SpaceX

Tucson Weather Today

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SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket broke up in a fiery blast on Sunday just minutes after its launch with a robotic Dragon cargo capsule headed for the International Space Station. It was the third failure of a space station resupply mission in eight months.
June 28, 2015
RELEASE 15-140

NASA Administrator Statement on the Loss of SpaceX CRS-7

The following is a partial statement from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden on the loss Sunday of the SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services 7 (CRS-7) mission.

“We are disappointed in the loss of the latest SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. However, the astronauts are safe aboard the station and have sufficient supplies for the next several months . . .

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TV Selection

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At noon today I tuned through the news channels (ABC. CBS, NBC, FUX NEWS, CNN and the rest) but they were all showing the same tear-jerking entertainment program which featured a somewhat familiar big-eared black guy giving a boring eulogy in a church. It seemed to me a crappy piece of political posturing and my attention wandered along with my channel selector until I finally found, on AMC, a rerun of the fine old movie, Caddyshack, which I viewed with much pleasure.

'nuff said?

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Islam

Tucson Weather Today

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After having bgeen subjected to all the media hype about ISIS (or ISIL, or IS... all meaning Islamic State), I thought I should read up on this subject of Islam.

According to Wikipedia: Islam is a verbal noun originating from the triliteral root s-l-m which forms a large class of words mostly relating to concepts of wholeness, safeness and peace. In a religious context it means "voluntary submission to God".

Then, on another website, I found: "There are two main branches of Islam: Sunni and Shi'a. Sunni Islam is by far the largest group, although in some countries it is a minority."

Sunnis have their historical roots in the majority group who followed Abu Bakr, an effective leader, as the successor of Muhammad, instead of his cousin and son-in-law Ali.

Shi'ites are those who followed Ali, the closest relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's successor.
source: Compare Shia vs. Sunni Islam

The difference between Sunni and Shia sects

The difference between Sunnis and Shi’a is more of a political nature than creed. There are no dogmatic differences between the two sects. Both, Sunnis and Shi’as, believe in the one God (Allah in Arabic) or Tawhid (monotheism), in the angels, scriptures, prophets and messengers, the hereafter, and the divine decree, destiny. They share the same scripture, called the Qur’an. Although there may be a difference in the way Sunnis and Shi’as worship, nevertheless, both pray five times a day, fast the month of Ramadan, pay the zakah (or the obligatory charity) and go to Mecca for pilgrimage. During daily prayers, both Sunnis and Shi’as direct their faces toward Mecca.

After the death of Muhammad, Muslims disputed over the prophet’s successor. Muhammad’s successor, Abu Bakr, and the other three Caliphs (Omar, Uthman and Ali) after him were accepted by Muslims as the rightful successors of the prophet and were later known as Sunnis. On the other hand the Muslims who thought Ali Bin Abi Talib, the prophet’s cousin, is the legitimate successor of the prophet became to be known as Shi’a. The Shi’a believes that the prophet’s successor has to be from the family of the prophet Muhammad. Whereas Sunnis believe that the successor of the prophet must be from the tribe of Quraish, the prophet’s tribe. This political discord continued for centuries and the divide between the two sects remains to this day unresolved. Another major difference between Sunni and Shi’a is that Sunnis believe that no person after Muhammad is infallible while the Shi’a believes in the infallibility of the twelve Imams (leaders) who are descendants from the family of prophet Muhammad.

The word “Shi’a” in Arabic literally means a sect or a faction. The followers of the Shi’a sect belong to the faction or followers of Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali who, according to the Shi’a sect should have been the direct successor of Muhammad and is considered divinely appointed and the first Imam.
source: Difference between Sunnis and Shi’a

More on differences between Sunni and Shia sects

One (and one only) statement in what I read made some sense to me. Here is that statement: In Islam, God is beyond all comprehension and Muslims are not expected to visualize God.

After reading all the nonsense and after exploring the related links listed above, I found nothing at all to change any of my previous thoughts and judgments -- I still believe that all organized religions are, quite obviously, ludicrous crocks of human offal.

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This Is Who I Am

Just Checkin' In

Tucson Weather Today

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Another presidential candidate.

When will it all end?

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It's too damned hot to work my brain here in Tucson. About 105 degrees when I went out to check my mail just a couple hours after noon. Thank the universe for reliable air conditioning.

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This Is Who I Am

Watching CNN

Tucson Weather Today

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"I want to be very wealthy, and I'll be glad to tell you when I've accomplished that goal."

-John Ellis Bush
source:

I was surprised to learn that Jeb is the nickname, not the true name of Jeb Bush. His first name is John, his middle name is Ellis, and his last name is Bush. I first heard that on CNN.

Live and learn

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This Is Who I Am

Heat Of The Day

Tucson Weather Today

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I am still streaming (free-of-charge) the complete run ofThe X-Files, about two episodes per night. Episodes 5, 6, and 7 of Season 5 are real stinkers.

This morning an amiable young man named Matt came and installed my TV to  Cox Cable. Now I can watch CNN and Fox News,...along with lots of other stuff.

The weather report calls for over 100 degree temperatures all week here in Tucson... one day at 112 degrees. I plan to stay inside with the AC running. I walked over to CVS Pharmacy a few minutes ago to stock up on those handy-dandy 1 Liter bottles of Diet Coke -- and it was already hot out there.

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This Is Who I Am

What To Do

Tucson Weather Today

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It seems that I have nothing meaningful to contribute to this generation of human beings. I despise cell phones and do not own one... and do not intend to ever change that state of affairs. I have nothing to add to the Facebook society and will continue to merely sit in the background and follow the postings of my family and friends. There seems to be nothing for me to write about. I suppose I could go back to the radio and listen to Rush Limbaugh as I used to do. His opinions had a way of stimulating some of my own.

Or I could just sit back for the rest of my life and do nothing more than read books and watch TV.

Word For Today

deodand [dee-uh-dand]
noun
A deodand is an item of property that, however coincidentally, has caused the death of a human being.

Did You Know?

63 Earths could fut inside Uranas, and 1,321.3 Earths could fit inside Jupiter.
source

This Day In History

Harriet Beecher Stowe was born on this day in 1811. Stowe studied at private schools in Connecticut and worked as a teacher in Hartford for five years until her father moved to Cincinnati in 1832. She accompanied him and continued to teach while writing stories and essays. In 1836, she married Calvin Ellis Stowe, with whom she had seven children. She published her first book, Mayflower, in 1843.

While living in Cincinnati, Stowe encountered fugitive slaves and the Underground Railroad. Later, she wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin in reaction to recently tightened fugitive laws.

The book sold some 300,000 copies and did much to galvanize public opinion in the North against slavery. Stowe traveled to England in 1853, where she was welcomed as a literary hero. Along with Ralph Waldo Emerson, she became one of the original contributors to The Atlantic, which launched in November 1857. In 1863, when Lincoln announced the end of slavery, she danced in the streets. Stowe continued to write throughout her life and died in 1896.
source

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Donald Trump

Donald John Trump Sr. (born June 14, 1946) is an American business magnate, investor, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner, and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have made him a well-known celebrity who was No. 17 on the 2011 Forbes Celebrity 100 list.

Marla Gibbs

Marla Gibbs (born June 14, 1931) is an American actress, singer, writer and producer. Gibbs is best known for her role as Louise and George Jefferson's feisty maid, Florence Johnston, in the long-running CBS sitcom, The Jeffersons (1975-1985), for which she received five Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nominations.

Yasmine Bleeth

Yasmine Amanda Bleeth (born June 14, 1968) is an American actress. Her television roles include Caroline Holden in the long-running series Baywatch and Lee Anne Demerest on the soap opera One Life to Live.

Steffi Graf

Stefanie Maria "Steffi" Graf (born 14 June 1969) is a German former world No. 1 tennis player. In 1988, she became the first and only tennis player (male or female) to achieve the Calendar Year Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year.

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This Is Who I Am

Nothing To Share

Tucson Weather Today

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After thinking long and hard about today's blog entry, I have concluded that I have nothing interesting to share but cynicism -- and the world has more than enough of that.

Now I am leaving for my morning walk.

Word For Today

lexicography [lek-suh-kog-ruh-fee]
noun
the practice of compiling dictionaries

Did You Know?

Al Capone was known for setting up soup kitchens during the Great Depression, providing milk for school children, and sending thousands of dollars worth of flowers to rival gang member’s funerals. (And for being a violent, ruthless killer.)

source

This Day In History

Pioneer 10 is an American space probe, weighing 258 kilograms, that completed the first mission to the planet Jupiter. Thereafter, on this day in history, Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to achieve escape velocity from the Solar System.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Tim Allen

Timothy Alan Dick (born June 13, 1953), known professionally as Tim Allen, is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his role in the sitcom Home Improvement. He is also known for his starring roles in several popular films, including the Toy Story film series (as the voice of Buzz Lightyear), The Santa Clause film series, and the science fiction action comedy film Galaxy Quest (1999). Since 2011, he has starred as Mike Baxter in the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing.

Ashley Olsen

Ashley Fuller Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is a former American actress, fashion designer, producer, author, and businesswoman. She co-founded luxury fashion brands The Row, Elizabeth and James, and the more affordable lines Olsenboye and StyleMint with her fraternal twin sister Mary-Kate Olsen.

Richard Thomas

Richard Earl Thomas (born June 13, 1951) is an American actor. He is best known for his leading role as budding author John-Boy Walton in the CBS drama The Waltons, where he won one Emmy Award, and received nominations for another Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards.

Mary-Kate Olsen

Mary-Kate Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is a former American actress, fashion designer, producer, author, businesswoman, and equestrian. She co-founded luxury fashion brands The Row, Elizabeth and James, and the more affordable lines Olsenboye and StyleMint alongside her fraternal twin sister Ashley Olsen. Olsen pursued acting independently as an adult until 2012.

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This Is Who I Am

Regret Is Possible

Tucson Weather Today

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Did you ever make an appointment to do something but then wondered if you made a mistake by doing so? Well, last night I went online and searched the various offers available to me here in Tucson for TV service. It seems that the best deal I can get is from Cox Cable. So I made an appointment to get the Economy Lineup  installed this coming Monday morning between 8 and 10 o'clock. My cost is supposed to be just under $40 per month (hah... we'll see.)

I hope I won't regret this action.


Word For Today

verbigeration [ver-bij-uh-rey-shuh n]
noun
Obsessive repetition of meaningless words and phrases, especially as a symptom of mental illnes.


Did You Know?

Nearly 1/3 of London men are too fat to see their own genitals.
source


This Day In History

On this day in 1994 Nicole Brown Simpson, famous football player O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife, and her friend Ron Goldman were brutally stabbed to death outside Nicole’s home in Brentwood, California, in what quickly became one of the most highly publicized trials of the century. With overwhelming evidence against him, including a prior record of domestic violence towards Brown, O.J. Simpson became the chief suspect.

The evidence against Simpson was extensive: His blood was found at the murder scene; blood, hair, and fibers from Brown and Goldman were found in Simpson’s car and at his home; one of his gloves was also found in Brown’s home, the other outside his own house; and bloody shoeprints found at the scene matched those of shoes owned by Simpson.

However, Simpson’s so-called “Dream Team” of defense lawyers, including Johnnie Cochran and F. Lee Bailey, claimed before a national television audience that Simpson had been framed by racist police officers such as Detective Mark Fuhrman. After deliberating for three hours, the jury acquitted Simpson. In a civil trial brought about by the families of the victims, Simpson was found responsible for causing Goldman’s death and committing battery against Brown in February 1997, and was ordered to pay a total of $33.5 million, little of which he has paid.

In 2007, Simpson ran into legal problems once again when he was arrested for breaking into a Las Vegas hotel room and taking sports memorabilia, which he claimed had been stolen from him, at gunpoint. On October 3, 2008, he was found guilty of 12 charges related to the incident, including armed robbery and kidnapping, and sentenced to 33 years in prison.

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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

George H. W. Bush

George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) is a retired American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.

Carla Abellana

Carla Angeline Reyes Abellana is a Filipina actress and commercial model who played the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of the Mexican telenovela, Rosalinda, aired in GMA Network. She recently finished starring as Eulalia "Lally" Agatep-Soriano in My Husband's Lover, 'Grace" dela Rosa in My Destiny on GMA Network and as Lira in So It's You.

James Thurston "Jim" Nabors

Jim Nabors (born June 12, 1930) is an American actor and singer. He was discovered by Andy Griffith and later joined The Andy Griffith Show, playing Gomer Pyle. The character proved popular, and Nabors was given his own spin-off show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Allie DiMeco

Alexandra Jean Theresa "Allie" DiMeco (born June 12, 1992) is an American actress and multi-instrumentalist primarily known for playing the role of Nat Wolff's main love interest Rosalina in the musical comedy series The Naked Brothers Band.

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This Is Who I Am

Baby Steps

Tucson Weather Today

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Yesterday I gathered up a horrendous heap of dirty clothes, stuffed it into a carrying bag,, and hauled it over to the laundry room. About two hours later I returned to my apartment and debated whether I should put the wonderfully fresh, clean clothes away (into their assigned slots) or leave that chore for later and write instead a bit in my blog. Then, on second thought, I decided the best bet might be to do both at the same time.

So that's just what I did.


Word For Today

skint
British slang
A variant of skinned. To be skinned or skinned out was to be deprived of all your money by gambling, frequently of the rigged sort.


Did You Know?

On this day in 1979, John Wayne, an iconic American film actor famous for starring in countless westerns, died at age 72 after battling cancer for more than a decade.

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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Gene Wilder

June 11, 1933

Gene Wilder is an American stage and screen comic actor, director, screenwriter, author, and activist.

Adrienne Jo Barbeau

June 11, 1945

Adrienne Barbeau is an American actress and the author of three books. Barbeau came to prominence in the 1970s as Broadway's original Rizzo in the musical Grease, and as Carol Traynor, the divorced daughter of Maude Findlay (played by Bea Arthur) in the sitcom Maude. In the early 1980s, Barbeau was a sex symbol, starring in several horror and science fiction films, including The Fog, Creepshow, Swamp Thing, and Escape from New York. 

Hugh Laurie

June 11, 1959

From 2004 to 2012, Hugh Laurie played Dr. Gregory House, the protagonist of House, for which he received two Golden Globe awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards, and six Emmy nominations.

Claire Rhiannon Holt

June 11, 1988

Claire Holt is an Australian actress, best known for her roles as Emma Gilbert on the television show H2O: Just Add Water, Chastity Meyer on Mean Girls 2, and Rebekah Mikaelson on The CW series The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off series The Originals.

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This Is Who I Am

Being Back

Tucson Weather Today

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The process of coming back is a slow and painful one.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Sasha Obama

June 10, 2001

Sasha Obama is the daughter of 44th U.S. president Barack Obama.

Elizabeth Hurley

June 10, 1965

Elizabeth Hurley's best-known film roles to date have been as Vanessa Kensington in Mike Myers' hit spy comedy, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and as the Devil in Bedazzled (2000)

Audie Murphy

June 10, 1924

Audie Murphy was an honored U.S. WWII hero who became an action movie star. He was decorated with three Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, an Expert Badge with Bayonet, and the Medal of Honor.

Judy Garland 

June 10, 1922

After appearing in vaudeville with her two older sisters, Judy Garland was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a teenager. There, she made more than two dozen films, including nine with Mickey Rooney, and the 1939 film with which she would be most identified, The Wizard of Oz.

Judy Garland is the mother of Liza Minnelli.

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This Is Who I Am

Memories

Tucson Weather Today

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I once proposed that: without memory thare can be no intelligence. Now that's a fact. I believe it without a doubt. What is commonly termed intelligence is nothing more than the selection, compilation, and  integration of stored memories, and finally the individual's own interpretation of the resulting conclusion derived from this process.

Memory is all.


Addendum: Episode 10, Season 4 of The X-Files is a real piece of crap.

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This Is Who I Am

Pondering Reincarnation

Tucson Weather Today

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The mathematical discipline known as statistics should be able to prove the validity of reincarnation.

Within the span of eternity (which is a very long time indeed) it should be possible for all currently existing objects and their related events to be replicated in their exact forms.

Just think about this; even if the universe eventually ceases to exist, even if empathy brings about the stoppage of the motion of all objects, the science of statistics seems to show (prove?) that, given enough time (remember, we're talking about eternity here) all things that have been will be again.

Now, think about it -- does that make sense?

I'm not sure.

I have been worrying lately about my ability to make sense... in my thoughts as well as in my writing.

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This Is Who I Am

A New Beginning

Tucson Weather Today

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I realize it has been quite some time since I have written anything of worth to include here in the blog, but I am trying to rally my frazzled nerves enough to begin again. For reasons known only to me, doing so is quite a struggle. Perhaps tomorrow will be the most appropriate day for this New Beginning.

But as always
time will tell.

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