Katrina Konfusion

Right city name, wrong state
There is plenty of blame to go around in the Katrina mess -- the local, state and federal governments have all dropped the ball.

Here's the latest example of the rocket scientists at FEMA hard at work:

Emergency officials in South Carolina are scratching their heads over some post-Katrina confusion.

Dozens of medical workers rushed to a hangar in Charleston Tuesday, to prepare for 180 injured evacuees. But the evacuees' flight was actually headed to Charleston, West Virginia. It was the second time the federal government told South Carolina officials to be ready for a plane full of people, only to have it end up hundreds of miles away.

No one's been able to explain the confusion so far.

A triage unit to evaluate patients will be kept at the Charleston Air Force Base through the week because officials think injured evacuees will eventually make it to the city along South Carolina's coast.

- - - - - - -
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Returning to the scene of the crime

Kris and I are very excited. We just booked a reservation to go away for our 10th anniversary next month.

We’re going to stay at the Point Au Roche Lodge in Plattsburgh – back where it all began. We plan to do a little hiking in Point Au Roche State Park, walk around the campus to take in some of the changes to our old stomping grounds and dine at one of the restaurants downtown we used to go to.

Believe it or not, the start of the new school year marks 15 years since we first crossed paths in the second-floor lounge of Macdonough Hall.

It’s very rare that we ever get away overnight without the kids. In fact this will be the first time we’ve ever left Thomas overnight.

Safe & Sound

A loyal reader wrote in today to inquire about the well being of Kris' aunt. I'm pleased to report we learned over the holiday weekend that some friends helped her evacuate to Baton Rouge.

Her house, though damaged, never did flood. She locked it up and left it behind. Hopefeully she'll find it as she left it when she returns...whenever that will be.

Kanye Who?

A column in the L.A. Times describes Kanye West -- the rap artist who spouted off against President Bush and the government on NBC's Katrina telethon -- as...

arguably the dominant creative force in mainstream popular music right now...

So why hadn't I ever heard of him before Friday night? Have I been living under a rock (which I admit is entirely possible when it comes to popular music)?

Photo Gallery

I'm experimenting with the new "photo gallery" in the right hand column. I found the code for it on blogtricks.com.

I can control the number of pictures that appear and the order they're in. If I choose, I can also have the gallery display random images from a larger group of pictures.

Right now it's only displaying the four most recent pictures I've added to the gallery. Or does anyone think random images would be better?

The only thing I'm not crazy about is the ad under the photos. But that's what I get for using free code.

UPDATE:I decided to add a whole bunch more photos to the gallery and turn on the randomization feature.

Higher and higher

That $3.15 at Stewart's yesterday is a distant memory now. Read 'em and weep -- they're up to $3.45 at the Stewart's Shop in Mendands.

The Exxon station across the street from work is $3.09. Why is Stewart's so much higher? Stewart's President Gary Dake offered an explanation on the news last night. Here's my favorite quote from the story:

“We have customers driving in and looking at the price and then driving away. I'm thankful I sell ice cream cones and not just gasoline on a day like today."

At least we haven't seen sights like the one on joevideo's blog...yet.

It begins...

This was taken at the Stewart's Shop around the corner from where I work.

Needless to say, I moved on to look for another station. Up and down Broadway in Menands, the prices ranged from $2.77 to the $3.15 pictured here.

The Truth Hurts

Woman Offended by Doc's Obesity Advice
A New Hampshire doctor is in hot water after a woman complained he told her she was fat.

"I told a fat woman she was obese," Bennett says. "I tried to get her attention. I told her, 'You need to get on a program, join a group of like-minded people and peel off the weight that is going to kill you.' "

So now this guy is being investigated by the New Hampshire Board of Medicine -- for apparently telling someone what they didn't want to hear.

Still nervous

Scratch that "sigh of relief" BS. I'm still worried about Kris' aunt. Sure her house didn't flood, but that doesn't mean she's out of the woods. She lives in the city's Garden District, which was described like this in an L.A. Times article:

The Garden District, though it fared better than many parts of New Orleans, largely because it is one of the highest points in the low-lying city, is deserted and suffering.

The article goes on to describe toppled trees and buildings in the neighborhood, including damage to one of the city's famous above-ground cemeteries.

The Wal-Mart in that section of the city was a free-for-all, according to the Associated Press. It's one thing to be grabbing canned goods and diapers and life's essentials, but what about the people stealing anything that isn't nailed down, like TVs and DVD players in a city with no power?

''Is everything free?" asked a woman who pulled up in a red car. Hearing ''yes," she started to chant, ''TV! TV! TV!"

Inside, a teenager held up a pair of blue lacy panties and snickered, ''I want to see somebody in these so bad," before tossing them in his basket.

Another man used a table to break into one of the last unscathed jewelry cases. A little girl balanced atop a cart filled with cases of beer.

And then there's this:

When a teenage girl passed out face down between the baby clothes and a women's sock display, people pushed past or stepped on her.

Joseph LoCascio, of Picayune, Miss., stopped to try to help the girl. He rolled her over, and she vomited pink liquid all over her face and hair. He then rolled her back.

''This is [messed] up," he said. ''. . . People just walking around like they don't care. All they're worried about is getting free [stuff] instead of a human life."

Sigh of Relief

We talked to Kris’ dad tonight.  He reports that her Aunt Helen Jane is safe in New Orleans.

We’ve been very worried about her since she was unable to leave her home and flee the city.

Fortunately, she lives in part of the city that has not flooded.  Her house suffered some damage, but remains dry inside.  I guess she has some food stocked up and will be okay for now.

That’s a load of our minds – the one person we know in New Orleans is okay.  But my heart still goes out to the thousands (millions?) of others on the Gulf Coast who have such a long road ahead of them.

Home Sweet Home

Wrath of Katrina
As I watch the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region, I thank God I live in the Northeast. I will gladly take the occassional two feet of snow rather than have to live through a hurricane!

(and now that I've made this statement in writing, I can be reminded of it when I'm wrestling with the snowblower in January!)

Fill 'er up...now!

AAA is reporting that gas prices in the Capital Region will skyrocket thanks to Hurricane Katrina -– possibly hitting as high as $4 per gallon by the weekend!!!

"September and October are going to be the most punishing months for motorists,” said Tammy Melo of Hudson Valley AAA. “And then when November rolls around things will lighten up and we’ll see gas prices go down.”

Thank you, Katrina.

Cut Geisel a deal

Albany Prosecutor Was Right; Underage Rape Case Unprosecutable
This editorial pretty much sums up how I feel about the Sandra "Beth" Geisel case...

The Big Uneasy

Hurricane Katrina - MSNBC.com
I'm glued to the Hurricane Katrina coverage. Kris has an aunt who lives in New Orleans -- so needless to say, we're worried.

Here's a quote I found on Lost Remote from a Weather Channel blog:

"I started forecasting the weather professionally 25 years ago and I've not seen anything like this since then," said Stu Ostro, senior meteorologist. "On behalf of everyone at (The Weather Channel), our thoughts are with the people of the Gulf Coast."

Let's all say some extra prayers...

The Not Quite Fantastic Four

I finally saw “Fantastic Four” last night at Scotia Cinema – a great little second-run theater not far from here. The latest Marvel Comics movie was good, but not great.

I really enjoyed the four main characters. I thought the story nailed them – except for Reed Richards, who seemed a little too spineless up until the end of the movie. I don’t remember him ever being quite like that in the comic books (well, except for the terrific “FF vs. X-Men” mini-series from 1987).

The film’s weakest point was the villain. Doctor Doom is the grand-daddy of Marvel Comics villains. So it’s a crime they screwed him up so much. In some regards, Doom resembles Darth Vader, which could be why they monkeyed with him (despite the fact Doom was created about 15 years before “Star Wars”). This version is basically a cross between a watered down Lex Luthor and Norman Osborne from the “Spider-Man” movie – not the disfigured, scientific genius, madman, king of Latveria encased in a suit of armor from the comics.

I really enjoyed the interactions between the four heroes. The story was at its best when focusing on them and their adjustments to their new abilities. But I felt like the Doom character dragged the movie down (that, and the fact there were a couple of scenes with some glaring plot holes that made no sense).

I thought the effects were good. The Invisible Woman is pretty hard to screw up. Some people were critical of the Thing, saying he looked too much like a guy in rubber suit, but I was pleased with his appearance. By the far, the best of the bunch, effects wise, was the Human Torch, who looked awesome in full “flame on” mode. The weakest was Mr. Fantastic, whose stretching abilities always seemed a little cheesy.

The cast was decent. The best of the bunch was Michael Chiklis. I was thrilled when I heard he’d been cast as Ben Grimm, and he lived up to every expectation. I was pleasantly surprised with Jessica Alba. She hardly seemed right for the part when her casting was announced, but she won me over pretty quick.

Of all the Marvel movies released in recent years, easily the best two were the “Spider-Man” films (which one was better is up for debate – it depends on what day of the week you ask me). After those comes “X2: X-Men United” followed by the first “X-Men.” I’d rate “FF” below “X-Men,” but ahead of “Hulk” (granted I haven’t seen “Daredevil,” “Punisher,” “Elektra” or “Blade: Trinity,” but I hear I’m not missing much).

There is definitely some still some good stuff in here. I hope a sequel is made, because this movie could still serve as a good foundation. In the right hands, it can only get better.

Schilling's Subpoena

Schilling's Subpoena Good for $2,000
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for raising money for charity, especially Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's foundation Curt's Pitch for ALS -- a cause that hits close to home for my family and others I know.

But is his subpoena to appear before Congress to testify about steroids really worth $2,000?!? That's how much he auctioned it off for to raise money for ALS research and also for the Shade Foundation, a charity that promotes sun safety against skin cancer (Schilling's wife is a skin cancer survivor).

The subpoena was bought by Kevin Bronson, a Yankee fan and memorabilia dealer from Massachusetts. Here's what Bronson had to say about the piece of paper:

"It's probably one of the more significant baseball documents of the new era of baseball," Bronson said Thursday. "I think in years to come it's going to be more significant."

I think that's pushing it a little bit. Polmeiro's subpoena maybe...

Sean Astin joins '24'

Fat Hobbit Joins The
Counter Terrorism Unit!!
Another member of Hollywood's "next generation" is joining the cast of "24."

Sean Astin (son of Patty Duke and the great John Astin of "The Addams Family"), who was fantastic in "The Lord of the Rings," will be on "24" this year.

No word yet who his character will be, but AICN reports he will be a member of CTU.

Flashback

gregonweb's Memories of PSTV slideshow on Flickr
While we're on the subject of my college days, my old buddy Greg Keuhn recently posted some pictures of some of the PSTV gang, including a few featuring yours truly.

The photos are circa 1994 and were taken in and around the Williams Street apartment (was it 33 Williams?) of Michelle Scanlon, Dawn Matias, Christy Gifford, Amy Waite, Christie Corologos and Christie's cousin whose name I can't remember. It was a frequent hangout for many of us PSTVers.

Mortimer's Mansion gets an update

Home, sweet home gets sweeter
The $14 million renovation of Macdonough Hall is complete at Plattsburgh State University.

That's the dorm where Kris and I met when we each lived there for the first couple of years of college.

They closed the dorm down in May 2004 and spent the last year gutting the building, one of the oldest on the campus, and completely updating it.

I'd love to get a look at the place, which now features suites, computer labs and a flat-screen TV in the main lounge.

Since my time at Plattsburgh (11 years ago) all of the dorm rooms now are also equipped with cable TV and Internet access. Macdonough also now has Wi-Fi access.

The Plattsburgh Press Republican has all sorts of quotes from various college officials singing the praises of the new and improved dorm. However, there is no word on the reaction of Mortimer -- the legendary ghost that many believe has been calling Macdonough Hall home for decades.

It sounds like a lot of changes have been made to the basement, which now includes a computer lab, laundry rooms and a new entrance leading to the courtyard behind the dorm (or the "backyard" as we used to call it).

I'm not sure what to make of the basement changes. I was a "cellar dweller" in my sophomore year. Those of us who lived in the basement thought it was one of the best kept secrets on campus -- and we kind of liked it that way. Very few people ever came to the basement. We didn't have our own RA either. The RA above us on the first floor was supposed to be responsible for us. So we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

There were only about five or six dorms rooms down there. The rest of the space contained locked off storage and bomb shelters that were always fun to try to get into and explore. The locked off portions were referred to as "the catacombs." In my freshman year I designed the dorm T-shirt. It had a picture of Hobbes of "Calvin and Hobbes" dressed like Indiana Jones. Over the picture was a logo reading "Macdonough Hobbes and the Catacombs of Peril."

Macdonough was a fantastic place to live. It sounds like it will be even more fantastic for the kids going there now. Kris and I have fond memories of Macdonough. Hopefully we'll be able to get a look at the new and improved version soon.

Thanks, Aaron.

K9 Koming Back

K9 returns
It was announced a while back that in the coming season of "Doctor Who" Elisabeth Sladen would be reprising her role as Sarah Jane Smith -- a part she played on the origianal "Doctor Who" in the 1970s with Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker.

Sarah Jane will only be appearing in one episode. But it turns out that episode will also feature the Doctor's beloved robot dog, K9 -- who was a popular character on the show from 1977-1981.

It gets better. The episode will also co-star Anthony Stewart Head of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."