05 September 2014

Friday Follies...
Welcome to the weekend, and I'm sure it won't be long before it feels more like late July or early August, instead of September outside.
We're already into the low 70s, and it feels muggy out there.
Our Hooiserland weather today will see us with more of a "sultry" day with an expected high into the UPPER 80s and enough humidity out there to drag out that word we rarely used this past Summer - OPPRESSIVE...lol.
Still, it's only for today, and rain is slated to come through later this afternoon or evening, which should cool things down well enough.
In the meantime, go grab a cup of your favorite morning beverage as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the corral today is a salute to all those things people love to celebrate for whatever reason.
It's NATIONAL BE LATE FOR SOMETHING DAY...well, that's something new to me.
Guess someone in the government has nothing better to do with THEIR workdays.
I supposed if we're all expected to "be late" for something...let's be late for our own funeral.
(some days I already feel a few years late in that regard...lol)
And wouldn't you know it...they have a website that "splains" it...found HERE:
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/September/belateforsomething.htm
Be nice if they were LATE in celebrating this day...heh.
(Wonder how the Procrastinator's Club handles THIS one?)
Moving on...
*** Yes friends, ANOTHER shooting in Fort Wayne, and it's on the (where else?) SOUTHEAST SIDE...
(where the streets have no name...but everyone knows them by heart from the police reports...lol)
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140905/LOCAL07/309049922/1043/LOCAL07
Yep, getting harder to just walk down a damn street around here, especially at the time when school lets out
Here we go again...and again...and again...
This took place in the 2800 block of Drexel Ave around 1615 hrs yesterday afternoon.
A man walking along Drexel was approached vy someone in a dark-colored compact car who starting shooting at the man (several times).
The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Yes folks, a DRIVE-BY shooting...wouldn't expect THAT in the ghettohood, would you?
Still doesn't seem so, does it?
Hard to believe at THAT time of day, there were no witnesses, considering most of the locals love to mill about ALL damn day, because hardly ANY of them have a job and are on the government dole.
I suppose it's a good thing none of these shooters have ACCURACY on their side, otherwise, we'd have another year of 40+ homicides, hmm?
Boozin' from LAST month, but you get the idea.
--Add to this the beaners across the side street pulled an "all-nighter" on a SCHOOL night (the residents have 2 girls)...nice loud Latinos boozin' it up...yeah, life's good when police don't patrol with any regularity, isn't it? Even had an "out-of-towner" stop by there, too.
Nothing trashes up a neighborhood FASTER than...(you guessed it)...PEOPLE!
*** Next up, I saw this story about these "rogue" cell towers and something ain't right here.
Can you intercept me NOW?
Here's the story link (from Forbes):
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davelewis/2014/09/03/rogue-cell-towers-could-be-intercepting-your-call/
Imagine that..."someone" intercepting YOUR cell call...and some of these "towers" can be found near MILITARY BASES...wonder why that is?
And WHO do these towers belong to, anyway?
Sites of the "rogue" tower locations
So, the FCC knew about these since 2010, but are just NOW launching an investigation?
More proof that this administration isn't "in it to win it", and yes, the word INEPTITUDE comes to mind for some reason...lol.
*** Next up...the passing if yet another legend in American comedy.
Joan Rivers left us to make God laugh yesterday at the age of 81 and rather than attempt to say (at any length) what others will say much better, let me provide her WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Rivers
I will add that her particular style of comedy was much in the way of Don Rickles...
She was acerbic...yet funny, always spoke her mind, and never apologized for doing so.
Don't find many folks like that around these days...it was a different time when we all had thicker skin, spoke plainly, and moved on, not having to apologize at the drop of a hat for fear of offending some mook for no reason.
I will state that she was an attractive woman (in her prime) as well.
One by one we keep losing those who truly made us laugh...mainly at ourselves and generally at each other.
*** Last back to the barn...I spoke about NOSTALGIA yesterday, and how, in spite of all those good times we enjoyed, we DID in fact...survive it.
Sounds about right.
You look at old TV shows...or movies...or filmed comedy routines, and somehow, even though you know well the ending or outcome, you STILL smile.
You listen to those oldies songs and remember where you were, what you were doing, who you might have been with, and so on...and it wasn't all that bad.
You might even pick up an old classic bit of literature and recall when you FIRST read it, and how your "mind's eye" took you places you could only dream about...we called that IMAGINATION.
And through all the rote of school work, the skinned knees while plating, the toys which would be banned today, or labeled hazardous to our health, and yes, even all those candies at the corner five and dime which spoiled many a dinner...we DID survive...and damn well, in fact.
What we need to do is keep remembering those times we enjoyed, so that we can change this ever-sterile, over-regulated and ambiguous present, in order to make a future that is worthy to be sought after.
America exists for a reason, and for a young nation has done pretty damn well for itself and it's place in the world.
And it's time to recall our past, educate ourselves about it, learn from it, and remember all of those who made the past what it was.
Time for us moves forward in a linear pattern, but that doesn't mean we look back with fondness...bend the conventionality once in a while...for future's sake, right? The older we grow, the more important it becomes, doesn't it?
DO have yourselves a great weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

04 September 2014

Summer's last Hurrah...
It's going to feel like that today, if the weather has anything to do with it.
After that we're due for a milder end of week, with temps into the upper 70s only (...sweet).
The Hooiserland weather TODAY will find us closer to a repeat of yesterday, but with temps reaching into the upper 80s, and a fair amount of humidity, but I'm not hearing much about any rain in the immediate picture, so it won't feel like the sub-tropics.
But, it will be warmer outside...that's a fact.
And, in case you were wondering (and who isn't?) today is also .
NATIONAL WILDLIFE DAY...!
That does not mean go out and hug a rabid raccoon, however.
We only hug our "dinner".
Nor does it mean I have to celebrate or otherwise acknowledge ANY of my "neighbors"...LOL.
(they're all wild enough as it is without any encouragement)
So, with that behind us, let's open our daily Pandora's Box and see what stares back at us...
*** First out of the outhouse is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.".
An original "selfie"
This is attributed to one William Hazlitt (who?), an English writer (10 April 1778 - 18 September 1830), remembered for his humanistic essays and literary criticism.
He was also considered the greatest art critic of his time.
Included in his resume` is drama critic, social commentator, and philosopher.
I guess one might say he was a keen observer of humanity.
Here is his WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hazlitt
While now considered one of the great critics and essayists of the English language and placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell, most of his works are little read and out of print.
The WIKI is rather extensive, so I will leave it up to you to find out more about a man who studied and rubbed elbows with many other people whose names you will immediate know. BTW, he was also an accomplished painter (when did he have the time?).
In 2012, Random House of Canada founded an online magazine called HAZLITT, named after the writer, whom they characterize as "The original blogger".
Moving on...
*** We had a DOUBLE shooting in our city near the time schools were letting out...how about that.
Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2014/09/03/police-on-the-scene-of-a-shooting-near-downtown/
This happened yesterday around 1600 hrs in the 1400 block of E. Lewis St. (closer to downtown these days).
Police found one person suffering gunshot wounds - a woman shot in the torso, and a man showe up at hospital shortly afterward and was shot in the leg.
She's was in serious condition, while he was in good condition.
No suspect, no motive, and not much else to tell about this...mum's the word these days, hmm?
But it has been released that the shooter was a BLACK guy (figured as much from looking at the neighborhood - and the woman shot was waiting for the school bus...whatta world).
*** Police (again) need "OUR" help looking for a perp that stole some credit cards from a woman's car in the parking lot at CORK N CLEAVER (nice eatery) and went on a shopping spree..way back on JUNE 17...why take SO damn long to bring this to the public's attention?
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140904/LOCAL07/309039929/1043/LOCAL07
I did my best to blow up the picture and enhance it, but I'm not exactly the FBI, so there 'ya are.
(still, not that bad)
The suspect (and a female accomplice) drive away in what is believed to be a Yukon SUV (nice ride...crime must pay for them.
*** This is one those "smiling Bobby G." stories, and you'll know why when you read the link HERE:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140904/NEWS03/309049984/0/SEARCH
Now, ain't that a kick in the head....nostalgia's a GOOD thing after all.
What am I always saying about those "good old days", hmm?
Nice road to "get lost" on...
It appears that thinking of such times IS a good thing...for all of us...whatta freaking epiphany!
Maybe if we went one step further, and hearkened BACK to such times, we might solve a lot of problems that society suffers from today.
Music time-machine
And yes, that would certainly include a SMALLER government with a lot LESS personal intrusion in our lives.
The story is a very decent read, even if the researchers worked solely with music, but, it's a good place to start.
Chris Martin's TIME MACHINE is a prime example of how GOOD music USED to be, and how we always seem to be pulled back to those days when it was new and refreshing to hear on the radio.
The songs are no longer new, but they STILL remain refreshing when contrasted to what passes for music these days (original soundtrack music not included...there are STILL some great composers out there today).
Guess what's old is always new again...to most people...when they care to stop and take note.
*** Last back to the jukebox today...I can find nothing wrong with embracing much of what we once enjoyed both as a nation and as a people in times past. Those were BETTER times...there I said it (again).
Maybe it wasn't anything close to a "golden age" of (modern) mankind, but it has to be close to a SILVER age.Think about it...
People were a LOT more civil in general and to one another, kids were a LOT more obedient AND respectful to damn near everyone, schools taught subject MATTER and not specified agendas, politicians were a lot LESS corrupt and interested more in their constituents, instead of just being re-elected and feathering their own nests.
Waxing nostalgic for nicer times
We had a military power that was second to none and not afraid to employ it were needed.
We had lower prices for everything, and everything in greater abundance.
People were a lot more SELF-reliant, and SELF-sufficient, as opposed to being a "ward of the state".
Welfare was unheard of, and job-wanted ads made up the THICKEST section of our newspapers.
All of this, and so much more were things we remember with fondness...and why is that?
Bet you do too.
Because they were GOOD for us, and we didn't mind putting in the time needed to get to that enjoyment, rather that whiling away our lives on some couch waiting for that "gub'ment" check to arrive.
We did for ourselves...and our families...and by God, that worked.
Maybe it's time to come BACK to where we once belonged...a long time ago, the Beatles told us to "...get back to where you once belonged".
Perhaps there is more truth in those lyrics that we used to think, hmm?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

03 September 2014

Humpday Happenings...
Welcome to the middle of our abbreviated week, and apparently, it's a bit on the FOGGY side in most outlying areas around Fort Wayne.That's causing some school delays, while around here, all it's doing is making the locals even harder to see before the sun rises.
I told Wifey she needs a PA speaker in her car, then she can play something like:
 "Will those walking in the middle of the streets please SMILE so drivers can see where you are...this is for your OWN safety. Thank You for your cooperation." 
It does have the novelty of never having been tried yet, too.
It's bad enough on CLEAR days with it being dark out and the locals wearing DARK clothing.
Today's Hoosierland weather will find us with some sunshine (after the fog burns off) with temps rising to the mid-to-upper 80s with enough humidity outside to make you want to go back INSIDE.
Now, with that dispensed with, let's see what else is going on...
*** First out of the sandbox today is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.".
In today's world, we often look for miracles and if we're fortunate and steadfast enough, and have faith in abundance, we CAN find them.
And they don't have to be of Biblical proportions...they can be personal in nature (which to me are the best kind)
So, WHO said that, hmm? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the literary stacks...
*** My bout of whatever type of cold I've caught is lessening further...the mucus factory in my body is working overtime to make sure of that.
I'm just one of those people that refuses to bow to "germ warfare" in any form.
And don'cha come back no more...
The worst of it is when you first get up and all the congestion needs to break up and get expunged from your chest and sinuses. After that, you're pretty much good to go for the remainder of the day.
And, you also start getting back those senses you missed, like SMELL and TASTE...a welcome relief.
You take things one day at a time, and they have a way of working out.
*** Next up, I watched that miniseries on the History Channel - HOUDINI  starring Adrian Brody, and I must say, that I do love "period pieces" when it comes to movies and such
The makers of this series got that down very well.
 And even if Brody didn't exactly LOOK like Houdini (or sounds like him, but then again, who does?), his portrayal was one of the best in recent times.
Yes, Houdini's voice WAS recorded on some old wax rolls that were discovered back in the early 1970s.
And he was captured on FILM, and was also an early AVIATOR.
Always been a fan of Houdini, even if I never possessed the abilities he did.
We read about him in ELEMENTARY school, back when we studied a LOT more about AMERICAN history (and many people and events that are rarely covered today).
I hear they have a Houdini MUSEUM in, of all places, SCRANTON, PA, and I can't believe I never got there to see it.
I've been to Scranton and Wilkes-Barre many times.
That would be one of the LAST places I would expect THAT museum to be located.
I mean you COULD have it in Appleton,WISCONSIN (where Eric Weiss grew up), or Chicago (where he often performed), or even NYC (another favorite venue of his).
Hell, I'd even expect it to be in HUNGARY (his native country), but never in Scranton.
Still, it seems like a good place to visit and here's their website:
http://houdini.net/museum/
Pretty cool place.
*** And now, for the BS alert for the day...
How's about an "explanation" for last years's POLAR VORTEX?
Good Lord...not AGAIN...
Here's the lowdown, and be sure to be wearing hip-waders...it's gonna get deep:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140903/NEWS04/309039998/0/SEARCH
Now, before you read it, be sure to note that this comes from the AP...a dubious news source (at best) when it comes to ACTUAL science.
Shrinking sea ICE is the cause of the polar vortex...(rolls eyes)...you just KNEW that the global warmists would crawl our of their caves and from under their rocks when they thought this one up.
It IS a study, however...unlike like the "studies" that have proven that the OZONE "hole" (Antarctica) FIXES ITSELF (even if we went and banned all those nasty CFCs).
My HEAD hurts...where's the Excedrin?
Let's see...cold air "escapes" from the sea ice, and THAT causes these polar vortexes...well, how about COLD air being DENSER than WARM air and remaining CLOSER to the OCEANS rather than getting into the upper atmosphere where most all of our weather is created?
Guess these "profs" didn't quite get to THAT chapter in THEIR science books.
Oh, well...try again, fellas...we're not buying into THIS load of horse hockey.
*** Last back to the laboratory today...believe it or else, today's post HAS a "common thread" running through it, and it IS somewhat "scientific" in nature.
There is REAL science - that which is proven (and tested beyond a doubt)  by the scientific theory.
This quote was also mentioned in the movie THOR.
Then there is MAGIC...science which to me (and the fellow above) has yet to have the proof postulated from the scientific theory, due to the illusionary aspect of the genre.
Lastly, there is the MIRACLE...that which appears to be magic, but can also have a basis in science, and is often attributable to religion, which largely consists of something we call FAITH.
In THIS aspect, they are complimentary.
Think of a miracle like this - a twister comes through a town and trashes one house, while leaving another UNTOUCHED. To THAT homeowner, THAT'S a miracle, and seems like magic, but it's the extremely specific scientific factors that came into play that spared one house while destroying the other.
It's a combination of all three to varying degrees, and that's part of a wonderful mystery in life.
We (humankind) are not meant to know EVERYTHING, because if we did, we'd become god-like...and probably find a better and faster way to obliterate each other...(we like doing that often enough).
One of life's UNIVERSAL truths.
Some things are supposed to be hidden, like an illusionist's trick (or a presidential agenda...lol)
That is what gets the "wow" factor going in us all...the fact that we can be amazed.
It also points to our ability to be deceived...the "dark side' of this, and we always have to be on guard for that, for it lurks all around us..
So, in the end, what we really need to understand is that it's all part of our life's journey.
Science, magic, and yes, even faith...they can (and do) work together quite well.
Just something to ponder, folks...
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

02 September 2014

Tuesday Tidbits...
I trust your Labor Day festivities went well.
After the start we had to the month, I sincerely hope the rest of September goes without incident.
Our Hoosierland weather today will be wet to begin with...showers this morning, giving way to some sunshine with temps reaching up to 80 degrees.
But cheer up, it could be a foot of SNOW on thee ground (hold that thought until December).
*** And, as a little sidebar to our weather, it may interest you to know that we had absolutely NO days in August where the temperature reached NINETY DEGREES (or above).
How's about that, hmm?
It's also the SECOND year in a row this has occurred...guess that's blowing off all those "Global Warming" zealots nicely.
When will these morons bugger off?
Only 20 Augusts since 1912 (when record-keeping began here) have had NO 90-degree days, and this is the FIRST time they'be happened back-to-back.
Fun trivia there, right?
Oh, and speaking of trivia...TODAY is National Blueberry Popsicle Day, so go stain your tongue and gross someone out.
*** As a Public Service to Hoosiers everywhere, I'd thought it only fitting that I let you all in on what EXACTLY happens THIS month (aside from prepping the leaf blowers).
So here goes:
SEPTEMBER is:
German American Heritage Month begins on September 15 in the United States
(So, do we call this "Septemberfest" instead? Pass the sauerkraut)
Classical Music Month
(Ahh, FINALLY a month to appreciate GOOD music and the "ultimate oldies")
Hispanic Heritage Month
(great, more mariachi hip-hop music from all the new "neighbors" and boozin' beaners)
Fall Hat Month
(Didn't know we had "specific" hats for Fall)
International Square Dancing Month
(bow to your partner and bow to your corner)
National Blueberry Popsicle Month
(Thought it was just a DAY thing)
National Courtesy Month
(That will NOT be celebrated ANYWHERE around our "Fortress"...just within it's walls)
National Piano Month
(Tickle those ivories...and ebonies)
Chicken Month
(Okay, so is that the BIRD, the food FROM the bird, or the stupid game people play on I-469 during Rush Hour?)
Baby Safety Month
(Another thing that's not practiced in the ghettohood)
Little League Month
(Geez, the LL World Series is OVER...what's left?)
Honey Month
(I'm guessing they mean the FOOD...but it could be a significant OTHER, too...right GUYS?)
Down here, that's called a SEWER REPAIR
Self Improvement Month
(ROFLMAO...yeah, that's gonna happen down here on the SE side...)
Better Breakfast Month
(As long as it's free for the lazy-asses who can't make it for their kids)
So there 'ya go...who said this isn't a month where stuff happens?
*** And while we're on the subject of "stuff"...how about THIS recent crime:
http://wane.com/2014/09/02/fwpd-suspects-use-hammer-guns-to-holdup-liquor-store/
Yep, always good to know that the FWPD has some REAL job-security on the (...where else?...) SOUTHEAST SIDE.
Two perps (bet they're black) used a hammer to smash the front door of the Belmont Liquor store on S. Anthony ay Pontiac around 0115 hrs this morning.
The robbers brandished guns and demanded money (which they got), and then left to a nearby alley. A K-9 unit tracked to the alley but lost the track, meaning that the perps probably got into a car and left the scene.
No injuries to the two employees who were in the store cleaning up and working receipts when the robbery took place.
Bet good money the place had been scoped out previously to ascertain number of employees, access to money, etc.
And security had left for the night as well...says a lot.
Guess it beats getting beat at a night deposit box, though, right?
*** Next up, still have this damn cold, or whatever you want to call it. Coughing and blowing my nose let's me know I'm still alive and kicking (always a plus at my age...lol).
And since I've had my share of such things all my life, it's easy to determine how it's all progressing.
When the phlegm starts to break up, that's a good thing, and no real fever to speak of (another plus). Still have an appetite, even if I can't taste or smell all that much, and I am drinking lots of fluids (citrus mainly) which helps so much.
You just get tired of coughing, but you have to do it, to eliminate the fluid in the lungs.
I remember nurses coming in and lightly pounding on my back to break it up when I had double pneumonia as a kid...(nice work if you can get it).
It takes a bit longer when you're older, but it won't be long before I'm my old irascible self once again (the world beware)
*** Last back to the pharmacy today, I do like the fact that every day IS a gift, and there's a reason for just "being".
I believe that as long as you draw breath, you can effect some sort of change for the better someplace, even if it's under your own roof, which is as good a place to start as any.
And I'm sure many of you feel likewise...that whole "through sickness and health" doesn't just have to apply to marital vows, but I like that it's included.
I think that ANY burden is halved whenever someone is willing to share it with you, and when a joy comes along, that same person DOUBLES that joy.
Not a bad way to handle the vicissitudes of life, is it?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.