May 2007 Archives
My journey to work yesterday involved rain from my doorstep at CrabAppleLane to the doorstep of my office. 65 miles worth. It was light in some areas and heavy in others but the wipers were on for the whole commute. My return journey was exactly the same. We hadn't had rain like that in a while so it wasn't entirely unwelcome but I'd rather it came after I was off the roadway. In the morning, one car lost it and slid into the weeds off of the westbound side of I-10 in New Orleans and another lost it and was up on its side, wheels in the air, on the eastbound I-10 in New Orleans. There was a motorist assistance van there for the car up on its side but I think that car needed more than a jump or a gallon of gas.
Quote of the Day
The investigation is in its early stages, CDC officials say, but already there are points of disagreement, including whether the patient had been told before he left the country that he had drug-resistant TB and absolutely should not travel.
Anita Manning and Robert Davis, USA TODAY
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Is it just me…or does Liz O’Donnell look like someone took Madonna’s face apart then put it back together wrong?"
I was going to comment on the guy who was quarantined for getting on airplanes with a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis. Then I saw this comment on the story from ernestw, 67:
Once upon a time sick and dying people were placed on ice flows and pushed into the sea. Perhaps this practice should be restablished. Perhaps he'd like an AIDs patient as a shipmate...
I don't agree with those sentiments and I've lost my desire to pile on. That TB guy has enough problems and I just hope he didn't infect anyone else.
After the death of Marquise Hill this weekend in a jet ski accident, it appears there will be calls to restrict the activities of NFL players much like the calls last year that came after Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident. Count me as not on board with that and I wonder how much of that sentiment is a desire for the player's safety or concern for how much it will affect the team. My guess is no one will care if the team's office manager goes skydiving.
99 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
Tests suggest the XDR-TB patient is not highly infectious but the seriousness of the disease warrants warning passengers.
Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "While details are still being finalized, Patriots chairman/CEO Robert Kraft has arranged for a charter flight so all members of the team can attend funeral services for Marquise Hill in Louisiana."
From USA Today:
Taxpayers are now on the hook for a record $59.1 trillion in liabilities, a 2.3% increase from 2006. That amount is equal to $516,348 for every U.S. household.
$516,348? Doubt I can even make the minimum payment on that one. Can anyone spare a few bucks?
Love, love, love this photo. I'm beginning to think the camera is one of the greatest inventions of all time. What people do with them still amazes me.
Sad news yesterday around here. Marquise Hill was from New Orleans and played at my alma mater, De La Salle High School, and he also played on LSU's National Championship team in 2003 before moving on to the NFL's New England Patriots.
Quote of the Day
Marquise helped bring the LSU football program to the level it is today and he remained close to the program even after his departure to the NFL. Our players looked up to him. He was truly LSU through and through.
Skip Bertman, LSU Athletic Director
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Those Vermont cows really know what they're doing. Maybe it's something in the water..."
Happy Memorial Day
It's a work day for half of the people at CrabAppleLane.
I know it's not even June yet but is anyone in the American League East going to present a challenge for the Red Sox?
I think the Redskins have themselves a good, young quarterback QB developing in Jason Campbell. I saw Campbell against the Saints late last year. The Skins were hopelessly out of the playoff race and giving Jason a chance while the Saints were trying to clinch their division at home. He continually moved the chains and I don't remember him making any mistakes. Not the kind of game you usually get out of a young QB. They richly deserved their win in the Superdome that Sunday.
101 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
If you are carrying vegetables and banana inside your vehicle, then it will gulp them and allow you to go.
Prabodh Mohanty, New Delhi resident
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "The Saints were thought of to be thinking defense in the draft, but they shifted gears and added some more firepower for Drew Brees and the offense."
We were awakened this CrabAppleLane Sunday by the unpleasant sound of a power surge. It took out some lights and the outlets on a couple of walls. Both walls had outlets with computer equipment plugged in. After the initial panic, I did some testing, which implies a great deal more knowledge than was present. It turns out the damage was confined to tripping a couple of breakers and a total of four fried surge protectors. That burnt electrical smell always worries me. Two of the surge protectors had things plugged in that we don't use any more so we only have to replace the other two. Our initial panic involved damaged computers that we can't replace any time soon, a Sunday, a holiday weekend, and professional electricians charging whatever rate that suited them this weekend. Whatever that expense might have been is certainly not something we need right now. Purchasing about $25 worth of surge protectors is an expense we also don't need right now but it is money we will gladly part with today.
Congratulations to the New Orleans Privateers. They won the Sun Belt Conference Tournament yesterday and will get an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. At one time, New Orleans had the premier college baseball program in Louisiana and there was some great baseball being played on the Pontchartrain lake front, where the campus is located. The program had fallen on hard times and LSU, Tulane, and Louisiana-Lafayette passed them by. I hope this wonderful season is a sign of things to come. Go Bucs.
Thought I'd offer a few on this lovely CrabAppleLane Sunday morning.
And, finally, the following video comes to me via Pitcherlady. It is for all movie buffs. The person who compiled it has an amazing memory or database and considerable skill to access that many movies.
Quote of the Day
We believe it's such a big move for us it deserves its own ZIP code.
Lesley Langsam Kennedy, Saks Fifth Avenue
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "I hope the sticky note on the front of their CD was written in jest. I laughed when I read it anyway. “One of the most important bands of the decade…”"
Warning: This is just my opinion. I am no expert. I wonder sometimes if the incidence of identity theft is somewhat out of kilter with the fear of identity theft. I don't think it's as prevalent as people think and certainly not as prevalent as it could be. Just an observation from CrabAppleLane: I think the security measures implemented by most companies are likely to frustrate their employees and customers/clients much more than they'll thwart identity thieves. People are unlikely to remember a bazillion logins and passwords, especially if they're forced to change them periodically. They are more likely to write them down, allow their internet browsers to store them, or use the same information at as many places as possible. There is nothing secure about that. That's the reality and it's also the weakness in all of the security measures I've seen so far. Still, identity thieves do things that are most likely to get them caught and in a lot of trouble such as double swiping your card, stealing your mail, or, as in our case, buy a gift card (Amazon) and have it or whatever they purchased with it sent somewhere.
I really think the only thing you need to do (Or can do, for that matter) to protect yourself from identity theft is to monitor your accounts, especially debit cards, frequently and inquire into or contest any unrecognized activity as soon as you see it. With a credit card, a $1000 contested charge is in limbo while you contest it. With a debit card, the contested charge is in limbo along with $1000 of your checking account balance. That Amazon gift card was purchased against our debit card to the tune of about $400 (By someone at the bank, we think. We were never told but the charge was reversed.) and was a major inconvenience. We had to kill that card, wait for a new one, and move funds around to cover upcoming scheduled automatic debits. Fortunately, we were in a position to do so at the time. That is certainly not always the case at CrabAppleLane.
About today's QOTD: It's about an episode of Waking The Dead. I've been recording and watching that BBC-America show for a few years now. It has a quality about it that only Prime Suspect can equal. I miss Frankie and Mel but their replacements have been adequate this season. After The Da Vinci Code, I can understand Opus Dei's sensitivity. Seems everyone is taking pot shots at them. That said, they're fair game and complaining just focuses more unwanted attention on themselves. You'd think they'd learn that much.
Quote of the Day
The BBC has rejected a complaint from the Roman Catholic group Opus Dei that a drama unfairly depicted its members as “murderers, thieves and adulterers”.
Times Online
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Netcraft, a provider of internet security services and research, is reporting that a recent batch of phishing web sites targeting Chase Bank and eBay were hosted by state-owned Chinese Construction Bank. This apparently is the first time a bank’s servers have been used to attack another bank."
One week until hurricane season starts. Hope you're ready wherever you are. I'm sure tree hugging sister is ready. As usual, we're hearing that there will be another active season with as many as 5 major hurricanes forming. Hurricane reporting is generally given to over exaggeration but those who do it now point to Katrina, Rita, and Wilma and preen. What they do and have done since I can remember following hurricane reporting could easily be described as "like crying wolf". People get desensitized to the obvious hyperbole of the reports because nothing happens most of the time. People in New Orleans evacuated in 2004 ahead of Ivan, got stuck in 8-10 hour traffic jams, and paid exorbitant hotel/motel rates and gas prices only to sustain minimal damage. When Katrina was bearing down, some were a little reluctant to do it all again. I don't think they're as reluctant any more and if you think the great people of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas evacuated ahead of Rita and the great people of south Florida evacuated ahead of Wilma because of great weather reporting or great civic preparation, you're wrong. They evacuated because they got an eyeful of the damage and death Katrina wrought.
Quote of the Day
I have no idea when the charade will end, but I'm pretty sure how. At some point this year, I do believe old Fidel is scheduled to come down with a cold.
Dave, Fish Fear Me
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "I love comedy. When things are going awful in your life or you're just tired, a comedian or some funny entertainment like Blazing Saddles can really change your mood and make things seem all right again."
Regis and Kelly are in New Orleans this week. I recorded it yesterday and watched it last night just to see what it was about. In-your-face-energetic-eager-beavers normally annoy me much like Odie annoys Garfield but I'll make an exception for them. They're doing New Orleans a very nice turn. Good on them.
So I was going through my Amazon wish list today. Found this item on it. Man, am I glad I saw that turkey before I bought it.
About today's QOTD: There was a time when I never saw anyone wearing a seat belt. Now, almost everyone does. I started buckling up regularly about 30 years ago. What I once considered discomforting is now very comforting to me. Not sure I could go 10 feet in a vehicle without buckling up.
105 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
I’m New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, and I should be dead.
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "This is not a true story. I made it up, right out of my own little head, with nary a drop of alcohol."
I think Clinton Portis and Chris Samuels are being less than sincere with their apologies about the comments they made regarding Michael Vick's possible involvement in dogfighting. Joking and giggling about it one day and dead serious the next? I don't buy it. I think some team official and/or NFL official got in their face about this and it shows. The always image conscious NFL is on a mission to clean up their act and they seem to be serious about it.
Morning laugh courtesy of Pitcherlady. She has one for the cat lovers, too.
About the QOTD: Michael Silver of Sports Illustrated rated the top ten Super Bowl cities. My unbiased self couldn't agree more. He speaks of "logistical convenience". That's the biggest advantage. New Orleans is nothing but convenient for people coming in for the big game. The stadium is in the middle of the central business district. Four star hotels, which the NFL and VIPs like a lot, are within walking distance. The French Quarter is also within walking distance. Good/great restaurants are everywhere. Entertainment is everywhere. Clubbing and bar hopping in New Orleans is a matter of walking next door or across the street. It doesn't need to involve a 30-minute limo/cab ride across town.
Quote of the Day
1. New Orleans: This is more than helping a reeling region regain its big-event mojo; it's about restoring the nation's biggest sporting spectacle to its rightful home, the glorious city where music, nightlife, logistical convenience and unparalleled food so blessedly collide.
Michael Silver, Sports Illustrated
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "I'm very worried for our boy Clinton. His defense of Vick has been clumsy to the extreme. It will haunt him all season."
I filled up the truck the other day at the cheapest place I go. $2.96 per. Despite what I keep hearing that people still intend to pay the price and not change their driving habits, the prices have absolutely affected what we do. We both eat lunch in more often now because going out adds $2-$3 to the price. We're staying home for both days on many more weekends than we used to. In our case, restaurants are the biggest casualty. I doubt we're the only ones changing our habits and I wonder how many businesses besides restaurants are suffering for it. About $150-$250 per month of our discretionary income that used to go to them is now going to the oil companies. There's only so much of us to go around.
Quote of the Day
Meteorologists will team with the military to fire rockets into the sky in an extreme form of climate control if rain looms.
The Daily Telegraph
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "I know, eeeeyew! and yuck! (We'll wait a few seconds while the liver-avoiders exit....)"
A lot of movies are being filmed here now. The city and the state has welcomed filmmakers with open arms and incentives out the wazoo. There seem to be rules for depicting Southern Louisiana on film:
1) It's always summer. OK, I'll give them that one.
2) No one has air conditioning. Simply not true.
3) The swamp is always nearby. Not hard to find but not always nearby.
4) Hollywood actors must affect a southern accent or a Cajun accent. Southern Louisianians don't speak with a southern accent and I haven't heard anything close to a Cajun accent from a Hollywood actor. Teri Hatcher's Cajun accent in this was awful.
About the BOTD: Quinn Cummings has a blog. Cool beans.
Quote of the Day
Dave Robicheaux drowned in the bottle and went into the swamp to sleep it off.
Bubba Rocque, Heaven's Prisoners
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "We both looked at the windows, which were now festooned with water-marks and sticky ash."
CrabAppleLane Hydrangea
No Triple Crown winner this year. In 1973, it was a big deal that no horse had won the Triple Crown in 25 years. At 16, that seemed like a lifetime to me. Then, Secretariat destroyed the field in those three races in 1973 setting two records that still stand. No horse has even gotten close to the record he set in the third race, the Belmont. Seattle Slew won the Crown in 1977 and then Affirmed won it in 1978. It seemed like it was going to be a regular thing. It's now been 29 years since Affirmed won the Crown but it seems like just a few weeks ago since that great call at the Preakness to a wild crowd at Pimlico, "At the top of the stretch, it's Affirmed and Alydar...". I'll never forget how the crowd cheered when they heard that. Whatever money they had wagered was secondary. They came to see a great race and they got one.
I offer one this week from Madisonville:
Madisonville Crawfish Hole - Madisonville, LA
Patsy and I were in Madisonville last week for Mother's Day. Madisonville is a quiet little town just north of Lake Pontchartrain. My sister and her family lives there and she hosted a wonderful brunch. Brunch is usually named for the time of day it is served, usually between 10AM and 10:30AM. Too late to call it breakfast but too early to call it lunch. This was brunch for a different reason. It was breakfast food (Wonderful egg and cheese casseroles, grits, bacon, biscuits, etc) served at 12:30PM :). Anyway, the above photo was taken in her yard. It's a crawfish hole. They are a common sight in canals, drainage ditches, and residential yards throughout southeastern Louisiana. Crawfish are used for bait. What you do is you get about 100lbs of them and boil them in water with some salt, cayenne pepper, lemons, garlic, onions, sausage, potatoes, and corn. Then, watch as friends, neighbors, and family will come from far and wide to your doorstep.
Quote of the Day
You get a line and I'll get a pole, honey
You get a line and I'll get a pole, babe
You get a line and I'll get a pole
We'll go down to the crawfish hole
Unknown
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Reports from the Riverfront indicate that fans are going "wild," chanting and screaming because nobody is actually playing right now. A TV news report we just caught said that, despite the bad weather, the show will not be cancelled."
I was finishing up the yard this afternoon and using the lawn mower to get at some of the places the tractor can't easily get to without destroying everything. I pushed a log aside with the mower to get at the grass when I saw this thing squirm for a moment and stop. I thought it was an earthworm. CrabAppleLane has lots of those. Upon closer inspection, I discovered it was a snake and the movement of the log or the wheels on the mower were too much for it. It was dead. No idea what kind it is/was. There are lots of snake skins in the yard right now. There was even a portion of one in the bluebird house I cleaned out a few weeks ago. Nothing bad happened to the bluebirds. That was just their idea of decoration.
Good to see Julie Christie acting again. She is phenomenal in everything I've ever seen her in, particularly Shampoo and McCabe and Mrs Miller. I even liked her in Doctor Zhivago, which I didn't much care for. Maybe I have to see it again some day. Don't remember much of it and was probably too young the first time.
I don't think an X-rated nude carwash would go over so well in America even if it could get past the protests, ordinances, legal challenges, etc ...
The Bubbles ’n’ Babes car wash in Brisbane prompted a flood of complaints with a topless car wash for $45 and a nude car wash with X-rated lap-dance service for $82.
$45??? $82??? I'd complain, too. I never pay more than seven or maybe eight bucks for a carwash the two or three times a year I bother.
As noted here a few days ago, Ricky Williams is still an idiot. He is no longer a Saints OR Dolphins idiot, though. I suspect he'll get a chance with someone. If the NFL lets him, I think the guy can still play. However, at 30 (Old for a running back in the NFL), I doubt he can make enough on any contract to pay the $8.6 million he still owes the Dolphins. I imagine whoever wants him will have to work out compensation with them like maybe some of the 8.6 and players or draft choices. Trading their entire draft in 1999 and a 1st rounder in 2000 for Ricky Williams was one of the worst ideas in Saints history and it was only salvaged from being the hands down very worst by one of the best ideas in Saints history; trading him away to the Dolphins. From CrabAppleLane's perspective, it's kind of fun to watch this saga from a safe distance.
About today's QOTD: I just love the second sentence. Wonder what the record is in Cincinnati.
Quote of the Day
Nicholson already was one of nine Bengals players arrested during a nine-month span, turning the team into a prime example of player misconduct. The team had gone four months without having a player arrested.
Associated Press via MSNBC.COM
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "April's cold snap in the U.S. shows that although the globe as a whole may be warming, there is still plenty of natural variability capable of bringing very cold weather to local regions."
I’ve been seeing this meme around town. Dave did it and Cullen did it, too. The idea of the game is to guess the name of someone’s favorite movies based on their IMDb plot keywords. Anyone who has read the drivel in this space before knows I am a bit of a movie fan. Let me just say, for the record, that I suck at that game. Making them favorite movies was a nice touch because if they were all obscure titles, everyone would suck at it instead of just me. In my estimation, I’ve gotten one right in my head and I might have gotten one more right but someone had already answered. In the first case, I couldn’t comment at the time. Of the other answers I have seen when people guessed correctly, I wasn’t close. Some of them were movies I've seen several times and it makes me wonder what they got that I missed.
The following are the IMDb plot keywords of my favorite movie:
I can quote this movie extensively. I know every shot and every detail and I would not have gotten the name of the movie from that. My main concern is that someone will guess the name of the movie and it makes me wonder how dense I am that I couldn’t. I’ve seen this movie I don’t know how many times but it's surely north of 50. Go ahead and embarrass me.
Quote of the Day
Now you listen to me, I'm an advertising man, not a red herring. I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don't intend to disappoint them all by getting myself slightly killed.
Roger Thornhill, North By Northwest
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Law office and Bed and Breakfast?"
More airport security. I need more information but just for my own curiosity. This security measure wouldn't bother me in the least. If the images blur the faces and something happens on the flight, how are they going to review the image later to determine what the bad guy/girl was carrying and how it got past the scan?
Prince Harry is not going to Iraq. It may be unfair but I tend to agree with the reasoning. About today's QOTD: The linked AP/MSNBC article has an associated video that has similar, but not exact, statements from General Sir Richard Dannatt. I quoted the video. The AP/MSNBC either misquoted or quoted from another speech not linked. No biggie but I thought I'd explain the discrepancy.
Happy Birthday, Duncan and Nikki.
112 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
These threats exposed not only him but also those around him to a degree of risk that I now deem unacceptable.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, British Army Chief of Staff
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "You really don't want a thick report documenting all the ways your network is insecure."
Quote of the Day
Lorelei,
Wanta make a Maury sandwich?
Babette, Gilmore Girls
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "“Announcing the final season of ‘Gilmore Girls’ is truly a sad moment for everyone at The CW and Warner Bros. Television. This series helped define a network and created a fantastic, storybook world featuring some of television’s most memorable, lovable characters."
The Louisiana Legislature is on the verge of banning cockfighting. It was inevitable after New Mexico banned it a few months ago making Louisiana the only state left where it was legal. The opponents no longer had to split their resources and the state is more than a little tired of the negative spotlight from the local and national media and even considerably less well-known sources. :) It will probably move underground for a time but it is surely on its last legs here. Good riddance. For those who disagree, here's How to Flee a Cockfighting Bust. That one made my morning (Be sure to look below the Google ads).
114 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
If you came with your own cock, leave your prize possession behind it's not worth it.
How to Flee a Cockfighting Bust
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "When I think of Paris Hilton in jail, this is the image that comes to mind."
Starting to think that Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers are not good for each other. He wanted Randy Moss on his team and is disappointed the Packers didn’t make the deal for him. What I think of Randy Moss: On a great team like the Pats figure to be, Moss can be a contributor. On a mediocre team like the Packers figure to be, he’s more likely to be the cancer he was in all of his years in Oakland and his last years in Minnesota. They’re better off without him. That said, I wonder why the Packers made such a half-a$$ed effort to get him. Did they really want him or were they trying to appease Favre? Public dissension before the season is never good and the Packers can’t continue handling Favre with kid gloves because of his popularity. In all honesty, I think Green Bay should have eased Brett out the door a few years ago.
115 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
I don't have five years to rebuild. ... I don't know if I've lost faith, and I think everyone in the organization wants to win. I just don't know if it includes me. If it's going to be five years from now, I'm not going to be here. This is 17 years for me and I want to win [now].
Brett Favre, Packers QB
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "I was wondering why it was taking so long for QB Brett Favre to undergo his ankle surgery. Apparently it is all Favre's fault. As much pain as he has probably played through during his football career, it isn't surprising that he put this off for so long. But to put it off for five years until your wife tells you to do it?"
First things first.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom
I was at the counter being waited on. It was taking a moment so the guy behind me, who was a lot closer to me than he needed to be in this uncrowded place, put his things on the counter because they were very cold. As he went back to his place in line behind me, I could sense that he was even a little closer this time. I got my stuff and took a step to turn away from the counter. Naturally, I stepped on his foot. We both apologized. My questions: Did that guy have an intelligence problem or an eyesight problem? Did he not realize what was coming next as the person in front of him was finishing (Intelligence problem) or was the person in front of him closer than he appeared (Eyesight problem)? Because of where we were (Bookstore), I lean toward eyesight problem.
From the CrabAppleLane garden this morning:
We have learned that hydrangeas do very well at CrabAppleLane with almost zero maintenance. We have also learned that we like almost zero maintenance almost as much as we like zero maintenance. We have further learned that we never have any idea what color they're going to be after the first year. They bloom as advertised the first season they're planted but their permanent color comes out the next year. This one was a faded pinkish color last year. I like this color much better. Hydrangeas probably love CrabAppleLane so much because they basically get to do whatever they want.
Not affiliated but cool nonetheless. CrabAppleLane down under.
About today's QOTD: It refers to the post-Katrina shortage of "essential workers" in southeast Louisiana. It is still severe and turnover is ridiculously high.
Quote of the Day
I can go to whatever sector it is, and the question they're asking is, we need help, we need warm bodies, we'll train them, we'll do anything. It used to be they'd be real particular -- we need this, we need that.
Jim Heap, Louisiana Department of Labor
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "We decided to have a little fun and list each decade all the way back to the 20s, when Mother’s Day was first introduced, and end up at the 90s. Under each decade is a description of gift giving trends, followed by some examples of items that capture the essence of those times. We hope you like it!"
In case you're wondering, Ricky Williams is STILL an idiot. Thankfully, he's no longer the Saints idiot.
If you like flowers, Andrea has some amazing photos up.
Happy Birthday, Ms Hepburn. Would have been 100 today.
I-10 in New Orleans is lined with red, pink, and white oleander. Big, bushy ones just covered in blooms, too. They’re gorgeous. The CrabAppleLane oleander doesn't compare but it surely looks nice after a night rain.
When I grow up, I want to work for the cable company. I think I could do this when I was five. When my internet cable was down a few weeks ago, this was their solution. It is some of their amazing signature work. For what it's worth, this untidy solution did get the job done and is not the reason we dropped them.
117 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
I'm only happy when it rains
Garbage
Blog of the day via Marie is here.
Quote from said blog: "Seeing “Inland Empire” at Toronto’s Royal Cinema was a Grindhouse-like experience."
I suppose you could classify wildfires as weather events. My friend, Dave, has done a few entries (Start there and scroll forward) on the wildfire that’s blazing on Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail. In the news yesterday morning on my radio, it was reported that 50 of Florida’s 67 counties were fighting major blazes. Can’t find a link to verify it but it has the ring of truth to me. Wildfires are yearly events out west and they're contending with their share of them now, too. We don’t get wildfires in Louisiana. At least, none that I remember. I have no idea why we don't. Our climate is very similar to Florida's. We have "burn bans" in effect in my area during the summer that only two or three people observe. I would gladly welcome relief from the weather events we do get but I'm very thankful for our good fortune so far on wildfires. Good Luck to all of you, especially those firefighters.
Quote of the Day
It was scary, and as close to something that I wouldn't want to experience again. I drove down through [on Highway 5], both sides of the road were burning, and trees were tumbling -- nothing in front of me. But I had to turn the air conditioning on. It was pretty hot in the truck.
Tony Faras
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "A volunteer firefighter from Springfield, ME was killed 2007-05-07 when the fire truck he was operating overturned."
119 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
I got all five senses and I slept last night. That puts me six up on the lot of you.
Brendan, Brick
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Whereas “Shaun” was reportedly a funny, lightweight, fundamentally affectionate send-up of zombie movies that gave an equally good-natured nod to slacker and romantic comedies, “Hot Fuzz” is a funny, lightweight, fundamentally affectionate send-up of buddy cop movies and Michael Bay action flicks that gives an equally good-natured nod to Agatha Christie murder mysteries and twee comedies set in quaint British villages."
Barry Bonds has 745 home runs after last night and is on the verge of breaking Hank Aaron’s home run record. From my seat in the bleachers, it looks like the baseball world is divided into three camps. The Aghast camp that thinks he cheated to get here and that he should have more respect for them and the game, the Cheering camp that is rather small and quiet as of this writing but I suspect will get a little larger and louder in the coming weeks, and the Ho Hum camp that is the largest at the moment and should concern baseball.
There’s really not much to say to the Ho Hum camp. I belong to this camp now and I wish I could get more excited by this.
To the Cheering camp, I understand your hesitation. Bonds is not easy to cheer for. He has a black cloud hanging over him not entirely of his own making. He’s curt, arrogant, and a jacka$$. Those lovely traits ARE entirely of his own making but not everyone can be Cal Ripken or Mickey Mantle.
To the Aghast camp, just go away. The man is jerking them out of the park now as well as he ever did and I don’t think anyone suspects he’s using steroids now. If the endless investigations don’t produce clear and concrete proof such as a test result or an admission and they’re not likely to, his records will stand. Get used to it. As for respecting you and the game, look where that got Roger Maris. What should have been the greatest year of his life was the worst year of his life ... because of you.
Quote of the Day
The 42-year-old Bonds homered on May 8 for the first time in his career, leaving Aug. 5 and Sept. 30 as the only days in the regular season he has yet to hit one out.
ESPN.com
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "They found piles of dead bats and bat shit all over. Luckily the attic floorboards held, or they would have had bat shit raining inside their house."
CrabAppleLane via Google Satellite Maps. Cool beans.
Chris Bliss performs to music. Speakers on, please. WOW.
Anyone remember a Jerry lewis movie called Hook, Line, and Sinker? Sometimes, life imitates art.
My niece was in the Monday Times-Picayune. She's Number 13.
About today's QOTD: Every time I see a story about Queen Elizabeth, I'm reminded of some comic, whose name I've long forgotten, who used to do a routine that went something like, "Why does the Queen carry a bag? What does she need? Keys to the palace?".
Quote of the Day
The queen wore the Queen Mary tiara, given to her by her grandmother; a diamond necklace known as the Festoon; diamond earrings and other diamond accessories, with her creamy white gown featuring a beaded bodice, chiffon skirt and the blue Order of the Garter sash. She wore white gloves and carried a silver handbag.
Maria Puente and David Jackson, USA TODAY
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many Americans have worried that another attack may soon follow. For many people, concerns about potential terrorism have grown into outright phobias, and quite a few have required psychological help just to carry on their lives with some degree of normalcy."
122 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
All eyes should look south, from the United States to Mexico City — to see how a country can be free and treat the naked body in art.
Spencer Tunick, Photographer
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "NewMexiKen has often wondered about life expectancy and the conventional wisdom that it was so low a century or two or more ago that 30 was old-age, etc."
Congratulations to Street Sense and Louisiana native jockey, Calvin Borel, for their thrilling victory in the Kentucky Derby yesterday. Because I didn’t have a nickel on the race, I had the winner. That's my winning formula for handicapping. He was the second or third choice on the morning line but he went off as the favorite. I liked his experience. Those who took my advice need not thank me for the extra 4½ houses they now own.
Checking in on the CrabAppleLane vegetable garden, we offer the image below:
These are right on time. If the worms and other critters don't beat me to them, they should be on a CrabAppleLane bacon and tomato sandwich, an avocado and tomato salad, or a cold cut po-boy in about three weeks. The plants wilt a little in the sun but they really love it. No sun block required.
Quote of the Day
We lacked a lot of education. But we didn't lack no work.
Cecil Borel
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "The owner’s son, David contacted us and said they expect to sell over 1,000 hats for Derby, so you’re sure to find something that fits your style. You can even see models that are already sold to avoid that nasty catfight."
Man, I have to go to the Derby one day. -Rob
CrabAppleLane goes for two in a row. Picked Barbaro to win last year’s Kentucky Derby. This year, it says here Street Sense will bring home the roses. If he has an ounce of Barbaro’s character, he’ll win easy. As always, bet any house you have to lose.
The Atlanta Falcons signed Justin Vincent out of LSU yesterday. Justin has done well in the Georgia Dome. He rushed for 200+ yards against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Georgia Dome to lead LSU to the SEC Championship. That total included an electrifying 90yd run for a touchdown. A couple of weeks later, he set the tone in the Sugar Bowl when he went on a 65yd run on the first play from scrimmage. Oklahoma All-American, Derrick Strait, saved that play from being a touchdown. The Tigers won the National Championship. Justin was a freshman. Not sure what happened in the years afterward. He had some decent games but he was never much more than just one in the mix at LSU in those years. Somewhat surprised he went undrafted. CrabAppleLane wishes him well except for those two games he'll play against the Saints if he makes the Falcons roster.
124 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
The birth of a nation saved our mother nation.
Frances H. Davis, Honorary State President of the Virginia Society Colonial Dames XVII Century
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Yesterday I mentioned how I found God over a beer."
Quote of the Day
You're not Superman, you know.
Aunt May, Spiderman
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Face of the Fan Winners Ed and Tracey recap some of the highlights from their adventures at Spider-Man Week in New York City with friends."
CrabAppleLane needs a new DSL modem to replace the not-even-two-day-old DSL modem. Naturally, I discontinued my other internet service yesterday. What is it with equipment these days? A work colleague had cable TV installed at her house last week and three of the four brand new cable boxes are bad.
No more of this or this or this. CrabAppleLane has dumped cable in favor of DSL. Upgraded speed (3mb to 6mb) and saved money in the process. Better, cheaper, more reliable. Your basic no brainer. Hurricane Katrina is responsible for getting DSL out here to the hinterlands of CrabAppleLane sooner than it would have occurred naturally. The phone company had to replace all of their lines and relay stations out here anyway. Might as well upgrade and pick up a few hundred new customers. Also a no brainer.
Fantasy football managers have all moved Tom Brady, Donte Stallworth, and Randy Moss up a notch in their minds. Brady is a model QB and a sure Hall-of-Famer. The other two are problem children that can play very well if everything is just right. As long as everything in New England is peaches and cream, these two will show up and play. They both have outrageous natural gifts but neither work hard or play hard. Not sure how that will go over beyond this year but it's clear to me that the Pats have gotten away from their winning formula and adopted a win now at all costs mentality. It may work. For my money, they are the team to beat in 2007 and those three will probably increase their fantasy stats quite a bit.
128 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
However, Brian Cashman, our general manager, Joe Torre, our manager, and our players all believe that they will turn this around quickly.
George Steinbrenner, New York Yankees Owner
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Jimbob called me at work yesterday to tell me we had a snake in the garage. How did he know? Well...he was trying to close the garage door, but the little snaky poo was faster. Apparently it got scared and scooted right in before the door came down."
