Language that Makes Me Think

In a column by Al Mascitti in the News Journal this morning, there's a quote that gave me a moment's pause.

The column (It's racing interests vs. expanded gambling, and the purse is huge) is about the long-term effort to expand gambling's footprint in Delaware. What caught my eye, though, was part of quote from the executive director of the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems.

She spoke about the state having "an obligation to fund programs for the victims of public policy."

There's a notion that we should think about: "victims of public policy."

Another Form of History

cincinnati 1915
Originally uploaded by Least Wanted.

A Flickr member, Least Wanted, collects old photos discarded from law enforcement archives.

This one struck me because it looks oddly like my friend David Pedersen, of Georgetown. David with darker hair, a hat, facial hair, and a fancy collar.

Least Wanted's collection is a fascinating look back at fashion, hairstyles, and the faces of America over time. Remarkable.

Til Purnell Honored by the Sierra Club

A woman I have great respect for, Til Purnell, has won the National 2005 Special Services Award from the Sierra Club.

Til is part of a wonderful couple that returned to Sussex County from service abroad and has helped shape who we are. While she has championed environmental issues, her husband Skipper has been a voice in improving and modernizing state government. I had occasion to mention Skipper back in December.

Til Purnell is who I think of when I think of the word "forthright." She has convictions, and she stands for them. I have covered her as a reporter, worked with her in community theatre, sat with her in the audience at County Council, interviewed her and profiled her for Outdoor Delaware magazine, and argued with her as a state employee.

The woman is who we should all aspire to be.

Fourth of July at Bethany Beach

We spent the fourth with my folks, one of my brothers, and some family friends at Bethany Beach. We went to the Bethany Beach Fourth of July Parade, where I took a mess of photos. We spent the afternoon on the beach at North Bethany. We had a traditional meal of Burgers and Dogs, and eventually went down to the beach to watch the fireworks.

The Bethany Beach parade is one of our favorites. It's long. It attracts a decent number of politicians. It includes kids on decorated bicycles. And it brings out a healthy goofiness.

It was a pleasant afternoon on the beach. We swam, we sunned, we watched the kids dig for sand crabs, we sat around and talked politics.

After dinner, we planned to head down to the beach to watch the Bethany fireworks show about a mile south of us. We do this each year; we have the added fun of the fireworks shot off by all the groups up and down the beach around us.

Interestingly, this year here was some sort of cloud bank between us and Bethany and we really only could hear the town's fireworks show. There was some reflection off the ocean, but we were shut out visually. None of us could ever remember that happening.

The free-lance fireworks were still fun. We also traditionally distribute glowsticks to the kids. We put them on lengths of string for twirling, and throwing, and catching, and dropping.

It made for some interesting pictures.

Fifth Golf Game of 2005

An Island Green
Originally uploaded by mmahaffie.

I played 18 holes, poorly, this morning; again at the Heritage Course.

I had planned to go early and play a fast, solo, practice round. But the place was packed and it took longer than I had planned.

In fact, it was so crowded that, after a few holes, I joined up with a threesome to finish the round.

They were Chip, an assistant manager at the Heritage Course and the attached hotel, and his neighbors June and Tammy.

All three were very nice folks, at about my level of golf or a tad better. We had a good time, shared some laughs, and cheered each other on. It's a nice way to play.

I wish I'd played better. I did have a par on the 12th hole we played. But I'd also blown-up on a couple of holes.

In the end I carded a 123 for the 18 holes.

This is How We Get Grid-Lock

Note to folks coming to visit Coastal Sussex County: When you get into heavy traffic in an area with traffic lights, please don't enter an intersection unless you can go all the way through that intersection, regardless of whether or not you have the green light.

And when the light turns yellow. Stop. You won't beat it. Unless it would be un-safe to do so, just stop at the intersection.

Otherwise, you may get caught still in the middle of the intersection when the light changes, like these damn fools.

Luckily, no one needed to make the left from the side road I was on last night. When the light went green for us to go straight, though, the cars ahead of me were left to try to weave around some turkey that was further back in the intersection.

That, plus the very short duration of the green light for side-roads in this area, meant that I had to wait another cycle to get through. Turkeys.

Look. You are welcome to visit our area. We're glad to see you. But don't you people have heavy traffic back home? Don't you know how to handle this sort of thing?

Is there something about being on vacation that makes you forget common sense and common courtesy?

Golf in 2005

Let's let this serve as an aggregation of posts about golf played in 2005. I hope it will be a long list.

March 25, 2005 -- Lighthouse Sound, Ocean City, Maryland. With Andy Southmayd, Sandy Schenck and Rich Catonese. 126 for 18 holes. (Rainy. Cold)

April 24, 2005 -- The Heritage, Midway, Delaware. Father/daughter fun game, with Christina.

May 22, 2005 -- The Heritage, Midway, Delaware. Practice game. Alone. 54 for 9 holes.

June 19, 2005 -- Marsh Island, Angola, Delaware. With Andy Southmayd. 112 for 18 holes.

July 3, 2005 -- The Heritage, Midway, Delaware. Practice game, joined with three strangers. 123 for 18 holes.

July 10, 2005 -- Bethany Bay, Millville, Delaware. With Andy Southmayd. 88 for 18 holes on an executive length course.

July 18 and 22, 2005 -- North Country Golf Club, Rouses Point, New York. Richford Country Club, Richford, Vermont. Vacation golf. No scores.

August 21, 2005 -- The Heritage, Midway, Delaware. With Andy Southmayd. I'd post my score, but it's too depressing.

September 18, 2005 -- Marsh Island, Angola, Delaware. Epworth United Methodist Church fellowship scramble.

October 10, 2005 -- The Rookery, Milton, Delaware. With Andy Southmayd. In the not-rain.

A Photo Project: Water Towers

At Town Hall, Bridgeville
Originally uploaded by mmahaffie.It was an accident. I swear. However, it seems I've started collecting digital images of water towers from around Delaware.

I blame this shot of the Bridgeville water tower. I was going for the contrast with the blue sky, but it got me thinking about trying to get shots of water towers from all 57 Delaware cities and towns.

This could take a while.

Are You Part of the Charles Darwin Posse?

Grass-roots marketing: Charles Darwin has a posse -- free bookmarks and stickers. I get a kick out of this sort of thing.

And, while you're there....

Evolution Outreach Projects

I Have the Teeth of a Greek God

Well ... a statue of a Greek God.

Okay. A statue of a Greek God that's been lying on the floor of the Aegean Sea for several centuries. Lying there among the broken amphorae and rotting timbers of a wrecked trireme.

Never mind.

I had my mid-year dental check-up today and I'm thrilled to report that it didn't go nearly as badly as I was certain it would go. In fact, for a 43-year-old guy with a lifetime of questionable dental hygiene habits in his past, my teeth are in fairly good shape.

I have a fear of the Dentist. I know it is irrational.

My Dentists are very nice young guys; I've been to a Dead show with Dr. Barnhart. They do great work without a lot of pain.

But the reality for me is that the several days before a Dental appointment are a trial. It is true that the anticipation is worse than the reality. I project all sorts of unpleasant possible outcomes.

The worst part? The knowledge that any Dental problems found will reflect badly on me and my discipline. It bugs me that cavities, gum disease, and other possible problems could be my fault.

But my teeth are okay. My gums looked pretty good. My brushing and flossing have been effective.

As I walk away from the chair and out to pay my bill, I always feel this incredible wash of tension out of my neck and shoulders. As much as I try to go in relaxed, as much as I manage tension by getting into the cool new technology they now have, as much as I tell myself it'll be cool, I still have that tension.

But here's my secret: I try to stay aware of the fact of that tension. I remind myself that it will seem worse ahead of time. In fact, that's why I wrote this.