tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870232506023913762024-03-12T20:42:08.149-04:00Dan's LifeBlogA Blog about my observations on life. And other stuff.Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-25045166602581183912019-08-11T15:08:00.001-04:002019-08-11T15:31:42.023-04:00I Love my Jorts, and I'm Not Ashamed to Say It....<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why have 'jorts' (or 'jeans shorts', for those unfamiliar with the slang) gotten such a bad rap the last few years? I never understood the furor over wearing them. Here's an example - look up 'jorts' in the Urban Dictionary and you get, for sentence usage, this pearl -</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dude, why
are you wearing jorts? You look like a douche.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c353c; font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #2c353c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">See what I mean? Here's another example, in a tweet I recently came across -</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2c353c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I thought my uber driver said he was buying a pair of $900 jorts but he actually meant Jordans. I don't know which one was worse.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why the uproar? Everyone likes wearing jeans, right? And most men I know live in shorts in the summer.... So why has the combination become so toxic in society today? I think it is essentially sexism - no one complains when a lady wears jorts, right? Especially if they are Daisy Dukes. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will admit that a few years ago, I put away my jorts, much to the relief of my wife and children. My daughter, especially, was so thankful she almost cried when I told her. But I started wearing them again last year because, dang it, they are JEANS, and I like jeans but they are too hot in summer.... So, my riveted, 5-pocket Wranglers are back on me, and I love them.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hmmm, maybe that is the issue, the fact that they are Wranglers...? Maybe if I spring for a pair of Lees.....</span><br />
<span style="color: #2c353c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #2c353c; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-91230573758231203712017-07-31T10:02:00.000-04:002017-07-31T10:02:09.746-04:00Driving in New Jersey<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wrote this back in 2012 (hence the quaint reference to 'MapQuest') but it is still true today...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="https://img1.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">Why New Jersey Hates Cars</span></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">By D. J. DiBiase</span></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">First off, let
me state that although I am not a native New Jerseyian, in the 16 years I have
lived here, I have come to enjoy it. (New Jersey
is really more a state of mind than an actual physical place, although if you
look at page 66 of my 2006 Rand-McNally atlas, you will indeed see a multicolored
picture of a state claiming to be New
Jersey.) But I digress. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">The roads are
not designed for cars in New Jersey.
Have you heard of jughandles? No, those are not the protruding lumps of flab
that stick out from your side, and I’m not talking ears. Jughandles are the way
you turn left by going right in New
Jersey. In other words, to make a left-hand turn, you
must bear to the right on a curving road where you will just miss the green
light to cross and therefore have to wait 10 minutes for it to change back to
green.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">Not a difficult
concept to understand, and not a bad idea. The problem is that frequently,
there are no jughandles and to turn left, you actually must ‘turn left’! This
maddening lack of consistency causes you to have to straddle several lanes of
traffic as you approach an intersection, until it becomes clear where you must
go – whether to dart right to use a jughandle or shoot left to get into a
left-turn lane. This causes many two-lane roads to become one-lane roads as
drivers straddle both lanes in an attempt to keep their options open. Of
course, if by some chance you cannot dart over to the right to use the
jughandle and decide, ‘No biggie, I’ll just take the jughandle at the next
intersection’, well, of course, the next intersection will have a left-turn
lane which you will miss because you’re in the right-hand lane (behind a
straddler) so you can get to the jughandle which isn’t there…. This could continue
until you reach Bergen County or Delaware,
depending upon your direction of travel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">Of course, you
won’t know that you’re in Bergen County or Delaware
because the signs indicating your location are probably faded to the point of
obscurity. When I moved into the state, I wondered for months why they went to
the trouble of hanging these large greenish-whitish boards next to the
stoplights or on poles at intersections. Then a native told me they were the faded
street signs. Oh. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">Speaking of
signs, New Jersey
has a system of secondary roads that are maintained by each separate county (21
of them in NJ). These roads are marked by highly-visible dark blue signs with Gulden’s
mustard-colored lettering, and they are approximately 12 inches by 12 inches in
size and generally behind overgrown roadside vegetation. The Route numbers
generally don’t show up on popular navigation sites such as MapQuest or Google
Maps. The roads occasionally change route numbers when you cross a county line,
and are more generally known by their street names (which also change). So, if
you’re driving on Route 613 in Monroe, it will also be known more commonly as
Spotswood-Englishtown Road in Spotswood or Devoe Avenue (also in Spotswood),
depending on where you are. If you’re driving through Jamesburg and take a left
onto County Route 612, it starts as Pergola and ends a few miles later as
Matchaponix. Yet no one refers to it as Route 612! And while Beach Avenue in Cape
May maintains it’s name on it’s entire length, because it is interrupted
by erosion in the center, the part to the <u>east</u> is called <u>West</u> Beach Ave,
while the part to the <u>west</u> is called plain old Beach Ave.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">One of the
major north-south roads in New Jersey
is the Garden State Parkway.
Being a Parkway, it is cars-only, no trucks. Umm, except for coach buses, which
apparently are cars and not trucks. Except that they are extremely wide and the
lanes on the GSP are slightly narrower than the norm (and your average
full-size pick-up truck). Also, there are numerous bridges crossing the GSP,
many of them an attractive stone-arched design. Of course, the height of the
archway is tallest in the middle, so you can be cruising down the middle lane
of the GSP at a leisurely 75, being passed like you’re standing still, when a
bus blows by you. If you’re approaching one of these bridges, you need to
immediately slow down as the bus will slew into your middle lane to ensure it
will clear the bridge. Since you’re struggling to just stay in your lane
because of the wake turbulence generated by the bus, it’s usually not an issue.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">It is
apparently a statute that all new developments in New Jersey have curbs made from Belgian
block, which is a rough squared-off stone intended to decorate the side of the
road and provide multiple, daily opportunities to shred tires and wheels. No
other area I have lived in has as much of this miserable stuff. Having
personally holed a tire when parking (albeit badly) at a doctor’s office, I can
attest for the dangers inherent in Belgian block curbing. All four of the
wheels on my Audi are marked, to various degrees, by their encounters with the
curbs around the state. Because they even use it at the end of the driveway, I
have a 3-inch lip that I have to negotiate just to park in my driveway (which I
generally do looking over my shoulder to see if the neighborhood teens are
screaming around the corner in their riced-up Civics as I inch my way over the
lip).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">Have you ever
gassed-up in New Jersey?
No, I’m not talking about the late, great Dayton Diner but our filling station
industry. You know, the ones where you’re never allowed to pump your own gas? Admittedly,
when it’s 10 degrees and the wind is howling, it’s certainly a benefit. But
mostly it’s a curse to those of us that don’t like the sides of our cars stained
and paint peeling from overflows and drips of gasoline from ham-handed pump
jockeys. Or asking for premium and getting a tank full of regular rot-gut and
having to live with the mistake through 350 rough-running miles. Or wondering
why exactly they need your credit card when they start pumping, if not to run
off 73 copies of illegal cards now sporting your credit card number. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">One of the
most exciting aspects of driving in New
Jersey is the new driver’s road test. This is done on
a road course set up next to specific Motor Vehicle Commission offices. The
potential driver gets to navigate this road course with an evaluator sitting in
the passenger’s seat, while the parent paces up and down on the walkway outside
the test building, watching this process proceed, muttering under his breath
‘Use your blinker, use your blinker!’ ‘Slow down!’ Look both ways at the stop
sign!’ And finally, the parallel parking! ‘Cut the wheel! Cut the wheel! Now
the other way! No! NO! Too sharp an angle! Arghhh!’ I’m sure they have a
defibrillator on site.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">New Jersey</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;"> is a wonderful place to live and
visit, as long as you don’t have to drive here. </span></div>
</span>Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-7393084400008555422017-07-21T13:27:00.000-04:002017-07-21T13:27:00.959-04:00Random Thoughts<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A lot going on in my mind these days....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For some reason, I always set the climate control setting in my car to an odd
number (71 degrees), while the radio volume is always an even number
(12).... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the glut of ads for prescription drugs, a couple of things disturb me -</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- There's the ad with the guy refurbishing an old house - looks like Kansas or something - where he removes a fireplace piece that supports the mantle - a curlicue sort of wooden piece - and takes it to be restored. But he only removes one - they show it several times during the ad - yet at the end of the ad there are magically two of these pieces restored!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Another commercial has a woman hiking all through the mountains on trails while they discuss the benefits of this particular wonder drug. The entire time she is hiking, she is holding on to her backpack straps - the ENTIRE TIME.... Who hikes like that? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- To this day, after years of seeing them, I still don't understand what the bathtubs represent in Cialis commercials. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't understand why people put old toilets out by the curb when they replace them - literally the day after garbage collection day! Wouldn't you be embarrassed to have your crappy old toilet (see what I did there?) on display for everyone to admire for a week? That's why there are garages....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's getting harder for me to believe that Trump and/or the Trump Organization don't owe someone in Russia a lot of money. BTW, who names their company 'Organization'?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think the smartest person in the world HAS to be Alex Trebek. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-70822676797699753192017-06-30T17:00:00.004-04:002017-06-30T17:09:12.538-04:00Farewell to '324553'<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wednesday, June 28th brought mixed emotions for me. It was the last day of 36 years at IBM - actually, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">36 years, 7 months and 25 days to be exact. Or, </span>13,386 days, to be more exact. The mixed emotions come from not really leaving on my own terms, yet not being able to complain about a long career with mostly highs and very few lows.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to think about all of the changes that my grandmother, who was born in 1905, had seen in her lifetime, when she passed a few years ago. I guess I could play that same game. When I started with IBM, there were no personal computers. In my first job, as an Accounts Payable Specialist, I had no computer at all, not even a dumb terminal. That came about a year after I was in the job, and I actually shared a terminal with the person who sat in front of my! We had a 'Lazy Susan' sort of contraption that sat on my desk, that had the terminal and keyboard on it, that we would spin around to use. It was a massive, green-on-black screen sort of beast. Very futuristic-looking as well. Well, 1970's futuristic. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Smoking was still allowed in the office. I started working in a small room with 2 other people, and fortunately, no one smoked. After about 18 months, I got a new position which moved me out into a bullpen area. Next to me was a guy who smoked 2 packs of cigarettes every day. He would wear those suits that came with 2 pairs of pants and had a reversible vest, and he came in every day with a pack of cigarettes in each vest pocket, and work his way through them throughout the course of the day. I must have smelled like smoke at the end of each day, but don't particularly recall that being an issue.... Just the way things were.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was also the 'white shirt' years at IBM. Uniforms, indeed. When I got the job, I remember having a conversation with my Dad and him asking me how I was fixed for suits. I said that I had one but also a blazer and slacks I could wear. He almost had a heart attack and sent me money to buy a couple of suits and shirts - white, of course. One day I wore a white shirt with a very light pinstripe - very conservative, button-down, etc - and my boss asked me if I was on vacation that day! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> My first interview for a manager's job was in Albany NY. In those days, they were not really interviews; if you were on the 'management list' the Area Administration Manager would basically kind of line you up with a branch office that would potentially need a first-line manager around the time you were deemed to be 'ready'. So, I was kind of slotted to go to Albany, NY. The branch Business Operations Manager was a guy named Joe Griggs, who at the time was a fairly hard-drinking character. I drove to Albany in the afternoon (I was working in Waltham MA at the time) and met Joe for dinner at a local restaurant. He was a Jack-and-coke drinker. For some reason, I felt it was important to match him drink-for-drink, so I had 2 beers before dinner then another 2 or 3 with dinner. I remember getting back to the hotel pretty smashed and looking at myself in the mirror thinking, 'What did I do?!'. The next day </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was very hung-over, while Joe looked as fresh as a daisy.... I had</span></span> the 'official' interview, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">which we had basically done over dinner, a tour of the office and then a sit-down with the Branch Manager. In those days, Branch Managers were like ship captains - they ruled their domains and were the final word. I was really feeling crappier and crappier as the morning wore on, and remember sitting in his office, hung over, with the sun glaring in on me, sweating bullets and being choked by my (white!) shirt collar and the Branch Manager's unfiltered Camels... I remembered nothing about the interview later. But I guess I did ok because I did end up with the job. But it was a premonition because it was probably the worst job I had in IBM, although I did learn a lot of negative lessons from it ("When I'm an Admin Manager I will NEVER....").</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Probably one of my favorite memories is how the Area Administration Manager, Marlene O'Toole, cured me of carrying change in my pocket.... I was on the Area staff in Waltham, in the late 80's, after having completed by first-line manager job in Albany. This was a staff job in preparation for becoming a second-line Business Operations Manager. I did a presentation in front of the area managers and apparently was jangling the change in my pocket at one point. The next day, Marlene called me into her office and asked me to take the change out of my pocket and give it to her. So I did. The next day, same thing - asked for the change and I gave it to her. The next day, the same. The fourth day, I finally asked what she was doing and she told me that I had been jangling the change in my pocket during my presentation. I didn't even realize what I had been doing. But it took me 4 days before I realize what SHE was doing! But the lesson stuck, to this day I do not carry any change in my pockets! (Interesting aside - Marlene retired in the early 2000's and moved to The Villages in Florida, where she is now their representative in the Florida State Legislature). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">324553?
Well that was my serial number (when I started they actually called
them 'man numbers'!). Later in my career, you could always tell the old
timers by their all-numeric serial number. Nowadays, most have
one or two alpha characters. I guess they tell old timers now by having
only one letter in their serial number! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lots of other stories and memories, but maybe for a later day. They do make me feel better about 'moving on'. IBM was a great place to spend a career, regardless of how it ended. It helped me straighten my kids teeth, house and educate them and gave me access to a lot of skills I used in my daily life and hopefully going forward. I also met and worked with a lot of wonderful people, many of whom are still friends. Can't be bitter about any of that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-46141388186032757632017-06-22T14:17:00.000-04:002017-06-22T14:17:07.045-04:00Welcome Back.... To Me!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently came across the bookmark for my various blogs - one for each of my MGB's, a general auto-related one, and a blog I used to maintain for my son Rob's Scout Troop, Troop 888 in Dayton NJ. And this one. I thought I would resurrect this because, God knows, just like lawyers, we can always use another blog.....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought maybe I would restart this by talking about our dog, Bo. We adopted him in October of 2014, about 6 months after our previous dog of 15 years, Dixie, passed away. We felt like it was the right time to do it, and try to fill the void left by Dixie. We are dog owners, and you can't really escape that fact.... They add a lot to our quality of life and I especially enjoyed having some company at home while I work. That was the toughest adjustment for me, not having that daily companion. Just having a dog lying in the study while I worked was very comforting somehow. And dogs are always excited to see you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, Bo. We adopted him from the Humane Society in Tinton Falls, and kind of fell in love with him as soon as we walked him outside of his cage. He seemed to have a good personality, which has been borne out over time. Unfortunately, he had a rough life up until the time he was rescued. He was a bait dog for a fighting ring in Newark, and when he was found, it was apparent that he had recently been in the ring. What they do with bait dogs - raise them to be submissive and when they are old enough, they duct tape their muzzle shut, put tape around their paws (so they can't injure the fighting dogs) and throw them into the pit for the fighting dogs to practice on..... Bo was pretty marked up when he was found, and still bears some scars from his earlier life. He was still pretty shy and submissive when we first got him, but has come out of his shell now and is a lot of fun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is a picture of what he looked like - he's on the cover under his 'previous' name, Aslan -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ahscares.org/downloads/HN-October13.pdf">https://www.ahscares.org/downloads/HN-October13.pdf</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's him in the top photo, with the red collar. His story is on page 7. Still disgusts me to read it. He seems like a 'normal' dog now, although he likes to be around us most of the time. Which is fine with us! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-55500350434179360472015-10-01T12:50:00.001-04:002015-10-01T12:50:22.563-04:00Waiting for Joaquin....Looks like we might have a direct hit from Joaquin early next week.... Last I saw was about a 30% chance for it to make landfall in NJ, as perhaps a Cat2 or 3..... Which would almost be a repeat of Sandy.... Oh boy.... Keep tuned to this (blog) channel for updates......Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-39462501129464444792012-10-29T12:09:00.001-04:002012-10-29T12:09:20.006-04:00Hurricane Sandy Post #3Noon ET Monday - still just lots of wind and rain, although the wind gusts are definitely stronger than earlier. Study window seems to have stopped leaking. Ran out to get more milk, since Kathleen was afraid we would run out. We normally drink about 1/2 a gallon a week, but since Friday night, when we had 1/2 gallon, they have been drinking it. I assume I will end up dumping this new one down the drain when it goes bad.<br />
<br />
A lot of dumb people were out driving around and going to Wawa....Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-20925209709519393072012-10-29T09:11:00.000-04:002012-10-29T09:11:34.400-04:00Hurricane Sandy Post #2First branch down at 9:00 am....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ap31tbfL4L8/UI6AUxgWf-I/AAAAAAAAAVY/32p9uITL1v8/s1600/PA290305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ap31tbfL4L8/UI6AUxgWf-I/AAAAAAAAAVY/32p9uITL1v8/s320/PA290305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-42229013573406465272012-10-29T08:21:00.002-04:002012-10-29T08:21:31.931-04:00Hurricane Sandy Post #1Ok, so we are into it now, at 8:00 am ET in Central New Jersey.<br />
<br />
I woke up around 5:00 am this morning as the wind and rain started to pick up at that point, at least enough to wake me up.... Seems like mostly coming from the east - northeast, as my study is in the front of the house, facing NE and the rain is lashing the windows now.<br />
<br />
Spent Saturday most of the day prepping - caulked a couple of windows, brought in all of the outdoor furniture and grill, made a couple of runs to the brush dump to get rid of our leaves in the street (Township had not come by to vacuum them up yet) as well as a couple of tarps full of stuff Kathleen had pulled out of the backyard last weekend. Pretty much ready to go by mid-afternoon.<br />
<br />
Yesterday was quiet all day - literally, the calm before the storm. A little wind and a few showers, but that wa sit. But we are into it now.<br />
<br />
School is closed at least today and tomorrow, and Kathleen's work is closed those 2 days as well. They closed my office but of course, said that 'if you can work at home, please do'....<br />
<br />
Looks like I missed one window in my study to caulk, as it just started leaking a bit...<br />
<br />
DanDan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-63960073692944346362011-08-29T07:23:00.000-04:002011-08-29T07:26:51.531-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #137:15 am Monday - Ok, this is really the last post... One last bit of damage in the house - Colleen noticed a ceiling tile in the basement was wet, towards the back of the house. After checking it out, I determined that it was water that must have dripped from the heat duct that ran from the main ductwork at the back of the house, to the vent next to the front door, where we had a small puddle of water from the leaking picture window. Water probably ran down the vent and into the duct, and when the duct turned down to meet the main duct, leaked out onto the ceiling tile. It looks drier this morning.
<br />
<br />All in all, Irene turned out to be mainly a pest for our family, not a disaster, fortunately. I'm glad we were prepared!
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-46236680895358368652011-08-28T13:18:00.000-04:002011-08-28T15:42:19.123-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #123:00 pm - Probably my last post, since the worst has definitely passed us. Still windy out, and it looks like we might get another band of rain, but people seem to be out and about a little. Took a long walk around the neighborhood, saw a couple of trees tilting but only the one at my neighbor's that had actually fallen over. I can hear his chainsaw at work now.
<br />
<br />Talked to Rob up in Keene a few minutes ago, they are fine and have power in their dorm. He and his roommates are getting ready to head over to their Fraternity House for a while. He actually parked his car there yesterday as he heard that the parking lot at school where he normally parks floods.... No word on whether classes will be starting tomorrow. The worst of the storm hasn't really hit there yet.
<br />
<br />Also just heard from AJ, they survived as well, no power outages and they didn't run out of beer. Classes for them have been postponed from Tuesday but they haven't announced a start date yet.
<br />
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-88189479332089888952011-08-28T08:04:00.001-04:002011-08-28T08:10:30.039-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #118:00 am - Just came in from a walk around the block. Very little damage. Collected all 4 of my missing shutters, too. But no paper delivered yet. Still raining, but alternating between heavy and light, with gusting winds. All the grass is squelchy underfoot. Power out to about 5,000 residents, including across Georges Rd from us. A few pictures -
<br />
<br />House of the Missing Shutters
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80pzZOzNBcQ/TlovMpP3ZFI/AAAAAAAAATM/QNfWSyCe60A/s1600/P8280167.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80pzZOzNBcQ/TlovMpP3ZFI/AAAAAAAAATM/QNfWSyCe60A/s320/P8280167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645876977139672146" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />River Running Through It
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5N_xSgzfUM8/TlovZkyX8HI/AAAAAAAAATU/PJwt0kVRYPg/s1600/P8280168.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5N_xSgzfUM8/TlovZkyX8HI/AAAAAAAAATU/PJwt0kVRYPg/s320/P8280168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645877199280533618" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Only damage I saw until I walked around the corner....
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGm9Jpdp0CU/TlovnFlI33I/AAAAAAAAATc/YbHWH1eePls/s1600/P8280169.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGm9Jpdp0CU/TlovnFlI33I/AAAAAAAAATc/YbHWH1eePls/s320/P8280169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645877431421689714" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />...and saw this. Good thing it fell this way and not the other.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuhC4dKR6Ck/TlovywOnPgI/AAAAAAAAATk/qxqGVFi44r8/s1600/P8280170.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuhC4dKR6Ck/TlovywOnPgI/AAAAAAAAATk/qxqGVFi44r8/s320/P8280170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645877631848496642" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-5037974025486087732011-08-28T07:20:00.000-04:002011-08-28T07:23:11.273-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #107:15 am Sunday - Made it through the night, although didn't sleep much. Left the TV on low volume so we could hear if the tornado watch turned into a warning. Still raining hard and very windy, although it seems to be shifting away from the front of the house (NE facing) to the right side (NW facing). Good news for my leaking windows in the front. Damage-wise, everything looks ok, but I have lost several shutters - one is sitting on the front steps.
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-6586390249729644652011-08-27T23:25:00.000-04:002011-08-27T23:26:11.270-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #911:25 PM - Wind/rain really strong now. Multiple leaks from windows above front door. Can't believe caulk doesn't last 15 years.
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-66049532631103709122011-08-27T22:38:00.000-04:002011-08-27T22:40:43.883-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #810:40 pm - The first major 'flicker' in the electricity.... Earlier than I though it might happen! Major rain and wind right now, beating against the house. Haven't decided whether to stay up and monitor the situation, but I suspect the wine with dinner and a Pat O'Brien 'Hurricane' drink might decide for me....
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-73613070028619739712011-08-27T20:20:00.000-04:002011-08-27T20:22:09.123-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #78:20 pm - Still raining heavily and windy. If I hear the expression 'hunkered down' on TV one more time, I may become deranged.
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-74765787078575947742011-08-27T19:29:00.000-04:002011-08-27T19:30:37.024-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #67:30 pm - Well, the newly-caulked study window is leaking already. Not a good sign. I thought I had fixed it, but I guess I was too caulky about it...
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-89302229972370269162011-08-27T18:44:00.001-04:002011-08-27T18:45:52.748-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #56:45 pm - Just had a decent-sized wind gust to accompany the suddenly-heavier rain. Looks like we are into the main rain bands now. Just saw the filled bathtub and am wondering why it's blue, when the tub isn't. Hope Kathleen got all the bleach out...
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-14595210787812916662011-08-27T16:54:00.001-04:002011-08-27T16:56:30.772-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #45:00 pm - Rain coming down pretty heavily now, and the wind is picking up. I guess we are officially 'into it' now.
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-21419700844062496562011-08-27T15:19:00.001-04:002011-08-27T15:20:48.357-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #33:15 pm - Still not much activity. Some rain, but basically zero wind. Governor Christie just had a news conference, I think Irene is afraid to approach NJ because the Governor said to 'stay the hell away from New Jersey'....
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-6946718887523497582011-08-27T13:41:00.000-04:002011-08-27T13:42:29.519-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #21:40 pm - Panic sets in as I realize we are out of grenadine. I brave the elements to go to the liquor store.
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-615695067992757452011-08-27T11:37:00.000-04:002011-08-27T11:43:40.893-04:00Hurricane Irene Post #1I will try to keep this going as long as we have power and Internet access!
<br />
<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><pre><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">11:35 am Saturday</span></b></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:100%;"> – we've had one band of showers come through
<br />so far, around 9:00 am, and it looks like it's about to start again. Getting
<br />a little breezy out now too. Very humid and gross outside, 78 degrees.
<br />House is as prepped as we can get it, everything outside moved into
<br />the garage or tucked away. Oh yeah, caulked that leaking window in my
<br />study, too... Basement floor cleared of anything that could soak up
<br />water that could be moved. Water and supplies laid in, candles ready
<br />to go.
<br /></span></pre>
<br />Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-39668624660273084102011-07-03T16:06:00.000-04:002011-07-03T16:07:23.867-04:00The 'stache is dead......long live the 'stache! Decided to kill the whole thing this morning. Oh well. Perhaps next time I do a goatee I will keep the 'stache part for a day or two when I inevitably shave it off....Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-60793250887795489432011-07-01T09:44:00.000-04:002011-07-01T09:46:42.580-04:00Sneak Mustache AttackOk, I am disguising my mustache with a full goatee, to deceive those that have somehow discovered that I am growing one.... Also, I'm not crazy about the half-grown look. Somehow, a goatee looks ok while it's growing in, but a 'stache just seems creepy....Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1687023250602391376.post-13597521744867736962011-06-29T14:31:00.000-04:002011-06-29T14:34:39.102-04:00Return of the CentipedeFor some reason I am growing a mustache... Felt like it was time for some facial hair but didn't feel like the usual goatee. I may also add a soul patch. But having just gotten my summer haircut (buzzed to about 3/8 inch) I feel like I need some balance on my head! And not really having much of an upper lip, a 'stache balances things off nicely!Dan DiBiasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905245050704604014noreply@blogger.com0