Open Blog - Weekend

Take it easy.

Green Flashes from Chile

Sitting around Kitt Peak today, I had some extra time and went back and took care of something that has been on my to do list. I photographed a great sunset from Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory back in March. I wanted to animate all the pics so you could see the progression of green flashes. I finally did that today and am pleased with the results.

This animation is roughly real time so they move fairly quickly. You can watch the green flashes (yes, plural) break off the Sun, move away and disappear. Look at the last green flash...do you see other colors as it vanishes? I recommend checking this one out full screen!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

An Open Letter From Comet Lovejoy

Dear Earthlings,

I see you have been really excited about Comet ISON. There was a lot of hype about it being the "Comet of the Century", "Brighter than the full Moon" and a "Once in a lifetime experience".  I am happy my comet brother seems to have survived his close pass to the Sun. I wish ISON nothing but the best.

However, I can't help but feeling a little ignored over here. I know I was only discovered on September 7th so maybe I kind of snuck up on you. I was originally only forecast to reach 8th magnitude according to Universe Today so maybe people thought you would need a big telescope to see me.

But hey, I have been working hard to put on a good show for you and I don't feel like anyone is paying much attention to me. I have brightened up a lot more than expected and can be seen with the naked eye from a moderately dark site. I bet most city dwellers could find me with binoculars without too much difficulty. Heck, you can even photograph me with off the shelf cameras. Look at this shot from this morning taken with a Canon 60D and Ef-s 55-250mm zoom lens. Okay, he used an iOptron Skytracker to take a longer exposure, but I think I am looking pretty good here!

Come on, look at that tail! If you look close, I think you can tell there are two tails!

I am about at my brightest and best right now. I am going to start slowly fading as I get farther away from Earth but I think you have a few more weeks to take a shot at seeing me. I am hanging below the handle of the Big Dipper right now, one of the easiest things to find in the sky. Here is a finder chart from Heavens Above to help you out. Change the date and time if you need to because I move quick!

Okay, I am a morning Comet so you will have to get that strong cup of coffee when you come to see me. It will be worth it. The Moon is a slender crescent now and not too bright so it doesn't interfere with seeing me. The Moon will be new December 2nd and move into the evening sky leaving me in a pristine, dark morning sky, the perfect time to check me out!

So, do we have a date? I would love to meet you all before I leave. I mean "Love" is right there in my name! I won't be back for about 8,000 years or so and it would break my heart not to meet you.

Sincerely,

Comet Lovejoy

Repritned with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone and welcome back! Black Friday, my day off from work as part of my Thanksgiving vacation. Nice to sleep in for a change and get some rest. Anyways, your questions.

1) Have you ever gone shopping on Black Friday?

2) What the closest you have been to a lightning strike?

3) What meal is your mother's best?

4) What MOVIE comes to mind when you think of the 2000's?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

Hear, hear!

Open Blog - Thanksgiving

May we all give thanks for our blessings.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my symmetrical snowflakes!  How are you?  I was in traffic the other day when the snow was falling.  It really wasn’t that much, but all of the drivers forgot how to drive in snow.  I’ve noticed that happens every year.  They have to relearn it.  The Journal Times even had a story on it: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/accidents-abound-as-snow-falls/article_7ce0f81c-55f3-11e3-900e-001a4bcf887a.html  The snow caught me by surprise.  I arrived at my appointment a little late.  At least I arrived.  A lot of vehicles ended up in fender benders or ditches.  Now I will allow myself more time for driving depending on weather and road conditions.  Now I start taking baby steps across snow and/or ice to keep my posterior upright.  Now I light candles, but still curse the darkness. 

A tie is not as bad as a loss, but it’s not as good as a win.  It’s kind of a numeric limbo.  Our gallant and glorious Green Bay Packers fought to a tie with the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.  I believe that if our team’s injuries were all to heal magically, no one could stop the Pack.  As it is, I’m proud of our gladiators for giving as good as they got.  Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, the peerless Packers take on the Detroit Lions at 11:30 AM.  May a spirit of gratitude give Green Bay the attitude that it needs to defeat the Lions.  Go Pack!

In the Irregular Football League, the standings remain the same.  I think that perhaps Mr. hale-bopp is using his scientific wizardry to give himself an edge.  Isn’t that cheating?  I dabble in a little wizardry myself.  Perhaps I should apply some to the IFL.

As some of you may already know, famed psychic Sylvia Browne died last week.  I don’t wish to disrespect anyone’s passing, but she was much more fame than psychic.  To her credit, her faithful fans followed her even after her “psychic powers” were shown to be fraudulent on a number of occasions.  She kept the con going and she kept the con big.  I wish her well in her next life.  I’ll bet she’s already sizing up the marks and cooking up a scheme.  St. Peter, check your watch and wallet after dealing with her.  Oh my.

Señor Zanza, Junior and I are going to Señor Zanza’s parents’ home for Thanksgiving dinner.  Oh my, oh my.  I haven’t met the Zanzas before.  I’m all nervous and worried.  Physician, heal thyself.  Hah!  If I drink any of my tonics to calm my nerves, I’ll be semi-comatose at dinner.  I’ll just have to load up on whatever alcohol they serve.  Or maybe bring a couple of flasks if they don’t.  Junior is anxious to go because Señor Zanza has a couple of daughters from his first marriage who are coming to dinner.  I look forward to meeting them and finding out more about this first marriage that I haven’t heard about until recently. 

Here’s an oldie but a goodie with the late Mr. Johnny Carson reading children’s recipes for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey:

I know it shows my age, but I laughed and laughed at that.  Mr. Carson was special.

Thank you my dears for reading my blog and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  As we give gratitude and break bread with our loved ones, we join millions of others in the family of man.  We are many and we are one.

How to pluck a turkey and other cons of the trade:  madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Enjoy the holiday.  Don’t eat too much.  Don’t get trampled on Black Friday.  Don’t forget to help Mr. OrbsCorbs this Saturday if you can.  Happy Irregular Thanksgiving!  I love you all. Gambrinous!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Thank you very much.

"Hey, Blockhead! Aluminum Christmas trees regain their shine -- at least for a while"

From JSOnline:



By Meg Jones of the Journal Sentinel

"Madison — Lucy Van Pelt coveted one in the Peanuts Christmas special. So did apparently a million people who bought an Evergleam to turn their living room into a space-age winter wonderland.

"Like a TV antenna's wad of tinfoil magically coming to life, aluminum Christmas trees sparkled and glowed in living rooms and front windows during their heyday in the 1960s and '70s. No need to traipse out to a tree lot and wrestle one home tied to the car roof. No needles littering the carpet. No need to worry about the family dog drinking out of the stand.

"Then, like any fad, they wore out their yuletide welcome and were forgotten in attics, tossed out in the trash or sold at garage sales for 50 cents.

"Now, they're hip again in a retro 'Mad Men' way. And sought after. Some aluminum Christmas trees are selling for $1,000 on eBay.

"Tapping into nostalgia for a time when Christmas trees looked as silvery and shiny as an astronaut, the Wisconsin Historical Society Museum is opening an exhibit on Tuesday featuring 20 Wisconsin-made aluminum trees.

"Billed as the largest public exhibition of Evergleam aluminum Christmas trees, the exhibit will include rare 2-foot tabletop trees, a selection of 4-, 6- and 8-foot aluminum trees, accessories such as rotating tree stands and multicolored light wheels as well as advertising and packaging. The exhibit also includes trees in gold, green and even pink — the holy grail of Evergleams. Because few people bought pink trees, few were made, which now makes them very rare and valuable."

Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/hey-blockhead-aluminum-christmas-trees-regain-their-shine-b99150445z1-233393661.html#ixzz2ljEKG8F6
Follow us: @JournalSentinel on Twitter

We never had one of these, but I knew people who did.  A spotlight with a color wheel was a must have accessory.

Next week, flocking.

Open Blog - Tuesday

It's good to share with friends.

Do Not Forget!

AAA issues warning not to use E15 gas coming to your gas station

Very good article, a must watch...SER

 

Local Loyalty - The Summit Restaurant

This is becoming quite an interesting journey, for me!

This week's interview was with Brian,  

general manager of The Summit Restaurant.

Click here to check out their site 

We had a really nice visit with quite a twist, we're almost related!

That made for an interesting time, but I digress...

There have been many cool changes in decor. We went there a couple months back and I was just mesmerized by the interior décor. It's very beautiful yet not hoity toity. The feel of this restaurant is casual to fine dining. Many updates and improvements have been made to include really nice outdoor dining as well. 

When asked what 3 words he would use to describe The Summit, 

the answers were - Contemporary, Cool, and Unique. I concur!

His goal is for The Summit to be the place to be. He's doing an amazing job. 

There will be many upcoming events in the near future as well as many planned for the upcoming year. Check out their website as well as finding them on Facebook.  Through the website, you can sign up for email updates for upcoming events.

Just a few highlights of things to come -  

Wine tasting events, steak special nights,

 live music and much more. 

I HAD to ask about the giant steer, 

who called their parking lot home for a few months. 

His name is USDA-licious, love it!

 He's currently hanging out in Milwaukee near the airport 

but will return to our fair town again. 

 He time-shares between 2 brothers and their restaurants.

 I do miss him!

Stop in and give them a try, I'm sure you'll love it! 

 

Open Blog - Monday

The same to you, Betty.

Useless Information

Did you know:


Jack Ruby, who shot Lee Harvey Oswald tried to comment suicide by sticking his finger in an electrical socket!

"Trash Can Guitarist- Cambridge England"

You have to pay your dues before you hit the big time.

The earliest video that I've seen of him was posted in 2008. The latest was this year. It must pay off decently.

"Detroit Fire Commissioner: Let it Burn"

Thanks to Property Reports for posting this video: http://racinesales.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/slums-of-racine-ii/

Five hundred arsons a month!  Detroit is literally hell on Earth.  

Open Blog - Weekend

Have fun.

Morris Schwartz

Morris Schwartz is on his deathbed, knows the end is near, is with his nurse, his wife, his daughter and 2 sons. "So", he says to them:

     "Bernie, I want you to take the Beverly Hills houses."

     "Sybil, take the apartments over in Los Angeles Plaza."

     "Hymie, I want you to take the offices over in City Center."

      "Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings downtown."

      The nurse is just blown away by all this, and as Morris slips away, she says , "Mrs. Schwartz, your husband must have been such a hard working man to have accumulated all this property".

      Sarah replies, "Property? What property?  The schmuck had a paper route!"

"First Person POV of Tornado Strike"

Like the guy says, "Holy Moly!" That's astonishing. Poor Josie.

"Black Friday bargain hunters pitch tents outside of Ohio Best Buy 10 DAYS early"

"A group of hard-core bargain hunters has already lined up outside at least one Best Buy for Black Friday sales.

"The dedicated shoppers set up three large tents outside the big-box store in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a whopping 10 days before the annual post-Thanksgiving shopping spree that sends hordes of customers scrambling for deals.

"They’re waiting in comfort, with tents rigged with generators, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, heaters and mattresses.

"Jonas Allooh had the honor of being in first in line on Monday, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

"The next day, he was joined by Tony Avitar, who was first in line last year."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/black-friday-bargain-hunters-line-10-days-early-ohio-article-1.1525737#ixzz2lQejS6Fr

I don't understand people.

???????????

You know any LOCAL newspapers that remind you of this?

"Woman loses her mind at McDonalds"

Wow! That's why I don't use the drive-thru.

Racine Politics

This song reminds me of Racine politics

John F. Kennedy

RIP JFK

50 Years ago today

 

 

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone and welcome back! Overtime, overtime and more overtime.... Been working too much lately. My bones are getting tired. Anyways, your questions.....

1) Have you ever lost your credit card or driver's license?

2) Have you ever gone to work sick?

3) Do you think the changes in the entertainment industry are for the better or worse?

4) What MOVE comes to mind when you think of the '90's?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

TGIF.

"Volvo Trucks - The Epic Split feat. Van Damme (Live Test 6)"

Hot Damme!

Useless Information

Did you Know:

Robert F. Stroud, The Bird Man of Alatza never had any birds while on the Rock.

All his work with birds was done while he was imprisoned at Leavenworth.

Open Blog - Thursday

Hey, it's Spider-Man.

"BATKID SAVES SAN FRANCISCO"

"Batkid: Thousands cheer on pint-size superhero"

"After fighting off cancer, capturing the hearts of a city was a cinch.

"Five-year-old Miles Scott - a.k.a. Batkid - lived out his wish of becoming a caped crusader Friday, quashing a crime spree in his pint-size superhero suit as San Francisco became Gotham City. Thousands of volunteers and spectators stopped what they were doing to take part.

"People cheered as Miles buzzed by in a Lamborghini Batmobile. News crews gave chase as the boy rescued a damsel tied to cable-car tracks. Social media lit up with cheers.

"Even President Obama took a break from defending his health care law to say in an online video, 'Way to go, Miles. Way to save Gotham.'

"'In a world where we keep hearing about shootings and muggings, to have our city come together like this is unbelievable,' said Jason Dorn, 43, who navigated the thick crowds.

"The Make-A-Wish Foundation has often arranged elaborate gifts for kids with life-threatening diseases - but never at this scale, said Patricia Wilson, the foundation's Bay Area head.

"Wilson had originally hoped a few hundred volunteers would support Miles, who lives in Tulelake (Siskiyou County) and is in remission from leukemia. But more than 12,000 signed up.

"They saw Police Chief Greg Suhr - playing Commissioner Gordon - lend his forces to Batkid, who thwarted a bank robbery and rescued Lou Seal, the San Francisco Giants' mascot.

"By the afternoon, the San Francisco offices of the U.S. attorney and the FBI had joined in the theater, indicting the Riddler and the Penguin. Mayor Ed Lee gave Miles a key to the city made of chocolate.

"Elisa Haidt, 37, and Amy Jackson, 32, had tears in their eyes. They had worked with Tripit, a travel website and Make-A-Wish partner, to plan a flash mob dance in Union Square to Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'.'

"They said Miles' enthusiasm was contagious.

"'We were here to cheer on Miles, but Miles also helped us,' Haidt said."

Read more: http://www.sfchronicle.com/batkid/#/0

What a wonderful story.

CI"RACINE ALDERMEN VOTE TO GIVE MAYOR, CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND MAYOR’S ASSISTANT ALL PAY RAISES!!!"

From Racine Community Media:

"RACINE- The aldermen of the City Of Racine have voted to approve raises totaling over $30K for the Mayor, Administrator and assistant!! As the documents from the 2014 city budget show, there are 3 employees including the mayor himself, each one of the 3 employees are raking in approx $129,777.00!!!!! There is a clear raise from $276,993.00 in administrative salaries in 2013, to the new and improved $307,343.00 in 2014, that’s an over $30K raise for the mayor’s office!!!! Don’t worry though, none of your elected officials or aldermen even questioned this move!! What the aldermen of Racine “DID DO” however is raise your property taxes 2.2 percent and also raise the recycling fee an additional $5 because the city is broke, they also raised the storm water fees for residents up an additional $7.51!!!!!!"

Read more: http://racinecommunitymedia.tumblr.com/post/67572136608/city-of-racine-aldermen-vote-to-give-mayor-city


I guess lying John doesn't feel our pain.  He's giving raises to himself and staff while destroying our city.  What a monster Dickert is.  The taxpayers pay more and more for less and less.  The administration has said repeatedly that we are broke.  Yet, somehow, they find a way to reward lying John and his pals for their malfeasance.  $100K salaries for jobs that require no more than a high school diploma.  Meanwhile, Dickert pisses on us, cuts our services, and raises our taxes while flying overseas on our dime.

Why don't lying John's pals have to pay proerty taxes?  Why are the rest of us forced to susidize tax cheats?

Party on, lying John!  

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my SweeTARTS® and Smarties®!  How are you?  The brisk mornings are becoming common.  We’ve already had a taste of snow.  Then there was that awful rain and windstorm the other day.  I feel bad for the people in the Midwest who lost their homes to high winds and tornadoes.  Some lost their lives.  Meteorologists are calling it “the worst storm in a century.”   Oh dear, what a dishonor.

Well, we in Wisconsin all know that the Packers lost again last Sunday.  Tut-tut.  This Sunday they face the team that what’s-his-name defected to when he betrayed Green Bay, the Minnesota Vikings. Boo!  Hiss!  Our majestic Packers are riddled with injuries. Mr. Rodgers is making more money than anyone has ever made sitting on a bench.  (I know, he rarely sits.)  I hope he took my advice (and tonic) for healing.  I’m transmitting psychic balm to him.

In the Irregular Football League, my Screaming Psychics soundly trounced Mr. OrbsCorbs’ Orbliterators, dropping him to fourth place while elevating me to second.  Mr. Hale-Bopp’s Half-Astrophysicists have been in first place since the get go and appear to be undefeatable.  That won’t stop me from trying.

Next week, of course, is Thanksgiving.  Gobble-gobble.  People are beginning to decorate their homes for the holidays.  I’m going to try to talk Señor Zanza into climbing onto our roof and putting up a gorgeous display.  Junior can help him.  I want our home to shine like a Las Vegas casino.  Gaudy isn’t gaudy if you gaudy it up enough.  When the FAA complains about our lights interfering with flights, then we have enough.  I want to make sure that Santa Claus can find our house.  I hope we don’t blind him.

If Black Friday starts earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving Day, shouldn’t it be Black Thanksgiving, too?  That’s just a silly joke to help counter the crass commercialism that has crept into our holidays.  Actually, the commercialism is choking our holidays to death.  “Party on!” as Mr. OrbsCorbs would say.

Here is an ad from Kmart that rings in the holiday season:

Wasn’t that something? 

Happy holidays to all of you.  Thank you for reading my blog.  I hope that it’s as much fun to read as it is to write.  We are friends forever.

What’s on your mind?  I already know: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Bundle up against the cold, my dears.  Remember that those you meet are fighting their own battles in life.  By treating each other with respect, we make it easier to get along in this world.  I love you all.  Bavardage!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Happy hump day.

Top Dog Hot Dogs is Back

From The Journal Times.com:

"Caleb Robinson at his new Top Dog Hot Dogs shop on Friday, November 15, 2013, in Regency Mall, adjacent to Chick-fil-A and inside the southwest entrance. Robinson previously had a Top Dog Hot Dogs at 520 Main St. on Monument Square but closed the store early this year. He has a six-month lease at the mall but may opt to extend it if business is good. Friday was the first day of business."

See Caleb's picture: http://journaltimes.com/top-dog-hot-dogs/image_9796fe0b-6f6b-5b97-ac8d-e465a1fab2b0.html


I read about this in the print edition of the Journal Times the other day.  I loved the Chicago dogs at Top Dog Hot Dogs when Caleb was downtown.  (See links to previous blogs below.)

I rarely go to Regency Mall, but maybe on the next trip to Walmart, I'll stop in and get a Chicago dog.

http://www.jtirregulars.com/2011/03/top-dog-hot-dogs-name-says-it-all.html

http://www.jtirregulars.com/2013/02/egad.html

Open Blog - Tuesday

More flashbacks.

Local Loyalty - Rely Local

Today, I did my 1st interview, of many to come, in this series.
I met with Nick and Donna, who are the heart and soul of Rely Local.
You've probably seen the logo in many businesses around town. If you're like me, you weren't sure what it was all about. I hope my rendition of it does justice to the huge effort and immense amount of work that has gone into making it what it is today.
My goal of this series (with almost infinite possibilities), is to highlight local businesses, privately owned (no chains, no big box, etc). I like to know about the places I go to, and about the people behind them.
Here is a link to the Rely Local site, which can probably explain much better than I, what they are all about. 

Rely Local

What you will find in the above link, is what can happen, when people are passionate about helping local businesses grow, and people help each other.
This is what 3 years has produced, and it's mind blowing, at least to me.
For $15, you can purchase a Rely Local Rewards Card. It's better than buying an entertainment book (WAY lighter!), and it's good at all participating businesses, of many varieties. Between Racine and Kenosha, over 500 businesses are members! Can you name that many businesses? I can't, and there are more joining all the time. The businesses that sell the cards, receive $10 from each card they sell, and most donate that money to local charities, how cool is that??
Rely Local offers cheap advertising, using local media, print media and other outlets, saving our local businesses lots of money, helping them grow and get their names out there.
There are deals of the day, regular deals just for using the card, many perks. I bought mine today and can't wait to see all that it offers.
Please check them out and help support our local businesses, they need us!
Tomorrow, I will hopefully get another post up about something Rely Local is doing to help support these businesses while giving free rides!
Stay tuned!

Open Blog - Monday

Enjoy your day.

Water in the carburetor

WIFE: "There is trouble with the car. It has water in the carburetor."

 

HUSBAND: "Water in the carburetor? That's ridiculous "

 

WIFE: "I tell you the car has water in the carburetor."

 

HUSBAND: "You don't even know what a carburetor is. I'll check it out. Where's the car?

 

WIFE: "In the pool"

"The JFK assassination: As it happened"

"It has been half a century, and so many lifetimes ago. Yet the images from November 1963 remain haunting, blurred into our national consciousness. Fifty years later, CBS News relives that drama -- in the moment -- as it unfolded before a world in shock." 

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57612686/the-jfk-assassination-as-it-happened/


I remember.

Exciting new feature, coming soon!

I've been trying to figure out a way to feature local places, and the idea hit me the other day to connect with Nick, of Rely Local, and see what they're all about. I know the general premise is to help boost local businesses. I want to weekly feature a newer local business, interview the owners and try to help them if I can. I am interviewing Nick, Monday afternoon, thought it fitting to start with him. He's going to give me business info for new places and on down to established places. It's so sad when businesses go out. Stay tuned, I haven't decided what day to do them yet, this could be an interesting journey!
I thought this may be even better than another Best of Racine feature, as I like to know about the places I go to. Let's see where this goes :)

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

8 years old!  Enjoy your cake!

Open Blog - Weekend

Why aren't male lady bugs called gentleman bugs?

Get a Job

Because I have a cat, I had to put down an extra two hundred dollar deposit on my new apartment today.  Ten dollars is also added to the monthly rent.  The deposit was already a hundred dollars more than I wanted to spend, as is the rent. Every vehicle I've ever owned, except for my current one, cost less than what I put down.

I think it's time that Charlie starts pulling his own weight.  He needs to get a job.  He'd do well as a window washer:



His preferred position is tuna taste tester, but there's not a lot of call for that.  Do you have any suggestions?

Crapper Mapper: The Toilets of the World Quiz....

This is hilarious, seeing these “toilets of the world,” trying to guess which of the 3 country choices it was from, and the audio of correct versus correct answers.

Interesting indeed.

Click Here to Play Toilet Game

Four for Fridays

It's that time of the week again... That barrage of questions that we affectionately call Four for Fridays. Ladies and gentleman and fellow Irregulars here are your questions....

1) What makes you feel old?

2) What was the first big thing you bought with your own money?

3) What is the one thing in your past you wish to change?

4) What MOVIE comes to mind when you think of the '80's?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

For sure.

Comet ISON Brightens Rapidly

It has been a few days since I got out to image Comet ISON but I finally made it out this morning...trying to beat the Moon which will shortly be returning to the morning sky. Much to my surprise, ISON has brightened up quite a bit since Sunday morning. It was easy in 8x42 binoculars and its nucleus is much brighter. Again I set up my Canon 60D with a EF-s 55-250mm zoom lens. The following pic is at 250mm, f/5.6, ISO 5000 and a 90 second exposure. 

Not hard to see the bright nucleus and the tail is developing. If you look to the left of the comet, you might notice a faint blue smudge. I believe that is galaxy NGC 4697. I have seen other people post pics from earlier today on the internet (most using telescopes) and I got my smudge in the same place they got a galaxy. I am happy I got it using my less extravagant equipment. Visually, it was pretty easy in 8x42 binoculars and looking good in 20x80s. 

I turned my attention to Comet Lovejoy, still riding high in Leo and a very nice site. Pretty much the same settings for this shot as the previous one.

I looked briefly for Comet Encke again but didn't find it this time...I didn't spend too much time on it as it is getting pretty low in they sky. However, the fourth I haven't nabbed yet, Comet LINEAR, was passing close to Arcturus so I went for it. It proved to be very difficult. I barely got it and was debating whether to post this photo at all, but what the hey, see if you can spot the VERY faint blue smudge toward the top of the image above Arcturus (clicking to look at a larger version might help). The comet is slightly left of directly above Arcturus (the brightest star) near the top of the photo. I might go back and add an arrow pointing to it later.

Like I said, not very impressive at all, but I went for it to add a notch to the proverbial comet belt.

The weather may get dicey in Tucson over the weekend and the Moon will soon return to the morning sky, but I will try to get out every couple of days to observe.

On another note, I was on Kitt Peak last night. Lots of photos that I have to put together into time lapses and star trail photos. Busy few days so it may take a while to get to it, but I am looking forward to trying some new things!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Attention JTIs!

As some of you already know, my computer crashed and burned yesterday.  That was my backup computer.  My primary computer crashed and burned about two years ago.  I can't live without a computer and internet.  Maybe I'd make it a day or two, but after that the withdrawal symptoms would be too much.  I'd end up in the nut ward.

It's a hardware problem with the computer.  It keeps giving different POST codes.  That's happened a few times in the past, but I blamed it on my battery backup.        

I was desperate.  There's a lot of other things going on in my life right now.  I won't say it couldn't get worse, because then the cat would die, the truck would explode, and /or I'd have a stroke.  I went to Milwaukee PC and bought a used Dell; i.e., I put it on plastic.  As the salesman rang it up, I said, "There go my new tires."  He smiled.  I wasn't trying to be funny.

Afterwards, legal stranger called me and told me he has a friend in the computer business who would have given me a much better deal.  Bur that would mean I'd be without a computer for a day or two.  I couldn't take that pressure at this time in my life.  I need this like a junky needs a needle in his arm.

What's done is done.  I'm in the process of updating and installing.  That usually takes a day or two.  I'm hoping to be able to access my old hard drive and transfer a lot of files.

Which brings me, finally, to the point of this blog.  Please email me at my "real" email address.  I don't know that I'll be able to access the email addresses on my old hard drive.  You don't have to write a message or anything.  Send me a blank email.  I just want to capture your address.  Thank you very much. 

Open Blog - Thursday

I am. :)

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my frigid friends!  How are you?  We’ve had our first snowfall.  I could cry.  It wasn’t much, but it’s a harbinger of what’s to come.  And we’re hitting temperatures in the 20’s.  Brrr.  If you’re not dressed properly for the weather, you’ll feel it soon enough.  The wind the last few days has been horrid.  It almost knocked me over a couple of times.  Pretty soon we’ll have ice to contend with, too. Oh my.

Does anyone really know who the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers is?  One week you’re the quarterback.  The next week, you’re on the injured reserve list.  For the second week in a row, the Packers’ quarterback was taken out by an injury in the first series of the game, which they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.  Boo-hoo.  I’m crying over the snow and I’m crying over the Packers.  Perhaps there’s a ray of hope with third string quarterback Scott Tolzien.  And now we’ve rehired Matt Flynn to be the backup quarterback.  What goes around comes around?  We’ll see when Green Bay plays the New York Giants this Sunday.  May our beloved Packers become Giant killers.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen!  Ahem.  My Screaming Psychics are now in second place in the Irregular Football League.  Mr. OrbsCorbs’ Orbliterators have dropped to third.  The graphic at right says it all.

New York’s One World Trade Center has just been declared the tallest building in the United States (when it’s finished).  Chicago’s Willis (formerly Sears) Tower held that distinction and still should in my opinion.  One World Trade Center will be “taller” only because of a “spire” which is actually an antenna.  Boo, hiss!

I feel so bad for the people in the Philippines.  Typhoon Haiyan destroyed everything in its path and took many lives.  We should pray for relief.  If you contribute to a charity in the name of the Philippines, check to see how much of their contributions actually make it to the victims.  Some unscrupulous cads will seek to profit from the misery of others.  They set up phony charities and keep most or all of the donated money for themselves.  What a world we live in.  Oh my.

Finally, Wal-Mart has moved up the starting time for their Black Friday sales to 6 pm on Thanksgiving Day.  That’s right; Black Friday starts on Turkey Thursday.  Other major retailers are following suit and setting their openings for earlier times, too.  In a few years Black Friday will start on Halloween. 

Thank you for reading my blog today.  I love you all.  You make me feel loved.  That’s symbiotic.

What is the USA’s shortest building?  Find out: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

The leaves on streets become very slippery when wet.  Now we could see snow or ice on the road, too.  Be careful, my dears.  It’s always darkest before the Winter Solstice.  Vagitus!         

Open Blog - Wednesday

Hump on, Irregulars!

Open Blog - Tuesday

Farm out!

"Our Story In 2 Minutes"

Wow! Thanks to Toad for turning me on to this video.

"Boeing - QF-16 Unmanned Fighter Full Scale Aerial Target First Flight"

When you're sick of flying radio controlled model airplanes, try one of these.

Rechargeable batteries.

Little info about bringing a rechargeable battery back to life.

I have a cordless phone and it’s been in the drawer for a couple years. I had it on the charger for 4 days and the battery wouldn’t take a charge.

I took my car battery charger and set it on 50amp start; touched the battery for about 5 seconds, 7 times waiting about 10 seconds between and the battery is just like new now.

It charges up and works great.

Veterans Day

Thank you to all veterans and to those currently serving our country.

Open Blog - Monday

So there, Monday.

Open Blog - Weekend

It's time to relax.

JTI GET TOGETHER

 

Just a reminder

about tomorrow

Please plan to attend the next get-together with the JT Irregulars.

WHEN:       This Saturday November 9th 

We will have out of town guests (members) to blab with this time. As usual, Location and Time will be sent via email.  If you are not sure if your email is listed with the administrator(s) please send an email to: 
the Sheriff at thesheriff@jtirregulars.com requesting information.

More Censorship

Kenosha just approved the agreement to hear Racine's ethics complaints.

Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman is proposing that all failed ethics complaints result in the charging party having to pay costs and expenses.

This, of course, will dissuade people from filing legitimate ethics complaints for fear they will have to pay for them.

None of this appears in the Journal Times.

The City of Racine is at war with its residents.