Company Rankings * Drucker Institute:
Proud to be part of the #3 company according to this ranking! #ProudIBMer
We rank America’s largest publicly traded companies according to Peter Drucker’s principles of effectiveness—“doing the right things well.”
Once we get through this pandemic I will have to make it a point to visit these bars when I find myself in their respective cities. 🏳️🌈
Let’s use Rule 11 to stop the ridiculous behavior of some of these attorneys!
The science of addiction: Do you always like the things you want? - BBC News
Very interesting article that differentiates wanting from liking and the role dopamine plays in the former.
Let the conservatives reap what they have sown.
WATCH: Plane Safely Makes Emergency Landing On Minnesota Freeway : NPR:
"Pilots are trained to deal with emergency engine problems and things like that if you have to make an emergency landing and so the combination of that training and certainly (Gifford's) aerobatic training really paid off in this situation." - Experimental Aircraft Association spokesman Dick Knapinski
It’s an interesting dilemma. When I was training to become a pilot, they used to tell us that, in the event of a “nonscheduled landing” at night, head for “dark areas” to avoid population centers, power lines, etc. But a “dark area” could be a nice soft field or it could be trees, rocks, or water!
So, I think that I, too, would try to find a wide highway onto which I could “zipper merge” if I had to perform a “nonscheduled” (off-airport) landing at night. Very glad that nobody was hurt!
✈️
Trump 2024: President Seriously Considering Run, Sources Say : Biden Transition Updates : NPR:
Even as President Trump fluctuates between false claims he really won the 2020 election and that it was stolen from him, he is also seriously considering launching a bid for 2024, two campaign sources and a third source with close ties to Trump's circle tell NPR.
Please … NO!!
Otters find 'fairytale' love in lockdown - BBC News:
Just a sweet story – needed these days.
Bells, Bows, Gifts, Trees - YouTube:
🏳️🌈 I love Todric Hall!
Project Censored: 10 Stories of 2020 That Show Patterns in Corporate News - INDY Week:
I look forward to reading “Project Censored”. While the stories don’t shock me (sadly), they do often provide information that might otherwise have escaped me completely.
Every year since 1976, Project Censored has performed an invaluable service: shedding light on the most significant news that’s somehow not fit to print.
As its founder, Carl Jensen, wrote on the organization’s 20th anniversary, “The primary purpose of Project Censored is to explore and publicize the extent of news censorship in our society by locating stories about significant issues of which the public should be aware, but is not, for a variety of reasons.” Thus, the list of censored stories that’s the centerpiece of its annual book, State of the Free Press | 2021, doesn’t just help us to see individual stories we might otherwise have missed. It helps us see patterns—patterns of censorship, of stories suppressed, and patterns of how those stories fit together.
I think I’m going to test drive this application. Why not? It’s free!
This simple app lets you quickly detect Apple Silicon and Intel apps on your Mac:
"This is one of the simplest-to-use pieces of software you’ve encountered so far" - Christian Zibreg
#mbnov
reinforce
I hope that I am able to capitalize on microblogvember to reinforce my blogging habit.
#mbnov
pedestrian
Given that this is 2020 and that I am planning (hoping) to spend Christmas at my Mom’s this year, I am not even making a pedestrian attempt to decorate for the holidays. I just cannot be bothered. I’ll double my efforts in 2021. I promise.
#mbnov
mask
I started my Christmas shopping today. Since I’m doing all my shopping online I was able to shop without having to wear a mask.
#mbnov
dilemma
I don’t think I can complain much about today’s dilemma. Should I have left-over Thanksgiving food for dinner or left-over sweet potato and bean soup that my partner made for dinner? Either choice would result in a meal that is quite delicious! Maybe the answer is both!
#mbnov
adjust
Looks like we need to adjust our Thanksgiving schedule a bit … heading over to Eric’s cousin’s house at 3 instead of 5. Works for me as I am looking forward to good food and to playing the Harry Potter board game!!
#mbnov
call
I am glad I do not have to host our 9 am production support call tomorrow. I need a break.
#mbnov
provision
I’ve decided to provision my old iPad with a few shortcuts as the Home Screen in hopes that my Mom (aged 84 and a technophobe) will use it. I’m trying to give her “one touch” options for FaceTime, Zoom, Audible, and a few other things she’d enjoy … if I can make it simple enough. We shall see.
#mbnov
capture
Tomorrow I’m flying to Martinsville, VA for lunch at Simply Suzanne’s Cafe … looking forward to the flight and the meal. I’m also going to make my very first attempt to capture video of the flight. I have no idea whether or not my plan will work, but I am hoping to be able to share some of the “flying experience” with my 84 year-old mother.
#mbnov
border
I’m looking forward to crossing the Virginia border on Tuesday! I’m flying to Simply Suzanne’s Cafe for lunch. In the 172 it should be about a 50-minute flight.
#mbnov
winter
Winter is coming! Yes, everyone thinks of Game of Thrones when they hear that phrase. But in theory, winter really is coming! Today’s high in Raleigh is expected at or near 70 degrees, so it’s hard to believe that winter is really only 30 days away.
#mbnov
fade
I officiated three soccer matches at the boy’s college showcase tournament today. I think I’m beginning to fade from sheer exhaustion. I’ll write more tomorrow.
#mbnov
possible
Philadelphia just enacted some very strict COVID-19 restrictions. With Philadelphia being only an hour away from my mom’s, I’m starting to worry that my plans to visit her at Christmas may not be possible. I have not seen my mom since January so … I am keeping 🤞🏼!!
I did not see a word of the day for #mbnov for today. So I will not post anything. No … wait …
#mbnov
train
It looks like I will have an opportunity to train early next year as the FAA is revising all of the approach and departure procedures at RDU. Although RDU is no longer my primary airport for club flying, the Civil Air Patrol plane that I fly is based there. So, all the procedures that I have done time and time again will soon change!
#mbnov
memory
I don’t know why I opt for the largest amount of memory available when I upgrade my iPhone as I never use it all. But with my next upgrade to the iPhone 12, I’ll remain consistent an go for the 512MB as I’m hoping to get into making some basic videos soon!
#mbnov
far
Never thought I’d go for an iPad Mini but so far I am loving flying with it .. ForeFlight works great on it and I love having it mounted on the yoke for easy viewing.
#mbnov
spooky
It’s spooky to me that I only hear (and use) the word “spooky” around the Halloween season. Does this word deserve more than seasonal use?
#mbnov
guess
This looks pretty cool but I would not want to even hazard a guess as to how long it would take me to lose it!
toolsandtoys.net/griffin-p…#mbnov
wear
During the last 8 months, I have given little consideration nor care to what I wear each day. I know there are some who believe that dressing for work - even when working from home - is critical to being in the right context. And maybe that’s true - at least for some. But for me, given that I am spending SO much time at home, I just don’t care how I’m dressed these days. Sigh. I hope we get a COVID-19 vaccine (tried and tested) soon!
#mbnov
say
What would you say if my microblogvember post for today was merely pandering to the challenge of using the word-of-the-day in a post rather than expressing a real thought or emotion?
#mbnov
elderly
As an only child, I often think about my mom living by herself. She lives in southern New Jersey while I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. As she ages (she is 84 now), I wonder if that distance will become a problem. I know that elderly people are very capable of living alone their entire lives, but I also know that I could make my mother’s life simpler if I were closer.
#mbnov
force
May the force be with you!
In an NPR article entitled, “Final Act of Trump Era Could Be As Tumultuous As the Preceding Years”, the author included a statement released by the leaders of the bipartisan Center for Presidential Transition:
"To build an effective government ready to address the urgent needs of our great country, the new president will have to recruit 4,000 political appointees, including 1,250 who require Senate confirmation; prepare a $4.7 trillion budget; implement a strong policy agenda; and assume leadership of a workforce of 2 million civilian employees and 2 million active duty and reserve troops."
The tile of the article was no surprise. but I had no idea that the president had to appoint 4,000 people! I am also shocked at the dollar value of the budget as well as the number of people employed by our government/military!
#mbnov
bind
I thought I’d be in a bind when I saw thick fog this morning but everything worked out! I completed my club checkout and instrument proficiency check in the Cessna 172. Next up: Mooney M20J.
#mbnov
inflate
Thank you Pennsylvania! You had it in you to inflate my sense of happiness and relief all along!
#mbnov
puzzling
I find the driving habits of so many of the drivers here in the Raleigh, NC area to be puzzling if not crazy! Speeding when traffic is heavy, moving at a turtle’s pace when the road is wide open … these are behaviors that baffle me!
#mbnov
stoop
As I sit here on the back stoop enjoying a crisp, clear day, I cannot help but wonder just how low the Republican party will stoop in order to try to influence (or outright steal) this year’s election results.#mbnov
near
What a nail-biting election! There is a part of me that feels as though the Biden campaign is so near to victory that I want to celebrate! But having gone through the traumatic experience of the 2016 election, there is another part of me that remains pessimistic.
I truly do not undersatnd how the US has become so divided. I’ve been looking at requirements for emigrating to Canada. I know many did that as a knee-jerk reaction to the 2016 election, but given what I’ve witnessed over the last four years, my approach is more methodical than knee-jerk. I just want to have options open so it’s good to know what steps would be required if I decide my happiness lies outside the US.
#mbnov
astonish
The sheer volume of political campaign signs that I see along the sides of the road never cases to astonish me - even during an election cycle as critical as this one! I’m glad that I am not charged with clearing them all out after the election is over … whenever that may be.
#mbnov
Concentrate
I should be concentrating on my work. If not my work, I should concentrate on preparing for my instrument proficiency flight tomorrow. But instead, I find that I am preoccupied with tomorrow’s US election. Will Joe Biden take the White House? Or will I start considering moving to Canada?
The simple superlative that comes to my mind:
worst
There Will Be Superlatives: Trump Is About To Make History, No Matter What Happens : NPR
Awesome!!
Lizzo Dresses Up as the Debate Fly on Vice President Mike Pence’s Head for Halloween
I’m not sure which is more stressful for me … COVID-19 or the upcoming Presidential election.
Electoral College Analysis: Biden Has Swing State Edge, With A Narrow Trump Path : NPR
This is a beautiful ad … go OREOS!
Not normally the type of “news” I read but I really enjoyed this one …
The odd friends: The young liberal and the elderly conservative - US & Canada News - Al Jazeera
I love this commercial!
He cannot protect the White House so how could he possibly protect Americans?
Covid: The latest on Trump’s health in seven graphics - BBC News
Methinks Vice President (Ms) Thang doth protest too much!
Read Mike Pence’s article advising employers never to hire gay people
Because President Trump cares only about President Trump …
Trump tells reps to postpone stimulus talks until after election - US & Canada News - Al Jazeera
It’s SO embarrassing to be be an American …
I think the President believes his own lies.
“Portland, the sheriff just came out today, and he said, I support President Trump. I don’t think you have any law enforcement,” President Trump said to Vice President Biden.
Currently reading: Something Rotten (Thursday Next #4) by Jasper Fforde 📚
During this COVID-19 lockdown I have realized I’m suffering from the COVID-19 spread. No, I am not gaining weight. But I have realized that I have information spread all over the place .. Drafts, DevonThink, Omnifocus, Notes, iaWriter … and that is NOT working for me.
Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to find some time to give this thought so that I can solve this problem. I know that I want to continue to manage my tasks in Omnifocus but that I want to get some of the someday/maybe lists out of there. I like the idea of being able to have a single source of data be able to be processed by multiple applications (for example, a markdown file visible to DevonThink as well as to Obsidian). And I know I want to be able to easily find/recall reference data when needed.
There are SO many choices out there to help me build my “second brain” and they all have advantages and disadvantages. I think I need a full week to digest all the options, perhaps play with some of them, and then ultimately get some control over this COVID-19 spread … information spread that is!
I’ve been toying around with the Notion App and am considering using it - in conjunction with Omnifocus - for my GTD system. Not 100% convinced yet, but toying with the idea.
Mapping US police killings of Black Americans - - Al Jazeera
Twitter Points Users To Fact Checks Of Trump Tweets For The First Time : NPR:
Twitter has placed a fact-checking warning on a tweet issued by President Trump in which he claims without evidence that mail-in ballots are fraudulent.
Twitter is doing what the US Senate could not do - they are holding President Trump accountable.
Trump's New Intelligence Chief Spells Trouble | WIRED:
[the 116th Congress] wrote into the law that created the job, 50 U.S. Code § 3023, “Any individual nominated for appointment as Director of National Intelligence shall have extensive national security expertise.” And John Ratcliffe definitely doesn’t.
Should I be surprised that the least qualified person to every occupy the Oval Office has appoointed the least qualified Director of National Intelligence? Should I be surprised that GOP controlled Senate confirmed someone who is unqualified to do the job? Sadly, I am not surprised at all.
CAP reaches 10,000+ days of support during pandemic
This is why I’ve decided to rejoin the Civil Air Patrol.
I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol from 1980 (as a cadet) until 2002. When I moved overseas, I let my membership lapse and then never rejoined upon returning to the US. However, I recently decided to rejoin! I have to re-qualify in some areas (emergency services - mission pilot, for example). But, I am hoping to be reinstated as a Major so that I do not have to repeat ALL of my training. The latter is looking like a real possibility.
Today, I completed the first step into obtaining my Emergency Services credentials once again. Now that I have rejoined, I hate that I ever let my credentials lapse. However, it feels good to have that first step behind me.
Mission Pilot … here I come!
Eastern carpenter bee - Wikipedia:
Today I was having my lunch on the back porch when this large bee started to hover around me. I thought it was a bumblebee based on it’s size and shape, but the thing seemed awfully persistent and aggressive in its hovering. Did a bit of digging when I returned inside and discovered that it was most likely a carpenter bee. I was fascinated how long this bee seemed to hover - without resting!
According to the wikipedia entry on the Eastern carpenter bee:
Flights near the nest are usually uniform and involve a lot of hovering. Flights protecting their territory could be as short as a few minutes, but may extend beyond an hour.
I’m exhausted just thinking about it!