Rambling -- September 24, 2017

Updates 

September 25, 2017: see comments --

Kudos to Alejandro Villanueva, who emerged as yesterday's towering hero.

He was instructed by his team before the game not to participate in the national anthem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCh9Ihrg8fA

But he defied team management and participated anyway.
https://s26.postimg.org/ljuxtlaah/Captura_de_pantalla_1474.png

Villanueva, an ex-Ranger and Bronze Medal recipient, is truly an American hero, in every aspect of the word.

September 24, 2017: I've never had a smart phone. I still have a Samsung clam shell -- it must be at least ten years old. I have had to buy a new battery for it -- some years ago -- that's how old it is. But I've been looking at the Apple iPhones and it's hard not to buy a an iPhone. Several models to choose from. For newbies: iPhone SE; 6s; iPhone 7 and 7 Plus; iPhone 8 and 8 Plus; and, then the iPhone X. There is clearly a model for everyone. On a monthly plan, they are practically giving the SE away for free. It appears that even with the SE (IOS 11) it will work with the new Apple Watch. All other models definitely work with the new Apple Watch. 

So, we will see.

Original Post

I'm in on of those moods, off my meds again. I don't know where this will take me but it's probably best for those who follow the Bakken, and come here for Bakken updates, ignore this post.

Only The Lonely, Chris Isaak
I usually delete these posts after a couple of days.

I pick up my MacBook Pro and it feels like a brick after using my MacBook Air. The latter I use 99% of the time. I seldom use my MacBook Pro any more -- it's a long story -- but lately, I've been using it a bit more. But still, compared to the MacBook Air it seems to weigh a ton.

I'm thinking of buying another MacBook Air before Tim Cook obsoletes it. The current MacBook Air still has has the ports and the headphone jack and the SanDisk slot but in another year or two these ports and slots will be removed from the MacBook Air, or more likely, Apple will simply discontinue the MacBook Air computer. I still think the MacBook Air gives one the best bang for the buck.

When I talk about "best bang for the buck" with Apple associates they disagree; most of them say it is the MacBook Pro. I will never buy another MacBook Pro as long as it has moving parts (the hard drive). The MacBook Air is all solid state; no moving parts except the keyboard and the track pad. 

Wow, how did I get on this tangent?

I say all that because ...

.. I'm going to move on. Maybe I'll talk about Apple later this weekend.

For investors: thank Paul Rand and John McCain for scuttling the ObamaCare Lite. Rand and McCain insure that the big insurance companies will be the big winners, and for investors, that's good news.

Look at New Hampshire -- health care insurance premiums will increase 40%; deductibles and co-pays will pretty much minimize any liabilities for the insurance companies. Increasing their premiums 40% and minimizing any chance they will actually have any liabilities ... what's not to like?

When you turn 65 years old you turn invisible. Tonight I drove 45 minutes to the other side of Texas to get Olivia to a birthday party. I escorted her up to the house and because I had Sophia with me we were invited in for a few minutes, but not a person noted I was there. It's a wonderful phenomenon. I didn't have to make small talk. I'm a chauffeur. It's wonderful.

Taxi, Harry Chapin
Anyway, Sunday night. Looking forward to the British comedies on PBS. Normally I would watch Sunday Night Football but not interested tonight. I have no desire to watch multi-millionaire athletes dis the national anthem.

I can't believe what a good mood I'm in. I see Dow 30 futures are up nicely tonight. I'm watching Call Northside 777 starring Jimmy Steward on TCM. I love his house (or is it an apartment). It looks a lot like our apartment. Small. Everything within arms' reach.

I'm also in the process of "cleaning up" my computer. Bear with me. I will be off the net for a few hours while "uninstalling" the last 8 years.