len_mullen

Happy April! Halfway to Black Friday 2020...looking forward to the Staples ad ;-) I'd like to share my impressions of a purchase I made last November. One of my BF goals was to replace my desktop computer. When I purchased the old box, I was shopping for something which would be endlessly upgradable with plenty of room in the case for storage. In the beginning, that PC was mostly powered off and storage was for files and backups of files. By the end, it was an on-all-day PC hosting a Plex server and other household functions. My gaming had become so pedestrian that it was hard to rationalize a Radeon HD 7950 and 750w PSU. When its disk started to fail, I decided to replace the PC with a computer better suited to my current situation -- still upgradable, much faster, more energy efficient, and CHEAP (like me). While I was shopping for parts for this perfect computer, Black Friday happened. Staples was selling the HP Pavilion 590-p0066 for much less than it would cost me to piece together a comparable computer. Just two weeks before Black Friday, they ran a promotion on the HP Pavilion 590-p0050. I bought one. What I liked about the p0050... 2.8GHz Intel i5-8400 6-core processor (65w) upgradable to (at least) an i7 in the same family8GB DDR4 SDRAM1TB 7200 rpm mechanical drive + 16GB Intel Optane Memory802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2 technologiesDVD-WriterUse 2 x USB 2.0, 6 x USB 3.1, and 1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 portsPCIe x16 socket, PCIe x1 socket, M.2 socket 1 2230 type for WLAN, M.2 socket 3 2280 type for SSDIntel UHD Graphics 630Built-in HDMI and VGA out portsDimensions: 13.3"H x 6.69"W x 10.9"D310w Power SupplyH370 System BoardI did not have to wait in line on BF!I added RAM so that the system had 16GB of RAM plus 16GB of Intel Optane Memory. This PC starts quickly, loads apps fast, and does not bog down when I have (leave) many apps open. I added a GTX 1650 OC 4GB video accelerator for games and added video outputs. Very easy upgrades since the 1650 is powered by the PCI slot only. If you are looking for an inexpensive, powerful, and expandible desktop, I give these Pavillions two thumbs up. Happy shopping!

My youngest and I have been walking the last two days. With the good weather and the unexpected break from the rat race, a lot of people have had the same idea. Everyone is very cordial and relaxed. Maybe put one of those masks on and take a walk despite the pollen count?

My birthday is April 24th. Enjoy!

I fiind it helps a lot to not follow this too closely on television and the world wide web.

Just five days since my previous post. I have to say that I have been impressed with some of the measures taken to manage this virus. I feel like some people (Homeland Security?) have been preparing for some kind of pandemic and that the federal response has been a 'live fire' test of these plans. Many feel that the China travel ban dramatically limited the spread of COVID19. Count me among them. I would also expect that border security has helped a lot. I can't find a story online, but I heard on the radio that recently retired doctors are being reinstated to help combat the virus. I thought that was brilliant. Today I heard that the president will use idled cruise ships as floating hospitals. Beyond brilliant. Lots of businesses (including mine) are encouraging people to work from home as much as possible. My company has been working tirelessly to reduce human density and mobility while continuously washing EVERYTHING. I am hearing this is common. A lot of businesses have communicated their response to me. Very sensible. A lot of restaurants are providing curbside pickup services. Retailers are prioritizing goods which have been hoarded to date. My local grocers are, for the most part, business as usual. At the same time, I have had no problem engaging essential services. One retail change has facilitated self-isolation -- delivery of groceries. It started with fast food and took off with Amazon. Now nearly every restaurant and grocer delivers. No need to go out at all. On the healthcare front, telemedicine is getting its first trials. Curious if either industry has seen a dramatic surge in use. I am concerned about some local actions which seem to be making things worse. Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville Massachusetts are sanctuary cities and have loudly announced a long list of crimes they will not respond to. Among these are home invasions. I've heard that this has led to a surge in home invasions. Some have called for release of prisoners. I don't understand this. If the prisons are rife with COVID19, then I am against releasing exposed people into the community. If they are not, then what is the motivation to expose prisoners to the virus? And what is this thing where we tap elbows instead of shaking hands? First, has anyone noticed the difference between mouths when touching elbows vs shaking hands? And haven't they been telling us to cough into our elbows? Some guy offered me his elbow so I hugged him. Seriously, the protocol says that you are probably exposed if you are within ten feet for more than ten minutes. So, I'm working from home a lot. Spending time with my college student who is also working from home. It's kind of fun. When I go to work, the traffic is lite and my ride is twenty minutes shorter -- each way. When I work from home, I save gas, time, and Massachusetts income tax. I'm a little concerned for my oldest. He is just a few miles from Slummerville, but he's immortal and I should not worry so much. Still wish they would wrap this up and let me get back to my normal life.

Everyone tells me that. Maybe when I retire.

Business as usual for me. I had self quarantined for a few weeks when my office was sick -- just your standard flu virus -- and boycotted my niece's birthday party after her family was sick. I had been planning a visit to upstate New York and 1) did not want to make the 9 hour round trip sick, or 2) be denied access once I got there. That was Wednesday. Friday I hosted customers at our facility. Now I don't care if I get sick. I've been to three grocery stores. While most shelves were pretty bare Friday and lightly stocked this morning, I had no problem shopping my list and people were pretty social -- no masks or other protective gear. I also got my tires rotated. They put a wrapper on my steering wheel. Of course they left the 'snot spot' (middle of the steering wheel) unprotected. Toilet paper seems to be the main target of hoarders. I heard there was a fight over TP in one store that landed eleven in jail. I have plenty -- Charmin Ultra Soft -- at $10 per roll (one roll = five) ;-) I have to tip my hat to the local merchants. They are replenishing the shelves very quickly, have moved things people hoard to the front, limited purchases of shortage items, and not gouged at all. Think I'll watch The Stand tonight... https://youtu.be/0e64sPHWnsY

Only my microwave and range refuse to set themselves. I believe those appliances are the smartest things in my home.

Happy March. Two months out from making all those resolutions. How is everyone doing? My New Year's resolution was to find five hours and $100 per week that could be better spent . I have been doing this for some time, so it's getting more difficult. Just the same, there is plenty of opportunity for me to 'lean' my life. 'Better spent' is pretty vague, but taking a walk, laying in the sun, watching television, and working on this post for two hours all give me pleasure, so I'm not talking about productivity. Porterhouse steaks, red wine, and fine restaurants are off the table as well. Three years ago, I got off Twitter and Facebook. That's what started this. It wasn't my idea to get off Twitter but I quickly realized how much time I spent getting worked up over things that did not matter. I quit Facebook while 'hardening' security after an update. Best security? Stop using Facebook -- pick up a phone, get in the car, or send an email. No need to share every mundane aspect of my life and no need to vote on every mundane aspect of everyone else's life. Every year, I've broken my pledge to spend $0 on television. It's easy enough to do, but I like playing with new toys and trying new things. So, I decided to replace 'television' with 'things I do not value'. Going forward, I will spend $0 on things I do not value. Difficult at first, but I have developed this voice in my head that has all but eliminated impulse purchases. I carefully plan my grocery shopping to minimize waste. No more club memberships. No more subscribe and save. Maximizing 'cash back' credit cards (and paying off the balance each month). It's already impacting my checking account. This year, I have attacked my AT&T spend and participation in news/politics discussions with people who do not agree with me (I like talking politics with those who do ). The AT&T monster had gotten out of hand. I pay for my adult kids' cell service. It's less expensive that way -- for them, anyway. When my wife was sick, I added Hot Spot so my oldest could telecommute when required. We also used it at my sister's camp in the middle of nowhere. Getting the 'right' Hot Spot features forced me to bump my plan which qualified me for discounts on things that were kind of nice. This year, I got rid of the Hot Spot feature and the 'kind of nice things' and settled into an unlimited voice and data 'value' plan. This saved me about $100 per month and no one noticed. I am also month-to-month, so I am free to jump on a better deal. That won't get me to $100 a week. I am also working on my utilities -- unplugging things I don't use and not heating/cooling areas where no one goes. I hope to cut $100/month off my grocery bill as well. The 'news and politics' vampire is not simply an internet thing. I have avoided politics as much as possible in real life too. No cable news, no national news, no local news. Alexa keeps me abreast of the weather. When an instigator engages in political discourse, I simply excuse myself. It's been liberating. After two months, I feel like I am on track to keep my resolution. I feel pretty good about that. Anyone else crushing their resolutions? Simplifying their lives?

That's the problem. And the consequence is called capitalism. Can't wait to see what displaces Amazon.

First time we took our youngest to Disney was a lot like this. His brother was going down with the school so we decided to make the trip. We told him we were meeting his brother for dinner. He did not realize how far away Disney was from New Hampshire (probably did not even know that is where his brother was going). Never questioned anything as we boarded a plane and checked in. Finally caught on when we got inside the park. Love that kid. Bet I could pull it off today.

At least you got to sleep in ;-) I'm guessing she is not a subscriber of this forum?

and a presidential election. living in New Hampshire, the assault on the [common] senses is relentless. Have been DVR'ing programming all year to avoid the political ads. CANNOT bear to watch the local news.

I believe that is illegal.

Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! Happy February!

We need names, Brad!

Good luck. I'll be rooting for Jimmy G, but have no strong feelings about this game.

BTW, that the guy who this is named for perished in a fire during his Beddian year, so keep away from open flames.

OK, wait, now I get it. A Beddian Birthday occurs when the age a person is turning, is the same number as the last two digits of their birth year. The Beddian birthday is named for NYC firefighter Bobby Beddia who noted this coincidence. Someone born in 2015, will experience their Beddian Birthday when they are 15! So, you are 20? I'm rooting for you to make 120. Beddia Theorem: In any odd-numbered year, there are exactly 50 pre-Beddian ages. In any even-numbered year, there are exactly 49 pre-Beddian ages. Moreover, with three exceptions, these ages consist of two separate spans. The exceptions are 1998 (or any year ending in ’98), for which the pre-Beddian ages comprise the single span 0-48, 1999 (or any year ending in ’99), for which they comprise the single span 0-49, and 2000 (or any year ending in ’00), for which they comprise the single span 1-49. My Beddian Year will be 2024. Already, I know that will be a great year for me as it will be my SECOND full year of retirement.

Beddian birthdays occur every 2 years, e.g. those born in 1958 (like me) will turn 58 this year (2016); those born in 1959 will turn 59 in 2018; those born in 1960 will turn 60 in 2020....and so on, and so on....

Back at ya!

I am disappointed in the two of you. My next list begins with the stuff not acquired from the last list and I never stop adding to the lists or shopping. I expect no less of you. Let's make our New Year's resolution to eliminate this slack from our consumption. Remember, if we stop shopping, the terrorists win!

Dunno, but I suspect BF just won't be the same.

Too soon, Brad. When can I update my avatar?

Now I can sleep!