This is the Future div

Last week the old bear took the plunge and purchased an iPhone 4S (after owning a cellular phone that was, well, a phone).. It's smarter than I am and it's truly amazing in just how much "computer" is packed into such a small device.
It's SIRI feature immediately brought to mind the old BBC series Star Cops that started (and unfortunately, after nine episodes, ended) in 1987.
David Calder (the star) has a hand-held "assistant" - -  aptly named "Box." You can find the first mention of Box at the 8:15 point in this video.
The series was set in 2027 .......  maybe we are getting closer.

Milestones div

WOW 1000 page views !!!  - -  Never thought it would reach this point!!
Thanks to all readers
A little something about growth from Dave Mallett  - -  the guy what wrote it.

HISTORY div ........

WOW !!!!

What a day.

1521: Treaty of Worms: Emperor Charles names his brother Ferdinand Arch duke of Neth-Austria

1770: Capt James Cook in Endeavor lands at Botany Bay in Australia  -- I'm sure those "transported" sure appreciate this discovery.
1788: Maryland becomes 7th state to ratify constitution  - -  the Oldest active Capitol building in the US (and  once the US Capitol) still stands.
1789: Fletcher Christian leads Mutiny on HMS Bounty & Capt William Bligh- - - and give rise to one of the longest open boat journeys in history.
1914:181 die in coal mine collapse at Eccles WV
1924: 119 die in Benwood West Virginia coal mine disaster
                      How long will we cling to "Clean Coal"  ???????????
1986: Chernobyl, USSR site of world's worst nuclear power plant disaster  - - - - and we couldn't eat lamb in Britain.  
1988:  Baltimore Orioles lose AL record 21 games in a row  - -  they're doin' better this year  - - - but nobody really wants to buy a souvenir jersey with ANGELOS on the back.
1973: Antelope, California disappears - -  we don't need no fuckin' regulations .......


lots other shit happened ........ you look it up ............

Undergraduate nostalgia div......

Drank a lot of 3.2 beer at the Sink (and walked home since I lived two blocks away), but nothing like this ever happened !!

ANZAC Day div

Many of the troops that landed at  Gallipolii in 1915 were from Australia and New Zealand - hence the acronym ANZACs. This is Australia's Memorial (or Remembrance) Day. One of the most powerful songs I know, too many parallels to our young Americans coming home from another useless war.
God Bless, mate.

Is our children lernin' div

Ya gotta wonder. With all the innovation and the speed of technological change today why any government official could be so stupid as to eat the "seed corn" is beyond me.

Of course, the priorities are  clearly defined. (Note: I do understand the difference in funding sources).

Here we have one of the (politically) important states in the Union being run into the ground by a convicted fraud and felon  - - well, his company was, but remember what Etch said, "Corporations are people, my friend"  (and Floridians still elected this idiot).

Maybe in lieu of real science and technology education we can substitute prayer.

Earth Day div

What more can I say ..................

A Little Bluegrass ... div

One of the great female musicians in the genre.

Best version of this old fiddle tune is on The Great Dobro Sessions produced by Jerry Douglas  - -
There you'll find Sally on dobro, Alison Brown on banjo, Stuart Duncan in fiddle, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin and David Grier on guitar  - -  probably the best arrangement of this tune ever recorded.

Enjoy this (no banjo break, but still good)

Shipwreck div ..... addendum

Just finished watching Why Ships Sink on PBS' Nova. (Worth every nickel I contribute). Really a well done program.

I was fascinated by the story of Moss Hills an entertainer on the cruise ship Oceanus that went down off the South African coast in 1991. This is a true hero. After going below decks and finding that the ship was flooding, went to the bridge to find it abandoned. He and his wife were the ones that sent the "Mayday" and stayed to put many of the passengers in the harnesses of the rescue helicopters. They were the last lifted off before the ship sank.
Ironically, he was also an entertainer on the Achille Lauro which sank in 1994. Again, he and his wife were instrumental in helping the passengers.

The Goose Girl and I are planning a cruise ..........

Lousy Day div

Well, Driving4$$ certainly sucked today. 88 miles, $8 in tips and less than six hours!!

Hadn't been for one generous soul, I'd have had a ZERO day.

Levon Helm passed away. Thanks Mr Cancer, I'm sure there was a more deserving and less talented recipient of your attention.

Greg Ham of Men At Work was also found dead at home. Was just listening to this last nite and wondering how to work it into a post  - -  wish I had a better reason