Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt- “ZZ”

June 20, 2020June 19, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 59 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and here is Linda Hill to explain this week’s prompt. “Thank you, John. I have to say that long hair gives you the appearance of a mad scientist. It’s a good look. I would keep it. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “zz.” Find a word with double-z in it and use it in your post. Enjoy!”

Yeah, thank you, Linda. If you would like to have fun too, just visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 20/2020

“You and a dictionary? What gives?”

“Our prompt this week is a word that has a double z. Linda said to look up a word with. a double z and use it.”

“I’m guessing no first names like Izzy or ZZ Top.”

“She never said anything about that.”

“There are a ton of words. Gizzard, pizzazz, pizza, sizzle, drizzle.”

“Come on, this is my prompt. Let me do it.”

“Sure. We have all day.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“No offense, but sometimes you are the dizziest when it comes to making a decision.”

“Yeah, nice thing to say. So sometimes I get puzzled. No one’s perfect.”

“I think the word to describe your condition is frazzled.”

“Okay, I got it. I’m going to talk about the Grizzley bear.”

“Careful. Make sure that thing has a muzzle.”

“Ha ha, very funny. Thanks for the razzing.”

“All these double z words makes me thirsty for a guzzle.”

“You thinking of getting sozzled?”

“Could be on the list. Want to help me swizzle.”

“You bet. When I’m sufficiently fuzzed, I’m coming home to jump in the Jacuzzi.”

“You have to stop now. I think you are done.”

“For shizzle. Fizzy barley pop here we come.”

“Just shoot me.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF

June 19, 2020June 18, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 71 Comments

It is Friday once again. Hopefully, everyone is safe and well. It is becoming more difficult to stay safe and well for sure.

Today the governor approved a workaround for requiring the wearing of masks here in Texas. A county judge in San Antonio found a loophole whereby the state and local municipalities cand enforce the wearing of masks in retail establishments. It is quite simple. Retailers are now required not to let anyone in the store without a mask. As we all know, social distancing and masks are very effective in stopping the spread of Covid-19. With people jamming into bars and onto beaches the new case and hospitalizations of Covid-19 victims has skyrocketed. So far voluntary compliance has not been effective. Let’s hope the new retail requirement can make a difference. For the life of me, I don’t understand why folks take this disease so casually especially when the young are getting sick.

In other news. There has been no response from the agent community on my queries. I guess I’ll have to send follow up notes to extract a decision.

Today’s JohnKu talks about individual rights in a pandemic. I hope you have a super weekend.

Good health is a right,

Which supersedes most others . . .

Put on the damn mask.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Lucy and a Nest Doorbell

June 18, 2020June 17, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy

“Hey, what’s all this stuff, Dad.”

“I’m installing a Nest doorbell.”

“A doorbell for birds? Can’t their visitors knock?”

“It is not for a bird’s nest. That’s the name of the product.”

“You people have some strange names for things.”

“I think you are right, Little One. I didn’t name it, though.”

“Okay, Boss. What did I miss?”

Nothing, Lucy. Well, maybe a funny comment by Twiggy.”

You going up on that Ladder, Boss?”

“Yup. The ringer is way up there.”

“Gee, Dad. That is almost out of sight.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

“What’s the doorbell for anyway?”

“So we can keep track of who comes to the door.”

“I would think you could look out the window for that.”

“You are right, Twiggy. This gives us a video record of who has been to the front door.”

“This ladder tastes funny. Why do you need a record?”

“It is a matter of safety. Let’s say someone tries to break in. We will have a way for the police to identify them.”

“Other than the large bite mark on their backside, you mean?”

“Let’s just say we think it’s a good idea.”

“Okay, Lucy. I’ve heard enough. Let’s go play. Man, that ladder tastes funny.”

“So, you don’t need us chasing burglars around the house, Boss.”

“We’ll save you two for bigger stuff, okay?” Like lions and bears.”

“Oh my.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

June 17, 2020June 16, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

“Why are we so wide awake on a Wednesday, Lucy?”
“We want everyone to know the boss is over at Story Empire today.”
“You have a link?”
“Here it is. Keep smiling Little One.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again and last week we met Vlado who is Nikola Stanković’s bodyguard. He took our hero’s weapons and has escorted them into Stanković’s conference room. By the way, Stanković is one of the most notorious thugs that ever graduated from the Slobodan Milošević school of thugdom. Ooops here he comes. I hope he didn’t hear me.

“Gentlemen. Please have a seat.”

“Thank you, Mr. Stanković. I want to introduce a fellow police officer. This is Larry Dunfee, a detective from Boston. Also, with us is his associate Andrew Cummings.”

“Thank you for hosting, Lieutenant. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. What brings two of Boston’s finest into my humble conference room?”

“Well, sir—”

“Excuse me, Larry, but let me outline some background for Mr. Stanković.”

“Oh, sorry, Lieutenant. Go ahead.”

“Larry and Andrew have not been treated very well since they arrived in Reno. They are wondering if you might know of anyone who has a desire to see them depart this vail of tears.”

“Vlad has told me of some attempts on your life, gentlemen. He gave me this information before your arrival. I have since had the opportunity to discuss this matter with some of my associates and can confirm that my organization holds no wish to see you harmed.”

“That is comforting for them to hear.”

“Yes, very comforting.”

“Thank you, Larry. We are also wondering if you may have heard who is behind the attempts on these two men.”

“I have heard some rumors, but first, I must apologize for being rude. I did not offer you, gentlemen, some refreshments. Would you care for some tea, coffee, or perhaps some of the finest vodka from my private stock?”

“I think speaking for my associates, we would love to taste some of your private stock.”

“Ah, excellent. I think you have made the best choice. Here is Vlad with a tray. Please take a glass. Vlad will leave the bottle and some fresh Beluga caviar from the Caspian Sea. You must try it as well. A toast. To new friends.”

“To new friends.”

“Whoa, this is not your average Stoli.”

“I see you know quality, Mr. Dunfee. I like that in a man.”

“Thank you, Mr. Stanković.”

“Now, try this caviar with just a little egg, onion, and a caper.”

“Truly outstanding, sir.”

“Lieutenant. I am impressed with your associates. Another drink and we can get down to business.”

“I think I could get used to this hospitality.”

“I do have an opening on my staff, Mr. Dunfee if you are interested.”

“Thank you, but I have a fulfilling job.”

“Yes, but there are those who want you removed. If you worked for me, all that would go away.”

“So, you know who is trying to ‘remove’ me as you say?”

“Well, as I said, I have heard rumors.”

“Care to share?”

“Does the name Lazar Popović mean anything to you?”

“No. I’ve not heard that name before.”

“His sister was married to Igor Sandusky.”

“I know that name for sure.”

“I thought you would. More vodka?”

“I think I need a clear head. Why is he out to kill us?”

“Maybe you are getting close to something he doesn’t want you to get close to. By the way, any enemy of Lazar Popović is a friend of mine. Na Zdorovie.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #267 by Keith Channing

June 16, 2020June 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #267

“My goodness. Come here m’love.”

“What is it, Reggie?”

“I’m just reviewing our doorbell video and didn’t realize it before.”

“Realize what?”

“The mountains.”

“What mountains?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“I hope I haven’t had a stroke cause I’m not understanding anything right now.”

“Here, look at this video.”

“Okay, what. am I seeing?”

“It’s not what you are seeing it’s what’s not there.”

“Tell me what’s not there?”

“Darling for heaven’s sake. The mountains.”

“The mountains.”

“Quit sounding like a magpie. There are no mountains.”

“I can see that.”

“Where did they go?”

“Huh?”

“Earth to Major Dan. Hello.”

“Okay, Reggie. You need to take a chill.”

“What do you mean ?”

“You keep talking about the mountains.”

“That is what I’m trying to say. The mountains are missing.”

“They are not missing, Reggie. We have no mountains.”

“But they were there this morning.”

“This morning?”

“I woke up and saw them.”

“Before you took that fall?”

“What fall?”

“You caught your heel on the stair. You said you were all right. I believed you. Now you are acting strange.”

“I don’t remember a fall, Blanch.”

“It was right after breakfast. Never mind that now. I think we have more to worry about than the fall Reggie.”

“What’s that?”

“What town is this?”

“Where we live?”

“Yes.”

“For heaven’s sake. It’s Zurich, Blanch. What are you doing?”

“Calling 9-1-1.”

“Why?”

“We are in the UK.”

“So, a little mistake.”

“My name is Beatrice.”

“A big mistake.”

Also if you haven’t, go check out Story Empire. There is an announcement over there that makes me very happy. Here is the link.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Dedication of the UNIVAC , The First Commercially Produced Electronic Digital Computer in 1951

June 15, 2020June 14, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

Top Ten Things not to do

This week marks the anniversary of the dedication in 1951 of UNIVAC, the first commercially produced electronic digital computer. The computer was designed and built for the Census Bureau. The engineers that developed the UNIVAC, J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly sold their company to Remington Rand in 1950 before the launch. If you want to go and be part of the dedication, please take this list with you. We all know we must be cautious when time traveling to prevent any tears in the time continuum.

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Dedication of the UNIVAC computer in 1951.

10 If you go, do not make comments regarding the size of the computer. If you do, at best, no one will pay attention to you. At worse, you are overheard by Eckert. (Yes, the machine is enormous, Lancelot. It weighs 16,000 pounds, but Eckert looks a little upset since this model is about a quarter the size of his last. I think you might apologize quickly.)

9 If you go, do not try to teach Tiny the WWF champ any programming language. If you do, at best he’ll think you are kidding. At worst, Tiny will realize that he is not teachable. (You have a bit of a problem, Landry. You see, Tiny has been ordered by the court to attend self-esteem group sessions. The last session got him to know that he was okay. Your attempts to explain basic programming just set him back four years. He’s looking for someone to blame. Point at John Mauchly quick.)

8 If you go, do not scoff when J Presper Eckert brags about the ability of the machine to perform 1905 instructions per second. If you do, at best, he will think you have hay fever. At worst, he’ll call upon you to explain your scoff. (You are on the spot now, X. See when you scoff knowing your iPhone can do 3.2 billion instructions per second you are going to have a tough time explaining your way out of this one. Maybe you should just admit to hay fever.)

7 If you go, do not make jokes about the heat from the 5000 vacuum tubes. If you do, at best, one or two may get the joke. At worst, John Mauchly will ask you to take your marshmallow stick and leave the premises. (Now you have made him angry, Langley. Of course, he doesn’t know that transistors would be available within five years. If he did, he would think you were a genius instead of ending up upside down in the alley.)

6 If you go, do not take your iPad. If you do, at best, people will think it is a clipboard. At worst, J Presper Eckert will spot you doing some calculations on it. (Don’t worry, Laochailan. Just hit the screen hide and show him your clipboard screen saver. He’ll never know.)

5 If you go, do not ask Eckert about punch card inputs. If you do, at best, he will be flattered since there are none. At worst, he ‘ll be insulted since he and Mauchly worked hard to make a digital electronic input system without the need for punch cards. (Now you have Eckert yelling at you, Laramie. He thinks you are a punch card fan and too dumb to recognize his achievement. Just tell him you were kidding and to put that chair back under the desk.)

4 If you go, do not ask to speak to someone from the computer science department. If you do, at best no one will be available for weeks. At worst, you will talk to a person who will speak a different language. (Not to worry Largo. Here is a handy reference for talking to computer science people. There are three columns and twenty rows of words. All you have to do is pick a word from one column, add it to another word in the next column, and finally tack it on to a third word. Put it all in a sentence, and you are good to go. For example. “Can you guys integrate bipolar terminals and publish a report on the results?” The guy will say he’ll look into it but is totally impressed.)

3 If you go, do not mention IBM around anyone in the room. If you do, at best, you will be near the coffee server. At worst, you’ll be taken as a spy. (Well, Larue, how does it feel sitting here with the eggshells?)

2 If you go, do not ask Eckert if the computer can predict presidential elections. If you do, at best, he’ll laugh. At worst, he’ll want to know where you got the information on his secret pet project. (Of course, Laszlo you didn’t read your history. You didn’t realize the UNIVAC surprised the world by predicting the outcome of the election of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s unexpected landslide victory in November of 1952. You now have a lot of explaining to do.)

1 If you go, do not ask Eckert and Mauchly why they sold their company to Remington Rand. If you do, at best, both will be talking to someone else and not hear you. At worst, they will help you out to the ally, which has been your home away from home, it seems. (The problem is Lathan these guys are terrific engineers but horrible businessmen. They were lucky to see before they went bankrupt.)

Views of the Neighborhood -Check on the Flora and Stuff

June 14, 2020June 13, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 86 Comments

I’m glad you could come on a little walk around the neighborhood. Today we are going to look at some blooms and any unusual things we come across. Glad you can join me.

Views of the Neighborhood

Here are a couple of crape myrtles in bloom. A pretty red color.

Here is a beautiful display of Mexican Birds of Paradise.

Here is an old friend with a new rock. Someone has been placing little decorated stones on mailbox holders.

A lovely green rock.

A new mushroom in town with a collection of rocks.

Another crape myrtle.

More Mexican Birds of Paradise.

A white crape myrtle.

A pile of rocks. Not very attractive.

A cute little rock that the sun wiped out. It is decorated with small figures.

This rock says, “promise.”

A stone turkey with a rock that says, “sweet.”

An old pal armadillo with a Texas flag rock.

I took this shot because there is a pink crape myrtle in front of a red one and beside a red oleander.

Another while crape myrtle.

Views of the neighborhood

A fabulous fig tree. You can see the little round figs just starting. (They look like small olives.)

A beautiful morning glory in full bloom.

I thought this flower bed was unusual in that it is outlined with sea glass.

I hope you enjoyed this walk and a check on the flora.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Nail”

June 13, 2020June 12, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 52 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “nail.” Linda Hill says we can use it as a verb or noun. She also cautions us to have fun.

If you would like to join in on the fun visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 13/2020

“You look happy.”

“I just got the prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday.”

“Must be an easy one given the smile as big as Canada.”

“Where did that phrase come from, eh?”

“My friend Dale said that in a prompt yesterday and I thought it was pretty funny. So what’s the prompt?”

“Nail.”

“Nail?”

“Nail. Linda Hill says we can use it as a verb or noun.”

“Okay, What are you going to do with nail?”

“I’m going to talk about the time I broke my nail.”

“Don’t tell me we are going back to that tire changing episode again.”

“You have to admit it was one of those life-defining moments.”

“Aw come on. We had a flat tire. It could happen to anyone.”

“You passing out doesn’t happen to everyone.”

“Well, I was hurt.”

“It was a scratch. You got a scratch.”

“That could have lead to lockjaw.”

“It was from a bramble. I don’t know how may brambles carry lockjaw.”

“There was blood.”

“You mean that red line on your arm?”

“Maybe it was cause I skipped breakfast.”

“Or you are a weenie. In any case, I had to change the tire.”

“You did a great job too.”

“And broke a nail.”

“Tell the people what caused the flat.”

“A nail.”

“Bingo. Extra points. No, wait. You didn’t use it as a verb.”

“If you nail someone as a weenie I think that takes care of it.”

“Are you ever going to forget this story?”

“what do you think?”

“No.”

“Good answer cookie.”

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

June 12, 2020June 11, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

“I love Fridays don’t you, Lucy.”
“I do Little One.”
“The yard is nice today.”
“It is.”
“I’ll give you a head start for tag.”
“I appreciate that.”

Friday is here, and so are we. (You. are there, right?) The bars are open, and folks are having a swell time. Here’s a piece of information that should have the word DUH hung on it. Memorial Day was May 26th, precisely 14 days later (yesterday) the number of Covid-19 cases here in Austin reached a new high point.

Here is another DUH statement. The stock market took a dive yesterday because of growing fears of increased Coronavirus cases.

So what did everyone expect? The most effective way of avoiding contracting the virus is to stay away from people. Gather together, and guess what’s going to happen?

The protests will help to ramp the cases as well. All this should come as no surprise to anyone.

Today’s JohnKu gives a hint on staying safe. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Cases decline but,

Start up again when open . . .

Stay away, wear masks.