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- June 5, 2021
- Hot Air Balloon Day 2021
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One of those things in life I believe I'll forego is a hot air balloon ride. It's not that I don't trust the technology per se ... it's primarily my wish not to be high up in the air. I have similar feelings about airplanes, helicopters, spaceships, and so forth. I remember returning to Chicago after leave from the Navy and thinking just how high up in the air 45,000 feet appeared. Shudder !
It's not a fear of heights so much as a fear of falling. I even have issues with tall buildings. I recall going to the observation deck at a very tall building in the Post Oak area of Houston adjacent to the Bechtel office building where I was working. It felt as though the building were swaying in the breeze ... and I had problems awaiting the elevator's return to the ground floor.
Travel in a hot air balloon is about as old as flight gets for human beings. The first manned flight in 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers in France not withstanding; it simply has not been something for which I found allure.
Each year Hot Air Balloon Day comes and goes. Each year I decline to involve myself in the ecstatic pleasure of being suspended from an envelope in the basket of a gondola hoping that the thing doesn't catch on fire from pilot error or come into contact with some set of high tension wires. Both present opportunities for abrupt drops to the ground and subsequent mortality.
I suppose I just don't feel lucky. If you do and are so inclined I hope you'll take any opportunity which may arise for a hot air balloon ride. I won't ever knock anything just because it may not appeal to me personally.
Happy Hot Air Balloon Day to you !
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- June 4, 2021
- Remembering Tiananmen Square in 1989
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This entry concerns the concept of the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989 Memorial Day which are in effect memorials for those lost in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
My personal exposure was via the television back in a time when I felt that the main stream media actually had conscientious news agency goals and not the libtard presenter of democrat misinformation which preoccupies them presently.
History will likely frown on the government of Communist China who would just as soon murder their own citizens with armed military as kill us with viruses they cultivate in the Wuhan laboratory so they can better steal technology and other secrets courtesy of the Biden family criminal organization and the rest of the democrats.
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 are known in China as the June Fourth Incident. These were student led demonstrations held in Tiananmen Square, Beijing during 1989.
The Tiananmen Square Massacre ocurred when troops armed with assault rifles and accompanied by tanks fired at the demonstrators and those trying to block the military advance into Tiananmen Square.
These protests began on April 15 until forcibly suppressed on June 4 when the government declared martial law and mobilized the People's Liberation Army to occupy parts of central Beijing.
Estimates of the death toll vary from several hundred to several thousand, with thousands more wounded.
The popular national movement inspired by the Beijing protests is sometimes called the 1989 Democracy Movement aka Tiananmen Square Incident.
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- June 3, 2021
- New UPS units for the servers
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Both of my UPS units being well beyond end of life, one started giving a battery failure ... in the middle of the night no less.
I took this opportunity to replace the server UPS units in a preemptive manner.
The new units are the APC® Back-UPS Pro 10-Outlet Tower Uninterruptible Power Supply, 1,500VA/900 Watts 1,080-joule, BN1500M2.
They have the benefit of only having to back up the actual server. None of the associated infrastructure will be loaded onto them as I have a third UPS for that.
These units are designed for medium sized offices and should help to keep the electronics protected in the event of power spikes, surges, as well as outages. My tiny implementation should be a walk in the park for them.
After all, the web and mail servers remain mission critical because these boxes connect me to the outside world in my old age.
I just hope they last the same 10 years as the last two have.
Good luck with that !
My up close and personal inspection has revealed quite a bit more dust than should be there. I'll be hitting that with the vaccum, damp cloth, and electronics wipes directly.
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- June 2, 2021
- I remember Leave it to Beaver
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When I was a kid, one of those early programs I could be found watching was the latest episode of Leave it to Beaver, a family oriented sitcom of my early childhood. The lead was Jerry Mathers, who portrayed the various antics of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver along with his brother Wally and various friends and schoolmates featured in the episodes.
I followed this program for a rather extended period of time, well into syndication after the run had completed ... mostly as a function of missed episodes and that failure to absorb a lot of that which I watched due to my various preoccupations.
Gerald Patrick Mathers was born June 2, 1948 and became a performer at he age of two. I lost track of him after his enlistment in the Air National Guard. I saw him with shaved head and in uniform and pretty much wrote him off as a performer at that time.
I never really engaged his acting again but he was an important part of my life during the Leave it to Beaver years. It is my understanding that he is an accomplished singer as well but I have never seen him engaged in this type performance.
His divergence from my existence saw him marry three times and have a few kids. He also developed type 2 diabetes (such as that I have) and he was the first male spokesperson for Jenny Craig.
He has had a weight problem with which to contend and I note that every time I see him in the media he is smiling and appears quite happy.
I miss the old days when we were kids and I lived vicariously through his character's antics on the television program. I dare say that Beaver was certainly no more troublesome a child as I and I'm glad that Jerry Mathers has been able to enjoy his life after being a child star.
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- June 1, 2021
- Remembering Andy Griffith
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When I was a kid there was Andy Griffith, Barney Fife, Aunt Bee, Opie, Ernest T Bass, and Otis among Floyd and all the others on the Andy Griffith Show.
He was pretty much a fixture in my entertainment life for as long as I can remember — but my childhood in particular.
Andy Samuel Griffith was an actor, comedian, television producer, southern gospel singer, and writer. He was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina on June 1, 1926. He passed at his family farm in Manteo on Roanoke Island in Dare County, North Carolina on July 3, 2012.
Even when I encountered him in other presentations alien to that image of him I retained in my head he was still the Andy Griffith of my memories.
My Grandma Sallie loved Matlock. She was partial to legal shows like Perry Mason so this was a likely attraction based on her other stated tastes. So Andy Griffith got another run with me and Grandma sitting at her teevee, volume as high as it would go.
I remember the day he died from a heart attack at age 86 at his home. I recall that I thought his final affairs to be rather rushed as he was interred within 5 hours of his passing. I can only believe that these extremely fast proceedings were a part of his will and last testament.
Be all of this as it may he remains one of those people I will always remember because of my exposure level to his art and those others he shared with me as the result of those scripts he brought to life.
Rest in peace.
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- May 31, 2021
- Clint Eastwood remains a favorite
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There is a small collection of actors upon the earth that I truly respect and admire. High among this number is Clint Eastwood Jr.
This actor, film director, composer, and producer piqued my interest as a child portraying Rowdy Yates in Rawhide, which I watched with my father early on.
In my late teens and young adulthood it was Harry Callahan that kept me coming back for more.
Since then I have been keen for staying in touch with his work and he has afforded me countless hours of enjoyment for my infinitesimal trouble.
Some of my favorite examples of his work include Gran Torino, Space Cowboys, Unforgiven, The Dead Pool, Heartbreak Ridge, Pale Rider, and Firefox.
However, if you're ever entertaining me you certainly will be in good stead with anything he's done. I will sit, watch, enjoy, then praise your excellent theatrical taste!
Clint Eastwood served for two years as the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California after being elected in 1986.
In 2000 he received the Italian Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion award, honoring his lifetime achievements.
He has also received two of France's highest civilian honors, he received the Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1994, and the Legion of Honour medal in 2007.
He has also won four academy awards but I'm afraid that the oscar just doesn't mean much in that leftist libtard reality they force upon the world anymore.
I'm sure he is happy to receive them, however and I certainly cannot begrudge him for an award which once was more than it is now.
He remains a tour de force in the world of entertainment with me and I will continue to follow his work as we grow older. He is 90 years old today. Happy Birthday to you !
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- May 30, 2021
- The Feast of Joan of Arc
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Over the years I've read a lot about Joan of Arc. I have seen theatrical presentations regarding her life. I have wondered wide eyed long and hard regarding those events which constituted her existence and it's cruel end by fire at the hands of men claiming to represent the Almighty.
Known also as the "Maid of Orleans" and the "Maid of Lorraine" Joan of Arc was a a young girl living in medieval France who became a French military leader at 17 in an attempt to restore the rightful king to the French throne and claiming to have actually heard the voice of God and believed that God had chosen her to lead France to victory in the 100 years war with England.
As a consequence of her actions today is the day in 1431 that Joan of Arc was burned at the stake as a heretic by a politically motivated tribunal consisting of pro-English and Burgundian clerics at Rouen, Normandy.
There was an overwhelming lack of incriminating evidence presented against her.
She had charges of cross dressing among the 12 issues concerning her arrest.
On May 23 1430, she had been captured at Compiègne by the Burgundian faction who were a group of French noble traitors with allegiance to England.
She was an illiterate peasant woman who was able to confound the most educated group of people from her era. Her execution was primarily a ploy to remove that embarassment she posed to the elite who could neither defeat her in battle nor successfully conduct a campaign against her.
Her executioner stated after the execution that he greatly feared to be condemned to Hell for he had burned a holy woman.
In 1456 court of inquisition authorized by Pope Callixtus III examined the trial and debunked the charges against her. She was pronounced innocent and declared a martyr.
She was canonized May 16, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.
She is now Saint Joan of Arc. Her attributes are Armor, banner, and the sword. She is the patron saint of France, martyrs, captives, military personnel, people ridiculed for their piety, prisoners, soldiers, women who have served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), and Women's Army Corps.
She has been a popular topic throughout history and she is the subject of many examples of literature and art since her death.
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- May 29, 2021
- World Digestive Health Day 2021
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It's another World Digestive Health Day.
It is held anually each May 29 under the auspices of the World Gastroenterology Organization.
It promotes a select disorder to be covered from a standpoint of public awareness, prevention, and therapy.
This year's topic is obesity and the impact of collateral morbidity caused by the presence of being grossly overweight.
So all you obeast blivets get out there and make yourselves aware of that national tragedy secondary to fast foods and poor dietary habits.
The stupid food industry has forced upon you death by diet in the name of profits so they just shovel you into an early grave much like you shovel that greasy fast food down your gullet with wild abandon.
Piggies unite ! World Digestive Health Day tries to get your diet straightened out before it straightens you out horizontally !
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- May 28, 2021
- Menstrual Hygiene Day 2021
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Alright. There are topics better left to others I'm sure. Those involving that which must transpire in the life of a human may or may not invoke feelings of trepidation or embarassment after the fact.
No luck with this in my account. Having a rather lengthy background in medical informatics and patient care I'm pretty much comfortable discussing any and all matters of health and hygiene regardless of your genotype ...
Male, Female, or mosaic.
Here we have another Menstrual Hygiene Day ... one of those days for which I am not a particularly adequate spokesperson.
In short, this is an annual awareness observance held each May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. As an essential aspect of female existence all people, both females — and we who love them — should exhibit concern for those concepts associated with these health practices.
It was originally held in 2014 under the auspices of a German-based concern called NGO WASH United.
It seems that those things associated with feminine hygiene products are often less than adquate in developing countries with those costs associated therewith being the limiting factor among availability and local social conventions.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is meant for publicizing information in the media including social media regarding the importance of developing good hygienic handling of menses regardless of who you are or where you live.
Public information campaigns employed as a function of this day help to stimulate policy dialogue among those involved in international decisions.
The aim is that aforementioned concept called menstrual hygiene management and it's implementation into those avenues of political and economic development within citizens of all nations.
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- May 27, 2021
- Lisa Lopes was born in 1971
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Yes, even I had my hip hop era. It included TLC, DJ Shadow, various others from whom I included in my personal collection pieces in their repetoire.
Lisa Nicole Lopes was born May 27, 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died from an automobile accident in La Ceiba, Honduras on April 25, 2002. She was just 30 years old and was in the midst of pursuing charity work for the local school children.
She was better known by her stage name Left Eye and was an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer.
Lisa Lopes was a member of the R&B girl group TLC, alongside Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas.
Besides rapping and singing backing vocals on TLC recordings, Lopes was one of the creative forces behind the group, receiving more co-writing credits than the other members.
She also designed the outfits and staging for the group and contributed to the group's image, album titles, artworks, and music videos. Her work with TLC won Lopes four Grammy Awards.
During her 1991 through 2002 heyday she was a popular artist in the genre who charted high in several countries.
Though hip hop was (and is) largely alien to me except for those few pieces I listen to regularly her passing was a violent and profound tragedy which likely could have been avoided.
Like Marilyn Monroe she was a star in the world of her art who shone brightly yet didn't last the night.
Rest in peace.
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- May 26, 2021
- Dropping of the Water Bottle
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I have a 3 gallon rectangular water bottle that I use to store water I distill for home use.
Today I dropped the thing while transporting it from one point in the kitchen to another on the counter. Anyway, it didn't sustain a far drop but the water shot out of the inlet and pretty much wet the floor necessitating a floor towel and few minutes of wiping around to effect some drying action.
I was pondering the efficacy of the situation and decided it remains worth the trouble. There is a residue removed by the distiller which has the look of cigarette ashes and a yellow liquid component which simply does not lend itself to my desire for drinking.
I much prefer the distilled water which at least lacks those contaminates the water people likely call "treatment agents" and deem necessary. This is a direct reflection on my confidence of the city officials which is essentially nil.
So I guess I can only attempt to be more careful in the future.
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- May 26, 2021
- Yuna's Dance
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The Final Fantasy game is a widely played Japanese anthology science fantasy media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and developed and owned by Square Enix.
This fantasy and science fantasy role-playing game features Yuna, who is the daughter of High Summoner Braska.
She is honest and determined and her adventure in the game is that of a pilgrimage to obtain the Final Aeon and defeat Sin.
Yuna is learning the mystical art of summoning aeons which are powerful spirits of yore.
The tenth iteration of Final Fantasy features Yuna's dance ... which appears here set to a different musical piece from the franchise.
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- May 25, 2021
- In the heat of the South
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So as June rapidly approaches so does the hot weather.
South Carolina has historically been one of those states where if the 99 percent humidity doesn't get you the 99 degrees will.
I remember the stifling heat of my childhood in the absence of climate control.
There were large window fans designed to circulate air through the house ...
But still it was that air from outside with the heat and humidity intact.
Our first true A/C unit was quite a shocking affair for me personally. I couldn't image actual coolness and dryness in the air coming from a box in the window.
In keeping with tradition, the NOAA weather forecast is replete with plenty of days labeled "Hot" and while the thought is not particularly pleasant to consider, the reality remains nonetheless.
So it is a time for those cooling food and drink recipes and thoughts of wading pools and escaping to the mountains or the lake or the beach on whims and other aspects of 'beat the heat' which permeate this seasonal time of year.
I will personally pursue those spaces indoors with that artificial climate control afforded by my relatively new 3 ton central air unit —
Which has already proven itself as an effective heatsink for that huge resistor which is my carcass.
Just get set for the long haul.
Autum is a ways off and it is NO guarantee of cooler temperatures early on.
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- May 25, 2021
- Geek Pride Day 2021
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Yeah, I'm said to be a 'geek'.
I am referred to as this due to my career choices which are technological and involve intense thought processes in the form of writing code, troubleshooting, breakfix repair, and other aspects of network, server, and workstation maintenance.
So each May 25, Geek Pride Day is observed to promote geek culture. Now I'm not really one to immerse myself in geek culture. It has been held since 1998 and orginated in a bar located in Albany, New York. I care not for the origins of the day nor do I seek to celebrate anything in particular. I used to.
You see, it's just me and after 40 years of code, computers, and networks I don't tend to get all celebratory over much anymore.
I'm sure you can encounter quite a few younger men than me to get your party thing going.
Yawn.
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