Monday, January 31, 2022

Through the Keyhole - February 2022

 

IT Services - Business Consulting - Digital Marketing

FEB 2022
Through the Keyhole
Take a break from your day...

Not your typical company OR newsletter
"One of the sunniest cities in America with one of the lowest cost of living, this place is equidistant from LA and NYC.  Known as "The Big Friendly" Autie Em may be spotted whirling around... "

Can you guess the location?

It's February!
Well it's February and we are in the thick of winter.  Soon we will find out if we will have an early spring or more winter from a rodent. If you have not watched Groundhog Day the movie lately, you should do it. The movie holds up well all these years later and it was filmed partly in Woodstock, IL. 

Valentine's Day is just around the corner so if you have not made reservations at your favorite place, here is your friendly reminder to take care of that today.  And if you want to be extra romantic, perhaps you would like to cook for your date at home.  The recipe at the bottom will be a shameless plug for one of my favorite businesses in Chicago (Second City Prime).

Groundhog Day is here which means it’s time to watch the 1993 movie Groundhog Day instead of the news that we’re getting 6 more weeks of winter. Bill Murray’s time loop comedy will make you feel better about being stuck in the same day for the past year. This is the most topical movie of the COVID era.

If you haven’t seen it, I’m guessing you were born sometime after the year 2000 or so, and I ask you: what is it like to feel things still? What is it like to eat food without gaining weight? I kid, of course. We’re all sad right now.

The movie is about a mean weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over. That day? You guessed it, Groundhog Day. Of all the days you could relive, one spent in the first week of February is probably on the bottom of your list. We all need to laugh it off together.

For those of you who’ve seen the movie 100 times, these facts about the production will give you something to talk about while annoying the person you’re watching it with. 


Groundhog Day (the movie)

The groundhog bit Bill Murray multiple times, and the actor had to ask doctors about a rabies shot.

When Bill Murray smashed the alarm, it didn’t break, so the crew smashed it with hammers. The radio continues to play a garbled sad version of the song. They used that in the movie.

Director Harold Ramis originally wanted Tom Hanks for the role of Phil, but later decided Tom Hanks was “too nice.”

Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned) was named an honorary Grand Marshal in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for Groundhog Day 2010.

There were a bunch of extra shots of Phil doing crazy stuff to prove he was stuck in the exact same day. They were all cut.

Cut Scene ~2 minutes

The ice sculptures were made by a real Punxsutawney resident known as “The Chainsaw Wizard.”

The crew voted on whether or not Rita and Phil had sex at the end of the film. Bill Murray wanted to have his shirt off in the final shots. A crewmember said no. There was some confusion about what happened on the night the lovers spent together. The film is not explicit about what happened. It’s like Inception! We may never have an answer.

WINDOWS 11 Should I upgrade?

A lot of people are asking us...

Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for PCs running Windows 10, just as Windows 10 was a free upgrade for PCs running Windows 7 and Windows 8.

However, this time, 
Windows 11 isn’t designed for all those PCs. Windows 11 officially supports only very recent hardware: In addition to requiring TPM 2.0 and UEFI with Secure Boot, Windows 11 only supports certain relatively recent CPUs.

When in doubt don't.  We do not recommend it at this time.

Guess the Location Game

Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Joe Borowski who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING!
ANSWER: Geneva, Switzerland
"With a population of just under 500,000, this expensive city is a hub for European culture as well as a central base for research and development into astronomy and particle acceleration!"
Geneva, the second biggest city in Switzerland, is situated at the Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). It is surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains, which are responsible for the breathtaking scenario of this city. In Geneva, there are the headquarters of Europe’s United Nations and the Red Cross. 

Lake Geneva (official name is actually: Lac Léman) is the main attraction of Geneva. The lake in numbers: it covers an area of approximately 580 square kilometers, has a maximum length of 73 kilometers and a maximum width of 14 kilometers. You can do many outdoor fun activities around Lake Geneva. Swimming, boating, hiking and cycling are just some of the activities you could do.

The Jet d’Eau, a large fountain at the Lake Geneva, is one of the Geneva’s most famous landmarks and the background for countless selfies from visitors. Five hundred liters of water per second are jetted to an altitude of 140 meters. It is even visible throughout the city and from the air!

Geneva has established itself as a world center for diplomatic conferences and continues to keep alive the “spirit” that resulted in people choosing Geneva as the meeting place for nations. The Palace of Nations, former home of the League of Nations is today home to the United Nations Office. By focusing on peace, rights, and well-being, the dedicated individuals work together to improve the living conditions of people throughout the world.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research, short the CERN, near Geneva is the world’s largest research center. Physicists from around the world travel to CERN for research matters and explore the fundamental forces and materials that form the universe.

In 1541 Calvinists banned jewelry from use and that’s why goldsmiths from Geneva started brainstorming the invention of watches, since a functional timepiece was acceptable. The result of this industriousness can be seen at the Patek Philippe Museum, where you can learn everything about the watchmaking history.
 
I wonder if in the end, this beautiful city is really a big charade...Seems almost too perfect.

Take a look at what things cost in Geneva.
 
Food 
CHFUSD
 Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business districtCHF 28($31)
 Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar)CHF 14($15)
 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breastCHF 13($14)
 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milkCHF 1.67($1.79)
 12 eggs, largeCHF 8($9)
 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoesCHF 4.60($4.94)
 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheeseCHF 12($12)
 1 kg (2 lb.) of applesCHF 4.84($5.19)
 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoesCHF 3.24($3.47)
 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarketCHF 2.33($2.50)
 1 bottle of red table wine, good qualityCHF 18($19)
 2 liters of coca-colaCHF 2.88($3.09)
 Bread for 2 people for 1 dayCHF 3.18($3.42)
 
Housing 
CHFUSD
 Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive areaCHF 3,484($3,739)
 Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal areaCHF 2,751($2,953)
 Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flatCHF 148($159)
 Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive areaCHF 1,870($2,007)
 Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal areaCHF 1,348($1,446)
 Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studioCHF 122($131)
 Internet 8 mbps (1 month)CHF 43($46)
 40” flat screen tvCHF 636($682)
 Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands)CHF 121($130)
 Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.)CHF 13($14)
 Hourly rate for cleaning helpCHF 25($26)
 
Clothes 
CHFUSD
 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar)CHF 112($120)
 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers)CHF 63($68)
 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands)CHF 134($144)
 1 pair of men’s leather business shoesCHF 201($216)
Transportation 
CHFUSD
 Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, newCHF 31,915($34,251)
 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gasCHF 1.62($1.74)
 Monthly ticket public transportCHF 68($73)
 Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles)CHF 36($39)
 
Personal Care 
CHFUSD
 Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands)CHF 12($13)
 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses)CHF 29($31)
 Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes)CHF 124($133)
 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...)CHF 9($10)
 Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.)CHF 4.29($4.60)
 Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.)CHF 4.64($4.98)
 4 rolls of toilet paperCHF 3.62($3.89)
 Tube of toothpasteCHF 3.64($3.90)
 Standard men's haircut in expat area of the cityCHF 35($37)
Entertainment 
CHFUSD
 Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pubCHF 77($83)
 2 tickets to the moviesCHF 36($39)
 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats)CHF 146($157)
 Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessertCHF 111($119)
 1 cocktail drink in downtown clubCHF 20($22)
 Cappuccino in expat area of the cityCHF 5.29($5.67)
 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.)CHF 8($8)
 Ipad wi-fi 128gbCHF 589($632)
 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans)CHF 0.57($0.61)
 1 month of gym membership in business districtCHF 89($95)
 1 package of marlboro cigarettesCHF 9($10)
 
 Actually Geneva but you can see how far $100 goes ~12 min.
 ~ 3 min.
 ~4 min.
Randomness.
SAFETY - Downed power lines WHAT TO DO
5 minutes that is worth your time
Patriotic Super Bowl National Anthem 

Super Bowl XXXIX ~2 minutes

2000 Mules MOVIE Trailer
This is a real movie. COMING SOON ~ 2 minutes
Joe Rogan and Canadian Truckers...
This is no fringe movement ~ 6 minutes
WWII B-17 Bomber Survives

In 1943 a mid-air collision on February 1, 1943, between a B-17 and a German fighter over the Tunis dock area, this became the subject of one of the most famous photographs of WW II.

An enemy fighter attacking a 97th Bomb Group formation went out of control, probably with a wounded pilot, then continued its crashing descent into the rear of the fuselage of a Flying Fortress named "All American", Piloted by Lt. Kendrick R. Bragg, of the 414th Bomb Squadron.   When it struck, the fighter broke apart, but left some pieces in the B-17. The left horizontal stabilizer of the Fortress and left elevator were completely torn away.

The two right engines were out and one on the left had a serious oil pump leak. The vertical fin and the rudder had been damaged. The fuselage had been cut almost completely through . . . connected only at two small parts of the frame. And the radios, electrical and oxygen systems were damaged.

There was also a hole in the top that was over 16-feet long and 4 feet wide at its widest; the split in the fuselage went all the way to the top gunner's turret.

Although the tail actually bounced and swayed in the wind, and twisted when the plane turned. And all the control cables were severed, except one single elevator cable still worked, and the aircraft miraculously still flew!

The tail gunner was trapped because there was no floor connecting the tail to the rest of the plane. The waist and tail gunners used parts of the German fighter and their own parachute harnesses in an attempt to keep the tail from ripping off and the two sides of the fuselage from splitting apart.

While the crew was trying to keep the bomber from coming apart, the pilot continued on his bomb run and released his bombs over the target.

When the bomb bay doors were opened, the wind turbulence was so great that it blew one of the waist gunners into the broken tail section. It took several minutes and four crew members to pass him ropes from parachutes and haul him back into the forward part of the plane.

When they tried to do the same for the tail gunner, the tail began flapping so hard that it began to break off. The weight of the gunner was adding some stability to the tail section, so he went back to his position.

The turn back toward England had to be very slow to keep the tail from twisting off. They actually covered almost 70 miles to make the turn home.

The bomber was so badly damaged that it was losing altitude and speed and was soon alone in the sky. For a brief time, two more Me-109 German fighters attacked the "All American".

Despite the extensive damage, all of the machine gunners were able to respond to these attacks and soon drove off the fighters.  The two waist gunners stood up with their heads sticking out through the hole in the top of the fuselage to aim and fire their machine guns.  The tail gunner had to shoot in short bursts because the recoil was actually causing the plane to turn.

Allied P-51 fighters intercepted the "All American" as it crossed over the Channel and took one of the pictures shown.

They also radioed to the base describing that the appendage was waving like a fish tail . . . and that the plane would not make it and to send out boats to rescue the crew when they bailed out.  The fighters stayed with the Fortress, taking hand signals from Lt. Bragg and relaying them to the base.  Lt. Bragg signaled that 5 parachutes and the spare had been "used" so five of the crew could not bail out.He made the decision that if they could not bail out safely, then he would stay with the plane to land it.

Two and a half hours after being hit, the aircraft made its final turn to line up with the runway while it was still over 40 miles away. It descended into an emergency landing and a normal roll-out on its landing gear.

When the ambulance pulled alongside, it was waved off because not a single member of the crew had been injured.

No one could believe that the aircraft could still fly in such a condition. The Fortress sat placidly until the crew all exited through the door in the fuselage and the tail gunner had climbed down a ladder, at which time the entire rear section of the aircraft collapsed.

This old bird had done its job and brought the entire crew home uninjured.

AMAZING. God was with them that day. And always...

Truth?
How to make an AC/DC song
in 30 seconds
Meanwhile at the Funeral Home
Edgy.

More Nonsense...

Cook for Valentine's Day

Second City Prime (my new favorite vice)

A great friend of mine introduced me to the owner of a company called Second City Prime and it changed my life.  Started as a mobile meat purveyor, Chris started the company to deliver high quality, PRIME meats, fish and poultry.  He still has the truck (that is frequently at my office) but you can go online at secondcityprime.com and make purchases there.  What is great about the company is that the food is amazing and you can find just about anything you like there.  What's more is the website suggests how you should cook things.  As an example, I purchased the following and it is only a suggestion for making a tasty dinner for Valentine's Day.

Ingredients
  • Chilean Sea Bass Filets 
  • Umami Marinade
  • Yellow Rice (in a box from the store)
  • Fresh vegetables of your liking 
  • SEA BASS AND UMAMI available at Second City Prime

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 F
  • Thaw the Sea Bass (comes flash frozen)
  • Marinate the Sea Bass for 4 hours in Umami Marinade
  • Prepare rice and vegetables to your liking
  • Bake Sea Bass for 8-10 minutes then sear in a cast iron pan or broiler to get a little char.
  • Serve over the rice and use the vegetables as a side.
This is a great meal and your loved ones will love you for making it.