That’s where I spotted this doe tonight. This area of grassland extends all the way back over to Divide Avenue where it turns into Tyler Parkway, by the fire station. It’s a prime hideout for deer during the day as well as at dusk, when I saw this one.
Anyone who thinks that “war is not the answer” is deluded by the luxury of a sheltered existence, one brought about by this country’s might and sacrifice on the field of battle in the past. Truly evil people will not be contained by dialogue, and this world is full of them. Notice that only the USA still stands up to anyone in this world, and it’s able to do so because of the superior armed forces standing up for us each day.
Thank you to all who serve and have served. To my friend Reed and the rest of the 112th I want to say that I’m proud of you, I pray for you, and I eagerly await your return home.
I got this picture without realizing what the bugs were doing. It wasn’t until later when I got home and was perusing the photos that I realized that they were arm wrestling over the flower. Pretty sweet catch!
All contest entries are still posted at Bob’s for another week or so. Be sure to stop in and look around, and enter next year! You don’t have to have a fancy camera or take an artsy-craftsy photo to enter. Just take four pics that you’re proud of and enter them. You’ll be glad you did, and the rest of us can enjoy your work.
In the past I’m sure you’ve seen my posts about the 4×4 Mercedes :
and of course, the 4×4 Firebird :
And the acquisition of the Cadillac photo completes the trifecta. Or the hat trick, if you happen to be a UND Fighting Sioux Hockey fan. I know we’ve got a bunch of those out there!
As many of you know, I get my network service via satellite, which gives me the pleasure of New York and Los Angeles local newscasts. After watching the 24 finale tonight (wow) I saw a story about how New Yorkers were weaseling a way to license their vehicles in other states to save on their automobile insurance premiums. Then I saw this graphic:
So it’s true that it’s easier for a guy making New York wages to buy a $20,000 car…but by the time he gets done paying to park and insure it, I suspect we get the better deal.
Originally this tower had the big cone-shaped antennas that indicated that it was a microwave relay station. You can still see a tower decked out with these east of Dickinson, and I remember seeing another one between here and Fargo…but I’m not sure exactly where.
The array of antennas that currently occupy this behemoth are cellular antennas. You can determine if a tower is a cellular phone tower by these telltale antenna arrays, often oriented in a triangular pattern. Since AT&T is trying to establish a cellular presence in Bismarck, and they apparently haven’t the need for microwave equipment on this tower, cellular antennas have magically replaced those big ol’ cones. I don’t know how quickly it happened, but I noticed it suddenly. Watching them swap that equipment out would have been somewhat entertaining.
AT&T built a ton of these towers in the 1950s as part of the Long Lines project. I don’t know if this particular tower was part of that project, or at least the original phase of it. I found a map of those microwave relay sites here but I don’t have dates or other specific information to attach to this particular tower. Many of them don’t even belong to AT&T anymore…because of the logo on the side of the building I’m just assuming that this one still does.
In addition to being a fan of quality roast beef served quickly I’m a notorious proofreader and grammar/spelling nazi, and as such a person I can’t let this sign go. I can’t say that I’ve never made a typo. I spot them all the time in this blog, as a matter of fact, and then hastily correct them. When I saw this one, however, I had to point it out. Who knows…maybe “benifit” is a bait-and-switch tactic for new hires. “You mean you want benefits? Oh, no…we promised benifits! Sorry!
Then again, maybe the ran out of big yellow Es. Anyway, come soon, south Arby’s. I’ll be waiting.
It’s easy to be on the “for” side of the E85 issue. After all, who wouldn’t want a nice plentiful alternative fuel…one that helps the farmers of America’s heartland? But that comes with a big catch. Set your feelings aside for a second and connect the dots.
The ND Public Service Commission released a report this week saying that they tested E85 fuel from two Bismarck gas stations. Fuel that’s being sold as “85% Ethanol” is actually allowed, by ND law, to vary by as much as 25%! That means you could be buying “E60” when you’re paying for E85, and it’s legal! Not only is that sad, but it’s not even the heart of the matter. Read on.
According to figures they released in a Bismarck Tribune article today, the two samples of E85 fuel tested at 79,580 BTUs and 89,830 BTUs. That’s a measure of how much energy is in a gallon of the fuel sold as E85 at those stations. The more energy in the fuel, the more that gets released when you burn it in your fancy new alternative-fuel capable vehicle. That’s quite a variance, in this case well over ten percent!
Have you ever had a dirty air filter? A fouled spark plug or cracked spark plug wire? Have you taken a road trip with underinflated tires? These things make a pretty serious difference in your gas mileage. So imagine the difference if someone took ten percent of the bang out of your fuel! Your mileage is going to go down far worse than any of the above.
Let’s not forget that in order to get that precious gallon of energy-saving E85 fuel you have to plant corn, irrigate it, harvest it, transport it, process it, and extract ethanol from it. So you’ve already burned a ton of fuel just to get that gallon of E85 in the first place. Now you’ve got a gallon of something that has approximately 70% of the energy output of a gallon of gasoline!
As a motorcycle racer, I’ve heard all the myths about gasoline blends. I’ve talked to guys who think the octane rating is the same as a virtual “power rating” of a fuel. I’ve heard that race gas will burn up your engine (generally it actually burns faster, therefore cooler). I’ve also done the research and read a lot on it. And let me tell you right now, your best bet is to buy 87 octane Regular Unleaded. Don’t get the ethanol blend for the same price; your mileage will suffer. If you ride a car or motorcycle which requires higher octane fuel, get the Premium Unleaded. Your engine will thank you for it, and so will your wallet.
Speaking of wallets, the only way ethanol and ethanol blended fuels can be viable is if someone sneaks money out of yours. Your taxes have to subsidize this new miraculous alternative fuel; billions have been spent already on it and billions more will be spent due to the craze over the price of crude oil and gasoline. Subsidies will help build processing plants and subsidies will go to farmers growing corn…it’s subsidies all around, hop on the Ethanol gravy train!
I know this isn’t going to be a popular post in a rural state like North Dakota, but it’s the truth. I don’t care if it brings more ag revenue into the state, it’s a dishonest way to get it. Remove all the subsidies, let ethanol pay its own way, and then see how viable an alternative fuel it is. In the mean time, I’ll stick to burning the real thing, and getting my 110,000 BTUs per gallon out of it. In the motorcycles, I’ll be getting a lot more than that (for anywhere from $4 to $24 per gallon)!
Late at night, when those of us who are getting old are tucked safely into our beds, the downtown stoplights change. They don’t grow hair and bark at the moon, but they do start flashing yellow and red. This particular intersection does the same thing, turning into a STOP sign for Broadway Avenue. But if it’s unsafe to stop and go during the day, why would it be safer at night?
One could make the argument that it’s easier to see headlights coming at night than a car without headlights during the day. I say that it’s dangerous no matter what, for the same reason that 7th and Main is dangerous.
So the next time you’re out after midnight and come to the flashing red at Washington and Broadway, be extra careful! This can be a dangerous intersection, no matter what time of day or night.
Led by Scott Neumann, these bright kids play only by request. For instance, they played at the Capital Credit Union member banquet I attended earlier this year. They’ve played at the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Medora Musical, the Harley Owners’ Group (HOG) Christmas party, as well as many other dinners, conventions and events. Some of them play with the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra as well.
