A List of Lying John's Accomplishments

Lying John gavelling down the truth.

The following is from a comment by "City Hall Monitor" on the Journal Times site. 

"Back by popular demand!

"Who needs streetlights when you can give millions in corrupt back room deals to friends and family for marble bathrooms, the roundabout, CAR25, failed projects like Porters and Delta Hawk, or even grave sites on sacred Indian burial grounds?

"Here is Racine's List of Accomplishments under the current administration:

"- Poverty level has increased to make Racine one of the most impoverished cities in America while the mayor assumes no responsibility
- Substantial increase in local burglaries in both residential and commercial areas
- Creating new ordinances to specifically deter public comments and feedback
- Allowing friends to get another backdoor deal for half price grave sites on sacred Indian Burial Grounds (despite the cemetery commission saying no)
- Giving those same friends a real estate deal on a building downtown when a minority-owned business was discriminated against when they tried to buy it
- Competing as a city, connected to mayor's best friend's business no doubt, in headstone sales against long-standing local businesses
- Highest unemployment in the state for years running with no change in sight
- Bid rigging, discrimination and unfair business practices
- Unfair property taxes and assessments (and resulting lawsuits)
- Removing streetlights (still going through despite all the opposition)
- Cutting bus schedules and services to an absolute minimum
- Increased recycling and service fees (still going up despite promising it would not)
- Unnecessary cuts to essential services like Police & Fire (despite all the opposition)
- Porters $1.2 Million Giveaway (nothing to show for it)
- Giving more money to Porters without informing the community
- Delta Hawk Giveaway (nothing to show for it)
- CAR25 Giveaway and increased spending (see bid rigging)
- Giving friends that run CAR25 even more money than promised (another 30k)
- Uptown demolition and wasteful spending (more bid rigging)
- Unnecessary City Hall Bathrooms & Renovation (paying friends)
- Excessive Zoo subsidies while still increasing fees (paying more friends)
- Unnecessary City Hall roundabout (paying friends yet again)
- Excessive charges to residents for streets, sidewalks, and landscaping
- Failing school system (and failing school board)
- Suing local nonprofit organization Project New Life for issues created by the city
- Changing the rules for zoning and blight to rig real estate deals
- Unnecessary cuts to public transportation (where are bus ad revenues going?)
- Mass exodus of residents and businesses (with outdated population signs)
- Elitism and special rules to favor Aldermen (including guns in Council Chambers)
- Censorship, slander and libel against community members
- Suing our own city to cover personal legal expenses for the mayor
- Begging local churches and nonprofits to donate money to the city
- Excessive cronyism, favoritism, and back room deals
- No real plan for recovery (see bond rating downgrade)
- Hiring consultants for jobs that should be done by staff
- Incompetent City Administrator and Finance Director
- Pushed through union contracts (plus legal fees) without waiting for Act 10
- Lost potential contracts for water service due to arrogance
- Unnecessary hurdles for local businesses
- Violation of open meeting laws
- Violation of city ordinances and state statutes
- Complete lack of ethics, even by the Ethics Board itself
- Overpaid positions and benefits for City Staff, Mayor & Aldermen
- Continuous and excessive debt service (over 25 cents of every dollar)
- Excessive tax rates to deter any new residents and businesses
- No new development (besides liquor stores and discount shops)
- Massive amounts of foreclosures and pending foreclosures
- Free fall of home and property values toward ZERO for those that remain
- Rampant corruption and disregard for the community
- Lies

"Vote for your favorites (or add to the list)!"

Party on, lying John!

One of the Other Comets: Lovejoy

Comet ISON seems to be getting all the love right now, but this morning I went for Comet Lovejoy. This is C/2013 R! Lovejoy (not to be confused with the one he discovered in 2011 or the other two comets Lovejoy also discovered) and discovered back in September of this year. It is currently high in the morning sky a couple hours before dawn not far from the bright star Procyon.

I went out this morning and got the following shot with my Canon 60D, EF-s 55-250mm zoom lens at 55mm and f/4, ISO5000 and 30 seconds on an iOptron SkyTracker. Procyon is the bright star at the right and the faint fuzzy comet is on the far left of this image.

So although ISON is getting all the hype, don't forget there are some other pleasing sites out there. Universe today just had an article on the four morning comets currently visible. These will provide some rich morning observing...if I can keep dragging myself out of bed that early!

For more on Comet Lovejoy, check out the Universe Today primer.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Open Blog - Thursday

Have a boo-tiful day.

Our Phones - Wireless

Cooking - Fireless

Cars - Keyless

Food – Fatless

Tires – Tubeless

Dress – Sleeveless

Youth – Jobless

Leaders – Shameless

Relationships – Meaningless

Attitudes – Careless

Babies – Fatherless

Feelings – Heartless

Education – Valueless

Children – Manner-less

Country – Godless

We are speechless,

Congress is CLUELESS,

and our President is WORTHLESS!

Need Money?

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my extraordinary friends!  How are you?  More and more leaves fall to the ground (or your gutters).  Some trees are already bare.  More and more homes are decorated for Halloween.  Some will be decorated for Christmas shortly thereafter.  The seasons march on, immune to the will of man.  So do the retailers.

Our bombastic and monumental Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.  Somehow, even with all those injuries, the men in green and gold get the job done.  Next Monday night, the Packers take on the hated Chicago Bears.  May the peerless and transcendent Green Bay Packers mutilate da Bears.

In the Irregular Football League, my Screaming Psychics dropped to fourth place.  The Half-Astrophysicists are in first place, the Orbliterators are in second, and the Racine Irregulars are in third.  Oh my.

I was psychic channel surfing the other night when I came across some mumblings and rumblings concerning the behavior of a current Racine alderman in past employment. Someone wake up the Ethics Board again and broadcast the news to Racine’s leaders: the internet is here!  People are connecting in ways that you don’t even know exist.  You best be sure that the skeletons in your closet don’t rattle and tattle on you.  People love dirt on public servants.  It justifies their anger with our government, at all levels.

Our Mr. Governor Scott Walker says he will soon release his decision on the casino in Kenosha.  I’m sure that whichever side comes up with the most payola will win square and fair.

Here’s some good news from RacineUncovered: “Racine Police: 14 burglary arrests made in 48 hours,” http://racineuncovered.org/2013/10/racine-police-14-burglary-arrests-made-in-48-hours/ “From Racine Police Department:14 Burglary Arrests Made in the past 48 Hours! THANK YOU CITIZENS!!! We couldn’t do it without you!”  On the contrary, we couldn’t do it without you.  Thank you, Racine Police Department! 

Finally, my dears, please take heed of this story from Reuters: “Psychic scammers find fertile haunting ground in Internet age,” http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/29/us-usa-halloween-cybercurses-idUSBRE99S10E20131029

 

“(Reuters) - As pre-Halloween witches and ghouls sprout up on U.S. lawns, experts are warning people to be wary of modern occult scammers who have moved online to hawk virtual voodoo dolls, revenge spells and otherwise ‘haunted’ items.

“While the idea of spending money for a magic spell - to help with an endeavor or to inflict pain on an enemy - has been around for centuries, experts say the anonymity of online transactions can encourage people who would otherwise never think of visiting a storefront psychic to fall for a con.”

Always be sure that your psychic displays the American Psychic Association Seal of Approval.  It’s the only way to protect unwitting customers.

Thank you for reading my blog this week.  You are such a marvelous audience.  I love spending time with you.  Your presence is my present.

Report the misdeeds of our “superiors:” madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

I hope that you all have a Happy Halloween!  When you get your bag of goodies home, be sure to check the apples and popcorn balls for needles and razor blades.  And don’t eat anything that tastes like mothballs.  Baragouin!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Enjoy your day.

"Nine-Year-Old Girl Sings Opera on Holland's Got Talent"

Damn. What a voice.

Edit: here's another one.

Sneak Preview of JTI Illuminati T-shirt

The unicorn is precious.

Useless Information

Did you Know:

 

It has been 30 years since Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Parton sang “Island in the Stream”.

Open Blog - Tuesday

Have a great day.

"Baby LED light suit halloween costume preview"

Published on Oct 22, 2013

"Quick preview of the LED light suit I made for my 22 month old daughter for Halloween. She loves wearing this costume! Go to http://www.ledbaby.com to sign-up for more information to get the costume. SUBSCRIBE! I will be shooting more of her and uploading some other interesting ideas.

"Snowboarding LED suits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kayqs...

"*Subscribe for more funny footage of the LED costume.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/roycephoto
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RoyceHutain
Vine: @RoyceHutain"

Read more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkBDRUO8hAo

That's super scary and super cute.

JTI Get Together!

I am taking over this time for Lizardmom because she is not feeling good right now. We are trying to get a count of how many people will be able to get together on November 9th.. Mary will be up from Oklahoma and we would really like to get as many of us together to see her. If I do not have your email her is mine tenderheartbear64@gmail.com so I can make sure I keep you updated on the get together.

This was Drew's idea so you can yell at him. We hope you get better soon so we can see you at the get together!

Halloween Pictures from Up North!

I was not able to get anymore Halloween pictures from around here when we got back from up north. I was able to get a few from up north to share with you. My son even carved some pumpkins for the Grandkids and I have a picture of that to share with you. So here are the pictures:

                             This picture was taken at my son's house on Lincoln St. Shawano Wi..

                             This picture was taken at my son's house on Lincoln St. Shawano Wi..

                              This picture was taken at my son's house on Lincoln St. Shawano Wi..

                              This picture was taken on Hwy 55 in the Menominee Reservation.

                              This picture was taken on Hwy 55 in the Menominee Reservation.

                                        This picture was taken on Washington St. Shawano Wi..

                                        This picture was taken on Washington St. Shawano Wi..

                                        This picture was taken on Washington St. Shawano Wi..

I hope that everyone enjoys the pictures because I really enjoy going out and taking the pictures to share with everyone. There was a couple more I would have loved to get around town and maybe when I get the car tomorrow and run some errands I will get the pictures and share with everyone. I will try my hardest but it is suppose to rain so I don't know how the pictures will turn out. If they turn out good with the rain I will post them. Have a great day!

Open Blog - Monday

Up and at 'em, pussycat.

"Lou Reed, Rock ’n’ Roll Pioneer, Dies at 71"

"Lou Reed, the singer, songwriter and guitarist whose work with the Velvet Underground in the 1960s had an impact on generations of rock musicians, and who remained a powerful if polarizing force for the rest of his life, died on Sunday at his home in Southampton, N.Y., on Long Island. He was 71."

Read more:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/arts/music/lou-reed-dies-at-71.html?_r=0


Sad Song.

Enough Said

Open Blog - Weekend

Enjoy yourselves

"Extreme Demolition: Watch 200ft wind turbine tower toppled in Torrington CT, Hexacopter aerial video"

http://notadrone.com/

At first I thought the tower fell wrong and just missed the tractor by luck.

Change of the seasons

West African bush tribe

An elderly couple was watching a Discovery Channel special about a West African bush tribe whose men all had penises 24 inches long.

 

When the black male reaches a certain age, a string is tied around his penis and on the other end is a weight. After a while, the weight stretches the penis to 24 inches.

 

Later that evening as the husband was getting out of the shower, his wife looked at him and said, "How about we try the African string-and-weight procedure?"

 

The husband agreed and they tied a string and a weight to his penis.

 

A few days later, the wife asked the husband, "How is our little tribal experiment coming along?"

 

"Well, it looks like we're about half way there," he replied.

 

"Wow, you mean it's grown to 12 inches?"

 

"No, it's turned black."

Little Richard - "Tutti Frutti" - from Don't Knock The Rock - HQ 1956

Some people say that Little Richard invented rock 'n' roll, but I don't think that any one person can lay claim to that.

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone and welcome back! All I can say it has been a crazy week.... Weird things have been going on. Anyways, some questions for you...

1) How old were you when you got your first computer?

2) What part of pop culture do wish would just go away?

3) How long do you think you can last in solitary confinement?

4) What MOVIE comes to mind when you think of the '50's?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

Ah, Friday.

"Poets Laureate for Racine and Kenosha to be announced at Oct. 25 event"

From The Journal Times.com:

"RACINE — The Kenosha/Racine Poets Laureate Program will induct the 2014-15 Poets Laureate for Kenosha and Racine from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Spectrum School of the Arts & Gallery, 610 21st St., on the DeKoven Center grounds. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Outgoing Poets Laureate Angie Aker (Kenosha), and Stephen Kalmar II and Darin Zimpel (Racine) will read from their work as well as introduce a few of the many Kenosha and Racine residents who participated in public programs they hosted over the past two years and who will present some of the work they created during that time. Racine poet Nick Demske will serve as master of ceremonies and introduce the Poets Laureate of Kenosha and Racine for 2014-15.

"Guitarist Jamey Buencamino will provide music during the evening. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. There is no admission fee."

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/poets-laureate-for-racine-and-kenosha-to-be-announced-at/article_c6be8bec-3ce5-11e3-96c3-001a4bcf887a.html

"Miniatur Wunderland *** official video 2012 *** largest model railway / railroad of the world"

Thanks to Toad for sending me a link to this.

Humor from legal stranger

Thanks for the videos.

The Last of Fall Pictures!

Yesterday when I was sitting on the couch I looked out our patio doors I was looking at the trees and there was no leaves left. It was funny because the day before it was full of leaves and this happened over night. I just could not believe what happened with the leave over night. So that made me think I better get the last of my Fall pictures from up north posted for everyone. We didn't have much time or real good sun light to get a lot of pictures to share. Here are the pictures-

                              This is on Cty Hwy DD in Pickeral Wi looking out towards the lake!

                                  This is on Cty Hwy DD in Pickeral Wi looking down the road!

         This is on Hwy 55 in Lily Wi looking at the tops of the trees and some have no leaves anymore!

         This is on Hwy 55 in Lily Wi looking at the tops of the trees and some have no leaves anymore!

                         This is on Hwy 55 in the Menominee Reservation looking down the road!

                         This is on Hwy 55 in the Menominee Reservation looking down the road!

I hope you enjoy the last of the Fall pictures that we have taken. I know there has not been to many pictures that I have taken this year. 

"Wal-Mart to open up to 110 new China stores by 2016"

By Matthew Miller

BEIJING | Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:26am EDT

"(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N), the world's biggest retailer, is expanding its China business as it seeks to raise profitability in a slowing retail sector.

"Wal-Mart will open up to 110 facilities in China between 2014 and 2016, in addition to the 30 it has already opened this year, it said at a press event in Beijing on Thursday."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/24/us-walmart-china-idUSBRE99N04S20131024


They deserve each other.

"Judge rejects stay on Racine hotel eviction order"

By The Associated Press

CREATED Oct. 22, 2013

"RACINE, Wis. (AP) -- The attorney for a woman who ran up a $29,000 bill at a hotel in southeastern Wisconsin says a judge has denied his request to stay an eviction and his client can be kicked out any time after Thursday morning.

   

"Jana Ganjian has said she checked into the Racine Marriott in 2004 after her house went into foreclosure. Ganjian has a lupus-like disorder and receives monthly disability benefits, which she says she used to make some $89-per-day payments.

   

"A judge granted the hotel's request for eviction earlier this month.

   

"Attorney Joseph Seifert said Tuesday that he asked the judge to stay the order because Ganjian has nowhere to go. Seifert says that motion was denied, and Ganjian must leave the hotel before Thursday or risk the sheriff removing her."

Read more:  http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/Judge-rejects-stay-on-Racine-hotel-eviction-order-228861341.html

Time's up.  This is all over the net.  Time.com has a story on this as well as news sites and blogs worldwide. Are they going to evict her today or wait awhile in the hope that the publicity will die down?

Open Blog - Thursday

Enjoy your day.

"I killed a man."

http://becauseisaidiwould.com/

“Matthew Cordle has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison with no chance of early release and a lifetime driver’s license suspension. As Matthew promised, he plead guilty and took responsibility for the horrible crime that ended Vincent Canzani’s life. Because I said I would recorded and released Matthew’s confession video with the hope that it would convince others to put down the keys… Don’t make the excuses Matthew made. Make the promise to never drink and drive and post it to social media with #SaveYourVictim.

“Since the day Matthew messaged our Facebook page for the first time on August 9th, I have grown to know him. He calls me on a regular basis from jail. I can tell you that he is remorseful for what he has done. That remorse will never bring back Vincent Canzani, but it has driven him towards a lifelong mission to prevent drinking and driving. While I am digusted by Matthew’s actions on June 22nd, I am proud of his promise to take responsibility and his conviction to see that promise through.”

Read more: http://becauseisaidiwould.com/mattssentence/


Wow.  I don't think I'd have the cojones to do that.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my sisters and brothers!  How are you?  I was outside yesterday morning around 8 AM.  It was cold, the wind from the north cutting through everything in its path.  I don’t think it’s going to get any better in the foreseeable future.  According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac: “2013–2014 U.S. Weather Highlights Frigid Winter With Bitter Cold and Heavy Snow,” http://www.almanac.com/content/almanacs-long-range-weather-forecast-us-and-canada   Just what we need.  Oh dear.

Joy and elation spread throughout Packer land this Sunday past as Green Bay defeated the Cleveland Browns.  Next up this Sunday are the Packers’ perennial foes, the Minnesota Vikings.  That’s the team that Mr. Brett Favre defected to.  May they never be forgiven!  Ravage and decimate the Vikings, o wondrous Packers!

In the Irregular Football League, Mr. OrbsCorbs’ Orbliterators have been knocked down to second place by Mr. Hale-Bopp’s Half-Astrophysicists.  My Screaming Psychics have slipped to third place.  Congratulations Mr. Hale-Bopp!  May the best woman or man win.

The image at right was submitted to me by a Mr. I. P. Nightly.  Thank you, Mr. Nightly, for keeping the oldest psychic joke in the universe alive and unwell.

I have a confidential message for Mr. GregR that I channeled last night.  The message is, “Thank you so much!  You’ll never know what a help you’ve been.  I’ll pay it forward when I have the opportunity.”  The source didn’t identify him/her/itself, but did relay that the recipient would know who it came from.  You know, I make only $2 on these confidential messages that do not involve my input.  Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it.     

I’ve been following the story out of Greece about the young, fair haired, blue-eyed girl found with a Roma family.  She was taken into protective custody and her parents were jailed.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/21/world/europe/greece-mystery-girl/ Unfortunately, this plays right into the stereotype of Gypsies kidnapping children.  We don’t need anymore bad press.  We’ve been getting it for thousands of years.  Set my people free, Lord!

Ahem. Locally: “More staff cuts for city,” http://journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/more-staff-cuts-for-city/article_adcea1ea-3b0e-11e3-ab8b-001a4bcf887a.html Mr. Mayor Dickert’s proposed budget cuts much needed staff from different departments while spending more money on himself and his friends.  Oh my!  You should be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Mayor. Where are your morals?

In the spirit of the season, here is “The Real Story of Halloween:”

Thank you so much for reading my blog today.  I love visitors from all over the internet and from all over the universe.  Love is the solution to all of our problems.

Halloween queries? Contact: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

I still see people wearing shorts.  R U NUTS?  Soon it will be cold enough to freeze up my personal plumbing.  Be careful as the days grow shorter.  Watch out for school buses and kids.  Pantophobia!   

Open Blog - Wednesday

How dramatic.

A Spotty Sunset

I don't post all my sunset pics here...if you want to see them you can follow me on twitter or Google+. I will post some of the more interesting ones here and tonight falls into that category.

There are some pretty good sunspots today. By underexposing the Sun quite a bit, you can bring out the sunspots. I got them just as the Sun was setting behind a mountain.

I waited around for the green flash of course.

Tonight I also took a quick shot toward Kitt Peak. Late next week, the Sun will set behind Kitt Peak and I will be trying to get that shot!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

"Million American Jobs Project"

http://www.millionjobsproject.us/

Thank you to Toad for sending me this link.

"Political Panic: We owe 70 Trillion Dollars"

Hot damn!

"Watertown aims to become first dementia-friendly community"

October 20, 2013 7:30 am  •  DOUG ERICKSON | Wisconsin State Journal | derickson@madison.com | 608-252-6149

"At 88, Shirley Strysick shows no signs of physical decline, but her memory isn’t as crisp as it once was, and she’s very aware of the change. That’s why she no longer cooks.

“'I could burn this joint down,' she said last week as she gave a tour of her apartment at an assisted living complex in Watertown. 'I forget things.'

"Strysick, a retired nurse, began noticing memory problems about five years ago and has been diagnosed with early-stage dementia. On a hook above her kitchen counter hangs a notebook where visitors log in, a step family members took a few months ago because Strysick sometimes couldn’t recall who had dropped by.

"Strysick may be among the more fortunate of those with memory loss because of where she lives. Watertown, a city of about 24,000 people 45 minutes east of Madison, has embarked on an effort to become a dementia-friendly community, perhaps the first in the country."

 

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/health_med_fit/watertown-aims-to-become-first-dementia-friendly-community/article_7f2e53c9-5305-5ae8-bc7c-9c604223cd60.html

That's good to know.  Maybe I should move there before I forget. 

Open Blog - Tuesday

Have a good day.

"The Haunted Doll"

If I really dream about that doll tonight, I'm gonna be upset.

"Bertrand Russell's Message to the Future"

From the BBC's "Face-to-Face," 1959.

He thought the world was getting interconnected back then.  The internet has put that process into hyper-drive.

Open Blog - Monday

Rise and shine.

"Topless Female Trampolining World Championships"

http://www.toplessfemaletrampoliningworldchampionships.com/

Why can't I get a job like that? 

This actually is part of a campaign for male breast cancer awareness.

Useless Information

Did you Know:

Pryor to the model “T” Ford, people (most) never traveled more than 25 miles from their home in their entire life time.

The model “T” came in 3 colors, Black, Black and Black

"'Big Ass Spider' Trailer"

This is a real movie. I can hardly wait to see it.

Open Blog - Weekend

Please do.

"Bed Bugs found in local movie theater"

by John Cuoco

Story Created: Oct 17, 2013

Story Updated: Oct 18, 2013

"WAUWATOSA -- AMC Theatres confirmed to CBS 58 that bed bugs were found at their Mayfair Mall location.

"According to the company, the bed bugs were found earlier this month and isolated to three rows of seats in a single theater.

"The investigation stemmed from a single bite.

"AMC assured CBS 58 and the public that the bed bugs have been taken care of.

"'At AMC, we take aggressive steps, including inspections, if a bed bug is suspected. If any inspection comes back positive for bed bugs, the affected area is treated by a third-party pest control company. A single auditorium at this location was treated early this month and we’ve had no reports since treatment.'

"The Wauwatosa Health Department said they have not received a complaint about the bed bugs, but ask people anytime they see bed bugs to report them.

"CBS 58 was alerted to the bed bugs problem at AMC by a viewer."

Read more:  http://www.cbs58.com/news/local-news/Bed-Bugs-is-local-movie-theater-228278211.html


Were they watching The Exterminator?

JT Irregulars Illuminati

The inaugural meeting of the JT Irregulars Illuminati was held this afternoon.  An agenda was prioritized and is in the process of implementation.  Oaths were sworn and a line was drawn in the sand.  The JTI Illuminati will continue to meet secretly until  their goals are achieved. Semper Vigilavi!

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone and welcome back! Somehow I survived.... It was a LONG week of overtime and being busy. I have the day off. YAY! Time to some rest. Anyways some questions for you...

1) What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?

2) Are you a rule keeper or a rule breaker?

3) In conversations, you talk more or listen more?

4)  What event do you think signifies (or you identify with) the 2000's

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

Is that Mr. Bubble?

The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

Just in.... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the the nominees for 2014 induction Wednesday morning. Surprisingly, some great artists this upcoming year!

The nominees are.... 

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band: Popular late '60's band known for combining electric Chicago blues with a rock urgency as well as their pioneering jazz fusion into their shows and recordings. Paul Butterfield was regarded as one of the finest harmonica players ever on stage.

Chic: Popular disco band from the '70's. Known for their hits, "La Freak", "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah), "Good Times", "Everybody Dance" and "My Forbidden Lover".

Deep Purple: Even though they went though a series of line up changes, Deep Purple has been cited as one of the pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Known for combining classical music and hard rock with very respectable results. Their best known song is the power riffing of "Smoke on the Water'. Other great tunes are "Highway Star", "Woman from Tokayo" and "Hush"

Peter Gabriel: Ever since Gabriel left the prog rock band Genesis in 1975, he has been difficult to label,  world beat, pop, alternative, prog rock and indie all fused together in it's own uniqueness. Tunes like "Solsbury Hill", "Shock the Monkey" and "Sledgehammer" topped the charts. Gabriel is also the driving force behind World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) and a humanitarian for many causes including Amnesty International.

Hall and Oates: This American music duo achieved their greatest fame in the mid '70's and early '80's with chart toppers like "Maneater", "Kiss is on My List", "Private Eyes" and "Rich Girl". Their fusion of rock and roll with rhythm and blues (with some incorporation of new wave) are served up with strong hooks and melodies.

KISS: Best known for their outlandish make-up and costumes, as well as their theatrical stage shows, KISS  became a household name in the '70's.  Fueled by their hard rocking smash hits of "Beth", Rock and Roll all Nite" and "Detroit Rock City", KISS pioneered a larger than life personality that many bands today set to follow as well as legions of fans loyal to their cause.

LL Cool J: One of the leading pioneers for hip hop music in the late '80's and early '90's. Known for critically acclaimed tunes like "Mamma Said Knock You Out" and "I Can't Live Without My Radio". By the late '90's he crossed over to a successful career in acting. Now appears on the show, NCIS: Los Angeles.

The Meters: An American funk band from New Orleans. The band played an influential role as a backing band for artists such Robert Palmer, Lee Dorsey and Dr. John. Although they never achieved mainstream success, they are one of progenitors of funk music and they are highly influential amomg their contemporaries.

Nirvana: One of the premier grunge bands out of Seattle in the early '90's. This trio found unexpected success in the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as well as in "Lithium" and "Come as You Are". The band came to develop a sound that relied on dynamic contrasts, often between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses. Front man/guitarist Kurt Cobain became referred by the media as the 'spokesman of a generation'. Unable to cope with success and drug addiction, Cobain committed suicide, forever cementing the band's legacy.

N.W.A.: An American rap group from California. Widely considered one of the seminal acts of gangsta rap and sometimes considered the most important group in the history of rap music. This rap act endured controversy over explicit lyrics glorifying gangster lifestyle, drugs and disrespect towards women. Because of this, they were banned from many radio stations. Songs include "Fuck tha Police" and "Gangsta Gangsta".

The Replacements: Hailed from Minneapolis in 1979,  the Replacements were one the pioneer acts for alternative rock. The Replacements played "heart on the sleeve" rock songs with self-deprecating lyrics. Best known for their "Let it Be" and "Tim" albums.

Linda Ronstadt: Perhaps the most successful female singer in the history of rock. Ronstadt's 30 plus album catalog that crossed over many genres has sold over a 100 million world wide. Tunes like "Blue Bayou" and "You're No Good" are regarded by many as her best work. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease that left her unable to sing anymore.

Cat Stevens: Folk singer best known for his "Tea for the Tillerman" and "Teaser and the Firecat" albums before converting to Islam. Now called Yusuf Islam, he left the music scene to promote world peace.

Link Wray; An American guitarist from the 1950's, Link Wray developed the over driven, distorted power chords that many punk and heavy metal bands use today.

Yes: Another band the endured many line up changes. Yes is an English prog rock band that is distinguished by its mystical and cosmic 20 minute epics, usually with many complex instrumental passages. Their early and mid '70's albums like "Fragile" and "Close to the Edge" are considered classics.

The Zombies: Part of the British Invasion pop scene, The Zombies are best known for their tunes, "She's Not There", "Time of the Season" and "Tell Her No".

I know it's a lot reel in, but only FIVE of these artists would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I know what my picks are, but I was wondering what FIVE would you pick and why.

Difference between http and https

GREAT information!
 
Once in a while, there is something that comes down the pike that is of real importance. What is the difference between http and https?
 
Don't know how many of you are aware of this difference, but it is worth sending to any who do not.

The main difference between http:// and https:// is it's all about keeping you secure. HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.
 
The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure." If you visit a website or web page, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following: http:///.

This means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular "unsecured" language. In other words, it is possible for someone to "eavesdrop" on your computer's conversation with the website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site.
 
This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an http website! But if the web address begins with https://, that basically means your computer is talking to
the website in a secure code that no one can eavesdrop on.
 
If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should automatically look to see if the web address begins with https://.

If it doesn't, you should NEVER enter sensitive information...such as a credit card number, SS #, etc.

Some Halloween Pictures!

While I was out taking fall and bird pictures I thought I would get some Halloween pictures to share with you also. I always like to take pictures of the different holidays and share them with my friends that are like family to me. I hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

                                        This picture was taken on Ohio St. Mount Pleasant Wi.

                                        This picture was taken on Ohio St. Mount Pleasant Wi.

This was taken on 4 Mile Rd Caledonia Wi.. It is Freddy in the tree with a spider crawling on him.

                                                 This was taken on 4 Mile Rd. Caledonia Wi.

                                                 This was taken on 4 Mile Rd. Caledonia Wi.

I do have more Halloween pictures to share. This weekend we are going up north for our Grandson's first birthday so I am going to see what kind of Halloween and Fall pictures I can take up there to share with you.