Some look like stained glass, some look like kaleidoscope images, some are just fun and different.
I'm putting together a site where you can see them as I create them.
Here are a couple examples.
K-Scopes
K-Scopes are something I've named for my versions of colorful photos I take and make different beautiful art from them.
Some look like stained glass, some look like kaleidoscope images, some are just fun and different.
I'm putting together a site where you can see them as I create them.
Here are a couple examples.
Some look like stained glass, some look like kaleidoscope images, some are just fun and different.
I'm putting together a site where you can see them as I create them.
Here are a couple examples.
Real Estate Agents Don't Deserve the Commissions
I fail to figure out why people pay real estate agents the money the do to sell a home.
Sure, some spend hundreds of hours, but most spend less than 50.
For that they get 3% and the broker gets 3%?
Granted, commissions differ, but on a half million dollar house, the money is ridiculous! If the combined commission is 6%, that's $30,000!
They give the sob story that they work hard and seldom make sales so they need big commissions to carry them through. Maybe if the commissions weren't so high more people would use them.
I'm all for changing the monopoly giving these guys such a huge commission.
How about a negotiated fee? How about hiring them by the hour? How about making it easier for the poor buyers and sellers to do the job themselves.
Agents and Brokers? Necessary in some cases, an overpriced pain in the bank account for most.
If you have a choice, work with a bank and title company and keep the commissions.
It's all my opinion, but hey, I'm entitled to that.
Sure, some spend hundreds of hours, but most spend less than 50.
For that they get 3% and the broker gets 3%?
Granted, commissions differ, but on a half million dollar house, the money is ridiculous! If the combined commission is 6%, that's $30,000!
They give the sob story that they work hard and seldom make sales so they need big commissions to carry them through. Maybe if the commissions weren't so high more people would use them.
I'm all for changing the monopoly giving these guys such a huge commission.
How about a negotiated fee? How about hiring them by the hour? How about making it easier for the poor buyers and sellers to do the job themselves.
Agents and Brokers? Necessary in some cases, an overpriced pain in the bank account for most.
If you have a choice, work with a bank and title company and keep the commissions.
It's all my opinion, but hey, I'm entitled to that.
Windows is Easy?
Microsoft must have some strange set of designers.
The message from the company seems to want to convince everyone that their products are great, easy to use, and will make you productive.
Somewhat, absolutely not, and sometimes.
Having done lots of testing where users of all ages have had to use Windows to complete tasks, anything beyond the most basic tasks are amazingly difficult.
People have problems with the filing system. They save files and then can't find them.
If you watch experts for awhile, you see that they get around finding files by doing searches of their hard drives because they can't remember where they left their files. What makes it worse is that many times they can't figure out what they named the files.
That is probably one of the biggie problems. There are dozens more.
I often get people coming to me to help them fix their computers. To a person, when they talk about their computers they are confused, discouraged, and wishing there is an alternate to what they have.
I would tell them go to the Mac, but having used my daughters mac laptop lately, they are just as messed up.
The Mac people love to say how easy it is to use one. But having used one years ago and then here and there over the years, I know the basics. The problem is, there are so many cutesy little things they have done to the interface that it took me forever to find what I wanted to do and to do it.
So, Microsoft, get a clue and make life simpler for everyone.
Mac users, just shut the heck up. Macs may be easier for some things, like iPods and ITunes, but they are not easy.
There isn't a computer built that is easy.
They are complex and they all take dedication to figure out.
Someone should offer 10 million dollars to the first person that solves the complexity problem.
Microsoft and Apple need not apply for the prize.
The message from the company seems to want to convince everyone that their products are great, easy to use, and will make you productive.
Somewhat, absolutely not, and sometimes.
Having done lots of testing where users of all ages have had to use Windows to complete tasks, anything beyond the most basic tasks are amazingly difficult.
People have problems with the filing system. They save files and then can't find them.
If you watch experts for awhile, you see that they get around finding files by doing searches of their hard drives because they can't remember where they left their files. What makes it worse is that many times they can't figure out what they named the files.
That is probably one of the biggie problems. There are dozens more.
I often get people coming to me to help them fix their computers. To a person, when they talk about their computers they are confused, discouraged, and wishing there is an alternate to what they have.
I would tell them go to the Mac, but having used my daughters mac laptop lately, they are just as messed up.
The Mac people love to say how easy it is to use one. But having used one years ago and then here and there over the years, I know the basics. The problem is, there are so many cutesy little things they have done to the interface that it took me forever to find what I wanted to do and to do it.
So, Microsoft, get a clue and make life simpler for everyone.
Mac users, just shut the heck up. Macs may be easier for some things, like iPods and ITunes, but they are not easy.
There isn't a computer built that is easy.
They are complex and they all take dedication to figure out.
Someone should offer 10 million dollars to the first person that solves the complexity problem.
Microsoft and Apple need not apply for the prize.
Jetta Stalkers?
What was Volkswagon thinking?
Their ads have a current owner of a Jetta calling up the previous owner who seems really surprised to hear from the new owner.
The new owner is excited to talk to the previous owner and says they should hang out.
The previous owner seems to be thinking, "what the heck is going on?"
Does anyone else wonder how the current owner got the previous owners name?
Granted, it is an advertisement, but to me it seems to be sending the message that "we're selling your used car to some stalker wacko who is going to find you and bug you to spend time with him/her." But, that is a great reason to buy our car!
Whoever thought this ad up, wasn't thinking the concept through.
This is one creepy weird ad.
Their ads have a current owner of a Jetta calling up the previous owner who seems really surprised to hear from the new owner.
The new owner is excited to talk to the previous owner and says they should hang out.
The previous owner seems to be thinking, "what the heck is going on?"
Does anyone else wonder how the current owner got the previous owners name?
Granted, it is an advertisement, but to me it seems to be sending the message that "we're selling your used car to some stalker wacko who is going to find you and bug you to spend time with him/her." But, that is a great reason to buy our car!
Whoever thought this ad up, wasn't thinking the concept through.
This is one creepy weird ad.
Diamonds - Bling for Idiots
Guess who thinks, "diamonds are a girl's best friend?"
It is in the lyrics of the famous song, but the diamond producers that control the worldwide pricing of diamonds, love the thought.
The diamond producers would love to have you think that diamonds are precious, diamonds are rare, diamonds are an investment, diamonds are something everyone should have. Bull, bull, bull, and bull.
Sure diamonds are hard and can cut glass. Big deal.
Diamonds are incredibly hard. Big deal.
But, diamonds, can break, chip crack and crumble into hundreds of pieces if struck.
Diamonds are only precious because they are sold as precious. Many other stones are more rare than diamonds. Red beryl for instance is only found in one place on earth from what I last heard. Red beryl is found in the tens and twenties, not in the hundreds of thousands as are diamonds.
I have been in the diamond business for thirty years. I do believe diamonds are beautiful. I don't believe they are worth all the money.
The industry counters that they are an investment. Bull again. People buy them at retail prices, anywhere from double to five times the price the retailer pays for them.
If a jeweler buys one back from you they generally pay half what they can buy them for retail because they aren't in the market for your stone. Not much of an investment in my eyes.
Beautiful? Yes, but so is cubic zirconium, commonly known as CZ. If you keep a CZ clean, no one will ever know whether you have a diamond or a CZ.
1 carat diamond - $4,000
1 carat CZ - $10
Bottom line? In my opinion, diamonds are a tradition kept alive by the diamond producers and simply aren't worth the money. They are too expensive.
My recommendation? Buy a CZ and put your money into a real investment.
Diamonds are bling for idiots.
It is in the lyrics of the famous song, but the diamond producers that control the worldwide pricing of diamonds, love the thought.
The diamond producers would love to have you think that diamonds are precious, diamonds are rare, diamonds are an investment, diamonds are something everyone should have. Bull, bull, bull, and bull.
Sure diamonds are hard and can cut glass. Big deal.
Diamonds are incredibly hard. Big deal.
But, diamonds, can break, chip crack and crumble into hundreds of pieces if struck.
Diamonds are only precious because they are sold as precious. Many other stones are more rare than diamonds. Red beryl for instance is only found in one place on earth from what I last heard. Red beryl is found in the tens and twenties, not in the hundreds of thousands as are diamonds.
I have been in the diamond business for thirty years. I do believe diamonds are beautiful. I don't believe they are worth all the money.
The industry counters that they are an investment. Bull again. People buy them at retail prices, anywhere from double to five times the price the retailer pays for them.
If a jeweler buys one back from you they generally pay half what they can buy them for retail because they aren't in the market for your stone. Not much of an investment in my eyes.
Beautiful? Yes, but so is cubic zirconium, commonly known as CZ. If you keep a CZ clean, no one will ever know whether you have a diamond or a CZ.
1 carat diamond - $4,000
1 carat CZ - $10
Bottom line? In my opinion, diamonds are a tradition kept alive by the diamond producers and simply aren't worth the money. They are too expensive.
My recommendation? Buy a CZ and put your money into a real investment.
Diamonds are bling for idiots.
Prizes for Progress
Coming soon. Details on Prizes for Progress.
Awards of:
$10 million dollars for someone who comes up with a 100 mile per gallon gasoline engine for a standard 5 passenger sedan.
$10 million dollars for someone who comes up with a solar energy power system that people could buy and install for $1,000.
$500,000 for someone who comes up with a permanent, environmentally friendly, workable, feasible solution to use or get rid of used tires.
$25 million dollars for the person who comes up with a permanent, workable, inexpensive solution for computer viruses, spam, and adware.
$1 million dollars for the person who comes up with a permanent, workable, inexpensive solution for the problem of graffitti.
Details for these awards, which will be awarded as funds are raised, will come later.
A jury of experts will decide whether the criteria for each award has been met.
Individuals and companies will be able to register to accept the challenges. A website will be prepared where you can accept the challenges.
None of these awards are currently being offered. Decisions on if and when they will be offered for people entering will be coming in the near future.
More details to come. More awards, more challenges, more opportunities for people to make a difference in the world.
Stay tuned................
Awards of:
$10 million dollars for someone who comes up with a 100 mile per gallon gasoline engine for a standard 5 passenger sedan.
$10 million dollars for someone who comes up with a solar energy power system that people could buy and install for $1,000.
$500,000 for someone who comes up with a permanent, environmentally friendly, workable, feasible solution to use or get rid of used tires.
$25 million dollars for the person who comes up with a permanent, workable, inexpensive solution for computer viruses, spam, and adware.
$1 million dollars for the person who comes up with a permanent, workable, inexpensive solution for the problem of graffitti.
Details for these awards, which will be awarded as funds are raised, will come later.
A jury of experts will decide whether the criteria for each award has been met.
Individuals and companies will be able to register to accept the challenges. A website will be prepared where you can accept the challenges.
None of these awards are currently being offered. Decisions on if and when they will be offered for people entering will be coming in the near future.
More details to come. More awards, more challenges, more opportunities for people to make a difference in the world.
Stay tuned................
Illegal Aliens
The title says exactly what I think.
The majority are good people, some are great people, they are still here illegally. That means they are breaking the law. Our law.
I'm all for protecting our country. This is our country, not theirs. We have to obey the law, they should be held to the same standard.
My solution?
Give all illegal aliens until the end of 2006 to register and get a card that will let them stay one more year. After that they either have to start the process of applying for citizenship or go home.
The incentive to go home? Target employers.
As of January 1st, fine every employer $1,000 per illegal employee per day, and start a few high profile checks of employers. Notify the employers that they will be targeted and checked the first week of January and tell them the consequences.
Keep a slow, steady stream of high profile checks going. Amazingly, something will start happening.
Thousands of people from other countries are here legally, registered to work. If you give in to the illegals, you must do the same for all.
Let's just uphold the laws we have.
The majority are good people, some are great people, they are still here illegally. That means they are breaking the law. Our law.
I'm all for protecting our country. This is our country, not theirs. We have to obey the law, they should be held to the same standard.
My solution?
Give all illegal aliens until the end of 2006 to register and get a card that will let them stay one more year. After that they either have to start the process of applying for citizenship or go home.
The incentive to go home? Target employers.
As of January 1st, fine every employer $1,000 per illegal employee per day, and start a few high profile checks of employers. Notify the employers that they will be targeted and checked the first week of January and tell them the consequences.
Keep a slow, steady stream of high profile checks going. Amazingly, something will start happening.
Thousands of people from other countries are here legally, registered to work. If you give in to the illegals, you must do the same for all.
Let's just uphold the laws we have.
Give Something Back
Ever look around and wonder how everybody got focused on themselves and what they can get for themselves? How did we get to the place where we are so focused on getting, getting, getting and not on helping each other?
Lots of people volunteer their time. Lots donate money.
It's all about focus. What are you focused on?
Bigger house? More toys? Luxury car?
What is your focus? Is it me, me, me? Or, is it outside your own skin?
Real meaning in life only comes when you forget about yourself and make life a little better or the burdens a little easier for those who find life a struggle.
Hugh Nibley once said, "When you have enough, you have enough. More than enough is more than enough."
If all you are concerned about is money and possessions, you are not a happy person. However, if you use that money and those possessions to help others, you will find a life of happiness.
This life is not all about you. It's about us. Pull your head out of the sand and count the ways you can anonymously make a difference.
Lots of people volunteer their time. Lots donate money.
It's all about focus. What are you focused on?
Bigger house? More toys? Luxury car?
What is your focus? Is it me, me, me? Or, is it outside your own skin?
Real meaning in life only comes when you forget about yourself and make life a little better or the burdens a little easier for those who find life a struggle.
Hugh Nibley once said, "When you have enough, you have enough. More than enough is more than enough."
If all you are concerned about is money and possessions, you are not a happy person. However, if you use that money and those possessions to help others, you will find a life of happiness.
This life is not all about you. It's about us. Pull your head out of the sand and count the ways you can anonymously make a difference.
Healthy Fast Food
How hard is it to create great and healthy fast food?
McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys and all the rest have a choice. Keep the same stuff coming down the pipe, or look out for their customers.
I mean, come on, how many "shakes" can they sell that have absolutely no dairy products (I'm guessing) and sell only on taste? Where is the corporate responsibility. Or even caring?
One of them could say, "What if we created our same food in a way that is both healthy and great tasting?"
Is that impossible? I don't know.
It would seem that if one of the major fast food joints took their whole menu and found a way to make it taste great and actually be healthy that they would be able to have a huge marketing advantage.
Get these guys on board with hamburger that isn't filled with growth hormones and other chemicals, chicken that isn't filled with antibiotics.
I think people are willing to eat healthy if it tastes great. They won't eat it if it tastes like cardboard or wet sand.
Fast food is generally assumed to be bad for you. What if it wasn't? What if you could actually get fast food you felt good about.
I'm not talking about just salads. Fix the whole menu. Make it healthy. Make a difference.
You will affect the quality of life of millions of people.
Be a part of a change for good.
McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys and all the rest have a choice. Keep the same stuff coming down the pipe, or look out for their customers.
I mean, come on, how many "shakes" can they sell that have absolutely no dairy products (I'm guessing) and sell only on taste? Where is the corporate responsibility. Or even caring?
One of them could say, "What if we created our same food in a way that is both healthy and great tasting?"
Is that impossible? I don't know.
It would seem that if one of the major fast food joints took their whole menu and found a way to make it taste great and actually be healthy that they would be able to have a huge marketing advantage.
Get these guys on board with hamburger that isn't filled with growth hormones and other chemicals, chicken that isn't filled with antibiotics.
I think people are willing to eat healthy if it tastes great. They won't eat it if it tastes like cardboard or wet sand.
Fast food is generally assumed to be bad for you. What if it wasn't? What if you could actually get fast food you felt good about.
I'm not talking about just salads. Fix the whole menu. Make it healthy. Make a difference.
You will affect the quality of life of millions of people.
Be a part of a change for good.
Quiet Hair Dryer
Here is an idea someone can grab and probably make a million dollars. The idea? A quiet, and I do mean quiet, hair dryer.
Hair dryers today seem to be in the mode of "let's design something someone can aim at their head that sounds like a 747 landing."
Doesn't anyone in the industry get the clue that people probably lose some of their hearing because of these machines?
Come on Industry! Or anyone!
Make a great quiet hair dryer and I'll bet that you can sell millions of them.
Hair dryers today seem to be in the mode of "let's design something someone can aim at their head that sounds like a 747 landing."
Doesn't anyone in the industry get the clue that people probably lose some of their hearing because of these machines?
Come on Industry! Or anyone!
Make a great quiet hair dryer and I'll bet that you can sell millions of them.
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