I just checked weather for tomorrow. Now mind you, we are talking of weather only 24 hours in advance, so we aren't talking about a great leap of meteorological magic...
The results:
Tomorrow it will be a cloudy 59 degrees (According to Accuweather)
Tomorrow it will be a partly sunny 55 degrees (According to WNEP 7 day forecast)
Tomorrow it will be partly cloudy 71 degrees (According to Weather.com)
How is all this possible? Aren't these folks the "experts?" There difference of 16 degrees tomorrow. It will either be mostly sunny or cloudy.
Just like the rest of the world...even the experts, paid to predict based on their knowledge, cannot agree what it will be like in 24 hours. This is true of weathermen, Investment bankers, security experts, business consultants and a whole range of paid "experts." Yet we continually look to these folks with the mistaken belief that their information can make problems go away.
I am a firm believer in education, and research. But it is still important to gather information, and then use the common sense you were given to base your decisions. Do not rely on "experts" to make your decisions, they are for you to make.
I ran into a T-shirt in a magazine yesterday. It said in essence: Trust your instincts. The Arc was built by novices, the Titanic by experts.
UPDATE: The weather turned out to be sunny, 66 degrees. They were all wrong.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
That will teach them that cops don't like to walk!
This little gem was found in our local Williamsport Sun Gazette.
Police chief issues at least 90 parking tickets
By R.A. WALKER rwalker@sungazette.comPOSTED: April 17, 2010
Gregory Foresman apparently took it to heart when Mayor Gabriel J. Campana ordered "all" city police officers to walk city neighborhoods for at least 30 minutes of every work shift. The directive included command staff.
After Thursday night's City Council meeting, Foresman was asked about his neighborhood visits so far.
The chief acknowledged as accurate reports by Pennsylvania College of Technology students that he had been seen on foot and issuing tickets on Vine Avenue this week.
He said he also visited the neighborhoods around Lycoming College and reported finding too many violations in the residential neighborhoods with permit parking around both schools.
Violations of permit parking carry a $25 fine, and Foresman said he issued at least 90 tickets just in the first four days of the new policy.
The mayor and police administration began the mandatory neighborhood walks last year but curtailed them over the cold-weather months.
When he revived the effort last week, Campana said he wanted officers to spend time getting to know the city's neighborhoods and their residents. He urged officers to talk with residents whenever possible.
The mayor also said officers were to be given their foot patrol assignments at the start of shifts, and the assignments would be determined by neighborhood needs and crime trends.
After Thursday night's City Council meeting, Foresman was asked about his neighborhood visits so far.
The chief acknowledged as accurate reports by Pennsylvania College of Technology students that he had been seen on foot and issuing tickets on Vine Avenue this week.
He said he also visited the neighborhoods around Lycoming College and reported finding too many violations in the residential neighborhoods with permit parking around both schools.
Violations of permit parking carry a $25 fine, and Foresman said he issued at least 90 tickets just in the first four days of the new policy.
The mayor and police administration began the mandatory neighborhood walks last year but curtailed them over the cold-weather months.
When he revived the effort last week, Campana said he wanted officers to spend time getting to know the city's neighborhoods and their residents. He urged officers to talk with residents whenever possible.
The mayor also said officers were to be given their foot patrol assignments at the start of shifts, and the assignments would be determined by neighborhood needs and crime trends.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Influence of Fathers
I was settled down for another episode of "Undercover Boss" and started noticing a trend on this show, which was, how much people speak of their Fathers. Some of these men were moved to tears just thinking of dear old Dad. Then I started to think about other reality based shows, where people can speak from their hearts. Guess what they speak of? Yup, their Fathers.
What was really amazing is that it doesn't seem to matter how dastardly their Father was, or how admirable...These men's lives were directly influenced by the actions of their Fathers. They all seemed to want to prove something to their Fathers, although most of them had lost their Fathers years ago. Their Father's influence on their lives had not diminished at all! It also seemed that the older the men were, the more they reflected on their Fathers, They finally got to see life from their Father's eyes.
I have often cringed with how Fathers are represented on television, usually stupid, inept, far inferior to their wives. They need molded and changed by women to prevent them from a life of their own stupidity. I have known all along it was not the case, but can't help but wonder if part of the problem in this country is the fact that we present Fathers in such a terrible light on television.
We really need to repaint our picture of Fatherhood. A Father's love, and work ethic and attitude on life will impact a child throughout their lives. My generation did not get to see their "Dad" much. He was expected to go to work, and not get involved in the trivial family matters. Mom took care of the day to day things. He wasn't encouraged to show emotions, but rather "take care of things." Maybe it was this absence that caused us to miss how very important he was.
I lost my Father when I was only 16. I never lost his impact on my life.
It is funny how that works out.
What was really amazing is that it doesn't seem to matter how dastardly their Father was, or how admirable...These men's lives were directly influenced by the actions of their Fathers. They all seemed to want to prove something to their Fathers, although most of them had lost their Fathers years ago. Their Father's influence on their lives had not diminished at all! It also seemed that the older the men were, the more they reflected on their Fathers, They finally got to see life from their Father's eyes.
I have often cringed with how Fathers are represented on television, usually stupid, inept, far inferior to their wives. They need molded and changed by women to prevent them from a life of their own stupidity. I have known all along it was not the case, but can't help but wonder if part of the problem in this country is the fact that we present Fathers in such a terrible light on television.
We really need to repaint our picture of Fatherhood. A Father's love, and work ethic and attitude on life will impact a child throughout their lives. My generation did not get to see their "Dad" much. He was expected to go to work, and not get involved in the trivial family matters. Mom took care of the day to day things. He wasn't encouraged to show emotions, but rather "take care of things." Maybe it was this absence that caused us to miss how very important he was.
I lost my Father when I was only 16. I never lost his impact on my life.
It is funny how that works out.
Friday, April 9, 2010
My Aluminum Can Project
I have been creating things from Aluminum Cans for decades. (Yes I am old.) I thought I would share some pictures. Most of my work can be purchased at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyPA
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Great detective work Lou!
Here is a report of a new species of lizard being discovered.
No, it wasn't found on a remote island. It is heavily populated and largely deforested Luzon Island of Northern Philippines.
It isn't small and obscure. It was a 6 foot, 6 inch freaking long monitor lizard.
It wasn't heavily camouflaged, as it is brightly colored.
It was even unknown. The locals regularly eat them!
But yet, the discovery of the monitor lizard was described as an 'unprecedented surprise' by scientists.
Great detective work there Lou!
No, it wasn't found on a remote island. It is heavily populated and largely deforested Luzon Island of Northern Philippines.
It isn't small and obscure. It was a 6 foot, 6 inch freaking long monitor lizard.
It wasn't heavily camouflaged, as it is brightly colored.
It was even unknown. The locals regularly eat them!
But yet, the discovery of the monitor lizard was described as an 'unprecedented surprise' by scientists.
Great detective work there Lou!
Coronary Disease in the Heartland
Recently, I was scanning through the radio stations, and came upon a station touting that they were in the "Heartland of Pennsylvania". I never really thought of our area as that, but geographically it could be true. If that is the case, I think Pennsylvania might have coronary disease.
I have always been aware of the low pay scale in our area. The medium income is about $37,000. That means half of the folks here earn less. Most that I know earn much less.
I have always been told that the cost of living is so low, that the low wages is all relative. I never could figure that out, as I pay the same for fuel, cars, medical tests, clothes and household goods as the city folks. We probably pay more for food, as our options are limited, and it has to be trucked in. The only thing I can see is our houses cost less. But it costs the same to repair and build those houses...but we get less for it. I pay more for my water and sewage as the small communities are socked with the state mandates, and have less of a customer base to pay for the upgrades. I pay mightily for taxes for our schools, as the salaries of the teachers are negotiated using national average scale. I don't see the lower costs.
What I see are fewer options. Instead of cultural events that are offered, I can go to the mountains. Instead of museums and live performances, I can go to the mountains. Instead of vacations in warmer climates, I can tent in the mountains. I wouldn't think of taking my laundry to the cleaners, or having someone else cut my hair, or fix my house, or car. People who live here do it themselves, not because they can, but because they can't afford to pay someone else to do it. Whenever I see live performances, or cultural events, they are all funded heavily by grants and subsidies of the government. The people in the cities are paying to keep the masses in the center entertained.
What I am amazed at, is even though we live in an area with such low pay scales, is that we are still losing jobs. Companies don't to move here, because there are even lower paying areas out there, for example in the south. They don't even have to pay the higher taxes, nor the energy costs that they do to be in Pennsylvania. So the cycle will continue.
Don't get me wrong, I love my mountains. I chose to raise my family here. I also chose to encourage them all to get a good education and get the hell out of here. If you stay, you will be trying to raise a family in an area that lives on 12 hour shifts...a couple of day on, a couple of days off. The drop out rate at the local school is 30%. Every year, it is those 30% that stay, locked in by poverty and lack of education. The population is declining. The smart move on. I once was told by a friend who went off and got a law degree, and came back to practice. He said "You know what people think a good lawyer is? Any lawyer from outside of the area." Even the native perception is, if you are smart, what are you doing here?
It is sad, but I guess it is the way of all rural areas. But is is like a disease. The area is getting poorer, less opportunities for making good wages, the smart ones are leaving. How many generations until the old heart just gives out. Just like coronary disease. The extremities of the body may function and look good for awhile, but eventually...
I have always been aware of the low pay scale in our area. The medium income is about $37,000. That means half of the folks here earn less. Most that I know earn much less.
I have always been told that the cost of living is so low, that the low wages is all relative. I never could figure that out, as I pay the same for fuel, cars, medical tests, clothes and household goods as the city folks. We probably pay more for food, as our options are limited, and it has to be trucked in. The only thing I can see is our houses cost less. But it costs the same to repair and build those houses...but we get less for it. I pay more for my water and sewage as the small communities are socked with the state mandates, and have less of a customer base to pay for the upgrades. I pay mightily for taxes for our schools, as the salaries of the teachers are negotiated using national average scale. I don't see the lower costs.
What I see are fewer options. Instead of cultural events that are offered, I can go to the mountains. Instead of museums and live performances, I can go to the mountains. Instead of vacations in warmer climates, I can tent in the mountains. I wouldn't think of taking my laundry to the cleaners, or having someone else cut my hair, or fix my house, or car. People who live here do it themselves, not because they can, but because they can't afford to pay someone else to do it. Whenever I see live performances, or cultural events, they are all funded heavily by grants and subsidies of the government. The people in the cities are paying to keep the masses in the center entertained.
What I am amazed at, is even though we live in an area with such low pay scales, is that we are still losing jobs. Companies don't to move here, because there are even lower paying areas out there, for example in the south. They don't even have to pay the higher taxes, nor the energy costs that they do to be in Pennsylvania. So the cycle will continue.
Don't get me wrong, I love my mountains. I chose to raise my family here. I also chose to encourage them all to get a good education and get the hell out of here. If you stay, you will be trying to raise a family in an area that lives on 12 hour shifts...a couple of day on, a couple of days off. The drop out rate at the local school is 30%. Every year, it is those 30% that stay, locked in by poverty and lack of education. The population is declining. The smart move on. I once was told by a friend who went off and got a law degree, and came back to practice. He said "You know what people think a good lawyer is? Any lawyer from outside of the area." Even the native perception is, if you are smart, what are you doing here?
It is sad, but I guess it is the way of all rural areas. But is is like a disease. The area is getting poorer, less opportunities for making good wages, the smart ones are leaving. How many generations until the old heart just gives out. Just like coronary disease. The extremities of the body may function and look good for awhile, but eventually...
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