Roads in Angeles National Forest closed as rains bear down

Roads in Angeles National Forest closed as rains bear down

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NEWS FLASH - Harsh Winter Storm

Surf, wind and flood advisories issued as rainstorms hit Southern California
January 13, 2010 8:40 am Los Angeles Times

Commutes were marred by slick roads this morning after scattered showers fell overnight, and the rain is expected to continue through this afternoon, along with strong winds and high surf.

Forecasters were warning beachgoers to stay out of the ocean because of dangerous surf. A high-surf advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Friday as a large west swell combines with high tides over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.

Waves are expected to reach 8 to 12 feet at Los Angeles and Ventura county beaches and as high as 17 feet on exposed, west-facing beaches. Dangerous rip currents are expected on all beaches through Friday. During the peak of the event, surf is expected to reach an average height of 15 to 20 feet along the central coast.

LEGALIZE IT

Peter Tosh sang about it: "Legalize it - don't criticize it Legalize it and i will advertise it Some call it tampee Some call it the weed Some call it Marijuana Some of them call it Ganja Legalize it - don't criticize it Legalize it and i will advertise it "

Today the California Lawmakers will vote on Assembly Bill 390 -- legislation to tax and regulate marijuana. The assembly's Public Safety Committee is expected to vote after a hearing that begins at 9 a.m. hearing in Sacramento. The bill would essentially treat pot the same way alcohol is treated under the law and would allow adults over 21 to possess, smoke and grow marijuana.

The law would also call for a fee of $50 per ounce sold and would help fund drug eradication and awareness programs. It could help pull California out of debt, supporters say, raising up to $990 million from the fees.

I told you this was coming..........Stay Tuned

BECKY and FAMILY Revisited

It has been a month since I explained our FAMILY situation.

We have not heard from Becky. Emily, Pam's sister, called her. She ranted on about how hurt everyone is but for all her education in Psychology she can't see both sides of this situation. Pam's cousin Amy sent an email. Then she got a call from DUG, Pam's brother. He doesn't have the testicles to call Pam or me. Likewise we have heard nothing from Pam's mother or father.

Oops, sorry, we did get a BOOK from Becky. It was a bound book of photos showing Pam's visit to Belleville over Thanksgiving. Cute photos of Pam and Jack, but no photo of me. Jack wondered why I wasn't in the book. Well Jack, it's like this.............

I DO Support Freedom to Marry

Today the Federal Trial begins in San Francisco to decide if California Proposition 8 is legal. In my view it is not. Note the trail is not on YouTube because the supporters of Prop 8 don't want to be seen on TV.

This is an historic moment of all Americans. Our basic principal of freedom and justice, "equal protection under the law" is being tested in court. We know that under Islamic Law, gay marriage would not be tolerated. Further, we are told that the bible rejects homosexuality, although there are really no clear examples of this point. You would think it would be one of the ten commandments if it were a sin. You can't covert property, but no mention of homosexuality. It does make me wonder why this was omitted.

Regardless, our society is built on laws. Yes, we have a long tradition of religious belief. In the end, we made the decision to move away from church rules to a legal system that holds that all men and women are created equal. Black, white Asian, gay, divorced, single, hippies or not, we are all equal under the law. This principal forced the ban on slavery and allowed for women to vote. It is our core belief and I believe it will force the end of Proposition 8.

I'm no liberal. As a real conservative I want to see everyone treated the same. Today I read an article by Theodore Olson in NEWSWEEK. He makes the case this way: " Americans who believe in the words of the Declaration of Independence, in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, in the 14th Amendment, and in the Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and equal dignity before the law cannot sit by while this wrong continues. This is not a conservative or liberal issue; it is an American one, and it is time that we, as Americans, embraced it."

You can read this article at : http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957

And now a word from Accu-Weather 9000

If you live in the US or UK it's COLD. Well, not here in Los Angeles or in Phoenix but yes, everyplace else. It's going to be 72 and sunny AGAIN in Southern California. Did you watch the BCS game from the Rose Bowl last night?

London is 30 degrees, Orlando is 38 degrees New Orleans is 33 degrees and Kapalua, Maui is 83 at the Ritz Carlton. The only warmer place is Perth, West Australia where it is the middle of the summer and approaching 90 degrees for all next week.

I guess that Perth and Maui Temperatures are a result of Global Warming. Ha, ha ha ha ha

TSA in the news.....you can't make this up.

TSA Agent Arrested at LAX

From NBCLA.com

By KIM BALDONADO and SCOTT WEBER
Updated 8:01 AM PST, Thu, Jan 7, 2010

They are the first line of defense in airport security but two troubling incidents involving TSA agents at LAX are raising concerns.

A TSA agent was arrested on January 3rd in Terminal One at LAX, a source told NBCLA. He had just gotten off duty and was behaving erratically, saying, "I am god, I’m in charge." The agent was arrested.

Meanwhile, a TSA Internal Affairs investigation turned up evidence of LAX TSA agents using drugs at an after-hours party.

TSA officials say a videotape of the party was of poor quality and the employees were not in uniform, but 4 employees were tentatively identified.

All 4 were tested for drugs. One came back positive and that employee was fired.

America wake up to this HOAX.....the TSA and so called "airport security" is a fraud. You are paying billions to be illegally searched all in the name of safety. In spite of the systems and long lines, the TSA has not been successful at catching a single terrorist in the last five years. This phony TSA security system is a waste of Tax dollars and an "unreasonable search".

Be vocal and demand an end to this stupid search system. The only people who need to be searched are those who fail computer profiling. Anyone who buys a ticket with a credit card is traceable prior to the planes departure. TSA and the airlines know these fliers are "safe" prior to arrival at the airport. TSA is a Joke.

THE END of 2009

It's over. 2009 is history. It was a year of the worst financial mess in modern times. America and the World almost had a financial collapse.

Things were not so bad for me and those I know. Yes, Jennifer has a house in U City she needs to sell. Beyond that, things were not as bad as they appeared in the news. I was laid off from Empress. That led to me starting my own business working from home. Necessity, the mother of invention. Frank Zappa was right. My modest business was successful and we had enough left over for our annual Holiday Party. An added plus, I got to meet and work with Jay Gallagher. I feel like I have known Jay all my life.

Meredith graduated from College, or at least completed her class work and is now ready to find a full time job or attend Grad School. She and Shaun have a new Apartment in San Francisco. Wow, how cool is that? To be 24 and living in the City by the Bay. Just a cable car ride from the Buena Vista. Nice job Mere. You had a dream and you made it come true. I am really proud of you.

Colleen is finished with Orange Coast and trying to transfer to Cal State Fullerton. She seems really happy with Cameron. Her job at the Counter is steady and she will be turning 21 in March. That should lead to a new career opportunity involving beverages. I think Colleen is the happiest she has ever been. She took me to lunch in Laguna for my Birthday and it made my day.

Jack is four. He is wonderful and spends too much time with grown ups. Some of this time is spent watching "bad guy movies". We need to keep an eye on him to make sure he understands they are just make believe.

Pam is also doing great. Her job could not get any better. She turned down a promotion because she wanted an office and they only offered a cubicle. Her sales results exceeded budget and she is respected by the people she works with. If only her mother, Becky, would appreciate her as much as Jack, me, and her employer. But that is Becky's problem and not Pam's.

So it wasn't such a bad year. On the usual scale it came out about an 8.7. Julie had us all together for Christmas Dinner as one family. Thanks again Julz. Greg came to visit for a week and we got to catch up. Yes, I wish Becky and Pam would resolve their issues. But, I don't miss Becky, Dug, or Emily. I wish Kate and Jennifer would come visit or call. I have tried to stay in touch with them.

I wish things were perfect. This gives me something to work on in 2010.

AT THE MOVIES

Over the recent Holidays I went to two movies.

I waited and read up on AVATAR. I went Opening Day to see the movie in 3D IMAX. The special effects were really good and in IMAX it is overpowering. Jack wanted to see AVATAR so I went a second time to see it with him. I liked AVATAR. My only concern was the thin story line and lack of complex character development. This movie won't win awards for writing.

Then, as a second thought, we went to see SHERLOCK HOLMES. Wow! This movie is all about the writing and the character. I have to admit I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since I was a boy. Regardless, nothing you have seen or read previously adds up to the new movie by Guy Ritchie. In my view, Sherlock Holmes is better than Avatar in every possible way.

My guess is most of America will see Avatar and some will see Sherlock Holmes. Few will see both movies and be able to compare the set design, costumes and writing. For those who have seen other Guy Ritchie movies, [Snatch, Lock Stock and two Smoking Barrels], this movie has the same quickness in dialogue and visual style with slow motion sequences designed to explain the critical moments. I loved it and really like the style that Guy Ritchie has developed.

Go see Sherlock Holmes. It is one of the best movies of 2009.

GLOBAL WARMING ?

Please look at this Map. As an aside, it is 68 and sunny here in Irvine, California. The rest of America and Europe seem to be suffering. I know it's January and it is supposed to be cold but it is 42 in Jacksonville Florida and 38 in New Orleans. In the UK [That's England for those of you who don't read the Economist] it is the coldest winter on record.

So where is Al Gore during all this? Have we finally reached a point where we can openly discuss the Hoax that Global Warming has become? If you are reading this and it is really cold outside ask yourself. Does Global Warming really exist?

GOLD....revisited

If you are watching GOLD prices you know it has fallen in the last two weeks.
Krugerands are trading at $1136 each, down from $1250. The 200 day moving average is at $1025. This is the average trading price for the past 200 days.

If GOLD falls to the 200 day moving average, this is a good time to buy.
Historically GOLD has only briefly dropped to the 200 day average and then reversed and gone up.

Note: GOLD coins like the Krugerand, American Eagle, and Canadian Maple Leaf are easy to buy and trade. Each is a troy ounce of GOLD. You can buy them at any coin shop for $25 over the market. Over the last five years they have gone from $500 each to over $1,000.

Ish MY BIRTHDAZE

A Big Thanks to Colleen for the Birthday Lunch at Watermarc in Laguna Beach. Good soup and a "free" Birthday tray for desert.

They always come back. Just look into her eyes......you are getting sleepy. Now she has you in her spell. Thanks again Colleen, you will always be Jack's "older Brother".

12-15-47 to 12-15-09

Sometimes when you start something you just aren't sure if you will ever get to the finish.

Today is my birthday. I am 62 and eligible to collect Social Security. Everyone who has a job and has paid into this so called, retirement safety net, should be happy for me. This doesn't mean I am going to start collecting my money. They have it set up in a way so as to encourage you to wait and collect at 66. That's' four years from now.

Regardless, I made it this far and I was never very sure that I would live this long. I have had a crazy life and by all accounts I should have been dead in the 1970s. Luck and Common Sense prevailed and it feels good to finally be at a point where the government will start paying me.

I'm going to Laguna Beach for Lunch with Colleen. She's driving so, I might just have a few sips of the sauce. Thanks Mom for this day back in 1947. You and Dad did a great job and not a day goes by that I don't think of you.

UPDATE

It's been a week since I posted FAMILY ISSUES. Still no call from BECKY. Each day that goes by proves my point; She only cares about BECKY. The good news is if she can't call, she won't visit and there is no way in hell that we are ever going back to another Wal-Mart Family Holiday.

So, things are going just fine. Pam is disappointed but at least things are clear. Emily called her and I think that was positive.

LA AUTO SHOW 2009

It is that time of year. The LA Auto Show has been running for the last two weeks. With the Christmas stuff, tree etc, we almost missed it. Sunday was the last day and we got there by 10:30 to check out what's new.

Jack ran around like a crazy boy. The crowds were really light. This was the last day of the Show. Maybe people aren't buying cars so they aren't going to look...who knows. Lack of crowds left big areas for Jack to run wild. He had to sit in as many cars as possible. You can see his grinning little face in the Porsche above.

As we wandered around the Show, it became clear that the Germans are winning the car war. There were almost no lookers in the huge Ford booth.....empty. Likewise Chrysler looked like a ghost town. At BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi you could barely find room to walk. Jack waited for several minutes to sit on the new BMW 1000 RR motorcycle.

Pam has an eight year old BMW 325 Convertible. She loved it when she first got it. Today it holds fond memories but she has been thinking about the day....when she will have the Porsche Convertible.

We pay almost $1500 a month for Jack to attend Tutor Time. It's really the only way Jack can learn to play with other little kids. He loves it and is almost ready to read. Next year he will attend Kindergarten at Tutor Time with all his friends. But in September of 2011 Jack will be in First Grade. This means no more payments to Tutor Time.

$1500 a month is just about what it will take to buy the 911S Porsche Convertible. The one we looked at the Show listed at $135,000. Ya, seems like a lot of money for a car. But, it is just about the best car on earth.

So the clock it ticking. 21 months to go to the 911 Convertible. I will keep you posted on our progress.

AVATAR

Avatar is coming in IMAX 3D next week. This movie is going to change the idea of going to the Movies.

For the last five years it has been easier to skip going to the Movies. We either wait for Movies to come out on DVD or we rent them on Cable through On-Demand Movies. Driving to the Theatre, waiting in line, sitting in some uncomfortable sticky seat, just isn't as good as being at home.

And, HD Movies at home have been just as good as watching the same movie at the Theatre. But all this may just change. AVATAR and the technology behind the movie may make it necessary to go back to the Theatre. IMAX 3D won't be coming home for a few years and if there was ever a movie to go see in IMAX....it is AVATAR. Early release information in London said the opening night crowd gave the Movie a standing ovation.

In Jack's words this may just be a Really Good Bad Guy Good Guy Movie.

BECKY

I need to explain myself. People will be asking, "Is Pam's husband crazy?" In a general sense, that question remains to be answered, but regarding this situation..., you alone can be my judge.

I see my role to include responsibility for the protection and welfare of my family. Meredith and Colleen always knew I was there if they needed me to step in to defend them. My approach has never been subtle. I tend to speak out to make may point. I do get results.

My role of protector includes defending Pam and Jack from gossip and abuse, even if it comes from Pam's Mom.

For 15 years I have loved Pam Olroyd. We met while working together. I respected her and we agreed on so many things that it became clear that we would be best friends. Her mother, BECKY, did not approve.

As a parent, I would be concerned if my 23 year old daughter came home and said she liked a 45 year old married man. I understand completely how BECKY felt. But, Pam had always been smart. She was the smartest child, valedictorian, and graduated Summa Cum Laude at U of I. As a parent, I would take time to listen and understand before drawing conclusions. My daughter's boyfriends have always been accepted.

It is here, at this point in my relationship with Pam, that the problem began. BECKY either did not trust Pam's judgement Or, as I have come to believe, she did not care. In my view, BECKY only cares about BECKY. She is insecure and gossips to diminish those around her, whom she sees as "rivals." Becky has done this to nearly everyone in the family. She has said things about Bobby and Sarah, DUG's wife and children, her mother and sisters and more. Simply put: BECKY does not want Pam be happy. She was then and is now jealous of her daughter and her accomplishments. This is the core issue that has led to our situation.

Back to our Story.....So, Pam wanted her mother to accept her decision and our relationship. She set up a lunch in which BECKY and I were to meet. Pam and I arrived to meet BECKY and Pam's sister, Emily, at Jalapenos, in Clayton. This was in ...about 1995. It was a disaster.

BECKY and Emily arrived with a chip on their shoulder. I think I said, "It's a nice day." and They said..."Oh, is it?" in a smug, glib way so as to question everything about me. BECKY had made up her mind and Emily, the mental health poster child, agreed.

That was it. NO ACCEPTANCE for Pam. In BECKY'S view I was .....all those awful things she has said over the years. Old, stupid, overconfident, outspoken, brash, egocentric, a slob, drunk, whatever. [One or two may be true but you have to pick the ones you like best.]


Time went by. I accepted a job in LA. The next year Pam moved to LA. Then in 1999 Pam's brother came to visit. DUG was sent on a "mission" by BECKY. He threatened me. At a Bar in Long Beach he told me he would "take me outside and kick my ass". Yes, he was just as stupid as Mom. I told him to sit down and stop yelling. He called me a coward. I told him I would kill him if he continued. He flew home to BECKY to report that I was in fact crazy. Everyone BECKY knew heard DUG's version of the story. I believe I was defending myself and my relationship with Pam. Back to that role of protector.

Pam and I were married in 2002. Emily and DUG refused to attend. Over the last five years Pam and I have tried to reconcile. DUG will not speak to me. Emily acts like the mental patient she hopes to cure. Each visit reopens the same wounds for Pam. She is not accepted by her brother or sister and BECKY is responsible for creating and encouraging this situation.

So why? Why has this gone on? Why has BECKY gossiped about us and created this mess? My only answer is because BECKY wants to diminish and marginalize PAM. BECKY is resentful of Pam's ability and accomplishments. BECKY can not accept Pam as a successful adult women.

Crazy? You tell me. Am I? Go to my BLOG at: http://viewsyoucanuse.blogspot.com/ and leave your comment. There has to be a reason why BECKY has spent 15 years intentionally hurting her daughter by gossiping and being rude. If I am crazy or wrong, please set me straight.

And, DUG, please come back to "kick my ass" when your wet urine stained pants dry.

FAMILY ISSUE

We went back to St Louis this past Thanksgiving to spend time with friends and family. Part of this time included Thanksgiving Dinner with Pam's parents and relatives. Jack and Pam said they had a good time. I did not.

I am writing about this so as to have a clear record, for Jack. I want this issue to be understood and in writing. Jack asked me about the situation and I brushed it off because he is too young to understand.

For fifteen years, Pam's family have been "unhappy" with her decision to love and marry me. Her brother and sister refused to attend our wedding. Clearly, they do not respect Pam's judgement. I know they don't like me, and it is very clear when we are together. Some of them try to fake it. Everyone, except Pam's brother, was polite. Regardless, the entire Thanksgiving Day was uncomfortable.

My position on all of this is simple. The issue is between Pam and her family. Pam made the decision to love me, move to California, to marry me, and to have Jack. If there is an issue, it is with Pam's decisions. Regarding me: They don't like me. I can accept who I am. Not everyone likes me. I'm not looking for friends. I do like and respect Jim Olroyd.

From the beginning, from the first time Pam introduce me to her family, it has been a strained relationship. They misjudged me and my motives. They believed that I had "brainwashed" Pam. Anyone who knows Pam knows this is impossible. In the first meetings, they were glib and rude. Her siblings tried to humiliate and belittle me. The high point was Doug's threat to "kick my ass" at the Yardhouse in Long Beach.

Doug misjudged me more than the others. I told him he made a mistake and that if he did so a second time, I would kill him. Who did Doug think he was dealing with? I am not one to be threatened and Doug isn't man enough to do it or back it up. My guess is that Doug was acting on direction from, or with the support of his family. Over the time since that event, he has continued to behave like a coward. He also has the continued support of his family.

I have apologized to Doug for my part in the disagreement at the Yardhouse. I offered to shake Doug's hand and put this disagreement behind us. He refused, and continues to harbor resentment. Pam asked me to try to improve my relationship with her family. I tired and it has not worked. I am finished with participation in these Family events.

In my view there is nothing for me to gain by participating. Pam made her decision to move away from her family's soup opera. Jack would be better off not being involved, and, we already know they don't like me.

Pearl Harbor ....REMEMBER

Search the news today. You will find almost no mention of the fact that 68 years ago the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

December 7, 1941, was my parent's generation, 9/11. As a kid I remember them retelling stories of where they were when they heard the news that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. News traveled more slowly in 1941 and most of the urgent news was on the radio. They would say, "We interrupt our regular programing with this urgent News report...The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii." WOW, the impact was as powerful as the morning I sat and watched the second plane crash into the World Trade Center.

We should all know why the Japanese attacked. The Japanese had grown into an industrial country. In the process, they needed more and more resources to maintain their production economy. A faction in the Japanese government believed the only way to secure these resources was through invasion. The Japanese began by invading Manchuria and then China. Later they invaded French Indo-China [Vietnam]. The English and French interest in Asia were not being watched as War developed in Europe. The United States cut off oil sales to Japan in an effort to stop the military expansion in Asia. This led to the plan to bomb Pearl Harbor and destroy the US Fleet.

As a result of the bombing, the US declared War on Japan and later Germany. The Bombing of Pearl Harbor brought America into World War II. It is important that we remember this event, why it happened, and how America responded. There is a lesson in this pain. More importantly, we need to remember each year for those who fought to defend our country. Thanks Dad, we still remember all you did for us. I still have the Sword.

OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR MAY BE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK

The name, "Der Spiegel" means the Mirror in German. On Wednesday following President Obama's speech Der Spiegel posted the following Opinion. This is clearly the view of many of those whom Obama calls our NATO partners.

" Never before has a speech by President Barack Obama felt as false as his Tuesday address announcing America's new strategy for Afghanistan. It seemed like a campaign speech combined with Bush rhetoric -- and left both dreamers and realists feeling distraught." By Gabor Steingart, Der Spiegel

Personally, I liked the speech. I think Obama made his case for additional troops. What he did not say was that most important part of the speech. He did not say, Our friends and allies in Pakistan are capable of finding Osama Bin Laden. He did not say, Pakistan can win their own internal war against radical Islam. In fact, he made it clear that Pakistan may need our help if they want to crush the terrorist inside their own country. This looks like a long expensive mess. Der Spiegel seems to be saying Germany and NATO are not up to the fight.