My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on August 21, 2018

Every state, city and location along the Gulf and Atlantic coast is vunerable to tropical weather this time of year, especially in late summer. Here are a couple of maps highlighting the number of years between hurricanes (winds 74 and higher above) and major hurricanes (winds 111 and higher below). Neither is that comforting.

Every mile of the U.S. Gulf and East coast is vulnerable to a hurricane, but there are locations that have higher odds of being hit any given year. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center uses an analysis tool that quantifies those chances called the hurricane return period.  It’s the frequency at which a hurricane can be expected to pass within 50 nautical miles of a specific location. For example, a return period of 20 years for a major hurricane means that on average during the previous 100 years, a Category 3 or stronger hurricane passed within 50 nautical miles of that location about five times. Looking forward one could expect five Category 3 or stronger hurricanes within that 50 nautical mile radius during the next 100 years.

LINK

Category: Travel, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: atlantic, florda, gulf coast, hurricane, seaboard, tropical, weather

Posted By RichC on August 20, 2018

Last week we lost the singer and pianist Aretha Franklin at age 76 who’s trailblazing career began in the turbulent 1960s when America was being torn apart (sounds eerily familiar).

I was in grade school when her R and B records were popping on the charts and being played on AM radio; I didn’t really hear much in the segregated mid to late sixties (parents controlled the radio), but her music was heard, remembered and definitely played when I started to listen on my own … as well as by every generation that followed.

It is sad to lose another musical great, but know that all who love music were thankful for her great contribution to our American music history. She was one of the greats and deserves our R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Interesting tidbit on that song:

“Respect” is a song written and originally released by American recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. The song became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. The music in the two versions is significantly different, and through a few changes in the lyrics, the stories told by the songs have a different flavor. Redding’s version is a plea from a desperate man, who will give his woman anything she wants. He won’t care if she does him wrong, as long as he gets his due respect when he brings money home. However, Franklin’s version is a declaration from a strong, confident woman, who knows that she has everything her man wants. She never does him wrong, and demands his “respect”. Franklin’s version adds the “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” chorus and the backup singers’ refrain of “Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me…”.

Wikipedia

Category: Music, Obituary, Video | No Comments »
Tags: aretha franklin, music monday, musicmonday, obit, otis redding, soul, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on August 19, 2018

In preparation for an upcoming work related project, I need to record a video for a client’s website and include both their voice and that of someone asking questions. I was hoping to keep it as professional as possible and will be using my Lumix GX8 DSLR.f I am using my external Rode shotgun microphone with a wind muff and “was hoping” it would work if the questioner was slightly off camera and the microphone was pointed at the on-camera subject?

Unfortunately in my weekend test before taking it to the meeting this week, I realized that even a relatively quiet background was being picked up – the landscape pond water feature was 20 feet away, yet sounds like it is 2 feet away! My concern is in wanting “just the voices” in an outdoor setting without having to purchase lavalier mics. I’m not a videographer or audio sound guy and am hoping for some insight. Thoughts?

Category: Advice, Audio, Blogs, Business, How-To, Misc, Technology, Video | No Comments »
Tags: gx8, interview, lavalier, lumix, mic, microphone, rode, shotgun, video, website

Posted By RichC on August 19, 2018

I thought these bear photos and stories were interesting …  but probably duped by the shocking images (the below is fake for the storyline). While looking for information on the photo below, I also came across the one above of a bicyclist trying to stay ahead of a bear in Alaska (probably fake too).

Often compared to Ansel Adams, the Japanese-born Michio Hoshino was an award-winning nature photographer who specialized in photographing Alaskan wildlife. It was in Russia’s Kurilshoye Lake in 1996, however, that Michio Hoshino’s own story came to a tragic end. He was killed by a brown bear in his own tent while on assignment in Russia. This photograph is allegedly the last image Hoshino ever took and shows his killer. Generally, brown bears do not attack humans unless they are provoked or feel threatened. Female bears are especially dangerous when they are protecting their young.

Category: Human Interest, Photography, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: bear, biker, chased, filler, mauled, michio hoshino, photographer, photography

Posted By RichC on August 18, 2018

Good news or more like great news! My niece Jackie had her first baby – a girl they named Margot Claire. Congratulations.

Daddy Ben and Grandma Lynda probably have bigger smiles than Jax after just giving birth (at least that is what I’m imagining). So happy for them and to welcome a new healthy baby into the world. I can’t wait to see them.

Category: Archive, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: baby, ben wickerham, birth, family, glassman, howard, jackie, lynda, margot, niece

Posted By RichC on August 17, 2018

While monitoring a military history Twitter feed, decided to add this “bomb bay view” photo from the World War II bomber group my father-in-law flew with. He was the navigator for the 394th Bomb Group of Martin Marauder B-26s and flew nearly 50 bombing missions over Germany. They were known as the “Bridge Busters.” (Read the book in PDF: Bridge Busters: The 397th Bomb Group (Medium) and the B-26 Marauder in World War II)

Bomb bay view of Martin B-26 Marauder bombers of the 323rd and 394th Bomb Groups drop 122 tons of bombs in an effort to take down the railroad bridge across the Moselle river at Trier, Germany, 24 December 1944.

Adding and archiving a couple more photos of a B-26 Martin Marauder.

Category: Aviation, Books, History, Millitary, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: 394th, air force, b-26, bomb, bomber, Books, fred howard, germany, History, military, pdf, war, ww2

Posted By RichC on August 16, 2018

I believed we called it the "way-back" … in both our Chevy Caprice Classic wagon and our Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. The Olds looked very similar to the wagon in the photo! (from a collection of photos that Generation Z might not understand)

(more…)

Category: Automotive, Humor, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: back-back, cruiser, custom, generation, olds, oldsmobile, station wagon, way-back

Posted By RichC on August 15, 2018

As much as I enjoy working on, owning and driving my inexpensive W123  diesel 300D project car (swapped junk for it in May of 2013), I’d love to have a Mercedes Benz diesel of the same 1970s-80s era with a little more collectability? I spotted a couple cool MBs this week, although I am not really looking.

First is the "unknown" to most in the U.S. and is called the "LaPickup" – it was product between 1972 and 1976 in South America. They were built in Argentina for the "local market" and based on the W115 sedan (68-76). According to a New Zealand automotive "Stuff" article, the "Ute" as it was was known, was a 220D and called "LaPickup." It was Mercedes answer to General Motor’s El Camino and Ford’s Ranchero and was perfect for the heavily agricultural based Argentinian economy.

Second is one that is actually coming up for sale on September 1st … and isn’t too far away at the Worldwide Auctioneers event in Auburn, Indiana … hm? The downside is that it will probably generate a premium just because it was the last car purchased by the late John Lennon of Beatles fame.

John Lennon’s last car was a first.

By late 1978, the singer had settled into a relatively low-profile, post-Beatlemania life with his family in New York City and was riding around in a green 1972 Chrysler Town and Country station wagon that had seen better days.

According to the History Channel’s “Lost and Found” show, Lennon’s chauffer suggested that it was time to buy a new car and Lennon and Yoko decided on a diesel Mercedes-Benz 300 TD Wagon. The problem was that it hadn’t yet been released in the United States.

That never stopped a rock star, of course, even one spending a lot of time as a peace activist. So Lennon had his assistant send Mercedes-Benz a check for $30,000, which is the equivalent of $90,000 today, and the automaker fast-tracked one across the Atlantic for him.

Lennon’s would be the first of the cars delivered, and the last he ever purchased. It was reportedly parked in the garage of his apartment building when he was shot by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980.

The car stayed in the family until it was sold in 1986 and has changed hands several times since. It may soon again as it is scheduled to cross the block at the Worldwide Auctioneers event in Auburn, Ind., on September 1, where it is being offered without reserve or a pre-sale estimate.

A normal 300 TD Wagon like it might be worth as much as $25,000, but with two claims to fame this one could be a double fantasy car for a Benz and Beatles fan.

LINK

Category: Archive, Automotive, Diesel, Mercedes | No Comments »
Tags: cars, collectible, john lennon, lapickup, mb, mercedes benz, pick up, truck, W115, W123, wagen

Posted By RichC on August 14, 2018

It is so frustrating to see a handful of NFL players once again willing to offend A WHOLE BUNCH of patriotic fans —  including me — for another season with their kneeing or holding a fist during the playing of our National Anthem. I blame a handful of players, their union, the NFL commissioner and owners … the same ones who had little problem setting and enforcing  "rules of conduct" over the years (see newspaper clipping from a friend of mine on Facebook);  for some reason they can’t seem to grow a spine when it comes to showing respect our flag, our country and those who defend and sacrifice for it. A pitiful display by the players and leadership of the NFL.

Once again I’ll be flipping the channel to enjoy late season Major League Baseball and perhaps more college football than usual. It is a small price to pay in order to make my tiny voice heard — although I suspect I’m not alone in being offended enough to tune out. Good luck to the those working in NFL related jobs who will be suffering revenue loss … I’m sure they are even more frustrated then me?

Category: Business, Financial, Millitary, Sports | No Comments »
Tags: boycott, code of conduct, flag, free speech, kneeing, mismanagement, nfl, patriotism, protest, season

Posted By RichC on August 13, 2018

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Personal, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, birthday, brenda, celebrate, drew, family, hibachi, japanese, john deere, katelyn, megan, Restaurant, rich, surprise, taylor