Archive for January, 2009
Grand Isle ferry crashes into pier
As reported by the Burlington Free Press:
The Grand Isle ferry struck the pier in Vermont at full speed just before 6 tonight, according to Free Press correspondent Rob Swanson, who is on the scene.
South Hero Rescue transported several people, at least one of whom was on a stretcher, to a hospital, Swanson said.
Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, the region’s largest hospital, was preparing to receive three patients; the extent of their injuries was unknown, spokeswoman Kim O’Leary said at 7 p.m.
Grand Isle County Sheriff Connie Allen said the ferry’s captain acted admirably.
According to Coast Guard Petty Officer Michael Underdahl, a problem with a runaway engine caused a loss of control of the ferry.
There were passengers aboard the ferry at the time of the accident, Swanson said.
A dispatcher at the Vermont State Police barracks in St. Albans dispatcher confirmed an incident occurred at the Grand Isle ferry dock.
There were conflicting reports about whether the captain, whom Swanson identified as Ed Gelinas, was hurt. Swanson said he spoke to the captain, who was “mobile and walking around” and did not appear to have sustained significant injuries.
“He wouldn’t tell me anything,” Swanson said of the captain. “The cops wouldn’t tell me anything. The fire department wouldn’t tell me anything.”
The boat, operated by Lake Champlain Transportation, was completing a 12-minute trip from Plattsburgh, N.Y., according to the Associated Press. A message left with the company was not immediately returned.
There were 12 to 15 emergency vehicles parked at the ferry dock.
Swanson saw crew members peering over the starboard side of the ferry, apparently checking for damage. Swanson said he couldn’t confirm if there was damage.
There was no fire. The ferry is not experiencing flooding or sinking.
A state police spokeswoman has not responded to repeated pages seeking information on the incident.
Add comment January 30, 2009
Hey Man, You Got A Second So I Can Fire You?
How are we doing today? How we doin’? Great, great. You’re looking good. Love the shirt. Let me guess: Christmas present? Knew it. Great. Hey man, whenever you get a sec—and it’s no biggie—I was hoping you could just pop on over to my office real quick so I can fire you.
Nothing to worry about. Trust me. Just a short little one-on-one session about you being fired. We’ll have a bit of unnecessary and degrading small talk and then I’ll clunkily segue into terminating your position here. I’ll follow up by apologizing like I care and that’ll be that. The whole thing will take a second out of your day. Promise.
You’ll be in and out and unemployed in no time.
Keep working on whatever it is you’re working on. I don’t want to interrupt. Just want to terminate your source of income. That’s all. Go ahead, take your time and finish whatever you need to do now, because afterward you won’t be allowed back in here. And we’d really love it if we could get as much work as possible out of you before you go. Okay? So when you’ve got a free minute, just drop by my office to get fired.
Oh, no need to bring a pen and paper. Love the enthusiasm but, really, relax. It’s just gonna be a quick little meeting about you not working here anymore. Honestly, corporate is making me have these with everyone. They want to get you up-to-date on how the company’s moving forward and how you won’t be moving with it. Again, nothing big.
Just a “Hi, how are ya, you’re fired” kind of deal. Totally painless.
Door’s open whenever you’re ready to peek your head in and lose your job. I’ll get you in and out real quick, grab your security card, confiscate your work computer, and terminate your employee profile. I’m putting it at three minutes, tops. Then you can spend your afternoon on more important things, like saying goodbye to your coworkers who will complain to you about how it’s so unfair that you got fired, but won’t ever say anything to me about it. And within a week we’ll all pretend like you never existed.
Sound good? Good.
Don’t be nervous, man. I’ll make sure you’re out of here way, way before you have a chance to get mad at me. I just gotta bend your ear for a quick sec about the company’s fiscal policy no longer correlating with you having a job. Whenever you’re ready. I’ll be waiting for you.
Actually, if you’d prefer, I could go ahead and let you go right here if you want to get a head start on packing your stuff up. Got to keep moving, right? Speaking of which, it’s a nice day. Maybe we can walk it out, grab some Starbucks, I could fire you, and you could keep right on walking. Better yet, I could puss out and have Gina do it. Whatever works for you.
Oh, and if you’ve got an extra sec, could you grab Greg and bring him in on this? I’m thinking maybe we just double-team this thing real fast, and then everyone’s free to be jobless for the rest of the day. That’d be great for me, actually, because I have to run soon. Got a little powwow with the guys upstairs. They just want to talk to me real quick when I’m done down here.
Thinking I might be getting promoted.
Kudos to Stephen Katz for hitting the nail on the head.
Add comment January 22, 2009
More violence at Virginia Tech
A female student was stabbed to death at Virginia Tech, two years after the horrific mass shooting in 2007.
A graduate student from China has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of a female student on Virginia Tech’s campus, the first killing there since a deadly mass shooting in 2007.
An electronic alert system revamped after the massacre warned students to stay in place while police investigated the incident around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday — about half an hour after the suspect was taken into custody. They were cleared to resume normal activity about an hour later.
The woman, who was also a graduate student but was not identified, was stabbed to death at a cafe in the Graduate Life Center. Police believe she knew the man accused of attacking her, 25-year-old Haiyang Zhu, the school said in a news release. He was charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bond.
It was unclear early Thursday morning where he was being held or whether he had an attorney.
Campus police were called to the scene around 7:06 p.m., and Zhu was taken into custody minutes later, the school said. Responding officers found him and a knife they believe was used at the scene.
Students who live in the building were allowed to come and go, but others were asked to stay away from the area. The hall would re-open later Thursday morning, the school said.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Crowds in D.C. via satellite images
I love crap like this. The groups of people look like anthills.
[Thanks, CNN]
Add comment January 21, 2009
Sign of the times
I think this photo speaks volumes about this generation and how Barack’s presidency is going to be documented by so many.
[Picture courtesy of the Chicago Tribune]
Add comment January 21, 2009
Leslie + Chicago = yay!
Yes, the rumors some of you have heard are true – I will, in fact, be in Chicago Saturday the 24th through Wednesday the 28th.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Burlington International (BTV) to Philadelphia International (PHL)
Departure (BTV): January 24, 5:05 AM EST
Arrival (PHL): January 24, 6:58 AM ESTPhiladelphia International (PHL) to Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
Departure (PHL): January 24, 7:55 AM EST
Arrival (ORD): January 24, 9:39 AM CST_________________
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) to Washington Ronald Reagan National (DCA)
Departure (ORD): January 28, 5:00 PM CST
Arrival (DCA): January 28, 7:45 PM ESTWashington Ronald Reagan National (DCA) to Burlington International (BTV)
Departure (DCA): January 28, 10:00 PM EST
Arrival (BTV): January 28, 11:26 PM EST
So yes. If you think I don’t have your number or some way to contact you, let me know. And if you have free time and want to meet up, let me know that, too!
Add comment January 20, 2009
