Frustration with the mainstream media

Most people who know me at all know that I don't care for the press at large, but this particular mini-rant has to do with how they refer to people from countries in the far east. The latest example is the tragedy in San Francisco with the crash of Asiana flight 214.

While it is customary for the people who reside in those countries to refer to themselves using the last (or surname) first, when traveling abroad, they usually wish to conform to standards which apply to the rest of the world, which makes perfect sense. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

So what does the media in this country do, you got it, refer to them as if we were living in their country.  I'm not sure if they do this out of respect for their ways or more likely because they wish to sound hip. I think think they just come off sounding elitest.

The modern mainstream media feels it is their job to teach we (the simplistic Americans), the ways of the world, instead of just informing us. I guess we are just too dumb to know that other cultures are different from our own.

To further confuse the issue, it depends on who you are as to what you are called. An example would be Jackie Chan. He was born Chan Kong-sang in Hong Kong but he uses the stage name of Jackie. Would it not be proper for the media to refer to his as Chan Jackie? I suppose in this case, it has something to do with asian actors wishing to fit in with american culture, but the wishes of the common people do not matter I suppose. Double standard much.

Perhaps I have the media all wrong, maybe they just want us to know that the person referred to is of asian descent when they use this naming convention. But isn't this kind of like referring to them as asian? Is that proper?

C'mon mainstream media, refer to people from places all over the world the same. I think we are smart enough to figure out why people traveling from China or Korea are not named Smith or Jones!

You may find this a bit strange...

Some of you may not think this is a good subject for a blog post, but who really is to say what a person might find interesting. The subject is my keyboard, or more importantly, how comfortable I am with it, and how long it has lasted.

As a writer of any kind will tell you, unless you feel comfortable with your writing device, very few words will ever be written. The words need to flow and having the right device can make all the difference in the world!

For those interested, the keyboard I use is a Kensington Ci70. At $50, it was by far the most expensive keyboard I've ever purchased, but I've been using it now for over 4 years and it still performs as well as it did the day I got it. Quite a statement from someone who regularly eats at their desk and rarely remembers to push the keyboard drawer in.

And while others might proclaim a similar ability with their keyboards, few can do it without physically taking the keyboard apart to clean the crumbs out now and then. You can, however, do that with this one. A few sharp taps on it's edge will dislodge most any crumb and have the keyboard working properly again. Very important for people like me who are, shall we say, less than tidy when they eat.

So after 4 years of service, I have yet to dismantle this keyboard for any reason, and in fact would not know how to do it if the need ever did arise. So hats off to you Kensington, for designing a piece of equipment for us slobs. Bravo!

OS X 10.9 Mavericks

Just one of the many announcements made on Monday (June 10th) by Apple at it's World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC), if you were an enterprising soul you had no problem locating a copy of the first developers preview (DP1) just shortly after it was announced.

Being one of those people, I quickly had a copy downloaded courtesy of the friendly buccaneers who reside in a bay on the internet. Having a copy is not the same as having it up and running though, as often these early releases require one to jump through several hoops to get them installed on a Hackintosh.

I tried the easy way first, myHack had been updated to a beta version to deal with Mavericks, but that experiment did not turn out well. Then I found this tutorial and followed it. This one proved successful and I got to take a look at the new OS on my GA-P35-DS3L system.

As usual with a prerelease, several things didn't work right. The Mail app for me proved unwilling to accept my main email account so no way to use that. I did however get the internet working and was able to play around with the new version of Safari.

Having working internet also allowed me to preview the new Maps app. While nice, I still prefer Google for this task. They have been doing it a lot longer and theirs is much more complete and accurate.

I also managed to install it on my newest system, the Foxconn G33M. Video was a bit wonky on this system however so I didn't experiment much with it. Tomorrow is another day and I may explore further then.

Time for a rant...

A recent commercial I saw for the search engine Bing made me wonder how they can claim they are preferred over Google. A simple search reveals it simply isn't true. Just check this stat: http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/search-engines

How do they get away with it? It's all in the wording. If you watch the commercial you can see what I'm talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf6XhAn6X1g

In addition to the direction by the personality to search only for certain items, the statement at the end is a dead giveaway. Obviously they are referring to their little sample they made while filming these segments, but it's not really stated. I think most people are aware of this, but I thought it worth pointing out.

And while we are talking about Bing, I don't believe for a moment that they are truly ahead of Yahoo as a search engine. Anyone who has visited msn.com will know what I'm talking about. Being another Microsoft site, msn.com uses Bing for any searches their news feed needs to do. A lot of the features they do have to do with celebrities and who is in foreclosure, who is least popular, what a celebs real names, etc. If you click each one, it can easily amount to hundreds of Bing searches in a matter of minutes. Way to inflate the numbers Microsoft!

Switching gears for a moment, I've coined a new phrase, coastal smurfs. As everyone knows, the coastal areas of this country are mostly blue when it comes to voting. New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC on the right coast and San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle on the left coast. There are many reasons why this is the case, but the one I want to examine is attitude.

We the people here in middle America know what I'm talking about. The coastal smurfs are better educated, more hip, and just seem to know what's best for the rest, or so they think. You can hear it in their voices when they talk to us in their news broadcasts, documentaries, movies or tech podcasts. They will often claim they have a feel for what the common man needs. BULL$#!+.

I've known this was true of journalists since the time I started paying attention. By that I mean after the kids are grown and you have more time to be aware of things which are happening around you. We all know that when raising children, there just isn't much time for doing anything else, period. But when the little rugrats are out producing rugrats of their own, it frees up your mind to take in and analyze the information you receive from various sources.

A good example was listening to a speech made by the president and then having the friendly members of the fourth estate explain what he said to me. Prior to the time I started paying attention, I would often just let them listen for me. I thought they were my friends. Boy was I ever wrong!

While some in the media obviously have a true agenda, there are others who just can't help themselves. They are coastal smurfs who were just raised believing that they are the chosen ones who are there to lead the rest of us out of the darkness. I have pity on them for they are truly the clueless ones. The ones destined to lead a lonely life in local news or until the time they figure out for themselves that they aren't as important as they thought they were.

Those media people who know what their true purpose in life is are far more dangerous. They know their mission is to indoctrinate the masses with the liberal agenda. It's just been a fact of growing up in this country for a long, long time now. At least until people like Rush Limbaugh and Fox news came along.

But make no mistake, while we now at least have a choice of what agenda mongers we get our news from, the bias is still there. It's just slanted the other way if you choose Fox news. For the record, I believe Fox news is closer to the actual truth than the liberal press, but they still present the facts with a conservative slant if you watch closely.

So what is a person to do? How is one supposed to get the news? The answer is pretty clear. You can choose sides and find a news source that you like and agree with or you can listen to both sides and make up your own mind. For the most part that is what I do. I read news on both the liberal and conservative websites and then decide which one to believe.

It's often not difficult as most of the liberal sites have toned their agenda way down to compete with Fox news. Competition is a great thing and for that reason I am grateful to Rush Limbaugh and Fox news for introducing it into the American news media. We are truly better informed than ever now!

Precious little to do

Although I said long ago when asked how I would fill time after I retire, I answered that I would have no problem at all, what with all my computer activities, and an old car to work on, etc. And for the most part, that has been true, but there are times when it seems like there is nothing to do.

Let me rephrase that just a bit, there is nothing I want to do. I have a Buick out in the garage, just sitting
there waiting to be worked on. In fact I started draining the oil the other day to change it, but I simply left the plug out and it has been draining ever since. I think it is no doubt drained by now.

I need to put the drain plug back in and remove the oil filter to completely finish the process. Then I need a new oil filter to replace the old one, but that means I have to drive all the way (a few blocks) to the O'Reilly auto parts store (they have one in stock),  to buy one. But my gas light is on, so that means I have to get gas, and that is a hassle. Nothing is ever simple.

There have also been unplanned activities to occupy my time such as ball games. My grandson (Billy) played high school baseball for the Seymour Owls and has done quite well. I really enjoy attending the games to watch them play, but that will soon end as he heads off to college this fall. No word yet on whether or not he will play ball in college.

Kylie

Lexi

And this past weekend, I played host to my granddaughters, Lexi (12) and Kylie (11), as their parents attended Billy's baseball invitational tournament in Carmel, Indiana, which is located just north of Indianapolis. I did enjoy that, even though they can be quite a handful at times. I raised a boy and a girl, but I think it is different when both siblings are the same sex and very close in age.

I usually have things available to fill the gaps left by the lack of other activities such as TV. I record certain shows I like to watch for when I eat meals, or have nothing else to do. As all of that is done here on my computer, it means I usually eat my meals here in front of the monitors. Lucky for me I have a keyboard that is easy to clean!

Plus there are certain times when I don't want to start an activity which I know I cannot finish due to something else. Like now I am waiting to hear back from the body shop to get an estimate for damage done to my car on April 19th. A friend visiting the neighbor across the street didn't see my car parked in front of my place and backed into it.

Damage was minor, but the door would not open, at least until my son-n-law (Randy) did some minor surgery with a hammer. The insurance company had me contact the shop I wanted to do the repairs for an estimate and pictures, but so far they have not gotten back to me. If they don't contact me by tomorrow morning, I will call and find out what the hold up is. I'm not in a big hurry as I can drive the car, but I do want it fixed.

My car is now parked in my driveway, but even that is a hassle as my oldest granddaughter (Jordan) lives with me and is always parked behind me. Not a problem when she is at work or school, but she sleeps odd hours due to her work schedule, so I never really know if she is asleep or awake and I hate to wake her to move her car. We need an extra set of keys so I can just move it when she is asleep. Another thing to add to my list of things to do that I don't want to do! LOL

And for those of you wondering, yes I am a very lazy person. I basically worked my whole life, (age 15-60), and I can't recall any job that I liked to do, mainly because I don't like to work. And so now that I don't have to work, at least things I don't want to do, I don't do them. I much prefer sitting here typing on a keyboard than doing any kind of manual labor, period!

This is what I need!

And my lack of physical activity shows, in both physique and stamina. One of the jobs I was charged with while the girls stayed with me was grocery shopping (another job I hate). The trip around the floor of Walmart about wore me out! Luckily I had the girls to bring in the sacks of food and put them away while I rested. Ah to be young again...


So yes I have things to do, but when you have a brain like mine that consistently makes a better argument for sitting here in my chair, what is a person to do? The power of persuasion is a beautiful thing. It actually doesn't take much of an argument as I already prefer doing nothing rather than something that involves me getting out of this chair.

My daughter (Autumn), bless her heart, tries to make me stay active, but it's a losing battle. I am the poster child for the lazy american. Having been this way all my life, it is very difficult to make changes now, especially since I don't really have to.

Been Awhile

Felt like posting on my blog today, first time in a long time. What caused this sudden desire to peck on my keyboard? This article I read in USA Today. Having visited 5 cities in the top ten, I felt somewhat qualified to make a comment or two.

#9 - Washington D.C.

It has been a long time since I've been to our nation's capital, but I do remember it well. Having been there several times, my worst recollection of driving here was entering and leaving the city, always a hassle. Traveling around in the city itself was bad, but no worse than any other major city in the country in my opinion.

On some visits,we rode the train in, but most of our traveling then was by foot. As educational as a visit to this city is, I feel whatever travel misery you suffer here it is worth it. And for the record, Washington D.C. is the 74th largest city by population in the world.

#5 - New York City

Having driven a little in this, the 8th most populated city in the world, I can only say that I agree with the article which places NYC 5th on their list. The highways are very crowded, but where I drove (entering via George Washinton bridge and driving north to Yonkers), the people seemed to be courteous and somewhat forgiving of tourists. No doubt driving in downtown Manhattan might not have been the same experience, but that is to be expected, I would think.

We did walk across the Brooklyn bridge and traffic there seemed to be moving at a good pace. No doubt not a rush-hour situation, but during the afternoon on the weekend instead. During our visit, all transportation in and out and around the city was by bus, trains and feet! Another educational experience, I'm glad I went and would like to go back again.

#3 - San Francisco

Number 3 in the top 10 worst, San Francisco isn't all that bad in my opinion. Of course I was only a passenger in the front seat of the car we were in, but I think you get a better perspective on how the traffic is this way. San Francisco-San Jose is listed as the 55th largest city in the world, but this is somewhat deceptive as Oakland is also part of the metropolitan area.

We drove in from the north on highway 101 and crossed into the city via the Golden Gate bridge. One of the best views I can ever remember. Once in the city we traveled by bus around the city and took a boat out to Alcatraz island. We exited the city to the south, again via highway 101, and to my way of thinking, the traffic didn't seem as bad as it did in NYC. Maybe it was different for the driver.

By the way, San Jose is number 7 on the list, but I included my impressions in with San Francisco. If it weren't for the signs, you would never know you left one city and entered another.

#1 - Los Angeles

Hands down, no doubt about it, the worst city I have ever driven in. I've been to LA twice now, once as the driver and once as the front seat passenger and both times I saw nothing that would cause me to think any differently.

As the 17th most populated city in the world, LA is spread out a lot more than most large cities. Most of the metro area is comprised of many smaller towns and cities, so it almost seems like you are in one huge city instead of many small ones.

Regardless of how it's laid out, it is crowded, have no doubt about that. Freeways going in all directions and mostly bumper to bumper, even if the speed does increase to the posted limit now and then. And driving on the surface streets in and around town is the worse. All you see are vehicles, everywhere you look!

I also found the drivers to be very rude, especially to those who are from places other than LA. It's almost like a competition to find an open spot on the freeway where someone will let you in. I have no desire to return to this city anytime soon.

Another large city you might expect to be on this list is Chicago, considering it is the 28th most populated city in the world, but apparently that is not the case. All of my trips in and around Chicago were most pleasant for such a large city. I guess midwesterners know how to keep things moving along!

January Update

Where have I been? Good question. I've been here, but either there wasn't anything to write about or I just didn't feel like writing about it. And no, there is nothing wrong with me, except the usual wintertime blues that happens to so many this time of the year.

I didn't feel like driving my car too far from home until it was fixed, so that meant no road trips to report on. The holidays were busy times and even though it was nice, I just didn't have time or the desire to write about it.

But thanks to Randy and Autumn, the car is once again functioning properly, for the most part, and I've even managed to drive to Vevay within the last week or so. Mom's birthday (86th) was the 8th, so I went down last Friday to take her out for lunch. Of course a trip to Wal-Mart was part of the deal so it ended up taking most of the day.

My sister Judy went along when we went to eat at Jewell's On Main in Warsaw, KY, but she didn't feel like making the trip to Madison for the Wal-Mart run. Can't say I blame her for that, I would have gotten out of it myself if at all possible.

Ordered and received the pair of hubs for the rear wheels on the car, so once the time is right and the weather decides to stay warm, they will be installed. Not a bad deal as I got both for $79.95 shipped and that includes a 2 year warranty.

The place I got them, 1AAuto on the web, even provides videos on how to change them out. It looks to be easy enough to do, so hopefully that can be accomplished before too long. I think if it makes a big difference I may go ahead and order ones for the front as well, but that can wait a bit.

The weather has been a little odd, after a couple of days of 60 degree high's, woke up this morning to 20 degrees showing on the Weatherbug app. Brrrrr, that's quite a change. I wanted to stay curled up in my bed where it was warm, but I got up instead.