UrtheCast

UrtheCast (pronounced “EarthCast”) is a company created around a unique vision: to provide the world’s first ever, live HD video feed of Earth from space.

Working in an exclusive relationship with world-famous Russian Aerospace giant RSC Energia, UrtheCast is building, launching, installing, and operating two cameras on the Russian module of the International Space Station. Starting next year, video data of the Earth collected by our cameras will be down-linked to ground stations around the planet and then displayed in near real time on the UrtheCast web platform.




Here's a link to their website.

For the last of the Creole Tomatoes

One of my favorite chefs Michael Ruhlman tweeted this recipe tonite and now I know what I'm going to do with the last batch of creoles I purchased. Enjoy!

Death on an Indian Reservation

I will never understand why some people are allowed by nature to procreate. Just last week a precious 4 year old boy suffered at the hands of a sociopath who happens to be the boyfriend of the child's mother.

Carnel Chamberlain

According to the two-page criminal complaint, Jaimee Chamberlain told the FBI that she saw her son with a bruised and swollen face as well as a cut lip in late May or early June. She said he had been struck by Bennett when she was away from the home.

A few days later, she saw Bennett pick up her son by the neck and drop him before dragging him into a room by his foot, according to the court document.

It wasn't known why Jaimee Chamberlain allowed her son to be in her boyfriend's company if she believed he was abusing the boy. She answered her phone when contacted by The Associated Press but hung up without commenting.

Listen to this telephone interview. The mother sounds a bit on the "duh" side.


Here is the murderer, Anthony Bennett



In a statement made to the FBI, Jaimee Chamberlain admits to witnessing prior incidents of abuse by Bennet.

I certainly hope that he faces the death penalty and the mother is prosecuted for failing to report child abuse.

Sunday Smile

Windows Wednesday

In anticipation of attending Our Lady of the Gulf Church's annual Crab Festival this weekend, I looked back to my post of last year's fest. In the post was this picture of stained glass found in Century Hall where you can shop and enjoy the art gallery in air conditioned comfort.

RIP Nora Ephron

Journalist, writer, director and more. Nora Ephron succumbed to leukemia at the age of 71 on June 26th. I listened to a piece on NPR about her life and there was one part that really hit home for me.

Here is an excerpt from an interview done with NPR in November of 2010

"You do get to a certain point in life where you have to realistically, I think, understand that the days are getting shorter, and you can't put things off thinking you'll get to them someday," she says. "If you really want to do them, you better do them. There are simply too many people getting sick, and sooner or later you will. So I'm very much a believer in knowing what it is that you love doing so you can do a great deal of it."

For Ephron, there was a moment that helped bring that realization vividly home. She was with friends, playing a round of "What would your last meal be?"

(Her pick, by the way: a Nate & Al's hot dog.)

"But (my friend) Judy was dying of throat cancer, and she said, 'I can't even have my last meal.' And that's what you have to know is, if you're serious about it, have it now," Ephron says. "Have it tonight, have it all the time, so that when you're lying on your deathbed you're not thinking, 'Oh I should have had more Nate & Al's hot dogs.'"

Live Mermaid

For Charlotte over at Traveling Mermaid.

We saw this "live" mermaid at the Hot Air Balloon Fest and the first thought that popped into my head was "Charlotte!!".

Evacuation Day

Just in time for the Hurricane Season. A new song by Bennie Grunch and the Bunch.
"Evacuation Day"

Balloons!!!

We made the trek to Foley, Alabama for the second year in a row to attend the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. Now in it's 8th year, the festival attracts balloon teams from Ohio, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana and Alabama.

While the real action takes place at 6 A.M. both days of the Festival and at sunset, the grounds offer vendors from photography to soap makers, the Disc Connected K9's and carny food.

To pass the time during the day when there wasn't much going on we paid a visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (the little zoo that could). It was fantastic and will be the subject of another post.





There is nothing more awe-inspiring than watching the balloons inflate.


Look how huges these balloons are.


First balloon to fly is "Hope Floats" from Alabama



One balloon rises above the others



The Constitution balloon, "Freedom Flyer" from Florida.



The "Smiley" from Ohio balloon was a big hit.



I kicked myself for not bringing my wide-angle lens!



The black balloon is "Wind Spirit" from Alabama.



Here's "Wisdom Racer" from Baton Rouge rising into the sky



There's "Cheaper than a Wife" from Missouri.



Flying over the tree line.....



Left to right "Touchstone Energy" from Texas, "Smiley" from Ohio, "Let's Get High" from Alabama and "Big Red" from North Carolina.



Here's "Dean's Dream" from Mississippi



I liked the way the setting sun was reflected on these balloons.



One of our favorites: "Synchronicity" from Nevada.


Floating away.....



Smokey the Bear from New Mexico.



The "Budweiser" balloon's from Mississippi.



After the first half of the balloons took off, the "Glow & Twinkle" started.



It's fun to watch and try to get the pictures as they glow.



Sunrise Fellowship from Arkansas is dwarfed by "Oggy the Friendly Dragon" from Indiana.


Here's another shot of the glow.

It was a great weekend and we learned to eat before we went to the festival because carny food is not so good. So if you're ever looking for something unique to do for Fathers' Day weekend, keep this festival in mind. It's worth the trip. Plus Foley and the Orange Beach area have quite a few attractions.

Window Wednesday

Taken in Raglan Road Irish Pub in Downtown Disney.

SaintsWin: Analysis & Opinion: Closing the Casket on BountyGate

SaintsWin: Analysis & Opinion: Closing the Casket on BountyGate: M onday's events at the players' appeal seemed to provide some finality and closure to the noxious bloodletting Saints' fans have endured fo...