Recently, I found out about the passing of two classmates from Our Lady of Mount Carmel elementary school in my hometown, Amsterdam, NY. Although I hadn't seen them or kept in touch with them for years, it was extremely sad to hear they were taken from their families at such a young age.
My memories of Karen Houlihan Golden and Nancy DeRocco Wells, are that these women were exceptional in every aspect of life. Well-educated, fun-loving, family-oriented, thoughtful individuals who lived model lives.
To their families, I offer my most heartfelt sympathies. I only wish I was there to tell their children what wonderful people their mothers were from the very day I met them in 1967.
While my memory isn't the best, I can't recall Karen or Nancy ever cursing, disparaging anyone, or even getting angry in my presence. They were good, decent people in a cynical, jaded world. I'm honored to have known them.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Saturday, February 22, 2014
The Captain
Since I've been a New York Yankee fan my entire life, I was saddened to hear that Derek Jeter announced his retirement. While his skill level has diminished, and more recently, his health has taken a downturn, I can't help but wish he'd continue. He exudes confidence without the obnoxious braggadocio common among today's modern athlete. He's a winner sans the attitude. Even his choice of launching a publishing company to prepare for a career after baseball speaks volumes about the man.
Good luck, Derek! I'll be routing for your continued success. It's been a pleasure being a Yankee fan during your tenure.
Good luck, Derek! I'll be routing for your continued success. It's been a pleasure being a Yankee fan during your tenure.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Ain't Technology Great for Education
Just finished Spring 2013 semester. My advise to anyone attending college-get it over with ASAP! It's tough enough to get through when you're twenty. At fifty, it's exhausting! Just learning how to navigate software like Blackboard and ANGEL in order to submit assignments can be intimidating. Technology is suppose to enhance communication. Yet, in some instances, it's an impediment. I even watched the videos, and I'm still not sure I'm using the Blackboard discussion forum properly.
Every time I download software for use in a class, it inevitably adds some toolbar to my Web browser, even though I unchecked that option before beginning the download. Nothing says "successful semester" like spending a couple of hours finding these add-ons and deleting them. Now, I just go to the uninstall feature immediately after the download, and any program with a name different than the one required for class, is promptly deleted.
Every time I download software for use in a class, it inevitably adds some toolbar to my Web browser, even though I unchecked that option before beginning the download. Nothing says "successful semester" like spending a couple of hours finding these add-ons and deleting them. Now, I just go to the uninstall feature immediately after the download, and any program with a name different than the one required for class, is promptly deleted.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
My Living Dell, Part Deux
The Dell repairman showed up today with new memory and a mother board. Didn't matter. Didn't fix it. Now, I have to send it to some "depot", where it's going to take two weeks to figure out what's wrong. I've spent several hours trying to resolve this issue instead of doing my homework. Dell is dead to me!
Monday, March 18, 2013
My Living Dell
I was having problems with my Dell N7110 over the past couple of days, and then...the Cheese Wiz! My attempt at booting up yesterday morning was met with a series of two beeps and a constantly running fan. Since I have projects due for school, I went into panic mode.
When I bought the laptop, I purchased their in-home warranty just for such an event. So, I called technical support, got a technician on the line, and gave him all the pertinent information he needed to identify me. I asked for his name and number in case we got cut off. He gave me his name, but said that he couldn't give me an extension, and in the event we got cut off, he'd call me back. Those were the last words he spoke to me. So, I waited for him to call me back. Didn't happen!
So, I called back. Needless to say, I was a little less pleasant this go round. After waiting on hold for twenty minutes, I got the next technical support representative. I informed him that I was cut off, which he assured me that wouldn't happen this time. It did, and I still did not get a call back.
At this point, "pleasant" did not enter into the equation. Again, I waited for a technical support, and when the next person answered, I asked for a supervisor. He said he still needed to get my information prior to getting the supervisor. Folks, if you're in a customer service position, and the client has been cut off twice, don't take an accusatory tone regarding repairs. I considered myself a tolerant person when dealing with customer service, and I give everyone two chances, but on the third attempt, I'm an asshole-purposely! There is no other way to put it. I will go out of my way to make your life miserable if that second chance threshold is breached.
When the repairman shows up, he better treat me respectfully. Otherwise, it's on!
When I bought the laptop, I purchased their in-home warranty just for such an event. So, I called technical support, got a technician on the line, and gave him all the pertinent information he needed to identify me. I asked for his name and number in case we got cut off. He gave me his name, but said that he couldn't give me an extension, and in the event we got cut off, he'd call me back. Those were the last words he spoke to me. So, I waited for him to call me back. Didn't happen!
So, I called back. Needless to say, I was a little less pleasant this go round. After waiting on hold for twenty minutes, I got the next technical support representative. I informed him that I was cut off, which he assured me that wouldn't happen this time. It did, and I still did not get a call back.
At this point, "pleasant" did not enter into the equation. Again, I waited for a technical support, and when the next person answered, I asked for a supervisor. He said he still needed to get my information prior to getting the supervisor. Folks, if you're in a customer service position, and the client has been cut off twice, don't take an accusatory tone regarding repairs. I considered myself a tolerant person when dealing with customer service, and I give everyone two chances, but on the third attempt, I'm an asshole-purposely! There is no other way to put it. I will go out of my way to make your life miserable if that second chance threshold is breached.
When the repairman shows up, he better treat me respectfully. Otherwise, it's on!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Nostradickus
I'm resurrecting a persona from a column I used to write for a newletter, DOA(Dicks of America). I make pre-dick-tions for all Dicks and Dick events. I'll be happy to consider any and all suggestions regarding any Dick material. It doesn't have to be relevant, or make sense. It's all for a good cause. And, while I encourage irreverence, there are boundaries that I won't cross. So, have at it!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Etta James-RIP
I just read that Etta James' funeral will be held today. IMHO, she was the greatest female vocalist of all-time. Having attended five of her concerts, I can say I thought each subsequent performance was the best I'd ever seen.
In my lifetime, I've had the pleasure of seeing live performances by Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, and Aretha Franklin. My music colletction consists of many other female vocalists, namely, Dinah Washington, Maybelle Smith, Whitney Houston, Willie Mae Thorton, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, etc. Etta blows them all away-bar none!
Some can argue greatness on a single song basis, which may be a valid point. Patsy Clines's rendition of Crazy, Aretha Franklin's Respect, etc., are near perfection, especially when it comes to the expression of raw emotion. Nearly every one of Etta's songs is flawless in this regard. Trust in Me, Sunday Kind of Love, I'd Rather Go Blind, Out of the Rain, and the most often mentioned, At Last, are but a few that fall into the category of perfect emotional expression. My personal favorite, Something's Got a Hold on Me, is being sampled on a current hit today by an artist known as Common.
Unfortunately, too many music lovers will never get to experience a live performance by Etta James.
In my lifetime, I've had the pleasure of seeing live performances by Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, and Aretha Franklin. My music colletction consists of many other female vocalists, namely, Dinah Washington, Maybelle Smith, Whitney Houston, Willie Mae Thorton, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, etc. Etta blows them all away-bar none!
Some can argue greatness on a single song basis, which may be a valid point. Patsy Clines's rendition of Crazy, Aretha Franklin's Respect, etc., are near perfection, especially when it comes to the expression of raw emotion. Nearly every one of Etta's songs is flawless in this regard. Trust in Me, Sunday Kind of Love, I'd Rather Go Blind, Out of the Rain, and the most often mentioned, At Last, are but a few that fall into the category of perfect emotional expression. My personal favorite, Something's Got a Hold on Me, is being sampled on a current hit today by an artist known as Common.
Unfortunately, too many music lovers will never get to experience a live performance by Etta James.
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