Subj : Todays Blooper To : Daryl Stout From : Barry Martin Date : Sun Oct 04 2020 11:11:00 May be a duplicate due to DynIP.com being down. (Metronet was fine.) Hi Daryl! DS> You're just full of good news. :P BM> At least it's just news this time! DS> I'm full of the other stuff...that's why my eyes are brown. BM> I've heard of Yellow Journalism but not Brown! DS> That's what the lamestream media uses. :P They can't be full of it with the way it's being expelled! BM> Sounds like a variation of what goes one here where the messages have BM> a timestamp based on when they were downloaded from or uploaded. DS> Well, I've already got the needed library from Microsoft DS> installed on the system...and installed default control files for DS> it...still no dice. I have noticed that with the SyncTerm telnet DS> client, the time stamp on the QWK packets is in prevailing local DS> time. But, if I use the MTel telnet client, the time is in UTC -- DS> what's showing up in the message bases instead of CST or CDT DS> (depending on the time of year), but the numeric time is DS> "correct". So appears the error is in MTel Telnet. Or perhaps not and the problem is in the message tosser not understanding to change to the local time zone when the data comes from MTel but is does udnerstand when the data comes from SyncTerm. BM> Sounds like the old comedy routine where the bill payer was buying a BM> little more time by 'accidentally' putting the Electric Company's check BM> in the Gas Company's envelope, etc, DS> They wouldn't be so accommodating (sp?) today. (You did spell properly.) The good news is I haven't had that issue. BM> Hopefully if (C) you're not doing (B) -- no wonder funds are low! DS> More often than not, funds are tighter than a frog's butt DS> underwater. Unless something changes, I may not be able to buy DS> gas for the car, or food (and I'm basically out). Basically, my DS> disability payment is already spent for the whole month...too DS> many unexpected bills. I've been down the road of bankruptcy DS> once...I don't want to go through it again. Hopefully no more unexpected expenses for at least another six months (so you can get somewhat caught up) and those that do occur are small. BM> Yes, a nuisance to correct the things others have done wrong. Wonder BM> if a "statement section" on the letter would help? Would be like the BM> section one tears off a business's billing which has the return address BM> and amount due. The 'where to' information would be there along with BM> the amount to pay. And I'm thinking so what if the other person pays BM> the wrong amount? Let the treasurer deal with the problem. The BM> treasurer has to if the square dancer sends the check directly like BM> they're supposed to. DS> What I'm going to do at the Delegates Meeting next Saturday, DS> via Zoom, emphasize that "I am NOT the Treasurer, and have NO DS> BUSINESS handling money meant for the organization". I've created DS> a new reminder card with the renewal form, and the address of DS> where to mail it. If they still send it back to me, I'll send it DS> back to them, with a note, saying "Don't even bother sending any DS> more money...since you can't follow the directions on the form, DS> your transaction will NOT be processed". DS> I don't care if it pisses them off (my anger management class DS> does that already ), but if the check is made out DS> improperly...either amount wise, or is not signed, the bank won't DS> take it. I may also tell them that "if you make it to me instead DS> of the organization, that I will just cash it for my use". The latter could potentially get you in trouble: thinking 'theft' as the money was intended to go to the Treasurer and you knew it. Sending the check back instead of on takes the same amount of postage, so no savings there. (Could put several checks in one envelope and send on to the Treasurer to save a dollar or two, but that's besides the point.) As for the accompanying nastygram, probably end up backfiring some how. Is there a late fee? If so "make use of it" by forwarding the errant checks more or less to your convenience, though I'd tend to make it consistent: always on the 1st and 15th, or only on the 20th. "You missed the train, too bad, now wait for the next one." Other thing would be to have a chat with the Treasurer about the problem and ask for his or her opinions. Maybe as long as the money has been paid it doesn't matter that much: deposit the errant checks into your account, keep track, and write a check to the Treasurer every few months. E-mail the Treasurer the name and check amounts as the checks are received. BM> Also thinking maybe have a second address for the treasurer just above BM> the 'tear off' section: the square dancer could cut this one out and BM> tape to their envelope. (So make sure the address sections are at the BM> left or right margin so can be cut out easily.) DS> I guess I'll have to supply a self addressed stamped envelope DS> for it. But, what they might do, if they have computer mailing DS> label decals, is just put one of them over the address, and use DS> it for something else. I'd say no as that's just another expense. Lots of Big Companies no longer provide an envelope much less prepay. IMO providing the return address on the statement in a format that could be cut out and used as a label is more than enough (and yes, I have done that myself). DS> Basically, I can't win for losing...the story of my life DS> lately. BM> Maybe my suggestions will help lessen that problem. DS> I'm not holding my breath. I told the President and the DS> Treasurer of the organization that "For several weeks (if not DS> months), this stuff has been in the publication, on the websites, DS> on the meeting handouts, and I've even discussed it at the DS> meetings. But, apparently no one was reading the info (a waste of DS> time, paper, ink, and money), and not paying attention to me (a DS> waste of my time and my breath)". Frustrating, yes. Time to take a look as to why they're using your address. How are the people getting it? If on the statement your address is in 18 pt bold at the top and the Treasurer's is 9 pt that might be a clue. If the back cover has an 'article' "Have you paid your dues?" make sure it is in a box outlined with a thicker line with the Treasurer's address inside -- keeping it visually separate. BM> Taking a few days or maybe a week at most might not be a bad idea, but BM> the 100% exclusion of everthing and everyone I think is a bad idea: BM> seems to me like cutting all leaves you with no one to vent to, no one BM> to give ideas and alternate considerations (like I did with the errant BM> square dancers above). If Suzy calls or e-mails and she's a PITA you BM> don't have to answer. If Mark e-mails and he's fun you can respond. DS> I haven't gone back to the Editors email in several days. They DS> will have to admit that "I AM RIGHT" when I say "I am NOT the DS> Treasurer". Watch it: they'll elect you!! DS> In fact, I was seriously considering deleting the websites, the DS> publication data, and quitting the organization and my club (plus DS> discarding all my square dance clothes and related DS> items)...saying "you can find some other poor b@$+@rd to do the DS> work, and keep your d@mn money!!". I have donated over $1000 to DS> the organization, and if I had required reimbursement, they'd be DS> broke by now. DS> Yet, I'm the one who is "broke". They are talking about DS> reimbursing me, but I told them that "I'm NOT expecting them to DS> do such, as I promised that I would do it for free". Now, if they DS> vote to do such, I'm not going to refuse it...as they say, "Never DS> look a gift horse in the mouth". I'd take re-imbursement also, even though said do the work for free. BM> Is the slowness problem the Postal Service or the insurance company BM> dragging their feet? The USPS can't deliver what they don't have. DS> I called the insurance company, and they said it was mailed on DS> Sep. 25, the date on the letter. They said if I still don't have DS> it by Oct. 9, to call them back. That should be more than enough. BM> I'd probably be stocking up on Ramen Noodles (use only a third of the BM> seasoning packet) at 25› -- have seen multipacks on sale. Or maybe BM> pasta -- Hy-Vee recenty had pound boxes on sale for a dollar. DS> I can't even afford gas for the car, let alone food right now. DS> The organization has offered to reimburse me for some of my DS> expenses. That would help, but I told them I was NOT expecting DS> such. Now, if that annuity were to come in, that'd be a big help. Doing free work is fine when you can afford it. You've had enough issues with zero funds I would have been taking them up on at least some of the re-imbursement. DS> Eating out does get expensive, but I tend to use the DS> "cheapskate budget option". Plus, it holds the food here when I DS> can't get out, in case of bad weather or other things. I'd read some time back where eating out at a moderate-priced restaurant is less expensive -- somehow they calculated the time, expenses of purchasing a stove, a refrigerator, cookware, dishes, washing them, etc., etc. OTOH I/we prefer to eat at home as no 'wasting' time travelling, waiting for the table then the food; also 'multitask' as usually watch _Jeopardy!_ and another show... DS> However, while I would love to take a couple of train trips to DS> get away from things for a time (I feel I deserve one...but have DS> had to cancel numerous trips over the years), Just do it! There's always something nagging to not do. DS> the concerns that I have are: DS> 1) Going away from home for several days. You can't just drop DS> what you're doing to come back home, if an incident occurs. Now, DS> if I had a trusted friend to stay here and watch things while I DS> was gone, that might be a different story. Notify the alarm company and the Police you will be away. "Something" could happen when you're at the house and it hasn't. DS> 2) Health issues. I never know when I'll have a kidney stone, DS> migraine, or gastroenteritis attack (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Any of those could happen at home. If you feel something coming on notify the flight attendant, porter, whomever. You're not the first passenger to have medical issues. You certainly won't be the last. They have some medications on board. DS> Plus, driving or riding in a car for long distances, causes my DS> legs to spasm...where I could possibly lose control of the car, DS> wrecking it, and getting severely hurt or killed. At least in the DS> Sleeping Car on Amtrak, I can stretch my feet out. While one has DS> to wear a mask while on board, if I travel in the Sleeping Car, I DS> can take the mask off in there, and have the porter bring the DS> food to me. Unless I get a "deluxe bedroom" or a "handicapped DS> bedroom", I have to leave the compartment to use the toilet. DS> Never mind all the crap with COVID-19, and transportation issues DS> when you travel if you're not driving yourself. You want to take a train trip so I'd figure how to get there that way. ....Shared toilet facilities might be something to check with COVID-19. DS> 3) Should I get a generator or not?? The commercials you see are DS> very deceptive...that's just the price of the generator, and NOT DS> including the labor and installation costs, which can be rather DS> substantial. I don't lose power here that often, but when power DS> is lost, it can be for several days or weeks, Yes, I can somewhat easily find the price of the generator (still would want assistance on the selection: might be better to spend $200 more, or the two models are the same price, this has a little less power but get this other feature. Installation I'd figure would be about the cost of the generator. As for the power loss, we rarely loose power, which puts it towards the bottom of the list. Normal outages are about 1« to 2 hours. And LIS I don't need every light and outlet to work, just a few stategic ones. DS> 4) All the rioting with the politics, etc. I saw that a football DS> coach put a note on his door, noting "All Lives Matter to The DS> Lord Jesus Christ"...and it turned out to be his resignation DS> letter. And that was at St. Mary's! (Making up the where: it seemed humourous to me to link the two.) DS> I've got a feeling that Biden will win, and this country will DS> turn into another Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, etc. DS> These "never Trumpers" and all the others have been acting like DS> temper tantrum spoiled brat kids. When Obama won, then got DS> re-elected, you didn't see the kind of tantrums from the DS> Republicans and conservatives, that you're seeing from the DS> Democrats and liberals when Trump defeated Clinton. People in general need to go back to etiquette. Don't need to do the raised pinkie finger, but respect for each other. Yes, I'm important to me, you're important to you, and we need to me important to each other. DS> Only The Good Lord knows who is going to win the election, but DS> I pray I'm dead and gone before the bottom falls out. Some DS> commentators have said that "the last trump" is not only "the DS> last trumpet before the final series of prophetic events before DS> The Second Coming Of Christ, are set into motion"...but that DS> Trump is the last US President before the bottom falls out on DS> this country. Somewhat agreeing but I'm thinking that commentary has been made in other elections. Quite sure there was a large group who thought breaking away from King George would be the end of the world. DS> I've got insomia from all the stress, so I likely will have to DS> nap later today. That's why I'm answering BBS mail at this hour. DS> The rest of the day, I'll just update the ham radio and weather DS> related items, and not logon again...unless I see a new user DS> applied for access, then I'd have to logon to upgrade them. If I DS> don't see anything in the Post Office box via the app (although DS> many days, it's wrong), I just stay home. At least I figured out DS> how to logon via the LAN with Team Viewer, so I don't have to go DS> in the other room, unless to unplug the computer due to DS> thunderstorms, then plug it back in afterwards...or after a DS> Windows Update (next scheduled one on October 14). "Insomnia" could be just you body's sleep cycle is off from the traditional one: someone had to be the night watchman! OTOH I'll admit to pretty much always sleeping quite well, And yes, various work schedules have had me do non-traditional shifts: used to work 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. One thing to consider is which direction you're pointed when sleeping. I sleep better when my head is North (and feet South). Growing up in NH I was constantly sleeping diagonal in bed; sort of fogured out later it may have been because the hardboard was East and I was trying to orient myself. Moved out here; toss and turn. At first thought because new surroundings, apartment noises, etc. Thought of the North thing -- naaa! Well, I am head to South... Flipped the bed around in the middle of the night so now head to North: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! DS> With the EFT, you don't have to worry about it getting stolen DS> in the mail. BM> True. And I do write down the process/approval number down in my BM> ledger. Never needed it, but there just in case, DS> When I had to send money through the mail, I used a check, but DS> I sent it Certified Mail/Return Receipt if sent First Class Mail, DS> or I'd pay more and send it overnight. Either way, a signature DS> was required, and I could track it online. Then, if they said DS> "they did not get it", I'd ask "Do you have an employee named DS> [John Doe]??. If they say "Yes", I'll reply "they signed for DS> it...so you need to do something about it". Yup: I've done that a few times also. DS> I'd rather pay via PayPal or the debit card. My bank has a DS> Fraud Prevention program, that if a transaction looks suspicious, DS> I will get a call or a text message, asking me to verify the DS> transaction. I was the victim of identity theft several years DS> ago, and have several deals in place to protect me from it DS> happening again. Yes, I've had similar and have various alerts in place. DS> and all I have left in the house is DS> flavored water. It looks like it's back to bread and lunch meat DS> sandwiches for another month...if I can even afford that. DS> That's not the healthiest diet, but right now, I have no DS> choice. The hobbies are keeping what sanity I have left, but if I DS> can ever get funds to put the BBS in the cloud, I'll get rid of DS> the high speed internet here, as I can logon via a Verizon Mi-Fi. DS> That'd save at least $100 a month, that I could use for DS> groceries. That'll work! Obviously look for those hidden charges. Metronet, my provider, has a $9.90-something "technology fee" on top of their monthly plan. No one on the Web really knows what it covers, isn't the cost of the gateway nor router as can use own and still get charged. OTOH I was looking for some information the gateway yesterday and found out the cost on Amazon is almost $500! DS> I'm reminded of the meme, where this elderly couple is talking DS> with their financial advisor about retirement money. He tells DS> them "it boils down to who's holding the gun and stickup note, DS> and who's driving the getaway car". I like it!! BM> I tend to not like sweet cereals and so stick with shredded wheat BM> (plain), topped with a generic Grape Nuts and raisins - lots of BM> raisins! OTOH I do like breakfast sweets: donuts, and the like. Let BM> myself go and I'd make Cookie Monster look like Emily Post was dining! DS> I haven't had cereal in ages, and am not a breakfast person. I DS> love chocolate iced donuts (with a Diet Doctor Pepper), though. The only time I eat breakfast is if I have an early morning medical appointm DS> ent, DS> and had to fast beforehand...or if I'm doing a morning ham radio DS> license exam session. I'll switch around as my tummy gets bored with the same thing every day. For a while in college I just wasn't hungry for breakfast so after a while of forcing myself to eat something because I 'should' just didn't. Survived! After a long while (months) started to have the "I'm hungry for a little something" so started eating breakfast again. ¯ BarryMartin3@ ® ¯ @MyMetronet.NET ® .... STICK \'stik\ n. 1: A boomerang than doesn't work. --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .