The perils of free trade

The US government said it is planning to relax the ban on imported meats which prevents the sale of haggis.
- BBC News - US planning to relax haggis ban

If the Scots made Spam^® from sheep, haggis would be made of the part of the sheep that would be rejected for Spam^®.

The dish is traditionally served with neeps and tatties on Burns night (25 January).

More on the Burns Supper here - Burns Supper - History Feature on the Traditional Burns Supper.

And, for that special effect, it's best to don the traditional festive garb.

Better than some

Northeastern metros—led by New York and Worcester— actually saw poverty rates in their primary cities decline, while collectively their suburbs experienced a slight increase.
- The Suburbanization of Poverty - Brookings Institution

via Metro Area Profile

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 16 suspicious items this week.]

Monday, January 11

12:17 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Shrewsbury St.
2:07 a.m. Walk-in thinks sibling is secretly taping him
10:38 p.m. Young male tried to pass counterfeit bill at business, Main St.

Tuesday, January 12

12:46 a.m. Parents contacted for rides home
2:47 a.m. Several individuals in trailer with flashlights, Industrial Dr.
2:58 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Holden St.
4:00 p.m. Sewer pump backing up into building, Main St.

Wednesday, January 13

12:53 a.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Industrial Dr.
1:33 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Main St., nobody around
6:52 a.m. Vehicle running, unoccupied all evening, Country Hill Rd.

3:07 p.m. Caller looking for ride home; advised PD doesn’t provide transport
10:28 p.m. Suspicious person walking up and down Brennan Way

Thursday, January 14

12:08 a.m. Suspicious unoccupied vehicle parked near business, Shrewsbury St.,
2:20 p.m. Motorist flagged down officer with found property
8:50 p.m. Suspicious party in car using laptop across from home for half-hour, Kris Allen Dr.

Friday, January 15

2:33 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
11:56 a.m. Elderly driver may be traffic issue, Shrewsbury St.
3:13 p.m. 911 report of individuals in parking lot smoking marijuana, Main St.; gone on arrival
5:00 p.m. Suspicious person in back yards, High St.; says he’s looking for dog

Saturday, January 16

12:40 p.m. Neighbor disposing trash in caller’s container
4:49 p.m. Items missing from fire box at business, Main St.; may be with electricians
9:52 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Fisher Rd.

Sunday, January 17

12:27 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.
1:36 a.m. Complaint about vehicle consistently parked on street overnight
3:05 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot, Main St.
3:23 a.m. Vehicles parked at Trout Brook; OK, Scout troop camping in field
3:21 p.m. Possum walking around Laurel Wood Ln.; doesn’t look sick
7:37 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot with lights on, Main St.; no one inside

Paxton

Thursday, January 14

4:42 p.m. Person at station to advise police of upcoming estate sale on Pleasant St. with potential for lot of traffic

Friday, January 15

6:55 a.m. Suspicious person standing across road from bus stop, Pleasant St.
11:12 a.m. Attempt to deliver restraining order, Richards Ave.
1:20 p.m. Attempt to deliver restraining order, Richards Ave.
6:49 p.m. Police respond to request they check female with firearm, Brigham Rd. Police take custody of firearm
8:25 p.m. Restraining order issue, person is in jail, Richards Ave.
10:42 p.m. Mattress fell off truck, police assist removing it from roadway, Pleasant St./Eugenia Ln.

Saturday, January 16

No calls for service

Sunday, January 17

4:17 p.m. 911 abandoned call, police confirm everything all set, Burtenmar Cir.

Princeton

Monday, January 11

8:04 a.m. Traffic control duty, Sterling Rd.
9:12 a.m. Notification, Ball Hill Rd.
11:30 a.m. Caller asking to speak with officer regarding incident on Main St.

Thursday, January 14

11:20 a.m. Caller requesting to speak with officer about city of Worcester trespassing and putting rocks on private property, Old Mill Rd.
11:45 a.m. Golden retriever hit by vehicle and injured, Fitchburg Rd. Owner picked up dog
4:25 p.m. Caller requesting extra radar patrols on Ball Hill Rd.
5:16 p.m. Traffic control duty, Ball Hill Rd.

Saturday, January 16

1:15 p.m. Caller reports female fell, Mountain Rd.
4:58 p.m. Police unlock gate on Mountain Road so vehicle can be removed
5:33 p.m. Request for traffic control for speeders, Ball Hill Rd.
5:50 p.m. Traffic control duty, Ball Hill Rd.

Rutland

Monday, January 11

8:19 a.m. Police asked to check whether someone will pick up belongings of youth sent to hospital, Main St.
12:18 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer, Main St.
1:29 p.m. Report that vehicle is parked in front of fire hydrant, Watson Ln.
3:30 p.m. Traffic safety issue, Main St.
4:57 p.m. Warrant issued, person no longer at address, Main St.

Tuesday, January 12

4:20 a.m. 911 hang-up, confirmed misdial, Winifreds Way
8:30 a.m. Caller complaining about traffic congestion at bus stop, John Robert Dr./Carly Cir.
6:37 p.m. Person complaining about neighbor with vehicles parked all over Hickory Dr.

Wednesday, January 13

1:00 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about family issue, Main St.
6:04 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.

Thursday, January 14

11:00 p.m. Caller complaining about loud music from another apartment, Maple Ave.
11:22 p.m. Complaint about loud music from apartment, Maple Ave.

Friday, January 15

9:22 a.m. Police respond to burglar alarm; all set, person working on system, Main St.
1:50 p.m. Vehicle crossing centerline, on sidewalk, slamming on brakes, Main St.
3:55 p.m. Attempt to serve restraining order, Pleasantdale Rd. No such address found
6:00 p.m. Request that police check home, Watson Ln.
8:15 p.m. Request to check home, Watson Ln.

Saturday, January 16

11:23 a.m. Assist citizen concerned how company got her phone number, Skyline Dr.
1:52 p.m. Request for animal control officer, female followed by dog for two miles, going after her dog, Kenwood to Turkey Hill Rd.
2:15 p.m. Report of three ATVs on Demond Pond
2:50 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about person parked near his property, Muschopauge Rd.

Sunday, January 17

8:48 a.m. Request police put out extra cones for no-parking, large crowd expected at church, Main St.
11:19 a.m. Small dog running in road, almost got hit, Prescott St.
12:53 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, police access vehicle, Miles Rd.
4:33 p.m. Field investigation
5:45 p.m. Assist citizen, Main St.
10:21 p.m. People in driveway beeping horn, Welch Ave.
11:11 p.m. Approximately 20 cars stopped on Rte. 56 and another 30 backed up on Miles Rd., waiting for plow.

Sterling

Monday, January 11

8:26 a.m. Person going door-to-door looking for lost gloves, Beaman Rd.
7:54 p.m. Lost Nintendo system to be returned to owner, Leominster Rd.

Tuesday, January 12

8:33 a.m. Caller asking that animal control officer pick up dead bird on her deck, Cole Rd. Caller will take care of it
10:37 a.m. 911 hang-up, child playing with phone, Newell Hill Rd.
2:05 p.m. Dog bite, Albright/Flannagan Hill Rds. Dog up-to-date on shots but will be quarantined for 10 days
3:45 p.m. Deceased cat in roadway, Clinton Rd.
9:50 p.m. Large hunting-type dog on back porch of home, Boutelle Rd.
10:00 p.m. Two males dressed in black loitering in front of bank, Main St.
10:16 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about vehicle in town, Leominster Rd.
11:30 p.m. Person found older golden Labrador-type dog near Sterling Nursery. Owner found and will be fined

Wednesday, January 13

9:28 a.m. Officer wanted, Boutelle Rd.
10:03 a.m. Caller reports male sitting in vehicle in her driveway for quite some time, Clemence Ave.
2:37 p.m. Stray dog at house, Redstone Hill Rd., owner located, will pick up dog
7:23 p.m. Suspicious pickup truck parked in Redstone Hill Rd.

Friday, January 15

4:10 p.m. Attempt to deliver message, Redemption Rock Trl.

Saturday, January 16

11:19 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
12:23 p.m. Person at station with two young girls found in Leominster, got lost walking in woods, Leominster Rd.

Sunday, January 17

6:36 a.m. Caller ran out of gas, near Chocksett Rd.
9:41 a.m. Caller reports bobcat walked through her yard, Tuttle Rd.

They use these words like they're real words

New FDIC Study Shows One in Four U.S. Households Currently Unbanked or Underbanked -
FDIC: Press Releases - PR-216-2009 12/2/2009

The study, which is the most comprehensive survey to date of the unbanked and underbanked, reveals that more than one quarter (25.6 percent) of all households in the United States are unbanked or underbanked and that those households are disproportionately low-income and/or minority.

unbanked

no dictionary results -- http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unbanked

underbanked

Of, relating to, or being a new security issue for which the managing underwriter has difficulty obtaining commitments from other underwriters. -- http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/underbanked

Good works done well

Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief

We hadn't planned to watch the whole Hope for Haiti telethon but we couldn't turn away.^[1]
The performers were humble, respectful, earnest. They did what was asked of them, which was to bring their A-game on short notice, and then stepped aside.

• High point - Chris Rock with Muhammed Ali.
  
• Musical high point - Justin Timberlake with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."
  
• Low point - the voice in my head saying, "Who is that?" "Why don't they introduce these people?" "Let's see. I know Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock and that other guy looks familiar. What's his name?"
  
• "I'll bet that Anderson Cooper says, "This is Anderson Cooper from CNN," when he calls his mother.
  

^[1] I did take a brief spin around the channels, long enough to see Karl Rove bloviating about something on Hannity's FoxNews show. Heck, even the Weather Channel joined in the simulcast.

More on SCOTUS decision regarding campaign finance laws

There's a lot of discussion regarding Citizens United V. Federal Election
Commission (link to SCOTUS decision), discussion by people are alternately smart, ideologically-blinded by rage, bewitched, bothered, and bemildred.

So, just two quick observations based on a quick read of the decision itself (all 183 pages), a good summary on the Wall Street Journal site, Court Rolls Back Campaign Spending Limits - WSJ.com, and some other sources.

1. On the same day that the Supreme Court reversed a number of decisions with regard to the regulation of corporate speech, Secretary of State Clinton made a speech on Internet freedom at the Newseum, in which she said,
   
   

   Countries that censor news and information must recognize that from an economic standpoint, there is no distinction between censoring political speech and commercial speech. If businesses in your nations are denied access to either type of information, it will inevitably impact on growth. -- Remarks on Internet Freedom
   

   Sounds a lot like the rationale used by the Supreme Court majority in striking down campaign spending limits.
   The issue of corporate personhood is a subtext in the dissent and in some of the deliberations; the Court pretty much affirmed that corporations are people with regard to First Amendment rights.
   
   
2. During his confirmation hearings, now-Chief Justice John Roberts made certain that the Senate Judiciary Committee knew that he knew what stare decisis meant and that it was a key principle in judicial review.
   Except, as we've seen in this case, where it isn't so important.
   

We're Number 63

#63, I-290, Worcester, MA
Weekly hours of bottleneck congestion: 20
Worst bottleneck: Westbound, Hwy 9/Exit 17
Length of worst bottleneck: .37 mi
Weekly hours of congestion on worst bottleneck: 9
Speed of worst bottleneck when congested: 23 mph
Commuter Buzz: “The MAJOR problem with these Highways is not the roads themselves but the JERKS who drive on it,” one driver posted under an article on the Worcester Telegram & Gazette website about the need for physical improvements on the I-290. “Weaving in and out, riding your butt even if you're going 80, 85 mph.”

America's 75 Worst Commutes - The Daily Beast

C'mon, folks. Our local commute is less worse than Providence's? Boise City's? You're not even trying.

Live free, but don't be happy working there. Or here.

Fortune has published its list of 100 best companies for which to work^[1]. There are several in eastern Massachusetts. New Hampshire and points west of Middlesex County in Massachusetts are uncontaminated by these best companies.



via 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010

Friends don't let friends, wait. what?

• Yesterday morning, friends Pete and Mildred were in their motel room in upstate New York. They are on a trip from Maine to visit family and friends in the Midwest. When they heard the news about Massachusetts election, they asked themselves, who can we call to annoy?
  They called me.
• When I called a customer yesterday morning and asked how she was doing, she said, "Great."
  Expecting to learn about some progress with our project, she said that her happiness was about the election.
• When Sandra and I voted on Tuesday, a man holding a Scott Brown sign stopped us. I was wearing a sweatshirt from son Mike's company which the sign-holder recognized. He wanted to talk about Joseph's Project, our non-profit that delivers food to families in the Wachusett area. He belonged to a local American Legion and wanted to make sure that we're getting all the support that we need.

So, how come we're surrounded by all these nice folks, including two sons, who are Republicans? And, you know, I can't tell if it's because of something we've done wrong or something we've done right.

Dueling aphorisms

"You never step into the same river twice"

"Doing the same thing again, expecting different results."

A year ago, we were all hopeful 'n stuff. Change was upon us and change was going to be good.
Well, change came alright. A lot of the change has been good. Some has not been so good. Some of the change was that kind of four-wheel skid so that you're going backwards and forwards at the same time. It's been that kind of year, writ large for the nation, writ small for one guy.
Shortly, I'll take another run at a course on legal research and writing at one of my almae matres, Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. I started the same class at the Mount last January and, well, I was ready for some things, but not every thing.
This time around, I've finished a course in business law at Quinsig in the fall semester, worked as consultant on various web projects, and lived through some, um, interesting times with family.My expectations about myself are much more reasonable now.
I used to think that reasonable expectations was code for mediocrity and maybe it is. Still, I can't go back to the Mount without thinking about my good friend, Don. We took classes there after he got back from Vietnam and after I got back from wherever. He died a few years back after decades of PTSD, alcoholism, stuff he took to war with him, stuff he found in war and couldn't leave behind, stuff that ambushed him when he got back. I can't be sure, but I suspect that Don would love to have another chance to do things with reasonable expectations again.
So, I'm grateful for another chance, this among so many other chances that I've had.

this one could end up with a dead intern ...

While most Republicans and a lot of others are still dancing in the street, Glenn Beck sounds an alarm about our new senator:

"Listen. I want to chastity belt on this man. I want his every move watched in Washington. I don't trust this guy. I'm just telling ya. "
Glenn Beck: MA Yes! But big problems...

 Scott Brown offers his daughters to a grateful nation. (See at about 8:30 into the clip.)

Via Scott Brown Acceptance Speech in Massachusetts .

Lest we forget

While the TV, blog, and Twitter channels are clogged with news and nonsense regarding Scott Brown's upset victory in the Massachusetts special Senate election, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit again this morning.

via http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Maps/10/285_20.php


Details about the quake here: Magnitude 6.1 - HAITI REGION

Whoever wins will be my senator

I'm expecting that a renewed sense of urgency among Massachusetts Democrats and independents will lead to the election of Martha Coakley to complete Ted Kennedy's term.
I also know that, as a citizen of this town, commonwealth, and nation, I have made a commitment to share in this glorious experiment with all, be they pointy-headed liberals, three-alarm wingnuts, and those in between.

Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter
His empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows
-- Salt of the Earth Written By Jagger/Richards

That means abiding by the outcome and continuing to fight the good fight.

via Pogo In Pandemonia: Some is More Equal Than Others

All elections are this important. We often just don't notice it.

How not not to be found

via Karl Hakkarainen's Phillipston Blog

Normally, I don't like bothering guys who are ice fishing for just the reason that Sandra had suggested. A guy who goes out into the middle of a lake in the winter is usually someone who enjoys his own company and his own thoughts.
But, ice fishermen have a public service to perform. Actually, a couple. One is to let the civilians know how thick the ice is. We need to know these things because it's a gauge of the winter so far. The other service, of course, is to let any passer-by know how the fishing is.
He was fine with it. He reported that he'd thrown back quite a few small perch, but he had a couple of edible-size fish on the ice, fish that Marley thought were very interesting, indeed. This was the fisherman's first visit to the lake, so he'd just picked a spot that looked promising. He asked about the location of the deeper water. This selection had good depth, but I also pointed to a couple of other areas to try.
On the first point, two guys and one gal confirmed that the ice in the north middle part of Queen Lake is, at most, 10 inches thick. Given the long stretches of cold we've had so far, I'd expected more, but that's what we have.
After a few minutes, we returned to shore, leaving the fisherman to his quiet. Walking was easiest where there was a little bit of snow. You couldn't, however, always trust what you were seeing. An old fishing hole 10 or 20 feet away let water seep underneath, turning what looks like hard-packed snow into a slushy mess.
None of the fishing holes were too close to one another, so the surface hadn't been weakened. Later in the evening, I talked with son Adam and mentioned that my father used to say that you could drive a truck across six inches of ice and that I'd only known my father to fall through the ice once. Adam asked if my father came up with the six inches per truck rule before or after he'd fallen in.
All was in good order in and around the camp. As we reached the parking lot by the boat house, Sandra received a call on her cell phone. It was from the National Organization for Marriage, asking if she supported Scott Brown for Senate and if she supported nationwide gay marriage. After giving answers that should reduce the likelihood of future such calls, Sandra and I walked back to the car. If you interrupt someone else's quiet time, karma says that you should be prepared to have a dose of the same.

And if 50 people a day ...

Not that I'm paranoid, but I've been intrigued by the different Scott Brown ads that show up on different sites.
The one on the Boston Globe's site is straight-forward:

via Boston.com 4:30PM EST 17-Jan-2010



While the one at WingNuts Daily urges us to Join The Movement:

via wnd.com 4:30PM EST 17-Jan-2010

Back to a nerdy site, such as Slashdot:

via slashdot.org 4:30PM EST 17-Jan-2010

And then over to Wormtown Taxi:

via wormtowntaxi.com 4:30PM EST 17-Jan-2010

Suburban liberal street cred - old school

It's not like we marched with the Wobblies or were co-signers of the Port Huron Statement, but we sent a few bucks to  worthy causes.

---

The corollary to Newton's First Law says that stuff in the attic tends to stay in the attic unless you make a deliberate and almost maniacal effort to get it out of there. The most recent extraction is a box of canceled checks from the late 80s and early 90s. It's a fascinating exercise to see how we spent our money, writing checks from now-defunct banks people and enterprises that were so very important at the time.

Walking from there to here

Originally posted at Walking from there to here

Much of the way, we walk single-file and quietly. There's no sidewalk from the Rutland line to the Route 68 intersection. Even through Jefferson, the sidewalk is narrow and, in some cases, still unplowed. Traffic was light, so we didn't have to shout to be heard.
Deer tracks in the snow on the roadside paralleled our steps for a half mile, occasionally disappearing down into a steep gully and to the open water of a small stream, and then returning, only to disappear again into the corn fields near Millbrook Road.
The woods still show the ravages of the ice storm, broken and uprooted trees out of the way but not out of sight.
Holden Hills has a sign urging people to think about their spring golf needs while young families were sliding and laughing on the snowy incline between the 11th and 12th fairways.
Sandra grew up in Holden and so brings stories to these houses along the way. At this one, a childhood friend who used to live here had a child with special needs and spent the next many years helping this little girl toward as normal a life as possible. That one used to be the nicest in house in town. You could tell by the architectural details that it had fine bones, but the clapboards now ache for refreshment and the fence along the side yard is falling upon itself.
Our plan is to walk the four segments of roadway that meet in the center of town. Last week, we walked up South Main. Soon we'll take on the segments that connect Holden with Princeton and Paxton. Each section is about an hour's walk and tells different part of the story of the town.
We walked on Thursday morning and so saw the NECN and Channel 5 news trucks hurry up to Rutland to bring us stories of the good news about Britney Gengel, that she was safe in Haiti, good news that, a day later, would be taking away and replaced ten-fold by fear.
Houses, as with the families within, are on their way up, on their way down, or just keeping on. The house that a friend's daughter owned a decade ago now needs fresh paint. A throughly deflated Santa lay on the front lawn of a ranch house. Even under the hard-frozen snow, you can see that many families have worked hard on their landscaping, making a yard and garden where there had been just rocks and overgrowth.
The new public safety building is coming along nicely. There is, however, little other construction going on for new, renovation, or repair projects. We didn't see a lot of the urgent For Sale signs that were so common a year or two ago. The economy, it seems, has stopped getting bad, but hasn't quite yet found its way to getting good.
So, it's noteworthy that a young couple would start a new old business. We had lunch in the Holden Spa, reopened by a young couple just this week. They're starting slowly, announcing their opening with just a flag outside the storefront. It gives them a chance to work through the details of the menu and familiarize themselves with the renovated and brightly-painted counter and dining area and the rear kitchen.
Starting a business requires at least twice the money and three times the energy that you'd planned. We can point with pride to those who take those risks and say that this how America grows. Without them, we'd have no place for a cup of coffee and a hot meal after a walk from the edge of town.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 14 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

via front page of The Landmark, January 14, 2010

Monday, January 4

12:00 a.m. Vehicle observed leaving Mountview School
7:53 a.m. Pole struck, Princeton St.
8:58 a.m. Trash receptacles disrupting traffic, Shrewsbury St.
11:29 a.m. Caller reports someone cut him off in traffic
1:59 p.m. Phone line down, Reservoir St.
4:04 p.m. Caller with questions about unreported accident
6:37 p.m. Customer left gas station and forgot to pay
8:49 p.m. Caller reports no water in building; advised to call landlord about possible frozen pipes

Tuesday, January 5

12:21 a.m. Male with restraining order against him is at business on Reservoir St.; OK, he works there
6:07 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout with engine running, Scott Terr.
8:18 a.m. Motor vehicle passed school bus with flashers on, Main St.
9:13 a.m. Tree crew work disrupting flow of traffic, Reservoir St.
3:50 p.m. Joggers ran in front of cars, Main St., one jogger almost hit
8:22 p.m. Injured bicycle rider can’t make it home from Reservoir St.

Wednesday, January 6

1:39 a.m. Suspicious vehicles behind building, Shrewsbury St.; OK, working in building
6:09 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle at Dawson Recreation area; looking for place to park for the day
9:15 a.m. Neighbor complaining about dogs
1:16 p.m. Report of inferior wash at car wash; advised to contact owner of business
2:36 p.m. Box lost off truck, probably on Main St.
3:27 p.m. Anonymous caller reporting poor driving habits on Main St.
5:59 p.m. Truck asked to move along, Salisbury St.

Thursday, January 7

1:46 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Salisbury St.
2:47 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Salisbury St.


1:19 p.m. 911 hang-up; just looking for phone number
2:17 p.m. Barking complaint, Sterling Rd.

7:40 p.m. Caller reports overhearing teens who stole money from Holden officer at gym; money recovered
8:21 p.m. Branch or deer hit car, Salisbury St

Friday, January 8

10:07 a.m. Dog attacked by another dog and owner threatening owner, Main St.
12:49 p.m. Bank reporting irate customer
4:12 p.m. Found money dropped off at police station

Saturday, January 9

10:36 a.m. Aggressive driver reported headed north on Main St.

11:52 a.m. Christmas tree in road, Main St.

Sunday, January 10

12:54 a.m. Suspicious female walking on Rte. 68; just likes walking
1:21 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle at Mayo School; just star gazing

10:45 a.m. Black dog loose in yard, Mason Rd.
12:56 p.m. Black dog found, N. Main St.

3:48 p.m. Coyote in area of Courtney Dr.
6:26 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle behind Mountview; OK, man walking dog

Paxton

Monday, January 4

7:15 p.m. Truck blocking southbound lane, West St.

Tuesday, January 5

2:17 p.m. Person at station for assistance, locked out of residence, Crestwood Rd.
5:26 p.m. Loose dog, Village Rd.
6:54 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Camp St.

Thursday, January 7

2:29 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, South/ Marshall Sts.
3:30 p.m. Female at station to speak with officer regarding gunshots near her property, Pleasant St.

Friday, January 8

8:12 a.m. 911 hang-up; child playing with phone

Princeton

Monday, January 4

7:50 p.m. Caller reports suspicious vehicle in front of his house, Hickory Dr.

Tuesday, January 5

8:22 a.m. Officer investigation, Town Hall Dr.

Wednesday, January 6

10:08 p.m. Assist Westminster PD checking out area of Gates Road for black pickup truck involved in road rage incident that involved a gun

Thursday, January 7

4:30 p.m. Dog with Fitchburg tags chewing through fence to get at chickens, Wheeler Rd.

Saturday, January 9

6:36 p.m. Caller wants police to advise people not to snowshoe on her property, Stagecoach Rd.

Sunday, January 10

11:31 a.m. 911 hang-up call. Child playing with phone, Rte. 140 N
5:21 p.m. Man and woman having loud argument, Esty Rd.
9:56 p.m. Missing black Labrador, Ball Hill Rd. Dog later returned

Rutland

Monday, January 4

3:05 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer, Main St.
4:04 p.m. Two-car motor vehicle accident, Main St.. Found it’s in Holden
8:16 p.m. Person at station with phone found at mall in Worcester. Owner located

Tuesday, January 5

9:39 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
12:52 p.m. Two loose dogs in neighborhood, Sycamore Dr. Ongoing issue
2:38 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
3:46 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout at business, Main St.
4:40 p.m. Person at station to pick up police report, Main St.
5:15 p.m. Police assist with motor vehicle lockout, Maggies Way

Wednesday, January 6

12:01 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.

7:34 a.m. Suspicious unattended motor vehicle near kids at bus stop, Jamie Anne Dr./Irish Ln.
8:51 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked at intersection, Main St./Ten Rod Rd.
9:48 a.m. Computer monitor in Fishermans Rd.
9:54 a.m. Person from Texas at station to speak with officer about resident who didn’t pay him for a dog he bought, Main St.
3:31 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.

Thursday, January 7

10:12 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
1:25 p.m. Complaint about dogs in yard at home on Summerhill Dr. Ongoing issue
9:45 p.m. Person having neighbor issue and wants an officer, Maple Ave.

Friday, January 8

1:48 p.m. Five-gallon diesel fuel cans in Pleasantdale Rd.
1:56 p.m. Caller wants information regarding previous call, Maple Ave.
2:22 p.m. Trees on wires, Intervale Rd.

Saturday, January 9

11:47 a.m. Caller requesting assistance, locked herself out of apartment, Main St.

Sunday, January 10

4:50 a.m. Disturbance, loud noise, Maple Ave.

Sterling

Monday, January 4

10:02 a.m. Suspicious activity, Redemption Rock Trl.
10:07 a.m. Person dropped off keys found in field off Rte. 62 across from manufacturing business
11:24 a.m. Officer wanted regarding snow pushed into Cole Rd.
2:35 p.m. Suspicious email, Leominster Rd.

4:15 p.m. Nintendo game found in parking lot, Main St.

Wednesday, January 6

7:45 a.m. Request officer to be present in case angry female shows up at Town Hall, Park St.
7:50 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle trying to make its way down Chocksett, Albright Rds.
6:28 p.m. Puppy found, red collar with blue flowers, Sandy Ridge Rd. Lancaster Animal Control Officer picking up dog

Thursday, January 7

10:12 a.m. Stray blond Labrador-type dog in neighborhood, Rowley Hill Rd.
10:15 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, Princeton Rd. Two females transported to Clinton
10:35 a.m. Stray dog wandering near highway, Mortimer Rd. Owner later found
11:18 a.m. Caller wants to speak with officer regarding work crew on property, Patriots Way
12:39 p.m. Stray dog bothering workers on Justice Hill, Hardscrabble Rds.

Friday, January 8

8:35 a.m. Lancaster animal control officer found young dog that may live in Sterling, Leominster Rd.
11:20 a.m. Large puppy, possibly golden retriever, staying in roadway, Princeton/Beaman Rds.
11:25 a.m. Injured mourning dove, Bean Rd.
2:01 p.m. Dog in middle of roadway, appears disoriented, Redemption Rock Trl.
10:26 p.m. Assist members of the Worcester Gang Unit, Bean Rd.

Saturday, January 9

3:24 p.m. Male wearing ski mask walking dog in Osgood Rd. area; caller wants police to check

Sunday, January 10

11:15 a.m. Caller reports two dogs in her yard, Fitch Rd.

R.I.P. Huck 1913-2007

This sounds like almost a good idea

Machine Translates Thoughts into Speech in Real Time

By implanting an electrode into the brain of a person with locked-in syndrome, scientists have demonstrated how to wirelessly transmit neural signals to a speech synthesizer. The "thought-to-speech" process takes about 50 milliseconds - the same amount of time for a non-paralyzed, neurologically intact person to speak their thoughts. The study marks the first successful demonstration of a permanently installed, wireless implant for real-time control of an external device.

Which means that we're not too far from the day when our thoughts are no longer private.

"If women knew, if they even had the slightest idea of what men were thinking, they'd never stop slapping us."~Larry Miller

As the title of this journal says, ...

On Friday afternoon, I received a note from a friend, alerting me to job that would be a good match for me.

It's a part-time job, working from home on projects related to technical documentation standards, requiring a particular software configuration and broadband access. I have good setup for working from home, along with the other software and such.

So, on Saturday, I reviewed my resume with the plan to highlight my experience in these particular areas. In the process, I discovered a couple of grammatical and typographical errors. They weren't errors of fact, but errors in presentation.
You know the old joke, about to celebrate its centenary, "What worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm in an apple?"
I'd recently sent my resume in response to a few job postings and those copies had these errors.
I know how it happened. Each time I make changes to my resume, I wind up needing to tweak it in several places to keep it within the two-page limit. Adding working experience with a certain content management system or with PHP or Flash or Twitter means that something else has to come out.
For a while, I've used a functional resume that puts more emphasis on skills and experience and less on chronology. Age discrimination is a real presence in the job market. It's a challenge to show that one has 25 years of experience with UNIX without saying that one has been working with UNIX for 25 years.
Recently, however, I had a conversation with a trusted recruiter who said that most employers still want to see a work history.
As a result, in the process trimming this, adding that, and moving these items to the first page, it's pretty much guaranteed that there will be a few slips of the keyboard. No excuses, but it happens..5
Rule #1 of any kind of writing, of course, is using the spell-checker. The errors that I found, however, were things that a spell-checker wouldn't have caught.
No excuses, though.
This evening, I received a robo-rejection email regarding one of the jobs I'd sought. I can't be sure if the rejection was due to the flawed resume, my age, or, most likely, another candidate who was better than me. I get to learn something from each reason. And, as we know, learning life's lessons is just so much fun.

Happy 14th Birthday, Krista

Photo swiped from her Facebook page. It's time for us to see her as she sees herself, not just the way we want to see her.

Minds like an open window, sometimes

Both of my parents had good ideas, but operated on different planes. My mother lived and loved the life of the mind, celebrating books and ideas and discussions and people gathered for that purpose. My father saw life's fulfillment in a job well done, finding a good value for a product or service, finding satisfaction in the elegance of the basics.
Back in the 50s, my mother started a group that would bring her joy for the rest of her life, a Great Books discussion group in Westminster. It started in a rather formal framework, based on the classics from the Great Books Foundation. Over the years, the group drifted from the rigors of classical literature and on to books of their own choosing.
For most of its time, the Great Books group met in people's homes. There would be a light meal or just a snack. Sometimes, just a handful of people would gather; in other times, they might have a couple dozen.
Although our house was pretty much finished during this time, there was always more work to be done.
One summer evening, it was my mother's turn to host the group. It was a hot evening, so all of the awning windows had to be open.
It was also an evening when my father found a great deal and so arranged for delivery of a truckload of fresh manure that he'd use to fertilize the new front lawn.

An American tune

Downstairs in the Goodnow-Pearson building in Gardner, you take a 45 rpm record a listening booth and, for the two minutes and and change, be transported into the world of rock-and-roll.
The listening booth at Goodnow's wasn't the first place I'd heard Hound Dog. Maybe it was the radio in the Studebaker pickup. I didn't have a radio in my room yet. My parents kept the clock radio tuned to WBZ/WBZA, which had a regular lineup of disc jockeys and played a lot of rock and roll.
Most likely, though, I heard Hound Dog at the homes of one of the older kids in the neighborhood, the ones who had their own record players and stacks of 45s from Elvis, Little Richard, Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, and more.
Hound Dog was the first Elvis song that I knew. The longer and more complex story of how important he was or wasn't is best left for another day.
Just think about a little and very white kid in an enclave of first and second generation immigrants listening to a white kid from the south cover a song of anger and betrayal written by a couple of Jews and first heard when sung by black woman and you'll be thinking about America.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 13 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

[Editor's note - Special bonus item from the Telegram.com - Holden police: Recycled metals fed public works fund]

Monday, December 28

12:58 a.m. Suspicious male wearing all-dark clothing, walking on Doyle Rd.; transported
9:14 a.m. Animal quarantine, Woodland Rd.
9:51 a.m. Shrewsbury/Main Sts. traffic lights not functioning
10:05 a.m. Aluminum stolen over the weekend, Industrial Dr.
11:39 a.m. Caller reports unwanted people in garage, Holden St.; OK, looking at house to be auctioned
8:48 p.m. 911 accidental call from WRHS elevator
9:08 p.m. Suspicious vehicle behind building at Eagle Lake beach, Hilltop Ave.

Tuesday, December 29

12:08 a.m. Suspicious person in parking lot, Main St.
10:04 a.m. Hunters who’d shot deer asked homeowner if they can go through her yard; told them no
4:32 p.m. Garbage on side of Malden St.
6:55 p.m. 911 hang-up, Manning St.; child playing with phone
8:34 p.m. Senior having trouble resetting Lifeline

Wednesday, December 30

9:36 a.m. 911 accidental; child playing with phone
11:49 a.m. Two dogs chasing cars, Manning St.
1:07 p.m. 911 hang-up, Reservoir St.; no problem
2:33 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Holden St.; OK, driver unfamiliar with area
4:28 p.m. Suspicious truck loading, Thorny Lea Rd.; OK, doing work for homeowner
7:45 p.m. No power, Crestview Dr. area

Thursday, December 31

12:43 p.m. Caller concerned about earlier accidental 911 call from landline hardly ever used
7:22 p.m. Several calls about loud bang before losing power, Mason Rd.
10:40 a.m. What appears to be cable wire hanging in road, Bullard St.
11:03 a.m. Caller regarding legitimacy of Police Family Services phone call
2:38 p.m. 911 hang-up, Highland St.; OK, trying to call 411
9:22 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Jamieson Rd.

Friday, January 1

12:57 a.m. Five people walking on Rte. 68 carrying alcohol; appear to be intoxicated
8:17 a.m. Caller wants to speak to officer on duty, refuses to say why
10:32 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Village Way

Saturday, January 2

12:41 a.m. Black Lab missing, Stonehouse Hill Rd.
8:04 a.m. Oakwood Ext. resident reporting rusty water
8:27 a.m. Several requests by DPW to have vehicles moved from road for snow removal
9:26 a.m. Mass. State Police reports unrestrained dog, Holden St.
9:40 a.m. Caller inquiring if PD accepts stuffed animals
2:35 p.m. Mother and children advised to stay off train tracks, Bailey Rd.
5:25 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout at Carr Pond
7:40 p.m. Caller asking why daughter’s vehicle towed

Sunday, January 3

12:40 a.m. Vehicles obstructing traffic, Main St..
2:29 a.m. Towle Dr. resident complaining about loud party next door
4:11 a.m. Vehicle parked on Shrewsbury St. needs to be removed
5:19 a.m. Guardrail piece missing, Main St.
5:25 a.m. Vehicle door wide open, Glenwood St.; OK, problem with latch
9:25 a.m. Lockout of running motor vehicle, Main St.
11:33 a.m. Several requests for motor vehicles to be removed so DPW can plow
2:34 p.m. DPW reports person blowing snow back into Wachusett St.
4:54 p.m. Complaint about trash barrels blocking sidewalk, Shrewsbury St.
5:10 p.m. Two calls reporting dog in road, Holden St.; owner retrieved
6:25 p.m. Pine Haven Dr. resident reports road unplowed

Paxton

Monday, December 28

1:09 a.m. Suspicious male walking down Richards Ave.
9:56 a.m. Request for officer to verify vehicle, West St.
11:30 a.m. Caller reporting gun shots, Pleasant St.
3:35 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about suspicious vehicle on Hemlock, Red Oak Ln.

Tuesday, December 29

10:37 p.m. Suspicious truck outside home, West St.

Wednesday, December 30

5:00 a.m. Possible water main break, Asnebumskit/ Crestwood Rds.
10:57 a.m. Caller reports trees being cut down behind houses, Baxter Road
6:28 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Forestdale Rd.

Friday, January 1

4:44 p.m. Report of large hole in road in area of Keep Ave.

Saturday, January 2

8:30 a.m. Parking violation, vehicle impeding snowplowing, Lancelot Dr.
12:10 p.m. Report of someone stuck in an elevator in Worcester. Referred to Worcester PD
4:42 p.m. 911 hang-up call. All set, child playing with phone, Pleasant St.

Sunday, January 3

9:30 a.m. Report of dog running in traffic, Pleasant St.

Princeton

Monday, December 28

5:15 p.m. Individuals on ATVs deliberately driving in front of plow on numerous occasions, Sharon Dr.
6:34 p.m. Assist fire personnel at scene of oven fire, Rte. 140 S
11:35 p.m. Person at station reports he hit deer, E. Princeton/Mirick Rds.

Tuesday, December 29

8:18 a.m. Vehicle skidded into mailbox during night, hubcap left behind, Rhodes Rd.
9:34 a.m. Officer removed limb blocking travel lane, Rte. 140 N
6:00 p.m. Officer transports driver of vehicle to home in Westminster

Wednesday, December 30

No calls for service

Thursday, December 31

12:20 p.m. Westminster PD requests transport home for three Princeton residents involved in motor vehicle accident
12:46 p.m. Truck stuck on Gregory Hill Rd. impeding both lanes of traffic. Officer unable to find vehicle

Friday, January 1

3:35 p.m. Person lost two sleds from back of pickup truck, Rte. 62 between Princeton and Sterling
3:40 p.m. Officer spoke to individual about snow piled in middle of Fitchburg Rd.

Saturday, January 2

5:20 a.m. Request for highway department, townwide
11:24 a.m. Report of ATVs driving around, Havenwood Dr.
3:11 p.m. 911 hang-up, Calamint Hill Rd. N. Child playing with phone

Sunday, January 3

12:55 a.m. Officer responds to burglar alarm, Worcester Rd. All OK.
10:51 a.m. Motor vehicle stuck in snow drifts in middle of Bullock Ln.
6:30 p.m. Motor vehicle struck moose, Rte. 140 N
8:01 p.m. Assist fire dept., Westminster Rd.
8:32 p.m. Broken water pipe at building, Westminster Rd.

Rutland

Monday, December 28

8:08 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, Prison Camps near ruins
8:39 a.m. Report of vehicle off the road in Rutland, found to be Causeway St., Holden
9:51 a.m. Caller upset her phone was shut off. Advised to call phone company, Peters Ave.
1:10 p.m. Water coming from abandoned home, cellar full of water to the rafters, Johnson Way
11:53 p.m. Burlington, Vermont PD wants to speak with officer regarding student from Rutland school, Miles Rd.

Tuesday, December 29

8:30 a.m. Vehicle lockout, engine running, Barre Paxton Rd.
9:00 a.m. Resident complaining about shots fired, Lowry Ln.
9:05 a.m. Glare ice at Main/Naquag Sts. Vehicles sliding onto Main St.
11:52 a.m. Snowmobile in middle of pond with no one around, Martin’s Pond off Pommogussett Rd.
11:57 p.m. Injured deer on side of E. County Rd.

Wednesday, December 30

5:43 a.m. Officer removes debris from Turkey Hill Rd.
3:41 p.m. Officer checks on repeated 911 call, Miles Rd.
4:56 p.m. Caller reports two dogs barely moving, out on ice all day, Dakota Trl. Owner advised to get dogs shelter
8:30 p.m. Annoying phone calls, Watson Ln.

Thursday, December 31

3:07 p.m. Caller reports someone cutting trees on private, MDC land, Ware Rd.

Friday, January 1

8:44 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
1:42 p.m. Ongoing complaint about two loose dogs in yard, Hickory Dr.
2:35 p.m. Older black Labrador found in woods off Ridge Rd. at Princeton line. Brought out by sled; dog missing for days
4:57 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
4:58 p.m. Caller wants to speak about ongoing issues with police officer, Main St.
5:26 p.m. Caller filing complaint about personnel in police and dispatch department, Main St.
6:46 p.m. Caller requesting information of where to send complaint, says dispatcher is uncooperative and wants it logged, Main St.

Saturday, January 2

6:15 a.m. Assist other agency, motor vehicle in way of plows, Maple Ave.
7:02 a.m. Vehicles need to be moved for plowing, Jamie Ann Dr.
7:28 a.m. Assist DPW getting vehicles moved so plows can get through, Blair Dr.
9:02 a.m. Malnourished owl, Brintnal Dr.
9:31 p.m. Suspicious person in front of home, Maple Ave. Wants officer to check

Sunday, January 3

5:16 a.m. Holden PD reports section of guardrail missing, Main St.
7:21 a.m. Parking violation, impeding snow removal, Orchard Hill Dr.
7:48 a.m. Parking violation, impeding snow removal, Eastern Ln.
10:20 a.m. Parking violation, impeding snow removal, Bethany Dr.
7:46 p.m. Request that police check on individuals possibly enroute from Hubbardston to Spencer
10:19 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, December 28

2:16 a.m. Assist citizen, Leominster Rd.
10:50 a.m. Caller reports stranger approached youth riding scooter; police check, no problem
2:37 p.m. Car versus tree, no injuries, Rowley Hill Rd.
4:32 p.m. Injured raccoon in garage, Birch Dr.
8:21 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Leominster Rd.

Tuesday, December 29

3:03 p.m. Officer checks building where burglar alarm sounding. High winds may cause problem, Boutelle Rd.
3:12 p.m. Dog dumped off in area of Chocksett Inn, Laurelwood Rd. Animal control officer picked up dog

Wednesday, December 30

5:39 p.m. Suspicious males in vehicle on White Oak Way

Thursday, December 31

8:14 a.m. Caller reports two bobcats in her yard, Osgood Rd.
9:26 a.m. Caller complaining about loud noise from trees being cut, Flanagan Hill Rd.
10:27 a.m. Assist citizen inquiring about legality of license plate, Leominster Rd.
11:58 a.m. Police check for possible motor vehicle accident, Redemption Rock Trl. None found
1:55p.m. Motor vehicle accident, property damage, Redemption Rock Trl.
9:26 p.m. Motorists reports girl walking in middle of road, crying, being followed by male in vehicle, Waushacum Ave./Newell Hill Rd.

Friday, January 1

11:58 a.m. Dog found on Chace Hill Rd.
2:21 p.m. Vehicle unsafe to drive, Princeton Rd. Towed
7:44 p.m. 911 hang-up, Fox Run Rd.
9:19 p.m. Officer wanted, Main St.

Saturday, January 2

2:36 p.m. Officer wanted, gun found, Worcester Rd.
5:13 p.m. Report of person placing snow in roadway, Clinton Rd.
6:50 p.m. Two ponies in caller’s back yard, Wiles Rd.

Sunday, January 3

1:43 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle, officer transporting three people to Clinton, Main St./Leominster Rd.

Children demanding apologies - please form a line on the right

Consumer Reports Health Blog: Q&A: Is there any good reason to take cod liver oil?
No

More on The Salvation Army

Alright, so last Sunday, the Telegram published a lengthy, front-page story (in partnership with the New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston University), about the local Salvation Army. The article focuses on the house that the army provides for Majors. Michael J. and Carol Ann Copeland, who lead the Worcester center. The Salvation Army purchased the house for $350,000[1].
It's a nice house in a nice area, about a quarter mile from where we live. It is, as Major Copeland described, "... a place where you can kind of get away from things, recoup. So when you come back you're renewed and refreshed."
The major goes on to say, "Because of some of the people we deal with, often we're not sure of their backgrounds. We certainly don't want to be so accessible that somebody shows up on our front door in the middle of the night."
We're also not far from the state police barracks. One time, a few years ago, one of our neighbors came running to our door, exclaiming "A Puerto Rican escaped from the state police barracks." That's a rare event. The area is generally very quiet and, well, white.
I don't begrudge anyone finding a good, safe place to live, nor do I think that it's a problem that the Salvation Army provides housing to its key employees. Churches have provided parsonages to their clergy for centuries. That's fine.
Similarly, I have seen the good works of the Salvation Army. They do the hard work that most of us would never dream of doing.
One aspect, though, is problematic. The Telegram story reports that "the $350,000 colonial was the only suitable house he could find in a good school district after more than a year of looking. The major said that city schools are not acceptable for the children of Salvation Army officers."
It's nice that the town gets a shout-out for its schools, but it shows little support for the schools where the children of Army's clientèle must attend.
And, then, the former mayor jumps in with a barrage of bad facts and misdirected anger.

From Salvation Army « The Official Blog of The Jordan Levy Show

1. See Its vs. it's: avoiding dorky grammar mistakes
2. The Salvation Army of Worcester has annual budget of $5 million. Because The Salvation Army is a religious organization, it is exempt from filing detailed IRS Form 990, so budget information is not generally available to the public. The 2009 report is here.
3. AskOxford: When should I use 'less', and when should I use 'fewer'?
4. The Salvation Army states in its annual report that "Eighty-two cents of every dollar spent, or $2.5 billion, went toward program services; the remainder was accounted for by management and general expenses of $375 million and by fundraising costs of $169 million." That's about 18% for overhead. The Better Business Bureau reported that, in 2006, 16% was spent on overhead Charity Review of Salvation Army (National Corporation). 

All the facts, indeed.

I saw the best minds of my generation ...

It used to be that Marley would run into the other room when I started cooking. We had a very sensitive smoke detector that would sound the alarm whenever it, well, detected smoke. I'm a better cook now, more careful, more patient. I also rely on the microwave to pre- and re-heat a lot of foods.
So, it was serious when those puffs of acrid smoke came from bottom of the microwave as I prepared our contributions to Christmas Eve dinner. At his age, Marley's got better things to do that to be running from my cooking again.
Sandra and I brought the microwave to the Sears repair department. Upon learning that there was a $90 minimum charge for repairs, we told the repair tech that he was the proud owner of a microwave that only emitted smoke when it was on. We then went upstairs to buy a new oven.
The guy selling appliances looked like so many guys I know, guys I went to school with, guys a lot like me. I'll bet that he didn't look in the mirror often, but when he did, he was surprised by the white hair that was taking over.
Sears had taught him the basics about features for each of the appliances, but he had to check the weekly sales flyer to find out about specials.
As we looked at the various models, sometimes a price tag fell to the floor. "I'll get it," he said, thinking that he could pick up something from the floor as easily as he could 40 years ago.
We decided to go with one of the larger units.

We wanted it in white. He checked the computer and told us that he didn't have it in white.
"Can we buy a floor model?" we asked.
"I'm sorry. I can't sell floor models."
"What other colors do you have?" we asked.
"I'll have to go downstairs and check." With that, he left the floor and went to the stockroom to write down model numbers of what was in inventory.
While he was gone, I sent a Twitter message.

Sears won't sell us the last microwave we want because then they won't have any.

He came back and told us that there were no other microwaves in other colors. We asked about the stainless steel model that was on display.
"It's $199.99"
"But the sticker in front of it says $152.99."
"That's for the black or white."
"But you don't have those."
"Right."
"Do you have any stainless steel?"
"No."
"Can we buy the floor model?"
"I'd love to sell it to you, but the company won't let me."
"Because if you did," I said, "then you wouldn't have any left."
"If this was a Mom-and-Pop store," he said, ignoring me, "they'd sell you the floor model just like that. I can't do it, though."
And so we left without a microwave and Sears didn't get our $152.99 or $199.99.

A few hours later, Sears customer service finds me on Twitter and sends me some notes.

Hello, I would like to buy a fish license, please.

The first workday of the year brings a trip to the town hall to renew Marley's license. He got number 12, which is pretty good, considering that I didn't get to the clerk's office until after nine o'clock. We've yet to make to a single digit. Here's hoping that we get the chance to do so for years to come. (Marley turns 14 in April.)
While at the window, I decided to get fishing licenses as well. Sandra's going to have more time at the camp this year, so we decided that it would be good to have a license to go along with the time to fish.
It seemed like a very good idea until the point at which I had to fill out the identification portion of her license application. Most of it was straight-forward. Birthday, place of birth, all of that was fine. I've known the color of her beautiful blue eyes since the first time we met. What I didn't and don't know was her weight.
We've been married a long time and take our vows (for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health) very seriously. We know a lot about each other. We know each other's password mnemonics. I just never needed to know her weight.
One of Hakkarainen's Laws of Social Order goes something like this - "Nothing good comes from estimating someone's age or weight."
Not only did I not know what it was, I have no real idea what it should be.
It's just a number, right? Pick a number, plead ignorance, ask for forgiveness.
The seconds clunked along like old gears while the patient town clerk looked on.
It's just a number, right? I picked one, paid for the licenses, came along home, told the story, asked for forgiveness, and changed the subject. She returned the favor and didn't look at the number while I was watching. That's how good marriages work.

Originally posted at OntheCommon.com

Over the horizon

On Monday, Michael Danciger [1] died of cancer. Michael was the husband of Sandra's lifelong friend, Janet.
A short while ago, Michael sent out the 24th installment of his journal that chronicled his physical journey through illness and treatment and also his mental and spiritual journey to a place that, well, let's let him say it.

Since the last time I wrote, two very important things have happened. One, I lost my vision in both eyes. Second, the cancer has progressed and my chest is full of cancer. The cancer doesn’t hurt except for shortness of breath and bouts of coughing. I was having so much trouble breathing I was in the hospital for a week with chest tubes and oxygen.
Since this has occurred and especially more recently, I’ve discovered how much love there is in my life – not only in my life but in everyone’s life…..all you have to do is open your heart and you feel it as palpable as a physical body and that feeling is available to everyone. It is more available than we think. It’s a matter of a small shift in attitude and a belief that things can change.
Now I am on a new regime of medication that seems to be working well but we don’t know how long it will last.
I am at home and getting really good care from my family and friends and medical staff. Since this may be my last installment, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for staying with me for the past 19 months.
With love and respect,
Michael.

To Janet, Jeffrey, and Meryl - you carried Michael across a tough portage. Let's hope that your friends and family can carry you for a while so you can get some rest.

Would there be enough money?

OK, so the news that Red Sox agree to deal with Adrian Beltre is encouraging for fans of the Olde Towne Team. Beltre is a good ballplayer by modern standards. He's had some very good years, including Golden Glove awards.
Still, $9 million a year for a lifetime .270 hitter?
Yes, I know that they played in different eras and all that. Nevertheless, let's take a look at Beltre's stats along with those of Ted Williams and Willie Mays. They ask yourself how much you'd have to pay The Kid or the Say Hey Kid. You'd probably need at least one extra zero.

via Adrian Beltre Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | MLB.com: Team

via Ted Williams Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | MLB.com: Team

via Willie Mays Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | MLB.com: Team

And, by the way, here's the salary range for a Paramedic in the Worcester area.

via Paramedic - Worcester, MA 01608

More on TV news

Every time someone watches a WHDH newscast, an angel pokes Walter Cronkite with a sharp stick.
With the typical TV newscast having about 17 minutes available in a 30-minutes show, the big story ought to be the big story.

There is an old joke producers scream when young reporters say they need more time for a story. "What do you think you’re covering?" they yell. "This story isn’t worth it. For the end of the world, you get two minutes. But only if you have good video."
via How TV Newscasts Work - from Winning with the News Media

 To their credit, WHDH (Channel 7) in Boston did mention the current snowstorm, the 94 people killed in a suicide bomb attack in Pakistan, terrorism.

So, of course, they used up two minutes and 17 seconds for a story from last Wednesday about a Tennessee knucklehead who stole a Coke machine by hooking a chain to it and driving away. The cops recorded the high-speed chase and finally put "a cap on a cola caper's crime".

via WHDH

Wingnuts claim victory in 'Obamacare' skirmish

The WingNutDaily reports that Gun owners claim victory in 'Obamacare' skirmish. By which, they mean,

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., told a constituent, "There is no mention of 'gun-related health data' anywhere in the Senate's health reform bill, and there is nothing in the bill that would result in any such data being reported to the government.

There is also nothing in the bill (link to big, honkin' full text) about underwear. Kids everywhere will be glad to know that there's also no mention of broccoli, Brussels sprout, or homework. Parents may be disappointed that the bill doesn't recommend that teenagers be put on an island until age 25. There's no mention of allowing Martians to use our dental floss. We're still on our own regarding cooties. So, in spite of several improvements to the bill, the American public opposes the Senate plan.
And, the worries persist.

"It's still possible that ATF agents could troll through your medical information and send that data to the FBI, who in turn, could use it to deny honest Americans their right to keep and bear arms – similar to the 150,000 military veterans who have now lost their gun rights," the Gun Owners' of America said.

Further,

"By its own fiat, OSHA could outlaw the possession of firearms in every workplace and every employee parking lot in the United States," wrote columnist Dave Kopel at the Independence Institute in Colorado

OSHA should, we'd guess, stick to its primary task of limiting employee exposure to lead, as it did in a Worcester case at the end of the Bush term, and not worry about exposure to lead that might be in bullets.

The microwave is telling me to read the fine manual

So, I decide to reheat some veggies. Instead of calculating the power level and time, I try the reheat option.
The microwave didn't like it.


I was trying to cook too much on the Single Serving reheat setting, so it told me to read the user manual.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 22 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, December 21

8:01 a.m. Public service, Main St.
2:41 p.m. Tree down disrupting the flow of traffic, Wachusett St./Union St.
5:12 p.m. Officer responds to holdup alarm, Main St. No problem.
6:38 p.m. Dispute over price of horse training. Officer assists parties to come to agreement

Tuesday, December 22

12:24 a.m. Suspicious person looking in windows and businesses, Big Y Plaza, Reservoir St.
4:14 p.m. Person came to station to speak with an officer, Main St.
7:11 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle driving very slowly, Shrewsbury St.

Wednesday, December 23

8:20 a.m. Caller reports suspicious rental truck in neighbor’s driveway, Chapel St.
11:58 a.m. Cable down in front of restaurant on Main St.
5:58 p.m. Person came to station to speak with an officer, Main St.
7:43 p.m. Pickup truck in driveway with no lights, Reservoir St.

Thursday, December 24

12:04 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked at Trout Brook, Manning St.
9:31 a.m. Report of three small children unattended, Blair Dr. No issue, parents at home
5:08 p.m. Erratically operated motor vehicle, weaving and crossing marked lanes, Main St. Operator was text-messaging
5:17 p.m. Suspicious truck at cemetery on Main St. OK, person bringing small Christmas tree to grave site
5:47 p.m. Motor vehicle struck deer, Wachusett St. at Mill St.
9:48 p.m. Caller wants information about parking bylaws, Fairhill Rd.
10:12 p.m. Officer checks on motor vehicle in roadway. Found registration expired, vehicle moved off road, Brattle St.
11:49 p.m. Officer checking on sleigh beside road, Manning St. OK, operator was resting, long night of travel

Friday, December 25

2:02 a.m. Check on individual going through vehicle on Jamieson Rd. OK, getting CD player from car
2:12 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Trout Brook, Manning St.
6:31 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle exiting from rear of building on Main St.
3:58 p.m. Caller found car was damaged on right side, Highland Ave. Motor vehicle hit pole earlier in day

Saturday, December 26

1:50 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St. at Senior Center
9:21 a.m. Report of person thumbing on Main St. Transported to Worcester line
11:54 p.m. Police check on two unattended vehicles in parking lot, Manning and Wachusett Sts.

Sunday, December 27

2:32 p.m. People on the ice on the reservoir, Princeton St. Three youths, one dog. Police advise them to vacate the ice
3:15 p.m. Caller wants to speak with an officer regarding an incident where her vehicle was hit by person on a bike, Main St.
8:14 p.m. Injured/deceased deer in roadway, Salisbury St.

Paxton

Monday, December 21

10:45 a.m. Trash barrels in roadway, Pleasant St.

5:19 p.m. Dead deer in road, Rockland St.

Tuesday, December 22

11:01 a.m. Caller reporting daughter possibly lost in woods while searching for her dog, Knollwood Rd.
3:25 p.m. Woman reports being attacked by a large German shepherd while out walking, Marshall St.

Wednesday, December 23

11:46 a.m. Suspicious vehicle reported on Crowningshield Dr.
10:35 p.m. Suspicious man in parking lot, Pleasant St.

Thursday, December 24

4:15 p.m. Report of pit bull found on Pleasant St. Owner located

Friday, December 25

10:51 a.m. Person taking photos of houses in the neighborhood, Hemlock St.
11:44 a.m. Report of numerous gunshots behind neighbor’s house, Richards Ave.

4:17 p.m. Two suspicious vehicles, one a van, in area of Holden Rd.

Saturday, December 26

2:54 p.m. Caller reports hearing gunshots that are frightening his horses, Richards Ave.
4:19 p.m. Small dog found on Grove St. Owner later located

Sunday, December 27

1:56 a.m. Vehicle hit a deer, Asnebumskit Rd.
7:04 p.m. Assist Leicester PD looking for motor vehicle on Reservoir Rd.
7:44 p.m. Report of gunshots in area of Woodland Dr.
8:13 p.m. Report that a group of people in the woods are throwing objects at cars as they drive by, Lizzy Lane

Princeton

Monday, December 21

10:45 a.m. Suspicious incident, Mirick Rd.

Tuesday, December 22

11:28 a.m. Report of missing black and white cat. Ball Hill Rd.

Wednesday, December 23

6:38 a.m. Suspicious incident, Worcester Rd.
1:17 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Town Hall Dr.
1:40 p.m. Assist FD, Calamint Hill Rd. N
3:15 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.
5:20 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Sterling Rd.
7:08 p.m. Public service, transport individual to Worcester Rd.
9:40 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.

Thursday, December 24

11:55 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with no rear plate in parking lot on Hubbardston Rd.
12:35 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Ball Hill Rd.
2:37 p.m. Caller reports a skier hit a tree. Officer notifies Wachusett Mountain officials
6:10 p.m. Vehicle struck a deer, Main St.

Friday, December 25

8:47 a.m. Report of yellow Labrador wandering in area of Radford Rd. Owner located on Mountain Rd.
9:30 p.m. Gate to administration building open, Mountain Rd. Officer secured gate
11:03 p.m. Stranded motorist on Fitchburg Rd. Officer assists
11:12 p.m. Request for highway department, town-wide

Sunday, December 27

6:43 p.m. Highway requested for icy roads
8:12 p.m. Report of suspicious activity in area where school buses are kept, Merriam Rd.

Rutland

Monday, December 21

8:00 a.m. Person into station to speak with an officer about a property line dispute
9:25 a.m. Officer standing by while person changes a flat tire, Pleasantdale Rd.
3:20 p.m. Traffic safety issue, Main St.

7:45 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicles on road to state park, Crawford Rd.
8:08 p.m. Officer removes debris from roadway, Main St./Charnock Hill Rd.

Tuesday, December 22

8:46 a.m. Caller reporting trash bag beside road, thought she saw it move, afraid it might contain kittens, Main St. All set, bag empty
12:36 p.m. Constable picked up individual on a capius warrant, bringing him to station for booking, Main St.
5:10 p.m. Erratic operator, Main St. Police speak with operator
8:30 p.m. Person into station to speak with an officer, Main St.
10:29 p.m. Caller reporting wife is trying to remove license plate from vehicle. Told it’s a civil matter, Sassawanna Rd.

Wednesday, December 23

12:10 p.m. Caller from Texas wanting assistance getting payment for bull dog puppy purchased by resident

3:55 p.m. Caller reports son is upset and pulled phones out of wall, request that officer speak with him, Oakridge Dr.
5:02 p.m. Caller reports son is trying to remove license plates from vehicle, officer requested, Oakridge Dr.
5:30 p.m. Caller requesting assistance, son is out of control, Oakridge Dr.

Thursday, December 24

11:44 a.m. Two dead deer on East Hill Rd. One appears to have been shot, the other hit by vehicle
12:49 p.m. Report that juveniles are throwing snowballs at passing motorists, Pleasantdale Rd.

Friday, December 25

7:10 p.m. Report of moving van parked in different spots behind building on Maple Ave.

Saturday, December 26

4:15 p.m. Complaint from Hickory Dr. about dogs loose from home on Sumac Circle

Sunday, December 27

9:18 a.m. Request for officer to keep the peace while attempt is made to repossess vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.
12:25 p.m. Suspicious man following woman in state park
8:16 p.m. Report of person throwing a snowball at passing motorist, Barre Paxton Rd.

Sterling

Monday, December 21

8:42 a.m. Person to speak with officer about an ongoing situation, Leominster Rd.
10:45 a.m. Report of injured coyote in back yard, Evergreen Circle
1:20 p.m. Dog bit child, Leominster Rd. Dog will be quarantined in Clinton
4:26 p.m. Caller asking police to deliver phone to female party, Redemption Rock Trl.
4:26 p.m. Police transport phone to person on Merrill Rd.
5:02 p.m. Suspicious activity, Chocksett Rd.
5:07 p.m. Caller reports a tire has fallen off his vehicle, Leominster Rd.
5:14 p.m. Police asked to check on person who went to Florida and hasn’t been heard from
9:40 p.m. Caller reports suspicious activity in parking lot at night, frequent meeting spot for vehicles, Redemption Rock Trl.
11:20 p.m. Caller on Wilder Road found young dog with Leominster tags. Owner located

Tuesday, December 22

12:24 p.m. Report of porcupine on porch, appears to be sick, Justice Hill Rd.

Wednesday, December 23

7:26 p.m. Multiple calls reporting a deer struck and killed, Redemption Rock Trl. at Crowley Rd.
7:54 p.m. West Boylston Police report calls of deer hit on Rte. 140 near the Greenery. No deer found
10:51 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked in middle of the road for a while with light on, Adam Taylor Rd.

Thursday, December 24

12:17 a.m. Person came to station with a letter received from an inmate at a jail, Leominster Rd.
7:19 a.m. Report of motor vehicle accident, Leominster Rd. at I-190. Nothing found
9:06 a.m. Caller reports suspicious males with large truck, Elliott Rd.
6:07 p.m. Deer hit, Redemption Rock Trl.

Friday, December 25

4:05 p.m. Loose cows and bulls in roadway, Justice Hill Cutoff Rd.

Saturday, December 26

3:52 p.m. Police confirm no emergency from 911 hang-up call, Albright Rd.
6:38 p.m. Person came to station to bring personal belongings for person who is locked up, Leominster Rd.

Sunday, December 27

1:12 a.m. Caller reports hearing banging noise outside residence on Pineview Rd.
3:25 a.m. Individual looking through recycling boxes; he accidentally dropped his GPS holder into the box, Worcester Rd.
11:24 a.m. Report of runner wearing dark clothing on Redemption Rock Trl. Concerned for safety of individual

Tests of character

Let's start with the good news, if you can call it that. The aluminum gear box on our Ariens snow blower cracked during the last big snow storm. The guy who repairs our stuff was vigilant beyond the call of duty and tracked down a steel gear box from a seller in Maryland and returned the repaired snow blower to us on Wednesday.
Now, it's about this,

3 to 6 inches of snow will likely accumulate in the advisory area through tonight... with locally higher amounts likely depending on where more persistent snow banding sets up. Additional light to moderate snow accumulations are possible on Sunday and Sunday night. Overall... this will be a manageable light to moderate long-duration snow event. However... roads are expected to become very slippery. In addition... north to northwest winds will pick up this afternoon and tonight... and this may result in periods of lower visibilities.
Winter Weather Advisory- Statement as of 4:04 AM EST on January 02, 2010

The advisories continue with a forecast of high winds later in the weekend.
So, the moral challenges arise as we decide when to clear away the snow. The smart thing is to wait until the snow stops falling. We don't have any particular place to go this weekend and plenty to keep us entertained and busy at home. We like each other's company and have plenty to think and talk about.^[1]
When my father-in-law lived here, being a high-energy guy, he'd go out every few hours and clear away the one or two inches that had fallen. Another neighbor might bring out the snow blower for each four inches.  The town will have its plowers and sand-and-salt trucks out pretty much constantly because goodness knows that the people in our fair 'burb couldn't possibly have to drive on snowy roads.
And like that. To wait out a storm while those around us are compelled into outward and visible action is a true test of one's convictions. Let's see how we do.

via HOBOTOPIA: Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1317

First Night last night

We sent the old year on its way with funny hats, light sabers, and a bus ride.
Needing our hats, Sandra, Tess, Lily, Cassie, and yours truly visited the Celebration Station at the Worcester Art Museum and made hats of colored paper and silver stars. Suitable attired, we went out on a balmy (compared to last year) night and slipped/slided/slud along snowy sidewalks to the various venues.

• Peter Gross and His Amazing Flying Rodents were less than amazing. (Tip: if you're gonna invoke a copyright and tell people to turn off their camcorders, don't be lazy and name one of your animals after a Beatles tune. While not a copyright violation, it doesn't command the respect for creativity that the copyright laws are designed to promote.)
  
• Always a favorite, Improv Kids shows sharp and talented young minds at their best.

On our way back downtown, it was Cassie who convinced us, with all of the moral force that a five-year-old can bring, that we needed light sabers. 

• We oohed and aahed at the athleticism and youthful good looks of the New England Trampoline Show Company.
  
• The Airborne Comedians were the stars of the night, combing lawn-furniture juggling with, well, whatever the heck it is that they do.
  

We stopped for a while and held a three-way saber fight in front of City Hall.

Holding to a long-standing family tradition, we sang our New Year's song while waiting for the shuttle bus to take us back to the museum parking lot. The chorus is

We want the bus.
We want the bus.

The refrain is

We want the bus.
We want the bus.

One of our new year's resolutions is not to write more songs.
Home by 10, we watched a bit of Stooges and to bed by 11. "See you next year," I told the girls as they settled into our guest room. In our room, I was asleep by 11:30. Sandra tells me that the kids weren't.