Word to PDF and vice versa

I was having breakfast with my son recently at a local restaurant. There was a man, sitting in the next booth, asking questions of his young breakfast companion about Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF files. This was obviously his grandson, and despite the older gentleman's best effort, he could not get the answer he wanted.

Maybe if he understood that Word and Adobe were created for different purposes. Their interaction was originally in one direction. From Word to PDF. No one expected that we would want to convert both ways and back and forth.

Microsoft Word was originally created to replace the functions of a typewriter, with the added capability to edit and change the resulting document, on the screen before it was printed.

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It created a two-dimensional document in a device-independent, fixed-layout. Its purpose was to allow you to send the large documents electronically to someone. They received a copy of what you had on your screen when you typed it, but without the ability to alter it.

PDF is a very commonly used format across the Internet. The Adobe Acrobat reader is freely available on a variety of platforms, meaning that PDF documents can be viewed in exactly the same way across all these platforms.

By contrast, Microsoft Word documents can only be viewed on platforms that support Microsoft Word.

So to help this poor guy at breakfast; here's an answer, without knowing his question, since he could not verbalize it. "It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish."

1. If you want to send someone a flyer or brochure, then you would send a PDF. The person receiving it will not alter it, only print it or display it.

2. If you want to send someone a contract, and you want them to make changes, then you will send a MS Word document.

3. If you have a MS Word Document, and want to convert it to a PDF, then you need a "Free downloadable PDF conversion program." Type that phrase in your browser and it will lead you to some of them.

4. If you have a PDF document and want to convert it to a Word document, there are not as many free downloads because it is a lot more complicated, but you can find one the same way.

Now you understand why this poor fellow was struggling. He could not explain what he wanted, and the young person really had no reason to understand. Most young people are computer literate but don't spend their days sending and converting word documents back and forth to PDF.

If the man had asked about an MP3 file, the kid would have been a hero.

Never say, "I do not know."

The internet is good for anything I do not know. It keeps me from having to say, " I do not know.", which I do not like to do.

I was watching a pre-season football game and someone asked the group, "where did #84 play his college football?"  I follow football, very closely, but could not remember this little tidbit. There are some very obscure players out there. Here is something to remember from today forward.

Google search, "player name, bio." you can do this on your smart mobile phone, or any other computer device. It will give you everything about any player. If I have more info, like, Dolphins, or wide receiver, then I type that as well.  It merely helps to narrow the search. I got the information in private, then... a few moments later, I said, " USC. Miami picked him 3rd round in 2009. He's, 6'5", the tallest receiver ever drafted by Miami. "Oh yea. that's right, I remember him now" , someone says.  You just smile. Be ready, another question is coming.

There are so many questions like this in every day life. When someone asks , "what movie was she nominated for an Academy Award last year? Use the same Google search. Add Academy to the search.  You will quickly gain a reputation as the trivia expert.  You can tell them where you found it.   Sometimes that story is just as good.  It's up to you.  Depends on who's asking.

I never have to say, I do not know. Why would I?  I do not Know!

Naples Coral Reefs

I chartered a fishing trip recently out of the Naples dock, and as we moved west out of the pass into the Gulf, I asked the Captain of the boat if he ever fished off the reefs in North Naples, which were recently discovered. He said he had never heard of a reef and my information was wrong. Well even an old salt like the captain, needs to read the newspaper every now and then, rather than his sextant.

For the benefit of the good captain, and my paradise followers who need a map, here's the skinny: According to the Naples Daily News, in an article, by Jeremy Cox, from October 14th, 2005, " Within the distance of a football field from northern Collier County's shores, researchers have discovered a flourishing and sweeping stretch of coral reefs." The good news is that they are within swimming distance from the beach according to Mr. Cox. North of Doctor's pass. It is not yet the quality of the reefs in the Florida Keys, but it will get there and one day make Naples a much more popular diving destination.

So the next time you are boating out of Doctors pass, head north, and set your depth finder and look for our unburied treasure. Grab your snorkle and have a look. Kindly remember that it is only a 50 year old system, and needs to be treated gently.  Don't be dropping anchors on the reef.  It would be nice if the county put some permanent bouys up so folks can tie off to,  rather than dropping an anchor.   There will be grouper, snapper, crabs and many other types of marine life. Unlike the coral in the Key's which has mostly died off, ours is alive, and should be 'teaming' with sea life. Enjoy.

Be Prepared

We live in an area where the median age is over 60. Ignoring that the media says 60 is the new 50, it should tell you that we are a retirement area. Lots of us are older and as a result we need to prepare ourselves and our assets for some ultimate distribution.
I am not a lawyer, and do not want to try and give legal advice. What I do want to do is give you some common sense suggestions I have learned from my experience with others.

A friend's father had a serious stroke. A stroke is nature's cruel reminder as to who is, really, in- charge. One day this man is living in a beautiful home with membership in the golf club, his favorite cars in the garage, his boat at the marina and his cash nestled safely in his investment portfolio. The next day he is unable to function in any way, nor was he ever able to again. He died shortly thereafter. This is a blog about paradise and how to enjoy it, but part of enjoying is being prepared so you can, without any worries.

There are no guarantees, nor promises about our future. So as the boys scouts say, "be prepared." Prepared to have your business and properties arranged for that time when you may not be around. You need to take some time today and ask yourself, "what do I want to happen after I am gone?"

Take the time to write it all down. Information about the succession of your business, your properties, your family, your employees. If you do not get it on paper, it will not happen as you want it to. Perhaps you have a key employee who has contributed to your success. You want to make sure he continues in that capacity for your family. It will not happen if you do not set it up now. I say write it all down, but only for the purpose of taking it to your lawyer. Write it down so you can get it all laid out, before you let them create a legal document.

Once you have done all you can to cover the possibilities, for that time, when you may not be around, then smile and go play golf, or enjoy your boat with your spouse, children, and grandchildren. You have worked, now do some playing, do some enjoying. There is no need to worry, you are prepared.

Big Rocks are important

A professor stood in front of his class and pulled a large jar from below his desk. He then pulled out a tray of tennis ball sized rocks from the same place. After filling the jar with the rocks, he asked if the jar was full. Everyone in the class said, "yes."

He then pulled out a small box with gravel in it. He scooped the gravel into the jar as he shook it and the gravel filled in the gaps around the big rocks.

Again he asked, "is the jar full?" No one answered quickly, this time, but some brave soul said, "no!" "Good," said the professor as he pulled out a pail of sand. He poured the sand into the jar as he shook the jar. The sand filtered down and filled the remaining spaces. Again he asked if the jar was full. All being smarter, they answered 'no' as a group. "Good," said the professor as he pulled out a pitcher of water. He then filled the jar to the top.

The professor then asked, "what is the point of this demonstration?" One student quickly answered, "No matter how full something looks, if you try, you can always squeeze something else in?"  "No," the professor said. "This jar is your life, and all the things you need and want to do. What I am trying to demonstrate is how important it is to put the big rocks in first, or you will never get them in at all."

In your life, you have to think of the most important things as the big rocks. Your family, religion, your job and your education. So if you want to squeeze in lots of little things, remember to put the most important things, the big rocks in first or you'll never get them in at all.

(I don't know where I heard or read this story. I took a lot of time management classes in my business life, and it's possible that it was a story to make an important point,  which it does very well. My apologies to the professor, students, and original story teller or writer. I have retold the story as I remember it.  I would give you all credit if I knew who you were.)

Wrong way Greyhound

This is for those people who are always picketing at the dog track, because they think the dogs are being abused. They are so wrong. In every facet of life there will be some cruel people who abuse animals and even other people, but from my experience I have never seen any abuse in my many years of working or playing at the dog track.

I had so many experiences that were unique, I hope sharing them will give you some insight into the life of the track people and , so, maybe you see that stupid people like Michael Vick who abuse dogs are certainly out there, but they are not hiding at greyhound parks.

People are always asking how greyhounds learn to chase the mechanical rabbit. Believe it or not, the natural curiosity of these beautiful animals and their desire to run makes what they do very natural. There are many ways to train them but letting them see other dogs chasing something is about as complicated as it gets.

The noise of the mechanical device peaks their interest, and the bouncing, moving rabbit seems to be enough. They just have to relate the sound, so that after you have held them, and let them go as it goes by, then the next step is the box. The box has two doors, one to put them in, and one that pops open as the rabbits passes. Sometimes the dogs get confused and face the wrong door in the box. This generally costs you a few dollars on your wager, because they come out late, and sometimes run into the box operator, who runs accross in front to see if all dogs exited before he closes it and resets it.  It's funny to see and no one is harmed in the practice,  except the dignity of the box operator.

This story is about a grading session for new dogs. When dogs are new to racing, before the season starts, the track will run what we call schooling (or grading races), to see where they want to classify the dogs for their maiden races. On these days there will be twenty or so kennels, each with their dozen or so new dogs, waiting their turns for the races, which run quickly every few minutes. Dogs are loaded, based on a planned order, and run, then removed and the next ones are loaded.

As I said there were twenty or so kennels with at least twenty 'kennel helps', my job, standing with a dozen or more dogs on leads waiting our turn. The dogs know the sound of the mechanical rabbit and get very excited as the rabbit moves around the track. On this day, one dog slipped his collar as the rabbit started to come around the track. He jumped the fence and started running 'up' the stretch toward the sound. Unfortunately, he was going the wrong way on a one way track. The rabbit is on a long arm, extended out to about the middle of the track, no more that twelve to eighteen inches above the ground. The dog was running toward it when he realized at the last second that he was in trouble. He ducked down and the rabbit passed directly over him. Trouble averted...for a few seconds, for as he raised up, he was met by eight dogs in hot pursuit of the rabbit. There was a huge pile up with dogs tumbling everywhere. The rabbit operator, immediately realized what was happening and stopped the mechanical rabbit. All the dogs caught the rabbit that day, but did not know what to do with it when they did.

It was pandemonium, and a lot of excited owners and kennel people, but no injuries just lots of belly laughs as the story was told and retold.

Driving in the rain, this might save your life

In the summer in SW Florida we get rain, practically every day.  This information is for us,  but is practical for any driver.  Please pass them on to your friends & family.

1. Most motorists would turn on the fastest speed of their wipers during heavy downpour, yet the visibility in front of the windshield is still bad. Instead, put on your sun glasses. (any model will do) Your visibility will be perfectly clear, as if there is no rain.

Try it yourself. You still see the drops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain falling. You can see where the rain bounces off the road. It also helps to eliminate the "blindness" from passing truck spray, or the "kickup" if you are following another vehicle in the rain. This should be part of our basic driver's training. It really does work.

2. Never drive , with cruise control engaged, in the rain or when the pavement is wet or icy. If your car begins to hydro-plane, which happens at higher speed in these conditions, your tires lose contact with the pavement and your vehicle will accelerate to a higher rate of speed causing you take off like an airplane. Our teenagers and all new drivers should be told these facts.

Some vehicles will not allow you to set the cruise control when the windshield wipers are on. This may need to become a standard accessory on all vehicles.

Tell your friends & family, and if any don't know about this, then you might have saved a life.