Video Blog

I have been thinking about making some video blogs to throw in with the regular blog. I think I can upload some of the shorter ones, but will need to embed any longer videos I make. My plan is to create a youtube channel so I can do this. Not sure when I'll get it done, but it should be fun to play around with.

For anyone who has been keeping up with the forecast (I go as far as reading the computer models and all that jazz), this has been one of the weirdest storms for the meteorologists to predict. Some models show 1-3" in Louisville at the same time showing 6-8" in Shepherdsville! A little wiggle to the North can make a big difference in the snow totals. I guess we won't know until it's over.

Homer: “This gun had a hold on me. I felt this incredible surge of power, like God must feel when he’s holding a gun.”

The recent discovery of Bible verses etched into the scopes of Military rifles had me thinking it would be funny if they started putting random or weird Bible verses on each scope (or at least ones that were funnier given the context).

• "[...]though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes." Hosea 3:1
• "Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths." 2 Kings 2:23-24
• "Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks!" Psalm 137:9
• "[...]the Israelites killed one hundred thousand Aramean foot soldiers in one day." 1 Kings 20:29 (sounds like the gauntlet has been thrown).
• "But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness." Numbers 14:32

Maybe the Army can keep the engraved scopes and start using Jules from "Pulp Fiction" in their "Army of One" commercials.

"An Army of One...and he's a mushroom cloud layin' mutha'....!

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of
the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of
charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he
is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike
down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

One Giant Christian Middle Finger to Haiti

"Amid the massive effort to ship tons of food, water and medicine to
quake-ravaged Haiti, one U.S. religious group is rushing in hundreds of
solar-powered Bibles.
The Bibles, sent by the Faith Comes by Hearing organization, can broadcast the holy scriptures in Haitian Creole to 300 people at a time.
Jon Wilke, a spokesperson for the Albuquerque-based group, says 600 audio Bibles, called "Proclaimers," are en route and there is an "immediate need" for another 3,000 Proclaimers."We want to equip short-term groups, disaster relief teams, church teams and other ministries with the Word of God in a format the people can use," Wilkes says in a statement on the group's website.
(Posted by Doug Stanglin)"

100,000+ dead. Over 400,000 homeless. Thousands more in desperate need of medicine, shelter, food and water. Good call on the Bibles.

Really Nothing to Write About

I have been itching to blog, but really have nothing exciting to say. I guess I'll take Mom's approach and just list some random thoughts and happenings.

1. I'm still reading "The Power of One." It has been nearly 6 months since I started it, but I have read 3 chapters in the last few days. I'm on a roll. Poor little Peekay just can't catch a break.
2. I picked up "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris last week. It's only 115 pages and I read it over two days. It is basically preaching to the choir (I chose this on purpose), but I would be curious to know how many Christian's have read it.
3. I think I may start reading the Hitchhikers Guide trilogy next. I have several books I have yet to read. I need to get going and quit buying new ones.
4. Work is a money pit. Here are just a few of things we've had to pump money into in the last month: New gym roof (and smaller roofs); a wrecked bus; a broken down passenger van; two major renovations to the men's/women's spas; various pumps and HVAC unit repairs, parts and services for our grounds equipment (for the Spring); new water fountain; new control panel for a convection oven; etc. etc. etc.
5. I have cabin fever. I'm looking forward to getting on the course, metal detecting or just doing some general hiking. My back is killing me and I think it's due to lack of exercise. Maybe I should take advantage of my free health club membership, huh?
6. Julie and I saw "Avatar." The 3-D was neat and I liked the animation. The movie itself was kind of crappy. And long.
7. Heath bars may be the best candy ever made.
8. I bought "The Life of Brian" and "28 Days later" at Half-Price a few days ago. I'm looking forward to watching them. I don't remember giving permission for a biographical movie, but I'm sure it's good! How can it not be?
9. I have given up using my CD travel cases and have gone back to storing my CDs in the original cases. If anyone has extra jewel cases, I'd be happy to take them off your hands.
10. Julie and I had a discussion a few nights ago about what we found scarier; earthquakes or tornadoes. She argued tornadoes due to their nature. Plus she said spending half her life growing up in California caused her to get used to earthquakes. I, of course, argued earthquakes because they effect a wider area, offer little warning if any and a real big one can level an area for hundreds of miles around (especially in this area). What do you think?
11. The guy who worked here before me has a son in the daycare down the hall. The first few weeks I was here he would stop and give me the evil eye while I sat in my office. He would even ask, "what are you doing in my daddy's office?" Now he just waves, but I often hear the other kids saying, "Carson, there's your dad!" And he always says, "that's not my dad! My dad has a new job in a new office!"
12. I am going to stop on 12 because it feels like a good one on which to stop.

Earth-quack Coverage

I am no expert when it comes to earthquakes and seismology, however I consider myself more educated on the science than the average bear. I am fascinated by seismology and have read several books concerning the subject. I even break out old text books from time to time. So it is only natural I get a little "rattled" when I hear a national news outlet give wrong information concerning earthquakes, no matter how trivial it is.

CNN's coverage of the quake in Haiti has been non-stop the past two days. During this time, they have interviewed everyone they can round up. The first night of coverage, they kept going to CNN's chief meteorologist to discuss the earthquake and to get his expert opinion on what Haiti can expect in the coming weeks. This is where my problem begins.

First, why is a meteorologist the in-house expert on earthquakes. Shouldn't they find a seismologist to speak with. I understand it is all "Earth Science", but I wouldn't call the fire department when someone was breaking into my home. They may all be emergency services, but unless the Wicked Witch of the West is busting into my flat, that fire hose won't do much good.

The meteorologist began discussing the type of waves created during and earthquake; P-waves and S-waves. He used an analogy for P-waves, comparing them to train cars bumping into each other. The first car bumps the second car, which then causes that car to bump into the third car, and so on. Fine. P-waves, or primary waves are also called compression waves.

The problem I had is when it came to describing the S-waves. He again used an analogy, but this time he used a jump rope. If you lay the jump rope on the ground, grab one end, and swish it side to side, you create a 'S' type wave. He said the wave is called and S-Wave because it looks like an 'S.' I admit, I yelled at the TV when he said this. In the grand scheme of things I understand this is isn't important, but this was a paltry explanation that sounded as if he made it up on the spot. S-waves, or transverse waves, are secondary waves. So, in review, a P-wave is a primary wave and a S-wave is secondary wave. It's not called 'S' because it looks like an 'S.'

I know this is trivial and doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but it bothered me.

Crappy to the Max

I spent this past weekend with Julie and several of her friends (a few who came in from out of town). Saturday we went to the Louisville Science Museum to see "Ghosts of the Abyss" at IMAX and then check out the Titanic exhibit. We ended the evening by having sushi at Sapporo on Bardstown Road and then heading to Flannigan's.

• The IMAX film was awful. The point of going to see a film in the IMAX format (for me) is (A) to experience the cinematography. I want to have a physical reaction to the motion on the screen. And (B) I want o to learn. After all, it is a science museum -- a place for learning and exploring. "Ghosts of the Abyss" had decent moments, but overall failed miserably. It was interesting to see the sunken parts of Titanic overlaid with recreations of that part, and"ghosts," or images of people, to give the audience an idea of what it would have looked like while in use. However, the majority of the film focused too much on actor Bill Paxton, who narrated the documentary and hitched a ride on one of the submersibles. Too many shots of his face, or Paxton looking out over the Atlantic, reflecting on how amazing and humbling he found the experience, made for a frustrating hour. I wanted to yell "show me the wreckage! Show me the expedition equipment! Show me something other than Paxton's four story face!" A 9/11 reference was thrown in too (because it happened during the filming), but seemed strangely out of place and forced.
• The exhibit was interesting simply because it was a chance to see recovered items from the wreckage. If you have never seen this type of exhibit, I would recommend going. Parts of the ship, personal belongings, paper money, coins, letters and postcards, pieces of various parts of the ships interior, china, a champagne bottle still half full, etc, etc. etc. are all on display. Seeing these items so remarkably preserved considering they were 2 miles below the North Atlantic for 100 years was a neat experience.
• Sapporo was good, but I can still say I don't crave sushi like I was told I would. I like it enough that I don't mind eating it and I like exploring different types. At least my chop stick skills are getting better.

"Poor Horatio"

The first winter storm watch of the season has been issued for Louisville a full 36 hours ahead of the estimated arrival time. The ground is indeed cold enough for the snow to stick immediately and the forecast is for blowing snow. It doesn't sound like it will be a good 'snowman' or 'snowball' making storm. Too dry. Except for the added hours at work, I'm looking forward to the first storm of the season. If it must be 15 degrees, it might as well snow. If not, bring on summer.I'm curious to see how close the local stations are on the forecast this far out. I believe them that it will be all snow, because this is coming from the North...bringing more cold air with it. Right now the prediction is 2"-4". Nothing major, but can cause a few problems. The normal ratio for snowfall is 10:1 (10 inches of snow for 1 inch of liquid precip). However, I have heard some national meteorologists give numbers as high as 40...even 50:1 ratios due to the intense cold. I think the local gurus are saying about 20-25:1, but only forecasting .25 of precipitation.

What it comes down to is this. It will snow...some. It will be cold. Dad, watch out for those icicles. Mom, keep your quilting/reading gloves handy. Kevin, if you take a walk in your neighborhood, watch out for falling tree limbs. Mark and Kim, get the sleds ready for the girls. I'll be out throwing snowballs at salt trucks.

Buckle B's Log: Day 1

Following my duties as the designated driver for last night's New Year festivities, I find myself a few short hours later sitting in my office at work. Two small issues have come up this morning, both requiring that I be here, but not urgent enough to feel like my time isn't being wasted.

I also don't feel too tip top and the last thing I want to do is start the new year sick. My throat is a little sore and my head hurts, but I'm hoping it's from having to yell in conversation over the band last night. If I can sneak out early today, I will try to nap when I get home.

• I'm looking forward to the UK/UofL game Saturday. I hope I'm still excited about it after it's over. I feel good about UK winning this game, but it's a rivalry game against a Pitino team. If they hit 3's, it could be a long day.

• And it looks like the ground will be frozen this weekend, so no metal detecting. Looking at the extended forecast, the cold temperatures appear to be hanging around for awhile with the potential of snow next week. I think I might detect around my patio tonight inside the fence line so I can give my detector a workout.

I'm sure I'll post again today amongst all the action happening here at the J. Until then, I hope your New Year isn't as creepy as that "2010" baby....yikes!