tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18739768721224257452011-12-18T20:11:30.584-06:00Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You're a plague and we are the cure.Tridadnoreply@blogger.comBlogger30741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-10807005912759261592011-12-18T20:11:00.000-06:002011-12-18T20:11:30.593-06:00

NEW YORK (AP) - The killing of Osama bin Laden during a raid by Navy SEALs on his hideout in Pakistan was the top news story of 2011, followed by Japan's earthquake/tsunami/meltdown disaster, according to The Associated Press' annual poll of U.S. editors and news directors.Really? Killing Osama was great, but was it really a big story? Top news for the whole year? Was it even in the papers

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-76710276510018650962011-12-14T15:43:00.000-06:002011-12-14T15:43:56.691-06:00

Headline: Firearm Sales Way Up During Holiday Season I saw that headline and link at Drudge. That is a story I can believe based on my recent experience. Yesterday I went to Cabela's to buy a shotgun. I've wanted one for awhile and it seemed time. Really didn't have anything to do with the holidays, just coincidence. The store was packed yesterday. Well, not the whole store, but the gun

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-41506413616979942072011-11-19T12:46:00.000-06:002011-11-19T12:46:32.227-06:00

I got my Kindle Fire in the mail yesterday so I haven't had that long to play with it. I thought I'd just post my initial impressions. But first, a point of two. I've read some reviews and I've come to a conclusion that, as with many things, what you *think* it will be determines if you like it or not. If you think it is a tablet, you might be disappointed. If you think, as the name implies,

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-11981077842198854902011-10-25T09:21:00.000-05:002011-10-25T09:21:18.855-05:00

From Rick Perry's opinion piece today in the WSJ: The plan starts with giving Americans a choice between a new, flat tax rate of 20% or their current income tax rate. The new flat tax preserves mortgage interest, charitable and state and local tax exemptions for families earning less than $500,000 annually, and it increases the standard deduction to $12,500 for individuals and dependents. That's

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-79702678682017419642011-10-03T18:11:00.004-05:002011-10-03T18:13:03.396-05:00

I'm going to be posting more at my new Tumblr page.  www.trivialbob.tumblr.com I opened a new blogging account and have posted my Twin Cities Marathon race reports as my initial posts.  I still will post a few things here but not as often as before.  ---- Bob

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-87550480991420826072011-09-29T19:42:00.000-05:002011-09-29T19:42:40.065-05:00

Each time I hear this commercial... I think of this song.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-6129375031250044802011-09-29T19:21:00.000-05:002011-09-29T19:21:11.032-05:00

Just saw an ad on TV for the new sitcom How to Be a Gentleman.  Kevin Dillon is one of the actors.  He's still sporting that silly mustache and beard that his character on Entourage has. Should I ever watch the new show I'm sure I'm going to be thinking that's Johnny Drama, not Kevin Dillon.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-47503621745620996752011-09-28T20:39:00.001-05:002011-09-28T20:39:49.667-05:00

This biking season I've been using three of my four bicycles for commuting home from work.  The one bike I rarely ride but will never ever get rid of is my old Bridgestone MB-2.  I'm just not much into mountain biking any more.  To recap, the three commuting bikes are: Specialized Sirrus flat bar road bike with fenders and a rear rack to which I attach a briefcase/pannier.  This bike also has a

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-32905734501019918022011-09-28T19:47:00.002-05:002011-09-28T19:50:26.308-05:00

ABC-TV's "Suburgatory" has been cancelled after just six episodes.  I've watched 1/3 of one episode and I'm confident that I'm correct about this. The redhead girl... her name in the show may as well be Samantha Baker. I liked Cheryl Hines in Curb Your Enthusiasm.  She's not so good in this show.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-28428099547666340302011-09-28T18:32:00.001-05:002011-09-28T18:32:50.257-05:00

Taken with my crappy phone on my way home from work.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-72247374626813251142011-09-25T15:28:00.003-05:002011-09-25T15:28:49.209-05:00

The Lions just beat the Viking.  The announcer said the Lions are now 3-0 for the first time in 31 years. The Vikes are now 0-3.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-6624472178550463792011-09-23T06:20:00.001-05:002011-09-23T06:20:15.897-05:00

Last evening I went for a short run at Lake Harriet.  With the onset of autumn running at the lakes isn't all that fun.  There aren't as many other runners and certainly no sunbathers. I wore running pants, a soft shell jacket and a cap.  The temperature was 55 degrees, there was a heavy cloud cover, it was dusk and there was just a hint of mist in the air.  Most of the other runners wore long

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-48509990552622493642011-09-22T12:33:00.000-05:002011-09-22T12:33:31.824-05:00

I am against the death penalty, not for moral reasons, but systemic. I work in the criminal justice system and I know that mistakes are made. Doesn't matter if it is sloppy police work, bad prosecutors, bad defense attorneys, bad science, bad witnesses or bad juries. Mistakes get made. Once you execute someone, no appeal can bring them back to life. In Illinois, we had something like 13

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-20691365137236837942011-09-21T16:14:00.000-05:002011-09-21T16:14:09.184-05:00

* As you might expect, considering the source, much of the poll is aimed at state workers and unions. But Illinoisans are not reflexively anti-public worker. For instance a strong plurality say that public worker salaries are either too low or about right… Ahh stats. This gets spun by CapFax as "a strong plurality...that public worker salaries are either too low or about right..." Why? Because

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-69016630506592517002011-09-21T15:51:00.000-05:002011-09-21T15:51:03.440-05:00

Gene helps explain a third of inherited ALS cases - Headline Chicago Tribune. Call me crazy but I think a gene would totally explain inherited diseases.

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-13724948070070533432011-09-21T10:18:00.000-05:002011-09-21T10:18:33.705-05:00

Chicago-area existing home sales pick up, but prices keep falling - Headline Chicago Tribune Huh, how 'bout that. It's like there should be an economic law about that. When prices go down, sales go up. When prices are high, sales go down.

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-25016710307868857632011-09-20T11:57:00.000-05:002011-09-20T11:58:52.252-05:00

I saw this movie preview on a bike blog.  At first I thought it was a spoof in the vein of a Saturday Night Live fake commercial. Nope.  It's real.  IMDB: In Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city. 

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-43649300684613678742011-09-20T09:39:00.002-05:002011-09-20T09:39:18.704-05:00

Today my insurance agent called.  Every other year or so I meet with her to make sure my policy is all squared away and covering the things I need covered.  Despite living on one of the highest points in town I asked about flood insurance.  I don't really think the Minnesota River or Nine Mile Creek is going to rise 300 feet above flood stage and reach my street but I wondered about back-up

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-36803714129522717272011-09-19T15:52:00.000-05:002011-09-19T15:52:46.013-05:00

This Althouse post captures something I saw a few years back. In this Althouse post, she nails a Professor who "rebuts" a description of a "mob" and "violence" insisting they were just well-motivated protesters who pushed past employees. She basically points out that his "rebuttal" actually supports the original description and notes that simply because he supports the protesters he overlooks

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-44226757920093242562011-09-18T13:43:00.002-05:002011-09-18T13:51:39.165-05:00

I did my 20 mile training run today.  When I woke up this morning it was sprinkling.  And the temp was 55 degrees.  Ugh. But it had to be done.  While I got ready the rain stopped or at least slowed to a very slight mist.  I went to my favorite place to run - the Minneapolis chain of lakes.  Today I ran Harriet-Calhoun-Isles. Twice. Despite the crappy weather there were a fair number of people

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-2443544577038517052011-09-17T10:57:00.001-05:002011-09-17T10:57:20.173-05:00

The humor in this one still hasn't worn off for me.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-27923805206923697852011-09-15T10:07:00.000-05:002011-09-15T10:07:16.697-05:00

Wall Street Journal @WSJ Wall Street Journal Netflix is down more than 13% after the company lowered its expectations for subscribers this quarter http://quotes.wsj.com/NFLXThat was a tweet from this morning. Netflix said they think they will lose 1 million subscribers in the 3rd quarter. Yup. Saw this coming. In fact, I'm about to be one of them. The pushed to "streaming" too fast. They

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-60299784971120964492011-09-14T09:01:00.002-05:002011-09-14T09:01:24.918-05:00

I sholdn't have waited this far into the season to buy new running shoes but I did. I have two pair and really like one of them. But after the last long run my ankles hurt a little. I realized my shoes are past their useful lifespan. The choice in runing shoes is almost as extensive as that of cold remedies. Since I liked one of the old pair so much I just brought them in to the the place from

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-11894501768820817722011-09-14T07:51:00.000-05:002011-09-14T07:51:54.001-05:00

Talking about the NY loss: (Politico) Less expansive but equally telling were the remarks of House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, who in a conversation with reporters Tuesday morning said bluntly that Obama would take some blame for the two special election losses. “I think every election reflects on the person in charge, but do I think it is an overall statement on the president alone? No,” said

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-49224685510163174302011-09-14T07:39:00.001-05:002011-09-14T07:39:53.656-05:00

So the Dems just lost a safe Dem seat in NY, lost a seat in NV and the President's approval rating in CA is below 50%. What is it going to take for someone to challenge him in the primary? Every day it seems his approval ratings hit new lows, his jobs plan is DOA and I don't even hear any Dem Congressmen supporting it loudly. Dem candidates are actively running away from the President. The

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-5026755192428285252011-09-10T22:30:00.002-05:002011-09-10T22:30:45.046-05:00

Dad!  I have to have a graphing calculator!  I will lose points if I don't have it in class!  Dad! The teacher is going to deduct points!  Dad!  Everyone else already has their graphing calculator.  Dad! I can't graduate if I don't have it! The teacher is going to cut off my right arm if I don't have it! Somewhere in there I switched from actual quotations to hyperbole but I defy to you figure

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-30653704052659263852011-09-10T08:19:00.001-05:002011-09-10T08:19:49.162-05:00

I'm still getting myself worked up over that halfwit government flunky from the other day. Just now I stumbled on this quote from Thomas Paine, written in 1776. Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries By a Government, which we might expect

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-54115194833716846802011-09-09T20:52:00.002-05:002011-09-09T20:52:17.872-05:00

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-64056013971691963232011-09-09T19:24:00.001-05:002011-09-09T19:24:12.363-05:00

Just listening to NPR in the car a few minutes ago.  They were running a 9/11 piece called Survivor Stories. I'm Jim and I was in the building across the street from Tower 1.  My name is Jan and I was on the 30th floor.  I do suppose those folks were in some danger that day.  But I don't know that I'd go so far as to call people who walked out of those building "survivors." Auschwitch.  The

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-59602465227839198452011-09-09T12:20:00.000-05:002011-09-09T12:30:18.487-05:00

I just got an urgent, somewhat accusatory call from a distant co-worker.  "Bob, you signed off on [the project] but I don't see that you've done any work yet!." I scratched my head.  Nothing about that project sounded familiar to me.  I asked her if I could see the project documentation.  I have so much going on there is a real possibility I completely forgot to do some work.  This pretty much

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-46217321399679166242011-09-09T09:21:00.000-05:002011-09-09T09:21:03.781-05:00

The small independent coffee shop across the street from my office changed ownership.  Before the ownership change the place didn't look like it was thriving.  I saw customers but the selection of coffee and snacks got thinner and thinner over the last few months.  The place started to have a depressing vibe, kind of like you feel in some dying malls nowadays.  I know I wasn't alone in my

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-26531301303924582172011-09-08T17:48:00.000-05:002011-09-08T17:48:11.601-05:00

(Volokh)I’ve blogged a bunch about the dangerous scope of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), and the remarkable fact that Congress seems poised to make the penalties in the act even higher. So here’s an update: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing yesterday on the proposals to expand the CFAA. No one other than government officials were even invited to testify. When asked if they

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-23282998964597915802011-09-08T13:43:00.000-05:002011-09-08T13:43:26.618-05:00

This isn't meant snarky. No sarcasm. Really looking for an answer. Some teachers in Chicago are upset that three (now four) schools (i.e. teachers) voted to extend the school day by 90% by waiving union rules. Most of the complaints are that the 2% raise isn't worth the extra 90 minutes. Chicago has the highest starting salary of any major district and 2nd highest top pay (2nd to NY), but

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-9605727712500370812011-09-08T07:50:00.000-05:002011-09-08T07:50:15.349-05:00

(Commentary) Mitt Romney will skewer Perry for calling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and Democrats will hammer him on that point in a general election. Let's see, in a Ponzi scheme, later investors pay off returns to earlier investors. In social security, current workers pay off retirees and often times at far greater levels than the retirees put in. Ponzi Schemes collapse because there

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-20441688347586916082011-09-07T13:59:00.000-05:002011-09-07T13:59:59.826-05:00

Not that anyone asked, but I am fine with no USPS delivery on Saturday. In fact, I'm fine with three day a week delivery. M, W, F would be fine for me. Most of what I get is junk. One or two magazines and bills. The bills are really just statements because I have those bills on auto-pay. No reason I can't get those online. Even if I didn't auto-pay or get the bills online, they usually

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-45617870283892934612011-09-07T13:41:00.000-05:002011-09-07T13:41:14.851-05:00

SCC has had a few posts along the lines that some teachers are selling out the union by voting to waive union rules and work a longer day. SCC commenters were up in arms (they always are) about the sellouts, it wasn't worth it, blah blah blah. I will leave aside an actual discussion of the teachers' vote. That could be for another post. However, who wants to bet how many of those commenters

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-42805798488596209602011-09-06T09:03:00.000-05:002011-09-06T09:03:05.653-05:00

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-25523378013139585152011-09-05T16:32:00.000-05:002011-09-05T16:32:18.603-05:00

With Matt going into the Navy next spring this Labor Day weekend was probably one of the last times my wife, both sons and will be able to go on vacation together for an indeterminate time. Our next door neighbors have a second home in Door County, Wisconsin in invited us to join them for the three-day weekend. What a neat place Door County is.  The small towns, though somewhat touristy, were

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-68298165221984234422011-09-03T08:38:00.000-05:002011-09-03T08:38:15.777-05:00

For those of you who haven't heard the story, last week my wife was rear-ended (hey now!) while in Ohio. She was driving our minivan and had our three kids, her mom and her nephew in the car and stopped at a light (behind her sister). A guy pulling a boat didn't stop and plowed into them. The kids had some sore necks and my middle child had a mild concussion. My mother-in-law had a very nice

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-46421968712346025642011-09-02T11:18:00.002-05:002011-09-02T11:18:33.186-05:00

Recovery Summer = Mission Accomplished

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-28932642691340000982011-09-02T10:03:00.000-05:002011-09-02T10:03:46.731-05:00

The WSJ has an editorial praising Jon Huntsman's economic plan. Sounds good on paper. Might have to take a closer look at the guy. Though I'm still more likely to vote for Gary Johnson in the primary (if I take a Rep. ballot*) and vote Libertarian in the general election. *There are never Republican candidates for judge in the general election. That means, whichever Democrat wins the

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-19101782732826951502011-09-02T09:57:00.000-05:002011-09-02T09:57:58.175-05:00

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: end pensions and go to 401ks for all new hires and this sort of thing goes away eventually. Union leader draws lucrative pension perk based on false information The story is worse than the headline, because it wasn't just false information from him. There were others AND the pension board was aware of it and gave him this crap anyway. No

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-80391276014056266802011-09-01T10:02:00.002-05:002011-09-01T10:04:05.956-05:00

One thing I like about three-day weekends is that enough people at work stretch them into four or five day weekends so project managers start cancelling meetings in the days leading up to the holiday weekend. Even if I don't take off extra time I still get a breather by having fewer meetings this week.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-580282977293414882011-08-30T15:31:00.003-05:002011-08-30T15:38:59.724-05:00

The garage just got a little bit roomier with the departure of the oldest bike in the stable - a 1963 Schwinn Tiger. One of the kids wanted a cruiser bike last summer. Once he had it though he realized it wasn't that great for running around town. Because we live at the highest point in the city coming home on 40 pound, single-speed bike was arduous. A Specialized Hardrock with three front

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-11496616129558244882011-08-28T10:21:00.005-05:002011-08-28T10:56:49.484-05:00

View Larger Map I had a nice, strong run around Lakes Harriet, Calhoun and Isles this morning. Running, biking and walking around these lakes are some of my favorite things. There are fountains and restrooms at convenient locations. People watching is great. There are other runners; I like to pace myself with someone now and then or use another runner as a target to pass in a certain amount

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-70800960839812089882011-08-27T10:27:00.003-05:002011-08-27T10:32:26.990-05:00

With the hurricane on the east coast right now Flight Aware is (somewhat, to me) interesting. In this view of Norfolk Int'l Airport you can see the inbound flights skirting the edge of the storm. Click the picture for a larger image. Or check Flight Aware.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-62029396247683985912011-08-26T09:29:00.000-05:002011-08-26T09:30:07.735-05:00

"It’s like he’s some kind of two-faced fraud or something."

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-68690747586966618782011-08-24T08:14:00.003-05:002011-08-24T08:18:50.319-05:00

Yesterday I picked up a prescription from the pharmacy near my home. Behind the counter were a pharmacist and a cashier. The pharmacist I recognized from before but the cashier was new. This cashier had scabs all over her face. Her teeth were icky. She was about 5'6" and appeared to weigh about 95 pounds. I know they don't dispense meth there but for the business's sake I sure hope everything

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-72384312937281820142011-08-24T07:59:00.003-05:002011-08-24T08:13:57.525-05:00

This morning I rode the elevator to my floor in the office building in which I work. Other people were in the car going on to higher floors. As I exited a woman bumped into me. She tried to enter the elevator car before letting anyone out. I stepped aside to let her in. Then I saw her punch the button for the first floor even though the car was still going up. Totally reminded me of my first

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-23173079116672680172011-08-23T19:56:00.000-05:002011-08-23T19:56:45.220-05:00

(Tribune) Chicago Public Schools on Tuesday launched their plans to extend students' time in the classroom by 90 minutes each and by two weeks each year and set up an advisory committee to figure out how it'll be done. However, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said she would decline an invitation to serve on the committee, saying in a written statement that, "this news has nothing do

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-21420617730293931522011-08-23T13:28:00.000-05:002011-08-23T13:28:32.618-05:00

More poll numbers came out today showing President Obama's numbers dropping to new lows for job approval. I thought I'd pipe with one reason why I think they might've dropped a bit this week. The vacation. First let me say, I don't care about Presidents taking vacation. Didn't care when Democrats made a fuss of Bush being at the ranch and don't care know when Republicans make a fuss about

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-19642838354433401162011-08-20T22:25:00.002-05:002011-08-20T22:36:21.266-05:00

Tonight Jack and I went to Lake Harriet. He went fishing and I rode around three of the Minneapolis lakes (adding Calhoun and Isles). Win-win. In the past he didn't like doing this sort of thing with me but now that he has his learner's permit he wants to go everywhere I go as long as he can drive. I brought my "basket bike" to the lake tonight. This is my Specialized single speed bike

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-87161552906734408492011-08-19T20:41:00.002-05:002011-08-19T20:44:52.996-05:00

New Grist Beer. Made from Sorghum and Rice Extract! I dunno, it's different. The first sip made me think of lemons. But then not lemons. Weird. Beer Advocate rates it a C-. I think that's fair.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-20324742660066151022011-08-19T20:19:00.006-05:002011-08-19T20:32:36.773-05:00

Choice A: The Wilson Combat Classic Super Grade 1911. Here's how WC describes it: The Classic Super Grade features a stainless steel match grade barrel with a hand fitted bushing. We add our reliable, fully machined Lo Mount Adjustable rear sight and front post for a precise sight picture. The rear of the slide is checkered to eliminate glare and improve aesthetics. An ambidextrous safety,

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-76831092589324155632011-08-19T16:40:00.003-05:002011-08-19T16:47:04.191-05:00

I've been so busy lately and yet so much has happened at home. First of all my oldest son Matt joined the navy. He still has a year of high school to complete but by signing up no his senior year of high school counts toward his two required years of inactive duty. And there are navy guys (sailors?) who keep in contact with him this year and even monitor his grades. Matt scored very high on

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-39035001451984363702011-08-18T14:01:00.002-05:002011-08-18T14:01:45.413-05:00

Reporter follows up on President's advice.

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-50428534716290960452011-08-18T12:56:00.001-05:002011-08-18T12:57:41.647-05:00

At first blush, I liked Michele Bachmann's economic policies. I am close to 100% opposite on social issues, so it's not likely I would vote for her anyway, but given that the economy is high on my list of concerns, I am willing to vote more economic than social issue. But then there was this...(Tribune) President Michele Bachmann has a promise: $2 gas. “Under President Bachmann you will see

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-28336091043882296592011-08-17T11:33:00.001-05:002011-08-17T11:33:47.140-05:00

Town's police chief arrested on DUI charges - Tribune Kudos to the officers who did NOT extend professional courtesy.

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-76021868028681896682011-08-17T11:25:00.001-05:002011-08-17T11:27:20.316-05:00

Teenager shot dead in Chicago. "(Tribune) I don't believe she was the intended target. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time." said the mother. Let's review: 17 year old girl. Six months pregnant with her SECOND child. Goes out to the store at 10:35 p.m. Gunman runs up to the group she's with and fires. Hmm, think she was hanging out with some bangers? Even if not, a) why are you

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-55768690625484019342011-08-16T20:27:00.000-05:002011-08-16T20:27:20.368-05:00

Attempted murder charges were dropped today against a man accused of shooting at two police officers. The story is here. I find this very interesting. Both police officers ID'd this guy in a lineup as the shooter and they weren't that far away from him. I don't have the full story, or heck even most of it, but I find it interesting that he got charged and yet now the case was dismissed

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-64242268975509036002011-08-14T10:21:00.003-05:002011-08-14T10:43:57.544-05:00

I had a great run this morning. Went to bed at a reasonable time last night. I woke, feeling refreshed, before my alarm clock went off. After a light breakfast of fruit I drove over to Lake Harriet and parked near the band shell. From there I ran to Minnehaha Parkway, Minnehaha Falls, Hiawatha Ave, the Midtown Greenway, Lake Calhoun and back to Lake Harriet. The weather could not have been

Bobnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-30022260747731963872011-08-13T20:46:00.002-05:002011-08-13T20:51:05.504-05:00

I stopped by my parents' house tonight. While I was there I saw a Kodak slide projector on a table. My mom was going through old slides and my dad was scanning to computer the ones they wanted to keep as digital copies. My son Jack was with me. He'd never seen a slide projector before. My mom demonstrated how it worked. Seeing the slide projector didn't really bring back any memories but

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-58882773500513395202011-08-12T13:56:00.004-05:002011-08-12T14:02:04.443-05:00

Two things I'm going to do if I win the lottery. Get a Seabreacher diving watercraft. Replace all the water bottles and water bottle cages on every bike in this household and get cages that match each bike and all matching water bottles. Yeah, these are near the top of the list.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-76636732164702690002011-08-12T11:48:00.004-05:002011-08-12T11:54:21.309-05:00

When my wife and I had our kitchen remodeled we purchases new appliances at Sears. Other than buying a some tools a few years ago we don't normally shop at Sears. Nothing wrong with Sears, we just don't get there for other stuff. Because we purchases about $3000 in appliances we signed up for one of those points programs because we had enough points to earn $50 store credit (or something like

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-88929713892476026062011-08-09T13:26:00.003-05:002011-08-09T13:33:48.895-05:00

I'm at the top of the list in enjoying sales-tax free shopping. But this doesn't get me that excited. (Reuters) - Arkansans shopped until they dropped on Saturday, braving temperatures deep into the triple-digits to take advantage of the state's first sales tax holiday weekend. "I have never seen anything like this," said Clancy Graham, a manager at Little Rock's RK Collections Boutique, an

Bobnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-65951977069379691022011-08-07T08:29:00.002-05:002011-08-07T08:37:22.294-05:00

In my newspaper this morning one of those stories about an "uncooperative" bank foreclosing on a woman's house. Short story: Chase Bank says she's behind $50k. Woman digs into savings and pays $50k. Bank forecloses anyway. There's just so much wrong with this story. 68 year old woman earning $40k annually making $1760 mortgage payments on a two-bedroom home she's lived in for 16 years in

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-74946689612277230582011-08-06T21:20:00.003-05:002011-08-06T21:40:59.341-05:00

Having children has cost me a fair sum over the last seventeen years. That's to be expected and I'm not complaining.Tonight I got my first payback. Well, not including the priceless memories of watching one of them win play a hockey or soccer game. [There, got that out of the way in case they ever read this some day.]During the day I brought my chainsaw to the hardware store where my son Matt

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-33067624171579585562011-08-04T06:54:00.002-05:002011-08-04T06:57:39.880-05:00

Check out this flight of the new Boeing 787-800 freighter on Flight Aware.Here's the story.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-15137989284286459892011-08-02T14:21:00.002-05:002011-08-02T14:21:53.096-05:00

Ouch! Global view column, WSJ, Bret Stephens.

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-24953181059185177112011-08-01T20:46:00.004-05:002011-08-01T20:57:08.014-05:00

I've been wanting a medium-sized basket for my single speed bike. Yesterday my friend Greg gave one to me. He'd found it in a scrap heap.The basket was in decent shape though it had a little rust. A few minutes cleaning it up with a wire brush and an application of black RustOleum and it looks pretty good.I tried it out today and now I wish I'd gotten one a long time ago. For my first errand

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-91860016641290718072011-08-01T15:36:00.001-05:002011-08-01T15:59:48.664-05:00

While on the way to pick up kids at camp, I heard some blurbs on a local talk radio station. The blurbs echoed themes I've heard recently, but I was even more disgusted that these were coming from sitting congressmen. 1) We need a balanced budget amendment to handcuff us from spending. As with most issues, we already have laws on the books or methods to achieve those goals. In this case, we

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-41563397850077709362011-07-24T09:52:00.002-05:002011-07-24T09:55:29.837-05:00

I keep hearing on the radio this morning of the "twin terror attacks" in Norway. Huh? One attack involved a large bomb exploding outside a government building. The other attack involved firing a gun at people at a summer camp.Two attacks. Same suspect. But certainly not twin attacks.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-75535320600396360192011-07-23T17:38:00.002-05:002011-07-23T17:45:55.238-05:00

I just finished watching Worst Week - a TV series I got on DVD from Netflix. The premise is funny at first but it's like tickling - amusing for a few moments but then it just gets to be torture. A young couple is pregnant, get's married and lives with or around the woman's parents. Hijinks ensue.The character Sam makes John Ritter's Jack Tripper character seem to be the model of sobriety and

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-84107923535247043732011-07-19T19:24:00.003-05:002011-07-19T19:36:37.933-05:00

Do they even think beyond the moment?WBAL - BALTIMORE -- A mayoral candidate's plan to reduce violence in Baltimore includes a "bullet tax" that he said will increase the cost of committing a crime.Otis Rolley said he would, if elected, propose a $1 per bullet tax on all bullet purchases in the city.I'm sure gang members are going to get another part-time job to help pay for their bullets.If

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-61955638022384102542011-07-19T08:25:00.002-05:002011-07-19T08:35:34.772-05:00

I am still loving this heat. My car and house have AC so I get a break. I enjoy not feeling a slight chill as I walk the dogs at night.It sure has put a crimp in running and biking though. On Sunday I started out at 6:30 AM but ended up not going as far as I wanted. Common sense made me stop early and walk part way.Yesterday I normally would have ridden my bike home from work but the heat

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-20261738623561890082011-07-16T09:43:00.008-05:002011-07-16T10:37:21.572-05:00

I've spent considerable time riding bike trails in and around the Twin Cities over the years. There are so many trails you can ride many miles without having to be on a street other than to cross one. I ride the trails for fun, for going out to dinner, for commuting, for exercise and for plain-old people watching. All types of bikes and riders are on the trails.Some of the trails in Hennepin

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-6063992377899112842011-07-13T21:21:00.005-05:002011-07-13T21:32:18.665-05:00

Sheila and I rode from Lake Harriet to St. Bonifacius via Grand Rounds, Luce Line and Dakota Rail trails. 70 miles round trip. It was a pleasant ride.We saw one deer and one coyote on the trail even though it was the middle of the day.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-85320992773951619402011-07-13T19:56:00.000-05:002011-07-13T19:56:08.607-05:00

Regarding the debt ceiling kerfuffle. Why are the Republicans still "negotiating" with the President? It seems clear they are at an impasse. Why don't the Republicans draft a bill authorizing an increase in the debt ceiling while at the same time cutting spending and/or programs (zero out their spending, however)? Then, you can say that you didn't cut off granny's social security (which

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-55019504151543238682011-07-13T14:43:00.000-05:002011-07-13T14:43:43.488-05:00

Good one by the RNC (via Commentary):...the RNC crunched Obama’s fundraising numbers and discovered some statistics that may have otherwise been overlooked: UNEMPLOYMENT: As Obama Added 552,462 Donors To His Campaign, 545,000 More Americans Became Unemployed. (Obama For America, “Obama 2012 Campaign: Q2 Fundraising Results,” 7/13/11; Bureau Of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov, Accessed 7/13/11)

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-30089185772003162422011-07-13T08:23:00.000-05:002011-07-13T08:23:17.301-05:00

So long Netflix. I am done with you. Yesterday, Netflix announced a new price structure. They are doing away with my current plan where I pay $9.99 a month for unlimited streaming and 1 DVD at a time. They are splitting that into two plans. $8 for unlimited streaming and $8 for 1 DVD at a time. Let's see, $8 for about 4 DVDs a month, maybe 6 or I can go to RedBox for $1. Hmm, no brainer,

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-75224700802108116242011-07-09T09:28:00.008-05:002011-07-09T12:34:58.415-05:00

I've been using my Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch for a little over two years and I love it. I use it for running, bicycling and even motorcycling. It's not suitable for swimming, according to the instructions that came with it.The watch is a little larger than my basic Timex Ironman digital watch. I don't use it as my everyday watch but it's not so big that it looks odd if worn someplace

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-54404262092039330912011-07-09T04:44:00.004-05:002011-07-09T05:34:10.919-05:00

Awake and dressed at 4:40 AM to bring Jack to the bus for his trip to Mandaree, ND. He'll be gone all week as some sort of camp counselor.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-53718515492362871392011-07-07T08:15:00.000-05:002011-07-07T08:15:57.715-05:00

I have avoided Facebook the last few days because of rants against the jury’s verdict in the Casey Anthony case and I just wanted to put this out there. This is an article written by Alan Dershowitz. I am NOT a fan of his, but I agree with this article very much. It might resonate more with me as a criminal defense attorney, but I think it explains quite well (at least the beginning) what a

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-54213058598926096872011-07-06T21:39:00.004-05:002011-07-06T21:54:20.602-05:00

Wow I had a killer ride home from work today. It was sunny. The temperature was 83 degrees and there was almost no wind. I hate wind.I left the office right about the time the Twins game ended. The new stadium is several blocks away from my building.Crowds of people filled the sidewalks. The streets were full of cars whose drivers weren't well versed in driving downtown. That chaos wasn't

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-41169110677717361122011-07-04T11:08:00.001-05:002011-07-04T11:09:29.113-05:00

In other words, the government could simply have cut a $100,000 check to everyone whose employment was allegedly made possible by the “stimulus,” and taxpayers would have come out $427 billion ahead.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-68454292490123074152011-07-03T12:29:00.003-05:002011-07-03T12:34:47.108-05:00

The tree blocking the bike path since Friday evening is still blocking today forcing bicyclists to detour using the walking path.At least some maintenance workers were out collecting all the large piles of garbage.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-3631730814199630612011-07-03T08:43:00.003-05:002011-07-03T09:18:22.940-05:00

Saturday morning Sheila and I went on a 34 mile bike ride. We started at the Depot in Hopkins and rode to Victoria for lunch. As enjoyable as a Floyd's deluxe Sunday bloody mary would have tasted we instead opted for light deli food at the Fresh Seasons Market.The trail we rode is managed by a Three Rivers Park District, not a state agency. If you haven't heard the State of Minnesota

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-20195414064781349332011-06-30T13:55:00.000-05:002011-06-30T13:55:41.908-05:00

This is from a post at Cap Fax:* And this is rich… A Rod Blagojevich spokesman says a Florida-based airline’s new ad that pokes fun at the impeached Illinois governor’s convictions is “in poor taste.” Low-budget carrier Spirit Airlines’ website ad touts “F-ing golden” low fares. Poor taste? Rod Blagojevich’s PR guy actually claims that something is in poor taste? I have no words for this. (via

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-75000537705272270222011-06-28T14:58:00.003-05:002011-06-28T15:01:59.972-05:00

The silly in-store coupons drive me nuts. As I walk through the store I see all these special prices but in order to get them I must have the Cub coupon. Yes, the coupons are available at the front door of the store when I walk in. Easy to get at. Totally free, it's not like I had to buy the Sunday newspaper to get them.Why even bother with the coupons at all? It just seems like a silly game.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-72976607516338743792011-06-27T15:08:00.000-05:002011-06-27T15:09:30.766-05:00

I helped some woman jump start her Jaguar XJ-6 with my Corolla at Lake Harriet this morning. She seemed pretty adept using the jumper cables. What a boring little car I have but it's never failed me.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-37330798195769257102011-06-27T08:44:00.003-05:002011-06-27T08:49:21.007-05:00

It looks like someone dropped a box of squirrels in my backyard. Total squirrel party going on. Then Carson got busy. He can't catch them because they're fast and there are enough trees for easy escape. But the dog tries and tries and tries.Now he's exhausted. Inside now for some water and panting. This'll give the squirrels time to descend from the trees again and then we'll start all over.

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-15530453436209604102011-06-23T18:24:00.000-05:002011-06-23T18:24:29.716-05:00

via Legal Insurrection

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-47783389218700217562011-06-21T09:43:00.003-05:002011-06-21T09:55:25.402-05:00

We've been using the remodeled kitchen for a few weeks now. I am thrilled with how everything turned out.One thing we could have done long ago was to purge the kitchen of unneeded items. I'm bad about throwing away things that "I might need someday." A dozen worn-out kitchen towels? You know what, if I find myself needing additional worn-out kitchen towels I'll just drive to Target, buy some and

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-24022571160076457802011-06-14T09:24:00.002-05:002011-06-14T09:24:50.013-05:00

Saw this at Althouse. Funny stuff. The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cPmailwww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogThe Daily Show on Facebook

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-27167325060657689222011-06-12T18:09:00.005-05:002011-06-12T18:36:27.386-05:00

If you were in Minneapolis at Lake Harriet and wanted to easily ride your bike to Hiawatha Avenue, Minnehaha Avenue or West River Road (at the Mississippi River) you have two great choices.Head north ten blocks to the Midtown Greenway which is a dedicated bike path that follows a former railroad right-of-way. There aren't many intersections a cyclist needs to cross. You pass near Uptown and

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-31121714260269235192011-06-11T08:57:00.002-05:002011-06-11T09:13:21.817-05:00

Chooooo choooooo.(Washington Examiner) The latest in lunacy in high-speed rail lunacy: at Joel Kotkin’s newgeography.com Wendell Cox reports that the U.S. Transportation Department is dangling money before the government of Iowa seeking matching funds from the state for a high-speed rail line from Iowa City to Chicago. The “high-speed” trains would average 45 miles per hour and take five hours

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-17064457759069316292011-06-09T07:56:00.002-05:002011-06-09T08:03:24.950-05:00

A review of the new Smith & Wesson Governor with some pretty good lines.you’ll discover recoil stout enough to give a pint of Guinness a run for its moneyTo paraphrase Crocodile Dundee, “That’s not a revolver, THIS is a revolverbuilt like a proverbial brick you-know-what-house; pistol-whipping someone with the Governor would be the human equivalent of seal clubbingmarginally more carry-friendly

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-60839324853572891272011-06-09T07:20:00.004-05:002011-06-09T07:45:30.709-05:00

Anthony Weiner's wife Huma Abedin is an aid to Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton officiated at the Weiner wedding and now the woman is pregnant.There are calls from various people (Democrats!) for Weiner to resign over his recent Twitter behaviorI just don't picture this marriage one of love and respect. Weiner seems like a creep outside of his Twitter problems. This marriage looks like mutual

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-61060113570417199592011-06-07T14:05:00.000-05:002011-06-07T14:05:27.392-05:00

From the Trib: Powerful Ald. Edward Burke today called for a hearing on a proposal by the Adler Planetarium to raise admission fees. Speaking at a meeting of the council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation, Burke said the Chicago Park District board of directors should hear from the public rather than simply voting Wednesday on a request by the museum to increase the cost

Tridadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873976872122425745.post-85524707169735824032011-06-04T07:29:00.004-05:002011-06-04T08:21:10.585-05:00

Sometimes my kids will fight over the silliest things. I'm sure most siblings who are close in age do that. Been there, done that. But sometimes they actually can be nice to each other.Yesterday afternoon Jack flipped off his bike. He injured his wrist and gashed his leg. Sheila and I were both getting ready to come home from work. We'd be home within an hour but Jack was at a park

Bobnoreply@blogger.com0