Log Home Update: Baby Steps

One more step today as we drove out to Lancaster to close on the second of the two loans from M & T Mortgage. This one is officially called the "construction loan" while the one we closed on last week was the "swing loan." We now have all the financing we need.

M & T issued the preliminary payment to Beaver Mountain Log Homes so they could get on with the milling of the logs for our home. Friday I will give our General Contractor, Don, a check equal to 15% of his estimated cost for the construction of our home.

From that point on, it will be a matter of finishing the preparation work here in NJ so we can put this house on the market. Aside from moving things out, I estimate one solid week of painting will do for the house's interior. Then it will be a quick scrub/pressure wash of the outside and a reconstruction of the outdoor shed and chipping up some brush/branches. If the weather cooperates, three weeks. Somewhere around Presidents' Day we'll be ready to put the house on the market.

Volunteers to assist with the painting?

New ATM Rules

Mostly Cajun has posted the new rules for ATM use that have been initiated at his bank. I believe they have been in effect at my bank for years. There’s one set for Males and another for Females. Go on over to take a look at them and see if they are used at your bank’s ATM.

“Who’ll bring the rain?”

Clouds may bring the rain, but what brings the clouds? The answer may lay in the cosmos…well, the cosmic rays at least.

"The odds of a cloudy day increase by around 20 per cent when the cosmic ray flux is high," says Harrison, amounting to a few extra days of cloudiness per year.

When cosmic rays hit the atmosphere they produce charged particles which seem encourage the growth of cloud droplets. Compared with greenhouse gases the effect of cosmic rays on climate is small. But it could help explain some of the more mysterious changes in climate Earth has experienced in the past.

So, does Seattle have a funnel poised high overhead through which cosmic rays are gathered?

Via Lucianne

72 Canadian Miners Rescued

Maybe there is something we can learn from Canada. A week after the second West Virginia coal mine incident took the lives of two miners and two weeks after a W. Va. Explosion killed 12, some Canadian miners found themselves underground when a fire broke out.

Seventy-two Canadian potash miners Monday walked away from an underground fire and toxic smoke on Monday after being locked down overnight in airtight chambers packed with enough oxygen, food and water for several days.

It sounds like the miners felt safe in their underground bunker.

Greg Harris, one of the miners, said he was never concerned about his safety as he played checkers with colleagues in the refuge room waiting to be rescued. They drew the checkerboard on the back of a map and used washers as chips.

``Everything is good,'' Harris told The Canadian Press from his home. ``Communication was excellent. We had no problems whatsoever.''

Analysts said the rescue could serve as a lesson for their counterparts in the United States, China and other countries.

Via Lucianne

Win the Battle and “Lose” the War

Also on January 30, 1968 the Tet Offensive began when Viet Cong forces supported by a large number of North Vietnamese regulars began the largest offensive of the war. On what was supposed to be the first day of a holiday truce, enemy forces quickly overran many of the largest cities in South Vietnam but by February 10 the offensive was largely crushed. The American and South Vietnamese forces had soundly defeated the enemy in the field but back in the states, the heavy casualties incurred by the Allied forces fueled civil and political protests that led President Lyndon Johnson to announce, on March 31, 1968, he would not seek re-election. That action added to the anti-war momentum and would eventually lead to the withdrawal of all American forces.


From This Day in History

The Father of His Country

On a sadder note, January 30th is also the anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s assassination. Gandhi could be seen as the father of modern independent India.

He supported Britain in the First World War but in 1919 launched a new satyagraha in protest of Britain's mandatory military draft of Indians. Hundreds of thousands answered his call to protest, and by 1920 he was leader of the Indian movement for independence. He reorganized the Indian National Congress as a political force and launched a massive boycott of British goods, services, and institutions in India.

It took a long time for him to realize his dream and even then it was rife with violence.

In 1945, a new government came to power in Britain, and negotiations for India's independence began. Gandhi sought a unified India, but the Muslim League, which had grown in influence during the war, disagreed. After protracted talks, Britain agreed to create the two new independent states of India and Pakistan on August 15, 1947. Gandhi was greatly distressed by the partition, and bloody violence soon broke out between Hindus and Muslims in India.

In an effort to end India's religious strife, he resorted to fasts and visits to the troubled areas. He was on one such vigil in New Delhi when Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist who objected to Gandhi's tolerance for the Muslims, fatally shot him. Known as Mahatma, or "the great soul," during his lifetime, Gandhi's persuasive methods of civil disobedience influenced leaders of civil rights movements around the world, especially Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States.

From This Day in History

Adolph Hitler Rises to Chancellor

Another fast riser in 1933 was quite so benign or to be admired. On January 30th, Adolph Hitler became the chancellor of Germany. In July of 1932, the Nazis had won 230 seats in the Reichstag. They and the Communists made up more than half of that body. Trying to avoid the Communists’ influence, President Paul von Hindenburg was talked into naming Hitler, the leader or fuhrer of the National Socialist German Workers Party, chancellor of Germany.

Hitler’s emergence as chancellor on January 30, 1933, marked a crucial turning point for Germany and, ultimately, for the world. His plan, embraced by much of the German population, was to do away with politics and make Germany a powerful, unified one-party state. He began immediately, ordering a rapid expansion of the state police, the Gestapo, and putting Hermann Goering in charge of a new security force, composed entirely of Nazis and dedicated to stamping out whatever opposition to his party might arise. From that moment on, Nazi Germany was off and running, and there was little Hindenburg or von Papen—or anyone—could do to stop it.

And we all know where that led.


From This Day in History

“Hi-yo, Silver! Away!”

On this day back in 1933 The Lone Ranger made its radio debut on Detroit’s WXYZ. Station-owner George Trendle and writer Fran Striker joined forces to give us the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Historical accuracy was the furthest thing from the minds of the creators. They wanted to entertain in a wholesome, moral way.

The constant action kept the kids entertained and Mom and Dad liked the moral code of conduct the pair of heroes followed. As a result, the show became immensely popular and was soon picked up by the Mutual Radio Network where 20 million Americans were tuning in three times a week by 1939. The popularity of the show also led to one of the most effective marketing tie-in strategies. Lone Ranger guns, costumes, books and even a comic strip soon appeared.

The Lone Ranger easily made the transition to motion pictures and then television. With Clayton Moore as the masked man, The Lone Ranger became a big hit on ABC TV in the early 1950’s and remained on the air until 1957. The show ushered in the golden age of the TV Western.

Not bad for a character whose inspiration was Douglas Fairbanks’ Zorro in the silent movie, The Mark of Zorro

From This Day in History

Lady Knights down Hoyas, 65-51

Led by Cappie Pondexter’s game-high 24 points and Essence Carson’s 14. the No. 10/9 Scarlet Knights drubbed the Georgetown Hoyas in Washington, DC.
A 16-0 run midway during the first half gave the Knights a 28-14 advantage reversing a 14-12 Georgetown lead.

The full story and stats can be found here.

Rutgers improves to 15-3, 7-0 in the Big East. Georgetown falls to 8-11, 1-7 in the Big East.

The Lady Knights take on the St. John's Redstorm at the RAC Wednesday night at 7:30 PM.

Scarlet Knights Pluck Cardinals, 65-56

As bad as things were the other night against Providence, they were that much better today against No. 22/23 Louisville. Quincy Doubly’s 12 points led an RU team that shot 58% from the floor in the first half. The Knights jumped out to a 16-point lead at one point and held on to an 11-point margin at the break, 39-28. Louisville shot just 31% in the first half.

The Cardinals came out in the second half and immediately narrowed the gap to just 5 points as RU went 0-7 to start the second half. Anthony Farmer made a jumper with 14:17 to play and end that futility string. With 11 minutes to go, RU was still only 1 for 11 from the floor. Thankfully they stepped up their defense and continued to hold on to a 9-point lead. While Louisville continued to shoot just 30% from the field, RU turned the ball over time and again.

RU’s shooting remained cold from the field as the Cardinals chopped away at the RU lead until, with 8:03 remaining, they had reduced it to just 2 points with a 9-2 run. And, after trading a few baskets, it was down to just 1-point with 5:48 on the clock. Almost exactly a minute later, Louisville took the lead 52-51 for the first time since early in the first half. RU took the lead back with two free throws by Ollie Bailey but gave it back on free throws. From there it was back and forth over and over again. RU would take a lead, and Louisville would tie or go ahead. Then RU would take the lead or tie. Tied at 56 with three minutes to go, RU went on a 9-0 run to end the game. The Scarlet Knights win 65-56 when Louisville fails to score in the final 3:02.

Quincy Douby had a tougher second half and ended with just 19 points. (He is averaging 23 per game.) JR Inman had 13 points and Ollie Bailey came off the bench to add 12 for the Knights. RU ended the game with 43% shooting from the field, 31% from 3-point range and 84% (16-19) from the stripe.

Both teams were fighting for a slot in the Big East Tournament. Both were tied in the Big East standings with Providence at 2-4 going into today’s play. (Providence fell to No. 1 Connecticut 76-62.)

The full story and stats can be found here.

Rutgers improves to 13-7, 3-4 in the Big East. Louisville falls to 14-6, 2-5 in the Big East.

The Scarlet Knights hit the road to play at Syracuse Wednesday night at 7 PM.

Transitions, Part 2

Another 500 mile trip to PA and back today with a truckload of "stuff" for storage. So far we aven't even hit the materials that would normally be essential. (At least if you discount the scrollsaw plans and the needlcraft plans that we have already boxed.)

We stopped to talk to an Allstate representative and pick up a copy of the insurance policy and then went to the storage unit to unload the truck.

We then went to check our PO Box. (It's amazing, we signed the rental agreement last Friday and already we're getting junk mail.)

A short trip up to the property where we found a couple of inches of snow on the ground at 2100 feet and a stop at Wendy's for lunch.

Then it was time to head home. We made only one stop on the way back to refuel. Being Friday afternoon--and between lunch and dinner--we were able to make great time. Those who did take off from work to head for the mountains for the weekend were going the opposite direction.

What a maroon! (Part…whatever)

In a scene straight out of Monty Python, Joel Kackstetter threw not one but two prosthetic legs at a state trooper leaving himself without a leg to stand on. The trooper had pulled Kackstetter’s son over on suspicion of drunk driving. Now they are both facing multiple charges.

Via it comes in pints?

(Oops. I just realized I inadvertently lifted the “without a leg to stand on” from pints. Sorry.)

Transitions

Today we had our refi closing here in our NJ home. That’s one more step in financing our log home finished. Next week we visit M & T Mortgage Company in Lancaster, PA to close on the construction loan. Once that is done we will have the money needed to continue on with our project. We’ll be able to provide our first payment to our contractor and to Beaver Mountain so they can get the foundation underway and start milling the logs, respectively.

Meanwhile Terry and I will be making another run to PA (our fourth) with boxed stuff including all the Christmas decorations. Right now Terry and Jess are going through a box of papers dating from way back. They’re digging up treasures such as Jessica’s third grade report cards and Rick’s preschool evaluations. Reading the comments about each of the kids is hysterical. Jessica got a birthday card that showed Ziggy playing a tuba and Rick’s teacher said he had an excellent ability to concentrate upon things in which he was interested but tended not to focus well on other topics! Well, duh!

Terry and I have boxed up some items to be donated for a church sale and some books for the library's sale. This morning the garbagemen had a huge mound of recyclables to haul away.

We're making progress. Slowly but steadily.

You can’t make this stuff up

The Boston Globe headline reads: “Car theft takes an unexpected turn Crash in police lot leads to capture”.

an unlicensed 16-year-old allegedly stole a 2005 Honda Civic yesterday and tried to escape from an officer by driving into a city-owned parking lot full of marked police cars.

The 16 year-old then proceeded to crash into a police tow truck.

What a maroon! I would love to be a fly on the wall when he relates how he got caught to his new cellmates, wouldn’t you?


Via Drew Curtis’ FARK

Somebody call Q

This sounds like something right out of a James Bond movie. Rocket designer Tim Pickens has built a bicycle with a rocket booster attached. One push of the button and—BAMM!—off you go! Zero to 60 in five seconds!

Sounds like a plan—until someone gets hurt.

Via Drew Curtis’ FARK

Smoking addiction could be in your genes

Are you having trouble living up to that New Year’s resolution to kick the habit? It might not be all your fault, your genes could be working against you. At least, that’s what these Japanese scientists seem to be saying. So if you’ve tried quitting a million times, blame your parents.

Via Drew Curtis’ FARK

What was she thinking?

Obliviously not much. An airline attendant for Northwest Airlines tried to take an inactive hand grenade aboard in her luggage. It was a gift for her son. She’ll now get to spend more time with him, I’m sure but will have less money to spend on presents. Idiot.

Via Drew Curtis’ FARK

Million-year-old ice?

Japanese scientists have retrieved ice from the Antarctic ice sheet that they believe to be one million years old. It came from a depth of 9, 994 feet or approximately 1.9 miles. Wow! Just WOW!

Via Drew Curtis’ FARK

And I thought I had caught small fish!

An AP report out of Bangkok, Thailand on the ABC News site states that scientists have discovered a fish that grows to less than 1/3 of an inch in length in the acid bogs of Indonesia.

It beat the old record by just thaaaaaat much.

The previous record for world's smallest fish, according to the Natural History Museum, was held by a species of Indo-Pacific goby one-tenth of a millimeter longer.

Wow!. Just one-tenth of a millimeter shorter than the old record! I'm sure it doesn't make musch of a difference when one considers variations within individuals of a species. But you get your kicks where ever you may.

Via Drew Curtis’ FARK

What were they thinking?

You know, it’s probably not wise to drop a brick of cocaine from your apartment window. Especially if a policeman happens to be passing by.

I taught middle school for a long time but this kind of stuff never ceases to amaze me.

Via Drew Curtis’ FARK