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.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
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
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.
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.
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| 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
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