Tea at Trianon blog explains why Haloween is a Catholic celebration HERE.
The Catholic religion has always skillfully united devotion and feast days with wholesome merry-making, something which many Protestant sects are unable to do. Our ancestors were pagan and the Church incorporated many of their customs into our celebration of holidays. If you want to strip every Christian holiday of every single vestige of paganism, then just become a Puritan, and be done with it. There are many genuinely evil and scary things from which our children need to be protected, but dressing up at Halloween is not one of them
We don't celebrate it here in the Philippines (although the malls and fast food places are holding parties for kids dressed up in various costumes).
We celebrate tomorrow All Saint's day by visiting the cemetary, cleaning up the gravesites, and having parties/picnics there while we clean and decorate them with flowers and candles.
In Manila, they published maps so people knew which streets were "one way", and they usually forbid selling beer in the cemetaries. Here we aren't so strict...our main worry is that there is so much traffic that Lolo will have to walk a distance...right now both of us are coughing and getting over the flu...
FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Intrepid Ibex is here
UbuntuGeekBlog discusses the newest Ubuntu download.
Alas, my laptop that uses Ubuntu, is down due to a problem with the electric wire/transformer connection needs to be replaced....I'm waiting for the next trip to Manila to drop it off at Dell to see if it's just the transformer or if it's due to the battery, that hasn't worked in three months.
Alas, my laptop that uses Ubuntu, is down due to a problem with the electric wire/transformer connection needs to be replaced....I'm waiting for the next trip to Manila to drop it off at Dell to see if it's just the transformer or if it's due to the battery, that hasn't worked in three months.
Are Canadian drugs coming from China?
I just posted this to read later. I usually don't read this right wing magazine, but am posting it so that I can write about the huge counterfeit drug problem in Asia at BNN later.
Interestingly, the writer brings up the horror that there might be terrorist links (DUH) which is silly...the real problem is similar to the heparin scandal: The drugs are adulterated and don't work...and the main worry is that anti malarial medicines which are lower than normal doses not only lead to people dying, but they are encouraging malaria resistance to the best drugs.
Interestingly, the writer brings up the horror that there might be terrorist links (DUH) which is silly...the real problem is similar to the heparin scandal: The drugs are adulterated and don't work...and the main worry is that anti malarial medicines which are lower than normal doses not only lead to people dying, but they are encouraging malaria resistance to the best drugs.
FRACTALS!
PBS had a special on fractals
The intersection of mathematics and art
More on the Mandelbrot set here:
Largely because of its haunting beauty, the Mandelbrot set has become the most famous object in modern mathematics. It is also the breeding ground for the world's most famous fractals. Since 1980, the set has provided an inspiration for artists, a source of wonder for schoolchildren, and a fertile testing ground for the science of linear dynamics.
The set itself is a mathematical artifact—an odd-shaped infinite swarm of points clustered on what is known as the "complex number plane." Let's try to visualize it.
The set itself is a mathematical artifact—an odd-shaped infinite swarm of points clustered on what is known as the "complex number plane." Let's try to visualize it.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Stuff below the fold
The Christian Science Monitor, one of the few thoughtful MSM outlets, is going to web only..
-------------------------
In "Team America:WorldPolice", the UN representative threatens the bad guy with a "nasty letter".
So today's news says that UN head won't even send a nasty letter: Instead he asks the thugs in the Congo: Stop fighting....Pretty please with sugar on it...
Ummm...try sending in Blackwater instead...
------------------------------------
Sounds like nothing has changed....hospitals fail to please...
Twenty years ago, in one of the best hospitals in the US, I was ignored while the nurses were busy "documenting" in the charts...
When I took myself for a walk, other patients who found out I was a doctor stopped me to ask questions about their disease...because only the floor scrubber came into the rooms between vital sign checks.
-------------------
California passed a law protecting animal researchers against animal rights terrorists....
The terror that rarely gets headlines...
------------------
Polio is spreading..thanks to ignorant mullahs...
the real problem of course is that the Mullahs read the vaccine conspiracy theories in the western press, and believed them...
-----------------
Spinning the negative....from the headlines, you wouldn't realize that for men, the lifetime fidelity index is 72%....for women 85%....
They also don't note that the old Chicago data showed that the majority of infidelity was in failing marriages...that the failure of the marriage preceeded the infidelity, not vice versa...
---------------------------
StrategyPage has the story behind that raid on Syria LINK..
--------------------
and the really important news of the day: want romance?
Be a Lady In Red
-------------------------
In "Team America:WorldPolice", the UN representative threatens the bad guy with a "nasty letter".
So today's news says that UN head won't even send a nasty letter: Instead he asks the thugs in the Congo: Stop fighting....Pretty please with sugar on it...
Ummm...try sending in Blackwater instead...
------------------------------------
Sounds like nothing has changed....hospitals fail to please...
Twenty years ago, in one of the best hospitals in the US, I was ignored while the nurses were busy "documenting" in the charts...
When I took myself for a walk, other patients who found out I was a doctor stopped me to ask questions about their disease...because only the floor scrubber came into the rooms between vital sign checks.
-------------------
California passed a law protecting animal researchers against animal rights terrorists....
The terror that rarely gets headlines...
------------------
Polio is spreading..thanks to ignorant mullahs...
the real problem of course is that the Mullahs read the vaccine conspiracy theories in the western press, and believed them...
-----------------
Spinning the negative....from the headlines, you wouldn't realize that for men, the lifetime fidelity index is 72%....for women 85%....
They also don't note that the old Chicago data showed that the majority of infidelity was in failing marriages...that the failure of the marriage preceeded the infidelity, not vice versa...
---------------------------
StrategyPage has the story behind that raid on Syria LINK..
--------------------
and the really important news of the day: want romance?
Be a Lady In Red
Why I am glad to live in the tropics
Col. Updraft reports that Hancock Village webcam shows snow...
it seems to have hit a lot of the North eastern US...
and Hancock village is usually warmer than my old haunts in northern Minnesota...but at least they weren't hit by the snow storm...
it seems to have hit a lot of the North eastern US...
and Hancock village is usually warmer than my old haunts in northern Minnesota...but at least they weren't hit by the snow storm...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
podcast trivia
EWTN has an interview with Doloris Hart...
she once starred with Elvis...
---------------------
and HistoryaccordingtoBob has a podcast on Billy Mitchell
she once starred with Elvis...
---------------------
and HistoryaccordingtoBob has a podcast on Billy Mitchell
Buying cheap houses
I always bought cheap housing that didn't put a strain on my budget.
My cousin lost his house when he decided to buy a nice suburban house, and when laid off couldn't keep up the payments in the 1950's...
similarly, when I left private practice I had to quit claim my office and rent out my house for five years...thanks to the bad housing market of Jimmy Carter with it's high interest rates and a major recession in our area. The bank told me that they had dozens of unsold "Quitclaim" houses on their hands when I left town.
Yet a lot of people bought and resold houses to make a profit in good times.
So I AGREE when VDHanson asks:
We are told hourly that millions of Americans have lost their homes, rarely that 94% of home debtors continue to pay their monthly mortgages.
And there is almost no information given on how or why those who defaulted walked away?
Did at least a few buy a house who had no business taking on a mortgage? Did at least some wish to speculate, buy property, flip it, and profit in a perceived permanently bullish housing market?
Did some others take out second and third mortgages to expand their consumer spending and hope to make it deductible on their income taxes?
Did others still simply make a business decision to walk away from a freely incurred debt that proved larger than the falling equity in their homes?
I haven't read any of this information either...probably it is somewhere, but not on the main pages that I get with my RSS feeds of major newspapers.
My cousin lost his house when he decided to buy a nice suburban house, and when laid off couldn't keep up the payments in the 1950's...
similarly, when I left private practice I had to quit claim my office and rent out my house for five years...thanks to the bad housing market of Jimmy Carter with it's high interest rates and a major recession in our area. The bank told me that they had dozens of unsold "Quitclaim" houses on their hands when I left town.
Yet a lot of people bought and resold houses to make a profit in good times.
So I AGREE when VDHanson asks:
We are told hourly that millions of Americans have lost their homes, rarely that 94% of home debtors continue to pay their monthly mortgages.
And there is almost no information given on how or why those who defaulted walked away?
Did at least a few buy a house who had no business taking on a mortgage? Did at least some wish to speculate, buy property, flip it, and profit in a perceived permanently bullish housing market?
Did some others take out second and third mortgages to expand their consumer spending and hope to make it deductible on their income taxes?
Did others still simply make a business decision to walk away from a freely incurred debt that proved larger than the falling equity in their homes?
I haven't read any of this information either...probably it is somewhere, but not on the main pages that I get with my RSS feeds of major newspapers.
Nice things
>
> 1. Falling in love.
>
>
>
>
> 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
>
>
>
>
> 3. A hot shower.
>
>
>
>
> 4. No lines at the supermarket.
>
>
>
>
> 5. A special glance.
>
>
>
>
> 6. Getting mail.
>
>
>
>
> 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
>
>
>
>
> 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
>
>
>
>
> 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
>
>
>
>
> 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
>
>
>
>
> 11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
>
>
>
>
> 12. A bubble bath.
>
>
>
>
> 13. Giggling.
>
>
>
>
> 15. The beach.
>
>
>
>
> 16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
>
>
>
>
> 17. Laughing at yourself.
>
>
>
>
> 18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you.
>
>
>
>
> 19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
>
>
>
>
> 20. Running through sprinklers..
>your email of the day from Cousin Maddie
> 1. Falling in love.
>
>
>
>
> 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
>
>
>
>
> 3. A hot shower.
>
>
>
>
> 4. No lines at the supermarket.
>
>
>
>
> 5. A special glance.
>
>
>
>
> 6. Getting mail.
>
>
>
>
> 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
>
>
>
>
> 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
>
>
>
>
> 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
>
>
>
>
> 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
>
>
>
>
> 11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
>
>
>
>
> 12. A bubble bath.
>
>
>
>
> 13. Giggling.
>
>
>
>
> 15. The beach.
>
>
>
>
> 16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
>
>
>
>
> 17. Laughing at yourself.
>
>
>
>
> 18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you.
>
>
>
>
> 19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
>
>
>
>
> 20. Running through sprinklers..
>your email of the day from Cousin Maddie
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tony Hillerman, RIP
Mystery novelist Tony Hillerman has died...
One of the few mystery authors that I read.
When I did my first IHS stint, I worked in Gallup, and many of our patients were traditional Navajo back then. When I asked if there was a good book to introduce me to the culture, I was told: Read Hillerman.
WHat about anthropology books? I asked.
No. I was told...too many "anthropologists" spent a short time in the area, and asked personal questions...the Indians told them elaborate lies, figuring the real answer was none of their business and the lies got into a lot of books.
Hmm...sounds like pollsters...
One of the few mystery authors that I read.
When I did my first IHS stint, I worked in Gallup, and many of our patients were traditional Navajo back then. When I asked if there was a good book to introduce me to the culture, I was told: Read Hillerman.
WHat about anthropology books? I asked.
No. I was told...too many "anthropologists" spent a short time in the area, and asked personal questions...the Indians told them elaborate lies, figuring the real answer was none of their business and the lies got into a lot of books.
Hmm...sounds like pollsters...
Virtual Cologne
I'm still studying Roman history...
Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium was a Roman city, and DasSpiegel links to a "virtual tour" of Cologne when it was Roman...
Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium was a Roman city, and DasSpiegel links to a "virtual tour" of Cologne when it was Roman...
musical interlude of the day
I just read the headlines...ughh.
So turn up speakers and enjoy...not everything is politics
STUFF BELOW THE FOLD
What has NATO done for the US?
besides complain a lot I mean...
---------------
Michael O'Brien interview on EWTN podast link..
-----------------------
does epilepsy medicine stop alzheimers
if so, too bad: too many side effectss for most of us to use it
------------------
stress make you itch?
yup I always had a few patients break out in hives when they came to the office. now we know why...
----------------
bird flu, coming to you via wild birds...
an old worry that might be true
..................
Did you know the war in Iraq is over? the only noise you hear is local politiians doing their thing...Strategypage has the information
the Shia and others want the US to stay there, because the Iranians are iterfering in Iraq...
--------------
besides complain a lot I mean...
---------------
Michael O'Brien interview on EWTN podast link..
-----------------------
does epilepsy medicine stop alzheimers
if so, too bad: too many side effectss for most of us to use it
------------------
stress make you itch?
yup I always had a few patients break out in hives when they came to the office. now we know why...
----------------
bird flu, coming to you via wild birds...
an old worry that might be true
..................
Did you know the war in Iraq is over? the only noise you hear is local politiians doing their thing...Strategypage has the information
the Shia and others want the US to stay there, because the Iranians are iterfering in Iraq...
--------------
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Don't remind me
The kids are arriving for the dual birthday party of Ruby and her Tia...an old lady who lives here...
Oy veh.
Oy veh.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
FAMILY NEWS
I'm still wheezing so blogging might be light.
Last day of the conference...after people leave the dogs can go outside again...they can't wait.
Lolo is fine.
Last day of the conference...after people leave the dogs can go outside again...they can't wait.
Lolo is fine.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Lost hamster story: follow up
A few days ago, I wrote about a lost hamster.
(I got the name wrong: Zoe is the owner. The hamster's name is Fudgie).
Well, after being lost for 8 days, and not found even by firemen using expensive equipment such as a chocolate coated camera, a fiber optic scope, or a vacuum cleaner covered with a sock.
How did she get caught? Hamster food in a cage...she got hungry.
(I got the name wrong: Zoe is the owner. The hamster's name is Fudgie).
Well, after being lost for 8 days, and not found even by firemen using expensive equipment such as a chocolate coated camera, a fiber optic scope, or a vacuum cleaner covered with a sock.
How did she get caught? Hamster food in a cage...she got hungry.
Stuff below the fold
Need an X RAY?Get out the scotch tape and pull...
...............................
The Cyberwar against Jihadi sites...may be a fight between Shia and Sunni by low level geeks.
LINK LINK2 LINK3.
----------------------
and the Headline of the day:
Worm poo shows there's brass in muck
Craft item of the day
from Nezumiworld:Crochet some mini pumpkins to decorate the dead trees in your garden.
(headsup CrochetMe)
and no, we don't celebrate Haloween here...we do celebrate All Saints Day however by visiting cemetaries, cleaning up the plots, putting flowers and candles on the grave, and having a picnic...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Insomnia downloads of the day
Concept of Nature, The by Whitehead, Alfred North
In The Concept of Nature, Alfred North Whitehead discusses the interrelatedness of time, space, and human perception.
The idea of objects as ‘occasions of experience’, arguments against body-mind duality and the search for an all-encompassing ‘philosophy of nature’ are examined, with specific reference to contemporary (Einstein, with whose theory of relativity he has some complaints) and ancient (Plato, Aristotle) approaches. (Summary by mb)
and if that doesn't put you to sleep, try this:History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Vol. V, The by Gibbon, Edward
In The Concept of Nature, Alfred North Whitehead discusses the interrelatedness of time, space, and human perception.
The idea of objects as ‘occasions of experience’, arguments against body-mind duality and the search for an all-encompassing ‘philosophy of nature’ are examined, with specific reference to contemporary (Einstein, with whose theory of relativity he has some complaints) and ancient (Plato, Aristotle) approaches. (Summary by mb)
and if that doesn't put you to sleep, try this:History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Vol. V, The by Gibbon, Edward
Acorn, the bishops, and other things political
ACORN has been caught mixing up charity and political money...
But stories about their foundation donors don't usually mention that one million a year of that money comes from the Catholic Campaign for human development.
So last weekend, the Catholic bishops announced that they will no longer get the money.
Is it abortion politics, or what? GetReligion blog wants to know.
My take here and here...
it's probably the bishop's lawyers worried about fraud and embezzlement...one doubts the bureaucrats at the bishop's conference headquarters cares about promoting a pro abortion candidate...
But stories about their foundation donors don't usually mention that one million a year of that money comes from the Catholic Campaign for human development.
So last weekend, the Catholic bishops announced that they will no longer get the money.
Is it abortion politics, or what? GetReligion blog wants to know.
My take here and here...
it's probably the bishop's lawyers worried about fraud and embezzlement...one doubts the bureaucrats at the bishop's conference headquarters cares about promoting a pro abortion candidate...
Headlines below the fold
Austin Bay on predicting Obama's first crisis
To quote Gomer Pyle: Surprise surprise surprise
----------------
Spreading hope and working for world peace isn't new: look at Blessed Charles of Austria.
even he couldn't stop World War I...But then, he is only a saint not a messiah...
----------------------
Those loving Bonobos make love not war....
Uh...hold the presses.
more HERE.Surbeck M, Hohmann G. 2008. Primate hunting by bonobos at LuiKotale, Salonga National Park. Current Biology 18, R906-R907.
----------------------------------
Latest "how to raise baby" book advises the five S's: swaddling, positioning on the side or stomach, shushing, swinging and sucking.
As for toddlers: treat them like cavemen: short sentences spoken firmly, with body language and repetition...
or just hand them to grandmom, who already knows this.
------------------------
Termites: The key to biofuel?
just keep them away from the levees.
--------------------------
The latest health food: Tart cherries.
The problem: How do you eat them unless you add sugar?
-----------------
Headline of the day
Eight firemen use chocolate coated mini camera to find missing hamster
the bad news: Zoe won't come out...she's making a nest below the floor boards.
To quote Gomer Pyle: Surprise surprise surprise
----------------
Spreading hope and working for world peace isn't new: look at Blessed Charles of Austria.
even he couldn't stop World War I...But then, he is only a saint not a messiah...
----------------------
Those loving Bonobos make love not war....
Uh...hold the presses.
more HERE.Surbeck M, Hohmann G. 2008. Primate hunting by bonobos at LuiKotale, Salonga National Park. Current Biology 18, R906-R907.
----------------------------------
Latest "how to raise baby" book advises the five S's: swaddling, positioning on the side or stomach, shushing, swinging and sucking.
As for toddlers: treat them like cavemen: short sentences spoken firmly, with body language and repetition...
or just hand them to grandmom, who already knows this.
------------------------
Termites: The key to biofuel?
just keep them away from the levees.
--------------------------
The latest health food: Tart cherries.
The problem: How do you eat them unless you add sugar?
-----------------
Headline of the day
Eight firemen use chocolate coated mini camera to find missing hamster
the bad news: Zoe won't come out...she's making a nest below the floor boards.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Flash flood photos and other family news
more family news.
There was a flash flood here October 2: not here, but in San Vincente...photos are up at the NEJournal at link...
----------------------------
Hmm...the same link says that sale of local carabao milk is up...so even bad things have some good consequences.
--------------------
Chano says that a Dubai company is taking samples of our rice to sell...our main worry is that the brown rice can go bad if stored too long. They also expressed interest in the capiz flower lamps...
There was a flash flood here October 2: not here, but in San Vincente...photos are up at the NEJournal at link...
----------------------------
Hmm...the same link says that sale of local carabao milk is up...so even bad things have some good consequences.
--------------------
Chano says that a Dubai company is taking samples of our rice to sell...our main worry is that the brown rice can go bad if stored too long. They also expressed interest in the capiz flower lamps...
 |
| From Summer is here 2007 |
The skies are noisy
Joint US/Phil war games started last week...the last few days, we've had low flying helicopters overhead...
they must be doing their jungle warfare exercizes up at FT Magsaysay...usually thePinoy Special forces teach them to live off the land, and usually one of the skills is how to catch and eat a cobra...they also usually hold clinics and other things while they're here too...
from gmanews:
Dubbed as Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercises (Phiblex), the event will be held simultaneously for two weeks in various locations in the provinces of Cavite, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales and Pampanga.
they must be doing their jungle warfare exercizes up at FT Magsaysay...usually thePinoy Special forces teach them to live off the land, and usually one of the skills is how to catch and eat a cobra...they also usually hold clinics and other things while they're here too...
from gmanews:
Dubbed as Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercises (Phiblex), the event will be held simultaneously for two weeks in various locations in the provinces of Cavite, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales and Pampanga.
Gift item of the day
a coughing cigarette ligher.
Nerdapproved blog writes: as soon as they flip open the cover it will start coughing. Maybe that will get those people to stop smoking because, of course, you can quit whenever you choose.
or you can just give them your coughing screaming lung ashtray:
Hmmm...those lungs are from a non smoker...smoker's lungs tend to be black...
Podcast of the week
Some of us are old enough to remember when Bishop Sheen's program was on TV every week, and people of all faiths watched.
MP3 of his program is at link.
Trivia: Martin Sheen chose Sheen as his stage name...because he admired the bishop.
MP3 of his program is at link.
Trivia: Martin Sheen chose Sheen as his stage name...because he admired the bishop.
Family news
Chano and Joy are back from Manila last night.
We will be invaded by a bunch of pastors...holding a conference for three days.
The two newborn kittens died. Sigh.
Lolo is fine. I am wheezing after a lite case of the flu, but feel better.
We will be invaded by a bunch of pastors...holding a conference for three days.
The two newborn kittens died. Sigh.
Lolo is fine. I am wheezing after a lite case of the flu, but feel better.
Headlines below the fold
Catholic bishops to stop funding ACORN
no, not because the funds will go to support Obama, but over an embezellment cover up...
-----------------
Crack Investigation squad looking into the PNP money scandal...
keystone cops keeping busy...
-----------------------
Bioethics continues to deteriorate.
Veggie RIghts movement...suicides being helped, even in the young...forget brain death, just take the organs...
and then there is the whoops factor...
-------------------------------
Drug war in Mexico getting wicked...
wicked is as wicked does, dude.
--------------------------
Want to get rid of an unruly teenager?
drop them off in Nebraska...
----------------------
and the really big story of the day: Paltrow backs Madonna in her divorce action...
am I the only one on the planet worrying whose caring for the "token black" orphan she adopted?
no, not because the funds will go to support Obama, but over an embezellment cover up...
-----------------
Crack Investigation squad looking into the PNP money scandal...
keystone cops keeping busy...
-----------------------
Bioethics continues to deteriorate.
Veggie RIghts movement...suicides being helped, even in the young...forget brain death, just take the organs...
and then there is the whoops factor...
-------------------------------
Drug war in Mexico getting wicked...
wicked is as wicked does, dude.
--------------------------
Want to get rid of an unruly teenager?
drop them off in Nebraska...
----------------------
and the really big story of the day: Paltrow backs Madonna in her divorce action...
am I the only one on the planet worrying whose caring for the "token black" orphan she adopted?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Headlines below the fold
Heh. The Palin kids and dad have a CDIB card.
Heh...that means I could have treated them in my IHS Clinic...
---------------------------------------
More Indians in the news: Chaput lays it on the line to the pro abort catholics...more HERE and HERE.
Ah, but it's more important to ignore the dead bodies by supporting peace in our time.
-------------------------
The Messiah will be tested by the bad guys once he is in office, we are warned.
No, that's not Palin's warning, it comes from Joe Biden...
---------------------------
Lying with headlines: Zim opposition leader misses talks...nytimes. AFP says he was a "no show"...
Uh, fellahs he didn't "miss" them, they took his passport away..e
----------------
The cure for global warming: More typhoons...
they remove CO2 by blowing soil and plants into the sea.
Heh...that means I could have treated them in my IHS Clinic...
---------------------------------------
More Indians in the news: Chaput lays it on the line to the pro abort catholics...more HERE and HERE.
Ah, but it's more important to ignore the dead bodies by supporting peace in our time.
-------------------------
The Messiah will be tested by the bad guys once he is in office, we are warned.
No, that's not Palin's warning, it comes from Joe Biden...
---------------------------
Lying with headlines: Zim opposition leader misses talks...nytimes. AFP says he was a "no show"...
Uh, fellahs he didn't "miss" them, they took his passport away..e
----------------
The cure for global warming: More typhoons...
they remove CO2 by blowing soil and plants into the sea.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Family news
Chano and Joy are away at a trade fair...
the staff is cleaning up the center to get ready for a meeting of pastors.
I am fighting asthmatic bronchitis, and Lolo has a cold. But we are much better today.
The dogs are in exile to the front yard, and angry about it.
The mother cat had a kitten two nights ago, and another this morning...both are scrawny and Lolo is encouraging them to suck.
But she is so huge we worry she might have more coming.
But the two kittens that we rescued two weeks ago so far are doing fine.
the staff is cleaning up the center to get ready for a meeting of pastors.
I am fighting asthmatic bronchitis, and Lolo has a cold. But we are much better today.
The dogs are in exile to the front yard, and angry about it.
The mother cat had a kitten two nights ago, and another this morning...both are scrawny and Lolo is encouraging them to suck.
But she is so huge we worry she might have more coming.
But the two kittens that we rescued two weeks ago so far are doing fine.
Cute photo of the day
Rupert the fawn...
after his mother was hit by a car, vets removed little Rupert to save his life...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Craft item of the day
Bored in math class?
Just start knitting this Klein bottle hat, and get an A in multidimensional Geometry.
PDF pattern HERE.
Mathematical Knitting video:
for those with six thumbs, you can buy one already made HERE...
Stuff we really need
1) a dog hairbrush with deodorizer...to take away the doggie smell..
2)a sports theme pumpkin carving kit...
or go here for your Art Bell and George Noury pumpkin carving designs...
3) a GnomeBeGone lawn ornament...
and a dismemberMe Plush Zombie doll.
.
.
.
.
2)a sports theme pumpkin carving kit...
or go here for your Art Bell and George Noury pumpkin carving designs...
3) a GnomeBeGone lawn ornament...
and a dismemberMe Plush Zombie doll.
.
.
.
.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Gift item of the day
Protect your fingers with a Bananahandle...You've never seen a chimpanzee burn himself on a hot pan, have you?
Of course not. That's because BananaHandle's heat-resistant silicone construction protects hands, both human and primate. Slide the ripe yellow peel onto any pan handle and you're fully protected...
(headsup FreshPlaza)
Craft item of the day
Friday, October 17, 2008
Reminder from Tia Maria
TiaMaria reminds you: It's national breast cancer awareness month...get your mammogram...
Make a house goblin
Yes, get out your gourds and make a goblin to greet your visitors this Haloween...
they also have makeup tips HERE...
The best tip? How to apply an elf ear...
- More cool how to projects
and if you can't find any elf ear shops in your area, check LINK
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Craft item of the day
NotMartha suggests you make a spider cake for Haloween...go to link for instructions
(headsupBoingBoing)
Blame the bugs
Bush and the USArmyCorps of Engineers got a lot of bad press because the New Orleans levees failed.
But now entomologists think that they might have been weakened by a termite...and that 350 more miles of levees might also might be damaged...
You think you have problems
The news is full of the stock market plummeting (whoops...there goes my retirement savings).
But when I married Lolo, he promised me I would never go hungry because he placed a rice field in my name.
Lolo lived through the Great Depression, and lost his father to TB, leaving his mother poverty stricken. At one point, he lived with a cousin "to keep him company" but really so that the family could send him to school with his cousin, and his mom knew he'd have enough to eat.
So when you worry about your 401K and your half million dollar home, just remember how lucky you are:
South Africa has five million people with HIV, but only half a million gets retroviral treatment...the good news: The new health minister has proclaimed AIDS is really caused by the HIV virus...the previous government Health minister said it wasn't and recommended herbal remedies that didn't work...
North Kivu's 100 000 refugees are simply getting little aid due to fighting and lack of outside help.
That's in the Eastern Congo...but since Gorillas live nearby, expect to hear laments about Bozo the gorilla being killled by hungry poachers.
Five Million people in Zimbabwe will need "food aid" this year...mainly due to a bad government...
Haiti still needs help after that last hurricane.
Many US churches support "sister" churches in that poor country...and one US bishop just asked the government to let their refugees have special status so they aren't sent back..
And don't forget the Philippines where "rogue" MILF units have attacked Christian villages, causing up to half a million to flee...
But when I married Lolo, he promised me I would never go hungry because he placed a rice field in my name.
Lolo lived through the Great Depression, and lost his father to TB, leaving his mother poverty stricken. At one point, he lived with a cousin "to keep him company" but really so that the family could send him to school with his cousin, and his mom knew he'd have enough to eat.
So when you worry about your 401K and your half million dollar home, just remember how lucky you are:
South Africa has five million people with HIV, but only half a million gets retroviral treatment...the good news: The new health minister has proclaimed AIDS is really caused by the HIV virus...the previous government Health minister said it wasn't and recommended herbal remedies that didn't work...
North Kivu's 100 000 refugees are simply getting little aid due to fighting and lack of outside help.
That's in the Eastern Congo...but since Gorillas live nearby, expect to hear laments about Bozo the gorilla being killled by hungry poachers.
Five Million people in Zimbabwe will need "food aid" this year...mainly due to a bad government...
Haiti still needs help after that last hurricane.
Many US churches support "sister" churches in that poor country...and one US bishop just asked the government to let their refugees have special status so they aren't sent back..
And don't forget the Philippines where "rogue" MILF units have attacked Christian villages, causing up to half a million to flee...
Happy photo of the day
I just read the headlines, and figure we all need to see someone in the world is happy...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
How to use all those unwanted credit cards
When I was in college, I always kept a couple cards in my wallet to open my door when I accidentally locked myself out of my room...
TipNut says: heck, use them to scrub your pyrex and your no stick pots and pans...they are tough, and they don't scratch...
MavisD comments that those small square plastic bag closers work fine too, and are good for smaller spots.
TipNut says: heck, use them to scrub your pyrex and your no stick pots and pans...they are tough, and they don't scratch...
MavisD comments that those small square plastic bag closers work fine too, and are good for smaller spots.
Musical interlude for today
The North Korean pianist Cheol Woong Kim, story at link
"Richard Clayderman’s “Autumn Leaves”. According to Kim, it was his love of this piece that drove him to defect from N. Korea..."
(headsup theMarmot'sHoleBlog)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Family news
Two weeks ago, I rescued two kittens who wandered in.
Animal lovers should not move to the Philippines, because feral dogs and cats live terrible lives, and with the Palenke down the street, we end up with kittens wandering in once or twice a year. The bad news is that our dogs kill small animals (mainly huge rats that also wander in) including kittens and even full grown cats.
So I kept the kittens in our spare bedroom.
No cat litter here, and we know from experience that dirt just doesn't stop that terrible odor.
So today, to clean the spare bedroom, I moved them to the shed behind the kitchen. And when it started to pour rain, I went to get them and they had disappeared.
We looked and looked all three of us got soaked looking for them.
But late this afternoon, I heard one outside. We have a wall, but there are holes in it that small animals can get through. I checked, and no cat.
But as suppertime arrived, the cook and I went out calling "ming" which is how we call cats here...and sure enough, a meow...the one cat had wandered next door into the wire mesh surrounded air conditioning unit. We had to get the supervisor to open it and rescue her.
But we still heard another meow, and couldn't find her...so ten minutes later, I went out with the gardener, and low and behold, she was across the street in the weeds surrounding the city garage. So we brought them home.
Lolo must have prayed quite hard to find our wandering cats, but they were lost and now they'r found.
Animal lovers should not move to the Philippines, because feral dogs and cats live terrible lives, and with the Palenke down the street, we end up with kittens wandering in once or twice a year. The bad news is that our dogs kill small animals (mainly huge rats that also wander in) including kittens and even full grown cats.
So I kept the kittens in our spare bedroom.
No cat litter here, and we know from experience that dirt just doesn't stop that terrible odor.
So today, to clean the spare bedroom, I moved them to the shed behind the kitchen. And when it started to pour rain, I went to get them and they had disappeared.
We looked and looked all three of us got soaked looking for them.
But late this afternoon, I heard one outside. We have a wall, but there are holes in it that small animals can get through. I checked, and no cat.
But as suppertime arrived, the cook and I went out calling "ming" which is how we call cats here...and sure enough, a meow...the one cat had wandered next door into the wire mesh surrounded air conditioning unit. We had to get the supervisor to open it and rescue her.
But we still heard another meow, and couldn't find her...so ten minutes later, I went out with the gardener, and low and behold, she was across the street in the weeds surrounding the city garage. So we brought them home.
Lolo must have prayed quite hard to find our wandering cats, but they were lost and now they'r found.
Science headlines below the fold
That hemorrhagic fever in South Africa is identified as associated with mice...not answered: why did it spread human to human...
More information here
(headsup FRep)
-------------------
Lead poisoning in pot smokers...hey, dude, the weed has a lot of that shiny stuff in it...
---------------------------
White wine works as good as red wine...
of course so does grape juice...
-------------------------
Break an egg!
High speed photography here
(headsup col updraft)
More information here
(headsup FRep)
-------------------
Lead poisoning in pot smokers...hey, dude, the weed has a lot of that shiny stuff in it...
---------------------------
White wine works as good as red wine...
of course so does grape juice...
-------------------------
Break an egg!
High speed photography here
(headsup col updraft)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy National Pizza month!
above link has crafts and other ways to celebrate...
And Epicurious has links to loads of recipes, including gluten free Pizza.
Did you know there is a PizzaBlog?
And yes, we now have Pizza in the Philippines...both Sbarro and Pizza Hut...
But in our town, we buy it from Greenwich Pizza...a locally owned and run franchise...
And Epicurious has links to loads of recipes, including gluten free Pizza.
Did you know there is a PizzaBlog?
And yes, we now have Pizza in the Philippines...both Sbarro and Pizza Hut...
But in our town, we buy it from Greenwich Pizza...a locally owned and run franchise...
Politics uggh
Politics uggh...
The Anchoress says it all for me...
Oh yes: I got a mention on Instapundit...
It is Domestic Violence awareness month.
.. more here ..my BNN Essay is about the fight to get domestic violence recognized as a crime rather than a "family matter".....and community ways to help intervene...
The irony of Palin's "abuse of power" kerfluffle was that her family was not trying to get even: They were trying to get the Alaska State Police to take domestic violence against a relative seriously....
The Anchoress says it all for me...
Oh yes: I got a mention on Instapundit...
It is Domestic Violence awareness month.
.. more here ..my BNN Essay is about the fight to get domestic violence recognized as a crime rather than a "family matter".....and community ways to help intervene...
The irony of Palin's "abuse of power" kerfluffle was that her family was not trying to get even: They were trying to get the Alaska State Police to take domestic violence against a relative seriously....
Insomnia downloads of the day
Can't sleep?
War and Peace (part 8) download is now on line...
for geeks, try Flatland
a classic Math romance...
War and Peace (part 8) download is now on line...
for geeks, try Flatland
a classic Math romance...
Headlines below the fo
Mugabe back to old tyrannical tricks....just ignore that power sharing agreement in the corner...
At least they corrected the headline: Yesterday, the headline ran:Key Cabinet Posts go to Mugabe's Party...
--------------------------
Really scary news of the day: these cases of hemorrhagic fever in South Africa. Why? two of her caretakers came down with it, and now 100 people are being observed to see if they come down with it too....
Tick fevers, and Dengue don't spread from person to person, but Ebola and Marburg viruses do...
--------------------------------
Religion a friend to reason and the Enlightenment? Why yes, says Seinfels in a book review at the nYTimes...
Not mentioned: The French revolution started the religion of militant secularism, which has killed a couple hundred million in the name of it's various reincarnations...
-----------------
The US is trying to shut down the leftist money raising pipeline to FARC......
the press usually report "Fighting" as the cause of the quarter million refugees with a "hint hint" that it's the government's fault...just ignore those landmines and those killed or kidnapped by FARC, they don't count.
-------------------
The Philippines has a similar problem:
The headlines about "Fighting" seems to imply both sides bad, but the quarter to half a million Christian refugees were fleeing the MILF attacks on unarmed civilians...
The bad news: If the Christians restart their militias, they will fight back Filipino style...
---------------------
and the really important scientific theory of the day:
'Kellock's Kinetic Energy Conker Theory"
At least they corrected the headline: Yesterday, the headline ran:Key Cabinet Posts go to Mugabe's Party...
--------------------------
Really scary news of the day: these cases of hemorrhagic fever in South Africa. Why? two of her caretakers came down with it, and now 100 people are being observed to see if they come down with it too....
Tick fevers, and Dengue don't spread from person to person, but Ebola and Marburg viruses do...
--------------------------------
Religion a friend to reason and the Enlightenment? Why yes, says Seinfels in a book review at the nYTimes...
Not mentioned: The French revolution started the religion of militant secularism, which has killed a couple hundred million in the name of it's various reincarnations...
-----------------
The US is trying to shut down the leftist money raising pipeline to FARC......
the press usually report "Fighting" as the cause of the quarter million refugees with a "hint hint" that it's the government's fault...just ignore those landmines and those killed or kidnapped by FARC, they don't count.
-------------------
The Philippines has a similar problem:
The headlines about "Fighting" seems to imply both sides bad, but the quarter to half a million Christian refugees were fleeing the MILF attacks on unarmed civilians...
The bad news: If the Christians restart their militias, they will fight back Filipino style...
---------------------
and the really important scientific theory of the day:
'Kellock's Kinetic Energy Conker Theory"
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friends don't let friends email when drunk
"... "Mail Goggles" (is)...designed to stop you from sending that 3 a.m. message to your ex begging her to get back together with you. It's similar to a car that requires you to pass a breathalyzer test before you can turn the ignition on. 
hmmm...some of us would have trouble passing that math quiz even when we're sober...
Once you enable Mail Goggles, it's only active late at night on weekends, the time you're most likely to regret sending a message. Before your message is sent, you will be asked to complete a set of math problems, which Gmail hopes will make sure you are sure you want to send that message. Here's what that will look like..."
hmmm...some of us would have trouble passing that math quiz even when we're sober...
Drinking beer is the best investment
ThePertinaciousPapist tells us why drinking beer may have been the best investment
If you had purchased $1,000 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago, you would have $49 left.
With Freddie Mac, you would have $2.50 left of the original $1,000.
With AIG, you would have less than $15 left.
But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214 cash.
Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.
It's called the 401-Keg.
Yum! Lizard eggs
DessertComesFirstBlog talks about finding a local delicacy: a monitor lizard egg...and tells us how to cook and eat them.
They are eaten down south.
No we don't eat such delicacies...we stick to dog and balut
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Happy Global Handwashing day!
mark your calander: October 15th...
you need to wash your hands at least once a year.
you need to wash your hands at least once a year.
AudioBook of the day
while writing a rant about class prejudice being pushed by Pro Obama (anti Hillary) blogs run by British snobs, I googled for the classic Father Brown detective story "the Invisible Man"...(for those who didn't see the BBC series, the "invisible man" was dressed as a postman, so overlooked by the snobs).
And found you can download the GK Chesterton book HERE. (although at a lousy bit rate and not a great selection).
And found you can download the GK Chesterton book HERE. (although at a lousy bit rate and not a great selection).
Friday, October 10, 2008
Photo of the day
NatGeographic already has their best photos of 2008 up...
This one?
It's a vibrating string....
Tech stuff below the fold
10 awesome gadgets you really need...
-----------------------------
How to recycle aluminum foil...
make lamps out of them..
---------------------
too busy blogging to go to the gym? Buy this chair and stretch:
a variation of rubber band exercizes.
more here...
---------------------------
HOW YOUR COMPUTER REALLY WORKS
-------------------------------
-----------------------------
How to recycle aluminum foil...
make lamps out of them..
---------------------
too busy blogging to go to the gym? Buy this chair and stretch:
a variation of rubber band exercizes.
more here...
---------------------------
HOW YOUR COMPUTER REALLY WORKS
-------------------------------
Attention Homeland Security!
As she was packing her suitcase, Beauty was sleeping on her bed, but when the time came for Ms Wilmore to leave, she could not find the cat anywhere.
Airport security staff failed to spot the kitten on their scanners and, because of flight delays, she was not discovered until 21 hours later when Ms Wilmore opened her case....
A spokesman at Leeds-Bradford International Airport said its security company would be investigating the matter....
Podcast of the week
The BBC4 "In Our Time" podcast discusses all sorts of things...science, history, and ideas.
this week is Godel's incompleteness theories...
there is also a large list of archive programs which, alas, are streaming media, which is lousy for me since our internet goes off and on...
this week is Godel's incompleteness theories...
there is also a large list of archive programs which, alas, are streaming media, which is lousy for me since our internet goes off and on...
Spam is for Sushi
Epicurious has an article on comfort food...and links to lots of recipes, including one for Spam Sushi...
A tutorial on how to make it can be found HERE.
A tutorial on how to make it can be found HERE.
Nature's Dogs
Nature Magazine's back and front covers...
Hmm...
I'm sure it's just a coincidence...
(Headup LaVidaVicaBlog)
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Science headlines below the fold
The Nobel Prize has been awarded to scientists who studied why jellyfish glow.
Essentially they can use it to tag protein and watch what it does and where it goes (think of it as a tiny GPS that lets the cops watch the bad guys do their stuff).
(Credit: Image courtesy of Nobel Foundation)
--------------------------
"animal friendly meat": Coming to a table near you soon...
more HERE.
------------------------------------
It's ten o'clock...do you know if your kid is speeding?
Parental controls for Fords...
---------------------
HIV and circumcision:
NYTimes being coy about MSM: ....hint: Circumcision lowers the rate in donors, but the rate is same in the recipients.
---------------------------
Using honey helps wounds.
That remedy goes back 2000 plus years.
So does sugar...we tried this on a nasty wounds in the past...the main problem is keeping off the bugs.
but caution: Honey can contain nasty clostridium germs.
-----------------------------
Photo of the day
A miniture something or other made from doggie chews. Guess he ran out of legos...(Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Forgiveness in Iraq
the problem with war and anarchy is that the victims and their families remain bitter and unforgiving.
The CSMonitor has a story about trying to reconcile enemies.
It stresses the Koran, mediation-- and compensation...
"All the leaders of the big tribes are working for reconciliation between Shiites and Sunnis – we need to solve this problem for our people," says Sheikh Fayeq Hassan al-Taiee, a Shiite peacemaker who wears three rings of the type favored by Shiites, one with a polished white stone the size of a stuffed olive.
"They don't want to return back to killing," says Sheikh Taiee, who is representing Hamoud's family in the blood feud negotiation. "Revenge means killing again, so we decided to seek peaceful ways."
The CSMonitor has a story about trying to reconcile enemies.
It stresses the Koran, mediation-- and compensation...
"All the leaders of the big tribes are working for reconciliation between Shiites and Sunnis – we need to solve this problem for our people," says Sheikh Fayeq Hassan al-Taiee, a Shiite peacemaker who wears three rings of the type favored by Shiites, one with a polished white stone the size of a stuffed olive.
"They don't want to return back to killing," says Sheikh Taiee, who is representing Hamoud's family in the blood feud negotiation. "Revenge means killing again, so we decided to seek peaceful ways."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)