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Friday, July 11, 2003
WOOHOO!
Apologies for the inactivity as of late, been working on my www.bushblog.us as well as my personal blog home
Check out
Things will still be a little quirky for a few days while I figure out my new home and master Drupal and php.
Apologies for the inactivity as of late, been working on my www.bushblog.us as well as my personal blog home
Check out
Things will still be a little quirky for a few days while I figure out my new home and master Drupal and php.
Monday, July 07, 2003
Politics and Fire in the Desert
Wildfires have once again sprung up in the Arizona Desert, and summer ritual of finger pointing seems to have commenced in earnest.
All but one of Arizona's Congressional Delegation signed a letter asking Governor Napolitano to change her request for federal funds for the fire ravaged areas. This in the wake of the near decimation of the North Tucson community of Summerhaven last month.
The scene is a replay from last year's fire season.
The lawmakers are blaming the environmentalists for preventing forest thinning projects.
The environmentalists are blaming the lawmakers for not understanding the brevity of the problem.
Meanwhile, Arizona continues to burn.
NOTE:I also posted this same blog earlier this morning on the Political State Report
Wildfires have once again sprung up in the Arizona Desert, and summer ritual of finger pointing seems to have commenced in earnest.
All but one of Arizona's Congressional Delegation signed a letter asking Governor Napolitano to change her request for federal funds for the fire ravaged areas. This in the wake of the near decimation of the North Tucson community of Summerhaven last month.
The scene is a replay from last year's fire season.
The lawmakers are blaming the environmentalists for preventing forest thinning projects.
The environmentalists are blaming the lawmakers for not understanding the brevity of the problem.
Meanwhile, Arizona continues to burn.
NOTE:I also posted this same blog earlier this morning on the Political State Report
Does anyone else find humor in this?
From Weather.com
111°F
Fair
Feels Like
106°F
How about,
111°F
Fair
Feels like
Damn hot, don't go outside.
And for more fun, the coming weeks forcast
Tue - 111°/83°
Wed - 110°/83°
Thu - 112°/83°
Fri - 112°/85°
Sat - 111°/85°
Sun - 111°/86°
Mon - 110°/87°
Tue - 110°/86°
Wed - 111°/86°
Ahh, the cool nature of Phoenix in the summer. One slight level above hell.
From Weather.com
111°F
Fair
Feels Like
106°F
How about,
111°F
Fair
Feels like
Damn hot, don't go outside.
And for more fun, the coming weeks forcast
Tue - 111°/83°
Wed - 110°/83°
Thu - 112°/83°
Fri - 112°/85°
Sat - 111°/85°
Sun - 111°/86°
Mon - 110°/87°
Tue - 110°/86°
Wed - 111°/86°
Ahh, the cool nature of Phoenix in the summer. One slight level above hell.
O'Brien appears in court today
Its the begining of a long, drawn out process for the disgraced Catholic Church head.
Its the begining of a long, drawn out process for the disgraced Catholic Church head.
Estonia wired for the 21st Century
Browsing Slashdot I found this interesting Christian Science Monitor story about the state of internet connections in Estonia, the tiny Baltic nation that wrestled freedom from the grip of the Soviet Union little more than a decade ago.
The article makes a great point about the value different cultures place on being connected with the outside world. Here in the US, many may regard it as a luxury. There, its simply part of the benefits the government provides for its citizens, as a way of life. It cites that 80 percent of Estonians bank online, a massive number for a semi-agrarian nation.
Browsing Slashdot I found this interesting Christian Science Monitor story about the state of internet connections in Estonia, the tiny Baltic nation that wrestled freedom from the grip of the Soviet Union little more than a decade ago.
The article makes a great point about the value different cultures place on being connected with the outside world. Here in the US, many may regard it as a luxury. There, its simply part of the benefits the government provides for its citizens, as a way of life. It cites that 80 percent of Estonians bank online, a massive number for a semi-agrarian nation.
Sunday, July 06, 2003
A literal "Space" Blog
Taking Blogging to the New Ocean, Astronaut and International Space Station Mission Seven Crew member Ed Liu has begun updating his status and issues regarding his mission aboard the ISS.
His most recent entry covers the tricky topic of orbital mechanics.
As he points out, its not quite that simple, but its one of the better explanations I have heard of it in a long time.
The ISS has always facinated me. As a young lad, I can remember reading about MIR and SpaceLab.
Space Travel has always brought out that inner nerd in me. I love checking out where is the ISS is right now, and seeing what NASA's ISS Page and the European Space Agency's ISS Page have to say.
And even when I am bored, How Stuff Works can always provide a little space station amusement.
Taking Blogging to the New Ocean, Astronaut and International Space Station Mission Seven Crew member Ed Liu has begun updating his status and issues regarding his mission aboard the ISS.
His most recent entry covers the tricky topic of orbital mechanics.
You may have noticed that I keep mentioning the speed we are traveling at up here - about 18000 MPH. That is the key to what keeps us from falling back down to the ground. In fact, we are always falling towards the Earth, it's just that we manage to keep missing it. I'll explain. Think of standing on the ground and throwing a baseball. The harder you throw it, the further it goes before gravity pulls it to the ground. Obvious. Now imagine you are incredibly strong and can throw the baseball all the way across the country, or even half way around the Earth before it lands. Now reach back and throw it even harder - perhaps it goes three fourths of the way around the Earth. What if you throw it even faster? Then maybe it will fly almost completely around the Earth and land right at your feet. Now throw it just a bit harder. What will happen? If there was no atmosphere and therefore no air resistance to slow the ball down, the ball would fly all the way around the world, right past your feet, and keep going. Since it doesn't slow down, it keeps right on going and continues around the Earth again and again. The ball would be in orbit.
As he points out, its not quite that simple, but its one of the better explanations I have heard of it in a long time.
The ISS has always facinated me. As a young lad, I can remember reading about MIR and SpaceLab.
Space Travel has always brought out that inner nerd in me. I love checking out where is the ISS is right now, and seeing what NASA's ISS Page and the European Space Agency's ISS Page have to say.
And even when I am bored, How Stuff Works can always provide a little space station amusement.
Native American's moving to Phoenix
AZ Republic Cover story.
Considering the level of poverty usually present on Arizona's reservations, I don't blame them.
AZ Republic Cover story.
Considering the level of poverty usually present on Arizona's reservations, I don't blame them.
Lots of people have seen Caddyshack...how could you think it would be missed
Romenesko's Media Notes had a little tidbit about a Roswell Record Story where, of all people, the sports editor quoted a Carl Spackler about a Golf Course. Humorous as the quote was, the problem is that it was a line straight out of Caddyshack.
Here's the Retraction.
Romenesko's Media Notes had a little tidbit about a Roswell Record Story where, of all people, the sports editor quoted a Carl Spackler about a Golf Course. Humorous as the quote was, the problem is that it was a line straight out of Caddyshack.
Here's the Retraction.
Bemoaning Hollywood
Today's Column/Story from the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, crying out the fact that all Hollywood movies use women as sex objects. By all of course they mean four of five movies of the hundreds that have been released this year.
Of course, a quick glace at the top 20 movies in box office gross this calendar year show that, perhaps 3 or 4 of those types the columnist mentioned are a part of the group mentioned. Meaning of course that if the movie is denigrates women; it has the odds against it of being successful, at least this year.
But citing facts like that doesn't help the "Man who is trying to beat us down!" argument now, does it.
Today's Column/Story from the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, crying out the fact that all Hollywood movies use women as sex objects. By all of course they mean four of five movies of the hundreds that have been released this year.
She looks down at herself, processes this information - whirr, click, click - and reprograms herself. The red leather jacket swells: Instant implants.
NOW she's ready for action. NOW she has true Girl Power.
If you're going to a Hollywood movie this summer, you'll find plenty more Girl Power where that came from.
Of course, a quick glace at the top 20 movies in box office gross this calendar year show that, perhaps 3 or 4 of those types the columnist mentioned are a part of the group mentioned. Meaning of course that if the movie is denigrates women; it has the odds against it of being successful, at least this year.
But citing facts like that doesn't help the "Man who is trying to beat us down!" argument now, does it.
Saturday, July 05, 2003
Google's pattened technology
Ever wonder how Google ranks its web pages? Amazingly high tech methods beyond comprehension.
Ever wonder how Google ranks its web pages? Amazingly high tech methods beyond comprehension.
This will never, ever stop
Don't look now, but prominent Trial lawyers have a new, plump target in their sites, and are ready to clog up the legal system with more completely relevent suits. More reasons why you the consumer are not at fault for corporate America, ie, fast food peddlers, making you overweight.
I know this personally, that thug enforcer from McDonald's threatened to pistol whip me if I didn't finish up my Quarter Pounder earlier. Good thing these guys are looking out for me so that'll stop.
Don't look now, but prominent Trial lawyers have a new, plump target in their sites, and are ready to clog up the legal system with more completely relevent suits. More reasons why you the consumer are not at fault for corporate America, ie, fast food peddlers, making you overweight.
I know this personally, that thug enforcer from McDonald's threatened to pistol whip me if I didn't finish up my Quarter Pounder earlier. Good thing these guys are looking out for me so that'll stop.
Legal Blogging
Been checking out UNC Law Professor and blogger Eric over at IsThatLegal.org, great blog on legal esq issues.
He's also been a guest blogger in recent months over at the Volokh Conspiracy, another great legal minded blog.
Been checking out UNC Law Professor and blogger Eric over at IsThatLegal.org, great blog on legal esq issues.
He's also been a guest blogger in recent months over at the Volokh Conspiracy, another great legal minded blog.
Comic Book hero gone awry?
Has Captain America *gasp* gone anti-American? Michael Medved of National Review Online seems to think so.
Has Captain America *gasp* gone anti-American? Michael Medved of National Review Online seems to think so.
Little man wins, again
The same man who destroyed a hungry bear in the Fox epic Man vs. Beast repeated yesterday as World Hot Dog Eating Champion. Even more impressive? Kobayashi has a 30" waste and weighs a mere 145 pounds.
The same man who destroyed a hungry bear in the Fox epic Man vs. Beast repeated yesterday as World Hot Dog Eating Champion. Even more impressive? Kobayashi has a 30" waste and weighs a mere 145 pounds.
Getting over events in recent days
I am going to write a little bit about a personal event that happened to me yesterday.
Not quite sure where it will go or what the point will be, but it needs to go somewhere for posterity's sake.
I work at a company that, among other things, makes rockets.
Rockets are, inherently, a dangerous thing.
On Thursday afternoon, I was standing in another Designer's cubicle, talking w/ my boss and secretary on Speaker phone how to organize a California Business trip this Monday.
Suddenly there is a loud rumble of the entire building, with the immediate sound of alarms going off in the facility. As the three of us stood dumbfounding asking each other what the noise was, we looked up, saw smoke and dust coming out of the ventilation ducts, and said, we need to get out of the building, now.
Walking out into the main hall, a quick perusal saw the fixtures of sprinkler heads lying on the floor, and ceiling tiles half broken and scattered around.
Outside, a distinct haze could be seen all around, and as my gaze turned toward the testing yard, where the audible sound of hissing gas could be heard, I realized, the two story sized experimental rocket that was standing there this morning was no longer there.
Going around the corner of the building, the immediate site of shattered windows caught my eye, with it quickly apparent that gnarled, metallic objects were jutting out the broken panes of several windows.
Everyone slowly began to pour of out the Main work building, and for the most part we stood in shock at what could, or still might happen.
Then the sirens could be heard in the distance. In a matter of minutes, it seemed that every fire truck in the southeast valley was right in front of me, a baker's dozen in all, including two hazmat units.
In the end, only one individual was seriously hurt, whom I originally thought was, amongst the initial chaos, a good friend of mine, it turned out he was only, thank god, slightly hurt, along with several others from the massive amount of shrapnel. The seriously injured party was transported due to a head injury, via chopper to the local hospital. He appears that he will be alright.
The question I have to ask is, personally, I was one of the many lucky ones that completely avoided any injury, but there are deeper things I don't really want to admit right now that are in my psyche because of it. That night I was in the bathroom and someone rumbled the door and I immediately tensed up and grabbed the bathroom counter. Tonight an unexpected firework going off close to my house had me jumpy, and I can't remember the last time a firework made me tense.
Work on Monday Morning will be a stressful time of remembrance for many employees, after seeing folks air lifted out of the parking lot days earlier.
This will all pass in time, but for now its time to soak up its ramifications, realize what happened and learn from it. I hope my company will do the same in due time.
BTW - I'll save posting where and what company this happened to, although a quick search of local news sites will easily reveal the details I glazed over.
I am going to write a little bit about a personal event that happened to me yesterday.
Not quite sure where it will go or what the point will be, but it needs to go somewhere for posterity's sake.
I work at a company that, among other things, makes rockets.
Rockets are, inherently, a dangerous thing.
On Thursday afternoon, I was standing in another Designer's cubicle, talking w/ my boss and secretary on Speaker phone how to organize a California Business trip this Monday.
Suddenly there is a loud rumble of the entire building, with the immediate sound of alarms going off in the facility. As the three of us stood dumbfounding asking each other what the noise was, we looked up, saw smoke and dust coming out of the ventilation ducts, and said, we need to get out of the building, now.
Walking out into the main hall, a quick perusal saw the fixtures of sprinkler heads lying on the floor, and ceiling tiles half broken and scattered around.
Outside, a distinct haze could be seen all around, and as my gaze turned toward the testing yard, where the audible sound of hissing gas could be heard, I realized, the two story sized experimental rocket that was standing there this morning was no longer there.
Going around the corner of the building, the immediate site of shattered windows caught my eye, with it quickly apparent that gnarled, metallic objects were jutting out the broken panes of several windows.
Everyone slowly began to pour of out the Main work building, and for the most part we stood in shock at what could, or still might happen.
Then the sirens could be heard in the distance. In a matter of minutes, it seemed that every fire truck in the southeast valley was right in front of me, a baker's dozen in all, including two hazmat units.
In the end, only one individual was seriously hurt, whom I originally thought was, amongst the initial chaos, a good friend of mine, it turned out he was only, thank god, slightly hurt, along with several others from the massive amount of shrapnel. The seriously injured party was transported due to a head injury, via chopper to the local hospital. He appears that he will be alright.
The question I have to ask is, personally, I was one of the many lucky ones that completely avoided any injury, but there are deeper things I don't really want to admit right now that are in my psyche because of it. That night I was in the bathroom and someone rumbled the door and I immediately tensed up and grabbed the bathroom counter. Tonight an unexpected firework going off close to my house had me jumpy, and I can't remember the last time a firework made me tense.
Work on Monday Morning will be a stressful time of remembrance for many employees, after seeing folks air lifted out of the parking lot days earlier.
This will all pass in time, but for now its time to soak up its ramifications, realize what happened and learn from it. I hope my company will do the same in due time.
BTW - I'll save posting where and what company this happened to, although a quick search of local news sites will easily reveal the details I glazed over.
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Stay safe for the fourth
The sharks are out in full force. Make sure you stay safe on this Independence day weekend.
The sharks are out in full force. Make sure you stay safe on this Independence day weekend.
Making money
Just when I thought I couldn't make ends meet this month, a Knight in shining armor comes to my rescue.
Just when I thought I couldn't make ends meet this month, a Knight in shining armor comes to my rescue.
Washing ashore
In recent days, a massive, unknown blob has washed ashore on the Coast of Chile.
As children in the US, we are reared on the frontier spirit, the backbone of which has pushed our forefathers to heights unimaginable and feats thought never attainable. In a mere three centuries we have gone from a wooded backwater to leader of the free world. And historians will tell you that is a testament to our frontier spirit.
I bring this up because there still remains a semi unexplored frontier. Not the cliche space frontier that is often refered to. But one here within our own atmosphere, the big blue sea.
Things like this blob coming to life, should open eyes, hearts and minds about what is really out there deep beneath the waves. It brings out the inner child in me. Does it do the same for you?
In recent days, a massive, unknown blob has washed ashore on the Coast of Chile.
As children in the US, we are reared on the frontier spirit, the backbone of which has pushed our forefathers to heights unimaginable and feats thought never attainable. In a mere three centuries we have gone from a wooded backwater to leader of the free world. And historians will tell you that is a testament to our frontier spirit.
I bring this up because there still remains a semi unexplored frontier. Not the cliche space frontier that is often refered to. But one here within our own atmosphere, the big blue sea.
Things like this blob coming to life, should open eyes, hearts and minds about what is really out there deep beneath the waves. It brings out the inner child in me. Does it do the same for you?
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Setting Goals
I have never been one to set longterm goals. Throughout the bulk of my life I have been the type of person who just figures out what I want to do, and then go for it with full steam. So there is something to be said that one of the games I enjoy playing the most, Golf, I can at times be brillant and at times be barely above horrid, due to the fact that I never focus on the little things that will make me a better golfer.
So I am calling this my summer of little things. I am going to work on the small nuances of life, to get better at everything.
To often, we focus on paying attention the big picture of life, who we are, what are social status is, who our friends are, that in that path we miss the small details that make that big picture worthwhile.
Are you the type of person who lives to work? Or works to really live? I consider myself as a part of the latter, and its time to work on grasping that concept more often in my routine.
So I am starting a running tab of my golf handicap on my blog bar, as a daily reminder, one of many I plan to place. Everyone else is free to do as they like, but this will be my summer of improvement.
I have never been one to set longterm goals. Throughout the bulk of my life I have been the type of person who just figures out what I want to do, and then go for it with full steam. So there is something to be said that one of the games I enjoy playing the most, Golf, I can at times be brillant and at times be barely above horrid, due to the fact that I never focus on the little things that will make me a better golfer.
So I am calling this my summer of little things. I am going to work on the small nuances of life, to get better at everything.
To often, we focus on paying attention the big picture of life, who we are, what are social status is, who our friends are, that in that path we miss the small details that make that big picture worthwhile.
Are you the type of person who lives to work? Or works to really live? I consider myself as a part of the latter, and its time to work on grasping that concept more often in my routine.
So I am starting a running tab of my golf handicap on my blog bar, as a daily reminder, one of many I plan to place. Everyone else is free to do as they like, but this will be my summer of improvement.
