[via email from a friend. Sorry about the all-caps. I'm too lazy to clean it up today.]
A REDNECK FROM GEORGIA DECIDES TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE SOUTH TO VIRGINIA TO SEE GOD'S COUNTRY. WHEN HE GETS TO FRANKLIN, HE LIKES THE PLACE SO MUCH,
THAT HE DECIDES TO STAY. BUT FIRST HE MUST FIND A JOB!!!
HE WALKS INTO THE INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY OFFICE AND FILLS OUT AN APPLICATION AS AN EXPERIENCED LOG INSPECTOR.
IT'S HIS LUCKY DAY!!! THEY JUST HAPPEN TO BE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE, BUT FIRST, THE LOG FOREMAN TAKES HIM FOR A RIDE INTO THE FOREST IN THE COMPANY PICKUP TRUCK TO SEE HOW MUCH HE KNOWS.
THE FOREMAN STOPS THE TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POINTS AT A TREE. "SEE THAT TREE OVER THERE? I WANT YOU TO TELL ME WHAT SPECIES IT IS AND HOW MANY BOARD FEET OF LUMBER IT CONTAINS."
THE REDNECK PROMPTLY ANSWERS, "THAT THAR'S A WHITE PINE, 383 BOARD FEET OF LUMBER IN 'ER."
THE FOREMAN IS IMPRESSED!!! HE PUTS THE TRUCK IN MOTION AND STOPS ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. HE POINTS AT ANOTHER TREE THROUGH THE PASSENGER
WINDOW AND ASKS THE SAME QUESTION. THIS TIME, IT'S A BIGGER TREE OF A DIFFERENT CLASS.
"THAT'S A LOBLOLLY PINE AND SHE'S GOT ABOUT 456 CLEAR BOARD FEET."
THE FOREMAN IS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE GOOD OL' BOY, HE HAS BEEN QUICK AND GOT THE ANSWERS RIGHT WITHOUT USING A CALCULATOR. TIME FOR ONE MORE TEST.
THEY DRIVE A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE FOREMAN STOPS AGAIN.
THIS TIME, HE POINTS ACROSS THE ROAD THROUGH HIS DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SAYS "AND WHAT ABOUT THAT ONE?"
EVEN BEFORE THE FOREMAN FINISHES POINTING, THE REDNECK SAYS, "WHITE OAK, 242 BOARD FEET AT BEST."
THE FOREMAN SPINS THE TRUCK AROUND AND HEADS BACK TO THE OFFICE A LITTLE TICKED OFF BECAUSE HE THINKS THE RED NECK IS SMARTER THAN HE IS. AS THEY NEAR THE OFFICE, THE FOREMAN STOPS THE TRUCK ONE MORE TIME AND ASKS BUBBA TO STEP OUTSIDE.
HE HANDS HIM A PIECE OF CHALK AND TELLS HIM, "SEE THAT TREE OVER THERE? I WANT YOU TO MARK AN X ON THE FRONT OF THAT TREE!!"
THE FOREMAN THINKS TO HIMSELF, "IDIOT, HOW WOULD HE KNOW WHICH IS THE FRONT OF THE TREE?"
WHEN BUBBA REACHES THE TREE, HE GOES AROUND IT IN A CIRCLE WHILE LOOKING AT THE GROUND. HE THEN REACHES UP AND PLACES A WHITE X ON THE TRUNK. HE WALKS BACK TO THE FOREMAN AND HANDS HIM THE CHALK. "THAT THAR'S THE FRONT,"THE REDNECK SAYS.
THE FOREMAN LAUGHS TO HIMSELF AND ASKS SARCASTICALLY, "HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU KNOW THAT'S THE FRONT OF THE TREE?"
THE GOOD OL' BOY LOOKS DOWN AT HIS FEET, WHILE RUBBING THE TOE OF HIS LEFT BOOT, CLEANING IT IN THE GRAVEL, AND REPLIES, "CUZ SOMEBODY TOOK A SHIT BEHIND IT!"
HE GOT THE JOB.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
On The Road
I'll be heading into NJ today to celebrate Christmas with my sister's family (Christmas Eve) and with my MIL and Daughter (Christmas Day).
Terry left the Aerie yesterday heading in the same direction. Since she'll be staying a few days longer to help get Mom on her flight south so she can take a cruise to the Panama Canal, we decided to take separate vehicles...again. The round trip to the NJ locales is about 450 miles.
Monday, I'll most likely be heading up to New York State (Amsterdam area) to pick up some beef (1/4 of a steer) that we ordered. That will be a round trip of between 400 and 500 miles.
So, between the two, I'll be on the road for almost a thousand miles. And, except for the stiff knees, enjoying every minute of it.
In the mean time, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I'll see you on the flip side if not while I'm traveling. I've left some Christmas Carols for later this evening. Come back and enjoy if you so desire.
Terry left the Aerie yesterday heading in the same direction. Since she'll be staying a few days longer to help get Mom on her flight south so she can take a cruise to the Panama Canal, we decided to take separate vehicles...again. The round trip to the NJ locales is about 450 miles.
Monday, I'll most likely be heading up to New York State (Amsterdam area) to pick up some beef (1/4 of a steer) that we ordered. That will be a round trip of between 400 and 500 miles.
So, between the two, I'll be on the road for almost a thousand miles. And, except for the stiff knees, enjoying every minute of it.
In the mean time, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I'll see you on the flip side if not while I'm traveling. I've left some Christmas Carols for later this evening. Come back and enjoy if you so desire.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Three (more) Bowl Games
Three bowl games were played so far this week. Two of them were decided in the last minute while the third was a blowout from the opening kickoff!
Tuesday, Florida International and Marshall were tied 10 all at the half and at the end of the third quarter of the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl. Only when the Thundering Herd tallied 10 in the final quarter was the game decided. Marshall was able to break the tie with a 39-yard field goal--set up after a blocked punt—with just 5:16 left. Rakeem Cato (27-39 for 226 yards and 2 TDs) hit Aaron Dobson on a 35-yard TD pass with seconds left to ice the victory.
******
Wednesday, Mountain West Champions TCU squared off against Western Athletic Conference champion Louisiana Tech in the Poinsettia Bowl. This game was also tied 10-10 at the half but it was clear that the Bulldogs were outplaying the Horned frogs—right up until the last five minutes of the half. It was then that an interception set up an Ed Wesley 7-yard TD run to tie the game.
TCU’s Matthew Tucker scored another TD on a 1-yard run early in the second half, but then momentum then flipped back to Louisiana Tech as they converted two TCU turnovers into TDs to take a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter. TCU tied the game again with 7:49 to go as Luke Shivers scored on a 1-yard run capping a time consuming, 72-yard, 18-play drive. After a three-and-out series by the Bulldogs, the Horned Frogs took the lead for good when they scored on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Casey Pachall (15 of 29 for 206 yards) to Skye Dawson with 4:26 remaining. Not the last minute, but close.
TCU amassed 190 yards on the ground. Colby Cameron completed 21 of 43 passes for 264 yards and two TDs for the Bulldogs.
******
Thursday evening, the Boise State Broncos rolled over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas in a game punctuated by BIG plays. The Broncos scored on the opening kickoff (100 yards by Doug Martin who also rushed for 151 yards for the night) and held a 7-0 lead with just 14 seconds off the clock.
Two first half touchdown passes by Kellen Moore and another by receiver Matt Miller gave the Broncos a 28-3 lead at the half.
When Arizona State’s Rashad Ross returned the kickoff starting the second half 98 yards for a TD it looked, for a moment, that there might be a chance for a game. Wasn’t to be, however.
The Broncos’ defense added touchdowns on a 100-yard interception return and a 26-yard interception return. And Doug Martin kept slashing through the line for yard after yard. When the night was over, he had 301 all-purpose yards, a new Las Vegas Bowl record.
While a Boise victory usually means big numbers by Kellen Moore, the biggest number he posted this time was 50. He’s the first quarterback to lead his team to 50 victories during his career. He did complete 26 of 34 for 293 yards and the two TDs. He also tossed two interceptions and fumbled once. Most unusual.
On the ASU side of the line, wide receiver Gerell Robinson set a bowl record with 241 yards on 13 catches. Brock Osweiler completed 30 of 47 passes for 395 yards and two TDs.
Tuesday, Florida International and Marshall were tied 10 all at the half and at the end of the third quarter of the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl. Only when the Thundering Herd tallied 10 in the final quarter was the game decided. Marshall was able to break the tie with a 39-yard field goal--set up after a blocked punt—with just 5:16 left. Rakeem Cato (27-39 for 226 yards and 2 TDs) hit Aaron Dobson on a 35-yard TD pass with seconds left to ice the victory.
******
Wednesday, Mountain West Champions TCU squared off against Western Athletic Conference champion Louisiana Tech in the Poinsettia Bowl. This game was also tied 10-10 at the half but it was clear that the Bulldogs were outplaying the Horned frogs—right up until the last five minutes of the half. It was then that an interception set up an Ed Wesley 7-yard TD run to tie the game.
TCU’s Matthew Tucker scored another TD on a 1-yard run early in the second half, but then momentum then flipped back to Louisiana Tech as they converted two TCU turnovers into TDs to take a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter. TCU tied the game again with 7:49 to go as Luke Shivers scored on a 1-yard run capping a time consuming, 72-yard, 18-play drive. After a three-and-out series by the Bulldogs, the Horned Frogs took the lead for good when they scored on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Casey Pachall (15 of 29 for 206 yards) to Skye Dawson with 4:26 remaining. Not the last minute, but close.
TCU amassed 190 yards on the ground. Colby Cameron completed 21 of 43 passes for 264 yards and two TDs for the Bulldogs.
******
Thursday evening, the Boise State Broncos rolled over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas in a game punctuated by BIG plays. The Broncos scored on the opening kickoff (100 yards by Doug Martin who also rushed for 151 yards for the night) and held a 7-0 lead with just 14 seconds off the clock.
Two first half touchdown passes by Kellen Moore and another by receiver Matt Miller gave the Broncos a 28-3 lead at the half.
When Arizona State’s Rashad Ross returned the kickoff starting the second half 98 yards for a TD it looked, for a moment, that there might be a chance for a game. Wasn’t to be, however.
The Broncos’ defense added touchdowns on a 100-yard interception return and a 26-yard interception return. And Doug Martin kept slashing through the line for yard after yard. When the night was over, he had 301 all-purpose yards, a new Las Vegas Bowl record.
While a Boise victory usually means big numbers by Kellen Moore, the biggest number he posted this time was 50. He’s the first quarterback to lead his team to 50 victories during his career. He did complete 26 of 34 for 293 yards and the two TDs. He also tossed two interceptions and fumbled once. Most unusual.
On the ASU side of the line, wide receiver Gerell Robinson set a bowl record with 241 yards on 13 catches. Brock Osweiler completed 30 of 47 passes for 395 yards and two TDs.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Winter Solstice and other thoughts.
Today marks the Winter Solstice. It's that day on which the Sun reaches its furthest point south of the Equator and begins to turn around. It's that day on which we have the fewest number of daylight minutes and the largest number of nighttime minutes. From now until June we will have more minutes of light and fewer of darkness in our part of the world.
In a counter intuitive manner, it is also the day that marks the beginning of Winter here in the Northern Hemisphere. The Earth works on a bit of a time delay in regards to the seasons. It takes time to store heat in the Spring/Summer and to lose that stored heat in the Fall/Winter. That's why the coldest days are yet to come--usually late January or early February despite the lengthening daylight hours. It's also why the hottest days of the year are usually late July or early August when the number of daylight hours are already decreasing.
******
The cats--Shadow in particular--seemed unhappy with the alignment of the Universe last night. They--she especially--started to howl at the door at 4 AM and got very serious about waking us up soon after. She succeeded. I got out of bed at 4:45 AM when I couldn't ignore the caterwauling any more. Of course, they are all snoozing with full bellies now (8 AM) while I'm looking for a second (or is it third) large mug of coffee.
******
The wind switched around to come from the south last evening and that brought slightly warmer temperatures as well as a fine misting rain. Cloud ceiling must be around 1800 feet and only the swirling wind coming over the mountain has kept us from being completely engulfed in fog.
In a counter intuitive manner, it is also the day that marks the beginning of Winter here in the Northern Hemisphere. The Earth works on a bit of a time delay in regards to the seasons. It takes time to store heat in the Spring/Summer and to lose that stored heat in the Fall/Winter. That's why the coldest days are yet to come--usually late January or early February despite the lengthening daylight hours. It's also why the hottest days of the year are usually late July or early August when the number of daylight hours are already decreasing.
******
The cats--Shadow in particular--seemed unhappy with the alignment of the Universe last night. They--she especially--started to howl at the door at 4 AM and got very serious about waking us up soon after. She succeeded. I got out of bed at 4:45 AM when I couldn't ignore the caterwauling any more. Of course, they are all snoozing with full bellies now (8 AM) while I'm looking for a second (or is it third) large mug of coffee.
******
The wind switched around to come from the south last evening and that brought slightly warmer temperatures as well as a fine misting rain. Cloud ceiling must be around 1800 feet and only the swirling wind coming over the mountain has kept us from being completely engulfed in fog.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Bird Roundup at the Aerie
Our bird feeders and the environs around the Aerie have been busy places lately.
We've seen a small flock of Goldfinches make them a daily stop. Anywhere from 12 to 24 of the olive birds with their black wings with white stripes can be seen in the morning getting their fill of black oil sunflower seeds.
A somewhat larger number of Dark-eyed Juncos can be found along the edge of the yard or underneath the feeders looking for seeds of all sorts on the ground. Some of these snowbirds will come up to the deck and the tray feeder to pick at the pieces of sunflower seeds left by the squirrels and larger birds but I seldom catch them actually opening a sunflower seed themselves.
The ground feeding Mourning Doves are often around. I've watched some of them start under the feeder and work their way up into the woods turning leaves to locate wind-blown seed or insects.
The Black-capped Chickadees continually flit in and out to raid the feeders. They seldom stay longer than it takes to pick out a "good" seed from the lot before they head off to the pines to either eat their find or stash it in some nook or crevasse for later.
The Tufted Titmice behave in much the same manner as the Chickadees, but are far fewer in number. Same with the White-breasted Nuthatches who are fewer still.
Yesterday we thought we saw a female Purple Finch at the tray and today we had confirmation of a sort when a male showed up in his raspberry colors.
We've got a few Downy Woodpeckers that come for seed, too. We'd probably have more if I put out a suet block, but the last one got carried off by a bear and the feeder was never seen again.
I thought I spotted a Brown Creeper in the locust trees off the yard the other day. I didn't have my binoculars with me but it was small and brown and sure behaved like one going down the tree trunk head first. It won't come to the seed feeders, however, as it prefers the insect eggs, bugs and spiders it finds in the tree bark.
Overhead there are the Common Ravens, American Crows and the occasional Red-tailed Hawk. They don't come to the feeders but they do make their presence known. (Actually, I keep waiting for the Red-tails to zoom in and snatch one of the many Gray Squirrels that monopolize the feeders for hours. I counted a dozen of the tree rats this morning. Or, perhaps, a Sharp Shinned Hawk to scoop up a Goldfinch or Junco.)
I also caught sight of a flock of geese, probably 175-200 Canadas, heading south the other day after the front moved through and the wind shifted and temperatures plummeted. They were way up there just beneath the cloud bottoms and seemed a bit disorganized as they tried to form up. It wasn't the prettiest V in the world and there was lots of discussion about that and perhaps their destination as they flew on.
There you have it. A roster of what's been seen at the Aerie over the past week or so.
We've seen a small flock of Goldfinches make them a daily stop. Anywhere from 12 to 24 of the olive birds with their black wings with white stripes can be seen in the morning getting their fill of black oil sunflower seeds.
A somewhat larger number of Dark-eyed Juncos can be found along the edge of the yard or underneath the feeders looking for seeds of all sorts on the ground. Some of these snowbirds will come up to the deck and the tray feeder to pick at the pieces of sunflower seeds left by the squirrels and larger birds but I seldom catch them actually opening a sunflower seed themselves.
The ground feeding Mourning Doves are often around. I've watched some of them start under the feeder and work their way up into the woods turning leaves to locate wind-blown seed or insects.
The Black-capped Chickadees continually flit in and out to raid the feeders. They seldom stay longer than it takes to pick out a "good" seed from the lot before they head off to the pines to either eat their find or stash it in some nook or crevasse for later.
The Tufted Titmice behave in much the same manner as the Chickadees, but are far fewer in number. Same with the White-breasted Nuthatches who are fewer still.
Yesterday we thought we saw a female Purple Finch at the tray and today we had confirmation of a sort when a male showed up in his raspberry colors.
We've got a few Downy Woodpeckers that come for seed, too. We'd probably have more if I put out a suet block, but the last one got carried off by a bear and the feeder was never seen again.
I thought I spotted a Brown Creeper in the locust trees off the yard the other day. I didn't have my binoculars with me but it was small and brown and sure behaved like one going down the tree trunk head first. It won't come to the seed feeders, however, as it prefers the insect eggs, bugs and spiders it finds in the tree bark.
Overhead there are the Common Ravens, American Crows and the occasional Red-tailed Hawk. They don't come to the feeders but they do make their presence known. (Actually, I keep waiting for the Red-tails to zoom in and snatch one of the many Gray Squirrels that monopolize the feeders for hours. I counted a dozen of the tree rats this morning. Or, perhaps, a Sharp Shinned Hawk to scoop up a Goldfinch or Junco.)
I also caught sight of a flock of geese, probably 175-200 Canadas, heading south the other day after the front moved through and the wind shifted and temperatures plummeted. They were way up there just beneath the cloud bottoms and seemed a bit disorganized as they tried to form up. It wasn't the prettiest V in the world and there was lots of discussion about that and perhaps their destination as they flew on.
There you have it. A roster of what's been seen at the Aerie over the past week or so.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Last Saturday's Bowl Games
While anticipating the games coming up this week, let's look back at those that were played on Saturday.
Last week I said: "None of these three pit so-called Top Teams against one another. None of the teams even won their own conference. Each game, however, looks to be pretty competitive." That last sentence proved true for two out of the three.
Only the Wyoming--Temple match proved to be a blow out with the Owls pounding the Cowboys in the New Mexico Bowl 37-15 in a game that wasn't that close. Temple had a 21-0 lead as the first half neared its close before Wyoming put 7 points on the board with 37 seconds to go. Bernard Pierce ran for 100 yards and two TDs to lead the Owls to their second ever bowl victory.
The other two games proved to be real nail biters as each came down to the closing seconds.
Ohio's Tyler Tettleton led a 61-yard drive in the final 2:02 and scored on a one-yard keeper with 13 seconds left to give Ohio its first bowl victory, 24-23 over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It was Ohio's sixth bowl appearance. Michael Smith rushed for 157 yards on just 12 carries for the Utah State Aggies. He also scored two TDs--one of them on a 67-yard run from scrimmage. Smith's teammate, Robert Turbin, added 101 yards on 20 carries. The day, however, belonged to Tyler Tettleton. In addition to scoring the winning TD, he completed 19 of 26 pass attempts for 220 yards and two TDs of 26 and 44 yards.
The late night game (at least here in the east) saw the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette squeak out a victory over the San Diego State Aztecs 32-30 in the New Orleans Bowl when the Cajuns' place kicker Brett Baer connected on a 50-yard attempt with time running out to end an aerial shootout in which both teams had over 400 yards passing.
This one started out slow--it was just 13-3 at the half--but ended with everyone panting for breath. Baer had missed two extra point attempts earlier in the game--one blocked and one flat out missed--so his making a field goal from 50-yards out was anything but a sure thing! For the Cajuns, Blaine Gautier completed 24 of 40 passes for 470 yards and three TDs, receiver Darryl Surgent returned a punt 87 yards for a first half TD and finished the day with 283 all-purpose yards, while Javone Lawson made 9 catches for 193 yards and two TDs. The Aztec's Ryan Lindley completed 28 of 49 passes for 413 yards and three TDs--all to Colin Lockett. A failed 2-point conversion pass on San Diego State's final TD proved costly, however. This was the Ragin' Cajun's first bowl appearance in 41 years and being played in New Orleans, gave them something of a home field advantage as there were nearly 43,000 fans on hand setting a New Orleans Bowl attendance record.
So, there you have it. One game a blow out and two nail biters. Switching channels or--GASP--turning off a game at half time--as I did the New Orleans Bowl (Hey! It was after 10 PM already!), may cause you to miss some exciting finishes.
Last week I said: "None of these three pit so-called Top Teams against one another. None of the teams even won their own conference. Each game, however, looks to be pretty competitive." That last sentence proved true for two out of the three.
Only the Wyoming--Temple match proved to be a blow out with the Owls pounding the Cowboys in the New Mexico Bowl 37-15 in a game that wasn't that close. Temple had a 21-0 lead as the first half neared its close before Wyoming put 7 points on the board with 37 seconds to go. Bernard Pierce ran for 100 yards and two TDs to lead the Owls to their second ever bowl victory.
The other two games proved to be real nail biters as each came down to the closing seconds.
Ohio's Tyler Tettleton led a 61-yard drive in the final 2:02 and scored on a one-yard keeper with 13 seconds left to give Ohio its first bowl victory, 24-23 over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It was Ohio's sixth bowl appearance. Michael Smith rushed for 157 yards on just 12 carries for the Utah State Aggies. He also scored two TDs--one of them on a 67-yard run from scrimmage. Smith's teammate, Robert Turbin, added 101 yards on 20 carries. The day, however, belonged to Tyler Tettleton. In addition to scoring the winning TD, he completed 19 of 26 pass attempts for 220 yards and two TDs of 26 and 44 yards.
The late night game (at least here in the east) saw the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette squeak out a victory over the San Diego State Aztecs 32-30 in the New Orleans Bowl when the Cajuns' place kicker Brett Baer connected on a 50-yard attempt with time running out to end an aerial shootout in which both teams had over 400 yards passing.
This one started out slow--it was just 13-3 at the half--but ended with everyone panting for breath. Baer had missed two extra point attempts earlier in the game--one blocked and one flat out missed--so his making a field goal from 50-yards out was anything but a sure thing! For the Cajuns, Blaine Gautier completed 24 of 40 passes for 470 yards and three TDs, receiver Darryl Surgent returned a punt 87 yards for a first half TD and finished the day with 283 all-purpose yards, while Javone Lawson made 9 catches for 193 yards and two TDs. The Aztec's Ryan Lindley completed 28 of 49 passes for 413 yards and three TDs--all to Colin Lockett. A failed 2-point conversion pass on San Diego State's final TD proved costly, however. This was the Ragin' Cajun's first bowl appearance in 41 years and being played in New Orleans, gave them something of a home field advantage as there were nearly 43,000 fans on hand setting a New Orleans Bowl attendance record.
So, there you have it. One game a blow out and two nail biters. Switching channels or--GASP--turning off a game at half time--as I did the New Orleans Bowl (Hey! It was after 10 PM already!), may cause you to miss some exciting finishes.
Bowls of the week
Four bowl games will be played this week. One pits two conference champs against each other: MWC vs. WAC. We're still not seeing the teams from what's considered the Top Conferences, but there will be some good football being played just the same.
Tuesday, 20-Dec The Beef O'Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg, FL on ESPN at 8:00 PM
FIU Golden Panthers (8-4) vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (6-6)
Sun Belt Conference vs. Conference USA
Wednesday, 21-Dec The Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, CA
on ESPN at 8:00 PM
#16 TCU Horned Frogs (10-2) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-4)
Champs of the Mountain West Conference vs. Champs of the Western Athletic Conference
Thursday, 22-Dec The Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas, NV
on ESPN at 8:00 PM
#8 Boise State Broncos (11-1) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (6-6)
Mountain West Conference vs. PAC 12
Saturday, 24-Dec The Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu, HI
on ESPN at 8:00 PM
#22 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (11-2) vs. Nevada Wolf Pack (7-5)
Champs of Conference USA vs. Western Athletic Conference
Tuesday, 20-Dec The Beef O'Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg, FL on ESPN at 8:00 PM
FIU Golden Panthers (8-4) vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (6-6)
Sun Belt Conference vs. Conference USA
Wednesday, 21-Dec The Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, CA
on ESPN at 8:00 PM
#16 TCU Horned Frogs (10-2) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-4)
Champs of the Mountain West Conference vs. Champs of the Western Athletic Conference
Thursday, 22-Dec The Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas, NV
on ESPN at 8:00 PM
#8 Boise State Broncos (11-1) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (6-6)
Mountain West Conference vs. PAC 12
Saturday, 24-Dec The Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu, HI
on ESPN at 8:00 PM
#22 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (11-2) vs. Nevada Wolf Pack (7-5)
Champs of Conference USA vs. Western Athletic Conference
Saturday, December 17, 2011
About that poverty report by the AP...
I snorted fluids through my nose when I read this over at Instapundit:
The I read the linked article and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Sounds like a report on Lake Woebegone:
My goodness! Half the US households are below the middle (median) income level! Who would have thunk it!
Lies. Damn lies. And statistics. (Although that usually only works if you can confuse people with the statistics--not your stupidity.)
THE HORROR: When half of all households are below the median income. I blame Barack Obama, and I want a president who won’t rest until everyone is above the median income! But how likely is that when most people are perfectly satisfied to live in a society where twenty percent are in the bottom quintile?
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 2:57 pm
The I read the linked article and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
The other day AP published an article titled, "Census shows 1 in 2 people are poor or low-income," which pointed to a US Census Bureau report showing that half of all households earn less than the median national income. Yes, you read that correctly.
The AP's Hope Yen reported:Squeezed by rising living costs, a record number of Americans -- nearly 1 in 2 -- have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income.
The Census Bureau's definition of a 'low-income household' is less than $45,000, as the AP's Yen wrote:Many middle-class Americans are dropping below the low-income threshold -- roughly $45,000 for a family of four...
As we noted in a post on the AP 'story,' the US Census Bureau estimates that the median 2009 US household income was about $50,000.
Sounds like a report on Lake Woebegone:
Lake Wobegon is characterized as the town where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."
My goodness! Half the US households are below the middle (median) income level! Who would have thunk it!
Lies. Damn lies. And statistics. (Although that usually only works if you can confuse people with the statistics--not your stupidity.)
Friday, December 16, 2011
1500 Eared Grebes crash into
WalMart Parking Lot
And it wasn't even Black Friday.
It happened in southern Utah earlier this week.
An ornithologist (Kevin McGowan. He's at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York) discusses the whys and wherefores on NPR.
Kevin McGowan:
Of course, such things have happened in the past. Birds crash into frozen lakes and rivers often. But there are plenty of eyes about now and there were not then.
More at the link above or ">here.
It happened in southern Utah earlier this week.
They're just everywhere. That's how a wildlife manager describes the mass casualties of Eared Grebes that crash landed in southern Utah on Monday night. Some 1,500 grebes died, another 3,000 have been rescued. The small water birds were migrating and apparently mistook a Walmart parking lot, highways and football fields covered with snow for bodies of water.
An ornithologist (Kevin McGowan. He's at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York) discusses the whys and wherefores on NPR.
Kevin McGowan:
Well, these guys are flying at night. So, they are up in the air and are usually trying to figure out which way is up, by the fact that the sky is lighter than the ground. It sounds like there was bad weather that they ran into and were trying to get down out of the air.
Then they look down and they see this wide-open, dark area that looks like it's got - it's shiny, it is reflecting the sky. Hey, that's got to be a lake. And that's exactly what they're looking for. So they went down to land in a nice glide at 40 miles an hour and expecting the waters to part in front of them and it was asphalt. That's not so good if you're a grebe.
Of course, such things have happened in the past. Birds crash into frozen lakes and rivers often. But there are plenty of eyes about now and there were not then.
More at the link above or ">here.
Now THAT'S a...
...BIG bear!
829-pound bear takes record in N.J. hunt
We lived in Morristown in Morris County back before we moved to PA. I hunted in Warren County and saw bears while I was out there. Never saw one this big, however.
829-pound bear takes record in N.J. hunt
We lived in Morristown in Morris County back before we moved to PA. I hunted in Warren County and saw bears while I was out there. Never saw one this big, however.
Well, that's one way...
...to avoid the bear hunting season in New Jersey.
The bear was eventually tagged and released on state property. Hopefully a good distance from Mr. Annacone's home.
Read the rest here.
HOPATCONG, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — The 550-pound bear that was found hiding out in a New Jersey basement had been living there for weeks.
...
Annacone learned about his roommate yesterday from Dave Cornine, a Cablevision technician who had come over for a repair job in the basement.
“I heard the growl, I thought what is that noise,” Cornine said.
Cornine turned around and saw an enormous black bear waking up in the corner. He didn’t stick around to make friends with the animal.
The bear was eventually tagged and released on state property. Hopefully a good distance from Mr. Annacone's home.
Read the rest here.
Aerie Report, December16, 2011
It's been a wild ride over the past 24 hours here at the Aerie.
All day yesterday the winds blew out of the south and we were hit with a misting rain much of the day as we watched a long thin stream of heavier and sometimes down right violent rain move north northeast over the Allegheny National Forest, Erie and Buffalo. As this band of rain rapidly moved along the front, it also edged its way eastward and it became a question of whether or not we would be affected by its passing.
All day the temperatures slowly rose as the warm southern air engulfed us until the thermometer reached its high of 50 degrees around 7 PM. That's about when the wind shifted to come from the west and the tail of the band of rain hit us. It poured for a little over half an hour as that front moved through. Then the wind shifted even more so as to come from the northwest and its velocity began to increase as well.
During the night, the rain stopped but the wind blew even harder. The house creaked under the onslaught and the sound of the wind in the trees increased to the point of being akin to a freight train just outside the window. It woke us between three and four AM with its din.
Miraculously, there were no trees blown down or uprooted under the force of the wind. If this had happened while there were still leaves on the branches, I'm sure the story would have been different.
The wind has since died down to a more acceptable 5-10 mph. The temperature has also dropped to 30 degrees this morning as Canadian air moves in. It's still overcast and gray but the threat of precipitation whether rain or snow is pretty much over.
******
Tomorrow promises to be a cool but clear day for our annual Christmas Bird Count. Terry and I will be hitting the Lamb's Creek area, part of the Mansfield Watershed area up on Shaw Road and, perhaps, the Firetower in the State Gamelands Area 37. A lot depends upon how much we see and how much time we spend in any one area. Each of these would be full morning visits--in the spring. During the winter there are far fewer birds and bird species around. In a preliminary scout last week, we saw and heard very, very few individual birds.
******
Terry has been out partying with all her groups (Ladies' Guild, EGA, Curves) virtually every day this week and tomorrow's Bird Count ends with another luncheon at a friends house.
Next week we'll be heading into NJ for Christmas Eve with my sister and her family and Christmas Day with Grandma and our daughter, Jessica. We'll take two cars since Terry is going in early and staying late. Grandma needs a ride to the airport for a cruise through the Panama Canal with grandson Brian and daughter Lucille and SIL Doug, with whom she will connect in Miami.
All day yesterday the winds blew out of the south and we were hit with a misting rain much of the day as we watched a long thin stream of heavier and sometimes down right violent rain move north northeast over the Allegheny National Forest, Erie and Buffalo. As this band of rain rapidly moved along the front, it also edged its way eastward and it became a question of whether or not we would be affected by its passing.
All day the temperatures slowly rose as the warm southern air engulfed us until the thermometer reached its high of 50 degrees around 7 PM. That's about when the wind shifted to come from the west and the tail of the band of rain hit us. It poured for a little over half an hour as that front moved through. Then the wind shifted even more so as to come from the northwest and its velocity began to increase as well.
During the night, the rain stopped but the wind blew even harder. The house creaked under the onslaught and the sound of the wind in the trees increased to the point of being akin to a freight train just outside the window. It woke us between three and four AM with its din.
Miraculously, there were no trees blown down or uprooted under the force of the wind. If this had happened while there were still leaves on the branches, I'm sure the story would have been different.
The wind has since died down to a more acceptable 5-10 mph. The temperature has also dropped to 30 degrees this morning as Canadian air moves in. It's still overcast and gray but the threat of precipitation whether rain or snow is pretty much over.
******
Tomorrow promises to be a cool but clear day for our annual Christmas Bird Count. Terry and I will be hitting the Lamb's Creek area, part of the Mansfield Watershed area up on Shaw Road and, perhaps, the Firetower in the State Gamelands Area 37. A lot depends upon how much we see and how much time we spend in any one area. Each of these would be full morning visits--in the spring. During the winter there are far fewer birds and bird species around. In a preliminary scout last week, we saw and heard very, very few individual birds.
******
Terry has been out partying with all her groups (Ladies' Guild, EGA, Curves) virtually every day this week and tomorrow's Bird Count ends with another luncheon at a friends house.
Next week we'll be heading into NJ for Christmas Eve with my sister and her family and Christmas Day with Grandma and our daughter, Jessica. We'll take two cars since Terry is going in early and staying late. Grandma needs a ride to the airport for a cruise through the Panama Canal with grandson Brian and daughter Lucille and SIL Doug, with whom she will connect in Miami.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Let the Bowl Season Begin!
This Saturday begins the post season in college footballs FBS division. There are three games on tap.
New Mexico Bowl at Albuquerque, NM on ESPN2 at 2:00 PM
Wyoming Cowboys(8-4) vs. Temple Owls (8-4)
Mountain West Conference vs. Mid-American Conference
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Boise, ID on ESPN at 5:30 PM
Ohio Bobcats (9-4) vs. Utah State Aggies (7-4)
Mid-American Conference vs. Western Athletic Conference
New Orleans Bowl at New Orleans, LA on ESPN at 9:00 PM
La.-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (8-4) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (8-4)
Sun Belt Conference vs. Mountain West Conference
None of these three pit so-called Top Teams against one another. None of the teams even won their own conference. Each game, however, looks to be pretty competitive.
The next two weeks will see many games of this nature leading up to The Big One on January 9. The BCS Championship Game has lost some of its luster (at least in my mind) since it's a rerun of LSU vs. Alabama.
New Mexico Bowl at Albuquerque, NM on ESPN2 at 2:00 PM
Wyoming Cowboys(8-4) vs. Temple Owls (8-4)
Mountain West Conference vs. Mid-American Conference
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Boise, ID on ESPN at 5:30 PM
Ohio Bobcats (9-4) vs. Utah State Aggies (7-4)
Mid-American Conference vs. Western Athletic Conference
New Orleans Bowl at New Orleans, LA on ESPN at 9:00 PM
La.-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (8-4) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (8-4)
Sun Belt Conference vs. Mountain West Conference
None of these three pit so-called Top Teams against one another. None of the teams even won their own conference. Each game, however, looks to be pretty competitive.
The next two weeks will see many games of this nature leading up to The Big One on January 9. The BCS Championship Game has lost some of its luster (at least in my mind) since it's a rerun of LSU vs. Alabama.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
For you ski bums out there
Are you a skier who lives in town and can't get to a slope out in the mountains? Well, that's no excuse at all! Watch the video below for some ideas (and great footage) of some urban skiing.
(Okay, the skis might not be in good shape after hitting the pavement, but it sure looks like he's having fun!)
(Seen on the sidebar over at Ace's.)
(Okay, the skis might not be in good shape after hitting the pavement, but it sure looks like he's having fun!)
(Seen on the sidebar over at Ace's.)
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