Monday Musings...

Welcome to the first REAL week of August, and it's starting off nicely, weather-wise.
Temps will reach into the upper 70s (again) with a mostly sunny sky and no chance of rain(today, that is).
So, sit back and take it easy for a spell, because today's post is packed tighter than Imelda Marcos' shoe closet (1220 pairs for you trivia buffs).
*** First off the line today is:
Bobby G's This Day in August History!
And since we've the weekend to include, it's gonna be a "three-fer".
August 3 - 1946 - Santa Claus Land, the world's FIRST themed amusement park open in SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA (where else?)
August 4 - 1987 - The FCC rescinds the Fairness Doctrine which had required radio and TV stations to present controversial issues "fairly".
August 5 - 1957 - American Bandstand, a show dedicated to the teenage "baby-boomers" by playing the songs and showing popular dances of the time, debuts (in Philadelphia) on the ABC television network
And now YOU know...some history.
Moving on...
*** I don't usually watch 60 Minutes on the "eyeball network", because I prefer MY news to be less BIASED, but last night they had a great segment (Leslie Stahl) about the Massachusetts State Police and how THEY have come up with a new tactic to take on crime and the thugs that perpetrate it.

Here's the link with video:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57582605/counterinsurgency-methods-used-to-fight-gang-crime/
Imagine that...using the "Stateys" to help take on GANGS and the violence they bring with them...
Just like counterinsurgency tactics used by OUR forces in the Middle East.

Wonder WHY Fort Wayne doesn't apply a similar take on the violent crime we "enjoy" on the SE side (which IS spreading westward and northward, as I've said for some time)...?
Then again, we have plenty of numbnuts on the highways making trouble for motorists to keep the ISP busy for damn near ever.
Still, perhaps a "strong hand" IS needed to help this tide of violent crime recede...'ya think?
And since we're on the topic of violent crime...
*** A shooting at the Eden Green Apartments late Friday left one man in serious condition.
Here's the story link:
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Shooting-At-Eden-Green-Apartments-218123281.html

Cripes that place looks more like the FWPD parking lot than a HUD-sponsored housing project for the chronically lazy.
Guess not having all the police down the street at the old Creighton Ave HQ is showing it's worth, hmm?
But that's not all, folks...a bit closer to our "Fortress", there's THIS:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/police-respond-to-shooting-on-citys-south-side
Another double shooting happened along Decatur Rd at Lafayette St early Sunday morning around 0409 hrs.

Police received a call of *shots fired* (signal 113) and when they responded  were STILL hearing gunshots. At the scene they found one man suffering gunshot wounds. During the investigation, police were told a second man was privately transported to hospital also suffering from gunshot wounds.
The man the offiers found remains in critical condition after being taken to hospital.
No weapon was found on scene, and according to police NO suspects are in custody and NO arrests have been made.

Police are unsure whether gang activity is involved.
I dunno...WHO (exactly) is out ON the STREETS down here at FOUR-f$cking-AM anyway?
I wonder if the ISP could make a few arrests, as an assist to the FWPD with a counterinsurgency strategy?
See, when you don't WORK for a living, and don't wake up until damn near NOON, and then remain awake until close to sun up the next morning , THIS kinda sh*t DOES happens.
These indigent thugs tend to hit the sac and sleep off their drunk/high until around 0400 until around 1100 when they get up and start their crap ALL over again...every...single...day.
TYPICAL behavior for such people.
This part of town definitely needs...an enema!
(or a DOZEN...!)
And now, for something completely different...
*** We have a NEW DOCTOR...no, he's not THAT kind of doctor.

I'm talking about DOCTOR WHO, of which I've been a huge fan since the early 1970s, when the show came across the pond and graced our PBS station back in Philly.
Yes, I am a Whovian!
My, how time flies.
The 12th incarnation of "The Doctor" is veteran Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, and he follows in the footsteps of some great actors who have preceded him.
Doctor Who is either a show you like...or hate. It's not for everyone, and that's fine, but considering it IS the longest running sci-fi show in television history, well...that''s got to account for something, right?
Odd thing is, time lords only get TWELVE regenerations, so I wonder WTH is going to happen when this doctor bows out, as they all inevitably do?
Should be interesting...
*** Damn, almost forgot...had a charging problem w/ the "Batmobile" (probably needs a new battery again - a VAT 40 test should tell), so I managed to get her fired up, after I told Wifey "Listen to what a car that won't start sounds like.".
And it promptly made a liar outta me...LOL!

Wifey called the sop, I ex-filled the "Fortress", and took my "thirty-year old" 1983 Pontiac (R.I.P. Arrowhead division of GM - when it still meant something) Firebird to the shop to see what's what.
Should have it back either later today or early tomorrow.
Weird to see a whole lotta "nothing" where the car's supposed to be...(!?!)
*** Lastly today, you know we have two cats, male and female litter mates, and we've had them for about 17 years (damn near an eternity), which makes them eligible for the big dirt nap more sooner than later (kinda like me...lol).

Is that a piece of string I need to chase?

Anyway, our female cat Penelope has been losing weight, and is lethargic and doesn't eat all that much, as she used to.
I detest losing a pet, especially one that has become a family member, so off to the vet we went on Saturday to get her checked out.
The blood work comes back today, so we might get a clue as to what's ailing her.
With cats of her age, there's a number of things that go wrong, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, cancer, feline leukemia, and those are the biggies.
Then there's liver problems, and parasites...a lot farther down the list.
It's just heart-wrenching to not see her near as frisky as she's always been, and I'm sure any of you that have had pets know exactly what I mean.
Wifey and I will do all we can to keep her with us, and keep her as healthy as she can be at this point in her aging life.
But, like all of us, no matter how many feet we have, the inevitability of the end of life looms closer.
Will it be easy to see her go when the time comes? Hell, no!
When my father passed on 1978. our two dogs (shepherd and golden retriever) died within the first year after that, and that was a very difficult situation.

Yep, I'm sleeping RIGHT...HERE...!

So, here's hoping we can have more time with her.
She's always been a good cat, even if she did beg constantly at the dinner table when guests came for the holidays...LOL
We'll think good thoughts and say a pray or two for her.
In that there is a life lesson not only to be learned, but to be embraced.
Have yourselves a great week.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.