Animal Kingdom, Stupid Criminals, -and- The Fugitive

Animal Kingdom - dog survives 8 days trapped in rubble
Stupid Criminals - man steals T-shirts while girlfriend applies for job
The Fugitive - woman caught 32 years after prison escape

On this day in history: April 30, 1993 - During a quarterfinals match in Hamburg, deranged tennis fan Gunter Parche sneaks up on Monica Seles and stabs her in the back with a boning knife. Parche was just paving the way for Steffi Graf, whom he was actively stalking, to take the top ranking from Seles. His plan succeeds.

Born on this day in history: April 30, 1982 - Kirsten Dunst (1982-) Born in Point Pleasant, NJ, actress Kirsten Dunst began as a child actor and successfully transitioned into adult roles. She has already garnered over 40 film and TV credits, including films like "Interview with the Vampire," at age 11, and a string of Hollywood productions, including "Little Women" (1994) and "Spiderman" (2002), opposite Tobey Maguire.

Scripture of the Day: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. - Ephesians 4:30-31

Video of the Day: Python versus Alligator

There was a gala wedding reception in the gazebo at Corning Lake last
Saturday. Click to enlarge.

The best man takes the wedding limo on a beer run. Click to enlarge.

Hillary versus Obama - the Game: Play Hillary versus Obama!

It is cold this morning! Mr. Nitro's exterior temperature display indicated it was 43 degrees at 6:30 AM this morning, as I drove to my office. It is forecast to be 72 degrees this afternoon—up two degrees from yesterday. The weatherpeople predict warmer temperatures for the weekend. Good!

For dinner last evening, we had grilled pork loin chops and dirty rice. I cooked a package of Tony Chachere's Dirty Rice in the rice maker. Laura dry-rubbed two huge bone-in pork loin chops with Tony Chachere's More Spice and ground black pepper. She grilled them perfectly—charred slightly on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. While grilling, she sprayed them with a mixture of one part extra-virgin olive oil and three parts balsamic vinegar. It was a delightful meal.

Slither, Jury Duty, -and- Heat of the Moment

Slither - man arrested after stroll with python
Jury Duty - court orders passers-by to serve
Heat of the Moment - global-warming protest frosted with snow

On this day in history: January 18, 1991 - The United States admits that the CIA paid Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega over $300,000 during his career as undercover narc.

Born on this day in history: January 18, 1955 - Kevin Costner (1955– ) Born in Compton, CA, actor Kevin Costner gained fame in "Bull Durham" (1988) and "Field of Dreams" (1989). He directed and starred in epic film "Dances With Wolves" (1990), which won seven Oscars. Costner has gone on to starring roles in numerous films.

Scripture of the Day: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. - 1 Peter 1:18-19

Video of the Day: Nikon D3 Preview!

Mr. D3 has arrived! He is wonderful well beyond the limits of the human imagination! Click to enlarge.

Recommended Sites:
Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

The Saga of the Nikon D3: (NOTE: The following took place yesterday.) On September 12, 2007, I pre-ordered a Nikon D3 Digital SLR body to replace my Nikon D1 Digital SLR body (available in the For Sale Forum on this board). Because I am a certified Nikon Professional Services member, my order was prioritized by Nikon. Nikon would ship a D3 body to the seller (Ritz Camera) under my name, when the camera became available. The camera began shipping in late December, and my position on the NPS list arose this week. Nikon shipped a D3 body to Ritz Camera, and Ritz Camera shipped it to me two days ago.

So far, so good, you are thinking. Ah!

I tracked the shipment and was understandably upset when tracking this morning resulted in the status showing "no one at home - delivery not made"! I raced to my house and retrieved the FedEx door tag. Yikes! Apparently, Ritz Camera was unable to differentiate between "billing address" and "shipping address" and was further unable to read the shipping directions from the NPS directive.

I scanned the FedEx door tag and emailed it to Laura. She called a few minutes ago to say that she had successfully retrieved the 8-pound (!) package from the FedEx depot at the airport in Chico on her way home from her position as Executive Assistant to the owner of Sierra Nevada.

I am now able to relax for the first time since 10 AM this morning, when I received the abhorrent status report.

I told Laura how relieved I was, and she said, "Look on the bright side. They could have left it on the doorstep, and somebody could have grabbed it." That certainly made me appreciate the way things took place. The thought of some scofflaw selling my $5,000 camera body to buy meth conjured an image that I shall not soon forget.

Fighting Back, It Takes a Thief, -and- Weapons of Choice

Fighting Back - woman saves dog from python
It Takes a Thief - burglar who learned from TV gets 12 years
Weapons of Choice - Miami to issue officers assault rifles

On this day in history: September 17, 1908 - Thomas E. Selfridge becomes the world's first airplane fatality when the craft he's co-piloting with Orville Wright crashes near Fort Meyer, Virginia. An untested propeller ripped apart the plane's structure, causing it to nosedive from an altitude of 75 feet.

Born on this day in history: September 17, 1923 - Hank Williams, Sr. (1923 - 1953) singer, songwriter. "The Hillbilly Shakespeare" was instrumental in popularizing country-western music with "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Jambalaya."

Scripture of the Day: "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children" (Ephesians 5:1)

Video of the Day: Mad Max Police Car - submitted by Darin

Laura's Tucson trip will end today, and she will begin her return journey. She should return here late this afternoon. She said she took many photographs, and I am certain she will share some of them on this blog.

The cats and I fared well during Laura's absence. They behaved well, and I kept their cat box clean and maintained their food and water supplies. We shall all be pleased to have Laura return.