April, 2005
2005.04.30 — Alfred, Ohio. Jeanie went out with the girls tonight. Joe and Angie came over to keep me company. It was a pleasant evening.
2005.04.29 — Alfred, Ohio. The photography class that I took is taught online by a very nice chap from Canada, eh. Al Mierau has his own web site and places a few photos from his students on it. Take a look: http://mierau.ca/students4.html, halfway down the page. He is taking the summer off but expects to teach another course this fall. The cost? $25 USD for six weeks of comments and suggestions from him and the other members of the class. I HIGHLY recommend it if you are at all interested in photography. It will be available through LVS Online.
2005.04.28 — Alfred, Ohio. Jeanie sent these to me. I want to work for Qantas when I grow up.
After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a “gripe sheet,” which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems; document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor.
Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas’ pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers. By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident…Enjoy!
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.
P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.
P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That’s what they’re for.
P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect your right.
P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like midget pounding on something with hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget
2005.04.27 — Alfred, Ohio. Photos from our recent family get together.
mouse over to pause, click to enlarge
2005.04.25 — Alfred, Ohio. Dennis headed to Texas today. His work requires that he be there for a couple of weeks several times a year.
2005.04.24 — Cincinnati, Ohio. I enjoyed a nice visit with Dad and Aunt Pat today before heading home. There was a half inch of snow on the ground when we got up in the morning but it quickly melted. Nick and his friends had already left for Morehead before I got home.
Tonight when I got home, Lisa had double Nascar race recaps waiting for me. One for Texas and another for Phoenix.
2005.04.23 — Alfred, Ohio. It is cold and dreary today. Fortunately, I’m heading to Cincinnati today to visit with my Dad. That is SouthWest of here. Maybe the sun will be shining or it will be warmer there. :)
2005.04.22 — Alfred, Ohio. Rain and cooler weather today. Had the timing belt replaced on Jeanie’s car today. This was a very busy week and I am just now catching up on my reading and writing.
Nick stopped in tonight with two friends from college. They are headed to a welcome home from Iraq party for one of his friends. Hard to believe that it has been nearly a year since they graduated from high school.
2005.04.21 — Alfred, Ohio. A fellow I work with is trying to reserve for himself a special place in Hades. He and one of his friends (not me) are already telling jokes about Pope Benedict XVI. For example…
There are more, but I think it unwise for me to publish them. Russell is more bold than I so I’ll leave it to him. He published an article in his blog titled Pope as a metaphor that drew some interesting comparisons to what Hitler would have wanted to do had he succeeded and what is going on today.
2005.04.20 — Alfred, Ohio. Still beautiful, warm and dry. Too dry. Cooler wet weather is forecast for tomorrow. The redbud is in full bloom as is the apple tree. Lilacs opened for the first time and the crab apple is just about to blossom.
2005.04.19 — Alfred, Ohio. A wire shorted on the car yesterday causing a main fuse to blow. It has been fixed. Anyone need a ride?
2005.04.18 — Alfred, Ohio. Steve Gereg had an email waiting for me this evening when I settled in for the evening. Thanks Steve, it helped put another perspective on my day.
Nick and I started the day with a quick round trip to Parkersburg. Nick headed for Morehead, Kentucky when we returned. Jeanie and I needed to take Steve and Mary Ellen to the airport in Akron. We made it about half way when Jeanie’s car decided to quit running on I-77 near Cambridge. Steve missed his flight to Boston. Mary Ellen’s mom picked up Steve and Mary Ellen. They will be able to get Steve to the airport in the morning. The car was towed to Parkersburg. Jeanie and I rented a car, drove home, picked up the truck, dropped off film we shot this weekend, returned the rental, picked up the photos on the drive home, and got the Lumina running. There were a few very nice photos in the bunch. Nick made it back to Morehead without event. All in all, everyone took the turn of events in good humor. In the great scheme of things, it was a pretty good day.
2005.04.17 — Alfred, Ohio. This morning Jean, Eph, Joe, Angie, Steve, Mary Ellen, Nick, Jeanie and I all had breakfast at the Coolspot. The social hour outside the building was as much fun as breakfast. Later in the day we saw Sarah pitch a game of fast pitch softball in Athens. Of course Mitch and Katie were there. Steve and Paula also came to see Sarah pitch. Everyone got more sun than we expected but otherwise had a good time.
2005.04.16 — Alfred, Ohio. Mowed more grass. Steve and Mary Ellen arrived from Boston this afternoon. We all head over to Joe and Angie’s place for a very pleasant bonfire and cookout. This was our first get together since the wedding. Jeanie and I feel blessed to have our children all doing well and able to enjoy each others company. Thank you Joe and Angie for setting this up and having us over.
2005.04.15 — Alfred, Ohio. Happy Birthday Gary!
Had lunch with Jeanie today. Bought a pickup load of much for the garden. Nick arrived from Morehead this evening. Mowed some grass.
Here is my weekly photography assignment if anyone is on a high speed connection and is interested. The skateboard and pear blossom shots are pretty decent.
2005.04.14 — Alfred, Ohio. Here is a new twist on an old scam. You might just want to take a moment to read this one. I only mention it because I have had similar legitimate calls from the bank. Last Christmas we purchased several items online using a credit card and the bank called to verify that we were making these purchases as we normally don’t spend much that way.
The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name) and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA (or any other credit card issuer). My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card, which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?"
When you say "No," the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address). Is that correct?"
You say "yes." The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6-digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says he needs to verify you are in possession of your card. He'll ask you to "Turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card."
The caller will ask you to read him the 3 numbers. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do," and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number.
What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call the credit card issuer directly for verification of the conversation. The card issuer will NEVER ask for anything on the card (they already know).
Call the card issuer immediately! Your identify has been compromised.
2005.04.12 — Alfred, Ohio. Joe and Angie asked to come over and talk with us later tonight. It seems a might unusual to keep mum on good news; but, in Joe’s words, it is “Nothing bad.” In fact, Angie has been hinting in her blog for a couple of days that something nice may soon happen to them. It should be fun to hear whatever is going on. I’ll keep you posted (if they permit).
2005.04.11 — Alfred, Ohio. Nascar should find a way to pay Lisa for all of the publicity she is generating for them by writing her weekly recaps. This week the Nascar race was held at the Martinsville Speedway.
2005.04.09 — Alfred, Ohio. Nick is in town this weekend. Last night he went over to Joe and Angie’s. Tonight he is out with Josh.
Started mowing grass today. The old mower was difficult to start, ran a couple of laps and then perished. It has a 3.75 h.p. Briggs and Statton engine on a 22″ body manufactured by Huskie. What a waste of money. Today I headed for Walmart to buy something else. Jeanie wanted me to buy a good one. On the way to Pomeroy, I was holding an internal debate with myself trying to decide whether to spend more on a good one (like I thought the Huskie was going to be) or just buy the cheapest thing available. The True Value Hardware and lumber yard caught my eye before reaching Walmart so I pulled in there hoping that I wouldn’t have to buy from Walmart. TIP to all the little merchants attempting to compete against Walmart: Just offer me something in the ballpark and don’t make me feel like I’m being robbed and you can still have my business. The lumber yard had something with a Briggs and Statton engine, a White mower with a Tecumseh engine, and a Honda mower and engine. Nice… a selection. The Briggs and Stratton was immediately disqualified in my mind. Unless they do something to make my old engine run, they may have already received my last purchase of anything they make. I figure the Honda would run and run and run and I was sorely tempted to buy it. But, for the same reason that I decided to try the lumber yard rather than Walmart I decided to give the White mower a chance. The price was more than I wanted to pay but it didn’t seem too far off. White is a very old brand name, as is Tecumseh. This machine was made in Canada so I was willing to give the 20″ White with 6.5 h.p. Tecumseh engine a try. My opinion of U.S. made engines and vehicles is pretty well known and not very good. Jeanie and I both are liking the “feel” of it so far. All that it has to do is continue running I’ll be real happy with it.
2005.04.08 — Alfred, Ohio. I was talking with my neighbor the other day and asked him about the old “Chew Mail Pouch” paintings on the side of barns. He had always wanted one of those so I suggested he paint me a sign. “Buy the paint, tell me what you want it to say, and I’ll do it” he said. Well, I bought the paint and today we did it. What do you think?
For those of you who are following my photography class and have a high speed connection, here is week four. The assignment was to shoot moving objects making them appear frozen and make others appear blurred. He also wanted a couple of composition shots. There are a dozen images so don’t try this on dail-up. P.S. the barn shot and story above is a belated April Fool’s story.
Lisa delivers another recap of the Nascar race held at Bristol Motor Speedway this past Sunday. I assumed that all race tracks were the same. Not so! The photos from Bristol and Martinsville clearly show major differences between the two tracks.
2005.04.05 — Alfred, Ohio. Allan sent his story, “Mr. Jack” and Bib-Overalls at “Low-retty Lynn’s”, to me a couple of days ago. The weather has been so nice that I’ve been slacking off. My apology for the delay. I was fascinated to learn the difference between a black label (which I had heard of) and a green label (which I had never heard of). I'm thinking Allan must have meant red label, but... I happen to know that aging IS the difference between black and red. It says so right on the label. :)
2005.04.03 — Alfred, Ohio. How do you go about selecting a pope? Nearly all of the people that will cast a ballot have never done it before. Nearly all of them were appointed by John Paul II. This could well be the only time they ever make such a choice. Were it a simple civil matter, you would imagine the successor would be very similar to John Paul II. But… this is not merely a civil matter. Besides, communism has been defeated and our needs have changed. Here is how I see it unfolding.
Before John Paul II, we always (for over 450 years anyway) have had an Italian as Pope. My guess is that we will either have another Italian or one from a third world country. I think it highly unlikely that the next will come from a wealthy country like the U.S. South America has a lot of Catholics and would be a huge consideration for me if I were voting. But again, this is not about politics or geography.
I also think it very unlikely that they will vote for a young person. They will probably want someone who will serve as a transition to the next one. Given the life expectancy of people these days, I would expect the next pope to be in his mid 70’s or in frail health.
It will be interesting to see the personality of the next pope. Given the age requirement I imagine, it seems reasonable to expect that the next will be more dour than the last. I don’t imagine a smiling, Internet savy, emailing pope on this go round. Next time perhaps.
Bottom line: the people who elect the next pope will sincerely pray for guidance and vote their conscience. There is not likely a clear cut favorite at the moment. God willing, I look for a very humble one to be elected in about two or three weeks. Poverty will be his agenda.
2005.04.02 — Alfred, Ohio. The price of gasoline went up twenty cents yesterday in these parts. That is obscene. I hope the greedy bastards continue to raise the price. Eventually, that will motivate someone to get off his or her duff and devise an alternative source of energy.
We played a terrible April Fools joke on Mary Ellen. It turned out OK, but I thought it was pretty cruel. We really do love you Mary Ellen. Paybacks are hell son.
Tonight is a big basketball game. If Louisville wins, I’ve still got a chance of beating Steve in the NCAA brackets this year. Update: I owe Steve a nickle.
For anyone interested and has a high speed connection, here is my film homework for week three. The assignment was to focus on a subject and make the background out of focus. It is not terribly difficult but was suprised at some of the images.
2005.04.01 — Alfred, Ohio. Google has a pretty funny site this morning. Check out the Google Gulp products. You might have to read beyond the first page to really appreciate it.
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