On 2021-04-14 1:26 p.m., bruce bowser wrote:
> I've noticed that fewer bosses smoke in the building and stash liquor in the bottom desk drawer. I guess its because its not politically correct. Its still a shame.
>
When I became manager of a consulting company, I called in all the
smokers and told them that as of the following Monday, smoking was
banned in the office. The rest of the staff were really appreciative.
The office was one of the first in the city to institute such a ban.
Gradually over the next 5 years or so, all the oil companies and other
major companies went the same way.

Graham wrote:

> On 2021-04-14 1:26 p.m., bruce bowser wrote:
> > I've noticed that fewer bosses smoke in the building and stash
> > liquor in the bottom desk drawer. I guess its because its not
> > politically correct. Its still a shame.
> >
> When I became manager of a consulting company, I called in all the
> smokers and told them that as of the following Monday, smoking was
> banned in the office. The rest of the staff were really appreciative.
> The office was one of the first in the city to institute such a ban.
> Gradually over the next 5 years or so, all the oil companies and
> other major companies went the same way.

Do you mean the oil companies that provide the gas/petrol that causes
more air pollution than smoking?

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

On 15 Apr 2021 00:53:18 GMT, "Dr. Bruce" >
wrote:

>Graham wrote:
>
>> On 2021-04-14 1:26 p.m., bruce bowser wrote:
>> > I've noticed that fewer bosses smoke in the building and stash
>> > liquor in the bottom desk drawer. I guess its because its not
>> > politically correct. Its still a shame.
>> >
>> When I became manager of a consulting company, I called in all the
>> smokers and told them that as of the following Monday, smoking was
>> banned in the office. The rest of the staff were really appreciative.
>> The office was one of the first in the city to institute such a ban.
>> Gradually over the next 5 years or so, all the oil companies and
>> other major companies went the same way.
>
>Do you mean the oil companies that provide the gas/petrol that causes
>more air pollution than smoking?

I do wonder what, exactly, 'Bruce' has contributed to society? It must
have been gargantuan, going by the ivory tower he resides in.

On 4/14/2021 8:53 PM, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> Graham wrote:
>
>> On 2021-04-14 1:26 p.m., bruce bowser wrote:
>>> I've noticed that fewer bosses smoke in the building and stash
>>> liquor in the bottom desk drawer. I guess its because its not
>>> politically correct. Its still a shame.
>>>
>> When I became manager of a consulting company, I called in all the
>> smokers and told them that as of the following Monday, smoking was
>> banned in the office. The rest of the staff were really appreciative.
>> The office was one of the first in the city to institute such a ban.
>> Gradually over the next 5 years or so, all the oil companies and
>> other major companies went the same way.
>
> Do you mean the oil companies that provide the gas/petrol that causes
> more air pollution than smoking?

I turned "greener" 3 weeks ago. I only used my van about 2-3 miles a
week. Had been planning to get rid of it by end of May before inspection
time but it broke 3 weeks ago, and not worth fixing for the little
driving that I do.

I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather is
getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional taxi or
Uber to see how that works out for me.

If it sucks, I'll buy some old car again.

On Thu, 15 Apr 2021 08:00:26 -0400, Gary wrote:

> I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather is
> getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional taxi or
> Uber to see how that works out for me.

So you're finally using a smartphone?

-sw

On 4/15/2021 11:59 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Apr 2021 08:00:26 -0400, Gary wrote:
>
>> I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather is
>> getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional taxi or
>> Uber to see how that works out for me.
>
> So you're finally using a smartphone?

Not yet. I've been stalling forever but I do need to find a good deal
for one now. (no Uber or Lyft without one). They sound cheaper than a taxi.

Maybe one of those QVC deals...phone and 1000 minutes for about $100.
I'd still have to keep my landline with that though. (now $45 per month).

What I'd like to find is a decent smartphone with:
- unlimited talk (or at least 600-700 minutes per month)
- not interested in text although that might be important too
- a little bit of data time (using apps)

The unlimited talk is all my mother's fault. She doesn't like email.
Likes to talk each week for a couple of hours so I do that for her.

Gary wrote:

> On 4/15/2021 11:59 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> > On Thu, 15 Apr 2021 08:00:26 -0400, Gary wrote:
> >
> > > I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather
> > > is getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional
> > > taxi or Uber to see how that works out for me.
> >
> > So you're finally using a smartphone?
>
> Not yet. I've been stalling forever but I do need to find a good deal
> for one now.

You'll never find a good deal. It's always going to cost money.

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net

On 4/16/2021 7:31 AM, Gary wrote:

>
> The unlimited talk is all my mother's fault. She doesn't like email.
> Likes to talk each week for a couple of hours so I do that for her.
>

Good for her. Email is fine for some stuff but nothing replaces real
conversation. I have three friends I talk to weekly, often for a long
time. Not as good as face to face but much better than a computer.

My Saturday morning call is to Sue. We worked together and had lunch
together for 25 years and still have a lot to talk about. Could be 2
hours, sometimes more.

On 2021-04-16 10:01 a.m., Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 4/16/2021 7:31 AM, Gary wrote:
>
>>
>> The unlimited talk is all my mother's fault. She doesn't like email.
>> Likes to talk each week for a couple of hours so I do that for her.
>>
>
> Good for her.* Email is fine for some stuff but nothing replaces real
> conversation.* I have three friends I talk to weekly, often for a long
> time.* Not as good as face to face but much better than a computer.
>
> My Saturday morning call is to Sue. We worked together and had lunch
> together for 25 years and still have a lot to talk about.* Could be 2
> hours, sometimes more.



Some people love to talk on the phone. My mother did and my son seems to
have inherited that trait from her. I am more like my father. He used
the phone to communicate messages, not for conversations.

My son has bad cell phone reception by his house, only a block from the
lake. He gets much better reception in his car. He often calls me on his
way to work and he can chat the whole way there.

A few years ago I reconnected with an old friend and we became quite
close. He calls almost every day, sometimes two or three times. I also
have a nephew who calls every week or two and talks for an hour or more.
It's nice to hear from them but I am just not used to that.


I will check my cell phone if it rings while I am out. I may or may not
answer, depending on what I am doing. I have to wonder about people I
see walking around in town or in malls with a phone glued to their ear.

On Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:01:19 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> My Saturday morning call is to Sue. We worked together and had lunch
> together for 25 years and still have a lot to talk about. Could be 2
> hours, sometimes more.

When are you going to marry her? Or might that be a little awkward
after so long as friends?

-sw

On Friday, April 16, 2021 at 6:32:04 AM UTC-5, Gary wrote:
> On 4/15/2021 11:59 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> > On Thu, 15 Apr 2021 08:00:26 -0400, Gary wrote:
> >
> >> I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather is
> >> getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional taxi or
> >> Uber to see how that works out for me.
> >
> > So you're finally using a smartphone?
> Not yet. I've been stalling forever but I do need to find a good deal
> for one now. (no Uber or Lyft without one). They sound cheaper than a taxi.
>
> Maybe one of those QVC deals...phone and 1000 minutes for about $100.
> I'd still have to keep my landline with that though. (now $45 per month).
>
> What I'd like to find is a decent smartphone with:
> - unlimited talk (or at least 600-700 minutes per month)
> - not interested in text although that might be important too
> - a little bit of data time (using apps)
>
> The unlimited talk is all my mother's fault. She doesn't like email.
> Likes to talk each week for a couple of hours so I do that for her.


Check out Tracfone, have used them for ten years now and very satisfied. I've no plan, just buy what I need as I go along...also data/talk minutes/texts never expire...I got a nice LG smartphone for forty bux, it fills the bill...

https://www.tracfone.com

--
Best
Greg

On Fri, 16 Apr 2021 07:15:21 -0700 (PDT), GM wrote:

> On Friday, April 16, 2021 at 6:32:04 AM UTC-5, Gary wrote:
>> On 4/15/2021 11:59 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
>>> On Thu, 15 Apr 2021 08:00:26 -0400, Gary wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather is
>>>> getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional taxi or
>>>> Uber to see how that works out for me.
>>>
>>> So you're finally using a smartphone?
>> Not yet. I've been stalling forever but I do need to find a good deal
>> for one now. (no Uber or Lyft without one). They sound cheaper than a taxi.
>>
>> Maybe one of those QVC deals...phone and 1000 minutes for about $100.
>> I'd still have to keep my landline with that though. (now $45 per month).
>>
>> What I'd like to find is a decent smartphone with:
>> - unlimited talk (or at least 600-700 minutes per month)
>> - not interested in text although that might be important too
>> - a little bit of data time (using apps)
>>
>> The unlimited talk is all my mother's fault. She doesn't like email.
>> Likes to talk each week for a couple of hours so I do that for her.
>
> Check out Tracfone, have used them for ten years now and very satisfied. I've no plan, just buy what I need as I go along...also data/talk minutes/texts never expire...I got a nice LG smartphone for forty bux, it fills the bill...
>
> https://www.tracfone.com

I get the LG Rebel 4's for $10/ea. They say refurbished, but they're
always brand new.

-sw

On Friday, April 16, 2021 at 9:15:25 AM UTC-5, GM wrote:
>
> On Friday, April 16, 2021 at 6:32:04 AM UTC-5, Gary wrote:
> >
> > What I'd like to find is a decent smartphone with:
> > - unlimited talk (or at least 600-700 minutes per month)
> > - not interested in text although that might be important too
> > - a little bit of data time (using apps)
> >
> Check out Tracfone, have used them for ten years now and very satisfied. I've no plan, just buy what I need as I go along...also data/talk minutes/texts never expire...I got a nice LG smartphone for forty bux, it fills the bill...
>
> https://www.tracfone.com
>
> Best
> Greg
>
I was going to suggest Tracfone, too. Frequently they have them on HSN and they come
with 1500 minutes of text and talk included. If he doesn't like to text, that's fine, he can
use his 1500 minutes for talking only; it's however he likes to use his minutes.

On Friday, April 16, 2021 at 7:32:04 AM UTC-4, Gary wrote:
> On 4/15/2021 11:59 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> > On Thu, 15 Apr 2021 08:00:26 -0400, Gary wrote:
> >
> >> I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather is
> >> getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional taxi or
> >> Uber to see how that works out for me.
> >
> > So you're finally using a smartphone?
> Not yet. I've been stalling forever but I do need to find a good deal
> for one now. (no Uber or Lyft without one). They sound cheaper than a taxi.
>
> Maybe one of those QVC deals...phone and 1000 minutes for about $100.
> I'd still have to keep my landline with that though. (now $45 per month).
>
> What I'd like to find is a decent smartphone with:
> - unlimited talk (or at least 600-700 minutes per month)
> - not interested in text although that might be important too
> - a little bit of data time (using apps)
>
> The unlimited talk is all my mother's fault. She doesn't like email.
> Likes to talk each week for a couple of hours so I do that for her.

Deals are steals. I guess that's why they're so tough to find.

Gary wrote:

> On 4/14/2021 8:53 PM, Dr. Bruce wrote:
> > Graham wrote:
> >
> > > On 2021-04-14 1:26 p.m., bruce bowser wrote:
> > > > I've noticed that fewer bosses smoke in the building and stash
> > > > liquor in the bottom desk drawer. I guess its because its not
> > > > politically correct. Its still a shame.
> > > >
> > > When I became manager of a consulting company, I called in all the
> > > smokers and told them that as of the following Monday, smoking was
> > > banned in the office. The rest of the staff were really
> > > appreciative. The office was one of the first in the city to
> > > institute such a ban. Gradually over the next 5 years or so, all
> > > the oil companies and other major companies went the same way.
> >
> > Do you mean the oil companies that provide the gas/petrol that
> > causes more air pollution than smoking?
>
> I turned "greener" 3 weeks ago. I only used my van about 2-3 miles a
> week. Had been planning to get rid of it by end of May before
> inspection time but it broke 3 weeks ago, and not worth fixing for
> the little driving that I do.
>
> I've never been without a vehicle to drive but, since the weather is
> getting nicer, I'm going to try using a bicycle and occasional taxi
> or Uber to see how that works out for me.

Gary, you typed the word 'taxi'. That's $25, excluding sales tax. You
are now going into anaphylactic shock.

--
The real Dr. Bruce posts with uni-berlin.de - individual.net