As baseball season creeps this way, I've been keeping an eye on a few NY Mets blogs.

As a kid, I always liked Sid Fernandez. I thought for sure he was going to be the one to throw the first Mets' no-hitter. Why? He was unhittable at times. Why was he unhittable? Mets Geek explains.

Could not resist forwarding this.

He should be glad he wasn't plinking with a .22, or at the range with a handgun.

The story of a WWII vet who lost his wallet and had it returned sixty years later. [via Pass the Ammo]

Bruce is predicting the Pats by 10 over the Colts. Personally, I want to see Vinny take a knee on the final play of the Super Bowl. I'm not a Pats fan, but I'd like to see Testaverde go out with a ring.

Life is hectic right now. Substantial blogging to resume in a few days.

In the meantime, ask yourself what you'd want this bird to mimic. It's almost too strange to believe.

I was wondering, if I teach that bird to say something vulgar, and it constantly repeats that word or phrase, will other Lyrebirds pick up on it? And will still more pick it up from the second set of birds, and so on?

It could echo in the jungle indefinately.

Check out Prof Reynold's opinion piece in the NY Times.

Just a few links for you to enjoy, in the extended entry...

Continue reading "Just a few links"

One of my super troops was a member of the base honor guard. She'd have the occasional drill during the winter, but nothing that really conflicted with the schedule at work. When the springtime rolled around, it seemed like she had a funeral every other day.

She said to me, "Sarge, it's spring. Lots of funerals in Alaska in the spring."

Continue reading "Dead of winter"

It was nearly 50° warmer today. Up above 32°F for a bit; it was -14°F the other day.

Continue reading "Fifty degrees warmer"

Just something to hold you over until I get some more photos scanned. In addition, the temperatures here in Alaska are supposed to be on the rise, so there'll be some new photos over the next week or so. Until then, enjoy the photo archives.

Found a new website that cracked me up: A Day in the Life of an Ambulance Driver.

And I'll never link to anything like this. Ever again. Bambi & Thumper.

Sad, but probably true. Personally, I'm rooting for Vinny Testaverde to take a knee on the last play of the Super Bowl. Other than that, I'm in it for the commercials.

I think I'll start browsing airline tickets to Florida when I get home from work today. If I'm not turned into a popsicle by then.

Jeff at Alphecca isn't happy about the weather, either. It's too warm in Vermont. Perspective.

It's -14°F outside. I remember complaining that it was 15°F outside when I took this photo.

Like my old man says, "Boo-hoo cried the man with no shoes. Then he met a man with no feet."

I love when folks make fun of those motivational posters. And I hate zombies. This is too cool. [via Soft Green Glow]

Today is one of those days that I wish the calendar had a snooze alarm. Five below, with a windchill of fifteen below. I'm actually looking forward to making a dent in the stack of work on my desk... I'm just not looking forward to walking to the car to get there.

Pitchers and catchers report...

If this sucker ever comes to life Rapid City, SD is in trouble.

The son of former New York Giants placekicker Joe Danelo was found dead. Very sad to hear.

Continue reading "Joe Danelo"

An otherwise unremarkable photo. Except that this was taken around 1:45pm this afternoon. The sun had reached its apex less than an hour earlier, and was not quite six degrees above the horizon. In contrast, at my folks place in Del Boca Vista the sun was over 38° above the horizon 45 minutes after reaching its highest point. In my hometown in New York, it was 25°.

Geeky solar math via the US Naval Observatory.

Continue reading "Dark Days"

If you're smoke detector is hardwired to the 120v power and it keeps beeping after you put a fresh battery in it, here's what you do.

1. Disconnect the battery and the 120v power.
2. Hold down the test button for 20 seconds.
3. Reconnect the battery and AC power, and re-install it.

That will drain the juice left in the detector, and cause it to "reboot" like a computer.

It won't stop the beeping though.

Continue reading "Something goes beep in the night..."

It's freaking cold here. I was going to head out and take some photos, but I whimped out. It'll be ten degrees warmer tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.