Wordpress or Tumblr?

I have played with WordPress once in the past.  It was very newbie-unfriendly.  So I used Tumblr. I’ve been happy with it.  But, recently someone recommended that WP was “the best.”

Once again, I’m looking at WordPress. There are a lot of options that I would possibly use, but the big sticking point is custom domain mapping. I currently have my blog set as a subdomain on my home website. (blog.frenchdiaz.com) Tumblr does this for free.

WordPress wants $12/yr for the same thing. I don’t think so.

Sometimes the Good Guys win.

On my way to work tonight, I found myself behind a Lincoln Town Car that seemed to want to share everyone else’s lane.

After following the vehicle for a mile, during which time he managed to not sideswipe any cars in either of the lanes he was occupying, I dialed 911 on my phone.

During the 3 mile conversation with the Call Taker, and Dispatcher on the side, the driver managed to cut off two other vehicles, brake check about a dozen times, and swerve from lane to lane. When they finally decided to actually change into a lane, as opposed to just taking half of it, they used their turn signal! (hurray for small victories!)

After 3 miles of weaving and braking, the car suddenly darted into the left turn lane and took off Westbound on Lower Buckeye Rd. Apparently there was another driver on 911 also, because they were able to follow them West.

I left my number with the Call Taker, told them the officers could contact me if they wished, and continued on my way to a gas station and then work.

About 10 minutes later, I received a call from an officer stating that they had stopped the vehicle, and they wanted a brief, verbal statement. I gave it, and he said he would be back in touch with me in a little bit.

30 minutes after that, I received a call from another officer, who asked me all kinds of questions (how many people did I see in the car; could I tell if the driver was male or female, etc). He stated that the driver was a female, and she had admitted to drinking.  He took my address, name, DOB and a more complete statement, and asked if I would be willing to testify as a witness, since my 911 call had formed part of the “probable cause” basis for stopping her.

I said YES!  I can’t stand drunk drivers and the destruction they cause.

I’ll be watching the mail for a subpoena , or a phone call from the Prosecutor’s office.

Sometimes the good guys win.

Thank you Phoenix PD, for a job well done!

PS: This makes up for the 911 call I made on a vehicle, in the same area, who was driving 20MPH in a 40, in the rain.  PPD stopped the car, and then came back to tell me that it was a little grandma who was terrified of driving in the rain, so she was being extra careful.  I felt horrible.

This stretch of roadway is the sole access road to a Indian casino/resort, so there is a lot of “questionable” driving that goes on down there in the evenings and early morning hours. DF

What in the world?

That’s interesting. All of the sudden my blog posts are auto-posting to my Google Plus page…the wrong page!

Now I need to track down what went wrong, and where.

Update - Problem solved. An errant filter in HootSuite.

I found it!

Way back in December, my camera died. I was loaned a camera, but it was a bit older and the battery wasn't the best. I could not use my Eye-Fi card in it because it would flatline the battery in about 15 minutes.

So, I put the card aside and told everyone to leave it alone. It soon disappeared. No one had a clue where it went.

Saturday night it reappeared. Apparently it was assumed to be a game card for one of the boy's video games and was put in the game bag.

So, now I get to play with my Eye-Fi card again! WooHoo!

What to do? SmugMug vs Picasa

I started out photo sharing on Flickr. It was fine, but I had to pay to upload more than 200 pictures. I liked that I could take one photo upload and designate it to several albums/topics/galleries/etc.

And then my year was up. Do I pay again or find something better/different? Some photographer friends in the area use SmugMug, so I looked them over. Using a 50% discount, I signed up for a year and imported all my pictures from Flickr. That was a minor disaster. The import software (Smugglr) banjaxed a bunch of the descriptions and tags in the photos. After 8 months, I still have some pictures that I need to re-edit, or delete.

I agree that SmugMug is not really good for general upload and display of daily, routine, pictures. But, I’m turned off from Flickr, too.

So, I’m looking at PicasaWeb. I’ve had Picasa for a while and love it for tagging and noting pictures. I like the plug-ins for uploading to FaceBook and SmugMug, too. However, the PicasaWeb user interface feels a bit clunky to me. As a uploader, there are way too many option buttons to contend with.

However, when you use Picasa and PicasaWeb together, it is powerful for ongoing events. You can sync a folder in Picasa and it will automagically update the contents online in a like-named folder. And vice-versa.

I had never played with this Sync option until yesterday. We are having our carpet ripped out of the common areas of the house, and replacing it with 18″ tile. I am at home babysitting the installation, and my wife is at work. She keeps badgering me for photos of the work.

I am snapping several pictures, transferring them from the SD card to Picasa, and tagging/notating them. They are automatically uploaded to the web, where she can show all her friends at work. I used to have a Eye-Fi card, which would have made it seamless, but it went missing a couple of months ago.

I guess this ramble is not really a “this or that” post. Maybe it’s more of a “this AND that” type of thing. SmugMug works great for photos of events and such, and Picasa for right-now, constant update stuff. Although, I’m not sure which I would use on a crime scene, or fire scene, accident, etc, shoot.

All I know is that I miss my eye-fi card. Maybe during the tile install, it’ll turn up. I hope so.

Why am I Tweeting, Facebooking, Myspacing and still texting?

They tell me that Facebook now has over 300 million users. They also tell me that if it were a country, it would be the 5th largest in the world, population-wise.

What they can’t tell me is how I got sucked into this Social Media world of ours. I have a blog because… well, I dunno. There are like a zillion bloggers out there. I guess it’s better than talking to myself while I drive. Although I still do that, too.

Another Year Along

Yesterday our two boys returned from Summer vacation in Mexico, and 
tomorrow they go back to school.

Matthew is in 5th grade this year, and Isaiah in 3rd. I can still 
remember when Matt started Kindergarten, and now he’s almost halfway to 
graduation.

Time seems to go by so fast sometimes.

God bless

Father, into your hands we commend their souls...

While returning from our vacation in Guadalajara, we drove past the scene of the horrifying day care center fire in Hermosillo, Mexico. There were police officers and crime scene tape everywhere. 40 children perished in the fire, including two who's little bodies could not take it anymore, and died in hospital.

Initially, Spanish language CNN and FOX News reported that several children had been airlifted to Phoenix area hospitals, but English language reports state one child was flown to the Shriner's Pediatric burn unit in Sacramento.

We throw around the words "tragedy", "horrific", "horrible", etc so much that they lose their meaning. Driving past the building on Monday brought such a sense of pain and sorrow down on me that it was all I could do to not cry while I was driving.

Somehow I could sense and feel the fear that those children must have felt, to some degree. It weighs down my heart and hurts. No parent should have to bury their child. And to lose so many dear hearts in such a way is too horrible to find adequate words to describe.

Even though I was in no way directly touched by this incident, I am grieving as a parent to another parent who has lost a child.

I will never know the parents of the children that went home to God through this event. But I grieve for them and pray for them. God has a plan. While we are walking through the fire, we may not see a path or know the reason, but God is there with us, by our side. These 40 children are free from the pain and in a better place.

Let us walk beside those who have survived and now must live with burns and pain. A child of that age has no understanding of burn recovery, and the pain to come. God, please be with them on their road to recovery. And please let their parents know that parents around the world grieve with them, and stand with them for the long recovery process to come.

To the parents who lost children in this fire...know that God is with you. The jagged hole in your heart will never go away, but in time, God will heal the tattered edges and you will be able to continue on your journey through life. Remember the joys, and the sorrows, of your child, and pray that you are reunited with them again in Heaven, after your journey here is finished.

As for me, I am going to go dry my eyes, blow my nose, wash my face and pray for my children. I am in agreement with St John, when he writes in the last chapter of Revelation, "'Surely I come quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev 22:20b.

In the hot seat

Over the weekend I came down with a bad case of tooth pain. One of my teeth started to throb and then my jaw went numb. Today was the first day my dentist could get me in. So here I sit in the chair, looking at the tray of torture instruments awaiting the dentist. Oh joy.
--
Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

Would ya look at that

While delivering a load of fuel to the Deer Valley Airport this morning, I was able to snap a couple of pictures of John Travolta's personal 707 business jet. Very nice.

He was here for about 2 weeks this trip. He flies during the night, to avoid the media circus and also to take advantage of lighter airborne traffic.

There’s a date we will always remember—and they’ll never forget!

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

"The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

"It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

"Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

"Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

"Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

"Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

"Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

"And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

"Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

"As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

"But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

"I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

"Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

"With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

"I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

---

This six and a half minute speech, given by President Roosevelt in the House of Representatives, galvanized a nation to fight and defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

35 minutes after the speech concluded, the Congress of the United States voted on a Declaration of War against Japan.

Now, 67 years later, we honor the 2,402 people killed in that attack, and reflect upon the events that were to unfold in the months to come. They truly were “the Greatest Generation.” Thank you for your service.

Prop 102

Such a simple little item on the ballot. “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”

You should hear the screaming hissy fits people are throwing against it though. There are people out there screaming that it would place discriminatory language into the Arizona Constitution. So, it’s ok to discriminate in the Arizona Revised Statues, but not in the Constitution?

It’s already the law in Arizona. Unfortunately it was the law in California too, until a judge decided it wasn’t.

It’s the same as the proposition we voted down in 2006. No it’s not. That one tried to be all-encompassing and regulate domestic partner benefits, etc. This one doesn’t.

The groups opposed to this are throwing everything they can at it, hoping something will stick.

My feeling? Pass it. It’s already in the law. If you are opposed to having this passed, you apparently want to change the law sometime in the future?

The sky is falling…the sky is falling. Oh my. Stop whining. Look at your REAL motivations and express those. Stop with the platitudes and what you think is politically correct to say. Tell us why you REALLY don’t want it to pass. Oh, you can’t do that? Why not?

Give Me A Break

Can a movie that lampoons everything that Liberal America holds dear get a fair shake in the movie reviews?

“An American Carol” ranks number two on my “Must See Immediately” list, right behind the new Disney movie.

There is nothing liberal and sacred in this film, from what I can see in the trailers and read in the early reviews. There was even some irritation from one reviewer that the movie opened without any press screenings. The ungodly indignity of it all. Imaging the reviewer having to rub elbows with Joe Sixpack. How will he ever get the Coke stains off his tie?

Quickly running through a list of reviews posted online, I don’t see anything that says this movie is worth seeing. As a matter of fact, the actors are mentioned as “the usual Hollywood Republicans,” in the same manner one would say “B Actors.”

I am willing to make a bet that this “liberal witch hunt in court jester clothing,” surprises the Hollywood know-it-alls and does very well in the theaters of flyover country.

Hands Off My Wallet!

Why is my tax dollar being wasted on Wall Street? Let the economy crash because of shifty practices on the part of Congress and Wall St. Send any lawbreakers to prison and let the economy rebuild itself. Don’t waste my taxes and indebt my children with this rush to throw money at a self-inflicted problem.

Weekend Journey

This weekend I decided to combine two things I enjoy. I took the kids camping and combined it with a amateur radio swapmeet in Williams, AZ. The two small tents we had were too small for us so I picked up a nice big one on the way. IT LEAKS! Of course, things being the way they are, we had no sooner put the thing up them we were riding out one of the worst thunderstorms I’ve seen in a long time. The hail came first. Then the buckets of water. Our poor tent, with no seam sealer on it yet, didn’t stand a chance. Just a constant drip around the door seams. Poor tent. So today I’ll pack it away and put it back up at home to dry out in the heat, and then treat the seams.

In the meantime, I’m sitting here in the morning coolness in the pine trees waiting for the boys to wake up. Life is good. God Bless.

Thank You Boston!

Celtics Win! I just caught the news. I was living in the Boston area in the late 80s, during the era of Bird and Magic. While I don’t follow basketball, it is nice to go through those memories again.

The only time I’ve ever taken more than a passing interest in basketball was during a Finals game between Boston and Los Angeles. I think it was 1987? Not sure.

I wrote down all the players names and kept track of who scored how many points, free throws, etc. I don’t even remember who won. I just remember sitting by the TV on our porch in Kingston, MA keeping track of a game.

Yeahhhhh, Boston wins. Too bad it wasn’t on the old parquet floor at The Garden.

6 Months For Statutory Rape?

Can someone explain the difference between a female teacher raping a student and a male teacher raping a student?

Today a female teacher was sentenced to 6 months jail time for having a ongoing sexual affair (read statutory rape) with a student.

If a male teacher did that (and they do regularly, unfortunately) the newspapers would be calling it rape (which it is) and howling for his manhood to be removed with a fork and dropped in a meat grinder, with the rest of him to soon follow.

When it’s a man doing it, it’s “sexual assult,” “rape” or harrassment. When it’s a woman, suddenly the style book changes and it’s a “sexual relationship.”

How come we change the words when it is a female adult who takes advantage of a child? I don’t care how “hot and sexy” someone looks, if they are under 18, they are a child and you are a sick individual. Statutory Rape is still rape and that’s what it is when they are underage.

Dance, Dance, Dance

There is a restaurant/bar/saloon located in Queen Creek that has run afoul of the law in Pinal County. It seems that certain evenings of the week, the owner has a live band playing and the patrons tend to want to dance to the music after eating.

The county swooped in and cited the owner for running an open-air dance hall. He was fined a retarded amount of money every day the dancing occurred.

San Tan Flat dispute heads to courthouse

Court date on dancing set for San Tan Flat

Wednesday, a Pinal County Superior Court judge slapped the county down and told them to stop "creatively interpreting" the meaning of dance hall. The owner runs a restaurant and patrons dance. He does not run a dance hall.

Judge okays dancing at San Tan Flats

The restaurant owner was represented by the Institute for Justice, a Virginia based Civil Liberties group.

Institute for Justice Defeats AZ Dance Ban

Tuesday Musings

This afternoon the boys have a dentist’s appointment. My wife had an early shift this morning so I drove her to work and the boys to school. They both are about 20 miles from the house. Since she cannot drop the boys off at school until 6:30, that doesn’t leave her enough time to get to work and catch up on the gossip/chatter/news like she insists she must.

The school that the boys attend offers morning and afternoon programs so parents who work don’t have to worry about Latch-Key Kid syndrome. But it doesn’t start until 6:30am, and runs through 6:00pm.

I’m getting ready to head out and pick up the kids from school and deposit them at the dentist for their semi-annual check-up. My main objective here is to stay as far from the exam chair as I can. I still have a fear of dental drills, left over from my childhood.

Raceway Bar & Grill (Thumbs down!)

Spur of the moment restaurant review.

It sucks.

The local paper was bragging up a new restaurant in town. We went out to give it a try. The directions were off by 3 miles. The place is not family friendly. We ended up sitting outside where I had a front-row seat to a domestic dispute in the parking lot. Two adults took turns screaming at a girl sitting in the truck, right next to where we were sitting. The man (father?) was swearing at the woman and calling her all sorts of trashy names. What a display of breeding.

After 25 minutes we paid for the drinks and left. They still hadn’t started our food order. We won’t be back to this “ghetto” place. All it seems to be is a place to showcase the worst of redneck stereotypical behavior. Yuck! Drinking, smoking, swearing, scream dirtbags.