The decision invalidating ObamaCare? It’s based on 21 states’ argument that ObamaCare must fail entirely because of the Congressional removal of the mandate that everyone either get insurance or pay a penalty. Take a look. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5629711-Texas-v-US-Partial-Summary-Judgment.html
Month: December 2018
Want to watch the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on New Year’s?
During key years of my childhood, we sat down and watched the Mummers Parade faithfully every year. 8 Hours of Mummers. Then I moved, and a change in available TV replaced it with the Tournament of Roses Parade -- a very different, and far more sedate, affair. This is the info for the New Year's … Continue reading Want to watch the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on New Year’s?
SAG nominees are out — no real surprises
The rush of organizations trying to distinguish their movie and TV awards from everyone else's is in full flow. There are a few minor slights and a few more pile-on's because everyone else has nominated certain choices. Nonetheless, it's fun to look at if you're trying to figure out what might be worth your time. … Continue reading SAG nominees are out — no real surprises
Another issue about sound is the use of classical music for its effects, rather than its structure or beauty
The turning point for reducing classical music to little more than news was when NYC bodegas began to play baroque music loudly to drive off crowds of teenagers that were interfering with the store's business. Apparently, the quality of the music player truly didn't matter. That particular set of young people simply couldn't remain in … Continue reading Another issue about sound is the use of classical music for its effects, rather than its structure or beauty
Ongoing dispute between reading and listening to books will never be resolved
There are some books that are simply glorious listened to -- my first example is always Jim Dale reading all seven Harry Potter books -- but there always a few people who insist that hearing the words doesn't have the same value or merit as absorbing the information thru your eyes. I say "hogwash." Which … Continue reading Ongoing dispute between reading and listening to books will never be resolved
A positive trend in planning for retirement — truth-telling rather than telling people lies
In the long run, in a world where non-governmental pensions are rare, there are only a few truisms when it comes to planning to stop working before keeling over at your desk: (1) Spend less than you earn, realizing that no matter how much it hurts, you'll need those savings once you can no longer … Continue reading A positive trend in planning for retirement — truth-telling rather than telling people lies
Nobody talks toilets like Bill Gates
Because of the way our plumbing systems were set up at the dawn of using indoor plumbing, our toilets use fresh water that is beginning that can be very scarce in certain areas of the world. A certain amount of fresh water just sits there waiting, and an even larger amount is contaminated during the … Continue reading Nobody talks toilets like Bill Gates
Buy Reese Witherspoon’s book in Kindle format, not on paper
Reese Witherspoon, a Renaissance woman of many talents, has written a book on many topics titled "Whiskey in a Teacup." And, if you want to own it, you should buy it in Kindle format, not paper. I've sometimes said the reverse (for example, for books with lots of charts or photos), but this is the … Continue reading Buy Reese Witherspoon’s book in Kindle format, not on paper
Best TV shows of 2018
Before getting to the goods, how recently did you update your cable box? In NYC, and I'm assuming elsewhere, you can update your cable box by simply taking it in and swapping. Why? The newer models use less energy and have smaller footprints so they cost less to use. In general, despite those changes, models … Continue reading Best TV shows of 2018
If you’re buying an Apple Watch Series 4 for an older person who might fall…
Apple's announced that the Apple Watch Series 4 could detect a fall and contact family and emergency services if the wearer didn't respond promptly after the fall. This was a huge selling point for those with friends or family over age 65 as falls are a major health hazard at that age. I expect that … Continue reading If you’re buying an Apple Watch Series 4 for an older person who might fall…
In case Mashable’s description didn’t grab you, here’s the New York Times describing what happened 250 million years ago
Sometimes seeing something restated can help. Personally, I’d thought there was a good shot we were heading toward being a second Venus. This scenario doesn’t go that far, but we’d all still be pretty darn dead if the ocean no longer fed us, the land didn’t feed us, the coastal areas where we live were … Continue reading In case Mashable’s description didn’t grab you, here’s the New York Times describing what happened 250 million years ago
Time to update the software on your Apple devices
A major, but largely unsung, benefit of living in the Apple universe is that Apple products are designed to operate using the same menus, the same gestures, the same logic. Makes life much easier for those of us who don't want to fiddle with the software -- they just want something that works. One pattern … Continue reading Time to update the software on your Apple devices
Abycats' Thoughts 