Saturday, August 31, 2019
The Big Hurricane
Hurricane Dorian is on an unpredictable path. Will it strike
Florida first or head to Georgia and the Carolinas?
People are doing their best to prepare. The winds are up to 150 mph. So much can change before it strikes
land.
Hopefully, it dies down and becomes a tropical storm.
Friday, August 30, 2019
No Time For Donuts
Some people are willing to wait in lines for almost anything. Often there is no choice except to put up with it.
Popular restaurants are
known for long waits. People will even stay in line for thirty minutes to buy a donut.
I saw that story on Facebook
the other day. They had no issue waiting that long.
That won't ever be me. My last donut was in 1989. I don't plan
on eating one soon.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Not On The Water
Big cities have major
transportation problems. There are too many cars on the streets and not enough dependable subways and buses.
Ideas are always proposed, but they often cost enormous amounts of money to make them a reality.
A recent proposal to increase water shuttles in Boston sounds good, but it will only appeal to a
small segment of the population. Riders would be mostly from out of town and engaged in jobs where the cost didn't matter.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Keep Standing & Paddle
It's hard to believe that anyone could paddle board
from San Francisco to Hawaii, but someone just did the 2,900 mile trip in 76 days.
No matter what, they made it with a small window
to beat the record. They had enough supplies for 90 days.
What happens after that?
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Just Another Plan
We recently saw the latest plans to build over the Mass
Turnpike in Boston. So many developers have failed before. Why will this one succeed?
It's a very ambitious plan that really maximizes the space. I like it, but don't think it will ever
be built in this form.
The main goal for all is to start the job. It has never
happened so far.
Monday, August 26, 2019
The Last of the 19's
The auto industry spends a fortune on television ads to
get buyers to their dealership.
Everything
always seems to be on close out or end of the year deals.
When I bought my 2019 Toyota Corolla at the end of May, they implied in their ads that it was all about
getting them out the door on great deals for the customer.
I certainly got a great deal.
I enjoy watching a lot of the ads, but not all.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Ship Is Disappearing
There was a story on
the news yesterday about the deterioration of the ruins of the Titanic.
An unmanned submarine recorded video for the first time
in fifteen years which showed pronounced crumbling of all parts of the remains.
Not much can be done about it, especially at that depth. What is happening is just a natural course of events.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Live On Camera
After hearing a story,
I checked out a website that offers live streaming services for funerals. It's a new thing in the funeral industry.
I think it has great potential. It gives the family the ability to digitally archive it for future
generations.
It's not for everyone, but there is a select market out
there.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
The T Is Late
The MBTA faces a daily challenge to keep its equipment running
and make timely trips for passengers. It doesn't always work out.
The newest plan to issue 10,000 transit passes to Boston Public School students in grades 7-12 should be interesting.
Kids would never want to depend on the T to get them to school on time. People in the working world
are chronically late for work because of the T.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Just Read
I keep reserving great titles at my local library. So many
great ones.
I will never live long enough to read the books I want to
read.
Knowledge is important.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Loudest of 2019
In the last 30 minutes, we had a very loud and violent thunder
storm. It sounded so close. I hope it didn't strike anything.
It rained very hard for about 20 minutes and then it was all gone. Such a strange storm.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
A Time To Print
I wonder if they will print newspapers
ten years from now. They are disappearing too soon.
It's all about the bottom line dollar. They need a profit to stay alive.
I hope they keep printing papers for a long time, but the future is very vague.
Friday, August 16, 2019
Climbing Isn't That Safe
Mt Everest is so dangerous to try and conquer. Nine climbers
died this year on the Nepal side.
People
literally got sick or died from lack of oxygen while waiting in line to get to the summit. The human traffic jam was bizarre
to see. It got worse when people died.
The
Nepal government will now require climbers to show proof of scaling tall peaks, possess adequate training and provide certifications
of good personal health and insurance to cover any potential rescue attempts.
It won't be a perfect system, but something needs to be done to prevent needless deaths during the experience
of a lifetime.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Can't Call The Fire Department
I saw a story of wild fires in the Arctic. It's happening
in parts of Siberia, Alaska and Greenland.
Satellite photos show large patches of smoke from peat fires whch can burn for unimited time.
It's a new problem as global temperatures get slightly warmer.
How will it be in ten years?
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Let's Plan On $3 Billion
I continue to believe that the 4.7 mile Green Line Extension
will never be done by the end of 2021 or come in at the budgeted cost of $2.3 billion.
They are already falling behind schedule due to the plan to move a set of train tracks being used.
Any unseen delays will push the opening time back.
Delays mean more cost. By the time it's finished, I bet it will cost over $3 billion.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Prune Time 2019
The owners of my apartment building started pruning the
shrubs today. It will take almost three days with two buildings.
It was starting to look very ragged. Stuff grows so fast.
It's a big job for one guy.
Monday, August 12, 2019
The Final 23
Someone shared a video
on social media about it being 23 weeks until Christmas on Wednesday. That time will pass quickly.
There was a time when I had 23 weeks until the New York City Marathon, but I'm down to my last twelve.
We are facing the last six weeks of summer. These are some
of the best for good weather.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Not Free On Holidays
The MTA in New York
City is like a black hole that burns through money. Fares cannot take care of the cost of running the system. A taxpayer subsidy
is part of the annual state budget.
Fare
jumpers cost the system at least $275 million annually. Now a Brooklyn city councilor wants to offer free fares on six different
holidays as a way to market the system and thank patrons for their business.
This doesn't make any sense as it would cost $8 million for each of the days involved.
More effort is needed on the fare evaders and providing
timely trains.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Not On My Wall For 2020
The year is almost two thirds over. There are only six weeks
left to summer.
I started to receive 2020 calendars from charities a few
months ago. They are relentless in their solicitations for money.
The one I got yesterday had a suggested contribution starting at $35. They make potential donors feel their
money isn't good enough.
It ended up with my papers to be recycled.
Friday, August 9, 2019
Buying UMass Stuff
I was sorting some t-shirts
tonight. It turns out I have 16 from UMass, one sweatshirt and a hoodie.
I also have few shirts that "retired" many years ago. They should be part of my final count.
In the end, I will never have a final count as I'll keep buying UMass stuff. It's always
nice when you get free things at games.
Thursday, August 8, 2019
People Just Say It
Social media allows people to get on a soap box and spew
their rhetoric for all to see.
Everything is instantaneous now. People say whatever is on their mind. They are able to hide behind
the keyboard.
All of this technology has been a blessing and a curse.
The world is changing because of it.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Lightning Happens
There has been a lot of thunder and rain this evening. The
news showed a story of lightning hitting the chimney of a house.
Lighting can show up real fast. You never want to be caught in a bad place.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
No Pool For Me
I will never be able
to end the stream of junk mail I get. Although I'm a renter, I get solicitations as if I owned the place.
I received an offer today for in-ground pools. I'm not a big fan of pools. They are a poor return
investment and don't do much to add value to the property.
In my case, I can't do anything as a renter. It's a waste of time to send this to me, in spite of having my
apartment number in the address line.
Monday, August 5, 2019
Can't Keep Them In The Classroom
New York City public school teachers face a number of challenges
daily. The classroom can become a dangerous place real fast. Housing costs are out of control in the city.
It's easy to see why there is a teacher retention rate of less than 41% after five years. This has
been a constant since 2008.
The pay doesn't help either with a starting salary of $57,000
for a bachelor's degree and $63,000 for a master's. They soon find out that they can do better in the suburbs.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Library Forever
There are many great
books about the history of libraries throughout civilization. They always existed and were very controversial.
The contents of most no longer exist. Whatever stays alive
is a great look into the past. Museums do a great job in preserving whatever they receive.
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Earmarks For All
Every politician loves earmarks for their district, city
or town. They support them in federal and state budgets. It's a way to fund pet projects and get money to the people they
represent.
The Massachusetts state budget of $43.3 billion for FY 2020
has a little bit for everyone. They impacted police, fire departments, veteran services, community programs, athletics and
a host of other areas.
Locally, $300,000 was received for a veterans outreach center,
$200,000 for a high school track and $250,000 for debt service on a former city run hospital.
Some people complain, but everyone wants their fair share.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Not In This Place
The cathedrals of the
world are amazing structures that should be appreciated for their beauty and history.
It's hard to believe that many were built during a time without any power tools or use of electricity.
Everything was done by hand. Europe is filled with beautiful ones.
I don't understand why a miniature golf course was set up in Rochester Cathedral, the second oldest one in
Great Britain.
Those involved in this bad decision say they used a "bridge"
theme to educate the children of the community of its history.
They meant well with their actions, but this was not the place to do it.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
They Lasted Until 1959
Someone posted a very
interesting video on Facebook of an interview with some Civil War soldiers back in 1929.
The men were in their late 80's and early 90's, but had great recall of their times back in the early
1860's.
It reminds me of the veterans of World War II. Eventually,
the last one will pass away. It happened in 1959 for those from the Civil War.
