July is finished, but I'm not.

Yes today is the last day of July 2010 and in a way I'm glad to see it go. This past month has been brutally warm & humid. While today did start reasonably cooler and less humid, the heat did creep up again.

So since my last entry on the 14th, quite abit has occured, and some folks are still going WTF?!.

I've a clock I keep set to Greenwich Mean Time. During the hours of Day Light Savings, I just need to remember it is four hours ahead of local time. For some reason I get the queerist looks when some unfortunate soul asks me what the time is and I respond with a 24 hour clock reference and zulu time. So if its noontime; 12:00hours local it is 16:00 ZULU Time and what does that have to do with the current time? absolutely nothing unless I've been playing around with the sextent and practicing the mathematical computations for a Latitude & Longitude reference. So it just gives me something I can mess around peole's heads with.

Now I've probably stated this in the past but if not it is no big deal. I've got 3 brother's and we all have a large and overlapping sphere of friends and aquaintences.
Still I'll come across folks I know and they'll say either I saw your brother or to say hi to my brother for them and invariably I respond back "Which one?". In the NY, CT and PA region I hit across all three states having had worked and or lived in them at various times. My oldest brother lives in PA and my two younger brothers live here in NY. But we've got numerous contacts in CT & PA. So if anyone says to me say hi to my brother please reference the one you're intending or I my give regards to the wrong one again & again....

Then there is the Annual Irish Feis at Athony Wayne Recreation Area, Its a fun time and there are numerous bands & bagpipes performing along with the step dancers.
When you get tired of the Pipes & Drums I do suggest that you watch the step dancers, They can be very entertaining. As for getting there I go by motorcycle. I'm required to by law. Yes it is a legal neccessity that I travel by motorbike to the Feis. You might consider that strange, and it may well be. However I don't need to get a ticket from the NY State Park Police for operating a Commercial Vehicle on the Parkway without a permit. And my van is registered as a that. Still the feis was warm and sunny but I took it in stride sporting an umbrella as a sunshade while watching the events while others baked in the broiling sun.

Ah in regards to my brothers. One is now out of work and laid up after undergoing surgery to repair his right shoulder. Man that was on impressive bruise the Doctors imparted on him. He was employed by a Telephone company and while out to do some work on the right of way he found himself dropping inot an improperly marked hole in the ground. So he's got torn connective tissue the doctors had to find both in his arm and chest to attach to pins now set in his shoulder. Now as he's still healing up from the surgery I'll be at his place about once a week on average to assist with a few chores; Torching and monitoring brush piles as they burn; Weed wacking around the yard or pressurewashing the house....Simple things really but difficult enough if your arm is laid up.

As for physical activities, I'm still intending to train up for and complete a third marathon. This is absolutely my final one. The knees aren't what they used to be and I'm going to Physical Therapy twice a week for the same issue as last time I went.
So with kneebraces in place I do get out and run. Admittedly much slower than in previous years. Still I find myself needing to maintain a moderae level of physical activity and to that end I've brought a new water toy. The good news is its not a boat; sail, power or row. Its not a canoe, I've got one and access to two more. Its a Stand Up Paddleboard or a SUP for short. You don't need a great sense of balance to use one but a measure of balance is handy as well as good knees or in my case good knee braces/supports. Think of a 10&1/2 to 12 foot long surfboard as might be found in the old Gidget movies and rather than kneeling upon it or laying on your belly and paddling with your hands to move along; You use a long paddle similar to a canoe paddle to propel yourself through the waters. The longest distance I've covered is roughly 2&1/2 miles and its a fair upper body work out. Not high im-act but assuredly aerobic.

Say did I mention Bagpipes? Well this summer I've been practicing and playing with the Stephen Driscoll Memorial Pipe Band . Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 704. Its been fun educational and interesting. As for bagpiping Next weekend there are two events I'll be involved with. The Volunteer Firemans' Parade down by Sing Sing Prison and Pipefest on the Intrepid Museum in NYC on August 7th. The organizers are looking to set a Guinness Record as well; So I'll be down there with members of the band.

Sporting events I'm not participating in as a contestant; Lake Placid NY, The Ironman competition. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of bicycling and 26.2 miles of running. Yeah and I'm nuts for doing a simple standalong marathon. But I was there this year assisting with the volunteer security. I now remember that the general public is ignorant and should be given direction reinforced with the swinging of a riot batton. But all in all it was an interesting experience there and I'm not too certain about doing that again. But aside from the drive up, meals and beer my cost was minimal and sleeping accomodations very adequate. Just a few steps above primitive but not terribly so. for if I choose I had full access to internet connections and a host of electronic services.

Finally since I'm not writing a newer version of War & Peace. as stated earlier I'm preparing for a 3rd and final marathon. The Marine Corps Marathon again in Washington DC and this year it is being held on Halloween Day! YEA! So as for training I am about 1/2 to my training goal with three months left to the event and today's long run was 20 kilometers. That is 12.42 miles for the metricly challenged. While my pace is off from last year, gee I wonder why, I'm certain I can successfully complete this.

So that pretty much covers in words what's been going on in my immediate world and By Thanksgiving if not earlier for reasons beyond my control I'll be in MS visitng with the parents and probably pressure washing their home too.

So for now have a very safe summer everyone stay hydrated and keep good spirits about yourself; It'll make the unhappy people wonder what you are up to.

Summer Time and the living is easily hot & humid. (Rants followed by Raves)

Well its Bastille Day. May I suggest the guillotining of politicians in honor of the day? No, seriously the entire NY State legislature for failing to serve the people of the state of New York by not having a state budget prepared and still wanting full pay for sitting on their arses. If the incompetents were contractors they would be required to pay hefty fines and penalties at this point. Since NY State Governance seems headless prehaps it is the way to respond.

Now with that set aside. Lets progress to the more important things of life.
Talking of fun things and being disparaging of stupid people.

For followers of anything Irish there is the Rockland County Feis at the Anthony Wayne Rec Area this Sunday the 18th. It is usually a fun experience and if I go I'll be riding the H-D there as my other vehicle is registered as a Commercial vehicle and not allowed on Parkways in NY without a special permit. Hey Governor Paterson heres an idea. Return pickup trucks and those ubiquious gas sucking SUVs to Commercial Vehicle status and tax em the same. That'll help improve fuel economy as morons scramble for more fuel efficent vehicles to drive.

Hey has anyone noticed that Geese don't pay attention to road ettiquette and hinder traffic especially during the rush hour? Also NY has a large year round population of environment fouling water fowl. Since the food pantries have been suffering with the economic down turn perhaps its time to help out by culling the Goose population. Then we get a multiple plus equation. Less Goose dropping on recreational areas to create health hazards, Cleaner pedestrian and bicycle paths, reduced traffic delays due to obstructionist geese, and a protien source that can be harvested readily for the poor & destitute or even state inmates. Not to mention cleaner lakes and ponds.

Rush Limbaugh, Ah theres a scion of morality and sensibility. Did you know he's sold his NYC Penthouse so that he can leave NY and it's High Taxes. Rush please don't come back; While I've found some ideas reasonable and your show vaguely entertaining you've lost relevance to this middleclass retiree. Your mesage has been lost in the Bombast of your over bloated self.

Speaking of Bloated, Thank you Mr. President for creating more overlapping layers of Federal Government. The Flow Chart makes the old Stalinist Government of the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics understandable in comparison. I just hope all those appointtees are in a viable 401K plan and not a federal retirement 407K plan.

Yeah I'm ranting a bit but hey its a source of outlet on my frustrations.

So with the rants done.

BAGPIPES!
Yeah I've been playing with them still and also have been hangingout with Pipers of all ilks. The Fraternal Order of Police lodge 704; The Plumbers and Steam Fitters Union Local 21 Pipes and Drums; occasionally a few folks from the Cold Spring Fire Department Pies & Drums; and a few from the Yorktown Irish.

The Plumbers and Steamfitters Hosted a most excellent picnic last month and a fun time was had by all. A few pipers even became enamored of my small pipes and will be chasing down a set for them selves.

Last week during a Parade in Westchester County the Plumbers assisted the FOP with a Piper and Drummer, and in return I had gone up to Dutchess County to lend my pipes to thier presence at a Parade in Wappingers for a fund raiser for Juvenile Diabetes research also co-hosted by radio station WPDH. Good day and a Good Cause at the Picnic in the Park.

As for tonight, I guess I really should return the FOP's Base Drum. I've held it for the past week since the parade.

And of course the Rockland Irish Feis as mentioned earlier. Its usually a fun and entertaining day. If you go; get there early, wear sunscreen, carry an umbrella and check out the Step Dancers and Piper competitions.Why sun screen & an umbrella? Its usually sunny and hot, depending upon where and when you watch the competitons the umbrella can add a bit of greatly needed relief from the broiling sun. Or should a shower roll through as can happen in the summer protection from the rain as well.

No Pictures to add currently but maybe in about 2 weeks as I'll be headed north to help out with a Large Sporting event in Upstate NY.

So as a final bit with the current high humidity levels and heat. Stay safe and hydrated everyone. Heat Injuries are real.

Cheers!