I always look forward to opening my e-mail when I notice that my friend Kylie from Australia has dropped me a line. Often she sends stuff like this. Australian's obviously know that mother nature has bestowed upon them some very unusual inhabitants to their corner of the world.
COCONUT CRABS (Birgus latro) Fancy putting the bins out and finding this
Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. It is known for its ability to crack coconuts with its strong pincers in order to eat the contents.
It is sometimes called the robber crab because some coconut crabs are rumored to steal shiny items such as pots and silverware from houses and tents.
The second photo gives you a good idea of how large these crabs are - a coconut crab is seeking food from a black trashcan.
The coconut crab is a large edible land crab related to the hermit crab, and are found in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans . They eat coconuts for a living! How would you like to be on an island and come across a crab that is more than 3 feet from head to tail and weighs up to 40 pounds, with a pair of large pincers strong enough to open coconuts! They can climb trees too, but they only eat coconuts that have already fallen to the ground. Coconut crab meat has been considered a local delicacy.
Computer artwork of an H1N1 influenza A (flu) virus. In the particle's lipid envelope (purple) are two types of protein spike, haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), which determine the strain of virus. These are used for recognizing and binding to the host cell (Image: PASIEKA / SPL)
Any questions? Do YOU understand the terminology? WASH YOUR HANDS.........STAY AWAY from large groups of people who YOU believe would be a potential risk, then WASH YOUR HANDS AGAIN! COMMON SENSE PEOPLE!
The Movie above always gets listed on my top-ten list, or my top five list, or any list in which I'm asked to list such favorites. I'm revisiting this chapter of my life only because I seem to be in a general reflective mood as of late, and I'd like to share it with you!
During my five year US Navy commitment (Oct 75' thru Oct 80') I had the distinct pleasure of being attached to Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84), a sea-going F-14 Tomcat Squadron based out of NAS Qceana in Va Beach, VA.. VF-84 was part of Carrier Air Wing 8, assigned to the USS Nimitz-CVN 68. My actual technical area of expertise (or billet) was that of an AMH; Aviation Structural Mechanic - Hydraulic Technician, and Line Division Plane Capt.. To simplify, I was a jet mechanic who worked on the flight deck supervising the efforts of those who inspect the planes before, and in between flights.
My 5 seconds of fame actually occurs during the rigging of the aircraft barricade, a device on the deck of the carrier that is used for the emergency landing of aircraft. Be that as it may, the only way you would be able to tell that it was me was if I was there next to your TV pointing it out to you during the movie. Not what I would call a defining moment in cinematic history.
The TBS Super Channel used to feature this movie back in the 80's & 90's, but hasn't done so recently. Now, it has more of a 'cult-following' than anything else, especially among those who were somehow affiliated with the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which has formally been retired. Never had I ever imagined I would have been affiliated with an aircraft that was discontinued! YIKES!
Use the links below to investigate more for yourself. If you're ever in one of those "what shall I watch moments", or if you enjoy collecting movies, check out this one. As I said, it gets a BIG thumbs-up, and the TrainWreckRadio 'Squeal Of Approval'!
Well......despite the unemployment, and the scaled-back approach to getting my ya-ya's out, the summer concert season just might turn out OK. Lotta holes though! Scoring front row seats for Little Big Town today at least helpsthe overall picture. Rock-On HIPSTERS! Maybe I'll see YOU on the summer concert circuit!
-Steve MARCH 09 : Above, March 21st - Little Big Town - Prior Lake, MN APRIL 09 : March31st-April 1st - ZZ TOP Vh-1 Story Tellers - Chicago, Il MAY 09 : Upcoming, May 14th- Keith Urban - Excel Energy Center - St Paul,MN JUNE 09 : ________?__________?_________?__________ JULY 09 : Upcoming, July 26th - Monte Montgomery - Mayo Civic Park, Rochester, MN AUG 09 : Upcoming, Aug 7th - Little Big Town w/meet & greet - Albert Lea, MN SEPT 09 : ________?__________?_________?__________ OCT 09 : (RockTober)?__________?_________?__________
How can that be you ask? Today is the 1 year anniversary of my massive heart attack. Stricken at home, awoke out of a dead sleep, transported, I went into cardiac arrest on the table at St Mary's Hospital/Mayo Clinic.
Many life changes would follow, and today, I am 1 year ALIVE AGAIN. That's what I strive to do now, stay alive, and live it to the fullest, one day at a time, of course!
You will hear a definitive 'PING' as the meteor is detected. I'm heading out to a dark site around 2:30am (cdt) local Chances are I will UPDATE a little later this morning (Weds)
UPDATE 4:54am Counted 44 Lyrids in an 80 min. span of non-stop viewing. (3am-4:20am) Sky conditions were absolutely 'pristine' for this viewing session. Certainly NOT a remarkable event by any standard. Hopefully the Geminids in Aug will yield more.
Forget covering that song any better! I don't believe it can be done. Monte coming to Rochester, MN on Sunday July 26th for a FREE PERFORMANCE at Rochester's Down By The Riverside summer concert series. See you there! In the mean time check out Monte's website
I have been playing the guitar now for a littleover four years. You don't know how good it feels to be able to say that, (or maybe you do!) because at this point in time I don't know that there are many of us that have taken up trying to learn this instrument so late in life. As I state in any legit BIO that I post in any notable location on-line, I consider myself a student of the guitar, even though I have pretty much abandoned formal lessons (the kind where you shell-out $15.00 for a30 minute weekly session) for quite some time now. Doing so was an economic reality more than anything else. In addition to the obvious level of personal enjoyment and satisfaction that comes with playing LIVE in the living room each evening, I seem to gain just as muchenjoyment with a simple 2 hour visit to the guitar storeYes, two hours.....at least.........at a minimum! Actually, it's more like a 4 hour commitment to do so. My favorite guitar store is an hour away, just over the Mississippi in La Crosse, WI.It's the only place I know where I can go and literallyplay with instruments that I truly cannot afford. Evenif I was NOT unemployed, for there is always a budget to contend with, OR, a realization that a person justcannot have everything, even if I could afford it. But that's OK.......
Currently I own two acoustic guitars. A Taylor 214 Grand Auditorium, which was my 'beginner guitar', and currently, my 'thinking guitar' (one I have sitting around, just in case I have an idea for a song). The Taylor was bought new.I also own a McPherson acoustic. I could do an entire (or several) blog entries on it alone, so I will not get into a lot of detail about 'Maggie', other than she is like a Grand Piano in a carrying case. Speaking of case, I could do an entire blog story on Maggie's case !I also own an A-style (pear-shaped) mandolin,and a 6-string banjo (or banjitar-tuned like a guitar). The banjo-guitar combo and mandolin were purchased as pre-owned from the original owner. Based on the above list it would seem like there wouldno reason to make trips to the guitar store.
That's where G.A.S.comes into play. G.A.S. = Gear Aquisition Syndrome. This too, a topic I will elaborate on during future blog entries.
Today I will change strings on the Taylor 214. The set that is currently on there has probably been on there for at least four months, which is way beyond the usual cycle.
Unemployment has put me in that position of having to stretch every note and chord out of every set. Maybe that's good, but mostly, it's sad! But, what trumps it all is that first song after the guitar is strung, tuned, and warmed-up and ready to go. For me, it's impossible to describe the warmth and feeling of those first notes & chords. The fullness, the warmth, the pristine highs, and the ballsy lows. Typically the first few songs raise goosebumps on my own arms. My hope is that it would do the same for you!
Isn't it special that all mainstream media(except one) has not made a single mention of this grassroots effort! Funny how that works, eh? ~TEA PARTY-ON, Wayne! ~ ~TEA PARTY - ON Garth! ~
Well, it's not very often I get cut-down by a good old fashion head cold, but this one has certainly wacked me pretty good.
I won't complain any more, but I will post the following link as a reminder to really assess were YOU are at personally. I know where I'm at, and I hope to feel better so I can attend the local Tea Party here in Rochester, MN.
Perhaps you read last week's posting about Monte Montgomery. This is the guy who inspired me to finally go out (after many years of procrastination) and purchase a quality instrument/s, sign-up for lessons, and learn the guitar. I continued with lessons for about 8 months. I still consider myself a student of the instrument. Not bad for an old dude who took up playing at the tender age of 4__, eh? I've been playing for a little over 4 years now. Remember Monte's name, and should he come to your town, please go see him! I will buy your tickets if you like! He's coming here to Rochester, MN for a FREE show on July 26th 2009. If you go to a show in your neck of the woods, and you do NOT like the performance, I'll do your laundry for you for a week. Now there's a challenge you can't pass up!
All of us have defining moments in our lives, even if we don't immediately realize them. Sitting on the living room floor of my parents modest 3-bedroom ranch watching the black & white Philco televison set that was tuned to Channel 12-Milwaukee (CBS), on a cold & wintery February Sunday evening in Wisconsin, while waiting for the number one variety show host (a man with a booming voice named ED) to announce the coming of the fabulous 'Beatles'! I was barely old enough to understand what I was watching, but even then, the electrified guitars they were weilding held me in a state of amazement. Suddenly, right there on the living room floor at 208 Jefferson St in Beaver Dam, WI a seed was planted. Though it would take a few years to germinate and grow, the key was.......................it was planted. This same seed was planted in the minds & hearts of many American, young & old. The world had just been changed, right then & there on a black & white Philco TV.
Now, fast forward about 8 years >>>>>>>>>>>>>>|
Living in a world where AM rock radio was king may seem like it would have been an audio world of crackle & pop. An interference-filled medium that would seem like it could not inspire.This would not be the case in the long run, rather, it was all we had, but it was amazingly inspiring. Daily radio shows were steeped in creativity
At this stage of my life I was too young to actually attend Woodstock, but thanks to the offerings of AM rock giant's such as WLS-Chicago, WOKY-Milwaukee, and after 10pm, KAAY-Little Rock, the fact that I was not born early enough to put me in a farm field in NY state, the aforementioned "big-sticks" turned out to be a suitable alternative in retrospect.
It would not only be the music that became inspiring to me, but the disc jockey's themsleves. In some cases, maybe even more inspiring than the music itself. I detected passion and enthusiasm infused into their their daily rants and musical offerings . Larry Luzak & John 'records' Landecker of WLS-Chicago would be two who had an impact on me. Bob Barry of "fun-lovin" WOKY- Radio in Milwaukee would also leave an imprint upon my brain. I could hear the preparation in their styles, along with a kind of mystique that seemed very interesting and attractive to me. Perhaps it was the interaction with the listeners, or the idea of actually becoming to know the artists through the interview process, or promotional events. It just seemed to me to be such a damn cool profession, but an unlikely dream for this buck-tooth, big-eared kid from southeast Wisconsin. Life would ultimately take me in a completely different direction, but again, a seed had been planted.
FAST FORWARD 20 years>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>|
Oct 1990 - An uncoventional thrill-seeker and dream come true.
During a prolonged stint of unemployment due to a raging fire that burnt my employer's business to the ground, I found myself with a lot of spare time on my hands. For some odd reason my interest in radio seemed to replant itself in my brain. I learned of a contest on a local 50 thousand-watt mainstream rock station, where you could win your own hour of air time as a guest DJ. All you had to do is write the station a letter and tell them WHY you would be thee 'best choice'. When I sat down and wrote the letter I had a premonition that I would in fact, win the contest, and would be offered the 1 hour Sunday night slot. Guess what? My premonition would be an accurate one, indeed.
I followed the advice of the gang at Lazer 103 in Milwaukee, networked with some smaller market radio folks that I had come to know thru my retail management job, and ba-bing! Ten days after the Lazer 103 guest hour I had my first job in radio at WBEV in Beaver Dam, WI. Working weekends & fill-in weeknites around my 'regular job'. A Trainwreck was in the works! Stay tuned.........
+Working-up a cover of Neil Young's 'Old Man'. (I'm getting close) +Potential snow storm/blizzard tracks south of Minnesooooota der hey. +HUGE pot of chicken stew in the fridge. Hell, I won't have to cook for days! (it's the heart-healthy variety) +Revisiting an old radio gig 93.5 WOZZ, Appleton, WI Gave those folks about six years. Here.....I'll share some of that with you. (~LISTEN LIVE ~) http://v3.player.abacast.com/player/player.php?pid=mwc_wozzfm
+If you listened to my lil TRAINWRECK of a radio show this weekend....I SALUTE YOU! + ACM Award Show on CBS 7pm (cdt) (ACM's are required viewing in this biz)
A fun evening in Chicago with ZZ-Top & Vh-1 ended with a bittersweet taste left in my mouth upon arrival back at the hotel. For it was here when I learned of an absolutely unimaginable tragedy that had occurred in San Antonio, TX.
An inspiration, and a friend; singer/songwriter & guitar phenom Monte Montgomery of Austin, TX has had to endure a lot personally & professionally, but nothing like what he an his family must endure now as he mourns the death of his 21 year-old daughter Sofia Anna.
Sofia died in a freak gun accident Monday night. The San Antonio PD continue to investigate. Prayers for continued strength and solace, I'm certain, will be much appreciated.
If you know of Monte and have enjoyed his music in your everyday life, or if you are interested in learning more about this incredible musician, go to:http://www.montemontgomery.net
If you have sons & daughters of your own, you'll know what to do TODAY!
Sony played this mind-blowing video at their Executive Conference this year. (thanks Kylie!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY I'm certain that in the end you will be as amazed as I was.
Enjoy! -Steve
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
That was over-the-top! Perhaps the most fun I have ever had with my clothes on. Far exceeded my expectations on many levels. The producer decided to use one of the nine questions I submitted. Being selected as one of the questioner's then carried with it an extra perk.......an instant upgrade to stage-left...a mere 3 feet from Billy, Dusty & Frank as they executed their flawless blues-infused offerings. If you can imagine ZZ-Top playing LIVE in your living room? That's the ticket, only LOUDER, and with a larger crowd on hand. (aprox. 200) I'm not going to divulge the set list, but I will tell you that my question was based on the Red Eliminator Hot Rod used in many of the 80's video's. Now, you'll just have to make sure you tune (or set your TiVo's) to Vh-1 or Vh-1 classic on 06/27/2009. Please sign-in, or bookmark this BLOG for future reference and updates!
Student of the guitar, radio jock, aviation fanatic, amateur astronomy, & growing ~hot~ Hungarian peppers. Unemployed retail manager, seeking a new full time gig.
I am a 20 year radio veteran who has been lucky enough to work in the industry well before the
current industry upheaval. My entry into this field of endeavor occurred in a very unconventional manner.
I will tell you about that in future postings.
Every market in which I have worked has yielded some very special and interesting experiences that I have filed away under MEMORY, and will eventually share many of them with you as well. Because I have always worked in the broadcasting industry in a part time capacity (around a "real job"),
I feel the experience has always afforded me a unique perspective. It certainly separates me from the usual day in, day out routines that go with this type of work. You see......that's the key.....no BS to endure!
100% FUN !
Know this, I am the only grocery store manager on the planet, and history of the world to ever have Ted Nugent come to his grocery store for a four hour visit to benefit a local (Mayville, WI - July 94) youth hunting safety & education program. I myself had given up on hunting by this point in my life.
Watch for more details in the near future. I hope you'll find them worth the wait.
