Something to think about.

July 20th, 2008

Here’s something to think about, which came from my recent email messages:

“How old is Grandpa???

Stay with this — the answer is at the end. It will blow you away.

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events.
The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

The Grandfather replied, ‘Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:
‘ television
‘ penicillin
‘ polio shots
‘ frozen foods
‘ Xerox
‘ contact lenses
‘ Frisbees and
‘ the pill

There were no:
‘credit cards
‘ laser beams or
‘ ball-point pens

Man had not invented:
‘ pantyhose
‘ air conditioners
‘ dishwashers
‘ clothes dryers
‘ and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
‘ man hadn’t yet walked on the moon

Your Grandmother and I got married first, . . And then lived together.

Every family had a father and a mother.

Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, ‘Sir’.
And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, ‘Sir.’

We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense.
We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and
take responsibility for our actions.

Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.
We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.
Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins
Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started.

Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not
purchasing condominiums.

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President’s speeches on our radios.
And I don’t ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.

If you saw anything with ‘Made in Japan ‘ on it, it was junk

The term ‘making out’ referred to how you did on your school exam.

Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.

And if you didn’t want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to
mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. A stamp for a letter was 3 cents and a postcard was
a penny, which included the postage.

You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . . But who could afford one? Too bad,
because gas was 11 cents a gallon.

In my day:
‘ ‘grass’ was mowed,
‘ ‘coke’ was a cold drink,
‘ ‘pot’ was something your mother cooked in a n d
‘ ‘rock music’ was your grandmother’s lullaby.
‘ ‘Aids’ were helpers in the Principal’s office,

‘ ‘ chip’ meant a piece of wood,
‘ ‘hardware’ was found in a hardware store and
‘ ’software’ wasn’t even a word.

And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us ‘old and confused’ and say there is a generation gap… And how old do you think I am?

I bet you have this old man in mind…you are in for a shock!

Read on to see — pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.

Are you ready ?????

?

?

This man would be only 59 years old!!!!”
- - - - - -
Interesting, huh?

– Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

Daily Home - Things to consider before you take to two wheels

July 20th, 2008

Daily Home - Things to consider before you take to two wheels
While everybody likes saving a little money, and driving a scooter or motorcycle can certainly help do that, downsizing to a two-wheeled vehicle isn’t for everybody. Consider the following before you make a visit to your local dealer:

o The rules of the road are a little bit different for bikers, and bikers are more vulnerable. Take a motorcycle safety course like the one offered at University of Montevallo. “This is so important for new riders or someone who’s re-entering,” said Jason Upchurch of Talladega Cycle Sales. The three-day Alabama Motorcycle Safety Program is also offered at locations in Jacksonville, Madison County, Dothan, Tuscumbia and Montgomery. Visit www.montevallo.edu/atsc/motorcycle for more information.

• You will need to purchase protective gear to wear while riding. “A lot of people come in and want a cheap motorcycle and then want a cheap helmet to go with it,” said Mike Wright at Yamaha Sea-Doo in Sylacauga. “I would say invest in a nice helmet and also protective gear.” Also remember, you will likely have to contend with helmet hair.

• Inclement weather. Sudden afternoon showers could cramp your riding style. However, there are weather suits available for such occasions.

• You can’t pack a lot of cargo or extra people onto a motorcycle or scooter. If you have small children you frequently tote around town with you, a bike may not end up saving you all that much money since you wouldn’t be able to use it on those occasions.

• Last, but not least: Biking isn’t for everybody. “If it’s not your thing, don’t do it,” said Faye Mather, 65, who just purchased her first scooter and loves it.
- - - - - - -
I would add another thing — Automobile drivers/motorists DO NOT “SEE” motorcycle or scooters!
Many people I know have had wrecks due to motorists completely ignoring them while they drove ’sanely’ on their bikes.

From personal experience — and extremely lucky to be in one piece — I came out light on injury after a Firebird hit me from behind on Highway 21 (in Alabama)!

Insurance? No he did not have insurance.

Anyway, that was quite a number of years ago.

Two-wheels are fun and fuel efficient, yes. But if there is a wreck — two-wheel drivers usually don’t come off lightly, on injury.

– Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

Two cars collided at the intersection today (Alex-J’ville and Cedar Springs Road)

July 20th, 2008

Two cars collided at the intersection today (Alex-J’ville and Cedar Spring Road)

It’s been over 30 minutes, and NO police, or wreckers have showed up. The two cars are still in the exact center of the intersection, where they made contact.

[time now is 11:30am, let’s see how long it takes before a wrecker, and Police cruisers show up.]

[11:35am - blue lights have now arrived at the scene.]

Looks to be a State Trooper’s car.

More later.

– Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

ADDITION!
1)
12:00 noon — the wrecker finally arrived!
2)
12:05 pm — the intersection appears to be clear.
3)
12:15 — intersection clear, ALL vehicles related to the wreck are gone.

– Cathy

Billy Joel Sends Off Shea With A Little Help From His Friends

July 19th, 2008

Billy Joel Sends Off Shea With A Little Help From His Friends

Shock treatment: Quick action saves deputy’s life

July 19th, 2008

Shock treatment: Quick action saves deputy’s life
[July 19, 2008]

Shock treatment: Quick action saves deputy’s life

The Anniston Star Via Acquire Media NewsEdge Jul. 19–Call it luck, fate, fortune or providence. A Calhoun County deputy lived to see another day after the quick reactions of a local investigator and a lawyer saved his life Thursday.

Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson said the deputy, Robert McGinnis, was working at his post behind the security desk at the entryway of the Calhoun County Courthouse around 4:30 p.m. when he passed out.

“He had an issue with his potassium level,” said Amerson. “Apparently if it falls enough it can make your heart quit beating.”

The courthouse was all but deserted, said Alex Ference, an investigator with the Calhoun-Cleburne County District Attorney’s Office, who was working late.

Ference said a handful of people, including a few lawyers, were slowly trickling out of the building.

“Normally I would have been gone by that point,” Ference said. “I was working a little bit late. Just as I hit the inner doors, I heard a female attorney scream.”

When Ference turned toward the security desk, he recognized that McGinnis was having a serious medical problem, he said.

He quickly grabbed McGinnis’ radio and called the Sheriff’s Office for help. Ference and Anniston attorney Carey Kirby pulled McGinnis out from behind the security counter.

“He was looking really bad and we couldn’t get a pulse, so I told a deputy to get the defibrillator,” Ference said.

Cabooses - Alabama rail icons resurrected- al.com

July 18th, 2008

Cabooses - Alabama rail icons resurrected- al.com
Cabooses - Alabama rail icons resurrected
- - - - - -
Not seen any cabooses lately?
They may not be on the railroads anymore; but they can be in some interesting locations, around Alabama.

– Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

Remains identified as czar’s children | ajc.com

July 17th, 2008

Remains identified as czar’s children | ajc.com
Remains identified as czar’s children
Religious observances on 90th anniversary of executions

The Washington Post
Published on: 07/17/08

MOSCOW — Ninety years after the Bolsheviks executed the last czar and his family, Russian investigators said Wednesday that DNA analysis confirmed categorically that remains found in a pit last year in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg were those of the czar’s children Crown Prince Alexei and Grand Duchess Maria.

With that announcement, the remains of all of Nicholas II’s family have been accounted for. The myth, reinforced down the years in films and false claims, that one of czar’s offspring had survived has been formally put to rest.
- - - - - - -
Resolution of a historical mystery?
Many believed so.

– Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

Fox: Jackson used N-word in crude off-air remarks | ajc.com

July 17th, 2008

Fox: Jackson used N-word in crude off-air remarks | ajc.com
Fox: Jackson used N-word in crude off-air remarks

By SOPHIA TAREEN
Associated Press Writer
Published on: 07/17/08

CHICAGO — The Rev. Jesse Jackson used the N-word during a break in a TV interview where he criticized presidential candidate Barack Obama, Fox News confirmed Wednesday.

The longtime civil rights leader already came under fire this month for crude off-air comments he made against Obama in what he thought was a private conversation during a taping of a “Fox & Friends” news show.
- - - - -

Oooops.

– Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

Tomatoes are fine, but FDA links jalepeno and seranno peppers to Salmonella | ajc.com

July 17th, 2008

Tomatoes are fine, but FDA links jalepeno and seranno peppers to Salmonella | ajc.com
Tomatoes are fine, but FDA links jalepeno and seranno peppers to Salmonella
Largest of foodborne disease in a decade has sickened at least 1,220
- - - - -
Actual culprit for illness found — millions of dollars of tomatoes plowed-under for no good reason, as it turns out.

– Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

Whiskey Tasting Benifit cancelled at WorkPlay - B’ham.

July 14th, 2008
Important News from Alabama Celtic Association

The whiskey tasting scheduled for 6:00 July 20th at the Workplay Theatre bar area has been cancelled.  Because of regulations imposed by the Alabama Liquor Control Board, Workplay management has had to withdraw their offer to host this fundraiser for Alabama Celtic Association (ACA).  ACA is hoping to reschedule the tasting in the fall in a private home.  At that time, the tasting will include 5 levels of Glenlivet Scotch. If you are interested in hosting this tasting, please contact Mary Dougherty at celticalabama@gmail.com.  If you have purchased tickets for the tasting, your check will be returned to you within the next ten days.  Deepest apologies from the management of Work Play and the board of the Alabama Celtic Association.

- - -

Got this message in my email this evening. So much for a benefit gathering, huh?

- Cathy
weavercat@gmail.com

Handicapped teen’s special trike stolen from garage :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State

July 14th, 2008

Handicapped teen’s special trike stolen from garage :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State
Her freedom was stolen

Teenager’s Special-needs Tricycle stolen from her family’s garage.

- Cathy

Court Clears eBay in Suit Over Sale of Counterfeit Goods - NYTimes.com

July 14th, 2008

Court Clears eBay in Suit Over Sale of Counterfeit Goods - NYTimes.com
EBay scored an important victory in an American court on Monday on how much vetting it is required to do of its auction listings, but the decision was in contrast to recent European court rulings.
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Text of the Ruling pdf

In a decision in a four-year-old trademark lawsuit against eBay brought by the jeweler Tiffany & Company, Judge Richard J. Sullivan of the Federal District Court in Manhattan ruled that the online retailer does not have a legal responsibility to prevent its users from selling counterfeit items on its online marketplace.

The verdict reaffirms that Internet companies do not have to actively filter their sites for trademarked material. Rather, they can rely on intellectual property holders to monitor their sites, as long as they promptly remove material when rights holders complain.

Dog meat off the menu during Beijing Olympics | ajc.com

July 11th, 2008

Dog meat off the menu during Beijing Olympics | ajc.com
Dog meat off the menu during Beijing Olympics

- - - - - -

I’m not risking copyright problems with the AP (they have a copyright statement with this story) –

the headline tells it all, anyway!

– Cathy

weavercat@gmail.com

Man moved by spirit of God sues church over injury | ajc.com

July 11th, 2008

Man moved by spirit of God sues church over injury | ajc.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A man says he was so consumed by the spirit of God that he fell and hit his head while worshipping.

Now he wants Lakewind Church to pay $2.5 million for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Matt Lincoln says he is suing after the church’s insurance company denied his claim for medical bills.

The 57-year-old has had two surgeries since the June 2007 injury but still feels pain in his back and legs.

He says he was asking God to have “a real experience” while praying.

Lincoln says he has fallen from the force of the spirit before but has always been caught by someone.

Lawyers for the church say other congregants saw him on the floor laughing after his fall. They say he failed to look out for his own safety.

TG Daily - Pioneer creates 16-layer disc with 400 GB capacity

July 10th, 2008

TG Daily - Pioneer creates 16-layer disc with 400 GB capacity
The technology provides 25 GB of room on each layer, bringing the capacity of one 16-layer disc to 400 GB. While the 25 GB per-layer capacity is equivalent to what Blu-ray provides, Pioneer did not say which technology its new discs are based upon and did not even mention whether blue laser or red laser technologies were employed. However, Pioneer stated that the 16-layer discs would be “compatible” with current BD discs.