Beta The Hand That Feeds You

In a year that was originally forecast to have 11 named storms (including six hurricanes, three of them "intense"), we now have Tropical Storm Beta — the 23rd named storm (following 12 hurricanes, six of which were intense). Most storms since record keeping began in the 1800's or something like that. And yet, the experts still say this is part of a normal cyclical fluctuation, and not some effect of global warming. This gives me two thoughts:

1. Before the 1950's, this many storms could have formed in any given year, but without satellites to monitor the remote oceans, we might never have known about them.
2. The experts know their paychecks are ultimately funded by an Administration that is repealing laws and revoking treaties that were designed to avoid (further) global warming.

---

Totally addicted to bass Random thought from recent Disneyland trip: Their audio techs clearly love (or at least are not afraid of) bass. There are subwoofers installed all over the park, and it's a really great addition to the experience. Attraction audio has fantastic, booming low-end response, and you can feel the music from the fireworks show, not just the shock-wave impact of the shells themselves. Wish that was more common out here...

---

Grim Grinning Guests Another Disneyland item we noticed: Attendance by Goth fans. The Halloween makeover for Haunted Mansion is surely a draw, but we were entertained by the grown-up-ness of the Goth population. Here, I usually associate Goth and punk with a younger crowd (think "rebel teen"). Not used to seeing a guy with a fuschia mohawk... holding the hand of his 5-year-old son. Or a Goth couple pushing their baby in an old-fashioned classic black pram. Makes me wonder why all the OC stars are so all-American, Smallville-esque?

(Apparently, we had just missed Goth Day at the park — an unofficial gathering not entirely unlike Gay Days. I can only imagine.)