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The End of the World

2012-12-19T23:07:00.003-05:00

So it has been some time since I blogged last. I have been super busy with a funeral and a wedding (not mine) and a trip to New York City, however, I am back!

Now, back to business!

So, as we all know the world is supposed to end in just a few short days. I personally don't believe such dire events, as some predict, will be happening. I think that the 21st of December 2012 will be just as normal as all the December 21st's that have passed.

If for some reason half of earth gets wiped out by some strange anomaly people will be able to find me in my garage, drunk, in the fetal position.

Okay, back to reality,
For those who work in Scranton but live somewhere else, a judge there says that you will NOT have to pay a commuter tax. This is good news, I used to work in Scranton. Some parts of it are stinky and gross. I am glad that nobody will have to pay to work there. Hey Scranton, find some other way to fix your problems. How bout Doherty gives up his salary!

Oh, the teachers in Old Forge are going to strike. Great! It is always nice when the teachers of NEPA, who, by the way, make a SHIT LOAD of money, are going on strike. I can hear it now, "ohh no, my prescriptions won't be $2.50 any more". Fuck off, I pay like $30 for mine! "ohh no, I might have a co-pay". Once again, Fuck Off. And my favorite, "but what will happen when I retire and I don't get full health benefits for my spouse and I". And, Lastly, Shut the fuck up!

Nobody else gets these thing but the teachers in the corrupt Northeast! In Florida the average teachers salary is about 50K per year. Thats the same as in Old Forge almost… Guess what, it costs much more to reside in Florida that is does in Old Forge! You work only 50% of the year, you get great benefits, your job is not physically demanding at all, and you go home at a reasonable time. Yous have it great! Quit your complaining!!!

Peace,
The Social Engineer!

The Storm Is Passing Over

2012-10-31T07:32:00.000-04:00

Well the storm has passed over and once again, for the most part, NEPA was unscathed. I was worried about river flooding, a tree falling through my house, and no power in heavily populated areas. Well, that did not happen. Instead, I spent Monday night, inside, watching Horror movies (the wind outside made for awesome effects, no surround system could ever compete).

After waking up on Tuesday morning, I looked outside, and guess what. It looked no different that it did before. Okay, there were a few sticks on the ground. But, no massive destruction. There was one fatality in our area and I would like to let the family of Matthew Stahl know that they are in our prayers, we are sorry for your loss.

Also, thanks NEPA blogs @ http://nepablogs.org/ for the mention.

The Social Engineers

NYC Underwater, Really?

2012-10-29T22:13:00.000-04:00

So, I have been hearing reports on the news that the stock exchange is under water, due to Hurricane Sandy. Now, I'm confused, hasn't the sock exchange been under water for the past ten years? I mean come on, I know they will be able to bail them out. They've done it before, using the labor of hard working Americans and billions from the FED. The only difference this time, they will be using buckets. Lets just hope Main Street doesn't flood. Please, only one bail out at a time…

Yours Truly,
The Social Engineer

NEPA Sandy Update

2012-10-29T18:21:00.000-04:00

Okay, so the river in Wilkes-Barre is most likely not going to flood…I hope that is the case. I still am skeptical with all the rain that will be produced in upstate New York. Right now, as I look out my office window I am seeing trees and debris blow all around and my house is beginning to shake. This could be a rough night.

I am a bit disappointed since I bought a lot of new Halloween decoration this year and now I had to take them all down before Halloween. It's worth it. I wouldn't want them flying through my windows in the middle of the night.

I hope everybody out there has a safe night and that the power stays on.

P.S. leave some comments and add us on twitter @nepahomepage

Best of luck to all,
The Social Engineer

How to Prepare for a Hurricane in NEPA

2012-10-28T05:27:00.002-04:00

How to prepare for a Hurricane in NEPA.

1. Bring anything you have outside, you guessed it, inside. This will be hanging plants, yard furniture, lawn equipment, decorations, car parts, bags of garbage, and anything else that can become a flying projectile. Surviving through several Hurricanes myself, I found it helpful to submerge lawn furniture in a pool. However, this only works if you have a pool.

2. Get an emergency kit together.
This should include:
1. Zip-Lock bags, for storing things like medicine and important papers.
2. Plenty of water, I myself purchased five cases of water.
3. Flashlights, these are used when the power is off and it is dark.
4. Portable radio, for when the power goes off and their is no TV or internet.
5. Batteries, yes, used in the flashlights and radio.
6. Your insurance information, car, home, life, put these in the plastic bags.
7. Get cash out of the bank or ATM.
8. Any medicine you take. Don't forget the Xanax, for when there is no power and you kids are going crazy without Hannah Montana on TV.
9. Copies of the deed to your house. If you rent this does not apply!
10. Birth certificates, banking information, a list of emergency numbers, pet vaccination records.
11. Non-Perishable food, and a lot of it. If things get real bad, you can sell these for a premium to your neighbors who thought Sandy will be a dud.
12. A first Aid kit.

Below is a list put together by the City of Miami:
Hurricane Survival Kit Checklist

3. Have an escape route planned.

4. A Generator. Yes, they are hard to find, but try your best! No power sucks. After Hurricane Charley in 2005 we were without power for eight days! It was awful and after that I bought the best generator I could afford. Think about it this way, there is $400 worth of food in your fridge. The power goes out, it all goes bad. You are out $400 in food. Sucks, right? However, you can get a generator for $400, save your food, and have a generator to power other things like a lamp or TV. Trust me, when you are sitting in the dark you will be wishing you get one!

5. Fill your gas tank! No Power = No Gas. Also the price will go up later.

6. Wash you clothes and bedding!

7. Lastly, be safe, don't do anything stupid. Stay inside, you going outside and having to be rescued not only affects you. It affects the people rescuing you.

Best of Luck,
The Social Engineer

Hurricane Sandy NEPA

2012-10-28T04:56:00.000-04:00

So as we all know, there is a weather nightmare headed straight to NEPA just in time for Halloween. When I first heard about Hurricane Sandy, I brushed it off as a late season storm that would fizzle into history. However, it has become a storm unlike any other in history and I don't think that we are truly prepared for what is about to happen.

First, as the storm moves our way we will begin to see rain fall. Drizzly at first, then torrential down pours. Probably not much thunder or lightning.

Second, the wind from the storm predicted in our area will hold steady at anywhere from 20 to 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 miles per hour. The wind will be a constant for nearly 24 hours.

Third, as the rain picks up, the low-lying areas will begin to take water, this will be caused by storm drains being filled with leaves and other Autumn debris. Then the creeks and streams will become rushing rivers and break over their banks.

Fourth, with the winds and gusts for such a long period of time, structures that are older along with trees and bushes will begin to falter under the pressure.

I understand the the local news stations are down playing this whole situation, but heed this warning from somebody who lived in southern Florida for nearly 20 years, that this will be BAD! I applauded the local news stations for bringing the news and the weather. However, I have lived through some nasty Hurricanes and have seen the mass destruction they cause. These guys are great with snow, but need to get a clue on Hurricanes.

Also, I have been watching almost EVERY news cast since late Thursday and have heard very little about what may happen with the river. The only things I have heard are that since the river is at a very low level that there is nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about? Really? It is going to rain for four straight days and then it is going to rain for another several days over the lakes and streams in New York that empty into the Susquehanna River. I am sick of the down play locally. The National News stations are reporting that there will be massive inland flooding. NEWSFLASH: WE ARE INLAND AND LIVE NEAR A RIVER.

I'll tell you why we have heard nothing. Somebody didn't fix the levee system! The seals on the gates at Wilkes-Barre, not replaced. The big crack in Forty-Fort, not repaired. I really hope there is no rising river. It will devastate the West Side of the Wyoming Valley.

Who knows, maybe I'll be proved wrong. Lets hope so.

Best of Luck,
The Social Engineers

flood protection authority…how stupid!

2012-10-10T21:10:00.000-04:00

I just don't understand why, the politicians here in Northeast Pennsylvania are so reluctant to change. I guess that they need to overcompensate for their shortcomings and being in office helps them deal with that.

The Flood Protection Authority is now fighting with Luzerne County over who should serve on the authorities board. Apparently, the authorities articles of incorporation state that the three county commissioners, an engineer, and a planning director are to be the members. Sounds more like the Five Stooges. Well, however this turns out, I'm assuming in a lawsuit, I hope we don't have a flood.

Also making headlines today.

The Mayor of Wilkes-Barre, Tom Leighton is asking workers to take a voluntary furlough. He, himself should probably take his own advice. From many of the comments on local news sites, the folks here are not happy about this. I wonder why the revenue is so low? Why we don't have enough money to pay all the bills? I wonder how much money Mayor Leighton makes? Maybe he could take a pay cut through the end of the year. Sorry, he's too good for that. I would like to see some REAL numbers and who makes what and then WE, THE PEOPLE, could decide who should be getting furloughed or laid-off!

I assume the drop in revenue is due to in some part, the crime. Wilkes-Barre is dirty and for the most part run down and scary. Maybe a huge increase in police presence would help. Basic logic shows us that areas with low crime prosper, areas with high crime…don't! So, with an increased police presence, an honest, non nepotistic, willing to work police force; crime goes down. Crime goes down and people and businesses move back to Wilkes-Barre. We can let Tribeca, a section of Manhattan, be the model.

But people really, you are all complaining about this…STOP VOTING FOR THESE PEOPLE! If you don't like the other candidates, RUN FOR OFFICE! Get involved! Be a part of the solution, not the problem!

At least the sun came out today.

Holiday Shopping, Stabbings, and Drinking

2012-10-09T06:10:00.001-04:00

So yesterday I needed to go to the Wyoming Valley Mall because I needed a new pair of glasses. While I got my glasses, I also got a shocking surprise. Stores are ALREADY having holiday sales! It is only the second week of October. I wonder if they actually make money off of these sales. I do all my shopping on black friday.

Some interesting stuff going on:

Pantry Quick robbed in Hazleton…Is this finally the norm. for Hazleton? Because when I hear this I don't even think it's news worthy.

Laflin mayor crashes into parked cars then boasts about her position…Oh really? What will you being the drunken mayor of Laflin do for you? She must think she's Rudy Giuliani. For those of you who don't know who that is, he was the Mayor of New York City.

Can I get a number sever with extra drama?

Didn't yo mama eva teach you no manners? I never thought that I could get stabbed or beaten with a bat while waiting in the McDonalds drive through. Apparently, I was wrong. Last night at a McDonalds in Scranton, a guy was stabbed while ordering his food in the drive through. Guess who did it. Thats right, the guy behind him in line.

They guy got angry when the person ordering was "taking too long". I don't know about you but I always enjoy when the person in front of me asks questions like "how big is a small", "does that have salt", "can I get a hamburger with cheese"? It's McDonalds nothing has changed since you were six years old! If you have to ask how big the small is, you are not hungry enough, GO HOME! The moral of this is, keep it movin' in the drive through!

Christopher Columbus statue defaced in Hazleton…

Once again Hazleton making the list twice in one post…However, I like Christopher Columbus and yesterday being Columbus Day, leave the guy alone. They spray painted the base and as Bob Reynolds of WNEP found there was a gooey, purple, smelly substance on the statue…YES! Kool-Aid, I always use it to deface things...

Peace,

The Social Engineer

Will the Real Mitt Romney Please Stand Up

2012-10-09T03:19:00.000-04:00

I just found this and I can't stop laughing! I keep hearing "my dog is on the roof, my dog is on the roof". I never thought that Mitt would be bumping to Slim! Imagine if this swings the vote...

Check it out:

Will The Sun Ever Shine Again?

2012-10-06T15:20:00.001-04:00

Well it has been nothing short of a boring rainy day here in NEPA. I guess the Gods are just preparing us for winter, a long cold winter. Some interesting news though, there was a water main break in Scranton last night, "scranton business owner arrested on child rape charges". I wonder who got pissed at who? There's a bunch of anti-bullying articles.

I think that todays is the day I take my rainy day fund and go do something. Maybe a movie, the mall, maybe even the casino. I'll be back when something happens. Knowing here, it'll be shortly!

Peace

Sherman Hills Shooting

2012-10-05T15:19:00.000-04:00

So earlier today at about eight this morning, at the Sherman Hills Apartments, a Wilkes Barre police officer was shot by a fugitive from the Philadelphia area. Great! Now I understand why pizza places won't deliver here after dark. I wouldn't go near these places during the day.

Sherman Hills has become, in recent years, a breeding ground for trouble. From drug dealing to murder, it is one hell of a dump! I remember driving past once and there were about 15 cop cars, ambulances, firetrucks, turns out a kid got shot. It is quite sad.

The point that I would like to make here is that this guy was not from here. He simply came to hide here and avoid jail. He is a suspect in a murder, from Philadelphia, hiding from the police, and has now shot a cop, did he deserve anything less?

The Wyoming Valley is getting worse every day. Not to mention Hazleton and Scranton. I don't understand what has happened. For example, Plymouth was always sort of "the other side of the tracks", however, I was never afraid to walk around there at night or got to one of their bars. After a triple murder, a drive by shooting and a bar brawl leaving several people dead, I will gladly not go to Plymouth at night. Can we try to keep some civility here in The Valley?

Illegal Gambling, Im Shocked!

2012-10-05T00:08:00.002-04:00

So once again something that most likely couldn't happen anywhere else has happened here. Yes, who could have thought that there was illegal gambling going on here. Im shocked! Anyway, nearly 200 local businesses were raided yesterday of their "for profit" machines. Bars, smoke shops, even the American Legion, were targets of the raid. I truly admire the response from the state gaming board "shutting down illegal gambling operations is important, because they hurt revenue from licensed casinos." Really, the same casinos that were supposed to eliminate property taxes? Those casinos? A friend of mine used to pick up money from a local casino. Roughly $3 million dollars a week comes out of there. Not to mention the money that is floating on the floor. I should open a casino, $156 million dollars a year from people who basically hand over free money. Ah, what a life.

Welcome NEPA

2012-10-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

Blogs must really frighten some people out there such as employers, advertisers, and special-interest groups. It is undeniable that blogs are now extremely popular and have even gained quite a lot of credibility within the local and national community. The great things about blogs are that they are public and that they allow the ability for the writer to publish details that the mainstream media refuses to.

Americans rights are being trampled on everyday. We are just "allowing" ourselves to give up our rights without even knowing. They key to keeping those rights is to stay informed.

Here in NEPA we have become a prime example of an area that has taken rights away from many different people from many walks of life. Wether it be by Judges with too much power or a Police Officer who gets his friends out of tickets, whilst everybody else pays.

I will be giving my take on the stories the news media won't. I am an opinionated person and figured why not just put it all out there in my very own blog. Feel free to post comments and leave your opinion about not only the news but things you would like my opinion on. I hope that I can create a blog that is entertaining and worthy of loyal readership.

The Social Engineer

A New Blog for NEPA

2012-10-03T02:15:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a brand new blog for Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are here to service you with the information that makes NEPA a great place to live. Stop in to find job openings, news and information, entertainment and events, and just regular opinions on the area.

We also appreciate your input and opinion on whats going on here in the area. Feel free to post your feelings on anything NEPA.

We hope that we can become your source for all things NEPA.

Sincerely,
The Social Engineers