Banks at The Outer Banks

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I imagine that there are several financial institutions located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. So I was wondering if it matters which side of the Outer Banks these places are located. I mean, let's say that there is a "Bank of America" is on the Atlantic side. Would you refer to them as the Outer Outer Bank bank (probably located near Chitty Chitty Bang Bank)? If there is a RBC Centura on the North Carolina side, would you said that they are an Inner Outer bank? I'm tempted to call one of them to find out if they are indeed an Innie or an Outie. My luck, I will get an employee who won't appreciate my inquisitive nature. While they may have lint inside their establishment, I'm sure I will be curtly reminded that they are a bank and not a belly button.

Michael Jordan, Who?

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Is it my age or just a simply ignorance of youth these days? While I was in a store a few days ago, I overheard two children talking. One child ask, "Who is Michael Jordan?" The other answered by saying, "You know, the guy that does sneaker and underwear commercials."

Now I know that Air Jordan sneakers are the rage. Yet here is a man who once was known all over the world for his basketball greatness, his attempts to do the same with baseball, his NBA championship "three peat", a retirement "three peat" and a movie with Buggs Bunny. So how does his reputation become lost on today's youth? His accomplishments are as recent as 2003! Is fame that fleeting...?

Slow Wireless Router

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Are you using a wireless router in your home? Have you noticed times when your speed seems to drop to a snail's pace for no apparent reason? Well, here is something that you might want to check out. If you have a microwave oven in your home, how close is your wireless router to it? I've seen some spectrum analysis that shows how microwave ovens blast through the frequencies used by wireless routers. Since the 2.4 GHz band is unregulated, there is a myriad of devices using that frequency. So there is also a chance that your cordless phone and any other wireless devices (such as speakers and headsets) are interfering with your wireless router. Just thought I'd pass along to you...

Radar Detectors

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If the public radio airwaves are in fact public, then why is it that a few states have made owning radar detectors illegal? The only reason that I can imagine that would justify such un-American legislation is so that these governments can maximize their coffers. So what other options do we have?

Many years ago while in the Air Force, I worked on aircraft navigational systems which included various radar systems. I had the privilege of working with people much smarter than I am. One such gentlemen spent his spare time going beyond radar detection for cars to radar jamming devices. In one experiment, he borrowed a radar gun from his buddy who was in the military police. Unfortunately, my friend's jammer didn't jam his buddy's radar gun. Instead, my friend's device ended up frying the gun.

Anyway, I'm not saying that you have to resort tactics such as jamming. It's just too bad that we couldn't jam thievery posing as law.

My Alexa Score has Flatlined

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Ever since day 94 of the Alexa Project, my score has bounced around the 180,000 mark. Day 94 is May 16th. So with no further drop in my score after two months, it's sad but safe to say that my site has reached a plateau in terms of Alexa popularity. I wonder if anyone else in the Alexa Project has experienced the same?

LCD Revolution

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Part of my job at work involves testing LCD monitors for automotive applications. The technology in these monitors has changed incredibly fast over the past two years. A couple years ago, my 14 inch ViewSonic monitor was almost $400. Today, I can buy a 20 inch ViewSonic for $200. This is nothing in comparison to what will hit the marketplace in the next six to 12 months. This past spring, I read a couple of papers on new manufacturing techniques that make LCD monitors even cheaper and longer lasting than they are today. There's a good chance that will have some great deals on monitors around Christmas time. Stay tuned!

It's That Time Of The Month Again

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I'm feeling a little irritable today. Yes, it's that time of the month again when my little friend arrives. Now I'm not making fun of my postman because he's short. I just dread the monthly flow of credit card statements that will arrive over the next few days. I know they're coming. My bank accounts starts looking a little bloated as it retains cash that I could be using for trivial items like food and gas. At least it's not as bad as some of my friends who have school loans. A couple of them are trying to relieve the cramping in their budget with student loan consolidation. Regardless, we're all going through the same situation -- working hard to make sure that we don't come up late for the month. I hope that you've never experienced the fear and worry that comes with a missed payment period.

Oh well. I know I'll make it through this. A week from now I'll be back to my old self. For now, I'll just put a hot water bottle on my bank book and keep myself in check.

Dave is Gone

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It's sad when you don't appreciate someone until they're gone. And Dave is gone. Not dead, just gone on to a more rewarding job that is much closer to his family. If you were to meet him, you might think that he has ties with the mob by the way he walks and talks. But that was just the way Dave is. Once you got beyond his gruff exterior, you discover a man who do almost anything for you. For instance, although I'm not a golfer, he would bring his golf clubs for me to use when the company used to have golf tournaments.

Anyway, I worked with Dave for almost 13 years. And now that he's gone, I'm just beginning to realize how much of an important buffer he was between the company's president and its employees. Our morale has never been lower. And I'm wondering if it's partly due to Dave not being around here anymore. Dave's gone and it shows.

a disappointing package

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The moment I arrived home today, I was greeted by a happy UPS guy. Not the same as being greeted by a loving puppy but the fact that he had an unexpected package for me made me feel very happy just the same. That is until I got inside and opened this cardboard box of a surprise. Inside I discovered a box of ... female vitamins? A quick glance at the invoice slip and I learned that my ex had ordered these. While the invoice has her current home address, there was a second label on top of the original shipping label on the box. I have no idea why the vitamin company overlaid her home address with a label addressed to my home.

Now, that me say that I am glad that she is ordering something healthy. Although a box of Tenuate diet pills would certainly help her more. But that's not my worry any longer. And I shouldn't worry about this misdirected shipment either. Still, I can't help but wonder what is going on.

related musical forms?

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I'm working to remember and relearn all the drumming techniques that were once at my command. To this end, I'm listening to a wide range of music. Yesterday, while I focused on the heavy thrash metal songs, I had an epiphany about how closely this style is to another form that is completely unrelated. If you take a song from, say, Metallica, throw in a tuba, an accordion, and a voice that didn't sound like someone gargling moist phlegm, you would have a polka tune! Granted, the words wouldn't be as uplifting as you'd expect but the fast paced beat is certainly there. Just an observation. I don't expect Metallica to be releasing an album of "by golly", "you betcha'" polka tunes any time soon ....

There Is Help...

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It is amazing to what people get hooked on: alcohol, uppers, downers (nothing worse than a drunk on a flight of stairs). Then we go from pushers to pushers and pullers -- you know, people that addicted to the physical abuse of being pushed or pulled. Some of you wake up with the single purpose of being pulled from your bed and then dragged every which way for the rest of your day. What kind of life is that? Fortunately, there is help for those of you who want relief from being dragged about. There are "drug rehabs". "Drug" -- past tense. Because as recovering pull-ees, you know that no one will ever "drag" you again. Unless they're a guy with a preference for dresses and high heels. But that's another post ....

Baseball versus Cricket

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I have watched both baseball games and cricket games. And I have to tell you that I'm much more motivated to buy baseball tickets than I would for a cricket match. Yes I know that cricket is very slow to watch. But I also know that a baseball game will end within my lifetime. Besides there is nothing like the smell of pine tar and resin, the taste in the air of grass and dirt --- and that's just the hot dogs. You certainly won't find that at any cricket game!