Tuesday Tidbits...

Well, here in the Midwest, we're STILL in the midst of a sweltering heatwave, but just be thankful we're not further WEST, where they've got wildfires out the ass in NM, AZ, WY, and CO!
Those of you in Aboite, for example (west of Ft. Wayne, and now part of our fair city thanks to annexation) are advised NOT to water your lawns (at all), due to reduced water pressure. I'll be thinking about that when WE water OUR lawn this morning.

If people who once lived where WE do now, aka the Ghettohood, would have just REMAINED here and fought for YOUR neighborhoods, instead of bugging out to all points north and west, we'd STILL have real neighborhoods...with real neighbors...watering their LAWNS this morning (did I mention we're STILL able to do that?).
You folks didn't REALLY have to leave..but you did, and so you "get what you pay (and are gonna be paying out the wazoo) for".
But enough about brown fields and brown lawns...we've plenty to get our hands into this morning, so let's get busy.
*** First up, an update to the Cap N Cork shooting.

And here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120619/LOCAL07/306199999
It's refreshing to see witnesses actually offer GOOD information...for a change.
Lord knows the FWPD is always getting stone-walled with homicide investigations by "people" who, although they were THERE on scene "..din see nuffin', man..." Maybe the witnesses were the STORE PERSONNEL???
Anyway, this perp, one Michael S. Lewis, 21, is the person being sought by the po-po.

And of course, he HAS a rap sheet going back 2 years:
================
02D04-1007-CM-003971 I0015488 Lewis, Michael S 07/01/2010
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided MINOR IN POSS OF ALCOHOL
02D04-1008-CM-004686 Lewis, Michael S 08/02/2010
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided
02D04-1105-CM-002992 NA
NA Lewis, Michael S 05/23/2011
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided 35-48-4-8.3(b)/MA Possession of Paraphernalia. Person who knowingly or intentionally violates (a)
35-48-4-11(1)/MA: Possession Marijuana/Hash Oil/Hashish - Possession
02D05-1206-MR-000002 Lewis, Michael S 06/15/2012
Allen Superior Court 5 MR - Murder
Pending
=====ADDRESS=====
2615 Shady Oak Dr
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
================
Bet'cha if the FWPD checks out OUR zip code (which is the same as his) they might get lucky, because this boy hasn't been a "crim" THAT long that he's got enough smarts to elude with such mental dexterity.
Tell 'ya what...if I see him, I'll shoot him in the legs (if I don't miss and hit him in the head or torso - I might not have my glasses on)...make it easier for 'ya...sound like a plan?
(( Editor's note - according to news sources, Michael S. Lewis has TURNED HIMSELF IN...well spank me rosy, will 'ya?
Here's the link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/man-charged-in-anthony-blvd-shooting
Damn, there goes my "target-practice" for the week...))
Moving onward...
*** Three cars torched last night...doesn't sound like a case of spontaneous combustion OR manufacturer recall to me.
Here's the link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/fwfd-investigate-two-overnight-car-fires

Weird thing about this...all three locations are not that close to one another, and the timeline between the fires is longer than I would think for a typical vandal, or prankster, or arsonist.

Usually, some kids will do damage along a few connected blocks, like slashing tires, or breaking car windows as they ride along.
It might be random, in so much as someone might be wanting to avert attention from the vehicle the vandals REALLY wanted to torch, and the person(s) they REALLY wanted to intimidate, or "send a message" to.
It'll be interesting to see how this shakes out.
*** Now THIS kind of story will ALWAYS put a smile on my face.

Monday, at the Georgetown Branch of the Library in Ft. Wayne, they conducted a JEDI TRAINING SESSION...
I am NOT making this up....it's FOR REAL!
Yesterday, Starlight Live instructors educated kids on the PROPER use of a LIGHT SABER.
(hint, it's not a fancy deli-meat slicer or bug zapper)

Yasureyoubetcha, this is something I can wrap my mind-tricks around in a Tatooine heartbeat!
After all, in today's world, you're NEVER too young to learn the ways of THE FORCE, and that will include wielding the weapon of a Jedi Knight...aka the light saber.
And, as Obi-Wan Kenobi used to say:
 "It's not as clumsy or random as a blaster...It's an elegant weapon, for a more civilized age."
Yeah, I'm SO on board with THAT.
*** Lastly today...its the birthday of our FAVORITE feline...GARFIELD THE CAT!
Here's the WIKI on the lasagna-loving, attitude endowed pet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfield

It was on 19 June, 1978 when Garfield FIRST hit the newspapers...and the rest (as usual) is history.

Since then, the franchise has grown to astronomical proportions, but luckily, Garfield has kept HIS "figure"...somewhat...LOL!
Jim Davis, the creator of this lovable cat lives and works in Muncie, IN (where the comic is "supposed" to take place, even though it's only alluded to), and although he doesn't draw the comic these days (that's what a staff of artists are for), he DOES do the writing, as well as see to the empire that King Garfield reigns over.
Amazing that Garfield is older than even OUR cats...and not a tooth missing or a drool puddle when he purrs.

I've always been a fan of Garfield, have a lot of his books and many plush figures, as well as a matched set of collector plates and statues from the 1980s.
Our Christmas tree ALWAYS has lots of Garfield ornaments on it, too.

Then there are the mugs and glasses (from the old McD's days) assorted toys and postcards, and even clothing (Just got Wifey a pair of Garfield socks).
When I visited Niagara Falls, I proudly wore a sweatshirt that had the feisty feline on it proclaiming: BIG FAT HAIRY DEAL, as I pointed to the falls...LOL.

My favorite shirt has Garfield atop Odie, holding his ears (like reins) as Odie zips along with the title:
EASY RIDER.

Another shirt has a fore lorn Garfield on it and the statement:
"I went to Gettysburg, and all I got was this lousy shirt!"
Yeah, I'm a Garfieldaholic...and proud of it, too!
Wouldn't change one single thing about that.
And around OUR house, it simply wouldn't be the holidays without watching the DVD of Garfield's HALLOWEEN, THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS...right?

So, Happy Birthday Garfield...may you enjoy MANY MANY more (and all covered in lasagna).
And thank you Jim Davis, for making a cat-lover out of me, and for all the smiles and laughs you provided all these years.

(but I still like DOGS, too...and birds, and rabbits, and squirrels....)

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...

Stay SAFE out there, America.