Winter Flying

Posted by Jim on December 24, 2020
Posted in: Drone. Tagged: , , .

Not my most cinematic work, but it was surprisingly nerve wracking as I know how the colder temperature can affect battery life, etc. Even though the entire flight was closer to the house than I used to ride my bike to go play baseball as a kid.

Anyway, Merry Christmas, and enjoy.

For those keeping score, I didn’t fill out the application for night waivers properly, so my first attempt was denied. I’ll be trying again soon.

Jim says: “I had to shovel 10 inches of global warming off of my launch pad.”

Aerial Video

Posted by Jim on November 8, 2020
Posted in: Photography, Tech.

I’ve been working on applying my experience with photography and what little I know about video to my newly acquired Part 107 Certification and drone. So far, I’m enjoying it and seem to have more issues with video than actual aeronautics. (I’ve always been a flying buff, and used to skydive, so the flying end of it makes a lot of sense to me.)

My latest videos from flying downtown..

I’ll be posting more as I get better, but also check out my aerial photography gallery.

Jim Says: “I meant to do that.”

College Debt + Problem = Solved

Posted by Jim on November 1, 2020
Posted in: Politics. Tagged: , .

I have figured out an easy solution for those who are complaining that they are unable to pay off their student loans. Simply forgiving the debt would be unfair to those who have either already paid theirs off, those who worked to earn scholarships, or anyone who was fortunate enough to be able to afford tuition without borrowing. 

We should institute a “Diploma Refund Program.” It would be pretty simple, people could return their degree in exchange for a refund. you would turn in your diploma to the school it was received from in exchange for a tuition refund. As part of this, you would not be able to list it on a resume, application, etc., and any participating school would be obliged to tell HR verification agents that you do not hold a degree from their school. Simple

There are still some details to work out. For example, only tuition and credit fees would be refundable.  Room and board, meal plans, activity fees, etc., are services that were rendered during that time period, and are non-refundable. Books, school supplies, equipment, and other goods purchased are also non-refundable and can be sold for their current market value elsewhere and are not the responsibility of the school. 

 As to explaining a four year gap in your resume, you can tell potential employers that you were surveying college courses. Or spent 4 years at camp if you want, it will probably be the same to them. 

Now, as to the interest accrued on the loan, processing fees and the like are between you and the lender. Perhaps just letting it go to collections will get you a new piece of paper. Consider that to be a free “Certificate of Accomplishment in Personal Choices.”

Jim Says: “Too bad nobody told you that degree in 17th Century Feminist Literature would end up being useless in the modern job market, huh?”

Facebook is Voter Suppression

Posted by Jim on October 26, 2020
Posted in: Politics, Tech. Tagged: , , , .

We’ve all heard the complaints, “Facebook is censoring posts to support the Biden campaign.” We’ve all seen the use of alleged “fact Checkers” to try to manipulate opinions by using their own particular half truths.

For example, when the so called “fact checkers” claim “Partly False: Hillary Clinton was not in court. Her legal team appears at a hearing..” Legally, yes, her attorneys represent her in court and her physical presence is not necessary. Any order of the court in a case she is a part of, applies directly to her. And in common parlance, saying someone appeared in court means that their case was heard. When someone sues Apple, the entire company doesn’t show up in the court room, just the legal representatives. I’m surprised “fact checkers” haven’t begun citing “What Was Said First v. Goes”.

So, it finally happened to me. I created a post that was centered around the fact that social media, big tech and others are blocking all coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop story to prevent it from hurting his campaign. My post was taken down by Facebook citing that it violates their “community standards.”

I have reported the action requesting citation of what community standards were violated, but do not expect an answer and I read through them and cannot even find a close interpretation. My post is basically a screenshot of a friends post. They both contain a URL to GNews.com, mine is not clickable. There is no adult language, graphic images, nor content. No hate speech. Not even a call to action. Nothing that would seemingly violate any of Facebook’s declared standards. Yet, here we are.

AVERT YOUR EYES, HERE IS THE “OFFENSIVE” POST..

I’m going to start deleting my content from Facebook and, after the election, deleting the account. Please feel free to bookmark my homepage as I’ll be making use of this site exclusively from now on.

Jim Says: “Remember, if you are getting a service for free, YOU ARE THE PRODUCT.“

#FuckFaceBook