Welcome
- October 28, 2018
- International Animation Day 2018
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Throughout my extended childhood I have loved animated features on television and film.
Some of my favorite characters are animated and this stems from my early encounters with Astroboy and other heros of my childhood.
Yes, I always envisioned myself an artist of sorts and would even deface various books making "flipbook" style creations ...
Like on my green bound Webster's New World Dictionary purchased for me by my parents when I entered elementary school in Virginia.
Today is International Animation Day which has been held since 2002 under the auspices of the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) to celebrate animation as an art form. It is said that the observance is held in 50 countries with in excess of 1000 events on every continent.
I keep wondering what the event at Antarctica entails.
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- October 27, 2018
- Navy Day in the United States 2018
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This holiday celebrates the US Navy.
The first was held under the auspices of the Navy League in 1922.
The date finally chosen for the observance is October 27 and corresponds to the birthday of Theodore Roosevelt, who was a great proponent of the navy, sea power, and naval affairs in general.
The purchase of a number of merchant ships were reported favorably upon by a committee of the Continental Congress on October 27, 1775.
So the date is signficant to naval operations on multiple fronts of both governmental and citizen organizations.
There was a celebration of Navy Day in 1945 which is remembered for the celebratory aspect to this day.
Another date corresponding to the formation of the Continental Navy was proposed early on but the day has been generally celebrated on October 27 to this day.
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- October 26, 2018
- National Pumpkin Day 2018
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Today is National Pumpkin Day ... they're one of those autumn gourds which mark the harvest.
These melons are a rich source of vitamins and fiber and make excellent pies, cakes, and puddings.
Pumpkins are grown everywhere in the United States, including Alaska.
The seeds are rich in an essential oil which has copious amounts of essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins E and K as well as more esoteric nutrients such as phytosterols and sterine.
I have been known to purchase a pumpkin every few years because I encounter one that I simply cannot resist for it's size and form ...
the artistry of nature grips me in the autumn, my favorite time of the year.
Happy National Pumpkin Day to you.
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- October 25, 2018
- Some of us don't want to look at video all over the place
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There is a propensity for web sites to presume that their public wishes to view video presentations exclusively during the perusing of their content. This content was formerly the flash format with a smattering of HTML5 interspersed but now it's the other way around ... and I have installed appropriate blocking software for both occasions.
That reason for my wish to be left without a lot of video has much to do with the consternation that video adverts present and I've reached that point well beyond rebellion to downright warfare on the front of video ads, video snips, video announcements, and having it all shoved down my throat as though it's some site's right to do so.
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy video and under different circumstances I wouldn't have ever gone on the warpath against flash player and it's HTML5 ilk. It's simply that inclination for video sites to intersperse a video ad before each and every blessed clip they wish to present -- and WORSE, sites which populate the bulk of their pages with flash or other video adverts in the presence of purely marginal content otherwise -- which raised my hackles sufficiently to effectively thwart those attempts prior to my ever hitting their URL.
Me, I'm one of those determined to have my internet experience on my own terms. No nasty video is going to force itself upon me. No HTML5 or flash permutation. Not even a big bad animated GIF should push come to shove ... and to think that all of this 'tude happens in light of my 300 megabyte download capacity as well.
I have adobe to blame primarily ... and their nasty unintelligble regiments of persons from india claiming to be John, and Ralph, and Tina ... as they thank me for the information and tell me that they have to 'tink' about it. I've been repelled by their minions and now have disdain for their entire product line ... particularly flash video and the never ending components, nag screens, and advertisements using it. All because of the annoying animated ads which prevail despite the announced demise of flash itself in the near future.
I rue the day adobe purchased macromedia and turned flash (and coldfusion) into those messy monstrosities they presently are. I'd much rather read more text and see more sets of still images; but that's just me. You view all the bloody videos you like whenever you're so inclined. We can't all like the same things and it often seems that I'm the only one who likes what I seek in that internet experience anyway and that's ... okay.
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- October 24, 2018
- No Go on the Lottery Win Again
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So Megamillions had a 1.6 Billion dollar jackpot won by some lucky devil in Simpsonville.
No I'm not jealous and I am happy for the winner.
I'll just have to try again tonight for the (much lesser) Powerball jackpot instead.
They say if you keep playing you will ultimately win.
I keep hoping ...
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- October 23, 2018
- October is Global Diversity Awareness Month
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Recently I saw a youtube video where a fat redhead woman with a poor vocabulary, and even poorer grasp of reality was knocking white men as something less than everyone else on the planet.
This, coupled with the fact that she was a stupid white girl cracker of the basest most ignorant cant pronounce her own terms sort simply added to my disdain for her and her ilk ... and I ended up doing a very unflattering mouseover of her morfing into the sow that she is in reality and all her stupidity.
Growing up in a Navy family I often heard my Dad use some of that jargon from his career in his explanations of various things to me over the years. Things like:
"The right way, the wrong way, and the Navy way"
"swab the deck", and
"the Navy is colorblind"
I didn't always know what these things meant in my childhood; but I have always been in schools with people from other cultures and as such I have been fairly tolerant of those different than me. It's all I ever knew.
I have never been one to apply labels to people. I view it as counterproductive. I can recognize that you're different than me and appreciate your distinctiveness without pasting some identifier to your forehead toward that end. This brings me to one of those relatively newer buzzwords that people tend to toss around until you grow weary from their overuse ... diversity.
It is an appositive for the existence of differences in various experiential inventories as they pertain to gender, gender identity, religion, sociololgy, economics, sexual preferences, racial or ethnic classifications, age, intelligence, mental or physical health status, genetics, behavior, place of origin, cultural values, political ideology, and the list has the potential to be virtually endless. Diversity can actually encompass any other identifying features within a group as well.
Diversity is important in the fact that different cultures may aid communication between people of different backgrounds and lifestyles. This communication can promote greater knowledge, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
The inverse of diversity then becomes assimilation, whereby "the many become one" and those of different backgrounds assume the same identity to achieve the recognition, communication, knowledge, and peaceful coexistence which is the aim of diversity.
"Respect for Diversity" is one of the six principles of the Global Greens Charter, a public declaration of intent subscribed to by Green parties from all over the world. I used to recognize and support diversity. I feel that if we were all the same the world would be a boring place.
However, I grow weary of the overuse of terms such as diversity because they become trite and diminish the significance of that which they attempt to promote. The recognition of the differences we all have is important and we should all get along regardless of who we are, from where we originate, or if or where we worship.
Then there is this prevailing leftist notion that diversity is simply another term for "not white" and that discrimination against people such as myself is the true crux of my problem with the entire notion.
Then there is "global" and all the New World Order traitor Bush connotations that brings up. The traitor Bushes and the brigand Obamas can both go straight to hell along with the crook ass Clintons.
I don't necessarily view diversity as some idol to be placed on the alter of tradition. In a word, celebrate your life as you see fit. Try not to make the fact that you're different appear to be the only thing you value. There is a political correctness which envelops diversity that makes me want to squash it like a bug.
Be different. Don't knock me because I'm different from you.
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- October 22, 2018
- Annette Funicello
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Annette Joanne Funicello the American actress, singer, and Mouseketeer was born this day in 1942.
She was the only one of the Disney child star troupe to be hand picked by him -- and was about the earliest crush of my childhood.
She was born in Utica, New york to Joseph and Virginia Funicello.
They provided her with dancing and music lessons in an effort to assist her with childhood shyness. They moved to Southern California when she was four years old.
I think my enamor began about the first time I heard her sing "How Will I Know My Love" -- which was released on single ... but I only heard it on television.
She had a lot of Disney serials and beach film/musicals in her repertoire and did commercials as well but I always remembered her with those mouse ears, the name on her blouse, and that smile.
She announced that she suffers from multiple sclerosis in 1992 after attempts to keep her condition secret became misconstrued as the effects of alcoholism.
In 1993 she was inducted as a 'Disney Legend'.
On April 8, 2013, she died at age 70, from the sequela of the MS from which she suffered greatly with which she contended with dignity and determination.
I have loved her all these years from my early childhood until now.
Happy Birthday in heaven Annette Funicello !
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- October 21, 2018
- Final Day of the State Fair
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Today is the last day of the SC State Fair.
Didn't make it either -- as I predicted prior to it's opening. I think a few of my immediate family and some of my friends went from what I have gleaned in conversations. Mom and I opted for the prime rib at Zorba's instead.
Something about the allure has been failing as attraction for me personally.
I think it all started when they stopped selling beer -- yes I suppose I am that shallow; but the entertainment aspects are not so much 'adult' as child and senility oriented unless you're a crafts / flowers / baking contest freak or simply predisposed to boredom or the carney scene.
My last excursion there was in 1997. I went with my late friend Dewitt.
This year I simply preferred to stay at home and write code ... again. Talk about drab !
As for me, I await that time when the urge returns if ever; for though I missed yet another I don't really see it in my future again ...
I kept thinking I was going to ask the little blonde girl from work but that never materialized. It's a "too little too late" thing in the effort department that ultimately did me in.
Hope you went if you wanted and that you had a good time as well if you did attend. ta ta !
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- October 20, 2018
- National Suspenders Day
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I used to wear suspenders a lot. The fashion trend in my life began about the end of the Bechtel era through the first half of the my final tenure as just another dumbass instructor at Midlands Technical College.
This notion occurred to me that suspenders were more attractive when they weren't ... however the comfort level was much higher than that I achieved with a belt.
My pal Bill Havey told me that I had made a fashion statement and started wearing them too.
It was my late sister in law, Peggy Childers Williamson who pointed out that wearing a belt with suspenders was a fashion faux pas. You know I was right out there wearing both up to that point. I told Charlie about it when I saw him doing the same thing and he said he could care less and went right on wearing both suspenders and a belt ... to work no less.
Anyway, I still have a couple pairs of those suspenders from the old days. The last pair I wore at Bechtel still hang in my closet because my dad gave them to me when he received them from Westinghouse. They continue to have sentimental value.
I hope that even though my suspender days appear to be over you might indulge yourself if you're so inclined. I did find them a refreshing change of fashion pace way back when I was someone altogether different.
I really don't see myself in them nowadays, but you can't ever tell — and I try never to say never regarding most things.
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- October 19, 2018
- Mother Teresa Day in Albania
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With the death of John Paul I at the hands of a cardinal in his own church and the all too timely death of John Paul II from natural causes, I have not been to keen on the Catholic Church.
It seems that since the takeover by the successor(s) of John Paul II there has been both a shirking of duty and the frank lack of scriptural knowledge which has given me nothing but cause to frown on those elected by the Church to see to it's spirituality and business.
One of those contemporaries of John Paul II was Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu
August 26, 1910 - September 5, 1997
The Sisters of Charity
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was an Albanian Indian missionary adherent to the Catholic faith and practicing nun.
Her Sisters of Charity were responsible for the alleviation of immense sufferning by many of her people and she was beatified by John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City on this day in 2003.
This was comparatively soon after her ascension to heaven on September 5, 1997 compared to others on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church.
Matthew 5 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Holy Bible King James Version - Comments (0)
- October 18, 2018
- Hummingbird feeders to come down
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It's been a full week since I saw my last hummingbird in the yard. I have been maintaining two 32 ounce feeders — each initially containing two cups of nectar and getting a thorough wash each week.
I have been reading how there are species of hummingbirds which remain in the area all winter.
While I am certainly unopposed to feeding these birds for the duration, their absence in my field of vision at various times has precluded any such heroics.
In accordance with my usual and customary behaviors; the two feeders will be coming down this weekend unless I see more birds; in which case I will wash and refill both for another week.
I keep them clean and fresh.
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- October 17, 2018
- Paul Allen has Passed
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I once saw Paul Allen from afar in Long Beach California at the Software Publisher's Association meeting I attended so long ago.
Paul Gardner Allen
January 21, 1953 – October 15, 2018
American business tycoon, investor and philanthropist
Co-founded Microsoft
He was an imposing figure under a mop of hair and a beard which wouldn't quit.
Over the years I have observed his more conservative appearance and must admit to being largely unaware of his technical proclivities til rather late in the game.
Paul Allen of Microsoft, scientific, and philanthropic fame has passed from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on October 15, 2018 leaving a legacy of technical and business success that will be hard to match in coming years.
Considered somewhat of a recluse, he was a bachelor who immersed himself into his various interests and shared his vast wealth with those who pursued those interests which piqued his motivation.
He held 43 patents.
He was the 46th richest human on Earth at the time of his death with a worth estimated at 20.3 billion dollars US largely in Microsoft stock.
Rest in peace.
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- October 16, 2018
- Boss's Day 2018
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Today is Boss's Day.
It's a time to honor the boss for his leadership, his direction, his kindness, fairness, and understanding.
I work in IT where I am afforded a lot of autonomy in the workday.
However, my chain of command still exists and there are about 4 individuals I answer to directly and a slew of others who can get me in hot water should the need arise ...
So though those bosses may ebb and flow with the progression of time I find that I still have to serve somebody.
The present regime will be taken to lunch tommorrow and I will be in attendence.
Not so much to be seen but for the grub, primarily.
The workaday world has it's little perks and Boss's Day is one of those for me personally.
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- October 15, 2018
- National Grouch Day 2018
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According to Sesame Street Magazine, October 15th is National Grouch Day -- that time set aside for all Grouches such as myself to celebrate our way of life.
A Grouch's mission in life is to be as miserable and grouchy as possible, and pass that feeling on to everyone else.
Only then will we feel in touch with our world and be happy.
Yet, even though a Grouch may show happiness at anyone's misfortune (including our own), we would never admit to being happy.
Such it is with our life: a study in contrasts ... balanced, and yet totally unbalanced.
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