In The Summertime – remembering a “one hit wonder”
Posted By RichC on July 6, 2012
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Map and Online atlas reading. Contemplating border towns
Posted By RichC on July 6, 2012
After reading a little more about finding the dead pilots and Turkish military jet in the Mediterranean Sea that was shot down in Syrian airspace, I was curious where this occurred and started searching on Google Maps, etc. Eventually I ran across a few border towns along the Syrian and Israel line and eventually noticed the Lebanon-Israel border town of Ouanzzani and Ghajar and thought, “it must be challenging to travel back and forth?” Dangerous too.
From Wikipedia
In 2000, following the campaign promise and election of Ehud Barak as Prime Minister, Israel withdrew their troops from Lebanon. In an attempt to demarcate permanent borders between Israel and Lebanon, the United Nations drew up what became known as the Blue Line. Due to Ghajar’s location, wedged between Lebanon and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, the northern half of the village came under Lebanese control and the southern part remained under Israeli control.[2] This arrangement created much resentment among the residents, who see themselves as Syrian.[2]
Despite the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, tension mounted as Hezbollah made repeated attempts to kidnap Israel soldiers in the Ghajar area.[7] In 2005, Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on Ghajar and infiltrated it, but withdrew after being repelled by the Israelis.[3] Following another attack in July 2006, Israel invaded southern Lebanon and re-occupied the northern half of Ghajar during the 2006 Lebanon War. Following a month of intense fighting, UNSC Resolution 1701 was unanimously approved to resolve the conflict, and it was accepted by combatants on both sides. Among other things, the resolution demanded the full cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the disarming of Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese and UNIFIL soldiers, and the establishment of full control by the government of Lebanon.
Citizenship
Residents on both sides of the village have Israeli citizenship; those in the northern half often hold passports from both Lebanon and Israel.[8] They work and travel freely within Israel, but those living on the Lebanese side have difficulties receiving services from Israel. There is an Israel Defense Forces checkpoint at the entrance to the village, and a fence surrounding the entire village, but no fence or barrier dividing the Israeli and Lebanese sides of the village.
Roughing it in the great outdoors
Posted By RichC on July 5, 2012
This kind of luxury “tent” camping that would even be the envy of the late Muammar Gaddafi (known to travel with his tent). SmartMoney magazine published a short article detailing how camping would even be attractive to one’s better half.
Getting Fancy Now: Camping Resort
Prefer to Leave the tent-pitching to the pros? At a luxury camping resort, vacationers who prefer their nature without the whole distasteful “roughing it” thing can pair activities such as fly-fishing with hotel-style amenities like furnished tents and gourmet grub. Montana’s Paws Up ranch resort, for example, offers a tent suite with heated floors and a butler for around $1,800 a night.
Life-Changing: Custom Luxury Tent
Sleeping alfresco doesn’t need to be a vacation-only indulgence. Exclusive Tents, based in Belize, will erect a permanent luxury tent, complete with a porch, multiple rooms and a full bath, right in your backyard. The company’s most popular model starts at $25,000, though the more elaborate versions (including tents built on enormous river rafts or perched in the tops of trees) can easily hit six figures — before installation.
Video: So you want your own missile launcher …
Posted By RichC on July 5, 2012
Volkswagen Beetles have been adapted for many things, but a “Homefront Security” missile launcher like this bug is new to me. This VeeDub half-track isn’t the quietest or speediest of weapon systems (video below), but it is definitely a unique VW … and most likely will attract more than just your neighbor’s attention while patrolling the perimeter of your property. BTW, it is For Sale and can be your for the right price.
Happy Birthday America and the “pursuit” of happiness
Posted By RichC on July 4, 2012
I heard a short bit on Tuesday from CNBC’s Rick Santelli, the fellow that may have triggered the political movement known as the Tea Party. I wanted to post the video or audio this morning as a way to think about the Fourth of July but ended up side-tracked with powerwashing the front porch, garage doors and sidewalk. By the time I picked up the paint to put the first coat on the wicker chairs, the day had pretty much disappeared. Better late than never … enjoy this interpretation of “pursuit of happiness.”
Rick Santelli – CNBC July 3, 2012
MP3 Link
Happy “HOT” Fourth of July
Posted By RichC on July 4, 2012
Yes we are in for another cooker today and tomorrow …
Tomorrow
97 °FChance of T-storms
30% chance of precipitation
Thursday
104 °FChance of T-storms
20% chance of precipitation
Obituary: Andy Griffith passed away at 86 years old
Posted By RichC on July 3, 2012
I was sad to hear of the death of Andy Griffith this morning. He will always be the iconic sheriff of Mayberry and for many exemplified what small town America and what the “folks” were suppose to be like … at least before the late 60s and70s. In my opinion, his acting in recent roles and films pale in comparison to impact of his 8 years of representing idyllic small town USA on black and white TV. Good memories …
Andy Griffith, the beloved actor who entertained television audiences for over half a century, has died, according to multiple reports. He turned 86 on June 1.
Griffith passed away at his home in Manteo, North Carolina on Tuesday morning, according to his close friend former University of North Carolina president Bill Friday.
Griffith began his acting career in the 1950s with roles on Broadway and small but notable parts in film and television. However, it was a 1960 guest appearance on TV’s The Danny Thomas Show that launched Griffith to stardom in the role of small-town North Carolina Sheriff Andy Taylor.
Griffith’s turn as the affable, honest lawman of fictitious Mayberry — said to be modeled after Griffth’s own hometown of Mount Airy, N.C. — made The Andy Griffith Show a hit. It remains one of American television’s most enduring sitcoms, long after it ended its run in 1968.
Griffith starred in several less-successful series over the next 18 years before finding success with another small-town character: rumpled, guitar-picking country lawyer Ben Matlock in Matlock. The show, set again in the South — this time in Atlanta — ran from 1986 to 1995.
Griffith continued acting after Matlock ended, playing largely supporting roles in television and films. His most recent work, according to IMDB, was in 2009 in the independent film Play the Game.
He also released numerous comedy and music albums over the years, with most of the latter featuring hymns and Americana music. He won a Grammy for his 1997 album, I Love to Tell the Story — 25 Timeless Hymns.
If you thought the Chevy Volt was over priced
Posted By RichC on July 3, 2012
Just curious … why would someone lease a small somewhat less than comfortable car for $389/month and only be able to drive it 12,000 miles per year when there are so many better options? Even if it does get 118mpg … it would be hard to make up the $175/month ($6300) in fuel savings during that 3 year lease … even at California fuel prices! (I know … it is a “statement” thing)
TORRANCE, Calif., June 29, 2012 /PRNewswire
Honda today announced the all-new 2013 Honda Fit EV will be available for lease beginning July 20, 2012, with a three-year lease price of $389 per month. The 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest in Honda’s diverse and growing range of alternative-fuel vehicles, and received the highest fuel-efficiency rating ever given by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with an adjusted combined mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe(1).
The Fit EV will be available for lease-only in key markets in Oregon and California, after which availability will expand to six East Coast markets in early 2013. The Fit EV’s three-year lease price of $389 per month computes to a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,625.
VS
OR … just leasing the $16,000+ Honda Fit at unsubsidized local rates???
Can we weather another economic slowdown?
Posted By RichC on July 2, 2012
The struggling economy around the world is being noticed here in the U.S. as measured manufacturing output is falling again — LINK. (see graphic below) I’ve been hoping for a recovery from the recession, but this news this is not at all promising for jobs or a rebounding economy.
Can the U.S. avoid a double-dip recession?
The global slowdown is hitting U.S. manufacturers hard, threatening a key pillar of the recovery and fueling fears the economy is heading for a stall for the third year in a row.
New figures Monday provided the latest proof that Europe’s debt and banking woes and disappointing growth in China and around the globe are crimping activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector, which has been a big driver of the economic recovery that began in mid-2009.
Other reports have suggested U.S. exports were much weaker than originally thought earlier this year and that corporate profits from abroad are now shrinking instead of growing.
The Terrafugia flying car takes another step towards reality
Posted By RichC on July 2, 2012
I’ve posted a few times back in 2009 regarding the flying car from the MIT developers called the Terrafugia Transition and after phase one flight testing in New York it is one step closer to being ready for production. As we all know, here in the United States things are not as simple as they once were when innovating and experimenting … especially in venturing off the ground. I’m sure by the time the first delivery is made that the price will include a rather healthy amount for regulation and legal concerns.
Nevertheless, it is good to see flying photos.
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.