I think it’s because of smart phones and other personal devices that they have brought them back into our lives. The first one I remember was the eternal blinking clock light on the VCR’s then every appliance since the 1980’s came with a clock that no one could figure how to set. Until you could navigate through every room in your by using “Ghost Lights” all over your house.
Yes they are back, last week as I wrote in my article (LiP 11-05 Microwaveable Medal Spoons) I sallied forth the day after the demise of my microwave to purchase a NEW 3D Brand oven. I found it and noted the price had come down in the 10 years since the last one $93.00 Na Lang!
But there it was, the blinking Ghost light where the clock I never wanted should be. Yes I own a smart phone, which I call, and text with, but nothing else. It’s still a virgin when it comes to turning on the Wi-Fi, but I still tried to set the clock on the new oven and had a classic fail moment. But then I remembered all the power fluctuations on the mountain here in Bataan and figured I’d be setting the clock a few times a day and said; “To hell with that!”
Buttons and more buttons, I believe the microwave has APPs installed to do most things but set the damn clock, why can’t simple be the law of the land. Also why are the instructions printed in micro print, or did I just figure out why it was named a Microwave?
Oh I can preprogram it to start in the morning, but then they told me I could also do that with my drip coffee maker too, once more they lied to this consumer. But as I thought about it, I wondered why someone would need to preprogram their popcorn anyway, as I could not think of anything else that function would be used for.
Then as I scrolled through the instruction manual, there was all the knowledge needed to cook your Thanks Giving Turkey in a microwave. I stuck a sticker over that section and wrote, “They serve a complete with all the trimmings, Thanks Giving Turkey Dinner at the Sit-N’-Bull restaurant in the Barrio every year, plus 6 or 7 other places I know of.
Here is what I have learned in all the years as a microwave user; “Push the power button, set the time, push the on button, wait the appropriate time, and your done” Is there really anything more you need to know? Oh wait, there is still no medal fork or spoons allowed while nuking!
To sum it all up, for those purists who would never own a microwave, disregard this entire article, and I’m sorry that you had to read this much that doesn’t apply to you. And for the rest of us you’ll be happy to know that the microwave has remained as simple to operate as they have always been (Except for the clock is back) All this 500 plus words are “Just an Observation” on my part trying to ease our life in the Philippines,
Disclaimer: I am not a cooperate shill for the 3D appliance company, but if they feel the need to send me a few peso’s…
Good one Paul,
Been waiting here for your Monday morning special. Australia is two hours ahead of you so when I switch on at 5am it is still 3am there. Your article comes through at 7am our time which means I have to wait a couple of hours for it. Always worth the wait though. Nick
Nick;
I was tied to the pier in Darwin (What a great town, if they could carry a side arm you’d think you were in the wild wild west of the US) and noticed your 15 foot tide plus the clock had .05 added to the time vice on the even number. I loved every minute in your wonderful country. But I’ll give a pass to the walkabout; your coast is too much fun. I have visited every port city north, south, east and west. Oh the toads up North, I’ll’ give them a pass also (LOL)
Doesn’t seem to be so wonderful now. Our political system is letting us down and things are going backwards. Looking forward to the land of Duterte.
Nick;
That is sad when you must import something to cry about. (LOL)
Thats correct Nick. There is nothing wonderful or “lucky” about Australia now.
Philippines is 100 times better!
Adam;
Oregon just legalized Pot, that info might help understand them. Australia has to be smarter than them, you wouldn’t have tried to polish a turd and elect her.
Nick;
Our great fellow citizens were profoundly disappointed that their anointed one (By the media and big money) failed to win an election and smeared the name of the rightful winner in the media. While the Obama Clinton Camp sit back and laugh. But the people rioting can’t affect the economic situation as most have been on the dole for their entire life, and since they don’t work anyway they won’t miss a day of work. The only real danger is their fellow hardworking citizens could slip and hurt themselves in those giant puddles of tear drops they leave in the streets in our cities.
We are having anti Trump protests here in Australia too. Can you believe it.
If you asked them protesters what they are protesting about, more than half would have no idea. Full of drugs and empty heads!
Adam;
During interviews with the cry-babies it was found that less than 20% of them in Portland even voted at all, of course they are angry Mrs. Clinton lost. But with a liberal Arts Degree, and skipping all those Civics Classes and wondering why she lost?
They are even protesting about Trump in the Philippines.
Meanwhile the Dow Jones hits record highs every session and the American$ is fast heading towards 50 pesos! Anybody want my Aussie dollar?
But hey, this has nothing to do with microwaves! Lol
Adam;
I was thinking how much I could have saved if I waited for Trump to be elected before I bought that new microwave. (LOL)
“…Clinton wins on the 19th of Nov.
Trump will be the president-elect for only 11 days…”
George Soros
Is there somewhere that I can put money on that????
Palawan Bob;
I’ll bet if I wrote about puppy dogs and kittens you could turn it into a conspiracy with doom hanging over our head. My I point out that not yet have you be even close to being right. But I keep my tin foil hat at the ready because someday…………………..
Adam;
Casino Filipino will accept bets on all predictions made by Palawan Bob. They haven’t lost a Peso so far.
Palawan Bob;
I’ll bet if I wrote about puppy dogs and kittens you could turn it into a conspiracy with doom hanging over our head. My I point out that not yet have you be even close to being right. But I keep my tin foil hat at the ready because someday…………………..
When Soros talks, people listens!
The electoral college votes on 19th of Nov.
THE END of political naivete will arrive the following day, on 20th of November… unfortunately.
That’s when you’ll understand that there was something was wrong about this (S)election.
“…Danger, Danger, Will Robinson…”
In plain English it means this:
As of 19th of Nov. life will be like living on a desert island.
Lawless…
Hint; The real life name of Robinson’s servant Friday was Will.
Palawan Bob;
Roberson’s last name was Caruso Will Roberson is from the future. Even a sub-species like Harry Reid wouldn’t go along with that. So very far fetched.
PapaDuck;
If you only hint at a conspiracy theory, then it’s only gossip. (lol)
The original Amana Radar Range at a price of about $450 had it just right with two mechanical timers on it. I don’t recall it even having one of those blinking clocks either.
You can still buy budget simplified models for about $39.95 if you catch a sale at your nearby Big Box Store if you have one. The last time I bought a Microwave was a Samsung deluxe with all the buttons you speak of Paul and also a blinking clock if there is a loss of power which is not often where I am.
I seldom use mine for actual cooking but rather heating things up like left overs and of course those frozen entres and meals. I am sure you know the kind that are overloaded with sodium and come in black plastic trays that develop hot spots and leach potentially cancer causing plastic chemicals into the food.
Good luck with yours Paul. One way I found to get around the blinking clock is to just blank it out with a piece of black tape or two.
Bob (NY)
Genius pure unadulterated genius, black tape across the clock!!! I only wish I’d been smart enough to think of that simple solution. Where is my duct tape? The clocks attached to all electronics I believe showed up in the 1980’s with the Bata-Max. (There was a dumb idea by Sony). I think that melted tray enhances the flavor, but I think the Cell Phone turning my brain to Jell-o will happen before the tray poison or donuts!
No need to buy a microwave oven. Duerte just approved the $1billion refurbishing of the Bataan Nuclear Power plant. Only 32 years old. You will have microwave transmissions blasting through your place in no time at all – 24/7.
Don;
The money I’ll save on a new water heater will be wonderful. But what do I do with those 5 legged dogs in my yard?
It’s the 5 legged chickens that you want to worry about. When someone asks how they taste you have to say “I don’t know as I’ve never caught one yet!!”
Badoom tish!!
I will be living even closer, perhaps I’ll move to another island, St Lucia or Barbados perhaps. Can you buy nuclear industry approved duck tape. You can imagine the Chinese site director handing over to the pinoy crew and explaining all the operating instructions etc and just getting the 1000 yard stare in return.
Gary;
Japan I hope will not be building this seaside power plant,
The Chinese just gave Philippines $14 billion in loans and grants. Of course they will want their people and materials used in spending the money. That’s common practice for all countries that give aid. Strings always attached. Problem is their is no transparency when it comes to what the CNY is spent on. Substandard materials that they wont use in the mainland.
Don;
I can see that, if I give my brother-in-law the money to throw a party, I’d expect to find San Miguel Beer being served vise Beer-Na-Beer (But Red Horse is expected too!) China is no slouch when it comes to building with sub-par materials in their own country.
AJ/UK;
Good one!
The better half insists I use those extensions with the on off switch for most appliances, as she read the ghost lights consume a great deal of power. True are not I refer to rule number 1, never argue with the boss
Tony;
The higher power you have referenced is absolutely correct! I use my wife whenever someone demands to know where I get my information from on any given subject! It is why I seem so knowledgeable on so many things. (LOL)
My wife always defers to my on anything technical but the mother in law is a master electrician amongst other things. I had to take out the 130 watt ceiling fans because they used too much power compared to the 230 watt floor fan. The ceiling fans obviously used more power because the blades were twice the size.
Gary;
That sounds like pure logic to me, but my question to her would be; “who pays the power bill? Leave my fans alone! (lol)
Palawan Bob;
Wow if Hillary is forced in as president, what will the cry babies have to cry about? I swore an oath to defend and protect the United States,, me and millions more. The oath never expires. The Keystone pipeline will be approved costing George over a Billion a year when his train goes off the line, but Obama kept it from happening for 8 years. He’ll collect his reward.
Hi Paul,
As I has explained before I don’t like President-elect Trump, but he won a fair election and I completely agree with you. I don’t get the protest. I hope the people who voted for Mr. Trump were right about him and I was/am wrong. President Trump has a big and important job ahead. I wish him well for the good of the USA.
I voted for Gary Johnson, because I could not support Hilary Clinton either.
Peace
Jay
Jay;
Clinton’s loss was no surprise to me, she went forward like it was owed to her somewhat of a family prize type attitude. So Trump was the default choice, but I never expected the childish behavior that followed. This is not a proud time in the history of our former great country, with citizens like that, the greatness is slipping away. BTW which celebs left the country? Oh well it was a good run, Rome suffered the same fate.
I hope that they will not declare martial law as of Monday, 21st of Nov.
Once it’s declared, a bank holiday will become an avoidable outcome and the only remaining unknown will be… when.
I don’t know if you noticed but Rudy is hinting in the same direction.
Palawan Bob;
Is marshal law powered by microwaves? I was here during the last time it was in effect. Infrastructure and new schools improved, the cost of food became affordable for the poorest people. And remember my money is in a tin can buried under my mango tree. When this prediction goes south with all the other tin hats theory’s, what will the next one be?
BTW Who is Rudy, does he know Rody??
You are comparing apples with oranges.
Today we have a Godzila size derivatives problem. It would take ONLY ONE big bank to fail to trigger a world wide domino effect of insolvency. So your tin can in the back yard, and all our pension money suddenly become a nice memory.
This financial catastrophy is an avoidable, regardless who is in the White House. They can promise all they want but 1,5 quadrillion $$$$$ is impossible to ever pay back.
Hyperinflation, war or both, is the only solution.
Don’t believed me what I wrote, get informed, it’s all over the net.
We only have less than a year before this Godzilla gets unleashed.
Palawan Bob;
This is information overload, I prefer oranges to apples, and unless it’s gold, paper money has never been anything but an illusion since we started printing money without gold or silver to back it up. But I do know who will be in the white house. Porn is also all over the web, but I put no store in that either. So no matter what happens, we are doomed according to your estimates. So the end is coming, there is nothing that can be done4, so don’t worry be happy. When the beer runs out, so be it! We’ll all be equal then.
Hi Paul
I never set the clock on the microwave as the plug is always pulled out within 5 minutes of it being used…………….same for every appliance!
I have the TV on in the morning, watching the news and sport etc, I go for a Tom Tit and when I come back down stairs all the plugs are pulled out of the wall.
I make a cup of coffee with my Dolce Gusto machine, I have 2 every morning and everyone knows it, when I go to make my second 10 minutes after the first the plug has been pulled out! FFS!!!!!!
Cheers
AJ UK
That is funny but I can relate.
Nick;
I think we all can! (lol0
AJ/UK
It used to be that way here but 20 years of training, now only at night. But AJ some day when that big power surge hits, you’ll thank them! (LOL)
Upgraded the kitchen here and installed a dishwasher but she wont use it because it consumes too much power.
Nick;
My buddy installed a new dishwasher in his renovated kitchen, he learned an expensive lesson she didn’t want a dishwasher. But you know those dish drying racks they sell in the market? He now has one built in. Plus the nice Hot Water Heater (Talk about using power) We use hot water on demand, even in the kitchen..
Hi Paul,
On the topic of your article, when my wonderful wife came to my home in the USA I told her many times how much I appreciated her home cooked meals. She asked me to cook one of my bachelor meals so she could taste what it was like for me before she came to improve my diet. I cooked a couple of microwave burritos and a can of Pork ‘n’ Beans with a couple of jalapeno peppers cut up and added for flavor. My bride was not impressed.
Look for my article tomorrow. It might give you and the other readers something to chew on.
Peace
Jay
Jay;
I’ll freely admit your diet sounds just like mine, on the ship’s I had to eat well balanced meals, but in port not so much. My wife shuttered when she saw what I ate, but when she dined on one of my ships she was pleased with the menu. But I hid all the junk food in my stateroom and my ref on board the ship. But I never let her know about that!!! (LOL)
I will check out your article bukas.
Guys, please, enough fun and games already. Paul submitted and humorous and useful article about microwaves and it’s suddenly an after the election free-for-all? American, Philippine and even Australian politics are off limits and out of bounds here, especially in name calling mode. Bob asked me to keep an eye on things while he’s in the hospital, he just got his arteries fixed, let’s not raise his blood pressure.
I deleted one such comment already, let’s, please confine ourselves to actual live in the Philippines subjects. One of the reasons I came here to the Philippines is to escape the 24/7 din of the American political circus.
When you have lived through as many US presidents as I have (I started with Truman, BTW) you may begin to realize that it makes very little difference who sits there and hosts the State dinners. They are all essentially figureheads and they just flow through time like autumn leaves in the wind. Let’s just lay nice in the sandbox, please? I appreciate your forbearance and consideration.
Dave,
With all the crap Palawan Bob has posted and you delete my comment just because i called him a liberal. Unbelievable, but not surprising.
Papa Duck;
I had no idea censorship was the norm on LiP with Bob in hospital, Bob has enough on his mind with his surgery to mention it at this time when he is on the mend this subject will be discussed. I apologize to you sir.
No need for you to apologize for me, my friend. I made the call.
Name calling and personal attacks are not tolerated, period. It’s not censorship, it’s only simple common courtesy Paul.
Please do not presume I apologize for you, I apologized to PapaDuck. But as I said I found no name calling on Papaduck’s part. It was all in harmless fun and no breach of public order or rioting in the streets. Liberal or conservative neither word is considered profanity in the public lexicon. Simply, we must agree to disagree to end this nonproductive discussion but I get the feeling you feel you are right no matter what. So to end the silliness, “David, you are the one who is right!
I deleted it becuase name calling and personal attacks are specifically forbidden. Has nothing to do with liberal, conservative, etc.
You made that point above and I said you were right!
David;
I was a Truman baby also, so yours is not bigger than mine. Censorship is the far bigger sin than than harmless political joking, I reread every comment on this thread and didn’t find a problem. But if we all saw things the same, they’d only produce one type and color car.
Paul,
Thanks so much for your support. It’s worth arguing over.
not
PapaDuck;
Any time one person attempts to decide what is right for another to read is the reason that amendment was written first.
Hi Paul
I just found this rare footage of Palawan Bob on YouTube……….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EH1G4EwljM
As he said, the financial crisis is an avoidable so lets avoid it, or did he mean unavoidable?
Two different spellings for Godzilla in one response?
“Don’t believe me what I wrote”………..is that the sort of English phrasing that you would expect from a financial wizard?
Hmmmmmm……….
AJ/UK
The Japanese authorized the different spellings to collect royalties twice every time you refer to it! (LOL)
For your information.
I am an a professional engineer. After graduating, I worked for several consulting engineering firms over a period of about 15 years. It was only then that I decided to try stocks trading. That is not the same as being a financial guru. I am a technical analyst.
Trading is 100% numbers, not letters.
I do not use the spell checker.
I speak (fluently) and write three languages.
My spelling is perfect when required. Public forums do not require perfect spelling, perfect sentences and perfect grammar.
You comment is a disgrace.
Palawan Bob;
Who made the disgraceful comment to you? The only shares of stock I hold are in companies that manufacture microwaves ovens here in Asia, albeit every time I bring microwaves into the conversation the subject gets changed. I planned for my retirement starting 40 years ago and prepared myself to be able to provide for my own future. My English both orally and written is horrible, but then it wasn’t that important as I made over six figures a year as a seaman and was single 90% of my time and except for vacation spent next to nothing every year no houses, cars or furnishings as I lived on the ship, went on vacation and then out to another ship.. (I do speak some Spanish). Myself, I’d be lost without Spell-check, and still spell things wrong with it.. But I still would still like to know who attacked you?
You sound like a man after my own heart AJ UK. He just never stops “doom mongering” does he? I think he should be banned from mentioning anything but haircuts, shopping malls and the cost of Jeepneys in the Philippines. He’s one of the reasons I stopped reading LIP for a long time…then I come back for a peek, and he’s still here and still doing it.
Just my humble opinion, of course.
That’s very unkind…Private Frazer was a great deal more positive than PB, imho!
🙂
Jim;
Anything I’ve ever written has turned into s TV show with Jessie Venture!
Jim;
if we can’t say something nice, find their weaknesses and chip away st them! No no lets not do that )lol)
This was a response to AJ UK.
Palawan Bob;
I cannot picture him being mean spirited, but if the comment bothered you, then I’m sorry my article caused it. Then I do still wonder what PapaDuck said that got his comment deleted! curiouser and curiouser!
Paul
AJ UK is a shill.
That is how they operate. They are not allowed to attack you on the real issue but they are allowed to try to discredit you by using the cheap tactic of poor grammar or poor orthograph.
I am pro Hillary AJ UK, tell that to your boss.
From now on, I’ll keep my mouth shut about politics and money matters.
As a matter of fact, it will be more prudent if I stop posting… period!!!
Have fun gang!
Palawan Bob;
Being that AJ/UK is from the United Kingdom, I would say that America’s election and Hillary and Trump mean little to him. As for people not being interested in politics involving money matters I will say that I really don’t worry about, as I said I spent 40 years making ready for my retirement. Dropping off the web, if that’s what you want to do. I’ll miss our banter. But as all things it is up to you. I hope you change your mind, but no matter what, the best wishes to you.
Paul,
AJ/UK’s comment makes mine look like a compliment lol
PapaDuck;
It does appear a mistake was made.
Hi Paul & Palawan Bob
Apologies for not weighing in before but I had some trees to plant and nurture.
I’ve never been accused of being a shill before and to tell the truth I had to Google it……….not sure how my comments make me a confidence trickster?
Paul, your article didn’t cause my comments, it is PB’s constant doom mongering without anything to back it up. It wears you down in the end.
No offence PB, just a few quips at your expense.
Love and kisses to all. I promise never to pass a comment your way again PB.
AJ UK
PS – You are right Paul, I don’t care anything for US politics.
You sound like a man after my own heart AJ UK. He just never stops “doom mongering” does he? I think he should be banned from mentioning anything but haircuts, shopping malls and the cost of Jeepneys in the Philippines. He’s one of the reasons I stopped reading LIP for a long time…then I come back for a peek, and he’s still here and still doing it.
Just my humble opinion, of course.
By the way, Paul Thompson, to get back to YOU, how the devil are you these days. Are you now allowed to sip gently at a can of SMB, with all your bits neatly tucked away again?
J
Hi Jim
It’s actually quite out of character for me to do things like that but eventually you get worn down. One moment of weakness and, well the rest is history.
I usually have a bit of banter with Paul when I have read his articles as they normally strike a chord and I love his sense of humour. I can relate to a lot of what Paul writes about, apart from the life at sea that is.
Love and peace and lets all light Joss sticks.
AJ UK
AJ/UK;
It was an odd week in LiP land, PB was for reasons of his own was offended by you. PapaDuck for secret transgressions (or Never divulged reasons) suffered his comment being censored AND deleted,
I was informed how many presidents one man lived through (I’m still trying to work that out?) A very odd week indeed, I’ll assume it was because we were all concerned with “Fearless Leader” Bob Martin’s upcoming heart surgery, which thank the gods he sailed through famously. Bob will be healing for a while, under the strict care of his loving family. Hopefully now with Bob back at the helm, this will just become a pimple on life’s ass (Can I say ass?) (LOL)
You can say ass, just not arse, D’oh!
AJ/UK
A lot of British speak confuses me, but arse to my ear sums it up the best I’ve ever heard. Sitting in a pub in South London with members of the Royal Navy that I served with on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory) And the Chief Stoker (Like a Senior Chief) referred to the British Governor as a Total Arse, I liked the way it sounded. (BTW he was!)