Bill Belichick is Nobel-Prize-level genuis, but, what the ...

The Patriots have traded both Mike Vrabel, one of the best all-around football players the Patriots have employed, and now Matt Cassel, to the Kansas City Chiefs. It's not at the level of Babe Ruth to the Yankees, but on a par with letting Carlton Fisk go to the White Sox.

Lenten dissonance

While the Westminster First Baptist church is hosting a discussion about commonalities between the Jewish Passover and the Christian Last Supper, the Greendale People's Church is holding a roast pork Lenten dinner.
BTW, Christians have had a varied history regarding Lenten abstinence and fasting. While prohibitions against the eating of meat and related products during Lent were much more rigorously enforced in olden days, Christians were sometimes generous in their definitions of meat. For example, according to Giraldus Cambrensis, beaver tails were regarded as fish.

via Religion Digest - telegram.com

about Saabs

Our family history with Saabs goes back to the early 1960s when my uncle bought the first Saab that we'd seen. It was probably a Model 96, a three-cylinder, two-stroke critter.
It was also the first car that I drove. I don't remember all of the details, but we (my uncle and I) were at some activity on the town common in St. Albans, Vermont, where they lived. My uncle realized that he needed something from home, about a mile away. He tossed me the keys and told me to go get whatever it was. I was, at most, 14. Somehow, I managed to get there and back with me, the car, and the town intact. The car had a three-speed standard shift on the column and an elegant feature calle a free-wheeling clutch that I wouldn't appreciate until much later, when I'd drive later Saabs at highway speeds.

The two-stroke engine required that you mix oil with the gas, much as you'd do with a chain saw now. In the 70s, they offered an automatic oil mixer. You filled a reservior with oil and it fed the right amount with the gas into the carburetor. It worked great until it didn't, as I found out when my engine seized as I was driving down Route 2 one day.
I've owned four Saabs and driven lots more. They were wonderful, quirky cars with great performance and even better safety. Jan has flipped a couple of 'em and walked away. Adam drove one around the country.
A car that, at one time, could be fixed with an adjustable wrech, screwdriver, and, on bad days, a hammer or crowbar, became expensive to fix, particulary as they became more complex machines in the 80s.
As the 80s ended, so did Saab. GM purchased a 50% share and, being even more clueless about sporty sedans than they were about domestic wheeled-boxes, began to design the Saab to death.
Fast forward, we learn that GM plans to jettison Saab, which might be a good thing, giving the car company a chance to return to Swedish ownership and to find its DNA again.

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Notes:

• Wikipedia has the best historical overview of Saab automobiles. The official Saab USA site, emblematic of a lot of what's wrong with the car and the industry, is loaded with Flash gimmickry and little content.
  
• If you have an old Saab, maybe you'll want to turn it into a sauna.
• Here's a story  about the first Finnish-made automobile, the Saab Valmet and its director general, Olavi J. Mattila: Shared fates - Saab and Olavi J. 
• The following Saab models made Consumer Reports' list of used cars to avoid (CR subscription required): Saab 9-3 '03-06; 9-3 convertible '00, '03-04, '06; 9-5 '99-05.
  Additional note - GM vehicles account for nearly half of CR's list of the "Worst of the Worst" list for the last decade. (Thankfully, Saab didn't make this list.)
  
  
  
  

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, February 16

10:08 a.m. 911 Two pre-teens at home alone and thought they heard a noise
11:10 a.m. Caller reports suspicious mini-van on Main St.
4:30 p.m. Suspicious person on River St.
6:39 p.m. Dog found at business on Main St.

Tuesday, February 17

6:12 a.m. 911 Report of vehicle stolen from residence on Salisbury St.
6:26 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on Salisbury St.
9:42 a.m. Phone call from party claiming to be at senior center, wanting to make appointment to have ears checked. Senior center reports no such call made.
5:04 p.m. Several calls report ice on reservoir and Pleasant St.
9:51 p.m. Disturbance at business on Salisbury St.
10:05 p.m. Three dogs ran away from Stonehouse Hill Road
10:34 p.m. Three dogs returned

Wednesday, February 18

12:29 a.m. Two parties in vehicle neither registered owner; registered owner says it's okay
2:26 a.m. Stolen vehicle from town recovered in Rochdale, stripped
3:09 a.m. Vehicle on Salisbury St. with interior light on and vehicle not secured
4:24 a.m. Motor vehicle unlocked with dome lights on Walnut St.; doesn't appear to have been broken into
5:27 a.m. Vehicle stuck in the mud on Main St.
11:37 a.m. Doc struck on Rte. 68
12:21 p.m. Suspicious person coming out of woods on Manning St.; said he was tracking animals
12:21 p.m. Motor vehicle parked in someone else's parking space, male inside; no contact, registration not correct
2:01 p.m. High school coach reports harassment from parent of child on team
3:07 p.m. 911 Two-car motor vehicle accident on Asnebumskit Rd.
6:24 p.m. Car hit pole on South Rd.
6:33 p.m. Two-car motor vehicle accident on Wachusett St.
7:03 p.m. Motor vehicle into embankment
7:58 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle changing location on Tamarack Circle
10:56 p.m. Multiple requests for vehicle to be moved for snow removal

Thursday, February 19

12:18 a.m. Vehicle tagged on Arizona Ave.; obstructing snow removal
1:31 a.m. DPW reports truck in roadway on Mixter Rd., not near residence, no one around
6:05 a.m. Request for vehicle removal on Wachusett St.
6:30 a.m. Party reported regularly passing vehicles on Main St. in morning
7:47 a.m. Loose dog on Reservoir St.
9:25 a.m. Resident concerned about veteran phone solicitor; advised to request mailing instead of phone commitment
11:36 a.m. Family dog escaped from dog sitter on Fairchild Dr.
4:15 p.m. Prank call received
6:46 p.m. Stray dog reported
7:39 p.m. Caller regarding lost dog

Friday, February 20

2:13 p.m. Car driven into snowbank to avoid collision
3:10 p.m. Senior center advising oil delivery impeded by hanging wires
9:22 p.m. Motor vehicle struck deer on Mason Rd.
11:43 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked behind pumping station on Wachusett St.; okay, DPW supervisor

Saturday, February 21

4:30 a.m. Worcester PD requests check of residence on Bailey Rd. for vehicle
6:11 a.m. Mass State Police report they've located vehicle from carjacking, parked on railroad tracks near Bailey Rd.
7:53 a.m. Two beagles ran away from Broad St. home
10:25 a.m. Dog ran away
10:41 a.m. Report of large wolf in back yard on Salisbury St.
11:32 a.m. Suspicious dump truck cutting up wood in quarantine area
11:54 a.m. License plate found in Big Y lot
12:09 p.m. Caller reports gas station charging their credit card double
11:34 p.m. 911 Caller requesting help finding friend who was following vehicle on Rte. 31; okay, contact made

Sunday, February 22

1:40 p.m. Caller regarding possible stolen vehicle from South Boston
2:21 a.m. Mass State Trooper from South Boston calls regarding car found abandoned in Quincy with keys in it, running
10:49 a.m. Lost cell phone reported
2:17 p.m. Someone picking up plate found at Big Y
3:29 p.m. Vehicle stuck in snow on Paxton Rd.
3:29 p.m. Three vehicle having difficulty climbing the hill on Rte. 31 near Paxton line due to poor road conditions
6:00 p.m. Deer struck by car
6:19 p.m. Two vehicles possibly off the road on Reservoir St.
7:01 p.m. Vehicle stuck in ditch on Quinapoxet St.
7:08 p.m. Vehicle checked due to plowing near Rte. 31
9:04 p.m. Vehicles removed for snow removal

Paxton

Monday, February 16

7:33 p.m. Secured Public Safety Building, Pleasant St.

Tuesday, February 17

10:19 p.m. Delivery driver out of gas, Pleasant St. at Burtenmar Circle.
10:22 p.m. Caller advising a neighbor has been using a chain saw since 9 p.m. and children are unable to sleep, Pleasant St. Party spoken to.

Wednesday, February 18

2:45 p.m. Walk-in advising that car may be parked on street, Pleasant. OK, car is parked on private property.
5:58 p.m. Caller advising she heard a bang and then the lights went out, Nipmuck Rd.
6:00 p.m. Advised eight houses without power.
7:10 p.m. Advised power is restored.
7:46 p.m. Walk-in advising she moved a ladder out of the road, Grove St. at Holden Rd.

Friday, February 20

No police calls

Sunday, February 22

2:02 p.m. Call DPW to advise of road conditions.
2:22 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, Rte. 31.
3:07 p.m. Two-car accident, Rte. 122.
5:57 p.m. Two-car accident, Grove St. at Sunset Lane
6:12 p.m. Suspicious person, Paxton Marketplace
7:52 p.m. Vehicle off road, Richards Ave. No property damage.
8:47 p.m. Caller reporting loud bang and sparks in the transformer, West St.
8:54 p.m. Caller reporting they heard a loud pop, West St.
9:03 p.m. Caller reporting no power, Pleasant St.
9:58 p.m. Caller complaining about lack of snowplowing on Monticello Drive

Princeton

Tuesday, February 17

10:30 a.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, February 18

5:51 p.m. Request for highway department, town wide
9:12 p.m. Request for highway department, town wide

Thursday, February 19

10:50 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.
10:36 p.m. Request for highway department, town wide

Friday, February 20

1:40 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Leominster Rd.
2:29 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Leominster Rd.

Saturday, February 21

12:25 p.m. Annoying phone calls reported, Houghton Rd.
3:58 p.m. Public service, Main St.
5:27 p.m. Narcotics, Mountain Rd.

Sunday, February 22

1:50 p.m. Request for highway department, Main St.

Rutland

Monday, February 16

11:26 a.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Pommogussett Rd.
12:08 p.m. Report of three horses running toward Main St. from Central Tree
12:33 p.m. Summons served, Maple Ave.
12:37 p.m. Suspicious person, Main and Edson, drug violation
2:08 p.m. 911 hang-up, person having phone problems, Ridge Rd.
5:19 p.m. Complaint of people "looting" downed wood, Pleasantdale Rd.

Tuesday, February 17

1:25 p.m. Report of trash truck losing trash out the back, Main St./Maple Ave.
9:05 p.m. Suspicious male on porch of house on Barre Paxton Rd. Fled into the back yard
9:24 p.m. Report of icy patches on Barre Paxton Rd.
9:41 p.m. Person with flashlight walking by house on Cedar Ave. Then loud bang heard

Wednesday, February 18

5:42 a.m. Person jumped out of vehicle on dirt road sectionof Emerald Rd. State Police Canine unit called for search
8:45 a.m. Large tree that is split is leaning into roadway,Crawford Rd.

Thursday, February 19

6:19 a.m. Advise owner of vehicle he needs to move it, in way of snow removal, Athens Ave.
8:03 a.m. Plow operator want resident spoken to about cars parked in roadway impeding snow removal, Olivia Lane

Friday, February 20

5:17 p.m. Caller reporting two men in his yard removing cut up firewood, Main St.
7:51 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout with child in car and car running, Maple Ave.

Saturday, February 21

3:36 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons Pommogussett Rd.
5:10 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Maple Ave.
7:22 p.m. Summons delivered, Bushy Lane
8:02 p.m. Concern for two cars out on the ice, Cool Sandy Beach

Sterling

Monday, February 16

10:08 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle, person holding up sign reading "Call Police," I-190
12:56 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle, out of gas, Leominster Rd.
2:37 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked at same location for several hours, Main St.
4:53 p.m. Caller reports hearing gun shots, Legate Hill Rd.
6:30 p.m. UPS driver hit and killed small beagle type dog, Tara Ln.

Tuesday, February 17

9:21 Caller asking why officers were at his residence. Explained it was regarding a restraining order, Jewett Rd.
4:33 p.m. Summons delivered, Leominster Rd.

Wednesday, February 18

12:55 p.m. Holden Police advising of male subject who jumped out of car when stopped by police. Homeowner on Manning St. reports seeing male exiting woods. Individualhas several outstanding warrants
1:46 p.m. Caller wants to speak with an officer regarding a problem with a gentleman on Gates Rd.
10:34 p.m. Juvenile offenses, underage drinking party, Bean Rd.

Thursday, February 19

9:52 a.m. Two males at the door of home on Osgood Rd.
1:07 p.m. Officer investigation, Princeton Rd.
3:14 p.m. Caller regarding an abandoned vehicle at location for a few weeks, Main St.
10:45 p.m. Lost German short-haired pointer, Patriots Way. Dog returned later

Friday, February 20

1:44 p.m. Raccoon in yard, walking sideways, went under deck, Kendall Hill Rd.
5:00 p.m. Loose dog, Clinton Rd.
6:20 p.m. Black cat in middle of road, dead, Chocksett Rd./Albright Rd.

Sunday, February 22

12:36 p.m. Assist citizen, Leominster Rd.

Worcestershire Journal - Where were you when your lights came back on?

Worcestershire Journal - Where were you when your lights came back on? : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

From the "If you're so rich, why aren't you smart?" Department

So, the Merrill Lynch CEO said "Nothing Happened In The World Or The Economy" That Would Justify Suspending Bonuses.
Rule #1 of a TV weather forecaster is to look out the window before you go on the air. Don't say that it's sunny if it's not. So, too, CEOs need to read the newspapers before explaining why they needed to pay big bonuses to their key people because otherwise those key people would leave the company.
Hint: if your company is losing billions of dollars and you need billions from the gummint to get you through the day, your smart people are doing it wrong.

In case you wondered where Gmail went

Yesterday, Gmail was off the air for several hours, an unusual, but telling event, that shows that even the "Don't Be Evil" Empire can have its troubles. In this case, it was due, in part, to "[u]nexpected side effects of some new code," otherwise known as the law of unintended consequences. The Intertubes is an entity of fabulous complexity, such that even the smartest guys in room can and will break stuff on their way to making stuff better.
Tracy Kidder, in The Soul of A New Machine, noted that by the late 1970s, computers had become so complex that it would take any given engineer would need more than a lifetime to understand it fully. That became the challenge, to building something larger than oneself. It's a wonderful, noble, and good idea, if you don't mind falling off the cliff every once ina while.

via Google blames Gmail outage on data centre collapse • The Register