Well the BSU left for Oregon this afternoon. She had made flight and rental car reservations for herself. I haven't heard from her tonight, so presumably she arrived ok. I Fed Ex'd some meds that needed picking up later than her flight.
I also shipped two coloring books and a new box of 64 Crayolas. The spouse was remembering her childhood and the times she stayed at her sister's house. Theirs was a mighty poor family when my spouse was little but her sister, who was older and married and had her own place, always had a big box of Crayolas. And she would spend time coloring with the younger girls and showing them the intracacies of shading and mixing colors and generally being creative with the younger girls.
That's what my spouse was remembering about her sister. So I bought her two coloring books and a fresh box of 64 Crayolas. They will arrive tomorrow with the meds. Its a lousy birthday present but maybe they will refresh and reinforce some good memories about her sister.
I don't expect that I'll be going to Oregon. I think there will be a pretty low key memorial service for the remaining sisters. The sis that died asked to have her ashes spread on the Oregon beach and I don't think I need to go for that.
Monday, October 17, 2005
And then there were six-
The BSU is number 6 in a family of 7 sisters. If you are from their little town in Oregon, you would have known them as The Clark Girls. This morning sister number 2 died as a complication of surgery. She died of an aneurism after stomach stapling surgery in a hospital in Mexico. The sisters are in shock and serious distress. The only fortunate aspect is that her adult daughter was with her and (hopefully) will be able to manage her mother's return to Oregon for burial.
The BSU is packing, I have to run to the pharmacy to get scripts filled and then take her to the airport about supper time. And I suppose I'll be flying up myself for a funeral later this week. I think my painting project is going to be extended...
How NOT to do a Group Ride!
Sharing a link found at the Strada Scooter Blog today, a motorcycle group ride gone horribly wrong! Doh!
There's several photos in a slide show, so watch the whole thing.
There's several photos in a slide show, so watch the whole thing.
A joke from my Dad
A man goes into an adult entertainment shop and asks the clerk for an
inflatable doll.
"Would you like male or female?"
"Female, please."
"Would you like Black, or White?"
"White, please."
"Would you like Christian or Muslim?" This question confused the man . .
He replied, "What has religion got to do with it? It's an inflatable doll!"
"Well," explained the clerk, "The Muslim doll blows itself up!"
Friday, October 14, 2005
Double Glazing assistance request
If anybody could point me towards a source, I want to buy a 2-part, snap together, plastic trim used to surround home windows. This plastic strip glued or screwed to the inner perimeter of the window frame and it holds the shrink-to-fit clear plastic weatherproofing used to keep out drafts. The only place I've ever seen this stuff was in England when we lived there. I've been using the double-backed tape for a few years now to put up the plastic on my windows but it just doesn't work very well.
I've tried Googling this stuff without success, so I am very open to assistance. It is about 1/2" wide, the outer portion is permanently fastened down and the inner portion snaps in and out, trapping the shrink plastic between the two halves. If you know where I can buy some, please leave me a comment or an email.
My Dad helped me out with a problem I couldn't solve last week with Home Depot. I tried twice to locate at HD the Damp Rid hanging bags that I used last year to keep my gun locker dry. Each time the HD staff could not help me, partly becasue I didn't remember the product name. My Dad knew the product name and with that, I found a clerk that could dig around in the HD computer nad find what I wanted. I bought the 3-pack! If you want any Damp-Rid products, they are above the thinners and paint cleaners in the paint section...
I've tried Googling this stuff without success, so I am very open to assistance. It is about 1/2" wide, the outer portion is permanently fastened down and the inner portion snaps in and out, trapping the shrink plastic between the two halves. If you know where I can buy some, please leave me a comment or an email.
My Dad helped me out with a problem I couldn't solve last week with Home Depot. I tried twice to locate at HD the Damp Rid hanging bags that I used last year to keep my gun locker dry. Each time the HD staff could not help me, partly becasue I didn't remember the product name. My Dad knew the product name and with that, I found a clerk that could dig around in the HD computer nad find what I wanted. I bought the 3-pack! If you want any Damp-Rid products, they are above the thinners and paint cleaners in the paint section...
Friday mutterings
Well, let's see. I'm at work, I've written the point paper for the briefing to the VP that's coming for a visit, I've had no response to the automated Purchase Request that I kicked loose into the system, meaning that no one has seen it or that I got it right the first time. No way to tell until somebody responds...
The weather is looking promising for tomorrow and Kenny says he can get a pass to go to the desert again since his spouse already has plans. So I think we will go back and shoot at jackrabbits again. I still need to find a local source of 7.62 X 39 ammo until I get a bunch mail-ordered in. Which means I may have to do a little running around this afternoon...
The contractor should be done with the family room renovation this afternoon. All that remained was the texturing of the new sheetrock and then it will be ready for me to prime and paint. I'll be painting the entire basement; bathroom, family room and stairway, so I can get started about anytime. The bedroom will be a project all to itself.
Last night, after many weeks of grumbling from both of us about the BSU's clock radio on her nightstand, we finally went to Circuit City for a replacement. She wanted a simple, no radio, travel alarm clock, which she eventually picked out for just a few bucks. Its a tiny, ugly little clock with absolutely no charm. She said this morning that it went off as intended last night but I didn't hear it.
I predict less than 10 days will pass before she tells me she wants a different clock! This new one isn't lit unless you push a button so you can't just roll over and see the time. Its also so small that it will get knocked off the nightstand and disappear under the bed causing one or both of us to cuss. We'll see if she keeps it...
Son Noah is back to doing work-study as a mechanic at Tony Divino Toyota as part of his nearly finished Job Corp training. He's already been promised a job there when he does finish in another month or so. He is mighty excited about that prospect though he knows that he will spend the first few months in the lube rack before getting promoted into a regular technician position. And he's thinking about how he will spend his money... right now he has been making noises about purchasing one of these.
I've counted and recounted my remaining classes until I get my degree. Nine classes is all I have remaining! Nine! If I can continue to manage two classes per term, I will be done one year from now! I have to admit to being excited about being able to see the light at the end of this Logistics Management tunnel. I am still considering diving headlong into the Masters degree tunnel once I clear this first one but that's not certain yet, at all.
I did ride the Phantom yesterday but it was mighty cold in the morning. I wimped out today and am sorry now, its a beautiful day. I suppose its about time to buy a bottle of Sta-Bil and get the scooter and the mowers and trimmers all treated.
The swamp cooler got covered up and drained for the year and I even added some antenna mast brackets to it so that wehn we put up the Christmas star in a few weeks we will be able to avoid the rope and lashing struggle that has been part of our holiday decorating for 5 years. So much of the winter preparation is either done or underway.
The weather is looking promising for tomorrow and Kenny says he can get a pass to go to the desert again since his spouse already has plans. So I think we will go back and shoot at jackrabbits again. I still need to find a local source of 7.62 X 39 ammo until I get a bunch mail-ordered in. Which means I may have to do a little running around this afternoon...
The contractor should be done with the family room renovation this afternoon. All that remained was the texturing of the new sheetrock and then it will be ready for me to prime and paint. I'll be painting the entire basement; bathroom, family room and stairway, so I can get started about anytime. The bedroom will be a project all to itself.
Last night, after many weeks of grumbling from both of us about the BSU's clock radio on her nightstand, we finally went to Circuit City for a replacement. She wanted a simple, no radio, travel alarm clock, which she eventually picked out for just a few bucks. Its a tiny, ugly little clock with absolutely no charm. She said this morning that it went off as intended last night but I didn't hear it.
I predict less than 10 days will pass before she tells me she wants a different clock! This new one isn't lit unless you push a button so you can't just roll over and see the time. Its also so small that it will get knocked off the nightstand and disappear under the bed causing one or both of us to cuss. We'll see if she keeps it...
Son Noah is back to doing work-study as a mechanic at Tony Divino Toyota as part of his nearly finished Job Corp training. He's already been promised a job there when he does finish in another month or so. He is mighty excited about that prospect though he knows that he will spend the first few months in the lube rack before getting promoted into a regular technician position. And he's thinking about how he will spend his money... right now he has been making noises about purchasing one of these.
I've counted and recounted my remaining classes until I get my degree. Nine classes is all I have remaining! Nine! If I can continue to manage two classes per term, I will be done one year from now! I have to admit to being excited about being able to see the light at the end of this Logistics Management tunnel. I am still considering diving headlong into the Masters degree tunnel once I clear this first one but that's not certain yet, at all.
I did ride the Phantom yesterday but it was mighty cold in the morning. I wimped out today and am sorry now, its a beautiful day. I suppose its about time to buy a bottle of Sta-Bil and get the scooter and the mowers and trimmers all treated.
The swamp cooler got covered up and drained for the year and I even added some antenna mast brackets to it so that wehn we put up the Christmas star in a few weeks we will be able to avoid the rope and lashing struggle that has been part of our holiday decorating for 5 years. So much of the winter preparation is either done or underway.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Thursday Three Time- Entertainment Tonight
This week the questions are related to the field of entertainment. Its obvious to most everyone that I'm no entertainer, but in the spirit of all the members of the Axis of Weevil, I'll play.
1) In the field of television, what job would you most want and why? This includes entertainment, news and sports.
1) In the field of television, what job would you most want and why? This includes entertainment, news and sports.
As a kid, I knew what job I wanted on television, I wanted to be the guy that announced the password on the Password game show. It seemed like the perfect job- sitting at a microphone, behind the set, reading the passwords slowly and clearly with an authoritative, announcer voice. Imagine having a job that required you to say, "The password is...horsefeathers." It had to be the perfect job. Heck, I figured if the script writers could give me the list of words on Monday morning that I could record a week's worth and be done before lunch time. Now? Sign me up to drive the "live-on-the-scene television broadcasting van. Except that the hours are lousy it can't be too tough, drive the truck, crank up the satellite transmitter, wait for the getting-rained-on reporter to do their 2 minutes on the 10 oclock news, then pull down the tower and drive back to the studio.If you had to make a living performing live--that’s right, live on stage--what would you want to do?
UPDATE: The other job I'd like to do? I want John Melendez's job as the Tonight Show announcer. He seems to have the easiest job in Hollywood! He does the introduction at the beginning of the program and then he sits there on his chair, does one goofy wave when Jay recognizes him at the end of the monologue and then- nothing! The guy does nothing! Except for having to live and work in California, it seems like it would be perfect. Heck, he doesn't even have to be the straight guy for most of Jay's jokes, Kevin the bandleader gets that duty.
I would also love working in the graphics arts department for the Tonight Show. They come up with the funniest fake book covers and skit props that almost always make me laugh. And they have to do it fast, to keep up with the script and joke writers, it seems like it would be a dynamic and fun place to work.
This one's easy. I want to have a regular segment related to tools and manly gizmos on The Man Show! It could be like Tim Allen's old Tool Time but reduced to just a 5 or 10 minute segment. An assistant like Heidi would be essential.If you worked in the movies, what job would you most want and why?
Stunt driver. Or maybe a stunt coordinator and explosives preparation specialist. Driving fast or making things go "Kaboom" would be just fine, thanks!
Cold today on the scooter-
I've not ridden the scoot for several days now, ever since the weather dropped into the 40s in the mornings. But I've been missing riding partly because its so beautiful in the afternoons. So today I decided I was riding. I put the quilted liner in my jacket and wore bluejeans instead of slacks and headed out.
The upper part of me, the part covered by the coat, stayed plenty warm. My legs are still cold, an hour and a half later! I might just have to slip my ski pants over my pants if I want to keep riding a few more weeks.
The upper part of me, the part covered by the coat, stayed plenty warm. My legs are still cold, an hour and a half later! I might just have to slip my ski pants over my pants if I want to keep riding a few more weeks.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Home Improvement Effort Update
The construction of the new basement support beam is finished and only the sanding and texturing of the new sheetrock remains to be finished by the construction crew the spouse hired. They have done a very thorough job and the work looks terrific. I expect to be painting on the weekend. (And I still need to post a couple pictures...)
As predicted, the carpet shopping has begun in earnest. We have been out a couple times looking and have settled on a general style and color, now we just need to find the right one... I've measured it out to be 40 square yards, including the stairs, or 360 square feet, depending on which store's measurement and pricing we happen to be looking at.
Its tricky this carpet shopping, since there is such differences in warranty time frames and the distraction of doing the math between square feet and square yards to figure out what the real price might be. Plus each store has a different method for figuring pad and installation costs, so getting a apples to apples comparison between stores is a real pain.
But, there's no rush since I'm paying for this upfront and not financing anything, so it might still take until Christmas, (as I predicted) before new carpet adorns our family room floor.
As predicted, the carpet shopping has begun in earnest. We have been out a couple times looking and have settled on a general style and color, now we just need to find the right one... I've measured it out to be 40 square yards, including the stairs, or 360 square feet, depending on which store's measurement and pricing we happen to be looking at.
Its tricky this carpet shopping, since there is such differences in warranty time frames and the distraction of doing the math between square feet and square yards to figure out what the real price might be. Plus each store has a different method for figuring pad and installation costs, so getting a apples to apples comparison between stores is a real pain.
But, there's no rush since I'm paying for this upfront and not financing anything, so it might still take until Christmas, (as I predicted) before new carpet adorns our family room floor.
Hoover Damm! The penguins steal the show!
"Don't go swimming in hot oil and bisquik?" "Not that penguin creed, the other one!" "Oh yeah, penguins never swim alone."
Sunday afternoon the BSU and Son Noah and I all went to see the new Wallace and Gromit movie, Curse of the Were-Rabbit. I really enjoyed the irony of getting in line at the theater with all the other parents and their kids while we stood in line with our 21 year old kid. It turned out to be great fun for all of us.
The Curse of the Were-Rabbit was a terrific movie, a fun cartoon. I was only vaguely aware of Wallace the cheese-loving whacky inventor and his loyal but silent sidekick dog Gromit but we had seen the previews over the past weeks and the story looked like too much fun to ignore. The BSU even claims not to like the claymation style of animation that makes W&G possible but she agreed to go see this movie without any reluctance.
She liked it much more than she expected to! That's right, the BSU, who by her own admittance doesn't have much of a funny bone, liked The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. That's pretty high praise from the spouse!
But for me, the real treat was the short movie playing before the feature, The Night Before Christmas starring the Penguins from the movie Madagascar. [BTW, I can not find a decent link to this film! Updated when I do.]I loved the penguins from the Madagascar movie and thought they were the best part of the movie. Now they have their own 10 minute feature! It’s a heart-warming story of Penguin Private's effort to share some holiday cheer with the lonely polar bear, his disastrous trip for a last minute gift, a cranky old lady, a vicious little dog and a daring rescue by the rest of the Penguin squad, ending when Kowalski finally gets to blow the old lady’s apartment door with his always hidden, but ever-present stick of dynamite. “Kaboom?” “Yes, Kaboom!”
All’s well on Christmas night and the polar bear gets to share in the eggnog with his new friends.
The movie earns two flippers up!
On an editorial note, it must be said that Dreamworks has flagrantly plagiarized Possumblog Terry’s intellectual property by stealing his oft-repeated Cornaguin idea and using it in this movie. Sure, they replaced corn meal with Bisquik in the penguin creed quoted at the beginning of this post, but you must admit that the preparation of penguins as food with a coating and deep fat frying is an original Possumblog idea. I was floored by the obvious plagiarism when I watched the movie and laughed out loud at the joke that was so obvious to any regular Possumblog reader, (or irregular Possumblog reader, for that matter). Little did I know that the Possumblog Kitchen was working on new, super-secret recipes for Emperor Penguin that included Bisquik but you can read about the news release here.
Anyway, the three of us had a great time at the movies, eating popcorn and candy Dots and laughing at two fun movies. I really recommend you load up your kids, no matter what age and head out to the movies for this great double feature!
Sunday afternoon the BSU and Son Noah and I all went to see the new Wallace and Gromit movie, Curse of the Were-Rabbit. I really enjoyed the irony of getting in line at the theater with all the other parents and their kids while we stood in line with our 21 year old kid. It turned out to be great fun for all of us.
The Curse of the Were-Rabbit was a terrific movie, a fun cartoon. I was only vaguely aware of Wallace the cheese-loving whacky inventor and his loyal but silent sidekick dog Gromit but we had seen the previews over the past weeks and the story looked like too much fun to ignore. The BSU even claims not to like the claymation style of animation that makes W&G possible but she agreed to go see this movie without any reluctance.
She liked it much more than she expected to! That's right, the BSU, who by her own admittance doesn't have much of a funny bone, liked The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. That's pretty high praise from the spouse!
But for me, the real treat was the short movie playing before the feature, The Night Before Christmas starring the Penguins from the movie Madagascar. [BTW, I can not find a decent link to this film! Updated when I do.]I loved the penguins from the Madagascar movie and thought they were the best part of the movie. Now they have their own 10 minute feature! It’s a heart-warming story of Penguin Private's effort to share some holiday cheer with the lonely polar bear, his disastrous trip for a last minute gift, a cranky old lady, a vicious little dog and a daring rescue by the rest of the Penguin squad, ending when Kowalski finally gets to blow the old lady’s apartment door with his always hidden, but ever-present stick of dynamite. “Kaboom?” “Yes, Kaboom!”
All’s well on Christmas night and the polar bear gets to share in the eggnog with his new friends.
The movie earns two flippers up!
On an editorial note, it must be said that Dreamworks has flagrantly plagiarized Possumblog Terry’s intellectual property by stealing his oft-repeated Cornaguin idea and using it in this movie. Sure, they replaced corn meal with Bisquik in the penguin creed quoted at the beginning of this post, but you must admit that the preparation of penguins as food with a coating and deep fat frying is an original Possumblog idea. I was floored by the obvious plagiarism when I watched the movie and laughed out loud at the joke that was so obvious to any regular Possumblog reader, (or irregular Possumblog reader, for that matter). Little did I know that the Possumblog Kitchen was working on new, super-secret recipes for Emperor Penguin that included Bisquik but you can read about the news release here.
Anyway, the three of us had a great time at the movies, eating popcorn and candy Dots and laughing at two fun movies. I really recommend you load up your kids, no matter what age and head out to the movies for this great double feature!
Scooter Blogger Steve is a Daddy Again!
Steve's new son, Maxwell joined the rest of us here on the planet last night. His mama deserves some kind of medal because Maxwell is just about ready for PeeWee football as a lineman, he weighs 11 pounds!
So, Steve, congratulations and I'll be looking for a good cigar to arrive in my mailbox, since I can't find a government sponsored excuse to come to Austin. Give our regards to Mom and take her a big bundle of flowers!
Welcome to the planet Maxwell!
So, Steve, congratulations and I'll be looking for a good cigar to arrive in my mailbox, since I can't find a government sponsored excuse to come to Austin. Give our regards to Mom and take her a big bundle of flowers!
Welcome to the planet Maxwell!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Schoolwork's done for this term!
That's right, I just emailed in my final homework and final paper for my Logistics class. Nothing to do but stop in tomorrow afternoon to pick up my paper from the Operations class. This term turned out to be much less stressful than the past couple, which has been very nice.
Next term is just two weeek's away and my schedule will be Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 7:15. I sure hope the instructors leave some room for work turn-in through the weekends because going every night won't leave much time for homework between classes. It does appear that I am entering my last 5, 8 week terms before having all my graduation requirements. That is very exciting!
I have to give credit to a website that really helps me with my homework, Accuradio.com. I listen to this online radio station nearly every night while doing homework. I like the Motel California and Listening Post channels best but this month they have a special, Classic Rocktober channel that I am really enjoying. If you have a high speed connection and a tolerant network manager, I really recommend Accuradio.
Next term is just two weeek's away and my schedule will be Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 7:15. I sure hope the instructors leave some room for work turn-in through the weekends because going every night won't leave much time for homework between classes. It does appear that I am entering my last 5, 8 week terms before having all my graduation requirements. That is very exciting!
I have to give credit to a website that really helps me with my homework, Accuradio.com. I listen to this online radio station nearly every night while doing homework. I like the Motel California and Listening Post channels best but this month they have a special, Classic Rocktober channel that I am really enjoying. If you have a high speed connection and a tolerant network manager, I really recommend Accuradio.
The Two Best Quotes EVER ...
The Two Best Quotes EVER ...
(1) "What the American people have seen is this incredible disparity in which those people who had cars and money got out and those people who were impoverished died." -- Ted Kennedy on Hurricane Katrina
(2) "Ditto" -- Mary Jo Kopechne
What your computer is doing while you sleep-
Here on ther job we are asked not to turn off our computers when we quit for the night. The computer geeks tell us its so that updates to our systems can be pushed down whenever required. It is now possible to see what happens if you leave your computer running all night. Click on the link to see this exciting phenomena.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
A fine day in the desert
With family and friends. Son Noah would be family of course, and my buddy Kenny and his neighbor, Mike. We all headed out for a day of shooting on the west side of the Great Salt Lake, in an area Kenny claims as his own private shooting grounds. So I can't tell you where it is!
Mostly it was a day of cordite aromatherapy through repeated burning processes. We did go out and kick some sage brush and shoot at some jackrabbits. Note, I said we shot at jackrabbits, only one was actually dispatched to bunny heaven.
After that it was a chance to try out the new SKS assault rifle which pleased me very much. The gun works perfectly, has negligible recoil and seems might accurate from the first shooting. The trigger is the worst I've ever used though, I will tell you that! Sure, it has that 2-stage military trigger that has some bit of free travel before engaging the mechanisms, but then it actually moves back more than 1/8" before releasing! You just have to keep squeezing and squeezing and just about the time you pull your head off the stock and wonder what's wrong, it goes bang! Other than that, the rifle is perfect. It is such a good condition specimen of this old rifle that I might keep it perfectly stock and get another one to tinker with. Or not.
Kenny gives me such a ribbing about not keeping things stock, which he claims is the best way to ensure proper functioning. But hey, everything can be improved with a little customization! The SKS will probably suffer the same fate! I do believe I'll keep it mighty functional, but really, do I need a bayonet for going to the range for target shooting?
So the SKS was a hit with everyone and the air rifle works dandy too. We all got some exercise and some time outdoors and we were loaded up and headed out before the rain started. So bonus points there!
I've got to go out now for a Kohler shower control knob since mine fell apart in my hand yesterday. I've also still got to get a haircut and there are guns to clean. And one more week's worth of homework to do!
Mostly it was a day of cordite aromatherapy through repeated burning processes. We did go out and kick some sage brush and shoot at some jackrabbits. Note, I said we shot at jackrabbits, only one was actually dispatched to bunny heaven.
After that it was a chance to try out the new SKS assault rifle which pleased me very much. The gun works perfectly, has negligible recoil and seems might accurate from the first shooting. The trigger is the worst I've ever used though, I will tell you that! Sure, it has that 2-stage military trigger that has some bit of free travel before engaging the mechanisms, but then it actually moves back more than 1/8" before releasing! You just have to keep squeezing and squeezing and just about the time you pull your head off the stock and wonder what's wrong, it goes bang! Other than that, the rifle is perfect. It is such a good condition specimen of this old rifle that I might keep it perfectly stock and get another one to tinker with. Or not.
Kenny gives me such a ribbing about not keeping things stock, which he claims is the best way to ensure proper functioning. But hey, everything can be improved with a little customization! The SKS will probably suffer the same fate! I do believe I'll keep it mighty functional, but really, do I need a bayonet for going to the range for target shooting?
So the SKS was a hit with everyone and the air rifle works dandy too. We all got some exercise and some time outdoors and we were loaded up and headed out before the rain started. So bonus points there!
I've got to go out now for a Kohler shower control knob since mine fell apart in my hand yesterday. I've also still got to get a haircut and there are guns to clean. And one more week's worth of homework to do!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Things to Do, Places to Go- Today
So, I'm at work today. Want to see my list of things that must be accomplished? In no particular order of importance, there is:
Maybe I'll get time to finish that Purchase Request for the tech data I'm trying to get updated...
Homework for tonight's class. Some questions from the chapter end to answer and a 1-pager paper.
Haircut. I'm way past due for getting a trim.
Purchase coffee for the coffee bar at work. That means a trip to Sam's Club.
Purchase ammo for the SKS, 7.63 X 39. Lots of it because there's a shooting trip planned for tomorrow. It needs a carry case too. That's a trip to SportsmansWhorehouseWarehouse or Impact Guns.
Contact Steve about the status of the Escort and see if its ready to be picked up.
I should buy more .223 ammo and a brick of 22LR as well…
Maybe I'll get time to finish that Purchase Request for the tech data I'm trying to get updated...
My next Scooter
If Honda builds and imports this scooter, I'm having one! That would be the top scooter picture on the link, not the bottom one. The lower pictured scooter is mighty neat too but I really like that touring scooter's looks. It does need a front fender though. These pictures are from the Tokyo Motor Show that's going on right now. Hopefully in the coming months there will be news to report about Honda's intentions with these two shiny new scooters.
That picture makes a pretty dandy desktop photo BTW!
That picture makes a pretty dandy desktop photo BTW!
The renovation has begun! Updated
I mentioned yesterday that the contractors were coming to the house, and they did show in the afternoon. We are having the support posts removed from the center of our family room! We have only been in this house 6 years and tolerating the two load-bearing posts and the pony wall between them every day since moving in. The BSU finally stomped her foot and said she wanted this work done as her birthday/anniversary present, and, so, we are getting the work done.
The previous owner had the basement finished into a family room at least a dozen years ago and he had a nice job done. Except he left the two support posts in the middle of the room! The posts really limit our ability to locate furniture the way we want it and forces the room into being two rooms instead of one large room. So, today the posts come out! Replacing them will be a 12 foot, laminated and doubled beam, the same as used for garage door framing.
To accomplish this, the carpenters are installing a temporary wall on each side of the support beam area. That will keep the ceiling and the floors above from sagging. Then the old beam and posts can come out, the sheetrock under one side of the new beam's support gets cut away to allow the new beam to swing into position and then everything gets fastened securely back into position. On one side of the post is a furnace duct that will need refastened to the new post. And then sheetrocking back to a ready to paint condition.
Since the contractor's job finishes at the ready to paint condition, you might guess what my next task will be- painting the family room... That will be during the week between classes in two weeks and no doubt include the stairway and hallway.
I sense a period of extended carpet shopping in my nearly immediate future. I'm certain the Christmas tree this year will be dropping needles onto brand new carpet. And I'll certainly replace the ugly light fixture that I've hated for 6 years!
UPDATE: The posts are firewood, landfill material, all gone! I actually have before and after pictures but I failed to get the camera and cable into my bag this morning. The difference in the appearance of the room is remarkable. The work's not finished but I expect the contractors will be through this afternoon. They had the new beam in place and the raw sheetrock up before closing time yesterday and the first coat of mud smoothed on most of the places that needed it.
I'll still have to do the painting when its all done but so far, the work I'm paying for has turned out really well. And the BSU confirms, we will be carpet shopping as soon as the painting is completed...
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Python vs. Alligator Death Match
I would pay big money for the Pay-per-View showing of this fight! Can you imagine what this must have looked like while the fight was going on? It must have been one hell of a struggle! Dave Barry's blog has posted a high resolution picture and the entire report of the python vs alligator death match. The picture and partial story has been shown all 'round the net today but Dave's site has the best photo I've seen today.
Where's the dang Animal Planet when we need them?
Where's the dang Animal Planet when we need them?
Thursday Three Time Again
And this time its all about time! If you're not familiar with the Thursday Three, you're not reading Possumblog often enough, so head on over there and get the backstory. Essentially, it’s a list of three questions, sent out each Thursday, for anybody that want to answer can answer. This week the answers are about timeliness.
1. Do you usually need a clock to know what time it is or do you have that “time sense”?
3. Will you do today what you can put off until tomorrow?
1. Do you usually need a clock to know what time it is or do you have that “time sense”?
My "time sense" is fair-to-middlin accurate but I keep a watch on my wrist most of the time. I take it off whenever I don't care to know or don't have to be anyplace- camping for instance. When I'm camping, I don't need to know what time it is, so I take off the watch and only concern myself with dinner time.2. Can you estimate the time tasks will take or are you always off?
I'm pretty good with time estimations and cost estimations for tasks. I know for certain that any home improvement project will take exactly twice as long as the time I've allowed to do it and will also cost twice as much money as I have allocated.
3. Will you do today what you can put off until tomorrow?
Normally, yes. If I get it done today, there's more blogging time available tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
My very first 'lanche- from Mostly Cajun!
To all my visitors that have come by thanks to the referral from Mostly Cajun, thanks for visiting! Please don't be shy, leave me a comment or two to ponder and have a look around at the other blatherings I find time to share with the rest of you.
Anyway, thanks for visiting. Come back soon.
Anyway, thanks for visiting. Come back soon.
Inside the Superdome During Katrina- A View from a National Guardsman
Matt Welch has a very interesting article about the MSM's reporting from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. He interviews Major Ed Bush, public affairs officer for the Louisiana National Guardwho was in the Superdome from Sunday before the storm until the following Friday. He has some very clear words about the circumstances inside the Dome and how those words differ from what was being reported by the media.
Reason: So you guys had presence the entire time? Through the storm there was always at least some Louisiana National Guard in the building?There's much more and it sheds interesting light on what we the public were being told by the media and what the real story was on the scene. Seems to me the MSM is being pretty slow to give the public updates to this continuing story.
Bush: Always. There was hundreds of Louisiana Guard guys there, yeah.
Remember the Ray Nagin Memorial Motor Pool?
There is more pictures today of buses that were not used to evacuate folks out of New Orleans in accordance with the evacuation plan. You can see the pictures and read smarter commentary than I can possibly provide over at Whiz Bang and The Jawa Report. Make sure to read the comments throughout both posts.
Ray Nagin Is still a jackass!
Ray Nagin Is still a jackass!
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
I just agreed to buy another gun!
My buddy Kenny turned me on today to another Ruger 10/22 rifle. A guy he knows had two of them that he wanted to sell. So, we went to visit the guy, in his cubicle to get the entire story. Two rifles, not the shorty carbines, stainless steel, in the deluxe checkered wood stocks, unfired. He bought them for his kids, they weren't interested.
Kenny's going to pay the fellow for both of them tomorrow, I'll buy mine from Kenny over the next couple weeks. I'd just buy it this week but there is a contractor crew due in my family room in a couple hours. But that's another post...
UPDATE: In the comments, you can see that Kenny already spoke for the one Ruger 10/22 that ended up being for sale. Instead of the Ruger I'm buying a SKS, complete with scary flash hider and bayonet and a Crosman pellet rifle. Both of them are as new as possible and in excellent condition. And I can get them both for a dandy price, so... more rifles in the gun locker!
Kenny's going to pay the fellow for both of them tomorrow, I'll buy mine from Kenny over the next couple weeks. I'd just buy it this week but there is a contractor crew due in my family room in a couple hours. But that's another post...
UPDATE: In the comments, you can see that Kenny already spoke for the one Ruger 10/22 that ended up being for sale. Instead of the Ruger I'm buying a SKS, complete with scary flash hider and bayonet and a Crosman pellet rifle. Both of them are as new as possible and in excellent condition. And I can get them both for a dandy price, so... more rifles in the gun locker!
Command. There's no Better Job in the World-
This first-hand report is making the turns throughout the AF email systems but I haven't seen it posted online yet. It is a mighty fine portrayal of how things get done when the military is in charge and affected.
Read the whole thing...
Command: Category 4
Lt Col Randy Coats, 333d Training Squadron/CC
Command. There's no better job in the world. After seven years in jobs with “command authority” and two squadron commands, I figured I had a good idea what command was all about. I was wrong. What changed my mind? Four words--"Shelter Commander" and "Hurricane Katrina."
From 28 Aug - 2 Sep, I lived with 730 of my "closest friends" in 50-year old Bryan Hall at Keesler AFB, MS. It was my third stint as a shelter commander, but it was unlike anything I had experienced before. As life slowly returns to normal on the Gulf Coast and I reflect on the experience, I've come to appreciate the unpredictability of command and how much an event like Katrina can change people and communities.
First, you have to understand some basics. My shelter is a unique animal on Keesler. Most shelters here are dedicated primarily to one unit. Mine is not. I have all the active duty and family members from a wide variety of units--two training squadrons, CE and Security Forces (and prisoners), 100+ Marines, communications students (NCOs and roughly 60 Lt's), 150 NCO Academy students and their faculty, and 50 international officers and their families. The building is an old nuclear fallout shelter, with no windows and no shower facilities. With that setting in mind, I offer the following memories and thoughts on Hurricane Katrina.
25 Aug (Thu): One of my sharpest young MSgt points out Katrina "may grow into something over the weekend" and suggests we update our shelter/evacuation data sheets. I admire his enthusiasm, tell him “that's not a bad idea", then promptly forget to do anything because Katrina's not headed our way at all and I've got other things to do besides worry about a piddly Category 1 storm.
27 Aug (Sat): Two CAT meetings. Katrina has strengthened and is headed our way, due to arrive Monday afternoon. Tentatively plan to open shelters Monday morning. I remember the MSgt's words and begin repeating every officer’s golden rule--"Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."
28 Aug (Sun): Turn on CNN before heading to 0800 CAT. Radar picture shows Katrina is Category 5, taking up the whole Gulf of Mexico and headed straight for us, due to arrive before dawn Monday. "Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."
- 1000: Initiate full recall and order all personnel to evacuate or shelter NLT 2100. Many people out of town for the weekend. Accountability is a nightmare.
- 1700: Open the shelter. People/families begin arriving. Have to stop two refrigerators, one 21" TV set, and three mattresses at the door. Students (of all ranks) drafted to help carry bags into the shelter. People told to bring food and water for three days. Most bring food for two days; smokers bring cigarettes for twenty days. Have to break the news--no smoking inside the shelter and once you're checked in you can't go outside (Hotel California rules).
- 2200: Doors locked and boarded up from the outside by CE (one door in an alcove left uncovered).
29 Aug (Mon):
-0500: Winds howling; can hear them best through vents in bathrooms at the end of the hallway (It didn’t sound like this during Hurricane Ivan)
0800: Shelterees (hereafter referred to as "the Natives") start moving around 0800. Smokers looking for nicotine fix, but remain calm.
-1000: Local news reports indicate rising waters, violent winds. Plywood ripped from external doorways (I start getting uneasy; plywood has never moved in previous storms, much less flown away).
-1200: News reports 20+ feet of water in local mall. Natives getting anxious. Smokers getting jittery.
Afternoon:
- Power goes out; generators kick in. Not good. CE told us power can only go out if high-tension cables that survived 200-mph winds during Hurricane Camille go down. A/C stops working; ventilation fans stop working. No windows, no open doors, 731 nervous people…in Mississippi…in August. Ask for generator fuel status and burn rate. Have enough fuel for two days.
- Natives who smoke starting to visibly shake; many look physically ill.
- Cable TV goes out. Natives get creative with antennas. Spotted the bottom half of an NCO sticking out from ceiling tiles. Apparently reception is better if you connect a stripped copper comm cable from the TV to pipes in the ceiling. I appoint a safety observer and hope for the best.
- CE reports primary generator has flames coming out of it, so shut it off. Lost internet connectivity. Down to one generator; power only in hallways and a few rooms.
- Water stops running. Toilets overflowing. With medical advice, I brief the Natives on how to use plastic bags for toilet facilities (someone used this method within 10 minutes). Disposal of plastic bags in a sealed building is a concern. Adventurous major goes into the basement and finds 1961-vintage Civil Defense Survival Sanitation Kits. Basically, a 3-foot tall cardboard porta-potty with a hole cut in the top. This does not look fun. However, 44-year old toilet paper (it was dated) is surprisingly soft.
- One hour later: Water comes back thanks to CE heroes going out in the storm to repair pumping station. I hug the first CE troop I can find. Sanitation Kits thankfully not used, but kept on standby.
- CE troops coming off shift report half of flight-line underwater; BX and Commissary 6 feet deep and rising; trees down all over base; CE building collapsed. Natives begin to get the picture--this is worse than Hurricanes Ivan or Dennis.
Evening:
-1800: Winds still dangerous so cannot open doors. It's hot…it's humid…Natives are getting cranky. Smokers showing signs of extreme duress. One is carrying two unlit cigarettes around. I suggest he tear one open and put it behind his lip for a nicotine fix. He informs me he's already eaten an entire pack and it didn't help. Can't think of anything to say in response, so I pat him on the back and wish him luck.
- Babies and young kids getting grumpy; too hot to nap.
- Barely-visible news reports (on very fuzzy TV picture) report massive devastation in the area. Dead silence in hallway as Natives crowd around the lone TV with a discernible picture. Tension rising.
-2000: Too hot to breathe. 731 nervous people generate a lot of sweat and a variety of smells. Command Post says stay locked down, don't open doors. Natives make strange noises when I walk by. Not sure the "Shelter Commander" badge is a good thing to be wearing right now. First Sergeant reports Natives consider me the embodiment of evil.
- Cops go on shift. The best NCO in the AF is assigned to patrol base housing; he offers to try to check on my cat during his shift (we left her in the hallway of my house).
-2100: Even hotter. Poked my head outside--it's ugly but winds have died down. Command Post says stay buttoned up. Natives mumbling in small groups about how to eliminate a commander. Survival instincts tell me to get some air in here. Posted Marines at every exit and opened all the doors. I'm a hero; Natives love me. Haven't heard "thank you" this much since I put my shirt back on at the squadron pool party.
-2200: Smokers running out of cigarettes to eat. Open a side door and rope off a 10' x 10' smoking area. No more than five people at a time; no more than five minutes. Sucking cigarettes look like blow-torches in reverse. Everyone loves me.
- Nobody sleeps much. Tough to sleep in pools of sweat.
30 August (Tuesday):
-0145: One of my NCOs wakes me up because "Cops want to talk to you, Sir". SFS NCO is direct. "The good news is your cat is fine." Next question obvious. As he hands back my house key he adds, "The bad news is I didn't need this to get into your house." Doesn't quite register…"How'd you get in?" He looked me straight in the eye and said, "I walked through your back wall." That can't be good at all. Looks like a total loss. My wife was on a cot in the hallway. I woke her up to give her the news. Her response? "I guess it'll be easy to pack when we move next year." (She's getting anything she wants for Christmas, forever). Spend the rest of the night thinking of how to stay focused and project a positive attitude given that all my worldly possessions will probably fit in a gym bag. (note: we were eventually able to save most things above 4 feet)
-0700: Bad news spreads like wildfire. Entire shelter knows about my house. Lots of supportive comments as I wander the halls but I see the struggle behind the words--they're sorry for my loss but worry about their own. Their concern for my family despite fears for their own touches me deeply. First time in 19 years I've really had to fight back tears, but I've got to do the commander thing and project a positive attitude. As I walk the hallways I truly feel "the burden of command." My family is safe; I have to push my losses aside for now. These 730 people have no access to information other than what I tell them. I am their link to the outside world. I see them watching me, watching how I react and looking for cues as they try to figure out how they should feel--is the commander scared? Depressed? Worried? Confident? I realize that their mood over the next few days will be a direct reflection of what they perceive as my mood. I've been tested in command before, but never like this.
-0800: Drive to CAT meeting across base. Devastation is shocking. Trees down everywhere. Cars trashed everywhere. Windows out. Walls out. Buildings collapsed. Roofs ripped apart.
-0930: Mass briefing to the Natives. Most uncomfortable briefing I've ever given. Reports indicate widespread devastation. Death toll probably in the hundreds. Power out for at least three weeks. Must begin water conservation. Minimum three months to resume base mission. Will not leave shelter for at least three days. 730 stunned and scared faces focused on me. All are easy to read. (1) realization of how bad it is, (2) fear of what it did to their homes. Worst possible situation for a commander--troops need reassurance I can't give. Struggle to keep my voice steady. Not sure how well I did.
Afternoon:
- Natives' supplies running out. Most critical shortfalls: food, diapers, baby food, and feminine hygiene products. Issue MREs for adults. Assign "Baby POC" to track baby supplies. Develop new metric for morning/evening briefings--diaper burn rate. 17 infants in shelter x 5 diapers/day & 4 jars of baby food/day. Have one day supply of diapers, two days of baby food, but at least three more days in the shelter. Submit urgent supply request to Command Post. Luckily, Sanitation Kits include 44-year old feminine products.
- Still no cable TV and no internet. Information is life. I average (I counted) no more than 10 steps before someone stops me to ask what's going on outside.
- Lieutenant students offer to take over operation of the Children's Recreation Room. One has been to Clown College; several brought coloring books. First Sergeant asks me later (a) "How come the officers have coloring books?" and (b) "How come some of the pictures were colored in before the children started using them?" Honor of the officer corps is at stake; I quickly assign the Shirt to a meaningless task to distract her. Hope it worked. Best not to ask. (Note: to be perfectly honest, that actually happened during Hurricane Dennis in July, but it's 100% true and was too good a story not to include here)
- Pregnant Native goes into premature labor. Ambulance evacuates her to hospital.
- Another uncomfortable night. All Natives (and myself) report profuse sweating in lieu of sleep. Set up special room with lots of fans for children to sleep in. Authorized Chaplain to take a small raiding party to Chapel next door to get rocking chairs for parents with small children.
31 August (Wed):
- 731 people, 36+ hours with no a/c and no showers. Natives stink. Shelter stinks. Natives convinced everyone stinks but themselves. Shirt reports Natives blame it all on me. Wife asks if I can boost SGLI from here. Tasked my most creative NCO to come up with some way to hose people off. Result: water hose connected to sink in bathroom supply closet, with sandbag walls leading to drain in center of bathroom. No hot water, but showers are a success. Still rationing water--3 minute shower every other day. Nonetheless, Natives can wash away the stink for at least 10 minutes till they start sweating again. I'm a hero.
- Still hot. Two cases of dehydration evacuated to hospital. I'm dehydrated, nauseous, and weak despite drinking constantly. Can't believe I let this happen. Check with medics, but saline solution is in short supply and if I'm still walking I don't need it bad enough. They give me some good drugs to control symptoms. Eight hours, 240 ounces of water (I had to keep track), and 9,000 bathroom breaks later I feel much better.
- Lots of debris around the building. Still dangerous for people to go outside, but Natives are getting stir-crazy. Assigned a team to clear and rope off an area near the building. Post guards to ensure nobody wanders off, then allow small groups outside for fresh air for short periods of time. They love me again.
- Wing/CC reads off list of inbound aid at CAT meeting. Not the same as hearing it on TV. I never imagined that it would mean so much to know that so many people are focused on helping you.
- Baby supplies critical. Wing/CC orders a raid on what's left of Commissary and BX. Deliveries to shelters save the day.
- Another bad briefing to the Natives. Only one way to explain why they can't leave the shelter--tell them the truth as I know it. Looting rampant off-base. Looters in base housing. AF member car-jacked right outside the gate. No gas in local area; $5/gallon three hours away. Chaos in New Orleans is moving our way. Extra Security Forces with .50 cals on HMMWVs en route to help secure the base.
- Natives frantic about their homes. They fear anything that survived the storm won't survive the looters. Try to focus them on aid headed our way. Emotions running high. One woman goes into shock; evacuated to hospital.
- Another sweaty, sleepless night. Natives apparently locate world's largest stock of extension cords. Conservative estimates indicate we're running 500 fans off 5 power outlets and 2,000 extension cords. Confiscated the most impressive daisy chains as a safety hazard. Briefed Shelter Management Team to increase fire checks of the building.
01 Sep (Thu):
- Cannot release people to return to homes overnight due to security concerns. However, must let Natives assess their homes or risk bodily harm trying to keep them here. Strict guidelines for home assessments--provide written route of travel; must have a wingman; no dependents can go; max of one hour to save what you can and return to shelter; must be decontaminated before reentering shelter because many houses (mine included) have sludge/sewage inches deep. Lieutenants do great job controlling departure and decon lines.
- Natives return to shelter. Many are homeless. Commander School never taught me how to respond to "I have nothing left," or how to comfort women and men crying uncontrollably in my arms. Some cried for what they lost, some for what they saw. News reports didn't prepare them for seeing not just their home but their entire neighborhood destroyed, or for the cops telling them the bad smell they noticed was probably neighbors who tried to ride out the storm and were buried in the rubble. My only consolation is that I know how they feel. The stink in the house made me gag; the mud was gooey, sticky, and got on everything. My wife spent years building a beautiful collection of Amish figurines. Seeing the trail of broken figures across two yards (I never found the curio cabinet) was painful to endure. Crabs running across my feet in the bedroom (which scared the bee-geezus out of me) was a comical twist to a non-comical situation.
- In an attempt to improve morale, the chow hall (excuse me, “Dining Facility”) next to the shelter opens for one hot meal of whatever was available. Natives happily wait in line 2+ hours for rice with spaghetti sauce and a piece of bread. After the week we’ve had, it’s like Grandma’s Thanksgiving dinner.
- Third straight day of gorgeous weather. Security still a big concern. My DO reports her neighbors shot a looter (it may not be politically correct, but I applaud their initiative). Natives don't care, they just want out. Shelter Commanders compare notes at CAT—we’re all seriously concerned about tempers rising in the shelters. Believe the Natives are just about at the breaking point.
- Still no a/c. Lots of sweat and little sleep.
02 Sep (Fri):
- Security situation better. Natives' are about worn out. Wing/CC authorizes release from shelters. Six days and five nights we will never forget, and the recovery efforts have only just begun.
To say that Hurricane Katrina has been a "life event" would be an understatement. During my time running the Bryan Hall shelter I saw the best and the worst of people first-hand. Some sat in their little piece of floor space and watched others work to make the situation better. Most looked for every opportunity to help others and to make our little slice of hell a little more comfortable. I was amazed at how easy it was to read their faces. I could see clearly as fear changed to shock, disbelief, then anger. I watched in amazement as the anger was replaced with a calm sense of resolve and focus to simply move forward and do what needed to be done. From the little boy I found wandering the halls at midnight (obviously looking for a bathroom) to the lieutenants who stepped up, took charge when I asked, and showed all of us what "officership" is all about, every person in that shelter taught me their own unique and valuable lesson about command.
The CE troops and the Cops in my shelter taught me the meaning of dedication. I watched them tramp in and out on shift work throughout the storm and its aftermath. They were wet, muddy, sweaty, and tired. But every time they came through those doors they took time to find someone whose house they checked on and they always stopped by to give me an update on what they saw. To quote a favorite TV show of mine, "They were…magnificent." My Wing/CC described it perfectly a few days after the storm. Some puffed-up colonel called him up in the CAT and said "General so-and-so is coming down there. I want to know who the most important person on that base is and I want their name right now." The boss' response was classic. "Well, colonel, the most important person on this base is a Staff Sergeant with a chainsaw and if you'll give me ten minutes I'll get that name for you." CE and Cops. If you're looking for the heroes of Keesler, I'll be happy to escort you to their buildings.
As for the rest of the folks in the shelter, they were just as amazing in a different way. For all but the first 16 hours of our 6-day adventure they lived in a hot, poorly-ventilated building with virtually no amenities but running water. Most slept on tile floors. All slept in puddles of their own sweat. All spent 5 days not knowing whether or not they had a home to go home to. Yet through all of it, they kept a sense of humor and worked together to make the best of a bad situation. Even in the darkest moments I never walked down the hall without hearing a constant stream of "Morning, Colonel!" "How's it going, Sir?" or "Hey, Sir! When's the beer truck getting here?" I was only chewed out once by a shelteree. I would argue that in a "typical" group of 731 people, I would've been chewed out several times a day at least.
In my 19 years of service I have never seen a better demonstration of the military "family", or a better demonstration of true professionalism. I have to add, though, that what I've seen in the 12 days since has been just as impressive. The base and its leadership have been amazing. In addition to bringing our mission back on-line in less than 3 weeks, we've provided critical support to local communities. At last count, we'd sent nearly 50 missions out the gates to deliver food, water, and medical support. I was the CAT Director when a local cop showed up and said the shelter down the street had an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting. The boss had medical teams, food, and water on site within 30 minutes. The list goes on and on.
The same is true for my own unit. With more than one-third of my squadron homeless, my troops (military and civilian) have done things that will bring a tear to anyone's eye. Not one single person in my unit has cleaned out a storm-damaged home alone. We've had teams out every day helping squadron members and retirees (and sometimes people we didn't even know) cut trees and clean out flooded homes. They have made me proud to be part of their team and proud to be part of the US military. They have taught me when it comes right down to it they don't need leadership. They are, each and every one of them, leaders in their own right. Leaders with the willingness, the desire, and the compassion to do the right thing without being told. In truth, they don't need a commander, they only need a cheerleader who will give them the support and the freedom they need to do what needs to be done. When I look back in years to come and ponder what Hurricane Katrina taught me about command that may just be the most important lesson of all.
Read the whole thing...
Command: Category 4
Lt Col Randy Coats, 333d Training Squadron/CC
Command. There's no better job in the world. After seven years in jobs with “command authority” and two squadron commands, I figured I had a good idea what command was all about. I was wrong. What changed my mind? Four words--"Shelter Commander" and "Hurricane Katrina."
From 28 Aug - 2 Sep, I lived with 730 of my "closest friends" in 50-year old Bryan Hall at Keesler AFB, MS. It was my third stint as a shelter commander, but it was unlike anything I had experienced before. As life slowly returns to normal on the Gulf Coast and I reflect on the experience, I've come to appreciate the unpredictability of command and how much an event like Katrina can change people and communities.
First, you have to understand some basics. My shelter is a unique animal on Keesler. Most shelters here are dedicated primarily to one unit. Mine is not. I have all the active duty and family members from a wide variety of units--two training squadrons, CE and Security Forces (and prisoners), 100+ Marines, communications students (NCOs and roughly 60 Lt's), 150 NCO Academy students and their faculty, and 50 international officers and their families. The building is an old nuclear fallout shelter, with no windows and no shower facilities. With that setting in mind, I offer the following memories and thoughts on Hurricane Katrina.
25 Aug (Thu): One of my sharpest young MSgt points out Katrina "may grow into something over the weekend" and suggests we update our shelter/evacuation data sheets. I admire his enthusiasm, tell him “that's not a bad idea", then promptly forget to do anything because Katrina's not headed our way at all and I've got other things to do besides worry about a piddly Category 1 storm.
27 Aug (Sat): Two CAT meetings. Katrina has strengthened and is headed our way, due to arrive Monday afternoon. Tentatively plan to open shelters Monday morning. I remember the MSgt's words and begin repeating every officer’s golden rule--"Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."
28 Aug (Sun): Turn on CNN before heading to 0800 CAT. Radar picture shows Katrina is Category 5, taking up the whole Gulf of Mexico and headed straight for us, due to arrive before dawn Monday. "Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."
- 1000: Initiate full recall and order all personnel to evacuate or shelter NLT 2100. Many people out of town for the weekend. Accountability is a nightmare.
- 1700: Open the shelter. People/families begin arriving. Have to stop two refrigerators, one 21" TV set, and three mattresses at the door. Students (of all ranks) drafted to help carry bags into the shelter. People told to bring food and water for three days. Most bring food for two days; smokers bring cigarettes for twenty days. Have to break the news--no smoking inside the shelter and once you're checked in you can't go outside (Hotel California rules).
- 2200: Doors locked and boarded up from the outside by CE (one door in an alcove left uncovered).
29 Aug (Mon):
-0500: Winds howling; can hear them best through vents in bathrooms at the end of the hallway (It didn’t sound like this during Hurricane Ivan)
0800: Shelterees (hereafter referred to as "the Natives") start moving around 0800. Smokers looking for nicotine fix, but remain calm.
-1000: Local news reports indicate rising waters, violent winds. Plywood ripped from external doorways (I start getting uneasy; plywood has never moved in previous storms, much less flown away).
-1200: News reports 20+ feet of water in local mall. Natives getting anxious. Smokers getting jittery.
Afternoon:
- Power goes out; generators kick in. Not good. CE told us power can only go out if high-tension cables that survived 200-mph winds during Hurricane Camille go down. A/C stops working; ventilation fans stop working. No windows, no open doors, 731 nervous people…in Mississippi…in August. Ask for generator fuel status and burn rate. Have enough fuel for two days.
- Natives who smoke starting to visibly shake; many look physically ill.
- Cable TV goes out. Natives get creative with antennas. Spotted the bottom half of an NCO sticking out from ceiling tiles. Apparently reception is better if you connect a stripped copper comm cable from the TV to pipes in the ceiling. I appoint a safety observer and hope for the best.
- CE reports primary generator has flames coming out of it, so shut it off. Lost internet connectivity. Down to one generator; power only in hallways and a few rooms.
- Water stops running. Toilets overflowing. With medical advice, I brief the Natives on how to use plastic bags for toilet facilities (someone used this method within 10 minutes). Disposal of plastic bags in a sealed building is a concern. Adventurous major goes into the basement and finds 1961-vintage Civil Defense Survival Sanitation Kits. Basically, a 3-foot tall cardboard porta-potty with a hole cut in the top. This does not look fun. However, 44-year old toilet paper (it was dated) is surprisingly soft.
- One hour later: Water comes back thanks to CE heroes going out in the storm to repair pumping station. I hug the first CE troop I can find. Sanitation Kits thankfully not used, but kept on standby.
- CE troops coming off shift report half of flight-line underwater; BX and Commissary 6 feet deep and rising; trees down all over base; CE building collapsed. Natives begin to get the picture--this is worse than Hurricanes Ivan or Dennis.
Evening:
-1800: Winds still dangerous so cannot open doors. It's hot…it's humid…Natives are getting cranky. Smokers showing signs of extreme duress. One is carrying two unlit cigarettes around. I suggest he tear one open and put it behind his lip for a nicotine fix. He informs me he's already eaten an entire pack and it didn't help. Can't think of anything to say in response, so I pat him on the back and wish him luck.
- Babies and young kids getting grumpy; too hot to nap.
- Barely-visible news reports (on very fuzzy TV picture) report massive devastation in the area. Dead silence in hallway as Natives crowd around the lone TV with a discernible picture. Tension rising.
-2000: Too hot to breathe. 731 nervous people generate a lot of sweat and a variety of smells. Command Post says stay locked down, don't open doors. Natives make strange noises when I walk by. Not sure the "Shelter Commander" badge is a good thing to be wearing right now. First Sergeant reports Natives consider me the embodiment of evil.
- Cops go on shift. The best NCO in the AF is assigned to patrol base housing; he offers to try to check on my cat during his shift (we left her in the hallway of my house).
-2100: Even hotter. Poked my head outside--it's ugly but winds have died down. Command Post says stay buttoned up. Natives mumbling in small groups about how to eliminate a commander. Survival instincts tell me to get some air in here. Posted Marines at every exit and opened all the doors. I'm a hero; Natives love me. Haven't heard "thank you" this much since I put my shirt back on at the squadron pool party.
-2200: Smokers running out of cigarettes to eat. Open a side door and rope off a 10' x 10' smoking area. No more than five people at a time; no more than five minutes. Sucking cigarettes look like blow-torches in reverse. Everyone loves me.
- Nobody sleeps much. Tough to sleep in pools of sweat.
30 August (Tuesday):
-0145: One of my NCOs wakes me up because "Cops want to talk to you, Sir". SFS NCO is direct. "The good news is your cat is fine." Next question obvious. As he hands back my house key he adds, "The bad news is I didn't need this to get into your house." Doesn't quite register…"How'd you get in?" He looked me straight in the eye and said, "I walked through your back wall." That can't be good at all. Looks like a total loss. My wife was on a cot in the hallway. I woke her up to give her the news. Her response? "I guess it'll be easy to pack when we move next year." (She's getting anything she wants for Christmas, forever). Spend the rest of the night thinking of how to stay focused and project a positive attitude given that all my worldly possessions will probably fit in a gym bag. (note: we were eventually able to save most things above 4 feet)
-0700: Bad news spreads like wildfire. Entire shelter knows about my house. Lots of supportive comments as I wander the halls but I see the struggle behind the words--they're sorry for my loss but worry about their own. Their concern for my family despite fears for their own touches me deeply. First time in 19 years I've really had to fight back tears, but I've got to do the commander thing and project a positive attitude. As I walk the hallways I truly feel "the burden of command." My family is safe; I have to push my losses aside for now. These 730 people have no access to information other than what I tell them. I am their link to the outside world. I see them watching me, watching how I react and looking for cues as they try to figure out how they should feel--is the commander scared? Depressed? Worried? Confident? I realize that their mood over the next few days will be a direct reflection of what they perceive as my mood. I've been tested in command before, but never like this.
-0800: Drive to CAT meeting across base. Devastation is shocking. Trees down everywhere. Cars trashed everywhere. Windows out. Walls out. Buildings collapsed. Roofs ripped apart.
-0930: Mass briefing to the Natives. Most uncomfortable briefing I've ever given. Reports indicate widespread devastation. Death toll probably in the hundreds. Power out for at least three weeks. Must begin water conservation. Minimum three months to resume base mission. Will not leave shelter for at least three days. 730 stunned and scared faces focused on me. All are easy to read. (1) realization of how bad it is, (2) fear of what it did to their homes. Worst possible situation for a commander--troops need reassurance I can't give. Struggle to keep my voice steady. Not sure how well I did.
Afternoon:
- Natives' supplies running out. Most critical shortfalls: food, diapers, baby food, and feminine hygiene products. Issue MREs for adults. Assign "Baby POC" to track baby supplies. Develop new metric for morning/evening briefings--diaper burn rate. 17 infants in shelter x 5 diapers/day & 4 jars of baby food/day. Have one day supply of diapers, two days of baby food, but at least three more days in the shelter. Submit urgent supply request to Command Post. Luckily, Sanitation Kits include 44-year old feminine products.
- Still no cable TV and no internet. Information is life. I average (I counted) no more than 10 steps before someone stops me to ask what's going on outside.
- Lieutenant students offer to take over operation of the Children's Recreation Room. One has been to Clown College; several brought coloring books. First Sergeant asks me later (a) "How come the officers have coloring books?" and (b) "How come some of the pictures were colored in before the children started using them?" Honor of the officer corps is at stake; I quickly assign the Shirt to a meaningless task to distract her. Hope it worked. Best not to ask. (Note: to be perfectly honest, that actually happened during Hurricane Dennis in July, but it's 100% true and was too good a story not to include here)
- Pregnant Native goes into premature labor. Ambulance evacuates her to hospital.
- Another uncomfortable night. All Natives (and myself) report profuse sweating in lieu of sleep. Set up special room with lots of fans for children to sleep in. Authorized Chaplain to take a small raiding party to Chapel next door to get rocking chairs for parents with small children.
31 August (Wed):
- 731 people, 36+ hours with no a/c and no showers. Natives stink. Shelter stinks. Natives convinced everyone stinks but themselves. Shirt reports Natives blame it all on me. Wife asks if I can boost SGLI from here. Tasked my most creative NCO to come up with some way to hose people off. Result: water hose connected to sink in bathroom supply closet, with sandbag walls leading to drain in center of bathroom. No hot water, but showers are a success. Still rationing water--3 minute shower every other day. Nonetheless, Natives can wash away the stink for at least 10 minutes till they start sweating again. I'm a hero.
- Still hot. Two cases of dehydration evacuated to hospital. I'm dehydrated, nauseous, and weak despite drinking constantly. Can't believe I let this happen. Check with medics, but saline solution is in short supply and if I'm still walking I don't need it bad enough. They give me some good drugs to control symptoms. Eight hours, 240 ounces of water (I had to keep track), and 9,000 bathroom breaks later I feel much better.
- Lots of debris around the building. Still dangerous for people to go outside, but Natives are getting stir-crazy. Assigned a team to clear and rope off an area near the building. Post guards to ensure nobody wanders off, then allow small groups outside for fresh air for short periods of time. They love me again.
- Wing/CC reads off list of inbound aid at CAT meeting. Not the same as hearing it on TV. I never imagined that it would mean so much to know that so many people are focused on helping you.
- Baby supplies critical. Wing/CC orders a raid on what's left of Commissary and BX. Deliveries to shelters save the day.
- Another bad briefing to the Natives. Only one way to explain why they can't leave the shelter--tell them the truth as I know it. Looting rampant off-base. Looters in base housing. AF member car-jacked right outside the gate. No gas in local area; $5/gallon three hours away. Chaos in New Orleans is moving our way. Extra Security Forces with .50 cals on HMMWVs en route to help secure the base.
- Natives frantic about their homes. They fear anything that survived the storm won't survive the looters. Try to focus them on aid headed our way. Emotions running high. One woman goes into shock; evacuated to hospital.
- Another sweaty, sleepless night. Natives apparently locate world's largest stock of extension cords. Conservative estimates indicate we're running 500 fans off 5 power outlets and 2,000 extension cords. Confiscated the most impressive daisy chains as a safety hazard. Briefed Shelter Management Team to increase fire checks of the building.
01 Sep (Thu):
- Cannot release people to return to homes overnight due to security concerns. However, must let Natives assess their homes or risk bodily harm trying to keep them here. Strict guidelines for home assessments--provide written route of travel; must have a wingman; no dependents can go; max of one hour to save what you can and return to shelter; must be decontaminated before reentering shelter because many houses (mine included) have sludge/sewage inches deep. Lieutenants do great job controlling departure and decon lines.
- Natives return to shelter. Many are homeless. Commander School never taught me how to respond to "I have nothing left," or how to comfort women and men crying uncontrollably in my arms. Some cried for what they lost, some for what they saw. News reports didn't prepare them for seeing not just their home but their entire neighborhood destroyed, or for the cops telling them the bad smell they noticed was probably neighbors who tried to ride out the storm and were buried in the rubble. My only consolation is that I know how they feel. The stink in the house made me gag; the mud was gooey, sticky, and got on everything. My wife spent years building a beautiful collection of Amish figurines. Seeing the trail of broken figures across two yards (I never found the curio cabinet) was painful to endure. Crabs running across my feet in the bedroom (which scared the bee-geezus out of me) was a comical twist to a non-comical situation.
- In an attempt to improve morale, the chow hall (excuse me, “Dining Facility”) next to the shelter opens for one hot meal of whatever was available. Natives happily wait in line 2+ hours for rice with spaghetti sauce and a piece of bread. After the week we’ve had, it’s like Grandma’s Thanksgiving dinner.
- Third straight day of gorgeous weather. Security still a big concern. My DO reports her neighbors shot a looter (it may not be politically correct, but I applaud their initiative). Natives don't care, they just want out. Shelter Commanders compare notes at CAT—we’re all seriously concerned about tempers rising in the shelters. Believe the Natives are just about at the breaking point.
- Still no a/c. Lots of sweat and little sleep.
02 Sep (Fri):
- Security situation better. Natives' are about worn out. Wing/CC authorizes release from shelters. Six days and five nights we will never forget, and the recovery efforts have only just begun.
To say that Hurricane Katrina has been a "life event" would be an understatement. During my time running the Bryan Hall shelter I saw the best and the worst of people first-hand. Some sat in their little piece of floor space and watched others work to make the situation better. Most looked for every opportunity to help others and to make our little slice of hell a little more comfortable. I was amazed at how easy it was to read their faces. I could see clearly as fear changed to shock, disbelief, then anger. I watched in amazement as the anger was replaced with a calm sense of resolve and focus to simply move forward and do what needed to be done. From the little boy I found wandering the halls at midnight (obviously looking for a bathroom) to the lieutenants who stepped up, took charge when I asked, and showed all of us what "officership" is all about, every person in that shelter taught me their own unique and valuable lesson about command.
The CE troops and the Cops in my shelter taught me the meaning of dedication. I watched them tramp in and out on shift work throughout the storm and its aftermath. They were wet, muddy, sweaty, and tired. But every time they came through those doors they took time to find someone whose house they checked on and they always stopped by to give me an update on what they saw. To quote a favorite TV show of mine, "They were…magnificent." My Wing/CC described it perfectly a few days after the storm. Some puffed-up colonel called him up in the CAT and said "General so-and-so is coming down there. I want to know who the most important person on that base is and I want their name right now." The boss' response was classic. "Well, colonel, the most important person on this base is a Staff Sergeant with a chainsaw and if you'll give me ten minutes I'll get that name for you." CE and Cops. If you're looking for the heroes of Keesler, I'll be happy to escort you to their buildings.
As for the rest of the folks in the shelter, they were just as amazing in a different way. For all but the first 16 hours of our 6-day adventure they lived in a hot, poorly-ventilated building with virtually no amenities but running water. Most slept on tile floors. All slept in puddles of their own sweat. All spent 5 days not knowing whether or not they had a home to go home to. Yet through all of it, they kept a sense of humor and worked together to make the best of a bad situation. Even in the darkest moments I never walked down the hall without hearing a constant stream of "Morning, Colonel!" "How's it going, Sir?" or "Hey, Sir! When's the beer truck getting here?" I was only chewed out once by a shelteree. I would argue that in a "typical" group of 731 people, I would've been chewed out several times a day at least.
In my 19 years of service I have never seen a better demonstration of the military "family", or a better demonstration of true professionalism. I have to add, though, that what I've seen in the 12 days since has been just as impressive. The base and its leadership have been amazing. In addition to bringing our mission back on-line in less than 3 weeks, we've provided critical support to local communities. At last count, we'd sent nearly 50 missions out the gates to deliver food, water, and medical support. I was the CAT Director when a local cop showed up and said the shelter down the street had an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting. The boss had medical teams, food, and water on site within 30 minutes. The list goes on and on.
The same is true for my own unit. With more than one-third of my squadron homeless, my troops (military and civilian) have done things that will bring a tear to anyone's eye. Not one single person in my unit has cleaned out a storm-damaged home alone. We've had teams out every day helping squadron members and retirees (and sometimes people we didn't even know) cut trees and clean out flooded homes. They have made me proud to be part of their team and proud to be part of the US military. They have taught me when it comes right down to it they don't need leadership. They are, each and every one of them, leaders in their own right. Leaders with the willingness, the desire, and the compassion to do the right thing without being told. In truth, they don't need a commander, they only need a cheerleader who will give them the support and the freedom they need to do what needs to be done. When I look back in years to come and ponder what Hurricane Katrina taught me about command that may just be the most important lesson of all.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
What a nice weekend!
A weekend of camping was just what the BSU & I needed, I think. We had a wonderful time camping. We set out for the Forestry Service campgrounds just up South Fork canyon on Friday morning only to discover they were all locked up for the winter... Hmm...
Well, let's call Wasatch Mountain State Park and see if we can get in there. Two quick phone calls on the cell phone, and we were set. We just had to set our compass south, head down I84 and then I40 until the turn off just before Heber City. An hour and a half- tops.
And so we found a dandy nice campsite in the Oak Hollow section, set up and relaxed. I got to loose myself in The Godfather Returns, a new novel by Mark Winegardner. I picked this up on a whim a few weeks ago, have been enjoying it a little piece at a time and finally got to dig in and read it in great big hunks this weekend. Its a dandy story of all the characters from Mario Puzo's original Godfather works. I admit, it was a really good page-turner of a story. I finally finished the last few pages just a little while ago.
We did some sightseeing on Saturday into Heber City and Midway. We visited the Heber Valley Railroad station, though we didn't ride the train, we saw the 2002 Olympic Cross COuntry Ski venue, Soldier Hollow and we had ice cream at a bustling little place that was obviously a locals favorite. We also visited the Heber Valley Aero Museum and had a nice look around at a very fine museum. The portion we got to see was just the main display area, which is tightly housed in a hangar, we did not get to see any of the annexes. Which leaves us an excuse to go back another day!
Sandy the dog was with us and she and I had a nice hike up the nature trail in the campground Saturday morning. In between we had some nice lunches and a nap or two, a good fire in the firepit on Saturday night and steaks to eat.
The weather was glorious and never got too cold or too hot. The maples and oaks were in their finest, blazing colors, (sorry, not my photo but you get the idea) and all in all, it was a perfect autumn weekend. We made the adventurous trip over Guardsman Pass and felt like a Ford Truck commercial pulling our camper up and over that rugged road. Here's another picture I found online of Guardman Pass.
So we made it home safely, the boy had kept the house in one piece while we were away, everything's been either put away or is being routed throught the washing/drying/folding process and I'm showered and shaved. With good coffee to drink... I really gotta get a coffee maker for the camper! Tasters Choice just does not cut it! And the BSU just startled me by telling me that West Wing is on right now, which means she would like me to join her.
So, I will!
Well, let's call Wasatch Mountain State Park and see if we can get in there. Two quick phone calls on the cell phone, and we were set. We just had to set our compass south, head down I84 and then I40 until the turn off just before Heber City. An hour and a half- tops.
And so we found a dandy nice campsite in the Oak Hollow section, set up and relaxed. I got to loose myself in The Godfather Returns, a new novel by Mark Winegardner. I picked this up on a whim a few weeks ago, have been enjoying it a little piece at a time and finally got to dig in and read it in great big hunks this weekend. Its a dandy story of all the characters from Mario Puzo's original Godfather works. I admit, it was a really good page-turner of a story. I finally finished the last few pages just a little while ago.
We did some sightseeing on Saturday into Heber City and Midway. We visited the Heber Valley Railroad station, though we didn't ride the train, we saw the 2002 Olympic Cross COuntry Ski venue, Soldier Hollow and we had ice cream at a bustling little place that was obviously a locals favorite. We also visited the Heber Valley Aero Museum and had a nice look around at a very fine museum. The portion we got to see was just the main display area, which is tightly housed in a hangar, we did not get to see any of the annexes. Which leaves us an excuse to go back another day!
Sandy the dog was with us and she and I had a nice hike up the nature trail in the campground Saturday morning. In between we had some nice lunches and a nap or two, a good fire in the firepit on Saturday night and steaks to eat.
The weather was glorious and never got too cold or too hot. The maples and oaks were in their finest, blazing colors, (sorry, not my photo but you get the idea) and all in all, it was a perfect autumn weekend. We made the adventurous trip over Guardsman Pass and felt like a Ford Truck commercial pulling our camper up and over that rugged road. Here's another picture I found online of Guardman Pass.
So we made it home safely, the boy had kept the house in one piece while we were away, everything's been either put away or is being routed throught the washing/drying/folding process and I'm showered and shaved. With good coffee to drink... I really gotta get a coffee maker for the camper! Tasters Choice just does not cut it! And the BSU just startled me by telling me that West Wing is on right now, which means she would like me to join her.
So, I will!
Tough week for my blogging buddies-
First it was Kenny, last week being struck down by pulmonary embolism, then later this week, scooter owner and blogger
Steve looses an unprovoked argument with an automobile while on his scooter! He spent 3 days in the hospital while the medical folks ensured his head was ok. His scooter is wrecked, he says totaled, and based upon his report, it probably is a goner.
Anyway, Kenny is predicting to be back at work on Monday and Steve has emailed to say that he is well on the way towards recovering from his injuries. I hope they both are getting better and healing.
Get better guys!
Steve looses an unprovoked argument with an automobile while on his scooter! He spent 3 days in the hospital while the medical folks ensured his head was ok. His scooter is wrecked, he says totaled, and based upon his report, it probably is a goner.
Anyway, Kenny is predicting to be back at work on Monday and Steve has emailed to say that he is well on the way towards recovering from his injuries. I hope they both are getting better and healing.
Get better guys!
Friday, September 30, 2005
Skipping school tonight!
The spouse the dog and I are headed out camping! The weather guessers have predicted a glorious autumn weekend and its too good to miss. We are also right in the sweet spot, after Labor Day and before rifle deer hunting season.
So I've had my first coffee and now we are going to start loading up. Won't be home till Sunday. The boy will be here though, so the cats will get fed and the house protected.
So I've had my first coffee and now we are going to start loading up. Won't be home till Sunday. The boy will be here though, so the cats will get fed and the house protected.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Today's topic--SELF IMPROVEMENT!
It is Thursday Three time again! Terry wants to know what self-improvement efforts are important to each of us. So go read his thoughts, read my responses and feel free to leave some comments in the comments box. As always, I'll add some links to this post later on today.
1) What one language would you most like to learn to speak, or at least understand?
Spanish, I suppose, since my community has a significant hispanic population and I would like to be able to communicate clearly with the people that are part of my neighborhood. I do believe that immigrants need to learn to communicate in the local language, no matter what language they bring with them from home, but I also recognize the necessity of being able to communicate with those that don't speak English. Its just a realistic fact of life and I would like to be able to share in the richness of my neighborhood by understanding more of what is said around me. Since I don't intend to immigrate to any other country where English isn't the native language, I don't see any need to learn French or Russian or Swahili.
2) What one skill would you most like to learn?
I'd like to be able to play music on a mountain dulcimer. I have no musical skills beyond operating most of the controls on my car stereo. I was once upon a time able to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on my brother Tim's violin. He took lessons in school, I learned from him. After that bit of musical prowess and the usual recorder training in grade school, my skills are restricted to getting the wrapper off of an occasional CD purchase. Pathetic, I know. But I really like the sound of the mountain dulcimer and I would like nothing better than to be able to play old-time gospel tunes on a dulcimer of my own. I like hammer dulcimer music too but I wish I could learn the laptop, stringed dulcimer. Here's a picture of a woman playing a dulcimer. I suppose if I were to learn to play the hammer dulcimer, I could qualify to wear this shirt since I've been to to get hammered in the past.
3) What one character flaw would you most like to rid yourself of?
Character flaw? Get real!
I don't tolerate fools well and I don't spend much time worrying about what other people are thinking or saying about me. People tend to think I am aloof or rude when in fact, most of the time I'm just distracted by tasks and deadlines and schoolwork planning. So maybe I can learn to relax and smile at more folks.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Kenny is Home!
And if you visit his blog, Coffee in the Morning, he will tell you the details. I'm just really pleased to hear that he has survived what might have been a really close call.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Rats! Kenny's sick!
That's my buddy from work Kenny, proud owner of Coffee in the Morning, from over there in my blog list, is laid up with some dangerous problems. I won't divulge what I overheard from Kenny's boss this morning until I get a chance to talk to him or maybe he will be well enough to tell everyone from his blog in the near future.
But I'm mad at him because of this 'cause he was supposed to be arranging a prairie dog shoot for a weekend real soon. Now that shoot will be off until springtime, soonest.
Get better Big Guy!
But I'm mad at him because of this 'cause he was supposed to be arranging a prairie dog shoot for a weekend real soon. Now that shoot will be off until springtime, soonest.
Get better Big Guy!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Mostly Cajun's After Action Report- Its a Sad One
The good news is Dale, Tanker, from Mostly Cajun survived Hurricane Rita. He is alive and picking up the pieces. The bad news is, his home is gone and his 4 beloved cats and all his earthly possesions, all lost to a fire after he returned to start fixing things.
The guy is homeless and grieving his pets but still able to be kind and thankful. Go read the whole story and wish him well.
The guy is homeless and grieving his pets but still able to be kind and thankful. Go read the whole story and wish him well.
Why did I buy a chainsaw?
You mean besides the fact that chainsaws are noisy, smelly and dangerous?
I'll use it once or twice a year. I have a tree in my back yard right now that needs to come down.
I'll add it to the disaster relief tool check list of needed items in the truck.
It only cost $10.
Hey, a guy needs a chainsaw...
I'll use it once or twice a year. I have a tree in my back yard right now that needs to come down.
I'll add it to the disaster relief tool check list of needed items in the truck.
It only cost $10.
Hey, a guy needs a chainsaw...
"Sorry about that, Chief"
The comic, Don Adams, that played Maxwell Smart has passed away at age 82.
Get Smart was one of the earliest programs I remember watching regularly. I thought it was hilarious and so did my Dad, if I recall correctly.
I've also been known to use that line of apology in my lifetime... Maybe more than once!
Get Smart was one of the earliest programs I remember watching regularly. I thought it was hilarious and so did my Dad, if I recall correctly.
I've also been known to use that line of apology in my lifetime... Maybe more than once!
Yard Sailing Saleing! My mom would be proud-
I bought a chainsaw- 10 bucks! It's a Stihl, 14" bladed machine and after a couple hours of oily sawdust extraction and some carburetor cleaner blasting, it runs like a champ! It fired right up after 3 pulls of the handle once I got it all put back together and the spark plug cleaned and some fresh fuel in the tank. I do need to purchase a new chain, which I understand is going to triple my total investment, but heck, it's a $10 chain saw!
Also following me home was a high-lift hydraulic jack. This neat find has a 1.5 ton capacity and a stroke of 14 or 15 inches. There is an adjustable height chain and bumper hook attached to the head and with the addition of a few ounces of jack fluid, it works perfectly. Its supposedly old, the retired gent I bought it from told me his dad carried it in his trunk for years, but it seems to be in really great shape. I thought maybe the boy could use it for Tracker extraction instead of the huge mechanical high lift jack he carries whenever he goes off-road.
So, I got two perfectly functioning and interesting tools, and some pleasant conversation with a nice gentleman for 20 bucks. I think we were both pretty satisfied with the deal!
Signed up for next term already-
LG324- Contract Management and Law and LG201- Systems Engineering and Analysis. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 until 7:15 PM, starting 24 October.
According to my count, I have 10 classes, 5 terms remaining to finish my degree, meaning I will be done in October 06.
The BSU is not interested in hearing me discuss further education after my bachelor's degree...!
My scooter's a year old!
I'll just have to owe you a wrap-up of my first year's scooter ownership and I'll try to manage that this week. But the scoot's a year old and I'm still enjoying owning and riding it. It was only 42 degrees this morning, so I didn't ride it today, but its been great while the weather was tolerable.
Just a few more days and weeks of riding to work now that fall is here and winter approaches but I'll keep doing it whenever it can be pleasant.
Just a few more days and weeks of riding to work now that fall is here and winter approaches but I'll keep doing it whenever it can be pleasant.
Scooters making the news in Happy Valley
Sunday's Daily Herald newspaper has an article about the wonderfulness of
scooters for commuting and saving fuel while getting around in Utah Valley State College and surrounding environs. Mostly its talking about the Vespa "boutique" in Orem but its nice to see scooters getting the public recognition in the very mainstream press.
scooters for commuting and saving fuel while getting around in Utah Valley State College and surrounding environs. Mostly its talking about the Vespa "boutique" in Orem but its nice to see scooters getting the public recognition in the very mainstream press.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Tanker from Mostly Cajun has bugged out!
If you go look at the weather links at Tanker's blog, you will see that he has changed his mind from riding out Hurricane Rita at home to heading out for undisclosed higher ground. So Tanker, wherever you are, I hope you and the cats are safe.
El Capitan from Baboon Pirates has made it out of downtown Houston and his work site for the security of his abode to await the coming storm. He's preparing to ensure the security of his neighboorhood from some less friendly folks across the fence.
El Capitan's got cats to mind too. How about that? Anyway, these two guys are regulars on my blogroll and Hurrican Rita is about to make their lives difficult. Wish them well.
El Capitan from Baboon Pirates has made it out of downtown Houston and his work site for the security of his abode to await the coming storm. He's preparing to ensure the security of his neighboorhood from some less friendly folks across the fence.
El Capitan's got cats to mind too. How about that? Anyway, these two guys are regulars on my blogroll and Hurrican Rita is about to make their lives difficult. Wish them well.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Its Thursday again!
Which means its time for the Thursday Three questions from our illustrious Axis of Weevil leader, Terry. He dug pretty deep for some questions this week.
Another major life change that could have gone another way? That's gotta be the re-marrying the current BSU after we divorced in 1992. In hind sight, I don't know how it could have gone any other way but for us to get back together after a stupid and destructive breakup that left everybody hurting. At the time, we could have just gone opposite directions, I could have been a weekend and holiday Dad, writing a check for child support each month and following my own interests with the pittance of funds I had remaining. Fortunately for all of us, the BSU and I were able to put away some terrible hurt and anger, begin talking and eventually find our way back to an altar to get remarried. Our anniversary for the first time we got married in 1982 just passed this week, the anniversary we celebrate is coming up next month.
Third thing? If I can't think of a third event that makes me curious as to the alternative outcome, what does that mean? That I've only made good choices throughout my life? Hardly. There's a relationship that I wonder how it might have gone differently but you don't need to know about that.
Well, my first years in the Air Force were as a crew chief on helicopters and I really liked the immediacy of being on the flight line. Fixing aircraft, meeting flying schedule requirements and occasionally be tangentially responsible for rescuing a stranded hunter or crashed fighter pilot was pretty powerful, ego motivating stuff. If I were to go back in time, I might have been satisfied to just go back to doing the same work during the 1940s and 1950s. I think working the flight line at a place like Edwards AFB in southern California while the 100 series fighter jets were being developed would have been pretty exciting stuff.
1) Name three events that occurred in your life that you look back on occasionally and wonder how things might have turned out if you had done something different.Three things? Probably the first event that causes me to wonder how things might have turned out differently ocurred in the summer of 1973, between my junior and senior year in high school. My parents moved from Dublin, Indiana to Alliance, Ohio and I went with them. I was offered the opportunity to stay behind in Indiana, to live with a family from church and to graduate with my classmates that I had been in school with since junior high school. I liked Indiana, I had a job, a car and a motorcycle and a couple girlfriends, so leaving it all to move to a new school and town was pretty daunting. I have a sneaking suspicion that had I stayed in the Hoosier state, I would never have left, much like many of my classmates who still live very near the community of Cambridge City where we attended Lincoln High School. I suspect I know the girlfriend that I would have asked to be my bride. Instead, I moved to Ohio, attended a new high school where I knew no one and a new church where I did meet the future, first spouse. From Alliance and a few years of hacking at different jobs, I joined up with the USAF and the rest is history.
Another major life change that could have gone another way? That's gotta be the re-marrying the current BSU after we divorced in 1992. In hind sight, I don't know how it could have gone any other way but for us to get back together after a stupid and destructive breakup that left everybody hurting. At the time, we could have just gone opposite directions, I could have been a weekend and holiday Dad, writing a check for child support each month and following my own interests with the pittance of funds I had remaining. Fortunately for all of us, the BSU and I were able to put away some terrible hurt and anger, begin talking and eventually find our way back to an altar to get remarried. Our anniversary for the first time we got married in 1982 just passed this week, the anniversary we celebrate is coming up next month.
Third thing? If I can't think of a third event that makes me curious as to the alternative outcome, what does that mean? That I've only made good choices throughout my life? Hardly. There's a relationship that I wonder how it might have gone differently but you don't need to know about that.
2) If you could have lived in another time, what would it be? One stipulation--you have to be pretty much what you are right now--no going back in time and being Alexander the Great, no being Einstein or Moses or Casanova. If you’re a teacher, you’ll still be a teacher; a doctor, still a doctor; a car mechanic--well figure that one out on your own. You wouldn’t know the future, either--so no going back and betting on horse races and stuff. You would just be you, only in another time and place.
Well, my first years in the Air Force were as a crew chief on helicopters and I really liked the immediacy of being on the flight line. Fixing aircraft, meeting flying schedule requirements and occasionally be tangentially responsible for rescuing a stranded hunter or crashed fighter pilot was pretty powerful, ego motivating stuff. If I were to go back in time, I might have been satisfied to just go back to doing the same work during the 1940s and 1950s. I think working the flight line at a place like Edwards AFB in southern California while the 100 series fighter jets were being developed would have been pretty exciting stuff.
3) What one aspect of your life, such as your family, job, social life, spiritual life, creative ability, etc., do you find most rewarding?Geez, Terry has come up with some tough questions today! What's the One Thing about my life I find rewarding? I think I've been a pretty good Dad, especially over the past 8 or 10 years or so and I'm always pleased when one of my kids tells me they appreciate something I taught them, if only through example. I'm pretty certain that I have given my boys a decent example of my idea what being a man and a husband is all about. I think I do fair as a husband too, though it took me a few years to get the hang of it.
Storm Donations Found at Official's Home
What? Corruption and theft by government employees in Louisiana? Impossible! It couldn't possibly be true, could it?
Storm Donations Found at Official's Home
Storm Donations Found at Official's Home
BATON ROUGE, La. - Police found cases of food, clothing and tools intended for hurricane victims at the home of the chief administrative officer for a New Orleans suburb, authorities said Wednesday.He was probably just storing it for safekeeping... Don't you suppose?
Officers searched Cedric Floyd's home because of complaints that city workers were helping themselves to donations for hurricane victims. Floyd, who runs the day-to-day operations in the suburb of Kenner, was in charge of distributing the goods.
Police plan to seek a charge of committing an illegal act as a public official against Floyd, and more charges against other city workers are possible, police Capt. Steve Caraway said.
The donations filled a large pickup truck four times. "It was an awful lot of stuff," Caraway said.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Mobsters and Mormons- a movie review
Here's a little secret- if you want to be able to get a really good seat in the theater, go to see a movie about Mormons, on Sunday afternoon! The BSU and I went yesterday and just 10 minutes before the show started we had the theater to ourselves. Nobody was in the room until we were and when the movie began there still was less than a dozen people watching.
There is a whole series of Mormon based movies that have been released of the past few years, Mobsters and Mormons was the only one we have seen. The most recent one that I wanted to see was Baptists at our Barbeque. I suppose these films are playing nationwide, but, since I'm not everywhere, I can't say for certain. Since these are written by Mormons for Mormons, you can very safely take the entire family without fear that anyone will be offended by language or nudity or violence.
Mobsters and Mormons is the story of one gangster, Carmine "Beans" Pasquale and his family entering the Witness Protection Program and being transported from New Jersey to Provo Utah- Happy Valley. They of course are set up in a white bread suburban neighborhood and immediately set upon by the very friendly Mormon neighbors from all sides.
It’s a funny movie. Some of the hijinks are rather predictable and you know there's going to be a happy ending, which it does. But it also shows the Utah Mormon culture for some of its foibles and idiosyncracies. We laughed, the other 10 people in the theater laughed and then we had dinner at Village Inn. Just the two of us, I don't know where the other folks had dinner.
Sadly, I did not get any popcorn yesterday with my movie, which I consider a requirement. In the first place there were only two people working the concession stand and in the second place, their cash registers and debit card machines were dead so they were making change by hand and recording their sales by hand in a spiral notebook! This of course cauesed a long line to form and there was no notification of the problems until I waited my turn in the line almost to the very front. Since all I had was my debit card, there was no popcorn for me yesterday. Rats!
Finally, I noticed that the header at the top of the Baptists at Our Barbeque website misspelled Baptists!
There is a whole series of Mormon based movies that have been released of the past few years, Mobsters and Mormons was the only one we have seen. The most recent one that I wanted to see was Baptists at our Barbeque. I suppose these films are playing nationwide, but, since I'm not everywhere, I can't say for certain. Since these are written by Mormons for Mormons, you can very safely take the entire family without fear that anyone will be offended by language or nudity or violence.
Mobsters and Mormons is the story of one gangster, Carmine "Beans" Pasquale and his family entering the Witness Protection Program and being transported from New Jersey to Provo Utah- Happy Valley. They of course are set up in a white bread suburban neighborhood and immediately set upon by the very friendly Mormon neighbors from all sides.
It’s a funny movie. Some of the hijinks are rather predictable and you know there's going to be a happy ending, which it does. But it also shows the Utah Mormon culture for some of its foibles and idiosyncracies. We laughed, the other 10 people in the theater laughed and then we had dinner at Village Inn. Just the two of us, I don't know where the other folks had dinner.
Sadly, I did not get any popcorn yesterday with my movie, which I consider a requirement. In the first place there were only two people working the concession stand and in the second place, their cash registers and debit card machines were dead so they were making change by hand and recording their sales by hand in a spiral notebook! This of course cauesed a long line to form and there was no notification of the problems until I waited my turn in the line almost to the very front. Since all I had was my debit card, there was no popcorn for me yesterday. Rats!
Finally, I noticed that the header at the top of the Baptists at Our Barbeque website misspelled Baptists!
Sunday, September 18, 2005
There's a distinct lack of cooling vents-
ok, so Peugout built this fancy-shmancy terrarium of a concept car called Moovie. I can't help but think it looks like every James Bond- bad guy's underground super-secret mega-stronghold shuttle pod.
While Peugot is obviously very proud of this device and its designer, it leaves me with a few questions. Like, how big is the trailer going to be to haul around the air conditioner unit that will keep that terrarium cool? And, how are they going to cool that fishbowl with only two tiny vents at each end of that desk/dash panel? Since there are no pedals or other controls, I assume there must be a mind reading chrome helmet that fits over the driver's head and senses his desires, so where's the helmet? Hmm?
I think it might make a fabulous display in the entry to Peugot corporate headquarters- if they fill it with water and tropical fish!
While Peugot is obviously very proud of this device and its designer, it leaves me with a few questions. Like, how big is the trailer going to be to haul around the air conditioner unit that will keep that terrarium cool? And, how are they going to cool that fishbowl with only two tiny vents at each end of that desk/dash panel? Since there are no pedals or other controls, I assume there must be a mind reading chrome helmet that fits over the driver's head and senses his desires, so where's the helmet? Hmm?
I think it might make a fabulous display in the entry to Peugot corporate headquarters- if they fill it with water and tropical fish!
Phantom Scooter updates
All is well with the Phantom. I have been working pretty diligently on my modified motor mount that ill provide increased clearance for the carburetor and relieve the space needed for the cold start solonoid. The mount is done, I've even had it fitted into the scoot. But I had to do a little grinding for clearance- after I had painted it. And I had painted it a couple times, unsatisfactorally, so now it needs sandblasted clean before I paint it and install it.
That should be later today. I have to go to the base Hobby Shop to use their sandblaster and before I can use it, I have to fix it, which is typical. I tried to use it last week but there wasn't enough grit to cover the pickup, no lights and no exhaust fan. So, I'll hack their equipment into shape well enough to do my mount, bringit home for a shot of Krylon and stick it into the scooter this afternoon.
I've received a couple nice emails from folks asking about my continued results with my scoot and advice about buying their own. Its been pleasant trying to offer advice or suggestions and its nice that this humble blog is serving a purpose to a few folks. So, I guess I'll keep it up!
That should be later today. I have to go to the base Hobby Shop to use their sandblaster and before I can use it, I have to fix it, which is typical. I tried to use it last week but there wasn't enough grit to cover the pickup, no lights and no exhaust fan. So, I'll hack their equipment into shape well enough to do my mount, bringit home for a shot of Krylon and stick it into the scooter this afternoon.
I've received a couple nice emails from folks asking about my continued results with my scoot and advice about buying their own. Its been pleasant trying to offer advice or suggestions and its nice that this humble blog is serving a purpose to a few folks. So, I guess I'll keep it up!
Cooler weather means another jacket!
The BSU gives me grief that I own too many jackets and maybe its true. But I wear all of them for different reasons and a different times and I ususally make them last a number of years before tossing them out or giving them away. Since the fall weather has moved in, (its just 45 degrees this morning, I decided I needed another scooter riding jacket. It took me 2 tries and return postage but I finally got this Fieldsheer Spiga jacket from Brockton Cycle. The jacket I bought is yellow everywhere the picture shows blue or red. This jacket came with a quilted liner that will also fit inside my mesh jacket for those days when it is 50 degrees in the morning and 80 degrees in the afternoon.
And it was on sale- another prerequisite when I buy a jacket!
And it was on sale- another prerequisite when I buy a jacket!
Its Fall here in Utah
We've already had our first mountain snowfall, baseball season is over in Ogden and the hummingbirds have headed for Mexico. I had one remaining hummer at the feeder a time or two this week but its time to take it down for the winter.
The Ogden Raptors couldn't finish off the Orem Owlz in the 3rd game to win their Southern Division playoffs but they did gain a new spectator- the BSU! That's right, the spouse attended 3 games in 10 days with me! The first game was a regular season Friday night, then we saw game 2 and 3 of the playoffs the following week. One of the games we were joined by friends Pat and Vicki, the other game Son Noah attended with us. It was a great way to end the season. The BSU turned out to really enjoy the games and understood what was going on better than she expected. It was great fun sharing the time with her, and with Son Noah too and it increased the time we can spend together if she comes to a game now and then. I won't be buying season tickets for 2006 since I'll still be in school, but after that, I just might!
The Ogden Raptors couldn't finish off the Orem Owlz in the 3rd game to win their Southern Division playoffs but they did gain a new spectator- the BSU! That's right, the spouse attended 3 games in 10 days with me! The first game was a regular season Friday night, then we saw game 2 and 3 of the playoffs the following week. One of the games we were joined by friends Pat and Vicki, the other game Son Noah attended with us. It was a great way to end the season. The BSU turned out to really enjoy the games and understood what was going on better than she expected. It was great fun sharing the time with her, and with Son Noah too and it increased the time we can spend together if she comes to a game now and then. I won't be buying season tickets for 2006 since I'll still be in school, but after that, I just might!
A loss in the blogosphere-
Kim du Toit has taken down the Nation of Riflemen blog. There's been a tremendous amount of stuff going on in the du Toit household, if you haven't been following along and Kim has been job hunting for a real, no-kidding return to the workforce. He has changed the site a couple times in the past weeks to meet his requirements and obligations but now its just gone. Dang!
Geek with a 45 has been in touch with Kim and is assured that all is well. maybe there will be an explanation as well soon. So I'm leaving the link on my page for now and give it some time.
I sure like reading Kim's gun reports and essays so I hope he puts it back online. Sombody smarter than me knew how to locate many of Kim's archived pages, you can go here to read them for yourself.
Geek with a 45 has been in touch with Kim and is assured that all is well. maybe there will be an explanation as well soon. So I'm leaving the link on my page for now and give it some time.
I sure like reading Kim's gun reports and essays so I hope he puts it back online. Sombody smarter than me knew how to locate many of Kim's archived pages, you can go here to read them for yourself.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Thursday Three returns!
Well its time for the Thursday Three again, back by popular request and general apathy towards creating our own, original material. If you're a newcomer around here or Possumblog, get on over to Terry's blog and check out the re-introduction of the TT.
So, on with the questions, and my answers!
1. With the recent hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast, it has once again been made obvious that being prepared ahead of time can be the difference between life and death. Do you and your family keep an emergency pack of supplies ready to go at a moment's instant as so many people recommend? What all is in it?
2. If, heaven forbid, anything as destructive as a hurricane or earthquake or fire or flood were to hit your community, and assuming you stayed around or couldn't get out, what are some of the skills you have that you think could be utilized to start the recovery efforts?
3. How safe do you feel in your own community when it comes to disaster preparedness?
So, on with the questions, and my answers!
1. With the recent hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast, it has once again been made obvious that being prepared ahead of time can be the difference between life and death. Do you and your family keep an emergency pack of supplies ready to go at a moment's instant as so many people recommend? What all is in it?
Right now, my family does not have an emergency evacuation package or bug-out kit. After considering the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, I have decided that a kit is required. We do live just 1/2 mile downhill from a earthquake fault line after all… As for what is in it? Since it doesn't exist, nothing's in it. What do I intend to put in it? Hmm. I am envisioning a large plastic bin that can be stuffed into my truck's bed. I expect to fill it with bottled water, canned foods or MREs, a comprehensive first aid kit, and some kind of lighting and cooking tools. Also, one of those crank wind radios. In addition, I think a second bin that can be loaded on a moment's notice with clothes, bedding and the folder of documents we don't want to loose. Protective tools, ie, guns and ammo will be part of the package as well but I haven't figured out that aspect just yet and the camper will probably get its year-round readiness status upgraded.
2. If, heaven forbid, anything as destructive as a hurricane or earthquake or fire or flood were to hit your community, and assuming you stayed around or couldn't get out, what are some of the skills you have that you think could be utilized to start the recovery efforts?
I'm a guy, so, by my definition, I'm handy and can make decisions. This would be unlike mayor Nagin of New Orleans, who seems to be neither. So, I'm pretty good at figuring out how to get things done. I have a truck and can haul and move heavy things. I'm better at begging forgiveness than asking or waiting for permission when I see something that needs doing. I've got passable first aid skills. If I'm dressed, I have a Swiss Army Knife in my pocket.
3. How safe do you feel in your own community when it comes to disaster preparedness?
First of all, Ogden won't go under water and the hurricanes that are trackable and predictable don't come to Utah. Our disaster will be an earthquake, and nobody is going to get a 72 hour warning from one of those. I suspect that my local government has some kind of plan, though I don't know what it is. I'm also pretty certain that most of my community will be prepared to support themselves either as individuals or through the numerous LDS church wards. The city seems well capable of handling typical tasks like storm cleanup in the winter, so overall, I think we have a capable infrastructure. I just don't think you will see mayor Godfrey standing in front of a microphone begging the federal government to come rescue his citizens as it happened in New Orleans after Katrina.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
The boy gets lucky! Mom & Dad too!
No, this isn't a boastful post about multiple acts of sweaty carnality. And too bad for that... But it is a post about the notification from the hospital that all of the bill for the boy's week long stay, has been written off. Taken care of. Abolished- the hospital and the doctor's bills. All we ever saw was the hospital portion of the bill, $8500 and a couple bucks. I suppose the doctor's bill could easily have added $1500 more to the total.
But, the boy is 21, uninsured through me, unemployed and in school. So after we filled out some forms and provided some supporting documentation, the hospital wrote off the bill. Every dollar of it!
This was very good news for all concerned.
On a related note, the boy is drawing close to graduating from Job Corp. The Toyota dealer, where he had begun a Work Based Learning stint just before going into the hospital, is still interested in having him return to their service bay. Rumor has it that there is a permanent position as soon as he leaves Job Corp as well. I really hope this pans out for him as it would be the perfect affirmation of the effort that he has put into his training this past 18 months.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Mayor Nagin admits he should have done things differently!
UPDATE: I found the transcript! Link added at the quote.
I just watched the 2 hour Dateline special on Hurricane Katrina. At the end of the program, talking to Stone Phillips, mayor Nagin admitted he should have done things differently.
No, he said, "I should have screamed louder." Mayor, that's one hell of a plan! If that is the best you can figure out in hindsight, you are unfit to run the animal shelter. You are still a jackass!
I just watched the 2 hour Dateline special on Hurricane Katrina. At the end of the program, talking to Stone Phillips, mayor Nagin admitted he should have done things differently.
He said, "I should have screamed louder".He didn't say, "I'm going to get the keys to every bus in the city in my hand and a list of assigned drivers." He also didn't say, "I'm going to stockpile bottled water, MREs and porta-potties at the sites chosen as shelters."
No, he said, "I should have screamed louder." Mayor, that's one hell of a plan! If that is the best you can figure out in hindsight, you are unfit to run the animal shelter. You are still a jackass!
I can see snow!
Out the window behind me, right now. Its been cold since Saturday with a storm that came down out of Idaho dumping rain on the valley this morning. But it also dumped some white stuff up there on the mountain before blowing through and leaving clean blue skies in the wake.
My scooter riding days are certainly running out for this year. I'm too old to be riding when its raining and snowing like I did when I was a kid...
Sunday, September 11, 2005
The Name Game from Mostly Cajun-
He's been putting up these nearly weekly posts about baby names coming out of his local newspaper. The posts are classics! Go read some of the names and have a great chuckle.
The guy is sharp so be careful. You might have a soft drink/keyboard/monitor interference moment!
The guy is sharp so be careful. You might have a soft drink/keyboard/monitor interference moment!
I have a new motto to live by-
Mayor Nagin- VIOTY candidate! First nomination!
I put this in the comments to a previous post but its too good not to give a post of its own. Its from an email from my Dad today. I don't know why he's shy about leaving comments- he's NOT a shy guy... Anyway, he has a suggestion:
I think a VIOTY trophy should be designed and perhaps presented to the good mayor if nobody manages to defeat his cluelessness this year. Design suggestions anyone?
If you are going to be founder and CEO of the mayor Nagin fan club, do I, as your father, get family/cutrate membership?
Not only is he a jackass, but certainly very much in the running as Village Idiot of the Year. Since the democrats use the jackass as their emblem, maybe the VIOTY trophy could be designed, using just the rear portion of said animal.
Open for a nationwide design competition? Maybe you could start something using your blogspot?? Might get some very unusual designs.
I think a VIOTY trophy should be designed and perhaps presented to the good mayor if nobody manages to defeat his cluelessness this year. Design suggestions anyone?
Some photos from Biloxi- before and after Katrina
Great aerial photos over at Murdoc Online. He has matched up post-Katrina aerial photos with Google Earth photos from before the store struck. Well worth checking them out.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Two words I am waiting to hear from New Orleans
Actually, the first one is two words- Superfund Site. Does anyone believe that after being so thoroughly contaminated by
the flood water, that there is a way that New Orleans can avoid becoming a Superfund Site? Think of this contamination on EVERYTHING it has touched, every bit of floating furniture, every stick of lumber that was part of someone's home. Its all covered with the same toxic muck and cannot be cleaned, scoured or just tossed into the local landfill. As the water soaks into the ground, doesn't the ground become contaminated with the same disease, toxic chemicals and filth that would cause the EPA fits if it were an industrial clean-up site? I think it does mean that.
Next word I expect to hear from New Orleans? Gitmo. That's right, I expect to hear that the ACLU will be comparing the temporary jail set up in the Greyhound bus terminal to the detention camp for terrorists in Guantanamo Bay. How can they possibly resist the pictures of lonely, deprived, misunderstood citizens locked up behind chain link fences? I don't think they will be able to pass up the opportunity to claim that these stalwart citizens are being mistreated without air conditioning, television, and immediate access to their lawyers.
Those are my predictions for the coming week. Remember, you read them here first!
the flood water, that there is a way that New Orleans can avoid becoming a Superfund Site? Think of this contamination on EVERYTHING it has touched, every bit of floating furniture, every stick of lumber that was part of someone's home. Its all covered with the same toxic muck and cannot be cleaned, scoured or just tossed into the local landfill. As the water soaks into the ground, doesn't the ground become contaminated with the same disease, toxic chemicals and filth that would cause the EPA fits if it were an industrial clean-up site? I think it does mean that.
Next word I expect to hear from New Orleans? Gitmo. That's right, I expect to hear that the ACLU will be comparing the temporary jail set up in the Greyhound bus terminal to the detention camp for terrorists in Guantanamo Bay. How can they possibly resist the pictures of lonely, deprived, misunderstood citizens locked up behind chain link fences? I don't think they will be able to pass up the opportunity to claim that these stalwart citizens are being mistreated without air conditioning, television, and immediate access to their lawyers.
Those are my predictions for the coming week. Remember, you read them here first!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
My Labor Day weekend?
Well, sure; I had one. Didn't everybody? Why is it Thursday already and I haven't written about my weekend. I don't know, busy I guess. So what did I do with 4 entire days off? Let's see...
Friday, the BSU and I did a little shopping and had a very nice lunch in the Union Grill. It is part of the Union pacific railroad station that now houses several nice museums and a gift shop or two. John Moses Browning's original gunsmith bench is here as well as the rest of his shop in the Browning Gun Museum, which I did not get to revisit! It was our first visit to the restaurant but I'm certain it won't be our last. The food was terrific. I had a chicken and sausage gumbo, the spouse had french onion soup and a salad that she raved about. And tiramisu and coffee for desert! Yum.
Friday night was special because I had convinced the spouse to attend a Raptors baseball game with me! We sat on the first base line because I was late getting tickets for my regular area but otherwise it was a nearly perfect baseball night. We even got 33% more baseball than a regular night because we stayed through the midpoint of the top of the 12th inning! We finally walked out when the Raptors went down 7-4 with only one Orem Owl out. By the time we walked the 2 blocks to the truck, the score had changed to 11-4! The Raptors got waxed- terribly.
On a related note- the Raptors face off against the Owlz again on Friday night for the first of 3 playoff games. In the series last week the Raptors only got 2 wins from 7 games against the Owlz. That doesn't bode well for the playoffs but I'm buying tickets for Saturday night's game anyway!
So, where was I? Saturday was homework in the morning, a repair on the scooter and then a movie date. The repair was to one of the handlebar mirror mounts. Underneath the plastic cover is a normal looking set of handlebars and the mirrors mount to welded on brackets. One of the brackets had failed and my first attempt to re-weld the broken stub only lasted one day. So, I cut the entire original bracket off, bent up a new one, drilled the hole for the threaded insert and got it all welded back together. And it all fit... And its lasted 4 days so far!
The movie? Redeye. A very fine thriller movie. Not creepy or supernatural or other-worldly, just a really fine thriller. Worth the admission costs if you like that kind of film.
Sunday- more homework. Then omelets for a late breakfast and then in the afternoon, a trip to Cabelas! Yes! We have a brand new Cabelas Outfitters store down in Lehi, that's 60 miles from home. It just opened earlier this month. The spouse and the boy went along and we had a pretty wonderful time. And I only spent $60! But what a very cool store it is. Its similar in design and scope to the Bass Pro Stores, with an aquarium and a mountain with stuffed animals on display, a small trout stream and a real outfitter's airplane hanging from the ceiling. It would be very easy to rub the numbers on a credit card completely smooth in that place but having the spouse nearby really kept me from going overboard with the purchases. I did buy 3 boxes of ammo for the new rifle, some candy and son Noah got a pair of new jeans.
And since I bought more ammo- of course on Monday we had to shoot it up! First there was a thorough carport clean-up necessary after the boy's engine change that was completed the previous weekend. Then, we got to go shooting and we had a blast. The new Savage 223 rifle took about 6 shots to get it shooting to point of aim. After that I took to shooting someone's left over clay pigeons on a hillside at 150 yards! Heh! What fun that was! I also, finally got the Stevens Favorite shooting where I pointed it. I even hit the prairie dog targets that I set at 75 yards 3 times out of 6 using my Model 19 from a sandbag!
Afterwards, there was a dandy dinner at home and guns to clean before sitting down to a little television watching with the spouse. And that's how I spent my weekend!
I'm sending this in through an email post with no time to chase links right now. Tonight maybe. More likely tomorrow. Check back!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
The Ray Nagin Memorial Motor Pool
There's lots more pictures and a detailed look at New Orleans' Emergency Evacuation Plan over at Junkyard Blog. You really need to go read the whole thing and understand, city and state officials had exercised the Emergency plans, repeatedly, they knew the plans did not work when ran as an exercise and they did nothing to fix the shortcomings.
Apparently, it was President Bush's personal call to Governor Blanco, who then called Mayor Nagin that actually got the mandatory evacuation underway.
I'm sure glad Nagin's not my mayor!
Apparently, it was President Bush's personal call to Governor Blanco, who then called Mayor Nagin that actually got the mandatory evacuation underway.
I'm sure glad Nagin's not my mayor!
I wish I wrote as eloquently as Bill Whittle-
But I don't, by a long shot. So you have to go read his most recent essay, Tribes. I think like Bill thinks, I just can't say it nearly as well.
My Tribe doesn’t fire on people risking their lives, coming to help us. My Tribe doesn’t curse such people because they arrived on Day Four, when we felt they should have been here before breakfast on Day One. We are grateful, not to say indebted, that they have come at all. My Tribe can’t eat Nike’s and we don’t know how to feed seven by boiling a wide-screen TV. My Tribe doesn’t give a sweet God Damn about what color the looters are, or what color the rescuers are, because we can plainly see before our very eyes that both those Tribes have colors enough to cover everyone in glory or in shame. My Tribe doesn’t see black and white skins. My Tribe only sees black and white hats, and the hat we choose to wear is the most personal decision we can make.Read the whole thing...
Friday, September 02, 2005
Decorating my computer-
I bought one of these USB Lava Lights! At Target, on sale, about half of the price on this page.
Its very cool!
Its very cool!
Another thought or two about Katrina- and preparations
Today I listened to the mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, railing at the federal government for not stepping in fast enough to rescue his city. Its on the CNN video page right now but I can't figure out how to link it. I did find a transcript. Since then, I've been thinking about what the mayor did, since his time in office, to prepare for this type of disaster and disaster response.
He did order the city evacuated before the hurricane struck, didn't he? Sure he did. First on Saturday:
But if he was so concerned with getting the people of New Orleans out of town, why are these buses still parked in a flooded yard? Why weren't they loaded with citizens and driven out of town while there was still time? And just 30 boats was all the city could scrounge for rescue efforts? Come on mayor! That's hardly a preparation plan!
Great plan Mayor, ya jackass!
He did order the city evacuated before the hurricane struck, didn't he? Sure he did. First on Saturday:
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin followed at 5 p.m., issuing a voluntary evacuation.
Nagin said late Saturday that he's having his legal staff look into whether he can order a mandatory evacuation of the city, a step he's been hesitant to do because of potential liability on the part of the city for closing hotels and other businesses.
"Come the first break of light in the morning, you may have the first mandatory evacuation of New Orleans," Nagin told WWL-TV.
But if he was so concerned with getting the people of New Orleans out of town, why are these buses still parked in a flooded yard? Why weren't they loaded with citizens and driven out of town while there was still time? And just 30 boats was all the city could scrounge for rescue efforts? Come on mayor! That's hardly a preparation plan!
In a somewhat surreal morning news conference, Mayor Ray Nagin issued an emergency order giving state and local authorities the right to commandeer private buildings and vehicles -- including boats -- as they see fit. The mayor did not say which buildings might be seized for public use, but said that if the Superdome became too full, additional buildings might be needed for shelter.So Nagin takes the President and FEMA and everyone he can think of to blame for not resucing his people, he wanted every greayhound bus in America on its way to save his people, but all he had was 30 boats and a couple hundres schools buses abandoned and unused.
Nagin also said the city has 30 boats at its disposal, but could need far more, depending on the water level in the city after the storm.
Great plan Mayor, ya jackass!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Thinking about New Orleans
Last night I told the BSU that I wanted to go to the bank and get a loan. I said I needed 6 new dump trucks, 2 front end loaders and an RV. And trailers to transport the loaders. She of course, looked at me like I had just announced a plan to take over the world, when all I really had expressed was my business plan for the next 5 years.
I've been looking at the pictures of New Orleans, on the web and the television. I even found some satellite pictures from before and after Katrina last night. My heart truly goes out to all the people that have lost everything they owned, that are homeless, jobless and sleeping on interstate overpasses. It is a disaster of huge proportions and I do not have any solutions that will resolve the human suffering that is going on our Gulf Coast right now.
I can see that the city of New Orleans will need to be scraped clean to the ground and rebuilt. All those homes that have been underwater to the rafters cannot be repaired. Those thousands of homes will need to be bulldozed and carried away, every scrap. With the threat of water-borne disease that is being discussed, this scrap will need to be treated as hazardous waste- biological waste perhaps.
The state of Louisiana needs a new landfill to contain the debris that needs scraped out of New Orleans. It will be a massive landfill and it needs to prepared right now.
My suggestion? Lake Ponchartrain looks pretty good, just on the other side of that failed levee and Lakeshore Drive. Maybe they won't need the entire lake but they need a significant portion to levee off, drain and use as a landfill.
If I could, I would be there with my dump trucks, loaders and some reliable operators, next week, applying for permits and contracts that will be forthcoming to assist in the cleanup. There is going to be lots of work for people willing to get into the cleanup effort and all that has to be done before the building trades folks can go to work.
I think it will turn into a historic effort. It will be an effort that reflects the resilience and strength and savvy that built this country in the first place. As Americans, we will do the right thing, do ourselves proud and show the world that we will not be beaten even in the face of such disaster.
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