From JSOnline:
"Madison— The stream of workers
leaving state agencies last year gushed at the highest level seen in at
least a decade, driven by an improving economy that is making private
employers more attractive in relation to their counterparts in
government.
"Nearly one in eight employees left their state jobs
last year for retirement, another job or other reasons, with one in five
workers in some health care fields departing. In all, 3,600 workers
outside of the University of Wisconsin System moved on from their state
jobs in 2015, which was 23% more than 2014 and nearly twice as many as
in 2010.
"The numbers, released to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
through an open records request, don't explain on their own why more
workers are leaving or show that Wisconsin government is any worse than
state governments around the country.
"It's clear that a big part
of the trend can be explained by an improving economy that's giving
workers more job opportunities than several years ago, when state
employees hunkered down and generally didn't leave their jobs for
reasons other than retirement.
"'We're seeing a definite trend in
that it's difficult to recruit and retain state workers (nationally).
It's due in significant part to compensation. In some parts of the
country, it's not competing with market rates in the private sector,'
said Leslie Scott, executive director of the National Association of
State Personnel Executives.
"But the figures also add fire to an
ongoing debate about whether stagnant wages and changes to union rules
have made state government a less attractive employer to its workforce.
Though controlling labor costs can be good for taxpayers, higher
turnover, vacant jobs and the learning curve for new workers can also
drive up overtime and training costs and affect public services.
"With
the baby boom generation also hitting retirement age, the loss of
experienced workers is likely to remain an issue for the state for some
time to come. Citing that problem and the need for more efficient hiring
practices, Gov. Scott Walker in February signed a broad overhaul of the state's century-old system of merit hiring and firing.
"'These
reforms will allow us to better compete with the private sector and
recruit the best and the brightest state employees to ensure we are
providing high quality state services to citizens. These reforms also
give agencies more tools to retain employees while allowing the state to
hire more quickly and efficiently, which will help mitigate'
departures, Walker administration spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said.
"During
the Great Recession, new opportunities for workers and turnover in
state government both plummeted, dropping in 2010 to 1,821 civil
servants, or 6% of the state workforce, who left their non-university
jobs for a variety of reasons, from retirements and resignations to
terminations, layoffs and death. The figures don't include workers who
took a different state job, and the numbers don't differentiate between
resignations and firings.
"In 2011, Walker signed the law known as
Act 10, repealing most union bargaining for most public workers and
increasing state workers' benefit contributions by an amount equal to
about 8.5% of take-home pay. That year, retirements jumped as employees
sought to avoid fundamental changes to their retirement benefits, which
didn't end up materializing. But with the recession still deep,
relatively few employees resigned to take other jobs.
"The state offered across-the-board raises of 1% in 2014 and 2015, along with some merit increases for select employees, but no increases in the current two-year budget."
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/wisconsin-state-workers-leaving-in-higher-numbers-as-economy-improves-b99706989z1-376578101.html
This is why state government now moves slow as molasses.
Friday, April 22, 2016
This apartment has always afforded good views of the moon
That's you-know-who in the lower left corner of the photo. He's sacked out on his old window perch which I hung in a ladder here because we have no window sills. Damn "modern" apartments. I love the old ones with lots of exposed wood.
"Music icon Prince dead at 57"
Updated 4:50 PM ET, Thu April 21, 2016
"(CNN)Prince Rogers Nelson, the eclectic virtuoso who penned such gems as 'Kiss,' and 'Let's Go Crazy' and who took on the music industry in his fight for creative freedom, died Thursday at age 57.
"'It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,' publicist Yvette Noel-Schure said.
"Earlier Thursday, police said they were investigating a death at the Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. They responded to a medical call and found the singer unresponsive in an elevator, Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said.
"A massive outpouring of grief followed on social media. Some are saying the icon's death 'is what it sounds like when doves cry,' a reference to his monster hit from 1984. Fans rushed to record stores to pick up vinyl and other Prince memorabilia."
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/entertainment/prince-estate-death/
They're dropping like flies.
"(CNN)Prince Rogers Nelson, the eclectic virtuoso who penned such gems as 'Kiss,' and 'Let's Go Crazy' and who took on the music industry in his fight for creative freedom, died Thursday at age 57.
"'It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,' publicist Yvette Noel-Schure said.
"Earlier Thursday, police said they were investigating a death at the Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. They responded to a medical call and found the singer unresponsive in an elevator, Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said.
"A massive outpouring of grief followed on social media. Some are saying the icon's death 'is what it sounds like when doves cry,' a reference to his monster hit from 1984. Fans rushed to record stores to pick up vinyl and other Prince memorabilia."
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/entertainment/prince-estate-death/
They're dropping like flies.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Birds
Since Drew is on vacation he has been going all over he has been birding in Milwaukee County, Racine County and Kenosha County. He has been getting up early and leaving to find the morning birds. This time I am going to share some owl pictures that he has taken.
This is a Great Horned Owl with an Owlet the picture was taken at Whitnall Park in Franklin Wi.. There is two Owlets but you can only see one in the picture.
This is a Eastern Screech Owl the picture was taken at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wi..
This is a Barred Owl the picture was taken at Whitnall Park in Franklin Wi.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and I hope everyone has a great day.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and I hope everyone has a great day.
Monday, April 18, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Spring Splash at Whitewater University!
Yesterday Drew and I went out to Whitewater University in Whitewater Wi. to bring my daughter some food. She forgot to tell me that it was Spring Splash weekend which is all the kids walk from house to house drinking. My daughter had to work so she was not out walking and drinking. It was so crazy driving down the streets and the kids just walk out in front of your car so you have to be very careful. The kids are walking down the streets with coolers and cases of beer. There was this one party in the woods and it was huge. The city police are driving up and down the streets. When we were leaving her dorm there was a police SUV by the stop sign watching one huge house party and I stopped and said I hope you have fun watching the kid they said we will. I told them I just wanted to get out of here and said we are from Racine and then we left. Here are some pictures of the kids walking down the streets and at home parties.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Same old, same old
Anyone who reads the online alternative news sources and blogs knows that Racine Uncovered has featured lost and found animals, as well as animals looking for their "forever home," for years.
Recently, Racine County Eye adopted the practice of featuring animals looking for their forever homes.
Today, I check out the Journal Times website and what do I see? "Slideshow: Animals looking for forever homes"
The Journal Times is always the last to jump on a bandwagon, letting others vet stories and concepts for them, then they put up a splashy story on their website.
Recently, Racine County Eye adopted the practice of featuring animals looking for their forever homes.
Today, I check out the Journal Times website and what do I see? "Slideshow: Animals looking for forever homes"
The Journal Times is always the last to jump on a bandwagon, letting others vet stories and concepts for them, then they put up a splashy story on their website.
Four for Fridays!
Today Drew starts his vacation and that means birding for a full week. I hope everyone has been enjoying the nice weather we are having. Sorry this is being posted later than usual. Here are your questions.
1) When you leave the house to go out and you are on the road do you have to turn around because you have forgotten something?
2) After you have gone grocery shopping and you have put all the groceries away to you have a hard time figuring out what to make for dinner?
3) Have you ever found out something really bad about a family member and you really have a hard time believing that about them?
4) Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you don't know which way you are going?
I hope everyone enjoys there weekend!
1) When you leave the house to go out and you are on the road do you have to turn around because you have forgotten something?
2) After you have gone grocery shopping and you have put all the groceries away to you have a hard time figuring out what to make for dinner?
3) Have you ever found out something really bad about a family member and you really have a hard time believing that about them?
4) Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you don't know which way you are going?
I hope everyone enjoys there weekend!
"Clinton, Sanders debate gets testy"
From JSOnline:
By , Associated Press
"New York— Deepening their increasingly bitter feud, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders aggressively challenged each other's judgment to be president in Thursday night's Democratic debate, sparring over qualifications, Wall Street banks and gun control.
"The showdown in Brooklyn came at a pivotal moment in the party's primary campaign, with Clinton leading in the delegate count but Sanders generating huge enthusiasm for his surprising candidacy. The debate also left no doubt that a rivalry that once centered on wonkish policy disagreements has turned strikingly personal.
"Clinton is eyeing a victory in Tuesday's primary in her adopted home state of New York. That win would blunt Sanders' recent momentum, which included his victory in Wisconsin's April 5 primary, and would put his pursuit of the nomination further out of reach. However, a Sanders upset of Clinton would shake up the race, raising fresh concerns about her candidacy and breathing new life into the Vermont senator's campaign.
"With the stakes so high, Sanders took a biting and often sarcastic tone as he sought to chip away at Clinton's credibility on issue after issue. He went as far as to suggest that her labeling of certain criminals as 'superpredators' when she was first lady was 'a racist term and everybody knew it was a racist term.'
"Sanders also cited Clinton's support for the unpopular Iraq War and for free trade agreements, as well as her willingness to accept money through a super PAC, as evidence that she lacks the needed judgment to lead the nation. Still, he backed away from previous statements questioning Clinton's qualifications, saying the former secretary of state does have the 'experience and intelligence' to be president.
"Clinton made little effort to hide her irritation with Sanders' implication that she is unqualified, saying that while she has been "called a lot of things in my life, that was a first." She repeatedly linked herself to President Barack Obama, who remains popular among Democrats, suggesting that Sanders' criticism of her amounted to condemnation of the president.
"Clinton also cast Sanders as a policy lightweight who is unprepared to implement even his signature proposals, including breaking up big banks. And she chided Sanders for chuckling during an exchange on gun control, an area where she has painted him as cozy with gun dealers and manufacturers.
"'It's not a laughing matter,' she said. 'I take it really seriously because I have spent more time than I care to remember being with people who have lost their loved ones.'
"The debate was the first for the Democratic candidates in five weeks. It came days before the New York primary, with a huge cache of delegates at stake.
"The raucous crowd loudly cheered their candidates and occasionally booed their foes. In response, at one point Clinton said with a smile, "I love Brooklyn."
"The Democratic primary has been fought for months on familiar terrain. Clinton has cast Sanders' proposals for breaking up banks and offering free tuition at public colleges and universities as unrealistic. Sanders has accused Clinton of being part of a rigged economic and political system, hammering her repeatedly for giving paid speeches to Wall Street banks and refusing to release the transcripts.
"Clinton continued to struggle to explain why she has not released the transcripts, saying only that she will do so when other candidates are required to do the same. She tried to raise questions about Sanders' own openness for not releasing his income taxes.
"The senator pledged to release his most recent tax returns on Friday and said there would be 'no big money from speeches, no major investments' in the disclosures."
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/clinton-sanders-debate-gets-testy-b99707152z1-375801771.html
I haven't checked lately. Does Bernie still look like he's on the edge of a stroke?
 | |||
| Democratic Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) debate during the CNN Democratic Presidential Primary Debate at the Duggal Greenhouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Credit: Getty Images |
By , Associated Press
"New York— Deepening their increasingly bitter feud, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders aggressively challenged each other's judgment to be president in Thursday night's Democratic debate, sparring over qualifications, Wall Street banks and gun control.
"The showdown in Brooklyn came at a pivotal moment in the party's primary campaign, with Clinton leading in the delegate count but Sanders generating huge enthusiasm for his surprising candidacy. The debate also left no doubt that a rivalry that once centered on wonkish policy disagreements has turned strikingly personal.
"Clinton is eyeing a victory in Tuesday's primary in her adopted home state of New York. That win would blunt Sanders' recent momentum, which included his victory in Wisconsin's April 5 primary, and would put his pursuit of the nomination further out of reach. However, a Sanders upset of Clinton would shake up the race, raising fresh concerns about her candidacy and breathing new life into the Vermont senator's campaign.
"With the stakes so high, Sanders took a biting and often sarcastic tone as he sought to chip away at Clinton's credibility on issue after issue. He went as far as to suggest that her labeling of certain criminals as 'superpredators' when she was first lady was 'a racist term and everybody knew it was a racist term.'
"Sanders also cited Clinton's support for the unpopular Iraq War and for free trade agreements, as well as her willingness to accept money through a super PAC, as evidence that she lacks the needed judgment to lead the nation. Still, he backed away from previous statements questioning Clinton's qualifications, saying the former secretary of state does have the 'experience and intelligence' to be president.
"Clinton made little effort to hide her irritation with Sanders' implication that she is unqualified, saying that while she has been "called a lot of things in my life, that was a first." She repeatedly linked herself to President Barack Obama, who remains popular among Democrats, suggesting that Sanders' criticism of her amounted to condemnation of the president.
"Clinton also cast Sanders as a policy lightweight who is unprepared to implement even his signature proposals, including breaking up big banks. And she chided Sanders for chuckling during an exchange on gun control, an area where she has painted him as cozy with gun dealers and manufacturers.
"'It's not a laughing matter,' she said. 'I take it really seriously because I have spent more time than I care to remember being with people who have lost their loved ones.'
"The debate was the first for the Democratic candidates in five weeks. It came days before the New York primary, with a huge cache of delegates at stake.
"The raucous crowd loudly cheered their candidates and occasionally booed their foes. In response, at one point Clinton said with a smile, "I love Brooklyn."
"The Democratic primary has been fought for months on familiar terrain. Clinton has cast Sanders' proposals for breaking up banks and offering free tuition at public colleges and universities as unrealistic. Sanders has accused Clinton of being part of a rigged economic and political system, hammering her repeatedly for giving paid speeches to Wall Street banks and refusing to release the transcripts.
"Clinton continued to struggle to explain why she has not released the transcripts, saying only that she will do so when other candidates are required to do the same. She tried to raise questions about Sanders' own openness for not releasing his income taxes.
"The senator pledged to release his most recent tax returns on Friday and said there would be 'no big money from speeches, no major investments' in the disclosures."
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/clinton-sanders-debate-gets-testy-b99707152z1-375801771.html
I haven't checked lately. Does Bernie still look like he's on the edge of a stroke?
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Dear Madame Zoltar
Well, it finally happened. Junior crashed Señor Zanza's car. And not in a small way, either. Thank God that both of them are OK. Junior managed to take out a traffic light pole. That punched a big "vee" into the front of Señor Zanza's Honda. Everything's insured, but I don't know if Señor Zanza will ever get into an automobile with Junior again, whether he's licensed or not. My poor dear. He looked so shocked. Junior, on the other hand, just appears sheepish. He's said, "I'm sorry," to Señor Zanza about five thousand times. I don't think it's made a dent yet.
I know this would never happen to my car, because Junior would never get near driving it. If he even thinks about it, I'd know. That's one of the drawbacks to having a psychic for a mother. I wanted to send Junior to a driving school, but, nooo, Señor Zanza said he'd do it. I asked him to reconsider. He insisted that he was up to the job. Now he's so sedated, he's snoozing it off in bed. I think when he wakes up, he may be more inclined to agree with me about a driving school. Let Junior put them out of business rather than risk our lives.
Thank God that Mr. Cruz won the Republican primary for Wisconsin. If Mr. Trump had won, I'd have to consider moving out of state. And I'm not even a Republican. http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true
Years ago, I gave some thought to entering politics. Thank God I recovered. I have a tendency to speak the truth and that is the last thing wanted in politics. Truth is like antimatter to politics. Two lies that collide in the political arena spawn more lies. Two truths that collide in the political arena can cause a meltdown.
Because we're in a presidential election year, we're going to see and hear a mass of political ads and appearances. Try to take them in your stride. Many of them will be lies or distortions or comments taken out of context. It's going to get dirtier and dirtier. And that's just leading up to the conventions. Once we have two candidates, I predict it will be like a sewer. I don't like voting for people who spout lying crap, but I guess I have little choice.
Still, I believe that we live in the greatest nation on earth. And I think my readers are the greatest readers in the universe. I love you all. Thank you for reading my blog today.
Who has the most campaign money? Ask madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com
There's more birds out there, and more things poking out of the ground and from trees. Spring is nature's rebirth. Bask in whatever pieces of it that you can
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
One of my secrets...
I like the company of elderly black women. There were some here, but Clara, my favorite, appears to have moved out, or died.
I also like the lavish dress-up that some black women do for Sunday. I met one getting out of her car in the basement parking garage on a Sunday night. I asked her if she knew why the fire alarm had gone off that morning. (There was a kitchen fire directly below me, and I didn't even know it.) She said, "No, I was in church." Suddenly, I felt very small, like why wasn't I in church on Sunday morning?
I have no idea why I like such women. When I talk with them, it's like I'm talking with the salt of the earth. Maybe I should seek one out as a roommate to half costs. Better yet, marry a widow "rich" from her deceased husband's life insurance and pension. Wait. A "black widow." Mebbe not.
I also like the lavish dress-up that some black women do for Sunday. I met one getting out of her car in the basement parking garage on a Sunday night. I asked her if she knew why the fire alarm had gone off that morning. (There was a kitchen fire directly below me, and I didn't even know it.) She said, "No, I was in church." Suddenly, I felt very small, like why wasn't I in church on Sunday morning?
I have no idea why I like such women. When I talk with them, it's like I'm talking with the salt of the earth. Maybe I should seek one out as a roommate to half costs. Better yet, marry a widow "rich" from her deceased husband's life insurance and pension. Wait. A "black widow." Mebbe not.
"Father Martin's Chalk Talk on Alcohol"
He's right about alcoholics drinking because they are alcoholics. There's no hidden reason or trauma. We do it because it's who we are.
As for his statement that the further away an alcoholic is from his last drink, the closer he is to his next drink, he can kiss my ass. I heard that line in AA many times. Then how does he explain people who die with twenty, thirty, or more years sober?
Such self-defeatism permeates present day "AA" in Racine. Early editions of the "Big Book" (book entitled Alcoholics Anonymous) talked about recovered alcoholics. not "recovering" alcoholics. By "recovered" alcoholics, the early Big Book didn't mean that it was OK to go back to drinking. What it meant was that the craving for alcohol would be removed from you.
But there's no money for the treatment industry in recovered anything. Thus the mess that AA is today.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Birds
I thought I would let everyone know what we have been seeing so far with the migration of the birds coming in. I know Drew usually post this up for everyone to enjoy but with him working and then going out birding I hardly see him right now and next month is going to be even worse with the Warblers coming in. April and May are the two real bad months with the migration. I hope everyone enjoys the pictures.
This is a Killdeer and the picture was taken at the Coast Guard Impoundment in Milwaukee Wi.. If you look the Killdeer is sitting on the eggs already.
This is a Common Loon and the picture was taken at Petroleum Pier in Milwaukee Wi.. We went back to get more pictures and they were gone.
This is a Wilson's Snipe and the picture was taken on Cty Hwy V in Caledonia Wi.. There was so many of them in this pond I think Drew counted 12 with the binoculars.
This is just some of what we seen on Saturday while driving around Milwaukee and at the ponds on the way home.
This is just some of what we seen on Saturday while driving around Milwaukee and at the ponds on the way home.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Friday, April 8, 2016
"SpaceX Sticks a Rocket Landing at Sea in Historic First"
n
a dramatic feat of engineering prowess, the private spaceflight company
SpaceX successfully landed a reusable Falcon 9 rocket booster today —
the second such landing for the company, and the first successful
touchdown on a ship.
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
"In a dramatic feat of engineering prowess, the private spaceflight company SpaceX successfully landed a reusable Falcon 9 rocket booster today — the second such landing for the company, and the first successful touchdown on a ship.
"The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
"After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
"This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down."
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
That's amazing.
In
a dramatic feat of engineering prowess, the private spaceflight company
SpaceX successfully landed a reusable Falcon 9 rocket booster today —
the second such landing for the company, and the first successful
touchdown on a ship.
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
In
a dramatic feat of engineering prowess, the private spaceflight company
SpaceX successfully landed a reusable Falcon 9 rocket booster today —
the second such landing for the company, and the first successful
touchdown on a ship.
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
n
a dramatic feat of engineering prowess, the private spaceflight company
SpaceX successfully landed a reusable Falcon 9 rocket booster today —
the second such landing for the company, and the first successful
touchdown on a ship.
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket blasted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) today (April 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It carried SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo spacecraft, which is now on its way to the International Space Station, carrying crew supplies, station hardware and science experiments. SpaceX streamed live video of the historic rocket landing during the launch, a feat that capped a smooth cargo launch for NASA
After separating from Dragon a few minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage performed several flyback engine burns, then eventually lowered itself vertically onto a SpaceX drone ship that was stationed off the Florida coast. [Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Landing Try for CRS-8 Mission]
This was the fifth attempt in 15 months by SpaceX to land one of its rocket boosters on a drone ship; in each of the previous four tries, the rocket reached the ship successfully, but failed to stick the landing. During today's landing, SpaceX staff members crowded around the company's control room, and let out a roar of applaus when the rocket booster touched down.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/32517-spacex-sticks-rocket-landing-sea-dragon-launch.html#sthash.eQaYDAHQ.dpuf
Four for Fridays!
Good morning everyone I hope you have had a good week. It has been a really crazy week for me and it just seems like it went by to quick. Here are your questions.
1) Have you had a small appliance die on you when you went to go and use it?
2) Do you feel like some days you are rushed to get things done more than other days?
3) When the temperature outside goes up and down have you come down with a cold?
4) Do you watch music videos?
I hope everyone has a great day!
1) Have you had a small appliance die on you when you went to go and use it?
2) Do you feel like some days you are rushed to get things done more than other days?
3) When the temperature outside goes up and down have you come down with a cold?
4) Do you watch music videos?
I hope everyone has a great day!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Dear Madame Zoltar
I'm of the opinion that weather forecasters are insane and/or drunk. They can spew perfect gibberish and still be highly paid. My favorite weather forecaster was Albert the Alley Cat on Channel 6, especially when he was teamed up for a season with Mr. Tom Skilling. It was obvious that Mr. Skilling was uncomfortable working with a cat puppet. Sensing this, the cat's performer made it more and more difficult, and thus hilarious, for Mr. Skillet to interact with "Albert." The following year, Mr. Skillet was on Chicago WGN 9, predicting the weather minus the puppet. An era for potheads came to an end.
I received this rather strange email today:
Hello,
I am trying to contact the poet
Antler. He submitted some poems for another project a few years ago,
and I found one I'd like to reprint in the May issue of Quill and
Parchment.
Poetically yours,
Sharmagne Leland-St. John
Ease into the day with a poem:
Take a short break to hear some soothing music:
Do You Kindle?
Get a link back to your website or book sales site:
Planning a summer vacation? Need a writer’s retreat?
Attachments area
|
8:23 PM (5 hours ago)
 | |||
| ||||
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Greetings From St. Croix
Visiting St. Croix since it has been 25 years since I lived here. Went out tonight and took pictures of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) dish. There are 10 of these scattered from St. Croix to Hawaii that act as one huge radio telescope. This dish was under construction when I lived here.
You might notice some unfamiliar stars since this is pretty far south. Eta Carina is visible in a couple of photos (in the first photo, the plane trail points to a faint fuzzy path up to the right...that's it) and two of the stars of the Southern Cross are visible...might have got the whole thing if I stayed later.
Monday, April 4, 2016
"Video: Alcoholism, What You Can Do"
From Racine County Eye:
By Bill Hecht in Community, Health and fitness · April 4, 2016 · No comments
"April is alcohol awareness month and our blogger Bill Hecht, a recovering alcoholic himself, talks about who influenced him to stop drinking and what parents can do to talk to their children about the issue.
"Here’s a link to several resources in our area:
Focus on Community
Racine County Health Department
Alcoholic’s Anonymous meetings
Racine County Crisis Services
Read more: http://racinecountyeye.com/video-alcoholism-can/
My personal favorite intervention video is too cool to be embedded, you have to click to see it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_peSCECc4I
By Bill Hecht in Community, Health and fitness · April 4, 2016 · No comments
"April is alcohol awareness month and our blogger Bill Hecht, a recovering alcoholic himself, talks about who influenced him to stop drinking and what parents can do to talk to their children about the issue.
"Here’s a link to several resources in our area:
Focus on Community
Racine County Health Department
Alcoholic’s Anonymous meetings
Racine County Crisis Services
Read more: http://racinecountyeye.com/video-alcoholism-can/
My personal favorite intervention video is too cool to be embedded, you have to click to see it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_peSCECc4I
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Friday, April 1, 2016
"Trump to appear in Racine"
From The Journal Times.com:
MARK SCHAAF mark.schaaf@journaltimes.com 12
"RACINE — The Donald Trump show comes to Racine Saturday.
"The Republican presidential front-runner has scheduled a campaign event at noon at Memorial Hall, 5 Fifth St. Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets are available on Trump's website.
"The Racine Police Department was busy Friday preparing for the event, which was scheduled on short notice.
"The department is bracing for anything, police Lt. Al Days said. Many Trump rallies have attracted scores of protesters and, in some cases, violence.
"Just this week, police in Janesville were investigating a pepper-spray incident that occurred before a Trump rally there.
"'We will just make that site and event as safe and secure as possible,' Days said. 'We're not sure what we're going to get, but we're planning for everything.'
"Downtown businesses were also making adjustments. The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., announced it will close Saturday due to the event.
"Trump's Racine visit comes in the run-up to the state's presidential primary Tuesday. Polls show the billionaire businessman trailing in the Wisconsin primary to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, though Trump still has a sizable advantage in overall delegates.
"Trump clearly isn't giving up on the state. In addition to Racine, he's scheduled to be in Wausau and Eau Claire on Saturday, West Allis on Sunday and La Crosse and Milwaukee on Monday.
"Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the other Republican presidential candidate, will also be in Racine County on Saturday, holding a town hall event in Burlington.
"The Journal Times will update this story."
Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/trump-to-appear-in-racine/article_39b240c9-adde-5d3f-a5ee-ee5ad5f64337.html
Yahoo!
MARK SCHAAF mark.schaaf@journaltimes.com 12
 | ||
| The Associated Press - Republican Presidential Candidate Donals Trump speaks at a campaign stop, Wednesday, March 30, 2016, in Appleton, Wis. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) |
"RACINE — The Donald Trump show comes to Racine Saturday.
"The Republican presidential front-runner has scheduled a campaign event at noon at Memorial Hall, 5 Fifth St. Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets are available on Trump's website.
"The Racine Police Department was busy Friday preparing for the event, which was scheduled on short notice.
"The department is bracing for anything, police Lt. Al Days said. Many Trump rallies have attracted scores of protesters and, in some cases, violence.
"Just this week, police in Janesville were investigating a pepper-spray incident that occurred before a Trump rally there.
"'We will just make that site and event as safe and secure as possible,' Days said. 'We're not sure what we're going to get, but we're planning for everything.'
"Downtown businesses were also making adjustments. The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., announced it will close Saturday due to the event.
"Trump's Racine visit comes in the run-up to the state's presidential primary Tuesday. Polls show the billionaire businessman trailing in the Wisconsin primary to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, though Trump still has a sizable advantage in overall delegates.
"Trump clearly isn't giving up on the state. In addition to Racine, he's scheduled to be in Wausau and Eau Claire on Saturday, West Allis on Sunday and La Crosse and Milwaukee on Monday.
"Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the other Republican presidential candidate, will also be in Racine County on Saturday, holding a town hall event in Burlington.
"The Journal Times will update this story."
Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/trump-to-appear-in-racine/article_39b240c9-adde-5d3f-a5ee-ee5ad5f64337.html
Yahoo!
"Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Lead The Way For Racine and Mayor John Dickert"
From News The JT Can't Use:
With the Chicago Honor Students on a roll in 2016, per stats collected by HEY JACKASS! It’s become desperation time in Chicago.
"With Racine Mayor John Dickert bringing all the graft and corruption of Chicago politics to Detroit West, aka Racine, WI., it may be time for Mayor Dickert to stop whining about not being able to annex any more territory to Racine and instead get rid of the undesirable and failing areas which don’t positively contribute to Racine’s revenue and are run down ghettos comprised mainly of unemployed People of Color, crime, drugs, and failing infrastructure. After all, how much more of this shit can Racine take before it is forced to declare Bankruptcy or ask the Governor for a bailout?"
Read more: https://newsthejtcantuse.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/rahm-emanuel-and-chicago-lead-the-way-for-racine-and-mayor-john-dickert/
Party on, lying John!
With the Chicago Honor Students on a roll in 2016, per stats collected by HEY JACKASS! It’s become desperation time in Chicago.
"With Racine Mayor John Dickert bringing all the graft and corruption of Chicago politics to Detroit West, aka Racine, WI., it may be time for Mayor Dickert to stop whining about not being able to annex any more territory to Racine and instead get rid of the undesirable and failing areas which don’t positively contribute to Racine’s revenue and are run down ghettos comprised mainly of unemployed People of Color, crime, drugs, and failing infrastructure. After all, how much more of this shit can Racine take before it is forced to declare Bankruptcy or ask the Governor for a bailout?"
Read more: https://newsthejtcantuse.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/rahm-emanuel-and-chicago-lead-the-way-for-racine-and-mayor-john-dickert/
Party on, lying John!
Four for Fridays!
Hello everyone I hope you all had a good week. For me the week went by to fast once again with trying to find something for my youngest daughter. Yes I am up early Drew had to be in work early today. Here are your questions for today.
1) Have you put something away then when you go to look for it and you can not find what you are looking for?
2) Do you have a favorite color and what color is it?
3) Have you ever played a joke on someone on April Fools Day?
4) Has someone else played a joke on you on April Fools Day?
I hope you enjoy your day!
1) Have you put something away then when you go to look for it and you can not find what you are looking for?
2) Do you have a favorite color and what color is it?
3) Have you ever played a joke on someone on April Fools Day?
4) Has someone else played a joke on you on April Fools Day?
I hope you enjoy your day!
Typical Taxes
It's income tax time again and NPR has piece on on the U.S. tax system.
"So you know if you take a family of four that earns about $75,000 a year - half the families in America earn more than that, half earn less, so that's the median - they pay about $4,500 or 6 percent of their income in income taxes. But most of them will pay as much or more in Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes that come directly out of their paychecks. "
Now I earn below the median income but I am a family of one so that helps. However, I did my taxes already and paid over twice as much as this family in income taxes despite a lower income. I can read the tax forms so I have a pretty good idea of why...married couples than a single person and children are big tax writeoffs as well (not sure what was all counted...childcare expenses can be deductible but those can change a great deal depending on the age of the children and if both spouses are working or one parent stays home full time). Assuming most of this income is from wages and not investments, I would probably pay less in payroll taxes since those are a straight percentage of wages (up to a certain cutoff, but this is well below the cutoff so all these wages are subject to payroll taxes).
I know that some married couples end up paying more in income taxes than if they were single but others pay less...the legendary marriage penalty is not universal.
Anyway, just thought I would put this out there and see if anyone had any other thoughts on our income tax system.
"So you know if you take a family of four that earns about $75,000 a year - half the families in America earn more than that, half earn less, so that's the median - they pay about $4,500 or 6 percent of their income in income taxes. But most of them will pay as much or more in Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes that come directly out of their paychecks. "
Now I earn below the median income but I am a family of one so that helps. However, I did my taxes already and paid over twice as much as this family in income taxes despite a lower income. I can read the tax forms so I have a pretty good idea of why...married couples than a single person and children are big tax writeoffs as well (not sure what was all counted...childcare expenses can be deductible but those can change a great deal depending on the age of the children and if both spouses are working or one parent stays home full time). Assuming most of this income is from wages and not investments, I would probably pay less in payroll taxes since those are a straight percentage of wages (up to a certain cutoff, but this is well below the cutoff so all these wages are subject to payroll taxes).
I know that some married couples end up paying more in income taxes than if they were single but others pay less...the legendary marriage penalty is not universal.
Anyway, just thought I would put this out there and see if anyone had any other thoughts on our income tax system.
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