WeatherMA - Worcester County

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AN INTENSE HEAVY 12 TO 18 HOUR SNOW STORM IS ON THE WAY FOR
MOST OF S. NEW ENGLAND EXCLUDING THE COASTAL SOUTHEAST.

RI.CT & THE SE TWO THIRDS OF
MASSACHUSETTS WILL SEE A DUSTING TO 2 INCHES OF NEW SNOW TODAY

WITH SLEET & FREEZING RAIN ALONG THE SO. COASTS OF RHODE
ISLAND & MASSACHUSETTS.

HOWEVER.THE BIG DEVELOPING STORY WILL OCCUR PRIMARILY BETWEEN
10 PM TONIGHT & 10 AM MONDAY.WHEN A NOREASTER DEPOSITS A 5 TO
15 INCH SNOWFALL ACROSS MUCH OF S. NEW ENGLAND.EXCLUDING
THE COASTAL SOUTHEAST.

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>017-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>004-006-012100-

/O.CON.KBOX.WS.W.0006.090302T0200Z-090302T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CNTL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
WESTERN & CNTL HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI-
WA RI-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.HARTFORD.WINDSOR LOCKS.UNION.
VERNON.PUTNAM.WILLIMANTIC.CHARLEMONT.GREENFIELD.
ORANGE.BARRE.FITCHBURG.FRAMINGHAM.LOWELL.LAWRENCE.
GLOUCESTER.CHESTERFIELD.BLANDFORD.AMHERST.NORTHAMPTON.
SPRINGFIELD.MILFORD.WORCESTER.FOXBORO.NORWOOD.
CAMBRIDGE.BOSTON.QUINCY.TAUNTON.AYER.JAFFREY.KEENE.
MANCHESTER.NASHUA.PETERBOROUGH.WEARE.FOSTER.
SMITHFIELD.PROVIDENCE.WEST GREENWICH.WARWICK.
NARRAGANSETT.WESTERLY

749 AM EST SUN MAR 1 2009

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING
TO 5 PM EST MONDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING
TO 5 PM EST MONDAY.

THIS WARNING COVERS N. CT.SOUTHERN NEW
HAMPSHIRE. MOST OF RI & MASSACHUSETTS EXCEPT THE
SOUTHEAST SECTIONS WHERE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT

TODAY & A WATCH STILL EXISTS TONIGHT & MONDAY.

TODAYS SNOW & FLURRIES IN S. NEW ENGLAND IS JUST A TEASE
FOR WHATS COMING TONIGHT.

SIX TO 12 INCHES IS FORECAST FOR SO. CNTL NH WITH
5 TO 10 INCHES IN THE CT RIVER VALLEY.

THE JACKPOT.10 TO 15 INCHES.WILL PILE UP IN THE HEAVILY
POPULATED BOSTON PROVIDENCE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR.WESTWARD

INTO NE CT & NORTHWARD THROUGH WORCESTER COUNTY

INTO THE MERRIMACK VALLEY OF NE MASSACHUSETTS.

SNOW.WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES BETWEEN 10 PM TONIGHT & 10 AM
MONDAY CAUSING NUMEROUS DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS IN ALL SORTS OF
TRANSPORTATION DEPENDENT BUSINESS.

SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED FOR A
COUPLE OF HRS NEAR OR JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT IN MASSACHUSETTS.

CT & RI. THUNDER MAY ALSO BE HEARD.

SNOW WILL TAPER TO LIGHT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS LATE MONDAY
MORNING OR AFTERNOON.

THE MON MORNING COMMUTE WILL BE QUITE SLOW & HAZARDOUS DUE
TO A COMBINATION OF STILL HEAVY SNOW.RESULTING IN POOR

VISIBILITY & RAPID ACCUMULATION ON ROADS. TEMPS WILL BE

IN THE TEENS TO LWR 20S WITH GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS CAUSING
BLOWING & DRIFTING OF THE SNOW & WIND CHILLS IN THE 5 TO
15 DEGREE RANGE.

SLEET MAY BE MIXED WITH THE SNOW FOR A TIME ALONG THE INTERSTATE
95 CORRIDOR.

SAFE TRAVEL IN S. NEW ENGLAND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BETWEEN

2 PM & 8 PM TODAY WHEN A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL WITH

LITTLE IF ANY SNOW FALLING.

TRAVEL SHOULD BE ESPECIALLY AVOIDED BETWEEN 11 PM & 5 AM.

A MAP OF EXPECTED SNOW FALL IS POSTED ON THE NATL WEATHER
SVC TAUNTON HOME PAGE.

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN AN AVERAGE OF 6 OR MORE
INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN A 12 HOUR PERIOD.OR FOR 8 OR MORE
INCHES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. TRAVEL WILL BE SLOW AT BEST ON WELL
TREATED SURFACES.& QUITE DIFFICULT ON ANY UNPLOWED OR
UNTREATED SURFACES.

$$

MAZ018>023-RIZ005-007-012100-
/O.CON.KBOX.WW.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-090302T0000Z/

/O.CON.KBOX.WS.A.0006.090302T0200Z-090302T2200Z/
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-BRISTOL RI-NEWPORT RI-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.BROCKTON.PLYMOUTH.FALL RIVER.
NEW BEDFORD.MATTAPOISETT.CHATHAM.FALMOUTH.PROVINCETOWN.
VINEYARD HAVEN.BRISTOL.NEWPORT

749 AM EST SUN MAR 1 2009

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS

EVENING.
WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS

EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING
THROUGH MON AFTERNOON.

THIS ADVISORY TODAY COVERS SE SECTIONS OF BOTH MASSACHUSETTS
AND RI AS WELL AS THE CAPE & MARTHAS VINEYARD. THE WINTER
STORM WATCH FOR A POTENTIALLY MORE SERIOUS WINTER WEATHER EVENT
CONTINUES TONIGHT & MONDAY.

SNOW HAS ALREADY OVERSPREAD MOST OF THE ADVISORY AREA THIS MORNING
AND MAY FALL HEAVILY FOR 1 TO 2 HRS BEFORE TAPERING TO FLURRIES
DURING MID AFTERNOON.

AN INCH OR 2 OF SNOW & SLEET IS EXPECTED TODAY..

AS THE SNOW DIMINISHES THIS AFTERNOON IT MAY MIX WITH SLEET.

THE WATCH CONTINUES TONIGHT & MON SINCE THERE IS UNCERTAINTY
AS TO THE THERMAL PROFILE WHEN HEAVY PRECIPITATION ARRIVES. AT
THIS TIME.FREEZING RAIN.SLEET & SNOW IS EXPECTED OVER THE
WATCH AREA.EXCEPT PROBABLY MOSTLY RAIN & SLEET HYANNIS TO
PROVINCETOWN.

SNOW FALL RATES OVER INTERIOR SE MASSACHUSETTS MAY BE 1 TO
2 INCHES AN HOUR AROUND MIDNIGHT.

A SLIGHT EASTWARD SHIFT IN THE STORM TRACK WOULD RESULT IN A WIDESPREAD
HEAVY WIND DRIVEN SNOWSTORM WITH POWER OUTAGES. DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY
OF THE AMOUNTS OF SNOW.SLEET & FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT & MONDAY.THE
WATCH IS CONTINUED.

THOSE WHO MUST TRAVEL TO THE SO. COASTS OF RI AND
MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT A NASTY WINTER STORM IS
EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT WITH HAZARDOUS TRAVEL & 35 TO 45 MPH
NORTHERLY WIND GUSTS BY MON MORNING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED FOR THE POTENTIAL OF ACCUMULATING
SNOW OF 6 OR MORE INCHES IN A 12 HOUR PERIOD.OR 8 OR MORE
INCHES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. ANYONE TRAVELING IN THE NEXT 24 TO
36 HRS SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS & BE PREPARED TO MODIFY
TRAVEL PLANS SHOULD WINTER WEATHER DEVELOP.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SNOW AND/OR ICE IS
FORECAST TO DEVELOP IN THE AFFECTED AREAS.BUT ACCUMULATIONS ARE
EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT. ANY SNOW OR ICE WOULD MAKE DRIVING AND
WALKING DIFFICULT.BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE.ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS
AND SIDEWALKS.  WHEN TEMPS ARE BELOW FREEZING.MOTORISTS
NEED TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL ON BRIDGES & OVERPASSES WHERE
SLIPPERY SPOTS CAN EASILY DEVELOP.

$$


DRAG





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--
Drink from the well and yield your place to another. - Jose Ortega y Gasset

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.

---

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

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, February 9

7:24 a.m. MassHighway notified twice of ice at Sunnyside Ave.
8:38 a.m. Something shot at front window of business, causing some damage, Doyle Rd.
8:51 a.m. Dog hit, Mason Rd.
10:30 a.m. Sick coyote, Salisbury St.
3:03 p.m. Caller about ammo he left with station about five years ago; advised it's most likely gone

Tuesday, February 10

1:24 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Paxton Rd.
1:34 a.m. Suspicious person on Salisbury St.; OK, looking for dog
7:33 a.m. Ice on Pleasant St., manhole cover raised on High St., and pothole on Chapel St.
7:48 a.m. MassHighway informed of large patch of ice at Sunnyside Ave.
9:55 a.m. Vehicle repossession, Princeton St.
11:26 a.m. Visa bank card found, Holden St.
2:45 p.m. Loose dog, Fairview Ave.
4:30 p.m. Front license plate stolen
11:05 p.m. Kids behind Davis Hill School causing disturbance

Wednesday, February 11

7:24 a.m. Parties dispersed at high school
11:28 a.m. Dog attacked by neighbor's dog
7:50 p.m. Older female with limp, Malden St.
8:36 p.m. Flashing light reported inside residence, Holden St.
9:33 p.m. Loose dog near Rutland Pharmacy; advised to call Rutland PD.

Thursday, February 12

7:20 a.m. Suspicious person in parking lot, Main St.
7:35 a.m. Report of tree stump debris in Doyle Road
8:35 a.m. Caller to file report against tree crew
10:05 a.m. Inquiry regarding lost wallet; none turned in
12:43 p.m. Solicitors on Shrewsbury St.
3:25 p.m. Neighbor's dog at home on Shrewsbury St.; returned to owners
8:10 p.m. Caller regarding party who does drugs; advised Mass State Police recently did house raid, to contact them

Friday, February 13

1:27 a.m. Sewage coming into residence, Britney Dr.
2:09 a.m. 911 Report of moose on Wachusett St.; no contact
8:11 a.m. Walk-in reports hitting dog on Rte. 68 in Rutland; Rutland PD informed
10:37 a.m. Possible use of counterfeit bill, Reservoir St.
3:55 p.m. Suspicious person taking pictures of residence, Salisbury St.
4:10 p.m. Suspicious person taking pictures of residence on Main St.; same description as previous call
4:38 p.m. Male taking pictures of residence on Mixter Rd.; same description as previous calls
4:58 p.m. Resident concerned about leaving house after picture-taking incident
6:34 p.m. Dog brought home strange item on Britney Dr.; item retrieved for possible identification

Saturday, February 14

Sunday, February 15

9:30 a.m. Kids from Jackson St. on ATV driving down Whitney St.; parties advised to keep ATV off public roadways
10:19 a.m. Dog running down Main St. stopping traffic
11:45 a.m. Dog found on Manning St.
2:03 p.m. Lockout of building, Main St.
2:50 p.m. Pilgrim Rd. resident reports fisher cat in back yard; advised to call Critter Control
6:33 p.m. 911 Report of children throwing snowballs at cars, Doyle Rd.
6:46 p.m. Vehicle hit by snowball, Shrewsbury St.; parties throwing snowballs identified, will be held responsible
9:37 p.m. Report of suspicious people on Marlen Rd.

Paxton

Monday, February 9

3:00 p.m. Caller looking for information on a vehicle that was impounded last week
7:35 p.m. Resident locked out of house, Marshall St.

Tuesday, February 10

1:55 p.m. Resident locked out of home, Pleasant St.
3:21 p.m. Caller found half eaten bag of potato chips in her house, Grove St.
4:56 p.m. Caller advising she found large dog poop on doorstep when she got home. Requested officers be on the lookout for loose dogs in the area, Pleasant St.

Wednesday, February 10

12:04 a.m. Caller reporting that she believes someone was in her house after she went to bed, Grove St. Checked house, all secure.

Wednesday, February 11

5:40 p.m. Vehicles parked in road, Suomi St.
6:08 p.m. 911 Hang up. Resident contacted, wants to know when the water is coming back on
7:12 p.m. Caller advising that she believed someone had entered her home. Coffee pot was on and dog was growling, Grove St.
7:43 p.m. Caller from Thistledown Lane advising they have no water.
10:15 p.m. Caller advising that lights are on in her garage, were not on when she left, Grove St.

Thursday, February 12

3:13 a.m. Caller reporting she is locked in her house, Grove St. Stayed online with her while she tried back door. It works.
8:16 a.m. Caller stating there was someone in her "turret" at her residence, Grove St.
7:17 p.m. 911 hang up. Contacted resident who said he was attempting to teach his four year old to dial 911. Child made the call.

Friday, February 13

4:10 p.m. Caller reporting brown tap water, Pleasant St.
4:19 p.m. Caller requesting officer check residence, Grove St.

Saturday, February 14

9:51 a.m. Walk-in reporting he found a dog running loose in the center.
6:17 p.m. Five juveniles admitting to marijuana use, Moore State Park. Taken in to await parental pickup.
8:49 Caller reporting he doesn't have electricity, Pleasant St.

Sunday, February 15

5:13 p.m. erratic operator, Holden Rd @Grove St.

Princeton

Monday, February 9

8:58 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Havenwood Dr.

Wednesday, February 11

11:13 a.m. Assist animal control officer, Worcester Rd.

Friday, February 13

7:41 a.m. Disturbance, gun shots, Beaman Rd.
2:06 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Wheeler Rd.

Saturday, February 14

10:04 a.m. Suspicious incident, Hobbs Rd.
11:53 a.m. Dog from Sterling lost, Roper Rd.
1:35 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Sterling Rd.
2:41 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Thompson Rd.
3:48 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Mirick Rd.

Sunday, February 15

11:13 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Dowds Ln.
7:01 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Fitchburg Rd.

Rutland

Tuesday, February 10

8:30 a.m. Person at station for fingerprinting, Main St.
2:35 p.m. Officer speaks with person about installation of car seats, Main St.
3:00 p.m. Erratic operator all over the road, Main St.

Wednesday, February 16, 2009

8:45 a.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Maple Ave.
1:23 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Maple Ave.
4:33 p.m. Section of Brintnal Dr. nearly impassable because of mud. Car stuck
5:50 p.m. Person stuck in caller's driveway, Drury Ln.
11:04 p.m. Female outside building yelling, Maple Ave.

Thursday, February 12

6:31 a.m. Owl sitting in middle of Pleasantdale Rd.
9:21 a.m. Multiple calls about mud in road, Brintnal Dr.
8:05 p.m. Young man go-carting up and down Glenwood near Campbell

Friday, February 13

3:57 a.m. Person to speak with officer about cell phone call, Main St.
8:00 a.m. Dog struck and killed, E. County Rd.

Saturday, February 15

10:16 a.m. Suspicious male wandering around area of Wildbrook Ave.
4:29 p.m. Summons delivered, Sassawanna Rd.
4:38 p.m. Summons delivered, Pommogussett Rd.
4:43 p.m. Summons Delivered, Miles Rd.
4:53 p.m. Keys locked in car, Main St.
5:25 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Maple Ave.
5:45 p.m. Summons delivered, Orchard Hill Dr.
5:56 p.m. Summons delivered, Sycamore Dr.

Sunday, February 15

4:33 p.m. 911 hang-up, Richards Ave.
5:30 p.m. 911 hang-up, Watson Ln.

Sterling

Monday, February 9

1:24 p.m. Key lost possibly between Corner Café and Lilacs, Main St.
2:26 p.m. Possible, disabled motor vehicle, Pratts Jct./ Albright Rds. Man walking in woods

Tuesday, February 10

7:10 a.m. Stray cat around garage, Kendall Hill Rd.
7:20 a.m. Barking stray dog in yard, Newell Hill Rd.
9:25 a.m. Male going through recycling boxes, Gates Ter.

Friday, February 13

1:32 p.m. Report of "strange" animal in yard, Evergreen Circle. May be a fisher cat

Saturday, February 14

12:36 a.m. Assist citizen where car is off the road. Three women behind a tree, couldn't recall how they got there, Greenland Rd.

Sunday, February 15

3:16 p.m. Report that people were riding on cows, Redstone Hill Rd.
4:14 p.m. Party concerned about son in a hotel using drugs. Advised to contact other PD, Leominster Rd.

NOCWYB

Along with the No One Cares What You Had for Lunch principle, delightfully flipped on its ear by friend Liz, is the principle that No One Cares Why You Blog (NOCWYB). Self-referential writing is, for the most part, rarely as interesting to the reader as it is to the writer.

So, now that we have that out of the way, let's talk a bit about blogging. The other day, Jeff over at Wormtown Taxi posted a note that commented on another writer's lament that blogging isn't the quick path to riches and fame. Of course it's not.


The percentage of people who make a living at anything creative, and I consider blogging to be more creative than entrepreneurial (mostly because it's easier to spell), is darned small. If anything, this blogging is more like graffiti tagging, except that our walls are in nerd space, not on walls, trains, or highway underpasses. We get to write what we think is important, in the hope that someone else might think the same, and we don't have to hide our empty cans of spray paint.

Worcestershire Journal - Sidewalk anthropologist

Worcestershire Journal - Sidewalk anthropologist : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

Worcestershire Journal - While waiting for the weather to change

My latest post on the Real Worcester site: Worcestershire Journal - While waiting for the weather to change

Crime in the Great White North

According to an article in the Guardian, officials in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, are hoping to control the long lines at Tim Horton's drive-through shops by posting "No Stopping" signs:
Note that the city will put up the signs "[a]s soon as weather permits."
In addition, the deputy police chief says that “Enforcement will be random, it will be sporadic and it will be done at the level that’s warranted to address the situation.’’

Crime in exurbia

This past Sunday, many newspapers carried a Los Angeles Times story about the erudite police log in Dutch Harbor, a village in the town of Unalaska, Alaska.
The city (Alaska 11th largest) is located a long way from nowhere.

View Larger Map

And, in keeping with the libertarian spirit of our 49th state, here's the town's Website Policy:

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, Feb. 2

7:13 a.m. 911 Caller says the color of the sky is not right, doesn't believe it's fire; area checked; caller says it is sun glare
8:58 a.m. Rutland PD received report of wood in the road on Main St.; debris moved
9:18 a.m. Walk-in says people are going on her property with four-wheelers
10:46 a.m. Caller about child who ran away from school
11:15 a.m. Dog being attacked on Elmwood Ave.
4:48 p.m. Report of employee at Mountview using marijuana
5:02 p.m. Suspicious people on Pinebrook Lane
5:20 p.m. Two operators, possibly road rage incident, on Main St.
6:49 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout at funeral home

Tuesday, Feb. 3

6:10 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle behind Chaffins Recreation Association
10:30 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Main St.
12:00 p.m. Report of possible scam
12:34 p.m. Princeton PD reports suspicious person on Main St. giving the finger to passing vehicles
1:34 p.m. Bike found
4:25 p.m. White van with hazards on and male slumped over wheel on Causeway St.
4:50 p.m. Two-car motor vehicle accident on Causeway St.
7:11 p.m. Car in snowbank on Quinapoxet St.
7:13 p.m. Possible disabled motor vehicle on Newell Rd.
7:20 p.m. Report of car in snowbank on Wachusett St.
9:14 p.m. 911 Plow operator doing donuts in Davis Hill lot

Wednesday, Feb. 4

12:06 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in the area of Malden St.
2:22 p.m. Youths dispersed from parking lot on Main St.
4:45 p.m. Tractor-trailer needs assistance turning around at bridge on Main St.
5:18 p.m. Individual reported trying to sell steaks out of back of truck on Main St.
10:57 p.m. 911 Caller says dogs are barking, wants police to check home

Thursday, Feb. 5

2:08 a.m. West Boylston Police advising they have 911 caller on line saying they're being rammed by a Jeep; incident happened in Worcester
9:00 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on Juniper Lane; okay, all set

1:34 p.m. Caller regarding an incident that happened on school grounds
2:16 p.m. Assist security with male party at high school
2:35 p.m. Report of accident in parking lot at high school
7:35 p.m. Walk-in to speak with police regarding incident at high school today
9:27 p.m. Vehicle struck in restaurant parking lot, no note left

Friday, Feb. 6

1:55 a.m. Inquiry regarding any power outages in town
2:59 a.m. Suspicious person on Main St. walking behind business; says she's going to store
12:30 p.m. Dog found
2:15 p.m. Caller asking about lost dog; referred to person who found him
4:20 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with operator taking pictures of caller's residence
8-52 p.m. Motor vehicle broken into on Cranbrook Dr.
8:52 p.m. Motor vehicle broken into on Mark Circle
9:08 p.m. 911 Motor vehicle broken into on Butternut Circle
10:38 p.m. 911 Motor vehicle broken into on Pilgrim Dr.
10:38 p.m. Motor vehicle broken into on Meadowwood Dr.

Saturday, Feb. 7

12:02 a.m. 911 Report of female running southbound on Main St.
12:48 a.m. Things found that may be part of car breaks
1:34 a.m. Tread on vehicle at Assumption College doesn't match
7:10 a.m. Motor vehicle broken into
10:22 a.m. No water at residence on Main St.
11:04 a.m. Motor vehicle broken into on Sycamore Dr.
11:20 a.m. Suspicious person on Quail Run going door to door asking if motor vehicles are for sale; no contact
5:01 p.m. Report of yelling/argument on Paugus Rd.; okay, argument by phone
8:55 p.m. Tree limb fell on wires on South Rd.
8:56 p.m. Report of female in van parked on side of road vomiting
11:18 p.m. Vehicle broken into on Mark Circle

Sunday, Feb. 8

11:56 a.m. Large pothole reported on Chapel St., manhole covers raised on High St.
12:14 p.m. 911 accidental from Explorers Way; child playing with phone
12:51 p.m. Parker Ave. electricity keeps flickering
12:52 p.m. Ice at top of St. Mary's Drive reported
2:27 p.m. Wire fell causing large flash
3:07 p.m. Small power outage on Quinapoxet St.
5:03 p.m. Lost dog found
6:05 p.m. Dog almost attacked by neighbor's dog on Reservoir St.
6:32 p.m. Woman reports almost being attacked by German shepherd
9:03 p.m. Deer hit on Quinapoxet St.

Paxton

Monday, Feb. 2

1:05 a.m. Suspicious hitchhiker in dark clothing, Pleasant St.
3:32 p.m. Caller with no water, upset DPW didn't notify her about water main break

Wednesday, Feb. 4

5:42 p.m. Caller advising she will have a campfire on Saturday
6:22 p.m. Truck and trailer stuck on ice in road, Elm St.

Thursday, Feb. 5

7:30 a.m. Callers have taken in a small white dog running around the neighborhood all morning, barking, Briarcliff Ln.
9:06 a.m. Caller reporting footprints in yard leading up to meter. PMLD had no one there today, Knollwood Rd.

Friday, Feb. 6

10:34 a.m. Resident in station to check that his registration is active
1:39 p.m. Suspicious person going through cars at Paxton Sports Center, Pleasant St.
1:47 p.m. Suspicious person in green minivan, Red Oak St. May be delivery person.

Sunday, Feb. 8

2:15 a.m. Walk-in to retrieve her motor vehicle taken in Worcester and found on West St.

Princeton

Monday, Feb. 2

10:23 a.m. Sales/telemarketing complaint, investigated, Goodnow Rd.

Wednesday, Feb. 4

8:33 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, property damage, Sterling Rd.
9:47 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, property damage, Sterling Rd.

Rutland

Monday, Feb. 2

10:23 a.m. Person at station to pick up computer taken for evidence, Main St.

Tuesday, Feb. 3

5:43 p.m. Caller asking for officer to check on house where lights are on and no one is home, Highland Park Rd.
8:27 p.m. Vehicle slid off Pommogussett Rd.

Wednesday, Feb. 4

4:33 a.m. Tree on sparking wires, Main St.

Thursday, Feb. 5

12:42 p.m. Large, low branch hanging over E. County Rd., commercial truck can't fit under it
1:21 p.m. Male client has left school and staff are chasing him, Miles Rd.

Saturday, Feb. 7

3:12 p.m. Dog struck and killed, Pommogussett/Sunnybrook Rds.
4:03 p.m. Officer advised about possible problem with person trying to collect money, Prouty Ln.

Sunday, Feb. 8

8:45 a.m. Person calling about wood near state boat ramps
4:33 p.m. Older male laying in back seat of car, Irish Ln.

Sterling

Monday, Feb. 2

12:11 a.m. Person wants to speak with officer about family issue, Main St.
3:24 p.m. Provide assistance to bus crossing railroad tracks, Pratts Jct. Rd.
4:11 p.m. Assist with bus crossing railroad tracks, Pratts Jct. Rd.

Tuesday, Feb. 3

9:00 a.m. Complaint about loose dog, Newell Hill Rd.
5:58 p.m. Numerous vehicles stuck on Holden Rd.

Wednesday, Feb. 4

7:44 a.m. Complaint about vehicle parked at bus stop, Riverview Rd.
8:13 a.m. Motor vehicle accident and debris in road (may be a pocketbook), Redemption Rock Trl./Merrill Rd.
4:07 p.m. Suspicious blue Jeep in Days Way area for several hours

Friday, Feb. 6

10:05 a.m. Fox running back and forth behind homes, Nelson Rd.
11:57 a.m. Fraud, Stuart Rd.
3:38 p.m. Large black cow in roadway, Chace Hill Rd.
6:33 p.m. Dead cat in road, Miles Rd.

Saturday, Feb. 7

6:50 a.m. Loose horse on Osgood Rd.
12:54 p.m. Back door to Town Hall open when person came to work, Main St.
10:29 p.m. Loose ponies on Redstone Hill Rd.

Sunday, Feb. 8

1:31 p.m. Caller's daughter bitten by dog while out running, Chace Hill Rd.
2:11 p.m. Person to talk with officer about ongoing problem on Spratt's Technology Way
3:26 p.m. Person at station to talk with officer about issues on Spratt's Technology Way

The last time I checked, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, and Mike Oldfield were rather white.

Amazon's music page announces Celebrate Black History Month and then offers music from all-white performers:

And, yes, I can see the small Shop Now link that takes you over to the Black History Month page. You'd think, however, that Amazon might have the sense and sensibility to put some black performers on the home page, wouldn't you?

If you are not null, ...

 I've subscribed to the online Wall Street Journal for more than 10 years. You'd think that they might remember me.

Some days, you need an extra dos of dorkiness

On those days when the glasses and the pocket protector aren't enough, here's another outward manifestation of your inner dweebitude: bookofjoe: Connect-A-Desk — World's first wearable laptop workstation

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, January 26

3:47 p.m. 911 Little girl ran away from van bringing her home on West View St.; found
5:35 p.m. On Star reports its subscriber activated emergency button but can't be reached; no contact
9:38 p.m. Vehicle pulled to side of road on Main St.
9:59 p.m. Dog found on Brennan Way
10:35 p.m. Caller needs assistance getting into house

Tuesday, January 27

2:07 a.m. Suspicious person behind Holden Chapel

10:36 a.m. Tree company blocking road on Causeway St.
4:48 p.m. Verbal altercation reported
7:02 p.m. Two hockey nets stolen from Dorothy Ave.
11:19 p.m. Stolen hockey nets on Dorothy Ave.

Wednesday, January 28

3:49 a.m. Suspicious incident on Shrewsbury St.
5:03 a.m. Deer hit on Wachusett St.
10:39 a.m. Vehicles to be removed for plowing
1:53 p.m. MassHighway reports person pushing snow into street, then threatened MassHighway employee
2:29 p.m. Multiple youths in area of water tower on Shrewsbury St. throwing things
2:30 p.m. Multiple calls from highway department regarding vehicles in road that need to be removed for plowing
5:30 p.m. Truck pushing snow into the street
7:37 p.m. Suspicious person walking between houses on Sunnyside Ave.; person advised to return home
8:15 p.m. Disabled vehicle; plow fell off vehicle

Thursday, January 29

4:02 a.m. Car in road running with no one around on Wild Rose Ave.
4:15 a.m. Five cars in business lot on Main St.
4:58 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Doyle Rd.
7:49 a.m. Caller concerned about cleaners that is closed; needs items to leave on flight; owner contacted
9:40 a.m. Cat lost on Armington Lane
4:00 p.m. Horses and cattle loose on Putnam Rd.

Friday, January 30

4:53 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Sagewood Circle, no one around
10:13 a.m. Fox roaming the area of Twinbrooke Dr.
1:50 p.m. Third grader ran off from Dawson School; child later located at home on Centerwood Dr.
2:51 p.m. Strange cat reported in area
5:05 p.m. Fight broken up in pool parking lot
8:20 p.m. Caller reports might have information about illegal activity; was at Quinsigamond Community College
8:22 p.m. Suspicious person standing on traffic island on Wachusett St., now banging on side of house and windows

Saturday, January 31

9:55 a.m. Religious solicitors on Marlen Rd. reported
10:14 a.m. Caller asking if husband arrested last night; no arrests last night, referred to Mass. State Police
10:40 a.m. Caller reporting suspicious phone calls from Texas
2:06 p.m. Sparks/flames coming from top of telephone pole on Salisbury St.
2:12 p.m. Several calls regarding power outages
3:56 p.m. Caller accidentally armed security system and doesn't know how to disable it
5:09 p.m. Porcupine walking in circles on Princeton St.
6:18 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout on Somerset Lane

Sunday, February 1

5:40 a.m. Cell phone found in lobby
11:38 a.m. Caller regarding lost phone, will stop by station

Paxton

Monday, January 26

7:07 p.m. Suspicious black truck, Monticello Dr.
7:28 p.m. Caller advising Clark University is having a night hike at Moore State Park.

Tuesday, January 27

4:08 p.m. Caller reporting banging noise at window, Old Lantern Dr. Property checked, may have been falling ice.

Thursday, January 29

12:41 p.m. Car stuck on ice in Moore State Park parking lot.

Friday, January 30

3:14 p.m. Caller reporting 20 turkeys in the road, going after cars and backing up traffic, Grove St.
3:59 p.m. Caller requesting assistance. Two-year-old daughter has locked herself in bathroom and cannot get door open, Cutler Rd. Officers respond, mission accomplished.
7:08 p.m. Loose dog, Wildewood Rd. Owners took control of animal.

Saturday, January 31

No calls reported.

Sunday, February 1

9:20 p.m. Walk-in reporting her dog is missing. White Pekinese with tan spots and Paxton tags. Answers to the name Meka.

Princeton

Monday, January 26

8:51 a.m. Suspicious person, Gregory Hill Rd.
8:58 a.m. As the result of a motor vehicle stop, narcotics were found, Boylston Ave.
1:08 p.m. Narcotics found, Mountain Rd.

Tuesday, January 27

4:20 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Town Hall Dr.

Thursday, January 29

2:00 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Worcester Rd.
5:55 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.
4:48 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Houghton Rd.

Friday, January 30

6:24 p.m. Assist Westminster Police, Mile Hill Rd.

Saturday, January 31

1:09 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Gleason Rd.
4:48 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.
11:23 p.m. Assist Westminster Police, Mile Hill Rd.

Sunday, February 1

11:25 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Dowds Ln.

Rutland

Monday, January 26

11:17 a.m. Caller reporting white trucks in woods behind her home, Oakridge Dr.
11:41 a.m. Second call about workers on land behind home on Oakridge Dr. Not a police issue
3:36 p.m. Cat struck by school bus, River Rd.

Wednesday, January 28

6:27 a.m. Complaint about neighbor playing radio very loudly, Maple Ave.
12:21 p.m. Four-wheelers in roadway, Pleasantdale Rd.
1:00 p.m. Private plow operator is plowing snow from private driveway into road, Pommogussett Rd.
2:45 p.m. Request that police have a vehicle moved that is impeding snow removal, Main St.
2:53 p.m. Angry resident on Wheeler Rd is stuck, said road has not been plowed
5:16 p.m. Suspicious brown Jeep driving up and down Brintnal Dr.

Thursday, January 29

3:36 a.m. Loud music coming from downstairs apartment, Maple Ave.
3:20 p.m. Two large stones in middle of Pommogussett Rd.
7:51 p.m. Suspicious flatbed trailer truck in area of Memorial Dr.

Saturday, January 31

3:51 p.m. Report of two miniature horses walking down Maple Ave.

Sterling

Monday, January 26

8:53 a.m. Man going through recycling bins left at end of driveways, Avery Ln.
11:50 a.m. White dog with black spots running in area of Worcester Rd. and Campground Rd.
2:18 p.m. Lost German short-haired pointer, Upper North Row Rd.
3:38 p.m. Fat raccoon walking around Kendall Hill Rd.
4:52 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about a gate that has been put up preventing him from gaining access to his property, Leominster Rd.
8:41 p.m. Dog lost from shelter on Laurelwood Rd.

Tuesday, January 27

4:37 a.m. Party requesting to speak with an officer about civil issue between him and his neighbor and the property between them, Spratt Technology Way
7:16 a.m. Truck idling all night long, Park St.
7:37 a.m. Officer wanted at business on Spratt Technology Way, ongoing problem
8:13 a.m. Attempt to serve warrant, Tuttle Rd.
8:14 a.m. Caller asking for assistance with parking problem at
school bus turn-around, Chace Hill Rd./Metropolitan Rd.
1:46 p.m. Two suspicious people walking down Chace Hill Rd.
2:34 p.m. Dog lost from shelter has been seen hanging around area of Laurelwood Rd. Trap set for dog.
6:11 p.m. Motorist reports large dog that appears injured is in middle of Rowley Hill Rd.
8:11 p.m. Cat struck by car, Main St./Waushacum Ave.

Friday, January 30

8:52 p.m. Man standing in middle of road attempting to flag down traffic, Redemption Rock Trl. and Merrill Rd.

Saturday, January 31

8:53 a.m. State Police calling about death report, Leominster Rd.
11:21 a.m. Person came to station to talk with officer about identity theft, Leominster Rd.

Sunday, February 1

11:09 a.m. Caller reports shooting before hours, Eight Point Sportsman's Club
12:38 p.m. Assist citizen installing car seat, Leominster Rd.,
5:15 p.m. Caller reporting his neighbor's dog is in his yard, Clinton Rd.

Putting Helsinki on the 'global gastro-map'

So we learn from the Helsinging Sanomat article, The Times sees Helsinki as one of Europe's "best romantic city breaks",that Helsinki is becoming recognized as a romantic destination, particularly for its food that is certainly ringing our bell by "rapidly establishing Nordic cooking on the global gastro-map".

Have a look, if you will, at Wikipedia's summary of traditional Finnish dishes:

Care for another serving of Rudolph?

Sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and pickles

Rock-and-roll specialist

You'll be seeing lots of Buddy Holly clips around the 'net today. It was 50 years ago that the plane crashed.....

Buddy Holly Live in New York With Peggy Sue 1958

via Miss Celania on Neatorama

Food Police and Food Lawyers want to tell us what to do with our food.

In the UK, a government agency is going to be calling households to give them advice on what to do with their leftovers.

In a trial in six local authorities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the officials have been recruited on full-time contracts to visit an estimated 24,500 homes dispensing dietary advice and tips on how best to reduce the estimated one-third of all food bought which is thrown away.

Meanwhile, back in the U.S. of A., and with deference to my vegetarian friends, (who have enough else to think about, anyway), you can't get a burger cooked rare at Chili's restaurants. The corporate lawyers have deemed it too great a risk to serve under-coooked meats. In small, but unwavering print, their menu says:

We grill our burgers medium, medium-well or well done.

Also, you don't just get a bottle of, um, bottled water. You get Dasani® Purified Water with Minerals, lest we forget that the stuff in the pretty bottle comes from the local tap.

Hard times for the Finnish fur trade

Reports from Finland show that the global recession is hurting the Finnish fur business. "I think we’ll put some of the pelts into the feed freezer to wait for better times," remarked one farmer.
Not only is the domestic business constrained, but a little-known bit of out-sourcing is also came back to bite the Finnish farmers in the but. "At the beginning of the millennium the Chinese flew 10,000 live blue foxes from Finland to China to serve as stud animals." These stud animals led to a population boom of blue foxes in China, driving prices down further.
Oh, by the way, in case you need a bit of trivia to get you through the boring Super Bowl ads this weekend, the animal we call a mink derives its name from a Swedish word, menk, meaning a stinking animal in Finland.

Worcestershire Journal - It’s winter, people. : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

Worcestershire Journal - It’s winter, people. : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, Jan. 19

1:00 a.m. Report of vehicle crashed into utility pole; party now throwing beer bottles from vehicle; one person taken into protective custody for drunkenness
8:01 a.m. Vehicle out of gas, Main St.
10:33 a.m. Loose dog, Flagler Dr.
11:41 a.m. Solicitors on Village Green Ln.
1:35 p.m. Caller says motor vehicle struck by plow in her driveway
3:56 p.m. Man yelling at passenger and kicking vehicle at high school
6:30 p.m. Caller reports psychologist not present for appointment

Tuesday, Jan. 20

12:25 a.m. Loud noise in area of Beechwood/Nola Dr.; caller inquiring if there's a car accident
2:16 a.m. Report of truck idling on Quinapoxet St. and new pile at sand pit
7:46 a.m. Truck needs to be removed from pool parking area
8:22 a.m. Caller reports car just cut her off and turned down Holden St.
1:48 p.m. Two people caught shoplifting at Big Y
9:33 p.m. Van driving around Davis Hill School parking lot for 20 minutes

Wednesday, Jan. 21

12:34 a.m. Noise in basement, Raymond St.
3:43 p.m. Caller reports mother missing; then realized she's working different shift
6:35 p.m. Suspicious male behind senior center shoveling snow to the shed
6:44 p.m. Yellow lab found, Wachusett St.

Thursday, Jan. 22

10:28 a.m. Suspicious incident with tree company, Pinecroft Ave.; company's permits have been refused; not soliciting, just cutting for client
1:00 p.m. Car's mirror hit plow, Union St.
1:36 p.m. 911 Three dogs running loose, Brattle St.
5:20 p.m. 911 hang-up from Princeton St.; party using Fax machine
5:48 p.m. Truck took down power lines and didn't stop, Doyle Rd.; house damaged

Friday, Jan. 23

10:08 a.m. Loose small dog, Rte. 31
11:06 a.m. Caller checking with police; received flyer from tree removal company; advised to ask for permit
11:38 a.m. Caller complaining that library van parks in noparking and handicapped spots; advised to call when it's occurring
2:21 p.m. Suspicious person with trash bag outside Mountview School
8:05 p.m. Multiple calls regarding fireworks; Assumption College having celebration

Saturday, Jan. 24

12:00 a.m. Erratic motor vehicle hitting snow banks, Main St.
11:40 a.m. Princeton St. resident reports piece of siding loose on house and landlord won't fix it; advised it's a civil matter
12:35 p.m. Young woman ran out of store with shampoos and got into sedan
12:35 p.m. Complaint about roadway blocked due to motor vehicle accident
4:17 p.m. Truck towing vehicle with chain, Main St.

Sunday, Jan. 25

3:31 a.m. Motor vehicle idling in front of home, Red Barn Rd.; no one around
3:52 a.m. Two occupied vehicles at rear of Al Fresco restaurant, Main St.
12:05 p.m. Caller reporting large number of vehicles blocking traffic yesterday

Paxton

Monday, Jan. 19

4:42 p.m. Walk-in advising of dog running loose in town center; message left for owner

Tuesday, Jan. 20

4:20 p.m. Maryland company advising has hired a repo company to take car, Mountainview Dr.
9:36 p.m. Walk-in reporting silver sedan activated "wig wag" lights to move through traffic; car located at Anna Maria College

Wednesday, Jan. 21

8:49 p.m. Walk-in was just at her residence and it sounded like someone was slamming doors upstairs, Crocker Hill Dr.; officer checked, open bathroom window

Thursday, Jan. 22

8:27 p.m. Harassing telemarketers, Anna Maria College

Friday, Jan. 23

7:31 p.m. Disabled auto, on side of the road with hazards on. Called Huck's for tow, West St.

Princeton

Tuesday, Jan. 20

5:51 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Dowds Ln.
8:48 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Sharon Dr.

Thursday, Jan. 22

12:01 a.m. Assist animal control officer, Ball Hill Rd.

Rutland

Monday, Jan. 19

9:59 a.m. Caller's vehicle stolen in Worcester, Prouty Ln.
11:35 a.m. Department of Corrections detective looking for house record on possible new hire; will conduct interviews on Jackson Ave.
5:01 p.m. Person in station for fingerprinting, Main St.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

8:21 a.m. Mother requesting assistance with 13-year-old son who won't get on the school bus, Vista Cir.; went into woods behind house

Wednesday, Jan. 21

7:25 a.m. Caller found footprints in snow all the way around her house, Vista Cir.; requests officer to look at them
12:26 p.m. Loose horse running down Maple Ave.

Friday, Jan. 23

2:34 p.m. Attempt to serve summons, Main St.
8:15 p.m. Attempt to serve summons, Main St.
9:13 p.m. Attempt to serve summons, Main St.

Saturday, Jan. 24

12:25 p.m. Vehicle vandalized during night, peanut butter on door handles, eggs and cold meats all over vehicle, Main St.

Sunday, Jan. 25

3:12 a.m. Highly intoxicated female causing problems, Sumac Cir.

Sterling

Monday, Jan. 19

9:16 a.m. Resident claims that neighbor is placing snow in her driveway, Redstone Hill Rd.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

5:40 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on side of road with lights dimmed, Walnut/Oakwood Drs.

Thursday, Jan. 22

10:50 a.m. Animal complaint, Sherwood Dr.
6:32 a.m. Cows in road, Chace Hill Rd.
12:00 p.m. Frantic squirrel stuck in bird feeder, Chace Hill Rd.; animal control officer advised

Friday, Jan. 23

1:21 p.m. Missing German short-haired pointer, N. Row Rd.; neighbor caught dog
4:17 p.m. Large black steer in middle of road, Chace Hill Rd.
6:36 p.m. Dead deer in travel lane, Beaman Rd.
9:25 p.m. Dance chaperone requesting officer at Meetinghouse Hill Road where students are getting unruly

Saturday, Jan. 24

11:11 a.m. Large dead raccoon in roadway, Maple St.

Sunday, Jan. 25

7:45 a.m. Two bags of rubbish left beside driveway, Redstone Hill Rd.
11:15 a.m. Caller saw pointer dog walking down Rte. 12, Worcester Rd.

The gummint is going to buy its own debt. Wait, what?

According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required for full article), the Federal Reserve is thinking about buying U.S. Treasury bonds as a way to lower interest rates. The government issues bonds because it has to borrow a triple gazillion dollars to bail out the banks, auto industry, and local pool hall. Investors who would normally buy these bonds aren't acting fast enough, so another part of the government will step in and purchase the bonds. In fact, "Disappointed that the central bank didn't take a more decisive step
toward buying government bonds, investors sold Treasury bonds Wednesday."
If we tried to do that, paying for our home mortgage with our credit cards or taking out a mortgage to pay our credit cards, for example, we'd be called irresponsible and just plain dumb.

Ready for some things, but not every thing

There are black dogs and black dogs: Steps forward don't come easily.

Some questions kinda answer themselves

About he who dares not speak his own name

For the past few days, Dilbert has been in trouble. A while ago, he started his own business, dilbertfiles.com, on company time and using company computers. As a result, when the company learned about Dilbert's venture, their lawyers seized not only the company, but the intellectual property rights to Dilbert's name.



What makes this even more interesting is that there's a true story behind it. John Fogarty, of Creedence Clearwater Revival, got into a nasty struggle with the owner of CCR's record label, one Saul Zaentz. Mr. Zaentz owned the copyright to CCR's catalog, including the rights to some of the most popular songs in the record business - Proud Mary, Who'll Stop the Rain, and Fortunate Son. When the band broke up and John Fogarty started a solo career, Zaentz sued Fogarty, claiming that one of Fogarty's new songs sounded too much like a CCR tune. According to the New York Times:

Essentially, Mr. Zaentz sued Mr. Fogerty for plagiarizing himself - to the tune of $140 million. Of course, Mr. Fogerty had provoked Mr. Zaentz with two thinly disguised attacks on the album: "Mr. Greed" and "Zanz Kant Dance" (eventually changed in the face of still more legal threats to "Vanz Kant Dance"), which Mr. Fogerty coyly described as "a song about a pig." Mr. Fogerty won the plagiarism case, with one aspect of it - whether Mr. Fogerty could sue Mr. Zaentz for reimbursement of his legal fees - eventually reaching the United States Supreme Court.

As a side note, Dilbert's creator, Scott Adams, was clever to use dilbertfiles.com as the name of Dilbert's company. Adams has started a company that helps you send large files online. You can find out about the service at, you guess it, http://www.dilbertfiles.com.

Slashdot | Bugs In Microsoft Technical Documentation Rising

Although the reports of layoffs at Microsoft don't get into the detail of the number of technical writers who are being jettisoned, we can't help but believe that the staff reductions won't help address the increasing number of bugs reported in their documents.

See Slashdot | Bugs In Microsoft Technical Documentation Rising

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, January 12

4:56 p.m. Assist individuals with ride; sidewalks covered with snow and ice impeding travel
6:00 p.m. Resident found business card for special investigation unit on motor vehicle, placed there sometime during the night
7:21 p.m. Dead dog on Bullard St.

Tuesday, January 13

12:51 a.m. Suspicious unlocked motor vehicle in lot on Princeton St.
12:35 p.m. Report of man in blue SUV who ran out of gas and didn't return gas can
12:55 p.m. Report of grenade found in a box of belongings; State Police bomb unit called in, building evacuated; item not found to be live
4:34 p.m. Dorothy Ave. resident potential victim of scam
9:08 p.m. Man reported staggering in the road on Reservoir St.

Wednesday, January 14

1:31 p.m. Solicitors reported on Wilde Willow Dr.
5:04 p.m. Report of past hit and run
5:53 p.m. Auburn reports stolen vehicle from their town, Holden resident refused to return rental
7:40 p.m. Suspicious youths in parking lot at Millbrook estates; okay, clearing ice off roofs of condos

Thursday, January 15

12:31 a.m. Report of dog barking/crying in area of Homestead and Marlen Rd.
3:22 a.m. Vehicle reported stolen from Auburn recovered on Towle Dr.
9:10 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with elderly male on Nola Dr.
2:24 p.m. Suspicious solicitor in area of Arizona Ave.
4:40 p.m. 911 incoherent caller from River St.
4:47 p.m. Keys found
6:32 p.m. Caller reports suspicious wrong number
6:51 p.m. Keys locked in vehicle on Main St.

Friday, January 16

12:15 a.m. Suspicious male parties on Main St.
1:42 a.m. Suspicious noises coming from lower level of house on Princeton St.; concerned someone may be in house; residence secure
5:38 a.m. Suspicious female walking on Bullard St.; okay, out for morning run
6:18 a.m. No water in house on Brattle St.
8:43 a.m. Suspicious red car on Elmwood Ave.; vehicle has two flat tires
12:10 p.m. Report of two men placing limbs too close to the road; okay, they'll be chipping the brush
3:50 p.m. Red motor vehicle with no tags seen on Ridgewood Rd.
4:22 p.m. Dog found on Ottoson Way
5:42 p.m. Walk-in to lobby needing a ride; mother will pick up
6:32 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle, out of gas, on Pleasant St.
6:52 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle left outside residence on Red Barn Rd.
9:10 p.m. 911 Something hit side of house on Frederickson Ave.

Saturday, January 17

11:30 a.m. Two solicitors reported in area of Damon Rd.
4:39 p.m. Light colored sedan on Wachusett St. parked in snow bank

Sunday, January 18

5:12 a.m. Check on vehicles parked at Trout Brook
6:12 a.m. DPW gas pumps frozen
8:17 a.m. Numerous vehicles in roadway obstructing plows
8:20 a.m. Vehicle unable to get in driveway at Moscow and Diamond Hill
9:07 a.m. Party reports someone taking her New York Times occasionally on Salisbury St.; advised to find different spot to deliver paper
9:45 a.m. Golden retriever found on Fairchild Dr., no tags
1:52 p.m. Tree company from Minnesota passing out flyers on Fox Hill
5:58 p.m. Motorist reports snow banks too high for sight at intersection of Hawthorne Rd. and Main St.

Paxton

Tuesday, Jan. 13

7:36 a.m. Bear cub in Nanigan Rd. area, near pond and heading for houses
10:53 a.m. Caller clipped cable wire with his van, Rte. 122; no damage reported
2:49 p.m. Possible illegal rubbish dumping, Brigham Rd.
3:07 p.m. Central Mass. Disposal requesting someone to help driver at Highway barn with dumpster

Wednesday, Jan. 14

1:40 p.m. Party in station advising neighbor's dog is always loose and going through trash, Knollwood Rd.
2:19 p.m. Woman got senior van stuck in snow, Richards Ave.; needs assistance helping passenger

Saturday, Jan. 17

3:50 p.m. Harwich PD called regarding licensed dog it has in custody; left message for Paxton owner

Sunday, Jan. 18

8:30 a.m. Paxton Sports Center requesting to speak with officer regarding minor damage to building from cars hitting it
11:30 a.m. Brush pile blocking view of traffic, Indian Hill Rd.
5:14 p.m. Caller reporting his neighbor is blowing snow into Camelot Dr.
5:52 p.m. 911 hang-up. Spoke with young child on call back, who hung up. Officer checked out, child playing with phone, Keep Ave.

Princeton

Saturday, Jan. 17

12:13 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Pine Hill Rd.

Sunday, Jan. 18

6:40 a.m. Request for highway department, town-wide
4:48 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Wheeler Rd.
9:50 p.m. Request for highway department, town-wide

Rutland

Tuesday, Jan. 13

9:56 a.m. Person complaining about neighbor who parks vehicle in street, impeding plows, Haven Hill Rd.
7:57 p.m. Person at station reporting that someone is throwing snowballs at cars, Main St.

Wednesday, Jan. 14

12:19 a.m. Report of stolen firewood, Glenwood Pl.
4:40 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons, E. County Rd.
5:25 p.m. Summons delivered, Maple Ave.
5:43 p.m. Summons delivered, Glenwood Rd.
5:53 p.m. Summons delivered, Carly Circle

Thursday, Jan. 15

10:53 a.m. Resident requests welfare check on dog, Cameron Dr.
5:55 p.m. Person reporting a Canadian scam
6:18 p.m. Person reports being rear-ended at school, other driver took off, Main St.
11:03 p.m. Person wants to talk with officer about problems with nephew, Main St.

Friday, Jan. 16

8:50 a.m. Person to speak with officer about possible scam, Main St.
10:16 a.m. Summons served, Maple Ave.
10:44 a.m. Checking out male party, Main St./Edson Ave.
4:16 p.m. Request for assistance with vehicle parked in same place for several weeks, Maple Ave.
8:05 p.m. Person at station to report people throwing snowballs, Main St.

Saturday, Jan. 17

2:35 p.m. Oil on sidewalk, Glenwood Rd.
3:45 p.m. Person wants cruiser to help with traffic while he tries to get his vehicles in his driveway, Main St.

Sunday, Jan. 18

2:57 a.m. Request for highway department, town-wide
8:39 a.m. Request that owners of vehicle be notified to get vehicle off road, Orchard Hill Dr.
9:00 a.m. Notify owner of vehicle to remove vehicle so road can be plowed, Nancy Dr.
12:39 p.m. Notify owner to move vehicle so area can be plowed, Lynnwood Dr.
12:45 p.m. Notify owner to move vehicle so plows can clear road, Winifreds Way
2:20 p.m. Loose dog that neighbors are all afraid of, Bethany Dr.
3:09 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Kosta Ave.
3:44 p.m. Summons delivered, Oakridge Dr.

Sterling

Monday, Jan. 12

3:34 p.m. Summons served, Redemption Rock Trl.
9:44 a.m. Loose boxer with invisible fence collar attached, Kendall Hill Rd.

Tuesday, Jan. 13

11:22 a.m. Suspicious males walking in neighborhood, N. Row Rd.
2:20 p.m. Stray dog at home on Chace Hill Rd. Owner contacted, will pick up
5:39 p.m. Lost pit bull, animal control officer notified, Pratts Jct. Rd.

Thursday, Jan. 15

6:31 a.m. Deer struck by motor vehicle, managed to get in woods, Princeton Rd.
7:26 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle, wheel fell off, Redemption Rock Trl.
4:05 p.m. Vehicle parked in same location for long time, Chace Hill/Metropolitan Rds.
5:08 p.m. Verizon truck, parked with flashers on in bad location, Redemption Rock Trl.
7:30 p.m. Caller heard footsteps in backyard, Rowley Hill Rd.; deer tracks found

Friday, Jan. 16

8:00 a.m. Suspicious male walked around house, left card from tree service company, Upper N. Row Rd.
10:26 a.m. Dog running loose in neighborhood, raiding rubbish barrels, Chace Hill Rd.
1:26 p.m. Caller reporting two suspicious males walking on Kendall Hill Rd.

Saturday, Jan. 17

3:55 p.m. Loose horse, Upper N. Row Rd.

Sunday, Jan. 18

5:23 p.m. 911 abandoned call. Police spoke with man who said his five-year-old son called 911 because he didn't like his dinner and didn't want to eat his vegetables

Presidential Do-Over

Obama retakes oath of office after Roberts' mistake - CNN.com

The second oath -- also administered by Roberts -- took place at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday in the White House's Map Room. Roberts asked Obama whether he was ready.

"I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

CNN states that Chief Justice Roberts made the mistake in administering the oath. WND, meanwhile, blames Obama.
Obama ended up transposing the word "faithfully" during his inauguration in Washington. When he should have said he would "faithfully execute the office of president of the United States," he instead said he will "execute the office of president of the United States faithfully."

Worcestershire Journal - What a day of wonder

Worcestershire Journal - What a day of wonder : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

I bet that Jesus is glad that He has voice mail

That cackling sound is the sound of the Wingnuts in prayer: Joseph Farah writes Pray Obama fails

That's why I do not hesitate today in calling on godly Americans to pray that Barack Hussein Obama fail in his efforts to change our country from one anchored on self-governance and constitutional republicanism to one based on the raw and unlimited power of the central state.

It would be folly to pray for his success in such an evil campaign.

Not only that, but, in the middle of the screed, they promise that belly fat can be eliminated in four weeks without diet or exercise.



via Dear God, Make Him Fail

Watching history, backward and forward

As Sandra readied to leave for work this morning, she remarked, "What a day of wonder!"
I'm writing from the north cafeteria at Mount Wachusett Community College. The college has set up a large screen and is broadcasting ABC's coverage of the Inauguration. About half of the chairs are taken. I got here early and found a small table on the side, near an electrical outlet at this writing. There's a lot of electricity in the air, but I still need the old-fashioned plug-type juice to keep my laptop going.
I've returned to school, taking one course, Legal Research and Writing. I'll write more about this homecoming at another time. Many years ago, Sandra and I met in a course here at the Mount, a course on Nobel Prize-Winning American Authors taught by the late Jack Leamy.
11:45 - Barack Obama was introduced to teary applause.

This song is our song. This song's not your song.

The irony that a video clip of a performance of This Land is Your Land at the Lincoln Memorial would be blocked on YouTube by HBO is, well,something Woody surely would have caught.

In the squares of the city -
In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office -
I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.

Update 7:42PM 19 Jan 2009: It's worse than I thought: HBO owns Obama's inaugural concert. If you took any photos or videos you'd better destroy them now.

Time-saving time-waster

I confess that, while waiting for some computer program to do its thing or just to help clear my head, I play the venerable game of Solitaire. Since moving my laptop to Linux, however, I've had to change games.
One of the nifty features about a soliaire game named KPatience is that it will tell you whether you can win. It, apparently, calculates all of the possible moves, given the particular dealing of cards that you've received, and then watches as you play. If either you've been dealt an impossible-to-win hand or you've played badly, a little message appears at the bottom of the window, telling you that the game's been lost. That way, you can just start over with a new deal without having to play the game out.

Linux is still not ready for prime time

I spent much of Sunday engaged in the creative destruction process - making system tweaks on my Linux laptops and, in the process, wrecking various parts of file system and installation. That's not Linux's problem: I was playing with some sharp knives and either didn't know what I was doing or wasn't paying attention.
As a result, I installed Ubuntu three different times. Each basic installation was as easy or complicated as I chose to make it. The Ubuntu team has put together a good collection of pre-installed software and configurations that just work. (Among the experienced Linux users, there's a fair bit of disdain for expecting that things will 'just work'. You might as well be running Windoze.)

• I don't mind a bit of tinkering and even look forward to it, up to a point. Most Linux applications are built upon other programs or libraries of resources. Some of these dependencies can get to be quite thick and complicated. I draw the line at three additional installations for one product. For example, when I learn about a nifty, fast file search tool, such as Find 'Em All, I check the product's web page and see that there are four additional products that I have to install. The additional installations require a few tweaks, so, I'm a half-hour into the installation and I still don't have a working Find 'Em All. I punt.
• There's a free web-based storage product called Dropbox that gives you 2GB of free storage that's automatically backed up from your system. They have Windows, Mac, and Linux versions.
  After I downloaded and configured Dropbox, I was having trouble getting it started. The reason was that the startup process was both non-obvious and documented in very tiny print:
  
  
  
  
  
• A program that advertises itself as Mobile device syncing in Linux made easy gives us these installation instructions:

Fix it again, Tony, and, while you're at it, buy Chrysler

This is how we're going to resurrect the American auto industry? According to the Wall Street Journal, Fiat is trying to make a deal to buy Chrysler. This would allow the Italian automaker to bring a line of small cars and a renewed Alfa Romeo to the American car scene.
The mileage ratings of the Fiat small cars are diminished slightly because you have to carry a car's worth of spart parts in the trunk.

One more step away from landlines

Although seemingly a bit pricey, Verizon's Wireless Network Extender will make a big difference in the viability of cell phones as the only phones in an household. In brief,  this gadget, called a femtocell, is a mini-cell tower that hooks up to your broadband service, such cable Internet, and routes calls over the Internet. You get the benefit of a very strong cell phone signal in your house. For folks who have broadband but have marginal cell phone coverage in their homes, such as yours truly, this is a big deal. It will cost about $250, but you'd make that back in savings on land line service in a few months. The network extender will be available starting this weekend.


via Boy Genius Report.

And, so, we gotta go overseas to hear Our Song

From the German news channel N24:

A whole cold hole

It was a bit surprising when Sandra's parents reported that they didn't have any running water this morning. It's been this cold before (-4°F) this winter and certainly much colder in the past few years. Their kitchen and bathroom sinks are on outside walls, but, even so....
Woody had a small electric heater that he put under the cupboard beneath the kitchen sink. The heater warmed up the pipes nicely, but still no water. Hmm.
Their apartment was added on to our house when we moved in together in 1982. The core house itself dates back to 1816. There are lots of little cellars and crawlspaces, reflecting the history of adding-on, a kind of stone soup housing project. One of the little cellars runs the length of the house. You get in there via a trap door under Marley's bed in the laundry room. Most of the cellar is about three feet high, stretching out to maybe five feet at the far end.
A plastic pipe runs from our water main, through this mini-cellar, back into the ground, and then around back to the MacGregor's apartment. It's worked fine for more than 25 years.
What's new this winter is a hole in the foundation, perhaps a foot in diameter, dug out by some animal or group of animals. We've heard some noises under the family room and suspected that some critters had moved in. Indeed. This hole let in the sub-zero air which fell to the bottom of the mini-cellar and froze the pipe.
We talked with Mike and got the name of plumbers who'd worked with him, good guys, all. Plumbers are busy on days such as this, however, because lots of folks have frozen pipes. Luckily, we had a portable hair-dryer.
With care, I warmed the pipe enough to get the water flowing again. Sandra could tell my comings and goings by the thumps under the floor which resulted from my hitting my head on another water pipe or floor joist. We brought a small heater into the cellar to raise the temperature above freezing. In the meantime, Sandra stuffed an old pillow in the invaders' tunnel.
Mike and Michael Francis came by a short time later and, with a bit of magic cement, patched the hole. We'll have to come back to in the spring when we can get at the foundation more easily. I was able to tie up the pipe, getting off the lowest part of the cellar floor, away from whatever other cold air falls in.
We suspect that some critter(s) will be quite surprised when it comes time to go out for a bit of fresh air, but we'll all deal with that another day.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, January 5

7:37 a.m. Ammunition to be destroyed
9:00 a.m. Complaint about detail working at Worcester-Holden line
1:53 p.m. Large hole and bridge joint separating; MassHighway informed
2:20 p.m. Suspicious large truck on South Rd. with Mississippi plates
5:45 p.m. Repo agency spoken with
8:35 p.m. Caller reports person in reflective vest struck telephone pole with vehicle then left scene

Tuesday, January 6

1:57 a.m. 911 Shrewsbury St. resident reports hearing noise outside house; no footprints or vehicles noted
10:24 a.m. Citizen reporting large amount of water coming up from the street on Kendall Rd.; natural spring, no water problem
2:40 p.m. Individual walking on the ice on Salisbury St.

Wednesday, January 7

4:47 p.m. Walk-in to talk to officer regarding issue with comic books

Thursday, January 8

3:06 a.m. Three broken windows, alarm going off and footprints in snow at Holden Hills; window damage is from golf balls this summer, alarm an ongoing issue
9:49 a.m. Report of solicitors on Newell Rd.
11:26 a.m. Caller regarding accident; didn't happen in town; referred to state police

Friday, January 9

7:46 a.m. 911 Caller witnessed motor vehicle accident; accident is in Worcester
8:13 a.m. Dog in road on Malden St.; owner took control
9:18 a.m. Well-being check on Oak Crest Rd.; resident hasn't shown up for work in Princeton; resident arrived at work
9:24 a.m. Debris in yard at Jamieson and Lovell making it difficult for drivers to see
1:35 p.m. Solicitors in neighborhood reported by caller
5:33 p.m. 911 Caller reports contractor refusing to leave on Main St.
7:43 p.m. Three youths wrestling in parking lot on Main St.

Saturday, January 10

5:02 p.m. Caller complaining about church goers parking on Eagle Terrace; vehicles parked on both sides of road; church will be contacted to post it in newsletter and at church
7:01 p.m. Illegal burn on Bailey Rd.

Sunday, January 11

10:21 a.m. 911 Tailgate missing from truck on Quail Run
11:26 a.m. Neighbors shoveling snow into pile that may obstruct view of traffic on High St.

Paxton

Monday, Jan. 5

6:03 p.m. Male with a broken arm hanging around Paxton Liquors, appears to be intoxicated.
7:38 p.m. Cell caller advising tenant is trying to break into his apartment; drill heard in the background, Asnebumskit Rd. Tenant was installing a lock on the common door. Not a violation.

Tuesday, Jan. 6

10:29 a.m. Wounded deer wandering around Marshall St.
3:55 p.m. Resident in station says his smoke detectors will not silence since his power was restored

Thursday, Jan. 8

3:56 p.m. Woman returned to strange odor at her house, unsure if her cat is alive, Nipmuck Rd.; odor determined to be boiler problem

Sunday, Jan. 11

4:30 p.m. Walk-in requesting vacant house form, due to burst pipes
4:44 p.m. Vicious dog in the area of Camp St. Negative contact.

Princeton

Monday, Jan. 5

12:43 p.m. Suspicious incident, Mountain Rd.

Sunday, Jan. 11

12:46 a.m. Suspicious person, Westminster Rd.

Rutland

Monday, Jan. 5

9:27 a.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about employee issue, Main St.
9:20 p.m. Snowmobiler and male party arguing near pond, Maple Spring Dr.

Wednesday, Jan. 7

12:24 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Main St./Pommogussett Rd. Bottles fell off truck, in road

Thursday, Jan. 8

1:30 p.m. Unmarked cruiser making visits on Kenwood Rd.

Saturday, Jan. 10

9:42 a.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about failed inspection sticker, Main St.
2:35 p.m. Loose horses on Maple Ave. headed toward Paxton
3:43 p.m. Report of three young males darting across Rte. 122
5:21 p.m. Young child came home to empty house, Simon Davis Dr.

Sunday, Jan. 11

1:03 a.m. Traffic safety issue, snowballs thrown at motor vehicles, Prouty Ln.
6:25 p.m. Kids threw snowballs at vehicle, Main St.

Sterling

Tuesday, Jan. 6

5:25 a.m. Assist citizen who lost front tire of vehicle, Leominster Rd.
11:19 a.m. Large coyote in yard, Squareshire Rd.

Wednesday, Jan. 7

7:56 a.m. Animal, possibly hybrid wolf, seen in Trinity Ave. area; Shrewsbury caller reported same animal seen in that town
1:05 p.m. Stray dog, appears very cold, near overpass on John Dee Rd.
4:16 p.m. Report that "hybrid" wolf walked through yard on Worcester Rd. headed toward Mortimer/Bean Rd. area
8:10 p.m. Three dogs running down middle of Clinton Rd. towards Lancaster
8:19 p.m. Restraining order delivered, Clinton Rd.
11:45 p.m. Missing dogs from previous call spotted, heading toward Ashton Ln.

Thursday, Jan. 8

5:46 a.m. Caller advises three dogs have been found, in garage to keep warm, Redstone Pl.
6:31 p.m. Boxer dog found, injured front paw, Taft Rd.

Friday, Jan. 9

8:28 a.m. Person lost cell phone, Pineview Rd.
8:53 a.m. Boston terrier loose, owner requesting assistance, Princeton Rd.
1:20 p.m. Caller wants officer to listen to annoying phone message, Redemption Rock Trl.

Saturday, Jan. 10

3:40 p.m. Suspicious black SUV driving around property, Beverly Dr.
5:06 p.m. Report of German shepherd that appears injured, Meetinghouse Rd.
7:32 p.m. Stray cat hanging around home, Jill Ln.

Sunday, Jan. 11

1:38 p.m. Caller lost two Labrador dogs, Redstone Pl.

Why go to Bangalore when Dubuque is so close?

The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that IBM is opening new computer-services center in Dubuque, Iowa. This is IBM's largest facility that the company has opened in 10 years, although Big Blue wouldn't say if this would result in a net increase of U.S. jobs.
The plan includes a package of loans and commitments from the state, including $10M that the state's community colleges will pay IBM to train new employees. Yep, the colleges will pay the company to allow them to train IBM's employees. (The colleges and state claim that the increased income tax revenue from the newly-trained employees will offset the $10M.)
A bit of subtext in the announcement also notes that some of IBM's customers would prefer to have state-side computer-services facilties.

Worcestershire Journal - What you see and what you don’t see

Worcestershire Journal - What you see and what you don’t see : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

Something better for everyone

On Sunday evening, we had a small birthday party in advance of Krista's 13th birthday on Monday. Just the family gathered around for pizza and conversation.
Cassie was vibrant with delight because she had picked out a present for Krista - a cupcake maker.
She was even quite eager to help Krista unpack the kit and make the first batch of cupcakes. We tried to explain to her that Sandra had brought a Wacky Cake with 13 candles for our birthday girl. Cassie reluctantly yielded to the promise of cake now, instead of cupcakes later.
At the other end of the table, a few of the adults concluded that everything is improved when bacon is added.
Well, thanks to the brilliance of the Interwebs, we find that we now can have it all: bacon cupcakes.

Oh, and, by the way, ...

Charter offers some tips on how you can save money on your cable, Internet, and phone bills. Then, in the fine print below, they mention that your data might spill out on the driveway, but they're not sure, but it's not their fault or problem:

http://connect.charter.com/cas/portal/content/Newsletters/2009/january/articles/list3.aspx

Joe the Plumber's First War Report [VIDEO]

Joe believes that the media should not be reporting about war.

"I think media should be abolished from reporting. You know, war is hell.... If you're going to say, 'Look at this atrocity,' why you don't know the whole story half the time. So, I believe that the media should have no business in it."

Joe the Plumber's First War Report [VIDEO]



Thanks, Joe. Now, go home and do some plumbing or something.

A month after the storm

Except for the stories that we tell, about all that's left from December's ice storm (and subsequent 11-day power outage), is a large pile of brush in the back yard. The pile is probably 15 feet tall and maybe 30 feet square. In addition, we've been able to cut up the larger branches as firewood.

The town will let us burn the brush, but we're not in much of a hurry. For one thing, birds, squirrels, and the occasional rabbit have found sanctuary among the branches. Also, because the wood is both green and frozen, it'll take a lot to get a fire going and keep it going. We're better off waiting for a couple of months or longer.