Overnight Parking District (OPD) - Why this Sucks

It does not matter if it is Santa Monica or the City of Los Angeles.  I have issues with this parking plan that backfires on the average person that gets slammed with the cost and in the end gets very little benefit.

My area of Santa Monica is adding it.  Two buildings I have to work and park near have them and I must carry two parking hang tags now.  Venice beach is debating it.   See the image below.  A Brilliant promotional flier that looks like the ticket that the typical local working stiff will get.  That working guy is best characterized by the three monkeys.  Hear no... See no... Speak no... because they let others do the local politicking for them.  IMHO if you leave it to the NIMBY's you will get over regulated and live in what eventually feels more and more fascist in actuality.  (review the definition of fascism)

The bottom line...  It is a rip off of people to put in these systems (Useful only by NIMBY's) to tax and fine all the rest of the people who are part of the local community.

First Cost…
"…Resident (Annual) permits are valid for one year for $15.00 each and each household is limited to three annual permits…"   really that is $30 to $45 per year. Just to beg for them NOT to ticket you.
Second Cost…
Your house guests get tickets.
Third Cost…
"…The following documents must be used to satisfy the proof of residency requirement:
Driver's license.
Property tax bill or rental/lease agreement.
Utility Bill (Cable TV, Telephone (landline only), Gas, Water, or Electric).
E.G. Not everyone will be able to get all these. Some Residents are roommates or sub-tenants in a furnished rental on Speedway (etc) and the utils are in the other residents name.

Fourth Cost… Your time
"…applicants for new overnight parking permits must purchase the permit in-person by visiting one of our four convenient walk-in Customer Service Centers…" ""Convenient"" in this context is a lie.
Only one office on the west side. Near Roxbury at 9911 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035
Hours of Operation: M-F (excluding holidays) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Forget about weekends. YOU MUST GET TIME OFF WORK TO GET THE PARKING PASS
Do you think they will have the helpfulness of the DMV or the helpful Honda salesman?

Biggest Cost…
The Fine you pay when they write you the ticket. When you have a rental car and leave your main car in the repair shop (with the sticker) or when you forget to hang the tag. YOU WILL GET ONE. Everyone does eventually.

I use Preferred parking now. IT SUCKS.

See

Doggie moment of Fame

I have a dog.

He likes to play ball.

I have to take a little time in the am and again in the pm to give him some love and attention.  Good thing too.  It is good for me.  I read a poem on Facebook this am about someone having to let go of their dog and make that hard decision to put their old dog to sleep.  Heartbreak.  Moving.  Tears flowing.

So it is good that the sun is coming out.  I'm letting it out here.  I've got to be careful not to let that out on my FACEBOOK page.  Really.  No one wants that depressing stuff.   AND I'll admit that this blog has suffered neglect as I use F'nbook instead of blog posts here.

SO...  here is a re-post of some recent Dog posts.

Winzer is a TV personality.  He is more well reviewed too.  To see his stuff try this link...
http://ktla.com/bio/allie-mac-kay/#axzz2RbJVYXoQ

Allie does a news bit.  She did three little filler bits on the Dogromat.  We went in to support our local business.  It was cool.   It was way to early.  It was a little educational to see what they go through to make a part of your morning T V News show.  Silly mixed up antics between the news reporters in the studio and the reporters in the field.  Camera man getting the shot (or not) at the right moment.  It's a job.

Back to Winzor...

He was one of four big dogs who were on hand.  And there were another 4 small dogs at the shop that morning.  The young woman in the middle takes great care of the pooches at the Dogromat.  Bob the older man in the blue shirt is retiring.  Sold the shop to a local man who is going to keep it going and refresh it a bit.

I wish Alex best of luck.  The Venice Dogromat is a good service place.  Do it Yourself or drop off your dog and let them groom your doggie.

Many of my last 40 Facebook posts have a photo of Winzer when out and about.  On the beach.  At the Santa Monica Bluff.  About town.  He gets a lot of "likes" when I post his handsome mug on the page.  Perfect camera fodder.  He has gotten used to the..  Sit, Stay,  Click,  "Good Dog" routine.

When a few weeks after I moved out of the house Trisha told me that I had to take the dog I was surprised   He would miss the back yard and the boys I was thinking.  Then shortly after I realized.  She did me a favor  I have company.  I have someone to care for.  It makes me stop and think harder about what I need to do for hime and his needs.  Thereby planing my time better and incidentally doing more for me.  Healthy.  Walks. Timely meals.  (at the beginning and end of the day - as I still forget to eat lunches if at my computer)

This post is to say...  I Love My Dog.  He keeps me sane. He is my sidekick. 

Thank you God for my Dog.

He is a very good dog.

I strive to be the man my dog thinks I am.

It is a worthy goal.

IMHO having a dog is good for me.

A Clean Bottom is Great

Well the M/V Ramblin' is back in the water.  Out of the yard.

With the new bottom paint and a few improvements we are ready for the season!

I took her out for a quick run on the fresh paint.  With light tanks... a little more than 1/3rd full of fuel.  1/2 to 3/4 full of water.  No heavy provisions. I was ready for the perfect run to test her out.  And the weather was just right too!

I gave her a little exercise and got the Cummins Diesels wormed up.  This is what I recorded.

• At 2000 RPM she ran at 14.8 knots
• At 2100 RPM she ran at 16.5 - 16.8 knots
• At 2200 RPM she ran at 17.1 - 17.3 knots
• At 2425 RPM she ran at 20.0 - 20.4 knots <= WOT

What a sweet thing to report.  

Slower than 2000 RPM she squats and slower than 1700 she does not have the Turbo kicking in so you may as well drop to Hull Speed of just under 8 knots at 1,000 RPM or just push a little at 1100 RPM for 9 knots.

At my favorite speed of 2200 RPM I think I'm not quite at 1:1 gal per mile but at 2100 RPM I think I am getting really close to 1:1. 

I'll have to repost this to my www.MVRamblin.com web page too.  

Thanks for checking in.  Feeling Good about the boat.

Keith <"><

Presidential Squeaker with Close Voting.

Was hopin' the "Swing States" had thinkers going to the poles. This was a close one.  Now I'm the one with "Hope" that the President will "Change" things for the better for us (We the People).

We need a Financial Recovery.  The Obama Care taxes start soon folks.  These numerous Taxes are B I G.  Some on Gross Sales.  Some on Capital Gains.  Some hidden here and there.

AND there is not enough Doctors or Hospital beds for a UNIVERSAL 100% of the population level of service.  It is going to be worse than Canada.  Canadians come to USA for critical surgeries when the line is too long in Canada.  We from the USA will be running to India for surgical procedures that the government lackeys decide we do not need.

In Closing... The GOP is almost un-electable as long as the party is against the "Woman's Right to Choose".  This and other small minded parts of the GOP platform are sad nods to the religious fringe that shoots the GOP in the foot.

Both the Republicans and the Democrats pander to much to the fringe particles in the early stages that determine the candidates.   The ones with strong wills and ideas are trashed early.  Leaving the weak as the last ones for us to pick among in the process. (yes I used particles as they are that small a part)

I have given up on the two main parties.  I suggest more of us do the same.  We need INCLUSIVENESS.  And we need FAIRNESS.  And we need support of the common man/woman in the efforts to have PROSPERITY.

What we do not need is endless additions to Entitlements.

IMHO

Keith L.

Travesty of bad news. Poor Reporting that is.

IMHO this cartoon is relevant to our current political situation.  One station on the hard right. Multiple on the left.  Even my 19 year old son is in disbelief of the media. More likely to believe stories on misc. blogs than a newspaper. This modern phenom of the 24 hour news show is pandering.  AND the exposure of the CNN pandering to the White House on the scandal of the death of our ambassador and political representatives there is an extra travesty. Travesty is our loss in the faith in impartial news reporting.

Even NYC Mayor Giuliani calls them on it.

http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/15/giuliani-suggests-libya-cover-up-by-pres-obama/

The CNN News Desk sold us bad reporting.  But this is the report that they file now…

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/01/opinion/bennett-benghazi-obama/index.html

Fathers and the Election

How Do You Vote for Parenting Rights and Responsibilities? 

By Rita Fuerst Adams, National Executive Director,
Fathers and Families

Which party is dedicated to parenting rights and responsibilies? Does either promote shared parenting? It certainly is not evident in the political platforms of the Democrats or the Republicans.
Both President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney are considered good fathers. Both should know and understand their value to their own children. We would hope this would translate into defending the rights and responsibilities of all fathers in their children’s lives.
As you mull over the debates and the campaign advertisements, perhaps it is also good to see what each party has included in its political platform. This, supposedly, is what each party is dedicated to accomplishing in the coming four years.
The Democratic political platform addresses:
“President Obama’s administration has offered men who want to be good fathers extra support. We have bolstered community faith-based groups focused on fatherhood, partnered with businesses to offer opportunities for fathers to spend time with their kids at the bowling alley or ballpark, and worked to help deployed dads connect with their children. We all have a stake in forging stronger bonds between fathers and their children.”
The Republican political platform addresses marriage and traditional values as the solution for our children’s modern issues:
“It has been proven by both experience and endless social science studies that traditional marriage is best for children. Children raised in intact married families are more likely to attend college, are physically and emotionally healthier, are less likely to use drugs or alcohol, engage in crime, or get pregnant outside of marriage.”
As you read the platforms please remember that currently the United States Congress, through the Office of Child Support Enforcement spends $5 billion each year on child support enforcement and $10 million to help dads enforce their visitation rights.
Vote. Vote your pocketbook. Vote your conscience. Just exercise your right and vote. 

Liberated from http://www.fathersandfamilies.org/


I see the above... (Children raised in intact married families are more likely to attend college, are physically and emotionally healthier, are less likely to use drugs or alcohol, engage in crime) and think that Yes I did the right thing to stay very involved in my sons lives.

I have been getting the newsletter from Fathers and Families for a long time.  Interesting reading.

Sincerely,

Keith L.

Ethanol in fuel is not a clear cut thing...

Ethanol is being pushed still as a solution to Oil dependence.  Ever since the 1980's.  But is it useful?  Or should the question be Why is the Corn Lobby so powerful?  Or Why is the EPA being a bully when some parts of the consumer market does not want it?

I hear that right now we have a Corn shortage.  We are losing good growing area to over development.  (like Oxnard CA) AND mostly because it takes so much work (and Diesel) to produce the crop that makes so little fuel.   Especially when compared to the amount of fuel it takes to create that fuel.   Gallon to Gallon it gives back very little.

Unless you are part of that company that wants all the jobs and subsidies.  And that is all they are selling.  Give us more subsidies. Force by law that they must buy my product.  Even if it is unsound to produce the product and use it in this way.

Good Fuel for my boat is key.  If they put corn ethanol into the gas it will damage my Cummins engine injectors according to a metal expert from the company that makes the parts in the engine.  Was very interesting cocktail party conversation.  He was quoting tolerances of the steel in the various parts.  If they force us to use E-15 fuels...
  Then I'll be a person who can be enjoined as a party to this law suit.
  Appeal of Court Rulling on E-15 Fuel Blend
  from The Log.com/Newsletter/

Not Mr Obama. We need to think about this vote.

Please do not vote for Obama for the next 4 years.

While I do not agree with all the parts of any one party stance or party platform.  I do truly see major problems with continuing down the path our current White House is heading.

Most policy is done in the Capital building.  That houses the Congress and House of Representatives.  BUT that is the Republican and Democrat party controlled playground.  There many bills that are going to affect various parts of our lives are debated and voted on and modified and many "log rolling" trades of influence takes place.

But in the White House the influencers are the selections and pressing opinions of the president.  

Our current president is making some decisions that I do not like.  Stopping the pipeline that would bring oil into the USA from Canada for example.  I think it’s a big mistake.  We must reduce gas prices or our economy will keep sputtering! 

One problem that many do not see fully yet is the huge cost of Obama Care taxes.  This is starting at 3.8 % of all capital gains in just a few weeks come Jan 1 2013.  That is an extra % off of all your Real Estate and Stock sales from now on!  A big chunk!  Nation Wide!  That is huge.  I got a tiny refund check from my insurance company.  I'll pay $60,000 to $70,000 extra tax on the sale of my house or apartment building to pay for that measly $50 dollar check.  And my health insurance premium with up by over $500 per year.  Not OK. 

Then the news that CNN and other news outlets falsified the news re. the attacks on our consulate.  And that they are making bad decisions that lead to more military deaths.  Please tell me this is not so?

You be the judge.

Review this for the Military position:

https://secure.piryx.com/donate/0K4Sl3x9/SOS-PAC/sosvideo

And research the News falsified...

http://beforeitsnews.com/blogging-citizen-journalism/2012/10/cnn-exposed-emmy-winning-former-cnn-journalist-amber-lyon-blows-the-whistle-2444190.html

I'm not interested in false Propaganda. 

I am very much interested in the removal of a White House that is not leading to a place of prosperity or safety or security.

Please see this movie and THINK about what you want going forward.
The Obama Movie 2016:   http://vimeo.com/52265686

It is long but for those who want to know what the “Political Chops” our sitting president brings to the white house you will appreciate the full treatment of the topic of what the man has associated himself with and how he sees the world.  What is the benefit of his special view?   I’m not in alignment but YOU need to find your own view.  So watch the full show.

Then there is this very cool video...  A 13 year old kid does a report card for review of the record...  http://youtu.be/prmGb1o3dcQ   It is cute and really to the point on the key issues in this election.  The short one to watch. 

I'm for Energy Independence.  AND reducing the price of gas.

I'm not for the perpetration of the Demo vs Repub status quo.  The same old stuff from the same old stuff shirts.  Voting for Obama only because he is on the Democrat ticket is too simplistic. WE the People (Us) need to think more deeply.  What does this election mean on the topics that really affect us.  Maybe we all need to think about more than just the two party system.  What would that mean?  I think it would mean we voted "For" something.

Are you really a Libertarian?

http://www.lp.org/issues

Are you really a Peace and Freedom?

http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/home/about-us/platform/summary-platform

Are you more aligned to Green Party?

http://www.gp.org/committees/platform/2012/

Do you know the actual platform of the Democrats?

http://www.democrats.org/democratic-national-platform

Or the full platform of the Republican Party?

http://www.gop.com/2012-republican-platform_home/

No one person is able to be "For" all the items in any group's platform.  But you can have a sway in what one person is going to carry our nation forward in the White House for the next 4 years.  Please vote wisely.

IMHO

Keith Lambert

Not Obama - Let's Think about this.

Please do not vote for Obama for the next 4 years.

While I do not agree with all the parts of any one party stance or party platform.  I do truly see major problems with continuing down the path our current White House is heading.

Most policy is done in the Capital building.  That houses the Congress and House of Representatives.  BUT that is the Republican and Democrat party controlled playground.  There many bills that are going to affect various parts of our lives are debated and voted on and modified and many "log rolling" trades of influence takes place.

But in the White House the influencers are the selections and pressing opinions of the president.
Our current president is making some decisions that I do not like.  Stopping the pipeline that would bring oil into the USA from Canada for example.  I think it’s a big mistake.  We must reduce gas prices or our economy will keep sputtering!

One problem that many do not see fully yet is the huge cost of Obama Care taxes.  This is starting at 3.8 % of all capital gains in just a few weeks come Jan 1 2013.  That is an extra % off of all your Real Estate and Stock sales from now on!  A big chunk!  Nation Wide!  That is huge.  I got a tiny refund check from my insurance company.  I'll pay $60,000 to $70,000 extra tax on the sale of my house or apartment building to pay for that measly $50 dollar check.  And my health insurance premium with up by over $500 per year.  Not OK.

Then the news that CNN and other news outlets falsified the news re. the attacks on our consulate.  And that they are making bad decisions that lead to more military deaths.  Please tell me this is not so?

You be the judge.

Review this for the Military position:
https://secure.piryx.com/donate/0K4Sl3x9/SOS-PAC/sosvideo

And research the News falsified...
http://beforeitsnews.com/blogging-citizen-journalism/2012/10/cnn-exposed-emmy-winning-former-cnn-journalist-amber-lyon-blows-the-whistle-2444190.html

I'm not interested in false Propaganda.

I am very much interested in the removal of a White House that is not leading to a place of prosperity or safety or security.

Please see this movie and THINK about what you want going forward.
The Obama Movie 2016:   http://vimeo.com/52265686

It is long but for those who want to know what the “Political Chops” our sitting president brings to the white house you will appreciate the full treatment of the topic of what the man has associated himself with and how he sees the world.  What is the benefit of his special view?   I’m not in alignment but YOU need to find your own view.  So watch the full show.

Then there is this very cool video...  A 13 year old kid does a report card for review of the record...
http://youtu.be/prmGb1o3dcQ


I'm for Energy Independence.  AND reducing the price of gas.

I'm not for the perpetration of the Demo vs Repub status quo.  The same old stuff from the same old stuff shirts.  Voting for Obama only because he is on the Democrat ticket is too simplistic. WE the People (Us) need to think more deeply.  What does this election mean on the topics that really affect us.  Maybe we all need to think about more than just the two party system.  What would that mean?  I think it would mean we voted "For" something.

Are you really a Libertarian?
http://www.lp.org/issues

Are you really a Peace and Freedom?
http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/home/about-us/platform/summary-platform

Are you more aligned to Green Party?
http://www.gp.org/committees/platform/2012/

Do you know the actual platform of the Democrats?
http://www.democrats.org/democratic-national-platform

Or the full platform of the Republican Party?
http://www.gop.com/2012-republican-platform_home/

No one person is able to be "For" all the items in any group's platform.  But you can have a sway in what one person is going to carry our nation forward in the white house for the next 4 years.  Please vote wisely.

IMHO

Keith Lambert

fair is and is not a shared goal

fair
fair, fair·er, fair·est, fair·er, fair·est,


1.  free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice: a fair decision; a fair judge.

2.  legitimately sought, pursued, done, given, etc.; proper under the rules: a fair fight.

3.  moderately large; ample: a fair income.

4.  neither excellent nor poor; moderately or tolerably good: fair health.

5.  marked by favoring conditions; likely; promising: in a fair way to succeed



Today I spent a bit if time with attorneys.  This was attorneys that are billing me for their time.  And today the word fair is not one one gets to use.  The other side does not want fair.  If that were the case the case would not be asking for a Trial Date come Tuesday.  But there we are.  Here we are.  It's very heartrending.

The whole enterprise.  Being nice is such a better way to be.

Thought:
"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness."
-  George Sand 

So I may lose some in the case.  But I had some good things that led me to be to this point.  I will treasure those good things. 

But I am also moving on.  The offer of Mediation and fairness has been squandered.  If the other party does not want "fair" I can not make it happen.  I'll just let the judge decide what he thinks is a fair share and accept that.  It's the american legal system.  And California is a Community Property State.  50% each.  (AFTER ATTORNEYS FEES)

I'd better say less than more...  But if one wants to be fair in a divorce their are mediators that make it fair and cost far less in emotional and financial distress.

I truly hate to throw away money.  Being forced to flush money down the toilet is not fair.  Not Nice.

IMHO

Keith