May 19, 1780: Darkness at Noon Enshrouds New England

By Randy Alfred 05.19.08 12:00 AM

1780: In the midst of the Revolutionary War, darkness descends on New England at midday. Many people think Judgment Day is at hand. It will be remembered as New England's Dark Day.
Diaries of the preceding days mention smoky air and a red sun at morning and evening. Around noon this day, an early darkness fell: Birds sang their evening songs, farm animals returned to their roosts and barns, and humans were bewildered.

Some went to church, many sought the solace of the tavern, and more than a few nearer the edges of the darkened area commented on the strange beauty of the preternatural half-light. One person noted that clean silver had the color of brass.

It was darkest in northeastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and southwestern Maine, but it got dusky through most of New England and as far away as New York. At Morristown, New Jersey, Gen. George Washington noted it in his diary.

In the darkest area, people had to take their midday meals by candlelight. A Massachusetts resident noted, "In some places, the darkness was so great that persons could not see to read common print in the open air." In New Hampshire, wrote one person, "A sheet of white paper held within a few inches of the eyes was equally invisible with the blackest velvet."

At Hartford, Col. Abraham Davenport opposed adjourning the Connecticut legislature, thus: "The day of judgment is either approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause of an adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty."

When it was time for night to fall, the full moon failed to bring light. Even areas that had seen a pale sun in the day could see no moon at all. No moon, no stars: It was the darkest night anyone had seen. Some people could not sleep and waited through the long hours to see if the sun would ever rise again. They witnessed its return the morning of May 20. Many observed the anniversary a year later as a day of fasting and prayer.

Professor Samuel Williams of Harvard gathered reports from throughout the affected areas to seek an explanation. A town farther north had reported "a black scum like ashes" on rainwater collected in tubs. A Boston observer noted the air smelled like a "malt-house or coal-kiln." Williams noted that rain in Cambridge fell "thick and dark and sooty" and tasted and smelled like the "black ash of burnt leaves."

As if from a forest fire to the north? Without railroad or telegraph, people would not know: No news could come sooner than delivered on horseback, assuming the wildfire was even near any European settlements in the vast wilderness.

But we know today that the darkness had moved southwest at about 25 mph. And we know that forest fires in Canada in 1881, 1950 and 2002 each cast a pall of smoke over the northeastern United States.

A definitive answer came in 2007. In the International Journal of Wildland Fire, Erin R. McMurry of the University of Missouri forestry department and co-authors combined written accounts with fire-scar evidence from Algonquin Provincial Park in eastern Ontario to document a massive wildfire in the spring of 1780 as the "likely source of the infamous Dark Day of 1780."

Kung Fu Panda

I'm so excited for this movie... KUNG FU PANDA!!! I sooo, sooo want to watch this!!!
Hehehe :) I sooo LOVE LOVE LOVE PANDA... Hihihi :p Sooo CUTE!!! Hihihi :p
I like Master Tigress also... Hehehe :D She's meee... Hehehe :D

Featuring the voices of:
Po (Panda) - Jack Black
Kung Fu Master Shifu - Dustin Hoffman

Furious Five (Kung Fu Masters):
Master Tigress - Angelina Jolie
Master Monkey - Jackie Chan
Master Viper - Lucy Liu
Master Crane - David Cross
Master Mantis - Seth Rogen

Tai Lung (Snow Leopard) - Ian McShane

Excited!!! Excited!!! Ahihihi :p
Showing on: JUNE 6, 2008!!! Yayyy :p

Visit: http://www.kungfupanda.com

Mah Mammy Lizel... :,(

Mah MAMMY LIZEL is leavin' tonight to go to Australia. She'll be there with mah Arnie Barney for 4 years. I'm feeling BLUE... For the both of them are the two most precious people I cherish most in my life. I will miss them both so very much. Last night, as they drove me home from our lil' get together gimik, as Mammy Lizel was saying BYE to me, that's when I felt the sadness deep down inside me. I'm used to keeping the negative feelings inside of me, when someone is leaving I act as if I'm not sad at all and enjoy their company until its really time for them to leave. I always give out the impression of always being HAPPY. But when it's time for them to go, that's when the sadness I should already be showing rushes out. I'm actually happy for Mammy Lizel because she will be with her dearest Honey, mah Arnie Barney, for I know that they miss each other so very much. They've been away from each other for quite sometime now so it's just a good thing that they will already see each other for the longest time. It's actually hard for newly weds husband and wife to be away from each other. But I will really, really miss my MAMMY. I couldn't even let go of her hand last night, even going from the car was hard enough for me. I didn't want to go down and go home for I know that it'll be the last time that I'll be with my Mammy Lizel. I really felt like crying, but as much as possible I try my best to control the tears. What can I say... I'm just someone who is really EMOTIONAL. Especially at times of unexpected happenings.

Mah Mammy Lizel... I will miss you so very much!!! Take good care of yourself and I'm praying for your safe flight. Take good care of mah dearest Arnie Barney as well. Both of you are always in my prayers. Never ever forget that I'm always here for the both of you no matter what. You know how to find me. I might get a chance to visit you there in Australia. We'll see. But I'm planning it, really. Both of you are two people who I always have time for no matter how busy I am. I am never busy when it comes to the both of you. I love you both so very much!!! Don't forget your TrinaBaby... 'kei!!! I'm just here... :p

Basta kayong dalawa, mahal na mahal ko kayo!!! Sobra!!!
XOXO!!! :p Mwah mwah mwah!!! :-*

Fool To Think

I can truly say that... I LOVE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND!!! :p
I'm a huge fan!!! I started to like their songs ever since I was in High School. Hehehe :p
Here is one song that I say... Fits me to a tee... As for right now...
Well... Let's just say... This song honestly speaks everything inside of me... Most of the time...
Enjoy! ;)

~*~*~*~

Fool To Think
by Dave Matthews Band


Look at me dreaming of you
All I could hope is to have you
To have you walking with me
Laughing so in love, we two
Almost drunkenly
I did imbibe of this
Fantasy of you and me

Was I a fool to think?
The way you looked at me
I swear you did
But you looked away too quick
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think
That you would take me home
As if I was yours
Was I a fool to think at all?

I've grown tired of love
You are the trouble with me
I watch you walk right by
I smile, you do not notice me
Treat me recklessly
All you do is toss me pennies out
But the silence in me is screaming
Won't you come and get me?

Was I a fool to think?
The way you looked at me
I swear you did
But you looked away too quick
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think
That you would take me home
As if I was yours
Was I a fool to think at all?

Was I a fool to think?
The way you looked at me
I swear you did
But you looked away too quick
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think
That you would take me home
As if I was yours
Was I a fool to think at all?

You make a mess of me here
I dance a thousand steps for you
If you say yes to me
I'll be whatever gets you through

You make a mess of me here (was I a fool?)
I dance a thousand steps for you (was I a fool?)
Was I a fool, was I a fool to think?
Am I a fool, am I a fool for you?

~*~*~*~

This song speaks entirely... of ME... ;)
Cheerios!!! XOXO!!! :p
Mwah :-*

Ngiti

Minamasdan Kita
Nang hindi mo alam
Pinapangarap kong ikaw ay akin
Mapupulang labi at matingkad mong ngiti
Umaabot hanggang sa langit
Huwag ka lang titingin sa akin at baka matunaw ang puso kong sabik...

Sa iyong ngiti ako’y nahuhumaling
At sa tuwing ikaw ay gagalaw
Ang mundo ko’y tumitigil
Para lang sa iyo ang awit ng aking puso
Sana’y mapansin mo rin ang lihim kong pagtingin...

OVERWORKED!!!

For the entire week, I've been working in office from 10:30AM - 4AM. Talk about overtime. Not only that, there are times that I even go home at 6 or 7AM. I'm a 24 hour shift certified WORKAHOLIC!!! Well, I don't really see it as being workaholic, I'm just really decided on finishing my work as soon as possible. So that after the stretch, I can have a LONG, LONG, LONG vacation time.

I don't know what's with me, its just that, ever since I was even going to school way back then, I am the kind of person who is really determined in finishing everything that I need to do. As so called, MASIPAG nga siguro ako. I have this will power to do good in everything I do. I know... I know... You're perspective of me... Is that, my life is very tiring and what I'm doing is bad for me... I know that, and I am fully aware of that circumstance. Don't worry, I take care of myself no matter what happens. I really just can't put down my work just like that because there are people counting on me and people who need me. I am just doing my best. WELCOME MY WORLD!!!

I cannot answer the question if I'm happy in what I'm doing. It's rather complicated. I feel happy because my hard work pays off. (wink wink ;p) Not only that, I'm happy that people around me takes good care of me. I'm their 'BABY' and I'm really well taken care of by the people I'm with. On the negative side, I'm not that happy of the much work load we have. It's really tough. But as I always tell people, I am the kind of person who has a very strong personality that even sometimes I scare myself for being that strong. Maybe that's also the reason why I am the hardworking type. Because of that strong personality I am triggered to be determined to always do good in the things I do. Sometimes, when life gets tough, the tough gets going right?! I guess I'm the kind of person that will never back down on anything that is presented right in front of me. Never ever match me with a DARE, because I will never let you off that easily. Do you DARE?!?!? Hehehe :p

There's also this thing about me having a hard time sleeping when I am not able to finish my work. I get really bothered that I haven't finished my work so I couldn't sleep peacefully no matter what I do. Plus, my INSOMNIA acts up every now and then (INSOMNIA is another story though ;p). *sigh*

Oh well, this is my so called LIFE!!! You have to roll with the punches as they come right at your face. Never let down your guard and strike back as you guard that punch. Hehehe :p

Cheerios!!! :D
XOXO!!! :p