Welcome
- September 13, 2018
- Programmers Day 2018
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I've been programming for about 40 years now.
dmr ... Dennis Ritchie
It was "Plan B". When "Plan A" didn't work out I was lucky to have a backup plan in place.
I have run the gamut from PL/1 through the xBase dialects and with the advent of web technologies I took the cgi "non windoze" route and there I have remained until now.
People sometimes remark that I make an unlikely "web guy" because I'm not eighteen years old.
Today is Programmer's Day; a professonal holiday in celebration of coders originating in Russia and held on the 256th day of the year.
Technology with it's computers and software enable just about everything else so pay a little respect to we who make the machines do our bidding.
There are worse roads to take in life.
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- September 12, 2018
- Hurricane Florence Diverts
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The projected path of Hurricane has changed overnight and appears to be headed across South Carolina from the more northerly projections of just yesterday.
It would seem that the governor's closing of the public schools is much more astute than I first realized.
They are saying that we are in for a lot of wind and rain and I'm okay with this.
The bottom line is that the weather like so much else in our existence remains difficult to predict and those projections evolve over time.
Here it comes ...
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- September 11, 2018
- Remember 09/11/2001
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REMEMBER 
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- September 10, 2018
- TV Dinner Day
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I don't really recall my first encounter with TV dinners. However, that raging gourmand within partook with relish and cleaned his little tin compartmentalized plate as if they weren't going to make anymore ... and the meal became one of those many things I added to my diet over the years.
Throughout the decades I have consumed "TV Dinners" in a variety of formats containing a multitude of fast foods from fried chicken through spaghetti and beyond and just tonight I feasted on a Stouffer's fish filet with mac and cheese. Those little orange boxes have been a staple for years.
Today is TV Dinner Day, a time to mark the emergence of the prepackaged meal and the decline of nutrition in the United States since that first C.A. Swanson & Sons product introduced some two years or so before I was born.
In the beginning they were metallic packages you popped into the oven for a half hour or so. Nowadays, they are plastic plates with film tops you nuke for a few of minutes in the microwave.
Regardless, TV dinners and that convenience they represent will remain a part of my life. I try to limit the portions and consume a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables along with them.
Happy TV Dinner Day !
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- September 9, 2018
- The Red Heiffer
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The red heifer (פָרָה אֲדֻמָּה;) also known as the red cow, was a sacrificial cow brought to the priests according to the Hebrew Bible.
Its ashes were utilized in the ritual purification of Tum'at HaMet which refers to "the impurity of the dead" — i.e. an Israelite who had become unclean via contact with a corpse.
Well, the threads are reporting on efforts by the Temple Institute to breed a red heffier which have been successful paving the way for the advent of the third temple in Jerusalem.
That prophecy which states that the cow must be red “without blemish” makes no mention of animal husbandry utilizing various red angus embryos in pursuit of the that qualifying purification event for building the third temple. Inasmuch as the perfection of the Word of God is central to my understanding of scripture, I'm having issues with the utilization of technology to fulfill stated prophecy.
Specifically, I don't feel that The Almighty would have any need for in vitro processes whatsoever.
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- September 8, 2018
- My Imperfect Life
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My pursuit of diminished flaws and defects as they relate to my existence is a topic for which I am pretty ambivalent. There is this notion that I should aspire 'to be perfect in every way'. Then there is that stark reality that all too often those frailties which are certainly included in that who I am culminate in a never ending stream of situational transgressions of what "should have" compared to "did" happen in various practical life scenarios.
Over the years I have noted that my hopes or ambitions toward achieving that lofty goal of interpersonal appropriateness typically fall to the same subset of idiosyncratic perfunctory manifestations such as:
• temper
Alex
• TMI
• profanity
• propensity for bawdy humor
• extravagance
• tendencies of a loner
• abruptness
1. My Temper
My impetuous youth has resulted in an adult with limited tolerance for exploitive, pushy, arrogant types — of which I might ascribe my own behavior in a previous era long ago ... and for which I am quick to throw up an impenetrable agressive defense which I personally view as effective at thwarting users, abusers, and other manifestations of the con artist, liar, thief, cheat, or lying ass technical college administrator.
2. Too Much Information
Oh boy! TMI has been a constant thematic element in my work relationships whereby I like to indulge my hobby of toying with coworkers in order to "get a rise out of them". Typically, while the intent is harmless I sometimes get carried away. However, I've been working on this and find this particular state of being to be improving, comparatively speaking.
3. Profanity
The salty sailor in me has been known to come out at the most inopportune times. While I have never been a fan of "mindless swearing" it is duly noted that my efforts to clean up my speech will continue as time goes on. I shudder to think that my exceptional vocabulary should be wasted on the banality of an inability to say what's on my mind without swearing. I keep plugging at it.
4. Propensity for bawdy humor
In keeping with profanity I find some of the most humorous things I enounter to be somewhat on the bawdy side of the equation. I think this too is a throw back to my Navy days ... and while I don't think it's particularly edifying I see the notion continuing in the foreseeable future. I used to fancy myself a comedian. Those days being long gone I think I crossed over to the dark side of humorousness in the mid 1970s. Must have been one too many Rudy Ray Moore records at the Wagener Drive In or something.
5. Extravagance
I spend too much money. I enjoy my petty creature comforts as well as fine dining and the full gamut of entertainment indulgences which leaves me wondering just why the immediate gratification is a worthwhile endeavor afterwards.
There is this notion of a 'penny saved' being a 'penny earned' and in that vein I could certainly use more savings and less expendatures. Like everything else, I'm working on it.
6. Tendencies towards being a loner
Now, at first glance this might be a disturbing image in the minds eye; until you remember that I am immersed in people for the vast bulk of my work week. The concept of "loners" and socialization is certainly not lost on me. It's just a difficult matter for me to be this social butterfly after I've spent 40 to 60 hours a week indulging all manner of the whims of others. After all, I sometimes feel that I am the only one undeserving of "down" or "me" time. Loner is a harsh term but far be it from me to spare myself an accurate description of appearances.
7. Abruptness
Abruptness manifests itself as anger, flippance, or a variety of other things based on the circumstances. Though it is never my intent I noticed just last night at my mother's house how abrupt I come off at times in the full presence of "feeling normal" and "without anger" at all. Toward that end I will attempt to project a softer reaction ... particularly toward my mother — without getting all disgustingly kissy faced as is the habit of some I have encountered over the years. Looks can be deceiving. Appearing short isn't always some crabby countenance. It's sometimes part and parcel to some troubleshooting event.
Anyway, I get the impression that my neighbors would like me to be a little more friendly and outgoing. I don't really see it happening in the foreseeable future.
I don't feel obligated to provide anyone with predictability nor excessive ebullience or effusiveness in my activities of daily living. I do endeavor to be presentable in polite company as well.
So, be all of this as it may; I recognize my shortcomings. I try to work on those I can control effectively and wrangle with those I cannot — and most importantly:
I try to understand the difference between them.
Cheers!
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- September 7, 2018
- Trying to make it up to God
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I have been a lousy Christian. I have used the title of the Lord, my God whose name is "I Am" in vain entirely too much. I have apologized and repent only to turn around and do it again the next day.
Fall short? I keep falling off a cliff.
It's no wonder winning the lottery eludes me. I have read of so many who have prayed to God and won while I have reached the point that I know there's no need mentioning it.
However, I remain stalwart in my belief that "God hears all prayers" ... Even if the answer is "no".
So I attempt to speak to God most every day. I share my hopes and fears, my dreams and aspirations. I attempt to understand Him and want Him to understand me.
Even though he knows all things from the beginning throughout the Eternity there is still that glowing ember which was the soul of a little boy so long ago.
That child who knew he was forgiven and fell asleep in the confidence of salvation despite his imperfections.
That jaded adult which he became not withstanding; I seek a more innocent moment in time which I shall never regain.
So I simply abide and speak my mind as best I can. I attempt to remain civil and reverent to a degree and hope that when all is said and done that I am not cast into the lake of fire.
I think I know the answer to the pertinent questions regarding His elect. I'm just not at all sure that I qualify for that connotation.
Regardless, all I can be is a man like all the others. Flawed more or less and just trying to get though this thing called life without wasting so much as I have up to now.
It's a difficult matter to pursue spirituality and be the profane person that I am. However, I'm working on it ... still.
I who claim to be Christian have hurt others.
Others who claim to be Christian have hurt me.
We'll just have to see what that tally is at the white throne and just who indeed are the deceived with their claims of impending 'rapture' regardless of how unBiblical it all may be.
Our works are all that accompany us to the hereafter. Mine are pretty shabby.
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- September 6, 2018
- National Coffee Ice Cream Day 2018
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Now then I am a proponent of drinking coffee.
It's more utilitarian than anything else with a need to get all "jacked up" to apply myself at work.
I haven't really been a fan of coffee confections like my nephew drinking the cold starbucks drinks like they aren't going to make anymore.
I likewise haven't been too enthused over a nice dish of coffee ice cream, either.
Call me old fashioned, but I prefer the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry among the more exotic flavors most of all.
Today is National Coffee Ice Cream Day.
We don't know the origins of the observance, but there is quite a contingent of individuals who savor the flavor of this caffiene infused dairy delight.
Thanks, but I won't be having any.
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- September 5, 2018
- Be Late For Something Day 2018
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Being late is one of my darkest phobias ...
It's something the Navy put into me.
The thought of unauthorized absence and getting into hot water with the service was formidable enough.
However, I think that subconsciously it was the notion of having to fess up to my late father, Master Chief Williamson that made me REALLY want to always be on time.
My dad was a no-nonsense straight talking kind of fellow who didn't pull any punches and I just didn't want that to ever be a conversation we had.
Anyway, it became so engrained in my psyche that now I am chronically early rather than late.
I'd much rather be an hour early than a minute late. I guess as neurotic tendencies go I could have picked one more destructive than being on time.
This is just another quirk and believe me -- according to my niece, Rebecca, I have many.
So on this particular day we're not supposed to worry about deadline pressures, punching the clock -- or keeping track of the minutes and seconds as the fly right on by.
We're supposed to take a little more time for ourselves today and not worry about getting there on any schedule. So ease on by and toss that clock.
Happy Be Late for Something Day !
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- September 4, 2018
- Newspaper Carrier Day 2018
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I'm afraid that newspapers are on their way out.
They have pretty much been supplanted by the "new media" offerings of the internet juxtaposed with their own sloppy presence thereto ...
Complete with all the yellowness to which journalism has evolved in it's quest to influence opinions rather than report facts.
That stupidity which is the fake news of the present will ultimately disappear with those purveyors of such malfeasance as CNN, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times among the Washington Compost and other such rags of deceit.
Today is Newspaper Carrier Day in memory of one Barney Flaherty, the first newspaper carrier who was hired in 1833 by Benjamin Day, publisher of the New York Sun.
Then there is International Newspaper Carrier Day held under the auspices of the Newspaper Association of America typically held on the Saturday of the first week in October.
The purpose of International Newspaper Carrier Day is to recognize those contributions of newspapers to those communities they serve.
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- September 3, 2018
- Labor Day 2018
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So we embark on another Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday in September to appease the working class looking for another day off during the week.
The American labor movement is celebrated on this day. That evolution of work being 'outsourced' during that abomination called the Obama Administration is being curtailed such that many more of us are becoming gainfully employed once again.
We may look for those contributions of these workers to add to the well being of the country despite that idiocy of the democrats, progressives, communists, and that idiot Al Gore in particular who claims that the coal miners should remain unemployed.
Labor Day weekend marks the 'unofficial' end of Summer and it's long weekend is both anticipated and celebrated.
So in this time of improving employment I hope you will enjoy the holiday.
Happy Labor Day !
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- September 1, 2018
- Random Acts of Kindness Day 2018
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There are selfish acts all over the world these days. There are also a myriad selfless acts as well.
Today is Random Act of Kindess day which is said to originate from a term "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" coined by writer and editor Anne Herbert on a place mat in 1982-1983 at a restaurant just to the North of San Francisco in Sausalito, California.
The day became officially observed in New Zealand in 2004 and it is held on September 1 there. It is observed on February 17 here in the United States. Regardless of how or when you observe it that notion of spreading kindness is appropriate universally.
I sometimes reach out to touch others in an anonymous fashion; such as helping out someone I don't really know when they may be having difficult times ... or even kind words penned into an obituary guest book.
Whether you call it altruism, 'paying it forward', or even kindess or being a 'good Samaritan', We who try to assist and lend good cheer to others indulge this notion of the "random act of kindess".
Now if I could only cough up a little senseless beauty to go with it all ...
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- August 31, 2018
- Gorp
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Gorp is a mixture of high-energy foods typically including dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, and seeds consumed either as a snack or remotely as a primary sustenance. Loosely, this term may be applied to "trail mix" which is essentially the same thing.
My first encounter with gorp was a trip to the Chatooga River where I consumed it with great gusto having arrived with little in the way of funds and stayed pretty much starving the entire time. Still, I wanted to make the trip so I went with no money like the fool that I was at that time.
Today is National Trail Mix Day in the United States. It is a time to consider or possibly enjoy that high energy snack called trail mix.
It now comes in a variety of mixtures and is more or less healthy depending on what you combine to make it. Me ... I enjoy the large unsalted nuts and dried fruit combinations.
Others prefer the more indulgent varieties which include chocolate and other sweets in the mix. Regardless, it's a fine way to stave of hunger ... regardless of how it occurs.
Happy National Trail Mix Day to you. Trail mix is gorp. Gorp is trail mix.
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- August 30, 2018
- Obesity and Health
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Now I am what you'd call 'obeast' ... as my old Navy pal Artie Swenson used to put it. I'm well beyond that BMR measurement for which I have had nothing but contempt since it's creation with it's "one size fits all" philosophy and utter ignorance of way too much anatomy and physiology to suit me.
At this time I would admit that I was an obese child. Indeed, I was obese well before the time it became a national tragedy. I suffered those rejections associated with being the "fat new kid with acne" in the various schools I attended over the course of my life. I recall even being rejected by fat women because I was a fat child.
I remember thinking how hypocritical I thought a few of them were too with their rolls of fat drooping off the stools and school chairs upon which they had ladled all that pretentious self righteousness. I wonder if any of them are still alive. One thing about it -- my fat is that visceral stuff which gives you the "apple" shape and is so morbid in the literature. Rolls and drooping were never my problems.
Since the AMA decided to declare 'disease status' for obesity I am left with this notion that I am indeed diseased. My particular variant is known as "metabolic syndrome" which is a combination of crap I inherited from various ancestors and the consequences are typically hyperlipidemia and high triglycerides (crisco blood), hypertension (high blood pressure), and adult onset diabetes mellitus (type 2).
It is rather disconcerting that the mess should be classified as diabetes proper given the research into the causative combination ... but one get's tired of arguing all the bloody time and as such I've just decided to let it be whatever those who study it (such as myself) think it is.
Over the years, conceptualization of obesity model involving a modicum of fitness has been batted around by healthcare professionals (if indeed we have any of those anymore) whereby you are "fat, but fit" if you will. I even believe that I know a few of these individuals -- and freely admit that I am not one of them.
The gist of all of this revolves around metabolic health juxtaposed with that roomy configuration all too prevalent in the deep South with our fried chicken, starches and gravy, and (heaven forbid) banana pudding replete with vanilla wafers and meringue topping. DA-rool-el
BMI is certainly a dismal indicator for health even in the presence of so many misguided proponents who might scream otherwise. Addressing our lack of some benchmark which isn't BMIcentric might help -- AND there is always some pharmaceutical or medical lobby with which to contend in these matters because of that hallowed industrial complex in existence solely designed to shove as many expensive drugs and newfangled diagnostics down your throat as humanly possible.
Given all that I've been exposed to in my travels it's a wonder I'm still kicking anyway. The bottom line in all of this is that physical activity remains the primary cure of all that ails me and I realize this ... and the BMI remains worthless and the FDA and AMA are in bed far too deeply with the pharmaceutical and other industries -- yet no body wants to do anything about it; oversight included.
You see, medicine in the United States of America is more concerned with profits than quality care with our 'doc in the box' configurations and 'give me your social security number' idiots working their desks. I guess I'll have to be content to just die for lack of quality care when everybody's more concerned with making a buck. Obamacare simply complicated the issues by making everyone in the country the working man's problem. Like we actually needed another set of entitlement programs to go with the innumerable ones already in place.
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