My mother never taught me to be happy. She showed me.
Strive to be a happy role model, especially on a Happy Friday!
Feb 9, 2018
Sunday Car Buying
In fourteen US states, car dealers are not legally allowed to be
open on Sunday and many cities have similar laws. Even in states
and cities where dealerships can be open on Sunday, there are
sometimes restrictions on what time they can be open or that
require a dealer to choose to be closed on either Saturday or
Sunday. The reason is called a blue law and blue laws were enacted
for religious reasons to allow people to practice their faith on
Sunday, instead of buying liquor or automobiles.
Mardi Gras
Can you believe it, Next week is Mardi Gras
and the beginning of Lent for this year. That means Easter will be
on April Fool's Day, April 1.
4K TV Antenna Debunked
It is happening again.
When broadcast TV made the switch from analog to digital signals
about 10 years ago it was said by many, you need an HDTV antenna.
There is no such thing as an HDTV antenna.
Now 4k broadcasting over the air is coming. It is tentatively scheduled to begin this spring in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. A new 4k TV antenna will not be needed, because there is no such thing. Any TV antenna claim to perform better because it is a 4K TV antenna is a scam.
Just like with 4K HDMI cables - There is no such thing.
Caveat Emptor!
Now 4k broadcasting over the air is coming. It is tentatively scheduled to begin this spring in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. A new 4k TV antenna will not be needed, because there is no such thing. Any TV antenna claim to perform better because it is a 4K TV antenna is a scam.
Just like with 4K HDMI cables - There is no such thing.
Caveat Emptor!
More 4K
Technically the new standard for over the air 4K
is ATSC 3.0. This new broadcast standard is generally called
"Next-Gen Broadcast TV" for simplicity sake.
There are some differences between the current (ATSC 1.0) antenna TV and the new Next-Gen TV. The new standard is internet protocol-based, which means it can carry internet content along with traditional TV broadcasts. The broadcast can also include 4K video and high dynamic range (HDR) content. It also has higher-quality 3D multi-channel sound from content that supports it. All of which are more and better than what is available on normal (expensive) cable TV.
In addition to all those goodies, these new signals will be available on mobile devices as well as TVs.
Next-gen TV will enable enhanced emergency alerts, so consumers will receive more precise, localized warnings during natural disasters or fast-moving weather events.
The move to ATSC 3.0 is voluntary for broadcasters, unlike the Digital TV transition, when they were given a firm deadline for stopping analog broadcasts. Now each company gets to decide when to make the move, or not.
Traditional signals will still be free by law as now, but some additional services could be charged for as the new standard has two way communication built in. This presumes the FCC holds broadcasters to the same public interest obligations with the new broadcasts as they have with the current ones.
Of course, if all this seems to be too good to be true, it likely is. The new standard is not compatible with the current standard. Because all current TVs have ATSC 1.0 tuners, they will not be able to receive the new signals.
TV manufacturers will soon add both old (ATSC1) and new (ATSC3) into new sets. This will likely begin in late 2018 and 2019. LG is now shipping TVs in South Korea with both technologies built in. Someone will pay for this. . .
Also, another round of sticks and boxes for converting will come along, such new versions of Roku, FireTV, AppleTV etc., sticks and boxes.
So, the bottom line is that it will be immensely better to receive everything over the air, but it will likely not be free, and maybe not even cheap. This will be a major disruption for cable companies and change the whole digital landscape and players again.
The good news is that, since it is voluntary and costly to set up, it will be slow. We can enjoy what we have and do not need to dream of sugar plums for a few years. That is except for some techno geeks who just cannot wait to suffer more early adapter slings and arrows from new whiz-bang technology stuff. Oh, is my anticipation showing?
There are some differences between the current (ATSC 1.0) antenna TV and the new Next-Gen TV. The new standard is internet protocol-based, which means it can carry internet content along with traditional TV broadcasts. The broadcast can also include 4K video and high dynamic range (HDR) content. It also has higher-quality 3D multi-channel sound from content that supports it. All of which are more and better than what is available on normal (expensive) cable TV.
In addition to all those goodies, these new signals will be available on mobile devices as well as TVs.
Next-gen TV will enable enhanced emergency alerts, so consumers will receive more precise, localized warnings during natural disasters or fast-moving weather events.
The move to ATSC 3.0 is voluntary for broadcasters, unlike the Digital TV transition, when they were given a firm deadline for stopping analog broadcasts. Now each company gets to decide when to make the move, or not.
Traditional signals will still be free by law as now, but some additional services could be charged for as the new standard has two way communication built in. This presumes the FCC holds broadcasters to the same public interest obligations with the new broadcasts as they have with the current ones.
Of course, if all this seems to be too good to be true, it likely is. The new standard is not compatible with the current standard. Because all current TVs have ATSC 1.0 tuners, they will not be able to receive the new signals.
TV manufacturers will soon add both old (ATSC1) and new (ATSC3) into new sets. This will likely begin in late 2018 and 2019. LG is now shipping TVs in South Korea with both technologies built in. Someone will pay for this. . .
Also, another round of sticks and boxes for converting will come along, such new versions of Roku, FireTV, AppleTV etc., sticks and boxes.
So, the bottom line is that it will be immensely better to receive everything over the air, but it will likely not be free, and maybe not even cheap. This will be a major disruption for cable companies and change the whole digital landscape and players again.
The good news is that, since it is voluntary and costly to set up, it will be slow. We can enjoy what we have and do not need to dream of sugar plums for a few years. That is except for some techno geeks who just cannot wait to suffer more early adapter slings and arrows from new whiz-bang technology stuff. Oh, is my anticipation showing?
Super Bowl Rings
The winner has emerged and the
winning team will be wearing new rings to celebrate the occasion.
Generally, every player on the 53-man roster, the entire coaching
staff, and the front office earn rings.
The NFL pays for the cost of 150 rings for the winning team, with a max cost of about $7,000 per unit, depending on the cost of gold and diamonds at the time. That usually covers the bulk of people the team wants to gives the rings to, but it can go above that number if the team buys extra rings.
Other players who can receive rings include practice squad players, players on injured reserve, and players who were on the roster at some point during the season. Teams will often consider everybody who contributed at any point in the season worthy of a ring.
Teams can really give them out to anyone. There have been fan raffles for rings and teams are not stingy with them when it comes to front office staff, players, and coaches. That does not mean that they always end up with the same rings, however. There have been examples of teams giving "lesser" rings to front office staff or other non-coach, non-player personnel.
The main Super Bowl rings are massive and can weigh 100 grams or more and include more than 100 diamonds. The Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV ring had more than 100 diamonds, and was made out of platinum, which is more expensive than gold.
The losing team actually gets a ring as well. It is sometimes referred to as the AFC or NFC Championship ring. It typically is less gaudy, and there is also less information about them. It is difficult to imagine that a league championship ring is considered a loser's ring.
Incidentally, the refs also get Super Bowl Rings.
The NFL pays for the cost of 150 rings for the winning team, with a max cost of about $7,000 per unit, depending on the cost of gold and diamonds at the time. That usually covers the bulk of people the team wants to gives the rings to, but it can go above that number if the team buys extra rings.
Other players who can receive rings include practice squad players, players on injured reserve, and players who were on the roster at some point during the season. Teams will often consider everybody who contributed at any point in the season worthy of a ring.
Teams can really give them out to anyone. There have been fan raffles for rings and teams are not stingy with them when it comes to front office staff, players, and coaches. That does not mean that they always end up with the same rings, however. There have been examples of teams giving "lesser" rings to front office staff or other non-coach, non-player personnel.
The main Super Bowl rings are massive and can weigh 100 grams or more and include more than 100 diamonds. The Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV ring had more than 100 diamonds, and was made out of platinum, which is more expensive than gold.
The losing team actually gets a ring as well. It is sometimes referred to as the AFC or NFC Championship ring. It typically is less gaudy, and there is also less information about them. It is difficult to imagine that a league championship ring is considered a loser's ring.
Incidentally, the refs also get Super Bowl Rings.
Animal Pain
Animals with simple nervous systems, like
lobsters, snails and worms, do not have the ability to process
emotional information and therefore do not experience suffering,
say most researchers.
Vertebrates with spines have much more advanced nervous systems and can feel real pain and suffering.
The research regarding whether or not lobsters feel pain is still inconclusive. The hiss that sounds when crustaceans hit the boiling water is not a scream. They do not have vocal cords.
Vertebrates with spines have much more advanced nervous systems and can feel real pain and suffering.
The research regarding whether or not lobsters feel pain is still inconclusive. The hiss that sounds when crustaceans hit the boiling water is not a scream. They do not have vocal cords.
Kirkland vs. Grey Goose
Grey Goose is made from the same water source
as Costco's Kirkland Signature Vodka from the Gensac Springs in
France's Cognac region.
Grey Goose has received lower ratings than the Costco house brand on many blind taste tests. Competitions where spirits are graded by blind taste testing, Kirkland scores an 88 and Grey Goose scores 82.
Incidentally, Grey Goose costs more than twice as much.
Grey Goose has received lower ratings than the Costco house brand on many blind taste tests. Competitions where spirits are graded by blind taste testing, Kirkland scores an 88 and Grey Goose scores 82.
Incidentally, Grey Goose costs more than twice as much.
Wool Dryer Balls
I read about these alternatives to static
cling sheets and other items you can put into the dryer to help
eliminate static cling, so I went to Amazon and purchased set of
six. Hardly necessary as they seem to almost last forever. In fact
some estimates are that they will last a few years depending on
how many loads you do, and they are rated for up to a thousand
loads (more than I will do in the next 15 years). As a bonus, the
description says you can add essential oils to the ball for making
clothes smell a bit better.
In order to boost the overall effectiveness of dryers, wool dryer balls reduce drying time, fluff and soften fabrics, reduce wrinkles, reduce static cling, are better for your skin, and the environment. A set of 3 is a good start and they will save you between 40% in a small load to 25% in a large load. It increases with the more dryer balls you use. They get in-between the towels and clothing to keep items from sticking together while damp. Some people use tennis balls for the same effect, but they do not last as long.
Consumer reports says that liquids in the wash cycle do better at reducing cling than fabric softener sheets in the dryer. It also debunked the idea that fabric softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent.
Incidentally, I tried the plastic dryer balls, but they snagged a few items, so I promptly ditched them. Also, plastic dryer balls will eventually soften and lose their ability to soften and dry clothes. Aluminum balls also reduce static, but are bit rougher on delicate clothes.
In order to boost the overall effectiveness of dryers, wool dryer balls reduce drying time, fluff and soften fabrics, reduce wrinkles, reduce static cling, are better for your skin, and the environment. A set of 3 is a good start and they will save you between 40% in a small load to 25% in a large load. It increases with the more dryer balls you use. They get in-between the towels and clothing to keep items from sticking together while damp. Some people use tennis balls for the same effect, but they do not last as long.
Consumer reports says that liquids in the wash cycle do better at reducing cling than fabric softener sheets in the dryer. It also debunked the idea that fabric softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent.
Incidentally, I tried the plastic dryer balls, but they snagged a few items, so I promptly ditched them. Also, plastic dryer balls will eventually soften and lose their ability to soften and dry clothes. Aluminum balls also reduce static, but are bit rougher on delicate clothes.
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