Outright tragedy in Texas..

Texas fires.. the Gov’s hair may get messed.. hope the tape holds!

An amazing flare fires off the sun .. M5.3 class.. earth directed.. Developing.

Truly important news from Somalia continues to NOT make front pages of newspapers or top stories on nightly news

There’s a lot of news in the world.. but one place seemingly ignored all of the time is Somalia. The latest, as described by the AFP, can bring tears to your eyes:

Nearly too weak to cry, Masteha Jama Mohamed’s three-month-old daughter is barely the length of her forearm, as the severely malnourished baby struggles for survival in famine-hit Somalia.

Mohamed is herself just a teenager: the 16-year-old mother says her baby has been sick ever since she was two weeks old, and now at 2.5 kilogrammes, is still only the weight of a newborn.

But even after reaching Mogadishu’s Banadir hospital, she still fears her child might not survive

Truly important news from Somalia continues to NOT make front pages of newspapers or top stories on nightly news

How are my readers in Texas today?

The news is looking rough .. deep in the heart of Texas, deadly infernos continue.. Hope you’re all doing well. 

What is the best new name for Labor Day?

Corporation Day?

Slave Labor Day?

Low wages lots of work day?

…or name your own

A truly massive croc.. WOW..

Wow.. Chris Christie ain’t kidding

Katia won't be an issue.. BUT..

Katia is probably not going to be the issue. The next system could be. Models are showing up to 10 inches of rain across central PA this week.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx0xg32qf6c?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=374]

All used up.

Happy Labor Day.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Creepy: It’s Labor Day.. You may be going to or at a park right now. And if you are, consider this: Lots around the world are abandoned. And creepy.

Here is a sampling of some of the creepiest abandoned amusement parks in the world, with imagesthat will further give you the chills. 

And it’s fall. The season of the witch is coming. It’s time to start making ourselves scared.. that’s the most fun part of the majesty of autumn.

More details emerge on Pennsylvania swine flu cases..
Pennsylvania State health officials are conducting exposure investigations in Schuylkill and Washington counties among people who attended an agricultural fair..

Saturday.. In September.:

And time keeps on going…

Yet another Obama U-Turn, this one on environment

Yet another Obama U-Turn, this one on environment

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii4ON7XHGCA?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=374]

I hate to say it, and no matter the temperature, it’s over. Summer is done. Gone. Finished. Another year going by quickly… ‘12 is coming. The fall’s early heat will fade away into the cold winds of time. .. .. It’s been real.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

I think to myself, ‘what a wonderful world’

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owIyrXYG3ww?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=374]

…it’s almost. Goodnight all.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Kids are back in school but, by God, it looks like the trees are giving up on summer, too

Dick Cheney laughs on NBC as he disconnects his heart pump!

Dick Cheney laughs on NBC as he disconnects his heart pump!

A few Catholics still say Galileo was wrong!The group of people still say that the earth, despite all scientific data showing opposite, is at the center of the universe..

A few Catholics still say Galileo was wrong!The group of people still say that the earth, despite all scientific data showing opposite, is at the center of the universe..

….Guy Gaga?
Male Gaga?

Gago?

Yet again, Lady Gaga rocks the music world.. appears as a man —in drag ?— at MTV music awards….. And 

SHE EVEN USED THE MEN’S ROOM 

Schools back...

I feel for you, kids… Summer is over.

….I suppose with Amy Winehouse’s passing, Ke$ha sees an opening:

Singer Ke$ha spits out beer while performing at a taping of the 2011 MTV World Stage Mexico at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional, Thursday Aug. 25, 2011. The show will air on MTV Latin America Sept. 23. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

MTV music awards tonight.. and yes, Snooki and her JERSEY SHORE escaped Irene on a private last minute flight

…we can breathe easier.

Now bring on Britney and Gaga and pay tribute to Winehouse. Music, MTV style. 

MTV music awards tonight.. and yes, Snooki and her JERSEY SHORE escaped Irene on a private last minute flight

BRIT PAPERS ATTACK: IRENE WAS THE PERFECT STORM OF HYPE

BRIT PAPERS ATTACK: IRENE WAS THE PERFECT STORM OF HYPE

Ayden’s first hurricane. I think he’ll be a storm chaser..

Trying to put perspective on a strange week

This week, after an earthquake shook parts of the world that don’t know what to do during them, it was one thing. Then after a hurricane slammed into that same part of the world, it was quite another. And even more, some forecasts project a hurricane potentially taking a silimar track to Irene… It has been a strange, odd, and particularly eerie week.

I’m not saying end times are upon us. I’m not quitting the day job and hopping in my car to proclaim armageddon .. But I can admit, I felt a lot closer to that this week than ever before.

I have never lived through an earthquake before. Sure, here in the Coal Region of Pennsylvania, I suppose I’m sheltered. Or thought I was. And hurricanes? We’ve had them… that one is an old one. But for in cities that never sleep, massive rains and winds can shake not only foundations of buildings but also the human psyche. 

The only conclusion that one can derive from a week of natural disaster is this: The world, all over, is fragile. The ground isn’t certain. And the winds can blow. 

That is a scary prospect, as well, isn’t it? 

We are a society, a human race, that tries to get ahead of nature. We also have this notion that, since we made computers, we don’t have to worry about those old fashioned problems like disease and natural disasters. But we do.

I have often said, and still believe, that society as a whole is constantly on a hair trigger away from anarchy. Just one action, even if it’s small, can provoke insurrection. And in 2011, billions of dollars have been tallied in an expensive year for natural disasters.

The only stark and complete conclusion I can take from a shaky, windy week: We are at the mercy of this planet. We don’t run it, own it, or master it. We just inhabit it. 

Irene falls short of projections?

Irene falls short of projections?

Long Beachless Island: 

Drew Messler of Manasquan tries to avoid the surging water as he goes for a walk on the beach on Fifth Street at high tide as Hurricane Irene moves past Long Beach Island, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011 in Beach Haven, N.J. (AP Photo/Joe Epstein)

DOWNGRADE: IRENE LOSES HER HURRICANE STATUS

A quick FYI as this storm departs from our memory: The European model shows another hurricane taking the same track after Labor Day weekend...

A quick FYI as this storm departs from our memory: The European model shows another hurricane taking the same track after Labor Day weekend...

This too shall pass. Amazing shot.

thedeadline:

Calm after the storm: sun’s about to come up on the Outer Banks. (New photo) (Taken with instagram)

NEW YORK CITY: TORNADO WARNING

Also now: 3.1 million homes and businesses are without power

NEW YORK CITY: TORNADO WARNING

Another Reuters image (this photographer had to be having fun watching).. of the revelers, seemingly grown adults, playing water slide on the streets of New York City. Looks fun.

And it looks like the Irish pubs that stayed open last night in the city had customers.. 

The city that never sleeps.. Reuters photog Brendan McDermid captures an image of really happy and very wet revellers in Times Square as Irene struck.. 

The moment it occurred: A hurricane passes directly over New York City

HUDSON RIVER IS OVERFLOWING..

..portions of New York City beginning to get flooded.. 

As said: The storm surge was the true worry of this storm.. And now events are showing why it was a valid concern..

The hurricane, by the way, is right over New York City now .. it’s going to race as of now, though, caught up with the right steering currents..

THE EAST RIVER IS TOPPING ITS BANKS RIGHT NOW

Winds are getting intense.. Strong East wind..

MSNBC RIGHT NOW ON LONG BEACH

Tidal flooding is beginning.. water is rushing the beach .. Al Roker is reporting that streets are flooding and cars are being inundated with water from the ocean .

Winds right now: 75 MPH according to the latest.. Gusts stronger

…I still think it’s lost the power it had. It started last night… And now we will just with for the latest from the hurricane hunters

A little on Long Beach Island.. by God good luck there 

inothernews:

Irene is pummelling the sand berms at Long Beach on Long Island, and while Channel 7’s NJ Burkett was reporting, the storm surge knocked a two-story lifeguard building off its pilings and into the boardwalk.

This storm should be downgraded!!!

So when will the NHC do it?

I’m not saying winds and rains are over (believe it’s even coming down outside my window and I know Jersey and NYC are in for some tough hours) but the dry air last night really destroyed the power of Irene. And thankfully so..

Dodged a bullet perhaps? …we still got shot .. but maybe only with an air rifle..

New York City during Irene.. I absolutely LOVE this AP photo..

For my readers in New York

I understand the Irish pubs remain open. Have fun

For those wondering about Long Beach Island..

I have received no responses from followers there on how things were.. And that troubles me greatly..

Tonight in Kill Devil Hills, NC, by AP Photo/Robert Ray

Tonight: Empty streets in New York City

Lewes, Delaware, tornado..

Comments on the big networks..

…they say that the dry air won’t stop the storm. I agree.. But it will do more than what some may think.. Any little bit of dry weather and weakening will help this thing not be as bad as feared. Although think of it this way: For places that are only 10 feet above sea level, a storm surge along with 12 inches of rain along the coast is going to be pretty bad. And even more, for the inland areas, 6 inches of rain on saturated ground isn’t going to be pretty

The 9PM update.. this storm is practically vanishing on satellite! That dry is working

Latest... Irene "Weaker but still menacing"

That from CBS news..

Menancing, sure.. and weakening surely. That dry air surge truly did a number on Irene.. I look forward to the newest stats when they come out from the NHC .. I wondering if this storm gets a downgrade any time before it gets to NYC?

And that is NOT TO SAY THIS WILL NOT PRODUCE RAIN. 17 inches in North Carolina, a high tide with tonight’s new moon, is all sure to produce flooding. Maybe we can cut down on some of these winds, though..

As I said.. DRY AIR. Keep it coming

I am not saying wind and rain is over..

But that dry air has certainly moved into Irene.

Here’s hoping it keeps going..

....the dry air came in.

See the radar? Is it me or did this thing just stop being a hurricane????

Oh boy…

notyouthculture:

This is the aftermath of the last Category 2 hurricane to make landfall in Long Beach Island.

Anyone out there from Long Beach Island?

And if so.. how is everything going in my little favorite vacation spot along the Atlantic? .. I hope all is well.. and I fear it’s not.

And how about my second favorite place? …Asbury Park?

THE STORM SURGE IS GOING TO BE THE REAL ISSUE FOR A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE

It amazes me.. and quite frankly scares me.. how massive this hurricane is.

Boats aren’t lasting, as shown by this …

Worries about the inmates at Rikers Island prison..

….things are happening that (hopefully) won’t happen for another 100 years.

So far..

Irene leaves 900,000 homes, businesses without power on East Coast

6:30 IRENE…

TONIGHT....

Northeast in for Long Night of Strong Winds, Flooding & Power Outages 

YOU KNOW IT'S BIG...

…WHEN BRIAN WILLIAMS DOES WEEKENDS…

So sign of a mass exodus in New York City.. parked cars and calm roadways..

So sign of a mass exodus in New York City.. parked cars and calm roadways..

ThePeteTV's HURRICAM 2001™ LIVE-STREAMING #IRENE

A live webcam from NYC. 

thepete:

Yes, I’m being overdramatic. Your point? ;P  Anyway, “enjoy” this “exciting” view out of my apartment window on the other buildings and the sky around my home as Irene arrives.  You probably won’t see much and may want to check out cam 3 at this site (look for cam3 beneath the live image).  Click the “Continue reading…” below if you don’t see the player.

Only a few thousand people have gone into shelters into New York City

Only a few thousand people have gone into shelters into New York City

Here she blows at 6pm// Irene strong still as it SLOOOOOWLY moves north..

17 INCHES OF RAIN IN NORTH CAROLINA!

17 INCHES OF RAIN IN NORTH CAROLINA!

once in a lifetime thing.. The floor of Grand Central, so clean you can eat off of it! … well maybe not that clean..

zainyk:

gq:

Grand Central Terminal, Saturday afternoon, Aug. 27

[via @nickconfessore]

The floor of Grand Central looks so clean. If Victoria station were emptied the floor would basically just be tramps urine.

Surf’s up…

How is everyone dealing out there?

Readers from North Carolina, Jersey, D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and the lovers in Virginia: HOW ARE YOU ALL HOLDING UP?

Here is where the dangers are for the East Coast..

Here is where the dangers are for the East Coast..

Irene at 4pm.

Flapping in the wind:

Virginia Beach hit by a hurricane.. 
Reporter hit with wind.
Viewers hit with a streaker 

She’s a monster. Can you spot Irene?

breakingnews:

Full Disk Image of Earth Captured August 26, 2011 by NASA Goddard Photo and Video on Flickr.

Hurricane Irene can be seen on the U.S. East Coast.

Update: This satellite movie, released earlier today (August 27) by NASA, shows Hurricane Irene moving through the Bahamas and making landfall at Cape Lookout, North Carolina at around 8 a.m. EDT today.

shortformblog:

More from Irene: The flooding is the real danger, guys. It’s a huge storm and is dropping a ton of rain. Enough to engulf a car, apparently. An incredible shot. (via Twitter user @MsNakiaB, who has posted a ton of photos today)

Game over: This AP photo taken by H. Rumph Jr shows a young Phillies fan watching the tarp cover the field.. The game is off. Florida Marlins vs Philadelphia postponed until after Irene.

A few tourists remaining in Times Square. Depending on which side of New York City Irene travels, they may be forced to leave rather quickly.

Irene.. Landfall. Good luck all

Finally some hope over hype

A silver lining as one forecaster says Irene will fizzle north of Delaware..

New York reacts

How are New Yorkers reacting to Mayor Bloomberg’s order to leave? They’re going to the beach!!

Irene is for lovers….

STATES BEGINNING TO DECLARE EMERGENCIES.. CHRISTIE TELLS SUNBATHERS TO ‘GET THE HELL’ OFF THE BEACH

Will the eye pass over NYC!? Developing..

AP writes: New Yorkers, many of them without cars, don’t have much time to get out of the way before the city shutters its subways, buses and trains on Saturday

BLOOMBERG MAKES THE CALL: TELLS 300,000 NEW YORKERS TO LEAVE THE CITY

SUBWAY SHUTDOWN

"Waiting until the last minute is not a smart thing to do. This is life-threatening."

Wow..

Mean Irene: POWER OUTAGES COULD LAST FOR DAYS // FLOODING COULD BE MASSIVE // HOMES CAN BE DAMAGED // BUILDINGS CAN FACE DAMAGE // THIS IS GOING TO BE HUGE

Mean Irene: POWER OUTAGES COULD LAST FOR DAYS // FLOODING COULD BE MASSIVE // HOMES CAN BE DAMAGED // BUILDINGS CAN FACE DAMAGE // THIS IS GOING TO BE HUGE

Latest:

Forecaster: “Very bad”
Airlines cancel flights..
State of emergency New Jersey..
Hurricane supplies moved to Northeast..
Prepping for the worst..
New York City readies..
Cape May County, New Jersey, beginning mandatory evacuations Friday..
New York City: 30 feet above sea level.. Atlantic City: 8 feet above sea level .. Asbury Park: 21 feet above sea level.. Ocean City: 8 feet above sea level.. 
US Navy predicting 30 feet waves for New York region.. 
Forecasts: Baltimore: up to 8 inches of rain.. Ocean City: Up to 10 inches of rain.. Philadelphia: Up to 8 inches of rain .. Cape May: Up to 10 inches of rain.. New York City: Up to 12 inches of rain.. More in Providence, Hartford, Portland, and all the way up to Maine.. Hurricane or tropical force winds expected..

We’ll sing this soon.. until then get ready

Watch this video-- THEN PREPARE!!!!

Watch this video-- THEN PREPARE!!!!

I'll be honest...

I’m worried for my followers and readers.. and especially New Yorkers… Please be safe. Get supplies. This will be a storm unlike any in recent memory, if not your life… This is big, this is bad.. last time NYC got this type of a storm was the 1890s…. 

For some, storm clouds can’t stop vacation..

She just destroyed the Bahamas… and … who knows what’s next

Once in a 50-year-storm possible... ready?

Irene just destroyed the Bahamas.. it’s coming to the east Coast.. NYC is going to face some very difficult conditions.. 

The coal region is not immune.. lots of thoughts of the famed Agnes coming back

How is everyone prepping? 

A 5.8 earthquake rocking the entire eastern half of North America. A very freaky day…ending with this spectacular sunset over Reading, PA.

WHAT THE FRACK?! ALARM RAISED OVER GAS DRILLERS FRACKING ON CEMETERIES!

WHAT THE FRACK?! ALARM RAISED OVER GAS DRILLERS FRACKING ON CEMETERIES!

Oh boy… 

Good luck to us..

This weekend, my son Ayden decided to crawl and sit and the same time… and crawl he does.. Fast.. child proof time here, I’d suppose.