Subj : Re: Todays Blooper To : Barry Martin From : Daryl Stout Date : Mon Oct 05 2020 08:07:00 Barry, DS> That's what the lamestream media uses. :P BM> They can't be ful of it with the way it's being expelled! I think they're overdoing it on their pruning of stories. :P BM> So appears the error is in MTel Telnet. Or perhaps not and the problem BM> is in the message tosser not understanding to change to the local time BM> zone when the data comes from MTel but is does udnerstand when the data BM> comes from SyncTerm. I think so. The time on the messages and replies seem to be OK, though. The problem with SyncTerm is the display resolution, thinking it's 80x25 when it's 80x24, and it skews the ANSI animation. DS> They wouldn't be so accommodating (sp?) today. BM> (You did spell properly.) The good news is I haven't had that issue. My spel cheker is broke. :P BM> Hopefully no more unexpected expenses for at least another six months BM> (so you can get somewhat caught up) and those that do occur are small. The annuity arrived, but there is major car work and medical bills to take care of right off the bat. At least it's a non-taxable transaction. I was just glad to get the checks into the bank, even though I won't have full access for 2 weeks. BM> The latter could potentially get you in trouble: thinking 'theft' as BM> the money was intended to go to the Treasurer and you knew it. Sending BM> the check back instead of on takes the same amount of postage, so no BM> savings there. (Could put several checks in one envelope and send on BM> to the Treasurer to save a dollar or two, but that's besides the BM> point.) I have enough trouble with my own bankbook...I don't want to mess with anyone else's. BM> As for the accompanying nastygram, probably end up backfiring some how. BM> Is there a late fee? If so "make use of it" by forwarding the errant BM> checks more or less to your convenience, though I'd tend to make it BM> consistent: always on the 1st and 15th, or only on the 20th. "You BM> missed the train, too bad, now wait for the next one." The thing that angers me so is that I've discussed this for years. I've printed out handouts at the delegates meetings, talked about the items, had stuff on the websites, and in the publications...and it all seemed to fall on deaf ears, as folks ignored me entirely, and didn't pay attention. So, if the severe rant angers them to make them realize the right way to do stuff, so be it. Besides, if they don't fill out the check right, the same thing will have to be done by the Treasurer (sending it back), as the bank won't take it. These folks: 1) Wait forever and a day to notify me that they're not receiving the e-Edition or print edition...I said to notify me as soon as you believe there's a problem, and not several months down the road. 2) Don't check their info as a caller, cuer, or club...in the publication, or on the websites...and then let me know if it's right or not. 3) Make the check to me instead of the organization. 4) Have wrong amounts on the check. 5) Don't sign the check (the most egregious, as the bank won't take it). I have buy postage and printing to send it back to them. I've now printed a form with exactly where to send it. If they still can't follow directions, I'm going to give up. I know folks want me fired for my "rant", but as noted, this has been going on for several years. The problem is, no one else wants to do the work. BM> Other thing would be to have a chat with the Treasurer about the BM> problem and ask for his or her opinions. Maybe as long as the money BM> has been paid it doesn't matter that much: deposit the errant checks BM> into your account, keep track, and write a check to the Treasurer every BM> few months. E-mail the Treasurer the name and check amounts as the BM> checks are received. I end up sending the checks to the Treasurer (she's a CPA, and both she and her husband are relatively new dancers), but we've synchronized the databases, so we know who has paid for ads, subscriptions, etc., and who hasn't. I think they're going to partially reimburse me for expenses, but I'm not optimistic. BM> I'd say no as that's just another expense. Lots of Big Companies no BM> longer provide an envelope much less prepay. IMO providing the return BM> address on the statement in a format that could be cut out and used as BM> a label is more than enough (and yes, I have done that myself). The more I thought about that, I decided to abandon that idea. BM> Frustrating, yes. Time to take a look as to why they're using your BM> address. How are the people getting it? If on the statement your BM> address is in 18 pt bold at the top and the Treasurer's is 9 pt that BM> might be a clue. If the back cover has an 'article' "Have you paid BM> your dues?" make sure it is in a box outlined with a thicker line with BM> the Treasurer's address inside -- keeping it visually separate. It says on the Reminder Card "Make the check for $20 to ASSDF, and send it to the Treasurer". I guess I need to change the language, as that's not clear enough. :P Yet, all the square dance calls are in English. BM> Watch it: they'll elect you!! Well, I'd tell them that if I was President (and I don't want to be!!), and if it got to where several officers had to leave the board due to term limits, and no one else would serve because of burnout, etc. -- then, I could get no response from the delegates...I'd bang the gavel down, to declare the organization disbanded, and the meeting adjourned. They'd b!+ch then, but I'd say "your silence spoke your intentions". BM> I'd take re-imbursement also, even though said do the work for free. I'm not optimistic, but they've talked about a small reimbursement. A little bit would be better than none. BM> That should be more than enough. The checks arrived Saturday, and I put them into the bank. It'll be 2 weeks before I can access the money, but at least I can get stuff done. However, travel outside of central Arkansas is NOT on the table. BM> Doing free work is fine when you can afford it. You've had enough BM> issues with zero funds I would have been taking them up on at least BM> some of the re-imbursement. I'm not optimistic...I've had my hopes dashed way too much in life. BM> I'd read some time back where eating out at a moderate-priced BM> restaurant is less expensive -- somehow they calculated the time, BM> expenses of purchasing a stove, a refrigerator, cookware, dishes, BM> washing them, etc., etc. OTOH I/we prefer to eat at home as no BM> 'wasting' time travelling, waiting for the table then the food; also BM> 'multitask' as usually watch _Jeopardy!_ and another show... Plus, you don't have to tip anyone. At some restaurants, they have been charging the tip (and even COVID-19 fees) BEFORE you get the food. I've known people that turned around, and walked out...when finding out about those charges. Or, they lay down a business card, saying "I strongly disagree with your tipping policy before I get served"...and add "But, since you want a tip, I'll give you 3"... 1) Plant your corn early. 2) Keep your powder dry. 3) Always have clean underwear on. BM> Just do it! There's always something nagging to not do. As noted before, I've decided with issues with: 1) COVID-19, especially with varying restrictions in many areas. 2) Being away from home, making it at risk for burglary, etc. (you can't just drop what you're doing to come home quickly). 3) Health (gastroenteritis or kidney stone attack away from home, plus the degenerative disk disease in my spinal column). 4) Finances and transportation when you get to the site. It's more trouble than it's worth. Once again, I'm gagging and choking on salted crow and humble pie, because "Life Isn't Fair Or Burger King"...as "fair" is a fall carnival, a weather term, and a call in baseball, and one can't always 'Have It Your Way'". BM> Notify the alarm company and the Police you will be away. "Something" BM> could happen when you're at the house and it hasn't. The problem is, with a false alarm, you're fined $200 for every violation. BM> Any of those could happen at home. If you feel something coming on BM> notify the flight attendant, porter, whomever. You're not the first BM> passenger to have medical issues. You certainly won't be the last. BM> They have some medications on board. I'd rather be close to home. BM> You want to take a train trip so I'd figure how to get there that way. BM> ...Shared toilet facilities might be something to check with COVID-19. I do...but I've resigned myself to the fact that I just can't do it anymore. :'( BM> Yes, I can somewhat easily find the price of the generator (still would BM> want assistance on the selection: might be better to spend $200 more, BM> or the two models are the same price, this has a little less power but BM> get this other feature. Installation I'd figure would be about the BM> cost of the generator. Not in central Arkansas...it's WAY MORE. And, many places, due to COVID-19, and lost business, are "nickel and dime-ing (sp?)" you to death. BM> As for the power loss, we rarely loose power, which puts it towards the BM> bottom of the list. Normal outages are about 1« to 2 hours. And LIS I BM> don't need every light and outlet to work, just a few stategic ones. That's what I have here. BM> And that was at St. Mary's! (Making up the where: it seemed humourous BM> to me to link the two.) I love the church humor and bloopers...because they are clean. BM> People in general need to go back to etiquette. Don't need to do the BM> raised pinkie finger, but respect for each other. Yes, I'm important BM> to me, you're important to you, and we need to me important to each BM> other. Agreed...but as a tract from Chick Publications (who've published Gospel Tracts for over 40 years) notes in "Snowflakes", everyone is selfish to some degree. I like to consider my friends needs before myself (I did my wife's before she died)...but the first relationship I had was where "she did all the taking, and I was expected to do all the giving". Thankfully, while I was engaged, I broke it off before Christmas one year...and never married her. I still have nightmares about her trying to get me to marry her, and I tell her that "the one I married was so much better than you!!". While this woman wanted me to always take her to the most expensive food place, and always pick up the tab (for every meal)...my late wife didn't care if we ate at McDonald's or Olive Garden -- food is food. Plus, my late wife always asked "Who's paying for this??". More often than not, I would give a big toothy dentured grin (never mind the Cheshire Cat!! ), and she said "I was afraid of that". But, there were times I asked if we could go "dutch treat", or if she could pay for it, and she never did complain about that. That first woman wouldn't be caught dead paying for stuff...she had one of these "I deserve everything" attitudes...like most women I've known. There is a biblical proverb that notes "a virtuous woman is worth more than rubies", which is so true. But, to me, there are no more fish in the sea. BM> Somewhat agreeing but I'm thinking that commentary has been made in BM> other elections. Quite sure there was a large group who thought BM> breaking away from King George would be the end of the world. Since the beginning of time, you can't please everybody. It basically all started with Lucifer's rebellion...and as one commentator noted, "Man was made a little lower than the angels. And, he has been getting lower ever since". BM> "Insomnia" could be just you body's sleep cycle is off from the BM> traditional one: someone had to be the night watchman! OTOH I'll admit BM> to pretty much always sleeping quite well, And yes, various work BM> schedules have had me do non-traditional shifts: used to work 5 p.m. to BM> 3 a.m. My late wife and Co-Sysop had turned me into a night owl. When I was working for the Arkansas Office Of Emergency Services, my favorite shift was the graveyard (midnight to 8am), as I could do my hobbies in the evening before work, then after work, I could do any other appointments; not having to take time off of work. BM> One thing to consider is which direction you're pointed when sleeping. The headboard in my bedroom faces north. :) But, with not sleeping well, I usually need a power nap in the afternoon. Yet, they now say those are bad for you. Well, the babies and pets snooze much of the day. :P 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". BM> Yup: I've done that a few times also. When I was in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy 11 years ago, I dropped off the cashiers check/money order, at the Post Office where the trustee's Post Office Box was...and I paid extra for "certified/returned receipt". I'm out of that now, but I don't want to go down that road again. BM> That'll work! Obviously look for those hidden charges. Metronet, my BM> provider, has a $9.90-something "technology fee" on top of their BM> monthly plan. No one on the Web really knows what it covers, isn't the BM> cost of the gateway nor router as can use own and still get charged. BM> OTOH I was looking for some information the gateway yesterday and found BM> out the cost on Amazon is almost $500! Now that annuity is in, I'm going to check on putting the BBS into the cloud. But, since I just purchased a contract, I may just abandon that for now...as I'd have to pay a hefty termination fee. 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". BM> I like it!! I didn't say you should do it. BM> I'll switch around as my tummy gets bored with the same thing every BM> day. For a while in college I just wasn't hungry for breakfast so after BM> a while of forcing myself to eat something because I 'should' just BM> didn't. Survived! After a long while (months) started to have the "I'm BM> hungry for a little something" so started eating breakfast again. I like to eat breakfast buffets, but those are gone due to COVID-19, so you have to order a regular plate, or go through the drive-thru. Daryl .... Let me know if you didn't receive this message. === MultiMail/Win v0.52 --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (454:1/33) .