Russ's Random Blog

Coming Soon has arrived.... sort of

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:45:00 +0000

I know I said in the last post to this blog, oh so many weeks ago, that the next blog would be about the trip my son and I were taking down "The Mother Road". Well, we are currently on that road. The trip is going great. The weather is great. Route 66 has not disappointed. And the photo opportunities have been numerous.

But the blog or log of this trip will have to wait a bit longer. Too many hours on the road. Breakfast comes too early for me to spend late nights blogging. I know, sleep before blog and willing fans. Shame on me! :)

We're building some great memories, getting some great snapshots, and reliving some memories for both of us.

Stay tuned. All is coming in a few days. If the New Mexico winds do not blow us back into Texas unwillingly!

But all of it reminds us of what a vast, great country this is and how worth fighting for it really is!

Until the future post,

Russ Wojtkiewicz

Coming Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Hello again. Been awhile since you've heard from this Blog. I continue to feed the Platte Valley Politics blog as there is an overwhelming amount of material for topics coming at an incredibly fast and furious pace. Not much of it good and most we can just as soon ignore so as to not make our lives worse. I do hope others take up those causes and help keep America free.

Keep tuned to this blog if you signed in to read about the Lobster and Chowder Tour. Late in April, my son and I will be taking a trip to New Mexico and following where we can the Mother Road - old Route 66. This will be the first of we hope a few excursions down this historic highway. I am going to involve him in the blogging this time with his pictures and thoughts. It was his idea and wish to travel and see Route 66 and since we mostly follow it to a seminar I am attending, we will check out some of the sites and scout out future plans to further take in the old route.

We are looking forward to Spring and Summer with our travel plans, sun, beaches and getting the house remodeled.

So until then, keep warm as Spring is just around the corner.

Russ and Evan Wojtkiewicz

A New Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:25:00 +0000

I would like to introduce the readers of Russ' Random Blog to a new blog...

"Platte Valley Politics".

A blog dedicated to the blogging of my political thoughts and if civil, discussions via the blog commentary. I've had this goal for sometime. Well, I've finally jumped in. You may tire of it and in all fairness this may be yet another waste of internet space only contributing to the all too much noise out there now.

But the beauty of all this is you can subscribe or not subscribe. Read or not read. Agree or not Agree. Beautiful freedom of your own accord.

This blog will contain thoughts and points of view on many topics falling under the political tent. Healthcare issues. Local, state and federal government issues. Even some energy issues as they relate to politics, but look for a blog dedicated to energy issues in the coming weeks.

I hope you will read it from time to time and enjoy it.

Cheers!

Russ Wojtkiewicz

A Few Months Later....

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Well, here we are in January and much has transpired. Since the last post of the Lobster and Chowder Tour, we have endured the loss of our wife and mother Beth as she lost her two year battle with cancer. We didn't know during that wonderful vacation how much the cancer was spreading, but we did have a feeling it might be the last we would have together. We tried hard not to let it feel or make it a farewell tour and I think we succeeded. She enjoyed the trip and we will always cherish we were able to do it.

We miss her terribly. More everyday. When we have particularly good times, it succeeds in making us remember how she loved those times and how much we miss her joining in. She instilled the joy of the Christmas season in her son and he has continued the traditions taught him, which was good to see. We haven't thus far avoided any activities for fear of being constantly reminded of losing her. But it shakes one's faith. But she is no doubt now, the lucky one.

1959 - 2008

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 13

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:39:00 +0000

Thursday was a day at Mystic Seaport. Wow, this was tremendous and much more than we thought it would be. The added benefit of seeing some of the classic old boats and tall ship yachts pull in for this weekend's show was quite a treat.

This is one of those private sailing ships coming in. Mystic Seaport has been around since 1946 to preserve the wood ship building arts and history of the area and our country.

Late afternoon we finally exhausted all to see at Mystic Seaport and drove over to Groton, Connecticut and one of our country's submarine bases. Here, the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus, commissioned under President Truman and the first to sail under the North Pole. Evan really loved this free and extensive exhibit of our sub technology history and future.

Eventually, a gallery of photos will be on the website so look for those announcements. Also, no anonymous comments will be allowed to be posted. All must identify themselves. We have too much anonymous speech.

We are headed back west now and will be leaving New England today. This has been fun sharing all of this with you and thank you all for keeping up on this blog. So this is likely the last post until after we have returned home and the Lobsters and Chowder Tour has concluded.

It has been a pretty good summer, eh?

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 12

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:48:00 +0000

We've said goodbye to Cape Cod and our friend Lloyd. We could not have experienced Cape Cod as well as we did without his help. But of course, what else would you expect from a Missouri boy?

We drove through Newport, Rhode Island. Even though the rain would not let up, we were able to see the sea crashing into the rocks in classic novel style. In some places, the sea spray and seaweed covering the road and our cars. Further around are the famous mansions and summer "cottages" of this country's wealthiest families. The Astors, Vanderbuilts and Doris Duke. Most are museums now. But many are still active residences that the new owners allow the public to view and tour. The surrounding neighborhood would humble anyone or any area in the Midwest that believes they are wealthy. This simply goes so far beyond wealth it is unimaginable. Quite a sight.

Tonight we have found a wonderful little motel in Mystic, Connecticut. The Taber Inn & Suites. A must stay for anyone traveling through here. A great value and close to the Mystic area attractions. No, we are not going to eat Mystic Pizza, but we will drive by the joint on our way to Groton tomorrow.

But before doing so, we will be visiting the Mystic Seaport and getting in on a classic boat and car show, seeing a working wood boat building and preservation shop, some tall ships, an original wood whaling ship and a period village recreation. I hear there is a store selling 5¢ shots of ale! Of course, all these towns have the most fascinating old buildings and streets and they have done well in preserving them. Not just as exhibits but as viable businesses and homes preserving these structures and blocks of our history for more generations to come. It is common to see most buildings dated early 1700s and the towns being established in the early to mid 1600s. Very cool.

It cannot be underscored enough how important history is in our educational system. It is fundamental to the very success of our future existence. We are losing that war, forgetting the reasons of how we got to where we are and the noble sacrifices made by our forefathers and their families to give us this greatest country in the world.

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 11

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:22:00 +0000

Oh Boy! Whale watching in the North Atlantic!

The lighthouse around the point of Cape Cod. The very end you see on the map curled around out there.

This is the view we had of the North Atlantic. Yes, it is as cold, wet and rolling as it looks. Just ask our now not so merry band of Chowder heads.

The fog was thick and got worse through the afternoon.

Yes blog fans, that's a whale tail you can just barely pick out in the fog. I'll have to try some Photoshop filters and tricks to bring what whale shots I did get. We had a pod of about a dozen around the boats including a couple of calves. We could hear them, but they were not as active and with the fog so thick, sightings were very difficult. Such is the risk of the North Atlantic.

The guys did well, but a sea with 3-4 foot swells is not recommended. That doesn't sound like very high waves. Wait till you get out on a 85 foot boat in the open ocean. We have a whole new admiration for the crews of the Bering Sea Crab Fleet and those who lobster and fish the North Atlantic!

Despite the ills of a rough sea, the guys thought it cool seeing the whales and were glad to get their feet back on land. Evan even joined me at the rail as we passed Cape Cod point and steamed into the pier. The ride back in was much smoother.

The whale fleet is reporting that the whale population is on the rise in great numbers. But many countries are fishing and whaling just off our shores. Just like they are pumping oil just out of reach of our regulations. I don't know what, if anything, we can do to limit that activity without violating international water treaties. Our military is stretched as it is, but not sure our Navy is. But it would most certainly strain relations if not cause all out war. But it does seem unfair that the U.S.A conserves and restricts fishing and off shore drilling only to have China, Japan and many others reap the bounty that would be ours or inhibit the repopulation of our fisheries and the great beasts of the sea. But the news that numbers are climbing and they are using the treated sewage from Boston to provide nutrients to the ecosystem is fantastic and real solution to humans and our seas living together.

Cape Cod is a beautiful area. A hearty soul is the one who can live here throughout the year and cope and succeed with all the weather and the Atlantic throw at them! I urge you to have Cape Cod, and anywhere in New England, on your bucket list.

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 10

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:04:00 +0000

When we last left our merry little band of Chowder heads, we were headed to the beach. And the beach we did.

The beach is all we did. The day was sunny and a fairly fine day at the beach. But the water was 62 degrees! Tide was coming in and we were the only dry bunch on the beach at one point. But we had to retreat a bit. As we were leaving, that rogue wave nailed us soaking

most of the stuff. A good laugh and no cameras were worse off. A boogie board was almost left behind, but a check of the beach 2 hours later found it safely ashore! What vacation luck!

After the beach, The Cove has

a complimentary boat excursion around Orleans Cove and the salt marsh. This was great treat from a knowledgeable local. We saw a couple of $3.5 million cottages, nesting Osprey and Grey Seals in the marsh. We went right up to cove inlet where the North Atlantic pushes in. A great value from our motel. And another example of the superi

ority of a privately run Inn when done right. The Midwest needs to return this type of business to our area!

This is our nesting Osprey!

The dark spot is a Grey seal. Devils are to quick and to slippery to get a good shot!

Stay tuned - Whale pictures and Provincetown are on deck!

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 9

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:53:00 +0000

Boston was fabulous, despite the lightning hits and torrential rain!

We have arrived in Cape Cod at a beautiful little motel aptly named "The Cove". It sits on a tidal cove just off the Atlantic Ocean. Boats are moored in the cove and wonderful houses dot the shoreline.

It is cooler out here, though the locals are complaining of the humidity. Monday night we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Cap't Elmers in Orleans, Massachusetts, just down the road from our motel. According to our friend Lloyd, a local, Captain Elmer's has the boats, the market and the restaurant. And it tasted as fresh!

On the trip out we visited Gloucester and America's oldest fishing seaport. And stumbled onto Pratty's, the bar where this season's After the Catch II was taped. Didn't go in. It was 10am. And it looked as though they would really rather keep it sailors, fisherman and locals.

After Gloucester came Plymouth, site of Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II. Quite a little! ship. And still seaworthy since her 1958 crossing.

Today, Tuesday, we plan on a beach day and perhaps some mini-golf, a family vacation tradition. But the beach will be more for looking and sand castle building than swimming. 59º water just isn't pleasant! But it is forecast, or was, to be a humid hot day before cooling off on Wednesday. This morning's local website forecast was not as favorable an outlook with a forecast high in the mid to high 70s. But we'll see. It's 8a.m. and the morning mist and fog is burning off and I can feel the day heating up, though its a bit overcast.

Thus, we look forward to whale watching on Wednesday afternoon. Hmm, sailing in the North Atlantic. That should be an experience!

So, good morning from Cape Cod. It's time for a bit of breakfast. Oh, check out www.rbw.net, scroll down to the "Lobsters and Chowder Tour" link. There you will find Part 1 and Part 2 of a photo album. Part 1 has about 5 pages of photos, Part 2 has 2 pages. You can do a slideshow or simply double click on a photo to enlarge it and navigate through the album.

So enjoy!

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 8

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:08:00 +0000

The Lobsters and Chowder Tour invades Boston! We can highly recommend the Duck tour. Well, it's good anywhere they offer it. But in Bean Town where the streets are paved cow paths, parking is only available at fire hydrants and the Big Dig is still concerning for your safety, the Duck Tour is a great way to familiarize oneself with the City, the sights, the history and just how to get around.

Yep, that's our Evan, piloting the Duck! He is now credited with piloting a equivalent 65 foot vessel up the Charles River. Aye, aye, Cap't Evan.

The "T" as the the MTA is now called was fabulous. Kansas City - wake up. Trains are the way to move residents and visitors! I know we must have saved real $$ on gas, even though the parking at the station was $3.50 (for the whole day) and $15 in tickets for all three of us. It didn't really cost that much, but I had to buy the tickets in $5 increments for each of us. We each have a buck left if Evan ever comes back! I could have easily spent that today in gas and parking.

After the Duck Tour concluded at noon, we grabbed a quick lunch and walked over to the USS Constitution. What a grand old ship! Crewed and guarded by active Navy men and women and capable of sailing. They are redoing her decks back to the original crowned build to better shed water. The wood is absolutely gorgeous and is of white oak and Douglas fir. From there we worked our way south and west on the Freedom Trail through the North End to the old North Church. Here, we were treated to a little rain after a parade by the Sons of Columbus and St. Joseph's Parish celebrating a saint's feast day! Band, icon statue and all. What a great event to happen onto.

The old North Church is spectacular. A must see while in Boston.

Revere's house is notable. The narrow streets, old buildings lining those streets and all the old pubs and taverns and architecture are wonderful. Time was just too short. Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market are amazing. And the Green Dragon Tavern provided beverage, sustenance and shelter from the storm, literally. The Green Dragon, in a former location, was the plotting point for the Destruction of Tea, better known as the Boston Tea Party. Talk about drinking in the history....

Boston is one of those great cities. Great town, really. I urge everyone to come and see it, taste it and walk it!

I'll quit before I am cannot resist the urge to blog about freedom, sufferage, sacrifice and the fundamentals that were forged out of the fight and debate of these colonialists who were labeled Patriots. It is truly inspiring. Makes all of our current politicians seem so petty, greedy and tyrannical! Remember that this August and November. Time to fire most if not all of them and "hire" new representatives!

Big day of travel and sightseeing coming up as we travel through Gloucester towards our destination of Cape Cod for the next few days. Looking forward to what Tropical Storm Cristobal will do to the beaches and surf. All part of a coastal experience.

Until then...

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 7

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:53:00 +0000

Alright, alright. So the first stop on "The Battle Road" is a tavern. Well, so it was for our minuteman and founding Patriots! And you must admit, this was a must stop for a gal who is a Buckman! And... We have John Buckman brewed Root Beer from Buckman's Tavern.

The Battle Road is a great little drive and does give a more tangible feel to the farmland, stone walls and basic neighborhood our "rebels" were fighting to defend from the British regulars and eventually gain independence.

We were most fortunate that a volunteer group of Regiment A Foot were re-enacting British soldier work at Hartwell's Tavern. This shot (below) was a real prize (and lucky) of musket fire.

The Concord Bridge is not as imposing as it is the sixth bridge built on the site since that "shot heard around the world". But the area feels like it has honor and the ghosts of those who fought on that site more almost 230 years ago.

Sunday we do Boston and most of the Freedom Trail. Until then, good night.

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 6

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:22:00 +0000

Recognize this lighthouse? It's the one on the state of Maine's quarter. And a popular jigsaw puzzle subject. Pemaquid Lighthouse south of Damariscotta, Maine.

This is the view from the top of the lighthouse where the 4th order, 1000 watt light with fresnel lens sits. And yes, we all climbed it! The spiral staircase is open from top to bottom with 37 narrow iron steps and a small ladder to get to the light deck!

This point has some of the wildest and dramatic rock formations and surf! We climbed around,

got sea sprayed and got thoroughly drenched once. I just didn't move on quick enough! Tourists get carried out to sea from rogue waves here. And while we were not that far out, those sneaky rogue waves come almost without warning. As Evan remarked "that's cool! Scary, but cool!" Good to keep him entertained without an Xbox being involved.

Tonight we are in Kennebunk, Maine. Next to famous Kennebunkport. No, George nor Barbara have called to invite us for drinks this evening. As you might be able to tell, we got there late afternoon and took in Parson's Beach. But we experienced a Maine coastal squall line so did not get a good beach experience. Nice sand. Very cold water! But it is the North Atlantic, doh!

The homes, mansions really, to the north of this beach are fantastic. We saw postcard coastal Maine. And that is nice too.

It will be a quite night of resting up for adventures that begin tomorrow touring the Boston area and the cradle of our Revolution. We're allowing 2 days to get our fill of minute men, taverns, battle fields and simply navigating Boston!

Then up to Cape Cod on Monday for a few days of whale watching, pilgrim retracing and beach fun.

So, from stormy Kennebuck, Maine, TGIF!

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 5

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Greetings from one of the farthest points East in the U.S.A. Certainly the farthest East we've ever been on our travels. Bar Harbor, Maine. Ok, we're not there now, but were earlier today, as evidenced in the photo of the whale sculpture and those two travelers. Bar Harbor is quite the congested tourist destination. But good food, great harbor and lovely little town.
Tonight we arrived at our destination of Belfast, Maine early. A great mom & pop motel, the Bar Harbor Inn. Got in some pool time and a walk around the point and ocean front about a 100 yards from our room. Got a great Maine Lobster meal at Young's Lobster Pound. And a great deal. Two, one pound and quarter lobsters for under $30! Folks sit on Young's dock, bring their own beer and wine, gather for great times and eat their fill of lobsters, steamers and clams.

On our ride down from Bar Harbor, we visited Fort Point and the River Light on the point, next to Fort Pownall, a French and Indian War and Revolutionary War era fort. The lighthouse is a stationary light visible up to 10 miles. The old fog warning bell and bell tower are still there.

The evening is a lit by a full moon and the temperature are near perfect for an evening.

We'll wrap up week one in Kennebunk on one of Maine's beaches. Can't think of a better way to spend any Friday. Some more real R&R before we hit the walking hard partaking in historic Boston and the surrounding points of significance.

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 4

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:11:00 +0000

Greetings from Bangor, Maine. Finding lodging is getting more difficult and I had to succumb to actually getting reservations for the next three nights! And all over $100 each. But gas is stable at around $4.08/gallon and dinners are not costing too much. Yet. When the lobster eatin' kicks in, that budget will be blown!

Our travels today, Wednesday, July 16, my late father's birthday, took us from Waterbury, Vermont, a short tour of the Vermont state capitol building in Montpelier, a very nice sugar maple farm north of Montpelier and of course souvenir syrup! Then over to Mt. Washington, New Hampshire. But we were on the wrong side of the mountain to take the Cog Train up and all the road construction had it late in the afternoon.

As it was, that last 40 miles or so was 40 miles of bad road! We finally veered back onto I-89 and landed one of the last rooms in all of Bangor. And I thought summer travel would be depressed this year? You couldn't tell it by this trip. Not out East anyway. And prices are hanging high.

A nice Best Western on the west side of Bangor. An older hotel, redone nicely with great eats from a 40 year old truck stop that sells seafood plus the standard truck stop fare. But it was very good all around. The family took advantaged of the hotel hot tub while Dad made reservations.

This day wound up longer than we had hoped, wished or planned for. But we were in our rooms around 7:30p.m., so not too bad.

Thursday's travels are planned short to account for heavy traffic and lots of sightseeing, ocean time and lobster and chowder! A tour down to Bar Harbor just to check it out and then back tracking some to wind down Hwy 1 to Belfast, Maine. Friday is just a 3 hour excursion through Thomaston to Kennebuck. Saturday we are booked into Danvers, Mass, about a 2 hour ride. From there, we will check out Buckman's Tavern and Concord/Lexington and Gloucester, perhaps the next morning. Its over 3 hours out to Provincetown Cape Cod. But we want to check out the whale watch tours. And we want to tour Boston. So we might stay at Danvers a couple of nights and out on Provincetown one night or two.

That will put us at the start of week #2, so we still have loads of time to extend our Massachusetts stay before heading down to see Newport, Rhode Island and continue heading west. Perhaps through the beautiful mountains of northern Maryland and an old friend in Cumberland.

So long for now. I hear lobsters screaming.

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:13:00 +0000

We find ourselves in Waterbury, Vermont tonight. A nice Best Western, but too expensive. Then again, intuition was our best friend as we began to search for lodging at Waterbury to find out that Montpelier, our original goal, was booked out.

Even though we're twice the price of the previous night, it is nice digs and had a very good meal in the hotel restaurant before settling in for an evening of Deadliest Catch and After the Catch II. What can I say, we're hooked.

Today's travel

s were great. Early rise and on the road before

8am. Breakfast at a local diner in Dunmoore north of Scranton. Then on to Albany, NY and a walk around the fabulous Capitol building of the Empire.

A few miles up the road toward Saratoga Springs and a stop for milk shakes, we headed into the gorgeous Lake George drive up Hwy 9N. A delightful 35 mile drive as we dropped out toes into cool Lake George at Huddle Beach.

Then on to visit Ft. Ticonderoga.

Our first encounter with American Revolution history. It is fantastic to see th

ese towns and villages founded in the mid-1700's!

We continue our trek to Crown Point and cross into Vermont to Burlington. Then down to the quaint town of Waterbury with a still active train depot serving both Amtrak and as Waterbury's Visitor Center, cafe and coffee shop. There we discovered the dearth of lodging in the area and the importance of scouting and securing tonight's lodging as soon as we could.

Wednesday's travels will take us through Vermont's maple syrup tradition, New Hampshire's Mt. Washington and our goal - Maine.

Lobsters here we come!

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 - Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:43:00 +0000

We've completed a second day of travel, winding up in the rugged terrain of Scranton, PA. A nice evening of dealing with a sub par Holiday Inn restaurant (aren't they all?) A good soak in the pool and hot tub to relieve road aches and pains and now looking forward to great New England scenery.

Montpelier, Vermont is our next destination as we sight see through the Lake George area and visit Ft. Ticonderoga, home of the Green Mountain Boys. I look for pictures to be posted after today. My son has already begun snapping a few and we must attend to uploading them tonight.

This country is huge. But we knew that. Mass transit, on a national level, is so necessary and at a crisis point. The roads don't seem to be able to take anymore and they are really getting dangerous.

But the scenery this country has to offer. Everyone should get out and see it.

Time for breakfast and onto upstate New York toward those Lobsters and Chowder in a few days!

Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:34:00 +0000

The Lobsters and Chowder Tour 2008 is officially underway!

And this Wifi newbie is learning how to use Wifi in hotels and anywhere else on his new Apple Macbook. All is well and works amazingly, but for I cannot send emails using my Time Warner Roadrunner server. But the inquiries are in and I'll whip it before I'm through.

Watch this blog over the next few days for stories and pics from the road as we make a 4,000 mile journey from Kansas City, to Bar Harbor, Maine to check out the scenery and the seafood. Then circle down to Boston and take in our early colonial and revolutionary history. A visit over to Cape Cod is planned as is a romp through Rhode Island while working our way back west.

Until the next post - Cheers!

Spring Is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:25:00 +0000

Finally, Spring appears to have arrived. Along with lawn mowing and renewed calls that global warming is going kill the planet in our lifetime. I find it alarming that folks cannot simply, within their own universe of their lives, affect what they do to clean up or keep the planet clean. To appreciate the smells of new life that is the Spring season. The security that that once again, the sun is bringing us needed warmth and loosening of the chains of winter that bound us to the indoors. Even though the meteorologists have reported that we just survived one if not the coldest March on record, the whining drone of the climate change alarmists have increased their shouts so as to mask the attempts at real debate by us, the skeptics.

The earth and all our resources are precious commodities. To be sure, to be utilized within the confines of ethical stewardship. But I have yet to hear from the Sierra Club or most global warming destruction advocates about their lifestyle changes or the importance that individually we should be investing in personal energy generation. These groups, for the most part, simply want to rule the energy industries or destroy them altogether and have them nationalized as public, not private, government owned and operated entities.

But the American spirit is thriving. Gas purchasing is declining. Retail is beginning to suffer. Tourism knows it is in trouble. While on the whole, we are not buying more efficient transportation, the trend is there. An increasing number of property owners are investing or at least seriously considering solar, wind, alternative fuels and energy generation to move them toward independence from the energy grid. The American spirit to be innovative and ingenious will show itself proudly before all these crisis are resolved. And they will only be resolved if we have the freedoms to innovate.

The ingenuity and innovations will be due to economics and a sincere concern for clean air, water and land. Not forced by government mandate but through education and economics. Frankly folks, I now believe that the main agenda of the most vocal proponents and politicians claiming global warming is man made is to put into a place a new tax system that will be very difficult to argue against or even prove or track an assesment basis. It is the Carbon Tax and the Carbon Vouchers traded like commodities or stock shares.

As looney and paranoid as I may sound, the Carbon Tax can be levied on those who go completely solar or wind and disconnect from the grid. Because without buying electricity or gas from a utility, what tax mechanism is going to replace the utility taxes we were paying? If we do not have to purchase any energy from a vendor - public or private - then how do those citites and states collect the taxes they were receiving from the sales of energy products? And remember folks, any living thing, I am told or read, somehow has or leaves a carbon footprint. Naturally. So, we get taxed simply for breathing! Shhh, (in a gently whispering voice) it's time to wake up America.!

This is a huge bill that has not gone unnoticed by the tax collectors, er, our elected representatives. You see, when we win, they lose. We won't need those taxes collected because we won't have to fund the rights of way and infrastructure necessary to support grid based energy resources. We will be more secure since it will be really difficult for a terrorist to take down whole regions of electrical or gas distribution without using nuclear, EMF or neutron based WMDs. Consumers will be able to amortize and budget energy costs and needs over 20 and 30 years or perhaps longer. Thus housing will become more affordable. The food crisis now happening will be able to stabilize.

I ask you write your local, state and Congressional delegations to push to allow the consumer to be empowered to satisfy our own energy needs. Only then will we again become appreciative of what it takes to power those TVs, air conditioners, furnaces, video games, computers and multi-thousand square foot homes. And all that concern over greedy utility companies and the pollution of our land, sea and air will become a few pages in the history books.

So, enjoy the Spring. Despite all the alarmists, Spring and warmth as returned and new life abounds!

Russ

WInter, Spring and homeowner chores

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:48:00 +0000

Winter is having, we hope, its last blast today with a bit of a snowstorm and some dreadfully chilly tempetures. With next week comes the hope of spring like weather finally arriving. And with its arrival, the now long overdue need to update the siding of this not so old but forlorn house. Looks like for now, we've decided on replacing rotten batten and board siding with similar thickness OSB, #15 felt for housewrap and fiber cement lap siding from James Hardi called Hardiplank. I hope and look to take pictures and document the progress. Starting with the rear of the house where some water damage has occurred and continuing until the entire house has a fresh, updated look and a new coat of paint.

Then or during this, our bathrooms will be updated and the master bath finally completed. I plan to install similar temp controlling valves in each bathroom and replace copper pipe with PEX and sharkbite connectors along with pipe insulation over the entire runs.

Additionally, the new cellulose insulation may be added if cost is not too high to the bathroom exterior walls and at least the wall between the bathrooms for sound control.

The biggest hurdle will be rearranging the drain to fit a new shower stall in the master bath since heating and ac ducts lie just below them, making it hard to get to. I would also like to reprogram both shower drain's destinations to a holding tank for use in the toilets and yard and garden irrigation, perhaps lowering my water bill and eventually lowering or easing the increase in our sewer bills.

It all only takes money and time. Time I've got. Money is short. Short for everyone.

Stay tuned, it might be a bumpy ride.....

Russ

Aha!

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:35:00 +0000

Aha! My friends at Macserve.net have for the moment solved my audio and video server dilemma. This means I hope to start uploading podcasts next week. Or at least trial files. If you are looking for a great web hosting company, macserve.net is it. And yes, they are Apple Xserver based with geographical mirror sites. The servers are just always up. And the owner still answers the phone! Rates are as competitive and reasonable as they come. Inquire about their rates. Don't let the old website stated rates deter you. But enough advertising....

In the iWeb and website updating wars, iWeb in iLife 08 has exhibited some strange behavior. Rollovers and link indicators that work in iWeb but do not once uploaded into the live website. That is all cured, but I had to re-input the text for each of those menu links.

Fantastic meeting/web conferencing tool was used today. Our MCA-I association is having a Leaders meeting in Dallas and I was invited to attend in the virtual world. Video. Audio. Chat. Live screen of host CPU with PPT if included in the speaker's presentation. All real time. All free. Yes, ads all over, but not invasive. What great technology. Thanks to Todd O'Neill of San Antonio for setting that up.

Well, its a beautiful 1st of March day and should not be at this computer!

Russ

Progress Being Made

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:51:00 +0000

It has been about two weeks now on this project that will always be a work in progress. I've successfully started a blog. Updated to iLife 08 and iWeb 08 without the problems described on the Apple feedback site. And have successful integrated a Google Adsense account into both the blog and my main page at www.rbw.net. No, I doubt I get rich or begin a life of leisure with tons of passive income from Google ads or even pay for the website with the ads. But then, sales from RBW Record Company continue to at least pay for the website.

Now it is on to podcasting. And updating the rest of the rbw.net pages to get a more consistent and refined look and feel.

Can't wait for Spring. Or at least warm weather so my vintage Airstream can get some work done on her and off to the campgrounds. Laptop and WiFi here I come.

Russ

Life in the Dangerous Lane of software

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:59:00 +0000

If this blog or the website is down for a few days starting later today, it will be due to that ever dangerous software upgrade. Yes, I bit and will attempt to update to iLife 08, against the Apple.com feedback and my gut instincts to the contrary. But I mainly want the iWeb upgraded features but it may be with much pitfalls. But I do have it all backed up on my local drive and have great web hosts to help me out.

Hopefully I will also get a friend to test out the comments area this week.

And through the wise input of his rentable brain, Phillip Hodgets at OpenTV Networks, I think we'll soon be able to upload podcasts and make them available.

Looking for Spring to arrive and actually wishing we had more of the suspect global warming symptoms happening rather than this cycle back to winters of our memory. More snow than average, temps now staying colder in the KC region and our monopolized MGE gas company profiting more than ever on gas rates that are lower than two years ago. Gas is now over $3 and will self prophecy to $4 for Memorial Day. Just in time to shut down tourism and vacations. Well, but it won't. And for other reasons, we will likely not curtail our plans, but shift spending in other ways.

But that whole discussion if for yet another blog and an eventual new Blog category!

Oh well, we work, we save, we spend, and we drink. Cheaper than therapy, doc's or drugs.

Until next time,

Russ

Blogging and Podcasting slowly march forward

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:24:00 +0000

Its now a few days after posting that first blog. I have since "Burned" this blog with Feedburner, but frankly, don't know if that helps me or not. I think the RSS subscription looks more complicated than not having Feedburner. But, distribution of the Blog is aptly more viable and I get some cooler looking logos to put on.

I also am looking at those Google Adsense features to add in the next few days.

Now, to just find storage space or a CDN (Content Delivery Network) that is affordable to start my venture into Podcasting and then monetizing Podcasts.

All of these various blog sites that appear to lead one to believe they are each complimentary of each other, do something different to enhance your blog and website... but it is all about as clear as Mississippi mud. And it gets worse if you look for an online vendor of storage space or content delivery. They are also or are mainly webhosting sites.

Perhaps I should just sign on with .Mac for now. Get my feet wet and then find and move to a more robust CDN. I'll be trading my email fax number for that service. Not a big tradeoff or loss. Faxes are virtually a thing of the past now that we can scan and send PDF files through email. And .Mac is cheaper than the $15/month my fax service now costs me. And I get 10GB of space with 100GB of bandwidth. Not bad.

Well, so much for now. As the blog is titled.. enough ramblings.

Russ

First Blogger.com Post

noreply@blogger.com (Russ Wojtkiewicz) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:43:00 +0000

We've finally dipped out toes in the rushing waters of blogging with this post.

Not new to writing, but new to this form of distribution and expression to the masses. I hope to open up RBW, Inc., my company, to provide a series of educational podcasts and beginning with this blog, RBW, Inc. starts being educated on the ins and outs of blogging and podcasting.

We'll also hope to open up additional blogs as an outlet of our ideology regarding some of the grassroots problems that plague us today. And not just to rant, but to provide solutions. It is hoped our readers will also join us in discussion of solutions.

Well, here we go. Wish us luck!