CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[SandySu]

Deb, I'm sorry to hear you're having problems and I hope they get worked out for you. Lurk around, but know we're all "pulling" for you and sending our best thoughts to you.

Good morning, Voltville. Getting ready to brew my second cup, so coffee is available and munchies will follow. I've got to get an appointment with the chiropractor for Mrs. Awsum. She's been living in Egypt, in de Nile, for a while and yesterday her lower bac started giving her fits. I'm hoping the chiropractor can work his magic and get her lined up again.

It was 68 when I got up just before six. This is more like summer than fall but it's supposed to end with a cold front coming through late this afternoon. It'll bring some rain, but we need that. It hasn't rained in almost two weeks although the dew has been heavy enough to make it "rain" with water dripping off the trees. The leaves are starting to turn but it's mostly brown with very little color. I guess the rain and cool temperatures early this summer combined with the heat late in the summer has made the usual fall show a little subdued this year. Makes me wonder what the winter might be like.

I saw a headline on Drudge that said the leaf season might be cancelled as part of the government shutdown. I guess the park service will be going out and picking all the colorful leaves off the trees so we can't look at them, LOL. Ain't government and the officials we elect to it a swell bunch?

We're having warm weather with fitful rain, too, but after today, it looks like it might clear for a few days. As you can see by my photos, our leaves are not doing the spectacular thing this year, either. Some years are better than others, and last year was magnificent, but this year is exceptional for having hardly any color. Some of the trees have lost nearly all their leaves already.

I hope Mrs. Awsum's back feels better. Mine gives me trouble if I don't get out and walk every day. Does she take a walk daily? What if she went with you when you walked Bo? I find if I walk at least a mile every day, then my back feels better. Another thing that helps is to stand below a doorway and reach up and touch the tip of the doorframe, then reach down and touch my toes. Do each for a count of 15, 10 times each. That might help, too. Those solutions are cheaper than a chiro and maybe just as effective, at least for me.

 

[celticluvr]

sorry about your tooth mr.Wabbit.
I can relate... actually I could relate about 4 years ago. Now I have to get all my teeth pulled on top. I was born with no enamel on my teeth. Genetics stink... sometimes.

 

[SandySu]

Back at everyone this AM. I was just too lazy to post anything last night. I lost a part of one of my fillings, so I have a Dentist appointment at 1:45 today. What fun!

Lots of "commentators" talk about the evils of computers, smart phones and the lack of actual human interaction versus just computer interaction, however having additional friends like the folks in Voltville actually help to enlarge a persons circle of world wide contacts and allow an almost instantaneous outlet and platform on which to unburden some of your frustrations and problems. That will be 5 cents please.

Take vaping for example. How many of us have friends close by that we can chat about vaping face to face? Not Me! I get all of my chit chat about this hobby from you all on ECF. I would never have learned anything about e-cigarettes had it not been for the Internet and ECF and Voltville. I would never have learned that Australia was so hot, or that Indiana had such beautiful streams and wooded glades.

Friends are friends wherever you find them either by the old pen pal method, smart phone method, computer method or face to face.

End of Rant or whatever you want to call it.

Lurking, drinking coffee, and of course vaping.

The Wabbit

I agree, Wabbit, that computers have enlarged my life and knowledge. I do see young people, though, who seem more preoccupied with their smart phones than with each other. I watched 2 college guys eating dinner together the other day, and each sat across from the other with his phone out, not chatting with the other. I was eating dinner in one of the Cornell dining halls. I looked around at the other students, though, and everyone else was happily interacting. So maybe introspective people would rather consult their phones than each other, but most of the kids seemed to be interacting face-to-face. Before computers, would these 2 guys be reading instead of talking? Maybe. I think, back in my day, I was taught it would be rude to ignore your table mate like that, even if you wanted to.

 

[celticluvr]

I totally agree Sandy. I'm 23 and I was raised that way... Besides I don't have a cell and don't want one.

 

[celticluvr]

I should also say that where I live cell phones don't work!

 

[SandySu]

sorry about your tooth mr.Wabbit.
I can relate... actually I could relate about 4 years ago. Now I have to get all my teeth pulled on top. I was born with no enamel on my teeth. Genetics stink... sometimes.

That's awful, Celtic! I wish there was a way they could coat your teeth with something to save them. Probably sometime in the future, there will be, and the idea of pulling teeth will be one of those ancient, primitive practices viewed like we view bloodletting and leeches. I think the same thing may happen with operations where they have to cut you open. Someday in the future, that will be considered horribly primitive.

 

[awsum140]

Wabbit, have you been gnawing on to many carrots? I don't envy you or Celtic, I hate dentists with a passion.

Mrs. Awsum does get a couple of walks in with Bo daily. I do the morning and noontime rituals and she does the late afternoon and evening rituals. The problem is that her job is sedentary and it is wearing her down a bit, too much sitting in front of a computer. When were both in IT we got to run around quite a bit in multi-story buildings, so we didn't sit for hours on end in front of a monitor. That's changed for both of us and now she stuck sitting most of the time. We have an appointment so things should get better pretty quickly, I hope. Low back problems, any back problems, are no fun at all.

 

[celticluvr]

Thank you Sandy,
Even if they had that stuff they wouldn't be able to save my teeth, they're just too far gone. But I am okay with it I'm gonna get dentures so my smile will look a lot better. It will help my self esteem alot. My fiance is very supportive and makes me feel better about myself so that helps as well.

 

[SandySu]

I totally agree Sandy. I'm 23 and I was raised that way... Besides I don't have a cell and don't want one.

I have a cell phone, and it's very convenient. But it's a basic, old-fashioned one that only takes and sends calls. I don't even do texting, though my phone is capable of it, and every once in a while, someone texts me. I think having a cell phone is a good thing. If I'm driving and my car breaks down, there's a good chance I can call for help without having to leave my car and walk in search of a phone. I think it's nice that someone can reach you when you and they are out and about. The only problem with that is that around here, there are dead spots where a cell phone signal doesn't reach or reaches so poorly that you can't rely on getting a signal. It would be nice if they found a way to reach every spot on earth, even those deep valleys surrounded by steep hills. It's also convenient if you and friends are in a large, crowded place, and you get separated. Instead of hunting for your friends in a crowd, you just call them, ask where they are, arrange a meeting spot, and you are quickly and easily reunited without a lot of time wasted searching for them. This works well in fairs and places like that. I think a cell phone is a convenience, and I certainly don't want to deny myself modern conveniences.

 

[SandySu]

I should also say that where I live cell phones don't work!

Then there's no point in having one, unless you often travel to places where they do work. The dead spots are cell phones' biggest drawback, IMHO. Still, it might be good to have one for emergencies while you're out and about where they work. You can get a cell phone and not subscribe to a calling plan, and still, it lets you call 911.

 

[White Rabbit]

We live in an era of Smart Phones and Dumb People

Got that one out of a magazine (I am not that creative).

Quote from Awsum: ". When were both in IT we got to run around quite a bit in multi-story buildings, so we didn't sit for hours on end in front of a monitor" .

That was me too. I entered IT late in my career, but it was absolutely the best job I ever had. I always was a computer geek, but regular banking kept me out of the actual field until my later years. I guess that was good because I not only loved my job, but also enjoyed a lot of exercise running around like you did in multi story buildings and fixing things that were not actually broke, like unplugged monitors and computers that would not work.

 

[celticluvr]

I understand completely. I used to have one... two actually before I moved to the country. But where I live the convenience of having a cell is really an inconvenience... the chances of getting cell service is nil to none... I had to shut off my phone because I couldn't use it. It really is a technology that has saved millions of lives and I think its something people should have.

 

[Renolizzie]

The cell phone is one of the great marvels of the modern world. Sometimes when I use it, I still marvel at the convenience.

Poor Mrs. Awsum. Hope she feels better soon, Awsum.

Poor Wabbit, I have to go to the dentist tomorrow for a filling.

Celtic, I hear you, I have had bad teeth all my life.

Hang in there, Deb.

I am down loading photos to Photobucket from my last two trips but it is taking a long time. It didn't help that NOrton kicked in to download an update while I am doing the download of the photos.

Gotta go clean a couple of houses. Have a great day folks.

 

[JoAnnW]

Deb... you and Daisy* are in my heart and prayers. I hope the vet will get her as good as new. Whether you post or not, just know you are special to all of us. Take care girl!

Awsum, I hope your wife gets better soon. Back problems are awful to deal with.

Our area is under a tornado thread until 5pm. It's dreary and windy but just an occasional sprinkle right now. The rain will increase as the day goes on.

I agree Wabbit. This forum is a great way to be in touch with folks from around the world that have vaping in common. I've learned so much from ECF... mainly Voltville.

I have a regular cell phone for emergencies only. I don't need or want a "smart" phone.

Take care all and have a good day.

 

[SandySu]

Wabbit, have you been gnawing on to many carrots? I don't envy you or Celtic, I hate dentists with a passion.

Mrs. Awsum does get a couple of walks in with Bo daily. I do the morning and noontime rituals and she does the late afternoon and evening rituals. The problem is that her job is sedentary and it is wearing her down a bit, too much sitting in front of a computer. When were both in IT we got to run around quite a bit in multi-story buildings, so we didn't sit for hours on end in front of a monitor. That's changed or both of us and now she stuck sitting most of the time. We have an appointment so things should get better pretty quickly, I hope. Low back problems, any back problems, are no fun at all.

Then suggest to her that every so often, she gets up and does the doorway thing. Or if there's no doorway handy, she can just stretch up as far as she can, then lean over to touch her toes. It will really help her.

 

[awsum140]

To me a cell phone is just that, a mobile telephone. I have been using "mobile" phones since long before cell technology came out, either business "car" phones or phone patches on amateur repeaters. People used to be amazed that I could make a call from the car just about anywhere. Now, everyone has one. I use it strictly as a phone. Why anyone wants t stare at a tiny screen to surf the web, play a game or watch a movie is beyond me, let alone why they find it so necessary to text, using cryptic and poor English, every little thing that they do or happens to them. Are our lives getting so boring that telling everyone you know that you're driving down the road becomes an important thing?

As an internet user almost since its' inception, I've always appreciated how it can take down barriers and expose us to people and things that we would never otherwise experience.

 

[SandySu]

I am down loading photos to Photobucket from my last two trips but it is taking a long time. It didn't help that NOrton kicked in to download an update while I am doing the download of the photos.

What I do is a multi download. Actually, an upload. Click on Upload, put your first photo in, and then there's a space below where you can drag more photos. You can put in a lot at a time. It takes a while for them all to go in, and PhotoBucket has these annoying ads, so once I've put all the photos in, I just leave the room and let the computer do its thing. I go wash the dishes or something. When I come back, the photos are all uploaded, and I'm ready to go.

 

[Renolizzie]

Well, I am trying to leave the house on time but now I am 15 minutes late and it still isn't done. I'm afraid to cancel since I don't know what will happen but I will have to in another couple of minutes. I can leave up to 30 minutes late no problem but after that I am definitely running behind schedule.

Photobucket is cool for sharing photos.

 

[SandySu]

Well, I am trying to leave the house on time but now I am 15 minutes late and it still isn't done. I'm afraid to cancel since I don't know what will happen but I will have to in another couple of minutes. I can leave up to 30 minutes late no problem but after that I am definitely running behind schedule.

Photobucket is cool for sharing photos.

One option is to just leave the computer on while you're gone. If it's like my computer, after a while of nonuse, the screen goes blank and then when you get home, you can wake the computer up again. Everything will be downloaded w/o you having to wait for it. My brother, the computer expert, leaves his computers on all the time. I turn mine off and on. He says leaving the computer on burns about the same electricity that leaving a light on would, so it's not a big deal to do it every once in a while. Still, I turn my computer off most of the time when I'm leaving the house. I unplug it, too, in case there's a surprise thunderstorm. However, I have left the computer on while I'm gone, and no harm done.

 

[3mg Meniere]

I understand completely. I used to have one...It really is a technology that has saved millions of lives and I think its something people should have.

I understand that satellite phones are quite expensive.

I just use my phone for calls, texts, and calendar reminders. I also have a tablet for e-mail and reading, and hope to soon be set up for skype so I can talk with important mumblers and fast talkers.

My son has a smart phone, and uses it nearly every waking hour. The phone bills are astronomical. He is beginning to think a dumb-phone and a tablet or laptop would be less expensive in the long run.