UNFREEZING

CHRISTIAN CHAIN STORES TO OPEN ON SUNDAY

Christian Retail Chain Now Open Sundays

This is a real sign of change. Family Christian Stores will start opening on Sunday. The reason given is to serve people when they most think about their spiritual needs. It does beg the question of your tenents vs. what your customer really needs.
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HEADS UP, FAT GUYS

Interest!ALERT: Quality Content

Atkins to unleash a super premimum ice cream. I don't think this one works for induction.
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IS 7-UP DONE?

The Cincinnati Post
Short article on seven up and the soft drink market. 7-up is down to 1.7% market share; can it survive at that level. My guess is that it will become only a regional drink. that is it will only be produced where it actually sells the most. But the article does not say at what level of market share something becomes a real sick dog. In BCG terms 7-up is already a dog.

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PUT MOTOROLA ON YOUR WATCH LIST -- OR NOT
see update

newsobserver.com - Report of delays sends Motorola shares down

A delay in the delivery, for testing, of the camera phone will cause the company to miss the Christmas season. I do not know if the projected dates were realistic or not but this could be a real disaster. Missing the selling season not only costs you revenue but it really angers your buyers. Not the consumer but the cell phone providers. they were counting on having these phones to promote at Xmass. Keep an eye on Motorola, this could be the start of a major slide. They were already lagging the industry and this might delay any recovery.

UPDATE
Motorola Shares Fall on Report of Delays
After waiting all day Motorola says only a few phones will miss the season and it is not a big deal. We will see. If they get it wrong this time and are thought of as not telling it right, they will be toast. My best guess is that the lastest report is wishfull thinking, it has way too many weasel words in it for me.
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UK MOBILE PHONE SELLER BANS INTERNAL EMAIL


Yahoo! News - Employer Bans Use of Internal E-Mail

New policy says email wastes time. That just might be right. Phoning and face to face just might do. Email, at all work sites seems to have grown. Much of what I get is really not relevant to what I do.
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PROVOST REASSIGNED

ECU provost reassigned
Two weeks ago the Chancellor resigned, now the provost is replaced. The changes just keep on coming.
No, I am not the Jim Smith mentioned in the press release. I really do not know anything about this, except gossip, and will not go there.
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FINALLLY, SOME NY THEATERS WILL BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ADA

Theater Group Improves Access for Disabled

It is about time this happened.
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File under "things I never thought I would see"

World Series to Be Televised in Russia

Apparently they play a lot of baseball in Russia, these days.
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LEVI STRAUSS TO CLOSE PLANTS IN NORTH AMERICA

Levi Strauss to Close U.S., Canada Plants

Isn't this the same company that used to lecture everyone else on socal responsibility? It turns out they were just like the rest of them.
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DELL TO KILL GATEWAY???

Dell to Offer TVs, Digital Music Players

In an effort ot save itself, Gateway, has been moving into consumer electronics. It rolled out a number of new products this summer. Now Dell has decided to enter that market. As the market for computers gets tighter, they are looking for other opportunities.
However, since Gateway had their head handed to them in the computer market, I see no reason why it will not happen here.
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DRUG SUSPENSIONS IN NASCAR

NASCAR can't outrace growing drug problems - Thursday, 09/25/03

Nothing will ever be the same. Nothing like this has happened before, at least to our knowledge. NASCAR has a "zero tolerance" policy and they mean it.
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EARLIER THIS SUMMER I NOTED THE USE OF VIDEO AT FUNERALS NOW!!
THE VEGAS FUNERAL
Las Vegas SUN: Funeral Home Adds Special Vegas Touch

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BUSY DAY

First, what am I doing up at this hour? I have no clue but it is going to be a busy day. Oh, not one as chock full of good stuff as Mr. Possum’s days but busy for an academic.
8:30 to 12:15 are taken up by office hours and class. We are discussing the business environment and diversity today—actually pretty good topics. Then lunch and prep for the university curriculum committee meeting.
I chaired this thing for about 6 or seven years and swore I would never get back on, it must be in the genes somewhere. For those of you who don’t know, courses do not just show up. They must be approved, eventually by the whole faculty.
Courses come to our committee after being approved by the department and college. We check them for various things, perhaps the most important being duplication and coordination with other units. We then report to the faculty senate and finally the chancellor approves. We work had to insure that the curriculum is a faculty process, that is important to us and our accrediting organizations.
Every curriculum change in the undergraduate catalog must come through this committee. Lots of work but you get to see people from all over campus.
Then at night I get to chair the monthly meeting of the Family Support Network of Eastern North Carolina. We postpones last week because of the hurricane.
It is not like I have to lift and tote heavy objects but it is still a full day. So blogging might be light, unless the wireless works in the committee room.

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AND NOW IN SPORTS

Leftwich Likely to Start for Jaguars

An unfreezing moment for the Jaguars. Leftwich likely to start this weekend and replace Mark Brunnell. Brunnell has been the regular started, expect for injury since early ion their first season. I think, that even if this is due to an injury, Brunnell will never get his job back. He might even be the inactive QB this weekend.
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now I have an ad of a business strategy weblog and the gay and lesbian blog list. I sure do get around.
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MISS AMERICA UPDATE

Welcome to Reflector!
Ratings hit new low-- is anyone watching?
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IN STILLWATER MN, Jr. HIGH STUDENTS TO GET LAPTOPS

Pioneer Press | 09/23/2003 | STILLWATER: Board gives go-ahead for junior high laptops

I think that tablet pc's with downloadable books are the future. But that is just my opinion.
Read the article, as it has most of the standard issues for pc requirements covered. At least in public schools you might be able to mandate use, in universities you cannot. It is difficult to force a professor to make use of computers, if they choose not to.
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ANOTHER U.S. SOFTWARE FIRM SENDING JOBS TO INDIA

Pioneer Press | 09/23/2003 | Lawson will cut 82 more jobs

This trend is really picking up speed.
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THE SLOW DEATH OF THE INDEPENDENT SHOE STORE

Twincities.com - Your Twin Cities Everything Guide

Nice rundown on the shoe business. It does seem that except for food, the independent stores are losing ground to the malls and national chains. I know this is an ongoing trend but it does seem to be picking up speed.
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WENDY'S TO OFFER HEALTHY KIDS' MEAL

The Miami Herald | 09/23/2003 | Wendy's jumps on healthy wagon

Wendy's will offer the option of milk and fresh fruit with a kids's meal in a test market. The fruit will replace the fries. Wendy's does not even seem to like kids they have no playgeounds and at McDonald's a kid can order on their own, at Wendy's a kid cannot even be seen from behind the counter.
Maybe this will start a trend, moms can make the kids eat healthy and feel good about it. However, the more you have perishable items, like milk and fruit, the more the risk of driving up costs.
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NATION'S SECOND LARGEST CHECK PRINTER TO LAYOFF 500

ajc.com | Business | John H. Harland to eliminate about 500 positons, close plants
This had to start happening, as we move more and more to debit cards and epayments. I write very few checks these days. The company also said part of the job cuts were due to productivity imporvements.
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ANOTHER TRADITIONAL HAUTE CUISINE LANDMARK TO CLOSE IN NY

C?te Basque, a Society Temple, Is Closing

This is becoming a trend. It might be the economy, the prices, the competition or a new approach to fusion or casual dining.
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A NEW MISS AMERICA

Persistence Pays Off for New Miss America

They crowned a new Miss America this past weekend. It might be just me but did anyone notice. When I was young this was a big deal with much media coverage. It seems now to be just another show that fewer and fewer people are watching. How long before this thing folds under its own weight?
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The ad thing at the top of the page is getting out of hand. I have moved from change packages to Ole Miss football tickets to flood insurance to now an ad in Spanish. This is fun.
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NEWLY DISCOVERED APE?

Omaha Zoo Testing DNA of Mystery Apes

I am not sure this is a change moment except in the proper field but it is unusual. The last new ape was found in 1902. It might be a crossbreed between a gorilla and a chimp. Still interesting.
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There might be some change blogging later this afternoon. The university seems to expect that I help educate the youth of america this morning.
Later
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Welcome to those coming over from TRFOGEY's.
That sort of sounds like a new eating place in Myrtle Beach. Oh well, welcome anyway. What is here now is not what you will normally find. In normal non-Isabel times, you will find a links heavy site with specific reference to changes in culture, society, business, the church and sometimes East Carolina University.

I like to scan the online newspapers looking for those turning points and unfreezing moments. You know, the sort of thing that lets you know we have moved in a different direction. I don't think I always find them but I enjoy the search.
If you have not read Possumblog, check out the link to the left. The writer is funny and gives a good commentary on every day life.
Thanks to Mr. Fogey for mentioning me in his blog.

Georgia fastest Hispanic growth rate--most of the other fast growers were in the south.

ajc.com | Metro | Georgia tops nation in Hispanic growth

Remember these are percentages and the growth looks rapid because of teh small base. Personally, this is no surprise. The shelter where I was assigned during the sotrm also had two spanish translators assigned. We were not the one most likely to get Spanish speakers either.

BX at Homestead to close.

The Miami Herald | 09/19/2003 | Military discount store fading away
It is not making money and must close. I know there are a lot of issues involved but the point is that these stores are now being held accountable. If they lose money they will be closed. The article never did get to the reasons why the losses were there. Well, it did mention less people at the base but never got into how many or if that was really the reason.

More on the gay bishop--see you thought I forgot.

AP Wire | 09/20/2003 | Central Florida diocese rejects decision to allow gay bishop

This diocese voted to rejec the decision. So? Their deputies voted against it at the convention. The bishop of Cnetral Florida says he is not leaving the church, so what does this vote really mean? It probably makes the folks in the diocese feel better but changes nothing.

Barnes and Noble to greatly expand its Spanish-language selections.

The Miami Herald | 09/16/2003 | Barnes & Noble goes bilingual
This should come as no surprise and is being credited to demand. Ah-consumer demand is a wonderful thing, when the demand is there, the product will be supplied.
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Boy, hurricanes are great. I got to buy a new toy, a chainsaw. It turns out that the tree that fell at my place was not going to be taken apart by the bow saw. Now I really have no long term need for a chainsaw. I neither heat with wood or am likely to recreate old horror movies, so I really did not want to spend my money on one. However, anybody would have charged me more to do it, so that is how I spent my Saturday. I still need to make one more trip to the dump but it is full. Maybe the dump needs to take reservations.
I should be happy that this storm only cost me about $145. While I was in Home depot and Lowes pricing chainsaws, I ran into several people from other counties who were here buying saws and generators. Plus the saw is the 18in. Poulan WildOne. It is even in ECU colors, sort of.
So, if any of my close friends needs to borrow a chainsaw, please give me a call.
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Personal damage report--part of a tree down. At least now I will have something constructive to do tomorrow. For one of the few times in my life, I wish I had a chainsaw. Since it was not a big tree and all of it did not come down the bow saw should do nicely.
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The News and Observer has this link to damage by county. It might be a little old but for those of you with ties to NC this will give some information.
newsobserver.com - County-by-county report of storm's effects across Eastern North Carolina


NEWS FROM PITT COUNTY
links to the local paper mainly on how the county rode out the storm
We were lucky, it went a few miles east of us and we were spared the bad side of the storm. I did my last bit with the sehlter this morning, my last
report was four residents and three staff. The last four guys were trying to figure out where to go as where they were staying was flooded.
I will post other links to the damage as I find them. I hope I did not bore all of you too uch with the Isabel stuff.

Welcome to Reflector!
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WELL I AM BACK
At least for a while, I have to go back in the morning for a few hours.
What is a shelter like when you do not have to be there. It is sort of like a sleep over with about 200 people you do not know. My job was to help with communication. Well the power never stayed off and the phone system was not out. So, I checked in, gave reports and generally speeded up some things. The radio, in the hands of volunteers, can cut time and effort of the paid employees. Was I reeally needed--no but I might have been. An island off the coast has lost its entire phone system. Ham radio is about the only communications they have left. Another county's energency operations center lost power and phone for a while, the hams really helped until service was restored.
Well enough boring stuff for now--I need a shower, sleeping on a sleeping bag on the floor, in what you are still wearing is not fun anymore.
More tomorrow after a 7-noon shift at the shelter, they will really be gone by 9 I hope.
Also, their was damage but not as much as there could have been. sincerely, I thank God.
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STILL NO CALL ABOUT WORKING AT THE SHELTER
They need to get me the correct type of radio and power supply.
The links are to some new maps, one shpwing wind speed as it comes on shore.

WRAL.com - News - Isabel
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ISABEL

Well it is coming and the projected track of the weakened storm carries it near my house. ECU has cancelled all classes starting at 2 today, for the rest of the week. We have a lot of people who compute from the surrounding area and it could be dangerous. It looks like the thing will move fast and get out of here.

I had hoped to blog during the storm and give you an idea what a category two storm is like 70 or so miles in. However, that will not be possible. Among my geeky hobbies is ham radio. I have been asked to help provide communications from one of the shelters. This means that I will not be at home or with my family for that matter. I do not feel real good about this but as my wife said-“if you volunteer for something don’t be upset when they call”. She is a nurse and might be called to work the special needs shelter. So blogging from the shelter is not an option. I hope to have some great shelter stories to tell. I wish I could write like Terry but that is not likely to happen. I will check in once the shelters close and the power is back on. I don’t expect much in the way of damage really, just some short term power outages, downed trees and power lines and the standard flooding. Just to put it in perspective, this storm does not bother me what bothers me is the dead baby snakes I found on the driveway this morning. Baby snakes have parents.

Maybe something else later today but probably not.

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THE MIDNIGHT WRAP UP

I am tired and going to bed soon-- check out the cams listed below, they should be running during the storm.

THE 11 PM TRACK

WITN Hurricane Links
Local public schools have announced they are closing on Thursday. No word on Friday but I bet they will not have school then either. The bus routes go through some flood prone areas.

DOPLER FROM LOCAL TV STATION
Nothing much now but could be interesting thursday--at least should help pass the time at work.

Live Doppler 7


A WHOLE BUNCH OF HURRICANE ISABEL STUFF
WITH A LOT OF DULL RIGHT BEFORE THE STORM PREPERATION DUTIES

Today was exciting, meetings canceled for tomorrow and thursday then home to fix a broken window in the garage door. I finally got the generator working, although it did require a spray of starter fluid. I tested it at 10:30 tonight, I know my neighbors love me. My wife and I brought things in from the yard. Things that should have never been left out but could blow away. Just about the only thing left is to lower the basketball goal. It is the portable kind so that is no problem. One final check tomorrow on water and batteries and I think we are set.
I really don't think this will be bad, my guess is that the power will not stay off long. O' it will go off but will be back on as soon as the crews can get out. The cable and the cable modem will probably be out longer.

Shelters open here at 5:00 pm tomorrow. We expect some flooding as the county is flat. If you have been to the coastal plain of NC, you know this. Also, it is hoped that those in mobile homes will come to the shelters. We have a special needs shelter and some tend to come to that just in case. The special needs shelter had to move once or twice in '99 and that just added to the problems.
It looks like I might spend the storm in a shelter. My house should be fine but I am a ham and we provide backup communications for the red cross. They run the shelters. I might not have to go--will keep you posted.

THIS IS A LINK TO THREE CAMS
One on the ECU campus at the stadium, one at lake Mattamuskeet and one from the Hatteras Light. If these stay operational they should provide some good pictures.

WITN-TV Web Cameras

another set of cams
Cams on the right in this link should give you New Bern NC and one from Atlantic Beach. Both of these are in the projected path.

-- WCTI-TV12 The News Leader -- Coverage You Can Count On!

one last cam--a local Greenville one

.::. WNCT.COM .::. Greenville, NC - LiveEye9?::

THE SALVATION ARMY IS ALREADY SENDING IN PEOPLE AND EQ.

WRAL.com - Hurricanes - Salvation Army Deploys First Wave Of Disaster Personnel To Carolinas

This is a real great group of people, something I am sure you already know. After seeing their work first hand four years ago, they deserve our thanks and donations.
Also, I hope another great group of people, the Baptist men, are not needed this time. I cannot rememeber their exact name but they fed thousands of people for days.



THIS IS A NICE MAP SHOWING EVACUATION ROUTES
1522896.jpg 600x654 pixels
It will also help some of you place Greenville.
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ISABEL SET TO BLOW INTO MY COUNTY


Pitt to get heavy rain, high winds from Isabel
These estimates are for an outerbanks landfall. The winds will be higher if we geta storm move to the west.
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IMAGE OF COMPUTER MODELS OF ISABEL

at200313_model.gif 640x480 pixels
I like the one more out to sea not the two that seem to take it over me.
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YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ON THE RISE

The Miami Herald | 09/15/2003 | Young entrepreneurs take risks, make real strides


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NYT article on on-line wine sales

Crossroads for Online Wine Sales

This provides an update on some court decisionsI blogged about last month.
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OK BACK TO ISABEL

East Coast Waits as Forecasters Warn of Dangerous Storm
This article from the NYT is OK. They actually did a great job during the flood.
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DID THIS COME AS A SHOCK TO ANYONE?


Women's Soccer League Suspends Operations

See, I can post something that is not about a hurricane.
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HERE IS HOW ECU IS HANDLING THIS SO FAR

ECU - ALERT!

During floyd in 1999, they did not think anything would go wrong. We did not stop classes or send anyone home. Kids stayed in the dorms and off campus. When the flooding started we tried to send them home and closed the university. However, Greenville was cut off for a few days, unless you had a very tall vehicle. I bet they are looking at this one closely.
We did have one student killed that year. The story was that he was walking back to his dorm from his brother's house and got swept away as a creek rose.
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5 O'CLOCK FORECAST TRACK

9fc.jpg 640x480 pixels

Greenville is just about under the a in the word Raleigh.
In the everything is realtive file--we this far inland are taking precautions, while our motels fill up as people leave the coast. They come here to be safe and close to their homes. At least one motel that I know of is already booked up. The local food stores are out of bread and running out of bottled water--the store looks empty. It is just like when I grew up in Alabama, a threat of snow and people bought out the store. We got a few things of water and some staple items. I sure hope I can get the generator working tomorrow. I really do not think power will be off that long here, even if it stays on its track but it is nice to have a backup.
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A NEAT MAP SHOWING PROJECTED WIND SPEEEDS AROUND THE EYE AND AS IT COMES ON LAND.

9wb.jpg 640x480 pixels
Where I live is right at the edge of the red --indicating 74+. These usually indicate sustained winds not gusts.
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LOCAL RIVER LEVELS ARE NOT NEAR FLOOD STAGE

WRAL.com - Maps and Forecasts - River Levels

I know you are getting tired of the constant Isabel stuff, both of you. However, since it is just about 4 years since the big flood from Dennis then Floyd, this is a ig deal up here. I will get back to the other dull stuff after this dull stuff is done.
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NEW UPDATE AS OF 4 I THINK


Hurricane Center

I am not sure I got the UTC correct but this map shows it coming close to home. And 3 days away--but it will slow down. I am supposed to have a board meeting on thursday night, I think we will postpone for a week.
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MORE ON EX-CHANCELLOR MUSE


newsobserver.com - Frailties unsettle ECU campus

I cannot say I know any more than is in this and other articles. Real information is hard to come by.
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OCRACOKE ISLAND EVACUATION ORDERED


WRAL.com - News - Ocracoke, Cape Lookout Order Mandatory Evacuations
I saw the NC urban search and rescue van in Greenville this morning. I do not know if one is stationed here or it is being staged, just in case. Sometimes emergency eq. is placed in Greenville or Kinston before storms. It is enough out of the way and yet close when needed.
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ISABEL CANNOT SEEM TO MAKE UP HER MIND.


081203W5.gif 896x716 pixels

From my limited experience this is the norm. Storms tend to slow down as they approach and then seem to think about it for a while. We are still unsure where it is going and what we are going to get out of this one.
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ISABEL PROBABILITIES FROM THE NWS


Hurricane ISABEL

Eye might be close, Morehead City, on Thursday morning. Or not--will keep you posted.
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There will be very little in the way of stuff this morning. I was out two days last week and it seems that I am 4 days behind. Time to play catch up.
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MAYBE ISABEL WILL GO TO MARYLAND AND VA.

081203W5.gif 896x716 pixels

I have nothing against those places but better there than here.
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HURRICANE ISABEL UPDATE

Hurricane Center

Latest track puts it off the outer banks of North Carolina in about 5 days. Everyone at church thinks we are going to get something but just not sure what. Will keep you posted--yeah like you can't get this from the weather channel on your own. I hope I do not get a chance to blog from the hurricane, even this far inland damage can be done. We had to get a shingle job on the roof after Floyd. Oh and major parts of our wooden fence blew down. I hope this one goes somewhere else.
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no blogging for a while today
First church then a nap. I was putting a weight bench together, outside. It just started raining, so this is my break. I have lost some pounds but have a real need to tone up. I have never really been toned so this will be a first.
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IF YOU ARE INTO HURRICANE STUFF THIS INTERACTIVE MAP IS NEAT.

Hurricane Center

I know most of you are not really caring much but it is getting to be a big deal up here. The local Food Lion is putting bottled water up near the front and I saw one guy leave with a whole cart full of the big bottles.
It is not likely to happen again like with Floyd but we had to boil water for about a week or more here in 1999.
I did not buy any but I will soon and will fill up old milk and OJ plastic bottles.
I didn't get to the generator today but that is on the list for after church tomorrow.
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Isabel is a five again--

TheCarolinaChannel.com - Weather - Isabel Strengthens To Category 5 Again

At least this will take our minds off the football team and the chancellor leaving. It will be a few days before we know where this storm will go.
This link also leads to a tracking chart.
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MORE ON MUSE

WRAL.com - News - Muse Resigns As ECU Chancellor
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MORE ON ISABEL


WRAL.com - News - Isabel Drops To Category 4 Strength, Could Turn Toward Carolinas
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The ads are now for church stuff--books and cd's.
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I THINK THIS IS COMMON EVERYWHERE

The Miami Herald | 09/06/2003 | Aging schools set for repairs to curtail crisis in maintenance

We can get money for new schools but not for repair. I think this might be because no one puts up a sign with the county officals names for a fix up project.
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TALK ABOUT GOING AGAINST THE FLOW

The Miami Herald | 09/13/2003 | Ocean voyage to reach island runs aground for teen couple

Teen couple steals boat and says they were going to Cuba.
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RABID FOX IN FLORIDA CAUSES WORRY.

Herald.com - Your Miami Everything Guide

Is it just me or are fox stories making a comeback. Locally, it has been at least 5 years since I had seen a fox but I have seen 4 in the last month or so. Some alive and some playing possum, that is dead in the road.
Sorry for the dead possum reference Terry.
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IS ISABEL COMING??


Herald.com - Your Miami Everything Guide

It looks this morning that she will not come to Florida. The storm could still come to North Carolina and I will spend some time today getting things in order. There is still plenty of time, and we are about 80 miles from the water, but I need to check the generator and lay in some water and stuff. We went through a flood here about 4 years ago and most of us learned a lesson.
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ECU FOOTBALL TEAM FLIGHT TO MIAMI DELAYED

ECU flight delayed as plane above sees navigational instruments fail

The delay was only 40 minutes and caused by other planes. It could however, be an omen or the game to come.
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The links are coming back-- putting them in by hand. I will not worry about the permalinks any more tonight. Blogger is acting funny, no kidding, it was a shock to to me too. I ask it to view in a new window and it does not. One more link then to bed.
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now the help file is not coming up--this is great--but free
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the links are closer but link to the bottom of the post and now I have to find the comments again
the external links went away also-- So blogger gave me a new template mostly
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this is even better--I changed nothing and the comments went away
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This is cool. I am trying to get the permalinks so that they really link. I used two test posts, which did not work. However, blogger thinks I have deleted them but they are still there. Even when I refresh and delete cache.
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The ads are back to change management. I had better mention Ole Miss some more.
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The mediation training went well. I will blog more about this later this weekend. I know it will help with one of my classes and I think I will get the further training I will need to practice.
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ECU CHANCELLOR RESIGNS


ECU Chancellor William Muse resigns

I leave town for 2 days and this happens. For you Auburn folks, Muse was there before he came here.
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I am busy today, trying to get out of town. I will be at a workshop learning basic mediation skills. So, blogging will be nil until Friday night at the earliest.
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ANGLICAN VICAR TO WEBCAST THE SERMON AND THE SERVICE

BBC NEWS | England | Somerset | Vicar's virtual congregation

This is about 3 weeks old but it is the first I have heard of it. Talk about a real sign of change, well how about a virtual parish. This is apparently part of an effort to reach younger people and maybe the web will help.
I do feel that communities can be differently constructed and not have to be in in one building. However, if communion is the central part of the service how do we do that? I would like to see a follow-up of this and also find out if any liturgical churches in the U.S. are trying webcasts.
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I just noticed, the ads on the banner have changed. They used to try and sell change management courses. Now, they are selling Ole Miss football tickets. I need to get back to signs of change blogging. I will try and leave the football to coach Possum.
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BRITISH ANGLICAN EVANGELICALS TO HOLD MEETING

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Anglican evangelicals in crisis meeting

They are upset at the liberal turn of the church in America and the UK. They wanted the Archbishop of Canterbury to attend but some of their conservative groups said they would pull out of the meeting if he did. Well there is nothing like an open discussion.
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11th CIRCUIT SAYS PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE OVER RETALIATION UNDER THE ADA


AP Wire | 09/09/2003 | Court: Man harassed by city after noting ADA violations can sue

A Florida man was asked by a city councilman to look at a new city building, for compliance with the ADA. He found things and the the city went after him. They videotaped him, checked his credit and hired a private eye. The city disputes this and the right to sue.
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HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PREMIUMS KEEP GOING UP


Welcome to Reflector!

No surprise here, to any of us who are working. If your employer is paying a percentage of this, you got a raise this year and did not know it. My employer is passing some of the extra cost on to us but not really all the increase. I really do not know when this will stop.
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BRING OUT YOUR DEAD

It is election day in Alabama.
Vote early--vote often.
HAve fun down there folks.
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Overtons sold

A local Greenville business, Overtons, has been sold. The new owners pormise no changes, locally. Some of you who buy watersports and marine stuff through catalogs might know Overtons. They are the largest catalog in that industry. It was started by a local man and is a big deal here.
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APPLE SPEEDS UP THE iMAC.


Apple Polishes Up iMac, iPod
I would love to have a faster iMAC. It would help with video editing. The iMOVIE is really good for that and comes with it. However, at present I am rather computer poor. No money available for faster machines.
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Well the form for the human subjects committee is finally finished. My co-author will review it and send it on. Now for the best part of my day-- I get to go to class. Todays topic is the dual concerns model and a discussion of bargaining approaches. No, I mean it this is the highlight of today. After class and some advisees coming by, then back to finding the unfreezing moments in the world. See you later.
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There will be some blogging later, as I have to do the stuff I should have done yesterday. I had to go to the funeral home last night, some I knew from ham radio died. It eas a huge crowd. Back later.
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WVU 48 ECU 7
We scored a touchdown this week. The schedule gets better, we get Miami next week.
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WVU 21 ECU 0
I did not go but am listening. It is not that we can not catch a break, we make our own bad breaks.
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before I go breaking news--Auburn finally scored--not a touchdown yet but they are behind 10-3

ESPN.com - College Football - Scoreboard
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Well, enough fun for a little bit. I need to get back to reading a book for a workshop, I am attending next week. I must have done this before as my copy is full of my marginal notes. The book is old now but not really that bad. "Getting to Yes", presents an alternative procedure for negotiations. I still think it rests on some assumptions that are difficult to find in real life. The workshop is basic mediation training. This will help is one of the classes I teach and could be useful skill.
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THIS IS A VERY NEAT IDEA--I THINK.


The Miami Herald | 09/06/2003 | Go on cruise now, pay as you work

Carnival cruise lines is working with some employers, to attempt something like a prepaid cruise. You cruise after the total amount has been paid, sort of like lay-away plans. The kicker here is that the employer will deduct the amount from the paycheck. I am interested to see if this works and will other travel businesses try to follow along.
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WE KNEW THIS BUT DID NOT WANT TO THINK IT WAS REALLY HAPPENING.

The Miami Herald | 09/06/2003 | Jobs lost in '01 gone for good

A study, by the Federal Reserve Bank of NY, concludes that most of the 2.7 million jobs lost since 2001 are not coming back. This really has nothing to do with the growth of spending but rather with structural changes in some industries. The large industrial companies have switched to more capital eq. or have outsourced work in the global marketplace. We might just be in line for another job-less recovery. The recovery of the 1990's was like this except that the computer and telecommunications industries made up the slack.
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SO THE GAMING INDUSTRY IS NOT REALLY BULLET PROOF.


AP Wire | 09/06/2003 | 300 at Donald Trump's three casinos get pink slips
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A whole day of house work and now this: Ole Miss dropped by Memphis and UAB beat by Southern Miss. ECU plays WVU tonight and I have a bad feeling about that one.
Is Auburn ever going to score this year?


ESPN.com - College Football - Scoreboard
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I had several really good posts to put here earlier. They really fit the theme of things that can cause unfreezing. You know those things we look back on and say "that was the start of the trend." Well, blogger was not working and I forgot where they were. I am sleepy now. God, you missed some great stuff and I missed my chance to predict change. Maybe tomorrow!
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A SECOND VOCATION AT THE STOVE


Dog Ate Your Homework? Fall on Your Bread Knife

This trend just seems to keep going. More and more, cooking school students are coming from other fields. Interesting.
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This will be bore-blogging at its best.
What is life like here? What do we do at work? I cannot speak for others and each day is different but here is today.
I have to check the references in a paper and make sure of the formatting required by the association. Then the paper goes in the mail. Next will be filling out applications to pass out some surveys, yes this must be approved by a human subjects committee.
Then some class time. Today’s topic is the perceptual dimensions of conflict. Yes I do find this an exciting topic.
Late in the afternoon, there will be a speaker. I want to hear this one, a retired Col. Talking about some aspects of military history.
Doesn’t this make you wish you had stayed in school. What an exciting life.
Remember, this is only my day—it might not be like any other professor’s day or like any other of my days for that matter.
Real blogging will resume later tonight.

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COUNTRY IS CHANGING

Welcome to Reflector!

The Grand Ole Opry Live is leaving CMT. Although this was the highest rated show on CMT, they proposed a new contract that would have put the show on less often. What is going on here? My guess is, although the Opry show was high rated, it did not fit the demographic profile desired. Either that, or the owners of the Opry want too much money and/or control. What does it say however, when the main country outlet wants to limit Opry.
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CALLAWAY TO BUY TOP-FLITE

Welcome to Reflector!

Am I the only one to know that Top-Flite is in chapter 11. That Spalding spun off this company and sold the Spalding name to Russell Corp.? Callaway thinks this will get it into the ball market. Top-flite was second in this market. My real questions is, do you know anyone who buys Top-Flite? I find them but no one I Know buys them. Some one must as they had sales last year of 250 million. However, the huge debt was killing them.
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THE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS [RC] SAYS CELIBACY MUST STAY


Welcome to Reflector!This is no surprise, but he also had a really dumb comment. It seems tha this bishop is not convinced that allowing marriage would lead to an increase in the number of priests. What dream world, of the past, does this guy live in?
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U.S. INFRASTRUCTURE IN BAD SHAPE

WRAL.com - News - Civil Engineers: U.S. Infrastructure Crumbling

The American Society of Civil Engineers claims the U.S. has let things slip since 1991. Then they gave the country a D+. This is not really a new trend but the thing to keep in mind is that someone is going to have to pay for all the work.
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OVEREATING MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY HORMONE

Study Finds Appetites Reduced by Hormone

A hormone might be related to weight gain. Fat people seem to have less of it than other people. It apparently helps to control when we feel satisfied. My guess although this is promising, the weight control nazis will not like it. It seems they have a real interest in the status quo. That is that being overweight is a personality flaw--we are weak willed and lazy.
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NEW FLAWS IN MICROSOFT


Microsoft Issues Alerts About Five New Flaws

These are in the Office applications. Heads up out there.
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OVER HALF OF MIAMI BORN OUTSIDE OF U.S.A


State: Born in U.S.A.? Not in Miami

This is the highest percentage in the nation. See now why I link to so many things from teh Miami paper. Trends don't start in Iowa for a reason. They start where things are in flux and dynamic. OK, sometimes they start in Iowa--I'm thinking, don't rush me.
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A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MY OLD HOMETOWN


al.com: News

Vintage planes will visit Bessemer on 16 Sept. Sounds like fun, I would love to go but only seem to get back into town for a day or two at Christmas. I really should visit my aunts and uncles more often but NC is a long way from AL. I realized this years ago when it dawned on me that I was closer to New York than to Bessemer.
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GATEWAY DOWNSIZES AGAIN

Welcome to Reflector!

This time a plant in VA, among others. Gateway is trying to change into more than a computer company--something very electronic. They are apparently on schedule in releasing new products. 50 new ones by the end of Fall.
Will this save the company? Who knows, they seem to be moving from a "build it for you"- low price computer company to some sort of off the shelf electronic appliance firm. They might not survive this way but it is plain to see that remaining in the PC market was a deadend. Prices were falling and their niche was being narrowed and invaded. The change of domains might be just what they need. But then again, it might be a leap off the cliff--instant free analysis is usually worth what you paid for it.
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UNIVERSAL TO CUT CD PRICES


AP Wire | 09/03/2003 | Universal Music slashing CD prices in hopes of reviving sales

Sales have really slipped over the last 3 years and now they are going to do something, besides taking about downloading. Universal Music, the largest recording co., is cutting prices by an average of $6. It hopes that this will result in retail prices going down to about $10. This just mught work but a proce cut that big is a bold move. It could force others to follow, however, the music business is artist driven, more than price dirven. That is in my opinion.
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I have a busy day today --so very little blogging
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STUDENT KILLED IN BIKE ACCIDENT

ECU student hits head in fall from bike, dies

An ECU student died Monday morning in an accident on campus. The article does not say, but my guess he was doing tricks and stunts on campus. At night, plenty of kids are on campus riding and boarding. It is a wonder he is the first to die. I could be wrong about the cause but I don't think so.
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TELETHON SETS RECORD 60 MILLION

Jerry Lewis Telethon Nets Record $60.5M

The AP story was filed at almost 9 pm. I must have missed it earlier but still there was very little coverage -- at least around here.
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ANYONE HEARD FROM JERRY LEWIS??

It is labor day and I have not heard or seen anything about the MD telethon. Our local stations did not carry it, or I missed it. I have not seen anything on the news wires, either. I thought I saw where some people were upset with ABC for running the golf in comp. with the telethon but that is it. Has this thing outlived its value?
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DVD'S THROUGH THE MAIL--
IT IS A GROWING THING


ajc.com | Business | Internet rental of DVDs grows

Order on the internet and the DVD is mailed to you for $1.50. Less than what blockbuster costs. They tried this years ago for tapes but the mailing costs were high. Maybe it will work this time.
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MECKLENBURG COUNTY MIGHT REQUIRE CO DETECTORS FOR ALL HOMES


newsobserver.com - Mecklenburg considering CO alarms for all homes

These might be needed but the county wants all homes to have them. Even those without an attached garage or gas heat. Much of this seems to be because some idiots used grills to heat their homes during a power outage.
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IT IS GONNA BE A LONG YEAR
BEARCATS 40- PIRATES 3


ESPN.com - NCF - Boxscore - East Carolina at Cincinnati - 09/01/2003

We cannot run the ball and we cannot stop the run. At least the ESPN bottom 10 came out before this game.
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