Immigrants searching for the American dream have begun torching everything they can in the suburbs of Paris this past week. The arson, violence and rioting have spread to other cities now.
One wonders if Canadian Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Giuseppe (Joe) Volpe is really as serious about attracting immigrants to Canada as he was this past week, given that immigrants to Canada seem to express many of the same complaints as the immigrants to France.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Penny For The Guy - Guy Fawkes Night
Bonfires will be lit across Britain tonight in celebration of the capture of Guy Fawkes, who led the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the House of Lords and assasinate King James I in 1605.
Avian Flu Update: 1918 Pandemic Survivor Remembers
A British survivor of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic tells about the awful deaths of those close to her in this Guardian article by Mark Honigsbaum.
The story comes just as British family doctors (GPs) are being advised to prepare now to be the first line of defense if/when an outbreak occurs in the UK.
Meanwhile, major new outbreaks of bird flu were reported in Vietnam and China yesterday.
The story comes just as British family doctors (GPs) are being advised to prepare now to be the first line of defense if/when an outbreak occurs in the UK.
Meanwhile, major new outbreaks of bird flu were reported in Vietnam and China yesterday.
Nat'l Writers Union Needs Tonic For Its Troops
A press release today by the at-large chapter of the National Writers Union urges union members to donate reference books to independent writers from the Gulf Coast whose livelihoods were affected by Hurricane Katrina. No specifics on the type of reference materials needed were given, other that they be new or "gently-used".
Freelancers acquire peculiar references unique to the fields they work in most. A writer who follows the auto industry has few reference needs in common with one who writes about shoe culture.
The Union's call for used reference books doesn't make sense to me. Writers will acquire the specialized paper resources peculiar to their field. Everything else is bits and bytes on-line, and played out in keystrokes, not page-turning. I've seen those tired and outdated reference tomes at countless Friends-of-the Library book sales, and they're just that, tired and outdated, and dusty. Its the computer age, baby. Those folks need computers, not books.
Set those displaced writers up with a machine and subscriptions to one or more electronic reference media such as Oxford Reference Online. This enormous reference library contains hundreds of maps, charts, illustrations, timelines, and, oh yeah, reference books.
Freelancers acquire peculiar references unique to the fields they work in most. A writer who follows the auto industry has few reference needs in common with one who writes about shoe culture.
The Union's call for used reference books doesn't make sense to me. Writers will acquire the specialized paper resources peculiar to their field. Everything else is bits and bytes on-line, and played out in keystrokes, not page-turning. I've seen those tired and outdated reference tomes at countless Friends-of-the Library book sales, and they're just that, tired and outdated, and dusty. Its the computer age, baby. Those folks need computers, not books.
Set those displaced writers up with a machine and subscriptions to one or more electronic reference media such as Oxford Reference Online. This enormous reference library contains hundreds of maps, charts, illustrations, timelines, and, oh yeah, reference books.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Muslim Graves Desecrated In The U.K.
The BBC News reports that 35-45 Muslim gravestones were smashed and toppled in Handsworth, Birmingham today. Incendiary hand-written leaflets calling for "death to all Muslims", signed "Black Nation" were also found. Is this the proverbial writing on the wall? How far will our multicultural societies descend into the fire and brimstone of hatred?
Funeral Home Crack House Busted In New York
Reported by the AP 11/4/05: A raid on a funeral home crack house in Gloversville, NY went down, perps tossed crack into caskets, 16 people were arrested, and as cops led them out, a crowd of bystanders sang the TV theme from COPS - "Bad boy, bad boy, whatcha gonna do...when they come for you!"
Agents from local and state agencies confiscated cash, cocaine, marijuana, and knives. The owner and his girlfriend were among those arrested.
Agents from local and state agencies confiscated cash, cocaine, marijuana, and knives. The owner and his girlfriend were among those arrested.
Has SONY Hidden Software On Your PC?
Media giant SONY has been including files on its SONY BMG Music CDs that install hidden files on PCs used to play them. People are not pleased. Lots of people are not pleased. Head on over to this link-rich PC World staff blog to feel the fiery backdraft, as recorded in the comments.
I like the title of the piece by Andrew Brandt: Is Sony Trying to Kill the CD Format for Music?
Update: 7:50 p.m. - Sea of Noise has an interesting post about the DRM copy protection files employed by SONY, which have provided World of Warcraft players with an opportunity to game Blizzard's anti-cheating software. Go figure.
I like the title of the piece by Andrew Brandt: Is Sony Trying to Kill the CD Format for Music?
Update: 7:50 p.m. - Sea of Noise has an interesting post about the DRM copy protection files employed by SONY, which have provided World of Warcraft players with an opportunity to game Blizzard's anti-cheating software. Go figure.
Mark Helprin Bibliography
A recent post on this site mentioning Mark Helprin drew visitors looking for information.
For those left wanting I herewith include a link to a NCSU library staffer's Mark Helprin Bibliography.
For those left wanting I herewith include a link to a NCSU library staffer's Mark Helprin Bibliography.
All Those Hummers With Nowhere To Go
Tim Iacono has sleuthed the whereabouts of about 300 spanking-new Hummers that for some reason just haven't flown off the carlot like they used to. And they're being hidden so the dealership doesn't look silly for buying them.
[Hat-tip to Sploid]
[Hat-tip to Sploid]
This Is Snipe Sign Country
You know you live in the country if snipe signs read, like the ones I see every day,"BUSH HOGGING", "WE BUY TIMBER", or the new one in town, "Lions Club TURKEY SHOOT Every Sat. Nov. Dec."
Snipe signs - if you're blessed with sight you've seen them - one day you notice that while you slept a thousand little yellow signs advertising "30 LBS 30 DAYS" or "WORK AT HOME" and a toll-free number to call, have bloomed along the route you take to work. Snipe signs violate local ordinances in most areas, and are considered both a nuisance and an eyesore. In my community, I've even seen a rash of snipe signs advertising copies of themselves: "100 SIGNS $50".
You might be surprised know that Herbalife International, whose distributors blanketed the country with snipe signs in recent times, has partnered with the American Association of Code Enforcement to educate their distributors and halt flagrant violators.
The Martial Arts Industry Association website has an article called The Mighty Snipe Sign that advises martial arts clubs on the etiquette of locating illegal snipe signs at public schools, on or near other martial arts schools' turf, etc. The article ends with "Snipe signs help get new students - cheaply!"
Snipe signs - if you're blessed with sight you've seen them - one day you notice that while you slept a thousand little yellow signs advertising "30 LBS 30 DAYS" or "WORK AT HOME" and a toll-free number to call, have bloomed along the route you take to work. Snipe signs violate local ordinances in most areas, and are considered both a nuisance and an eyesore. In my community, I've even seen a rash of snipe signs advertising copies of themselves: "100 SIGNS $50".
You might be surprised know that Herbalife International, whose distributors blanketed the country with snipe signs in recent times, has partnered with the American Association of Code Enforcement to educate their distributors and halt flagrant violators.
The Martial Arts Industry Association website has an article called The Mighty Snipe Sign that advises martial arts clubs on the etiquette of locating illegal snipe signs at public schools, on or near other martial arts schools' turf, etc. The article ends with "Snipe signs help get new students - cheaply!"
It Was Like Free Money
A pair of illegal schemes exposed near Jacksonville, Florida show the risks some people are willing to take to avoid real work. Moral: Don't try to con the IRS or the jack the jail system.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Big Space Rock News
Chicken Little fans would do well to pay attention to this. They'll be grown-ups just in time for its arrival.
Paris Is Burning
Violent clashes in Paris' suburbs continued last night.
Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who had to cancel a visit to Canada, has his hands full managing the official response to the violence, even as his own ministers battle publicly over just how to respond.
Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who had to cancel a visit to Canada, has his hands full managing the official response to the violence, even as his own ministers battle publicly over just how to respond.
Denver Greens To Marijuana For Booze Swap
Denver, Colorado voters came closer to legalizing marijuana yesterday, as 54% voted to make it legal for anyone over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce.
Proponents argued that legalizing marijuana would lower alchohol consumption, which would reduce crime and vehicular accident rates. Apparently some voters bought that argument.
Proponents argued that legalizing marijuana would lower alchohol consumption, which would reduce crime and vehicular accident rates. Apparently some voters bought that argument.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Rule 21
Here are some Rule 21 texts pertaining to misconduct, motions to the court, and ball cleaning.
Remember you heard it first on Roller Derby.
Remember you heard it first on Roller Derby.
Ode On A Mammoth Cheese Weighing Over 7,000 Pounds
"The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese" - G.K. Chesterton.
Americans' fondness for cheese has increased continuously for decades. By 2001, per-capita consumption of cheese stood at 30 lbs, more than double the 1975 figure, and 8 times more than the 1909 per-capita amount, according to this article. I'm not keeping track, but 30 pounds? Irish potatoes maybe. Jaysus, don't get me started on the potatoes.
Lately I've enjoyed soft cheeses such as the trademarked Boursin and chevre, with baguette and shaved prosciutto, and a jigger or two of pomegranate juice (can't find a source for Johannesbeerensaft). There are a couple of establishments in my community that stock dozens of varieties of great foreign and domestic cheeses, and I patronize them when I get the urge for something unusual or (cough) expensive. They do great business during the holiday season, when dinner and party hosts are keen to impress their guests.
Now, I don't believe in trying to impress with cheese or any other food, however I admit to sniggering when a fellow graduate student invited guests - including members of the local professoriate - and served up an artfully stacked mountain of aerosol cheese whiz and white bread petits-fours.
Poets really haven't been entirely silent on the subject of cheese. Why, Canadian poet James McIntyre (1827-1906) penned a number of cheesy poems, including Ode on the Mammoth Cheese Weighing Over 7,000 Pounds, Prophecy of a Ten Ton Cheese, Fertile Lands and Mammoth Cheese, and Oxford Cheese Ode.
Americans' fondness for cheese has increased continuously for decades. By 2001, per-capita consumption of cheese stood at 30 lbs, more than double the 1975 figure, and 8 times more than the 1909 per-capita amount, according to this article. I'm not keeping track, but 30 pounds? Irish potatoes maybe. Jaysus, don't get me started on the potatoes.
Lately I've enjoyed soft cheeses such as the trademarked Boursin and chevre, with baguette and shaved prosciutto, and a jigger or two of pomegranate juice (can't find a source for Johannesbeerensaft). There are a couple of establishments in my community that stock dozens of varieties of great foreign and domestic cheeses, and I patronize them when I get the urge for something unusual or (cough) expensive. They do great business during the holiday season, when dinner and party hosts are keen to impress their guests.
Now, I don't believe in trying to impress with cheese or any other food, however I admit to sniggering when a fellow graduate student invited guests - including members of the local professoriate - and served up an artfully stacked mountain of aerosol cheese whiz and white bread petits-fours.
Poets really haven't been entirely silent on the subject of cheese. Why, Canadian poet James McIntyre (1827-1906) penned a number of cheesy poems, including Ode on the Mammoth Cheese Weighing Over 7,000 Pounds, Prophecy of a Ten Ton Cheese, Fertile Lands and Mammoth Cheese, and Oxford Cheese Ode.
Rule 21 Provokes Senate Meltdown, Invites Nuclear Option
When speaking of drastic political wranglings, reporters and talking heads have *meltdown* on their tongues. Lots of meltdown. A senate meltdown will precede the nuclear option to prevent a filibuster during SCOTUS nomination hearings. Yesterday there was a meltdown in the U.S. Senate as Senator Harry Reid invoked Rule 21 and sent the body into forced secret session.
The Clog Almanac offers up these words as alternates to "meltdown" when speaking of Senate business: Smackdown. Slapdown. Shakedown. Takedown. Breakdown. Showdown. Hoedown.
The Clog Almanac offers up these words as alternates to "meltdown" when speaking of Senate business: Smackdown. Slapdown. Shakedown. Takedown. Breakdown. Showdown. Hoedown.
Epic Tales From The Nightstand
I have begun reading and thoroughly enjoying the French novel Lieutenant-Colonel de Maumort, written by Roger Martin du Gard, and brilliantly translated by Luc Brebion and Timothy Crouse.
Du Gard's imagery is strong and compelling, frequently stunning in its beauty, and worthy of savoring slowly on the tongue like a fine truffle. Reading Maumort I am reminded again and again of the luminous writing of one of my favorite novelists, Mark Helprin, particulary the majestic A Soldier of the Great War, and Memoir From Antproof Case.
Reviews of Lieutenant-Colonel de Maumort well worth contrasting are found here, here, and here.
Du Gard's imagery is strong and compelling, frequently stunning in its beauty, and worthy of savoring slowly on the tongue like a fine truffle. Reading Maumort I am reminded again and again of the luminous writing of one of my favorite novelists, Mark Helprin, particulary the majestic A Soldier of the Great War, and Memoir From Antproof Case.
Reviews of Lieutenant-Colonel de Maumort well worth contrasting are found here, here, and here.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Big Snake Watch: Les Pythons Do Get Around, Oui?
Still another giant snake loose in the world. This time, a 10-foot python in Paris, France. It took a few pompiere to extract the serpent from among the rafters of a shop.
I. Lewis Libby = G. Gordon Liddy?
When the time comes to look for future employment, I. Lewis Libby might take a cue from another former White House employee whose name is oddly similar to his: G. Gordon Liddy. But he needn't trifle with the big mustache. That schtick has grown tired, and probably, gray.
Hey Mr. Bush Pilot
Here's a common pilot training mantra that Mr. Bush would do well to recall:
Nose Down - You can't hear advice with your nose smugly in the air. Listen to the country. Listen to some democrats. The Harriet Miers nomination was sign of astonishingly bad judgement. Surely some insiders were warning, begging, demanding "Please. Don't. Do. This." If they weren't, shame on them.
Level the Wings - You can't stablize the country or your presidency if advisors to your right and left aren't solid and utterly dependable. If they have failed, replace them. Even if that means letting your chief advisors go.
Accelerate - Get Going. Repent. Do something right for the country. Don't stall again. Get going.
[Update 11/3/05: The Clog Almanac profusely thanks Dustbury and MisterSnitch for linking to this post and sending some of their august readers here.]
Nose down, level the wings, accelerateThis is the procedure to get oneself out of a simple climbing stall, of course. The American populace can feel the ship juddering, and wonder if it is about to tumble backwards out of control. A plurality feels like the administration is a failure. Mr. Bush:
Nose Down - You can't hear advice with your nose smugly in the air. Listen to the country. Listen to some democrats. The Harriet Miers nomination was sign of astonishingly bad judgement. Surely some insiders were warning, begging, demanding "Please. Don't. Do. This." If they weren't, shame on them.
Level the Wings - You can't stablize the country or your presidency if advisors to your right and left aren't solid and utterly dependable. If they have failed, replace them. Even if that means letting your chief advisors go.
Accelerate - Get Going. Repent. Do something right for the country. Don't stall again. Get going.
[Update 11/3/05: The Clog Almanac profusely thanks Dustbury and MisterSnitch for linking to this post and sending some of their august readers here.]
Monday, October 31, 2005
Nevada Senator Reid Tells Bush To Cut The Crap
Democratic Senator Harry Reid came out today and called the Administration on the carpet, suggesting that President Bush's most trusted advisor, Karl Rove, should resign for his involvement in exposing Valerie (Wilson) Plame's identity as a CIA agent.
Reid expressed growing disappointment that Bush tried to diffuse the tense situation by declaring that "Scooter" (the affectionate insiders' pet name forVice President Chaney's top aide I. Lewis Libby) did a good job and that he is a patriot, rather than apologize to the American people for the behavior of his trusted advisors.
Bush, of all people, should know that western politicians haven't yet perfected the smooth doublespeak of their eastern brethren, or at least aren't as comfortable affecting it in every situation that comes up.
The Clog Almanac praises Senator Reid for his candor and straight-talk. We need more politicians with that sort of grit and courage, who will demand accountability of servants who are losing the trust of the American People.
Reid expressed growing disappointment that Bush tried to diffuse the tense situation by declaring that "Scooter" (the affectionate insiders' pet name forVice President Chaney's top aide I. Lewis Libby) did a good job and that he is a patriot, rather than apologize to the American people for the behavior of his trusted advisors.
Bush, of all people, should know that western politicians haven't yet perfected the smooth doublespeak of their eastern brethren, or at least aren't as comfortable affecting it in every situation that comes up.
The Clog Almanac praises Senator Reid for his candor and straight-talk. We need more politicians with that sort of grit and courage, who will demand accountability of servants who are losing the trust of the American People.
United in Death, October 31
Need a Halloween costume? Try dressing up as one of these august personages, all of whom died on October 31.
Federico Fellini – Filmaker – 1993
River Phoenix – Actor – 1993
Joseph Campbell – mythology/comparative religion – 1987
Indira Ghandi – Indian Prime Minister – 1984
Harry Houdini – magician – 1926
Federico Fellini – Filmaker – 1993
River Phoenix – Actor – 1993
Joseph Campbell – mythology/comparative religion – 1987
Indira Ghandi – Indian Prime Minister – 1984
Harry Houdini – magician – 1926
The Real Fate of Gasoline Profits
Here's interesting news, via Tax Foundation: Gas taxes paid to the government since 1977 exceeded the profits made by those companies over the same interval. Which means that state and federal coffers made out better than those of the petroleum industry. Where does all that money go? How interested in reducing oil company profits and the price of fuel are those profiting governments?
There has been a lot of buzz about taxing the oil industry in these flush times of astronomical profits. These "windfall tax" proposals are a bad idea. Say the industry tanks sometime in the future. What's to stop the industry from then approaching the government with this proposal: "Hey, you guys levied windfall taxes upon us when profits were way up, now subsidize our industry since profits are way down".
There has been a lot of buzz about taxing the oil industry in these flush times of astronomical profits. These "windfall tax" proposals are a bad idea. Say the industry tanks sometime in the future. What's to stop the industry from then approaching the government with this proposal: "Hey, you guys levied windfall taxes upon us when profits were way up, now subsidize our industry since profits are way down".
Ode To A Parakeet
The great romantic poet John Keats was born on Halloween in 1795. Like his mother and brother Tom before him, Keats died of tuberculosis, in his 26th year. In the space of just three remarkably productive years Keats published 3 collections of his poetry. About 150 poems are known, and many of those survive in manuscript form, written in Keats' own hand.
There are many useful web resources on Keats, as one would expect. Perhaps the best place to start is here, at the Keats page of the fine reference source, literaryhistory.com.
What these web resources won't tell you is that the grounds of the Keats House in Hampstead Heath, where Keats wrote one of his most beautiful poems, Ode to a Nightingale, are these days frequented by naturalized ring-necked parakeets, according to a recent City of London website news page:
There are many useful web resources on Keats, as one would expect. Perhaps the best place to start is here, at the Keats page of the fine reference source, literaryhistory.com.
What these web resources won't tell you is that the grounds of the Keats House in Hampstead Heath, where Keats wrote one of his most beautiful poems, Ode to a Nightingale, are these days frequented by naturalized ring-necked parakeets, according to a recent City of London website news page:
"Birds in Keats House Garden - In May and early June there has been a lot of activity in the garden from our pair of blackbirds. We are now helping them by providing currants and these seem popular. The smaller birds are not much in evidence and for this we blame an aggressive magpie. The Ring Necked Parakeets have been particularly noisy and fly high amongst the trees. Originally, these were caged birds but those that escaped have survived the British winters in the south and are now breeding..."I don't think an ode to a parakeet would have had the same effect, although Wallace Stevens tried his darnedest. The young Mr. Keats was far the wiser to go with the Nightingale.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Ezra Pound (1885 - 1972), of Idaho (barely)
The Clog Almanac notes the birthday of poet Ezra Loomis Pound, born on this day in 1885 in Hailey, in my home state of Idaho. A nice link to a summary of his life and works and the full text of 13 of Pound's poems can be found here.
Pound has always been a bit of a mystery to me. What chain of events puts one on a trajectory that carries one from socialism to fascism, to seeking out Mussolini and becoming one of his propaganda tools? This book may answer that question.
I've haven't fully appreciated Pound's poetry. But I hold him in regard, given his friendship with Yeats, his translations, and his advocacy for talented young American poets even while firmly in exile - in particular his sponsorship of T.S. Elliot - whose poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is one of my favorites.
I'd like to know once and for all whether Pound's middle name bears any connection with that of the upscale fishing rod-maker G. Loomis.
Pound has always been a bit of a mystery to me. What chain of events puts one on a trajectory that carries one from socialism to fascism, to seeking out Mussolini and becoming one of his propaganda tools? This book may answer that question.
I've haven't fully appreciated Pound's poetry. But I hold him in regard, given his friendship with Yeats, his translations, and his advocacy for talented young American poets even while firmly in exile - in particular his sponsorship of T.S. Elliot - whose poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is one of my favorites.
I'd like to know once and for all whether Pound's middle name bears any connection with that of the upscale fishing rod-maker G. Loomis.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Stock Market Crash
October 29, 1929 is known as "Black Tuesday", the day the US stock market crashed and ushered in the Great Depression and the decade into which my parents were born, in the Gem State, Idaho.
I note, upon today's receipt of my mutual funds' quarterly report, that my investments have earned an average of 7.5% on the year so far. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, as they say.
I note, upon today's receipt of my mutual funds' quarterly report, that my investments have earned an average of 7.5% on the year so far. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, as they say.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Life's Little Rules
The First Rule of Life: No Friday may pass without laughter aplenty.
The Clog Almanac challenges you to read some of these quotes from the Blackadder series without losing it at least once.
The Clog Almanac challenges you to read some of these quotes from the Blackadder series without losing it at least once.
Evelyn Waugh
British satirist and novelist Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966) was born on this day.
For 4 years at school I read Brideshead Revisited during Christmas break. The novel was a supreme delicacy to be looked forward to and savored during those precious few vacation days, like the cherished plovers' eggs that Sebastian Flyte's mother sent to him at school in the novel.
Visit Doubting Hall - a very nice guided tour of the works of Evelyn Waugh. I particularly enjoyed the random "Quotes of the Day" link.
For the record, I once saw canned plovers' eggs at a grocer's, but don't ask me where or when.
For 4 years at school I read Brideshead Revisited during Christmas break. The novel was a supreme delicacy to be looked forward to and savored during those precious few vacation days, like the cherished plovers' eggs that Sebastian Flyte's mother sent to him at school in the novel.
Visit Doubting Hall - a very nice guided tour of the works of Evelyn Waugh. I particularly enjoyed the random "Quotes of the Day" link.
For the record, I once saw canned plovers' eggs at a grocer's, but don't ask me where or when.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Mrs. Prothero and the Firemen
The Clog Almanac honors Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas, who was born this day at Swansea, in 1914.
I believe that the word-play and imagery in his writings are among the finest. A Child's Christmas in Wales is my favorite piece of writing, period. It reads so well aloud, in part, because it was originally crafted as a radio piece.
The video production of A Child's Christmas in Wales starring Denholm Elliott is a must-have for the hopeful child in all of us. It is available at Amazon.com.
I believe that the word-play and imagery in his writings are among the finest. A Child's Christmas in Wales is my favorite piece of writing, period. It reads so well aloud, in part, because it was originally crafted as a radio piece.
The video production of A Child's Christmas in Wales starring Denholm Elliott is a must-have for the hopeful child in all of us. It is available at Amazon.com.
Holy Cripe! Another Python Sighting
Another big snake story. This one from Iowa, where a farmer and his combine nudged a snake coiled between 2 rows of corn. The farmer had mistaken the 11.5 foot python for an old tire.
The October 26 Sioux City Journal quoted the Paullina, Iowa man as saying "Holy Cripe! It was big!"
The October 26 Sioux City Journal quoted the Paullina, Iowa man as saying "Holy Cripe! It was big!"
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Pass the (RFID) Chips, Please
Coming soon to your passport, as soon as next year: RFID chips that contain and broadcast your personal information. As if it isn't already easy enough to lose that data to information thieves. I've yet to find out how many US passports are lost or stolen each year, but it would be interesting to find out. One wonders if the black market price for a US passport will be affected by the electronic information contained therein.
The official State Department information page for the proposed electronic passport can be found here. The site includes links to public comments received by State. The comment period ended April 4, of this year.
The Clog Almanac wants to know how long it will be until those little chips find their way (literally) under our skin? Our three-legged Corgi already has one in his neck, and he's not even contemplating international travel.
The official State Department information page for the proposed electronic passport can be found here. The site includes links to public comments received by State. The comment period ended April 4, of this year.
The Clog Almanac wants to know how long it will be until those little chips find their way (literally) under our skin? Our three-legged Corgi already has one in his neck, and he's not even contemplating international travel.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Cloggers Take Tampa By Storm
The Cross Creek Cloggers, the Appalachian clogging group of which the Clog-wife and I are members, performed this morning for 500-600 attendees of the 94th annual conference of the American Association of Port Authorities at the Tampa Marriott Waterside hotel. The Clog-wife and I enjoyed the 23rd floor room with its gorgeous view of the adjacent marinas and Tampa Bay beyond. We enjoyed the valet service, and the hotel staff attention, even down to happily bringing us his/her toothpastes/toothbrushes when we discovered we’d forgotten ours in our rush to make the evening-before rehearsal.
Backstage, prior to the performance, we met the head of the Tampa Port Authority, who graciously spent a few minutes chatting with members of our group making sure that all our needs were being met. Needs? What needs? His organizers booked our room, validated our parking tickets, attended our every desire, and payed our 8-member group $3000 to execute one single three and a half minute routine. We didn’t need a single thing, except to convey our gratitude and let him know that we were prepared to dance our hearts out for those fleeting moments.
Event planning staff and talent wranglers from PGI were consummate professionals. They had every contingency covered, had smoothed every wrinkle beforehand, and were pleasant to boot. This is the first time I’d encountered that level of professional show biz, and I’m duly impressed and humbled. The kind of professionals you’d want to, say, direct FEMA operations.
As we traveled from north central Florida to Tampa, hurricane Wilma was departing the state leaving millions of fellow Floridians to the south without power and other essential services. Here we were lounging like Romans in a lavishly appointed hotel while not very far to the south and east of us, all those people were coming to grips with the destruction the storm wrought upon their communities and livelyhoods.
Backstage, prior to the performance, we met the head of the Tampa Port Authority, who graciously spent a few minutes chatting with members of our group making sure that all our needs were being met. Needs? What needs? His organizers booked our room, validated our parking tickets, attended our every desire, and payed our 8-member group $3000 to execute one single three and a half minute routine. We didn’t need a single thing, except to convey our gratitude and let him know that we were prepared to dance our hearts out for those fleeting moments.
Event planning staff and talent wranglers from PGI were consummate professionals. They had every contingency covered, had smoothed every wrinkle beforehand, and were pleasant to boot. This is the first time I’d encountered that level of professional show biz, and I’m duly impressed and humbled. The kind of professionals you’d want to, say, direct FEMA operations.
As we traveled from north central Florida to Tampa, hurricane Wilma was departing the state leaving millions of fellow Floridians to the south without power and other essential services. Here we were lounging like Romans in a lavishly appointed hotel while not very far to the south and east of us, all those people were coming to grips with the destruction the storm wrought upon their communities and livelyhoods.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Goober Season
October is peanut harvest time in north central Florida. The roadside landscape suddenly sprouts signs advertising "Peanut Hay", "Boiled P-Nuts", or "Hot Boiled Peanuts".
The goober season having arrived, I've availed myself of the fresh crop, locally harvested in Williston, over in Levy County. I've been working on a two and a half pound bag of dry roasted salted nuts all week. Last night I set a couple of pounds of raw peanuts to cook in my crock pot overnight, and woke up to the salty treat of hot boiled peanuts.
Life is good in peanut land.
Read Brenda Flynn's loving account of fresh vegetables and the pleasures of hot "boilt" peanuts in The Recipe for Boiling Peanuts, over at Southern Scribe.
The goober season having arrived, I've availed myself of the fresh crop, locally harvested in Williston, over in Levy County. I've been working on a two and a half pound bag of dry roasted salted nuts all week. Last night I set a couple of pounds of raw peanuts to cook in my crock pot overnight, and woke up to the salty treat of hot boiled peanuts.
Life is good in peanut land.
Read Brenda Flynn's loving account of fresh vegetables and the pleasures of hot "boilt" peanuts in The Recipe for Boiling Peanuts, over at Southern Scribe.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Have a Crantastic Weekend
Not in a blogging mood today, so the Clog Almanac will leave you with a link to Wikipedia's list of funny neologisms (made up words) that have appeared in episodes of The Simpsons.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Coburn Burns Bridges with H.R. 3058 Amendment Threat
Senator Coburn of Oklahoma has fired a huge shot across the bow of his fellow senators with this letter (many thanks to Mr. Reynolds of Instapundit who made it available in this format) which proposes to amend H.R. 3058 in order to return pork monies earmarked for the the construction of the controversial Gravina bridge in Alaska, and to use the money to reconstruct the "Twin Spans" bridge in Louisiana destroyed by hurricane Katrina.
Oh, how that man doth offend! His colleages should fear two things: 1) being outed in the public square for their porkmongering, and 2), being forced to publicly justify some of the outrageous items they have slipped into this and that bill during their (sometimes very long) careers.
The blogosphere may create so much buzz and noise on the pork issue that pols will be unable to quietly stave off Coburn's bill. Should the process eventually continue to a Senate vote I say that a roll call vote should be demanded.
Oh, how that man doth offend! His colleages should fear two things: 1) being outed in the public square for their porkmongering, and 2), being forced to publicly justify some of the outrageous items they have slipped into this and that bill during their (sometimes very long) careers.
The blogosphere may create so much buzz and noise on the pork issue that pols will be unable to quietly stave off Coburn's bill. Should the process eventually continue to a Senate vote I say that a roll call vote should be demanded.
The Art of Too Much Math
This is cool - an article discussing a steel sculpture representing a 3-D "shadow" of a 4-D solid designed by Penn State math professor Adrian Ocneanu.
An even cooler animation of the object can be viewed here.
The subject of the projection is a regular 4-dimensional solid of intermediate complexity, which Ocneanu calls an "octacube." It has 24 vertices, 96 edges and 96 triangular faces, which enclose 24 three-dimensional "rooms." Windows cut in faces allow the viewer to see within the structure, the same way that a window in a cubic room opens to the inside of the cube. Physically, the sculpture is a giant puzzle of 96 triangular pieces cut from stainless steel and bent into spherical shape.
An even cooler animation of the object can be viewed here.
Turtles Can Fly Really Flies
I watched Iranian filmaker Bahman Ghobadi's beautiful award-winning 2004 film Turtles Can Fly in conjunction with this week's appearance of Saddam Hussein in Iraqi court, on charges he ordered the massacre of Kurdish Shiite villagers after an attempt on his life.
First impression: Turtles Can Fly is a film, not a movie.
It was the first film to be shot on-location in post-Saddam Iraq. The film is set in the portentous days preceeding the overwhelming American invasion of Iraq in 2003. It is peopled by Kurdish non-actor children of the stark Iraq-Turkish border, who portray orphaned and maimed children forced to fend for themselves by selling land mines they have "gleaned" from their village environs after their parents were killed or jailed by the ruthless dictator.
Turtles Can Fly is the sort of honest offering that stands in stark contrast to the bulk of American releases, whose dimension-challenged characters appear, even before the print of the trailer is released, on the super-sized cups of corporate fast-food chains, T-shirt fronts, and a hundred other kitchy essential daily non-essentials. Do you not agree it lamentable that much American film-making has all but abandoned the high road of the artistic portrayal of the triumphs and vicissitudes of the human condition in favor of the dumbed-down, crass, and obscene delights of a selfish and pedestrian society? Don't we clamber to the theaters in droves as soon as the booming advertisments command us to, and don't we inhale every last drop of each successive "blockbuster", just as we swill from our corporate half-gallon monopoly soft-drinks and oversalted popcorn buckets? Where is the recreation, much less the art and and class and humanity in that? Isn't our collective zeal for movie-watching a little like picking up a well-mouthed cigar butt from off the sidewalk, lighting it up, passing it around, then rhapsodizing that it is a "most wonderful smoke"?
Turtles Can Fly is the gem you found after you ignored the butt-ends of all those other film offerings.
Mike Baker's fine review of Turtles Can Fly can be found here, at the British DVD Times site.
Better yet, buy the DVD from Amazon.com. The Clog Almanac strongly recommends that at the very least you view this film if you haven't already.
First impression: Turtles Can Fly is a film, not a movie.
It was the first film to be shot on-location in post-Saddam Iraq. The film is set in the portentous days preceeding the overwhelming American invasion of Iraq in 2003. It is peopled by Kurdish non-actor children of the stark Iraq-Turkish border, who portray orphaned and maimed children forced to fend for themselves by selling land mines they have "gleaned" from their village environs after their parents were killed or jailed by the ruthless dictator.
Turtles Can Fly is the sort of honest offering that stands in stark contrast to the bulk of American releases, whose dimension-challenged characters appear, even before the print of the trailer is released, on the super-sized cups of corporate fast-food chains, T-shirt fronts, and a hundred other kitchy essential daily non-essentials. Do you not agree it lamentable that much American film-making has all but abandoned the high road of the artistic portrayal of the triumphs and vicissitudes of the human condition in favor of the dumbed-down, crass, and obscene delights of a selfish and pedestrian society? Don't we clamber to the theaters in droves as soon as the booming advertisments command us to, and don't we inhale every last drop of each successive "blockbuster", just as we swill from our corporate half-gallon monopoly soft-drinks and oversalted popcorn buckets? Where is the recreation, much less the art and and class and humanity in that? Isn't our collective zeal for movie-watching a little like picking up a well-mouthed cigar butt from off the sidewalk, lighting it up, passing it around, then rhapsodizing that it is a "most wonderful smoke"?
Turtles Can Fly is the gem you found after you ignored the butt-ends of all those other film offerings.
Mike Baker's fine review of Turtles Can Fly can be found here, at the British DVD Times site.
Better yet, buy the DVD from Amazon.com. The Clog Almanac strongly recommends that at the very least you view this film if you haven't already.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Iceman Airman Found in California Glacier
Ice climbers scaling the Mendel glacier in Sequoiah National Park discovered an airman melting out of the glacier's base, where he'd been entombed since 1942. Just when you thought you'd seen and heard everything under the sun.
Hey Wilma, Look at that Hurricane!
Hurricane Wilma upped the ante last night by 100 mph in the course of 4 hours to become the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, and the fifth category 5 storm of the season. Currently, top sustained winds are at 175 mph. The storm is projected to take a hard right as soon as it passes the west end of Cuba, and make landfall in the southern Florida penninsula sometime this weekend. This just in, at 12:30 p.m EST, via beeper to my supervisor: projected landfall somewhere near Naples.
Visitors to the Florida Keys were ordered to evacuate today. Over 6800 FEMA trailers across Florida still house families who lost homes during the last hurricane season. Hurricane Wilma is predicted to pass quickly over Florida, possibly with little diminution of its strength.
Here in north central Florida, we have predictions of spotty rainstorms associated with the outer bands of the storm, and little else. We'll see how the forecast shapes up over the next couple of days before we rest easy.
Visitors to the Florida Keys were ordered to evacuate today. Over 6800 FEMA trailers across Florida still house families who lost homes during the last hurricane season. Hurricane Wilma is predicted to pass quickly over Florida, possibly with little diminution of its strength.
Here in north central Florida, we have predictions of spotty rainstorms associated with the outer bands of the storm, and little else. We'll see how the forecast shapes up over the next couple of days before we rest easy.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
The Death Connection
The Clog Almanac notes the following luminaries that share October 18th deaths:
Thomas Alva Edison – American inventor - 1931
Jose Ortega y Gasset – Spanish philosopher – 1955
Walt Kelly – of Pogo comic strip fame – 1973
Bess Truman - First Lady to Harry S. - 1982
Cab Calloway - American "Hi-De-Ho" jazzman - 1994
Thomas Alva Edison – American inventor - 1931
Jose Ortega y Gasset – Spanish philosopher – 1955
Walt Kelly – of Pogo comic strip fame – 1973
Bess Truman - First Lady to Harry S. - 1982
Cab Calloway - American "Hi-De-Ho" jazzman - 1994
Memories by Dawn's Early Light
While looking at the first-light images captured by the Yellowstone National Park webcams I thought of this quote by Theodore Roosevelt's friend and author Hamlin Garland:
Though I miss the Fall in my native Idaho, the unmistakable change of seasons in the Florida air this morning calls up a store of treasured memories that are keener and more stirring just by the remembering.
I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets.
Though I miss the Fall in my native Idaho, the unmistakable change of seasons in the Florida air this morning calls up a store of treasured memories that are keener and more stirring just by the remembering.
Monday, October 17, 2005
I Can't Hear You!
I'm a collector. Century-old hand-wrought iron fish gigs and eel spears. Antique corkscrews. Victorian optic glass tumblers and molded glass liquor flasks from the 1930's. But I never thought there'd be someone out there in collectorland amassing an exhibit of old ear trumpets and disguised hearing improvement devices. That is, until now.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Charming, Tedious or Just Wilde?
"It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."
Quoth Irishman Oscar Wilde, whose birth on this day in 1854 the Clog Almanac notes today.
Quoth Irishman Oscar Wilde, whose birth on this day in 1854 the Clog Almanac notes today.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975)
The Clog Almanac today honors P.G. Wodehouse, aka "Plum" who was born on this day in 1881. Who can read of the escapades of Bertie Wooster and his gentleman's gentleman Jeeves and not come away with strained smile and chuckle muscles?
Please don't go away uninformed: ALL of your kids's term papers and book reports ALL contain material plagarized from search results of the Ask Jeeves website (what, you didn't know? Tsk tsk.)
It is also the birthday of politician/scientist/novelist C.P. Snow, perhaps now remembered best for his examination of the science vs. humanities schism in western education in the book The Two Cultures.
Please don't go away uninformed: ALL of your kids's term papers and book reports ALL contain material plagarized from search results of the Ask Jeeves website (what, you didn't know? Tsk tsk.)
It is also the birthday of politician/scientist/novelist C.P. Snow, perhaps now remembered best for his examination of the science vs. humanities schism in western education in the book The Two Cultures.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Update: Chinese Rocket Science
The Chinese space rocket Shenzou VI with its birthday-boy astronaut has been slipping out of orbit. Experts noted the gravity (pun) of the situation and will correct the orbit today.
A small collection of Chinese Space Program posters can be viewed here. I particularly like the one depicting a chubby young girl in a bubble helmet chasing a bunnywabbit with a boquet of flowers while her panda compatriot waits in the open-cockpit mini-shuttle.
A small collection of Chinese Space Program posters can be viewed here. I particularly like the one depicting a chubby young girl in a bubble helmet chasing a bunnywabbit with a boquet of flowers while her panda compatriot waits in the open-cockpit mini-shuttle.
Halloween Head in a Jar!
Halloween hasn’t excited me since my kids got too old to trick or treat with parental supervision.
The Clog-wife has put up some decorations around the new house and I’m fine with that. But here’s a decoration idea you might want to attempt this year: The head-in-a-jar.
This spooky illusion will scare the bejeebers out of any neighborhood thuglings that might have designs on your stuff. Answer the door with a couple of heads-in-a-jar cradled in your arms and they’re sure to get the message. Follow the link for simple instructions on how to make your own.
The Clog-wife has put up some decorations around the new house and I’m fine with that. But here’s a decoration idea you might want to attempt this year: The head-in-a-jar.
This spooky illusion will scare the bejeebers out of any neighborhood thuglings that might have designs on your stuff. Answer the door with a couple of heads-in-a-jar cradled in your arms and they’re sure to get the message. Follow the link for simple instructions on how to make your own.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
The Invasion of Florida Continues
Two more exotic pythons have been caught poaching Florida animals this week. Follow the link for a list of other big snake stories.
Meanwhile, Japan will begin implanting computer ID chips in 650 exotic and dangerous pet species, including snapping turtles, pythons, spiders, in an attempt to regulate rampant irresponsible breeding and ownership.
It sounds like if you turned Tokyo upside down and shook it, it would rain bears, crocodiles, big cats, and poisonous spiders, to cop an image from Yann Martel's fine book The Life of Pi, which I've just completed reading.
Meanwhile, Japan will begin implanting computer ID chips in 650 exotic and dangerous pet species, including snapping turtles, pythons, spiders, in an attempt to regulate rampant irresponsible breeding and ownership.
It sounds like if you turned Tokyo upside down and shook it, it would rain bears, crocodiles, big cats, and poisonous spiders, to cop an image from Yann Martel's fine book The Life of Pi, which I've just completed reading.
Just Noodling Around
Archaeologists noodling around among the remains of a 4,000 year-old city near the Yellow River in China found an upside down bowl. Imagine their surprise when they lifted up the bowl to discover a little pile of 4,000 year-old noodles. It pushes our noodle awareness back about 2,000 years.
Then some other scientists got to work and analyzed the noodles and discovered something even more interesting: The noodles were made from millet, not wheat.
How, you may ask, could they tell it was millet, not wheat? Grasses, including the cereal grains produce tiny silica inclusions in their tissues called phytoliths. Phytoliths come in a variety of shapes distinct enough from one another that they may be used to differentiate major taxonomic groups. The scientists were able to conclusively determine that the phytoliths in the noodles were those produced by millet, not wheat.
It doesn’t stop there. Because phytoliths are silica (like pure sand or glass), they persist and can even be collected from soil samples where no or limited fossil plant macro-remains have survived. A specialist can analyze a pinch of dirt and say things like “there was millet here”. Here is a sample article on phytolith research from the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Noodles were not among the favorite space foods mentioned by two Chinese astronauts, one of whom celebrated his 41st birthday in orbit.
Then some other scientists got to work and analyzed the noodles and discovered something even more interesting: The noodles were made from millet, not wheat.
How, you may ask, could they tell it was millet, not wheat? Grasses, including the cereal grains produce tiny silica inclusions in their tissues called phytoliths. Phytoliths come in a variety of shapes distinct enough from one another that they may be used to differentiate major taxonomic groups. The scientists were able to conclusively determine that the phytoliths in the noodles were those produced by millet, not wheat.
It doesn’t stop there. Because phytoliths are silica (like pure sand or glass), they persist and can even be collected from soil samples where no or limited fossil plant macro-remains have survived. A specialist can analyze a pinch of dirt and say things like “there was millet here”. Here is a sample article on phytolith research from the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Noodles were not among the favorite space foods mentioned by two Chinese astronauts, one of whom celebrated his 41st birthday in orbit.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Future of Marriage
Whither marriage? Look no further than the Netherlands, where a bald-headed man just married two women in the same ceremony.
Call it a civil union, or a Samenlevingscontract if you wish. I call it polygamy. Tacitus has some interesting discussion.
Call it a civil union, or a Samenlevingscontract if you wish. I call it polygamy. Tacitus has some interesting discussion.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Whats in a Name?
The Clog-wife competed in the Tampa feis (Irish dance competition) this past weekend and brought home two trophies and a fistfull of cool medals.
Two different people that she'd had little to with outside of infrequent sightings at workshops and competitions pulled her aside and each informed her that they'd named a new puppy after her because they liked her name. Anyone else out there with a wife or dog named Piper?
She isn't sure whether she should be flattered or insulted.
Two different people that she'd had little to with outside of infrequent sightings at workshops and competitions pulled her aside and each informed her that they'd named a new puppy after her because they liked her name. Anyone else out there with a wife or dog named Piper?
She isn't sure whether she should be flattered or insulted.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Five Items, Six Feet
Yet another variation on the "name (insert number) things" meme:The Clog Almanac's list:Name 5 items located within 6 feet of your computer
that are metaphorically, literally, or otherwise connected. Explain briefly.
(1) Silvestri accordion. Yes, an accordion in its case sits mere inches from my right foot. Coordination of one hand with the other while moving the bellows of the instrument is difficult, in a rub-your-stomach, pat-your-head sort of way.
(2) A mano (primitive stone pestle for grinding corn by hand) from the environs of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajauto, Mexico, where I lived for a few months in 1979.
(3) Also held in the hand, a carved alligator cane, circa 1900, Jacksonville, Florida. Shafts and handles of these canes were fashioned from sucker shoots pruned from orange groves. The cane's curved hand grip bears an exquisitely carved juvenile alligator on its upper surface. It's a fine example of a rare high-dollar souvenir from the very early days of Florida tourism, when the gentry sported fashionable hats and canes.
(4) My Old straw boater. A label on the satin lining proclaims the hat maker was Knox, 5th Avenue, New York. Now it so happens that the Knox Building was designed for the famous hat maker by John H. Duncan in 1902, about the year the alligator cane was created. The facade of the Knox Hat building, as well as most of the adjacent Kress building (Eduard Sibbert, 1955) were eventually both incorporated into the Republic Bank building in 1985 by architect Eli Attia. The resulting structure overlooks Bryant Park and the New York Public Library to the north. The north facade of the newest construction accordions between and above the older buildings with pleats and to-the-street-line expansions that preserve a palimpsest of the two beaux-arts and art-deco predecessors. In my opinion the conglomerate strains toward the ugly as a whole. Decide for yourself whether to laud or to decry the preservation effort.
(5) Nicholas A. Basbanes' lovely book Patience and Fortitude, titled after the pair of marble lions that guard the 5th Avenue entrance to the New York Public Library. One can't help feeling sorry for the old Knox and Kress building's remnants forlornly being engulfed by modernism. Perhaps they should be named Patience and Fortitude too.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Tom Joad Isn't Here
What will become of the thousands forcibly displaced by this year's hurricanes? Those in coming years? Will history books show a significant permanent shift in population from the devastated areas?
Between 300,000 and 400,000 people migrated from Oklahoma and other Plains states in the 1930's - escaping the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. I believe that more than 400,000 have been displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. How long until the bowl of New Orleans is drained and populated again?
Will the next decade see caravans of hurricane refugees tom-joading around the country looking for work and a place to live? Will a Steinbeck emerge and produce a Grapes of Wrath for our time and experience?
Right now I just hear lots of whining from all quarters.
Between 300,000 and 400,000 people migrated from Oklahoma and other Plains states in the 1930's - escaping the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. I believe that more than 400,000 have been displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. How long until the bowl of New Orleans is drained and populated again?
Will the next decade see caravans of hurricane refugees tom-joading around the country looking for work and a place to live? Will a Steinbeck emerge and produce a Grapes of Wrath for our time and experience?
Right now I just hear lots of whining from all quarters.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Jenny Lind (1820 – 1887)
Swedish coloratura soprano Johanna Maria “Jenny” Lind was born on this day in 1820.
P.T. Barnum toured the U.S. with “The Swedish Nightingale” and got very rich in the process. Barnum was so successful a promoter that 40,000 people showed up at the New York harbor to greet her arrival. She was the first celebrity, and among the first to reap the rewards of celebrity endorsement.
“Lindomania” swept the country. Songs, dances, clothing, pianos, pleasure boats, and even a locomotive were named after her. I’ll bet you that there are scores of marinas in this country with a “Jenny Lind” moored at dockside.
Here’s the musical notation for the Jenny Lind Polka, courtesy of The Session website. Follow the link and click the "sheetmusic" tab.
Here is an 1852 daguerreotype of Lind by the eminent photographer Mathew Brady.
P.T. Barnum toured the U.S. with “The Swedish Nightingale” and got very rich in the process. Barnum was so successful a promoter that 40,000 people showed up at the New York harbor to greet her arrival. She was the first celebrity, and among the first to reap the rewards of celebrity endorsement.
“Lindomania” swept the country. Songs, dances, clothing, pianos, pleasure boats, and even a locomotive were named after her. I’ll bet you that there are scores of marinas in this country with a “Jenny Lind” moored at dockside.
Here’s the musical notation for the Jenny Lind Polka, courtesy of The Session website. Follow the link and click the "sheetmusic" tab.
Here is an 1852 daguerreotype of Lind by the eminent photographer Mathew Brady.
Warning: Don't Swallow Alligators
Things that transpire in Florida never cease to amaze. This transplanted Idahoan gets by in this state by pretending everything is a circus. The drivers. The rednecks. The crazy development. The neon colored surfshops at the beach. The ratty beach bungalows of a bygone era. The frequent hurricanes.
Never would I have imagined that there are droves of Burmese pythons slithering around in the Everglades. Never would I have imagined that they eat man-sized alligators. Now there's proof of this very thing.
Thought for the day: Don't swallow alligators.
Never would I have imagined that there are droves of Burmese pythons slithering around in the Everglades. Never would I have imagined that they eat man-sized alligators. Now there's proof of this very thing.
Thought for the day: Don't swallow alligators.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Frederic Remington (1861 – 1909)
Frederic Remington, whose birthday The Clog Almanac honors today, is one of the pantheon of those august artists whose body of works represents some of the most sublime and inspiring American art. Remington’s works captured with vivid movement and honesty the humanity that moved and worked on the great western landscapes: the working cowboys and vaqueros, the native Americans, cavalrymen and Buffalo Soldiers, the pioneers. And always their horses. 55 of Remington's canvases can be viewed here.
By the late 19th century a mythic view of the West was becoming firmly planted in the American mind. With watercolors and oils painters such as Alfred Bierstadt and Thomas Moran created stunning images that captured the immensity and grandeur of the western landscape. Their works, including the paintings and bronze sculptures of Remington exude a nobility and soaring spirituality on par with the rose windows of Notre Dame or the interior of the cathedral at Chartres – and depict the sort of landscape explored by Lewis and Clark, Ferdinand V. Hayden, Major John Wesley Powell, and well-suited for the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir. These Hudson School, American pre-Raphaelite artists, and others such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Church transposed European ideas of landscape and romanticism onto the vast reaches of the North American landscape.
Their efforts did not go unnoticed: Moran’s Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (1872) was purchased by Congress for the princely sum of $10,000. It and other examples of Moran’s paintings of the Yellowstone country were instrumental in the decision to designate Yellowstone as the nation’s first national park. Likewise, Bierstadt’s Domes of the Yosemite (1867), commissioned for $25,000 by New York magnate Le Grande Lockwood, helped convince Congress to establish the nation’s second national park in 1890. What greater use for art could one conceive but to convince a nation to preserve its best natural places as a legacy for posterity?
(Note to contemporary artists: Where do your works fit into this scheme?)
By the late 19th century a mythic view of the West was becoming firmly planted in the American mind. With watercolors and oils painters such as Alfred Bierstadt and Thomas Moran created stunning images that captured the immensity and grandeur of the western landscape. Their works, including the paintings and bronze sculptures of Remington exude a nobility and soaring spirituality on par with the rose windows of Notre Dame or the interior of the cathedral at Chartres – and depict the sort of landscape explored by Lewis and Clark, Ferdinand V. Hayden, Major John Wesley Powell, and well-suited for the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir. These Hudson School, American pre-Raphaelite artists, and others such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Church transposed European ideas of landscape and romanticism onto the vast reaches of the North American landscape.
Their efforts did not go unnoticed: Moran’s Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (1872) was purchased by Congress for the princely sum of $10,000. It and other examples of Moran’s paintings of the Yellowstone country were instrumental in the decision to designate Yellowstone as the nation’s first national park. Likewise, Bierstadt’s Domes of the Yosemite (1867), commissioned for $25,000 by New York magnate Le Grande Lockwood, helped convince Congress to establish the nation’s second national park in 1890. What greater use for art could one conceive but to convince a nation to preserve its best natural places as a legacy for posterity?
(Note to contemporary artists: Where do your works fit into this scheme?)
Friday, September 30, 2005
Truman Capote (1924 – 1984)
The buzz about Truman Capote is in full swing as the the biographical movie Capote opens in NYC and LA today. Nice touch – today is also Capote’s birthday. Link here to the official Capote motion picture website. A bracing review of this film is already online! The Clog-Wife is a fan of Capote's work so I'm sure this will be a must-see for us.
Summer Crossing, an early unpublished novel the author claimed to have destroyed, is due to be published by Random House next month.
An attention span’s worth of information about Capote and many external links can be found in the Wikipedia entry.
Summer Crossing, an early unpublished novel the author claimed to have destroyed, is due to be published by Random House next month.
An attention span’s worth of information about Capote and many external links can be found in the Wikipedia entry.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
No Goose for Michaelmas
Sept 29: St. Michael and All Angels Day
"If you eat goose on Michaelmas Day, you'll not be short of money all year round" - English proverb.
I visited my grocer's. No goose for the traditional Michaelmas feast. No slain dragon either. Oh well, this is America, yeah? Didn't know about the Michaelmas goose? Read on and follow the links.
Few Americans celebrate September 29th, Michaelmas Day, in this country, at least by English standards. I find that the lore surrounding Michaelmas is extremely interesting and heartily recommend this website for a look at historic traditions surrounding this feast day. Michaelmas is also a collar day in England, in which the Knights of Grand Cross wear the collars and ribands denoting their various affiliations and honours.
The first link above contains interesting and amusing information regarding Michaelmas traditions and things associated with the day: The Michaelmas Daisy, The Michaelmas Goose, Ganging Day and Taffy on a Goose, St. Michael's Bannock, and Electing the Lord Mayor of London.
Now hailing from High Springs, FL, a remarkable region where first-magnitude springs flowing from the surficial portions of the Floridan Aquifer give birth to gin-clear spring runs and rivers, I am interested that Michael the Archangel was also credited with creating healing and medicinal springs, and that the Greeks celebrate the spring at Collosae on the Lycus River (present day Khonas, Turkey, where the springs are still enjoyed) on September 6, my own red-letter day and birthday.
"If you eat goose on Michaelmas Day, you'll not be short of money all year round" - English proverb.
I visited my grocer's. No goose for the traditional Michaelmas feast. No slain dragon either. Oh well, this is America, yeah? Didn't know about the Michaelmas goose? Read on and follow the links.
Few Americans celebrate September 29th, Michaelmas Day, in this country, at least by English standards. I find that the lore surrounding Michaelmas is extremely interesting and heartily recommend this website for a look at historic traditions surrounding this feast day. Michaelmas is also a collar day in England, in which the Knights of Grand Cross wear the collars and ribands denoting their various affiliations and honours.
The first link above contains interesting and amusing information regarding Michaelmas traditions and things associated with the day: The Michaelmas Daisy, The Michaelmas Goose, Ganging Day and Taffy on a Goose, St. Michael's Bannock, and Electing the Lord Mayor of London.
Now hailing from High Springs, FL, a remarkable region where first-magnitude springs flowing from the surficial portions of the Floridan Aquifer give birth to gin-clear spring runs and rivers, I am interested that Michael the Archangel was also credited with creating healing and medicinal springs, and that the Greeks celebrate the spring at Collosae on the Lycus River (present day Khonas, Turkey, where the springs are still enjoyed) on September 6, my own red-letter day and birthday.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Terrorist Chefs Need Not Apply
You may want to consult the rules if you’re planning on entering a chili cook-off . The Clog Almanac bemusedly notes this fiery regulation governing events sponsored by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI):
G. PYROTECHNICS - No chili contestant may discharge firearms or use any pyrotechnics or explosives at a chili cookoff. Contestants discharging firearms and/or using explosives or other pyrotechnics will be disqualified from the chili cookoff.
Not that some contestant’s creations aren’t inherently explosive by their nature.
(Hat-tip to Dustbury)
G. PYROTECHNICS - No chili contestant may discharge firearms or use any pyrotechnics or explosives at a chili cookoff. Contestants discharging firearms and/or using explosives or other pyrotechnics will be disqualified from the chili cookoff.
Not that some contestant’s creations aren’t inherently explosive by their nature.
(Hat-tip to Dustbury)
Monday, September 26, 2005
Blow Winds Blow
The Clog-wife found a nice graphic (with commentary and many links) that depicts the paths of tropical storms and hurricanes that have passed within 60 miles of Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle. Its rather sobering, and makes one wonder why anyone should be surprised any time a major storm threatens or devastates the gulf coast.
Let Us Go And Make Our Visit...
Sid Call (1935 -
My father's 70th birthday is today. I have watched him now for 47 years. He's still a spry young man in my eyes, much younger than his years tell. He still likes a good joke and likes to tell a good story, and his kind blue eyes still have that youthful mischievious twinkle when he's witnessed a piece of irony or involved himself in a little prank. He gave my brothers and me one of the greatest gifts a man can give his sons: he taught us how to fish at a very early age. Now grown men, my brothers and I love fishing as much as we did when we were wee boys. I wish him a happy birthday, and wish him many more happy years with my dear mother.
Indeed there will be time.
Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888 - 1965)
T.S. Eliot was born on September 26, 1888. Two of my favorite poems are his: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, and The Wasteland.
If you've kids of your own I highly recommend that you acquire a copy of Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The sheer playfulness of the language in the book's collection of poems will win you and your children over, and perhaps even instill a love of language and its possibilities that you won't get anywhere else. Think of the book as the literary snob's Dr. Suess.
My father's 70th birthday is today. I have watched him now for 47 years. He's still a spry young man in my eyes, much younger than his years tell. He still likes a good joke and likes to tell a good story, and his kind blue eyes still have that youthful mischievious twinkle when he's witnessed a piece of irony or involved himself in a little prank. He gave my brothers and me one of the greatest gifts a man can give his sons: he taught us how to fish at a very early age. Now grown men, my brothers and I love fishing as much as we did when we were wee boys. I wish him a happy birthday, and wish him many more happy years with my dear mother.
Indeed there will be time.
Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888 - 1965)
T.S. Eliot was born on September 26, 1888. Two of my favorite poems are his: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, and The Wasteland.
If you've kids of your own I highly recommend that you acquire a copy of Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The sheer playfulness of the language in the book's collection of poems will win you and your children over, and perhaps even instill a love of language and its possibilities that you won't get anywhere else. Think of the book as the literary snob's Dr. Suess.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
William Faulkner (1897 - 1962)
William (Harrison) Faulkner was born William Cuthbert Faulkner on this day in 1897. The imaginary Mississippi county and inhabitants that he created in his series of novels are alive and well.
Faulkner's literary legacy is well intact in the usual fashion, with numerous literary societies and scholarly journals devoted to his works. Let us not forget the much-needed academic "Centers-For-The Microdicsection of [insert academic Faulkner navel-gazing hobby here]".
There are many on-line Faulkner resources. You would do well to visit this website as a jumping-off point no matter what your individual interest or reason.
Yesterday my eldest daughter picked up a crusty brittle paperback copy of "The Sound and the Fury" that was laying in one of the unpacked boxes. She remarked "Oh, Faulkner is so hard to read sometimes". I suppose what she meant was that Faulkner's style was difficult to read. His prose is rife with unusual or missing punctuation, run-on sentences and rambling parenthetical inclusions lacking sentence breaks, and uncommon syntax. I believe that these quirky devices contribute the greatness of the work.
My appreciation for Faulkner came from reading the works of a more recent and much more light-hearted southern writer, T.R. Pearson. Pearson uses many of the same quirky devices to great effect, the circuitous run-on sentence in particular. I devoured A Short History of a Small Place the summer it came out (1985), and have read every word from Pearson's pen since. In times of sorrow I have returned again and again to Short History and found a measure of joy, if not a gracious plenty of rolling belly laughs.
Faulkner's literary legacy is well intact in the usual fashion, with numerous literary societies and scholarly journals devoted to his works. Let us not forget the much-needed academic "Centers-For-The Microdicsection of [insert academic Faulkner navel-gazing hobby here]".
There are many on-line Faulkner resources. You would do well to visit this website as a jumping-off point no matter what your individual interest or reason.
Yesterday my eldest daughter picked up a crusty brittle paperback copy of "The Sound and the Fury" that was laying in one of the unpacked boxes. She remarked "Oh, Faulkner is so hard to read sometimes". I suppose what she meant was that Faulkner's style was difficult to read. His prose is rife with unusual or missing punctuation, run-on sentences and rambling parenthetical inclusions lacking sentence breaks, and uncommon syntax. I believe that these quirky devices contribute the greatness of the work.
My appreciation for Faulkner came from reading the works of a more recent and much more light-hearted southern writer, T.R. Pearson. Pearson uses many of the same quirky devices to great effect, the circuitous run-on sentence in particular. I devoured A Short History of a Small Place the summer it came out (1985), and have read every word from Pearson's pen since. In times of sorrow I have returned again and again to Short History and found a measure of joy, if not a gracious plenty of rolling belly laughs.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Making a Home
My father was fond of a certain expression which he uttered in response to the question "Where ya goin'?" He'd respond:
"Down the road, to see if the man's mowin" If you follow me, you're sure to get shot!"
Today I mowed the new lawn at the new house for the first time. My father also taught us 3 boys how to do a job right and to take pride in our work. To this day the 3 of us aver that yardwork is not so much work as a time to contemplate and earn a little satisfaction and pride in ourselves. So I enjoyed doing the mowing.
But it doesn't stop when the new-mown grass is just right. Noooooooo. You have to clean all the tools you use, and put them away in their appointed places in better condition than when you used them. So today found me washing the lawn mower when the work was done, dusting and drying it and shining it with a towel before I locked it in its shed to be ready for the next bout of mowing. My Dad takes such good care of his stuff that many things live in their original boxes for decades despite frequent use. Its really remarkable, and many have remarked about how his thrift and loving care of his things makes them last forever - most recently my Mother (no, I'm not suggesting that he embalmed her). We sons have inherited this same mindset (quirk to the rest of you) from Dad.
As I mowed, I made a mental note of other jobs to be done around the grounds: stack the old bricks laying next to the replaced piers that the house sits on (remodeled 1935 Florida shotgun vernacular architecture), gather up the flotsam from the previous owner (bits of shingle and construction odds and ends and interior trim that found their way beneath shrubbery and in odd corners of the yard), etc. They will be attended to when they make it to the top of the moving in priority list.
During the day I took a break to spend some time with my daughters. Lauren flew in from KC MO yesterday. She and little sister Maggie came by to see the new house and go to lunch. We had a great time and chatted for a long time over a great meal at Floyd's Diner - a High Springs hotspot that has so many good meals on the menu that it is truly difficult to make a choice. Maggie opted for the club sandwich, and Lauren and I shared a blackened chicken Caesar salad and a plate of fresh grouper - lightly battered and fried. We were more than rewarded for our choices. The waiter was part of the fun and was completely at our service. He was an older Cuban gentleman who obviously took pride in his job and had no end of fun doing it. He must be a chip off the same block as my father.
"Down the road, to see if the man's mowin" If you follow me, you're sure to get shot!"
Today I mowed the new lawn at the new house for the first time. My father also taught us 3 boys how to do a job right and to take pride in our work. To this day the 3 of us aver that yardwork is not so much work as a time to contemplate and earn a little satisfaction and pride in ourselves. So I enjoyed doing the mowing.
But it doesn't stop when the new-mown grass is just right. Noooooooo. You have to clean all the tools you use, and put them away in their appointed places in better condition than when you used them. So today found me washing the lawn mower when the work was done, dusting and drying it and shining it with a towel before I locked it in its shed to be ready for the next bout of mowing. My Dad takes such good care of his stuff that many things live in their original boxes for decades despite frequent use. Its really remarkable, and many have remarked about how his thrift and loving care of his things makes them last forever - most recently my Mother (no, I'm not suggesting that he embalmed her). We sons have inherited this same mindset (quirk to the rest of you) from Dad.
As I mowed, I made a mental note of other jobs to be done around the grounds: stack the old bricks laying next to the replaced piers that the house sits on (remodeled 1935 Florida shotgun vernacular architecture), gather up the flotsam from the previous owner (bits of shingle and construction odds and ends and interior trim that found their way beneath shrubbery and in odd corners of the yard), etc. They will be attended to when they make it to the top of the moving in priority list.
During the day I took a break to spend some time with my daughters. Lauren flew in from KC MO yesterday. She and little sister Maggie came by to see the new house and go to lunch. We had a great time and chatted for a long time over a great meal at Floyd's Diner - a High Springs hotspot that has so many good meals on the menu that it is truly difficult to make a choice. Maggie opted for the club sandwich, and Lauren and I shared a blackened chicken Caesar salad and a plate of fresh grouper - lightly battered and fried. We were more than rewarded for our choices. The waiter was part of the fun and was completely at our service. He was an older Cuban gentleman who obviously took pride in his job and had no end of fun doing it. He must be a chip off the same block as my father.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
We Read and We Remember
Herbert George Wells (1866-1946)
Today is the birthday of HG Wells. We remember him for such works as "The War of the Worlds", "The Invisible Man", "The Island of Dr. Moreau", and "The Time Machine".
Steven King (1947-
Steven Edwin King was born on this day in 1947. King is arguably one of this generation’s most prolific writers. I don’t think I have enough time in the day to enumerate all of his works. I’m sure you’re familiar with many of them, especially those that have been made into movies, such as “The Green Mile” and “The Shawshank Redemption”.
Today is the birthday of HG Wells. We remember him for such works as "The War of the Worlds", "The Invisible Man", "The Island of Dr. Moreau", and "The Time Machine".
Steven King (1947-
Steven Edwin King was born on this day in 1947. King is arguably one of this generation’s most prolific writers. I don’t think I have enough time in the day to enumerate all of his works. I’m sure you’re familiar with many of them, especially those that have been made into movies, such as “The Green Mile” and “The Shawshank Redemption”.
Movin' On, Movin' In
So much time has gone by since the last posting to the Clog Almanac. The Clog-Wife and I have purchased a home in High Springs, Florida, and are in the process of moving in, and our part of the state has dodged a couple of hurricanes, including the devastating Katrina and just this past weekend, Rita.
The new home is a recently refurbished 1935 bungalow. New tin roof, new plumbing, new wiring, new heating and air conditioning units, a superabundance of ceiling fans, new flooring. Not everything is to our liking, but we are happily spared the hassle and money of remodeling just to make the dwelling livable. We gladly left that exercise to others more ambitious than us.
Our biggest challenge is finding a place for the accumulated possessions of two households. Methinks that empty moving boxes would make good receptacles for the flotsam and jetsam that was moved and is no longer wanted or needed. Good Will may soon receive a windfall if I can stay on track and minimize my share of the junk.
The new home is a recently refurbished 1935 bungalow. New tin roof, new plumbing, new wiring, new heating and air conditioning units, a superabundance of ceiling fans, new flooring. Not everything is to our liking, but we are happily spared the hassle and money of remodeling just to make the dwelling livable. We gladly left that exercise to others more ambitious than us.
Our biggest challenge is finding a place for the accumulated possessions of two households. Methinks that empty moving boxes would make good receptacles for the flotsam and jetsam that was moved and is no longer wanted or needed. Good Will may soon receive a windfall if I can stay on track and minimize my share of the junk.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Saint Swithin's Day - Not Groundhog Day, But Almost.
St Swithin’s Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain.
St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no more.
On this day we in Florida are watching tropical storm (hurricane?) Emily, the follow-up storm to Hurricane Dennis which grazed our coast several days ago.
We're still agog at the frequency of named and serious storms courting Florida this early in the hurricane season.
Full forty days, it will remain.
St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no more.
On this day we in Florida are watching tropical storm (hurricane?) Emily, the follow-up storm to Hurricane Dennis which grazed our coast several days ago.
We're still agog at the frequency of named and serious storms courting Florida this early in the hurricane season.
A Certain Shade of Yellow
For the past few weeks yellow lotus has been blooming en masse in areas of Payne's Prairie where the season's exceptionally high water has created open pools in the otherwise vegetated expanse.
The yellow blooms of this common freshwater aquatic, as seen in the summer sunshine evoke the yellow seen in the belly plumage of a common seasonal bird resident in these parts: the Great Crested Flycatcher. A family of this species is to be seen most afternoons lately, flailing about in the dusty sand at the very entrance to our driveway in Evinston, Florida. One young bird is particularly bold, and waits until the last possible second before flitting off and lighting on a close branch or hanging fox grape vine until my truck passes by. I won't speculate on the sex of this cheeky and brave bird.
The yellow blooms of this common freshwater aquatic, as seen in the summer sunshine evoke the yellow seen in the belly plumage of a common seasonal bird resident in these parts: the Great Crested Flycatcher. A family of this species is to be seen most afternoons lately, flailing about in the dusty sand at the very entrance to our driveway in Evinston, Florida. One young bird is particularly bold, and waits until the last possible second before flitting off and lighting on a close branch or hanging fox grape vine until my truck passes by. I won't speculate on the sex of this cheeky and brave bird.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Sunday Gleanings
The past two days we've enjoyed homemade blueberry syrup over French toast. Geena and Brian here in Evinston have been supplying the community for the past month with large sweet berries from their home patch. Each morning Brian brings a tray of pints into the Wood and Swink store, where they quickly sell out.
Yesterday I gleaned some carrots and onions from Freddy Wood's garden spot behind the Wood and Swink store. The end of their harvest had come and Freddy plowed the field under. The carrots went straight to Bun-Bun, the Clog-wife's big indestructable white rabbit. The onions found their way into some fresh pico de gallo salsa and the soup that I am tending right now.
I chopped the onions and browned them in a little chicken fat (previously rendered with onions and kept in the ice-box), added a chopped celery stalk and a little diced tomato. When all had caramelized together I added salt, pepper, and a few cups of water. When the stock has simmered for a couple of hours I'll strain it, put it in a ceramic casserole, top with toasted rye bread and mozarella, and bake for a few minutes.
Voila'. Onion soup for a rainy day.
Yesterday I gleaned some carrots and onions from Freddy Wood's garden spot behind the Wood and Swink store. The end of their harvest had come and Freddy plowed the field under. The carrots went straight to Bun-Bun, the Clog-wife's big indestructable white rabbit. The onions found their way into some fresh pico de gallo salsa and the soup that I am tending right now.
I chopped the onions and browned them in a little chicken fat (previously rendered with onions and kept in the ice-box), added a chopped celery stalk and a little diced tomato. When all had caramelized together I added salt, pepper, and a few cups of water. When the stock has simmered for a couple of hours I'll strain it, put it in a ceramic casserole, top with toasted rye bread and mozarella, and bake for a few minutes.
Voila'. Onion soup for a rainy day.
Hurricane Dennis and Red Sox Update
Sunday, 1:15 p.m.: Hurricane Dennis marched north during the night. There were a few episodes of rainy gusts that knocked a few branches from the trees but it was otherwise a calm night. The downed branches are mostly deadwood from the tops of the trees, and none hit our vehicles or roof.
It is very dark and overcast as you'd expect. The humidity in the air has turned the outdoors into the Life Aquatic. All the house windows are covered with condensation making us feel fogbound inside the house.
The Orioles trounced the Red Sox yesterday, powered by Rafael Palmeiro's 565th homer and 6 RBI's. Palmeiro is now 3 hits away from the impressive 3000 career hits benchmark. Even more impressive is that in the next game or two, Palmeiro will get those three hits, and join Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Eddie Murray in that exclusive club of hitters with both 3000 career hits AND 500 career home runs.
The path of Dennis looks like it will take it right over Pensacola as it makes landfall in the next half hour or so. Hopefully, Dennis will do less damage than the Orioles did to Boston yesterday.
It is very dark and overcast as you'd expect. The humidity in the air has turned the outdoors into the Life Aquatic. All the house windows are covered with condensation making us feel fogbound inside the house.
The Orioles trounced the Red Sox yesterday, powered by Rafael Palmeiro's 565th homer and 6 RBI's. Palmeiro is now 3 hits away from the impressive 3000 career hits benchmark. Even more impressive is that in the next game or two, Palmeiro will get those three hits, and join Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Eddie Murray in that exclusive club of hitters with both 3000 career hits AND 500 career home runs.
The path of Dennis looks like it will take it right over Pensacola as it makes landfall in the next half hour or so. Hopefully, Dennis will do less damage than the Orioles did to Boston yesterday.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Live Hurricane Dennis/Red Sox Blogging!
Hurricane Dennis/Red Sox Live Update
Reporting Station: Evinston, Alachua County, Florida
Update Time: 14:27 EST
At this location, Mister Sun was shining for at least the past hour and sustained winds were imperceptible. At approximately 2:05 p.m. EST some light cloud cover moved in diminishing the heat and brightness of the Sun, but humidity remained high and quite noticeable, as we all got sticky upon venturing outside in our various regular weekend pursuits.
At this moment the eye of Hurricane Dennis is ~135 miles SW of Orlando and is moving parallel to the Florida coast at about 14 miles per hour. Forecasts all concur that the expansive tropical storm bands on the eastern side of Dennis will periodically rake north central Florida for the next 24 hours, with associated severe thunderstorms, winds gusting into to 30-40 mph range, and tornado watches and tropical storm warnings. So here in north-central Florida, we've apparently been spared the core brunt of the storm. This time. Check back in a couple weeks and see what The Weatherman has to say about the storms regularly spitting off the west coast of Africa and heading east for the Carribean and the Gulf, like so many smoke rings from an evil wizard's pipe.
As for today's baseball game, the Orioles are currently leading the Boston Red Sox 4-1 following the 3-run homer by Palmeiro. I'd expected the champion (at last) Sox to be playing a little flashier, but they're not, so far.
Palmeiro has a consistent but relatively unheralded career. I expect that he, like other great players, may garner his laurels late in his game, when the slow and accumulating consistent stats he is racking up look much more solid and impressive at the end of it all.
Stay tuned for more hurricane and baseball.
Reporting Station: Evinston, Alachua County, Florida
Update Time: 14:27 EST
At this location, Mister Sun was shining for at least the past hour and sustained winds were imperceptible. At approximately 2:05 p.m. EST some light cloud cover moved in diminishing the heat and brightness of the Sun, but humidity remained high and quite noticeable, as we all got sticky upon venturing outside in our various regular weekend pursuits.
At this moment the eye of Hurricane Dennis is ~135 miles SW of Orlando and is moving parallel to the Florida coast at about 14 miles per hour. Forecasts all concur that the expansive tropical storm bands on the eastern side of Dennis will periodically rake north central Florida for the next 24 hours, with associated severe thunderstorms, winds gusting into to 30-40 mph range, and tornado watches and tropical storm warnings. So here in north-central Florida, we've apparently been spared the core brunt of the storm. This time. Check back in a couple weeks and see what The Weatherman has to say about the storms regularly spitting off the west coast of Africa and heading east for the Carribean and the Gulf, like so many smoke rings from an evil wizard's pipe.
As for today's baseball game, the Orioles are currently leading the Boston Red Sox 4-1 following the 3-run homer by Palmeiro. I'd expected the champion (at last) Sox to be playing a little flashier, but they're not, so far.
Palmeiro has a consistent but relatively unheralded career. I expect that he, like other great players, may garner his laurels late in his game, when the slow and accumulating consistent stats he is racking up look much more solid and impressive at the end of it all.
Stay tuned for more hurricane and baseball.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Hurricane Dennis
Hurricane Dennis approaches! The first hurricane of 2006 is passing by Cuba tonight, on his way into the Gulf. Forecasters say he'll likely pass to the west of Florida proper, and come ashore during the weekend, at about category 3 strength.
Tropical storm Cindy just yesterday blew through the Gulf, missing Florida, but came ashore in LA dragging 70 mph winds in her skirts and flooding the area with 10" of rain.
Here in north central Florida, we've had a very rainy June. Lakes, ponds, swales and swamps are still high since last season's hurricanes and have only gotten more inundated with the record rainfall. The southbound lane of Hwy 441 across Payne's Prairie is but a foot or two above water level at its northernmost end.
I'll say it now, before anything happens. I do not relish the thought of tropical storms and hurricanes this Summer. The 4 storms that affected us last year were enough to last me for a few years at least.
Tropical storm Cindy just yesterday blew through the Gulf, missing Florida, but came ashore in LA dragging 70 mph winds in her skirts and flooding the area with 10" of rain.
Here in north central Florida, we've had a very rainy June. Lakes, ponds, swales and swamps are still high since last season's hurricanes and have only gotten more inundated with the record rainfall. The southbound lane of Hwy 441 across Payne's Prairie is but a foot or two above water level at its northernmost end.
I'll say it now, before anything happens. I do not relish the thought of tropical storms and hurricanes this Summer. The 4 storms that affected us last year were enough to last me for a few years at least.
The Bush Agenda: 2005 G8 Summit
Checklist Of Things To Do Today
1. Birthday Brunch with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark: Check.
(Gave nice soundbite about Danish birthday cake. Heh!)
2. Run down Strathclyde police officer with bicycle: Check.
(Didn't intend to put him in hospital with ankle injury. Whoopsie.)
3. Dinner with Queen Elizabeth II of England: Check.
(Hey, where were those Corgi dawgs everyone goes on about?)
Its all in a day's work for the US President (who may still be looking for a good cowboy).
1. Birthday Brunch with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark: Check.
(Gave nice soundbite about Danish birthday cake. Heh!)
2. Run down Strathclyde police officer with bicycle: Check.
(Didn't intend to put him in hospital with ankle injury. Whoopsie.)
3. Dinner with Queen Elizabeth II of England: Check.
(Hey, where were those Corgi dawgs everyone goes on about?)
Its all in a day's work for the US President (who may still be looking for a good cowboy).
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