On 12/11/2011 3:32 PM, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:36:48 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
> > wrote:
>
>> My nephew called me for Thanksgiving plans, but it came in on my
>> CallerID with an area code and phone number I did recognize, so I did
>> not pick up. He emailed me instead and I told him I';d been home when
>> her called but didn't pick up and commented on why, and he replied
>> that I'd have to memorize his number then! HA! Not likely gonna
>> happen. Get a phone that transmits the correct CallerID info or expect
>> to go to CallNotes!
>
> My husband's oldest sister has caller ID blocked on her land line, so
> it appears on our cell phones as "private number" and we don't pick it
> up because it's not identified. Of course, she gets "mad" at us - but
> all she needs to do is temporarily unblock it when she calls us (which
> she always "forgets" to do). She'll never change, so it's a stand off
> because we won't pick up when she calls us from her house line.
> Identify yourself or talk to the answering machine.
>

Sometimes the paranoia can bite you. A good friend had a serious
problem. I happened to be in a rural area roaming on the local cell
system and in a poor coverage area so I didn't get their call. A little
later I saw the VM. I called them back and was greeted with "the person
you are calling does not accept blocked calls". I don't block my number.
I called the local cell carrier and they said the interconnect to my
carrier wasn't passing the caller ID and they were working on it.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:57:32 -0500, Gary > wrote:

>Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>
>> People who screen their calls have a disease; paranoia. Telephone
>> paranoia stems from hiding from bill collectors... there is no other
>> logical reason.
>
>Not always true. I usually screen my land-line calls and I have no bill
>collectors to hide from.

You're full of shit... people who screen phone calls owe money.

>Occasionally, I will just answer the phone and
>it's almost always some solicitor or a wrong number

Almost always... then you haven't many friends.

>or some friend that
>always wants to talk for an hour or so (and will be offended if I don't have
>time to talk).

Then that's not a friend. Real friends are those one seees in person,
not just meets on the phone. Actually you should feel honored that a
friend wants to waste their hour yakking with you, considering most of
your calls are trash calls.

>Or it's a customer calling after business hours. I'm usually
>doing something during waking hours and can't be bothered to stop what I'm
>doing to answer the phone every 30 minutes or whatever. Anyone who knows me
>knows to leave a message and I'll call you back...or send me an email.

You're not much of a business person if you aren't willing to spend
time with business. And if you weren't lying about running a business
all your customers would rather use email than phone, a business
person would also rather have business correspondance in writing...
one of the first things I do with tenants is exchange email addys... I
wouldn't rent to someone who doesn't have email. And you needn't be
at your PC to read and respond to email, iPhones do it all.

>Only important contacts are on my cell phone list. If you aren't on the
>list, leave a voicemail or forget about contacting me. Again...many of
>those calls are bill collectors with the wrong number. If it's someone on my
>selective list I will call them back immediately if my phone was on at the
>time.

You're full of doodoo... bill collectors don't often call wrong
numbers... unless you just recently got that number then it's you that
the bill collectors are looking for. Legitimate business people have
a separate line for business calls, and when conducting a business
what can be more important than business calls. I have two separate
numbers on my land line... for $12/month Verizon will issue a separate
number with it's own unique ring and can activate its own answering
machine. I began using that number for tenants but I also use it to
give out to those I'd rather not have annoy me, just have the ringer
volume set to Low and set the answering machine to pick up on the
second ring... for only $12/mo it works a treat. I'm sure there must
be similar systems for those who only use a cell, ask your provider.
But again, people who screen their calls are hiding from bill
collectors. I don't want to be bothered with phone calls when I'm
about to eat, that's when I shut off the ringer on the one phone I
allow to ring... I have five phones in my house but only my office
phone rings because it's the furthest from my bedroom and I can't hear
it from there. There are many other ways to prevent being bothered by
calls at inconvenient times so you can alibi till you're blue in the
face but if you are screening (if you actually check to see who's
calling then you're not so busy) then you are ascared of bill
collectors[period]

On Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:55:25 -1000, dsi1 > wrote:

> Remember when you'd call people and normally you'd let it ring about 8
> times but sometimes you let it ring a few times more because they always
> take a long time to answer but then after the 12th ring you start to
> feel kinda stupid for letting it ring but you let it ring because you've
> invested so much time in letting the phone ring and then you start to
> hope nobody answers the phone cause both of you are gonna look stupid.
> You for letting it ring so long and the receiver for not answering it
> sooner?

I remember the 5 rings and then hang up rule.
>
> Sometimes you don't want to answer the phone but then the phone keeps on
> ringing and then you start wondering who the heck is so persistent and
> the you want to answer but then you can't because you let it ring over
> 13 times and you're stumped for an excuse for taking so long to answer?
> And then you start praying that the ringing stops or you fantasize about
> picking up the phone and yelling at the jerk for ringing for so long?
> I'm certainly glad we don't have to deal with that nonsense anymore...
>
Yes, back when phones were hard wired in we used to throw it in the
closet and pile stuff on it to muffle the sound. I was sooo annoying!
I was really happy when they became plug-ins, so we could unplug it
when we didn't want to be bothered (with plugs came cheaply made
phones and the subsequent decline of telephones, but that's another
matter). Caller ID, call waiting and answering machines changed my
life, but the cell phone is best. Now there's no more putting your
life on hold to wait for the Dr. or the appliance technician to call
back.


--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:57:32 -0500, Gary > wrote:

> Not always true. I usually screen my land-line calls and I have no bill
> collectors to hide from. Occasionally, I will just answer the phone and
> it's almost always some solicitor or a wrong number or some friend that
> always wants to talk for an hour or so (and will be offended if I don't have
> time to talk).

Your scenario was (no land line anymore) certainly true at my house.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:12:10 -0500, George >
wrote:

> I called them back and was greeted with "the person
> you are calling does not accept blocked calls".

That's what I did when I had a land line. Loved it!

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 12/12/2011 8:30 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:55:25 -1000, > wrote:
>
>> Remember when you'd call people and normally you'd let it ring about 8
>> times but sometimes you let it ring a few times more because they always
>> take a long time to answer but then after the 12th ring you start to
>> feel kinda stupid for letting it ring but you let it ring because you've
>> invested so much time in letting the phone ring and then you start to
>> hope nobody answers the phone cause both of you are gonna look stupid.
>> You for letting it ring so long and the receiver for not answering it
>> sooner?
>
> I remember the 5 rings and then hang up rule.

This is a good rule. Too bad I never learned it.

>>
>> Sometimes you don't want to answer the phone but then the phone keeps on
>> ringing and then you start wondering who the heck is so persistent and
>> the you want to answer but then you can't because you let it ring over
>> 13 times and you're stumped for an excuse for taking so long to answer?
>> And then you start praying that the ringing stops or you fantasize about
>> picking up the phone and yelling at the jerk for ringing for so long?
>> I'm certainly glad we don't have to deal with that nonsense anymore...
>>
> Yes, back when phones were hard wired in we used to throw it in the
> closet and pile stuff on it to muffle the sound. I was sooo annoying!
> I was really happy when they became plug-ins, so we could unplug it
> when we didn't want to be bothered (with plugs came cheaply made
> phones and the subsequent decline of telephones, but that's another
> matter). Caller ID, call waiting and answering machines changed my
> life, but the cell phone is best. Now there's no more putting your
> life on hold to wait for the Dr. or the appliance technician to call
> back.

The cell phone has certainly changed the American landscape. Everywhere
you look you see folks talking or texting - a lot of folks can even do
with while they walk. The cell phone has made wris****ches obsolete and
will probably do the same with cameras, MP3 players and even Microsoft
Windows.

In my awesome opinion, we should be studying the grip this technology
has on the people of Korea as this could give us some insight as to what
lies in store for us in the US.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:56:01 -1000, dsi1
> wrote:

>
> The cell phone has certainly changed the American landscape. Everywhere
> you look you see folks talking or texting - a lot of folks can even do
> with while they walk. The cell phone has made wris****ches obsolete and
> will probably do the same with cameras, MP3 players and even Microsoft
> Windows.

I'm not that locked in. Yes, a cell is my only phone (although I do
use the computer to place calls from time to time) and it's not a
smart phone... but I only use it a couple of times a week at best. I
don't own an mp3 iPod or any other music system and I still wear a
wrist watch for the time. The phone volume is on low, it stays in my
purse and I often don't hear incoming calls (which I rarely return
anyway). The newest gadget I have is the GPS system that came with
the car. I knew I'd like it and I like it even more than I thought I
would.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 12/12/2011 11:28 AM, sf wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:56:01 -1000, dsi1
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> The cell phone has certainly changed the American landscape. Everywhere
>> you look you see folks talking or texting - a lot of folks can even do
>> with while they walk. The cell phone has made wris****ches obsolete and
>> will probably do the same with cameras, MP3 players and even Microsoft
>> Windows.
>
> I'm not that locked in. Yes, a cell is my only phone (although I do
> use the computer to place calls from time to time) and it's not a
> smart phone... but I only use it a couple of times a week at best. I
> don't own an mp3 iPod or any other music system and I still wear a
> wrist watch for the time. The phone volume is on low, it stays in my
> purse and I often don't hear incoming calls (which I rarely return
> anyway). The newest gadget I have is the GPS system that came with
> the car. I knew I'd like it and I like it even more than I thought I
> would.
>

I'd sure like a GPS unit since I get lost a lot. The stereotype is all
too true - I simply won't ask for directions and my wife can't read a
map for beans.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:50:01 -1000, dsi1
> wrote:

> I'd sure like a GPS unit since I get lost a lot. The stereotype is all
> too true - I simply won't ask for directions and my wife can't read a
> map for beans.

Christmas is coming....

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 12/12/2011 12:12 PM, sf wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:50:01 -1000, dsi1
> > wrote:
>
>> I'd sure like a GPS unit since I get lost a lot. The stereotype is all
>> too true - I simply won't ask for directions and my wife can't read a
>> map for beans.
>
> Christmas is coming....
>

Good idea, OTOH, I only need one while I'm on the mainland. I'm betting
that the next time I'm there, the rental car will have one.

The first time I was in the bay area, I got lost and couldn't find my
way back to San Mateo, and then my car ran out of gas. Of course, I
didn't have any money so I walked down the hill to a bank which cashed
my Hawaiian Electric refund check which was the only funds I had. I
think it was for 7 bucks or so. This allowed me to buy a gallon of gas.
What are the chances that a bank would cash a out of state utility
check? Kinda slim, I guess.

On this rock, we only have two directions - towards the mountain and
towards the sea. Mauka and makai. On the mainland, I can't even tell
where the ocean is. That's the breaks.

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:38:36 -1000, dsi1
> wrote:

> The first time I was in the bay area, I got lost and couldn't find my
> way back to San Mateo, and then my car ran out of gas. Of course, I
> didn't have any money so I walked down the hill to a bank which cashed
> my Hawaiian Electric refund check which was the only funds I had. I
> think it was for 7 bucks or so. This allowed me to buy a gallon of gas.
> What are the chances that a bank would cash a out of state utility
> check? Kinda slim, I guess.
>
> On this rock, we only have two directions - towards the mountain and
> towards the sea. Mauka and makai. On the mainland, I can't even tell
> where the ocean is. That's the breaks.

I understand. I get lost in the East Bay too, and that's why I wanted
GPS. Fortunately, SF is kinda like being on an island. You hit water
on three sides and the street signs used to change colors when you
left the city and county of San Francisco. They don't do that
anymore, so I don't know what I'd do if I was just learning my way
around now.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 12/12/2011 12:58 PM, sf wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:38:36 -1000, dsi1
> > wrote:
>
>> The first time I was in the bay area, I got lost and couldn't find my
>> way back to San Mateo, and then my car ran out of gas. Of course, I
>> didn't have any money so I walked down the hill to a bank which cashed
>> my Hawaiian Electric refund check which was the only funds I had. I
>> think it was for 7 bucks or so. This allowed me to buy a gallon of gas.
>> What are the chances that a bank would cash a out of state utility
>> check? Kinda slim, I guess.
>>
>> On this rock, we only have two directions - towards the mountain and
>> towards the sea. Mauka and makai. On the mainland, I can't even tell
>> where the ocean is. That's the breaks.
>
> I understand. I get lost in the East Bay too, and that's why I wanted
> GPS. Fortunately, SF is kinda like being on an island. You hit water
> on three sides and the street signs used to change colors when you
> left the city and county of San Francisco. They don't do that
> anymore, so I don't know what I'd do if I was just learning my way
> around now.
>

My guess is that learning your way around the bay area is 4X harder than
it is on this rock. What a great time we had there though. My wife used
to live in the Presidio.

We lived in San Bruno and had a rocking time - literally. You guys
really know how to throw an earthquake. Ours suck. :-)

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:13:28 -1000, dsi1
> wrote:

> We lived in San Bruno and had a rocking time - literally. You guys
> really know how to throw an earthquake. Ours suck. :-)

Were you here when they were running the Happy Cows commercials?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd8-zfIlDwY

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 12/12/2011 1:31 PM, sf wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:13:28 -1000, dsi1
> > wrote:
>
>> We lived in San Bruno and had a rocking time - literally. You guys
>> really know how to throw an earthquake. Ours suck. :-)
>
> Were you here when they were running the Happy Cows commercials?
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd8-zfIlDwY
>

It's a good one - never saw it. My coworkers thought my reaction was
pretty funny when it sounded like there was a train rolling past the big
glass windows at my job. I swear those huge panes were rippling. I guess
you could say that I was "concerned" about it.

There was a strange sound that I heard one time around Christmas. It
sounded like a bunch of birds flying off all at once and then there was
what sounded like many big raindrops falling on a tin roof. This was
followed by a big (for me) quake. I sure hope I don't ever hear that
sound again.

On Dec 11, 10:00*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:


> People who screen their calls have a disease; paranoia. *Telephone
> paranoia stems from hiding from bill collectors... there is no other
> logical reason. *I grew up with phones that didn't have caller ID so
> even though my phones have that feature I rarely look at it before
> answering. *If it's some computer call I immediately hang up, if it's
> anyone taking a survey I immediately hang up, if it's someone who
> misdialed I politely tell them they got a wrong number and I
> immediately hang up. *For the few times in a year that I get one of
> those kind of calls I'm not bothered. *And some people screen their
> calls because they don't want certain callers to know that they are
> sitting there with nothing more important to do... my brother never
> answers calls, he lets them go into voice mail so that when he calls
> back a week later he can say he had a meeting with the dali lama or
> some such just to make his ego go all aflutter. *The one thing I
> absolutely hate is when I call and they immediately ask if I can hold
> a second... so before I can answer I'm on hold. *Now I happen to know
> how long a second is so I wait no more than two minutes and hang up.
> If it's a business I'll call again later and usually get someone with
> more maturity... if it's a private person I don't call back, they can
> call me if they feel like it, they had their chance. *I don't care,
> I'm not much of a telephone person, I don't know how people can be
> yakking 24/7, don't they ever do anything productive... my calls last
> maybe five/ten minutes... and I rarely make more than two calls a day.


As you know, not everyone is the same. I have a home answering
machine and I think it makes perfect sense. I do screen calls, but
that's not priority number one. The machine is useful. You could be
in the shower when the message comes in. Or across the street. Or
even in the kitchen running water. Not everyone who doesn't answer
their phone is pretending not to be there. And with me, when it comes
to estimated times of callbacks or anything else, I can honestly say
I'm one of the most reliable people I've ever known.

Everyone has their own tastes. I hate talking on the cellphone,
but with the right person I can talk for an hour on my home phone and
not be bothered in the least. Sometimes I prefer it to face to face
conversation. Same with driving a car, I can talk and concentrate on
the road without having to look someone in the face. There's a
certain job-like feeling to that. I don't mind looking in someone's
face or vice versa, but I don't like when it's expected. Sometimes I
even think the answering machine is more civilized than some
conversations that are dotted with constant interruptions. I don't
think you hate the answering machine if it's used the right way - not
as much as you think you do - because the answering machine is really
sort of an audio version of this newsgroup if you think about it. You
make a post, it's like leaving a message on someone's machine. Their
callback is like a response to a post. Many of these items, some of
which I too rail against - all of them have purpose and can be used in
a good way. Not everyone uses a screener/answering-machine for the
exact same reasons.

Leave a message at the beep
TJ

On Dec 11, 10:06*pm, Krypsis > wrote:


> I'm sure there are. I get my jollies from my work. It gets me out and
> about and meeting people. That's the important bit.

> Not bitter in the slightest. I have way too much in the way of
> superannuation income, my fault I know for investing in my future from
> my 20s onwards. It was compulsory in government employment.
>
> I have hobbyland AND work. What could be better?


I even said I could be wrong when I interpreted your comments as
bitter. But even now in your comments about saving money I detect the
same bitter tone. Again, that could all be in my own warped brain.

The point is, many people - perhaps most - are working fulltime
just to pay rent and eat. Those people cannot possibly save money.
The most I have ever saved in my life was $800, and that was back in
the late 70s when my rent was cheap and one week's wages (near
minimum), could pay one month's rent, which for many years was the
standard. But such has not been the case for years. Most people have
to work two or three or even more weeks just for the rent. That's why
so many get food stamps. I've received them myself. Not only do they
have to work more weeks for their rent, they also have to work more
hours. Most people I know are working 60 plus hours a week when 40
used to be the norm. People are being enslaved. I feel good about my
situation and am glad I have not made a life of trying to acquire more
things to burden me down - not that I wouldn't take them if they came
along for free.

TJ

On Dec 11, 10:07*pm, Krypsis > wrote:
> On 12/12/2011 1:21 PM, Tommy Joe wrote:

> >>> Anybody remember the old "one ringer" technique of old?


> * Yeah, but I got so many people on my "one ringer" plan that I had
> > to assign them numbers. *Bob would call and let it ring just once.
> > Bill had to let it ring twice. *Sam, three times. *On and on. *I had
> > 23 different people on the plan. *But rarely did anyone over number 12
> > call me.


> I'd lose count...


A lot of my jokes really suck. But I think they're funny at the
time. I love the send button. Think I'll hit it now.

TJ

On Dec 12, 12:17*am, John Kuthe > wrote:

> We discovered we could play this pinball machine forever if when the
> ball counter reached 21 or 23 (it went to 25 before game over) and
> we'd press both flippers and jam on the coin return, it would set the
> counter back to 0! And we'd get to play again! And it would do it over
> and over! All we had to do was stop at 21 or 23 every time, and...
>
> I have NO idea who discovered this or how, but it was the coolest
> thing when we were 12, yano?


I grew up playing pinball and am proud of my skills, which were
honed mainly by having the ability to practice at no cost using the
method I will describe below. But first, in order to know what I'm
talking about you'll need to know what a roll-over is. They are the
metal rods the ball goes over when it goes through a tunnel or
passageway. Every time the ball goes over a rollover, an appropriate
score is racked up on the scoreboard. The metal rods today are
straight. But back in the 60s they were hump-backed.

We would place the front legs of the machine on our feet so the
playing field became almost level, slowing the ball dramatically. The
coin would not be placed in first or the machine would tilt. The
machine is placed gently on one's feet and then the coin inserted.
Then the game starts. When the ball goes over a roll-over it will do
so slowly, so slowly that you can trap it by ever so slightly shaking
the machine back and forth - slightly so as not to tilt it - and the
trapped ball would stay on top of the rolloever and rack up points
galore until the full limit of 26 games. I also had a key to the back
of all Gotleib machines. A friend gave it to me. It was easy to open
the back and turn that wheel by hand to 26 games. But there was
something more creative and pioneer-ish about raising the legs to
one's feet that I enjoyed more.

Practice makes perfect, almost
TJ

On Dec 12, 2:55*am, dsi1 > wrote:
> On 12/11/2011 4:21 PM, Tommy Joe wrote:
>
>
>
> >> On Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:02:22 -0800, "Pico Rico"
>
> >>> Anybody remember the old "one ringer" technique of old?
>
> > * * *Yeah, but I got so many people on my "one ringer" plan that I had
> > to assign them numbers. *Bob would call and let it ring just once.
> > Bill had to let it ring twice. *Sam, three times. *On and on. *I had
> > 23 different people on the plan. *But rarely did anyone over number 12
> > call me.
>
> > Don't worry, just let it ring 23 times and I'll know it's you and call
> > you back,
> > TJ
>
> Remember when you'd call people and normally you'd let it ring about 8
> times but sometimes you let it ring a few times more because they always
> take a long time to answer but then after the 12th ring you start to
> feel kinda stupid for letting it ring but you let it ring because you've
> invested so much time in letting the phone ring and then you start to
> hope nobody answers the phone cause both of you are gonna look stupid.
> You for letting it ring so long and the receiver for not answering it
> sooner?
>
> Sometimes you don't want to answer the phone but then the phone keeps on
> ringing and then you start wondering who the heck is so persistent and
> the you want to answer but then you can't because you let it ring over
> 13 times and you're stumped for an excuse for taking so long to answer?
> And then you start praying that the ringing stops or you fantasize about
> picking up the phone and yelling at the jerk for ringing for so long?
> I'm certainly glad we don't have to deal with that nonsense anymore...


Pretty funny stuff, I love hearing people grumble in a creative and
enjoyable way. I especially liked the first paragraph. I endure with
other things the exact same feeling you get when you're calling
someone and you're trapped in that zone where you want to hang up but
are afraid that the very minute you do will be exactly when they
finally pick it up. I have endured it in the cab - being sent to a
home and are they come to the door and put their hand up with one
finger extended to say give me a minute, which turns to five, then
ten, then more - and at some point you've got to pull away, but you
just invested not only time waiting but also time and gas getting
there to begin with. In many things there is that zone where one is
thrust or puts themselves where they have to make a decision to either
stay or move on, and there is usually some pretty good humor in those
situations of conflict.

TJ

On Dec 12, 7:57*am, Gary > wrote:

> Funny answering-machine message that I heard on a stand-up comedy show once:
> "Hi this is Gary. *I'm home now and in a moment I will hear your voice and
> I'll have a decision to make."


That may be funny, but basis one's decision on a voice is certainly
superior than basing it on a telephone number only. I love the
answering machine. I too use it as a screener, but not exclusively -
and I'm not hiding from anyone. I think it's a useful machine that
can be used in an intelligent and practical and civilized and even
creative way. Just as I have learned that not all cellphone users are
annoying slobs, so should others know that not all people who own
answering machines use them for the same reason or in the same way.

TJ

On Dec 12, 11:27*am, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:57:32 -0500, Gary > wrote:



> You're full of shit... people who screen phone calls owe money.

> Occasionally, I will just answer the phone and
> it's almost always some solicitor or a wrong number

> Almost always... then you haven't many friends.


There has to be a point - exact number I cannot venture - where
one can have too many friends - so many in fact that he really has
none.

TJ

On Dec 12, 4:50*pm, dsi1 > wrote:

> I'd sure like a GPS unit since I get lost a lot. The stereotype is all
> too true - I simply won't ask for directions and my wife can't read a
> map for beans.


You mean the stereotype for YOU is true. That doesn't make it
true for all. I'm a guy who will not hesitate to ask for directions.
If I don't ask, there is a good reason. I might want to find
something on my own for the learning experience. But if I really need
help with directions I will not hesitate to ask.

This reminds me of a the time a blind guy with a cane and
sunglasses was getting on the bus and people reached out to help him
up the steps and he cried repeatedly while lashing out with his cane,
"No, no, I can do it myself." Then he takes a seat near the back and
about ten minutes later the bus driver calls out, "Sunset and Vine",
and the blind guy starts screaming, "Sunset and Vine? Sunset and
Vine? That's two stops past Highland. I wanted to get off at
Highland - WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME?"

That didn't really happen, but I can picture it happening, and that's
good enough for me
TJ

On 12/12/2011 8:26 PM, Tommy Joe wrote:
> On Dec 12, 4:50 pm, > wrote:
>
>> I'd sure like a GPS unit since I get lost a lot. The stereotype is all
>> too true - I simply won't ask for directions and my wife can't read a
>> map for beans.
>
>
> You mean the stereotype for YOU is true. That doesn't make it
> true for all. I'm a guy who will not hesitate to ask for directions.
> If I don't ask, there is a good reason. I might want to find
> something on my own for the learning experience. But if I really need
> help with directions I will not hesitate to ask.
>
> This reminds me of a the time a blind guy with a cane and
> sunglasses was getting on the bus and people reached out to help him
> up the steps and he cried repeatedly while lashing out with his cane,
> "No, no, I can do it myself." Then he takes a seat near the back and
> about ten minutes later the bus driver calls out, "Sunset and Vine",
> and the blind guy starts screaming, "Sunset and Vine? Sunset and
> Vine? That's two stops past Highland. I wanted to get off at
> Highland - WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME?"
>
> That didn't really happen, but I can picture it happening, and that's
> good enough for me

It's a good story anyway. I get the feeling that most folks think I make
up the weird stuff that I see around me but mostly it's true - mostly.



> TJ

Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:57:32 -0500, Gary > wrote:
>
> >Brooklyn1 wrote:
> >>
> >> People who screen their calls have a disease; paranoia. Telephone
> >> paranoia stems from hiding from bill collectors... there is no other
> >> logical reason.
> >
> >Not always true. I usually screen my land-line calls and I have no bill
> >collectors to hide from.
>
> You're full of shit... people who screen phone calls owe money.

LOL! Again...not true. I owe some money but I've never been late on
payments I don't make as much as I'd like to but I do manage it well
(within my means).
My bills get top priority with my money. I'll skimp on the grocery bill
rather than pay a bill late. No bill collector has *ever* called me looking
for me.

>
> >Occasionally, I will just answer the phone and
> >it's almost always some solicitor or a wrong number
>
> Almost always... then you haven't many friends.

Just a few good friends. With those, we either see each other on a daily
basis or email each other and responses are soon after.

>
> >or some friend that
> >always wants to talk for an hour or so (and will be offended if I don't have
> >time to talk).
>
> Then that's not a friend. Real friends are those one seees in person,
> not just meets on the phone. Actually you should feel honored that a
> friend wants to waste their hour yakking with you, considering most of
> your calls are trash calls.

Those few are willing to waste their hour talking but I'm not.
I'm just not a slave to my phones. Call me, leave a message if I don't pick
up, and I'll call you back when I have time to chat. My few friends and my
customers know that.

>
> >Or it's a customer calling after business hours. I'm usually
> >doing something during waking hours and can't be bothered to stop what I'm
> >doing to answer the phone every 30 minutes or whatever. Anyone who knows me
> >knows to leave a message and I'll call you back...or send me an email.
>
> You're not much of a business person if you aren't willing to spend
> time with business. And if you weren't lying about running a business
> all your customers would rather use email than phone,

I realize that some usenet people can "pretend" to be what they're not but
not the case with me. I have no reason to lie about my life. What you see
(hear) is what I am.
I am available for business from 5:00am to about 7:00pm. If a customer
calls after that, they will get a return call the next morning and they all
know that. I don't want to get a business call at 10:00PM on a Saturday
night....and yes, that's happened before.

a business
> person would also rather have business correspondance in writing...
> one of the first things I do with tenants is exchange email addys... I
> wouldn't rent to someone who doesn't have email.

I have a few customers who always correspond via email and I love them.
Most prefer telephone though.



> You're full of doodoo... bill collectors don't often call wrong
> numbers... unless you just recently got that number then it's you that
> the bill collectors are looking for.

I've had my cell phone for about 3 years now and you are correct. Most of
the wrong numbers were in the first year or two. Not so many now.


Legitimate business people have
> a separate line for business calls, and when conducting a business
> what can be more important than business calls. I have two separate
> numbers on my land line... for $12/month Verizon will issue a separate
> number with it's own unique ring and can activate its own answering
> machine.

That's a good deal...only $12 extra but I don't need any extra. My land line
phone and my cell are sufficient.


> There are many other ways to prevent being bothered by
> calls at inconvenient times so you can alibi till you're blue in the
> face but if you are screening (if you actually check to see who's
> calling then you're not so busy) then you are scared of bill
> collectors[period]

Again....LOL! Sorry but no bill collectors looking for me.

You indicate that you are a landlord or at least manage rentals. I suppose
you deal with tenants who haven't paid rent on time and won't answer their
phones. We're not all deadbeats though. I'm just not a phone person.

Gary

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:18:27 -0800 (PST), Tommy Joe
> wrote:

>On Dec 12, 11:27*am, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:57:32 -0500, Gary > wrote:
>
>
>
>> You're full of shit... people who screen phone calls owe money.
>
>> Occasionally, I will just answer the phone and
>> it's almost always some solicitor or a wrong number
>
>> Almost always... then you haven't many friends.
>
>
> There has to be a point - exact number I cannot venture - where
>one can have too many friends - so many in fact that he really has
>none.
>
>TJ

Most people don't/can't differenciate between friends and
aquaintances... everyone they meet, however so briefly is in their
mind their friend.. those are the people who have no friends

On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:26:16 -0800 (PST), Tommy Joe
> wrote:

>On Dec 12, 4:50*pm, dsi1 > wrote:
>
>> I'd sure like a GPS unit since I get lost a lot. The stereotype is all
>> too true - I simply won't ask for directions and my wife can't read a
>> map for beans.
>
>
> You mean the stereotype for YOU is true. That doesn't make it
>true for all. I'm a guy who will not hesitate to ask for directions.
>If I don't ask, there is a good reason. I might want to find
>something on my own for the learning experience. But if I really need
>help with directions I will not hesitate to ask.
>
> This reminds me of a the time a blind guy with a cane and
>sunglasses was getting on the bus and people reached out to help him
>up the steps and he cried repeatedly while lashing out with his cane,
>"No, no, I can do it myself." Then he takes a seat near the back and
>about ten minutes later the bus driver calls out, "Sunset and Vine",
>and the blind guy starts screaming, "Sunset and Vine? Sunset and
>Vine? That's two stops past Highland. I wanted to get off at
>Highland - WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME?"
>
>That didn't really happen, but I can picture it happening, and that's
>good enough for me
>TJ

I only recently began using a Garmin GPS, it's a wonderful
invention... brings me to wherever I'm going without missing a beat so
if I miss a turn it announces "Recalculating" and takes me the next
most direct route... when it's time to go home I click Home, and it
takes me home from wherever in the world I happen to be, better than
dropping crumbs like Hansel and Gretel. A GPS is fantastic for these
back country roads, many of which aren't signed and the only
discernable landmark could be a cow that won't be there ten minutes
later. A GPS is especially good here at night, there are no street
lights. I can see how one day soon there'll be no need for steering
wheels... just program in the destination and you can sleep until an
alarm wakes you to say you've arrived.

On 12/13/2011 2:03 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:

> I only recently began using a Garmin GPS, it's a wonderful
> invention... brings me to wherever I'm going without missing a beat so
> if I miss a turn it announces "Recalculating" and takes me the next
> most direct route... when it's time to go home I click Home, and it
> takes me home from wherever in the world I happen to be, better than
> dropping crumbs like Hansel and Gretel. A GPS is fantastic for these
> back country roads, many of which aren't signed and the only
> discernable landmark could be a cow that won't be there ten minutes
> later. A GPS is especially good here at night, there are no street
> lights.

I got one last Christmas, thought it would be good for a lark.
Turns out it's a pretty handy little device. I don't have a
smart phone, but I did take the GPS on vacation last year. It
was nice not wandering around wondering where to get gas near the
airport so we could drop off the rental car with a full tank.
That was just one of the little perks.

> I can see how one day soon there'll be no need for steering
> wheels... just program in the destination and you can sleep until an
> alarm wakes you to say you've arrived.

I think they have that, they say blind people could drive. Maybe
not actually in production yet.

nancy

On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:15:52 -0500, Gary > wrote:

>Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>> There are many other ways to prevent being bothered by
>> calls at inconvenient times so you can alibi till you're blue in the
>> face but if you are screening (if you actually check to see who's
>> calling then you're not so busy) then you are scared of bill
>> collectors[period]
>
>Again....LOL! Sorry but no bill collectors looking for me.
>
>You indicate that you are a landlord or at least manage rentals. I suppose
>you deal with tenants who haven't paid rent on time and won't answer their
>phones. We're not all deadbeats though. I'm just not a phone person.

Most tenants pay their rent. The few that didn't I immediatly started
eviction proceedings, no point prolonging the inevitable. With most
they were long time tenants, they'd mail me a year of post dated
checks, made us both happy, I didn't have to track them down and they
didn't have me coming around to see how they lived. They knew that
I'd not cash their checks before time and they knew to contact me to
hold a check a few days if they were short (rarely occured).

I don't have a cell phone. I'm outdoors all day in good weather. All
I need do to see who called me is to check my caller ID. My answering
machine is pretty worthless as more than half the time people won't
leave a message... I rarely leave a message, only if it's of
importance, I never leave a message if all I was doing is wanting to
chat, in fact if I call and no one picks up by the sixth ring I simply
hang up... and I know some people who have their answering machine set
to pick up after like 28 rings, I think they're mental. With people
who are important to me I mostly rely on email to make plans, then
there are no misunderstandings about when/where. I've been driving
for more than fifty years, I've never once felt I needed to chat on
the phone with someone while driving. I remember how my father never
used the phone, if it rang he'd wait for my mother to pick it up
otherwise he'd ignore it, I never remember him dialing... he lived for
86 years never using a telephone, but he loved driving, if he wanted
to talk to someone he'd simply drive over and knock on their door,
many times he'd visit me unannounced, and if I wasn't home he'd wait
for me until I'd find him sitting outside smoking his pipe under a
tree. I think I could live without a phone. Too many people die on
the roads every day from yakking/texting/tweeting. I happen to have a
fifty pound cast iron farm bell at my rear deck, if I need my
neighbor's attention I don't phone them, I ring my bell.
I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg

On Dec 13, 1:44*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
....
> I think I could live without a phone. *Too many people die on
> the roads every day from yakking/texting/tweeting. *I happen to have a
> fifty pound cast iron farm bell at my rear deck, if I need my
> neighbor's attention I don't phone them, I ring my bell.
> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg

Ah, ye Sheldon! Man of the Mighty Bell!

Does your bell have an Internet connection? Like one to DONG you every
time you're mentioned or replied to on RFC?

;-)

John Kuthe...

On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:53:06 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
> wrote:

> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg
>
> Ah, ye Sheldon! Man of the Mighty Bell!
>
> Does your bell have an Internet connection? Like one to DONG you every
> time you're mentioned or replied to on RFC?

I have one of those. It's an old ship's bell... you can hear it for
acres, not miles.
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

sf > wrote:
>
>> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
>> http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg
>
>I have one of those. It's an old ship's bell... you can hear it for
>acres, not miles.

No, it's a farm bell, and it can be heard for miles... acres are not
measures of distance, you uneducated doofus.
http://www.prindlestation.com/farm.html

On Dec 13, 5:16*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> sf > wrote:
>
> >> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
> >>http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg
>
> >I have one of those. *It's an old ship's bell... you can hear it for
> >acres, not miles.
>
> No, it's a farm bell, and it can be heard for miles... acres are not
> measures of distance, you uneducated doofus.http://www.prindlestation.com/farm.html

No Mr. Failed Power Lab, an acre is a measure of area! 2 linear
dimensions, one being distance.

John Kuthe...

On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:21:21 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
> wrote:

>On Dec 13, 5:16*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>> sf > wrote:
>>
>> >> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
>> >>http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg
>>
>> >I have one of those. *It's an old ship's bell... you can hear it for
>> >acres, not miles.
>>
>> No, it's a farm bell, and it can be heard for miles... acres are not
>> measures of distance, you uneducated doofus.http://www.prindlestation.com/farm.html
>
>No Mr. Failed Power Lab, an acre is a measure of area! 2 linear
>dimensions, one being distance.

You're as dumb as sf, even dumber... an acre can any shape, even round

On Dec 13, 8:54*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:21:21 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
>
> > wrote:
> >On Dec 13, 5:16*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> >> sf > wrote:
>
> >> >> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
> >> >>http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg
>
> >> >I have one of those. *It's an old ship's bell... you can hear it for
> >> >acres, not miles.
>
> >> No, it's a farm bell, and it can be heard for miles... acres are not
> >> measures of distance, you uneducated doofus.http://www.prindlestation.com/farm.html
>
> >No Mr. Failed Power Lab, an acre is a measure of area! 2 linear
> >dimensions, one being distance.
>
> You're as dumb as sf, even dumber... an acre can any shape, even round

But an acre always has two dimensions, as a unit of area it must.

How about you drive 5 miles from your precious bell and I'll ring it
and see if YOU can hear it? Oh that's right,it does not have an
Internet accessible ringer!!

John Kuthe...

On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:29:01 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
> wrote:

>On Dec 13, 8:54*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>> On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:21:21 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
>>
>> > wrote:
>> >On Dec 13, 5:16*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>> >> sf > wrote:
>>
>> >> >> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
>> >> >>http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg
>>
>> >> >I have one of those. *It's an old ship's bell... you can hear it for
>> >> >acres, not miles.
>>
>> >> No, it's a farm bell, and it can be heard for miles... acres are not
>> >> measures of distance, you uneducated doofus.http://www.prindlestation.com/farm.html
>>
>> >No Mr. Failed Power Lab, an acre is a measure of area! 2 linear
>> >dimensions, one being distance.
>>
>> You're as dumb as sf, even dumber... an acre can any shape, even round
>
>But an acre always has two dimensions, as a unit of area it must.

You obviously failed geometry... I'm sure you don't have a HS diploma,
not even a GED... I won't waste my time explaining, you're too dumb.

On Dec 13, 9:45*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:29:01 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
>
>
>
> > wrote:
> >On Dec 13, 8:54*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> >> On Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:21:21 -0800 (PST), John Kuthe
>
> >> > wrote:
> >> >On Dec 13, 5:16*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> >> >> sf > wrote:
>
> >> >> >> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
> >> >> >>http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg
>
> >> >> >I have one of those. *It's an old ship's bell... you can hear it for
> >> >> >acres, not miles.
>
> >> >> No, it's a farm bell, and it can be heard for miles... acres are not
> >> >> measures of distance, you uneducated doofus.http://www.prindlestation.com/farm.html
>
> >> >No Mr. Failed Power Lab, an acre is a measure of area! 2 linear
> >> >dimensions, one being distance.
>
> >> You're as dumb as sf, even dumber... an acre can any shape, even round
>
> >But an acre always has two dimensions, as a unit of area it must.
>
> You obviously failed geometry... I'm sure you don't have a HS diploma,
> not even a GED... I won't waste my time explaining, you're too dumb.

2 engineering degrees here, remember? I've probably mastered more
mathematics than you even know exist! Simple geometry is a piece of
cake for me. Made an A at it in high school even.

John Kuthe...

On Dec 13, 2:16*am, dsi1 > wrote:

> It's a good story anyway. I get the feeling that most folks think I make
> up the weird stuff that I see around me but mostly it's true - mostly.



Thanks. I don't get paid for it and I'm not saying I should, but
what I really do is make up jokes, not stories, but they turn into
stories because I'm not good enough to get it across succinctly. That
is not a putdown of myself, just the truth. I don't mind a good short
story though, as long as it's really short. I'm glad you liked it.
Yes, I will say that for myself, I feel obligated to say so when I
tell a story that is not true. If I forget and am challenged I will
always admit that I made it up. I too have many stories - and I do
mean many - that most people would not believe to be true even though
they are - and that's without embellishment too. Thanks again.

TJ

On Dec 13, 1:48*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> Most people don't/can't differenciate between friends and
> aquaintances... everyone they meet, however so briefly is in their
> mind their friend.. those are the people who have no friends


I know people like that. I think they want drama in their lives,
so they call them friends instead of just associates or nothing at
all. They welcome the potential for drama into their lives. They
can't wait for something to go wrong so they can yell, "But I thought
we were friends."

Assholes,
TJ

On Dec 13, 2:03*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:26:16 -0800 (PST), Tommy Joe
>
>
>
> > wrote:
> >On Dec 12, 4:50*pm, dsi1 > wrote:
>
> >> I'd sure like a GPS unit since I get lost a lot. The stereotype is all
> >> too true - I simply won't ask for directions and my wife can't read a
> >> map for beans.
>
> > * *You mean the stereotype for YOU is true. *That doesn't make it
> >true for all. *I'm a guy who will not hesitate to ask for directions.
> >If I don't ask, there is a good reason. *I might want to find
> >something on my own for the learning experience. *But if I really need
> >help with directions I will not hesitate to ask.
>
> > * * This reminds me of a the time a blind guy with a cane and
> >sunglasses was getting on the bus and people reached out to help him
> >up the steps and he cried repeatedly while lashing out with his cane,
> >"No, no, I can do it myself." *Then he takes a seat near the back and
> >about ten minutes later the bus driver calls out, "Sunset and Vine",
> >and the blind guy starts screaming, "Sunset and Vine? *Sunset and
> >Vine? *That's two stops past Highland. *I wanted to get off at
> >Highland - WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME?"
>
> >That didn't really happen, but I can picture it happening, and that's
> >good enough for me
> >TJ
>
> I only recently began using a Garmin GPS, it's a wonderful
> invention... brings me to wherever I'm going without missing a beat so
> if I miss a turn it announces "Recalculating" and takes me the next
> most direct route... when it's time to go home I click Home, and it
> takes me home from wherever in the world I happen to be, better than
> dropping crumbs like Hansel and Gretel. *A GPS is fantastic for these
> back country roads, many of which aren't signed and the only
> discernable landmark could be a cow that won't be there ten minutes
> later. *A GPS is especially good here at night, there are no street
> lights. *I can see how one day soon there'll be no need for steering
> wheels... just program in the destination and you can sleep until an
> alarm wakes you to say you've arrived.


Well, whatever new way of doing things comes along, I'm sure it
will be as rife with problems and conflict as what came before. I am
not anti GPS or anti anything that's new just because it's new. But I
do prefer some old ways of doing things too. I've been driving a cab
for 33 years. That doesn't always mean something, there are plenty of
guys who drive a long time and learn nothing. But I like looking at a
map and seeing an overview of how to get from point A to point B, not
just the way that is programed as the fastest or most direct. I enjoy
needing to haul the map out and look at it sometimes. I know the GPS
probably has a zoom feature on it that enables one to get an overview
- I don't know - but there is something about pulling over and calming
down and knowing it's going to take a minute, so you just give in to
it and get that map out (and the reading glasses too - *******s!), and
sit there and plot my course. So, as long as there is room for more
than just one way to do things, that is fine with me. I just hate
when things I like become obsolete - as will be the case with myself
one day, if it hasn't already happened.

hah hah hah,
TJ

On Dec 13, 6:16*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> sf > wrote:
>
> >> I've been told people can hear this bell from five miles away:
> >>http://i42.tinypic.com/20ge3co.jpg

> No, it's a farm bell, and it can be heard for miles... acres are not
> measures of distance, you uneducated doofus.http://www.prindlestation.com/farm.html



How about if people don't want to hear it, ever think of that?
Oh no, it's all about you, isn't it? That's the way you country folks
are. You think because you have all that land around you that it
belongs to you. But soon others will move in and your bell will be
deemed a nuisance that must by law removed or you will be fined to
death.

Of course I'm just kidding but it reminds me of an actual cab
ride I had deep into the country a few years ago. Nothing really
special about it, just what I said to the guy at the end of our
conversation. As we rolled along he was pointing to every new thing
that had gone up since he was born. "See that big supermarket and
that strip mall?", he'd say - "5 years ago that was all pasture."

On and on it went. I could identify with how he felt. Everyone
everywhere sees or goes through these changes. But as he continued
pointing to new intrusions into his world, I interjected a question
toward the end of our ride - "So your family lived out here before all
this stuff went up?" He said yeah. And I said, "So, you're the ones
who started it then, eh?" The guy laughed. See, everyone wants to
live in the country, which is how cities are born I guess.

Ring My Bell,
TJ