February 24, 2012
Kicking and screaming.
I ran two miles today. This is my first run since January 7th. I had not problems. It was exhilarating in fact. I feel very 'up' right now due to the various stuff that comes with human Endocrinology. Next up is a trip to the local dump to discard old plants.
I am really enjoying being in shape. Yes, I feel stiff and sore at times. However, the rest of the time the sensations are wonderful. I out perform many of my younger co-workers (or so I am told). This is not at all what I thought 50 would be like. I started my half century mark by climbing the highest mountain in Douglas County. I have continued by running, skating and riding my bike (I should hit 2000 miles on my bike this year).
The science on aging is really interesting. We have learned that our feet work better without shoes, sleep eight hours straight is not normal and that maximum nutrition with minimal calories increases health and life.
As I am enjoying my healthier lifestyle there is still room for improvement. Which takes time but will come. I plan on following my 91 year old pop and go down kicking and screaming.
I am really enjoying being in shape. Yes, I feel stiff and sore at times. However, the rest of the time the sensations are wonderful. I out perform many of my younger co-workers (or so I am told). This is not at all what I thought 50 would be like. I started my half century mark by climbing the highest mountain in Douglas County. I have continued by running, skating and riding my bike (I should hit 2000 miles on my bike this year).
The science on aging is really interesting. We have learned that our feet work better without shoes, sleep eight hours straight is not normal and that maximum nutrition with minimal calories increases health and life.
As I am enjoying my healthier lifestyle there is still room for improvement. Which takes time but will come. I plan on following my 91 year old pop and go down kicking and screaming.
February 17, 2012
Fun with Obama Math!
Want to make unemployment look like it is going down? Just reduce the number of Jobs available!
February 16, 2012
Pallet blocked.
This morning's merchandising job was to simply move the beds (mattresses) from one side of the building to another.
First order of business was to make room. So several pallets of sporting goods got moved around, along with some booze pallets. More still was wrapped up to head back to the depot for next year's winter seasonal items. Got that done. Next up was moving the beds.
Each of the mattresses are on two pallets, side by side, 48" by 80" and they have to be pulled in such a way that they are a 86" wide load. To add to the difficulty, most of the ways are blocked with pallets of merchandise. So I cleared a route along the back of the Deli cases and informed the co-worker in that area of my intent of using that as a thoroughfare for mattresses.
With my mighty pallet jack in tow I bridged the pallets and cranked them up, up, up till they were pull-able. Then using my acquired knowledge of steering ungainly objects, I set off down the Deli express route! Unfortunately, the very co-worker in whom I had confided, decided to drop a pallet of delicious delicateness in my path. She was suitably chagrined and removed the obstacle. With my course now clear, I was able to reach my destination for the first of several trips. With my mighty pallet jack I hefted the next king-size and headed towards the vennel, only to find two pallets of goods. My formerly chagrined co-worker had not noticed them being dropped off and quickly helped rectify the situation. My trusty fork lift driver, Gina, removed the other impediment. I explained to her my intentions of moving mattoks and she affirmed she would keep said alley clear.
The next trip was surprisingly free of clogging and I felt somewhat relieved. Of course the laws of irony had a good guffaw at my next attempt. I turned the corner just in time to see another driver, Nathan, driving off after dropping a load (pun intended). He heeding my cry (girlish screaming anguish), with a quizzical stare. After my exasperated explanation he took it upon himself to not only de-barrier the path, but with annoyed gusto. Next he took the next two pallets with his conveyance to the far side.
This left one final pallet and all the drivers in the area aware of my plight. I was fairly confident until I turned the corner to spy a pallet sitting dead middle of the means of access and Richard, the receiving driver just out of earshot.
I was not sure if I should laugh or cry...
First order of business was to make room. So several pallets of sporting goods got moved around, along with some booze pallets. More still was wrapped up to head back to the depot for next year's winter seasonal items. Got that done. Next up was moving the beds.
Each of the mattresses are on two pallets, side by side, 48" by 80" and they have to be pulled in such a way that they are a 86" wide load. To add to the difficulty, most of the ways are blocked with pallets of merchandise. So I cleared a route along the back of the Deli cases and informed the co-worker in that area of my intent of using that as a thoroughfare for mattresses.
With my mighty pallet jack in tow I bridged the pallets and cranked them up, up, up till they were pull-able. Then using my acquired knowledge of steering ungainly objects, I set off down the Deli express route! Unfortunately, the very co-worker in whom I had confided, decided to drop a pallet of delicious delicateness in my path. She was suitably chagrined and removed the obstacle. With my course now clear, I was able to reach my destination for the first of several trips. With my mighty pallet jack I hefted the next king-size and headed towards the vennel, only to find two pallets of goods. My formerly chagrined co-worker had not noticed them being dropped off and quickly helped rectify the situation. My trusty fork lift driver, Gina, removed the other impediment. I explained to her my intentions of moving mattoks and she affirmed she would keep said alley clear.
The next trip was surprisingly free of clogging and I felt somewhat relieved. Of course the laws of irony had a good guffaw at my next attempt. I turned the corner just in time to see another driver, Nathan, driving off after dropping a load (pun intended). He heeding my cry (girlish screaming anguish), with a quizzical stare. After my exasperated explanation he took it upon himself to not only de-barrier the path, but with annoyed gusto. Next he took the next two pallets with his conveyance to the far side.
This left one final pallet and all the drivers in the area aware of my plight. I was fairly confident until I turned the corner to spy a pallet sitting dead middle of the means of access and Richard, the receiving driver just out of earshot.
I was not sure if I should laugh or cry...
February 11, 2012
Timey Wimey
Back in 1773, Samuel Madden wrote Memoirs of the Twentieth Century. This details life in the late 1990's through legal documents handed to the author via "Guardian Angel". It is, in its way the first backwards time travel story.
Time travel as a plot device, can easily be misused or amazingly effective. The paradoxes and childish "what if" scenarios are very entertaining. Why is this so? I wonder if this plays to humans dislike of change? Or the idea that our choices may not have been good ones.
As I am REALLY happy with my current life, I would not opt at going back in time for fear of changing my current future. Could better futures be out there? by my way of thinking, Not by much. I also think that some of those 'bad choices' that we do not take could be very entertaining, if you could just skip some of the horrid outcomes.
Time travel is a romantic notion that allows us some mental creativeness and zero reality.
Time travel as a plot device, can easily be misused or amazingly effective. The paradoxes and childish "what if" scenarios are very entertaining. Why is this so? I wonder if this plays to humans dislike of change? Or the idea that our choices may not have been good ones.
As I am REALLY happy with my current life, I would not opt at going back in time for fear of changing my current future. Could better futures be out there? by my way of thinking, Not by much. I also think that some of those 'bad choices' that we do not take could be very entertaining, if you could just skip some of the horrid outcomes.
Time travel is a romantic notion that allows us some mental creativeness and zero reality.
February 10, 2012
Tantamount
At the TOPS club meeting, last night, there was a talk about motivation. Since August 2010 I have been riding my bike to work, in rain, snow, fog and sunny weather. I ride approx four times a week which is over 40 miles each week. You would think, with my consistency, people would figure out this is my normal.
February 02, 2012
answers to quotes
Napoleon Dynamite
Yeah right. Who's the only one here who knows the illegal ninja moves from the government?
Die Hard
You ask for a miracle, I give you the FBI
Clerks II
I made fun of "Lord of the Rings" so hard, it made some supergeek puke all over the counter. Where do we keep the mop and bucket so I can make Elias clean it up?
The Emperor's New Groove
Let's take a look-see. Hate your hair. Not likely. Yikes. Yikes. Yikes. And, let me guess, you have a great personality.
My Favorite year
Damn you! I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!
Equilibrium
The gun katas. Through analysis of thousands of recorded gunfights, the Cleric has determined that the geometric distribution of antagonists in any gun battle is a statistically predictable element. The gun kata treats the gun as a total weapon, each fluid position representing a maximum kill zone, inflicting maximum damage on the maximum number of opponents while keeping the defender clear of the statistically traditional trajectories of return fire. By the rote mastery of this art, your firing efficiency will rise by no less than 120%. The difference of a 63% increase to lethal proficiency makes the master of the gun katas an adversary not to be taken lightly.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
Want a twinkie, Genghis Khan?
Adventures in Babysitting
Nobody leaves this place without singing the blues.
Full Metal Jacket
Sir, the private believes that any answer he gives will be wrong! And his senior drill instructor will beat him harder if he reverses himself, sir!
Zoolander
Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?
The Matrix
I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You're a plague and we are the cure.
Drunken Master II
Water floats, but also capsizes boats.
The Replacement Killers
Hostage etiquette: kidnapper pays the incidentals.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.
Mystery Men
God's given me a gift. I shovel well. I shovel very well.
50 first Dates
Are you staring at me or her? 'Cause you're starting to freak me out.
Happy Gilmore
I'd like to punch that guy in the face right now. But I can't, you know, because I'd get in trouble. I bet you get a lot of that on "Let's Make A Deal."
January 29, 2012
January 28, 2012
Dream of the 90s - Portlandia on IFC
So I spend some time in Portland and it is just a cool city to visit. There is lots to see and do and there is a feeling that just begged to be captured. Sure enough Portlandia does just that.
Then I spend time in Eugene and there really is no way you could ever think of cool. It is more of a mess.
January 21, 2012
Obama the liar TV Ad.
Foreign oil imports below 50 percent - do you want to know why? Massive economic downturn.
The impression here is Obama is promoted domestic drilling and refining when he is obstructing it.
Welcome to Obama running for office, lets make up stuff.
America's clean energy industry, 2.7 million jobs and expanding rapidly. What is America's clean energy industry? It stands undefined. Where does he get this 2.7 million jobs figure?
Even FactCheck calls this misleading:
■ The spot uses outdated quotes from groups that said his record on ethics is “unprecedented” and that he “kept a promise to toughen ethics rules.” Those same groups said later that he “has let down millions of Americans who accepted his word” and rated his promise as “broken.”
■ The 30-second TV spot also trumpets a claim of “2.7 million jobs” in “America’s clean-energy industry.” That mostly counts jobs put in place long before Obama took office.
■ Finally, it boasts that U.S. dependence on foreign oil has declined to below 50 percent, as a net share of total demand, for the first time in more than a decade. That’s true, and increasing U.S. oil production is a factor (despite Republican criticisms that Obama is anti-drilling). But economists say the chief factor is reduced oil consumption, brought on by the recent economic recession.
I find it sadly ironic that it was primarily woman's groups who faught for the right for abortion and now women are opting for abortion so as to terminate female births.
Canada abortion issues. The sentence I find sadly misinformed: "Call it the unintended consequence of Canada's open abortion policy and increasingly multicultural demographic."
Its a Girl! (the three deadliest words in the world)
Canada abortion issues. The sentence I find sadly misinformed: "Call it the unintended consequence of Canada's open abortion policy and increasingly multicultural demographic."
Its a Girl! (the three deadliest words in the world)
January 20, 2012
Never simple.
It was one of those warm snuggle mornings. The bed was ever so comfortable. I was pondering how long I could stay under the warm layers, in-between cat napping quick dreams.
"The shower is not getting hot" came the klaxon call from the bathroom. My wife has work, I have the day off of work. Well, I had the day off from my job. Work was about to be my day...
I slogged out the door, slipped my work tennies on and proceeded down the half flight of concrete steps that leads to under-the-house. To my dismay there was lots of standing water... a flood. Great...
Living on a hill and having a flooded basement is not something considered. But, there it was, a good six inches of water. Curiously it was still below the access panel to the gas water heater.
First order of business was to get the water out of my basement. My contemplation started with bailing or using a garden hose as a siphon. Slipping on my trusty rubber boots, my brain had devised the next step and a shovel was soon in hand. Heading to the downhill side of the house I started with a hole then a furrow. This effectively destroyed a planter. I got a trickle of water and increased the furrow to match. Then headed inside and connected the tunnels. My mind went back to kindergarten and sand box tunnels of yore. As the water started flowing I had a smile of satisfaction until the grim task of troubleshooting the water heater came.
When we first moved into our house, the water heater was an electric model that sat in the kitchen disguised as a work-space. My pop and I installed a much more affordable gas heater a few years back. This was a direct vent water heater that could be safely vented out a side wall.
The access panel was dry and I was perplexed at why the flame had gone out. I used the igniter and the pilot lit! HUZZAH! Hot water abounds... Then it went out and would not re-light.
There was a note on the side saying that after a flood you need to replace the unit. Great, just what I need a new water heater. How do I find another direct vent? How far would I have to drive to find one. My day was quickly becoming the suck.
Tina boiled some water and got ready for work. Trevor was mopping out the remaining water. I called the smartest plumber on the planet, my Pop. Pop quizzed me about several aspects and finally told me to call the "gas guy" As they are more familiar with current gas water heaters then he was. Avista is our gas utility and I placed an order for someone to come out.
Next up I called my brother-in-law, Doug. Doug is a plumber by trade who was tutored by my Pop. He thought the gas line might have some water or debris and had thoughts on clearing (something the Gas guy would do later). He also cautioned that some units have a fail safe that burns itself out when it overheats. He could not figure out how a flood would make it overheat, but provided the caution.
Tony from Avista arrived and set about checking the water heater. This was not the fail-safe style unit and with out much effort he got the pilot to light and the burner to work! HUZZAH! Hot water abounds... Then As he started putting the screws of the burner back it went out and would not re-light.
No air was getting to the flame... A direct draft Gas water heater has an air intake and exhaust nested inside one another they start and stop at the top of the tank. It was perplexing. Tony took out the burner again and we saw the reflection of standing water UNDER the burner below a plate. This corresponded with the air intake pipes that run down the backside of the unit.
Now with a battle plan I sent Tony Avista on his way. Headed to lowes to buy a small water pump (the kind powered by a drill. and some hose. Pumped out the water then used sponge and paper towels until the bottom was all but dry.
This time the flame burned happily and began the task of heating my water. Which I just now tested and... dare I say it? HUZZAH! Hot water abounds!
"The shower is not getting hot" came the klaxon call from the bathroom. My wife has work, I have the day off of work. Well, I had the day off from my job. Work was about to be my day...
I slogged out the door, slipped my work tennies on and proceeded down the half flight of concrete steps that leads to under-the-house. To my dismay there was lots of standing water... a flood. Great...
Living on a hill and having a flooded basement is not something considered. But, there it was, a good six inches of water. Curiously it was still below the access panel to the gas water heater.
First order of business was to get the water out of my basement. My contemplation started with bailing or using a garden hose as a siphon. Slipping on my trusty rubber boots, my brain had devised the next step and a shovel was soon in hand. Heading to the downhill side of the house I started with a hole then a furrow. This effectively destroyed a planter. I got a trickle of water and increased the furrow to match. Then headed inside and connected the tunnels. My mind went back to kindergarten and sand box tunnels of yore. As the water started flowing I had a smile of satisfaction until the grim task of troubleshooting the water heater came.
When we first moved into our house, the water heater was an electric model that sat in the kitchen disguised as a work-space. My pop and I installed a much more affordable gas heater a few years back. This was a direct vent water heater that could be safely vented out a side wall.
The access panel was dry and I was perplexed at why the flame had gone out. I used the igniter and the pilot lit! HUZZAH! Hot water abounds... Then it went out and would not re-light.
There was a note on the side saying that after a flood you need to replace the unit. Great, just what I need a new water heater. How do I find another direct vent? How far would I have to drive to find one. My day was quickly becoming the suck.
Tina boiled some water and got ready for work. Trevor was mopping out the remaining water. I called the smartest plumber on the planet, my Pop. Pop quizzed me about several aspects and finally told me to call the "gas guy" As they are more familiar with current gas water heaters then he was. Avista is our gas utility and I placed an order for someone to come out.
Next up I called my brother-in-law, Doug. Doug is a plumber by trade who was tutored by my Pop. He thought the gas line might have some water or debris and had thoughts on clearing (something the Gas guy would do later). He also cautioned that some units have a fail safe that burns itself out when it overheats. He could not figure out how a flood would make it overheat, but provided the caution.
Tony from Avista arrived and set about checking the water heater. This was not the fail-safe style unit and with out much effort he got the pilot to light and the burner to work! HUZZAH! Hot water abounds... Then As he started putting the screws of the burner back it went out and would not re-light.
No air was getting to the flame... A direct draft Gas water heater has an air intake and exhaust nested inside one another they start and stop at the top of the tank. It was perplexing. Tony took out the burner again and we saw the reflection of standing water UNDER the burner below a plate. This corresponded with the air intake pipes that run down the backside of the unit.
Now with a battle plan I sent Tony Avista on his way. Headed to lowes to buy a small water pump (the kind powered by a drill. and some hose. Pumped out the water then used sponge and paper towels until the bottom was all but dry.
This time the flame burned happily and began the task of heating my water. Which I just now tested and... dare I say it? HUZZAH! Hot water abounds!
January 11, 2012
The best the GOP has to offer?
I am thinking that its hold your nose and vote time. At least any of them will be a huge improvement!
December 30, 2011
Work discussion...
Some variation of this discussion happens every so often. This is a compilation that is not too far from an actual conversation"
Member: Why are you so expensive? I can buy this same set across town for half the price.
Sales: Really, that is a huge value. They have this exact model with the same warranty?
Member: Yup, I have the flyer right here.
Sales: (reading over the flyer). Well they are a bit different, our set is a Samsung and this flyer shows a Colby. Further, our Samsung has true high definition resolution at 1080progressive lines this Colby is a 720.
Member: What does that mean?
Sales: The resolution is the number of lines the set uses to make a picture. The higher the number the sharper the image. Think of thread counts in sheets, the higher the count the better the quality. Also, this Colby has a 60hz refresh rate, while our Samsung is 240hz. That refers to the number of times the TV redraws the image. The higher the rate the more fluid the motion.
Member: So the higher number is better?
Sales: More-so on larger sets. Anything over 37 inch diagonal you want a higher refresh rate. For a 46" set like this 240hz is highly desirable. Especially for action films and sports or video games.
Member: I don't play video games, so that really is not that important.
Sales: Do you watch football?
Member: Yeah, all the time.
Sales: A higher refresh rate would be better for football. I see here that the Colby is not LED back-lit.
Member: The Samsung says it is LCD and LED, so which is it?
Sales: Both sets are LCD or liquid crystal displays. Like an old 35mm slide they need light behind them for you to see the picture. An LCD does not produce its own light. A standard LCD, like the Colby, has some light bulbs behind the screen across the back. Those produce light and heat, so the sets are thicker to allow for cooling.
Sales (cont.): The Samsung has LED or Light Emitting Diodes, to light the screen. They look similer to those old light bright crystals, but they are solid state and only produce light. So you get a brighter picture and a thinner set that uses less electricity.
Member: I see, but why are your prices for a 46" set so much higher...
Sales: ...........................Gosh, I don't know, you should go buy the cheaper one.....
Member: Why are you so expensive? I can buy this same set across town for half the price.
Sales: Really, that is a huge value. They have this exact model with the same warranty?
Member: Yup, I have the flyer right here.
Sales: (reading over the flyer). Well they are a bit different, our set is a Samsung and this flyer shows a Colby. Further, our Samsung has true high definition resolution at 1080progressive lines this Colby is a 720.
Member: What does that mean?
Sales: The resolution is the number of lines the set uses to make a picture. The higher the number the sharper the image. Think of thread counts in sheets, the higher the count the better the quality. Also, this Colby has a 60hz refresh rate, while our Samsung is 240hz. That refers to the number of times the TV redraws the image. The higher the rate the more fluid the motion.
Member: So the higher number is better?
Sales: More-so on larger sets. Anything over 37 inch diagonal you want a higher refresh rate. For a 46" set like this 240hz is highly desirable. Especially for action films and sports or video games.
Member: I don't play video games, so that really is not that important.
Sales: Do you watch football?
Member: Yeah, all the time.
Sales: A higher refresh rate would be better for football. I see here that the Colby is not LED back-lit.
Member: The Samsung says it is LCD and LED, so which is it?
Sales: Both sets are LCD or liquid crystal displays. Like an old 35mm slide they need light behind them for you to see the picture. An LCD does not produce its own light. A standard LCD, like the Colby, has some light bulbs behind the screen across the back. Those produce light and heat, so the sets are thicker to allow for cooling.
Sales (cont.): The Samsung has LED or Light Emitting Diodes, to light the screen. They look similer to those old light bright crystals, but they are solid state and only produce light. So you get a brighter picture and a thinner set that uses less electricity.
Member: I see, but why are your prices for a 46" set so much higher...
Sales: ...........................Gosh, I don't know, you should go buy the cheaper one.....
December 25, 2011
Printering
Once upon a time, in a job with Dell, far, far away. I purchased an Epson Photo Stylus RX500 printer. It was an excellent Photo printer with a device for scanning film negatives and slides. This Christmas it stopped printing and threw up an obtuse error. I did quite a bit of reading on various Epson forums and discovered that there was an ink-flow counter. After it reaches a certain amount of prints the system requires maintenance.
This does not take into consideration that the printer had been cleaned out the year before. Further, the forums suggested that you need to remove a component and use a specific device to re-set the counter. This draconian methodology might be great for the bottom line, it is annoying to those of us who then decide that maybe Epson is not wanting my patronage...
In the back of my mind this seems entirely too improbable. Consider, Epson sells thousands and thousands of printers. Even so they are number 3 after HP and Canon (I would argue that Canon makes the best printers). So some engineer decides that a counter would be needed to insure the working of the printer and there is some kind of kit that can be purchase to clean up the printer and replace the various wore down bits. This would be targeted at those authorized Epson repair shops. A search shows three on the West coast, my older printer is not even in the look up page.
Who would drive hours to a major city or ship a thirty pound package with pre-paid return postage when you can head to Costco and purchase a new printer for less? Maybe that is the goal, to sell new printers. I can see Epson not being a brand to return too...
Anyways, yesterday I found an obscure thread at www.fixyourownprinter.com that had some good information.
HOLD all following buttons: Power, Load/Eject, Stop, B&W, Color. RELEASE BUTTONS. After this printer turns on, you'll see "Init eeprom" on printer screen. Press Color button to clear protection counter. Hit the power button and restart it.
This did the trick and my printer is back in service. Still the printer is plagued with some problems, like no drivers for windows Vista (which Tina has on her computer).
This does not take into consideration that the printer had been cleaned out the year before. Further, the forums suggested that you need to remove a component and use a specific device to re-set the counter. This draconian methodology might be great for the bottom line, it is annoying to those of us who then decide that maybe Epson is not wanting my patronage...
In the back of my mind this seems entirely too improbable. Consider, Epson sells thousands and thousands of printers. Even so they are number 3 after HP and Canon (I would argue that Canon makes the best printers). So some engineer decides that a counter would be needed to insure the working of the printer and there is some kind of kit that can be purchase to clean up the printer and replace the various wore down bits. This would be targeted at those authorized Epson repair shops. A search shows three on the West coast, my older printer is not even in the look up page.
Who would drive hours to a major city or ship a thirty pound package with pre-paid return postage when you can head to Costco and purchase a new printer for less? Maybe that is the goal, to sell new printers. I can see Epson not being a brand to return too...
Anyways, yesterday I found an obscure thread at www.fixyourownprinter.com that had some good information.
HOLD all following buttons: Power, Load/Eject, Stop, B&W, Color. RELEASE BUTTONS. After this printer turns on, you'll see "Init eeprom" on printer screen. Press Color button to clear protection counter. Hit the power button and restart it.
This did the trick and my printer is back in service. Still the printer is plagued with some problems, like no drivers for windows Vista (which Tina has on her computer).
December 23, 2011
Working the solutions.
My job is sales. I approach our members (customers) and ask to assist them. Sometimes it is pointing them in the right direction or researching a product we use-to-could sell. Mostly, I am answering questions about electronics and computers. I have skills in translating tech-speak to plain English. Further, I can successfully drill down to what the person wants instead of what they ask for.
Case in point:
A couple came in looking for the "Smart Blu ray players" Samsung uses the "Smart" name so I took them to the specific Blu-ray player. They started asking a series of questions that made me back up from the specific to the general. They wanted to drop cable TV and get the shows they like from the Network websites.
The "smart TV's" will not do this. While you can look at websites viewing streaming content requires additional, unsupported browser based software (read: Java, Flash, Divx etc.).
So the "Guy at Sear", fed them a line of BS. I suggested they buy a VGA cable and plug it into the back of the TV. Of course, they did not like the idea of a cable running across the floor. I wondered, out loud, if their home PC was capable of WiDi (wireless display). The age of the 'clunker PC' made mooted the idea.
Which brought me around to the solution. To do exactly what they wanted to do, they would need a Laptop computer, a WiDi box for the Television. On the downside, they came in looking for a $100.00 DVD player and left with a $450.00 Laptop and $50.00 WiDi box.
On the plus side, now they can do exactly what they wanted.
Here is the fun part. In discussing various options, a few other members came to listen. One of them asked if I was the person they should talk to about tech stuff. The folks I sold the lap-top too emphatically stated I was "The One". Over the next 15min, I sold three more laptops, a Tablet PC and two Televisions.
You have to Love non-commission sales at Costco. Our return policy is such that our buyers only bring in quality goods and sales is more interested in matching folks up to tech in order to achieve zero returns.
Near the end of the sales spree, one of the members asked if I get tired of all the stupid questions. I never consider them stupid, rather they are a way to provide solutions to specific problems.
Yeah, love my job.
Case in point:
A couple came in looking for the "Smart Blu ray players" Samsung uses the "Smart" name so I took them to the specific Blu-ray player. They started asking a series of questions that made me back up from the specific to the general. They wanted to drop cable TV and get the shows they like from the Network websites.
The "smart TV's" will not do this. While you can look at websites viewing streaming content requires additional, unsupported browser based software (read: Java, Flash, Divx etc.).
So the "Guy at Sear", fed them a line of BS. I suggested they buy a VGA cable and plug it into the back of the TV. Of course, they did not like the idea of a cable running across the floor. I wondered, out loud, if their home PC was capable of WiDi (wireless display). The age of the 'clunker PC' made mooted the idea.
Which brought me around to the solution. To do exactly what they wanted to do, they would need a Laptop computer, a WiDi box for the Television. On the downside, they came in looking for a $100.00 DVD player and left with a $450.00 Laptop and $50.00 WiDi box.
On the plus side, now they can do exactly what they wanted.
Here is the fun part. In discussing various options, a few other members came to listen. One of them asked if I was the person they should talk to about tech stuff. The folks I sold the lap-top too emphatically stated I was "The One". Over the next 15min, I sold three more laptops, a Tablet PC and two Televisions.
You have to Love non-commission sales at Costco. Our return policy is such that our buyers only bring in quality goods and sales is more interested in matching folks up to tech in order to achieve zero returns.
Near the end of the sales spree, one of the members asked if I get tired of all the stupid questions. I never consider them stupid, rather they are a way to provide solutions to specific problems.
Yeah, love my job.
December 17, 2011
Routine
I find that I wake up with tight muscles during my work week. I do a few sets of sit ups and push ups to get the blood flowing, then hit the shower (sometimes the shower is first). During the first cup of coffee I am feeling pretty good. By the time I ride my bike into work I am alert, awake and ready to tackle the day.
Today my shoulders are tight and there is a muscle\tendon on the outer right side of my lower right leg that feels pulled or strained or something. At certain angles and taking certain steps I can definitively feel pain.
My head cold is trailing off with just a little congestion. I really notice the lack of strength during this cold. I felt fatigue after four hours of moving pallets and stacking Televisions.
I deduced a time-line, I believe I caught this germ around our open house, last Saturday. I had some tummy issues Sunday, but dismissed that as indigestion. By Monday night I was having post nasal drip and the sore throat. Nyquil night was begun. I like Alka seltzer cold, as it masks my symptoms well. After five hours of stocking, I noted we had enough coverage for me to head home sick, which I did.
I spent the rest of Tuesday, most of Wednesday asleep. I woke long enough on Wednesday to assess and call in sick to work. The Second time this year (arrgh!). By Thursday Morning I had slept 40 hours or so and was feeling pretty good.
I made it through my Thursday morning okay, but I was not my usual self. Friday I was better, however I headed south to work on my Brother-in-Laws computer and that took its toll.
My head was muddled enough that reading brought on a pretty good headache. The three hour car drive did not help matters. Still, after a good nap I felt up enough to go skating.
Again, I got fatigued way too fast. Today we are driving up to Portlandia to get my daughter from the airport.
I plan on resting most of the trip and bring along some meds.
Today my shoulders are tight and there is a muscle\tendon on the outer right side of my lower right leg that feels pulled or strained or something. At certain angles and taking certain steps I can definitively feel pain.
My head cold is trailing off with just a little congestion. I really notice the lack of strength during this cold. I felt fatigue after four hours of moving pallets and stacking Televisions.
I deduced a time-line, I believe I caught this germ around our open house, last Saturday. I had some tummy issues Sunday, but dismissed that as indigestion. By Monday night I was having post nasal drip and the sore throat. Nyquil night was begun. I like Alka seltzer cold, as it masks my symptoms well. After five hours of stocking, I noted we had enough coverage for me to head home sick, which I did.
I spent the rest of Tuesday, most of Wednesday asleep. I woke long enough on Wednesday to assess and call in sick to work. The Second time this year (arrgh!). By Thursday Morning I had slept 40 hours or so and was feeling pretty good.
I made it through my Thursday morning okay, but I was not my usual self. Friday I was better, however I headed south to work on my Brother-in-Laws computer and that took its toll.
My head was muddled enough that reading brought on a pretty good headache. The three hour car drive did not help matters. Still, after a good nap I felt up enough to go skating.
Again, I got fatigued way too fast. Today we are driving up to Portlandia to get my daughter from the airport.
I plan on resting most of the trip and bring along some meds.
December 10, 2011
Costco
This is what I love about working for a Company like Costco. We have this return policy that states the following:
- We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied.
- We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund.
- The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touch screen tablets, MP3 players and cellular phones.
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