Here is a list of Self-Improvement Blogs ordered by Last Edited, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
But each day, when she walks to the sea...
But each day, when she walks to the sea, She looks straight ahead, not at he...
Lyrics from the song The Girl From Ipanema, a 1960's Brazilian Bossa Nova international hit.
It's in the song list of music I'm learning, for an upcoming gig. Rehearsals at a rate of 2 per week puts me in a pinch, as it's not enough time to comfortably learn all the arrangements and play more than one set as a trio. My cousin will duo with the guitarist and do the other 2 sets without me. No choice. it's agreed. The venue is a open bar at a restaurant and the management only wanted a duo to play low-volume anyway. I'll be introduced as a guest musician and play a few songs. We are bumping the regular entertainment... a woman who sings to pre-recorded music.
At this point, I'm expecting to carry on my day job working 2 large projects and 1 small one already on the books. I asked for a short break from sales for a few months. That didn't go as planned, three new sales leads are on my calendar.
I'll make it happen... I always do.
Brazilian jazz singer, Astrud Gilberto, 1940 to 2023 died at the age of 83.
Lyrics from the song The Girl From Ipanema, a 1960's Brazilian Bossa Nova international hit.
It's in the song list of music I'm learning, for an upcoming gig. Rehearsals at a rate of 2 per week puts me in a pinch, as it's not enough time to comfortably learn all the arrangements and play more than one set as a trio. My cousin will duo with the guitarist and do the other 2 sets without me. No choice. it's agreed. The venue is a open bar at a restaurant and the management only wanted a duo to play low-volume anyway. I'll be introduced as a guest musician and play a few songs. We are bumping the regular entertainment... a woman who sings to pre-recorded music.
At this point, I'm expecting to carry on my day job working 2 large projects and 1 small one already on the books. I asked for a short break from sales for a few months. That didn't go as planned, three new sales leads are on my calendar.
I'll make it happen... I always do.
Brazilian jazz singer, Astrud Gilberto, 1940 to 2023 died at the age of 83.
Changing someones opinion... in CS
Have you noticed that changing someones opinion in CS doesn't happen? Especially in politics. What you believe is what you believe and NOTHING factual posted here will make you change your mind.
I'll give some examples:
The 2020 election. It's been disputed (by the same small percentage) but no evidence came up to change it.
The Biden family is the most corrupt group in America. Right? This usually comes up when the talk is about Trump court cases. Yet, they haven't found any dirt on Biden needed to get a vote to start the impeachment process. That doesn't stop those who repeat him being the worst president in the US and the most corrupt.
Fake news... usually the ones who parrot that phrase listen to the news service of Fox who was sued by Dominion Voting Systems (and lost) in a settlement of $787 million.
The earth is flat. Yeah, it's all done by holograms.
Believing the posts on TRUTH social from it's creator, who was banned from Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for making UNTRUE statements.
Denial of air pollution and climate change because in winter you had two feet of snow in your city. Let's discuss this in direct sunlight. Your place or mine?
America needs to start using sludge / tar oil from The Keystone XL Pipeline. Shall we because it's raising our gasoline prices. I guess, that hasn't been disputed enough on CS.
I'll give some examples:
The 2020 election. It's been disputed (by the same small percentage) but no evidence came up to change it.
The Biden family is the most corrupt group in America. Right? This usually comes up when the talk is about Trump court cases. Yet, they haven't found any dirt on Biden needed to get a vote to start the impeachment process. That doesn't stop those who repeat him being the worst president in the US and the most corrupt.
Fake news... usually the ones who parrot that phrase listen to the news service of Fox who was sued by Dominion Voting Systems (and lost) in a settlement of $787 million.
The earth is flat. Yeah, it's all done by holograms.
Believing the posts on TRUTH social from it's creator, who was banned from Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for making UNTRUE statements.
Denial of air pollution and climate change because in winter you had two feet of snow in your city. Let's discuss this in direct sunlight. Your place or mine?
America needs to start using sludge / tar oil from The Keystone XL Pipeline. Shall we because it's raising our gasoline prices. I guess, that hasn't been disputed enough on CS.
America is no longer offering liberty and justice for all.
I watched some, not all, of a highly emotional video although I REALLY hate videos which try to manipulate my emotions which is why I didn’t watch it all and haven’t linked it.
It was a tale of abortion refused, and the year that followed. Stripped of emotional throbbing-voice content, the facts are pretty simple.
The couple had five children already. They had previous drugs and drink issues. Four – FOUR – of the children had already been taken by the state as they were judged unfit parents. She tried to get number six aborted for a very real health issue but was refused. Strike one.
That health issue - she’d fallen pregnant again when her earlier child was three months old. The embryo was embedded in the C-section scar from her last pregnancy which meant chances of carrying to term were non-existent. Chances of life-threatening complications, extreme. Not good enough reason for an abortion. Strike two.
Complications indeed but both mother and child survived emergency premature birth and the child went straight into an incubator. The closest hospital with suitable facilities was an hour away. Mother America dug deep to pay the mother the life-changing $14 a week paid to mums whose kids are in hospital at a distance, to spend as she wished.
The baby was discharged, still needing a feeding tube and specialized care, and did I mention quite severely retarded? on the first birthday of its older sister, presenting serious care issues. Too young and too disabled to be put into day-care facility, but here’s a little problem, both parents work, neither parent eligible for European-style parental leave or support. In fact, it seems the states refusing abortion ironically offer the least support to mothers of newborns. Some American logic for you. Strike three.
Well, I gave up on the video at that point. Even the American who had posted it didn’t seem to realize how shatteringly badly it reflects on you as a supposedly advanced country, it was posted as a heartwarming tale of courage in the face of adversity, to tug at the heartstrings. Aw.
I drew some conclusions, then deleted them. What's the point. Add your own if you feel a need. I do find that my interest in your Big Issues, now I've seen your ignored ones, is diddly squat.
There’s a blog at the moment mocking the way Europe tries to look after its own and hoping America doesn’t go that way. I deleted my comments on that too.
It was a tale of abortion refused, and the year that followed. Stripped of emotional throbbing-voice content, the facts are pretty simple.
The couple had five children already. They had previous drugs and drink issues. Four – FOUR – of the children had already been taken by the state as they were judged unfit parents. She tried to get number six aborted for a very real health issue but was refused. Strike one.
That health issue - she’d fallen pregnant again when her earlier child was three months old. The embryo was embedded in the C-section scar from her last pregnancy which meant chances of carrying to term were non-existent. Chances of life-threatening complications, extreme. Not good enough reason for an abortion. Strike two.
Complications indeed but both mother and child survived emergency premature birth and the child went straight into an incubator. The closest hospital with suitable facilities was an hour away. Mother America dug deep to pay the mother the life-changing $14 a week paid to mums whose kids are in hospital at a distance, to spend as she wished.
The baby was discharged, still needing a feeding tube and specialized care, and did I mention quite severely retarded? on the first birthday of its older sister, presenting serious care issues. Too young and too disabled to be put into day-care facility, but here’s a little problem, both parents work, neither parent eligible for European-style parental leave or support. In fact, it seems the states refusing abortion ironically offer the least support to mothers of newborns. Some American logic for you. Strike three.
Well, I gave up on the video at that point. Even the American who had posted it didn’t seem to realize how shatteringly badly it reflects on you as a supposedly advanced country, it was posted as a heartwarming tale of courage in the face of adversity, to tug at the heartstrings. Aw.
I drew some conclusions, then deleted them. What's the point. Add your own if you feel a need. I do find that my interest in your Big Issues, now I've seen your ignored ones, is diddly squat.
There’s a blog at the moment mocking the way Europe tries to look after its own and hoping America doesn’t go that way. I deleted my comments on that too.
Dickey Betts RIP...
One of the founding members of the Allman Brothers band passed away at the age of 80. He was a singer and guitarist, born in West Palm Beach, Florida and retired in Osprey, Florida.
Betts had some health issues dating back to a stroke in 2018 and died from cancer and COPD at his home today.
Ramblin' Man - The Allman Brothers Band
Betts had some health issues dating back to a stroke in 2018 and died from cancer and COPD at his home today.
Ramblin' Man - The Allman Brothers Band
The price of gas has dropped sharply. SOME PLACES HAVE DROPPED MORE THAN A DOLLAR A GALLON...
About 9 weeks ago local gas prices peaked. Have you noticed? Prices appear to be going down sharply. Last month, some stations near the highway were a little over $5 per gallon while the cheaper stations were peaking around $4.79 to $4.85
I had business in the Hollywood area Wednesday and pleased to see a few stations as low as $4.17 per gallon for cash. I passed the opportunity and got gas in Fort Lauderdale for $4.27 I live in Palm Beach County and cheap gas was around $4.29 today.
A friend who has a membership with BJ's Club got gas on Friday and paid $3.89. That's a dollar less per gallon than he was paying in June!
Typically in the summer months, gas prices rise just when people go on vacation.
Since no one I know has the ability to control the price of oil as it gets to the refineries, all we can do for now is shop around.
There are a few phone apps that monitor gas prices so you can see who has the best price in your area.
Hopefully this is going to be a downward trend making consumers happy!
I pulled up a 6 month chart from the website gasbuddy to confirm my suspicion and the national average was $5.02 on June 12 and $4.40 on July 22. Yes, going down.
Link:
The inspiration for this blog was another blog that stated fuel prices were skyrocketing, as in presently happening. That wasn't factual. Prices peaked weeks ago. It made a claim from outdated information as prices were declining. Since I posted this blog, the other blog title was changed and now compares it with a previous administration and that Biden supporters being happy with the high price of fuel.
Was it something I said?
(title edited because some people mistakenly thought I said gas prices were a dollar a gallon. I said they dropped a dollar a gallon) But that's okay, you can still complain about it.
I had business in the Hollywood area Wednesday and pleased to see a few stations as low as $4.17 per gallon for cash. I passed the opportunity and got gas in Fort Lauderdale for $4.27 I live in Palm Beach County and cheap gas was around $4.29 today.
A friend who has a membership with BJ's Club got gas on Friday and paid $3.89. That's a dollar less per gallon than he was paying in June!
Typically in the summer months, gas prices rise just when people go on vacation.
Since no one I know has the ability to control the price of oil as it gets to the refineries, all we can do for now is shop around.
There are a few phone apps that monitor gas prices so you can see who has the best price in your area.
Hopefully this is going to be a downward trend making consumers happy!
I pulled up a 6 month chart from the website gasbuddy to confirm my suspicion and the national average was $5.02 on June 12 and $4.40 on July 22. Yes, going down.
Link:
The inspiration for this blog was another blog that stated fuel prices were skyrocketing, as in presently happening. That wasn't factual. Prices peaked weeks ago. It made a claim from outdated information as prices were declining. Since I posted this blog, the other blog title was changed and now compares it with a previous administration and that Biden supporters being happy with the high price of fuel.
Was it something I said?
(title edited because some people mistakenly thought I said gas prices were a dollar a gallon. I said they dropped a dollar a gallon) But that's okay, you can still complain about it.
Another Public Apology
Hello all. I’m sorry for being such an a**hole lately. I didn’t think I was capable of being an a** but someone here said yes you’re being an a** so I apologize. I would blame how my life is going at the moment but that isn’t a good excuse. There’s no reason for me to flip out at anyone here. You all are just voicing your opinion. I’m sorry. I was going to delete my profile but that’s not very mature either. I would be doing it for the wrong reasons. I only want to delete it if I’ve met someone. I want to do what Jack Dawson said in Titanic, 1997 and just learn to take life as it comes at me. That’s very sound advice in my opinion. Omg I love that advice! I did delete some blogs that I thought were “assholy” blogs. Lol. So if you commented on them I’m sorry your comment was deleted automatically. I know commenting takes time and effort. Thank you for doing so nevertheless and for putting up with me.
Here’s to more positive blogging in the future with you all.
Here’s to more positive blogging in the future with you all.
Cellphone HELL...
With all the phones, tablets, laptops and computers I go through, I should be used to upgrades/changes by now. Last week, I took delivery on the Samsung S24 Ultra with 1 terabyte of memory. It's their flagship model that boasts a 200 megapixel camera.
Using Samsung Smart Switch app, I backed up the old phone to my computer.
The new phone came with a double end USB-C connector for direct transfer phone to phone which s faster than using Wi-Fi. Smart Switch is resident on both phones but it took a few tries to connect.
Nearly everything transferred and all the the apps and screen settings are identical. Passwords didn't sync and I had to setup Google, Gmail, Samsung, WhatsApp and Signal again. I lost my most cherished app called Gesture Search. Someone else is making a version of Gesture Search that is no better than a first year computer programming homework assignment. Hopefully, they will listen to the user comments and make an update worthy of calling it Gesture Search.
I'm estimating nearly 2 days lost for research to set the phone up where it actually functions to my liking. A handful of calls to T-Mobile support and so many calls to Samsung customer care and technical support I lost track. I had a 'needed to fix' list or the phone goes back to Samsung and I get a refund.
Some features are no longer supported so I have to do a 'work around' to get what I want.
Notifications both visual and sound are nearly there. I would have preferred to see a flashing indicator or flag to let me know there are unread messages or emails.
The phone will give a reminder beep after 3 minutes and briefly vibrate when I pick up the phone. Always on display is the cure, but that eats into battery time.
Most of my text messages are converted using the microphone... Well, they were on my old phone, but the icon wasn't on the top row of the keyboard as expected. A call to Samsung and I was told the microphone is no longer supported. WTF? microphone not supported.
They had me download and install Gboard which is Google's keyboard app. It worked fine and quick, but the top row with numbers (found on the default Samsung keyboard) required a function key and extra keystrokes to achieve the same results... just like my BlackBerry phone 20 years ago!
Not accepting the Samsung Tech Support solution, I reverted back the the Samsung keyboard. An internet search revealed, you can toggle the microphone on and off via a separate menu. It now appears on the lower corner and not along the top row of commands like the previous 4 cellphones did.
Now for the camera that cannot default to low resolution images. I guess Samsung thinks it's beneath the S24 Ultra and forces them to only shoot high-res images.
Images were distorted and out of proportion. I reset the phone settings to default, rebooted the phone and most of the camera aspect issues went away. Photos sent by text messages are large, but the file size is manageable. Probably 2.5 times larger than my old phone.
The phone has a serious problem with images appearing like a fisheye lens. Vertical lines appeared curved, especially noticeable when looking at buildings or geometric objects having straight lines. I downloaded Samsung's Camera Assistant that has a setting to cure that. I'll test it tomorrow when I'm out on appointments.
While my experience and product review with this phone has been mostly negative, the speed of functions and menus is amazingly fast. It does automatic translation when texting. A very powerful feature.
I'm holding the screen resolution at it's lowest setting of HD+ 1560 x 720. maybe later I'll experiment with the QHD+ 3120 x 1440.
All the drawbacks to using anything more than the basic settings is reduced battery time. I'll have to test it with lots of use, calls, photos, GPS and see if I need to activate battery saver.
(note to self: phone doesn't come close to rated battery life)
Cellphone hell...
Using Samsung Smart Switch app, I backed up the old phone to my computer.
The new phone came with a double end USB-C connector for direct transfer phone to phone which s faster than using Wi-Fi. Smart Switch is resident on both phones but it took a few tries to connect.
Nearly everything transferred and all the the apps and screen settings are identical. Passwords didn't sync and I had to setup Google, Gmail, Samsung, WhatsApp and Signal again. I lost my most cherished app called Gesture Search. Someone else is making a version of Gesture Search that is no better than a first year computer programming homework assignment. Hopefully, they will listen to the user comments and make an update worthy of calling it Gesture Search.
I'm estimating nearly 2 days lost for research to set the phone up where it actually functions to my liking. A handful of calls to T-Mobile support and so many calls to Samsung customer care and technical support I lost track. I had a 'needed to fix' list or the phone goes back to Samsung and I get a refund.
Some features are no longer supported so I have to do a 'work around' to get what I want.
Notifications both visual and sound are nearly there. I would have preferred to see a flashing indicator or flag to let me know there are unread messages or emails.
The phone will give a reminder beep after 3 minutes and briefly vibrate when I pick up the phone. Always on display is the cure, but that eats into battery time.
Most of my text messages are converted using the microphone... Well, they were on my old phone, but the icon wasn't on the top row of the keyboard as expected. A call to Samsung and I was told the microphone is no longer supported. WTF? microphone not supported.
They had me download and install Gboard which is Google's keyboard app. It worked fine and quick, but the top row with numbers (found on the default Samsung keyboard) required a function key and extra keystrokes to achieve the same results... just like my BlackBerry phone 20 years ago!
Not accepting the Samsung Tech Support solution, I reverted back the the Samsung keyboard. An internet search revealed, you can toggle the microphone on and off via a separate menu. It now appears on the lower corner and not along the top row of commands like the previous 4 cellphones did.
Now for the camera that cannot default to low resolution images. I guess Samsung thinks it's beneath the S24 Ultra and forces them to only shoot high-res images.
Images were distorted and out of proportion. I reset the phone settings to default, rebooted the phone and most of the camera aspect issues went away. Photos sent by text messages are large, but the file size is manageable. Probably 2.5 times larger than my old phone.
The phone has a serious problem with images appearing like a fisheye lens. Vertical lines appeared curved, especially noticeable when looking at buildings or geometric objects having straight lines. I downloaded Samsung's Camera Assistant that has a setting to cure that. I'll test it tomorrow when I'm out on appointments.
While my experience and product review with this phone has been mostly negative, the speed of functions and menus is amazingly fast. It does automatic translation when texting. A very powerful feature.
I'm holding the screen resolution at it's lowest setting of HD+ 1560 x 720. maybe later I'll experiment with the QHD+ 3120 x 1440.
All the drawbacks to using anything more than the basic settings is reduced battery time. I'll have to test it with lots of use, calls, photos, GPS and see if I need to activate battery saver.
(note to self: phone doesn't come close to rated battery life)
Cellphone hell...
Men start their own movement...
They call it the soft guy era...Drizzle Drizzle movement.
Basically, men are now starting to have their own high standards. These standards are very similar to women, some even say they are the same standards that women have been preaching for the last years.
Some of these standards are:
Women must have money.
They must pay.
They must have high quality physical attributes.
They must also tolerate the lack of appreciation from men.
They must buy the ring for men.
They must approach men.
They must provide them with a lavish lifestyle.
....the list goes on....on the same requirements women have required of men for years.
This movement suggest men stop paying women for anything...that means stop your OF subscriptions, don't pay for dates, don't pay rent, don't pay for anything. In fact what it means, now that women have the same earning potential as men, it means that women pay men. Some even suggest that construction workers even leave their jobs and let women do them. Keep in mind folks, this is just what I am hearing and I am sharing here for you.
What do you think women and men of this? I just am learning about it as I type this.
What I think of it? I think it is cute.
I think it is about time that men pursue their happiness.
Let me ask you men, when women have been making all these crazy high demands, what has that gotten you? The real statistics are there: women are only going after the top 5 to 10% of men...leaving the remaining 90%+ men useless to them.
As I predicted, this recent multi-wave woman movement will lead to a beautiful life in the end. When I mean beautiful life, I mean beautiful for both men and women.
Women ran too far.
and
Men are logical problem solvers. It was a matter of time when men would come up with a solution to the problem. Is this the solution??
Basically, men are now starting to have their own high standards. These standards are very similar to women, some even say they are the same standards that women have been preaching for the last years.
Some of these standards are:
Women must have money.
They must pay.
They must have high quality physical attributes.
They must also tolerate the lack of appreciation from men.
They must buy the ring for men.
They must approach men.
They must provide them with a lavish lifestyle.
....the list goes on....on the same requirements women have required of men for years.
This movement suggest men stop paying women for anything...that means stop your OF subscriptions, don't pay for dates, don't pay rent, don't pay for anything. In fact what it means, now that women have the same earning potential as men, it means that women pay men. Some even suggest that construction workers even leave their jobs and let women do them. Keep in mind folks, this is just what I am hearing and I am sharing here for you.
What do you think women and men of this? I just am learning about it as I type this.
What I think of it? I think it is cute.
I think it is about time that men pursue their happiness.
Let me ask you men, when women have been making all these crazy high demands, what has that gotten you? The real statistics are there: women are only going after the top 5 to 10% of men...leaving the remaining 90%+ men useless to them.
As I predicted, this recent multi-wave woman movement will lead to a beautiful life in the end. When I mean beautiful life, I mean beautiful for both men and women.
Women ran too far.
and
Men are logical problem solvers. It was a matter of time when men would come up with a solution to the problem. Is this the solution??
online today!
The Preppy Killer
Did you hear about the recent parole of a woman killer?...It all went down in a New York City park in the 1980's...
Robert Chambers a lovely young man who was charged with murder but was reduced (he pled to a lesser charge)...due to the testimony and other 'supporters' believed that it was in fact an accident...
He admitted to killing his friend Jennifer (after it became clear that he could not lie about his involvement) in a 'rough sex' went wrong accident...
At first he suggested it happened as the young lady was the aggressor and he was defending himself...later he said he applied too much force...
Adding to this seemingly unreal tale...his lawyer painted this young lady as a slut or bad girl...Robert on the other hand was a good looking, tall, popular lad who went to one of the best schools in NYC...
If you were privy to see the autopsy photos...I would beg to differ...but then again...this took place in the 80's...
Another ace up the defense's sleeve was his mother's friend a Catholic Church Cardinal called Uncle Ted...vouched for Robert's virtue/good character...
even gave him refuge...
So you can see why the prosecution decided to plead him down to a lesser charge...
Little did they know that Robert's friends and family hid his thievery and drug addiction from the public...
It gets better...he gets 5-15 years in the clink but had some behaviour/conduct issues that resulted in him doing the full 15 years...drug use/ smuggling to name a few...
Just when you think you heard enough...there is more...
After his release from prison...he decides that dealing drugs out of his apartment is a great job...good for the community...
Robert gets busted and spends approx.15 years or so in prison again...his girlfriend gets rehab...maybe they think she has been through enough...
So now he is free and going to be someone's neighbour...
Good Luck New York...
Robert Chambers a lovely young man who was charged with murder but was reduced (he pled to a lesser charge)...due to the testimony and other 'supporters' believed that it was in fact an accident...
He admitted to killing his friend Jennifer (after it became clear that he could not lie about his involvement) in a 'rough sex' went wrong accident...
At first he suggested it happened as the young lady was the aggressor and he was defending himself...later he said he applied too much force...
Adding to this seemingly unreal tale...his lawyer painted this young lady as a slut or bad girl...Robert on the other hand was a good looking, tall, popular lad who went to one of the best schools in NYC...
If you were privy to see the autopsy photos...I would beg to differ...but then again...this took place in the 80's...
Another ace up the defense's sleeve was his mother's friend a Catholic Church Cardinal called Uncle Ted...vouched for Robert's virtue/good character...
even gave him refuge...So you can see why the prosecution decided to plead him down to a lesser charge...
Little did they know that Robert's friends and family hid his thievery and drug addiction from the public...
It gets better...he gets 5-15 years in the clink but had some behaviour/conduct issues that resulted in him doing the full 15 years...drug use/ smuggling to name a few...
Just when you think you heard enough...there is more...
After his release from prison...he decides that dealing drugs out of his apartment is a great job...good for the community...
Robert gets busted and spends approx.15 years or so in prison again...his girlfriend gets rehab...maybe they think she has been through enough...
So now he is free and going to be someone's neighbour...
Good Luck New York...
A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, your thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you have learned. It's your own page on Connecting Singles that you can update on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. You can write about an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with Connecting Singles members. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about members you have met here. Please be sure to read the blog rules before posting.
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