Fighting Back, Homeland Insecurity, -and- Garbage Police

Fighting Back - man kills 1 of 3 armed intruders
Homeland Insecurity - Hawaii man accused of helping China design missile
Garbage Police - San Francisco mayor proposes $1,000 fine for not sorting trash

On this day in history: August 4, 1994 - Howard Stern withdraws his candidacy for governor of New York, ostensibly to avoid complying with the financial disclosure laws.

Born on this day in history: August 4, 1901 - Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) Born in New Orleans, jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong began playing with local bands and on riverboats. In 1947, he formed the All Stars, a Dixieland-style sextet. Armstrong appeared in over 50 films, and had many hit recordings, including "Mack the Knife" and "Hello Dolly!" His autobiography, "Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans," was published in 1954.

Scripture of the Day: Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. - Acts 8:4

Video of the Day: "Vanishing Point 2008"

My dreams are often strange. This morning's dream—following a return to sleep after a bathroom visit—easily qualifies as one of the strangest. I found myself on the stage of an outdoor amphitheatre. The stage had a full compliment of guitars, amplifiers, speaker boxes, microphones, keyboards, and drums. I was standing in the center of the stage, near the front. I was holding the Samick Stratocaster I recently purchased. The guitar strap hung across my chest and over my shoulder. One end of the Monster Cable was plugged into the guitar, and the other end of the 25' cable was plugged into the Crate amplifier I recently purchased.

(I find it interesting that elements of reality are often integrated into dreams.)

Musicians began taking their positions on the stage, and a great wave of people began filling the large open area facing the stage. Soon, the musicians were all in place and had completed the tuning ritual. All looked to me for a sign.

Suddenly, without hesitation or consideration, I began to play and sing a medley of rock anthems from the 1960s. It was a very young crowd—late teens and early 20s. As they moved to the music and mouthed the lyrics, they began aging noticeably! Gradually, with each song, they progressively aged.

The dream ended, and I awakened. It was not an unpleasant dream. In fact, I was smiling when I awakened. It was, however, a very strange dream.

Fighting Back, Whoa!, -and- Armed and Dangerous

Fighting Back - 88-year-old foils gun-bearing robber
Whoa! - 60-year-old man postpones marriage to 10-year-old girl
Armed and Dangerous - police taser boy with broken back 19 times

On this day in history: August 1, 1996 - Former Eagle Scout and United States Marine Charles Whitman carries a sniper rifle onto University of Texas at Austin. There he climbs to the top of UT tower and begins firing indiscriminately at dozens of people, killing 13. Whitman is finally taken out 96 minutes later by three Austin PD officers.

Born on this day in history: August 1, 1942 - Jerry Garcia (1942–95) Born in San Francisco, guitarist and songwriter Jerry Garcia began playing in local clubs. In 1965, he formed The Grateful Dead band, which performed psychedelic rock. Fans of the band, known as "Deadheads" would follow The Grateful Dead from concert to concert.

Scripture of the Day: O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. - Psalm 8:1

Video of the Day: "Vanishing Point" (1997) - submitted by Darin

Just when I thought I had "seen it all"! Click to enlarge.

For dinner last evening, we had grilled pork loin chops, steamed broccoli, and potatoes O'Brien. I steamed and chilled the broccoli. Laura made the potatoes O'Brien, using OreIda Potatoes O'Brien and adding Tony Chachere's More Spice and granulated garlic. I dry-rubbed three very thick pork loin chops with Tony Chachere's More Spice, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, ground cumin, and Gebhardt's chili powder. After dry-rubbing both sides, I topped them with a generous amount of homemade salsa. I grilled them for 5 minutes over medium flamesnicely charring the bottoms. I then turned off the flame under the loin chops and continued to cook over medium indirect heat for 30 minutes. I did not turn the meat. The salsa juices oozed into the meat and flavored it and kept it moist. It was a wonderful meal.

Laura has departed and is driving to the Sacramento airport. She will fly directly from there to Tucson, AZ. The cats are resting—I have no doubt. They know well that there will be cavorting in store for them tonight!

As Carl Perkins once said, "Put your cat clothes on."

Sleepy, To Serve and Protect, -and- Surf's Down

Sleepy - teenager finds bat in bra
To Serve and Protect - cops arrest goat for attack on Toyota
Surf's Down - Internet flaw could let hackers take over Web

On this day in history: July 9, 1997 - Mike Tyson banned from boxing for one year, and fined $3M for biting Evander Holyfield's ear.

Born on this day in history: July 9, 1956 - Tom Hanks (1956-) Born in Concord, California, actor and director Tom Hanks began in community theater and guest roles on TV shows. His break came in "Big" (1988). Success followed with "Sleepless in Seattle," "Forrest Gump," and Oscar-winning performances. In 2002, Hanks became the youngest actor ever to receive the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Scripture of the Day: O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. - Psalm 7:9

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

I encountered this scene while driving to work this morning. This will not end well! Click to enlarge.

For dinner last evening, I made fettuccine with marinara sauce. The marinara sauce featured ground sirloin, julienned white onion, julienned Jalapeños, diced red bell pepper, sliced white mushrooms, diced Roma tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, Tony Chachere's More Spice, sea salt, ground black pepper, cumin, and Italian seasoning. This mixture simmered for three hours. It was a delicious meal.

(UPDATE: 7:10 AM) Yesterday, I made an appointment for 8 AM this morning to diagnose a PC and provide an estimate for repairs. Imagine my surprise when the client arrived at 7 AM! Imagine my even greater surprise when I saw the computer and realized it was a Macintosh and not a PC!

ME: I see that your computer is a Macintosh—not a PC. I do not service Macs, since I am not trained to do so.
CLIENT: What do you mean?
ME: I see that your computer is a Macintosh—not a PC. I do not service Macs, since I am not trained to do so.
CLIENT: So you're saying you can't fix it?
ME: I am not trained to service Macs. I recommend that you call Best Buy in Chico. It is possible that they have trained Macintosh technicians. If not, perhaps they can recommend someone.
CLIENT: So you're saying you can't fix it?
ME: Yes.
CLIENT: [shrugs shoulders, cocks head, throws up arms, raises voice] Why didn't you tell me yesterday when I called?
ME: You told me on the telephone that your PC required repair. This is not a PC. It is a Macintosh. If you had told me your computer was a Mac, I would have told you that I am not trained to service Macs.
CLIENT: Well, I wish you'd've told me before I unhooked this thing and brought it down here. [shrugs and sighs]
ME: Indeed.