TweakHound

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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 19 August, 2019 with Page 7 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.
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. We left there with 2 prescriptions.
Last month we had our follow up. This time I was armed with a wealth of info. Given the fact it was a constant battle to get him to take the pills, I questioned the need for the pills at all. After a short discussion with the doctor he is no longer taking them. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Although current Alzheimer’s treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.” That may be true but the pills didn’t help my dad one bit.
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. Although he is still able to dress himself and shower, my wife and I have to tend to most 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.
My wife and I sometimes dread coming home. Often we can’t even get from the car to the door without him charging out of the house with some sort of imagined emergency. While we are home there is no respite from having to deal with him. And, it is only getting worse.
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

***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.

Good Vibrations

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I’ve nothing of consequence to report today.
I hope you have a great weekend. Sending you some Good Vibrations.

Though they were popular way before my time, The Beach Boys are still one of my favorite bands. Sometime in my late grade school to middle school era, a TV station out of Detroit (WKBD,channel 50) had “Beach Movie” marathons quite often. I don’t know why but my friends and I latched on to them and 60’s surfing music.
Around that time (1979 according to wiki), Sunkist launched it’s “Good Vibrations” ad campaign. A local AM radio station got in on the act and I was caller # whatever and won a “Good Vibrations” package consisting of a Sunkist t-shirt and The Beach Boys Endless Summer album (still have it). Ironically this album did not have the song Good Vibrations on it. I wore that t-shirt until it didn’t fit anymore and then cut the bottom off and wore it under my football shoulder pads.
One of my Uncles took me to my first Beach Boys concert at Pine Knob in 1979 (pretty sure it was 79, could’ve been 78 though).
Anyway, I’ve seen them many times since then. Here is one of their many great songs…

The Sunkist Good Vibrations t-shirt. I wouldn’t mind wearing it again…

National Beer Day

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National Beer Day is celebrated in the United States every year on April 7, marking the day that the Cullen–Harrison Act was enacted after having been signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 22, 1933. This led to the Eighteenth Amendment being repealed on December 5, 1933, with ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Get out there and support your local craft breweries!
Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=breweries+near+me
Craftbeer.com find a brewery near me
Veteran Owned Breweries – This is an interactive table and map of breweries owned by United States Armed Forces Veterans.

This is me enjoying a beer flight and some food at Blue Mountain Brewery last Thursday. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. Beginning to feel better. Thanks for all the well-wishes.