Shutdown!

[luv]

The car dealership is smart, they don't want potential buyers seeing anything negative on the news that may change their mind about spending a substantial amount of money.

The doctor on the other hand makes more money when you are stressed and all worked up.

Lol, I never thought of that. I'll bet you're right!

Remember the days when you went to the doctor and gave your name and they asked how you were instead of, "Do you have your insurance card?"

I know I sound like an old person, but it was better back then. People were nicer. And happier.

I went to the drug store, too. Waited forever at the pharmacy, me and an old lady. When the girl came over, she said we'd been too quiet. The woman said they should have a bell. I agreed. "A bell would be helpful!" After we explained how the bell worked, the girl told us they had a computer thing by the railing that had a sensor that dinged a bell in the back, but something was wrong with the sensor, so we should call them if nobody comes to the counter.

The old lady said, "The bells worked better."

She wasn't wrong!!

 

[unkadug]

Lol, I never thought of that. I'll bet you're right!
...
After we explained how the bell worked, the girl told us they had a computer thing by the railing that had a sensor that dinged a bell in the back, but something was wrong with the sensor, so we should call them if nobody comes to the counter.

The old lady said, "The bells worked better."

She wasn't wrong!!

They still make them:

 

[PUSH]

Lol, I never thought of that. I'll bet you're right!

Remember the days when you went to the doctor and gave your name and they asked how you were instead of, "Do you have your insurance card?"

I know I sound like an old person, but it was better back then. People were nicer. And happier.

I went to the drug store, too. Waited forever at the pharmacy, me and an old lady. When the girl came over, she said we'd been too quiet. The woman said they should have a bell. I agreed. "A bell would be helpful!" After we explained how the bell worked, the girl told us they had a computer thing by the railing that had a sensor that dinged a bell in the back, but something was wrong with the sensor, so we should call them if nobody comes to the counter.

The old lady said, "The bells worked better."

She wasn't wrong!!

Ahhh!!!! The primitive technology burns!

 

[luv]

They still make them:
View attachment 34448

Seriously! I bet it costs a LOT less than their computerized sensor system that doesn't work, too. Also much easier to fix or replace.

Ding!

Worked fine.

 

[unkadug]

Ahhh!!!! The primitive technology burns!

That's how you know it's working!

 

[englanddg]

Lol, I never thought of that. I'll bet you're right!

Remember the days when you went to the doctor and gave your name and they asked how you were instead of, "Do you have your insurance card?"

I know I sound like an old person, but it was better back then. People were nicer. And happier.

I went to the drug store, too. Waited forever at the pharmacy, me and an old lady. When the girl came over, she said we'd been too quiet. The woman said they should have a bell. I agreed. "A bell would be helpful!" After we explained how the bell worked, the girl told us they had a computer thing by the railing that had a sensor that dinged a bell in the back, but something was wrong with the sensor, so we should call them if nobody comes to the counter.

The old lady said, "The bells worked better."

She wasn't wrong!!

My grandfather refused to buy a car that had electric windows. "One more thing to break", he said.

 

[englanddg]

Seriously! I bet it costs a LOT less than their computerized sensor system that doesn't work, too. Also much easier to fix or replace.

Ding!

Worked fine.

See, that's the issue though. Their system wasn't computerized enough!

What they really need to do is integrate it with a phone app and a centralized management service connected to the Sprint network for only $5 - $10 a month that will send a tweet notification to the worker.

(not kidding, Sprint really is offering services like this...I just had a prospectus meeting with them yesterday about it).

 

[unkadug]

See, that's the issue though. Their system wasn't computerized enough!

What they really need to do is integrate it with a phone app and a centralized management service connected to the Sprint network for only $5 - $10 a month that will send a tweet notification to the worker.

(not kidding, Sprint really is offering services like this...I just had a prospectus meeting with them yesterday about it).

Isn't that a Rube Goldberg approach to a simple idea.

 

[englanddg]

Isn't that a Rube Goldberg approach to a simple idea.

No. It's the Rube Zuckerberg approach.

 

[englanddg]

Seriously, one of their products offered was a door chimer which would send count metrics over the sprint network to a web application as well as offered tweet notifications (or email) whenever someone walked in the door.

 

[luv]

My grandfather refused to buy a car that had electric windows. "One more thing to break", he said.

My dad got locked in his car at a gas station. He was about 67, with a bad back and a bad hip, so he couldn't climb out. Something was wrong with the computer and it wouldn't unlock, lol. The same car also wouldn't turn off once. Even with the keys taken out, it kept running, lol. Before that, there had been other computer-related problems. It was a semi-expensive car, too. He'd bought a bunch of expensive cars from that dealer and they let him return it for full price and buy another car.

Technology is wonderful for medical breakthroughs and military things. It's a mixed bag elsewhere, IMO. I love my iPad and some other stuff. But some things - like bells - just don't need improving.

 

[unkadug]

Seriously, one of their products offered was a door chimer which would send count metrics over the sprint network to a web application as well as offered tweet notifications (or email) whenever someone walked in the door.

So that an employee can then tweet the customer and offer him a YouTube link to a video of the service that the customer is interested in purchasing. The customer then leaves (generating another tweet) to go home and purchase said service via Amazon.


So much for personalized service.

 

[The Mom]

I really don't understand blocking off the monuments. As long as you have a few Park Police on duty - like they do - it's not as if someone is going to back up a truck and steal Lincoln's statue.

Weren't they open 24 hours a day anyway, with rangers for 12 hours a day to answer questions? Many people would just go and look late at night, and read a tour book for info. I also don't understand the need to "close" them.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Weren't they open 24 hours a day anyway, with rangers for 12 hours a day to answer questions? Many people would just go and look late at night, and read a tour book for info. I also don't understand the need to "close" them.

I know they do trail maintenance and are also at the Visitor's Center, but I have never seen a Ranger at my local National Park. For most people, they park at one of several small parking lots (with gates that never seem to actually be closed even after dark when the park is technically closed), hike their trail of choice and leave.

 

[Disvillain63]

Yes!

I decided to start watching again and saw films of people and children who had been gassed. Ugh. Don't want to see that. It's just too depressing. People being gassed, blown up, beheaded...people starving and suffering...I used to be able to watch it all and then make dinner or talk on the phone or whatever. Now, it causes me to tear up and stuff...I just stopped watching.

I watch local news on occasion, but they hold to local stuff. I fast forward over sports and traffic. Even loco, though...murders, the ground swallowing that guy in his bed last year...upsetting and depressing.

The federal government shutdown will not have an effect on me, personally, but I hope everyone who relies on them is able to find something else or some way to get through until they un-shutdown...whatever that is called (re-open? Can't be shut-up, lol.)

They had a clip on in the doctor's office (waiting room) today. Some WWII vet said that he'd done his job and now he'd like the government to do theirs. Well said. A bunch of vets had travelled to see the memorial and someone opened it for them. Exactly what the point is of keeping old vets in wheelchairs from visiting a memorial, I'm not sure. But someone moved stuff so they could go see it.

I don't understand why they can't temper some of the bad news with some good news. Are we a country that has nothing good and positive happening? Instead, they just repeat the same five stories every 10 minutes with some sports and weather thrown in for good measure.

 

[prberk]

Looks like they're building a Mine Coaster or something on the Mall.

Hope you enjoyed the trip report!

View attachment 34407

Looks like they had to shut down just as they were preparing to put up the Smithsonian Castle Dream Lights installation. If this drags on, it could effect the Nightmare Before Christmas holiday overlay at the Executive Mansion at the White House as well.

 

[prberk]

Weren't they open 24 hours a day anyway, with rangers for 12 hours a day to answer questions? Many people would just go and look late at night, and read a tour book for info. I also don't understand the need to "close" them.

I am sure that it has to do with insurance (for things like the people who might claim they got hurt on them -- they can say that they were closed and the folks ignored signs), as well as a little bit of politics thrown in, especially things like that little barrier at the Vietnam Wall sidewalk which anyone can walk around.

 

[The Mom]

I am sure that it has to do with insurance (for things like the people who might claim they got hurt on them -- they can say that they were closed and the folks ignored signs), as well as a little bit of politics thrown in, especially things like that little barrier at the Vietnam Wall sidewalk which anyone can walk around.

But couldn't they claim the same thing in the past, if they were walking around after the rangers went off duty? People were walking around at all hours of the night in the past, with only the police to check on them. Wouldn't they still need police patrolling to make sure people don't cross the barricades? The only difference I see is that right now there are no employees to answer questions. It's not as if you had to pay admission to enter (Like a National Park, fort, etc) - there was never any "enter" involved.

But perhaps I'm missing something?

 

[Lucky]

Looks like they had to shut down just as they were preparing to put up the Smithsonian Castle Dream Lights installation. If this drags on, it could effect the Nightmare Before Christmas holiday overlay at the Executive Mansion at the White House as well.

They're handing out stale candy from last year at MNSSHP (Michelle's Not-So-Solvent Halloween Party) on the White House grounds.

 

[Lucky]

But perhaps I'm missing something?

I don't think so - it's probably just part of the political gamesmanship.