The New Carl Sagan

Met Dr. Michio Haku.
This Theoretical physicist has replaced the late Dr. Carl Sagan as the man of science for the common man.
Dr. Haku's relaxed demeanor and childlike curiosity is helping viewer of the cable television Science Channel explore the world of science.
I really like Dr. Haku.
He rarely uses big multi sylables words when simple words can do. And his enjoyment of the topic at hand is obvious. Mild and soft spoken he is not as preachy as the late Dr. Sagan.
Dr. Haku has a website as well... http://mkaku.org/ .
Finally someone has filled Dr. Sagan shoes.

The Doughnut Of Death

The LCH (Large Hadron Collider) or as I call it The Doughnut of Death has sprung a leak.
Don't worry micro mini black holes have not escaped but some helium has.
That right, the super collider cut one.
So much for super science.
The dang doughnut has a short and somehow a small leak of helium has occured.
A short between two magnets happened under the high voltage, no workers where at risk.
No word if Baron Karza has been spotted stomping around the control room but should the evil leader of the Microverse attack it will be nice to know the coo coo clocks will be among the first to go.
Where the Micronaughts when you need them?

Thinking Ahead

I have been thinking about Christmas.
With the economy the way it is I think it will be a very thin Christmas. I am however determined to put up a full size tree this year. The table top tree last year was a big disappointment.
My father has already found some thing he wants. He hardly ever gives a hint ha to what he wants.
I have no idea of what to ask for but maybe some books by Dr. Micho Kaku. I could always use a pair of pants. In any case Christmas is closing fast.
I wish time would slow down now that the nights are getting longer and the days getting cooler.

It's War

North star has opened a website for GTA: China Town Wars for the Nintendo DS.

http://www.rockstargames.com/chinatownwars/

They are promising the game this winter but do not say if it will be out by years end.
Will there be a special DS to celebrate this games release?

The Heat Is Back On

The cool front has passed and the heat of summer is returning. But hopefully not for long. The weather folks are predicting another cool front around the middle of next week. Yeah!
I am looking forward to the first cold front.

Power To The Man

The power is back on at our local police department.
Monday a small fire closed the building and Wednesday the power to the entire building died.
Who to blame...? Hurricane Ike.
The very high tides caused by Ike made it way into the under ground area of the police department and served the fatal blow to an already old and ill power delivery system that ran under the building. The power surge cause by the death of the power system took out the local 911 system, fried the water pumping system that ran throughout the building, and bricked most of the buildings computers.
The 911 has been running out of the emergency command center used by city officials at city hall during hurricanes and other crises.
The power has been restored and now the task of replacing and repairing the bricked computers lies ahead. Hopefully things will be back to normal in days.
Very thankfully this did not occur in the middle of a hurricane strike.

Mall Walker

I went to my favorite mall today.
The mall has been bought by a new company and they are claiming lots of changes.
That worries me.
The food court is being moved to the ground floor.
A waterfall has been planed as well as a much needed new elevator.
These all sound well in good but you know that the rent will go up and that will push out the small mom and pop stores.
The mall will be echo North Star Mall which at one point was full of interesting shops and carts. North Star is now so up scale that you can afford to buy anything. Popcorn there is 3.00 a small bag. There is no book store. A mall without a book store is unAmerican. And the book store in the mall here will close in one weeks time.
While I'm glade to see new money being brought to my home town I'm sad to see the small retailers being forced out of locations they have had for years. I'm sadder to see a great book store with great employees closing.
Times are changing.

New Mythbusters

Tonight on The Mythbusters Jamie and Adam looked into the myth that you could make a tazer out of a squirt gun. The first big problem was getting a constant unbroken stream of water to the target. The second was getting enough raw power in the stream of water for it to have any real effect. The solution. Simple but Jamie in a Tesla coil with a very simple and powerful squirtgun. Jamie squirted upon the target and the Tesla coil providied the power in the form of lighting.

Aftermath

There have been new photos released of the damage caused by Ike.
One of the most telling is a before and after showing the Galveston Island. In the before image there where eleven beach front houses and plenty of grass.
In the second image take after Ike only one house is left standing, the grass has been entirely striped away and all the trees are missing.

Our beaches have been doubled in width and sand dune after sand dune are simply gone. There are pieces of ruble, seaweed, trash, and broken lumber stand well over six foot tall.

How Bout Them Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys 41
Philadelphia Eagles 37

In an absolutely amazing game the Boys won.
The lead change side 7 times.

Go Cowboys!

Impact

I have played TNA Impact for the 360.
This is a first offering from TNA wrestling and Midway games. TNA signed a deal of a series of wrestling games.
This is not a pick up and play game.
The game offer no lesson in how to play. You will spend a great deal of time using trial and error to learn how to use the games controls.
The create a wrestler is slim compared to a WWF game.
You can not create your own entrance.
The graphics are last generation.
The sound is OK but not spectacular.
If you want a easy to play game skip this one but if you want a challenge you'll enjoy this game.

Seinfeld Gates

Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates have joined forces to promote Microsoft.
I can not think of two more repulsive people to hawk for a company who cares so little for its customers or the quality of it's products.

You are introduced to this post modern odd couple in a shoes store then you will follow them meeting "real people" by moving into a middle America white family.

Soon the hard sells will come. They will be shoving a Microsoft products down you throat.
I for one refuse to watch two self centered individual push crap of any sort.

Bring back Morris the cat. Now there a salesman!

Cool Front

While Hurricane Ike brought us no rain, today about 1 pm, a cool front came in and delivered from .40 to 1.25 inches of rain.
Fall starts September 22 this year.
This cool front is very welcomed at least by me.
The daytime temps will be in the eighties instead of the nineties or century mark and the night time temps will dip into the low seventies.
The resulting cooling of the coastal waters will make strengthening difficult for any future hurricanes.
Here comes the fall.
Stomach: Happy.

Here A Scary Thought

100 Days until Christmas.

Panic Now!

Hurricane Ike 10

Ike is now just a collection of winds.
The mass of winds are moving northwest at 50mph with gusts up to 75 mph.

Stomach: Happy

Hurricane Ike 9

Hurricane Ike made landfall at 2:10 am near Galveston Island.
Ike's maximum winds where 110 mph.
Ike now is a tropical storm after a life span as a hurricane for 9 days and 21 hours.
Tropical Storm Ike is moving north north west at 21 miles an hour. Ike will continue to be a treat by dumping heavy rain and strong wings until he blows himself out.
The people who stayed in Galveston Island and Houston Texas will have spent a season in hell they will not soon forget. Damages will run form 8 to 18 billion dollars.
There has been at least two deaths I know of and the guess the power will be out for a minimum of a week to more than a month.

I would not wish a hurricane like this on anyone even the nastiest of Nazis.

It's good to be home and under the iron paw of the ruling Bill the Cat

Home!

Home again home again, please no more roam again.
I'm home!
The ride here was uneventful except for a long line of military black helicopters flying south.
There was no accidents and no foul weather.
After talking to a neighbor and a close friend I learned there had been no rain fall or high winds in me neighborhood.
I did take a nap and talk to my friend in England.

I also got some mail. It was a car circular for a used car dealership The flyer showed a hurricane tracking map with a storm course projected directly at Port Lavaca. The depth of bad taste, poor choices, and ill timing is unforgivable. The ad firm behind this advertisement should be not only mortally embarred by the piece of crap but fired by the dealership. The dealership is all so to blame in the hidiously poor choices and deserved to be called on the carpet.

Hurricane Ike 8

Ike has moved away from my home town and seems to have taken at at Houston Texas. Ike is still below us but is moving in a more Northerly course.

Latitude 26.3 North
Longitude 90.4 West

Winds 10 mph
Moving WNW 12 mph
Pressure 956 millibars

Hurricane Ike 7

We are on the very edge of the "Cone of Uncertainty." In fact the people in San Antonio may come here to hide from the storm. However it is a hurricane and may stall, do dough nuts, or just change direction and make a bee line for us.

Stomach: SLIGHTLY even happier.

Latitude 24.9 North
Longitude 86.7 West
Winds 100 mph
Movement North West 7 mph
Pressure 944 millibars

The Peak Of Hurricane Season

Today September 10 is the peak of hurricane season. After October 20th the odds of being hit by a hurricane drastically decrease. The season official ends November 30th.
There are 80 days to the end of hurricane season.

Hurricane Ike 6

Stomach: SLIGHTLY happier.

Ike has moved a slight bit more towards the north and may make landfall late Friday north of us.

We are packed and ready to leave tomorrow morning. Ike may show up in San Antonio sometime Saturday or Sunday. By then he should be a lot weaker.

Latitude 24.5 North
Longitude 86.1 West
Winds 100 mph
Moving NW 8mph
Pressure 947

Hurricane Ike 5

Stomach : SLIGHTLY happier.

Hurricane Ike has moved into The Gulf of Mexico and is slightly less than a thousand miles away from us. Ike has made a tiny West North West turn. This is good news for us. IF Ike keeps this up he will come in well north of us.

We have booked a hotel in San Antonio and preparing to leave early Thursday. Ike may make landfall Friday or Saturday. I hope Ike keeps moving to the north.

Latitude 23.1 North
Longitude 84.0 West
Winds 75 mph
Moving WNW 10 mph
Pressure 969 millibars

Hurricne Ike 4

Ike is now aimed directly at us. The weatherman has he has a low reliance in the projected paths as the projections keep changing. I'm hoping that the storm changes to an even more Northerly course.

Stomach Unhappy

Latitude 21.8 North
Longitude 80.8 West

Winds 80 mph
Moving WNW 13 mph
Pressure 967 millibars

Hurricane Ike 3

Hurricane Ike is back over water and headed our way. If Ike follows his projected course he should make landfall north of us sometime Saturday.


Latitude 21.4 North
Longitude 79.7 West
Winds 80 mph
Moving West 14 mph
Pressure 965 millibars

My stomach hurts.

Hurricane Ike 2

Hurricane Ike is moving Westward following the coast line of Cuba. Ike seems to be set to enter the Gulf of Mexico.

Latitude 21.1 North
Longitude 75.8 West

Winds 120 mph
Moving West 13 mph
Pressure 945 millibars

Dallas Cowboys Win Season Opening Game

Dallas Cowboys 28
Cleveland Browns 10

The Cowboy pull ahead for an early lead and stayed there.
Tony Romo was knocked down and given a bloody chin but guided the boys to victory.

What The Hell

Yesterday I tried to play Mercenariness 2 on line with my friend who lives in the UK. The on line co op was one of the reason I bought this game.
Much to my great disappointment I discovered that I could not play with them because they where in a different regions.
If you are going to have on line co op why have region restrictions on your PAYING customers?
Is it that complicated?
Why is it other games have no problem with this?
Come on, speak up.
I hope there is a patch for this. I guess I'll add this to my growing list of why to rent Mercenaries 2 and not to buy it. This will go on the list after the game being buggy as a roach motel, unfinished, poor audio, and last generation graphics.
Again Mercenaries 2 World In Flame is a rent. Do not waste your money buying this game.

End Of An Era

Tonight marked the end of an era in local television.
The Chill With Phil Show has come to an end.
Chill With Phil was an old fashion "Let's watch a B movie with funny host program."
Phil took live calls and gave away prizes for answering trivia questions.
The show built a loyal following an a family of supporters.
Phil has had several eye surgeries. His vision has not returned as he has hoped and the station has "released" him from work.
I have no idea what Phil's future plans include but I wish him luck.

Good luck Phil.

The Day The Earth Stood Still

I pick up a dvd of one of the greatest movies ever made.
The Day The Earth Stood Still

This 1951 sci fi classic stars Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, and Hugh Marlowe.
This is one of the finest movies ever made. And the DVD does have some goodies.
The is audio commentary by Robert Wise and Nicolas Meyer.
A 70 minute long documentary.
A restoration comparison.
5 stills galleries.
Shooting Script.
Theatrical trailer.

If you like classic movies or sci fi movies I recommend this DVD highly.

Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike has made a slight North West turn.
Ike has winds of 135 mph and is moving WNW at 14 mph.
Ike's pressure is at 945 millibars.
If Ike stay on his projected path he will move in to the Florida area around late Tuesday early Wednesday next week.

Hurricane Hanna

Hanna has turned towards Florida.
Latitude 25.5 North
Longitude 75.0 West

Pressure 988 millibars
Winds 65 mph
Moving NW 14 mph

Dallas Cowboys Football Schedule

Here the schedule for the next month.

September 7th Sunday at Cleveland
September 15th Monday Philadelphia
September 21st Sunday at Green Bay
September 28th Sunday Washington

Go Cowboys

Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike is headed west towards the Gulf of Mexico.

Position:
Latitude 21.7 North
Longitude 53.2 West

Winds 115 mph
Pressure 960 millibars
Movement WNW 18 mph

VA Visit

My father is on his way home after his visit to the VA Hospital in San Antonio.
They temporally lost his blood work and he is to call some time next week for the results.
He did visit Van's Bar B Q and spent some time playing with his new scooter in the malls in San Antonio.

Tropical Storm Hana

Hurricane Gustav is done but will but releasing a lot of water and winds for the next few days.
Gustav has been replaced with Tropical Storm Hana.

Hana
Latitude 20.6 North
Longitude 79.2 West
Winds 70 mph
Pressure 985 millibars

There are also two other tropical storms.
Ike and Josephine

Gustav Makes Landfall

Hurricane Gustav made land fall about 10am with winds of 110 miles an hour. The storm made landfall near Cocodrie Louisiana.

Latitude 29.6 North
Longitude 91.1 West
Pressure 957 millibars
Moving North West at 15 mph

Mercenaries 2 Down In Flames

I have been playing Mercenaries 2 World In Flames.

The game is slightly disappointing. The graphics are last generation and the voice acting is as flat as an ironing board.

However there is plenty of action to be had. You can drive various vehicles, fly helicopters, and blow stuff up real good. You can call in air strikes and helicopter to pick up prisoners, evacuate you when injured.

All in all the game is a rental not a purchase.

Gustav 6

Hurricane Gustav is now a category 4 storm.

Latitude 26.4 North
Longitude 87.3 West

Pressure 956 millibars,

Gustav is forecast to make landfall between Monday or Tuesday AM.

Back On My Feet Again

I actually wore my favorite pair of sneakers or tennis shoes. It was a tight fit as my left foot is still slightly swollen. However I got them on and could walk around. I still have a bit of a John Wayne gate to my walk but I am walking.

A World In Flames

Mercenariness 2: World In Flame for the Xbox 360 should be released today. The local game store, Game Stop will open at noon. I feel like a kid on Christmas eve.
I want to play with my new toy.
I am talking some old games in to trade.
The trade in thing is a clear scam. If I trade in three games I will get 20 percent of the price of the game. However if you wait and take the games in on a different occasion you will get the trade in price of the games some of which is up to 30 dollars or more. That far better than a 20 percent value off a game for say 60 dollars.
Tricky little buggers arn't they.

Why Weather People Piss Me Off

Watching all the different weather forecasters is aggravating.

They talk in absolutes. Example "Thursday it will be sunny" this statement made on a Saturday night. Sunday morning arrives and it's "Thursday will be overcast with some rain."

Just admit you don't know what will happen one day to the next and explain your giving an educated quess. When you miss the forcast you can say "I warned you that the forcast was just a guess don't blame me" and when you get it right you can proclaim "Today is Thursday an it overcast with some rain. I got it right and I am brilliant!"

It's all a shot in the dark just admit it!!

We return you to our normale happy go lucky blog... weather permiting.

Saturday Night Stomach Looking For Sunday Morning.

My stomach is churning.

These hurricanes are making me ill.
I really hope all the storms go in north of us. I know that sounds cold for the poor people that will be effected by the storms but I don't need all this stress.

However tomorrow Mercenaries 2 should be released and I am really looking forward to the distraction of a new game to play.

I got to talk to an old friend last night. We both agreed that we both miss Ken a great deal. I feel like I lost a mentor and brother when Ken died. The last time I saw Ken he was in so much pain I was speechless. I am grateful he is no longer in pain.

I also got to talk to another old friend who lives in England. His job keeps him very busy and he and his wife are trying to adapt a child. I was nice to talk to an old play mate.

The sooner hurricane season is over the better. Bring on the cold weather.

Crossroads Closes

Yesterday the coffee shop Crossroads was closed. Crossroads was in the middle of our favorite grocery store. My dad loved to have some coffie while waiting for prescriptions to be filled at the pharamcy.

In The Teeth Of The Season

We are in the peek of hurricane season and it shows.
Today the last seven remaining unclaimed bodies that where victims of hurricane Katrina where laid to rest.
Three years ago today Katrina made landfall. Katrina was the fifth strongest hurricane ever in Atlantic and third strongest ever to make landfall. Katrina took at least 1,836 lives with 705 still missing. She packed winds measured up to 175 mph.
Meanwhile today one hurricane and one tropical storm lurk in the Atlantic ocean. Hurricane Gustav is traveling towards the Gulf of Mexico and tropical storm Hana is growing stronger.
There are 92 days left in the hurricane season.

Gustav 5

Latitude 18.8 North
Longitude 79.3 West

Winds 75 mph
Pressure 984 millibars
Moving West North West 11 mph

Gustav 4

Gustav is now a tropical storm after making landfall in the Dominican Republic.

Latitude 17.8 North Longitude 77.3 West

Winds 70 mph moving west 7 mph pressure at 988 millibars.

Dallas Cowboys Win

Dallas Cowboys 16
Minnesota Vikings 10

This was the final preseason game of the year.

Gustav 3

17.80 N 75.60W
Maximum sustained wind 50 mph.
Moving South West at 10 mph.

The Saffir - Simpson Scale

The Saffir - Simpson Scale is used to messure the power of hurricanes.

Category 1 Winds 74 - 95 mph with storm surge 4 - 5 feet above normal.

Category 2 Winds 96 - 110 mph with storm surge 6 - 8 feet above normal.

Category 3 Winds 111 - 130 mph with storm surge 9 - 12 feet above normal.

Category 4 Winds 131 - 155 mph with storm surge 13 - 18 feet above normal.

Category 5 Winds 156 and higher with storm surge above 18 feet.

The system was created in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Bob Simpson.

Gustav 2

Gustav is now at Latitude 18.8 North, 74.4 West.
The storm has winds of 60 Miles An Hour.
Pressure of 997 millibars.

Gustav is projected to be in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday morning.
Landfall is expected on Monday.

Gustav

Hurricane Gustav made landfall on Haiti. Gustav has killed one at lest one person. The storm is moving north west at 8 miles an hour.

Tropical Update - Gustav

The tropical activity without a name became hurricane Gustav.
Gustav strengthened into a category one hurricane early Tuesday morning traveling north west at 9 miles an hour. Gustav is expected to strengthen over the next few day and head into the Gulf of Mexico. There is a possibility that a high pressure front may change Gustav course away from us.

Busy Day

Bill the cat has had a busy day.
He has retired from gardening and spent most of the day napping on the cool kitchen tile floor. It has just been to hot for him to over see my father gardening adventures. Usually he helps out with some digging or monitoring the watering. However today he spent the day indoors.

Tropical Storm Fay 5

Tropical Storm Fay has been downgraded to a tropical depression. She is expected to take a turn north and travel north until al her energy is depleted.

Blogging

I am trying to train myself to do a daily posting in this blog.
Not that anyone knows about it. A few family members may visit it.
This is more or less an exercise in self control.
I think it would be neat if every one I knew had a blog so we could see whts going on in each others worlds.

Huricane Season

There less than a hundred days left in hurricane season. It can not end soon enough for me.

Now if only time would slow down after the winter starts. I looking forward to the winter and cool and cold weather.

Tropical Storm 4

Tropical Storm Fay has moved back into the Gulf of Mexico.
They expect the storm to make landfall again Saturday.

Dallas Cowboys Win Preseason Game

Dallas Cowboys 23
Houston Texans 22

Tropical Storm Fay 3

Tropical storm Fay made her third landfall today. With high winds and down pours Fay is moving towards Florida's panhandle.

Finally

Today the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) issued rules banning prerecorded calls from telemarketers.

To receive a prerecorded call from a Telemarketers you must choose to receive these calls. These rules do not block "informational" calls such as those telling you of a canceled flight, appointment reminders.

These calls are not covered by the TSR (Telemarketers Sales Rules) as they do not try to sale any goods or services to the receiver.

Tropical Storm Fay 2

Tropical storm Fay made landfall Monday then moved back out to the sea then made a second landfall near Cape Romano Tuesday morning.
A Tropical Storm Warning is out for the Central Atlantic Coastline.

Rainbow In The Dark Skys

There was a rainbow this morning. Wile Florida is dealing with Fay we are having some much needed rain. Hopefully there will be some more.

Tropical Storm Fay

Topical storm Fay is setting course for a tour of Florida. The current project path shows Fay moving through the body of Florida. Fay is moving a 6 miles an hour and is packing winds of 60 miles an hour.

Tropical Update

There a new tropical storm out there and her name is Fay. Fay has winds at 50mph and is moving North West alone the Cuban coastline. And may move to the coast of Florida.

Dallas Cowboys Lose Second Preseason Game

Dallas Cowboys 13
Denver Broncos 23

Big Foot Big Flop

Two men claiming to have found the remains of Big Foot submitted DNA from the remains for testing. The results have come back with the results that their Big Foot is more opossum than ape.

Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer are the two men who claimed to have found the body. By sheer coincidence they are co owner of a company that make Big Foot merchandise. Who would have guessed at that.

A Man And His Hobbies

Shigeru Miyamoto can not discuss his hobbies. It's not that they are bad but they make Nintendo Billions. Miyamoto hobby for gardening helped him create the game Pikmin. When he got a puppy he made Nintendogs. After he decide to lose weight he designed WiiFit.

The above games have made Nintendo billions of dollars and they do not want Shigeru discussing his hobbies out of fear someone will design a game best off his hobby.

If I was Nintendo I'd make sure he had plenty of free time to try new hobbies.

Tropical Update

There is new activity 200 miles east the Leeward Islands. The disturbance is moving North - North West at 10 to 15 miles an hour.

1400 mile East of the Leeward Islands is an area of low pressure.

There is another storm just of the coast of Africa also moving westward.

Tax FreeWeekend, Kind Of

This weekend will be another tax free weekend.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday some items under $100.00 will be state tax free.

Baby clothes Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students Belts with attached buckles Boots - cowboy, hiking Caps/hats - baseball, fishing, golf, knitted Coats and wraps Diapers - adult and baby Dresses Gloves (generally) Gym suits and uniforms Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts Hosiery Jackets Jeans Jerseys - baseball and football Jogging apparel Neckwear and ties Pajamas Pants and trousers Raincoats and ponchos Robes Shirts Shoes - sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking Socks (including athletic) Shorts Suits, slacks, and jackets Sweatshirts Sweat suits Sweaters Swimsuits Underclothes Work clothes and uniforms

Have you noticed whats not on the list. SCHOOL SUPPLIES!
Pens, pencils, folders, paper, and the like are taxed.
You state government demonstrating their brilliance once again.

My New Life Ambition

To be the last person on earth not to have played World Of Warcraft.

More Tropical Trouble

Two Tropical disturbances have formed in the Atlantic. Wile not hurricanes is active now the two storms will be closely watch.

The Tears Of Saint Lawrence

If you look at the stars tonight you may see The Tears of Saint Lawrence.

Laurentius, a Christian deacon, was martyred by the Romans in 258 AD on an outdoor stove. It was in the midst of this torture that Laurentius cried out: "I am already roasted on one side and, if thou wouldst have me well cooked, it is time to turn me on the other."

The saint's death was commemorated on August 10. King Phillip II of Spain built his monastery place the "Escorial," on the plan of the holy gridiron. And the abundance of shooting stars seen annually between approximately Aug. 8 and 14 have come to be known as St. Lawrence's "fiery tears."

The tears are in fact of part of the Swift Tuttle comet. This time every year the Earths orbit crosses the path of the Swift Tuttle comet providing the meteor shower. The comet particles sail into Earths atmosphere at 37 miles per second.

Dallas Cowboys Lose First Pre Season Game

Dallas Cowboys 17
San Diego Chargers 31

NFL Network

I has settled in to watch my first Dallas Cowboys preseason game on the NFL Network.
First off the game started several minutes late and not only did I miss the kick off butthe first score of the game.
After a long commercial break I saw a few more minutes of the Cowboys game when it was replaced without any announcement by the different game entirely. The game was the New York Jets and the Cleavland Browns.
Either someone screwed up or the NFL flat out lied and hope no one would notice.
In any case I found the Cowboys game on another channel.
The score is currently San Diego 38 Dallas Cowboys 14.

Not a promising start for the new season.
Maybe the Cowboys should spend more time on football and less time worrying about the new stadium.

Dallas Cowboys Pre Season Schedule

Saturday August 16th 2008 - 8:00 pm
Denver away

Friday August 22nd 2008 - 7:00 pm
Houston at home

Thursday August 28 2008 - 7:00 pm
Minnesota at home

T Boone Pickens Plan

Former oil man and hedge fund chair holder T Boone Pickens has spoken up against the United States dependency on foreign oil.
The United States spends $700 Billion every year on foreing oil for 70% of our fuel.
Pickens is spend a large sum of money in "Wind Farming.'
For more check out his website Pickens Plan.
It is at http://www.pickensplan.com/ .

Halo 3 Figure

While in San Antonio I picked up one of the new Halo 3 multi player figures. You can mix and match parts of the armor like the shoulders and helmets to match the armor you wear in the game.

TagWorld R.I.P.

I tried to get back into my Tag World page to discovered that the whole site has had a major reworking. This is more of a rape than a redesign. The entire site has been rendered unusable. Good work Flux you have totally destroyed a wonderful community.

Van's

Gates Get Your Hand Out Of My Wallet

In an attempt to give Bill Gates the finger I have downloaded Open Office.
Gates has enough of my money and I consider him to be the biggest thief on the planet.

Midpoint

By my understanding today marks the midpoint of the summer season here in South Texas.
This means hopefully that the temperatures will stat going down and the days will cool off.

Edouard Makes Landfall

Tropical storm Edouard made landfall East of Galveston and West of the Louisianan boarder.

What They Need Is A Better Cheif Enginer

Space X lost not only three satellites but the remains of actor James Doohan who is widely know as "Scotty" the fictional chief engineer of the USS Enterprise from the original Star Trek television series.
The ashes of 200 other people where lost as well.
This was the third loss for the Space X company.
The satellites where the property of NASA and The DoD.
Also lost where the ashes of Gordon Cooper who was one of the original Mercury astronauts.

Edouard Update

Edouard has weakened then restrengthened but is still moving west and should make landfall sometime Tuesday.

A New Tropical Trouble

Tropical Storm Edouard formed in the Gulf of Mexico about 4pm.
Edouard is the fifth tropical storm this season and has winds at 45 miles an hour.
The storm is expected to make landfall Tuesday.
Edouard was located around 90 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and is 400 miles east of Galveston, Texas.
It is moving West at 6 mph.

Old Nightmare

Today marks the anniversary of the 1970 hurricane Celia.
Celia killed a minimum of 15 people and did $400 million dollars of damage.

A Thought

Studying quantum mechanics is like trying to understand politicians. Both make your head hurt and neither has a practical usefulness.

Digging Into The Unknown

Josh Bernstein formerly of the History channels "Digging For The Truth" will soon be hosting a new show on the Discovery channel called "Into The Unknown with Josh Bernstein".

The Discovery channel (Home of The Mythbusters) program will premier August 18th.

A Week Away

Football season starts in eight days. I can't wait.

Good News Doc

I saw my doctor today. He looked at my foot, listened to my heart, and complimented my shoes.
He said my heart sounded good and my foot looked even better.
He liked my shoes with the dragons on the tops.
I feel better and am trying to stay cool.

The gulf looks clear for the week so that leaves a little over a month of the heart of hurricane season left to go.

The Heat Is On

Today has been a coolish day with temperatures in the mid 90s. The next six weeks are not only the hottest and the most active hurricane wise part of the year.
I have felt horrible for the past few days and Friday my heart rate hit 117.
They took xrays and ekgs then had me take one of my own pills and sent me home. It could have been much worse.
The sooner August and September are over the happier Ill be.

After The Storm

We are home from San Antonio.
The trip up there was very quiet. There was hardly any traffic.
The tropical storm Dolly was moving over the gulfs warm waters.
We where a few of the guest of the people staying at the hotel Tuesday night. The next day the hotel was full and when we tried to book an extra night we where threatened by having our stuff fordable removed from the rooms.
Now we where paying and by my understanding what they threatened to do is a violation of several laws.
Like most bullies when stood up to the cowards backed down.
Despite the behavior of the one employ the hotel was very nice although the air condition was WAY underpowered.
The trip home was full of blinding downpours and brief moments of sun. But once outside of San Antonio city limits the skies cleared and we had a smooth and uneventful trip home.
Upon are arrival home Bill the cat ate everything in sight and did a great deal of complaining.
It is very nice to be home with my extra firm pillow and air conditioning.

Dolly

We are bracing for a possible hurricane.
I am be threatened by a storm named after a great musical. Already there an overflow of "Hello Dolly" jokes. Mostly made by candy asses that have never been in a hurricane.

The timing is very annoying. I had to rebook a doctors appointment and may miss a visit from the cable company.

Dolly is presently producing winds of 52 mph.

She is too far out in the Gulf of Mexico to place a landfall. She has also just moved into warm water which may strengthen her.

Walking On Sunshine

Yesterday I was released from physical therapy. They said I was doing very well and am walking on my own very well. I have a list of exercises to do.
I'm happy with this news. I think I may buy some shoes to celebrate.

Sid Meier Does It Again

Sid Meier has released his latest game called Civilization Revolution.

This game is an instant classic. The audio and graphics are very well done. The game play is simple yet complicated.

You control a leader of a civilization. You build and command an army and try to dominate the world. You must control each town and direct it's resources. You also guide the technology and use diplomacy with other world leaders.

This is a lesson in world history disguised as a game.

Battfield B S

I have tried for over a week now to set up an account to view my screen shots from Battlefield Bad Company but EA never sends the email that tells you how to set up the account. Typical. Why bother thinking things through when you can do it at the last moment. Very professional Electronic Arts.

Pass The ... Water

A local gas station has been pumping water and gas into people gas tanks. The station has closed and is investigating how the water into the gas. When a local television station started asking question it turns out there is in fact no state agency who is designated to investigate such events. After that point was pointed out local congressman Solomon Ortiz Jr. claims that he will look into this matter.

T Bone Pickens Picks Wind

One time oil legend T Bone Pickens is investing 10 billion dollars into the worlds largest wind farm.
Mr. Pickens has ordered 667 of G. E. 1.5 Megawatt wind turbines. Picken's Mesa Power is building the world largest wind farm outside of Pamas Texas. The Pamas Wind Project will generate 1,550 jobs during the build and 720 jobs afterwards.

The wind farm will gerenrate 1,00 Mega Watts of power starting in 2011.

Rain Rain

It has finally started raining here and may rain all week. As long as it is not a hurricane I am happy.

Battfield Of Fun

I have been playing Battlefield Bad Company for the Xbox 360.
The graphics and audio are fantastic.
The Storyline is fun and seems to have been inspired by the Clint Eastwood's film "Kelly's Hero's"
You and a small band of none player charterers find a box of gold and it turns out to be a small part of a huge collection of gold being moved by a mercenary.

The on line play is brilliant. You and three other players must attack other players in there base and destroy the boxes they are guarding or you must prevent the other team from destroying the boxes you are guarding.

There are four types of solders you can play. There are also many vehicles and tons of weapons to use.

I give this game a 4/5.
A must play.