Year: 2006

Nine Months and Another Hurricane Season Begins

Yes, it has been nine months since Katrina. Here it is June 1st. The dreaded day – the start of another hurricane season.

I think of all the people affected by last years hurricanes – every nite. After visiting the area in March I am still stunned. Dumb founded. Pissed. How can this country, my country, allow, tolerate, or perhaps ignore, what is NOT going on there?

I thought about posting the video footage I have from my trip but decided not to right now. Instead I ask that you go read Tim’s blog. Tim is a 44 year old civil engineer from New Orleans. I have read his blog for awhile now. Yesterday his post was very simple – yet right to the point. He put up the links to b.rox a site that has used video to document the reality of New Orleans. Please check out Tim’s Nameless Blog – Post K Life in New Orleans and b.box to watch their latest video.

I have not forgotten.

Union Brigantine Constructo Wooden Ship Model

I purchased this easier kit to occupy me when I get annoyed with the Britannia. It is an entry level kit of the Union Brigantine. The never was a real brigantine with the name Union but it is representative of the type. Brigantines were small ships that had sails and oars. It got it’s name as a favorite of pirates as Brigantine from the Italian brigantino – Brigan’s ship. Brigantines are two-masted sailing ships, square-rigged on the foremast and having a fore-and-aft mainsail with square main topsails.
Union Brigantine Kit

I hope to practice my airbrush skills and get some experience with rigging by building it. Here is what I completed on it yesterday.

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The decking is simulated by drawing lines with a lead pencil 3mm apart and then divided into 50mm planks. The hull was not properly cut out at the box for the bulwarks so I did have to chisle a bit. I wonder if there is a wooden ship model kit out there that has all the pieces cut properly?

At least the instructions are translated into proper english. Very little verbage but lots of pictures and a diagram of the rigging.

Wooden Ship Model Britannia

I am sure that some of you are tired of my wooden ship models. Oh-well.

I have finished the decking on the Britannia and have run into an annoying problem. The rudder is held on to the hinges? by a wire that runs along the edge of it. It keeps coming undo! Augh!

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More People Who Take No Responsibility

Ok, when I am on a topic I get stuck on it sometimes. It makes it easier when the news keeps on the same topic. I am left wondering what is going on? Why do young people have this idea that running over police officers is ok?

Wednesday a punk went to a Stockton hospital, beat up on his girlfriend whom just had his baby, took a hospital visitor hostage and then during a chase with the police police, Berumen’s car crashed head-on with another vehicle. When confronted by officers, police said Berumen put his car into reverse and pinned an officer between two cars, which prompted five Stockton police officers to open fire.

Yeap, you quested correct, his brother with him at the time has decided that it was not right. After all he says, they did put their hands out the window. Come on folks! Police said officers got out of their cars and tried to corner the man, but he put his car in reverse and tried to run down one of the officers. The officer was hit and the other officer at the scene opened fire.

The brothers version: “I put my hand up and he put his hands out the window and they started shooting and shooting and shooting, and he leaned over to cover me up so I wouldn’t get shot,” Alan Berumen said.

Tough #$% dude. Sorry your brother is dead but perhaps you might try looking at taking responsibilty for your own actions and the part you played in those around you. It is not acceptable to beat up your girlfriend, take hostages, run over cops, or be willing with the person doing these things.