Review: Blacktop Wasteland

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review of Murder Theory by Andrew Mayne

href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38314066-murder-theory

My Review of The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery

The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery by Bill James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bill James' enthusiasm and passion for the subject is contagious. As horrific as these events are, he had me drawn into the story with his conversational style right from the beginning. While I find his writing style to be less than elegant, it is forthright, direct and informative. The discussion is generally well organized and well researched, providing facts, insight and context. It makes for a solid dissemination of information, all the while making a pretty thorough case for a single killer hopping trains and putting an exclamation point on the end of an era of rural America moving into the industrial 20th century.

The author makes some really provocative speculation on motive and personality of the killer, but solely as an amateur. I would like to find a behavioral psychologist for commentary on those aspects, but those observations are not used for documenting the crimes and building a case for the serial killings. Many of the arguments for a single killer are sensible and show amazing insight for an amateur sleuth. The weapons used, the MO of the crimes, the behavioral quirks as seen in the crime scenes all provide a solid basis for the author's premise and conclusion.

In addition to chronicling a brutal series of murders, the author provides an informative and interesting historical perspective of a time of transformation in the U.S. The author notes all the killings were at homes that used wood for heat, making a nearby ax easily accessible in just about every case. As many homes were moving to coal, these murders read like a historical ending to an era. Killing off the past using the modern train system makes for an interesting metaphor for the changing era.

I found the whole idea of the man on a train hopping on and off and leaving virtually no trail disturbingly familiar. Anyone who is skeptical about the authors claims of geographical evidence for these events should have a look at the FBI's Serial Killing tracker.

https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/new...
http://www.vocativ.com/316402/how-the...

The Man on the Train may have been the first practitioner of what appears to have become a modern trend.

At the turn of the century, reporting, policing and investigative techniques were only beginning to change with the latest technologies and these are noted and discussed in the timeline of murders very effectively. The lack of forensic investigations and state investigative organization is a serious advantage for the killer and is identified as a major contributor for the failure of law enforcement in this regard. The attitudes of the time, ignorance and lack of communication promoted the ineffectiveness of the authorities and the author's description of failed attempts to solve and prosecute the crimes are sad, to say the least.

Technically one criticism I have is I wish Mr. James would not have stated that some aspect was not relevant at the time and he would come back to it. If the point was not important enough to discuss at the time, then leave it out and it can still be referred back to later when it is more relevant.

Overall, I found the book informative and entertaining and my interest is piqued to make me want to find out more about the Man on the Train from other perspectives on these murders.





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Amazon.com: tonydr58's review of Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

Amazon.com: tonydr58's review of Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage:

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A-Rod hits on female fans during ALCS game against Tigers - NYPOST.com

A-Rod hits on female fans during ALCS game against Tigers - NYPOST.com

Heard she sent the ball back asking for Raul Ibanez' phone number.

Why You Suck at Golf

Amazon.com: Why You Suck at Golf: 50 Most Common Mistakes by Recreational Golfers eBook: Clive Scarff: Kindle Store:

When I first heard about this book from my friends, I thought "Man, I would really like to know." Then I thought, maybe ignorance is bliss and the less I think about it, the better off I'll be on the course. Typically, golf self help books are hit and miss and mostly just screw up your swing or your mind or both. But since the title suggests a humorous look at your game (and boy can my game use a good laugh) I downloaded it to my kindle and read it on the train ride home from work. As it turns out, it is a really fast read and I got 50 great tips with a good laugh while I learned a couple of things about my game.

For starters you will immediately recognize the bad habits you see in players all the time and maybe even recognize in yourself. I know I found a couple of good ones about myself. For example, I have gotten into the habit of chipping with a single club I felt comfortable with leaving me bad putts and losing strokes. One of the tips reminded me to start using all my clubs and planning my approach a little better to give myself a chance to make a putt. There are tips for simplifying your strategy and your practice routines as well as ways to improve your overall enjoyment of the game. I cannot wait to try a suggestion to simulate a few holes at the range hitting driver, iron, wedge and a chip like you are playing a par 5.

Overall, I found some positive reinforcement in that I have learned to avoid most of the bad habits and found I already exercise some good process in practice and strategy. In addition, I think I learned I few things that will improve my game a little and my enjoyment without wreaking havoc with my swing or my psyche.

On the other hand, since I seem to have a pretty good approach to the game, why do I still suck at golf?

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Regulators crack down on telemarketing pitches | Reuters

Regulators crack down on telemarketing pitches | Reuters:

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Now if we can get them to include politicians and pollsters we might have a a real law.

Stanley Kubrick: kub 19 | VandM.com

Stanley Kubrick: kub 19 | VandM.com:

I'm not exactly sure what "Circus Women with Rollerskating Monkey" is all about, but Kubrick was a terrific photojournalist as a teenager. At 17, he was the youngest photographer on the staff at Look magazine.There are some great photos in the collection.

The entire collection can be seen at here at VandM


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Abbey Road Studios image - Abbey Road Studios at 80 (photos) - CNET News

A pretty cool photo blog.
The mixing boards are outstanding and a great mix of old and new.
Abbey Road Studios image - Abbey Road Studios at 80 (photos) - CNET News

http://theweek.com/article/index/213658/japan-the-most-horrifying-tsunami-video-yet

More terrifying than any movie tsunami

Chinese Adage Cookies

I've been saying that for years, and finally got a fortune cookie to confirm it.

How Tech Tools Transformed New York's Sex Trade | Magazine | Wired.com

How Tech Tools Transformed New York's Sex Trade | Magazine | Wired.com


Pimpin' ain't easy... And I was hoping for some tax-free income in my retirement.

I asked one of them how pimping experience helps him in the legit economy: “You learn one thing,” he said. “For a good blow job, a man will do just about anything. What can I do with that knowledge? I have no idea.”

He needed to be a pimp to learn that? We know that at 13, well before we even get one. She knows it too.

In the Bronx, a "shot at the bar" is an additional cost... for you or the hooker? In the Bronx something tells me you might need a few to seal the deal.

Lastly, is that what they mean by monetizing Facebook? Ho-ville and Pimp Wars?

Ticketing | Calendar of Events | Jeff Beck and the Imelda May Band

Ticketing | Calendar of Events | Jeff Beck and the Imelda May Band: "Jeff Beck and the Imelda May Band

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Location: State Theatre


 

Jeff Beck with Imelda May and her Band pay homage to guitar icon Les Paul with their “Rock And Roll Party” concert tribute. Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Beck will mesmerize the audience with a tour de force performance of classics Paul recorded with Mary Ford: “How High The Moon,” “Vaya Con Dios,” and “Mockin’ Bird Hill,” along with such rock and roll standards as “Twenty Flight Rock” and “Walking In The Sand.” This special performance is an extended celebration of Beck’s recent June 9th concert special “The Celebration to Honor Les Paul.” That night, Beck paid fitting tribute, celebrating what would have been the guitarist’s 95th birthday, by playing his friend and mentor’s music along with classic tunes from the era. Now, Beck, together with Imelda May and her Band, recreate that June 9th concert, making a special stop in New Brunswick for one amazing show."

Too much snow

The pile in front of driveway is well over my head now.

How the Verizon iPhone Will Change the World

How the Verizon iPhone Will Change the World

Exactly.

Horseradish sauce

sour cream:$3
gasoline:$3
Go into a 7/11 on Christmas morning and ask for horseradish. Be prepared to explain what it is, but the perplexed look: priceless.

Tony DeRosa

Great moonrise over Manhattan

From the walk from Newport to Hoboken

Bit smokes a Dingo.

Bit smokes a Dingo...

Bit never eats a Dingo treat when we give it to her. She holds it while she keeps an eye on Pearl then sneaks off to hide it. Sometimes in the yard, sometimes under furniture.

Breathtaking spy plane footage. [VIDEO]

Breathtaking spy plane footage. [VIDEO]

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Poillon Street

After the December 20, 2009 snowstorm, Poillon St. which provides access to the NJ transit parking lot at the Woodbridge train station was not adequately cleared. Nearly 48 hours after the storm, the street access to the lot was an icy, slushy and snowy mess that made traversing the lot, on foot or by car, difficult. The lots appear to be cleared rather haphazardly reducing the availablity of parking spots, and the street was not cleared at all making access an adventure.

After I waited for another vehicle to pass, my car fell into this icy rut and bottomed out. Eventually, I had to call home to get a push in order to get on the road. To make matters worse at least 2 vehicles, a pickup truck and an SUV leaving the lot, crossed over to the other driveway and left me standing there, stuck in the cold, without offering any help.

Poillon St, Woodbridge, NJ 07095

Granted, this is not a high traffic street with the parking lot on one side and the back of some Main Street businesses on the other . However, the lot is filled every business day and many Berkley College students regularly use the street to and from the station. It seems that the safety of the NJ transit patrons would warrant some consideration in this regard.



On the other side of the station, snow piles blocked pedestrain access to the Green St. side of the Pearl St. lot, forcing the patrons parked near Green St. to use the center stairs at the other end of the parking lot. It should be possible for snow removal teams to retain some access to the sidewalk at the end of the lot and keep direct access to the Green St. platform stairs.

We are paying customers that deserve safe and accessible parking and we should not have to risk injury on foot, or damage to our vehicles in the ice and snow due to a lack of attention from the township and NJ Transit.