Nordic strawberries under attack

Today's news brings alarm from northern Europe. In Finland, voles have done such damage to the strawberry crop that farmers are having to bring in (suppressing smirk here) Pygmy owls to attack the rodents. (See Pygmy owls drafted in to control unprecedented vole damage in Savo Province.)

Meanwhile, the threat in Sweden is that of imported strawberries. Swedish agricultural authorities are using isotope analysis to determine the authenticity of the strawberries. Suspicious samples are sent to Germany where they are inspected and detected.
It should be noted that "While the Board of Agriculture has never come across a confirmed case of the alleged strawberry fraud, the agency is taking no chances in its efforts to protect Swedish consumers."

The European Court of First Instance has made bogus strawberry detection more difficult. In the case of the smelly strawberry, the court denied a claim that different types of strawberries have unique smells and thus can be registered and protected.
So sayeth the Court:

Admittedly, ... the smell of strawberries did not make it possible to distinguish between the varieties of strawberry in a significant way in respect of all the different crops.

Update 9 June: Recent frosty nights damage berry crops, chicks die in nests

All we need is a little light, more or less

The Hawthorne effect has been discussed in business management meetings for a long time. The story went that increasing the amount of illumination in a factory increased productivity, but that reducing illumination (to a still reasonable level) also increased productivity. Managers and other story-tellers believed that workers were responding to the increased attention given to their work. ("Someone cares about me.") Turns out, what we believed wasn't so.
Put this into the same bin as frog-boiling.

What did you learn today?

Today, I learned that the Bible is one of the earliest references to π. 1 Kings 7:23 says that Solomon ordered the creation of cylinders with a diameter of 10 cubits and a circumference of 30 cubits, resulting in a value of π equaling 3.
Some "critics of the Bible could say that the Bible is imprecise here, but they cannot legitimately say that it is inaccurate or mistaken." Close enough for religious purposes, said Maimonides. The Lord is holy, for sure, but this pi isn't.

Off the Common « On the Common away from home

Off the Common « On the Common away from home

For the past few months, I’ve written a weekly blog post for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette’s OnTheCommon.com site, covering my notes about life in Holden and Phillipston, Massachusetts.
The OnTheCommon site is having some problems with their content management system, such that new blog posts aren’t appearing. Until the new posts are available, I’m publishing my notes here.

Update 6/10/2009: It appears that OnTheCommon is back on the air.

Why Holden needs three pharmacy chains

Just a reminder that the good folks of Holden are still struggling along, bearing up under great privation, with only two national pharmacy chains (Rite-Aid and CVS) in town. A third, Walgreens, is under construction on Main Street.
We need Walgreens so that we can figure out what to do. They're offering a sale on the Intelligender gender prediction test kit.

You can find out in as little as 10 weeks into your pregnancy whether you'll be buying pink or blue clothes for that little darling.
In the old days, of course, folks had to wait until the baby was born before know if the baby was a boy or girl. And, what's worse, the rules changed along the way. This clipping, from the Ladies' Home Journal in 1918 (via Out of the blue and in the pink) shows that pink was regarded as a stronger color and, therefore, more suitable for boys.

via kath.A.rine

Whatever the color scheme, Walgreens can help you find out early, if there's a Walgreens in your town. Which there isn't is our fair town. At least not yet.

Predicting the demise of Twitter

In 1967, the hippies of San Francisco staged a Death of the Hippies event to declare, among other things, that the mainstream culture had caught on to the hippie culture and, by the principle of the Observer's Paradox, had killed it. One contributing factor to the death of the hippies was that they'd wound up on the cover of Time magazine.

It's since become akin to the Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx, that if something cool winds up on the cover of Time, it must, by definition, no longer be cool.
Therefore, when Twitter shows up on the cover of Time, the countdown clock begins...

Subcriptions for online news services

The other day, I wrote a piece on Real Worcester about the new electronic edition of the Worcester Telegram. For about $70/year, you can get version of the paper that looks like the printed version. Access to the regular web version on telegram.com will, as far as I know, remain free.
With print newspapers struggling, a lot of outlets are considering plans that would charge for content. Some might go to an annual subscription fee. Others would involve micro-payments, charging a few cents for special features. Still others are thinking about putting the really good stuff behind a pay wall. (The New York Times tried this for a while, gave up, and may try again.)
Finally, some online papers have always charged for their content.
The value, of course, is what you're willing to pay. Let's have a look at some of the offerings. You be the judge.

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Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, May 25

1:16 a.m. Power outage on Banbury Lane
3:10 a.m. 911 St. Vincent Hospital requests check on patient who left hospital with equipment; person is hostile
5:11 p.m. Gas station reports drive off without paying; person contacted
8:15 p.m. 911 hang up from Moscow Rd.; resident says smoke detector going off but there's no fire
9:12 p.m. Injured dog on Manning St.

Tuesday, May 26

10:36 a.m. Report of two males dumping brush on Princeton St. near pond; gone on arrival
1:44 p.m. Tree crew blocking street access on Meadowwood Dr.
3:07 p.m. Unauthorized tree crew blocking Wachusett St.
3:15 p.m. Cable wire on Holden St. hanging low
4:09 p.m. Cable crew working on Bullard St. at blind corner; shut down
7:51 p.m. Ten teens reportedly attacked vehicle on Holden St. while high; no one found in area
11:21 p.m. Report of hearing motorcycle speed by, then a screech and a crash, on Old South Rd.

Wednesday, May 27

2:46 p.m. Pizza driver bitten by dog during delivery
2:56 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on Mayo Dr. since 8 a.m.; repeat incident
3:38 p.m. Business owner in Jefferson Plaza would like teens moved from lot
3:58 p.m. Half-dead raccoon on High St.
5:53 p.m. High water, septic alarm on Wachusett St.
8:10 p.m. Skateboard rail hit by car while in road
8:13 p.m. Walk-in regarding raccoon on High St.

10:15 p.m. Report of loud music on Dorothy Ave.

Thursday, May 28

4:04 a.m. Occupied motor vehicle in lot on Main St.
8:41 a.m. Crew on Wachusett St. unloading backhoe without a detail
11:13 a.m. Check on fox in area of Crestview Dr.
11:34 a.m. Construction crew blocking lane on Holden St.
2:34 p.m. Suspicious incident on railroad tracks
3:17 p.m. Piles of brush in road on Wachusett St.
3:52 p.m. Report of past larceny at supermarket
3:54 p.m. Concerned citizen calling regarding brush in road on Wachusett St.
5:44 p.m. 911 Report of teens with camera and tripod on Windsor Court filming home, filming not wanted; parties advised to vacate area
8:12 p.m. Dog got electric shock from pole on Boulder Hill Rd.
9:50 p.m. Raccoon in house on Greenwood Parkway

Friday, May 29

7:37 a.m. Light dept. notified of telephone poles shocking dog on Boulder Hill Rd.; also notified of large limb hanging on Acorn Dr.
9:23 a.m. Typographical error on accident report
1:57 p.m. Caller regarding raccoon in her house; mother removed, babies are still in house; advised to contact Critter Control
3:32 p.m. Inmate's identification found at ATM
3:52 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with male "rolling joints" reported
4:17 p.m. 911 Mother wants teen daughter returned home; she left residence to go to friend's house; daughter returned home at 5:57 p.m.
5:45 p.m. Report of rowdy youths in light department lot on Chapel St.
8:44 p.m. 911 hangup from Dix St.; child dialed out of anger
8:49 p.m. Westboro PD advising they took individual into custody at WRHS Senior Prom on report that individual has a car full of alcohol and is supplying
promgoers; not sure where car is
9:27 p.m. Burglar alarm reports glass breakage in garage on Newell Rd.; okay, people on skateboards;
9:46 p.m. Caller wanting to know why police were there

Saturday, May 30

8:50 a.m. Caller asking if missing boy was found
12:21 p.m. West Boylston PD reports cat hit on Shrewsbury St.
1:50 p.m. Deposit accidentally dropped in mail box
2:57 p.m. Small child walked into home on Colorado Circle
3:39 p.m. Out of control 9-year-old in vehicle
3:44 p.m. Fox walking through back yard on Putnam Lane
9:18 p.m. Possible fireworks in area of Nelson St.

Sunday, May 31

3:26 a.m. Suspicious incident at Trout Brook; okay, groups camping in field
12:01 p.m. Small white dog found
4:43 p.m. Lost dog reported
7:59 p.m. Citizen report of possible argument on Wyoming Dr.
8:00 p.m. Group of kids loitering outside light department

Paxton

Monday, May 25

4:53 p.m. Large tree branch fell on the wires outside home, Knollwood Rd.

Tuesday, May 26

2:55 p.m. Report of vehicle driven all over the road and very slowly, Pleasant/Camp Sts.
6:00 p.m. Report of vehicle all over the road with operator on cell phone, Marshall/Suomi Sts.
8:15 p.m. Loud music, Orchard Dr.

Wednesday, May 27

12:20 a.m. Leicester PD requesting assistance transporting female to Rutland Town line to meet with Rutland cruiser
1:37 a.m. Suspicious small car parked at end of Briarcliff Ln.
10:41 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, property damage, Pleasant St.
11:29 a.m. Disabled 10-wheeler in middle lane, Pleasant St.
3:35 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, Pleasant St./Boynton Pkwy.
4:28 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Pleasant St./Richards Ave.

Thursday, May 28

8:45 p.m. Caller reports cold, brown water at home, Forestdale Rd.

Friday, May 29

8:15 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Pine/Pleasant Sts.
2:07 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Pleasant St.

Saturday, May 30

8:54 p.m. Caller concerned about campfire in backyard, Knollwood Rd.

Sunday, May 31

5:13 p.m. Three youths inside house under construction were attempting to light small fire, Baxter Dr.

Princeton

Monday, May 25

12:20 p.m. Assist fire department, Mountain Rd.
7:20 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Tuesday, May 26

2:46 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140 North
7:27 a.m. Suspicious incident, Boylston Ave.
11:14 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Beaman Rd.
12:06 p.m. Request for traffic control, Calamint Hill Rd. South

Wednesday, May 27

6:15 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Gregory Hill Rd.

Thursday, May 28

11:00 a.m. Suspicious incident, Boylston Ave.

Friday, May 28

5:46 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Hubbardston Rd./ Allen Hill Rd.

Saturday, May 29

9:00 a.m. Request for light department, Rhodes Rd.
9:38 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Old Brooks Station Rd.
10:18 a.m. Request for light department, Redwood Dr.

Sunday, May 30

4:37 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Blood Rd.

Rutland

Monday, May 25

3:24 p.m. Caller reports teenagers took her son's three-wheel Spiderman scooter and left the area, Laurelwood Rd.

Tuesday, May 26

5:15 p.m. Officer investigation, Main St.
5:57 p.m. Officer investigation, Main St.
9:44 p.m. Vehicle off side of road, hard to see, Rte. 56 near Emerald Rd.

Wednesday, May 27

4:50 p.m. Suspicious male at door, asking to mow lawn for gas money, Glenwood Rd.
6:42 p.m. 911 hang-up, child playing with phone, Main St.

Thursday, May 28

7:15 a.m. Vehicle with front-end damage and tree branches sticking out of bumper, driving on wrong side of road, Barre Paxton Rd.
3:45 p.m. Report that Highland cow has its horns stuck in a feeder and appears to be struggling, Glenwood Rd.

Friday, May 29

6:31 a.m. Loose cow on side of Pommogussett Rd.
6:46 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, car vs. tree, Pleasantdale Rd.

Saturday, May 30

9:54 a.m. Caller with complaint of selectmen, secretary, police, threatening law suit, Main St.
2:05 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about neighbor dispute and dirt bikes, Main St.
3:07 p.m. Person reporting many motorcycles in area for long time, Pleasantdale Rd. near four corners
3:30 p.m. Complaint about recreational vehicles, Barre Paxton Rd.
9:42 p.m. Fireworks complaint, Laurelwood Rd.
11:57 p.m. Police out with two vehicles, warned parties about trespassing, Crawford Rd.

Sunday, May 31

8:29 a.m. Report of vehicle stopping around parking lot for half hour, Maple Ave.
11:25 a.m. Moose walking in road, Charnock Hill Rd.
5:40 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about community service, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, May 25

1:52 a.m. Two vehicles speeding down Heywood Rd. Caller believes one person in vehicle was shooting at the other. Another person reports hearing shots in woods.
7:38 p.m. Black dog running around, Redstone Hill Rd.
10:50 p.m. Disturbance, parties making noise and swearing, Charles Patten Dr.

Tuesday, May 26

1:01 p.m. Suspicious activity, older male taking items from residence where people are moving out, Redemption Rock Trl.

Wednesday, May 27

12:25 p.m. Caller requesting assistance getting onto Rte. 12
6:09 p.m. Suspicious activity, people going door-to-door, Tru-Green employees, Ashton Ln.
6:29 p.m. Caller reports young male in back of pickup truck unrestrained, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
6:46 p.m. Report that someone called the school pretending to be child's mother, Mortimer Rd.

Thursday, May 28

3:59 p.m. Very large truck parked partially in caller's back yard, Leominster Rd.

Friday, May 29

9:43 a.m. Dog lost, is deaf, Redemption Rock Trl. Found and returned to owner
4:45 p.m. Station tour and interview of officer for student working on school project, Leominster Rd.
8:28 p.m. Caller requesting assistance with vehicle with three occupants in area all afternoon, Circle Ave. Strong smell of burnt marijuana in area

Saturday, May 30

8:28 a.m. Complaint about excessive noise from motorcycles, Redemption Rock Trl./Jennifer Ln.

Sunday, May 31

2:33 p.m. Domestic disturbance, Leominster Rd.
8:44 p.m. Report of branch hanging across cable, Rowley Hill Rd.

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Afraid to invest in the stock market. Have we got a deal for you?

OK, so the Dow and other indices have had a pretty good stretch lately. Nevertheless, we're still jittery, wondering where we can invest and hope to get the kinds of returns that we were seeing just a couple of years ago.
Well, ingenuity to the rescue. Why invest in risky ventures such as invention, development, manufacturing, or sales? Go to where the big money is: lawsuits.
You can invest in funds that back lawsuits. The New York Times article: reports on Juris Capital, a Chicago firm backed by two hedge funds:

Juris typically invests $500,000 to $3 million in a case, Mr. Desser said. He would not identify the company’s backers, but said that “on the portfolio as a whole, our returns are well in excess of 20 percent per year.” He added, “We’re certainly beating the market.”

These aren't your Lionel Hutz ambulance-chasing cases, but well-financed ventures doing God's work. As Anthony J. Sebok, a professor at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, noted:

If the claims are valid, then they may benefit from being litigated more effectively because the lawyers have more resources. “Having funding available for cases that are good cases, cases that from a God’s-eye point of view, so to speak, should’ve been brought, is a good thing,” Mr. Sebok said.

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via ./.

Former history teacher makes past his present writing project - Sentinel & Enterprise

Nifty story about my high school social studies teacher. In my senior year, I took his seminar on communism. It was more like a college course. Edmund Wilson's To the Finland Station was a key piece of our readings.
Former history teacher makes past his present writing project - Sentinel & Enterprise

American industry rises to the challenge

We're in the middle of what many claim is the worst recession since the 1930s. Our unemployment rate stays high, home foreclosures send people from their homes, and two of the three American automobile manufacturers are bankrupt.
Yet, summoning the best minds and best spirits, our free-market economy reaches deep within and brings forward new hope. The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, known to us as 3M, delivering, in our hour of need, a new product that will surely lift us from these bleak and desperate times.

Still something after all these years

When you're looking for a job or have a project idea that you want management to consider, the professionals tell you to develop what's sometimes called a bus-stop statement or elevator pitch. The scenario is that you have 30 seconds to tell your story - what you're going to do or what you did, why it's important, and how you're going to do or how you did it. Without being frantic, you can speak about 150 words in 30 seconds. (Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is 186 or 268 words, depending on what your definition of a word is.)
Lately, through high school and college reunions, Facebook, and chance encounters, I've had the chance to re-establish contact with friends from long ago. What do I tell them of my life?
In its shortest form: "It's better than I expected, for which I am deeply grateful."
The next level up sounds like an obituary - married with two children, seven grandchildren, parents were ..., graduated from ... and ..., was a member of ΦΒΚ, worked at ...,  also did ..., and so on.
After that, the stories aren't so easily told or controlled. Why was I such a jerk back then and why am I not (or think I'm not) like that now? How come my first job after college was as a Kelly Girl office temp? And why did I have to leave work nearly three years ago? And, oh, by the way, how's the family?
Of course, everyone has their own set of stories. You tell your story, listen to someone else do the same, and you find that everyone, I think, is surprised by life. Even if they had plans, good plans that came true, they'll still encounter a set of reverse-threaded lug nuts. (Chrysler products in the 60s had reverse-threaded lug nuts on the driver's side; the theory was that the nuts, would tighten themselves as the wheels turns. It was almost a good idea.)
Then, again, we should never forget the possibility that there are some who are just better than us.
When asked "How's it going?" one friend would reply simply, "Yeah." Most people never noticed.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, May 18

2:16 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on Tamarack Circle with some damage; vehicle malfunctioning
8:00 a.m. Main St. damaged by tracks of loader; MassHighway notified
1:44 p.m. Car broken into at Rail Trail, purse and diaper bag taken
2:17 p.m. Resident reports neighbor dumping brush and cut trees on his property; boundary line problem

Tuesday, May 19

2:23 p.m. Party who is not police officer directing traffic on Main St.
3:23 p.m. Loud music on Dorothy Ave.
5:35 p.m. Caller reports workers at construction site urinating in sight of school bus
6:03 p.m. Report of solicitors on Sycamore Dr.; solicitors advised of rules
9:31 p.m. Business signboard causing blind spot for vehicles entering roadway
10:09 p.m. Suspicious man walking down Fisher Rd. with black duffle bag

Wednesday, May 20

12:51 a.m. Loud music reported on Dorothy Ave.
12:45 p.m. Caller complaining about traffic on her street due to detail
2:20 p.m. Item blocking vision at intersection of Sherwood Hill and Main St.
3:11 p.m. Cement mixer pulled down wire on Arizona Ave.
10:20 p.m. Loud music on Dorothy Ave.

Thursday, May 21

8:49 a.m. Business owner asking to run license plates in parking lot; advised of policy
11:19 a.m. Complaint about tree work on Mountview Drive
1:20 p.m. Report of person leaving high school angry
4:20 p.m. Truck removing water from stream on Princeton Lane reported; no contact
4:22 p.m. Trash removed from roadway on Main St.
9:05 p.m. Wood chipper and chainsaw being operated on Greenwood Parkway; trucks shutting down
9:21 p.m. Party at residence on Sterling Rd.

Friday, May 22

10:19 a.m. Vehicle observed with suspicious persons inside
8:24 p.m. Large amount of water in road on Salisbury St., may be leak

Saturday, May 23

6:28 a.m. Two parties asking to speak with officer at PD on Main St.

2:13 p.m. Caller regarding having vehicle towed from private residence
3:50 p.m. Person in towed vehicle at auto repair lot
4:47 p.m. Mixed breed dog found on Mountview Dr.
9:00 p.m. Loud party heard in the woods by Rail Trail
10:47 p.m. Report of loud music and kids yelling on Timber Lane

Sunday, May 24

12:10 a.m. Elderly male attempting to flag down traffic on Main St.; needs ride to Worcester
2:03 p.m. Group of small children playing in street on Quinapoxet for some time
5:19 p.m. Caller concerned about youths hanging around Main St. business parking area; youths dispersed
6:15 p.m. Resident concerned about four-wheelers being operated by youths, also concerned about lawns being destroyed and exhaust smell in Bascom Parkway area; no contact
8:31 p.m. Loud band playing on Armington Lane; parties spoken with
10:24 p.m. Firecrackers reported on Bascom Parkway, also kids running around
10:52 p.m. 911 Caller reports older male scared kids behind Davis Hill School; another witness reports seeing male come out of woods behind Davis Hill

Paxton

Monday, May 18

3:11 p.m. Low wire snagged on small school bus, Streeter Rd.
8:02 p.m. Caller advising wild turkey just flew through screen into house, Pleasant St.

Tuesday, May 19

7:54 p.m. Caller reporting green water at residence, Brigham Rd. Hydrant flushing on street.
10:21 p.m. Water Department employee reporting that resident yelled at him to stop flushing the hydrant or he would turn hydrant off himself.

Wednesday, May 20

5:15 p.m. Caller advising that "Ninja"-style motorcycle passed him at about 100 mph. on Rte. 56 near Rutland line.

Thursday, May 21

12:44 p.m. Wire down on Richards Ave. near Emerald Ave.
3:26 p.m. Caller reporting he just hit a wild turkey near the Spencer line.
5:28 p.m. Barking Chihuahua on Merry Lane. Owner brought dog inside.
6:25 p.m. Tractor trailer unit took down power line, West St. Wire is live, power shut down on road.

Friday, May 22

7:43 p.m. Motorcycle operator tried to do a "wheelie" and fell off, Pleasant St. past Brooks Rd. Arrest: - unlicensed operation of motor vehicle, reckless operation of motor vehicle.

Sunday, May 24

7:25 a.m. Caller reporting loud noise from a party in the area, Forestdale Rd. No contact with individuals in area, no noise apparent.
11:03 p.m. Audible alarm from school auditorium. Building checked, everything in order.

Princeton

Monday, May 18

6:40 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Rte. 140 S
4:57 p.m. Request for light department, Gleason Rd.
5:37 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Sterling Rd.

Tuesday, May 19

7:02 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140/Hobbs Rd.
7:25 a.m. Traffic control duty, Rte. 140 N
10:49 a.m. Public service, Town Hall Dr.
6:14 p.m. Request for light department, Redwood Dr.
7:23 p.m. Public service, Rte. 140 N
7:40 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, May 20

12:42 a.m. Public service, Town Hall Dr.
6:42 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Calamint Hill Rd. N
8:35 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Thursday, May 21

9:51 a.m. Public service, Beaman Rd.
8:33 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Sterling Rd.
11:17 p.m. Suspicious incident, Sterling Rd.

Saturday, May 23

8:39 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, E. Princeton Rd.
8:51 a.m. Public service, Rte. 140 N
9:32 a.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.
3:22 p.m. Assist fire department, Ball Hill Rd.

Sunday, May 24

10:54 a.m. Assist other PD, Osgood Rd.
12:21 p.m. Assist fire department, Mountain Rd.
3:41 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Worcester Rd./Sharon Dr.
3:41 p.m. Request for highway dept., Worcester Rd.

Rutland

Tuesday, May 19

8:52 a.m. Person upset about ongoing dog issues in neighborhood, Jamie Ann Dr.
10:24 a.m. Young man sleeping beside slide at Memorial Field playground
4:05 p.m. Bus driver requesting help to get cars off access road so he can get through, Naguag/Central Tree

Wednesday, May 20

12:38 p.m. Motor vehicle all over Rte. 68 in Hubbardston, headed towards Rutland

Thursday, May 21

12:25 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, Edson Ave., car versus pole
6:28 a.m. Caller reporting broken utility pole, Edson Ave.
8:39 a.m. Person wants to speak with officer about neighbor issue, Main St.
1:32 p.m. Verizon requesting officer for large cable down, Maple/Emerald Rds.
5:38 p.m. Complaint about dirt bike in area, Meadowbrook Cir.

Friday, May 22

12:43 a.m. Cattle in road, Pommogussett Rd.
9:15 a.m. Multiple complaints about speeding motorcycles, Pleasantdale Rd.
9:59 a.m. Low wires, school bus can't get through, Prescott St./Orchard Hill Dr.
4:36 p.m. Tree branch down blocking road, Hillside Rd.
7:05 p.m. Cow on Pommogussett Rd.
10:59 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Marjorie Ln.

Saturday, May 23

8:03 a.m. Loose cows, Pommogussett Rd.

Sunday, May 24

9:37 a.m. Car egged during night, Cameron Dr.
11:18 a.m. Dog broke his line and is loose, Laurelwood Rd.
11:23 a.m. Citizen complaint about storm drain being potential safety issue, Juniper/Blueberry Lns.
9:18 p.m. Report of shots fired, Central Tree Rd.
10:52 p.m. Welfare check, female parked next to Dumpsters for several hours, Maple Ave

Sterling

Monday, May 18

9:16 a.m. Officer wanted, Redstone Pl. Caller reports finding roaches on property
1:56 p.m. Coyote in backyard, Albright Rd.
10:01 p.m. Vandalism, found fireworks in mail box, Squareshire Rd.

Tuesday, May 19

9:06 a.m. Suspicious activity, motor vehicle parked at substation, Chocksett Rd.
9:56 a.m. Assist DPW line painting in center of town, Main St.
1:13 p.m. Assist DPW line painting in center of town, Main St.
4:26 p.m. Report of fireworks in mailbox, Squareshire Rd.
5:26 p.m. Vehicles parking on grass, Redemption Rock Trl

Wednesday, May 20

7:51 p.m. Officer wanted, Leominster Rd.

Thursday, May 21

4:10 p.m. Assist citizen, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
6:25 p.m. Large group of youths near fire station, Main St. Officer asked to disperse group
6:58 p.m. Large tree limb fell in Jewett Rd.
7:38 p.m. Dog running loose in roadway trailing leash, Redemption Rock Trl.

Friday, May 22

10:43 a.m. Escort, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
12:20 p.m. Dog chased wild animal into car, Patriots Way.
4:09 p.m. Assist with infant car seat adjustment, Leominster Rd.

Saturday, May 23

2:36 p.m. Caller reports ground hog inside vehicle, Patriots Way

Sunday, May 24

1:26 a.m. Vehicle was struck with a spoon, Wilder/ Beaman Rds.
9:55 a.m. Loose Husky near four corners, Redemption Rock Trl.
10:18 a.m. Report of possibly mistreated dog, Justice Hill Rd.
4:57 p.m. Report that youths have built skateboarding ramp and are in roadway, Redstone Hill Rd.
5:36 p.m. Request to speak with officer about previous incident, Main St.

I might be a bit cranky myself if ...

Sometimes, you just got to get the crayons

This afternoon was filled with delightful music as Tess and Krista had their piano lessons at our house. In the meantime, Cassie and I colored Barbie's hair blue.

The rain falls on the just and the unjust, leaving us alone

via Wundermap

I will what to my clients?

This clipping came from the introductory documentation to a fairly popular piece of open source software:

(My guess is that the ever-helpful spell-checker turned what started out as beable into beadle.)
Anyway, these folks are not alone.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, May 11

8:23 a.m. Power interruption at police department; operating on generator; blown transformer
7:42 p.m. Four to five teens on beach at Eagle Lake having a fire; extinguished
8:35 p.m. Resident requesting police check residence due to problems with contractor

Tuesday, May 12

3:22 a.m. No clerk evident at Honey Farms; clerk located
4:53 a.m. Pickup truck driving on wrong side of street
10:33 a.m. Question about tenant/landlord issues
3:51 p.m. Warning issued to utility vehicle working without a detail
7:19 p.m. Assist citizen with property to be destroyed
10:30 p.m. Suspicious incident, Wendover Rd.

Wednesday, May 13

8:55 a.m. Flashing yellow lights at house, Yorktown Terr.
9:28 a.m. Paving crew blocking lane of Union St.
8:25 p.m. Report of lots of noise at neighbor's residence, Main St.; OK, just a power washer

Friday, May 15

4:05 p.m. Report of party riding motorized bike on sidewalk, Boulder Hill/Mason Rd. area
7:16 p.m. Individual riding motorized bike on sidewalk, Boulder Hill Rd.
8:05 p.m. Kids on skateboards at Friendly's
9:09 p.m. Party lost debris from motor vehicle and is not picking it up, Main St.
9:18 p.m. Check requested on house party, Sycamore Dr.

Saturday, May 16

2:33 p.m. Two skateboarders removed from Holden Heating property
5:08 p.m. Unknown vehicle on front lawn, Princeton St.
10:05 p.m. Band playing in area of Armington Lane

Sunday, May 17

12:13 a.m. 911 caller for help turning off TV; problem with cable company
7:11 p.m. Report of youths smoking weed in Main St. parking lot
11:08 a.m. Dorothy Ave. resident reporting loud music

Paxton

Monday, May 11

8:38 a.m. Caller would like assistance in getting duck out of her fireplace, behind the glass doors. Duck successfully removed.

Tuesday, May 12

3:14 p.m. Paxton Market reports customer tried to buy beer but would not produce license; concerned he may be unlicensed driver
11:23 p.m. Dog barking for 1 1/2; hours on or near Light Dept. property; officer observed wildlife in area may be causing barking

Wednesday, May 13

2:09 a.m. Suspicious autos behind Paxton CenterSchool; parties spoken to and on their way.

Thursday, May 14

1: 10 p.m. Mother duck and eight ducklings attempting to cross road at Pleasant/Camp Sts.
2:40 p.m. Party in station advising his car ran out of gas, West St.

Friday, May 15

12:51 p.m. Landscapers taking up travel lane on bad corner, Holden Rd.; landscapers will move truck
10:35 p.m. Rutland PD requesting officer to assist in preserving the peace

Saturday, May 16

11:41 p.m. Party in lobby for scavenger hunt; requested picture and autograph

Princeton

Monday, May 11

9:44 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Fitchburg Rd.
10:49 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Old Colony Rd.

Tuesday, May 12

8:10 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, May 13

8:38 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.
5:13 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Mountain Rd.

Friday, May 15

7:00 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.
4:51 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Beaman Rd.
4:55 p.m. Assist other PD, Mountain Rd.

Sunday, May 17

7:42 a.m. Tree limb in roadway, E. Princeton Rd.
4:44 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Leominster Rd.
4:45 p.m. Property found, Leominster Rd.
10:35 p.m. Officer investigation, Beaman Rd.

Rutland

Monday, May 11

9:40 a.m. Report of truck dumping construction material in Dumpster, Maple Ave.
5:10 p.m. Argument between neighbors, Philips Ave.
5:28 p.m. Fraud, John Robert Dr.
6:08 p.m. Report of four teenagers with guns, Oakridge Dr.
6:20 p.m. Suspicious persons, Inwood Rd.

Tuesday, May 12

8:05 a.m. Flag stolen, Main St.
1:25 p.m. Person at station to see officer, Main St.
6:10 p.m. Person concerned about people driving around asking about her vehicle, Maple Ave.
9:15 p.m. Complaint about numerous calls from people claiming to be from Direct TV, Rolling Ridge Rd.

Wednesday, May 13

10:23 a.m. Caller reports fox family living under her gazebo, Brooke Haven Rd.
7:10 p.m. Person yelling and swearing at neighbor working in the yard, Birchwood Rd.

Thursday, May 14

9:32 a.m. Caller claims the people she lives with are mean to her, Kenwood Dr.
2:52 p.m. Caller thinks her neighbor is burning trash in a wood boiler, Bigelow Rd.
6:01 p.m. Person locked out of home, Charnock Cir.

Saturday, May 16

11:09 a.m. Caller asking whether to file a report about incident, Main St.

Sunday, May 17

2:08 p.m. Report of three youths smoking pot at restaurant, Main St.
3:10 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer regarding incident witnessed Friday, Main St.
5:51 p.m. Complaint about two males picking through Dumpsters, Maple Ave.
6:05 p.m. General police, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, May 11

2:25 p.m. Birds in library attic, caught two, requesting assistance, Meeting House Hill Rd.
5:31 p.m. Male going door-to-door trying to sell magazines, Maple St.
5:38 p.m. Officer wanted, men fishing on property and won't leave when asked
5:42 p.m. Several youths skateboarding in Newell Hill Rd.
7;19 p.m. Check parking lot, Boutelle Rd.

Tuesday, May 12

9:34 a.m. Officer wanted, Princeton Rd.
12:47 p.m. Caller asking about regulations concerning hedgehogs, Leominster Rd.
4:33 p.m. Request regarding trap large enough for potentially rabid raccoon, Leominster Rd.

Wednesday, May 13

9:46 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle traveling up and down Colby Rd.
2:46 p.m. Request to speak with animal control officer regarding problem with dog, Sandy Ridge Rd.
2:56 p.m. Request to speak with officer regarding larceny of apple trees, Kendall Hill Rd.
10:21 p.m. Youths dropped off pink flamingo lawn ornaments on property, Riverview Rd.

Thursday, May 14

5:45 p.m. Question about solicitors asking people to sign petition, Princeton Rd.
7:10 p.m. Inquiry about possible missing boy; found playing army in the woods, Rowley Hill/Wilder Rds.

Friday, May 15

12:58 p.m. Reports of dog barking incessantly, Chace Hill Rd. Dog caught and found to have a turtle in its mouth, appears to be in rough condition. Owner found
3:35 p.m. School personnel wants to speak with officer about company that owns livery vehicle, Boutelle Rd.
5:59 p.m. Ongoing problem with neighbor's dog, Tanglewood Rd.

Saturday, May 16

9:36 a.m. Caller found small Bichon dog on Meetinghouse Hill Rd. Owner found
4:13 p.m. Suspicious blue pickup truck parked in lot, Worcester Rd.
10:12 p.m. Caller reporting male in black clothing and barefoot, walking in middle of Redemption Rock Trl.

Sunday, May 17

12:33 a.m. Complaint about loud party at residence, Princeton Rd.
2:50 a.m. Unoccupied vehicle in back lot, Leominster Rd.
9:35 p.m. Fireworks, Lakeshore Dr.

No Doctor? Call ambulance. Keep warm.

A friend of the family, noting that one of her children had recently received a Ph. D. in one of the social sciences, said, "He's a doctor, but not the kind that can help you."



BTW, the title is a line from the Monty Python Me, Doctor sketch.

Use and misuse of cellphones

We're hearing a lot on the news about cellphones these days, mostly the trouble that texting can cause. Our Great and General Court is considering legislation that would levy a $250 fine for texting while driving. State Senator Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford) noted that you can't really legislate stupidity out of existence, but you can make it more expensive.
Not only is it dangerous to use the keyboard on your cellphone while driving, it can also be risky to the phone itself. You've got your Tropicana Orange Coolatta® in one hand, your Egg White Turkey Sausage Flatbread Sandwich in another, your knees firmly at 8 and 4 on the steering wheel, when you remember that you need to call your kid's day center to say that you're running late. Spoosh. Everything winds up in your lap, soaking your phone and voiding your phone's warranty.^[1]
Fortunately, there are ways that you may be able to salvage your phone. This article, Lifehacker - Use Cat Litter to Save Your Doused Cellphone, describes how to use cat litter to absorb liquid from your cellphone. There are no assurances regarding the Mechanically Separated Turkey or Dough Conditioners (Calcium Sulfate, Guar Gum, Vegetable Mono and Diglycerides, L-Cysteine, Calcium Peroxide, Enzymes) found in that sandwich, but, well, good luck.

Of course, you might just decide to throw that phone away. There's a contest for that in Finland in August. If you win, you get a new phone.

---

^[1]"G. Defects or damage due to spills of or immersion in food or liquid;" from Return Policy - Verizon Wireless (PDF)

Dept. of vacation

The temperature is forecast be in the high 80s (32km² in metric) today, giving lots of people a chance to think about summer vacation. Of course, if you've been recently laid off, then you're most likely thinking about how not to have the summer off.
If you work at Netflix (in an office, not at a distribution center), as long as you get your work done, you can take as much vacation as you want.

For example, our vacation policy for salaried employees is "take some". There is no limit on vacation because all we care about is what you accomplish - not how. Similarly, our travel expense policy is "travel as you would on your own nickel." That's it. No soul-sapping policy manuals for us. In our first five years as public company, growing from $100m to over $1 billion in revenue, our commitment to freedom and responsibility has only grown. - from the Netflix jobs page.

"We want our employees to have great freedom - freedom to be brilliant or freedom to make mistakes," said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.

It's long been known that Americans have far less paid vacation times than other industrialized countries.

Source: Finns get most vacation, Americans get least

And, because each company sets its own vacation policy, you get things such as this: The Strangest Vacation Policy I've Ever Seen.

Meanwhile, me? This:

Why journalists deserve low pay | csmonitor.com

Why journalists deserve low pay | csmonitor.com: "Journalists are not professionals with a unique base of knowledge such as professors or electricians. Consequently, the primary economic value of journalism derives not from its own knowledge, but in distributing the knowledge of others."

OK, got it. The typical salary for a journalist is $33K/year, slightly below that of an assistant manager at a McDonald's restaurant.
Thomas Jefferson, of course, couldn't imagine the great benefit that a McDonald's Happy Meal could bring to our fledgling democracy when he remarked:

"The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 1787. ME 6:57

After all, we'ved learned that newspaper customer satisfaction is below cell phone companies, scoring 10 points lower than health insurance companies.

You can't get there from here.

Mass. Pike urging drivers to check new Web cams.
Nice, eh. Check your computer to see if there's a traffic muck-up at the Weston tolls as we saw back in April.
Well, if you're not a Windows user, your only way to see what's going on out on the Pike is to get in your car and drive there. The Pike's camera site requires Windows Media Player. If you are (as I am) running Linux (dunno about MacOS), you can't see the camera's images.
The Mass. Pike chose a proprietary format to display public information. 


There are some work-arounds, but they're not pretty. For example:

tom@tom:~$ winecfg
wine: creating configuration directory '/home/tom/.wine'...
fixme:midi:OSS_MidiInit Synthesizer supports MIDI in. Not yet supported.
wine: '/home/tom/.wine' created successfully.

Now select the Audio tab and set your audio driver, I use OSS and set Hardware Acceleration to "Emulation" If you want to run Wine in a virtual desktop now is a good time to select the Graphics tab and set the size of your preference.

At this time we also need to set quartz.dll and devenum.dll to "Native" this is done in the libraries tab, after you have done this select apply and then ok.

Now you will need to get a native windows quartz and devenum dll and place them in .wine/drive_c/windows/system32 and register the dlls with:

tom@tom:~$ regsvr32 "C:\windows\system32\quartz.dll"
fixme:midi:OSS_MidiInit Synthesizer supports MIDI in. Not yet supported.
Successfully registered DLL C:\windows\system32\quartz.dll
tom@tom:~$ regsvr32 "C:\windows\system32\devenum.dll"
fixme:midi:OSS_MidiInit Synthesizer supports MIDI in. Not yet supported.
Successfully registered DLL C:\windows\system32\devenum.dll
tom@tom:~$

Now we need to install some codecs for Windows Media Player ...

Source: Windows Media Player 9 & 10 on Linux with Wine
You can say that Linux makes things needlessly difficult and I won't argue too strenuously. Let's not forget, however, that the Mass. Pike chose a proprietary format for public information.

Less than a 1000 words

The info graphic on the front page story of today's Telegram, at first glance, looks useful. It's a color-coded map that shows the changes in municipal income from speeding tickets. On closer inspection, however, it's much less useful than a table of the same data:

I have friends and co-workers who are color-blind. Some have difficulty distinguishing just certain colors - red and green - for example. They know which traffic lights to obey by the position of the light, not the color. Other friends see no color at all, just shades of gray. Here's what the graphic might look like to them:

In addition, even for those with good color vision, you need to keep matching colors on the map with the key at the top of the graphic. It's wearying at best and error-prone at worst. Is, for example, Clinton's loss of revenue between 10-19% or 40-44%? The answer is in the text of the story.
If I had an extra 40 bucks, I'd donate a copy of Edward Tufte's The Visual Display of Quantitative Information to the Telegram reference desk.

Happy Anniversary

Google text ads

I know that Google has made a gazillion dollars by placing small text ads next to various items in search, Google Mail, and other services. I'm not about to doubt their wisdom, but I'd love to understand the algorithm that leads them to place these ads next to an email promotion from Papa Gino's:

What is that, like, a bushel and a peck?

It's said that we in the U.S. use the English system of measure. Yet, here's a UK web site report:

250kg Russian drops healthy 2kg sprog • The Register: "A 34-year-old Russian woman who tips the scales at 39st 5lb (250kg) has 'surprised' doctors by dropping a perfectly healthy 4lb 6oz (2kg) baby boy, the Times reports."

BTW, here's a world map of countries that don't use the metric system:



Source: http://www.metric4us.com/

Death in America, 2009

1. "Mom, where's Pop-Pop?"
   "He's gone to Heaven, dear."
   "Is he with God?"
   "Even better, dear."
   Aggies Can Get To Heaven Via A&M Cemetery
   
   
   
   via If You Love Your Alma Mater to Death
   
2. 
   "Mom, where's Pop-Pop?"
   "I don't know, Dear?"
   "Isn't he in Heaven?"
   "I don't know, Dear. The cemetery couldn't pay its bills and now it's closed."
   
   
via FREAK Shots: Death and Foreclosure

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable

In his book Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Don't Know About Them), Bart Erhman describes a technique called horizontal analysis. You take a number of sources, such as the synoptic Gospels, and compare how they describe the event - the Jesus' birth, the Passion of Christ, or Jesus' Baptism.
Erhman uses this technique in his New Testament 101 to show his students how the gospels differ in often significant and irreconcilable ways. It's an important methodology that shows how our understanding of the Christian message has been conflated, confused, and outright fabricated. Most folks who read the Bible find, in individual passages, words of hope and comfort. Taken as a whole, however, the Bible can be disorienting.
And, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, a similar reading of two popular and familar tales brings a similar dis-ease:

via Cycnical-C Blog to Unreasonable Faith

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, May 4

12:01 a.m. Loud music reported from residence on Dorothy Ave.; party turning radio down
12:17 a.m. Assist Paxton with lookout for individual
5:39 a.m. Security guard at high school reports large excavation there will likely cause traffic problems this morning
8:25 a.m. Large tree reported sticking out into road on South Rd.
9:11 a.m. Stone wall damage at business on Main St., possibly from skateboarders
2:44 p.m. Dump truck and trailer blocking Highland St.
3:12 p.m. Truck knocked down wires on Mason Rd.
3:27 p.m. Escaped dog seen walking with leash but no owner
7:05 p.m. 911 Kids reported driving around behind Davis Hill School

Tuesday, May 5

8:10 p.m. Son reported not home after school
10:00 p.m. Request for officer to speak with son who was missing and brought home after school

Wednesday, May 6

11:57 a.m. Report of snake in the kitchen of elderly woman's home on Kendall Rd.
2:01 p.m. Pastor requesting police drive through lot while individual who is causing trouble is there
5:00 p.m. Neighbor dispute on Quail Run; message with profanities left on answering machine
6:10 p.m. Group of youths loitering at Dunkin' Donuts
8:28 p.m. 911 Report of three young females walking in potentially hazardous area on Reservoir St.

Thursday, May 7

7:26 a.m. Caller venting about traffic in area of WRHS
8:16 a.m. Resident reports neighbor piling brush in his second driveway where he needs space for Dumpster
8:40 a.m. Caller reports having words with attendant at gas station
8:51 a.m. Missing dog reported
11:37 a.m. Child locked himself in parents' car and is refusing to go into Mountview School
1:43 p.m. Suspicious incident on Highland St.
2:41 p.m. Teenage boys reported asking around on Cranbrook Drive about trampolines; told to get lost
3:19 p.m. 911 Report of driver dumping two older cats in carrier on side of road; unable to locate cats
4:32 p.m. Child reported wandering on Glenwood St.

Friday, May 8

3:50 a.m. Large branch in road on Wachusett St.
4:11 a.m. Caller reports dog barking in manner that suggests intruder on Wachusett St.
4:52 a.m. Report of car parked on Princeton St. near railroad tracks
9:55 a.m. Report of possible scam, caller to come to someone's home for hearing test
10:12 a.m. 911 Caller lost in Trout Brook; later found
12:13 p.m. Suspicious incident on Salisbury St.
1:01 p.m. No water at residence on Main St.
1:28 p.m. Report of motor vehicle turning in and out of driveways on Manning St.
4:34 p.m. 911 Bank reports elderly man looking for fruit, may be confused
7:00 p.m. 911 from residence that is vacant
8:32 p.m. Young teen concerned about coyote circling home and howling
8:33 p.m. Caller reports vehicle cut him off
9:46 p.m. Group of teens at playground off Shrewsbury St.; last week condoms were found there

Saturday, May 9

10:41 a.m. 911 Dirt bike being driven around new development on Steppingstone Dr.
12:15 p.m. Dead fox on Princeton St.
12:30 p.m. Worcester PD requests making contact with resident regarding illegal dumping
3:16 p.m. 911 Chestnut Hill Dr. resident reports broken faucet in bathroom and shutoff valve broken
5:00 p.m. Cat hit by car on Reservoir St.
8:24 p.m. Individual hit by paint ball from passing car while working in yard on Winter Hill Rd.
8:55 p.m. Barking dog complaint on Glenwood St.; dog "freaking out" because of storm
9:06 p.m. Vehicle went wrong way up jug handle at Shrewsbury St.

Sunday, May 10

10:06 a.m. Black pug dog found on Manning St.
10:30 a.m. Damage to lamppost reported during night on Stoneleigh Road
10:41 a.m. Two large pots of pansies stolen from Princeton St. residence during the night
10:55 a.m. Power outage reported on Mason Rd.
6:52 p.m. 911 from Kendall Rd.; problem with phone lines
11:12 p.m. Caller inquiring about music noise levels
11:32 p.m. Report of loud music on Dorothy Ave.

Paxton

Monday, May 4

6:59 a.m. 911 hang-up; child playing with phone
8:15 p.m. Suspicious auto in Market Place parking lot; car broken down, waiting for tow

Tuesday, May 5

3:20 p.m. Burglar alarm set off by door opened by wind, Black Hill Rd.
3:30 p.m. Burglar alarm set off by visitor entering house through unlocked door, West St.; homeowner arrived and identified party

Friday, May 8

6:17 a.m. Suspicious auto, Howe's Farm Stand, Pleasant St.
5:35 p.m. Tree company taking up travel lane, Holden Rd.; told to move off road

Saturday, May 9

1:17 a.m. Suspicious auto, Paxton Market Place
4:00 p.m. Caller reporting his brown Dachshund ran away, no tag or collar

Sunday, May 10

11:52 a.m. Motor vehicle lock-out, Paxton House of Pizza

Princeton

Monday, May 4

7:31 a.m. Traffic control duty, Rte. 140 N.
3:08 p.m. Assist fire department, Sterling Rd.
7:00 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Sterling Rd.

Tuesday, May 5

7:35 a.m. Traffic control duty, Sterling Rd.
9:10 p.m. Public service, Main St.

Wednesday, May 6

9:05 a.m. Assist fire dept., Worcester Rd.
3:15 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Worcester Rd.
9:24 p.m. Suspicious person, Allen Hill Rd.

Thursday, May 7

10:23 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Coal Kiln Rd.

Friday, May 8

5:55 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Allen Hill Rd.

Saturday, May 9

11:52 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Radford Rd.
3:05 p.m. Property found, Westminster Rd.

Sunday, May 10

2:20 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Brooks Station Rd.
3:50 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Brooks Station Rd.

Rutland

Monday, May 4

12:23 p.m. Trucks parked obstructing view on Main St., Honey Farms parking lot
5:52 p.m. Loose cows in roadway, Pommogussett Rd.
6:30 p.m. Person at station to discuss relative's arrest, Main St.

Tuesday, May 5

3:45 p.m. Person reporting farm tractors driving on Main St.
11:16 p.m. Low hanging wire and debris in roadway, Pommogussett Rd.

Wednesday, May 6

8:49 a.m. Person to speak with officer about having guns returned to him, Main St.
9:30 a.m. Person locked herself out of her vehicle, Glenwood Rd.
10:33 a.m. Person to speak with officer about Internet scam, Main St.
5:41 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.

Thursday, May 6

9:11 p.m. General police, Prouty Ln.

Friday, May 8

12:58 a.m. Report of vehicle in driveway with radio blaring, Kenwood Dr.
2:52 a.m. Dead beaver in road, Fisherman's Rd.
10:40 a.m. Black bear running across Rte. 68 near Abbott Rd.
12:28 p.m. Trash truck took down some wires, Birchwood Rd.
12:29 p.m. Person wants to retrieve property, Main St.

Saturday, May 9

12:20 a.m. Disabled camper, Maple Ave.
5:55 a.m. Two deer in back yard, Maple Ave.; one injured, hit by car. Environmental Police notified

Sunday, May 10

1:15 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Main St.
6:18 p.m. People arguing about loose dog, Philips Ave.

Sterling

Monday, May 4

8:15 a.m. Caller says foxes are killing her chickens, wants to know what to do, Princeton Rd.
10:11 a.m. Caller reports his for-sale sign stolen, Redemption Rock Trl.
2:37 p.m. Caller reporting damage to sliding doors over the weekend, appears to be BB gun, Leominster Rd.

Tuesday, May 5

11:04 a.m. Suspicious male in driveway, wondering if census taker, Pamela Ln.
1:54 p.m. Suspicious male walking in neighborhood, Cole Rd.
6:35 p.m. Goats on side of road, wandering free, Redemption Rock Trl.

Wednesday, May 6

12:13 p.m. Suspicious male wearing orange shirt in area of John Dee Rd.
3:27 p.m. Very large turtle trying to cross Worcester Rd.

Thursday, May 7

9:00 a.m. Male in black Tahoe taking pictures of houses, Rowley Hill Rd.
4:03 p.m. Ongoing problem with neighbors' two large dogs, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
4:51 p.m. Large turtle in middle of road, traffic problem, Muddy Pond/John Dee Rds.
7:00 p.m. Window damaged from BB gunshot, Heywood Rd.
7:16 p.m. Large older black dog in yard, Clemence Ave.

Friday, May 8

3:45 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about motor vehicle accident in Boston

Saturday, May 9

2:15 p.m. Teenagers sitting on trailers at Davis Orchard on Redstone Hill
4:54 p.m. Suspicious male going door-to-door trying to sell something, Rugg Rd.
8:03 p.m. Tree in road, N. Row Rd.

Sunday, May 10

7:46 p.m. 911 hang-up call. Yelling in background, James Rd.

Reinventing relevance

Friend Liz recently wrote a piece, called what it's like now, in which she describes the difficulties that friends and former co-workers are encountering as their jobs go away. It shouldn't be a surprise to learn that companies generally don't care about workers as people, but we continue to be surprised. The managers, directors, VPs, and others with whom we worked had to see us as numbers on a payroll sheet a) to keep their own jobs and b) to keep their sanity. "It's just business."
But, to those who lose their jobs, it's oh, so personal. There are few things more personal than one's job. Yossarian, in Catch-22, observed that, just because they're shooting at everyone doesn't mean that they're not shooting at me.
No, it's very personal, even in the middle of a major societal event. September 11^th was a traumatic, milestone event for our nation. A former co-worker, Doug Gowell, was on the American Airlines flight out of Boston. He died in a public event, but he was also (and even more importantly) a husband, father, and friend who died. He was a fun and smart guy. I first learned about Gigabit Ethernet from a conversation with him.
These things are personal - job loss, death, breakups of relationships.
Job losses at this time are even more disorienting. Organizations are jettisoning employees, sometimes to shift workers overseas, sometimes just doing without, sometimes changing the very nature of the work. All this Web 2.0, virtual teaming, cloud computing, Buzzword Bingo scares the yogurt out of folks with even a few years of work experience.
For the graybeards among us, our sudden irrelevance feels like a deep betrayal. What got us here - our knowledge and talents - won't get us any further. Even if we pick up a contract gig, we're seen pretty much as a bag of keywords on resume, not a a person.

Recently, I had an email exchange with a former co-worker who landed a short-term contract assignment at a company that used an old hardware and software configuration (VAX/VMS) as a core part of its financial services computing environment. This guy was so happy. It was as though he'd wandered back in time to his grandmother's kitchen, sitting down to eat some of grandma's apple pie.
My reasons for being out of work are esoteric, discussed in this journal and elsewhere a few years back. Nevertheless, the effect is the same. I miss work. I miss the people, the smart, funny, full-tilt-Bozo-weird people who'd do hexadecimal multiplication in their heads. I miss the opportunity to work hard on hard stuff.
I hear the word 'reinvention' a lot. This is a time for me to reinvent myself. Yup, they're probably right. Invention, re- or first-time, is, by definition, a risky venture. For every innovation that makes a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us - sliced bread, the Les Paul guitar, Bunn coffee makers - there are lots of ideas and ambitions best left on the side of the road.
A couple of current best-sellers, Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers: The Story of Success and Nassim Nicholas Taleb's The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, make the point that success in the information economy (jobs where we don't make physical things such as cheeseburgers, brick walkways, or turbines) is far more random than we can comfortably accept. Tom Johnson offers a good analysis of Outliers and his own experience as a successful technical writer.
In sum, our chances for success, even modest ones, are unfair and random. We can do a lot to 'make our own luck' and still miss out. I've gone to the funerals of plenty of my contemporaries who were smarter, kinder, braver, and, well, better than me. It's unfair, deeply, profoundly, unfathomably, unspeakably unfair, and yet we keep going.

I burn down your cities--how blind you must be
I take from you your children and you say how blessed are we
You must all be crazy to put your faith in me
That's why i love mankind
You really need me
That's why i love mankind

God's Song, by Randy Newman

This just in: Pope admits that he's Catholic

Unitil: We were not prepared - Sentinel & Enterprise:

"Unitil Corp. executives testified yesterday that prior to the December ice storm, the company had not prepared for a worst-case scenario in which its electrical systems in all three territories in Massachusetts and New Hampshire were impacted.

Officials also told the Department of Public Utilities that it had never performed so-called 'tabletop exercises' or real-time drills to test the company's ability to respond to an emergency power outage -- even though almost every other major utility company in the state goes through such exercises."

Communicating with Franklin Street

There have been frequent blog posts about the Telegram.com web site troubles -telegram.com: "Reported attack site", T&G Website Problems Today, and, of course, this bit of sweetness from Firefox's security system:
.
Yesterday, I had to call the T&G subscription department to make a change to our home delivery service. Our account is a bit tricky, so the automated phone service tried valiantly but, after a few minutes, needed to enlist the help of a human being. The nice robo-operator said that my call would be transfered to the next available customer service representative.
I heard a click, followed by some silence, and then, another robo-operator came on the line and said,

We're. sorry. We cannot continue processing your call. Please hang up.

There was silence on both ends of line, theirs by design, mine by bewilderment.

(I called back, quickly said, "Agent" at the first prompt, and was delivered to a personable rep who took care of my request easily.)

Hey, buddy, can you get me a real job?

So my IBM Thinkpad, the one that I bought on my way out the door from IBM in 2004, turned into a Brickpad. I suspect, but can't readily prove, that a replacement battery that I'd installed over the weekend toasted the innards. The laptop ran fine for a day and then started crashing intermittently and finally wouldn't boot, read a CD, or so anything other than complain that various components were inaccessible. I brought it to our local fix-it guys; their diagnostics and tinkering confirmed that it was game over.
A bit of research with Consumer Reports and online price comparisons brought me to Best Buy, where I picked up a Dell Studio model something-or-other with a lot of screen, disk, and memory. The salesguy was a pleasant, easy-going young man who listened well and answered my questions clearly and without hype. He did a very good job.
Of course, part of his job is in selling extras, which includes an online backup/recovery plan for your data. I mentioned that my wife works for EMC and so we use their Mozy online service.
"EMC, huh?" he asked. "Is their IT department hiring?"
I explained what I knew, that salaried employees were being asked to take a 5% pay cut for the rest of this year. (This is public information, reported here in the Boston Globe.) I had seen some very specific sales and sales engineering positions available, jobs where you worked for EMC but were on-site at customer locations almost full-time.
The salesguy said that he wished he'd applied to EMC before graduation rather than afterwards and now, well, now he has this job. As I said, he did a very good job. I'll fill out the customer survey and let them know that I was treated well. Nevertheless, a job at Best Buy is still just a job at Best Buy.

It's a lovely spring morning. Be sure to take time ...

via CIDU.

Vote early

Holden is, um, holdin' its town elections today, with races for selectman and school committee. This was, at least to my distracted attention, a quiet election season. Usually, there are a few neighbors who whose political sentiments are pretty much opposite of mine. If I'm in doubt about a candidate or issue, I just vote the opposite of what their lawn signs says.
This year, we didn't get that much help, so we had to make our own choices. Ken Lipka made it a bit easier. He (or his campaign crew) put notes in our mailboxes, urging us to vote, along with two pens that said Kenneth Lipak for Holden Selectman. That's illegal, putting putting into people's mailboxes without postage, and making my decision a bit easier.

We were so poor that ...

The release candidate of the next  version of Microsoft Windows, called Windows 7, is now available for evaluation. You'll be able to install and run it for about year without purchasing an upgrade license. Starting in March of next year, the early release version of Windows 7 will shift into nag mode, meaning that it will put up warning messages to remind you to purchase a license. It will also start to reboot, automatically and without warning, a rather annoying feature if you're trying to get real work done.  Of course, you shouldn't be trying to do real work with evaluation software.
A dozen or so years ago, I worked for a start-up computer company (long since unstarted-up). We had very little money, in part because we used precious cash to open an office in Japan, do a major trade show in Germany, and maintain an office in San Diego whle our headquarters were in Massachusetts. (We had some very smart people in the San Diego office, including the VP of engineering, who was my boss for the first year.)
The misguided expenditures left us with precious little cash for our regular operations. We got by as best we could.

• We had an evaluation version of Windows NT 4 running on our server. As with Windows 7, the NT server started rebooting at random intervals after the evaluation period expired. We worked around it until a licensed copy came our way.
  
• Our external server was a reliable little box running BSD (a free UNIX system package). Our network connection to the outside world, however, was first an oddball dialup connection to some other company. Later, we got our own direct connection, a 56K modem that was shared by the 30 or so people in the office. 
• We used whatever software we could find. Our chief financial officer said that it was cheaper to pay the fines for using unlicensed software than to pay for the software itself. (Those rules have since changed, makng the penalties much steeper for pirated software.)
  So, we'd have one licensed copy of most programs and everyone would use them. Where evaluation copies were available, such as FrameMaker that we used for our manuals, well, even better. 
• Our CFO was able to get evaluation units of photocopiers. We try them out for a month or two and then return them, saying that we needed this feature or that feature. We'd then get another eval unit or another brand from another supplier.
  

The company's product was a network file server, primarily for MacIntosh systems. It had 100GB of storage and sold for $100,000 in 1996-98. I recently saw a special deal for a 1TB (10 times the size of our server) for $79.

For those whose mothers are near, far, or gone

Props to ... and in Laurel and Gloria's "secret garden" ...

Er, um, what the ...

The Washington Post reports: Under Restructuring, GM To Build More Cars Overseas.

Excerpts from the article:

The proportion of GM cars sold domestically and manufactured in those low-wage countries will rise from 15 percent to 23 percent over the next five years, according to the figures contained in a 12-page presentation offered to lawmakers in response to their questions about overseas production.
...
Labor costs in those countries are far lower. While paying a U.S. autoworker with benefits costs about $54 an hour, a South Korean worker earns about $22 an hour, a Mexican worker earns less than $10 an hour and some Chinese workers can earn as little as $3 an hour, industry sources said.
...
But company officials and industry analysts have long argued that, even putting aside the issue of labor costs, it makes logistical sense to build some cars in other countries, even if they are destined for sale in the United States.

Take, for example, the Chevrolet Spark, a tiny car that GM sells in South Korea and elsewhere in Asia. In the next few years, the company plans to send some of those cars -- which are built in Changwon -- to the United States for sale.

But since only about 5 percent of the car's market will be in the United States, the manufacturing will remain in South Korea.

via Drudge.

Whose woods these are I think I know

My latest blog post on OnTheCommon.com: Whose woods these are I think I know

"I've had enough of this." "No, you haven't."

 ...
It's being-hit-on-the-head lessons in here.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, April 27

2:30 p.m. Misplaced credit card
3:34 p.m. Lockout of van on Main St.
3:46 p.m. Large pile of brush reported obstructing view of traffic at Brattle St. and Doyle Rd.
3:53 p.m. Kids loitering on Main St.; caller advised to post "no loitering" signs
4:41 p.m. Two skateboarders spoken to about staying out of street
8:51 p.m. Loose horse on Rte. 122A
11:11 p.m. 911 Barking dog reported on Wahlstrom Lane; dogs brought in for the night

Tuesday, April 28

3:55 a.m. Loud music on Dorothy Ave.
8:40 a.m. Contractor reports customer accusing him of breaking and entering
9:39 a.m. Animal investigation on Wyoming Dr.
12:44 p.m. Caller with divorce question; advised it is a civil matter
1:33 p.m. Inquiry about how to destroy ammunition
4:19 p.m. Inquiry about easement; advised to contact town hall
4:38 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with three male occupants, one riding in trunk, on Bailey Rd.
4:56 p.m. Neighbor's dog reported defecating in yard and running in yard on Homestead Rd.
7:02 p.m. Transformer blew on Main St.
7:12 p.m. Loud beeping noise on Alden Rd.
7:39 p.m. Large pile of branches in middle of Main St. reported; one branch removed from road
9:13 p.m. Someone using front end loader heard on Deane Ave.
9:24 p.m. Two people in gutter on Main St. asked to move along
9:35 p.m. Two teens at Mountview making movie

Wednesday, April 29

12:09 p.m. Person taking pictures of state-owned land for Dept. of Revenue
1:50 p.m. Problem with neighbor placing basketball hoop at end of neighbor's driveway
2:14 p.m. Two suspicious males jumped fence at Big Y
3:45 p.m. Glove box found open on unlocked vehicle on Colorado Dr.
4:45 p.m. Low-hanging tree branch reported on causeway on Reservoir St.
6:30 p.m. Argument between neighbors on Putnam Rd. about lawn debris; report of neighbor being physically aggressive
7:57 p.m. Four-wheelers monitored on Mixter Rd.
11:45 p.m. Front end loader operating in parking lot on Shrewsbury St.

Thursday, April 30

9:52 a.m. 911 Caller reports another driver yelled at her when she passed him for not using directional
11:40 a.m. Inquiry regarding cracked windshield
2:36 p.m. Caller inquiring about collection of knives
2:55 p.m. Neighbor reported taking pictures of neighbor and harassing him as he was moving brush on Nelson St.

Friday, May 1

1:37 a.m. Suspicious male party in Dunkin Donuts parking lot
2:24 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Rte. 31
3:34 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Main St.
3:39 a.m. Suspicious person on Main St. in vehicle, passed out; family member on the way
4:20 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle at Mountview School; okay, paper carrier taking a break
7:26 a.m. 911 Report of loose dog on Main St.
8:10 a.m. Anthony Dr. resident requesting surveillance for stepson, unemployed and possibly doing drugs
9:13 a.m. 911 Report of irate customer; okay, ex-husband and ex-wife arguing
9:22 a.m. Brentwood Dr. resident reports cleaning solicitation
12:37 p.m. Police requested to observe damage to vehicle on Main St.
2:42 p.m. Report of erratic and irate driver breaking sharply and yelling at caller
11:40 p.m. Parties at gas station advised to move along
11:51 p.m. Loud music coming from Dorothy Ave.

Saturday, May 2

9:29 a.m. Male party checking on workers on Eagle Scout projects cleaning both cemeteries
10:55 a.m. Two pedestrians inquiring whether it's illegal to park vehicles on sidewalk
10:57 a.m. Dog escaped on Sherwood Hill Dr.
12:35 p.m. High school students in lobby to get permission to film a jail cell
3:31 p.m. 911 hang up calls from Reservoir St.
4:01 p.m. Several calls about a tree extending into roadway on Paxton Rd.
4:05 p.m. Bike found on Sycamore Dr.
4:30 p.m. Motorist concerned about cruiser trunk being open
4:45 p.m. Man with raccoon in swing set
9:25 p.m. Unoccupied cars at Trout Brook

Sunday, May 3

11:38 a.m. Walk-in reports dishwasher taken from residence by ex-wife; advised to talk to his lawyer
12:44 p.m. Caller reports vehicle threw trash at bicyclists
4:31 p.m. Caller regarding curfews for juveniles and programs for elderly
6:40 p.m. Dispute reported
7:02 p.m. Lost dog reported; 7:10, dog returned

Paxton

Tuesday, April 28

12:07 a.m. Parties from Moore State Park sent on their way
10:42 a.m. Black lab running loose, West St.
10:14 p.m. Caller inquiring how late someone can run a wood chipper
10:18 p.m. Caller complaining that a woodchipper is being used on Grove St. Spoke to party, they will stop for the night.

Friday, May 1

12:49 a.m. Suspicious female walking in area of Pleasant St. and Lincoln Cir. Courtesy transport to Worcester line.
7:20 p.m. Caller advising car will be in lot at Public Safety Building overnight. Employees returning in morning to work there.
8:12 p.m. Check Charter Communications truck at Holden town line to see if sufficiently visible to drivers

Saturday, May 2

11:35 p.m. Dispersed gathering at Moore State Park

Sunday, May 3

2:37 p.m. Motor vehicle out of gas, Pleasant St.

Princeton

Monday, April 27

5:04 a.m. Suspicious person, Hobbs Rd.
3:45 p.m. Officer investigation, Westminster Rd.
4:30 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Mountain Rd.
9:10 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Prospect St.
11:38 p.m. Suspicious incident, Redwood Dr.

Tuesday, April 28

4:48 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.
7:47 p.m. Assist fire department, Bullock Lane
8:01 p.m. Request for light department, Bullock Lane
10:15 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, April 29

4:05 p.m. Request for traffic control, Goodnow Rd.
4:39 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.

Thursday, April 30

4:25 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.
5:15 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140 North

Friday, May 1

7:31 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Forslund Rd. and Richards Rd.
12:26 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.
9:51p.m. Request for animal control officer, Fitchburg Rd.

Saturday, May 2

11:25 a.m. Open door/window, Main St.
4:04 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Fitchburg Rd.

Sunday, May 3

9:04 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Old Colony Rd.
12:47 p.m. Officer investigation, Rocky Pond Rd.
12:49 p.m. Public service. Sterling Rd.
4:20 p.m. Suspicious person, Brooks Station Rd.

Rutland

Monday, April 27

11:38 a.m. Misuse of credit card, Main St.
2:55 p.m. Report of fat wire in roadway, Pommogussett/ Sassawanna Rds.
4:01 p.m. Assist other PD, Main St.
6:38 p.m. General police, Main St.
11:53 p.m. Person reports bear and cubs on the deck at home, Pleasantdale Rd.

Tuesday, April 28

11:35 a.m. Report that angry eighth grade student left school and went into woods, Main St.
3:33 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
6:07 p.m. Complaint about unregistered dirt bikes riding in Juniper Ln.
7:24 p.m. Parties at station to speak with officer, Main St.
7:32 p.m. Complaint about cars parked on school access road
8:36 p.m. Holden PD reports large limb in Rte. 122 at Holden line

Wednesday, April 29

12:04 a.m. Loose pony in the road near farm, Pommogussett Rd.

1:36 p.m. Officers asked to check on well-being of individual who was hitchhiking, Main St., Barre Paxton Rd.
6:13 p.m. Report of female with open container standing in Birchwood Rd.
6:49 p.m. Male sitting in Volvo for long time, Main St.

Thursday, April 30

1:22 p.m. Attempt to deliver message, Anthony Dr.
4:01 p.m. Tree on power line, Barre Falls Dam
4:44 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
5:08 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
5:30 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
11:38 p.m. Complaint about neighbors making a lot of noise, Maple Ave.

Friday, May 1

4:46 p.m. Records check, Main St.
9:09 p.m. Officer out with two men on foot, Prison Camp Rd.

Saturday, May 2

9:46 a.m. Sewage backing up into house basement, Edson Ave.
9:57 a.m. Person locked out of home, Maple Ave.
11:03 a.m. Truck was Saran-wrapped and shaving-creamed, Maple Ave.

Sunday, May 3

9:44 a.m. Missing dog, Charnock Hill Rd.
8:34 p.m. Party rifling through dumpster, Maple Ave.
8:51 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Miles Rd.

Sterling

Monday, April 27

6:02 a.m. Caller reports gunshots in area of Rowley Hill Rd. Police advise it is the first day of turkey hunting season
9:52 a.m. Officer investigation, Osgood Rd.
12:07 p.m. Two dogs walking in roadway, Kitchener Rd.
5:10 p.m. Beagle almost got hit by car, Main St.
6:31 p.m. Dog wandering on Redstone Pl. Owner will pick up
10:02 p.m. Barking dog, Laurelwood Rd.

Tuesday, April 28

9:11 p.m. Disturbance, party in progress Kendall Hill Rd.
10:39 p.m. Caller reports hearing screaming from woods behind home, Justice Hill Rd.

Wednesday, April 29

3:15 a.m. Report of audible alarm, Maple St.
11:06 a.m. Officer investigation, Lakeview Ave.
8:58 p.m. Vehicles being driven on field behinds school, Boutelle Rd.
9:19 p.m. Caller reports roommate is stealing from him, wants to speak with officer, Worcester Rd.

Thursday, April 30

9:21 a.m. Loose German shepherd attacked another dog, Redstone Hill Rd.
3:03 p.m. Student exited van and ran down street, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.

Friday, May 1

12:41 a.m. Aggressive cat attempting to get through house screens to attack kitten, Pratts Jct. Rd.

Sunday, May 3

11:16 a.m. Parking tickets issued for boat trailer, town beach
4:07 p.m. Loose dog in yard, John Dee Rd.

How much would you pay?

How much would you pay if you could hire someone who would show up in a truck and take care of your nuisances? Jeff at Wormtown Taxi tells us that the city of Worcester has just the service:

Not only that, but there's a real job description.


But, be careful if you get change in return. Consumer Reports tells us that you might get the H1N1-R2D2-Everybody-Boogaloo-Not-The-Swine Flu from the money.

The building inspector

My father was a construction worker. One day in the early 60s, while he was working at the high-rise dormitories at UMass-Amherst, a building inspector was on the site.
In the afternoon, the inspector came up to my father and said, "I've been watching you all day."
"That's funny. I've been watching you, too."

via J-Walk Blog

Manny gets to be Manny out of baseball for 50 games

Manny Ramirez will be suspended 50 games for positive drug test - Los Angeles Times:

Props to Dan Kennedy - http://twitter.com/dankennedy_nu

I've seen such compassion for a web server before

This aftenoon, this headline appeared on the Worcester Telegram web site:



Followed by this comment:

OntheCommon.com - The last ice storm story until the next one

My latest post on OntheCommon.com - The last ice storm story until the next one

That's why they call it work

In the mid-90s, I had a three-month technical writing contract at an automobile parts manufacturing company. My job was to document the company's procedures so that they could meet the requirements of ISO 9000 registration. As defined on the ISO 9000 web site, "The ISO 9000 family of standards represents an international consensus on good quality management practices."
Dilbert provided a more succinct definition of ISO 9000 as a set of big honkin' binders: 



Anyway, I worked in a building that had offices in front, a large manufacturing area, and then another set of offices built along the back wall. Various management and administrative types worked in that back office area. The manufacturing area was hot, even in winter. (My contract ended in May, so I didn't get to work there in the summer.)
What I did see, however, was a set of wall-mounted air conditioners for the back office. The air conditioners blew the hot exhaust out to the factory floor. The white-collar workers stayed cool and what's a few extra BTUs for the grunts working the machines?
I remember that setting every day I go to work. I may work hard, but what I do isn't hard work.
There are just a couple of things I'd like add to Jeff's post regarding Dianne Williamson's Sunday column:

1. Rule #1 of blogging, Twittering, or, pretty much any kind of writing other than writing about food is NOCWYHFL - No One Cares What You Had for Lunch. (Friend eba writes NOCWYHFD, a nifty blog about vegetarian dinners by and for busy working couples.)
2. Similarly, writing about writing is rarely interesting. 

By the way, during the succeeding years, most of the work at that manufacturing plants has moved away and area workers have lost their jobs.