As sunset approached today (6/19/09) we went to the first level of Sugarloaf Mountain. This was as far as we could go because they were installing new cables and new cable cars to the top of the mountain.
Enjoy.
Friday, June 19
Thursday, June 4
Monday, April 27
More reasons why education is important
Census Bureau Releases Data Showing Relationship Between Education and Earnings
The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that workers with a bachelor's degree earned about $26,000 more on average than workers with a high schooldiploma, according to new figures that outline 2008 educational trends and achievement levels.
The tables also show that in 2008, 29 percent of adults 25 and older had a bachelor's degree, and 87 percent had completed high school. That compares with 24 percent of adults who had a bachelor’s degree, and 83 percent who had completed high school in 1998.
Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008 is a series of tables containing data by characteristics such as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, occupation, industry, nativity, citizenship status and period of entry. The tabulations also include historical data on mean earnings by educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic origin.
In 2008, 29.4 million women and 28.4 million men 25 and older had a bachelor's degree or higher. Women had a larger share of high school diplomas, as well as associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. More men than women had a professional or doctoral degree.
Other highlights:
- Workers with a high school degree earned an average of $31,286 in 2007, while those with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $57,181.
- The race and Hispanic origin data show that 53 percent of Asians in the U.S. had a bachelor's degree or more education. For non-Hispanic whites, it was 33 percent; for blacks; it was 20 percent; and for Hispanics, it was 13 percent.
- Among younger adults (age 25-29), 88 percent had completed high school, and 31 percent had completed college. Among adults 75 and over, 73 percent had completed high school and 17 percent had completed college.
Friday, April 10
Lisa and Lula
Now this is really one of the cool things about her job.This is Lisa with President Lula of Brazil.
Seem like old friends, don't they?
Thursday, April 9
Lisa taking care of Congress
A Congressional delegation (CoDel is the official term) led by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is currently in Brazil.
Lisa is the charge, so she is spending a lot of time with the group.
Included in the delegation is our own congressman, Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).
But Lisa got her picture taken with another DC-area congressman, Elijah Cummings, (D-Md.)
The group is off for Rio today and from there to other points in Latin America.
Before anyone complains about junkets and boondoggles...
Most congressional trips abroad actually do some good. For some congressmen and women it is the first time they can see first hand the results of diplomacy and international co-operation. For others it is an opportunity to see how a pet project is working.
In every case it is a chance for the governments of the countries the CoDels visit to make their case to the U.S. legislative branch. In countries such as Brazil, the politicians understand the separation of powers. In others, such as China and Cuba, they don't. In all cases it is an education for the CoDels and the government leaders they meet.
It is also a chance for the US diplomatic corps to show that they don't ONLY push cookies and watercress sandwiches.
Lisa is the charge, so she is spending a lot of time with the group.
Included in the delegation is our own congressman, Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).
But Lisa got her picture taken with another DC-area congressman, Elijah Cummings, (D-Md.)The group is off for Rio today and from there to other points in Latin America.
Before anyone complains about junkets and boondoggles...
Most congressional trips abroad actually do some good. For some congressmen and women it is the first time they can see first hand the results of diplomacy and international co-operation. For others it is an opportunity to see how a pet project is working.
In every case it is a chance for the governments of the countries the CoDels visit to make their case to the U.S. legislative branch. In countries such as Brazil, the politicians understand the separation of powers. In others, such as China and Cuba, they don't. In all cases it is an education for the CoDels and the government leaders they meet.
It is also a chance for the US diplomatic corps to show that they don't ONLY push cookies and watercress sandwiches.
Sunday, April 5
Ed's (not Texas) 80th
Just cleaning up some stuff in my computer and look what I found from a year ago:
Sunday, March 29
Why you need a good virus protectiona a strong firewall
Great article in yesterday's New York Times about a series of spy attacks on computers. Vast Spy System Loots Computers in 103 Countries
While no one is expecting to see the computers of China or Russia focus on our home units, attacks and infestations from these sources and other malcontents could turn our home computers into units that are then organized to attack other computers.
And this is more common than many think.
A denial of service attack on the Pentagon about 3 or 4 years ago was traced to a piece of software placed in thousands of computers around the world. The infected computers that were studies had limited or weak firewall protection or practically no virus protection.
So no one may want what is on your computer, but they may want the use of your computer. Keep your virus protection and firewall up to date.
While no one is expecting to see the computers of China or Russia focus on our home units, attacks and infestations from these sources and other malcontents could turn our home computers into units that are then organized to attack other computers.
And this is more common than many think.
A denial of service attack on the Pentagon about 3 or 4 years ago was traced to a piece of software placed in thousands of computers around the world. The infected computers that were studies had limited or weak firewall protection or practically no virus protection.
So no one may want what is on your computer, but they may want the use of your computer. Keep your virus protection and firewall up to date.
Thursday, March 5
Just catching up with some Ypsi history
March 3, 1949
Tucker Company fails
From the History Channel
The postwar car market was so strong in the United States that a number of bold entrepreneurs formed independent car companies to challenge the established Big Three. Arguably the most remarkable such independent was the Tucker Corporation, founded by Preston "P.T." Tucker. Tucker, a gifted marketeer and innovator, created a phenomenon felt through the automotive industry when he released his car, the Tucker. Along with the cars, Preston Tucker sent a magazine called "Tucker Topics" along to dealers, hoping to increase the salesmen's enthusiasm for his automobile. The Tucker was equipped with a number of novel features. It had six exhaust pipes, a third headlight that rotated with the axle, and a "bomb shelter" in the backseat. Beyond the frills though, the Tucker packed a powerful punch, making zero to 60 in 10 seconds and reaching a top speed of 120mph. Great anticipation surrounded the awaited release of the Tucker, but in 1949, before his cars could reach their market, the Securities and Exchange Commission indicted Preston Tucker on 31 counts of investment fraud. Tucker had only produced 51 cars. On this day in 1949, the Tucker Corporation went into receivership, and the Tucker automobile became merely a historical footnote.
Tucker Company fails
From the History Channel
The postwar car market was so strong in the United States that a number of bold entrepreneurs formed independent car companies to challenge the established Big Three. Arguably the most remarkable such independent was the Tucker Corporation, founded by Preston "P.T." Tucker. Tucker, a gifted marketeer and innovator, created a phenomenon felt through the automotive industry when he released his car, the Tucker. Along with the cars, Preston Tucker sent a magazine called "Tucker Topics" along to dealers, hoping to increase the salesmen's enthusiasm for his automobile. The Tucker was equipped with a number of novel features. It had six exhaust pipes, a third headlight that rotated with the axle, and a "bomb shelter" in the backseat. Beyond the frills though, the Tucker packed a powerful punch, making zero to 60 in 10 seconds and reaching a top speed of 120mph. Great anticipation surrounded the awaited release of the Tucker, but in 1949, before his cars could reach their market, the Securities and Exchange Commission indicted Preston Tucker on 31 counts of investment fraud. Tucker had only produced 51 cars. On this day in 1949, the Tucker Corporation went into receivership, and the Tucker automobile became merely a historical footnote.
Sunday, March 1
Saturday, February 21
Sorry, couldn't help myself!
A man went to his dentist because he feels something wrong in his mouth.
The dentist examines him and says, "that new upper plate I put in for you six months ago is eroding.
What have you been eating?"
The man replies, "All I can think of is that about four months ago my wife made some asparagus and put some stuff on it that was delicious...Holandaise sauce. I loved it so much I now put it on everything --- meat, toast, fish, vegetables, everything."
"Well," says the dentist, "that's probably the problem. Hollindaise sauce is made with lots of lemon juice which is highly corrosive. It's eaten away your upper plate. I'll make you a new plate, and this time use chrome."
"Why chrome?" asks the patient.
To which the dentist replies, "It's simple. Everyone knows that there's no plate like chrome for the Hollandaise!"
The dentist examines him and says, "that new upper plate I put in for you six months ago is eroding.
What have you been eating?"
The man replies, "All I can think of is that about four months ago my wife made some asparagus and put some stuff on it that was delicious...Holandaise sauce. I loved it so much I now put it on everything --- meat, toast, fish, vegetables, everything."
"Well," says the dentist, "that's probably the problem. Hollindaise sauce is made with lots of lemon juice which is highly corrosive. It's eaten away your upper plate. I'll make you a new plate, and this time use chrome."
"Why chrome?" asks the patient.
To which the dentist replies, "It's simple. Everyone knows that there's no plate like chrome for the Hollandaise!"
Sunday, February 15
Some things should be outlawed
A mediocre camera gets the cutesy treatment for $513. Fortunately, so far it is only available in Japan.
Tuesday, February 10
Visitor to the Kubiske house in Brazil
This morning (2/10) Lutsen was going crazy on the veranda.Mina and I thought he was just reacting to the backing from our neighbors' dogs.
But no. He found a possum on the veranda.
This is the same critter who entered our kitchen a few months ago and started gnawing on our fruit and vegetables. We have not seen him much near the house lately.
Minia and I figure the guy came back to the house to look for food because all the mango trees are now bare of their fruit. The papaya trees still have fruit but none of them are falling to the ground, where the possum can get it more easily.
Minia was really freaked out by the visitor. How could anyone think this beast was not cute.
Just look at
it:Too much snow
Okay.
I was expecting cold and snow when Lisa and I visited the States.
And the cold was there but was easing. (And Michigan, you are welcome. We brought the warm weather that you are now enjoying.)
But the snow!
It was piled so high in some parking lots that it was difficult to look out for other cars.
This picture was taken from the driver's seat of a normal sedan.
This was just a bit too much to endure.
Glad to be back in Brazil with nothing but steady thunderstorms and rain.
At least it is warmer and only wet -- not wet and cold.
I was expecting cold and snow when Lisa and I visited the States.
And the cold was there but was easing. (And Michigan, you are welcome. We brought the warm weather that you are now enjoying.)
But the snow!
It was piled so high in some parking lots that it was difficult to look out for other cars.
This picture was taken from the driver's seat of a normal sedan.
This was just a bit too much to endure.
Glad to be back in Brazil with nothing but steady thunderstorms and rain.
At least it is warmer and only wet -- not wet and cold.
Thursday, February 5
Going Digital
Even though the digital TV mandate has been pushed back until June, you might want to look at this video.
Thursday, January 29
Super Bowl Ads
With the Super Bowl coming up I thought we could look at some of the old ads.
This one is from 1984.
This one is from 1984.
Wednesday, January 28
Hi-Tech anxiety
If you thought it was difficult using your TV remote or understanding all the buttons on your microwave, try this:
Click on the picture to see a larger version of this really cool high-resolution picture of the space shuttle cockpit.
Click on the picture to see a larger version of this really cool high-resolution picture of the space shuttle cockpit.
Monday, January 19
200th anniversary of EA Poe
Poe is the only American writer to create a new genre of literature. There is a reason the best mystery/detective novel each year wins an award called the "Edgar."
The first of three detective short stories is The Murder in the Rue Morgue.
Yep, long before Sherlock Holmes, there was Auguste C. Dupin, who solved crimes by looking at the clues and deducing facts from them.
And for cryptology fans, there is "The Gold Bug." The story wraps completely around being able to crack Captain Kidd's code.
In his time Poe was famous as a poet.
So celebrate the day! Read a Poe short story or the poems The Raven or Annabel Lee.
From the History Channel
1809 : Edgar Allan Poe is born
On this day in 1809, poet, author and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe is born in Boston, Massachusetts.
By the time he was three years old, both of Poe's parents had died, leaving him in the care of his godfather, John Allan, a wealthy tobacco merchant. After attending school in England, Poe entered the University of Virginia (UVA) in 1826. After fighting with Allan over his heavy gambling debts, he was forced to leave UVA after only eight months. Poe then served two years in the U.S. Army and won an appointment to West Point. After another falling-out, Allan cut him off completely and he got himself dismissed from the academy for rules infractions.
Dark, handsome and brooding, Poe had published three works of poetry by that time, none of which had received much attention. In 1836, while working as an editor at the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond, Virginia, Poe married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm. He also completed his first full-length work of fiction, Arthur Gordon Pym, published in 1838. Poe lost his job at the Messenger due to his heavy drinking, and the couple moved to Philadelphia, where Poe worked as an editor at Burton's Gentleman's Magazine and Graham's Magazine. He became known for his direct and incisive criticism, as well as for dark horror stories like "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Tell-Tale Heart." Also around this time, Poe began writing mystery stories, including "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Letter"--works that would earn him a reputation as the father of the modern detective story.
In 1844, the Poes moved to New York City. He scored a spectacular success the following year with his poem "The Raven." While Poe was working to launch The Broadway Journal--which soon failed--his wife Virginia fell ill and died of tuberculosis in early 1847. His wife's death drove Poe even deeper into alcoholism and drug abuse. After becoming involved with several women, Poe returned to Richmond in 1849 and got engaged to an old flame. Before the wedding, however, Poe died suddenly. Though circumstances are somewhat unclear, it appeared he began drinking at a party in Baltimore and disappeared, only to be found incoherent in a gutter three days later. Taken to the hospital, he died on October 7, 1849, at age 40.
The first of three detective short stories is The Murder in the Rue Morgue.
Yep, long before Sherlock Holmes, there was Auguste C. Dupin, who solved crimes by looking at the clues and deducing facts from them.
And for cryptology fans, there is "The Gold Bug." The story wraps completely around being able to crack Captain Kidd's code.
In his time Poe was famous as a poet.
So celebrate the day! Read a Poe short story or the poems The Raven or Annabel Lee.
From the History Channel
1809 : Edgar Allan Poe is born
On this day in 1809, poet, author and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe is born in Boston, Massachusetts.
By the time he was three years old, both of Poe's parents had died, leaving him in the care of his godfather, John Allan, a wealthy tobacco merchant. After attending school in England, Poe entered the University of Virginia (UVA) in 1826. After fighting with Allan over his heavy gambling debts, he was forced to leave UVA after only eight months. Poe then served two years in the U.S. Army and won an appointment to West Point. After another falling-out, Allan cut him off completely and he got himself dismissed from the academy for rules infractions.
Dark, handsome and brooding, Poe had published three works of poetry by that time, none of which had received much attention. In 1836, while working as an editor at the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond, Virginia, Poe married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm. He also completed his first full-length work of fiction, Arthur Gordon Pym, published in 1838. Poe lost his job at the Messenger due to his heavy drinking, and the couple moved to Philadelphia, where Poe worked as an editor at Burton's Gentleman's Magazine and Graham's Magazine. He became known for his direct and incisive criticism, as well as for dark horror stories like "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Tell-Tale Heart." Also around this time, Poe began writing mystery stories, including "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Letter"--works that would earn him a reputation as the father of the modern detective story.
In 1844, the Poes moved to New York City. He scored a spectacular success the following year with his poem "The Raven." While Poe was working to launch The Broadway Journal--which soon failed--his wife Virginia fell ill and died of tuberculosis in early 1847. His wife's death drove Poe even deeper into alcoholism and drug abuse. After becoming involved with several women, Poe returned to Richmond in 1849 and got engaged to an old flame. Before the wedding, however, Poe died suddenly. Though circumstances are somewhat unclear, it appeared he began drinking at a party in Baltimore and disappeared, only to be found incoherent in a gutter three days later. Taken to the hospital, he died on October 7, 1849, at age 40.
Friday, January 16
A day of sadness
Today marks the 90th anniversary of when America tried to legislate morality.
prohibition took effect Jan. 16, 1919 when the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The enacting legislation, known as the Volstead Act came nine months later.
And on the heels of that came a stronger and more powerful criminal element we are still dealing with today.
Sanity returned Dec. 5, 1933 when the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th.
History Channel report.
prohibition took effect Jan. 16, 1919 when the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The enacting legislation, known as the Volstead Act came nine months later.
And on the heels of that came a stronger and more powerful criminal element we are still dealing with today.
Sanity returned Dec. 5, 1933 when the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th.
History Channel report.
And another Kubiske in the news
Washington Post columnist Al Kamen looks at ambassadors staying on for a while. And gets a quote from Lisa.
In the Loop
In the Loop
Thursday, January 15
Kubiske in the news
Tapping into the stimulus plan
by Danielle Portteus , last modified January 14. 2009
OTTAWA LAKE - Whiteford Township could receive money to install water lines if an economic stimulus package is approved by President-elect Barack Obama.
...
Dave Kubiske, township engineer and owner of David Arthur Consultants
in Dundee, said the Ottawa Lake area has had a water contamination
problem for several years. The health department and Department of
Environmental Quality found pollutants and E. coli in some wells within
the township. The township has been working with the Monroe County
Health Department and the DEQ for several years on the issue.
Mr.
Kubiske was contacted Dec. 4 about any projects that would be ready to
go if a stimulus package was approved. His proposals had to be
submitted by 2 p.m. that day, and the water project was top on the
list.
by Danielle Portteus , last modified January 14. 2009
OTTAWA LAKE - Whiteford Township could receive money to install water lines if an economic stimulus package is approved by President-elect Barack Obama.
...
Dave Kubiske, township engineer and owner of David Arthur Consultants
in Dundee, said the Ottawa Lake area has had a water contamination
problem for several years. The health department and Department of
Environmental Quality found pollutants and E. coli in some wells within
the township. The township has been working with the Monroe County
Health Department and the DEQ for several years on the issue.
Mr.
Kubiske was contacted Dec. 4 about any projects that would be ready to
go if a stimulus package was approved. His proposals had to be
submitted by 2 p.m. that day, and the water project was top on the
list.
Saturday, January 3
Passwords -- Top 500 Worst
Here is a list of the 500 worst passwords of all time.
For the family:
#51 Jessica
#56 Daniel
#62 yankees
#120 tigers
#132 edward
#133 charles
#178 david
#313 dave
#353 giants
#385 redskins
#463 newyork
#465 redwings
There are some interesting passwords on this list that show how people
try to be clever, but even human cleverness is predictable. For
example, look at these passwords:
ncc1701 The ship number for the Starship Enterprise
thx1138 The name of George Lucas’s first movie, a 1971 remake of an earlier student project
qazwsx Follows a simple pattern when typed on a typical keyboard
666666 Six sixes
7777777 Seven sevens
For the family:
#51 Jessica
#56 Daniel
#62 yankees
#120 tigers
#132 edward
#133 charles
#178 david
#313 dave
#353 giants
#385 redskins
#463 newyork
#465 redwings
There are some interesting passwords on this list that show how people
try to be clever, but even human cleverness is predictable. For
example, look at these passwords:
ncc1701 The ship number for the Starship Enterprise
thx1138 The name of George Lucas’s first movie, a 1971 remake of an earlier student project
qazwsx Follows a simple pattern when typed on a typical keyboard
666666 Six sixes
7777777 Seven sevens
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
