And from the fog..

A very nice day out spotting airplanes today, highlighted by this AirFrance B747, flying as a sub for the A380, being forced to fly a go-around due to rapid fog build up on the runway.  Absolutley amazing site watching this bird go full throttle about 250 feet above my head.  And some people say plane-spotting is boring.  Take that Al Roker!

To see the rest of the best from today, check out:  http://www.flickr.com/cbcarver5

A Poem for Gary's Daughter

So Long HR

(c) 1999  by Christopher Blake Carver

My budget was long ago wasted

in terms of money love and lust.

I wonder if you even know it,

            as the smoke rising from your cigarette hides my face

            but not my feeling.

I don’t even know why I am here.

God knows I don’t need the liquor—

            maybe he knows I don’t need you.

But still I darken this door,

            four nights a week—nevermore, never less.

And I sit and watch you

            An intent stare glaze and glare, all rolled into one.

            All expressing my quest to learn why you entranced me.

God why do I do this?

            A torture self imposed.

I should have walked away long ago and far.

            When you are given the chance you pummel me down.

            Words like spears cast into my side

                        but no longer my heart.

I walk alone here, and often back home.

But sitting here now,

            My hazy reflection looking back from the bar top,

            and drinking on quarters once again—

I can finally accept what others have told me so long.

Walking home alone—

            is better than walking home with you.

Be Careful What You Wish For..

Congressional Republicans seem to be encountering frustrating seeds of reality and truth on many fronts, and their attempts to repudiate the Science of Global Climate Change are no different.  From the team of scientists tasked with proving Global Climate Change data has doctored, or at least exaggerated, comes this:

"All the physical indicators are consistent with a warming world. There is no doubt the trend of temperature is upwards since the early 20th century. And that trend is accelerating."

Read the full article here: 

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-climate-berkeley-20110404,0,772697.story

The incredible shrinking pie..

Vanity Fair addresses an increasing problem in the United States-- one that has great potential to dramatically impact American Society.  When you consider these facts with the actions of the governors in the midwest-- one can see how income dispartity will only increase in scale and accelerate the decline of the American Middle Class.  One has to wonder what their ultimate goal really is?

Some people look at income inequality and shrug their shoulders. So what if this person gains and that person loses? What matters, they argue, is not how the pie is divided but the size of the pie. That argument is fundamentally wrong. An economy in which most citizens are doing worse year after year—an economy like America’s—is not likely to do well over the long haul. There are several reasons for this.

 http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105?currentPage=1

Back From Watertown

Apologies for the lack of posts for the last few days, I was having "family time" in Watertown, NY with my cousin, her husband and their friends.  Many stories to tell, look for those to come shortly in whatever form they take.  Thanks to Danielle, Carl, Gary and everyone for a great time.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to comemmorate the 37th Anniversary of the Tornado Outbreak of April 3 and 4, 1974.  One of the most significant outbreaks of Tornadoes in US History, its signature event was an F5 tornado in Xenia, Ohio, on the afternoon of April 3rd.  Thity-Three lives were lost and over 1000 people were injured in Xenia alone.  (Image from: ohiohistory.org)