07 January 2015

Humpday Happenings...
Welcome to the middle of a very FRIGID week here in he Heartland of America.
Got some temps outside this morning around -7 degrees.
As to the rest of our Hoosierland weather - well, don't expect much of a warm-up, as our high will ONLY be about 10-12 degrees, but it IS on the PLUS side.
Got some off and on snow showers with some forecasters saying another 1-2 inches possible...I am seeing near WHITE-OUT conditions outside, so travel will be dicey at best early on.
Be sure to take the appropriate precautions - the life you save might just be YOUR OWN, right?
So, since we're all going to be freezing our britches off, should we dare venture outside for any length, let's remain as "indoorsey" as possible and settle back with a hot cup of hump-day fortitude, as we take a look at what else is going on in our local part of the tundra...
*** First off of the skating rink is our first  WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week for 2015:
"Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."
And on a day like THIS, I'm sure many of you would LOVE to do something about it, right?
So, WHO said this anyway? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the National Institute of Arts and Letters...
*** It's also time for our daily "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
January 7 - 
-- Today is NATIONAL BOBBLEHEAD DAY,
Now, with this cold weather, many heads are being mistaken for "bobbling", when in fact, they're SHIVERING.
Just thought you should know...lol.
--And, it's also NATIONAL TEMPURA DAY.
Here's some skinny of the battered and deep-fried dishes:
http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-tempura-day-january-7/
Nice day to stay INSIDE and make some shrimp tempura...yum!
Moving on..
*** Watched Marvel's Agent Carter last night...EXCELLENT SHOW..
Love the flashbacks to the 1st Captain America movie, too. Nice continuity.
Hayley Atwell - nicely done.
And to see Howard Stark taken to court because his tech was stolen and that he was a collaborator is a great plot device.
The series, albeit a limited one, a LOT of promise..with a strong female lead in a post WW2 sexist era who can really kick-ass when needed.
*** FWCS is going to change up the school bus routs and starting times for students.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/FWCS-to-cutbus-routes-change-hours-4341103
The school system is doing this to close a $2.5 MIL budget gap.
I take this as a possible WIN for us at the "Fortress", as OUR intersection is NOT a good place to have a BUS STOP for kids.
I mentioned this before, and perhaps THIS will be one of the stops eliminated...because it SHOULD be.
Tricky enough to turn in the snow...
These particular streets were NEVER designed to have so much TWO-WAY traffic (we are not Pettit Avenue, folks), and getting a FWCS bus down such streets can be a REAL problem, especially the way some people park...if you can call it that.
Too much bus traffic for a RESIDENTIAL street!
Keeping bus stops on WIDER streets is (and always will be) the BEST possible course of action.
Some routes themselves will be eliminated altogether, and that's fine with me.
About time kids learned what it is to dress properly for the weather and WALK to school for a change.
FWCS is implementing "no transportation zones", and the article spells out what this means.
Middle schools will start first in this new "staggered" arrangement, with elementary starting later and high schoolers starting around 0900 hrs. Naturally, the school DAYS will be "longer".
Hell, in my day, high school started at 8:15 AM and went all the way (depending on your roster and after school activities) until 5PM.
Now, we just reinvent the wheel again...for the umpteenth time.
*** Also from FWCS - this just in...MOST EDUCATORS RATED DO JOBS WELL...!
How 'bout that...well, spank me rosy and call me anything but late for dinner.
Who'da thunk THAT one?
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/Most-teachers-in-FWCS-do-jobs-well-4337784
Yep...EIGHTY-SIX (that's 86) PERCENT of teachers are considered EFFECTIVE or HIGHLY-EFFECTIVE.
Wifey is DEFINITELY among that (highly-effective) crowd.
I told her this morning, she should get a t-shirt made up that says:
"I'm an 86'er"
Looks damn good, too.
It has the novelty of never having been done before, hmm?
*** Last back to the ice palace...with winter weather comes a change in habitual behavior...at least there SHOULD be. And this should carry over to ALL facets of our lives.
One thing real Americans have always been good at was ADAPTABILITY...and yet being able to still stand and deliver.
Since our inception, we have been such a people - strong as an oak tree, and yet able to bend in the wind like a willow and not break.
Can't say a lot of nations have followed in such footsteps, and certainly not in such a short time.
But there can be a trap behind this...we can ALWAYS adapt to any given situation...AS LONG AS we never compromise our values and principles along the way.
That is what one would call strength with resolve...and flexibility with purpose.
When you stop to consider WHY our "greatest generation" was called that...think about the circumstances that forged that generation, and then ask yourself..."could I do likewise if required?"
Personally, I think it's about time that we produced another generation JUST like that one, and in some ways, many of such a generation are all around us.
All THEY need is the proper motivation to get the ball rolling.
Strength...resolve...flexibility....purpose...ALL basic building blocks of any society.
Makes for some good cornerstones of a firm foundation...that we can build UPON.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

06 January 2015

Tundra Tuesday...
Welcome to the first major snow "event" in our part of the Midwest.
I've already been outside around 0500 hrs doing the shoveling thing front and back...not bad for 62 years (young).
Sure is PEACEFUL outside at that time of day after a snowfall.
Hardly a mook in sight...lol.
Our Hooiserland weather today will find us with several inches of snow on the ground, school delays all over, and temps rising all the way up to around 20 degrees.
The winds are supposed to pick up (they were nicely calm earlier)
Yeah...gonna be THAT cold outside...
Tonight we get a wind chill WARNING lasting into Thursday, though, so be aware, and be prepared.
Now, with that over with, lets all get a soothing hot cup of our favorite morning beverage, (feel free to add some whiskey, purely for a preemptive medicinal purpose) as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the igloo today is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
January 6 - 
---Today is the Christian feast day known as EPIPHANY...basically a celebration of the Magi visiting the Christ child.
"Good thing we didn't set a DOLLAR LIMIT"
Here's a WIKI for the lowdown:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_%28holiday%29
It's the day we at the "Fortress" take down the Christmas tree...kinda works out well for us.
---Also, today is NATIONAL BEAN DAY
I'm NOT the BEAN you're looking for...
(and that's not a reference to MR. BEAN).
"...the more you eat, the more you fart..."
I wish they would have been more specific as to WHICH bean in particular...perhaps any old bean will do.
---And, it's NATIONAL SHORTBREAD DAY...well, that works with baked beans VERY well.
Some breads are shorter than other...
Toss in some bourbon with those beans and you've got one "explosive" combination...LOL.
*** Next, some TV watching...tonight on ABC is a limited-run (8 episode) series taken from the first Captain America movie (The First Avenger)...MARVEL'S AGENT CARTER.
This show follows the exploits of Peggy Carter as she seeks to thwart the Nazis and HYDRA during WW2.
Dominic Cooper will reprise his role as the younger Howard Stark (one of the founder of S.H.I.E.L.D.). Hayley Atwell returns as Agent Carter, and I'm really looking forward to this series.
*** Next up, is our look at ALL the shooting that's been going on in Fort Wayne that YOU, the public never get to hear about.
This list goes from Christmas Eve to New year's Eve, so we finish off 2014:
SHOTS FIRED CALLS - 12/24 - 12/31
DECEMBER 24
14F165590 22:41:56 113 SHOTS FIRED 8300 BRIDGEWAY DR
14F165593 23:07:31 113 SHOTS FIRED 2900 WEISSER PARK AVE
14F165596 23:27:10 113 SHOTS FIRED 5700 ARBOR AVE
14F165604 23:47:07 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 WASHINGTON CENTER RD W
(2 ARMED ROBBERIES)
DECEMBER 25
14F165749 16:08:04 113 SHOTS FIRED 900 HERMAN ST
(2 ARMED ROBBERIES)
DECEMBER 26
14F165881 01:06:36 113 SHOTS FIRED 300 PAULDING RD E & LAFAYETTE ST S
14F165890 01:18:03 113 SHOTS FIRED 2900 GOSHEN RD
14F165903 03:13:42 113 SHOTS FIRED 1100 HUESTIS AVE & BROADWAY
14F165988 11:50:18 113 SHOTS FIRED 4300 WEISSER PARK AVE
14F166101 17:02:55 113 SHOTS FIRED 2200 BUTLER RD
(1 ARMED ROBBERY)
DECEMBER 27 
14F166273 00:43:09 113 SHOTS FIRED 1500 HIGH ST
14F166280 01:05:27 113 SHOTS FIRED 900 RUDISILL BLVD E & GAYWOOD DR
14F166299 02:10:05 113 SHOTS FIRED 7200 LAKERIDGE DR
14F166302 02:23:12 113 SHOTS FIRED 1100 LIBERTY ST
14F166311 02:52:48 113 SHOTS FIRED 2500 GLENWOOD AVE
14F166460 15:13:58 113 SHOTS FIRED 100 PETTIT AVE E & CALHOUN ST S
14F166493 17:00:45 113 SHOTS FIRED 1600 GRISWOLD DR & TENNESSEE AVE
14F166542 18:54:30 113 SHOTS FIRED 100 CONCORD LN E
14F166573 20:29:08 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 KINGSLAND CT
14F166589 21:08:45 113 SHOTS FIRED 4100 WINTER ST
DECEMBER 28 
14F166666 00:35:16 113 SHOTS FIRED 4400 CALHOUN ST S
14F166697 02:38:24 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 MAIN ST W
14F166959 19:56:05 113 SHOTS FIRED 2600 INDIANA AVE
14F166993 21:51:51 113 SHOTS FIRED 2400 ABBEY DR
(1 ARMED ROBBERY)
DECEMBER 29 
14F167041 00:07:47 113 SHOTS FIRED 1400 TAYLOR ST
14F167238 14:58:29 113 SHOTS FIRED 4700 WEISSER PARK AVE
14F167370 20:41:18 58 SHOOTING 600 MCKINNIE AVE
DECEMBER 30
14F167447 01:24:40 113 SHOTS FIRED 500 CREIGHTON AVE E
14F167745 20:40:36 113 SHOTS FIRED 4100 PLAZA DR
14F167448 01:32:58 58 SHOOTING 600 CREIGHTON AVE E
(2 ARMED ROBBERIES)
DECEMBER 31
14F168115 16:52:06 113 SHOTS FIRED 3300 BROADWAY
14F168163 19:00:16 113 SHOTS FIRED 4200 KEKIONGA DR
14F168169 19:28:38 113 SHOTS FIRED 4700 WEISSER PARK AVE
14F168192 20:19:56 113 SHOTS FIRED 200 WOODLAND AVE W
14F168225 21:42:35 113 SHOTS FIRED 1300 SCOTT AVE
14F168229 21:49:13 113 SHOTS FIRED 6300 SOUTHCREST RD & KENT RD
14F168281 23:12:57 113 SHOTS FIRED 3000 MCCORMICK AVE
14F168283 23:15:57 113 SHOTS FIRED 3000 SCHELE AVE
14F168295 23:45:38 113 SHOTS FIRED 6000 BUNT DR
(1 ARMED ROBBERY)
Moving on...
***  Next, we have a thrill ride of sorts when it comes to our local gas prices.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Roller-coaster-gas-prices-status-quo-4320283
Now, personally, I LOVE low fuel prices...reminds me of those days when driving was more pleasurable.
Didn't take much cash to tank up and you could actually drive places without worrying if you EAT next week...lol.
But, according to this story, we can expect prices to rise again...probably at the worst possible time, too. That's the way they shake.
-- In a related story, the stock market tripped over its own feet with the decline in crude oil prices.
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/economy/Markets-stumble-as-oil-dips-below--50-4318350
Come to think of it, it makes a case for a stronger US dollar, but that might not be a good thing, either.
Think about it, a stronger dollar is good HERE, but overseas (where we seem to ship damn near everything like OIL and FOOD), a strong dollar means HIGHER PRICES there...more cost = less purchase...simple economics.
GOOD for us...BAD for them.
Now, since I;m not an economy, I've got nothing as to a solution.
Maybe we should keep MORE of OUR "stuff" to make prices drop HERE?
(whatta novel idea, Bob!)
*** Next, it's FLU season...
(never to be confused with WABBIT season).
And we're notified that we ALL "should" get a flu shot.
Thing is, that flu shot is not as EFFICACIOUS as once thought...so why even bother?
OR, what say...I get NEITHER...!
I'm not into all these various immunizations and flu shots the "government" is coming out with today...because I don't know what teh long-term effects would be. might make the whole race sterile...we don't know. Could promote various  cancers...we don't know.
Be one helluva way to decrease any surplus population, though, right?
*** Last back to the freezer...Americans used to be a hardier lot.
We might not lived AS long as so many more people do today, but there were a lot of folks from our founding that lasted well into their 80s.
Not bad for "primitive" medicine, right?
There was this pioneer spirit we used to have...tackle any situation or problem, an work through it...and always without the "help" of some government.
Today, seems most people can't so much as blow their nose without some government agency wanting to "hold the Kleenex"...or at least GIVE us a box (that someone ELSE pays for).
When did we stop wanting to do more FOR ourselves and BY ourselves. I thought THAT was what the American dream was all about...SELF achievement...SELF reliance...and SELF sufficiency.I try to maintain that, as I;m sure many of you also do, but when you look around you, not many others feel the same way.
They're all too eager to let "someone else" (the government) take the reins for a spell and let another drive the turnip wagon to town.
Take today's weather for example - I go out and shovel our walk...because the city SAYS that I have to have it cleared by 0900 hrs.
Not a big deal to me...I'm still able enough to make that happen.
And I can understand those infirm or aged who cannot do something like this...that's where altruistic individuals shine. American Exceptionalism, right?
One "disease" you don't want to catch.
But there are SO many able-body others, for whom the simple task of lifting a shovel of snow to make things EASIER for others is too much to ask of them.
Their slothfulness rather hinges upon WHO will do things for them, and how often...period.
Like I said...we USED to be a hardier breed...
Wish there were more like you and I...not afraid to do what real Americans would do without a second thought.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

05 January 2015

Monday Musings...
Welcome to the first FULL week of the new year, and believe me, it will be a lot more full than you realize.
More on that stuff in a minute, but first, the weather...
Baby it's COLD outside this morning, with temps (factoring in the wind-chill) close to BELOW ZERO DEGREES.
But, it will warm (?) up today, reaching a (balmy) high of around the mid-teens...(...yay...)
Tonight with be the turning point, with snow coming our way and some accumulation between 2-4 inches (farther south, more than that).
Can YOU say "craptastic"?
At least we went from a winter weather alert to "just" an advisory"...thank God for small favors, hmm?
Now, with that done with for the time being, let's all grab a nice LARGE piping hot cup of Monday fortitude ('cause we're gonna NEED it), and see what else has ben shaking, other than people outside today...
*** First out of the ice pack is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
January 5 - 
--- Today is NATIONAL BIRD DAY, so get out and feed a few.
No harm in that..TRUST me on this one!
--- It's also NATIONAL WHIPPED CREAM DAY (not to be confused with cool-whip day, if they even have one).
Herb Alpert knew this DECADES ago...
Guess we'll see the sales of Ready-Whip and handcuffs skyrocket today...lol.
--- And, it's THANK GOD IT'S MONDAY DAY...(are you serious?)
Okay, MAY-BE there's something to this.
Wouldn't it be better to start the week with THURSDAY, or (even better) FRIDAY?
I'm just sayin'...
*** Next up, we had another shooting on the (where else?) SE side over the weekend.
And here's the story link:
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/One-Person-in-Serious-Condition-in-Downtown-Shooting-287457511.html
Right at the (busy) intersection of Rudisill and Clinton, but the victim told police he wasn't shot THERE...
Okay, who makes the pizza run today?
He said he was shot at the Phillips 66 station at Barr and Rudisill, and that he drove  away, where he crashed the car at the Little Ceasar's at Clinton (pretty good pizza for the price).
This took place around 1430 hrs yesterday afternoon.
Police have security cam video from the Phillips station, but have no motive or suspect relating to this investigation.
Moving on...
*** Well, we HOPED this year would start out on a better foot, but then something comes along and hands you that crap-sandwich.
STILL good to be "king"...
It seems our illustrious "King", mayor Tom Henry is seeking ANOTHER term as our city leader.
Yeah, that's all we need on the SE side...several MORE years of being ignored...on top of the last couple decades of similar ignorance that has come forth from City Hall.
My guess is that he's NOT done screwing things up for the masses, while catering to the elitists...all the while smiling away, as if there are no problems at all.
I imagine his "platform" for running THIS time, will be to "finish what I statrted", regarding DOWN TOWN, and the RIVER PROJECTS.
(and maybe a few small annexations to bolster an eroding tax base).
Sound about right?
There has got to be a better solution to years of Democrat and RINO rule in this "burg".
Just hope we all get to see it...and enjoy it, 'cause it hasn't happened over the LAST 15 years, and it's not happening now.
***  Next up, it's just about time to take the Christmas tree down (simple enough), and Wifey and I have already started to take the rest of the decorations down yesterday.
Got all the candles out of the windows, and the "bear collection" has been put away, along with all the other plushies and related (soft-goods) Christmas towels and hats.
The "gang" is back in hibernation
Now, I start taking the ornaments off the tree and stowing them away, along with the nativity scenes and assorted holiday bric-a-brac.
That should take the better part of two days...lol.
You hate to do it, but at the same time, there is a calming influence of having the familiar around you the other 11 months of the year.
I'm sure that it will be no time until we're doing this all over again.
*** Wifey has been riding a roller-coaster regarding her mom in Texas...one day we hear bad news, then later that same day, NOT-SO BAD news, and even some good news.
It becomes a real crap-shoot with this flood of information barreling at you daily.
I tend to still be of that "old-school" persuasion - NO news is GOOD news.
I prefer the glass being HALF-FULL on this one.
But, you take things as they come, and one at a time, rather than all at once.
Still, things can always be worse, although there are times you wonder  HOW much worse..
That's where something called FAITH comes in.
*** Last back to the corral today...looks like winter has finally arrived, and with it, all the problems that are associated with it.
But, it's not just winter, life in general has problems attached to it.
From the day you arrive here until the day you "move on"...there are problems to deal with.
Some are closer to home than others, and almost ALL of them will involve you making a decision somewhere along the way.
Thing is, as we are growing up, are we being mentored and parented into LEARNING and KNOWING how to make such decisions?
Or, are we being left to our own devices?
What I'm seeing these days is less of the former and more of the latter, and with predictable results.
That needs to change.
Life is too complex AND waytoo short to think (or do) otherwise.
As we act towards winter, let's try the same with life itself...be prepared, make good choices, and deal with problems as you deal with people - one at a time.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

02 January 2015

Friday Follies...
Welcome to the very first Friday of a brand spanking new year.
And, it's not without it's share of issues, many of which are just carry-overs from last year...and even further back in our history.
But, we'll hit on those in a bit...
Our Hoosierland weather will see us with mostly SUNNY skies, temps rising to ABOVE freezing (that's not gonna last) and increasing clouds as a cold front moves through, dumping some freezing rain (?) into our area by tomorrow morning.
It should transition over to all rain, but Wifey and I decided to go grocery shopping a day EARLY, just in case, hence the tardiness of today's post..
Don't much like driving through sleet OR freezing rain...and we probably won't get any NOW that we've gone today...lol.
Anyway, let's get a nice hot cup of Friday fortitude poured and see what's been going on...
*** First out of the Batcave today is our belated salute to JANUARY.
Among the many things going on, we have these:
January 2 - 
---Today is NATIONAL SCIENCE FICTION DAY...(huzzah)!
Don't mess with Marvin.
---It's also NATIONAL PERSONAL TRAINER AWARENESS DAY...don't want one, but I am awares of them.
---And, it's NATIONAL BUFFET DAY (Jimmy and Warren need not apply).
I'm thinking more along the lines of PONDEROSA...or our fridge of late.
---And, it's NATIONAL CREAM PUFF DAY
MMmmm...creampuffs.
(the PASTRY...not the nerd who can't fight,or that cheap car that sounds too good to be true)
January is also:
--National Thank You Month (thanks for letting me know)
--National Codependency Awareness Month
--National Mentoring Month
--Stalking Awareness Month
--Slavery and Huiman Trafficking Awareness Month
--Weight Loss Awareness Month
((...whew...))
*** Next up, the J-G had some interesting articles in it today.
--- Here's the link to the first story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/2014-reveals-depths-of-racial-division-4253124
It's the old keep stirring the "race-relations" pot, people.
Sure, we have racism in America, but let's call it for what it REALLY is...
Not hearing much at all from white supremacist groups...(good for that).
And the KKK has been more silent that a church mouse (again...good for that).
What we ARE hearing is racism from the other side of the "fence", and yet this redirection always comes back to whites...or police...or conservatives. That is about as wrong as you can get, if we view the overall picture.
It's the RACE-BAITERS who are to blame for ANY resurgence in racial tensions in America these days, and MOST all of them are LEFTISTS...that's been proven time and again, yet the lame-stream media turns a convenient "blind eye and deaf ear" to something called THE FACTS...damn shame, too.
Sure LOOKS that way.
Like I said, the article portrays a one-way street, and we know such is NOT the case.
--- The next item is actually a Letter To The Editor and here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/letters/Letters-4232489
Reality - what a B*TCH!
The title reads: POLICE WORK NOTHING LIKE YOU SEE IN MOVIES.
Now THIS person "gets it"...
Can't find any fault in all that was said.
And, trying to get a "ride-along" THESE days is next to impossible, unless Mom or Dad happens to be a LEO and is taking you to or from school...lol.
My hat's off to Greg McConica of Fort Wayne for speaking the TRUTH in his letter.
God bless people like this.
*** Next up, THIS story from THE BLAZE really pissed me off, and you'll know why soon enough.
Here's the link:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/11/24/millions-of-new-illegal-immigrants-to-get-drivers-licenses-in-california/
Now, this has to be our first REAL moment in the WTF??? category...seriously.
What ARE these people thinking out in the Socialist Republik of Kalifornua, anyway?
Driver's licenses...to ILLEGALS...WHAT THE F$CK FOR?
They're here AGAINST THE LAW,..why REWARD them?
Isn't that just like having a damn BURGLAR break IN to your house, with you showing him where ALL the good sh*t is located, and THEN handing him to keys to YOUR car and wishing him a "Happy Day" before going back to sleep?
Sure SOUNDS like it to me...
Now, you know why I'm "CHEESED"...
NO "perks" for illegals breaking our laws...period.
But, if they want an ORANGE jumpsuit and flip-flops, well....
*** And speaking of "food", Wifey and I had a great New Year's dinner - I made a beef brisket roasted in the oven (yes, it can be done, and quite well, too).
Tasted great, and for only $11 (and change), you can feed TWO people for over THREE days (counting leftovers...lol).
Not a bad way to go.
We had brownies for dessert, and Wifey got us Chinese on New Year's eve...another several days of leftovers, so we're pretty much SET for a while, which means I'm off of KP duty for at least 72+ hours...ROFL.
*** Last back to the Hall Of Justice...when I see the way the news gets slanted these days, when I see and hear different, I can't help but dig out that old righteous indignation.
We are letting too many of today's topics, situations and issues not only CLOUD our collective and individual judgment, but we're allowing them to define what our culture is becoming a dn where it's headed.
WE used to be the driving force behind our culture...but today, not so much.
There comes a time when people HAVE to stop being led about by whatever ring is placed through their nose by the wrong people.
America and her people are much better than that...and we always strive to be.
Our nation faces some challenges, and they will change us, but for the better or for the worse has yet to ve determined.
Personally, I;d like to "stack the deck" in favor of BETTER...because the alternative is not going to be a pretty picture.
Have yourselves a great weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone todya, and as always,
Stay SAFE out there, America.