I’ve always held fast to my belief in an old adage… the origins of which are unknown and probably out of context, but I refer to it as,
“The Umbrella Theory”…
Better to have one and not need it…
Then to need one and not have it.
It would seem, the devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on February 27, 2010 in the wee hours of the morning; prompting a Tsunami Warning across the entire Pacific Ocean would be a good example of the application of this theory.
Chile is prone to earthquakes, due to the “Ring of Fire” and the subduction activities of the South American and the Nazca plates into the Peru-Chile Trench.
Because of the almost regularity of earthquakes in Chile, that country has spent almost half a century [Since its last massive 9.5 quake in 1960] training its citizens and re-designing infrastructure in preparation for this inevitable event.
They had an umbrella!
As the rescue operations continue and the recovery and rebuilding begins, the number of casualties remains low. This is not to imply that any loss of life is acceptable, but rather a reminder that without provisions in place, the number of casualties might have been far greater.
So too with the Tsunami…
Images from 2004’s tsunami event still clearly in our minds.
Yet another reminder that science has come a long way, but an equal or greater distance of learning still lies ahead for this phenomenon.
Almost a third of the planet was put on a Tsunami Warning after Chile’s earthquake! An over reaction? I think not.
Better to have an umbrella and not need it?
Like most people, I kept my ear trained on the news throughout the day as I have dear friends living in Hawaii and that state seems to be impacted by most tsunami events.
I will also admit to a sigh of relief and a slight chuckle as I watched the on going CNN coverage from Hawaii, as “Zero Hour” arrived and little or nothing happened. Actually, something big did happen! More data was collected.
As a sidebar to the tsunami data gathered… in the margins it should be noted…
That no matter how much training and instructions are provided, based on the “Live” video feeds from Waikiki beach … you’re still going to have a few idiots walking along the beach or frolicking in the water!
I’m guessing that CNN thought this tsunami was somehow scripted by Hollywood and water levels would respond on cue, as one would see in most disaster movies. That wasn’t going to happen… There was no music in the background building to a crescendo.
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile as they continue their “in-place” rescue and recovery efforts.
Yet another Phoenix rising from the ashes of Mother Nature’s quirky little habits!
I’m also relieved that the tsunami was milder then anticipated, although I’m still waiting for a confirmation email from those friends in Hawaii.
But wait! Speaking of Mother Nature and her quirky little habits…
Yet another event preceded Chile’s earthquake by 24-hours on our little global express through the cosmos…
An iceberg, the size of Luxembourg [965 square miles] has broken off a glacier in Antarctica! Would that be considered an “Ice-Quake”? Actually, probably not, as it’s fracture was caused by the collision of another iceberg. Sort of like tectonic plates of ice colliding...
People in the mid-west and the northeast are familiar with the loud sound associated with snow melting and sliding off their roofs in big chunks…
Could one begin to imagine the horrific sound or shaking tremblers associated with an ice mass that large, colliding and separating from another ice mass?
Yes we’ve come a long way in learning and understanding, but we still can’t see the horizon.
It’s raining again today here in my little area of Arizona… and I have an umbrella!
Get ready to mark up your March calendars… I still think these are fun…
We should know that Daylight Savings Time begins March 14th [Spring Ahead – Yeah, you loose an hour of sleep], St Patties Day is March 17th and spring begins on March 20th, but here are some other holidays celebrated during the month of March, you may wish to consider…
Did you know that March 1st is “Peanut Butter Lovers Day”?
There’s not much information on the origin of this sticky holiday.
But its something we can all sink our teeth into, unless you’re allergic to peanuts!
In that case… “Do Not Try This at Home!” Some of us are professionals.
Note: If you don't get enough peanut butter today, April 2nd is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day and September 13th is National Peanut Day.
Anybody besides me ever tried peanut butter and mayonnaise? Its good!
Did you know that March 4th is “Hug a GI Day”?
Not much information on this one’s origin either. Being a Vietnam era veteran myself, I can tell you, most folks didn’t celebrate this day back then.
GI's perform an invaluable service to our country. They risk their lives for our freedom, and to keep us safe. A simple hug is a small thanks for this vital service.
Did you know that March 5th is “Multiple Personality Day”?
You may find some folks carrying on conversations with themselves, more today then any other day of the year. Relax, take yourself out to lunch and get to know yourself. Shy about beginning a conversation? Wear a hands free mobile phone device; leave it turned off and just talk… that way you’ll fit in just fine!
Did you know that March 9th is “Panic Day”??
AUGH!!! Oh my God… N-o-o-o-o!!!
Did you know that March 14th is “National Potato Chip Day”?
Share this day with a can of Pringles, or bag of Lays or Wise potato chips of your choice… Note: Chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs NY first made Potato chips on August 24, 1853. Americans have been in love with them ever since.
“Across the pond”, Potato chips are referred to as “Crisps”.
Did you know that March 22nd is “National Goof Off Day”?
Here's a day that just about everybody can relax and enjoy. It's a day to do anything and everything... except what you're supposed to do today.
Good Luck celebrating this holiday… I’m not responsible; you’re on your own!
Once again, for those who think I made this all up… Search the web for March Holidays and find the link for Holiday Insights. It’s on the web, so it has to be true!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Sure now, you best be wearing the green…
“May the wind at your back, not be the result, of the corned beef and cabbage, you had for lunch.” Debbie [Last name unknown]
First – Some clarification… Older not Old!
For any “X” or “Y” generation folks that may be reading this, shaking your heads, mumbling, “Not another one”… You may want to read further...
Why?
Because your turn will be coming along cupcake, sooner then you may realize!
And there ain’t squat you can do about it!
Sure you can and should exercise, eat right, drink plenty of fluids, get a good night’s sleep, reduce stress, see your doctor regularly and do everything in moderation…
Will that help? Yes!
Will it stop the inevitable? No!
You are almost guaranteed to become a grumpy older person!
I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for me!
I didn’t go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning deciding to be grumpy or older, it happens over time.
Like you right now, I was a ball of fire… Four hours of sleep could and would get me through the next day… I could multi-task without a flinch, I could party all weekend and still [And Did] report to work on Monday mornings ready to go!
Then something started to happen about midway the course… allotted time started to dissipate faster then you would realize. What usually took an hour to accomplish, took a little over an hour to accomplish.
Sure you could make adjustments to your once normal routine, but still the time allotted was over. So you made more adjustments, but with the same results.
You start to get frustrated… you wonder why your tool belt seems to weigh so much more, why getting up off the ground after working under your car took more effort and why does that ladder you used before to paint the house look so tall and unsteady. Still you plug away and you do accomplish your tasks.
Each one of us turns that corner in our own way.
Are there signs to indicate this change… symptoms to watch for?
Maybe, maybe not, but here’s a possible clue…
You can meticulously schedule your work and the same with your chores, but the moment you take scheduled work or chores out of your “Do Today Schedule” and place it in the tomorrow or next week schedule, only to allow yourself more time…
You have arrived!
Welcome to mid-life crises 101!
The seeds for grumpy-dom have been planted!
There is a plus side to having experience in making and adjusting your schedules to accomplishing what was at one time, a routine task. Something today’s employers should take into consideration, before dismissing us seasoned work veterans…
We already know what adjustments can and do work! Think about it!
You can’t stop or reverse time… you can’t even slow it down. That’s life!
Perhaps that’s why they call it a “Life-Time”?
More often then not, we’re not grumpy at you; what you’re doing or anything like that! We’re sort of grumpy at ourselves. We watch you going about your life at full throttle and seemingly endless energy and remember when that applied to us. You grow tired at making adjustments and wish things would return to the way they once were. Our minds are still full throttle, but now we have to allow extra time for the body to catch up. Ergo – Grumpy!
Even now, as I find myself streaking towards sixty… [ OMG… 60! ]
I still have no intentions of growing older gracefully…
It is still my intent to go kicking and screaming all the way!
… and remember this, the next time you see an older person…
Inside every older person, there’s a younger person asking themselves... “What the hell happened?”
Power to the Grumps!"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old." George Burns
Groggy and still half asleep, I shuffle from my bedroom this morning and started the water for my cup of tea… No longer the coffee addict I once was… I will admit that the aroma of fresh coffee brewing can still make me drool… Or on those rare occasions when that intoxicating, attention getting aroma of espresso focuses mind, body and soul on one thing… Having… Needing a cup of that devilish elixir!
I let the dog outside, I stroke the cat, the cat bites my hand playfully and I feed both after letting the dog back inside… my tea is ready.
I’m up way early again this morning… There’s a lot going on in my life right now, not all of it good, but I realize it could be worse and pray it doesn’t head in that direction.
I settle into my chair and turn on the Head Line News – HLN… Wondering if there’s any more information about the plane that crashed into the IRS building in Texas… Or if China is still having a tantrum over President Obama meeting with the Dalai Lama… and how are the Winter Olympics going…
“TIGER SPEAKS!”
“THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING TODAY @ 11”
“ALL AMERICANS WILL BE TUNING IN.”
What? No, “Mornin Sunshine”?
There’s enough crap going on in the world today! Why don’t you just allow us real folks the chance to wake up fully and see if the crap has gotten better or worse and leave the trash for the tabloids or out at the curb for pick up!
“Tiger Speaks” One would hope so. He’s got a lot of mending and atonement to do with his family! Oh, but this isn’t about “Family”… This is about endorsements!
“The Whole World Will be Watching” Do you honestly believe that, or should I ask what “World” are you referring too? I won’t be watching… Folks struggling to make ends meet probably won’t be watching… Athletes competing in the Olympics probably won’t be watching… Our troops in harms way probably won’t be watching.
“All Americans will be tuning in” Does this mean that the afore mentioned groups and myself are less patriotic, we’re no longer allowed to take pride in our country, because we won’t be watching?
Tiger Woods screwed up on such a scale, the ripples will still be rolling across the water long after that talented man has departed and shucked off his mortal coil.
As for HLN… You’ll probably achieve validation to those three “bars” you called out this morning, because you’ll be beating us up with it for weeks to come.
Stop throwing gas on the fire… Let it go… Move on!
Enough already!
HLN = “Hype Less News” Greg Park - As he changes the channel
I came across some things that come under the heading of a bit unusual… but I also found some of them to be funny, so I thought I’d post a few and add my own two cents. [Hey, we can always use more “funny” in our lives]
We all know that Ground Hogs day was February 2nd, Valentines Day is February 14th, Chinese New Year [2010=Year of the Tiger] also begins on February 14th, President’s Day is February 15th and Mardi Gras falls on the 16th this year, but here are some other holidays celebrated during the month of February…
Did you know that February 4th was “Create a Vacuum Day”?
There’s not much information on its origin, or on who submitted the proposal.
I guess you could say… Wait for it… That really sucks!
Did you know that February 7th was “Wave all Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day”? Not much information on this one either.
So for you out there accustomed to using just one finger… Exercise the rest.
Did you know that February 15th is also “National Gum Drop Day”? This includes Gummy Bears! No information on this one either, but hey, I like Gummy Bears!!!
Anybody that knows me knows that I’ll be celebrating on February 16th. Why?
Not only is it Mardi Gras [this year] but its “Do a Grouch a Favor Day!” It’s always celebrated on February 16th so I figure I’m owed some back celebrations. Come on people… Get with the program!
Did you know that February 20th has at least two notable celebrations? The first is “Love Your Pet Day”. For all you folks that don’t love your pet EVERY day… Come see me on February 16th.
The second is “Hoodie-Hoo Day”. On this winter day, people go out at noon, wave their hands over their heads and chant "Hoodie-Hoo". It is a day to chase away winter and bring in spring. With the record amounts of snow this year… It couldn’t hurt?
One more… Did you know that February 27th is “No Brainer Day”? By definition, a "No brainer" is dong something that is simple, easy, obvious, and/or totally logical. Therefore, today is the day for you to do all those "no brainer" tasks and activities. I know several people who will excel and embrace this day! [Right Dean? Oh I forgot… You don’t do “obvious or logical”!]
Now, for those who think I made this all up… Search the web for February Holidays and find the link for Holiday Insights. It’s on the web, so it has to be true!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy!
“I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up - they have no holidays.” Henny Youngman
Ten days after Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter… now this is getting downright Weird!
MSN, FOX, USA Today and many other wire services are reporting that there may be snow simultaneously, at some location within each of the fifty states, in the US by the time the next storm passes through later today or tomorrow. [Depending on one’s location!]
The volcanic peaks in Hawaii maybe in question, but it’s snowing in the Florida panhandle!
Meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say they expect some coverage in all 50 states by storms end.
Has this ever happened before? NO!
[Not since records have been kept]
University of Oklahoma meteorological student and employee at NOAA’s National Severe Storm Laboratory in Norman, OK, Patrick Marsh is trying to collect snow photos from all 50 states, via email.
As of 4:25 pm eastern standard time today, he's at 37 states plus the District of Columbia.
The culprit, it appears, is a strong Pacific El Niño pattern that has stirred up moisture rolling across Mexico, into the Gulf, and up through the South.
All that is colliding with unusually deep dips of Arctic air.
“Global Warming?” That debate continues, but the Great Lakes area as well as the New England states has had a less pronounced winter snow fall this year.
Anybody besides me, want to locate this El Niño and maybe give it a push?
The folks at the Winter Olympics in British Columbia Canada can sure use some of this “White Stuff”! It would be easier then trucking it in.
"Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get." Mark Twain
The 2010 Winter Olympics or the XXI Winter Olympics Games begin in just a few short days… The Olympic Torch is currently en route… Scheduled for February 12-28, 2010 in Vancouver British Columbia and surrounding areas.
Having a good friend who lives in Richmond BC [Site of the Richmond Oval], his reports of the security provisions being enacted in preparations for those games and that will be enacted when the games commence make me long for those by-gone simpler days, of Expo 86, the International Fireworks competition on English Bay and just heading up there to holiday, or pay a visit.
Vancouver British Columbia is a shining jewel in the crown of the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by the cities of Richmond, Burnaby, and North & West Vancouver. One can’t forget the incredible Horseshoe Bay, Stanley Park and the village of Steveston. Vancouver and these bordering cities provide just about something for everyone and the titillation of all the senses.
Having visited there frequently; getting around is easy! Most cities here in the US are striving to achieve or maintain a public transportation system… that works! I say, look at Vancouver! There are NO freeways! Don’t feel like driving, or taking one of the many regularly scheduled buses? How about taking the Sky Train or Streetcars? Still not convinced? How about the West Coast Express or the Sea Bus? When all else fails, you can bike or walk!
If you plan on walking, I suggest you set aside a day and stroll the entire length around English Bay. It’s only a couple miles along a paved seawall and well worth the scenes and vistas you’ll encounter. You’ll walk under the Lion’s Gate Bridge [A smaller version of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge]. You’ll walk through Stanley Park and its many attractions… Stroll past the many beaches on English Bay and when you glimpse the totem poles and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, you’ll realize, you’re in a whole different environment!
Is there a downside? Perhaps there are two things that might be considered a downside. I enjoy conversing with people. It wasn’t till I returned from one of my trips there, that I realized that my pronunciation and diction had both improved noticeably! [I only encountered a handful of people that said, “Eh”!]
Secondly, to leave from the airport, you have to plan on surrendering ten dollars Canadian as a departure tax. Seems to me, they should charge to get in!
So the Olympics are coming… I hope they prove to be beneficial to Vancouver and when they safely depart, they return that area to its original beauty and allow its citizens to return to the business of living their lives in one of the nicest areas in the world.
“Holding an Olympic Games means evoking history.” Pierre de Coubertin
The Ground Hog in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania has emerged to see his shadow, a sign that means winter will last another six weeks.
Tradition holds that if he casts a shadow on February 2, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.
Has this critter ever NOT seen his shadow?
"Staten Island Chuck", one of several “Johnny Come Lately” critters did not see his shadow. So western Pennsylvania gets six more weeks of winter and New York gets an early spring… That’s going to be one interesting weather system for two neighboring states?
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] has criticized the event for traumatizing the groundhog and says Phil should be replaced with a robot.
[ A “Terminator” Groundhog? Glowing red eyes and all! ]
It would almost seem that PETA and the reported throngs of people gathered to witness the event, might just have too much time on their hands.
With all the media coverage and floodlights… one might question the accuracy.
With the many ways we’ve screwed Mother Nature over the years, chances are pretty good, it may be time to tweak the tradition.
In any event, happy Ground Hog Day!Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~Robert Byrne
“Mardi Gras”… “Fat Tuesday”… “Carnival”… [ 02-16-10 ]
“Referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.”
“Hey Mister, Throw Me Something!”
Anyone who has had the incredibly enjoyable, mind numbing experience of being in New Orleans during the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, knows that its not just a one day event… Its not for people who might be touched by Enochlophobia: Having the Fear of Crowds… And at times, its not for the faint of heart.
There’s the Parades, the Food, the Floats, the Beads, the Dabloons, the Music, the Party and the enevitable… waking up the next afternoon asking friends if you had a good time the night before, because after the third Jägermeister or Peppermint Schnapps [as beer chasers] you don’t remember much at all!
I have participated a few times, usually with the same group of friends, who’s sole purpose of inviting me [not really] was for comic relief.
I’m a “card carrying” light weight, when it comes to alcohol and it’s consumption!
This band of hard core revelers, my very first time, started off on foot, with the intent of hitting just about every bar on a chosen cross street between Esplanade en route to Canal.
FOURTEEN BLOCKS!
Did I mention there are SIX cross streets and usually at least one bar per block?
Each night, a different cross street… each night by the time we left the second or third bar I was, “well on my way”!
Did we ever reach Canal Street? I don’t know… But, “the Verdi Mart is open 24/7 and they deliver!”
“Its All About the Beads!”
There is more to Mardi Gras then “Lost Evenings” and the dulling of one’s neuro transmitters or reseptors…
One year, I worked late and caught a red eye flight to New Orleans, only to arrived dog tired in need of sleep. I awoke very early the next morning, in serious need of coffee. My friend Rob, in from a bar run, proceeded to take me to Café du Mode, where I slowly regained a measure of consciencness after my sleep.
It must have been about 3 am… It was quiet and cool as the space heaters were flaring… We were on the patio at Café Du Monte having Coffee and Beignets…
You could hear the rippling sounds coming from the mighty Mississippi and everyone spoke in a hushed whisper, as if some reverence was being imparted, then it happened…
Off in the distance, from some unknown destination came the melodic, notes from a clarinet just drifting and hanging in the morning air… Blues!
“Hey, Show Me Your…” [ Insert body part of choice here! ]
Another time, I believe it was the mid-nineties, when Anne Rice’s, “Interview with a Vampire” had been released… New Orleans had completely embraced the novel, the Chronicles and the movie…
I had split off that night, from my band of reveling friends, wishing to have an evening that was more then just a blur the following day.
I found myself outside on the second story balcony of a bar engaged in conversation with a group gathered there amongst the carnival decorations.
Looking down the cross street, I noted wisps of fog floating over the quiet buildings…
I commented to one of my fellow partiers, a young woman with long brown hair, that the fog added not only a measure of soft tranquility to the scene, but also somewhat an air of mystery.
It was only then that I noted a few of the people I was engaged in conversation with, seemed to have fangs. [No, I’m not kidding!]
After glancing once and then twice around the gathered group, I complemented them on their costumes and the visual effect.
The woman with long brown hair responded with, “What costumes?”
I followed with… “Really?”
Our conversation continued and that group eventually drifted off and was replaced with a new one.
I again looked down the street and marveled at the fog and wished I had a camera that could capture the picture before my eyes.
I left the balcony and the bar and headed back towards my lodgings, which meant a stroll through the gathering fog… My mind replayed my chance encounter with that group of people… I pondered the imagination of Anne Rice… and I will admit that I briefly wondered if Lestat or Louis might indeed be out there.
“Eating Mud Bugs and Olive Spread”
My last trip there, the comment was made, that we didn’t seem to be drinking nearly as much as in times before…
Perhaps we had grown to respect our livers a little better.
We did however participate, revel and enjoy!
I could not begin to list all the establishments of note, where the fun, food and service were exceptionally good.
However, if you find yourself in New Orleans, a few places you may wish to consider are Irene’s Cuisine [Cajun Italian] on St. Philip and out in the avenues, The Commanders Palace. [Well worth wearing a jacket and tie for!]
When you place your order there… Order the Bread Pudding Soufflé for desert.
A third establishment… I wish I could remember with certainty, the name of that place just outside the French Quarter that serves a HUGE satisfying southern breakfast… [Sorry, you can keep the grits!] I think its called, La Peniche, but I’m not certain. Breakfast was a time for recovery from the night before and I had enough trouble with English at that hour, let alone French.
“Purple = Justice, Green = Faith & Gold = Power”
This year, my plans for homemade chicken and sausage gumbo are in place, maybe some nice greens… The King Cake and Pralines are ordered and anticipated delivery is sometime before Mardi Gras.
As the time draws near, I’ll occasionally log on to the NOLA website and check out their live web cams of all the revelers and review photo captures and clips of the parades…
I’ll recall those memories that are at least somewhat clear of past Mardi Gras I’ve attended; pop open a bottle of red wine to toast those memories and absent friends.
Laissez les bon temps rouler! = Let the good times roll!
“I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans.” Mark Twain
Images from 2004’s tsunami event still clearly in our minds.
