TweakHound

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Astros vs. Nats

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I’m a Detroit Tigers fan. Ex-Tiger and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander grew up a few miles from here so his new team became a favorite of mine too. He hasn’t been sharp this playoff season but his boys got it done.
Last nights game was absolutely fantastic and the Astros won with heroic defense and the fantastic bat of the smallest player in the majors. Jose Altuve was clutch all night and he ended the Yankees with a 9th inning walk-off. Bye, Bye Yankees.
I’m looking forward to the World Series against The Nats. Even though they play 100+ miles away they are considered to be the “local” team here. 2 years ago, my wife and I went to Nats Stadium to watch ex-Tiger, Max “Crazy Eyes” Scherzer pitch.
Go “Stros

How The Mind Works (Off Topic)

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I had this cassette tape a long time ago. Several years ago I was thinking, “What tapes did I have that I don’t have on CD?” I replaced many of them but a few escaped me. There was the one, a country band, ‘desert something’? I hadn’t laid eyes on it in probably 25 plus years. I couldn’t even remember a song. Googled searched, it wasn’t Desert Rose Band. Damn. ‘Arizona’ came to mind. Nothing…
[Read more…] about How The Mind Works (Off Topic)

Reader Emails

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Some of these are paraphrased for brevity.

Q – You’ve recommended cheap CD keys before. Other sites warn against using them?
A – I’ve used these keys for several years. Not a single one has been deactivated. Even if it was I could buy 5 (or more) of these keys before I even approach the full price. YMMV of course but check Techbargains for such things.

Q – When is the next Win10 Tweak Guide?
A – I don’t know. It takes considerable time, focus, and effort. I’ve personal things to deal with ATM.

Q – Yada, yada backups…
A – System images, system images, system images.

Q – Do you have a favorite web site specifically about computer security?
A – I browse the internet a lot, probably too much. If I had to pin down a single site about security I would pick Krebs on Security.

Q – Why do you hate Apple so much?
A – “Hate” is rather strong but… It all started with the arrogance of Steve Jobs, never liked him. That arrogance permeated their marketing and to some extent their fan base. There is nothing about that cult I find appealing.

Q – I don’t like the Off Topic stuff.
A – Sorry, not sorry. Posting that stuff helps keep me sane. It’s easier to ignore it than bitch about it.

Q – The band Lamb of God is from your area. Are you a fan?
A – I used to play poker with a couple of those guys. Both were incredibly nice and as I recall a tad shy. Having said that, their metal is not my metal. I grew up in the “Hair Metal” era and still love that stuff.

Q – How are things going with your Dad?
A – Not good. I updated the related post this morning: My Dad Has Alzheimer’s

My Dad Has Alzheimer’s

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***Last updated on 17 October, 2019 with Page 9 at the bottom of this article.

Please excuse this self-serving off topic post. I’m not sure why but I felt the need to share this today…
Today is Father’s Day. I wish my Dad (Aaron) could appreciate it. He has been diagnosed with “mixed Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.”
The problems seemed to start several years ago. At first I thought he was just getting old. A little over 2 years ago it became apparent it was more than that. Looking back on it, I believe it may have started about the time my Mom died, June 14th, 2010.
2 years ago I took him to his first Neurologist. While the young doctor seemed competent he lacked anything resembling compassion or “bedside manor”. He scared the hell out of my Dad. We left that appointment with some pills and half-assed advice.
A year later instead of keeping the follow-up appointment, I took him to another doctor. This one was had a much better bedside manor.
My Dad lives with us. He has an “in-law suite” in the basement with a large bedroom, bathroom, and TV room. The situation has become progressively… difficult.
*below added/edited, 27 September, 2019
He is now unable to dress himself and groom himself. My wife and I have to tend to all of his other needs. He is often paranoid and prone to lies and delusions. Usually I am the bad guy and that has been the case for some time.
He cannot be left alone.
While we are home there is no respite from having to deal with him. And, it is only getting worse.
He started daycare but he has gotten highly agitated and they can’t or won’t deal with that. There is an older woman that has sat with him 2 times and he doesn’t like it one bit. As for the other options such as professional daycare, that is money I don’t have.
The Alzheimer’s Association has been no help. All they did was send me a bunch of links to stuff I already Googled.
The Veterans’s Administration was worse than no help.
I keep a running journal of sorts via Google calendar. I’ll share some entries with you (warning, it’s kinda long):

Page 1 – Introduction
Page 2 – 18 February, 2019 – 15 June, 2019
Page 3 – Response to your replies
Page 4 – 20 JUNE – 14 July, 2019
Page 5 – 18 July, 2019 – 21 July, 2019
Page 6 – Finding Help
Page 7 – 22 July, 2019 – 19 August, 2019
Page 8 – 21 August, 2019 – 17 September, 2019
Page 9 – 18 September, 2019 –

***Special section: My Dad Has Alzheimer’s – Gadgets, Gizmos, Etc.
My Dad gets into everything. These are the things I’ve used to keep him and our house safe.