JimGorski.com

I’m just like you.  I’m not immune to the pictures on the news of the natural disasters that have happened recently in Haiti and in Chili. But I didn’t choose the phrase ‘natural disaster’ by accident.  These horrible, devastating things happen. They happen.  Please donate what you can to help, and say prayers for the people that have been traumatized.

Then move on.

Don’t let the media suck you into the whirlwind of constant crisis.  I refuse to diminish the tragedy in Haiti, but it’s important to note that over twice as many Americans died of cancer in 2007 than died in the Haiti earthquake. More Americans died in car accidents this week than died in the Chilean quake. That’s based on facts rather than feelings.

More than 30 MILLION DOLLARS was pledged via TEXTING to the Red Cross to provide Haiti relief.  One hundred percent of your donation goes to charity - no fees.  Eventually.  It actually takes at least ninety days from the moment you click send on your cell until that Hamilton hits the Red Cross.  You have to pay your text bill each month.  That gives your wireless carrier a zero percent interest loan for a few months. What do you think they make in profit by investing that loan? Expect more commercials at the next tragedy.
The next time you get angry at the idiot in the fast lane ahead of you, or you ignore the pink ribbon can on the counter at the Deli, think about what’s really important. Get angry at the hype. Get angry at the talking heads asking you to text HAITI or CHILI.

Then go visit your grandparents - drive the speed limit on the way there and on the way back.  Prevent your own natural disaster.

This post goes out to all my freshly minted retiree friends - these new laws may affect you - so pay attention!

• It is illegal for you to drive during rush hour.  From 7:30 to 9:00AM and 4:30 to 6:30 you should stay home grinning smugly.
• Wegmans and Tops grocery stores are closed for you from 11:00AM to 1:00PM and 4:00PM to 6:00PM.  Coupon use during this time is a Felony.
• Fast food drive through is not an option - you can walk inside or eat at home (or on your boat, at the beach, etc.).
• Weekend golf is no longer available.  There are always tee times available at 1:30 on a Wednesday when I’m working on my TPS reports.
• The left lane when driving is not an option anymore - ever.  Ever.

Enjoy your retirement!  (But remember where you came from - some of us are still suffering).

I’m still working my plan for 2010, but it will definitely revolve around health and weight this year. Any resolutions out there to share?

Well I know one thing that Santa is bringing me this year - an Acer Aspire One netbook.  Being the type of person to hang much hope on technology, I am already planning on using my new plastic pal to make my life even better than it is today.  All this awesome will come at a price however, and calculating this price has me in a bind.  I think it’s best to start with what I want the new box to do ( in a perfect world). Here’s my short draft list:

• Alarm clock for mornings
• News digest (sports scores/local news/work news) at wake
• Email summaries (home and work) at wake
• Social network summary (home) at wake
• Collect health/diet information
• Collect video blog posts and post when possible
• Collect writers notes and drafts with backup
• Ebook reader
• Email reader
• Social network reader
• Family data with backup (addresses/recipies/etc)
• Encrypted and safe in case of theft

With this list in mind I am in a much better position to decide on Win7 or Linux.

Time to start googling!

It’s creeping closer to Halloween every day, and I stumbled across a new friend at my son’s football practice whose hobby is Ghost Hunting.  I’m a born skeptic, but after listening to his EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) I’m swinging from dubious to intrigued.  It’s one thing to watch a couple of plumbers on TV, it’s quite another to meet an ordinary person who has captured what sounds like an answer to his question asked in an empty room on digital audio.

I’m hoping he’ll let me come along on his next creep!

I really need to evaluate why I keep this website up and running. If I skip an ENTIRE month without posting, maybe I shouldn’t have it at all.

Posting is a priviledge AND a responsibility.

As I slowly read and internalize the NEC, my respect for electricians that spend seven years as apprentices and then get licensed grows and grows. Little things like terminating stranded wiring (which is stranded to allow easier pulling through conduit) seem like such little points, until you understand why they are required.

Personally I just want my pool pump plugged into a safe outlet and on a timer.

But I’m too cheap to spend more than a grand to do it…

A massive social study took place over the last eighty years or so called The Grant Study which examined the lives of some two hundred or so men every two years whenever possible. This study included physical health, emotional well being and pretty much every other variable you can measure. Admittedly the study started with a group of men from Harvard, so the baseline for happiness was set a bit higher (In my opinion) than in most other locations on earth.

What they discovered is that your connection to other people is the biggest predictor of personal happiness and satisfaction. Whether giving or receiving - contact on an emotional level is what does it.

I’m wondering how much of that contact was valid over the phone? (or in mail/telegraph).

How much of that contact can Facebook simulate?

Kidding! I have been working in the fresh air almost every day for the past few weeks, including three hours of mowing on Saturday! I can’t wait to get back out there and make some lasting, positive changes with my own two hands. It’s funny how satisfying that can be after shifting bits and attending meetings for the rest of the week…

Okay, if your eye is drippy and watery - even if the doctor says it is normal (post-op) - it is not. Go back every day until they give you some more meds. I suffered for two weeks, and then finally went back twice.  The second time around my drips had glued my eye shut in the morning and I earned a teeny bottle of medicine. Later that day I was back to awesome! I knew I was being to quiet about something…