Wrong observation

Regarding the iPhone, in an article in the NY Times today:

"Both Mr. Jobs and Randall L. Stephenson, the chief executive of
Apple’s partner AT&T, have promised a new iPhone model this year
that would run on a high-speed wireless data network. AT&T is
building such a network, which uses technology known as 3G and is
intended to support a range of new applications, including mobile
digital video. The company said last week that the network would be
largely finished by the end of June.

But analysts say faster downloads may not be enough to touch off a new wave of consumer interest in the iPhone.

“Subscribers don’t care what the radio interface of their cellular phone is,” Mr. Snyder said."

Emphasis mine.

I know quite a few people, including me, who have been waiting for a 3G version of the iPhone before purchasing one. Duh.

Arrangements for Mike Lorenzo

Here are the arrangements for the service for Mike:

On June 7, 2008 from 12p to 5p there will be a luncheon and cash bar at the American Legion Post 488:
532 Lakes Rd
Monroe, NY 10950
845-783-3965

http://legionpost488.org/content.php?id=15

I won't be there, but Ruthanna will. We'll be putting together a memorial book of stories and pictures to present to the family. Anyone who might want to contribute can contact Ruthanna at bii2005*at*bellsouth.net.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following (I suggest the Take the Lead Foundation):

(1) A memorial contribution for the I.I. Greyhound Best of Breed
trophy that has been established in honor of Mike and his memory.
Contributions may be made via PayPal (the e-mail address to be used
is MikesTrophyFund@aol.com) or by way of check payable to the
Southeastern Greyhound Club and sent to 364 Country Club Rd., Newnan,
GA 30263.

(2) A contribution to help defray outstanding medical and other
expenses. Checks payable to the Mike Lorenzo Medical Expense Fund may
be sent to 49 Sunrise Ridge, Florida, NY 10921.

(3) A contribution to the Take the Lead Foundation, which helps dog
people with expenses related to life-threatening or terminal
illnesses, and helped Karen and Mike during their time of need.
Contributions may be made on the Foundation's Web site at
http://www.takethelead.org/contribute.htm

On Mike

I’ve been trying to put words together, but there is much more to Mike than I can ever put in to an email or blog post. Mike was a great friend first of all, an excellent lure operator and knowledgeable mentor. I’m lucky to have known and learned a great deal from Mike.

I miss my friend.

Edit: That's Mike and Nellie, one of the two wonderful Greyhounds that we're blessed to have from Mike and Karen.

Mike Lorenzo

I know many of you have been following what's been going on with our great friend Mike Lorenzo and his struggle with a brain tumor. About 9:30 this evening Mike passed away peacefully. Karen, Karen's mother, Noreen and Barbara were with him.

I don't have much to say right now. I will post an update when arrangements have been made. Please keep Karen and the family in your prayers.

A bachelor party

Of sorts, anyway... My friend Neil is getting married in October, so Andrew, Stephen and I decided to do something for him as a kind of bachelor party (really an excuse to get together, drink beer, eat and fish). So last Thursday evening, Andrew and I showed up at Neil's to pick him up (he thought he was going off for the weekend with his fiance). Surprise!!! We loaded up and about 7 hours later pulled in at Stephen's father-in-law's ranch near Bradenton, FL.

We spent Friday there, working on the fence line, fishing and running around the property. Saturday morning we got up and cleaned the place up and headed in to Bradenton. After securing fishing licenses, beer and food, we were off on the water. Stephen has a 23 foot center console that we took out to the bay and fished the flats and mangroves. We spent the rest of the day out on the boat, not catching much but having fun anyway! Sunday we got up pretty early and spent the morning out fishing again, not having much luck this time either. I think we brought home one trout, but again, it really wasn't about catching the fish...

We were able to relax a good bit of Sunday afternoon as the water was a bit choppy for us to get back out. So we hung out, played with Stephen's kids and napped. Instead of grilling out or cooking, we decided to head out to the coast for dinner. I had some really great Grouper at the Rod and Reel Pier out on Anna Maria Island. Everyone was happy with their meals and happy with the day.

Since we were leaving Monday, we got up and hit the water early. Actually, Andrew literally hit the water early. As I was throwing the anchor in so that we could net some bait, I threw the anchor with my right hand and held the rope w/ my left. Imagine my shock as I threw the anchor and the rope didn't go with it!!! Seems the captain (*cough* Stephen *cough*) had not checked the equipment and the clevis had come loose! So here we are, in the middle of Tampa Bay with a loose anchor on the bottom! Luckily, we were really in only about 3 feet of water or so and Neil was able to spot the anchor. In Andrew went, shirt pants and all! He did get the anchor, luckily, $150 saved for Stephen!

We had better luck on Monday morning, catching 6 trout a couple of snook and getting in to some jacks. The rain started moving in on us about 10 am so we decided to head in and get on the road.

I'm lucky with these friends of mine. I've known these guys for at least 27 years. Neil and Andrew live within a couple of miles of each other on the other side of town from me. We get together usually a couple of times a month. We try to see Stephen as often as possible, but with him in Bradenton it usually works out to once or twice a year.

Wilco

Family

First, four generations of Birchfields. Left to right: Jerry Linward Birchfield, Todd Linward Birchfield, Guy Linward Birchfield, John Brewster Birchfield. I'm not sure when that was taken, but it would have to be somewhere 1973-1975.





That's my mother and Father, 1964. Ellen Groover Birchfield (now Bledsoe) and Jerry Linward Birchfield.


Thanks to my Aunt, Jackie Houze, for getting me these.

Concealed Carry in Georgia

Governor Perdue signed HB 89 into law yesterday expanding where citizens can legally carry concealed weapons. According to the AJC (link), "With Perdue's signature, restaurant patrons will be permitted to carry a firearm, but would be barred from drinking while doing so. Violations would be a misdemeanor. Concealed weapons will now be allowed in state — and by extension — local parks. Firearms in purses or under jackets will also be permitted on public transportation."

Also according to the same article, "Union drivers had said they would demand bulletproof shields on MARTA buses if the governor signed the bill." Please. Who are bus drivers (and anyone in the general public, for that matter) more in danger of? Criminals carrying concealed without a permit, with no regard for life or property or properly licensed individuals who go to the trouble of being fingerprinted, submitting to a background investigation and paying a pretty good fee for the privilege to carry concealed?

I'm sure this matter will end up in courts. Hell, I'd bet some Brady type group has already filed suit somewhere in the state. If you're interested in efforts to secure your right to arm yourself, here a good site on the subject:

GeorgiaCarry.org

A few blogs that have good information on concealed carry:
View From the Porch
ColtCCO
The Munchkin Wrangler

Huh?

Makes no sense to me... I average 3-4 hits per day to this little blog, and that's ok w/ me. I know most of my readers, I'm not trying to persuade, I just like to share a little sometimes. So, imagine my surprise when I see my hits jump to 21 in one day!! What the heck? The only thing I can think of is that maybe I was a 'next site' link or something for the day...

Around the house

One of our planting islands that surrounds the house. The yard is a bit of a mess in this picture, thanks to the pine logs in the background.


White Rose


Can you identify this? I used to know...

Some more pictures

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. Life is...well, life is busy these days. We're working on a rather large VM proposal right now that will take up a lot of my time if we can pull it off. We're in the planning stage and I'm pushing to get a bunch of hardware ordered before the end of the month. Besides that, the kids and dogs keep us busy busy as always.

We were at Old Mill Farm last weekend for the SEGC Old Mill Stakes. Here are a few pictures.


Carmela practicing


You'd think that at almost 5, Sweeney would quit coming in on his head!!!


Carmela goes for the grab!!


MINE!!!!

Not so quick

The simplest answer might <b>not</b> be the right answer after all. I cut the grass today and the drive gave up the ghost after just a few minutes. I'm now thinking that the problem might lie in the belt being worn out. We'll see soon... Cross fingers, please! <G>