Sunday, April 10, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Let's Call Them I-tards
Some hikers and backpackers are relying on Iphone apps to navigate in the wilderness.
Lake District rescue teams said that younger walkers rely too heavily on mobile phones equipped with navigational “apps” and sat nav technology.
Dubbed the “shorts and flip-flops brigade” hardly any are familiar with the traditional methods of using a map and compass.
Nick Owen, Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team leader, said: “They’re great with technology but they can’t walk up a hill without getting into trouble.
“They take no sensible kit like spare clothing and they rely on technical gadgetry which they’re not familiar with.”
If you're a hiker or backpacker, you should know what the Ten Essentials are, and more importantly, you should carry them with you on your hike. You should also know the basics of navigating with a map and compass.
Lake District rescue teams said that younger walkers rely too heavily on mobile phones equipped with navigational “apps” and sat nav technology.
Dubbed the “shorts and flip-flops brigade” hardly any are familiar with the traditional methods of using a map and compass.
Nick Owen, Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team leader, said: “They’re great with technology but they can’t walk up a hill without getting into trouble.
“They take no sensible kit like spare clothing and they rely on technical gadgetry which they’re not familiar with.”
If you're a hiker or backpacker, you should know what the Ten Essentials are, and more importantly, you should carry them with you on your hike. You should also know the basics of navigating with a map and compass.
Going Back To Prison Is His Thang
James Tyrone Huntley and an accomplice, fleeing the scene of a home invasion, left behind a vital clue:
A t-shirt featuring a photograph of Huntley with the slogan Making Money Is My Thang.
And the dumb SOB just got out of prison last November, so presumably he's still on parole status and can have it revoked, thus sending him back to prison while the state of NC prepares its prosecution in the new case. Probably no trial in that one, since Huntley left such overwhelming evidence at the scene that he'll have to plead.
Dumbass.
A t-shirt featuring a photograph of Huntley with the slogan Making Money Is My Thang.
And the dumb SOB just got out of prison last November, so presumably he's still on parole status and can have it revoked, thus sending him back to prison while the state of NC prepares its prosecution in the new case. Probably no trial in that one, since Huntley left such overwhelming evidence at the scene that he'll have to plead.
Dumbass.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
It Was One Of Them Assault Cigarettes
She stuck a lit cigarette in a woman's eye in self-defense, she claims.
Ford said three women, including the one she’d previously had a dispute with inside, then attacked her outside the bar.
“By this time, I’m about to suffocate,” Ford said. “They’re wailing on my head.”
Ford said she burned one of the women with a cigarette in an attempt to stop a beating.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I wanted to make her stop,” Ford said.
What I want to know is, was the cigarette from one of those high-capacity 20-cigarette packs? We can't have people going around with the possibility of burning 20 eyes in a single attack, now can we? We need to restrict cigarette packs to a more reasonable number, like, say, 1 or 2. Or hell, ban them outright. Cigarettes ain't mentioned in the Constitution, so no one should have the right to keep and bear cigarettes. Save people's eyes, ban cigarettes!
FOR THE CHILDREN!
Ford said three women, including the one she’d previously had a dispute with inside, then attacked her outside the bar.
“By this time, I’m about to suffocate,” Ford said. “They’re wailing on my head.”
Ford said she burned one of the women with a cigarette in an attempt to stop a beating.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I wanted to make her stop,” Ford said.
What I want to know is, was the cigarette from one of those high-capacity 20-cigarette packs? We can't have people going around with the possibility of burning 20 eyes in a single attack, now can we? We need to restrict cigarette packs to a more reasonable number, like, say, 1 or 2. Or hell, ban them outright. Cigarettes ain't mentioned in the Constitution, so no one should have the right to keep and bear cigarettes. Save people's eyes, ban cigarettes!
FOR THE CHILDREN!
Just Get Rid of the Gas-Guzzler, Ya Dumb Redneck
President Obama finally answers a question about high gasoline prices.
The party of the working class.
h/t Alan at Snarkybytes.
update: Looks like the Associated Press is trying to make that embarrassing passage disappear.
The party of the working class.
h/t Alan at Snarkybytes.
update: Looks like the Associated Press is trying to make that embarrassing passage disappear.
7.2 Richter Earthquake Off Japan
Heard it on the radio just now. Dear gods, haven't those poor people suffered enough?
Father of the Year
Police pulled Lamonte Smith over for expired license plates. In addition, he didn't have a driver's license on him (imagine that), and when the officer walked back to his car to run the information, Lamonte had outstanding arrest warrants out on him (imagine that), so he took the opportunity to flee the scene, leaving his 2- and 4-year old children in the car.
Whatta guy.
Whatta guy.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
You Know Your Economy Sucks...
...when people shoot each other over scrap metal.
Or, if you're a Democrat and have to try and spin the story, you'd perhaps say that it shows how serious the men are about recycling.
And in a related headline, thieves in Charlotte are stealing car batteries to be sold to recyclers.
Sounds like recycling is becoming a form of organized crime, doesn't it?
Or, if you're a Democrat and have to try and spin the story, you'd perhaps say that it shows how serious the men are about recycling.
And in a related headline, thieves in Charlotte are stealing car batteries to be sold to recyclers.
Sounds like recycling is becoming a form of organized crime, doesn't it?
Cue the Banjo Music
North Carolina's own "Bonnie and Clyde" were captured after an extended chase by police.
I personally like the part where they stole a truck used to perform maintenance on train tracks, driving it down the tracks until they could find another vehicle.
Peckerwoods, gotta love 'em.
I personally like the part where they stole a truck used to perform maintenance on train tracks, driving it down the tracks until they could find another vehicle.
Peckerwoods, gotta love 'em.
They've Trotted Out the "C" Word
Cult.
And you know what happens when they start using that word. Warm up the tanks, and notify Lon Horiuchi.
And you know what happens when they start using that word. Warm up the tanks, and notify Lon Horiuchi.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Motherless Child
My mother passed away this morning around 6:30 Eastern time. She'd been in a nursing home for the last couple of years after breaking her hip. Back in February she had a fall in her room and broke her right thigh, and after surgery came down with MRSA, (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which put her into a cycle of rally/relapse which her 89-year old body could not cope with, although she had no other chronic illnesses that would have prevented her living for several more years.
It's possible I'll write more of her in the future, but I just wanted to put this post up so you folks would know why I'll not be posting that much in the next day or so.
It's possible I'll write more of her in the future, but I just wanted to put this post up so you folks would know why I'll not be posting that much in the next day or so.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Nuke Mecca!
via Blackfork, a little interactive map that allows you to vicariously nuke a target of your choice:
Of course, I chose to nuke Mecca:
I would advise being a little careful with your target selection, as you don't want the FBI, ATF or Secret Service knocking on your door to carry out a personalized investigation.
Of course, I chose to nuke Mecca:
I would advise being a little careful with your target selection, as you don't want the FBI, ATF or Secret Service knocking on your door to carry out a personalized investigation.
Put It On The Fiction Shelves?
Over at Reason Magazine, Bill Steigerwald set out to retrace the tracks of John Steinbeck from the book Travels With Charley, and discovered that Steinbeck played fast and loose with his facts.
To the point where it can hardly be classified as non-fiction.
To the point where it can hardly be classified as non-fiction.
Welcome To The Coventry University Hospital
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
So Paul Smith took it on the lam. Unfortunately he was caught by police and returned to the hospital.
So Paul Smith took it on the lam. Unfortunately he was caught by police and returned to the hospital.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
I Was Living In Spain...
...when Jack Nicklaus won his last Masters, in 1986.
A fine Ron Green, Jr., tribute in today's Charlotte Observer.
A fine Ron Green, Jr., tribute in today's Charlotte Observer.
Friday, April 01, 2011
It Must Suck Being A Public Defender
A 22-year-old man raped a 92-year-old woman.
Well, the jury did its job and found him guilty, and even noticed aggravating factors that would keep this raping SOB in prison for 85 years. Hooray! Jury did the right thing!
But wait a minute, the rapist's public defender, doing her job, argues that it's too much:
“He’s 22,” public defender Carol Cline said of her client. “If there were no sentencing enhancements he’s probably going to be in his 60s when he gets out. The upward departure (in sentence) means he never gets out.”
Well, yes, that's the plan. But Cline wasn't done defending the rapist:
Cline argued before Johnson County Judge Stephen Tatum that the jury did not have sufficient cause to recommend the stiffer sentence. She said the state did not do a scientific risk assessment to determine if he posed a future danger to society.
She also challenged the contention that the enhanced sentence was justified by the victim’s age and infirmity.
“She was sharp as a tack,” Cline said of the woman, who managed to call 911 during the attack. “She did all the smart things she was able to do and she was not severely injured.”
And your point is?
Cline said the attack on the victim only lasted a couple of minutes and the rape Angilda committed “was not necessarily worse than the average” rape. She also noted that Angilda faces a longer sentence than he would have if he had murdered the woman.
So in other words, it was rape-lite. Not really "rape-rape."
Cue Whoopi:
How soul-destroying must it be to work for raping pukes like this?
Well, the jury did its job and found him guilty, and even noticed aggravating factors that would keep this raping SOB in prison for 85 years. Hooray! Jury did the right thing!
But wait a minute, the rapist's public defender, doing her job, argues that it's too much:
“He’s 22,” public defender Carol Cline said of her client. “If there were no sentencing enhancements he’s probably going to be in his 60s when he gets out. The upward departure (in sentence) means he never gets out.”
Well, yes, that's the plan. But Cline wasn't done defending the rapist:
Cline argued before Johnson County Judge Stephen Tatum that the jury did not have sufficient cause to recommend the stiffer sentence. She said the state did not do a scientific risk assessment to determine if he posed a future danger to society.
She also challenged the contention that the enhanced sentence was justified by the victim’s age and infirmity.
“She was sharp as a tack,” Cline said of the woman, who managed to call 911 during the attack. “She did all the smart things she was able to do and she was not severely injured.”
And your point is?
Cline said the attack on the victim only lasted a couple of minutes and the rape Angilda committed “was not necessarily worse than the average” rape. She also noted that Angilda faces a longer sentence than he would have if he had murdered the woman.
So in other words, it was rape-lite. Not really "rape-rape."
Cue Whoopi:
How soul-destroying must it be to work for raping pukes like this?
Shipwreck: Unidentifed, Lake Michigan
Story.
The discoverers think it is from the 1820-1830 era. That's Andrew Jackson's era.
They are sending divers down again when the water is warmer, so we'll know more later, hopefully including a name.
The discoverers think it is from the 1820-1830 era. That's Andrew Jackson's era.
They are sending divers down again when the water is warmer, so we'll know more later, hopefully including a name.
Meanwhile, At The Carolina Raptor Center...
...which is just up I-77, an eaglet has died.
Blackfork has some links to other Eagle Cams around the country, including the one at Norfolk Botanical Gardens that I have blogged on in the past.
Blackfork has some links to other Eagle Cams around the country, including the one at Norfolk Botanical Gardens that I have blogged on in the past.
The C Girls
Catholic girls, that is, as in a Catholic Girls' sports team of some sort. Staying at our hotel until Sunday morning. When I got in to work last night I was fully expecting to see girls in the lobby, roaming the halls, etc. None to be seen, and it was quiet as the grave all night long. When I went to deliver receipts and newspapers I discovered why: on each of the doors to rooms containing Catholic Girls, the chaperones had sealed the doors with pink masking tape, so as to be able to tell if any had violated curfew.
Very old-fashioned, and very much appreciated by this hotel worker.
*grins*
Very old-fashioned, and very much appreciated by this hotel worker.
*grins*
The D Boys
I've been monitoring news stories here in Charlotte and elsewhere for a while now over what I call the "D Factor." The D Factor is the likelihood that, on any given day, a crime involving violence, shootings, stabbings, murders, robberies and burglaries will feature an African-American man in his 20's with a stupid-sounding name beginning with the letter "D."
For example, in today's Gainesville Sun: (Gainesville was my birth city)
Kevin Dushay Collins, 26, committed sexual battery;
A brawl at an apartment complex landed Deshard Collins, 24, in jail. Don't know if he's related to Kevin Dushay Collins mentioned above. (His opponent was Tuquana Yolanda Williams, 22.)
Shaun Donte Watson was arrested for burglary.
Scanning arrests here in the Charlotte area I see:
Austin Demar Burnett, drug possession;
Dontavious Damarcus Hollis, larceny; (Double D on this one!)
Desmin Martez Logan, resisting arrest;
Charles Darneil Norwood, drug possession;
Demarcus Antonio Sings, failure to produce ID.
And since I first drafted this entry a week ago the following have appeared:
An armed robbery down in Monroe, NC, one of the participants was Donnell Montez Haley, 19.
Down in South Carolina in the Charleston area, a crime spree occurred in the aptly-named Folly Beach area, with fighting and gunfights leading to one death and two wounded. One of the participants was named Detrichia Sellers.
If the infamous "Sumdood" were to be given a name, it would probably start with the letter D.
Presumably if I had a Masters in Anthropology I could publish a learned paper with a title such as Some Factors In Crime Statistics As Related To Naming Trends In African-American Communities and be taken seriously, but since I don't, we'll just dismiss this as racist stereotyping.
For example, in today's Gainesville Sun: (Gainesville was my birth city)
Kevin Dushay Collins, 26, committed sexual battery;
A brawl at an apartment complex landed Deshard Collins, 24, in jail. Don't know if he's related to Kevin Dushay Collins mentioned above. (His opponent was Tuquana Yolanda Williams, 22.)
Shaun Donte Watson was arrested for burglary.
Scanning arrests here in the Charlotte area I see:
Austin Demar Burnett, drug possession;
Dontavious Damarcus Hollis, larceny; (Double D on this one!)
Desmin Martez Logan, resisting arrest;
Charles Darneil Norwood, drug possession;
Demarcus Antonio Sings, failure to produce ID.
And since I first drafted this entry a week ago the following have appeared:
An armed robbery down in Monroe, NC, one of the participants was Donnell Montez Haley, 19.
Down in South Carolina in the Charleston area, a crime spree occurred in the aptly-named Folly Beach area, with fighting and gunfights leading to one death and two wounded. One of the participants was named Detrichia Sellers.
If the infamous "Sumdood" were to be given a name, it would probably start with the letter D.
Presumably if I had a Masters in Anthropology I could publish a learned paper with a title such as Some Factors In Crime Statistics As Related To Naming Trends In African-American Communities and be taken seriously, but since I don't, we'll just dismiss this as racist stereotyping.
USS Nassau (LHA-4) Decommissioned
Story.
I served aboard her briefly on two occasions. She and her sister ship Saipan (LHA-2) made the best Navy cinnamon rolls for breakfast I've ever eaten. Big, comfortable ships, although when the Marines were embarked the queues for chow, ship's store, and even the geedunk (soda) machines were ridiculous. I got the chance to fly as a passenger in Nassau's helicopters and landing craft, and even departed the ship once via landing craft and amphibious landing at Little Creek Amphibious Base. Lots of good memories there.
I served aboard her briefly on two occasions. She and her sister ship Saipan (LHA-2) made the best Navy cinnamon rolls for breakfast I've ever eaten. Big, comfortable ships, although when the Marines were embarked the queues for chow, ship's store, and even the geedunk (soda) machines were ridiculous. I got the chance to fly as a passenger in Nassau's helicopters and landing craft, and even departed the ship once via landing craft and amphibious landing at Little Creek Amphibious Base. Lots of good memories there.
Orcas & Tunas On The NC Outer Banks
Fishermen at Oregon Inlet at the North Carolina Outer Banks were happily hooking Bluefin Tuna when a pod of Orcas (Killer Whales) decided to join in.
Orcas aren't normally found this far south, so it was a rare treat for the fishermen to see them, even if they were losing their hooked tunas to the cetaceans.
More info here, including photos.
Here's one sample pic:
Orcas aren't normally found this far south, so it was a rare treat for the fishermen to see them, even if they were losing their hooked tunas to the cetaceans.
More info here, including photos.
Here's one sample pic:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Our Wilsonian President & His Wilsonian War
A fine analysis by Walter Russell Mead.
If you're the thoughtful type, you should probably be reading Mead's blog regularly.
If you're the thoughtful type, you should probably be reading Mead's blog regularly.
Message In A Bottle: Baltic Sea, 24 Years Later
Tossed off the side of a ship by a German boy, found 24 years later by a Russian boy.
The article theorizes that the glass bottle spent most of that time buried in beach sand, and that's probably true; fragile glass wouldn't easily have survived in the water for 24 years, and would have been covered with marine growths.
You're better off, if you wish to throw a bottle message into the sea, to use a modern lightweight plastic bottle. I've had pretty good success with such bottles, myself. It's a great thrill to receive an email noting that a bottle you threw into the sea had been found. Click the tag below for some of those stories.
The article theorizes that the glass bottle spent most of that time buried in beach sand, and that's probably true; fragile glass wouldn't easily have survived in the water for 24 years, and would have been covered with marine growths.
You're better off, if you wish to throw a bottle message into the sea, to use a modern lightweight plastic bottle. I've had pretty good success with such bottles, myself. It's a great thrill to receive an email noting that a bottle you threw into the sea had been found. Click the tag below for some of those stories.
Bull Market In Satanism Creates Opportunities For Careers In Exorcism
Sorry, couldn't resist giving this story a headline of the sort that might be found at USA Today or Yahoo! News.
Meanwhile, Also In South Carolina...
...the Lucky Seven #2 convenience store in Gadsden has been ordered to stop selling raccoon meat.
I'd have to guess that, if Robert Earl Keen had been a native of South Carolina instead of Texas, that raccoon meat would have been on the list of items to buy in the song Merry Christmas From the Family:
I'd have to guess that, if Robert Earl Keen had been a native of South Carolina instead of Texas, that raccoon meat would have been on the list of items to buy in the song Merry Christmas From the Family:
Babysitter FAIL of the Day
IF you're going to be a babysitter and you have a habit of smoking marijuana, it's probably good policy NOT to teach your young charges how to roll joints.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Fried...Pie
Now I'll be the first to admit that although I'm a Southerner born and bred, there's a lot of traditional Southern cuisine I don't eat, nor have ever tasted. One such treat is Fried Pie.
Note: I haven't tried this recipe, so I don't know how it tastes or will turn out. I just offer it for your consideration.
I'll see if I can find one in a local convenience store, since I'm not a skilled baker. If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out.
Note: I haven't tried this recipe, so I don't know how it tastes or will turn out. I just offer it for your consideration.
I'll see if I can find one in a local convenience store, since I'm not a skilled baker. If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out.
Interesting Side-Effect Of War
Because so many military members stationed in North Carolina are deployed overseas in our various wars, North Carolina will not receive an additional Congressional seat that it would have been awarded from the results of the 2010 Census.
It works this way: if the military members had been home in North Carolina, they would have been counted as NC residents for Census purposes; since they were all deployed, the Census counts them as part of their home state, or state of origin. (It's explained better in the linked story, believe me).
Another interesting side-effect of this Census practice is that, since most of the large US military bases are in the South, potential loss of seats in Congress would be larger from Southern states than northern/midwest states with smaller military populations. Of course, those same northern and midwest states are the ones that lose residents due to high taxes/high cost of living, so it seems to balance out, doesn't it?
It works this way: if the military members had been home in North Carolina, they would have been counted as NC residents for Census purposes; since they were all deployed, the Census counts them as part of their home state, or state of origin. (It's explained better in the linked story, believe me).
Another interesting side-effect of this Census practice is that, since most of the large US military bases are in the South, potential loss of seats in Congress would be larger from Southern states than northern/midwest states with smaller military populations. Of course, those same northern and midwest states are the ones that lose residents due to high taxes/high cost of living, so it seems to balance out, doesn't it?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Our Son-In-Law, the Pirate
A Somali pirate who is holding a Danish family captive is willing to forego ransom demands if they instead give him their 13-year-old daughter as a wife.
This is so bizarre a story I don't even know how to comment on it.
This is so bizarre a story I don't even know how to comment on it.
Over At Massad Ayoob's Blog...
...Mas celebrates the birthday of the 1911 by showing off the first one he ever owned, and still owns.
And it's a 1911, not a 1911A1, but has been customised a bit down through the years; not, however, to extremes. He didn't turn it into a racegun, in other words.
And it's a 1911, not a 1911A1, but has been customised a bit down through the years; not, however, to extremes. He didn't turn it into a racegun, in other words.
Drunkenness, Or Perhaps Tourette's
That's the only thing I can conclude as to the reason Jacqueline Howett destroyed her budding writing career with an ill-advised series of replies to a bad book review. The review and the comments have gone viral, and Howett is a laughingstock.
h/t John Scalzi.
h/t John Scalzi.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Whole Lot Erasin' Goin' On
In some Washington DC schools where low standardized test scores are endangering teacher jobs because of the No Child Left Behind Act, there's a whole lot of erasing being done on those tests.
*nudge nudge wink wink* Say no more!
*nudge nudge wink wink* Say no more!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Treasure Blog: Atocha
If you thought that Mel Fisher's success in finding the Nuestra Señora de Atocha was finished back in the 1970's, you'd be wrong.
Fisher is dead now, of course, but his company still owns the salvage rights to the Atocha, and they'll tell you that all of the treasure hasn't yet been recovered: for instance, this gold cross and chain, fished up recently:
Apparently the contents of the stern castle of the ship, where the wealthy passengers were quartered, have not been found, and there is potentially billions of dollars in treasure to be gained if the stern castle is discovered.
Fisher is dead now, of course, but his company still owns the salvage rights to the Atocha, and they'll tell you that all of the treasure hasn't yet been recovered: for instance, this gold cross and chain, fished up recently:
Apparently the contents of the stern castle of the ship, where the wealthy passengers were quartered, have not been found, and there is potentially billions of dollars in treasure to be gained if the stern castle is discovered.
Traveler's Advisory
If you're traveling to Austria, don't yodel during the Islamic call to prayer. That's now a crime.
h/t reason.com
I note that the yodeler's name is Helmut Griese, which sounds like a character name from Spaceballs.
h/t reason.com
I note that the yodeler's name is Helmut Griese, which sounds like a character name from Spaceballs.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Knobby In Shelby
In other words: Bigfoot (Sasquatch) in Shelby, NC.
Shelby is about 40 miles from here; I go up there occasionally to eat BBQ.
I'm as skeptical on Bigfoot/Yeti/Loch Ness Monster sightings as I am on the subject of God and necrodestinations. When someone brings in a Bigfoot carcass for scientists to study, or even better, brings one back alive á la Frank Buck, I'll give it some consideration, but until then, not so much. These things usually turn out to be canny rural people hoaxing city people, and it's not a new phenomenon.
If you go to the details of the story at the website linked by Fox News, you read some fun stuff, such as:
4. I was there on the road with it and I truly believe it was real. I clearly saw its private parts and it was a male. I have never saw a suit with male parts. I could clearly see its rear and anal region when it ran into the woods.There was a very distinct odor coming from this animal. I believe it was real. I do not see how it could have been anyone wearing a suit. Unless I am proved wrong I will always believe this was a real living breathing being.
And...
5. It is a Slick brand cheap video camera I purchased at the Dollar Store. I wish I had been in possession of a better camera but it was what I had. When it ran into the woods I tried to follow it in but the camera would not pick up anything in the darkness there under the trees.
And, don't provoke it!
7. When it growled at me I saw yellow teeth in a very real looking mouth. It threw its hands up in the air and I don't know why when it growled at me. I do not think it was waving at me I think it was pissed that I was there on the road with it.
Like so many other people in rural NC, Knobby needs some dental work.
h/t Hot Air Headlines.
Shelby is about 40 miles from here; I go up there occasionally to eat BBQ.
I'm as skeptical on Bigfoot/Yeti/Loch Ness Monster sightings as I am on the subject of God and necrodestinations. When someone brings in a Bigfoot carcass for scientists to study, or even better, brings one back alive á la Frank Buck, I'll give it some consideration, but until then, not so much. These things usually turn out to be canny rural people hoaxing city people, and it's not a new phenomenon.
If you go to the details of the story at the website linked by Fox News, you read some fun stuff, such as:
4. I was there on the road with it and I truly believe it was real. I clearly saw its private parts and it was a male. I have never saw a suit with male parts. I could clearly see its rear and anal region when it ran into the woods.There was a very distinct odor coming from this animal. I believe it was real. I do not see how it could have been anyone wearing a suit. Unless I am proved wrong I will always believe this was a real living breathing being.
And...
5. It is a Slick brand cheap video camera I purchased at the Dollar Store. I wish I had been in possession of a better camera but it was what I had. When it ran into the woods I tried to follow it in but the camera would not pick up anything in the darkness there under the trees.
And, don't provoke it!
7. When it growled at me I saw yellow teeth in a very real looking mouth. It threw its hands up in the air and I don't know why when it growled at me. I do not think it was waving at me I think it was pissed that I was there on the road with it.
Like so many other people in rural NC, Knobby needs some dental work.
h/t Hot Air Headlines.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Another Type of Gallantry
A newly published book claims that Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie engaged in sexual intercourse during the love scene for the movie Don't Look Now.
Mr. Sutherland is refuting the claim, saying that intercourse didn't occur.
While Sutherland is a liberal ideologically and has starred in several left-wing films from the debauched 60's and 70's, his refutation in this instance is very virtuous. It could simply be the truth; if it's not, then Sutherland is displaying an old-fashioned gallantry in his denial of dalliance with the lovely Ms. Christie. In these latter days of reality shows, such a denial would be unheard of; boasting, smirking and winking (by both man and woman involved) would be the order of the day.
Well done, Mr. Sutherland.
Of course, it's not the same order of magnitude as single-handedly taking on 30 Taliban or charging two machine-gun nests, but...well, it IS Julie Christie we're talking about here...Hmmm.
I'll have to think about this one for a while. Here's a pic of Christie from the time period involved, you decide for yourself if you could forgo:
Mr. Sutherland is refuting the claim, saying that intercourse didn't occur.
While Sutherland is a liberal ideologically and has starred in several left-wing films from the debauched 60's and 70's, his refutation in this instance is very virtuous. It could simply be the truth; if it's not, then Sutherland is displaying an old-fashioned gallantry in his denial of dalliance with the lovely Ms. Christie. In these latter days of reality shows, such a denial would be unheard of; boasting, smirking and winking (by both man and woman involved) would be the order of the day.
Well done, Mr. Sutherland.
Of course, it's not the same order of magnitude as single-handedly taking on 30 Taliban or charging two machine-gun nests, but...well, it IS Julie Christie we're talking about here...Hmmm.
I'll have to think about this one for a while. Here's a pic of Christie from the time period involved, you decide for yourself if you could forgo:
1 Gurkha, 30 Taliban: Gurkha Wins, Of Course
You expected differently from a Gurkha?
My only disappointment is he didn't decapitate the SOB's with his Kukri.
My only disappointment is he didn't decapitate the SOB's with his Kukri.
Chuck Him Out, the Brute!
Meanwhile, over in Oz (Australia)...
The Australian Defence Minister had to apologize to the Afghan government over Australian soldiers calling Afghans "Sand Niggaz," "Ragheads," and "Dune Coons."
The head of the Australian Navy has warned the seagoing service to end its culture of alcohol-fueled debauchery. (Knock off the rum and sodomy, or it's the Lash!)
The Prince of Wales is defending the Australians for referring to him as a "Pommy Poofter."
And also, almost incidentally...
a member of the Australian SAS won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan, charging two separate machine-gun nests single-handedly.
All of this simply reinforces the words of Rudyard Kipling:
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
From Tommy.
update: added the Churchill reference in the Navy link.
The Australian Defence Minister had to apologize to the Afghan government over Australian soldiers calling Afghans "Sand Niggaz," "Ragheads," and "Dune Coons."
The head of the Australian Navy has warned the seagoing service to end its culture of alcohol-fueled debauchery. (Knock off the rum and sodomy, or it's the Lash!)
The Prince of Wales is defending the Australians for referring to him as a "Pommy Poofter."
And also, almost incidentally...
a member of the Australian SAS won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan, charging two separate machine-gun nests single-handedly.
All of this simply reinforces the words of Rudyard Kipling:
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
From Tommy.
update: added the Churchill reference in the Navy link.
Best Wishes Sought
Sara, the companion of my BBQ forays, underwent gastric bypass surgery this past Monday. She intends to lose a lot of weight, and this was the solution she chose. Please send her your best wishes as she recovers from her surgery.
A Question I'm Sure You'll Ask
"So, Bob, are you going to be any more profound this time? What makes you think you're qualified to be a blogger?"
Well, if Barack Obama feels himself qualified to be Commander-In-Chief and send our young men to war in Libya, I certainly feel qualified to snark on that subject.
Well, if Barack Obama feels himself qualified to be Commander-In-Chief and send our young men to war in Libya, I certainly feel qualified to snark on that subject.
Zippos & Rippos
Zippo of Bradford, PA has problems with Chinese knock-offs.
I have a few Zippos at home, but they basically stay in a drawer. You're better off with a $3 disposable butane lighter than you are with a Zippo. And if you're a non-smoker and don't need the convenience of a lighter, you can carry a Swedish Army Firesteel as an emergency firestarter.
I have a few Zippos at home, but they basically stay in a drawer. You're better off with a $3 disposable butane lighter than you are with a Zippo. And if you're a non-smoker and don't need the convenience of a lighter, you can carry a Swedish Army Firesteel as an emergency firestarter.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Quote of the Day
"If he had been a great and wise philosopher, like the writer of this book, he would now have comprehended that Work consists of whatever a body is OBLIGED to do, and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do." - - Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
And so with this blog. It has become too much of an obligation, thus too much like work, and like Tom, I have no real fondness for work. It would be more difficult to end it if I had attracted the level of attention that I once hoped it would, but, just as water finds its level, so too do blogs, and I was never profound enough or entertaining enough to draw more readers than my meager talents deserved.
Good-bye, then. I'd like to thank all of you for stopping by and commenting, and apologize for disappointing you in my decision to cease blogging. I don't pay for the bandwidth, so I'll leave The Drawn Cutlass up for as long as Google permits me to.
Kind Regards.
Robert G. Evans
19 December 2010
Matthews, NC
And so with this blog. It has become too much of an obligation, thus too much like work, and like Tom, I have no real fondness for work. It would be more difficult to end it if I had attracted the level of attention that I once hoped it would, but, just as water finds its level, so too do blogs, and I was never profound enough or entertaining enough to draw more readers than my meager talents deserved.
Good-bye, then. I'd like to thank all of you for stopping by and commenting, and apologize for disappointing you in my decision to cease blogging. I don't pay for the bandwidth, so I'll leave The Drawn Cutlass up for as long as Google permits me to.
Kind Regards.
Robert G. Evans
19 December 2010
Matthews, NC
Friday, December 17, 2010
Let's Offend the Muslim Neighbors...
...with a bit of yodelling.
Amy Alkon has more on her blog here, including a YouTube video of a girl with amazing yodelling talent:
Amy mentions Slim Whitman, but another fine yodeler was the late Don Walser, the "Pavarotti of the Plains:"
Walser's protege, Slaid Cleaves, carries on the master's yodelling tradition, but doesn't quite have Walser's incredible range:
Enjoy!
Amy Alkon has more on her blog here, including a YouTube video of a girl with amazing yodelling talent:
Amy mentions Slim Whitman, but another fine yodeler was the late Don Walser, the "Pavarotti of the Plains:"
Walser's protege, Slaid Cleaves, carries on the master's yodelling tradition, but doesn't quite have Walser's incredible range:
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Up In Baseball Heaven...
...the batters are having a bad day.
Robert Feller, Hall of Fame Pitcher and Navy Veteran, has died at 92.
Robert Feller, Hall of Fame Pitcher and Navy Veteran, has died at 92.
NC Sea Turtles Rescued
"Stunned" by the cold weather, the turtles have been collected in NC and VA and are being transported by the Coast Guard to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
Now I'm no authority on sea turtles or ocean currents, but isn't the Gulf Stream a north-flowing current, that could carry the turtles into even colder water by sweeping them out of their home range? Just asking.
Now I'm no authority on sea turtles or ocean currents, but isn't the Gulf Stream a north-flowing current, that could carry the turtles into even colder water by sweeping them out of their home range? Just asking.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Renfield Wants a Kitten
Actually, Michael Vick wants a dog.
19 July--We are progressing. My friend has now a whole colony of sparrows, and his flies and spiders are almost obliterated. When I came in he ran to me and said he wanted to ask me a great favour, a very, very great favour. And as he spoke, he fawned on me like a dog.
I asked him what it was, and he said, with a sort of rapture in his voice and bearing, "A kitten, a nice, little, sleek playful kitten, that I can play with, and teach, and feed, and feed, and feed!"
I was not unprepared for this request, for I had noticed how his pets went on increasing in size and vivacity, but I did not care that his pretty family of tame sparrows should be wiped out in the same manner as the flies and spiders. So I said I would see about it, and asked him if he would not rather have a cat than a kitten.
His eagerness betrayed him as he answered, "Oh, yes, I would like a cat! I only asked for a kitten lest you should refuse me a cat. No one would refuse me a kitten, would they?"
19 July--We are progressing. My friend has now a whole colony of sparrows, and his flies and spiders are almost obliterated. When I came in he ran to me and said he wanted to ask me a great favour, a very, very great favour. And as he spoke, he fawned on me like a dog.
I asked him what it was, and he said, with a sort of rapture in his voice and bearing, "A kitten, a nice, little, sleek playful kitten, that I can play with, and teach, and feed, and feed, and feed!"
I was not unprepared for this request, for I had noticed how his pets went on increasing in size and vivacity, but I did not care that his pretty family of tame sparrows should be wiped out in the same manner as the flies and spiders. So I said I would see about it, and asked him if he would not rather have a cat than a kitten.
His eagerness betrayed him as he answered, "Oh, yes, I would like a cat! I only asked for a kitten lest you should refuse me a cat. No one would refuse me a kitten, would they?"
Fort Macon To Get Working Cannon
Sara and I recently vacationed on the NC coast, and visited Fort Macon while there.
A news report in today's Charlotte Observer indicates that the fort is to get its own working cannon.
Should be a cool addition to the tours there.
A news report in today's Charlotte Observer indicates that the fort is to get its own working cannon.
Should be a cool addition to the tours there.
Trailer For Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
UK Daily Mail article here.
But here's the trailer itself:
Looks like a worthy sequel; Depp is back, of course, and so is Geoffrey Rush (my personal favorite), Keith Richards in another cameo, Penelope Cruz as the love interest, Ian McShane (looking rather like Al Pacino) as Blackbeard, and featuring mermaids and...wait for it...ZOMBIES!
But here's the trailer itself:
Looks like a worthy sequel; Depp is back, of course, and so is Geoffrey Rush (my personal favorite), Keith Richards in another cameo, Penelope Cruz as the love interest, Ian McShane (looking rather like Al Pacino) as Blackbeard, and featuring mermaids and...wait for it...ZOMBIES!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Is a Little Tiny Fingerbone...
...all that remains of aviator Amelia Earhart?
Researchers from The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) found the bone at the site of a castaway's encampment on the uninhabited island of Nikumaroro, a former British colony that is today part of the republic of Kiribati.
The bone, which may be a phalanx from a human finger, was located along with several other tantalising clues about the fate of Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, during TIGHAR's tenth expedition to the island this summer.
The search turned up the remains of a 1930s woman's compact - complete with residue of the makeup - a small bottle made in New Jersey in 1933 with the remnants of what appears to be hand lotion, a zip made in Pennsylvania in the mid-1930s and of a design that was never exported, and a broken pocket knife of the same brand that was listed in an inventory of Earhart's aircraft.
Sounds like this is a case of "mostly proven" at this point.
Researchers from The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) found the bone at the site of a castaway's encampment on the uninhabited island of Nikumaroro, a former British colony that is today part of the republic of Kiribati.
The bone, which may be a phalanx from a human finger, was located along with several other tantalising clues about the fate of Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, during TIGHAR's tenth expedition to the island this summer.
The search turned up the remains of a 1930s woman's compact - complete with residue of the makeup - a small bottle made in New Jersey in 1933 with the remnants of what appears to be hand lotion, a zip made in Pennsylvania in the mid-1930s and of a design that was never exported, and a broken pocket knife of the same brand that was listed in an inventory of Earhart's aircraft.
Sounds like this is a case of "mostly proven" at this point.
A Dubious Distinction
Charlotte's Hyatt Coin & Gun has the dubious distinction of being #2 in the US for selling guns later used in crimes.
The place has been open for 50 years, and has been Charlotte's main gun store for most of that time, which probably skews the statistics.
The place has been open for 50 years, and has been Charlotte's main gun store for most of that time, which probably skews the statistics.
Monday, December 13, 2010
How About "Oops, the Scalpel Slipped?"
In Germany, a Jewish surgeon refused to operate on a man with a swastika tattoo.
In some emergency circumstances, by German law the surgeon would have been required to operate, ethical considerations be damned.
What would you have done?
In some emergency circumstances, by German law the surgeon would have been required to operate, ethical considerations be damned.
What would you have done?
She Went On Walkabout, That's All
56-year-old Wilma Edwards of Fayetteville, NC, was declared a missing person in September has turned up in Richmond, Virginia.
Apparently she is an avid walker, and on a previous occasion walked all the way to New York. Her trademark is apparently a white bucket that she carries around with her and sits on when she is tired of walking.
No more details to the story than that. Did she ask people for assistance when it came time to sleep? Where did she eat? Did she work as she went along? Do odd jobs to pay for meals, etc.?
Apparently she is an avid walker, and on a previous occasion walked all the way to New York. Her trademark is apparently a white bucket that she carries around with her and sits on when she is tired of walking.
No more details to the story than that. Did she ask people for assistance when it came time to sleep? Where did she eat? Did she work as she went along? Do odd jobs to pay for meals, etc.?
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Hmm. Maybe ONE Trip To California?
I've never really had any desire to visit California. In the movie Braveheart, King William I of England, speaking of Scotland, says, "The problem with Scotland is that it's full of Scots." So too with California; it's full of Californians. Maybe some of the rural Californians are reasonable people, but they are vastly outnumbered by the Californians dwelling in the huge cities, who exercise a disproportionate influence on the state government, thus its current bankrupt condition.
Maybe, though, a brief visit is in order.
San Diego is a Navy town, and the opportunity to see a full-size replica of HMS Surprise is something I'd relish, being a big fan of Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin novels.
Pic:
Maybe, though, a brief visit is in order.
San Diego is a Navy town, and the opportunity to see a full-size replica of HMS Surprise is something I'd relish, being a big fan of Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin novels.
Pic:
Friday, December 10, 2010
Meanwhile, Over At Rasch Outdoor Chronicles...
...Albert has a post about George Washington, fisherman,including a pic of Washington's pocket fishing kit.
No, it's not made by Ron Popeil.
No, it's not made by Ron Popeil.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Please Send Prayers Out To...
...92-year-old Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher and Navy veteran Bob Feller, in hospice care for treatment of pneumonia.
I Apologize...
...for the juxtaposition of the zombie post with the NC BBQ post. You probably wouldn't be in a BBQ-eating mood after reading the zombie post.
So You've Never Tried North Carolina BBQ?
Here's your chance to try both kinds at once.
On our recent coast vacation we ate a lot of BBQ. Amend that: I ate a lot of BBQ. Sara ate a reasonable amount. The total came to 6 BBQ sandwiches (with slaw) and one BBQ plate over 5 days, so averaged out I ate BBQ a little more than daily. I'm not exactly certain how you do that, but I did. Anyway, this NC BBQ kit has samples of both Eastern and Lexington BBQ, and slaws and sauces for both styles. Priced at $60 it's pretty expensive, but figure it as part of your education and you'll do ok.
On our recent coast vacation we ate a lot of BBQ. Amend that: I ate a lot of BBQ. Sara ate a reasonable amount. The total came to 6 BBQ sandwiches (with slaw) and one BBQ plate over 5 days, so averaged out I ate BBQ a little more than daily. I'm not exactly certain how you do that, but I did. Anyway, this NC BBQ kit has samples of both Eastern and Lexington BBQ, and slaws and sauces for both styles. Priced at $60 it's pretty expensive, but figure it as part of your education and you'll do ok.
EDC's
Every Day Carry knives. Here's mine, let's see yours.
Spyderco Tenacious, Keen Kutter Boy Scout Pattern.
(click to embiggen.)
(click to embiggen.)
With A Parrot As a Not-So-Mute Witness
Try reading this one without getting a chill down your spine. And an urge to weep.
I sent it to Drudge's website, he likes to post this sort of thing.
I sent it to Drudge's website, he likes to post this sort of thing.
Weather Decks Are Secured Due To High Winds and Heavy Seas
A Greek-owned cruise ship required assistance when it ran into heavy seas during an Antarctic cruise near the South Shetland Islands:
Back in my Navy days I'd get a little nervous in sea conditions like this, but I knew that my shipmates were well-trained professionals who would have my back in an emergency; the same can't be said of the typical cruise ship crew, and that's presuming that the ship even has required emergency gear onboard.
Back in my Navy days I'd get a little nervous in sea conditions like this, but I knew that my shipmates were well-trained professionals who would have my back in an emergency; the same can't be said of the typical cruise ship crew, and that's presuming that the ship even has required emergency gear onboard.
Money Where the Mouth Is
Ya know, I really wish that when some rich bastard goes on Larry King or whatever other softball interview show whining that he makes just too much money and he really wouldn't mind if the government would tax him a bit more, that the host would have the balls to challenge him on it, saying something like, Well, gee, Mr. Warren Buffett, why don't you just dust off that checkbook of yours and write the government a big, fat check without the Congress having to change the IRS rates? No one is stopping you; they might even let you designate where the money can go. If you spend enough on the Navy, for example, maybe they'll name a ship after you. Spend it on the Interior Department, maybe they can name a national park or national forest after you. Pony up, if you feel that you aren't contributing enough. I'll just sit here and wait while you write the check.
But ya know, it seems that the billionaire in question never dusts off that checkbook, does he?
But ya know, it seems that the billionaire in question never dusts off that checkbook, does he?
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Look, I Can See the Next Domino
An Australian man marries his Labrador Retriever.
Update: you can see pics here. h/t to Julie in comments for the link.
Update: you can see pics here. h/t to Julie in comments for the link.
Treasure Blog: Audobon's Birds of America
Sold for over $11.5M. In wonderful shape, all pages intact.
Pic:
Audobon also did a similar on American mammals, I used to have a copy of that one, although not one of these first editions.
Pic:
Audobon also did a similar on American mammals, I used to have a copy of that one, although not one of these first editions.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
December 7, 1941
Remember:
Even though the Japanese are friends and close allies now, remember. Also remember this:
Because we are still at war with the monsters who did that.
Even though the Japanese are friends and close allies now, remember. Also remember this:
Because we are still at war with the monsters who did that.
New York Times False Premise Headline of the Day
"In The Wild, A Big Threat To Rangers: Humans."
Let me just fix that up for you a bit:
In The Wild, A Big Threat To Rangers: Criminals.
The article posits the premise that park rangers are under more threat than ever from armed humans in wilderness areas, and that this is a result of the 2009 law that gave law-abiding citizens the right to be armed in national parks. Yet every example cited in the article is a criminal misuse of a gun or the possession of a gun during a crime, which the 2009 law had no effect over. You didn't have a bunch of criminals waiting for the 2009 law to pass so that they could carry guns in national parks; they did so already.
Rangers are in no danger from law-abiding citizens with guns, which is what the 2009 law addressed. Just the opposite may someday occur, in fact: an armed citizen may come to the aid of a ranger in conflict with a criminal.
Let me just fix that up for you a bit:
In The Wild, A Big Threat To Rangers: Criminals.
The article posits the premise that park rangers are under more threat than ever from armed humans in wilderness areas, and that this is a result of the 2009 law that gave law-abiding citizens the right to be armed in national parks. Yet every example cited in the article is a criminal misuse of a gun or the possession of a gun during a crime, which the 2009 law had no effect over. You didn't have a bunch of criminals waiting for the 2009 law to pass so that they could carry guns in national parks; they did so already.
Rangers are in no danger from law-abiding citizens with guns, which is what the 2009 law addressed. Just the opposite may someday occur, in fact: an armed citizen may come to the aid of a ranger in conflict with a criminal.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Turn Out the Lights...
...the party's over.
"Dandy" Don Meredith, an early Dallas Cowboys quarterback and a star of the original "Monday Night Football," has died at 72 of a brain hemorrhage.
Don was famous for singing Willie Nelson's song Turn Out the Lights, the Party's Over when the conclusion of a football game became obvious; YouTube doesn't have video of it, but you can hear Don on this audio clip, in fine voice:
And, if you wish to hear the original song sung by Willie:
Here's a pic of Don from Monday Night Football, flanked by his co-hosts, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford:
Boys, that was a loooong time ago. Rest In Peace, Don.
"Dandy" Don Meredith, an early Dallas Cowboys quarterback and a star of the original "Monday Night Football," has died at 72 of a brain hemorrhage.
Don was famous for singing Willie Nelson's song Turn Out the Lights, the Party's Over when the conclusion of a football game became obvious; YouTube doesn't have video of it, but you can hear Don on this audio clip, in fine voice:
And, if you wish to hear the original song sung by Willie:
Here's a pic of Don from Monday Night Football, flanked by his co-hosts, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford:
Boys, that was a loooong time ago. Rest In Peace, Don.
Where's Our War Against Christmas...
...whines a writer for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
He's sort of relieved not to see it this year. Or maybe regretful, it's hard to tell.
Maybe, just maybe, the secularists and PC crowd have finally learned not to stir up the animals at Christmas time?
Merry Christmas, everybody.
He's sort of relieved not to see it this year. Or maybe regretful, it's hard to tell.
Maybe, just maybe, the secularists and PC crowd have finally learned not to stir up the animals at Christmas time?
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Now That NC Has a Republican-Controlled Congress...
...we'll finally see ID required to vote.
Naturally the take of The Charlotte Observer is that voter fraud is such an insignificant issue that this sort of law isn't even required.
Yah, right.
Naturally the take of The Charlotte Observer is that voter fraud is such an insignificant issue that this sort of law isn't even required.
Yah, right.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Camoflage Is Contra-Indicated...
...if you're going to be a participant in a search for lost hikers.
You might want to wear something bright and easily seen, both so the lost hikers might see you, and so you yourself might be seen if you unfortunately become lost.
Especially since it's still deer-hunting season here in NC...
You might want to wear something bright and easily seen, both so the lost hikers might see you, and so you yourself might be seen if you unfortunately become lost.
Especially since it's still deer-hunting season here in NC...
First We Won Our Gun Freedoms...
...now let's win our knife freedoms.
A fairly even-handed discussion of knife ownership/carry laws by The New York Times. They interview D'Alton Holder, past president of the Knifemaker's Guild, and even feature a photo of that gentleman:
He's been making knives for a long time now, and his "My Knife" model is instantly recognizable by its handle, which is made up of a "stack" of different materials:
A fairly even-handed discussion of knife ownership/carry laws by The New York Times. They interview D'Alton Holder, past president of the Knifemaker's Guild, and even feature a photo of that gentleman:
He's been making knives for a long time now, and his "My Knife" model is instantly recognizable by its handle, which is made up of a "stack" of different materials:
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Random Vacation Photos
Here with some random images from the beach vacation.
Intracoastal Waterway, New Bern, NC.
Bascule Bridge, New Bern, NC.
(You'll note that there are no photos from the Tryon Palace in New Bern; couldn't really justify the admission on the budget we had to work with.)
North Carolina Maritime Museum.
The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC, is a wonderful place to visit, especially since admission is free. Inside exhibits on the US Lifeboat Service, the Lighthouse Service, examples of sailing boats of the North Carolina area, and relics from Blackbeard's sunken flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. There is a wonderful research library that would be a great place to spend a day peacefully reading.
Relics, Queen Anne's Revenge.
Naval Anchor, NC Maritime Museum.
Front Street, Beaufort, NC.
Town Clock, Beaufort, NC.
Atlantic Beach, NC.
Kiteboarder, Atlantic Beach, NC.
Alligator, NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores, NC.
Gar, North Carolina Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores, NC.
North Carolina Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Newport, NC.
Newport, NC.
(A pretty lonely business in an obscure corner of the state. The guy could use some customers, so if you're in the area, stop by. It's a nice shop.)
Swansboro, NC.
Historic District, Swansboro, NC.
Atlantic Beach, NC.
This area of North Carolina, the Crystal Coast, hasn't been overdeveloped, and the proximity of the Croatan National Forest will forever limit development to a certain extent. It looks like a good hunting/fishing/outdoors-oriented area with a lot of rural character. Good place for military retirees due to the the proximity of Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. If you need a large city nearby, this area of NC isn't for you.
(You'll note that there are no photos from the Tryon Palace in New Bern; couldn't really justify the admission on the budget we had to work with.)
The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC, is a wonderful place to visit, especially since admission is free. Inside exhibits on the US Lifeboat Service, the Lighthouse Service, examples of sailing boats of the North Carolina area, and relics from Blackbeard's sunken flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. There is a wonderful research library that would be a great place to spend a day peacefully reading.
(A pretty lonely business in an obscure corner of the state. The guy could use some customers, so if you're in the area, stop by. It's a nice shop.)
This area of North Carolina, the Crystal Coast, hasn't been overdeveloped, and the proximity of the Croatan National Forest will forever limit development to a certain extent. It looks like a good hunting/fishing/outdoors-oriented area with a lot of rural character. Good place for military retirees due to the the proximity of Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. If you need a large city nearby, this area of NC isn't for you.
Fort Macon Photos
Some shots of Fort Macon State Park.
It's a lovely old fort, owned by the State of North Carolina. There is a first-class visitor's center, constructed to resemble the style of the fort itself, the same sort of brickwork and same archways. Lovely beaches all around, since the fort is situated at the end of a barrier island. If you take small children keep them under strict supervision, as there are places at the fort unprotected by guard rails, and a fall resulting in injury or even death is possible.
It's a lovely old fort, owned by the State of North Carolina. There is a first-class visitor's center, constructed to resemble the style of the fort itself, the same sort of brickwork and same archways. Lovely beaches all around, since the fort is situated at the end of a barrier island. If you take small children keep them under strict supervision, as there are places at the fort unprotected by guard rails, and a fall resulting in injury or even death is possible.
Back Home
We're back from vacation, I got home about an hour ago. Blogging will resume shortly. Apologies for not blogging during the vacation, but the wi-fi at the hotel left a lot to be desired. I have 171 photos to process; not all of them will make it onto the blog, of course.
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