More on goals

The good news is that you're not in control. The bad news is that you might still think you are. Your mileage may vary. Side effects include side effects.

• Try a Little Powerlessness—Pitfalls of Self-Control: Scientific American
  Is it possible that willpower actually might be an obstacle rather than a means to happiness and harmony?
• Learning to let the world turn without you | On estrangement from a child:
  After all these years I think I’ve figured out I don’t know what happened, I may never know what happened and there’s nothing I can do to change it. All I can do is relax and accept it. There is great power in ‘Don’t Know!’
  
• Research: Goal-Setting Can Undermine Personal Motivation
  Research shows that an even stronger effect than goals is intrinsic motivation, having individuals do an activity because they find the work rewarding in and of itself.
  

And, if you're really feeling out of control, get a bumper sticker.

Rule #1 for makers of technical documentation products

Spell-check your product announcements.

From the LinkedIn Software User Assistance forum:

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, August 3

2:03 a.m. People at library dislodging dead animal from underneath car
4:26 a.m. Car drove into hedges, Boyden Rd.
1:18 p.m. Missing stop sign, Mason Rd.
10:12 p.m. Caller reports car following with high beams, Main St.

Tuesday, August 4

12:15 a.m. Suspicious person on bike, Main St.
12:58 a.m. Daughter barricading herself in room, Salem Rd.
5:30 a.m. Dead fox, Salisbury St./Putnam Ln.
12:06 p.m. Suspicious incident at town pool, Salisbury St.
6:24 p.m. Bear sighting, Bullard St.
7:11 p.m. Youths hanging around Wachusett Fitness, Main St.

Wednesday, August 5

9:58 a.m. Caller's dog killed skunk, animal control officer requested, Union St.
10:07 a.m. Excavator in road, Main St.
12:52 p.m. Caller reports two girls opening mail boxes; just playing with the flags, Elmwood Ave.
3:44 p.m. Loose fox, Nelson St.
6:44 p.m. Children playing on train tracks, Salisbury St.

Thursday, August 6

11:07 a.m. Lost child walking down street; reunited with parents, Cook St.
11:26 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Torrey Ln.
11:26 a.m. Caller's white boxer ran out of house, Glenwood St.; dog found
3:16 p.m. Bale of hay fell off truck, obstructing traffic, Main St.
5:25 p.m. Caller complaining about individuals riding dirt bikes, Wyoming Dr.
7:39 p.m. Caller inquiring about dog found on Woodland Rd.
7:48 p.m. Individuals riding dirt bikes, Wyoming Dr.
7:59 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Brennan Way.
8:18 p.m. Report of attacking hawk in area, Shrewsbury St.
10:00p.m. Caller requesting citation issued for town bylaw infraction, Brennan Way

Friday, August 7

12:05 p.m. Assist turtle crossing, Main St.
2:40 p.m. Loose dog with no tags, Wachusett St.
4:21 p.m. Person at station to turn in ammo
10:54 p.m. Caller reports barking dog keeping everyone awake, Mason Rd.
11:12 p.m. Fireworks, Montana Dr.

Saturday, August 8

9:24 a.m. Pit bull held by party until owners retrieve it, Shrewsbury St.
10:14 a.m. Four complaints about cars driving on wrong side of road due to electronic drop off, Princeton St.
11:12 a.m. German shepherd running after vehicles, Manning St.
11:41 a.m. German shepherd running after cars, Manning St.
1:23 p.m. Dog roaming around, Ludlow Rd.
3:39 p.m. Burst water pipe, Shrewsbury St.
4:58 p.m. Caller is out of water, Juniper Ln.
6:19 p.m. Party calling about water supply on Shrewsbury St.
9:10 p.m. Animal hit in road, may not be dead.
9:40 p.m. Caller heard gunshots, Highland St.
10:06 p.m. Caller complains person won't return rented equipment, Nottingham Dr.
10:24 p.m. Youths on bike behind Commerce Bank, Main St.

Sunday, August 9

9:39 a.m. Caller reports car almost hit a runner, Highland St.
9:56 p.m. Loud party, Mixter Rd.

Paxton

Monday, August 3

No calls for service.

Tuesday, August 4

10:05 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle a hazard, Richards Ave.
3.00 p.m. Phone trouble at Barre Savings Bank, Main St.
3.36 p.m. Lost English setter, Pleasant St.
5:47 p.m. Verizon request for Rutland PD by radio

Wednesday, August 5

1:33 a.m. Leicester PD requests transport, Reservoir Rd.
9:51 a.m. Missing stop sign, Crestwood Rd.
4:28 p.m. Black Lab in road, Pleasant St.

Thursday, August 6

8:56 a.m. Broken-down motor vehicle with transmission problem, West St.
10:34 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Tanglewood Rd.
3:03 p.m. Caller concerned about speeding car, Grove St.
5:23 p.m. Water main break in Worcester, Worcester PD notified, Main St
6:37 p.m. Complaint of people skateboarding, Manville St.

Friday, August 7

1:16 p.m. Caller reports argument between family members, Holbrook Ln.
1:51 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Howard St.
7:52 p.m. Horse loose near cemetery, Richards Ave.

Saturday, August 8

6:08 p.m. Caller reports damage to golf cart, Marshall St.

Sunday, August 9

8:10 a.m. Note of private investigator, Ridgewood/ Crestwood Sts.
10:07 a.m. Erratically operated motor vehicle, West St.
10:15 a.m. Person at station to discuss possible larceny, Ridgewood Rd.
10:25 a.m. Two suspicious men looking in windows, Ridgewood Rd.
1:25 p.m. Report of solicitors, Cutler Rd.
2:23 p.m. Person at station complaining about teenagers leaving trash on Tivnan Baseball Field, Pleasant St.

Princeton

Monday, August 3

2:23 p.m. Property found, Main St.
3:38 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about issue on Beaman Rd.

Tuesday, August 4

7:26 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Houghton Rd.
7:42 p.m. Property found, Town Hall Dr.

Wednesday, August 5

3:24 p.m. Disturbance, Esty Rd.
7:09 p.m. Disturbance, motor vehicle, Leominster Rd.

Thursday, August 6

9:10 a.m. Request for traffic control, Goodnow Rd.
4:23 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Beaman Rd.
6:54 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Prospect St.

Friday, August 7

1:17 a.m. Assist other PD, Old Boston Turnpike, Hubbardston
6:49 a.m. Request for light department, Gregory Hill Rd.
3:43 p.m. Traffic control duty, Sterling/Houghton Rds.
5:58 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Fitchburg Rd.
7:57 p.m. Public service, Worcester

Saturday, August 8

8:03 a.m. Request for light dept., Wheeler Rd.
10:43 a.m. Assist other PD, Rte. 140 S

Sunday, August 9

No calls for service

Rutland

Monday, August 3

1:12 p.m. Report of lost beagle in Petersham, notifying area animal control officers
1:13 p.m. Two suspicious males at home on Wachusett St. claiming to be family relatives
3:28 p.m. Person at station for community service
3:58 p.m. Two males outside building, screaming, Maple Ave.
8:05 p.m. Person trespassing from Boy Scout property on East Hill Rd. to Pleasantdale Rd.
9:27 p.m. Report of gunshots in area of Pleasantdale Rd.

Tuesday, August 4

12:04 p.m. Report of feral cat, raising five kittens under house on E. County Rd.
1:20 p.m. Report of lost Pomeranian from Barre
1:50 p.m. Tractor trailer took down telephone lines and is blocking entrance to Ladd's Restaurant, Barre Paxton Rd.
1:50 p.m. Due to major fiber break, cell phones and other phone lines are non-operational, Barre Paxton Rd.
2:06 p.m. Tree workers on bad corner blocking most of roadway, Prospect St.
4:39 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Barre Paxton Rd.
8:52 p.m. Store owner requesting extra patrols because of telephone outage, Barre Paxton Rd.
11:33 p.m. Complaint about loud noise, Maple Ave.

Wednesday, August 5

5:50 a.m. Person wants to speak with officer, Main St.
10:26 a.m. Verizon calling for information regarding truck that took telephone wire down, Barre Paxton Rd.
12:31 p.m. Person reports that people are digging up yard, Sunnyside Ave.
1:48 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer, Main St.
4:04 .m. Two males selling beef out of freezer tied with bungee cord to back of truck, Anthony/Nancy Dr. area
4:23 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
4:30 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
7:48 p.m. Large tree hit by lightning is splitting, concern that it will take down wires if it comes down, Maple Spring Dr.
11:00 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
11:48 p.m. Caller heard several loud bangs in area of Maple Spring Dr.

Thursday, August 6

6:09 a.m. Loose cow, Richards Ave./Pommogussett Rd.
7:00 a.m. Stray chocolate Labrador, appears to be blind, in yard on Turkey Hill Trl.; returned to owner
10:34 a.m. Person filing report of damage to property approximately four months ago, Johnson Way
11:50 a.m. Motorists called about small child wandering on Rte. 56. Unattended children found at home on Pommogussett Rd.
7:14 p.m. Police speak to person on Sunnyside Ave. using fireworks
10:26 p.m. Loud noise, possible party, Peters Ave.

Friday, August 7

9:04 a.m. Two dogs running down Pleasantdale Rd./ Prospect St.
1:14 p.m. Request that police find person so vehicle can be moved from driveway, Maple Ave.

Saturday, August 8

2:01 a.m. Loud party, Glenwood Rd.
7:35 a.m. Caller wants vehicle to be towed from driveway at home on Maple Ave. so wood can be delivered
10:00 a.m. Missing black cat, Lynnwood Dr.
3:52 p.m. Three brown cows and one white llama loose, Campbell Ct.
11:19 p.m. Loud party, Haven Hill Rd.

Sunday, August 9

8:43 a.m. Caller's house hit with paint ball during the night, Pommogussett Rd.
2:21 p.m. Brown water from faucets of home, Brunelle Dr.
2:30 p.m. Assist Oakham PD at home where they are securing weapons, Scott Rd., Oakham
8:21 p.m. Erratically-operated motor vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.
8:26 p.m. Report of second erratic operator, Rte. 122
10:58 p.m. Injured fox in road, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, August 3

10:39 a.m. Graffiti on highway overpass, Princeton Rd.
10:49 a.m. Missing cat, Stuart Rd.
2:06 p.m. Report that tree service has closed, Redstone Hill Rd.
5:11 p.m. Report of skinny gray cat, Mortimer Rd.
6:35 p.m. Caller concerned about tree possibly falling on her property, advised it is a civil matter, Pratts Jct. Rd.

Tuesday, August 4

12:15 p.m. Motorists picked up black Labrador on Beaman Rd.; brought to shelter

Wednesday, August 5

8:36 a.m. Prisoner transport services, Boylston St., Clinton
3:14 p.m. Lost black lab mix, Cole Rd.
4:48 p.m. Caller wants information on police activity on Redstone Hill Rd.
6:50 p.m. Stray dog in yard, Princeton Rd.; owner found

Thursday, August 6

12:08 a.m. Report of barking, howling dog left outside, Bean Rd.
6:15 p.m. Loose blood hound, Pratts Jct. Rd.
11:30 p.m. Holden PD requesting cruiser for transport, Riverview Rd.

Friday, August 7

8:39 a.m. Caller reports vehicle parked in area of Laurelwood Rd for a few days
2:28 p.m. Caller reporting her husband is in a fight with tree crew, Belmont Dr.
10:34 p.m. Injured coyote in middle of road, Leominster Rd.

Saturday, August 8

9:54 a.m. Car parked on Upper N. Row Rd., no one nearby
1:51 p.m. Kids on four-wheeler driving around house, Tanglewood Rd.
3:50 p.m. Report that juvenile on four-wheeler is shooting Airsoft guns, Tanglewood Rd.
6:52 p.m. Person reports that while walking his dog he was attacked by coyotes, Patriots Way
9:45 p.m. Injured raccoon, Evergreen Cir.

Sunday, August 9

10:42 a.m. Caller with question about dead bird, Redemption Rock Trl.
5:43 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle in bad location, Maple St.
8:21 p.m. Complaint about fireworks, Lakeshore Dr.

On Finnish language, culture, and sport

Finnish is in danger of being corrupted or replaced by English, the Internet, or some other thing:

In any case, the ideal of good standard Finnish is being degenerated as the language police are not able to intervene in the texts posted on the Internet.

Meanwhile, you can borrow equipment for Finnish-rules baseball (called "pesäpallo") at your local library, if your local library is in Finland.
Reading the rules of Finnish-rules baseball:


might convince you, as it did me, that Calvinball is alive and well.

Yet another health care blog post

Let's not be stupid.
Writing good public policy is hard. Practicing medicine is hard. Developing, testing, and delivering medical treatments - medications, surgery, rehabilitative services, and myriad other therapies - is is hard. Paying for medical services is hard. (How much is my health worth? To me? To someone else?)
As with most hard things at the macro level, whatever solution we implement will work very well for a few, pretty well for me, and horribly for another few. It's not a bell curve, where a decreasingly small percentage of people who do very well or very poorly become insignificant. For those on the very-poorly end of the scale, for example, while their numbers are few, the impact can be devastating. Thalidomide, for example, was and remains a useful treatment for leprosy and certain cancers, even as the horrors of birth defects that it caused remain a permanent part of our memory.
As individuals, in consultation with our doctors, we all have to wrestle with notions of acceptable risk, probable outcomes, and watchful-waiting. I recently discontinued a medication that worked pretty well but that the long-term side effects could be deadly. (Recent court filings indicated that the pharmaceutical company lied about the medication's side effects.)
We've been members of the Fallon Community Health Plan and receiving care through the Fallon Clinic for nearly 30 years. We've received superb care from professionals who know their stuff and from an insurance plan that lets the professionals do their stuff. The Fallon plan was one of the earliest and certainly one of the best examples of what health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are supposed to be.
I can also guarantee that anyone reading this will have first- or second-hand stories about how Fallon has failed to deliver adequate care.  Expand that a bit and the number of horror stories about HMOs increases exponentially. Having a bad insurance plan, in some ways, is worse than having none. With a bad plan, as in any other bad relationship, you keep hoping that you'll get something good and that expectation drags you through misery that you would never otherwise tolerate.
So, the policy implications of all this are what? Well, it goes back to one of the basics of engineering: Fast, cheap, good - pick two.
While we're making our choices, here are some links to thoughts of some others on the broad topic of health care:

• From the Congressional Budget Office Director's blog -
  

  Although different types of preventive care have different effects on spending, the evidence suggests that for most preventive services, expanded utilization leads to higher, not lower, medical spending overall.
  

• Inventor Dean Kamen observes:
  
  

  Each side of this debate has created the boogieman and monsters, like "We don't want let this program to come into existence because that will mean rationing." Well, I hate to tell you the news but as soon as medicine started being able to do incredible things that are very expensive, we started rationing. The reason 100 years ago everyone could afford their healthcare is because healthcare was a doctor giving you some elixir and telling you you'll be fine. And if it was a cold you would be fine. And if it turns out it was consumption; it was tuberculosis; it was lung cancer—you could still sit there. He'd give you some sympathy, and you'd die. Either way, it's pretty cheap. We now live in a world where technology has triumphed, in many ways, over death. The problem with that is that it's enormously expensive. And big pharmaceutical giants and big medical products companies have stopped working on stuff that could be extraordinary because they know they won't be reimbursed, according to the common standards. We're not only rationing today; we're rationing our future.

• Psychologist Gene M. Heyman reports, in his book, “Addiction: a Disorder of Choice”, that most drug addicts stop “using” without the help of treatment.
  
• Lee at Pink Granite invites us to imagine what we want our health care to be like.

OntheCommon.com - A teacher and historian

OntheCommon.com: "The very tall, curtain-less windows gave us plenty of early evening light. The Meeting House in Ashburnham is a work-in-progress as the Ashburnham Historical Society raises funds to restore and preserve this classic New England meeting place."

Happy Birthday, Joe

JWH in Maine.
Photo by Lindsey Emino

Happy Birthday, MRM

New Year's Day Tea Party - MRM, with SMH and CJH.

Is my blog working?

Twitter posts

Backup file made by BlogBackupr 2009-08-11 17:19:44

2009-08-11 09:02:48
RoasterBoy: OK, this is just strange - GM, eBay to Test Online Car Sales http://bit.ly/18axfq.

2009-08-11 07:22:38
RoasterBoy: Not the kind of doctor who can help you, but a doctor all the same: http://bit.ly/1kboYg http://ff.im/6rc1R

2009-08-11 07:22:33
RoasterBoy: Not the kind of doctor who can help you, but a doctor all the same: http://bit.ly/1kboYg

Getting where you're going, in spite of yourself

I often quote friend Roger. As he was going off to graduate school at Yale, people would ask him what he planned to do with his degree.
"That's what I expect Yale to teach me."
Scott Adams, in a recent blog post, raises a similar question and answer, whether it's better to sketch out a full path toward a goal or to take one step in the general direction to see what happens.
I've known several people who were able to set their life's goals early on, map out steps to the goal, get there, and enjoy where they landed. Those people are rare and, in my opinion, admirable. Knowing yourself that well from an early age is remarkable.
My ability to predict and then plan for the future is amusing at best. One of the standard questions in a job interview used be (dunno if they're still using it), "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
As I noted a few months ago, when I take any five-year slice of my life and look back at what I'd expected those five years to be, my record of prediction has been deeply, profoundly, and remarkably wrong.
The good news, however, is that, for most of my life, the outcome has been better than I'd expected, even as I've been deflected from what I'd originally set as my goal. Marriage, career, friendships, hobbies - in so many ways, I'd head in one direction, stumble, and start off with a new heading. My wife, with gentle good humor, can tell many stories about the cluelessness that I exhibited during the early part of our courtship. If I get any credit, it's in having the good sense to recognize better ideas as they come up and, without too much resistance, accept them.
People often point to President Kennedy's goal of putting a man on the moon and bringing him back safely by the end of the 60s as an example of how big goals need to be set. We should, then, probably not bring up his plans for Vietnam or the other events that, um, changed his plans.
The purpose of a plan, a former boss told us, is so that we can change it. Having a plan and changing it is very different from having no plan.