How Much BP Oil Has Leaked Into the Gulf of Mexico?

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Recycling All Plastics Impossible

As many have probably discovered, it is very difficult if not impossible to get all plastics recycled. Most communities only recycle two or three of the seven types of plastics. For me, that means I can recycle milk jugs but not soda pop two liter and smaller bottles; caps from milk and pop containers; containers for dairy products like cottage cheese, sour cream, and margerine; and plastic bottles for such products as peanut butter, jam, catsup, liquid margerine, honey, and juice as well as their lids or covers. At this point in my life, it is difficult to recycle these items within my home except on a limited and rare basis. The one other kind of plastic that is impossibe to get recycled are the containers prepared food comes in from the grocery store or restaurants, as well as the platforms that meats and pastries come on from grocery stores. These kinds of products will take centuries to dissolve in landfills, and quadrillions of tons of these plastics are in or are going to landfills. I can fortunately have plastic bags from the grocery store recycled.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

*****

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

I WANT BARRACK ! Remake of a great 80s Hair Metal Song and Video

Twisted Sister strikes again ! Just in time to put mortal fear in the hearts and souls of Republicans everywhere ! Horrifying and terrifying Republicans is so much fun ! This is the best of the songs out there showing support for Obama, plus it brings back a fun and good memory of a great song and video from a generation ago. Think of all the songs that have the word "rock" in them and these rewrites to include Barrack instead rock are countless.

*****


Arthur C Clarke, 1917 - 2008

Arthur C Clarke was one of the giants of science fiction writing, and his loss is great one for the worldwide community of literature, its writers, and its readers. Clarke rose from humble beginnings in England, serving in WWII with the RAF as an officer in a radar facility (somehow that seems just right), before launching his writing career. He authored over 70 books, and is best known for the shortstory, The Sentinel, which was later made into the epic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Clarke envisioned and foresaw greater technological developments decades before their realization, includins satellite communication and the lunar landing. His imagination was always evident in his books as they were colorful, creative, and thought provoking. He spoke and worked with government officials, scientists, media, and other writers. Clarke was entered into knighthood by the British monarchy in 2000. Only Ray Bradbury survives from the classic era of great science fiction with Clarke passing to join recent passings of other science fiction writing legends Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article3579120.ece

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article3579812.ece

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article468542.ece

http://www.space.com/news/080319-arthur-clarke-tribute.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke's_three_laws

http://www.clarkefoundation.org/

http://www.arthurcclarke.net/

*****

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

MLB Over/Under Numbers

Here are the pregnosticators numbers for what is the likely number of wins each club in MLB will have. My outlook with the over/under win totals follows in parentheses.

National League West

Los Angeles.................87.5 (probably slightly high)

Arizona........................86.5 (probably a little low)

San Diego....................84.5 (definitely low)

Colorado......................82.5 (definitely low)

San Francisco.............71.5 (probably slightly high)

National League Central

Chicago........................87.5 (about right)

Milwaukee..................84.5 (probably slightly low)

Cincinnati....................79.5 (about right)

St Louis.......................78.5 (probably too high)

Houston.......................72.5 (about right)

Pittsburgh...................68.5 (probably slightly low)

National League East

New York....................93.5 (probably too low)

Philadelphia................87.5 (probably slightly high)

Atlanta........................84.5 (probably too low)

Washington.................70.5 (definitely too low)

Florida.........................68.5 (probably slightly high)

American League West

Anaheim......................91.5 (probably slightly low)

Seattle.........................86.5 (probably too low)

Texas...........................74.5 (probably slightly low)

Oakland.......................73.5 (probably too high)

American League Central

Detroit.........................93.5 (about right)

Cleveland....................88.5 (probably too low)

Chicago........................79.5 (definitely too high)

Minnesota...................72.5 (probably too low)

Kansas City.................71.5 (probably slightly low)

American League East

Boston..........................93.5 (about right)

New York....................93.5 (probably slightly high)

Toronto........................85.5 (probably too low)

Tampa Bay..................73.5 (probably too low)

Baltimore.....................65.5 (probably too high)

*****

An Addition to My Bucket List

A couple of months back I wrote of my "Bucket List", things I would like to do before my end comes and I pass. After watching Nightline on Monday evening 17 March, going to the coast of Chile and witnessing these fascinating creatures, Blue Whales, will join that list. This region is truly a wonderland for observing some extraordinary sea creatures. You can watch the video from Nightline at the link below.

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=4464998&page=1

*****

Monday, March 17, 2008

March Madness is Just That

The frenzy over the NCAA Basketball Tournament is simply ridiculous and largely hype. The sport is seriously overrated in the media and the minds of many. The quality of play and lack of fundamentals demonstrated in the sport is simply pathetic. The vast majority of the players are not worthy of being college students and largely being used for their schools and conferences to make money without a care about what happens to these young men. Check the graduation rates at most of the higher profile schools as well as the ones that are largely unheard of as well and you will discover that more than half of the basketball players will never graduate, and often it is substantially less. Scholarships for these athletes should be required to be continued until the student does graduate. That would strongly encourage schools to give scholarships to players who really are student-athletes instead of saps and wannabes only dreaming of professional money with no intention of taking advantage of their educational opportunities. Guys who want to be pro basketball players should be in the NBA minor league, the NBDL, instead of college. A similar minor league needs to be in place for the NFL rather than the taxpayer subsidized entity that trains,conditions, and orients their future players. And the federal government should mandate a federal professional player privilege license for all professional athletes in the four major sports as well as auto racing, tennis, golf, and other major sports nationally that would also include the mandatory earning of a four year college bachelors degree from an accredited university that is a member of the NCAA or one of its smaller brethern. This is but one way to end the scam and corruption of major college sports such as football and mens college basketball.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2007/11/student_athletes.cfm

http://www.blackathlete.com/Blackbox/specialreport4.html

http://books.google.com/books?id=hA0zwgX0VCAC&pg=RA1-PA345&lpg=RA1-PA345&dq=sham+of+%22student+athletes%22+&source=web&ots=EnsOahSW9x&sig=9FmCLAixBcvKXmubYBmA6Ytu9a4&hl=en#PPA15,M1

http://www.allamericanfootballleague.com/FixingCollegeFootballArticle.php

*****

Saturday, March 15, 2008

St Patricks Day and Easter 2008

The timing of Easter this year is worthy of note. For the first time since 1940, Easter falls on a date almost immediately after the Vernal Equinox. As a result, St Patricks Day occurs within the traditional Holy Week, long a traditional period of solemn reverence and sacrifice instead of revelry and irresponsibility so rampant on the day honoring the patron saint of Ireland. Easter can occur anytime between 22 March and 25 April, following the first full moon of Spring. This year marks the earliest Easter since 1913, 95 years ago. Easter falling again so early on 23 March will not occur again until the year 2160 and then again in 2228. The next occurrence of Easter falling on the earliest day possible, 22 March, will not be until the year 2285.

The Vernal Equinox astronomically occurs shortly before midnight MDT on Wednesday 19 March 2008, making Thursday 20 March the first day of Spring this year. Hopefully Mother Nature will be cooperative and all those celebrating Easter so early will have good weather that includes some warmth so everyone can dress in their wonderful Easter clothing, particularly for the yound children who want to also go hunting for Easter Eggs outside.

And you adults, enjoy that corned beef, cabbage, and carrots; but keep a lid on all that green beer and Irish whiskey that you usually put away on St Patricks Day

http://www.trib.com/articles/2008/03/15/features/weekender/0edef4b5a1a58b778725740b00691318.txt

*****

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A Nice Enjoyable Day in SE Wyoming

So far March has been not to bad here in SE Wyoming, and Tuesday, 11 March, turned out to be a real nice day. Winds were down, skies were completely sunny and cloud free, and the temperature climbed into the lows 60s. Temps at lower elevations nearby in Colorado neared and reached 70 degrees. After I got off work, I went over to the park and enjoyed the nice afternoon for about 45 minutes. I saw many birds chirping in delight, and some squirrels made an appearance near me in hopes of a handout, but I did not have anything for the varmits and critters. Later when I returned home, I was able to leave the front door open for some time for the first time since last October to let the sunshine in during the very early evening hour as the door opens to the south which allows rays of sun inside which is very comforting after months of having the place sealed up to fend off the eternal cold and wind. But alas, once again, this nice day will not be repeated again soon, as cooler and incliment weather is forecast for the coming week and beyond, with the possibility of a March blizzard for the Colorado and Wyoming Front Range in the offing for next Monday and Tuesday. Lets hope it does not eventuate.

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
1027 PM MDT TUE MAR 11 2008
...................................
...THE CHEYENNE CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR MARCH 11 2008...
VALID TODAY AS OF 0900 PM LOCAL TIME.

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1871 TO 2008

............OBSERVED...TIME...RECORD...YEAR..NORMAL... DEPARTURE...LAST
........... VALUE..........(LST)....VALUE...................VALUE........FROM...............YEAR
........................................................................................................NORMAL...................
TEMPERATURE (F)
TODAY
MAXIMUM......61......400 PM... 72..........1989.........45.................16....................59
MINIMUM.......22......300 AM.. -19........1948..........21...................1....................30
AVERAGE.........42........................................................33...................9....................45

*****

Monday, March 10, 2008

2008 Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament

Its that time again for the MoWeCo Hoops Tournament. 2008 finds the tournament back in Las Vegas again with the mens games starting on Wednesday 12 March consummating with the conference tournament championship game on Saturday 15 March. I have gotten to attend several MWC and its predecessor WAC basketball tournaments, seeing a number of games in such places as Albuquerque, El Paso, Denver, Laramie, and Fort Collins. I look forward to attending the tournament in Las Vegas at some point.

Here is the schedule for the tournament. Of all the teams, New Mexico needs to win the tournament the most; Brigham Young the least; and San Diego St would like to win it to get the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. For Utah and Air Force, wins would improve their chances of getting tapped for the NIT. With all that said, look for the hometown Nevada-Las Vegas Running Rebels to take it over the Cougars. No matter what happens, three MWC teams (Brigham Young, New Mexico, and Nevada-Las Vegas) should get into the NCAA tournament.

WED 12 March -
Noon MDT - untelevised
# 8 Wyoming (5-11,12-16) v #9 Colorado St (0-16, 6-24)
PIGTAIL GAME

THURSDAY 13 March -
1pm MDT - MountainWest Network (MTN)
GAME ONE: Quarterfinal
#1 Brigham Young (14-2, 25-6) v PIGTAIL GAME winner

3:30 MDT - MountainWest Network (MTN)
GAME TWO: Quarterfinal
#4 San Diego St (9-7, 19-11) v #5 Air Force (8-8, 16-13)

7pm MDT - MountainWest Network (MTN) / CSTV
GAME THREE: Quarterfinal
#2 Nevada-Las Vegas (12-4, 23-7) v #7 Texas Christian (6-10, 14-15)

9:30pm MDT - MountainWest Network (MTN) / CSTV
GAME FOUR: Quarterfinal
#3 New Mexico (11-5, 24-7) v #6 Utah (7-9, 16-13)

FRIDAY 14 MARCH -
7pm MDT - MountainWest Network (MTN) / CSTV
GAME FIVE: Semifinal
Game Two Winner v Game Three Winner

9:30pm MDT - MountainWest Network (MTN) / CSTV
GAME SIX: Semifinal
Game Four Winner v Game Four Winner

SATURDAY 15 March
5pm MDT - VERSUS (VS.)
GAME SEVEN:
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Game Five Winner v Game Six Winner

*****

Vatican Lists New Deadly Sins

The Vatican and Catholic Church came out today with a list of new deadly sins, ones that are rampant in today's consumer driven society. The original list still stands, as does the new ten commandments for drivers of motor vehicles that was issued last year. With this new list, there is virtually no hope for anyone getting to Heaven, perhaps even for religious personnel themselves. The list of the newest seven deadly sins are:

1) Genetic Modification

2) Human Experimentation

3) Polluting the Environment

4) Social Injustice

5) Causing Poverty

6) Financial Gluttony

7) Taking Drugs

This definitively means that all executives, administrators, and managers of virtually every corporation are doomed to an eternity in Hell for widespread and incalculable numerous sins of these kinds, as if they were not already destined for that. Rich jackals like Donald Trump, Carl Icahn, Jerry Jones, Kirk Kirkorian, and most anyone with a net worth in excess of more than a million dollars are also destined for a permanent afterlife in Hell. And all those dirtbags who took heroin, cocaine, crack, meth, and angel dust are going there too. The number of people in positions of power, authority, and influence that have caused poverty and created social injustice would include virtually all people in government and business above the labor level. Hell will have around a half-billion to three-quarters of a billion of all people living today as permanent residents joining those already there and those already scheduled to be there after they pass.

The one that will get many more is the sin of polluting the environment. Every person in the US and other developed countries is guilty of this transgression to some extent. There are also billions of other people around the globe guilty as well. Will having made an attempt not to pollute be of any consolation ? For some, maybe - but for the ones who largely gave it lip service, that probably will not be enough.

All in all, not too many human beings alive at this moment are going to be going to Heaven. And this list of new mortal sins makes it all but impossible for most people alive at the moment.


*****

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Grocery Prices Notably Increase

I just made my monthly grocery run to Walmart today and saw that prices continue to increase markedly. A 24 ounce loaf of wheat bread is now at $1.38, up about 40 cents from last year. Not surprising, as wheat prices are at a record high. Other products that include grains are also up. Frozen waffles are at $1.08 a box, up from 89 cents. You cannot get cans of soup for less than 60 cents any longer. Walmart does have a good price on milk at $2.75 per gallon, which is considerably less than elsewhere. Bags and boxes of cereal look like they have gone up at least a quarter in the last few months as well. I now buy the store brand of most every product if one is available as there is usually a savings of at least 20 %, usually more. I did not purchase any product that was not a store brand today, but I will not in the case of mayonnaise, catsup, or jam as the store brand is of a markedly lower quality than the national brand in regard to these specific products. Even the store brand of biscuits is good enough to not ante up the extra money for the Pillsbury line, although there is not the full selection. Often if a store brand is not available, I will choose to forgo purchasing a product and just go without. My goal is to make it on about $60 to $75 per month on groceries, but these rising prices are making it more difficult to stick to that objective, so it will result in more consumption of cheaper foods and less good and healthy foods in order to avoid spending money that I cannot afford to spend.

http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2008/03/09/surging_costs_of_groceries_hit_home/

*****

Most Viewed Baseball Blogs

Here is a list of the most commonly read blogs about baseball. Many of these sites are ones I visit on occasion, and there are a few that I am a regular visitor such as Baseball Musings. Over the coming months I will endeavor to take a look at all of these blogs. Once in a while you can find a pearl of information, but I would think most of the sites are far too subjective and biased to find much that is of any value on any kind of regular basis.

http://www.wikio.com/blogs/top/sports

*****

Latest Ballball Odds

Here are the latest odds on each club winning the World Series in 2008.



If I had money to spare and was in Las Vegas, I would put money on the Tigers, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Braves. Looking for a 2009 version of the 2008 Colorado Rockies ? Try Tampa Bay, Kansas City, or Texas.
*****

Recommended PBS Program

Twice now I have been able to watch on PBS the the latest presentation of the long running program, "American Masters", and the documentary on one of the greatest Americans ever, Pete Seeger. I strongly urge any and all to catch this program as it is truly insightful, educational, and quite enjoyable. When I was a boy at Union Grove Elementary back in Newburgh, NY, Pete Seeger performed a concert for us students which I now recall after seeing this program. I am guessing I was in the third or fourth grade which would make it in 1967 or 1968. Seeger has lived most of his adult life just across the Hudson River outside of Beacon, NY. Most of the famous and remembered folk songs were performed by Seeger in a show that lasted probably about 30 to 45 minutes in which all the kids sang along with Pete. The wisdom and consciousness of this man is truly remarkable and stirring, and he has always been a man ahead of his time. His contributions to the great social changes we have seen in this nation are immense and virtually incomparable. His incredible talent of using his music to be able to bring people of differing views and experiences together is something to behold. Another great element of this documentary was to be able to see the forests and woodlands of the Central Hudson Valley again that I played and explored in as a youth and so belove even to this day. His music will always be timeless and its truly wonderful to see children still to this day enjoying it
.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/seeger_p.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_seeger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_seeger

http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/pete-seeger

*****

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Demise of My Favorite Radio Station

I got some disappointing news today as my favorite radio station for the most part is moving its programming from the AM dial over to the FM dial. KKFN, 950 AM, is moving their sports radio programming over to 104.3 FM and will cease their broadcasts on 950 at months end. While this is good for most, it is not so for me and other listeners at the northern reaches of the Front Range. The AM signal is not optimal at times and could be poor depending on where one is, but the FM signal will all but unavailable north of Fort Collins due to the distance as well as neighboring competing signals originating from broadcasts in Wyoming, Nebraska, and northern Colorado at 103.9, 104.1, and 104.5. One can still listen to broadcasts via the internet, but it is not always practical to have your computer with you or be at a place where a wifi hotspot exists. Plus I liked to listen while I was at work. Also Avalanche radio broadcasts are not available over the internet via the Fan, and the local Cheyenne station does not always opt to carry the games. There is no local radio programming of a similar quality and nature on any local radio (media in Cheyenne and Wyoming is woeful, (and thats being generous !), as we are left with ESPN radio which is focused on national sports and obsessed with sports that are awful like the NBA, offseason NFL news, college basketball from outside the time zone, and other sports like auto racing and golf (ugh !). Hockey coverage does not exist on ESPN radio and the baseball coverage fixates on teams from the Eastern time zone and the Cubs.

I have been listening to AM 950 since its inception in 1993 so this leaves a big hole in my radio listening life when it comes to local sports. Irv and Joe (the portly oldtimers in the photo above) have been guys I have listened to regularly for going on 20 years ever since I moved to the Front Range region and they are knowledgeable, informative, entertaining, and insightful. I may yet be forced to have to move back to Colorado to keep my sanity for these, among other, reasons.

The smooth jazz format formerly broadcast on 104.3 will be streamed online only, joining the Willie classic country and big hair metal rock formats there from other local Denver stations.

http://preview.fan950.com/home.cfm

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/06/kkfn-the-fan-moves-to-fm/

*****

Monday, March 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my oldest niece, Lindsey, for her upcoming 21st birthday. It is truly amazing and wonderful to know you have reached full adulthood (at least legally). You have had a successful and accomplished life thus far with far greater promise and milestones awaiting you in the coming years. Enjoy your special day and know you are in thoughts of others near and far from you. Be sure to get some cake and ice cream to celebrate this big day !

*****

Saturday, March 1, 2008

March Comes in Like a Lamb

This week wrapped with a record high temperature in Cheyenne. Overall, it was about the nicest stretch of days since mid-November as the winds were down quite a bit; the skies were largely sunny; temperatures were milder; and the ever lengthening days were a boost for ones spirits. There were a number of record high temperatures set in the Mountain Time Zone as well as points east and west adjacent to the zone. But at this time of the year, this kind of break is usually short-lived, as cold and snow moves back into the region overnight.

CDUS45 KCYS 012227
CLICYS

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHEYENNE WY
326 PM MST SAT MAR 1 2008

......................................
THE CHEYENNE CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR MARCH 1 2008...
VALID AS OF 0300 PM LOCAL TIME.

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1871 TO 2008

OBSERVED....TIME....RECORD..YEAR...NORMAL..DEPARTURE..LAST....
VALUE...........(LST).....VALUE..................VALUE......FROM...............YEAR...
............................................................................................NORMAL......................
TEMPERATURE (F)
TODAY
MAXIMUM.......67R....300 PM.....66.....1941....43....24......30
MINIMUM........40......1200 AM...-15.....1922....19....21......16
AVERAGE..........54..................................................31....23......23

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/validProds.php?prod=RER

*****

FYI: The Days of March

Here is an entertaining list of all the celebrations being celebrated on what days during the month of March. There are some days to be alarmed about: 5, 8, 9, 15, and 18 March. There look to be some days that will be delightful: 3, 19, 16, 22, 27, and 30 March. Be sure to eat at Subway on Monday 17 March and enjoy an apple or something with apples on Tuesday 11 March. I am particularly looking forward to Tuesday 25 March and an extra special breakfast.

March 1 is National Pig Day and Peanut Butter Lover's Day

March 2 is Old Stuff Day

March 3 is I Want You To Be Happy Day, Peach Blossom Day and National Anthem Day

March 4 is Holy Experiment Day

March 5 is Multiple Personalities Day

March 6 is National Frozen Food Day

March 7 is National Crown Roast Of Pork Day

March 8 is Be Nasty Day March 9 is Panic Day

March 10 is Festival Of Life In The Cracks Day

March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day and Worship of Tools Day

March 12 is Alfred Hitchcock Day

March 13 is Jewel Day

March 14 is National Potato Chip Day

March 15 is Buzzard's Day and Everything You Think Is Wrong Day

March 16 is Everything You Do Is Right Day

March 17 is Submarine Day

March 18 is Supreme Sacrifice Day

March 19 is Poultry Day

March 20 is Proposal Day and Festival Of Extraterrestrial Abductions Day

March 21 is Fragrance Day

March 22 is National Goof-off Day

March 23 is National Organize Your Home Office Day and National Chip and Dip Day

March 24 is National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

March 25 is Pecan Day and Waffle Day

March 26 is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day and Spinach Festival Day

March 27 is National "Joe" Day

March 28 is Something On A Stick Day

March 29 is Festival Of Smoke and Mirrors Day

March 30 is I Am In Control Day

March 31 is Bunsen Burner Day and National Clams On The Half Shell Day

*****

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Myron Cope, 1929 - 2008

Myron Cope, the longtime voice of Pittsburgh sports for over 35 years as the radio voice of the Steelers, passed after a long illness. Cope, a Pittsburgh native, started his journalism career in 1951, and later worked for a time at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He joined the Steelers broadcast team in 1970 as color commentator and was a memorable part of the Steelers four NFL championships in six years during the 1970s. He also wrote for Sports Illustrated and broadcast University of Pittsburgh Panthers football and Pittsburgh Maulers USFL football. Cope was actively involved throughout his adult life in philanthropic and charitable activities in the Greater Alleghany Valley, including for autism which afflicted his son Daniel. His cultural legacies include giving great nicknames for Steelers players, and an involvement in the creation of the Steelers fans' "Terrible Towel". An award winning and many time honored individual, Cope, born Myron Kopelman, was part of the Mount Lebanon neighborhood, where my father and his siblings and their families resided as youths and where many continue to live to this day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myron_Cope

Blog Activity to be Limited at Best

For those paying attention, there will be limited blog activity, if any, over the next week as I have lost my free internet access at home after many months and have to wait for the cable internet installation appointment to occur and be successful. I will be able to check email and blog posts when I go to the couple of free wireless hotspots near my residence, but the time available will be rather limited to make but limited new posts.

*****