Cut This: You tell us what they are thinking
July 16, 2008
Welcome to the first installment of “Cut This”, a new feature on The Dagger’s Twist blog. Here we will simply post a picture we find on the net, and you can tell us what the subjects in the picture are really thinking by leaving a comment.
And for our inaugural picture…
Stealing An Empress: Illegal Harvesting Of Maryland Paulownia Trees For The Asian Bridal Industry
July 16, 2008
With blades and ropes, they came for her in the night. Neighbors heard only the roar of a motor and the squeal of the getaway, before awakening to find their empress was gone.
It has been several years now since local police have logged reports for any stolen Paulownia trees, also known as the empress or princess trees, but the inconspicuous plant is still widely cherished in the Far East because of its traditional and mystical functions. Continue reading Stealing An Empress: Illegal Harvesting Of Maryland Paulownia Trees For The Asian Bridal Industry
What Drives Me Crazy!
July 15, 2008
The trend in Major League Baseball for players to look like bums. What is the deal with wearing your pants eight inches too long so they bunch up around your cleats or actually are under your heel?! The shirts are too big, the pants are too long and it seems most of the guys are wearing them this way. If the ballplayers don’t wear them this way, they wear their pants with the end up around the knees and baseball socks showing from the knee on down. What happened to baseball players that looked like ballplayers? Stirrup socks with white socks under them. Shirts that looked like they were measured for the player and not obtained from a baseball shirt give-away-night. You know what I mean: all t-shirts ever given away are double XL!
My guess is that these guys don’t go out on the town looking like they’ve never seen a tailor! I can’t imagine A-Rod wearing his pants so long that he’s walking on them or that his shirt is not custom tailored when he’s visiting the Material Girl. Why do the owners allow the players to look like this? I know the answer to that question and that answer is the Players Union.
We can all thank St. Louis Cardinal George Hendrick for starting the “trend”. It would be interesting to hear from George, how he feels now that his trend is so widespread. He coaches first base for the Tampa Bay Rays. But alas, George ain’t talking. You see, George Hendrick doesn’t talk to the media and hasn’t talked to the media since 1973.
George, you were a very good ballplayer but fashion and public speaking weren’t your forte.
Thanks a bunch George.
Celebrating Baltimore’s Babe Ruth And The Final All-Star Game At The House He Built
July 14, 2008
“The only real game, I think, in the world is baseball.” So said Babe Ruth. Agree with him or not, I have no doubt that the grand-daddy of home runs is up in the baseball heavens, prepping himself to bid farewell to his iconic home.
Uh-huh. Yankee Stadium is going down and the ensuing countdown - considering the All-Star break typically marks the mid-point of the season - inevitably brings up times of reflection and moments to remember. While Yankee fans and baseball fans in general might mourn the destruction of the House That Ruth Built, they can take comfort in knowing that just because his stadium is getting bulldozed, the Sultan of Swat isn’t going anywhere - he’ll always be in our hearts. Continue reading Celebrating Baltimore’s Babe Ruth And The Final All-Star Game At The House He Built
Party in Joppa Ends in Homicide
July 14, 2008
From a Harford County Sheriff’s Office news release:
(Joppa, MD – July 14, 2008) Harford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting of a twenty-two year Edgewood man that attended a private event at the Joppa Magnolia Fire Hall. This is Harford County’s Sheriff’s Office second homicide of 2008.
At approximately 11:45pm, a 911 call was placed that someone had been shot at a party that was taking place in the Joppa/Magnolia Fire Hall located in the 1400 block of Mountain Road. Harford County Sheriff’s deputies responded to find a crowd of people gathered inside and outside of the building. The victim, Tariq S Alston, 22 of Edgewood was located shot inside of the building. Treated on the scene by paramedics from Joppa/ Magnolia Fire Company, he was transported by Fallston Ambulance Corp to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center with life threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead shortly before 12:30am.
Deputies have been conducting interviews on site with the event attendees. Motive is unknown at this time as the investigation continues. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-836-5080.
Additionally Harford County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must call the 24-hour tip-line at 1-888-540-TIPS. Callers do not have to give their name nor appear in court. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Taking A Stab At The Dream
July 13, 2008
Ever since I was a youngin’ I’ve had a goofy attitude and a love for comedy. Now that I’m a grown up, nothing has changed. I have watched every season of Last Comic Standing on NBC and periodically go to Magooby’s Joke House in Carney to see live acts. With a little encouragement from my co-workers, I will be taking a big step into the comedy realm soon.
Thursday, July 31, I will attempt to take the stage at Magooby’s to compete in an open mic night. The prize is a whopping $75 and an opening spot for a weekend act. But the prize for me will be seeing if stand-up comedy is something I can do. Will nerves eat me alive? Will I have a hard time coming up with material? I don’t know. But I’m willing to find out.
I have a feeling that if I can stand on a bright stage and talk coherently and make at least one person laugh, I will have one hell of a time. Screw the grand prize, I just want the satisfaction of knowing I can do it.
If anyone who reads this wants to come and see me sink or swim, show up at Magooby’s Joke House in Carney Thursday, July 31 for the 8 p.m. start time. Funny or not, I will be sweating on a stage.
NYC Is Just A Hop, Skip And Train Ride Away From Aberdeen Along the Rail Line
July 11, 2008
We get to the park and ride at 6:06 a.m. Wednesday, June 25. It costs nothing to park. Printing out tickets is a breeze - swipe your card, confirm, print. Departure is at 6:35 a.m. and it is ON TIME. Yay!
We sit in the café section of the Amtrak that has big open booths. My niece Paula sets up her iPod. I set up my laptop on the spacious table and plug it in - not wasting the battery. I’m on wireless so now I just have to get it working. When we begin to move, she looks around and takes it in, her eyes wide and that smile is just brewing. “This is amazing,” she says. I haven’t heard this 14-year old say much of anything with a 5 a.m. wake up call. We are in for a treat alright. Continue reading NYC Is Just A Hop, Skip And Train Ride Away From Aberdeen Along the Rail Line
Del. McDonough: Oil Bandits Revealed
July 11, 2008
Jesse James and his gang of thieves were small change compared to the robbery being perpetrated upon the American people with the current oil scandal. There is a Jesse James, but it is not a person - it is an institution. The commodities trading process controlled by hustlers, speculators, and money changers are driving up the price of oil by creating a false cost to the consumers. The energy experts tell us that the real price of a barrel of oil is about $60, which means the average person should be paying about $2 per gallon at the pump. However, the hustlers in the oil trading market have pushed the price of a barrel of oil up to $140 without any real basis in facts that would justify this astounding price. Continue reading Del. McDonough: Oil Bandits Revealed
Gov. O’Malley Disregards Nominating Committee and Taps Leonard Wheeler & Alysson Krchnavy for Board of Education
July 9, 2008
The Governor has chosen Alysson Krchnavy and Dr. Leonard Wheeler to fill the two open seats on the Board of Education, circumventing the recommendations of the Harford County Board of Education Nominating Committee.
The Committee, made up of representatives from the Office of County Executive David Craig, the Harford County State Senators, the Harford County House of Delegates and the Harford County Council who had recommended retired principal Nancy Reynolds and Dr. Mohammad Reza Shahab to fill those seats. Continue reading Gov. O’Malley Disregards Nominating Committee and Taps Leonard Wheeler & Alysson Krchnavy for Board of Education
Kiss a CPA Today: State Audit Finds Serious Concerns In Operation of Harford’s Schools
July 8, 2008
Don’t you wish there was someone was out there making sure the folks who use taxpayer dollars to operate our public schools are safeguarding our money and using it in the most efficient way possible?
A team of Certified Public Accountants in the Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits have done just that by issuing their first audit of Harford County Public Schools in May of this year. Continue reading Kiss a CPA Today: State Audit Finds Serious Concerns In Operation of Harford’s Schools
