Out of the Mountains

He's Baaaack! With Astonomy Pics Of The Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0000

I'm leaving for a trip down to the mountains in just a few minutes. It's a gorgeous day here..sunny and about 73deg(F). The tree foliage should be fantastics though it's a bit late. I'll be taking pictures, may post a few when I get back. Going by the old cemetery where my parents are buried down there and plant some potted perrenials. This is THE best time of year for that.
Anyway felt like making an appearance on the old Blog, it's sure not like the good ol' days when I was at a computer station at work all day and could post at will..Aah, the "days that are no more".
Before going here's a few latest favorite astronomy pics of the day, with link for description:

Galaxy Cluster JKCS041, at a distance of some 10.2 billion light years. So far away that you're observing it as it was was when the Universe was just one quarter of its current age.

Photo from NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit which is basically "Stuck" in the sand on Mars right now. From what was originally going to be a 3 month mission Spirit has worked on Mars for more than 69 months. A lonely life for a little robot on Mars:

And what can you say about Stickney Crater other that Wow.. :

Gotta go! Have a GREAT weekend passerbys and surfers...

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"Worse Person In The World", Pat Boone?

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:51:00 +0000

Yeah you heard that right, and I have to agree after listening to, and reading comments from a column he wrote for the Rightwing WorldNetDaily.

"In time, it seems to happen to all older houses, no matter how well tended they may be.

All manner of parasites, vermin, roaches, rats, worms and termites find their way into the building. Long before they're detected, they infiltrate the walls, the floors, the roofs – and then chew their way into the structure, the supporting beams and the very foundation of the house itself. Silently, surreptitiously, whole communities of invaders make places for themselves, hidden but thriving, totally unknown by the homeowner

Then, in time, tell-tale signs are seen. Little droppings, discolored trails, proliferating piles of residue appear in corners, on tabletops, little hanging sacs from ceilings – alarming evidence that the grand old dwelling has been invaded. Decidedly unwelcome creatures have made this place their home, and by their very existence will eventually destroy the house and bring it to ruin.

What can be done, when you learn that your house has already been invaded?

Well, the tried and true remedy is tenting.

Experts come in, actually envelope the whole dwelling in a giant tent – and send a very powerful fumigant, lethal to the varmints and unwelcome creatures, into every nook and cranny of the house. Done thoroughly, every last destructive insect or rodent is sent to varmint hell – and in a day or two, the grand house is habitable again."
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Yesterday's Vote - Republicans Lose In NY 23rd

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:14:00 +0000

The big story from yesterday(IMHO), and most surprising, is the loss in New York's 23rd district of conservative candidate Doug Hoffman by Democrat Bill Owens. Republicans have held the seat for more than a century. Hoffman was backed by the National forces of "teabaggery", including Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Fred Thompson and more. Money poured into his campaign from out of state, including from conservative groups such as Club For Growth. I think the defining moment was when the Republican candidate Dierdre Scozzafava after bowing out of the race endorsed Bill Owens a day later:

NY 23 Election Results: Bill Owens Beats Doug Hoffman

Also Owens was far more conciliatory on winning than Hoffman would have been:
"I don't believe the vast majority of voters in the 23rd District – be they Democrats or Republicans or independents – are looking at this as a referendum on Barack Obama or as a referendum on the Republican Party or the Democratic Party or Rush Limbaugh or any of that, I think the vast majority of voters in the 23rd are saying, `We had us a great congressman in Congressman McHugh. Which of these candidates can do a better job representing me in Washington?'"

Had Hoffman won his "victory" speech would have been filled with the usual Rightwing talking points including, evils of Obama, Liberals, Big Guv'ment, tax and spend Democrats, etc. As Atrios says you can expect the media talking heads to treat this as a victory for the Republican party(it always is) in some bizarre way.
On the other hand the Republicans did gain 2 Governorships beating unpopular Democratic governors in New Jersey and Virginia.

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Gifts For Geeks? The Rock Guitar Shirt

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:28:00 +0000

I wouldn't mind finding this under the Christmas tree. I'd RATHER find a job, but this guitar shirt from ThinkGeek still looks pretty awesome:

And the amp looks sweet to.

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"Avatar" | The Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Not sure about the story line I've seen but the graphics, etc look FANTASTIC, "Avatar" coming out 12-18-09:

Watch in Hi-Def.

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The Sunday Video | "Born Again"

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:42:00 +0000

From Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons:

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Afghanistan: America's Eternal "War On Drugs" Meets It's Eternal Occupation

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:05:00 +0000

With our killer drones and our DEA we'll have their hearts and minds in no time...well, maybe a few decades anyway. Let's ask Russia again how this all worked out for them.

DEA agents among 14 Americans dead in Afghanistan

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Video | Rachael Maddow Show, The Kentucky "Coal" Dorm

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:55:00 +0000

If you read the sports pages, especially in Kentucky, you've heard of the millionaire who wants to give $7 million to the University of Kentucky for a Men's sports dormitory.
Condition is; He wants the word "coal" in the name. Rachel Maddow had Dave Zirin, sports editor for The Nation on to tell us more reasons why it's a bad idea. I'm a KY sports fan and I agree. Here's the clip:

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Video | Harry Reid Brings Public Option To Senate

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Damn, who woulda thunk it? Harry Reid pulls out the Public Option. With an "opt-out" provision, but still.
Obviously the progressive side of the aisle, and those public opinion polls have had a big affect. Here's Harry:

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U2, Live From The Rose Bowl On YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:36:00 +0000

Looks good:
Details here, watch here. Watch it Live, or watch the rebroadcast later.

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Sen. Russ Feingold On Face The Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Senator Feingold was on Face The Nation talking about Afghanistan, Iraq and National Health care:

Feingold on the Public option being the Liberal preference:
"What Liberals want is a single payer system, Medicare for everybody. So the idea of a Public Option is really a very moderate idea."

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Late Night Poetry Sampling

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:18:00 +0000

Tom Clark - Shadow Play

Click Memory, unwanted, unexpected
Images Display; pasts come flooding in, slow,
Flicking yellow glow on endarkened wall. Hello
Interior landscape we've always
Traveled, Dear One, by a Lake of Dreams -- looking
For that light-in-window fleeting house
Now a cottage haunted by passing strangers
Who were never there. The night's cold,
Bells do not toll here at midnight any more.

Barnes & Noble's "Nook" Looks Good

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:55:00 +0000

The new Nook looks SHWEEET but is a bit pricey at $259.00.

Oh, and the new Windows 7 is looking pretty good.

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Do These LED's Make My Eyes Look Bigger?

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Interesting to see where this goes. LED eyelashes by Soomi Park:

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Video | Sen. Al Franken Mops Floor With Insurance Lobbyist

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Sen. Al Franken kicks ass in hearing:

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Rep. Alan Grayson Vs.Hapless Rep. Broun On Constitution

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Rep. Alan Grayson being cool as a cucumber in a constitutional debate with a floundering Rep. Paul Broun about a bill:

"Will the gentleman yield?"
"No."

Note: I'm afraid to hope but it looks as if Blogger may have fixed their "labels limit" bug.

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Video of The Day | Raconteurs, "Broken Boy Soldier"

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:45:00 +0000

From a Beautiful Wednesday, In Unemployed Land....
Beautiful Fall day here in Central KY. The kind of day you just want to sit in the sun and soak it up for the coming Winter. I didn't though(much). I've gotten quite a lot done outside today instead. Built a bird feeder onto the deck, got the rest of the landscape plants put in, etc, etc...Anyone need a good carpenter, Landscape/yard man. Hmmmm?
Between the house and outside, I'm often working harder unemployed than when working the office job. I just sat down at the computer about half an hour ago..pitiful, right?
Anyhooo..Going to read some email and quick news. Then being a Renaissance man I'm gonna go fix dinner(Imperial Chicken).
Thanks to Rob Thomas here's my video of the day:

Bad time for job seekers. I'd seen an ad in the paper looking for job applicants for a factory in Nicholasville, from 1:00pm ~ 4:00pm today. A friend of my daughter said he went by there and they(applicants) were lined up outside and around the parking lot.

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Obama Ends Fed Medical Marijuana Raids

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:43:00 +0000

Finally, the right thing to do.
Thank you President Obama for showing some sanity, common sense and compassion concerning marijuana.

Photo here.

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The "Balloon Boy", Richard Heene, And Media Obsessions

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:53:00 +0000

Our "News" media are like children distracted by loud and/or shiny things. I didn't see much of "balloon boy" coverage because, well.. just because I don't get much of my news from cable.
This is probably the only post I'll EVER put up about this manufactured story. I found it interesting for the somewhat strange story of Richard Heene and the family trivia. What the hell, you even get to meet our "Reptilian" overlords:

Exclusive: I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax

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A Glorious Dawn | Cosmos Remixed, With Carl Sagan..

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:48:00 +0000

..And Stephen Hawking:

"We are made of star stuff"

Excellent.

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New Camera Captures Life...But First You Should Have A Life

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Worth capturing:

New camera promises to capture your whole life

Evening Vids | Tull's, "Skating Away" and Joni M's, "Urge For Going"

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:13:00 +0000

Two similar moods(to me anyway). Jethro Tull's "Skating Away":

And Joni Mitchell's "Urge For Going"(Thanks for the memory Anne):

Autumn is here once again, and I've always loved the feeling of this song..

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Video | Alan Grayson On Real Time

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Evening Commuters. Hope you're having a Great weekend. Mine's okay. The usual "no job" worries. I apply for jobs and then just try to forget it for a while.
But hey, here's a treat from yesterday. Alan Grayson(D, Fla.) shows you what a Democrat with a spine looks like.

Go here for HD.

I just backed up the computer. It took over three hours and 10 disks!

Note: I see that Blogger in their infinite wisdom STILL haven't fixed the "2000 labels" limit. Crazy.. 1st chance I get I'm going to look at other hosts..if there are any...

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He's Back...Out of the Mountains..With Pics! Clay County, South Fork KY River

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Helloooo Blog! I'm back from the "Mountains"!
Blogger is STILL not letting me use labels! I've tried to add more to the Post titles. That may at least help me find them when/if I need to search. Is there a good alternative to Blogger that I could switch over to?
The fall foliage wasn't as good yet as I hoped it would be. Give it another week before that scenic autumn drive in the mountains. I still took a lot of pics, as always. A few are posted below. It's always nice to get home just to be able to see the photos on the p.c. monitor and not just that little camera screen. Anyway, a few sample shots:

South Fork KY River, Clay County - Small Mouth bass heaven:

South Fork, looking upstream(yes, that's "kudzu" at the bottom of the pic):

And a few closeups:

A few of the dumbest things I saw all weekend came from the editers of The Manchester Enterprise. I read the paper version while at my sister's house but they have an online presense, enjoy: I swear it's the cable Fox News of local papers. One story involved a headline of "Manchester Going Green, 50 Jobs Coming to Clay". Reading further you find out that it's a company which "may be" coming to Manchester and which manufactures "fuel cubes" from trash, plastics & tires and are used as an additional fuel to burn with "dirty coal". REALLY sounds "green" doesn't it.
Another winner(I couldn't find it online) of journamalistic accords was a photo of a fat cop cutting a few scrawny looking pot plants, with what I swear looked like a pair of scissors. They were maybe 4 feet tall. The photo's label stated that it was officer "so & so" who was cutting marijuana plants turned in by an "anonymous" source. The kicker of course was the information that there was a total of 4 of these anemic looking little plants and the police wizards had placed their "street value" at $100,000.00! Yes, I reread it 3-4 times to be sure. They were saying each of the little pot plants were worth $25,000.00 on the street! BWAHAHAHAHA!

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Video | Al Franken Gets A Good Thing Done

noreply@blogger.com (Dean) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Lastly before I go tonight. Al Franken does some good already. 30 Republicans sided with rapists and other evil doers. How do these people sleep at night?:

Al Franken passes law denying fed contracts to companies that support rape of
employees.

Night all. I'm going to try and go to the "mountains" this Saturday and spend the night. I have some plants I want to put on my parent's gravesite down there and a few other things. Even may try to forget the employment(or lack thereof) situation and have a decent time..maybe..Should be back before then though.

Question: Is anyone at Blogger trying to fix the "no labels for posts" problem?

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