Collected Entropy - 2010.09.25

Collected Entropy since the last post with this title. No particular order, rhyme or reason. Mostly too long to tweet

Special limited time only, while they last, small town edition. 

• Marshville is the home of Randy Travis, poultry processing plants and the annual Boll Weevil festival of Union County held last weekend. Even based on the erradication of tiny bugs...you just gotta love small town celebrations. Seriously. Charlotte may be think they've outgrown them, but here are a few more small towns that haven't.
• Unionville is having it's annual BBQ in a little over a month. Don't let the fact that the event is held at an elementary school fool you. These folks are serious about BBQ and on a large scale.  Check out the photos from last year, then mark your calendar for the first Friday in November.
• In keeping with the small town trend of this post, here is a calendar of other small town festivals coming up in Union County including the BBQ cookoff in Waxhaw on October 8-9th.
• Finishing off with a small town that has a big reputation...the 27th annual BBQ festival will be held in Lexington, NC on October 23rd.    Be sure to sample some of the Monk family's BBQ from Lexington #1.

Collected Entropy - 2010.09.22

Collected Entropy since the last post with this title. No particular order, rhyme or reason. Mostly too long to tweet.

• "Do you prefer murder, misogyny or simple undirected anger?" Why does this question from the Sept 9th 'Zits' comic strip seem a little too close to real life.
• Memorials are to help people remember, even keep them motivated. Apparently there are still people in federal agencies that understand that.
• The Charlotte Observer started a public insight network to provide a structured way to obtain reader opinions. If they listen to views that differ from the editorial desk, this might be a blended media experiment that seems worth watching.
• Cambridge MA may have Harvard, MIT and now parking tickets with yoga positions printed on them. To reduce the stress of the ticket. You can't make this kind of news up.
  

Collected Entropy - 2010.09.10

Collected Entropy since the last post with this title. No particular order, rhyme or reason. Mostly too long to tweet.

• Parental fears and reality don't always line up very well. As a parent, are you worrying about (defending against or preparing for) the right thing? Analysis by the NPR, citing independent sources, might help with the decision.
• Comedians typically find easy pickings from the world of politics, at the expense of the politicians. Now it seems some politicians are taking their message directly to the comedians. What happened to reasoned analysis and debate?
• The next time that someone trots out the old "bear in the woods" footrace analogy to belittle some problem, try explaining the prairie dog ecosystem to them as described by Robert Hansen. You'll get a business security perspective and an executive evaluation in the same article as a free bonus.
• An example of where gun control worked, in Miami of all places, from the SunSentinel.

Collected Entropy - 2010.05.31

Collected Entropy since the last post with this title. No particular order, rhyme or reason. Mostly too long to tweet.

• Two West Charlotte Lions softball players show compassion and faith in an unexpected way - by offering to pray for an opposing team mate during a game. A heartwarming example of putting feet to faith, even in this seemingly small way.
• Sarah Dyvig of Oakdale Elementary was honored as Char-Meck's Teacher of the Year. Having a family full of exceptional teachers, has provided an appreciation of the dedication and hard work required for this profession. I also have an appreciation that even while in the spotlight, Mrs Dyvig wouldn't give away her husband's special fishing spot. Is there an award for that?
  
• The WSJ published a nice opinion piece on what we owe to the soldiers currently on the battlefield and to those in the future. The one line summary: "Look ahead, not back. If we commit soldiers to battle, we must support them unstintingly." Well said.
  

Collected Entropy - 2010.05.14

Collected Entropy since the last post with this title. No particular order, rhyme or reason. Too long* to tweet.

• Buying local and talking directly to growers are just some of the reasons to visit a farmer's market (several times) this season. The Charlotte Observer created an interactive map of all the Charlotte area markets to help find one nearby.
• The phrase "world class city" is starting to be tossed around again as Charlotte has simultaneous events with the NRA, MAC and NASCAR happening this week. The list of comparisons to features of other "world class cities" such as New York or Los Angeles for example inevitably follow. Funny how the first light rail mugging recently isn't included in the list.
• USA Today reports taxes are at the lowest levels since the 1950's. The key is the how "level" is defined. In late 2009 the US passed the tipping point where over 50% of the citizens don't pay taxes, due to our progressive tax system. Taxes are higher for those that pay taxes but for the larger number who pay no taxes, they're (obviously) lower. Fun with statistics - and your money.
• "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." -- Margaret Thatcher
• This is not a late April Fools joke: YouCut A proposal to text your vote to the government on which spending programs to cut. I think the House has lost sight that our system of government is a republic. Then again, for a culture that knows more about American Idol than American election candidates, it might get more people tuned in.
• The end is beginning for the US Space Shuttle program. Only three more launches remain for this program. I've seen Saturn V launches from across the Banana River. There is nothing like it. If you've ever wanted to see one of these launches in person, time is almost up.

(*) OK, so one was short enough. But it fit here better in context. Have a great weekend.

Collected Entropy - 2010.05.07

Collected Entropy from the previous week. No particular order, rhyme or reason. Too long to tweet.

Quote from Brig. Gen. H.R. McMaster "If you divorce war from all of that, it becomes a targeting exercise" when speaking of how using PowerPoint removes interconnected political, economic and ethnic forces from military decisions.

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster times release of ten month long investigation the day before elections. Probably just conicidence. That and McMaster's candidacy for governor. Good coverage from the Observer, likely since it showcases a Republican rift.

Quote from a political commentator's radio program on Tuesday: "There is not a solution to every problem, but there is a villian". Made in reference to the nature of politicians to address only problems which further their agenda.

Stephen Hawking claims time travel possible and aliens may have existed. His belief that we cannot currently "...know the mind of God." apparently still unchanged. (A Brief History of Time, pg 175)

Escaped emu runs loose in Rock Hill, SC. Seems Rock Hill is using a string of animal antics to stay in the news. About two weeks ago it was one man assaulting another with a snake.