Obama "Kids off limits"

Gov Palin really has the newspapers and tv news in a frenzy. Sen. Obama came out saying that the entire topic is off limits.

I'm not sure that's the case. There was a news release about her daughters unwed pregnancy. That would put the story out there, personally its a flash in the pan, ho hum. Less interesting then the Jami Lynn Spears pregnancy.

I would think the more interesting story would be about Bidens kid.

"A son (Hunter Biden) and a brother of Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) are accused in two lawsuits of defrauding a former business partner and an investor of millions of dollars in a hedge fund deal that went sour, court records show."

In a Washington Post report Senator Obama pushed for $3.4 million in earmarks for a lobbyist, who is.... Senator Biden's son.

Well, yeah I guess I can see why Obama would want kids off limits .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082302200.html

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Vince Moore jumps into the Blogging!

http://mr-renaissance.blogspot.com/

Link added to the Right. Vince Moore is building onto his house and invites you along for the ride.

Under his profile he has two other blogs that are under construction.

In Gods Hands

Prayers for Cuba and that Gustav will be less then they think it will be.

More on Gov. Palin

What better balance for the 71-year-old nominee who could be facing a 46-year-old man-child?

A former athlete and beauty queen, Palin's approval ratings hover in 90 percent zone. Palin became a public hero taking on special interests, who practically own the Alaska political establishment.

Forced to resign from the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after complaining to Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski about corruption,she was banished to the political wilderness before coming back to defeat Murkowski in the GOP primary.

Palin forced the Alaska legislature into special session to increase oil taxes -- yes, that's oil taxes -- in Alaska, a Republican welfare state. And she vetoes public works projects.

She is a good one. http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12800

Sarah Palin VP

What an inspiring choice! Finally a strong conservative to match McCains 'libralism'.

And the chance to be the first Female President of the US in eight years to boot!

It's a good day for America.

Collage Fiscals.

Collages make pretty good money. They get grants, donations, tuitions and season ticket purchasers.

They produce pieces of paper that they had to an educated person. Who arguably has some kind of potential value to someone somewhere.

When Collages get an influx of money, it never seems to cause a drop in tuition. Rather its a name plaque on a building.

Why is it that people who speak about against Corporation Greed, turn a blind eye to Upper Education Greed? Instead I hear that the state and fed should send more money to these institutions.

puzzling...

FICA

Wall Street Journal artical

Obama is suppose to propose a middle class tax cut. Pretty much what Clinton promised (then didnt deliver first term). He's going to end the ceiling on FICA taxes

The thought was he was going to bring income tax rate back up to what Clinton has, 39.6%."

So if Obama gets his way, you could see a combined federal tax rate of 55%.

Add in your federal income tax and Social Security and Medicare, your paying 55 to 60%

So, if you think that certain people should pay more in taxes you would be very happy.

Political discussions in MMORPG's

In World of Warcraft there is a chat channel called 'trade'. The idea behind it was to post up things you have that others may want. Or to request things you want that others may have.

In reality it is an anonymous soapbox for various topics that is arguably misused.

Recently while we all were sitting around misusing the channel when someone pointed out that China has a great economy and is proof that communism works. My response was that slave labor can do wonders for an economy.

Michelle where art thou?

I was very interested to hear Michelle Obama from the Convention. I still am...

Here was a shining chance to answer the critics and make the case for Barak and instead, it was just something that looked prepackaged to appease someone.

Since Delta Joe jumped onto the Barak Bandwagon, I figured there was some compelling reason. I am not crazy about McCain, however the more I hear and see about Mr. Obama the less I want to see him in the oval office.

Actually if he had been a VP pick with Hillary as nominee I think it would have been quite a dynamic ticket. The convention still has a week to go. Its looking to me like this is McCains election to win or loose.

Pelosi = stupid

Nancy Pelosi says as an “ardent practicing Catholic,” that when life begins “shouldn’t have an impact on a woman’s right to choose (read having an abortion)”
Further: “over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy.”

Like the Catholic Church has not weighed in on the issue... What amazing denial or pathological.

Lets put the no-compromise argument of abortion aside. To state that the Church is in debate about these issues is amazingly ignorant.

bad decisions by Rich businesses.

Bad choice by big business

In the mid-1970s, executives at the W.T. Grant variety store chain, one of the nation’s largest retailers, decided that the best way to increase sales was to increase the number of customers … by offering credit. It put tremendous "negative incentive" pressure on store managers to issue credit. Employees who didn’t meet their credit quotas risked complete humiliation. They had pies thrown in their faces, were forced to push peanuts across the floor with their noses, and were sent through hotel lobbies wearing only diapers. Eager to avoid such total embarrassment, store managers gave credit "to anyone who breathed," including untold thousands of customers who were bad risks. W.T. Grant racked up $800 million worth of bad debts before it finally collapsed in 1977.

Good list.

High Dynamic Images

With the advent of digital cameras which can gather more information then our eyes can process High Dynamic images are becomming popular and you can see why.

Very Dramatic.

Biden on the ticket

Speaking as a Registered Republican I couldnt be happier with Obama's choice of Joe Biden.

• Biden on Meet the Press 2002, subject: Saddam Hussein: “He’s a long term threat and a short term threat to our national security… “We have no choice but to eliminate the threat. This is a guy who is an extreme danger to the world.”

• Biden to the Brookings Institution in 2005: “We can call it quits and withdraw from Iraq. I think that would be a gigantic mistake. Or we can set a deadline for pulling out, which I fear will only encourage our enemies to wait us out — equally a mistake.”

• Biden in an interview with the Huffington Post, assessing Obama and Hillary Clinton: “The more people learn about them (Obama and Hillary) and how they handle the pressure, the more their support will evaporate.”

Hmmm, maybe McCain shoulda picked him up:

Biden August 2, 2005: “John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend, and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country would be better off,"

Michael Phelps? Meh..

Trivia question: Who holds the MOST olympic medals?
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During the three Olympics held between 1956 and 1964, this olympian garnered nine golds, five silvers and four bronzes. Total of 18
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Russian gymnast Larissa Latynina holds the record for the most number of medals.

Contradiction

If you believe the world is overpopulated.

You would be happy when events occur that limited the populations growth.

Plagues, famine, natural disasters and war would be a good for 'saving' the planet from over population. Cause for celebration?

woot?

Vacation-reunion spot.

Here is Connor on the doc on lake Cuyamaca (The name is a Spanish corruption of the Kumeyaay phrase "'Ekwiiyemak", which approximately means "the place where it rains"). It actually reminded me of a dry spell in Oregon without as many trees.



If you look up inbetween the trees you will see the condo\cabin that we got to stay in. Shoo's family stayed on the other side. This was very nice in the late evening as Tina and I got to sit with Pam and Shoo, be treated to Pam's collection of savory tea's and just unwind and chat.



The next night Byron, Paula and Vince joined us as well with adult beverages and some pretty good stories. Really a nice way to end a really fun day.



Flying Van (Steve) really pulled together a wonderful time.



One of the activities was puttering around the lake in a large pontoon boat. We got dropped off at the lakeside resturant for lunch and Carl and Cole picked us up afterwards. Our Celeste made Yellow shirts really made locating each other simple.



Getting off the boat onto the doc was less then graceful for us due to the difference in height.



Great set of memories to relive in my mind though.



I do have to say Steves much better half, Annamarie has to be the sweetist, nicest , most generous, person ever to grace the planet.



Guess you and I both married above what we deserved, eh Steve *wink*



Oh, yeah, 20 years ago Tina and I tied the knot.

Connor moments

With a kid like Connor you are never quite sure what he is going to do or react situationally.

There were just too many people for him to learn all the names. Although after a subtle hint from Shoo (pointing to his shoes), Connor quickly caught his name was Shoes, and refered to him as such.

The condo was referred to as the 'sleep house' and after a good 10 hours on a trampolene in the sun he really wanted to go there.

"lets go to Steves" was his most requested thing, and he associated Steve with Steves. Steve further endeared himself by placing connor between various pillows and making a Connor sandwich. To which Connor giggled and squeeled 'STEVE! what are you doing?'

Then there was his dutifully repeating the Leo line from Titanic while at the front of the pontoon boat, "I'm KING OF THE WORLD" immediatly followed by turnning and requesting applause.

Everyone was very accepting and kept an eye out for him, even the kids. Connor was all smiles throught the bulk of the trip. One or two smallish incidents that were cringe worthy.

My favorite Connor moment was near the end of the weekend while at Steves hand made cabin saying goodbye. Connor, dutifully giving hugs of goodbye all around, came to Byron looked up at him and with a big grin hugged him and said "good bye Scat-Man"

Which caught all of us off guard and still brings a grin to us.

..more reunion stuff to follow.

Long @$$ drive

Here it is 11:00 AM Tuesday August 19Th. I woke up around 6:00am unpacked the van, opened windows, got the rotten apple out of the kitchen and crashed around 8:0am and woke up again a bit ago.

Why so tired? Well...

Monday morning we packed up the lake overlooking condo, did a Geo-Cache (Steve & Rob are bastages) and hit the road around 9:30am. We gassed up near Escondido, at lunch in Upland, at dinner in Santa Nella topped off someplace south of Redding and arrived at home 2:40am.

I'm thinking next time we go by rail.

To any and all we are safe home and unloaded memorys and flash cards for upcomming posts.

hope the rest of you safely made it home.

Georgia conflict .vs. nominee's

Russian troops in country of Georgia. How do our political leaders respond? This was a recent discussion I had. So I looked up the various responses.

MCCAIN: This pattern of attack appears aimed not at restoring any status quo ante in South Ossetia, but rather toppling the democratically elected governor of the republic of Georgia. This would be unacceptable to all the democratic countries of the world and should draw us together in universal condemnation of Russian aggression.

Pretty straight forward response I thought, measured and explained.

OBAMA: We should continue to push for a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate end to the violence It's a clear violation of the sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Georgia. The UN must stand up for the sovereignty of its members and for peace in the world.

This is bizzare, Russia is on the UN security council and has veto rights on any action. Also, Obama stops short of condeming the actions of Russia

THE PRESIDENT: There's evidence that Russian forces may soon begin bombing the civilian airport in the capital city. These reports are accurate. These Russian actions would represent a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia. These actions would be inconsistent with assurances we have received from Russia that its objectives were limited to restoring the status quo in South Ossetia that existed before fighting began on August the 6th. These actions have substantially damaged Russia's standing in the world. And these actions jeopardize Russia's relations with the United States and Europe. It's time for Russia to be true to its word and to act to end this crisis.

Concise, explained with condemnation and not passing anything to the impotent UN. Also, invoking the diplomatic understandings between the US and Russia.

Alternative Energy! (cuz increasing oil supply is bad)

Cold Fusion: Dunking palladium electrodes into heavy water - oxygen combined with hydrogen isotope deuterium - releases HUGE amounts of energy. Placing a voltage across the electrodes moves the deuterium nuclei to into palladium's molecular lattice, fusing them together, releasing a blast of energy.

On little snag is that fusion at room temperature is deemed impossible by every accepted scientific theory. It works fine in stars. If controllable cold fusion proved possible, many of the world's energy problems would melt away

The US Department of Energy is interested. In December 2005, after a lengthy review of the evidence, it said it was open to receiving proposals for new cold fusion experiments.

This is the same DoE that concluded in a report back in 1990 the original cold fusion results, produced by Fleischmann and Pons of the University of Utah, were impossible to reproduce, and thus probably false.

A theory 'bout peeples.

1. People, in general, like telling other people what they should do.

2. People, in general, despise being told what they should do.

If you tell someone what to do their reaction will be based upon your position of authority.

If you are in distress being told what to do can be a relief (although, you may still despise being told)

The bestest way to tell someone what they should do is via a sales pitch. This can fool the person into thinking they came up with what they should do on their own (this is the method used by politicians)

Must listen till the end.

Now try to get this song out of your head.

What worth a beloved pet?

News story about Dog Cloning service

Ms. McKinney loved her dog. The dog died. She sold her home to pay the $50,000 fee to get five cloned puppies from her dead dog. This was discounted from the $150,000 the company planned to charge for the service, believing her case will be a boon for business.

I have a hard time understanding why anyone would do this. Mostly because selling your house to buy five dogs seems over the top to me. Add to that none of these clones is her beloved Booger. (yes, she named her original K9 Booger) I guess they are in some part Booger, not unlike if Booger had puppies.

Then you have that elephant in the room (not cloned, metaphorical) about a loved one. Be it Mom or Dad, Sister or Brother, Son or Daughter, best friend, Significant other or fourth cousin on your fathers brothers side three times removed. We know that Clones will not be the same person. In my imagination looking at the clone a child I lost, would be a constant reminder of the loss. This made all the more painful, due to the mockery of who that person once was, standing before me.

Maybe that is too dramatic. Countless authors have gone over the ethical and moral arguments about cloning. And now, here it is, real flesh and blood.

the mind boggles.

True Presidential "debate"

In that old Monty Python sketch the statment "An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition" is far removed from what we normally engage.

In the 'everyone has a soap box' day we are free to post opinion as fact, contridition as soul proof and ridicule for not accepting a premise, flawed or not. Yes, I too am one of those opinion spouters.

So a buddy of mine recently deconstructed an opinion as fact editorial blog in such a sublime manner I was made to think more on what a debate is .vs. what it seems to become.

Debate, in political arena, is not a debate at all rather a posing and soundbite compitition with aftermath of spinning it as a victory reguardless of what actually occured. So style over substance and perception over reality.

Public debate are two teams of two. Each team is given their topic with the side at the beginning. The teams are given 15 minutes to create an outline before they begin. The topic of the debate is unknown until the start of the debate, it requires little planning and a wide knowledge of topics.

I would love to see a couple of Prez .vs. Prez nominee teams engage in this kind of debate.

MMORPG's appeal

Women are playing computer games, no shock there really. Yes, the XY set have the lions share. Slowly this section of the public is doing more then that solo card game.

Personal experience: My wife first had a character in Asherons Call back in 2000. While it was an interesting change from watching TV and later a way of getting her exercise in the appeal shot way up with two things.

The addition of dresses and hats.

While we have long since dropped AC for WoW (World of Warcraft), the guild we played in still honors her memory by allowing people to wear 'Fez's' in game meetings.

yeah, weird to me too. Still....

So WoW has non-combat, non-functional pets in game, various clothing items and fun events widely incorporated, that obviously panders to the XX set. Which is a good thing.

House of Teens

Cousin Dan is camping in the back yard (brought a tent and a hard hat, the kids prepared). Leonie is sharing Diana's room and Trevor is in the bottom bunk of the boys room. Connor is not a teen yet.

So we have seven people here. It's fun actually. Busy, the fair is in town.

Rodney Atkins plays tonite.
The Doobie Brothers play Wednesday.
Bad Company and The Edgar Winter Band Thursday.
Kellie Pickler rounds it out on Friday.

With the standard rides, games and booths.

Unlike the OC fair I grew up with, our fair is something I can go to every year. Not sure why.

Fixing Schools?

If you spend much time observing the school system behind the scenes you start to see some really odd things.

Year long weekly committee meetings to resolve issues like 'communication', the first six of these meetings outline the problems. Contract negotiations with budget busting agreements that both sides 'agree' on. Retirement packages that pay 100% of original salary. etc.

My personal feeling has long been the lack of a 'bottom line'. That is to say, in business, if you do not make x-amount of money to cover expenses you either cut back or go under. Voucher programs kinda can do that, however you run into really bad situations with special needs kids.

I ran across this interesting article Swedish School system. So I looked deeper.

in 1992 they moved to private run schools using public monies. The students are learning, the teachers, while concerned about job security, are enjoying being able to teach subjects, not to tests. Even the Swedish Teachers' Union now doesn't "have an opinion about which owner (i.e., the state or private enterprise) is better."

I have been unable to see how they handle special needs. But, I am still digging.

Indian Food

Garlic flake pict.

I found I enjoy the Cuisine of India. There is one resturant in Kelowna BC that I am particularly fond. So I periodically look for something I can cook here at home.

I recently added a gadget to my igoogle page to search out veggie Indian recepies.

I came across this gem called Onion Chutney. Seeing as how I am a fan of Maui onions I looked at the ingrediants:

onions - 6 to 8 (No problem, I can just get 6 big maui's)


tomatos - 3 (Get three nice ripe ones)


red chillies - 8 to 10 (indian Chili's are thin, red and usually dried. Flakes can work)


garlic - 5 to 5 flakes minced (um... Garlic flakes... quick google search finds them:


corainder - 1/2 bunch (easy)

comin seeds - 1 tsb (cumin??)

gingly oil - 1/4 cup (wtf? oh Sesame oil. whew)

Now instructions: Fry the cumin seeds and onions until onions become transparent.Then fry the tomatos until it is well cooked.Now switch of the gas and allow it to cool little bit.Now add the red chillies, garlic, coriander leaves, salt and little bit of water.
This chutney should not be loosy. If it is too spicy add little bit of oil.

If I can just make sure the Chutney is not loosy I'm good to go.




http://www.ivu.org/recipes/indian-chutney/vidhya-p.html

Oil .vs. Government

So there is high gas prices and depending upon editorial policy, it is either the Oil companies at fault or OPEC. 18.4 cents per gallon go to the Federal government plus 8 cents to 28 cents depending upon your state. My state the total taxes are 42 cents per gallon. According to the EIA the average profit of Gas is 28 cents per gallon. (That shows me who is really gouging...)

Obama's media .vs. hearts and minds of American voters

Gallup tracking poll out of registered voters has Obama up by eight. If you look at likely voters, McCain is up by four, and McCain among likely voters has had a swing of ten points since last Friday. Of course this is WAY to Early in the election season. Still, its rather interesting.

A NYT writer Adam Nagourney wrote this piece on the campaign Why is Obama not improving in the polls?

This article got him tarred and feathered by Obama's press operations.

So Obama is behind where he wants to be. When he is in unscripted situations he falters badly. And his resume is very thin. The Democrats want this election bagged tagged and delivered and I am wondering if the DNC is questioning Obama's ability.

Another orbit accomplished!

Yesterday was my birthday. We had a really nice day. I came up with the idea of each of my three suggesting something to do one on one. Trevor wanted to go to the movies, we saw Batman, luckily Trevor had done some yard work for cash the day before.

Connor wanted to go on a bikeride (he was VERY excited about this). Diana and Leonie came along. We drive to a school next to our big city park, went around the outskirts and crossed the river, then we had to go around the steam train engine that is displayed in the park. Past the sporting park, past the walmart-wetlands, by the skate park. Across the road for a soda and fries at Burger King, then back across the road and along the trail next to the I5 and the frisbee golf course, ending with a traverse of the steel bridge over the river.

Diana wanted to go Roller skating. Unfortunatly, my skates are at the shoe repair shop, so that will be later in the week.

My niece Crystal is back in the States visiting and was able to stop by and partake in Dinner at Red Robin (high class dining in Roseburg), then we forced her to watch Diana's episode of MADE.

Diana's friend from Germany, Leonie, and her parents are here in Roseburg to tour some of the sights. They presented me with a laser etched crystal of the Lueneburg town hall.

After all else was said and done we had a chocolate cake (Connor insistance) and a fresh picked Blueberry, home made pie, Tina lovingly made.

All in all it was a nice way to celebrate another Orbit.

Holy Rusted Metal prez. Bush!

George W. Bush aka The Batman! Andrew Klavin writes for the Wall Street Journal Opinion page. I came across his article he wrote comparing Pres. Bush to The Batman, Yeah, I thought it was going to be another mean spirited joke. I found it to be insightful and as a friend put it "Spot-On"

Quote:

"Leftists frequently complain that right-wing morality is simplistic. Morality is relative, they say; nuanced, complex. They're wrong, of course, even on their own terms.

Left and right, all Americans know that freedom is better than slavery, that love is better than hate, kindness better than cruelty, tolerance better than bigotry. We don't always know how we know these things, and yet mysteriously we know them nonetheless.

The true complexity arises when we must defend these values in a world that does not universally embrace them -- when we reach the place where we must be intolerant in order to defend tolerance, or unkind in order to defend kindness, or hateful in order to defend what we love."

Anyways, I liked the piece, wanted to share.

Attacked

Have you ever assumed you have been attacked, only to have the person you thought was attacking you say they are not attacking you?

When attacked, people defend themselves. So if you were not actually attacked, but thought you were and acted to defend, then wouldn't that defense become an attack?

If you did attack someone and they defended, then you told said person you hadn't attacked, wouldn't that be a kind of defense against the defensiveness caused by you the attacker?

Umkay, time for ibuprofen.

dang werds....

A while back I was asking my son if he had pride in his accomplishments. His response was to point out that pride is a sin. This comes from the seven deadly sins, which comes from a monks writings Evagrius Ponticus, who listed eight "evil thoughts" Gluttony; fornication; avarice; sorrow; anger; discouragement; vainglory; pride.

Later Pope Gregory the Great would edit this list down to the "Seven Deadly Sins" we all know and love... pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth. (gotta love Wiki's. I originally thought Dante came up with these).

Pride is excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor."

After my talk I was grappling for some synonym to use other then pride. Dang if the thesaurus didn't come up with stuff I thought sounded much worse: arrogance, haughtiness, hauteur, insolence, loftiness, lordliness, overbearingness, presumption, pridefulness, proudness, superciliousness, superiority.

So back to using pride with the explanation in the usage of the word not falling under the sinful definition. You can be proud of a job well done. Rubbing it in the face of others and discounting what they have done is where the 'bad-Pride' comes in...

If I was in Germany I could make a word like Doingagoodjobbutnotbeinganassaboutit.

Oh BTW Prudence, Justice, Restraint, Courage, Faith, Hope and Love are the seven heavenly virtues. (they dint seem to be as famous)

Getting fit, loosing fat

Turn your speakers off. Music is very annoying.

In an ongoing effort to loose weight and stay in shape I opted for 'bodyweight' exercises and walking the dog.

Above is a video with the three exercises I am attempting to do everyday. Long term I want to do a set of 50 of the pushups. 100 of the squats and hold the bridge for 60 seconds.

These really do kick your fanny and they are not terribly time consuming or cost a bunch of gym membership monies. The walking the dog is great for getting into shape. Our Dog has never looked fitter... I still have a ways to go...

This morning I had Red Cross Appointment to donate blood. (got my two gallon pin). They are across town and I figured I would walk there and Tina and I estimated 45 minute walk.

Well we were wrong. As I reached the bike path next to the river, a mental calculation prompted me to run the rest of the way, about three miles, and I was late by two minutes. This also meant that taking my pulse and blood pressure had to wait a bit as well.

the phlebotomist, was chatty as usual and asked if I had run in, I joked that running home would be easier because I would not have to carry the extra blood weight. I learned that I had just lost about 10% of my oxygen carrying vessals and running wouldnt be good. As it was the walk home was fine, I did start to feel a bit out of sorts while taking my shower.

I think I am going to take it easy for the next couple of hours.

life as I see it

There are huge social cycles that occur. A large butterfly like effect that you can intellectually trace back to some nexus.

kids today, they are raised by schools, Internet, television and games. Parents are both working hard to provide for their family that they just don't have energy to put the effort into.

This is a generalization, of course. How did we get here?

Well you could Nexus back to the moratorium on offshore drilling, and stopping nuclear power. The cost of power going up effects all goods as does the cost of delivery. Add to that ongoing, on growing government programs taking bigger and bigger chunks of your salary, along with regulations requiring businesses provide, unneeded, unwanted insurance plans. Making one persons wages not enough to sustain a family. Illusion or not.

How about WWII and women entering the job market? Quite a few ego's shattered because of that. And of course most men not comprehending the situation. Suddenly you have an 80% (wild guess) increase in the labor pool. Supply and demand means that wages would drop. That puts dual income as a must have.

My mom was a stay at home mom. We grew up, sharing the days events around the dinner table. On some weekends we would get in the car and drive places as a family. We knew the neighbors. I can still mentally go down the street imagining the houses and recall the last names of the inhabitants. I am not sure a majority of people could do that today.

Because my mom and so many moms on the street were stay at home, they would tend to get out of the house, garden, bowl, go to PTA meetings, see each other shopping etc. They would make plans and in general have that 'watering hole' or Laundry mat experience that is largely gone.

There are a lot of good parents out there. They are the ones asking if they are doing the right by their kids. The kids of these good folks, invite friends over. Some of these friends see and note something is different at this household and be attracted to something about that. The real observational thinkers, will actually ask questions and talk to the parents.

These kids have the potential to incorporate what they saw lacking in their own home life when they get to that point. This is already happening.

Final Nail for Global warming

Christopher Monckton of Brenchley has put out a paper titled Climate Sensitivity Reconsidered. Which is being touted as both the start of real science on the earths climate and the death of the religion of global warming.

"the conclusion is that, perhaps, there is no “climate crisis”, and that currently-fashionable efforts by governments to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions are pointless, may be ill-conceived, and could even be harmful."

A much easier read that wont glaze over your eyes is here.

news media

MSNBC, CNN, FOX all crank out less then news items and show little care for fact checking or balance. Someplace along the lines Truth took second place to ratings.

When you have to fill 24 hours a day with news in this format you need to have filler and the path of least resistance appears to be Hollywood Train wrecks.

Worse then that, when you trivialize information everything gives the appearance of having the same weight. You will see that Angelina Jolie's babies are 'cute' right next to Iran's nuclear talks.

The mistakes, the opinion, the editorial, the snarkyness, and the arrogance really makes me wonder if this industry should be regulated by the government for quality and fairness....

Bigger Fatter America

Obesity is based on the body mass index, a calculation using height and weight. A 5-foot, 9-inch adult who weighs 203 pounds would have a BMI of 30, which is considered the threshold for obesity. Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee lead the nation when it comes to obesity.

The CDC put the adult obesity rate at 34 percent in 2005 and 2006. I wonder when Peolosi will declare it a crises...

A study, published in the July 17, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine made headlines seeming to state that a low-carbohydrate is the best for health. The Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Research Foundation funded the study

So whats to do? The price of food going up will help, I guess. Higher gas prices means not driving and walking and bike riding more? Still obesity is rampant among the poor, chances are their habits will not change.

Tax breaks for the fit? Higher premiums for the not-so-fit? Government food centers that carefully administer the right amount of calories and exercise in some kind of a fat internment camp? Re-instate the draft for anyone over 34 BMI? Fine any restaurant or grocery store that sells unhealthy stuff? Make obesity a hate crime against ones self? Liposuction machines sold retail with a good instructional video? Public shunning? Asking religious leaders to tend to the issue? A nationwide reality show with prizes? Government checks to all citizens to use on fitness equipment?

Advances in Science

I was looking up the original version of a joke the other day and I came across a discussion about the fallacy of the Big Bang.

The Big Bang is the theory that for some reason the universe exploded into being. For those of you who do not like the idea of an exploding universe, Terence Witt presents an intricate, four-dimensional expression of our universe in which energy and space constitute existence.

Most importantly, the universe is infinite and eternal; it did not begin with a bang nor will it end with a whimper.

So take that Physics FAT CATS!

Brad on Letterman

Reasons I posted this. I love this song! Ronn would appreciate Brads Axe skills. Also, the character in the song could be portrayed by Byron. At least thats who my minds sees.

Oh, check out the guitar strap.

Schools in General

At the turn of the last century, Alfred Binet wanted to identify those students who needed special help in school. This idea has been horribly misused time and time again.

Educators and anyone with more then one kid, knows that there are different learning styles.
Dr. Kolb identified and categorized four of them. (this was probably a mistake, oh well)

Converging - the decision maker (active experimentation-abstract conceptualization) Accommodating - the do-er (active experimentation-concrete experience)
Assimilating - the planner (reflective observation-abstract conceptualization)
Diverging - the creator (reflective observation-concrete experience)

From the two above idea's, wouldn't you want to group children by ability and learning style to most effectively teach kids?

The current method of age grouping may have some kind of advantage, I just am not sure I can figure out what that would be.

I have two kids... geeze, One Adult and one young adult, who went through the public education system, did very well and came out with enough tools to deal with life. My youngest is unique in ability and learning style and trying to find teachers with the skills and understanding is a challenge.

I have found quite a few educators have sever limits they cannot overcome when dealing with children outside of a certain behavior variable. These teachers and their peers seem unaware of said limits until the teacher is put into the situation. Then getting the feedback that makes enough sense to change, or alter the situation is VERY difficult.

You heard that Cops have a code of silence? Teachers turn a blind eye to there comrades abilities and lack there of a lot.

Hypocrit.com

So I'm reading this article about overstock.com is going to stop selling fur. Now if you have a business of selling stuff to people I fully support you choosing what products to carry and what not to carry. If by choosing to carry or not carry some item you are making some kind of political or ethical statement which is being made into company policy, I would think that you would want some consistency to avoid looking foolish or hypocritical.

For instance if your the owner of Buy-N-Large and you decide to stop selling digital cameras because of the picture of atrocities in the country of Guilder that were published on the Internet. In your prepared statement you state that you will no longer carry Sony, Fuji, Olympus camera's in support of the genocide fighters (or some such). Now everyone knows that Buy-N-Large carries Kodak as well and that they will continue to sell those after the policy is in place.

Back to reality - Chief Executive Patrick Byrne stated:
“You don’t have to think about it very much before you realize … you’re completely objectifying an animal when you say I’m going to wear it as a decorative object. That’s over the line for anyone who gives it any thought, I would think.”

What about when the animal is made into skirts, pants, jackets, shoes, or belts...?

the Hero Shot

Once in a great while, a movie will provide a hero shot. This is one of those that get your heart going sucking you into the drama of the movie providing that "GOAL" moment of excitement.

For instance, the first time you saw Star Wars (a new hope). And Han Solo comes from out of no where to save Luke from Darth Vaders TIE fighter.

Some of the ones I recall fondly:

Neo stopping the bullets in mid air with curious ease. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/

Rick Latimer (James Belushi) catching the punks punch with his hand and delivering the line "My Turn!" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093780/

Ellen Riply (Sigourney Weaver) in the load lifter exo-suit fighting the queen "Get away from her, you 'bitch!'" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/

When the blast doors open and instead of Reavers pouring through, River Tam (Summer Glau) stands alone clutching an axe and a sword. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/

Was wondering if you (the reader) has one.

To honor our Independance

Hero's still fighting to insure our Independence

*DUNHAM, JASON L.
Rank and Organization: Corporal, United States Marine CorpsFor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.


*McGINNIS, ROSS A.
Rank and Organization: Private First Class, United States ArmyFor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.


*MONSOOR, MICHAEL, A.
Rank and Organization: Master-At-Arms Second Class (Sea, Air And Land), United States Navy For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic weapons gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


*SMITH, PAUL R.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States ArmyFor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

Reasons why CFL blubs are not the bulbs you might think they are.

1. The old EPA figures most often cited are incorrect for several reasons. The basic one is that they assume 100% of electricity in the US is from coal plants. Not true. 50% of electricity does not come from coal plants in the US and coal plants are now being mandated to reduce their mercury emissions by between about 70% and 90% over the next several years in at least 15 States and the Feds are likely to do the same in the next Administration. The most recent calculations from the DOE indicate that, on the average, CFL's are worse than incandescent bulbs in terms of mercury.
   
2. Places like California produce little energy from coal plants, and several states produce none. So any CFL energy reductions will not cut much, if any, mercury there.
   
3. The 5mg of mercury generally claimed for CFL's is largely a goal and not the current reality which is as much as 600% higher for some major manufacturers according to suppliers of CFL's to the State of New Jersey. All but one of the CFL's offered there had more than 5mg.
   
4. CFL's are almost all made in China with energy from mostly very dirty coal plants that emit ten times the amount of mercury per KWH asUS coal plants emit. Since China gets about 80% from coal and the US only about 50%, the comparison is much worse. Also, it likely takes the equivalent of about 25% of the CFL's energy savings to produce them there including the extra energy for the packaging and shipping compared to incandescent bulbs which are almost all made here. That represents a lot more mercury per CFL. Since fuel and power in China emit up to twice as much CO2 as in the US, on average, there may go up to half the CO2 savings. And since places like California are twice as clean in terms of CO2 as the rest of the US, there may be only nominal CO2 savings realized from CFL's in some States. The same holds for SO2and the Nitrogen Oxides.
   
5. Partly due to the increasing demand for their CFL's, China is one of the few places left on Earth that still mines specifically for new mercury. And it is unlikely that these mines would meet our environmental and safety standards. Similarly, to meet the increased demand from a massive CFL program in the US, China will need to construct many new manufacturing plants using dirty energy to build and requiring much more dirty power to operate. This in turn will contribute to the need for even more new dirty coal plants there.
   
6. As much mercury is spilled into the environment in the manufacture of CFL's in China as goes into the CFL's according to recent statements from industry representatives.
   
7. CFL's are delivered here on ships using bunker oil, the worst mercury and CO2 producer of the fuel oils. Not to mention all the other really bad heavy metals and toxins that it emits. Overall, it is1,000 times dirtier than standard transportation fuel. Again,incandescent bulbs are still almost all made in the US in existing industrial facilities and shipped using cleaner standard fuel.
   
8. There is no recycling program in place or planned that could handle the number of CFL's proposed. Only 2% of CFL's are recycled.And after many years, even the industrial recycling programs only handle about 25% of fluorescent lights, with no verification of how much of the mercury is actually captured.
   
9. It is likely that if any major recycling program is set up, the CFL's will be shipped back to China for reprocessing in newly built plants using dirty energy.

ONN "Most Children Not In Favor Of Child Healthcare"

Hinted world

While in Canada Connor and I spent a lot of time together. We travelled the city on foot and by Bus to the City park, the Mall, and the local park.

The public transit system in Kewlona BC has a wide variety of Buses, Double Decker, Hybrid, Electric, Small and slinky middles long ones. Gas being around $6.00 a gallon and knowing that Connor enjoys various forms of travel I delved into the website and found that the local stop was just at the end of the block. As with most bus lines they have the overhead straps for standing passengers. You may not realize this, but, to a kid like Connor these are the greatest thing in the world!


Getting Connor to talk about something that has already occurred has been a challenge. Unprompted is downright miraculous. The inertia feeling as the bus stopped, started and took corners was amazingly exciting for him. I had to pay very close attention to the road and the route to anticipate any problems. There were none and when we arrived home he ran upstairs and related the tale, best he could, to Tina and Omi.

Wikipedia

http://www.wikipedia.com/ is a really wonderful thing. It is an online encyclopedia that is a group effort by everyone. It is self correcting in this way and the bottom of the pages there are links for more information.

In high school my kids were not allowed to use Wikipedia as a resource, however they could use the links. Most of the information they were looking up was more accurate or more complete then using archaic resources (like Britannica). The reason the teachers would not allow wikipedia is because the information is gathered from everyone and not people hired to write and research.

As such Britannica is considered a more authoritative source.

Of course Wikipedia has a corrections page for Britannica

pulling kids outta water

Oddly as it may seem, pulling kids out of water is something I find myself doing. Yesterday Connor and I were running around Mission Park here in Kelowna, a couple were watching their two year old (guess at age there) running around. The park has a three foot channel that is about a foot deep that has something to do with fish breeding. As the mom turned to talk to the dad, the little tyke, made a quick left and ran right towards the water. I was able to blurt out, "Hey little kid stop" thinking the adult voice would make him pause... It didn't He hit the drink and went under like the proverbial rock. So I find myself in a headfirst dive on the bank and fishing him out with my right hand. If I hadn't been there the parents would have been in another second.

So, go back a few years and my nephew Aaron is playing in a jacuzzi at a local hotel and he steps into the middle and sinks. Again I find myself up and reaching for him, not being able to grab him I jump in sweats and all (man those things are heavy when wet, sweats that is...).

Go back prior to being married, Tina and I are at a pool party with people I am meeting and should probably be able to relate how Tina knows them, but I cant. We are sitting chatting whilst various kids are frolicking in the water. I noticed one little kid not quite making the side, her second grab fell short, and again I find myself on the other side of the pool grabbing her wrist and pulling her up and out.

In each of the cases the kids were not in danger for their lives, I just seemed to be the closest. So either I have been in the right place at the right time, or my subconscious, on occasion, can make kids submerge, I prefer to assume the former.

George Carlin passes this mortal coil (adult language)

One tribute came to mind:

Shit
Piss
Fuck
Cunt
Cocksucker
Motherfucker
Tits

This isnt TV or Radio so it falls short.

It's not what you do its how you felt at the time?

There is a story on CNN about some students who plagurized and got caught. Thier parents went to the school board and got the teachers decision of failing marks for that assignement overturned, the reason being 'They didn't intend to cheat'

This reminded me of a Woody Allen joke: "I got caught cheating on my metaphysics final, I peered into the soul of the boy next to me"

Cheating as with crime needs access, availability and motive. Intent is not a factor. If you intended to talk to someone and ended up murdering them, I am pretty dang sure you 'intent' will not factor into an aquittal.

"Your Honor we find the defendent NOT Gulity of murder because he did not intend to do it"

Movie Award shows duex

I happened to click onto the MTV movie awards. What a fun romp!

Mike Meyers was a great host, it was irreverent and edgy. Great movie spoofs as well (most of these make it onto the actual DVDs of the actual movies.)

female\male performance, fight, breakthrough performance, best kiss, best movie, best summer movie (so far), etc.

Categories that make you smile with winners that click with what we have seen on the screen.

This show gets a much higher rating and share then the Oscars. However, the awards do not seem to have that much prestige (or do they?). There appeared to be a box office and search engine jump for the winners. So its a nice bit of marketing at the least.

check out the spoofs when you can. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2008/spoofsvote.jhtml

Newsers

New Mini Ice age signs "In the past, they observed that the sun once went 50 years without producing sunspots. That period, from approximately 1650 to 1700, occurred during the middle of a little ice age on Earth that lasted from as early as the mid-15th century to as late as the mid-19th century."

Excellent news for Skiing, the SLOPES ARE OPEN! "Aspen Skiing Co. said it will open the top of Aspen Mountain for skiing this weekend because it still has so much snow available"

Speculation-valuable social function "Financial speculators reap profits from global hunger."

Worst Presidental crop since 1972 "Not since 1972 have we been presented with two such painfully inadequate candidates. When Election Day came that year, I could not bring myself to vote for either George McGovern or Richard Nixon. I stayed home."

Some of the better stories I found yesterday.

Wotta Weekend

If you check out Tinas Blog you have seen all the Diana accolades around her graduation. Having two kids graduated from High School is quite a milestone for Tina and I, 2007/2008 has been quite a ride, and its not over yet.

As parents we have been getting quite a few kudos as of late, if great kids are a direct result of parenting I suppose its deserved. I would chaulk it up to being very consistant and working as a team.

With the recent passing of Wolfgang, my father-in-law, I found the gathering of family very comfortable and enjoyable. We came together in grief and still celebrated the life of a great man. I really do have love for my in-laws and enjoy the time spent.

On Sunday, my 'side' of the family came to celebrate my daughters graduation. This too struck me as a wonderful time. Seeing the support and commemoration, hearing the laughter and striking up important and trivial conversations with family and friends.

Often you hear horror stories about family's. I am grateful to say those are alien to me. The Lord has seen fit to bless me with wonderful relatives, to which I am humbly grateful.

Inspirational Obama

Obama's speaking to crowds are so inspirational.

Jet Travellering

Fifteen hours of flying last week and four airports updated me on the state of travel in the US. The last time I climbed on board a flight the kids were pre-school and homeland security was still a tragedy away.

My longest flight prior to this week was going Florida to LAX with my Mom, Pop and sister. It took six hours and we got some hot food on plates with entertaining coverings (read, not stretch wrap). There was no in flight movie no LCD like optical media (Cd's DVDs) were just being invented. There was a definite pampering of the passenger and most of the commercials focused on comfort in flying. You got a headset that was rubber tubing that allowed you to listen to eight channels of rotating music and comedy. My sister and I would listen for the song 'Nothin from nothin" to come back around.

LAX was an interesting but sterile place, United Airlines had moving walkways, TWA, Northwest, Eastern, BOAC, Braniff all had big shiny jets out on the tarmac and you could go to the boarding gate to see your traveling friend depart. You could then head to the observation platform on the roof and watch them taxi and take off. There was that big spider looking restaurant, which served poor food with lousy service for a high price. Likewise all the eateries were run by the airport and run badly.

This time around we took off from Eugene airport EUG. Which had a Pacific Northwest flavor, a fairly nice looking pub and various museum like displays of the local area. You had to put everything into grey bins, including your shoes. Toothpaste had to be on top, readily viewable. No one wants to check luggage, they all have roller bags that are designed to just fit in the overhead storage. There is an imposing set of uniforms glass mazes and queue tape that makes saying goodbye seem a bit final. More like your sending someone off to be 'processed'

The International Airport next was more friendly and plenty of recognizable places to nosh. The little lunch bar I ate breakfast in had a fairly good egg and potato platter for a reasonable price. I am not sure how I feel about Wendy's and Panda Express being in the airport food mall.

On board the plane, in this case a 737, it had tight uncomfortable chairs that leaned back just enough that you thought you hadn't leaned it back. They charged me a buck for a headset uniquely designed for that particular aircraft. There are little LCD screens that came down from the roof every other seat or so and it played clips a TV show and a movie (spiderwick cronicals). The music stations were fairly esoteric and aside from a Peggy Lee tune, not much I could get into. Improvisational piano Jazz for 30min is a bit much when your feeling claustrophobic.

Seeing the movie was novel and fun as I knew you would be doing that. The food was less then special. They give you lots to drink and two tiny bathrooms...

All in all not a 'fun' experience, but an adventure. The flight back was superior. Better seats and they handed you a dictionary sized player that gave you a bunch of selections and let you use standared earplugs. Jumper and the Bucket list with an episode of Raymond.

There was enough good experiences, if you could get them rolled into one, it would have been quite enjoyable. Some of the annoyances, however do seem to stand out.

Then you get to pricing. I overhear eveyone talking about thier tickets and what a deal or ripoff it was. The cost of flying is the price of the fuel, the Jet, the crew and however much airports charge for rent. Jet, crew, and rent can be fixed costs. Fuel depends on the current market prices and the amount consumed by the passenger.

There are other items, like marketing dealing with Government regulations, International regulations etc.

So if your going to set a price to fly someplace you should be able to determine your cost, add to it your profit and boom, good to go. Right?

All the NYC picts.

NYC overnite

Ina New York Minute

The Big Apple, first visit! First off there is an overall noise rumble, a cacophony that permeates everything. Plenty of light but all diffused so everything is a muted palate, in the air is a odd confusion of smells, pizza, bread, coffee, perfumes and body cologne, oddly enough Subway Sandwich shops are easily identified by nose. Energy though, lots and lots of it, your sense kick into overdrive just to keep up, your heart rate is increased and the feeling not unlike your late for something vibrates your core as you walk through midtown.

We left our all too comfortable house in the wee hours of Tuesday Morning and drove the hour fifteen to the airport (PNW hour driving means 65 miles.) Sans shoes we appeased homeland security and made it to our turbo-prop commuter plane that took us to PDX, for a wait and breakfast. Nice options to choose from, seeing as how my last plane flight was fifteen years ago things have changed some. Continental Airlines flew us to Newark in five hours 30 minutes. Now in a warmer bleak unfamiliar place we had to locate a car that was being sent. There were three levels to choose from. I went for the one near baggage claim, good choice. About the time we started calling a black Lexus with our last name on a card in the window pulled up.

We had to convince the driver and then we were off across Secacus, via the Jersey Turnpike, through Weehawken and then into the Lincoln Tunnel. Lots of bathroom tile and amazing dynamics to get that many vehicles into that small of a tunnel.

Now we are in midtown Manhatten and get dropped off at 42nd street between 7th and 8th. All locations in NYC are easy to find as long as you have three points of reference. We go upstairs and meet the post production people and Diana gets set up to do her voice overs (VO). I get some really bad directions from a well meaning guy and head off to check into our hotel.

Throngs of people receive its proper definition in my mind. Tall buildings, lots of distractions and I see where the TGIF web cam is located, various other landmarks. At one point I decide to cross the street and notice that I am in times square. that spot where 7th and Broadway create that triangle you have seen so often. That's when it really hit me, no longer surreal.

I keep walking and looking and about the time I see Carnegie hall (I made it without practice ma!). I talk to one of New York's finest and I am told to head back the way I came 25 blocks. *sigh*

So I turn around and head back, again marking mentally what I see as I go. My feet are feeling the fatigue as I see Macy's and just a block past that, my hotel!

The Hotel Penn is across the street from Madison Square Garden, which is cool to see. Inside there is a queue of about thirty people and the check in folks seem surly. Oh, if your in a line waiting for someone, stand at the front and wait to be recognized. If you just walk up to the next available person, they will ignore you and walk away. There was the poor couple of ladies who did that twice. Nice clean room, a tad sparse decorum wise but large enough with views of the sides of buildings.

The hotel was quite clear about anything you do outside of a limited list would be charged to your Credit Card. This included picking up the phone and dialing anything over four digits. My brief rest did not do much to stop the aches in the various joints of my apparently aging body. Still I had formulated a plan, I would get my daughters cell phone and they could call me when it was time to retrieve her. So I headed over a block and went up 8th Street to 42nd and back to the studio. As it turned out Diana was all but done with the VO, they did need to shoot some additional footage and planned on using Central park as a substitute for Oregon. No, it didn't work for me either but it was about as close as you could get I guess. I grabbed a couple slices of NY pizza and we hailed a cab.

I got to tag along and run around the area watching an adult kick-ball game, seeing the playground and Wollman Rink. I stayed a strong desire to head deep into the greenery. Oh yeah, Lots and lots of People, jogging riding, walking, sitting.

A taxi ride (wow) back to 42nd street and we headed back to the hotel. By now it was apparent that I needed some pain relievers and we were just both so damn tired that it made perfect sense to fall asleep around 9:30PM NYC time

It was a decent nights sleep, I awoke around 6:00 AM, and showered and watched the morning commuters lined up for the Bus. There is a definite respect for lines and personal space. An order to chaos. You walk with a stream of folks heading your direction. You wait your turn in line with detached patients. On an escalator you stay to the right unless your walking down as you ride.

We headed out in search of various locations that Diana wanted to see. Mostly stores that have Manga. First off, I wanted to get a fresh NYC bagel, I wanted something that the locals recommended. 'Bobby' the doorman at the Hotel instructed me to head down into Penn station and make a left. Sure enough a little alcove with lots of fresh bread and bagels. When you enter the store you are in line for the cashier, you have no other route to take. Someone behind the counter asks if they can help you and you damn well better know what you want. When you hit the front of the line you tell the lady what you ordered and pay. She never sees or seems to care what you ordered. We got our bagels and headed back up to the sunlight.

Mmmmmm, fresh bagels with cream cheese...

Book store next, then to midtown comics, which was not opened, so we hit Burger King for some soda's. Diana took advantage of free wi-fi, until the store opened. Nice comic shop. Diana found a book on using Flash.

We went for lunch at the Hard Rock, as the studio did not need Diana until 3:00. We got Tina a shirt and gawked at the various cast offs by musical entertainers.

Next we headed over to sixth street to a store that has manga in its native language. Diana got very excited at this point and bought some stuff that she couldn't read. Bryant park was across the way and the Empire state building was looming high into the air. Someplace along this journey we went into Macy's up to the 9th floor and took some old wooden escalators back down. Stopping for a brief look see at each level.

We headed down to Rockefeller Center, this is a confusing inner maze of starwells and guys in uniform that really are not that helpful. We found the rink and the big golden guy and got some pictures. That put us 10 blocks away from the studio and about 15 minutes to get there.

We went to 8th street for a change of pace, hit the M & M's factory store, along the way. Got to see a bunch of theaters with shows that will, no doubt, make it to Eugene at some point in time. Finally back to 42nd and up to the studio. I went to the lounge while they got a final few VO pieces together. We got a phone call for our car to the airport and sure enough another black Lexus took us back to Newark.

So if you need a guide through Mid-town. I'm your man!!!

NYC

30 Rock

Midtown comics

Faded shot of Empire state building

Fly into Newark take Lincoln tunnel to midtown.

Stay in a Hotel across from Madison Square Garden

See Central Park, Bryan Park, Times Square, Broadway, Macys, New York Times building, the Fashion district, basically everything between 6th and 8th by 31st through 60th.

Free of charge! SWEET!

Entertainment media

I was thinking about the oscars. At one point in time it was a much see program that garnered good ratings. The last telecast was dismal.

Why?

First off, seeing the 'stars' isnt a real big draw anymore, E channel, TV Guide channel, Reelz, are all dedicated 24hours to the 'stars'. All the news outlets carry Entertainment info. Not to mention the scores of magazines and websites out there dishing out info on any celeb you can name.

Second, few people care about anything beyond Best picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and ocsar count. So having two hours to find out something that will be news saturated the next day.

Third, the Academy appears to get it wrong Alfred Hitchcock being up six times and never getting one for directing. Citizen Kane loosing to 'How Green is my Valley"? The original King Kong not being nominated for anything, Peter O Toole nominated 7 win's zero. (Short list btw).

Personally I think the old time media outlets are due for retirement. The obvious bias, incorrect reporting, trivializing need for flash over substance is driving them into the muck end of things.

As for the Oscars, stop making it a show and just have it a ceremony and let the various networks cover how they want.

Dating deux

A comment or two required some explanation of the dating topic. First off the context makes it obvious this is for first time dating. Not going out on dates with the wife. Two VERY different topics. (posting to follow at some point).

As for the bad date ideas hiking, sporting events, movies, dinner with parents..

Hiking is a bad first date because you need gear, stamina, a love of outdoors. Its tough to get to know someone when they are puffing, gaining blisters and wondering how long till they can sit or get back to the car. Exceptions, sure, I don't deal in absolutes here. Lets say you meet someone WHILE hiking. Or your both in REI.

Sporting events require basic knowledge of the sport and some idea of the teams involved. Also dealing with less then comfortable smells, noise and food. Not knowing why everyone is standing up and yelling can distance you from person your with at a minimum. Exceptions, the person is as big a fan as you are. You have access to a box seat.

Movies, sitting next to someone not talking or noticing them is just a dumb way to expect to know someone. Dinner before and a drink after? Better, but not a good first date option.
Exception, a film festival or dinner theater, possibly. Still not a good first date, unless your into not talking or its a blind date.

Dinner with parents. Nothing like having your every move being analyzed to enhance your dining pleasure!!!

Dating in the 21st century.

My observation is that the art of dating is a near lost one. Having been out of the loop (thank the intelligent designer) for 25 years, im sure some of the nuances have gone bye bye.

Dating, simply put is arranging a one on one situation with someone you have an interest. The purpose is to see if there is a reason to arrange a second one on one situation, and to entertain yourself.

Good dates involve mutual interests, dancing, scuba diving, musical performance, exploring new cusine, theater and expositions. (Would you like to get some coffee?)

Bad dates involve hiking, sporting events, movies, dinner with parents. (I know, we can eat at my place, mom is a great cook, I live in the basement)

Often, I am seeing younger people bypassing dating and going into relationship. This generates a lot of drama, angst and depression. This could be a generational issue, that is kids have seen the parents as either a steady couple or a series of drama filled relationships.

Imagine you have the option of going to a hockey game with a hockey fan, seeing a BNL concert with someone who knows the songs, dancing all night etc. Your learning about yourself, about what you can tolerate and what you can't, exploring new idea's and concepts.
Training to be in a relationship.

Obama

Doesn't it make sense that somebody running for president have a basic understanding of American history?

Weezer pork and beans video

You have to know something about viral videos to appreciate this. All I can say is, w00T, R0X0Rs!!

Ponderance

I'm a vegetarian. I haven't purchased anything from the meat section of the store for 18 years. So the meat industry lost a consumer, did they roll back production? Nope. My personal impact could be rounded down to nil. All I can say is I am not contributing directly to that industry. Sound reasonable thinking there.

CFL light bulbs, aside from the horrible environmental pollution, icky light, the shorter lifespan, higher cost, they use less electricity. At a recent earth day fair it was being proposed that the mercury released into the environment (Your dump site has to have special equipment to dispose of these, you also have to hope people don't throw them into the garbage), was countered because of the lessor electricity use.

That is to say, because your using less electricity the power plants are generating less electricity and thereby releasing less mercury into the ground. I find the notion that electrical plants would produce less power laughable, just like my being vegetarian means there are animals out there being spared from slaughter.

Wolfgangs passing

We are home from the memorial of my Father-in-law, Wolfgang Max Vetter. It was a wonderful moving service. I wrote a small essay, which I intended to read. As it was I was a bit overcome and my bro by marriage Carl (keeka's hubby) stepped in and read in my place. I am very grateful for him being my 'wing man' in this situation, and it seemed very appropriate as the son's-in-laws to be up there together.

Here is the text:
What do you say when a good man leaves this mortal coil? How do you express in words an amazing life that saw and did so many things?
I suppose you organize your thoughts the best you can and say what you can, knowing it will fall short.
This journey of life has tears. It's the way of things. Change occurs constantly. We hope, in good times, for things to stay as they are. We look back on certain times longingly, sometimes hoping to recapture a time, place or feeling. My memories of Wolfgang are legion. I have the unique experience of being the first Son-in-law. I went the old fashion route and asked Wolfgang for his Daughters hand. He gave his blessing with sparkling eyes and a welcoming smile and a simple “I think that’s great”.
Wolfgang left his war torn home and came to Canada in search of work. He learned to speak the language, met the love of his life, started a family, he worked hard to the top of his craft.
“His Talents”, were limitless. He had a golden touch for Landscaping, brickwork, woodworking, stained glass, jewelry, and Fatherhood.
Progeny reflect the ideals of parents, the charm and strength of character of his three daughters are Wolfgang’s lasting testament.
Life is a journey with a final destination. Once you reach that heavenly place, a new journey begins with the grace of God. The greatest adventure if you will. Wolfgang is and was an explorer; he was always seeking new vistas and learning new wonderful things.
What do you say to such a man on an occasion like this?
God speed Wolfgang, until we meet again.

Dissapointing election year.

I have a vague hope that McCain will recruit a conservative as VP. Someone who might hold the values Expressed below:

"We, the members of the New Republican Party, believe that the preservation and enhancement of the values that strengthen and protect individual freedom, family life, communities and neighborhoods and the liberty of our beloved nation should be at the heart of any legislative or political program presented to the American people."

"Our task now is not to sell a philosophy, but to make the majority of Americans, who already share that philosophy, see that modern conservatism offers them a political home. ... The job is ours and the job must be done. If not by us, who? If not now, when? "

"Our party must be the party of the individual. It must not sell out the individual to cater to the group. No greater challenge faces our society today than ensuring that each one of us can maintain his dignity and his identity in an increasingly complex, centralized society."

"Extreme taxation, excessive controls, oppressive government competition with business … frustrated minorities and forgotten Americans are not the products of free enterprise. They are the residue of centralized bureaucracy, of government by a self-anointed elite. Our party must be based on the kind of leadership that grows and takes its strength from the people. Any organization is in actuality only the lengthened shadow of its members. A political party is a mechanical structure created to further a cause. The cause, not the mechanism, brings and holds the members together. And our cause must be to rediscover, reassert and reapply America's spiritual heritage to our national affairs. Then with God's help we shall indeed be as a city upon a hill with the eyes of all people upon us."

-Ronald Wilson Reagan

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU

Too amazing for words.

Your place in the universe.

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