Author: Bill

Just jazzed up the ol’ ONLINE SHOP (now entering the “No Longer Available” zone). Tossed in some calendars and bite-sized posters at pocket-friendly prices too. Figured it’s a smart move—lure ’em in with the affordable goodies, and then, bam! They’ll circle back for the primo, framed treasures ($$). Sales have been more on the shy side, but hey, I haven’t rolled out the red carpet with a grand promotion yet.

On this day in history, ‘Hey Zeph! Want an Action Wipe?‘ I asked, after cleaning the blood from my shin.

— Saved by a Package, 2013

My site to buy pictures is coming along nicely. I have finished a production run of the Spring Flowers Print. Check them out at the link on the upper right (CafeExpress). I hope to get more products up and running but as I am finding out it is a lot of work. It fun though. We had a meeting at work and the news is that the shutdown will be sudden and we will receive a letter stating that we are laid off or they found another position for us. That will be a stressful day. It will come as an email. It should be between now and next Wednesday.

On this day in history, ‘Hey Zeph! Want an Action Wipe?‘ I asked, after cleaning the blood from my shin.

— Saved by a Package, 2013

Ah, the Sikorsky Comanche, envisioned as the James Bond of helicopters, decked out in stealth technology and promising a new era in aerial missions. Yet, like a Bond movie taking an unexpected turn, its fate hangs in the balance, threatening to relegate it to the realm of “what might have been,” alongside Betamax and the dodo.

Introducing “Comanche For Hire,” a conceptual arena where this cutting-edge chopper and other potential innovations of the early 2000s vie for a chance at redemption. Picture the Comanche, sleek and stealthy, taking on projects that were ahead of their time, in a contest of ingenuity and untapped potential.

So, with “Comanche For Hire,” we’re championing the underappreciated and the nearly forgotten. In a world fond of underdog tales, this imaginary showdown is a nod to the brilliance on the brink of being sidelined. Here’s to the overlooked and overshadowed, may your day in the spotlight still be on the horizon. Cheers to the dreamers and their dreams yet to take flight.

It has been quite a while since my last blog. I have been spending much of the time venting on my main site and scaring away visitors. I feel a little better but not all together healthy compared to my last blog. The army has canceled the Comanche program and I fear that my job is gone. I am now basically sitting around waiting to be laid off. I think they are playing the force you to quit game to save in the costs of layoffs. I sit at work doing nothing as you can see by the content on my site. I am worried about money and being homeless. Well I will have to wit and worry.

Heads up, readers! Mom’s latest photos are up in the “Buckey’s” section, found under “Life in Yuma.” Don’t miss out on these new snaps!

My mom just got a new charger and I checked into it. It appears to be a great new technology. Here is what Steve from Steves Digicam Online says “The Rayovac I-C3 rechargeable battery system is the only one of its kind to offer a charging time of an unprecedented 15 minutes or less, producing battery power so strong that it will last up to four times longer than an alkaline battery in a digital camera.” Steves Digicam Reviews … Rayovac

Just waltzed back from Lake Placid, fresh off my biathlon pilgrimage to Mount Van Ho. I must say, it was darn cool, even though my camera skills were about as smooth as a baby learning to ice skate. My first 50 photos? Overexposed oblivion. The next 50? A comedy of bad angles, dodgy framing, and a memory card crying uncle. Still, I managed to snag a few gems amidst the disaster, so head over to the photo section if you’re feeling adventurous. Trust me, they’re almost as thrilling as watching someone ski-shoot at Olympic speed (almost!).

Imagine it’s 2004, a year that could easily be marked by the antics of shock jock Howard Stern, whose show has been abruptly pulled from the air in six major markets. This move has fans in places like San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Fort Lauderdale, among others, up in arms, accusing the powers that be of censorship. Yet, if we pause for a moment and consider the context, this situation might be less about quashing free speech and more about responding to a broader demand for cleaner airwaves.

This era is also freshly marked by the infamous Janet Jackson Super Bowl halftime show incident, which has become a focal point for national discourse on broadcast decency. Clear Channel’s decision to suspend Stern seems to align with the fallout from that event, highlighting a growing concern over what’s being piped into homes via radio and television.

The plot thickens when we learn that Clear Channel’s move coincides with John Hogan, head of Clear Channel Radio, speaking before a U.S. House subcommittee. In an almost ironic twist, broadcasters themselves have proposed significantly increasing fines for on-air indecency. Hogan’s comments suggest that these steeper penalties would serve as a clear warning to the industry to clean up its act or face hefty financial consequences.

The crux of the matter, however, lies in the delicate balance between regulating content and preserving freedom of speech. While no one is rallying to save “Bubba the Love Sponge” from obscurity, the broader implications of tightening controls on broadcast content raise concerns about potential overreach and the erosion of free speech rights.

Yet, as we navigate through the quagmire of what’s considered “decent” or “indecent,” it becomes clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to regulation may not be the answer. Instead, empowering audiences with the tools to filter content according to their preferences emerges as a more nuanced solution. Networks’ initiatives to promote tools like the V-chip and enhance the visibility of TV ratings represent steps toward giving viewers more control over their media consumption.

So, in the midst of debates over Howard Stern’s show and the future of broadcast decency, the key takeaway might be the importance of choice and personal responsibility in media consumption. In a landscape as diverse and complex as the media ecosystem of 2004, fostering an environment where viewers have the means to curate their own experiences could be the most forward-thinking approach of all.

On This Day

My past posts from Feb 28th in history.

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It’s February 27, 2004, and I’ve stumbled upon a piece by Geoff Baker, a sports journalist for the Toronto Star, that’s too good not to share.

So, Michelle Dumaresq, a champion mountain biker from British Columbia who was assigned male at birth but competes as a woman, has been through the wringer and back. Imagine having to hit the gym extra hard just to keep up with your day job as a metal worker because hormone treatments have zapped your strength. And here’s the kicker: those robust legs everyone thought would give her an edge? More of a hindrance in the biking world since the muscle mass isn’t what it used to be.

That’s why Dumaresq is practically doing cartwheels over the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) expected announcement tomorrow. They’re rolling out new guidelines that’ll let transgender athletes compete in the Athens Games this summer. It’s like the universe is finally throwing her a bone, saying, “You know those advantages folks accused you of having? Yeah, not so much.”

Now, Dumaresq herself won’t be hitting the Olympic tracks—mountain biking’s not on the menu there, and she reckons the number of transgender athletes eyeing Athens could be counted on one hand. But, she’s onto something bigger: a secret society of transgender athletes who might just step into the Olympic limelight, given half a chance and a dollop of official recognition.

The tale of athletes transitioning genders isn’t new. Flashback to Polish sprinter Stella Walsh, 1932’s gold medallist in the women’s 100m, who was posthumously discovered to have been assigned male at birth. Then there’s Hermann Ratjen and Ewa Klobukowska, who also stirred the gender identity pot in their Olympic days. The IOC, it seems, is ready to lift the veil of secrecy and open the doors wide.

An IOC spokesperson, Emanuelle Moreau, hinted at a pow-wow happening tomorrow in Athens. They’re mulling over guidelines for transgender athletes’ participation, which could go either way—more chin-wagging or laying down the law.

Not everyone’s throwing confetti over these developments. Critics argue that this could skew the playing field, giving those assigned male at birth a leg up over female-born competitors. An earlier suggestion was to let trans athletes compete if they’ve “lived as a woman” for two years, surgery or no surgery. But it looks like the IOC is leaning towards the full monty: surgery plus a year’s wait.

Michelle Dumaresq has seen her fair share of podium protests and cold shoulders from teammates who couldn’t wrap their heads around her journey. But for her, this isn’t a game of gotcha. It’s about making a life-altering decision and sticking by it, critics be damned.

So, as we gear up for what might be a game-changer from the IOC, let’s not forget the human stories behind the headlines. It’s about understanding, acceptance, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of mountain biking magic.

On This Day

My past posts from Feb 28th in history.

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As you all know the government has canceled comanche. Sikorsky aircraft along with UTC has no clue what to do with us. They dont want to lose talent but at the same time cant afford to keep everyone standing around till contracts in other areas are awarded. It is estimated that 700 employees will be affected which means "shit canned". I am pretty sure I will be one of them so I am currently trying to recover and think about my future. As of now I really dont know. As for a decision by my employer, they promise two weeks.

On this day in history:

2003: Computer Funnies – At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry.

2002: Me Fat – Today is blue. I am blue because my body fat reduction and/or weight are not where I want it to be. I seem to be gaining weight with muscle mass.

From the latest outdoor misadventures back to a time of personal reflections and career uncertainties, this list offers a chronological reverse journey through the captivating and varied experiences shared in blog form.

Just back from a dazzling weekend under the Adirondack sky! The annual Full Moon Party at Cascade Ski Touring Center in Lake Placid was pure magic, shared with the awesome crew of Tim, Karen, and some fantastic friends.

This year, I traded some aprés-ski time for more miles on the trails, and let me tell you, it was worth it! Soaking in the moonlit landscape with each glide was an unforgettable experience. Now, the hard part comes: choosing photos for my coffee table books! I just uploaded some highlights, most featuring our epic pre-party hike at the pass the morning before. Help me out, folks! Head over and vote for your favorites – every click helps.

Can’t wait to relive the memories and share them with you all!

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