I have not updated my blog for several weeks. Primarily due to a lack of time, but mainly due to such a pleasant summer. However, today I was made aware of (yet) another tax being levied on the population of Michigan, in which there will be an increase in taxes on the boating majority. As a large supporter of the boating industry, I sent the following letter to the Governor's office. I doubt I will ever hear anything back, but who knows.
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Dear Governor / Gov. Aid,
Please identify a new plan to REDUCE wasteful spending and misallocation of funds by creating a budgetary audit program in which several 3rd party (Private Sector Entity) auditors would compete to provide a comprehensive audit of wasteful spending. The project should be limited to the Top50 accounting firms nationwide, and all reports and findings should be made public. This would remove the public opinion that these increases in taxation are solely caused by a failure of state government to adequately reduce the scope of services it offers the population during times of economic failures.
Failure to implement such measures will result in wasteful spending which will naturally be passed onto the tax paying population.
My wife and I are both debating leaving the state as a result of the direction that the legislature is taking Michigan.
If it was possible I would deem both the state senate and congress as failures, as many of your constituents, including myself, have no confidence in their ability to effectively reduce spending.
Michigan will never be a competitive force in the US, let alone the global economy, if the only recourse for failed economic policy is raising taxes and reducing spending on education, the most important long-term investment for any society.
I thank you for your time if you chose to read this communication.
Nicolas Brunner
Tel: xxx.xxx.xxxx
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Hey Hey hockeyto... I mean Sportsville(tm)
How Detroit has turned into a sport's mecca, especially during the most depressing economic time in this city's history, is well beyond my comprehension. I suppose this excludes the Lions, who continue to sell out every game with such horrible records. (Lions fans, please stop buying tickets and demand the resignation of Matt Millen www.firematt.com)
The Pistons are having a great run at the title, much to the displeasure of the NBA league. Lebron James idolotrists beware, our Pistons are much better with their backs against the wall. The Tigers also are making a decent attempt to live up to the expectations set last year, even with half of the team's starting pitchers on the disabled list. The Red Wings, albeit defeated soundly, had a great run at the Stanley Cup.
These small glimmers of hope are crucial to the survival of this once great city. Detroit, and the surrounding suburbs, are facing terrible economic conditions that are forcing its population to start looking elsewhere. This directly applies to the incoming workforce of college graduates. Detroit will face severe shortages of talent within five years if this situation persists, if not earlier.
I will hope & pray that the Tigers can bring home the pennant this year, as it is the longest season. In this city, we need every positive we can get.
GO TIGERS!
The Pistons are having a great run at the title, much to the displeasure of the NBA league. Lebron James idolotrists beware, our Pistons are much better with their backs against the wall. The Tigers also are making a decent attempt to live up to the expectations set last year, even with half of the team's starting pitchers on the disabled list. The Red Wings, albeit defeated soundly, had a great run at the Stanley Cup.
These small glimmers of hope are crucial to the survival of this once great city. Detroit, and the surrounding suburbs, are facing terrible economic conditions that are forcing its population to start looking elsewhere. This directly applies to the incoming workforce of college graduates. Detroit will face severe shortages of talent within five years if this situation persists, if not earlier.
I have watched my friends fight for gainful employment and often fail. This leaves them with little option but to move away to a region with economic growth. This is the city I grew up in, and love. While I do love Detroit, I also long for a city where positives can be seen outside of the sport arenas.Remember! Things in life will not always run smoothly. Sometimes we will be rising toward the heights - then all will seem to reverse itself and start downward. The great fact to remember is that the trend of civilization itself is forever upward, that a line drawn through the middle of the peaks and the valleys of the centuries always has an upward trend.
Endicott Peabody
I will hope & pray that the Tigers can bring home the pennant this year, as it is the longest season. In this city, we need every positive we can get.
GO TIGERS!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Canon SD900 - 100 picture lifespan?
I would have been quite frustrated if this had happened while I was on vacation!
I just recently purchased a Canon SD900 Titanium cased 10 megapixel camera, for both resolution and durability. I had taken about 100 (beautiful) pictures when, on power-up, grinding gears alerted me to a problem. Well, time to send it back into Canon.
I've read a few reports of people getting charged for things that should be covered under warranty, so I'm a bit nervous as the camera was very expensive to begin with. The camera has been amazing so far and I've been really impressed with the device, but to have it break within the first few weeks of owning it makes me a bit wary. My old 6MP powershot was a work horse that never had a problem, until it was stolen. Good thing I kept all the packaging and warranty card!
So much for increased durability due to titanium...
I just recently purchased a Canon SD900 Titanium cased 10 megapixel camera, for both resolution and durability. I had taken about 100 (beautiful) pictures when, on power-up, grinding gears alerted me to a problem. Well, time to send it back into Canon.
I've read a few reports of people getting charged for things that should be covered under warranty, so I'm a bit nervous as the camera was very expensive to begin with. The camera has been amazing so far and I've been really impressed with the device, but to have it break within the first few weeks of owning it makes me a bit wary. My old 6MP powershot was a work horse that never had a problem, until it was stolen. Good thing I kept all the packaging and warranty card!
So much for increased durability due to titanium...
Thursday, May 17, 2007
New notebook frustrations
It has been a while since I upgraded to Vista. I believe it was back when Beta2 was just released. Anyway, I had at one point dual-booted XP and Vista in order to get most things to work (VPN client especially) but now since most products have been updated, its all Vista. So, for the last month I've been evaluating, demoing, and spec'ing out several Vista powered Wireless-N capable laptop computers:
MacBook Pro 15" - Was a little big and the case felt cheap, plus the arrogant Mac sales force is irritating. I felt that learning Mac OSX would be nice, but not worth the extra expense. They also do not offer accidental damage protection, which seems to be a requirement for me.
Lenovo T60p - I think it was my favorite besides the ATI graphics card. The price for the performance definately was one of the best.
Dell Precision M65 - Nice PC, but big and heavy. Also more expensive than most.
Sony (All models under 15" monitor) - Integrated shared video memory doesn't cut it. That is the lesson I learned from my VGN-S460. Sorry Sony, but I'm not buying your products until you figure out how to make laptops with small form factor and decent video cards.
Asus, Toshiba - Asus' website is horrible! Toshiba's products didn't seem very exciting, and as my relatives have had several, I believe they do not survive when subjected to the type of abuse my laptop has been privy to.
Lenovo T61P - I hear the release date is June 9, 2007. I am VERY excited about this PC.
Alienware - Expensive for what they are... They also are slow to provide Santa Rosa capable models. Lack of a viable docking station also hurt them.
Voodoo - Worse price than Alienware, with similiar issues.
Falcon NW - Ugly and more expensive than I can entertain.
I am coming from a 13.3" form factor Sony VGN-S460 that is quite small and light. I feel that I could handle something a bit bigger and heavier, but not double, like the 15" Dell Precision M65 or MacBook Pro. So, I am leaning towards the Lenovo T60P or T61P product line due to the form factor and weight. Santa Rosa chipset would be a bonus as 802.11g sucks at my house.
I will wait for the T61P, make a decision that day, and live with it for 18 months.
Specs for T61P I would like:
2.2GHz Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR2 (1 DIMM)
Integrated 1GB readyboost capable memory
Wireless N
140GB 7200RPM HDD
SD Card Reader
Dual Layer DVD writer
nVidia 256MB video card
Advanced Mini dock
14" WUXGA (IPS would be nice... but I think Lenovo is discontinuing that)
Vista Ultimate
... Extra batteries.
SSD is not really a big deal to me, since the technology is still entirely too expensive.
MacBook Pro 15" - Was a little big and the case felt cheap, plus the arrogant Mac sales force is irritating. I felt that learning Mac OSX would be nice, but not worth the extra expense. They also do not offer accidental damage protection, which seems to be a requirement for me.
Lenovo T60p - I think it was my favorite besides the ATI graphics card. The price for the performance definately was one of the best.
Dell Precision M65 - Nice PC, but big and heavy. Also more expensive than most.
Sony (All models under 15" monitor) - Integrated shared video memory doesn't cut it. That is the lesson I learned from my VGN-S460. Sorry Sony, but I'm not buying your products until you figure out how to make laptops with small form factor and decent video cards.
Asus, Toshiba - Asus' website is horrible! Toshiba's products didn't seem very exciting, and as my relatives have had several, I believe they do not survive when subjected to the type of abuse my laptop has been privy to.
Lenovo T61P - I hear the release date is June 9, 2007. I am VERY excited about this PC.
Alienware - Expensive for what they are... They also are slow to provide Santa Rosa capable models. Lack of a viable docking station also hurt them.
Voodoo - Worse price than Alienware, with similiar issues.
Falcon NW - Ugly and more expensive than I can entertain.
I am coming from a 13.3" form factor Sony VGN-S460 that is quite small and light. I feel that I could handle something a bit bigger and heavier, but not double, like the 15" Dell Precision M65 or MacBook Pro. So, I am leaning towards the Lenovo T60P or T61P product line due to the form factor and weight. Santa Rosa chipset would be a bonus as 802.11g sucks at my house.
I will wait for the T61P, make a decision that day, and live with it for 18 months.
Specs for T61P I would like:
2.2GHz Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR2 (1 DIMM)
Integrated 1GB readyboost capable memory
Wireless N
140GB 7200RPM HDD
SD Card Reader
Dual Layer DVD writer
nVidia 256MB video card
Advanced Mini dock
14" WUXGA (IPS would be nice... but I think Lenovo is discontinuing that)
Vista Ultimate
... Extra batteries.
SSD is not really a big deal to me, since the technology is still entirely too expensive.
XM + Opie and Anthony Suspension
As a "lurker" of many blogs and boards, I am not one to be out-spoken about a specific topic. This departure from my standard online personality is completely based on a single topic, but hopefully I will find some constructive outlet of mental energy by utilizing this blog. So without further ado, I present my thoughts on the XM Opie and Anthony Suspension.
May 17, 2007
There are three things that had driven me to cancel my account yesterday:
After three years of being a somewhat satisfied customer of the XM service, I have come to appreciate it for only four things: Opie and Anthony, Ronnie B and Mr. W, Electronic Music, and sports.
After the CBS/XM deal to have Opie and Anthony move to FM radio in Detroit (FM97.1), I was debating the value of having XM. Music is downloadable and sports can be found on AM radio or 97.1 depending on the venue, so where does that leave the value of my $12.00 per month. Just talk radio. Strike one to XM.
After three years of listening to the various music channels on XM, I believe that my taste of music is not well represented. No one channel has become my favorite and no one channel can be left on my radio during a 3 hour drive. Being 26 years old, I enjoy a mixture of college jam bands, 90's grunge, new alternative, and some mainstream music. (I do loathe current pop radio!) So, there is not much there for me besides Lucy, which I find annoying 30% of the time. The count is now 0-2.
Finally, the crux of what I believe caused me to cancel my subscription even after being offered 3 months free: XM Radio has been advertised as a sanctuary for free speech. The comments made by a HOMELESS PERSON were completely offensive to those who are not fans of the Opie and Anthony show, but how can anyone punish Opie and Anthony on a channel where "anything goes" for a guest who had no script. If FM had done something about this I would have understood, but for XM to believe that they need to take action to protect the upcoming merger of XM + Sirius from anti-trust issues is just completely absurd. Strike three, your out XM.
I have heard ranging reports of cancellations from 15,000 to 35,000 subscriptions which should affect XM's bottom line and hurt the merger more than leaving the guys on the air with just a verbal warning. I am upset with Opie and Anthony for making a public apology, as I believe it has brought more press attention to a situation that would have gone away rather quickly.
Sorry to say, but my next car will not be GM just so I can avoid XM.
Comment 2: Ron and Fez are by far my favorite talk radio hosts, and I hope they are syndicated to 97.1 as they are currently doing afternoons for FM radio in NY. I will miss you boys.
May 17, 2007
There are three things that had driven me to cancel my account yesterday:
After three years of being a somewhat satisfied customer of the XM service, I have come to appreciate it for only four things: Opie and Anthony, Ronnie B and Mr. W, Electronic Music, and sports.
After the CBS/XM deal to have Opie and Anthony move to FM radio in Detroit (FM97.1), I was debating the value of having XM. Music is downloadable and sports can be found on AM radio or 97.1 depending on the venue, so where does that leave the value of my $12.00 per month. Just talk radio. Strike one to XM.
After three years of listening to the various music channels on XM, I believe that my taste of music is not well represented. No one channel has become my favorite and no one channel can be left on my radio during a 3 hour drive. Being 26 years old, I enjoy a mixture of college jam bands, 90's grunge, new alternative, and some mainstream music. (I do loathe current pop radio!) So, there is not much there for me besides Lucy, which I find annoying 30% of the time. The count is now 0-2.
Finally, the crux of what I believe caused me to cancel my subscription even after being offered 3 months free: XM Radio has been advertised as a sanctuary for free speech. The comments made by a HOMELESS PERSON were completely offensive to those who are not fans of the Opie and Anthony show, but how can anyone punish Opie and Anthony on a channel where "anything goes" for a guest who had no script. If FM had done something about this I would have understood, but for XM to believe that they need to take action to protect the upcoming merger of XM + Sirius from anti-trust issues is just completely absurd. Strike three, your out XM.
I have heard ranging reports of cancellations from 15,000 to 35,000 subscriptions which should affect XM's bottom line and hurt the merger more than leaving the guys on the air with just a verbal warning. I am upset with Opie and Anthony for making a public apology, as I believe it has brought more press attention to a situation that would have gone away rather quickly.
Sorry to say, but my next car will not be GM just so I can avoid XM.
Comment 2: Ron and Fez are by far my favorite talk radio hosts, and I hope they are syndicated to 97.1 as they are currently doing afternoons for FM radio in NY. I will miss you boys.
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