Remembering Karen Black..R.I.P

Karen Black was an actress who died in 2013 from cancer, tomorrow July 1st would have been her birthday which would have made her 76 years old.

Believe it or not:  Karen Black has a sister named Gail Brown who was formerly an actress on the soap opera "Another World".Black and Brown ? It's just one of those things.

The first movie I saw starring  Karen Black was "The Great Gatsby".In one scene the director and camera man did quite a tight close-up of Karen Black's face which was about 4 feet tall on the screen WHOAAAAaaaa!

In 1974 I use to live in a small town that didn't have any entertainment not even movie theaters  fortunately they had a pharmacy that sold Greyhound bus tickets.

One Saturday and still in 1974: I took a Greyhound bus to Danville, Illinois to see the movie "Airport 75" the cost of the 30 mile round trip ticket back then was $5.25 also at the time if you saw the movie  once , you can stay in the theater and see it again. The cost of the movie ticket was $3.50.

The Greyhound arrived at the bus station in Danville,Illinois about 9 AM Central time, so I had to fool around a little bit until the theaters open usually 2:00 PM.

Mainly I went shopping they had a clothing store there called "Gary's" and I bought 3 pairs of blue jeans at 3 for $5  and I also bought other items from other stores as well.

Where did I store all those items after they have been bought ? Well, back at the bus station ,they had lockers where you put two quarters in a slot, turn the key, open the door, put your bags in and pull out the key and keep it in your pocket until you're done with your business.

Not only that I went to food places like "Steak and Shake" I usually ordered a steak burger sandwich ,french fries and a milkshake "At 9:30 in the morning ??!!! " ; "Yes, at 9:30 in the morning and a lot of onions and red/green peppers, please." I had a cast iron stomach back then, also I had done  a lot of walking from place to place in Danville.

After the movie I did a lot more fooling around,maybe going to another movie theater showing  a different movie, until 7 PM which was the time the Greyhound will have  taken me back home.

In 1983 I have ask for Karen Black's autograph via  U.S.A snail mail ,back then celebrities  gave autographs out for free just for the asking. 

In 1985 I finally received Karen Black's autograph and for some reason it came from a hotel in Toronto, Canada.In the picture below notice the gold emboss in the upper left corner, also notice in her autograph where she crossed the lines (over lapping) they are darker indicating a live signature.

Click here for Karen Black's picture when she was young.

Below you can see a full Karen Black movie titled "Trilogy Of Terror ( one hour 12 minutes)"  Remember tough the year was 1975 and only so far they can go according to the 1975 Television codes.

click here for Trilogy OF Terror (1975)

Yes, there are pictures  of Karen Black's sister Gail Brown online but this blog is about Karen Black.(Finis)

IRS Scam And Other Bad Stuff

Yes, there is an IRS scam going around which actually is a phising and getting your money scam. Strange that they want to get your personal info. If they were from the government they already know who you are. 

I did get a call supposely from the IRS. I made a video below:

As for other bad stuff for example you're watching an youtube video  a ad pops up saying you need to update your drivers.

Don't trust the ad. 

If you suspect your drivers need updated go to "Optional Updates"  at the Windows update site ,to see if there is a fix and they'll fix it free of charge.They may list other optional updates ,just install the ones you actually need. Optional updates are just that "optional" ,and not for computer security and safety.

. One day I had to install an optional update because I couldn't play Netflix movies anymore ,but once the optional update was installed everything was fine.In fact, it was Netflix itself that told me to go to windows update (optional).

As for important and/or critical updates they should be installed automatically or if not you can install them manually.

Windows 8 and 8.1 comes with its own free antivirus and malware scanner called "Windows Defender"  people with windows 7 can download "Mircosoft Security Essentials" free for home or small business use.Big businesses are charge.

I usually do a full scan on Thursday night since I will be watching TV for about 4 hours anyway. Yet, after the scan said everything is fine ,I went to this site saying I have malware. Well, I am not going to fall for it but going to trust windows defender instead.

Don't trust the pop-up below .or other pop-ups like it for that matter, and definitely do not click the download button.

After a windows update scan you may see the program "malistious removal tool"   which definitely needs to be installed. This tool looks for specific prevalent malicious software and worms.

Worms look for security holes and change or destroy your computer files.If you do have a worm or malistious software they will report it to you and tell you what has to be done. 

If everything is fine it will just run silently in the background as an extra protection for your windows computer.  (end)

My Late Dad Who Was In The Marines

As you may know this coming Sunday is Father's day.
Picture below is when my dad was in the nursing home.

Near the end of the funeral I was honored to recieve the American flag that rested above his coffin. 

Notice the flag is folded into a triangle (12 folds). Now they say each fold means something, I don't believe so ,or else 

when I was in the Navy each fold of your clothing should also mean something. 

All of our clothes regardless what they were, where always folded into triangles to save space (spare sailor suits, raincoats, jackets etc.); Of course, our spare hard shoes couldn't be folded but they went into our duffel bags as well.

Believe it or not the Navy is part of the Marines except the Navy doesn't have any obstacle courses training, nor do they have sergeants.

click here for My Dad Was Buried Valentine's Day

My Daredevil Days

One summer day in Columbus,Ohio (1967)  my parents ask me if I want to go to the "Dead Man Caves" it'll be fun. It was fun for awhile, until I had to cross a swaying wooden bridge that was about 100 feet in the air.

My parents walk across the bridge as it was nothing but I was on my hands and knees crawling. My parents keep telling me "Don't look down"  but I made it unfortunately I had to cross this bridge again on the way home.

The following summer  my parents ask me again if I wanted to go to the "Dead Man's Cave" and said yes again because I forgot about the wooden bridge. Summers after that I said "NOOOO!" Even if the wooden bridge had hand railings I am still not walking across it. Never <(  HWTS !

In the years of 1965 to 1968 I had  a membership for the Columbus,Ohio Olympic Swimming Pools.

They had two pools one which had water no greater than 6 feet ( no diving board), and another one with a diving board about 70 feet high in the air.

Most of the time I was swimming in the 6 foot pool until I decided to show off in front of the girls (I was a teenager),and to dive from a diving board that is 70 feet up in the air. I done this stunt three times during the summer months and figured that was enough.

In the late 1968 in Chicago,Illinois: I was in the Navy boot camp and had to jump off a platform that was more than 70 feet in the air.I figure it may be 150 feet.

They told me before I jump: to cross my arms, cross my legs like anchor and keep looking straight ahead ,akin to what a ballerina dancer does when she/he is spinning keep staring at the same spot.

Needless to say I was scared. A sailor came over to me and ask "Are you scared ?" and before I could answer I was pushed in.

I'm glad that I'm retired. My daredevil days are over :)

Air Conditioner On High Cool During High Humidity Bad Idea

There was a time were people did not have air conditioners at all but they did have oscillating fans. The person would sweat then the fan oscillates toward him/her and evaporates the sweat and cool him/her off and the fan oscillates away from the person and that person sweats again and the process is repeated.

This is exactly how an air conditioner works. An air conditioner has evaporator coils that "sweat" the fan cools the coil off and the cold air is blown inside the house and the process is repeated.

The dripping water outside from the A/C is normal. An A/C will take the humidity out of the  indoor air as well.

When it is hot, humid and sticky keep your air conditioner on low cool. Putting the air condition on high cool in these conditions will overwork your air conditioner and shorten its life and may blow out the compressor. If you're hot turn  on a fan in your air conditioned room. That will make you feel that the temperature is 10 degrees less if you're in front of it.

 You may still feel warm during the hours of 3PM to 6PM. Don't mess with your air conditioner stick it out.Once the air conditioner is set at a certain temperature keep it there.

Now suppose one person likes the setting at 76 degrees and another person likes the setting at 72 degrees do a little math and average the temperatures out:

(76 +72)/2 =74 in this case set the thermostat at 74 degrees.

Now suppose one person likes 68 degrees, another person 73 degrees and yet another person likes 76 degrees. Same deal average it out:

(68+73+76)/3 =73 in this case set the thermostat at 73 degrees.

Now a person may be able to rent an air conditioner during summer months at Rent-A-Center but why?  When a person can buy a brand new one room air conditioner at Wal-mart for $150 or less. The average life of an air conditioner is about 5 to 7 years.

If you still cannot afford an air conditioner now,  start saving for it  this September .and by the time next summer rolls around your air conditioner will be ready and paid for.

Windows 10 Upgrade During Brown-outs or Black-outs.

If you have a windows 8 or windows 8.1 by now you should
see an windows icon on the lower right side of your desktop with a prompt saying "Get windows 10" and you have to click reserve to reserve your copy,it's a free beta (not finish yet ) upgrade.

The new operating system will be installed on July 29 ,or on a later date of your choosing. Only if you want it. If you do not like the new Windows 10 mircosoft will allow users to roll back.

The install will take about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours so be patient even when the screen looks blank for awhile, so go to a movie or something. If you have a laptop leave the lid open and keep in mind that more is not necessary better.

As for me I am not installing windows 10 in the first place, I am happy with my windows 8.1.. What scares me  is the date of July 29. The electricity may go off during the transfer (due to too many air conditioners running) ,and I am left with an expensive paper weight. 

A black-out is no electric  power at all
A brown-out is a percentage loss of power example (50%).Either one will damage your transfer in progress and screw up your computer.

Now if the "Get Windows 10" icon bugs you. You can do something about that:

First click on the arrowhead on the lower right side of your desktop. It will show a square box with a prompt saying "customise":

Another box will pop up saying "turn icons on or off" the file we're looking for is GWX "Get Windows" and "X" yes ,you guess it, it's the  Roman number for 10.

Use the dropdown menu on right side of "GWX" and click on "hide icon and notifications"  click "okay" and the "Get Windows 10" icon is hidden. :)

However, if you shut down your computer then turn it back on, or restart your computer the icon will re-appear.So if it still bugs you follow the above steps again.

By the way, Windows 10 will be mircosoft's last upgrade (no Windows 11 or up).There will be no longer later upgrades, so they say ,they may change their minds.

It's entirely up to you if you want Windows 10 or not.

MY PEEVES

I hate it when a dog is tied outside in the extremely hot heat. The dog should be indoors with the air conditioner. Of course,the dog would probably want to stay indoors and may leave a present for their owners. There are dog foods that will make their stools nice and firm for easy pick up  which can be pick-up with a paper towel.Use white vinegar to clean the messy spot and to get rid of the smell.

If the dog (or any other animal) is in the extremely hot heat and starts vomiting , then that is it; Your dog will die and nothing can be done.

Also I hate it when a dog is tied outside just a few feet away from the owner's  vehicle.

Once  the owner  is inside the vehicle, the dog that is tied up may start barking.

What is the dog barking about?  Well, I don't speak dog, but I think it is just to let their owner(s) know where they are ; Translated from the  dog's  multiple barks it may mean:

"Hey, Master(s), I am  right behind you ! ",

"Hey, Master(s), I am  right behind you !",

" Hey, Master(s), I am  behind you !" etc.

Tie your dogs yards away  from vehicles.

This picture is from a public domain site: Sleeping Dog but in this case the dog is just sleeping
and not in the extreme heat.

Roses, Lemon Drops, Rainbows And Sunbeams :)

Yes, it's summer and it's very hot
outside so what can you do if you're bored ?

Well, for one thing we can listen to really good music from the past. Here are four  music videos I have posted all of which have "lollipop" in their titles.



Let's get things started with the song "Lollipop" (1954) sung by The Chordettes:
Click here for Lollipop song by The Chordettes

The next song titled "Sunshine,Lollipops and Rainbows (1963)" and is sung by the late Lesley Gore:
click here for Sunshine,Lollipops And Rainbows

The third song is titled "Lollipops And Roses  (1962) "  sung by Paul Petersen of "The Donna Reed Show" :
click here for Lollipops And Roses by Paul Petersen

The forth and final song is titled "Lemon drops, Lollipops And Sunbeams" sung by Bobby Vinton. The song was featured in the movie "The Dutchess And The Dirtwater Fox  (1976) " which is a comedy-western. Everyone knows it had to be a  comedy ,because when a person got shot he yelled  "AHWWwww!" and falls on the ground.No one in real life yells  "AHWWWwww !" when they get shot--lol
click here for Lemon Drops, Lollipops And SunBeams

John Doe Goes To Court---lol

Usually I get landline phone calls looking  for ..,well !!!, .. not for me, but for someone else , a person I never heard of, let's call him "John Doe."

John Doe gets a summons to appear in court from a collection agency and the only person who can bring him is I myself.

                  John Doe and I appear in court. 
Judge:  "John Doe , you owe money and the collection agency is here to collect" . 

Myself:  "Wait ! , your honor , my name is Stanley and John Doe is right here"

Judge: "Stanley, that is a telephone answering machine"

Myself:  "Sure is, your honor, In fact it is my answering machine from home ,and its name is John Doe. Let me plug it in and it will solve this case". The Judge agrees.

Once I plug my answering machine in ,I play the message:
"This message is for John Doe. If you are not John Doe hang up now ,by continuing to listening to this message you are confirming that you're John Doe. This is an attempt to collect a debt ! "

Myself: "So, you see, your honor; It was not me that answered the phone,but my answer machine ,and according to the evidence my answer machine is John Doe.I wasn't home at the time."
The judge rolls eyes and orders everyone out of his courtroom.
                                    The End

This Upside Down Volcano Will Save Your Life really :)

In the year 2016,  I will be having my forth colonoscopy don't worry I won't be showing pictures inside a person's butt, but anyone who is at least 40 and over definitely 60 and over should have it done.However, if you want to, you can start when you reach the age of 35. They did find one cancerous pyolop which was removed before it spread to the rest of my body.

There are risks in all operations but in case of a colonoscopy they are extremely rare. 

The worst part of the colonoscopy is the day before when you take a laxative all day long to induce diarrhea .and you'll be playing upside down volcano all day.

The doctor will give you instructions so follow those  and not the instructions on the laxative bottle. I usually scan the instructions inside my computer in case I can't find them.

On the day before the operation it is an all liquid diet. Fortunately, you can still have your coffee, tea or soda but drink nothing red. I go a bit further and omit the colors that contain red.
                                     Purple (red and blue), 
                                Orange (red and yellow),
                                       Pink (red and white).
Brown or grey (red and green depending how the portions of those colors are mixed).

Usually, the instructions say mix the laxative with gatoraid and drink it every few hours and keep the bathroom free. I use lemon-lime gatoraid 

On the day of the colonoscopy you might want to get your coffee ready before you head out cause when you return you will not be thinking straight. The main reason why you need someone to drive you to the hospital don't drive yourself, and no major decisions for a few days.

When you get home do not eat for four hours and lift nothing weighting more than 10 pounds think of a 10 pound bag of potatoes  Don't eat any roughage like broccoli,cauliflower, cabbage etc.

If you did you use lemon-lime gatoraid to mix your laxative with, your stool will be yellow for a few weeks nothing to worry about.

                          It'll be all over before you know it :)

Make Your Own After Image Photos :)

On the picture below on the left side, stare at the blue dot on his nose , if you cannot see the dot just stare at the same spot on his nose.Stare for about 30 seconds then look at the blank screen on the right.

What you are seeing is an after image namely me when I was in grade school floating away--lol

These after image photos are not hard to make via photoshop. Once the picture is entered in photoshop just simply make a negative of the picture by going to "image","adjustments" then  "invert"

Use your rectangle marquee tool to select pixels in your picture click on "edit" then "copy" ;  Go to your second layer (shown here as a blank white layer ) and  click "paste" ;  Use your "move" tool if you have to, to move it and/or resize it to fit only on 1/2 of the blank layer.Finally click on "file" then "save as" give it a name and save it as a jpeg there you're done.

A picture of me below when I was in grade school.***end***