May 2008

There were 56 posts published in May 2008 (this is page 3 of 6).

Doing my part for the drought

It will continue to rain heavily every other day. That is, until I finally get around to collecting rainwater again. This is similar to having it rain right after washing one’s car.

Slipping through the cracks

Two years ago I wrote how the picture of little Sean Ford Paddock haunted me. It still does. Kids don’t deserve the kind of abuse this poor kid and his siblings had to suffer. It turns my stomach.

Now the murder trial of Lynn Paddock has begun. I hope that something good can come out of this, that something will change, but I’m not optimistic.

Its such a complex problem. Sean couldn’t stay home because of abuse. He couldn’t stay with his uncle because of the expense. All he had left was Lynn Paddock, the adoptive mother who offered him a loveless home. Where do you go when your parents aren’t fit to be parents?

Raleigh led the way on daylight saving time

Think Raleigh flubbed the recent disposal ban? That was nothing compared to the controversy Raleigh had in May 1932.

According to David Prerau’s book Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time, in May 1932 Raleigh became one of the few Southern cities to adopt Daylight Saving Time. Like a lot of decisions both past and present, the city held a public hearing when it began studying the matter. The meeting was packed with DST supporters, many of whom touted the recreational benefits of the time change. Local businesses got behind the plan, and shortly afterward city commissioners overwhelmingly approved the move to DST. On May 1, 1932, less than two days after the vote, Raleigh moved its clocks ahead for the very first time.
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Housewarming, heartwarming

Among the many great things that happened today, this morning featured my wife telling me “I’m enjoying our lives right now.”

She’s right. We had a great weekend, with a fun housewarming party yesterday, a number of family bike rides, and a kids’ party or two. The weather has been beautifully sunny and also beautifully stormy. We’re in a good spot, that’s for sure.

We’re very, very fortunate to have the friends and family we have. Y’all rock!

Middle Crabtree Trail ready to roll

Travis and I got out this afternoon for a tandem bike ride along the Middle Crabtree Trail greenway.

It was teh awesome! A long boardwalk through wetlands, followed by a nice smooth stretch through woods, passing under two sets of train tracks and Capital Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue! Travis and I went as far as the CSX tracks northwest of Atlantic Avenue before turning back because we ran out of time. In that stretch, though, we traveled some impressive boardwalks in a relaxing, woodsy setting. In twenty minutes we made it from home almost to Wake Forest Road.

I look forward to finding time to continue even further west on this gem of a greenway!

Raleigh Neighborhood College: Parks and Recreation

Tonight’s Raleigh Neighborhood College class was on Raleigh’s Parks and Recreation department. Topics covered the many Raleigh parks, Raleigh’s greenways, and the maintenance the Parks department does.

I found it to be a most enjoyable topic and took pleasure in quizzing the staff for all the questions I’ve saved up. I think I unintentionally dominated the questioning, though normally the whole class gets involved. I suppose parks and recreation isn’t as controversial as some of the other topics, but I sure wanted some answers!
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RBC Plaza webcam

I’ve been having some fun with the RBC Plaza webcam. Click on the presets at the bottom of the screen to look around downtown Raleigh.

My building can’t be seen as its on the north side of the RBC Plaza building. Its fun, nevertheless.