Spring 2014 5 31 Saturday

70 degrees this morning.  Appears like after a brief respite, the rains will continue.  

Reading about the bullying of it's customers Amazon.com is doing increases my dislike for the company.   I have virtually stopped using it since they started charging sales tax in Tennessee anyway.  I really disliked the way they thought they knew what I wanted to buy or read.  They were frequently wrong, and used past products I wouldn't buy again and spammed me with junk e-mail.  How many headphones am I really going to buy?  I bought a pair several years ago (I recently junked them, they were worthless) and am still getting e-mails about headphones.  Maybe they knew the quality of headphones they sold me.  Also bought some accessories for my iPods, big mistake, it was just a lot of cheap junk.  Anyway, when I saw that Amazon is bullying it's CUSTOMERS to get better prices from a book publisher, their tactics didn't surprise me.   

I agree, their ordering time is good, but I feel like I'm selling out to the devil to buy from them, plus they are really devious on returns.  Their customer service on returned is rude to say the least, which is why I really stared disliking the company.  I rarely return anything, so it was a shock when I did try to return an item ordered in error.

But everyone to their own.   Just my lone voice baying in the woods of Amazon lovers, but that is my opinion and experience with the company.

Saturday morning.  I always think it will seem like any other day, but it doesn't.  Probably because we haven't changed our schedule (go out to Starbucks).  I used to eat breakfast at Starbucks, but they haven't gotten the food quite right yet.  They do have the coffee right, for sure.

T-Mobile has to be the sleasiest, most misleading company I have ever dealt with.  It was time for me to buy a new iPad, so when I saw "FREE" 200mb of data for an iPad, I jumped at it.  After six months of arguing, I find that it is "Free" IF you pay $10 per month for it, or have a T-Mobile phone line.  If they had just told me it was $10 per, I would have been happy (I was paying  ATT about $18 per month for the same amount), but when they said it was "free" it should be "free", or at least have a huge asterisk on it. Their customer service is horrible.  I would call and complain and it would get taken off, then appear again.  It took them six months and a personal call from the "Presidents Office" of T-Mobile for them to explain to me that their "free" data plan is actually $10 per month.

All kinds of weird charges appeared including a fake phone line that I had to contact the main customer service department (by letter) to get removed, if it doesn't pop up again.  I think one of the customer service reps made a mistake and somehow set it up, although I still don't know why or how, since there was no device associated with it.  What is strange is the service isn't that bad, but of course, I'll never deal with T-Mobile again.  The fight isn't over yet, either.  I'm considering contacting the Attorney General Consumer Fraud division on it.   Surely they have received other complaints on it.

Evernote is a lot more than I realized.  I have been spending a lot of time on learning it and found the "app" version is much more valuable than the "program" that is available for laptops and desktops.  I am going to start using it a lot on my iPad and iPhone rather than the main computer.  Just as an example, I can't find a simple way to do a "reminder" on my laptop or desktop, but it is simple on my iPhone and iPad.  I can even take a picture and have it identified as to time, place, subject (if I have a Notebook associated with it), so it is a really great program, at least for the iPhone and iPad.   When I start working again, it will really be valuable to me.

I am in our regular Starbucks on a Saturday morning.  (Regular in the sense this is where we come on a Saturday morning.  There are about five others that we use depending on circumstances.)

That's it for Saturday, May 31, 2014.

Spring 2014 5 30 Friday

72 degrees this morning.  Not raining, but still humid and the patio furniture is still moist (nothing some old newspapers won't take care of, so I"m out on the patio again!)

Saw a "1 hitter" baseball game last night.  The Memphis Redbirds pitcher actually had a 8 2/3 inning no hitter and the very last batter got a hit.  What a disappointment, but a 1 hitter still isn't bad!  He did have a walk, so it wasn't a "perfect" game.  That was the furthest I have ever personally seen a no-hit game go.  One of those games where no one left early etc.  It was an interesting experience, you could see the team really pull together, the outfielders were obviously at the top of their game and the team was really backing the pitcher.  Of course, in keeping with tradition, the words "no hitter" were not spoken, although you could feel the interest rise as the innings progressed.  Probably the last two nights were the best baseball games I have seen.  If the pitcher had pitched a no hitter, it would have been the first no hitter in Memphis Redbirds history.  

I'm not quite sure why I like professional baseball, since I don't really care for any other professional sport that much.  I think it is the fact that it is reasonably deliberate and doesn't depend on one person (other than the pitcher) so much.  On the other hand, I almost never watch college baseball, but do like some college football and basketball.  I don't dislike college baseball, I just don't watch it.  Maybe because it seems that baseball is a summer game.  

Well it happened again.  The recruiter calls, says I am one of the top qualified applicants, after it goes to the hiring people, I get an e-mail that I'm not being considered anymore.  I realize there are a lot of factors that could be involved, but I have to think age is the primary reason, if not the only reason.  I comfort myself by thinking I wouldn't want to work for such close-minded people anyway, but it still just isn't right (or legal, but that would be impossible to prove.)  Just for fun, I have tracked the ages of the persons hired and it is all much younger applicants.  I even tried to bring in specific experience, but it was hard to document.  (For example, I can understand specific local situations where certain experience is desired etc.).  Fortunately, I can survive, but I don't know what people in less fortunate circumstances would do.  Of course, it is possible I am completely wrong, but the facts seem to say I am right.  I have discussed it with other persons and have found that it doesn't necessarily apply where highly desired technical skills are desired also, but as a general rule, almost everyone else has run into the same problem.  No one wants to admit it, like the huge pink elephant in the living room.  However, I feel overall it will eventually create a positive situation for me.

Saw a possum or possibly a raccoon this morning in the back yard when I came out to do my exercises.  (I do sit-ups and lift weights out on the patio after I walk).  I stamped my feet and it kind of gave me a dirty look and sauntered off.  It won't impressed.  I'm not sure what it was eating, probably some bugs from the rain.

Occasionally during my walks or when I am on the patio in the early morning (I am talking about from 3 to 4 am., so it is still dark),l I hear bowling and sometimes other sounds from the forest which makes my blood run cold (usually a sound that an animal has been caught by a coyote etc.).  I'm not  worried about it (I don't 'think they would bother a human being), but the sounds are still evidence that the violence of nature continues in the city.

Friday.  Don't have a lot planned today, catch up on some work and keep researching.  I sent some appreciation notes to China, thanking some people who really make our journey much nicer.  I used "Google Translator" hoping it didn't translate something I said as something I didn't mean.  I sent along the English translation just in case.  

i have a hard time believing it has been six months since I worked, especially the way it happened.  I liken it to the Coyote and Road Runner where the Coyote is running and suddenly realizes he has run over a cliff and is running on "air".  That is how sudden it was, from a full day with numerous e-mails, visits and phone calls to suddenly nothing, except what I generated myself.  I have kept busy for the past six months, and can't say I have necessarily unhappy, but I keep thinking it is a temporary situation (which it is), which makes a huge difference. 

I have observed, since I was in college, that major changes happen after I go through Kansas City.  I'm absolutely sure there is no relationship, but every job change has come after I go through Kansas City.  I went to Kansas City shortly before my job changed here.   I met my first wife (and Aliene) after a trip to Kansas City.  It is strange.  Maybe I need to go to Kansas City.  Or maybe not!

That's it for Friday, May 30, 2014.

Spring 2014 5 29 Thursday

70 degrees this morning.  Light rain a few minutes ago, so not on patio (although thinking about getting some newspapers and going out there, since it has stopped raining, and I can sit on the newspapers.)  Rain didn't interfere with walk and bike ride.

For probably the first time, I "camped out" as Starbucks yesterday morning and quietly observed the ebb and flow of Starbucks.  I sat at one of the long "community" tables (tables for about 10 people that people feel comfortable sitting at with other people sitting there).  I was there about three hours, unusually long for me.  I saw two job interviews, three sales pitches and a variety of other people.  I don't know the details, I was concentrating on some items I had to work on, but this just vaguely filtered through my head.  Also, I wouldn't feel comfortable if I was obviously listening, although I really have no desire to know the details anyway!  I was surprised at how much I got done.  

While it is hard to believe I didn't notice any disruptions, that was the way it was.  Maybe the fact that the disruptions were meaningless to me (unlike disruptions at home) made the difference.  Anyway, i enjoyed it, the only difficult times when I had to go to the bathroom or for a refill and depended on the honestly of Starbucks customers not to steal my computer etc!  I really wasn't worried, but....

I did find many people using Starbucks as a "third place" (or "second place" like me).  When I was in Oklahoma City one time, several homeless people (or apparently so) used it as their "first place".  While I was there, not one bothered them and they didn't bother anyone, although they weren't drinking any coffee or tea either.  

Went to the Memphis Redbirds baseball game last night.  It was a scheduled "double header", scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.  We got there about 5:30 or so and it was in a rain delay.  We went in anyway and actually enjoyed just sitting outside and reading and watching the St. Louis Cardinals on the scoreboard.  The first game finally started at 9:00 p..m.,  and was over about about 11 p.m..  It was actually one of the best games I have seen, with the Memphis Redbirds winning on a "walk off" home run in the bottom of the 7th, 1-0.  (I looked up "walk off" once.  It is used in the sense that it is the winning score in the bottom of the last inning  and then you "walk off" since the game is over,   I have seen walk off walks, walk off singles and even a walk off wild pitch.)

No, we didn't stay for the second game! (It was scheduled to start at 11 p.m.)  I lost an hour of sleep, but I'm sure I'll catch up. I enjoyed the time outside as well as the time outside and the sense of community with the other persons in the crowd who hung around  for the game!  

A sense of floating as we wait for our house to sell, other life changing decisions to be made by others, or at least instigated by others. Not bad, just the way it is right now.

That's it for Thursday, May 29, 2014.

China: Dragons, Warriors, Buildings, People, Traffic and Food (Our Journey)

http://robertwherry.com/2014/05/27/china-dragons-warriors-buildings-people-traffic-and-food/

Spring 2014 5 28 Wednesday

66 degrees this morning.  Some rain last night, also somewhat cloudy this morning, but no problem with walking or bicycling.

Thinking this morning about "X+1".   I heard the story about Test Pilots were asked how many times they could flout the rules when they tested their new airplanes (I expect you don't expect a test pilot to follow the rules) and their answers was "X+1", with X the number of times you did it and +1 when you got caught or wrecked!  

I always enjoyed this concept and have used it in many different situations.  I think the "+1" is the reason that you keep on living and pushing regardless of the situation.  Anyway, it is fun to think about it and apply it in different situations.

Currently my status is "Change is coming".  No matter what, the "World without end is ending" and some type of change will take place, especially in the career situation, where we live and other factors.   I look forward to change and like variety and stimulation in daily life, but I also like the stability of a regular job and knowing I am going to live somewhere for at least a while.  It is likely we may be moving in the near future and my job status could change suddenly (or not), which will make the Summer of 14 the time of the most changes in our lives since the Fall of 2001.  In that case, the change was structured and I/we were in charge of the change.  This change is wildly unstructured and we have final action of approval of any change, but we don't really have any control over the change.  If that makes any sense.

My MacBook Air is back, but the problem still isn't fixed.  All they can say is they "can't replicate" the problem.  I understand that but it seems like there has to be a reason.  I haven't really searched the Internet yet for answers and that may be the key.  I'm sure I'm not the only one having this problem.  It is good to have it back, although I am always pleased at the versatility of the iPad when I have to use it.

Back to changes in our lives, I really expect we will be moving sometime in late June.  Where or why we don't know yet.  It may depend on a job, it may depend on the house being sold, or there is a good chance it could depend on both. 

I both look forward to the change and regret the loss of some of the routine and friends I have come to enjoy as part of the fabric of my daily life, knowing that the change will be a major loss and change for us as well as others.  

The trees in back of our house are in full "leaf", which provides a completely different atmosphere from Winter.  I am stilling on the patio, enjoying the patio and the trees (I call it the forest) and the birds welcoming the day.  Some morning I will record the birds and post the sound track.  The birds beautify the air with a burst of sounds in the morning, unlike later on in the day.  

I spend several hours at the Apple Store yesterday, getting ready for my iPhoto structuring.  I'm not sure how I will find time for it if we are packing etc., but I expect I will work on it a bit at a time.  I decided to do the latest events first, since I will remember them better and maybe it will put my mind in shape to structure the earlier events.  I am putting all my photos on a hard drive and working just off that hard drive.  

I am working more on Evernote.  The support staff has been good about analyzing my problems/questions and suggesting thoughtful answers. I still feel like I'm not using it to it's full potential, but then that is true of all my computer problems!  

That's it for Wednesday, May 28, 2014.  

Spring 2014 5 27 Tuesday

72 degrees this morning. Looks a little like rain.

Flat tire on my bicycle this morning coming up the final hill home. I know I ran over something and started hearing a "bump bump" and then then tire went flat. It doesn't happen often, thank goodness. I take my flats in to be fixed, so it is a little hassle, but not nearly as much if I tried to change my own! (I have tried, and I am just mechanically challenged).

I probably will go ahead and get the "Armadillo" tires or something like that, they are supposed to resist punctures well. One puncture and I'm ahead.

Maybe I will use this as an excuse to buy another bicycle so I have a backup!

Back to the apples. While I still can't bring myself to try apples yet after getting two packages of bad ones from Costco, I did take the bad ones I got Saturday back to Costco, if nothing else just to let them know. They not only refunded my money, they also refunded my money for the bad ones I had gotten the Monday before and threw away. When I returned the second package, I causally mentioned I had thrown away an earlier package (hardly expecting a refund) and she actually looked it up and refunded my money. A reason who Costco is so successful, I believe. However, I still can't stand the thought of apples, the last ones were so bad.

May be rain today, an end to the beautiful weather. It was a good weekend, even if "every day is a holiday" now for me. Had some friends over, went to a friends house etc.

Getting my MacBook Air out of the Apple hospital this morning, or at least today. Hopefully I can get both of them setup so all my pictures are on a hard drive and I can work off that hard drive, hopefully resulting in less duplication.

Six months ago last night I officially (so to speak) became unemployed. I wrote some thoughts on it, but mothballed my comments for right now. I can always publish them, but I can't take them back.

I wasn't too worried, I figured I would get a job soon.
What I didn't expect was the overwhelming age discrimination (much blatant) in my search for employment. I don't really have a problem with people wanting someone younger, professionally I feel that a Board/Council should be able to select whomever they want as City Manager, but it really doesn't blunt my resentment or, sometimes, rage, to be targeted strictly on my age. However, it falls into one of those categories that I can't do anything about it, so I won't worry about it. However, if the opportunity to help persons who experience age discrimination ever arises, I will grab it. I don't have any desire to work somewhere with someone like that, so I don't worry about it. I know it is illegal, but proving it is something else.

I do plan to make a detailed summary of my job search (no names, I'm not out to get anyone), and hopefully someone will see themselves as discriminating or being discriminated against. Well, hopefully, but not likely.

I wish AAA had bike protection where someone would come out and change your tire. It would be worth the money. I understand they do have it in Portland, and a few other places. Not likely to come to Lakeland, where the spoiled brat politician mayor and board of fools turn down $1,000,000 for a badly needed bike and ped path.

Going to be one of those days where I wish Lakeland also had Task Rabbit or a similar service, taking the bike tire to be fixed, picking up the computer and a mismash of other small errands that take up time.

I am so glad Summer is here. I love my patio, especially sitting out here in the early morning and just Summer in general. I hate to wast time on non-productive tasks.

Some nibbles/bites on the house. We know we have to sell the house and get out of this town (even if it is just across the street), but we hate to leave our wonderful house. Life isn't always what you want, and it may be our next phase will be even better.

Spring 2014 5 26 Monday

68 degrees this morning. Nice exercise weather and "sitting on the patio" weather.

Today is a week since we returned from China. While we have returned to our routine (somewhat, it as been anything but routine), the memories of our trip still linger.

All experiences change you, and I am a different person because of the trip, I feel even more than just an "experience". Seeing the faces of an entirely different culture and certainly an entirely different form of government and I saw how people and many experiences are still the same for both cultures.

Actually, the City form of government in China is somewhat similar to the U.S. and the challenges they are facing are certainly overwhelming. While I saw only a extremely small subset of urban managers/elected officials etc., I was impressed with their dedication to trying to find solutions to the problems. I was even more impressed with the sense that a city "enhances" the residents life in some way, not that a city exists to cut services as much as possible (unless that perhaps is desired by the population). I'm not talking about extreme programs, basic programs like providing amenities for city residents that truly provide a reason for a city to exist. I'll do some more thinking and reading on this. However, it is not like China officials (I'm talking about the local, I have no concept of the national government) are concerned about the excessive pollution, excessive traffic and high cost of living for younger people. Many same concerns as here, except (IMO), the US has made much more advances in pollution control and traffic.

Laptop is still in the Apple Hospital), although they called and said it was ready for pickup. The iPad has actually been an excellent substitute, but I"ll be glad to have it back.

Memorial Day 2014. Even though, right now for me, "Every day is a Holiday" (not really, but the general concept is there), I think of Memorial Day, of course, as special for what it is for, but also as a day that it is special because it is a holiday. I always enjoyed Holidays because, unlike vacation days, it truly was a day off. If I got a call, I knew it was important.

Reading "Flash Boys".  Disgusting in a lot of ways that criminal behavior is actually rewarded and goes unpunished and ignored by government officials who are supposed to protect the small investors from such criminal activity.

Looks like it will be a nice day.

That's it for today, Monday, May 26, 2014.

Spring 2014 5 25 Sunday

70 degrees this morning. Sitting on the patio, just a little coolness in the air, which is ok.

MacBook Air is still in the Apple hospital, working with my iPad (and later my desktop).

Although I don't really understand how it works, VPN is a wonder. While I was in China, it allowed me to access Facebook and some other web sites that, for whatever reason, are blocked in China. More important, it allowed me to check my bank account etc. with at least some security. I also use it when I am at Starbucks etc., and I've even started using it at home for my bank account or anything secure.

I know VPN as such normally accesses your home or office network (I think), but this one actually goes though sites (normally Los Angeles) or, in China, Hong Kong, where the sites are apparently not blocked. I don't believe it is true VPN (which would access my home network), but it met my needs.

Even more important, after a couple of days of signing in in China, my Yahoo accounts came in as Chinese and I couldn't figure our how to translate back to English! Same with Google, except it has an excellent translate device. However, if I used VPN, Yahoo would come across in English.

While in China, I learned the value of a "pot of tea", a covered (china?) teapot, with a lid, which kept the water warm for long period of time. I came to enjoy the process of tea, which doesn't appear to go bad as fast as coffee. I think the teapots must have held about three cups of tea, maybe four. At home, I put the tea bag in (or loose tea) and put a saucer on top of it to hold the tea in. I think if I use a large cup and pour into a smaller cup, I can keep the tea warm and fresh.

In China, I also came to appreciate green tea later in the day (not just ice, but hot also) but for the morning I really prefer Black or Morning tea. Actually my favorite is an English brand, Twining's (I think), I'll have to check and see if I can order it. I''m not abandoning coffee, I just appreciate tea more than I used too.

Saturday and Sunday are the days of the week I normally don't start off with coffee first thing in the morning, at least not with my famous fresh bean Starbucks Dark Roast coffee maker. (A guest in the upstairs bedroom once asked if a emergency siren had gone off at 6:00 a.m., we realized it was the coffee grinder part of the coffee maker as it ground the beans! I now use a separate grinder when we have guests). On Saturday, we have coffee at Starbucks (I love their coffee, their food isn't up to my eating standards yet, so I eat breakfast at home). On Sunday, I have coffee and breakfast at Steak n Shake.

I have been eating an apple with peanut butter each morning, but the last apples I got at Costco have been bad, and have extensive deterioration. Before I was always relatively satisfied, so I'm not sure that the problem is. Maybe go back to the fruit market where you buy fresh fruit every day and just don't eat fruit out of season. The Costco apples have been in advanced deterioration even the same day I buy. I know they will give me my money back, but I want fresh apples, not my money back. I already learned not to trust apples from Sams so it is probably back to getting 3 or 4 apples at a grocery store to insure they are fresh.

Looks like Sunday will be a nice day. Somehow, I have become attached to watching a taped version of "Formula One" racing. It is as much for the announcers as the racing, but I also enjoy the race. The current announcers really make it fun with their comments. I always liked Indy cars and stock cars (and still do), but the races are so long, I don't take the time to watch them although occasionally I will tape them and watch them.

I will publish my total blog of our China trip soon. I am checking it for any personal references etc. or areas I may need to enlarge on.

My picture organization is proceeding. I am trying to decide if I need to do it a little bit at a time, or just block off two or three days and work only on that.
Maybe a combination, although it will depend on what else is going on in my life.

Excellent morning on patio. Although I normally finish reading my newspapers on the stationary bike, on Sunday, I normally (or never) do, so I really look forward to reading them on the patio.

I am finding there are some things I like better about the Word Press and Google + app than the web sites. Maybe eventually, it will be the same process on the MacBook as it is on the iPad. Kind of reminds me of the early days of computing when none of the computers spoke to each other.

That's it for now, Sunday, May 25, 2014

Spring 2014 5 24 Saturday

66 degrees this morning.  Currently sitting on my patio listening to the birds.  Writing this on my iPac, my MacBook Air is in the Apple Store hospital having "tests" for a problem that happens about every 3 or 4 weeks.  For several hours the screen will cut out. Annoying, but I shake it and it comes back on!  It happened right before our trip to China (and hasn't happened since).  I had visions of going to China with only my iPad and no computer.  This has already been in twice on this same problem, so hopefully they can get it repaired. Otherwise it is a great computer

Trying to get my photos under control.  It is going to be a task.  I have deleted as many duplicates as I can etc.,   Now I need to delete (weed) the ones I don't want to keep, and then document where, when, who, how and what on the photo and then put them into appropriate albums. Fun.

Drinking tea I got in China this morning.  It is very good.  Usually, except for Saturday and Sundays, I make a pot of Starbucks "dark roast" coffee.  On Saturday and Sunday, I either don't drink any coffee or drink some other kind, since we usually go to Starbucks on Saturday and Steak n Shake on Sunday.  (Sounds like a routine to me!)  

I really got to enjoy tea in China and I am enjoying it here.  (I have to admit, my favorite tea I drank in China was made in England).  In China you got tea every meal.  I could not always get water, but I could always have tea!

Feel a little lost without my laptop, although I deal with it.  It's not like I don't have other options like my iPad and iMac desktop or even my iPhone in a pinch.

The China Trip, which became one of my focuses in December 2013 is over and I can feel myself flail around a little.  Of course, I need to write thank you letters, organize my photos, send out resumes etc. , but that is different.  

Of course, we are in a holding pattern while we are selling out house, as well as while I apply for jobs and we try to decide our future.  I think the worst part is really not having any control.  We know what we want to do, but right now it is hard to make any permanent decisions, and the China trip included a lot of permanent decisions (in regards to the trip).  Our lives could suddenly change, based on other persons decisions (house buyers, employer etc.)  We can only pack so far.

I started to upload some photos to Facebook etc., but quickly decided I need to get them organized first.  An incentive,  I guess!

Will finish this at Starbucks. 

In my "second place".  It is nice to be back at Starbucks (actually this is my third one this week, but first time on "regular" Saturday morning for a month.  China has Starbucks and even has the regular coffee (although with a lot of teas etc.), but it's not the same.  I thought they would take the Starbucks card in China, but they wouldn't.  

Memorial Day Weekend.  I remember when I was a child (near Holton, Kansas), we would go to the Soldier, Kansas Cemetery (relatives on my Mom's side including my Grandfather and Grandmother etc. and now my parents) on Memorial Day.  Soldier, Kansas did (and still does!) have a great little town/community that maintains the cemetery and a wonderful park with a community center.  They cook meals every Memorial Day and also after funerals etc.  I don't know how they do it, as small as it is.

Memorial Day was a day I would actually listen to the Indy 500 on my radio.  I watched it for the first time when I was in Denver.  I worked the summer of my Freshman and Sophomore years at the Samsonite factory in Denver.  It was a good experience for me, although I didn't really save any money for college, which was the intent, but I think it was still well worth it.  I didn't have a car and went everywhere by walking or bus, so it was a totally new environment for me.  There was no such thing as public transportation in the small towns I had lived in and Denver could have been overwhelming, but I learned to survive.  I met a lot of people that I would never have known, including occupations, religions, other nationalities etc.  

Hope everything has a great 3 day weekend.

That's it for now, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Spring 2014 5 23 Friday

70 degrees this morning.  Trying to sit on the patio, but there is still a slight coolness in the air (sigh).  Normally Memorial Day is about the time it really starts getting hot in the morning, so hopefully this weekend is it.

The Veterans Job Fair went well.  It was very professionally done and while I really wasn't suited or interested in many of the jobs offered, (there were a few which made it well worthwhile going, if nothing else just for the experience) and the organizations/businesses there were very open to questions and providing information.  They even offered a lot of "freebies", which I skipped except for a "string backpack" that I use when I bike and normally break about one every three months.  However, the one I am currently using has lasted for a long time, maybe even a year.

Trying to get my iPhoto library organized.  The most frustrating part has been getting ride of "duplicates, thumbnails and the "faces" that Apple uses that somehow duplicated to about 14,000 images.  The Apple Store staff has been very helpful in helping me approach this.  I'm not sure where Apple recruits for their store, but they hire a lot of really great people.  (They hire a good variety of ages, etc. also, which makes me feel good about the company.)

I don't quite know how my iPhoto library got so disorganized (probably through years of "tu it" delays!), but I am intent on getting it organized into albums and then stored somewhere.  I am actually learning a lot, it is interesting.  Apple apparently added more "1 to 1" staff, which is great, until everyone else learns about it and then it will be hard to get an appointment again!  They have a lot more appointment times available for the "1 to 1 personal", which is either 30 minutes or an hour of direct "1 to 1" training, which is great, because I always learn a lot.  "Open Training" is for when you have a project that you don't need continuous help, but you may need some assistance to help you over  hump and that  is also great.

 I noticed I am just scanning Facebook more and more as more "sponsored" ads and junk are in the "news feed".  Hope I don't miss anything I world really like to see, but I only have so much time. 

Looks like it will be a great day.  I even have another appointment at the Apple Store this mooring, hopefully can break through the problems on iPhoto.  I don't mind spending the time on it, I just hate to waste time.  The time on the patio this morning has been good, even if a little cool, it is good to be back and see the trees, hear the wind through the tress and the birds.

We no longer have our bird feeders.  It just got too messy.  We miss the birds, but it was a continual hassle fighting the squirrels, raccoons and other varmints as well as we weren't sure what type of pests were in our lawn to eat the discarded seeds.

We will try to go to a Redbirds baseball game (or two) this weekend.  That is always fun when the weather is nice. 

Just looked at my gmail account spam folder, I had over 200 spam in the last three days!

That's it for now, Friday, May 23, 2014

Spring 2014 5 22 Thursday

66 degrees this morning, although it didn't seem as cool as 70 degrees did yesterday.  Thursday, already!  Time passes.

I read two stories this morning, one in the Wall Street Journal about how "suburbs are coming back"  and a story on the on-line USA Today that "cities are still growing at the expense of suburbs".  Since anything regarding cities and suburbs is interesting to me, I read the WSJ story earlier with great interest and then read the USA Today with equal interest and some bewilderment!  There is a logical exclamation that the USA Today was using past census date (updated) and the WSJ was probably basing the story on recent empirical  trends.  I'll need to go back to WSJ story now and read it again.

I expect that it actually depends on which City you're talking about although (if I recall correctly) some of the most progressive cities are mentioned as the areas where the suburbs are "coming back".  I'll research this a little.

Speaking of cities, I think Memphis is a city with a lot of potential to be a great city, and I think the suburbs contribute to it and hopefully will continue to grow..  The Memphis Mayor (Mayor Wharton) has displayed some courage and foresight in making Memphis much more livable and attractive, and some of the suburbs (unfortunately now excluding Lakeland, which is going backward) are also making major advances to being "livable".

One of the Memphis Grizzlies (the basketball team) mentioned Memphis was "gritty" and a "blue collar" city, or words to that effect.  That actually is probably someone true, but it also is part of the Memphis tapestry of a variety of incomes, people, housing, and urban geography that makes it a very attractive and exciting city.   I wouldn't mind living in the downtown area, myself (although I hate to thing of what would happen if "THE" earthquake should happen).  

Coming up on six months of being unemployed.  I have decided I am going to write a blog about being "White, Old, Male and Unemployed".  Not to mean other unemployed people don't have it worse, but my experience is my experience and I won't apologize for how I feel.  I am shocked that the obvious age discrimination, but while I was on the "other side" and hiring people, some of the older people we hired (or didn't hire) expressed the horrors of being old and unemployed and looking for work and discussed obvious age discrimination .  I am going to a job fair this morning and I am sure I will feel a good dose of it.  On the other hand, I can understand the need to provide younger persons employment, although with the "new" career of a series of short-term positions.  I think the flat discrimination against old people is what is absolutely unacceptable.  

I really feel the younger generations are going to get a nasty surprise when they get old (we all do, or accept the alternative) and don't have sufficient retirement income.  I think now is the time to look at how to resolve that problem.  

I am about to tackle my 3000+ photos I took on the trip to China (and  about 50,000 pictures of other occasions, including Christmas's long past!).  It is time to sift through the photos and send many away and highlight others.   My desktop computer is actually running slower trying to sort through 50,000 photos (many the fault of the Apple "Faces"  aspect of iPhoto).  I will have to delete, delete, delete and then figure out how to backup my photos.   I will work on my videos/movies after that.  

I didn't try to sit on the patio this morning, may have been a good day for it, but I have a busy day ahead, although "busy" is relative anymore.  

That's it for today, Thursday, May 22, 2014.

UPDATE:  Both of the stories on Suburbs and Cities (Wall Street Journal and USA Today) were using the same data!

Spring 2014 5 21 Wednesday

70 degrees this morning. Should be a great morning on the patio!

Still some "jet lag" effects on sleeping patterns, but otherwise reentry has been good and the jet lag effects aren't that bad.  

Thinking some more about the Front Line program on solitary confinement, I had never really thought before the effects of total mindless rage, to the point that a person slams themselves against a steel door for hours and bleeds and other.  I was actually stunned by the program.  There are some actions that even writing can't really get across the overwhelming rage that someone feels.  I have seen it in residents who feel they have no say in a situation, and perhaps I vaguely feel it for brief moments about the way the spoiled brat professional politician and the board of fools are destroying Lakeland.  However, I can move, the resident normally gets some response (maybe not in the current Lakeland), but the prisoner has absolutely no say or even any response to his or her focused anger.  I'll look more at this.

One of the aspects of China I noticed I miss is the sound of the language itself.  I expect if I could understand it, I wouldn't notice it,but the musical nature of it is intriguing, with there being major differences in men and women speaking it.  I actually also enjoyed most of the food, much more than I expected.  

Sitting out on my patio again.  I guess I am pushing it, it probably is just a little too cool yet for early morning patio.  (The rest of the day is fine, but enjoy the early morning the best.)  I am going to sit out here for a while, but probably will give up and go in.  

I have a "virtual coffee"  (through FaceTime) later this morning.  I wish I had invested in a headphone/microphone combination for this, I'm sure it won't be the last one I have.  

At the last hotel we stayed at, they had walnuts to put in your oatmeal (this was the "western" breakfast buffet of course).  I liked it so much I am adding walnuts to my oatmeal, along with the cinnamon, blueberries and honey!  Pretty soon, I'll wander where the oatmeal went!  I eat that and an apple with peanut butter every morning.  I may need to delay the apple and peanut butter to later in the day, it is becoming a big breakfast.  

Evernote-I keep hearing about how good it is and I have been a "premium" subscriber for years.  I just recently have really started to use it, organize my notes etc.  I think I can use it to replace some database programs I pay more for.  It is so hard to get assistance on it.  That is a major reason I like Apple products, if nothing else I can go to the Apple Store and get assistance on anything Apple sells.  I'm not aware of any other product that does that.  

I wish Apple would buy Evernote!  That would really be a fascistic combination.  Evernote just has such a long learning curve and they have very little support, although eventually someone responds to me.  However, either I don't explain myself well, or they are that familiar with the program themselves.  I think they have a "in the rut" type of thinking on what the program should do and they don't envision what I am trying to do.  For years, I basically just listed the books I wanted to read (so I could refer to it) and my car mileage and occasionally some other things.  I learned the "notebook/note" system and now hopefully learning the reminder system.  I am also keeping articles in it instead of on my computer.

I really enjoy the "online" USA Today (I think it is the best on-line paper), but it is so hard to retain articles (other than on the iPad itself).

I am attending a "Veterans" Job Fair tomorrow.  I have never been to one, so it will be interesting.  

Spring 2014 5 20 Tuesday

70 degrees this morning.  A little cool, but I decide to sit on our wonderful patio to write this.  The wind is blowing through the trees, the birds a chirping and it is wonderful.  First time this spring.

Re-entry into daily life after China has been ok.  I have gotten back into my exercise routine without any problems.  I am waking up at 2 a.m., probably related to jet lag.  I like the extra productivity time, but I know it isn't sustainable.  My experience in China has made me a lot more aware of Chinese stories and books..  Actually, in China I really enjoyed the "Shanghai Daily", which was a English language paper for Shanghai residents and provided a lot of insight into Shanghai.  

Reading and listening to "The Bully Pulpit" by Doris Kearns Goodwin.  I love her books.  I read it on the way from Shanghai on the plane and got about maybe 25% through, so it is not a fast read but it is  a good one.  I also am listening to it on my morning walk.  I discovered I liked doing that since one reinforces the other.  It is a book about Teddy Roosevelt, but also William Taft and S.S. McClure and numerous other characters that are woven into a really enjoyable story.  

I first heard Doris Kearns Goodwin at a landmark City Managers Conference in Cincinnati.  I immediately got all of her books and started reading them (it took me several years).  At the same Conference I heard Beck Weathers (Left for Dead) and his fascinating story about mountain climbing, which was more of a story about addiction (not the right word) and focusing on the wrong thing and not letting yourself lose focus over what is important in life.  I also started reading mountain climbing books, and still do, but I have not desire to climb a mountain, any more than I'd like to learn boxing because of my secret liking for boxing.  

I heard Doris Kearns Goodwin in Pittsburg and actually met her at the TGIFridays restaurant in the Airport.  (She spoke on "Team of Rivals".  I just told her I enjoyed her books and left her alone, but I was kicking myself for not bringing all of her books with me to ask her to sign them!  

She is going to be at a conference later this year and I"m sure, will speak on The Bully  Pulpit. I am looking forward to it and I want to finish the book and the recording before the conference.  The recording is challenging, I think it is 39 hours.  At 1/2 hour per day (my walking time), it will take me about 3 months to listen to the entire book.  

I will be going to my first "job fair' this week.  I am going more for experience as anything, but who knows.  

Rats, wind is coming up a little too cool on the patio.  I don't know how it looks so bare in winter and so lush in Summer.

Our house is on the market again.  The buyer we had the contract with backed out for a variety of reasons.  She wanted some modifications and I think found they cost than she expected.  

One of the difficult aspects of being away for awhile is to catch up on all your mail and reading material (magazines etc.).  It takes me a week to go through everything and I just throw away all the back magazines and newspapers.  I learned a long time ago not to even try.

Watched a Front Line last night about "solitary confinement".  It was fascinating, a study of absolute rage at being in a small room by yourself and how prisoners deal with it.  

On the plane, I noticed how everyone waited the next meal, snack etc.  Kind of like being in prison you think of it, you're in a seat belt, under complete control of authority, and no means to escape!

That's it for today.  Tuesday, May 20, 2014.  

Spring 2014 5 19 Monday

59 degrees this morning.

Just returned from an 18 day trip to China, which is why suspended the journal.  I wanted to concentrate on the experience.  I will post my China Journal as a separate entry.  

China was a great experience.  I really enjoyed meeting the Chinese residents and seeing the Shanghai, XI'an, Bejing, Wangzhul and then Shanghai.  I attended a Conference in Wangzhul and a Study Tour in Bejing and the other cities were personal tours.  The Conference was truly International in the sense that there were persons from Russia, Australia, Denmark, Nigeria, Great Britain, Canada, and, of course, China and the United States.  It was unique cultural exchange, focusing on the urbanization problems of China and sustainable practices in cities.  

Re-entry into reality should be easier, since we currently have no reality.  I am trying to find the "right" job, and we are trying to sell our house so our options are limited by other circumstances.  

The experience in China really made me think about my future.  I know I will be more international in my thinking.  While I vaguely knew the urbanization problems of China (and other countries), I was unaware of all of the work that has been done in this area.  The major items about China I will remember (besides the wonderful people we met, and perhaps the wonderful food!) is the emphasis on enhancing residents lives by providing for parks, separate bicycle lanes, landscaped medians (and landscaped separations between the bicycle lanes and regular traffic).  The architecture is spectacular to say he least, especially in Shanghai and Beijing.  

Problems I saw were housing (waves upon waves of high rise apartments, it has to be seen to be believed) and the truly chaotic traffic. Somehow it works, but I don't see how!  Actually the rapid urbanization is a major challenge as well as an opportunity for China.  I understand housing costs may be a major problem for younger Chinese as the costs increase.  

I noticed a major difference in each City we visited.  Yangzhul (the "smallest" city) perhaps overwhelmed me with the number if bicycles and scooters (much more percentage wise than the other Cities, with XI'an in second place) and with fascistic facilities for bicycles and scooters.  The people of XI'an were wonderful, but then so were the people in Beijing and Shanghai.  

Meanwhile, I have planned the China trip since December, so a major event in my life is now over, other than planning how I can get back to visit again!  

I am going to emphasize my knowledge of "sustainable practices", I think that is a major opportunity for cities in the future.

Meanwhile, back to reality, whatever that is.  Right now, the only reality is change and potential change.  Selling the house, moving, job/business changes.  We love Lakeland, but for what it was, not what is it going to be now.  After the city turned down a much needed bicycle trail and decided all parks should be private, eliminated code enforcement, it is time to leave.  Eventually Lakeland will merely be like the county, without any reason to have a city, except perhaps to further the ambitions of the spoiled brat mayor and he spoils system of machine politics.