Words of wit and wisdom on alcohol

The Value of a Drink


"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink
I feel shame . Then I look into the glass and think
about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes
and dreams . If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out
of work and their dreams would be shattered.

Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their
dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver."

~Jack Handy

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell
happened to your bra and panties.
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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. "

~Frank Sinatra

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.
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"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."

~Henny Youngman

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.
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"24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."

~Stephen Wright

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.
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"When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!"

~ Brian O'Rourke

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause pregnancy.
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"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

~ Benjamin Franklin

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is a major factor in dancing like an idiot.
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"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."

~ Dave Barry

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love hem.
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To some it's a six-pack, to me it's a Support Group. Salvation in a can!

~ Dave Howell

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.
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And saving the best for last, as explained by Cliff Clavin, of Cheers.

One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the " Buffalo Theory" to his buddy Norm.
Here's how it went:

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not

I am not a conspiracy theorist.... most of the time.

Growing up in the 1960's I saw a lot of changes in our country and culture many of them not for the better I might add. Having reached voting age in the early 1970's I watched the Watergate scandal unfold on television and in the newspapers culminating with the only resignation of a president in the history of our nation. One of the sad after effects of Watergate was the public and even more so the press began to see a conspiracy behind every news story and developed an automatic distrust of anything that the government had to say. When you combine this with the fact that anyone associated with the news media, even the gofers that brought the coffee and doughnuts, thought they could become the next “Woodward & Bernstein” if only they could “crack” the conspiracy caused problems that exist to this day. Since I'm writing a blog entry and not a book I won't try to list them all here.

I have always looked at the many stories some of which have become a part of our culture with somewhat of a jaded eye. In most cases I think they either don't warrant all of the attention they get and could care less if there is really anything to the theories either way they work out. Others I think may have some seeds of truth in them but are blown so far out of proportion as to deny any real reasonable thought.

Having said that I have to admit there is one such story that has not only has captured my attention for most of my life but in which I do feel that there is a real conspiracy involved that withholds the entire truth of the matter from us. I have my own ideas on why the truth is being withheld but again I'm not attempting to write a book here so I will reserve those for another time.

Yesterday when I picked up the Tribune Review to browse while having breakfast a news item immediately caught my attention. Like many people my age I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing the moment that I heard that President Kennedy had been shot. Like wise I can also give you a very vivid description of where I was and who I was with when I learned that the shots fired at the president in Dallas that day had indeed been fatal. It will be much the same for my children and those of this generation when they tell their children where they were, who they were with and what they were doing on the morning of September 11th 2001.

In the years that followed I read and watched and listened to all of the swirl of information that surrounded the assignation and drew my own conclusions. About the only thing I haven't done is read the Warren Commission Report from cover to cover mostly because I think it would be a waist of my time. Having read parts of it and listened to analysts discuss and debate the report in its entirety I feel it is only good as a reference for those searching for the truth behind the matter.

Much of that report relies on the fact that all of the non fatal wounds suffered by Kennedy and then Governor John Connally were caused by one shot fired by Lee Harvey Oswald. The so called “single bullet theory” too which I have never subscribed. Well it turns out now that the research that was done in 1976 for a report commissioned by congress in response wide spread disbelief by the public of the Warren Commission was based on faulty science. You can follow this LINK for comments by Cyril Wecht on the story. Mr Wecht and I don't see eye to eye on many topics but this is not one of them.

As I said above, I am not generally a conspiracy theorist, but there is no way you can convenience me that Lee Harvey Oswald was the loan shooter in the Kennedy assignation. I'm not even sure that Oswald even pulled a trigger that fateful day in Dallas. There are far to many unanswered questions and far to many explanations that follow neither form nor logic. I'm not sure that the actual facts will ever come to light in my life time. There are still unanswered questions about the assignation of President Lincon over a century ago. Still I cling to hope that someday the truth will be told.

Oakmont Firefighters responding!

Oakmont is fortunate in that we have a volunteer fire department that is well staffed and has good response times even during daylight hours. Many people never think about this but as the population shrinks in Allegheny County the number of people available to be recruited as volunteer fire fighters also dwindles. Many communities now routinely call in surrounding departments when an alarm is sounded for a structure fire even before a fire has been confirmed due to the lack of manpower during daylight hours.

If you live in the City of Pittsburgh and dial 911 asking for the fire department you will have an engine at your door step in a matter of minutes. City residents however pay a heavy toll in taxes for that privilege a fact exacerbated by the previous mayor who signed sweet heart contract with city fireman to gain support for his last election. This is just one of the reasons that the city in now in bankruptcy.

My point being that even though you may not think about it or realize it your local volunteer fire department saves you an untold number of tax dollars each year in labor costs alone. Further many of these departments are as “professional” as the full time paid forces that you find in the city and some of its suburbs. These men and women take protecting their communities very seriously and while some are better than others they all deserve our support and appreciation.

This was brought to mind today as I returned home from dropping Linda off at work and heard the fire whistles sounding as I neared Fifth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. I turned and went towards the fire department where I snapped this picture as the engine left the station responding to a fire alarm at a home here in the borough. Fortunately it turned out to be a false alarm set off by contractors making dust that tripped the smoke detectors in the house.

I happen to know that the fire whistles, which were originally cold war air raid sirens, are controlled by a mechanical timer that runs for three minutes. I came down Virgina Avenue from Sixth Street where I snapped this picture and the sirens had just stopped there was already a crew on the engine and it was pulling out of the station. Think about that the next time you are asked to support you local department.

The power of prayer

This was sent to me by a friend and I can tell you from personal experience that the power of prayer is indeed real and tangible. Our prayers my not always be answered in the manner that we think they should be but I can tell you that they are all heard and all are answered according to God's plan. If you can't join the collective prayer take a moment at some point in your day to offer thanks to God for all of the blessings that he has bestowed on us and our country and ask that the Holy Spirit touch the lives of our fellow citizens that they too may hear this message.

Someone has said that, if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. In World War II there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate:

Every evening at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 pm Central) (6:00 pm Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along.

Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Together, we "CAN" make a difference!
Thank You and God Bless America.

Interesting Pittsburgh Trivia

For those of you born in Pittsburgh, this will just jog your Memory ~~

If you didn't live here it will be some trivia for you.......

Did You Know:
Pittsburgh (and some surrounding areas) was the first city
in the World to do a lot of neat things!



Here are a few of the most well-known.

First Heart, Liver, Kidney Transplant - December 3, 1989,
The first Simultaneous heart, liver and kidney transplant was done at
[Pitt University's] Presbyterian-University Hospital.

The First Internet Emoticon - 1980 The Smiley :-) was the first Internet Emoticon, created in 1980 by Carnegie Mellon University computer Scientist Scott Fahlman.

First Robotics Institute - 1979 The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University was established in 1979 to conduct basic and Applied research in Robotics technologies relevant to industrial and societal tasks. The College is still working on Robots in fact it is their robots are used in the unmanned Air craft that fly over Iraq.

First Mr. Yuk Sticker - 1971 Mr. Yuk was created at the Poison Center at
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh after research indicated that the
Skull and Crossbones previously used to identify poisons had little meaning
to the Children of today (for most children it means exciting things like
Pirates and adventure). Covering 27 counties and 33 percent of Pennsylvania's
Population, the Pittsburgh Poison Center at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is
the largest such center in the United States.

First Night World Series Game - 1971 Game 4 of the 1971 World Series was the first night game in World Series history. Pittsburgh tied the series in That game with a 4-3 win and went on to win the series, 4 games to 3. This was one of the last big moments in the career of well-loved Pirate, Roberto Clemente. Fourteen and a half months after the 1971 World Series, he Died in a plane crash off the coast of his native Puerto Rico as he attempted to take food, clothing and medical supplies to earthquake Victims in Nicaragua.

First Big Mac - 1967 Created by Jim Delligatti at his Uniontown McDonald's, the Big Mac debuted and was test marketed in three Other Pittsburgh-area McDonald's restaurants in 1967...McKnight Road, Bellevue and Butler. By 1968 it was A mainstay on McDonald's menus throughout the country and eventually, The world. The first Big Mac at McKnight Road restaurant was made by one Donald Stiegler Sr!!!

First Pull-Tab on Cans - 1962 The pull-tab was developed by Alcoa
And was first used by Iron City Brewery in 1962. For many years, Pull-tabs
were only used in this area.

First Retractable Dome - September 1961 Pittsburgh's Civic Arena boasts
The world's first auditorium with a retractable roof.
(This is still Being used although the Hockey team wants to tear it down and
build a New building)

First U.S. Public Television Station - WQED - April 1, 1954,
WQED, operated by the Metropolitan Pittsburgh educational Station, was The first community-sponsored educational television station in America and was also the first to telecast classes to elementary schools (1955).

First Polio Vaccine - March 26, 1953 The polio vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas E. Salk, a 38-year-old University of Pittsburgh researcher And professor, and his staff at the University of Pittsburgh.

First All-Aluminum Building - ALCOA - August 1953
The First aluminum-faced skyscraper was the Alcoa Building, a 30-story, 410
Foot structure with thin stamped aluminum panels forming the exterior Walls.
(This building is still being used today.)

First Zippo Lighter - 1932 George G. Blaisdell invented the Zippo Lighter in 1932 in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Although hardly a community "in the surrounding area," you can even find the
name of the Manufacturing location, either Bradford or Niagara Falls, Canada, Stamped on the bottom of every Zippo lighter. The name Zippo was chosen by Blaisdell Because he liked the sound of the word "zipper" - which was patented around the same time In nearby Meadville, PA.

First Bingo Game - early 1920's Hugh J. Ward first came up with The concept of bingo in Pittsburgh and began running the game at Carnivals in the early 1920s, taking it nation-wide in 1924. He secured a copyright on The game and wrote a book of Bingo rules in 1933.

First U.S. Commercial Radio Station - KDKA - November 2, 1920 Dr. Frank Conrad, assistant chief engineer of Westinghouse Electric, first constructed a transmitter and installed it in a garage near his home in Wilkinsburg in 1916. The station was licensed as 8XK. (Now there's a Real trivia question) At 6 PM. On Nov. 2, 1920, 8KX became KDKA Radio and began broadcasting at 100 Watts from a makeshift shack atop one of the Westinghouse manufacturing Buildings in East Pittsburgh. (The station is now KDKA)

The First Gas Station - December, 1913 In 1913, the first automobile service station, built by Gulf Refining Company, opened in Pittsburgh at Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in East Liberty. It was designed by J. H. Giesey.

The First Baseball Stadium in the U.S. - 1909 In 1909 the first baseball stadium, Forbes Field, was built in Pittsburgh, followed soon by similar stadiums in Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and New York. Forbes Field closed in 1970 when Three Rivers Stadium opened. PNC Park is the newest replacement, opening in 2001.

First Motion Picture Theater - 1905 The first theater in the world devoted to the exhibition of motion pictures was the "Nickelodeon," opened by Harry Davis on Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh.

First Banana Split - 1904 The banana split was invented by Dr. David Strickler, a pharmacist, at Strickler's Drug Store in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

The First World Series - 1903 The Boston Pilgrims defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates four games to three in baseball's first modern World Series in 1903. The Pirates lost the final game 4-3, before a crowd of 7,455 in Boston. Four of the series' games were played in Pittsburgh.

First Ferris Wheel - 1892/1893 The first Ferris Wheel, invented by Pittsburgh native and civil engineer, George Washington Gale Ferris (1859-1896) was in operation at the World's Fair (Columbian Exposition) in Chicago. It was over 264 feet high and was capable of carrying more than 2,000 passengers at a time.

Long-Distance Electricity - 1885 Westinghouse Electric developed alternating current, allowing long-distance transmission of electricity for the first time.

First Air Brake - 1869 The first practical air brake for railroads was invented by George Westinghouse in the 1860s and patented in 1869. In the same year he organized the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. With additional automatic features incorporated into its design, the air
brake became widely accepted, and the Railroad Safety Appliance Act of 1893 made air brakes compulsory on all American trains.

The STEELERS were purchased by Art Rooney Sr. for $2500...they were originally the Canton Bulldogs. They are the first team to win four super bowls, now five after six appearances, and the first team to get in the playoffs as a wild card and go all the way to win the Super Bowl.

The Pittsburgh Wrens played basketball at the Civic Arena but are no longer in existence.

The Rolling Stones came to Pittsburgh first and played at West View Park Danceland. It cost $.50 for admission. They were considered too weird and went back to England and came back only after the Beatles broke the ice.

Up in the sky, its a bird, its a plane.........

Yes as a matter of fact it was a plane. As Linda and I left the house this evening to drop some items off at Andy's house and visit with the grand children I heard a sound that I have not heard in some time. That being an airplane driven by propellers. I looked up in the sky directly over 5th Street to see a World War II B-17 bomber slicing through the air. Low and slow. I just happened to have my point and shoot digital in my hand at the time and managed to get this picture. I have seen this type of aircraft before but I always have to stop and stare when one appears in the sky. Needless to say it is not an everyday event.

What I was seeing today is one of three planes that are currently on exhibit at the Allegheny County Airport. They are part of the Wings Of Freedom tour and for just ten dollars you can climb over under around and through all three of these magnificent aircraft. Unfortunately they are only here for three days two of which have already passed. As far as I can tell this was not well publicized. If you have the chance to get out there today, Friday August 11th 2006, I think you will enjoy it.

Here is a much better image from the Wings Of Freedom web site.

Ken & Henry At The Movies

World Trade Center


I have a long time friend that I went to school with who moved back to the Pittsburgh area after retiring from the Colorado Springs Police Department. Henry and I used to attend the movies often when teenagers but haven't done so for years now. Recently he called me and said that I really needed to go see “Superman Returns” on the opening day and I agreed. It was such an enjoyable afternoon that when I saw the previews for “World Trade Center” I called Henry and returned the favor. So he and I went to Chesswick Theater Wednesday afternoon for the matinée.

Many times I have high expectations for a movie and they are so high that when I attend the opening day I find myself somewhat disappointed. The “wanting” being greater than the “having” as it were. Such was not the case with World Trade Center. I hope that when Monday comes that this movie is the box office champion when it comes to ticket sales for the weekend. Partially because it was an excellent story very well told for the format. More so because I think this country need a “wake up call” to remember the events of September 11th 2001 which seems to have faded from our memories all to fast as we return to “life as usual” in the post 9-11 era.

Everyone needs to remember those that suffered and died on that day leaving loved ones behind to grieve for them. To remember that our country had been attacked and thousands of our citizens killed on our own soil. These thing seem to have faded from the American consciousness and that bothers me a great deal.

The movie is primarily though not about the attack but about the valiant effort to save two men trapped in the rubble of the collapsed twin towers. Found by an former United States Marine who just put on his fatigues and “showed up” to help search for survivors the men might not have lived through the night had he not found them. Over all the movie has a very uplifting message that people will help each other out in times of trouble despite their differences. Much to my surprise director Oliver Stone also did not wander off into conspiracy theories and even more surprising did not try to comment on or slant the religious expressions that both men talked about while trapped underground.

The movie is ratted PG-13 for strong emotional content and language. I would not recommend this movie for preteens and only for very mature teenagers. I don't want to spoil the movie with any additional details but keep you eyes open for one small scene by one of the lesser known actresses that comes across with very powerful emotions.

My friend Henry saw the movie through different eyes being a retired police officer and having actually visited ground zero and taken pictures there. He came away from the movie with much more anger at the current complacency among many in this country for the war on terror. While not having the exact same feelings I do understand.

If you get the chance I recommend that you see this movie. I think it will have an impact on all who do.

August 6th 2006 and another year passes

Another year has pasted and here we are at August 6th again. I wrote an article last year on the sixtieth anniversary of the world changing event with my thoughts on how the decisions of the day had stood the test of time and history. I think they bear repeating on this August 6th in light of the current conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing war on terror faced by not only the United States but all peace loving countries in the world.

From a Christian perspective I deplore the loss of human life and the destruction that is being inflicted on both Israel and Lebanon yet I see no immediate answer to the conflict. If you read my previous posting you can guess my feelings on the current war taking place on the other side of the world. It appears as though Israel has two options. Stand by and be wiped from the face of the map while attempting to negotiate peace with your enemies or use military force to crush their ability to make war to the point that they will cease there activities.

As the rest of the world looks on waiting for Israel to do their work for them I am reminded of the old adage that “All evil needs to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing.”. We have already seen the results of that type of action in Europe in the 1930s. Let us hope that we don't have to lean the lesson again in the twenty first century with Iran.

I find this somewhat disturbing

While reading some local and national news on the web this morning I ran across this article on the Post Gazette site. This change in “procedures” bothers me somewhat especially where young people are involved in shoplifting. I have seen first hand the fear on the faces of a young person caught in the act of shoplifting when a police officer pats them down and places them in handcuffs. At least for some of them that is the point where they realize the serious nature of their acts and the possible consequences that lay ahead. Not all are so affected but for some it is the wakeup call that keeps them from going down a path that in the end lands them in far greater trouble. When Mayor Rudie Giuliani started his campaign which lowered crime in New York City by an order of magnitude he started with low level street crime. The word when out on the street that vandals, prostitutes and public drunks would not be tolerated and it had an immediate effect.

I can't say that all of the reasons given in this article are justified for the changes here in Pennsylvania, I can only hope that they don't have the opposite effect of what happened in New York. I suppose only time will answer the question.

Court curtails arrest powers
Summonses issued for certain crimes

Saturday, August 05, 2006
By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The prostitute, the vandal, the petty thief, the noisy public drunk and the shoplifter are among people police may no longer arrest on the spot -- with some exceptions and police discretion.
A change in the state's arrest procedure rules took effect this week. Under the new rules, police will no longer arrest suspects charged with second- or third-degree misdemeanors or summary offenses. Police must instead issue a summons for them to appear in court.

Follow this LINK to read the entire story.

Pittsburgh makes the top 10

A former Pittsburgh resident now living down south spotted this and sent me the link to this story. I think whoever wrote it has never been to Glen's Frozen Custard in Springdale which as far as I'm concerned should be in the top ten! Lets not forget Berkeys right here in Oakmont on Allegheny Avenue. Linda and I have both determined you need not venture into down town Pittsburgh in order to enjoy first quality ice cream. I'm sure those of you who have been to either will agree. So, if you are an ice cream aficionado, and I live with one of the top ten, I'm sure you will find this article interesting.


10 Spots for the Country's Top Ice Cream

National Ice Cream Month is over (President Reagan dedicated the month of July as such in 1984), but as the mercury continues to rise across the country, lines will only be lengthening in the coming weeks at ice cream parlors everywhere.
Below are recommendations, culled from Fodor's writers and our Talk forums, for where to go to indulge in the country's best ice cream. Have one that you'd like to share? Feel free to add it to "So Where's the REALLY GOOD Ice Cream," a seven-year old thread with over 300 suggestions!

Follow this LINK for the entire story.

Music and memories

While I have never been able to as they say “carry a tune in a bucket” music has been a great source of joy in my life. I was blessed by my mother with a love of music of all kinds and while she primarily enjoyed folk and country and western she exposed me to all types of music and allowed me to find my own preferences.

Those preferences ranged from classical to rock and roll. One birthday during my teen years I received a set of classical music albums, or LP for long playing, records that was a montage of artists and arrangements, selections from Hyadn to Bach to Mozart. I was thrilled with it and enjoyed it a great deal much to the puzzlement of friends my age. They were particularly confused since I spent many evenings and late nights on weekends at the controls of a reel to reel tape recorder building a library of my favorite songs recorded off the air from KQV's top forty list. I could mount one of these tapes and listen for some time to continuous Motown, Atlantic and other record labels with the likes of The Temptations, Stevie Wonder Diana Ross & The Supremes, Elvis Presley and many more. I guess I have given away my age talking about pop music on KQV currently an twenty four hour a day news station not to mention the groups and record labels mentioned. On top of that there are some out there scratching their heads asking “What is a record?”. How time flies when you are having fun!

There I go getting long winded again. All of this brings me to the reason for writing this posting. I spotted this compact disk, CD something todays generation does understand, at Amazon a few months ago and ordered it with out ever hearing a track from it. I can say with hesitation that I was not disappointed. I had my thoughts confirmed today by a professional reviewer on the web site Crosswalk and I would like to share that with you. Enjoy.

Alan Jackson's "Memories" Delivers on Title's Promise
Kristi Henson
CCM Magazine
Artist: Alan Jackson
Title: "Precious Memories"
Label: ACR/Arista Nashville

If ever you could judge an album by its cover, this would be the time. Let me paint you the picture (or just look above this review). An old, one-room, white-washed country church photographed in sienna-tinged hues of brown, black and white standing in a clearing. Simple. Graceful. Elegant … and poignant. Such is Alan Jackson’s "Precious Memories."

Follow this LINK to read the complete review.