Everyone MUST LEAVE NEW ORLEANS.....

Wow....

The hurricane has wrought such distruction that the governor of Louisianna has issued this dire warning to the population of the "Big Easy"

Part of news article below:
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The governor of Louisiana says everyone needs to leave New Orleans due to flooding from Hurricane Katrina. "We've sent buses in. We will be either loading them by boat, helicopter, anything that is necessary," Gov. Kathleen Blanco said. Army engineers trying to plug New Orleans' breached levees struggled to move giant sandbags and concrete barriers into place, and the governor said Wednesday the situation was growing more desperate and there was no choice but to abandon the flooded city.

"The challenge is an engineering nightmare," Gov. Kathleen Blanco said on ABC's "Good Morning America."

As the waters continued to rise in New Orleans, the Pentagon began mounting one of the biggest search-and-rescue operations in U.S. history, sending four Navy ships to the Gulf Coast with drinking water and other emergency supplies, along with the hospital ship USNS Comfort, search helicopters and eight swift-water rescue teams. Red Cross workers from across the country converged on the devastated region.
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I cant imagine being asked to leave my home much less my whole city because of a natural disaster. This has to be one of the worst calamities to ever hit the U.S. in my lifetime.

A Hurricane's Awesome Power of Destruction-Pics

What a storm....some are saying that the recovery effort will take 3-5 years! And that some people may be without power for up to 2 months...I can't even imagine that. So far as I have heard though...only 50 some people have been confirmed killed by the storm as of tuesday morning...though they say the rescue efforts have just begun. I am watching CNN right now and some of the video is just amazing.

I am also watching a video of a TV news station in New Orleans interviewing the City's mayor as to the amount of destruction and the toll of damages inflicted in the "Bi Easy". Sounds pretty bad according to thr mayor.

http://www.wwltv.com/

Once at the site above-Click on the different links to watch the different videos esp this one:
www.wwltv.com/082905mayor.wmv

A late summer Bonfire out in the country

I had the joy of sitting by a fire in the country a few days ago out at my friend Doris' place in the country. What a nice evening. We even roasted marshmellows.... ahh...late summer nights.

The Big Easy spared...this time (But still lots of damage)

It seems the latest Hurricane to hit the U.S. spared New Orleans its full wrath..but from the news articles I have been reading on the internet..there is still quite a bit of damage that was done by this powerful storm. The Superdome (pictured) had some wind damage but according to all the stories I have read, the city was spared major damage...this time.

Also the area where my friend's son in law is training for overseas deployment as part of the Troop buildup in the Mideast, seems to be fairing well...at least according to the following news article I pulled off of JSOnline.com:
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State soldiers hunker down in Mississippi

The more than 1,000 Wisconsin Army National Guard soldiers who are training at Camp Shelby, Miss., are safely hunkering down in concrete block barracks that were built to withstand winds stronger than those of Hurricane Katrina, the state National Guard said this morning.

Two Wisconsin battalions are training at the base that is located near Hattiesburg, Miss. All soldiers are accounted for and are being kept inside the buildings that can withstand sustained winds of 100 miles per hour. As of 9 a.m., the winds were not forecast to exceed 90 miles an hour at Camp Selby.

About 450 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery arrived Aug. 13. The battalion is headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids with subordinate units in Mosinee, Marshfield, Stevens Point and Clintonville. The battalion was augmented with 123 soldiers from the Kenosha-based 1st battalion, 126th field Artillery, and 12 from the Portage-based 132nd Support Battalion.

An additional 560 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry have been at Camp Shelby since Aug. 20. This battalion is headquartered in Madison with units in Fort Atkinson, Elkhorn, Oconomowoc, Hartford, Baraboo, Reedsburg and Watertown. The battalion was augmented by 114 soldiers from the Kenosha-based 1st Battalion, 126th Field Artillery and about 80 soldiers from the Portage-based 132nd Support Battalion. Nearly 40 soldiers came from the 32nd Infantry Brigade headquarters at Camp Williams and headquarters detachment in Wausau, and nearly 30 other Wisconsin Army Guard units from around the state also provided small numbers of soldiers.

Although the training scheduled for the battalions has already been delayed by the hurricane, both units are expected to make up their training and leave for overseas missions as planned.

-By Marie Rohde
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The Big Easy and a Hurricane of Historic Proportions

I have always wanted to visit New Orleans. I hope I still get the chance. The news is saying that Hurricane Katrina is a Category 5 storm which could totally devistate the city that lays well below sea level. The eye of the storm where the fiercest winds are, is supossed to hit that area around 7AM my time. I am too tired to stay up and wait so I guess I will find out how everyone faired when I get up.

Tornados! Up to 29 touched down here in Wisconsin!

The storm that ripped through Wisconsin on thursday created (according to news sources) up to 29 twisters. One of those came down in a community east of Madison called Stoughton and killed one person and wrought massive distruction on that town. Another little town called Viola in SW Wisconsin got hit pretty hard also.

Here in Racine we didnt get anything except some rain and lightning and thunder and a little wind. I was in charge of the hotel that night and with a "tornado warning" was put into effect at 9pm, we had a busy hour there...trying to get all the guests out of their rooms and down into our Grand Ball Room so they could be a little safer in case high winds or a twister struck the hotel. What a night.

Story below on the massive cleanup efforts to the west of us....

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug05/349684.asp

Hope everyone has a good weekend....

Gas Prices..Ikes!!

$2.79 a gallon for regular unleaded! And just 5 days ago it was $2.59 a gallon. Something needs to be done.
I am seriously considering robbing a bank!

I came across this story just a few minutes ago.....(I hope for everyone's sake...it comes to pass.)
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Gas tax holiday' until year's end backed
By JESSE GARZA
jgarza@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 17, 2005

Three Republican legislators from southeastern Wisconsin Wednesday called for a temporary 15 cent-per-gallon cut in the state's gasoline tax - what they termed a "gas tax holiday" - to provide motorists some relief from skyrocketing gas prices.

State Reps. Robin Vos of Caledonia, Pat Strachota of West Bend and Don Pridemore of Hartford said the reduction from the current tax of 29.9 cents from Sept. 1 through the end of the year would save motorists $170 million statewide, or about $100 per family.

To make up for the loss of revenue from a lower gas tax, the lawmakers proposed using $180 million left after Gov. Jim Doyle's vetoes of the 2005-'07 state budget. The vetoes transferred money from the state's transportation fund to the general fund.
The three asked Doyle to call a special session of the state Legislature to consider their proposal.

"Gasoline right now is the biggest issue among constituents I talk to," Vos said at a news conference at a Citgo station at N. 58th St. and W. Blue Mound Road.

Strachota said she received a letter from a woman who said she must now choose between buying groceries and paying for gasoline.
"And I don't think she's alone," Strachota said.

When asked if the cut might result in higher property taxes, Pridemore responded, "That's up to the governor."

Doyle spokeswoman Melanie Fonder said property taxes have been "frozen" because of the $180 million transfer.
"What happens to property taxes if this is done for a quick fix?" Fonder asked.
She also doubted Doyle would consider calling a special session to examine the proposal. "If it's going to cause an increase in property taxes, it's not going to happen," Fonder said.

From the Aug. 18, 2005, editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Happy Thursday

Another SpaceCraft lifts off from the 3rd Rock......

Mars coming into view in 7 months for this new NASA project. I cant wait for the day when humans get there...........

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MARS_ORBITER?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=HOME
(click on link above for full story)

Holy Gas Prices Batman!!

I think I need to go find the little car I had when I was 18 years old and living back in Wisconsin Rapids!.
It was a little "Wash bucket" called a "LeCar" and it got 55 miles to the gallon. It was ugly and cute at the same time. But I could go to Green Bay and back numerous times on one tank of gas at least.

Lately it seems that I put 10.00 in the tank of my Ranger 4by4 and I get to work 4 times...and then have to put more gas in.....and I only live 5 minutes from where I work!! Time to seriously consider buying a bycicle. I could use the excersise and my pocket could use the savings......hmmm.

The gas prices shown in the photo are from California...We are at 2.59 a gallon for basic unleaded here in Racine-Wisconsin today.

Happy Friday to all.....

A TV News Icon Passes Away...The Space Shuttle About to Land

Peter Jennings, who I remember as being the best TV News Anchor, died yesterday....
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBIT_JENNINGS?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=HOME
(Click on link for full story)
......I remember when he went on tv a couple months back to announce that he had lung cancer. I knew from experience (my mother passed away due to ongoing complications from that type of cancer) that he wouldnt be back on tv again.

Also, only a few more hours until the Shuttle comes back down to earth......
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SPACE_SHUTTLE?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-08-08-01-06-39
(click on link for full story)
....... Lets just hope that it makes it to dry land. There has been alot in the media about all the problems with the "aging space vehicle". I dont think NASA has it's priorities straight. What they need is to pour as money as possible into the "Next Generation Space Ship"...that with today's technology....is easy enough to be created right now. Stop fooling around I say. The Cosmos and Space Travel are OUR FUTURE and we need to do whatever it takes to acheive that vision.

What else....

Doris' daughter's (Christy) wedding was absolutely wonderful and went off without a hitch. I dont think that Christy and Ben could have had a more awesome day...the weather, the people, THE BEST MOM a daughter could ask for.....and on and on. I myself had the greatest time and was so honored to be a small part of their very special day. I am also exhausted, though probably not even a 10th as Doris is......all I can say about the whole entire weekend is a big WOW!!
(I will be posting some of the photos I took of the wedding as well as the Gift opening at the restaurant this morning..in the next few days...as soon as I have the regular camera photos developed and download the photos from my digital camera to the computer. Stay tuned.)

I also took a drive out by my Aunt and Uncle's place this evening. They live a few miles from me and it is always nice to stop and see them. I got to see their gardens which have all sorts of plants and flowers, and though there hasnt been much rain...it seems as all their plantings are doing very well. I even got a baggie of fresh garden veggies to take home with me....thanks Aunt Ev and Uncle Chuck.
All in all a very nice weekend.

And last but not least...here is one from the "dumb person of the day files". (copied from the Milwaukee Journal online)
Racine County Police Report
From the Journal Sentinel
Last Updated: Aug. 6, 2005
BURLINGTON
Animal emergency
A 20-year-old woman called 911 asking for an ambulance for her cat in the 200 block of N. Main St. The woman paused a moment and then said, "Never mind. The cat is dead." According to a report, the woman slammed a door on the cat, cutting off its head. She was counseled on the correct use of 911.
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So it is Back to work Monday afternoon. There is probably a pile of stuff on the desk to take care of. Three days is a long time to be gone from the old "Salt Mines"......

Happy thoughts....

A Wonderful Day for a Wedding....

Three hours and counting....

That is the time (130PM) that my good friend's daughter will be getting married.
Christy and Ben will be joining together in holy matrimony here in Racine this afternoon and their special day looks as if it is going to be sunny and warm.

I have to be at the church by 1PM as, being part of the wedding party ( I am one of the ushers, along with her cousin Eric), I have certian responsibilities to handle....the seating of the guests, rolling up of the aisle runner and helping to make sure that the bride and her bridesmaids are in the church at the proper time. Oh...and decorating the "Just Married" car for after the ceremony.

Last night was the rehersal and then a dinner with family and close friends. (see a few photos I took..below)
I then went and picked up my tux and spent the evening looking for some candle holders for Christy for her unity candles...and go figure...I cant find them anywhere. Anyone have any glass candleholders for tapers??!!

I better get moving to be to the church on time.
Happy Saturday to all.

Pictures of Friday Rehersal and the rehersal dinner:

One of Bens best friends in the blue shirt and his parents...mother in orange and father in yellow shirt...friday evening at the rehersal dinner 

A picture of Doris' boyfriend Pete and a few other of the wedding party....I think the two surrounding him are two of the bride's maids. Friday evening at the rehersal dinner 

Ben....feeding his face...I wont even comment..friday evening...rehersal dinner 

The future bride and groom...Christy and Ben..friday evening at the rehersal dinner 

The rehersal dinner at a local restuarnat in Racine...friday evening. (Doris in the background..standing, her daugher Millie with the adorable smile, a head shot of the little guy..(Eric's son) and Molly..Doris' sister.. 

One of the bride's maids and groom's men...firday afternoon 

The bride to be and the Pastor...doing a walkthrough..friday afternoon 

The flower girl and ringbearer...friday afternoon 

I think the guy on the right is the best man..the guy on the left...I am not sure...friday afternoon 

The bride to be and her sweet momma entertaining last minute responsibilites....friday afternoon 

Christy and Ben..the future bride and groom. At the church at the start of the rehersal on Friday afternoon. 

A Busy Weekend Coming Up....

Here Comes the Bride.........

My friend's daughter is getting married this weekend and I was asked to be one of the ushers for her wedding, which is this Saturday. It looks as if the weather is going to be very nice for Christy and Ben on their special day. I have to pick up my tux today yet ,and tommorw is the Rehersal along with last minute preperations for the big saturday.

Doris is probably a "wreck" right now..trying to make sure everything is perfect for her 1st daughter's special day. (I know I would be if it was my kid).

The 10th Planet...the 12th Planet??

I have blogged previously about a series of books that I have been reading over the last few years about the possibility of a "rouge planet" circling our solar system and that this rouge planet, which is called NIBURU (others call it Planet X) is partly responsible for our way of life and overall civilisation......

http://paranormal.about.com/od/zsitchinniburu/
(click on link above to learn more about the theories of the books)

........and how some people think that with modern science and technology improvements, that we may soon discover this planet. Well, I think that day is coming soon, esp. after reading about the discovery in recent days of two new "planet sized" objects past Pluto. One of the objects is even being referred to as the "10th planet" by NASA, and the article goes on to say that astronomers have no doubt that in the near future they will find more (and bigger..possibly earth or mars sized) planets in out outer solar system.

How cool would it be if there is life (intelligent life that look like us) on one of these planets??
I know..a long shot. But who knows what a planet can acheive with time, even in the outer reaches of our solar system.

A link below to the Space.com story about these recent discoveries, less anyone think I am making all this up.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/050729_new_planet.html

This world is becoming more exciting every day. I should have been a scientist. I find all this stuff so facinating. Happy Monday to all....

Dont Piss this Woman Off!!

From the "Weird Files":

Ka-bonk with the iron skillet....
From Washington Post
"A 32-year-old woman admitted in court yesterday to killing her boyfriend by pounding his head with a cast-iron skillet after dousing him with condiments. Dominique Jackson said she was angry that her boyfriend sold her computer for drug money." ... "But when he came to, she attacked him again, pouring black pepper and hot sauce on him, along with bleach and shaving cream, prosecutors said. She then sprayed insect spray in his face and placed a hot iron on his lower stomach, they said. Then she began striking the 44-year-old victim in the head with the skillet, delivering the blows that ultimately killed him." ... "But Jackson did not die right away."