SlingShot Thought

Maine: We'll Let You Smoke Pot, Just Don't be Gay

2009-11-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

One result from the election this past Tuesday is that 53% of Mainers are homophoes. I think a lot of things about this: it sends a sad message, people are so disturbed by the gay sex part of the issue that they are overlooking the intent, marriage is the proof of commitment that two people love each other. The people who were for overturning the law that out legislatures passed to legalize gay marriage are frightened. Afraid of what? I’m not sure...that their kids will be taught about gay marriage in school, who the fuck is taught about marriage in school?; i certainly was not, were you?

And there is another point, why do we have Legislatures making and passing (or not) laws, if every time one goes through, it gets kicked back to the citizens for a re-vote? We could save a ton of money and time in this State if we axed the whole legislature system and turned every decision to the citizens for voting...*whatever*.

This whole post could become rantish, boring and get TLDR so Ill shorten this up and come at this from another angle. I think we missed a good opportunity to increase sections of the economy. The wedding planners, cake makers, function halls, suit rentals, wedding dresses....all that money spent in/on weddings will never be spent....travel accommodations, all of it. I'd venture to say millions per year in this state. Bye Bye. Then you have the divorce lawyers....they would likely have more work too. I'm gonna guess this marriage issue will be back.

Now, the other vote issue that came up is the 59% of Mainers supported the medical marijuana proposal to expand availability...basically to create dispensaries. Hummm...we'll let you smoke pot, but just don't be gay. What a world.

October 27, 2009 Vblog

2009-10-27T16:51:00.000-04:00

-Hi Ma

Video Blog October 20, 2009

2009-10-21T11:22:00.000-04:00

Well, when your on a roll...keep rolling.

October 16, 2006 VBlog

2009-10-16T09:10:00.001-04:00

I've been kind of bored with blogging lately. My camera crapped out so I was losing the photographic inspirations that make blogging interesting. Additionally, home time and work time has increased, especially with the onset of winter. I still got wood to move and attic insulation to lay out (today). So, since that I have the day off I thought I'd give something different a try. Plus I want to add more things for my family to see and also leave behind some candid recordings to add to the original intent of this blog, journal.

My early morning vBlog for today:

-joe

Gross Baby Story

2009-10-06T09:41:00.000-04:00

This tale must be shared. It is not uncommon but must be documented for the purposes of this blog as that I hope one day my son will discover these writings of mine and understand more of my life and his. No pictures please.

Early this morning as we were preparing for work. The boy and I were in the kitchen. He was naked from the waste down because mom asked me to leave his bottom bare to air out the undercarriage. I was getting milk from the refrigerator while the boy was pulling tea and spices from the cabinets. I turned back to look at him and Im like 'When the fuck did the dog shit on the floo...aawwwh crap.'

Yep. LG dropped lumber on the kitchen floor AND was standing in it.

I picked him up to bring him to the changing table, just as a do...'doink' -poo covered foot, meet Dads shirt.

I clean up the bulk poo quickly and yell out from mom, who cant hear anything over the whine of the hair dryer. We scoot over to the bathroom for her to clean the shit from between his toes.

With my shirt removed I move right back into the kitchen to disposed of the soft log and manage this hazardous waste clean up.

The End. When is fathers day again? I'm asking for something good.

Summer Blow Outs

2009-09-29T09:20:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago my friend "Ranger" won a writing contest and 50 pounds of lobster as the prize. A kid friendly group celebration at Winslow Park in Freeport to consume said crustaceans was held. I think I had two bugs and picked though 4 extra bodies.

The this past weekend celebrates the the boys first journey around the sun. That was a quick year. The family gathered like it hasn't in many many years on Saturday. It was bigger than our wedding. Then on the following Sunday Grandpa-G said a local lobster man stopped by and dropped off some more lobsters at no charge. So on Sunday we cooked up 24 lobsters and 20 crabs...with only three eaters. I got through 6 and then shelled 15 into a bowl for lobster rolls and other recipes. Three full pounds of lobster meat. I ended up putting two pounds into the freezer. TWO POUNDS! The third pound will be used for the lobby rolls. Yumm!

I ended up bringing three lob's and 4 crabs over to the Ranger to share the wealth. Its gonna be a hella shellfish week.

I love Maine.

Little Boy Jew Come Blow Your Horn

2009-09-14T19:53:00.000-04:00

I couldn't resist the post title. It fits too perfectly, and the number one rule to get your story read, is have a catchy title.

Sitting in the park today, soaking up the sun I watched as two men wearing some traditional style Jewish clothing were handing out free honey, blowing a shofar (ram's horn) and as I learned publicizing the coming new year -Rosh Hashana.

It turns out that Rabbi Akiva Herzfield of the Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh in Portland is inviting everyone to attend the free service at 4:30pm on Saturday the 19th. this year

"Now is the time to reach out and remind people of their Jewish roots, and to invite them to greet the New Year" -as the good Rabbi is quoted in the September 12, 2009 Portland Daily Sun.

Herzfield and 'David' were also handing out free 4-ounce jars of kosher honey while promoting their new year services. The honey is made in Portland. The honey is very tasty and you can get more info and even purchase some at OVERLAND HONEY.com.

Easter Eggs

2009-09-14T10:45:00.000-04:00

Damn it ! the pictures are on the other camera. Anyway, on saturday morning I went to look at a used car for sale. Only 500$. A muted blue 1972 Mercedes, 4 door. 240 with a 280 motor.

The story from the guy was that for the past 6 years it has been in the garage. His wife drove it some prior to that. An old guy from Florida drove it only while he was in Maine during the summers. An old lady had it before that. The fucking car has just over 60,000 miles. Its 37 years old. $500!.

The body was in great shape. some work and paint had been done to it in the past but it was not a big deal. After putting a charge to the battery and a little gasoline down the TWO carburetors, it started and ran. And ran great. What a score! So yeah, we bought it. Its at the garage now. At this point it may only need 4 new breaks. And because of it's age, title required.

After the break work is done there is already a buyer lined up.

Day Dreamin'

2009-09-09T09:47:00.000-04:00

Race Across the Sky

2009-09-03T15:48:00.001-04:00

Yeah. this looks cool. I hope I will be able to add it to Nextflix.

I also added it to my cycling blog. Stone Temple Ccyling

Workin' Hard

2009-08-31T21:30:00.000-04:00

I have been spending some time involved with other things lately. The boy is keeping us busy. He is in full on walking mode. I think his little baby legs were sore from walking so much the other day. He is back in daycare and Wife is back to school.

The weather has been fabulous and I dont want to miss a second.

Work is picking up, at least for the next month or so. So, thats good.

And I visited my homeopathic dr. for the first time. A good visit and following a little blood work Ill have a good idea of my general condition before I start to really head over the cliff of older age. My b.p was 104/60 and my r.h.r was 60 bpm. Pretty damn good but Im sure my cycling has everything to do with that.

I have only had 5 beers in the last 4 weeks., as opposed to somewhere aroud 75. I am down to about 185lbs and hopefully the other blog I am working on will generate a little bit of money towards a new bike.for the spring. So, I got some stuff going on and I like it. I think once the clocks go ahead in teh fall my blogging will ramp back up.

Pic of the Boy and Dog

2009-08-26T13:43:00.000-04:00

Its a good pic. I couldn't resist sharing it. Plus its a shirt that GoAS got for him and I know she has been dying to see him wearing it.

The Significant Relationship of Geology and the PB&J Sandwich

2009-08-19T10:46:00.005-04:00

It's likely that you have eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But do you understand the significance of the PB&J in the world of GEOLOGY? Probably not....unless of course you are a geologist. Here I present:

The Top Five Greatest Lessons of the PB&J Sandwich to the Field of Geology.

1) SUSTENANCE: Many a grad student has spent long durations of time far far away from civilization searching for that unit-of-pillow-basalt-to-prove-that-ophiloites-extend-further-into-the-pacific-northwest-than-previously-thought. The trouble comes as, what the fuck to eat out there? Luckily the PB&J is light weight, has a good calorie count and maybe most importantly CHEAP. I know as a grad student I had no pay and was frequently deep in the Maine woods looking for more damn schist on an empty belly. PB&J saved me more than once.

2) HYDROGEOLOGY: The main lesson that comes right to mind when talking about a good PB&J is related to hydrogeology and proper construction of the PB&J. Peant Butter acts as a very impervious barrier between 'watery' jelly and porus bread. Any PB&J worth its weight will be constructed in this manner: bread, peanut butter, jelly, peanut butter, bread. Whereby the peanut butter retains the jelly, keeping it from soaking the bread. It's just common sense people. The peanut butter also tends to act as a seal, keeping the jelly in, when the sandwich is bitten into. No Mess.

3) TECTONICS: Many a PB&Js sitting side by side on a flat table have been mashed into one another demonstrating mountain building processes. The jelly can even look like the lava of and erupting volcano. *haha*

4) SEDIMENTARY: The Law of Superposition is no where better illustrated than in the construction of the PB&J. (See #2) Alt Link. Chuncky peanut butter can even stand in as a conglomerate or melange.

5) STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY: Cut a PB&J in half and faulting can be demonstrated, sinistral, dextral, reverse normal. Fold it up, syncline. Fold it down, anticline (pic right-->). Fold it and flip it, recumbent fold. BLAM!
There you have it. This is by no means a definitive list and I encourage you to add your best peanut butter and jelly sandwich stories.

Vlad the Impaler

2009-08-14T09:19:00.004-04:00

And just because its friday and im feeling good.....

Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev had a boys night out. Thou Medvedev was a pussy and only drank water. Here is the story. The only real reason for this post was to have a reason for my caption add to one of the photos of the story.

Have a great weekend.

Interlude with Mr. Reinhardt

2009-08-14T09:05:00.003-04:00

For your friday enjoyment and musical enlightenment I post a tune by Django Reinhardt.

what can i do

2009-08-13T12:42:00.000-04:00

after a few months of not really needing to use my ipac210...the need has returned. I have reestablished the sync with the pc and now I am testing the capabilities as both a mobile office utility and toy.

EPA grant to BNAS

2009-08-12T08:20:00.002-04:00

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
August 11, 2009

Contacts:
U.S. EPA, Stacy Greendlinger, (617) 918-1403
Brunswick Area Citizens for a Safe Environment, Ed Benedikt, (207) 442-0445

EPA Awards Additional $25K to Brunswick Area Citizens for a Safe Environment

(Boston, Mass. – August 11, 2009) – The Brunswick Area Citizens for a Safe Environment (BACSE) was awarded an additional $25,000 to supplement its existing EPA Technical Assistance Grant for the Naval Air Station Brunswick Superfund Site in Brunswick, Maine.

Recognizing the importance of community involvement and the need for citizens living near Superfund sites to be well informed, EPA awards Technical Assistance Grants to qualified citizen groups to hire independent technical advisors to interpret and help the community understand technical information about their site.

***BACSE members, contact me if you would like to hire my company as your technical advisor.***

Since 1990, EPA has awarded BACSE a total of $300,000 in technical assistance grant funding. BACSE has provided nearly $110,000 of in-kind contributions, which far exceeds the statutory obligations of the grant. This substantial contribution reflects BACSE’s years of volunteerism and dedication to its efforts to keep local citizens apprised of cleanup issues and to provide the Navy with community input.

This latest grant money will be used by BACSE to continue to employ a consultant to interpret data and help the impacted communities understand the technical information about NAS Brunswick so that they may fully engage in the Superfund process.

BACSE was formed in 1990 to monitor the investigation and remediation of the NAS Brunswick Superfund Site. BACSE works to educate and involve area people in the effort to obtain a safe cleanup at NAS Brunswick. As citizen members of the Restoration Advisory Board (consisting of community representatives and State and Federal regulators), BACSE was formed to advise the Navy on environmental cleanup issues and strategies as NAS Brunswick progresses toward closure as designated under the authority of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act (BRAC).

Past Navy activities (either leaks, spills, or other activities that were acceptable practice at the time) have left behind chemicals in the soil, groundwater, and sediment at certain areas of the Naval Air Station. In 1984, NAS Brunswick was added to EPA’s Superfund program. In total, 26 sites/areas of concern have been identified to date at NAS Brunswick and have been, or are being investigated.

More information:
- EPA Web site on Brunswick Naval Air Station (www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/brunswick)
- NAS Brunswick Environmental Cleanup Program: (http://nasbrunswick.navy-env.com/)
- Brunswick Area Citizens for a Safe Environment (http://community.curtislibrary.com/BACSE/)

2009-08-11T17:47:00.002-04:00

Super day today. Good solid client meeting. Home early.

found this short and funny movie.
funny to me because i recognized each one right away.
smurfs is the best concept. watch.

News: file under - stupid Taliban

2009-08-10T13:10:00.003-04:00

Stupid Taliban. This is why they will never do anything more than suicide bombings.
They cant even argue about who's next to run the 'organization' without drawing guns.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Monday August 10, 2009

2009-08-10T11:26:00.003-04:00

A quick post....A fantastic weekend. Lawn tractor tire fixed. Lawn mowed. 30 feet of exterior trim scraped, primed and painted. Two 10" hemlock trees cut down and limbed. Several small <4inch trees also removed.

fyi: the guy in the first scene is Stephen King. He lives about 2 hours from us in Bangor.

Cycle Commuting

2009-08-04T09:16:00.004-04:00

Yep. Today I rode in. The weather is fantastic this week (finally) and I am going to take advantage of it, plus this week I found a cool new web site; MAP MY RIDE.
I have not played with it too much yet but the interface is simple and I have been able to do everything I need without any difficulty. Mapping routes, viewing ride information and even keeping track of my workouts. oh and they provide embed code.
here was my ride this morning into work:

Commute to Work
Find more Bike Rides in Yarmouth, Maine

The ride back to the car will be similar.

USELESS Commuting Statistics:
14.17 miles
44 mins 2 seconds
19.2 mph avg speed
30.5 mph max.

A Wet Sunday Ride

2009-07-28T08:30:00.001-04:00

The KVBC ride on Sunday was warm and wet. The group of six started at the Laura E. Richards school on Rt. 201 in Gardiner and followed a shorter route than was originally planned. The pre-ride doppler radar showed a good sized storm bearing down on us and there was no reason to punish ourselves.

The rain started as soon as we began our tour through the back roads of Gardiner, Richmond and Litchfield.
Noteable roads being the New Road in Richmond which gives you a nice long (1 mile-ish) 3% decent; a Tour de France-like uphill switchback onto GrindStone Crank Road; a grape vinyard and views of Pleasant Pond.
We did get some dry weather towards the end and everyone had a great time.
Hopefully next year the loop to Bowdoinham won't get rained out.

View Larger Map

2009-07-26T12:39:00.001-04:00

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outting

2009-07-24T09:51:00.004-04:00

Last weekend Wife and I attended the wedding of an old friend of mine. It was significant because, well not only the wedding, but that it would be the first night that we would leave LilGuns over night with his Grandparents.

We picked up my brothers lady in Cape E. and got to the Portland Club at just before 5. the last guests to arrive...of course. After shooting the shit with my bud's, many of who were in the wedding party, we were told to take our seats by someone.
The entrance of the wedding party began and before you knew it they bride and groom are walking out. Ten minutes start to finish. Let the reception begin!
The three of us went right back outside to the car where I had a few beers waiting in the car trunk. Hey, there is no need to buy 6 moderate quality 4$ beers when I got 6 good quality on ice right out side. The ladies each had a Sam Adams, I had two NewCastles. My brother came out and a few others. They shared some Crown Royal whiskey. Now, primed up we can go back in and have dinner.
The bride/groom first dance was a fun choreographed thing. Best one I ever saw...Something along the lines of THIS.
And the food was good. So, with that hurdle crossed there was nothing to do but feed wife a shot of tequila and dance and smoke a cigar.

New pool

2009-07-19T13:50:00.001-04:00

New pool.