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!

Funny Metal Detecting "Clad"

I came across this site while doing some research on my lunch hour. I thought a few of these shirts were funny, especially the evolution of metal detecting and the anti-pull tab shirts. Don't be surprised if I do some 2010 Christmas shopping on this site.

http://shop.cafepress.com/metal-detecting?page=1

Buckle B's Year End Review

Personally, 2009 was a year I may not be able to fully wrap my mind around for awhile. You know the details, so I won't go into them. But the year has ended on an extremely positive note and I am excited about 2010.

Here are a few things that stand out in my mind while looking back on the events of the past year, in no particular order:

• The August 4th rain storm was impressive. Being the weather geek I am, it doesn't take much to impress me, but rainfall rates of 9" per hour in some areas around Louisville? That is something you usually only hear about in hurricanes, in the tropics or on top of some mountain in a remote rain forest. Plus working at Slugger Field gave me a different perspective.
• The hiring of John Calipari at Kentucky: I was a little nervous about the "baggage" Calipari brought with him. Currently I'm blinded by the early success. I just hope the aura presently surrounding UK basketball doesn't go the way of Tiger Woods. And speaking of Tiger Woods...
• I am more disappointed than the average person concerning the Tiger Woods issue. Not because my opinion of him as a person has changed, because it really hasn't, but because this could take him away from the game of golf for the foreseeable future. I enjoy watching Tiger Woods play golf. He is the best in my favorite sport and I hate the fact I may not see him play for awhile. I will still watch golf (and enjoy it), but I will miss watching the best golfer on the planet.
• Barack Obama becoming President of the United States. This does not stand out because he is the first black president (sorry Slick Willy), but because I can't believe a man named Barack Hussein Obama was elected President of the United States just 7 years after the 9/11 attacks. The general population (i.e. red states) were so terrified of anyone with a middle eastern sounding name. Politics aside, I find it ironic and fascinating he was able to win the election (but then again, look at his competition).

I would like to hear what everyone else remembers about 2009. It can be anything at all: personal, news, sports etc.

A Heart Warming Message from a "Christian"-Merry Christmas!

"This is a sickening display of the atheist agenda at work. I pray that we
can get some leadership to round-up these people and give them a taste of their
own medicine. If they don't believe is [sic] God, I say we send them a one-way Express ticket to meet their Creator. As someone said, as Christians, we only need to turn the other cheek TO OTHER CHRISTIANS. Everyone else can go die for all I care. PS. MERRY CHRISTMAS."

How Not to Fix a Pool Chemical Pump

One thing I have learned during my short time at the JCC is the big things usually break in the last hour of the day. Out of the four workers on my maintenance staff, one is on vacation, one is still out sick since a heart attack in November and the other two leave at 3:30 each day because they get in very early.

I received a call from aquatics (as usual) and was told the chlorine pump "center tube" was not working, therefore no chlorine was getting to the pool. I didn't even know where the chlorine pump was located, much less what a center tube was or how to fix it.

I called the maintenance guy that is on vacation (something he told me to do if I ever needed anything) and told him what the problem was. He directed me to the pump and gave me step by step instructions over the phone of where to find the part and how to replace it. The repair itself was easy, so I know how to fix at least one thing on a pool if it every happens again.

However, the worst part was not the repair, but the smooth move I pulled while repairing it. I unplugged the pump like I was supposed to so no chlorine was being pumped through the tubing. However, when I pulled the small "broken" tube off, it still had drops of chlorine in it. While pulling it off, a few drops of chlorine flipped out and went straight into my left eye. I flushed it out with water and then finished the repair with basically one eye. Looking in the mirror last night I had a chemical burn on my eye...a little raised nodule I could feel when I blinked.

The redness went away and the burning stopped last night. Today it feels almost as good as new, except my left eye seems to be over actively "making sleep" throughout the day in an attempt to completely heal itself.

Bottom line is, even if everything is turned off and looks dry, wear goggles, genius.

"Ugly" Sweater Party

I'm a man who takes great pride in his appearance, so when it comes to parties I like to look my best. This is why I was humiliated and broken hearted when I won second place in at an "ugly Christmas sweater" party on Saturday.

Apparently there were drunk people judging who wouldn't recognize high fashion if they unwrapped it on Christmas morning.

I thought having Julie by my side would only make me look that much better, but apparently it backfired and everyone just assumed she was with me out of pity.

It's nice to know I wasn't voted "ugliest" at the party, but I didn't appreciate having to pose in the line up of 1st, 2nd and 3rd like it was the stinking Olympics!

Anyway, I had fun at the party and I am willing to auction off the sweater after the holidays. I'm sure it will fetch a pretty penny in Milan or Paris. I guess such beauty is lost here in the United States.

This Ain't Your Grandma's Spin Class

I participated in a "spin class" at the LAC last night with Julie and her friend Dala. Basically it's an hour long intense workout on a stationary bike. I should be doing the classes at the JCC, and I will, but I have four free guest visits at the LAC, so I might as well use them.

I was told last night's class was more intense than most. Over the course of an hour, we never stopped and constantly pushed ourselves between 60% -100% maximum effort (except for the first 5 minutes we spent increasing the heart rate and getting warm). It was fantastic cardio work plus we did hills and stretches of standing up on the bike doing runs and sprints. I usually don't sweat much, but I had sweat pouring off my face the entire time. The instructor did a great job of pushing us to our limit. Just when you think you couldn't go anymore, he would make you go another 30 seconds. My legs are like Jell-O today, but it was definitely a great workout. I'm not saying I look forward to the next time, but I think I'll be back.

Ho Ho Holy Hell He's an Atheist!

The article linked below is about a man in North Carolina who was elected to the city council. But, because he is an atheist, according to the North Carolina constitution, he is not eligible to serve. The U.S. Constitution, obviously, trumps this. It will be interesting to see how many lawsuits are filed just to give him grief (to be fair, the guy may be a complete idiot, but he did win the election).

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20091208/NEWS01/912080327/Critics-of-Cecil-Bothwell-cite-N.C.-bar-to-atheists

I've copied and pasted some of my favorite reader's comments below...you know...the ones that give me that warm fuzzy feeling.

"It is difficult for a person without faith and accountance to have
character and be accountable for their actions."

"I am curious what moral beliefs an atheist has and what guides their belief. Since the ten commandments are irrelevant in their beliefs...Are atheists able to be selective in choosing the ones that apply to them and the situation?"

"When he is in the hell he denies and desires to call and check on the city he once served, it will be a local call." -basically saying Ashville will become hell if they start electing atheists to office.

"On his/her deathbed, no one is an atheist. We want to live like the devil, but be saved from death like an angel. It's okay. God knows how you feel. He was once in human form, and knows exactly how you feel."

That Was a Rough 12 Hours

Around 3 o'clock Monday afternoon while at my desk I started feeling sore and tired. By 3:30 I had broken into cold sweats. I knew then I should probably head home. By 4:15 I was in bed with a comforter and a quilt, my body pillow and two regular pillows with the heat cranked up in my apartment. I was drenched in sweat but couldn't get warm. I was miserable. My leg and back muscles had a strange tingling sensation and felt like rubber. I slept until 9pm and felt I needed to get up. I was feeling extremely nauseous and wanted to sit up for a bit. Walking into the living room was a chore and I collapsed on the couch out of breath. My plan was to sit up and watch "Big Bang Theory," try to eat a little, drink some juice and then go back to bed. A few minutes after being in the living room, I knew my reputation for hardly ever getting "sick" was in jeopardy. I went to the bathroom for a good half-hour and sat on the edge of the tub. To make a long story short, I need to start a new streak. I went back into the living room and watched my show (I love having a DVR), ate a bowl of chicken noodle soup and drank a small glass of juice. I went back to bed around 10:30 and slept soundly until 3am. I noticed then I was still very tired, but felt better. When I woke up for good at 6:30, I felt great.

All I can figure is it was an intense 12 hour bug or food poisoning. Very strange.

"Blue Jesus" John Wall Photoshops

Addendum to My Christmas List

I thought of a few more things to add to my Christmas list if needed (all Harry Potter related). I still need "The Sorcerer's Stone" and "Deathly Hallows" (book 1 & 7) in the Harry Potter series. I would also like to have the "Half-Blood Prince" movie since it just came out on DVD.

Thanks. And please don't have Aunt Bethany wrap any of my gifts or I'll wind up getting green Jell-O or her cat.

"Is This the Airport, Clark?"

Ok, so it's not as beautiful as the Griswold's house at Christmas, but I blame it on not having enough lights. Julie asked me to hang lights outside her house because this is her first Christmas being settled in. When I get a better picture with a real camera, I'll post it. But for now you'll just have to look at one from my Sprint POS.

Uncle Leo Would Be Very Disappointed

I have noticed for the past several years how often I say hello to someone in passing and never get a response. I don't say hello to everyone I pass. For example, if I'm in a crowd or if the other person is talking on the phone I won't bother. If I'm in an empty stairwell or hallway, however, and I pass someone, I will say at the very least "hello." Sometimes it is followed by "how are you today?" Simple and cliche, I know, but it's just being polite.

I've also noticed I often don't receive a "thank you" when I hold a door open for someone. I have found myself plenty of times biting my tongue to prevent myself from giving a sarcastic "your welcome!' But this is beside the point...

While thinking about this I have noticed one peculiar constant. The offenders usually seem to be older. Is this because it's unexpected coming from someone younger and they are thrown off? Is it because they are just getting crotchety? Has the Bel-tone been turned down and they just can't hear it? Who knows... but if anyone has any insight into this, I would love to hear about it.