Here we are at the start of another month. Time to check the blogroll.
I had thought about replacing this with a collection of del.icio.us bookmark categories, but I think that would get me too wrapped up in categorizing. I've decided to stay with a blogroll of Delaware-related blogs and blogs I'm interested in and leave it at that.
As usual, I will remove any blogs that have lain fallow for a month or so.
Most active Delaware blog-readers are well aware that DelaThought has withdrawn from what was turning into rather a fray. I won't link to his or her site; it has been hi-jacked by some sort of icky real-estate spam site.
Willard has not updated DelaWhyte since June 9. He was down to only a post or two a month lately.
Mike R.'s Oblogation has been quiet for just over a month. He last took notice of an impressive thunderstorm. Remember back when they were rare? Was it only a month ago?
I'm pulling Philly Future. Not because it isn't active. It is. But I don't feel drawn to read it any more.
Ditto for The Hungarian Knight. It is active. And it is by someone in Delaware, but it is not about Delaware.
Other than these changes, I have to say that the Delaware Blog Community has been active and interesting lately. Things are heating up?!
Thursday, July 6, 2006
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
At Bethany Beach for the Fourth of July
As is our tradition, we went to Bethany Beach for the Fourth of July Parade.
Each year, we join my parents and elements of the Mahaffie clan along the Parade route where I love to greet statewide and local politicians. This year we had a good selection, including Senator Tom Carper and Governor Ruth Ann Minner.
Many of the parade entrants were handing out American flags. Very patriotic. It was not one of the politicians that was distributing plastic US flags clearly marked as "Made in China." My sister-in-law Karen pointed this out to me, after the folks handing these out had passed.After the parade, we spent the afternoon on the beach. It was such a hot day, the cold Atlantic water felt very good. We floated, and sat, and made sand castles, until almost 5. It's remarkable how burned you can get.
In the evening, we sat around my folks' house, drinking beer, chatting, snacking, and enjoying family and friends. We ate burgers and dogs, with pasta salad and macaroni and cheese, and veggies and hummus.
And there was dessert, while we waited for the sun to set and the Bethany fireworks to start. Unfortunately, a large thunderstorm rolled in and put paid to the fireworks show. So we sat and watched lightning from the living room.
It was a long, hot, tiring, but fun day. So much fun, in fact, that I found myself wide awake in the small hours of this morning, suffering from a righteous indigestion brought on by all that holiday enjoyment.
Sixth Golf Game of 2006
Andy Southmayd and I played Old Landing Golf Course outside of Rehoboth Beach yesterday morning.It was a hot and buggy 18 holes. Andy broke 100. I didn't. In fact, my score was worse than I had hoped, based on some of my recent outings. But I see signs of hope.
Rather than my usual steady mediocrity, in which I score consistent double or triple bogeys on most holes, I was up and down yesterday. I managed par on three holes, but always followed those holes with disastrous blow-ups.
On one par three, I hit my tee shot to within about 4 feet. My birdie try came close, stopping an inch or so short of the hole. I thought about that putt too much and tried to be too careful.
I also brought my driver out of my bag more often on this round than I have in the past. I'm inconsistent with it, but I think it is a viable option at this point.
I'll try to fit in one or two more lunchtimes at the driving range before we head off to Vermont and its challenging mountainside golf courses.
Old Landing was in better shape than it has been in a while. We last played there two summers back, and we were not impressed. Last year, I understand, the course was horrible. They were re-doing the greens and for parts of the summer, there were no greens at all on much of the course. They were better this year, though many of the fairways still need work.
And it was hot. And buggy. The flies were in heated competition with the mosquitoes to see which could be more annoying. We like to walk our 18 holes, where we can, but by the 17th hole we were regretting it somewhat.
Still, we had fun. And when we were done, we headed to Bethany to meet our families, enjoy the parade, and float in the cool cool ocean.
More on that later. Just now, I better head out to work.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Now It's Half Way
I rolled 50,000 miles in my Prius on my commute home the other day. I was just coming into Five Points and was able to take this photo while waiting in the left-turn lane to head towards Lewes.I figure I'll keep this car until just before I hit 100,000 miles. It has taken me about 20 months to roll 50,000. Next Prius in 2008?
This mileage stone isn't as fun as when I hit 22,222 or 44,444, but worth noting anyway.
Update: Update
As you can see, I decided to go back to he clean, minimalist look. I have started rebuilding the sidebar, but I am now headed out to mow the grass. I'll play more with this later!
Wait. What's Going On Here?
I had a major blog publishing malfunction last night. I don't know the technical details, but my understanding is that Blogger fainted for a moment while adding last evening's post. The result was that my blog template was corrupted.
I believe that the easiest solution is to re-select a template and re-publish in toto. I thought it might be a good excuse to try a new look. Or two. What you see now may not be what you see tomorrow.
I will have to re-add various links and widgets to the sidebar after I make a final template choice.
I was momentarily annoyed. However, this is the first major problem I've had with Blogger in nearly two years of blogging. And Blooger is, after all, a free service.
I believe that the easiest solution is to re-select a template and re-publish in toto. I thought it might be a good excuse to try a new look. Or two. What you see now may not be what you see tomorrow.
I will have to re-add various links and widgets to the sidebar after I make a final template choice.
I was momentarily annoyed. However, this is the first major problem I've had with Blogger in nearly two years of blogging. And Blooger is, after all, a free service.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Senior Delinquent?
We live in a wonderful small town that has been colonized by retirees the last few years. In fact, the whole Lewes/Rehoboth area has attracted a large number of retired and nearly retired folks. We're used to seeing more white hair than brown.
This morning though, an older gentleman surprised my eye.
I had an early dentist appointment and was heading out for work about an hour later than usual. I stopped by the new WaWa for a coffee treat (I'd been a brave little dental patient).
As I stepped out of my car, I noticed a man squatting against the side wall of the store. He wore dungarees and a tank-top tee shirt and a pair of those slip-on canvas sneakers. His hair was only a little long, but was lightly greased back in a modified DA.
He had a cigarette cupped in one hand and he stared off into space as he took a long, deep drag. Then he stood up, flicked the half-smoked butt out into the parking lot and slouched into the store.
I couldn't help thinking: "senior delinquent."
This morning though, an older gentleman surprised my eye.
I had an early dentist appointment and was heading out for work about an hour later than usual. I stopped by the new WaWa for a coffee treat (I'd been a brave little dental patient).
As I stepped out of my car, I noticed a man squatting against the side wall of the store. He wore dungarees and a tank-top tee shirt and a pair of those slip-on canvas sneakers. His hair was only a little long, but was lightly greased back in a modified DA.
He had a cigarette cupped in one hand and he stared off into space as he took a long, deep drag. Then he stood up, flicked the half-smoked butt out into the parking lot and slouched into the store.
I couldn't help thinking: "senior delinquent."
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Fifth Golf Game of 2006
I played another practice round at Midway Par 3 this evening.The course was in good shape, though there was plenty of storm blown leaf and tree-bit around.
I played two balls on each hole and kept two scores: good ball and bad ball. Good ball me scored a 62, eight over par. Bad ball me played, well, badly, scoring a (shudder) 82.
I was experimenting with different swings and different clubs. Full swing with the pitching wedge? Or short swing with the 9-iron?
I was happy with my swing, though I have a bad tendency to pull the ball.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Music. Two Very Different Sorts.
I have two very different music links to share. One is a rocking protest song I heard on the way home from work this afternoon. Another is a neat flash-based free-form music tool that I find soothing.
Who Said No One Writes Protest Songs Anymore?
Driving home this evening I found that the weird weather was scrambling the local NPR station. So I punched up the "Jam-On" station on my satellite radio. They played a new song from a soon-to-be-released album, Yell Fire!, by Michael Franti.
I think I've heard of Franti. He and his band Spearhead have been around for many albums. But I don't think I could have picked one of his songs from the musical mix out there. That may change.
The song was called Light Up Ya Lighter. It's one of an album's worth that he wrote and recorded following a non-USO tour of Iraq, Israel and Palestine. Over a tight hip-hop/reggae beat, Franti does a swinging reggae sort of rapping. He has a fairly direct take on the Iraq war:
I also plan to keep an eye on this guy on iTunes and buy some of his tunes when the album is released.
On The Other Hand....
I found a site called The Pianola a few days back. This is a flash-based application, entirely on-line, that uses little squares, floating in an enclosed space, to control a variety of tones.
The squares play sounds as they bounce off the walls, floor, roof and each other. They are affected by gravity, and their motion changes over time. You can combine tones yourself or start with several pre-sets, from Beethoven to more modern offerings. I particularly like the pre-set titled "F. Low."
This is a wonderful tool for on-line chill-out time.
Who Said No One Writes Protest Songs Anymore?
Driving home this evening I found that the weird weather was scrambling the local NPR station. So I punched up the "Jam-On" station on my satellite radio. They played a new song from a soon-to-be-released album, Yell Fire!, by Michael Franti.
I think I've heard of Franti. He and his band Spearhead have been around for many albums. But I don't think I could have picked one of his songs from the musical mix out there. That may change.
The song was called Light Up Ya Lighter. It's one of an album's worth that he wrote and recorded following a non-USO tour of Iraq, Israel and Palestine. Over a tight hip-hop/reggae beat, Franti does a swinging reggae sort of rapping. He has a fairly direct take on the Iraq war:
The army recruiters in the parking lot,Something about this tune really grabbed me. I like the energy. I like the rhymes. I like where the music lives: at the place where rock, rap, and reggae overlap. You can check it out on this MySpace link (I never thought I'd type those words!). The Spearhead website has several free downloads, including the first single, the title tune, from the new album.
Hustling the kids there juggling pot.
"Listen young man, listen to my plan.
Gonna make you money, gonna make you a man."
Bam, bam.
Here's what you get: An M16 and a kevlar vest.
You might come home with one less leg,
But this thing'll surely keep a bullet out your chest.
So come on, come on. Sign-up. Come on.
This one is nothing like Viet Nam.
Except for the bullets. Except for the bombs.
Except for the youth that's gone.
(Appologies to Mr. Franti. I was taking dictation from the PC speakers.)
I also plan to keep an eye on this guy on iTunes and buy some of his tunes when the album is released.
On The Other Hand....
I found a site called The Pianola a few days back. This is a flash-based application, entirely on-line, that uses little squares, floating in an enclosed space, to control a variety of tones.
The squares play sounds as they bounce off the walls, floor, roof and each other. They are affected by gravity, and their motion changes over time. You can combine tones yourself or start with several pre-sets, from Beethoven to more modern offerings. I particularly like the pre-set titled "F. Low."
This is a wonderful tool for on-line chill-out time.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Return With Us Now to Those Funky Days of Sesame Street
Back in 1973, Stevie Wonder and his band were guests on Sesame Street. They performed a great version of Superstition (YouTube).
I got such a kick out of this this morning that I had to post a link.
Sesame Street went on the air in 1969. I was already seven years old and too cool for "children's television." It was only as I became an adult that I caught on to what a great show Sesame Street can be. We used to watch it in college and I returned to it when I became a dad.
Watching this clip, I found myself wanting to see Elmo interact with a younger Stevie Wonder. Irrational, I know, since Elmo is a latter-day Muppet. But I think that Elmo is the coolest hipster they've had on Sesame Street in a long time. Even if some fuddy-duddies did dismiss his classic Elmo's Song.
This clip also makes me nostalgic for the days when music was performed live on television. The days when singers really sang and musicians actually were pictured playing instruments. The days when the performance might actually differ from the recorded version.
Reality. How I miss it.
I got such a kick out of this this morning that I had to post a link.
Sesame Street went on the air in 1969. I was already seven years old and too cool for "children's television." It was only as I became an adult that I caught on to what a great show Sesame Street can be. We used to watch it in college and I returned to it when I became a dad.
Watching this clip, I found myself wanting to see Elmo interact with a younger Stevie Wonder. Irrational, I know, since Elmo is a latter-day Muppet. But I think that Elmo is the coolest hipster they've had on Sesame Street in a long time. Even if some fuddy-duddies did dismiss his classic Elmo's Song.
This clip also makes me nostalgic for the days when music was performed live on television. The days when singers really sang and musicians actually were pictured playing instruments. The days when the performance might actually differ from the recorded version.
Reality. How I miss it.
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