Posts from — November 2007

Via Rob… what would America look like if we had been defeated in some of the key North American conflicts?

Strangemaps looks at what would have happened if every national identity crisis resolved itself in favor of the separatists instead?

The a few examples within this hypothetical timeline….

In 1787, a fire in the Philadelphia State House kills George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and other members of the Constitutional Convention. This leads to a radically different constitution, and a fundamentally weaker Union.

Vermont was an independent state until it joined the US as its fourteenth state in 1791. Not in White’s timeline: “Annoyed at the way the new federal government under John Adams is shaping up, Vermont refuses to join the Union, declaring itself an independent republic instead.”

President Aaron Burr (in reality he was only vice-president at the time, if only by a hair’s breadth) annoys the French so much that Napoleon refuses to sell the gigantic Louisiana Territory to the US.

In 1812, following an unsuccessful US invasion of Canada, New England secedes. Napoleon does sell Upper Louisiana to the US, but retains the densely populated area around Nouvelle Orléans.
French Louisiana declares itself independent in 1815, refusing to recognize the Bourbon dynasty reinstated after Napoleon’s Waterloo defeat.

Indian tribes east of the Mississippi are expelled to what later will become the Five Nations area (our Oklahoma, more or less).

American settlers in Texas declare their independence from Mexico. Louisiana intevenes because they are afraid that Texas will join the USA if left on their own, which would leave Louisiana utterly encircled. Cajun militia reinforces the Texans at the Alamo, stops the Mexican Army and secures independence for Texas, on the condition that it not join the USA.

Seminole Indians in Florida, together with runaway slaves, drive out the invading US in 1837.

The Mormons found the theocratic state of Deseret within Mexican territory.

Upper Canada and Quebec rebel from Great Britain and achieve independence in 1837-’41.

The slave vs. free state quarrel, playing out more in favour of the South in this timeline, prevents an accession of settlers in Oregon to the US. They declare independence instead, in 1846.

The Californian Gold Rush still happens as it did in our timeline, but it causes California and Deseret to claim independence from Mexico (in 1852) and Texas to push its border south to the Rio Grande. Mexico only manages to retain part of ‘our’ Arizona and New Mexico.

Abe Lincoln elected president. The South secedes. The North, lacking the industrial muscle of New England, cannot subdue the South. The Five Nations take advantage by declaring independence.

Canadian mismanagement of relations with the métis (a people made up of French and native components) in 1870-’72 leads to a successful revolt along the Red River, establishing a Métis Nation.

Custer’s command is wiped out at Little Bighorn in 1876, leading to the establishment of the Dakota Nation.

The entire study, based on work by Matt White, is really quite fascinating.

White also examines the hypothetical history of the North and South, had succession not failed.

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I don't know why, but I think I've repaired more than my fair share of toilets over the years. Maybe it's because of the age of our houses when we bought them, or because previous owners used bleach tablets, or maybe we just go too much, but — for whatever reason — it seems that the ball cock refill valve thingy always seems to go out in our toilets (or the neighbors!)

We've only owned two houses over the years, but I swear I've fixed more than 15 toilets with new Fluidmasters… and we don't even have that many bathrooms!

I am… the toilet whisperer!

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• Holiday 2007 Camera Recommendations
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Merrin has been doing an amazing job getting the house all turkey-fied and decorated for Thanksgiving. We're expecting the Invasion of the Gravy Snatchers this year, with my family coming to celebrate the holiday in Orlando. Should be a lot of fun.

We're going to have a huge, huge, homemade spread. Merrin loves Thanksgiving and I think she's going to out-do herself this year. You name it - we're having it… and everything is from scratch! I've even heard rumors of some special treats just for the boys!

I think we're going to try to hit one of the parks on Friday (and stay out of the malls!) and then THE GAME is this weekend.

Y'all be safe out there.

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Yes, I've updated the colors on my blog. Why? Because it's hate week, of course.

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BANNED!
Originally uploaded by kevindonahue.

It's always interesting to see what is/isn't freely available on the internet in China. The site greatfirewallofchina.org checks site for their accessibility in the PRC.

For years, my college football website has been available in China, but — as fate would have it — Fanblogs is now banned in China.

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Dad's 2006 C6
Originally uploaded by kevindonahue.

Dad put his Corvette in the Tampa Bay Corvette Club show today, so I drove down to get a look. I had a blast.

Dad's Vette looked great - with a deep shine that looked way better than most of the "show" cars, which is a great testament since his is a "daily driver".

With more than 400 Corvettes entered in the show, I got a 55 year history lesson. The Tampa Bay Corvette Club had a 55-car salute with one model from every year lined up right at the front. And these cars were BEAUTIFUL. I knew that people were passionate about their Vettes, but… wow!

I think my favorite of the show was this beautiful white with silver '58 C1 Corvette from Texas. I know they're "built for speed", but this was the perfect car for going slow.

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Merrin and I went to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party last night. It was pretty cool - they make it snow on Main Street USA. Combine that with the low-50 degree temperatures, the Christmas carols, the hot chocolate, and the holiday decorations… well, lets just say a couple million twinkle lights will bring you to the brink of the Christmas spirit.

And then I saw this… and it put me right over the top.

RUDY (The Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Story)

You combine college football with one of my favorite holiday movies… well… 'tis the season to be merry!

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From the Cal - Berkeley Bears Marching Band… a tribute to video games.

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