I like to watch the BBC for world news. They cover more news in 10 minutes then do the networks in their 1/2 hour "newszines." Last night the BBC was reporting the DC Metro crash in which 9 people died, 76 treated for injuries. I saw the BBC report around 6:05 pm, the crash occurred slightly before 5 pm.
I thought I would get more information at 6:30 when the networks did their thing. NBC made no mention whatever, preferring to show dogs on surf boards. A check of CBS and ABC were no matter. If ABC and CBS reported on the crash they did not use it as a lead story. Perhaps preferring not to report rather then credit another news source?
Only CNN and Fox reported the accident in the time span between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. CNN provided the most coverage. I guess the networks work out their programing and then regardless of more current events you are NOT informed. This is sorry.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Iranian Disaster
I am worried about Iran. The government possesses some the most sophisticated technology in the world for controlling and censoring the Internet. They use deep-packet inspection to block and monitor communication. They can gather information on individuals as well as alter it for disinformation purposes.
The American media is crowing about how the authorities are unable to block video and pictures getting out of the country. Perhaps the Iranian government can't interdict this information or, more ominously, does not want to (yet). They have the means to capture information on the brave people that are sending images out of Iran along with messages on social networking websites.
This provides the government an excellent tool by which they can identify dissidents for later arrest and perhaps elimination. The Internet is viewed as the wild west but sophisticated software may be enabling dictatorial regimes new tools for oppression.
The American media is crowing about how the authorities are unable to block video and pictures getting out of the country. Perhaps the Iranian government can't interdict this information or, more ominously, does not want to (yet). They have the means to capture information on the brave people that are sending images out of Iran along with messages on social networking websites.
This provides the government an excellent tool by which they can identify dissidents for later arrest and perhaps elimination. The Internet is viewed as the wild west but sophisticated software may be enabling dictatorial regimes new tools for oppression.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
I Will Boycott
The New York Times has an article about beta testing of a new software for online stores. It will allow them to pursue you "out the door" with nagging email or even phone messages such as "Is there a problem..." They will be pursuing you after you leave the website if you don't buy.
Since they will request your email as soon as you visit the site I hope to identify them and immediately boycott the site. Note, even if I enter my email and do NOT hit a submit button, the store server may have captured my keystokes and can still pester me.
There are some website such as Amazon which I hope I will not have to dump but I will not allow this intrusion. There are some in the industry that are worried that is approach will have a backlash. Damn right!
Since they will request your email as soon as you visit the site I hope to identify them and immediately boycott the site. Note, even if I enter my email and do NOT hit a submit button, the store server may have captured my keystokes and can still pester me.
There are some website such as Amazon which I hope I will not have to dump but I will not allow this intrusion. There are some in the industry that are worried that is approach will have a backlash. Damn right!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Golf is Unfair
I just went to the website for the St. James golf clubs and noted that four people have gotten hole-in-ones this past week. Now I've paid green fees and swung a club hundreds of times and they have never given me a hole-in-one. My neighbor even got on!
I think it is very unfair and I'm going to complain to the Obama administration. Maybe some nice senator will introduce a bill requiring golf clubs to evenly distribute their hole-in-ones.
I think it is very unfair and I'm going to complain to the Obama administration. Maybe some nice senator will introduce a bill requiring golf clubs to evenly distribute their hole-in-ones.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Dogs aren't Cheap
I may have mentioned that after getting Archie and Bella we decided we needed to fence our backyard. Jason helped me put in a new vinyl picket fence which has significantly improved the appearance of the yard.
Once the cypress tress get larger and shield the neighbors house from view it will be very nice.
We had supervision while installing the fence, Archie was pretty relaxed and said whatever we did was going to be fine with him.
Bella, however, displayed her female heritage and sometimes expressed her views rather frankly.
And finally said she liked it.
Now having a fenced yard we decided to add some play toys for the dogs.
Once the cypress tress get larger and shield the neighbors house from view it will be very nice.
We had supervision while installing the fence, Archie was pretty relaxed and said whatever we did was going to be fine with him.
Bella, however, displayed her female heritage and sometimes expressed her views rather frankly.
And finally said she liked it.
Now having a fenced yard we decided to add some play toys for the dogs.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Stem Cell Plot
I am going to be the first to sound the clarion horn of alarm. While reading the paper this morning I realized all the stem cell research must be a sinister plot by women to rid themselves of men. The women want to perfect embryonic growth to the point where they can grow babies without our input. They are making men obsolete!
I know, hard to believe but there is an ironic twist. Women may make themselves obsolete in this whole process and then there won't be any of us. At least that solves a bunch of other problems like the war, Barney Frank, and Nancy Pelosi.
I know, hard to believe but there is an ironic twist. Women may make themselves obsolete in this whole process and then there won't be any of us. At least that solves a bunch of other problems like the war, Barney Frank, and Nancy Pelosi.
Myrtle Beach Fire
Yesterday the wind was carrying the smoke from the Myrtle fire directly up the coast and the air had a heavy blue haze and light ash was falling. We live around 50 miles from the fire and there was the sharp smoke bite to the air. Later int he day the wind shifted and carried the smoke off shore. Today no problem here.
They now think the fire was started by a yard debris fire in one of the subdivisions. After living in California it has amazed and troubled me how little restriction there is on burning here. In North Carolina you can burn acres of trees and brush by simply going into your local hardware and getting a free fire permit. No requirements on fire safety.
Last fall a fire got out of hand when a fellow was burning brush near our development. Seems the pail of water he had wasn't sufficient to contain the multi-acre fire he was "watching." The fire threatened to jump the highway outside our development and take out houses. The smoke was so dense they shut down the highway. As it was, a nearby town had to abandon there utility brush truck and it was lost in the fire.
Seems like people should be required to at least have adequate resources on hand to control a fire. Would stimulate the economy because I could, for example, rent a brush (fire) truck with my services to stand by when they plan to burn a large area.
They now think the fire was started by a yard debris fire in one of the subdivisions. After living in California it has amazed and troubled me how little restriction there is on burning here. In North Carolina you can burn acres of trees and brush by simply going into your local hardware and getting a free fire permit. No requirements on fire safety.
Last fall a fire got out of hand when a fellow was burning brush near our development. Seems the pail of water he had wasn't sufficient to contain the multi-acre fire he was "watching." The fire threatened to jump the highway outside our development and take out houses. The smoke was so dense they shut down the highway. As it was, a nearby town had to abandon there utility brush truck and it was lost in the fire.
Seems like people should be required to at least have adequate resources on hand to control a fire. Would stimulate the economy because I could, for example, rent a brush (fire) truck with my services to stand by when they plan to burn a large area.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Archie and More
Its been awhile since I've really blogged so better go back a couple months and start there. If you've been reading my blog you know that Hazel and I adopted a Havanese puppy in January. Archie is now 5 months old and has grown larger but is still a puppy.
Now for a short quiz. Hazel and I were feeling sorry for Archie. He had no playmates his age and we were poor substitutes for a friend that he could wrestle, nip and chase while voicing macho growls.
When Koko and Brue were alive they were close friends and we remembered how they gave each other company when we were away. That prompted us to think about adopting another dog, specifically Archie's sister.
1. Our decision to adopt Arabella was:
a. Stoopid?
b. Stoopid?
c. Stoopid?
d. All of the above?
What fun it has been to try and house train two puppies instead of just one.
"All right! Which of you left this poop??? Two innocent puppies look at us and wag there tails. "Who us?" "No, wasn't me?" "Me either, do we get a treat?"
So here is Arabella (Bella for short):
Her appearance may be doleful but she is a happy cheerful puppy.
We wouldn't do a thing different. These two have brought so much joy to our lives. The abandon and joy of puppies is contagious. Although in the evening when Hazel and I sometimes want to veg out and just watch TV, the dogs seem to think that is the best time to play.
Bella is the gregarious social butterfly and wants to greet all dogs and people. She is also something of a gossip and loves to tell jokes.
Archie is a little more serious, taking his role as male dog to heart. He is more vocal but frustrated because the neighbor cats ignore him.
It was a good move to adopt Bella and the two puppies are fast friends.
Bella and Archie have graduated from pre-school and are now enrolled in kindergarten. They have learned how to milk us for treats and make us beg.
Now for a short quiz. Hazel and I were feeling sorry for Archie. He had no playmates his age and we were poor substitutes for a friend that he could wrestle, nip and chase while voicing macho growls.
When Koko and Brue were alive they were close friends and we remembered how they gave each other company when we were away. That prompted us to think about adopting another dog, specifically Archie's sister.
1. Our decision to adopt Arabella was:
a. Stoopid?
b. Stoopid?
c. Stoopid?
d. All of the above?
What fun it has been to try and house train two puppies instead of just one.
"All right! Which of you left this poop??? Two innocent puppies look at us and wag there tails. "Who us?" "No, wasn't me?" "Me either, do we get a treat?"
So here is Arabella (Bella for short):
Her appearance may be doleful but she is a happy cheerful puppy.
We wouldn't do a thing different. These two have brought so much joy to our lives. The abandon and joy of puppies is contagious. Although in the evening when Hazel and I sometimes want to veg out and just watch TV, the dogs seem to think that is the best time to play.
Bella is the gregarious social butterfly and wants to greet all dogs and people. She is also something of a gossip and loves to tell jokes.
Archie is a little more serious, taking his role as male dog to heart. He is more vocal but frustrated because the neighbor cats ignore him.
It was a good move to adopt Bella and the two puppies are fast friends.
Bella and Archie have graduated from pre-school and are now enrolled in kindergarten. They have learned how to milk us for treats and make us beg.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Newspaper Headlines
I learned of a neat website. It provides a map of the US and you can click on the major cities to see the front page news of the local newspaper. Go to Newseum.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tagged
I screwed up this morning and you might have received an invite to join a website called "Tagged." Please ignore the invite! The site is a invasive spam generator that is now annoying the hell out of me.
A friend that I play golf with sent me an invite to join. Since he is a good friend I complied and in the process they asked me which friends I wanted to send an invite to. I saw his and a couple other people and unchecked all but him. The problem is that you had to scroll down to see a much longer list. I ended up sending an inivite to a bunch of people. I apologize and ask if you haven't done anything, don't!
A friend that I play golf with sent me an invite to join. Since he is a good friend I complied and in the process they asked me which friends I wanted to send an invite to. I saw his and a couple other people and unchecked all but him. The problem is that you had to scroll down to see a much longer list. I ended up sending an inivite to a bunch of people. I apologize and ask if you haven't done anything, don't!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Colds
This morning's Wall Street Journal had an article about the common cold. It quoted a doctor that was saying the cold was not as contagious as people think...except for kids. Kids are "just a bag of viruses."
That summoned a mental picture of Josh and Pam or Chris and Laura in the evening. One looks at the other and says "is it time to put the bag of viruses" to bed?.
That summoned a mental picture of Josh and Pam or Chris and Laura in the evening. One looks at the other and says "is it time to put the bag of viruses" to bed?.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
If You Can't Stand the Heat Get Out of the Kitchen
Harry Truman said it...and it sure works at times. I applaud this one. I am tired of celebrity somehow qualifying one for important office.
Now this guy seems able to stand the heat but it would be nice if he gave her company.
Now this guy seems able to stand the heat but it would be nice if he gave her company.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Archie
Within this past week our lives have been doubly blessed. First came our Grandson Jackson...
and then our new puppy, Archie.
Archie is getting settled in and is a huge delight. He seems to have a calm, gentle side and yet is playful. No doubt as he matures he will be more active - especially as he becomes a teenager.
Clearly he is a brilliant dog so we have already enrolled him in preschool. Hazel and I went by the school the other day to view the curriculum and meet the staff. We wanted to be sure it would provide a challenging growth opportunity. Perhaps President Obama might send his new dog to the same preschool.
We haven't decided on a university for Archie but expect to take applications in the near future.
and then our new puppy, Archie.
Archie is getting settled in and is a huge delight. He seems to have a calm, gentle side and yet is playful. No doubt as he matures he will be more active - especially as he becomes a teenager.
Clearly he is a brilliant dog so we have already enrolled him in preschool. Hazel and I went by the school the other day to view the curriculum and meet the staff. We wanted to be sure it would provide a challenging growth opportunity. Perhaps President Obama might send his new dog to the same preschool.
We haven't decided on a university for Archie but expect to take applications in the near future.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Record Labels
The New York Times has an article about Steve Kopper's new book, "APPETITE FOR SELF-DESTRUCTION The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age." Koppers describes the mistakes the labels have made and suggests that their demise is largely their own doing. I certainly agree.
The labels and Big Three could be managed by the same CEO. Give the customer what the company wants to provide, not what the customer wants. The mentality that made them unable to adapt and conform to changing conditions such as the digital era or foreign competition.
Even now the labels hate Apple iTunes and seek ways to circumvent. They only see what could have been if only life were different and they could still force customers to buy the product the choose. Hollywood must still snorting cocaine, they are in a dream world. We hated paying $18 for one song bundled with a bunch of other junk. So when opportunity appeared to not do that...duh.
Personally I think Steve Jobs has saved the industry and their butts. Better to have some market vs. none.
I have to admit that a part of me cheers when industries like the recording labels and automakers face hard times or possible demise. I don't wish that on the many people that suffer for the stupidity of a few but my anger says Ha Ha!
The newly announced pricing of iTunes does not trouble me. Frankly I don't think $.30 more for a song is not going to have a negative impact on sales and the removal of DRM is well worth it. DRM hasn't been a real issue for me but I have always resented having a limit placed on my purchase - and again annoyed at the Labels for forcing that.
And behind all these corporate myopia is, I suspect, screwed up graduate schools. I have a Masters in Business but got it a long time ago so I can't say with certainty that graduate educators are responsible. I can see, however, how market manipulation via course content and case study could heavily influence the attitudes of students and their eventual roles as corporate heads. Gee it would be nice if the focus was in providing what the customer wanted and understanding why a business even exists.
I only hope now the labels begin to wise up but doubt it will happen. The intransigence they have displayed gives little encouragement.
The labels and Big Three could be managed by the same CEO. Give the customer what the company wants to provide, not what the customer wants. The mentality that made them unable to adapt and conform to changing conditions such as the digital era or foreign competition.
Even now the labels hate Apple iTunes and seek ways to circumvent. They only see what could have been if only life were different and they could still force customers to buy the product the choose. Hollywood must still snorting cocaine, they are in a dream world. We hated paying $18 for one song bundled with a bunch of other junk. So when opportunity appeared to not do that...duh.
Personally I think Steve Jobs has saved the industry and their butts. Better to have some market vs. none.
I have to admit that a part of me cheers when industries like the recording labels and automakers face hard times or possible demise. I don't wish that on the many people that suffer for the stupidity of a few but my anger says Ha Ha!
The newly announced pricing of iTunes does not trouble me. Frankly I don't think $.30 more for a song is not going to have a negative impact on sales and the removal of DRM is well worth it. DRM hasn't been a real issue for me but I have always resented having a limit placed on my purchase - and again annoyed at the Labels for forcing that.
And behind all these corporate myopia is, I suspect, screwed up graduate schools. I have a Masters in Business but got it a long time ago so I can't say with certainty that graduate educators are responsible. I can see, however, how market manipulation via course content and case study could heavily influence the attitudes of students and their eventual roles as corporate heads. Gee it would be nice if the focus was in providing what the customer wanted and understanding why a business even exists.
I only hope now the labels begin to wise up but doubt it will happen. The intransigence they have displayed gives little encouragement.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Street Name
I'm in the fire department and carry a pager. When I leave the town I switch to county wide calls because a couple times I heared of traffic accidents that directly affected my travel. Today I did that and heard a medic call for a person experiencing seizures.
Nothing exceptional except the patient lived on Scorpian Dr. It made me wonder what the other streets were named in the vicinity. Was there some bright bulb working in a developers office coming up with the street names? Perhaps there was a Cockroach Ct. or Wasp Way.
So I checked Goggle maps and confirmed I had heard correctly, I had. Then checked surrounding street names but they had normal sounding names.
Was the street named by some antisocial redneck as a means of antagonizing others? I don't know of course, but it can't be pleasant to have seizures on Scorpian Drive.
Nothing exceptional except the patient lived on Scorpian Dr. It made me wonder what the other streets were named in the vicinity. Was there some bright bulb working in a developers office coming up with the street names? Perhaps there was a Cockroach Ct. or Wasp Way.
So I checked Goggle maps and confirmed I had heard correctly, I had. Then checked surrounding street names but they had normal sounding names.
Was the street named by some antisocial redneck as a means of antagonizing others? I don't know of course, but it can't be pleasant to have seizures on Scorpian Drive.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Man Overboard
Just read of another person going overboard from a cruise ship. This is the second in about a week. Having just returned from a cruise I have been wondering if the railings are different on different cruise ships.
Although the woman missing off the Norwegian Pearl sounds suspicious, witnesses saw an entertainment staff member accidentally go overboard from Carnival Cruise.
The railings on Celebrity Galaxy, my cruise ship, were more then waist high (about 4 feet) and it wouldn't have been easy to go over.
Although the woman missing off the Norwegian Pearl sounds suspicious, witnesses saw an entertainment staff member accidentally go overboard from Carnival Cruise.
The railings on Celebrity Galaxy, my cruise ship, were more then waist high (about 4 feet) and it wouldn't have been easy to go over.
Monday, December 29, 2008
The End of the U.S.
Today's Wall Street Journal has a front page article about a Russian that is forecasting the breakup of the United States sometime in 2010. He believes our country is near collapse and there will be civil war.
He forecasts the division of the country into segments - the west coast being Chinese oriented, central US being part of Canada (or Canada leaning), the east will be European oriented and the south attached to Mexico. I think he is wrong, surely California will become Mexican.
I didn't read what will happen to Hawaii. What do you think? I suspect it might become part of Antarctica but could be wrong.
He forecasts the division of the country into segments - the west coast being Chinese oriented, central US being part of Canada (or Canada leaning), the east will be European oriented and the south attached to Mexico. I think he is wrong, surely California will become Mexican.
I didn't read what will happen to Hawaii. What do you think? I suspect it might become part of Antarctica but could be wrong.
December 2008 Update
We have been busy this month, first with a transatlantic cruise, then Christmas in Morrisville with Chris, Laura, and Maya, and then a bonus, a trip to visit our future puppy. More about the cruise and Christmas to come - maybe before 2010 even.
We are adopting a new puppy in late January - sometime around the 19th. It is a Havanese and the breeder invited us to come see the puppy she thought would fit us the best. Dexter as he is now known will become Archie when he joins us...or Archimedes for short.
We agreed with the breeder, Archie is an outgoing lively pup. We have been thinking about Archie being a therapy dog and also doing agility training. He seemed to be a good fit for both these endeavors but it will be up to him.
After an hour of play, tumbling, climbing and exploration Archie showed he was still a young puppy and decided it was time to nap.
We are adopting a new puppy in late January - sometime around the 19th. It is a Havanese and the breeder invited us to come see the puppy she thought would fit us the best. Dexter as he is now known will become Archie when he joins us...or Archimedes for short.
We agreed with the breeder, Archie is an outgoing lively pup. We have been thinking about Archie being a therapy dog and also doing agility training. He seemed to be a good fit for both these endeavors but it will be up to him.
After an hour of play, tumbling, climbing and exploration Archie showed he was still a young puppy and decided it was time to nap.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The End is Near (for some things)
The New York Times has an article in Today's paper titled "Nearly the End of the line for S.U.V.'s." I view this as one of the good things coming from this recession. I've always had a somewhat jaundiced view of America's love affair with over sized vehicles.
True, they have features that attract and I was tempted to own one. But do our cities really need a Suburban lumbering through the streets, driven by a house husband on his way to the grocery store? There are exceptions but I think they are a huge excess and the shift to smaller, more fuel efficient cars is to be celebrated.
On the personal level, isn't it better to have room to park your car? To drive our highways without the threat of a testosterone bloated asshole trying to intimidate you by tailgating you 70 mph is appealing? That would just leave the testosterone bloated asshole in the Ford Prius.
True, they have features that attract and I was tempted to own one. But do our cities really need a Suburban lumbering through the streets, driven by a house husband on his way to the grocery store? There are exceptions but I think they are a huge excess and the shift to smaller, more fuel efficient cars is to be celebrated.
On the personal level, isn't it better to have room to park your car? To drive our highways without the threat of a testosterone bloated asshole trying to intimidate you by tailgating you 70 mph is appealing? That would just leave the testosterone bloated asshole in the Ford Prius.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Home Again
Hi everyone...well, maybe one...I think one person is reading this beside Hazel. So for that special one, we are home from our cruise and had a great time. We wish you a Merry Christmas.
I'll write more about the cruise in the near future and include a few pictures. I think I took over 700 shots so should find a couple worthy of posting. Most will be deleted. Shot a lot of sunrises and sunsets as we crossed the ocean and usually with them you end of dumping most since only a few are at the peak moments.
Also, since I shot them in raw format it will probably take over an hour to download them all. Then I have to edit and remove the unwanted shots, then convert them to smaller files for uploading. Most times I get tired of messing with them before I get through the whole process and just never post them. This time I promise I will...it might be 2010 but I'll get there.
Why shoot in raw if they are that much trouble? I'm always hopeful that one will turn out well and be worth printing. True, I know some shots aren't even in contention but it gets troublesome to switch the camera back and forth between the formats and I'm certain I'll forget to do so for the one great shot I was looking for.
I'll write more about the cruise in the near future and include a few pictures. I think I took over 700 shots so should find a couple worthy of posting. Most will be deleted. Shot a lot of sunrises and sunsets as we crossed the ocean and usually with them you end of dumping most since only a few are at the peak moments.
Also, since I shot them in raw format it will probably take over an hour to download them all. Then I have to edit and remove the unwanted shots, then convert them to smaller files for uploading. Most times I get tired of messing with them before I get through the whole process and just never post them. This time I promise I will...it might be 2010 but I'll get there.
Why shoot in raw if they are that much trouble? I'm always hopeful that one will turn out well and be worth printing. True, I know some shots aren't even in contention but it gets troublesome to switch the camera back and forth between the formats and I'm certain I'll forget to do so for the one great shot I was looking for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)