Richard_D Blog Comments (476)

Personal Power

Hey Ham - Great to see you!

I know... I push the practicality of the land of blogging ... it probably shows that much of this is just my effort to try to put my thoughts into words ... it's a form of self-therapy that blogging provides for me.

Some other bloggers seem to do this as well. ... sort of a "my mind is saying this ... my instincts say that ... dear friends, help me clarify things".

Blog therapy ... and my mind comes up with some thought-puzzles.

Now... #4 across ... 7 letters, ending with a T ... (also working a crossword puzzle )

Personal Power

Hi Morgen

Multi-meaning, multi-thinking about, multi-I'm not sure what he's talking about this time. You mean ... that sort of blog?

Hey Morgen - Life has it's limitations, doesn't it? Ever wonder... if you were just being you... and the limitations were removed... how life would be different?

The pursuit of liberty is one thing... but what does liberty look and feel like?

Some brain exercise in this for certain....
<< jumping jacks ... push-ups come next.

Power Corrupts

Hi Chica!

The car is back in the garage tonight.

It turns out that there is a canister of charcoal that absorbs excess gas fumes and releases them when the engine is running. So it's a safety device when adding fuel and also an environmental device in containing some of the fuel vapor and allowing it to be burned by the engine as intended.

So that was the current repair... and now I need to wait... drive the car a few days... hopeful that the computer is now happy... and have it tested again...

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So government work ... Yes, I wish the government employees here and there the best! It's important to have the business of government attended to, but I sort-of don't want to give them reasons to hire more people.

(Personal Power - coming up... in about 12 hrs)

RE: what is loneliness?

Loneliness, part 2... good to break it down...

I like Morgen's thoughts... They point out our innate need for purpose... a reason for being. A basic human need I think.

With purpose... we feel needed and necessary... that's part of it for me... breaks up the feeling of isolation...

Power Corrupts

Morgen - Thanks for the clarification!

Interesting... It feels like it's always been the way it is here so I'm intrigued about how it has been working in Norway.

The small parties here... I think they do some good in making sure the 2 big parties remember to get something done in-between their arguments with each other. I wish they had a bit more leverage (the smart people stand out more in these smaller organizations).

I try to remember though... when nothing is getting done in Washington (when they are spending all their time complaining about each other ), that means fewer new laws, regulations and ways to spend taxpayer money are being created.

Power Corrupts

Morgen - Passing along your degree to HL? Quite generous of you! ... and I agree... she seems to have thought the matter through.

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Blue - Government and corporate help/guidance ... working together ... doesn't really lead to a good place it seems.

A patriot dictator... an interesting alternative.

It seems like the thoughts from HL (above) might apply ... basically that the government wasn't being run by the citizens... that those in government listened to non-citizens (corporations) too much... and greed factored in as well...

A muddled mess...

(Feel free to correct me if my understanding is off-target.)

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Lazly - Lawyers ... when "the system" rewards greed more than justice ... ugh.

Power Corrupts

Chica -

Challenging, isn't it?

I feel like I'm giving a sort of lecture here... speaking too much myself... not good blog hosting. but I'm going to continue anyways!

This is a topic I think about ... and it's election season for too much of the year over here... way too much coverage on the news of political campaigns...

Lachica - I agree ... and government creates more government some times ... new committees and authorities get created ... all for good reasons ... all require more staffing and more money ... and the government continues growing and growing...

There was a time here when working for the government was a low-paying job. If you go back 50 years or more in the US ... government employees had few benefits and smaller paychecks than those working for private companies. Along the way, this turned around... government makes its own budget... so hires people and determines salaries... and when funds go down, instead of cutting staff (which is now difficult because the government employees are "protected" by their unions (protected from themselves? )) ... it gets messed up ...

The "job for life" ... "get promoted based on how long you've been there rather than how well you do your work" ... this outlook isn't good... we have it here too (as you can tell) ...

Overall, our layers of government are filled with honest people... but there are weaknesses in design that seem to only be getting weaker... it worries me.

Power Corrupts

Morgen - So there's one large political party and several small ones (do I understand this correctly?)

With one party in charge, do you feel like they are looking after your country well?

There's a school of thought... that all issues should have a debate... air out all the good and the bad... if one side of the argument is weak, that might just show you what the right decision is.

The thinking by some here (2 major political parties and several rather small ones) is that our 2 major parties work this debate well... everything one party is for, the other is against... so it all gets put out in the open... the good arguments and the lame ones... they all come out. It can make it dysfunctional in some ways but no one group gets to come up with an idea and vote it in without having anyone point out the flaws.

Your one party... perhaps they are good enough to keep themselves in check... and I don't think this is better or worse necessarily ... just something to watch and be careful about ... if (un-elected) party leaders start setting government priorities... that would worry me a bit.

Power Corrupts

I'm back!

Okay ... car is in the shop ... still in the shop. A problem with the "Evap" system. The car runs fine but its computer isn't happy and New York requires annual inspection (due in May for me) and it won't pass inspection if the car computer isn't happy with the "evap" system.

First - It's an environment thing. Probably a good idea. Keeps old cars from polluting more than necessary (evap has something to do with controlling gas fumes and/or exhaust).

But - some politician decided that my car needed to be grounded until this thing is figured out.

It makes sense... I don't mind too much... just more evidence of government control though... can't just build a car to work well, also need lots of additional sensors for a non-essential "evap" system... because the government here requires it.

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But it got me thinking about this...

Power Corrupts

Morgen - You don't have your degree on the wall?

I've been looking on eBay myself... might even find something already framed! ... might need to change the name...

People and their egos and their thirst for power...

> In government... if you're one of the people who make and enforce laws, you have some control over your fellow citizens ... they might even feel they need to be nice to you! ... Doesn't it feel good to be the boss?

> In business... If you're in charge of the money at your corporation... if you decide where the new plant gets built... you have power. Towns will seek you out to boost their economy... provide jobs...

Some people want to be in government because they want to be respected, listened to... to have power over others.

Some want to be in charge of corporations for similar reasons.

Which authority figure bothers you the most? Which do you fear?

The government bureaucrat or politician who decides where you're allowed to build your home?

The corporation who decides whether your town prospers or not?

(car trouble today... I'll be back from the shop in a bit... that's what inspired this blog )

RE: loneliness

Hi huhanna!

Welcome! ... Look around ... find a chair, coffee perhaps ... maybe wine ... settle in and get to know people around here.

Mostly, you'll see positive feedback and supportive comments ... mostly.

I like Saskia's thought about finding people who inspire you. The idea of someone to admire... someone interesting... and sharing ideas and a laughs... the blogs here can do this.

Welcome.

RE: how long age distance is the best between wife and

On another site someone mentioned "1/2 your age plus 7" should be the minimum age someone should be involved with. It was interesting to see some formula but I don't know where this came from originally.

Personally, it's always seemed unfair that men marry younger women only to leave them widowed in their later years.

I don't think the age difference matters (I'm with Ed, it's up to the 2 involved) ... but I always think of some fairness for later in life ... that we consider and stay smart about our health so neither becomes a burden on the other as we age. Having a big age difference would make this more difficult.

Hi Amy -

RE: You - And you ex.........

Hi Z

Very civilized in my opinion.

I think it comes back to the reasons you both had for becoming "ex" partners. Some go directly from love to hate so can't be near each other.

Life should be practical when circumstances allow. This also allowed for emotional distance to grow without being isolated from the person and the home that was familiar.

Many go through a slow transition... though for some, this would seem strange.



Best wishes to you and your new partner.

RE: Ham Diaries

Hi Ham! ... It's so cool to watch your adventures. Thanks for sharing your pictures!

The CS glitch... probably nothing you can do about it... it looks like it comes and goes... and I suspect it is some sort of filter/blocking software either at the hotel or perhaps as far upstream as country-level.

The ads that appear on CS come from servers in the US (I think) but perhaps elsewhere too ... and my guess is that the CS page only loads until it sees a server address (IP address) it doesn't like.

If it likes them all... the full page loads and you can see comments. If it starts filling in the page and hits an ad from an address it doesn't like, the page stops loading. All you can do is try again... the ads pay the bills for CS so there's no way to turn them off.

That's my guess anyways... perhaps CS will work better at your next hotel.

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

Morgen - Good morning! ... a cloudy Sunday here ... comfortable temps though.

Blogs are sort of like "slow motion chat", aren't they? I find the pace to be appealing... not too many people talking at once... usually just one or two topics on a blog... it's enjoyable.

Perhaps that's something the regulars here have in common ... that the blog format/pace fits well with our own pace of conversation/life.

I think a blog that's posted just because this is a comfortable way to talk with each other, is just fine. Thanks for getting the conversation going.

A Challenge Too Big for One Person to Solve

Chica - Tennis cuties... perhaps I should add a few of my own choices ... I'm just happy to see the ladies here on the blog ... part of the joy of being around women like youself ... you give us guys a reason to smile.

Nadal didn't used to be too good on clay but he's just amazing on any surface now.

And Novak! ... First, a really cool guy ... funny and very personable ... and he just gets the ball to do things the rest of us can only dream of ... so much fun to watch!

Thanks for checking the rankings! ... I know there are tournaments all year but I consider our Summer to be "tennis season".

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

Morgen - Behind the big cube building on the right is the Rainbow Bridge (cute name, huh? ) ... I think there might be a white line in the middle of the bridge... I know they put flags out there... about 10 feet apart... the US flag, then the Canadian flag to let you know you're over the line...

And Canadian customs awaits on the other side... need to show a passport... "What's your citizenship? Anything to declare?" ... that sort of thing ... similar routine on the way back ... generally worth the trouble though ... the view of the falls is much better from the Canadian side and their city is better built for tourists than ours is ... a shame really ... local politics in Niagara Falls, NY has a long history of bad decisions.

... a fun event! Thanks for letting me talk about it here!

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

A half mile from the falls... less than 1 km ... walking distance from the big drop.

Morg - About 40 miles from home... took about an hour to get there and find a place to park.

Brazillian - Next outdoor event with this group is in a few weeks... at "Serviceman's Park" on Lake Erie in downtown Buffalo... hope the weather is as nice as it was today!

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

Morg - Going to clutter up your blog a bit, okay?

Chica... pics I took on my phone...

The stage (with one of the groups before us... the audience filled in more later).



And the view on the stage as our group was getting ready to play...



One more... this was behind the stage... looking to the Southwest... the tower in the middle is in Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada). (We were in Niagara Falls, NY (USA))



This event was about 1/2 miles from the actual falls... I could see some of the mist from the falls as I was taking this picture.

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

Brazillian ... You need maybe, a few of us, sort-of find the joker... show him the end of a bad day... or something like that maybe?

A misunderstanding perhaps? ... Cold feet perhaps? (single people... some have things holding them back... nerves and all...)

Hope it's all for the best in the end........

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

In case anyone needs tunes to accompany their blog-reading...



Classic blues......... love the saxes....... and the guitar....

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

Hey Morgen, Cofy, everyone!

Morgen - Trombone for me... we were on stage for a little over an hour... jazz ... closed with "Sweet Home, Chicago" ... a fun tune.

RE: I know it's saturday and all, but still....

Ready to tick 10 pm here ... a couple of hours until sleep most likely ... it's been warm ... went to Niagara Falls this afternoon to play an outdoor gig ... lots of fun ... wish you all could have been there.

RE: Friday Three

Chica - Thank you ... he's a tough one to keep track of

He did mention getting a camera though... it'll be nice if he's able to share pictures from some of his adventures.

RE: Friday Three

Shay - A secluded beach... I like the idea... a lot...

Perhaps this link will work...


This is the beach at Cape Henlopen in Delaware... lots of sand dunes... It's a state park so will remain undeveloped... we used to visit relatives in Delaware and go to this beach for a picnic in the evening... (East Coast... so the sunset was over the land... there is a campground though ... I would imagine the sunrise is spectacular!).

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Chica - After the "baking in the sun" time of the day is over... a walk along the water, holding the hand of a special someone... very romantic... gives me a warm feeling to think about this...


And - when it is hot and sunny! Volleyball! ... but frankly, playing in the sand is a really tough game... fun, but exhausting... (need emoticon for wiping sweat off my brow)

-- This makes me think of Choco's blog about "good looking" ... "going to the beach" can mean so many different things ...

A Challenge Too Big for One Person to Solve

Viking - To realize your goals ... To feel liberated and in charge of your own destiny ... what a great back-drop for your story arc!

I just visited your profile...
Entrepreneurial / Start-up / Self-Employed

It sounds like you're finding your freedom.

Does your boat have a crew or is this an individual endeavor? ... Some day ... thinking about boat #2 or isn't it about that?

I'm glad you have goals... a mission... and get to work on it...

Feeling your "purpose" ...

A Challenge Too Big for One Person to Solve

Ed - Tuition ... for as many as possible.

What is the key purpose of this? ... Better jobs ... better future for their children ... more people prepared to lead society ... less poverty ... less 'inability' ...(???)

A wonderful way to contribute to the future!

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Shay -

Education... and starting at home... family... then community... contributing what you can to a better future for those close to you. Awesome.

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Lazly - Medicine and housing... huge need in both areas, isn't there?

Are you familiar with Habitat for Humanity? Here's their office in Bucharest...


I've always been impressed with this organization and have sent money to them in the past.

For medicine... Bill & Melinda Gates started a foundation years ago with lots of their own money from his profits at Microsoft...


Polio vaccine and other efforts... wonderful contributions from their efforts.

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I think about the existing organizations... a new one doesn't need to be started... being able to contribute time/money would be great... figuring out something specific to work on though... that's a challenge. ...

A Challenge Too Big for One Person to Solve

Okay... blog change ... Who do you think is the cutest tennis player?

The French Open starts soon, doesn't it? ... on clay ... then they play on grass at Wimbledon... Is Novak Djokovic still ranked #1?

back to the first topic now...

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Tatami - Subaru makes a model called "Legacy" ... Perhaps this is what your son has. Subaru makes good cars.

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Parti - Free energy! ... I used to have free energy... could run around all day and didn't get tired!

A Challenge Too Big for One Person to Solve

Hi Everyone! Thanks for visiting as I've been sleeping.

The new day is here... both eyes are now open ... I'm going to the tennis court for an hour or so... then will come back with my brain fully energized and ready for blogging!

Thank you for your thoughts! ... I look forward to spending more time on this topic.

RE: Friday Three

Sur - The beach as an active place! ... As a kid, we'd go to the beach... I'd spend the day getting pounded by the surf (and loving it!) ... I'd also get too much sun...

Now, I'd rather be in a lake... swim, snorkel, canoe/kayak, etc. Ocean beaches in the Northeast US generally aren't good for this. The idea of sitting in the sun as many seem to want to do has no appeal for me.

I like your plan... swim the length of it... run it (on the edge of the water I'd figure)... that sounds like a good time!