Great cover of the Tom Petty tune
May 30, 2010
The Taco Test
Another quiz, because it was my birthday yesterday and I'm feeling lazy this Sunday
You Are Hilarious |
 You are light hearted and fun loving. You look forward to each new day. You are easy going and happy. You enjoy everything in life. You are a person of strong taste. You are adventurous in what you like. No one would describe you as hot-headed. You maintain your cool no matter what. |
This really wasn't fair; in the last question,
"What extra would you like with your taco?"
The choices were: Guacamole, Queso or Sour Cream. I chose sour cream, but I'd like all three on my taco, plus shredded lettuce and a few bits of tomato and onion. I think of a taco as a "Mexican hamburger".
I chose chicken for my taco, but would settle for any of the other choices, although I've never had a fish taco. I've never seen them offered anywhere around here.
May 29, 2010
My Birthday's Color
Your Birthday is Purple |
 You are the independent type. It's hard for people to peg, label, or stereotype you. You enjoy people and things from all walks of life. You're incredibly open minded. You tend to be a bit fickle and even moody. You can end up hating what you love and vice versa. Your preferences and actions can be a bit mysterious at times. It's hard to predict what you'll do. |
May 28, 2010
ethereal
ethereal\ih-THEER-ee-uhl\
adjective;
1. Light, airy, or tenuous.
2. Extremely delicate or refined.
3. Heavenly or celestial.
4. Pertaining to the upper regions of space.
5. Chemistry. Pertaining to, containing, or resembling ethyl ether.
The first four definitions of ethereal are the most common; I've seen the word used in all sorts of writing subjects - sci-fi, angels, anti-bellum, etc., but the last one brought back a hazy memory of my dad taking one of his work boots, spraying a rag with starting fluid (ether) and sticking it into the boot. He then took a young male cat (and I can't remember which one, was a LONG time ago), stuck his head in the boot and when the kitty quit kicking, pop quickly castrated it.
I've never done it, but I expect castrating a cat is much like castrating a pig...well, except for the teeth and claws bit, hence the boot and anesthesia, crude as it might have been. I once tried to give a cat a bath because of accidentally dousing it with naptha. I'm not for sure which had more slash marks when I was done, me or the shower curtain.
My dad and I castrated a large boar for a neighboring farmer; the hog was so big we had to put it in a cattle chute to control the animal. (The hog was large enough to put a saddle on! ) I can't recall how many times my dad had to stop and sharpen his knife while performing the surgery, but it was quite a few. and when trying to finish up each testicle, the ol' boar would tug of war the flesh away from dad in one final but futile attempt to retain his masculinity.
The "pig fries" were large enough to fillet and would have covered a fair-sized dinner plate - that is, if one were inclined to eat that. I've had pig testicles before and they were a bit gamey. My dad always said a good brining would take that gaminess out, but we never ate them again.
The hog later died, but it wasn't from our surgery; it got locked out away from water.
I bet I've castrated quite a few dozens of pigs, but it's been a long time. I've also milked a goat, but there's not any funny stories about that, just a few memories of squirting the milk at our cats and dogs.
Another animal story, then I'll stop, I promise.
We used to have huge toads around our house. We always kept large vats or buckets of water in the yard for our pets and the toads could be seen there during the day, nestled in amongst the cool damp earth and tall grass around the hydrants. At night time they would come into the garage where sometimes dad and I might be doing something, working on some project.
I expect they liked the cool cement floor during those hot summer nights, but they really liked to nab the june bugs and moths that would be attracted to the lights and would often hit the floor. The big ol' toads would be sitting there, sometimes three or four of them, sometimes only one, waiting on the bugs. A june bug could hit, lie on its back -stunned a bit, probably- and the toad would turn like a tank on treads, take a deliberate hop towards the struggling insect, perhaps another short hop to close the distance- then rocking delicately forward and with a flick of the tongue so fast it was hard to see, the toad would bring the bug into its mouth.
We had one toad dad was very fond of. Pop was welding something one time, and not knowing the frog was near his feet, dropped the stub of a super-hot welding rod on the frog's back. It scarred the frog, (like a distinctive mark, I'm sure it scared it some, and probably hurt like a mother, too, wouldn't you think?) but it lived, prospered and grew huge and kept coming back into the garage for several summers after that. Dad and I once fed the creature several dozen june bugs; so many that we could feel them crawling around in the toad's belly. The ol' toad stayed there in one spot, all that night and most of the next day, too stuffed to move.
Y'know, come to think of it, my stories like this certainly aren't ethereal by any stretch, 'cept for the starting fluid bit.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
This just popped up in my reader:
Ron Paul, three Texas Democrats buck parties on gays in military
It caught my eye because Ron Paul was mentioned in the title, but also because of the "DADT" policy that's been in place since the Clinton administration. I didn't agree with the previous policy of banning gays outright and I didn't agree with the DADT policy either. There should be no "policy" at all in regards to gays in the military. (and without researching it, I would wager that's Ron Paul's stance, too.)
Granted, the military is a special case and civilian laws don't always apply, but this is more of a human rights specific case. Isn't "all men are created equal" one of the tenets of our society?
Also, I've seen argued that unit cohesion and effectiveness would be damaged with the overt inclusion of gays. I wonder how "covert" inclusion was any different? I'd think that in most cases, people wouldn't know others are gay unless they were told by the gay person. Contrary to TV and movie stereotyping (and some by gays themselves), all gays don't lisp when they talk nor mince when they walk. Sheesh. I've known gay guys who were more "manly" than were some of my hetero friends. (I've also known some lesbians who were more manly than ME, but that's another story)
It also seems a shame to waste talent and manpower (or womanpower, to be fair -grin-) Not all, but many of the gay folks I know are smart, creative and hard-working - good qualities to possess for the military (or for civilian life). I never was in the military, but I was and still am a good shot. I also like to think I'm fairly courageous, semi-smart, and, in my youth, quite physically fit - good soldier material.
That doesn't mean I would've been a good soldier. No, I can also type like a big dog and I expect it's easier to find someone to pull a trigger than it is to type and file the morning report.
In other words, if I had been drafted or joined the military, I'd have probably been some colonel's clerk. And I'm not gay.
What I'm trying to say is it's silly to stereotype all gays into the "gawking, lecher" type that would destroy a platoon of fighting men. Plus, I would think it would be easier for heterosexuals to accept a fellow fighting man in the unit than it would be to include females.
(and I'll admit I don't think women in direct combat units is a good idea. Pilots of fighter planes, captains of warships, etc., sure, but not fighting alongside of men. )
Plus, there are military regulations that severely curtail interpersonal relationships between people in the service. A captain can not have a personal relationship with a private...even if they are of opposite sex. I don't understand why these rules can't simply apply to all in the military. Catch two gays in a compromising position? Drum them out, same as would/should happen with an opposite-sex couple.
Off the soapbox; I'm prejudiced in many ways, but this "gays in the military" controversy has always bothered me...not just because the policy is wrong, but because we feel the need to have a policy at all.
On a related, local note: Our own Mac Thornberry voted against the bill. While I very, very seldom vote Democrat, in this next election I will have to do as I've done the last few elections and either vote Libertarian for the office, or leave all boxes unchecked. He's been in office since '95. I won't criticize his record here, but it's my opinion he's been in there long enough.
Update
Texas lawmakers explain why they bucked their parties on vote
Rep Ron Paul,
R-Lake Jackson
Paul, the maverick libertarian, ditched his Republican comrades and voted for the repeal.
"I have received several calls and visits from constituents who, in spite of the heavy investment in their training, have been forced out of the military simply because they were discovered to be homosexual," Paul said.
"To me, this seems like an awful waste. Personal behavior that is disruptive should be subject to military discipline regardless of whether the individual is heterosexual or homosexual. But to discharge an otherwise well-trained, professional, and highly skilled member of the military for these reasons is unfortunate and makes no financial sense."
Them's my sentiments, 'zactly. Thank you Dr. Paul.
May 27, 2010
waxing
waxing\WAK-sing\ , verb;
1. To increase in extent, quantity, intensity or power.
2. (Of the moon) to increase in the extent of its illuminated portion before the full moon.
3. To grow or become.
The moon has been waxing full over the last couple of weeks and we're now in a full moon. I might need to howl tonight. (Correction, the full moon is Saturday night, my birthday as it happens. I probably won't howl, though.)
The way I tell if the moon is waxing or waning is to see how the moon's "shape" corresponds to the letters "D - O - C" If the moon looks like a filled in "D", then the moon is waxing or coming full. When it looks like the letter "C", then the moon is waning.
(If someone tells you it's waning, they might not be talking about the moon. It could very well be Elmer Fudd caught in a thunderstorm)
The procedure is reversed if you're in the Southern Hemisphere; the letters are "C-O-D". This is better explained at Moon Phases - Names and images of the 8 phases of the moon
I wanted to include a moon widget, but the darned thing takes over the entire post and "wraps itself" around my comments. I signed up at the site to get the code, but then had to jump through hoops to find it. I also wanted to nab the code for the image (and not javascript) version, but it never let me sign in. Oh well. Life's too short to waste time on such crapola.
The old reliable Wunderground still offers up all sorts of stickies for your blog or website, including this moon graphic:
This'll Be a Good Buddy Day
From Texas on the Potomac
On this date in 1957, Buddy Holly, the first rocker to actually go on stage wearing horn-rimmed spectacles, and his band, The Crickets, released their first single, That'll Be the Day on Brunswick Records, a recording label specializing in jazz and rhythm and blues sounds.
That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly And The Crickets (Ed Sullivan Show '57)
Wiki entry: Buddy Holly
On this date in 1957, Buddy Holly, the first rocker to actually go on stage wearing horn-rimmed spectacles, and his band, The Crickets, released their first single, That'll Be the Day on Brunswick Records, a recording label specializing in jazz and rhythm and blues sounds.
That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly And The Crickets (Ed Sullivan Show '57)
Wiki entry: Buddy Holly
May 26, 2010
May 25, 2010
shivaree
shivaree\SHIV-uh-ree\ ,
noun;
1. A mock serenade with kettles, pans, horns, and other noisemakers given for a newly married couple.
2. An elaborate, noisy celebration.
verb:
1. To serenade with a shivaree.
Pretty cool word and I knew it, probably from some old Waltons episode, or maybe Andy Griffith.
(And, after I wrote that last bit, I went to Wiki and saw it was indeed in an early episode of The Waltons and the term was also used in the musical Oklahoma.
I could insert a YT vid of The Waltons here, but I think instead I'll post this one
Goodnight Moon - Shivaree
Sybil Does Career Day
Sybil from 105.3 The Fan in Dallas talks about career day
She's adorable, that's the only reason I posted it.
May 24, 2010
Sudden Weather
According to the radar, this line of storms that just popped up is heading nearly due north, which would put it to the west of me (white dot) Most disturbing is the pink part of the storm near the very end of it with what might be a hook from rotation.
I can hear the thunder and feel the gusts of wind which are coming from the front. If the storm decides to head just a little bit to the east, it might mean some severe weather for my vicinity.
It's getting closer and I may very well shut down this computer, even unplug the TV. Sometimes these storms are not only dangerous, but a major PITA.
Before I close, I want to add that I can feel the pressure as it increased, and now it's fallen a substantial amt. (not sure where the barometer is) It's gotten cooler and is very dark outside and very still, much diff. than earlier. More thunder rolls across the sky...
adumbrate
adumbrate \a-DUHM-breyt\ , verb;
1. To foreshadow; prefigure.
2. To produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch.
3. To darken or conceal partially; overshadow.
I remember this word from the uproar over O.J.‘s Darkened Mug Shot and how it left Time magazine with egg on its face.
May 22, 2010
suspire
From the Word of the Day
suspire \suh-SPAHY-uhr\ ,
–verb (used without object)
1. to sigh.
2. to breathe.
–verb (used with object)
3. to sigh; utter with long, sighing breaths.
"And from that one intake of fire
All creatures still warmly suspire"
- Robert Frost
Storm Chasing with the Taylors!
With Reed and Chris in Mississippi having the Dominator outfitted with scientific instrumentation, Joel headed out with his storm chasing dad Jimmy to document the moderate and high risk set-ups. On May 18 they observed several tornadoes in the Texas Panhandle, near Dumas and Stinnett. The next day was a high risk, and they caught a rain-wrapped wedge near Loyal, Oklahoma!
Dominator Air Cannon Test
Looks like they'll work fine, if they're extremely close to a tornado. One parachute looked to me as though it was high enough to be caught up in wind, not so sure about a couple of 'em.
It seems to me as though they need some sort of spring loaded gadget to open the parachute, one that wouldn't trip with the G-force of going up, but rather trip on the way down. Perhaps something like an half -sized umbrella mechanism that could lock in place, seems like that would make an excellent sail. The trigger could be something like a ball bearing in a long narrow race, much like an umbrella handle; when the ball bearing, forced to the top of the race during the force of the ejection, fell down - from gravity - it would trigger the spring that would cause the mini-umbrella/parasail to fully open.
Not sure on the physics of my ball bearing gizmo, but it also seems to me that since you're shifting mass in the projectile to the top of the parachute device, you'd also gain some momentum, perhaps even some altitude in the parachute shot. It wouldn't have to be a great deal of mass, just an oz. or so would help and not hurt.
Probably been better to have diagrammed it. Just got inspired after watching the vid.
May 21, 2010
Clocks - Coldplay
Dedicated to my pal, Barb.
She heard me singing this tune in other words.
The lights go out and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against
Have brought me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead
Ran across this post and noticed original vid was kaput. Figgered this Yahoo one will last a while, nice live version and figgered someone else might want to listen to it again, hence the "bump" from 7/3/07.
May 20, 2010
Zach Thomas Retires
An Amarillo radio station has been playing some ads of Thomas' "Zach's Club 54" gym, saying they're re-opening after a million dollar overhaul. I hope he makes a ton of money and wish him nothing but the best.
Thomas as a Cowboy
Zach Thomas
And, if you didn't know, Zach's father built the Groom Cross/Cross of Our Lord.
Gulf Oil Leak
From a couple of days ago; BP has promised to post a live feed of the leak, but a cursory search has found nothing so far.
The streaming video is "supposed" to be on the Energy and Commerce Committe site.
May 19, 2010
Aussie Animal Quiz
You Are a Crocodile |
 You are fierce and strong. You go after any prey that is in your sights. You have a take charge personality, and you are quite dominant. You are not easily intimidated. It's likely that you've had to struggle for survival in your life. You've had to develop a very thick skin. You can be brutal, but you can also be tender. You tend to have two sides to your personality. |
I could agree with the analysis results, even if they're a bit harsh... although I think I'd rather have been something else, a koala or even a kangaroo. Crocodiles make me shudder a little when I think of them, just like I do with snakes and spiders. Ugh.
Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport-Rolf Harris
Eric Hoffer
From today's Brainy Quotes feed:
We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves.
Eric Hoffer
The name seemed vaguely familiar, so I had to do a Google Search
Eric Hoffer
(July 25, 1902 – May 21, 1983)
was an American social writer and philosopher. He produced ten books and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February 1983 by President of the United States Ronald Reagan. His first book, The True Believer, published in 1951, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although Hoffer believed that his book The Ordeal of Change was his finest work.
Though Hoffer did not identify with "liberal intellectuals" and often criticized the radical ideology of many activists of the New Left, it would be wrong to characterize Hoffer's thinking as being "conservative."
Hoffer is referred to as a "longshoreman philosopher".
Many of his quotes are profound and possess a dagger of truth, especially this one:
"A dissenting minority feels free only when it can impose its will on the majority: what it abominates most is the dissent of the majority."
Eric Hoffer in Wikiquote
I'm off to the library to see if they have any of his published works. From what I can see from my cursory search, I agree with many of his viewpoints.
Poised for Success
From NASA's Image of the Day Gallery
Anchored to the Canadarm2 mobile foot restraint, Garrett Reisman performed construction and maintenance activities outside the station during the STS-132 mission's first spacewalk. During the seven-hour, 25-minute spacewalk, Reisman and NASA astronaut Steve Bowen installed a second antenna for high-speed Ku-band transmissions and added a spare parts platform to Dextre, a two-armed extension for the station’s robotic arm.
Image Credit: NASA
This is such a great website not only for excellent wallpaper, but to keep up with the daily activity at the space station. This is, I believe, the last mission for the shuttle Atlantis, and the next few flights will also see the retirement of the rest of fleet.
I am extremely apprehensive about the future of US space endeavors. We misuse our national resources in so many ways, but the space program is - for the very most part - money well spent.
habitué
habitué\huh-BICH-oo-ey\ , noun;
1. One who frequents a particular place, especially a place offering a specific pleasurable activity.
I am familiar with this word, although it's not one I often use. Reading the definition, I thought "that describes my loyal readers of this blog!" but then I saw the rest: "... especially a place offering a specific pleasurable activity." No, I don't think it's pleasure they're seeking here, but it's more like a train wreck - a horrible sight, but they just can't tear their eyes away.
May 18, 2010
YouTube Recommends
Cast Away is one of my favorite movies, and this blog is at the top or very nearly so in searches for the flick (well, at least for the scenes that were filmed near here) , but I think YT is overestimating my interest in the movie:
(click for larger view)
tipple
tipple \TIP-uhl\ ,
verb;
1. To drink intoxicating liquor, esp. habitually or to some excess.
2. To drink (intoxicating liquor), esp. repeatedly, in small quantities.
noun:
1. Intoxicating liquor.
2. A device that tilts or overturns a freight car to dump its contents.
I always thought this word applied to drinking, but I figured it was from what a person does after drinking.
At least, it's what I do. Sometimes, after drinking, I also dump my contents.
If I Swam Very Fast....
I'd probably have a stroke.
You Are the Breaststroke |
 You are a happy and content person. You try to enjoy every day and every moment to the fullest. You don't push yourself too hard, but you do try to stay consistent. Slow and steady does win the race, and because of this, you're miles ahead of everyone else. You live mindfully and intentionally. You take every decision seriously. |
I don't think Billy Squier was singing about swimming in this tune
The Stroke - Billy Squier
May 17, 2010
A Simple Solution
To help clean up the oil spill.
For several decades, I've thought this method could be a help for offshore oil spills. As the man says in the vid, I've also thought the oil-soaked hay could be burned or "squeezed" to get the oil out and reprocessed. I've also wondered if cottonseed hulls or even cotton could be used in much the same manner.
The sad fact is that oil spills will most likely happen again in the future, although I hope and pray something like this latest catastrophe could be avoided or mitigated. Another fact is we NEED this oil; offshore drilling accounts for a large percentage of our total domestic production.
majuscule
majuscule \MAJ-uh-skyool\ , adjective;
1. Of letters written either as capitals or uncials.
noun:
1. A large letter, either capital or uncial, used in writing or printing.
Today's word and a word in its definition -uncial - make it a "twofer". I was unfamilar with both words and seriously doubt I'll have or need the use of either any time in the future.
uncial un·ci·al uhn-shee-uhl, -shuhl
–adjective
1. designating, written in, or pertaining to a form of majuscule writing having a curved or rounded shape and used chiefly in Greek and Latin manuscripts from about the 3rd to the 9th century a.d.
–noun
2. an uncial letter.
3. uncial writing.
4. a manuscript written in uncials.
May 15, 2010
Armed Services Day
Armed Services Day
I know the above poster/graphic is old, but I liked it.
Support Our Troops!
sawyer
From the Word of the Day
sawyer \SAW-yer\ , noun;
1. One that is employed in sawing wood.
2. Also called sawyer beetle. Any of several long-horned beetles, esp. one of the genus Monochamus, the larvae of which bore in the wood of coniferous trees.
3. A tree or a part of a tree that protrudes above the surface in a body of water.
I've never known a sawyer, but I've sawed wood, both literally and in the slang sense. I've read Tom Sawyer several times. I did know a guy named Sawyer, a drug dealer who lived a few blocks away. (I didn't purchase drugs from him, but it's a small town, that's how I knew) He made two mistakes; one was in selling drugs and the other was selling drugs within a block of an elementary school. The house is now occupied by a Pampa police officer.
Doing some online research, I found no mention of his conviction, so I can't say for certain that he was arrested, only my fuzzy memory seems to recall that he was and the charges were enhanced by the school's proximity. I also remember something about how the raid found a cache of arms and ammunition, along with listening equipment and low-light vision devices. Paranoia will destroy ya, so will hard drugs.
The guy was mentioned in this 2005 forum as being a suspect in a quadruple murder but the murderer was convicted was found and is in prison. Searching some more, I found an obit of Sawyer from '06 which means he isn't this NORML lawyer of the same name.
It's a shame, because now when I hear the following tune, I think of that guy instead of Mark Twain's book.
Tom Sawyer - Rush
Pampa's New Heliport
Pampa LifeStar heliport will be a 'lifesaver'
Several dozen people braved the weather Friday to break ground on the newest medical addition in Gray County that's being touted as a lifesaver.
Dr. James Hall, president of the Emergency Services Foundation of Texas, the parent company of Pampa EMS, said the $550,000 Gray County Heliport Facility to be built near the Pampa Regional Medical Center will house the LifeStar ambulance helicopter that now serves the eastern Texas Panhandle.
Two LifeStar helicopters serve the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle, the Oklahoma Panhandle, eastern New Mexico and the very southeastern part of Colorado. Last year, local LifeStar helicopters made about 896 flights, said Stewart Jackson, assistant director of LifeStar.
The majority of the heliport project, or $500,000, will be funded by the Texas Department of Transportation's aviation division thanks to a measure added to the state's general appropriation bill by state Rep. Warren Chisum. It gave Gray County the money to build the 8,000-square-foot facility at the hospital. Roughly $56,000 will have be funded locally as part of the grant stipulations, said Karon Wiedemann, director of grant management for TxDOT's aviation division.
Read the rest at Amarillo.com
May 13, 2010
May 12, 2010
Smiley Bebe
We used to have a part Chihuahua that would smile like this. Her name was Tina and she was also part terrier, as I recall. I remember she and I both getting in trouble for rolling in the dirt. (Hey, she was doing it and looked like she was havin' fun!)
She used to go with us on vacations and one summer - for whatever reason - she was left home. (Dad's relief for his vacation was going to feed and water her) I remember her being so upset and trying to follow us. When we got home, she was gone. We figured a coyote had got her, but quite some time later she was found with some people down in Miami. They had found her by the side of the road, several miles from our house. A friend of the family had seen Tina at a neighbor's house and told my folks. Long story short, Tina was thrilled to see us.
In the meantime, Tina had "hooked up" with a poodle and had some strange looking puppies.
I don't remember what happened to Tina, if perhaps she did have an encounter with a coyote or just died of old age. We had two puppies out of her (EDIT to add more info, thanks to my Big Sis, read comments if you like.) and wound up with Sugar - Tina's tiny poodle-like grand-daughter - for years and she finally died of old age.
May 11, 2010
Ham Dogger
From the site:
Ham Dogger
Make a hamburger with a “hot dog” twist—even stuff it!
The hit of the BBQ! With Ham Dogger, it’s easy to shape a hamburger like a hot dog. Even use with veggies or ground turkey to create family-favorite twists on a hot dog! 
They’ll be clamoring for these clever hot-dog shaped burgers, so be sure to make a bunch! Use lean ground beef, turkey and even veggies to create a healthier alternative to preservative-laden franks...they fit perfectly in hot dog buns. The cylinder holds ¼-lb. of meat and shapes it like a hot dog. Makes it easy to stuff with cheese, avocados, onions and more to create a 6” gourmet burger with a surprise inside. Durable plastic; dishwasher safe.
The thing isn't expensive ($7.95) but it seems to me the "ham dogs" could be shaped with something else...like your hands? Still, a pretty clever idea and I wish I had thought of it.
Ham Dogger
Virtual Museum
Nifty virtual tour of -what I think are- Spanish impressionist paintings.
Virtual Museum
Pretty Woman
No, not a pretty woman, but an old dude miming the classic Orbison tune.
Funny...but a little creepy, too.
May 10, 2010
mugwump
mugwump \MUHG-wuhmp\ , noun;
1. A person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue, esp. in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue.
2. A Republican who refused to support the party nominee, James G. Blaine, in the presidential campaign of 1884.
I often use these Words of the Day in a self-deprecating and "humorous" manner to describe myself, but this one certainly doesn't fit me.
The Planet Needs More Like Me
Yeah, right.
You Are Sympathetic Toward the World |
 You are a very kindhearted person, and you are definitely concerned about the world. At times, you feel like you have to take a break from caring... you get overwhelmed by your emotions. You may not do the most charity work, but it doesn't mean you don't notice all of the problems around you. Just continue to do what you can. Our planet needs more people like you - that's for sure. |
May 9, 2010
muliebrity
muliebrity \myoo-lee-EB-ri-tee\ , noun;
1. The state of being a woman.
I think being a woman depends upon what state she's in...and how old she is.
May 7, 2010
US Supreme Court Sued
As a rule, I generally don't post too many news items or much serious stuff at all, but this article caught my eye:
U.S. Supreme Court targeted by litigant in Texas Supreme Court
From the Texas Supreme Court Blog:
Well, you don’t see this caption every day: Brumbaugh v. Justice John Roberts, et al., No. 10-0314. The “et alia” includes eight other Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. (Justice Sotomayor is off the hook; this plaintiff’s suit still names Justice Souter.)
The court of appeals affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the case, and Brumbaugh has just filed his petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court. (There doesn’t appear to be any online version of the petition; self-represented litigants are not required to file electronic courtesy copies.)
Brumbaugh requested that the trial court declare certain Supreme Court rulings unconstitutional and restore civil liberties, stop or fix the drug war, outlaw all mind control technology, declare martial law unlawful, and collect $10,000 from each justice for dereliction of duty and fraud.
Sounds like a good deal to me, except for the "mind control technology". Everyone knows all you have to do is wear a tin foil hat....
eristic
From our Word of the Day feed
eristic\e-RIS-tik\ , adjective;
1. Pertaining to controversy or disputation; controversial.
2. Of argument for the sole purpose of winning, regardless of the reason.
noun:
1. Argument for the sole purpose of winning, regardless of the reason.
2. The art of disputation.
I can't recall ever seeing this word before, but I've certainly seen the definition in countless msg. boards and forums.
Over Easy Quiz Results
This didn't ask what I usually had for breakfast; it asked which one appealed to me most. There was no way I was choosing oatmeal.
You Are a Hearty Breakfast |
 You are down to earth and mild mannered. You don't tend to make a fuss. You can be a bit stubborn at times. You know what you like, and you don't tend to change your mind. You like to stay in your comfort zone. You don't really like surprises or change much. You aren't complacent... you're just practical. Why mess with what works? |
Unexpected Inventions from Unexpected People
From Neatorama:
There are some inventions and inventors you just grow up knowing about – Alexander Graham Bell and the telephone, Thomas Edison and the lightbulb (even though he really just improved upon it). But there are a lot of inventions lurking out there that you didn’t learn about in your elementary school history and science books – inventions from geniuses known for other creations and discoveries, and inventions from people you didn’t expect to be inventors at all. Here are a few of them.
This is a fascinating article. Among the inventions: Marlon Brando had patents to tune drums, Thoreau invented raisin bread, Margaret Thatcher helped invent soft serve ice cream and Zeppo Marx owned the company that built the clamps that held the atomic bomb in the Enola Gay.
Unexpected Inventions from Unexpected People
Newspaper Demographics
Who reads which paper:
1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country -- if they could find the time -- and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.
6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a poor job of it, thank you very much.
7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.
8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who is running the country, as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.
9. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country but need the baseball scores.
10. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country, or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
Shamelessly stolen from Jon Mark Beilue
May 6, 2010
Meowmania
Meowmania
Click anywhere on the page to get a new "meow".
Finally, I've found something to annoy the Beej when he annoys me.
Hat tip to Joanne over at I Have Seen the Whole of the Internet
Gender Estimate Via Browser History
Using your browser URL history to estimate gender
Use the tool at the above link to see if you can be profiled by sex according to your browser history.
According to the comments below the article and analyzer, this thing is pretty accurate. As is often the case, I bring down the average.
My browsing history:
Site Male-Female Ratio
youtube.com 1
wikipedia.org 1.08
amazon.com 0.9
facebook.com 0.83
blogger.com 1.06
imdb.com 1.06
washingtonpost.com 1.15
foodnetwork.com 0.63
drudgereport.com 2.08
hotmail.com 0.83
nfl.com 1.5
excite.com 1.13
startsampling.com 0.32
dallascowboys.com 1.56
megamillions.com 1.27
angieslist.com 0.77
wiley.com 0.89
I had just checked angieslist after seeing an advert on TV (no listings for this area) and had plugged in "wiley" into the address bar to check the spelling for a previous post. (It's spelled "wily", duh) I had also checked the Mega Millions site because I had a ticket for the $200 million+ jackpot. (and as hard as it was to get into the site, so did 200 million other people) The rest of the sites I visit nearly every day.
My results:
Likelihood of you being FEMALE is 54%
Likelihood of you being MALE is 46%
So I guess this means if I want to get in touch with my feminine side, I won't have to go very far.
May 5, 2010
vamoose
vamoose\va-MOOS\ , verb;
1. To leave hurriedly or quickly; decamp.
2. To leave hurriedly or quickly from; decamp from.
I've done some vamoosing in my time.
Sometimes, with my mild dyslexia, I read words differently than they really are, or get a weird picture in my head when I see the word.
This popped into my head:
A VA moose.
I'm a Wily Smiley
You Are Wise |
 You enjoy a good book. You like to get lost in someone else's world for an afternoon. You are a deep thinker and a flexible person. You are open to new ideas and to change. You are very upstanding and honest. You do your best to be true to yourself. Brainy and knowledgeable, you are very independent. You have a lot to be proud of, but you're not a showoff. |
To be honest, there were other smilies from which to choose that appealed more to me, but this one reminded me of a guy with a nickname of "StevieXXX" from my MSN Group days; he had a group devoted to smiley faces. The smiley looks like a cow's udder and Stevie was the biggest boob I ever met online.
More than you'll ever need to know: Smiley info on Wiki
Nothin' At All - Heart
I'm a sucker for pop music and especially Heart.
On a related note, I searched to see if I'd posted this tune before, and noticed all the other YT Heart songs had been removed.
May 4, 2010
Cute, Cuddly, Contagious
Cute, Cuddly, Contagious - that's the title of a recent Newsweek slide show. The description from the site:
Sweet, adorable creatures can also be hosts to some nasty bugs. 'Zoonotic diseases' are what scientists call illnesses that start in animals and then jump to humans. As many as 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, and thanks to globalization, zoonoses that start in China, Africa, or Latin America can easily make their way to America. We're not saying you shouldn't coo at the following photos of (mostly) fuzzy, itty-bitty animals. Just respect their ability to cause a global health pandemic.
Here's the first page of the slide show:
BUT....this is the "cover" page of the slide show when the link is clicked:
Patty Hearst, Obama and an illegal are "cute, cuddly and contagious"?
Beatles Trivia
From Oddee:
15 Things You Didn't Know About The Beatles
Formed in 1960, the fab four from Liverpool quickly became the most successful and critically acclaimed band in the history of rock and roll. Meet fifteen fascinating, little-known facts about the band that changed the world.
Hello Goodbye - The Beatles
May 3, 2010
Rangers in First Place!
Rangers nab first place with sweep in extras
And they're a game above .500 at 13-12.
I'm not so sure that this speaks of the Rangers as being good, but rather the rest of the division sucks.
Say Cheese (cake)!
You Are Transparent and Real |
 You are a somewhat shy person. You often feel overwhelmed by the chaotic world around you. You have a gentle touch with others. You try to be subtle and compassionate in all your actions. You are very loyal. Once you find something (or someone) you love, you stick with it. You are a bit of a skeptic. You avoid fads and new fangled ideas. You're a bit old fashioned that way. |
They didn't have "all of the above" as an option.
When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees
That vid had the best sound quality; this one is from a live performance.
You know how certain songs remind you of places and/or people? This tune reminds me of a lovely young lady I dated many years ago. It was "our song". Regrettably, I was a little too wild for her. -sigh- I run into her sister now and then around town and she says her sister asks about me when they see each other. It always makes me think "what could've been" and how my life would have been different now. (perhaps not for the better, but it WOULD have been different, I'm sure)
When I see one of my aunts, she almost always reminds me about something I said before my first (blind) date with the girl. "Is she a good girl?" asked my aunt.
"I hope not." I told her.
spokeo
"Not your grandma's phone book"
This link was posted in a political forum I sometimes frequent and people got all up in arms over the supposed invasion of privacy, but after visiting I saw much of the information was wrong and other had to have been gleaned from online public records.
For example, it lists my age as several years older than I am and takes about fifteen years off the length of time at my current residence. Not only does it get the time wrong, it lists my house value at 1 million dollars.
I wish. (it also says my neighborhood is "under average", which is correct, but what am I doing in a mansion in a lower middle class neighborhood?
The most annoying thing about my personal info on the site is the list of interests. Some things are true and must have been shared from websites I've joined and surveys I've taken. It has a lot wrong, such as I like country music and that I own dogs, among other erroneous "facts". It also under-represents my education level.
I checked several members of my family, and found the same pattern of wrong information. I also plugged in the names of a few of my online friends and found what I think are errors. Under the photos tab I did see my sister's picture, but there are no photos of me online, at least none that are connected with my "real name".
Of course, to get the sensitive data such as credit reports and criminal background, you'll have to pay. If they get the simple stuff wrong, it makes me wonder about the validity of those "private" things.
spokeo
May 2, 2010
sesquipedalianism
sesquipedalianism \ses-kwi-PEED-l-iz-uhm\ , adjective;
1. Given to using long words.
2. (Of a word) containing many syllables.
Using this word is sesquipedalianism.
May 1, 2010
Goodbye Horses - Q Lazzarus
You may remember this tune from "Silence of the Lambs" in the Buffalo Bill scene where he dresses up in drag and dances in front of his video camera.
And tucks. -ahem-
May Trivia Tournament Begins!
Take your brain out of the jar 
and play the ToTG Trivia Tournament
There's not a lot of people who play, but *most* of us that do are some brainy folks!
*most* excludes me. I win when no one else plays. -sigh-
Click on the link above or the graphic below to play
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