The Sea Can Be A Harsh Mistress.

It's good to remind ourselves how lucky we are to live in a time when we can look at weather maps instantaneously, use GPS, or call for help when in trouble. Those who came before us took great risks to traverse the inky dark seas.

Je préfère mourir debout que vivre à genoux.

Stéphane Charbonnier, a martyr for liberty.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRCn_POLSuE]

Vive la France, vive la liberté. Vive la République !

May the martyrs who died in Paris today inspire you to fight for liberty and freedom of speech. Requiescat in pace.

Burnt Out!

As you may have noticed, I have not been blogging much lately. I 'm burnt out on the web, social media, people who post selfies, self promoters, ice bucket challenges, propaganda, murderous jihadists, nameless nasty commentators, GoPro videos, memes.....etc. It's too much! So I've deactivated my Facebook account, said goodbye to Drudge and will concentrate on my blog.

Now back to our movie. Don't forget to get a snack from the lobby before the show resumes.

I'm Back....But For How Long?

That depends on Typepad. Let's hope that they can deter future DDoS attacks. If you come by and see the graphic above on your screen, fear not. Mozy on over to my backup mini blog at Slvrback. 

Looking For Signs Of Intelligent Life. (Moving Pictures)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRkFDcX_72c&w=480&h=270]

Unfortunately, there appears to be none.
We're doomed!

Why Is Sailing Dying In The United States?

It's so hip and cool!

Kick up your heels kids, we're going to have some fun tonight!

I wonder why it's dying?
What's up with the dress up party? I spent 6 years in the Navy and the last thing I want to do is wear a uniform again or pretend that I'm a "Captain."

Bloomberg Says, F*ck The Constitution, "Our Laws And Our Interpretation Of The Constitution, I Think, Have To Change.”

AMENDMENT IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LrbsUVSVl8]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhUQ5ONxYFc]

It seems that in our zeal to catch the bad guys we've decided to throw the 4th Amendement to our Constituion into the trash bin of history. “Look, we live in a very dangerous world. We know there are people who want to take away our freedoms. New Yorkers probably know that as much if not more than anybody else after the terrible tragedy of 9/11,” - Mayor Micheal Bloomberg. Who wants to take away our freedoms? Oh wait, "our laws and our interpretation of the Constitution, I think, have to change.” Okay Mr. Mayor, if you want to change the Constitution, then do so by amending it. There is a process.

Article. V The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article*; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Read more at the MailOnline and Politicker.

A Sign Of The Times.

Do you pay attention to health warning signs? This little gem is proudly displayed at my local coffee shop where I grab my daily cup of "Joe" in the morning. Thank you, Nanny! I wonder what Mika would think if she saw this? 

Habemus Papam! (I Know, A Day Late And A Dollar Short....But Look At The Photo.)

Is it just me or do we live in a strange world?

How did Bill Waterson know?

Joe Gets Political.

Get off my lawn, kid!
What do you mean we can't use drones to deliver Hellfire missiles on unarmed Americans sitting at a Starbucks in Seattle? That barista said some nasty things about me on his blog, he must be a terrorist! (Time for your medicine, old man!)

Sorry, Senator McCain. Even the Administration doesn't support your postion anymore.

Dear Senator Paul: 

It has come to my attention that you have now asked an additional question: "Does the President have the authority to use a weaponized drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on American soil?" The answer to that question is no. 

Sincerely, 

Eric Holder

Mind you, I'm not a fan of using "a weaponized drone to kill" anyone not on the battlefield. Innocent civilians who are wiped off the face of the Earth are not collateral damage!
/rant

Links: Policymic | Columbia Law | Washington Post

Meanwhile Back On The Bay.

The storm has been a bust...so far...let's hope the news station anchors will be glum and not have the desired destruction that they so clearly were hoping for, it was interesting to watch their reporters positioned around the bay, they could hardly contain their glee at the possible devastation. Sorry guys, there won't be a Sandy type event.

Do You Ever Feel Like You Are Drowning In A Sea Of Images?

From tumblr to facebook to pinterest, I feel overwhelmed by the amount of images that flash before my eyes, and I'm in the image business.

In A World Of Fantatics, Let's Not Forget....

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJjBOwk9oI]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech (that includes things that you might find offensive), or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

In Heaven, God Should Pay To Put The Power Lines Underground.

Power lines are pretty....damn ugly!
The Tillerman - "Overhead power lines are a monstrous blot on the landscape."

Yeah, I'm In A Lull.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8mlGD5U3IA]

Sometimes you just have nothing to say.

lull/ləl/

Verb:	Calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements: "the rhythm of the boat lulled her to sleep".
Noun:	A temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity.
Synonyms:	verb.  calm - pacify - soothe - appease - allay - quiet - still noun.  calm

Dieter Rams: Ten Principles Of Good Design.

1.

Good design is innovative

---

The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.

2.

Good design makes a product useful

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A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.

3.

Good design is aesthetic

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The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.

4.

Good design makes a product understandable

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It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product talk. At best, it is self-explanatory.

5.

Good design is unobtrusive

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Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.

6.

Good design is honest

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It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.

7.

Good design is long-lasting

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It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.

8.

Good design is thorough, down to the last detail

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Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.

9.

Good design is environmentally-friendly

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Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimizes physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.

10.

Good design is as little design as possible

---

Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.

Dieter Rams served as head of design for Braun A.G. for 30 years until his retirement in 1998. 

Swim!

So simple, and yet so much fun.
No equipment needed!

Facebook Fatigue.

Sorry Mark, I know it's your big day. But I've hit the wall. I'm worn out by the endless posts, sharing and resharing of photos, sayings, causes and various other inanities on your delightful website. My mind has become mush and I can't concentrate any more. I'm not blaming you, I know it's me. So Mark, I'm going outside and rediscover the real world. Have fun, and thanks for all the fish!

I hope I don't turn into a pillar of salt! (a little bird told me not fear, I will still be here.)

The Advancement Of Humanity.

No doubt about it, I've got to get outside!

El Real Madrid Resort Island. "If They Build It, Will They Come?"

Wait a second, it's a theme park, not a stadium.
El Real Madrid Resort Island, el macroproyecto deportivo y de ocio que abrirá sus puertas en 2015 en la isla artificial de Al Marjan, en el emirato árabe de Ras al Khaimah, movilizará una inversión superior a los 1.000 millones de dólares (unos 760 millones de euros). Así lo ha anunciado el presidente del Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, durante la presentación del complejo, que cuenta con el apoyo del Gobierno del emirato Ras al Khaimah, cuyo jeque es Saud bin Saqr al Qassimi, y del fondo de inversión RAK Marjan Island Football, con base en Luxemburgo.