Amelia Earhart Day and Be Entertained

Amelia Earhart Day - Amelia Earhart Day honors a famous aviation pioneer. Amelia Earhart broke many early aviation records. Amelia Earhart Day celebrates the birth of Amelia Earhart on July 24, 1897.

Legend and mystery surround the final flight and disappearance of Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan. They were on a record-setting attempt to fly around the world, when they became lost over the Pacific Ocean. On July 2, 1937, they headed on a difficult leg of the journey towards Howell Island in the Pacific. Weather conditions were less than ideal. While still in radio communication, ships on the ground confirmed that Earhart was having difficulty finding the island. Ultimately, radio communications faded and died. The plane was never heard from again.

The disappearance of Amelia Earhart's plane resulted in the largest search-and-rescue operation to date. It also sparked rumors as to what caused the disappearance. To this day, theories and speculation still exists about the cause of the disappearance. Some theories involve conspiracies and even alien abductions.

Celebrate by learning and reading about Amelia Earhart, and other female aviators. We do not recommend you spend time searching for her or her plane. The U.S. navy searched over 250,000 miles of ocean to no avail.

Be Entertained - Relax and be entertained!

Who's Your Daddy?, Lost!, -and- Emergency!

Who's Your Daddy? - 29-year-old man fathers 21 children by 11 women
Lost! - mother finds missing son after 27 years—on Facebook
Emergency! - man calls 9-1-1 over orange juice at McDonald's

On this day in history: May 29, 1999 - Hikers discover the skeletal remains of Philip "Taylor" in his Ford Aerostar at the bottom of a 200-foot ravine in Malibu, California. The onetime bassist for the band Iron Butterfly had disappeared four years prior.

Born on this day in history: May 29, 1917 - John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963) Born in Brookline, MA, 35th President John F. Kennedy (1961–3) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (1947–53) and the U.S. Senate (1953–61) before becoming the youngest man, and first Catholic, to be elected U.S. president. His short term in office, dubbed the "New Frontier," inspired a generation to seek to better their world through government service. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, as determined by the Warren Commission.

Scripture of the Day: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. — Galatians 5:25

Video of the Day: Challenger New vs. Old: Vanishing Point Revisited - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this sign while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Hot Weather and Bizarre Forecasts

It has been hot of late—99° - 103° for the last several days. Nonetheless, the weather forecasts for yesterday and today have indicated the possibility of thundershowers! Thundershowers did not occur yesterday, and it certainly does not appear that they are looming today. Nonetheless, the forecasts continue. It seems particularly odd to contemplate the possibility of an impending thundershower while scurrying for shade to avoid the blistering rays of the sun. We shall see.

New Barbecue

It is time! It is well past time, actually. Our old Char-Broil barbecue has well outlasted my wildest estimates for its useful life! It is nearly eight years old and had been used a great deal. I replaced the handle during the second year of its service. I replaced burner about four years ago. The burner is now well past need of replacement again. The legs are wobbly. The entire structure is crumbling. It is time!

While researching new barbecues, I happened upon this one. This looks ideal! Click to enlarge.

The U9950 Tuscany Barbecue Ultimate Island seems to have almost everything I would want in a personal oasis. It features large stainless-steel grill, a 47" auto-rising LCD HDTV, Blu-Ray DVD player, two waterfalls, a fireplace, deluxe audio system, refrigerator, beer tap, 25-jet spa, and dual cabanas.

The price of $22,950.00 plus shipping and setup seems a bit expensive. I may well not be able to convince Laura that this is the ideal barbecue for us.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road, Homeland Insecurity, -and- Lost!

Keep Your Eyes on the Road! - bus driver caught texting while driving
Homeland Insecurity - sensitive data missing from National Archives
Lost! - GPS system could fail next year report warns

On this day in history: May 20, 1960 - Music DJ Alan Freed, originator of the term "Rock and Roll," is indicted in New York in the Payola scandal. Freed had accepted $30,650 from five record companies to play their records, although to be fair "pay for play" was the accepted practice up to that point.

Born on this day in history: May 20, 1946 - Cher (1946 - ) Born Cherilyn La Piere Sarkisian in El Centro, CA, singer and actress Cher originally paired in a singing act with then-husband Salvatore "Sonny" Bono (1935-98), and was known for rock anthem "I Got You Babe" (1965). Cher found greater success on her own, as a singer and a stage and film actress, winning an Academy Award for "Moonstruck" (1987).

Scripture of the Day: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21

Video of the Day: Fast New Shelby Mustang GT-500 Full Test - submitted by Darin

Laura's Journey Ends

NOTE: I have added several new photographs from Laura's journey to the blog entries for the previous three days! Be certain to re-visit those entries!

Laura getting ready to board the airplane in LA to return to Sacramento

Inside the airplane on the return trip from LA to Sacramento

Lost, Number One with a Bullet, -and- To Serve and Protect

Lost - 75-year-old woman returns $100,000 found in restaurant
Number One with a Bullet - Musicians protest use of their song as weapons
To Serve and Protect - Border security official employs illegals to clean home

On this day in history: December 11, 1985 - Computer rental store owner Hugh Scrutton is killed outside his Sacramento business when he investigates a package left by the Unabomber. It's his first confirmed kill.

Born on this day in history: December 11, 1944 - Brenda Lee (1944– ) Born Brenda Mae Tarpley in Atlanta, Georgia, pop singer Brenda Lee recorded over five decades, beginning to sing at age 10 with Country & Western star Red Foley, and touring with stars like Patsy Cline and Mel Tillis. In 1959, Lee hit No.1 on rock charts with "Sweet Nothings." At 18, nicknamed "Little Miss Dynamite," she became a worldwide star.

Scripture of the Day: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. — Romans 12:11

Video of the Day: Crazy Cat - submitted by Cindy

Imagine my surprise when I saw this custom Rolls Royce at 7-Eleven this morning! Click to enlarge.

Recommended Sites:
David Louis Harter Photography - a showcase for the photography of David Louis Harter

We watched two episodes of "Shatner's Raw Nerve" last evening. I recorded these programs when they initially aired, but we had not previously found the time to view them. "Shatner's Raw Nerve" is William Shatner's own edgy and off-beat celebrity interview series. In each episode Shatner will attempt to probe his guest's most sensitive subjects and touch upon a raw nerve to explore life's most intriguing questions and unearth his guests' strange and unknown stories that are most surprising, revealing, funny, touching or bizarre.

Guests include fascinating figures from the pop culture universe such as Valerie Bertinelli, Tim Allen, Jenna Jameson, Jimmy Kimmel, Kelsey Grammer, Judge Judy and many, many more.

We were very impressed with Shatner's wit and interviewing style. We eagerly anticipate future episodes and highly recommend this new series.

Lost!, Brave New Schools, -and- Not on the Menu

Lost! - American Airlines sued over missing body
Brave New Schools - teacher fights to post Declaration of Independence quote
Not on the Menu - chef finds 26 pearls in single oyster

On this day in history: September 10, 1977 - Convicted torture-killer Hamida Djandoubi, an immigrant from Tunisia, becomes the last person executed by France when he is guillotined in Marseilles.

Born on this day in history: September 10, 1929 - Arnold Palmer (1929 - ) Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, golfer Arnold Palmer was instrumental in popularizing the sport. He won 91 tournaments in his career, playing in six Ryder Cups (1961 – 1973).

Scripture of the Day: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. - Proverbs 9:10

Video of the Day: Sarah Palin Acceptance Speech, Part 4

What a doll! Click to enlarge.

Cool(er) Weather! The last several days have been progressively cooler. Yesterday, it was nearly 1 PM before I determined it necessary to activate the air conditioning! It is forecast to be a mere 92 degrees today. Global cooling has begun!

I have made available a collection of nearly 100 of my favorite photographs. You may view the images individually or as a slide show (click on "start slide show" at the bottom left of the first image). From the Photo Gallery of Local Events, choose "Favorite Photographs." Enjoy!