Not another snow post

Here's the thing: I have three boxes of cables, cords, power supplies, and adapters in a cupboard in the cellar. There are some other stray items because they really should stay with their parent gadgets. That cheapo DVD player, for example, deserves its own video and audio cable set. And that scanner from two thousand-ought-three that I only use when I have to scan 35mm slides, well, it needs its power cord and USB cable.
Mostly, though, all of the cords are in those three boxes. Except for the spare USB cables that I keep in my briefcase, the ones for my phone and for my iPod. But, anyway, as I was saying, I've got all of this stuff and when I needed a 3.5mm audio cable so that I could connect my phone to a desktop radio so that I could have better sound for Internet radio stations, I went looking for said 3.5mm and couldn't find it.
It's there. I know it's there because I remember having one for my office back in 2002. Even at Walmart, you have to pay $10 because they don't have the cheap ones. A slew of Internet outlets will sell me one for less than the price of the postage, but that would take days to arrive.
As a result, for this snow day, I'm going to bring all three boxes from the cellar, spread out all of the stuff, toss some of the many duplicates, and find that audio cable.

I probably won't throw out that Intel audio player with 256MB of memory, enough for four albums which was enough for the red-eye from California. And that powered FM antenna that never did much good; it probably should go, but it might come in handy. You get the idea. I'll give it my best, though, and try to get the three boxes o' stuff down to two, never forgetting the goal of finding the blessed 3.5mm cable.

Not another snow post

Here's the thing: I have three boxes of cables, cords, power supplies, and adapters in a cupboard in the cellar. There are some other stray items because they really should stay with their parent gadgets. That cheapo DVD player, for example, deserves its own video and audio cable set. And that scanner from two thousand-ought-three that I only use when I have to scan 35mm slides, well, it needs its power cord and USB cable.
Mostly, though, all of the cords are in those three boxes. Except for the spare USB cables that I keep in my briefcase, the ones for my phone and for my iPod. But, anyway, as I was saying, I've got all of this stuff and when I needed a 3.5mm audio cable so that I could connect my phone to a desktop radio so that I could have better sound for Internet radio stations, I went looking for said 3.5mm and couldn't find it.
It's there. I know it's there because I remember having one for my office back in 2002. Even at Walmart, you have to pay $10 because they don't have the cheap ones. A slew of Internet outlets will sell me one for less than the price of the postage, but that would take days to arrive.
As a result, for this snow day, I'm going to bring all three boxes from the cellar, spread out all of the stuff, toss some of the many duplicates, and find that audio cable.

I probably won't throw out that Intel audio player with 256MB of memory, enough for four albums which was enough for the red-eye from California. And that powered FM antenna that never did much good; it probably should go, but it might come in handy. You get the idea. I'll give it my best, though, and try to get the three boxes o' stuff down to two, never forgetting the goal of finding the blessed 3.5mm cable.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 15 suspicious items this week.]
Holden
Monday, January 3
12:57 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Reservoir St.
1:31 a.m. People in business parking lot looking for directions to Worcester hotel, Main St.
7:50 a.m. Caller reporting suspicious vehicle on Brentwood Rd.; advised all set; private investigator checked in with PD
8:15 a.m. Caller reports hired help hasn’t shown up yet; arrived while on phone
9:11 a.m. Boulder in road, Union St.
4:48 p.m. Caller advises officer took his cellphone on West Boylston St.; advised to contact appropriate PD
6:00 p.m. Caller wondering if there have been any accidents involving her husband
6:03 p.m. Caller saw horse five minutes ago; wondering if anyone else reported it
6:05 p.m. Worcester PD calling about missing horse; they received calls about one on West Mountain St.
9:46 p.m. Worcester PD reports horse found, is with Auburn PD if anyone calls
9:47 p.m. Caller reports cars parking in roadway overnight, Fairhill Rd.
10:23 p.m. Report of someone shining laser from apartment, Main St.
Tuesday, January 4
2:01 p.m. Loose dog, Main St.
3:30 p.m. Father at station about ongoing issue with daughter and boyfriend
4:34 p.m. Caller advises vehicles parked on Mayflower Cir., difficult to drive safely
4:50 p.m. Walk-in reports lost ring may be on Craig’s List for sale
Wednesday, January 5
9:37 a.m. 911 call from elevator at high school; mistake
12:45 p.m. Party taking pictures of gas station; all set
3:56 p.m. Report of motor vehicle being driven aggressively, Main St.
5:07 p.m. 911 call from elevator at high school; student stuck there for two minutes, door just opened
5:26 p.m. Sawhorse left in roadway, Holden St.
6:28 p.m. Kitten found
Thursday, January 6
1:57 a.m. Report of unusual amount of smoke on Main St.; OK, just business baking
4:33 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
6:49 a.m. Potential road rage, vehicle forcing cars into oncoming travel lane, Boyden Rd.
1:06 p.m. Trash in road, N. Main St.
2:46 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at Eagle Lake
8:28 p.m. Beer cans found at Dawson Recreation area
Friday, January 7
7:15 a.m. Caller’s daughter having trouble
crossing Main St. near high school; traffic won’t
stop for crosswalk
11:08 a.m. Report of truck speeding every day on Princeton St.
11:38 a.m. 911 call about car tailgating, Main St.
2:33 p.m. Homeless man reported, Reservoir St.
9:36 p.m. Officer waved down by party on Main St.; wants to discuss domestic issue
11:33 p.m. Three males rang doorbell and hid in bushes, Birchwood Dr.
Saturday, January 8
12:26 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked halfway in roadway, Bullard St.
2:04 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Shrewsbury St.
9:16 a.m. License plate left in mailbox at post office
7:28 p.m. 911 report of male who rang doorbell and asked to use phone, Salisbury St.
9:57 p.m. Heavily intoxicated male found by side of Reservoir St.
Sunday, January 9
10:37 p.m. Suspicious person, Main St.

Paxton
Monday, January 3
8:03 a.m. Disabled bus, Holden Rd./Bel Arbor Dr. Bus is en route to pick up kids
8:51 a.m. Missing black and yellow Labrador, N. West Rd.
5:28 p.m. Summons served, Pleasant St.
6:32 p.m. Summons served, Holbrook Ln.
Tuesday, January 4
10:18 a.m. Suspicious person in driveway of home, Dunanderry Way. Person delivering item
Wednesday, January 5
10:08 a.m. Child locked inside bathroom, Shanandoah Dr.
3:38 p.m. Two horses roaming around Pond St. Police walk animals to their home
Thursday, January 6
12:32 a.m. Vehicle struck deer, Camp St. Deer ran into woods
7:32 a.m. Caller reports raccoon sitting in Crowningshield Rd.
Friday, January 7
9:24 a.m. Possible illegal burn, West St. Police advise person to extinguish fire
10:44 a.m. Possible illegal burning continuing, West St. Smoke only
5:15 p.m. Suspicious black vehicle, someone throwing bottles onto roadway, Wilde Wood Dr.
Saturday, January 8
3:48 p.m. Assist person requesting burn permit, Pleasant St.
5:03 p.m. Speeding pickup truck, person honking horn at other vehicles, Pleasant St.
8:50 p.m. Black vehicle going in and out of traffic lanes, Pleasant St./Lincoln Cir.
Princeton
Monday, January 3
9:15 a.m. Person at station complaining about neighbor’s barking dog, Worcester Rd.
7:28 p.m. Caller complaining about dog in her yard, Hubbardston Rd. Owner fined $50
Tuesday, January 4
2:20 p.m. Assist Westminster PD at accident in front of ski area, Mountain Rd. Accident started in Princeton, ended in Westminster
5:20 p.m. Missing black cat, Hubbardston Rd.
8:20 p.m. Police remove rock and tree from road, Sterling Rd.
Wednesday, January 5
12:45 a.m. Police follow vehicle having mechanical difficulties to Rutland town line, Brooks Station Rd.
7:12 p.m. Abandoned 911 call. Police respond and speak with staff at ski area, Mountain Rd.
Thursday, January 6
6:55 a.m. Report of no power, Mountain Rd.
8:44 a.m. Black poodle followed person out running, Brooks Station Rd. Owner notified
2:02 p.m. Speeding white Volvo, driving too close, Mountain Rd.
Friday, January 7
12:03 a.m. Suspicious vehicle and open gate at club, Houghton Rd. Found to be member
4:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with loud exhaust. Male exited vehicle and walked up Hubbardston Rd.
5:13 p.m. Caller requesting traffic control due to speeding vehicles, Ball Hill Rd.
8:19 p.m. Report of gunshots, Gregory Rd.
Saturday, January 8
5:27 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, deer struck, E. Princeton Rd.
Sunday, January 9
2:28 p.m. Sterling PD request assistance at scene of vehicle partially in water, Lucas Rd.

Rutland
Monday, January 3
9:49 a.m. Car at gas station rolled into fence at Dunkin’ Donuts
6:00 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Marjorie Ln.
10:08 p.m. Person in lobby to leave bag of jewelry for his sister-in-law; family dispute
Tuesday, January 4
12:12 p.m. Landlord to speak with officer about unwanted guests in his rental units
3:55 p.m. Complaint about local hair salon. Owner refusing to honor package that was paid for and is operating without a license. Advised it is a civil matter.
Wednesday, January 5
12:32 a.m. Suspicious auto, Main St.
7:36 a.m. Request for welfare check for dog that appears to have been left in the cold
4:34 p.m. Stray dog in yard, Bushy Ln.
6:31 p.m.Vehicle parked by trailer, Pommogussett Rd. Advised to leave.
11:08 p.m. Man en route to River Rd. to repossess car
Thursday, January 6
8:13 a.m. State DPW called about trash in road, Main St./Glenwood Rd.
11:01 a.m. Erratic driver, E. County Rd.
11:44 p.m. Woman on Maple Ave. advising someone is on apartment deck, attempting to gain access and knocking on door. Passerby saw a cat try to get into apartment, knocked on the door and attempted to open it.
Friday, January 7
9:59 a.m. Disabled vehicle blocking driveway of Health Center, Maple Ave.  vehicle owner is uncooperative.
7:07 p.m. Officer requesting owner to remove vehicle from road, Wachusett St.
Saturday, January 8
8:00 a.m. Central Mass Search & Rescue will train at State Park, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
7:58 p.m. Officer out with Charter Communications troubleshooting downed line
Sunday, January 9
3:58 p.m. Report of snowmobile dragging dog behind sled, Cool Sandy Beach area. Snowmobiles on ice, no dog spotted
Sterling
Monday, January 3
9:46 a.m. Animal control officer assisting with injured cat, Worcester Rd.
11:11 a.m. Copper bars from cell tower stolen Chocksett Rd.
12:37 p.m. Caller reporting truck in driveway, took mailbox, ran over curb, dragged trash bag. Person there to repair mailbox
12:46 p.m. Large black dogs running loose, causing havoc, Laurelwood Rd.
2:27 p.m. German shorthaired pointer wearing underground fence collar in yard, Bean Rd.
4:13 p.m. Caller reports multiple road rage cars, 1-190N/Rte. 2
Tuesday, January 4
9:30 a.m. Two missing Labrador dogs, Redstone Pl. Later found
10:41 a.m. Plows missing from property, Chocksett Rd.
12:29 p.m. Young couple, possible domestic, on foot on Rte. 62 headed toward Rte. 140.
Wednesday, January 5
9:06 a.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Fox Run Rd.
3:00 p.m. Escort services, Worcester Rd.
Thursday, January 6
11:19 a.m. Stray beagle in back yard, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
1:59 p.m. Stray orange tiger cat in neighborhood, Bean Rd.
2:08 p.m. Dog found on Pratts Jct. Rd. Owner found
9:02 p.m. Vehicle behind building, Pratts Jct. Rd. Leominster PD looking for
same. Alcohol, weapon taken from vehicle
9:11 p.m. Call about male out of control, walking down the road, police search area around Rte. 140, Beaman Rd., Johnson and Greenland Rds. Person not found
Saturday, January 8
4:24 a.m. Suspicious people in building, Worcester Rd.
11:40 a.m. Car in driveway with trunk open for long time, groceries still inside,
Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
3:18 p.m. Caller concerned about people on W. Waushacum Pond. Doesn’t believe ice is safe
4:50 p.m. Rapid-fire gunshots, Beaman Rd.
Sunday, January 9
2:08 p.m. Caller reporting ongoing issue with neighbor’s dog, Griffin Rd.
8:35 p.m. Caller reports explosion and sparks, Laurelwood Rd.
9:04 p.m. Domestic disturbance

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 15 suspicious items this week.]
Holden
Monday, January 3
12:57 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Reservoir St.
1:31 a.m. People in business parking lot looking for directions to Worcester hotel, Main St.
7:50 a.m. Caller reporting suspicious vehicle on Brentwood Rd.; advised all set; private investigator checked in with PD
8:15 a.m. Caller reports hired help hasn’t shown up yet; arrived while on phone
9:11 a.m. Boulder in road, Union St.
4:48 p.m. Caller advises officer took his cellphone on West Boylston St.; advised to contact appropriate PD
6:00 p.m. Caller wondering if there have been any accidents involving her husband
6:03 p.m. Caller saw horse five minutes ago; wondering if anyone else reported it
6:05 p.m. Worcester PD calling about missing horse; they received calls about one on West Mountain St.
9:46 p.m. Worcester PD reports horse found, is with Auburn PD if anyone calls
9:47 p.m. Caller reports cars parking in roadway overnight, Fairhill Rd.
10:23 p.m. Report of someone shining laser from apartment, Main St.
Tuesday, January 4
2:01 p.m. Loose dog, Main St.
3:30 p.m. Father at station about ongoing issue with daughter and boyfriend
4:34 p.m. Caller advises vehicles parked on Mayflower Cir., difficult to drive safely
4:50 p.m. Walk-in reports lost ring may be on Craig’s List for sale
Wednesday, January 5
9:37 a.m. 911 call from elevator at high school; mistake
12:45 p.m. Party taking pictures of gas station; all set
3:56 p.m. Report of motor vehicle being driven aggressively, Main St.
5:07 p.m. 911 call from elevator at high school; student stuck there for two minutes, door just opened
5:26 p.m. Sawhorse left in roadway, Holden St.
6:28 p.m. Kitten found
Thursday, January 6
1:57 a.m. Report of unusual amount of smoke on Main St.; OK, just business baking
4:33 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
6:49 a.m. Potential road rage, vehicle forcing cars into oncoming travel lane, Boyden Rd.
1:06 p.m. Trash in road, N. Main St.
2:46 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at Eagle Lake
8:28 p.m. Beer cans found at Dawson Recreation area
Friday, January 7
7:15 a.m. Caller’s daughter having trouble
crossing Main St. near high school; traffic won’t
stop for crosswalk
11:08 a.m. Report of truck speeding every day on Princeton St.
11:38 a.m. 911 call about car tailgating, Main St.
2:33 p.m. Homeless man reported, Reservoir St.
9:36 p.m. Officer waved down by party on Main St.; wants to discuss domestic issue
11:33 p.m. Three males rang doorbell and hid in bushes, Birchwood Dr.
Saturday, January 8
12:26 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked halfway in roadway, Bullard St.
2:04 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Shrewsbury St.
9:16 a.m. License plate left in mailbox at post office
7:28 p.m. 911 report of male who rang doorbell and asked to use phone, Salisbury St.
9:57 p.m. Heavily intoxicated male found by side of Reservoir St.
Sunday, January 9
10:37 p.m. Suspicious person, Main St.

Paxton
Monday, January 3
8:03 a.m. Disabled bus, Holden Rd./Bel Arbor Dr. Bus is en route to pick up kids
8:51 a.m. Missing black and yellow Labrador, N. West Rd.
5:28 p.m. Summons served, Pleasant St.
6:32 p.m. Summons served, Holbrook Ln.
Tuesday, January 4
10:18 a.m. Suspicious person in driveway of home, Dunanderry Way. Person delivering item
Wednesday, January 5
10:08 a.m. Child locked inside bathroom, Shanandoah Dr.
3:38 p.m. Two horses roaming around Pond St. Police walk animals to their home
Thursday, January 6
12:32 a.m. Vehicle struck deer, Camp St. Deer ran into woods
7:32 a.m. Caller reports raccoon sitting in Crowningshield Rd.
Friday, January 7
9:24 a.m. Possible illegal burn, West St. Police advise person to extinguish fire
10:44 a.m. Possible illegal burning continuing, West St. Smoke only
5:15 p.m. Suspicious black vehicle, someone throwing bottles onto roadway, Wilde Wood Dr.
Saturday, January 8
3:48 p.m. Assist person requesting burn permit, Pleasant St.
5:03 p.m. Speeding pickup truck, person honking horn at other vehicles, Pleasant St.
8:50 p.m. Black vehicle going in and out of traffic lanes, Pleasant St./Lincoln Cir.
Princeton
Monday, January 3
9:15 a.m. Person at station complaining about neighbor’s barking dog, Worcester Rd.
7:28 p.m. Caller complaining about dog in her yard, Hubbardston Rd. Owner fined $50
Tuesday, January 4
2:20 p.m. Assist Westminster PD at accident in front of ski area, Mountain Rd. Accident started in Princeton, ended in Westminster
5:20 p.m. Missing black cat, Hubbardston Rd.
8:20 p.m. Police remove rock and tree from road, Sterling Rd.
Wednesday, January 5
12:45 a.m. Police follow vehicle having mechanical difficulties to Rutland town line, Brooks Station Rd.
7:12 p.m. Abandoned 911 call. Police respond and speak with staff at ski area, Mountain Rd.
Thursday, January 6
6:55 a.m. Report of no power, Mountain Rd.
8:44 a.m. Black poodle followed person out running, Brooks Station Rd. Owner notified
2:02 p.m. Speeding white Volvo, driving too close, Mountain Rd.
Friday, January 7
12:03 a.m. Suspicious vehicle and open gate at club, Houghton Rd. Found to be member
4:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with loud exhaust. Male exited vehicle and walked up Hubbardston Rd.
5:13 p.m. Caller requesting traffic control due to speeding vehicles, Ball Hill Rd.
8:19 p.m. Report of gunshots, Gregory Rd.
Saturday, January 8
5:27 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, deer struck, E. Princeton Rd.
Sunday, January 9
2:28 p.m. Sterling PD request assistance at scene of vehicle partially in water, Lucas Rd.

Rutland
Monday, January 3
9:49 a.m. Car at gas station rolled into fence at Dunkin’ Donuts
6:00 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Marjorie Ln.
10:08 p.m. Person in lobby to leave bag of jewelry for his sister-in-law; family dispute
Tuesday, January 4
12:12 p.m. Landlord to speak with officer about unwanted guests in his rental units
3:55 p.m. Complaint about local hair salon. Owner refusing to honor package that was paid for and is operating without a license. Advised it is a civil matter.
Wednesday, January 5
12:32 a.m. Suspicious auto, Main St.
7:36 a.m. Request for welfare check for dog that appears to have been left in the cold
4:34 p.m. Stray dog in yard, Bushy Ln.
6:31 p.m.Vehicle parked by trailer, Pommogussett Rd. Advised to leave.
11:08 p.m. Man en route to River Rd. to repossess car
Thursday, January 6
8:13 a.m. State DPW called about trash in road, Main St./Glenwood Rd.
11:01 a.m. Erratic driver, E. County Rd.
11:44 p.m. Woman on Maple Ave. advising someone is on apartment deck, attempting to gain access and knocking on door. Passerby saw a cat try to get into apartment, knocked on the door and attempted to open it.
Friday, January 7
9:59 a.m. Disabled vehicle blocking driveway of Health Center, Maple Ave.  vehicle owner is uncooperative.
7:07 p.m. Officer requesting owner to remove vehicle from road, Wachusett St.
Saturday, January 8
8:00 a.m. Central Mass Search & Rescue will train at State Park, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
7:58 p.m. Officer out with Charter Communications troubleshooting downed line
Sunday, January 9
3:58 p.m. Report of snowmobile dragging dog behind sled, Cool Sandy Beach area. Snowmobiles on ice, no dog spotted
Sterling
Monday, January 3
9:46 a.m. Animal control officer assisting with injured cat, Worcester Rd.
11:11 a.m. Copper bars from cell tower stolen Chocksett Rd.
12:37 p.m. Caller reporting truck in driveway, took mailbox, ran over curb, dragged trash bag. Person there to repair mailbox
12:46 p.m. Large black dogs running loose, causing havoc, Laurelwood Rd.
2:27 p.m. German shorthaired pointer wearing underground fence collar in yard, Bean Rd.
4:13 p.m. Caller reports multiple road rage cars, 1-190N/Rte. 2
Tuesday, January 4
9:30 a.m. Two missing Labrador dogs, Redstone Pl. Later found
10:41 a.m. Plows missing from property, Chocksett Rd.
12:29 p.m. Young couple, possible domestic, on foot on Rte. 62 headed toward Rte. 140.
Wednesday, January 5
9:06 a.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Fox Run Rd.
3:00 p.m. Escort services, Worcester Rd.
Thursday, January 6
11:19 a.m. Stray beagle in back yard, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
1:59 p.m. Stray orange tiger cat in neighborhood, Bean Rd.
2:08 p.m. Dog found on Pratts Jct. Rd. Owner found
9:02 p.m. Vehicle behind building, Pratts Jct. Rd. Leominster PD looking for
same. Alcohol, weapon taken from vehicle
9:11 p.m. Call about male out of control, walking down the road, police search area around Rte. 140, Beaman Rd., Johnson and Greenland Rds. Person not found
Saturday, January 8
4:24 a.m. Suspicious people in building, Worcester Rd.
11:40 a.m. Car in driveway with trunk open for long time, groceries still inside,
Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
3:18 p.m. Caller concerned about people on W. Waushacum Pond. Doesn’t believe ice is safe
4:50 p.m. Rapid-fire gunshots, Beaman Rd.
Sunday, January 9
2:08 p.m. Caller reporting ongoing issue with neighbor’s dog, Griffin Rd.
8:35 p.m. Caller reports explosion and sparks, Laurelwood Rd.
9:04 p.m. Domestic disturbance