December 17, 2023

The Ticketmaster Con

I just bought tickets to three concerts. Two of them were at our local university. Within five minutes I had the seats selected and the tickets printed. Service charge of about $5

Then my wife just had to see Mannheim Steamroller. $35 in service charges and I have to get my tickets through my smatphone. Tickets still haven't shown up, and I will have to be white knuckle all the time until I get into the venue hoping my smartphone or the app doesn't crap out.

F_ck modern technology.

August 31, 2023

Thunderfoot on how sequestration of CO2 is a non-starter

We are so screwed. As he said our grandparents, parents, and us have had a century of cheap energy that our descendants out multiple generations will have to pay for.

August 31, 2023

Police: South Carolina homeowner who fatally shot CT college student will not be charged

A horrible tragedy, but apparently he had already broken a window in the door and was attempting to open the door by accessing the door handle.




https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/south-carolina-homeowner-fatal-shooting-no-charges-18338865.php

While a female resident of the home was on the phone with an emergency dispatcher, police said the man retrieved a firearm from inside the home. He fired a single shot when Donofrio broke a window embedded in the front door and reached through for the doorknob, striking Donofrio in the upper body, police said.

June 24, 2023

Daughter wants me to stop walking her dog to allow training

My adult daughter has a 7-8 month old mini-Aussie that I spend considerable time with (I play and walk with him in the morning from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, I walk him again usually after work for another hour, and then a night time walk of at least a half hour before bed).

He is become a substitute for my old collie mix that died about four years ago. I went into depression when he died, started eating badly, and stopped exercising. I gained considerable weight and had early onset diabetes.

I have been on keto for about a year and a half and lost over 160 pounds. I have been walking a neighbor's dog for a year which I continue to do (used to be up to two hours a day but he seems happier at about 40 minutes to an hour now given his age).

The reason my daughter wants me to stop walking him is because he barks and lunges at other dogs, my daughters are working on a training method that involves no more walks for now (they are getting input from a trainer).

I have to admit that I am pretty depressed right now, and I think we are going to have behavioral issues with the dog when he doesn't get his walks. Her dog so her decision.

June 10, 2023

Wanting to reinstall Ubuntu

I bought a second hand computer installed with Ubuntu, but the seller never gave me the administration password he used to set up computer.

I don't mind scrubbing anything I have on the machine, I would just like the easiest way to reinstall Ubuntu or recover/create a new administration password.

Any suggestions. I don't know a lot about computers.

Thanks

April 25, 2023

Put on Qello concert video of John Mellencamp

Was going to listen as I fell asleep. It was actually some band called One Republic. Not amused. Discovered after hearing a song that really didn't sound like Mellencamp. Had to put my glasses on and look up the lyrics.

Well I guess I go with Bad Company instead.

March 9, 2023

Maryland bill would take Murder 1 off the table for those under 25 in certain situations

This is creating a bit of a firestorm in conservative circles. I happen to agree with them that this seems like a bad idea. The following bill would prevent a Murder 1 conviction if someone under 25 commits the murder in the commission of another crime like carjacking. This effectively reduces the maximum sentence from life to 40 years (Murder 2). The justification is that murder convictions disproportionately impact African Americans in Maryland when compared to the population and that younger minds have less ability to comprehend the results of their actions.

On the flip side the victims are far more likely to also be African American. I think this type of bill just devalues their lives. I want maximum deterrents in place for violent crimes like robbery and car jacking - shouldn't everyone?

From a purely political standpoint, does this type of bill help to garner additional votes or lose votes? The sponsor is a Maryland state Democrat Representative.


"Providing that a person who was under the age of 25 years at the time of the offense may not be found to have committed murder in the first degree if the charge is based on a murder committed in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate a certain felony."




https://trackbill.com/bill/maryland-house-bill-1180-criminal-law-youth-accountability-and-safety-act/2363371/

January 29, 2023

Purdy's record is even more impressive now that he isn't out there

The long time veteran out there is looking awful. So it is just about the weapons and scheme, and you can plug and play any QB.

Don't think so

January 22, 2023

Two versions of The Postman Always Rings Twice - SPOILER

I had never seen either movie or read the book. I watched both movies on HBOMax.


SPOILER


I find it hilarious that the second movie never even got to the point of the title (the explanation that Frank gives at the end of the first movie as he is preparing to be executed). In hindsight I probably should have reversed the viewing order - the problem with the ending of the second is that Cora's death scene has far less emotional impact if you know it is going to happen. Also hard to generate much sympathy for these unlikable characters. Kind of like Bridges of Madison County - I am all broken up that the wife is remembering fondly cheating on her husband - who was away with his daughters at the state fair.

November 23, 2022

Box Office: Disney's 'Strange World' Grosses Disappointing $800,000 in Previews

Disney released Strange World 11 days after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. How can they release a second four quadrant movie with a $180M budget that close to another movie and only 25 days before Avatar 2? It makes absolutely no sense. This when there were three months without any big budget releases.

Also the marketing seems to be very light. They have sent this movie out to die.


https://variety.com/2022/film/news/box-office-disney-strange-world-previews-disappointment-1235440770/#article-comments


The soft initial numbers are bad news for “Strange World,” which carries a steep $180 million price tag.