tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44829379709008113512024-02-19T11:35:18.058-05:00Skytours BlogJim Tomney's blog on family, astronomy, technology, life experiences, and whatever other random thoughts he can find time to put down on "paper"Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-3814746471563325242021-02-19T05:38:00.001-05:002021-02-19T05:38:10.586-05:00Vaccination Vexations<p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">With the approval of Moderna and Pfizer's vaccines for emergency use in December it was time for the state governments (and health care players) to get people scheduled for their two doses. This was hardly a big surprise - the Trump administration had said back in the summer that it was targeting late 2020 or early 2021 for them to be available, and the companies more or less supported that claim. Yet if the web sites out there are any indication the effort to register people to get their shot was a quick throw together. I speak from experience of trying to use them. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONVSFmZ9X8tujoWiwA0xS7acwUw1ZyzEbrLuMuCLfqCqizvqZleRyArSZ8KY2q2ayRMWmf4hQkGPznM6K6m7YthWMFw2n8_WLJw3-pDqQN__6nX_h8L4as578RKNSsvI-PoxBaZvD-VY/s746/CovidPoorDesign1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="420" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONVSFmZ9X8tujoWiwA0xS7acwUw1ZyzEbrLuMuCLfqCqizvqZleRyArSZ8KY2q2ayRMWmf4hQkGPznM6K6m7YthWMFw2n8_WLJw3-pDqQN__6nX_h8L4as578RKNSsvI-PoxBaZvD-VY/w225-h400/CovidPoorDesign1.jpg" width="225" /></a>First up we have Baltimore County. I filled out the online form and hit submit, hoping that the next screen would let me pick a time, if available. I certainly expected that I'd get a confirmation email that registration was successful. But no, nothing. Crickets. A few days later on NextDoor I see a thread that apparently some people are getting an acknowledgement, but usually only after multiple attempts. Which I'm sure has led to multiple registrations by now, and likely making it challenging to determine just how many people are ready to get vaccinated. You have no way to see an estimate as to when you'll get it, nor any way to unregister should you manage to get the shot at some other venue. Overall a glitchy and not well thought out implementation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48MWTqWoth7iBJm7ykxU6KOKTZJVow7ZSDagrrZoM7hOWWrjWoTdjr3_fig-L7ahQhAbbnmR5E4V1WR35i4XfUAq6Hu_MDPhAaOCfW6CwmFW3XcqrhON-CV-7yjboZfRyFSK4rSeCK9Y/s665/CovidPoorDesign.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48MWTqWoth7iBJm7ykxU6KOKTZJVow7ZSDagrrZoM7hOWWrjWoTdjr3_fig-L7ahQhAbbnmR5E4V1WR35i4XfUAq6Hu_MDPhAaOCfW6CwmFW3XcqrhON-CV-7yjboZfRyFSK4rSeCK9Y/w303-h320/CovidPoorDesign.jpg" width="303" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;">The next award goes to Giant Pharmacy's attempt. Often when you click on their link to schedule an appointment you receive a screen telling you that you are in a queue. They're nice enough to given you the estimated</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> time you'll be taken to the page to register for an appointment (anywhere from a couple minutes to half an hour in my experience), and your anticipation grows that you'll be able to set up an appointment. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">However, in all the times I've done this over the last two weeks, once you leave the queue you're told there's no vaccinations slots available and to please check back later. Clearly there were none available to begin with, so why make the person wait with false hope of being seen? Query your database and if <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: courier;">OpenAppt == null</span></span></b>, say that right up front. That's basic user experience design.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Then we have RiteAid's effort. The start page has you fill out a form to verify whether you are eligible, about 5 questions. Not a big deal except that you have to do that <u><i>every single time</i></u>, every day that you want to check. That's what cookies are for RiteAid - you can save some information on the user's browser so that they have a better experience. Look it up.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Once you get the display of stores that are participating in COVID vaccinations you select one. And then it depends on your luck as to whether the "Next" button will be enabled. Some days it is, some days it isn't. On the days that it was enabled it always yielded an apology that no vaccines were available. So, like Giant, maybe do that check right after I give you my zip code? Or maybe use the ability to access my device location and warn me immediately that there's nothing available in my area right now? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo16d70KjaCIiFnCl4bxnAVkuKZrVI9GrQ7D7lVZFfqSSk-5x14vlrCMPejTuZFPquuEY-KbCNLQgqdPK4URywUkDHXTBiAFhKElj9AO14XFquYY7NyV_xsXXw9QWrREQZPOn0Tg5Vgo/s1553/CovidPoorDesign2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1553" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo16d70KjaCIiFnCl4bxnAVkuKZrVI9GrQ7D7lVZFfqSSk-5x14vlrCMPejTuZFPquuEY-KbCNLQgqdPK4URywUkDHXTBiAFhKElj9AO14XFquYY7NyV_xsXXw9QWrREQZPOn0Tg5Vgo/w400-h214/CovidPoorDesign2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"Next" is disabled with no explanation of why</b></i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And, to complete the experience at RiteAid, if you do get the "sorry, try again later" message then they don't want you to navigate away, posting a warning alert that you may lose data. What data? That you don't have any vaccination appointment to offer me? <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AmFaYITruFllDcVkiGr-1-0cgOK531YZd7t4rzEs_gj-GzWaokGDYFrfzz-_Dvqj3ezz7QsH37mle1x5PX52BF3LTnqtOu72a0orH-6KVknrnRp75q7p4uw-QyD8IlgrsnwMM-9hMRY/s1098/CovidPoorDesign3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1098" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AmFaYITruFllDcVkiGr-1-0cgOK531YZd7t4rzEs_gj-GzWaokGDYFrfzz-_Dvqj3ezz7QsH37mle1x5PX52BF3LTnqtOu72a0orH-6KVknrnRp75q7p4uw-QyD8IlgrsnwMM-9hMRY/w400-h225/CovidPoorDesign3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Having been a developer for a couple of decades now I know it can be challenging to get it right. It does require attention to detail and patience/perseverance at times. That's why it drives me nuts when you hear talking heads nonchalantly offer the advice that someone whose job has become archaic "learn to code." đ Horrible advice! Unless that person has an affinity and some passion for coding they will be terrible at it and hate their job - and their mediocre code will only serve up more end user pain. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But beyond the slip ups of the developers - and we all mess up occasionally - this poor experience reflects that testing was completely inadequate. These are not subtle, hard to reproduce bugs. They're a cockroach strolling across the kitchen floor during your afternoon tea party bugs. Hopefully the management team responsible for these snafus will get the appropriate feedback and adjust their process to include better testing. Until then, good luck scheduling your COVID-19 vaccination appointment!<br /></span><br /><br /><p></p></div>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0Towson, MD, USA39.4014955 -76.601912511.091261663821157 -111.7581625 67.711729336178848 -41.4456625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-82138617300260443942020-10-31T16:39:00.000-04:002020-10-31T16:39:43.830-04:00Masking the Problem<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> We go to the polls in a few days to decide whether to give Trump 4 more years or Biden a turn at bat. The key talking point for the former VP has been how he'd lead us through the pandemic far better than DJT. He's always seen with a mask in public (even when it is not necessary) and constantly holds one up and says by wearing it we can save thousands of lives. He's stated repeatedly that he wants a mask mandate as a way to fight the Covid-19 virus.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRS787dYJ9yEfSbOPbJvKNHgFzdtmnTCOdrPrQA6LWVtajt9JHw9ObiBLU2g0dZ50ZFfr-lsrrr4nE7GS6MjjPZuhNByou6UeHWXnVpqSKNyUIcUoYoSH4SYYQyW2ZfsrIC4rvypDudU/s417/BidenMask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRS787dYJ9yEfSbOPbJvKNHgFzdtmnTCOdrPrQA6LWVtajt9JHw9ObiBLU2g0dZ50ZFfr-lsrrr4nE7GS6MjjPZuhNByou6UeHWXnVpqSKNyUIcUoYoSH4SYYQyW2ZfsrIC4rvypDudU/s320/BidenMask.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Sounds good - and, in fact, he's right. If we all wear masks when we cannot socially distance then the spread of the virus will plummet. We have South Korea as a good <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/lessons-from-south-korea-on-how-to-manage-covid-11601044329" target="_blank">example </a>of that. Unfortunately it ends up being a lot of malarkey in this country, and while well intentioned and scientifically sound, it's not going to move the needle here. Here's why.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Unless he is going to go the route of Martial Law to enforce mask wearing, it is up to the governors to enforce his mask mandate. As we have seen, a few governors have been willing to go there (looking at you, Gov. Whitmer) and the populace is not happy about it and <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/what-the-michigan-supreme-court-e2-80-99s-ruling-could-mean-for-covid-19-regulations-at-restaurants-and-bars/ar-BB19IB4S" target="_blank">push back</a>. American DNA is quite different than South Korean DNA - we are not going to abide long standing and autocratic edicts from the overlords. So it is pretty safe to say that getting significant mask compliance by having the governors enforce it is a pipe dream. Governors whose states are not seriously impacted have no reason to do so, and those with Covid cases run the risk of significant backlash and legal overturn.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">OK, forced compliance is out. But then let's at least lead by example and use the bully pulpit to get everyone doing their civic duty to not kill grandma. Biden clearly believes that setting a good example on mask wearing is important - at least when he knows the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z10tvLskVw4" target="_blank">camera's rolling</a>. I fully agree - one of the things I criticize Trump over is not setting a better example in this regard. But having the guy at the top setting an example is not going to be a game changer. Here's why.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd1Ca9uYiwgOmmU1SL2nQwyp5zAq1aR7JEGu6PX5ILrWGyqBzD5NQZk-Ez07M1kMC-tNZnhHEbVHj09JR4PL0dsY2veIUP8KXLOSf7If4w-Fpnmkb4C4bUetlj37YrlngH6KUunABuBc/s474/Hogan_Covid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd1Ca9uYiwgOmmU1SL2nQwyp5zAq1aR7JEGu6PX5ILrWGyqBzD5NQZk-Ez07M1kMC-tNZnhHEbVHj09JR4PL0dsY2veIUP8KXLOSf7If4w-Fpnmkb4C4bUetlj37YrlngH6KUunABuBc/s320/Hogan_Covid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Maryland is a pretty blue state with a fairly educated citizenry. We also happen to have a Republican governor who has absolutely done the right thing in terms of setting a good example to encourage Marylanders to mask up and keep six feet apart. Despite this, Maryland, like much of the nation and the world, is experiencing a significant uptick in Covid cases. According to WBAL radio, health officials announced Saturday that we recorded 145,281 cases of coronavirus, and increase of almost 1,000 cases in one day. We, like almost everywhere else, are trending up. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">From an anecdotal standpoint I can corroborate the general ineffectiveness of getting people to wear masks by leadership example & exhortation. I live near Towson University and in a pretty blue neighborhood. When I routinely go for my 3 mile walk around the campus or my community I encounter people on my way - students, neighbors, and Baltimore County employees. I'd estimate perhaps 30% are wearing a mask, resulting in me giving them a wide berth when passing by (if I can). It was probably 60-75% back in June when we were all more fearful, but the trend is definitely down. This environment is probably as ripe as it gets for being attentive to messages from the governor, the CDC, and PSA promoting mask usage. Despite that, we're way short of compliance. Do you really think in this set of circumstances that the problem lies in Trump not wearing a mask, that if he did the folks not wearing one would suddenly don one?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">To be clear, I believe that the media and the leaders (both sides) failed us. They found benefit in making mask wearing a political statement rather than a unifying symbol to save our neighbors and our economy. But if you think Joe Biden's promise to significantly control the virus by his "wear a mask" campaign is going to succeed, you're indulging in magical thinking.</span></p>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-28815476979786136392018-08-31T22:41:00.002-04:002018-08-31T22:41:51.548-04:00An Exigent Pay Freeze?<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 15px;">
So Donald Trump's has decided that the 2% pay raise for Federal workers is on ice. He has the authority based on responding to a "national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfareâ. I'm personally a little conflicted about it (full disclosure, as a government sub-contractor I am feeding at the trough so to speak). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpMJ6Fh5nIjoVTfkja0592Q0pgERw1vcP6uZrdc5dtiSC3qXUQBHb4SKua0kP5ktAx4zb2KNGn9kdy4lgUGMzuQD05MjaslHoLvnjA6ib4wmTpcY-8pUFfoHq4BPetC9whP1Umww4zmA/s1600/scaled.AP840265738719_t653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GSA Employee in Hot Tub" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="653" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpMJ6Fh5nIjoVTfkja0592Q0pgERw1vcP6uZrdc5dtiSC3qXUQBHb4SKua0kP5ktAx4zb2KNGn9kdy4lgUGMzuQD05MjaslHoLvnjA6ib4wmTpcY-8pUFfoHq4BPetC9whP1Umww4zmA/s320/scaled.AP840265738719_t653.jpg" title="Living the High Life (at Taxpayer Expense)" width="320" /></a></div>
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One part feels that<i> somehow</i> we have to do something. The deficit is not being addressed (yet again). Yes, the tax cuts have done a great job stimulating the economy, but if I was not happy with the Obama spending stimulus then I cannot be happy with this increase in the debt (albeit this one actually achieved some of the objective). Like an addict, no one in DC seems capable of breaking the spending habit, loath to tell constituents that we cannot afford all of this. And the <i>really sca</i><i>ry</i> part is an increasing number of younger Americans who want even more, totally uncoupled from economic reality.</div>
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But I am suspicious that this really boils down to another way for Trump to give a back hand to a group that does not support him, and some in fact may be actively trying to sabotage his presidency (let's set aside for the moment the stellar job he does on that front without any assistance). Yes, the stereotype of the unmotivated and unproductive government worker has come about due to there being plenty of anecdotal examples of it (see above). But there are lots and lots of worker bees doing the job of serving us consistently and effectively. Trump touts the pay raise for the military, which seemed appropriate, but are they more worthy of a pay raise than the fire fighters battling these blazes out west? Or the other non-military professionals who keep us safe?</div>
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At the end of the day it probably boils down to having to apply these raises with a broad brush. If they were more merit based there would probably be more of an outcry to this punitive action by the president. Unfortunately we can only provide these raises across the board, rewarding the diligent along with the negligent. To lift a line from our tweeter in chief "Sad!!"</div>
Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-27509839210754836202017-05-11T21:07:00.000-04:002017-05-11T21:07:01.873-04:00Ice Trays & Work Ethic<div style="font-size: 1.15em;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaTT327LC-5E8srtuKF3B-pj_leV7FTQHH2MlNS-6m5ANrQHUe_NA-e-fbWAfAt7e0wwmCsmhJOz8azKq8UBcKfDzwrWba8GKkNDAGzDRwPe84suqblHOZEZ4Zg3VHaV3whrfdCh2R0E/s1600/IceTray.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaTT327LC-5E8srtuKF3B-pj_leV7FTQHH2MlNS-6m5ANrQHUe_NA-e-fbWAfAt7e0wwmCsmhJOz8azKq8UBcKfDzwrWba8GKkNDAGzDRwPe84suqblHOZEZ4Zg3VHaV3whrfdCh2R0E/s200/IceTray.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Increasingly the humble ice tray is becoming an anachronism. Most home refrigerators have an automatic ice cube maker, robotically churning out ice so the human always has a chilled beverage. However, in the interest of cost savings there are still some bastions of ice trays, where one has to actually fill the tray with water, let it freeze, and then break the cube free from its form. Most often we encounter this at work where we are glad just to have a refrigerator.<br />
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But this simple happenstance actually presents an interesting social experiment in terms of the work ethic of one's co-workers. I respectfully submit:<br />
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<b>The full ice bin and full trays</b>: The optimum state - here we have proactive worker bees who take it upon themselves to assess the level of ice in the holder, taking on the job of cracking & refilling the trays. You can bet these are the sort of folks who will also be proactive at their real job for the company.<br />
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<b>The empty bin but full trays</b>: The glass is half full. Here we have "just in time" staff who'll rise to the occasion but only when it bubbles to the top. Could be that the company has promoted this by chronic shortage of human resources so that people become accustomed to dealing with something only when it's immediately confronting them.<br />
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<b>The empty bin and empty trays</b>: Now we're straying into tunnel vision, not willing to think down the line in order to help others. You see a problem but because it's not <i>your </i>problem it is ignored. Not a great sign for your corporate culture.<br />
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<b>The empty bin and partially full trays</b>: This is terminal - you're surrounded by coworkers who are dedicated to doing the absolute least amount of effort to accomplish the job. Better get that resume in order.</div>
Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-45327312926303691612017-03-18T22:54:00.000-04:002017-03-18T22:54:35.935-04:00The Gift of a Troubled Soul<div style="font-size: 1.15em;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">âNo great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.â </span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">â </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2192.Aristotle" style="background-color: font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Aristotle</a><br />
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Decades ago when email was unheard of and books reigned I joined an astronomy book club. One enticement was the 3 volume set of Burnham's Celestial Handbook. I had heard others speak highly of it as a reference and so it seemed like a sound choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6ZQpDXNf-DTjmaREny75bgE4MJeq4CMJ7rNIfuCdzjhRew8nWxPMYCAEeIIc_RG9t3C_PHJSB0G6v19rLRRLD8NaNJSeWU1vW8mhxLGk2LuCwGZoCYKH-zGqYeGT3uq2LtcIUNxSSIk/s1600/BurnhamCelestialHandbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6ZQpDXNf-DTjmaREny75bgE4MJeq4CMJ7rNIfuCdzjhRew8nWxPMYCAEeIIc_RG9t3C_PHJSB0G6v19rLRRLD8NaNJSeWU1vW8mhxLGk2LuCwGZoCYKH-zGqYeGT3uq2LtcIUNxSSIk/s200/BurnhamCelestialHandbook.jpg" width="128" /></a>What I got was an amazing piece of work, an encyclopedia of astronomy presented by way of in depth information about each constellation. It was like having this remarkable guide to the homes of the Hollywood stars, detailing every juicy detail of their abode. While it had a couple of chapters at the start to introduce the newcomer to some of the terms and concepts of astronomy the beauty of this work was you could jump in anywhere - just pick a constellation to begin your journey. Constellations are a marvelous creation - they are ancient and derived from the lore of our ancestors. Just as people today are still drawn to a good story about mythological beings, amateur star gazers often take a fancy to a particular constellation for an observing session. "Cassiopeia is returning to the sky again, maybe I'll go check it out tonight!". With Burnham's book you could open up to Cassiopeia and get lost among the wealth of information about that corner of the universe. It was so...<i>complete</i>!
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It was both interesting and painful to come across an account of the author, one Robert Burnham, Jr. of Arizona. Here was a man who clearly was afflicted with painful shyness, tenacity, inability to interpret the true nature of his situation. Beloved and yet unrecognized, wanting recognition yet refusing to grasp it. As the article puts it, "<i>He led an extraordinary, but ultimately tragic, life. He also was a bundle of contradictions". </i>His quixotic nature probably explains why it has never been updated or duplicated because you'd have to be a bit crazy to rise to that challenge. It truly was his life's work.<br />
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The article is long but well worth reading to understand the perfect storm that gave us Burnham's Celestial Handbook. </div>
Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-84454674205630377502017-02-26T13:40:00.001-05:002017-02-26T13:40:38.313-05:00Social Media Values Clarification<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's little doubt that the Internet and social media in particular has changed our culture. And while there are some up sides I am pretty sure that it has helped to replace reasoned discussion for ranting and demagoguery. It did not do it single-handedly of course - it has had a big assist from our politicians and conventional media. We talk at each other rather than with each other. Media tries to tell us <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/mika-brzezinski-medias-job-control-what-people-think/" target="_blank">what to think</a> rather than provide us information and a variety of viewpoints.<br />
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My wife has recounted times in her career where a patient requested to enter the "quiet room" when they felt they were edging out of control. Following the 2016 election I felt compelled to take a break from Facebook because of the rancor and just crazy talk that folks whom I had otherwise judged as rational people were engaging in. I needed some time apart lest I start to respond in kind and then later feel embarrassed by my words. It gave me time to reflect on social media in general and how to keep it as a more positive than negative force in my life.<br />
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So before logging back on, some notes to myself:<br />
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<b>Time box it</b>. This stuff gets <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/3014439/internet/social-media-addiction-is-a-bigger-problem-than-you-think.html" target="_blank">addicting </a>- seriously. You mindlessly scroll and refresh to see the latest affirmation of your life, of you as a person. And it's not like there aren't better things to do with your time. Read a book, balance the checkbook, write an email to a friend, figure out a new recipe to try, maybe write a blog entry. To help achieve this I'll continue to avoid any "alerts" to my phone and keep my aggregate daily time on social media to under 30 minutes.<br />
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<b>Understand the value proposition</b>. To me the value of social media is facilitating catching up on what is happening with my friends and family. Seeing pictures of my adorable grandson, catching Phil's early morning shot of the crescent moon and Venus, knowing I need to add a friend struggling with an issue to my prayer list - that is where it excels.<br />
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<b>Drop the rope</b>. No social media promotes debate, only ranting. People do not wish to read more than 140 characters (if that). Most folks do not want an exchange of ideas, they want you to validate their opinions. Recognize <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=trolling" target="_blank">trolls</a> and pass on by. Recognize ideologues and pass on by. If on occasion you wish to add to a thread do it politely, honestly, and singularly (no running posts trying to have the last word).<br />
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<b>Owners are not without agendas</b>. FB and others are certainly <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregorymcneal/2014/06/30/controversy-over-facebook-emotional-manipulation-study-grows-as-timeline-becomes-more-clear/#4aaadba99caa" target="_blank">willing to manipulate us</a>, from filtering what hits the news feed to promoting the idea that to mute or unfriend someone makes you a shallow person. And let's certainly not forget that the breadcrumbs of our likes and dislikes here are vacuumed up for big data's consumption. Be skeptical of the medium and its desire to influence you.<br />
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So I guess it's time to emerge from my self imposed exile to see if things have calmed down (although I doubt it). And I guess if it is still triggering even with trying to adhere to my observations I can decide to give it up for 40 more days over Lent.Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-81906632744533477812015-05-04T23:37:00.000-04:002015-05-04T23:37:18.131-04:00A Crisis of Scientific Confidence<div style="font-size: 1.15em;">
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Recently National Geographic's <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/science-doubters/achenbach-text" target="_blank">cover story</a> focused on the "War on Science", i.e. the failure of a growing segment of the population to take scientific findings at face value. The article was a bit disappointing in that rather than providing an analysis it appeared to have more of an agenda to it (namely promoting climate warming).</div>
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The author cites quite a variety of scientific theories that are not universally embraced. On one side of the spectrum are the cases where people reject findings that are backed up by a lot of impartial evidence such as that we have landed on the Moon or that fluoridated water cuts tooth decay. On the other side of the spectrum we have Achenbach's assertion that doubting climate change induced by man's increase of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions is equally misguided. Undoubtedly the author hopes that by placing skeptics of homo sapien induced climate warming into the same category as deniers of the Moon landing or parents withholding vaccinations out of fear of autism that they will change their mind or at the very least silence them out of embarrassment.</div>
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The conspiracy fringe will always be with us. Whether it be the Kennedy assassination or the communist plot of fluoridated water, there are people who just love a good controversy even when none exists. You might as well be shocked that some people love to gossip. But the real story here that did not get the attention it needed is that science is experiencing a doubting population because it is appears bought and sold. There is no more potent ally for that new tax or regulation if only it will agree with your point of view. The CEOs and politicos won't let science be science and follow the scientific method. Science now seems to be increasingly pulled by the purse strings that can come with the correct findings. One camp will not share data with the other for fear they may find a flaw. Objective scientific analysis is replaced by turf wars. Perhaps as the author suggests this mistrust of science is only people "subconsciously clinging to our intuitionsâwhat researchers call our naive beliefs".</div>
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The prime directive of science - to test your hypothesis through well designed experiments - is subjugated to cries of we need to shut off any debate or discussion because "the matter is settled". How many times, especially with an issue with so many complex variables as climate prediction, has science been sure of one thing only to discover it was wrong. To quote Agent K from MIB, "1,500 years ago, everybody <i>knew</i> that the Earth was the center of the universe. 500 years ago, everybody <i>knew</i> that the Earth was flat. And 15 minutes ago, you <i>knew</i> that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow."</div>
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Until science can gain some insulation from the influencers and reaffirm the scientific method which never closes discussion, the crisis in confidence will likely malinger.</div>
Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-55733987426075372013-06-09T18:56:00.001-04:002013-06-11T19:36:01.491-04:00The Internet Privacy Irony<i><b><span style="color: #444444;">"We got computers; we're tapping phone lines, I know that that ain't allowed."</span></b></i><br />
<b>Life During Wartime - Talking Heads</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinT4dFN_Z3GisLNluTpGuG7FNQ6bOXcrc-ZlsTCHNcXNl7WO75L1K1jWPJiQ7aQrDolqiDoVLUdRaSx_V8b1iOgis7Z0UKOc0jkpM_8vlf-KMBtoxxvMPVNem7vGj_I7znNnEi4V0L6wo/s1600/BigBrother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinT4dFN_Z3GisLNluTpGuG7FNQ6bOXcrc-ZlsTCHNcXNl7WO75L1K1jWPJiQ7aQrDolqiDoVLUdRaSx_V8b1iOgis7Z0UKOc0jkpM_8vlf-KMBtoxxvMPVNem7vGj_I7znNnEi4V0L6wo/s1600/BigBrother.jpg" /></a></div>
For some time now scholars and commentators have pointed out the sense of anonymity that one experiences when going online and how it influences us. Many have suggested that it is this sense of being cloaked that unfetters a coarser side of one's nature, tossing off epithets as if you're in the locker room, exploring dark corners of the web that you wouldn't do at the library. Oh there might be the occasional cookie or browser history to contend with, but hey, any modern browser lets one go into 'stealth' mode to deal with that. And I must say that from what I have seen I have to agree that when the possible stigma of being called out for bad behavior is removed then individuals behave differently.<br />
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And now we learn (although I have always suspected) that indeed 1984 is here, albeit a few years late. The government is amassing all sorts of "meta-data" about us - our phone records, our social media activity like Facebook, this blog, maybe even our credit card transactions. Couple this with a new gargantuan <a href="http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/ff_nsadatacenter/" target="_blank">data center being built by the NSA</a> out in Utah, and it's not hard to see where this is going. The techniques of mining large amounts of data with platforms like Hadoop (which businesses use to gain insight into their customers' habits) is being applied on this treasure trove of data. It is no exaggeration to say that when the supercomputers connect all the dots of your digital breadcrumbs they will have a stunningly complete picture of you. And we simply have to hope that the folks in charge will play nice and not use this information to consolidate their power. You dare to run for office against Boss Hog? Well we'll just see about that.<br />
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The grand irony here is that people surfing the net in supposed anonymity are in fact revealing the details of their political views, sexual interests, and only God knows what else. And while that is scary as hell, it pales in comparison to the people I meet whose assessment is "well if you haven't done anything wrong you don't have anything to be worried about." That sort of naivety must be comforting to those in power.Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-40321393706236591462012-01-14T19:22:00.011-05:002012-01-14T19:38:08.507-05:00Death of an Icon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IujQlOpZmgtXqZKdc5go5USC1hwOyxpSnx0nJv9bOstbY7tlaavfXe2IpzBmMM0KvcYKfb-LzFNblPE0cTqfsXI82WaDdyhzWQlr4NRI7TtlJJtLpMJDfg0DOdZBFlPjAn_jIC654JA/s1600/box-brownie-camera.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IujQlOpZmgtXqZKdc5go5USC1hwOyxpSnx0nJv9bOstbY7tlaavfXe2IpzBmMM0KvcYKfb-LzFNblPE0cTqfsXI82WaDdyhzWQlr4NRI7TtlJJtLpMJDfg0DOdZBFlPjAn_jIC654JA/s200/box-brownie-camera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697651103689936578" border="0" /></a> For someone rooted in the last half of the 20th century it seems somewhat inconceivable to me that Kodak is on its deathbed. Over the last 50 years it was a part of my personal and at times my professional life. Somehow the company didn't get that the magic it introduced into our lives during the 20th century would be inexorably replaced by the digital wizardry that unfolded in the 21st.<br /><br />As a kid it was a milestone when you were allowed to take pictures. When I was given permission to get a roll of B&W film for my mom's old Brownie camera and take some shots I was on top of the world that afternoon. Friends were eager to mug for the camera, pets were coerced into poses, and before I knew it my 8 shots were done. And even the parental critique of my work ("Why did you take a picture of the sidewalk?") failed to dim the desire to get that next roll of film with my allowance. I was hooked on this new hobby.<br /><br />Soon I graduated to one of Kodak's best innovations, the Instamatic camera with the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVqoB2J7PUiuac0I5AUfmCP7kx37h2gNF2p0gC7pksj9Orv1MYbXx4svX_Z19-JHoM6f8I09hyphenhyphenNLmsaLC3oKGDNZZdaeDHd3Z_2HqRKS55N9TCFi3tQRT2qYbbx_IKpH5Lw1n5O2Tn4E/s1600/KodakInstamatic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVqoB2J7PUiuac0I5AUfmCP7kx37h2gNF2p0gC7pksj9Orv1MYbXx4svX_Z19-JHoM6f8I09hyphenhyphenNLmsaLC3oKGDNZZdaeDHd3Z_2HqRKS55N9TCFi3tQRT2qYbbx_IKpH5Lw1n5O2Tn4E/s200/KodakInstamatic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697651338736924994" border="0" /></a>revolutionary flash cube that could let you take four indoor shots in quick succession. That camera really epitomizes the genius of the company and its ability to remove the obstacles to anyone creating their own 'Kodak moments'. The film cartridge was idiot proof - it would only fit in the camera one way, and there were no worries as to whether you had engaged the film leader. Its fixed focus lens worked well, almost always giving you a picture in focus. The film advanced in such a way that you could not take a double exposure. The camera was a staple of prom night, Ocean City vacations, Christmas, and any other family occasion.<br /><br />I got my first 'real' camera, a used Minolta 35mm, for Christmas of 1967. That was the same year that I got my first 'real' telescope. The synergy of the two things ignited my desire to master film and soon ASA ratings, Wratten filters, f/ stops, and more entered my vocabulary. The small closet in the basement became a dark room where I'd work for hours to tease out the best details from my shots of the Moon, Jupiter, and star fields. A trip to the camera store ignited an excitement in the soul as I'd contemplate what roll of film or what developer to use for my next round of celestial photography. And through all my endeavors Kodak was my trusted partner.<br /><br />When I joined CareFirst's Document Management team I found Kodak was there as my partner as well, this time as the maker of high speed scanners that captured insurance claims for our workflow. The magic was still alive, creating a machine that could turn out in a split second a legible image of an insurance form which we could then electronically forward to the keyers. Even more importantly they were there as our workflow application vendor as Eastman. They gave us the tools to allow us to apply virtual post-it notes to a claim and forward it to someone for review.<br /><br />I guess in the end Kodak did not understand just how much the dawn of the digital age was causing the earth to shift beneath their feet. The company clearly had competency in digital imaging but must not have had the conviction that it was where the future lie. They certainly also had the ability be an innovator in content management, but others took the lead away from them. In the end they instead become the most recent poster child for what happens to you when you cannot adapt to change.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9tQjWPzaiqHkqIdh9uBO0LUMofHlMZFoHnDHavB2QBWQUXp51lRASSkoXqiffS5DKTByXR6Era30R3P0ZMgAAclygpL9bNcVz4v7g6uKduzU4j1HyEMBAyvgtXcfU7UUPjkdTSULWNk/s1600/kodak-large.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 90px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9tQjWPzaiqHkqIdh9uBO0LUMofHlMZFoHnDHavB2QBWQUXp51lRASSkoXqiffS5DKTByXR6Era30R3P0ZMgAAclygpL9bNcVz4v7g6uKduzU4j1HyEMBAyvgtXcfU7UUPjkdTSULWNk/s200/kodak-large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697650905343608098" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:.25in"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:.25in"> </p>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-11825072685302905952010-10-24T08:37:00.010-04:002010-10-30T09:31:31.733-04:00Cold Stone Stupid<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhienE9XAPGbmBUnPD5-RPSEnOXz4DikE_ijtRukLVx7Xm9VSIkv3S4lGcmVLQukd4y_cAmzYabZLZWu2Mwh3-lE7RvWdoiZd6Senc4Jdo-aQVerlL2yw09fsxkBY8Wn64imUdJc4YLG6k/s1600/IMG00118.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531590928112041682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhienE9XAPGbmBUnPD5-RPSEnOXz4DikE_ijtRukLVx7Xm9VSIkv3S4lGcmVLQukd4y_cAmzYabZLZWu2Mwh3-lE7RvWdoiZd6Senc4Jdo-aQVerlL2yw09fsxkBY8Wn64imUdJc4YLG6k/s200/IMG00118.jpg" border="0" /></a> So I get a call last evening from my son, "Dad, you have to check out this photo that I just sent you - it's classic." The photo was indeed a classic snapshot of our continued descent into illiteracy. There was a time when we expected a certain amount proofreading to be exercised before something went public, whether it be a newspaper article or a store sign. It reflected poorly on you if you made gross errors in spelling or grammar. No longer true - today there's no shame in being careless about the English language, nor any effort to correct one's mistakes.<br /><p></p>No, it's not that I secretly long to be an English teacher. I grew up in a time when students suffered through learning the difference between <em>affect</em> and <em>effect</em>, <em>imply</em> vs. <em>infer</em>, and understanding why it should have been <em>Winston tastes good <strong>as</strong> a cigarette should.</em> The purpose was to help keep us from embarrassing ourselves as we started our careers following graduation. What's happened?<br /><p></p>I guess part of it is Bill Gates' fault. We expect Word to find all our spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. The sign does make a sentence without spelling errors and conveys meaning (i.e., we do not reject $50 or $100 bills - the opposite of the author's intent). So Word blesses it and away we go to the Signs Tomorrow shop. There's no proofreading skill by the writer to see if the statement really conveys what they are trying to say.<br /><p></p>I think we also have to take some of the blame for not responding when we see the language being openly mugged. I'll bet that in today's PC world that very few - if any - customers have bothered to point out to the shop owner that the sign is fodder for Jay Leno.<br /><p></p>As we continue down this path I guess this is what our future looks like for communication... <p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiioMiKb2jxBvKpYJjwbLjX0roJEO5MYLpJdmSZuf35Lj3DrOzwvtisgcIjZUSCmz_7VSjx_h7dmLGypV5Lhn4tI00NziiCvKeEpTFMtFj6Pp5efiBaWUxff08qC7AlKoxwqRf17iSB9k/s1600/No50.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531603678198936850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiioMiKb2jxBvKpYJjwbLjX0roJEO5MYLpJdmSZuf35Lj3DrOzwvtisgcIjZUSCmz_7VSjx_h7dmLGypV5Lhn4tI00NziiCvKeEpTFMtFj6Pp5efiBaWUxff08qC7AlKoxwqRf17iSB9k/s200/No50.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-66658429920681684752010-05-06T03:46:00.003-04:002010-05-06T04:40:45.439-04:00You Think We're What?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgnGI2h44f2CRXOYr9RRKtlAlBJUSVB1jRdp28IKs_suvel-RY3MQ6yeuTzAuaqttMUmnSvhPGfiAnKPgyL4nD5mgb-Wz48ZmsQwKeXzQnPQ8Gy7ZXNEObe1ITTNiEhrv-KuM6L1WUl4/s1600/StoryOfUs.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468068495505868834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgnGI2h44f2CRXOYr9RRKtlAlBJUSVB1jRdp28IKs_suvel-RY3MQ6yeuTzAuaqttMUmnSvhPGfiAnKPgyL4nD5mgb-Wz48ZmsQwKeXzQnPQ8Gy7ZXNEObe1ITTNiEhrv-KuM6L1WUl4/s400/StoryOfUs.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The History channel has been airing a multi-installment special "America -The Story Of Us" this week, and I happened to catch last evening's episode "Westward". I was anticipating a piece about how the west was settled, the challenges that were faced and overcome. I would not expect a sanitized <em>Wagon Train</em> story, and boy did I not get it.<p></p>We got to meet the Donner Party, a cursed group of people heading west who are caught in a savage snowstorm and marooned in the mountains for 5 months. Husband ends up eating wife's dead body to survive - you know, classic Americana. We revisit the Trail of Tears where Andrew Jackson and Congress ordered the Indian nations onto reservations out west, one of our darker moments. We get a recap of slavery, complete with scenes of children being torn from their moms, since its spread into the west was a contentious issue as the frontier opened up. We visit the factories up North where women work in textile factories for $2 a week to support their families since dad's a drunk or invalid (with a cameo commentary by that great historian Martha Stewart). We overan Mexican territory and forcibly took it from them, we built the Erie canal with drunk Irishmen who blew themselves up since there was no OSHA around, and - well, you get the picture by now - a film Michael Moore would just adore. <p></p>While I'm all for an awareness of our low points since such examinations allow us to become a better society, I somehow have to believe that characterizing America's real history as that of a bunch of druken, slave-owning, racist, misogynist cannibals misses that balance one needs to have an effective, accurate story about us. </div>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-52042742584663539772010-04-17T08:13:00.006-04:002010-04-17T08:43:04.629-04:00Ambiguious Signs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklRwUb04TsHG2nxI8TDJ95ZdayIindQRBXzhQLwvnO1zYDrYtONyHSg6FmkAQMRFpPkPBLVkVJG57Nmd6w6BidvkMfApdgfNu2DC2yuKz2M4y8bzpt3tJszkAdz6DVu6EWTutpTnyZmY/s1600/ShowFlowers2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461080297736072002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 348px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklRwUb04TsHG2nxI8TDJ95ZdayIindQRBXzhQLwvnO1zYDrYtONyHSg6FmkAQMRFpPkPBLVkVJG57Nmd6w6BidvkMfApdgfNu2DC2yuKz2M4y8bzpt3tJszkAdz6DVu6EWTutpTnyZmY/s400/ShowFlowers2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#333333;">So I'm heading back from a wonderful evening of observing at Tuckahoe State Park, traveling along 404 to the Bay Bridge. I get within reading distance of the box truck in front of me and I'm given the following warning: <em>Caution! Show Flowers.</em> </span><p><span style="color:#333333;">So what exactly does one do with this piece of information? Is this admonishment issued so that I will keep additional distance between me and the showy flowers? Are the flowers at risk of dropping their splendid petals if they sense that I'm getting too close? </span><p><span style="color:#333333;"></span></p><span style="color:#333333;">Or perhaps we are talking about show as in <em>Little Shop of Horrors</em> show, and this is more of a disclaimer. Don't even think about trying to steal anything in this truck because you'll be lunch for our man-eating flowers. </span><p></p><span style="color:#333333;">This is somewhat like the "Caution - Show Dogs" or even the "Baby on Board!" stickers that you'll see on the back of a car. I've always kinda put those into the "My Child's an Honor Student" classification - the driver wants you to know about their special cargo of which they are very fond. If the intent of these rear end communications is a plea not to run into their vehicle then I have to wonder about the owner's grasp on reality. </span><p></p><span style="color:#333333;">Here's a suggestion to the box truck - put your logo and/or contact information on the back - that way you get some advertising out of the effort instead of puzzled looks. </span>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-49924842700720609142010-03-21T17:10:00.007-04:002010-03-21T17:22:24.741-04:00Across the Finish Line<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNv5BHPXQF5j8W1Ldc9VX4wwlov5AXZ3DK3cofNwG_VqfkxsksJoPpTxo1Rc_71EGEgcIxcFTeGqZZQBbDP30VGbB3XYD3uEgP-u1Jt9ISwEK9WqVkdUyuFjGqJt-sioHwD3dvJylQZs/s1600-h/DebMts.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNv5BHPXQF5j8W1Ldc9VX4wwlov5AXZ3DK3cofNwG_VqfkxsksJoPpTxo1Rc_71EGEgcIxcFTeGqZZQBbDP30VGbB3XYD3uEgP-u1Jt9ISwEK9WqVkdUyuFjGqJt-sioHwD3dvJylQZs/s200/DebMts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451199858066139138" /></a><br />Well it was a long haul but my wife finally did it - she passed her ANCC exam this morning to become an 'advanced practice registered nurse in adult psychiatric and mental health'! You have to admire someone who returns to school and gets their BSN and MSN to achieve the goal of opening their own practice - especially when you commit to that journey in your fifty's. I know that her ability to provide effective treatment honed from experience, training, and natural talent will make her a success. If you want to know more drop by the <a href="http://www.mybetterday.com">website</a> to learn more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and her office in Towson that will be open for business very soon!Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-87736026916556522302009-08-30T09:35:00.007-04:002009-08-30T13:24:26.674-04:00Actually I Do Care If I Ever Get Back<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zo06ZR3jqZceqeeONO3Ly7niGOeViETogsTgtNaWhXPny75XDSJDRpB6hCpwlv_OVyVs18KIoSD3b1_i_aKKyNQfTfnD8GU2jdJT06Zle_CCjlalgWWdC-2RSkPe3JDOLdU-yCx3PY0/s1600-h/LightRail.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zo06ZR3jqZceqeeONO3Ly7niGOeViETogsTgtNaWhXPny75XDSJDRpB6hCpwlv_OVyVs18KIoSD3b1_i_aKKyNQfTfnD8GU2jdJT06Zle_CCjlalgWWdC-2RSkPe3JDOLdU-yCx3PY0/s200/LightRail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375754060728999986" /></a><br /><i>Take me out to the ball game,<br />Take me out with the crowd.<br />Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,<br />I don't care if I never get back!</i><p></p><br />Last evening David took me to the Oriole's game against the Indians as my Father's Day gift. It was a great idea and I was looking forward to it since we don't go to many games (partly the cost of a game nowadays, partly the fact that they're 20+ games out). We decided that it made sense to use the Lutherville Park & Ride for the light rail to get us down and back. </p><br />As we approached the ticket kiosk David asked if I had anything smaller than a $20 - not from a desire to escape paying for the fare but more out of the desire not to be toting around 14 Sagawagea coins as change dispensed from the machine. He needn't have worried - I fed the machine a $5 bill and we got back $1.80 in nickles and dimes. I guess this is a prelude to slots coming to Maryland - get you accustomed to hear the <em>clink! clink! clunk!</em> sounds of coins hitting the tray.</p><br />When he originally said he'd come by to get me at 5:15 for a 7 p.m. game I thought "this is his mother's doing - allowing 3x as much time as needed to get someplace." Ahh, but I was wrong. We boarded the first southbound train only to be unceremoniously ejected at North Avenue (that was the end of the line for that train), where we waited another 30 minutes for another train to take us the remaining way to Camden Yards. But no harm, no foul - we were in our seats at 6:58 p.m. </p> The game was fun, even though the O's lost to the Indians and we had to suffer through ~90 minute rain delay. Like getting a bushell of steamed crabs there is something quintessential about taking in a ball game with friends or loved ones - the way that it's as much about the social aspects than the supposed objective of eating crabs or riveting on a game. We opted to leave at the top of the 9<sup>th</sup> and headed back to the light rail platform.<p></p><br />Once there we waited...and waited. Watched two trains pull up heading southbound, while we continued to peer down the track for the headlights of a northbound train. One inebriated gentleman proclaimed with certainty that there were no more northbound trains for the evening. But I figured that was improbable given that it was now after midnight, the game had ended, and we now had amassed about 70 people at the stop. Finally a train arrives - ominously displaying "North Avenue" as its destination. Assuming safety in numbers we figured we'd board it anyway, anticipating another wait for yet another train. <p></p><br />Sure enough, at North Avenue the driver tells everyone to get off. At this point Dave is having a severe case of <em>deja vu</em> since last Christmas he was stranded at this same stop at 2 a.m. in a business suit following their office party - despite assurances that the trains would be running. I run to the front of the train to ask the driver what the prospects of getting to the Lutherville Park & Ride are. You'd think he'd know the train schedule, or be able to call in to get, or in some way help resolve the fact that we have close to 100 people abandoned here. But you'd be wrong. You came here with your 5 year old grandson to catch a game? That's your problem grandpa - I'm off duty.<p></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0BE8tpTKOrU91uK1mOyZ8XoDp0dkUrjLBBQBhkTPxy13xtY9WUpcBDd1PuSIzXMI7SGmeOwc2xTyCU7-dhws06S0PH5GfNAQVPPb52QWc1ncgDrwnOgdmLzVJdse-h3GIw5mZGJLsWc/s1600-h/IMG00016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0BE8tpTKOrU91uK1mOyZ8XoDp0dkUrjLBBQBhkTPxy13xtY9WUpcBDd1PuSIzXMI7SGmeOwc2xTyCU7-dhws06S0PH5GfNAQVPPb52QWc1ncgDrwnOgdmLzVJdse-h3GIw5mZGJLsWc/s400/IMG00016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375770364084891554" /></a><br />At this point a couple of officers appear on the scene - not sure whether it was in response to a distraught parent calling for assistance or just serendipidy. I guess they knew whom to call to deal with this as they soon announced that yes indeed, they had been able to summon a train to take us nothward - it just might take a while. Well dear reader, to cut to the chase on this odyssey, I finally arrived back home at 1:30 a.m., some two hours after leaving our stadium seats to begin the trek back home.<p></p><br />And just imagine - national health care being handled by the same sort of folks who provided this experience.Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-16119657934222944052008-11-21T16:54:00.005-05:002008-11-21T17:17:22.571-05:00Learning LINQ<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9_x0_VhNhC38WcEZ1f_A_XNvug3IQ94j-dScVPhFFp3mTw3Xeez-yaSTOdKP_ZGf_FQF34N4VVX6cdqchM4LhkFi4i_6sCWM4PysmGE6KSkjvYLtu-HPgw5gcqIfTQ3uqGa4T7vAfXM/s1600-h/Linq2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271232511620025298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 112px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9_x0_VhNhC38WcEZ1f_A_XNvug3IQ94j-dScVPhFFp3mTw3Xeez-yaSTOdKP_ZGf_FQF34N4VVX6cdqchM4LhkFi4i_6sCWM4PysmGE6KSkjvYLtu-HPgw5gcqIfTQ3uqGa4T7vAfXM/s200/Linq2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Well last evening was the season opener of <a href="http://www.cmap-online.org/">CMAP</a>'s "Hands On" group, a session designed to take an interesting IT Development topic and explore it as a group. <a href="http://www.dotnetjunkies.com/WebLog/csteen/default.aspx">Christopher Steen</a> is heading up the effort and had located some exercises designed to acquaint us with LINQ, and we had a pretty good turnout down at TEK Systems by BWI airport. <p></p>LINQ, which stands for Language Integrated Query, is one of those technologies that at first you may tend to place on the "down the road" list since it requires the .NET 3.5 framework and (I believe) C# 3.0 at a minimum. And for a lot of developers we are just now getting that platform go ahead from our workplaces. However, after last evening's review I am definitely looking to take this off of my roundtuit list and adding it to the ASAP list! A big plus is the ease with which it allows you to work with your objects, lists, and XML documents in addition to database objects. It allows you to retrieve the data in many ways, readily applying filters and sorting. It simply is one of those technologies that comes along and you get a nerd high because it's so cool! <p></p>And if that were not enough there is also a great (free!) tool to help demonstrate LINQ examples. <a href="http://www.linqpad.net/">LINQPad</a> by Joseph Albahari is a compact utility that allows you to explore (and execute) sample LINQ syntax against his sample database or one of your own choosing. And what better way to learn a new language syntax than by examples? <p></p>If the next Hands On meeting is anything like this it's not going to be long before it'll be SRO at these gatherings!Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-48833296097240653902008-11-15T23:34:00.004-05:002008-11-15T23:57:07.049-05:00Dude! You're gettin' a Dud!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Sc0YqbtA2rr7pfwIW8FZ4Oa51myOLuQ0MoPPiIndWr97Bt4WzeAmabneJnk_hOdt6iNap8YtWXrvdoeiBdPd8GFD1dvN2N2j3qtNLLJKqtMzSyLjP0dzdwjWHehk0PJ149FC9ibKjNk/s1600-h/Dude.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269109792127861586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Sc0YqbtA2rr7pfwIW8FZ4Oa51myOLuQ0MoPPiIndWr97Bt4WzeAmabneJnk_hOdt6iNap8YtWXrvdoeiBdPd8GFD1dvN2N2j3qtNLLJKqtMzSyLjP0dzdwjWHehk0PJ149FC9ibKjNk/s200/Dude.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ever wonder where the "Dell Dude" went? I suspect he's on the factory assembly line as evidenced by my sister & brother-in-law's recent experience with Dell. <p></p><div>Flashback to March of this year. My nephew orders a new Dell laptop for his mom and dad, knowing the convenience that a laptop and wireless connection can afford. I happened to be there when it arrived and so, being the family "tech" guy, offered to help get things up and running. One small problem though - it was dead as a doornail right out of the box. </div><p></p><div>Should'a taken that as a bad sign right there. But being the optimists and having a reasonably good experience in contacting them (not a lot of waiting or run around) the decision was made to ship it back for a replacement.</div><p></p><div>Fast-forward to October. The Dell goes dead again, refusing to boot up. Calls ensue and a local technician comes by to render a verdict that it's a goner - the motherboard is kaput. At this point my brother-in-law contacts Dell looking for a replacement - as in a new laptop. And considering it didn't quite go six months I think he's got a pretty strong argument - after all he's now faced with the aggravation of having lost whatever content was on the laptop plus being without one again for a period of time. However, Dell felt that things would be just fine with a <em>refurbished</em> laptop and proceeded to quote chapter and verse from their fine print. </div><p></p><div>You know, if you're thinking of buying a Dell as a holiday gift I'd suggest that instead of contacting the company simply go online to one of the "dented and scratched" retailers and pick one up there. At least that way you'll end up with a refurbished computer that you didn't pay full retail price for...</div>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-32248235269670764652008-11-10T21:20:00.005-05:002008-11-10T21:38:51.252-05:00Cleaning the Studio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ5ti0k24A6yTixwc5cWrMuwGC795Jvcvcn8DuzBY9aCn3WJDrzcXIBBOT4SYh1WfTAhsBp-yAZ_gddRE0DCS2bpnaWW5k_132tGEFaVj89YokDpoSE122-do8L2oBNNtOQ3LWtemjno/s1600-h/MRU.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267219346657060722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ5ti0k24A6yTixwc5cWrMuwGC795Jvcvcn8DuzBY9aCn3WJDrzcXIBBOT4SYh1WfTAhsBp-yAZ_gddRE0DCS2bpnaWW5k_132tGEFaVj89YokDpoSE122-do8L2oBNNtOQ3LWtemjno/s320/MRU.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you use Visual Studio you know the "Start" page has a listing of your most recently accessed projects/solutions. While it's not a major issue I find at times that I'd like to remove some of these items. For example, if I've been creating some scratch type projects to try out some ideas, or if I created a solution and added in several existing projects as part of the solution, then you end up with a ton of clutter making the MRU list a little less effective. <p></p>While it's possible to manipulate the registry to adjust what appears in the list, there is a <a href="http://www.csharper.net/blog/project_mru_cleaner_addin___new_for_visual_studio_2005.aspx">sweet piece of free code</a> by Bobby DeRosa that is an add-in to VS 2005/2008 that makes this a breeze. You get a "Clear Recent Projects" item from the File menu in VS, which provides a simple interface listing the MRU objects with checkboxes adjacent to them. You simply check the ones you want remove and click the Clear button and - viola! - your list now contains only what you want!Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-37941494338290506572008-10-08T20:23:00.004-04:002008-10-08T20:48:58.482-04:00Some Sacrifices<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vntkg8Xq5BAzwI8tafZMqH7T5BwkTXE3x3h4Li2fEHR6uc3yQAblvChRjzVERkzIdEhqqbqmMdhqTlP4CKlZUGBniR6e7MKdlEtPd1haY8MguVOcyOLWUhKhdOwOq6KlRvFQcNf1Rz0/s1600-h/debaters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254944223919405458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 241px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" height="155" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vntkg8Xq5BAzwI8tafZMqH7T5BwkTXE3x3h4Li2fEHR6uc3yQAblvChRjzVERkzIdEhqqbqmMdhqTlP4CKlZUGBniR6e7MKdlEtPd1haY8MguVOcyOLWUhKhdOwOq6KlRvFQcNf1Rz0/s320/debaters.jpg" width="210" border="0" /></a> So did you see the second debate last evening? Were you able to lip-synch the responses almost as well as being at a showing of <em>Rocky Horror</em>? But had less fun?<br /><br />The questions were from the audience and Internet, and one in particular caught my attention. In essence it was along the lines of what sort of sacrifices do you think will be necessary from the American people given our current economic crisis. We got well scripted responses from both candidates, but I think there was a missed opportunity to really speak directly and honestly about some changes in behavior that we have to make. Like...<br /><ul><li>You'll need to start saving and stop living on credit. That means working on getting comfortable with delayed gratification. </li><p></p><li>You'll need to take education seriously. If you're a student you'll need to study; if you're a parent you'll need to be involved, not autopilot; and if you're a teacher you're going to need to be comfortable with competiton. </li><p></p><li>You'll need to start being a wise consumer of health care services and taking care of yourself. </li><p></p><li>If you don't speak English you need to learn</li><p></p><li>And most of all, you have to start to demand more of your elected representatives - civility, statesmanship, and integrity</li></ul>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-47279547121773011762008-09-16T19:58:00.005-04:002008-09-16T20:16:53.211-04:00Silverlight Persistence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT1ZVl7yD8J_HPJ7VLRzlkqnr5D3JBkhQDZQYo_Qm-LfDMwRYI-x27Ahpd1HOZjriBL-eYxqkV7jB1_eX-bliavFxrkK5fUmJ8o0azVl0XtlN2FrLmabZFd_Idj8aaHkIOUSR-6si0To/s1600-h/microsoft_silverlight_c.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246773614347176050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" height="241" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT1ZVl7yD8J_HPJ7VLRzlkqnr5D3JBkhQDZQYo_Qm-LfDMwRYI-x27Ahpd1HOZjriBL-eYxqkV7jB1_eX-bliavFxrkK5fUmJ8o0azVl0XtlN2FrLmabZFd_Idj8aaHkIOUSR-6si0To/s400/microsoft_silverlight_c.jpg" width="148" border="0" /></a> No, this post isn't about creating objects and saving their state. What I'm curious about is whether anyone else is tired of swatting down that ubiquitous MS pop-up letting you know that you can download Silverlight. I know, I know - if having to dismiss that little pop-up a couple of times a day is my worse problem then I've truly had a great day.<br /><br />It's just that they're getting as annoying as Verizon FIOS sales pitches - every time I turn around I get this solicitation. Maybe I don't want it because I'm on my company laptop and it's against policy to download untested software (even from MicroSoft). Maybe my hard drive is already bloated with .NET versions 1, 1.1, 2.0, and 3.5 and I don't want to chew up the disk space. Whatever my rational please accept it - stop the "push" delivery method.<br /><br />Com'on MS - if I want Silverlight I know where to download it!Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-25998317020159600522008-09-06T19:44:00.005-04:002008-09-16T20:17:57.689-04:00Weight Watchers Alabama Style<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243063120768357522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" height="305" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6lvIrgIpgWOsc_9zEHe1owgJRYgWJ3H0AYMh-W_T88NDoT2m7rTbcAA4JYn7vEbCMhkZ3OIVJJ7ZnRY90iYONcEmb2GsXLrj1Q-w6cdA79t04Z3uXV9IFaD7_uy_AGj7vDAG1DtCoZ8/s400/Scale.gif" width="299" border="0" />Have you heard about <a href="http://www.hrreporter.com/loginarea/members/viewing.asp?ArticleNo=6303">this</a>? The state of Alabama has decided that in 2010 all of its employees will have to pay an additional $600 per year towards their healthcare premiums. Well, actually, it's only their <em>fat</em> employees that will have to cough up the money. That's right - they'll apparently be having a good ol' fashion Weight Watchers style weigh in right there at the state office building to make sure your <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_BMI/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.htm">BMI</a> is acceptable. Nothing like a little financial incentive coupled with public embarrassment to get folks to drop those pounds.<br /><br />If you don't know me I'll say in the interest of full disclosure that I'm not svelte. I've battled weight all my life and have found my greatest successes at Weight Watchers. Yet it's not empathy for these state workers that angers me about this new policy but rather the clear path that we're going to head down under the pretense of controlling health care costs. Once again we're on a slippery slope here. How about $750 annually if you smoke (we can draw blood to check up on you)? Maybe a grand if you have to be treated for a venereal disease since that implies you have unprotected sex (we'll just throw up some curtains around that scale).<br /><br />The intent of motivating people to adopt a healthy life style is laudable but misguided in this instance. You do not need (want) a government entity trying to enforce this. It seems to me that what we really need is to put the patient back in charge of their healthcare. Insurance has insulated patients from the need to be good consumers, and that is a bad thing. Rather than the government or business trying to formulate financial penalties for imprudent behavior it seems that somehow we have to return to patients being consumers and reaping the benefits (or detriments) of their decisions.Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-57018084100410829042008-06-20T22:22:00.005-04:002008-06-20T22:52:47.093-04:00A Wet Mars<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 432px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="137" alt="" src="http://www.tomney.com/Images/MeltingIce.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>The NASA scientists working with the <a href="http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/">Phoenix lander</a> have made a significant announcement today in confirming that ice is just under the surface at Mars' polar regions. The photo above shows a white area that is clearly changing over four days. Another section of the photo shows several pebbles disappearing - a sign interpreted as melting ice.</p><p>This is exciting for a couple of reasons. First is that it raises the prospects of finding life on Mars. Not the Hollywood LGM but something on a microscopic level seems more plausible now that we have found water (especially considering how quickly and pervasive it appears to be at the Phoenix touchdown site).</p><p>Second, it improves the odds of eventually having human explorers there. If water is present then an expedition team can use that as a resource (it is a big benefit not having to take water with you). It sparks the imagination of what humanity might achieve later in this century towards creating an outpost.</p><p>Of course it's a big question whether the U.S. will be spearheading any such effort. China at this point seems far more focused on accessing space and potentially controlling it, as well as having the financial resources to fund it. But no matter who arrives there one thing is for sure - this discovery will serve as a significant cornerstone on that day.</p><p> </p>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-6483706776255863912008-06-18T21:29:00.002-04:002008-06-18T22:02:43.305-04:00Be Careful What You Wish For<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC7VKwXAVXPXk4oseyPnEJ5vEf4FK71x1hzoW9LDsBcGFjwlTK2VnlIrQDfl6r6AP3IYZ9y34V8LYxBsGqn1jIr4Os02eMO9VJnPkGo8fM2bcU2PExjyTyMMJkQOLOpJHFgLXaSfOLrE/s1600-h/Healthcare.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213399104496008034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC7VKwXAVXPXk4oseyPnEJ5vEf4FK71x1hzoW9LDsBcGFjwlTK2VnlIrQDfl6r6AP3IYZ9y34V8LYxBsGqn1jIr4Os02eMO9VJnPkGo8fM2bcU2PExjyTyMMJkQOLOpJHFgLXaSfOLrE/s200/Healthcare.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's a pretty fair statement to say that I've had an above average familiarity with American healthcare. Worked my way through school as a pulmonary technician at a local hospital, 20+ years a dentist, abstracting hospital charts for HICFA, working for BC/BS of Maryland (CareFirst), helping to create electronic document management for another major mid-Atlantic insurer, and not least being married to Deb whose been a nurse for 20+ years. I'm no expert by any means but I certainly have some experience compared to the average person. <p></p>Like just about everyone else I'm quite concerned about our American healthcare system. It is indeed suffering, but the simplistic rhetoric that I'm hearing in this election year is even more troublesome. This is a complex problem that will require reform in many arenas if there is to be any hope in not only maintaining the best health care delivery system but also improving it. Rather than creating the mother of all blog posts I'm going to try to create a series of posts, each addressing some facet of the solution or potential pitfall. <p></p>My first comment is one of great caution allowing government, especially at a federal level, to assume the role of gatekeeper. History shows us that we should expect a system that is bureaucratic and authoritarian - two attributes you do not want when you're seeking medical treatment. Many folks rail that we are backwards because we do not have a system of National Healthcare such as England. Yet look at what we see being <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article3137669.ece">reported</a> from across the pond - cancer patients threatened with treatment termination should they attempt to acquire an additional anti-cancer drug which they're willing to pay for on their own. It is a classic and expected outcome of a bureaucracy attempting to apply rules. We'd fare no better - and in fact, we already do <a href="http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/practicemgt/mcareoptions.html">similar enforcement</a> in Medicare where a physician and patient may not engage in any private contract or else the doctor will be barred from participating in Medicare for two years as a penalty. <p></p>So, tenet #1: Keep the gatekeeper keys to your medical care out of the hands of the governmentJim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-72958092449343823702008-06-13T16:35:00.009-04:002008-06-13T19:15:21.423-04:00Adieu VJC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Y0TAp6GNR01kbl53oUP_KB7pPe4DmLn2xQVlVSroMDlwZSLxNBTlnC5tlCB2TgSj9PrS2papKiwTZTEbaRoeZsEwym2HkssyZx8ydS2tMoyuNHTtRffgh1tFbGSAwNeXHGertl9Ham4/s1600-h/mustang.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211472553856137426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Y0TAp6GNR01kbl53oUP_KB7pPe4DmLn2xQVlVSroMDlwZSLxNBTlnC5tlCB2TgSj9PrS2papKiwTZTEbaRoeZsEwym2HkssyZx8ydS2tMoyuNHTtRffgh1tFbGSAwNeXHGertl9Ham4/s200/mustang.gif" border="0" /></a> We've been waiting, hoping against hope that they'd change their minds, but now they've gone and done it. This week Villa Julie College became a university and with it <a href="http://www.examiner.com/a-1439271~Villa_Julie_to_be_called_Stevenson_University.html">abandoned their name</a> in favor of the insipid "Stevenson University". <p></p>"We" is my family - which includes three VJC students/alumni - as well as lots of other students, alumni, and parents. We supported the institution obtaining university status, but this goofy idea that somehow the name was hurting them because it was feminine - what a bunch of nonsense! If ever there was a solution in search of a problem dreamt up by some high-priced consultants justifying their services, this is it! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what attracts students to enroll at a college. Do you offer a degree in what interests me? Do you have a solid academic program that will enable me to succeed upon graduation or in my graduate studies? Are the facilities modern? And yes, how's the campus social life? The <em>name</em> of the place is pretty far down the list. <p></p>Villa Julie had steadily risen in recognition over the last decade, focusing on a solid education in a small setting with faculty that really cared about their students. The <em>US News & World Report</em> <a href="http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1ccbach_n_brief.php">rankings</a> had them 13th for Northern schools offering a baccalaureate. Other <a href="http://www.studentsreview.com/MD/Villa_Julie_College.html">online ratings</a> showed an above average opinion of the school. Reputation of graduates in the business community was also increasing thanks to the adherence to a mission statement embodied by their "design your career" motto. And they certainly did not have a problem attracting applicants.<p></p>But that's all history now. My diploma, my alumni vanity license plates, my alumni' decal, my VJC tumblers, etc., etc., - all are rendered quaint anachronisms thanks to president Manning. Time will tell just where the university is going in this rush to become something else. The only thing I can do is shake my head and wonder why the school was so uncomfortable in its own skin, while at the same time so many of us who attended it grew to love it and were immensely proud of it- feminine name and all.Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-80022924889046105172008-06-07T20:34:00.007-04:002008-06-07T21:02:47.895-04:00Pay to Play<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLWRw7Ap7mBf4md9EzYvB5KUHD_NQY7lN1ssdJ5RbbZvs7-JbwVsWN5s5RKeo2e-RJxj58e7w8F5bene-DvhmMpfiHgTz7YZitxC5txqAMPLbjLcgCH5O27SHCag0lxtppUIn8mG5gDg/s1600-h/MLB.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209303550735660082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLWRw7Ap7mBf4md9EzYvB5KUHD_NQY7lN1ssdJ5RbbZvs7-JbwVsWN5s5RKeo2e-RJxj58e7w8F5bene-DvhmMpfiHgTz7YZitxC5txqAMPLbjLcgCH5O27SHCag0lxtppUIn8mG5gDg/s200/MLB.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Last week I caught a story about Chicago Little League running afoul of Major League Baseball for using the team names/logos for their kids. The story implied that MLB would only allow them to use the copyrighted material with appropriate fees. At first this makes me angry - for crying out loud, these young boys (and girls) will grow up to fill those stands that help pay those obscene player salaries. How can you possibly be so greedy (and short-sighted) to do this? </div><p></p><div>But then I read a little bit more - specifically an <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/365163_voices30.html">article</a> by Jim Litke. While it still seems pretty crass I have to admit that the real villain here is probably more the uniform supplier which is trying to skate by the licensing fees for using the MLB logos. You really can not blame the league for protecting their copyright, even if it is being used for a good cause. And as Litke points out in his article, the league does support youth baseball to the tune of 30 million dollars a year. </div><p></p><div>Despite that logical reasoning it still feels ugly in your gut - sorta like when Disney sues a day-care mom for having painted Mickey Mouse in the play room without paying royalties. Yeah, they're right - but it somehow seems awfully petty.</div>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482937970900811351.post-68155552675137236722008-05-24T19:39:00.004-04:002008-05-24T20:14:33.826-04:00Ernistine's Revenge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVIO8L4mHyf5lTXdJCtdj-w670TQ4a7u7POj8RABGYuvkeKDVwBQogEggy9y61EwCWmsGP6NyHEtA_BrCHqPuHhX7ZHHZC1aguk-hTsdJdrEsotKrAzVCHuXqJC_dMF0ilvNB0nOTyW0/s1600-h/ernestine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204094724006561218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVIO8L4mHyf5lTXdJCtdj-w670TQ4a7u7POj8RABGYuvkeKDVwBQogEggy9y61EwCWmsGP6NyHEtA_BrCHqPuHhX7ZHHZC1aguk-hTsdJdrEsotKrAzVCHuXqJC_dMF0ilvNB0nOTyW0/s200/ernestine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>If you're more of a baby boomer than a Gen XYZ you may remember the lady pictured here - "Ernestine the Operator" played by Lily Tomlin. Her short skits lampooning the monopolistic phone company of the 1970's were hilarious - in part because they resonated with viewers who had been frustrated getting decent customer service. With the breakup of ATT Ernestine got a pink slip as - theoretically - competition among the baby Bells would deliver an attitude adjustment towards customers if they had a choice.<br /><br />But I'm beginning to think that Ernestine is alive and well at ATT/Cingular, and is just having a blast dissing all the cell phone customers. Case in point - about four months ago Deb's phone went on the fritz so she went in and picked out a new one. There was, as usual, a rebate that you could have if you extended the contract. And the representative actually cut out the barcode, filled out the form, and dropped it into an envelope for us to mail. So imagine our surprise in about four weeks when we get a note saying that they're sorry but no rebate because there was no barcode enclosed. How do you prove it was in there? Guess next time we need to photocopy it before sending it off.<br /><br />Then the bills start coming. Aren't cell bills fun? It is positively painful to try to assess one for why your bill has jumped by $20, especially if you have 3 phones on the account like we do. After wading through comparisons I finally figured out that they had increased the "family plan" base rate - a facet of extending our contract that the saleswoman conveniently omitted. But then looking further there's also a "multi-media" charge for this new phone - again, a feature not asked for (Deb is not about to be sending & receiving pictures with her friends). So Monday I'll be at the ATT store dealing with the latest incarnation of Ernestine. I'd switch companies but somehow it always seems that right as we're near the end of the contract somebody's phone gives out - and besides, would it really be any better over at Verizon? Nahhh....</div>Jim Tomneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254497106766786348noreply@blogger.com0