the iMentor

Hints & rants

This weB-LOG is about the musing of a technical consultant. It is the iMentor's thoughts on technology and the human condition.

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Author: Rick Thues

Precision

April 22, 2026 Uncategorized 4 Comments
Episode #899 April 25, 2026 After I ran Precision Cabinet company,  I worked at Walter and Cline architectural mill. In 1983, the Walter and Cline closed.  Everyone lost their jobs.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC1edPPz6q0   Four of my friends and I signed up at the Anaheim Carpenters’ union and waited for an interview. We all got called to Disneyland. The old-time German foreman hired all of us for the Disneyland Fantasyland remodel. Terry would be the draftsman, Roger would do the field dimensions and cabinet work, Bob would be the hand carver, and I was assigned to do the specialty woodwork. When...
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Clothes Line

April 17, 2026 Uncategorized No Comments
Episode #898 April 18, 2026 My wife and I live in a place with an abundance of sunshine.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmtQ6x1c_yo Several years ago, I bought and installed a rotating clothes line. Paula says that hanging clothes outside in the sun is satisfying, ecological, and fun. The hole I dug for the ground sleeve was narrow, but when filled with concrete, it seemed substantial enough. With the clothesline pole inserted, the contraption was stable. It worked well for drying clothing. We also live on a windy ridge. Winds often gust to 30 or 40 miles per hour. One windy day, I...
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India

April 7, 2026 Uncategorized 4 Comments
Episode #897 April 11, 2026 Years ago, I had growing sciatica pain in my inner right thigh. It was annoying, and I tried to ignore it.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XugIsZbTFy0&list=RDXugIsZbTFy0&start_radio=1 Over time, the pain worsened, but I just kept pushing through it. A limp developed. I ignored it. It will get better, I told myself. While exploring Bush Gardens wild animal park in Florida, I had an appointment at the Giraffe safari, 1/2 mile across the park. Even though the pain had crept into my leg again, I thought, “No problem. Half an hour to spare. I’ll just jog over there.” 100...
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Rotator Cuff

March 30, 2026 Uncategorized 6 Comments
Episode #896 April 4, 2026 I was packing up cardboard boxes to donate. Consequently, the house was in some disarray.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ZBfxQ8oP0&list=RDj1ZBfxQ8oP0&start_radio=1 As I carried one of the boxes across the room, I tripped on a chair leg and fell shoulder-first into the floor, crushing the box and all of its contents. The shoulder hurt like hell, so Paula helped me up.  For the next two weeks, the shoulder hurt, but I still had full range of motion.  Then I made the mistake of collecting firewood. I threw a large branch of Manzanita deadwood down from the small hill...
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The Dragon of Silicon Vale

March 24, 2026 Uncategorized 2 Comments
Episode #895 March 28, 2026 The Dragon of Silicon Vale by Ricki T Thues 2026   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY&list=RDTLV4_xaYynY&start_radio=1 Silicon Vale stretched out across countless realities. Its shimmering landscape was accented with rivers of light. Glass towers rose toward the starry night, reaching to connect everything with translucent bridges. The stars were flashing signals pulsing with meaning over immeasurable distances, traveling at the speed of light. At the center of this kingdom stood a citadel known as the Foundry of Thought. On the penthouse balcony of the citadel stood the wizard Huang Jensen. Amber eyes scanned his vast creation. Enchanted circuits and...
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Analysis

March 17, 2026 Uncategorized 3 Comments
Episode #894 March 21, 2026 This year, my home insurance company required me to install a Moen smart water valve.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKnnh8VDULs&list=RDIKnnh8VDULs&start_radio=1 As I stumbled upstairs after falling asleep on the couch, I habitually plugged my phone into the bedroom charger. On the screen, a warning from the Moen smart water valve app appeared. “Low water pressure. Check your water system,” the app said. I checked the sink water. No water pressure. The smart valve is just outside the house. This warning indicated low pressure upstream of the house. I was relieved that the valve was not sensing a leak...
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