Monday, December 31, 2007

Didn't think this was gonna happen...

Honestly, I thought they would have given him another year...

Brian Billick Fired

In hindsight, this is a good thing. Clearly the Ravens did not have the offensive capabilities that they needed to advance have not appeared and perhaps most damming:

Billick has NEVER developed a quarterback at Baltimore.

The Ravens have been forced to rely on free agents or cast-off journeymen behind the center since his arrival and even won a Superbowl with Trent Dilfer. But there has never been a really good quarterback at the helm of the Ravens save for McNair's 2006 season performance.

Does management hire Cowher? Personally I think Ryan should get the shot. Will that happen? Time will tell.

Friday, December 28, 2007

The year in review...

I admit it, I'm shamelessly copying off Wacky Neighbor and Deep and Slightly Random Thoughts.

This year:
I finally got a job I love.

I went to New Orleans.

I went to Goddard Space Flight Center.

I helped make another calendar.

I spent a lot of money on archival acquisitions.

I saw the inside of the plant where they print all the Victoria's Secret catalogs.

Next year:
I get my Masters in Library Science.

I learn how to write a successful grant application.

I have to go to Daytona Beach, Kennedy Space Center, Johnson Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center.

I vote. (early and often.)

I get published again.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve 1944 Bastogne, Belgium...

Headquarters 101st Airborne Division
Office of the Division Commander

24 December 1944

What's Merry about all this, you ask? We're fighting - it's cold - we aren't home. All true but what has the proud Eagle Division accomplished with its worthy comrades of the 10th Armored Division, the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and all the rest? just this: We have stopped cold everything that has been thrown at us from the North, East, South and West. We have identifications from four German Panzer Divisions, two German Infantry Divisions and one German Parachute Division. These units, spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the advance. How effectively this was done will be written in history; not alone in our Division's glorious history but in World history. The Germans actually did surround us. their radios blared our doom. Their Commander demanded our surrender in the following impudent arrogance.

December 22nd 1944
To the U. S. A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.

The fortune of war is changing. This time the U. S. A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hombres Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.

There is only one possibility to save the encircled U. S. A. Troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.

If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U. S. A. Troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours term.

All the serious civilian losses caused by this Artillery fire would not correspond with the well known American humanity.

The German Commander

The German Commander received the following reply:

22 December 1944
To the German Commander:

NUTS!

The American Commander

Allied Troops are counterattacking in force. We continue to hold Bastogne. By holding Bastogne we assure the success of the Allied Armies. We know that our Division Commander, General Taylor, will say: Well Done!

We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas.

A. C. McAuliffe

---------------------------
More info on the Battle of the Bulge can be found here:

http://www.army.mil/botb/resources.html

http://www.history.army.mil/reference/bulge/images.htm

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Enjoy a different holiday film festival...

Tired of the umpteenth version of a Christmas Carol on TV? Are you amazed that "Santa Claus the Movie" is being shown again? (And are you shocked that you were that crazy about it when it was being promoted in the mid 80's?)

Then I have the solution for you! A selection of my favorite movies set during Christmas...but not necessarily about Christmas.

Trading Places---Christmas to New Years with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd. (Looking good Louis!)

A Christmas Story---Do I really need to add more? (My old man worked in profanity the way other artists worked in oils or clay.)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service---The only James Bond movie that takes place over Christmas. (This never happened to the other fella)

Miracle on 34th Street---original version...I'm a sucker for that movie. (Since the United States Government declares this man to be Santa Claus, this court will not dispute it! Case Dismissed!)

Scrooged---Bill Murray AND Robert Mitchum with Bobcat Golthwait AND Robert Goulet. (With Mary Lou Retton as Tiny Tim)

Oceans Eleven---The original takes place between Christmas and New Years. (Ain't that a kick in the head!)

Please feel free to add more.

Done...

As of 1:30pm EST today I am now officially done my Christmas shopping.

Huzzah!

Huzzah!

Huzzah!

What's next you ask?

1.) Work on some borrhs stuff tonight
2.) tomorrow, have photos printed
3.) football!
4.) football!
5.) football! (8:15pm game-Skins vs Vikings)
6.) SLEEP MODE
7.) wrapping
8.) Xmas party 1
9.) SLEEP MODE
10.) XMAS!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Happy New Year Mars...

Put on your hard hat!

An asteroid is approaching Mars with a 1 in 75 chance of hitting the planet.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24354

This would be an interesting event if it happens. As of right now we have an orbiting satellite that is mapping the planet and photographing it, two rovers and the Hubble Space Telescope. I hate to say it, but I'd be very excited if it happened.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Work work work...

I apologize for not posting more, but I'm working at a job that I like so I'm spending more time on task than sitting in on conference calls and doing other things like working on grad school work and blogging like I did at the last job. (Yes, conference calls, unless you're presenting or are in middle management or planning, are pretty useless. I'm not a fan.)

So, let's see, I've finished my MLS work at Drexel for this quarter, I believe I've passed. (B is the lowest passing grade in grad school.)

December there are no B&O Railroad Historical Society Archives sessions, so I get some time off there.

This time off from being archivist and caterer has been good for me. I have a bit of a break to catch up with some scanning projects of archives documents, work on the web page, and dabble in some research. Currently I have an itch about the B&O's trackage rights out of, er rather around, Pittsburgh on the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad. This was a coup negotiated by Daniel Willard in 1934 that gave the B&O a really sweet route around Pittsburgh to Chicago. Low grades and good track on this line enabled the B&O to run their trains faster than they were able to on their own hilly and curvy track in Pittsburgh.

It seems this was a case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The B&O and P&LE's parent company, the New York Central, both were fighting against the Pennsylvania Railroad for traffic in the area. The PRR had the advantage of getting to Pittsburgh first and was very well off financially. (This would not last) So the NYC in a move to give the proverbial finger to a competitor, allowed the B&O access to the P&LE route. This made the B&O more competitive for freight from Chicago to Baltimore and Potomac Yard (near DC and a waypoint for traffic from the Northeast to the South). What I need now is source material. I've checked B&O magazine articles, 1934 and 1944. I also have a 1962 B&O railroad report on using the B&O track again since the lease was up for renewal at that time and the P&LE (NYC) was asking for a lot more $$$. I need to go through the VP of Operations files at the archives and look at the Wall St. Journal and Pittsburgh papers. I've found some stuff in the local papers on newspaperarchive.com, but not enough. Then there is the chance to look at it from the other side and see if the NYC and P&LE historical societies have items in their collections that may help. Ideally this will become an article for the Sentinel and a chapter in "The Fiery Furnace."

That's about all that's going on. That and getting ready for the holidays...oh and two and a half months until Daytona! And for work at that!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

This can only lead to trouble...

It's horrible, catastrophic, impact of biblical proportions, dogs and cats LIVING TOGETHER---MASS HYSTERIA!!!

Ahem.

I've had my first Fractured Prune donut.

A hot custom made Fractured Prune donut. I had the French Toast donut. They are sooooooo good. This is not good for my waistline, it's on my way to work.

Time to start looking at the sansabelt pants.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

I love this...

Pimp my book cart.

Who says librarians aren't fun?

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The National Football League

Well, the Ravens are in the crapper, the Skins are on their way down...

That leaves my third team: THE GREEN BAY PACKERS

Whew. Keep on trucking fellas, I'll enjoy watching you Thursday. (Green Bay on a weekday...with turkey...does it get any better?)

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Back from a business trip...

THFH was in Nawlns this past week. Actually, Slidell, LA and the Stennis Space Center and Nawlns for two dinners.

Some thoughts:
Chefs in New Orleans know how to cook really good seafood dishes.

The city is still messed up, especially the eastern side.

Beingets are addictive.

Sights of note:
-Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) at the Memphis Airport
-a brass trio in front of K-Pauls where one member balanced a Sousaphone on his chin!
-huge bloody test stands for rockets at the Stennis Space Center
-Bourbon St. aka Mos Eisley Spaceport. "Nowhere else in the universe will you find a more wretched hive of scum and villany. We must be cautious."

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Up in the sky...

It's a bird! It's a plane!

No, you're both wrong, it's a comet!

http://www.spaceweather.com/


For those of us out in the country where we can see stuff like this without the added problems of light pollution, this should be cool.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Hold onto your chair...

I have an announcement:

I am railroaded out.

Yes, it's true. I am B&O burned out this week. Three weeks of B&O railroad stuff has been too much for me. I am now not looking forward to the archives like I usually do, I'm tired.

Hopefully a few nights of good sleep can help this.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Where have I been...

B&O Railroad Historical Society Convention in Martinsburg, WV

Photos are here.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

More Space Stuff...

Yeah, so what? It's a cool video. See a Comet's tail blown off by a Coronal Mass Ejection. (aka something you don't want to be near)

NASA slogans from the readers of Wired...

Granted it wasn't serious but the funniest one to the author of this was:

NASA: We find your lack of faith disturbing.

I have to say, I like it.

The real winner of the unofficial Wired contest is here.

Friday, September 28, 2007

GAH!!!...

It's almost October!

That means I need to get cracking on the Nickish Christmas CDs.

Suggestions are welcome.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

No way...

WAY! The Redskins WON @ Philly on Monday Night Football.

That's excellent!

The Packers and Ravens won too!!!

No way!

Also, we found a photo at the archives sorting session that has been a target for three years of searching.

Here it is:


Click on the above image for a larger view.

It's a Banana Reefer. A special refrigerated box car built by the Fruit Growers Express Company for Banana Service. We had been tasked to find that photo since 2004. One of the archives volunteers found it and made our Saturday.

So, it's been a great weekend.

Monday, September 10, 2007

First week of Football...

Excellent week. Go Pack! Go Skins! Ravens, work on it.

Also I REALLY like the Nike Leave Nothing Ad with Steven Jackson and Shawn Merriman. For those of you who are curious, the music is "Promentory" from Michael Mann's "The Last of the Mohicans."

It's available from the Nike Website: http://www.nike.com/usnikefootball/?sitesrc=uslanding

And it kicks butt!

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Oh happy day...



It's Thursday...

Colts vs Saints tonight and it FINALLY begins...

Welcome back NFL. I missed you!

The image above is from the collection of the US Postal Service and can be accessed here.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Bi-Centennial Post!

For post number 201:

I am now finished my first year of Drexel's MSLIS Program. YAY!

Now let's see how the final grades shake out.

Let's see...I love my job so I'm not venting as much here.

Bad news about Mt. Airy but that was covered in Wacky Neighbor's Blog.

And Congrats to friend Cheryl who is going to be commissioned as a Deacon at her church this month! YAY!!!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

You are the last member of that dead...ahem...hair color...

From Australia:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22289183-2,00.html

That's it folks, I am a member of a unique and dying breed.

Let me add some emphasis on that second part "DYING BREED."

50 to 100 years max unless us Redheads start rebuilding the bloodline.

Oh, yeah... history stuff...

Hola loyal readers. I have completely forgotten about a big event that happened two weeks ago...I gave my first presentation to the B&O Railroad Historical Society's assembled members at the Maryland Mini-Con.

The topic was the 1922 Shop-Men's Strike and things went pretty darn well. I got some great Q&A. I see more research coming out of this.

So...August has been a good month:
New Job
First Published Article
First Presentation

Friday, August 17, 2007

First week on the job...

Wow, so this is what it's like to love your job!

Where was this job four years ago? Geez!

Monday, August 13, 2007

First day on the job...

First day at the new job. Things look promising, especially when I got the following news:

Wait for it.


Wait for it...

I will be visiting all the NASA Space Centers with my co-worker as part of the job's outreach responsibilities. A visit to Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for some time in February...and hey! Endeavour is scheduled to launch on 2/18/08!

Son of a gun!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Perseid Meteor Shower...

Starts tonight at 10pm EDT. Check out Spaceweather.com for details.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Confession...

Okay, I'm utterly fascinated by the Cooking with Christopher Walken video. It's Christopher Walken, just cooking! I mean, this isn't Max Zorn, or The guy from The Deer Hunter, it's just him cooking! I find it funny at a pop culture level but also neat to see that Christoper Walken knows his way around a kitchen.

What's more, the dish he presents is pretty easy. So...

I'm gonna do it. Sometime before the Big Christmas Bash I'm going to make it for the family. Then if it is successful, I'll make it for the Big Christmas Party.

I've found a vertical roaster here.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

I've got my first article published...


Woo-hoo!!!

This is the 3rd Quarter 2007 Sentinel, the quarterly magazine of the B&O Railroad Historical Society. My article is on the 1877 Railroad Strike in Martinsburg, WV.

I have some copies if anyone is interested. If you'd prefer to buy, please go here.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Cooking with Christopher Walken...

My favorite line, "They're like cookies. They're very tasty. I save them."

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

The NFL is back!

Yes it's pre-season, but I get to have my football back.

C'mon September!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Friday, August 03, 2007

Busy, busy, busy...

Last week at work starts Monday.

Cookout with the gang tomorrow.

School work.

Organizing the B&ORRHS Maryland Mini-Con

B&ORRHS Board of Director's meeting next week

Presentation due for the MD Mini-Con about the 1922 Shopmen's strike.

Oy!

Monday, July 30, 2007

We're back

1 car rental
2 nights hotel stay
3 days away
4 hours of waiting outside
5 good friends

Seeing Cal Ripken get into the National Baseball Hall of Fame...priceless.

I'm pretty tired right now. But we had a grand olde time.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Classiest Class...

Day two of the Cooperstown trip and today was induction day at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Photos are here.

Cooperstown Day 2


We left at 7:30am and have not returned to the hotel by 6:00pm.
We will be visiting the Hall tomorrow as the crowds were insane. At the HOF stand today WN and his brothers waited over two and a half hours to get souvenirs.

However thanks to the map, advance planning and a Garmin GPS we got in and out without any trouble.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Cooperstown...

Today some friends and I embarked for Cooperstown, NY. Currently I am writing from our hotel room in Latham, NY. All hotels within 2 hrs of the Baseball Hall of Fame are booked solid due to induction weekend.

But we're here and we're ready to see Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn get into the HOF.

Photos are here:
Cooperstown Trip

Friday, July 20, 2007

T-minus...

15 days 21 hours 9 minutes until new job.

Seven of those are actual working days.

And...on this day in 1969:


"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Now it can be revealed...



It's official, I'm now working for a contractor for my second favorite government agency; The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

My two weeks notice with my current company will be going in shortly.

Monday, July 16, 2007

THFH Update...

(Insert background sound of an old style newsroom with the telex printers and stuff. If you don't know what I'm talking about watch "All the President's Men.")

Week: Momentous events transpired over the past five days that may lead to a drastic change in the life of THFH. These are good things but cannot be spoken about here for fear of offending the proper deities. As soon as I can speak of these things, I shall.

Being a historian...

On this day:


"Good Luck and Godspeed."

Apollo 11 left Earth for the first manned landing on the moon.

The entire mission logs are here.

And if you REALLY want to geek out and listen to mission audio, go here.

Monday, July 09, 2007

Well, KLETCO tagged me for this. One day vengeance shall be mine...

THE RULES
1. All right, here are the rules.
2. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
3. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
4. People who are tagged write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
5. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

8 pointless things about me. Hmm. The difficulty is in choosing the pointless things.

1. I have never been stung by a Jellyfish. Never have and don't want to change that.

2. I am left handed.

3. I didn't get my license until I was 17. People who know me don't find that surprising.

4. I read two books every year on the days they take place. The Day of the Jackal in July to August and The Hunt for Red October in December.

5. I once had a meltdown on the streets of Philadelphia. I'm not proud of it, but it happened.

6. I own over 400 books on the American Civil War.

7. I wanted to be an aerospace engineer when I was in high school but got tripped up by Calculus. Someday I'm gonna kick Newton's ass for that. And Euler better look out too.

8. I don't know 8 people who have blogs that I can send this too that KLETCO didn't already hit.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Yeah, I get veklempt thinking about this event. What, I can't be proud of my country's history?



In Congress July 4, 1776


When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Last week's celebrity sighting...

On Wednesday in front of the Wilson Building in DC...

Wait for it...

MAYOR FOR LIFE MARION BARRY!

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Two bits....

Got a nice shave and a haircut today with the boys at "The Quinntesential Gentleman" in Baltimore.

Nice ambiance. One suggestion for the decor: Wood paneling. That's the only thing I can think of that would improve it. Well...perhaps the smell of old money or cigars.

Alas, I couldn't stay for lunch as I had an appointment in Columbia that I had hoped would be short, but turned out to be an hour plus. However...my work on the 2008 B&ORRHS Color Calendar is over and yet another crisis has been averted. I swear I feel like a fireman at times.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Houston...

Okay, I know a guy who tells me there may be a nice job opening in Houston in the next year.

First step towards dream job. It's an interesting workplace...but...

It's in Houston.

My inner careerist says GO FOR IT!

The rest of me isn't so sure.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Pulling a J.P. Morgan...

In April of 1912, J.P. Morgan took industrialist Henry Clay Frick's place on the Titanic's roster. Between the time he booked his space and the day of departure, he opted instead to stay in Europe and missed the sailing...and we know how that ended.

Well, it looks like Joe Girardi decided not to get on the Titanic as well.

Smart move.

Look up...

Got to see the ISS and Space Shuttle Atlantis fly over last night. Two bright moving spots of light in the sky. Pretty neat.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Today in 1812...

The US declared war on Great Britain...again.

Yup, today is the day the War of 1812 started, the war that gets the short shrift in any and all public school history classes for two reasons:

1. Stuck between American Revolution and the Civil War, two popular wars for historians and students.

2. We damn near lost it.


The War of 1812 was our first ill-advised war. Granted the reasons were more compelling than the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. US Citizens were being impressed into the service of the British Navy, we couldn't trade with anyone in Europe without ticking off France (The Continental System) or Britain. I think it was finally at a point where the US had to say "Dammit! You all are being unreasonable! Dude, Britain, c'mon...you are being so uncool about us trading with the French and the Dutch. Fine, be that way, we're declaring war."

Now, granted if your reasons are sound, such as a naval base in Hawaii being attacked by surprise or insurgents fire upon a US Fort in Charleston Harbor after declaring themselves independent just so they could keep owning slaves, or trying to protect your rights in the face of two superpowers who are fighting each other, then ok I can give any country the benefit of the doubt on the wisdom of declaring war...but seriously we picked Britain?

The British Empire, the largest navy in the world at the time full of seasoned admirals and captains who had fought and learned their trade under Nelson? A British Army full of seasoned combat veterans who fought against the French? Are you bloody daft? Seriously why didn't we opt for France? Hell we could have beaten France. We could have told the English, "Dude, we have guns and ships. Give us 3 weeks and we'll have some people over to help." But noooooo. Jimmy Madison and the Congress picked Britain. That's a slam dunk there fellas.

What do we get:
The humiliating and sad defeat of the USS Chesapeake to the HMS Shannon in the Chesapeake Bay. :-( Booo.

USS Constitution capturing HMS Java. :-) Yay!

DC Burned in 1814 after a stunningly bad defense. The sitting Secretary of War...SITTING SECRETARY OF WAR...didn't believe the Brits would attack DC. Something he believed right up until the Battle of Bladensburg. We lost the entire Library of Congress in that fire!!! Fortunately for us Thomas Jefferson had a library of books and he needed to sell them to pay off some debts and hey...we needed a library! Two great tastes that go great together.

Another failed invasion of Canada. This makes the US 0-fer against Canadians.

A National Anthem. Okay not too shabby and it got Baltimore some everlasting press in the History books. I'll take that.

Andrew Jackson. Well I disagree with his Trail of Tears policy but his "If South Carolina even THINKS about leaving the US I will personally lead the army down there to kick your asses." policy speaks to me. If he hadn't won at New Orleans I don't think that threat would have carried the same weight. Also if you have a chance to see a movie called "The Buccaneer" see the 1950's version with Charlton Heston as Andrew Jackson. PERFECT CASTING! There's a scene where he comes in a room and basically yells, "What the hell is going on here!?!?!?" and I could see Jackson doing that.

The Treaty of Ghent. The only time Ghent ever gets any press in public school history. Sorry Ghent. Be glad you have this.

There are many more battles in here but these are the ones that stick out to me or are easiest to use for a cheap laugh in a blog. All in all we could have gotten away with not fighting this war, but it did tell the Brits that they couldn't keep pushing us around anymore. Americans can be a lot of trouble. Just ask Tony Blair.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Blog name change...

Okay, I'm here at work and I just had this moment of inspiration.

What do you think about this for a new Blog Title:

"The Abe Frohman Memorial Blog: A Tribute to the Sausage King of Chicago"

Thoughts?

Adieu Mr. Wizard...

Don Herbert aka Mr. Wizard has passed on to that great science demonstration show set in the sky...

Mr. Wizard was one of the great benefits of going to the beach house the extended family stayed in at Ocean Pines, MD. It had cable, and it had Nickelodeon and Nickelodeon had Mr. Wizard. And Mr. Wizard was a neat show for your average ten year old science geek. At home I had to make do with Newton's Apple. That itself was a good show, but it didn't have the gravitas that Mr. Wizard had.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

June 6, 1944...



SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is will trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

I know, I know...

I haven't been posting. It's because I was trapped in an alternate universe where Wacky Neighbor had a fu manchu, we were winding down the second term of the Gore administration, gas was cheap. I tell ya, it was crazy.

Work has been pretty wild over the past two weeks, lots of OT. I'm starting to get burned out. I've also got a rush project for the Historical Society and it's finals week at Drexel's ischool. yay.

I'll be back posting as soon as I have something to say that's interesting.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Memorial Day: Lest we Forget...


"Mansions of the Lord"
by Randall Wallace
Music by Nick Glennie-Smith

To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more weeping,
No more fight,
No friends bleeding through the night,
Just Devine embrace,
Eternal light,
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry
And no children weep,
We shall stand and guard
Though the angels sleep,
Oh, through the ages let us keep
The Mansions of the Lord

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

A Larry-King-esgue post...

"My Kind of Town" is perhaps the finest song that Frank Sinatra can sing.

The Baltimore Orioles are one of the most depressing teams in baseball.

Is Jiffy Pop as much fun to make as it is to eat? I've never had the opportunity to partake.

TNT should bring back Operation TNT for Memorial Day.

James Cagney never made a bad movie.

Coke is something that should never be allowed to spill in a car.

See you at Duke Ziebert's!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Bunker Mentality...

Well two weeks of being on the front line of a computer system that has been having many problems has worn me out. I am o-fficially trying to find something new.

Not that I'm trying really hard right now. I've got an iron in the fire and hopefully that will work out. I REALLY REALLY REALLY would like it to work out. But it will take a while to find out.

As it is now, I dread going to work and don't sleep well. That was the warning sign from the last job that it's time to either leave or figure out a way to leave work at work.

Monday, May 07, 2007

So, just where the heck have I been...

It's been a week since I posted and for that I apologize. (eh, not so much, but if there are hard core THFH fans out there please let me know. We could get t-shirts made.)

So anyway...work has been absolutely awful. I am ready to change jobs at any moment. It's very frustrating when you hear about problems and don't know why they are happening or how to fix them. All one can do is send them to the technicians and hope they tell you what happened. So that was Monday through Thursday.

Friday I escaped to a mini-convention by way of Altoona and a trip home by way of Cumberland. Good times. Check out the photos.
Trip to Medina

Monday, April 30, 2007

Home...

I'm home, and I have pictures of the trip back!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Charleston, Day 2...

Well, our trip to Charleston is winding down. The Archives Crew completed their second day of captioning the photos of JJ Young's that were at the State Archives. We really had a good crew and fortunately or unfortunately, we need to come back. We didn't finish. So, once more unto the breach dear friends...but I think I'll take the train this next time.

I've updated my picasa link with photos from the session today. Tomorrow is a trip along the West End of the B&O. More photos should be forthcoming.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Blogging a trip...

Well, the Archives Team is in Charleston, WV. I'm guessing they, like my co-pilot Jim, are asleep in their rooms. It's been a long day. But a good day.
I have a new album of photos on my Picasa Page with pics from Burnsville, WV. It was the first place we saw some good quality sunlight. So, check out the new Album. More will be added to this as I get a chance to snooze and recharge.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The Expedition...

Tomorrow I leave for Charleston, WV for a special archival/historical expedition. A crack team of archival volunteers will be helping the WV State Archives caption their photographs by noted railroad photographer J.J. Young Jr who died in 2004 and left all of his Wheeling area photos to the state archives. Unfortunately he didn't caption them because he remembered all the captions himself.

The B&O Railroad Historical Society has put out a calendar of his photos with the permission and assistance of his widow so that's why I'm going deep into West By God Virginia.

I'll have my digital camera, laptop and a hotel room with free internet so I may try this whole blogging on the road bit.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Okay...

I have reached VT Saturation. Any more news about this horrible tragedy and I'm going to give it the same dismissive nod I give the other overexposed horrible tragedies in the world, Iraq, Darfur, Global Warming, Lost, I hear or see a story and go, "meh."

I'm beyond caring about Iraq. We lost, get over it.
Darfur? No, it's nearby, you just turn left after you take the next exit, you can't miss it, really it's darnear.
Global Warming, where is that new catalog of SUVs? If I just park one at Al Gore's house will he come out to lecture me? If so, could I get him to autograph a copy of "An Inconvenient Truth?"
Lost, I'm glad a TV show accurately describes its audience. For gods sake, find the professor, make the radio and just live there. Hilarity will ensue, trust me.

Seriously, please please please can someone in the FCC just send out a shut the F*** Up notice to the networks and local stations and cable news networks and crap. I'm done. Any more and...I will actually not care about the entire episode. I will be so numb that it will be a story that I just turn off or change the station to. It will be so omnipresent in my daily routine that I will not care at all about it.

Please someone tell the President to go on TV and say, "Alberto, you're doin' a heckuva job here" so the network lemmings can all run somewhere else.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

What I've been up to...

Well, work, railroad stuff, and some more work. That's about it.

I just got a new book that was mentioned on another blog I read. Called "Conquering Gotham" about the building of Pennsylvania Station. So far it's been pretty good, though the PRR management is getting off pretty easy. Andrew Cassatt, president of the PRR was not as super nice as he's being shown here. Though he was better than his old boss, Tom Scott.

Still, pretty good reading.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

People, people...

Look, I think it's great that they're going to save the Tasmanian Devil. But, this concern about the other wildlife...people, WE ALL KNOW that a rabbit is generally smart enough to save himself by putting a bear trap in his mouth, putting on a dress and lipstick and pretending to be a Tasmanian She-Devil.

Hello? Duh! You know these scientists would be a lot less uptight if they knew the capabilities of the humble rabbit and duck. (I'd say its even money with Daffy alone. 8-5 in Daffy's favor if Porky is with him.)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Work work work...

Sorry I've been quiet for a while. Work has been busy and there are a couple of nice trips coming up for me. (YAY!)

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Io...

NASA just released this shot of Io.

The eruption in the photo is from Tvashtar, the largest active volcano in the solar system. That's molten sulfur spewing out. The red dot is a fountain of lava.

Impressive, no?

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Whump...

I'm 29 now according to blogspot. Wow. They update my profile and everything.

What an age we live in to see wonders such as this.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Goodnight Larry...

Calvert DeForest aka Larry "Bud" Melman
July 23, 1921 - March 19, 2007



Thanks for the laughs. We miss you already.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Spamalot...

Saw it Saturday with AP. Thanks to the younger brother and his friend the ticket issue was resolved and all went as planned.

A good time was had by all, especially the poor schmoe who was in seat D101.

The Problem of Canine Flatulence...

(We can't be highbrow all the time here.)

It's time someone really started marketing a Beano for dogs. Duff (see "Happiness is...") has horrible flatulence. Fortunately it's not a constant problem, but when it happens it's awful. And what's worse is that he has a gimmick about it.

If one is sitting in a chair and Duff lets one fly, he will jump off the chair at the moment of flatulence, land on the floor and look at you. In fact the look will be accusatory in that he appears to be saying "Good lord, what did you do?"

Now, this stuff happens. It's a natural biological function. I'm willing to accept it, but I'm not willing to have a "he who smelt it, dealt it" argument with a dog.

Not a sermon, just a thought.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Adventures in Commuting...

This has been a trying week to be a MARC commuter here in the DC Metro Area.

Tuesday we had a brilliant person leave their bags on the Capitol Ltd, Westbound to Chicago. This was discovered and the panic button was pushed. Bomb squad, fire, dogs, etc. My train was supposed to leave DC at 6pm. We left closer to 7:15. We sat at Silver Spring for 30 to 40 mins. I got home at 9:30pm, I left work at 4:30pm. That was a fun 5 hour commute.

Today, Friday, someone screwed up. Someone screwed up badly. MARC trains were running 30 to 135 (!) minutes late into DC. I don't know the exact reason why, but it's just bloody stupid that we can run WW2 levels of traffic for 5 years and be able to handle these things but when we have much lower levels of traffic nobody can dispatch the trains properly.

So, I took METRO into work today. It's raining, it's going to turn to snow later on. ugh.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Well, there's yer problem...

Pinched nerve, all the classic symptoms.

So I got a muscle relaxer and an anti-inflamitory (my old friend prednisone.)

Today...I can walk, sit and lay down without the crippling pain I enjoyed yesterday.

Better living through chemistry.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

OW!

I pinched a nerve in my back last night. OW OW OW OW!

Dr.'s appt. today.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

My first blog on Selection Sunday...

Normally, I'm not that into college basketball. There are so many games to watch and teams one could keep track of that I just don't want to invest the time in separating the wheat from the chaff.

However this changes during March Madness. 65 teams for the next three weeks will go down to 1 National Champion. They're all good teams to have made the selection and the games are filled with the potential for an upset.

Also they play these games during the week so there's something on TV that I can get into besides the last three episodes of Battlestar Galactica.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Brush with fame #2...

Last month it was Joe Biden, the senior Senator from Delaware at Union Station the night of the state of the union.

Last night...WUSA-TV morning anchor Andrea Roane at Union Station.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Worst Episode Ever...

Excuse me, but can I lame yesterday?

First: Got called in to take notes at a meeting on VERY short notice
Second: Found out my Spamalot tickets had been stolen before they could be delivered to me.
Third: Got called to a meeting for more note taking and informed that there will be more meetings from 4 to 4:30pm every day
Fourth: The computer system I work on the RefDesk for still is having trouble.
Fifth: Had to work late, missed two trains. Made the last one out of DC.
Sixth: George Mason lost. I had hoped they'd get another chance to be Cinderella, if for nothing else than to give Billy Packer a big F-U.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

OMG...

Work has been a mess. For those of you who are reading and are project managers on software, please test the system in a live environment, not just staging, before you implement it. Your help desk will like you for it.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Yet another thing to add to my resume...

I've joined the Society of American Archivists now too. Since I volunteer, and I'd like to do more work professionally in archives and libraries than I do now, I figured it was time to sign up.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Remedial Reading...

I just finished Nelson's Trafalgar. I had started it a while ago, put it down, stuff came up and then I found it again. I'm glad I did.

Overall it was a good popular history of the Battle of Trafalgar. I would have liked to have seen footnotes, but the sources were rather solid and I did enjoy the first person accounts of the battle by the sailors who fought it. That's something that has been lacking in popular history books, an embrace of the available primary source material. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this book took advantage of the excellent libraries and archives in Europe that had letters, diaries and official documents relating to the battle and its participants.

Well, now I have something else to add to my resume...

I joined the American Library Association today.

Whoopie!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Ice Station Zebra...

Well, no snow, but ice on the 13th and 14th. 5 inches of sleet at the house. That's right, SLEET. I didn't go into work yesterday but cleaned off the driveway and my car. That was an experience. It's cold and windy today.

The government shut down at 2pm in the DC Area Tuesday, which was great, except that the MARC trains west didn't begin to travel in any frequency until 3:35pm. I tried to get out early to make the 1:45pm train, but missed it. So I had to cool my jets at Union Station in Washington, DC. I caught the 3:35 though, along with a ton of other people. It was standing room only all the way to Germantown. We left 40 people on the platform at Rockville, MD who wanted to board but we had no more room.

Nevertheless, I got home, got comfy and waited for the storm to begin.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Happiness...


Is a warm bed.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

(Insert theme from...)

Oh, let's say Airport...

Why?

Because we are all gonna die. That's right everyone, there's a Significant Winter Storm approaching us.

Yes, time for the local TV stations to gear up for their usual hype-fest that is a snowstorm in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. If you can watch Washington-Baltimore local news I can guarantee the following:

The will be hyping the storm now. (Sunday) Two days before we are expected to deal with it.

There will be one reporter at a salt dome. The shot will be set up so they have highway trucks getting loaded up with salt/sand mixtures behind them. Very dramatic.

There will be at least one reporter at a supermarket.

There will be one reporter at a home supply/hardware store.

There will be a reporter out in the snow talking to people who are out.

There will be footage of cars off the road or wheels spinning.

There will be at least 1 segment with a meteorologist on a "weather terrace" or outside in the elements.

Kim added a good one I forgot: Someone with a ruler outside or one of the field reporters using a ruler for their segment. Thanks Kim!

Hunker down everyone and remember my favorite movies for a snowstorm: Airport, Ice Station Zebra and The Empire Strikes Back

Note: That's the ORIGINAL Airport not the 75, 77 or 79 versions. While Charlton Heston is fun to watch, it's just not the same as Dean Martin as a pilot...seriously people...DEAN MARTIN!!! Accept no substitutes.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Hmmm...

I'm not a really religious person, but I do have a thing for this hymn. And I may go see this movie.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Dude...

You're not even supposed to be here today!

Seriously, this train is not supposed to be in this convenience store.

Put THAT in Clerks Mr. Kevin Smith!

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

OMG...

It is COLD!

There's ice on the Potomac and it was 4...that's right 4 this morning at Frederick.

In other news...

This weekend was the train show in Timonium. I worked the B&ORRHS tables both days. That was ok, hard on my feet but ok. We did very well. It was the first show we did that allowed credit card sales and nearly 50% of our sales were on plastic.

Sunday was of course the Superbowl. I went to an excellent party hosted by Kim and Todd. (Great cupcakes, but I could only eat one...too much junk food=problems.) The Bears couldn't cover and Grossman fell apart. Well, better luck next year.

My prediction: at Bears' training camp this summer; Rex Grossman will not earn the starting job.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Oh yah...fer shure...

YAY!

This is great!

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Holy Smokes...

We had two snow squalls run through the Frederick County area tonight. It took me three times the normal time to get home. No state of MD salt trucks or snow plows were visible, several Frederick County salt trucks were around the roads. It was a mess.
What's crazier, I took the train home and all through Montgomery County, MD...Nothing!
Snow on the grass, sidewalks, lots. Nothing on the shoulders or surfaces of the roads.

Near the entrance to the development, there are 5 cars abandoned at the bottom of a hill on the side of the road.

It's crazy! I hope everyone is better prepared for Thursday's predicted snowfall. Kudos to Frederick County though for apparently reacting faster than the State, who I guess were being sent onto the interstates first.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Nicky the Anglo-Irish-German...

Well, here's my one chance to delve into the world of sports prognostication. Ask Wacky Neighbor about how good I am at this. He's made about $100 off me over the past few years with my annual exercise in doomed hope, aka The Washington Redskins.

So, Superbowl XLI. Colts vs Bears. On one hand you have a monster experienced QB in Peyton Manning. But he hasn't been to the Superbowl and he's got pressure to succeed. He has an excellent RB and WR set. And the Colts Defense is much improved.

Against this you have Da Bears. Rough and tumble defense, fair offense. QB with a spotty record, who also hasn't ever played in a Superbowl. But they're Da Bears.

My heart says Chicago, but my head says Indy by 17.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

It's Bawlmer Hon...

Went to Cafe Hon in Bawlmer last night for dinner. It was to celebrate my little bro's birthday AND see his new place.

Both were neat. I highly recommend the crabcakes at Cafe Hon.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Finally....

Someone is working on a practical ray gun.

Now I need to get me one of those and a mute Korean butler/cheuffer/henchman who kills people using his bowler hat.

Snicker...

pfffft...HAHAHAHAHA!!!!


Oh man, wow, that's so stupid it's funny. Talk about someone needing to pick their battles...whew.

Brat on a plane...

Boo-Hoo...the media seems to be picking up the banner of this family who couldn't control their kid on a plane. After 15 minutes of what I'm sure was a LOVELY show that the 3 year old was putting on for the passengers, AirTran kicked them off the plane.

I have to say, I support AirTran on this one. I've seen this crap, and yes, this is crap, all too often at restaurants, airports, train stations, malls, libraries and museums. Kids out of control and the parents not taking care of the situation. She's three years old she's crying, this is what you do so you don't get kicked off the plane:
1.) Pick up child. (Yes, you can do this. 3 year olds, unless they are marine mammals or horses are very portable.)
2.) Place child in seat. (Again, this can be done, seats have flat open surfaces that can accept the posterior of an individual.)
3.) Strap in child to seat.
4.) Fly home. Vow never to take child on plane again if she EVER pulls a stunt like that. Ground child. Perhaps even speak...in a loud voice...to make sure the point is made. (This can also be done, it's called discipline for bad behavior.)

112 other people paid for their seats to fly to Boston here. Because two parents could not control their child the plane was delaying its departure. After 15 minutes the crew did the right thing. They thought of the rest of the people on the plane rather than the family that can't sit quietly.

So, kudos to Air Tran and a big EFF-U to the media for taking the side of the family. Those of us who do not have children and have no intention of being inconvenienced by the poor parenting skills of others, salute you AirTran and will consider you for our next flight in hopes of it being brat-free.

(Yes, I totally know this makes me sound like a heartless curmudgeon. But you know what, when I was little I only had to do something like that once to learn the hard way that acting like that was unacceptable. I see kids who have not learned how to behave in public too often these days and when I'm on the Metro on a weekday evening, I don't want a temper tantrum. I want to go the hell home in peace and quiet. I'm tired, I've worked at my job for 9 hours. I don't want to hear anything. Just the rumble of the train as it whisks me to my car. The same goes for people who yak on their cell phone so loudly that the entire car can hear them. Those people should be shot on sight and their corpses hung from cell towers as a lesson to all who may transgress the bounds of cell-phone etiquette.)

Monday, January 22, 2007

Superbowl...

 


From my 2004 trip to Chicago.

Go Bears!
Posted by Picasa

Trains and Snow and Work...




This is what I got to see at work today. We had some snow this Sunday in the area. I took my camera to work to catch a shot of snow blowing out from under a thundering intermodal train. Instead I got ice covered snow that didn't blow. But still, a neat shot.
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, January 18, 2007

My Hobo Name...

Microfiche Roy the Side Scroller

Steal your own Hobo Name Here.

For if given a chance they would steal your name without hesitation and then try to sell it back to you.

Thanks to AP for turning me on to this book.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

So this is what the Dodos felt like...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2002266852_redhair09.html

Apparently, redheads may be extinct in 100 years.

Colts 15 - Ravens 6

I'm really disappointed in the Ravens. They didn't let Peyton Manning score a touchdown the entire game and they still lost.

Major failures:
Ravens O-Line was getting mauled by the Colts. They just couldn't push them back.
Steve McNair making several questionable throws. Two of which ended up in interceptions
Ravens not running Lewis 30 times. Even if he doesn't get yardage, it keeps the Colts thinking.

The defense did it's job. No touchdowns and two takeaways. I don't think they should feel bad about their part in this game. They fought like hell. But Steve McNair or someone from the offense needed to get angry and fire up the team. I just saw him sitting on the bench calmly watching the game. Steve, dude...WTF?

Well, today it's DAAA BEARS vs the Seattle Seahawks at Chicago. Then the Patriots at San Diego.
My prediction, Bears 200, Seattle -4. Patriots beat San Diego by 3 in a low scoring affair.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Colts at Ravens...with Nachos

The Colts are coming back to Baltimore to play the Ravens in a playoff match. I've invited the UMBC Gang over and plan to serve various nacho dishes.

So far:
Buffalo Chicken Nachos
Nachos con Carne
Nachos and Salsa

How many people say "hell yeah!" and plan to come by will determine how much I should make.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Easy come, Easy Go

I'm flying solo again. Sigh. Well, better to find out now.

Yay Kim!

Kim finished the Disney Marathon!

Here are some of her stats:

F START ------- 5 Mile------- 10 Mile ---- Half----------20 Mile----- FINISH
6:10:41 AM EST 1:07:17 ------2:13:33 -----2:57:46 ----- 4:48:34 ---- 6:24:17

TIME Chip Time: 6:24:17 Clock: 6:32:28 Pace: 14:39

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Ding! New Book into the Line

I finished "The Men Who Loved Trains" on the ride home tonight. EXCELLENT READ!!!
It's a train book that's not written for train geeks. Wacky Neighbor would love the business and policy stuff in it.

Now batting: "Plenty of Blame To Go Around: JEB Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg" by Eric Wittenberg and J. David Petruzzi

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

What I'm reading...

Yes, it's not what I'm watching or what I'm listening to, but what I'm reading.

Johnny U: The Life and Times of John Unitas by Tom Callahan

I got this for Christmas, I've gotten veklempt for the old days of the NFL twice. This has been an excellent read.

The Men Who Loved Trains: The Story of Men Who Battled Greed to Save an Ailing Industry by Rush Loving, Jr.

I got this for me, it was on my Christmas list but nobody bought it. This is the story of the death and rebirth of the American Railroad Industry. So far, pretty good. It's a book about business and economics and the personalities involved. I'm enjoying it...especially since it's about the death my railroad's (The B&O Railroad) arch-rival, The Pennsylvania Railroad. HA-HA! Take that Simon Cameron!

Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley and Ron Powers


I got this as a Christmas present from my girlfriend. We went to see this movie as our first date. (Yeah, real romantic, storming Iwo Jima and the aftermath of being used for selling bonds.) You have to understand we're two history majors. She has an ancestor who fought there and I specialized some in military history. So far this has been an excellent book. I haven't gotten to the real rough spots, like what really happened to Iggy Ignatowski, but I've gotten a bit veklempt reading through this too.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Goodbye Aunt Dale...

Today was my Aunt Dale's (Dad's brother's wife) funeral. She had fought stage 4 stomach cancer long enough to see her children graduate high school, one to get through college, and get engaged. Her second child is well on his way to being a fine adult once he finishes his last year at college.

This has been rough for us. Aunt Dale was a triathlete and the healthiest of us all. How she of all people could have gotten stomach cancer surprised us greatly. I think many of us are struggling with the "Why her?" question.

Her 6 year old great nephew had a great response. He was talking to his grandfather (Dale's sister's husband) about why Aunt Dale is sick and said, "God must have a job for her."

And now as I've been mulling over that sentence and Aunt Dale's life, I think the kid is right.

Still, we all miss you Aunt Dale.