ASA-Minnesota State U-14 Girls Fastpitch Tournament

Cloquet girls win the division! Congratulations on a super job.

For more tournament photos

Sandstone County Episode Twenty-Six

Sandstone County Sheriffs Department - To Serve, To Protect, To Get Rid of All Dirtbag Criminals by 2026

One county resident's answer to junk mail !

Check Out All the New T-Ball Photos

Although I started the new photoblog on the 17th of this month
I decided to put previous T-Ball photos on the site dated to the actual event.

Super Size Me - McPimps Test

Who would eat this CRAP ?

Zarqawi's Surprise

Received from a friend

The Value of a Drink

"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink
I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think
about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes

and dreams .. If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out
of work and their dreams would be shattered.

Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their
dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver."

~ Jack Handy
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell
happened to your bra and panties.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they
wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're
going to feel all day. "

~Frank Sinatra
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that
you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."
~ Henny Youngman
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you
to think people are laughing WITH you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?I think not."

~ Stephen Wright
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may
cause you to think you can sing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk,
we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin.
When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let's all
get drunk and go to heaven!"
~ Brian O'Rourke
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause pregnancy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

~ Benjamin Franklin
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is a major factorin dancing like a retard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Without question, the greatest invention in the
history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the
wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does
not go nearly as well with pizza."
~ Dave Barry
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell
your friends over and over again that you love them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To some it's a six-pack, to me it's a Support Group. Salvation in a can!
~Dave Howell
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you can
logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And saving the best for last, as explained by Cliff Clavin,of Cheers.

One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the Buffalo Theory to his buddy Norm.
Here's how it went:

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not

Sent by my cousin
I thought it worth sharing

State U14 Girls Softball Tourney This Weekend

KERRY RODD
The Pine Journal


Cloquet is gearing up for a big weekend of softball action. Braun Park will be the host site of the ASA-Minnesota State U-14 Girls Fastpitch Tournament starting Friday night.
There will be 27 teams competing in the Rec I level of play with teams coming in from all across the state. Area teams include
A number of local teams have qualified including two teams from Cloquet: Cloquet Re-Max and Cloquet Fond du Lac.
The Braun Park Complex is no stranger to state tournaments and has hosted them in the past few years. With six playing fields available, it is a perfect site for a state tournament.
An entry fee will be charged at the gate and patrons will find a concession stand with water, soft drinks, hot dogs, candy and burgers available throughout the three days provided by B&B Market of Cloquet.
Those planning to attend the event will find some shaded areas, but they are also asking spectators to bring umbrellas to help against the hot weather we’ve had in the area for the past three weeks.
The tournament is being hosted by the Cloquet Area Youth Baseball/Softball Association.

Pine Journal sports reporter Kerry Rodd can be contacted at: kdrodd@aol.com.

find me guilty

I am a huge fan of any book or movie pertaining to Organized Crime, so I had to watch 'find me guilty'. This movie was based on a true story, which is my favorite type of crime movie to watch (or any movie for that matter). It is a very bizarre movie, as true stories can sometimes be, with a somewhat surprising ending. I would not put this on my 'Top Ten List' of mafia movies to see but I am, also, glad that I viewed it. Having watched every Organized Crime film I could get my hands on, not making the 'Top Ten' is not an automatic condemnation. I actually did enjoy this flick.

I must say this is not your typical mafia movie. Far from it. There is an attempted murder in the opening of the movie and a short scene of a beating in a jail cell somewhere towards the end. Other than that, the remainder of the movie virtually takes place in the courtroom. It was said, I believe, that this was the longest running criminal trial in U.S. history! If you are after the typical violent or graphic scenes you won't find them here. There, indeed were some dry spots in the movie but, there is generally enough drama to keep things entertaining.

The whole premise of the movie is about a stand-up guy (played by Vin Diesel) who elects to defend himself in court. Having nothing but a sixth-grade education and no legal knowledge whatsoever he uses humor (by design or not - I do not know) to present his view, sometimes making a mockery of the court. In the opening of the trial he actually states that he is not a gangster but, rather a 'gagster'. He used a very unique defense, I must say, pitching many one-liners and telling a few risque jokes.

I was very, pleasantly surprised by the performance of Vin Diesel, as I have never been a big fan of his past work. I have a newfound respect for his talent, after watching this movie. He played the part excellently and I now concede that he can truly act after all. It was a flawless performance.

I would recommend this movie to those interested in the genre, just keep the afore mentioned disclaimers in mind.

Released 2006

Sandstone County - Episode Twenty-Five

Sandstone County Sheriffs Department - To Serve, To Protect, To Get Rid of All Dirtbag Criminals by 2026


What is Sandstone County
trying to tell it's visitors?

Yesterday's T-Ball Game

Are we playing T-Ball or Twister?

New Retaining Wall

I got a start on a new retaining wall in the backyard, the other day. Ah, so many projects to do. The black strip is the old border I am replacing. I Left a piece of it there for comparison.

Photo Friday - Remarkable

Well I planned on posting my photos on my new photoblog but,
I guess I must continue posting here until I get the bugs worked out at Augphoto.

Sandstone County - Episode Twenty-Four

Sandstone County Sheriffs Department - To Serve, To Protect, To Get Rid of All Dirtbag Criminals by 2026

Officials of The Sandstone Municipal Golf Course
are taking a pretty serious stance on this issue.

NEW Photoblog

I have started a new photoblog for my photography called Augphoto . I will be presenting only my personal photos at the new photoblog.

At this site (the one you are currently reading) I will continue to showcase everything else. Photos and artwork by others will still be shown here. All written work will remain here, as will the ever popular 'Sandstone County' episodes.

The only change is that my personal photographs will be posted on the new photoblog, from here on in. Everything else will remain as is.

New Look

OK, here is a new three (3) column template I am trying out.

There will be less wasted screen space using this new format and room for more features.

If anyone has any troubles viewing this site, with these new changes, please let me know.

Heading Home

Iraq War Hits Home

The other day I heard rumors of my cousin's incident in Iraq. These rumors took many forms and variations, as they often do. Well, hear it is in print, so I guess it's official. My uncle, I am told, was extremely upset and worried about this, which is understandable, until he had a chance to talk to Brian on the phone. He became much calmer after Brian assured him that he was alright and actually concidered himself lucky. Brian felt this way because he was alive and some of his brothers-in-arms did not fair so well.

It's hard to find the words at times like these. How can one properly express their gratitude for couragous soldiers who literally give up life and limb for their country. I, for one, am not that skilled. All I can clumsily say is thank you Brian and thank you to all you other men and women who have served, who are serving, and who will be serving in the honor of our great country. It would be hard to find a greater deed. All will be in my prayers.

Sandstone County - Episode Twenty-Three

Sandstone County Sheriffs Department - To Serve, To Protect, To Get Rid of All Dirtbag Criminals by 2026

This suspicious auto has been spotted several times recently in Sandstone County. What is the driver trying to convey? At any rate, many citizens have seen this car but Officer Hidrent is dismayed that he has not. He's heard the rumors but, has been unable to make a confirmed sighting himself. He appears very, agitated anytime the subject of this car comes up! He disavows it's existence but, concedes that, "if it does exist it's got to belong to that slimy, dirtbag Dirkbagg." He asks that anyone report any future sightings to him personally so he can, "put that worthless #@%*, moron to rest, once and for all."

AND HE'S CALLED.. DAMIEN

Hey, I know this post is not timely but, I just discovered this and it is the kind of thing that really peaks my interest. I just had to share. This was no accident, either. The mother took pains to make sure the baby was born on the sixth. Is this good or bad? Would you have tried for this or hoped to miss this date? I know people who would buy a quick pack of gum (or anything) to avoid paying $6.66 at the cash register. To some this is pure nonsense and others take this very seriously. Where do you stand?
And how about that child growing up. I'ld rather be known as a 'boy named Sue' than to have this burden for all of my days. At the very least, this 'Damien' will take a lot of ribbing and the worst case scenario would be, well . . .


DAMIEN: "BORN AT 6AM ON 06/06/06, HIS MUM WAS INDUCED FOR 6 DAYS, HE WEIGHS 6LBS 6OZ AND HE'S CALLED.. DAMIEN By Richard Smith HORROR film fan Suzanne Cooper yesterday named her baby Damien after the devil child in the The Omen, who was also born on June 6. Suzanne went one better than the movie by hitting the full Number of the Beast with the date - 6/6/06. Special needs teacher Suzanne, 36, was also induced for six days before Damien arrived at 6.59am, tipping the scales at a spine-chilling 6lb 6oz. She said: 'We are overjoyed about the baby. The Omen is one of our favourite films and that's why I was keeping my legs crossed for a birth on the 6th.

Wired News: Human Family Tree: Shallow Roots

Wired News: Human Family Tree: Shallow Roots: "With the help of a statistician, a computer scientist and a supercomputer, Olson has calculated just how interconnected the human family tree is. You would have to go back in time only 2,000 to 5,000 years -- and probably on the low side of that range -- to find somebody who could count every person alive today as a descendant.

Furthermore, Olson and his colleagues have found that if you go back a little farther -- about 5,000 to 7,000 years ago -- everybody living today has exactly the same set of ancestors. In other words, every person who was alive at that time is either an ancestor to all 6 billion people living today, or their line died out and they have no remaining descendants."

Above is an excert from a three page article found at the Wired News link. Although, at some point we all share common ancestry, I don't subscribe to Mr. Olson's theory. There are far too many unknown variables to this 'calculation' than what can be accounted for. It, however, makes for an interesting read and allows one to entertain the thought ever so briefly. Check it out and you decide.

Second Attempt With Monolight

A second attempt at my 'Advil' still-life. It only tells me I have a long way to go! See my very, first try here.

Photo Friday - Summer

Babysitter Sleeping?

Did the babysitter fall asleep or what?

Finally Loaded Firefox

I have been pondering the use of Firefox for a long, long time now. In the end, the fear of universal compatibility always kept me away. I was always afraid some web sites wouldn't view or load properly. After all, isn't 'Microsoft the Generic', one-size-fits-all programming the most compatible solution. All web sites must function with Microsoft's Internet Explorer, right. Right but, so do viruses, pop-ups, pop-unders, and other malicious instruments of destruction and aggravation.

I've had it. After battling for days with some of the above problems, I've decided to slay the giant. At least cut off a leg, anyway. Goodbye IE and hello Foxfire. Hey, I'm looking for security and peace of mind here. My problems of the last few days were only the last of such similar problems encountered several times over the years. This will be just one more step in the evolution of computer security for me. If this program operates according to it's reputation then this will be a wise move. It should, also, help me retain the little bit of hair I have left on my head! Perhaps, others should consider this move as well.

Firefox is far more secure than Internet Explorer:

* It is not integrated with Windows, which helps prevent viruses and hackers from causing damage if they somehow manage to compromise Firefox.
* There is no support for VBScript and ActiveX, two technologies which are the reasons for many IE security holes.
* No spyware/adware software can automatically install in Firefox just by visiting a web site.
* Firefox doesn't use Microsoft's Java VM, which has a history of more flaws than other Java VMs.
* You have complete control over cookies



As a bonus, Firefox has many features and conveniences that IE does not. One of my favorites is the tab function. With this feature you can open multiple Web pages in a single browser window, and quickly flip back and forth. Very handy.
While these non-security features would have never converted me on their own, they sure are nice to have now that I'm here. If everything goes as anticipated - I'm here to stay.

Security Glass

Would you trust any glass this much?

Modern Interior Design

Mindblowing designer's choice!


HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO STEP INTO THIS BATHROOM AFTER HAVING A FEW TOO MANY COCKTAILS?


I challenge anyone to paint their bathroom floor in this manner. Or any floor, for that matter.

Photo Friday: Happiness Is -

Enough Said

Sandstone County - Episode Twenty-Two

Sandstone County Sheriffs Department - To Serve, To Protect, To Get Rid of All Dirtbag Criminals by 2026



The crews at Sandstone have their street sweepers working overtime in preparation of the July 4th holiday.

Are Girls Evil?

Stressed Out

Sandstone County - Episode Twenty-One

Sandstone County Sheriffs Department - To Serve, To Protect, To Get Rid of All Dirtbag Criminals by 2026

I must say, when I found the following info in a brochure (located at a local convinence store), I was somewhat taken aback. What gives these guys the right? Is this even legal? I always believed hunting regulations were instituted at the state level. How can a county propose their own hunting regulations? I don't believe they can. If any attorneys get wind of this the are going to have a hayday in court!

SANDSTONE COUNTY 2005/06 ATTORNEY SEASON AND BAG LIMITS

1300.01 GENERAL

-Any person with a valid Sandstone County hunting license may harvest attorneys.
-Taking of attorneys with traps or deadfalls is permitted. The use of currency as bait is prohibited.
-Killing of attorneys with a vehicle is prohibited. If accidentally struck, remove dead attorney to roadside and proceed to nearest car wash.
-It is unlawful to chase, herd, or harvest attorneys from a snow machine, helicopter, or aircraft.
-It shall be unlawful to shout "whiplash," "ambulance," or "free Perrier" for the purpose of trapping attorneys.
-It shall be unlawful to hunt attorneys within 100 yards of BMW dealerships.
-It shall be unlawful to use cocaine, young boys, $100 bills, prostitutes, or vehicle accidents to attract attorneys.
-It shall be unlawful to hunt attorneys within 200 yards of courtrooms, law libraries, whorehouses, health spas, gay bars, ambulances, or hospitals.
-If an attorney is elected to government office, it shall be a felony to hunt, trap, or possess it.
-Stuffed or mounted attorneys must have a state health department inspection for AIDS, rabies, and vermin.
-It shall be illegal for a hunter to disguise himself as a reporter, drug dealer, pimp, female legal clerk, sheep, accident victim, bookie, or tax accountant for the purpose of hunting attorneys.

BAG LIMITS
Yellow Bellied Sidewinder 2
Two-faced Tort Feasor 1
Back-stabbing Divorce Litigator 4
Big-mouthed Pub Gut 2
Honest Attorney EXTINCT
Cut-throat 2
Back-stabbing Whiner 2
Brown-nosed Judge Kisser 2
Silver-tongued Drug Defender $100 BOUNTY
Hairy-assed Civil Libertarian 7