Here's how to interpret them:
00 - 09 - USA & CANADA
30 - 37 - FRANCE
40 - 44 - GERMANY
47 - TAIWAN
49 - JAPAN
50 - UK
690 - 692 - CHINA
And there's your useful piece of trivia for today...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Deciphering Bar Codes For Country Of Origin
This is kind of cool. You can tell which country a product is made in by looking at the first few numbers of a bar code.
Here's how to interpret them:
00 - 09 - USA & CANADA
30 - 37 - FRANCE
40 - 44 - GERMANY
47 - TAIWAN
49 - JAPAN
50 - UK
690 - 692 - CHINA
And there's your useful piece of trivia for today...
Here's how to interpret them:
00 - 09 - USA & CANADA
30 - 37 - FRANCE
40 - 44 - GERMANY
47 - TAIWAN
49 - JAPAN
50 - UK
690 - 692 - CHINA
And there's your useful piece of trivia for today...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tumbling Recital
Emily's tumbling recital was Tuesday. It was a lot less stressful for me this year. She did very well and really enjoyed it. They performed to the music from Tigger, bounced balls (which Emily was the one who had to count so they would bounce them all at the same time.)
As we were leaving the dress rehearsal she heard the music from Batman, and said, "I have too many songs stuck in my head, so there's no room for batman."
I had to laugh. After the recital the two of us went out for ice cream.
As we were leaving the dress rehearsal she heard the music from Batman, and said, "I have too many songs stuck in my head, so there's no room for batman."
I had to laugh. After the recital the two of us went out for ice cream.
Monday, June 22, 2009
More Mess
Laurie can be such a fun girl.
Until you turn your back for five minutes.
She was on the chair to eat lunch, but decided to stick her hands in a jar of jam instead.
Until you turn your back for five minutes.
She was on the chair to eat lunch, but decided to stick her hands in a jar of jam instead.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Mmmmm....Chocolate!
Driving home from a Father's Day Picnic Laurie starts complaining and wanting something. I had no idea what she really wanted so I guessed and handed her a Hershey Kiss. I looked back a few minutes later and this is what I saw. I just started to laugh.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Paper Mache
Last Saturday I got the brilliant idea to do a paper mache craft with the kids. It ended up that they were interested for only 10 minutes. I guess it was too hard and too messy. I ended up covering the balloons while they held them still. I only did two layers and then hung them to dry for two days.
As soon as I deflated the balloons I realized that two layers was not enough. We did try to make masks and the kids loved painting them, but then they curled up like a taco.
I am going to have to get better at this craft thing.
As soon as I deflated the balloons I realized that two layers was not enough. We did try to make masks and the kids loved painting them, but then they curled up like a taco.
I am going to have to get better at this craft thing.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
How To Spend $1 Billion Of YOUR Money!
Congress has just approved another way that they'll be spending taxpayer money.
It's called the Cash For Clunkers Bill....and it just plain pisses me off.
Here's the link to details:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i_J2CDMBIZhobnHhGIYFCzqvR52wD98TBJK00
Here's the basic jist...
Buy a new car that gets at least 22 MPG (yes, only 22, not 35, not 30, not even a measly 25 MPG, but only 22) and trade in your old "clunker" that gets 18 MPG or less (hmmm...I can think of just about every SUV under the sun that qualifies for that...) and guess what? The government will contribute up to $4500 toward the price of your car!
My gosh! How completely & utterly stupid!
"Hmmmmm...now that we own a 60% stake in General Motors, how we gonna sell these gas guzzling heaps of junk? Let's see....how bout we give people some of their money back to buy cars from our new car company that's in bankruptcy! Yeah! That's the ticket!"
Granted, I can see where this is probably coming from.....22 is better than 18, but is it really ALL that better? Especially given the wide breadth of vehicle choices out there today? 22 is all they could muster? I mean, how in the world is that even going to make a difference?
Case in point....my minivan that can seat 7 (as in S-E-V-E-N PEOPLE) gets better gas mileage than 22!!!! (I can pull a solid 27-28 MPG on a road trip & it gets 23-24 in town) Why 22? Why not 30 and actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Sorry, this is just plain stupid. For the love of Pete! If they actually wanted to do something GREEN, RAISE THE DANG MPG REQUIREMENT!!!! 22 is just stupid!
A full size pickup with a diesel engine can pull 22 if it works hard at it! And they think that's GREEN? HELLO!!!!
I'm sorry, but spending our tax payer money just so you & I can go out & buy a new gas guzzler that gets crappy mileage (and trust me, 22 is crappy for a car....P.S. It's only 18 MPG if you get a truck!) is no way to "improve the environment".
This is all about spending tax payer money to help out the car business in the US...you know, because the government HAS ALREADY spent billions on Chrysler & GM!
I just don't understand where these morons get off thinking that it's ok to spend taxpayer money that way when the economy is so far in shambles as it is! I also call them on the carpet for thinking this is "environmentally responsible". It's not! A car that gets 30 MPG or higher? Now THAT's a little better! But setting the limit so low is like saying, "Oh, we have no confidence that GM can actually make a car that'll get higher than 22 MPG...so...uhm...so that we can actually sell cars now that we own the place, here's some money to go spend on another piece of junk that'll fall apart on you the moment you drive it off the lot....enjoy!"
I just wish someone at the top of this behemoth we call the government would GET A GRIP ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE!!!! It's called Capitalism People! LET GENERAL MOTORS FAIL!!!! It's already in bankruptcy!!! Just let it die already!!!!
Sorry, but this just really hit a raw nerve. How they get off calling this a "clunker bill" "environmentally friendly" and "green" and then only set the limit at 22 MPG is absolutely in sain, idiotic, irresponsible, and uncalled for. Next thing we know they'll be buying up all those foreclosures that people are walking away from....oh wait...they're already doing that!
Stupid, stupid, stupid....but, as they say, "Your Tax Dollars Hard At Work!"
Give me a break!
It's called the Cash For Clunkers Bill....and it just plain pisses me off.
Here's the link to details:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i_J2CDMBIZhobnHhGIYFCzqvR52wD98TBJK00
Here's the basic jist...
Buy a new car that gets at least 22 MPG (yes, only 22, not 35, not 30, not even a measly 25 MPG, but only 22) and trade in your old "clunker" that gets 18 MPG or less (hmmm...I can think of just about every SUV under the sun that qualifies for that...) and guess what? The government will contribute up to $4500 toward the price of your car!
My gosh! How completely & utterly stupid!
"Hmmmmm...now that we own a 60% stake in General Motors, how we gonna sell these gas guzzling heaps of junk? Let's see....how bout we give people some of their money back to buy cars from our new car company that's in bankruptcy! Yeah! That's the ticket!"
Granted, I can see where this is probably coming from.....22 is better than 18, but is it really ALL that better? Especially given the wide breadth of vehicle choices out there today? 22 is all they could muster? I mean, how in the world is that even going to make a difference?
Case in point....my minivan that can seat 7 (as in S-E-V-E-N PEOPLE) gets better gas mileage than 22!!!! (I can pull a solid 27-28 MPG on a road trip & it gets 23-24 in town) Why 22? Why not 30 and actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Sorry, this is just plain stupid. For the love of Pete! If they actually wanted to do something GREEN, RAISE THE DANG MPG REQUIREMENT!!!! 22 is just stupid!
A full size pickup with a diesel engine can pull 22 if it works hard at it! And they think that's GREEN? HELLO!!!!
I'm sorry, but spending our tax payer money just so you & I can go out & buy a new gas guzzler that gets crappy mileage (and trust me, 22 is crappy for a car....P.S. It's only 18 MPG if you get a truck!) is no way to "improve the environment".
This is all about spending tax payer money to help out the car business in the US...you know, because the government HAS ALREADY spent billions on Chrysler & GM!
I just don't understand where these morons get off thinking that it's ok to spend taxpayer money that way when the economy is so far in shambles as it is! I also call them on the carpet for thinking this is "environmentally responsible". It's not! A car that gets 30 MPG or higher? Now THAT's a little better! But setting the limit so low is like saying, "Oh, we have no confidence that GM can actually make a car that'll get higher than 22 MPG...so...uhm...so that we can actually sell cars now that we own the place, here's some money to go spend on another piece of junk that'll fall apart on you the moment you drive it off the lot....enjoy!"
I just wish someone at the top of this behemoth we call the government would GET A GRIP ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE!!!! It's called Capitalism People! LET GENERAL MOTORS FAIL!!!! It's already in bankruptcy!!! Just let it die already!!!!
Sorry, but this just really hit a raw nerve. How they get off calling this a "clunker bill" "environmentally friendly" and "green" and then only set the limit at 22 MPG is absolutely in sain, idiotic, irresponsible, and uncalled for. Next thing we know they'll be buying up all those foreclosures that people are walking away from....oh wait...they're already doing that!
Stupid, stupid, stupid....but, as they say, "Your Tax Dollars Hard At Work!"
Give me a break!
Monday, June 15, 2009
I Hate Taxes!!!
I know that they go to pave the roads, run the government, etc, but that doesn't mean I have to like them.
I just cut a check to the Federal Government for my business quarterlies and man that hurt!
I'd feel better about sending them my hard-earned money if I believed they were actually trying to be somewhat fiscally responsible with it.
As it is, it'll probably buy a tire for some car made by Government Motors or fund some AIG executives bonus.
Ah...socialism, ain't it great? They own a big stake now in the financial system, own over 50% stake in a car manufacturer (that last I checked just declared bankruptcy), gave some money to another auto maker that also declared bankruptcy, and yet, somehow they think we should still be spending money like crazy.
Balance the damn budget people!!!!
If you don't believe me, just wait until inflation catches up to the rate at which they're printing the money. Then we'll all be SOOOOO happy that they stepped in. Yep. I'm really excited to see inflation in action.
I don't think the government has a role in making sure an auto company that's been losing money now FOR YEARS because they couldn't figure out how to make cars that people ACTUALLY WANT TO DRIVE and instead made gas hogs that they lost money on for every one made.
In a way, I can understand the whole AIG thing, but man, this is just getting out of hand!
For every dollar the government now spends, 0.60 cents of it is borrowed. Yes! Over 50% of the money they're spending is borrowed!!
The government needs to go on a SERIOUS spending diet before they crash the whole damn economy!
Sorry, just venting, when you write the government tax checks as big as I do each quarter you'd probably want to vent too....
-Graydon
I just cut a check to the Federal Government for my business quarterlies and man that hurt!
I'd feel better about sending them my hard-earned money if I believed they were actually trying to be somewhat fiscally responsible with it.
As it is, it'll probably buy a tire for some car made by Government Motors or fund some AIG executives bonus.
Ah...socialism, ain't it great? They own a big stake now in the financial system, own over 50% stake in a car manufacturer (that last I checked just declared bankruptcy), gave some money to another auto maker that also declared bankruptcy, and yet, somehow they think we should still be spending money like crazy.
Balance the damn budget people!!!!
If you don't believe me, just wait until inflation catches up to the rate at which they're printing the money. Then we'll all be SOOOOO happy that they stepped in. Yep. I'm really excited to see inflation in action.
I don't think the government has a role in making sure an auto company that's been losing money now FOR YEARS because they couldn't figure out how to make cars that people ACTUALLY WANT TO DRIVE and instead made gas hogs that they lost money on for every one made.
In a way, I can understand the whole AIG thing, but man, this is just getting out of hand!
For every dollar the government now spends, 0.60 cents of it is borrowed. Yes! Over 50% of the money they're spending is borrowed!!
The government needs to go on a SERIOUS spending diet before they crash the whole damn economy!
Sorry, just venting, when you write the government tax checks as big as I do each quarter you'd probably want to vent too....
-Graydon
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A Few Of My Favorite Things.....
This is just a random post about some of the cool products out there that I really like. No reason. Just because.
1) Toyota's
We own a 2004 Toyota Sienna Minivan and a 2005 Toyota Tundra Pickup Truck....and I love them! After driving just about every make & model of car out there, I can definitely say that I absolutely LOVE my Toyota's. They're incredibly reliable, well built, and drive really really well!
I can drive the Tundra clear across the United States (and I did it too...from Virginia to Utah) and not feel worn out at the end of the day. The thing drives like a dream!
The minivan also rocks. It just drives so confidently & smoothly that it's been great to own. Like their old slogan, "Oh what a feeling, Toyota!" I'm sold...
2) Apple Computers
After being a long time PC guy and pretty much an Apple hater, I broke down & bought my first Apple. A MacBook Pro. I absolutely LOVE the thing! It powers up fast, it powers down fast, it recognizes my video camera quickly, I can edit video on it without any problem, I can travel with it without worrying that it's not going to work, and it just has a robust feel to it. I can't really put it well into words, but when you use it, it just has a really tactile feel that, well, feels like something made of high quality.
If I'm "vegging" around the house & just want to browse the web away from my office, this is the one I take. It's the one that goes to my folks house with me, and the one I travel with. I love the thing! Go Apple!
3) Canon Printers
I've used HP, Lexmark, Oki-Data, and other Ink Jet printers but I have to say I love the Canon printers best. I own an MP380 Fax/Copy/Scan/Print right now & for doing all the aforementioned tasks, the thing rocks. I owned an MP390 prior to that and the only reason I upgraded was because I needed a faster printer. They also don't break down.
Even the BJC-210 that I bought over 15 years ago and finally gave to the DI still worked. Good stuff!
4) Canon Digital Cameras
I own a Canon Rebel XSi DSLR and a Canon PowerShot SD880IS.
Both of them rock! Previous to the Canon Rebel I had a Nikon D40. The thing couldn't focus to save it's own life. It was a little nicer to hold in the hands, but at the end of the day if it can't take a good picture, then looks & feel don't matter.
The Rebel does an amazing job! You can micro focus it with it tethered to a computer and the images come out incredible! I love the thing & use it often.
The PowerShot takes amazing pictures for a small camera. In fact, when we did our own little photo shoot of the kids, some of the pictures on the PowerShot turned out better than the Rebel! It always seems to get the color right and the pictures turn out great...even if they turn out to be a 100 shots of Josh's curious looking face (he loves taking picutres)
5) HP Commercial Class Laser Printers
I have an HP 4200 DTN (Duplex, Tray, Network). The thing can spit out invoices & packing slips really, really fast...and at over 12,000 pages per cartridge, the thing can run forever before needing a toner refill. Being able to Duplex (print on both sides) also is a lot of fun. I can print out book-like results really fast and because it attaches directly to my router I can access it from any computer in the house.
6) Logitech Wireless Laser Mouse
These are cool! Pretty cheap too. If you travel at all, having a wireless mouse is awesome! Especially a laser wireless mouse! They're extremely accurate, can be used nearly 100 feet away (mine works on the 2.4 gHz frequency) and the batteries last a long, long time! Cool stuff.
7) Dymo LabelWriter
When I worked for IHC, I used to install these little puppies in all our clinics. Usually the next day I'd get a call from the manager or from someone at the clinic calling to tell me how much they constantly use it and how much they love it.
The uses are endless and the labels are really cool (they're thermo labels meaning it doesn't use ink). I use it all the time for all sorts of things and love not having to feed it ink! Great stuff!
8) Panasonic Cordless Phones
One of my first cordless phones was a Panasonic. I loved that thing! I've since tried several other brands (V-Tech, Sony, AT&T, etc...) and none of them seem to quite get how a cordless phone should work as well as Panasonic does.
I also like how durable they are. I've kicked mine, dropped it a million times, sent it flying across the room, and pretty much abused the poor thing (it sits on my hip during the day with a wired headset plugged into it. If I walk by something that grabs the cord, yep, it goes sailing) and still works great!
I recently upgraded to a DECT 6.0 set and am flat out amazed at how well it works! I can walk all over the house, all over outside (out to the mail-box, the shed, half-way down the block) and the thing still has crystal clear voice reception
9) Verizon Wireless
I think they just "get it". I've now had Verizon for over 7 years and don't have any plans to change. When you call them with a problem, you can get right through, they fix it, don't give you the run-around, and they deal with things fast.
They also have the most reliable network in Utah that I'm aware of. I was introduced to them when I started at IHC because the hospitals needed cell phones that could work everywhere. I've taken mine on trips with folks with other cell carriers and mine always works...while theirs may cut out in the middle of conversations.
Gotta love Verizon!
10) Canon Service
I recently damaged my Canon Camcorder (Canon HV30 HD Camcorder) and had to send it in for service. I have NEVER had better service on a product. The process to get it started could be done on line (it was painless. Filled out a few fields, hit send, they sent me back a form w/ instructions on where to send it) and was quick!
I mailed it off & when it got there I got an email and details on how quick I'd be getting it back.
It made it back to me within a week and was in tip top shape (I broke the LCD on it).
Man, if only all companies ran their service departments like Canon! The world would be a much nicer place!
So, that's just a few of my thoughts on cool products I like. Oh yeah, add Toro Lawn Mowers! I love mine! I swear that thing cuts the grass so evenly it looks like carpet!
Anyway, just a random post on random stuff...
Enjoy!
-Graydon
1) Toyota's
We own a 2004 Toyota Sienna Minivan and a 2005 Toyota Tundra Pickup Truck....and I love them! After driving just about every make & model of car out there, I can definitely say that I absolutely LOVE my Toyota's. They're incredibly reliable, well built, and drive really really well!
I can drive the Tundra clear across the United States (and I did it too...from Virginia to Utah) and not feel worn out at the end of the day. The thing drives like a dream!
The minivan also rocks. It just drives so confidently & smoothly that it's been great to own. Like their old slogan, "Oh what a feeling, Toyota!" I'm sold...
2) Apple Computers
After being a long time PC guy and pretty much an Apple hater, I broke down & bought my first Apple. A MacBook Pro. I absolutely LOVE the thing! It powers up fast, it powers down fast, it recognizes my video camera quickly, I can edit video on it without any problem, I can travel with it without worrying that it's not going to work, and it just has a robust feel to it. I can't really put it well into words, but when you use it, it just has a really tactile feel that, well, feels like something made of high quality.
If I'm "vegging" around the house & just want to browse the web away from my office, this is the one I take. It's the one that goes to my folks house with me, and the one I travel with. I love the thing! Go Apple!
3) Canon Printers
I've used HP, Lexmark, Oki-Data, and other Ink Jet printers but I have to say I love the Canon printers best. I own an MP380 Fax/Copy/Scan/Print right now & for doing all the aforementioned tasks, the thing rocks. I owned an MP390 prior to that and the only reason I upgraded was because I needed a faster printer. They also don't break down.
Even the BJC-210 that I bought over 15 years ago and finally gave to the DI still worked. Good stuff!
4) Canon Digital Cameras
I own a Canon Rebel XSi DSLR and a Canon PowerShot SD880IS.
Both of them rock! Previous to the Canon Rebel I had a Nikon D40. The thing couldn't focus to save it's own life. It was a little nicer to hold in the hands, but at the end of the day if it can't take a good picture, then looks & feel don't matter.
The Rebel does an amazing job! You can micro focus it with it tethered to a computer and the images come out incredible! I love the thing & use it often.
The PowerShot takes amazing pictures for a small camera. In fact, when we did our own little photo shoot of the kids, some of the pictures on the PowerShot turned out better than the Rebel! It always seems to get the color right and the pictures turn out great...even if they turn out to be a 100 shots of Josh's curious looking face (he loves taking picutres)
5) HP Commercial Class Laser Printers
I have an HP 4200 DTN (Duplex, Tray, Network). The thing can spit out invoices & packing slips really, really fast...and at over 12,000 pages per cartridge, the thing can run forever before needing a toner refill. Being able to Duplex (print on both sides) also is a lot of fun. I can print out book-like results really fast and because it attaches directly to my router I can access it from any computer in the house.
6) Logitech Wireless Laser Mouse
These are cool! Pretty cheap too. If you travel at all, having a wireless mouse is awesome! Especially a laser wireless mouse! They're extremely accurate, can be used nearly 100 feet away (mine works on the 2.4 gHz frequency) and the batteries last a long, long time! Cool stuff.
7) Dymo LabelWriter
When I worked for IHC, I used to install these little puppies in all our clinics. Usually the next day I'd get a call from the manager or from someone at the clinic calling to tell me how much they constantly use it and how much they love it.
The uses are endless and the labels are really cool (they're thermo labels meaning it doesn't use ink). I use it all the time for all sorts of things and love not having to feed it ink! Great stuff!
8) Panasonic Cordless Phones
One of my first cordless phones was a Panasonic. I loved that thing! I've since tried several other brands (V-Tech, Sony, AT&T, etc...) and none of them seem to quite get how a cordless phone should work as well as Panasonic does.
I also like how durable they are. I've kicked mine, dropped it a million times, sent it flying across the room, and pretty much abused the poor thing (it sits on my hip during the day with a wired headset plugged into it. If I walk by something that grabs the cord, yep, it goes sailing) and still works great!
I recently upgraded to a DECT 6.0 set and am flat out amazed at how well it works! I can walk all over the house, all over outside (out to the mail-box, the shed, half-way down the block) and the thing still has crystal clear voice reception
9) Verizon Wireless
I think they just "get it". I've now had Verizon for over 7 years and don't have any plans to change. When you call them with a problem, you can get right through, they fix it, don't give you the run-around, and they deal with things fast.
They also have the most reliable network in Utah that I'm aware of. I was introduced to them when I started at IHC because the hospitals needed cell phones that could work everywhere. I've taken mine on trips with folks with other cell carriers and mine always works...while theirs may cut out in the middle of conversations.
Gotta love Verizon!
10) Canon Service
I recently damaged my Canon Camcorder (Canon HV30 HD Camcorder) and had to send it in for service. I have NEVER had better service on a product. The process to get it started could be done on line (it was painless. Filled out a few fields, hit send, they sent me back a form w/ instructions on where to send it) and was quick!
I mailed it off & when it got there I got an email and details on how quick I'd be getting it back.
It made it back to me within a week and was in tip top shape (I broke the LCD on it).
Man, if only all companies ran their service departments like Canon! The world would be a much nicer place!
So, that's just a few of my thoughts on cool products I like. Oh yeah, add Toro Lawn Mowers! I love mine! I swear that thing cuts the grass so evenly it looks like carpet!
Anyway, just a random post on random stuff...
Enjoy!
-Graydon
Monday, June 8, 2009
Fuel Prices Are Going Back Up...and I'm thrilled!
Looks like diesel prices are headed back up.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/diesel.asp#graph_buttons
[deep sarcasm]Just breaks my heart....[/sarcasm]
My business does really well when fuel prices shoot through the roof & I don't drive much anymore either (I can go a month w/ a tank of gas in my Toyota Tundra).
So, I say, let the price soar like an eagle! I'm ready for it!
-Graydon
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/diesel.asp#graph_buttons
[deep sarcasm]Just breaks my heart....[/sarcasm]
My business does really well when fuel prices shoot through the roof & I don't drive much anymore either (I can go a month w/ a tank of gas in my Toyota Tundra).
So, I say, let the price soar like an eagle! I'm ready for it!
-Graydon
Friday, June 5, 2009
"No More Pencils, No More Books..."
Emily is done with Kindergarten. I can't believe how fast the school year has gone and how much she has matured. A great example is when we would walk to school. I had to walk her to her classroom, then over a month's time I would progressively back out of the school until I was leaving her at the crosswalk. Now she just goes and I am left far behind.
They had a Spring Fling Presentation where all the classes did a special dance number. Emily's was to "Splish, Splash". We took a video, but it didn't turn out.
She really enjoyed Kindergarten, learned a lot, and made a lot of friends. She is looking forward to 1st Grade with much excitement.
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