Jurassic 5, one of the best hip hop groups, of all time. I remember getting their debut album: Jurassic 5 (EP), at UMass ~1998, and being blown away by their melody and lyrics; completely refreshing. This was released in 2006, and is still as dope as the day it was recorded. They hit a home run.
"Either your here to teach or your here to be taught,
If you dont plan to get away then you plan to get caught,
I was born to win,
Thats why i run dont walk,
South central MC,
What the fuck you thought"
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Apples & Oranges
Exhibit A: Pennywise and Dollar Dumb
Alford Street Bridge, Boston, MA. Connecting Boston's Charlestown neighborhood to Everett. The new $56.1 million dollar bridge was constructed to replace an archaic span over the Mystic river. With little elevation change from the street level grade, this bridge is a lifeblood for hardworking commuters, not to mention, the ONLY street level crossing connecting Boston to Everett/Chelsea/E. Boston.
The $56.1 million dollar drawbridge to nowhere... With little else upstream besides 2 small yacht clubs and a state boat ramp, the Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation (DOT) decides to replace the bridge and repair/replace aging drawbridge. Why would you rebuild a drawbridge and constrain travel for FIVE years (Yelp), when there is a (low height) fixed train bridge right upstream? I thought. Just build a 12 foot MHT (mean high tide) bridge like are built all up and down the Eastern Seaboard, for boat traffic. Then I look at google maps and I reveal the Pandora's box. Not only is there a CSX train bridge just upstream of the Alford Street bridge, there is also a dam, the Amelia Earhart dam and another train bridge, operated by Mass Bay Transit Authority (MBTA). The Amelia Earhart Dam has THREE locks, the largest being 325 feet, long and 45 feet wide!?!? WTF, are they passing barges up the Mystic River?
Exhibit B: Form, function and fiscally responsible. Penobscot Narrows Bridge carries traffic over the Penobscot River, Maine. In addition to being 1000% larger and more complex (than Exhibit A) it was finished in three years, from ground breaking to public traffic. Build in haste, but not compromising quality, or the community, the new bridge was fitted with a three story 420'(ft) observation deck, fitted in one of the two obelisk shaped (think Washington Monument) towers. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge, the only bridge in the USA to have an observation tower, it's also the tallest (bridge) observation deck in the world. This is truly a marvel of engineering, design and expediency. Guess how much such a magnificent bridge cost? $100-$200 million? Nope, a mere $85 million, for one of Popular Science' 100 best innovations of the year 2006.
It seems a bit lopsided to think that Massachusetts spend $56.1 million dollars on a street level drawbridge to nowhere, while Maine built a world class bridge: twice the distance, over a deep ravine, (above 135' at MHT) and integrated observation tower, for only $85 million?!?! Crazy
The $56.1 million dollar drawbridge to nowhere... With little else upstream besides 2 small yacht clubs and a state boat ramp, the Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation (DOT) decides to replace the bridge and repair/replace aging drawbridge. Why would you rebuild a drawbridge and constrain travel for FIVE years (Yelp), when there is a (low height) fixed train bridge right upstream? I thought. Just build a 12 foot MHT (mean high tide) bridge like are built all up and down the Eastern Seaboard, for boat traffic. Then I look at google maps and I reveal the Pandora's box. Not only is there a CSX train bridge just upstream of the Alford Street bridge, there is also a dam, the Amelia Earhart dam and another train bridge, operated by Mass Bay Transit Authority (MBTA). The Amelia Earhart Dam has THREE locks, the largest being 325 feet, long and 45 feet wide!?!? WTF, are they passing barges up the Mystic River?
Exhibit B: Form, function and fiscally responsible. Penobscot Narrows Bridge carries traffic over the Penobscot River, Maine. In addition to being 1000% larger and more complex (than Exhibit A) it was finished in three years, from ground breaking to public traffic. Build in haste, but not compromising quality, or the community, the new bridge was fitted with a three story 420'(ft) observation deck, fitted in one of the two obelisk shaped (think Washington Monument) towers. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge, the only bridge in the USA to have an observation tower, it's also the tallest (bridge) observation deck in the world. This is truly a marvel of engineering, design and expediency. Guess how much such a magnificent bridge cost? $100-$200 million? Nope, a mere $85 million, for one of Popular Science' 100 best innovations of the year 2006.
It seems a bit lopsided to think that Massachusetts spend $56.1 million dollars on a street level drawbridge to nowhere, while Maine built a world class bridge: twice the distance, over a deep ravine, (above 135' at MHT) and integrated observation tower, for only $85 million?!?! Crazy
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Please stop the new Osphena® commercials
I just saw a new commercial for Osphena®, a new drug for women after menopause, who suffer from "painful sex". The narration of the potential side effects and Dr.'s warnings is HORRIFYING! Just thinking of the graphic commentary is making me cringe while writing this. I thought all the erectile disfunction, "ED" commercials were(are) a bit excessive and over the top, but those spots are timid in comparison.
If they can advertise this intimate, and inappropriate content, than why can't they show a guy (imitating) pooping a football out during a Super Bowl touchdown celebration?
If they can advertise this intimate, and inappropriate content, than why can't they show a guy (imitating) pooping a football out during a Super Bowl touchdown celebration?
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Wu-Tang - The M.G.M.
Raekwon's birthday today. Ghostface Killah and Raekwon trade verses. Wu-Tang classic.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Fuel oil is the next whale oil
With volatile crude oil prices, oil burners are bound to go the way of the Dodo.
Home heating oil, once a Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canadian mainstay for powering boilers, furnaces and hot water heaters is now becoming a thing of the past. Most people from this area (over 30) can remember a house they've lived in, with a giant oil tank stinking up the basement; the oil truck coming every month or two in the winter; the oil man trudging through the snow to keep your house warm. It seems the cards have been stacked against oil burners for the past 15 years and natural gas is rapidly taking it's place.
Home heating oil (HHI) is known in North America as No. 2 Heating oil: similar but different from diesel and kerosene. Although far from extinct, homes and commercial buildings once fired by fuel oil are rapidly being converted to high efficiency natural gas systems. With oil and gas reserves being discovered and exploited from New York to Montana, the oil reserves are PRIORITY ONE, because oil is more profitable. As a result, natural gas has to play second fiddle and in North Dakota, 2011: 30% of all natural gas produced was burned off as waste.
But, just like the whales, killed for their oil rich blubber, hunting petroleum oil will soon be a part of history, supplanted by modern energy: cleaner, renewable and sustainable sources (solar, geological, wind, etc). But the petroleum whale won't die easy.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Massachusetts new Governor: left handed
Charlie Baker, Mass' newest Governor (elect) is left handed; surprise. I like this guy, he spoke pretty candid and ran a good race. His democratic rival Martha Coakley has never really impressed me. Charlie Baker was the head of not for profit, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and supposedly turned that (billion dollar) institution around. Showing his bipartisanship, his first cabinet pick was a democrat from Chelsea, for the head of Housing and Economic Development.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Arthur T. Demoulas: Working class hero
One of New England's biggest headlines of the summer, was the ousting of Market Basket CEO Arthur T. Demoulas (Arthur T, or ATD as he's affectionately called by employees) and two other top executives by the Market Basket board of directors, who are also his family. This in itself isn't really news, as execs get axed all the time and it's just business as usual.
What happened next is where the story spikes. The employees of Market Basket, (all non Union) in a move to show solidarity for their beloved chief, Arthur T., orchestrated a grassroots workforce strike the next day; with the brutal effectiveness of a megaton bomb. The workers ultimatum: they wouldn't return to work until ATD was reinstated as chief. Yesterday, August 28, 2014, (two months later) after intense news coverage, social media bombardment and two governor's pleas, the saga came to a peaceful and amicable ending. Arthur T. and his constituents finalizing a $1.5 billion buyout, resulting in ATD having a >50% share in Market Basket, and thus, control.
"Some industry analysts put the loss from the job action at more than $10 million a day."- Bloomberg News- Market Basket Revolt Ends as Arthur T. Demoulas Wins Bid
The genesis of the argument & what was at stake, was a difference in opinion on how profits should be distributed at Market Basket: a privately held, 71 store grocery chain, with $4 billion sales/year. Arthur T. believed that the wealth should be distributed back to the employees in the form of profit sharing, whereas the Chairman, Arthur S. Demoulas and supporters felt the money was better spent giving back to the shareholders- Demoulas family members.
This is one of the greatest case studies i've been fortunate to experience and learn from, first hand. I think this summertime Market Basket fiasco represents a historical precedence in labor relations, wealth distribution and bottom line economics. As Arthur T. Demoulas, in a heartfelt victory speech to employees said yesterday-
"As I stand before you, I am in awe of what you have accomplished, and the sterling example you have all set, for so many people across the region, and across the country."
Watch the highlights here, for one of the most honest speeches i've heard in my lifetime. https://social.newsinc.com/media/json/69017/26559884/singleVideoOG.html?type=VideoPlayer%2F16x9&widgetId=2&trackingGroup=69017&videoId=26559884#.U__e6Qh-C3k.twitter
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Tribute to my European wedding holiday,
Summer solstice 2014
Home is where you lay your head.
Sanchez - Longing To Come Home
Sanchez - Longing To Come Home
European Union holiday
After nearly two weeks in Europe, I feel truly blessed. Flying first to Cyprus, to celebrate the marriage of two best friends. We were treated to a great tour of the island nation, from a local's perspective.
A&A, took us through the island and visited his family home and the Capitol city Nicosia, then off to the east side of the island to Proteras and the Grecian Park Hotel. It was beautiful and the beaches and cliffs were idyllic and hearkened me back to my greek mythology memories from childhood. From there we were off to Pissouri, with a sleepy fishing bay/resort, and a historic mountain village with central square , beautiful coastline surrounded by on the south coast
After a week in Cyprus, I traveled north to Stockholm, Sweden, to visit the bustling Nordic capitol and see the European Union from it's furthest reaches. This trip coincided with the summer solstice June 21, 2014- which is my favorite time of the year- The longest day of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere, with days at their longest and warm, clear nights, glistening with starry skies. It was a relaxing and comfortable vacation with some of my best friends, while making new ones along the way (below pic is my buddy Ahmed from the Hötorget (Haymarket) down the street from my hotel. Ahmed hooked me up with some trinkets.
After a week in Cyprus, I traveled north to Stockholm, Sweden, to visit the bustling Nordic capitol and see the European Union from it's furthest reaches. This trip coincided with the summer solstice June 21, 2014- which is my favorite time of the year- The longest day of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere, with days at their longest and warm, clear nights, glistening with starry skies. It was a relaxing and comfortable vacation with some of my best friends, while making new ones along the way (below pic is my buddy Ahmed from the Hötorget (Haymarket) down the street from my hotel. Ahmed hooked me up with some trinkets.
Friday, March 28, 2014
The Double Bomb Nor'easter- 03/26/2014
img credit Earthnullschool.net
In a winter ripe with Atlantic storms, Nor'easter's and blizzards, the latest rendition was historic. A wind gust of 129 mph was measured on Wednesday at the Bay of Fundy
img credit NASA
Storm systems are generally measured in two ways; wind speed and barometric pressure. Barometric pressure is commonly measured in millibars(mbar): with sea level being 1013.25 mbar and 1 bar= 14.5 psi. Numbers above 1013 mbar are considered High Pressure, whereas below 1013 mbar are termed Low Pressure. The lower the pressure= the stronger the storm. If 0 millibars= perfect vacuum, think BLACK HOLE. The most historic (of recent times) Nor'easter is definitely, the Halloween "1991 Perfect Storm", for which a Hollywood film was made, depicting the final voyage of Andrea Gail; a fishing boat lost in the storm. The Perfect Storm had a registered pressure of 972 mbar, Wednesday's 'Double Bomb Nor'easter' was registered at 955 mbar.
I went to marinetraffic.com during the height of the storm, to see if any ships were bearing the storm. As I scanned the map for any ships close to the Double Bomb storm center, I see only ONE single vessel in the entire North Atlantic maritime region. I figured it was probably a 1000 ft container ship, plowing the (~75ft) seas on a transatlantic voyage, nope.
As I zoomed into the map, I notice the 'ship' is close to this small landmass out in middle of the ocean, east of Nova Scotia, called Sable Island. I click on the small vessel icon to see the track.
Now, it all makes sense:
The 81 meter/261ft Panuke (below pic); a heavy duty, North Atlantic supply vessel, was taking refuge in the protection of the crescent shaped, Sable Island. a small blip of a sandbar, nearby its destination, the Thebaud natural gas platform. Mind you, the above screen capture was taken yesterday, 24 hrs later, and the Panuke, remains there today, jogging in little circles, two days later.
As I talked with a friend who works in the maritime industry last night, I told him about the offshore supply 'boat', jogging behind this tiny island 150 km east of Nova Scotia (in the heart of the stormand asked if he'd ever heard of Sable Island, to which he responded, "That's the Island the Andrea Gail was trying to get to during The Perfect Storm"....
In a winter ripe with Atlantic storms, Nor'easter's and blizzards, the latest rendition was historic. A wind gust of 129 mph was measured on Wednesday at the Bay of Fundy
img credit NASA
Storm systems are generally measured in two ways; wind speed and barometric pressure. Barometric pressure is commonly measured in millibars(mbar): with sea level being 1013.25 mbar and 1 bar= 14.5 psi. Numbers above 1013 mbar are considered High Pressure, whereas below 1013 mbar are termed Low Pressure. The lower the pressure= the stronger the storm. If 0 millibars= perfect vacuum, think BLACK HOLE. The most historic (of recent times) Nor'easter is definitely, the Halloween "1991 Perfect Storm", for which a Hollywood film was made, depicting the final voyage of Andrea Gail; a fishing boat lost in the storm. The Perfect Storm had a registered pressure of 972 mbar, Wednesday's 'Double Bomb Nor'easter' was registered at 955 mbar.
I went to marinetraffic.com during the height of the storm, to see if any ships were bearing the storm. As I scanned the map for any ships close to the Double Bomb storm center, I see only ONE single vessel in the entire North Atlantic maritime region. I figured it was probably a 1000 ft container ship, plowing the (~75ft) seas on a transatlantic voyage, nope.
As I zoomed into the map, I notice the 'ship' is close to this small landmass out in middle of the ocean, east of Nova Scotia, called Sable Island. I click on the small vessel icon to see the track.
Now, it all makes sense:
The 81 meter/261ft Panuke (below pic); a heavy duty, North Atlantic supply vessel, was taking refuge in the protection of the crescent shaped, Sable Island. a small blip of a sandbar, nearby its destination, the Thebaud natural gas platform. Mind you, the above screen capture was taken yesterday, 24 hrs later, and the Panuke, remains there today, jogging in little circles, two days later.
As I talked with a friend who works in the maritime industry last night, I told him about the offshore supply 'boat', jogging behind this tiny island 150 km east of Nova Scotia (in the heart of the stormand asked if he'd ever heard of Sable Island, to which he responded, "That's the Island the Andrea Gail was trying to get to during The Perfect Storm"....
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
War in Syria.
After 3 years of civil war in Syria- with destruction reminiscent of the 1990's Yugoslav Wars; I'm amazed at how well built Syria's steel reinforced concrete buildings are. All sides of the war have been shelling the shit outta the infrastructure, which has held up quite well, given the sheer quantity of shells some buildings have taken.
What's even more intriguing to me is the and how many buildings were under construction during the beginning of the war. Signs of prewar construction are evident throughout Syria : geometric grids of unfinished concrete columns replete with exposed rebar sprouting out the tops, akin to giant cement carrots.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Philip Seymour Hoffman, RIP
Sadly, Phillip Seymour Hoffman's passing was, life imitating fiction; the great, tragic roles he played on screen and stage.http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/02/showbiz/philip-seymour-hoffman-appreciation/
One of my favorite actors, I scanned through Seymour Hoffman's body of work and I found it both ironic and sad, that his last theater work was in 2012, playing the lead role of Willy Loman in the iconic Author Miller play, Death of a Salesman, on Broadway. I was never a prolific reader in school, but the story of Willy Loman and his dysfunctional life was one story that struck a chord with me and made me reflect. Even if you haven't read the play, it's pretty easy to discern the outcome.
EPIC scene of Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Brandt, (with Jeff Bridges and David Huddleston) in_ The Big Lebowski
Yes, yes.
One of my favorite actors, I scanned through Seymour Hoffman's body of work and I found it both ironic and sad, that his last theater work was in 2012, playing the lead role of Willy Loman in the iconic Author Miller play, Death of a Salesman, on Broadway. I was never a prolific reader in school, but the story of Willy Loman and his dysfunctional life was one story that struck a chord with me and made me reflect. Even if you haven't read the play, it's pretty easy to discern the outcome.
EPIC scene of Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Brandt, (with Jeff Bridges and David Huddleston) in_ The Big Lebowski
Yes, yes.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Borbyrygmi= Stomach Rumblings
T-Bone Walker said it best: "I woke up this morning, and I was in an awful mood". The Fatthew Challenge calzone would put a hurting on you- 5.5 pounds of mozzarella cheese, dough, chicken tenders, french fries, and mozzarella sticks.
To date, there have been over 100 attempts @ Scottie's Famous Pizza- None finishing.
To date, there have been over 100 attempts @ Scottie's Famous Pizza- None finishing.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Recycle America
As a young kid, I can remember holding an empty plastic strawberry container and wondering what I could do with it? Put a string on the pint sized, green, plastic basket and make a little tram out of it? There must be another use for this (seemingly) ingenious container (instead of just throwing it in the trash), I thought to myself.
Now, fast forward 30 years, my passion for recycling and has taken me through college, around New England, around the United States, and across the oceans. My quest for waste reduction and has played a vital role in my life.
“Freight and Barrel,” 2004, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, crushed plastics. Steven Siegel.
After a month-long cross country to Montana, last winter, I came to the realization that what our country could benefit from is a good 'Spring Cleaning' to recycle all the unused, unwanted, or ignored infrastructure throughout the USA. Utilizing the USA's expansive and low cost railroad systems- A national, regional and/or local scrap recycling program would station railroad freight cars, strategically and geographically across the United states to saturate the whole USA, with Rolling Recycling Cans. This freight could be shipped to recycling facilities and shipping ports, en route to smelters and blast furnaces across the globe.
This is already happening in Detroit (on a different level), where cash strapped Detroiter's are taking to old, abandoned factories and dismantling and recycle. We need to turn this desperation into middle america's gold rush.
I feel our consumer waste recycling (low weight/high volume) stream in the USA can learn a lot from the high weight/low volume business of scrap metal recycling. Hopefully people will just as passionate about recycling plastics, paper, and glass as Copper and Aluminum. http://www.freep.com/article/20131112/OPINION01/311120014/
rust belt scrap iron- help rebuild this country- through America's heartland- quest
Now, fast forward 30 years, my passion for recycling and has taken me through college, around New England, around the United States, and across the oceans. My quest for waste reduction and has played a vital role in my life.
“Freight and Barrel,” 2004, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, crushed plastics. Steven Siegel.
After a month-long cross country to Montana, last winter, I came to the realization that what our country could benefit from is a good 'Spring Cleaning' to recycle all the unused, unwanted, or ignored infrastructure throughout the USA. Utilizing the USA's expansive and low cost railroad systems- A national, regional and/or local scrap recycling program would station railroad freight cars, strategically and geographically across the United states to saturate the whole USA, with Rolling Recycling Cans. This freight could be shipped to recycling facilities and shipping ports, en route to smelters and blast furnaces across the globe.
This is already happening in Detroit (on a different level), where cash strapped Detroiter's are taking to old, abandoned factories and dismantling and recycle. We need to turn this desperation into middle america's gold rush.
I feel our consumer waste recycling (low weight/high volume) stream in the USA can learn a lot from the high weight/low volume business of scrap metal recycling. Hopefully people will just as passionate about recycling plastics, paper, and glass as Copper and Aluminum. http://www.freep.com/article/20131112/OPINION01/311120014/
rust belt scrap iron- help rebuild this country- through America's heartland- quest
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Lee Lorch: mathematician + civil rights activist + professor + WWII vet= all around amazing guy
Lee Lorch, who is this guy I stumbled upon, while researching Stuyvesant Town? In my opinion, Professor Lorch (at 98 years young) should be given the Nobel Peace Prize, or similar type medal of commendation. Dr. Lorch, after receiving his Ph.D, worked in the war effort stateside, only to enlist during WWII in the US Army. After returning home after the war, and building upon the racial injustices seen in WWII, Lee Lorch began teaching Math and simultaneously began his own war against racial inequality in the United States of America. A recent NYTimes article (of which i borrowed the header picture) does a tasteful job of outlining this Colorful Patriot.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Jimi Hendrix and Time Magazine's (other) top 9 Lefties of all time.
While watching American Masters, "Jimi Hendrix- hear my train a comin" on PBS, I realized that in addition to being an innovator, icon, and one of the most talented musicians ever, Jimi Hendrix was also one of the most intelligent, humble, dynamic, and captivating Icons of the 20th century. Maybe unknowingly, Jimi was also a Patriot and beacon for social change, peace, justice, and individuality.
While in London, Jimmy died Sept, 1970- he was only 27 years old.
Here's Time magazine's top 10 Lefties
Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Babe Ruth, Napoleon Bonaparte, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Aristotle, Ned Flanders, Jimi Hendrix,
Read more: Complete List - Top 10 Lefties - TIME http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1916052,00.html #ixzz2jpfEPwMY
While in London, Jimmy died Sept, 1970- he was only 27 years old.
Here's Time magazine's top 10 Lefties
Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Babe Ruth, Napoleon Bonaparte, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Aristotle, Ned Flanders, Jimi Hendrix,
Read more: Complete List - Top 10 Lefties - TIME http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1916052,00.html #ixzz2jpfEPwMY
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Rocky was a Southpaw
Southpaw=Left handed fighter. Everybody knows that Apollo Creed and his management was weary of ROcky Balboa in Rocky.
After the passing away of the venerable Tommy "the Duke" Morrison; who starred in Rocky V as Tommy Gunn, a character of himself, that would foreshadow Morrison's own downfall.
After Morrison's passing on Sept. 1st, of complications from AIDS; I watched some Youtube videos of the great fighters of the 80's and 90's. Tommy was a great two handed boxer, who could hit hard with both hands. I found an interview from 2006, where he talks about fighting a southpaw from Russia in '96.http://www.boxingscene.com/tommy-morrison-still-walking-tall--3179
Anyways, here's a great interview with him
My all time favorite was "Iron" Mike Tyson, not a lefty, but a two handed wrecking machine and in my opinion the best of modern times.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Uncle Fester and Bubbles jr.
I was working this past weekend into yesterday with two of the craziest dudes i've ever encountered- Uncle Fester and Bubbles jr. I didn't have enough, time, energy or wherewithal to snap a picture of these guys, but they were classic. They both looked and acted just like their namesakes, Bubbles is a character from the Iconic Canadian series- Trailer Park Boys. Bubbles jr. was from Southie and was more biker and had some USMC ink. Uncle Fester (his real nickname) was a cross between The Munster and Armish Puri- the bald headed guy from indiana jones.
Fester was the boss, and he's the guy that contacted me about the work. I should have known it was gonna be a joke when he says, "can you work tomorrow" (Sunday)? What kind of contractor starts a job on a Sunday? We were to be jacking up a house and ripping out rotted framing members. I reluctantly agreed an OK'd the idea.
Sunday was cool, and we just ripped off the old material worked for two days and basically got prepped for Monday- when we would jack the house up and take care of business. Monday, i wasn't on my game and these two knuckleheads had me all fucked up.
"Work like Gentlemen"- to quote Mike Dangelo; would be easier said than done with Bubbles jr. and Uncle Fester.
Fester was the boss, and he's the guy that contacted me about the work. I should have known it was gonna be a joke when he says, "can you work tomorrow" (Sunday)? What kind of contractor starts a job on a Sunday? We were to be jacking up a house and ripping out rotted framing members. I reluctantly agreed an OK'd the idea.
Sunday was cool, and we just ripped off the old material worked for two days and basically got prepped for Monday- when we would jack the house up and take care of business. Monday, i wasn't on my game and these two knuckleheads had me all fucked up.
"Work like Gentlemen"- to quote Mike Dangelo; would be easier said than done with Bubbles jr. and Uncle Fester.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Switzerland's conundrum
Although Switzerland is an armed neutral country, and Geneva is where humane war rules have been written (4 times)- it's a country of great intrigue to me.
First, because of Switzerland's huge arms industry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Firearms_manufacturers_in_Switzerland
Second, because of their Swiss banking. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banking_in_Switzerland
Now, after watching Special Flight a POV (point of view) documentary tonight on PBS: about the immigration, deportation, and detainment of workers coming to make a better life for themselves. For a country with such high moral standards, this documentary piece is visceral.
Second, because of their Swiss banking. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banking_in_Switzerland
Now, after watching Special Flight a POV (point of view) documentary tonight on PBS: about the immigration, deportation, and detainment of workers coming to make a better life for themselves. For a country with such high moral standards, this documentary piece is visceral.
Watch Special Flight - Trailer on PBS. See more from POV.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Famous Left-handers
After visiting the great city of Bloomington, Indiana this winter-- which Dali Lama called "the center of the universe". I agree with his assertion that it could be the center of the universe, after seeing that they too, are left-hand centric.
Although I joke and tell people that left-handed citizens are minorities, living in an oppressed, right-handed world, I truly feel that our brains are wired differently. As I sit here and listen to the Howard Stern Show while Howard interviews Jerry Seinfeld, the iconic, irritable comedian, makes me think he's left handed. I do a quick Google check for famous lefts. Low and behold, Indiana University has created a website devoted to cataloguing famous left-handed people in their primate department. http://www.indiana.edu/~primate/left.html
Although I joke and tell people that left-handed citizens are minorities, living in an oppressed, right-handed world, I truly feel that our brains are wired differently. As I sit here and listen to the Howard Stern Show while Howard interviews Jerry Seinfeld, the iconic, irritable comedian, makes me think he's left handed. I do a quick Google check for famous lefts. Low and behold, Indiana University has created a website devoted to cataloguing famous left-handed people in their primate department. http://www.indiana.edu/~primate/left.html
Friday, June 14, 2013
"Print is dead" - Dr. Egon Spengler
Most websites would kill for increased traffic. Buying ad-space from Google and increasing their online presence by cleaning up their pages with meta-tags blah, blah... So why is it that certain websites; mainly stodgy, old "newsprint networks" insist on driving away traffic? Requiring usernames and payment? I get it, they can't make money with print anymore, so they must resort to online revenue to keep them afloat.
Filling up the boarders with banner ads for Acai berry diets doesn't really pay, and instead of figuring out a better model for online marketing, news networks are incresingly require an account be created- the user may or not have to pay $$$ for the same news you can read for free by just googling.
I will choose the latter and not support the printing press dinosaurs. Instead, I'll rely on Google, Reuters, Associated Press, and social media- for free and current, news and events. Everybody out there is a journalist these days, with news/information being uploaded worldwide instantaneously through online publishing. Social media and independent news is the way it's gonna be, so get with the program.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Rectify
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Wooden bats in MLB
A few years ago, I began researching the rules and regulations of wooden bats used in Major League Baseball, MLB. With all the shattered baseball bats in recent years (blasting players and spectators), I began thinking about possible reasons for all the broken bats. The traditional species of wood used in baseball bats was Ash, a ring porous hardwood (similar to oak or hickory) specifically white Ash. I hypothesized that it was diffuse porous woods, such as Sugar Maple (acer saccharum) that was the main culprit.
And http://www.woodbat.org agrees, stating that- in the early 90's, bat manufacturers began using maple more often, likely because A. saccharum' physical properties are 5-10% > Ash.
MLB Official Rules:
1.10 (a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 23/4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood. NOTE: No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a professional game (either championship season or exhibition games) until the manufacturer has secured approval from the Rules Committee of his design and methods of manufacture. (b) Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to one inch in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added. (c) The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance, which extends past the 18 inch limitation, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game. NOTE: If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to (c) above until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out, or ejected from the game. (d) No colored bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee.
What struck me when looking over the rules above /\ was what wasn't there- wood species. It's my feeling that not specifying wood species is important as size and weight regulations for Major League Baseball bats.
Here is a good article from NYTimes that I just found (from 2008) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/sports/baseball/25maple.html?_r=0.
And http://www.woodbat.org agrees, stating that- in the early 90's, bat manufacturers began using maple more often, likely because A. saccharum' physical properties are 5-10% > Ash.
MLB Official Rules:
1.10 (a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 23/4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood. NOTE: No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a professional game (either championship season or exhibition games) until the manufacturer has secured approval from the Rules Committee of his design and methods of manufacture. (b) Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to one inch in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added. (c) The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance, which extends past the 18 inch limitation, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game. NOTE: If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to (c) above until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out, or ejected from the game. (d) No colored bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee.
What struck me when looking over the rules above /\ was what wasn't there- wood species. It's my feeling that not specifying wood species is important as size and weight regulations for Major League Baseball bats.
Here is a good article from NYTimes that I just found (from 2008) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/sports/baseball/25maple.html?_r=0.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Friday, October 5, 2012
Fall-itics
I was just thinking, I agree with being fiscally responsible and I don't think that people who don't do shit, should get paid big $$$. That being said, I think that people should look after another, and American's should take care of one another.
I am independent.
Thanks to Howard STern and his tirades about the Republicans wanting to end Planned Parenthood- "The Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc. (PPAF) is a related organization which lobbies for pro-choice legislation, comprehensive sex education, and access to affordable health care in the United States." from Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_Parenthood
It dawned on me just now a proposition for the Republican party: If you want to do away with birth control and abortion, than you must pay for the lives of unwanted children across this country.
And if they (the republican party)say,... 'Well we are paying for them
already, through social programs, welfare, food stamps, etc.'
My response would be, Exactly.
Monday, September 17, 2012
GMC MotorHome
Iconic design.
Here is a good compilation of images and media: http://squob.com/motorhomes/gmc-the-hot-wheels-rv/
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Need production for construction
With the purchase of my new house, And it's ensuing gutting (renovation), I am seeking ways to document the process for teaching/learning purposes and sheer enjoyment factor of tearing up an old house and redoing it propper- efficiently, economically and environmentally.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Immigration Nation
As I scan through the channels on TV, I notice Border Wars, a documentary show on National Geographic detailing their 'war' on illegal immigrants. A few years ago, I remember hearing a very pertinent and fresh perspective on immigration: It's when people don't want to hop fences to come to America when we have real problems- meaning people wanting to risk their lives to come to America for a better life is a good thing. The USA is still the land of the American dream.
The proof: Immigrants aren't climbing fences, boarding boats, and traveling across deserts for a better life in Russia or China. America is the land of freedom, democracy and opportunity.
The proof: Immigrants aren't climbing fences, boarding boats, and traveling across deserts for a better life in Russia or China. America is the land of freedom, democracy and opportunity.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Great White extravaganza
(Pic: Dead great white from Westport, MA. August/September 2012)
Ever since a 15 foot great white shark became trapped in a small lagoon just south of Woods Hole, MA (during the summer of 2004), Cape Cod has been a hotbed of great white activity and sightings. This summer, 2012 has been the most active, with regular sightings, beach closures, and an alleged attack in Truro.
Every kid from Cape Cod and the Islands (Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard) has probably seen Jaws a hundred times and was first subjected to the movie at the tender age of 5. (not) Much has changed since Jaws first hit theatres in 1975; locals still depend on summer tourists and affluent seasonal residents for their livelihoods. Much has changed from then and now- the great white shark is a protected species in the USA and research has been elevated across the planet, with Australia and South Africa at the forefront of study.
With all the promotion of the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" circus, it's nice to see that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with shows titled- "Jaws Comes Home", is tagging the sharks and gaining much needed long term research into Atlantic great white sharks. What is disconcerting to me, is the lack of 'attention' that's really been paid to a clear and present danger: great white sharks possibly attacking swimmers and ruining the seasonal tourism for the Cape. A la Jaws- Mayor Vaughn: "I'm only trying to say that Amity is a summer town. We need summer dollars. Now, if the people can't swim here, they'll be glad to swim at the beaches of Cape Cod, the Hamptons, Long Island..."
What we Don't need are more shark wranglers and cowboys coming to Cape Cod to test their TV persona.
What we need is the BEST that marine science has to offer, like real-time satellite tags (available and used in AU for years) to track and research the sharks by the second, monitoring the threat. We do have some of the best centers for higher learning and marine studies in the nation and world abroad- it's time we lead by example, so we don't end up with a real problem.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



































