Weekend Roundup...
Another weekend here in the Heartland of America, complete with single-digit temperatures...what MORE can a person ask for, hmm?
It appears as though we're going to get our other computer back later today, and unfortunately for me, I'll have to reload ALL the DAZ 3D stuff I lost...that's gonna take a while, especially since I'll also have to recreate the scenes I was working on...from scratch.
I did advise the missus to snag an EXTERNAL DRIVE, so I can have all the stuff I wind up losing in a place where I won't wind up...well, LOSING IT, which always cause ME to lose it.
Technology is one of those "love-hate" affairs for me.
I LOVE technology like they have in those Science-Fiction movies. Gimme a fully-charged PHASER and I'm a happy camper.
Ditto for a food replicator.
Scotch on the rocks, or a perfect omelet out of thin air...now who isn't on board with something like THAT, hmm?
(still waiting for BOTH of 'em)
I really love the fact the (future) people can "talk" to their computers in those venues, and get the answers at the speed of thought.
Much can be said for me in that regard...
I talk to MY computers ALL the damn time. Actually, it's more like screaming at them, swearing like a longshoreman, knowing their defiance will undoubtedly be causing my blood pressure to rise a few levels to he dreaded "Stroke-Con-1"!
They never talk back...they just sit there, mocking all of us, doing whatever it is computers feel like doing contrary to what we've asked them to do with all the keystrokes we've input.
I liken them to that wayward child...maybe they don't realize what they're doing to US...the "parents".
Maybe, they need a stern talking to...or a spanking.
But enough with the anthropomorphising of these silicone "marvels" we love...(to hate). I'd best not chide these computers too much...I still have to finish today's blog post.
(and they "might" be watching us...or listening..."Hey, you lookin' at ME?" )
--There's been a LOT of fallout from the President's SOTU message the other night...and deservedly so.
Much of what I spoke about HERE yesterday was echoed by nearly every person I saw or heard on TV and radio (wow...and they don't EVEN read my blog), so I KNOW I'm not alone in my assessment of the speech.
Guess misery DOES love company...LOL.
Now, this here "lone wolf" is not one to go sending letters to the White House, but way back in 2006, after George W. Bush's SOTU message, I was honestly moved by THAT message so much, I did send along an email, relating how THAT speech renewed my pride in being an American. And I got a very nice reply from the President, thanking ME, stating how humbled and honored he was to be our 43rd President.
To quote from the letter:
"We strive to be a compassionate and hopeful society, and we move forward with optimism about our country, faith in its cause, and confidence in the victories to come."
Today, I can't really say I'm feeling all that from THIS administration.
Maybe, it was a few choice words that Bush stated in HIS letter that I'm NOT hearing from Obama.
Humbled...honored...compassionate...faith...yeah, THOSE words.
All I seem to hear from THIS President is *I*...what "I" am going to do...what "I" want...what "I" expect.
You hearing this too?
Sounds like a spoiled three-year old to me...nothing but me, me, me.
What about WE, the people?
Case in point, Obama "wants" to have a national HIGH-SPEED rail system.
Don't we ALREADY have one?
Isn't it called AMTRAK?
And hasn't it been bleeding MONEY (and losing ridership) since it was created by the FEDS back in the 70s?
Wouldn't it be more "cost-effective" to RETOOL what we already HAVE, instead of adding more (new) problems to the mix?
I mean if something you created isn't working, and costing you money you don't have...why build another one?
And sorry guys, but changing a LOGO isn't stopping the flow...you're STILL bleeding out.
I've always loved trains since little on up. My Uncle Joe used to work for General Electric in their motive division (train engines) until his retirement in the 60s. They gave out some great train calendars, too back then.
He used to take me down to Frankford Junction, and we'd watch the trains barrel through. But that was a time when we STILL had inter-city rail lines as well as freight coming through town. Our 3rd grade class even got to see JFK's train as it came through the station, headed for D.C. All those 8 year olds waving at a train...that still brings a smile to my face.
Many years later (long after Uncle Joe passed away), I went back to the station to take pictures of trains, and if I ever get the resources to take ALL those slides and convert them to a digital format, I could show you stuff that would amaze you. It still amazes me.
Another uncle of mine in Harrisburg worked for the PRR, switching engines, throwing switches, and inspecting tracks.
But that was a time when a railroad...ANY railroad produced visions of a more "romantic" era.
There was a LORE attached to trains, no matter what part of this great nation you hailed from.
Can't say that today, can we?
The "thrill" is gone.
We've traded those smoke and soot-belching behemoths of a bygone day, for engines that instead belch diesel fumes.
It was all about bigger, faster, more powerful...and more money.
Helluva trade-off, wasn't it?
Now, about this HIGH-SPEED rail system...
Back in the 70s, AMTRAK dabbled with a GAS-TURBINE train.
I know, because I SAW it in Connecticut (up close)...took pictures of it, too.
Told you I got around back in the day.
But that "Turbo-Train" fell by the wayside, too.
I suppose if the technology would have been pursued, they could have developed an LNG-powered engine.
As for really CLEAN trains?
Well, the PRR used to run GG-1 electrics as well as E-33 engines fof freight (got lots of slides of them, too).
And the GG-1s used to run around 70-80 MPH along the Broadway Limited corridor (east coast).
But now, our President wants to install a NEW, (really) high-speed line across the entire NATION.
That's gonna mean a LOTTA new track, because "what you got laid down already ain't gonna cut it".
It has to be ALL welded rail, if you're going to run in excess of 100+ MPH.
We could go MAG-LEV, but the cost of that (raised) "track" and support systems would cost more than the current HSR systems being proposed. It's really a lose-lose proposition.
In better economic times, it could be brought to the realm of existence, but not now.
We need to find ways to shrink government (and their spending), reduce the national deficit, lower the national debt, get Americans back to work, reform the parts of health care that really NEED reform, promote education in schools further, hold people accountable, renew our society's faith in it's leadership, lower taxes for the working class, create jobs HERE, in America (and not ship them overseas or south of the border), halt illegal immigration, and protect our citizens from terrorist threats.
But that's ONLY on the NATIONAL LEVEL.
There are scores of other things that need doing on the state and local levels, that most of us probably are a lot more aware of, and can have an effect upon.
We, as Americans, have to discern WHAT we need our leaders to do, and in the order it needs to be done.
Then, we have to petition them letting OUR voice be heard, as to how best for them to proceed in OUR best interest.
We cannot, we must not allow our government to run slipshod over the people...that's what dictatorial fascists do.
Now, if you want PROOF that' it's "Not about (me) Obama", check this out, and be sure to keep that tongue in your cheek:
http://www.thefoxnation.com/politics/2010/01/27/its-not-about-me-obama-mentions-himself-132-during-jobs-speech
Nice, huh?
The last time I checked, this was STILL America.
You know...land of the FREE, home of the BRAVE kinda stuff.
WE (the people) have the incentive, the motivation, and the momentum on OUR side.
Do well, have yourselves a great weekend, and remember to...
Stay safe out there, America.