We are back down in GA for the second time this year. We got to see the latest addition to Todd's family.....3 month old Ava. :) Todd get's deployed back to Iraq in a couple of weeks so it was a nice opportunity to see him off and wish him well. He has a desk job this time so hopefully he can keep himself out of trouble.
The trip was a little rough in the same area as our last trip down. It took us about three hours to drive from DC to Richmond VA....something like 70 or so miles. UGHH. The cheapest gas so far was in S. Carolina at 2.17 and the most expensive was in Alexandia, VA at 2.29. Still a little less than what we pay back in PA and definately more than the 2.59 back home in NY.
With a few stops along the way for the essentials we made it here in 14 hours which isn't too bad...I guess
Tomorrow we are on our way back north heading to Richmond until Monday. We are spending the weekend with Shelly's sister who is in her way to Qatar next month. At least she will be out of harms way as well.
I think the plan is to drive through Richmond as view the Tacky Christmas Lights and if we do I will be sure to get some photos.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Very Nice
Down on the main st here in town they have a pen where there are two deer. The deers' names are Donner and Blitzen. Next to the pen is a drop box labled "Letters To Santa". So with the help of Shelly Zack wrote a letter to Santa. Not his first one but the first we were going to mail lol. So guess what came in the mail yesturday....a letter to Zack from Santa with the return address of North Pole.
Very Nice
Very Nice
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Where's Winter? - Thank You El Nino
The credit belongs to the El Nino weather system in the tropical Pacific, though skiers and others awaiting white wonderland scenes might call it a culprit. El Nino conditions create higher-than-normal ocean temperatures and affect the flow of the jet stream, sweeping more southerly air across the United States to the Northeast. Instead of receiving Canadian and arctic blasts from across the Great Lakes, the region has been more influenced by drier and warmer Southwest and Gulf Coast conditions.
The last time the region had seen this little snow by winter solstice was in 2001, when there had been no measurable snow by this time, although 5 inches fell by the end of December. In 1998, 0.8 inches had fallen by Dec. 21, and another inch came by year's end. The only November-December without any accumulation was in 1941, according to records that go back 123 years.
The last time the region had seen this little snow by winter solstice was in 2001, when there had been no measurable snow by this time, although 5 inches fell by the end of December. In 1998, 0.8 inches had fallen by Dec. 21, and another inch came by year's end. The only November-December without any accumulation was in 1941, according to records that go back 123 years.
Last night Shelly and I were making cookies when about 7:30 the doorbell rang. We both looked at each other. Who could possibly be at our door this late (thinking of Zack's friend Trent).
I go to the door and open it and in the street is about 25 people gathered, children and adults alike and they start to sing Christmas carrols to us. Wow!!!! I was floored.
They got done with one song and yelled out "Welcome to the neighborhood" and then started in with another song.
Hopefull we things settle down we can meet more of our neighbors. They've really gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed.
I go to the door and open it and in the street is about 25 people gathered, children and adults alike and they start to sing Christmas carrols to us. Wow!!!! I was floored.
They got done with one song and yelled out "Welcome to the neighborhood" and then started in with another song.
Hopefull we things settle down we can meet more of our neighbors. They've really gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
FLIP THIS HOUSE
Can you even imagine.
These are some of the property transactions in Watertown, NY that have closed within the last couple of weeks. You will noticed that many have only been in the seller's hands a couple of years or less.
Price: $127,900
Built in 1920, 2.5-story, 4 bedrooms
Purchased June 2004 for $69,900
Land Assessment: $13,100
Total Assessment: $74,400
Price: $91,000
Built in 1928, 1.5-story, 3 bedrooms
Purchased in Feb. 2001 for $42,500
Land Assessment: $17,300
Total Assessment: $91,600
Price: $44,000
Purchased in June 2004 for $20,400
Land Assessment: $3,950
Total Assessment: $20,400
Price: $120,000
Built in 1890, 2-story, 4 bedrooms
Purchased in Dec. 2002 for $51,100
Land Assessment: $18,500
Total Assessment: $70,300
Price: $149,000
Built in 1900, 2-story, 6 bedrooms
Purchased in April 2005 for $80,000
Land Assessment: $15,300
Total Assessment: $78,400
Price: $94,000
Built in 1927, 2-story, 3 bedrooms
Purchased in July 2004 for $65,700
Land Assessment: $7,700
Total Assessment: $74,700
These are some of the property transactions in Watertown, NY that have closed within the last couple of weeks. You will noticed that many have only been in the seller's hands a couple of years or less.
Price: $127,900
Built in 1920, 2.5-story, 4 bedrooms
Purchased June 2004 for $69,900
Land Assessment: $13,100
Total Assessment: $74,400
Price: $91,000
Built in 1928, 1.5-story, 3 bedrooms
Purchased in Feb. 2001 for $42,500
Land Assessment: $17,300
Total Assessment: $91,600
Price: $44,000
Purchased in June 2004 for $20,400
Land Assessment: $3,950
Total Assessment: $20,400
Price: $120,000
Built in 1890, 2-story, 4 bedrooms
Purchased in Dec. 2002 for $51,100
Land Assessment: $18,500
Total Assessment: $70,300
Price: $149,000
Built in 1900, 2-story, 6 bedrooms
Purchased in April 2005 for $80,000
Land Assessment: $15,300
Total Assessment: $78,400
Price: $94,000
Built in 1927, 2-story, 3 bedrooms
Purchased in July 2004 for $65,700
Land Assessment: $7,700
Total Assessment: $74,700
Burrrrr
It was a bit chilly this morning when I got up. It was 26 or so outside at 7 am. I can't complain too much since this is only about the second day that I have woken up to it since we have been down here.
One thing we get alot of here in the Susquehanna Valley is FOG!!! It is very pretty to come down from the mountain and see nothing in the vally below but what looks to be cloud cover lol.
One thing we get alot of here in the Susquehanna Valley is FOG!!! It is very pretty to come down from the mountain and see nothing in the vally below but what looks to be cloud cover lol.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Candy Cane Lane
We went to Williamsport last night to take a tour of the christmas lights. We didn't tell Zack where we were going until we were waiting for the next trolley to pick us up. He was very excited.
The trolley took us to two areas of the city where they have displays. One was in a park which is mainly alot of lights on trees. Santa and Mrs Claus came on for a moments to shale hands with all the boys and girls and to wish everyone a merry Christmas. Zack says...."I told you he was REAL!!!!" Too cute.
Another place we went to on the trolley was a st named Candy Cane Lane for the season. This is just a normal street in a normal town except that every single house on the street is very well decorated.
I took pics and they came out ok but really doesn't do the scene justice... blinking lights ten to come out blurry but you can get an idea of how this looked.
Mind you....these are all on ONE street.
You can view the photos by clicking HERE
The trolley took us to two areas of the city where they have displays. One was in a park which is mainly alot of lights on trees. Santa and Mrs Claus came on for a moments to shale hands with all the boys and girls and to wish everyone a merry Christmas. Zack says...."I told you he was REAL!!!!" Too cute.
Another place we went to on the trolley was a st named Candy Cane Lane for the season. This is just a normal street in a normal town except that every single house on the street is very well decorated.
I took pics and they came out ok but really doesn't do the scene justice... blinking lights ten to come out blurry but you can get an idea of how this looked.
Mind you....these are all on ONE street.
You can view the photos by clicking HERE
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Our New Home
We finally got unpacked and everything put away just in time for our company that is comming next weekend for Christmas.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Go Ahead, Make My Day
TEHRAN (Reuters)
Iran will exact painful revenge on countries opposed to its nuclear program if the
U.N. Security Council imposes sanctions on Tehran, the country's chief nuclear negotiator said on Friday.
"Imposing sanctions on Iran will not help resolve the issue," Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told reporters.
"If they want to deprive Iran of its nuclear work they are making a big mistake. If they want to act in a way to decrease our capabilities through sanctions we will be obliged to use painful methods in return," he said without elaborating.
Iran has previously said its retaliation against a punitive U.N. resolution could range from reviewing cooperation with the U.N.'s atomic watchdog to restricting its crude oil exports.
I will say again.....Go For It
I say that for several reasons.
We should never back down solely because an exporter threatens to shut our oil off or disrupt world oil supplies.
Mainly though I would welcome $3...hell, $5 per gallon at the pumps. I know what you are thinking....yeah yeah yeah.
We live in a world of excess. We will never decrease our insatiable appetite for crude oil on our own. We need some sort of catalyst. The embargo in the 70's was a good start, we can call that phase one. We need something a little more stronger though, something to eat at the pocket books and the wallets of us as a whole.
The quest for bigger and better has to come to an end but we really won't see it on a voluntary level. No, we will be dragged to it kicking and screaming.
How many of us...our friend, neighbors, coworkers et al own those big gas guzzling SUV's and heavy duty trucks??? Yes, there is that mentality that when sitting in or driving down the expressway in your tank you are safe from all evil that drives upon the roads. You and your little ones have nothing to fear. That may be true...until you drive it like a tank and then you are more of a threat than jack and jill camry whose bumper you have in your sights.
The size of newly constructed homes have dropped slightly in size but still those expansive estate type home abound. You have to question yourself if those who live in those are living close to their limit. The answer there is anyone's guess.
You can look around and see that not enough is being done as far as are dependance on oil is concerned. We can argue ad infinitem as to whose job it is to push us in the right direction...ie automakers, govt, etc.
Face it people....we live in a democratic market driven society. We will only make changes when we perceive there is a need for the change and not before. Will you or I go out and purchase a small automobile that gets 45+ mpg??? Most likely not. 25-20mpg car??? Probably, but we won't take that extra step unless we need to out of necessity.
The bottom line is that we won't feel the necessity until we get hit over the head with it....when it is forced upon us.
In the end...bring it on. Sure some of us will suffer but all of us will benefit in the long run.
Iran will exact painful revenge on countries opposed to its nuclear program if the
U.N. Security Council imposes sanctions on Tehran, the country's chief nuclear negotiator said on Friday.
"Imposing sanctions on Iran will not help resolve the issue," Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told reporters.
"If they want to deprive Iran of its nuclear work they are making a big mistake. If they want to act in a way to decrease our capabilities through sanctions we will be obliged to use painful methods in return," he said without elaborating.
Iran has previously said its retaliation against a punitive U.N. resolution could range from reviewing cooperation with the U.N.'s atomic watchdog to restricting its crude oil exports.
I will say again.....Go For It
I say that for several reasons.
We should never back down solely because an exporter threatens to shut our oil off or disrupt world oil supplies.
Mainly though I would welcome $3...hell, $5 per gallon at the pumps. I know what you are thinking....yeah yeah yeah.
We live in a world of excess. We will never decrease our insatiable appetite for crude oil on our own. We need some sort of catalyst. The embargo in the 70's was a good start, we can call that phase one. We need something a little more stronger though, something to eat at the pocket books and the wallets of us as a whole.
The quest for bigger and better has to come to an end but we really won't see it on a voluntary level. No, we will be dragged to it kicking and screaming.
How many of us...our friend, neighbors, coworkers et al own those big gas guzzling SUV's and heavy duty trucks??? Yes, there is that mentality that when sitting in or driving down the expressway in your tank you are safe from all evil that drives upon the roads. You and your little ones have nothing to fear. That may be true...until you drive it like a tank and then you are more of a threat than jack and jill camry whose bumper you have in your sights.
The size of newly constructed homes have dropped slightly in size but still those expansive estate type home abound. You have to question yourself if those who live in those are living close to their limit. The answer there is anyone's guess.
You can look around and see that not enough is being done as far as are dependance on oil is concerned. We can argue ad infinitem as to whose job it is to push us in the right direction...ie automakers, govt, etc.
Face it people....we live in a democratic market driven society. We will only make changes when we perceive there is a need for the change and not before. Will you or I go out and purchase a small automobile that gets 45+ mpg??? Most likely not. 25-20mpg car??? Probably, but we won't take that extra step unless we need to out of necessity.
The bottom line is that we won't feel the necessity until we get hit over the head with it....when it is forced upon us.
In the end...bring it on. Sure some of us will suffer but all of us will benefit in the long run.
Growing Pains
Jefferson County in New York is being touted as the state's fastest growing county. This is largely due to the expansion at Ft Drum and with that all the developement that it has brought to the area. Outer Arsenal St and Rt 11 just north of the City of Watertown have seen millions in new developement in the last year or two.
As the county's largest city, Watertown is feeling the brunt of the population exapansion.
That being
CRIME
We have seen recently a crime spree of sorts in the City of Watertown. We have seen a rash of burgleries on the city's east side where brazen burglers hit the same shop twice in a 24 hour period. This was a part of wave that saw numerous businesses broken into in a 2 week or so period.
Next we saw a wave of tavern break ins.... all within a short period of time.
Now add to that an armed robbery at Subway....again on the city's east side as well as a "possible" break in at Parkview Cleaners....again on the east side.
What??? No statements from the City's "man on the beat" Lt. Derrigo??? No please for help from the general public??? Well, give him time. It's early yet.
As the county's largest city, Watertown is feeling the brunt of the population exapansion.
That being
CRIME
We have seen recently a crime spree of sorts in the City of Watertown. We have seen a rash of burgleries on the city's east side where brazen burglers hit the same shop twice in a 24 hour period. This was a part of wave that saw numerous businesses broken into in a 2 week or so period.
Next we saw a wave of tavern break ins.... all within a short period of time.
Now add to that an armed robbery at Subway....again on the city's east side as well as a "possible" break in at Parkview Cleaners....again on the east side.
What??? No statements from the City's "man on the beat" Lt. Derrigo??? No please for help from the general public??? Well, give him time. It's early yet.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
White Trash TV
This is simply JUSTICE.
When you sleep with so many men that there are 11+ potential fathers there's just nothing more to say other than you deserve the pain you suffer.
When you sleep with so many men that there are 11+ potential fathers there's just nothing more to say other than you deserve the pain you suffer.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Find Our Way Home
This is from a post of mine from last Christmas. It is from one of my favourite Christmas songs. It is entitled "Find Our Way Home" by the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
"...for we all seemed to give our lives away
searching for things that we think we must own
until on this evening
when the year is leaving
we all try to find our way home
he had time or at least then he
always thoguht he did
and mistakes, he thought at the time
always would forgive
each transgression
for his intention
forgetting
years he squandered
on things he now was regretting
for we all seem to give our lives away
searching for things that we think we must own
until on this evening
when the year is leaving
I think I would be alright
if on this Christmas night
I could just find my way home
there is something about this night
that the lord has arranged
that reaches us to want to change
and angels know things about us
that no one else can know
and this angel's heart it formed a plan
and then caused the night to snow - TSO
Many people will be traveling to be with loved ones
for the holidays. May your journey be safe til
that time you reunite. May the true spirit of
christmas reunite the heart and the souls of those
who must be apart this special time of year and keep
you safe til you can find your way home.
Finding your way home is also about being at peace
with yourself and your place in life. That is probably
the biggest gift one can receive.
"...for we all seemed to give our lives away
searching for things that we think we must own
until on this evening
when the year is leaving
we all try to find our way home
he had time or at least then he
always thoguht he did
and mistakes, he thought at the time
always would forgive
each transgression
for his intention
forgetting
years he squandered
on things he now was regretting
for we all seem to give our lives away
searching for things that we think we must own
until on this evening
when the year is leaving
I think I would be alright
if on this Christmas night
I could just find my way home
there is something about this night
that the lord has arranged
that reaches us to want to change
and angels know things about us
that no one else can know
and this angel's heart it formed a plan
and then caused the night to snow - TSO
Many people will be traveling to be with loved ones
for the holidays. May your journey be safe til
that time you reunite. May the true spirit of
christmas reunite the heart and the souls of those
who must be apart this special time of year and keep
you safe til you can find your way home.
Finding your way home is also about being at peace
with yourself and your place in life. That is probably
the biggest gift one can receive.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
What A Difference
Here are a couple of pics of the most recent improvement. Carpet was installed Monday and Tuesday on the stairway and the upstairs hallway and it really does look nice. The photos may do much justice as I forgot my camer and resorted to using my cell phone.
I think one more push next month after the holidays and we will be ready to put it on the market. The laundry room is all grouted and sealed. Next we need to paint the bathroom the same color and put down moulding.
Here's something funny to ponder...
Last Jan I had a real estate (Agent A) agent look over the house and give me a market comparison. He said he was confident in X dollars.
Ok, so I have the same (Agent A) come back last month to see what we have done with the property....(pool, deck, laundry room, dining room etc) and he still came back at X dollars.
Ok, well he made a few comments that Shelly had some concerns over so....I thought I would try another agent....ok, so Shelly wanted me to try another agent lol. So another real estate agent (Agent B) comes over and really likes what has been done. Agent B comes up with a figure that is X + 20k OVER Agents A's comparison.
Now who would you go with?? I will admit that the higher price was more than what I thought but if someone tell me they can sell this house for 1000's more than the other guy and I am not in a hurry to sell it......I say go for it.
So with any amount of luck there should be a for sale sign on the property some time in January.....the price???? lol You'll have to wait and see. Now will it sell for what I will ask??? Probably not but I was told close.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Where's Watertown's Finest????
WATERTOWN -- Four city taverns were burglarized over the past few days, according to the Watertown Police Department.
Detectives are investigating break-ins at B.J.'s Grill, 610 Mill St., Fat Boys, 743 Huntington St., Artie's Tavern, 329 High St., and Kicker's Lounge, 498 Factory St.
Lt. Frank J. Derrigo told Newzjunky.com that cash was taken, but declined to say how much or how entry was gained.
Anyone with information is asked to contact city police at 782-2233
A new crime spree in the fair city of Watertown or is it a continuation of the one last month where several busineses were hit...1 of which was hit twice in one 24 hour period? I guess NY State's fastest growing county and in particular its seat of government is growing in other areas besided population.
We're talking Crime.....and with no personal pleas from Lt. Frank Derrigo for the public's help this time around one has to assume that ol' Frank and the boys have it all under control.
Go Get 'Em Frank
Detectives are investigating break-ins at B.J.'s Grill, 610 Mill St., Fat Boys, 743 Huntington St., Artie's Tavern, 329 High St., and Kicker's Lounge, 498 Factory St.
Lt. Frank J. Derrigo told Newzjunky.com that cash was taken, but declined to say how much or how entry was gained.
Anyone with information is asked to contact city police at 782-2233
A new crime spree in the fair city of Watertown or is it a continuation of the one last month where several busineses were hit...1 of which was hit twice in one 24 hour period? I guess NY State's fastest growing county and in particular its seat of government is growing in other areas besided population.
We're talking Crime.....and with no personal pleas from Lt. Frank Derrigo for the public's help this time around one has to assume that ol' Frank and the boys have it all under control.
Go Get 'Em Frank
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Greetings From PA
Taking a much needed break from house remodeling and moving. We had our 15' rental truck loaded Saturday and left bright and early Sunday morning. It was a very nice day for a drive. When Shelly pulled up with the truck one of our neighbors came out to help us unload again and his wife brought Shelly a couple of welcoming gifts. That was nice.
We still have the garage pretty much packed and will get to it before too long since we have company comming for the holidays. Zack has already made a couple of new friends and we hope to have him enrolled in his new school in the next couple of days.
The house there in Gouverneur is comming along. Still some painting and cleaning to do. Carpet is beng installed next week so that will be nice. I got the last couple of cermaic tiles down in the laundry room Saturday evening so when we come up this weekend I can clean, paint and grout.
Hope everyone enjoys the last of this nice weather this week before we are hit on the back of the head by reality....cold and snow.
We still have the garage pretty much packed and will get to it before too long since we have company comming for the holidays. Zack has already made a couple of new friends and we hope to have him enrolled in his new school in the next couple of days.
The house there in Gouverneur is comming along. Still some painting and cleaning to do. Carpet is beng installed next week so that will be nice. I got the last couple of cermaic tiles down in the laundry room Saturday evening so when we come up this weekend I can clean, paint and grout.
Hope everyone enjoys the last of this nice weather this week before we are hit on the back of the head by reality....cold and snow.
Monday, November 20, 2006
A Plea From One Of Watertown's Finest
City Police Investigate
East Side Business
Burglaries, Vandalism
(WWNY-TV)
"A little crime prevention goes a long way and if they want to take a good hard look at their business to see what they can add to the business to prevent further crimes, we'd greatly appreciate that," said Lieutenant Frank Derrigo of the Watertown Police Department.
City businesses that have been burglarized:
Gray's Flower Shop, Nov. 19 and 20
Jean's Beans, 259 Eastern Blvd., Nov. 16
Checker's Restaurant, 1857 State St., Nov. 8
Carvel's, 1850 State St., Nov. 8
Brookside Diner, 1873 State St., Nov. 8
What a crock of sh@t!!!
Why don't you just come out and say....Mr. business owner, if you had stationed a sentry out in front of your business, this would not of happend.
I say again....what a crock.
I'm sure that the Watertown Police Dept would greatly love it if the citizens made their respective jobs all that easier.
NOTE TO WOULD BE CRIMINIALS - - - - please commit your burgleries during daylight hours, pretty please.
Let's see, 12 days and 6 burgleries....all within a several block radius. Um, did they notice a pattern after the first THREE burgleries or what?? Maybe they need a few more in that area of town before Edison's Wisdom Indicator flickers on and they step up patrols in the area after dark?
Here's a good question.... Just how many of these officers actually live in the community in which they serve? My bet is many live outside the city of Watertow.....coincidently where the crime rate and the taxes are lower.
Go Get 'em Frank
East Side Business
Burglaries, Vandalism
(WWNY-TV)
"A little crime prevention goes a long way and if they want to take a good hard look at their business to see what they can add to the business to prevent further crimes, we'd greatly appreciate that," said Lieutenant Frank Derrigo of the Watertown Police Department.
City businesses that have been burglarized:
Gray's Flower Shop, Nov. 19 and 20
Jean's Beans, 259 Eastern Blvd., Nov. 16
Checker's Restaurant, 1857 State St., Nov. 8
Carvel's, 1850 State St., Nov. 8
Brookside Diner, 1873 State St., Nov. 8
What a crock of sh@t!!!
Why don't you just come out and say....Mr. business owner, if you had stationed a sentry out in front of your business, this would not of happend.
I say again....what a crock.
I'm sure that the Watertown Police Dept would greatly love it if the citizens made their respective jobs all that easier.
NOTE TO WOULD BE CRIMINIALS - - - - please commit your burgleries during daylight hours, pretty please.
Let's see, 12 days and 6 burgleries....all within a several block radius. Um, did they notice a pattern after the first THREE burgleries or what?? Maybe they need a few more in that area of town before Edison's Wisdom Indicator flickers on and they step up patrols in the area after dark?
Here's a good question.... Just how many of these officers actually live in the community in which they serve? My bet is many live outside the city of Watertow.....coincidently where the crime rate and the taxes are lower.
Go Get 'em Frank
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Laundryroom Preview
This room is finally getting finished. It took about 4 years to do lol. When I bought this house this room was a bathroom. To the left in one photo you can see a shower. There was no tub and the toilet was in the corner.
The shower was removed and in its place will be a linen closet. The floor tile that is in the bathroom is extended into the laundryroom. The paint color in the laundryroom is actually a gray but looks more blue but is just what we wanted to bring out the color in both the wall and floor tiles. The bathroom will be painted the same color.
Not quite done yet with some touch up in the painting, trim moulding, tile and grouting to be done....and electrical for the dryer need to be brought up through the floor when I get around to it. Other than that all the plumbing, venting, electrical is all done.....ooops, and shelving for the linen closet.
Friday, November 17, 2006
The Dutch And Their Burqas
AMSTERDAM (Reuters)
The Dutch government agreed on Friday a total ban on the wearing of burqas and other Muslim face veils in public, justifying the move on security grounds. Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk will now draw up legislation which will result in the Netherlands, once one of Europe's most easy-going nations, imposing some of the continent's toughest laws against concealing the face.
"The cabinet finds it undesirable that garments covering the face -- including the burqa -- should be worn in public in view of public order, (and) the security and protection of fellow citizens," the Dutch Justice Ministry said in a statement.
The debate on face veils and whether they stymie Muslim integration has gathered momentum across Europe.
I don't recall what the ruling was in Florida where the state licensing dept denied a muslim woman's request for a drivers license as she refused to take off her burqa. All I can say or do is give you two thumbs up on that move.
I don't see this as any type or form of discrimination or alienation at all. Simply put, how valid can a form of identification be when you cannot identify the person in the photo. With the burqa covering all of the face 'cept the eyes there can be no validation of persona.
Cudo's to the Dutch I say for being at the forefront and not succumbing to the clamour that will definately follow.
The Dutch government agreed on Friday a total ban on the wearing of burqas and other Muslim face veils in public, justifying the move on security grounds. Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk will now draw up legislation which will result in the Netherlands, once one of Europe's most easy-going nations, imposing some of the continent's toughest laws against concealing the face.
"The cabinet finds it undesirable that garments covering the face -- including the burqa -- should be worn in public in view of public order, (and) the security and protection of fellow citizens," the Dutch Justice Ministry said in a statement.
The debate on face veils and whether they stymie Muslim integration has gathered momentum across Europe.
I don't recall what the ruling was in Florida where the state licensing dept denied a muslim woman's request for a drivers license as she refused to take off her burqa. All I can say or do is give you two thumbs up on that move.
I don't see this as any type or form of discrimination or alienation at all. Simply put, how valid can a form of identification be when you cannot identify the person in the photo. With the burqa covering all of the face 'cept the eyes there can be no validation of persona.
Cudo's to the Dutch I say for being at the forefront and not succumbing to the clamour that will definately follow.
CBS Jericho
The preview for the next episode was interesting. Supplies are dropped and when they are opened the people discover the supplies they thought were dropped from their own country are from the Chinese.
Now there are several scenarios that could explain this but first you have to divide them into two groupings....Chinese/Good and Chinese/Bad
First lets look at the possible benevolence of the Chinese.
A massive relief effort? Not likely since we would likely have enough internally in the US to supply our citizens. I would think we would be seeing supplies dropped from Canadian planes before Chinese. Where we would need help in this situation is in logistics. If we were unable to do so ourselves we would need help getting communications up and running to those rural communities.
Also, if Chinese were involved in a massive aide distribution it would make more sense for them to leave the supplies at our doorstep at a deep water port rather than doing the distribution themselves.....and by airdrop??? Unlikely
Chinese Bad
Ok, so I am making an assumption that the writing on the supply boxes was Chinese. It's in our view for what 2 seconds and it's asian. Could it be N. Korean? lol Well I could see them attacking us in search of a better diet but no.... Chinese it shall be.
First though we have to think for a moment of what we know so far and assume that what we know is credible. The nuclear explosions were done by terrorists, that much we know. The Chinese could be involved in one of two ways. One they could be taking advantage of our situation (assuming they have forces in country)or they could have employed the terrorists acting as surrogates for themselves.
If you think back several episodes to the refugee...he did say "they're comming". Could he have meant Chinese? Possibly. One thing though....with the FBI agent still having access to communications wouldn't the word have gotten out through the network of an invasion?
That aside, what is it with this split season???? Lost is doing it and now Jericho??? I thought with Lost it was a great idea to drive up interest, keep viewers glued to the new show to get snippets of upcomming episodes.
But why Jericho?? I don't think the show is doing exceptionally well and the past several weeks I am not sure if it has been in the top 10.
UGH!!
Now there are several scenarios that could explain this but first you have to divide them into two groupings....Chinese/Good and Chinese/Bad
First lets look at the possible benevolence of the Chinese.
A massive relief effort? Not likely since we would likely have enough internally in the US to supply our citizens. I would think we would be seeing supplies dropped from Canadian planes before Chinese. Where we would need help in this situation is in logistics. If we were unable to do so ourselves we would need help getting communications up and running to those rural communities.
Also, if Chinese were involved in a massive aide distribution it would make more sense for them to leave the supplies at our doorstep at a deep water port rather than doing the distribution themselves.....and by airdrop??? Unlikely
Chinese Bad
Ok, so I am making an assumption that the writing on the supply boxes was Chinese. It's in our view for what 2 seconds and it's asian. Could it be N. Korean? lol Well I could see them attacking us in search of a better diet but no.... Chinese it shall be.
First though we have to think for a moment of what we know so far and assume that what we know is credible. The nuclear explosions were done by terrorists, that much we know. The Chinese could be involved in one of two ways. One they could be taking advantage of our situation (assuming they have forces in country)or they could have employed the terrorists acting as surrogates for themselves.
If you think back several episodes to the refugee...he did say "they're comming". Could he have meant Chinese? Possibly. One thing though....with the FBI agent still having access to communications wouldn't the word have gotten out through the network of an invasion?
That aside, what is it with this split season???? Lost is doing it and now Jericho??? I thought with Lost it was a great idea to drive up interest, keep viewers glued to the new show to get snippets of upcomming episodes.
But why Jericho?? I don't think the show is doing exceptionally well and the past several weeks I am not sure if it has been in the top 10.
UGH!!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
NASCAR
By Nate Ryan
USA TODAY
NASCAR's popularity might have reached a plateau. As its top-tier Nextel Cup series nears the end of its first network TV contract, there are signs fan interest is lagging and a 15-year period of growth is sputtering.
Tracks don't release figures, but estimates from NASCAR reports show crowds have decreased in a third of the races this season. Fewer than half the Cup races were sellouts, and that includes two at the 92,000-seat grandstand of California Speedway east of Los Angeles, NASCAR's largest market.
The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Aug. 6 drew a crowd estimated by The Indianapolis Star at 240,000 — about 20,000 shy of capacity at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the smallest turnout in 13 seasons at the track that ranks in prestige on the Cup circuit behind only Daytona International Speedway.
Well, don't that beat all. Seems the well has dried up as far as the watching cars drive in circles crowd go. With the advent of the latest technologies and um...yes, those pesky RULES, even crashes are down year over year.
Promise a fiery death, a few spectacular crashes a season and throngs will return to the track and tv faster than a sunday-go-to-meetin' preacher will drop his pants for a male crack whore.
USA TODAY
NASCAR's popularity might have reached a plateau. As its top-tier Nextel Cup series nears the end of its first network TV contract, there are signs fan interest is lagging and a 15-year period of growth is sputtering.
Tracks don't release figures, but estimates from NASCAR reports show crowds have decreased in a third of the races this season. Fewer than half the Cup races were sellouts, and that includes two at the 92,000-seat grandstand of California Speedway east of Los Angeles, NASCAR's largest market.
The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Aug. 6 drew a crowd estimated by The Indianapolis Star at 240,000 — about 20,000 shy of capacity at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the smallest turnout in 13 seasons at the track that ranks in prestige on the Cup circuit behind only Daytona International Speedway.
Well, don't that beat all. Seems the well has dried up as far as the watching cars drive in circles crowd go. With the advent of the latest technologies and um...yes, those pesky RULES, even crashes are down year over year.
Promise a fiery death, a few spectacular crashes a season and throngs will return to the track and tv faster than a sunday-go-to-meetin' preacher will drop his pants for a male crack whore.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Life in PA
So Zack was off from school this past Thursday and Friday so....since I needed to do some laundry why not drive down to see Shelly a day earlier than she expected us?? lol I really did need to do some laundry but I figured I could also get some work done. It does take some time to get your license and registrations changed.
I had all the documents I needed for my license. You need to have your license first before you can register your car. I had the route all set from Mapquest on where to go so off we went Friday morning.
We get there and you take a number and wait to be called. There were two people working then one but there weren't many people there. After 10-15 min I was called up. I get to the eye exam and had to read from a machine that had a rotating 3 column display. My vision is ok and my script is probably 3 or 4 years old but it really hasn't changed. I get to the last one and the guy says read the one on the right.
Right??? lol I only see two?? You have a problem with your left eye don't you?? uh...yeahhh (thinking my glasses must have given THAT away). I have a lazy left eye and astigmatism. He hands me a form and says come back after you have an exam...we're open today til 4.
Ok...now my idea was to get my drivers license and get at least one car registered so we wouldn't have all three cars on two different sets of insureance policies. We're switiching from Travelers to AIG and saving $1000 per year. So off I went in search of a Pearl Vision or something similar.
I was on a one way st in a plaze but there was alot of stores and plazas that kind of reminded me like Arsenal St back home so I knew there must be one nearby. So I got back onto the interstate and came around near to where on got onto the one way street the license place was. I am probably driving a little slower than I should but damn....if there was a vision place I was set to find it.
Bingo!!! There was one and as I pulled into the parking lot of the plaze I noticed....damn, there's that license place....about 30 yards from the vision center. lol how convenient. I walk in and ask if they take walk ins and 30 min later I had my paper and was back to the license place. Script for glasses changed so minimally that I don't need new ones.
So, when I left the license place I was number 77 and when I took another number some 45 min later they were on number 88 and my new number was 22. So the one guy was done with one customer and looked up to the now serving sign and called out 89. The lady who he just helped turned around and said no, you're on 90.
Anyway another customer is helped and about 15 min later the guy looks up at the sign and says 89. Someone else is waiting on but I see a patern here and if he doesn't go to a new number I am jumping line lol. Sure enough, some 20 min later..."89"!!! My turn....10 min later I have my new license in hand.
They may need extra help on that counter. lol
So if you were thinking you can get your plates at the same place as your license....nope. It appears PA has outsourced that part of it. It's their state and they can do as they please. You have to go to what is called a messenger service but first you need to have the VIN on your car verified and you can't get that done at a messenger service.
To make a long story shorter. I went to AAA, they gave me a form to take across the street to a dealer who does inspections where he wrote the VIN down on this form and signed it and then it was back to AAA to get the plates.
Since I have three cars I need to repeat this three times but I have to do it myself since the cars are titled to me.
For the other two, since they are financed, I need to get permission from the finance companies to have them titled in PA.
Well, at least one set of NY plates gets turned in today lol.
I had all the documents I needed for my license. You need to have your license first before you can register your car. I had the route all set from Mapquest on where to go so off we went Friday morning.
We get there and you take a number and wait to be called. There were two people working then one but there weren't many people there. After 10-15 min I was called up. I get to the eye exam and had to read from a machine that had a rotating 3 column display. My vision is ok and my script is probably 3 or 4 years old but it really hasn't changed. I get to the last one and the guy says read the one on the right.
Right??? lol I only see two?? You have a problem with your left eye don't you?? uh...yeahhh (thinking my glasses must have given THAT away). I have a lazy left eye and astigmatism. He hands me a form and says come back after you have an exam...we're open today til 4.
Ok...now my idea was to get my drivers license and get at least one car registered so we wouldn't have all three cars on two different sets of insureance policies. We're switiching from Travelers to AIG and saving $1000 per year. So off I went in search of a Pearl Vision or something similar.
I was on a one way st in a plaze but there was alot of stores and plazas that kind of reminded me like Arsenal St back home so I knew there must be one nearby. So I got back onto the interstate and came around near to where on got onto the one way street the license place was. I am probably driving a little slower than I should but damn....if there was a vision place I was set to find it.
Bingo!!! There was one and as I pulled into the parking lot of the plaze I noticed....damn, there's that license place....about 30 yards from the vision center. lol how convenient. I walk in and ask if they take walk ins and 30 min later I had my paper and was back to the license place. Script for glasses changed so minimally that I don't need new ones.
So, when I left the license place I was number 77 and when I took another number some 45 min later they were on number 88 and my new number was 22. So the one guy was done with one customer and looked up to the now serving sign and called out 89. The lady who he just helped turned around and said no, you're on 90.
Anyway another customer is helped and about 15 min later the guy looks up at the sign and says 89. Someone else is waiting on but I see a patern here and if he doesn't go to a new number I am jumping line lol. Sure enough, some 20 min later..."89"!!! My turn....10 min later I have my new license in hand.
They may need extra help on that counter. lol
So if you were thinking you can get your plates at the same place as your license....nope. It appears PA has outsourced that part of it. It's their state and they can do as they please. You have to go to what is called a messenger service but first you need to have the VIN on your car verified and you can't get that done at a messenger service.
To make a long story shorter. I went to AAA, they gave me a form to take across the street to a dealer who does inspections where he wrote the VIN down on this form and signed it and then it was back to AAA to get the plates.
Since I have three cars I need to repeat this three times but I have to do it myself since the cars are titled to me.
For the other two, since they are financed, I need to get permission from the finance companies to have them titled in PA.
Well, at least one set of NY plates gets turned in today lol.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
It's been a little hectic the past several weeks. One project is just about finished...with just a tad of touch up painting and putting up quarter round moulding around the dining room cabinetes. Other than that...the room is done!! I know lol...about damn time and it only took me what 12-13 months.
The room originally had carpet over linoleum.
Now there is 25 yr Pergo laminate floor with stained beadboard wainscoting, basebaord and chair rail. The chandelier was replaced and the ceiling done in an Armstrong wood grained ceiling plank. To give the new lighting some more dimension I raised the ceiling around the lighting, forming recessed box.
The room had built in hand made cabinets...that were built on site amd so many nails there simply wasn't just removing them. No, it involved something like a reciprocating saw and sledge hammer lol. It really looked hopeless if the tought was to strip them and refinish them so out they went.
In went two new base cabinets. If I was staying I might throw in two top cabinets but that isn't the case. I topped these off with a cermaic tile counter top.
Now since we are talking about a 100 year old house you will run into spots where the walls are not perfectly straight. That is why they used lath and plaster...you could hide it better. Drywall is not as forgiving and heavy moulding even less so. So there are a couple sopts where there may be a slight gap in between the moulding and a wall....painters caulk takes care of that. That is the white line over the left cabinet you see.
I don't get into work like this very often so for some I am learning as I go. It was my first laminate floor and it came out very nice and was very easy to do but there places where I could have done better and you learn as you go as with anything in life.
Hopefully this week I will have some pics of the laundry room upstairs. I am getting close to having it ready for primer and paint. It is comming along alot better than I expected.
Shelly is painting the living room and I will have some pics of that in the next couple of weeks. We are still on track to rent another truck and move the rest of the stuff down south in a couple of weeks. I should be able to put this on the market by Dec 1st.
The room originally had carpet over linoleum.
Now there is 25 yr Pergo laminate floor with stained beadboard wainscoting, basebaord and chair rail. The chandelier was replaced and the ceiling done in an Armstrong wood grained ceiling plank. To give the new lighting some more dimension I raised the ceiling around the lighting, forming recessed box.
The room had built in hand made cabinets...that were built on site amd so many nails there simply wasn't just removing them. No, it involved something like a reciprocating saw and sledge hammer lol. It really looked hopeless if the tought was to strip them and refinish them so out they went.
In went two new base cabinets. If I was staying I might throw in two top cabinets but that isn't the case. I topped these off with a cermaic tile counter top.
Now since we are talking about a 100 year old house you will run into spots where the walls are not perfectly straight. That is why they used lath and plaster...you could hide it better. Drywall is not as forgiving and heavy moulding even less so. So there are a couple sopts where there may be a slight gap in between the moulding and a wall....painters caulk takes care of that. That is the white line over the left cabinet you see.
I don't get into work like this very often so for some I am learning as I go. It was my first laminate floor and it came out very nice and was very easy to do but there places where I could have done better and you learn as you go as with anything in life.
Hopefully this week I will have some pics of the laundry room upstairs. I am getting close to having it ready for primer and paint. It is comming along alot better than I expected.
Shelly is painting the living room and I will have some pics of that in the next couple of weeks. We are still on track to rent another truck and move the rest of the stuff down south in a couple of weeks. I should be able to put this on the market by Dec 1st.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
October 24, 2006
It's been a few hectic days. The plumbing for the laundry room has been moved over the outside wall and the elcectric has been run over for the washer. Framing was up for the linen closet in the laundy room yesterday and I just have one little strip of sheetrock left to put up and then it is to mudding and taping etc, etc. The floor is ready for the cermaic tile backer board and....ok., I will get to it but I need to fill a dumpster that was dropped off yesterday.
Shelly has been busy packing and painting the living room while I have been busy doing my thing. It looks like we will move the majority of stuff this weekend and Zack and I will come up for another week while I get more done here and she gets settled in with her new job and can get Zack registered in his new school.
We ordered a nice berber carpet for the stairs and the upstairs hallway. The installer was here today so the carpet should be down in 2-9 weeks. It doesn't even look like the jaguar will be done before this weekend as they are waiting for a bumper cover still. Only $2800 deer damage so not too bad and it is all superficial damage.
So in time the living room will have a fresh coat of paint... oh yeah...we picked up Pergo floor for the dining room. I think it will look very nice. Actually got it on impulse last weekend at HD so I wouldn't have to go to Lowes. I was set on a different brand and this actually came out less expensive.
So, as I was saying in time everything will be done and then I will have Bill Lacy back over to give me another market comparison. I will be intrerested to find out what he thinks since we put in almost $20k into the house since he was over this past spring. In any case our market for the house will be returning from Afghanistan after the first of the year.
Shelly has been busy packing and painting the living room while I have been busy doing my thing. It looks like we will move the majority of stuff this weekend and Zack and I will come up for another week while I get more done here and she gets settled in with her new job and can get Zack registered in his new school.
We ordered a nice berber carpet for the stairs and the upstairs hallway. The installer was here today so the carpet should be down in 2-9 weeks. It doesn't even look like the jaguar will be done before this weekend as they are waiting for a bumper cover still. Only $2800 deer damage so not too bad and it is all superficial damage.
So in time the living room will have a fresh coat of paint... oh yeah...we picked up Pergo floor for the dining room. I think it will look very nice. Actually got it on impulse last weekend at HD so I wouldn't have to go to Lowes. I was set on a different brand and this actually came out less expensive.
So, as I was saying in time everything will be done and then I will have Bill Lacy back over to give me another market comparison. I will be intrerested to find out what he thinks since we put in almost $20k into the house since he was over this past spring. In any case our market for the house will be returning from Afghanistan after the first of the year.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sabres - Hurricanes Oct 20, 2006
It was our first professional hockey game. Zack absolutely LOVED it!! We had second row seats off the glass and wouldn't you know Zack almost got hit in the head by a puck. lol A puck was lobbed over the glass and hit the lady in front of him in the head and the guy sitting next to Zack caught it. Zack thought that was the coolest thing that he got to keep the puck.
Buffalo won 6-5 but it was a good game. Buffalo is undefeated so far at 8-0 so they may be the team to watch this year.
Here is a pic of Zack with the Sabres mascot Sabretooth. Whenever he was around our section Zack would not take his eyes off him lol. He would wave and try to get his attention. He was tickled to death to get his pic with him.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Family Update
Our weekend was a little interesting.
Some people from work had a get together for Shelly which was very nice. However, we ran into a little trouble on the way home from dinner that night. It seems that Saturday night after having made his martyr video a suicide deer picked my jaguar to attack. His aim must have been a little off as we clipped his legs with the front right of the car. He really could have done more damage than he did so today I will take the car to get an estimate.
I also slipped on some ice and fell backwards while my leg was caught under me. Yup....9 surgeries and I bent this knee further back than it had been in about 10 years...the last inch or so......c r u n c h. Not the best of time to have that happen with getting ready to move and all. It took me a few moments to pull myself up off the ground. I hope I didn't wake the neighbors up when I yelled lol. It was a little rough and alot painful but I was able to walk. It was kind of like walking right after my partial knee replacement.
I was kind of wondering what I had torn and whether cartilage or a ligament. I still could have something torn but right after I wrenched it Sat night I wrapped it up and elevated it under ice. It was so bad that night that you couldn't even touch it on the right side, UGH. Sunday morning it looked just slightly swollen...maybe. The knee is so derranged it doesn't look normal to begin with anyway. It was better and so with an occasional limp I ran off to Lowes in the burg to get more material for the laundry room.
Packing is comming along ok for the move in a couple of weeks. The dining room is just about done with a couple pieces of moulding to put up plus the new floor. We took out the old cast iron shower pan from the old bathroom (new laundry room) Saturday...well got it up and got it out to the hallway. When I came back from Lowes yesturday it was out on the front porch thanks to Shelly and my father-in-law.
I have a bit more wall tile to take down from the old shower and then I am taking a 4 x 6 section of floor up and puttind down new subfloor. Then it is framing for the new water lines for the washer and electrical for the dryer along the outside wall then I can work on the common wall between the bathroom/laundryroom....ceramic tile backerboard on the floor and tile then I will be done aside from painting. We still have to pick out paint for the livingroom. I think we will get to that this weekend. Friday is the hockey game in Buffalo. $100 per ticket should be worth it since we are in 2nd row. Maybe I will have some pics to share.
Some people from work had a get together for Shelly which was very nice. However, we ran into a little trouble on the way home from dinner that night. It seems that Saturday night after having made his martyr video a suicide deer picked my jaguar to attack. His aim must have been a little off as we clipped his legs with the front right of the car. He really could have done more damage than he did so today I will take the car to get an estimate.
I also slipped on some ice and fell backwards while my leg was caught under me. Yup....9 surgeries and I bent this knee further back than it had been in about 10 years...the last inch or so......c r u n c h. Not the best of time to have that happen with getting ready to move and all. It took me a few moments to pull myself up off the ground. I hope I didn't wake the neighbors up when I yelled lol. It was a little rough and alot painful but I was able to walk. It was kind of like walking right after my partial knee replacement.
I was kind of wondering what I had torn and whether cartilage or a ligament. I still could have something torn but right after I wrenched it Sat night I wrapped it up and elevated it under ice. It was so bad that night that you couldn't even touch it on the right side, UGH. Sunday morning it looked just slightly swollen...maybe. The knee is so derranged it doesn't look normal to begin with anyway. It was better and so with an occasional limp I ran off to Lowes in the burg to get more material for the laundry room.
Packing is comming along ok for the move in a couple of weeks. The dining room is just about done with a couple pieces of moulding to put up plus the new floor. We took out the old cast iron shower pan from the old bathroom (new laundry room) Saturday...well got it up and got it out to the hallway. When I came back from Lowes yesturday it was out on the front porch thanks to Shelly and my father-in-law.
I have a bit more wall tile to take down from the old shower and then I am taking a 4 x 6 section of floor up and puttind down new subfloor. Then it is framing for the new water lines for the washer and electrical for the dryer along the outside wall then I can work on the common wall between the bathroom/laundryroom....ceramic tile backerboard on the floor and tile then I will be done aside from painting. We still have to pick out paint for the livingroom. I think we will get to that this weekend. Friday is the hockey game in Buffalo. $100 per ticket should be worth it since we are in 2nd row. Maybe I will have some pics to share.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
CBS Jericho
10/11/2006 Episode "Day Four"
So who is this guy who moves to a new town, seemingly prepared for the worst?
Let's see what we know so far.
He claims to have a police background.
He and his family do not want people to know their true identity or background.
He is familiar with effects of nuclear explosion/fallout.
He is familiar with interrogation (adrenalin to bring consciousness)
My guess is that this may not be a big conspiracy as it may seem. It could be a handfull of government people (perhaps CIA, maybe not) (handfull to say 20) who knew the attack was imminent (at least some degree of possible advance warning), picked Jericho as a safe place to ride out the nuclear threat and its aftermath.
It may be that they have or had this forehand knowlege and prepared for the worst. In a crisis situation it may be very prudent not to let anyone know that you have a stockpile of weapons or useful knowlege and/or preparedness for this disaster. However civil society may seem after such disaster you really must expect the worst. You can be benevolent but you certainly cannot be foolhardy when it comes to your own, your family's survival. When people become desparate, all bets are off.
This guy just may have the tools, the knowlege, the preparedness to survive where many others may not.
Now while he was at his laptop he was clearly sending a file, or at least a message but to whom ...and more importantly HOW??? If you address the how then the who really doesn't matter. You have to ask if he was sending a message locally within the town or to someone outside of town, somewhere. If the message sent was destined locally it could have been through WIMAX, of course assuming the hardware on the other end survived. If it was meant for someone outside Jericho it would most likely be over a secure network. There was no satellite phone connected to the computer that we saw so that would be a possibility but would it work in a basement? That would take more preparation that what we saw.
Again I will say that at least with what we know at this point this could be one person, part of a group numbering up to 20 or so and their families who picked Jericho to ride out the storm.
We'll see how much my mind changes in the next couple of episodes.
So who is this guy who moves to a new town, seemingly prepared for the worst?
Let's see what we know so far.
He claims to have a police background.
He and his family do not want people to know their true identity or background.
He is familiar with effects of nuclear explosion/fallout.
He is familiar with interrogation (adrenalin to bring consciousness)
My guess is that this may not be a big conspiracy as it may seem. It could be a handfull of government people (perhaps CIA, maybe not) (handfull to say 20) who knew the attack was imminent (at least some degree of possible advance warning), picked Jericho as a safe place to ride out the nuclear threat and its aftermath.
It may be that they have or had this forehand knowlege and prepared for the worst. In a crisis situation it may be very prudent not to let anyone know that you have a stockpile of weapons or useful knowlege and/or preparedness for this disaster. However civil society may seem after such disaster you really must expect the worst. You can be benevolent but you certainly cannot be foolhardy when it comes to your own, your family's survival. When people become desparate, all bets are off.
This guy just may have the tools, the knowlege, the preparedness to survive where many others may not.
Now while he was at his laptop he was clearly sending a file, or at least a message but to whom ...and more importantly HOW??? If you address the how then the who really doesn't matter. You have to ask if he was sending a message locally within the town or to someone outside of town, somewhere. If the message sent was destined locally it could have been through WIMAX, of course assuming the hardware on the other end survived. If it was meant for someone outside Jericho it would most likely be over a secure network. There was no satellite phone connected to the computer that we saw so that would be a possibility but would it work in a basement? That would take more preparation that what we saw.
Again I will say that at least with what we know at this point this could be one person, part of a group numbering up to 20 or so and their families who picked Jericho to ride out the storm.
We'll see how much my mind changes in the next couple of episodes.
Monday, October 09, 2006
The Doom And Gloom Report - N Korea
Well well, nobody wants to play with the "odd" little boy from the house on the corner. Maybe he was treated badly by a parent or two?? Perhaps made fun of by other school kids??
We've seen it before....whether the shunned ones once made fun of don leather trench coats and take their hostility out on their fellow classmates, stand atop a table to announce revolution in their "beer hall putsch" or developing a nuclear weapons to invade the once exclusive society of nuclear armed nations...there are fools, idiots and madmen at every turn.
Ok, so N Korea tested its nuclear weapon, but what's next? No one really knows. Because the society is so closed, so locked off from the rest of the world, so secret it looks like an asian version of ABC's LOST that there is basic disagreement of what happend. An agreement can be reached from many sources that yes, virgina North Korea tested a nuclear weapon....or at least there was a "seismic event" that was evidenced by at 4.2 tremor.
The scientific community can't even agree to the size of the test. I have seen reports that the size could have ranged anywhere from 1 KT to 5KT or more. There is always a comparison to the bomb that was dropped onto Hiroshima which was 10 KT or 12.5 KT depending on your source material. The difference between 10 and 12.5 is maybe .....10-20000 deaths?? not very significant in the grande scheme of things.
1 KT to 5 KT is significantly small.... Not your conventional city killer variety but rather small enough to use on the battlefield. Something large enough to ruin your opponents divisional battle plans.
There is disagreement also on how far N Korea is in terms of placing their newly found toy atop of a missle. Some say they are years away from making the bomb compact enough and others say they have the technical expertise at hand although not the practical working experience.
There is even one report that what was tested was a neutron bomb. Very very interesting if this true. For those too young or who don't rember a neutron bomb releases very high amount of radiation. The damage caused by this type of bomb is to the people from the effects of radiation while leaving infrastructure free from collateral damage. The United States developed a neutron bomb in the late 70's and ceased developement during the presidency of Jimmy Carter.
The place for this type of bomb is on the battlefield in both offensive first strike and defensive scenarios.
How do you threaten a madman who is so willing to sacrifice his people to begin with?
It would be like confronting a suicide bomber...."please mr. madman, take the vest off now and we won't have cut your food supply off, your heating oil off, your banking off, make your people live in squalor more so than they already are and if that doesn't motivate you, we'll pull the trigger on this gun we have pointed at your head" "Just take the damn vest off"
hence the dilema
What people fail to understand is it doesn't matter at all what they reasons are on how and why we got to this point in time. Pointing the finger doesn't do any good as this was going to happen anyway. Whether it was today or five years from now, N Korea was going to develope their own nuclear weapon.
Some people play by their own rules.
Meanwhile....keep stocking your safe room in your basement.
We've seen it before....whether the shunned ones once made fun of don leather trench coats and take their hostility out on their fellow classmates, stand atop a table to announce revolution in their "beer hall putsch" or developing a nuclear weapons to invade the once exclusive society of nuclear armed nations...there are fools, idiots and madmen at every turn.
Ok, so N Korea tested its nuclear weapon, but what's next? No one really knows. Because the society is so closed, so locked off from the rest of the world, so secret it looks like an asian version of ABC's LOST that there is basic disagreement of what happend. An agreement can be reached from many sources that yes, virgina North Korea tested a nuclear weapon....or at least there was a "seismic event" that was evidenced by at 4.2 tremor.
The scientific community can't even agree to the size of the test. I have seen reports that the size could have ranged anywhere from 1 KT to 5KT or more. There is always a comparison to the bomb that was dropped onto Hiroshima which was 10 KT or 12.5 KT depending on your source material. The difference between 10 and 12.5 is maybe .....10-20000 deaths?? not very significant in the grande scheme of things.
1 KT to 5 KT is significantly small.... Not your conventional city killer variety but rather small enough to use on the battlefield. Something large enough to ruin your opponents divisional battle plans.
There is disagreement also on how far N Korea is in terms of placing their newly found toy atop of a missle. Some say they are years away from making the bomb compact enough and others say they have the technical expertise at hand although not the practical working experience.
There is even one report that what was tested was a neutron bomb. Very very interesting if this true. For those too young or who don't rember a neutron bomb releases very high amount of radiation. The damage caused by this type of bomb is to the people from the effects of radiation while leaving infrastructure free from collateral damage. The United States developed a neutron bomb in the late 70's and ceased developement during the presidency of Jimmy Carter.
The place for this type of bomb is on the battlefield in both offensive first strike and defensive scenarios.
How do you threaten a madman who is so willing to sacrifice his people to begin with?
It would be like confronting a suicide bomber...."please mr. madman, take the vest off now and we won't have cut your food supply off, your heating oil off, your banking off, make your people live in squalor more so than they already are and if that doesn't motivate you, we'll pull the trigger on this gun we have pointed at your head" "Just take the damn vest off"
hence the dilema
What people fail to understand is it doesn't matter at all what they reasons are on how and why we got to this point in time. Pointing the finger doesn't do any good as this was going to happen anyway. Whether it was today or five years from now, N Korea was going to develope their own nuclear weapon.
Some people play by their own rules.
Meanwhile....keep stocking your safe room in your basement.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Amish Bedtime Story
Johann stroked his long beard as he leaned a little forward, closer to the lamp light. The shadows danced on the walls. His little audience consisted of Jonas who was four years old, Rebecca 5, Samuel 4 and Katie 4. They were huddled together and listening intently.
What was about to begin is a right of passage for these youngest of the Amish. It is an age where chores and responsibilities begin in earnest. Certainly care free youth still has a place in these children and will so for years even after tonight but tonight is the right of passage. It is something the children have heard rumors of but have never, ever been told about.
The night was perfect for this particular story telling as it was raining, the wind howling sometimes fiercely and an occasional thunder and lightning. It would surely keep the children's attention.
So Jonas started his story. He spoke of how important it was to obey one's elders and keep up with the chores of the day. He spoke of a child or perhaps there were several, it had been so long he was uncertain, who regulary had to be scolded and prodded to be obedient. These children he spoke of had somehow lost their way but they could be saved he said.
Jonas paused to gauge the effect so far. The children were still huddles together, all was going well.
Jonas continued. One night, on a night such as this he said a man came to take those children away....away from their families, away from their community, away from everything they know to be dear, never to bee seen of again. This man craved badly behaven children and if these four didn't straighten up that this man would be comming for them as well!!
Who is this man?
When does he come?
What does he look like?
The children asked in unison.
He comes at night Jonas said so no one can see him. No one has ever seen his face expect the children he has taken and those children are gone....FOREVER!!
The children were starting to shake, the time was right as a clash of thunder swept over their homestead.
No one has ever seen this man and spoke of him he said. We only know that on nights like this when it is windy and raining and sounds of thunder fill the air he can come about and snatch those bad children from us. If on nights like this one you lay in your bed and you listen very closely you might be able to hear him when he comes for some unsuspecting child.
As you lay in your bed listen carefully between the raindrops hitting the roof and the thunder.....listen very closely for him.... you will know he is comming when you hear the clippity clop, clippty clop of his buggy. You'll know it is him as no one else would normally be out in this weather. If you hear this tell tale sign of his approach getting louder and louder be afraid, be terrified as he might just be comming for you, you, you or you. He's looking for all the bad apples and it might be YOU!! he picks this time. If you hear the clippity clop, clippity clop getting louder then suddenly stop outside your door. Hide quickly....he's here for YOU!!!
HE IS............
THE BUGGY MAN
What was about to begin is a right of passage for these youngest of the Amish. It is an age where chores and responsibilities begin in earnest. Certainly care free youth still has a place in these children and will so for years even after tonight but tonight is the right of passage. It is something the children have heard rumors of but have never, ever been told about.
The night was perfect for this particular story telling as it was raining, the wind howling sometimes fiercely and an occasional thunder and lightning. It would surely keep the children's attention.
So Jonas started his story. He spoke of how important it was to obey one's elders and keep up with the chores of the day. He spoke of a child or perhaps there were several, it had been so long he was uncertain, who regulary had to be scolded and prodded to be obedient. These children he spoke of had somehow lost their way but they could be saved he said.
Jonas paused to gauge the effect so far. The children were still huddles together, all was going well.
Jonas continued. One night, on a night such as this he said a man came to take those children away....away from their families, away from their community, away from everything they know to be dear, never to bee seen of again. This man craved badly behaven children and if these four didn't straighten up that this man would be comming for them as well!!
Who is this man?
When does he come?
What does he look like?
The children asked in unison.
He comes at night Jonas said so no one can see him. No one has ever seen his face expect the children he has taken and those children are gone....FOREVER!!
The children were starting to shake, the time was right as a clash of thunder swept over their homestead.
No one has ever seen this man and spoke of him he said. We only know that on nights like this when it is windy and raining and sounds of thunder fill the air he can come about and snatch those bad children from us. If on nights like this one you lay in your bed and you listen very closely you might be able to hear him when he comes for some unsuspecting child.
As you lay in your bed listen carefully between the raindrops hitting the roof and the thunder.....listen very closely for him.... you will know he is comming when you hear the clippity clop, clippty clop of his buggy. You'll know it is him as no one else would normally be out in this weather. If you hear this tell tale sign of his approach getting louder and louder be afraid, be terrified as he might just be comming for you, you, you or you. He's looking for all the bad apples and it might be YOU!! he picks this time. If you hear the clippity clop, clippity clop getting louder then suddenly stop outside your door. Hide quickly....he's here for YOU!!!
HE IS............
THE BUGGY MAN
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Family Update
We were out of town last weekend as Shelly had an interview with ConAgra. They put us up in a hotel suite and while Shelly was meeting with plant management all day Friday I was looking over the area. I had already done some house hunting online and already been preapproved for a mortgage just in case. I also had set up a couple of property viewings.
The Human Resource Manager is a person Shelly used to work with so they have worked together in the past. Erin (HR Mgr.) took us to dinner with her family and told Shelly of their offer. Not one person Shelly met with Friday had a negative thing to say about her!! Not expecting an answer over dinner and a couple beers she wanted us to think about it...take as mjuch time as we wanted.
We had a couple properties to view Sat so when we got back to our room that afternoon she gave Erin a call. lol Erin's boss had called twice to see if Shelly had accepted!! The relcation package was good but we thought with a house here and moving ourselves we would need a little more...Shelly suggested maybe another $1500. Erin would call her boss and 10 min later she called back and they although they can't up the relo (company max for her level) they would increase the sign on bonus by 60% to the max they can offer without getting corporate approval. Done deal!!!
Shelly got her Bachelor's degree last February and since then she has almost doubled her salary!!! Nice job hun!!
So we had one more house to look at right before we left Sunday morning.
To make a long story short, as soon as we walked through the door we loved it. I had been by Friday and we drove by a couple times Saturday and drove through the neighborhood and the town. Needless to say the electrical and water transfer is already set and Shelly gave her notice to Kraft today. By the end of this month we will be in a three bedroom two full bath ranch with plenty of space and yard and storage.
This house??? stay tuned.. depending on the appraisal we will either put it on the market or rent it out.
The Human Resource Manager is a person Shelly used to work with so they have worked together in the past. Erin (HR Mgr.) took us to dinner with her family and told Shelly of their offer. Not one person Shelly met with Friday had a negative thing to say about her!! Not expecting an answer over dinner and a couple beers she wanted us to think about it...take as mjuch time as we wanted.
We had a couple properties to view Sat so when we got back to our room that afternoon she gave Erin a call. lol Erin's boss had called twice to see if Shelly had accepted!! The relcation package was good but we thought with a house here and moving ourselves we would need a little more...Shelly suggested maybe another $1500. Erin would call her boss and 10 min later she called back and they although they can't up the relo (company max for her level) they would increase the sign on bonus by 60% to the max they can offer without getting corporate approval. Done deal!!!
Shelly got her Bachelor's degree last February and since then she has almost doubled her salary!!! Nice job hun!!
So we had one more house to look at right before we left Sunday morning.
To make a long story short, as soon as we walked through the door we loved it. I had been by Friday and we drove by a couple times Saturday and drove through the neighborhood and the town. Needless to say the electrical and water transfer is already set and Shelly gave her notice to Kraft today. By the end of this month we will be in a three bedroom two full bath ranch with plenty of space and yard and storage.
This house??? stay tuned.. depending on the appraisal we will either put it on the market or rent it out.
CBS Jericho
ok... 3rd episode and they place it 18 hours after blast. There's not really anything to be overly critical about in this last episode so we will take a look at the attack itself.
Terrorist?? Not very likely since there were multiple targets....about 8 or more. I can see them getting off a small one maybe twice but nothing more than that.
If you look at the targets Boulder, Wichita, Atlanta, Philidelphia, Chicago, Seattle??, etc. these aren't military targets and they are not major population centers they are something in between. The targets weren't meant to be a knockout punch militarily speaking as they did not hit command and control centers. It was not meant to totally anihalate the country as medium sized population centers were hit. In a boxing analogy we were hit with a punch we didn't see comming and we were knocked back a couple of steps.
In this last episode the folks in the bar picked up a possible chinese broadcast from their satellite dish. Ever think this town is soon to run out of gas for those generators??? Or....by some chance is there still an electrical grid fully functional??? Now how is it a town in Kansas can pick up a chinese satellite?? I suppose it is possible considering radio frequency can "skip" around in the ionosphere and be picked up 100's and even 1000's of miles from the source. That is earthbound communications though. Does the same apply to earth/space/earth communications?
Can someone living in Kiev pick up MTV Latin America with his dish?? He certainly could if the signal was beamed to him. Communication satellites are normally parked in a geostationary orbit. For example...generally speaking, DirecTV has theirs over Texas. It is commonly known that although DirecTV's audience is American and yes the signal footprint is ConUS (continental US) households in Canada can receive the signal.
I am going to guess what was picked up on the satellite dish was a direct broadcast on not "skip". If it were "skip" the source would most likely be ground based rather than space and would have been received by regular tv with rabbit ears. My guess that this was a direct broadcast. The question remains though, is an asian broadcast to/from asia (thinking Chinese or N. Korean) able to be picked up in Kansas? If someone has an answer please drop a note.
Now there is mention in the previews for the next episode that "they're comming". This was from a refugee from Colorado. Who is "they"?? One obvious though is more refugees are comming. There would be a virtual exodus from any area near the blast to a safer area. There was mention of fighter jets in this last episode. Of course everything we have would be airborn in a possible attack but is the jets scrambling and "they're comming" and the chinese broadcast connected?? Is it possible that the country was invaded and the nuclear explosions a first strike?
perhaps we'll see, stay tuned.
Terrorist?? Not very likely since there were multiple targets....about 8 or more. I can see them getting off a small one maybe twice but nothing more than that.
If you look at the targets Boulder, Wichita, Atlanta, Philidelphia, Chicago, Seattle??, etc. these aren't military targets and they are not major population centers they are something in between. The targets weren't meant to be a knockout punch militarily speaking as they did not hit command and control centers. It was not meant to totally anihalate the country as medium sized population centers were hit. In a boxing analogy we were hit with a punch we didn't see comming and we were knocked back a couple of steps.
In this last episode the folks in the bar picked up a possible chinese broadcast from their satellite dish. Ever think this town is soon to run out of gas for those generators??? Or....by some chance is there still an electrical grid fully functional??? Now how is it a town in Kansas can pick up a chinese satellite?? I suppose it is possible considering radio frequency can "skip" around in the ionosphere and be picked up 100's and even 1000's of miles from the source. That is earthbound communications though. Does the same apply to earth/space/earth communications?
Can someone living in Kiev pick up MTV Latin America with his dish?? He certainly could if the signal was beamed to him. Communication satellites are normally parked in a geostationary orbit. For example...generally speaking, DirecTV has theirs over Texas. It is commonly known that although DirecTV's audience is American and yes the signal footprint is ConUS (continental US) households in Canada can receive the signal.
I am going to guess what was picked up on the satellite dish was a direct broadcast on not "skip". If it were "skip" the source would most likely be ground based rather than space and would have been received by regular tv with rabbit ears. My guess that this was a direct broadcast. The question remains though, is an asian broadcast to/from asia (thinking Chinese or N. Korean) able to be picked up in Kansas? If someone has an answer please drop a note.
Now there is mention in the previews for the next episode that "they're comming". This was from a refugee from Colorado. Who is "they"?? One obvious though is more refugees are comming. There would be a virtual exodus from any area near the blast to a safer area. There was mention of fighter jets in this last episode. Of course everything we have would be airborn in a possible attack but is the jets scrambling and "they're comming" and the chinese broadcast connected?? Is it possible that the country was invaded and the nuclear explosions a first strike?
perhaps we'll see, stay tuned.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
CBS Jericho
FALLOUT
There are two types of nuclear detonations...ground burst and air burst.
In the case of a surface burst, this cloud will also contain large quantities of dirt and other debris which are vaporized when the fireball touches the earth's surface or are sucked up by the strong updrafts afterwards, giving the cloud a dirty brown appearance. The dirt and debris become contaminated with the radioisotopes generated by the explosion or activated by neutron radiation and fall to earth as fallout.
Following an air burst, condensed droplets of water give it a typical white cloudlike appearance.
For the sake of argument we will assume that in this series the type of detonation that hit Denver was ground burst.
There will be large amounts of particles of less than 100 nm to several millimeters in diameter generated in a surface burst in addition to the very fine particles which contribute to worldwide fallout. The larger particles spill out of the stem and cascade down the outside of the fireball in a downdraft even while the cloud rises, so fallout begins to arrive near ground zero within an hour and more than half the total bomb debris is deposited on the ground within about 24 hours as local fallout.
So here is the problem. Denver is 3-500 miles from Jericho. It appears that episode one of Jericho was "day one", episode two is "day two' and so on. From the time the fireball was spotted to the time they noticed a rain storm approaching up to 24 hours had elapsed.
Now if you see a mushroom cloud to your immediate west, taking into account prevailing winds travel west to east.....you had better find some place to sit tight for the first several days. All that radioactive debris taken into the atmosphere and stratosphere by the mushroom cloud will start to fall back immediately. The closer one is to the cloud the more immediately he needs to seek shelter.
But these people in this town were out and about for up to 24 hours after the explosion???
At a nuclear test at the Bikini Atoll in 1954 it took 16 hours for fallout to travel just shy of 300 miles. This was a 15 mega ton bomb so the spread of "local fallout" will depend on several factors, two of which would be bomb yeild and weather. Not knowing the bomb yield (KT or MT) or having access to any weather forecasts the population of Jericho had already been exposed to an amount of radioactive fallout before they even sought shelter from the oncomming storm.
In one scene, the deputy mayor described radioactive poisoning. He describes the effects of the sickness and the certain death seemingly within days if not hours. The character playing pool was going to stay there and supposedly die by what he thought would be nuclear blast. If he had stayed there playing pool during the rainstorm that was comming he may have gotten a larger dose of radiation but think of fallout more like dust. Of course the rain was going to dump much more concentrated amounts of radioactivity onto Jericho but by staying inside and not frolicking outside in the rain improves survivability tremendously.
At 1 hour after burst the radiation from fallout in the crater region is 30 grays per hour (Gy/h) for a surface burst. A cumulative dose of 3.5 Gy is fatal to half of a population of humans.
The Gray
The unit of actual exposure is the Roentgen which is defined in ionisations per unit volume of air, and all ionisation based instruments (including geiger counters and ionisation chambers) measure exposure. However, effects depend on the energy per unit mass not the exposure measured in air. A deposit of 1 joule per kilogram has the unit of 1 gray. For 1 MeV energy gamma rays, an exposure of 1 roentgen in air will produce a dose of about 0.01 gray, i.e., 1 centigray (cGy) in water or surface tissue. Because of shielding by the tissue surrounding the bones, the bone marrow will only receive about 0.67 cGy when the air exposure is 1 roentgen and the surface skin dose is 1 cGy. Some of the lower values reported for the amount of radiation which would kill 50% of personnel (the 'LD50') refer to bone marrow dose, which is only 67% of the air dose.
At 1 hour after burst the radiation from fallout in the crater region is 30 grays per hour (Gy/h) for a surface burst. A cumulative dose of 3.5 Gy is fatal to half of a population of humans (it has been estimated that the LD50 dose under the conditions of nuclear war {poor diet, poor medical care etc} would be 2.5 Gy). There have been few documented cases of survival beyond 6 Gy.
So...a question would be: If the person shooting pool decided to stay there during the storm would have received a lethal dose of radiation with symptoms described by the deputy mayor??? Chances are no. He may receive a lethal dose but from prolonged exposure and not from one meterological event where he did not suffer direct exposure.
There are two types of nuclear detonations...ground burst and air burst.
In the case of a surface burst, this cloud will also contain large quantities of dirt and other debris which are vaporized when the fireball touches the earth's surface or are sucked up by the strong updrafts afterwards, giving the cloud a dirty brown appearance. The dirt and debris become contaminated with the radioisotopes generated by the explosion or activated by neutron radiation and fall to earth as fallout.
Following an air burst, condensed droplets of water give it a typical white cloudlike appearance.
For the sake of argument we will assume that in this series the type of detonation that hit Denver was ground burst.
There will be large amounts of particles of less than 100 nm to several millimeters in diameter generated in a surface burst in addition to the very fine particles which contribute to worldwide fallout. The larger particles spill out of the stem and cascade down the outside of the fireball in a downdraft even while the cloud rises, so fallout begins to arrive near ground zero within an hour and more than half the total bomb debris is deposited on the ground within about 24 hours as local fallout.
So here is the problem. Denver is 3-500 miles from Jericho. It appears that episode one of Jericho was "day one", episode two is "day two' and so on. From the time the fireball was spotted to the time they noticed a rain storm approaching up to 24 hours had elapsed.
Now if you see a mushroom cloud to your immediate west, taking into account prevailing winds travel west to east.....you had better find some place to sit tight for the first several days. All that radioactive debris taken into the atmosphere and stratosphere by the mushroom cloud will start to fall back immediately. The closer one is to the cloud the more immediately he needs to seek shelter.
But these people in this town were out and about for up to 24 hours after the explosion???
At a nuclear test at the Bikini Atoll in 1954 it took 16 hours for fallout to travel just shy of 300 miles. This was a 15 mega ton bomb so the spread of "local fallout" will depend on several factors, two of which would be bomb yeild and weather. Not knowing the bomb yield (KT or MT) or having access to any weather forecasts the population of Jericho had already been exposed to an amount of radioactive fallout before they even sought shelter from the oncomming storm.
In one scene, the deputy mayor described radioactive poisoning. He describes the effects of the sickness and the certain death seemingly within days if not hours. The character playing pool was going to stay there and supposedly die by what he thought would be nuclear blast. If he had stayed there playing pool during the rainstorm that was comming he may have gotten a larger dose of radiation but think of fallout more like dust. Of course the rain was going to dump much more concentrated amounts of radioactivity onto Jericho but by staying inside and not frolicking outside in the rain improves survivability tremendously.
At 1 hour after burst the radiation from fallout in the crater region is 30 grays per hour (Gy/h) for a surface burst. A cumulative dose of 3.5 Gy is fatal to half of a population of humans.
The Gray
The unit of actual exposure is the Roentgen which is defined in ionisations per unit volume of air, and all ionisation based instruments (including geiger counters and ionisation chambers) measure exposure. However, effects depend on the energy per unit mass not the exposure measured in air. A deposit of 1 joule per kilogram has the unit of 1 gray. For 1 MeV energy gamma rays, an exposure of 1 roentgen in air will produce a dose of about 0.01 gray, i.e., 1 centigray (cGy) in water or surface tissue. Because of shielding by the tissue surrounding the bones, the bone marrow will only receive about 0.67 cGy when the air exposure is 1 roentgen and the surface skin dose is 1 cGy. Some of the lower values reported for the amount of radiation which would kill 50% of personnel (the 'LD50') refer to bone marrow dose, which is only 67% of the air dose.
At 1 hour after burst the radiation from fallout in the crater region is 30 grays per hour (Gy/h) for a surface burst. A cumulative dose of 3.5 Gy is fatal to half of a population of humans (it has been estimated that the LD50 dose under the conditions of nuclear war {poor diet, poor medical care etc} would be 2.5 Gy). There have been few documented cases of survival beyond 6 Gy.
So...a question would be: If the person shooting pool decided to stay there during the storm would have received a lethal dose of radiation with symptoms described by the deputy mayor??? Chances are no. He may receive a lethal dose but from prolonged exposure and not from one meterological event where he did not suffer direct exposure.
Monday, September 25, 2006
All We Need Now
Just a quick view of the news this morning and you see oil has dropped below $60 on ample supplies here in the US and worry about the US economy. Recently...and I am thining it was perhaps Friday, it came out that the economy slowed more than originally thought, triggering a thought that The Fed might have to reduce rates for the first time in 2+ years when it meets next.
Economy slows, jobs are not created, people generally have less to spend and you add to that stockpiles of oil and gas then it sends energy prices downward.
Ok, so all we need now is China's economy to overheat (wages don't keep up with inflation) or for their economy to slow regardless of reason. That would take further pressure off oil and send it downward even more. I would suggest that China's booming ecomomy over the past 3-4 years alone may be responsible for up to $15 of the $60 barrel of oil.
It may even shut up ex paratrooper Hugo Chavez or cause to have him replaced. He has stayed in power only because he is redistributing Venezuela's oil wealth. The higher the price of oil, the more he has to give to the less fortunate who are the majority of that country's electorate.
Strangly enough....should China's economy slow the one repercussion we may be faced with is paying slightly higher prices for goods purchased at Wal Mart.
Right now on NYMEX we are seeing commodity energy prices at levels we haven't seen in at least two years.
Economy slows, jobs are not created, people generally have less to spend and you add to that stockpiles of oil and gas then it sends energy prices downward.
Ok, so all we need now is China's economy to overheat (wages don't keep up with inflation) or for their economy to slow regardless of reason. That would take further pressure off oil and send it downward even more. I would suggest that China's booming ecomomy over the past 3-4 years alone may be responsible for up to $15 of the $60 barrel of oil.
It may even shut up ex paratrooper Hugo Chavez or cause to have him replaced. He has stayed in power only because he is redistributing Venezuela's oil wealth. The higher the price of oil, the more he has to give to the less fortunate who are the majority of that country's electorate.
Strangly enough....should China's economy slow the one repercussion we may be faced with is paying slightly higher prices for goods purchased at Wal Mart.
Right now on NYMEX we are seeing commodity energy prices at levels we haven't seen in at least two years.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Jericho Review
There is one element that was missing in last night's premier of Jericho that was on the previews.....the nuclear related special effects.
From the preview it was edited in such a way that you saw the flash of the mushroom cloud and you heard a bang. In no scene last night did you hear any sound of explosion when the mushroom cloud was in camera view.
There were no other explosions in the opener other than the main one supposedly in Denver and the other heard on from a phone call originating in Atlanta. From the previews or early previews you got the impression that there might had been blast damage from the nuclear explosion. This certainly wasn't evident in the opener.
EMP
from http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm
The pulse can easily span continent-sized areas, and this radiation can affect systems on land, sea, and air. The first recorded EMP incident accompanied a high-altitude nuclear test over the South Pacific and resulted in power system failures as far away as Hawaii. A large device detonated at 400�500 km over Kansas would affect all of CONUS. The signal from such an event extends to the visual horizon as seen from the burst point.
So, in theory a bomb detonated in the area of Denver would have knocked out most electronics in Jericho had it been an air detonation. If on the other hand it was a ground detonation then the EMP would have knocked out all electronics within the burn/blast zone the size of which is dependant upon the yield of the weapon.
Question... How long after Denver is knocked out would the power grid continue to operate? That all depends on how much generating capacity is located in the Denver area that is destined for the power grid and not used in Denver. Remember that a single lightning strike started what became a cascading blackout throughout the NE US and Canada.
So far it seems that the producers of the show have edited out some of the inaccuracies that were found in the early previews. Let's hope they keep the program to reflect some level of plauability.
From the preview it was edited in such a way that you saw the flash of the mushroom cloud and you heard a bang. In no scene last night did you hear any sound of explosion when the mushroom cloud was in camera view.
There were no other explosions in the opener other than the main one supposedly in Denver and the other heard on from a phone call originating in Atlanta. From the previews or early previews you got the impression that there might had been blast damage from the nuclear explosion. This certainly wasn't evident in the opener.
EMP
from http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm
The pulse can easily span continent-sized areas, and this radiation can affect systems on land, sea, and air. The first recorded EMP incident accompanied a high-altitude nuclear test over the South Pacific and resulted in power system failures as far away as Hawaii. A large device detonated at 400�500 km over Kansas would affect all of CONUS. The signal from such an event extends to the visual horizon as seen from the burst point.
So, in theory a bomb detonated in the area of Denver would have knocked out most electronics in Jericho had it been an air detonation. If on the other hand it was a ground detonation then the EMP would have knocked out all electronics within the burn/blast zone the size of which is dependant upon the yield of the weapon.
Question... How long after Denver is knocked out would the power grid continue to operate? That all depends on how much generating capacity is located in the Denver area that is destined for the power grid and not used in Denver. Remember that a single lightning strike started what became a cascading blackout throughout the NE US and Canada.
So far it seems that the producers of the show have edited out some of the inaccuracies that were found in the early previews. Let's hope they keep the program to reflect some level of plauability.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Which Will It Be?
Central PA or Cleveland OH?? ConAgra or Nestle??
Shelly will be back from Nestle today after 1 1/2 days of meetings with dept heads at their plant. She is getting very positive feedback and knew going in that it is between her and an internal canidate. The internal canidate has no HR background so it would seem logical that she would be the choice but nothing written in stone yet.
We know her salary range and she would also be entitled to a 10% bonus per quarter. As for the relocation package....everything they have to offer would be available and will find out to what extent if she is offered the position.
On the other hand.
A former coworker who is now an HR manager for a ConAgra plant called her yesturday and if she is interested they would like to hire her. ConAgra would match or beat any offer Nestle comes to the table with.
So we will know something more concrete in the next few days. I have been getting into gear and working on the house the past week or so getting it ready to sell in anticipation she would be offered a job. Looks closer to becoming a reality.
Time will tell.
Shelly will be back from Nestle today after 1 1/2 days of meetings with dept heads at their plant. She is getting very positive feedback and knew going in that it is between her and an internal canidate. The internal canidate has no HR background so it would seem logical that she would be the choice but nothing written in stone yet.
We know her salary range and she would also be entitled to a 10% bonus per quarter. As for the relocation package....everything they have to offer would be available and will find out to what extent if she is offered the position.
On the other hand.
A former coworker who is now an HR manager for a ConAgra plant called her yesturday and if she is interested they would like to hire her. ConAgra would match or beat any offer Nestle comes to the table with.
So we will know something more concrete in the next few days. I have been getting into gear and working on the house the past week or so getting it ready to sell in anticipation she would be offered a job. Looks closer to becoming a reality.
Time will tell.
Monday, September 18, 2006
France says more Iran talks needed
VIENNA (Reuters) - French
President Jacques Chirac said on Monday talks with
Iran on its nuclear aspirations should be pursued since U.N. sanctions had never worked well, a fresh hint of EU misgivings over U.S. calls for punishing Tehran.
Remember - It's not a world war unless France surrenders.
True, on a world stage you cannot shoot and ask questions later....or at least it isn't a good idea too but on the other extreme the time for talking has to be FINITE!! Maybe they need a timetable for withdrawl of talking???
As UN Security Council deadline after deadline comes and goes there's France with their "we need more talking" dribble. When does the talking stop??? I would hope the time to stop talking would not be after a mushroom cloud rises above Tel Aviv. I liken France to Neville Chamberlin stepping off a plane and onto the tarmack and proclaiming "peace in our time".
When does the appeasment STOP!!
President Jacques Chirac said on Monday talks with
Iran on its nuclear aspirations should be pursued since U.N. sanctions had never worked well, a fresh hint of EU misgivings over U.S. calls for punishing Tehran.
Remember - It's not a world war unless France surrenders.
True, on a world stage you cannot shoot and ask questions later....or at least it isn't a good idea too but on the other extreme the time for talking has to be FINITE!! Maybe they need a timetable for withdrawl of talking???
As UN Security Council deadline after deadline comes and goes there's France with their "we need more talking" dribble. When does the talking stop??? I would hope the time to stop talking would not be after a mushroom cloud rises above Tel Aviv. I liken France to Neville Chamberlin stepping off a plane and onto the tarmack and proclaiming "peace in our time".
When does the appeasment STOP!!
The Doom And Gloom Report for September 18, 2006
A couple of topics are on my mind as we start the new week.
Oil and Gas
Seems to be that evergy prices have run into a classic investment wall...the correction.
A correction is when investors push their investment vehicle (stocks, bonds, real estate, energy) in one direction. For the most part you see a sustained upward trend. At some point if you have a large "paper" gain on your investment it is a smart thing to take the money and run or to cash out. Now you have money in your pocket so to speak rather than it showing on paper only.
It doesn't matter what the trigger was for the correction. Alot of this is psychological. How long do you hold onto your investment without risking any potential profit you could gain? Sell now and you made some good money; wait and your profit could be cut in half and you'll end up kicking yourself.
So several weeks ago people who invested in energy were asking themselves the same thing. They also took into consideration that American motorists cut back on their driving this summer so gas inventories are up. They saw the hurricane season as pretty much a no show this season with nothing happening in the Gulf of Mexico.
Taking into account just the previous two bits of information and you could see not much would move the price of oil higher so it is a safe bet to get out of the energy investments as the potential for further gains is low.
At this point in time, barring any single cataclysmic event or several energy related interruptions we should see significantly lower energy costs through the heating season when compared to last year.
Jihad
Have you ever run into someone whether it was at the school playground when you were a kid or maybe it was at a bar or club after work when you were out for a few where you maybe glanced over in someone's direction and a thug (for lack of a better word) wanted to beat you to a pulp just because you "looked at him"?
Today it was reported by Reuters that a militant group declared Jihad over the Pope's speech. That reminded me of the above mentioned context. It also reminds me of a Nazi official who could not eat breakfast before finding someone to kill. He would run out onto the street and it didn't matter what religion, race or whatever they were he wanted to kill. Perhaps it was the need to fullfill his own grandiose vision of being master.
Granted not all muslims are of the same cloth...no, just the schoolyard thugs are. Thugs who are offended 'cause they didn't get so much as a "By your leave" scream jihad. It was a speech and whether taken out of context or not, whether meant to inflame or not doesn't matter as a thug will use any and all excuses to thump his chest and proclaim himself a force to be reckon with.
This doesn't apply to just a single religion or people. Christians are guilty of it as well, just not on the same scale in recent history.
So when you have someone who uses any reason to encite, enrage, maim or kill the innocent what you have is a modern day school yard thug.....a dangerous one.
Oil and Gas
Seems to be that evergy prices have run into a classic investment wall...the correction.
A correction is when investors push their investment vehicle (stocks, bonds, real estate, energy) in one direction. For the most part you see a sustained upward trend. At some point if you have a large "paper" gain on your investment it is a smart thing to take the money and run or to cash out. Now you have money in your pocket so to speak rather than it showing on paper only.
It doesn't matter what the trigger was for the correction. Alot of this is psychological. How long do you hold onto your investment without risking any potential profit you could gain? Sell now and you made some good money; wait and your profit could be cut in half and you'll end up kicking yourself.
So several weeks ago people who invested in energy were asking themselves the same thing. They also took into consideration that American motorists cut back on their driving this summer so gas inventories are up. They saw the hurricane season as pretty much a no show this season with nothing happening in the Gulf of Mexico.
Taking into account just the previous two bits of information and you could see not much would move the price of oil higher so it is a safe bet to get out of the energy investments as the potential for further gains is low.
At this point in time, barring any single cataclysmic event or several energy related interruptions we should see significantly lower energy costs through the heating season when compared to last year.
Jihad
Have you ever run into someone whether it was at the school playground when you were a kid or maybe it was at a bar or club after work when you were out for a few where you maybe glanced over in someone's direction and a thug (for lack of a better word) wanted to beat you to a pulp just because you "looked at him"?
Today it was reported by Reuters that a militant group declared Jihad over the Pope's speech. That reminded me of the above mentioned context. It also reminds me of a Nazi official who could not eat breakfast before finding someone to kill. He would run out onto the street and it didn't matter what religion, race or whatever they were he wanted to kill. Perhaps it was the need to fullfill his own grandiose vision of being master.
Granted not all muslims are of the same cloth...no, just the schoolyard thugs are. Thugs who are offended 'cause they didn't get so much as a "By your leave" scream jihad. It was a speech and whether taken out of context or not, whether meant to inflame or not doesn't matter as a thug will use any and all excuses to thump his chest and proclaim himself a force to be reckon with.
This doesn't apply to just a single religion or people. Christians are guilty of it as well, just not on the same scale in recent history.
So when you have someone who uses any reason to encite, enrage, maim or kill the innocent what you have is a modern day school yard thug.....a dangerous one.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Uncle Smithers' Week #2 Picks
Ah, dreaded week two is upon us. Dreaded because it's hard to tell at this point which NFL teams are legit, and which are too legit to quit... (that would mean, suck, because anybody who coins a phrase Please Hammer Don't Hurth 'Em just isn't right in the head.) Uncle Smithers actually won money last week with his picks (I only put five on a parlay)--and overall didn't do too badly. How 'bout them Orange?! Pathetic.
This weeks college picks:
Michigan St. is a 2.5 point underdog traveling to Pitt. Both teams are 2-0, however, I'm giving this to Pitt for a number of reasons. First, they're at home. Second, the Big East is a stronger conference than the Big 10 this year. Third, Michigan St. has struggled on the road.
Florida is a 3.5 pt favorite going into Tennessee, where 105,000+ fans will be dressed in white and Yeorange. I like Florida because of their offense, and because Tennessee's is rather inconsistent. I'd be surprised if this comes down to a defensive battle.
The Irish are 6.5 point favorites at home against Michigan, how has had opening road wooes going back to 1999. Expect them to continue, though I'm still pissed Notre Dame didn't cover the spread at Georgia Tech.
Oregon is at home and a 4.5 point favorite against Oklahoma. I like the Ducks to prevail in this one. They're 22-1 at home against non-conference opponents and 4-0 against ranked teams there under their current coach. These guys are quick, and their QB, Dixon, looked pretty poised last week against Fresno St. Oklahoma seemed to struggle a bit in their two victories to date.
Louisville has an opportunity to beat Miami after losing to them 11 times. Good news for the Cardinals is they're at home where they've played pretty good over the last several years. Bad news for Miami is they looked rather sluggesh on Offense, something they can't afford to be if Louisville continues to put points up on the board sans their version of RB Bush, Michael. I like the Cards, -4.5.
LSU travels to Auburn for a battle of top 10 teams (#6 vs. #3), and two of the best defenses in the country. I like Auburn, -3.5, playing at home simply because they've played two opponents a bit more worthy than LSU vs. Louisianna-Lafayette. Helen Keller would stop them on d-too.
The Pros:
Tough week for picks, so I'm just going to point and shoot:
RAVENS vs. raiders +11.5. I think Oakland will cover this spread, though we could see another 27-0 Baltimore route.
COLTS vs. texans +13.5. I'll take the Texans, as they give certain teams fits and Indy is one of them.
FINS vs. bills +6.5. Should be a good matchup though the rivalry just isn't as much fun as Kelly/Marino. I like the fins, but not by much. Look for the Bills to cover the spread.
BEARS vs. lions +8.5. One of those who cares NFC matchups. Has this game mattered in the last 20 years at all? I still can't believe Rex Grossman is the Bears QB. Take the Lions--they're actually looking like they're tired of being stepped on.
panthers vs. VIKINGS +2.5. Take the Vikings, playing at home. New coach Childress is a disciplinarian, and it's working to a "T".
EAGLES vs. g-men +3.5. Can you imagine the Giants starting 0-2? Eli showed on a national stage he isn't as good as his brother, and guess what? He's not as good as McNabb, either. Take the birds at home.
FALCONS vs. buccs +5.5. What the hell happened to the Buccs last week? I called Baltimore to cover, +2.5, but Jesus. On the flip side, Altanta beat Carolina senseless. I have to go with the Falcons here.
saints vs. PACKERS +2.5. Remember the days when Green Bay was undefeatable at home? That's where Brett Favre should be, home in Louisianna, watching the game on the porch and relieving those memories. Take the upstart Saints.
rams vs. 49ERS +2.5 Well, San Fran covered the spread last week, but I don't think playing at home will help them much this time around. Rams.
SEAHAWKS vs. cardinals +6.5. Shit, if Seattle can't score more than 9 points against Detroit, how can they be 6.5 point favorites against the Cardinals? Coffee? I like the birds. The red ones. To cover.
patriots vs. J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS! +5.5 I'm not a Jets fan, but hmm... New England squeaks one out at home against Buffalo, go on the road and are a 5.5 point favorite? Jets to cover.
CHARGERS vs. titans +11.5. Have the Titans really fallen this far? I don't think so. 11.5 points is a lot, and I'll take it.
BRONCOS vs. chiefs +10.5. Trent Greene thought he was bucked by a bronco last week. The chefs, great googley moogley, will get bucked again this week as Plummer miraculously pulls his head out of his ass and shoots lightening bolts for touchdowns.
COWBOYS vs. redskins +5.5. Hmmmm... Rivalry. Another cowboy and indian thing going on here. But just as Brokeback Mountain proved, the Cowboy always gets it in the end. Look for Washington to cover.
steelers vs. JAGS +1.5. Ahhh... Those road warrior Steelers. If it weren't for Maddox, the Steelers would have won this game last year at home. But alas, they'll get it this year--watch them roll out newly acquired Najah Davenport to roll them into the endzone from short yardage.
This weeks college picks:
Michigan St. is a 2.5 point underdog traveling to Pitt. Both teams are 2-0, however, I'm giving this to Pitt for a number of reasons. First, they're at home. Second, the Big East is a stronger conference than the Big 10 this year. Third, Michigan St. has struggled on the road.
Florida is a 3.5 pt favorite going into Tennessee, where 105,000+ fans will be dressed in white and Yeorange. I like Florida because of their offense, and because Tennessee's is rather inconsistent. I'd be surprised if this comes down to a defensive battle.
The Irish are 6.5 point favorites at home against Michigan, how has had opening road wooes going back to 1999. Expect them to continue, though I'm still pissed Notre Dame didn't cover the spread at Georgia Tech.
Oregon is at home and a 4.5 point favorite against Oklahoma. I like the Ducks to prevail in this one. They're 22-1 at home against non-conference opponents and 4-0 against ranked teams there under their current coach. These guys are quick, and their QB, Dixon, looked pretty poised last week against Fresno St. Oklahoma seemed to struggle a bit in their two victories to date.
Louisville has an opportunity to beat Miami after losing to them 11 times. Good news for the Cardinals is they're at home where they've played pretty good over the last several years. Bad news for Miami is they looked rather sluggesh on Offense, something they can't afford to be if Louisville continues to put points up on the board sans their version of RB Bush, Michael. I like the Cards, -4.5.
LSU travels to Auburn for a battle of top 10 teams (#6 vs. #3), and two of the best defenses in the country. I like Auburn, -3.5, playing at home simply because they've played two opponents a bit more worthy than LSU vs. Louisianna-Lafayette. Helen Keller would stop them on d-too.
The Pros:
Tough week for picks, so I'm just going to point and shoot:
RAVENS vs. raiders +11.5. I think Oakland will cover this spread, though we could see another 27-0 Baltimore route.
COLTS vs. texans +13.5. I'll take the Texans, as they give certain teams fits and Indy is one of them.
FINS vs. bills +6.5. Should be a good matchup though the rivalry just isn't as much fun as Kelly/Marino. I like the fins, but not by much. Look for the Bills to cover the spread.
BEARS vs. lions +8.5. One of those who cares NFC matchups. Has this game mattered in the last 20 years at all? I still can't believe Rex Grossman is the Bears QB. Take the Lions--they're actually looking like they're tired of being stepped on.
panthers vs. VIKINGS +2.5. Take the Vikings, playing at home. New coach Childress is a disciplinarian, and it's working to a "T".
EAGLES vs. g-men +3.5. Can you imagine the Giants starting 0-2? Eli showed on a national stage he isn't as good as his brother, and guess what? He's not as good as McNabb, either. Take the birds at home.
FALCONS vs. buccs +5.5. What the hell happened to the Buccs last week? I called Baltimore to cover, +2.5, but Jesus. On the flip side, Altanta beat Carolina senseless. I have to go with the Falcons here.
saints vs. PACKERS +2.5. Remember the days when Green Bay was undefeatable at home? That's where Brett Favre should be, home in Louisianna, watching the game on the porch and relieving those memories. Take the upstart Saints.
rams vs. 49ERS +2.5 Well, San Fran covered the spread last week, but I don't think playing at home will help them much this time around. Rams.
SEAHAWKS vs. cardinals +6.5. Shit, if Seattle can't score more than 9 points against Detroit, how can they be 6.5 point favorites against the Cardinals? Coffee? I like the birds. The red ones. To cover.
patriots vs. J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS! +5.5 I'm not a Jets fan, but hmm... New England squeaks one out at home against Buffalo, go on the road and are a 5.5 point favorite? Jets to cover.
CHARGERS vs. titans +11.5. Have the Titans really fallen this far? I don't think so. 11.5 points is a lot, and I'll take it.
BRONCOS vs. chiefs +10.5. Trent Greene thought he was bucked by a bronco last week. The chefs, great googley moogley, will get bucked again this week as Plummer miraculously pulls his head out of his ass and shoots lightening bolts for touchdowns.
COWBOYS vs. redskins +5.5. Hmmmm... Rivalry. Another cowboy and indian thing going on here. But just as Brokeback Mountain proved, the Cowboy always gets it in the end. Look for Washington to cover.
steelers vs. JAGS +1.5. Ahhh... Those road warrior Steelers. If it weren't for Maddox, the Steelers would have won this game last year at home. But alas, they'll get it this year--watch them roll out newly acquired Najah Davenport to roll them into the endzone from short yardage.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Survivor: Stereotype Island
Alot has been made of this season's Survivor. GM reportably has pulled its ads. It's been said that it is a social experiment. For those who are unfamiliar, there are twenty people in this show this season. They are broken down into 4 teams of five members each....by ethnicity. We have our Latinos, African Americans, Asians, and Whites. Each team has its own name which damned if I can't remember. You may insert your own racial epithet for each if you would like. For me, I will call my own race....crackers.
So far the first episode has shown that us that:
1. Fat, grossly overweight men are lazy regardless of race.
2. Asians are good with puzzles
If you can think of more please drop me a line and I will add it to the list
So far the first episode has shown that us that:
1. Fat, grossly overweight men are lazy regardless of race.
2. Asians are good with puzzles
If you can think of more please drop me a line and I will add it to the list
Thursday, September 14, 2006
RockStar Finale
Well, sometimes you just gotta be careful of what you wish for. The SuperNova boys, apparently soon to be called something else, wanted a frontman, and that's exactly what they got. What they didn't get, however, was a lead singer. Big difference.
In what was perhaps TV's biggest surprise since Geraldo opened Al Capone's empty vault, the show went as "scripted". Magni, then Tobey, Dilana, and finally Bukkake Throated Lukas (who just gives the band that air of "dangerousness" they need, considering how ho-hum their songs are). The criticism of Magni was, again, unfounded. "We're looking for a frontman and you look like you blend in with the band". Hmmm... Is this not the same group that kicked Ryan off the show for standing out just a bit too much? Talk about sqauwking out the both sides of your mouth.
What really got me was the final two were the least talented singers and songwriters. Now, one could say there was a conspiracy to take Lukas, because the lad looks like he's in sad shape to get laid. With him "fronting" the group, the other bandmates will still have their pick of groupies, whereas if Tobey were leading the way, I'm sure the group would be lining up outside his trailer whining "C'mon mate, I saw her first!".
I'm really glad the show is over--seems like it was forever ago that the first guy got kicked off. At that point, it looked like there were no real candidates for a singer, and the band looked rather bored, if not downright horrified, with it all. It just seemed inevitable from the start that Lukas would be the singer--the band just seemed too eager to sing their praises for him. He's got the stage presence of Scott Weiland, however, that shit just doesn't get captured on recordings. Unfortunately, he's got about 1/8th the voice of Scott Weiland.
Interestingly enough, Brook Burke said "see you next summer", so it looks like we may have a good nine months to ponder what will come next. Truth be told, this format--finding a new lead singer for a semi-all-star-band--was nowhere near as finding a new lead singer for an existing group. A good candidate, if Burnett would stick to his local Aussie roots, would be Midnight Oil, who's lead singer left to pursue politics. At 7 feet tall, those would literally be some big shoes to fill, but they do have a catalog of hits... But I just don't see them holding up to American audiences who most likely know two or three songs, tops.
So, who knows, perhaps Eddie and Alex will be front and center court looking for a new lead singer (and bassist, as they've apparently cut ties with Michael Anthony, too).
In what was perhaps TV's biggest surprise since Geraldo opened Al Capone's empty vault, the show went as "scripted". Magni, then Tobey, Dilana, and finally Bukkake Throated Lukas (who just gives the band that air of "dangerousness" they need, considering how ho-hum their songs are). The criticism of Magni was, again, unfounded. "We're looking for a frontman and you look like you blend in with the band". Hmmm... Is this not the same group that kicked Ryan off the show for standing out just a bit too much? Talk about sqauwking out the both sides of your mouth.
What really got me was the final two were the least talented singers and songwriters. Now, one could say there was a conspiracy to take Lukas, because the lad looks like he's in sad shape to get laid. With him "fronting" the group, the other bandmates will still have their pick of groupies, whereas if Tobey were leading the way, I'm sure the group would be lining up outside his trailer whining "C'mon mate, I saw her first!".
I'm really glad the show is over--seems like it was forever ago that the first guy got kicked off. At that point, it looked like there were no real candidates for a singer, and the band looked rather bored, if not downright horrified, with it all. It just seemed inevitable from the start that Lukas would be the singer--the band just seemed too eager to sing their praises for him. He's got the stage presence of Scott Weiland, however, that shit just doesn't get captured on recordings. Unfortunately, he's got about 1/8th the voice of Scott Weiland.
Interestingly enough, Brook Burke said "see you next summer", so it looks like we may have a good nine months to ponder what will come next. Truth be told, this format--finding a new lead singer for a semi-all-star-band--was nowhere near as finding a new lead singer for an existing group. A good candidate, if Burnett would stick to his local Aussie roots, would be Midnight Oil, who's lead singer left to pursue politics. At 7 feet tall, those would literally be some big shoes to fill, but they do have a catalog of hits... But I just don't see them holding up to American audiences who most likely know two or three songs, tops.
So, who knows, perhaps Eddie and Alex will be front and center court looking for a new lead singer (and bassist, as they've apparently cut ties with Michael Anthony, too).
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Rock Star: ????????????????????
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060913/music_nm/supernova_dc_1
A new Mark Burnette reality tv series: Name That Band!!! How about Rock Star: Whomever???
By Jonathan Cohen Wed Sep 13, 1:13 PM ET
NEW YORK (Billboard) - A California judge has ordered producers of the CBS reality show "Rock Star" to find a new name for its group Supernova, ruling that an established band already exists with that moniker.
The original Supernova, best known for contributing the song "Chewbacca" to the cult movie "Clerks," had previously filed for a preliminary injunction protecting its name.
The news comes at a particularly bad time for the TV show, which will name its winning vocalist Wednesday. The winner will promptly hit the studio with guitarist
Gilby Clarke, bassist Jason Newsted and drummer
Tommy Lee; the group is slated to begin a North American tour on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.
As part of the judge's ruling, the CBS-spawned group is enjoined from using the Supernova name for performances and recordings.
"The ruling is a major victory for Supernova, especially since it has been announced on several occasions that our client's case had no merit," says Supernova attorney John Mizhir, Jr. "This is sweet justice. The order also proves that the law does not discriminate. The band members have worked hard for the past 17 years to establish the name Supernova and they are entitled to continue to perform without any other parties -- large or small -- infringing on their rights."
Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Supernova, founded in 1989 by Jodey Lawrence, Art Mitchell and David Collins, has released four albums.
A new Mark Burnette reality tv series: Name That Band!!! How about Rock Star: Whomever???
By Jonathan Cohen Wed Sep 13, 1:13 PM ET
NEW YORK (Billboard) - A California judge has ordered producers of the CBS reality show "Rock Star" to find a new name for its group Supernova, ruling that an established band already exists with that moniker.
The original Supernova, best known for contributing the song "Chewbacca" to the cult movie "Clerks," had previously filed for a preliminary injunction protecting its name.
The news comes at a particularly bad time for the TV show, which will name its winning vocalist Wednesday. The winner will promptly hit the studio with guitarist
Gilby Clarke, bassist Jason Newsted and drummer
Tommy Lee; the group is slated to begin a North American tour on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.
As part of the judge's ruling, the CBS-spawned group is enjoined from using the Supernova name for performances and recordings.
"The ruling is a major victory for Supernova, especially since it has been announced on several occasions that our client's case had no merit," says Supernova attorney John Mizhir, Jr. "This is sweet justice. The order also proves that the law does not discriminate. The band members have worked hard for the past 17 years to establish the name Supernova and they are entitled to continue to perform without any other parties -- large or small -- infringing on their rights."
Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Supernova, founded in 1989 by Jodey Lawrence, Art Mitchell and David Collins, has released four albums.
RockStar SuperNova Review
Well, I don't think there's too much sense wasting time on a write-up as it appears it's all but a foregone conclusion as to who will be picked as the lead singer (Lukas). It's rather unfortunate, because I still don't believe the guy can sing a lick. He did a bit better last night, but he just doesn't have it. I would not buy an album with him as the singer, and taking into consideration the tracks previewed on the show, it's not that big of a loss anyway.
Last night's show was a little hum-drum. Why bother letting them sing their original again? Even Tobey's song, heard for the third time now, came across as anti-climatic. And what's up with Tommy's response to Magni? Of all the things one could say, his was the most dumbass. "Dilana, Tobey, and Lukas all had memorable songs. There wasn't anything memorable about that one." If I were Magni, I would have retorted with "Well, and to be honest, Tommy, you're no Dave Grohl". I think that would have pissed him off. The best performance of the night had to have been Magni's Hush cover, which Tommy could have nodded to to ease the sting, but he just left it at his one comment.
So, barring some miracle, I would expect Lukas to be crowned the winner of this corporate rock wanna-be band (mind you, any of the singers would still have elicited the same outcome). I expect the album to crack the top 10 the first week, then fade into obscurity. The tour will do as well as expected, but it will be one and done.
Last night's show was a little hum-drum. Why bother letting them sing their original again? Even Tobey's song, heard for the third time now, came across as anti-climatic. And what's up with Tommy's response to Magni? Of all the things one could say, his was the most dumbass. "Dilana, Tobey, and Lukas all had memorable songs. There wasn't anything memorable about that one." If I were Magni, I would have retorted with "Well, and to be honest, Tommy, you're no Dave Grohl". I think that would have pissed him off. The best performance of the night had to have been Magni's Hush cover, which Tommy could have nodded to to ease the sting, but he just left it at his one comment.
So, barring some miracle, I would expect Lukas to be crowned the winner of this corporate rock wanna-be band (mind you, any of the singers would still have elicited the same outcome). I expect the album to crack the top 10 the first week, then fade into obscurity. The tour will do as well as expected, but it will be one and done.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
New From The Grassy Knoll
As I was watching shots of the space shuttle lift off and the "live" shots on tv today from the shuttle at the space station a thought crossed my mind.
Hollywood does a fine outstanding job!
Hollywood does a fine outstanding job!
Friday, September 08, 2006
Uncle Smithers' Weekly Picks--Week #1
Ah, the smell of pigskin flying through the air and tailgating on an autumn day. Let us start out by saying the BELOVED STEELERS opened their title defense with a defensive performance from Joey Porter worthy of all-pro status if he doesn't do jack the rest of the season.
Without further ado, here's my college picks:
Georgia on the road as a 3.5 favorite against South Carolina. I like Georgia. Always have, always will. The Gamecocks will undoubtedly improve once again with Steve Spurrier at the helm, but I don't see the Bulldogs losing this game.
Oregon on the road against Fresno St. Oregon is a 4.5 point favorite, which I like after they convincingly beat Walt Harris's Stanford team.
THE BIG GAME OF THE WEEK is Ohio State at Texas (c'mon, did you think it was Iowa at Syracuse? The Orange(men) won't have a winning season again until Perry Patterson is gone.) The Buckeyes are a 2.5 point underdog, and while the Texas has home field advantage, I the the veteran offense of THE Ohio State University will rate better than Texas, which will be more prone to mistakes. Don't know if the new QB will survive the hype, as my mother would have looked good under center against North Texas.
On to the pros:
Broncos on the road against the Rams. Denver is a 3.5 pt favorite, which I like.
Titans at home, -2.5 against the Jets. I'll take the Titans.
Patriots looked good on offense in the preseason--I expect them to cover at home (-9.5) against the Bills.
Upset #1: Ravens on the road against the Buccs, who are a 2.5 pt favorite. I really think McNair is going to help this team out tremendously.
Upset #2: Bengals +2.5 on the road against the Chiefs. Sure, Arrowhead is a tough place to play, but Cincy looks better on D this year and even scarier, better on the O, too.
Seahawks will redeem themselves in Detroit as 6.5 pt favorites.
Panthers are always tough at home, and I expect them to cover the 5.5 pt spread against the Falcons.
Eagles on the road against Houston, who still has a problem. Eagles minus 5.5 should cover, though this might be a tough one as Houston does play much better at home--historically speaking.
The Browns. The Saints. Hmmm. I'll take the Browns at home, +3.5.
The Jags are at home, too, as a 2.5 pt fav against the Cowgirls. I'll take the Jags.
Upset #3: The Packers at home, 3.5 pt underdogs against da Bears.
Upset #4: You can build a new state of the art stadium, and fill it with electricity, but at the end of the day... They're still the Cardinals. Until they prove otherwise, why bother? San Fran, +7.5
Manning vs. Manning, a sequal to Kraemer vs. Kraemer. I'll take brother Peyton on the road as a 3.5 pt. favorite against the g-men.
Upset #5: The Vikings on the road in DC against the RedSkins, who are 4.5 pt. favorites. I'm guessing every Minnesota fan sighed in relief after watching Daunte's performance last night, knowing it wsa the right decision. Brad Johnson is looking pretty sharp. I like the Vikings to cover.
And last but not least, the Chargers on the road vs. Oakland. The Chargers are 2.5 pt. favorites, and I like them to cover.
Without further ado, here's my college picks:
Georgia on the road as a 3.5 favorite against South Carolina. I like Georgia. Always have, always will. The Gamecocks will undoubtedly improve once again with Steve Spurrier at the helm, but I don't see the Bulldogs losing this game.
Oregon on the road against Fresno St. Oregon is a 4.5 point favorite, which I like after they convincingly beat Walt Harris's Stanford team.
THE BIG GAME OF THE WEEK is Ohio State at Texas (c'mon, did you think it was Iowa at Syracuse? The Orange(men) won't have a winning season again until Perry Patterson is gone.) The Buckeyes are a 2.5 point underdog, and while the Texas has home field advantage, I the the veteran offense of THE Ohio State University will rate better than Texas, which will be more prone to mistakes. Don't know if the new QB will survive the hype, as my mother would have looked good under center against North Texas.
On to the pros:
Broncos on the road against the Rams. Denver is a 3.5 pt favorite, which I like.
Titans at home, -2.5 against the Jets. I'll take the Titans.
Patriots looked good on offense in the preseason--I expect them to cover at home (-9.5) against the Bills.
Upset #1: Ravens on the road against the Buccs, who are a 2.5 pt favorite. I really think McNair is going to help this team out tremendously.
Upset #2: Bengals +2.5 on the road against the Chiefs. Sure, Arrowhead is a tough place to play, but Cincy looks better on D this year and even scarier, better on the O, too.
Seahawks will redeem themselves in Detroit as 6.5 pt favorites.
Panthers are always tough at home, and I expect them to cover the 5.5 pt spread against the Falcons.
Eagles on the road against Houston, who still has a problem. Eagles minus 5.5 should cover, though this might be a tough one as Houston does play much better at home--historically speaking.
The Browns. The Saints. Hmmm. I'll take the Browns at home, +3.5.
The Jags are at home, too, as a 2.5 pt fav against the Cowgirls. I'll take the Jags.
Upset #3: The Packers at home, 3.5 pt underdogs against da Bears.
Upset #4: You can build a new state of the art stadium, and fill it with electricity, but at the end of the day... They're still the Cardinals. Until they prove otherwise, why bother? San Fran, +7.5
Manning vs. Manning, a sequal to Kraemer vs. Kraemer. I'll take brother Peyton on the road as a 3.5 pt. favorite against the g-men.
Upset #5: The Vikings on the road in DC against the RedSkins, who are 4.5 pt. favorites. I'm guessing every Minnesota fan sighed in relief after watching Daunte's performance last night, knowing it wsa the right decision. Brad Johnson is looking pretty sharp. I like the Vikings to cover.
And last but not least, the Chargers on the road vs. Oakland. The Chargers are 2.5 pt. favorites, and I like them to cover.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Coming Soon! Uncle Smithers' Weekly picks!
Yeah, that's right. Time to talk smack about college and pro football. I'm going to try to hold to a strategy this year and pick four for $40 each week (unless I win, of course), which pays 12.5 to 1... or something like that. All I know is I had three picks out of four right last week, with a mere three points needed by the friggin' Hunch-back Gang to cover the spread for a payout of $480. Last weeks picks included UCLA, Pitt, and USC as winners, though lord only knows why I didn't pick West Virginia and Oregon like I wanted to.
I'm gonna miss them tats!
I said tats... but come to think of it, I'll probably miss those other things, too. I'm talking about Storm being booted from Rock Star SuperNova. I think over the past few weeks, she's held my attention by simply baring her mid section.
So, here it is a week into the college football season, and I should have put money down on my bottom three picks instead of Notre Dame last week (thanks ND--you're inability to kick a friggin' field goal blew my chance to win $450 on my parlay card. So much for the luck of the Irish). Yes, I would have had the bottom three right had I picked them last night: Dilanah, Storm, and gulp... Lukas.
I suppose, in the end, Storm was the obvious choice--but I do have to say Dilanah really has taken a plummet these past few weeks, somewhat comparable to Jordis last year (she got stuck with that one Aerosmith song and never recovered, losing votes every week which in turn lead to her losing confidence). Interestingly, both Jordis and Dilanah share that Grrrr-voice thing along with the hair do thing.
Glad to see Magni make it into the final show along with Tobey--these two have separated themselves from the pack over the last few weeks. Lukas as shown a bit more emotion which has lead to a better demonstration of vocal ability, but I just don't see it happening (though unfortunatley, I do--I think it's something of a forgone conclusion that he will be pegged as the lead singer). About the same point last year, Andew Farriss from INXS was criticizing JD for not showing up "prepared" for the original song episode. This time around, we get the same situation with Lukas. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out, but I'd be very surprised (but totally elated) if it weren't Lukas.
From the WHAT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW corner: what was up with Jason being overcome with Wish You Were Here? Obviously it holds some relevance to his own personal life, unless he was shedding a tear much like me in the thought of being a tatoo on Storm's body knowing she would be the next to go.
So, here it is a week into the college football season, and I should have put money down on my bottom three picks instead of Notre Dame last week (thanks ND--you're inability to kick a friggin' field goal blew my chance to win $450 on my parlay card. So much for the luck of the Irish). Yes, I would have had the bottom three right had I picked them last night: Dilanah, Storm, and gulp... Lukas.
I suppose, in the end, Storm was the obvious choice--but I do have to say Dilanah really has taken a plummet these past few weeks, somewhat comparable to Jordis last year (she got stuck with that one Aerosmith song and never recovered, losing votes every week which in turn lead to her losing confidence). Interestingly, both Jordis and Dilanah share that Grrrr-voice thing along with the hair do thing.
Glad to see Magni make it into the final show along with Tobey--these two have separated themselves from the pack over the last few weeks. Lukas as shown a bit more emotion which has lead to a better demonstration of vocal ability, but I just don't see it happening (though unfortunatley, I do--I think it's something of a forgone conclusion that he will be pegged as the lead singer). About the same point last year, Andew Farriss from INXS was criticizing JD for not showing up "prepared" for the original song episode. This time around, we get the same situation with Lukas. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out, but I'd be very surprised (but totally elated) if it weren't Lukas.
From the WHAT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW corner: what was up with Jason being overcome with Wish You Were Here? Obviously it holds some relevance to his own personal life, unless he was shedding a tear much like me in the thought of being a tatoo on Storm's body knowing she would be the next to go.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Rock Star
Will Dilanah get the boot tonight? One could only hope. She does have a wonderful voice and should try and use it more often. Out of her I prefer her natural tones rather than the gravel she spews forth. I think that style of singning has run it's course but for her she sounds no different than any other woman who sings in that style and to me it's boring.
There were three performances that I loved. Magni, Toby and Lucas, in that order. Lucas has been a bit of a suprise the last couple of weeks. Like it was said last night, he has come to show some emotion...kind of reminisent of Kurt Cobain. Sometimes when you hear a song for the first time you get a feeling just from the first 10 or seconds and you know it is going to be great song. That is what I got from the first couple of chords of Magni's original. I could really see Supernova (if that name survives litigation) adopt it as their own.
Go Magni!!!
On another note..
How about Rock Star: Van Halen for next season??? I mean, We know Edddy's marriage did not survive but did he succumb to the tongue cancer as well?? Even their official web site hasn't been updated in recent millenia (hhmm, is that even a word?) The last we heard he wasn't going to do one of those "nastalgia tours".
Something to ponder
There were three performances that I loved. Magni, Toby and Lucas, in that order. Lucas has been a bit of a suprise the last couple of weeks. Like it was said last night, he has come to show some emotion...kind of reminisent of Kurt Cobain. Sometimes when you hear a song for the first time you get a feeling just from the first 10 or seconds and you know it is going to be great song. That is what I got from the first couple of chords of Magni's original. I could really see Supernova (if that name survives litigation) adopt it as their own.
Go Magni!!!
On another note..
How about Rock Star: Van Halen for next season??? I mean, We know Edddy's marriage did not survive but did he succumb to the tongue cancer as well?? Even their official web site hasn't been updated in recent millenia (hhmm, is that even a word?) The last we heard he wasn't going to do one of those "nastalgia tours".
Something to ponder
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Family Update - Sept 3, 2006
Well I hope I am not the only one thinking I am going to wake up one morning to find a foot of snow on the ground, and soon. It seems as though our summer came early and left early.
I have been car shopping the past week or so. I got one of those blank check offers so we were considering trading one or more of our cars in. Zack and I went into town Friday to see what we could get for trade in on the Jaguar. I bought it before we got married....mainly as a talisman to ward off evil spirits lol. Well, since I don't drive it in the winter I thought it just isn't as practical as it could be now that there is more than just myself to take into consideration.
That was the plan anyways. :) I wanted to get something for Shelly, something newer and nicer since she has the long commute for work. She really liked the new Dodge Caliber so we took one of those out for a test drive a cople of weeks ago. It's a little noisy for me but she liked it so that is what we were looking at Friday. Quite simply, I went to Dealmaker on Arsenal and said I wanted such and such car and I can either trade in Shelly's car or the Jaguar. Their finance manager thought he could get a better rate than what I already had been offered so Zack and I went to the mall while they worked the numbers.
We were planning on getting our hair cuts but seeing that it was the first of the month there was quite a bit of a wait, scratch that idea. So I said to Zack that we would look at the cars in the mall. He LOVES the "Horsepower Car" (Mustang). We walked around and asked for a couple prices then we came to the Honda Accord. It is an EX-L model with leather, sunroof, heated seats, heated mirros, power drivers seat, XM radio (free for 90 days) and an available iPod link where you can control the ipod through the stearing wheel controls. Shelly loves her iPod. I prefer anything else lol. It gets 34 mpg on hwy so not any less than she was getting in her Sunfire. All this for $27k.
So I checked back at the dealer but my salesman and the finance manager were out to lunch so I went home. I called him and told him the change in plans and he went to the Mall to get the vehicle. He also thought he could get us financing through Honda. We went into Watertown yesturday and picked up the vehicle. Not only did they pay off the Sunfire but we got into a 5 year 100,000 mile Honda extended warranty with no deductable which includes the trip interruption, roadside assistance, etc.
So what you see is the new addition to S&S Motors lol.
Beyond that, Shelly started classes for her Masters in Human Resource Management this weekend. Zack, like every other child is ready for school to start....wait, or is it me that is ready for him to start school??? Probably a little of both. lol
Shelly got an interesting email a couple of weeks ago. It seems that a professional recruiter had seen her resume online and wanted to place her as a canidate for a job. Without giving specifics, the job is with a very large multinational company and would require relocation. So far she is one of two canidates being considered and has another interview this week and from there they would fly her to their plant for a couple days. The benefits are very good and her pay would increase by 29%. Keep up the good work honey, Zack and I are proud of you!!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Rock Star
Is it me or is the Janis Joplinesque voice of Dilanah (or however you spell it) getting old?? I was hoping beyond hope that she would be the next to go but it was hard deciding which of the three performances last night I disliked the least. Quite a contrast to the previous night where all of the performances were: "right on", "killer" or whatever the lexicon of these ne'erdowells is at the moment.
I found myself listening to the first 10-20 seconds of each performance only to find the pain unbearable and fast forwarding through the DVR. Ryan's stage presence left lots to be desired and that is what probably got him the boot. You kind of saw it comming when he climbed up on a stack of speakers or perhaps when he opened the bottle of champagne. The only thing that was lacking in that performance was the stabbing of a fan in front of the stage by a member of Hells Angels a la Altamont....oh those WERE the days weren't they.
If I were to chose a female for this group I would have to chose Storm but my real money is on Magni.
I found myself listening to the first 10-20 seconds of each performance only to find the pain unbearable and fast forwarding through the DVR. Ryan's stage presence left lots to be desired and that is what probably got him the boot. You kind of saw it comming when he climbed up on a stack of speakers or perhaps when he opened the bottle of champagne. The only thing that was lacking in that performance was the stabbing of a fan in front of the stage by a member of Hells Angels a la Altamont....oh those WERE the days weren't they.
If I were to chose a female for this group I would have to chose Storm but my real money is on Magni.
Rascal Flatts
After dragging Shelly to see the likes of Elton John/Billy Joel, Rush, Queensryche, Nickelback, Judas Priest/Anthrax and Motley Crue it was my turn to be dragged.
Last night was Rascal Flatts at the NY State Fair. If I am buying tickets to a show that I know about ahead of time I am right on Ticketmaster before they go on sale and I normally can get pretty good seats within a few armslength of the stage. This wasn't the case as within the first couple of minutes the only seats that were available were way high in the grandstand. The pic was taken with my camera phone so certainly not my best work.
Ok so this is my first country concert and considering my primary choice of tunage above well my first stop after getting into the concert was two El Grande Blues (Labbatt) to ease my pain and cut the edge. Considering I am here now writing about my exploits it is safe to assume that I did not burst into flames.
When I see a group perform live I am not there only to see them play as a whole but I watch the individuals play their respective instruments. This is the same whether it is BB King, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, or Iron Maiden. I have to say that I, as well as the crowd like the little snippets of AC/DC, Aerosmith and others that all three groups did.
Anyways, at risk of tarnishing my music listening image lol I did tell Shelly last night that I enjoyed the show and would go to see them again.
But.....am I a convert???
Are you nuts???
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
The Landlord's Daughter - The Wicker man
Why do I have a feeling the following scene will be absent from the Wicker Man remake starring Nicolas Cage? The original, starring The Equalizer himself along with Christopher Lee, is a classic, one of a kind film. Part of its charm comes from these folksy songs throughout the movie(especially the scene where the Landlord's Daughter tries to seduce Sgt. Howie).
The original is a movie that will linger in your mind for a very long time, and I just can't image the remake--with it's CGI special effects (why?!)--can measure up.
Do yourself a favor and seek out the original, and see one of Christopher Lee's greatest performances.
Why do I have a feeling the following scene will be absent from the Wicker Man remake starring Nicolas Cage? The original, starring The Equalizer himself along with Christopher Lee, is a classic, one of a kind film. Part of its charm comes from these folksy songs throughout the movie(especially the scene where the Landlord's Daughter tries to seduce Sgt. Howie).
The original is a movie that will linger in your mind for a very long time, and I just can't image the remake--with it's CGI special effects (why?!)--can measure up.
Do yourself a favor and seek out the original, and see one of Christopher Lee's greatest performances.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
