Archive for August 2020

« calherewecome home page

Firmware

August 29, 2020

It sucks getting old. Over the past few years I have been experiencing hearing loss. Right now I am working on my second set of hearing aids that I bought at Costco back in January.

My particular hearing aids have a feature whereby one can connect to your TV to pipe the audio directly to one’s hearing aids. It does this by way of an audio streamer device that connects to the audio output of our TV.

So what exactly is “Firmware”? Here’s the def from Wikipedia:

In computing, firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides the low-level control for a device’s specific. Firmware can either provide a standardized operating environment for more complex device software hardware-independence), or, for less complex devices, act as the device’s complete, performing all control, monitoring and data manipulation functions. Typical examples of devices containing firmware are embedded systems, consumer appliances, computers, computer peripherals, and others. Almost all electronic devices beyond the simplest contain some firmware.

My hearing aids also have Blue Tooth capability which allows me to control them with my iPhone. So I can adjust the volume or bass/treble with the ReSound app.

So what does this have to do with firmware? Yesterday, I had to visit the folks at the hearing aid dept. at Costco. My complaint was the I couldn’t connect to the audio streamer. Sometimes I could, but mostly not.

So I explained the problem with the technician, she took my hearing aids and started working on the problem. First thing that she had to do was to update the firmware on the hearing aids. So who knew that hearing aids have firmware? Not me.

So many devices that we use everyday operate with firmware. Generally, there is never a need to update the FW. But in this case, the FW can be updated by the hearing aid technician. So that’s where my problem started. The update failed. That means that she has to ship the hearing aids back to the factory to get fixed. 🙁

So that means I need to wait for 7-10 days to get my hearing aids back and hopefully working. Luckily, I still have my old hearing aids that still manage to work. It’s just that the old devices can’t connect to the TV audio. 🙁🙁🙁

One last thing. I don’t want to sound negative about Costco. I have nothing but praise for their support. The people at the Costco (in Torrance, CA) are the best. Good prices and great support.

Categories: Hearing Aids
Tags: , , ,

Comments: Be the first to comment

Annie

August 26, 2020
Kathy Bates, Victor Garner and Alicia Morton

We decided a couple of days ago to start watching some musicals on TV. So last night, we watched “Annie” on Disney +. There seems to be plenty of musicals available either on Netflix or Disney+. Also, there are some on Amazon, but I usually avoid Amazon because they typically charge $4 to watch.

I couldn’t find an IMDB entry for the 1999 version which is weird. I did find an extensive article in Wickipedia. Clicke here for more than you would ever want to know about “Little Orphan Annie”. The reason there was know IMDB for this version might be that is was made for TV.

There have been several movies made on Annie. First one was in 1982. Next one in 1999/ And one in 2014. We watched the 1999 version on Disney.

In the 1999 version, Annie is played by Alicia Morton. Daddy Warbucks played by Victor Garner and Kathy Bates played the evil Mrs Hannigan.

So the movie(s) Annie is based (of course) on the smash Broadway show of the same name. The Broadway show first premiered in 1977 and was based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”. It initially ran for about 6 years and won numerous awards. There have been numerous revivals and touring shows over the years.

And finally a little bit about the comic strip. First published in 1924 by Harold Gray. Gray died in 1964 but the strip continued until 2010.

Finally, here is a sample of the comic strip art work.

Categories: Broadway, Movies, Reviews, Uncategorized
Tags: ,

Comments: Be the first to comment

The Greatest Showman

August 21, 2020

Last night we watched “The Greatest Showman” starring Hugh Jackman on Disney +. This is the story of Phineas T Barnum and his development of his circus. One can watch it on Amazon Prime for $3.99 but if you subscribe to Disney + you can watch for free.

It was a pleasant romp of Barnum’s band of talented misfits including the midget, the bearded lady, the acrobats, et al.

There was much singing and dancing. Somehow, I think that the real PT Barnum couldn’t dance like Hugh Jackman, No matter, still pleasant. Jackman looked quite spiffy in his bright red tails and top hat.

The film also talks about Jenny Lind who was a soprano, known as the Swedish Nightingale. Barnum discovered during a tour of Europe. He convinced her to do a tour of the USA. She was paid $1000 per night. Eventually, she tired of Barnum’s style and did her own tour of the US.

This wasn’t the first film about the circus. There was a film done in 1952 titled “The Greatest Show on Earth” starring Charlton Heston, James Stewart and Betty Hutton. This was more of a film about some of the stars of the show. It won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Writing.

So what about the real Phineas T Barnum? P.T. Barnum was born in 1810 in Bridgeport CT and died in 1891. He is widely credited with saying “There’s a sucker born every minute”, but there is no proof that he actually said that.

Barnum served for two terms in the Connecticut legislature in 1861 for Fairfield CT. He spoke to the legislature supporting the ratification of the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution. (Supporting abolishment of slavery.)

Categories: Movies, Reviews
Tags: ,

Comments: Be the first to comment

Aladdin (Live Action Remake)

August 5, 2020

Last night we watched “Aladdin” on Amazon Prime. This is the live action remake of the original Disney animated version of Aladdin. It stars Will Smith as the genie, Naomi Scott as the princess Jasmine and Mena Massoud as Ali/Aladdin.

I’ve got to say that this was better than I thought it would be. Will Smith does a great job as genie.

So here’s the story. Ali is a street urchin who lives in Agrabah. He is also a thief. He meets Jasmine (who is impersonating her handmaiden). They don’t let princesses out to wander around town.

So Ali finds the lamp and seeing it is rather dusty and gives it a rub. Thus, he discovers the genie who will grant him three wishes. Ali wishes to become a prince so that he can win the heart of Princess Jasmine.

So on the story goes. Ali is not very good at being a prince. He discovers that the Sultan’s trusted consultant Jafar is plotting the overthrow of the Sultanate. Ali and the genie save the day.

Ali’s last wish is to free the genie from curse of the lamp. Ali/Aladdin and Jasmine live happily ever after.

It was a fun romp. BTW, the original animated Aladdin was done in 1992 with Robin Williams as the genie.

Categories: Movies, Reviews
Tags: ,

Comments: Be the first to comment

Short Ribs in the Crock Pot

August 4, 2020

Here’s a simple slow cooker recipe for Asian-style short ribs to serve with stir-fried Asian greens or rice — or both. If you like, add a good pinch of five-spice powder to the black-bean mixture; if you don’t have any, don’t worry — it is delicious without it. Five-spice powder is a combination of ground cinnamon, fennel seed, cloves, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns.

If you have any leftovers, make a quick soup. Heat beef broth with some sliced carrots and diced onion.
When the vegetables are tender, add the leftover greens, meat and sauce.

Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 pounds beef short ribs
  • 1/4 c finely chopped shallots
  • 1 tsp minced fresh ginger
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 tbsp black bean sauce with garlic. See note.
  • 2 tbsp sake or vodka
  • 1/2 tsp cracked peppercorns
  • Juice of 1 orange with the zest.
  • 2 Green onions, sliced, trimmed.

Note: black bean sauce is sold in Asian markets or in Asian specialty section in supermarkets.

PROCEDURE

  1. Position broiler rack 6- 7 inches from broiler element. Broil ribs on both sides, turning once, until well browned, about 10 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
    Separate ribs if in strips. Place in slow cooker.
  2. In bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except green onion. Spoon over short ribs and toss to combine. Cover and cook on low setting for 10-12 hours or on high setting for 5- 6 hours, or until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
  3. Serve ribs and sauce over cooked rice or sautéed Asian mustard greens. Garnish with finely chopped green onions.

Notes

  1. I browned the meat on my gas grill. Be careful though. There is a lot of fat on the meat and that means fire. You may want to turn off the gas before you open up the grill.
  2. “The meat falls off the bone” It seems to me that phrase was used in some TV/Radio ads. I Googled the phrase and got a ton of hits.
  3. Hot and Sour. The sauce is a real nice combination of hot and sweet.
  4. No leftovers here.

Categories: Recipes
Tags:

Comments: Be the first to comment

1 Second Everyday for July

August 1, 2020

Categories: 1 Sec Every Day, 1SE
Tags: ,

Comments: Be the first to comment