T'was the night before Oscar and all through the press,
Every entry was X-rayed for signs of distress.
The critics have listed their picks for the prizes
Dimming our hopes for any surprises.
Unless, of course, a long shot comes in
Leaving some critics with looks of chagrin
To the casual viewer watching at home
As Hollywood revels in bubbles and foam
Glittering and gleaming and holding back tears
While bravely facing down terrors and fears
We chuckle and wonder at this annual display
Of awards and thank you's beamed far away
The show must go on ..and on.. and on
Sometimes it goes on almost till dawn
Or just seems that way
To those who can't stay
Awake long enough to see the end.
We'll read or hear about it soon enough
With all the other fluff and stuff.
No doubt it will be a glorious sight
And to all who participate a pleasant good night.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Recipe for Muddling
Ever wonder how the day got away from you? Or were you just muddling through without paying too much attention. Try my recipe:
Rise at a reasonable hour and have a leisurely breakfast while thumbing through your favorite newspaper. A real newspaper you can fold to fit on the breakfast table and not have to squint to read. IMPORTANT: Don't get upset at what's happening around the world. Interested, of course. Contemplative, good. But don't get your dander up. It takes too much energy, you probably won't be able to do anything about it anyway and you won't be able to muddle further.
Now comes the tough part. Should you take your wife shopping or go to the gym for a workout? How about both? Good idea, keeps the wife happy and tones your body. And then it's time for lunch. Possibly even a late lunch.
A post-gym shower and shave brings you to mid-afternoon and tea time. Check email once in a while and play a game or two of Spider Solitaire just as a change of pace.
Before you know it it's the cocktail hour and you are sipping your favorite beverage while catching up on the papers you didn't read earlier in the day.
Did I hear the call for supper already? Time to catch up with each other if we didn't spend the entire day together.
After dinner, a few hours of television, watching shows we've recorded so we can skip through the commercials, and then time to blog. I blog, she either reads or naps.
And then to bed, as Samuel Pepys would say.
See, another day muddled through. Did not solve world problems, did not spend a lot of money, tried not to annoy anyone, tried to improve the mind and set the stage for another adventure in the modern world.
All the best.
Rise at a reasonable hour and have a leisurely breakfast while thumbing through your favorite newspaper. A real newspaper you can fold to fit on the breakfast table and not have to squint to read. IMPORTANT: Don't get upset at what's happening around the world. Interested, of course. Contemplative, good. But don't get your dander up. It takes too much energy, you probably won't be able to do anything about it anyway and you won't be able to muddle further.
Now comes the tough part. Should you take your wife shopping or go to the gym for a workout? How about both? Good idea, keeps the wife happy and tones your body. And then it's time for lunch. Possibly even a late lunch.
A post-gym shower and shave brings you to mid-afternoon and tea time. Check email once in a while and play a game or two of Spider Solitaire just as a change of pace.
Before you know it it's the cocktail hour and you are sipping your favorite beverage while catching up on the papers you didn't read earlier in the day.
Did I hear the call for supper already? Time to catch up with each other if we didn't spend the entire day together.
After dinner, a few hours of television, watching shows we've recorded so we can skip through the commercials, and then time to blog. I blog, she either reads or naps.
And then to bed, as Samuel Pepys would say.
See, another day muddled through. Did not solve world problems, did not spend a lot of money, tried not to annoy anyone, tried to improve the mind and set the stage for another adventure in the modern world.
All the best.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
I Love Thursday!
I love Thursdays because that's the day the New York Times devotes a whole section to the latest techno-gizmos coming to market that I will never buy. But I enjoy reading about them.
David Pogue started off my day by writing about the mad scramble to buy the iPad when it was introduced and now here come the clones. "Starting Thursday (I presume he meant today), you'll be able to buy one of the most eagerly awaited iPad rivals: the Motorola Xoom."
Guess what, David? Not only am I not waiting for my chance to buy a Motorola Xoom for $800, I didn't know or care it was coming to a store near me. I am definitely not an early adaptor.
Also featured in today's personal tech section was a story on swindlers attacking iPhones. I don't have one.
And there seems to be great enthusiasm for watching the Oscar broadcast Sunday night on assorted mobile devices. I'll be sitting on my couch watching on TV.
Nintendo, I read, is coming out with a pocket-size game system offering 3-D viewing without glasses. At $250 per, not in my pocketbook.
And for $200 you can get a prepaid phone with an unlimited music plan. But if I read the story right you need to pay an additional $55 for the service with unlimited voice, text, data and music. Not a tune I'm dancing to.
So keep the stories coming each Thursday, NYT. They make me feel so much richer knowing I don't have to have them.
David Pogue started off my day by writing about the mad scramble to buy the iPad when it was introduced and now here come the clones. "Starting Thursday (I presume he meant today), you'll be able to buy one of the most eagerly awaited iPad rivals: the Motorola Xoom."
Guess what, David? Not only am I not waiting for my chance to buy a Motorola Xoom for $800, I didn't know or care it was coming to a store near me. I am definitely not an early adaptor.
Also featured in today's personal tech section was a story on swindlers attacking iPhones. I don't have one.
And there seems to be great enthusiasm for watching the Oscar broadcast Sunday night on assorted mobile devices. I'll be sitting on my couch watching on TV.
Nintendo, I read, is coming out with a pocket-size game system offering 3-D viewing without glasses. At $250 per, not in my pocketbook.
And for $200 you can get a prepaid phone with an unlimited music plan. But if I read the story right you need to pay an additional $55 for the service with unlimited voice, text, data and music. Not a tune I'm dancing to.
So keep the stories coming each Thursday, NYT. They make me feel so much richer knowing I don't have to have them.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Self-Dialing Cell Phone
My wife makes cell phone calls from her pocket. More accurately, the phone makes calls from her pocket.
For example, we were in our house about two feet apart getting ready to go out when my cell phone rang. It was my wife's cell phone calling, but not her. Her phone was in her pants pocket. How could this be?
We both have Samsung Intensity phones and they lock automatically when not in use. You have to unlock them to make a call. So how can the phone unlock itself to make a call when in a pocket?
To get the answer we visited a Verizon store and my wife showed a nice service rep her cell phone and explained the mystery of the pocket calls. We examined the phone carefully and found that the zero on the phone face also offered a way to lock and unlock the phone.
Apparentlly, my wife has the ability to bend over in such a way that her hip unlocks the phone. And, in this case, since my speed dial number is right above the zero, I was called. Naturally, I answered the call and said: "Yes?" Then we laughed.
And now she has a new phone case that we hope will forestall further pocket calls.
Next problem: getting the phone out of the case to answer an incoming call.
She promises to practice.
For example, we were in our house about two feet apart getting ready to go out when my cell phone rang. It was my wife's cell phone calling, but not her. Her phone was in her pants pocket. How could this be?
We both have Samsung Intensity phones and they lock automatically when not in use. You have to unlock them to make a call. So how can the phone unlock itself to make a call when in a pocket?
To get the answer we visited a Verizon store and my wife showed a nice service rep her cell phone and explained the mystery of the pocket calls. We examined the phone carefully and found that the zero on the phone face also offered a way to lock and unlock the phone.
Apparentlly, my wife has the ability to bend over in such a way that her hip unlocks the phone. And, in this case, since my speed dial number is right above the zero, I was called. Naturally, I answered the call and said: "Yes?" Then we laughed.
And now she has a new phone case that we hope will forestall further pocket calls.
Next problem: getting the phone out of the case to answer an incoming call.
She promises to practice.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Case of the Missing Checks
I just emailed the Newark Star Ledger suggesting they look into the case of the missing checks. Seems we are not the only ones who have trouble with technology today.
Here's the story. In late January my wife completed the registration renewal form for her car and sent it in with her check for the proper amount to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Well, it's a month later and we still haven't received the renewed registration.
Being concerned, she called Trenton and was steered to a department called Correction and Data Base. Notice a whole department for correcting their data base. Turns out they really need it.
A nice woman there told my wife that there was "a problem" with checks received in late January. "When were you going to tell us this," my wife asked. "We're not," said the nice woman. "So how do I get my registration renewed?" my wife asked. "Fax us a copy of your check, front and back," the lady answered.
So we will do this. But, we wonder, how many other people are unaware their checks went missing? And whatever happened to those missing checks? The dog ate them?
Ironically, not too long ago, I received a one-year extention on my auto inspection sticker. Didn't even ask for it and didn't know I was eligible for it.
Motor Vehicle works in mysterious ways its public to confuse.
Here's the story. In late January my wife completed the registration renewal form for her car and sent it in with her check for the proper amount to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Well, it's a month later and we still haven't received the renewed registration.
Being concerned, she called Trenton and was steered to a department called Correction and Data Base. Notice a whole department for correcting their data base. Turns out they really need it.
A nice woman there told my wife that there was "a problem" with checks received in late January. "When were you going to tell us this," my wife asked. "We're not," said the nice woman. "So how do I get my registration renewed?" my wife asked. "Fax us a copy of your check, front and back," the lady answered.
So we will do this. But, we wonder, how many other people are unaware their checks went missing? And whatever happened to those missing checks? The dog ate them?
Ironically, not too long ago, I received a one-year extention on my auto inspection sticker. Didn't even ask for it and didn't know I was eligible for it.
Motor Vehicle works in mysterious ways its public to confuse.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Headline: "Blogs Wane as the Young Drift to Sites Like Twitter"
Let 'em drift, I say. More room on the internet for folks like me who blog because it's fun. The headline is on a story in today's New York Times. It describes exactly why I don't Facebook, Twit or otherwise keep my friends and family up to date on my every activity.
First of all, its none of their business. If I want them to know something important I'll tell them directly rather than involve the entire digital world.
I also blog rather than use other social networks because:
1. I write for myself. But if you can identify with me I hope you find my observations interesting or amusing.
2. I am not too busy to write more than 140 characters and I'm not dismayed by a lack of followers. (However, you are more than welcome to join me.)
3. I decided early on NOT to engage in the usual political rants tempting as that may be. Why be just another crank when you can aim your crankiness to the technology I find overwhelming.
I'm encouraged by the comments in the Times' story by Lee Rainie, director of the Inernet and American Life Project, who says "the act of telling your story and sharing part of your life with somebody is alive and well--even more so than at the dawn of blogging."
And here is the nub of the story from my viewpoint. As the Times writes: "While the younger generation is losing interest in blogging, people approaching middle age and older are sticking with it." The story then cites statistics showing increased blogging in all age groups from 34-45-year-olds, 46-55- year-olds and 65-73-year-olds. (Disclosure: I am off their charts but still actively blogging, at least for now.)
A 72-year-old retiree from California said it best in the Times' story: "I'd rather spend my time writing up a blog analysis than a whole bunch of short paragraphs...I don't need to tell people I'm going to the grocery store."
And guess what my wife was doing while I was reading this story this morning. She was WRITING A LETTER. You know, with pen, ink, paper and words, one letter at a time until they made complete sentences. It also required an envelope and a stamp, and will be delivered by the Post Office. Remarkable.
We really are from another world.
First of all, its none of their business. If I want them to know something important I'll tell them directly rather than involve the entire digital world.
I also blog rather than use other social networks because:
1. I write for myself. But if you can identify with me I hope you find my observations interesting or amusing.
2. I am not too busy to write more than 140 characters and I'm not dismayed by a lack of followers. (However, you are more than welcome to join me.)
3. I decided early on NOT to engage in the usual political rants tempting as that may be. Why be just another crank when you can aim your crankiness to the technology I find overwhelming.
I'm encouraged by the comments in the Times' story by Lee Rainie, director of the Inernet and American Life Project, who says "the act of telling your story and sharing part of your life with somebody is alive and well--even more so than at the dawn of blogging."
And here is the nub of the story from my viewpoint. As the Times writes: "While the younger generation is losing interest in blogging, people approaching middle age and older are sticking with it." The story then cites statistics showing increased blogging in all age groups from 34-45-year-olds, 46-55- year-olds and 65-73-year-olds. (Disclosure: I am off their charts but still actively blogging, at least for now.)
A 72-year-old retiree from California said it best in the Times' story: "I'd rather spend my time writing up a blog analysis than a whole bunch of short paragraphs...I don't need to tell people I'm going to the grocery store."
And guess what my wife was doing while I was reading this story this morning. She was WRITING A LETTER. You know, with pen, ink, paper and words, one letter at a time until they made complete sentences. It also required an envelope and a stamp, and will be delivered by the Post Office. Remarkable.
We really are from another world.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Digital Enough?
As much as I'm dazzled by the wonders of the techno-age there are a couple of things I do like and use. Email, for instance. I don't need to broadcast my doings every moment of the day, a la twitterers, but I do find email a convenient way to communicate with friends and family when necessary or desirable.
Strike, necessary. For that there's always the telephone or even the cell phone, another device I find handy.
Now that we've recovered from the jet lag left by our return from Israel, I downloaded the photos we took of our children, grand-children and great-grand-children to my PC and emailed selected shots to stateside relatives.
They were nice enough to email back that they received the photos and liked them a lot. Very satisfying for all parties.
So there you have it. I communicate casually by email, I use a cell phone and transfer digital photos to my PC. I email them directly to friends and relatives. I even have an iPod which I listen to when working out at the gym.
I can't say how much further I'm willing or able to plunge into the digital world. But I'll keep an open mind.
Never say never.
Strike, necessary. For that there's always the telephone or even the cell phone, another device I find handy.
Now that we've recovered from the jet lag left by our return from Israel, I downloaded the photos we took of our children, grand-children and great-grand-children to my PC and emailed selected shots to stateside relatives.
They were nice enough to email back that they received the photos and liked them a lot. Very satisfying for all parties.
So there you have it. I communicate casually by email, I use a cell phone and transfer digital photos to my PC. I email them directly to friends and relatives. I even have an iPod which I listen to when working out at the gym.
I can't say how much further I'm willing or able to plunge into the digital world. But I'll keep an open mind.
Never say never.
The Drawer
Ever go looking for something and find everything but? Today was one of those days and, boy, did I throw out stuff.
I was looking for a golf cleat wrench which I know I have. I just can't remember where it is. So I started looking in several drawers where I thought it might be. Naturally, it wasn't in any of them.
But I did find and got rid of a bunch of loose shoelaces, a stack of old golf score cards from places I played, visited and never played but kept as souvenirs, two combination locks I no longer remember or have the combinations to, dried up tubes of glue and other assorted odds and ends.
Some stuff actually worth saving got moved to the basement and one drawer got dusted and washed down. Then all its contents were replaced to wait for the next time I'm looking for something that isn't there.
The hunt is still on for the cleat wrench and who knows what else will end up in the trash bin in the process.
Stay tuned.
I was looking for a golf cleat wrench which I know I have. I just can't remember where it is. So I started looking in several drawers where I thought it might be. Naturally, it wasn't in any of them.
But I did find and got rid of a bunch of loose shoelaces, a stack of old golf score cards from places I played, visited and never played but kept as souvenirs, two combination locks I no longer remember or have the combinations to, dried up tubes of glue and other assorted odds and ends.
Some stuff actually worth saving got moved to the basement and one drawer got dusted and washed down. Then all its contents were replaced to wait for the next time I'm looking for something that isn't there.
The hunt is still on for the cleat wrench and who knows what else will end up in the trash bin in the process.
Stay tuned.
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