http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke That's the world from my perspective - with a free weblog from blogigo. en dougplotke dougplotke Tue, 14 Jun 2005 21:25:11 +0200 daily 1 You can live without it, but if you miss Summer Camp you've missed a lot.   It started out in the Fall when it was announced that next year we'll be old enough and experienced enough to go to Camp for two weeks.   The cost would be $80.00 all meals included.   No this isn't this year 2005; it's 1963.   In order to go we would all have to save money/earn money.   One way was by selling raffle tickets for a Thanksgiving turkey.   Ten cents a ticket, twelve on one page for $1.00.   We got to keep half in our Camp Bank. I made over $40.00 and had just $40.00 to go, I thought.   The holidays came and went.   We were supposed to go to camp the last two weeks in June.   I made more money running errands and even tried to get a job, to no avail. No one wanted to hire a 12 year old.   I had about $60.00 and things weren't looking too good.   I come from a family of 4 boys and a girl.... Tue, 14 Jun 2005 21:25:11 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Summer-Camp-A-Dream-Come-True/7/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Summer-Camp-A-Dream-Come-True/7/ Since 1970 we've been celebrating Earth Day.   For those of you who may not know exactly what Earth Day is all about, in short, I offer it deals with environmental issues...all over this Big Blue Marble.     http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/F_Big_Blue_Marble_Storybook_Text.html   One day seems hardly enough to deal with all of these   problems and of course it's not a one-day happening.   It's happening everyday in every country, county, city, town, neighborhood and street, avenue, parkway, lane and place.   Everyday.   The air we breathe.   The water we drink.   The very ground we live, work and play on.   The key to understanding the problems and solutions is education.   Education that gives back but is now in danger.   As a youngster in grammar school my friends and I would eagerly wait for spring having collected cat's eyes, clearies and even a... Thu, 31 Mar 2005 23:41:30 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/The-Big-Blue-Marble-Playing-For-Keeps-Earth/6/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/The-Big-Blue-Marble-Playing-For-Keeps-Earth/6/         It's Saturday and we are on our way to the Cornicopious Center which is a place for seniors and they are holding a meeting about winterizing your home or apartment, however that is not why we are going.   We are taking the bus to get a bus pass (reduced fare for eligible seniors).   The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.   The streets are crowded with people shopping and going to and fro perhaps getting ready for tomorrow's Super Bowl.   We must transfer to another bus so we get off and wait for the traffic light to change.   While waiting I feel something on the bottom of my topcoat.   There it is again.   What the?   I look around and it's an elderly blind man tapping my coat with his cane.   I had seen him on our bus.   We got off the back, while I guess he got off from the front.   Anyway before I could open my mouth my wife is asking him where he wants to... Mon, 07 Feb 2005 19:00:09 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/She-s-One-in-a-Million/5/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/She-s-One-in-a-Million/5/ I've read so much recently that my head was starting to spin. I thought I was starting to suffer from "Internet Download & Application Syndrome". What's that? Maybe only I suffer from it, but whenever my wife and I start to discuss these things.   Then, it's as if a large part of my brain goes numb. I get a huge mental block! It's not as if I'm stupid or don't understand the concept or old (well, yes, I am old, but I've had this Internet Problem for many years!). No, it's just that the complexities seem too great to grasp.   She is the one who really knows.   For instance,   I really like to listen to Old Time Radio Shows, mostly mysteries and sci-fi and I found so many sites on the internet that are offering free downloads   (like this one:   http://www.rusc.com/ ). I thought why not just download to a floppy disc on one computer downstairs where it is more convenient to do so, then just bring it upstairs and play it back whenever I wanted which... Fri, 28 Jan 2005 23:18:50 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Old-Time-Radio-vs.-Computer-Technology/4/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Old-Time-Radio-vs.-Computer-Technology/4/ The story you are about to read is not really true (see DISCLAIMER), but anyway the names have been changed to protect the innocent.   It's 1994 , we're flying down to a meeting on the island country of Barbados .   The meeting is being presented by the Nations United.   We're on the way to a beautiful city called Bridgetown; it's old, rustic yet modern, and tropical.   Capital city, no less, and a fishing village.   The rain has just ended, and it smells like fish.   We're staying at the hotel complex that has a clear pool and a wet bar.       My name is Morgan, a reporter for the New York Sun Post.   They sent me here to cover this meeting because there is some concern being expressed in letters to the editor and on the internet that New York City may be in danger of a Super Tsunami Incident that could be caused not by an earthquake as most tsunamis are, but rather by a landslide or mountain collapse... Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:31:24 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Tsunami-How-Get-Away-With-Murder-and-Make/3/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Tsunami-How-Get-Away-With-Murder-and-Make/3/ Are you over sixty?   Well, it's the first and last time you ever will be!   And what do you know about growing old?   If you're like me…Nothing!   Oh sure, you think you know. You have lived with relatives who have grown old.   You know people, people you see everyday; grow old.   You see how they deal with it.   But, until you experience growing old for yourself; you never will realize what it is like!   I have included in this small but concise writing my own personal experiences of which I am sure have been experienced by others, but never told before.   These are some of the best kept secrets on aging you will ever find between two covers.   Life experiences including how you are NOW viewed by younger and even persons of your own or similar age. What to expect, what will surprise you and what you should know (dummy) about growing old!... Fri, 21 Jan 2005 00:33:24 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Growing-Old-For-Dummies/2/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Growing-Old-For-Dummies/2/ It's January and we have ice and snow.   It was 56 degrees yesterday a lot of snow melted and there were huge puddles everywhere.   Today it's 10 and very slippery. But, I have these "old" shoes do really grip and give me good traction.   Let me tell you a little more about these shoes…   It was a sunny day in early April.   After work I went to the local Target Store looking for a few plants and pots to put out on the patio.   They had this huge outdoor tent just filled with plants.   I picked a couple and went inside to look for some pots.   On the way I happened past the shoe section.   Wow, all of the shoes were all over the isles.   It looked a mess.   This is not normal.   I picked up a pair and looked at the price tag to reveal a sale.     Not half off, but 90% off.   They were practically giving them away.   Now, I'm not one to pass this up!   I... Sat, 15 Jan 2005 00:49:02 +0100 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Old-Shoes-What-A-Bargain/1/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/dougplotke/Old-Shoes-What-A-Bargain/1/