05 February 2016

Friday Follies...
Welcome to the weekend...we finally made it.
And hopefully, it will be a good weekend.
Our Hoosierland weather will see us with a very slight warm-up, with temps rising to just above the freezing mark.
I know it feels like winter outside this morning.
(some are being optimistic and saying as high as 38 degrees) We shall see.
Skies will be partly cloudy throughout the day, and we'll still have mild breezes around.
We're starting the day with clear skies, and a sunrise seems to be forthcoming.
So, let's all get that morning drink poured and parked nearby as we take a look at what's going on elsewhere.
*** First out of the sleeping bag is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
February 5 -
---Today is NATIONAL WEATHERPERSON'S DAY
(well, at least it's not sexist...we have LOTS of weather WOMEN...many of them hotter than the forecasts they tout. Must be nice to get PAID for being WRONG half of the time, tight?)
---It's also NATIONAL SHOWER WITH A FRIEND DAY
(yeah, not really into that these days...unless Salma Hayek wants to befriend me, and no, it doesn't say "shower with a spouse").
*** And since it's the end of the week, let's see what trouble we can get into other than betting on the Super Bowl.
February 6 -
---Saturday is NATIONAL LAME DUCK DAY
(hopefully,  this IS a political reference - hate to think Daffy broke a leg.)
---It's also NATIONAL FROZEN YOGURT DAY
(as long as it's blended - no chunks of stuff floating about)
February 7 -
---Sunday is NATIONAL PERIODIC TABLE DAY
(seen any NEW elements lately...like VIBRANIUM or ADAMANTIUM?)
It's a "Marvel Universe" thing.
---It's also NATIONAL FETTUCCINE ALFREDO DAY
(not a bad dish - hold the broccoli, please)
---And, it's NATIONAL SEND A CARD TO A FRIEND.
(A Greeting card? Credit card? Gift card? Playing card? No one said WHAT kind of card)
Informed people prefer to know these things.
So there you are...lots of things to keep one's mind off of "the big game"...((yawn)).
Moving on...
*** Next up, you should know that "Shoplifting steals from everyone" is still true but there are some that apparently NEVER heard of that saying.
A shame the police won't after waiting THIS long.
And here's the proof:
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-police-need-your-help-identifying-two-Macys-theft-suspects--367674701.html
Dey be's helpin demselves to shit...and shit.
This took place around 1905 hrs WAY back on JANUARY 12.
(smooth move - nice of the police to provide a video in such a "TIMELY" manner...NOT)
This is becoming more of a chronic thing with the FWPD. This video should have been made public a HELLUVA lot sooner. Now.those jeans are damn near a month old, probably been washed once or twice.
Yes, the FWPD is needing OUR help again (such a regular occurrence in this city of late. Perhaps we should ALL be on the PAYROLL?) Probably catch a LOT more of these kinds of people, too.
These two THIEVES were caught on camera loading up their ill-gotten gain, as they swiped several pairs of jeans, placed them in a large bag and then...just walked the hell out of the store.
Anyone ever hear of LOSS PREVENTION...as in SECURITY personnel in such stores?
I mean Macy's isn't Rural King, so jeans don't cost $9.99 there.
The way this city shakes, they're not going to do much time should they EVER be caught after a month has passed.
(might wanna fix that lock on the "corral", before ALL the horses get away, folks)
*** Next up, there are those times when you see a headline and you KNEW for a long time that it was coming. THIS story is one of those instances:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/Labor-costs-put-economy-at-risk-11313718
No way...
What's been a huge pain-in-the-ass for the past several years in America (aside from the OTHER 482 things)?
If you answered the RAISING of the MINIMUM WAGE...go to the head of the class.
Yes way...
And NOW, we find out that it's "time to pay the piper", because the high COST of labor is placing our economy AT RISK...how obvious was this to spot, hmm?
Gee, I seem to remember a LOT of economists and business experts actually saying this would happen...years ago.
It could toss us right back into a recession...thanks, president Obummer!
Oh, and we also have to thank SEIU (and George Soros) for helping this clusterf$ck along to no small end. Time for some "math", friends...
Lemme see...labor costs UP + productivity DOWN + profits DOWN = WE'RE SCREWED...yep, that equation balances nicely.
Plenty of blame HERE, folks.
Got no one to blame here but the FEDS (and the person running our country).
*** Next up...yes, this weekend is "The Big Game" otherwise known as SUPER BOWL 50, or, as it SHOULD be called - "SUPER BOWL L".
I mean they've used ROMAN numerals for the last 49 games, so why change now?
Maybe it's because we've got a generation that has NO concept of Roman numerals?
What the "L" is going on here?
Wouldn't surprise me...they can't write in cursive or properly interact face-to-face either.
Still, while an almost obscene number of people will be watching THIS gladiatorial combat (of sorts) in the pursuit of their "bread and circuses", there are ALWAYS alternatives.
---For instance, we have Animal Planet's PUPPY BOWL (this year is the TWELFTH year or "XII" for those of us who were taught such ancient things.
Here is the lowdown on this event, complete with pregame show:
http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/puppy-bowl/
There you are then.
This begins at 3 PM this Sunday.
But, if you want even more fun, then check out the KITTEN BOWL ("III") on the Hallmark Channel. This starts at 12 PM this Sunday.
http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/kitten-bowl
On both sites, you can see the starting lineups, videos about the shows and hosts, and none of the "other" hype over advertising revenues for a 30-second bit on that OTHER bowl.
And who doesn't have a soft spot for several hours of four-legged CUTENESS, anyway...hmm?
I know I've been there since the beginning of the Puppy Bowl, and have been watching evcer since. Also saw the inaugural Kitten Bowl 3 years ago...and I will not miss any of it this year.
(and neither should you)
*** Last back to the well-heated tent...you have to admit that there are times when it's MUCH easier to befriend animals (and/or birds) than it is some people.
And, you can certainly understand the hesitancy that animals have towards mankind.
Hell, even I have such reservations regarding my own fellow men (and women), but that's born out of experience and years of paying attention.
Those of you who are pet-owners...be honest...the more people you meet, the MORE you love your pet, right? Doesn't take a genius to figure that out.
(just someone like Mark Twain)
Rare are the times when animals cause problems, but it's ALL too frequently when we see people causing problems, right? In fact, people will go out of their way to cause problems. Nothing "instinctual" about it. Animals, on the other hand DO act on instinct (mostly in the wild), so we can't fault them for being themselves.
I can SO relate to this.
Pets tend to bend those rules, and act upon that fondness they have for us.
We have referred to that as "unconditional love" on so many occasions.
With people, getting them to at least acknowledge their fellow man becomes more of a chore...a "bother" than anything else, and we see the results of such indifference.
One might way we used to have friendlier times in this country, even when it came to one another. Such is not the case these days.
When you can bully people without standing in front of them, or live off of the monetary resources of others (because you're too lazy), or feel the desire to steal from people for personal gain or to feed some self-imposed addiction, that does not denote a FRIENDLY society one damn bit, does it? Quite the reverse.
Would we become fortunate enough to take some time, and stop deluding ourselves when it comes to what our reality is.
Stop the in-fighting, stop the predatory behaviors, and perhaps start over with a more positive outlook for ourselves, one another and this nation.
Yes, that does require persistence and perseverance on our part, but  such actions are not without their own rewards, and when people learn to appreciate that, we ALL do better and become better in the end.
Therein lies the lesson for today.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

04 February 2016

Thoughts For Thursday...
That mild weather yesterday was nice while it lasted.
Now, we're back to the more "seasonal" conditions outside this morning.
Got us some patchy freezing drizzle outside of town, as we're below freezing.
Not much in the way of sunshine, either, at last not to start off with.
Perhaps later today, if we're fortunate.
Temps will try to get up to around the 32-degree mark, and that's about it.
So, let's get something nice and warm to drink as we see what's going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the bird feeder is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Presumption should never make us neglect that which appears easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties."
This is attributed to one Benjamin Banneker (November 9,1731 - October 6, 1806), and he was a free black American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer.
Here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Banneker
He was largely self-taught and had little formal education.
What makes him unique is that he was part of a group, led by Major Andrew Ellicott that surveyed the borders of the original DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, the federal capital district of the United States.
His knowledge of astronomy helped him author a commercially successful series of almanacs.
Since his death, a "mythology" persisted, exaggerating his accomplishments.
Due to the fact that on  the day of his funeral, there was a fire (in his log cabin) which destroyed most of his belongings and papers,  some conjecture was created.
Banneker also corresponded with Thomas Jefferson (as the WIKI explains).
If you wish to read up on the "legends" attached to Banneker, here's this WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythology_and_legacy_of_Benjamin_Banneker
It's a longer read than the piece on Banneker himself, but I look at this objectively, because as times changed, so did opinions of people, both black and white. Included are all the places named after him.
Timelines can be corroborated, but other aspects could be looked at as a denouncement of Banneker and his accomplishments. You read up on it and you make the call.
*** Next up is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
February 4 -
---Today is NATIONAL CREATE A VACUUM DAY
(Don't even have to TRY in Washington D.C.)
---It's also NATIONAL THANK A MAILMAN DAY
(That's a bit sexist...we have plenty of FEMALE carriers, too)
*** Next up, here we go again...ANOTHER grandiose "plan" to make Fort Wayne's downtown more attractive (specifically to "millennials").
Here we go...AGAIN.
I guess that excludes the rest of us? Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/New-life-for-The-Landing-11297019
Yeah, we got us another DEVELOPER (this time from Cincy) to redevelop the historic ONE-BLOCK area of Columbia St in the downtown area.
Listen to the flush.
Anyone else get the distinct impressions that we're still lop-sided when it comes to "development" or rather RE-development in this city?
Several groups bid for the opportunity to do downtown, but, it's like bribing anyone to re-develop the SOUTHEAST side of the same city. What the hell is wrong with that picture?
The Landing is only ONE---STINKING---BLOCK, and the SE side is LOTS more...and with LOTS LESS these days, thanks to a lack of involvement by the city to revitalize anything down here.
The mayor can't even GIVE away land for developing (near Southtown), and yet we're supposed to "believe" that redevelopment is on it's way...without even addressing the crime in the area.
Now, I'm all for "acts of faith", but this goes way beyond the realm of believability.
All the Apostles combined could not dredge up THAT much faith (in this city's leaders).
Any landing you can walk away from is a good one.
But, Fort Wayne DOES have to keep up with OTHER cities it's size...and push toward that ONE MILLION mark for the region...all the while allowing an entire quadrant of the city to remain in urban blight.
ALL this redevelopment around center city, and nobody really knows WHO is footing ALL these damn bills...
A-f$cking-mazing!
`*** Next up, and closer to "home"...we finally got our SHELL gas cards and used it last week to fill up the Wifeymobile.
Worked like a charm, and was more than a few cents cheaper per gallon.
Nice to have TWO different cards (B.P. and Shell) JUST in case something goes awry.
And the Krogers (formerly Scotts) in Waynedale DID have PAPER BAGS last week.
The week prior, they did NOT.
Yeah, that was a "WTF???" moment.
When does a damn grocery store NOT have paper bags? Who screwed that up and why?
This is not the FIRST time it's happened, either.
The young fellow that bags told us that people were angry with THEM (like it's the bagger's fault) over this.
I told him "Hey, it's not your fault one damn bit. Whoever orders such things screwed the hell up."
He thanked me for understanding...imagine that.
Nothing to understand, really...someone a bit higher up the "food-chain" caused the clusterf$ck (as is usually the case, having dealt with such people in several positions over the years)
Sadly, the "clientele" for the store has changed since the Decatur Rd. store closed (and apartment complexes in Waynedale have also "changed"...obviously not for the better.
Like I've said before, the blight IS spreading (now) into the SOUTHWEST part of the city.
(and much of it has two legs)
*** Next, the city AGAIN took it upon itself to block off part of E. Pettit Ave, without any notification through media sources (as usual), and traffic flowed through OUR streets.
People can't even cross the damn street, either.
We had some congestion (as could be expected with any RESIDENTIAL area) with traffic clogging the intersection, and buses driving over streets not designed for such vehicles and certainly not for a constant flow of two-way traffic.
Naturally, NO traffic-control could be found (like a police officer), and I keep finding out that there are a LOT of people who DO NOT know he difference between a "through-street" and a YIELD sign.
In other words...EVERYONE comes to a COMPLETE STOP...and WAITS...!
Well, at least they weren't FLYING through the area as they usually do.
(No, the FWPD doesn't think that SPEEDING through residential areas HERE warrants a cruiser patrolling to pull such people over down here. Thanks, Garry).
Look more like potholes than ruts to me.
And, then there are those that toss out mattresses near the alley in the "hope" that trash picks them up. Just drop it there - don't stand it alongside the trash bin or place it near the bin...nah, that requires work. (something they're not acquainted with, no doubt).
I suppose it's better than dumping big-screen TVs there...but not by much.
A regular patrol of the ALLEYS around here could solve that (along with some citations to the offending parties).
Not to mention, the RUTS in our alley that are caused by all the "cut-through" traffic that doesn't need to come up or down the alley makes navigating them a "challenge".
You get tired shaking your head in disgust over the ignorance of the city with such things.
*** Last back to the suet cake holder...it would seem that ANY government is only as good as it's worst area of "expertise", as it were.
On the FEDERAL level, that's inclusive of a LOT of departments.
You don;t even have to look that hard to find waste, or corruption, or indifference.
Same can be said for the state level, and especially the LOCAL level.
While there are a very few departments in Fort Wayne that EXCEL in what they do (like ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL, SOLID WASTE and yes, even NEIGHBORHOOD CODE AND ENFORCEMENT), there are too many more that simply drop the damn ball. TRAFFIC CONTROL is one. They could make a mint citing the daily violators down here. They seem to only canvass the downtown area (can't have bad stuff THERE).
Ditto for the FWPD. Lots of money to be made by people shirking the laws and ordinances down here.
You want to have a level of respect for every agency in the city, but, by their own actions (or the lack thereof) you simply cannot...and that's both sad and scary.
I recall a time when citizens didn't have to worry about such things, because the city knew it's job (to serve the public, and not on a platter with an apple in it's mouth), and performed whatever was expected of any given department, so as to not cause concern with the populace.
How times seem to change.
The best we can hope for at this point is to give praise to any department where it's warranted, and also to call out those who have fallen down on whatever job they're supposed to be performing.
Many times, that can make you feel like that sole voice in a vast wilderness.
But if one person hears you...and acts in the appropriate manner, things can (and will) get done.
Sometimes, not  the best way to proceed...just the only one for the time being.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

03 February 2016

Humpday Happenings...
Welcome to that wonderful mid-week crisis we refer to as WEDNESDAY.
And, hopefully, the weather will be a tad less "eventful" as it was yesterday.
Yes, that WAS the clap of thunder you heard more than a few times yesterday in the Heartland.
We had some thunderstorms move through...in January.
Beats a foot and a half of snow any day, right?
Our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with a bit of patchy morning fog  in rural areas, so take note.
And, it'll be more sunny and less breezy than yesterday (thank goodness), with a chance of (maybe) a stray shower following us into the evening, with our high being whatever the temps are outside this morning.
They're calling it around 45 degrees for the day.
It's one of those "reverse temps" thing...getting colder as the day progresses. so take a coat with you...you'll need it later on when we get back into the chill of things.
Now, with that over with, let's see what awaits us after we get ourselves a nice refreshing and soothing morning drink, shall we?
*** First out of the laundry chute is our "WHO SAID THAT?" quote of the week:
"Presumption should never make us neglect that which appears easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties."
Believe this or not, this is not as recent a quote as you might think, yet it sounds just as appropriate as if it were, and it pertains to something going on this month. There is a "theme" attached to it.
So who said it anyway?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Maryland Historical Society...
*** Next up is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
February 3 -
---Today is NATIONAL DAY THE MUSIC DIED DAY
Here  the WIKI for the info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_the_Music_Died
As you might expect if you're NOT a young'un, this deals with the death of the Big Bopper, Richie Valens and Buddy Holly in a small-airplane crash which took place near Clear Lake, Iowa in 1959. The pilot, Roger Peterson also died in the crash. This event was much of Don McLean's song: American Pie.
---It's also NATIONAL CARROT CAKE DAY
(best way to eat carrots...in a CAKE!)
*** Next up, some vandals desecrate the deceases near the "Fortress".
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Jewish-Cemetery-struck-by-vandals-11279536
Can't even let the DEAD rest in peace down here
This took place in the Jewish cemetery, located at 6224 Decatur Rd sometime after January 7. when caretakers were last on site. About 60 headstones were toppled, and some cracked and damaged,
A few of the stones would require more than ONE person to topple them, as well.
Now, there is a "government-sponsored" housing complex VERY close by, and it would not surprise me if some ethnics living there had something to do with it.
Right across Decatur Rd, in fact.
The gates are always locked and only those who have business (like a funeral or visit to a grave) are permitted inside, so, it's not "open" to the public.
No graffiti or markings were found, so investigators with the FWPD believe this was not aimed at the Jewish community.
That's funny, because it's a JEWISH cemetery, and the ONLY people buried there are...(surprise)...JEWISH!
Maybe we need to look into gang activity, and I don't necessarily mean skinheads, if you get my drift.
*** Next up, another shooting, and this time right NEAR where Charlie Benson was captured...imagine that.
Here's the story link:
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Person-found-shot-at-Anthony-Blvd--Maumee-Ave-367448071.html
This took place around 2000 hrs last night near Hanna and Lewis Sts, but police found a man in a car suffering from a gunshot wound at Anthony Blvd and Maumee Ave,
The person (gender not mentioned) was taken to hospital in serious condition with a wound to the arm.
*** Next, here's a story of a robber who waited for the right moment (and person):
http://wane.com/2016/02/02/bank-photo-shows-bank-deposit-envelope-robbery-suspect/
This took place at the STAR financial Bank branch located at 127 W. Berry St (right near DOWNTOWN, folks) yesterday around 1630 hrs Monday.
(I cleaned the video capture up as best as I could)
This guy just waltzes on, grabs a deposit bag off the counter from a woman, and flees the bank.
He was spotted fleeing east on Berry St.
No weapon was mentioned in the story.
Don't even need a note these days or a gun.
Walk right in...and get some free money. You can bet there was NO dye-pack in a deposit envelope, either (damn).
*** Next up, two pieces of white trash were busted for drugs on the SOUTHEAST side of the city.
Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2016/02/03/2-arrested-after-robinwood-dr-drug-bust/
(see, we have ALL flavors of perps down here, don't we? - a problem the city can't or won't address.)
This took place as a raid at a house located at 4100 block of Robinwood Drive around 1900 hrs last evening.
Taken into custody were Damien Cross, 35, and Stephen Reed, 28.
Damien Cross                Stephen Reed
In the story are the charges listed against them (losers).
*** Next, a standoff brings out the FWPD armored car for a dust-off.
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Brother-arrested-after-standoff-11279824
How 'bout that, Sarge. The perp was really THERE..
At least THIS guy was HOME for a change (even if it wasn't his OWN home, but his brother's).
Looooooooooserrrrrr!!!!
The standoff netted one Jason Beam, arrested  for felony intimidation.
Moral to the story: Never overstay your welcome at a relative's house...with a knife.
*** Last back to the dry cleaners... above are some prime examples of totally useless people.
The choices they made placed them in the situations they found themselves, so there's really no other blame to be meted out here, except to those making such craptastic decisions.
Just ONE decision made differently (and a lot more positively) could have produced a much better outcome for ALL of these stories, but, like I say, it's easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing for some folks.
Many times, "the RIGHT thing and the HARD thing are the SAME thing" (Dr. Steve Maraboli), and yes, that requires a conscious effort to make that happen.
Some mental work required there, but many people have clocked out for the day on that one.
The rest of us usually do it without a second thought.
Must be the way we're brought up.
Or, it can be that commitment to a "higher authority".
Whatever the case may be, it doesn't take much to see WHY people fail society and fail themselves, does it?
Yet, we're supposed to think that it's somehow OUR fault, and I refuse to take blame for the lack of intelligence and understanding by others.
Got enough on my plate as it is, without excess baggage that some leftard wants to make MY own.
Not gonna happen here.
A return to all those basic values we remember as children is what's needed for these others who seek chaos instead of civility.
Humanity has been around too long NOT to be able to figure that out, right?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.