start out your new year with these fashionable Stegosaurus earrings.
FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Bible Reading take two
for those who prefer more modern bible translations, try the LOLCat Bible...
and Meeyauw Blog has LOLCAT lectionary readings....
which are either blasphemous, cute, or thought provoking, depending on your sense of humor:
from Luke2:
25 So der wuz dis dood calld Simeon, an he wuz a gud dood and teh Ceiling Cat thot he wuz kewl.
26 It had been reveald to him by Hover Cat dat he wud not dye before he had seen teh lordz Christ wrappeded lk burito.
27 He wuz hangin out in da temple and when he saw da baybee burito,
28 Simeon did not eated baybee but insteads hugged him an sed,
29 "Spiffy Ceiling Cat, I can to be dying nao,
30 'coz I saw teh salvation and teh coolness
31 that u maded for all teh peoplez an stuffs,
and Meeyauw Blog has LOLCAT lectionary readings....
which are either blasphemous, cute, or thought provoking, depending on your sense of humor:
from Luke2:
25 So der wuz dis dood calld Simeon, an he wuz a gud dood and teh Ceiling Cat thot he wuz kewl.
26 It had been reveald to him by Hover Cat dat he wud not dye before he had seen teh lordz Christ wrappeded lk burito.
27 He wuz hangin out in da temple and when he saw da baybee burito,
28 Simeon did not eated baybee but insteads hugged him an sed,
29 "Spiffy Ceiling Cat, I can to be dying nao,
30 'coz I saw teh salvation and teh coolness
31 that u maded for all teh peoplez an stuffs,
New Year suggestion: bible readings
Catholics can find the daily mass readings on EWTN ...their podcast page is HERE. They have other programs on podcast too: my favorite is Father Groeschel's program.
The Catholic bishops also have a podcast of the daily readings HERE. they have other podcasts HERE
The daily prayer of the church (print) can be found HERE...I used to download it to my palmpocket to read at work. The Anchoress has a podcast on and off of the prayers HERE. also HERE
And a Protestant "one year bible reading" podcast is found HERE.
The Catholic bishops also have a podcast of the daily readings HERE. they have other podcasts HERE
The daily prayer of the church (print) can be found HERE...I used to download it to my palmpocket to read at work. The Anchoress has a podcast on and off of the prayers HERE. also HERE
And a Protestant "one year bible reading" podcast is found HERE.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
some families never stray far from home
while the DNA on the Mulungeon folks suggest a lot of people way back when managed to travel around a lot, some families manage to stay put, no matter how often their neighborhood changes.
For example, the DNA on the 9000 year old "Cheddar man" has been matched to that of a local schoolteacher, who presumably doesn't come to work dressed like his ancestor...
more stuff here...
For example, the DNA on the 9000 year old "Cheddar man" has been matched to that of a local schoolteacher, who presumably doesn't come to work dressed like his ancestor...
more stuff here...
Mulungeon DNA product
Although "white" Indians get lots of press speculating pre Colombian European ancestry, the real mystery of the Southern US are the Mulungeons, a dark race that goes way back but was never proven to be black, white, or Indian, or a mixture.
Recently, DNA studies are being done, finding that many indeed seem to have Spanish/African or Indian DNA, but a surprising number seem to have Sephardic Jewish blood, either via "assimilation" into Spanish families, or in one case maybe from those who once went to Scotland.
Thomas Jefferson, for example, has DNA evidence of "middle eastern" ancestry...
for those interested in the subject, their blog link is HERE.
Recently, DNA studies are being done, finding that many indeed seem to have Spanish/African or Indian DNA, but a surprising number seem to have Sephardic Jewish blood, either via "assimilation" into Spanish families, or in one case maybe from those who once went to Scotland.
Thomas Jefferson, for example, has DNA evidence of "middle eastern" ancestry...
for those interested in the subject, their blog link is HERE.
Stuff below the fold
Remember the Vendee....170 thousand killed...in one of the original genocides.....
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Could Ethiopian peacekeepers solve the Somali pirate problem?
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a terrible war in Gaza: StrategyPage notes a lot of Arab countries hate Israel, but see Hamas as Iranian, and worry that a Persian empire is trying to take them over...again...
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LATimes reports:
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Could Ethiopian peacekeepers solve the Somali pirate problem?
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a terrible war in Gaza: StrategyPage notes a lot of Arab countries hate Israel, but see Hamas as Iranian, and worry that a Persian empire is trying to take them over...again...
---------------------
LATimes reports:
Word came this weekend that a new USA Today - Gallup Poll found the 44-year-old Palin, a mother of five, is the nation's second most-admired woman, behind only Hillary Clinton and ahead of someone named Oprah Winfrey.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Archeology post of the day
who built the Fort Mountain walls?
More HERE.
photo:Fort Mountain (Courtesy Ga Dept. Economic Development)
The structure varies in height from 3 to 10 feet though averages around four feet. It measures from 4.5 feet wide at its narrowest point to 16 feet at its widest point. It has an east-west orientation and extends for about 928 feet near the summit of Fort Mountain
News below the fold
Why people are becoming more skeptical about global warming...
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The carnage in Gaza is Hamas' fault, because they broke the truce, says the president of the Palestinian authority, ...blame instead those 110 missiles they shot into Israel...
sigh.
----------------------
Who is hacking into Congress' computers?
the cyberwar continues...
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Alcohol in eggnog kills salmonella...of course. That's why in the past people drank beer and wine, not (bacteria laden) water with their meals...
---------------------
Did you know that Bush expanded funding for IHS and community clinics....
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Dave Barry reviews 2008...put down coffee before reading...
.
----------------------------------
The carnage in Gaza is Hamas' fault, because they broke the truce, says the president of the Palestinian authority, ...blame instead those 110 missiles they shot into Israel...
sigh.
----------------------
Who is hacking into Congress' computers?
the cyberwar continues...
------------------
Alcohol in eggnog kills salmonella...of course. That's why in the past people drank beer and wine, not (bacteria laden) water with their meals...
---------------------
Did you know that Bush expanded funding for IHS and community clinics....
----------------------
Dave Barry reviews 2008...put down coffee before reading...
.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Doy and family
here from London to visit for the holidays.
Their kids already have a British accent
;-)
Photo of the day
sunstorm... Explanation: Imagine a pipe as wide as a state and as long as half the Earth. Now imagine that this pipe is filled with hot gas movingmagnetic field. You are envisioning just one of thousands of young spicules on the active Sun 50,000 kilometers per hour. Further imagine that this pipe is not made of metal but a transparent PhotoCredit: SST, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, LMSAL
headsup Wired
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Gift Item of the day
Kim, the talking clock from another planet.
This is a clock that literally “tells” time. Push her nose and she speaks in a voice that’s part human, part robot.
Stuff below the fold
If you don't hear trash cans clanging in the morning, thank Chuck Harrison...industrial designer at Sears...and the inventor of the plastic trash can...
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Recreating Mammoth herds...LINK
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vote for the weirdest science story of the year: the stories include:
monty python dead parrot sketch
--------------------
Have you heard the stor about the Brooklyn parrots...causing outages by building nests in electrical equipment...
more at their website...
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Recreating Mammoth herds...LINK
-------------------------------
vote for the weirdest science story of the year: the stories include:
When pandas attack: Ah, pandas ... so cute, so cuddly, so peaceful ... Hey, he bit my leg!
Dogs know when you're being unfair: Canines, like kids, get huffy when they're slighted.
Scientists turn into virtual body snatchers: Out-of-body experiences created in the lab.
Male lizards do push-ups to impress the babes: Exhausting ritual serves as visual display.
Real-life Furbys rediscovered: Rare pygmy tarsiers are spotted in Indonesia for the first time in more than 70 years. (I realize there are other, more common species of tarsiers that are native to the Philippines and other regions of the world, and are just as weird-looking.)
Ancient joke book parrots Monty Python: A 1,600-year-old Greek document contains a version of the British comedy group's famous "dead parrot" sketch.
------------------------
monty python dead parrot sketch
--------------------
Have you heard the stor about the Brooklyn parrots...causing outages by building nests in electrical equipment...
more at their website...
Friday, December 26, 2008
Jokes of the day
1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.
2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way.
3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest ?
They Take The Psycho Path
4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It (I love that one!)
5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall?
Dam!
6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroid's
7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick
8. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.
9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.
10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quattro Sinko.
11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.
12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
Frostbite.
13. What Lie s At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.
14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone Can Roast Beef.
15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs?
Right Where You Left Him.
your email of the day from Col Updraft
Unique Up On It.
2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way.
3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest ?
They Take The Psycho Path
4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It (I love that one!)
5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall?
Dam!
6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroid's
7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick
8. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.
9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.
10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quattro Sinko.
11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.
12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
Frostbite.
13. What Lie s At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.
14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone Can Roast Beef.
15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs?
Right Where You Left Him.
your email of the day from Col Updraft
Craft item of the day
Bored in class?
Futuregirl craft blog suggests to make some origami polyhedrons.
Tell your teacher it's a math project, and that you are making a stellated icosahedron...
LINK to start...
Or if you want something simpler, try making stars.
.
.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Rant links
The headlines are too depressing to mention on such a holy day, but I have put up a few rants at BNN:
* The Melamine Trail leads to chocolate and seafood, 25 Dec 2008
* Mugabe smuggling in arms via the DRC, 22 Dec 2008
* The Bad Samaritan, 22 Dec 2008
* Ignoring the facts on “Bush’s 11th hour regulations” to protect health care workers, 21 Dec 2008
* Zimbabwe situation: famine, disease, and violence increasing., 16 Dec 2008
Two of the stories are on Zimbabwe; please pray for my friends there. Sister E. writes that people in her area are starving; the mine just closed, and the rains came late, so no new harvest for two or three months...
* The Melamine Trail leads to chocolate and seafood, 25 Dec 2008
* Mugabe smuggling in arms via the DRC, 22 Dec 2008
* The Bad Samaritan, 22 Dec 2008
* Ignoring the facts on “Bush’s 11th hour regulations” to protect health care workers, 21 Dec 2008
* Zimbabwe situation: famine, disease, and violence increasing., 16 Dec 2008
Two of the stories are on Zimbabwe; please pray for my friends there. Sister E. writes that people in her area are starving; the mine just closed, and the rains came late, so no new harvest for two or three months...
Family News
Robin left early this morning for Manila to fly home for Christmas...
Lolo and I send everyone Christmas greeting.
Lolo and I send everyone Christmas greeting.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Family news
The staff has been preparing all day yesterday for the big Christmas party for our staff...our capiz workers, our builders, and our contract farmers.
I'll post photos later.
I'll post photos later.
Praying in the darkness of night
Link is to a goos site that discusses praying in the darkness of the night...an excerpt:
Night is a time of anguish and fear for many, when pain, guilt, fear and despair can seem almost unendurable. Many of the psalms of Vigils call out to God from the depths of distress, for mercy, help, justice, victory over evil. Praying them, we give voice to the cries of the poor and troubled, those who are unable to turn to God themselves, or who do not even believe in God. We identify with those who are suffering, and call out with them and for them.
Night is a time of anguish and fear for many, when pain, guilt, fear and despair can seem almost unendurable. Many of the psalms of Vigils call out to God from the depths of distress, for mercy, help, justice, victory over evil. Praying them, we give voice to the cries of the poor and troubled, those who are unable to turn to God themselves, or who do not even believe in God. We identify with those who are suffering, and call out with them and for them.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Happy Chanukah
Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after defeating the Hellenic government trying to modernize Jewish customs.
ah, but don't forget the recipes.
ah, but don't forget the recipes.
Robin preparing dye
Christmas!
Feels like Christmas website has lots of freebie christmas music in mp3 downloads.
and they link with the coloringspot if you want christmas theme clipart.
and they link with the coloringspot if you want christmas theme clipart.
News below the fold
Do you travel like Homer Simpson or Mr Spock?
I removed the rest of the post because it's too depressing and after all it's christmas...
I removed the rest of the post because it's too depressing and after all it's christmas...
Saturday, December 20, 2008
FAMILY NEWS
Robin is teaching a class next week on textile design using dye, so went to Manila to pick up supplies.
I am sick at home with bronchitis.
I didn't sleep well last night, because mama cat decided to miscarry on our bed...had to clean up and change the linen at midnight...luckily we have an undersheet so the mattress is okay...poor thing, we'd get her fixed, but we spent lots of money getting the two female dogs fixed, and it didn't stop them from having puppies....
The internet is off and on: Chano is "fixing" the system, which means he moves the wireless router in a cabinet, so that the signal to my room is blocked by two concrete walls, but it looks nice and neat (Duh)...I just rehung the router underneathe the shelf so we have a weak connection (only one concrete wall for the signal to go through)...
As you can tell, I'm in a bad mood.
I am sick at home with bronchitis.
I didn't sleep well last night, because mama cat decided to miscarry on our bed...had to clean up and change the linen at midnight...luckily we have an undersheet so the mattress is okay...poor thing, we'd get her fixed, but we spent lots of money getting the two female dogs fixed, and it didn't stop them from having puppies....
The internet is off and on: Chano is "fixing" the system, which means he moves the wireless router in a cabinet, so that the signal to my room is blocked by two concrete walls, but it looks nice and neat (Duh)...I just rehung the router underneathe the shelf so we have a weak connection (only one concrete wall for the signal to go through)...
As you can tell, I'm in a bad mood.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
News below the fold
Most drug overdose deaths are of druggies trying to get high, not by people in pain...
The "editorial" warns doctors to be more careful...
Uh, fellahs, most of the deaths I have seen were druggies who stole the pain pills from my patients or bought the medicine on the street.
----------------------
I had assumed Palin's church burned down at night...now the WAPO reports that children were inside the church when the fire was set..and accelerants were poured at the exits...Hmm...they must have been inspired by this
-----------------------------------
Two China stories you may have missed: the return of Chinese nationalism, and the return of Confucius
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Torture: It's not just for terrorists anymore:
Noise polluters sentenced to listen to Barry Manilow
The "editorial" warns doctors to be more careful...
Uh, fellahs, most of the deaths I have seen were druggies who stole the pain pills from my patients or bought the medicine on the street.
----------------------
I had assumed Palin's church burned down at night...now the WAPO reports that children were inside the church when the fire was set..and accelerants were poured at the exits...Hmm...they must have been inspired by this
-----------------------------------
Two China stories you may have missed: the return of Chinese nationalism, and the return of Confucius
-----------------------
Torture: It's not just for terrorists anymore:
Noise polluters sentenced to listen to Barry Manilow
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Hubble Space Telescope Advent Calander
In January 2002, a dull star in an obscure constellation suddenly became 600,000 times more luminous than our Sun, temporarily making it the brightest star in our galaxy. The star, called V838 Monocerotis, has long since faded back to obscurity, but observations of a phenomenon called a "light echo" around the star have uncovered remarkable new features over the following years (this animation covers two years' time). The light echo is light from the earlier explosion echoing off dust surrounding the star. Light from the outburst traveled to the dust and then was reflected to Earth. Because of this indirect path, the light arrived at Earth months after light from the star that traveled directly from the star. (NASA, ESA) More (see this on Google Sky) check out link at Boston.com for some of the most amazing Hubble photos...
Star wars the musical
The Laughing Squidblog posts photos...
but why does C3Po look like the tin woodsman with Pecs? and R2D2 look like a trash bin?
The "we're all gonna die" post of the day
NASA reports a giant breach in the earth's magnetic fields...more HERE
Nat Geo news says the earth's magnetic fields are changing fast, and might flip in the "near" future...
Freeper Codetoad explains what it means in plain english:
The various layers of Earth’s atmosphere block various types of particles from the sun...The article basically says we’re about to get a doze of higher than normal electromagnetic radiation, which will be seen to Radio Frequency (RF) communications, like cell phones and radios, as additional noise. Humans won’t even notice anything.
The Sun has been very quite for the past few years (but) If that changes as it is expected to, we might get hit with a good dose of solar radiation that we have not experienced in modern science. The outcome isn’t chaos except for maybe a bunch of technical devices like satellites and cell phones. They might get interfered with.
So if the sunspots return, there goes your cellphones, folks.Tuesday, December 16, 2008
New Photo Blog
I just got a new camera, and Ruby likes to take photos.
So I am posting the photos on a new blog:the BCCC Gapan Photo Blog.
With Robin coming tonite, we will probably fill it up with photos.
So I am posting the photos on a new blog:the BCCC Gapan Photo Blog.
With Robin coming tonite, we will probably fill it up with photos.
Something to ponder about
"...I remember a day I forgot and made some reference to God; I could see the surprise and the near-horror in their eyes. "Wladimir Martinovich," said one little girl, "is it possible that you believe in God, a smart man like you? How can you still let yourself be influenced by unscientific stories about God and religion?" She was perhaps in the seventh grade. I didn't want them to go away without an answer, so I told them they would come across the idea of God wherever they went; it was a serious problem that troubled many people, and they would make a serious mistake if they didn't consider it carefully and try to solve it for themselves...."
read the link for some serious deja vu
read the link for some serious deja vu
Monday, December 15, 2008
But I thought Hobbits walked barefoot...
for the knitters among you, you can join the Lord of the Rings Sock club at link....
As for hobbits, the UniqueSheep has a pattern for sale to make hobbit feet socks...
Craft item of the day
ReeseDixonBlog has instructions on how to make a quilled Snowflake Christmas ornament.(headsup Craftzine)
wittyliving has quilling tutorials...
Gift item of the day
A USB Doomsday device...
use the USB Doomsday Device as a 4 port USB hub. No one will mess with you with this baby on your desk.
---------------
and check out more suggestions at Webecoist...
.
Stuff below the fold
New treatment eliminates heel pain...
Duh...it's the same old steroid injection but using an ultrasound to make sure you hit the right spot.
-----------------------
Transplanted fat cells may help spinal cord injury.
the scientists turned fat cells into stem cells, and these grew back the injured nerves..
---------------
artificial hands that can "feel"?
---------------------
The MRI can diagnose Multiple Sclerosis, but we also see the same changes in normal people.
Now, a survey shows that one third of "normal" people with this on their MRI will develop symptoms of MS in five years...
what about the others? No problems...so far...
-------------------
Ecology pioneer Lester Brown's lecture on how to save the Earth at WGBH (streaming audio/video).
-----------------------------
Also on WGBH (streaming only) is DavidMoore pf Gallup polls explaining how polls manufacture opinions, not merely report the news.
-------------------
Gollum and Einstein and Dorrit, oh my.
Andy Serkis gets an interview at the UKTimes.
Duh...it's the same old steroid injection but using an ultrasound to make sure you hit the right spot.
-----------------------
Transplanted fat cells may help spinal cord injury.
the scientists turned fat cells into stem cells, and these grew back the injured nerves..
---------------
artificial hands that can "feel"?
---------------------
The MRI can diagnose Multiple Sclerosis, but we also see the same changes in normal people.
Now, a survey shows that one third of "normal" people with this on their MRI will develop symptoms of MS in five years...
what about the others? No problems...so far...
-------------------
Ecology pioneer Lester Brown's lecture on how to save the Earth at WGBH (streaming audio/video).
-----------------------------
Also on WGBH (streaming only) is DavidMoore pf Gallup polls explaining how polls manufacture opinions, not merely report the news.
-------------------
Gollum and Einstein and Dorrit, oh my.
Andy Serkis gets an interview at the UKTimes.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Music download pages
Muzyka Dawna page
and for those who like music from the age of the Tudors, check Robert Parsons project.
and more free downloads HERE...both classical and Christmas music
and for those who like music from the age of the Tudors, check Robert Parsons project.
and more free downloads HERE...both classical and Christmas music
LA Times editorial blasts South Africa for it's failure to pressure Mugabe
good article, but ignores that politics and international organizations are stopping anyone from sending in the Marines (or the UK SAS)...
my rant about stopping genocide HERE...
my rant about stopping genocide HERE...
Music of the Spheres
Riding with Robots 2008 Holiday Card from Bill Dunford on Vimeo.
(HEADSUP FROM mU'A'VO MU' KLINGON WORD FROM THE WORD BLOG, who has a klingon podcast, which I haven't listened to, but linked as a headsup for Trekkies).
The Robots card's site was from the Japanese probe that is taking high definition photos from the moon. their Youtube site is HERE.
I just heard about the Japanese probe from Astronomy Podcast, a nice link for those of you interested in stars, nebula, gravity and other such things).
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Craft item of the day
Hate to throw out all that lovely lint you clean from your clothes drier?
Instructables tells you how to use it to make home made paper
(headsup Scribbit Blog)
(here in the Philippines, our "drier" is a separate spinner, that removes most of the moisture and then we hang the clothes up in the sun, or under the roof in the dry season...during the monsoon, we have to iron things to get them really dry.)
Instructables tells you how to use it to make home made paper
(headsup Scribbit Blog)
(here in the Philippines, our "drier" is a separate spinner, that removes most of the moisture and then we hang the clothes up in the sun, or under the roof in the dry season...during the monsoon, we have to iron things to get them really dry.)
Wreaths across America
laying wreaths in Arlington National Cemetery...
In 1992, the Worcester Wreath company started to donate wreaths to decorate graves in Arlington Cemetery; the idea has now spread across the country; over 350 communities are now laying wreaths in local Veteran's cemeteries or on memorials to the war dead.
Bagpipes
(headsup the anchoress)
------------------
However, it's not really a joke:LINK
Photo: INS
Cornmarket's bagpiping busker is flying back to his native Australia after the council banned him from playing in Oxford City centre.
The bagpiper, Heath Richardson, had breached the rules of his contract by playing for too long at his favourite Cornmarket pitch.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Oh great
now there are reports of Ebola viruses in pigs...there goes the Lechon...
actually it's the Reston strain that doesn't infect humans (see the Hot Zone)....or rather infects humans but doesn't make them sick
--------------------------
update: Whoops:
The infected pigs were from Santo Nino in Bulacan province, Pinagpanaan in Nueva Ecija province and Manaoag in Pangasinan province
More HERE.
Guess they'll have to confiscate teacups
England has confiscated guns and dangerous knives, so one shop keeper had to resort to more basic weapons:
She threw the tea in the face of one robber as he came towards her. "He staggered back a bit and his friend was still hanging around so I threw my empty mug at his face."
(the robbers ran away before she could use her third "weapon": A bottle of whiskey).
Rant stuff
Ah, Chicago style politics... John Kass explains....
My take here...reminds me of Manila...where no one knows anything either.
----------------------
more rants on BNN include:
My take here...reminds me of Manila...where no one knows anything either.
----------------------
more rants on BNN include:
- Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, 10 Dec 2008
- Obama sends the wrong signal to Russia, 07 Dec 2008
- Global Warming makes a convenient scapegoat, 05 Dec 2008
The Twelve days of Christmas
The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region.Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city
====================
Did you ever wonder about the weird things listed in the carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
And did you know the 12 days of Christmas are not the 12 days before Christmas, but are the 12 days that the church celebrates, from December 25 to the feast of the Three Kings?
So there is your history for today....from an email from Col Updraft
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Hero of the day
Off duty Okie state trooper honored for stopping massacre at restaurant.
"It was one of those deals of being in the right place at the right time," Robinson said. "I believe he would have loaded up that gun and gone to town because he was praying for Allah to help him carry out his mission."
(note: the perpetrator was not a Muslim, merely crazy)
Craft item of the day
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