On this day in history: January 8, 1991 - Guitarist Steve Clark from Def Leppard found dead from a drug and alcohol overdose. He was 31.
Born on this day in history: January 8, 1935 - Elvis Presley (1935–77) Born in Tupelo, MS, pop singer Elvis Presley caused a national sensation on Ed Sullivan's Talk of the Town in 1956 because of his ‘scandalous’ pelvic gyrations. That same year, he released his first million-selling single, ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ and starred in the first of 33 films. After 1974, Presley became drug-dependent, spending his last years living reclusively at his Memphis home, Graceland.
Scripture of the Day: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." - Joshua 1:8
RAIN! The rain has returned. Yesterday was beautiful, sunny, and warm. Today is windy, cold, and wet. Hopefully, this storm will soon pass. There are still many in this area without power, and the streams, creeks, and rivers are dangerously high.
For dinner last evening, I made grilled pork loin chops and a red potato, mushroom, red bell pepper, and onion casserole. I seasoned three very thick pork loin chops with Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning, ground black pepper, and ground sage. I grilled them on our indoor grill until the outside was charred and crispy. The inside was moist and juicy. We used Tony Chachere's Cajun Power Garlic Sauce as a dipping sauce for the pork. It was a delightful meal.
Heat of the Moment - warning: vacate room when CFL bulb breaks Drive My Car - GM predicts driver-less cars in 10 years Hot! - Chicago tavern makes wings with Red Savina peppers
On this day in history: January 7, 1961 - Young hoodlum Al Pacino arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. He and his compatriots were driving around a suburb of Providence RI, in the middle of the night, wearing masks and gloves.
Born on this day in history: January 7, 1964 - Nicolas Cage (1964-) Born Nicholas Coppola on January 7, 1964, in Long Beach, California, to choreographer Joy Vogelsang and literature professor August Coppola. Cage has two older brothers, Marc and Christopher. He is the nephew of film director Francis Ford Coppola and, as a youth, visited his uncle often at his San Francisco home. At age 15, Cage fell in love with acting during a summer class at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. He dropped out of Beverly Hills High School to pursue an acting career, making his debut on television in 1981. He changed his name to Nicolas Cage as a way to separate his identity from that of his famous uncle. He chose the name "Cage" as a tribute to comic-book superhero Luke Cage.
Scripture of the Day: "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." - Galatians 4:4-7
Video of the Day: Gumball 3000 - submitted by Frank
Return to the Office: I returned to my office this morning, following a power outage that affected most of downtown Corning around 7:30 AM last Friday. All appears to be well. When I arrived here, the the Fox News Channel was on the video system and Phaedra (my main system) was running—awaiting my log-on. All seems well. The other systems are functioning well. The sky is clear, the streets are dry, and birds are singing. Now, I must accomplish all that I was unable to do Friday because of the power outage.
Just Punishment - Supreme Court weighs death penalty for child rape Heat of the Moment - frozen iguanas fall from Florida trees Watch It! - man blames bad GPS directions for crash with train
On this day in history: January 4, 1997 - Rumors run rampant through Israel, particularly over talk radio, that a UFO will land at Tel Aviv on the following day. The predictions are purported to have been made by spoonbender Uri Geller. Thousands flock to the beaches, but no saucers.
Born on this day in history: January 4, 1642 - Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727) Born in Lincolnshire, England, physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton studied at Cambridge and is one of history's foremost scientists. After discovering the laws of gravity in 1665-6, Newton studied the nature of light and, in 1687, wrote his famous "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy."
Scripture of the Day: "And he said unto them, 'When ye pray, say...give us day by day our daily bread.'" - Luke 11:2-3
Video of the Day: The Original Human Tetris Performance - submitted by Cindy
Today's blog is late! The power went off throughout downtown Corning this morning, around 7:30 AM. I read the Bible on my HP iPAQ Pocket PC, played several games of Mah Jongg, and shivered until noon. The power was still off, and I could take no more. I came home and made this blog post on Phoebe, my HP 9500t laptop.
This storm is fierce! Everywhere, there is flooding. Trees are down throughout the area. The rain has been falling continuously since yesterday, and the wind is incredible—gusts up to 70 MPH have been reported.
Fighting Back - shopper pulls gun, stops robbery cold Stupid Criminal - alleged bank robber didn't notice cop behind him in line Stay - mayor loses re-election, refuses to leave office
On this day in history: January 3, 1990 - Manuel Noriega surrenders at the Papal Nunciature. He is brought to Miami and charged with drug trafficking and money laundering.
Born on this day in history: January 3, 1956 - Mel Gibson (1956-) Born in Peekskill, NY, producer, director and actor Mel Gibson grew up in Australia. His first success was in "Mad Max" (1979), and he went on to international fame in blockbuster hits such as "Lethal Weapon" (1987) and "Braveheart" (1995). Gibson bankrolled and directed the controversial, "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004.
Scripture of the Day: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age," (Titus 2:11-12)
Video of the Day: Gone in Four Seconds - submitted by Jay
A burglary suspect hiding inside Chico Immediate Care Medical Center was ultimately found inside a trash can marked for biohazards.
When an alarm sounded at 1:37 a.m. Tuesday at the clinic on Vallombrosa Avenue, Chico Police officer Kevin Bartine found a broken window, according to a press release from Sgt. Scott Franssen.
A suspect could be seen inside the building, but he reportedly refused to come out or talk to officers when they called to him. He appeared to be looking for somewhere to hide, then moved out of sight.
Since surrounding police didn't know if the suspect was armed, canine officer Jeff Durkin and his partner Ray were called to help search the building.
The dog alerted on a covered biohazard trash can in a back room and officers reportedly pulled the lid off the can to reveal Michael Bywater, 33.
Bywater refused to come out and officers Frank Deshler, Neil Simpson and Rob Sheridan had to remove him.
Property belonging to the clinic was reportedly found in Bywater's possession and he was booked in Butte County Jail on a burglary charge.
Heat of the Moment - Daytona Beach, Florida braces for snow Cold Case File - FBI to re-examine D.B. Cooper skyjacking Inked - men shoot themselves while tracing gun for tattoo design
On this day in history: January 2, 1995 - Marion Barry inaugurated as mayor of Washington, D.C., four years after leaving the office in disgrace to serve a six-month sentence for smoking crack.
Born on this day in history: January 2, 1969 - (1969-) Born in Walnut Creek, CA, model Christy Turlington got her start by chance when a photographer snapped a photo of her on horseback and it landed at a modeling agency. Today, she has appeared on more than 300 magazine covers and is best known for work for Calvin Klein and Georgio Armani. Turlington is married to actor-filmmaker Edward Burns and has two children.
Scripture of the Day: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
Video of the Day: Adaptability
Here is an available-light photograph taken with a Nikon D3 DSLR camera. I did not take this photograph. I wish I had taken this photograph! Click to enlarge.
Well, good morning! Welcome to 2008! I hope this is a glorious year for everyone!
Cell Phone Distraction: I have long railed against people who talk on their cell phones while driving. I have seen several written reports and one television program which documented the findings regarding the distraction cell phones cause to those who use them while driving. I have personally experienced many instances of people using cell phones while driving and appearing to focus more on their conversations than their driving. I have had one near collision because of my proximity to a cell-phone-using driver.
I am pleased to see the new DMV regulations regarding cell-phone use while driving. I posted three threads in the Main forum today regarding this. HOWEVER, this afternoon I experienced a cell-phone user that easily out-distances all others I have encountered--IN THE MARKET! I use my cell phone perhaps once a month, and I turn it on only when I intend to make a call. It is difficult for me to imagine such a burning desire--let alone a NEED--to use a cell phone while driving, unless one is lost or late for an appointment, of course. I do not recall EVER using my cell phone in the market. I suppose it could prove helpful for asking a spouse's opinion regarding dinner plans, for example, but I have never used my cell phone in the market.
As I was shopping at Sav-Mor Foods shortly after 2 PM today, I rounded an aisle with my cart, saw a woman headed in my direction with her cart, and moved to the far right of the aisle so she would have room to pass. I saw that she was talking on her cell phone. She was absorbed in conversation and pushed her cart along, seemingly oblivious of the items shelved in that aisle. As she neared me, she suddenly began to fling her free hand about--gesticulating and cursing loudly into the cell phone. She reapplied her hand to the cart, pushed it ahead violently, swerved to her left, crashed solidly into my cart, and gave me a scowling glance! As if the collision were MY fault! She did not apologize. She simply swung her cart about, disentangling it from mine, and continued, still chatting on the cell phone.
"Excuse me," I said. She stared at me, obviously wondering why I was talking to her. She gave me a blank stare, and I continued, "What make, model, and color vehicle do you drive?" "Why?" she asked. "I wish to be ever-vigilant for this vehicle. I wish to ensure that I never occupy the same roadway as you. You have demonstrated your inability to successfully maneuver a shopping cart. I have no desire to fall victim to your lack of ability to maneuver a motor vehicle." She cursed at me. I continued, completing my shopping.
[While I slept] I drove to Harvest Christian Center at 8:15 AM. Laura had been there since 7:30 AM, rehearsing with the worship team. I sat in the seat adjacent to the seat where Laura had positioned her Bible and notebook. I took my HP iPAQ from my pocket and opened QuickVerse, in anticipation of using it during the service. I then opened Mah Jongg and played while listening to the worship rehearsal.
Suddenly, I was aware that it was no longer worship rehearsal. Worship had begun, and everyone was standing, except me. I returned my iPAQ to my pocket and stood. As worship was ending, a stranger to me appeared at the podium, placed a Bible on the podium, opened the Bible, and looked out into the audience. The stranger wore a dark, three-piece suit. The coat was much longer than that of a standard suit. It seemed in the tradition of coats favored by traditional evangelists of the early 1900s. The stranger gave a powerful sermon--the basis of which was the necessity for Christians to spread the Good News.
I awakened, thinking this to be an unusual dream. I forgot the dream, as I went about my morning. Laura left for her worship rehearsal. I showered and dressed and drove to the church.
I sat in the seat adjacent to where Laura had placed her Bible and notebook. I took my HP iPAQ from my pocket and opened QuickVerse. There was no time for game-playing. I placed the iPAQ back in my pocket. Pastor Nick opened the service. Worship followed. Pastor Rob came to the podium, without the wireless microphone he generally uses. Following an award to Matt, who is leaving to begin studies at a Christian college in Texas, a slide show of photographs of Matt began. During this slide show, I noticed a stranger in the front center row. He was wearing a wireless microphone. He was dressed in a dark, three-piece suit. The suit coat was long--like that worn by evangelists in the early 1900s.
Pastor Rob introduced the stranger as Rev. Bobby Nott and said that he had started Harvest Christian Center. Rev. Nott gave a very spirited sermon. He spoke of the necessity for Christians to disciple those who had not heard the Good News.
