» On 1/17/2014 08:03:00 AM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
Maricopa "No Burn" day? 

At this moment in time, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department says no burning (with a date of 2013 instead of 2014), but it contains a link to www.CleanAirMakeMore.com, which currently says: "It's OK to Burn Wood Today."

Update, 4 hours later: finally corrected (but the year is still 2013).

 
» On 1/11/2014 05:22:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
Beware IRS phone scam. 

These calls originate from 415-230-2734, claiming to be the Internal Revenue Service. They say you owe money and need to pay it immediately, or you will be arrested and jailed.

Note: IRS doesn't call. They send delinquency notices in the mail. So don't get sucked in. Just tell them you will call the police, and hang up.

 
» On 1/05/2014 12:00:00 AM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

--(1951) by Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)

 
» On 1/01/2014 12:00:00 AM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
Auld Lang Syne. 

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine.
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine.
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

--(1788) by Robert Burns (1759-1796) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne