No Words

Sorry, my Word of the Day module has disappeared from the right-hand column.  I went to the website to see if they had discontinued it or changed the code/script used to embed it, but it doesn't look like that's the case.  I used the contact form to ask about it but haven't heard back. (not surprising, since it's the holidays) 

If I can't get it back, then I'll try to find another one.  I really enjoy posting about unusual words or those I've never seen or heard.

Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder

I was listening to the Kim Komando radio show (listen here when it's on during the weekends) and she uses a snippet of this song as "bumper music" in between segments.

hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia

The fear of long words.

Friday the 13th Trivia

Any month that begins on a Sunday will have a Friday the 13th in it.

To Friends, Family and Loyal Readers

O Holy Night - Josh Groban

Set to scenes from The Nativity Story.

Shirley You Believe in Santa!

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.   - Shirley Temple Black

Under The Pressure-The War on Drugs

Freshpet Holiday Feast

The cat doesn't look too pleased.

How To Wrap Your Cat For Christmas

Showdown - ELO

Since today is the Winter Solstice, I've been seeing all sorts of posts and articles about it.  One I just read said "Today will be the shortest day of the year and tonight is the longest night." and I was blasted with a memory of this ELO song which has that line in it.   I also remember when the song came out...but that was a LONG time ago, so I don't really want to think about that right now.  It's not easy knowing I'm in the winter of my life and all the days from here on will be shorter and all the nights longer.  -sigh-

Department Store Santa

From the archives:

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Ten Things A Department Store Santa Doesn't Want To Hear:

10. "Remember me? I'm the kid with the weak bladder"

9. "You smell like supermarket gin"

8. "The real miracle on 34th Street would be if they accepted my mom's MasterCard"

7. "I want a 2004 Pontiac Aztec"

6. "Oh, by the way, if I don't get an X-Box, I'm gonna hunt you down, old man"

5. "I'm Jewish"

4. "I love you Kenny Rogers"

3. "Frankly I'm just here to humor my parents"

2. "While I'm talking to you, my mom is shoplifting blouses"

1. "Mom says you're my real daddy"

Mega-Sick

I stayed up last night to see the winning numbers in the Mega Millions lottery;  I didn't even get a single number, but at least the jackpot rolled over and will be $142 million next Tuesday night. (which will be Christmas Eve, so maybe I'll get a fantastic present for the holiday!)

What I did notice was someone hit 5 numbers but didn't get the bonus ball.  That paid a cool million, but I also noticed they didn't opt for the Megaplier which, with the multiplier of X3 would have paid 3 million bucks.

(click for larger view)

Can you imagine how conflicted they must feel after seeing their numbers come up?  On one hand, they won a million dollars, but on the other, since they didn't shell out another buck for the Megaplier, they left two million on the table.

I dunno 'bout them, but I would probably most likely puke when I realized how much money I had lost by not spending two dollars instead of one.   That's why I always play the Megaplier on the Mega Millions, the Powerplay on Powerball and Extra on the Texas Lotto.  I don't always play the lotteries, but just last week I won $12 instead of $4 because I had spent the extra buck and in the past I've won other larger amounts because of it.  No, I haven't even broke even on playing, but I'm not going to regret ever not playing the option of multiplying a lower-tier prize.

Picasso's Full Name

Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso

Catnip - Simon's Cat

Rudolph is a Girl

Well, maybe, maybe not, but it's a good bet. Male reindeer generally shed their antlers by the first of December while female reindeer usually keep theirs well into January.

I'm convinced it's a girl, because if Rudolph was a boy, he'd probably lose his way and wouldn't stop to ask directions.

Scary Downhill Run

A bit of profanity in the caption at the first and last, not too bad. I would have said that and much more if I was the rider.

Be sure and watch to the end, that's when it gets really exciting.

CURRENT CAPCHA CRAP

I went to reply to a comment under a post and saw this:

I noticed this new - and much better than previous versions - verification process on other Blogger blogs I frequent, but this was the first time I had been required to do it on my own blog.  At first I thought it was just a setting that needed to be changed, but apparently it's not something I CAN change, so I'm sorry for the extra step.

I have required OpenID or a Google account in order to post, but that's just to keep my blood pressure down and not have to delete asshole anonymous comments from anyone who wants to criticize me or something I've posted in here.  I don't intend to be offensive in here and don't think I am, but it IS my blog and if someone wants to curse me out or rebut what few controversial things I've said, then they can get their own damn blog and do it there, not in here.

So, again, I'm sorry for the extra step.  I wish I could change it, but at least it's fairly easy to read and is only 3-4 digits to type in.  Maybe this will keep the spam I get now 'n then to a minimum.

People Are Awesome!

I Feel Pretty!

Scared of Pineapple

Stella the pit bull doesn't like the pineapple.

I don't like 'em either, Stella.

Finally

Got my Christmas decorations up.

What Kind of Ist Are You?

You Are An Existentialist

You may sound like a complicated person, but your life philosophy is quite simple. You stay true to yourself. You believe that only you are responsible for your own life path and outcome. You are very independent and autonomous. You think that life is often absurd, but you're okay with that. You will find your meaning where you can. You accept your limitations and strengths in life. You are constantly looking for new opportunities to grow and learn.

What Kind of Ist Are You?

Oops, It's Been Done Again

404 page on zap2it.com. "Oops" seems to be gaining in popularity on these type of pages.  How 'bout "Oops, I'll never visit your website again if you don't fix your broken links!" ?

whippersnapper

whippersnapper \ HWIP-er-snap-er, WIP- \ noun

1. an unimportant but offensively presumptuous person, especially a young one.

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I knew this word, having read and heard it in countless comedy pieces, always said by some crotchety old man towards kids who are bothering him.  Now that I'M a crotchety old man, it's not something I often use but I certainly understand it. I just want the whippersnappers to stay off my lawn and leave me alone.

Slinky Master

I never could get the thing to go down the stairs when I had one.

First Haircut