Kristy's Blog

Will mysteries of the universe never cease? OK, no mysteries never will, and neither will wonders. It’s a beautiful day!

Text messaging figures in L.A. train wreck probe

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Investigators of a Los Angeles train wreck that killed 26 people are looking into reports that an engineer blamed for missing a red light may have been distracted by text messaging moments before the crash, officials said on Monday.

Three days after a Metrolink commuter train plowed head-on into a Union Pacific freight locomotive, the probe focused on operation of trackside warning signals and whether train crew members may have failed to heed them.

Funny stuff!

Ever see 2 guys try and pull out a tree stump with a small Ford truck? I have. Today. Next door. And it’s not a winning strategy. LOL!

People are so unbelievably addicted to text messaging…Darwin Awards, Anyone?

http://tinyurl.com/5opqwh

OLDSMAR – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating a kidnapping that ended when the victim grabbed a handgun and shoot two of his three abductors. The kidnapping happened about 11 p.m. Sunday at Aday Motel, 501 Bayview Blvd., Oldsmar, Sgt. Jim Bordner said.

The trio apparently thought the victim could lead them to another man regarding a dispute over stolen coins, and they forced the victim at gunpoint into their white 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, Bordner said. Detectives said this is what happened next:

A man in the back seat next to the victim laid his handgun in his lap while he typed a text message. The victim grabbed the gun and shot that person, then shot one of the people in the front seat. He then held the gun to the driver’s head and ordered him to stop the car. He then got out and called 911.

The uninjured kidnapper drove to a McDonald’s at 4085 Tampa Road. Restaurant employees saw the wounded people in the car and called 911. Deputies responded and found the man in the back seat was dead. The wounded person in the front seat was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa.

Detectives are interviewing the driver. The names of the abductors and victim have not been released. Charges against the kidnappers are pending.

HOW TO DRIVE IN PHOENIX:

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is: FEE-NICKS’. There are other names to learn such as Awatukee (Ah-wa-Too-Kee) but that will be included in the advanced course.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 pm. Friday’s rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to at least match the highway number. Anything less is considered ‘Wussy’.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Phoenix has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, East Valley, SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It’s another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day’s driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cows, horses, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, rabbits, crows, vultures, javelinas, roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the ‘I-10′ are the same road. SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain FWY. Dunlap and Olive are the same
street too. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street. SR 101 is also the Pima FWY except west of I-17, which is also The Black Canyon FWY, and The Veterans Memorial HWY. Lastly, Thunderbird Rd. becomes Cactus Rd. but, Cactus Rd. doesn’t become Thunderbird Rd. because it dead ends at a mountain.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been ‘accidentally activated.

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be ‘flipped off’ accordingly. If you return the flip, you’ll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands. (AMEN!)

If you want to see how badly flights get backed up…..FlightStats.com.

Benny’s page.

About time, too.

This item is just too good to pass up…

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL148259220080901

LUDZIDZINI ROYAL VILLAGE, Swaziland (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of bare-breasted virgins competed for Swaziland King Mswati III’s eye on Monday in a traditional Reed Dance.

Walking through the dense crowds in a leopard skin loin cloth, Sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch was expected to choose his 14th wife.

So the question is…do they have to be both virgins and bare-breasted? Or is one or the other enough.

Just returned yesterday from the best concert experience of my life. I am now a rabid Radiohead fan! Before this, I’ve only heard one album of Radiohead’s Kid A, who the Phoenix NewTimes reviewed as, “either a piece of crap or the best album I ever heard – after two months I can’t decide” (the review made me purchase it immediately).

I added all of the pictures from the concert here. I watched a couple of people filming the concert with their Flip Video Recorders, and sure enough, here is one of them on YouTube:

I’m sure I will be boring people silly for a couple of weeks talking about this concert! I’ve never seen such a stage set, lighted only with LEDs from this environmentally-minded group, and long fluorescent tubes hung to frame the group on stage. I read a review complaining that the LED lighting was too dim, but I was up in the pit (my eternal thanks to Ed for taking me and getting such great seats!) and it seemed fine to me. The background was a 5-part split screen of each member of the group, which was so innovative, I’m sure it could be released on its own as a best-selling video.

The members of the band exuded intelligence, and they incorporated subtle political messages in the concert in unique ways. For instance: t-shirts sold were made of 50% recycled plastic bottles “pulled from landfills” and 50% organic cotton fiber. I bought one to wear (it was cooler weather-wise than I expected), and it was toasty. They also had Tibetan flags hung inconspicuously on the stage, as well as a Chilean flag.

So now the music – was it worth the 12 hour round trip drive? Definitely! Radiohead is truly talented, and gifted, unassuming and they play the kind of music I respond to, what I call the “sweet yearning”. Also, I think the lyrics are not overly important (though I’m sure some would argue that), which works out for me, since I am usually not paying much attention to the words of songs. The live music sounded even better than the released albums (and that’s saying something for me). Attention to detail was paid to every rendition of a song, and the band’s delivery seemed fresh and joyful, though the songs themselves are full of sadness and sometimes anger.

RADIOHEAD’S SAN DIEGO SET LIST, AUG. 27, 2008
15 Step
Airbag
There There
All I Need
Nude
Talk Show Host
Where I End and You Begin
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
The Gloaming
Faust Arp
How to Disappear Completely
Reckoner
Optimistic
Jigsaw
Pyramid Song
Climbing Up The Walls
Bodysnatchers

FIRST ENCORES
House of Cards
You and Whose Army?
Just
Paranoid Android
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

SECOND ENCORES
Videotape
Lucky
Everything In Its Right Place