RIP Dad

Richard E Tomac, aka Pop aka Dad, passed away Friday, July 7th, 2017. 

So, so, conflicted as to how I feel. Very sad that he is gone, but relieved that he is no longer suffering. 

Cancer really really sucks.

I am so glad I am a file hoarder

I updated Samsung Magician from 4.5 to 5.1, software for my SSD. Ever since then, I keep get "WMI is Disabled. Enable Y/N".  I went to the Samsung site, only to find they don't archive older versions, even though there was a link to version 4.9. All it did was lead to their home page, not a download.

Clicked on "Everything" and searched for Samsung Magician on my computer.  Woo hoo! I had saved the 4.5 zip file.  Uninstalled 5.1, reinstalled 4.5 and ta da! No more WMI error.

Sometimes I wonder why I bother

I fixed our running toilet. Took photos of the valve assembly, got the right washers. No more running toilet.

Have really figured out ways to save water, like when filling dishpan, letting the cold water go into percolator, instead of letting it just run until it gets hot, using a bucket of water used to clean the bird feeders then pouring the bucket of water in the potted trees, etc etc.

And even with 1/5 less water usage since last month, the friggin' bill is higher this month because the the &#%$@# Water Corporation raised their $#%@%$# rates again!

I just read one of the vilest blog posts

And I am not going to give that freak any more web traffic by linking to it.  HOWEVER, I will quote and synopsize her post.

For all intents and purposes, this freak wants to make a saint out of a woman, who in a fit of bigotry, murdered her own two daughters for NOT being bigots like their mother.  This is a female "American Taliban", who is following NO version of the New Testament ever printed, but is following some bastard sect.  

Friends, I invite you to ponder the image above.  The beautiful woman is Christy Sheats.  The Texas wife and mother who is being vilified in the media for shooting and killing her teenage daughters.  It makes for a great headline in mainstream media but what goes unsaid is even more powerful.

A devout Republican and gun rights advocate, she no doubt discovered that both of her daughters had been promiscuous and were sleeping with black boys and she took it upon herself to put an end to that cycle.  She was brave enough to stand up and say ENOUGH!  Not in MY house! And she should be lauded.

Race mixing is not only an ungodly thing, it causes such confusion and humiliation.  Not only for the children born of this sin, but for the grandparents who would have to carry this burden. Mrs. Sheats was the picture of elegance and I know she would not want to have to explain to her friends why she was carrying around a yellow mixed baby that her promiscuous daughters had created.

Rather than be forced into this life of depravity and sin, she chose to go down grasping her weapon in the name of God.  As far as I am concerned, she is a martyr for Christ.

     “It would be horribly tragic if my ability to protect myself or my family were to be taken away, but that’s exactly what Democrats are determined to do by banning semi-automatic handguns,” she wrote in March, along with an anti-gun control video.
She was just your typical wife and mother, doing everything she could to protect her children from the promiscuous and sinful life that they had become sucked into.

Before we slander her name or make her out to be a villain, I think we should take a moment of silence and appreciate her bravery and her devout Will to die for Christ.

A martyr indeed, my friends.  And Glory be to God, as always for HE is in control.

Yes, full on American Taliban.  She is a symptom of one of the problems in the U.S. today.

How stupid is Amazon shipping policies?

I get an email from them, so they know I'm on Australia. The fact that my account says I am in Australia, and my email address ends in AU, and my default shipping address is Australia seems to be something they're missing.

Back to the email. I get email notice that I can get a new Kindle Paperwhite for $30 off.  Ok, since my kindle is getting old, and I have noticed it needs charging more often, it's either get a new battery for it, or a new one, I think "Sure, sounds good to me."

So, I go to Amazon, order one, and case to keep the screen safe.  Add it to shopping cart, go to check out.. and get hit with "DOES NOT SHIP TO AUSTRALIA".

Really?  REALLY?

So, having it sent to drop address and to sent to me.

No changes for the better

Called my mother.  Step-father is still hanging in there.  This really isn't what you can call a good thing, as there is no chance of recovery here. Do NOT give me any malarkey about miracles.  They have jokingly saying he's waiting for the 4th of July.  He's always loved fireworks.

No matter how much you know what's coming, there is no easy way to handle it, is there?  I'm still having trouble processing it, as he was always such a strong force of nature.  Seemed unstoppable. 

Of all things, I am glad I mended fences years ago.  As heartbreaking as what our family is going through now, regret would have just eaten away at me had I not just let go of anger and hurt, and just moved on.

Cancer still fucking sucks.

A variation of the 'bait and switch'

There are people out there doing something called 'bitcoin mining'. They have found some sort of way to use specific graphics cards to make this easier.

Because of them, just about all computer stores that have these cards have deliberately jacked up the prices of what the have in stock to increase their profits.  I'm not saying higher prices on new stock because the manufacturers/suppliers are pushing up their prices, but on already in house stock.

I had one company try that bullshit with me.

The card was, with shipping and 3% PayPal surchage, $311.  They had 5 in stock. Order one, and when I checked back, their counter said 4 in stock, meaning I had successfully purchased one.

I get email this morning from the store. "Unfortunately, the cards you are after are not currently in stock and there is a major shortage Aust wide as everyone is after these cards for bit coin mining. We expect a shipment in this morning"

Anyone surprised that they're charging $90 more? 

I have said it before, and I will say it again... next time you try to screw me, kiss me first.

Found the same card on ebay for $30 less than what they were charging, NO paypal surcharge, AND free shipping