Wounded Warriors

There are hundreds of US soldiers coming home every day with injuries. Some are to the degree requiring surgery to fix knees and shoulders. Some, however, are catastrophic in nature. Pray for these soldiers that return for months or even years of rehabilitation accompanied by painful surgery. Never forget those who fight for our freedoms.

Shit happens...better pay attention to what you are doing.

Watch the video. Think before you drive!

I certify that the above link does not contain adult material. However, it is graphic.

Sky way robbery

If you have traveled much by air, then you know that hold overs and delays are part of the experience. While you are waiting, especially if it is an extended wait, you are going to get hungry.

I am stuck at the Memphis International Airport. I just paid $8 for an order of chicken tenders, a biscuit and a coke. If I went to a restaurant I could have gotten the same thing for $5. They have bumped up the price for every thing that is served at eateries at airports. With modern security like it is, you are held virtually captive and at the mercy of the butchery that goes on.

It should be illegal for businesses to over charge for their products based on the fact that it's customers are stranded. But, it's at the airport. Businesses that serve airports jack up their prices too. A one day car rental from Enterprise normally is $150, more or less. If you call Enterprise in Memphis and tell that you need a car, you can pay up to $700!!

What is going on? They want us to travel, but they charge out the butt for stuff.

The Droid that got blown away by the Storm

I just didn't like my Droid. There were a couple of things that I didn't like. One was the lack of Outlook support. The other was the lack of a VZW tethering option. My next phone of choice was the Blackberry Storm2. I can do all the things I need to do with it.

I travel a lot and on occasion, I need to hook up my notebook to the internet. Without tethering, this is impossible. Oh, there are a few work arounds but they can void your warranty or void your contract. That is why the Droid was not a good match for me.

I use Outlook a lot. The Droid does not support Outlook without Microsoft Exchange. Android, or better Google, does not want you to use another application for contacts or calender than theirs. They allow Exchange use to get into the business market. This leaves the consumer OUT! BAD Google.

I have found that the Blackberry allows more customizations. You can add different ring tones for a contacts different phones and different email addresses. You can't do that with a Droid.

Oh well, I'm sure that VZW and Google will make enough money without me having a Droid. Well, for sure VZW will, cuz I still have service with VZW. I guess that it will be Google who will be a dollar short.

Motorola Droid

I picked up a phone from VZW yesterday. After much tinkering, I decided on a Droid by Motorola. On the outside, it's the best thing since the RAZR. It's sturdy and well built. The camera is good to boot.

But, like all things it has a negative. Actually, there are a few. Primarily, I hate the fact that you cannot connect to your computer to your Outlook. The quickest way is to pay $35 for an app. The second way is to upload your Outlook files up to your Gmail account contacts, then down to your phone. OH, you HAVE to have a Gmail account. I am not really comfortable with uploading all of my contacts on to a server somewhere to be hacked in to.

The second thing is the apps. You remember the iPhone commercials, "There's an app for that." Android is the same. There are lots of apps out there and hundreds (or more) are free. Some are poorly made and just don't work. Others have a free app, but you have to pay for the PC version to make it work properly.

Overall it is a great phone. I would be cautious about loading your information into a huge conglomerate like Google. I am reconsidering my purchase.

New Orleans, your turn,

Recently, Tennessee has suffered its greatest natural disaster. The spring rains brought massive, widespread flooding to most of the State. Dozens died and there is billions of dollars in damage. But, Tennesseans are taking it somewhat in stride and cleaning up. There have been very few displacements and no deafening cries for federal help.

After Katrina hit New Orleans, thousands scrambled to get out of the city and were relocated to various sites in Tennessee. Those that were displaced to Tennessee, caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to their temporary shelters. That had to be repaired at the expense of the Tennessee taxpayers who were kind enough to put them up in the first place.

Tennesseans don't ask for repayment of our generosity, in fact, we refuse it. But, it sure would be nice if New Orleans lent a helping hand to those in Tennessee who have lost everything they have in the recent flooding. But, don't worry New Orleans, we are not gonna hold our breath! Just don't ask for help next time you have a hurricane coming.

Has it been that long?

I just realized that it would have been a year since I posted last. I have been kinda busy and this has been the last thing on my mind. I'm currently in the deserts of Iraq. Why someone would fight over this place I have no idea. I certainly don't want it.

No promises, but I'll try to put more...I was gonna say more ink to paper but, it doesn't work that way anymore.