The devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina defies description. The carnage is so widespread, so profound that anyone watching it on television could easily believe its the latest incarnation of the classic Hollywood disaster flick. Unfortunately, it is real, and this tragedy has and will affected millions across this country.
I've been following the aftermath of Katrina in several ways. Amateur radio has been active in trying to set up communications in the affected areas. Right now, 7285khz LSB for emergency communications and 7290khz LSB for health and welfare coms have been active during the day. At night 3873khz LSB has emergency traffic with 3935khz LSB handling health and welfare concerns. All hams operating these frequencies are to be commended in their work to preserve life and piece of mind in the midst of this mess.
Several websites have been of interest in finding out what's happening on the Delta. The Times Picayune has a comprehensive site. neworleanswebsites.com
has a listing of New Orleans radio stations. WWL Channel 4 has an up to date site listing the latest news. The WWL Blog is for employees attempting to reach out to each other and let people know they're safe. Another WWL blog publishes the very latest news. Channel 6 WDSU's site has a message board for survivors. NPR and CNN are go-to sources of news for me.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Monday, August 08, 2005
The Perfect Wedding
I served as best man in my best friend's wedding this past Saturday. For once I was determined to set aside any fears or doubts I had about the whole thing and focus solely on making sure the wedding was executed flawlessly and painlessly.
Remarkably, that's exactly what happened.
Aside from minor glitches that are not worth mentioning, the wedding ceremony itself was perfect. The church was very hot the day before during the rehearsal dinner, but was tolerable the day of the wedding due to cooler weather and an overcast sky. I had expected the room to be a sweat shop. It was almost uncomfortable, but it wasn't the sauna I had feared.
The reception was lively, well planned and enjoyable. I had almost given up hope that wedding receptions could actually be fun. Now I have a different perspective. Aside from some hokey music choices at the beginning of the reception, the music was adequate. The DJ looked like he was waiting for someone to put him out of his misery, though. But hey, who cares what the hired help thinks anyway?
I heard several people remark that this wedding was the best they'd attended in some time. I can second that. After having been involved as a spectator in other ceremonies, and a groomsmen in another, I can honestly say I've never had a better experience. I wasn't the only person to make this wedding a success, but I'd like to think that my uncharacteristically positive attitude may have in some small way contributed to its success.
Dave and Tara, I wish you all the best. I know you had a good start with this wedding. Now its up both of you to go the distance.
Remarkably, that's exactly what happened.
Aside from minor glitches that are not worth mentioning, the wedding ceremony itself was perfect. The church was very hot the day before during the rehearsal dinner, but was tolerable the day of the wedding due to cooler weather and an overcast sky. I had expected the room to be a sweat shop. It was almost uncomfortable, but it wasn't the sauna I had feared.
The reception was lively, well planned and enjoyable. I had almost given up hope that wedding receptions could actually be fun. Now I have a different perspective. Aside from some hokey music choices at the beginning of the reception, the music was adequate. The DJ looked like he was waiting for someone to put him out of his misery, though. But hey, who cares what the hired help thinks anyway?
I heard several people remark that this wedding was the best they'd attended in some time. I can second that. After having been involved as a spectator in other ceremonies, and a groomsmen in another, I can honestly say I've never had a better experience. I wasn't the only person to make this wedding a success, but I'd like to think that my uncharacteristically positive attitude may have in some small way contributed to its success.
Dave and Tara, I wish you all the best. I know you had a good start with this wedding. Now its up both of you to go the distance.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
On This Day in History
Today is my best friend Dave Thompson's wedding.
Other notable events to happen on this day in history:
1787 - The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia began. The articles of the U.S. Constitution draft were to be debated.
1890 - The electric chair was used for the first time when Auburn State Prison in New York executed convicted murderer William Kemmler.
1914 - Austria-Hungary declared war against Russia. Serbia declared war against Germany.
1945 - The American B-29 bomber, known as the Enola Gay, dropped the first atomic bomb on an inhabited area. The bomb named "Little Boy" was dropped over the center of Hiroshima, Japan. An estimated 140,000 people were killed.
1952 - Satchel Paige, at age 46, became the oldest pitcher to complete a major league baseball game.
1965 - Beatles release "Help" album.
1969 - The first fair ball to be hit completely out of Dodger Stadium occurred. Willie "Pops" Stargell, of the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit the ball 506 feet from home plate.
1969 - Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski, and four others were murdered by members of Charles Manson's "family."
1981 - Fire fighters in Indianapolis, IN, answered a false alarm. When they returned to their station it was ablaze due to a grease fire.
1986 - Timothy Dalton became the fourth actor to be named "James Bond."
1998 - Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky spent 8 1/2 hours testifying before a grand jury about her relationship with U.S. President Clinton.
2003 - Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy to replace Gray Davis as governor of California to Jay Leno on the Tonight Show.
Famous birthdays on this day:
1911 - Lucille Ball Jamestown NY, comedienne/actress (I Love Lucy, Mame)
1917 - Robert Mitchum Bridgeport Ct, actor (Winds of War, North & South)
1927 - Andy Warhol pop artist
1976 - Soleil Moon Frye actress (Punky Brewster)
Famous deaths on this day:
1978 - Pope Paul VI dies of heart attack at summer residence at 80
1991 - Harry Reasoner died at the age of 68. He was a newsman for CBS-TV.
Thought for the day :
"The average woman would rather be beautiful than smart because the average man can see better than he can think."
Other notable events to happen on this day in history:
1787 - The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia began. The articles of the U.S. Constitution draft were to be debated.
1890 - The electric chair was used for the first time when Auburn State Prison in New York executed convicted murderer William Kemmler.
1914 - Austria-Hungary declared war against Russia. Serbia declared war against Germany.
1945 - The American B-29 bomber, known as the Enola Gay, dropped the first atomic bomb on an inhabited area. The bomb named "Little Boy" was dropped over the center of Hiroshima, Japan. An estimated 140,000 people were killed.
1952 - Satchel Paige, at age 46, became the oldest pitcher to complete a major league baseball game.
1965 - Beatles release "Help" album.
1969 - The first fair ball to be hit completely out of Dodger Stadium occurred. Willie "Pops" Stargell, of the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit the ball 506 feet from home plate.
1969 - Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski, and four others were murdered by members of Charles Manson's "family."
1981 - Fire fighters in Indianapolis, IN, answered a false alarm. When they returned to their station it was ablaze due to a grease fire.
1986 - Timothy Dalton became the fourth actor to be named "James Bond."
1998 - Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky spent 8 1/2 hours testifying before a grand jury about her relationship with U.S. President Clinton.
2003 - Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy to replace Gray Davis as governor of California to Jay Leno on the Tonight Show.
Famous birthdays on this day:
1911 - Lucille Ball Jamestown NY, comedienne/actress (I Love Lucy, Mame)
1917 - Robert Mitchum Bridgeport Ct, actor (Winds of War, North & South)
1927 - Andy Warhol pop artist
1976 - Soleil Moon Frye actress (Punky Brewster)
Famous deaths on this day:
1978 - Pope Paul VI dies of heart attack at summer residence at 80
1991 - Harry Reasoner died at the age of 68. He was a newsman for CBS-TV.
Thought for the day :
"The average woman would rather be beautiful than smart because the average man can see better than he can think."
Monday, August 01, 2005
The Way South: The Exodus of Northeast Ohio
I have decided to write something about how people from Canton, Cleveland, Akron and points north of Guernsey county have decided to move south into my neck of the woods. I have preconceived notions about why they're leaving the cities and moving into this relatively rural area, but in writing this article (or whatever it ends up being) I hope to learn more about this migration out of northeast Ohio.
As for people who have moved down here, I seem to encounter them every day. I work with quite a few of them, and I seem to see them patronize the store frequently too. I've never considered myself a journalist, but in order to cover this story and write it up true and proper I'm going to have to call upon a few journalism courses I took in college.
When mentioned as a possible career path, I always used to shrug off journalism because I 'didn't want to bother people'. In hindsight, its hard to believe I could've felt so naive and reclusive. Alas, I hadn't learned that life is the ultimate source of stress, not the people you interact with.
So, I will slowly try to put together this story if I can screw up the courage to play a role I've been reluctant to assume. I've come up with a framework to the story and a list of possible sources, so the story may actually write itself once I decide to make it happen.
As for people who have moved down here, I seem to encounter them every day. I work with quite a few of them, and I seem to see them patronize the store frequently too. I've never considered myself a journalist, but in order to cover this story and write it up true and proper I'm going to have to call upon a few journalism courses I took in college.
When mentioned as a possible career path, I always used to shrug off journalism because I 'didn't want to bother people'. In hindsight, its hard to believe I could've felt so naive and reclusive. Alas, I hadn't learned that life is the ultimate source of stress, not the people you interact with.
So, I will slowly try to put together this story if I can screw up the courage to play a role I've been reluctant to assume. I've come up with a framework to the story and a list of possible sources, so the story may actually write itself once I decide to make it happen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)