I’m back from New Jersey in what turned into a daylong journey. Twelve hours, total. Flights into and out of Dulles Airport were backed way up due to fog molecules on the runway. My Independence Air flight left Newark two hours late. Ouch.

Decided to drive from DC to avoid an overnight stay. I-95 was a parking lot, for miles. A jog to US1 and US301 kept it from being an even longer night.

The air system in this country is broken. The highways are broken. How are people supposed to get around?

This headline on Fark has had me chuckling all week:

Unemployed British teens offered free iPod, kick in the ass

In one of the worst-kept secrets in history, it was announced today that my employer has been acquired. The post back in April claiming another day at the office was anything but, as it was the day we found out.

Since then, things have gotten cozier as we’ve gotten to know each other. There are some great ideas on the proverbial table and a great team to make it happen. My visit to New Jersey has been a part of this process. I’m also jus tglad to have the news out there so that people can get on with things.

The transition stuff is a bit overwhelming, as can be expected. I’m eager to get beyond this phase and really get down to work.

Two Reelers
Frank Black

A lot of people love that Jerome
Did you know he missed his comb?
All his life was in pain
Made us laugh he never did complain
Brother Sam was more than OK
Returned once more to save the day
Slicked-back hair he did keep
Making a heep, heep, heep, heep, heep
Continue reading →

Lately I’ve been reading the blog of my buddy Scott‘s in-laws, Todd and Cheryl, called The Margarita Lounge. Though I don’t always agree with Todd, he does write some funny, entertaining posts. It’s always good to get the view from Margaritaville, too.

I’m adding The Margarita Lounge to the blogroll. Stop by and say hi.

A while back, I asked N&O columnist Joe Miller if he had a blog. Joe’s column “Take It Outside” has long been one of the gems of the paper. At the time Joe didn’t have a blog, but now he does! Like his newspaper column, Joe’s blog has become the highlight of the N&O’s blogging site.

Visit Joe’s blog for the best way to know what cool outdoor fun can be had in the Triangle.

This is just criminal. The state crime lab – which processes DNA evidence – has a serious backlog of cases. Thus, innocent people may be languishing in prison while the guilty may still be free. Its one area of law enforcement where a little extra money can go a long, long way. I’ve heard about this backlog for months now. I’m shocked that no one has stepped forward to fund some additonal support.

It’d sure be nice if our legislators could set aside bills designating the state cat and fund this vitally important tool for determining guilt or innocence.

Those clicking on the link will notice that the legislator who brought us this publicity is none other than Sen. Charlie Dannelly, who has once again validated MT.Net’s assertion that he’s certifiably nuts. To be fair, though, his amendment was to a “state cat” bill that was dubious to begin with. And no crime lab money was siphoned off to designate a state cat. I still think it would be a good idea to fund some professional help for Sen. Dannelly, however.
Continue reading →

Sick Day
Fountains of Wayne

Check out the girl in the Harbor Tunnel
Crawling to work six feet under
And the day has barely begun
They’re all chewing gum

And laughing at the voice on the crackling radio station
Lead us not into Penn Station
Cause the best part’s just begun
We’re all becoming one again
Continue reading →