What We Call The News

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Very Large Hail

Check out the phone lines being zapped near the end.

March 28, 2007

Yesturday was absolutely gorgeous with temps into the 80's!!! I actually had to turn the A/C on to cool the house for a bit. Zack had his first baseball practice this year and looks like they have 4 coaches with 2-3 kids per coach. That should be nice giving them a little more time to teach.

Zack is busy with scouts too. Whew, I think they are trying to keep me busy or something lol. We have a project going on but it's very hush hush for the moment.

Today is another day for shorts but itsn't as hot. This morning was cloudy so there still is a nice breeze blowing through the house.

Heading back to NY next week to finish up on the house and do a final clean out. I have a dumspter ordered and will finish painting. I am also putting porcelan tile on the kitchen countertop.

We may even get the outside painting....that's still up in the air.

The Traveler - Boyds Bear Country

Nothing like a last minute road trip to start your weekend off right. We called Thursday and made reservations for lunch with the easter bunny, and off we went Saturday morning for a trip to Boyds Bear Country.

The site is maybe an hour and a half from here just south of Gettysburg and you really only take a few turns once you get out of our driveway as it's right off one of the main highways.



You can see our photos here:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/scott6672/album/576460762395027298

Since we were in the area we checked out where I used to be stationed while in MD. Actually I was stationed in MD but worked in MD and in PA.



You can look up SITE Rand find much more information and photos of this site. It was built to house the president and members of congress during a nuclear war.

We drove around the mountain and actually right up to the rear gate just as I remembered 20+ years ago. The rear gate was never manned and is in a residential neighborhood. What I did find rather strange was the amount of developement in the area generally but around the mountain specifically. It's strange to see these huge $250k+ homes sitting right up to 2 rows of fence topped with razor wire.

We went onto to see what was left of Ft. Ritchie. It had been decommissioned in the late 1990's as part of the BRAC. You could see the former barracks was in the process of being demolished.

Proof the recording industry is unethical

Well over 1/2 a year after the last episode of Rockstar: Supernova, and four or five months after their actual album debuted with sales of 50,000 in one week, Rockstar Supernova have finally released their first music video... And wouldn't you know it, it's Headspin.

I watch VH1's top 20 video countdown on occassion, and believe me, it was a huge surprise to see this video at number 14 recently. Now, a lot of the music making the countdown appears to be questionable in terms of popularity (what the hell is up with the singer-songwriter stuff over the last few years?), but this one reeks of a record label's last gasp at trying to recover some costs. There is NO WAY this song is getting any real requested airplay, and my hunch is it's merely purchased airtime. An album that sells 50,000 in its debut week? I doubt it's broken even 100,000 overall, which, much like the song says, makes my head spin.

Start Shaking Your Head In Disbelief

Ya know.... I was on my way back from Sam's club this morning when on the highway I saw a recently dinged deer who was down for the dirt nap along side the road.

The type of behavior is disturbing

Well, let me clue you in here. This type of behavior is not only "disturbing", it just aint right.

I suppose this guy would see a dead deer and the blood would start flowing to his nether regions? Or is it while out hunting with his buddies, he kills a dear and forgoes the offer of help to gut it and string it up. "Thanks guys, but I'm gonna stay here and have some quiet time with my kill. Catch up to you in a few"

This is worse than the perv in Washington who was harrassing animals at a local farm. Police caught him on top of a step ladder trying to mount a cow if my memory is correct....or was it a horse.

SUPERIOR, Wis. - A Superior man was placed on probation Tuesday in connection with a charge he had sexual contact with a deer carcass.


Assistant District Attorney Jim Boughner entered a joint recommendation to withhold further sentencing for Bryan James Hathaway, 20, who earlier this month pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor.


Conditions were added to the sentence. In addition to one year probation, Hathaway must receive a sex offender evaluation and treatment at the Institute for Psychological and Sexual Health in Duluth. Probation will be served concurrent with a sentence Hathaway already is serving for mistreatment of an animal. He was found guilty of that charge in April 2005 after killing a horse with the intention of having sex with the animal. He was sentenced to 18 months confinement and two years of extended supervision for the felony.


In February, Hathaway was ordered to spend another nine months in jail for violating the terms of his extended release. He will remain in jail until mid-July and continue his extended supervision at that time.


The prosecution was more concerned Hathaway receive treatment than serve time for the misdemeanor charge. The Institute for Psychological and Sexual Health is the desired location for his treatment.


“The state believes that particular place is the best to provide treatment for the individual,” Boughner said. “I don’t think it is in the interest of this community that the defendant doesn’t receive treatment in the best place possible.”


Boughner expressed concern the Department of Corrections would not fund treatment at an out of state facility. Douglas County District Court Judge Michael Lucci accepted the joint recommendation and ordered Hathaway receive treatment at the Institute of Psychological and Sexual Health.


Lucci said he understood the Department of Corrections may have a problem with funding Hathaway’s treatment and is willing to hear the department’s arguments, but feels Hathaway should receive the best treatment.


“The type of behavior is disturbing. It’s disturbing to the public. It’s disturbing to the court,” he said. “If this requires special treatment, so be it.”


Hathaway’s attorney, Public Defender Fredric Anderson said the defense joined the state in its recommendation.


“There is nothing appropriate for him on this side of the bridge,” he said.


Luther Social Services offers treatment for sex offenders, but the organization doesn’t offer the right kind of treatment to serve Hathaway, Boughner said. Therapists at the Institute of Psychological and Sexual Health believe they can tailor a program to serve Hathaway.


“I think this is the best place locally,” Boughner said. “(We’re) not aware of any other programs in the state.”


Once Hathaway completes his extended supervision for the mistreatment conviction, he faces six years probation for taking and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent. He was arrested for the auto theft in connection with the horse shooting incident.


“Mr. Hathaway is going to be under the Department of Corrections one way or another for seven-and-a-half years under my reckoning,” Lucci said.


Hathaway is also responsible for court costs associated with the case.


Lucci ended the hearing with some words to Hathaway, urging him to follow though with his treatment and comply with the rules of his probation.

You'll Fight Back The Tears

Everbody Needs One Of These

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

So far it's been snowing for 10 hrs straight and I would guess we have between 3-4 inches. I went into town to pick up some canned good for the food drive tomorrow and happen to notice the river. It'd up about 10' from what I am used to seeing....wow. Zack got out of school shortly after noon and we just got back from picking up a pizza across the river and wow....it's really up there. It looks like one of the creeks that runs into the Susquehanna is flooding.

It looks like it will be a good day for the kids to go sledding tomorrow.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Ya go from grilling outside in your shorts with near 70 degree temps to 6 inches of snow....

I say.....


BRING IT ON





POTTER-CAMERON-NORTHERN CLINTON-CLEARFIELD-NORTHERN CENTRE-
SOUTHERN CENTRE-CAMBRIA-BLAIR-HUNTINGDON-MIFFLIN-JUNIATA-SOMERSET-
BEDFORD-FULTON-TIOGA-NORTHERN LYCOMING-SULLIVAN-SOUTHERN CLINTON-
SOUTHERN LYCOMING-UNION-SNYDER-MONTOUR-NORTHUMBERLAND-COLUMBIA-
SCHUYLKILL-
520 PM EDT THU MAR 15 2007

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 8 AM EDT
SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH NO LONGER IN EFFECT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 8 AM EDT
SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

A STORM WILL DEVELOP OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES LATER THIS
EVENING...AND TRACK UP ALONG THE EASTERN SEABOARD FRIDAY AND
FRIDAY NIGHT...BRINGING HEAVY SNOW TO THE REGION.

SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE REGION AROUND OR SHORTLY AFTER
DAYBREAK FRIDAY...AND BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF
4 TO 8 INCHES WILL BE COMMON BEFORE THE STORM TAPERS TO LIGHTER
SNOW AND SHOWERS LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE
NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80.

IF THE STORM INTENSIFIES MORE THAN EXPECTED...SNOWFALL AMOUNTS
COULD BE MUCH HIGHER.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW OR ICE
ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. ANY TRAVEL IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
THOSE WITH TRAVEL PLANS IN THE WARNED AREA ARE ADVISED TO CHOOSE
AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE...OR SHOULD USE EXTREME CAUTION IF TRAVEL IS
UNAVOIDABLE. CARRY EXTRA SUPPLIES...INCLUDING BLANKETS...FOOD AND
A CELLULAR PHONE...IN CASE YOUR CAR BECOMES STRANDED.

Friday the 13th part VII unrated kills

Speaking of Friday the 13th... I've always had a soft spot for part VII, mostly because I knew of the MPAA really butchering th film. Well, now's your chance to see how bad. The first half of the video shows the rated R movie as it was released. The second part shows how it was intended. It's no wonder people didn't like the movie that was released--it was butchered more than Jason's victims!

Ferris The 13th

Die Hard - The Music Video

Dieting

Well...after a couple of weeks or long weekends of eating out I am back down to where I left off.

228.5

It's way too easy to eat the wrong stuff when you're out and about.


:)

Spinal Stenosis

I have the results from the latest MRI and EMG tests. The MRI when compared to the previous one done on 9/2005 is generally unchanged. The EMG is a bit confusing. The EMG does not mention radiculopathy where the previous test report did. One big question is why??? Is this because the body has healed or otherwise corrected this issue or did radiculopathy not show up because a different testing procedure was performed?? That will be one for the neurosurgeon when I see him. That appt has been rescheduled for April 3rd. Something else that has popped up recently is terrible migraines. I have had occasional headaches for some time. I will describe them as pressure at the base of my head. I attribute them to the problem in my neck. I may or may not be correct.

My family DR seems to think there is a good chance of the cause being at my c spine. So, as I said I have had headaches but in the last several days I have never experience something like these. I have never been diagnosed with migraines but from what I have read these are classic only without the aura and sensativity to light. We're talking intesnse nausea that keeps you at a prone position. I plan on calling my dr a little later to see if I can get in today some time to discuss this with him.

The Doom And Gloom Report - Stock Market Correction Or Crash

The Nikkei average is down 5% since last Tuesday to include the 575 pt loss overnight and the DJIA is down 4% and is slated to open lower by almost 100 more pts. European markets are down 1.5 - 2.0% and perhaps are looking for some direction from the US markets which open in an hour and 15 minutes.

A few things to note... Dell took a big hit last week because they rely on corporate purchases for the bulk of their revenue. Hmmm, Generally speaking US companies are making money and LOTS of it but they aren't spending on information technology??? That's not a good sign my friends.

When corporations reduce or stop spending resources on their future it means that they are nervous about the future. No need to make capital expenditures if the business will not be there to benefit from it.

Another point which may be reflected in the US but is definately more worrysome in the asian markets is sub prime lending. Japan for years now has had very very low interest rates. Right now for their best customers I believe it intrest rates are at .25%. Yes, that decimal point is in the right place. Companies borrow at that rate and then use the procedes to fund sub prime borrowing. That's a hell of a payoff when you borrow at or near .25% and lend that at 10% or higher.

Perhaps Some Flooding Is In Order

from www.susquehannafloodforecasting.org

The Susquehanna River Basin is one of the most flood-prone areas in the nation

The Susquehanna River Basin is one of the most flood-prone watersheds in the entire nation. The main stem of the Susquehanna and its many tributaries drain 27,510 square miles of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Since the early 1800s, the main stem of the Susquehanna has flooded every 20 years on average. Even the Native Americans who once lived in the area told of frequent floods. The Susquehanna Basin also is vulnerable to frequent, localized flash floods every year. These flash floods, usually affecting smaller tributaries, can occur with little advance warning.

Tropical storm Agnes in 1972 caused the worst recorded flooding in the Basin in June 1972. The flooding caused 72 deaths and $2.8 billion in damage. Flood levels exceeded the record levels of the 1936 flood by as much as six feet in some places. It was the nation's most costly natural disaster until Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992.

In all, 1,160 of the 1,400 communities in the river basin have some residents who live in flood-prone areas. For these residents, flood warning and flood management and protection are of utmost concern.

We're safe, we live on a hill probably .5 miles from the river and 100+ ft high but I can see where and how alot of damage would be done.

The national weather service has monitoring sites all along the river and a check of the site this morning shows that just 15 miles or so upriver at Williamsport the river is near flood stage.

The river has been iced over for weeks now which I thought was interesting and had been meaning to take some photos of it but never got around to it. I will be out and about today and will take my camera with me just in case. We are expecting rain until early this afternoon so we may see some flooding.

The photo below is an example of how bad it can get and this is just up the road.

The Doom And Gloom Report - Stock Market Correction or Crash???

It started Tuesday early Tuesday morning with the Shanghai Index dropping a whopping 10%. If you look at the graph on the link you will see this drop was preceded by a rise of 100% since September 2006. Yes, I did say 100%....from 150 to over 300 before this drop.

Markets around the globe followed suit but not quite as severely. Here in the US the DJ Industrials fell by over 520 pts...regained some but ended well off the highs for the day.

So yesterday if you watched the reporting on tv about this analyst after analyst was pretty much unfazed saying that the markets were all up (although not enough in my opinion) so that was really nothing to worry about.

Or was it??

Finally I heard something that went along my line of thinking around 3:30 pm yesterday which was a broker with 20+ years of experience was concerned with the half hearted rally. He stated that the lack of real positive gains yesterday (DJIA ended up 50+ pts)...something like gaining back 200 so pts was a real concern.

The financial markets have a psychology to them. Terminology is used to describe markets much in the same manner as you would people. It makes sense in that markets are driven by people with hopes, fears, insecurities, etc. So when you have a drop of 4% as we did Tuesday and we only gain back less than 1/2 of 1%....let's just say that there are more people who are nervous about the future as it concerns stocks than those people who not.

Last night the Nikkei Index opened higher but not much and this morning at 6:30 am EST the European markets were up but only less than 1/2 %. The Nikkei in Japan ended down another .86% and a look at the European markets before 9am EST show them down another 1% - 2%. Meanwhile here in the US the S&P futures went from +4 around 7am to -16 with just another 38 minutes to markets open.

Look for a big drop right off the start in the DJIA of 100+ pts.

Look for a knee jerk reaction in the 5-15 min period after the opening bell in either direction. If you don't see the market rebound significantly in the next 1 hour or so it may be a bumpy ride. It will mean that people (markets) don't see the low prices as a buying opportunity and that there is more low to be reached. More sellers than buyers....not good.


Good Luck


9:34 am DJIA -200+ pts