safety | Piss and Moan

Dark and stormy

Posted on March 14, 2022 by backuphill

Photo by Aleksey Sokolenko on Pexels.com

I was driving home last night across one of our state’s mountain passes – Snoqualmie Pass. The highway is Interstate 90 and I have to say that the pass is one of the worst places to drive at night while it is raining. The roadway is so poorly marked it is near impossible to see where the lanes of travel are and you pretty much have to guess and hope you are maintaining your lane.

Look, I get that it is hard to have reflectors and stripes and other means of marking the roadway on a mountain pass, one that needs to get plowed fairly often during the winter months. I realize that the plow blades rip up nearly everything you put down on the roadway. I get it.

But, seriously, all the technology that’s out there and means available to adjust the way those lane markers could be applied to the surface so they don’t get scraped off each winter hasn’t been found yet?

I don’t get it.

What I do get is that there are portions of the highway that are downright dangerous to drive when it is dark and raining, which is approximately half the day and most of the year.

Maybe it’s just my old eyes. I can’t imagine that there aren’t other people that feel the same way.

So, if you have to travel through WA, stay off the passes at night. They’re all pretty much that way.

You’ve been warned.

Don’t be

Posted on May 28, 2021 by backuphill

There’s a holiday on Monday, in the US at least. It’s Memorial Day, for those who have somehow lost track of time or are just that uninformed.

So, don’t be…don’t be that jackwagon that has a hard time remembering what the day is for.

Don’t be that person who mistakes Memorial Day for Veteran’s Day. Memorial Day is set aside to honor the people who have DIED in the service of our country – specifically the military. It isn’t a day to honor people who have served in the military – that’s Veteran’s Day.

Oh, and while you consume beer, bbq, lounge at the beach or lake, or just generally do whatever the heck you want…how about you take a second and remember that the freedoms you are enjoying is because someone sacrificed their life for you (either recently or all the way back to the founding of our country).

I know it is hard to fathom that someone gave their all, everything they had, for you but it’s the truth.

I know it is hard to fathom considering the government and people who have no business telling you what you can and can’t do in your life right now because of some pandemic, but it’s the truth.

Don’t be a the person who forgets what was given and what is going to be given up if you don’t push back against changes being forced upon us today.

Don’t be the person who lets the sacrifices of those who have gone before us be for nothing because we let the fear of a virus consume us.

Just don’t be.

Backwards

Posted on June 3, 2020 by backuphill

Photo by Ivan Bertolazzi on Pexels.com

Going backwards? Strange concept in the times we live, but it I think it bears asking since we have set ourselves up for it…

Given the situation with Covid-19, is the public (general population) going to accept going backwards when it comes to a “disinfected” shopping experience? Or are employees going to be OK with going back to the way it was before? Are government services going to be restored and go back to business as usual? Because germs and disease existed before this whole thing and they will continue to exist after as well.

So, some questions?

Is everyone OK with the removal of the plexi-glass cages cashiers are now in? They protect the public and the cashier, so are they going to stay?

Is everyone OK with discontinuing the disinfecting of each and every shopping cart? Again, it gives the perception that the business cares about it’s shoppers. Is that not important after the threat of Covid-19 has dissipated? What about the flu and other infectious bacteria/viruses?

Is everyone OK with going back to full capacity seating in restaurants? More people packed into a small space is good, right?

Is everyone OK with door handles, counter-tops, and self-serve check out stands not being cleaned after each use?

Is everyone OK with standing inside of six feet of other customers, shoppers, employees, co-workers, supervisors, non-family members, etc?

I am being the devil’s advocate here because, of course, we are going to go right back to the way it was right after this whole things is over and everyone has moved through the proper “phases of reopening.” Right? Back to “normal.”

But in doing so, we basically are going to say it is OK to go back to a society that allows for thousands of deaths each year from the flu. Or, we are going back to a society that expects less of the places we frequent because, well, it isn’t practical or cost effective to keep it up.

So, dirty and contagious it is. Kinda makes you think, doesn’t it? If it was possible now, why not then. If it was possible now, why not continue it? It’s a lose-lose battle for consumers and businesses.

Happy back to normal! Eventually.

New normal

Posted on May 28, 2020 by backuphill

unrecognizable person in protective clothes walking little dog during coronavirus

Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com

Anyone else tired of hearing this?

Sorry, but I am getting the idea that the “new normal” is going to stick in one way or another. Some of what we are seeing isn’t going to go away, and I don’t like the trends I am seeing.

Face Masks

So, it was first recommended that we not wear them in public. Then it was recommended and even “required.” Now, we are seeing businesses implementing policies, and even counties strongly suggesting that face masks be worn in public.

Are we going to do this all the time now? Flu season? Wear a mask. Allergies? Wear a mask. Cold? Wear a mask.

Who’s to say that cough is any different than the other cough? When or how are we going to know? Who makes the determination for when we should or should? Why not just wear them all the time so we make sure we’re safe under all circumstances?

Perhaps we should just make hazmat suits more fashionable and then we wouldn’t have to worry about anything when we leave home.

The future doesn’t look bright, folks…

You have choices

Posted on May 27, 2020 by backuphill

photo of pathway surrounded by fir trees

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

Anyone else wanna just throw up your hands, shrug, and say “Screw it!”?

Can’t keep up with the ever changing guidelines and requirements related to your lockdown? Frustrated that you can’t get a straight answer on what you can and can’t do? Irritated by contradictions and uneven applications? Just frustrated by the whole state of affairs?

“Wave your hands in the air like you don’t care…” (thanks Cameo…) and go about life like you normally would, well, at least as much as you can.

I know that some businesses have put their own limitations on customers (you know, to appear they are doing something effective), but you have the freedom to choose where and where you won’t shop too. Consumer choice still rules when it comes to who wins and who looses in the marketplace.

Take precautions, as necessary, because you are a reasonable and rational adult (assumptions…) but don’t let the government and hysterical people dictate to you their fear.

You get to control that too. Something I think a lot of people have forgotten. You can, and should, control your fear. We all assume risk every day of our lives. If we live in fear, which so many people are doing these days, then you won’t get to live. Plain and simple.

Go, live and be free.

Holier than thou

Posted on April 27, 2020 by backuphill

Photo by Ashutosh Sonwani on Pexels.com

Alright, I am sure this will likely irritate people. Do I care, really? Nope. Have I ever given that impression?

I am tired of people complaining about other people “violating” the “stay home, stay healthy” mandate, as though they are holier than other people.

The reality of it all – you can only control you.

If someone wants to violate the mandate (which may or may not be Constitutional), that is their prerogative. Right? If people aren’t going to live in fear but have common sense and try to go about their daily lives as much as possible, that’s on them. That isn’t your concern.

If someone chooses to see their children or grandchildren in the front yard of their home with little or no contact, that isn’t your concern. If they decide to let them in the house and give each other hugs, that still isn’t your concern.

If someone decided they want to work on a new deck (or any other home improvement project) and need to go to Home Depot to get supplies, that isn’t your concern.

If someone wants to go for a drive, or for a walk, or go camping, or go fishing, or fly on an airplane, or sit on a park bench by themselves, or go windsurfing/paddleboarding…none of that is your concern.

If someone doesn’t want to wear gloves, or a face mask in public, not your concern.

Stay home. No one is forcing you to have human interaction. You can only control you.

If you are going to live in fear, stay home. If you want to hunker down and not see the light of day or get fresh air, that’s your choice. If you wanna live in the TV news cycle and hear about all the bad new, or whatever, that’s your call. If you wanna isolate yourself from the world, more power to you. BUT, keep it to yourself. You can’t and shouldn’t try to control others.

You are not the social police nor should you act like one. Don’t be hiding behind the curtains and reporting people because you don’t think they are beings “safe.” Not your call to make.

This looks different for everyone and their needs are different than yours.

You do you. You are only responsible for protecting yourself and how you do that is your choice.

You aren’t responsible to protect other people. That is their responsibility and if they choose not to do it the way you do it, then they are doing themselves the way they see fit.

Don’t forget the whole thing about pointing fingers…yeah, you know what I am talking about.

Who needs security?

Posted on January 9, 2020 by backuphill

Photo by icon0.com on Pexels.com

Every once in a while (well, probably more like every day), I wonder if the people in charge know what the heck they are doing? In this case, it happens to be those who are in charge of military bases and security.

This article, Chinese caught surveilling same US military base twice in 2 weeks, caught my attention earlier this week and after reading it all I could think was, WTF? Who’s in charge of security?

Yes, its concerning the Chinese are trying to spy on our military bases and apparently doing it right under out noses.

Several things in the article stood out. The first was this:

The guard asked the men for their military IDs, which they did not have. She told Wang and Zhang to turn around and leave the grounds. Instead, they drove straight onto the property.

They drove straight onto the property. So, like, anyone can just drive through the gate unobstructed? There little to no barriers to slow them down? No tire spikes or giant posts rising out of the ground like we see in the movies to stop people from proceeding?

So what happens next? Did the guard chase after them?

The guard, who was not permitted to leave her post, radioed other security personnel with a description of the vehicle.

The guard? As in, there is only one guard at this particular post? There aren’t others there, with weapons or vehicles, as back up? What? This can’t really be how things work, can it? So she radioed other security…because there were no other security guards near by? I can’t believe an entrance to a military base is only guarded by one person. Really?

This is rich. So who actually went after these guys after they breached the under-protected gate at a military base?

After 30 minutes, Navy security forces finally located the two men.

Wait, it took 30 minutes to locate them? WHAT?? So for 30 minutes these intruders were driving around a military base, unhindered, because a single guard at a poorly designed post entrance didn’t have any back up? Seriously?

They allowed the security officers to look at their phones and their Nikon camera.

The officers found photographs taken of the property,…Officers also found video Zhang filmed with one of his devices.

Incredible! Absolutely incredible. 30 minutes of information gathering, which I am sure was sent to somewhere to someone who could use the photos for something. I am sure they weren’t just keeping those images on their devices to upload later. That wouldn’t make sense with the technology available today. So, that means they were at least partially successful in their mission. Good grief.

Nice work, whomever is in charge. Way to put safety and security protocols in place that make sense. This whole things has a Three Stooges, or Keystone Cops, feeling to it. This is how we secure a “sensitive storage site for weapons and ammunition”?

Not cool. Not cool at all.

Self important?

Posted on January 3, 2020 by backuphill

Photo by Riccardo Bresciani on Pexels.com

I keep seeing these videos on social media and its getting rather irritating because everyone knows they shouldn’t do it, but they do it anyway. What videos am I talking about?

I keep seeing videos of people driving. They are holding their phone (you can tell because the image “floats” and you can see the dashboard) while they drive and showing you the road, road conditions, night sky, etc. There may be music in the background or they are narrating something that happened. Whatever.

In a day and age where it is illegal (at least in my state) to have a phone in your hand while driving, you would think that people would not put themselves or others in danger by holding a phone while they drive.

It leads me to believe that they believe they are more important than everyone else. “I’m going to disregard the law and safe driving habits so that I can post a video of me driving on the road. Because, after all, everyone is interested in what I am doing and they should probably know the road conditions.”

Guess what? You ain’t that important!

I don’t care that you are on an open road, in the middle of the night, with no other traffic around you. I don’t care what the road conditions are. I don’t care that you need to tell your followers something. I don’t care that you have a song you want us all to hear.

I don’t care.

Get over yourself and drive safely. Period.

In the dark

Posted on November 25, 2019 by backuphill

Photo by Timotej Nagy on Pexels.com

There is something disconcerting about entering a dark room. It is one thing when it’s your room and you are familiar with it, it is a totally different thing when the room is completely unfamiliar to you.

Over the weekend I was on an overnight adventure that required a hotel stay. I got to the hotel after dark and checked in. After receiving directions to get to the room, I learned there was an “outer” door that would lead to and entry way where I would find two doors, one for my room and one for another (an A and B room).

When I got to the room, the outer door was locked (as I expected it to be). I unlocked it and started to step in to the entry room and there was no light. None. I expected it would be motion activated, but no such luck. So, the fumbling with full hands and a phone flashlight ensued and I managed to unlock my room door. (As it turns out, someone had switched off the motion activated light.)

Once I got the room door open, the light switches by the door in the room didn’t work. So, now the fumbling Olympics of feeling your way through an unfamiliar, dark room began. I finally located a lamp on the nightstand and turned on a light. As it turns out, someone (probably the last guest) had turned off the lamp that was plugged into a switched outlet, thus making the switch useless to the next guest.

I have to say it is more than a little irritating to check into a hotel and find two lights, either near or in, your room not working. If you know your guests will be checking in after dark (we are in the winter months here, so it gets dark early), why not make sure the lights will work as expected. OR, better yet, why not make sure there is a light on IN THE ROOM when the guest gets there? It’s the little things folks. The little things that impress and make you want to stay there again. Sure, maybe most people wouldn’t notice, but I guarantee there are many who would.

Yeah, but what about the wasted power…blah blah blah…I don’t care. With LED bulbs the power usage would be minute compared to the repeat business it would generate because people notice the little things. Everyone likes to come home to a lit house on a dark night or evening. It’s these types of things that I mention when I leave a rating online.

A hotel should treat it’s guests like they are arriving home.

It’s the little things. Details matter.

Reverse lights

Posted on March 21, 2019 by backuphill

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

There are lots of things that are extremely irritating in life. This blog is kind of dedicated to finding and expressing our frustration with such things. I can across one the other day that just about had me come unhinged – temper went from 0-83 in less than 1.4 seconds.

You see them in parking lots all the time but maybe you don’t give them much thought.

Reverse lights.

Those white lights on the back of vehicles that are your signal that said vehicle is about to begin backing up. Great idea, those lights.

But, what isn’t a great idea is that someone who has put the vehicle in reverse, thus turning the lights on, can also IMMEDIATELY begin backing up without any regard to what may be behind them.

I am sure this is no secret since nearly anyone who has ever driven a car has probably experience this in a parking lot at some point in their past. What is most frustrating is that it seems to be happening more and more. I can’t explain it, but I sure want to punch people when it happens. To be fair, I am not really a violent person but there are some things that really get my blood boiling, and this is one of them.

I have nearly been hit while driving a car and while walking. It’s happened in parking lots. It’s happened on the road as someone backs out of a driveway. It’s happened during broad daylight and it has happened at night. Good thing I am aware of my surroundings!

Anyway, I propose there be a 10 second waiting period , a delay if you will, on Reverse. The car goes into reverse, the lights come one, and you have to wait 10 seconds before the car will move. That should force someone to have a look around (I hope). Oh, and while we’re at it, how about a sensor in the seat that can read the body language or tell if someone looked out the back window before the car will move? Yeah, now we’re on to something.

OK, let me know in the comments if you have experienced this? Were you able to avoid the collision or were you one of the unlucky, wrong place at the wrong time kind of people?