The day started quite nice in the islands, but the weather gradually deteriorated through the afternoon. By about 6pm, it came down to rain, but only across the hills. Here in Stornoway town, there wasn't all that much wetness to speak of. Went up to Ness, north Lewis, this afternoon for a social call. Quite an impressive swell running on the west facing beaches.
With regards to hurricane Ike, this storm has just left the shores of Cuba for the Gulf of Mexico. It is imperative to stress that at this juncture, it is not certain at all where it will make landfall, but the coast of Texas seems to be a fair bet. Assumptions will soon have to be made, as there is a good chance that Ike will rebuild to category 3 or 4 status, necessitating an evacuation. I gather that the evacuation ahead of Rita in 2005 took more lives than the hurricane itself.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Cancer Awareness
Sugar, who writes a private journal, reminds us that September is Cancer Awareness month. I relay the message that any changes in your body that you are not happy with should be checked out.
Ladies are encouraged to check their breasts for irregularities and have a mammogram; also to go for regular pap smears to ensure there is no cervical cancer.
Gentlemen should not hesitate either to check their private parts on a regular basis and discuss anything untoward with their doctor. Problems passing water should also be a good reason to visit the GP.
Early diagnosis is the key towards greater success in the treatment of cancer, possibly extending life expectancy if not curing the illness.
As I indicated above, there is no 'one' cancer. Cancer takes thousands of forms, which affect different parts of the body. None of them are treated in the same way. Finding a cure for Cancer as such is therefore impossible. Finding a cure for some forms of cancer certainly is possible.
Hurricane update - 9 September
Hurricane Ike is wandering off the south Cuban coast, rattling the tiles in Havana on the other side of the island. The storm will head further west, before reploughing the furrow left by Gustav 10 days ago. Where final landfall will occur along the Gulf coast is as yet unclear. If you want to keep abreast with the aftermath of Ike in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands, check out the stormcarib.com network.
Whilst monitoring Ike, we also have to keep an eye on Sinlaku, a tropical storm which spawned in the Pacific yesterday and will reach typhoon strength in a few hours from now. This system will speed northnortheast towards Japan, possibly dealing Okinawa a hammerblow of 110 knots of wind.
Whilst monitoring Ike, we also have to keep an eye on Sinlaku, a tropical storm which spawned in the Pacific yesterday and will reach typhoon strength in a few hours from now. This system will speed northnortheast towards Japan, possibly dealing Okinawa a hammerblow of 110 knots of wind.
Monday, 8 September 2008
9/11
At 13.46 BST on Thursday, I shall be posting my memorial for Norberto Hernandez. It will be 7 years to the day, hour and minute that the first plane hit the World Trade Center in New York. Norberto perished in the subsequent fire and collapse of the Twin Towers, alongside with some 3,000 others.
Lest we forget.
Lest we forget.
Bubba Had Shingles
Those
of us who spend much time in a doctor's office should appreciate this! Doesn't
it seem more and more that physicians are running their practices like an
assembly line? Here's what happened to Bubba:
Bubba walked into a doctor's office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Bubba said: 'Shingles.' So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.
Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, 'Shingles.' So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Bubba to wait in the examining room.
A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, 'Shingles.' So the nurse gave Bubba a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, and told Bubba to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.
An hour later the doctor came in and found Bubba sitting patiently in the nude and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, 'Shingles.' The doctor asked, 'Where?'
Bubba said, 'Outside on the truck. Where do you want me to unload 'em??'
Bubba walked into a doctor's office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Bubba said: 'Shingles.' So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.
Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, 'Shingles.' So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Bubba to wait in the examining room.
A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, 'Shingles.' So the nurse gave Bubba a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, and told Bubba to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.
An hour later the doctor came in and found Bubba sitting patiently in the nude and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, 'Shingles.' The doctor asked, 'Where?'
Bubba said, 'Outside on the truck. Where do you want me to unload 'em??'
Monday 8 September
Nice bright day, with the sun out just now. Not so nice in Cuba, which is being pounded by winds in excess of 100 mph. Although hurricane Ike is weakening over land, the storm is anticipated to reemerge over waters south of Cuba, where it could restrengthen.
Another tropical system is brewing up in the Pacific, which will need watching through the week. By the weekend, it could pack 90 mph winds as it heads for Japan. Watch this space.
A young osprey was found dead on the West Side of Lewis, after it went the wrong way on its autumn migration. Rather than heading south, it went west. It carried a satellite tracking beacon, and after it was found transmitting from the same location for hours over the weekend, a search party went out to look for it. Moray the osprey was then found dead, presumably as a result of colliding with a car. More on this story here.
Another tropical system is brewing up in the Pacific, which will need watching through the week. By the weekend, it could pack 90 mph winds as it heads for Japan. Watch this space.
A young osprey was found dead on the West Side of Lewis, after it went the wrong way on its autumn migration. Rather than heading south, it went west. It carried a satellite tracking beacon, and after it was found transmitting from the same location for hours over the weekend, a search party went out to look for it. Moray the osprey was then found dead, presumably as a result of colliding with a car. More on this story here.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Flooding
Heavy rains over the weekend have left the town of Morpeth in Northumberland under water, together with many other places in England. A girl of 17 died when the car she was in got swept away by floodwaters in Powys, Wales. Four more fatalities occurred as a result of the severe weather. An extensive report can be found here.
Sunday 7 September
Overcast and a little breeze, but not too bad a day on the whole. Flooding in England dominates the news from the UK, and we're seeing a rerun of the flooding tragedy of 2007. Like then, fatalities have occurred, but the weather apprears to be improving. By the end of the week, the remnant of tropical storm Hanna (currently heading for eastern Canada) will come to haunt us as the one of the first autumnal gales of the season.
Hurricane Ike, a category 4 system, is blasting through the Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as the Bahamas, on its way to landfall in eastern Cuba. Winds will be near 135 mph by then, 220 kph. The interaction with Cuba will weaken the hurricane, but also cause extensive damage. Key West is on a hurricane watch, and a mandatory evacuation is in progress.
Am facing a one-day backlog of 100 alerts - will try to catch up tonight.
Hurricane Ike, a category 4 system, is blasting through the Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as the Bahamas, on its way to landfall in eastern Cuba. Winds will be near 135 mph by then, 220 kph. The interaction with Cuba will weaken the hurricane, but also cause extensive damage. Key West is on a hurricane watch, and a mandatory evacuation is in progress.
Am facing a one-day backlog of 100 alerts - will try to catch up tonight.
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Saturday 6 September
Quite a nice day, with the odd light shower passing by. It is still raining heavily over the Scottish borders and in the English Midlands, if my check on the rainfall radar is correct.
The eastern USA is having a wet day with tropical storm Hanna, currently moving into Virginia, making its way towards New England and the Canadian Maritimes. I'm surprised to note that many people on the US east coast tend to forget they are in Hurricane Alley too. The NHC website carries a useful section on preparedness for Hurricane Season, and it does not just apply to Florida or the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Ike is approaching the Bahamas from the east, and in response a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for visitors and tourists in the Florida Keys. It should be noted that the only hurricane local statement out for Ike at this time is for Key West. The other locations are affected by Hanna.
The eastern USA is having a wet day with tropical storm Hanna, currently moving into Virginia, making its way towards New England and the Canadian Maritimes. I'm surprised to note that many people on the US east coast tend to forget they are in Hurricane Alley too. The NHC website carries a useful section on preparedness for Hurricane Season, and it does not just apply to Florida or the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Ike is approaching the Bahamas from the east, and in response a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for visitors and tourists in the Florida Keys. It should be noted that the only hurricane local statement out for Ike at this time is for Key West. The other locations are affected by Hanna.
Friday, 5 September 2008
68 years ago today
A lifeboat, carrying survivors of SS Severn Leigh, made landfall at Leverburgh, Harris on 5 September 1940. The nine men on board had spent the previous two weeks or so making their way east from a position at the 25th degree longitude West, 54 degrees North.
SS Severn Leigh (pictured above, sinking; image courtesy uboat.net) was en route from Hull in England to St John, New Brunswick, Canada as part of a trans-Atlantic convoy. From August 20th, the ship had been chased by German U-boat U-37, but after three days her number was up. A torpedo hit her bow, and the crew abandoned ship in four lifeboats. The U-boat's captain spotted that the ship's gun was manned, and that the radio operator was sending out distress signals. So he resurfaced and shelled the ship again. Shrapnel strafed two lifeboats, still alongside, killing 33 crew members.
Frank James Fox, a chief steward from Hull, was in one of the lifeboats, but died, or was found dead on arrival in the Outer Hebrides. He lies buried in the cemetery at Sandwick. Frank was 65 years of age, and left a wife, Emma, in Hull.
This entry is dedicated to his memory, and to the memory of the many in the Merchant Navy who gave their lives in the defense of their country, and contributing towards the liberation of Europe from the oppression of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
SS Severn Leigh (pictured above, sinking; image courtesy uboat.net) was en route from Hull in England to St John, New Brunswick, Canada as part of a trans-Atlantic convoy. From August 20th, the ship had been chased by German U-boat U-37, but after three days her number was up. A torpedo hit her bow, and the crew abandoned ship in four lifeboats. The U-boat's captain spotted that the ship's gun was manned, and that the radio operator was sending out distress signals. So he resurfaced and shelled the ship again. Shrapnel strafed two lifeboats, still alongside, killing 33 crew members.
Frank James Fox, a chief steward from Hull, was in one of the lifeboats, but died, or was found dead on arrival in the Outer Hebrides. He lies buried in the cemetery at Sandwick. Frank was 65 years of age, and left a wife, Emma, in Hull.
This entry is dedicated to his memory, and to the memory of the many in the Merchant Navy who gave their lives in the defense of their country, and contributing towards the liberation of Europe from the oppression of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
Friday 5 September
Nice sunny day in the islands, with a nice easterly breeze. Temperatures not really fantastic (14C), but the sun makes it quite warm if you're out of the wind. The weather radar shows an ugly picture over England and southern Scotland, with very heavy rain edging north.
Spent the past 2 hours in Sandwick Cemetery, as it had been pointed out to me that there were 8 more wargraves than I had previously listed. Well, in actual fact, I came away with pictures of 40 more. Got my work cut out to (a) read the inscriptions and (b) track down details for the casualties concerned
If you are on the US east coast, between Florida and Rhode Island, Hanna will come for tea anywhere between Friday and Saturday afternoon. She'll carry force 11 winds, up to 10 inches of rain and leaving flooding in her wake. Please monitor NWS and NHC output for details and local warnings. States involved are: FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, PA, DC, MD, NJ and RI.
Spent the past 2 hours in Sandwick Cemetery, as it had been pointed out to me that there were 8 more wargraves than I had previously listed. Well, in actual fact, I came away with pictures of 40 more. Got my work cut out to (a) read the inscriptions and (b) track down details for the casualties concerned
If you are on the US east coast, between Florida and Rhode Island, Hanna will come for tea anywhere between Friday and Saturday afternoon. She'll carry force 11 winds, up to 10 inches of rain and leaving flooding in her wake. Please monitor NWS and NHC output for details and local warnings. States involved are: FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, PA, DC, MD, NJ and RI.
Hurricane update - 5 September
Tropical storm Hanna is approaching the east coast of the USA, and will thoroughly wet the place. Expect rainfall totals of up to 10 inches. Apart from that, don't ignore the force 10 to 11 winds that the storm may bring. Hanna will transform into a non-tropical cyclone later this weekend and rattle the tiles in New York and New England. Please monitor output from NHC on a 3-hourly basis if you have any concerns; hurricane local statements have been posted from Florida up to Washington DC.
Hurricane Ike is passing north of the Leeward Islands as a category 3 system with winds of 125 mph. The Bahamas and Florida should definitely be on the lookout for this one. Its future path changes with every advisory that the NHC is issuing, but southern Florida may well expect a hammerblow on Tuesday. Again, please monitor NHC's output on a 6-hourly basis.
Hurricane Ike is passing north of the Leeward Islands as a category 3 system with winds of 125 mph. The Bahamas and Florida should definitely be on the lookout for this one. Its future path changes with every advisory that the NHC is issuing, but southern Florida may well expect a hammerblow on Tuesday. Again, please monitor NHC's output on a 6-hourly basis.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
DUI Texas style
DUI- TEXAS STYLE
Only a person in Texas could think of this.
From the county where drunk driving is considered a sport, comes this story. Recently a routine police patrol parked outside a bar in Austin, Texas. After last call the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so apparently intoxicated that he could barely walk. The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes, with the officer quietly observing. After what seemed an eternity in which he tried his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his car and fall into it. He sat there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off. Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off--it was a fine, dry summer night--, flicked the blinkers on and off a couple of times, honked the horn and then switched on the lights. He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little and then remained still for a few more minutes As some more of the other patrons' vehicles left. At last, when his was the only car left in the parking lot, he pulled out and drove slowly down the road. The police officer, having waited patiently all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and administered a breathalyzer test. To his amazement, the breathalyzer indicated no evidence that the man had consumed any alcohol at all! Dumbfounded, the officer said, I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the police station. This breathalyzer equipment must be broken.
'I doubt it,' said the truly proud Redneck. 'Tonight I'm the designated decoy.'
Only a person in Texas could think of this.
From the county where drunk driving is considered a sport, comes this story. Recently a routine police patrol parked outside a bar in Austin, Texas. After last call the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so apparently intoxicated that he could barely walk. The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes, with the officer quietly observing. After what seemed an eternity in which he tried his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his car and fall into it. He sat there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off. Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off--it was a fine, dry summer night--, flicked the blinkers on and off a couple of times, honked the horn and then switched on the lights. He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little and then remained still for a few more minutes As some more of the other patrons' vehicles left. At last, when his was the only car left in the parking lot, he pulled out and drove slowly down the road. The police officer, having waited patiently all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and administered a breathalyzer test. To his amazement, the breathalyzer indicated no evidence that the man had consumed any alcohol at all! Dumbfounded, the officer said, I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the police station. This breathalyzer equipment must be broken.
'I doubt it,' said the truly proud Redneck. 'Tonight I'm the designated decoy.'
Hurricane update - 4 September (II)
Tropical storm Hanna is moving through the Bahamas, headed for the US East Coast. The entire east coast, from mid Florida northwards, is likely to get a swipe from this system. Its highest winds, 65 mph, extend for more than 300 miles to the north and east, as do its rains.
I copy the summary from my Tropical Cyclones blog for 2100 GMT (1700 EDT):
Hurricane local statements have been issued from
Melbourne FL
Jacksonville FL
Charleston SC
Wilmington NC
Newport/Morehead City NC
A hurricane watch is in force from Currituck Light NC to Edisto Beach SC, including Pamlico Sound.
* from Edisto Beach SC to Altamaha Sound GA
* from NC/VA border to Great Egg Inlet NJ, including Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River Washington DC and Delaware Bay
Tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 hours
Rainfall
* northern Bahamas, eastern NC and SC: 2 or 3 inches, possibly up to 5 inches
* GA and north FL coast: 1 to 3 inches
* heavy rains are likely to spread up the east coast of the USA, giving rise to flooding
Tropical storm force winds extend for 315 miles from the centre
Coastal storm surge of 2 to 4 feet may affect shores near the centre and to the east of Hanna, accompanied by large and battering waves.
I copy the summary from my Tropical Cyclones blog for 2100 GMT (1700 EDT):
Hurricane local statements have been issued from
Melbourne FL
Jacksonville FL
Charleston SC
Wilmington NC
Newport/Morehead City NC
A hurricane watch is in force from Currituck Light NC to Edisto Beach SC, including Pamlico Sound.
Hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours
A tropical storm warning is in force for the following areas
* central and northwestern Bahamas
* USA: from Savannah River to the NC/VA border including Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.
Tropical storm conditions are likely within the next 24 hours
A tropical storm watch is in force for the following areas:* from Edisto Beach SC to Altamaha Sound GA
* from NC/VA border to Great Egg Inlet NJ, including Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River Washington DC and Delaware Bay
Tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 hours
Rainfall
* northern Bahamas, eastern NC and SC: 2 or 3 inches, possibly up to 5 inches
* GA and north FL coast: 1 to 3 inches
* heavy rains are likely to spread up the east coast of the USA, giving rise to flooding
Tropical storm force winds extend for 315 miles from the centre
Coastal storm surge of 2 to 4 feet may affect shores near the centre and to the east of Hanna, accompanied by large and battering waves.
Say aloud
The
famous Olympic skier Picabo
Street (pronounced Peek-A-Boo) is not just an athlete.
She is now a nurse currently working at the Intensive Care Unit of a large metropolitan hospital.
She is not permitted to answer the hospital telephones.
It caused too much confusion when she would answer the phone and say, Picabo, ICU. (A good clean joke is hard to find these days )
She is now a nurse currently working at the Intensive Care Unit of a large metropolitan hospital.
She is not permitted to answer the hospital telephones.
It caused too much confusion when she would answer the phone and say, Picabo, ICU. (A good clean joke is hard to find these days )
On the Tube
REAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
BY LONDON TUBE DRIVERS TO PASSENGERS
* 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologize for the delay to your service. I know you're all dying to get home, unless, of course, you happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross over to the Westbound and go in the opposite direction.'
* 'Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller suffering from E & B syndrome: not knowing his elbow from his backside. I'll let you know any further information as soon as I'm given any.'
* 'Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great time. The bad news is that there is a points failure somewhere between Stratford and East Ham, which means we probably won't reach our destination.'
* 'Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the delay, but there is a security alert at Victoria station and we are therefore stuck here for the foreseeable future, so let's take our minds off it and pass some time together. All together now.... 'Ten green bottles, hanging on a wall.....'.'
* 'We are now travelling through Baker Street... As you can see, Baker Street is closed. It would have been nice if they had actually told me, so I could tell you earlier, but no, they don't think about things like that'.
* 'Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOT encourage these professional beggars. If you have any spare change, please give it to a registered charity. Failing that, give it to me.'
* During an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line, the driver announced in a West Indian drawl: 'Step right this way for the sauna, ladies and gentleman... unfortunately, towels are not provided.'
* 'Let the passengers off the train FIRST!' (Pause .) 'Oh go on then, stuff yourselves in like sardines, see if I care - I'm going home....'
* 'Please allow the doors to close. Try not to confuse this with 'Please hold the doors open.' The two are distinct and separate instructions.'
* 'Please note that the beeping noise coming from the doors means that the doors are about to close. It does not mean throw yourself or your bags into the doors.'
* 'We can't move off because some idiot has their hand stuck in the door.'
* 'To the gentleman wearing the long grey coat trying to get on the second carriage - what part of 'stand clear of the doors' don't you understand?'
* 'Please move all baggage away from the doors.' (Pause..) 'Please move ALL belongings away from the doors.' (Pause...) 'This is a personal message to the man in the brown suit wearing glasses at the rear of the train: Put the pie down, Four-eyes, and move your bl**dy golf clubs away from the door before I come down there and shove them up your a**e sideways!'
* 'May I remind all passengers that there is strictly no smoking allowed on any part of the Underground. However, if you are smoking a joint, it's only fair to pass it round the carriage!
* 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologize for the delay to your service. I know you're all dying to get home, unless, of course, you happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross over to the Westbound and go in the opposite direction.'
* 'Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller suffering from E & B syndrome: not knowing his elbow from his backside. I'll let you know any further information as soon as I'm given any.'
* 'Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great time. The bad news is that there is a points failure somewhere between Stratford and East Ham, which means we probably won't reach our destination.'
* 'Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the delay, but there is a security alert at Victoria station and we are therefore stuck here for the foreseeable future, so let's take our minds off it and pass some time together. All together now.... 'Ten green bottles, hanging on a wall.....'.'
* 'We are now travelling through Baker Street... As you can see, Baker Street is closed. It would have been nice if they had actually told me, so I could tell you earlier, but no, they don't think about things like that'.
* 'Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOT encourage these professional beggars. If you have any spare change, please give it to a registered charity. Failing that, give it to me.'
* During an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line, the driver announced in a West Indian drawl: 'Step right this way for the sauna, ladies and gentleman... unfortunately, towels are not provided.'
* 'Let the passengers off the train FIRST!' (Pause .) 'Oh go on then, stuff yourselves in like sardines, see if I care - I'm going home....'
* 'Please allow the doors to close. Try not to confuse this with 'Please hold the doors open.' The two are distinct and separate instructions.'
* 'Please note that the beeping noise coming from the doors means that the doors are about to close. It does not mean throw yourself or your bags into the doors.'
* 'We can't move off because some idiot has their hand stuck in the door.'
* 'To the gentleman wearing the long grey coat trying to get on the second carriage - what part of 'stand clear of the doors' don't you understand?'
* 'Please move all baggage away from the doors.' (Pause..) 'Please move ALL belongings away from the doors.' (Pause...) 'This is a personal message to the man in the brown suit wearing glasses at the rear of the train: Put the pie down, Four-eyes, and move your bl**dy golf clubs away from the door before I come down there and shove them up your a**e sideways!'
* 'May I remind all passengers that there is strictly no smoking allowed on any part of the Underground. However, if you are smoking a joint, it's only fair to pass it round the carriage!
Hurricane update - 4 September
Tropical storm Hanna is now approaching the southeastern USA and could gain hurricane strength before reaching the Carolinas. Hurricane local statements are in force for Melbourne and Jacksonville FL, and Wilmington NC.
A hurricane watch, meaning that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours, is in force from Surf City NC to Edisto Beach SC.
A tropical storm watch, which means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 hours, is in force from Edisto Beach SC to Altamaha Sound GA.
Hurricane Ike is in mid Atlantic, roaring along with winds of 145 mph. There is too much uncertainty in the forecast to say where, if at all, Ike will make landfall.
Tropical storm Josephine is moving away from the African coast and looks like holding her own, with winds of 60 mph.
Don't forget that we are slowly moving towards autumn and winter. I am mentioning that, because the Southern Indian Ocean is showing an attempt at hatching a tropical disturbance this morning. Atmospheric conditions are way too hostile yet. When winter descends on the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere will have its own tropical cyclone season, starting in November and lasting until the end of April.
Finally, the island of La Reunion is battered by a high swell. I checked their tropical cyclone website for info on the above disturbance, and found a warning for swells of 3.5 to 7 metres (12 to 23 feet).
A hurricane watch, meaning that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours, is in force from Surf City NC to Edisto Beach SC.
A tropical storm watch, which means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 hours, is in force from Edisto Beach SC to Altamaha Sound GA.
Hurricane Ike is in mid Atlantic, roaring along with winds of 145 mph. There is too much uncertainty in the forecast to say where, if at all, Ike will make landfall.
Tropical storm Josephine is moving away from the African coast and looks like holding her own, with winds of 60 mph.
Don't forget that we are slowly moving towards autumn and winter. I am mentioning that, because the Southern Indian Ocean is showing an attempt at hatching a tropical disturbance this morning. Atmospheric conditions are way too hostile yet. When winter descends on the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere will have its own tropical cyclone season, starting in November and lasting until the end of April.
Finally, the island of La Reunion is battered by a high swell. I checked their tropical cyclone website for info on the above disturbance, and found a warning for swells of 3.5 to 7 metres (12 to 23 feet).
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Turkey and Armenia
Between 1915 and 1917, during World War I, 1.5 million people were killed in Armenia by Turkish forces. Turkey states that many people did die at the time, but as a result of the war, not as an act of genocide. Armenia, independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, has always maintained that it was genocide. Relations between the two countries have been glacial to say the least, not helped by Turkish support for its ally, and Armenia's enemy at the time, Azerbaidjan, over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabach. The border between the two countries remains closed.
It is therefore encouraging to note that the Turkish president will attend a football match between Turkey and Armenia in latter country. After the stramash over Georgia, it is good to see signs of rapprochement in the Caucasus. Full story here.
It is therefore encouraging to note that the Turkish president will attend a football match between Turkey and Armenia in latter country. After the stramash over Georgia, it is good to see signs of rapprochement in the Caucasus. Full story here.
Wednesday 3 September
Chucking it down at the moment after a sunny start. I've written about my bad experience with Google Chrome, so I'm back on Firefox. Not perfect either, but at least I can access my pages without hassle.
Anyone that still doubts the existence of climate change should have a look at this news report about the break-up of the Arctic iceshelves off Ellismere Island in the Canadian Arctic.
It is reported today that the use of a combination of cholesterol lowering drugs is linked to cancer. This is the outcome of ONE study, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, and other studies show no such link. It is stated that it may be a one-off. If you are on cholesterol lowering drugs do not stop taking them; discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Anyone that still doubts the existence of climate change should have a look at this news report about the break-up of the Arctic iceshelves off Ellismere Island in the Canadian Arctic.
It is reported today that the use of a combination of cholesterol lowering drugs is linked to cancer. This is the outcome of ONE study, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, and other studies show no such link. It is stated that it may be a one-off. If you are on cholesterol lowering drugs do not stop taking them; discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Google Chrome
I've downloaded Google Chrome this morning, and given it a try. Well, I managed to crash it within about 10 minutes, by visiting this, my own blog. Google accused it of linking to hometown.aol.co.uk, a site suspected of hosting malware. This was the report:
What is the current listing status for hometown.aol.co.uk/?
Site is listed as suspicious - visiting this web site may harm your computer.
Part of this site was listed for suspicious activity 105 time(s) over the past 90 days.
What happened when Google visited this site?
Of the 25445 pages we tested on the site over the past 90 days, 5660 page(s) resulted in malicious software being downloaded and installed without user consent. The last time Google visited this site was on 09/02/2008, and the last time suspicious content was found on this site was on 09/02/2008.
Malicious software includes 4688 trojan(s), 193 adware(s). Successful infection resulted in an average of 1 new processes on the target machine.
Malicious software is hosted on 17 domain(s), including antivirus-scanonline.com, virus-scanonline.com, infectionscanner.com.
12 domain(s) appear to be functioning as intermediaries for distributing malware to visitors of this site, including baran-eblan.info, softtraff.com, ad2cash.net.
Has this site acted as an intermediary resulting in further distribution of malware?
Over the past 90 days, hometown.aol.co.uk/ appeared to function as an intermediary for the infection of 3 site(s) including kolm.cn, vidcasts.net, sg138.com.cn.
Has this site hosted malware?
No, this site has not hosted malicious software over the past 90 days.
How did this happen?
In some cases, third parties can add malicious code to legitimate sites, which would cause us to show the warning message.
Once I tried to proceed to this blog, the browser CRASHED. Now that I am in my blog, I miss the toolbar (font, add pictures, change to HTML &c). The browser appears to block javascripts from running, and not offering any clear means of rectifying that. FYI, AOL journals are full of javascript elements (all the wee buttons are that). And you can't save your entry.
I therefore think Google Chrome is unfit for purpose.
What is the current listing status for hometown.aol.co.uk/?
Site is listed as suspicious - visiting this web site may harm your computer.
Part of this site was listed for suspicious activity 105 time(s) over the past 90 days.
What happened when Google visited this site?
Of the 25445 pages we tested on the site over the past 90 days, 5660 page(s) resulted in malicious software being downloaded and installed without user consent. The last time Google visited this site was on 09/02/2008, and the last time suspicious content was found on this site was on 09/02/2008.
Malicious software includes 4688 trojan(s), 193 adware(s). Successful infection resulted in an average of 1 new processes on the target machine.
Malicious software is hosted on 17 domain(s), including antivirus-scanonline.com, virus-scanonline.com, infectionscanner.com.
12 domain(s) appear to be functioning as intermediaries for distributing malware to visitors of this site, including baran-eblan.info, softtraff.com, ad2cash.net.
Has this site acted as an intermediary resulting in further distribution of malware?
Over the past 90 days, hometown.aol.co.uk/ appeared to function as an intermediary for the infection of 3 site(s) including kolm.cn, vidcasts.net, sg138.com.cn.
Has this site hosted malware?
No, this site has not hosted malicious software over the past 90 days.
How did this happen?
In some cases, third parties can add malicious code to legitimate sites, which would cause us to show the warning message.
Once I tried to proceed to this blog, the browser CRASHED. Now that I am in my blog, I miss the toolbar (font, add pictures, change to HTML &c). The browser appears to block javascripts from running, and not offering any clear means of rectifying that. FYI, AOL journals are full of javascript elements (all the wee buttons are that). And you can't save your entry.
I therefore think Google Chrome is unfit for purpose.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
