I've tried Facebook, sure seems rather strange, many comments and postings just don't make sense, Twitter is even more different so I've decided this is where I need to be ... so I'm back.

(Can't beleive how long it's been, shame on me!)

Looking at a hot summer, attics are going to be rather warm, but I'm up for it.

Thanks activerain for the chance to get back online.

Dog Pack Attacks Gator In Florida

At times nature can be cruel, but there is also a raw beauty, and even a certain justice manifested within that cruelty.

The alligator, one of the oldest and ultimate predators, normally considered the 'apex predator', can still fall victim to implemented 'team work' strategy, made possible due to the tight knit social structure and 'survival of the pack mentality' bred into the canines.

See the remarkable photograph below courtesy of Nature Magazine.

Note that the Alpha dog has a muzzle hold on the gator preventing it from breathing, while another dog has a hold on the tail to keep it from thrashing.

The third dog attacks the soft underbelly of the gator.

Not for the squeamish!

Scroll down . . .

Laughter is good for the soul. Have a Great Day!

This will date me, received a copy of this about 15-20 years ago, but it sure makes you think about what if your goal was 99.9%, not 100%, how much do we stand to lose?

If 99.9% is the goal then . . . .
What is an Acceptable Level of Quality Performance?
In the United States it would mean:
. . . over 2,000,000 documents will be lost by the IRS this year
. . . 811,000 faulty rolls of 35mm film will be purchased this year
. . . 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong bank accounts in the next 60 minutes
. . . about one hour of unsafe drinking water each month
. . . 16,000 pieces of mail would be lost each hour
. . . 1,314 phone calls will be misplaced by telecommunications services every minute
. . . twelve babies will be given to the wrong parents every day
. . . 500 incorrect surgical procedures would be performed each week
. . . 5,517,200 cases of soft drinks produced in the next year will be flatter than a bad tire
. . . 2,488,200 books will be shipped in the next 12 months with the wrong cover
. . . two planes landing daily at O'Haire International Airport in Chicago will miss the runway
. . . 300 airplanes would miss the runway on landing each day
. . . 50 newborn babies would be dropped at birth by doctors each day
. . . there will be no telephone, electricity, heat, or television for 45 minutes each month
. . . 3,255 incorrect medical procedures will be performed by the end of the month
. . . 20,000 drug prescriptions will be filled incorrectly in the next 12 months

Just think, this was written 15-20 years ago, wonder what the numbers would be today? Anyone with updated information . . . would love to know.

the HouseNspect guy

Just had a strange call from "another" inspector in my area . . . but what kind of inspector I'm just not sure . . . he's asking what would I charge to go along with him on an inspection because he can't get in crawlspaces or the attic but he still wants to do the inspection (he's also hard of hearing) . . . he said he has all the computers and stuff, he's retired, asked me if I'm busy and a few more questions, some not making a whole lot of sense . . . really had a hard time understanding him, but told him if he needed help I'm available at an hourly rate paid in advance, just really didn't know how to respond . . . didn't seem fazed at all and said he'd get back with me . . . time will tell I guess.

Anyone else have strange calls/questions asked similar to this? (I know I've received inquires from other inspectors in the area just by the way they ask questions, but this one was rather different).

Received the following e-mail yesterday from my daughter . . . a great reminder for me of the men and women who have/will put their lives on the line that I might enjoy my freedoms . . . I thank the good Lord for my freedoms, for the sacrifice of men in women past and present who serve this great nation . . . hope we remember them this Memorial Day weekend and appreciate the free land we live in. God Bless the families of our veterans past, present and future . . . may we all have a safe and wonderful weekend . . . let us not forget.

This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq . Pass it on to everyone and pray.

SLEEP LAST NIGHT?
Bed a little lumpy...
Toss and turn any...
Wish the heat was higher...

Maybe the a/c wasn't on...
Had to go to the john...
Need a drink of water.. ???

Yes.. It is like that!
Count your blessings, pray for them,
Talk to your Creator
And the next time when ...
The other car cuts you off and you must hit the brakes, or you have to park a little further from Walmart than you want to be, or you're served slightly warm food at the restaurant, or you're sitting and cursing the traffic in front of you,  or the shower runs out of hot water,

Think of them...
Protecting your freedom!

The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute to our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could think of doing that is by taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I
was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that 'WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN' and are proud to serve our country.'

The attached photo was forwarded from one of the last U.S. Marine companies in Iraq They would like to have it passed to as many people as possible, to let the folks back home know that they remember why they're there and that they remember those who've been lost.

Had a great day today. Living and working in the St George, UT area has it good points. One of them being Tuacahn's outdoor ampitheatre where tonight enjoyed the Beach Boys Concert with my wife. . . kinda dates me, huh? Brings back great memories . . . they may be old, but WOW, 2 hours of non-stop music, almost able to sing along word for word . . . not sure how old these guys are now, but they did refer to a hit back in 1964, and right after that song (which was about the 4th song) the lead singer said it's now time for intermission so he can go take a nap! . . . during the sold out performance it sprinkled a few drops of rain but didn't stop the concert. Tuacahn Ampitheatre will be one of eight summer theatres to present Les Miserables, if anything like last years shows, we're in for a treat again this year.

One question I'm almost always asked on home inspections is, in fact I think every inspector out there is asked the same . . . what will it cost to repair/replace such and such. Well on yesterdays inspection the buyer seemed a little put out that I didn't know the cost to repair a stone (not talking little stones) retaining wall that was crumbling . . . he really wants to purchase the home but is worried about repair costs . . . property is bank owned as is . . . basically all I could do was point him to the yellow pages and the internet to seach for local companies who could be hired to do the repairs.

Inspectors: How do you answer this type of inquires?  Realtors: Do you try and help as well, or defer to yellow pages/internet?

Collected this thought a long, long time ago . . . way before the internet. It has helped me to think more about what I do and how I do it than anything else . . .

Law of Conditioning
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or, your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half the things you do, you might as just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed.
You must merely be firm with me.
Show me how something is done, and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great men and alas, of all the failures as well.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine though I work with all the precision of a machine - plus the intelligence of a man.
You may run me for profit or run me for ruin.
It makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet.
Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.
Who am I?

Author Unknown

. . . looking for your answers first, will post in blog in a little while.

I received this several years ago and I'm sure many have received this from someone thru e-mail

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

WOW, love it when I first saw it, did some research a little while back and found this which helps explain it a little more, click here.

Jsut wsih I cuold do taht all the tmie, wulodn't hvae to wrroy auobt sepll ckceher any mroe.

I think I'm getting the hang of it . . . meaning blogging . . . not sure but you write a little bit about the days events, or a subject you know about, blog, others read and your read their blogs, etc . . . what I wasn't getting was on several of my blogs, folsk that I've replied to their blogs have come and visited mine . . . you know what this place is exciting, I've learn how to blog, but more importantly (is that a word?) I'm learning from the active rain community . . . thanks!