n-the-acorn

McCarter's Bridge Rumson-Fair Haven, NJ

2010-07-09T18:00:00.006-04:00

McCarter's Bridge over Ridge Road near the Fair Haven / Rumson, NJ town line. Taken September 25, 1988.

Some of you may already be visually familiar with McCarter's Bridge from my post anticipating the Watchmen Movie. Well here is a little background about the bridge 2 years later.

I probably should learn more about the history certainly since this is part of my future profession, but here is what I can tell you piecing together what I remember. Sometime around the turn of the 20th century, McCarter built a massive estate near the border of Rumson-Fair Haven. Since the estate spanned Ridge Road (a major East-West road from Red Bank to the Sea Bright Bridge) he constructed a private bridge to go over the road for his use. That is how it was used while the estate functioned. In the late 1950s-early 60s the grand estate was demolished and the land was divided up into building lots, the bridge no longer safe for modern traffic was just abandoned in place. As more families began to fill the area, the radical teenage voices of the later 1960s found a new venue for their messages. Since no one actually owned the bridge it was allowed to continue, it certainly wasn't without its obstacles the police would watch out for you and most of the time scare you off, and there was that information (that I learned much later) that poison ivy and rose bushes were intentionally planted to deter people from painting the bridge. In spite of this, the graffiti covered facade became a rite of passage for the local high school kids. Although Rumson-Fair Haven High School claimed it as their own, students from the rival high school down Ridge Road also were known to paint it.

When I was a sophomore it was time to pass my rites. It would have never happened without the two people pictured with me. Adriane who lived within 2 blocks of the bridge made it so we could easily stage our adventure from her yard without immediately sending up red flags by parking on the street. Stefan was the major reason it happened at all. He was slightly older than Adriane and myself so he had his driver's license. This was an important factor for us to be able to go get the paint from a few towns over, as well as getting us to Adriane's house for our adventures. Stephan and I decided on the colors we would use black and gold. The black was a way to quickly cover all that we could in one coat to make it easy to paint over. Gold was chosen so the message could be read easily. In our excitement I picked up the wrong can and brown and gold then became our signature colors for the 4 opportunities we had before the bridge was torn down. (Except for that time I picked up an ivory can instead of gold.)

My first message has something to do with POW/MIAs. Kind of an odd message for a high school kid, but it was something that I was very interested in because I knew someone who's brother was still MIA in Vietnam. (The war only “ended” 12 years earlier so it was still pretty fresh in people's minds.) I did one for my parent's anniversary and my brother's graduation. I know there was one for the Watchmen, and lastly “Go Home Bridge Killers.” That was the last message on the bridge when the wrecking ball came to demolish it September 27, 1988.

Over a year ago I posted the picture at the top into my facebook “Lost & Found: pictures from the age of film cameras” album. Immediately there was a conversation between myself and my other two friends who were standing with me. It recently began to get more comments again so that is why it is on my mind, and I need a place to post a larger picture so that maybe some one can clearly identify the kid in the teal All-Stars.

Dances with Blue Man Group

2010-05-03T19:00:00.002-04:00

This is my facebook status. Click the picture to make it larger to see what it says.

After a couple of people liked it, I began thinking about those Bud Light radio commercials “Real Men of Genius”. It never dawned on my that the language for them had changed I always hear them in my head as “Real American Heroes” which I think is much better in this case because I don't really know that the merchandiser was a man.

If you are not familiar with the commercials follow the link above and listen to a couple of them to get the feel of this to music. Then read along my tribute to my hero of the week.

Target presents Real American Heroes
(Real American Heroes)
Today we salute you...
DVD aisle merchandiser
(DVD aisle merchandiser)

Some say you're a cog
Some say you're only worth $7.50 an hour
And some say why couldn't you find a better job
(I have a problem with authority)

What you do is a service
You are a maestro of the endcap, and a wiz at categorizing
(SAW is not self-improvement)

Red Shirt - check
Tan pants - check
Having the ability to offer a silent commentary on an overrated crappy movie- check
(Sticking it to the man)

So crack open a new case of movies oh critic of the cinema
Because even though you're last on the departmental flow chart, you'll always be #1 with me
(DVD aisle merchandiser)

Foam Fingers only get you to third base.

2009-12-12T15:28:00.008-05:00

This Fall Richmond, VA announced a replacement for their Minor League Baseball team that pulled out in 2008, because they wanted a new stadium that the city wouldn't commit to. The replacements announced in late October are called “Flying Squirrels”. Not really the image of a dominate force to be messed with unless they happen to be rabid squirrels.

One of the alternative logos for the team is a giant acorn with a big “R” reminiscent of the letter used by Batman's sidekick. Recently I have enjoyed debating a possible battle cry with anyone who will listen, they mostly end with something about how big their nuts are. Also don't forget the trademarked concession item a cup filled with hot nuts.

I went looking at other Minor League Teams just to see what a Flying Squirrel might have the possibility to dominate. I however, stopped looking when I came across the Winston-Salem “Dash”. From the look of their logo it appears one has found the Alpha Male of all sports logo, and the only thing that beats that is themselves.

Mortgage: The Musical

2009-12-03T11:23:00.002-05:00

This was a comment my wife made about my Facebook status update. It really is exceptionally good so I thought I would preserve it for the ages.

I don't know why, but Rent seems to have polarizing opinions. Either you really like it or you really hate it. I however fall into the third category, I find the music a little bit catchy and don't mind it, it's no "Fiddler", but I can accept it for what it is. This might be because I am a sucker for the great story ballads of the 70s like Harry Chapin's "Taxi", Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", Don McLean's "American Pie", and a slightly earlier vintage "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" by Arlo Guthrie.

My thoughts today are what about making another musical based on the premise of Rent, where those 20-somethings with the world at their backs, get sucked up with the economic boom of the late 1990s and become the 30-somethings dealing with the setbacks of Bush's America on the cusp of economic collapse. I still have some of the musical lyrics to work out, but I am happy to have such a wonderful collaborator at my side.

Domo arigato, mr. roboto

2009-07-08T23:32:00.000-04:00

Just some Facebook junk that I found amusing.

Get Your Cyborg Name

My Uncle John

2009-03-12T11:55:00.000-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The radio station that he loved so

Great Phallacies of the World

2009-03-10T16:00:00.000-04:00

I was going through some pictures today and found a recurring theme.

It's just not their pickles that are famous! (Yes this is a real product.)

Found acorn top.

Another bad sign design and placement. (see here for another example)

I just need to file this one under juvenile humor.

Zorya: and sex was dirty

2009-02-23T11:23:00.000-05:00

This has been going around facebook. Although I typically don't participate in this kind of thing this one seemed like a fun & creative one. I decided to post it here rather than perpetuate another facebook plague.

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random... Read More”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

*** These are the links to my three
ZORYA
and sex was dirty
Photo Credit

We cleanse souls... only 80 cents a pound!

2009-02-12T11:40:00.000-05:00

For a little local history, the place where I live has a population of about 33,000 people and covers about 23 square miles. It has been estimated that within the city limits there are approximately 250 churches. Most (maybe 80%) of these churches are not your typical churches, they can only be described as storefront churches or maybe go so far as to say tax-shelter churches. No wonder the republicans like religion so much.

I have been working on this photo project in my spare time which has allowed me to to get around the city and see all it has to offer. This is one gem I recently found.

Take that late night infomercials, only the power of Jesus can get out stubborn stains. Want to know what hell feels like? Just go next door in the middle of summer when all the dryers are going.

I however need to question a "church" that uses the flaming sword as an image of deliverance, since biblically the flaming sword represents humanity's inability to go back to Paradise (Genesis 3:24). What exactly is one being delivered to here the locked front gate? Isn't the reason for going to church in the first place so that one can get back into Paradise (heaven)?

Next up "Pillar of Salt Church of Deliverance" coming soon to an insurance agency near you.

I will now deliver you from further religion.

Paypal says: Save (coughus money) the environment.

2009-01-31T15:42:00.000-05:00

Wow it took a whole sheet of paper to give me this message.

Change needs to come from the inside.
Maybe printing this message on the envelope?
Forcing printers to print duel side?

Close up of message

Now on my soapbox:
Give me a reason to switch, how about paperless people get a reduced interest rate? I am all for saving the environment, but if I want a hard copy of a statement the burden is placed on me. My ink, my paper, my time. I am now doing a job that you are charging me an outrageous interest rate to help cover. Also you need to make my whole history of statements available not just the last 8 or 12. A policy change is also in order about not charging me an outrageous amount to have a replacement statement sent when I do need an older one?

You want us to make a difference in the environment, be a leader and give us the tools and incentives we need to change.

W W T W?

2008-10-08T11:08:00.003-04:00

When The Watchmen comic was released back in 1986-87 I immediately was hooked. I absolutely went crazy over it. I have the pin, the watch, the t-shirt, the original hardbound leather edition. From 87-90 The Watchmen influenced my creativity in my art. Somewhere out there there is a video produced by the Presbyterian Church in 1989 dealing with faith that I am in. In it I am wearing my Watchman shirt. I went so far as to use a line from The Comedian as my Senior yearbook quote (although, if I remember correctly they messed up the layout).

The Watchmen and myself became one in the summer of 1991 with my first tattoo

August 2008 badly faded

___________
Original Watchmen_____ Presbyterian Church (USA) logo
promo button 1987_______ (so you don't need to ask)
(Still Own)

The Watchmen, after all these years is coming to the big screen. I think in a box of books from college I have a copy of a 1990 version of the screen play. I am not yet sure how I feel about something I hold so dear being remade by Hollywood. You see Hollywood and I have a "Hate/Hate" relationship when it comes to comic movies. My biggest gripe you can't rewrite 25 years of history to make an exciting 2 hours. I guess this is something at least the Watchmen have going for it. It may be easier to stay true to this story since it has a beginning and an end in 12 issues. My next concern is that this movie is so popular Holywood will try to make a prequel.

I am hoping for some really good merchandise rising from this.

Yearbook Picture
The Bridge on Ridge Road
List of Watchmen related pictures I need to find:
Name of that video
Art 87-90
Jean Jacket

Shiver me Timbers!

2008-09-19T08:47:00.001-04:00

My pirate name is:

Black Flint the Lover

Like anyone confronted with the harshness of robbery on the high seas, you can be pessimistic at times. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.

New Olympic event for 2012

2008-08-20T20:49:00.000-04:00

Beijing, China August 20, 2008-

With overwhelming support from fans across the globe, the International Olympic Committee has voted today to allow a new exhibition sport to the 2012 Summer Games in London.

Spokesperson for the IOC said, "We are really excited about this new competition. Our synchronized sports have become very popular and we look forward to expanding this genre. Athletes will be judged on criteria such as distance and style. We already have plans for different classes which include water, tobacco, and the ever popular watermelon seeds, to name just a few."

The US Olympic Committee commented that they have already been in contact with players from Major League Baseball and old tyme saloon patrons as potential members for their 2012 team.

Photo Credit
"The Bluto" inspired by National Lampoon's Animal House

The innocence of 1960

2008-08-08T12:47:00.000-04:00

Next in the series-
"Junior Science Book of
Cougars"

Insert jokes here_______

Nuff said.

Now get back to work.

My POD is packed I'm ready to go...

2008-07-25T20:35:00.000-04:00

Boy the way Law and Order played
Seems like it was 24 hours a day.
Kids like us hardly got paid,
Those were the dregs.

Back when real bagels were our food.
The ones down here they taste like glue.
Don't know how we got through,
`cause on car insurance we got screwed.

Mitzvah was our first pup,
We watched the Trade Centers blow up.
Now its time to shut up.
Cause those were the dregs.

Goodbye
Hamilton, NJ
1997-2008

Goodbye: 40 Foot Ladder and a POD

2008-07-22T02:47:00.000-04:00

The last photos from our home in New Jersey.

What the Heck? Hey look its a skull!

Left a little bit of us behind.
Hey look another skull!

Seems a little young to have a monkey on his back?

2008-05-22T13:20:00.000-04:00

Every once in a while you need to just thank the stars you have your camera with you, because a description doesn't do the image justice.

Don't worry kid many years of future therapy will help you come to terms with your separation anxiety.

Stay on Target- Stay on Target-

2008-04-28T14:21:00.000-04:00

Mother Nature was right on TARGET as a tornado passed trough Colonial Heights, VA today.

See what happens when you use a bulls eye as your logo? It just invites trouble.

The only business that were damaged so badly by the tornado that they needed to close are the two who's signs were not damaged.
OH THE HUMANITY! What if my barn needs to go to a wedding? Where can I go to ride the Tilt-A-Sneaker now?

Other business in the vicinity were also slightly damaged by the tornado, except for Wal-Mart. Which just proves the theory that Jesus Saves... everyday at Wal-Mart.

It's not just the floors that are dirty.

2008-04-19T13:30:00.000-04:00

My wife tells me that advertising is deliberate, she would know she is a designer in that industry. Advertisers seek to spark your mind, and if your mind is sparked you continue to think about their product even when it is no longer in front of you.

It works here are two examples of recent finds that I just can't forget.

(Left) McDonald's rich in double entendre. On the sticker and the box.

(Right) Located near the entrance to Fort Lee, this area of E. Washington is colorfully referred to as Petersburg's Red Light District. Here I thought only "Hooters" had a full rack special. I also love the position of this ad just below the "Family BBQ." We have the phone company to thank for that layout.

It does exist!

2008-03-13T13:23:00.001-04:00

Just south of Gettysburg, PA on US HWY 15.

Here I thought that black line on the map was for illustration purposes only.

Some people think this line represents the dividing line for the American Civil War of the 1860s, however friends this is a relic of America's first and often forgotten Civil War of the 1730s.

Did you know about America's first "War Between the States?"

Every party needs one-

2008-03-11T13:48:00.000-04:00

Only costing $10.00 for this privilege, some say Virginia has the highest rate of "vanity plates" in the country.
In the land of every other plate alluding to "God" and "Jesus" this one is a head scratcher. Look out "CUNTY" and "IM 4 KY" you have a tough competitor here.

Want to try your hand at designing a vanity plate?
For $20.00 the DMV offers souvenir plates for your effort.

What's so Civil about Skulls anyway?

2008-02-10T20:22:00.001-05:00

So there I was sorting replica bullets to put into gift bags and next thing I know one of my co-workers asks me if I am going to make a skull out of them. In case you have missed it- this has been one of my favorite blogs for the last 8 months and a common topic for Sunday morning chats at work.

Enjoy and look for my previous submissions on the brain case pages at Skull-A-Day!

Create custom animated gifs

Myths, Superstitions, and Omens... oh my!

2008-01-07T15:21:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year all. It has been a wild week around here, but by wild I really mean wildlife. My weird brushes with birds this week.

First however if you are not familiar with the old superstitions about birds let me bring you up to speed. It seems that birds are nothing more than miniature Azraels, perhaps it is the meningitis they carry. So it seems having a bird fly into your house, hitting the window glass, or sitting on the sill tapping (nevermore) are all signs of ill fortune on the household. Funny thing is that many people like myself try to attract birds to ones yard by leaving offerings of food. After looking at this practice through superstitious colored glasses one may think twice about this practice and try to get the little winged grim reapers far from ones property.

So the following are my brushes with birds this week. The fact that there were three just gives into the mumbo jumbo, cause everyone know it always happens in threes. (Like lions, tigers, and bears!)

First, last Monday a titmouse hit the window at work. It didn't die, but it was stunned long enough for me to go get my camera and take a few pictures.

Next, on Wednesday I walked outside only to find a Cedar Waxwing that froze to death next to the oak tree out front. (I hope it wasn't FOWL PLAY!)

Finally, yesterday a Bewick's Wren had made its way into the house. My wife and I were too busy trying to get it out of the closet and out the window for me to think about getting a picture.

So that is my brush with the little harbingers this week. So remember- if anything bad happens to me, blame the birds, because they are the obvious suspect.

Secret Santa 2007: Redux

2007-12-17T20:12:00.000-05:00

Yes Secret Santa it truly is Pizzonelicious!

What is a Pizzone? A whole pizza you can eat with one hand.

Who Watches the Watchmen?

2007-12-17T00:14:00.001-05:00

I have been a fan since it was first published. Maybe I will share just how much of a fan another time.

Found a friend's blog again. He showed me where to find this test.

Who is Nite Owl I?

To Reheat... set phone to 911

2007-12-14T23:23:00.000-05:00

Life is funny- you just need to know where the right places to look in order to find the punchline.

I opened the refrigerator today and found this.

I'm so glad it was there because those thing will spoil faster than mayonnaise at a church picnic.

I was going to put it in the oven to reheat it, but the pilot is out on our electric stove again.

I would expect this from White Castle.

2007-12-03T23:51:00.000-05:00

The funny thing about this- Is that the town where this store is located has a reputation of being...
well you get the idea.

Chalk this up to another sign designer who needs to have someone with school yard humor proof the design. Back when we lived in New Jersey there was a Dental Health AssOCIATES office with a light up letter sign. The sign was designed so that "OCIATES" was on one circuit. Once again you understand, but it stayed that way for over 6 months. You think someone would have noticed once the prank phone calls started.

Love is...

2007-11-27T23:58:00.000-05:00

Your equivalent to grade school art on her proverbial refrigerator.

I went to my wife's office today to take a picture of my first "micrograve", on my way out I noticed the jar and smiled to myself. I had completely forgotten about doing it.

The following set of events took place over a number of weeks back in January/February of 2007

1) Where it all Started.
2) Then the discussion began.
3) Our own golf ball for the bathroom.
4) The Golf Ball meets a silver sharpie.
5) Silver Golf Ball ends up in a jar.
6) Cotton added for effect.
7) Jar ends up in her purse as a joke.
(What it wasn't take your meteorite to work day?)
8) "Petersburg 82303" ends up on permanent display in her office.

SO- what happened to Hex & Where?

2007-11-25T15:03:00.000-05:00

My wife likes to play these word games.

I myself prefer to fight crime with Clue or explore the Jersey Shore with Monopoly. For some strange reason we own neither one.

We do however own Upwords and once in a while it makes an appearance. I do have to say I prefer this over Scrabble any day.

So we were playing the other night and this is how the board ended. There was only a few more words put down after the SO, but what a collection of words we ended up with now taken in a different context.

Secret Santa 2007

2007-11-20T23:43:00.000-05:00

Secret Santa 2007 has begun.

So you don't need to ask:
"Hos, Hos, Hos Stay out of our park thanks to Phil!
From Secret Santa"

Possibly has something to do with my secret life as a crime fighter.

Think Small 4

2007-11-03T01:04:00.000-04:00

Opening Night!

Now through December 22 in Richmond, VA.

You can find out more information here about the exhibit.

Forgot to read the Warning

2007-10-06T23:35:00.000-04:00

This happened a few blocks from our house.

I know that if this happened to me I would be really upset, but since it didn't...

Remember Folks! No matter how hard it is raining outside you should never use your propane grill inside.

People stood in line to see the boy king

2007-07-28T21:11:00.000-04:00

It was December 1978 I traveled to the MET that day riding in the last seat of our Station Wagon. I had no idea at the time what a monumental exhibit I was headed to. Our family waded through the masses of people and I truly felt like Carter in the cramped hot spaces. When we finally emerged I got a T-shirt from the gift shop it was yellow, with the classic 1970s sparkle iron-on of Tut's mask, but most importantly it was most likely 100% polyester. As soon as I got back to the car the new shirt went on. About 7pm that evening I removed my shirt due to horrible itching only to find I had broken out in hives. Convinced that I was suffering from "The Curse of King Tut" my mother took me to the doctor (I was lucky it was one of the days they had night hours.) Fears of the curse quickly faded as I was told that I had a reaction to the unwashed fibers in the shirt.

November 2000 a month after the explosion on the USS Cole and the beginning of the Second Intifada my wife and I found ourselves traveling to Cairo and Giza on a tour bus with Mirand, our guide, and armed Egyptian Security Forces (protecting the tourists). We got to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and I had the pleasure of seeing an old friend from my youth on his home territory. We had 2 hours to see all the treasures of Egypt, but like everyone else headed for Tut. Once again cramped and hot. It would have been nice to spend the time studying, but if not being short on time was enough- the crowds had a way of moving you through, at one point I was physically pushed out of the way when I took too long admiring a piece. Quickly back to the gift shop (no t-shirt this time) and off to Giza.

So here it is July of 2007 Tut is once again on my continent, and as a special surprise to my wife we went to go see our old friend. This time however we had VIP tickets, (nothing's too good for my baby) so we got to jump to the front of the line and we had all the time we wanted since our tickets weren't timed. It was a nice exhibit, although I feel they could have had a few more "show pieces" from the collection. I had looked for a t-shirt, but couldn't find one I was happy with. Since it will probably be another 30 years before he comes back, we will just have to make a point to get back to Egypt to see Tut again.

Ultimate Simpson Pilgrimage

2007-07-27T18:48:00.000-04:00

Arriving at the converted location outside of Washington, D.C.

Vibrant colors were surreal, but surprisingly good.

It was the details that made it all worth while.

Oh The Places I've gone

2006-08-30T16:24:00.000-04:00

United States

create your own visited states map

The Rest of the World

create your own visited countries map

Time Ticking Away

2006-04-05T04:02:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday of this week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.

That won't ever happen again. (until 3006 maybe)

You may now return to your (normal ?) life

Thanks to my wife for this bit of quirky trivia.

Touched by Terror

2006-02-26T14:44:00.000-05:00

Today is the anniversary of the first bombing of the World Trade Centers. Back in 1993 I was in Newark, NJ walking through the bar at the Ramada when I saw the images of smoke coming out of the tower. I was there as part of a meeting and was about to head back north to New Paltz. I quickly found a pay phone and called my Mom to find out where my Dad was. My dad worked in Tower 1 on the 69th floor.

Rewind... my Dad got a job with the Port Authority back in 1966, I forget where he worked in the first years, but when they began to build the World Trade Centers his office was moved there. I know he was working there in the unfinished building, because family legend says that it was my mom's fear of going up in the unfinished upper floors that helped induce labor for my birth. So I have had a personal connection with the towers right from the start. Growing up we used concrete cylinders that came from the construction trash of the towers to hold open doors in the summer.

I went and visited my dad at least once on every school vacation up until high school, and even when I was in college I would sometimes take the bus down to NYC and meet up with him. Trips to the observation deck were a must and he always had tickets to the observation deck in his desk drawer so we could jump the line and get right to the elevator. I even had the opportunity to sleep on the observation deck as part of a special Boy Scout "camping" experience. After the bombing in 1993 it became a little harder to just pop in and see my dad, however us sharing the same name, did have its advantages.

I met my wife in college and whenever we saw the towers as we were driving, on a plane or train, we would always joke and wave to my dad. My dad retired from the Port Authority in January of 2001, and one of my last memories of the inside of the towers was that snowy night as my wife and I made our way through the lobby carrying a six foot ladder wrapped in fabric. It wasn't some sort of Christo project, we gave him a ladder for his retirement.

The towers were always a landmark and coming out of the subway I always looked for the towers I knew they we southeast on the island and depending where I was going I knew to walk towards or away from them. The last time I saw them was about a month before they fell as I was in NYC for a gift show. Banned Song List

The power of the Internet or Calling all Dickissons

2006-02-20T01:39:00.000-05:00

So I was playing around tonight with a notebook that was in my great aunt's house of our family history. It must be at least 4 years since I last added information to my computerized family tree and for some reason I got distracted and began again tonight.

I have been looking at the book quite a bit lately trying to gain information about my Civil War ancestors. Seems on my wife's side of the family one of her ancestors was with the 13th NY Heavy Artillery who participated in the Seige of Petersburg. My mind begins to think about him seeing some of the sights after the Union entered the city that we see today. On my side they were not so lucky out of the 4 brothers who went to fight- 3 died with the 15th NJ Infantry and 1 that made it back alive moved to Michigan. I have not been able to find his records yet only the family history that he was captured twice. Anyway of of the 3 that died two of them died about 50 miles north of where we currently live. The 1 that lived may have made it this far depending on where he was captured.

Sorry, I got distracted from my original story. Since I was a kid I have been interested in the Civil War and just ask my wife no Civil War story has a quick ending. I think I have my telling of the Petersburg Campaign to just under an hour now.

So I am looking through the notebook and found a little piece of paper on which was written "Dickisson Picnic 3rd Sunday in August" So I thought I may Google "Dickisson familiy and NJ" to see if they still do it (this notebook was from the early 80s) and possibly they may have gone techno. So I did the search and I found this record of my great, great, great, grandparents. The John listed born 1816 is my great, great grandfather. (humm... married in Feb and born in July... must have been cold in November 1815) I can not tell you how cool that is to see that the national archives out of all the examples of "Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, ca. 1800 - ca. 1900 These items include fraktur submitted with Revolutionary War Pension applications" they have to use it it my ancestor's not just a cousin or uncle but my actual grandparents record that they used. The power of the internet!

** If anyone out there also has this family tree book I am #878 contact me for updates. **

January 9th Deletion day (observed)

2006-01-09T13:12:00.000-05:00

I began deleting a year's worth of e-mail and wanted to hold on to a couple of things for future use.

"Those who would sacrifice their freedom for safety will find they inherit neither."
-Ben Franklin

"Many people assume that naming trends are driven by celebrities. But how many Madonnas do you know?"
-Christian Leaf

Violence and Bloodshed

2006-01-08T19:16:00.001-05:00

ACT I

Over New Years there was a horrible murder in Richmond of a family of 4 plus 2 other people being shot. About a month ago this list was passed on to me by my wife no wonder Richmond made the list.

Top 25 Most Dangerous Cities 2005
Data compiled by Morgan Quitno

1 Camden, NJ
2 Detroit, MI
3 St. Louis, MO
4 Flint, MI
5 Richmond, VA
6 Baltimore, MD
7 Atlanta, GA
8 New Orleans, LA
9 Gary, IN
10 Birmingham, AL
11 Richmond, CA
12 Cleveland, OH
13 Washington, DC
14 West Palm Beach, FL
15 Compton, CA
16 Memphis, TN
17 Dayton, OH
18 San Bernardino, CA
19 Springfield, MA
20 Cincinnati, OH
21 Oakland, CA
22 Dallas, TX
23 Newark, NJ
24 Hartford, CT
25 Little Rock, AR

ACT II

Little background here... between Petersburg and Richmond the stretch of I-95 is ripe with Billboards (ripe meaning they stink.) One of my favorites last year was for Lite 98 FM featuring their morning guy wearing this festive scarf (this area of VA rarely gets more than a dusting and hardly ever stays below freezing for more than a day at a time)already he is looking like a dog driving a car, but add a goofy smile and he was the subject of relentless taunting for 6 weeks. Next Chesterfield County (the bridge between City of Petersburg and Richmond was voted last year as being the 17th best place to live in America. Someone's brain child was to advertise this so I got in another 6 weeks of taunting at their boasting being #17. With that said here is my response to my wife's message.

Can't wait to see these billboards....

Thank you for making Richmond #5 !

Take that Compton... Richmond new home of the O.G. !

Richmond... more dangerous than Petersburg.

Richmond... Thank your God you don't live in Camden.

Hey I'm Bill Bevins and I want to welcome you to Richmond the only North American city with class 4 rapids, more violence then Compton, and me in the morning! I had to stop wearing the scarf because I was fearing someone may try to strangle me with it.

ACT III

Completely unrelated, I was trying to find information about smashed pennies to help me with a work related project and came across this error I just had to add it Error Message Come to think of it this Act is related because while you are fearing for you life visiting Richmond you can also stop by the Poe Museum.

Can't sleep dogs will get me

2005-12-30T03:29:00.000-05:00

So I just re-read my last blog and am disappointed with myself that
1-1-06 is 2 days away and I am no closer to quitting the real world as I was 3 months ago. Please don't take that as part of an ongoing character flaw that I never follow through with anything. My job is still frustrating as ever, but that is a blog for another time.

So 2005 is coming to an end and what do we have to show for ourselves. It has been over a year now without TV so I can't really reflect on the news of the year or celebrate who passed on. Even though I don't have real TV I stay current on all the great shows by the wonder of the DVD box set. I just recently finished the definitive season 6 of the Simpsons, the jumping the shark season 4 of Will and Grace, Home Movies season 2, and only the pilot episode of the most horrible show ever produced Nip/Tuck it makes baby Jesus cry as my sister an law likes to say, not about the show just in general. It was she who brought that wretched show into the house... not really it was a Christmas gift... from my wife! On my plate for the next month... Season 3 of Home Movies and the out of the blue surprise release of Simpsons season 7 where I can once again discover Who shot Mr Burns?.

It has been a tough year in the household... not the people or animals mind you but all the stuff that goes with managing a budget, owning a historic house and dealing with public utilities who like to announce they are having record profits(mostly because they are allowed to back bill you for 6 months.) How is it my fault that the meter reader was stupid and put down the wrong street address for the meter number they were reading?

Anyway we are still skipping along getting our stuff in order trying to get the lower part of the house returned to the original 1855 house plan. We did get some fortune this year that one of our neighbors has given us 14 of his turn of the century decorative cast iron radiators... only catch here is we need to move them. I should get my wife to tell the story of the ongoing move in her blog she has a better knack at that. My favorite part we bent the 800lbs rated dolly!

As for everything else that has happened in regards to my family
see Prix Madonna's updates.

Also in the last month I have re- discovered my DOS Version of Sid Meier's Civilization(much to my wife's displeasure when I am up at 4am playing.) I got this game back in 1992 and have been able to move it from hard drive to hard drive as I have updated my computers. I know there are excellent new versions out there, but there is nothing like playing the classic just look how Atari is making a comeback.

Test Scores

2005-09-07T02:34:00.000-04:00

pen is mightier than the sword

2005-08-02T05:12:00.000-04:00

"Point that finger at me one more time and it will be the last time you point a finger"

Call the police on me...

2005-07-26T02:12:00.000-04:00

Let me introduce you to a daily ritual... THE WALKING OF THE DOGS!

A little background first. 25+lbs white chow mix "Little M", 45 lbs black Akita,shepherd,pit bull mix "Ms S", and her sister 45 lbs black & white shepherd,border collie mix "Ms Dog" (not their real names changed to protect the innocent) a 15 foot retractable leash and 2 6 foot leashes all held together by two carabiners. About 7:15 -7:45am the race is on down the stairs flies 3 dogs all racing towards the door. Little M is always very good about the leash part, Ms S and Ms Dog can be touchy about the leashes and a minute or so of calling them and using all the important dog words to cokes them back down the stairs (you know the ones park, walk, outside). Ok everyone is locked in and then a race out the door. Little M usually stops at the front lawn and then we move to the park. 15-20 minutes of a nice stroll gets everyone to do what they need to until later. Usually uneventful although I have been known to find things like stolen purses, bird feathers, and my own lost glasses.

So this morning I was just puttering about trying to encourage the dog business not really paying attention when I look over to see some guy trying to drive into the park. I guess he didn't see the sign "No Motorized Vehicles Beyond This Point." So I don't move knowing this is a walking path and I will be damned if I am going to let someone drive through. He rolls down his window and tells me to get out of the road. I tell him this is a walking path not a road and vehicles are not permitted in the park and alerted him to the sign he just drove past. He proceeded to tell me that he knows the sign and that he lives near the park so that it is OK for him to use the park as his personal turn around. I stood my ground trying to get him to back up and turn around on the street like a normal person. He kept telling me to move and I kept telling him about the sign. He finally told me if I had a problem with his driving to call the police on him and turned around on the grass.

WAIT A SECOND.... CALL THE POLICE? I guess he hasn't heard about my reputation yet... heck my wife jokes that I have a direct line to them I call them so much, she loves to tell the story how I called the police on old ladies cause they were blocking my driveway. I am a one man neighborhood watch so yes I do call the police. His statement wasn't calling my bluff that statement was challenging me to go ahead and do it. You better watch it Mr. I have chased down a drug dealer, busted a guy setting up a field day finish line, and shut down an illegal yard sale. I don't take kindly to people not respecting their surroundings.

Sadly I had more important things to do when I go back to the house this morning so I choose not to call the police today. I have chosen to do the next best thing I am immortalizing his jerky behavior for the whole world to see.

Yes that's right the whole world now knows what a jerk you are, and me I now have your plate number so next time you use the park as your personal turn around the police will get called. You have been warned and your behavior will not be tolerated in Ms S's park.

UPDATE: SUMMER 2007 Things have changed in the park and I no longer feel the need for public shaming. The names of this person was removed because this crank's heart grew three times that day.

What's a ferry ride?

2005-07-24T02:38:00.000-04:00

If nothing else I will try to update this when I do something interesting.

Today my other half and I went on an excursion of sorts. As part of my annual growth goals I need to visit 3 different historical sights and "borrow" or steal ideas that will help me do my job. The term is "achieve operational excellence."

Ok who are we fooling here this term is so loaded with BS that the bull is going to eat two bars of ex lax not just the 2 squares that the package recommends. Anyway I digress "operational excellence" will need to be a topic for another time let me tell you about today.

In case no one has told you the state of Virginia runs a free (yes, I said FREE) ferry from Scotland, VA to Jamestown, VA. Why it costs $3.00 to travel 5 miles from Richmond to the airport on a road, but you can take a 5+ mile ferry ride for free is beyond me, but I digress again. So the state runs this ferry which is well worth the trip just to ride back and forth, and if it were up to me that would be something I would like to see as part of our "operational excellence."

Ok this train has derailed, getting back to the story we had a really cool ferry ride which I recommend to everyone, and although I am really Gung-Ho in selling history (just ask my wife) I was really disappointed by the lack of care given to that task today.

I have sought to run our gift shop with a sense of historical accuracy and care for the mission of the park. My belief is that just because it has the park logo on it or a confederate flag doesn't mean we need to sell it. I have spent the first part of this year trimming the crap from the shelves expecting to find something great to put in its place. I learned a hard lesson today... unless you have a big bank-roll to fund your exclusive products all you have to work with is the same "Made in China" historical crap that everyone will buy because it is cheap.

What's wrong with people don't they want nice things for the money they spend? How ironic it is to go to a place that is preserving history only to buy something that is disposable when you realize you have too much crap already. It is probably stuff that will never be passed on to the next generation, and even if it does they aren't going to hold the significance of it and toss it away.

I think about the pottery shard I picked up on Mars Hill in Athens. Significant to me. Kind of cool right? To an outside observer just some broken thing. 1000 years from now an important artifact.

That's where I am right now. I want the things I bring into the store to be those important finds 50-100 years from now. I want my snow globes to stand up to the scrutiny of Antique's Roadshow and be worth more than it was when it was new. I am not the guy who is going to stock the item in which the Naval Jack is being carried into battle or the 1st National Flag is being carried at the Battle of Gettysburg. I certainly would have had the knowledge not to sell native American dream catchers (as my wife pointed out) at a historical sight dealing with the eastern woodland tribes. .

That is my rant today it is for those people who don't take the time to outfit that store with products that have sight meaning, but also is researched for its historical value. Also for the people who then buy this bad stuff to keep the store stocking it.

It was back in July of 2005 ...

2005-07-22T19:19:00.000-04:00

Ok lets see if I can get this right...

Welcome to my little corner of the world where dreams come true and rants get said. Where everyone is a target for a verbal wounding.

From this day forward this will become my soap box for the things in this world I plan on changing and the people or events that piss me off (you know who you are stamps.com, people parking in my driveway.)

This little corner will also be a place where I can respond to comments made about me by a certain other diary land member who knows who she is.

If you came here expecting perfect spelling or proper grammar these pages are going to drive you nuts, so put away your red markers cause it will only make your monitor hard to read.

The universe started with a bang...
The revolution with a shot...
but this page will begin with a kind Welcome.

Nest Listing April 13

2005-01-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

(fluff)friends racers

2005-01-01T13:08:00.000-05:00

image server

2004-12-13T23:07:00.001-05:00