Just messin' around

Sunnny days are always good for photographing shadows in the backyard.

The King's Speech

SWMBO and I have just seen "The King's Speech", the story of King George VI and his struggle with his stammering.  Colin Firth should easily win the Oscar, as he already has won the Golden Globe, for Best Actor in an amazing performance.  But Geoffrey Rush also should have at least a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.  Both were sensational in this enjoyable movie.

As a curious sidenote, just as we entered the theatre and were trying to adjust our eyes to the darkness, we encountered the BRD who was unexpectedly in attendance.  May I say that we all loved the movie.

Long live the King!

By the way . . .

I would be remiss if I failed to mention yet another new blog from an old friend of mine, one Frank Phillippi who writes from the environs of Virginia near to the power elite.  He is one who keeps a weather eye on those in power in Washington.  But his blog reveals another interest all together (or should that be altogether?  Oh, never mind.)

You may inspect his blog at Vinyl Stats.  Enjoy!

Trader Joe's and construction updates

Some good news to report on the long desired Trader Joe's location in our area today.  Prescott Valley Economic Development Director Greg Fister told a meeting of the town's Chamber of Commerce yesterday morning that he'd "bet his paycheck" that Trader Joe's will be coming to this area this year.  He said it's more likely that the store will be located in Prescott than Prescott Valley but we can live with that.  There's been a huge urge by the communities to have TJ's locate here with, up until now, no positive reaction.  Of course, Greg could be just optimistic but as tight as he is I doubt he'd risk a paycheck in such a cavalier fashion.  So we wait.  But the anxiety level has been raised a notch.

Up on the north side of town, construction work is continuing on the Highway 89-A overpass over Viewpoint Road.  Workers are taking advantage of the great weather recently to make some progress.

A turnaround?

Much has been made of President Obama's speech in Tucson this week.  Pundits are asking (and sometimes answering their own questions) if it means a turnaround in the mean-spirited politics that has been going on for way too long.  Like many of the punditry I'm not so sure the new spirit will last.  But since I have said rather mean things about Arizona's Senator John McCain a couple of weeks ago, I feel I owe it to him to praise him now.

McCain has written a very complimentary and, has been said by others, "graceful" op ed piece which will appear in print in tomorrow's Washington Post.  I suggest you read it and join me in thanking the Senator for his kind words. 

In politics as in life one can be wrong sometimes and right (no pun intended) at other times.

Space talk

Recently I recommended a new blog to you written by a long time friend of mine, Tom Cochrun.  Now Tom can get a little spacey at times, like when he sent me an e-mail with a link to this article.

Go ahead, I'll wait here while you read it, if you have the patience.

Now I've picked on Tom for years about his undependable spelling though it appears he's gotten better at that since Spell Checkers became common in computer programs.  But, spacing between sentences?  As you have probably already noted, I always put two spaces between sentences.  Now this writer at Salon says I've been doing it all wrong.  Well I'm sorry.  At this late date I don't think I can change.  It's automatic with me.  So, if you're one of those one spacers you'll just have to live with my errors.

As for Tom, here's a message for you, buddy:

Update

Work is slowly getting underway on the Highway 89A overpass over Viewpoint Road.  Slowly because as it was about to start a snowstorm blew in and it took awhile for everything to melt away.

I'll try to remember to keep you posted.

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There's a function around here called the "Tuxedos and Tool Belts Ball."  Having neither a tuxedo or a tool belt, I've never been to it but here's what I'd like to hear to get those outfits dancing.