I guess you might call it the the 'shotgun' approach. I think of it more like being-bored-out-of your-mind and sitting-around-on-the-Internet-too-long. Most of my reading comes off the Internet these days. It would cost me a $65 non-resident fee to join the Belleville Public Library. I don't think so.
I will leave in a few days - Saturday to be specific - to perhaps go pick-up my youngest son in AR and take him with me to FL for two weeks. Worse case scenario, he doesn't call, as he is suppose to, and I go straight to FL (saving 350 miles driving). Either way, there is salt air and sunshine in my near future.
On the way back to IL after the first of the year, I will go thru TX and pick-up a new trailer. This is something I have wanted for a long time. Dennis and I have worked out a deal and a new 32' flatbed with ramps will be in the inventory. I am VERY excited. This will make many loads available to me that were not before.
I was just plotting out my journey - IL to AR to FL to TX and back to IL. Almost 3100 miles. But it will be over a two week period so easy-peasy.
So while I'm surfing the net this afternoon, one of the headlines (over-and-over again it seems) is Jewish Settlements in the West Bank. Perhaps a bit of history is in order.
The West Bank is a kidney-shaped piece of land of about 3400 square miles (bit bigger than South Carolina) that lies along the west bank of the Jordan River. This area was part of the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century until they backed the wrong horse in WWI. The Palestine Mandate of 1922 put the Brits in control "until such time as they are able to stand alone." According to the preamble, the intent was to establish a home for the Jews within Palestine.
But the Brits 'buggered' it up by making conflicting and shifting promises to Arabs and Jews of the area. Can't really blame them though. They were a long way from home trying to 'make deals' with who-ever in trying to keep their crown jewel - India - in good stead. Besides, they have been fighting here for thousands of years. (That's why I laughed so hard when Prez 'W' went on record that there would be a peace agreement before his 2nd term ended -- ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)
When the Palestine Mandate was terminated in May 1948, the Jews announced their statehood (Liberation Day for them) and they were almost immediately attacked by Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon (celebrated as catastrophe day by them). Fourteen months later an armistice was signed, Israel had added almost 50% more land to their new state, and Jordan now controlled The West Bank of the Jordan River.
Interestingly, none of the international community - save for the UK - recognized Jordan's claim. The Six-Day War in June 1967 saw Israel take control of the West Bank from Jordan. (They also gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.) Israel never annexed the land. But they have been building there ever since.
Now, I am Jewish and I am pro-Israel. But I am NOT a fan of Eminent Domain - you know, where the government decides it needs a piece of property more than you do so they take it from you for some token compensation. That's what seems to be going on here and I encourage anybody to explain to me how this is okay. I have no doubt there are justifications dating back a VERY long time ago that I don't know.
I don't know that there will ever be peace in the Mid East. I don't think it will happen while I am alive. There are just too many different people and opinions - not just Jew and Arab but within the Arab world itself there are many factions. In fact, I would venture to say that until the Arabs can get a united effort, there will be no peace with the Jews - unfortunately.
And speaking of fights, what is the deal with the alleged terrorist bringing criminal charges against the Navy SEALs that captured him? Only in America. I understand how our constitution holds us to a higher standard. And I suppose we must suffer through some idiotic processes to insure fairness for all, you know, "innocent until proven guilty." But to borrow a phrase from my ESPN buds, C'mon Man!
Long story short; the SEALs secretly captured the supposed mastermind behind the 2004 murder and mutilation of 4 contract security guards in Iraq (their mutilated bodies were left hanging from a bridge). Somewhere along the way the bad-guy was punched in the stomach and got a bloody lip. Sound like a chapter from Rodney Kings life? Three SEALs are now facing assault charges. I am curious to see where this ends up.
According to President Obama, the Senate is close to an agreement on health care reform. FYI, once the Senate approves it's version it will go to the full congress for further negotiations before going for the President's signature. I have not talked with anyone in the industry that sees much good coming from this. How can you possibly get 100 Senators and 435 Representatives to reach an agreement to satisfy 300+ BILLION people? Too many special interests. So we will settle for pleasing some of the people some of the time.
It will probably be 5 or 10 years before we can look back and say if there was more good than bad. In the meantime, I am greatly concerned with the seemingly endless debt that Mr. Obama is racking up for us taxpayers. Here again, time will tell. But I am a bit scared.
Okay, enuf for now. It's dinner time.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Happy Chanukah!
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FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS -- HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!!
And, if you were wondering, although there are 5 faces above, it is actually just my two sons (Nathan and Jared) and me.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Hey, it's the 30/30 club today!
That would be 30 degrees with 30 mph winds! In case you were wondering that is a chill factor (ya know - what it 'feels' like) of about 10 degrees! I was kind of scanning some of my prior posts and the weather seems to be a recurring topic of late. I guess anything extreme gets attention.
In case your not in the upper Midwest or north east - that's a very good thing today. This monster storm is tracking north (thank GOD) of me here in St. Louis. All we got was more rain yesterday and cold and windy today. Beats the monster snow Des Moines got.
ding, ding, ding, ding - CRASH! That would be my neighbors wind chimes getting blown off their porch. We have wind gusts up to 40 mph here -- BRRRRRRRRR! I have not been outside yet and don't plan on it. Turn the heat up, finish my book, take a nap, surf the net, download a movie, catch-up on my TIVO'd programs, take a nap - all options for today. Three guesses what I'm doing this afternoon. The first two don't count.
But I have had a great week already, actually! I scored a load Friday that took me to Texarkana - on the TX/AR border. That was a double bonus because it not only paid well but allowed me to go thru Pine Bluff, AR where my youngest son lives. I got in there Sunday, spent the night and then went on to Texarkana Monday morning. So, even if I do nothing else this week it will still be okay. But it would be better to get another trip or even two - but not today.
Yesterday I spent the day shopping for new tires for my truck. This is one of those very rare times I regret having a 'dually' - six tires! Plus they are ten-ply versus the 4 or 6-ply more common on cars - I carry more weight! The good news is that these tires I now have gave me more than 100K miles! Proof positive (in my head) rotating tires pays dividends! What I paid $850 for at Sams in May '08 is now just over $1,000! OUCH! But I HAVE to have them. I have been procrastinating for more than a month.
A friend of mine came up with something that will work for a bit less money (50 bucks is 50 bucks) but he had to order them. Should be done tomorrow.
I will be going back down to Paradise (FL) late next week unless something else comes up. It won't be soon enuf for me.
One final thought, Friday night is the beginning of Chanukah - the Jewish Festival of Lights. About 2000 years ago, a small army of Jews (Maccabees) liberated the Temple of Jerusalem from the occupying Greek-Syrian army. When they went to light the Menorah (a multi-branched candelabra) there was only enough pure olive oil to last one day. The Menorah miraculously burned for eight days while they produced more.
Some things never change, it seems. Today, Israel is still under attack. If you take the weapon out of a Jew's hand, the Jew will die. If you take the weapon out of __________ (insert almost ANY of Israel's enemies) and there will be peace. Think about it.
In case your not in the upper Midwest or north east - that's a very good thing today. This monster storm is tracking north (thank GOD) of me here in St. Louis. All we got was more rain yesterday and cold and windy today. Beats the monster snow Des Moines got.
ding, ding, ding, ding - CRASH! That would be my neighbors wind chimes getting blown off their porch. We have wind gusts up to 40 mph here -- BRRRRRRRRR! I have not been outside yet and don't plan on it. Turn the heat up, finish my book, take a nap, surf the net, download a movie, catch-up on my TIVO'd programs, take a nap - all options for today. Three guesses what I'm doing this afternoon. The first two don't count.
But I have had a great week already, actually! I scored a load Friday that took me to Texarkana - on the TX/AR border. That was a double bonus because it not only paid well but allowed me to go thru Pine Bluff, AR where my youngest son lives. I got in there Sunday, spent the night and then went on to Texarkana Monday morning. So, even if I do nothing else this week it will still be okay. But it would be better to get another trip or even two - but not today.
Yesterday I spent the day shopping for new tires for my truck. This is one of those very rare times I regret having a 'dually' - six tires! Plus they are ten-ply versus the 4 or 6-ply more common on cars - I carry more weight! The good news is that these tires I now have gave me more than 100K miles! Proof positive (in my head) rotating tires pays dividends! What I paid $850 for at Sams in May '08 is now just over $1,000! OUCH! But I HAVE to have them. I have been procrastinating for more than a month.
A friend of mine came up with something that will work for a bit less money (50 bucks is 50 bucks) but he had to order them. Should be done tomorrow.
I will be going back down to Paradise (FL) late next week unless something else comes up. It won't be soon enuf for me.
One final thought, Friday night is the beginning of Chanukah - the Jewish Festival of Lights. About 2000 years ago, a small army of Jews (Maccabees) liberated the Temple of Jerusalem from the occupying Greek-Syrian army. When they went to light the Menorah (a multi-branched candelabra) there was only enough pure olive oil to last one day. The Menorah miraculously burned for eight days while they produced more.
Some things never change, it seems. Today, Israel is still under attack. If you take the weapon out of a Jew's hand, the Jew will die. If you take the weapon out of __________ (insert almost ANY of Israel's enemies) and there will be peace. Think about it.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Taum Sauk ... Part II
Today was my third delivery to Taum Sauk Reservoir. But it was the FIRST time I got to DRIVE INSIDE!!! OMG!!! Imagine if you will; a giant, kidney-shaped, concrete swimming pool about 4 football fields long and sides about 250 feet high in the deep end. Oh, and it sits on TOP of the 3rd highest mountain in Missouri.
If you want the more detailed storu of Ameren UE's Taum Sauk Reservoir, you can click on "October" and then "1.5 Billion Gallons of water" just to your left here and you will go to an earlier post I did from my first visit. The short story is: Taum Sauk is a VERY large pool of water that is "control-released" thru a tunnel past two giant turbines to produce electricity during peak usage - ie. hot summer days. The water is collected in a lake just below the power station and then pumped back up into the resevoir overnight for use the next day.
In December 2005, there was a leak. A section of wall breached and 1.5 gallons of water washed down the mountainside. They are almost done with the rebuilding and have begun hauling out equipment no longer required. That's why I was there.
It was a cold, blustery day; raining most of the time and temperatures never got above 45. A great day - if you're a duck! And here I am standing on solid bedrock, on top of a mountain. Surrounded by a smooth, concrete wall slanting slightly back as it rises 250' into grey skies. At times the wind gusts would cause you to take a 'side-step' as you were caught unawares. I sure hope the drain is open.
The walls are thicker at the bottom - as you might expect - with a 10'W by 13'H tunnel to get inside. I did not measure but it had to be a 100' long. Once inside we drove to the opposite end. Just like a swimming pool, this has a 'deep section' with a 30' wide drain leading down a 7,000 foot tunnel.
This is looking into the 'deep-end' and that square looking thing in the middle is the cover for the drain. I waited up top here and they brought the equipment up to me to load. (click on the pix to make it big and then your back button to return)
The inside of that tunnel had been inspected and repaired as needed with a type of scaffold that hangs off the side and is motorized - kind of like a window washer on a skyscraper.
So, in spite of the totally HORRIBLE weather, it was a most exciting day. I saw something that very few poeple will ever see. And I made some money! WOO-HOO!!! Other than the chance of snow (it's 32 degrees and rain at the moment), life is good.
If you want the more detailed storu of Ameren UE's Taum Sauk Reservoir, you can click on "October" and then "1.5 Billion Gallons of water" just to your left here and you will go to an earlier post I did from my first visit. The short story is: Taum Sauk is a VERY large pool of water that is "control-released" thru a tunnel past two giant turbines to produce electricity during peak usage - ie. hot summer days. The water is collected in a lake just below the power station and then pumped back up into the resevoir overnight for use the next day.
In December 2005, there was a leak. A section of wall breached and 1.5 gallons of water washed down the mountainside. They are almost done with the rebuilding and have begun hauling out equipment no longer required. That's why I was there.
It was a cold, blustery day; raining most of the time and temperatures never got above 45. A great day - if you're a duck! And here I am standing on solid bedrock, on top of a mountain. Surrounded by a smooth, concrete wall slanting slightly back as it rises 250' into grey skies. At times the wind gusts would cause you to take a 'side-step' as you were caught unawares. I sure hope the drain is open.
The walls are thicker at the bottom - as you might expect - with a 10'W by 13'H tunnel to get inside. I did not measure but it had to be a 100' long. Once inside we drove to the opposite end. Just like a swimming pool, this has a 'deep section' with a 30' wide drain leading down a 7,000 foot tunnel.
This is looking into the 'deep-end' and that square looking thing in the middle is the cover for the drain. I waited up top here and they brought the equipment up to me to load. (click on the pix to make it big and then your back button to return)
The inside of that tunnel had been inspected and repaired as needed with a type of scaffold that hangs off the side and is motorized - kind of like a window washer on a skyscraper.
So, in spite of the totally HORRIBLE weather, it was a most exciting day. I saw something that very few poeple will ever see. And I made some money! WOO-HOO!!! Other than the chance of snow (it's 32 degrees and rain at the moment), life is good.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Back to Reality .... and Back to work!
Well, I guess once-a-week is better than once-a-month, right? I'm back in IL and actually got a nice trip today. Now if we can put 2 or 3 days like this together - WOO-HOO! I am hopeful for our letter of Authority to show up any day now. That will open a lot of doors. I will be able to look for some more work around the area. There are LTL shipments on the load boards all the time.
I'm not sure I mentioned (guess I could scroll down and peek); but I took my bike (loaded into the back of my pick-up) down to Florida. I left my bike there. I'm not sure there are many more riding days around here. And I will be in FL the end of this month for 2 weeks and then again the first week in March - if not sooner. So the bike is in FL for now.
It's 1,000 miles each way from Treasure Island, FL to here in southern Illinois. I was SOOOOO excited to be driving down the road. W H A T A R U S H !!! I have learned that driving like this is not everyone's cup-of-tea. I love it. Going 500 miles in a day is easy for me - 2-wheels, four-wheels and more. And do that day-after-day. No problem.
Between the crappy weather here and the infrequent work, it has been difficult to 'hang in there.' My unplanned vaca was really nice. Now I work for three more weeks - until the weekend of the 20th or so - and then back down to paradise for a couple of weeks.
I'm not sure I mentioned (guess I could scroll down and peek); but I took my bike (loaded into the back of my pick-up) down to Florida. I left my bike there. I'm not sure there are many more riding days around here. And I will be in FL the end of this month for 2 weeks and then again the first week in March - if not sooner. So the bike is in FL for now.
It's 1,000 miles each way from Treasure Island, FL to here in southern Illinois. I was SOOOOO excited to be driving down the road. W H A T A R U S H !!! I have learned that driving like this is not everyone's cup-of-tea. I love it. Going 500 miles in a day is easy for me - 2-wheels, four-wheels and more. And do that day-after-day. No problem.
Between the crappy weather here and the infrequent work, it has been difficult to 'hang in there.' My unplanned vaca was really nice. Now I work for three more weeks - until the weekend of the 20th or so - and then back down to paradise for a couple of weeks.
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