News Bits number 7

After a long absence of nearly three months, news bits is back! Bringing you what the big media outlets might've missed. Here's what's been going on in the world.

Distant Dwarf Planet?

 

A few weeks ago astronomer Scott Shepard was observing the solar system and came across a dwarf planet three times further away from the sun than Pluto. So this could be an insight to the outer solar system, as long as the orbit of this planet (designated a remarkably unique name of V774104) stays away from the sun. It will take about a year to determine the orbit of this newly found planet and whether it will be insight to the outer solar system. Whether you're into astrology or not I would think it's a very interesting discovery for the whole scientific community.

No Tips at Joe's Crab Shack

At select locations Joe's Crab Shack is testing out a new model of pay for their servers. They will start paying them a decent wage and will no longer require the patrons to "tip their waitress". While there are arguments in favor and against this, I personally think it's a great idea. I have always seen tipping as us, the consumer, paying the restaurant's employees instead of the restaurant taking responsibility for the people they hire with a proper wage. Yes the prices will slightly increase, but of course that's bound to happen when there are more expenses, in any business model. I only hope that this will be adapted by more and more restaurants in the coming years and pay the hard worker of the food service industry a fair wage.

The Passing of the Fifth Beatle

 

Andy White, 85, passed away on Monday from a stroke he suffered on Thursday. He was known as the fabled "fifth Beatle" for playing the drums on "Love Me Do". Even though he was on only one single, right before Starr took the position as the permanent drummer, he still carried the nickname and will forever be known as such. He played drums as a session musician in various other artist's hits. He passed in his New Jersey home. Mr. White, Rest in peace.

And on that somber note ends the seventh news bits.

National CAT Day

This is an actual national "holiday". I've gone over these "holidays" before and covered national reptile day. But on this day, every year,  is national cat day. Maybe it's just me but I absolutely love cats (and from being on the internet I know it's certainly not just me) and this day excites me. I have two beautiful cats and this is just another reason to love them even more today.

I have Kitty (like Hello Kitty) who has been with me since she was a kitten in 2002. She is a beautiful cat that I have yet to see another of with the exact markings. She is a wonderful, fun and loving cat which I am lucky to be able to call mine.

Her Majesty

The other is a newer addition to the family, Sasha. We found her in my parent's backyard, skinny as runway model, the poor thing. She had a tattered pink collar on and was as sweet as can be. After a visit to the vet and having a clean bill of health we tried to find a home for her but to no avail. So, fortuitously, we kept her and are so thankful that we did. She is the most laid back cat I've ever seen and that's saying something.

This was her on the day we found her

They are my wonderful and beautiful girls and I am very lucky to have them in my life. So today is National Cat Day and they are going to know it!

Dismantled

I have always heard it said that life gets in the way and if I am completely honest I truly was too young to understand that, until now.

If it's not one thing it's another, something will get in the way of doing the things you love. It's like that for most people that live in the real world. Most people can't just drop everything and pursue their passions and make a living that way. There are a handful of people who have gone down in history for doing the things they loved. Whether it be a leader, an artist or fighting for something they believe will make the world a better place.

Although history is not always kind to those it deems are on the "wrong side". The winners will always be the ones to write history and the losers will be deemed evil. It is the way it works and the way it will continue to work for the foreseeable future.

And in case you didn't know what a "train of thought" was, here is a perfect example. I started out saying life gets in the way and ended up talking about the writers of our history.

Whatever, rant over. Case in point, I'm back.

Mustang Cold Air Intake

Another little update on my on going project, I put on a cold air intake on my Mustang. It was a cheap upgrade and installation was insanely simple. It looks pretty good under the hood and not to mention there's a significant improvement in throttle response.

1998 Mustang GT High Idle Problem and Solution

On a nice spring day a little while back I was in my car with my sister dropping her off at my parents house when all of a sudden my car, which was stopped at a light, started idling at about 2,500 RPM's. I brought it to my garage and hoped it was only a fluke.

Next time I started the car it did the same thing. So I went online to see what the problem might be. I found it could be the Idle Air Control valve or the Throttle Position Sensor. I changed out the IAC valve and the problem remained.

Firefly 2015

I went to the Firefly Festival held in Dover, Delaware from June 18th to the 21st, and let me tell you it was a blast. Everybody from Sir Paul McCartney to the DJs playing in between sets was fabulous. The atmosphere was, for the lack of a better word, chill. A very relaxed ambiance coupled with the tunes from the over 130 performers that were there made from a fantastic four days.

An estimated 90,000 people showed up, and let me tell you, you most definitely could tell there were that many people there. The crowds were enormous, especially on Friday when McCartney was scheduled to play.

It had rained the night before and Thursday was a very cool and cloudy day so when the bands began playing there was mud everywhere. It is held in the Woodlands behind Dover Downs and the Dover International Speedway. I wore my boots and was fine, but if you wore anything open toed, you were S.O.L.

It was a great time and recommend it to anyone deciding whether or not to come next year. If you have the money, buy the weekend passes when they go on sale (which should be soon). That's what I did and figured if I didn't like who was playing I could always sell them. It sure worked!

News Bits number 6

Another taste of what the news held recently.

Sir Christopher Lee Passes