They have no electricity, which does not paticularly bother them, as they often had none in Cuba. They borrowed a generator, which they used to power the stereo, because at a Latin party, music takes precedence over refrigeration.
Second DB Link on no electricity LINK
Hmmm...brown outs, no petrol... but having a fiesta and lots of fun...
Gee, sounds like he lives in the Philippines!
FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
It shouldn't happen to a goat
On Oct. 21, someone got inside a security fence at the frat house and spray-painted the goat.
Then early Sunday, the fraternity reported Sharon missing. She turned up unharmed a day later inside fencing at an animal hospital.
No arrests were made in the theft. But the fraternity learned it's also a city ordinance violation to keep barnyard animals inside city limits.
The fraternity has a week to find a new home for the goat, which roams freely on Sigma Chi's two-acre plot, and is allowed indoors.
Then early Sunday, the fraternity reported Sharon missing. She turned up unharmed a day later inside fencing at an animal hospital.
No arrests were made in the theft. But the fraternity learned it's also a city ordinance violation to keep barnyard animals inside city limits.
The fraternity has a week to find a new home for the goat, which roams freely on Sigma Chi's two-acre plot, and is allowed indoors.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Archimedes Death Ray: film at 11...
We tend to get American programs 6 to 12 months after they air in the US...
Last week, the Mythbusters busted the Archimedes death ray story...
But now, MIT students proved it can work...film link available...
All Saints day take two
I posted photos when we cleaned the graves in August on the anniversaries...If I get a chance, I'll post more photos...
Wikipedia has a summary of the festival in different countries...
Alas, my stepson is Protestant and not into these things...
And HERE is a link to the precautions against terrorism...
Personally, the real dangers are the usual: car wrecks, dengue fever, food poisoning, and diarrhea...
Wikipedia has a summary of the festival in different countries...
Alas, my stepson is Protestant and not into these things...
And HERE is a link to the precautions against terrorism...
Personally, the real dangers are the usual: car wrecks, dengue fever, food poisoning, and diarrhea...
All saints day
In the USA they celebrate Haloween, but most people don't know that this holiday is part of the All saints day celebration: The spirits come out the day before, the saints are celebrated on Nov 1 and the dead on Nov. 2 (all Soul's day)...
Here in the Philippines, it is another holiday season (0ur town square put the christmas lights up last week)...and everyone takes off to go home to visit the graves of their loved ones.
But security is up...
Here in the Philippines, it is another holiday season (0ur town square put the christmas lights up last week)...and everyone takes off to go home to visit the graves of their loved ones.
But security is up...
Philippine mine disaster
Actually, only a dozen killed...at first the news was fifty dead, but many had left the mine and were found alive...
Prayer alert for the famlies...
it also hints at both corruption and success in this country: gold rush, followed by illegal mines, followed by government helping cooperatives of local miners--but the accident occured in one of the few private mines...hmmm...
The sad thing is this: The government has said the country has $1 trillion worth of unexplored mining reserves, enough to pay off the country's public sector debt of $95 billion many times over.
Prayer alert for the famlies...
it also hints at both corruption and success in this country: gold rush, followed by illegal mines, followed by government helping cooperatives of local miners--but the accident occured in one of the few private mines...hmmm...
The sad thing is this: The government has said the country has $1 trillion worth of unexplored mining reserves, enough to pay off the country's public sector debt of $95 billion many times over.
Haloween party decoration to knit
STICK THIS ON YOUR DOOR AND YOU WILL REALLY SCARE PEOPLE...
(from the Corner)
(from the Corner)
Friday, October 28, 2005
The trolley is off the tracks...
St.Peggy warns us that the collapse of our institutions is a real possibility....
I'd say she was paranoid, except for her 1998 column that predicted 9-11...
...as 9-11 showed, reality tends to destroy the hype on the trivia and petty politics that consumes much of our elites...but until our leaders and our press and our intellectuals are willing and able to include reality in their vision, I suspect St. Peggy might be right...
"I suspect that history, including great historical novelists of the future, will look back and see that many of our elites simply decided to enjoy their lives while they waited for the next chapter of trouble. And that they consciously, or unconsciously, took grim comfort in this thought: I got mine. Which is what the separate peace comes down to, "I got mine, you get yours." ...Not all of course. There are a lot of people--I know them and so do you--trying to do work that helps, that will turn it around, that can make it better, that can save lives. They're trying to keep the boat afloat. Or, I should say, get the trolley back on the tracks.
.....I suspect those in the latter group privately, in a place so private they don't even express it to themselves, wonder if they'll go down with the ship..."
-----------------------------------------------
Just to add a short p.s.
The difference between the US and the Philippines is that HERE, no body really trusts the government.
In the US, if someone robs you, you call the cops...here, you get out your (illegal) gun and chase him away, or sic your pit bulls at him...if you are rich, you call the guards (the rich live in gated communities...we aren't rich so we live downtown, and have two pitbulls, but no guns... )
The first line of help is the extended family and the second line is the churches...
Culturally, Philippinos trust the family...and then pseudo family (friends, the local "rich" who they owe allegience, and the churches)...
I'd say she was paranoid, except for her 1998 column that predicted 9-11...
...as 9-11 showed, reality tends to destroy the hype on the trivia and petty politics that consumes much of our elites...but until our leaders and our press and our intellectuals are willing and able to include reality in their vision, I suspect St. Peggy might be right...
"I suspect that history, including great historical novelists of the future, will look back and see that many of our elites simply decided to enjoy their lives while they waited for the next chapter of trouble. And that they consciously, or unconsciously, took grim comfort in this thought: I got mine. Which is what the separate peace comes down to, "I got mine, you get yours." ...Not all of course. There are a lot of people--I know them and so do you--trying to do work that helps, that will turn it around, that can make it better, that can save lives. They're trying to keep the boat afloat. Or, I should say, get the trolley back on the tracks.
.....I suspect those in the latter group privately, in a place so private they don't even express it to themselves, wonder if they'll go down with the ship..."
-----------------------------------------------
Just to add a short p.s.
The difference between the US and the Philippines is that HERE, no body really trusts the government.
In the US, if someone robs you, you call the cops...here, you get out your (illegal) gun and chase him away, or sic your pit bulls at him...if you are rich, you call the guards (the rich live in gated communities...we aren't rich so we live downtown, and have two pitbulls, but no guns... )
The first line of help is the extended family and the second line is the churches...
Culturally, Philippinos trust the family...and then pseudo family (friends, the local "rich" who they owe allegience, and the churches)...
Americans stress individuals, not family, and their "backup" is the federal government...and alas, history shows governments are not God and they come and go...
Pumpkin, pumpkins, pumpkins
Carve your own for Haloween...
(heads up from the nasty neocons at the corner)
(heads up from the nasty neocons at the corner)
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Manolo says:
Manolo says, the horror that is the Moscow fashion week, it continues…
No designing clothes while chugging the Vodka....
Dilbert has a blog
He also has an essay on his newsletter about if you want to start a blog...LINK
He says:
The blogger's philosophy goes something like this:
Yup...sounds like me...
He says:
The blogger's philosophy goes something like this:
Everything that I think about is more fascinating than the crap in your head.
Yup...sounds like me...
Bird Flu and globalization
Steyn links globalization, SARS, and Islamofascism in one column...
Or you can read Thomas Friedman's book The Olive tree and the Lexus, for a similar take...
But, of course, in some way both are wrong...Ghengis Kahn was the original perveyor of both terrorism, terroristic conquest, genocide AND the Black death...
Or you can read Thomas Friedman's book The Olive tree and the Lexus, for a similar take...
But, of course, in some way both are wrong...Ghengis Kahn was the original perveyor of both terrorism, terroristic conquest, genocide AND the Black death...
Hurricane Aniken?
The weathermen (and weather women) have run out of names for hurricanes, so the new Atlantic storm is called Alpha...
Ah, but the cheerful cleanup crew of Camp Katrina suggests that they use these names instead....and to sign a petition to make it official...
Dear Spengler
Dear Spengler,
I have done my best to emulate Yasser Arafat, and all I get for my troubles is a lousy cave in western Pakistan. As the chief executive officer of a global conspiracy to restore the Islamic caliphate, I have had to kill a few thousand people here and there, but Arafat has killed far more people than I have.
He is treated like a head of state, while I am hunted like a criminal. Where did I go wrong?
Worried In Waziristan
Dear Worried,Your error is obvious. Arafat only kills Jews.
Spengler
The acid tongued Spengler is the pen name for a writer in the Asia Times...
He is no friend of America, or Europe, for that matter...but his mock letter seemed to explain perfectly several things about CNNI's news in the last 48 hours.
It has been a day for good news.
The Iraqis have a new constitution, partly because enough Sunnis backed it to pass it...The news must be true...it's on the news ticker...except for the commentary about how this means (we are reminded for the 28th time) civil war...
And of course, a car bomb in front of a hotel for journalists. Nope, not the Sunnis, but Al Qada...got the headlines...journalists had great shots of it...if it bleeds, it leads...
And then great shots of the anti war protests...but if you look carefully, it shows closeups of only a few people protesting... not great masses...
The only "balance" is they noted parallel to the mass casulaties in the battle of the bulge...
How about a parallel to the millions killed or imprisoned or fled when the left allowed terrorists to take over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia...nah, they don't count, they are Asians...it's about rich yuppies remembering their youthful triumph in the anti war movement...
Of course, the UN report on Syria assasinating Hariri got a little notice, again without context of the cedar revolution in Lebanon. And the little problem that Alquada is importing more powerful IED's from Iran has gotten only a mention when discussing Britain's troops last week...
But THIS got no press (although with the brownouts and the telephone lines out for the last four days, I haven't been in touch with all the news)...(alternative link HERE, requires registration)
Israel should be 'wiped off the map': Iran president
...Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has openly called for Israel to be "wiped off the map".
"The establishment of the Zionist regime was a move by the world oppressor against the Islamic world," the president told a conference in Tehran on Wednesday entitled 'The World without Zionism'. ...
Ahmadinejad, a veteran of Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guards, took office in August after scoring a landslide win in a June presidential election.
His tone represents a major change from that of former president Mohammad Khatami, whose favoured topic was "dialogue among civilisations" and who led an effort to improve Iran's relations with the West.
But Ahmadinejad instead spoke of an "historic war".
"It dates backs hundreds of years. Sometimes Islam has advanced. Sometimes nobody was winning. Unfortunately over the past 300 years, the world of Islam has been in retreat," he lamented.
"One hundred years ago the last trench of Islam fell, when the oppressors went towards the creation the Zionist regime. It is using it as a fort to spread its aims in the heart of the Islamic world."
Yup...maybe the cowboy was right...it is one of the Axis of evil, and thanks to European dipolmacy, they will soon have nukes...and if the Europeans look at the map, the retreat he is discussing doesn't mean Waco Texas, it means the battle of Vienna...you know, Austria?
Jan Sobieski, call your office...your coffee and croissants have arrived...
I have done my best to emulate Yasser Arafat, and all I get for my troubles is a lousy cave in western Pakistan. As the chief executive officer of a global conspiracy to restore the Islamic caliphate, I have had to kill a few thousand people here and there, but Arafat has killed far more people than I have.
He is treated like a head of state, while I am hunted like a criminal. Where did I go wrong?
Worried In Waziristan
Dear Worried,Your error is obvious. Arafat only kills Jews.
Spengler
The acid tongued Spengler is the pen name for a writer in the Asia Times...
He is no friend of America, or Europe, for that matter...but his mock letter seemed to explain perfectly several things about CNNI's news in the last 48 hours.
It has been a day for good news.
The Iraqis have a new constitution, partly because enough Sunnis backed it to pass it...The news must be true...it's on the news ticker...except for the commentary about how this means (we are reminded for the 28th time) civil war...
And of course, a car bomb in front of a hotel for journalists. Nope, not the Sunnis, but Al Qada...got the headlines...journalists had great shots of it...if it bleeds, it leads...
And then great shots of the anti war protests...but if you look carefully, it shows closeups of only a few people protesting... not great masses...
The only "balance" is they noted parallel to the mass casulaties in the battle of the bulge...
How about a parallel to the millions killed or imprisoned or fled when the left allowed terrorists to take over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia...nah, they don't count, they are Asians...it's about rich yuppies remembering their youthful triumph in the anti war movement...
Of course, the UN report on Syria assasinating Hariri got a little notice, again without context of the cedar revolution in Lebanon. And the little problem that Alquada is importing more powerful IED's from Iran has gotten only a mention when discussing Britain's troops last week...
But THIS got no press (although with the brownouts and the telephone lines out for the last four days, I haven't been in touch with all the news)...(alternative link HERE, requires registration)
Israel should be 'wiped off the map': Iran president
...Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has openly called for Israel to be "wiped off the map".
"The establishment of the Zionist regime was a move by the world oppressor against the Islamic world," the president told a conference in Tehran on Wednesday entitled 'The World without Zionism'. ...
Ahmadinejad, a veteran of Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guards, took office in August after scoring a landslide win in a June presidential election.
His tone represents a major change from that of former president Mohammad Khatami, whose favoured topic was "dialogue among civilisations" and who led an effort to improve Iran's relations with the West.
But Ahmadinejad instead spoke of an "historic war".
"It dates backs hundreds of years. Sometimes Islam has advanced. Sometimes nobody was winning. Unfortunately over the past 300 years, the world of Islam has been in retreat," he lamented.
"One hundred years ago the last trench of Islam fell, when the oppressors went towards the creation the Zionist regime. It is using it as a fort to spread its aims in the heart of the Islamic world."
Yup...maybe the cowboy was right...it is one of the Axis of evil, and thanks to European dipolmacy, they will soon have nukes...and if the Europeans look at the map, the retreat he is discussing doesn't mean Waco Texas, it means the battle of Vienna...you know, Austria?
Jan Sobieski, call your office...your coffee and croissants have arrived...
Monday, October 24, 2005
New Narnia trailer on line
Maybe because they use the same music as the first FOTR trailer, this one makes me think it won't be as good as expected...oh well, there is still THIS version...
New supergerm? or new outbreak of old disease?
This article makes it sound like it will come to the US thanks to the Iraq war...(a backhanded way of bashing the war according to the MSM agenda?)
But this LINK suggests that it is mainly a danger to those with poor immune systems...and has been present in 1-2% of ICU infections for a long time....
The report on the Iraq outbreak is HERE...
There have been over 100 case, but no American soldiers have died of it so far.
Most of the cases come from contaminated limb wounds...
The sources of the A. baumannii that led to the infections described in this report are under investigation. During the Vietnam War, A. baumannii was reported to be the most common gram-negative bacillus recovered from traumatic injuries to extremities, and more recent reports have identified A. baumannii infections in patients who suffered traumatic injuries, suggesting environmental contamination of wounds as a potential source
In other words, an old pathogen...just a new problem, or rather an old problem that has returned, partly due to the fact that the wounded no longer die of strep cellulitis or gas gangrene or shock.....
EMEDICINE has a nice report HERE....
Internationally: Acinetobacter is a common colonizer of patients in the intensive care setting. Acinetobacter colonization is particularly common in patients who are intubated and in those who have multiple intravenous lines or monitoring devices, surgical drains, or indwelling urinary catheters. Acinetobacter infections are rare and occur almost exclusively in hospitalized patients
The main problem seems to be that it is resistant to most antibiotics...and mainly dangerous if there is an outbreak among the elderly, HIV patients etc...
Of course you don't have to go to Iraq to get infected HERE is a pdf about endocarditis in the Manila heart hospital...2 cases were acetobacter....or THIS, where 60% of eye wash solution was contaminated..or HERE, where it caused 4 of 81 cases of meningitis in infants...
I suspect the reports in Manila hospitals are due to the high level of medicine rather than a high level of infection....
But this LINK suggests that it is mainly a danger to those with poor immune systems...and has been present in 1-2% of ICU infections for a long time....
The report on the Iraq outbreak is HERE...
There have been over 100 case, but no American soldiers have died of it so far.
Most of the cases come from contaminated limb wounds...
The sources of the A. baumannii that led to the infections described in this report are under investigation. During the Vietnam War, A. baumannii was reported to be the most common gram-negative bacillus recovered from traumatic injuries to extremities, and more recent reports have identified A. baumannii infections in patients who suffered traumatic injuries, suggesting environmental contamination of wounds as a potential source
In other words, an old pathogen...just a new problem, or rather an old problem that has returned, partly due to the fact that the wounded no longer die of strep cellulitis or gas gangrene or shock.....
EMEDICINE has a nice report HERE....
Internationally: Acinetobacter is a common colonizer of patients in the intensive care setting. Acinetobacter colonization is particularly common in patients who are intubated and in those who have multiple intravenous lines or monitoring devices, surgical drains, or indwelling urinary catheters. Acinetobacter infections are rare and occur almost exclusively in hospitalized patients
The main problem seems to be that it is resistant to most antibiotics...and mainly dangerous if there is an outbreak among the elderly, HIV patients etc...
Of course you don't have to go to Iraq to get infected HERE is a pdf about endocarditis in the Manila heart hospital...2 cases were acetobacter....or THIS, where 60% of eye wash solution was contaminated..or HERE, where it caused 4 of 81 cases of meningitis in infants...
I suspect the reports in Manila hospitals are due to the high level of medicine rather than a high level of infection....
Brazil reports footand mouth disease
a couple years ago, FMD decimated the European farm industry, and when you came in from one of those countries to Manila, you had to walk thru disinfectant.
Well, it has now hit Brazil, which sells meat to the USA..
Interestingly enough, FMD can be used in bioterror: The Germans used it against the USA in WWI...(scroll way down or search for 1915)...
However, this outbreak seems to be related to the European one...
As for us, we are still waiting for bird flu..
However, with all the dengue fever, diarrhea, and red tide, who worries?
Well, it has now hit Brazil, which sells meat to the USA..
Interestingly enough, FMD can be used in bioterror: The Germans used it against the USA in WWI...(scroll way down or search for 1915)...
However, this outbreak seems to be related to the European one...
As for us, we are still waiting for bird flu..
However, with all the dengue fever, diarrhea, and red tide, who worries?
Ah, but will Tom Cruise star in part II?
I had read in an Andrew Greeley column that Ann Rice had come back to the Catholic church, but now it seems she is writing a novel on Jesus as a child, with future novels planned....
Who woulda thought?
Oh well, it will drive the fundamentalists crazy, and will horrify the anti religious types...
Calling Tom Cruise....calling Tom Cruise...
Who woulda thought?
Oh well, it will drive the fundamentalists crazy, and will horrify the anti religious types...
Calling Tom Cruise....calling Tom Cruise...
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Sucking up to Mugabe
"....Robert Mugabe was on typically outrageous form last week. Invited by the United Nations on a jolly to attend the 60th anniversary of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome, the Zimbabwean president laid into his old foes. George Bush and Tony Blair, he said, were “the two unholy men of our millennium”, responsible for war, pollution and, since the event was to mark World Food Day, hunger. Quite what the UN was doing inviting this corrupt and vile man to attend the event is beyond comprehension. For him to use the occasion to blame others for creating hunger is beyond parody. "Posing as a tourist, our reporter Christina Lamb has just visited Zimbabwe and has seen the effects of Mr Mugabe’s policies on his own people at first hand. Thousands and thousands of Zimbabweans are living like animals in the midst of rubble in southern Harare, foraging among rubbish for food or forced to prostitute themselves. They are the victims of their president’s urban beautification programme, which the UN itself estimates has left 700,000 homeless or destitute. Kofi Annan himself said that Operation Murambatsvina — “drive out the filth” — had done a “catastrophic injustice” to many of Zimbabwe’s poorest citizens “through indiscriminate actions, carried out with disquieting indifference to human suffering”. This again begs the question of why the UN keeps sucking up to this tyrant...."
The article that is referred to can be found HERE....and more information can be found on Makaipa blog...
M.E.G.O.
MEGO is short for "My Eyes Glaze Over"...where a story or a lecture is sooooo boring that you fall asleeeeep...(like Ben Stein's lecture in Ferris Bueller)...
But while the MSM and many bloggers are busy discussing if releasing the name of a retired CIA operative (while ignoring the CIA leaks against Bush) is a crime, or about Bush appointing a cronie to the Supreme court, a much larger but more boring story is being ignored...
Summary: Lots of bribery by Sadam Hussein...lots of money laundering which may have gone to terrorists, lots of people at the UN who got rich, and lots of money going to people in certain anti war European countries, including France and Luxenburg...
YAWN...sounds like normal shenanigans in Manila...Gloria, call your office, your "Hello Garci" CD is on sale on EBAY.....
But while the MSM and many bloggers are busy discussing if releasing the name of a retired CIA operative (while ignoring the CIA leaks against Bush) is a crime, or about Bush appointing a cronie to the Supreme court, a much larger but more boring story is being ignored...
Summary: Lots of bribery by Sadam Hussein...lots of money laundering which may have gone to terrorists, lots of people at the UN who got rich, and lots of money going to people in certain anti war European countries, including France and Luxenburg...
YAWN...sounds like normal shenanigans in Manila...Gloria, call your office, your "Hello Garci" CD is on sale on EBAY.....
Nanocar, anyone? and other good news from the net.
Good News: nanocars...
go to the link...alas, blogger won't post the photo...the article also reports on transparant aluminum...(which, as Trekkies know, was a major subplot in STARTREK 4)...
Other good news: Mel Gibson gave money to Mexican charities to help those homeless from the hurricanes...LINK
Saturday, October 22, 2005
IHT on Gloria's ban on demonstrations
And two powerful Religious groups say: Get your act together, the economy is tanking...LINK
The Manila bulletin reported that although Manila bans demonstrations, that in nearby Makati, the police are actually helpful to those wanting to demonstrate.....
And there is a real danger that terrorists (either Alquada or the local NPA) will infiltrate the demonstrations and make them violent...so when these farmers held a demonstration, they detected and removed these infiltrators LINK
As for us, aside from an ElShaddai rally, the town is busy getting in the rice harvest....you can barely drive or park, because people dry the rice on the concrete....(I'll try to post a photo later)...the bad news is that our gormet rice had a lousy yield due to weeds...oh well...
The Manila bulletin reported that although Manila bans demonstrations, that in nearby Makati, the police are actually helpful to those wanting to demonstrate.....
And there is a real danger that terrorists (either Alquada or the local NPA) will infiltrate the demonstrations and make them violent...so when these farmers held a demonstration, they detected and removed these infiltrators LINK
As for us, aside from an ElShaddai rally, the town is busy getting in the rice harvest....you can barely drive or park, because people dry the rice on the concrete....(I'll try to post a photo later)...the bad news is that our gormet rice had a lousy yield due to weeds...oh well...
Classic cookbooks on line
Also from Books on line: Michigan State University Library is posting classic cookbooks on line...
Bon Appetit!
Bon Appetit!
McGuffey readers on line
Books on line has lots of stuff...and this week, they posted links to the old McGuffey readers...
They also have Lang's books of fairy tales and retelling of myths.
Well, it's not Harry Potter, but for those who like Harry, I suggest you download them for your kids.
They also have Lang's books of fairy tales and retelling of myths.
Well, it's not Harry Potter, but for those who like Harry, I suggest you download them for your kids.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Babies for sale....girls half price
SHANGHAI - Police are investigating advertisements offering babies for sale on a Chinese website owned by internet auction house eBay. The ads, which appeared on the eBay EachNet site on October 16, promised babies under 100 days old from the impoverished province of Henan at prices of 28,000 yuan ($5000) for boys and 13,000 yuan for girls, the China Daily reported. More than 50 people looked at the baby auction but no "purchases" were made before it was removed. The sale of children and women is a problem in China, where rules on family planning allow couples to just have one child, at least in cities.
A heartwarming new comedy
I've seen this floating around the internet, and it is hilareous...the link is to the LATIMES site (reg required)...
One of the most popular pass-it-on Internet gags of the moment is a movie trailer that re-imagines the 1980 Stanley Kubrick film "The Shining" as a dramedy in the mold of, say, "About a Boy." Only original footage and dialogue from the film is used, but with soaring music and deft editing, it makes the movie seem more lump-in-your-throat than ax-in-your-head.
The faux trailer has created a stir for its creator, Robert Ryang, an editing assistant in Manhattan who works on television commercials. He crafted the trailer for a contest by the Assn. of Independent Creative Editors, but a few weeks ago it went pinging across the Internet. (To see Ryang's trailer, go to calendarlive.com/shining.)
His inspiration? "These really formulaic movies where you have someone — a wacky girlfriend or a neighbor or, like, a dog or something — come into the damaged life of someone and everything miraculously gets better."....
One of the most popular pass-it-on Internet gags of the moment is a movie trailer that re-imagines the 1980 Stanley Kubrick film "The Shining" as a dramedy in the mold of, say, "About a Boy." Only original footage and dialogue from the film is used, but with soaring music and deft editing, it makes the movie seem more lump-in-your-throat than ax-in-your-head.
The faux trailer has created a stir for its creator, Robert Ryang, an editing assistant in Manhattan who works on television commercials. He crafted the trailer for a contest by the Assn. of Independent Creative Editors, but a few weeks ago it went pinging across the Internet. (To see Ryang's trailer, go to calendarlive.com/shining.)
His inspiration? "These really formulaic movies where you have someone — a wacky girlfriend or a neighbor or, like, a dog or something — come into the damaged life of someone and everything miraculously gets better."....
Memphis Belle
Robert Hanson, the last surviving crewmember of the Memphis Belle, has died...
He won a baseball scholarship to university, but chose instead to go out to work, and in the summer of 1941 enlisted in the US Army. Determined not to become an infantryman, after the attack on Pearl Harbor he volunteered for radio training and transferred to the Air Force.
After returning home in 1943, he spent the remainder of the war as a radio instructor. When peace came, he found work as the district manager of, first, a food company and then a sweets manufacturer at Spokane, Washington...A family man, with a high sense of ethics and a fondness for laughter, Hanson enjoyed golf and square dancing in retirement. To the end, he liked to finish telephone conversations with the wartime Morse Code sign-off: dit, dit, dit, dah, dit, dah. He died on October 1.
He married, in 1942, Irene Payton, who survives him with a son and a daughter. Another daughter predeceased him.
Lord of the Beans
Lord of the Beans follows the fantastic journey of a wide-eyed Flobbit named Toto Baggypants (Junior Asparagus) who inherits a bean with amazing powers from his Uncle Billboy (Archibald Asparagus). In this moving story, young Toto learns that he has been given an extraordinary gift -- but what is it for?
Together with Randalf, fearless ranger Ear-A-Corn, sharpshooting elf Leg-O-Lamb, and surly dwarf Grumpy, Toto forms the Fellowship of the Bean and embarks on a dangerous quest to find the answer to his question....
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Rebuilding homes in Biloxi
Jess Seigal, a FEMA spokesman in Biloxi, acknowledged that it's difficult to find temporary housing on the coast and that many people are reluctant to leave what remains of their homes.
But "the folks sitting in their front yards don't have to stay there," he said.
FEMA is trying to get trailers to everyone and knows people are frustrated. Seigal said 3,915 units have already been delivered to the six southern counties in Mississippi, including Harrison where Biloxi sits.
He estimates the state will need a total of 30,000 units. He didn't know how many would be required in Biloxi. FEMA was trying to distribute 500 a day.
"We're not there yet," he said.
And another article on Biloxi is HERE:
LINK
However, the church people are helping quietly... LINK LINK LINK
Prince is one of hundreds of Kentucky volunteers who were quickly trained in disaster relief in the weeks after Katrina and have continued to help.
Prince went to Louisiana through the disaster-relief arm of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, which has sent 662 volunteers to help clear trees and branches, clean out homes and prepare meals by the tens of thousands. Many of them are rotating in and out for one-week stints.
The convention has trained more than 2,400 disaster relief volunteers who signed up after Katrina, and hundreds more are expected to train by the end of the year, convention spokesman Robert Reeves said. The training has been slowed somewhat, he said, because many of those who would normally lead the classes are busy doing disaster relief. ...
Personally, I like THIS STORY:
WOODBRIDGE — The students of Our Lady of Peace School in Fords are donating several hundred backpacks filled with crayons, pens and pencils to their peers in Bay St. Louis, Miss., whose school was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
The 250 backpacks are on their way to the Bay Catholic Elementary School, which is a school of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in the Diocese of Biloxi, said Elaine McAndrew, who teaches eighth-grade social studies and is the Student Council advisor at Our Lady of Peace.
“There are five Catholic schools there, of which three were destroyed,” she said. “But the principal there said that even though so many had lost everything, it was amazing that the parents were back at school working to get it open and functioning again.”
But "the folks sitting in their front yards don't have to stay there," he said.
FEMA is trying to get trailers to everyone and knows people are frustrated. Seigal said 3,915 units have already been delivered to the six southern counties in Mississippi, including Harrison where Biloxi sits.
He estimates the state will need a total of 30,000 units. He didn't know how many would be required in Biloxi. FEMA was trying to distribute 500 a day.
"We're not there yet," he said.
And another article on Biloxi is HERE:
LINK
However, the church people are helping quietly... LINK LINK LINK
Prince is one of hundreds of Kentucky volunteers who were quickly trained in disaster relief in the weeks after Katrina and have continued to help.
Prince went to Louisiana through the disaster-relief arm of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, which has sent 662 volunteers to help clear trees and branches, clean out homes and prepare meals by the tens of thousands. Many of them are rotating in and out for one-week stints.
The convention has trained more than 2,400 disaster relief volunteers who signed up after Katrina, and hundreds more are expected to train by the end of the year, convention spokesman Robert Reeves said. The training has been slowed somewhat, he said, because many of those who would normally lead the classes are busy doing disaster relief. ...
Personally, I like THIS STORY:
WOODBRIDGE — The students of Our Lady of Peace School in Fords are donating several hundred backpacks filled with crayons, pens and pencils to their peers in Bay St. Louis, Miss., whose school was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
The 250 backpacks are on their way to the Bay Catholic Elementary School, which is a school of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in the Diocese of Biloxi, said Elaine McAndrew, who teaches eighth-grade social studies and is the Student Council advisor at Our Lady of Peace.
“There are five Catholic schools there, of which three were destroyed,” she said. “But the principal there said that even though so many had lost everything, it was amazing that the parents were back at school working to get it open and functioning again.”
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
-CPR in Manila
Malacañang yesterday turned down clamor by some quarters to revoke the government policy of calibrated preemptive response (CPR) it has been imposing to avert a "bloody confrontation" during the continued street protests against the administration.
The Arroyo administration has openly defended the hosing down of last Friday’s demonstrators because it claimed they have violated the permit for a religious march that limits the areas where they can hold procession.
Ermita appealed to television networks to show the video footage taken by three policemen to "convince the public" whether the action taken by the government to hose down Guingona and other protesters were justified or not.
Translation: We will continue to hose down elderly nuns and priests who pray in the streets while protesting a corrupt govenment...
The Arroyo administration has openly defended the hosing down of last Friday’s demonstrators because it claimed they have violated the permit for a religious march that limits the areas where they can hold procession.
Ermita appealed to television networks to show the video footage taken by three policemen to "convince the public" whether the action taken by the government to hose down Guingona and other protesters were justified or not.
Translation: We will continue to hose down elderly nuns and priests who pray in the streets while protesting a corrupt govenment...
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
History of Americas may have to be rewritten
BARNWELL, South Carolina, June 24 - On a hillside by the Savannah River, under tall oaks bearded with Spanish moss, an archaeologist and a graduate student crouched in the humid depths of a trench. They had reason to think they were in the presence of a breathtaking discovery.
Or at the least, they were on to something more than 20,000 years old that would throw American archaeology into further turmoil over its most contentious issue: when did people first reach America, and who were they?...
...................
Then you have this:
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/sasalum/newsltr/spring04/amazon.html
A lot of this was in an Atlantic Monthly article called 1491...I used to subscribe to that magazine before I moved here and had to watch my budget...and it pointed a lot of this out...http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200203/mann
And lots of archeology links can be found HERE: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1173106/posts?page=295#295
It's a right wing site, but has stuff like this and on religion that give me a headsup...If the daily Kos had articles on the clovis point, I'd probably read that too....
excuse the links...blogger or my computer is on strike again.//
Or at the least, they were on to something more than 20,000 years old that would throw American archaeology into further turmoil over its most contentious issue: when did people first reach America, and who were they?...
...................
Then you have this:
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/sasalum/newsltr/spring04/amazon.html
A lot of this was in an Atlantic Monthly article called 1491...I used to subscribe to that magazine before I moved here and had to watch my budget...and it pointed a lot of this out...http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200203/mann
And lots of archeology links can be found HERE: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1173106/posts?page=295#295
It's a right wing site, but has stuff like this and on religion that give me a headsup...If the daily Kos had articles on the clovis point, I'd probably read that too....
excuse the links...blogger or my computer is on strike again.//
IMELDA! the musical
Ah, another sensitive play or movie about the Philippines by the elites in the USA...
Of course...Imelda and her shoes...of course, you could make a good movie about Nino, Corey, people power, and our Lady of the EDSA, but that wouldn't be riciPC...a million people facing death to encourage democracy? How gauch...Imelda and a thousand shoes: Yup that's the way to portray our superiority to these third world types...
As I said earlier: We in the Philippines aren't eve non the fringe of the news...
Of course...Imelda and her shoes...of course, you could make a good movie about Nino, Corey, people power, and our Lady of the EDSA, but that wouldn't be riciPC...a million people facing death to encourage democracy? How gauch...Imelda and a thousand shoes: Yup that's the way to portray our superiority to these third world types...
As I said earlier: We in the Philippines aren't eve non the fringe of the news...
Monday, October 17, 2005
Is it real, or is it Clairol?
First they run around in Burkhas pretending they are women, and now they dye their hair and have it styled by their own private hairdresser...the famous limp wristed Mr. Walid...
Gee, I guess AlQuada doesn't have a "don't ask don't tell" policy after all...
(heads up from CampKatrina)
Andrew Sullivan, call your office...
Gee, I guess AlQuada doesn't have a "don't ask don't tell" policy after all...
(heads up from CampKatrina)
Andrew Sullivan, call your office...
And who does the UN let address their Food Summit?
A murderous dictator who is starving his own people, of course...
For more infor, check my "evil mugabe" link on the left...
For more infor, check my "evil mugabe" link on the left...
Separation of state and ---devil?
The Devil went down to Georgia has been banned from being played at a football game, because it violates the separation of church and state...
Years ago, a Neil Diamond song about revival was banned, and of course, coaches can no longer pray with their students before games... it implies God might take sides....
My favorite story about pregame prayer was of a football game between Notre Dame and a secular school...the chaplain gave a long prayer asking God for help and safety, and at the end, he reminded everyone that "God does not take sides"....and then the priest from N.D. came up and ended his prayer with "and I want all of you to remember: God does not take sides...but his MOTHER does...go Fighting Irish"....
Years ago, a Neil Diamond song about revival was banned, and of course, coaches can no longer pray with their students before games... it implies God might take sides....
My favorite story about pregame prayer was of a football game between Notre Dame and a secular school...the chaplain gave a long prayer asking God for help and safety, and at the end, he reminded everyone that "God does not take sides"....and then the priest from N.D. came up and ended his prayer with "and I want all of you to remember: God does not take sides...but his MOTHER does...go Fighting Irish"....
Sunday, October 16, 2005
BURGER TIME
I apologize for all the posts.
No, I'm not hypomanic...we have a brown out, so I can't watch TV and it's too damn hot do do anything else...
Luckily I have a five hour battery...on my two pound laptop...
No, I'm not hypomanic...we have a brown out, so I can't watch TV and it's too damn hot do do anything else...
Luckily I have a five hour battery...on my two pound laptop...
Dr. Honeydew, call your office
You are Dr. Bunson Honeydew.
You love to analyse things and further the cause of
science, even if you do tend to blow things up
more often than not.
HOBBIES:
Scientific inquiry, Looking through microscopes,
Recombining DNA to create decorative art.
QUOTE:
"Now, Beakie, we'll just flip this switch and
60,000 refreshing volts of electricity will
surge through your body. Ready?"
FAVORITE MUSICAL ARTIST:
John Cougar Melonhead
LAST BOOK READ:
"Quantum Physics: 101 Easy Microwave
Recipes"
NEVER LEAVES HOME WITHOUT:
An atom smasher and plenty of extra atoms.
What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Mr. K, you need a new name
My granddaughter attends this preschool...
famous in Asia, drilling math and English reading.
The name comes from Mr. Kumon, the Jpanese founder...But I wish that the poor man's name was different...sounds like a porn site.
famous in Asia, drilling math and English reading.
The name comes from Mr. Kumon, the Jpanese founder...But I wish that the poor man's name was different...sounds like a porn site.
Now for the good news
Two sided potato chips....
You can eat them with your SPAM...(see previous post)
You can eat them with your SPAM...(see previous post)
Kobe musicians hold Katrina Concert
KOBE — Jazz musicians and jazz bar owners in Kobe held a fundraising concert Saturday in the city, known as the birthplace of jazz in Japan, for the victims of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
The Biloxi Sun Herald has lots of non headlines to keep you informed on the cleanup...
My favorite is:
And articles on where to get grants for chain saws and generators, and articles that volunteers are staying in an old army barracks
The Biloxi Sun Herald has lots of non headlines to keep you informed on the cleanup...
My favorite is:
And articles on where to get grants for chain saws and generators, and articles that volunteers are staying in an old army barracks
All of this stuff is the trivia of cleanup...not "sexy" like the untrue reports of murders in the NOLA superdome...
Gloria pulls a "marcos"
Malacañang yesterday justified the use of water cannons to break up the protest rally heading towards Mendiola last Friday night, saying that the protesters disregarded warnings to stay within the designated rally sites.
"We can avoid this kind of incident if they coordinate with the city government. It was clear that they had a permit for a rally at the Plaza Miranda... but we don’t know why they went against the prior agreement," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a radio interview.
Before the police dispersal, Bunye recalled that Manila Mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr. repeatedly appealed to the group of priests, nuns and opposition leaders to stay within Plaza Miranda and not to proceed to nearby Mendiola where the organizers failed to get a permit.
Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and opposition Sen. Jamby Madrigal were among the people hurt when riot police hosed down the protest march towards Malacañang after holding a prayer rally in Plaza Miranda earlier last Friday.
Don't ask me about any of this...we don't live in Manila...
Millions defy death to vote...
Let's see...in a country where people were threatened with death for voting, 61 percent of them voted nevertheless...
A triumph for democracy? Nope, because it was due to the Evilbushy, the headlines in the LA TIMES say:
Polls Close in Iraq's Constitutional Referendum
A triumph for democracy? Nope, because it was due to the Evilbushy, the headlines in the LA TIMES say:
Polls Close in Iraq's Constitutional Referendum
Polls closed today as Shiite Muslim leaders mobilized followers for support, despite continued opposition among Sunnis. AUDIO
• Fewer Insurgent Attacks Than Expected
And the NYTimes says:
Turnout Is Mixed as Iraqis Cast Votes on Constitution
By DEXTER FILKINS and JOHN F. BURNS 4:56 PM ET
The Sunni turnout appeared to be insufficient to defeat the new charter, and Iraqi officials predicted that it would pass.
Photos | Graphic | Constitution Text
Complete Coverage: The Reach of War
Two Sides of the Sunni Vote: Deserted Polls and Long Lines
By SABRINA TAVERNISE
and EDWARD WONG 4:23 PM ET
Contrasting scenes in Anbar province reflected the fractious nature of Sunni Arab sentiments toward the charter.
At least they noticed it in their headlines....
CNN reports:
• Gupta: NASCAR ride 'more than a little terrifying'
However, for the first time since I moved here, CNNI actually presented balanced coverage of the election...and their website has this headline:
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- After decades of repression and years of war and insurgency, millions of Iraqis let their voices be heard Saturday, voting in a historic constitutional referendum whose results could significantly alter the way the country is governed.
Even the BEEB managed to notice a lot of people turned out:
Last Updated: Saturday, 15 October 2005, 21:56 GMT 22:56 UK
HMMM...
Ah, but yesterday was not free of terrorist violence...a bomb killed four people...in IRAN...
And the NYTimes says:
Turnout Is Mixed as Iraqis Cast Votes on Constitution
By DEXTER FILKINS and JOHN F. BURNS 4:56 PM ET
The Sunni turnout appeared to be insufficient to defeat the new charter, and Iraqi officials predicted that it would pass.
Photos | Graphic | Constitution Text Complete Coverage: The Reach of WarTwo Sides of the Sunni Vote: Deserted Polls and Long Lines
By SABRINA TAVERNISE
and EDWARD WONG 4:23 PM ET
Contrasting scenes in Anbar province reflected the fractious nature of Sunni Arab sentiments toward the charter.
At least they noticed it in their headlines....
CNN reports:
Planned neo-Nazi march sparks violence in Ohio
Although on a tiny side bar they notice:• Gupta: NASCAR ride 'more than a little terrifying'
However, for the first time since I moved here, CNNI actually presented balanced coverage of the election...and their website has this headline:
Even the BEEB managed to notice a lot of people turned out:
Last Updated: Saturday, 15 October 2005, 21:56 GMT 22:56 UK
| | |
 | | Polls close in Iraq where millions voted on a new charter and insurgent attacks were kept to a minimum.  Vote in pictures |
HMMM...
Ah, but yesterday was not free of terrorist violence...a bomb killed four people...in IRAN...
I will not eat green eggs and SPAM
Improbable research also links to this LATIMES (reg required) article on spam:
Not coincidentally, Spam is also popular in Hawaii, the Philippines, Okinawa, Guam and Saipan, all places with a history of a U.S. military presence. The "Miracle Meat in a Can," as it was touted after its launch in 1937, was a staple of the GI diet during World War II and the 1950-53 Korean War.
Until 1987, South Koreans had to buy black-market cans of Spam that had been diverted from U.S. military bases. Then CJ Corp. bought the rights from Hormel and began producing its own version at a factory south of Seoul.
In the postwar years, Spam was a special treat for South Koreans, who could rarely afford meat and didn't have refrigeration at home. It is harder to explain its cachet today in the world's 11th-largest economy, where there is no shortage of fresh meat and things associated with the U.S. military are considered low class.
Hint: It's nostagia. And if you aren't a snob, and you didn't have to eat it in K rations, the dirty little secret is....that it's delicious...
And here in the Philippines, in the past, if you were a visitor, you would be given SPAM which was for holidays and guests...
Here is a link to Dan Garcia's Spamworld page:
Lots of poetry like:
Not coincidentally, Spam is also popular in Hawaii, the Philippines, Okinawa, Guam and Saipan, all places with a history of a U.S. military presence. The "Miracle Meat in a Can," as it was touted after its launch in 1937, was a staple of the GI diet during World War II and the 1950-53 Korean War.
Until 1987, South Koreans had to buy black-market cans of Spam that had been diverted from U.S. military bases. Then CJ Corp. bought the rights from Hormel and began producing its own version at a factory south of Seoul.
In the postwar years, Spam was a special treat for South Koreans, who could rarely afford meat and didn't have refrigeration at home. It is harder to explain its cachet today in the world's 11th-largest economy, where there is no shortage of fresh meat and things associated with the U.S. military are considered low class.
Hint: It's nostagia. And if you aren't a snob, and you didn't have to eat it in K rations, the dirty little secret is....that it's delicious...
And here in the Philippines, in the past, if you were a visitor, you would be given SPAM which was for holidays and guests...
Here is a link to Dan Garcia's Spamworld page:
Lots of poetry like:
SPAM, SPAM a wonderful food,
It looks like it's already been chewed.
If it once was alive,
I hope it's not now.
Maybe I'll feed it to my cow.
And if my cow dies,
Then I'll know,
Spam is the way to go...
and links to the SPAM museum...
Yum...hog fat...
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Yes, and Dewey beat Truman
Michael Barone notes an MRC summary of the media shows...they are negative about Iraq...duh...
of course, the MRC seems to be a right wing group, but all I can note is that the people at CNNI keep asking eager questions about "civil war" and seem happy about "insurgent" attacks and casualties...and even their two minutes interviews with experts seem to have questions aimed at supporting this point of view. (Christienne Amanpour's "interview" with the pres of syria didn't help matters....ummm....did she really think he'd tell the truth? DUH.)
However, it is not merely about Iraq...we saw the same thing about Katrina...and about the Catholic church...
As for the Philippines, furgetaboutit...
We're off the charts...
You see, without context, you can't see the whole picture...so the media decides one leaf tells the story about a tree, and then they paint the forest...
Which is why the only newspaper I susbscribe to is the Christian Science Monitor...which alas will probably go broke, because it ignores stuff like Brittany Spear's bra sale on ebay...
of course, the MRC seems to be a right wing group, but all I can note is that the people at CNNI keep asking eager questions about "civil war" and seem happy about "insurgent" attacks and casualties...and even their two minutes interviews with experts seem to have questions aimed at supporting this point of view. (Christienne Amanpour's "interview" with the pres of syria didn't help matters....ummm....did she really think he'd tell the truth? DUH.)
However, it is not merely about Iraq...we saw the same thing about Katrina...and about the Catholic church...
As for the Philippines, furgetaboutit...
We're off the charts...
You see, without context, you can't see the whole picture...so the media decides one leaf tells the story about a tree, and then they paint the forest...
Which is why the only newspaper I susbscribe to is the Christian Science Monitor...which alas will probably go broke, because it ignores stuff like Brittany Spear's bra sale on ebay...
Friday, October 14, 2005
Death by caffiene
Estimate how many cups of coffee would kill you...
or if you prefer candy: LINK http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-penguin-mints
13,650.00 Hershey's Kisses + You = Death
Ah, yes, but what a way to go...
or if you prefer candy: LINK http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-penguin-mints
13,650.00 Hershey's Kisses + You = Death
Ah, yes, but what a way to go...
Your headline of the day
BRITTANY PULLS BRA FROM EBAY....
Hmmm...I never knew Mr. Ebay was a crossdresser...
(via davebarry)
Hmmm...I never knew Mr. Ebay was a crossdresser...
(via davebarry)
Hey, Al, the guys at Katrina want a free copy of your book---not.
Camp Katrina gave me a heads up on this "translation" of AlZaq's letter from Afghanistan...
The bad news is that they plan to take over the world...
The Good news is that they are so unorganized that they lost Doctor Z's only manuscript...and he was so busy dodging daisycutters that he lost his backup discs...
You can read the entire thing, but the best "translation" into plain English is found HERE:
-Dear brother, God Almighty knows how much I miss meeting with you, how much I long to join you in your historic battle against the greatest of criminals and apostates in the heart of the Islamic world, the field where epic and major battles in the history of Islam were fought. I think that if I could find a way to you, I would not delay a day, God willing.
[I know if I left the cave, the Americans and Pakistanis would light me up like an infidel Christmas tree.)
I want to keep corresponding with you about the details of what is going on in dear Iraq, especially since we do not know the full truth as you know it.
[It’s hard to get good television reception this far underground, so no Olbermann for us]
Therefore, I want you to explain to me your situation in a little detail, especially in regards to the political angle. I want you to express to me what is on your mind in regards to what is in my mind in the way of questions and inquiries.
[Beheadings? Car-bombing civilians? Beheadings? Dude, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?]
Humor aside, every time I hear "this is Viet Nam" and "peace in our time", I don't think of the glorious Youth Uprising (ie of rich spoiled yuppie types) of the 60's (it's all about ME ME ME!), but of the boat people, of the Cambodians, of the "ethnic cleansing" of hundreds of thousands of Chinese from Saigon, and of Bishop Van Thuac spending twenty years in prison for believing in God, etc....
Similarly,the megalomania of Islamofascism reminds one of a certain Austrian painter...
But, as the late Alistaire Cooke pointed out, the same voices that poo poohed Mr. Churchill in the 1930's are the ones who ignore this dirty little fact...
......................................
Addendum: The letter might have been a fake...see POWERLINE
"This does not read like an Islamist text," a terrorism analyst at the conservative-leaning Hudson Institute, Chris Brown, said in an interview yesterday. "It only uses the word 'infidel' twice and makes five references to 'crusaders.'
The bad news is that they plan to take over the world...
The Good news is that they are so unorganized that they lost Doctor Z's only manuscript...and he was so busy dodging daisycutters that he lost his backup discs...
You can read the entire thing, but the best "translation" into plain English is found HERE:
-Dear brother, God Almighty knows how much I miss meeting with you, how much I long to join you in your historic battle against the greatest of criminals and apostates in the heart of the Islamic world, the field where epic and major battles in the history of Islam were fought. I think that if I could find a way to you, I would not delay a day, God willing.
[I know if I left the cave, the Americans and Pakistanis would light me up like an infidel Christmas tree.)
I want to keep corresponding with you about the details of what is going on in dear Iraq, especially since we do not know the full truth as you know it.
[It’s hard to get good television reception this far underground, so no Olbermann for us]
Therefore, I want you to explain to me your situation in a little detail, especially in regards to the political angle. I want you to express to me what is on your mind in regards to what is in my mind in the way of questions and inquiries.
[Beheadings? Car-bombing civilians? Beheadings? Dude, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?]
Humor aside, every time I hear "this is Viet Nam" and "peace in our time", I don't think of the glorious Youth Uprising (ie of rich spoiled yuppie types) of the 60's (it's all about ME ME ME!), but of the boat people, of the Cambodians, of the "ethnic cleansing" of hundreds of thousands of Chinese from Saigon, and of Bishop Van Thuac spending twenty years in prison for believing in God, etc....
Similarly,the megalomania of Islamofascism reminds one of a certain Austrian painter...
But, as the late Alistaire Cooke pointed out, the same voices that poo poohed Mr. Churchill in the 1930's are the ones who ignore this dirty little fact...
......................................
Addendum: The letter might have been a fake...see POWERLINE
"This does not read like an Islamist text," a terrorism analyst at the conservative-leaning Hudson Institute, Chris Brown, said in an interview yesterday. "It only uses the word 'infidel' twice and makes five references to 'crusaders.'
Internet censorship
Original link HERE
You like this? Wait til the UN Takes over the web...
Hmmm...wonder if they allow access for Freepers in Orly airport? JimRob, call your office...
You like this? Wait til the UN Takes over the web...
Hmmm...wonder if they allow access for Freepers in Orly airport? JimRob, call your office...
Bird flu alert...
And US Airports have set up quarantine stations...LINK
And troops could be used to enforce quarantine in the USA LINK
The bad news is that it can be spread thru migrating birds LINK
only a minor strain so far here, but it's just a matter of time...LINK
And troops could be used to enforce quarantine in the USA LINK
The bad news is that it can be spread thru migrating birds LINK
only a minor strain so far here, but it's just a matter of time...LINK
New Invention announced
(From an email from my brother)
BOOK : Latest inovation from Apple (Who brought you the iPOD)
BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on.
It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc.
Here's how it works:
BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKS with more information simply use more pages.
Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.
BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, though like other
display devices it can become unusable if dropped overboard. The
"browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward
or backward as you wish.
Many come with an "index" feature, which pin-points the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval. An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers.
Conversely, numerous BOOK markers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK.
You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS).
Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. Also, BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of new titles soon.
-Author unknown
What will they think of next?
BOOK : Latest inovation from Apple (Who brought you the iPOD)
BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on.
It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc.
Here's how it works:
BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKS with more information simply use more pages.
Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.
BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, though like other
display devices it can become unusable if dropped overboard. The
"browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward
or backward as you wish.
Many come with an "index" feature, which pin-points the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval. An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers.
Conversely, numerous BOOK markers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK.
You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS).
Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. Also, BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of new titles soon.
-Author unknown
What will they think of next?
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Yes, Ruby, monsters do exist
I always read my granddaughter stories, and she asked me if monsters exist...and I say, no.
But if you scroll down to the end of the link, you will find that they still exist...
The procedure was as follows: Once the box was filled with infants, it would be taken to the mountains and buried. Most of the babies would die within four days, but Lee Young recalled two particularly healthy ones who took longer...
Terri Schiavo, call your office...
But if you scroll down to the end of the link, you will find that they still exist...
The procedure was as follows: Once the box was filled with infants, it would be taken to the mountains and buried. Most of the babies would die within four days, but Lee Young recalled two particularly healthy ones who took longer...
Terri Schiavo, call your office...
Are you sure your noodles are fresh?
The noodles resemble the La-Mian noodle, the team says; a traditional Chinese noodle that is made by repeatedly pulling and stretching the dough by hand.
unearthed in China
Late Neolithic noodles: They may settle the origin debate
The remains of the world's oldest noodles have been unearthed in China.
The 50cm-long, yellow strands were found in a pot that had probably been buried during a catastrophic flood.
unearthed in China
Late Neolithic noodles: They may settle the origin debate
The remains of the world's oldest noodles have been unearthed in China.
The 50cm-long, yellow strands were found in a pot that had probably been buried during a catastrophic flood.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Who killed the dinosaurs?
Remember: YOu heard it first here...
(or if you are an evil neocon, you heard in on the Corner first)
(or if you are an evil neocon, you heard in on the Corner first)
Terrorism v martial law
There are almost daily murders or battles in the Philippines, either by the local NPA or by the Mindinao uprising, which is loosely associated with AlQada. There also has been threats of bombing of malls, shopping centers, etc.
But the real question about martial law is if it is about improving public safety, or if it is about stopping the Anti Gloria demonstrations in Manila...
But the real question about martial law is if it is about improving public safety, or if it is about stopping the Anti Gloria demonstrations in Manila...
Battle plans
This link is to a flash program that explains what is happening in Iraq right now.
By emphazing the terrain and geography, it shows a clear plan of battle against infiltrators from Syria...
And no, there has been little (except for Tony Blair's speech) about the Iranian made bombs that killed a couple Brits in Basra...
So remember that the best news is not from the keepers, but from the independent bloggers...
And worry very much about THIS...
"...So we need to look at ways of wresting control from the US, and here the only real option is the United Nations. "
And guess who is behind this move?
China, Iran, and "several African nations"
And, of course, China, Iran, and Zimbabwe have regulated their own internets to prevent political opponants and others from blogging freely...
Coincidence?
Yup. And I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale on Ebay...
By emphazing the terrain and geography, it shows a clear plan of battle against infiltrators from Syria...
And no, there has been little (except for Tony Blair's speech) about the Iranian made bombs that killed a couple Brits in Basra...
So remember that the best news is not from the keepers, but from the independent bloggers...
And worry very much about THIS...
"...So we need to look at ways of wresting control from the US, and here the only real option is the United Nations. "
And guess who is behind this move?
China, Iran, and "several African nations"
And, of course, China, Iran, and Zimbabwe have regulated their own internets to prevent political opponants and others from blogging freely...
Coincidence?
Yup. And I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale on Ebay...
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
MRE's
The joke is that MRE stands for "meals rejected by ethiopians"...they are the Freeze dried meals that replaced the old K Rations of my time in the NG...
And now, CampKatrinablog is reporting that these MRE's are really useful...
LINKONE
LINK TWO
I love his comment:I'm glad the myriad uses for these versatile, well-preserved tools have been realized in posts other than Stennis International Airport. That's right, campers: MRE's are quickly becoming the duct tape of the military. You can do anything with them.
And when there's nothing to fix or build with them, rumor is you can even eat them..."
And now, CampKatrinablog is reporting that these MRE's are really useful...
LINKONE
LINK TWO
I love his comment:I'm glad the myriad uses for these versatile, well-preserved tools have been realized in posts other than Stennis International Airport. That's right, campers: MRE's are quickly becoming the duct tape of the military. You can do anything with them.
And when there's nothing to fix or build with them, rumor is you can even eat them..."
Semper Paratus
Blackfive Blog (the paratrooper of love) notes that the Coast Guard saved many, many people during Katrina, and got little credit or publicity for it...
LINKONE at MiserableDonutsblog discusses how his National Guard unit is called up for all sorts of things, and comments:"2005 was almost a reprise of 1993, except that it was a huge amount of National Guard, from many places - alongside active component soldiers, the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. I see why the Navy was involved. The Coast Guard was a natural too. In fact, if anyone has been slighted in the whole Katrina relief effort, it has been the United States Coast Guard. The Coasties were saving people before anyone realized there was a major problem. They saved thousands and did not receive even a tiny fraction of the credit they were due. It was easier for the press to follow the 82nd Airborne around New Orleans. .."
Well, if the MSM bothered to hire veterans in the name of "diversity", maybe someone could point it out to them...
David Brooks, call your office...
LINKONE at MiserableDonutsblog discusses how his National Guard unit is called up for all sorts of things, and comments:"2005 was almost a reprise of 1993, except that it was a huge amount of National Guard, from many places - alongside active component soldiers, the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. I see why the Navy was involved. The Coast Guard was a natural too. In fact, if anyone has been slighted in the whole Katrina relief effort, it has been the United States Coast Guard. The Coasties were saving people before anyone realized there was a major problem. They saved thousands and did not receive even a tiny fraction of the credit they were due. It was easier for the press to follow the 82nd Airborne around New Orleans. .."
Well, if the MSM bothered to hire veterans in the name of "diversity", maybe someone could point it out to them...
David Brooks, call your office...
rom Humor break
Well, if you are too worried about Dengue or Bird Flu...LINK
Try these links from BoingBoing;
LINK
A robot that makes waffles...
Or how about an Origami Batmobile?
It will give you something to do while waiting for the world to end...
Try these links from BoingBoing;
LINK
A robot that makes waffles...
Or how about an Origami Batmobile?
It will give you something to do while waiting for the world to end...
Dengue hits southeast Asia
Lots more Dengue fever this year in the Philippines...Our town is spraying the ditches every week to kill mosquitoes...
The Philippine government has asked local authorities to intensify educational campaigns about dengue fever, organize mosquito-control systems, ensure sufficient blood supplies for transfusions and increase surveillance of cases.
The disease has sickened at least 18,802 people in the Philippines — a 26 percent rise over last year. At least 259 have died.
But when it hits pristine Singapore, it gets in the news...
Because of this, I don't sit out in the evening with my husband, I wear slacks instead of my usual shorts around the house, and we spray the bedroom and keep the screens closed tightly...
But I'm still covered with bugbites (I'm one of those who gets bitten by any bug in town)...
So far, so good...
When they talk about Dengue, however, you have to remember that probably 80 percent of the infections are mild and don't see a doctor. I think my stepson had it earlier this year, but he improved before we took him to the doc...
Treatment is symptomatic anyway...it's a virus... but in bad cases, you develop bleeding and body shutdown...
LINK
The Philippine government has asked local authorities to intensify educational campaigns about dengue fever, organize mosquito-control systems, ensure sufficient blood supplies for transfusions and increase surveillance of cases.
The disease has sickened at least 18,802 people in the Philippines — a 26 percent rise over last year. At least 259 have died.
But when it hits pristine Singapore, it gets in the news...
Because of this, I don't sit out in the evening with my husband, I wear slacks instead of my usual shorts around the house, and we spray the bedroom and keep the screens closed tightly...
But I'm still covered with bugbites (I'm one of those who gets bitten by any bug in town)...
So far, so good...
When they talk about Dengue, however, you have to remember that probably 80 percent of the infections are mild and don't see a doctor. I think my stepson had it earlier this year, but he improved before we took him to the doc...
Treatment is symptomatic anyway...it's a virus... but in bad cases, you develop bleeding and body shutdown...
LINK
The Lion of Munster
Bishop VanGalen has been beatified by B16...
What, you never heard of him?
You didn't know that a Catholic bishop openly opposed Hitler?
Bishop Who Denounced Hitler Is BeatifiedOct 09 1:18 PM US/Eastern Email this story
By FRANCES D'EMILIOAssociated Press Writer
VATICAN CITY
A German bishop known as the "Lion of Muenster" for his courageous anti-Nazi sermons during World War II took a step on the road to sainthood when he was beatified Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica....Von Galen, who joins the Church's list of the "blessed" through his beatification, dedicated himself to "defending the rights of God, of the church, of man, which the national socialist (Nazi) regime violated in a grave and systematic way, in the name of an aberrant, neo-pagan ideology," Benedict said.
Ah, but we modern perfect people would never have eliminated useless eaters, would we?
David Brooks notes that Kass' report insists we need to acknowledge we are dependent on others...
And my post to Peter Singer's triumphant proclamation of a brave new world of euthanasia and eugenic elmination of non persons shows that we need modern VonGalens to remind us:
No, it is not for such reasons that these unfortunate patients must die but rather because, in the opinion of some department, on the testimony of some commission, they have become 'worthless life' because according to this testimony they are 'unproductive national comrades.' The argument goes: they can no longer produce commodities, they are like an old machine that no longer works, they are like an old horse which has become incurably lame, they are like a cow which no longer gives milk.
What does one do with such an old machine? It is thrown on the scrap heap. What does one do with a lame horse, with such an unproductive cow?
...No, we are dealing with human beings, our fellow human beings, our brothers and sisters. With poor people, sick people, if you like unproductive people.
But have they for that reason forfeited the right to life?
Have you, have I the right to live only so long as we are productive, so long as we are recognized by others as productive?
If you establish and apply the principle that you can kill 'unproductive' fellow human beings then woe betide us all when we become old and frail!...
Ah, but of course, the "modern" version will be peddled under the idea of "choice"...and the only answer to that is the cross...
What, you never heard of him?
You didn't know that a Catholic bishop openly opposed Hitler?
Bishop Who Denounced Hitler Is BeatifiedOct 09 1:18 PM US/Eastern Email this story
By FRANCES D'EMILIOAssociated Press Writer
VATICAN CITY
A German bishop known as the "Lion of Muenster" for his courageous anti-Nazi sermons during World War II took a step on the road to sainthood when he was beatified Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica....Von Galen, who joins the Church's list of the "blessed" through his beatification, dedicated himself to "defending the rights of God, of the church, of man, which the national socialist (Nazi) regime violated in a grave and systematic way, in the name of an aberrant, neo-pagan ideology," Benedict said.
Ah, but we modern perfect people would never have eliminated useless eaters, would we?
David Brooks notes that Kass' report insists we need to acknowledge we are dependent on others...
And my post to Peter Singer's triumphant proclamation of a brave new world of euthanasia and eugenic elmination of non persons shows that we need modern VonGalens to remind us:
No, it is not for such reasons that these unfortunate patients must die but rather because, in the opinion of some department, on the testimony of some commission, they have become 'worthless life' because according to this testimony they are 'unproductive national comrades.' The argument goes: they can no longer produce commodities, they are like an old machine that no longer works, they are like an old horse which has become incurably lame, they are like a cow which no longer gives milk.
What does one do with such an old machine? It is thrown on the scrap heap. What does one do with a lame horse, with such an unproductive cow?
...No, we are dealing with human beings, our fellow human beings, our brothers and sisters. With poor people, sick people, if you like unproductive people.
But have they for that reason forfeited the right to life?
Have you, have I the right to live only so long as we are productive, so long as we are recognized by others as productive?
If you establish and apply the principle that you can kill 'unproductive' fellow human beings then woe betide us all when we become old and frail!...
Ah, but of course, the "modern" version will be peddled under the idea of "choice"...and the only answer to that is the cross...
Monday, October 10, 2005
Whoops....
link via instapundit...
Petrellisblog says:
NYT Omission: Bush Flu Plan on the Web, More Than a Year
Psst. Hey, you. Can I interest you in a copy of the Bush administration's super-duper top secret plan to deal with a flu epidemic hitting our United States of America?
You've read the lead story in the October 8 New York Times, all about how the latest draft of the plan was obtained by sleuthing reporters of the paper.
What the Gray Lady forget to tell you is that a draft of the plan, from August 2004, that's more a year ago, is available on the web.
And so it is: LINK
It sounds like my earlier post, where I mentioned a WaPo editorial blasting the government for not having a plan to evacuate Washington, when the WaPo had posted the evacuation plan on it's pages a year earlier....
Can't expect MSM to be accurate, now, can we? I mean, all you would have to do is google it, or go to the HHS/CDC web page, where there are all sorts of plans, including how to vaccinate the population for smallpox, which could be modified to do the same for influenza...
Petrellisblog says:
NYT Omission: Bush Flu Plan on the Web, More Than a Year
Psst. Hey, you. Can I interest you in a copy of the Bush administration's super-duper top secret plan to deal with a flu epidemic hitting our United States of America?
You've read the lead story in the October 8 New York Times, all about how the latest draft of the plan was obtained by sleuthing reporters of the paper.
What the Gray Lady forget to tell you is that a draft of the plan, from August 2004, that's more a year ago, is available on the web.
And so it is: LINK
It sounds like my earlier post, where I mentioned a WaPo editorial blasting the government for not having a plan to evacuate Washington, when the WaPo had posted the evacuation plan on it's pages a year earlier....
Can't expect MSM to be accurate, now, can we? I mean, all you would have to do is google it, or go to the HHS/CDC web page, where there are all sorts of plans, including how to vaccinate the population for smallpox, which could be modified to do the same for influenza...
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Practicing what they preach
Katrina is off the pages (the disaster of the day is the Pakistan earthquake).
But after living thru the Red River of the North floods, I know that the cleanup will take months.
So the link is about people helping others cleanup...
It's not as glamourous as SeanPenn with his publicist and photographer pulling people out of water into a leaky boat...in fact, it's damn nasty shoveling mud that smells like....fertilizer.
But God bless them.
But after living thru the Red River of the North floods, I know that the cleanup will take months.
So the link is about people helping others cleanup...
It's not as glamourous as SeanPenn with his publicist and photographer pulling people out of water into a leaky boat...in fact, it's damn nasty shoveling mud that smells like....fertilizer.
But God bless them.
Harvest time
Everyone is busy but me.
There are two trade fairs going on...in Manila.
Then the rice is being harvested.
To make things worse, our jeep thresher got stuck in a field. (pointing out why water buffalo are more practical)
Lolo is helping. And I am blogging...
There are two trade fairs going on...in Manila.
Then the rice is being harvested.
To make things worse, our jeep thresher got stuck in a field. (pointing out why water buffalo are more practical)
Lolo is helping. And I am blogging...
Narnia report
Screenwriter Barb Nicolosi reports that the new narnia movie looks good...
And, perhaps more importantly for filmgeeks, Harry at "ain't it cool"news loved it too
And here is an interview from Christianity today...
LINK
Promoting it as "christian" will clue a lot of parents, but such a lable turns me off...
And, perhaps more importantly for filmgeeks, Harry at "ain't it cool"news loved it too
And here is an interview from Christianity today...
LINK
Promoting it as "christian" will clue a lot of parents, but such a lable turns me off...
The difference between airplanes and women
From ILoveJetNoise blog:
1. Airplanes usually kill you quickly - a woman takes her time.
2. Airplanes can be turned on by a flick of a switch.
3. Airplanes don't get mad if you do a "touch and go."
4. Airplanes don't object to a preflight inspection.
5. Airplanes come with manuals to explain their operation.
6. Airplanes have strict weight and balance limitations.
7. Airplanes can be flown any time of the month.
8. Airplanes don't come with in-laws.
9. Airplanes don't care about how many other airplanes you've flown before.
10. Airplanes and pilots both arrive at the same time.
11. Airplanes don't mind if you look at other airplanes.
12. Airplanes don't mind if you buy airplane magazines.
13. Airplanes expect to be tied down.
14. Airplanes don't comment on your piloting skills.
15. Airplanes don't whine unless something is really wrong.
However, when airplanes go quiet, just like women, it's usually not good.
1. Airplanes usually kill you quickly - a woman takes her time.
2. Airplanes can be turned on by a flick of a switch.
3. Airplanes don't get mad if you do a "touch and go."
4. Airplanes don't object to a preflight inspection.
5. Airplanes come with manuals to explain their operation.
6. Airplanes have strict weight and balance limitations.
7. Airplanes can be flown any time of the month.
8. Airplanes don't come with in-laws.
9. Airplanes don't care about how many other airplanes you've flown before.
10. Airplanes and pilots both arrive at the same time.
11. Airplanes don't mind if you look at other airplanes.
12. Airplanes don't mind if you buy airplane magazines.
13. Airplanes expect to be tied down.
14. Airplanes don't comment on your piloting skills.
15. Airplanes don't whine unless something is really wrong.
However, when airplanes go quiet, just like women, it's usually not good.
Classes for men who don't understand women
ILoveJetNoise blog has suggestions for classes for men:
HOW TO FILL ICE-CUBE TRAYS. Step by step with slide presentation.
TOILET PAPER: DO THEY GROW ON THE HOLDERS? Roundtable discussion.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LAUNDRY BASKET AND THE FLOOR. Practicing with hamper. Pictures and graphics.
THE AFTER-DINNER DISHES AND SILVERWARE: DO THEY LEVITATE AND FLY INTO KITCHEN SINK OR DISHWASHER BY THEMSELVES? Debate among panel of experts.
LOSS OF VIRILITY: LOSING THE REMOTE CONTROL TO YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER. Help line and support groups.
LEARNING HOW TO FIND THINGS, STARTING WITH LOOKING IN THE RIGHT PLACE INSTEAD OF TURNING THE HOUSE UPSIDE DOWN WHILE SCREAMING. Open forum.
HEALTH WATCH: BRINGING HER FLOWERS IS NOT HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. PowerPoint presentation.
REAL MEN ASK FOR DIRECTIONS WHEN LOST. [ EDITORS NOTE: No We Don`t ] Real-life testimonial from the one man who did.
IS IT GENETICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT QUIETLY AS SHE PARALLEL PARKS? Driving simulation.
LIVING WITH ADULTS: BASIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR WIFE. Role playing.
HOW TO BE THE IDEAL SHOPPING COMPANION. Relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques.
REMEMBERING BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, OTHER IMPORTANT DATES AND CALLING WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE. Bring your calendar or PDA to class.
GETTING OVER IT. LEARNING TO LIVE WITH BEING WRONG ALL THE TIME. Individual counselors available.
HOW TO FILL ICE-CUBE TRAYS. Step by step with slide presentation.
TOILET PAPER: DO THEY GROW ON THE HOLDERS? Roundtable discussion.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LAUNDRY BASKET AND THE FLOOR. Practicing with hamper. Pictures and graphics.
THE AFTER-DINNER DISHES AND SILVERWARE: DO THEY LEVITATE AND FLY INTO KITCHEN SINK OR DISHWASHER BY THEMSELVES? Debate among panel of experts.
LOSS OF VIRILITY: LOSING THE REMOTE CONTROL TO YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER. Help line and support groups.
LEARNING HOW TO FIND THINGS, STARTING WITH LOOKING IN THE RIGHT PLACE INSTEAD OF TURNING THE HOUSE UPSIDE DOWN WHILE SCREAMING. Open forum.
HEALTH WATCH: BRINGING HER FLOWERS IS NOT HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. PowerPoint presentation.
REAL MEN ASK FOR DIRECTIONS WHEN LOST. [ EDITORS NOTE: No We Don`t ] Real-life testimonial from the one man who did.
IS IT GENETICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT QUIETLY AS SHE PARALLEL PARKS? Driving simulation.
LIVING WITH ADULTS: BASIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR WIFE. Role playing.
HOW TO BE THE IDEAL SHOPPING COMPANION. Relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques.
REMEMBERING BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, OTHER IMPORTANT DATES AND CALLING WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE. Bring your calendar or PDA to class.
GETTING OVER IT. LEARNING TO LIVE WITH BEING WRONG ALL THE TIME. Individual counselors available.
TV over internet
Hmmm...
One thing I miss is that we don't get CSpan, for Booknotes and Book TV...
But I just found I can watch it/listen over the internet, even though the connection is slow as molasses...
Thank you, Brian Lamb
One thing I miss is that we don't get CSpan, for Booknotes and Book TV...
But I just found I can watch it/listen over the internet, even though the connection is slow as molasses...
Thank you, Brian Lamb
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Recipes, recipes
English Patis has "cooking up a storm", a list of recipes inspired by typhoons/hurricanes etc...
Yah, it's Oktoberfest time
"O'zapft is!"
And the local beer, San Miguel beer, is holding an Oktoberfest Festival...LINK
Photo is from the OldOligarch...
What's the link between St. michael, Tolkien, Beowulf, Hobbits, and Philippinos? Beer, of course...
Finding monsters
Dragons presumably were crockadiles, and the "fire" was swamp gas...last week NationalGeo Asia channel presented a story on the universality of the dragon myth, alas I can't find a link except the program descriptions:
Last of the Dragons
What's the truth behind the dragon myths of the East and West? A captivating look at the origins of Monitors, Lizards, Crocodiles and Snakes: They are descendents of animals that survived the Jurassic period and have unique survival skills, which surpassed those of the Dinosaurs. Exciting sequences show the brutal habits and fearsome hunting techniques. Computer Graphics and action footage bring out the similarities between ancient dragon myths and modern animal reality.
And the WSJ has this article about finding legendary animals LINK
The greatest monsters in western Literature list can be found HERE
Probably Grendel was a bear (Grizzleys reach ten feet tall, after all) and Beowulf probably means Bear-wulf, i.e. skin changer, a man who is a bear.
Attacks of the innocent by monsters is an ongoing theme in ancient literature, and attacks on isolated villages by outlaws, and the people's rescue by great warriors, is a story that goes from Beowulf to St.George to the Seven samurai...
Last of the Dragons
What's the truth behind the dragon myths of the East and West? A captivating look at the origins of Monitors, Lizards, Crocodiles and Snakes: They are descendents of animals that survived the Jurassic period and have unique survival skills, which surpassed those of the Dinosaurs. Exciting sequences show the brutal habits and fearsome hunting techniques. Computer Graphics and action footage bring out the similarities between ancient dragon myths and modern animal reality.
And the WSJ has this article about finding legendary animals LINK
The greatest monsters in western Literature list can be found HERE
Probably Grendel was a bear (Grizzleys reach ten feet tall, after all) and Beowulf probably means Bear-wulf, i.e. skin changer, a man who is a bear.
Attacks of the innocent by monsters is an ongoing theme in ancient literature, and attacks on isolated villages by outlaws, and the people's rescue by great warriors, is a story that goes from Beowulf to St.George to the Seven samurai...
Friday, October 07, 2005
Attention: The IgNoble Prizes are out...
And the Medical prize goes to...LINK
and (ta da) the Peace prize goes to:
LINK
They used Star Wars to do the test...
Don't try this in Guantanamo or Teddy Kennedy will accuse you of Torture...
and (ta da) the Peace prize goes to:
LINK
They used Star Wars to do the test...
Don't try this in Guantanamo or Teddy Kennedy will accuse you of Torture...
Inquiring minds want to know
Michele Malkin is all over the conspiracy theories on the Oklahoma bomber...
however, local blogger Dustbury has a poll up showing most Okies think he was just suicidal...which is my ignorant take...
And Malkin has lots on the Philippine American spying in the white house
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/003676.htm
including this link:
http://politicaljunkie.blogspot.com/2005/10/drudge-instapundit-and-michelle-malkin.html
His take is the same as mine:
Unfortunately, this will only help Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a corrupt president (worse than estrada) who really did steal the last presidential elections in 2004. She will use this news to dismiss those who are calling for her resignation (since June because of GLORIAGATE) as "coup-plotters," "destabilizers," and "power grabbers."
This is only going to make it worse for our country since it will probably prolong her stay in Malacanang.
however, local blogger Dustbury has a poll up showing most Okies think he was just suicidal...which is my ignorant take...
And Malkin has lots on the Philippine American spying in the white house
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/003676.htm
including this link:
http://politicaljunkie.blogspot.com/2005/10/drudge-instapundit-and-michelle-malkin.html
His take is the same as mine:
Unfortunately, this will only help Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a corrupt president (worse than estrada) who really did steal the last presidential elections in 2004. She will use this news to dismiss those who are calling for her resignation (since June because of GLORIAGATE) as "coup-plotters," "destabilizers," and "power grabbers."
This is only going to make it worse for our country since it will probably prolong her stay in Malacanang.
Which do you worry about the most?
Bush gave another speech on terrorism, telling the same story...
However, few political opponants noticed THIS:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion/article/0,1299,DRMN_38_4135358,00.html
"One doomsday scenario under consideration is mass quarantines. At his Rose Garden press conference, Bush said, "It's one thing to shut down airplanes. It's another thing to prevent people from coming in to get exposed to the avian flu. And who best to be able to effect a quarantine? One option is the use of a military that's able to plan and move. So that's why I put it on the table. I think it's an important debate for Congress to have."
"With two wars on their hands, the Army and Marines do not need the distraction of planning and training for mass quarantines. If - and let us hope it is a remote and improbable "if" - the nation must use armed force to prevent Americans from traveling freely because of a public health crisis, the job properly belongs to law enforcement, the National Guard and, yes, FEMA."
Typhoid Mary, call your office...
http://history1900s.about.com/library/weekly/aa062900a.htm
However, few political opponants noticed THIS:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion/article/0,1299,DRMN_38_4135358,00.html
"One doomsday scenario under consideration is mass quarantines. At his Rose Garden press conference, Bush said, "It's one thing to shut down airplanes. It's another thing to prevent people from coming in to get exposed to the avian flu. And who best to be able to effect a quarantine? One option is the use of a military that's able to plan and move. So that's why I put it on the table. I think it's an important debate for Congress to have."
"With two wars on their hands, the Army and Marines do not need the distraction of planning and training for mass quarantines. If - and let us hope it is a remote and improbable "if" - the nation must use armed force to prevent Americans from traveling freely because of a public health crisis, the job properly belongs to law enforcement, the National Guard and, yes, FEMA."
Typhoid Mary, call your office...
http://history1900s.about.com/library/weekly/aa062900a.htm
Beowulf of Bali
With envy and anger an evil spirit
endured the dole in his dark abode,that he heard each day
the din of revelhigh in the hall: there harps rang out,clear song of the singer.
He sang who knew tales of the early time of man,
how the Almighty made the earth,
fairest fields enfolded by water,set, triumphant, sun and moon
for a light to lighten the land-dwellers,
and braided bright the breast of earthwith limbs and leaves,
made life for allof mortal beings that breathe and move.
So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel
a winsome life, till one beganto fashion evils, that field of hell.
Grendel this monster grim was called,
march-riever mighty, in moorland living,
in fen and fastness;
fief of the giantsthe hapless wight a while had kept
since the Creator his exile doomed.,,,
But the evil one ambushed old and young
death-shadow dark, and dogged them still,
lured, or lurked in the livelong nightof misty moorlands:
men may say notwhere the haunts of these Hell-spells be.
Such heaping of horrors the hater of men,
lonely roamer, wrought unceasing,harassings heavy.
Am I the only one who sees the bombing of innocent feasting tourists in Bali as reminding one of Grendel killing the feasters of Herot halls?
Of course, the "modern" paraphrase study notes has included Grendel's point of view, and the novel Grendel is more famous than the original poem...
But perhaps Beowulf has the last laugh...because, even if few read the poem today, nevertheless, a professor who taught Beowulf and who used many of the motifs of the poem in his own fantasy was the basis of a movie that won 17 academy awards...
And Froda, father of Ingeld, is mentioned in Beowulf...
endured the dole in his dark abode,that he heard each day
the din of revelhigh in the hall: there harps rang out,clear song of the singer.
He sang who knew tales of the early time of man,
how the Almighty made the earth,
fairest fields enfolded by water,set, triumphant, sun and moon
for a light to lighten the land-dwellers,
and braided bright the breast of earthwith limbs and leaves,
made life for allof mortal beings that breathe and move.
So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel
a winsome life, till one beganto fashion evils, that field of hell.
Grendel this monster grim was called,
march-riever mighty, in moorland living,
in fen and fastness;
fief of the giantsthe hapless wight a while had kept
since the Creator his exile doomed.,,,
But the evil one ambushed old and young
death-shadow dark, and dogged them still,
lured, or lurked in the livelong nightof misty moorlands:
men may say notwhere the haunts of these Hell-spells be.
Such heaping of horrors the hater of men,
lonely roamer, wrought unceasing,harassings heavy.
Am I the only one who sees the bombing of innocent feasting tourists in Bali as reminding one of Grendel killing the feasters of Herot halls?
Of course, the "modern" paraphrase study notes has included Grendel's point of view, and the novel Grendel is more famous than the original poem...
But perhaps Beowulf has the last laugh...because, even if few read the poem today, nevertheless, a professor who taught Beowulf and who used many of the motifs of the poem in his own fantasy was the basis of a movie that won 17 academy awards...
And Froda, father of Ingeld, is mentioned in Beowulf...
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Evolution commercial
As Ben Franklin said: Beer is the proof God loves us and wants us to be happy....
Happy New Year!
It's the Jewish New Year, and Roger Simon has provideda link to (ta-da)
Shofar Idol....
Shofar Idol....
Bird flu update
NYT reports that a paper says it was bird flu, not a mutation of the usual Pig virus that causes most influenza...
This is why there is so much hysteria about Bird flu in Asia...Indonesia, the fourth country to suffer human cases of H5N1 flu, reported a seventh death yesterday, of a 23-year-old man, though only three of these are confirmed to have been caused by the virus.
LINK The Aussies are worried about flu in nearby Indonesia, since like the philippines, birds from there fly to here...
A team of Australian emergency and medical experts has been sent to Indonesia to help fight the outbreak there.
Mr Downer, announcing that a regional summit would be held in Brisbane on October 31 to devise a strategy to combat bird flu, said he did not want to speculate on how Australia would respond to a "worst-case scenario". "(But) obviously all steps would be taken to ensure the virus didn't spread into Australia, because if it mutates and it's transmissable between human beings, it could spread very quickly, including into our country, with devastating consequences," he said.
Mr Downer said the summit with representatives of 21 countries would aim to come up with contingency plans to aid each other and respond promptly in the event of an outbreak.
This is why there is so much hysteria about Bird flu in Asia...Indonesia, the fourth country to suffer human cases of H5N1 flu, reported a seventh death yesterday, of a 23-year-old man, though only three of these are confirmed to have been caused by the virus.
LINK The Aussies are worried about flu in nearby Indonesia, since like the philippines, birds from there fly to here...
A team of Australian emergency and medical experts has been sent to Indonesia to help fight the outbreak there.
Mr Downer, announcing that a regional summit would be held in Brisbane on October 31 to devise a strategy to combat bird flu, said he did not want to speculate on how Australia would respond to a "worst-case scenario". "(But) obviously all steps would be taken to ensure the virus didn't spread into Australia, because if it mutates and it's transmissable between human beings, it could spread very quickly, including into our country, with devastating consequences," he said.
Mr Downer said the summit with representatives of 21 countries would aim to come up with contingency plans to aid each other and respond promptly in the event of an outbreak.
BIG SPY SCANDAL
There were a lot of rumors in Philippine papers about the US spying on Gloria during the "hello Garci" scandal and the ongoing impeachment (so what else is new)...
But now we find:
....Officials say the classified material, which Aragoncillo stole from the vice president's office, included damaging dossiers on the president of the Philippines. He then passed those on to opposition politicians planning a coup in the Pacific nation. ...
According to friends, in addition to his work for Cheney and Gore, Aragoncillo claimed he also worked with President Clinton and Condoleezza Rice when she was the national security advisor.
Here is the Philippine take on all of this: LINK
But now we find:
....Officials say the classified material, which Aragoncillo stole from the vice president's office, included damaging dossiers on the president of the Philippines. He then passed those on to opposition politicians planning a coup in the Pacific nation. ...
According to friends, in addition to his work for Cheney and Gore, Aragoncillo claimed he also worked with President Clinton and Condoleezza Rice when she was the national security advisor.
Here is the Philippine take on all of this: LINK
Inquiring minds want to know
On the internet there were rumors of a "suicide bombing" at a big football game, in the parking lot...
Since the boy had a German name, it was assumed that he was merely psychotic or depressed...but now it turns out he had a Pakistani roommate...
Michelle Malkin is all over it LINK
The reason this is interesting is that my last US home was Oklahoma, and at the time of the OKC bombing, I had just come back to the Philippines from a small town near OKC...and knew some of the rescuers...
There is a large muslim community in Oklahoma, and many rumors that the "third man" was either a German ex military type at a white supremicist farm, or a local Iraqi with connections with Saddam Hussein...and the Filippinos think Terri McNichols met with AlQuada in Makati to learn to make bombs...
Conspiracy theories anyone?
My guess is the first...but the suspicion that there was a government coverup for political reasons is strong enough that the second conspirator, Terri McNichols, was not given the death penalty but merely life imprisonment, by not one but two juries---the federal jury and even the local Oklahoma jury...And since Oklahoma, like Texas, believes in the death penalty, one must conclude that the jury wanted to keep him alive...
Maybe in twenty years we'll find out the entire story....
--------------------
Update: LINK
hmm...curiouser and curiouser...
wonder when the MSM will pick it up?
Since the boy had a German name, it was assumed that he was merely psychotic or depressed...but now it turns out he had a Pakistani roommate...
Michelle Malkin is all over it LINK
The reason this is interesting is that my last US home was Oklahoma, and at the time of the OKC bombing, I had just come back to the Philippines from a small town near OKC...and knew some of the rescuers...
There is a large muslim community in Oklahoma, and many rumors that the "third man" was either a German ex military type at a white supremicist farm, or a local Iraqi with connections with Saddam Hussein...and the Filippinos think Terri McNichols met with AlQuada in Makati to learn to make bombs...
Conspiracy theories anyone?
My guess is the first...but the suspicion that there was a government coverup for political reasons is strong enough that the second conspirator, Terri McNichols, was not given the death penalty but merely life imprisonment, by not one but two juries---the federal jury and even the local Oklahoma jury...And since Oklahoma, like Texas, believes in the death penalty, one must conclude that the jury wanted to keep him alive...
Maybe in twenty years we'll find out the entire story....
--------------------
Update: LINK
hmm...curiouser and curiouser...
wonder when the MSM will pick it up?
Opus Dei, the book
Reporter John Allen will make a fortune on it...what with the "DaVinci Code" coming out...
I had once read an "expose" on the organization, written by ex members, and it seemed to me a bit, how should I say, hysterical? Reminds me of ex wives telling about the horror of their husbands...but looking objectively, the horrors were merely commonplace things exaggerated...
I had once read an "expose" on the organization, written by ex members, and it seemed to me a bit, how should I say, hysterical? Reminds me of ex wives telling about the horror of their husbands...but looking objectively, the horrors were merely commonplace things exaggerated...
Mozart, take two
An observer at the scene would never have guessed that here stood one of the greatest librettists in the history of music, but sure enough, it was Lorenzo Da Ponte, a name that would be forever yoked to the beloved operas that his graceful, witty and songlike poetry enabled Mozart to create: "Le Nozze di Figaro," "Don Giovanni" and "Così Fan Tutte."
Da Ponte never tired of dropping Mozart's name, but his time in Vienna as the poet of the Italian opera, appointed by Emperor Joseph II, was in truth only one exciting episode in a long and fantastically colorful life. After leaving Vienna in 1791 and wending his way through Europe for more than a decade, seemingly always on the run from creditors and plagued by financial woes, Da Ponte joined his unofficial wife and children in this country. He lived out his final three decades here as a tireless emissary of Italian culture, a poet of the European Enlightenment magisterially adrift in a young, rough-and-tumble America. He died in New York in 1838 at 89.
Da Ponte never tired of dropping Mozart's name, but his time in Vienna as the poet of the Italian opera, appointed by Emperor Joseph II, was in truth only one exciting episode in a long and fantastically colorful life. After leaving Vienna in 1791 and wending his way through Europe for more than a decade, seemingly always on the run from creditors and plagued by financial woes, Da Ponte joined his unofficial wife and children in this country. He lived out his final three decades here as a tireless emissary of Italian culture, a poet of the European Enlightenment magisterially adrift in a young, rough-and-tumble America. He died in New York in 1838 at 89.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The Cat in the Hat
The Atlantic magazine blog discussed having school the whole year, and the idea of preschool....alas, there is no data to support either idea...
Using a rich data set for the entire Swedish population born 1935-84, we find that children who start school at an older age do better in school and go on to have more education than their younger peers. Children from families with weaker educational tradition have more to win from starting school later. The long-run earnings effects are positive but small. However, since starting school later entails the opportunity cost of entering the labor market later, the net earnings effect over the entire life-cycle is negative.
I see how my granddaughter, at age 5, has "exams" and has to be drilled for what she learns at school...
Now, I support her preschool: She is an only child of older parents, and would have few friends if she didn't go to school. But the dirty little secret of all the "preschools" and "after school programs" is that they allow the mothers to work...and in urban environments, where there is danger all around, and where children have no chores to do and no older siblings or extended family to watch them, these things are badly needed....
However, what is lost is the idea of fun time, of sitting around dreaming, and the idea of doing your own thing...
Using a rich data set for the entire Swedish population born 1935-84, we find that children who start school at an older age do better in school and go on to have more education than their younger peers. Children from families with weaker educational tradition have more to win from starting school later. The long-run earnings effects are positive but small. However, since starting school later entails the opportunity cost of entering the labor market later, the net earnings effect over the entire life-cycle is negative.
I see how my granddaughter, at age 5, has "exams" and has to be drilled for what she learns at school...
Now, I support her preschool: She is an only child of older parents, and would have few friends if she didn't go to school. But the dirty little secret of all the "preschools" and "after school programs" is that they allow the mothers to work...and in urban environments, where there is danger all around, and where children have no chores to do and no older siblings or extended family to watch them, these things are badly needed....
However, what is lost is the idea of fun time, of sitting around dreaming, and the idea of doing your own thing...
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Peter Singer, prophet
"..... During the next 35 years, the traditional view of the sanctity of human life will collapse under pressure from scientific, technological, and demographic developments. By 2040, it may be that only a rump of hard-core, know-nothing religious fundamentalists will defend the view that every human life, from conception to death, is sacrosanct.
"...By (2040), an increasing proportion of the population in developed countries will be more than 75 years old and thinking about how their lives will end. The political pressure for allowing terminally or chronically ill patients to choose when to die will be irresistible.
"When the traditional ethic of the sanctity of human life is proven indefensible at both the beginning and end of life, a new ethic will replace it. It will recognize that the concept of a person is distinct from that of a member of the species Homo sapiens, and that it is personhood, not species membership, that is most significant in determining when it is wrong to end a life. We will understand that even if the life of a human organism begins at conception, the life of a person—that is, at a minimum, a being with some level of self-awareness—does not begin so early. "
Translation: People with brain damage aren't "persons", the mildly senile are not "persons", children under two years are not "persons", and can be killed by their family's requrest (although right now in the Netherlands, many infant euthanasia are done without asking the families, and also this is done to adults, sometimes even by nurses) , and anyone with chronic illness (and in the Netherlands today, this includes the depressed, infants, and healthy people who are just plain tired of living) can kill themselves with the government's blessing...
The GOOD news is that by 2040, the Muslims will probably be a majority, and Islam forbids euthanasia...and abortion except for the life of the mother, and although the average Muslim would not opt for extraordinary therapy for many people, they forbid killing the disabled...
"...By (2040), an increasing proportion of the population in developed countries will be more than 75 years old and thinking about how their lives will end. The political pressure for allowing terminally or chronically ill patients to choose when to die will be irresistible.
"When the traditional ethic of the sanctity of human life is proven indefensible at both the beginning and end of life, a new ethic will replace it. It will recognize that the concept of a person is distinct from that of a member of the species Homo sapiens, and that it is personhood, not species membership, that is most significant in determining when it is wrong to end a life. We will understand that even if the life of a human organism begins at conception, the life of a person—that is, at a minimum, a being with some level of self-awareness—does not begin so early. "
Translation: People with brain damage aren't "persons", the mildly senile are not "persons", children under two years are not "persons", and can be killed by their family's requrest (although right now in the Netherlands, many infant euthanasia are done without asking the families, and also this is done to adults, sometimes even by nurses) , and anyone with chronic illness (and in the Netherlands today, this includes the depressed, infants, and healthy people who are just plain tired of living) can kill themselves with the government's blessing...
The GOOD news is that by 2040, the Muslims will probably be a majority, and Islam forbids euthanasia...and abortion except for the life of the mother, and although the average Muslim would not opt for extraordinary therapy for many people, they forbid killing the disabled...
a Bunny?
You Are A: Bunny!
These adorable woodland animals are known for their fluffy cotton tail and shy disposition. Bunnies reproduce like crazy and are found all over the world. As a bunny, you spend your days hopping through fields and chewing on grass and leaves. Your cuddly, gentle appearance is irresistable!You were almost a: Duck or a Bear Cub
You are least like a: Groundhog or a LambTake the Cute Animal Quiz!
Gee, I always thought I was a killer rabbit....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)