Dateline: Huntington Beach, CA
It's pounding on the roof, bouncing off the sidewalks.
Rain!
Can't remember the last time... Before today the this year's (dating from July) total was less than 3".
It is pouring out there. Hurray! Keep it up!
Weather Report Link with Satellite Map
Friday, April 20, 2007
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Winter Storm Approaches
For the National Weather Service/NOAA's animated view
Woo Hoo! See storm system at left - I'm somewhere under the California edge of all that. No rain here yet, but you can see it's well on its way. You should see what's in back of all that out in the Pacific heading this way as well. "Pineapple Express" time? Yippee. Winter's here at last!
I was getting sooooo sick - literally - from all that Santa Ana weather nonsense as a high-pressure system kept persisting in the "Four Corners"/Nevada area spinning and pumping its nasty, dry, dirty, dusty wind through our mountain canyons, and unto me and mine. There's been a run on eyedrops around here this Winter, lots of respiratory problems as well which had nothing to do with viruses.
At last, rain - water - to ease the dryness, and to clean away the dirt, dust, and nastiness we've had to deal with most of the Winter. Thank God. Finally we're having our Winter/Rainy Season. (And back to normal.)
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Feds: Man planned to blow up Ill. mall
Feds: Man planned to blow up Ill. mall (AP)
This story is so odd. As a former resident of the Chicago area I'm familiar with Rockford.
It's one of the last places in the world anybody would want to blow up a mall.
In California terms it would be similar to blowing up a mall in say, Fresno, or Riverside...
Why would anybody bother with Fresno, Riverside - or Rockford?
The only thing I can figure is that the wannabe jihadist lived in the area. The Rockford mall was handy for him.
BTW, Rockford is far from being a hotbed for any kind of radicals of any sort, as I remember it. Republican, conservative, almost rural...
Strange story. Creepy story. Why concern ourselves with what's going on in Iraq when we've got terrorists right here at our own local non-descript (Rockford!) shopping malls.
Good thing there was a tipster and the Feds were on it. This is Homeland Security doing its job.
This story is so odd. As a former resident of the Chicago area I'm familiar with Rockford.
It's one of the last places in the world anybody would want to blow up a mall.
In California terms it would be similar to blowing up a mall in say, Fresno, or Riverside...
Why would anybody bother with Fresno, Riverside - or Rockford?
The only thing I can figure is that the wannabe jihadist lived in the area. The Rockford mall was handy for him.
BTW, Rockford is far from being a hotbed for any kind of radicals of any sort, as I remember it. Republican, conservative, almost rural...
Strange story. Creepy story. Why concern ourselves with what's going on in Iraq when we've got terrorists right here at our own local non-descript (Rockford!) shopping malls.
Good thing there was a tipster and the Feds were on it. This is Homeland Security doing its job.
Monday, November 20, 2006
News Corp. cancels O.J. Simpson book and special
News Corp. cancels O.J. Simpson book and special - MarketWatch
Good.
I've simply seen and heard too much of this guy, and I don't want to see/hear anything more about him again (well, except maybe a confession...?).
Good.
I've simply seen and heard too much of this guy, and I don't want to see/hear anything more about him again (well, except maybe a confession...?).
Friday, November 10, 2006
Students at Calif college ban Pledge of Allegiance
Students at Calif college ban Pledge of Allegiance - Yahoo! News (Reuters)
I can speak with some authority on this, as this college mentioned - Orange Coast College - is a part of the Coast Community College District, which employed me, and which all my children and myself attended. I've never been a part of Orange Coast College myself, although my son has attended that particular college for some of his courses.
It's just over in Costa Mesa. I've been there.
Since Orange County is, over-all, a rather conservative and Republican place, I would think that this incident is more college kids acting out than it is anything else. My guess is that 95% of the student body would not agree (and, generally, probably weren't even paying attention). It would rile the kids who are active conservatives. I can see some potential for conflict between the "No-Pledge kids" and the flag-waving types.
Welcome to O.C.
Speaking of student clashes, in recent times some Muslim and Jewish students have been clashing over at U.C. Irvine (University of California, Irvine campus). A tiny bit of the Middle East right here in O.C.? (Kinda weird, frankly. And, note, that overwhelmingly, O.C. is neither very Muslim nor very Jewish. Note, also, that The Crystal Cathedral is here, also the "Purpose-Driven Life" author/minister and his church. Go figure.) Again, college kids acting out?
Remember college campuses in the '60s?? (Of course, there was the draft then...)
An aside: Interesting election, eh?
I can speak with some authority on this, as this college mentioned - Orange Coast College - is a part of the Coast Community College District, which employed me, and which all my children and myself attended. I've never been a part of Orange Coast College myself, although my son has attended that particular college for some of his courses.
It's just over in Costa Mesa. I've been there.
Since Orange County is, over-all, a rather conservative and Republican place, I would think that this incident is more college kids acting out than it is anything else. My guess is that 95% of the student body would not agree (and, generally, probably weren't even paying attention). It would rile the kids who are active conservatives. I can see some potential for conflict between the "No-Pledge kids" and the flag-waving types.
Welcome to O.C.
Speaking of student clashes, in recent times some Muslim and Jewish students have been clashing over at U.C. Irvine (University of California, Irvine campus). A tiny bit of the Middle East right here in O.C.? (Kinda weird, frankly. And, note, that overwhelmingly, O.C. is neither very Muslim nor very Jewish. Note, also, that The Crystal Cathedral is here, also the "Purpose-Driven Life" author/minister and his church. Go figure.) Again, college kids acting out?
Remember college campuses in the '60s?? (Of course, there was the draft then...)
An aside: Interesting election, eh?
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The most, least dangerous U.S. cities
The most, least dangerous U.S. cities - Yahoo! News (AP)
Where is your city on this list?
This list ranks 371 American cities from safest to least safe.
What's surprising is that the cities you'd expect to be more dangerous, aren't; and the cities you'd expect to be safer, aren't. It breaks up a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions, frankly.
For example, New York City at #145 is safer than Salt Lake City, Sioux Falls, Austin, Raleigh, San Diego, and San Francisco. BTW, Los Angeles comes in at #250.
Unfortunately, Chicago seems to not be listed (I was wondering how my old hometown fared), also New Orleans is not listed.
Where is your city on this list?
This list ranks 371 American cities from safest to least safe.
What's surprising is that the cities you'd expect to be more dangerous, aren't; and the cities you'd expect to be safer, aren't. It breaks up a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions, frankly.
For example, New York City at #145 is safer than Salt Lake City, Sioux Falls, Austin, Raleigh, San Diego, and San Francisco. BTW, Los Angeles comes in at #250.
Unfortunately, Chicago seems to not be listed (I was wondering how my old hometown fared), also New Orleans is not listed.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
GAO chief warns economic disaster looms
GAO chief warns economic disaster looms - Yahoo! News (AP)
Really. That's not even an exaggeration.
Not the cheeriest news in the world, for sure.
But sometimes we have face unpleasant facts, then deal with them. It's about what really is, a.k.a our reality, and what we're going to do about it.
This GAO chief talks about reality, the reality all of us Americans are facing if we don't change our present course.
It's not pretty, it's not sexy, it's not cool, it's not fun.
His message is even full of numbers and rather dry reading. About as much fun as algebra was. And, when it sinks in, it's grim - stuff about our probable future you'd rather not hear or believe.
But, it makes perfect sense. I believe this guy. And, why not? He's the freaking accountant - essentially - for the United States! His long-term, appointed job is secure - he's not beholden to voters, bosses, or contributors. Unlike our politicians, he doesn't have to say what we want to hear, he can tell us what is. Truth. Reality. I'll add I've heard this guy present his message - same as in this article - on C-Span. It was some of the scariest TV I have ever watched. Note how C-Span will cover this guy - but will any commercial TV? Network? CNN? Even PBS? Heck no. It's not in their best interest, if you think about it ($$$ and political obligations).
Raise taxes? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Democrats.
Cut benefits and entitlements? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Republicans. And, especially not anyone in or approaching retirement. And what about the poor? The disabled?
This GAO chief also brings up those words we used to hear so often in the past, but not much any more:
The national debt (it's shocking and disturbing how much we owe China, as well as other countries)
The national deficit (worse than it's ever been)
Balanced budgets? A good thing for individuals, families - and our country.
(BTW, the average savings rate for Americans is a negative number. Common sense dictates that this cannot be a good thing and will eventually catch up with us.)
Basically, we need to get our financial house in order, which includes, ideally, not spending money we don't have. What a concept. And those who do have money, just may have to pay a bit more of it in taxes. Not unreasonable or unfair, really.
Also, winding down our involvement in Iraq would be one step in the right direction, IMHO.
So, we can clean up this mess - and we need to, starting ASAP. And, demand that this be a key issue in the 2008 election.
Really. That's not even an exaggeration.
Not the cheeriest news in the world, for sure.
But sometimes we have face unpleasant facts, then deal with them. It's about what really is, a.k.a our reality, and what we're going to do about it.
This GAO chief talks about reality, the reality all of us Americans are facing if we don't change our present course.
It's not pretty, it's not sexy, it's not cool, it's not fun.
His message is even full of numbers and rather dry reading. About as much fun as algebra was. And, when it sinks in, it's grim - stuff about our probable future you'd rather not hear or believe.
But, it makes perfect sense. I believe this guy. And, why not? He's the freaking accountant - essentially - for the United States! His long-term, appointed job is secure - he's not beholden to voters, bosses, or contributors. Unlike our politicians, he doesn't have to say what we want to hear, he can tell us what is. Truth. Reality. I'll add I've heard this guy present his message - same as in this article - on C-Span. It was some of the scariest TV I have ever watched. Note how C-Span will cover this guy - but will any commercial TV? Network? CNN? Even PBS? Heck no. It's not in their best interest, if you think about it ($$$ and political obligations).
Raise taxes? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Democrats.
Cut benefits and entitlements? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Republicans. And, especially not anyone in or approaching retirement. And what about the poor? The disabled?
This GAO chief also brings up those words we used to hear so often in the past, but not much any more:
The national debt (it's shocking and disturbing how much we owe China, as well as other countries)
The national deficit (worse than it's ever been)
Balanced budgets? A good thing for individuals, families - and our country.
(BTW, the average savings rate for Americans is a negative number. Common sense dictates that this cannot be a good thing and will eventually catch up with us.)
Basically, we need to get our financial house in order, which includes, ideally, not spending money we don't have. What a concept. And those who do have money, just may have to pay a bit more of it in taxes. Not unreasonable or unfair, really.
Also, winding down our involvement in Iraq would be one step in the right direction, IMHO.
So, we can clean up this mess - and we need to, starting ASAP. And, demand that this be a key issue in the 2008 election.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Latest SoCal Forest Fire
nbc4.tv - News - Fire Officials Say Arsonist Set Deadly Wildfire - from the Los Angeles NBC-TV affiliate late this afternoon.
This is a troubling day, obviously. First off, our weather forecast was for the Santa Anas to come back for the next three days, complete with wind warnings and "red flag" warnings.
Then I woke up this morning with a headache - I could tell the weather had changed.
Now, 10K+ acres burned, property lost - and worst of all, several firefighters killed while trapped in their fire truck, overwhelmed by 100-foot flames. And, this fire may be the result of arson. (Which means that these firefighters were murdered, and suspected arsonist(s) will face murder charges as well as arson.)
Bless these heroic and selfless firefighters. And bless the ones working right now on this fire.
Pray for them, and pray that this fire doesn't spread to the San Bernardino National Forest nearby.
Here in Coastal Orange County - downwind from the fire - I can feel the particles in the air, it's hard to breathe, I'm coughing, and there's a strange, thick, low-lying, dark-gray cloud on my Eastern horizon (that would be toward Riverside County where the fire is located.). It'll be another day when we have a sunset on both the eastern and western horizons.
This is a troubling day, obviously. First off, our weather forecast was for the Santa Anas to come back for the next three days, complete with wind warnings and "red flag" warnings.
Then I woke up this morning with a headache - I could tell the weather had changed.
Now, 10K+ acres burned, property lost - and worst of all, several firefighters killed while trapped in their fire truck, overwhelmed by 100-foot flames. And, this fire may be the result of arson. (Which means that these firefighters were murdered, and suspected arsonist(s) will face murder charges as well as arson.)
Bless these heroic and selfless firefighters. And bless the ones working right now on this fire.
Pray for them, and pray that this fire doesn't spread to the San Bernardino National Forest nearby.
Here in Coastal Orange County - downwind from the fire - I can feel the particles in the air, it's hard to breathe, I'm coughing, and there's a strange, thick, low-lying, dark-gray cloud on my Eastern horizon (that would be toward Riverside County where the fire is located.). It'll be another day when we have a sunset on both the eastern and western horizons.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Orange County Man Rises in Al Qaeda Ranks - Los Angeles Times
Orange County Man Rises in Al Qaeda Ranks - Los Angeles Times
Nothing like having a big shot in the Al Qaeda be from your own neighborhood...
Especially when your neighborhood is kind of a silly sunny place of surfers, hockey Ducks, baseball Angels, Mickey Mouse, Little Saigon, "The O.C.", The Crystal Cathedral... We have an airport we simply call "John Wayne"; Tiger Woods, as well as Steve Martin, is from here; celebrities/movie stars live in Newport and Laguna. A giant orange drops at midnight on our New Year's Eve. Our kids hang at "Knotts" and Disneyland. Or at the beach. We have a disportionate number of Olympic athletes, BTW.
Why turn to Al Qaeda?
Yeah, O.C. is about haves and have-nots. Yes, arguably, it's capitalism, as well as California, run amok. Yes, it leans to the right and is rather conservative. It's quite Christian - in both the best and worst ways. Home of the infamous "Minutemen." It's chock-full of illegal immigrants, BTW.
Orange County's a goofy, sunny (albeit smoggy) place.
But, I still don't get it. Not at all.
And, yes, the man's an American, which, considering his activity in Al Qaeda, makes him a traitor, I agree. He's an American who, sadly and unfortunately, has become an enemy of America.
Nothing like having a big shot in the Al Qaeda be from your own neighborhood...
Especially when your neighborhood is kind of a silly sunny place of surfers, hockey Ducks, baseball Angels, Mickey Mouse, Little Saigon, "The O.C.", The Crystal Cathedral... We have an airport we simply call "John Wayne"; Tiger Woods, as well as Steve Martin, is from here; celebrities/movie stars live in Newport and Laguna. A giant orange drops at midnight on our New Year's Eve. Our kids hang at "Knotts" and Disneyland. Or at the beach. We have a disportionate number of Olympic athletes, BTW.
Why turn to Al Qaeda?
Yeah, O.C. is about haves and have-nots. Yes, arguably, it's capitalism, as well as California, run amok. Yes, it leans to the right and is rather conservative. It's quite Christian - in both the best and worst ways. Home of the infamous "Minutemen." It's chock-full of illegal immigrants, BTW.
Orange County's a goofy, sunny (albeit smoggy) place.
But, I still don't get it. Not at all.
And, yes, the man's an American, which, considering his activity in Al Qaeda, makes him a traitor, I agree. He's an American who, sadly and unfortunately, has become an enemy of America.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Chavez says Bush 'alcoholic' and 'sick man'
Chavez says Bush 'alcoholic' and 'sick man' - Yahoo! News (AFP)
I'm no Bush fan, but what's with this guy?
Yesterday, Chavez referred to Bush as the "diablo" (devil) in front of the whole U.N. Now this crap today.
Has the man ever heard of diplomacy? Obviously not.
He's even dissing the man right in his own country.
I have to wonder what would happen if the shoe were on the other foot and Bush talked like this about Chavez while visiting his country, Venezuela...
Reminds me of long ago when the angry Soviet Premier Khrushchev, while at the U.N., actually took his shoe off and started banging it on his desk for emphasis.
All very strange. All remarkably not diplomatic. These are not "class" acts, and not what you expect from world leaders.
I'm no Bush fan, but what's with this guy?
Yesterday, Chavez referred to Bush as the "diablo" (devil) in front of the whole U.N. Now this crap today.
Has the man ever heard of diplomacy? Obviously not.
He's even dissing the man right in his own country.
I have to wonder what would happen if the shoe were on the other foot and Bush talked like this about Chavez while visiting his country, Venezuela...
Reminds me of long ago when the angry Soviet Premier Khrushchev, while at the U.N., actually took his shoe off and started banging it on his desk for emphasis.
All very strange. All remarkably not diplomatic. These are not "class" acts, and not what you expect from world leaders.
U.S. Health-Care System Gets a "D"
U.S. Health-Care System Gets a "D" - Yahoo! News (BusinessWeek online)
Nothing surprising in this article, but it does confirm what I'vd suspected from my own experiences and observations.
We've got some good doctors and some good medicine, but our (the U.S.'s) health delivery system is pretty bad.
Worst of all, perhaps, are the many uninsured who can't afford health care, so they do without what they really need.
Our country can do better!
Nothing surprising in this article, but it does confirm what I'vd suspected from my own experiences and observations.
We've got some good doctors and some good medicine, but our (the U.S.'s) health delivery system is pretty bad.
Worst of all, perhaps, are the many uninsured who can't afford health care, so they do without what they really need.
Our country can do better!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
House passes bill to make voters show ID
House passes bill to make voters show ID - Yahoo! News
Good!
Why not?
From the article:
Nonsense! My fellow Democrats embarrass me (they do a lot in recent years...). If one doesn't have a driver's license, one needs to get a photo I.D. It's not that hard to get, and it's needed for all kinds of things.
This article also discusses the border fence. Perhaps a good idea. Probably.
But, how to pay for it? Seriously - where will the money come from?
Something to consider also - what about our other border? This border-fencing is about homeland security, isn't it?
Good!
Why not?
From the article:
But Democrats assailed the legislation, saying it could hurt minorities,
the poor and the elderly — groups that tend to vote Democratic — who might have
trouble producing a photo identification.
Nonsense! My fellow Democrats embarrass me (they do a lot in recent years...). If one doesn't have a driver's license, one needs to get a photo I.D. It's not that hard to get, and it's needed for all kinds of things.
This article also discusses the border fence. Perhaps a good idea. Probably.
But, how to pay for it? Seriously - where will the money come from?
Something to consider also - what about our other border? This border-fencing is about homeland security, isn't it?
Friday, September 15, 2006
Tainted spinach traced to California
Tainted spinach traced to California - Yahoo! News (AP)
Bummer.
But, seriously, though - time to toss your bagged raw spinach into the trash. E Coli...!
This is not a California thing really - we just grow a heckuva lot of food and drink here.
Bummer.
But, seriously, though - time to toss your bagged raw spinach into the trash. E Coli...!
This is not a California thing really - we just grow a heckuva lot of food and drink here.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
How to Dissuade Yourself from Becoming a Blogger - WikiHow
How to Dissuade Yourself from Becoming a Blogger - WikiHow
This is rich. : )
Frankly, there are, if you stop to think about it, far too many blogs (also websites). No one has enough life, let alone inclination to read 99.9% of them.
For example, do I have any blogs I read on a daily basis? No. Weekly? No.
Okay, and where am I saying all this?! In a freakin' blog!
(We bloggers are impossible.)
This is rich. : )
Frankly, there are, if you stop to think about it, far too many blogs (also websites). No one has enough life, let alone inclination to read 99.9% of them.
For example, do I have any blogs I read on a daily basis? No. Weekly? No.
Okay, and where am I saying all this?! In a freakin' blog!
(We bloggers are impossible.)
Friday, September 08, 2006
Steve Irwin; Stingrays
I was shocked and saddened by Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin's sudden death, as most of us were. Such an alive guy to be dead - almost unbelievable. He will be missed by many - me included. At least he died doing what he loved... Too soon, though!
About the stingrays... We've got stingrays here in California. I've even seen them - little ones that fishermen(persons?) have pulled up onto the local pier (along with baby sharks!).
The local T.V. news pointed out that Seal Beach has been called Ray Beach - because of its many stingrays.
In fact, we Californians, at least us in the South, have to keep stingrays in mind ourselves. As mentioned in the news in relation to Irwin's death, the stingrays can be found in the shallows so it's a good idea to shuffle your feet on the ocean bottom (making a bit of a commotion) so the stingrays will notice you and flee. Both you and the stingrays will be better off.
As mentioned in the news, stingrays are not usually considered dangerous. Most often they'll sting you on the feet or ankles and you'll hurt like heck, but you'll otherwise be all right. Irwin came across a big one which felt cornered and which stung Irwin in his heart (!), of all places. Yes, a freak accident.
BTW, wasn't Irwin planning to come out here to catch the infamous Reggie the alligator...?
About the stingrays... We've got stingrays here in California. I've even seen them - little ones that fishermen(persons?) have pulled up onto the local pier (along with baby sharks!).
The local T.V. news pointed out that Seal Beach has been called Ray Beach - because of its many stingrays.
In fact, we Californians, at least us in the South, have to keep stingrays in mind ourselves. As mentioned in the news in relation to Irwin's death, the stingrays can be found in the shallows so it's a good idea to shuffle your feet on the ocean bottom (making a bit of a commotion) so the stingrays will notice you and flee. Both you and the stingrays will be better off.
As mentioned in the news, stingrays are not usually considered dangerous. Most often they'll sting you on the feet or ankles and you'll hurt like heck, but you'll otherwise be all right. Irwin came across a big one which felt cornered and which stung Irwin in his heart (!), of all places. Yes, a freak accident.
BTW, wasn't Irwin planning to come out here to catch the infamous Reggie the alligator...?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Calif. to cap greenhouse gas emissions
Calif. to cap greenhouse gas emissions - Yahoo! News (AP)
Good for our state government. Sacramento's been doing a better job lately. My goodness, even got the state budget in on time, something atypical.
Good for Arnold. (He has been getting much better at being governor. Good thing for him, too, considering he wants to get re-elected this November.)
Good for everyone about this greenhouse emissions cap, really, considering how much crap California pumps into the atmosphere. (Let's be honest - it really does. It really, really does. Consider our notorious SoCal air quality, for just one thing.)
Good for our state government. Sacramento's been doing a better job lately. My goodness, even got the state budget in on time, something atypical.
Good for Arnold. (He has been getting much better at being governor. Good thing for him, too, considering he wants to get re-elected this November.)
Good for everyone about this greenhouse emissions cap, really, considering how much crap California pumps into the atmosphere. (Let's be honest - it really does. It really, really does. Consider our notorious SoCal air quality, for just one thing.)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Data show one in eight Americans in poverty
Data show one in eight Americans in poverty - Yahoo! News (Reuters)
This is troubling.
Especially the part about one in five children under the age of six now living in poverty.
Elsewhere in the article it's clear that the divide between the haves and the have-nots continues to grow.
On the positive side (the "haves" side of the story?), the American real median household income rose 1.1 % - now being over $46K
This is troubling.
Especially the part about one in five children under the age of six now living in poverty.
Elsewhere in the article it's clear that the divide between the haves and the have-nots continues to grow.
On the positive side (the "haves" side of the story?), the American real median household income rose 1.1 % - now being over $46K
Monday, August 28, 2006
Bolsa Chica Wetlands and the Pacific Meet Again - Los Angeles Times
Bolsa Chica Wetlands and the Pacific Meet Again - Los Angeles Times
This is a huge deal.
The Bolsa Chica Wetlands are being returned to their natural state - joined to the ocean - for the first time in over 100 years.
Hurray!
God bless the Amigos of Bolsa Chica for their decades of hard effort. (They're proof of what can happen when you care and believe and don't give up!)
This is a huge deal.
The Bolsa Chica Wetlands are being returned to their natural state - joined to the ocean - for the first time in over 100 years.
Hurray!
God bless the Amigos of Bolsa Chica for their decades of hard effort. (They're proof of what can happen when you care and believe and don't give up!)
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