A few years ago, our neighbor was in a panic. A turtle had been digging in her yard and was now laying its eggs in the sandy soil.
"What should I do?" the neighbor exclaimed.
Nothing much, I replied. The turtle had made its decision and wasn't about to be moved. When the turtle had finished her duty, she covered the clutch of eggs and went back to the stream and pond nearby.
This year, we've seen several test holes where the same turtle has been shopping for a new nursery. There's one in our yard on a banking and another one in another neighbor's flower bed. I haven't found the final location and probably won't. The mother looks to be too serious to chose a spot where someone might complain.

More on job searches - helping people help us

David Stone, a VP at DEC, once said, "Let' make new mistakes." The idea is that we should have already learned what we can from our old mistakes and now it's time to take new risks, some of which will certainly generate a fresh crop of, um, fine learning experiences.
So, it was quite humbling when I read a transcript of discussion between a job-seeker and an executive who was offering help and guidance.
When asked what she was looking for in a job, the job-seeker replied, "Anything, really. I just want it to be a good a fit."
Urp.
A week before, I wrote the following in an email to a friend who was helping me make contact with a company, "Regarding your question about what I'd ideally like to do - I want to be useful."
This is a noble aspirations that does little to help the other person be helpful.
There are times and places to let your thoughts wander over rolling vistas that your life has been and will be. This wasn't one of them.

When someone is offering help with a job search, give them something they can work with.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 15 suspicious items this week and 2 lock-outs]
Holden
Monday, May 30
12:00 a.m. Large group of vehicles at light dept., Holden St.
1:46 a.m. Police check for illegal dumping, Zottoli Rd.
10:15 a.m. Report that someone dumped a rooster on Mason Rd.
11:22 p.m. Several calls regarding explosions or gunshots, Valley Hill Dr., Scenic, Lovell Rds.
Tuesday, May 31
4:18 p.m. Two suspicious males near Peter Carr Pond, one sitting in middle of Princeton St.
5:20 p.m. Sickly looking coyote growling at kids in yard, Greystone Dr.
7:30 p.m. Injured owl in roadway, Highland/Union Sts.
Wednesday, June 1
10:35 a.m. Caller reports problem with neighbor and her dogs, Avery Heights Dr.
1:18 p.m. Caller reports large snake in her yard, Kendall Rd.
2:17 p.m. Snake is back in yard, Kendall Rd.
4:19 p.m. Caller reports two boys fired BB-gun at her window, Holden St.
Thursday, June 2
11:16 a.m. Caller saw black bear at Jefferson School. Children brought inside
Friday, June 3
2:35 p.m. Three males in woods looking for Asian longhorned beetles, Village Green Ln.
3:57 p.m. Illegal dumping of grass clippings, bricks and other yard materials on wooded lot, Newell Rd.
10:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area of Ft. Sumter Dr.
Saturday, June 4
12:43 a.m. Police check on vehicle, operator possibly sleeping, Main St.
7:57 p.m. Scream coming from back yard of home, Mason Rd.
9:48 p.m. Possible contamination of household and beauty products, Mayflower Cir.
11:49 p.m. Police off with several youths in parking lot, Main/Reservoir Sts.
Sunday, June 5
12:03 a.m. Police with four youths in area of school, Shrewsbury St.
12:31 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot, Main St.
4:25 p.m. Report of rabid fox in yard. Homeowner can't get to vehicle or house, Homestead Rd.
5:52 p.m. Report of child bitten by chipmunk, Sterling Rd.
6:09 p.m. Police check suspicious vehicle, Main St. cemetery
8:02 p.m. Caller reports injured dog, Pilgrim Dr.
Paxton
Monday, May 30
12:34 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with no occupants, Stereo Ln.
6:15 p.m. Person at station about dog at his house, Johnnel St.
Tuesday, May 31
5:37 a.m. Paper carrier reports donkey walking around loose in area of Pond St.
6:16 a.m. Black and white cow wandered off, Grove St.
9:52 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on side of Pleasant St./ Crowningshield Dr.
Wednesday, June 1
9:15 a.m. Person describing difficulties in pulling out of Indian Hill Dr. due to brush/weed growth
3:11 p.m. Suspicious red pickup truck in front of house, Marshall St.
Thursday, June 2
11:21 a.m. Man lying in Rockland St. Police transport to residence
Friday, June 3
3:01 p.m. Loose cow, Richards Ave.
7:13 p.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, West St.
Sunday, June 5
5:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle leaving Leicester headed toward Paxton
Princeton
Monday, May 30
7:10 p.m. Report of gunshots in area of Leominster Rd.
Tuesday, May 31
9:29 p.m. Snapping turtle in yard, burrowing into retaining wall, Gleason Rd.
Thursday, June 2
8:32 p.m. Request for police to check on two vehicles that went on property, Old Colony Rd.
8:37 p.m. Black Labrador at home on Goodnow Rd.
9:23 p.m. Report of intoxicated person walking on Rte. 140 S
9:41 p.m. Individual taken into protective custody, Rocky Pond Rd.
Friday, June 3
12:00 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot, Boylston Ave.
11:31 p.m. Suspicious person, Boylston Ave.
Saturday, June 4
1:50 p.m. Bicycle left in middle of Mirick Rd.
8:19 p.m. Police transport person to station, Town Hall Dr.
Sunday, June 5
11:53 a.m. Suspicious red car, Esty Rd.
12:16 p.m. Police assist with vehicle lockout, Willson Rd.
5:08 p.m. Assist motorist with direction, Rocky Pond Rd.
Rutland
Monday, May 30
8:59 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about threats against himself and his dog, Jamie Ann Dr.
10:36 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with tinted windows in area all week, Main St.
11:36 p.m. Motor vehicle stop, vehicle towed, one male transported to Paxton town line, Maple Ave.
Tuesday, May 31
11:20 a.m. Black bear running through neighborhood, Marjorie Ln.
1:17 p.m. Suspicious green vehicle circling through neighborhood, Watson Ln.
1:40 p.m. Caller reports phone call claiming she was eligible for government money and telling her to go
to local grocery store to pick up information. Grocery store official confirms other scam calls
1:54 p.m. Police secure area for visit from governor, Maple Ave.
8:24 p.m. Caller reports boat with its lights on for long period of time with no one in it, Demond Pond Row
Wednesday, June 1
6:15 a.m. Spencer PD reporting calf escaped from 4H camp, Browning Pond Rd.
7:35 a.m. Request for police to view sign posted on damaged fence, Turkey Hill Rd.
8:38 a.m. Snapping turtle in back yard of home, Pommogussett Rd. Caller wants turtle removed
9:45 a.m. Person on Turkey Hill Rd. driving down street yelling that "the secret service are coming."
1:33 p.m. Two vehicles traveling up and down Vista Cir.
3:31 p.m. Men walking around neighborhood leaving hand-outs, Ten Rod Rd.
10:49 p.m. Dairy cow loose on Miles Rd.
Thursday, June 2
11:11 a.m. Man laying on side of road with a dog, Rockland Rd.
11:22 a.m. Paxton PD requests assistance with male, Rockland Rd.
11:49 a.m. Dolly flew off back of pickup truck in lot and damaged a vehicle, Main St.
3:03 p.m. Bus company requesting police assistance for student who won't put on seat belt, Main St.
9:09 p.m. Very loud party, Hope Way
Friday, June 3
10:40 a.m. Person to take pictures of signs, Turkey Hill Rd. Wants directions
11:12 a.m. Boat taken and left floating, items stolen, Demond Pond
1:16 p.m. Yellow Lab running around parking lot, Maple Ave. Dog was on Pommogussett Rd., chewing on a bird
3:34 p.m. Youths skateboarding on Pommogussett Rd. Gave owner hard time when asked to leave
4:10 p.m. Male racing motorcycle around Juniper Ln.
5:30 p.m. Caller reports seeing "a wolfman" on property, Prescott St.
9:04 p.m. Youths in back of DPW shed. Police transport three juveniles to station
Saturday, June 4
10:14 a.m. Male wants to speak with "the Gestapo in charge of the barracks,"wants information on who has been tampering with his sign, Main St.
11:55 a.m. Person demanding names of selectmen, and when next town meeting is. Claims police haven't done an investigation of his damaged property, Main St.
7:11 p.m. Person wants to be "on tape" that police would not pick up piece of pipe that has fingerprints on it, Main St.
7:53 p.m. Person wants to file complaint against officer, Main St.
8:16 p.m. Person demanding report of person who responded to his property, continues to use vulgar language, Main St.
8:39 p.m. Person claims Holden State Police are now involved in investigation against Rutland Police
Sunday, June 5
3:33 p.m. Person flagged down officer asking that something be done about sign on Turkey Hill Rd. Concerned because sign has swears on it and her children have seen it
3:35 p.m. Caller wants to submit a formal complaint against officer, Main St.
3:50 p.m. Caller states he is being threatened by police, Main St.
3:55 p.m. Caller advises that the United States Marshals office has been notified of the criminal conduct of the Rutland PD
3:59 p.m. Caller asking if police want to take him into custody, Main St.
4:15 p.m. Caller claims dispatcher is "obstructing justice," Main St.
4:39 p.m. Caller reports he has contacted the FBI in regard to officer. Person used vulgar language and raised his voice, Main St.
5:04 p.m. Caller states he is going to make people "in Washington" aware of the actions of the PD, Main St.
6:01 p.m. Caller wants identification of dispatcher and officer on duty. Person used vulgar language and raised his voice during conversation
6:08 p.m. Caller making threats of legal action, Main St.
6:10 p.m. Caller demanding to know if there are cameras on the dashboard of cruiser, Main St.
6:13 p.m. Caller stated he was going to United States Marshals, Main St.
9:28 p.m. Two vehicles in middle of Bushy Ln.. Police find road is passable
11:02 p.m. Caller reports a new sign referencing the PD, Main St.
Sterling
Tuesday, May 31
10:37 a.m. Injured cat in yard, caller afraid to let her animals out in case cat has rabies, N. Row Rd.
3:20 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Woodside Dr.
Wednesday, June 1
1:27 a.m. Holden PD reporting suspicious activity in Manning Rd. area, possible peeping Tom, Legg Rd.
8:01 a.m. Checking for feral kittens, Goulding Rd.
8:21 a.m. Animal control officer picks up injured cat, N. Row Rd.
10:33 a.m. Caller reports damage to headlight of vehicle, appears deliberate, Main St.
11:41 a.m. Chocolate Lab in roadway, Redemption Rock Trl. Owner advised to license dog or will be fined
8:57 p.m. Report of female yelling, Greenland Rd. Argument
10:08 p.m. Female reports suspicious blue tractor, Redemption Rock Trl.
Thursday, June 2
11:04 a.m. Request for extra checks in neighborhood, Person acting suspiciously, Ashton Ln.
6:13 p.m. Small dog limping in yard, Quail Roost Dr.
7:17 p.m. Brown dog in roadway, Leominster Rd.
Friday, June 3
12:26 a.m. Caller reports possible mountain lion on his property, Worcester Rd.
10:00 a.m. Lost orange and white cat, Flanagan Hill Rd.
Saturday, June 4
5:20 a.m. Fox struck by vehicle, Redemption Rock Trl.
8:19 p.m. Caller wants officer to take report of illegal dumping on her property by her neighbor, Jill Ln. Not a police issue
Sunday, June 5
11:02 a.m. Person at station regarding ongoing complaints and wanting to know about town bylaws, Leominster Rd.
11:45 a.m. Person dropped off $20 bill left at bank, Main St.
3:39 p.m. Complaint about ongoing barking issue, Griffin Rd.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 15 suspicious items this week and 2 lock-outs]
Holden
Monday, May 30
12:00 a.m. Large group of vehicles at light dept., Holden St.
1:46 a.m. Police check for illegal dumping, Zottoli Rd.
10:15 a.m. Report that someone dumped a rooster on Mason Rd.
11:22 p.m. Several calls regarding explosions or gunshots, Valley Hill Dr., Scenic, Lovell Rds.
Tuesday, May 31
4:18 p.m. Two suspicious males near Peter Carr Pond, one sitting in middle of Princeton St.
5:20 p.m. Sickly looking coyote growling at kids in yard, Greystone Dr.
7:30 p.m. Injured owl in roadway, Highland/Union Sts.
Wednesday, June 1
10:35 a.m. Caller reports problem with neighbor and her dogs, Avery Heights Dr.
1:18 p.m. Caller reports large snake in her yard, Kendall Rd.
2:17 p.m. Snake is back in yard, Kendall Rd.
4:19 p.m. Caller reports two boys fired BB-gun at her window, Holden St.
Thursday, June 2
11:16 a.m. Caller saw black bear at Jefferson School. Children brought inside
Friday, June 3
2:35 p.m. Three males in woods looking for Asian longhorned beetles, Village Green Ln.
3:57 p.m. Illegal dumping of grass clippings, bricks and other yard materials on wooded lot, Newell Rd.
10:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area of Ft. Sumter Dr.
Saturday, June 4
12:43 a.m. Police check on vehicle, operator possibly sleeping, Main St.
7:57 p.m. Scream coming from back yard of home, Mason Rd.
9:48 p.m. Possible contamination of household and beauty products, Mayflower Cir.
11:49 p.m. Police off with several youths in parking lot, Main/Reservoir Sts.
Sunday, June 5
12:03 a.m. Police with four youths in area of school, Shrewsbury St.
12:31 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot, Main St.
4:25 p.m. Report of rabid fox in yard. Homeowner can't get to vehicle or house, Homestead Rd.
5:52 p.m. Report of child bitten by chipmunk, Sterling Rd.
6:09 p.m. Police check suspicious vehicle, Main St. cemetery
8:02 p.m. Caller reports injured dog, Pilgrim Dr.
Paxton
Monday, May 30
12:34 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with no occupants, Stereo Ln.
6:15 p.m. Person at station about dog at his house, Johnnel St.
Tuesday, May 31
5:37 a.m. Paper carrier reports donkey walking around loose in area of Pond St.
6:16 a.m. Black and white cow wandered off, Grove St.
9:52 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on side of Pleasant St./ Crowningshield Dr.
Wednesday, June 1
9:15 a.m. Person describing difficulties in pulling out of Indian Hill Dr. due to brush/weed growth
3:11 p.m. Suspicious red pickup truck in front of house, Marshall St.
Thursday, June 2
11:21 a.m. Man lying in Rockland St. Police transport to residence
Friday, June 3
3:01 p.m. Loose cow, Richards Ave.
7:13 p.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, West St.
Sunday, June 5
5:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle leaving Leicester headed toward Paxton
Princeton
Monday, May 30
7:10 p.m. Report of gunshots in area of Leominster Rd.
Tuesday, May 31
9:29 p.m. Snapping turtle in yard, burrowing into retaining wall, Gleason Rd.
Thursday, June 2
8:32 p.m. Request for police to check on two vehicles that went on property, Old Colony Rd.
8:37 p.m. Black Labrador at home on Goodnow Rd.
9:23 p.m. Report of intoxicated person walking on Rte. 140 S
9:41 p.m. Individual taken into protective custody, Rocky Pond Rd.
Friday, June 3
12:00 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot, Boylston Ave.
11:31 p.m. Suspicious person, Boylston Ave.
Saturday, June 4
1:50 p.m. Bicycle left in middle of Mirick Rd.
8:19 p.m. Police transport person to station, Town Hall Dr.
Sunday, June 5
11:53 a.m. Suspicious red car, Esty Rd.
12:16 p.m. Police assist with vehicle lockout, Willson Rd.
5:08 p.m. Assist motorist with direction, Rocky Pond Rd.
Rutland
Monday, May 30
8:59 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about threats against himself and his dog, Jamie Ann Dr.
10:36 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with tinted windows in area all week, Main St.
11:36 p.m. Motor vehicle stop, vehicle towed, one male transported to Paxton town line, Maple Ave.
Tuesday, May 31
11:20 a.m. Black bear running through neighborhood, Marjorie Ln.
1:17 p.m. Suspicious green vehicle circling through neighborhood, Watson Ln.
1:40 p.m. Caller reports phone call claiming she was eligible for government money and telling her to go
to local grocery store to pick up information. Grocery store official confirms other scam calls
1:54 p.m. Police secure area for visit from governor, Maple Ave.
8:24 p.m. Caller reports boat with its lights on for long period of time with no one in it, Demond Pond Row
Wednesday, June 1
6:15 a.m. Spencer PD reporting calf escaped from 4H camp, Browning Pond Rd.
7:35 a.m. Request for police to view sign posted on damaged fence, Turkey Hill Rd.
8:38 a.m. Snapping turtle in back yard of home, Pommogussett Rd. Caller wants turtle removed
9:45 a.m. Person on Turkey Hill Rd. driving down street yelling that "the secret service are coming."
1:33 p.m. Two vehicles traveling up and down Vista Cir.
3:31 p.m. Men walking around neighborhood leaving hand-outs, Ten Rod Rd.
10:49 p.m. Dairy cow loose on Miles Rd.
Thursday, June 2
11:11 a.m. Man laying on side of road with a dog, Rockland Rd.
11:22 a.m. Paxton PD requests assistance with male, Rockland Rd.
11:49 a.m. Dolly flew off back of pickup truck in lot and damaged a vehicle, Main St.
3:03 p.m. Bus company requesting police assistance for student who won't put on seat belt, Main St.
9:09 p.m. Very loud party, Hope Way
Friday, June 3
10:40 a.m. Person to take pictures of signs, Turkey Hill Rd. Wants directions
11:12 a.m. Boat taken and left floating, items stolen, Demond Pond
1:16 p.m. Yellow Lab running around parking lot, Maple Ave. Dog was on Pommogussett Rd., chewing on a bird
3:34 p.m. Youths skateboarding on Pommogussett Rd. Gave owner hard time when asked to leave
4:10 p.m. Male racing motorcycle around Juniper Ln.
5:30 p.m. Caller reports seeing "a wolfman" on property, Prescott St.
9:04 p.m. Youths in back of DPW shed. Police transport three juveniles to station
Saturday, June 4
10:14 a.m. Male wants to speak with "the Gestapo in charge of the barracks,"wants information on who has been tampering with his sign, Main St.
11:55 a.m. Person demanding names of selectmen, and when next town meeting is. Claims police haven't done an investigation of his damaged property, Main St.
7:11 p.m. Person wants to be "on tape" that police would not pick up piece of pipe that has fingerprints on it, Main St.
7:53 p.m. Person wants to file complaint against officer, Main St.
8:16 p.m. Person demanding report of person who responded to his property, continues to use vulgar language, Main St.
8:39 p.m. Person claims Holden State Police are now involved in investigation against Rutland Police
Sunday, June 5
3:33 p.m. Person flagged down officer asking that something be done about sign on Turkey Hill Rd. Concerned because sign has swears on it and her children have seen it
3:35 p.m. Caller wants to submit a formal complaint against officer, Main St.
3:50 p.m. Caller states he is being threatened by police, Main St.
3:55 p.m. Caller advises that the United States Marshals office has been notified of the criminal conduct of the Rutland PD
3:59 p.m. Caller asking if police want to take him into custody, Main St.
4:15 p.m. Caller claims dispatcher is "obstructing justice," Main St.
4:39 p.m. Caller reports he has contacted the FBI in regard to officer. Person used vulgar language and raised his voice, Main St.
5:04 p.m. Caller states he is going to make people "in Washington" aware of the actions of the PD, Main St.
6:01 p.m. Caller wants identification of dispatcher and officer on duty. Person used vulgar language and raised his voice during conversation
6:08 p.m. Caller making threats of legal action, Main St.
6:10 p.m. Caller demanding to know if there are cameras on the dashboard of cruiser, Main St.
6:13 p.m. Caller stated he was going to United States Marshals, Main St.
9:28 p.m. Two vehicles in middle of Bushy Ln.. Police find road is passable
11:02 p.m. Caller reports a new sign referencing the PD, Main St.
Sterling
Tuesday, May 31
10:37 a.m. Injured cat in yard, caller afraid to let her animals out in case cat has rabies, N. Row Rd.
3:20 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Woodside Dr.
Wednesday, June 1
1:27 a.m. Holden PD reporting suspicious activity in Manning Rd. area, possible peeping Tom, Legg Rd.
8:01 a.m. Checking for feral kittens, Goulding Rd.
8:21 a.m. Animal control officer picks up injured cat, N. Row Rd.
10:33 a.m. Caller reports damage to headlight of vehicle, appears deliberate, Main St.
11:41 a.m. Chocolate Lab in roadway, Redemption Rock Trl. Owner advised to license dog or will be fined
8:57 p.m. Report of female yelling, Greenland Rd. Argument
10:08 p.m. Female reports suspicious blue tractor, Redemption Rock Trl.
Thursday, June 2
11:04 a.m. Request for extra checks in neighborhood, Person acting suspiciously, Ashton Ln.
6:13 p.m. Small dog limping in yard, Quail Roost Dr.
7:17 p.m. Brown dog in roadway, Leominster Rd.
Friday, June 3
12:26 a.m. Caller reports possible mountain lion on his property, Worcester Rd.
10:00 a.m. Lost orange and white cat, Flanagan Hill Rd.
Saturday, June 4
5:20 a.m. Fox struck by vehicle, Redemption Rock Trl.
8:19 p.m. Caller wants officer to take report of illegal dumping on her property by her neighbor, Jill Ln. Not a police issue
Sunday, June 5
11:02 a.m. Person at station regarding ongoing complaints and wanting to know about town bylaws, Leominster Rd.
11:45 a.m. Person dropped off $20 bill left at bank, Main St.
3:39 p.m. Complaint about ongoing barking issue, Griffin Rd.

Apple playing catch-up

Yesterday's announcement about iCloud and related services is pretty much ok. There's not enough to make me switch from my Android phone to an iPhone or to buy a Mac computer or iPad. The cloud music services generally bring the iOS and desktop products to the same level that's available with Android and Amazon.
I am intrigued by iTunes Match, a service that gathers the metadata about your non-iTunes music and makes it available in the cloud as well. For $25/year, Apple will scan your music collection and integrate it with the music you've already bought from them and make it all available online, much as iTunes on the desktop does now. You don't have to upload the content as you do with Amazon.
It's along the lines of what MP3tunes  tried to do, except that Apple worked out a deal with the record labels. The labels sued MP3tunes out of existence.
iTunes Match could be a content-laundering service, allowing you to legitimize the music that you acquired through, ahem, other channels.
So, good job, Apple, but I'm not ready to jump into the infinite loop of your cloud.

Apple playing catch-up

Yesterday's announcement about iCloud and related services is pretty much ok. There's not enough to make me switch from my Android phone to an iPhone or to buy a Mac computer or iPad. The cloud music services generally bring the iOS and desktop products to the same level that's available with Android and Amazon.
I am intrigued by iTunes Match, a service that gathers the metadata about your non-iTunes music and makes it available in the cloud as well. For $25/year, Apple will scan your music collection and integrate it with the music you've already bought from them and make it all available online, much as iTunes on the desktop does now. You don't have to upload the content as you do with Amazon.
It's along the lines of what MP3tunes  tried to do, except that Apple worked out a deal with the record labels. The labels sued MP3tunes out of existence.
iTunes Match could be a content-laundering service, allowing you to legitimize the music that you acquired through, ahem, other channels.
So, good job, Apple, but I'm not ready to jump into the infinite loop of your cloud.

An ad executive walks into a meeting ...

So, America, whatcha got? How are you going to reclaim your rightful place as the beacon on the hill? How are you going to lead us to a new American century?
Cure cancer? New sources of safe, sustainable energy? Peace on earth? Nope, or at least not yet.
But, your dog can have a snack treat called, and I am not making this up,
Better Than Ears^®.

via Better Than Brands - Better Than Ears® premium healthy dog treats - Products

Be proud, America. Be proud.
And, be sure to let the folks in Legal that we're gonna trademark "Serve when deserved with love, affection and a scratch behind the ears™."

An ad executive walks into a meeting ...

So, America, whatcha got? How are you going to reclaim your rightful place as the beacon on the hill? How are you going to lead us to a new American century?
Cure cancer? New sources of safe, sustainable energy? Peace on earth? Nope, or at least not yet.
But, your dog can have a snack treat called, and I am not making this up,
Better Than Ears^®.

via Better Than Brands - Better Than Ears® premium healthy dog treats - Products

Be proud, America. Be proud.
And, be sure to let the folks in Legal that we're gonna trademark "Serve when deserved with love, affection and a scratch behind the ears™."

Expecting little and getting less

We'd just finished moving a bureau and a couple of wall unit things into the truck. Our eldest grandson is moving into an apartment on June Street with three other guys from his college. (Long ago, my mother's family lived on June Street before heading north to the dairy farm in New Hampshire.) One piece came from the first floor guest room, another from our former upstairs office, and a third from the shed out back. All of it made it onto the truck and no one got hurt. The furniture is heavy, but there are strong, young men who can take the stuff up two flights of stairs.
Sandra nor I weren't keen on making supper after that. Sandra suggested that we get one of those salads at McDonald's^®. We also coupons giving us a few bunch off of the price of a meal experience. We made our way to our local golden arches.
We go to McDonald's perhaps four times a year, usually when we're babysitting. When we're with a kid, we don't have to buy much for ourselves because the child will not finish her meal. The playroom is much more interesting.
Tonight, though, it was just us adults.
We walked in and had our ear canals ripped raw by several loud beepers, alarms at various pitches alerting the unconcerned staff. People were waiting to order at the drive-through, that's one alarm. Fries were done and then overdone, that's another. And, so on.
Sandra was plugging her ears as she asked me where the salads were displayed on the wall menu. I pointed to the teeny-tiny listing in the middle of burgers and fries, chicken and fries, pseudo-coffees, and other unknown foodstuffs. Our coupons weren't good for anything that didn't have fries and Coca-Cola^®  soft-drink product. She nodded.
A couple of the beepers stopped as employees pulled french fry baskets from the fryer and turned off the burger machine. We approached the register.
"How can you stand this noise?" asked Sandra. The 16-year-old boy stared blankly, trying to remember his lines. This kind of question wasn't in the training manual that he'd just read this afternoon.
"I'll have an Asian salad," said Sandra.
The kid punched in the order. "Anything else?" he asked.
Sandra looked around at the menu and said, "I'd like some water. Not bottled. Just tap water."
That wasn't in the training manual, either. The kid recovered blood flow to his face and asked his supervisor (who was 19 or so) what to do.
"Just give her a cup," said the older and wiser one. "Don't bother to ring it up."
I placed my my order, for a Southwestern salad and water. The kid, emboldened, handed me an empty cup without flinching.
The order came to just over ten bucks. I was about to pay when a third person came over to the register. "Actually," she said, "we're all out of Asian salads and Southwestern salads." The beepers started up again. "We do have Caesar and Bacon Ranch."

I've made better suppers at home, but tonight's was ok. Most of all,  the room was as quiet as we wanted it to be.

Expecting little and getting less

We'd just finished moving a bureau and a couple of wall unit things into the truck. Our eldest grandson is moving into an apartment on June Street with three other guys from his college. (Long ago, my mother's family lived on June Street before heading north to the dairy farm in New Hampshire.) One piece came from the first floor guest room, another from our former upstairs office, and a third from the shed out back. All of it made it onto the truck and no one got hurt. The furniture is heavy, but there are strong, young men who can take the stuff up two flights of stairs.
Sandra nor I weren't keen on making supper after that. Sandra suggested that we get one of those salads at McDonald's^®. We also coupons giving us a few bunch off of the price of a meal experience. We made our way to our local golden arches.
We go to McDonald's perhaps four times a year, usually when we're babysitting. When we're with a kid, we don't have to buy much for ourselves because the child will not finish her meal. The playroom is much more interesting.
Tonight, though, it was just us adults.
We walked in and had our ear canals ripped raw by several loud beepers, alarms at various pitches alerting the unconcerned staff. People were waiting to order at the drive-through, that's one alarm. Fries were done and then overdone, that's another. And, so on.
Sandra was plugging her ears as she asked me where the salads were displayed on the wall menu. I pointed to the teeny-tiny listing in the middle of burgers and fries, chicken and fries, pseudo-coffees, and other unknown foodstuffs. Our coupons weren't good for anything that didn't have fries and Coca-Cola^®  soft-drink product. She nodded.
A couple of the beepers stopped as employees pulled french fry baskets from the fryer and turned off the burger machine. We approached the register.
"How can you stand this noise?" asked Sandra. The 16-year-old boy stared blankly, trying to remember his lines. This kind of question wasn't in the training manual that he'd just read this afternoon.
"I'll have an Asian salad," said Sandra.
The kid punched in the order. "Anything else?" he asked.
Sandra looked around at the menu and said, "I'd like some water. Not bottled. Just tap water."
That wasn't in the training manual, either. The kid recovered blood flow to his face and asked his supervisor (who was 19 or so) what to do.
"Just give her a cup," said the older and wiser one. "Don't bother to ring it up."
I placed my my order, for a Southwestern salad and water. The kid, emboldened, handed me an empty cup without flinching.
The order came to just over ten bucks. I was about to pay when a third person came over to the register. "Actually," she said, "we're all out of Asian salads and Southwestern salads." The beepers started up again. "We do have Caesar and Bacon Ranch."

I've made better suppers at home, but tonight's was ok. Most of all,  the room was as quiet as we wanted it to be.

How mighty is the Lord? Not so much.

There are folks who take it as an article of faith that the Bible (Hebrew and Christian scriptural writings) are literally the words of God.
What must be like, therefore, to take a job as a proofreader of the Bible? You're bringing your favorite red pen or pencil to word of the Lord.

via Bible Proofreaders Needed

For most editors I've known, it's all in a day's work.

How mighty is the Lord? Not so much.

There are folks who take it as an article of faith that the Bible (Hebrew and Christian scriptural writings) are literally the words of God.
What must be like, therefore, to take a job as a proofreader of the Bible? You're bringing your favorite red pen or pencil to word of the Lord.

via Bible Proofreaders Needed

For most editors I've known, it's all in a day's work.

More on education

The good teachers, though, helped me not only learn new material, but also how to learn. They taught me to read better, glue a bunch of ideas into a new framework, and then write better.

You'd think, with all of the time that I've spent in college classrooms, I would have figured out what parts of education lead to success and what is a waste of time and money. I'm guessing that you'd think that, because I know that I do.
I can identify a half dozen great teachers, professors who knew their material very well and were able to engage me so that I became excited about learning what they knew. Most of the others are deservedly unmemorable.
So, how come an academic career in the liberal arts led to a career in high tech? Until the time that it happened (and for long while afterwards), no one would have predicted it.
Recently, our thinking about the relationship between cholesterol and heart disease was upended. Researchers verified that raising HDL (good cholesterol) levels made no difference in the progression of heart disease in patients who started out with low HDL levels. People with low HDL typically are more likely to have heart disease, but raising their HDL doesn't help them much.
We can correlate a factor with a condition, but changing that factor doesn't affect the outcome of the condition.
Data suggest antidepressants score slightly ahead of placebos, A doctor prescribes antidepressants, but only one patient in eight will do better with the medication than with a placebo. And, theplacebos are getting stronger.
Our ability to predict who will benefit from something is slightly better than doing nothing, but telling them we're doing something. For example, psychologist Ellen Langer showed that telling people that they were living a healthy lifestyle could result in the people acting that way. 
It's long been a given that people with more education tend to be happier, wealthier, and healthier. (Your mileage, of course, will vary.)  It appears that we can get more people to college by expanding opportunities at community colleges, graduate programs, and for-profit institutions. And what happens?

• Law students have discovered that their new law degrees will leave them with massive amounts of nondischargeable debt. On that realization, they are suing a law school for leading them to believe that law school was a good deal. It almost amounts to Promissory estoppel, inducing someone to do something based on implication.
• New federal regulations will require that for-profit educational programs yield “gainful employment.’’  
• Venture Capitalist Peter Thiel recently awarded two dozen $100K grants to students who chose to leave college to do real work.

It appears that we've identified many factors to happiness, wealth, and happiness. Some of the factors, such as race, gender, family size, and birth order are, once set, pretty much immutable. Others can change by individual effort and societal support, such as education, physical appearance, opportunity for work, and on-going support. Still others are governed by luck, good or bad, at certain times.
Even if we can identify the factors for success, our efforts don't have success that rise much above chance outcomes.
Personally, I'm surprisingly at peace with this. Most of the stuff that I predicted for my life didn't come true; most of the time it's been better than I'd expected. The things that went wrong, well, some came with valuable life lessons, and some were just wrong and have stayed broken. More on that another time.

More on education

The good teachers, though, helped me not only learn new material, but also how to learn. They taught me to read better, glue a bunch of ideas into a new framework, and then write better.

You'd think, with all of the time that I've spent in college classrooms, I would have figured out what parts of education lead to success and what is a waste of time and money. I'm guessing that you'd think that, because I know that I do.
I can identify a half dozen great teachers, professors who knew their material very well and were able to engage me so that I became excited about learning what they knew. Most of the others are deservedly unmemorable.
So, how come an academic career in the liberal arts led to a career in high tech? Until the time that it happened (and for long while afterwards), no one would have predicted it.
Recently, our thinking about the relationship between cholesterol and heart disease was upended. Researchers verified that raising HDL (good cholesterol) levels made no difference in the progression of heart disease in patients who started out with low HDL levels. People with low HDL typically are more likely to have heart disease, but raising their HDL doesn't help them much.
We can correlate a factor with a condition, but changing that factor doesn't affect the outcome of the condition.
Data suggest antidepressants score slightly ahead of placebos, A doctor prescribes antidepressants, but only one patient in eight will do better with the medication than with a placebo. And, theplacebos are getting stronger.
Our ability to predict who will benefit from something is slightly better than doing nothing, but telling them we're doing something. For example, psychologist Ellen Langer showed that telling people that they were living a healthy lifestyle could result in the people acting that way. 
It's long been a given that people with more education tend to be happier, wealthier, and healthier. (Your mileage, of course, will vary.)  It appears that we can get more people to college by expanding opportunities at community colleges, graduate programs, and for-profit institutions. And what happens?

• Law students have discovered that their new law degrees will leave them with massive amounts of nondischargeable debt. On that realization, they are suing a law school for leading them to believe that law school was a good deal. It almost amounts to Promissory estoppel, inducing someone to do something based on implication.
• New federal regulations will require that for-profit educational programs yield “gainful employment.’’  
• Venture Capitalist Peter Thiel recently awarded two dozen $100K grants to students who chose to leave college to do real work.

It appears that we've identified many factors to happiness, wealth, and happiness. Some of the factors, such as race, gender, family size, and birth order are, once set, pretty much immutable. Others can change by individual effort and societal support, such as education, physical appearance, opportunity for work, and on-going support. Still others are governed by luck, good or bad, at certain times.
Even if we can identify the factors for success, our efforts don't have success that rise much above chance outcomes.
Personally, I'm surprisingly at peace with this. Most of the stuff that I predicted for my life didn't come true; most of the time it's been better than I'd expected. The things that went wrong, well, some came with valuable life lessons, and some were just wrong and have stayed broken. More on that another time.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 13 suspicious items this week, 1 non-suspicious event, 4 requests for assistance with car seats and 3 lock-outs]
Holden
Monday, May 16
3:03 a.m. Suspicious activity near railroad tracks, Fairview Ave.:34 a.m. Tree fell through windshield, Shrewsbury St./Woodridge Rd.
11:45 a.m. Caller reports that Boyden Rd. is collapsed; barricaded for broken pipe repair
3:21 p.m. Caller reports people in two vehicles took photos of her house, Holden St.
4:42 p.m. Person at station for assistance with car seat installation, Main St.
5:21 p.m. Disaster Relief Training will be conducted in Holden early in morning. Advising police so it doesn’t cause suspicion
6:25 p.m. Person at station for assistance with car seat installation, Main St.
6:46 p.m. Couple at station for assistance with car seat installation, Main St.
Tuesday, May 17
2:12 p.m Person walking wrong way in “jug handle,” Shrewsbury St.
5:16 p.m. Person reports a friend will be staying with her whose ex-boyfriend was released on bail for attempted murder, Main St.
Wednesday, May 18
12:14 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, unoccupied in lot, Main St.
1:00 a.m. Police out with several cars exiting behind light dept. building, Holden St.
10:12 a.m. Call about ducks walking down Main St.
9:12 p.m. Suspicious female asking people to participate in child study for college, Main St.
Thursday, May 19
4:49 p.m. Caller reports kids on scooters, jumping stairs, Princeton St.
10:34 p.m. Report of suspicious individuals urinating in parking lot, Princeton St.
Friday, May 20
8:58 a.m. Suspicious gray van parked beside road, Redgate Ln.
10:37 a.m. Caller reports kids partying at home on Parker Ave. after 8 p.m.
12:16 p.m. Caller concerned that neighbor is playing drumset outside, Jackson St.
12:54 p.m. Report of suspicious solicitor selling textbooks and asking weird questions, Centerwood Dr.
12:57 p.m. Possible verbal altercation between two dog owners in regard to one dog biting the other, Princeton St.
6:50 p.m. Three girls throwing sticks at passing cars, Main St.11:00 p.m. Caller heard thumping in wall, followed by vehicles leaving driveway, Village Way
Saturday, May 21
1:13 a.m. Police check on individuals on bikes, Shrewsbury St.
12:50 p.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, Main St.
1:43 p.m. Report of three suspicious vehicles in area, Parker Ave.
9:31 p.m. Several teenagers being loud and causing disturbance at playground, Phillips Rd.
Sunday, May 22
10:44 a.m. Assist with car seat installation, Main St.
4:40 p.m. Suspicious individuals, Harris St.
6:38 p.m. Assist lost motorist, Main/Salisbury Sts.
11:23 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot of closed restaurant, Princeton St.
Paxton
Monday, May 16
5:50 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, West St. Person in car reading a book
11:05 p.m. Police speak with person parked on Sawmill Rd. about park hours
Wednesday, May 18
2:26 p.m. Shepherd mix dog walking on Grove St. Unable to capture
Friday, May 20
1:30 a.m. Report of open gate and vehicles in lot, Marshall St.
4:18 p.m. Report of four kids in road throwing bottles at passing cars, Pleasant St./Asnebumskit Rd.
Saturday, May 21
1:09 p.m. Dog found on Marshall St.
Princeton
Monday, May 16
4:29 p.m. Stray rooster in yard, Houghton Rd. Bird captured and put in box in garage for animal control officer
Tuesday, May 17
12:00 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Ball Hill Rd.
Wednesday, May 18
3:25 p.m. Call about landscape trailer parked in roadway causing hazard due to heavy fog. Police check, find no problem
3:35 p.m. Yellow Labrador wearing collar, running in middle of Mountain Rd.
6:25 p.m. Caller requesting police assistance for out-of-control person, Bullard Rd. Police unable to locate person
Thursday, May 19
12:00 a.m. Police find traffic barrels all over Fitchburg/Rocky Pond Rds., reassembled them
8:19 a.m. Report that vehicles aren’t stopping for school bus with red lights flashing, Mountain Rd.
3:13 p.m. Police stand by at school bus stop, Mountain Rd. Two vehicles cited
Friday, May 20
10:12 a.m. Dog chasing runners at road race, Mountain Rd.
11:24 a.m. Police stand by at bus stop, Mountain Rd. One vehicle cited
3:15 p.m. Police stand by at bus stop, Mountain Rd. One vehicle cited
5:00 p.m. Vehicle locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
6:25 p.m. Two dogs loose on Mountain Rd.
8:09 p.m. Police assist animal control officer with black bear in roadway, went into woods, E. Princeton Rd.
8:12 p.m. Person found windshield broken and note that said damage done by home run, Sterling Rd.
Saturday, May 21
12:06 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Mountain Rd.
5:58 p.m. Dog hit on Prospect St. ran into woods. Found on Boylston Ave.; owner notified
Rutland
Monday, May 16
8:27 a.m. Report of offensive signs in area of Kenwood Dr.
Tuesday, May 17
12:24 a.m. Vehicle at boat ramp, person fishing, leaving shortly, Barre Paxton Rd.
8:36 a.m. Person locked keys in car, Maple Ave.
9:00 a.m. Person wants to file complaint about neighbor’s dogs going after his dogs, Maggies Way
11:02 a.m. Webster Animal Control picked up a tan Labrador with choke collar and sores on its paws, possibly Bailey
11:35 a.m. Person at station complaining about language on sign posted by neighbor, Turkey Hill Rd.
4:57 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about racist sign, Turkey Hill Rd.
Wednesday, May 18
1:14 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about signs, Turkey Hill Rd.
4:49 p.m. Caller reports person in red truck dumping large number of trash bags in Dumpster, Maple Ave.
Thursday, May 19
8:23 a.m. Loose Rottweiller, Main St.
12:06 p.m. Large truck with load of wood on side of road, Maple Ave.
10:27 p.m. Two black Labradors at home on Pleasantdale Rd. will be kept in garage overnight
Friday, May 20
8:23 a.m. Report of blood drive tent set up in roadway, Main St.
12:21 p.m. Request for police to check sheds in old Sims Cab area; kids may be spending nights there
12:29 p.m. Person in black truck dumping trash in school Dumpster, Main St.
3:45 p.m. School official wants to speak with officer about possible assault at high school, “homemade taser” involved
Saturday, May 21
9:25 a.m. Person at station to turn over some weapons, Main St.
11:34 a.m. Vehicle parked at gate, Wachusett St./Muschopauge Rd. Officer speaks to group of youths
Sunday, May 22
3:38 p.m. 911 caller reports two people having sex in car, Ware Rd.
3:40 p.m. Officer wanted, person found knife on top of sewer drain, Laurelwood Rd.
6:29 p.m. Bike found at pond near business, Main St.
11:23 p.m. Unattended vehicle with windows open behind school, Main St.
Sterling
Monday, May 16
1:07 a.m. Deer struck, Rte. 12 & Gates Rd.
4:49 a.m. Truck parked by Justice Hill/Elliott Rds. Turkey hunter
5L19 a.m. Person at station, locked out of her house on Patriots Way after walking the dog
7:54 a.m. Report that dog approached female aggressively, Woodside Dr. Dog owner will be fined
8:22 a.m. Caller reports animal in his basement barking, Sherwood Dr.
2:16 p.m. Report of fox in area for a week, Fox Run Rd.
8:39 p.m. Person parked behind school asked to move along, Griffin Rd.
Tuesday, May 17
7:11 a.m. Caller reports seeing men dressed in suits in area, Flanagan Hill Rd.
10:03 a.m. Citizen dropped off two dogs found on Meetinghouse Hill Rd.; taken to Worcester Animal Rescue League.
3:11 p.m. Caller walking in neighborhood chased by dog, Birch Dr.
4:42 p.m. Caller reports knock on door and no one there, Ridgewood Rd.
4:47 p.m. Caller reports male jumped out of vehicle as it slowed down, ran into woods, Leominster Rd.
Wednesday, May 18
9:38 a.m. Small “hot dog” type dog walking around, appears lost, Beaman/Osgood Rds.
1:58 p.m. Dog interfering with landscapers, Heywood Rd.
6:33 p.m. Dispute between parties regarding cable service, advised to call customer service, Beaman Rd.
Thursday, May 19
8:54 p.m. Caller reports loud noise from upstairs, police found nothing, Wilder Ln.
9:02 p.m. Caller bitten by dog months ago claims dog owner is not paying the bill, advised issue is between he and the dog owner, Trinity Ave.
Friday, May 20
4:59 p.m. Caller reports what looks like a boa constrictor snake in her mailbox, Greenland Rd.
6:37 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about neighbor painting orange line down property boundary, Heywood Rd.
9:27 p.m. Police speak to four males sitting in lawn chairs on private property, Acorn Way
Saturday, May 21
3:04 a.m. Request for officer for two people yelling at each other outside house, Redemption Rock Trl.
8:54 a.m. Police check on group in field carrying what looks like rifles. Turkey hunters
9:51 a.m. Solicitors in area, Pineview Rd.
10:04 a.m. Bikers not observing restrictions at new bridge, Rte. 62
2:23 p.m. Loose dog in area, Chocksett/Clinton Rds.
Sunday, May 22
9:19 a.m. Injured porcupine in yard, Beaman Rd.
5:50 p.m. Suspicious truck driving slowly in neighborhood three times, Maple St.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 13 suspicious items this week, 1 non-suspicious event, 4 requests for assistance with car seats and 3 lock-outs]
Holden
Monday, May 16
3:03 a.m. Suspicious activity near railroad tracks, Fairview Ave.:34 a.m. Tree fell through windshield, Shrewsbury St./Woodridge Rd.
11:45 a.m. Caller reports that Boyden Rd. is collapsed; barricaded for broken pipe repair
3:21 p.m. Caller reports people in two vehicles took photos of her house, Holden St.
4:42 p.m. Person at station for assistance with car seat installation, Main St.
5:21 p.m. Disaster Relief Training will be conducted in Holden early in morning. Advising police so it doesn’t cause suspicion
6:25 p.m. Person at station for assistance with car seat installation, Main St.
6:46 p.m. Couple at station for assistance with car seat installation, Main St.
Tuesday, May 17
2:12 p.m Person walking wrong way in “jug handle,” Shrewsbury St.
5:16 p.m. Person reports a friend will be staying with her whose ex-boyfriend was released on bail for attempted murder, Main St.
Wednesday, May 18
12:14 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, unoccupied in lot, Main St.
1:00 a.m. Police out with several cars exiting behind light dept. building, Holden St.
10:12 a.m. Call about ducks walking down Main St.
9:12 p.m. Suspicious female asking people to participate in child study for college, Main St.
Thursday, May 19
4:49 p.m. Caller reports kids on scooters, jumping stairs, Princeton St.
10:34 p.m. Report of suspicious individuals urinating in parking lot, Princeton St.
Friday, May 20
8:58 a.m. Suspicious gray van parked beside road, Redgate Ln.
10:37 a.m. Caller reports kids partying at home on Parker Ave. after 8 p.m.
12:16 p.m. Caller concerned that neighbor is playing drumset outside, Jackson St.
12:54 p.m. Report of suspicious solicitor selling textbooks and asking weird questions, Centerwood Dr.
12:57 p.m. Possible verbal altercation between two dog owners in regard to one dog biting the other, Princeton St.
6:50 p.m. Three girls throwing sticks at passing cars, Main St.11:00 p.m. Caller heard thumping in wall, followed by vehicles leaving driveway, Village Way
Saturday, May 21
1:13 a.m. Police check on individuals on bikes, Shrewsbury St.
12:50 p.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, Main St.
1:43 p.m. Report of three suspicious vehicles in area, Parker Ave.
9:31 p.m. Several teenagers being loud and causing disturbance at playground, Phillips Rd.
Sunday, May 22
10:44 a.m. Assist with car seat installation, Main St.
4:40 p.m. Suspicious individuals, Harris St.
6:38 p.m. Assist lost motorist, Main/Salisbury Sts.
11:23 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot of closed restaurant, Princeton St.
Paxton
Monday, May 16
5:50 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, West St. Person in car reading a book
11:05 p.m. Police speak with person parked on Sawmill Rd. about park hours
Wednesday, May 18
2:26 p.m. Shepherd mix dog walking on Grove St. Unable to capture
Friday, May 20
1:30 a.m. Report of open gate and vehicles in lot, Marshall St.
4:18 p.m. Report of four kids in road throwing bottles at passing cars, Pleasant St./Asnebumskit Rd.
Saturday, May 21
1:09 p.m. Dog found on Marshall St.
Princeton
Monday, May 16
4:29 p.m. Stray rooster in yard, Houghton Rd. Bird captured and put in box in garage for animal control officer
Tuesday, May 17
12:00 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Ball Hill Rd.
Wednesday, May 18
3:25 p.m. Call about landscape trailer parked in roadway causing hazard due to heavy fog. Police check, find no problem
3:35 p.m. Yellow Labrador wearing collar, running in middle of Mountain Rd.
6:25 p.m. Caller requesting police assistance for out-of-control person, Bullard Rd. Police unable to locate person
Thursday, May 19
12:00 a.m. Police find traffic barrels all over Fitchburg/Rocky Pond Rds., reassembled them
8:19 a.m. Report that vehicles aren’t stopping for school bus with red lights flashing, Mountain Rd.
3:13 p.m. Police stand by at school bus stop, Mountain Rd. Two vehicles cited
Friday, May 20
10:12 a.m. Dog chasing runners at road race, Mountain Rd.
11:24 a.m. Police stand by at bus stop, Mountain Rd. One vehicle cited
3:15 p.m. Police stand by at bus stop, Mountain Rd. One vehicle cited
5:00 p.m. Vehicle locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
6:25 p.m. Two dogs loose on Mountain Rd.
8:09 p.m. Police assist animal control officer with black bear in roadway, went into woods, E. Princeton Rd.
8:12 p.m. Person found windshield broken and note that said damage done by home run, Sterling Rd.
Saturday, May 21
12:06 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Mountain Rd.
5:58 p.m. Dog hit on Prospect St. ran into woods. Found on Boylston Ave.; owner notified
Rutland
Monday, May 16
8:27 a.m. Report of offensive signs in area of Kenwood Dr.
Tuesday, May 17
12:24 a.m. Vehicle at boat ramp, person fishing, leaving shortly, Barre Paxton Rd.
8:36 a.m. Person locked keys in car, Maple Ave.
9:00 a.m. Person wants to file complaint about neighbor’s dogs going after his dogs, Maggies Way
11:02 a.m. Webster Animal Control picked up a tan Labrador with choke collar and sores on its paws, possibly Bailey
11:35 a.m. Person at station complaining about language on sign posted by neighbor, Turkey Hill Rd.
4:57 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about racist sign, Turkey Hill Rd.
Wednesday, May 18
1:14 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about signs, Turkey Hill Rd.
4:49 p.m. Caller reports person in red truck dumping large number of trash bags in Dumpster, Maple Ave.
Thursday, May 19
8:23 a.m. Loose Rottweiller, Main St.
12:06 p.m. Large truck with load of wood on side of road, Maple Ave.
10:27 p.m. Two black Labradors at home on Pleasantdale Rd. will be kept in garage overnight
Friday, May 20
8:23 a.m. Report of blood drive tent set up in roadway, Main St.
12:21 p.m. Request for police to check sheds in old Sims Cab area; kids may be spending nights there
12:29 p.m. Person in black truck dumping trash in school Dumpster, Main St.
3:45 p.m. School official wants to speak with officer about possible assault at high school, “homemade taser” involved
Saturday, May 21
9:25 a.m. Person at station to turn over some weapons, Main St.
11:34 a.m. Vehicle parked at gate, Wachusett St./Muschopauge Rd. Officer speaks to group of youths
Sunday, May 22
3:38 p.m. 911 caller reports two people having sex in car, Ware Rd.
3:40 p.m. Officer wanted, person found knife on top of sewer drain, Laurelwood Rd.
6:29 p.m. Bike found at pond near business, Main St.
11:23 p.m. Unattended vehicle with windows open behind school, Main St.
Sterling
Monday, May 16
1:07 a.m. Deer struck, Rte. 12 & Gates Rd.
4:49 a.m. Truck parked by Justice Hill/Elliott Rds. Turkey hunter
5L19 a.m. Person at station, locked out of her house on Patriots Way after walking the dog
7:54 a.m. Report that dog approached female aggressively, Woodside Dr. Dog owner will be fined
8:22 a.m. Caller reports animal in his basement barking, Sherwood Dr.
2:16 p.m. Report of fox in area for a week, Fox Run Rd.
8:39 p.m. Person parked behind school asked to move along, Griffin Rd.
Tuesday, May 17
7:11 a.m. Caller reports seeing men dressed in suits in area, Flanagan Hill Rd.
10:03 a.m. Citizen dropped off two dogs found on Meetinghouse Hill Rd.; taken to Worcester Animal Rescue League.
3:11 p.m. Caller walking in neighborhood chased by dog, Birch Dr.
4:42 p.m. Caller reports knock on door and no one there, Ridgewood Rd.
4:47 p.m. Caller reports male jumped out of vehicle as it slowed down, ran into woods, Leominster Rd.
Wednesday, May 18
9:38 a.m. Small “hot dog” type dog walking around, appears lost, Beaman/Osgood Rds.
1:58 p.m. Dog interfering with landscapers, Heywood Rd.
6:33 p.m. Dispute between parties regarding cable service, advised to call customer service, Beaman Rd.
Thursday, May 19
8:54 p.m. Caller reports loud noise from upstairs, police found nothing, Wilder Ln.
9:02 p.m. Caller bitten by dog months ago claims dog owner is not paying the bill, advised issue is between he and the dog owner, Trinity Ave.
Friday, May 20
4:59 p.m. Caller reports what looks like a boa constrictor snake in her mailbox, Greenland Rd.
6:37 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about neighbor painting orange line down property boundary, Heywood Rd.
9:27 p.m. Police speak to four males sitting in lawn chairs on private property, Acorn Way
Saturday, May 21
3:04 a.m. Request for officer for two people yelling at each other outside house, Redemption Rock Trl.
8:54 a.m. Police check on group in field carrying what looks like rifles. Turkey hunters
9:51 a.m. Solicitors in area, Pineview Rd.
10:04 a.m. Bikers not observing restrictions at new bridge, Rte. 62
2:23 p.m. Loose dog in area, Chocksett/Clinton Rds.
Sunday, May 22
9:19 a.m. Injured porcupine in yard, Beaman Rd.
5:50 p.m. Suspicious truck driving slowly in neighborhood three times, Maple St.

Fear and the future of news

George Freeman, Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, of the New York Times says, "It's unclear to me that, online, quality matters that much." This barely a week after Bill Keller (NYT executive editor) ruminates in The Twitter Trap on soulless sociability of electronic communications.
The two points of quality and soul shouldn't be minimized. It's essential that we have a news channels that deliver high quality news in a timely fashion. It's equally essential that we as a society have ways of sharing that news, putting that news in the context of our lives and in the context of broader trends.
Each generation of elders, though, worries that the new stuff will break what's true and good. It comes down to a curious point, though. Elders (and I'm certainly among that number) are afraid that progress will make them obsolete. In the process of complaining that the young'uns are sacrificing quality of thought and relationships, we seal our fate by making ourselves increasingly irrelevant.
We built a world that valued and promoted progress and then recoil when we see that it might put us out of business.
Rather than cheering on our children and grandchildren, we leave them with a legacy of fear. The future that we created for you is a dangerous place full of stupid people who want to steal your money, ideas, and souls.
And, they don't even thank us for it.

Fear and the future of news

George Freeman, Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, of the New York Times says, "It's unclear to me that, online, quality matters that much." This barely a week after Bill Keller (NYT executive editor) ruminates in The Twitter Trap on soulless sociability of electronic communications.
The two points of quality and soul shouldn't be minimized. It's essential that we have a news channels that deliver high quality news in a timely fashion. It's equally essential that we as a society have ways of sharing that news, putting that news in the context of our lives and in the context of broader trends.
Each generation of elders, though, worries that the new stuff will break what's true and good. It comes down to a curious point, though. Elders (and I'm certainly among that number) are afraid that progress will make them obsolete. In the process of complaining that the young'uns are sacrificing quality of thought and relationships, we seal our fate by making ourselves increasingly irrelevant.
We built a world that valued and promoted progress and then recoil when we see that it might put us out of business.
Rather than cheering on our children and grandchildren, we leave them with a legacy of fear. The future that we created for you is a dangerous place full of stupid people who want to steal your money, ideas, and souls.
And, they don't even thank us for it.

On the job search front

Job prospects seem to be improving. Every day, there's at least one lead to pursue. Last year, weeks could go by in silence.
I had a call from a recruiter regarding a very interesting job last week. I declined to pursue it because of the commute. The company _really_ wanted someone on-site all of the time and I'm not willing to spend 20% of my waking hours in my car.
Yesterday, though, I had a good conversation with another consultant who may have some assignments that might be a good fit. We'll talk more in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the online sites offer, I'd said, one or two leads a day, which is a very good sign for job-seekers and for the overall economy.
We are seeing that pay rates are slow to recover. Few, mercifully, have reached this level:

via Technical Writer job in Boxborough, MA - Kelly IT Resources

On the job search front

Job prospects seem to be improving. Every day, there's at least one lead to pursue. Last year, weeks could go by in silence.
I had a call from a recruiter regarding a very interesting job last week. I declined to pursue it because of the commute. The company _really_ wanted someone on-site all of the time and I'm not willing to spend 20% of my waking hours in my car.
Yesterday, though, I had a good conversation with another consultant who may have some assignments that might be a good fit. We'll talk more in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the online sites offer, I'd said, one or two leads a day, which is a very good sign for job-seekers and for the overall economy.
We are seeing that pay rates are slow to recover. Few, mercifully, have reached this level:

via Technical Writer job in Boxborough, MA - Kelly IT Resources