Thanks.

On this, the day before yet another Thanksgiving, I'm going to share a few thoughts. I haven't done this specifically before, but I've had an interesting year to say the least and have many things for which I am thankful.

To Mona: Thanks again for putting up with me and my many idiosyncrasies. I know I've tested your patience to its limit a few times in the past but you've always stood by me with either the right word or a swift kick in the ass when I needed it.

To Brandy, Bernice and Scott: Thanks for doing your best. The world today is significantly different than it was even 20 years ago when I was growing up. What it will look like in another 20 years is anybody's guess. Just keep trying, think constantly, and make the best decisions possible and you'll come out OK.

To the United States Armed Forces: Thanks for keeping us safe in these strange and dangerous times. And thanks for bringing Scott and Bernice home safely.

To Mom & Dad: Thank you for pointing me to the path that has made me who I am. We may not always agree on everything, but I can't imagine my life any other way.

To Dana and Dyana: Thanks for making me laugh. We don't communicate much, but I do enjoy it when we do.

To the staff at Baton Rouge EMS and BR General Hospital: Thanks for your excellent care in my time of need.

To BASF, The Chemical Company: Thanks for taking a chance on me and allowing me to get out of the Consumer Products/Paper Industry.

To all my friends: Thanks for being just that; Friends. I don't ever say it but I do appreciate you and the fact that you are there if called upon.

Pupster back from the dentist

Teeth all cleaned. (Bandage is from the IV.)

No Difference

29.68 MPG on Premium.

That's within noise statistically, so it is much cheaper to run 87.

Another tank

Another 29.89mpg. All these have been on 87 octane. The car is rated for 91, so I filled up with 93 today to see if there is any difference. I'm not expecting any.

The Stratus All Cleaned Up

Not that it needed much cleaning.

A Question. Just Because I Can.

So.

If I, a white male, kill a Hebrew while shouting, "Die kike! Hitler missed one!" I will probably be charged with a hate crime.

And if I, a white male, kill a black person while shouting, "Die nigger! The south's going to rise again!" I will probably be charged with a hate crime.

And if I, a white male, kill a homosexual while shouting, "Die you cocksucker!" I will probably be charged with a hate crime. (Though in my defense on this one, I probably didn't know the person's sexual orientation and "cocksucker" is my favorite profanity.)

So, is anyone reading this deluded to the point that they think that a Moslem that kills 13 people while shouting, "Alahu Akbar!" will be charged with a hate crime?

This one covers all the bases

Extraordinarily unfortunate death of one of the missus' boss' son. I'd met him a few times. He was a nice guy. RIP Bruce.

Sad testament to what passes for driving etiquette down here.

Link.

Another Link

Ethel man killed in traffic crash

Bruce Chaisson,33, of Ethel, was killed in a traffic crash around 10:55 p.m. Thursday night.

Chaisson, who was disabled and in a wheelchair, was a passenger in a 2001 Dodge Caravan driven by Christy Braud, 31, of Zachary.

Braud was northbound on I-110 near Airline Highway when she ran into the back of a 2004 Honda Civic that was apparently either stalled or moving slowly in a lane of traffic.

Chaisson was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center where he later died.

The driver of the Honda, Francisco Ramos, (age unknown) of Baker, was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Braud was treated and released from a local hospital for her injuries and then later booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, charged with DWI, Reckless Operation, Texting While Driving, Careless Operation, No Seatbelt, Vehicular Homicide and 1st Degree Negligent Injuring.

The investigation by the Traffic Homicide Unit is continuing.

Investigators are asking that anyone who may have been driving in the area and may have witnessed the actions of either vehicle prior to the crash contact them at 389-7819.

Been waiting for it.

Passed a bad wreck this morning. Someone picked the wrong place to be distracted. A Maxima drifted left and drove headon into the start of the Jersey Barrier at the Seigen overpass. There was enough energy to destroy the car back to the windshield and spin it completely across the entire highway onto the right shoulder. Just one cop sitting there and no ambulance on the way that I could hear. Probably not a good sign when no one is in a hurry at a car accident scene.