Joe,
They all rely too much on what the machine says. Math isn't really
taught any longer. At least not in the old style we grew up with JM>add/subtract/multiply/divide. Simple stuff really. (Though my division JM>isn't that great). They use calculators for the least little thing. (I JM>have to admit I use it when balancing my cheque book). (Aside: I worked JM>with a guy one time who would have a long list of figures. He first ran JM>it through the adding machine then in his head. I once asked why and he JM>replied to make sure the machine was right. <g>)
My late father could do so much in his head, and the way he entered
figures with this "comptometer" was lightning fast. He was
comptroller/office manager) for Swift And Company (a meat packing firm)...originally in Miami, Florida...then, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Both, and I think the brand name are long gone now.
I do pretty good with my math tables...but I am reminded of things
from Abbott and Costello:
A) Do you have two tens for a five??
B) 13x7=28 -- 3x7=21, and 1x7=7...so 21+7=28. They did it both with
addition and multiplication...their version of "the new math".
Or like Sally Brown, Charlie Brown's sister, who was taking a course
in school called "Introduction To Math". When her brother asked her if
it was difficult, she said "Not at all. I just walked in, and said 'How
do you do, Math??'"!! <G>
Charles Schulz was one of a kind...I'm glad he retired the strip,
ironically on the day he died. There'll never be another comic strip
like Peanuts.
Back to math...likewise, I also use the smartphone calculator when
balancing the checkbook...although most people think that means putting
the checkbook in one hand, and a penny in the other. <G>
That's good about the guy "wanting to make sure the machine was
right". :)
True in most places. And the block rate is generally what it would
normally be anyway. Maybe a little less.
It's like the stores advertising a sale, or on Senior Day. In the
latter case, you think you're getting maybe a 5% discount, but you're
really not. I have to wonder if they change the prices before the store
opens, then change them again after closing time.
Today, I went to Wal-Mart, because even though I have a Kroger Card:
1) They sold a 4 pack of reading glasses, something Kroger doesn't sell
($12). I have to have those when reading the smartphone, forms, or
working at the computer (and reading BBS mail). I was out of them, and
the usual reason is that one of the arms breaks on it.
2) Their flavored water was 40 cents a bottle cheaper than Kroger. That
is my beverage of choice...favorite flavors include, strawberry, peach,
black cherry, and white grape. Speaking of peach, Chick-Fil-A has a
peach milk shake that is to die for...but it's only on sale during the
summer. It reminds me of the old Nehi Peach Soda from years ago.
3) Their Great Value (bread) was $1.50 cheaper than the lowest cost loaf
at Kroger.
4) The packets of lunch meat were slightly less each than Kroger (gluten
free, and only 90 calories, so no leftovers).
5) Their mustard was a brand name, but still under $2.
Except for the lunch meat, and the reading glasses, I got everything
else for under $1...for around $56 total. Plus, for the first time, I
was able to complete their survey (I've never had trouble with doing the
one for Kroger to get fuel points). Now, they can make the visit
complete by giving me a $1000 gift card...so, I can properly fill up the refrigerator/freezer. <G>
I've lost 50 pounds since August, basically eating only 1 meal a day,
and it's rare I get to 500 calories a day. Now, that's way below the
daily recommended (I think it's 2000 calories), but I just don't have
the appetite anymore. The only time I eat breakfast is if I'm going to
do a ham radio license exam in the morning. My big meal is lunch, then
if I don't have snacks, I normally don't eat again...never mind being a
bad Sysop going to bed without supper. :P
Now, just as I typed that, my stomach is wanting a refill. So, it's
back to the icebox for some more lunch meat sandwiches. It's quick and
easy, as I don't like to wait for my food.
At one time Diner's and AE where the only national credit cards,
accepted "everywhere". Diners was geared more for restaurants and AE was JM>general (hotels, gas, food, clothing, etc). Many local/regional JM>department stores, etc had their own credit card good only with that JM>business. The only national card that comes to my mind was Sears. Then JM>of course you had smaller places where one charged and were sent a bill JM>each month, such as corner grocery stores, etc.
Interesting. I remember Karl Malden advertising the American Express Travelers Cheques, and "Don't Leave Home Without Them". I don't think
ANY travelers cheques exist now...you have to get a money order, either
from your bank, the Post Office, or a Wal-Mart or Kroger Customer
Service Center, or maybe from Western Union. But, while the telegraph
doesn't exist anymore, ham radio operators still use Morse Code.
The funniest example on that was where four ol' boys are sitting
around a restaurant table in Annapolis, Maryland...telling each other
dirty jokes in CW (Continuous Wave, another name for Morse Code). This
drop dead gorgeous, curvaceous female, walked up to them, and admonished
them "You boys better watch your language. I teach CW at the Naval
Academy across the street!!", and walked out. They were as red as
tomatoes!! <G>
I don't know about Diner's but AE had no limit, and no interest, but
it had to be paid in full each month. I don't recall how they made their JM>money. I never made enough to have one. One had to be above a certain JM>income level.
That definitely would've left me out. In all my jobs over the
years, I never got to $10 an hour.
That is quite common with delivery people and other personal
services (i.e, UBER, LYFT, etc). The catch there is the individual
is charged tax on that tip. I never use that, I just slip them a
few bucks.
Or like the joke that around tax time, this hunter, instead of sending
the IRS money...sends them deer. He figures "they could use a couple of
bucks". <G> I don't care for deer meat...especially if you hit one with
your vehicle...not the way to get venizen!! :P
When I drove a cab my tips were never reported. If asked we drivers
just said none were received, lying though out collective teeth. :)
I can't blame you. When I worked for a Mexican Restaurant, called Casa Bonita, the tips were gathered up, and divided equally between the
employees. So, one who busted their butt trying to give good service,
got the same amount as one who dragged their butt. :P
Originally, they had locations in Denver, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and
Little Rock. From what I understand, only the Denver location is left. I
loved their sopapillas, but picked the few American dishes that they
had. I can eat Mexican stuff, but ONLY if it's MILD.
Pizza Hut here had that for the longest time, but discontinued it a
couple of years ago. I miss those...
I get them confused between Pizza Hut and Pizza Inn. Then, along came Dominoes, Little Caesar's, Papa John's, etc. I love pizza, pasta,
etc., but the Italian food gives my acid reflux fits. If I go to The
Olive Garden, I do it infrequently. The food is good (I love their breadsticks), but their prices are high, and the tomato sauce and spices
give me severe acid reflux. I will admit that they play music from the
big band and swing era, which is relaxing as you dine.
I always hate when they come by when I have a mouth full of food and
can't answer, just nod or point to whatever more was needed. :)
At the Casa Bonita, there was a little "flag" at the table. If you
needed something, you just raised the flag, and whichever employee was
passing by, would stop, and ask what you needed. That saved them from
asking if you needed anything.
The mother starts screaming violently "NO!! NO!! WHY??!! WHY??!!" <G>
The horror! The shame on the family...
I had to go to the urologist today for a follow-up from an ER visit
last Thursday. I apparently have a small bladder stone (that I should be
able to pass), and a severe urinary tract infection. These are rather
common in elderly folks, and especially as one grows older.
I have to go in for an ultrasound Thursday morning. At least it's not
an intraveneous pyelogram (IVP), where I'd have to clean out my colon
first, as with a colonoscopy. In that case, they track the dye going
through your urinary tract, and if your bowels aren't clear, they can't
track the dye movement. The process is to see if your urinary tract has blockages that need to be removed.
There was a female doctor "inspecting me" this morning, but they are
there to save my butt...not kiss it. I may have said this before, but I
know a friend who (to this day) will NOT go to the doctor, as "he
doesn't want them to see him naked". I never could convince him that
"Like it's something they haven't seen??!!". In the case of a woman
having a child, you have to forget about all modesty when you head to
the delivery room. That boy isn't coming out wearing a tuxedo...and that
girl isn't coming out in a white satin dress!! :P
For that matter, there was a show on Lifetime Health Network years
ago, with Doctor Drew Pinsky (my late wife and I loved watching that
show). Anyway, the question was asking first time mothers, what their
Mom's, girl friends, etc. had in advice for them, on having their first
child. In the teaser/trailer for the show, all you heard was the
laughter, and seeing Dr. Pinsky's face as red as a tomato. Now, this was
from a physician who actually delivered his own children!! :)
Well, when we watched the show, the advice was "don't poop on the
table" (basically, the same muscles are used for each). But, you don't
want the newborn contaminated by that bacteria.
Janice and I were laughing about it...even though we never had kids
(Continued to next message)
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