A few weeks ago I ran across a web site called RealAge. With a FREE registration you can fill out a rather extensive questionnaire that covers just about everything that could affect your health. This not only includes things such as your blood pressure and cholesterol readings but also your driving habits, the longevity of your parents, smoking and drinking habits and many other things. I found the questionnaire takes about half an hour to complete.
At the end it will tell you your chronological age and what your real age is. I was very pleased to find even though my chronological age to be 81.8 my real age was only 72.4. As I see it, I must have at least 9 more years to go.
The reason I didn't post this blog weeks ago was my suspicion that I would be inundated with advertising resulting from the questionnaire. This did not happen. As far as I can see I received no e-mail that was generated from this web site.
There is much good information regarding health and health products at the site and I recommended highly.
1/02/2005
1/01/2005
THE IRAQ SOLUTION
Here is a great idea!
Considering the position the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami are in right now, getting help to them as quickly as possible is imperative. Most experts agree using military personnel and equipment is an efficient way to do this as these people have been trained in handling such situations.
Why not get a bunch of men, provide them with striped shirts and whistles and teach them the “Time Out” signal? Then they could be sent to Iraq where they would blow their whistles and make the “T” motion. President Bush could then announce all troops and equipment were being moved out to assist the tsunami victims but promise they would be back soon to continue the improvement of Iraq.
Maybe when the time to return came, everyone would have forgotten the reasons we went to war in Iraq.
That could work.
Considering the position the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami are in right now, getting help to them as quickly as possible is imperative. Most experts agree using military personnel and equipment is an efficient way to do this as these people have been trained in handling such situations.
Why not get a bunch of men, provide them with striped shirts and whistles and teach them the “Time Out” signal? Then they could be sent to Iraq where they would blow their whistles and make the “T” motion. President Bush could then announce all troops and equipment were being moved out to assist the tsunami victims but promise they would be back soon to continue the improvement of Iraq.
Maybe when the time to return came, everyone would have forgotten the reasons we went to war in Iraq.
That could work.
12/31/2004
ENJOY YOUR NEW YEAR!!
This year in New York City more than a million people will gather at Times Square to watch the ball drop signifying the arrival of the year 2005. Authorities have announced there will be "stepped-up" security. They plan to have snipers, with rifles, stationed on rooftops. I assume the snipers will somehow be in radio contact.
I can imagine one of the snipers calling his superior and the conversation might go like this:
"Chief, this is Harry."
"Okay Harry, what is it?"
"There's a guy on the roof of the building next to me and he looks suspicious."
"What do you mean suspicious?"
"He has a rifle. Do you want me to I shoot him?"
The Old Professor sends his best wishes for a terrific 2005 to all of you who have been kind enough to tolerate his prattling. And the rest of you also.
I can imagine one of the snipers calling his superior and the conversation might go like this:
"Chief, this is Harry."
"Okay Harry, what is it?"
"There's a guy on the roof of the building next to me and he looks suspicious."
"What do you mean suspicious?"
"He has a rifle. Do you want me to I shoot him?"
The Old Professor sends his best wishes for a terrific 2005 to all of you who have been kind enough to tolerate his prattling. And the rest of you also.
12/29/2004
THE ULTRASONIC TOOTHBRUSH
I must share this story with you.
This morning I was brushing my teeth with my ultrasonic toothbrush.
She came in and asked, "What does ultrasonic mean?"
With my mouth half full of toothbrush I replied, "Can't hear it".
She said, "WHAT DOES ULTRASONIC MEAN?”
I realize that wasn't a very precise definition of "ultrasonic" and it's also a variation on an old joke but it really happened this way and I laughed.
This morning I was brushing my teeth with my ultrasonic toothbrush.
She came in and asked, "What does ultrasonic mean?"
With my mouth half full of toothbrush I replied, "Can't hear it".
She said, "WHAT DOES ULTRASONIC MEAN?”
I realize that wasn't a very precise definition of "ultrasonic" and it's also a variation on an old joke but it really happened this way and I laughed.
12/27/2004
HAVE THE STREETLIGHTS GONE OUT YET?
I grew up in a family where there were four children. Some may question the term, "grew up" but nonetheless, there were four of us and I happened to be the oldest. As in most families, Christmas was a rather special time and one we all look forward to eagerly.
We didn't have a fireplace, so our stockings were hung on the handrail of the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. We called it a banister and as children, our rule was that we could go to the stockings on the banister the first thing in the morning but we were to stay out of the area where the tree and the presents were. We also were given a second rule concerning when we could go to our stockings. The rule was "When the street lights go out".
I recall those restless nights when we would take turns getting out of bed, peering out the window and whispering, "The streetlights are still on.” Or someone might ask softly, "Have the streetlights gone out yet?"
Throughout my life this question has represented a time leading to some wonderful and magical happening. Sometimes I even look at things in my life today and ask the same question.
I think of Iraq and silently I ask, "Have the streetlights gone out yet?"
We didn't have a fireplace, so our stockings were hung on the handrail of the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. We called it a banister and as children, our rule was that we could go to the stockings on the banister the first thing in the morning but we were to stay out of the area where the tree and the presents were. We also were given a second rule concerning when we could go to our stockings. The rule was "When the street lights go out".
I recall those restless nights when we would take turns getting out of bed, peering out the window and whispering, "The streetlights are still on.” Or someone might ask softly, "Have the streetlights gone out yet?"
Throughout my life this question has represented a time leading to some wonderful and magical happening. Sometimes I even look at things in my life today and ask the same question.
I think of Iraq and silently I ask, "Have the streetlights gone out yet?"
12/22/2004
RICKY WILLIAMS ON 6O MINUTES
On December 19, 2004, CBS aired their regular 6O Minutes program and it featured an interview with Ricky Williams.
The interviewer was Mike Wallace.
If you don't follow professional football closely, you probably don't know that Ricky Williams was an outstanding running back for the Miami Dolphins. Last summer he decided to forgo a $5 million contract to go "find himself". One of several reasons he gave was that he doubted his ability to pass the compulsory drug test because he used marijuana.
The following is not verbatim but is pretty close to what happened.
Towards the end of the interview Mike Wallace asked, "Do you still smoked marijuana?"
Rickey easily admitted that he did.
Mike Wallace asked, "Do you do anything more than that?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean something more harmful than marijuana."
Rickey replied, "I use a little sugar sometimes."
On the behalf of all the other diabetics, I say, "Bravo, Ricky!"
12/20/2004
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE
When I was growing up our family always had a Christmas tree and it was always a beautiful tree. However, to my mind, it was always too short. I suppose it really wasn't too short but it always seemed as though it could have been two or three inches taller.
When I got to be of an age where I was working and had a little money, I approached my parents asking if they would allow me to buy the Christmas tree that year. They were delighted.
When it came time to purchase the tree I chose a day when my parents would not be home so that I could buy a real, full-sized tree and set up all by myself and surprise them with the perfect Christmas tree. I went to three different places before I found the tree that suited me. I tied it to the roof of the car and took it home.
The first problem arose when I tried to fit the tree into the stand, which was used to hold it upright. The trunk of the tree was too big so I needed to get a small ax and whittle the bottom of the trunk so it would fit into the holder. I then enlisted the aid of my sister and, together, we stood the tree upright. If I had been more careful I might have noticed the tree exceeded height of the room by three or four inches. This meant that as the tree was raised the top rubbed across the white ceiling leaving you rather unattractive green streak about two feet long.
It then became necessary to cut about 12 inches off the top of the tree because in addition to the excess tree there was a traditional star placed on top. Soon I had a rather weird looking tree with a good portion of the top cut off. This made it look like the first floor of a two-story tree and, by far, the strangest Christmas tree in town -- but it was bigger.
As the years went by I made several attempts to erase that green streak, including repainting the ceiling, but it always stubbornly remained. It always seemed to be a mocking reminder that sometimes perhaps my parents did know what they were doing and that being a bit conservative wasn't all that bad.
When I got to be of an age where I was working and had a little money, I approached my parents asking if they would allow me to buy the Christmas tree that year. They were delighted.
When it came time to purchase the tree I chose a day when my parents would not be home so that I could buy a real, full-sized tree and set up all by myself and surprise them with the perfect Christmas tree. I went to three different places before I found the tree that suited me. I tied it to the roof of the car and took it home.
The first problem arose when I tried to fit the tree into the stand, which was used to hold it upright. The trunk of the tree was too big so I needed to get a small ax and whittle the bottom of the trunk so it would fit into the holder. I then enlisted the aid of my sister and, together, we stood the tree upright. If I had been more careful I might have noticed the tree exceeded height of the room by three or four inches. This meant that as the tree was raised the top rubbed across the white ceiling leaving you rather unattractive green streak about two feet long.
It then became necessary to cut about 12 inches off the top of the tree because in addition to the excess tree there was a traditional star placed on top. Soon I had a rather weird looking tree with a good portion of the top cut off. This made it look like the first floor of a two-story tree and, by far, the strangest Christmas tree in town -- but it was bigger.
As the years went by I made several attempts to erase that green streak, including repainting the ceiling, but it always stubbornly remained. It always seemed to be a mocking reminder that sometimes perhaps my parents did know what they were doing and that being a bit conservative wasn't all that bad.
12/16/2004
REBATES, UGH!!
It's not my intention to promote any particular commercial enterprise on my blog. However, I've just had an experience that I would like to pass along to everyone in the hopes that perhaps it might catch on and eventually be a common thing.
There is on office supply store called Staples. They recently started a new policy regarding rebates. This morning I purchased an inexpensive printer and utilized the online rebate procedure and it was an easy and relaxing experience. Of course, I don't actually have the rebate yet.
This compares with an episode I had a week ago when I purchased my new monitor from Circuit City. It was necessary for me to complete and mail in two, not one but two, rebate forms complete with the IPC code printed on the box. Luckily I can use copies but in general, it seems to be a pain.
Not only that, a couple of months ago I submitted the rebate form for a different product and after eight weeks or so I received a very polite letter saying I didn't qualify as I had the wrong IPC code.
To my mind the whole idea of rebates is ludicrous. I wonder if it's possible to organize some sort of resistance to this nonsense. I know suggesting it to one of the sales clerks at Circuit City had no effect. I tried that.
If I owned a store it would seem a good idea to employ some young hot-shot to sit at a table and fill out these forms and send them in for my customers. I know I purchased the printer at Staples and the main reason for selecting that store was the Easy Rebate thing.
And before I leave the subject, if you accept the idea of rebates, can anyone explain why it takes "up to 12 weeks" to get the rebate? There are several ideas come to my mind. Wouldn't you like to use several thousand $50 rebates for about 12 weeks at no expense to you?
End of rant.
For today.
There is on office supply store called Staples. They recently started a new policy regarding rebates. This morning I purchased an inexpensive printer and utilized the online rebate procedure and it was an easy and relaxing experience. Of course, I don't actually have the rebate yet.
This compares with an episode I had a week ago when I purchased my new monitor from Circuit City. It was necessary for me to complete and mail in two, not one but two, rebate forms complete with the IPC code printed on the box. Luckily I can use copies but in general, it seems to be a pain.
Not only that, a couple of months ago I submitted the rebate form for a different product and after eight weeks or so I received a very polite letter saying I didn't qualify as I had the wrong IPC code.
To my mind the whole idea of rebates is ludicrous. I wonder if it's possible to organize some sort of resistance to this nonsense. I know suggesting it to one of the sales clerks at Circuit City had no effect. I tried that.
If I owned a store it would seem a good idea to employ some young hot-shot to sit at a table and fill out these forms and send them in for my customers. I know I purchased the printer at Staples and the main reason for selecting that store was the Easy Rebate thing.
And before I leave the subject, if you accept the idea of rebates, can anyone explain why it takes "up to 12 weeks" to get the rebate? There are several ideas come to my mind. Wouldn't you like to use several thousand $50 rebates for about 12 weeks at no expense to you?
End of rant.
For today.
12/15/2004
SANTA CLAUS AND HIS HAT
One of the things which has always mystified me is the Santa Claus hat. I wonder who designed that foolish looking piece of apparel. It must've been an elf.
Perhaps some part of the design functions as an image creator but its practical use has escaped me. Why is it pointed at the top? What does that white ball do? Is there a protocol that tells if the white ball should dangle on the right or on the left?
I have wondered if perhaps there is some socially accepted signal given off by wearing a white ball on the left or the right. Perhaps if it dangles on the left it would indicate the wearer was single and looking whereas, wearing the white ball dangling on the right would indicate that person is not available. I've seen many pictures of Santa Claus where he is wearing it on his right but I have no way of knowing if these are authentic photos or not.
It is fairly obvious that it should not be in the front, as it would obscure the view when driving a sleigh or any other vehicle.
I personally have found the white ball dangling at the back, on the nape of the neck, to be most annoying.
Maybe it has something to do with being worn at the North Pole most of the time. I understand it’s pretty cold up there and almost everything is frozen.
That must be it.
PS Please do not send me mail asking me to clean up the desk area behind me. I already have too many people telling me that already.
Perhaps some part of the design functions as an image creator but its practical use has escaped me. Why is it pointed at the top? What does that white ball do? Is there a protocol that tells if the white ball should dangle on the right or on the left?
I have wondered if perhaps there is some socially accepted signal given off by wearing a white ball on the left or the right. Perhaps if it dangles on the left it would indicate the wearer was single and looking whereas, wearing the white ball dangling on the right would indicate that person is not available. I've seen many pictures of Santa Claus where he is wearing it on his right but I have no way of knowing if these are authentic photos or not.
It is fairly obvious that it should not be in the front, as it would obscure the view when driving a sleigh or any other vehicle.
I personally have found the white ball dangling at the back, on the nape of the neck, to be most annoying.
Maybe it has something to do with being worn at the North Pole most of the time. I understand it’s pretty cold up there and almost everything is frozen.
That must be it.
PS Please do not send me mail asking me to clean up the desk area behind me. I already have too many people telling me that already.
12/08/2004
LIVING AMONGST TALL PINE TREES
We live in California amongst some tall pine tree and last night it rained.
When you live amongst tall pine trees and it rains there usually is a mess.
This is after a rain last night, December 8, 2004
It seems that pine trees have many, many pine needles, which just wait for a rainstorm to fall onto our patio area. They also know when the patio has just been swept clean. It’s not that they only do it then; they try every once in awhile for no reason at all and often enlist the aid of a squirrel or two.
You may notice a rose bush growing which would seem to belie the fact that it is December.
We have about 80 rose bushes and this is the only one that doesn’t seem to get the word.
Maybe it thinks it’s a Christmas tree.
Not a bad one at that.
When you live amongst tall pine trees and it rains there usually is a mess.
This is after a rain last night, December 8, 2004
It seems that pine trees have many, many pine needles, which just wait for a rainstorm to fall onto our patio area. They also know when the patio has just been swept clean. It’s not that they only do it then; they try every once in awhile for no reason at all and often enlist the aid of a squirrel or two.
You may notice a rose bush growing which would seem to belie the fact that it is December.
We have about 80 rose bushes and this is the only one that doesn’t seem to get the word.
Maybe it thinks it’s a Christmas tree.
Not a bad one at that.
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