atomicbride

Where'd the years go?

2007-03-04T17:25:00.000-08:00

I just viewed my own blog and found i hadn't been here for two years!
Must not be a priority?
Spending too much time on my new computer.
Learning is stimulating.
I need to get out of here and talk to some live people and fix some dinner.
Ain't that exciting!?
have fun

Onward and Upward

2007-03-01T15:28:00.000-08:00

After years using a Power Mac 8600/300 (upgraded to /700mhz) I found that I was falling behind in the old tech world. I couldn't access certain features in many online services because my 'browser' needed to be upgraded and I couldn't upgrade my browser because my system software couldn't be upgraded beyond OS 9.
I went to the local MAC dealer and looked at all the beautiful new iMac's, asked questions and found that the new dual processor machines couldn't run my old OS 9 programs.
I contacted a friend who had an iMac and he told me I'd have to find an older iMac with a single processor. So, off to EBay.
There were a number of machines for sale and I tried to be aware of the various configurations in each one. I finally found one that seemed like it would do the job and I started bidding. I won the bid for a 17" model selling at $775.00 (seemed too good to be true).
I emailed the seller and asked that he send me a tracking number when he shipped it. His reply was a bit iffy - like somehow this was an inconvenience...
Three days later I hadn't received any response to my request and he had my money through PayPal. I found his phone number through EBay and called him. He was there and said he'd ship it tomorrow.
Well, tomorrow came and so did an email from PayPal saying that my money was being refunded. What a scam! Guess the guy didn't like the price I bought it for.
I went back online and purchased a fine iMac 20" single processor and it's GREAT!

Long Time - No Sea

2005-12-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

Been a long time since I visited the beach to enjoy the day sunning my pot belly and pale skin.
Some days I drive down to the beach, park, then walk to the edge of the sand and look. Same scene nearly every day except for the weather and the people. Winter is the best for gazing at vacant beach and sunsets and ocassional dolphins. Surf here is uninteresting but I imagine taking off on some dumpy little shore break and getting smacked to the bottom. There isn't much to do other than watch out for the gang of gulls who'll eat anything that looks like lunch and crap on your car if you happen to park under a streetlight.
Sounds like I've lost interest. Ya, I have - but, I was in Oklahoma a while ago and there's nothing there to really look at but the people are fine and I guess that could compensate for the forlorn environment and depressed small towns half boarded up.
Today is fine with overhead grayness and a light drizzle. Nothing really going on other than guilt about not having bought everyone something for Christmas.
Happy New Year

Solstice

2005-06-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

First day of summer! Longest day of the year! Full Moon! and the grunion are running! What more could I ask for?
Maybe a decent price for gasoline for my hungry dependent car. Perhaps a pay raise after 13 years as a loyal worker to help compensate for unrealistic housing costs.
Maybe I could expect some security from the social system we all pay into and finally we could demand that we have some sort of basic health care - instead of warfare.
It's a beautiful day isn't it?

Happy New Year

2004-12-30T14:59:00.000-08:00

Pray for peace and for the souls lost in the tragedy from the tsunami.
Let's hope the U.S. didn't set it off with some deep sea experimental bomb test.
I don't trust the current administration to do anything but deceive everyone and attempt to dominate the world. One world order - illuminati - power to the people.
Think for yourself and speak up for things which are worthwhile and aren't for sale to the highest bidder. Stop the war waste. Bring our people home and divert the money to help those less fortunate than us. Bush is Bull.

No Time Like the Present

2004-10-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

There isn't much to say when you haven't much to say.
Since I still smoke cigarettes, I thought I'd do a photo essay called:

"Smokers - A Dying Breed"

It would depict the (often) lonely smoker standing outside next to an ashtray, getting the only fresh air around while enjoying the guilt of inhaling narcotics for sale at any market, liquor store or bar in the country.

No Time Like the Present

2004-10-27T21:21:00.000-07:00

What time is it?
I've been out of it most of my life.
What is "it" ?
All those things you learned which turned out to be untrue and all that time you spent learning that most everything is a waste of time.
It only takes 5 minutes to do most things.
What do you want to do for the next 5 minutes?
I have no clue.
Do you?

Tomorrow, Today will be Yesterday

2004-08-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Time Flys and Birds Keep Me Sane

2004-08-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

No matter what you think - it's only your imagination

2004-07-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

Best way to learn - jump right in !

2004-07-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

The Block

2004-07-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

I know it happens to everyone. I get an idea I want to write, but when it comes time to write my mind goes blank.
I used to enjoy using a manual typewriter and once attached pages together with tape to make an endless journal. The words just came and I didn't correct anything - sort of stream of consciousness. The mechanics of manual typewriters was more conducive to putting down the words. Now, the keyboard has so many different functions that I forget sometimes that its main function is to type words such as these.
My job requires that I create spreadsheets and data bases, accounting fact sheets and letters and notices.
So, I need to carry a little note pad with me to record ideas when they are fresh so later in the day I can rev up the old brain to recant all that brilliance now lost.

Compute this!

2004-07-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

Paying bills online is fine - but - paying two credit cards from the same company using two different methods is beyond the ability of the credit card company's comprehension. One Master Card and one Visa Card and each with a billing address which is different than the mailed out bill. I can only hope that the payment gets to some place that deducts my payment from my balance due.
I probably should have chosen a separate provider rather than the same company even though I like the terms of the company.
It will probably be OK (so I hope). I'll have to keep an eye on my money. (See my picture on this page).

Photos

2004-07-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

I just had to have a digital camera. I bought a Nikon and used it for awhile. I stopped using it when it became such a chore to print and catalog the images. I went back to my old Canon Sure-Shot.
Now I simply shoot a roll , take it to the store, they print 2-4x6 glossies and I'm happy. It's simple and direct.
I had an HP printer for photos and it works fine but if you insert the disc directly into the printer you have to know which coded file # you want to print (or print them all). You can set up viewers and all that, but what a pain in the butt!
So it's back to the basics and that's that.

DMV

2004-07-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

The notice came that I neede to appear at the DMV for my driver's license renewal. So I go online and make an appointment. I show up and am given a number and told to sit and wait 'till my number is called. So I sit with a handbook to help refresh my memory about the law and rules of the road. I had taken some sample tests on the web and had missed a few here and there. I was a bit anxious about the test but figured I knew enough to pass. My number gets called and I go to window 10 where I pay my money and am told to go to window 12 and have my picture taken. I do that and that's it! No test, and I'm out of there in less than half an hour. So, it pays to not have any tickets or accidents and to plan ahead with an online appointment. Easy.

Turn Back the Clock

2004-06-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yikes, I have to go to the DMV in a while to renew my driver's license. I've only been driving for 50 years and for the past 8 years they've renewed my license thru the mail. Today I get to have a new picture taken and have to take a written test. I just reviewed some sample tests and missed a few questions. Common sense rules! I hope I don't have to wait hours to get through the process. I've made an appointment via the Internet and hope they got the same appointment time as I have.
Stories about the DMV are like tales from the crypt (horrors). We'll see what happens.
Hey, someone just knocked on my door. Surprize! It was a great friend form Hawaii visiting - Yippee!
And away we go!

Opposites

2004-06-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Magnetic attraction is generally achieved when opposite poles are in the vicinity of each other. A recent science documentary spoke of the shifting of the magnetic fields of the earth. Suppose that as these fields shift, there is also a shift in human reaction based on magnetism and other elements affecting our nature. We are seldom aware of the influences of the natural world we live in. We have surrounded ourselves with work chores , TV and electronics buzzing around us all the time. We all differ in our reception to these elements. The weather can change our moods as well as our ability to cope with daily functions. Some folks have super sensitive hearing and high pitched frequencies drive them crazy. Most of us live in a dull bubble, filtering the noises surrounding us. When was the last time you experienced silence? I mean total quiet? I live within a few blocks of Hwy 101 and traffic never stops. Next door is a nursery and they run a tractor all day long every day except Sunday. There is a marked difference between Sunday and the rest of the week. It's relatively quiet. I like peace and quiet - but - it's hard to find. I lived on an island in Canada years ago and it was the first and only place where I experienced total quiet and total darkness on moonless nights. It was wonderful. Why'd I leave?
It started drizzling everyday. I asked, "How long does this last?" The answer, "About 6 months". Oh... I'm out of here...

Another day

2004-06-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Having another day preparing for future events. Ah, the planning needed and the notices I have to send to inform people that we are going to seal-coat the streets. What a pain in the behind. We literally have to shut down the facility and either everyone has to stay at home all day or disappear for the day.
I don't like doing some things in my job and this is one of them. Trying to satisfy the needs of 170 other people is impossible - so I just plug along doing the best I can to inform everyone of what's going to happen.
Aside from all this, everything seems to be OK. Funny how different my attitude is, now that I'm a bit older than I ever imagined. I just don't have the enthusiasm I once had. The spark is gone. Speaking of sparks, please be careful this July 4th. Drought conditions exist and carelessness causes problems for everyone. Remember to be considerate of others no matter how inconsiderate they are to you.
Tell the truth. It's easy and you don't have to remember anything.

Correct or not

2004-06-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

By rushing into last night, I didn't spell some words correctly. Russian, etc.
Also, I am apparently not up to speed with housing prices. Today's Headline in BOLD type reads, "South Coast Median Price Hits New Threshold - THE $1 MILLION HOME".
Trying to keep up with the latest is a job in itself. Saw Fahrenheit 9/11 last night. What amazed me more than the film was the crowd that filled the theatre for 3 screenings.
Lots of resentment toward Geo. W. Bush for his decisions. I really don't think the guy has a clue about what he is doing.
Anyway, have a great day and enjoy yourself.

Rushin'

2004-06-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

Not Rissian - it's rushin' - in a hurry. Has the pace of life quickened? I think so. Everytime I have something to do there are too many things to do to get there before I start to go. Oh, I try to act like everything is so casual and nothing is so important that I have to get all worked up about it - but - "getting ready" is a pain.
I like to just go "as is" but sometimes that isn't acceptable since I smell bad and look as though I don't care (which I usually don't). I've spent a lot of time worrying about how I appear to others. Over the years I've learnefd that there are so many people who really don't care that most of the time I look better than they do (without even trying). Not to be a snob about it but the public is a big field to play in and how you look has little to do with anything other than how you look to someone else. And who is the critic? Usually yourself! So be good to yourself.

Maintain

2004-06-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

To maintain what I have is a full time job but I only work at it part-time. So much stuff has been accumulated over the years and I get tired just thinking about it, so I don't. Only when I need something do I realize I have only my memory to lead me to where something might be. I can visualize where I think it will be (most likely) then hope for the best. I usually find what I am looking for but this computer stuff is beyond memory. What eludes me most are user names and passwords. I have a list and that helps but when it comes to my servers and information about some long gone link I become befuddled and have so many notebooks full of notes that the paperless world is buried in paper.
Thank god for shredders.

Relative

2004-06-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be interesting if everything was free.
I know it wouldn't work because all things are not equal.
But the value of some things have skyrocketed, especially in areas where the climate and surroundings seem more desireable.
Housing in California has become like gold. Hard to find and worth a lot more than its weight.
The 1st hous eI bought was on an acre of hillside land in Topanga Canyon and cost $28,000. When it was sold it went for $48,000. Then a year later is sold for $90k and that was in the 70's.
I have no idea what that place is worth today.
My folks bought a house in Santa Monica in 1947 for $14,000. In 1986 it sold for $300,000 and was torn down in 13 minutes and replaced with a much larger version for an additional $275,000 and sold for well over a million.
I never bought another house and now live in a mobile home park for the aged. My home is worth 4 times what I'm paying for it.
Doesn't matter that it's worth more because I couldn't afford to buy anything else in today's market that would be an improvement over what I have.
So, it's all relative but someone out there is making a lot more money than I am to be able to afford the median priced homes in this area for a million bucks!
Since older homes and property are worth so much why is it that older people are valued less?
You are going to get older (no doubt about that). Are you ready?

New day To Day

2004-06-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

So I jump over to my own site with this bloggin' thanks to Neon

New day To Day

2004-06-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

So I jump over to my own site with this bloggin' thanks to Neon

Practice

2004-06-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Practice and repetition can cause improvements (or not). Much of what we do has been honed by repetition to the point of nonsense and eventual boredom.
After many years of the same simple tasks I sometimes can't recall whether I've done something or not. Worst of all is waking up without a thought in my wee brain.
Days are so similar (at times) that I recently had no reference point as to what day of the week it was. Obviously it didn't matter too much since my routine is carried out by rote most of the time.
Is rote writ rite?
Nonsense will prevail.
Here.