2) If one purchases a vehicle they can determine when they can best afford another one. Who knows in two or three years what one's financial situation might be. Maybe hanging on to a vehicle for a few years longer would be someone's best option to avoid financial difficulties. (3) Scheduled maintenance is not an option for a lessee. I'll give you one bad example. My son leased a van. The dealer forced him in for an oil change. They overfilled it causing the engine to blow out the crankshaft oil gasket. They demanded he pay $300 for the repair.
Housing rentals are a terrible option.(1) Some charge extra or won't allow pets. (2) Nuisance complaints are handled by the property owner rather then police. Police can't evict people for noise complaints, outside decorations and the all so many restrictions apartment owners come up with. (3) Mortgages payments are spelled out contractually. Apartment owners can raise them to most anything they desire. (4) Twenty or thirty years after paying rent you are entitled to nothing. Owning something on the other hand means you have a tangible asset of value. (5) Even crazier yet is to "buy" a property and still be obligated to pay condo fees. In most cases it's a hellva lot cheaper to pay contractors for repairs and maintenance only when necessary
Don't think for a moment government isn't encouraging this. Some cities have relaxed their single housing zoning requirements. Here in Pennsylvania there have been a number of multimillion government grants to help developers convert so-called historic structures into rental units (including right here in the Lehigh Valley).
While I'm on the subject-- why become a rental employee? I'm talking about being hired by a firm subcontracted to employ workers for a company. Companies are required by law to follow certain rules for their employees. Companies are able to skirt many of these protections by the use of a subcontracted third party jobber. In other words legally speaking, temp agencies. Others hire their labor as independent contractors. Both which means such a worker is being rented out to them on a day-to-day or hourly basis under whatever terms of their choosing.
Seems to me...
We should never buy a new car we can't afford. Buy a used one instead. Hang on to it till you can afford a better one. Rather then rent try to find a mortgage that would be in line with what you now pay in rent. For a long time people bought a "starter home. After a few years flipped it for something better as their earnings grew along with the value of their home. As far as jobs are concerned-- no one should ever settle for less then being actually hired by a firm itself. Perhaps at the same time seeking to make themselves more attractive by acquiring greater skills. It wouldn't hurt to start up a little side business on your own either.
The point is all too many of us are allowing ourselves to become enslaved by making wrong choices. Anytime we allow ourselves to be indebted we become beholden. In order to free ourselves as much as possible we need to release those ties which allow others to control us by financial means whenever possible.
We're becoming a nation of renters. I don't see this as a good thing. Car and home ownership is becoming out of reach. It's always better to own rather then be subjugated to the terms and conditions set by others who have their own best interest in mind. It's almost like being beholden to a master.
New vehicles have become so expensive many are opting to lease instead. There's a few problems as I see it. (1) In two or three years lessees are forced out of their much needed transportation. Sometimes costing them more at the end for things they haven't factored in such as exceeding mileage or vehicle wear. (2) If one purchases a vehicle they can determine when they can best afford another one. Who knows in two or three years what one's financial situation might be. Maybe hanging on to a vehicle for a few years longer would be someone's best option to avoid financial difficulties. (3) Scheduled maintenance is not an option for a lessee. I'll give you one bad example. My son leased a van. The dealer forced him in for an oil change. They overfilled it causing the engine to blow out the crankshaft oil gasket. They demanded he pay $300 for the repair.
Housing rentals are a terrible option.(1) Some charge extra or won't allow pets. (2) Nuisance complaints are handled by the property owner rather then police. Police can't evict people for noise complaints, outside decorations and the all so many restrictions apartment owners come up with. (3) Mortgages payments are spelled out contractually. Apartment owners can raise them to most anything they desire. (4) Twenty or thirty years after paying rent you are entitled to nothing. Owning something on the other hand means you have a tangible asset of value. (5) Even crazier yet is to "buy" a property and still be obligated to pay condo fees. In most cases it's a hellva lot cheaper to pay contractors for repairs and maintenance only when necessary
Don't think for a moment government isn't encouraging this. Some cities have relaxed their single housing zoning requirements. Here in Pennsylvania there have been a number of multimillion government grants to help developers convert so-called historic structures into rental units (including right here in the Lehigh Valley).
While I'm on the subject-- why become a rental employee? I'm talking about being hired by a firm subcontracted to employ workers for a company. Companies are required by law to follow certain rules for their employees. Companies are able to skirt many of these protections by the use of a subcontracted third party jobber. In other words legally speaking, temp agencies. Others hire their labor as independent contractors. Both which means such a worker is being rented out to them on a day-to-day or hourly basis under whatever terms of their choosing.
Seems to me...
We should never buy a new car we can't afford. Buy a used one instead. Hang on to it till you can afford a better one. Rather then rent try to find a mortgage that would be in line with what you now pay in rent. For a long time people bought a "starter home. After a few years flipped it for something better as their earnings grew along with the value of their home. As far as jobs are concerned-- no one should ever settle for less then being actually hired by a firm itself. Perhaps at the same time seeking to make themselves more attractive by acquiring greater skills. It wouldn't hurt to start up a little side business on your own either.
The point is all too many of us are allowing ourselves to become enslaved by making wrong choices. Anytime we allow ourselves to be indebted we become beholden. In order to free ourselves as much as possible we need to release those ties which allow others to control us by financial means whenever possible.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
How Many Remember Mr. Six?
Repost
HINT: He was a hellva lot younger then the character he portrayed.
Mr. Six (Danny Teeson) was an advertising character used from 2004 to 2010 for the American theme park chain Six Flags when he was in his 30's.
Danny Teeson (born May 27, 1975) is a British dancer and choreographer.
Mr. Six (Danny Teeson) was an advertising character used from 2004 to 2010 for the American theme park chain Six Flags when he was in his 30's.
Danny Teeson (born May 27, 1975) is a British dancer and choreographer.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
26 YouTube Singer Videos
Repost
Over the years these are some of the best I came across.
This is just one part of YouTube I enjoy watching.
If not on there, where else could these singers be seen.
This is just one part of YouTube I enjoy watching.
If not on there, where else could these singers be seen.
Monday, October 6, 2025
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Friday, October 3, 2025
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Common Sense Test
Repost
Most of them seem like trick questions to me.
Course it may seem they are only because I may be lacking common sense :-)
Let's see how well you do.
Most of them seem like trick questions to me.
Course it may seem they are only because I may be lacking common sense :-)
Let's see how well you do.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
The Will (Humor)
Repost
Doug Smith is on his deathbed and knows the end is near. His nurse, his wife, his daughter and 2 sons, are with him. He asks for 2 witnesses to be present and a camcorder be in place to record his last wishes, and when all is ready he begins to speak:
My son, "Bernie, I want you to take the Mayfair houses."
My daughter "Sybil, you take the apartments over in the east end."
My son, "Jamie, I want you to take the offices over in the City Centre."
"Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings on the banks of the river."
The nurse and witnesses are blown away as they did not realize his extensive holdings, and as Doug slips away, the nurse says, "Mrs. Smith, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all this property".
Sarah replies, "Property ? .... the asshole had a paper route!"
Doug Smith is on his deathbed and knows the end is near. His nurse, his wife, his daughter and 2 sons, are with him. He asks for 2 witnesses to be present and a camcorder be in place to record his last wishes, and when all is ready he begins to speak:
My son, "Bernie, I want you to take the Mayfair houses."
My daughter "Sybil, you take the apartments over in the east end."
My son, "Jamie, I want you to take the offices over in the City Centre."
"Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings on the banks of the river."
The nurse and witnesses are blown away as they did not realize his extensive holdings, and as Doug slips away, the nurse says, "Mrs. Smith, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all this property".
Sarah replies, "Property ? .... the asshole had a paper route!"
Monday, September 29, 2025
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Friday, September 26, 2025
Idioms Make Learning English Confusing
Repost
Idioms & ponderisms make it harder for people coming to live here from other countries.
Idioms & ponderisms make it harder for people coming to live here from other countries.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
It Does Make You Wonder
Repost
Some religious supporters want to welcome everyone to our and other nation's borders.
Is anyone else confused as I?
Why would then heaven have gates?
Would this not make it the ultimate gated community?
Some religious supporters want to welcome everyone to our and other nation's borders.
Is anyone else confused as I?
Why would then heaven have gates?
Would this not make it the ultimate gated community?
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Either Party Only Represents About A Quarter Of The Population
Repost Updated (Shortened)
According to THESE STATISTICS only a little over half participate voting in presidential elections. This means no matter who wins none are given a mandate (although pundits would have us believe otherwise).
Some might be of the opinion this is a matter of apathy. I on other hand am starting to think most people are not as divided as politicians and the big money interests would make us out to be. Instead it could be most people (including others throughout the world) are just trying to get along without government intruding on their lives.
I once read a philosophical piece which stated evil feeds on peoples differences like mosquitoes drawn to blood. It supposed if humans could overcome their differences evil would be starved to death no longer attracted to this Earth.
According to THESE STATISTICS only a little over half participate voting in presidential elections. This means no matter who wins none are given a mandate (although pundits would have us believe otherwise).
Some might be of the opinion this is a matter of apathy. I on other hand am starting to think most people are not as divided as politicians and the big money interests would make us out to be. Instead it could be most people (including others throughout the world) are just trying to get along without government intruding on their lives.
I once read a philosophical piece which stated evil feeds on peoples differences like mosquitoes drawn to blood. It supposed if humans could overcome their differences evil would be starved to death no longer attracted to this Earth.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Smartphones, How Far We've Come...
Repost
Steve Cichon @ Trending Buffalo points out...
The Smartphone Has Effectively Replaced All The
Technology Offered In This 1991 Radio Shack Ad
Steve Cichon @ Trending Buffalo points out...
Technology Offered In This 1991 Radio Shack Ad
 |
| "You’d have spent $3,054.82 in 1991 to buy all the stuff" |
Monday, September 22, 2025
Quantum Physics Proves Eternal Life
Repost
However it has little practical use in our present daily life. Why? Because you can't get there from here unless you know precisely where you are to begin with. Welcome to the crazy world of Quantum science. A scientific world were the more you attempt to define the physical world, the less definitive it becomes..
My take away from the final part of that video We can consciously observe "things" in our immediate physical world in the present time. But we cannot observe "things" beyond our current consciousness's time references (the future). There's predictability in what we may expect will happen, but this is where the "uncertainty principle" comes into play. No matter how one attempts to define what will happen with exactness, there are too many factors influencing the expected outcome. Efforts to produce an outcome with certainty predicated on logic via our everyday world observations are doomed to fail.
Another way of explaining this metaphorically (the way I understand it) If we adjust a camera's exposure time to take a photo of a fast moving train to the fastest shutter speed possible, we have a clear indication of exactly where that train is. If however we increase the length of exposure, the train now becomes a blur. Hence we can't be quite as certain exactly where that train was.
Two things are going on here. In one photo we see the train clearly in focus, although we have no idea whether or not it was moving. In the other blurred photo we are very aware that indeed it was moving, but we no longer can be certain exactly where it was at that precise millisecond. We can either have one or the other but not both at the same time. This somewhat explains how the uncertainty principle works. The more aware of one, the less we know about the other. The math used in this principle attempts to equate the two, but never can with absolute certainty.
Getting back to this theory on immortality Quantum physics allows for an infinite number of universes all to exist at the same time. It also accepts the idea that matter and energy are one and the same. One person's consciousness living in one time reference observes something as energy while another person's may observe it as matter. Hence this scientist speculates that when our body matter dissolves (dies to those observers around us) consciousness simply refocuses itself someplace else. In other words since matter/energy is perpetual then consciousness must be of the same order.
One more thing before you dismiss this missive as utter nonsense All around us are millions upon millions of radio waves. They are emitted from satellites, cell phones, TV and a untold number of electronic devices. Each have their own frequencies, bandwidths and encryption methods. All one needs is the proper receiver to make sense for what purpose each was designed to do Think of these frequencies as all the possibilities that exist throughout the universe in both energy and matter form. If any of these receivers no longer appear to be working (die), doesn't mean the signals are no longer there. Nor does it necessarily mean a receiver may no longer function. Perhaps it's oscillators have been re-tuned to another frequency (beyond death) that is beyond human hearing (the living).
All around us are countless frequencies that the brain uses to interpret light and sound. Many of which animals are capable of seeing and hearing of which we can not. Who's to say if our consciousness cannot convert (re-tune) it's awareness in such a way that cannot be seen, touched, felt nor heard by those who consciousness remain in this particular frame of reference?
It's been said.. "Thoughts Are Things"
However it has little practical use in our present daily life. Why? Because you can't get there from here unless you know precisely where you are to begin with. Welcome to the crazy world of Quantum science. A scientific world were the more you attempt to define the physical world, the less definitive it becomes..
Quantum physics proves that
there is an afterlife, claims scientist
By Victoria Woollaston @ The Daily Mail
I'm not going to pretend to understand the science behind it. I'm simply not that smart, but this is all based on the "uncertainty principle" in quantum physics. there is an afterlife, claims scientist
By Victoria Woollaston @ The Daily Mail
Two things are going on here. In one photo we see the train clearly in focus, although we have no idea whether or not it was moving. In the other blurred photo we are very aware that indeed it was moving, but we no longer can be certain exactly where it was at that precise millisecond. We can either have one or the other but not both at the same time. This somewhat explains how the uncertainty principle works. The more aware of one, the less we know about the other. The math used in this principle attempts to equate the two, but never can with absolute certainty.
All around us are countless frequencies that the brain uses to interpret light and sound. Many of which animals are capable of seeing and hearing of which we can not. Who's to say if our consciousness cannot convert (re-tune) it's awareness in such a way that cannot be seen, touched, felt nor heard by those who consciousness remain in this particular frame of reference?
It's been said.. "Thoughts Are Things"
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Friday, September 19, 2025
Government Can Steal Your Money
Repost
Here's how. Through questionable forfeiture laws. When they do it's up to the accused to prove they didn't commit a crime. Even when they weren't charged with one. It appears the constitution and peoples right to due process no longer matters in today's world.
Here's how. Through questionable forfeiture laws. When they do it's up to the accused to prove they didn't commit a crime. Even when they weren't charged with one. It appears the constitution and peoples right to due process no longer matters in today's world.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Renters Insurance Won't Cover This!
Repost From 2016
New York Daily News: Girlfriend of Michigan man who blowtorched squirrel, burned down apartment complex on the hook for $2 million -- "Even though Barbara Pellow was asleep when her beau, Khek Chanthalavong, fired up the fiery tool just outside of their Holland Township home, she’s liable for destruction because her name is on the lease, according to a Tuesday court ruling, WZZM reported."
I checked this out. Most policies are capped far below this amount and wouldn't cover this kind of act in the first place. Although the apartment owner had insurance apparently his company went after her.
I have two thoughts here. Number one I never earned that much over my lifetime. Second thought is.. she'd been better off buying a home. Had this happened I very much doubt she'd be on the hook for that amount of loot even if her insurance denied payment. Something to consider if someone thinks renting may be a better financial alternative.
I wonder if they're still dating?
New York Daily News: Girlfriend of Michigan man who blowtorched squirrel, burned down apartment complex on the hook for $2 million -- "Even though Barbara Pellow was asleep when her beau, Khek Chanthalavong, fired up the fiery tool just outside of their Holland Township home, she’s liable for destruction because her name is on the lease, according to a Tuesday court ruling, WZZM reported."
I checked this out. Most policies are capped far below this amount and wouldn't cover this kind of act in the first place. Although the apartment owner had insurance apparently his company went after her.
I have two thoughts here. Number one I never earned that much over my lifetime. Second thought is.. she'd been better off buying a home. Had this happened I very much doubt she'd be on the hook for that amount of loot even if her insurance denied payment. Something to consider if someone thinks renting may be a better financial alternative.
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