Nothing humbles you like the still-present devastation at Mt. St. Helens. Giant trees are embedded in the hill sides as though they were match sticks.
Nothing contrasts life and death like Mt. St. Helens. Despite the devastation, all around you there is life, from the elk herds grazing far below Johnston Ridge Observatory to the wild flowers, newly formed lakes and squirrels that beg for snacks.
Mt. St. Helens is very much a live volcano. She continues to belch smoke, steam and all sorts of stinky sulfphuric smells from far below the earth. Will the lady throw another tantrum? Only time will tell. Get out of the way if she does!
Speaking of natural disasters, we seem to have avoided hurricanes this summer. Am I bringing on bad Karma by mentioning it?
Well, well, here we go again. Yet another toddler has accidentally shot himself. This time it was a BB gun left on a bed. This most recent shooting happened right here in the Sudley area. This child will survive, unlike the four year old in Woodbridge. I have NO problem with people owning guns, but please be responsible. The father of the child is a child himself. I hope this little one gets better soon.
http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2012/aug/17/police-bull-run-father-charged-after-son-2-shoots–ar-2136785/
My parents would have lived in jail, I fear. My brothers had BB guns and they were all over the place. I had a kid shoot me with a BB gun. My father chewed him out, sort of along the lines of “you’ll shoot your eye out.”
Actually, my brothers were both nearly done in with baseball bats. One in the eye and the other a tooth.
That is not to say that BB guns should not be put up out of reach of toddlers, for sure.
Amen to both of you.
What does that mean? Joining the priesthood?
No 🙂 just that I was agreeing vehemently with you. Secure the guns….including the BB guns.
C’mon on Moon, he likes what we had to say. 🙂
@Cargosquid
Have you heard that title examiners are required to be certified by 1/31/13? It’s a two class, the cost is $450 and the book $125(can’t be shared). Then we’ll have to be recertified every two years. The odd thing is, this is not a statewide requirement by VLTA, it’s only for those within 75 miles of the three “major markets” in the Commonwealth. No. Va., Va. Beach, and Richmond.
I’ve no problem with certification, but I do just see it as a way for them to make more money of the title examiners and/or their companies.
Penny for your thoughts…
I thought he was talking to Pokie and me. Sorry. I am behind the scenes in the dashboard. Things look differently back here.
err, two *day* class
@lafayette, When do you have to take the class? Is there an exam?
I’m not sure which WEEKEND we’ll be taking the class and exam. Many of us work on the weekend since the Commonwealth’s county land records are all online now.
http://www.manassasbullrun.com/
FYI — An interesting few days in the Manassas area.
History at our front door.
Thanks Steve. They have a nice 15 minute video of last year’s reenactment. Wow, what a hot day, but so worth every last drop of sweat. We attended all but two events last year during our staycation. It was the best staycation ever, what a great week it was to be on vacation to enjoy all of our local history.
I didn’t do it!
John Hennessy in his fine book “Return to Bull Run –
The Campaign and Battle of Second Manassas”
labeled his chapter on the Jackson raid of
the Federal Supply at Manassas Junction as
“Bacchanlis, Battle and Escape”.
On August 27, 1862 – “As Jackson’s men crested the ridge west
of the junction, they beheld a sight that boggled their hungry eyes.
Boxcar after boxcar, warehouse after warehouse spead before them …
never before had Jackson’s men been the recipients of such Yankee
largresse…. Jackson’s greatest fear in loosing his soldiers on
Manassas was alcohol, for he knew the warehouses would be full of it.”
Had been suggested that we all get drunk on the 27th and burn a
box car … but conservatives on the Manassas City Council nixed that idea.
I’m looking forward to the BBQ, Bourbon and Bonfire in the city next week. 🙂
Attn: MOM…this is NOT to be confused with your favorite event Boots & BBQ.
@Lafayette
And this “certification,” other than raise money for politicians, is supposed to do…what? Do you have a link? And if its only in those locations…..why? Are those courthouses harder to use than, say…Petersburg? Who’s behind this?
And since the records are online…and some agencies..including out of state agencies are accessing them, and outsourcing some searches…. how do you enforce this? This is a ludicrous idea.
That said…I guess I won’t be getting a title search job any time soon, then. Can’t afford 450 bucks to get “certified” in something I already know how to do.
I hate bureaucrats and officious organizations.
@Cargosquid
Here’s the link. Look half way down the page in the middle. Several classes are already FULL.
http://www.vlta.org/
I’m headed to the courthouse myself, to record. Although they do accept those “electronic recordings”. This one still bugs me. How do you know if the signatures and/or notary are actual signatures. Anyways, more later. Seems to me if there have so many claims, they would know where the problem is. However, that’s not the route they are taking.
19. What are the anticipated penalties for failure to comply with taking the class and passing the test? None until certification converts to pre-licensure. Certification is strictly voluntary.
But you won’t get a job or the agency won’t be able to issue insurance unless the search is done by a “certified” examiner. And now we’re going to need a license, eventually.
33. Who is responsible for making us become certified as Title Examiners? More than 60% of title insurance claims in the Commonwealth of Virginia are the result of errors in the title search. For this reason, title insurance underwriters have identified the need for training of title examiners and are establishing guidelines that will require their agents to use certified title examiners for any search that will result in a title insurance policy.
They’re blaming the examiners, of course. THAT is BS. Underwriters? Have you seen them try to do a search? I’ve gotten some very idiotic questions from underwriters. Especially in Henrico where there are 4 different systems of records….think THAT might have something to with the mistakes.
And “electronic recordings”? I didn’t have to deal with that. THAT is a disaster waiting to happen.
20. If the class is not mandatory, why take it and incur the expense? Certification elevates and sets you apart from your competition; certification empowers you to stay on top of changes in the industry; certification enhances your ability to market your services; certification identifies you as a title industry professional; certification commands the respect that has been missing for title examiners and title settlement agents, and certification demonstrates you are invested in your professional development. Certification will meet the agent requirements set by title insurance underwriters.
They are blowing SO MUCH smoke up various fundaments. Respect? From whom? I had lots of respect. I did a good job. If you can’t do your job, it gets around quickly and either you go out of business or get fired.
I guess I’ll have to do this…eventually. My future career path has followed a different road, but this would be good to have just as a fall back.
Do you need Laf’s email address?
@Lafayette
I only like the Boots & BBQ because its fun to make Corey’s wife sweat while I grill him after a dozen or so frosty beverages.
You also get to be the clothes critic, as I recall.
@Moon-howler
That would be cool, and you can send her mine too.
@Moon-howler
Black Concert Tees….. Oh, forget it, it wasn’t Lafayette last time.
I do remember one you went after and it made me smile. So when will the function be held? When should I expect MY invitation to arrive? bwwwaaahahahahahahahaha
Maybe I could rent an immigrant to take with me. Or wait..I have it…how about little tiny coat hanger earrings?
i would want my full obnoxiousness to strut its stuff. My mailman probably thinks I am a communist. I am just full of myself today.
I called Elena and told her about my newfound communist persona. then I read her what all had come in to the house addressed to me just in one day….
Planned Parenthood, National Wild life, Debbie Wasserman schultz, Tim Kaine, Michelle Obama, NARAL, WETA, ACLU.
I am dead dog serious. Every last one of them wanted money I am sure. I ceremoniously had the 6 year old go throw them in the garbage can after I called Elena to gross her out. I think she was proud of me.
http://www.examiner.com/article/obama-great-for-the-stock-market
FYI – DOW closed at 13,275 today.
Interesting data on who really has helped business and all us 401K’ers.
@ Steve
If someone wanted to get elected they could support a lower tax rate on cashing in on all 401k, 403B, etc, instead of the 24% we get hosed. They could tell us it was to make up for the horrible arse whupping we all took back in 2008 and early 2009. Notice that no one cares about us…the ones who got beaten up.
I know people who have permanently deferred retirement because of the horrible hit they took. I got beaten up real badly but I had other things to rely on. Thank goodness.
I also got a divident for the first time for my apple stock. It felt good.
I am waiting for a mini ship to come in on another stock. Email if you are interested in one that is getting ready to break out of the gate.
[email protected]
It is getting ready to get TSA approval. By Dec. all containers coming into the country are going to have to be scanned. I want a little piece of this action.
That was a facinating article. As far as Obama goes, I had several thoughts….if you listen to Bulls and Bears on Faux news you would think that it had been a bear market since the man took office. Secondly, it had no where to go but up, the day Obama took office. It did. I am pleased.
Thanks for ending my week on a great note.
What do you suppose jump started the market during Eisenhower? I know you and I were just little sprouts then. It couldnt have been the music. Well maybe…it was very much improving then.
Or any other time. I’ve never been to the illustrious event. I just read the reports by you. It’s just like being there. 🙂
Moon, please send Cargo my email.
Cargo, I saw the book today. It’s about it’s about 3 and half inches thick.
I did. @Lafayette
to everyone…big surprise coming up later tonight. You all will be so grossed out, especially Elena.
I am giddy with anticipation. I will give a hint.\\: Woof woof Ruff
Joe Biden, bringing us Hope & Change.
http://youtu.be/yfjn4BpmirU
Since I’m on a youtube kick. For fans of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”
http://youtu.be/yJnAp3YxCCw
It’s really good. I especially like the part about Romney’s dog.
FWIW, I still think the Glee version is superior to the original.
Love It!! They missed my favorite, though, where he tells the wheelchair guy to stand up and be recognized. That was awesome!
This is Shark Week on the Discovery Channel.
Its time for the News and Messenger to replace columnist Michael Shannon.
What a liar.
http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2012/aug/16/michael-shannon-gladly-saying-adios-chief-deane-ar-2135917/
The local paper should attempt to have columists who give opinion without insulting people. Shannon is known for his school boy ways and infantile rants but he should stick with truth rather than making it all up as he goes along. What blog is he blessing?
It’s amusing to see a subliterate writer use the word “sic” when quoting someone else.
Is the guy, like, 10 years old? What’s with all the one-sentence paragraphs?
From all appearances, many of the News and Messenger reporters are recruited right out of fifth grade anyway, and their poor grammar and sentence structure completely diminish their opinion pieces and “news” articles.
And I apologize to the many intelligent fifth graders who may be reading this.
There, I made my writing look like Mr. Shannon’s. Can I get a job there, too?
Bravo! I just don’t like the tone he sets. It is possible to take a position without acting like a 5th grader. I agree.
His wife, Ella, publicly referred to Hilda Barg as “that waitress from Cherry Hill” when running against her. Ella lost by the way. Emma, this guy is about 70 years past fifth grade.
Deane didn’t want to experiment with his officers so someone could run for higher office.
It sounds like there is a new, improved Grizzly-gate rearing up at Oak Valley and Catharpin fields.
The Sheriff is all over it. I lost track of who was screwing over whom. I just remember hearing during citizens time that Oak Valley fields were unsuitable for kids.
Now there is the case of the missing petitions….sort of like the missing Watergate tapes.
@Lyssa
Good for Chief Deane.
Michael Shannon is a senior citizen? Man! he needs to update that picture. He just insults people trying to prove his point. I would cancel the paper if my husband didnt like reading the obits.
25 years?
dunno. probably. It is fairly gross. I can’t get worked up over the bleeding heart stuff over the sharks. I hate them.
HEY CATO!
What do ya think?
From this blog: http://www.theospark.net/2012/08/something-is-in-windfrom-rico.html
Something is “in the wind”………………..from Rico
You can call George Soros anything you want (I certainly do), but ‘stupid’ or ‘clueless’ are simply NOT applicable to this rotten Hungarian!
– As a young Jew, he survived the Nazi’s by collaborating with them. He is a survivor above all else.
Soros appears to be moving his assets ahead of….something.
– He’s protecting himself from whatever is coming. Unlike his very publicly calling gold a ‘bubble’ a few years ago, this time he’s moving quietly. Flying under the radar.
Soros Funds has filed its latest 13-F report with the SEC.
– George has completely dumped his shares in Citigroup (420,000sh), JP Morgan (701,400sh), and Goldman Sachs (120,000sh), cashing-out ~$50 million and leaving him with NO position in any major financials.
– At the same time, he has acquired 884,000sh (~$130 million) of the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD).
Do you suppose a guy who is well-connected to the White House, Wall Street, and the global financial system is telegraphing something?
– Something serious is about to happen.
That really isn’t true about Soros. That is Glenn Beck lies. He was not a Nazi collaborator. He was adopted by a Christian family and lived as a Christian. Please be careful about those kinds of statements. They are meant only for one thing.
Would be interesting to se Soros’ tax returns.
The numbers are probably too big for me to read. Same with Koch bros.
Mea culpa – I have my Shannon’s confused. Ella did say that but Michael is not her spouse or perhaps not related at all.
@Cargosquid
Maybe he’s suddenly become a fan of Ron Paul??
@Cargosquid
Soros is an inside trading scumbag. To be fair, most guys at that level are.
Filed under ‘separate but equal’.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/17/13335711-students-with-gun-permits-get-segregated-dorms-at-university-of-colorado?lite
Good post. Is the apartment where they live actually on campus? I think the college has every right to say whether weapons are allowed on campus or not.
I don’t think most people that age are mature enough to be packing heat on campus. No one is forcing anyone else to go to college or to go to that college with those rules.
The students can pack heat, just not on campus, as I understand it.
I don’t even think it is separate but equal.
Yeah, last I checked, 90+% of the nation’s legislature are insider-trader scumbags.
Here. As you know I like to give my friends on the left a legitimate one every so often. Feel free to beat up on this moron all you like. We on the right are already doing it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/08/19/todd-akin-gop-senate-candidate-legitimate-rape-rarely-causes-pregnancy/
Idiot. But what else do we get when we elect the mainstream GOP candidate over the Palin pick AND that’s the same pick the DNC wanted to run against because they knew he’d shoot himself in the foot over something like this.
Good job GOP. Snatching a defeat out of the jaws of victory once again!
One major difference between us is that I don’t type out everything that comes to my mind as a good zinger…@marin. I do hold back. Capeesh?????
Holy stinknuggets batman. I had to go to a UK website to find it — someone that ‘gets it’.
The answer to both questions is the same: Atlas Shrugged is a hymn to the American spirit.
The American spirit is characterized by independence, individualism, political and economic freedom, and productive ambition. It’s the sense of life best summed up in the American Revolutionary motto “Don’t tread on Me.” It was this spirit that led so many Americans to rebel against the post 2008 expansion of state power. They didn’t just see big government as a threat to the economy: it was an affront to their whole conception of what America is about. After eight years of Bush and eight minutes of Obama, they were fed up with being tread upon.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/17/ayn-rand-atlast-shrugged-paean-american-liberty?fb=optOut
I am afraid I must ask, where was this revolutionary spririt during the Bush years? funniest thing…I am willing to bet most of those spirited folks voted for Bush in 2000 and again in 2004. I have heard these people. I can promise you they didn’t vote for Al gore or John Kerry en masse. So they screw things up and now they hop on hobby horses to come sdave the day waving snake flags? PUH-Leez.
I am afraid the American spirit involves more than independence, individualism, political and economic freedom, and productive ambition. That’s just a little part of the story.
@Moon-howler
Just to let you know, if they have a CC permit…they are 21 years old.
@Moon-howler
It was forming up. It takes time to make normal people into activists. I think one of the motivating comments was by Glenn Beck when he reminded everyone that “we surround them. We outnumber them.” in regards to Congress. Then he formed the 9/12 project.
The average American, especially conservatives, especially the fiscal conservatives, weren’t organized. But the spending under Bush and some of his bills started the fire. Just took a little while to boil. Then Obama through gas on the fire.
SOMEBODY liked Paul Ryan’s plan at one time.
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/08/flashback-bill-clinton-admits-paul-ryans-budget-is-a-good-plan-video/
Also, another article about carry in Colorado. Seems that there may be complications about carrying, after all.
http://onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com/2012/08/university-of-colorado-provides-safe.html
I know which dorm I want, even if I don’t have a gun.
@Cargosquid
I have seen plenty of 21 year olds barfing off of BETA bridge in my day. I don’t think 21 makes a difference on a college campus. There is simply too much liquor in the college scene. Maybe Liberty and Brigham Young can pass the test.
I might feel differently if I hadn’t grown up in a college town. There are just too many post adolescent people packed together in once dense environment for me to think guns are a good idea. If only the mature, responsible students could carry a gun, it would be one thing but god forbid we tell anyone THEY can’t tote. Then it is discrimination.