Courageous Acts! David Proeber

Yesterday while enjoying a nice cup of coffee and browsing the local newspaper collection at my favorite Sydney breakfast spot, I was captivated by a photo taken by David Proeber and featured in The Daily Telegraph. As I stared into the eyes (via the below photo) of what appeared to be a crazed gunman brandishing a pistol and puffing on a cigarette, I thought to myself, this must be an ad for an upcoming action movie. The shootout scene from the movie Heat, featuring Al Pacino, Robert Dinero, and Val Kilmer immediately came to mind. As I read further, I learned that this was the photo of Robert Sylvester, a man suspected of robbing four banks and several convenience stores in Illinois. This was not a scene being created for the big screen but a live event captured through the lens of a courageous photographer.

Sylvester was fleeing police in a high-speed vehicle chase when he stopped his SUV and exited the vehicle. Proeber, who works as a photo editor for The Pantagraph, a daily newspaper located in Bloomington, Illinois; found himself in a precarious situation after following the chase and taking pictures. As Sylvester exited, jumped a median, and ran towards him, Proeber had to make a quick decision to flee or snap. Proeber eventually ducked as the robber came closer towards him and then floored the accelerator- but not before taking 47 photographs of the incident in a three minute period. The 57 year old Sylvester exchanged shots with police but was shot and later died from his wounds.

David Proeber, for taking what may go on to be a Pulitzer prize winning photo, the courage to stare into the eyes of an armed fugitive, and the fortitude to continue snapping photos, I salute you!

Intrepid remembers!

God Speed!

Music Monday - Boys II Men

Can You Stand the Rain?

Whatever happened to Boys II Men?

Based on sales, Boyz II Men is the most successful R&B male vocal group of all time. They recorded five #1 R&B hits between 1992 and 1997 and have sold more than 60 million records

Boyz II Men at the Genting Highlands, Malaysia in 2007. Left to right: Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, and Wanya Morris.

Nothing too glamorous..... Here's my pick for Music Monday!

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Kiss a Soldier!

Most people have no idea!

That's right. Most of us can't truly comprehend how dangerous it has been in Iraq and Afghanistan for our men and women in uniform.

In the above video, you can see a convoy of vehicles approaching. When the lead vehicle reaches the middle of the screen, an improvised explosive device (IED) explodes. An (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. They are typically comprised of conventional military explosives such as artillery rounds, bombs, or mortar shells and attached to a detonation mechanism. This has been the weapon of choice in the present day conflict in Iraq. To date, approximately 40% of coalition deaths in Iraq have been caused by IED's.

Munitions rigged for an IED discovered by Iraqi police in Baghdad in November 2005

This video gives me a whole new level of understanding about how lethal these IED's really are. I've never been that close to an explosion and I don't want to be. I certainly have expanded respect and compassion for those who have lived in such a dangerous environment for so long.

Happy New Year! A Horse's View!

Can you believe it's 2009?

I ran across this photo of Gracie the horse, with her head stuck in a tree, on the Internet today. Several captions came immediately to mind.

Like:

1. If I ever get out of this jam, I'm gonna have a great year!
2. Wow! That was some New Year's Eve Party!
3. So that's where Dick Cheney has been!
4. That's what you get for sticking your nose in other people's business!
5. Everyone listen up! If we add 500 trillion to the bailout money, everything will work!
6. Last chance to bid on Obama's vacant Senate seat!
7. @#%&! Why did I let them talk me into picking Sarah Palin as a running mate?

I had a few racier thoughts but decided not to list them. (grin)

Anyway, it turns out that "Gracie the horse decided to investigate a hole in a tree, but she went a little bit too far and got stuck. Owner Jason Harschbarger of Pullman, W.Va., (See the story) snapped the photo before using a chainsaw to cut Gracie free.

Fortunately, Gracie was not seriously hurt.

I'm pretty sure that many people are sympathetic to Gracie's desperate position after the rough times in 2008. If you find yourself in Gracie's position, my hope is that someone with a "figurative chainsaw" will be coming your way soon.

What did we do before power tools?

All the Best to you in 2009!

May you have a healthy and Prosperous Year!

If you have a caption idea for the above photo, feel free to leave it in the comments section!

P.S. Edit:

Miss Jane Turley has offered these captions:

1. "Oh dear, now I feel like an ass!"
2. "That's the last time I listen to Winnie the Pooh..."

The Sportsmen's Lodge - Studio City

Nearly 10 years ago I claimed a very small place in the local Los Angeles history books when I rented out a small banquet hall at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, CA. During the planning of that event, I learned a lot about the rich culture and history of this local treasure. It's origin dates back to 1913 when it opened as the Hollywood Trout Farm. Back then, this attraction featured ponds and a bait and tackle shop. A gentleman named Dave Harlig bought the property near the end of World War II and reopened on December 31, 1946 as the Sportsmen's Lodge featuring a dining room, kitchen, and restaurant. The newly opened property rapidly became a popular hangout for the movie crowd.



Charlton Heston, Clark Gable, John Wayne, Bettie Davis and many other Hollywood Celebrities were known to frequent this quaint San Fernando Valley hot spot. In fact, Ronald and Nancy Reagan hosted their wedding reception here. This was a time when most of this area was surrounded by orange groves and sheep grazed the local hillsides that were later purchased by Universal Studios. The patrons were allowed to catch their own fish and have it prepared (fried) in one of the on-site kitchens. Further, Robert Kennedy stayed on the fifth floor of the hotel the night before his assassination. How's that for a bit of trivia?


Today, the lodge looks a little different and serves as a popular gathering spot for some avid salsa dancers as well as a dinning spot for many of the local retired folks. I'm told that people will travel several hours to dance with the stars! Or maybe that's "Dance where the Stars have danced."








Sadly,

"On New Year's Day, (tomorrow) the Sportsmen's Lodge and its collection of well-known eateries, including the Caribou Restaurant, Muddy Moose Bar & Lounge and a handful of banquet rooms, will be temporarily shut down for remodeling. A new owner plans to reopen the historic venue in Studio City as a modern restaurant and boutique shopping center, perhaps with a new name." (See Los Angeles Times' Story)

(Imagine the people who have sat around this fireplace and the stories they can tell)

A shot of the swimming pool and some of the rooms above

Yesterday, I stopped by the Sportsmen's Lodge and I watched the sun set on yet another section of Hollywood's history. As the name of this institution and the stories associated with it become legend, I know that I'll remember the past and treasure the culture that this property offered. The name will change, no doubt, and the property will be updated - I hope the history will be preserved.

Music Monday - Same Old Lang Syne

As the year comes to a close, I can't think of a better selection to close out 2008 than "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. It's been a full year since Dan passed away following complications from advanced prostate cancer on December 16, 2007. I contemplated doing a post about Dan last year but decided not to. I wasn't a major fan of Dan Fogelberg. Not that his music wasn't good - I just didn't get it back then. I did, however, always like this particular song. It tells quite a story and blends the music nicely with the ballad. In fact, I think the combination of the vocals, the music, and the lyrics, makes you listen to the words and follow the tale.

Here's a Youtube clip with some added Holiday and Seasonal flavor.

I hope you enjoy it!

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Merry Christmas

DWP Light Festival Style


Merry Christmas One and All.......

Many Los Angelenos know that during the Christmas Season there is a light show at Griffith Park. This year, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power sponsored their 13Th annual festival. And this season, for the first time since I've lived in L.A., I decided to go down and see what all the buzz was about. Two weeks ago I went down to the Los Angeles Zoo, parked my car, and walked through the light show on one of the pedestrian only nights. (Click here for more details)

It was a chilly night for L.A. so it sort of put me in the spirit. It turned out to be a very nice event. Walking through the lights added a bit of atmosphere. It was nice seeing all of the families out enjoying the evening and all of the lovers snuggled up together. It made me think of this popular song redone by Vanessa Williams.........

Baby it's cold out!

Baby, Its Cold Outside - Vanessa Williams


I've also added a few shots of the lights for your viewing pleasure.

It was a very peaceful and still night. At times, the images seemed to come alive. There was a display representing Los Angeles International Airport that showed an airplane in several stages of the takeoff phase. Quite impressive. I won't ruin it for those who want to see it in person by showing a photo. But overall, it was a nice evening. And yes, it was all free! I'm not sure I'll do it again next year but It was definitely worth the time and effort this year. I'd recommend the trip!

Thinking of you all on this Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas! Peace and Joy to each and every one of you!

Thanks for being my blog friend!

Music Monday's - Believe

I still Believe!

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A Grinch Sighting!

Have you seen the Grinch lately? You know - The Mean One! The one with the tiny heart! The deviously clever and stingy guy!

Do you remember how the Grinch stole Christmas? Well, almost that is..... I hear he's out there looking for a way to steal it again. He's cleverly thinking of ways to ruin our Holiday season and hijack our cheer. This summer, he was reportedly seen at the gas pumps!

That may have been true but he seems to have departed that location.

I verified that to be true yesterday when I filled up my car and only paid $1.89 for premium unleaded gasoline versus the $4.41 (and higher) I've paid earlier in the year. And believe it or not -Oil dropped to $36 US a barrel today! So I'm not convinced he's still hanging around the oil markets. Regardless, I'm on the lookout for him because I know he's hiding and waiting for another opportunity to get us. Besides, "he owes me money!" He borrowed it from my retirement plan!

"He's a mean one you know?"

He was recently seen suspiciously walking the streets in this little town. He was caught on film "speaking in tongues" by a random tourist who supplied this clip:

If you know his name, please leave it in the comments section.

If you know his whereabouts or happen to see him, please let me know. I want my money back!

Thanks!

The Season! The Absolute Madness Of It!

Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanuka, Bah Humbug, whatever the Holiday whatever the season it's truly mad out there this time of year. People dashing and rushing along at a frenetic velocity.

This morning I pondered the shear madness of it all. I watched as crazy lunatics rushed around in the streets and drove like formula one racers. I clinched my steering wheel once as "Maria Gabriella Andretti" raced around my right side and darted in front of me only to slam on the breaks milliseconds later. I'm sure that I closed my eyes for a brief second and listened for the sound of scraping paint and bending metal that fortunately did not come - I'm certain in her haste, she would not have had the time to stop and swap insurance information. I slumbered along in my own little world and thought -

"What a life?"

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait for Christmas Day to arrive. It seemed like an eternity. The days would just drag on and on. Creeping along at a snails' pace until finally Santa came and all was good. Good, bad, or indifferent, my parents never seemed to be in quite the frenzied state that adults are in today. There were no cell phones, PDA's, Internets or cable TV's. All things that should or could make our lives more efficient and fulfilling - Right?

Still, they never seemed to run around like the maniacal shoppers do today. They socialized with friends and family and seemed to move along slowly at a procrastinated and more temperate pace. Did they really? Maybe it was just my perspective back then.

That's when the light bulb came on in my head! A literal Intrepid Ideas moment! It's all about your perspective!

So today I decided to deviate off the airways, taxi clear of the runway, exit the freeway, move through the bike lane, and dismount into the pedestrian path where I intend to stroll along and enjoy the Season at a more measured pace. In order to do this, I'll have to make some concessions. First, some things simply will not get done. So consciously, I'll have to decide what's really important and what can wait until January. Secondly, I'll have to be a lot more efficient. Better planning and better execution will free up some much needed extra time for me. Lastly, and most importantly, I'll be sure to change my perspective entirely! Instead of running around looking like a zombie in a shopping trance, I'll take a second to say Hello! Happy Holidays! Season's Greetings! Merry Christmas! I'll remember to say Thank You! Excuse Me! and Please!

I'll be moving along at my own pace in my own little world. By the way, there's lots of room here. And I invite each and every one of you to stop by the house and join me for some Holiday cheer. Tonight I'm serving hot cider and Manhattans.

We'll sit by the fireplace and eat cookies and talk about the old times.

Please stop by tonight!

(Because next week I'll be out doing my last minute shopping!) Stay Clear!


Season's Greetings!

From Intrepid

Make your own Christmas Tree preservative

Last year, this information seemed to be helpful to some so here it is again......

If you're looking for a homemade preservative solution to keep your Christmas tree looking fresh, young and healthy for the season, the so called experts say that in addition to water, you'll need a food source for the tree; an acidifier- making the water more acidic helps the plant take in water and food; and something to keep mold and algae from growing in your water.

Try this:

1. 1 gallon of warm or room temperature water.
2. 2 cups of light corn syrup
3. 4 teaspoons chlorine bleach
4. 4 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar (optional)

If you'll be using the lemon juice or vinegar do not mix it directly with the bleach. Mix it into the water and then add the bleach to the solution. Otherwise you could create toxic vapors by mixing the bleach and vinegar or lemon juice directly. An alternative to using the light corn syrup is to use 4 teaspoons of sugar. Better yet, substitute the corn syrup and the lemon juice/vinegar with one can of non-diet Sprite or 7 -Up. This will supply your sugar source and serve as an acidifier. Besides, Sprite and 7-Up are cheaper than corn syrup and lemon juice/vinegar.Other tips: Make sure you start with a fresh tree. Check the needles before you buy your tree. If you pull on a branch and needles fall off in your hand, keep looking. Ask the sellers how long the trees have been on the lot. Also, have them give you a fresh cut: Have them cut off at least 1/2" from the bottom of the tree before you leave the lot. Finally, try to avoid putting your tree in direct sunlight, near a fireplace, or heat vent. These will accelerate the drying of your tree.

All the Best!

Taken from my post last year: O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Creative Minds

Creative minds in the advertisement business.



Watch this:

Now were you thinking what most people were thinking?

Do you think this is successful advertising?

Music Monday! Tom Jones & David Foster - Mary's Boy Child (1993 TV Special)

Something for the Season!

Tom Jones singing Mary's Boy Child. An incredibly soulful song of the season!

This is a great Christmas album with many popular and talented artists.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Happy Holidays!

When Grown-ups Curse

This is funny! Keep an eye on the lizard on the table.

Warning! Don't watch this with a full bladder or if you hate snakes.

Not exactly curse words but I'm sure the reporter wanted to say a few. I give him credit for maintaining verbal composure and abbreviating his swear words!

Did you see the way he rolled on the ground? I wonder if he wet his pants.

Seriously funny!