Yeah, it is fairly quiet my home/office/self imposed exile. I am just coming up on 24 hours without talking to another human being. I have my loyal cats Charlie and Cleo, who do vocalize with me when I talk to them.
But I know that I crossed the line when this afternoon I was talking to them about the new electric meter that I will be getting that allows me to monitor energy use via web.
They didn't get it. Not a squak back. I think I will keep with the simple cat phrases that I have repeated to them over and over for years.
Not to leave anyone out, I also talked to Cardinal, Blue Jay, and Squirrel today. And the fish.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Rules, what Rules - NASCAR starts 2011
by Art Graham
Spring brings a new season of auto racing, with Daytona hosting the NASCAR season opener. The track has been rebuilt since last year, the cars have had major modifications. Teams were going to have to man up to see if they can compete with these challenges.
There was a practice session a month ago for teams to test what cars they had built, and allow for modifications before bringing them to Daytona for Speedweeks. But alas, the new combination had created a new form of racing, where two cars go faster than one, or three. Speeds were above what was expected by the all.
So what does NASCAR do? Change the rules for air intake to the engine, and water pressure control. What?
If this was football and the teams were scoring too many points, would the NFL make the field longer, or the football heavier? If the first game of baseball season had too many home runs, would the league mandate lighter bats? If too many hockey players were having their heads smashed against the glass, would the league make a soft wall mandatory?
Even with their best intentions, there has been a considerable amount of carnage on the track in all three series running this weekend. I am sure NASCAR says their changes were for the sake of safety, but that has not yet proven itself to be a true measure.
I have enjoyed the finishes of the races, but not the racing and subsequent multi-car crashes. But all fans seem to wait for "the Big One" at Daytona.
Spring brings a new season of auto racing, with Daytona hosting the NASCAR season opener. The track has been rebuilt since last year, the cars have had major modifications. Teams were going to have to man up to see if they can compete with these challenges.
There was a practice session a month ago for teams to test what cars they had built, and allow for modifications before bringing them to Daytona for Speedweeks. But alas, the new combination had created a new form of racing, where two cars go faster than one, or three. Speeds were above what was expected by the all.
So what does NASCAR do? Change the rules for air intake to the engine, and water pressure control. What?
If this was football and the teams were scoring too many points, would the NFL make the field longer, or the football heavier? If the first game of baseball season had too many home runs, would the league mandate lighter bats? If too many hockey players were having their heads smashed against the glass, would the league make a soft wall mandatory?
Even with their best intentions, there has been a considerable amount of carnage on the track in all three series running this weekend. I am sure NASCAR says their changes were for the sake of safety, but that has not yet proven itself to be a true measure.
I have enjoyed the finishes of the races, but not the racing and subsequent multi-car crashes. But all fans seem to wait for "the Big One" at Daytona.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sinus Douche Relief
I have been having problems with my left sinus, which I already had deviated septum surgery and polyp removal some dozen years ago. For some reason , whether environmental or pathological, my sinus cavity has become a nuisance.
Today I woke up with so discombobulated that I could not function. I tried simple tasks, but I would forget what I was doing in transit.
Unable to maintain this condition, I prepared a Sinus Rinse. Using the Neil Med sinus bottle, I flushed out my sinus cavities. This is not particularly pleasant or comfortable. In one nostril, out the other, as well as down the throat and out of the mouth.
If the procedure is followed properly. you should get some relief after a few minutes.
A couple of hours later, when I was bending over peering into the fridge for dinner, a gusher came out of my upper sinuses. A few paper towels later, it was contained. And again, and again the dribble would come out when I leaned over.
The end result is that I highly recommend sinus rinsing if you have allergy or inflammation.
However, I would put the procedure just above an enema in terms of self humiliation.
If you are unfamiliar with the treatment, visit http://www.neilmed.com/ for info.
Today I woke up with so discombobulated that I could not function. I tried simple tasks, but I would forget what I was doing in transit.
Unable to maintain this condition, I prepared a Sinus Rinse. Using the Neil Med sinus bottle, I flushed out my sinus cavities. This is not particularly pleasant or comfortable. In one nostril, out the other, as well as down the throat and out of the mouth.
If the procedure is followed properly. you should get some relief after a few minutes.
A couple of hours later, when I was bending over peering into the fridge for dinner, a gusher came out of my upper sinuses. A few paper towels later, it was contained. And again, and again the dribble would come out when I leaned over.
The end result is that I highly recommend sinus rinsing if you have allergy or inflammation.
However, I would put the procedure just above an enema in terms of self humiliation.
If you are unfamiliar with the treatment, visit http://www.neilmed.com/ for info.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Just a night out photo gig. not.
Through my internet connections, I got invited to a novel event featuring an online radio show, plus other performers. I had not been out for several months, due to various issues. Getting a last minute message on Twitter made me decide to go.
I am a photographer, and do my best to integrate with the staff and performers.
Once the show begins, I am a stalker. Any location, any angle, no posing.
Once I feel the performers are comfortable with me, I move in. The closer the better.
On this evening there were several targets. The customers, performers, and venue. A couple of imported drafts reduce the inhibition, and then the mindset tunes in. Keep moving, upstairs, downstairs, outside. Use the camera as your mutual conduit.
The photo shoot included a variety of social entertainment.
Radio show star, sidekick, musicians, dancing girls, and the interactive audience.
Almost everyone had a personal electronic device and were Tweeting and using Facebook during the entire event. This is a new chapter in social gathering.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
NASCAR - A New Season, the Same Champion?
A new season has started for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with it comes the question of if any team/driver is poised to outlast Hendrick/Jimmie Johnson for the Cup Championship.
NASCAR has done their best to equalize the package of the car, changing fuel, fueling process, front end of cars, and the Shootout point system. Teams have reorganized with different owners, manufacturers, teams, and sponsors. It is blur to try to comprehend all of the changes to a simple sport that requires racing acumen and luck.
Will all of these changes equalize the competition in a manner that gives another driver a chance to dethrone 5 time champion Jimmie Johnson?
The spoiler appears to be Kevin Harvick and RCR Racing. With the fairness of equipment and competition venues, Harvick has been the only driver to show the mettle to take home the Cup.
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