29 October 2007
26 October 2007
25 October 2007
24 October 2007
23 October 2007
Fire in SolCal
I may not be near any fire, but the air is just full of bad stuff. The sun is up, but covered by smoke. It reminds me of the old western tin types from the 1800's.
And everytime I lick my lips, I feel like I'm taking in chalk. My nose is dry, as I enhale the stale air it tickles. Just nasty.
The fire that is burning in San Bernadino hills -click here- near where the 15 and 215 intersect (Lake Arrowhead and Green Valley Lake) has grown and the smoke, blown by the westerly winds, is now covering my area. Even the hills north of me are now shrouded in gray smoke, only they where clear this morning when I left for work at 5:30am.
There was a two fires in Ontario, but they've been contained.
But tragically, the Harris and Witch Fire in San Diego have merged now covering 12 square miles, has forced close to half a million people to be evacuated. 2 people have been killed and that fire was arson.
This has also effected my work, as at least 1 employee could not get out of the area in San Bernardino. Plus, the mall is nearly dead and we've not made plan. Every Sunday, we are always over plan, but this past we almost made it. I'm unsure how this will work, when the company asks us to cut hours.
Thankfully, the winds have died, and beginning Thursday, on on shore flow begins, which will bring temps down to normal, plus bring up the relative humidity up. There is light now at the end of this dark tunnel. But the cost may be more than anyone can afford.
And everytime I lick my lips, I feel like I'm taking in chalk. My nose is dry, as I enhale the stale air it tickles. Just nasty.
The fire that is burning in San Bernadino hills -click here- near where the 15 and 215 intersect (Lake Arrowhead and Green Valley Lake) has grown and the smoke, blown by the westerly winds, is now covering my area. Even the hills north of me are now shrouded in gray smoke, only they where clear this morning when I left for work at 5:30am.
There was a two fires in Ontario, but they've been contained.
But tragically, the Harris and Witch Fire in San Diego have merged now covering 12 square miles, has forced close to half a million people to be evacuated. 2 people have been killed and that fire was arson.
This has also effected my work, as at least 1 employee could not get out of the area in San Bernardino. Plus, the mall is nearly dead and we've not made plan. Every Sunday, we are always over plan, but this past we almost made it. I'm unsure how this will work, when the company asks us to cut hours.
Thankfully, the winds have died, and beginning Thursday, on on shore flow begins, which will bring temps down to normal, plus bring up the relative humidity up. There is light now at the end of this dark tunnel. But the cost may be more than anyone can afford.
21 October 2007
The Canyon Fire 2007, Part 2
The one good thing is that the heat they said would come with these Santa Anna winds has not developed. So, while the low humidity is factorying here (some as low as 3%, but hovering around 10%), Malibu, Agua Dulce and five other locations around LA County are still at the mercy of the winds.And its being reported that 1 person down in San Diego has been killed in a brush fire there.
Here, where I sit, the wind has picked up since this morning, but once again, I have no fear of fire.
The Red Flag warning will continue through Tuesday, and probably into Wednesday. Hopefully, with the temps not as hot as they once said, maybe the heat will not factor into tomorrow and the rest of the week.
Hero by Perry Moore
Author Perry Moore says he wrote this book after being upset by a Marvel Comic. In X-Men: Age of Apocalypse #2, the gay superhero Northstar was killed by Wolverine. Moore believed that having one of Marvel’s biggest superheroes murder its most prominent gay character sent the wrong message to readers. Moore subsequently created a list of GLBTQ superheroes who have met with torture, rape, disembowelment, decapitation, had their genitalia disfigured or removed..His growing awareness of the poor treatment of GLBT superhero characters led him to write Hero to present a more positive image.Thom Creed is a high school basketball star. His mother abandoned the family and his father is a former masked crimefighter who retired in disgrace following a national incident and now works as a lowly worker in a factory. Thom's own superpowers are beginning to manifest themselves, as is his homosexuality. But Thom must keep his powers a secret, for fear of further disgracing his father and risking his hometown's homophobic wrath.
Much like the Austin Grossman novel Soon I Will be Invincible that I read back in July, Hero takes on many of the same themes. But this novel decides to more serious and less, wink, wink, nudge nudge. It’s not as snarky, I guess, as Grossman’s book. The novel is well written, if overlong, and it does take time getting going, but I applaud Moore for expanding the superhero genre by adding a GLBT main character.
There are some inspired moments in here, including a scene of Thom masturbating to superhero internet porn. In many ways, while not perfect, it hits many good points. And, as a young adult novel, it will open the door to other books that can show a positive, non-outcast teen who accepts who he is.
At least one can hope.
The Canyon Fire 2007
The fire season has begun.
The Santa Anna winds began to blow early this morning, and around 5 am this morning, winds blew some power lines down, that started a brush fire that quickly spread as the winds were clocked at 50 plus mile an hour. Whittier Peak recorded a gust of 108 -hurricane style winds.
Plus, the temps are on the upswing, while the humidity are hitting big time lows. The heat will be with us until at least Thursday. LA's normal temp during this time is 79. It could be in the 90's today and the rest of the working week. The valley's and the IE could see temps in the 100's by Tuesday -record breaking to be sure.
Sitting here, in my house there is no wind, but I live on the edge of the San Gabriel Valley, thus we are not in a narrow area where the wind blows. It's going to get hot, but there is no danger of fire.
The biggest problem with Malibu fire now is that because of the wind -the way it's blowing with some area's reporting 85 MPH gust - is causing the fires to jump around, with the firefighters not able to keep up with them. Malibu is only a mile wide, and six miles long, and so you can guess at the problems these firefigthers are having with the fire. Hills and valleys, one lane roads create problems in fighting this current fire. Adding the swirling winds and you have a huge problem.
The Santa Anna winds began to blow early this morning, and around 5 am this morning, winds blew some power lines down, that started a brush fire that quickly spread as the winds were clocked at 50 plus mile an hour. Whittier Peak recorded a gust of 108 -hurricane style winds.
Plus, the temps are on the upswing, while the humidity are hitting big time lows. The heat will be with us until at least Thursday. LA's normal temp during this time is 79. It could be in the 90's today and the rest of the working week. The valley's and the IE could see temps in the 100's by Tuesday -record breaking to be sure.
Sitting here, in my house there is no wind, but I live on the edge of the San Gabriel Valley, thus we are not in a narrow area where the wind blows. It's going to get hot, but there is no danger of fire.
The biggest problem with Malibu fire now is that because of the wind -the way it's blowing with some area's reporting 85 MPH gust - is causing the fires to jump around, with the firefighters not able to keep up with them. Malibu is only a mile wide, and six miles long, and so you can guess at the problems these firefigthers are having with the fire. Hills and valleys, one lane roads create problems in fighting this current fire. Adding the swirling winds and you have a huge problem.
20 October 2007
The cast of Star Trek: The Reboot
Karl Urban as Young McCoy
Chris Pine as Young Kirk
John Cho as Young Sulu
Simon Pegg as Young Scotty
Anton Yelchin as Young Chekov
Zoe Saldana as Young Uhura
Zachary Quinto as Young Spock
Leonard Nimoy as Spock19 October 2007
18 October 2007
17 October 2007
Star Trek XI cast nearly finished?
Casting for the Star Trek reboot seems to nearly finished, as production is scheduled to begin next month.
Already confirmed is:
Leonard Nimoy as Old Spock
Zachary Quinto as Young Spock
Zoe Saldana as Uhura
Anton Yelchin as Chekov
John Cho as Sulu
Simon Pegg as Scotty
Eric Bana as the Romulan Nero
Look for Paramount to confirm soon that Lord of the Rings actor Karl Urban will play McCoy, while relative newcomer Chris Pine will play Kirk.
The story (rumored) revolves around the Romulans of the 24th Century who want to alter the past, and prevent the rise of Starfleet and the Federation. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) becomes aware of plot, and travels back in time to the 23rd Century-not long after Romulan time agents do - and interacts with his younger self (Zachary Quinto).
Another rumor is that the Romulans will succeed in their plans, somewhat. Thus, by applying the Back to the Future II plot line, the timeline we've grown up with for the last 40 years will cease to exist, and a new timeline will be created - a timeline where events will unravel in a different fashion.
This will, essentially, give writers of future Trek movies more room to create stories. No more worry about continuity issues established in TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY and ENT because this Trek will be an alternate timeline.
Another rumor is that the Romulans will succeed in their plans, somewhat. Thus, by applying the Back to the Future II plot line, the timeline we've grown up with for the last 40 years will cease to exist, and a new timeline will be created - a timeline where events will unravel in a different fashion.
This will, essentially, give writers of future Trek movies more room to create stories. No more worry about continuity issues established in TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY and ENT because this Trek will be an alternate timeline.
16 October 2007
Borders redux
Back on September 30, I blogged about a day that I worked at a sister Borders. I was asked to help get the store back on its feet, after many changes in both staff and management. I mentioned that the store needed a strong leader - something “previous manager was not.”
Apparently, as far as I can tell, this was the most damning thing of the post. Some how, someone from that store stumbled upon my blog, read my post and got upset (and I'll admit, I'm curious how they found this little blog amongst the cazillion others out there). This person then went to GM who must’ve made a comment to the DM who then went to my GM and yesterday I was told about it.
Now, I’m aware that most huge corporations are on the hunt for people who make disparaging comments about the company they work for on blogs. But, as far as I know, I made no comment that showed my company in a bad light. I have an opinion, something in which I’m entitled to, but I never said anything horribly negative.
Now did I know the two previous GM’s of that store, the ones who let (either by choice or circumstance) the store fall apart? No, but after 10 years with this company, 20 years in the book business and 27 years in retail, I know many things. Some things I must put together from conversations, and bits of comments here and there. I can add two plus two and get four.
So, I was much aware that the both of the last two GM’s where unprepared to handle such a store. What I heard from “others” was both wanted to be “friends” with their staff instead of being their boss. Which is where the stronger leader comes into play. What I’ve learned -much like when you are a parent - you must never be friends with the staff (or your kids), as it will lead to your downfall, and the stores.
GM’s need to tough minded and willing to let people dislike them, all for the better good of the store.
As noted, this is my opinion, but I will not apologize for it. There could’ve been -and probably was - many things that lead to this stores problem.
Apparently, as far as I can tell, this was the most damning thing of the post. Some how, someone from that store stumbled upon my blog, read my post and got upset (and I'll admit, I'm curious how they found this little blog amongst the cazillion others out there). This person then went to GM who must’ve made a comment to the DM who then went to my GM and yesterday I was told about it.
Now, I’m aware that most huge corporations are on the hunt for people who make disparaging comments about the company they work for on blogs. But, as far as I know, I made no comment that showed my company in a bad light. I have an opinion, something in which I’m entitled to, but I never said anything horribly negative.
Now did I know the two previous GM’s of that store, the ones who let (either by choice or circumstance) the store fall apart? No, but after 10 years with this company, 20 years in the book business and 27 years in retail, I know many things. Some things I must put together from conversations, and bits of comments here and there. I can add two plus two and get four.
So, I was much aware that the both of the last two GM’s where unprepared to handle such a store. What I heard from “others” was both wanted to be “friends” with their staff instead of being their boss. Which is where the stronger leader comes into play. What I’ve learned -much like when you are a parent - you must never be friends with the staff (or your kids), as it will lead to your downfall, and the stores.
GM’s need to tough minded and willing to let people dislike them, all for the better good of the store.
As noted, this is my opinion, but I will not apologize for it. There could’ve been -and probably was - many things that lead to this stores problem.
13 October 2007
Bionic Woman better, but trouble behind the scenes may doom it
Wednesday's Bionic Woman was the best of the first three episodes. Not saying much, considering the show still seems to be chaotic. But them episode was a bit more humorous, especially Kate Sackhoff, who shows me again and again why I believe she should be the star of the show.
As a matter of fact, I'm almost to the point of saying that NBC should replace everyone on the show with the exception of Sackhoff, and try again.
With the reported behind-the-scene problems they've been having, it's a wonder they are producing shows. According to Ain't it Cool News, writer's Glen Morgan, Laeta Kalogridis and Jason Smilovic are no longer involved with the show. Kalogridis, who wrote the pilot, left before production began on the series, while Morgan left in early September. Smilovic was to remain through the first half of the season, but jumped when Jason Katmins was brought on board as a "consulting producer." Katims, who created and ran Roswell, and who is currently the showrunner on Friday Noght Lights, is now reportably running Bionic Woman, though NBC has yet to make that official.
If the behind-the-scenes stuff does not get fixed, the series will never make it to January.
And maybe, that's not a bad thing.
As a matter of fact, I'm almost to the point of saying that NBC should replace everyone on the show with the exception of Sackhoff, and try again.
With the reported behind-the-scene problems they've been having, it's a wonder they are producing shows. According to Ain't it Cool News, writer's Glen Morgan, Laeta Kalogridis and Jason Smilovic are no longer involved with the show. Kalogridis, who wrote the pilot, left before production began on the series, while Morgan left in early September. Smilovic was to remain through the first half of the season, but jumped when Jason Katmins was brought on board as a "consulting producer." Katims, who created and ran Roswell, and who is currently the showrunner on Friday Noght Lights, is now reportably running Bionic Woman, though NBC has yet to make that official.
If the behind-the-scenes stuff does not get fixed, the series will never make it to January.
And maybe, that's not a bad thing.
11 October 2007
Once again, Anne Coulter goes and opens her piehole and insults a religion
On the CNBC cable network, Donny Deutsch -host of Big Ideas - had hate monger and wack-a-doodle nutcase Anne Coulter on. He asked her if “it would be better if we were all Christian," the controversial columnist responded: "Yes."
Then thing went to hell. Eventually, a very shocked Deutsch -who is Jewish - was faced with hearing this: “I don't think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to, you know, live up to all the laws. What Christians believe — this is just a statement of what the New Testament is — is that that's why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don't believe our testament.
DEUTSCH: You said — your exact words were, "Jews need to be perfected." Those are the words out of your mouth.
COULTER: No, I'm saying that's what a Christian is.
DEUTSCH: But that's what you said — don't you see how hateful, how anti-Semitic —
COULTER: No!
DEUTSCH: How do you not see? You're an educated woman. How do you not see that?
COULTER: That isn't hateful at all.
DEUTSCH: But that's even a scarier thought. OK —
COULTER: No, no, no, no, no. I don't want you being offended by this. This is what Christians consider themselves, because our testament is the continuation of your testament. You know that. So we think Jews go to heaven. I mean (Jerry) Falwell himself said that, but you have to follow laws. Ours is "Christ died for our sins." We consider ourselves perfected Christians. For me to say that for you to become a Christian is to become a perfected Christian is not offensive at all.
As pointed out, Coulter proves again and again why she is a fucking idiot. Of course, she has the right to say these things, but while most people -like the ones in the real world, not her made up fantasy island where she, Laura Ingraham, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin among many others who rule a crowded nation in their minds - know she’s a crack pot and has about as much credibility as bellybutton lint.
But the sad part is, she’ll get away with this crap. She cannot and will not be held accountable for her actions, as she obviously believes she’s above everyone -especially the Jews.
It was one the most cloaked anti-semitic comment I’ve ever heard.
Then thing went to hell. Eventually, a very shocked Deutsch -who is Jewish - was faced with hearing this: “I don't think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to, you know, live up to all the laws. What Christians believe — this is just a statement of what the New Testament is — is that that's why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don't believe our testament.
DEUTSCH: You said — your exact words were, "Jews need to be perfected." Those are the words out of your mouth.
COULTER: No, I'm saying that's what a Christian is.
DEUTSCH: But that's what you said — don't you see how hateful, how anti-Semitic —
COULTER: No!
DEUTSCH: How do you not see? You're an educated woman. How do you not see that?
COULTER: That isn't hateful at all.
DEUTSCH: But that's even a scarier thought. OK —
COULTER: No, no, no, no, no. I don't want you being offended by this. This is what Christians consider themselves, because our testament is the continuation of your testament. You know that. So we think Jews go to heaven. I mean (Jerry) Falwell himself said that, but you have to follow laws. Ours is "Christ died for our sins." We consider ourselves perfected Christians. For me to say that for you to become a Christian is to become a perfected Christian is not offensive at all.
As pointed out, Coulter proves again and again why she is a fucking idiot. Of course, she has the right to say these things, but while most people -like the ones in the real world, not her made up fantasy island where she, Laura Ingraham, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin among many others who rule a crowded nation in their minds - know she’s a crack pot and has about as much credibility as bellybutton lint.
But the sad part is, she’ll get away with this crap. She cannot and will not be held accountable for her actions, as she obviously believes she’s above everyone -especially the Jews.
It was one the most cloaked anti-semitic comment I’ve ever heard.
08 October 2007
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