JeffHorneWeb Blog - News

Happy Birthday America

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:42:00 -0500

Happy 234th Birthday United States of America. We hope it's a good one.

Quisp Or Quake

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:44:00 -0500

This morning around 4:00 am the western suburbs of Chicago was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 3.8. Illinois has had earthquakes as it is part of the New Madrid fault line but to my recollection I have never felt one.

I was awake when it hit but I don't think I felt the shaking. I did hear the bang but thought it was a snow plow or a train or something blown by a gust of wind.

There haven't been any reports of serious damage, just the typical fallen picture or broken trinket. Those from the West Coast might have felt it was a bunch of nothing but it was the talk of the day to the Midwesterners. The farm below is the epicenter.

Help Out

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:27:00 -0500

As most everyone knows, the country of Haiti, already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, suffered a major earthquake on January 12th. The quake was so powerful that much of the country's buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince was reduced to rubble. While many aid organization are sending assistance to the ravaged areas, most of us common-folk wonder how we can help. There are many good aid organizations that are in need of donations for various forms of aid.

CNN posted a great list of aid organizations and how they are helping out.

One of my favorite aid organizations, Habitat For Humanity is also accepting donations as this country will soon be struggling to rebuild.

The Red Cross estimates that three million people are affected by the tragedy. It is in times like these that the fortunate really need to help those in need.

The pictures below show the Presidential Palace before and after the earthquake.

Happy New Year's Eve

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:58:00 -0500

Happy New Year's and to all a happy Blue Moon courtesy of the King.

Let It Snow 2009

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:05:00 -0500

2009 is ending with a odd mix of weather. But this is Chicago where if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change.

In the past week, we've gone from an ice storm to rain and 40 degrees to where we are now which is five inches of snow and counting.

What a hoot it is. I'm staying inside and assembling Christmas gifts like all good Fathers should do.

Here's Mary plowing the driveway in only the way the Pod can.

Winter Is Here

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:06:00 -0500

The expected huge Winter storm turned out to be a wet, windy affair. The temp is expected to dive into the teens tomorrow and twenties on Friday. In typical fashion, the weekend will be well over freezing. So that means no shoveling. I'll let nature take it's course.

So Friday will be a day filled with more recording. I have the beginnings of a new song recorded and will work on the structure, vocals and bass. The floodgates have opened.

Let It Snow 2009

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:26:00 -0500

First measurable snow of the season today. Only about an inch on the ground but people forgot how to drive in it. We're supposed to have more tomorrow with a "major" storm Tuesday night into Wednesday.

All part of the season. White Christmas here we come. Take it away Otis.

Let It Snow

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:27:00 -0500

We had our first snow of the season today. It wasn't measurable bit it was snow. This fall has been very mild. November was warm and rainy. That followed a very mild October. Today was in the thirties. Tom Skilling said it was the 9th warmest November in 139 years of weather records.

December 1st was in the 50 making it the mildest December open of the past 11 years. O'Hare's 55-degree high, 15 degrees above normal, has only been equaled or surpassed on Dec. 1 on only 12 of the last 139 years.

All that ended today. At this time of the year, I don't mind the snow and cooler temps. Once we hit late January, I have generally had enough and look forward to the inevitable thaw with great anticipation.

White Christmas... bring it on.

What Kind Of Festival?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:31:00 -0500

While I work on prep work for tomorrow's Thanksgiving meal, a number of folks will be spending their evenings in a different way not 30 miles from me. In Huntley, Illinois, the brave at heart will be taking in the annual Turkey Testicle Festival. That's right. It's not turkey sandwich or turkey neck. It's the other side of the bird's anatomy.

Held annually at the Parkside Pub in Huntley, the testicles are deep fried and eaten by the 1000s of pounds. My better half went once back in the 90s and brought some home. They are not that different than any of the organ meat that comes in the bird. Much like Rocky Mountain Oysters, these could be called Cornfield Oysters.

Much like other exotic food, it is a once in a life time, just have to do it to say you have delicacy.

When Black Friday Comes

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:28:00 -0500

The day after Thanksgiving has been a popular day for would be Santas for years. As stores have attempted to kick off the start of the traditional Christmas season earlier in the year, the traditional "Black Friday" sales has been a competition of sorts for some shoppers.

I personally have found the sales somewhat wanting in recent years. Last year I expected big price slashes due to the weakened economy but besides low stocked "Door busters" the pickings were pretty unremarkable. It's a shame some would-be shoppers at Wal-Mart had to give their lives for next to nothing.

Thanks to the many Black Friday themed websites found on the internet today, Santa's plan of attack can be drawn up weeks before rather than staying up late the night before while in a Tryptophan coma. Some stores have asked to have their ads removed but it's tough to squash info on the internet once it is made public. Just ask any celeb who's home movies have hit the interweb.

Here are a few websites to help you plan you strategy.

Happy Shopping

It's Such A Thin Line Between Clever and Stupid

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:31:00 -0500

The crazy mug shots just keep rolling in. The latest is the story of the doofus from Ohio who dressed up as a breathalyzer for Halloween only to be pulled over and charged with a DUI.

I'm not sure what more ridiculous, the costume, the fact that he was arrested and failed the same thing he was dressed as or the location of the "Blow Here" tube.

It seems like a "Wanna Get Away" Southwest Airlines commercial come to life.

Every So Often A Story Comes Along

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:39:00 -0500

Ever since the Al Gore invented the internets, celebrity mug shots have been have been bigger than ever. Rip Torn and Nick Nolte were two of the all-time winners. Every so often, non-celebs hit the big time.

The latest winners are two knuckleheads from Iowa who allegedly drew on the faces prior to attempting to break into an apartment. The two have been charged with attempted second-degree burglary.

I do believe that people are innocent until proven guilty. The problem is these two literally have guilt written all over their faces.

Think Pink

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:17:00 -0500

The pink worn at all NFL stadiums this weekend by players, coaches and referees is to bring attention to breast cancer awareness. This is a cause that is near and dear to everyone. Whether it is your wife, girlfriend, sister, mother or grandmother, breast cancer is a disease that touches nearly everyone. It is the most common cause of death in women between the ages of 20 and 59.

This recent Save The Boobs PSA drew a lot of attention with some asking if it was too racy. If it saves lives, no.

I Now Know How A Cubs Fan Feels

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:39:00 -0500

It's the eighth inning with your team five outs away from a trip to the World Series. The stadium is abuzz with excitement as everyone can taste victory and is getting ready for the achievement they've been waiting their entire lives for. This is a sure thing.

All of the sudden a freak, unexpected play sets off a chain reaction that brings your world crashing down around you. A huge buzz kill has ripped through your fandom that is so strong, you lose the next game and go home empty handed, again.

The city of Chicago not only lost it's bid for hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics but was knocked out in the first round. When the votes were counted and released, it wasn't even close. Many "experts" speculated that the star power assembled behind the Chicago bid would be too much for the other cities and a Chicago victory was a sure thing.

In the end, the desire of the International Olympic Committee to stage a Summer Olympic Games in South America won out. The people of Chicago were not so much angry as shocked. Everyone said we were in there. They said it was between Chicago and Rio. Instead it was between Madrid, with a last minute plea from former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch on his death bed, and Rio. Chicago didn't even make it out of the first round of the playoffs, again.

How could it have gone so wrong, so unlike everyone said it would be? What did the IOC members see that could have swayed them so completely one sided?

Chicago

Rio

Help Me Obamawan Kenobi

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:30:00 -0500

Our President let his inner Geek Flag fly yesterday as Olympic and Paralympic representatives showed up at the White House to draw attention to Chicago's bid for the 2016 games. In order for the President to spar with a fencer, he was given a Light Saber toy and did what all Star Wars fans do as soon as they're handed one... he started buzzing like a light saber.

There have been plenty of photos and videos of the event but my favorite is one featuring a poor soul who "picked" the wrong time to go excavating. If it is a family photo, that's one thing but when you are attending a media session at the White House, the photo of you going fishing in Lake Boogerville will now be a historic document.

Poor guy.