Two Showers In One Morning

Welcome Summer! It's gambling season with the bike ride to work and I thought I had a window when I saw the rain on my weatherbug app. So, I packed up the bike and started my ride, noticing the clouds and wind - but the sky and road were dry. But as luck would have it, precipitation started falling out of the sky about halfway through my route. I figured its light, I can make it - but soon it was pouring. I pulled over and put the rain cover on my new Axiom pannier side that was holding my clothes and purse. 

 

Well, I was totally drenched after a couple miles of riding in the downpour, but my luggage was dry! That rain cover works great. But, I've just had my second shower of the day, soaking and dripping a path of water down the hall and in my office. Right now my little desk fan is drying out my shorts and shirt, hopefully they'll be dry this afternoon. But then again it might not matter if its still raining.

How To Report Food Stamp or Disability Fraud

I just read this article today about how Floridians are still receiving food stamps in record numbers despite the improved economic trends. In Florida, income decides who qualifies for food stamps. For example, a family of four can't earn more than $1,863 a month after standard deductions for utilities, shelter and child care, and then they can receive up to $668 a month in food stamps.

 

However, not all the people who are on food stamps are eligible. They may be committing fraud. If you suspect someone of receiving government food stamps fraudulently, you can anonymously report them by providing just their first and last name, and city. The Dept of Children and Families will do the rest by investigating and requesting the named party visit their offices with documentation of their allowable expenses. If they ignore the request, they may be sanctioned and the benefits will stop until they cooperate. You can report online HERE.

 

Maybe you don't know of abuse of food stamps, but you may know people who are claiming SSI or SSD disability. They seem capable and functioning, yet they get that government check every month that you and I don't. It seems that when a whole family with parents and kids are on disability there is a likelihood of fraud. Did you know you can report that person anonymously as well and the Social Security Administration has federal agents who will confirm the allegations and photograph or secretly video the person. They have contacts with merchants and can get video of shopping trips and other outings in public areas. The agents will handcuff and arrest violators once they have proof of fraud. It is not very hard to get the proof either because people who are getting that free government assistance check are generally quite talkative about it.

 

If you know someone who is committing government fraud, it is your social obligation to report it. There are thousands of new disability cases opened every day and the majority of them are denied. But some get through the system. They may eventually get caught by sharp, inquisitive employees who see a case discrepancy, but they need your help.

 

Report SSA disability fraud online HERE.

 

Southwest Air Rules The Sky

Today I got an email from www.Southwest.com telling me that I can reserve my flights for less points now. Since we just booked our flights to MN a few weeks ago at what I thought was a kind of high value of 22,000 points which roughly equals $400 for a round trip flight. I had been saving points using my SWA credit card (remember The Affair??) and was finally able to scrape together enough to redeem for our flights.

 

Well, today when I got the email I went online and changed my flights with only a few clicks and was rewarded with 11,000 of my points back! That's enough to get over $100 in gift cards or other rewards I may want. How exciting, now I can go shopping!

 

I just wanted everyone to know that there are some great vendors out there who really do want your business, so its worth a little inconvenience or cost sometimes to get great service. I know that there is no other airline out there who would let me change flights without any change fees, and give me the points or cash back when the price is less.

 

Screw you Delta :(

Memorial Day

We went to the Bubba Raceway Park for some late model dirt track racing this weekend and they did a nice little memorial ceremony for the troops that fought for our freedom.  Hope you have a nice weekend and have a moment to pray for all the lost souls who bravely defended America, the best place to live in the world.

Final Friday

So here we are at thre last Fri nite concert in Lowry pk. Its some horn band playing lots of oldie but sing along songs. Nice way to to start the long holiday weekend.

Shutterfly $10 OFF $10 Codes

Did you get the email from Shutterfly this morning? This is a great way to order some FREE cards or photos for just the cost of shipping. I have some extra www.Shutterfly.com promo codes that expire May 30, 2012. Please be considerate and only redeem a code if you have a project ready or you know for sure you're going to have time this weekend to put together an order.

 

BD9U-953M-1X9H-6KJ27H

 

BD9U-77ZY-1PFN-J4EEC4

 

BD9U-44EH-X1EB-F48MXA

 

BD9U-9ZCX-C8JD-SX65MS

 

The Bike & the Bus, Part 5

Once again, the @GoHART number 6 bus tried to knock me off the bike lane again. My last experience with the bus was only a short month ago when the driver passed me, cut over into the bike lane and let off a passenger and they stepped into my lane and we collided and both fell down. 

 

Well the latest run in was yesterday 5/22/12 on my way home from work (Northbound 56th Street) just after crossing the railroad tracks north of Hillsborough Ave. It occurred about 4:10 pm and unfortunately I didn't have my mini helmet video cam on my bike that day otherwise you would be blessed with a short video of the event. Maybe you will some day since these stupid bus drivers can't seem to understand there is a law that they must give walkers and bikers a 3 foot space when passing. Even though the law is written on the back of the bus (see the picture).

 

Anyway, the bus passed me and pulled up to the bus stop where a young man was waiting for a ride. The bus was about 20 ft in front of me and could have just stopped in the traffic lane for the pickup, but no - the driver had to pull over the white line and stop in the bike lane. He didn't leave enough room for me to pass on the right unless I ran into the curb and sand. Needless to say, I was pissed. I stopped at the bus door and asked loudly for the Hispanic male driver to please stay on the other side of the the white line. He is not doing the cars behind him any favors by pulling over into my bike lane, since he still is obstructing 3/4 of the traffic lane. He says to me "I saw you, and I didn't hit you". Gee, how could you miss my bright neon hi vis shirt? That was nice of you. I yelled at him now, just stay on the other side of the white line. (Actually since the @myfdot recently repaved the road there is a 3" drop off at the white line making it very obvious when a driver crosses the white line). My bike ride has become more dangerous because of that lip on the road and I'm trying to find something positive about it because my contacts at FDOT have told me they won't do anything to change it.

 

So, I vented a little. Not very satisfying and certainly not going to fix the problem. I have been bicycle commuting on 56th Street for eight years and my only incidents have been with buses coming into the bike lane. There have been more than five incidents I lost track, I just started counting in the last 2 years. I've contacted Hartline each time, and actually wrote to the President of Hartline and he wrote me back after investigating the problem last year. But he has since been fired and now whoever runs the place is probably who I need to contact. The twitter contact @GoHART seems to want to help me, but really its an uphill battle.

 

For now, I will continue to try to avoid the #6 bus. He'll probably try to hit me next time.

Groupon Class Action Lawsuit

Apparently there is nothing to do right now until a settlement is determined; but if you purchased or received a Groupon Voucher issued for redemption in the United States between November 1, 2008 and December 1, 2011, then you are a member of the class ("Class Member") for purposes of this class action settlement, and may be entitled to receive settlement benefits, unless you are one of the following:  (1) an employee of Groupon, Inc.; (2) a business with whom Groupon has partnered to offer Groupon vouchers ("Merchant Partners"); or (3) a parent company, subsidiary, affiliate or director or officer of Groupon or a Merchant Partner.

 

This website was established to provide information to you about the proposed settlement of certain litigation relating to the marketing and sales practices of Groupon, Inc. The litigation is currently pending in the United States District Court, Southern District of California.

Following are important dates and deadlines relating to the settlement, which are explained more fully in the sections below:

• Deadline to opt-out of settlement:  July 6, 2012
• Deadline to object to settlement:  July 6, 2012
• Deadline to submit claim form to obtain Settlement Voucher permitting redemption of voucher(s) past expiration date(s):  [to be determined pursuant to court order]
• Deadline to use Settlement Voucher:  [to be determined pursuant to court order]
• Deadline to submit Settlement Fund Refund Claim Form if Merchant is unwilling or unable to redeem Settlement Voucher [to be determined pursuant to court order]
• Deadline to submit claim form to obtain refund of vouchers purchased after December 1, 2011:  [to be determined pursuant to court order]

GO HERE for more information.

The 88 Car

Lucky for us, Dale Jr was wondering around fan fest at the Darlington racetrack and he was nice enough to pose with DH for this photo.

10,000 miles

Today we went for a nice motorcycle ride and DH was so excited when his 2007 Honda turned over 10,000 miles! My 2009 Honda Rebel actually is not far behind at 8500 miles.