Over the past several years I have developed some fairly strong anachronistic views on the overuse of technology, with GPSes being one in particular. Given, I own hiking and auto GPSes, I find them no substitute for actual navigational and geo-positional savvy (i.e. knowing where you are, where you want to go, and how to … Continue reading Another reason why paper maps are superior to GPS
The heraldic fraud (II)
I got one of these certificates from a vendor in a mall back in the nineties (before I knew better) that purported to tell the history of my surname. I keep it to remind me how easy it is to be taken advantage of. If any positive can come from the experience, I did gain … Continue reading The heraldic fraud (II)
2012 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
I got a letter in the mail yesterday from Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges notifying me that I had been selected for their 2012 listing. I knew that I had been nominated by my school, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, last year, but I hadn't thought anything else of it. I must say that … Continue reading 2012 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Churchill’s view of Italian Cruise Ships
Thanks to Rafal Heydel-Mankoo at http://bloggingyoungfogey.blogspot.com/ for this post:Churchill's view of Italian Cruise Ships: From "The Wit and Wisdom of Winston Churchill" by James C. Humes:"Late in his life, Sir Winston took a cruise on an Italian ship. A journalist from a New York newspaper approached the former prime minister to ask him why he chose to travel … Continue reading Churchill’s view of Italian Cruise Ships
Why you can’t travel like a road warrior and shave like your grampa
I do a fair amount of travel, and for several years now I have shaved with a safety razor. There are numerous benefits to this: it breaks the shaving consumerism trap, there's something nostalgic about it (my razor is at least 80 years old...), you generate much less waste, and you save a bucketload of … Continue reading Why you can’t travel like a road warrior and shave like your grampa
Origin legend of the name "Blevins"
As far as things go, Blevins, is a recent (a few hundred years old) variation on ancient Welsh word, Bleiddwn, which can be translated as Wolf-man, from the Welsh word for Wolf, "Bleidd". Other variations on the name include Bleddyn, Blethyn, Blethin, Blethen, and Blevin. I've also heard that the -yn at the end of … Continue reading Origin legend of the name "Blevins"
The History of Powys Fadog
The History of the Princes, the Lords Marcher, and the Ancient Nobility of Powys Fadog, and the Ancient Lords of Arwystli, Cedewen, and Meirionydd by J. Y. W. Lloyd of Clochfaen, Esq.
