"Drunk vs Stoned"

The biggest difference between me drunk and me stoned was my belligerence and anger when drunk. I've seen T-shirts printed with the phrase: "Instant asshole, just add beer (or booze)." That's me. When I'm stoned, that aggression disappears. When I'm stoned and drunk, though, the anger reappears. Obviously, I have a problem with alcohol. And anger.

"I Forgot My Phone"

Interesting. I often see videos where lots of other people are filming the event with their phones.

Open Blog - Weekend

Have a good one.

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone and welcome back! It has been a long, long week so, I'll keep this short and sweet.... Here are your questions....

1) Have you ever needed stitches?

2) What was the last thing you donated?

3) What restaurant you will never eat at again?

4) What do you have that is of a value to you, but of no value to anybody else?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

The only thing that could make a Friday bad is if you had to work on Saturday.

Napoleon XIV - "They're coming to take me away"

I was sleeping this afternoon when a knock on my apartment door awoke me.  I opened it and a man stood there who said he was from the Racine County Human Service Department.  He said they had received a report that I am very depressed, possibly to the point of injuring myself, and he was checking up.  He gave me a pamphlet entitled "Racine County Behavioral Heath Crisis Services."

I was very taken aback by this.  I don't talk about my mental health to anyone except my psychiatrist and the general public here.  I reassured him that I wasn't going to hurt myself and I gave him my psychiatrist's name.  Unfortunately, I didn't get his name or a business card or anything.  I was only half awake.  I should've at least asked for ID.

At first, I thought my neighbor in the apartment next door did this as a gag.  He swears he didn't.  So, who reported me and why?

I'm posting this in case some law enforcement officers appear one day and drag me off to the mental ward under Chapter 51.  I'm emailing some of you my psychiatrist's name and number.  If I'm committed under "emergency detention," please contact her and let her know.  Also, make sure that I'm getting the best drugs that they have.  Suggest that whatever normal dosage is, I should receive more.

The After Affects Of The Storm Up North!

Last night a tornado did go through Shawano Wisconsin and it the path of it was my mom and sister's mobile home. The funny thing about it I never received a phone call of what happened. The way we found out was Drew had seen a post that my older sister in Appleton had put on facebook saying my mom and younger sister's mobile home ceiling had fallen on my mom. I thought that was really nice of my family not to think about me just because I am not up there.

I called my mom last night and she said she had just gotten done being checked out by the paramedics and they wanted her to go to the hospital but she said no. I said to my mom why not and she said that she was alright. Then she told me that a tree on the side of the house split in half and fell on the roof, when the tree fell my mom was sitting in the corner on the couch watching t.v.. My mom was holding the ceiling up yelling for my sister and my sister said just a minute I have to find my cat, so the cat was more important than my mom. My mom was all shook up while I was talking to her. My told me that the paramedics had to get her out from under the broken ceiling. The paramedics had a hard time getting over to my mom's house because of all the power lines and trees down. They did get out of there last night and are staying with my older sister in Appleton.

After I talked to my mom I called my son to make sure him and the kids were all right and to see if he could go over to help my mom get out of her house. I tried calling him about six or seven times and I was starting to freak out because I couldn't get a hold of him. Then about five minutes after I stopped calling him he called me back. He said mom I am sorry but my phone was dieing from everyone calling him to make sure they were alright. He also said that he took the kids downstairs and stayed under the stairs until it was all over. I was happy about that, then he said he was on his way to my mom's to help her out but it hard to get there with all the trees and power lines down. He was going up and down side streets to get there. He said the alarms went off in town by him but my mom said the one right out of town by her never went off.

Here are some pictures my son took last night of my mom's house.

I talked to my mom earlier today and she was back at the house getting more things out for her and my sister. There is no electric on in the house because of the tree, so my mom was taking everything out of the refrigerator giving some to my son and taking the rest to my older sister's house. My mom's head is still hurting her and she found a bruise on her knee this morning. She also said that when she got to my sister's house that she had to take another shower because she was all black from the ceiling falling. For me the main thing is they are all alright up there and safe now. I just wish I was up there to help my mom out any way I can. I just feel so bad I was not there for her when she needed me but at least my son was there for her.

Here is a picture of my son today being really goofy thinking he can lift the tree up of the house. Yes he has my goofy sense of humor.

I just wanted to share this story with you about how bad a storm like this could be. The news said it was a F1 or F2 tornado.

Open Blog - Thursday

I'm thankful that the workweek is almost over.

"Squirrels - Pre-production Sales Trailer"

CAUTION: Violent scene

 

"When a young man’s estranged father is killed under suspicious circumstances, he returns home for the first time in years to get to the bottom of the mystery. Hoping to uncover some logical explanation, he instead finds his mom’s sleazy new boyfriend, a natural gas company buying up the town, an angry female sheriff who happens to be his ex-girlfriend, and an army of flesh-eating squirrels hellbent on destroying everything in their path due to an erosion of their food chain as a result of environmental destruction by the gas company."

Read more:  http://bit.ly/16yWli1


They're serious.  A movie about killer squirrels.

How about Killer Go-Go Squirrels vs. the Nazis? 

"Go Go Girls vs the Nazis! Its getting close Racine!"

From Racine in Ruins:

 http://racineinruins.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/go-go-girls-vs-the-nazis-its-getting-close-racine/

Griffiths University

There's an annual contest at the Griffiths University, Australia, calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term.

 

This year's term was...... 'political correctness'. 

 

The winning student wrote:

 

'Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end.'

HELLth to HEALth

How to Get Better Care in the Emergency Room!


Trips to the ER are usually not planned, although many are. One person may feel ill all day while another just had a car accident or another type of trauma. You may go to the ER on your own accord. Or may have had an ambulance transport you there.  You feel terrible and you have some unusual pain or fever that is just lasting too long. You may have some chest tightness, not actually presenting as pain, but is still there and the heartburn is accompanying this. So many scenarios exist which different levels of care.

You find yourself waiting too long in the hospital waiting room.
What makes one patient get treated in a more rapid manor than the next?  There are acuity levels
Of patients that present with signs of something potentially serious going on. They arrive a bit after you..... What happened to the first come first served rule?  It does not really apply .  If a potentially
Serious or perhaps life threatening condition exists in a patient that has arrived after you they get your spot.  Hopefully there are enough resources to move you in as quickly as they can.
S il
Of impending doom

Birds of Prey-the Falcons and the Osprey

I'm taking a sidestep from the peeps for the moment.... At least so to collect my thoughts.

Anyways, Wisconsin is the home to three different species of falcons and the only specie of Osprey. The smallest of these falcons is the American Kestrel, or known to some as as the Sparrow Hawk. About the size of a Morning Dove, these colorful raptors can found perched on telephone wires, in trees and fence posts all across the state. Not only they are quite common year round, they have the ability to hover (meaning they can fly without forward motion).

Tender Heart and I go birding at Bong quite a bit. We were graced with the pleasure of observing a kestrel family grow up in nest box there. It was neat watching the kestrels go in and out of the nest box, sometimes bringing a meal of a mouse! Imagine the surprise look on our faces to see three of them on top of the pole the nest box. See picture below taken on 7/13/2013.

The middle guy for the falcons is the Merlin. No, I'm not talking about the wizard. There actually is a bird called the Merlin, and yes, they can be found here in Wisconsin. Not quite as common as their cousins, the pigeon sized Merlin often can seen passing through the state during migratory season. I've only seen a few of these aggressive birds including the one I took a picture of at Shoop Park on 10/24/2012. (see below) It was exciting to watch it chase after a crow, as I explained in this post. Better pics can found here.

Merlins especially lacking a falcon's distinct "hood", are often confused with hawks. Falcons have pointed wings and a narrow tail, unlike hawks with wide wings and spread out tails. Hawks, eagles and vultures can soar, falcons can't.

Downtown Racine is the home of the world's fastest animal, the Peregrine Falcon. Peregrines have the ability to dive bomb to the speeds of 200 mph to snatch up its favorite meal, pigeons, out of the sky. What an impressive sight to see! There has been a nesting pair at the courthouse for some years now and can often be seen on top of buildings downtown or hanging around Myers Park near Gateway. That is where I took the picture below at on 7/19/2013. There was pair there chasing gulls that day.

On the way Up North, last spring, Tender Heart spotted what appeared to be a Bald Eagle's nest. While taking pictures, we discovered it actually was an Osprey's nest! Talk about a great find! An Osprey had ventured to the edge of the nest for an exceptional shot. (See below, taken in Langlade County on 4/26/2013) Two days later, on the way back home, we decided to check in on the nest. To our surprise, we saw BOTH of the Ospreys in the nest, doing well ahhh.... their natural thing. To this day, I wonder how many chicks they had and what has become of them. Kinda of late now, they would have left the nest at this point.

Ospreys are like large fishing eagles and about the size of one. Similar to Bald Eagles, Ospreys prey on exclusively fish. Unlike Bald Eagles, they'll dive bomb from high in the air into the water and "swim" out with a fish. I have actually seen an Osprey do this, taking a foot long bass.

 
 At one time, Bald Eagles, Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons were on the endangered species list. The use of DDT pesticide, lead shot and hunting pushed these species towards the brink of extinction. How was DDT is contributing factor? Farmers spray their crops with pesticide. Rain washes the pesticide into the water. Fish and ducks eat the pesticide. The eagles and the Peregrines will eat ducks while the Osprey will go after the fish. Once the pesticide in the system, it weakens the egg shells to the point they break under the weight of a bird incubating the egg. Since the government ban on DDT in 1972 and other protective measures, these species have flourished quite well. This is why I get concerned about wildlife conservation, so not only we can see these beautiful creatures, or children and grandchildren can as well....

From Then till Now

Saturday Night Fever – 1977 with John Travolta.

 

Can’t sleep so I was sitting here watching it.  During the dance scenes what is different from then to now?

 

ALL the women wore dresses or skirts, which is a very rare site to see today.  I think you would be hard pressed to see 15 women in one day wearing a dress or a skirt walking down the street today.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my beautiful bratwursts!  How are you?  Our wondrous weather continues.  Almost every day is a perfect day for outdoor activities.  Sometimes, I’ll run in and out of the house a few times just because I can’t do that in the winter.  Junior likes to camp out in the yard on days (and nights) like this.  Señor Zanza chaperones.  I stay in my comfy bed.

I want to vent about the blackouts on Time Warner Cable, but I’m afraid I’ll forget that I’m a lady and say something that I’ll later regret.  I understand that our beloved Green Bay Packers won their preseason game this past Saturday.  Hip, hip, hooray!  Someday, I might see them on TV again.  Their next preseason game, this Friday against the Seattle Seahawks, starts at 7 pm in Lambeau Field.  CBS is covering it.  Aren’t they blacked out by TWC, too?  It’s sickening.  As soon as I can get Señor Zanza’s butt on the roof, we’re installing a TV antenna.  I can connect to the internet via AT&T.

While I’m on the subject of football, I’d like to give a plug to our local teams, the Racine Raiders and the Racine Threat, who are meeting this Saturday at Horlick Field in the “Battle of Belle City:” http://www.jtirregulars.com/2013/08/over-4000-fans-expected-at-horlick.html  They deserve our support.  No matter who wins, it’ll be a Racine team.    

The Racine Zoo is reportedly doing well: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/racine-zoo-ramps-up-marketing-memberships-now-at-nearly/article_4e8018b4-08c2-11e3-8929-0019bb2963f4.html That’s good to know.  When someone really irks me, I take them to the zoo to see what I’m going to turn them into.  Sometimes I leave them there.  It’s my little contribution.  Oh my.

And speaking of zoos, you ought to see my neighborhood at night.  Oh my, oh my, that’s not nice.  Accurate, perhaps, but not nice.

I must say that Downtown Racine has been beautiful with flowers and plantings this season.  Simply gorgeous.  Take a look at Monument Square.  If only we could inspire such pride in appearances throughout the city.  I suppose I could even accept a sagging pair of pants if flowers were growing in them.  Keep Racine beautiful: fill your underwear with soil and stick a petunia in them. 

Finally, my dears, don’t talk and drive in Kenosha school and construction zones:

Thank you for reading my blog today.  Thank you for visiting with me.  Thank you for making my day.

The best plants for your underwear garden?  Find out: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Enjoy, enjoy the weather, my friends.  It’s too bad that we can’t capture sunshine and release it on a gloomy winter’s day.  So, get it while you can.  Relish the temperatures.  Monomania! 

Open Blog - Wednesday

It's downhill from here.

Compressorhead - "Ace of Spades"

http://compressorheadband.com/

That's some heavy metal, man!

Open Blog - Tuesday

Yum.

Buffets

UFFDA

Late one night, Lena vakes Ole and says, 'I tink it's time!' So Ole fired up the Yohn Deere tractor and took her to the hospital to have their first baby. She had a little boy, and the doctor looked over at Ole and said, 'A son! Ain't dat Great!' Well, Ole got excited by dis, but yust den the doctor spoke up and said, 'Hold on! We ain't finished yet!' The doctor den held up a little girl.. He said, 'Hey, Ole! You got you a daughter!' She's a pretty little ting, too.' Ole got kind of puzzled by this, an then the doctor said, 'Holey Moley, Ole we still ain't done yet!' The doctor then delivered another boy and said, Ole, you yust had yourself another boy!'Ole was flabbergasted by this news! A couple days later, Ole brought Lena and their three Children home in the self-propelled combine. He was real Serious and he asked Lena , 'How come we got tree on the first try?' Lena said, 'You remember dat night we ran out of Vaseline and You vent out in the garage and got dat dere 3-in-1 Oil?' Ole said, 'Yeah, I do. Uffda! It's a dam good ting I didn't get the WD-40!!.

"OVER 4,000 FANS EXPECTED AT HORLICK FIELD SATURDAY NIGHT"

"Racine Raiders and Racine Threat meet in 'Battle of Belle City'"
 

"GAME DUBBED 'BATTLE OF BELLE CITY'
The Racine Raiders and Racine Threat adult amateur football teams meet Saturday in a game being called the 'Battle of Belle City.' Both teams are undefeated on the season, bringing in 8-0 overall records and 6-0 records in the Mid-States Football League (MSFL). The winner of this game will claim the Southwest Division title.

"The Racine Raiders won the Semi-Pro BCS Summer/Fall national championship in 2012 and are riding a 22-game winning streak into the game. The Racine Threat have now won 11 straight.

"The teams have played twice before, with the Raiders winning both of those games. The previous two games have each drawn well over 4,000 fans and with everything at stake in this game, an even larger crowd is expected.

"Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2013. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

"HISTORIC HORLICK ATHLETIC FIELD
Historic Horlick Athletic Field is located at 1648 North Memorial Drive in Racine, Wis. The field has been home to the Racine Belles, immortalized in the movie 'A League of Their Own,' and the Horlick-Racine Legion, a team that played against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears in the National Football League in the early-1920s. The Chicago Bears played their first game as the Chicago Bears at Historic Horlick Athletic Field.

"TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for students. Veterans with appropriate identification are admitted free to all Racine Raiders home games. Tickets are also available at nine ticket outlets across Racine. A list of these ticket outlets is available on the Racine Raiders website at http://racineraiders.com/tickets.php.

"PARKING
Free parking is available in two parking lots outside Historic Horlick Athletic Field. In addition, free street parking is available around the field. Tailgating is allowed in the parking lots around the field.

"RACINE RAIDERS PRACTICES
The Racine Raiders hold practices every Tuesday and Thursday night. Practices begin at 7:00 p.m. and the practice field is just two blocks west of Historic Horlick Athletic Field, on High Street.

"WHY BATTLE OF BELLE CITY?
Belle is a French word that means beautiful, as in the phrase 'Belle of the ball.' Sailors in the 19th century called Racine the belle city of the lakes, or the most beautiful city on the Great Lakes.

"The Racine Raiders, a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization, begin their 61st season of operations in 2013. The Raiders won their eighth national championship in 2012. Find out more about the Racine Raiders at http://www.racineraiders.com."

Open Blog - Monday

Hunker down.

"Requiem for Romance"

 

From Jonathan Ng Plus 1 year ago not yet rated

 

DVDs and Limited Prints from the film available at: jonjonphenomenon.com/2013/requiem-for-romance-dvds-prints/

@JonNgAnimation  
Facebook.com/RequiemForRomance

"In this 'crouching love, hidden breakup' story, inspired by 50's Shanghai water ink animation & kung fu films, themes of distance, tradition, art and longing dominate a telephonic conversation as a martial arts tango provides the visual backdrop.

"Shannon Kook, star of Degrassi the Next Generation and The Conjuring, won the best voice performance at the ACTRA awards for his role on the film. Vid Cousins composed the music based on an original musical theme by Kid Koala.

"The film won Best Art Direction Award at Anima Mundi, Best Canadian Shortwork at the Whistler Film Festival, AnimAsian award at the Toronto International Reel Asian Film Festival, Audience Choice Award at the Athens Animation Festival in upstate NY. It was nominated for prizes at Cristal Festival in Switzerland, Golden Reel award at LA Asian Pacific Film Festival. The film was Official Selection in Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, Melbourne International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Shortfest and was presented as part of the Best of Quebec presentation in the Cannes Market in 2012.

"Please add to Tip Jar or watch with ads on Film Annex to help me generate revenue for my next project: filmannex.com/webtv/jonathanng/movie/requiem-for-romance/37528"

Read more: http://vimeo.com/35699279

Some More WIldflowers!

I know I haven't posted any wildflowers for a couple of weeks. I have been busy with my daughter she got a job at Walmart and I had to take her back and forth for paperwork and with that I had to take Drew back and forth to work also. I should just put a sign on my car saying taxi for the two of them.

Here are some wildflower pictures I would like to share with everyone.

 I know I have posted this one before the Canada Thistle but what I am doing is showing you the difference between this flower when it has enough water and when it does not. The bottom one with be with out any water to survive.

I have seen this at Richard Bong, Horicon and just along the road side. At first I did not know what it was until I looked at the plant really good then I realized it was the Canada Thistle all dried up.

This is the Compass flower the picture was taken at Richard Bong State Recreational Area. This was right before the Grandkids came down here.

This is the Yellow Monkey flower this picture was taken at Meyers Park. This one is so different and I just had to share it with everyone.

This is Purple Milkweed this picture was taken at Richard Bong State Recreational Area. Until I took this picture I did not know that there are do many different Milkweed plants.

This is a American White Water Lily the picture was taken at Silver Lake Wi.. There are many different Water Lily's also.

When I look up the flowers I have to check everything that means the petals, stems and the leaves. This takes a long time on the computer and with my book making sure I have the correct flower name.

I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and there are more to come still. 

"RAIDERS SPECIAL TEAMS LEAD WAY TO 22ND STRAIGHT WIN"

"McClelland doesn't throw a touchdown pass for first time in his career with Raiders"
 

"August 17 (RACINE, WIS.) - Racine Raiders head coach Gino Perfetto admitted that special teams was underperforming over the past month and it was something the coaching staff was working to fix. That work paid off Saturday as the Raiders beat the Wauwatosa Spartans, 29-15, in front of nearly 1,400 fans at Historic Horlick Athletic Field in Racine.

"Wauwatosa beat the Raiders in nearly every statistical category. The Spartans held the ball for over 39 minutes and ran 73 plays to the just 44 for the Raiders.

"The difference was the Raiders special teams. With the Spartans leading 3-0 with 11 minutes to play in the second quarter, Brian Newell's 43-yard field goal attempt for the Spartans was short. The Raiders Torie Ruffin fielded the ball eight yards deep in the end zone and brought it out, running down the Raiders sideline for a touchdown. Joel DaPra's extra point was good and the Raiders led 7-3.

"Wauwatosa fired right back as JuJuan Zolicoffer slipped by Raiders defensive back Steve Kleist and caught a 78-yard touchdown pass from Tony Henner. The Newell extra point was blocked but the Spartans led 9-7.

"The Raiders put together a 9-play, 53-yard drive, getting to the Spartans 27 yard line. DaPra booted a 45-yard field goal to give the Raiders a 10-9 lead with 5:52 to play in the half.

"Less than three minutes later, the Raiders struck again when J.R. Taylor punched the ball in from one-yard out. The touchdown was setup by a nice pass from Craig McClelland to Sam D'Alie. The Raiders led 17-9.

"Just like the last meeting between the two teams, the Spartans would score right before the half. Henner hit Greg Rebella for a 15-yard touchdown. The Spartans tried to tie the game going into the half but the two-point conversion pass from Henner fell incomplete. The Raiders took a 17-15 lead into halftime.

"Neither team would score in the third quarter but the Raiders would get on the board with 13:03 to play in the fourth quarter. Taylor, who was held to just six yards on five carries, carried the ball twice on the drive for 34 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown run to give the Raiders a 23-15 lead.

"DaPra added two late field goals from 23 and 30 yards to solidify the Raiders victory, 29-15.

"McClelland didn't throw a touchdown pass in the game for the first time in his Raiders career, a total of 20 straight games. McClelland completed 8 passes in 17 attempts for 181 yards. Taylor finished the game with 74 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Traves Worthington was the leading receiver for the Raiders with 2 catches for 41 yards.

"The win sets up a battle for the Southwest Division title next week as the Raiders host the Racine Threat. Both teams are 8-0 overall, 6-0 in the Mid-States Football League and 3-0 in the division. The Threat narrowly beat the Roscoe Rush, 30-27, Saturday night in Kenosha, Wis.

"The Racine Raiders, a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization, begin their 61st season of operations in 2013. The Raiders won their eighth national championship in 2012. Find out more about the Racine Raiders at http://www.racineraiders.com."

Useless Information

Did you know:

A Ragged Tooth Shark looses it teeth weekly.  Over their life time they can grow 30,000 teeth.

"Area 51 officially acknowledged, mapped in newly released documents"

By Laura Koran, CNN

updated 9:04 PM EDT, Fri August 16, 2013

"(CNN) -- Area 51 has long been a topic of fascination for conspiracy theorists and paranormal enthusiasts, but newly released CIA documents officially acknowledge the site and suggest that the area served a far less remarkable purpose than many had supposed.

"According to these reports, which include a map of the base's location in Nevada, Area 51 was merely a testing site for the government's U-2 and OXCART aerial surveillance programs. The U-2 program conducted surveillance around the world, including over the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

"Area 51, about 125 miles northwest of Las Vegas, is synonymous in popular culture with government secrecy, and many have theorized that it holds the answer to one of the greatest questions plaguing mankind: Are we really alone in the universe?

"But the newly released documents make no mention of alien autopsy rooms or spaceship parking lots.

"This information will be disappointing to some, who have come to view the area has been a mecca of sorts for alien encounters.

"For these true believers, the existence of alien spacecraft at Area 51, and the government's attempts to cover up their trace, is irrefutable and has been since reports of Unidentified Flying Objects -- or UFOs -- began to emerge from the Nevada desert in the middle part of the 20th century."

Read more:  http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/15/us/area-51-documents/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

The report didn't say there were no aliens, so they probably exist.

What did I say recently about government lies?

Open Blog - Weekend

Go ahead, pig out this weekend.

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone! Welcome back to Four for Fridays! It has been a busy week with all those comings and goings.... Hectic to say the least. Anyways, the questions...

1) What your three favorite internet sites?

2) Have you ever eaten too much in one setting?

3) If you were to replace a body part for something bionic, what would you replace?

4) What was the last thing you have taken a picture of?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

Good day, mates!

"Where To Be Happy"

http://prafulla.net/wp-content/sharenreadfiles/2013/08/483925/Where-to-be-Happy-in-US-Infographic.png

To counter the sadness that Facebook causes (see the blog below), move to Green Bay, or out west.

"Does Facebook Make You Sad? Study Says Yes"

By Kate Rogers

Published August 15, 2013

FOXBusiness

"Step away from the mouse.

"Clicking through your friends’ photos of rooftop drinks, or beautiful beach sunsets from their latest vacations on Facebook while you are stuck in the office can make you feel a bit down, according to a new study.

"A new study from the University of Michigan finds that Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) use may dampen users’ happiness levels. The study considered Facebook users’ satisfaction with their lives over time.  Researchers studied 82 young adults with Facebook accounts and smart phones, using experienced sampling,  which the study claims is one of the most reliable techniques in measuring how people feel, think and behave in the moment.

"They were texted at random five times a day for two weeks with the questions of: How do you feel right now? How worried are you right now? How lonely do you feel right now? How much have you used Facebook since the last time we asked? How much have you interacted with other people “directly” since the last time we asked?

"Over the two- week study, the more sunjects used the social networking giant, the more their life satisfaction declined over time."

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/08/15/does-facebook-make-sad-study-says-yes/

Oh no.  A nation of sad peole.  Maybe Facebook should supply antidepresssants with each account.  I seem to be sad enough without Facebook.  With it, I might become suicidal.

Open Blog - Thursday

She must be on her way to the Harley 110th Anniversary Celebration.

"Nightvision"

"Nightvision is a celebration of the brilliance and diversity of architecture found across Europe. Over the course of three months I journeyed with a friend through 36 cities in 21 countries with the ambition of capturing some of the greatest European structures in a new and unique way. Comprised of thousands of carefully taken photographs, strung together and stabilized in post-production, Nightvision aims to inspire appreciation for these man-made landmarks."

Read more:  http://www.lshep.com/


That's impressive.  And beautiful.  Watch it full screen.  

"Texas family discovers baby monitor hacked"

How creepy. Technology provides more opportunities for weirdos.

Useless Information

The HEMTT A3 (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck) is built by Oshkosh Truck Company, Oshkosh, WI for the US Military.  It is an 8 X 8 vehicle, all wheel drive.

It will climb and descend a 60% grade.  For a person to climb a 60% grade they will need a rope to pull themselves up or crawl on all 4.  You cannot stand going up or down that steep of a hill.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my shimmering shish kabobs!  How are you?  So far, this has been the summer for cool cats.  Wet ones, too.  Although I don’t think we are experiencing what Ms. Mary is enduring in Oklahoma, it has still been pretty damp around here.  As I understand it, if the rain would lay off just a little bit more and the sun would shine just a little bit more, we would have record crop production.  Large crop production usually means lower prices for consumers.  Extremely large production could glut the market, so I assume that the government will pay farmers to destroy some of their goods in that case.  Free enterprise isn’t free, y’know.

One benefit of the cooler weather is my lower than normal electric bill.  This is usually peak usage time for the air conditioner.  This summer, though, I’ve hardly had to turn it on at all.  Thank you, God, for small favors. 

While I’m on a spiritual plane, it would be nice to receive some supernatural help in the Time Warner Cable – Journal Broadcast Group blackout.  Their squabble over money is ugly in itself, but allowing it to black out a Packer game, even a preseason one, is unforgivable.  The greedy multimillionaires bickering over pennies should never have been allowed to black out the Green and Gold.  This Saturday, our warriors are scheduled for another preseason game.  They meet the St. Louis Rams in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis at 7 pm.  WTMJ is scheduled to cover the game.  Oh my.  I checked out the NFL online. $15.00 for online access to all preseason games through Sept. 15.  For a diehard Packer patriot like me, that may be the way to go.

Thank all of you who commiserated with me over my rotten ex:  http://www.jtirregulars.com/2013/08/why-is-my-ex-consorting-with-wanted-man.html

His companion in the photograph has been shot and killed by the FBI.  I can only hope that a similar fate awaits my ex.

The good news is that Dino’s Restaurant may reopen soon: http://caledonia.patch.com/groups/racine/p/dinos-restaurant-now-bank-owned-but-talks-begin-with-investor  Don’t make plans to dine there just yet.  These financial transactions can be quite complicated and time consuming.  Nothing is set in stone. 

Thank you, S. C. Johnson and Son, for donating five million dollars to the Smithsonian:  http://www.jsonline.com/business/sc-johnson--son-donates-5-million-to-smithsonian-renovation-b9974732z1-219428061.html A gift to the Smithsonian is a gift to all of us.  S. C. Johnson and Son has been an exemplary business in Racine.

Thank you, sweet peas and cutie pies, for reading my blog today.  I love sharing time with you.  Your thoughts soothe my soul.

Buy, sell, or trade?  Madame Zoltar knows: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com 

It looks like some sunny weather is headed our way, but we all know how the weather is around here.  Hope for sun, prepare for rain, and enjoy your week.  Bless you all.  Sternutation!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Enjoy hump day.

Immagine That

Poll courtesy Racine Journal Times.

Open Blog - Tuesday

Aw, go ahead and spill your guts. We're here for you.

"Swedish men told to beware testicle-munching fish"

"Experts have warned Swedish men to keep their swimming trunks on if taking a dip in a sound off the country's southern coast, after a South American fish known for attacking testicles was discovered in the area."

By Hannah Strange

12:16PM BST 10 Aug 2013

 

"The alert came after a fisherman in the Oresund Sound last week retrieved a 21 centimetre pacu - a relative of the piranha that is most commonly found in the Amazon region.

"'Keep your swimwear on if you're bathing in the Sound these days - maybe there are more out there!' cautioned the National History Museum in neighbouring Denmark.

"The freshwater fish, which can grow up to 90 centimetres and weigh up to 25 kilogrammes, has been nicknamed the 'ball cutter' for its attacks on the male genitalia.

"In areas where pacus proliferate, fishermen have reportedly bled to death after losing their testicles to the fish's crushing jaws.

"Found in most rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America, they have also been spotted in Papua New Guinea, where it is believed they have been introduced to boost fish stocks. Discoveries have also been reported in several US states; in 2006, officials at one Texas lake reportedly put a $100 bounty on the pacu caught there.

"But this is the first time a pacu has been caught at sea in Europe, the museum said."

Read more:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/10234986/Swedish-men-told-to-beware-testicle-munching-fish.html


Watch out, Why Not.  Tell your husband to put on a football cup before he goes swimming.

"In areas where pacus proliferate, fishermen have reportedly bled to death after losing their testicles to the fish's crushing jaws."  Yeow! 

The mother-in-law

The mother-in-law arrives home from the shops to find her son-in-law boiling angry and hurriedly packing his suitcase.
"What happened ?" she asks anxiously.
"What happened!! I'll tell you what happened. I sent an email to my wife telling her I was coming home today from my fishing trip. I get home... and guess what I found ? Yes, your daughter, my Jean, with a naked guy in our marital bed! This is unforgiveable, the end of our marriage. I'm done. I'm leaving forever!"
...
"Calm down, calm down!" says his mother-in-law. "There is something very odd going on here. Jean would never do such a thing! There must be a simple explanation. I'll go speak to her immediately and find out what happened."

Moments later, the mother-in-law comes back with a big smile.
" I told you there must be a simple explanation .....she didn't receive your E-mail

Open Blog - Monday

Smart move. Also pretend it's not Racine.

"CITY OF RACINE CABLE COMMISSION & ALDERMAN RAY DEHAHN APPROVE SPENDING ADDITIONAL $30,000 ON CAR25 FAILURE!!!"

 From Racine Community Media:

 

"RACINE- In a shocking move, the Racine Cable Commission is recommending to spend an additional $30 THOUSAND DOLLARS this year to the already $106,000 that is spent on running the cities public access channel CAR25. It appears the channel and it’s rebranding, 'what’s now called BelleTv' is a complete failure and the only option is to spend more taxpayer money to fund what people are now referring to as Dickert’s Propaganda TV.

"The move comes after public outcry and scrutiny over Mayor John Dickert’s so called 'Vison' to save the city money by selecting his personal friends to take over CAR25. In reality, it has wound up costing residents, and the city much more than in years past. CAR25 has had operating budgets of $80,000 a year, and now is attempting to come in at approx $136,000 a year. Where is the city getting this money to spend on frivolous propaganda tools, when the city cannot afford to keep streetlights on for 60K a year?
 
"It appears the channel has had nothing but problems since the takeover, having to fire staff members and purchase thousands in new equipment already. Members of the public have been complaining in regards to current programming, and faulty web site broadcasts, and have been met with less then friendly responses from those in charge. Also of note, is the additional request for $1000, to be spent for BelleTv staff for travel to conferences.
 
"The current Time Warner dispute over the channel 4 blackout is another example of this Racine Cable Commission (appointed by Mayor John Dickert) Not doing their duty to serve the area residents and represent the City The Of Racine in the Channel 4 dispute. The City Of Racine and Time Warner are business partners, so to speak, and this commission’s duties included representing the community in any disputes or issues regarding Time Warner service to the residents. Instead, they have not attempted to discuss the Channel 4 blackout, or it’s affects on the greater Racine area,  choosing to just ignore it. Racine and it’s residents and taxpayers should demand competant representation on ALL LEVELS of government, with no exceptions."

From: http://racinecommunitymedia.tumblr.com/post/57856637487/city-of-racine-cable-commission-alderman-ray


They don't even try anymore.  They just lie to us and then do whatever they want.  And yet, we're "broke" when it comes to streetlights and other citizen services.

Party on, lying John!

"Perseid meteor shower to light up night sky this weekend"

"Put out the lawn chair, set the alarm and maybe bring something to wet your whistle while you gaze into the nighttime sky — the year's best shooting star show has started.

"August's annual Perseids meteor shower peaks Sunday and Monday, promising perhaps 70 meteors an hour those evenings.

"'The Perseids are the good ones,' says meteorite expert Bill Cooke of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

     .     .     .     .     .

"You will have to stay up late to see the Perseids at their peak; the best viewing comes from midnight to dawn, particularly after the half-full moon sets at 1 a.m. on Monday, says Astronomy magazine's Michael Bakich. But they should appear at night during the week before and after the peak as well.

"'Get out of the city and the lights to give yourself a chance to see them,' Bakich says. The rule of thumb is that you should be able to see all the stars of the Big Dipper — seven stars if you are counting — to give yourself enough darkness to catch the shooting stars. And give your eyes an hour to adjust."

Read more:  http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/sciencefair/2013/08/08/perseids-2013-meteor/2628521/


hale-bopp must be asleep at the wheel.  We may have some difficulty seeing the Perrseids because of cloud cover: http://www.jsonline.com/business/clouds-may-not-cooperate-with-meteor-shower-b9973006z1-219124021.html

Peep Show! The Plovers

It has been awhile since I've done a wildlife blog....

Now is the time of year that many shorebirds or "peeps" (as us birders call them) make their migration southward. Wisconsin is the host to seven species of plovers, two species of stilts, 33 species of sandpipers as well as seven species of rails, eleven species of herons and egrets, plus ibis and cranes that line our shores. That is a lot to reel in.... Remember many of them either migratory (just passing through) or accidental (lost). We'll start with the plovers.

Below is a picture (taken at Bong SRA in Kenosha Co 5/24/2013) of one of Wisconsin's most common birds, a Killdeer. No they don't kill any deer. Their name comes from the obnoxious calls they make. It does get rather annoying after awhile. (ask Tender Heart) They can be found in just about any open field (usually nearby a pond), mudflats, sod farms and marshy areas across the state.

Similar to the Killdeer, is the Semipalmated Plover. What's different is instead of the two ring bands the Killdeer has, the Semi Plover has one. Take notice of the beak as well. While the Killdeer has a long black beak, the Semi Plover has a pushed in yellow one. Not quite as common as their cousin, the Semipalmated Plovers are more confined to mudflats, sod farms and shore lines during migratory season. The picture below of this cutie was taken at Myers Park in Racine 0n 5/23/2013.

Even more of a unique find than a Semipalmated Plover is a Black Bellied Plover. Wisconsin is just a mere stopover this long distance migrant. It breeds in the tundras of Canada and winters far south as Argentina. That is a lot of miles on the wings! If you noticed, the picture taken below (on 10/28/2012 by the lighthouse in Racine) the Black Bellied Plover does.not have a black belly. That is because it is in its winter plumage. When they make their back, they'll be showing off their distinctive breeding plumage.(I've yet to see one in this plumage)

One of my most amazing finds for this year is the rare and elusive Piping Plover. Just how rare they are? Well, they are listed as a federally endangered species with a Great Lakes population of about 32 breeding pairs. (There are more in the plains states and the Atlantic Coast). Yeah...whoa! Just how did I come across this rare sighting? It was a bit of a surprise actually! I was birding at Myers Park, searching for an accidental Northern Mockingbird when I ran into another birder there, taking pictures of a small flock of Willet (another good find). He told me of three Piping Plovers present at North Beach. Now, I was facing a dilemma. Keep searching for the mockingbird or find the Piping Plover? Well, mockingbirds are common in the southern states while the Piping Plovers are endangered. No brainer! Off I went to North Beach! There they were! Three CUTE little sparrow sized peeps scurrying around by the yacht club. AWESOME! This picture blow was taken at North Beach on 4/29/2013.

Apparently, these Piping Plovers were just passing through towards their breeding grounds in the Apostle Islands. They stayed on the North Beach, making their way towards English Street, for about a week. What surprised me the most was the lack of leg bands on this particular bird.

Coming soon... Sandpipers, stilts and other shorebirds. Happy birding!