...last chance for shopping for Christmas presents for this year anyhow. If you have not gotten her (or him, or them) the right gift yet, then get yee to a mall real soon. The stores around here have been opening their doors anywhere from 0600 (6AM) through about 0900 (9AM), and staying open late, though they probably will close early tonight. That should still give you plenty of time, if they open that early near you.
All my must do shopping is done, first time ever before Christmas Eve. I usually go out for quite a few things on Christmas Eve, but this year I'll only be looking for a few extras today, so to speak.
We have family (the wife's side) coming over later, and a couple or few friends too. Should be a nice afternoon and evening. As for me, it is about 0045 hours, time to hit the hay, so I will hopefully get up early enough to bake in the morning (since I slouched on that to/last night).
Enjoy the day.
All the best,
Glenn B
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Was There An Inspiration For The Christmas Mouse?
By The Christmas Mouse, I am referring to the poem I wrote, it is a few posts, or so, down from this one. Sure there was an inspiration, real live ones at that. Yes, more than one, since I now have about 50 mice in my mouse breeding colonies. I also have a cat and 3 dogs, just like in the poem. In fact I was enjoying my second glass of red wine, when the thought hit me to pen a comical poem; but no - none of the mice got loose, and then got chased by my cat and dogs, and I really have never seen a mouse dressed in a Santa suit, I swear I have not!
I have seen some pretty neat looking mice though not in Santa suits, but rather in lots of color variations, and with variations of certain other characteristics such as short hair, long hair, curly hair, and nude (hairless). I've seen all of these because I have been breeding mice, on and off, for abut 20 years now. You already know that I keep snakes and other reptiles, as well as some amphibians too. Well, most of the snakes I have kept are rodent eaters, and one of the most convenient rodents to feed snakes is Mus musculus, the good old common House Mouse. While I breed some of them for food items for my snakes, I learned long ago that breeding and keeping mice is an interesting pursuit all its own. I now have quite a few that are never meant to wind up as snake food, but instead will lead good and long mouse lives, as far as mouse lives can be called long.
A few of the color varieties I currently have are pictured here. The top one above is an Agouti (at least I think it is). The next one down is a Dove (pink eyed, light dove gray color). The next one is a Fawn, with pink eyes (they can also have black eyes). Finally the last one shown, is a fawn with black eyes.
These guys make great and interesting pets for folks with limited space, who do not have the time to give to a pet like a dog. They are also good pets for children, from about age 8 on up, with adult supervision at least until the child is in the mid teens and well familiar with caring for them. They rarely bite, but of course they can bite. They can be a bit smelly, usually if you have a male in a group or even alone. Males have smelly urine, while females urine has little noticeable odor. If you want to keep a pet mouse, or pet mice, and don't want that male urine smell, then just keep females. They get along fine with one another. Domestic house mice are easy to care for. Keep em clean by cleaning their enclosure at least once per week (twice at most), feed em once daily, supply fresh drinking water in a gravity bottle, keep them in a secure cage or tank, and they make great inexpensive pets that will live about 1 to 1 1/2 years. Keep a male and female together, and you can develop your own seemingly endless supply of pet mice. Give em an exercise wheel and watch em go, go, go... Let em escape (accidentaly of course, never on purpose) and really watch em go - forever gone - especially if you also have a cat and three dogs. Yes, some of mine have escaped before, so I know!
All the best,
Glenn B
The Transformation of Glenn
Yes it is still me as can be evidenced by the same fat neck and crow's feet around the corners of my eyes. Still though, I have to admit that the barber did a pretty good job handling his shears, and chopping away at my mane - so husbands beware - your turn may be next if your wives see these photos. My wife was pretty happy with the results. Now if only I would lose a few pounds, like 40 or so, she would be a lot happier, and so would I.Oh well, all things in moderation, so a little improvement at a time, I guess. This particular improvement will make for all that better Christmas get togethers with our families because Linda will be happy that I shaped up a bit.
Besides going to the barber shop today, I got virtually all of my shopping finished. Of course, for me it isn't Christmas unless I shop on Christmas Eve, so I will be out again tomorrow getting some little odds and ends, for extra special (but not necessarily extra expensive) presents, that happen to catch my eye. You know, maybe a nice piece of lingerie for my wife, a good book for my daughter Celina, and a gadget of some sort (like the hunting or shooting sort) for my son Brendan.
Speaking of Brendan, since I was out so long shopping, he decided to fire up the barbecue, and he cooked the bear meat I had in the fridge. It was ever so delicious - both the marinated piece and the plain piece he saved for me. A great meal to which to come home, I assure you; MMMMM - mmmm GOOOOOOOOOD!
If I am up to it tonight, I just may bake an apple strudel. If not that ambitious after all other have hit the hay in our house, I may make an apple pie and a loaf of bread for tomorrow's breakfast. Got to stay in that holiday spirit and get something like that done. Hopefully my lack of a good night's sleep last night will not have me crashing before I bake at least one delectable.
All the best,
Glenn B
The Wife Told Me To Get A Haircut
Yes that is me, a photo I just took a few minutes ago. Scary isn't it; or would repulsive be a better word?So my wife told me I need to get a haircut and clean myself up for Christmas Eve and Christmas. I can't imagine why she would think so, I think I look just - well how should I say it - I look just like me. It may not be the best I have looked in a while, but then again I guess 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night can help do that to a person.
Oh well, Linda does not want to hear about me missing sleep, or any other excuses from me, she wants me to get myself a haircut, and probably expects me to trim my mustache, and shave the rest of my mug.
I guess, that in the Christmas spirit, I should do just that. So I am about to be off to the barber for a trim. Hopefully he will not be the Sweeney Todd type! I'll post an after picture later on today, once I have had my 'makeover' to please my wife. I tell ya, the things a husband will do for she who must be obeyed. Oh well, off to the barber for me, later for you.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
Glenn B
Not A Whole Lot of Blogging Today...
...as I have to get my Christmas shopping done today and tomorrow. I just have to shop right up through Christmas Eve or it isn't Christmas for me. I also have to barbecue some Black Bear back-straps for my son and me. The wife and daughter don't want to eat any more of it, something about Smoky The Bear, or maybe Yogi and Boo-Boo; and that is fine by Brendan and me - more for us. Half of them are marinating in the fridge right now, the other half will be barbecued plain. Mmmm, goooooooooooooood!
If I get the chance though, I'll blog some tonight, but I maybe busy baking an apple strudel, so who can tell. For now just enjoy that silly poem I just wrote, and maybe some of my older stuff (yeah I know its not all that old, only been at it since August).
All the best,
Glenn B
If I get the chance though, I'll blog some tonight, but I maybe busy baking an apple strudel, so who can tell. For now just enjoy that silly poem I just wrote, and maybe some of my older stuff (yeah I know its not all that old, only been at it since August).
All the best,
Glenn B
Friday, December 22, 2006
The Christams Eve Mouse
THE CHRISTMAS EVE MOUSE
by Glenn Bartley, 12/23/2006
The Christmas Eve mouse, crept through my house, searching for a treat,
The family cat, slept soundly on its mat, dreaming of a mouse to eat.
The three family dogs, all slept like logs, in bed with mama.
I still awake, some wine did take, and sat alone in my pajama.
Was that a squeak, or just a leak, of steam that started all?
It mattered not, no matter what, it had commenced the brawl.
The cat awoke, as if at the last stroke, of the midnight knell.
It clamored straight, with bounds great, hoping a mouse to fell.
This of course, created a great source, of clamor and of clatter.
No command spoke, but the dogs awoke, to see what was the matter.
Down the stairs, as if chasing hares, they ran away at full speed.
Along the hall, as if heeding a call, to answer a primal need.
Startling the cat, who had been nosing a hat, that had fallen from hook on door.
Who sought the source, the mouse of course, who scurried under hat on floor.
Then the cat loudly meowed, and the mouse was wowed, and it ran fast away.
The dogs gave chase, toppling a vase, bought as a present for Christmas day.
Then the cat it sprang, as if with a bang, and pounced underneath the tree.
The mouse was there, the cat missed by a hair, and the mouse ran up to me.
On my face was a frown, but soon a smile as I looked down, and I saw so cute,
The beast was all dressed, as by now you may have guessed, in a Santa suit.
For a measly crumb, the beggar had come, with an empty bag o’er his back.
I scooped him up, and gave him to a crumb to sup’, and another for his sack.
Back on the floor, he stayed a moment more, then made some sort of sign.
Then on that strange night, I saw such a sight, a sight so very fine.
A family of mice, all looking so nice, all adorned in Christmas clothes,
Came out into the light, it was a wonderful sight, I saw before my nose.
Each wriggled its tail, and without fail, each bade me a Christmas Merry.
I felt fine, as I drank more wine, wondering if was made of a magic berry.
Then away they crept, and soon I slept, the rest of the eve through.
Was I dreaming a dream, that to me did seem, just too much of a real lu-lu.
Well when I awoke, not a word dare I spoke, about what me had befallen
If my wife dear, heard this as I have told here, the nut house she’d be callin.
The family cat, slept soundly on its mat, dreaming of a mouse to eat.
The three family dogs, all slept like logs, in bed with mama.
I still awake, some wine did take, and sat alone in my pajama.
Was that a squeak, or just a leak, of steam that started all?
It mattered not, no matter what, it had commenced the brawl.
The cat awoke, as if at the last stroke, of the midnight knell.
It clamored straight, with bounds great, hoping a mouse to fell.
This of course, created a great source, of clamor and of clatter.
No command spoke, but the dogs awoke, to see what was the matter.
Down the stairs, as if chasing hares, they ran away at full speed.
Along the hall, as if heeding a call, to answer a primal need.
Startling the cat, who had been nosing a hat, that had fallen from hook on door.
Who sought the source, the mouse of course, who scurried under hat on floor.
Then the cat loudly meowed, and the mouse was wowed, and it ran fast away.
The dogs gave chase, toppling a vase, bought as a present for Christmas day.
Then the cat it sprang, as if with a bang, and pounced underneath the tree.
The mouse was there, the cat missed by a hair, and the mouse ran up to me.
On my face was a frown, but soon a smile as I looked down, and I saw so cute,
The beast was all dressed, as by now you may have guessed, in a Santa suit.
For a measly crumb, the beggar had come, with an empty bag o’er his back.
I scooped him up, and gave him to a crumb to sup’, and another for his sack.
Back on the floor, he stayed a moment more, then made some sort of sign.
Then on that strange night, I saw such a sight, a sight so very fine.
A family of mice, all looking so nice, all adorned in Christmas clothes,
Came out into the light, it was a wonderful sight, I saw before my nose.
Each wriggled its tail, and without fail, each bade me a Christmas Merry.
I felt fine, as I drank more wine, wondering if was made of a magic berry.
Then away they crept, and soon I slept, the rest of the eve through.
Was I dreaming a dream, that to me did seem, just too much of a real lu-lu.
Well when I awoke, not a word dare I spoke, about what me had befallen
If my wife dear, heard this as I have told here, the nut house she’d be callin.
An Essay On Internet Begging
Internet Begging is a subject that I really do not fully comprehend. Its not the fact that people use the Internet as a way to try to gain money through begging or otherwise asking for it, without selling a service or a product that confuses me; it is more the fact that people readily part with their money when scoundrels at worst, and people who really don't need the money at best, ask/beg us for ours. I have been guilty of this myself - no not begging for it in some underhanded way - but rather giving it to those who apparently have done just that!
Now don't get me wrong. If someone is truly in need of the money, and I do mean IN NEED OF, then I find nothing wrong with their asking for it. If they offer us something in return for the money we give them, then it is all the better to their credit as having some scruples in the matter. For example, if a blogger, who blogs for us every day, or close to daily, amuses or gives us interesting writings that we feel are worthy of recompense when that person needs the money - then fine - I see nothing wrong with it.
Heck, I do not even see it as all that bad if someone asks for money who just wants more of it to buy things that are luxuries, that is so long as the person asking for it makes it quite clear to potential benefactors that this is why they are asking, and that the beggar gives us something worthwhile in return such as a great blog. At least that type of beggar is being honest. While I might not give to someone who has money and asks for more just to buy more toys, so to speak, I don't necessarily consider that type of person to be a scoundrel just because they asked/begged for the money.
The thing is though that there are evidently many on the Internet who ask or beg we give money to them, and ask we donate by way of things like Pay Pal links on their sites or blogs, or by sending checks or money orders through the mail, who obviously either REALLY DO NOT NEED the money, or who do not use the money toward the end for which they claimed it would go - YET THEY CLAIM THEY ARE POOR, OR THAT THEY ARE IN DIRE NEED OF FUNDS.
The type I am speaking about often complain about not having jobs, about being down and out financially, about having sudden financial hardships, and so on. You know what I mean - don't you. For example someone may say that they are between jobs and their vehicle just got smashed up in an accident by an uninsured driver, and they themselves did not have collision insurance. So they ask/beg us to help them out. This of course could be on the up and up; but all too often it seems like a low down trick the get us to donate. All too often the guy has been between jobs for years; yet all to often the guy is spending money like it was dust in the wind.
Yes the persons vehicle may have gotten whacked and destroyed, yes the person maybe between jobs, but if you read their other postings you come to learn that they have recently and repeatedly done extravagant things that must have cost lots of money, and they are soon planning to purchase a luxury item that will also cost a lot of money. That is ballsy, but some are even more brazen that that. In fact some of them routinely boast about the extravagant life styles they lead by way of showing pictures of luxury purchases, or by way of trip logs of their vacations, or by way of showing pictures of their beautiful homes, and so on and also boast about the great paying jobs they have! Can you imagine that, being so brazen as to boast about how much money you earn, and then still begging for money - but some do it - all the while telling us how badly they are in need of it, the it being our money.
It is pretty disgusting when you stop to think about it. You really have to, or should, wonder - where in Hades are they getting the money for these luxuries. You should also be wondering why in Hades are they not using the money they would need to spend on extravagant items on the badly needed vehicle instead – that is at least the vehicle they claim they need so badly, and for which they claim there is a shortage of funds. Why are they not using their own money more wisely? Well because they are, in my opinion, scoundrels - dirty rotten scoundrels at that. They seemingly live by the credo of a man who was quite possibly one of the most reprehensible connivers of all time- P.T. Barnum, who was reputed to have said: "There's a sucker born every minute". Or maybe they live by this one, a sentiment expressed by W.C. Fields, in one of his many acting roles, when he said: "If we should ever separate, my little plum, I want to give you just one bit of fatherly advice: Never give a sucker an even break". Well, guess who is that sucker my friend – the you and I who give dishonest scoundrels our money – that’s who!
There is also another saying: "A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted". Sure, it is nice to be charitable, but charity should be given to those who truly are in need of it. After all, need is part of the basis for charity. It is also said: "It is Better To Give Than To Receive", and that may be so, but I would rather give to someone who deserves receiving rather than to someone who is trying to connive me or swindle me out of my money. I don't need to play the fool for a scalawag. I don’t know about you and your money, but my money has been honestly earned, and I have lots of bills of my own, as well as a few desires that cost money to fulfill. I spend my money on my wants though usually only when my needs have been fulfilled. I spend my money on other people’s needs usually when I can spare some of mine, often interfering with me obtaining things I desire. I even sometimes give to others when sparing my own money means doing without some of my needs, but then only so long as I believe the other person is in dire need of assistance.
I have in the past, made the mistake of giving to those who really did not need it though they begged for it as if they did, yet they spent money on unnecessary items with reckless abandon. I played the fool for them, I was the sucker of the moment. From now on though, I will be a little more careful about how I give my money to those who beg for it by way of the Internet blogs. My money was hard and honestly earned, and while it is not hard to spend it, I intend it to go toward honest ends either when I spend it, or donate it to those in need.
All the best,
Glenn B
Now don't get me wrong. If someone is truly in need of the money, and I do mean IN NEED OF, then I find nothing wrong with their asking for it. If they offer us something in return for the money we give them, then it is all the better to their credit as having some scruples in the matter. For example, if a blogger, who blogs for us every day, or close to daily, amuses or gives us interesting writings that we feel are worthy of recompense when that person needs the money - then fine - I see nothing wrong with it.
Heck, I do not even see it as all that bad if someone asks for money who just wants more of it to buy things that are luxuries, that is so long as the person asking for it makes it quite clear to potential benefactors that this is why they are asking, and that the beggar gives us something worthwhile in return such as a great blog. At least that type of beggar is being honest. While I might not give to someone who has money and asks for more just to buy more toys, so to speak, I don't necessarily consider that type of person to be a scoundrel just because they asked/begged for the money.
The thing is though that there are evidently many on the Internet who ask or beg we give money to them, and ask we donate by way of things like Pay Pal links on their sites or blogs, or by sending checks or money orders through the mail, who obviously either REALLY DO NOT NEED the money, or who do not use the money toward the end for which they claimed it would go - YET THEY CLAIM THEY ARE POOR, OR THAT THEY ARE IN DIRE NEED OF FUNDS.
The type I am speaking about often complain about not having jobs, about being down and out financially, about having sudden financial hardships, and so on. You know what I mean - don't you. For example someone may say that they are between jobs and their vehicle just got smashed up in an accident by an uninsured driver, and they themselves did not have collision insurance. So they ask/beg us to help them out. This of course could be on the up and up; but all too often it seems like a low down trick the get us to donate. All too often the guy has been between jobs for years; yet all to often the guy is spending money like it was dust in the wind.
Yes the persons vehicle may have gotten whacked and destroyed, yes the person maybe between jobs, but if you read their other postings you come to learn that they have recently and repeatedly done extravagant things that must have cost lots of money, and they are soon planning to purchase a luxury item that will also cost a lot of money. That is ballsy, but some are even more brazen that that. In fact some of them routinely boast about the extravagant life styles they lead by way of showing pictures of luxury purchases, or by way of trip logs of their vacations, or by way of showing pictures of their beautiful homes, and so on and also boast about the great paying jobs they have! Can you imagine that, being so brazen as to boast about how much money you earn, and then still begging for money - but some do it - all the while telling us how badly they are in need of it, the it being our money.
It is pretty disgusting when you stop to think about it. You really have to, or should, wonder - where in Hades are they getting the money for these luxuries. You should also be wondering why in Hades are they not using the money they would need to spend on extravagant items on the badly needed vehicle instead – that is at least the vehicle they claim they need so badly, and for which they claim there is a shortage of funds. Why are they not using their own money more wisely? Well because they are, in my opinion, scoundrels - dirty rotten scoundrels at that. They seemingly live by the credo of a man who was quite possibly one of the most reprehensible connivers of all time- P.T. Barnum, who was reputed to have said: "There's a sucker born every minute". Or maybe they live by this one, a sentiment expressed by W.C. Fields, in one of his many acting roles, when he said: "If we should ever separate, my little plum, I want to give you just one bit of fatherly advice: Never give a sucker an even break". Well, guess who is that sucker my friend – the you and I who give dishonest scoundrels our money – that’s who!
There is also another saying: "A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted". Sure, it is nice to be charitable, but charity should be given to those who truly are in need of it. After all, need is part of the basis for charity. It is also said: "It is Better To Give Than To Receive", and that may be so, but I would rather give to someone who deserves receiving rather than to someone who is trying to connive me or swindle me out of my money. I don't need to play the fool for a scalawag. I don’t know about you and your money, but my money has been honestly earned, and I have lots of bills of my own, as well as a few desires that cost money to fulfill. I spend my money on my wants though usually only when my needs have been fulfilled. I spend my money on other people’s needs usually when I can spare some of mine, often interfering with me obtaining things I desire. I even sometimes give to others when sparing my own money means doing without some of my needs, but then only so long as I believe the other person is in dire need of assistance.
I have in the past, made the mistake of giving to those who really did not need it though they begged for it as if they did, yet they spent money on unnecessary items with reckless abandon. I played the fool for them, I was the sucker of the moment. From now on though, I will be a little more careful about how I give my money to those who beg for it by way of the Internet blogs. My money was hard and honestly earned, and while it is not hard to spend it, I intend it to go toward honest ends either when I spend it, or donate it to those in need.
All the best,
Glenn B
Winter Solstice...
...is upon us, or should I say happened yesterday. That means the sun was furthest from the equatorial plane. What does that mean to us, not much except that now, in the Northern Hemisphere, the daylight hours begin to grow longer. Some people find that hard to beleive, that is there is actually more daylight each day, but it is true even if only by seconds on some days, or a minute or so on others. It takes a while before it becomes readily apparent that indeed the sun is shining upon us longer each day; yet even the ancients knew this to be true - at least those who had nothing better to do than pay attention to such things insteasd of doing an honest day's work.
I for one kind of like to remember this is what is happening each time the Winter Solstice rolls by here in the northern half of our world if only because it is a bit uplifting for me. It hints of Spring being on the way, even though it also means that official Winter has just begun. Stay warm, and here is wishing for a white Christmas.
All the best,
Glenn B
I for one kind of like to remember this is what is happening each time the Winter Solstice rolls by here in the northern half of our world if only because it is a bit uplifting for me. It hints of Spring being on the way, even though it also means that official Winter has just begun. Stay warm, and here is wishing for a white Christmas.
All the best,
Glenn B
Let's Hope The Brits Have Got It Wrong...
...and that they have gotten it wrong because they have done a great job of rounding up terrorists.
What I am hopeful they have wrong is this:
Let's hope that miracles really do happen.
The quote came from an article that I found through a link at www.MichaelSavage.com, the artcile being:
The article itself, is located at ABCNews.com @ http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/12/london_braces_f.html, and accroding to it the British have been feverishly working an investigation of terrorist activities, involving six "active plots", that to date of the article (December 21) has aparently resulted in some arrests. Yet, they are, or were, still seeking 18 suspected terrorists, all working together, and all believed to be potential suicide bombers. They believe the attack being planned, is planned to be much larger than the attacks on the British subway system last year, and they think it will come before January 1. Yes folks, I got that right, as per the article, they think it will happen. Not very promising for the Brits.
Hopefully they have got that last part wrong. Hopefully they will have arrested, all those involved before any of them get to pull it off.
If it is going to happen, my guess would be it will either happen today, or on New Year's Eve. Today is a big shopping day (at least here in the US and I imagine also so in the UK), and the last day for working blokes to be at work before the holiday. That means the city streets and subways, and buses will be full of decent ordinary folks, and they would all be prime targets for dirtbag, Islamo Fascist, terrorist suicide bombers. It is imperative that the British citizen keep alert, and ready to take some action in the face of danger should it take place. Hopefully some of them have, in some way, prepared themselves and will have an action plan should bombings take place. Even more hopefully, the British authorities have done a bang up investigation, and have already eliminated the immediate threat. Then, beyond almost all hope, the British will have awakened to the fact that Islam is, at the very least, the tool of the enemy, and at the very most is the enemy, and they will deal with it accordingly.
Here is hoping they, the good British Citizens and other good folks in the UK, stay safe from terrorism, now and always.
All the best,
Glenn B
What I am hopeful they have wrong is this:
"It will be a miracle if there isn't a terror attack over the holidays in London,"
Let's hope that miracles really do happen.
The quote came from an article that I found through a link at www.MichaelSavage.com, the artcile being:
London Braces for Attack; 'Miracle' If There Isn't One
The article itself, is located at ABCNews.com @ http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/12/london_braces_f.html, and accroding to it the British have been feverishly working an investigation of terrorist activities, involving six "active plots", that to date of the article (December 21) has aparently resulted in some arrests. Yet, they are, or were, still seeking 18 suspected terrorists, all working together, and all believed to be potential suicide bombers. They believe the attack being planned, is planned to be much larger than the attacks on the British subway system last year, and they think it will come before January 1. Yes folks, I got that right, as per the article, they think it will happen. Not very promising for the Brits.
Hopefully they have got that last part wrong. Hopefully they will have arrested, all those involved before any of them get to pull it off.
If it is going to happen, my guess would be it will either happen today, or on New Year's Eve. Today is a big shopping day (at least here in the US and I imagine also so in the UK), and the last day for working blokes to be at work before the holiday. That means the city streets and subways, and buses will be full of decent ordinary folks, and they would all be prime targets for dirtbag, Islamo Fascist, terrorist suicide bombers. It is imperative that the British citizen keep alert, and ready to take some action in the face of danger should it take place. Hopefully some of them have, in some way, prepared themselves and will have an action plan should bombings take place. Even more hopefully, the British authorities have done a bang up investigation, and have already eliminated the immediate threat. Then, beyond almost all hope, the British will have awakened to the fact that Islam is, at the very least, the tool of the enemy, and at the very most is the enemy, and they will deal with it accordingly.
Here is hoping they, the good British Citizens and other good folks in the UK, stay safe from terrorism, now and always.
All the best,
Glenn B
Thursday, December 21, 2006
The Preservation Of Man and Drinking Over The Holidays
I do not know who wrote the words below, but I can say they are words with a certain amount of wisdom to them.
The Preservation Of Man
While the above is funny, and has some truth to it, we should not forget what alcohol to excess can do to us. Remember if you drink this holiday season, do so responsibly. I know all we drinkers who also are drivers may sometimes drink too much and then drive, but make an effort to avoid such since it can at best be embarrassing if you get caught, and deadly if you mess up. Best of all make sure if you drink, and need to get somewhere by car, that you have a designated driver to keep you and others safe this holiday season.
As for me, I have a case of beer, a teenaged bottle of Glenlivet Scotch with two nice rocks glasses, a bottle of Jagermeister, a bottle of Irish Cream liqueur, and a few bottles of wine. What more could I need? Oh yeah, maybe I could use a bottle of Vodka or Gin. Will I be getting sloshed? No sir or ma'am, not me. I may get a bit loose, but certainly not at all if I am driving. So I quite happily can say, I will be home on Christmas Eve with not an inch to drive. Instead of a drive, I may have a rocks glass of Scotch, and a beer or two, for my enjoyment before me. As for my Christmas Eve guests, they will be allowed limited intake of alcohol if they are driving - very strictly limited unless they have a designated driver.
As for Christmas Day, that will be another story. I'll be driving to my sister's house. So, I'll limit myself, none before I get there, and once I get there to one or two drinks, both finished off at least a few hours before I have to drive back home. That is unless of course my wife or daughter want to be my designated driver; then I may have three, but no more. No need to ruin a good party, or the whole holiday season, by getting sloshed and stupid; and definitely no need to wind up running someone down and ruining many lives just because you felt like getting sloshed. Those my friends are words of good advice, and I intend to heed them - so should you.
Stay safe over the holidays, and do your part to help along the preservation of man by not killing anyone because you were driving while drunk.
All the best,
Glenn B
The Preservation Of Man
author: anonymous
The horse and the mule live thirty years,
And nothing know of wines and beers.
The goat and sheep at twenty die,
With never a taste of scotch or rye.
The cow drinks water by the ton,
And at eighteen is mostly done.
The dog at sixteen cashes in,
Without the aid of rum or gin.
The cat in milk and water soaks,
And then in twelve short years it croaks.
The modest, sober, bone dry hen,
Lays eggs for nogs, then dies at ten.
All God’s creatures are strictly dry,
They sinless live, and swiftly die.
But sinful, ginful, rum-soaked men,
Survive for three score years and ten.
And some of us, the mighty few,
Stay pickled until we’re ninety two.
Stay pickled until we’re ninety two.
While the above is funny, and has some truth to it, we should not forget what alcohol to excess can do to us. Remember if you drink this holiday season, do so responsibly. I know all we drinkers who also are drivers may sometimes drink too much and then drive, but make an effort to avoid such since it can at best be embarrassing if you get caught, and deadly if you mess up. Best of all make sure if you drink, and need to get somewhere by car, that you have a designated driver to keep you and others safe this holiday season.
As for me, I have a case of beer, a teenaged bottle of Glenlivet Scotch with two nice rocks glasses, a bottle of Jagermeister, a bottle of Irish Cream liqueur, and a few bottles of wine. What more could I need? Oh yeah, maybe I could use a bottle of Vodka or Gin. Will I be getting sloshed? No sir or ma'am, not me. I may get a bit loose, but certainly not at all if I am driving. So I quite happily can say, I will be home on Christmas Eve with not an inch to drive. Instead of a drive, I may have a rocks glass of Scotch, and a beer or two, for my enjoyment before me. As for my Christmas Eve guests, they will be allowed limited intake of alcohol if they are driving - very strictly limited unless they have a designated driver.
As for Christmas Day, that will be another story. I'll be driving to my sister's house. So, I'll limit myself, none before I get there, and once I get there to one or two drinks, both finished off at least a few hours before I have to drive back home. That is unless of course my wife or daughter want to be my designated driver; then I may have three, but no more. No need to ruin a good party, or the whole holiday season, by getting sloshed and stupid; and definitely no need to wind up running someone down and ruining many lives just because you felt like getting sloshed. Those my friends are words of good advice, and I intend to heed them - so should you.
Stay safe over the holidays, and do your part to help along the preservation of man by not killing anyone because you were driving while drunk.
All the best,
Glenn B
Is Santa Claus an Illegal Alien???
Santa Claus is an illegal alien who exploits child labor, therefore he should be subject to new laws in Hazelton, PA that seek to keep illegal aliens out of that community.
This was in essence what Mr. Colmes, of Hannity and Colmes fame on FoxNews.com, had to say about it. If you want to see exactly what he said in his attempt to lambaste the mayor of Hazelton, PA, and to discredit the new anti-illegal alien law in Hazelton, then please go to FoxNews.com's video page @ http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html and look for the video: Is Santa Claus an Undocumented Worker.
I was truly disgusted by Mr. Colmes' exploitation of Santa Claus, and his attack on those who would rid our country of illegal aliens, and I let FoxNews know about it by sending FoxNews Feedback, Mr. Colmes, Mr. Hannity and Mr. Bill O'Reilly an email telling them about my outrage. If you feel the same way as do I, why not send them some feedback too. If enough of us do so, I am prety certain Fox will take some action on this.
Here is a copy of the letter that I sent to them:
Feel free to use a copy of that if you decide to voice your outrage over Mr. Colmes lamentable exploitation of Santa Claus to attack the mayor of Hazelton over the mayor's local efforts to rid our nation of the scourge of illegal aliens.
All the best, and happy hoildays,
Glenn B
This was in essence what Mr. Colmes, of Hannity and Colmes fame on FoxNews.com, had to say about it. If you want to see exactly what he said in his attempt to lambaste the mayor of Hazelton, PA, and to discredit the new anti-illegal alien law in Hazelton, then please go to FoxNews.com's video page @ http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html and look for the video: Is Santa Claus an Undocumented Worker.
I was truly disgusted by Mr. Colmes' exploitation of Santa Claus, and his attack on those who would rid our country of illegal aliens, and I let FoxNews know about it by sending FoxNews Feedback, Mr. Colmes, Mr. Hannity and Mr. Bill O'Reilly an email telling them about my outrage. If you feel the same way as do I, why not send them some feedback too. If enough of us do so, I am prety certain Fox will take some action on this.
Here is a copy of the letter that I sent to them:
Dear Fox News,
I honestly have to ask, has Mr. Colmes lost his mind? I ask because I just saw the video clip of him questioning the mayor of Hazelton, PA about the town's stance against illegal aliens. Mr. Colmes, with straight face and apparent leftist zeal, asked the mayor if he thought Santa Claus should be banned because Santa is an illegal alien and because he uses child labor in the form of elves. First of all, are you telling me that Mr. Colmes, anti everything on the right, truly believes in Santa Claus? Secondly, even if only meant as satire, Mr. Colmes' cold hearted attack Santa Claus, and his attack of the mayor of Hazelton by exploiting Santa Claus to his own ends was disgusting. Even though it was obviously satirical, it was of such poor taste even as satire, that I am considering ceasing to watch Hannity and Colmes, a segment of Fox news that I have enjoyed for years. Mr. Colmes should be ashamed of himself, and he owes the children of America, the Mayor of Hazelton, legal resident aliens, and Santa Claus an apology, and quickly at that.
Sincerely
and with best wishes for the Christmas Season,
Glenn Bartley
Feel free to use a copy of that if you decide to voice your outrage over Mr. Colmes lamentable exploitation of Santa Claus to attack the mayor of Hazelton over the mayor's local efforts to rid our nation of the scourge of illegal aliens.
All the best, and happy hoildays,
Glenn B
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
What movies will you watch over the holidays?
There are lots of movies out there to choose from which one can enjoy over the holidays whether you chose to watch one for the holiday spirits of it or otherwise. Over the years, some of my favorites have been: It's A Wonderful Life (although I have not seen it in years if only because it played about 20 times within a week one year a few years back), Bell, Book and Candle with James Stewart and Kim Novak (I have not seen this one in years either but would gladly watch it if it plays), The Miracle On 34th Street (the old version), The Bishop's Wife (yes the one with Cary Grant and David Niven); and there is my all time favorite Christmas Season movie: The March of the Wooden Soldiers with Laurel and Hardy. Those were movies I grew up with around the holidays, and most were old already when I was young.
There are more modern ones that are pretty good too. A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart was pretty good, and The Santa Clause was very amusing, then there also was the now classic Home Alone - one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. All of these, and many more, can be great to watch over the holidays. Yet this year I think I will have nothing to do with any of them, unless that is I get to see Bell, Book and Candle. Other than that one movie, I have a plan to watch something different this holiday season.
I am pretty sick of the current crop of the holiday film offerings old and new - but especially the newer ones. Many of the newer ones are remakes of classics, that just don't have what the originals had going for them - classic original plots and good acting. For example the remake of The Bishop's Wife, called The Preachers Wife - was absolutely terrible with its piss poor acting (yes I know Denzel can act, but not in this one); and it trashed the memory of the original as far as I am concerned. Some remakes can be better than the originals, or at least as good, but not many reach that milestone. As for others that are good movies, heck some of them get played over and over and over and over again, until I cannot stand watching them anymore.
So, I have decided to do something a bit different for movie entertainment this year. For starters, I think I am going to sit back, probably Saturday night, and watch 'The Thing From Another World' (more commonly referred to as The Thing). Yes, I am talking about the original, not the crappy remake. This is one of the all time classic science fiction movies of my youth; and a pretty good movie at that. No it does not have the greatest actors in it, but the ones in it do a darned good job anyhow. Nor does it have all the glitz, or fantastic special effects of a movie of today, but the acting those actors did back then makes up for not having all the modern explosive special effects. I think that is one reason actors do not, for the most part, act as well today as they did years ago - the actors today have all those special effects to make up for their poor acting skills; or maybe if decent actors, then not to make up for a lack of skills, but rather that interfere with their acting skills. I appreciate movies with good plots, and with good acting; if they have glitz or special effects thrown in - okay; but please don't make me watch a movie where the special effects are better than the plot or the acting.
Well, that is the number one movie on my list this Christmas weekend. After I watch that, I think I may change gears a bit and watch The Paleface with Bob Hope. It is one of the funniest movies ever, and a western at that. I have a few more on my list of possibles, such as: Casablanca or Key Largo both with Humphrey Bogart, Topper with Cary Grant, Zulu with Michael Caine, and one of my other all time favorite comedies Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant. There is just something about all of these movies that moves me, and it is great acting and great plots. If I get an urge for something more modern, maybe I'll throw a copy of The Usual Suspects with Kevin Spacey, or The Fifth Element with Bruce Willis, into the DVD player.
Whatever I watch, it will not likely be a Christmas movie, that is unless one of the stations runs: Bell, Book and Candle, or maybe with some great luck for me they will show: The March of the Wooden Soldiers. If so, I hope I realize they are on, and that I get to see ether or both all the way through.
What are you going to watch, why not leave your choices in the comments section. Thanks
All the best,
Glenn B
There are more modern ones that are pretty good too. A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart was pretty good, and The Santa Clause was very amusing, then there also was the now classic Home Alone - one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. All of these, and many more, can be great to watch over the holidays. Yet this year I think I will have nothing to do with any of them, unless that is I get to see Bell, Book and Candle. Other than that one movie, I have a plan to watch something different this holiday season.
I am pretty sick of the current crop of the holiday film offerings old and new - but especially the newer ones. Many of the newer ones are remakes of classics, that just don't have what the originals had going for them - classic original plots and good acting. For example the remake of The Bishop's Wife, called The Preachers Wife - was absolutely terrible with its piss poor acting (yes I know Denzel can act, but not in this one); and it trashed the memory of the original as far as I am concerned. Some remakes can be better than the originals, or at least as good, but not many reach that milestone. As for others that are good movies, heck some of them get played over and over and over and over again, until I cannot stand watching them anymore.
So, I have decided to do something a bit different for movie entertainment this year. For starters, I think I am going to sit back, probably Saturday night, and watch 'The Thing From Another World' (more commonly referred to as The Thing). Yes, I am talking about the original, not the crappy remake. This is one of the all time classic science fiction movies of my youth; and a pretty good movie at that. No it does not have the greatest actors in it, but the ones in it do a darned good job anyhow. Nor does it have all the glitz, or fantastic special effects of a movie of today, but the acting those actors did back then makes up for not having all the modern explosive special effects. I think that is one reason actors do not, for the most part, act as well today as they did years ago - the actors today have all those special effects to make up for their poor acting skills; or maybe if decent actors, then not to make up for a lack of skills, but rather that interfere with their acting skills. I appreciate movies with good plots, and with good acting; if they have glitz or special effects thrown in - okay; but please don't make me watch a movie where the special effects are better than the plot or the acting.
Well, that is the number one movie on my list this Christmas weekend. After I watch that, I think I may change gears a bit and watch The Paleface with Bob Hope. It is one of the funniest movies ever, and a western at that. I have a few more on my list of possibles, such as: Casablanca or Key Largo both with Humphrey Bogart, Topper with Cary Grant, Zulu with Michael Caine, and one of my other all time favorite comedies Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant. There is just something about all of these movies that moves me, and it is great acting and great plots. If I get an urge for something more modern, maybe I'll throw a copy of The Usual Suspects with Kevin Spacey, or The Fifth Element with Bruce Willis, into the DVD player.
Whatever I watch, it will not likely be a Christmas movie, that is unless one of the stations runs: Bell, Book and Candle, or maybe with some great luck for me they will show: The March of the Wooden Soldiers. If so, I hope I realize they are on, and that I get to see ether or both all the way through.
What are you going to watch, why not leave your choices in the comments section. Thanks
All the best,
Glenn B
Republican Men Are Generally Heterosexual...
...have you ever wondered why? Have you ever wondered why it is the ultra liberal left that seems to attract gays to its side.I never really gave it much of a thought except that one side was more conservative and therefore went toward a straighter sexual stance, the other was more liberal and leaned more to the left and therefore more toward things not as conservative.
The reason that I bring this all up now though is because there maybe another reason that Republican men tend to be heterosexual. The discovery of this reason came to me quite by accident when I was checking out a website relative to firearms; and I certainly never would have expected that a site with the name Geeks With Guns, found at: http://www.geekswithguns.com/ would hold such a revelation for me.
Well no need to keep you all in suspence any longer, here it is, and I hope no one minds my borrowing the picture. (I did not see any copy right for it, though I imagine that such a piece of work is probably copyrighted, and if anyone with those rights complains, I will remove it post haste, though hopefully they will allow me to display it here.) Here it is, the reason so many red blooded American men are heterosexuals:
I think if you click on the poster, you can see it in a larger size. if not, then go to the above web site and page down until you find it.
Now that should give you a good laugh whichever side of the fence it is that you call home, unless of course you just have no sense of humor at all.
I know it could well work both ways, but I guess it was a Republican who thought it up first, and my hat goes off to whomever it was for bringing me near to tears with laughter.
All the best,
Glenn B
The reason that I bring this all up now though is because there maybe another reason that Republican men tend to be heterosexual. The discovery of this reason came to me quite by accident when I was checking out a website relative to firearms; and I certainly never would have expected that a site with the name Geeks With Guns, found at: http://www.geekswithguns.com/ would hold such a revelation for me.
Well no need to keep you all in suspence any longer, here it is, and I hope no one minds my borrowing the picture. (I did not see any copy right for it, though I imagine that such a piece of work is probably copyrighted, and if anyone with those rights complains, I will remove it post haste, though hopefully they will allow me to display it here.) Here it is, the reason so many red blooded American men are heterosexuals:
I think if you click on the poster, you can see it in a larger size. if not, then go to the above web site and page down until you find it.
Now that should give you a good laugh whichever side of the fence it is that you call home, unless of course you just have no sense of humor at all.
I know it could well work both ways, but I guess it was a Republican who thought it up first, and my hat goes off to whomever it was for bringing me near to tears with laughter.
All the best,
Glenn B
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Remember all that hokey about Ilegal Aliens...
...supposedly being good for the economy of the USA, because according to some folks illegal aliens supposedly take jobs that legal Americans would not take. Well I had to wonder about that claim back when it was being made over the past couple of years by most of the left, and by our pretty far left leaning president George W. Bush too for that matter. Time and time again, the advocates of illegal aliens have claimed that illegals take jobs that good old American Citizens, and that legal resident aliens would not take. I thought it was a pure bullshit claim then, as I know many citizens and legal resident who had taken piss poor jobs over the years just to have job. Now though, after reading this article: Unions: Swift & Co. Hiring More Whites @ http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Dec19/0,4670,ImmigrationRaidHiring,00.html I am more convinced than ever that said claim was so much whitewash being applied to the terrible problem of illegal aliens in our country, just to make them seem more acceptable.
The fact is folks they are ILLEGAL aliens. Most of them came here by illegal means, meaning that their first act on U.S. soil was a crime. Some came legally, then overstayed their visa and became illegal. After that many of both types continue to commit crimes, and as has been seen time and time again, they take away jobs from citizens and legal resident aliens. For the far left to say that illegal aliens only do jobs that citizens and legal residents would not do is ludicrous. I mean just read that article again. Who do you think comprise the white people who are taking the jobs recently vacated because the illegal aliens were rounded up by immigration and Customs Enforcement. My guess would be that they are not illegal aliens from Mexico, nor are they illegal aliens from any Central of South American country, nor are they illegal aliens from Canada (at least for the great majority), nor are they illegals from Ireland, or England, or Germany, or france, or wherever. The chances are that they are U.S. Citizens, and the Hispanics born here who took jobs are also U.S. Citizens. The others are probably legal aliens.
Of course, Swift has raised wages somewhat in at least one plant, but you will note that this was done before the raids. They did not do so in response to the raids, so those illegals who were working there before the raids were already getting paid higher wages before they got busted; yet the article tries to make it look as if the higher wages are what attracted a new group of people to apply for jobs. Heck they are the same wages the illegals were getting if the article reported it right, remember it says those raises took place over the last few weeks - not after last week's raids. Wages went up regardless of the raids.
Yet even if the ewages had gone up just to attract legal workers, it would matter little in the long run. So the wages went up a bit to attract workers, and in effect we may have to pay a bit more for higher priced Swift products; but if we keep out the illegals over time, our tax burdens will plummet. It may take a few to several years to notice the results, but taxes will go down as the population of illegal aliens falls - you can bet on it just as surely as taxes rose as the illegal alien population skyrocketed. Besides that, we will have more American citizens, and legal residents paying taxes. We will not have to worry about as many illegal aliens cheating on their taxes. THOSE THINGS WILL BE GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY.
Note also that at another Swift plant, a large number of new hires were Caucasian, many others were U.S. born Hispanics (making them U.S. citizens), and others were immigrants from Somalia or immigrants of Hispanic backgrounds. Note they said immigrants, not illegal immigrants, not undocumented workers, and not illegal aliens. My bet is they are all legal and that the company made sure of such before hiring them; I am sure they don't need or want more raids or the possibility of big fines.
Now isn't that how it should have been in the first place - you can bet it is. Jobs should go to U.S. Citizens, and to legal resident aliens, then to legal nonimmigrant aliens (those here temporarily to work, but here legally to work). Illegal aliens, those who come here to soak us dry need not apply.
Of course none of this will matter in the long run if the illegal aliens who were rounded up are not either deported or removed (legal difference between the two, but basically the same end) from our country. If they are released back onto the streets, they will only go out to take away other jobs from American Citizens and legal residents who would, as can be seen, be willing to take them in the first place. Please contact your elected officials in Congress and in the Whitehouse to demand that these illegals be removed as soon as possible. There really should be no place in this nation for people whose first act upon our soil was a crime. Save the jobs for American Citizens, and for those aliens who did it the right way and waited to come here through legal means, those who truly want to become good American Citizens.
All the best,
Glenn B
The fact is folks they are ILLEGAL aliens. Most of them came here by illegal means, meaning that their first act on U.S. soil was a crime. Some came legally, then overstayed their visa and became illegal. After that many of both types continue to commit crimes, and as has been seen time and time again, they take away jobs from citizens and legal resident aliens. For the far left to say that illegal aliens only do jobs that citizens and legal residents would not do is ludicrous. I mean just read that article again. Who do you think comprise the white people who are taking the jobs recently vacated because the illegal aliens were rounded up by immigration and Customs Enforcement. My guess would be that they are not illegal aliens from Mexico, nor are they illegal aliens from any Central of South American country, nor are they illegal aliens from Canada (at least for the great majority), nor are they illegals from Ireland, or England, or Germany, or france, or wherever. The chances are that they are U.S. Citizens, and the Hispanics born here who took jobs are also U.S. Citizens. The others are probably legal aliens.
Of course, Swift has raised wages somewhat in at least one plant, but you will note that this was done before the raids. They did not do so in response to the raids, so those illegals who were working there before the raids were already getting paid higher wages before they got busted; yet the article tries to make it look as if the higher wages are what attracted a new group of people to apply for jobs. Heck they are the same wages the illegals were getting if the article reported it right, remember it says those raises took place over the last few weeks - not after last week's raids. Wages went up regardless of the raids.
Yet even if the ewages had gone up just to attract legal workers, it would matter little in the long run. So the wages went up a bit to attract workers, and in effect we may have to pay a bit more for higher priced Swift products; but if we keep out the illegals over time, our tax burdens will plummet. It may take a few to several years to notice the results, but taxes will go down as the population of illegal aliens falls - you can bet on it just as surely as taxes rose as the illegal alien population skyrocketed. Besides that, we will have more American citizens, and legal residents paying taxes. We will not have to worry about as many illegal aliens cheating on their taxes. THOSE THINGS WILL BE GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY.
Note also that at another Swift plant, a large number of new hires were Caucasian, many others were U.S. born Hispanics (making them U.S. citizens), and others were immigrants from Somalia or immigrants of Hispanic backgrounds. Note they said immigrants, not illegal immigrants, not undocumented workers, and not illegal aliens. My bet is they are all legal and that the company made sure of such before hiring them; I am sure they don't need or want more raids or the possibility of big fines.
Now isn't that how it should have been in the first place - you can bet it is. Jobs should go to U.S. Citizens, and to legal resident aliens, then to legal nonimmigrant aliens (those here temporarily to work, but here legally to work). Illegal aliens, those who come here to soak us dry need not apply.
Of course none of this will matter in the long run if the illegal aliens who were rounded up are not either deported or removed (legal difference between the two, but basically the same end) from our country. If they are released back onto the streets, they will only go out to take away other jobs from American Citizens and legal residents who would, as can be seen, be willing to take them in the first place. Please contact your elected officials in Congress and in the Whitehouse to demand that these illegals be removed as soon as possible. There really should be no place in this nation for people whose first act upon our soil was a crime. Save the jobs for American Citizens, and for those aliens who did it the right way and waited to come here through legal means, those who truly want to become good American Citizens.
All the best,
Glenn B
Monday, December 18, 2006
Happy Birthday...
...to my daughter Celina.
We took her out for dinner last night and she was absolutely radiant, as she should be at the age of 22.
We took her out for dinner last night and she was absolutely radiant, as she should be at the age of 22.
Was This A Dry Run for a Terrorist Attack...
...or maybe even a real and successful attempt at a terrorist attack? No I am not talking about the recent Imams supposedly causing a commotion on a plane in the USA. What I am talking about is the recent strange event on a Saudi Arabian passenger airliner. Maybe my imagination is a bit too wild, but to me it sounds like the opening of a Stephen King book, or worse still, the opening of a real life story that centers around biological terrorism.
I am referring to the recent panic caused by scores of mice on a Saudi passenger plane. It has been reported that about 80 mice escaped from the baggage of a male passenger who was traveling on a domestic flight, no word if the same aircraft was to have continued foreign. If you have not seen it, read Mass mouse escape on Saudi plane @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6183587.stm
Now I may have missed the reports on this incident in the U.S. media, but I looked twice and did not find it reported there. It is kind of funny how they blow everything else out of proportion, yet would not even report on this especially in the light that it could have been terror related. Not to make a mountain out of a molehill here, but think about the possible terror connections for a moment. These are only what ifs, but they are pretty important what ifs, and I hope someone in our anti-terror business is wondering likewise:
What if the guy was a courier for a medical laboratory; and if they were just lab mice infected with the flu?
What if the guy who had these mice with him was an al Qaeda terrorist?
What if those mice had been infected with a biological terror agent, or some deadly and highly contagious disease such as the Ebola virus, a Hanta virus, the Avian Bird Flu, or something even worse?
What if his instructions had been to bring these hypothetically 'infected' mice aboard the aircraft and then release them?
What if the hypothetically 'infected' mice had been placed into a container which was to automatically open at a certain time, such as after this fight had departed to foreign shores?
What if there had been 150 passengers on that aircraft?
What if 10% of them came down with the hypothetical contagious bio-terror agent?
What if half of that 10% who were infected traveled onto international destinations, and were frequent travelers over the next couple of months?
What if none of this were hypothetical?
What if that really happened on 100 flights around the world on the same day, with mice all really infected with a deadly and highly contagious bio-terror agent?
Of course there is another very important what if:
What if this was all just an innocent event, some guy in the pet trade or something similar?
Well then that is quite probably the end of the story. Let's hope so because if it is not the end of the story, if there is something more to it like some of those what ifs above, it could get very messy. All I can say is that the potential outcome of such an event or set of events, should it really happen with infected mice, would be very scary. One can only hope that this incident is being looked at very carefully, and that authorities around the world are paying attention, and making sure such will never be duplicated accidentally or purposefully. That way we won't have to worry about any of the what ifs.
All the best,
Glenn B
I am referring to the recent panic caused by scores of mice on a Saudi passenger plane. It has been reported that about 80 mice escaped from the baggage of a male passenger who was traveling on a domestic flight, no word if the same aircraft was to have continued foreign. If you have not seen it, read Mass mouse escape on Saudi plane @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6183587.stm
Now I may have missed the reports on this incident in the U.S. media, but I looked twice and did not find it reported there. It is kind of funny how they blow everything else out of proportion, yet would not even report on this especially in the light that it could have been terror related. Not to make a mountain out of a molehill here, but think about the possible terror connections for a moment. These are only what ifs, but they are pretty important what ifs, and I hope someone in our anti-terror business is wondering likewise:
What if the guy was a courier for a medical laboratory; and if they were just lab mice infected with the flu?
What if the guy who had these mice with him was an al Qaeda terrorist?
What if those mice had been infected with a biological terror agent, or some deadly and highly contagious disease such as the Ebola virus, a Hanta virus, the Avian Bird Flu, or something even worse?
What if his instructions had been to bring these hypothetically 'infected' mice aboard the aircraft and then release them?
What if the hypothetically 'infected' mice had been placed into a container which was to automatically open at a certain time, such as after this fight had departed to foreign shores?
What if there had been 150 passengers on that aircraft?
What if 10% of them came down with the hypothetical contagious bio-terror agent?
What if half of that 10% who were infected traveled onto international destinations, and were frequent travelers over the next couple of months?
What if none of this were hypothetical?
What if that really happened on 100 flights around the world on the same day, with mice all really infected with a deadly and highly contagious bio-terror agent?
Of course there is another very important what if:
What if this was all just an innocent event, some guy in the pet trade or something similar?
Well then that is quite probably the end of the story. Let's hope so because if it is not the end of the story, if there is something more to it like some of those what ifs above, it could get very messy. All I can say is that the potential outcome of such an event or set of events, should it really happen with infected mice, would be very scary. One can only hope that this incident is being looked at very carefully, and that authorities around the world are paying attention, and making sure such will never be duplicated accidentally or purposefully. That way we won't have to worry about any of the what ifs.
All the best,
Glenn B
Sunday, December 17, 2006
VERIZON FIOS Report To Date
Well I got the new Verizon FIOS installed for my Internet connection, my television, and my phone. There have been some glitches with the televisions not working right, or I should say with the Verizon FIOS TV cable not working right, but it seems okay now. My phone is staticky, but they came to check it and it appears my old phone is tired and worn out. Time to try a new one, if that does not work, time to have a repair person from Verizon pay another visit. The repair guy who came, for the above problems, was prompt and courteous.
As for my Internet service, it is much faster than dial up, probably faster than our cabole at work too. No big problems there.
As for a billing problem I had, they told me they will credit my account $75.00, making it about right as i see it.
Hopefully once all the bugs are worked out of their new system, it will all go well. The television servie is more than worth it, many more premium channels than CableVision, for a lesser price.
All the best,
Glenn B
As for my Internet service, it is much faster than dial up, probably faster than our cabole at work too. No big problems there.
As for a billing problem I had, they told me they will credit my account $75.00, making it about right as i see it.
Hopefully once all the bugs are worked out of their new system, it will all go well. The television servie is more than worth it, many more premium channels than CableVision, for a lesser price.
All the best,
Glenn B
A Tortoise Called Hermann (yes with 2 N's)
There is something about turtles and tortoises that just get most people to like them. I don't know exactly what it is, but even people who dislike other reptiles, the snakes or lizards, often warm up to these cold blooded critters. Maybe it is because they seem so vulnerable and they often pull their exposed body parts into their shells at the first sign of danger, or maybe it is because so many of us are familiar with them by the time we first go to school through fables and other children’s' stories such as Aesop’s fable of the tortoise and the hare, or maybe because they are unique among the vertebrates in that they are basically self contained living mobile homes, or maybe it is because they look soulful, or maybe because they look as if they have an awareness of the wisdom of the ages in their eyes, that makes them so attractive to so many folks. Whatever it is in them that helps them to possess us is beyond my telling, but I can say that they have fascinated me since I was a young child.My first pet, as far as I can remember, was a Red Eared Slider turtle. My uncle Ken (we called him Unkie way back then, and I still do sometimes today) bought my brother and I each a turtle at a local pet shop. It was an experience I, at least in parts, have remembered vividly through the many years, and many other pets that I have kept, since that day; but that is a story to be told another time. I guess the fact that a turtle was my first pet did something to make them and tortoises a favorite animal of mine. Those first ones lasted awhile, but sadly not too long, as back then an awful lot about their correct care was not known. As I grew though, I learned more and more about them, and about animals in general; yet they remain among my favorites. They don't come like a dog when called, but sure know when it is feeding time, and they do to some extent like to be petted, especially under their chins (please don't try this with aggressive species like snapping turtles, or with wild caught turtles of any species).
It turns out, or turned out, that land turtles and tortoises became preferred by me over water turtles some time back, maybe because they were easier to keep, or should I say because their enclosure was easier to keep clean. I still prefer them somewhat over water turtles now that I am older. Our (my son's and my) tortoises outnumber our water turtles 3 to 2. Then again, maybe it was because of Aesop's fable that told of a tortoise as the underdog, and how it beat the highly favored hare in a race, all because of using its wits and determination, that I developed a tendency to prefer them a bit more. I am not sure, but whatever it is, how can you not love a face like the one in the picture?
The particular tortoise in the picture is a Hermann's Tortoise. It is about 3 years old now. I got it from a friend in the Long Island Herpetological Society. It is a captive bred specimen, much preferred by me over wild caught if only because captive bred specimens take some of the pressure off of wild populations. Still I would keep either WC or CB as the case may be because WC specimens introduce genetic variation into captive breeding programs. I have not attempted to breed mine yet, I have two of them. I am not even sure if I have a sexed pair or not, I tend to think they are both females, but I am in no hurry to find out. In another year or two I may attempt to breed them, but if they are both females I'll get a male first.
Hermann's Tortoises come from the countries around the Mediterranean Sea such as Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, Greece and so on. They are primarily vegetarians, I feed mine a diet of almost exclusively vegetable matter consisting of lots of green leafy vegetables, some other vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli, some fruit, and some commercially produced tortoise pellets. Right now they are kept indoors because of the weather; but in the warmer months they are kept in a pen in my backyard. They love and need sunshine to help them metabolize vitamin D3 in order to help them metabolize calcium from their foods. While staying inside they get a special lighting arrangement of incandescent bulbs for heat, and special florescent bulbs to replace sunshine. Since nothing is a match for the sun though, they get outside for the nicer months.
We also have a Russian Tortoise that I recently adopted. I believe it to be about 4 to 5 years old. It is from Russia as its name implies, and is probably a wild caught specimen, though captive bred ones are now becoming available. As for water turtles, we have two Common Musk Turtles. I am 51 years old, and if I keep these guys properly, they are almost certain to outlive me, and follow my son (who will probably keep them after I am gone) into his middle or old age. Yes they can live a ling time, and if you are interested in them as a pet I suggest you bear that in mind before getting one. They are a long term commitment, but well worth the time and effort it takes to care for them as I see it.
If you do ever plan of getting one as a pet, please make sure to research their care prior to getting one. This way you will be ready to care for it once you get it, making it all the easier for you and the tortoise or turtle. If you ever plan to give one to a child for a pet, make sure that at least one parent is going to be willing to take care of it exclusively, this since children are not the best caretakers in the world, what with their varied interests and short attention spans. Nothing wrong with one of these as a pet for a child older than say about 5 or 6, but don't believe even for a moment that a child that young is responsible enough to care for a pet without the diligent attention and help of a parent. Do trust me when I tell you they are a long term commitment, tortoises and turtles (especially tortoises though) may live well into old age as the youngster goes from child, to teen, to young adult, to middle age, and finally into old age. Maybe that is another attraction they hold for us, they seem to exhibit an everlasting loyalty in their long lived connection to us, something often all too lacking in the hustle and bustle of today's ever changing world.
All the best,
Glenn B
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Is Islam at Odds with the World...
...because as I have said before, it certainly seems so to me. Wherever Islam has reared its head, wherever it has taken foothold, wherever it makes any large number of converts or into wherever it pushes its people, it is involved in either or all of: religious and political strife, religious and political fighting and killings, religious and political warfare, religious and political takeovers, religious and political terrorism.
Yet another example, among those I have already given in previous of my rants, is Somalia. Just look at what the president of Somalia had to say:
"Somalia's president said Friday that peace talks with the country's Islamic movement are no longer an option because the group's leaders have declared war on his government."
This was reported today, on Foxnews.com in the article: Somalia President Yusuf Rules Out Peace Talks With Islamic Militia @ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,236698,00.html?sPage=fnc.world/africa
So recent trouble involving violence (either where it has taken place, or where it has been threatened, or where its perpetrators have been arrested for plotting such) between violent Islam (Islamo Fascism) and the rest of the world has been reported in, among others: Afghanistan, Australia, Bali, Bosnia, Canada, Chechnya, Denmark, Egypt, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Somalia, Spain, Thailand, The United States of America.
Those countries alone, though not an all inclusive list of countries in which Islamic violence has broken out, are spread out over five of the seven continents of our world. The only other continent not included, in which there are sovereign nations, is South America. Maybe I missed some reports of Islamic violence in South America, but if not, such violence there probably is only a matter of time away from happening.
People really need to take a long, cold, hard and sober look at the so called Religion of Peace; and realize there will only be peace when it is stopped from committing violence by, as I see it, whatever means necessary. That could be by change within Islam itself, which seems only remotely possible after several hundreds of years of violence on its part, or by change forced from the outside, or possibly by both. Hopefully it can be done by means amenable to all of us, but it certainly does not seem promising for a peaceful resolve any time near.
All the best,
Glenn B
Yet another example, among those I have already given in previous of my rants, is Somalia. Just look at what the president of Somalia had to say:
"Somalia's president said Friday that peace talks with the country's Islamic movement are no longer an option because the group's leaders have declared war on his government."
This was reported today, on Foxnews.com in the article: Somalia President Yusuf Rules Out Peace Talks With Islamic Militia @ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,236698,00.html?sPage=fnc.world/africa
So recent trouble involving violence (either where it has taken place, or where it has been threatened, or where its perpetrators have been arrested for plotting such) between violent Islam (Islamo Fascism) and the rest of the world has been reported in, among others: Afghanistan, Australia, Bali, Bosnia, Canada, Chechnya, Denmark, Egypt, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Somalia, Spain, Thailand, The United States of America.
Those countries alone, though not an all inclusive list of countries in which Islamic violence has broken out, are spread out over five of the seven continents of our world. The only other continent not included, in which there are sovereign nations, is South America. Maybe I missed some reports of Islamic violence in South America, but if not, such violence there probably is only a matter of time away from happening.
People really need to take a long, cold, hard and sober look at the so called Religion of Peace; and realize there will only be peace when it is stopped from committing violence by, as I see it, whatever means necessary. That could be by change within Islam itself, which seems only remotely possible after several hundreds of years of violence on its part, or by change forced from the outside, or possibly by both. Hopefully it can be done by means amenable to all of us, but it certainly does not seem promising for a peaceful resolve any time near.
All the best,
Glenn B
Whoops, am I late...
...in wishing those of the Jewish faith a Happy Chanukah! Sorry about that; what can I say - I am just a guy - with muddled middle aged memory lately. For those of you who celebrate Chanukah, and even for those of you who don't but may have an interest, here is a link to a neat web site that will expalin the history and signifigance of Chanukah, and help you celebrate the festival of lights.
http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/
All the best,
Glenn B
http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/
All the best,
Glenn B
Are You In The Spirit Yet?
Christmas is only 9 days and a wake up away, if you include today. I am in the spirit somewhat, that is my brand of Christmas Spirit anyway. What about you?
The only thing I hope for on Christmas morning, except maybe for all of us getting along nicely for a few years at least, is about 1/2 to 3/4 of freshly falen snow on an otherwise bare ground.
All the best,
Glenn B
The only thing I hope for on Christmas morning, except maybe for all of us getting along nicely for a few years at least, is about 1/2 to 3/4 of freshly falen snow on an otherwise bare ground.
All the best,
Glenn B
Friday, December 15, 2006
Ballseye's Boomers: Sig Sauer 229
I have not posted anything about my boomers lately, so I figured such a post was long overdue. Today's post will be a bit different from those I have posted in the past about my firearms in that the pistol pictured is not one that I own. I do want one badly though, in .40 S&W caliber.
I don't own all that many pistols, heck not even all that many rifles, and only one shotgun. I have a fair number, but nothing extraordinary except that my collection may be smaller than many. As for handguns I own one revolver in .22LR, a couple of pistols in the same caliber, one in .32 Auto, and three in 9MM, as far as I can remember right now.
In .40 S&W caliber the Sig 229 will hold 12 rounds in the magazine. Lucky 13 would be in the chamber. This is drop of 3 rounds from my typical 9MM carry weapon, but three rounds is not that bad a tradeoff for the increased bullet size. Besides liking that, I also like the fact that you can swap barrels to go to .357 Auto if the fancy hits you, or at least that is my understanding. It also has the nice touch of the tactical rail for adding lights if you so choose, although I am not likely to do so. I also like the fact it has a steel slide and an alloy frame as opposed to a polymer frame. For some reason I just don't like the so called 'plastic' guns quite as much as those made from metal. I would prefer it in all steel, but the days of all steel guns are passing.
My employer will soon (as soon as soon can be for the gubamint) be switching our issued sidearm to the Sig 229, but in double action only. I prefer the more traditional double/single action type, and hope to get one as a personal sidearm. We are authorized to carry a personally owned sidearm once again, and I plan to fork out for this one before they change their minds. My understanding is that we (those in law enforcement) can get it for quite a bit less than retail. I hope that is correct as I cannot see spending $800 or more for a pistol right now.
I hope I got it right about the 229 being available authorized as a personally owned carry for my job, and that it is not only the 239 they authorized. I'll check again next week, and if I am correct, money will start to go into my super secret bank account in anticipation of a great buy (and no I am not begging, at least not yet, and hopefully never).
All the best,
Glenn B
I don't own all that many pistols, heck not even all that many rifles, and only one shotgun. I have a fair number, but nothing extraordinary except that my collection may be smaller than many. As for handguns I own one revolver in .22LR, a couple of pistols in the same caliber, one in .32 Auto, and three in 9MM, as far as I can remember right now.
In .40 S&W caliber the Sig 229 will hold 12 rounds in the magazine. Lucky 13 would be in the chamber. This is drop of 3 rounds from my typical 9MM carry weapon, but three rounds is not that bad a tradeoff for the increased bullet size. Besides liking that, I also like the fact that you can swap barrels to go to .357 Auto if the fancy hits you, or at least that is my understanding. It also has the nice touch of the tactical rail for adding lights if you so choose, although I am not likely to do so. I also like the fact it has a steel slide and an alloy frame as opposed to a polymer frame. For some reason I just don't like the so called 'plastic' guns quite as much as those made from metal. I would prefer it in all steel, but the days of all steel guns are passing.
My employer will soon (as soon as soon can be for the gubamint) be switching our issued sidearm to the Sig 229, but in double action only. I prefer the more traditional double/single action type, and hope to get one as a personal sidearm. We are authorized to carry a personally owned sidearm once again, and I plan to fork out for this one before they change their minds. My understanding is that we (those in law enforcement) can get it for quite a bit less than retail. I hope that is correct as I cannot see spending $800 or more for a pistol right now.
I hope I got it right about the 229 being available authorized as a personally owned carry for my job, and that it is not only the 239 they authorized. I'll check again next week, and if I am correct, money will start to go into my super secret bank account in anticipation of a great buy (and no I am not begging, at least not yet, and hopefully never).
All the best,
Glenn B
Friendships can start in the strangest ways...
..and yet they are indeed friendships.
I used to have a lot of friends. Then I got married! Ha ha.
As things would have it I have not seen some of my friends pretty much since a year or so after my marriage some 20 plus years ago. It is not that they are no longer my friends, but some of them got married to and got busy with the real world, with careers, with families, and such just like me. Since we moved away from the old neighborhood, I sometimes go back and visit and see some of my old friends. It is always very nice to see them.
I also have some friends at work. Not many coworkers are folks I truly call friends though, but the few who are my friends know it; and I know they feel likewise toward me. As far as new friends outside of work go, well I have not really made many since we have lived in our house on Long Island over the past 12 or 13 years. Sure I am friendly with my neighbors, but heck I hardly ever see them socially, what with work and family and such. Yet a couple or a few are good friends.
As far as new friends outside of work, and outside of my neighbors go, I have made new friends at the Long Island Herpetological Society over the years. They are great folks. I see them every now and then, about 12 - 15 times per year. Other than that I have made no new friends, not at the firearms range, not while out fishing, not in a local store, not at sporting events when I was the coach for my childrens' teams, not anywhere really - that is until recently.
Not too long ago, while perusing a web site, I saw that someone needed or wanted to have a pet snake sexed. Strange thing indeed if you do not keep snakes as pets, but par for the course for me. Keeping reptiles and amphibians is a passion of mine. I wrote an email and soon got a reply. Shortly after emailing back and forth a few times, I visited the apartment of two young ladies and a young man, all roomates. One of the young ladies had a corn snake that needed sexing. It was a boy for sure. The other young lady had a snake that was not eating. It has been a few weeks now since we first met. I have been to their place 4 or 5 times (always with a boyfriend of theirs present) to help them out. The little gal, a Dekay's Snake (Northern Brown Snake - I think) finally ate last night, and I got a call today from the happy lady who owned her telling me so.
I am sure I have made a few new friends. It is nice to make friends no matter the circumstances under which you meet; so nice that you should never take friendship for granted. Of course you sometimes may take friends for granted and not treat them as friends should be treated. One set of friendships you should never take for granted is the friendship of your own family. Remember above all they are, or should be, your best friends. But make sure to keep some room for other friends too, even for unexpected new ones.
All the best,
Glenn B
I used to have a lot of friends. Then I got married! Ha ha.
As things would have it I have not seen some of my friends pretty much since a year or so after my marriage some 20 plus years ago. It is not that they are no longer my friends, but some of them got married to and got busy with the real world, with careers, with families, and such just like me. Since we moved away from the old neighborhood, I sometimes go back and visit and see some of my old friends. It is always very nice to see them.
I also have some friends at work. Not many coworkers are folks I truly call friends though, but the few who are my friends know it; and I know they feel likewise toward me. As far as new friends outside of work go, well I have not really made many since we have lived in our house on Long Island over the past 12 or 13 years. Sure I am friendly with my neighbors, but heck I hardly ever see them socially, what with work and family and such. Yet a couple or a few are good friends.
As far as new friends outside of work, and outside of my neighbors go, I have made new friends at the Long Island Herpetological Society over the years. They are great folks. I see them every now and then, about 12 - 15 times per year. Other than that I have made no new friends, not at the firearms range, not while out fishing, not in a local store, not at sporting events when I was the coach for my childrens' teams, not anywhere really - that is until recently.
Not too long ago, while perusing a web site, I saw that someone needed or wanted to have a pet snake sexed. Strange thing indeed if you do not keep snakes as pets, but par for the course for me. Keeping reptiles and amphibians is a passion of mine. I wrote an email and soon got a reply. Shortly after emailing back and forth a few times, I visited the apartment of two young ladies and a young man, all roomates. One of the young ladies had a corn snake that needed sexing. It was a boy for sure. The other young lady had a snake that was not eating. It has been a few weeks now since we first met. I have been to their place 4 or 5 times (always with a boyfriend of theirs present) to help them out. The little gal, a Dekay's Snake (Northern Brown Snake - I think) finally ate last night, and I got a call today from the happy lady who owned her telling me so.
I am sure I have made a few new friends. It is nice to make friends no matter the circumstances under which you meet; so nice that you should never take friendship for granted. Of course you sometimes may take friends for granted and not treat them as friends should be treated. One set of friendships you should never take for granted is the friendship of your own family. Remember above all they are, or should be, your best friends. But make sure to keep some room for other friends too, even for unexpected new ones.
All the best,
Glenn B
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Mitt Romney - A Liberal In A Conservative's Suit?
Deb Schlussel can say it a whole lot better than can I, and I think she has hit the nail squarely on its head when she said:
"And a Romney Presidency will be a total bust, too. He's not a conservative. Just a phony who badly wants to be Prez and will say anything to get there."
For more of her thoughts on whom I believe is a political buffoon masquerading as a conservative or Republican please go to: http://debbieschlussel.com/, and scroll down to her entries for December 14, 2006.
All the best,
Glenn B
"And a Romney Presidency will be a total bust, too. He's not a conservative. Just a phony who badly wants to be Prez and will say anything to get there."
For more of her thoughts on whom I believe is a political buffoon masquerading as a conservative or Republican please go to: http://debbieschlussel.com/, and scroll down to her entries for December 14, 2006.
All the best,
Glenn B
Yet another example of many...
...reflecting how those from third world countries routinely treat verbal insults with physical violence. Sure this is not limited to people from third world countries, but it is more common in them than it has ever been in a place like the USA. Well anyhow, read the article at the below link to see what I mean. Pay careful attention to the reasons that the illegal alien beat and killed a woman.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12142006/news/regionalnews
/bad_mood_led_to_lethal_rage_regionalnews_leonard_greene.htm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12142006/news/regionalnews
/bad_mood_led_to_lethal_rage_regionalnews_leonard_greene.htm
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