Saturday, February 6, 2016

Doris Lyle (1928-2016) Warren High School Class of 1945


Source:  Warren Times Observer

1944 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Dinsmoor Cath S Mrs retd h134 N South St
  • Ekey Donald L rRt 2 Bx 2832 Russell (county section) 
  • Ekey Linda L rRt 2 Bx 2832 Russell (county section)
  • Lyle Cath emp United Refinery r17 Dartmouth
  • Lyle Doris clk Gaughn's Drug r17 Dartmouth
  • Lyle James A drill prs opr SW (Struthers Wells) r17 Dartmouth
  • Lyle John aide Warren Nursing Home
  • Lyle Richard & Patrice; emp Penelec h700 Lincoln Ave
  • Lyle Russell W & Doris S burrer SW h17Dartmouth

Since the popularity of Doris as a baby name has already been graphed here, let's take a look as 'Russell'.


Other members of the class of 1945:
Mary Ann Masterson.  (9/28/2015)
Clara Gelotte Wooster.  (7/19/2015)
Dorothy Smith Bowser.  (6/30/2015)
Charles "Lindy" McConnell.  (2/14/2015)
Ruth Campbell Freeman.  (2/3/2014)
Dixie Eaton Weldon. (1/25/2014)
Dorothy Kavinski Wycoff.  (12/21/2013)
Robert Hammerbeck.  (12/14/2013)

CES 2016 update: Grillbot or Grill Brush?


This gadget first came to my attention over a year ago.

From The Year in Robots:  10 Home Robots to Lighten Your Domestic Chores.  (The New York Times, 12/24/2014)



My bottom line back then:  Sounds as though there are much better ways to spend $130.

Today's question:  Am I still of the same opinion?

Rabbi Jason Miller is certainly a big fan, as he shares in his 2/3/2016 HuffPost Tech overview, The Best Tech Gadgets at CES 2016.
How did no one think of this before? I saw a huge crowd gathered around a booth at CES and figured it must be a celebrity. No one famous was there, but I did see a Roomba-looking device loudly traveling around the grates of a barbecue grill.
He concludes his brief review with an exclamatory I love it!

As for me, I'm more in line with a sentiment expressed in a 2-star Amazon review:
In the first place, if you need a machine to clean your BBQ grill you've got other problems (in my opinion).
Speaking of which, you'd think there'd be more than 96 reviews by now. 

Bottom line this time around:  You can still count me out.

Other CES 2016 posts:
Flip Pal Plus mobile scanner.  (2/6/2016)
ThinOPTICS reading glasses.  (2/5/2016)
My ears were initially all in for this gadget (Earin).  (2/5/2016)
Are you Ditto-worthy?  (2/4/2016)
Triby (tri-bee) takes you back to the days of the family phone.  (2/4/2016)
ODG R-7 smartglasses.  (1/24/2016)
Withings Thermo smart thermometer.  (1/24/2016)
SensorWake alarm clock (you'll need to lobby for bacon).  (1/23/2016)
Dear Panasonic, This transparent LCD display promo does not fill me with anticipation and excitement.  (1/18/2016)
All, if not much more, than most of us will ever need to know about the Vert wearable jump tracker.  (1/17/2016)  Be George Jetson: Ehang 184 AAV drone at CES2016.  (1/14/2016)
Virtual reality porn ('full immersion for the adult experience').  (1/14/2016)
'Crazy, trippy' OLED rollable TV.  (1/14/2016)
ModiFace mirror.  (1/14/2016)
A personal bartender available in multiple colors.  (1/10/2016)
Wearable translator.  (1/10/2016)
Samsung KS9500 SUHD 4K TV with stunning natural curves.  (1/8/2016)
Be your own home brewer the easy way with Pico Brew Micro Brewer.  (1/8/2016)
Daqri smart helmet.  (1/8/2016)
This shower head tells you when your time is up.  (1/7/2016)
According to this HairMax instructional video, 82 medical-grade lasers will put a smile on your face.  (1/6/2016)
You may or may not get a charge out of the Digitsole Smartshoe.  (1/6/2016)
Enrich your family life with this Samsung Smart Family Hub Fridge.  (1/6/2016)

CES 2016: (I definitely want this) Flip Pal Plus Mobile Scanner


Last year I purchased a Canon 9000F MarkII scanner at Camera Company, located on Odana Road in Madison.  I've used it almost exclusively to make digital copies of family slides going back to 1953. The scanner produces clean, sharp images.  Great purchase!

It is, however, a bulky unit -- not conveniently portable, which is why my eyes widened as I watched this 2013 video.  (I assume the Flip Pal Plus is an updated version.)

I also have my parents' photo albums, with family portraits that date back to the late 1930s.   Flip Pal will allow me to scan these photos without disassembling the albums.

Priced at $149.97.



The Best Tech Gadgets at CES 2016.  (Huffington Post, 2/3/2016)
Not only is this a scanner to quickly turn all those photo prints to digital pics, but you can also record a story with each photograph. You simply scan the photo, record your voice and save to create the StoryScans file. It comes with the Flip-Pal Toolbox 4 software for desktops and a ScanTools app for iOS devices. It's ideal for genealogy, scrapbooks of childhood memories and vacation photo journals.

Let's go to the reviews (Flip Pal)
Whoa, mama!  Looks like a big hit.


Headline of top review:  The Best Tool a Researcher Can Have.

Bottom line:  'Nuff said!

Other CES 2016 posts:
ThinOPTICS reading glasses.  (2/5/2016)
My ears were initially all in for this gadget (Earin).  (2/5/2016)
Are you Ditto-worthy?  (2/4/2016)
Triby (tri-bee) takes you back to the days of the family phone.  (2/4/2016)
ODG R-7 smartglasses.  (1/24/2016)
Withings Thermo smart thermometer.  (1/24/2016)
SensorWake alarm clock (you'll need to lobby for bacon).  (1/23/2016)
Dear Panasonic, This transparent LCD display promo does not fill me with anticipation and excitement.  (1/18/2016)
All, if not much more, than most of us will ever need to know about the Vert wearable jump tracker.  (1/17/2016)  Be George Jetson: Ehang 184 AAV drone at CES2016.  (1/14/2016)
Virtual reality porn ('full immersion for the adult experience').  (1/14/2016)
'Crazy, trippy' OLED rollable TV.  (1/14/2016)
ModiFace mirror.  (1/14/2016)
A personal bartender available in multiple colors.  (1/10/2016)
Wearable translator.  (1/10/2016)
Samsung KS9500 SUHD 4K TV with stunning natural curves.  (1/8/2016)
Be your own home brewer the easy way with Pico Brew Micro Brewer.  (1/8/2016)
Daqri smart helmet.  (1/8/2016)
This shower head tells you when your time is up.  (1/7/2016)
According to this HairMax instructional video, 82 medical-grade lasers will put a smile on your face.  (1/6/2016)
You may or may not get a charge out of the Digitsole Smartshoe.  (1/6/2016)
Enrich your family life with this Samsung Smart Family Hub Fridge.  (1/6/2016)

The American Petroleum Institute wants you to love fracking cuz it's "right in our back yard"




Transcription:  Fracking is delivering lots more clean, domestic natural gas, increasingly the fuel of choice for electricity generation, helping drive down U.S. carbon emissions.   

Part of the climate solution, right in our back yard.

This video is brought to you by equivocally named Energy Tomorrow, the advocacy arm of the American Petroleum Institute.

This series of videos preceded most of the CNN videos I watched this morning.


Barbara Bush on the campaign trail. Donald Trump has something to say, of course.






Day 6: New Hampshire primary tracking poll shows no candidates with any momentum


 Source: UMass-Lowell

5-day changes in responses to "Would you definitely vote for [name of candidate] in the New Hampshire Presidential primary?"  (+ or - percentage points)
  • +29 | Ben Carson 
  • +16 | Jeb Bush
  •   +8 | Chris Christie
  •   +6 | Donald Trump
  •   +2 | Mario Rubio
  •    -4 | Ted Cruz
  •    -8 | John Kasich

The definitive outlook of Carson's small group of voters  is not likely to affect next Tuesday's outcome.  He's currently polling at 3%.   His RCP average is 3.3%.

Meanwhile, Carson has jumped on the "I'm appalled at Ted Cruz" bandwagon.


Some of us have been appalled from the start of Cruz's always self-serving political career.

Recent related posts:
Day 5: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll.  (2/5/2016)
Trump continues to rule in New Hampshire, but his kingdom appears increasingly vulnerable.  (2/5/2016)
If I were Donald Trump, I'd be shittin' my britches right about now.  (2/4/2016)
Trump still on top in New Hampshire; Rubio, Cruz slowly gain momentum.  (2/4/2016)
Day 4: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll.  (2/4/2016)
It's a topsy-turvy world below Trump in the New Hampshire Presidential primary polls.  (2/3/2016)
Trump kicks Cruz butt.  (2/2/2016)
Even though all eyes are on Iowa today, New Hampshire polls keep rolling in.  (2/1/2016)
The first 2 of what's likely to be a blizzard of polls before the Feb 9 New Hampshire primary.  (2/1/2016)
Jeb Bush New Hampshire poll numbers: What goes up must come down.  (1/28/2016)
Hampton, we have an outlier; Bush at 18% in latest New Hampshire Republican primary poll.  (1/27/2016)
Donald Trump remains untouchable in New Hampshire.  (1/25/2016)
New Hampshire and the "lamentations of the 68 Percent".  (1/24/2016)
Little engine malfunction? Kasich drops 14 points in a single day in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/21/2016)


Friday, February 5, 2016

Education Committee chair of Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System has donated $10,400 to Scott Walker


And that's not all.

Half of the membership has contributed money to Scott Walker.

Source:  Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

*Drew Petersen is listed as making 1 contribution of $1700 to Republican Mark Green.

Meet your UW System Board of Regents.

Regent committee endorses controversial UW tenure policies without debate.  (Capital Times, 2/5/2016)
It's what the object of Whitburn's, Farrow's, Higgins' and Tyler's affections wants. A controversial set of policies governing tenure at University of Wisconsin System schools that critics say threaten academic freedom were endorsed without debate Friday by a Board of Regents committee.

Candidates give each other a little more breathing room in latest New Hampshire GOP primary poll



Bringing up the rear in the 2/3-4 Boston Globe/Suffolk University poll are Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson, each with 4%.

+/- percentage points change in polling averages since January 23-30:
  • +5.3 | Marco Rubio
  • +0.3 | Ted Cruz
  • +0.2 | Carly Fiorina
  • +0.1 | Ben Carson
  •  -0.9 | John Kasich
  •  -1.1 | Donald Trump
  •  -1.3 | Chris Christie
  •  -2.2 | Jeb Bush

Oh, the weather outside is frightful


But South Carolina is so delightful



Recent related posts:
Trump continues to rule in New Hampshire, but his kingdom appears increasingly vulnerable.  (2/5/2016)
If I were Donald Trump, I'd be shittin' my britches right about now.  (2/4/2016)
Trump still on top in New Hampshire; Rubio, Cruz slowly gain momentum.  (2/4/2016)
Day 4: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll.  (2/4/2016)
It's a topsy-turvy world below Trump in the New Hampshire Presidential primary polls.  (2/3/2016)
Trump kicks Cruz butt.  (2/2/2016)
Even though all eyes are on Iowa today, New Hampshire polls keep rolling in.  (2/1/2016)
The first 2 of what's likely to be a blizzard of polls before the Feb 9 New Hampshire primary.  (2/1/2016)
Jeb Bush New Hampshire poll numbers: What goes up must come down.  (1/28/2016)
Hampton, we have an outlier; Bush at 18% in latest New Hampshire Republican primary poll.  (1/27/2016)
Donald Trump remains untouchable in New Hampshire.  (1/25/2016)
New Hampshire and the "lamentations of the 68 Percent".  (1/24/2016)
Little engine malfunction? Kasich drops 14 points in a single day in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/21/2016)

Feel older now: 50 years ago, "The Cheater" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100




Meet Bob Kuban & the In-Men, an 8-man, one-hit wonder from St. Louis.  Kuban, the group's drummer, formed the band in 1964.  I liked "The Cheater" from the moment I first heard its catchy, brassy intro.  And it's still a song I find eminently listenable.   In moderation, of course.

More 1966 Billboard chart-related mayhem.  Walter Scott (nee Walter Notheis, Jr.), the band's lead singer, disappeared in late December 1983.  After his body was found three years later, an autopsy determined that he had been shot in the back.  His ex-wife and her boyfriend were charged with the crime.

"The Cheater" spent no time in the top 10.  The best it could do was two weeks at #12.


Continuing a theme, you might say, the band released a follow-up single called "The Teaser" in April 1966.   It's awful and deserved to tank, which it did, foundering at #70 in its 3rd week.  Watch this egregious video at your own risk.

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.


Photo from 1966 Warren Area High School Dragon yearbook

Related reading:
Man who murdered St. Louis singer dies in prison.  (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/13/2011)
Walter Scott's death.  (Famously Dead)

Other "Feel Older Now" posts:
These Boots are Made for Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra.  (1/22/2016)
Elusive Butterfly by Bob Lind.  (1/23/2016)
I Fought the Law by the Bobby Fuller Four.  (1/30/2016)

Rubio can't maintain momentum in latest national Presidential primary poll



The behinders in the 2/2-4 Quinnipiac University poll:
  • 3% - Jeb Bush, Chris, Christie, John Kasich
  • 2% - Carly Fiorina
Other stuff:
  • Gender split (men/women)
    • Trump (39%/23%)
    • Cruz (19%/26%)
  • Clinton wins match-up with Trump 46% to 41%
    • Independents (48% to 34%)
    • Women (52% to 36%)
    • College degree (51% to 37%)
  • Clinton ties Cruz 45% each
  • Rubio gets the best of Clinton 48% to 41%  (more so than with Trump and Cruz, it's a 'guy' thing)
  • Sanders, on the other hand, beats all 3 
    • Trump, 49% to 39%
    • Cruz, 46% to 42%
    • Rubio, 43% to 42%

What the top 3 Republican candidates are saying.

Trump talks about the weather.


Cruz brands himself as the "consistent conservative".


Rubio in so many words:  The only thing they have to fear is me. 



Recent related posts:
If I were Donald Trump, I'd be shittin' my britches right about now.  (2/4/2016) 
Once Trump inches above the 40% level, his poll numbers start to recede.  (1/29/2016)
On the other hand, Trump continues to fly high in national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/26/2016)
No intersecting lines yet among top 4 candidates in January national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/23/2016)
Latest Monmouth Republican Presidential primary poll gives Trump a 19-point lead over Cruz.  (1/20/2016)
Recent Republican polls show candidates still drifting along.  (1/15/2016)
When you get right down to it, nothing has changed in Republican national polls in last month.  (1/12/2016)
Nationally, none of the top 4 Republican Presidential candidates is peaking at this time.  (1/11/2016)
Latest FOX News poll has subgroup margins of error that would embarrass the 1962 New York Mets.  (1/8/2016)

Well, how about that? Scott Fitzgerald gives Dan Feyen a campaign talking point




Related posts:
More GOP hypocrisy: Scott Fitzgerald's jobs bill focuses on Democratic candidate for State Senate.  (2/2/2016)
Meet Dan Feyen, Republican candidate for the 18th District of the Wisconsin State Senate.  (11/30/2015)
Apparently, State Senator Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) has decided he can't beat Mark Harris in 2016.  (11/30/2015)
2016 match-up in 18th Wisconsin State Senate District.  (9/19/2015)

Day 5: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll



4-day changes in responses to "Would you definitely vote for [name of candidate] in the New Hampshire Presidential primary?"  (+ or - percentage points)
  • +15 | Ben Carson 
  •   +8 | Jeb Bush
  •   +4 | Mario Rubio
  •   +4 | Ted Cruz
  •   +4 | Chris Christie
  •   +2 | Donald Trump 
  •    -2 | John Kasich

Recent related posts:
Trump continues to rule in New Hampshire, but his kingdom appears increasingly vulnerable.  (2/5/2016)
If I were Donald Trump, I'd be shittin' my britches right about now.  (2/4/2016)
Trump still on top in New Hampshire; Rubio, Cruz slowly gain momentum.  (2/4/2016)
Day 4: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll.  (2/4/2016)
It's a topsy-turvy world below Trump in the New Hampshire Presidential primary polls.  (2/3/2016)
Trump kicks Cruz butt.  (2/2/2016)
Even though all eyes are on Iowa today, New Hampshire polls keep rolling in.  (2/1/2016)
The first 2 of what's likely to be a blizzard of polls before the Feb 9 New Hampshire primary.  (2/1/2016)
Jeb Bush New Hampshire poll numbers: What goes up must come down.  (1/28/2016)
Hampton, we have an outlier; Bush at 18% in latest New Hampshire Republican primary poll.  (1/27/2016)
Donald Trump remains untouchable in New Hampshire.  (1/25/2016)
New Hampshire and the "lamentations of the 68 Percent".  (1/24/2016)
Little engine malfunction? Kasich drops 14 points in a single day in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/21/2016)

Trump continues to rule in New Hampshire, but his kingdom appears increasingly vulnerable


Trump's run of 1st place finishes in New Hampshire primary polls remains unbroken since he entered the fray in mid-July of last year.


Behinder Carson is tied with Christie at 4% in the 2/2-3 NBC/Wall Street Journal/Maris poll.  Fiorina languishes at 2%.


+/- percentage points change in polling averages since January 23-30:
  • +5.2 | Marco Rubio
  • +1.2 | Ted Cruz
  •  -0.2 | Donald Trump
  •  -0.2 | Ben Carson
  •  -0.6 | Carly Fiorina
  •  -0.8 | John Kasich
  •  -1.0 | Jeb Bush
  •  -1.4 | Chris Christie

Recent related posts:
If I were Donald Trump, I'd be shittin' my britches right about now.  (2/4/2016)
Trump still on top in New Hampshire; Rubio, Cruz slowly gain momentum.  (2/4/2016)
Day 4: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll.  (2/4/2016)
It's a topsy-turvy world below Trump in the New Hampshire Presidential primary polls.  (2/3/2016)
Trump kicks Cruz butt.  (2/2/2016)
Even though all eyes are on Iowa today, New Hampshire polls keep rolling in.  (2/1/2016)
The first 2 of what's likely to be a blizzard of polls before the Feb 9 New Hampshire primary.  (2/1/2016)
Jeb Bush New Hampshire poll numbers: What goes up must come down.  (1/28/2016)
Hampton, we have an outlier; Bush at 18% in latest New Hampshire Republican primary poll.  (1/27/2016)
Donald Trump remains untouchable in New Hampshire.  (1/25/2016)
New Hampshire and the "lamentations of the 68 Percent".  (1/24/2016)
Little engine malfunction? Kasich drops 14 points in a single day in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/21/2016)

CES 2016: ThinOPTICS reading glasses


Even though I wear glasses, there are times I could use such an item when trying to read text on the screen of my iPhone (6Plus).

No one is this promotional video, however, wears regular glasses.

Priced to move at $24.95.



The Best Tech Gadgets at CES 2016.  (Huffington Post, 2/3/2016)
For anyone over 40, these reading glasses become increasingly more necessary every time you go to read your phone. ThinOPTICS makes it possible for everyone to read their phone again without squinting or fumbling to find their reading glasses. They even have a phone case that includes a pair of the lightweight reading glasses. They're available in multiple colors and different strength levels.

I just wish that Earin was rackin' up these kinds of reviews.


Bottom line:   Probably best for now to talk with my ophthalmologist about aging eyes issues at my next annual appointment in April. 

Other CES 2016 posts:
My ears were initially all in for this gadget (Earin).  (2/5/2016)
Are you Ditto-worthy?  (2/4/2016)
Triby (tri-bee) takes you back to the days of the family phone.  (2/4/2016)
ODG R-7 smartglasses.  (1/24/2016)
Withings Thermo smart thermometer.  (1/24/2016)
SensorWake alarm clock (you'll need to lobby for bacon).  (1/23/2016)
Dear Panasonic, This transparent LCD display promo does not fill me with anticipation and excitement.  (1/18/2016)
All, if not much more, than most of us will ever need to know about the Vert wearable jump tracker.  (1/17/2016)  Be George Jetson: Ehang 184 AAV drone at CES2016.  (1/14/2016)
Virtual reality porn ('full immersion for the adult experience').  (1/14/2016)
'Crazy, trippy' OLED rollable TV.  (1/14/2016)
ModiFace mirror.  (1/14/2016)
A personal bartender available in multiple colors.  (1/10/2016)
Wearable translator.  (1/10/2016)
Samsung KS9500 SUHD 4K TV with stunning natural curves.  (1/8/2016)
Be your own home brewer the easy way with Pico Brew Micro Brewer.  (1/8/2016)
Daqri smart helmet.  (1/8/2016)
This shower head tells you when your time is up.  (1/7/2016)
According to this HairMax instructional video, 82 medical-grade lasers will put a smile on your face.  (1/6/2016)
You may or may not get a charge out of the Digitsole Smartshoe.  (1/6/2016)
Enrich your family life with this Samsung Smart Family Hub Fridge.  (1/6/2016)

CES 2016: My ears were initially all in for this gadget (Earin)


But product reviews have cooled my enthusiasm.



The Best Tech Gadgets at CES 2016.  (Huffington Post, 2/3/2016)
These earbuds, like the Bragi Dash earbuds, are truly wireless headphones. They are placed in your ears like ear plugs and are comfortable with a surprisingly high quality sound. In terms of battery power, I was able to get a full 10 hours of use from a single charge

The video sez "up 3 hours at a time" of battery life.


I realize that 5 reviews in Amazon isn't much to go to, but 4 of the 5 reviewers give the Earin 5 stars.  And there's what they have to say:

  • They are AMAZING,
  • Earin gets an A+ from this picky buyer.
  • Great concept.  (Notes concern about their falling out of the ears.)
  • Hmm, the 4th review is nowhere to be found.
The lone naysayer complains that The pair I received worked (poorly) once and never turned on again.  (Well, Kyle, I couldn't get my Fitbit to sync properly while setting it up and, after calling customer service, whose patient troubleshooting assistance didn't fix the problem, was sent a new one at no cost.  Now everything's fine'n'dandy.)

Bottom line:  I need a higher confidence level before making this $250 purchase.

So I checked another review source.

Where we have decidedly mixed results.


After skimming through these reviews, I'll sum up my concern as follows:  Too many issues for 1st-generation wireless earbuds.  

Bottomer line:  Guess I'll wait for Generation II.


Other CES 2016 posts:
Are you Ditto-worthy?  (2/4/2016)
Triby (tri-bee) takes you back to the days of the family phone.  (2/4/2016)
ODG R-7 smartglasses.  (1/24/2016)
Withings Thermo smart thermometer.  (1/24/2016)
SensorWake alarm clock (you'll need to lobby for bacon).  (1/23/2016)
Dear Panasonic, This transparent LCD display promo does not fill me with anticipation and excitement.  (1/18/2016)
All, if not much more, than most of us will ever need to know about the Vert wearable jump tracker.  (1/17/2016)  Be George Jetson: Ehang 184 AAV drone at CES2016.  (1/14/2016)
Virtual reality porn ('full immersion for the adult experience').  (1/14/2016)
'Crazy, trippy' OLED rollable TV.  (1/14/2016)
ModiFace mirror.  (1/14/2016)
A personal bartender available in multiple colors.  (1/10/2016)
Wearable translator.  (1/10/2016)
Samsung KS9500 SUHD 4K TV with stunning natural curves.  (1/8/2016)
Be your own home brewer the easy way with Pico Brew Micro Brewer.  (1/8/2016)
Daqri smart helmet.  (1/8/2016)
This shower head tells you when your time is up.  (1/7/2016)
According to this HairMax instructional video, 82 medical-grade lasers will put a smile on your face.  (1/6/2016)
You may or may not get a charge out of the Digitsole Smartshoe.  (1/6/2016)
Enrich your family life with this Samsung Smart Family Hub Fridge.  (1/6/2016)

Thursday, February 4, 2016

1973: When I first learned to appreciate Maurice White


pi From the album Last Days and Time, released in November 1972.  But it was sometime in the spring of 1973 when I discovered it.



It's the last cut on side 1 of Earth, Wind & Fire's 3rd album, which made its debut on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart for the week ending November 25, 1972, when I was in my final semester at UB.  It peaked at #87 and stuck around for 25 weeks.

Commercially, much better things were yet to come for the group, but artistically, this song remains my favorite of theirs.  It hit me to the core.  And it still sound as great today as it did 43 years ago.

As you can clearly see from this photo, I needed a song like this to keep me going.


It took me awhile to find my footing after college graduation.  Funny thing.  My sons are now experiencing the same thing.  I take heart in the knowledge that it all worked out just fine for me.

As for the hardhat, I had to turn it in on my last day of work at Penelec. 


Then it was off to Kenny and Lauren's wedding in NYC...


...and then to the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.




Related reading:
Maurice White, Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, Dies at 74.  (The New York Times, 2/
4/2016

Trump has been unusually quiet on Twitter of late


3 tweets in the past 12 hours.  Very un-Trump-like.


Obviously, the latest results from Public Policy Polling are not so very nice!

If I were Donald Trump, I'd be shittin' my britches right about now



The behinders in the 2/2-3 Public Policy Polling poll:
  • 3% - Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina
Other stuff:
  • The Unfavorables
    • 47% - Jeb Bush
    • 41% - Donald Trump
    • 39% - Rand Paul (packed his bags)

Sounds to me as though The Donald has a new campaign song to blare over the loudspeakers.



Recent related posts:
Once Trump inches above the 40% level, his poll numbers start to recede.  (1/29/2016)
On the other hand, Trump continues to fly high in national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/26/2016)
No intersecting lines yet among top 4 candidates in January national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/23/2016)
Latest Monmouth Republican Presidential primary poll gives Trump a 19-point lead over Cruz.  (1/20/2016)
Recent Republican polls show candidates still drifting along.  (1/15/2016)
When you get right down to it, nothing has changed in Republican national polls in last month.  (1/12/2016)
Nationally, none of the top 4 Republican Presidential candidates is peaking at this time.  (1/11/2016)
Latest FOX News poll has subgroup margins of error that would embarrass the 1962 New York Mets.  (1/8/2016)

Get ready for some more whining; Trump losing air in New Hampshire


Tomorrow's UMass-Lowell/7News daily tracking poll, however, is likely to give Trump some comfort.


The behinders in the 2/2-4 CNN/WMUR poll:
  • 4% - Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina
  • 2% - Ben Carson
Other stuff:
  • 41% of respondents have "definitely decided on a candidate"

Recent 2016 New Hampshire primary posts: 
Trump still on top in New Hampshire; Rubio, Cruz slowly gain momentum.  (2/4/2016)
Day 4: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll.  (2/4/2016)
It's a topsy-turvy world below Trump in the New Hampshire Presidential primary polls.  (2/3/2016)
Trump kicks Cruz butt.  (2/2/2016)
Even though all eyes are on Iowa today, New Hampshire polls keep rolling in.  (2/1/2016)
The first 2 of what's likely to be a blizzard of polls before the Feb 9 New Hampshire primary.  (2/1/2016)
Jeb Bush New Hampshire poll numbers: What goes up must come down.  (1/28/2016)
Hampton, we have an outlier; Bush at 18% in latest New Hampshire Republican primary poll.  (1/27/2016)
Donald Trump remains untouchable in New Hampshire.  (1/25/2016)
New Hampshire and the "lamentations of the 68 Percent".  (1/24/2016)
Little engine malfunction? Kasich drops 14 points in a single day in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/21/2016)

Trump still on top in New Hampshire; Rubio, Cruz slowly gain momentum



CNN/WMUR just released a very interesting poll.  Stay tuned.

Recent 2016 New Hampshire primary posts: 
Day 4: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll.  (2/4/2016)
It's a topsy-turvy world below Trump in the New Hampshire Presidential primary polls.  (2/3/2016)
Trump kicks Cruz butt.  (2/2/2016)
Even though all eyes are on Iowa today, New Hampshire polls keep rolling in.  (2/1/2016)
The first 2 of what's likely to be a blizzard of polls before the Feb 9 New Hampshire primary.  (2/1/2016)
Jeb Bush New Hampshire poll numbers: What goes up must come down.  (1/28/2016)
Hampton, we have an outlier; Bush at 18% in latest New Hampshire Republican primary poll.  (1/27/2016)
Donald Trump remains untouchable in New Hampshire.  (1/25/2016)
New Hampshire and the "lamentations of the 68 Percent".  (1/24/2016)
Little engine malfunction? Kasich drops 14 points in a single day in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/21/2016)

I found the Spice Trail, and it leads to the Free House Pub in Middleton, Wisconsin


Photo by Retiring Guy
(taken at the northwest corner of Elmwood and Parmenter)

Looking forward to another patio season at the Free House Pub.

Day 4: New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary tracking poll



3-day change in responses to "Would you definitely vote for [name of candidate] in the New Hampshire Presidential primary?"  (+ or - percentage points)
  • +13 | Jeb Bush
  • +11 | Mario Rubio
  • +11 | Ben Carson
  •   +3 | Chris Christie
  •   +2 | Donald Trump 
  •    -1 | Ted Cruz
  •    -8 | John Kasich

Recent 2016 New Hampshire primary posts: 
It's a topsy-turvy world below Trump in the New Hampshire Presidential primary polls.  (2/3/2016)
Trump kicks Cruz butt.  (2/2/2016)
Even though all eyes are on Iowa today, New Hampshire polls keep rolling in.  (2/1/2016)
The first 2 of what's likely to be a blizzard of polls before the Feb 9 New Hampshire primary.  (2/1/2016)
Jeb Bush New Hampshire poll numbers: What goes up must come down.  (1/28/2016)
Hampton, we have an outlier; Bush at 18% in latest New Hampshire Republican primary poll.  (1/27/2016)
Donald Trump remains untouchable in New Hampshire.  (1/25/2016)
New Hampshire and the "lamentations of the 68 Percent".  (1/24/2016)
Little engine malfunction? Kasich drops 14 points in a single day in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/21/2016)

Fill in the blank: Really tastes like ____


Another day.  Another GOP.com email.  (For entertainment purposes only.)


As the promotional copy sez....

Your next drink will Taste Like Freedom in this Conservative, Must-Have item.

Rhyme Zone presents Words and phrases that rhyme with freedom: (37 results)

CES 2016: Are you Ditto-worthy?


"It would even be good for church."  Hey, The Grommet just sold The Donald!



The Best Tech Gadgets at CES 2016.  (Huffington Post, 2/3/2016)
Discreet placements demonstrated in video.  Ditto is a tiny, discreet wearable that alerts you with a vibration each time you receive an important message. You can choose which SMS senders and callers warrant an alert, so if you're at the gym and don't want to be bothered except from your spouse or kids, your boss's phone call will be ignored.

More than half of Amazon reviewers give this $39.95 gadget a 5-star review.  There are, however, more than a few naysayers.  18, to be exact,  Their primary complaint:  battery life.


Simple Matters homepage.

Other CES 2016 posts:
Triby (tri-bee) takes you back to the days of the family phone.  (2/4/2016)
ODG R-7 smartglasses.  (1/24/2016)
Withings Thermo smart thermometer.  (1/24/2016)
SensorWake alarm clock (you'll need to lobby for bacon).  (1/23/2016)
Dear Panasonic, This transparent LCD display promo does not fill me with anticipation and excitement.  (1/18/2016)
All, if not much more, than most of us will ever need to know about the Vert wearable jump tracker.  (1/17/2016)  Be George Jetson: Ehang 184 AAV drone at CES2016.  (1/14/2016)
Virtual reality porn ('full immersion for the adult experience').  (1/14/2016)
'Crazy, trippy' OLED rollable TV.  (1/14/2016)
ModiFace mirror.  (1/14/2016)
A personal bartender available in multiple colors.  (1/10/2016)
Wearable translator.  (1/10/2016)
Samsung KS9500 SUHD 4K TV with stunning natural curves.  (1/8/2016)
Be your own home brewer the easy way with Pico Brew Micro Brewer.  (1/8/2016)
Daqri smart helmet.  (1/8/2016)
This shower head tells you when your time is up.  (1/7/2016)
According to this HairMax instructional video, 82 medical-grade lasers will put a smile on your face.  (1/6/2016)
You may or may not get a charge out of the Digitsole Smartshoe.  (1/6/2016)
Enrich your family life with this Samsung Smart Family Hub Fridge.  (1/6/2016)

CES 2016: Triby (tri-bee) takes you back to the days of the family phone


The animated promotion.



The Best Tech Gadgets at CES 2016.  (Huffington Post, 2/3/2016)
Commercial ready. The other thing missing from homes these days is a family telephone. Triby is a connected WiFi phone and wireless speaker all in one that brings me back to the days of leaving messages on the fridge and gathering around the family phone. From music sharing, hands-free VoIP and mobile phone calls and a connected message board, Triby has it all.

The live-action promotion



Invoxia website.  The Triby costst $199.

Early reviews are in at Amazon.  Is everybody happy?  No, but 11 of 17 reviewers give the device a 4- or 5-star rating.


Other CES 2016 posts:
ODG R-7 smartglasses.  (1/24/2016)
Withings Thermo smart thermometer.  (1/24/2016)
SensorWake alarm clock (you'll need to lobby for bacon).  (1/23/2016)
Dear Panasonic, This transparent LCD display promo does not fill me with anticipation and excitement.  (1/18/2016)
All, if not much more, than most of us will ever need to know about the Vert wearable jump tracker.  (1/17/2016)  Be George Jetson: Ehang 184 AAV drone at CES2016.  (1/14/2016)
Virtual reality porn ('full immersion for the adult experience').  (1/14/2016)
'Crazy, trippy' OLED rollable TV.  (1/14/2016)
ModiFace mirror.  (1/14/2016)
A personal bartender available in multiple colors.  (1/10/2016)
Wearable translator.  (1/10/2016)
Samsung KS9500 SUHD 4K TV with stunning natural curves.  (1/8/2016)
Be your own home brewer the easy way with Pico Brew Micro Brewer.  (1/8/2016)
Daqri smart helmet.  (1/8/2016)
This shower head tells you when your time is up.  (1/7/2016)
According to this HairMax instructional video, 82 medical-grade lasers will put a smile on your face.  (1/6/2016)
You may or may not get a charge out of the Digitsole Smartshoe.  (1/6/2016)
Enrich your family life with this Samsung Smart Family Hub Fridge.  (1/6/2016)

How telling: Scott Walker has to depend on out-of-state donors to pay off his Presidential campaign debt



As quoted in Presidential campaign on track to repay debt this year.  (Madison.com, 2/4/2016)

Wisconsinites, apparently, are keeping a tight grip on their wallets when it comes to their Governor.

Walker’s State Campaign Raised Nearly 90 Percent from Outside Wisconsin.  (Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, 7/22/2015)
A campaign finance report filed Monday by the governor’s state campaign committee, Friends of Scott Walker, showed the committee raised a total of nearly $5.6 million from individuals between January and June 2015. Nearly $4.8 million, or 87 percent, of his individual contributions came from outside Wisconsin.

Related reading:
Walker ends 2015 with $20,000 in state campaign fund. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/15/2016)
He raised $514,000 during the 2nd half of 2016.  10% of itemized individual contributions came from Wisconsin donors.

[Dollar emphasis added.]

Related posts:
Meet the fiscally prudent Scott Walker.  (2/1/2016)
Wisconsin taxpayers will now pick up the tab for Scott Walker's security costs to attend out-of-state political events.  (2/1/2016)

Dear Ron Johnson, Some of your best buds in the U.S. Senate are career politicians


Source:  Wikipedia

As quoted in PolitiFact: Testing Ron Johnson claim of Russ Feingold as a 'career politician'.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/4/2016)


Not to mention......

Related NoRoJo2016 posts:
Chapter 1.  (1/2/2013)
Chapter 2.  (1/10/2013)
Chapter 3.  (2/12/2013)
Chapter 4.  (2/13/2013)
Chapter 5   (3/11/2013)
Chapter 6.  (3/25/2013)
Chapter 7.  (4/8/2013)
Chapter 8.  (4/9/2013)
Chapter 9.  (4/12/2013)
Chapter 10. (4/14/2013)
Chapter 11.  (5/2/2013)  
Chapter 12.  (8/15/2013)
Chapter 13: One-trick pony?  (10/17/2013)
Chapter 14.  (10/24/2013)
Chapter 15.  (2/19/2014)
Chapter 16.  (3/15/2014)
Ron Johnson for President? Well, he might as well give it a go since he's not going to be re-elected U.S. Senator.  (5/14/2014)

Ron Johnson:  The sunshine of their love.  (6/18/2014) 
Chapter 19.  If only:  The early arrival of NoRoJo16.  (7/21/2014) 
Chapter 20:  As if we need more evidence.  (8/3/2014) 
Chapter 21.  Time to "ween off" RoJo.  (8/8/2014) 
Chapter 22.  The empty head addresses Cuba.  (12/22/2014)
Chapter 23.  We Really Don't Need Another 6 Years of Deep-Red Embarrassment.  (1/9/2015) 
Chapter 24.  Retiring Guy's illustrated dictionary:  'meaningless'.  (4/19/2015) 
Chapter 25.  Ron Johnson talks out of both sides of his mouth regarding 'career politicians'.  (5/17/2015)
Chapter 26.  The company he keeps: The Ron Johnson-Frank Gaffney mutual administration society.  (12/15/2015)