True Facts

On I-190, between Exit 1 and the I-290 interchange in Worcester, the sign on the side of the road says, "Powerlines Overhead".

Sure enough, about 20 feet later, there are powerlines overhead.
So, now I know something that I didn't know before but it does me little good. If I'm driving a vehicle that's affected by the powerlines, it's too late for me to do anything. I've already passed the exit (southbound) and have no breakdown lane in which I can safely stop. If I was driving a very tall vehicle that hadn't already hit the overhead highway signs, I could, quite literally, be toast.
It's important to remember that communication isn't just about the conveyance of information, even if we think that the information could be helpful. Good communication includes an awareness of context. A true fact, given in the wrong context, is worse than useless.
The other day, a friend of my wife was telling a story. The friend's mother had many bird feeders that attracted a wonderful variety of birds year-round. The mother passed away in the winter. The mother's neighbors kept the bird feeders filled through the cold season so that the birds that had relied on these feeders wouldn't go hungry.
"You know," I said, "birds don't really need to be fed year-round. There's plenty of food. When we feed them, we feed them for our own pleasure and convenience, not for their need."
My wife ever so gently kicked me under the table.
It seems that I was offering facts which a) just showed off that I knew something, and b) missed the whole point about a loving thing that the neighbors were doing in memory of their friend.
Good communication requires an awareness of the other's particular concerns at a particular time.

via Why Men Should Not Write Advice Columns | Daily Shite

We report. You shop.

Generally when dealing with public bullies, I follow the guidance of Bobcat Goldthwait. Asked about Andrew Dice Clay, Bobcat said, "Let him talk. Maggots die in the sun."
So, the publisher of In City Times decides to post the home address of a blogger because that blogger deigned to criticize said publisher, it's time to bring a bit of sunshine to the scene.

via InCity Times » Blog Archive » To blogger Nicole ...
Nicole posted a few clips from the ICT as a part of commentary on the paper's rather lax approach to journalism, Lessons Learned.
The attorney will no doubt immediately start researching a doctrine called Fair Use.

By the way, In City Times asks readers to tell their advertisers that they read ICT:

It's probably a good idea to let those advertisers know what they think of the company that they keep.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

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

Holden

Monday, May 3

6:09 a.m. Lockout of home, baby in house; window broken to gain entry
12:41 a.m. Found cell phone turned in
2:04 p.m. Found cell phone turned in
6:49 p.m. Three young girls reported running into street trying to stretch rope across Wachusett St.; gone on arrival
7:57 p.m. 911 call for West Brookfield; attempted to transfer
8:44 p.m. Caller heard someone screaming outside

Tuesday, May 4

8:20 a.m. Vehicle blocking sidewalk, Mt. Pleasant Ave.
8:33 a.m. Two people in plain clothes in manhole, Blair Dr.
8:43 a.m. Crew in road on Mount Pleasant Ave.
9:45 a.m. Bear at Bailey and Reservoir roads intersection; ran into woods
10:23 a.m. Request for animal control at Grove Cemetery
11:43 a.m. Garage door can’t be closed at residence
2:03 p.m. Vehicle stolen with dog inside, Worcester resident reports; OK, different vehicle
2:50 p.m. Cyclist on ground reported; subject sleeping, told to move along
2:50 p.m. Caller arrived home to find trash bins and grill in her breezeway; requests officer to go through house with her
3:48 p.m. Water sample bottles left at door, Fort Sumter Dr.
6:40 p.m. Suspicious young people hanging around near ECC, kissing, etc., Princeton St.
8:17 p.m. Person taking fill (dirt, rocks), Main St.; sign says it’s free
8:56 p.m. Bear running across Salisbury St.; now in tree
9:57 p.m. Vehicle with teens behind school; OK, just janitors smoking

Wednesday, May 5

6:21 a.m. Missing dogs returned this morning
8:44 a.m. Two teens encountered on Main St.; should be at high school; transported
8:49 a.m. Ducks on Phillips Rd.
9:17 a.m. Dog found at Trout Brook
12:06 p.m. Checkerberry Village resident left purse on top of car
2:33 p.m. ATV speeding on Mt. Pleasant Ave.; driver says he’s trying to work the bugs out; advised accordingly
6:25 p.m. Report of hitchhiker, Rte. 68
6:26 p.m. Ducklings walking into traffic, Main St.
6:33 p.m. Dog in closed car, Reservoir St.
7:41 p.m. People cutting through the no-access road on Princeton St.
10:44 p.m. Three kids videotaping in parking lot, Main St.

Thursday, May 6

9:22 a.m. Lovell Rd. resident reports Charter left note on door; advised to contact police if someone suspicious arrives
9:40 a.m. Party lying on side of road with motorized bicycle, Wachusett St.
9:42 a.m. Loose canine reported, Bullard St.
9:53 a.m. Black dog running in and out of traffic nera Rutland line, Main St.
4:00 p.m. Suspicious person, Shrewsbury St.
4:13 p.m. Solicitor in area, Stoneleigh Rd.
5:34 p.m. Group behind bank, Main St.
6:59 p.m. Three kids trespassing at business, Main St.
7:35 p.m. Two suspicious cars in lot, Main St.
8:30 p.m. Pickup truck with flat tire at gas station
9:24 p.m. Male hitchhiking, Main St.
9:46 p.m. 911 report of kids ringing door bells then running away, Jackson St.

Friday, May 7

12:33 a.m. Large amount of water in roadway, High Ridge Rd.
1:16 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Princeton St.
7:18 a.m. Tractor trailer delivering generator to public safety building, blocking traffic
9:03 a.m. Citizen says drinking and driving vehicle exhibit in front of police station should be more dramatic
9:09 a.m. Caller regarding solicitors on Bullard St. yesterday
1:24 p.m. 911 caller reports vehicle won’t start
1:57 p.m. Walk-in reports dog attacked her on Holden St.
5:33 p.m. Disturbance with neighbor, Holden St.
5:50 p.m. Driver sleeping in car, Highland St.
6:06 p.m. Four kids in parking lot, Main St.
6:34 p.m. Six kids behind business, Main St.
7:15 p.m. Six kids behind business, Main St.
7:51 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Cranbrook Dr.
11:30 p.m. Male shouting and screaming, Briarcliff Ln.; advised to quiet down

Saturday, May 8

1:02 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Salisbury St.
9:12 a.m. Loose black dog, Main St.
9:17 p.m. Vehicles parked on both sides of Bascom Parkway
10:00 a.m. Vehicle missing from Amarack Cir.; OK, mother took it
11:36 a.m. Caller inquiring about disposing medicine belonging to deceased parent
12:22 p.m. Caller reporting lost dog in Worcester; advised accordingly
1:37 p.m. Caller wants extra patrols around business since firing employee
4:00 p.m. Suspicious male, North St.
5:22 p.m. Hostile caller regarding post office not picking up food for food drive

Sunday, May 9

12:40 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.
1:07 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Holden St.
2:54 a.m. Branch on Reservoir St.
10:10 a.m. House egged during the night, Avery Heights Dr.

12:06 p.m. Youths dispersed at senior center
12:11 p.m. Explosion at substation off Main St., and loss of power
12:15 p.m. Septic pump failure, Jennifer Dr.
1:10 p.m. Business on Main St. reports vehicle in lot for three days
7:13 p.m. Teen sneeked out last night, hasn’t returned, Salisbury St.; son returned home at 8:24 p.m.
8:20 p.m. Vehicle struck cat, Main St.; cat deceased

Paxton

Monday, May 3

11:30 a.m. Loose German shepherd, Pleasant St.
5:01 p.m. Attempt to serve restraining order, Pleasant St.
9:28 p.m. Attempt to serve restraining order, Pleasant St.

Tuesday, May 4

1:18 a.m. Erratic driver, Rte. 122 N
8:13 a.m. Restraining order served, Pleasant St.
3:18 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding phone call about winning a large sum of money, Pleasant St.
4:47 p.m. Loose German shepherd and pug, Pleasant St.

Wednesday, May 5

3:18 p.m. Caller found two dogs with leashes attached on her property, Boynton Pkwy.

Thursday, May 6

8:25 a.m. Report of male walking on Nanigian Rd., carrying a shotgun
8:32 a.m. Suspicious red van parked outside home, Red Oak St.
6:40 p.m. Caller reports someone doing wheelies on a dirt bike, Holbrook Ln.

Friday, May 7

8:40 a.m. Caller locked out of residence, Holbrook Ln.
8:44 a.m. Caller requesting to speak with animal control officer about foxes living in his backyard that are becoming more aggressive, Camelot Dr.
1:46 p.m. Report of large, steel plate in roadway has shifted, creating large pot hole, Pleasant St.

Saturday, May 8

7:47 a.m. Police respond to 911 hang-up. Person having problem with cordless phone, Colony Ln.

Sunday, May 9

2:21 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about ongoing trespassing problem, Grove St.
7:11 p.m. Police assist with vehicle lockout, Davis Hill Rd.

Princeton

Monday, May 3

7:52 a.m. Caller requesting animal control officer for loose German shepherd, Dowds Ln.
12:13 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at community center, Boylston Ave.
8:55 p.m. Caller reports numerous vehicles in and out of Boy Scout land, Old Colony Rd.

Tuesday, May 4

8:25 p.m. Large tree limb removed to side of Ball Hill Rd. Caller concerned people won’t see it at night

Wednesday, May 5

6:20 a.m. Traffic control, Ball Hill Rd.
4:20 p.m. Suspicious group of teens in area of community building, Boylston Ave. Doing school project
11:46 p.m. Welfare check on person on Rocky Pond Rd. having difficulty with cell phone

Thursday, May 6

3:31 p.m. Assist Westminster PD trying to locate male last seen walking on Mile Hill Rd. Person found
6:31 p.m. Police remove large branch from Rte. 140 S

Friday, May 7

10:06 a.m. Stray black and white cat in neighborhood, Main St.
5:04 p.m. Loose dog, Brooks Station Rd.
6:15 p.m. Set of keys found at top of Wachusett Mountain. Owner located

Saturday, May 8

12:05 a.m. Police transport person to Rte. 68 in Hubbardston
9:24 a.m. Caller reports loud bang, then lost power, Hobbs Rd.
9:52 a.m. Loss of power, Mirick Rd.
10:44 a.m. Power out, possibly blown transformer during storm, Gregory Rd.
11:23 a.m. Power out, Willson Rd.
11:49 a.m. Smoking transformer, Beaman Rd.
2:08 p.m. Leather wallet found near church, Worcester Rd. Owner notified
10:18 p.m. Tree down, Sterling Rd. Highway notified. Police assist with traffic. Vehicle stuck in tree, town truck needed

Sunday, May 9

12:25 p.m. Someone came to caller’s door claiming to be looking for a woman, Bullard Rd.

Rutland

Monday, May 3

8:59 a.m. Male erratically driving dirt bike, Glenwood Rd.
9:37 a.m. Deceased cat beside Turkey Hill Rd.
10:38 a.m. Warrant recalled, Main St.
12:57 p.m. Large black bear in yard, Joanna Dr.
1:55 p.m. Warrant recalled, Main St.
5:42 p.m. Caller reporting motorcycle going up and down Glenwood Rd.
8:32 p.m. Vehicle parked on Barre Paxton Rd.
8:38 p.m. Report of injured fawn lying beside Prescott St.

Tuesday, May 4

10:30 a.m. Loose chocolate Labrador in area, Brunelle Dr.
4:02 p.m. Person wants to speak with animal control officer about weasel in her yard, Fairview Ave.
6:42 p.m. Police off on Sidoti Ln.
7:56 p.m. Police attempt to remove tree from Main St. Highway dept. called

Wednesday, May 5

12:57 a.m. Police clear tree limbs from roadway, Whitehall Rd.
4:20 a.m. Assist other PD to contact person at campground, River Rd.
7:43 a.m. Neighbor came to house and rang doorbell, Sidoti Ln.
7:52 a.m. Police serve civil notice for board of health, Lizzy Ln.
10:54 a.m. Police check vehicle at school, Glenwood Rd.
4:41 p.m. Attempt to serve no-trespass order, Pleasantdale Rd.
5:54 p.m. Police investigate trespass complaint,Wachusett St.
6:21 p.m. Caller reports vehicle parked in travel lane in bad spot, Fisherman’s Rd.
6:57 p.m. Large, dead raccoon on Main St.
9:19 p.m. Two no-trespass orders served, Pleasantdale Rd.

Thursday, May 6

5:33 p.m. Complaint about dog that went after another dog, Joanna Dr.

Friday, May 7

5:35 p.m. Caller being followed by motorcycle, Nates Way

Saturday, May 8

10:09 a.m. Assist with vehicle lockout, Prison Camp Rd.
1:29 p.m. Male slumped over wheel on side of Barre Paxton Rd.
1:54 p.m. Suspicious males outside store, Barre Paxton Rd.
6:43 p.m. Report of driver and passenger fighting in vehicle, Rte. 68

Sunday, May 9

7:47 a.m. Vehicle hit mailbox now in middle of road, Maple Ave.
1:58 p.m. Caller reports his vehicle is missing, Overlook Rd. Was borrowed, will be returned

7:03 p.m. Report of three youths trying to kick down fence at town pool

Sterling

Monday, May 3

7:23 a.m. Three chocolate Labs running loose, Hilltop Dr.
9:55 a.m. Barking dog complaint, Mellon Hollow Rd.

Tuesday, May 4

12:47 p.m. Summons service for state of Florida, Woodside Dr.
2:04 p.m. Siamese cat found on I-190 in Sterling
3:35 p.m. Officer wanted, unwanted family member at home, Kitchener Rd. Police found no problem at residence

5:49 p.m. Request for police assistance with residential lockout, Redstone Hill Rd.
6:08 p.m. Residential lockout, Redstone Place

Wednesday, May 5

12:35 a.m. Holden PD requests officer check for youths walking around, Holden Rd.
8:10 a.m. Caller wants bat tested that was in his home, Redstone Hill Rd.
9:07 a.m. Report of dead rabbit, Glendale Ave.
10:16 a.m. Suspicious moving van parked at intersection, Squareshire/Chase Hill Rds. Found to be people moving
12:23 p.m. Vehicle struck and may have killed baby bear, I-190. State police advised
1:50 p.m. Stray cat hanging around home, Clinton Rd.

Thursday, May 6

6:30 p.m. Caller with questions about beetle found, concerned may be Asian longhorned beetle. Advised to freeze and contact Fisheries & Wildlife
7:08 p.m. Leominster Fire Dept. reports bonfire on Heywood Rd. Found to be small cooking fire
7:38 p.m. Report that red truck appears to be loading equipment, Worcester Rd.

Friday, May 7

2:39 a.m. Report of bobcat, Leominster Rd.
9:12 a.m. Complaint about noisy dogs, Mellon Hollow Rd.
2:13 p.m. Caller reports dog followed person and was almost hit by car, Chace Hill Rd.
8:19 p.m. Cruiser requested for suspicious activity at building, Albright Rd.
11:31 p.m. Person walking on Clinton Rd. transported by police to Princeton town line

Saturday, May 8

12:11 a.m. Complaint about barking dog, Meetinghouse Hill/Rowley Hill Rds. area

Sunday, May 9

12:01 p.m. Officer speaks to person concerned about signals, Jill Ln.

More on research

While researching my post on the CDC's findings regarding wireless households, Wireless living, I encountered a common problem with "old-school meets the web" publications. The original AP story, which would cost me $17.50 to quote (see rate sheet.), doesn't include a link to the original CDC report.

via iCopyright - Associated Press

So, I set about to find it. I searched for "centers for disease control and prevention landline" and got this:

Note that none of the articles is dated this week.
Even a search of the CDC site didn't turn up much:

Finally, guessing that the report might be titled "Wireless Subsitution", I found the report: Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, July-December 2009
I don't mean to suggest that Big Media and Big Gummint are conspiring to keep data from us. They just could have made it a whole lot easier. 

Wireless living

I first noticed this Associated Press article, 1 in 4 households with cell phone, no landline, on KurzweilAI.net. Interesting enough, but I got to wondering why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (aka CDC) did research on landline use. It would seem that the FCC or some other agency associated with telecommunications might be more likely to do such.
It turns out that the CDC did the research because their statisticians were becoming concerned that their polling data was becoming skewed by the absence of cellphone-only households in their respondent pool.  As they expanded their search, the study's author, Stephen Blumberg, Ph.D., noted that this undersurveyed group tends to be poorer and have notable differences in lifestyle, health, and access to health care from their wired cohorts.

via Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, July-December 2009

This study does not include any information regarding health risks directly related to cellphone use. It seems that the lifestyles of the cellphone users will get them long before the cellphones will.

No more pencils, almost

This morning I have a final exam in my Legal Research and Writing course. I'm as prepared as I'm going to be, which means that I'm either going to do fine or I'm toast.
I have my pencils, #2 and others, at the ready.

via “The Other Numbers”(which is by way of The Daily What)

I do have a bit of a concern because of some lingering effects from last week's defliction. I've asked the professor for some accommodation, perhaps allowing me to type the answers to the last half of the exam.
It might be better overall, given my record for untidiness.

Click to enbiggen

Happy 12th, Tess

Love, Iso & The Bupster

Many are cold, but few are frozen

The overnight wind keep the cold air from settling to the ground, so feared freeze didn't. There's a skim coat of frost on the deck and tops of the grass blades, but that's all. More cold is in the forecast for tonight.
This isn't really unreasonable or unseasonable. We had the very warm weather a few weeks ago and our clocks are set a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Happy Mother's Day

My mother is still teaching us