Showing posts with label things I've read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label things I've read. Show all posts
Saturday, August 6, 2022
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Good read
I don't often post what I've read on this page.
I'll make an exception for this book.
After finishing it I read what I could about the USS Ellyson (DD454).
Pretty impressive ship.
I'll make an exception for this book.
After finishing it I read what I could about the USS Ellyson (DD454).
Pretty impressive ship.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Ooh, one more thing
I might have mentioned I do a little reading.
There's a partial list HERE.
I wouldn't mention it now, except I failed to post one of those reads until yesterday.
I still wouldn't mention it if I didn't consider it really worth the effort to check it out.
Yeah . . . I'm actually recommending a book.
It was recommended to me by MB's oldest.
Then there's that prize thing.
With any luck, we'll be in Amsterdam by the time you see this.
There's a partial list HERE.
I wouldn't mention it now, except I failed to post one of those reads until yesterday.
I still wouldn't mention it if I didn't consider it really worth the effort to check it out.
Yeah . . . I'm actually recommending a book.
It was recommended to me by MB's oldest.
 |
| more HERE |
Then there's that prize thing.
With any luck, we'll be in Amsterdam by the time you see this.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Aftermath ll
My friend is retired from CalFire (formerly the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection).
He has been posting about wildfire issues since the Carr Fire broke out in July of last year.
I have done my best to preserve his formatting and include his images.
There are those who read his post and were offended, feeling that he was attacking them for wanting to rebuild to the same standards that did not survive the conflagration.
Royal Burnett
He has been posting about wildfire issues since the Carr Fire broke out in July of last year.
I have done my best to preserve his formatting and include his images.
There are those who read his post and were offended, feeling that he was attacking them for wanting to rebuild to the same standards that did not survive the conflagration.
Royal Burnett
June 15, 2019
I started writing this blog during the Carr fire, 11 months ago. The Fire Agencies (CalFire, USFS, Redding City) were doing such a poor job of public information that I felt the need to post the news and commentary. My friends appreciated the updates, so I continue to comment.
The Fire Agencies haven’t improved much, and now my comments are about post fire reconstruction or hardening your existing home in preparation the upcoming season.
It disturbs me to see the reconstruction in the area West of Redding proceeding using the same construction and landscaping techniques...hundreds if not thousands of feet of new wood fences, wood bark being used for soil stabilization and wood decks. These are the things that contributed to the conflagration. I’m not saying that anyone with an existing wood fence should tear it down, but when it comes time to replace it fire resistant material should be mandatory. I’m surprised Insurance companies don’t require it.
Insurance companies and individuals are the ones who stand to lose during a wildfire...The Fire Department will do their best to save lives and property, but there are times when the best effort is simply not enough. When the wildland fuels dry out and the fire spread comes into alignment with wind and slope an average wildfire is unstoppable until the fuels or the weather changes.. That’s why most of them burn to the ridgetop… we don’t stop them mid slope very often.
In extreme burning conditions, The Fire Services will devote most of their effort to rescue and very little to perimeter control. Camp fire was was a Tsunami of fire and we were not going to stop it with air tankers, engines or bulldozers. Adding another firefighter to Redding City engines would not have stopped or prevented the Carr Fire...nor will new fire engines or helicopters. We’ve been throwing money at this problem, but it lands in the wrong place.
If we’re going to live in this Wildland Urban Interface, we’ve got to change our ways. The individual must prepare his home for the eventual fire. In 1972 I moved my family from Cobb Mountain into the town of Clearlake. I didn’t want to live in town, but realized I could not defend our mountain home… it burned down in the Valley Fire in 2014. Climate change, fuel loading and increased housing density have exacerbated the fire problem and Agencies and regulations have not kept up.
Construction and landscaping standards that were in place in the past are no longer acceptable. Just as we outlawed wood shake roofs, we may have to regulate wood fences or list some plants like Eucalyptus, Redwoods and Junipers as undesirable. CalFire needs to computerize its fire inspection data base and radically change compliance standards. No more 2 weeks grace period for a cleanup, be clean or be cited on second inspection. Insurance companies should be allowed access to the inspection reports. Just as a driving ticket raises your car insurance, non compliance with fire clearance laws should raise your homeowners insurance. How about a tax break for money spent on hardening structures similar to the tax rebate energy saving plan ? We need new ideas in our Fire Prevention Program.
Chief Darin Quigley from Weed shared a post about how he rebuilt his house following the Bowles fire ( September 2014). ..Darin used concrete siding, triple pane windows and poured a concrete pad 5 feet around the home to insure that vital 5 feet of clearance is maintained. Weed is in a wind tunnel and the wind blows every day. Chief Quigley knows he’s got to exceed minimum construction standards in order to survive.
Darin’s father Jerry Quigley and I fought fire together here in Shasta and his experience is sorely missed. I’ll also say that Darin Quigley is a hero… when it seemed like his entire town was burning, and he knew his own home was endangered or lost, he stayed at his post in command of that fire, ordering and directing the fire fighting efforts. Good job Darin, your Dad would be proud.
A Fire Safe home and a Fire wise community will not guarantee your home won’t burn, but its got to start at the individual level. First the homeowner, then the Home Owner’s Association or community over watch… then the City or County and clear up to the Federal Government have all got to contribute to our mutual well being.
Just as we can’t condone or should not tolerate a neighbor who lets his property grow up with weeds and brush, we should not tolerate it from the City with its Greenbelts...or the Whiskeytown Park with its wannbee Wilderness Park Policy. There is a persistent Urban Rumor that Park officials prevented or delayed the use of bulldozers on the Carr fire...if that is correct, the policy is not acceptable.
The Federal Government has got to change its fire management policy. No Man is an Island...nor is any entity. The Wildland Urban Interface can also be called the Urban threat zone...and in times of global warming its getting bigger.
The Eiler fire (July 2014) in Burney demonstrated that a “managed fire” policy in the 1000 Lakes Wilderness can be a direct threat to Burney...The Reading Fire ( July 2012) demonstrated that a “managed fire” in Lassen National Park can be a direct threat to the citizens of Old Station. The Federal Government is trying to use fire as a land management tool without the benefit of an Environmental Impact Report...and the results are too often disastrous.
The times are a changin’ and we’ve got to keep up.
I started writing this blog during the Carr fire, 11 months ago. The Fire Agencies (CalFire, USFS, Redding City) were doing such a poor job of public information that I felt the need to post the news and commentary. My friends appreciated the updates, so I continue to comment.
The Fire Agencies haven’t improved much, and now my comments are about post fire reconstruction or hardening your existing home in preparation the upcoming season.
It disturbs me to see the reconstruction in the area West of Redding proceeding using the same construction and landscaping techniques...hundreds if not thousands of feet of new wood fences, wood bark being used for soil stabilization and wood decks. These are the things that contributed to the conflagration. I’m not saying that anyone with an existing wood fence should tear it down, but when it comes time to replace it fire resistant material should be mandatory. I’m surprised Insurance companies don’t require it.
Insurance companies and individuals are the ones who stand to lose during a wildfire...The Fire Department will do their best to save lives and property, but there are times when the best effort is simply not enough. When the wildland fuels dry out and the fire spread comes into alignment with wind and slope an average wildfire is unstoppable until the fuels or the weather changes.. That’s why most of them burn to the ridgetop… we don’t stop them mid slope very often.
In extreme burning conditions, The Fire Services will devote most of their effort to rescue and very little to perimeter control. Camp fire was was a Tsunami of fire and we were not going to stop it with air tankers, engines or bulldozers. Adding another firefighter to Redding City engines would not have stopped or prevented the Carr Fire...nor will new fire engines or helicopters. We’ve been throwing money at this problem, but it lands in the wrong place.
If we’re going to live in this Wildland Urban Interface, we’ve got to change our ways. The individual must prepare his home for the eventual fire. In 1972 I moved my family from Cobb Mountain into the town of Clearlake. I didn’t want to live in town, but realized I could not defend our mountain home… it burned down in the Valley Fire in 2014. Climate change, fuel loading and increased housing density have exacerbated the fire problem and Agencies and regulations have not kept up.
Construction and landscaping standards that were in place in the past are no longer acceptable. Just as we outlawed wood shake roofs, we may have to regulate wood fences or list some plants like Eucalyptus, Redwoods and Junipers as undesirable. CalFire needs to computerize its fire inspection data base and radically change compliance standards. No more 2 weeks grace period for a cleanup, be clean or be cited on second inspection. Insurance companies should be allowed access to the inspection reports. Just as a driving ticket raises your car insurance, non compliance with fire clearance laws should raise your homeowners insurance. How about a tax break for money spent on hardening structures similar to the tax rebate energy saving plan ? We need new ideas in our Fire Prevention Program.
Chief Darin Quigley from Weed shared a post about how he rebuilt his house following the Bowles fire ( September 2014). ..Darin used concrete siding, triple pane windows and poured a concrete pad 5 feet around the home to insure that vital 5 feet of clearance is maintained. Weed is in a wind tunnel and the wind blows every day. Chief Quigley knows he’s got to exceed minimum construction standards in order to survive.
Darin’s father Jerry Quigley and I fought fire together here in Shasta and his experience is sorely missed. I’ll also say that Darin Quigley is a hero… when it seemed like his entire town was burning, and he knew his own home was endangered or lost, he stayed at his post in command of that fire, ordering and directing the fire fighting efforts. Good job Darin, your Dad would be proud.
A Fire Safe home and a Fire wise community will not guarantee your home won’t burn, but its got to start at the individual level. First the homeowner, then the Home Owner’s Association or community over watch… then the City or County and clear up to the Federal Government have all got to contribute to our mutual well being.
Just as we can’t condone or should not tolerate a neighbor who lets his property grow up with weeds and brush, we should not tolerate it from the City with its Greenbelts...or the Whiskeytown Park with its wannbee Wilderness Park Policy. There is a persistent Urban Rumor that Park officials prevented or delayed the use of bulldozers on the Carr fire...if that is correct, the policy is not acceptable.
The Federal Government has got to change its fire management policy. No Man is an Island...nor is any entity. The Wildland Urban Interface can also be called the Urban threat zone...and in times of global warming its getting bigger.
The Eiler fire (July 2014) in Burney demonstrated that a “managed fire” policy in the 1000 Lakes Wilderness can be a direct threat to Burney...The Reading Fire ( July 2012) demonstrated that a “managed fire” in Lassen National Park can be a direct threat to the citizens of Old Station. The Federal Government is trying to use fire as a land management tool without the benefit of an Environmental Impact Report...and the results are too often disastrous.
The times are a changin’ and we’ve got to keep up.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Prequel
My friend is retired from CalFire (formerly the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection).
He has been posting about wildfire issues since the Carr Fire broke out in July of last year.
I have done my best to preserve his formatting and include his images.
The following is a set up for last evening's post and other's which follow.
Royal Burnett
May 10, 2019
Benign neglect or malpractice ?
From the Collins Dictionary...benign neglect phrase If you describe someone's approach to a problem as one of benign neglect , you disapprove of the fact that they are doing nothing and hoping that the problem will solve itself
He has been posting about wildfire issues since the Carr Fire broke out in July of last year.
I have done my best to preserve his formatting and include his images.
The following is a set up for last evening's post and other's which follow.
Royal Burnett
May 10, 2019
Benign neglect or malpractice ?
From the Collins Dictionary...benign neglect phrase If you describe someone's approach to a problem as one of benign neglect , you disapprove of the fact that they are doing nothing and hoping that the problem will solve itself
I drove out West of Redding
today, through the Carr fire scar...The burn happened in about 8
months ago. In the Oak Woodlands patches of grass were showing and the
Valley Oaks were stump sprouting. In the areas that were dense manzanita
or Knob Cone Pine there was not much regeneration showing.
I continued my drive to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area... parts of it that were desolated. I drove the same route last fall and remarked in this column that the fire burned as hot and did as much soil damage as I’d seen anywhere in California and this recon re enforced that feeling. Much of the burned area is resprouting with oak brush and poison oak ; I saw scattered patches of grass. In a few short years this will be a horrendous fire hazard.
Whiskey town is a National Recreation area...which operates not as Wilderness area or a Preserve...the NPS is charged with custodial responsibility...Caring for the Land. This land doesn’t look very well cared for. We had a disaster, now we have a mess. If we do nothing it will take decades for this land to recover.
After last summer’s fires we have more than 500 square miles of fresh burned land in and around Redding. Much of that land is owned by the Federal Land Management Agencies… the US Forest Service, The National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. As land managers isn’t it their job to clean up after a disaster and prevent the same thing from happening again?
Can we afford to have Federal Agencies allow their land to become brush choked snag patches in close proximity to town ? If private citizens are required to reduce the fire hazard on their property, shouldn't Big Brother be required to do the same ?
Roseburg and other timber companies did a very successful rehabilitation of the Fountain Fire scar between Redding and Burney. It can be done...it requires will and effort. I hope the managers of our Land Management Agencies are up to the task.
I continued my drive to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area... parts of it that were desolated. I drove the same route last fall and remarked in this column that the fire burned as hot and did as much soil damage as I’d seen anywhere in California and this recon re enforced that feeling. Much of the burned area is resprouting with oak brush and poison oak ; I saw scattered patches of grass. In a few short years this will be a horrendous fire hazard.
Whiskey town is a National Recreation area...which operates not as Wilderness area or a Preserve...the NPS is charged with custodial responsibility...Caring for the Land. This land doesn’t look very well cared for. We had a disaster, now we have a mess. If we do nothing it will take decades for this land to recover.
After last summer’s fires we have more than 500 square miles of fresh burned land in and around Redding. Much of that land is owned by the Federal Land Management Agencies… the US Forest Service, The National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. As land managers isn’t it their job to clean up after a disaster and prevent the same thing from happening again?
Can we afford to have Federal Agencies allow their land to become brush choked snag patches in close proximity to town ? If private citizens are required to reduce the fire hazard on their property, shouldn't Big Brother be required to do the same ?
Roseburg and other timber companies did a very successful rehabilitation of the Fountain Fire scar between Redding and Burney. It can be done...it requires will and effort. I hope the managers of our Land Management Agencies are up to the task.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Aftermath
My friend is retired from CalFire (formerly the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection).
He has been posting about wildfire issues since the Carr Fire broke out in July of last year.
I have done my best to preserve his formatting and include his images.
There is more to follow.
Royal Burnett
June 11, 2019
I spent yesterday with my friend Mike Terwilliger, riding through the area burned by the Camp fire last November. Mike is a retired Chief from Truckee FD who also functioned as Incident Commander of the Sierra Front Type 2 Incident Management Team...he knows a lot about fire.
He has been posting about wildfire issues since the Carr Fire broke out in July of last year.
I have done my best to preserve his formatting and include his images.
There is more to follow.
Royal Burnett
June 11, 2019
I spent yesterday with my friend Mike Terwilliger, riding through the area burned by the Camp fire last November. Mike is a retired Chief from Truckee FD who also functioned as Incident Commander of the Sierra Front Type 2 Incident Management Team...he knows a lot about fire.
The Camp fire as you may remember, burned about 153,000 acres,
destroyed about 15,000 homes and another 600 plus commercial buildings.
85 civilians perished perished in this fire. Wikipedia has a very good
write up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Fire_(2018)
The purpose of our visit was to see if there were any lessons to be learned...anything I could glean from this tragedy that would help those of us not directly affected. Its been 6 months since the fire, a whole winter has passed and much of the forensic evidence has been destroyed by weather or rehabilitation efforts, but here’s a few things that stuck out.
1. Almost all of the structures that survived, both residential and commercial had clearance in the all important 5 foot Home Ignition Zone. Here’s a link to the NFPA website for more info.
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire
2. Many of the surviving structures both commercial and residential had metal roofs. I some cases we could see where patches of needles had burned on the metal roof and the building did not ignite. Older homes had composition roofs and several of them survived. Clean roofs and gutters are a must.
3. Almost all surviving structures were clean and well maintained. No urban clutter, no fire wood piles, no autos and other vehicles parked near enough to ignite the homes.
4. Several homes that survived had Trex or flame resistant decks.
Paradise and Magalia are older towns located at the 2500 foot elevation level where Ponderosa Pines and Black Oaks dominate the landscape. Ponderosa Pines shed a lot of needles, year round...most buildings and grounds are covered with needle drape if not constantly maintained...and pine needles burn hot !
The towns are both located on a ridge above the Feather River in a known fire corridor. The Jarbo Gap winds are infamous in the firefighting community. In recent years there have been repeated major fires in the Feather River Canyon, both above and below Paradise. You would think this would be a FireWise/ FireSafe community. In spite of planning and preparation the fire overwhelmed all emergency services.
Just like in the Carr fire, the emergency notification system failed...same excuse, the cell towers burned down. This is simply not acceptable. Emergencies happen at all hours ...not everyone has a computer or a cell phone and during emergencies people don’t watch TV. Emergency Service providers simply must find a more dependable way to notify the public. I will once again recommend town sirens. They use them on the Coast for tsunami warnings and in the South for tornado warnings...why can’t we learn from this ?
Again. like in the Carr fire burned area we noticed people starting to rebuild..one business had replaced the wood fence that burned down and replanted a series of young redwood trees..guaranteed to give a rapid start to the next conflagration. Wood fences are nothing but upright piles of kindling wood connecting houses and yards together. In the Carr fire they were the fuse that helped spread the fire from house to house. Redwood trees are dirty, shed a lot of needles and will burn readily from base to crown . In my opinion. Redwoods ( both species), Eucalyptus, Junipers and Palms should not be used as landscaping in fire prone areas. Decorative bark should be used sparingly and not within 5 feet of any structure. Same with wood fences...use metal for the last 5 feet between the fence and the house.
You’ll hear me harping about this...fire defense has got to be a holistic effort… every body at every level from the individual to the City/County State and Federal government has got to contribute. No entity can make its own rules or exemptions. But that’s another column.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Fire_(2018)
The purpose of our visit was to see if there were any lessons to be learned...anything I could glean from this tragedy that would help those of us not directly affected. Its been 6 months since the fire, a whole winter has passed and much of the forensic evidence has been destroyed by weather or rehabilitation efforts, but here’s a few things that stuck out.
1. Almost all of the structures that survived, both residential and commercial had clearance in the all important 5 foot Home Ignition Zone. Here’s a link to the NFPA website for more info.
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire
2. Many of the surviving structures both commercial and residential had metal roofs. I some cases we could see where patches of needles had burned on the metal roof and the building did not ignite. Older homes had composition roofs and several of them survived. Clean roofs and gutters are a must.
3. Almost all surviving structures were clean and well maintained. No urban clutter, no fire wood piles, no autos and other vehicles parked near enough to ignite the homes.
4. Several homes that survived had Trex or flame resistant decks.
Paradise and Magalia are older towns located at the 2500 foot elevation level where Ponderosa Pines and Black Oaks dominate the landscape. Ponderosa Pines shed a lot of needles, year round...most buildings and grounds are covered with needle drape if not constantly maintained...and pine needles burn hot !
The towns are both located on a ridge above the Feather River in a known fire corridor. The Jarbo Gap winds are infamous in the firefighting community. In recent years there have been repeated major fires in the Feather River Canyon, both above and below Paradise. You would think this would be a FireWise/ FireSafe community. In spite of planning and preparation the fire overwhelmed all emergency services.
Just like in the Carr fire, the emergency notification system failed...same excuse, the cell towers burned down. This is simply not acceptable. Emergencies happen at all hours ...not everyone has a computer or a cell phone and during emergencies people don’t watch TV. Emergency Service providers simply must find a more dependable way to notify the public. I will once again recommend town sirens. They use them on the Coast for tsunami warnings and in the South for tornado warnings...why can’t we learn from this ?
Again. like in the Carr fire burned area we noticed people starting to rebuild..one business had replaced the wood fence that burned down and replanted a series of young redwood trees..guaranteed to give a rapid start to the next conflagration. Wood fences are nothing but upright piles of kindling wood connecting houses and yards together. In the Carr fire they were the fuse that helped spread the fire from house to house. Redwood trees are dirty, shed a lot of needles and will burn readily from base to crown . In my opinion. Redwoods ( both species), Eucalyptus, Junipers and Palms should not be used as landscaping in fire prone areas. Decorative bark should be used sparingly and not within 5 feet of any structure. Same with wood fences...use metal for the last 5 feet between the fence and the house.
You’ll hear me harping about this...fire defense has got to be a holistic effort… every body at every level from the individual to the City/County State and Federal government has got to contribute. No entity can make its own rules or exemptions. But that’s another column.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Sometimes these things are fun
Koobecaf has its moments*.
They are sometimes few and far between.
The following meme was posted by a neighbor.
It made today's post really simple.
They are sometimes few and far between.
The following meme was posted by a neighbor.
It made today's post really simple.
1. Person you were named after: My father and grandfather, but there are many folks who were named before me
2. Last time you cried: Thursday
3. Do you like your own handwriting? Not particularly
4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Salami
5. Do you still have your tonsils? No
6. Would you bungee jump? Once upon a time
7. What is your favorite cereal? Oatmeal
8. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Only if I have to
9. Do you think you're strong? Sure
10. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate
11. What's the 1st thing you notice about a person? Attitude
12. Football or baseball? Baseball
13. What color pants are you wearing? Grey camoflauge
14. Last thing you ate? Gummi worm
15. What are you listening to? The hum of a computer cooling fan
16. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green
17. Favorite Scent? Barbecue
18. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? Phone solicitor
19. Tattoo or piercing? None
20. Hair Color? Grayish brown . . . or is it brownish gray?
21. Eye Color? Blue
22. Favorite food to eat? Meatloaf or prime rib
23. Scary movies or chick flick? Nope!
24. Last movie you saw? Unbroken
25. What color shirt are you wearing? Black
26. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
27. Beer or Wine? No thanks!
28. Night owl or morning bird? Mornings
29. Favorite day of the week? Today
any today
*Friday was one
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Better late than never
Mrs. Cuz forwarded this after reading MB's post.
It's dead on.
 |
| source: the Story People |
It's dead on.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
What newspaper are you reading?
Experts have found the following analysis to be near 100% accurate:
1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country, and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand the New York Times.
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could find the time and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.
6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country.
7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the Train.
8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who is running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while Intoxicated.
9. The Chicago Tribune is read by people that are in prison that used to run the state, & would like to do so again, as would their constituents that are currently free on bail.
10. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores.
11. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions. If the leaders are gay, handicapped, minority, feminist, atheists, and those who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
12. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
13. The Seattle Times is read by people who have recently caught a fish and need something to wrap it in.
14. The Arizona Daily Star is read by people who like sports and the comics.
15. The Economist is read by people who are tired of those who read the above listed newspapers.
16. The Boston Herald is read by folks who want to read original material by Suldog
1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country, and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand the New York Times.
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could find the time and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.
6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country.
7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the Train.
8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who is running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while Intoxicated.
9. The Chicago Tribune is read by people that are in prison that used to run the state, & would like to do so again, as would their constituents that are currently free on bail.
10. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores.
11. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions. If the leaders are gay, handicapped, minority, feminist, atheists, and those who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
12. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
13. The Seattle Times is read by people who have recently caught a fish and need something to wrap it in.
14. The Arizona Daily Star is read by people who like sports and the comics.
15. The Economist is read by people who are tired of those who read the above listed newspapers.
16. The Boston Herald is read by folks who want to read original material by Suldog
did you really think this was serious
Monday, January 30, 2017
I'm not in the habit
I don't often post about the books I've read.
But since I finally finished reading the one above . . .
I found it quite informative.
The only reason it took me awhile to fisnish reading it is I have been diverted by other tasks.
It is far from a recent release.
The author has been dead since 1989.
that cat slept in on Friday until 8am
Sunday, August 28, 2016
I was
. . . going to write a post.
But then I saw a squirrel.*
Actually I saw it yesterday . . . over here.
Perfidious is an interesting word.
But then I saw a squirrel.*
Actually I saw it yesterday . . . over here.
Perfidious is an interesting word.
maybe tomorrow
*do I really have to tell you that's a metaphor
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Diversion
Sometimes I follow up on articles I read.
This weekend I read about this group in the Economist.
Hey! I was curious . . . okay?
This weekend I read about this group in the Economist.
Hey! I was curious . . . okay?
funky
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Somebody else started this
I will warn you now that this post will take some time to wrap up.
Some years ago I attended a series of leadership seminars . . .Heck, I still attend them, but more for the fellowship than to learn anything new.
Someone might expect me to step up and lead.
One of those seminars was entitled Leadership - A La Murphy.
I can take no credit for anything that follows, other than remembering where my notes are [they gave us a CD].
I make every effort to complete this by tomorrow.
Murphy’s laws were designed as a sort of emotional crutch to help people understand how a carefully planned and executed event could fall totally apart. It wasn’t because of anything they did or didn’t do. It was just because of Murphy’s law. Murphy’s law started out as “anything that can possibly go wrong will.” This was later expanded a couple of times to include “at the worst possible moment and in the sequence of events that will do the most damage.” It soon became obvious that no single law could explain away all of life’s frustrations, so other laws were put forth to add to the armor. Eventually thousands of laws were recorded to turn what was a crutch into emotional Kung Foo, not only a defense for explaining life’s little failures, but providing offensive weaponry to ward off the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune at their source. These new laws run from the sublime to the ridiculous, from Ato Z. From Anderson’s Axiom: “You are only young once, but you can be immature forever”, to Zappa’s Law: “There is nothing wrong with sex on television as long as you don’t fall off.”
Not all the laws will mean something to everyone. Not now anyway. But life brings new challenges and new understanding. This second stage will come sometime in the future when you sit up in the middle of the night and say, “that’s what he meant!” Another problem solved thanks to Murphy’s laws.
NEGATIVES - don’t do these.
1. Evan’s Law: Once you give up integrity, the rest is easy.
2. Kenyon’s Law: Once you have learned how to fake sincerity you have make it.
3. Spark’s 4th Rule: Don’t engage in arguments, but if concerned, ask an irrelevant question and lean back with a satisfied grin while your opponent tries to figure out what’s going on. Then quickly change the subject.
4. Goodman’s Restatement of Spark’s 4th Rule: If you can’t convince them, confuse them.
5. Goodman’s Restatement of Spark’s 4th Rule: If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle with with B.S.
6. Finagle’s 8th Rule: Teamwork is essential. It allows you to blame someone else.
7. Green’s Law of Debate: Anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about.
8. Fox on Power: Arrogance is too often the companion of excellence.
REACTIVE - Use these to feel better.
9. The 5th Rule: You have taken yourself too seriously.
10. Dykstra’s Law: Everyone is somebody else’s weirdo.
11. Hanlon’s Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
12. Harrison’s Postulate: For every action there is an equal and opposing criticism.
13. Evan’s and Bjorn’s Law: No matter what goes wrong there is always someone who knew it would.
14. Goulu’s Law: Acarelessly planned project takes three times longer to complete than expected; a carefully planned project takes only twice as long.
15. Jenkinson’s Law: It won’t work.
16. Goodman’s Response to Jenkinson’s Law: If we spent as much time doing it as we did saying it couldn’t be done, it would be.
17. Zymurgy’s Law of Volunteer Labor: People are always available to work in the past tense.
18. Workman’s Dilemma:
A. No matter how much you do, you’ll never do enough.
B. What you didn’t do is always more important than what you did do.
19. Clark’s Law of Revolutionary Ideas: Every revolutionary idea evokes three stages of reaction:
1. It is impossible. Don’t waste my time.
2. It is possible, but it is not worth doing
3. I said it was a good idea all along.
20. Weiler’s Law: Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn’t have to do it himself.
21. Loftus’ 5th Law: Some people manage by the book even though they don’t know who wrote the book or even what book.
22.Voltaire’s Law: There is nothing more respectable than an ancient evil.
23. Edelstein’s Advise: Don’t worry over what other people are thinking about you. They’re too busy worrying over what you are thinking about them.
24. The Roman Rule: The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it.
25. Lowe’s Law: Success always occurs in private, and failure in full public view.
26. Felson’s Law: To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
27.1st Rule of Acting: Whatever happens, look as if it were intended.
28. Oliver’s Law: Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.
29. Oppenheimer’s Law: There is no such thing as instant experience.
30. Gabirol’s Observation: The wise are pleased when they discover truth, fools when the discover falsehood.
31. Gerrold’s Law: A little ignorance can go a long way.
32. Joubert’s Rule: Never cut what you can untie.
33. Armey’s Axiom: You can’t get ahead while getting even.
34. Washington’s Rule: You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.
Some years ago I attended a series of leadership seminars . . .Heck, I still attend them, but more for the fellowship than to learn anything new.
Someone might expect me to step up and lead.
One of those seminars was entitled Leadership - A La Murphy.
I can take no credit for anything that follows, other than remembering where my notes are [they gave us a CD].
I make every effort to complete this by tomorrow.
Murphy’s laws were designed as a sort of emotional crutch to help people understand how a carefully planned and executed event could fall totally apart. It wasn’t because of anything they did or didn’t do. It was just because of Murphy’s law. Murphy’s law started out as “anything that can possibly go wrong will.” This was later expanded a couple of times to include “at the worst possible moment and in the sequence of events that will do the most damage.” It soon became obvious that no single law could explain away all of life’s frustrations, so other laws were put forth to add to the armor. Eventually thousands of laws were recorded to turn what was a crutch into emotional Kung Foo, not only a defense for explaining life’s little failures, but providing offensive weaponry to ward off the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune at their source. These new laws run from the sublime to the ridiculous, from Ato Z. From Anderson’s Axiom: “You are only young once, but you can be immature forever”, to Zappa’s Law: “There is nothing wrong with sex on television as long as you don’t fall off.”
Not all the laws will mean something to everyone. Not now anyway. But life brings new challenges and new understanding. This second stage will come sometime in the future when you sit up in the middle of the night and say, “that’s what he meant!” Another problem solved thanks to Murphy’s laws.
NEGATIVES - don’t do these.
1. Evan’s Law: Once you give up integrity, the rest is easy.
2. Kenyon’s Law: Once you have learned how to fake sincerity you have make it.
3. Spark’s 4th Rule: Don’t engage in arguments, but if concerned, ask an irrelevant question and lean back with a satisfied grin while your opponent tries to figure out what’s going on. Then quickly change the subject.
4. Goodman’s Restatement of Spark’s 4th Rule: If you can’t convince them, confuse them.
5. Goodman’s Restatement of Spark’s 4th Rule: If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle with with B.S.
6. Finagle’s 8th Rule: Teamwork is essential. It allows you to blame someone else.
7. Green’s Law of Debate: Anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about.
8. Fox on Power: Arrogance is too often the companion of excellence.
REACTIVE - Use these to feel better.
9. The 5th Rule: You have taken yourself too seriously.
10. Dykstra’s Law: Everyone is somebody else’s weirdo.
11. Hanlon’s Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
12. Harrison’s Postulate: For every action there is an equal and opposing criticism.
13. Evan’s and Bjorn’s Law: No matter what goes wrong there is always someone who knew it would.
14. Goulu’s Law: Acarelessly planned project takes three times longer to complete than expected; a carefully planned project takes only twice as long.
15. Jenkinson’s Law: It won’t work.
16. Goodman’s Response to Jenkinson’s Law: If we spent as much time doing it as we did saying it couldn’t be done, it would be.
17. Zymurgy’s Law of Volunteer Labor: People are always available to work in the past tense.
18. Workman’s Dilemma:
A. No matter how much you do, you’ll never do enough.
B. What you didn’t do is always more important than what you did do.
19. Clark’s Law of Revolutionary Ideas: Every revolutionary idea evokes three stages of reaction:
1. It is impossible. Don’t waste my time.
2. It is possible, but it is not worth doing
3. I said it was a good idea all along.
20. Weiler’s Law: Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn’t have to do it himself.
21. Loftus’ 5th Law: Some people manage by the book even though they don’t know who wrote the book or even what book.
22.Voltaire’s Law: There is nothing more respectable than an ancient evil.
23. Edelstein’s Advise: Don’t worry over what other people are thinking about you. They’re too busy worrying over what you are thinking about them.
24. The Roman Rule: The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it.
25. Lowe’s Law: Success always occurs in private, and failure in full public view.
26. Felson’s Law: To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
27.1st Rule of Acting: Whatever happens, look as if it were intended.
28. Oliver’s Law: Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.
29. Oppenheimer’s Law: There is no such thing as instant experience.
30. Gabirol’s Observation: The wise are pleased when they discover truth, fools when the discover falsehood.
31. Gerrold’s Law: A little ignorance can go a long way.
32. Joubert’s Rule: Never cut what you can untie.
33. Armey’s Axiom: You can’t get ahead while getting even.
34. Washington’s Rule: You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.
to be continued
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
I was reminded
First, of a potential road rage incident in 1996* on the bridge over the Willamette River in Portland, where I first uttered the words, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."
There aren't too many things in civilian life much worse than an decisive driver at 75 mph.
GS was with me and wondered where I'd come up with that.phrase.
I didn't know.
Second, by Sarge's post this morning about Leadership.
Third, by this on Espresso. . .
Finally, by this little add-on and the bottom of an email:
*I remember because it was out first road trip in Ol' Betsy
There aren't too many things in civilian life much worse than an decisive driver at 75 mph.
GS was with me and wondered where I'd come up with that.phrase.
I didn't know.
Second, by Sarge's post this morning about Leadership.
Third, by this on Espresso. . .
Finally, by this little add-on and the bottom of an email:
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."Now all I have to do is tie this together somehow.
Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
tomorrow will tell
*I remember because it was out first road trip in Ol' Betsy
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Where are you going with this?
A brief stop at another blog took me on a little search for verification.
Done!
Now the question is, do I tell anyone where the fist though took me?
Done!
Now the question is, do I tell anyone where the fist though took me?
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Change is good
Really!
It must be because it happens whether we want it or not.
What's hard is our perception of what it means for us.
I have to remind myself to get over it because all I can control is my attitude.
I heard a term this morning that kinda, sorta explains what we have to do.
It's called Radical Acceptance.
So I looked a little further.
It must be because it happens whether we want it or not.
What's hard is our perception of what it means for us.
I have to remind myself to get over it because all I can control is my attitude.
I heard a term this morning that kinda, sorta explains what we have to do.
It's called Radical Acceptance.
So I looked a little further.
Radical Acceptance
Sometimes problems can't be solved.
Posted Jul 08, 2012
gonna have to work on that
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Saturday recreation
David Feherty Quotes:
"It would be easier to pick a broken nose, than a winner in that group."
"Fortunately, Rory is 22 years old so his right wrist should be the strongest muscle in his body."
"That ball is so far left, Lassie couldn't find it if it was wrapped in bacon."
" I am sorry Nick Faldo couldn't be here this week. He is attending the birth of his next wife."
Jim Furyk's swing "looks like an octopus falling out of a tree."
Describing VJ Singh's prodigious practice regime - "VJ hits more balls than Elton John's chin." (Thought I was going to hurt myself laughing at this one.)
"That's a great shot with that swing."
"It's OK - the bunker stopped it."
At Augusta 2011 - "It's just a glorious day. The only way to ruin a day like this would be to play golf on it."
"That was a great shot - if they'd have put the pin there today."
"Watching Phil Mickelson play golf is like watching a drunk chasing a balloon near the edge of a cliff."
"That green appears smaller than a Pygmie's nipple".
David Feherty is a former professional golfer on the European Tour and PGA Tour. Since retiring, he has worked as a television personality,; from 1997 through 2015, Feherty served as an on-course reporter for the PGA Tour on CBS W
He finds very unique, colourful and uninhibited ways of explaining or describing whatever is on his mind ... (probably always on time delay these days).
too busy to think today
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