December 14, 2008
December 13, 2008
Better This
Than cleaning up after the elephant, I suppose.
You Should Walk the Tightrope |
 Any subject you study, you aim to master. You enjoy being the best. When you're good at something, you like to show off your skills. You're the type of person who would practice years to walk the tightrope. And you'd love the glory you'd get from walking it in front of a crowd. |
December 12, 2008
Fewer rigs in the Panhandle
Article
By Lucas Jefferson
Friday, December 12, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
The staggering drop in crude oil prices has caused many rigs here in the Panhandle to shut down for the time being.
Over the past six months we've had as many as ninety-five rigs running, now there are only 84 in operation.
That has a big impact on the money that flows into our economy. The average rig worker makes two hundred bucks a day, there's about 18 thousand dollars per day, based on ten rigs, that isn't going into our economy.
That's more than half a million dollars per month.
Higher crude prices make exploration more feasible for producers, as Executive Vice President of the Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association, Wayne Hughes said, “We can design drill programs that involve the use of a drilling rig over four or five sites much more economically and much more realistically when the price gets in the seventy dollar range. That's where it's comfortable for us.”
Keep in mind those numbers we are just for the rig workers, that doesn't take into account the myriad of other jobs which relate to the oil business.
Hughes also told us that he is optimistic that over the next couple of months crude prices will start going back up.
When that happens we should see growth in rig numbers come back to the Panhandle.
XYZ!
Was sitting here earlier and heard on the TV that the MegaMillions jackpot was over 200 million. I play the lottery some, not always, but try to buy a ticket when the jackpot is enormous as it is now.
So, I jumped in my truck and drove the short distance to the nearest liquor store that sells lotto tickets; while I was there, I saw a couple of people I know and had a conversation with the clerks about some new products.
(one of which is a cream-based "shooter" packaged in a sperm-looking bottle. Sheesh)
As I was standing there talking, a young woman came in and bought some things. She was pretty, but a little bit overweight and having a few extra pounds might be the reason her fly zipper on her jeans was wide open!
Now, that's happened to nearly every guy I know and it's always accompanied by laughter and shouts of "Hey, yer barn door's open!" and "XYZ!" (examine your zipper!)
The problem was this: Is it appropriate to say the same thing to a girl? I was torn between laughing out loud and mentioning to her in a low voice that she "had a problem". I didn't want to humiliate her any more than necessary, but she really needed to be told...she really did...but I didn't have the courage to say anything.
Why did she really need to be told?
Well, for the main thing, she wasn't wearing any underwear.
Welcome to America!
A big red, white and blue welcome to Alison, my online bud Garazon's betrothed.
Over the last few days, I've been reading his posts in his blog as he counted down the hours unti Alison came over here for good. I've felt like a third-wheel...which I'm used to being...especially when Alison would reply to his public declarations of love for her. I'd post, but would feel like I was intruding!
Bless their hearts, they met several years ago, both of them having lost their spouses and developed their love affair even before they had even met. I know, from personal experience, that you CAN fall in love before even laying eyes on the other person...and actually, I think that might even be better than the proverbial "love at first sight" because you can get to know them without the added pressure of a possible physical affair. (sexual tension, guess it would be)
I had a very good friend I met online, and we developed something similar (I'd like to think) a long time before we ever met in person. My friend (let's call her....oh..."elle") elle and I knew that we had something special because of the thousands of emails and hours we spent chatting on IM.
We never really mentioned "that" until we had decided to meet. At first, I was going to fly to England and we were making plans. I don't know what made me say it (and I don't know why I say a LOT of things) but thinking about the physical part made me nervous and as I do many times, I made a joke out of it.
"Y'know...." I told her late one night while on messenger "It's been a LONG time for me."
"Me too." came the reply.
"It's been a REALLY LONG time." I typed, hoping she'd understand what I meant.
"Me too." came the quick answer.
Good, we were on the same page. I was blushing and there was no one there to see me. I was squirming in my chair, hoping I hadn't been too rude, too presumptious, but even my anxiety didn't stop me from cracking wise.
"It's been so long, honey....well, all I gotta say is you'd better have a mattress strapped to your back when you meet me at the airport."
As soon as I hit "Send" on that last bit, I regretted it. I bet I had crossed the line. I sat there, turning even a more deeper shade of crimson.
It wasn't but a few seconds until her reply came on the screen:
"You'd better be the first man off the plane."
Welcome to America, Alison! Home of hot dogs, apple pie and very bad jokes.
December 11, 2008
The Peacock
From the email archives:
I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new shoes (he is 92). We decided to grab a bite at the food court.
I noticed he was watching a teenager sitting next to him. The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange, and blue. My dad kept staring at him. The teenager would look and find him staring every time.
When the teenager had had enough, he sarcastically asked,
"What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?"
Knowing my Dad, I quickly swallowed my food so that I would not choke on his response, knowing he would have a good one, and in classic style he did not bat an eye in his response.
"Got drunk once, and had sex with a peacock. I was just wondering if you were my son."
Simply Saccharine Sweet
You're Totally Sarcastic |
 You sarcastic? Never! You're as sweet as a baby bunny. Seriously, though, you have a sharp tongue - and you aren't afraid to use it. And if people are too wimpy to deal with your attitude, then too bad. So sad. |
December 9, 2008
December 8, 2008
Who'd a Thunk It?
I don't think this is anything to do with MY writing, but because of the sometimes uncommon words in the Word of the Day feed.
You Don't Have to Wait
Until next year to d/l some printable 2009 calendars
From the website:
Free 2009 calendars that you can download, customize, and print. Calendars are available in PDF and Microsoft Word formats.
Free Printable 2009 Calendars
December 7, 2008
Pajama Quiz
You Are Flannel Pajamas |
 You seek comfort above everything else. You rather feel good than look good. You are a very relaxed person, especially when you're surrounded by your favorite things and people. You are a homebody. Home is the place where you can truly be yourself. You are likely to wear pajamas a lot. In fact, you often change into your pj's the minute you get home! |
If I wore PJ's, they'd most likely be flannel. I wear sweats quite a bit during the winter and they're soft and warm, too...and good to wear all night then all day the next day.
Hey, they don't wrinkle!
December 6, 2008
Top 11 Lamest Blogs
From PCWorld, their list of the Top 11 Lamest Blogs
After an Internet-wide search, here are the 11 blogs that depressed--er, uh--impressed us the most with their lameness.
They should have contacted me before publishing this list; this blog would've made 'em an even dozen.
Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
There's another one posted elsewhere, just use the search. I made the post after I had forgotten this one was here.
Sorry f/ the inconvenience.
December 5, 2008
Texas Heritage Trails
From the website:
The Texas You Will Remember!
Big Region! Big History! Big Fun!
The Texas Plains Trail Region is a wonderfully warm place to make your holiday memories. Our communities are filled with old-fashioned ways to celebrate this season with your family. Our region offers lots of quaint shops to find that special gift and Christmas celebrations that are sure to bring a smile. Check out the events calendar to plan an outing that will be remembered forever.
I believe I had come across this site before, searching for links about the Panhandle area, but today noticed a hit from the website on one of the "Cast Away" posts. The webmaster has been good enough to include this blog on their Movies in the Plains Region page.
We're gettin' famous here, folks...although, face it, we're a Pee Wee Herman blog in a Robert Redford universe.
Finally!
From the email archives:
Finally got my Christmas lights up!
If you need any help putting yours up, just holler.
December 4, 2008
Dear Sevil
Thanks for your recent mail.
Hello!
My name is Sevil! I am 29 years old. I saw your profile and decided to write you because I like you very much. I am an interesting, beautiful, kind and single young lady. I want to find my love, my half and want to marry him. I am looking for a man who will fall in love with me and I will fall in love with him. I have never been married but I dream about it. I am fond of children and I dream about a happy family with the beloved man. I am interested in music, cooking, reading, traveling and others. I know English very good and can easily speak it because I work as a teacher of English at school.
If you are interested in me please write me on my e-mail: krasotishe99@yahoo.com
Please write me and I will send you my photos. I wait for your letter very much.
Sevil
Oh, Sevil, you don't know how long I've waited for someone like you to come into my life. I'll have to pass, however, as I would bet you are probably around 14 yrs. old.
Something else that raised my suspicions is the address the mail "came from".
Jack Thompson pncsm@bluedesign.com.py
"Jack Thompson"??? Sure your name isn't Ivan Ivanovitch?
One thing's for sure, you're certainly a sorry slavic spammin' sunuvabitch.
caitiff
From the Dictionary.com feed in the right-hand column
caitiff \KAY-tif\, noun, adjective:
1. cowardly and mean
noun:
1. a mean, cowardly person
Dictionary.com is a great website; I love their feed and when I need to look up the meaning of a word it's where I always go.
I also like how they give examples of a word, such as a snippet out of an article or book. Here's one they used for caitiff:
But there was no need: the towering threat and the flaming eye and the swift rush buffeted the caitiff away: he recoiled three steps, and nearly fell down.
-- Charles Reade, The Atlantic, 6/1/1943
caitliff = "cowardly and mean".
I really didn't need the example; I've "met" a million caitiffs in forums and message boards.
Debut: Ringtones
I like to make ringtones but the odd thing is I don't even have a cell phone. I'm not positive, but I think I'm the last person in the world to not own one. I was watching a National Geographic special the other day about some isolated tribe in the Amazon jungle and one of the bare-breasted girls had one up to her ear. (the ear without a bone in it)
Here's the first of many ringtones I've made that I have no use for. It's probably the most annoying and one I'd probably use.
December 2, 2008
Letters from Santa
At Letters from Santa, there are more than 20 printable letters from Santa Claus ready to instantly download and print. Great gift idea for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and more. PDF version is free; editable Microsoft Word version is just $5.
Here's my fav: (click pic to enlarge)
Letters from Santa
December 1, 2008
November 30, 2008
Morse Code Ringtone Generator
From the website:
This page converts text into a morse code ringtone playable on most mobile phones.If your phone can play 'polyphonic' or 'poly' ringtones it should work fine. If your phone has WAP internet access you should be able to download ringtones (for free) directlyfrom this site. You can also play them back and/or save them on your PC or MAC, oruse the Morse2Email feature to send morse messages to other people via email.
This is cool. I don't even have a cell phone, but this makes me want to get one so I can record something rude and have it as my ringtone.
On the other hand, the only people I'd piss off would be ham operators.
Morse Code Ringtone Generator
One free entry in ToTG's "Free Gas for a Month" contest to whoever can decipher the following message:
November 28, 2008
cadence
From the Word of the Day feed
cadence \KAYD-'n(t)s\, noun:
1. the measure or beat of music, dancing, or a regularly repeated movement
2. a rising and falling sound; modulation; also, the falling inflection of the voice, as at the end of a sentence
3. a series of chords bringing part of a piece of music to an end
That's the Dictionary.com definition, but when I think of cadence, it's always to do with the military or how I once had a coach who was fresh out of the army and liked we boys to sing while running.
From the movie Full Metal Jacket
WARNING: Some explicit language. For shame, who'd have thought Marines ever cursed.
That was some Hollywood Marines; here's some real ones.
You'd have to be nuts to sass that first drill instructor. Sheesh, he intimidates me and he's just on a vid.
Cadence. I love it. I can't help but tap my foot along with the beat and I think that's because it's the same heartbeat tempo people have when they're pleasantly excited. Music can do that, I think. Different types can trigger all sorts of emotions, and I truly think they come from the heart.
God Bless our Troops.
November 27, 2008
A History of Thanksgiving
1492 - Christopher Columbus discovers America, unless you count the native peoples already living there. Columbus doesn't. Columbus and crew celebrate by holding a dinner, giving thanks for their safe arrival. Embarrassment ensues when every Indian brings maize, and nobody brings pumpkin pie.
1620 - Pilgrim men invent sport of football to avoid helping clean up after Thanksgiving dinner.
1671 - First embarrassing drunken relatives at Thanksgiving dinner, as Captain John Smith's parents tell Pocahontas the "hilarious" old "I got lost in the maize" joke for the hundredth time.
1701 - At a historic Thanksgiving dinner, Dutch settlers unveil historic "Indians Give Us All Of Their Land Treaty." Due to an unfortunate oversight, the Indians are left off of the invite list, and the treaty is signed without them.
1776 - Excited that his British in-laws finally agreed to meet him for Thanksgiving dinner, silversmith Paul Revere rides through Boston announcing the news. Unfortunately, many colonists misinterpret his cry "the British are coming!" as a warning, leading to the Revolutionary War.
1812 - At an international Thanksgiving dinner, King George of England, still hurting from losing the Revolutionary War, challenges United States President James Madison to "best 2 out of 3."
1860 - At a Senate Thanksgiving dinner, the seven-year-old son of Alabama's Senator Richard Applebee insults the Senators from Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, sparking the Civil War. The tradition of the "children's table" is instituted in 1861.
1903 - Canada steals idea of Thanksgiving holiday, placing it in October, so they can say it was their idea first.
1928 - To commemorate "our nation's greatest era of prosperity that will last forever and ever," President Herbert Hoover dumps ceremonial ten thousand turkeys into the Potomac River.
1929 - Following the Great Stock Market Crash, thousands of men go Turkey Diving in the Potomac River.
1957 - Declaring her spicy stuffing "a communist threat to undermine my health via heartburn," Senator Joe McCarthy has his wife placed under arrest as a Soviet saboteur.
1969 - The world's largest Eat-In event goes sour. Thousands of hippies start having bad trips when bad "brown gravy" gets passed around.
1991 - When Dan Quayle takes ill on Thanksgiving; a turkey is sworn as Vice President for three days. No change is noticed.
1997 - Strong natural tranquilizer tryptophane is discovered in turkey. A Colombian cartel immediately starts selling "pure" turkey on the streets for $500 an ounce. Turkey farmers get involved in drive-by shootings, and the U.S. government declares a national fowl emergency.
2002 - America is on a terrorist alert. It is now against the law to stuff a turkey since anyone is suspicious of hiding explosives. Saddam Hussein is caught trying to smuggle Turkeys filled with WMD's in containers bound for the US.
2004 - Teresa Heinz Kerry invites all the Democrats who won in November for a Festive Thanksgiving Celebration. As she certainly knows a Turkey when she sees one, her 'trophy' hubby John Kerry finds it very lonely when only Tom Daschle shows up, claiming that he won 'in spirit.' 
A Thanksgiving Toast
Here's to friends both near and far:
Here's to woman, man's guiding star:
Here's to friends we've yet to meet,
Here's to those here: all here I greet:
Here's to childhood, youth, old age,
Here's to prophet, bard and sage,
Here's to health to every one,
Peace on earth, and heaven won!
November 26, 2008
Speaking Clock
UPDATE: Apologies to anyone who came to this post and expected to find a speaking clock. Google did away with most file storage a while back, so the links no longer work. I forgot where I found the original files and script or I'd link to it. Sorry.
I had also altered one of the pages I had made with some sound files I had recorded of an online British friend I had at the time; I had her record all the little snippets "It's" "one", "two", etc. along with "o'clock" and "AM" and "PM". It was a lot of work but pretty cool. I made a start page w/ weather and news modules and had that script embedded in it.
Anyway, sorry the files are gone. I'm sure I still have them somewhere on this computer and could zip them up and send them to anyone if they wanted...and asked nicely. My email address is on a graphic in the right-hand nav bar.
I'd forgotten I had some Google Page space and after running across the link in Favorites, was delighted to find out it could "host" some files for this site. I was thinking of using it for my calendar images and for a few other applications, but discovered they were going to discontinue it.
It still works for the time being, so check out this Speaking Clock script and page made with files I had forgotten I had. (some troubles with it, might need to refresh the page after entering)I didn't like the original voice on the files that came with the script, so I made my own using a Text to Speech site that had different languages and accents.
I've always been fond of how most British women talk, so I made files in that accent.
There's nothing else on the page, but was thinking of adding to here as an "iframe" with a clock, but face it, most folks will look at the clock on their computer for the time.
I'm sure that it would piss people off, too. I can dig that. I don't go often, but there's another Texas blog that has a loud "YEEHAW!" when I enter. I'm always forgetting it's there and not prepared for the sound through my headphones.
I still like it as something to add to a "home-made" home page. It could serve a purpose, too, like a countdown because the script can be altered to have it repeat as often as you like.
Using a mike and the voice recorder on your computer, you could have your voice or any other person's for the clock.
(and would be willing to sit through an hour or more of recording "One", "Two", etc., all the way to "fifty-nine", as well as "The Time is" and "AM" and "PM")
Dunno if the script is buggy or if it's Google and their file hosting servers, but it sometimes skips "The Time is" and just blurts out the number. Oh well.
UK Female Voice Speaking Clock
reprobate
From the Word of the Day feed in right-hand column:
reprobate \REP-ruh-bayt\, noun, adjective:
1. a very wicked, unprincipled person; scoundrel
adjective:1. very wicked; unprincipled
verb:1. to disapprove; condemn, censure
noun:1. a person predestined to damnation, rejected by God
adjective:1. rejected by God; damned
verb:1. to reject from salvation; predestine to eternal punishment
I'd like to add "politician" as a synonym.
November 25, 2008
I'm Not a Crook
You Are Most Like Richard Nixon |
 Oh sure, you give people plenty of reasons to call you "Tricky Dick." But you're actually quite diplomatic, even though you secretly hate your enemies. |
Weatherlet
Pampa, TX (79065) Weather Forecast
Nifty weather gadget for WordPress, Blogspot, Typepad, Facebook and quite a few other blogs and web pages.
November 24, 2008
Dot to Dot Puzzles
More than 125 free printable connect the dots puzzles and activities that you can download and print. Or download the entire collection for just $9.00.
DottoDots.net
November 23, 2008
nabob
From the Dictionary.com Feed (in right-hand column)
nabob \NAY-bob\, noun:
1. a native ruler in India in the Mogul empire; by extension, a person from India who made a fortune there
2. a very wealthy and prominent person; mogul
A phrase first attributed to Bill Safire, I remember Spiro Agnew calling the liberal media "nattering nabobs of negativity". It caught my eye, not because I agree with the characterization (I do) but because of the alliteration.
Free Dr. Pepper
Available for one day only (Sunday) at the official website. Go to the site (is slow loading, probably due to the traffic), register and receive a coupon for a free 20oz. Dr. Pepper.
I'll take diet, thanks.
November 22, 2008
Well, I DO have more fun....
Your Hair Should Be Blonde |
 You are outgoing, light hearted, and a ton of fun. You don't take life too seriously, and you do your best to charm everyone you meet. You are very energetic. People tend to underestimate you, but you can get a lot done. You do tend to be a bit sensitive. If someone has a bad opinion of you, it truly hurts. You are cunning and clever. You are smart, but you aren't “book smart” or academic. Some people may think you're superficial, but they're not seeing the whole picture. |
November 20, 2008
It Doesn't Take Brains
Nope, doesn't take brains to make a cool graphic at Hetemeel.com.
Of course, if you LIKE being Dumb(ledore)....
They've several more graphics that let you add text: Bush, a dictionary page, Uncle Sam and some others. (I made a Magic 8-Ball graphic, but it's not fit to put into this nearly G-rated blog)
And some let you be downright funny silly.
Funeral Potatoes
At the StartSampling website.
"Also called "Ward Party Potatoes," "Christmas Potatoes," "Potato Casserole" I'm sure many other names - but the most famous is Funeral Potatoes because it is often served at funerals and Church parties in KY. We take this to potlucks all the time."
I didn't find the recipe all that unique, but the name sure was.
The Face of Cruelty
It's not the most expressive of the bronzes at the Groom Cross, but it is certainly one of the ones that stirs the most emotions in me.
I like to take these sorts of photos when no one is out there; I have to almost lie down along side Jesus to get some of these and I garner enough curious and bemused looks when I'm out there photographing anyway, so....
A closer look shows that the face is much more crudely cast than are the others, but there's no mistaking the emotion shown: cruel glee, taking delight in his task.
That photo disturbs me, and is one of my favorites; yet, on the other hand, it is one of my least-liked photos I've ever taken there, as is the following. I know that doesn't make much sense and I cannot explain my feelings toward the photos, just as it is hard for me to explain how I feel about this statue. It's definitely a case of cognitive dissonance.
This one gave me the perspective as if I were the one driving the spikes into His flesh; from an "artsy" and objective perspective, I suppose one might say it is interesting, but it really makes me feel uncomfortable.
I've visited the Groom Cross dozens of times, taken thousands of photos and I have also seen hundreds and hundreds of people who stop and look, many of whom let their dogs out for a walk (on a leash, please) and "constitutional" in the lovely manicured grass around the outer walkways.
Almost every time, especially since I've made a note to watch, the dogs will react to this particular station. Some will bark at it, some will growl and some have to be dragged by their owners to get close to it. I don't know if it's because the life-sized soldier bronze has a weapon, or... something else.
Perhaps I don't like the photos of the cruel centurion because I'm afraid that same look has been seen on my own face; seen by people I least wanted seeing it - by my mother, by the rest of my family, by my friends, by women I've let get close to me and...almost worst of all... by total strangers who were treated with less than respect by me and for no good reason.
How many times have I driven a stake into someone's feelings just because of my own cruel nature? I hope I've managed to atone, to at least apologize to those I could and hope all others have forgiven me or at least let time soften any cruel blows I sent their way. Forgiving myself is much harder, but I'm working on it.
Getting His forgiveness was so easy, though.
November 19, 2008
Bees in the BBQ
From the email archives:
A neighbor sent me some photos of bees in an outdoor grill. Doing some research, I found a slideshow of all the pics.
Bees in the BBQ
Makes me shudder.
NOTE: For some reason, probably bandwidth limitations, the photo I linked to is no longer there. I corrected the post after I found another site that had the original photos. The link above "should" be a valid one, at least for a little while.
November 18, 2008
"X" Marks the Spot
Something very significant in my life happened at this spot.
I also got a nosebleed at the same time.
Love Leaving Links?
You can leave links, however. Here's the code, but you'll need to take out the periods after the carets. <. & <./>
(being code, it won't show up on the WYSIWYG editor the blog author has to post with)
<.ahref="URL OF LINK">NAME OR DESCRIPTION OF SITE<./a>
Like this:
Find Your Perfect Thanksgiving
Can’t decide between a classic feast and a non-traditional meal for Thanksgiving this year? Let Betty Crocker help you find a holiday menu that’s perfect for your personality!
Take this quiz at the Betty Crocker website.
Pet Peeve # 00001
This is the start of a new label/subject: My Pet Peeves. As you can see, I'm allowing room for many, many more.
Here lately I've been hearing a catch phrase all over the TV, radio and on the 'net. Mostly it's been associated with sports, namely football, where the one speaking is talking about how nothing can be done about a certain worry, i.e. with the Dallas Cowboys line.
For example, someone will say "The Cowboys line isn't as dominant as we thought they would be." and some doofus will reply:
"It is what it is."
Well, sure it is what it is. If it wasn't what it was, it would be something else.
Good grief.
November 17, 2008
Fresh Feedjit Feature!
Feedjit has a new feature (yes, "new", but "fresh" is better for alliteration) that shows what readers from a particular area are reading. Since my ISP is based out of Amarillo, it shows the Amarillo hits.
Cool.
