The Amazing Octopus
Posted By RichC on June 27, 2014
Tech Friday: Blitzortung.org real-time lightning detection
Posted By RichC on June 27, 2014
Memorizing project that group-sources data from around the world and records lightning strikes. Incredibly ambitious it would seem until one realizes that much of the data is already being recorded and all that is needed is for “big data” to collect and create an interface on the web. Very interesting to watch the world and storms heat up and trigger energy releases.
Blitzortung.org Real-time lightning strikes
Image ==>
06-24-2014
at 8:25PM
The purpose of a county planning and zoning department
Posted By RichC on June 26, 2014
When talking about my kids, people know what my daughter Katelyn does when I tell them she is a “pediatrician,” but most have no clue what my son Taylor does when I explain he is a “planner” for Williams County, North Dakota. The usual, “huh?” reply or just the blank look on their face tells it all … never mind the “North Dakota!?!”
But finally I have some help. This week the Williston Herald published an article explaining to residents what the Williams County Planning and Zoning department does and included quotes from the planning director (pictured below) as well as Taylor (see article).
A planning and zoning department, whether for a city, county or any other entity, is one of those small but critical components of governance that’s easy to overlook and isn’t usually covered in the average American’s primary education. That leads to misunderstandings of the department and how it works.
EDIT 6/26/2014: Taylor sent a photo from the article from the hardcopy newspaper including a couple photos that were not in the digital version . (also the reporter, Tyler Bell is a Cincinnati guy!)
On a more frustrating note, I’m ready to campaign to close down the U.S. Post Office. Don’t ask for another dime!
On June 4th I mailed Taylor’s Birthday present to “his address” expecting June 10 or thereabouts delivery. I paid an acceptable $15.07 for the service, but twenty days later, yesterday (6/24), I received the package back as undeliverable AND had to pay another $15.07 before they would give it back to me. That’s $30.14 in order to ship a package (addressed correctly) and receive it back again! Hmm … and government employees wonder why taxpayers think a private company would be more efficient or at minimum more customer service oriented? Yes, I’m fed up with our inefficient and inept bureaucracy … and don’t even get me started on the VA or IRS.
One of the bests jobs in the world – Surf Photographer
Posted By RichC on June 25, 2014
click for short OneDrive slideshow or a video interview below
As someone who loves the ocean and has enjoyed photography since I set up my first darkroom in 7th grade, Surf Photographer Clark Little has the greatest job in the world … or maybe the "surf is just bluer on the other side of the continent?"
Loafing … or living a dog’s life
Posted By RichC on June 24, 2014
Our dog Tootsie is content to sleep most of her day away on the cement floor rather than patrolling the property as she did years ago. I suppose having failing eyes, being deaf and nearly 16 earns her the perquisite of spending hot summer days lazing on the cool garage floor? (she didn’t even wake when I put a dog treat on her!)
Archive: The much-loved western NY Farmhouse – SOLD
Posted By RichC on June 23, 2014
Chris (my “hard working” sister-in-law) and I spent a few more days in Jamestown, New York and stretched out a weekend to work on my in-law’s beloved “Farmhouse.” It looks like we are finally making headway in getting it ready to show … ready or not it will be on the market. I hope whoever is the new owner loves it as much as Mom and Dad Howard.
Besides the ongoing clearing out process, we worked on general cleanup inside and out. Another priority though was to meet and sign the contract with a realtor “if we felt comfortable” … we did … so it is for sale (contact us first if you are interested).
Click map for proposed 5-acre lot (red) – dozer house is nearly centered
One of the items on the agenda was to walk a bit of the property line in order to section off a 5-acres parcel to sell with the farmhouse. The goal was to subdivide a parcel that would not negatively impact the Farmhouse or the rear acreage and gas well right-of-way. It looks like we have a plan.
Wellcap reminder-to-self and inside the barn/garage – upstairs is heated workshop and storage
The weather was great and Chris and I had a good time working to get things ready to go. I spent most of my time in the barn clearing out all the equipment and tools so I could powerwash years of dirt on both the floors, block walls and equipment. We took a load to the dump burned an EPA-friendly bonfire in memory of DadH (he loved to burn … as do his daughters!)
The two photos – above right – are of the “shed” called the “Dozer-house” (note map)
Click any photo for larger view versions.
A couple of older “archived” aerial photos of the Horton Road Hill properties:
-
Map from 2004 – image=>
TechFriday: Animated GIF of surfing a 78 foot record wave
Posted By RichC on June 20, 2014
Tinkering with GIF Grabber and gfycat.com in posting a TechFriday filler post since I’m busy today. Record ride in Portugal riding a 78 foot record wave … that’s big!
Finally had a noticeable dent repaired on my Mercedes 300D
Posted By RichC on June 19, 2014
My old Mercedes Benz will never be a show car, but it never fails to attract looks or comments whether I’m traveling the interstates, filling up at the diesel pump or just running errands around town. It still has a couple scratches, a few bubbling rust spots and several minor leftover hail dimples on the hood … but today a noticeable door ding is no-more.
Click for a larger view
The repaire was my first experience in using a “dent repair guy” on a vehicle … and I must say Ryan did a pretty nice job ($125 “friend of a friend” discount). He mentioned that he was not entirely satisfied with the horizontal crease removal and that working the heavier Mercedes steel a bit more difficult, but to me the repair makes a world of a difference; I doubt it will be noticed by the casual observer. I would promote his mobile dent repair service, but I’m not sure he would want me to give out his phone number since he works primarily for car dealers. If you are considering a “dent-repair, beware because it sounds as if there are plenty of “hacks” in his trade.
News tidbits that interested me today … and a 6 year old post
Posted By RichC on June 18, 2014
Lots of odds and ends in the news this Wednesday afternoon.
First the Fed is not talking inflation and will be continuing with the expected $10 billion taper. Second, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezo introduced Amazon’s newest device called the Fire Phone … looks nice, but time will tell. It’s a 4.7” screen device with a rubberized case protecting the bezel and a 5-element 13-megapixel camera. Third, the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office has gone politically active in “canceling the Washington Redskins” trademark registration. The argument is not whether or not the name is “disparaging,” but if the federal agency should have changed their mind after a private organization received protection and invested heavily in building their “name based” franchise.
But what brought a bigger smile today was a filler post from 6 years ago while vacationing in Florida with the family. Those taking a family vacation this summer, be sure to appreciate the “family time” kids grow up fast.
How much farther can Americans stretch their dollars?
Posted By RichC on June 18, 2014
Ukraine continues to be under siege, SE Asia and Africa have unstable countries, Afghanistan will most likely go back to Taliban control, Iraq is imploding … but European markets are said to be in “recovery” and U.S. stock indices 
continue setting new highs and generating overly inflated annual returns for those “fully” invested (since when do these returns continue indefinitely?) Perhaps I’m just a “worry wart,” as my mom would have said, but then again yesterday I noticed consumer prices increased in May by the largest amount in more than a year. This can’t be good for middle and working class Americans already stretched to make ends meet. The cost of food and gasoline increased the most and airline fares jumped by the largest amount in 15 years. Maybe nobody told me that we have full employment and the numbers are reflecting that (sarcasm), or every average household has seen their annual take-home pay increase $4000 in the past few years (half-joking)? No … actually the cost of living is rising … but the incomes for middle and working class families is not.
The Bureau of labor Statistics reported that the CPI (Consumer Price Index) rose 0.4 percent in May this week which makes it the biggest one-month jump since February 2013. That means that over the past 12 months, consumer prices are now up 2.1 percent which is the biggest 12-month price change since October 2012. Not in itself a worry since this is in-line with the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent yearly target, but the Fed will need to at least acknowledge “that price pressures are growing."
A change coming and according to Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics, and the Labor report increases "the chances that it [the Fed] will raise interest rates before the middle of next year." “The days of low inflation and lower interest rates are now behind us” said Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, and this is not helpful to Americans already feeling pinched … they will have to find new ways to either work more or stretch their dollars, or both.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.