Grumpy Old Man Rants

Fuck Global Economy

The petroleum that truck is delivering was refined within 300 miles of this station from crude pumped from within 300 miles of the refinery. Somebody is making a $1 a gallon more than last month.

Television

I haven’t owned one for years as the amount of commercials piss me off. This last road trip reinforced that opinion. The large screen in the motel room offered a beautiful clear picture but the content didn’t. I ended up watching the last quarter of a UFL game and then a hockey playoff game. All I know about hockey I learned watching Slap Shot.

 After less than an hour the TV was off and I was re-reading Showdown on the River, Old NFO’s western novel.

I have been told there are ways to get around TV commercials but I’ve never investigated them. I believe it involves reading  instructions.

Colofornia, The Liberal’s favorite lab animal

Outside money via “non profits” has been shaping Colorado’s laws and political structure for years. What the majority of residents want isn’t important to them and their well compensated lackeys. Here is another in a long list of outside interference efforts.

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How this matches up with the recent SCOTUS ruling on gerrymandering smarter people than me will opine.

Another, “California hold my beer” (P)regressive scheme - fast rail

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Econazi Wet Dream on Life Support – Wolves

A bad idea hasn’t gotten better over time.

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If Colorado is a good fit for wolves they will make their own way here. There are natural solutions as happening with pythons in the Everglades. Their numbers are rapidly dwindling.  Otters have learned how to work in packs to eat the eggs as the females are nesting. Bobcats and coyotes have learned to attack when the pythons are molting and are vulnerable.

Wolverine “re-introduction” is still part of the econazi wet dream. The proposed introduction area won’t provide enough food for them in the dead of winter. Will that stop the dreamers? Nah, don’t confuse them with real information.

Show Me Gobsmacked

Deep Blue Boulder County is the place where the longest prison sustenance I’ve ever heard of was imposed.

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 Well deserved IMO.

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Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting – Wyoming edition

Wyoming is on a fast track to the premier data center in the country.

The appeal is jobs, the scarcest resource in Wyoming. The boom comes with a price. Water, power, housing and schools will be needed. The state has around 560,000 residents, a number that has been stable for years, and now is facing adding as much as 100,000 more.

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Does it matter, all those data centers next to the headquarters of this country’s strategic missile silos? WSF, always the ray of sunshine, aren’t you? No, Murphy’s first cousin.

Car Story

Blast from the past.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbH2guwhD8k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK6BksCzTKs

As always, YMMV

 

Victory at Sea

 

One of the first television shows I remember watching was Victory at Sea.

Circa 1952-1954 my Dad was the Section Forman at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. At an elevation of 9,200’ ASL in a deep valley, the tiny town of East Portal had no television reception. AM radio was full of static and only a few 50,000 watt stations could be heard.

My Dad had a sister and brother-in-law living in Wheatridge, CO west of Denver and they had television reception. When we visited I was fascinated by Victory at Sea on their tiny black and white television set.

Browsing YouTube I’ve come across episodes. They don’t fascinate me like in my youth but do bring back memories of riding two hours in the back of a 1951 Ford just to see television.

Times change. That handheld device that rides in my pocket will let me see anything nearly anywhere, except East Portal. No cell service there.

Television

 

I haven’t owned a television for several years and rarely watch anyone’s. Many people are aghast. “I couldn’t live without mine”, they exclaim!

What about Netflix, etc? Not interested, thank you very much. My attention span is so short even a 10 minute video on YouTube starts to bore me.

Friday night was spent in a motel in North Platte, NE. Turned on the television and was once again reminded why I don’t have one. Commercial after commercial! Joe Namath hawking something? He’s still alive? Subtle and not so subtle (P)regressive slant on everything. PBS talking about “President” Biden. Gag!

The only thing I found interesting while channel surfing was MMA fights. At least they are real and, I believe, not scripted. If they are scripted, the producers and fighters are superb at their craft.

What I do watch is YouTube. From Mark Felton war history to Matt’s Off Road Recovery, I stay entertained for an hour or so.

Real enjoyment? Reading your blogs and following links. I’m on Facebook with two main activities, keeping up with the two tribes I belong with, and “Stirring the Pot” where I post things to piss off (P)regressives (including ones I’m to whom I’m related).

Cell phone? Calls and texting. Yeah, those who call me a grumpy old man are not far off the mark. In reality, I’m a grouchy old man. I don’t turn grumpy until pissed off. Of course, nearly everything pisses me off.

At least my dog tolerates me.

Pulled the Plug

Took their equipment back and stopped the television portion of the service.

I don't enjoy watching television. All the damned ads, like eight in a row. By the time the show I'm watching returns I've lost interest.

I've two choices at my location for internet, Comcast and Century Link. Century Link comes over the telephone wires which, in my building, are in poor condition. Comcast remains my internet source. Dish isn't an option in this apartment complex. Just for the record, I haven't a particle of good will towards Comcast.

YouTube offers television for $40 a month. I may try it out.

I've never hooked up my DVD player. I did check out a couple of movies from the library to try out. We'll see if I'm smart enough to hook up the DVD player.

I've never been one to watch TV but married a woman who always had it turned on. Once won a complete set of Star Wars videos and my kids nearly wore them out on a VCR player. 

One dealership I worked at was near my house. We had a mandatory Monday morning sales meeting but our crew didn't start until 1 pm. After the meeting we would go somewhere for breakfast. About once a month I would have the crew over to my house. Grill some steaks, etc. and move the TV and VCR out to the covered deck. While we ate we would watch "Used Cars". "It's a fucking red car, Rudy!" Good times.

For most of my life books have been my diversion. Love the internet - like having my own library.

Ah, the tribulations of a Latter Day Luddite.

No Television - Year Three

Now starting year three without television in my home. Don't miss it, not at all. Since I still travel frequently for business, I watch television, briefly, in motels. Still dislike the number of commercials. Think  it is because I resist anyone  trying to manipulate me.

Family and friends tell me there are alternatives. TiVo? That would require, gasp, reading instructions.

Just Say No to Television

People can’t believe I don’t watch television. About a year ago, Comcast jumped their rates. They were my Internet provider. I found a broadband connection and unplugged Comcast.

What I dislike about television are the commercials; too many in a row. My viewing was reality shows and sports. Television drama doesn’t interest me.
I would be watching a show and then the cut to commercials. Six to eight in a row. By the time the program was back, the continuity was gone along with my interest. I hate being manipulated.

Some time ago, I bought a yard sale DVD player. Same crap with the DVDs. Front loaded with commercials.

Haven’t been to a film in over a decade. It is not just the obnoxious patrons, it is the damn commercials before seeing the feature .

See a video that may interest me on the Internet. More damn commercials, I need to wait to play, before I see what I want.

I’m told there are alternatives; hardware that filters commercials. I just don’t see a favorable cost/benefit.

Books, magazines and print media I devour. My interest, my pace, and my choice.

Many people, including my ex, turn on the television first thing when they arise and the box stays on until they go to sleep. Not for me. Silence is to be enjoyed, not shunned.