Tag: scary

One hundred thirty years ago today – Krakatoa

The gigantic eruption that made the volcanic island of Krakatau in Indonesia (or commonly in English, Krakatoa) famous down to the present day actually began on August 26th, 1883.  But the final eruption that destroyed most of the island happened on the following day, in a series of four gigantic explosions.  Ultimately the volcano was blamed for more than 36,000 deaths, although some historians and scientists consider that number (estimated by the Dutch authorities, as it was part of the Dutch East Indies at that time) to be much too low.  Krakatoa was the first major volcanic eruption to be studied and measured with modern scientific instruments such as seismographs and barographs.

Continue reading “One hundred thirty years ago today – Krakatoa”

Trip to Newport, RI

My Uncle Paul and Aunt Pauline had their 50th Anniversary party this past weekend at the same place where they were married all those years ago.  The name of the venue has changed, but the place is still there: OceanCliff.

It was the first time that I had been to Newport since high school, I think.  And Kelly had not been there herself in at least a dozen years.  So we both managed to get the day off in advance so we could go.

Continue reading “Trip to Newport, RI”

I love the ocean, but this is why I don’t swim in it much

Don’t get me wrong, I can swim and I like swimming, but I don’t like taking my chances with those bitey fishies, and statistics be damned.  I am sure that most people who get attacked probably think “it will never happen to me” but I don’t want to come out of the water looking like this seal.

When I was a kid, I used to spend more time out on the Cape, usually in the Eastham/Wellfleet area since my aunt and uncle had a place there.  And Marconi Beach is a great beach, if you have never seen it.  The sand is very fine and very firm and the surf is good, sometimes quite impressive.

So having spent a lot of time out there, I was a bit surprised to see that Marconi Beach was closed today after a shark was sighted a mere 30 yards from shore.  The shark was spotted by an NPS lifeguard and confirmed by a park ranger.  Since seals are sometimes seen around there, I am guessing it was probably a great white but they were unable to confirm the type.

-Geoff

Dear Internet: You are weird

One of the most fascinating things about having a blog is seeing what it is that brings people here.  The other day a *really* strange search term popped up in our list of “why people come to KellyandGeoff.com.”

It was just too weird.  So, in honor of the truly strange corners of the internet (and The Bloggess who had this idea first), I’ve gone back through the list and picked out some of the strangest, funniest, most terrifying and sometimes offensive search terms that brought you people to this blog.  Granted, since I’m writing about them it’ll probably bring more of you here, but that’s OK.  What is that they say about any publicity being good publicity?  Yeah, that.  I think.

Continue reading “Dear Internet: You are weird”

Wow, this is weird

Kelly and I awoke to the smell of smoke, especially when I opened the back door to let the dogs out into the yard.  Turns out there was a major fire near the Somerville/Cambridge line on the other side of Inman Square.  The fire was on Calvin Street.  It got up to seven alarms.  I hope no one was hurt.

I looked at a map to figure out where the fire was and thought “wait, weren’t there some other fires in that neighborhood recently?”  It turns out that for once my memory was right.  In fact, one morning a couple of weeks ago two fires broke out at almost the same time, just a few blocks apart: one on Lewis and one on Dane.  That alone seems fishy, but now this huge fire happens, and in the same part of Somerville.  What are the odds that three fires would break out in two weeks in the same neighborhood?   I mean, these three fires are literally within a couple hundred yards of each other.  Am I nuts or does this seem a little fishy?  I mean, we have friends who live in this neighborhood.  I am just wondering if they need to worry about someone sneaking around in the wee hours setting fires or something.  I hope that arson is not the problem, but it sure seems like a possibility.

-Geoff

Faith in humanity being restored

Slowly.

I have to admit that the Texas Anti-Woman Law and the Zimmerman verdict coming within hours of one another made me really unhappy with humanity for a while.  Then there was the announcement that The View was hiring Jenny McCarthy to fill its patented Obnoxious Vapid Contentious Blond Host seat.

That about did me in.  How does somebody like her get paid $$$ to sit on TV and spew that dangerous crap when Geoff and I are working constantly, are far smarter and funnier, and we’re barely making ends meet?

Continue reading “Faith in humanity being restored”

MEMO

July 14, 2013

TO: The State of Florida

FROM: Common Sense

RE: Last Night’s Court Decision

Please remedy the error in last night’s court decision.  If the unfortunate laws cited in the case are not overturned forthwith, please refer to the the following remedy.

CC: Texas State Legislature, re: The Bill That Shall Not Be Named

 

Owning the past

The whole mess with Paula Deen has me thinking about a lot of people I knew when I lived in the South.  Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia were all places I spent a lot of time.  And the more I think about it, the more I think the image problem the South has in regards to much of the rest of the country (and even the world, to some extent) is this:

The South (as a region) still hasn’t come to grips with slavery, even now, some 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.  Collectively, the South thinks that it has, but really it hasn’t.  I am saying this as someone who was born there and lived there for decades who also happens to be a specialist in the area of 19th century American history.

Continue reading “Owning the past”

Work without ceasing

This is a passage from 1 Thessalonians I’ve always liked. (NSRV).  I’ve tweaked it a little to reflect our current circumstances.

Rejoice always, 17 pray work without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
Continue reading “Work without ceasing”