Archive for March, 2011


Twitter = Democrats’ Secret Weapon

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March 15, 2011

With all that’s going on in Japan, I may not post as frequently in the next few days. I’ve been gripped by the disaster over there, but there’s no way I could possibly cover it in this blog like others are. And somehow, the more routine stories pale in comparison. So if I don’t post as often as I should in the next few days, I’m trying to keep informed about what’s happening in other parts of the world.

Still, I found this one interesting. It’s about upcoming elections and how Social Networking may still be changing the face of how we select those who will represent us in the government. It’s from Roll Call:

>>Democrats Look to Twitter to Reverse Fortunes for 2012

Democrats are hoping they’ve found a secret weapon for winning back the House in 2012: Twitter.

House Democrats say that while they may be outnumbered, they stand to come out ahead by becoming more savvy to social media to stay more directly connected to the public.

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More Music In March!

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March 12, 2011

One of the great things about Joe Bongiorno is that he often highlights other artists who provide the kind of thoughtful, earnest music he does. For instance, he just released a collection of music called “Whisperings Solo Piano Volume 1.” You can buy the CD here.

While listening to that collection, I heard for the first time a piece called “Awaken The Dawn” by Stanton Lanier, a pianist I’d also never heard of before. Well, I’m now a big fan of his music.

You haven’t heard this song yet? Check out the video below:

Here’s the description of the CD from the website: “‘Whisperings Solo Piano Volume 1′ was recorded on a Kawai RX7 grand piano at Piano Haven Studio in Seattle, Washington. No equalization or additional sound ‘coloring’ was added to the recording (only soft limiting and minimal ambience).” You’ll get to see that piano later in this blog entry.

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Do You Sleep With Your Pet(s)?

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March 11, 2011

I’m convinced now that everything we do is unhealthy. There doesn’t seem to be anything that doesn’t have a downside to it.

Take, for example, this story about the benign activity of sleeping with one’s pet. It’s from a Chicago CBS station’s website:

>>Do you let your pet sleep with you? It could be hazardous to your health.

Sound crazy? A new study says a surprising number of people allow their pets to curl up with them, and it could actually be risky. But are the new findings overblown? What dangers could you face from close contact with your pets?

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Way To Go, France!

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March 10, 2011

I never thought I’d see the day when I applauded the actions of France, but that day has come!

Check out this story from France 24:

>>Libya’s opposition battled for military and diplomatic advantage against Moammar Gadhafi’s embattled regime on Thursday, winning official recognition from France and hitting government forces with heavy weapons on the road to the capital.

France became the first country to formally recognize the rebels’ newly created Interim Governing Council, saying it planned to exchange ambassadors after President Nicolas Sarkozy met with two representatives of the group based in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

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Entry #200: Facebook Can Cause Relationship Problems

Filed Under: Beliefs, Computers/The Web by Wayne Hall — Leave a comment
March 8, 2011

I’m a really big fan of the Facebook website, so I thought it would be quite appropriate to spend my 200th post on the subject.

I’ve used the site to re-connect with many friends I had lost touch with, from high school and college classmates to fellow employees at the places I’ve worked at previously.

Of course, with every good thing comes its bad side. Here’s the story about that from the Guardian website:

>>Facebook a top cause of relationship trouble, say US lawyers

Social networking site becoming primary source of evidence in divorce proceedings and custody battles, lawyers say

When Facebook gets involved, relationships can quickly fall apart – as Hosni Mubarak and Muammar Gaddafi have discovered. But dictatorships are not the only ties being dissolved by social networkingsites: now Facebook is increasingly being blamed for undermining American marriages.

Even though the rate of divorce in the US has remained largely stable in recent years, American divorce lawyers and academics have joined Middle East analysts in picking out Facebook as a leading cause of relationship trouble, with American lawyers now demanding to see their clients’ Facebook pages as a matter of course before the start of proceedings.

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‘East Coast Rapist’ Caught

Filed Under: Beliefs, Stupid Criminals by Wayne Hall — Leave a comment
March 7, 2011

A few months back, I devoted an entire weekend to presenting information about this disturbing case. It’s one that had several of my women friends nervous even after all these years.

Well, thanks to a tip from someone in our area, the person dubbed the “East Coast Rapist” was arrested late last week. Here’s the latest on the story from washingtonpost.com:

>>Police trace suspect’s movements in East Coast rape case

Police investigating the suspected East Coast Rapist on Monday said they are beginning to piece together the man’s movements over the past 14 years and asked women who think they may have been victimized by him to come forward.

Aaron H. Thomas, 39, who was arrested Friday in Connecticut, has been linked by DNA to 12 rapes and other attacks on women since 1997 that spanned four states, including Virginia and Maryland.

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A Musical Weekend In March

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March 5, 2011

Ready for some more music?

This time, I thought I’d highlight a Christian music group I’ve followed for decades, and that’s the Maranatha! musicians. I’m not sure it’s them performing in each video, but I heard the song with that group first.

First up is their song, “Thy Word” with words:

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Mom Loses Track Of Tot While In Parenting Class

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March 3, 2011

I don’t have any children, so I can’t really throw any stones, but the irony in this is rather pronounced. Here’s where I located the story:

CHARLEROI, Pa. — Police said charges are pending after a 2-year-old was found without shoes or a jacket wandering down a Washington County street Wednesday.

Charleroi police said a neighbor spotted the toddler walking down Washington Avenue shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday.

“He kind of just came up to me, and I picked him up, asked him where he lives and he was kind of too little to say anything,” Robin Stasicha said.

Investigators said the child’s mother was attending a parenting class when the incident occurred.

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Watch Out For The Measles

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March 2, 2011

Here in the Washington, DC, area, health officials are on the alert about a possible Measles victim who traveled to the area. Check out the story below from breitbart.com:

>>US health officials are warning air travelers about possible exposure to measles, after a woman infected with the highly communicable disease traveled in Britain and several US states.

The 27-year-old first traveled from Britain to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, just outside the US capital, visiting Washington and the neighboring state of Maryland before flying to Albuquerque, New Mexico after a transfer in Denver, Colorado.

Local and state health officials are now searching for people who may have been exposed to measles during the unidentified woman’s extensive travels.

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Gasoline Is Becoming A Precious Commodity

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March 1, 2011

As the price of gasoline continues to rise, the substance that keeps our motor vehicles running is becoming more and more valued. Here’s a story from wbtv.com in South Carolina about some thieves who came up with a novel way of getting gasoline:

>>Gas thieves drilling holes into tanks of parked vehicles

By Jeff Rivenbark

FORT MILL, SC (WBTV) – Police are looking for thieves who are stealing gasoline by drilling holes into gas tanks of parked vehicles.

The York County Sheriff’s Office says there have been five incidents reported in the Baxter Village and Bailiwyck areas of Fort Mill.

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