Sunday's Thunderheads

From my front porch, but the thunderstorm was raining itself out. But pretty while it lasted.

A Sarasota, Florida Sunset

(Click to see larger pic)

Handy and Useful

Get information on the latest recalls from a variety of industries with Recalls.gov, a collaboration of six different government regulatory agencies. You can also use this site to report a possibly recall-worthy product.

We'll Never Tell

Ever wonder what it takes to bring a former vice president of the United States to your event?

You’ll have to provide a generous lecture fee and meet a lengthy list of contractual requirements, as the University at Buffalo learned this spring.
Former veep and current environmentalist Al Gore spoke at UB in late April, and this prompted a few questions.

How much does Gore cost? Does he have to be picked up from the airport in a hybrid limousine? Does he insist on a hotel that runs on solar power?

UB gave the answers in response to a Freedom of Information Law request.
First, he doesn’t come cheap. Gore received a $100,000 fee.
(From the Buffalo News)

The contract stipulated that UB pay for first-class airfare, a car service, accommodations and meals for Gore and an adviser.

Gore also approved in advance any related events, promotional material and “backdrops, banners, scenery, logos, settings, etc.”

It even spelled out the time Gore spent signing posters for sponsors — 10 minutes — and his need for 30 minutes of downtime before talking.

No hybrids or solar power specified, so UB was able to meet every requirement except one: Gore’s request for “absolute confidentiality” for the contract’s terms and conditions.
(From the Buffalo News)

There's More To This World Than Florida

On the HorizonAn Acacia tree sits against a bright blue sky in the Masai Mara park reserve in Nairobi, Kenya.

Those Crafty Germans

Parking Air Space

A silver car is lifted up by a hydraulic lever to its parking space inside one of the glass car towers near the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Oops Is Right

Now you know I never claimed to be much of a spelling expert. (Not in the last 40 years anyway.) Heaven knows I make my share of spelling errors here, even with spell-check. But forgetting the "u" would be about my speed. I think the NASA folks are better at science and math than spelling. I hope.

Note To Self: Read or Scan Daily

I'm adding this page to my list of everyday sites. It's Newseum's Front Pages page. Granted it's a day behind, but you can sample local news from almost anywhere. They also have a News Trivia game for newsies like me. Love it.

Sprint Nextel Says Buh-Bye To 1200 Subscribers

"While we have worked to resolve your issues and questions to the best of our ability, the number of inquiries you have made to us during this time had led us to determine that we are unable to meet your current wireless needs," the letters said. (BTW, I'm not a Sprint customer)

Here's the deal: some of the jilted customers had been calling to complain more than 300 times a month.

Just One More

"The Hostess With the Mostest" from Call Me Madam.

It reminded me that I was able to interview Ms Merman on the phone for the University radio station in 1976, I think it was. She was doing "A Night With Ethel Merman" concerts around the country and had a stop in OKC. That's a blast from the past. She was very kind to a very lame interviewer.

Couldn't Let This One Pass

While I was browsing Ethel Merman videos I found this. You have to admit, it's an interesting and unusual way to preserve a 78. I'd have never thought to take a video of a record player. Goes to show you, there's ANYTHING and EVERYTHING on YouTube.

50 Years Ago?

Ethel Merman and Perry Como from 1957. Classic.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

A regal and stately resort. Disney's premiere resort. Very "old worldly."

View of the lobby from above. Elegant.

From the courtyard. Stylish.

Yours, Mine and Ours

Bumper to Bumper

Well Said

"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to

stop discriminating on the basis of race."

- Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.,

in the recent majority opinion on school integration.

Stop Complaining

I'm determined to refrain from griping about the weather. Whether on here or in person. I've grumped enough. Especially now that our afternoon showers have returned on a daily basis and things are getting back to "green" here in Florida. Besides, it's rather bad taste to be carping about not getting enough rain when the Midwest and Southwest states are getting too much. I will, however, post pictures of our lovely Florida weather. That's a turning a negative into a positive.

It's Working (On A Small Scale)

Point: This morning Cory called me to tell me he had sent me a picture of the bass he caught. (I hadn't yet turned on my phone, so who knew?) Danielle and Cory are house-sitting for Danielle's uncle. Lucky for Cory, the house is lakeside and he has access to their boats and jet skis.

The bass was singular and I told him to get cracking because we needed a nice mess of bass for Saturday dinner. He then said something that was music to my ears. He said, "Happy Independence Day, Mom!!" I was so happy and told him so. Now, you KNOW my "4th of July" rant backwards and forwards and apparently so does Cory.

Cory knows better now than to wish me a "Happy 4th of July!" which he knows means no more to me than wishing me a happy July 5th. Celebrating the founding of the United States of America is more than fireworks and day-off from work. Too bad patriotism is only "en vogue" one day a year. I never really cared about being "en vogue" anyway.

Happy Independence Day and many returns of the day!

Celebrate the United States of America!

Fred Says

"I’ll tell you something that those who want to control the media apparently don’t know. Everyday, more people are listening to streaming radio on the Web and downloading podcasts. Some popular talk shows skip radio altogether and go straight to the Internet. You can even hear talk shows on Web-enabled telephones if you want, and that will get much easier and cheaper quickly.

The era of controllable media is over, and nothing will ever bring it back."

(Fred D Thompson, remarking on reinstating the Fairness Doctrine)

Wierd Al Pays Homage to Taylor Hicks

Do I Creep You Out?

Keeping Our Fingers Crossed

The radar is lit-up like a Christmas tree. Although we've had lots of lightning and thunder we've yet to get the rain. It does look hopeful. Just waiting...

Baby Don

Happy Birthday Donnie! We love you and hope to see you soon!!