Bernard Vonnegut: Atmospheric Scientist

HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE RAIN GODS!!

Last evening I was reading about a bad drought in China, and how scientists there were planning to "seed" clouds to try and create rain. This caught my interest and I decided to look up more about "cloud seeding".

Drought threatens 1.5 million in southwest China

This brought me to a Wikipedia site on cloud seeding which was quite informative, despite some minor cursing in the introduction. (I actually tried to be a good dooby and edit it out, but my patience ran out when I couldn't do it on my first attempt) Amusingly enough, I may not have been the only person to visit a formerly low traffic page after this China article. Low and behold, today the cursing is no longer there... but I digress.

Anyway cloud seeding is interesting because they put chemicals in the air, which one would think could create toxic rain, or pollution when it does eventually fall back to ground. More disturbing than this, is apparently it is done frequently. At first I pooh poohed this notion, the source being Wikipedia and all... but their links to various studies, some in the U.S. check out. So think radiation in Quaker Oats back in the 50s, courtesy of Uncle Sam, apparently the government is still in a round about way using us as Guinna pigs! I feel like renting conspiracy theory!

Lastly in this amusing endeavor I discovered the inspiration for ice-9. Seeding clouds involves inserting large quantities of a nucleating agent into clouds to facilitate the formation of ice crystals. Yes... Yes... a couple of you out there must have read Cat's Cradle. Well, apparently, Kurt Vonnegut's brother Bernard Vonnegut was a well known atmospheric scientist who actually discovered that silver iodide could be used to seed clouds and create precipitation. Yes... truth inspires fiction. Given the somewhat unflattering portrayal of the scientist in Kurt's novel, it would lead me to believe he wasn't on the best of terms with his brother. It would seem like a rather harsh joke otherwise. But perhaps it was..... I always thought Cat's Cradle stood in contempt of technology, amongst many other things. Apparently Bernard's work was featured in other Vonnegut novels as well.

My day at work today was kind of like the day the stock market had.... enough said.



I hope Wednesday is better!

An Unusual Kind of Thought

The following is a video created by an autistic woman, intended as a statement on how misunderstood autistic people are. She explains about her interaction with her environment as being her way of thinking and interpretation. The clip is meant to express that while it may be difficult for one another to truly under stand each other, that we should all work hard at it in the interest of humanity. Half of the video is described as being in "Amanda's Language", where as the second half is a declaration on her ability to think intelligently and how she is often misunderstood.

It is an excellent clip, well put together and I recommend anyone with interest in people to take the time to watch it.




The closing moments of my weekend:
On Sunday evening Kate & I went to the Bangkok Bistro in Cleveland Circle which is at the end of the C line in Brighton. Kate actually is walking distance from Cleveland Circle, so I drove straight from Maine to her apartment, and we headed out with our bellies growling. Kate had Chicken with basil. I had Beef in Oyster sauce, which had mushrooms and scallions in it. I additionally ordered some Tom Yum soup, which is a Thai variant on hot & sour soup. It was fantastic, and was almost better than the main course itself. The broth was light with a slight zing to it, and it was loaded with mushrooms cooked perfectly so that they were not too soft. Two massive shrimp were buried beneath the broth and mushrooms which served as a pleasant surprise. Kate and I had gone there a long time ago. I don't recall what I ordered last time, probably cashew chicken, as I was likely new to the Thai scene at that point. Anyway this meal was certainly delicious. While the Brown Sugar Cafe is still my favorite Thai restaurant around, this definitely gave it a run for its money. Kate & I then walked to Herrell's on Commonwealth Avenue and split a sundae. The place was filled with college kids studying with their lap tops. I have to admit I was a bit envious looking at them. Any way Kate provided a wonderful end to a nice weekend... I think she's cooking pasta Wednesday. I'm looking forward to it already.

PLEASE EXCUSE MY EMOTICONS

The Events of my Late Winter New England Weekend

I had a hectic day ( 8-S ) at work on Friday, things didn't necessarily go as planned. I guess I haven't been entirely pleased with the course of events lately on my job. A "slow down" in my work load never quite happened due to events beyond my control, and complications in staffing have perhaps even increased our burden. I do my best, but I'm trying to take heed not to burn out in the process.

Arcade Fire tickets at the Orpheum in Boston went on sale Friday, and promptly sold out by the afternoon. Unfortunately I dropped the ball and just made a move too late yet again. I've missed the Redsox sale (I suddenly stopped getting the mailing list stuff in my email!), the Shins, Clap your hands say Yeah, the Dears, and now Arcade Fire too. Kate continued to try and get tickets during the weekend while I was in Maine, but had no luck. Bummer :(

So I went to Maine over the weekend. It was my Aunt (Gigi) Virginia's birthday and my parents were going to have a dinner for her on Saturday night. Aunt Gigi decided she wanted pizza for her birthday and we went and got take out from a new pizza joint called "Athens Pizza" in Lewiston, which was some of the better tasting Greek-style pizza I've had. It was perhaps comparable to the "Andrea's Pizza" chain down here in Massachusetts. We of course had birthday cake too.

As I was headed to Maine, I got in touch with John Madden and visited with him and Michelle on Friday night.

It was the first time I had been to Michelle's place, which is an apartment above her sister's house in the Bayside neighborhood of Portland. She has a very sharp sense for decor that combines an element of bohemian stylings with some of the latest trends you may see on various TLC programs. Bright lime green paint in her kitchen/ living room and the deep red of her living room provided an excellent canvas on which various art work, and photography by Michelle herself, personalize and yet also dignify the walls of building that has design that is very similar to that of an old country farm house. I quote TLC specifically... (even though I'm certain from what I know of Michelle, it was likely from her own creative mind) because she had ripped out the carpets of a couple of rooms and painted the plywood, something I've seen several home improvement shows suggested for cost efficient and fashionable makeovers. Some oriental throw rugs coupled by some worn pieces of vintage furniture create a very artistic and comfortable feeling in the space that the designer dweebs sitting around at pier 1 and/or urban outfitters strive for but are never quite able to grasp. Pre-packaged expression is a contradiction of sorts. True style can't be commercialized... it is individual expression that makes your environment special.

I was sort of envious of what she had created, and apartment life in a complex only allows you to personalize your space so much. Truthfully I'm sort of a plain decor kind of guy and I could never live up to that sort of standard when it comes to my own sense of interior style. That being said, I'm overdue on getting myself a new piece of artwork for my living room.

My visit was very good. A lot of talking and a lot of listening to music. I should have brought a note pad with me :D because John kept on rattling off authors and artists I should check out and seriously, on four hours of sleep, with no supper and several beers in me... my coherence wasn't particularly high. ;I We went to Rosie's for some conversation, and then returned to Michelle's later for music & conversation, and some satisfying chips and salsa. (Really... is it possible for chips and salsa to not be satisfying?).

John & I talked politics for a while... he even suggested that I should read "Culture Warrior" by Bill O'Reilly. Must be the Hayes effect ;) . It seemed John was unaware that I come from very Republican roots, and that I actually voted for W back in 2000. (I have amusing memories of Brian Gregoire & Jeremy Viles calling me a fascist for being a member of the college republicans at St. Joe's) Of course last time I voted for Kerry, despite loathing him. I am quite anti-Bush as you all know from reading the blog. They say that most people become progressively more conservative as they age... but I'm willing to admit, I've become progressively more left-wing. I try to keep an eye on all sides, and I like to think of myself as an independent, so perhaps eventually I will consider this as a read, although I think the guy's primarily an entertainer. John was a fountain of cultural knowledge as he usually is, and supplied many other interesting reading and listening suggestions. Out of my friends, while pretty much everyone has contributed to my entertainment interests along the way, its fair to say that John has had probably a bit more influence on my musical collection than most.

Saturday morning.... well OK it was more like 12:30, I woke up with a mild hang over, showered, & brushed my teeth. John's phone rang for about twenty minutes straight... somehow Hayes accidentally called him. John has this razor (I think) for a phone that lets you program rings for select people. Tim's ring is the NFL theme. This theme kept on repeating on loop the whole time I was in the shower. I debated in my head about just shutting it off, or opening cracking John's bedroom door and tossing the phone in with his sleeping mass... but I did neither. When I was done doing a half-assed job of grooming myself (No shaving... and I forgot my comb) I went over to John's door and said... John are you awake? After a brief pause John replied, and several minutes later the NFL jingle ceased with John's intervention.

John & I headed out for a quick lunch at a Jewish Deli in Portland called "The Full Belly Deli". It was a nice little place in an old strip mall next to where Child World & Mardens used to be. With a full stomach, we parted ways in the frigid Maine wind, and promised one another we'd get together soon.

I went up to Sabattus next for Aunt Gigi's birthday. That night after everyone had left and gone to bed I struggled to stay up and watch SNL. Dwight from "The Office" hosted, and Arcade Fire was on, and I sadly watched and thought of the show I probably wouldn't get to see :[ . I slept well that night with a fire roaring in the fireplace, and the wind howling outside.

Sunday I had some left over pizza for breakfast & quickly prepared myself to head out to Brookline. I unfortunately was late. Kate told me I'm developing a reputation of always being late which makes me kind of sad :( . I had always prided myself on being early previously, so this is definitely something I'm going to have to work on. Ahhh well, I guess I can't be perfect ;)

Hope Everyone has a good Monday! I know I'm likely to be dreadfully busy... so, here I go, off to bed to be full of sprite.

Marvelous Spin

Pelosi Calls Bush to Complain of Cheney's Comments on Democrats' Iraq Strategy
Dick Cheney's visit to Japan, and the stuff he said while he was there is nothing short of hilarious. Rice and Cheney both have raised the bar on their bold faced lies.

An example: "The British have done what is really the plan for the country as a whole, which is to transfer security responsibility to the Iraqis as the situation permits," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a news conference in Berlin, where she was in meetings on the Mideast peace process.

The spin on the British troop removal is hysterical. I mean for anyone to buy into that. I guess we should either move out a lot of troops from southern Iraq and put them in Bagdad.. or bring them home then, because things are apparently going really well in those areas.

Cheney: U.S. wants to return from Iraq 'with honor'

From article: "And I want you to know that the American people will not support a policy of retreat," he added. "We want to complete the mission, we want to get it done right, and we want to return with honor," said Cheney

Who does he think he's kidding? I'm certain the Japanese understand American sentiment right now, and fully know where this is heading.

When McCain said we needed more troops to do this right... McCain was right. Bush kept used troops there a couple months longer.... despite every one's preoccupation with the "surge"... it just really isn't one. We unfortunately did not fight this aggressively or strategically in the start, and now we do not have the resources to do what's right. Additionally the American public is strongly against the battle. Even though by all means we should be cleaning up this mess (Because it will probably get bigger) It will probably not help with us being there. If we leave, we'll likely be back soon... but perhaps it is what needs to happen due to a lack of better options.

Confirming that John McCain is bats....(Think John Kerry style) and that Dick Cheney is, well.... it speaks for itself
Cheney: McCain may apologize to Rumsfeld, as he did to me

If this has any merit... It is some good news:
The Religious Right's Era Is Over

Good news NOT because I'm anti-religious. I'm not. It is good news because the religious right is a contradiction in terms. It is good news because perhaps legislation can be spent on fiscal and important social issues rather than items such as "flag burning" "prayer in school" and "posting the commandments on government property". Of course the useless non binding resolution which took a month to vote on... and then failed in the Senate... doesn't give me much hope.

Some excerpts from the article:

"In the churches, a combination of deeper compassion and better theology has moved many pastors and congregations away from the partisan politics of the Religious Right. In politics, we are beginning to see a leveling of the playing field between the two parties on religion and "moral values," and the media are finally beginning to cover the many and diverse voices of faith. These are all big changes in American life, and the rest of the world is taking notice."

"Even more amazing, the Left is starting to get it. Progressive politics is remembering its own religious history and recovering the language of faith. Democrats are learning to connect issues with values and are now engaging with the faith community."

"It's time to remember the spiritual revivals that helped lead to the abolition of slavery in Britain and the United States; the black church's leadership during the American civil rights movement; the deeply Catholic roots of the Solidarity movement in Poland that led the overthrow of communism; the way liberation theology in Latin America helped pave the way for new democracies; how Desmond Tutu and the South African churches served to inspire victory over apartheid; how "People Power" joined with the priests and bishops to bring down down Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos; how the Dalai Lama keeps hope alive for millions of Tibetans; and, today, how the growing Evangelical and Pentecostal churches of the global South are mobilizing to addresse the injustices of globalization."

Time will tell if the faith I once had in organized religion will ever be restored.

What matters is the examples we set, what we think as individuals, how we treat others, Not how or who we pray to or with. What matters is the truth in the message NOT whether the stories that spread the word are fact or fiction.

Clarification

I warned you it was venomous... deep in the dark recesses of my mind... well actually it's more like front and center.

I will apologize if my posting was in any way shape or form interpreted as anti-Christian. I DID however intend to make a mockery of Bush's Christianity. I know Bush may feel he is doing the right thing, and I know he also feels that he is a good Christian, but it is MY belief... (If I remember my CCD) that the fundamentals of Christianity are very much against what Bush has done. Precedence however shows that this is just another of many battles of ideology, that have occurred over the past 2000 years... that stand in stark contrast with the teachings of Christ.

The following article.... which I wish wasn't published by the Washington Post.... anyway the following article is a good explanation of the contradictions of the Iraq conflict with Christianity.

To perhaps lure you into taking a look, some info on the writer: "On Faith" panelist Miroslav Volf holds the Henry B. Wright Chair of Theology at Yale Divinity School and serves as Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. A native of Croatia, he studied at the Evangelical-Theological Faculty in Osijek, Croatia before earning his Masters degree from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California

Iraq War Not A Just War

Explaining a little on what I see as hypocritical American Policy... here is a CONSERVATIVE... and it's sort of sad when lately Buchanan is one of the few who seems to have common sense. The following article forces on Bush's endorsement of Israel's recent over zealous attack on Lebanon, a Lebanon that only recently was pro-American. I wonder where they stand now?

Where are the Christians?

One point in the article is how sadly, only Pope Benedict seems to be leading the charge against the Bush Doctrine which has been based on poorly thought out strategy, rather than justice.

John Paul in the Early throws of the war: "Iraq war Threatens Humanity"
In this same article a cardinal eludes that this is the beginning of WWIII.

New Pope Benedict XVI a Strong Critic of War
As a Cardinal, the new pope was a staunch critic of the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. On one occasion before the war, he was asked whether it would be just. "Certainly not," he said, and explained that the situation led him to conclude that "the damage would be greater than the values one hopes to save."

So on this issue, the Pope, who is supposed to be the infallible head of the Catholic Church, the Christian Church that started them all, on this Issue I think the Pope is quite clear about how "Christian" the actions of our current administration are.

An additional statement made in my prior post which should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me is that I am pro choice. I think abortion should be discouraged, and prophylactics should be encouraged. Additionally if legislation was created to ban late term abortions, except in circumstances where a mother's life was in danger, I would support this too... however when "partial birth abortion" bills are introduced, they are NEVER clearly defined, and are left vague so that legislators can later go in and ban abortion as they please. This is misleading and wrong.

I understand this is a difficult issue for people, and that generally NO minds will be changed. I have my reasons, and they probably can not be reconciled by people who believe that an undeveloped embryo is a human being. Previously abortion was not a key issue, however Bush ran on the platform that he would NOT seek to over turn Roe vs. Wade. His behavior in office has been a stark contradiction to this. I believe women should have the right to make their own decisions with their own bodies... and I don't think any government has much right to infringe upon this. Our current lot of candidates for President are not shying from the abortion issue. I did not consider opinions on this prior to 2008 as crucial because popularists would not touch it. This is no longer the political climate in Washington and I will exercise my opinion appropriately. If I have to end up voting for Ralph Nader (God I hope not........) I WILL.

One thing I don't understand, is how there are many people out there who can care so much about a undefined mass of cells growing inside a woman, with no conscious though or ability to survive with out the specific life support of this woman........ but then is indifferent to massive casualties of innocent civilians who we are supposed to be "liberating". You can't argue about whether these are conscious beings or not.

So.... I don't know if that helps or makes my incendiary remarks even worse, but this is what I believe.

IF we had conclusive evidence that Saddam Hussein had a strong military force threatening the region, that we hadn't already destroyed. IF we weren't already fighting a battle in Afghanistan which needed more of our attention..... THEN maybe this all would have made more sense. I understand Bush's Vision, it however was not well thought out or planned. Cultural impact was disregarded and influence over Iran was paid little heed, and now we are paying the price on multiple fronts. The proof is in the pudding.... whatever that means.

In a bit of irony today Chemical warfare was used in Iraq by the insurgents. So Iraq did not have a functional chemical warfare ability when we invaded..... but guess who's been in school!!!
Scores choke in poison gas attack

My Weekend, & My Radicalism

Let me start with my Weekend.

It was a pleasant one overall but extremely lazy. I still didn't do my taxes which I've been putting off. I went to Rani's in Brookline for supper on Saturday night with Kate & her friend Kevin who was visiting from Mississippi. He had a conference in the area and extended his stay a couple days to say hello.

On Sunday Kate came over and we went to the Border Cafe on Rt. 1. I rear ended some dude in a Chrysler Minivan getting on to Rt. 1. I was a wee bit pissed off but I think it was more traumatic for Kate. There was no damage and so we went on our merry ways, no harm, no foul. He had pulled out, at the end of the ramp and started to take off. As a result, I immediately looked over my shoulder and began merging, because there were no cars approaching. Unbeknown to me, he stopped again... so I gave him a pretty good bump. Anyhow he was really cool about it. I think he understood my mistake... (It's one I've made before several years back).

Anyway our food was quite good, I had crawfish & shrimp enchiladas and Kate had a chicken enchilada and a taco. We had some toffee bar crunch ice cream for desert back at my apartment.

I'm looking forward to my Wednesday meal with Kate already... it can't come soon enough.

WARNING: VENOMOUS POLITICAL RANT

I know it probably doesn't make me a good "Patriot" but I believe that the terrorist attacks in Iran detailed in the article were the work of the U.S. When I first heard about this bombing... I just assumed that it had to be U.S. sponsored guerrilla warfare. It is a prime example of how United States Foreign policy regarding "terrorism" is severely flawed and extremely hypocritical. Kind of makes it tough to criticize Iran for funding the Shiites when we try to destabilize their nation with the same tactics. With the 2008 election we need to clean house and get every remaining vestige of the morally bankrupt administration that is in power out of D.C.

Article: Iran hangs man convicted of Revolutionary Guards attack

I'm dead set against most Democrat domestic policies, namely government run health care.... but if I have to I'll vote for Hillary over a Romney whose campaign is run by Bush cronies... or a McCain.. who is grasping for straws. Suddenly he's anti-Rumsfeld (now that its popular) and pro-life (since he needs to be to win the GOP). Apparently he thinks he can have his cake and eat it too. I'd probably consider voting for Rudy... but lets face it he doesn't have a chance in hell to win the primary.... because he isn't quite as in touch with God as he needs to be. I mean after all we need a good Christian man like W running the country.

The current administration, while they've kept our economy in check they've destabilized the world in away that makes my blood run cold. I admit I was blinded by the post 911 response which at the time seemed responsible. But on the eve of the Iraq invasion... it was apparent that something had gone terribly wrong.

Foreign policy is much more important next election cycle than anything else. If things don't change domestic policy will no longer matter when it comes to judge our economy or quality of life..... it will be the state of the World playing a much bigger part in North American affairs.

Sex Ed

Teacher's porn conviction sparks tech debate
So, part of me really has a tough time with this one. Honestly... any computer investigator should be able to track the history to see just how these sites or "pop ups" were acquired.

The whole thing sounds really fishy... Despite my intense passion for searching for artistic nude shots of Madeline Albright.... the most racy pop ups I've seen are the occasional adult friend things which are PG. Additionally, why wouldn't pop up blocker be installed? Don't most PCs have at least a 4 year old copy of Explorer on them? Isn't this a standard feature? And lastly don't most schools use Macs, which are even less likely to fall victim to the pop up charades?

It sounds like either someone has something out for this woman.... (She's being framed), she's some sort of sicko, or she is extremely irresponsible. I'm guessing the latter is the case.

Using "strict orders" as an excuse to NOT shut the computer off sounds, like a crock of sh*t to me. Sounds like she was either unaware kids were looking at porn (seventh graders... with access to a uncensored PC... yeah they'll do the responsible thing) and is trying to cover it up..... or she saw it and felt it was only worthy of a mild deterrent. I mean... if you are serious about the teaching profession, and children.... isn't your first reaction going to be to rip that sucker out of the outlet or shut the monitor off??? And report it immediately to the principal and IT. I mean this isn't stuff you want to mess around with....you could end up... well exactly where she is.

A juror echoes my sentiments:
"So many kids noticed this going on," Steinmetz said. "It was truly uncalled for. I would not want my child in her classroom. All she had to do was throw a coat over it or unplug it. We figured even if there were pop-ups, would you sit there?"

I mean what sort of teacher goes... "Duhh.. gee better not shut it off...I's got mee some strict orders.."

Of course with that being said, one could, and should argue that the teacher should not be the only one held accountable. If the parental locks are implemented, as they should be in a school, such crap should be prohibited. The following suggests that someone else in the chain wasn't doing their work either:

Principal Scott Fain said the computer lacked the latest firewall protection because a vendor's bill had gone unpaid. "I was shocked to see what made it through," he said.
But Fain also said Amero was the only one to report such a problem: "We've never had a problem with pop-ups before or since."

No firewalls... IT is guilty then too, and lastly if Amero did report it, when did she report it? Before or after a parent complained? If its before this is a case of someone trying to damage her reputation I'd say. (although it doesn't explain why she didn't shut off the computer) If it is after... then prosecution has the case wrapped up, regardless of whether its pop ups or not.

This woman, bottom line, can't use simple logic in the classroom and shut off this PC displaying porn. This makes her a bad leader, & irresponsible. Even if she isn't to blame of the origin of questionable content, it clearly seems she dropped the ball on rectifying the situation. This is common sense.

Beyond the convicted woman, this case is a clear example of poor accountability in the public education system. In these times the Internet is not a trivial thing, and access to it by children should be taken seriously. This school administration was negligent, obviously on the training of the substitute teacher, and admittedly on their infrastructure.

FUN with the Headlines

VP Dick Cheney: "You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads! Now evidently junior here informs me that that cannot be done. Ah, would you remind me what they pay you people for, honestly? Throw me a bone here! What do we have? "

President George W Bush: "Well...see here's how it is..... Laura hates Jaws, which is directed by Spielberg... and see Spielberg.... Spielberg hates me. Now.....Jelly fish are mean critters... Now, Dick... hear me out... I know what I'm talkin about here because I've seen what they've done to Sponge Bob...... but see... the jellies.... they wouldn't listen to their commander... rendgrades... so I sent them to GITMO... and then the killer whales eat too much... and honestly after spending a couple billion on the jelly fish we were coming up short on our "EPA" funds...heh heh.. yeah you heard right... protecting the environment by making the environment protect it self. The right to bear arms......nowhatimean? Any way.... I'm side tracking... and I got a date with a couple of fajitas... so lets keep this little conversation rolling. So if we couldn't use the jellies.... and needed to size down from Shamu... this got me thinkin.... The twins love Flipper... you know Nick at Night? And so I just thought.........

Cheney: Awwww Christ George... Dolphins? I'm not certain but this may be worse than appointing Miers as Chief Justice.... HEY ROVE... I gotta get out of here.... wanna go hunting?? Awww come on... anyone?

Navy May Deploy Dolphins to Fend Off Terrorism

SPACE POTATOES!!!! It's about time, that's all I've gotta say about that!

Bear outside window startles woman -- and vice versa If you didn't hear about this one already check it out... good stuff.

Farmer exasperated with wayward donkey Once those donkeys get an idea in their heads.... they just run with it.

Florida Restaurant Holds Benefit For Lisa Nowak Won't somebody please think of the deranged astronaut diaper wearing, would be murderers... please?

Sex-Changing Chemicals Found in Potomac River Ru Paul seen wandering aimlessly around the Jefferson Memorial in a stupor.

Jumping helps prevent pregnancy, Brits believe In an unrelated study, British discover Coke serves as good & affordable mouth wash supplement.

Alien sketches and cookies

Another weekend past and an excessively LAZY one at that. I got virtually NOTHING accomplished other than sleeping. Oh... I picked up a roll of quarters at Shaws to do laundry, I just didn't actually do the laundry. I didn't go into work, I barely neatened the apartment.

Kate came over Sunday. We met at Wellington station on the orange line first and had a fulfilling meal at "The Texas Roadhouse". We savored our wonderful rolls and cinnamon flavored butter. We both ordered steaks, however I got a Caesar salad and mashed potatoes where as Kate got a house salad and a baked potato. My choices were better ones of course. Later we went back to my apartment and decided to bake some toll house cookies. In addition to a decent batch of cookies we made a giant one on a cookie sheet. We decorated it with milk chocolate frosting and candy coated Valentines Day Hershey's kisses. I ate too much sugar today. While our monstrous cookie was baking we got on the subject of painting children's faces. For one event in Wyoming I painted children's faces at a community fair. I mentioned that I created a popular design which was an "alien head". Little boys especially really liked this alien head and wanted it painted on their faces. Kate impressed by the fact that I could actually create something that others liked (nice faith in me huh?)wanted to see it. So I drew this very simple design. While I was busy continuing to bake more cookies Kate occupied herself from repeating this drawing and "improving" it. This was drawn on the back of a grocery receipt. The big alien head closest to the bottom was mine. Next in chronological order, Kate's first alien was the slightly lopsided looking one, bottom right. Next she drew the one on the left (sans "hair"). Kate then decided the neck of this alien was too wide and proceeded to draw her next alien head directly above my original. She then proceeded to give this one long hair... perhaps it is a lady alien. Next she added the spiked hair to the alien head bottom left. Kate finished her artistic endeavours with the top alien which is supposed to be a "punk alien". Yes that is a Mohawk. This concluded my lazy weekend.

I did finish reading "The Last Templar" by Raymond Khoury which is in the same vein as Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code". Although interestingly enough the author struck a tone suggesting it would be irresponsible of an archaeologist to reveal historical evidence documenting Christ as a mortal rather than the son of God. It was an interesting work of fiction, that theorized about what might have happened if similar events were a reality. I think Khoury severely over estimates the impact any find like this would have, because I believe it would not be "believed", and would be discredited.

Now I'm going to start "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.

Well I have a big day of report writing ahead of me, so I need to get to bed.

Condicise

A series about Condy Rice excercising... interesting insight into this woman's life. Wish I had what it takes to wake up at 4:30 and go to the gym... but alas I just don't have the Right Stuff.



The menu at the end of that 1st installment made me feel a wee bit guilty as I just ate a whole large Pizza. (It was FAN-tastic) I plan to do some walking tomorrow, maybe even make it to the gym... probably not as I dropped the ball on todays to do list BIG TIME. The winter really makes me lazy. I can't believe Condy is over 50...



And part three



Yeah... I've gotta start doing that water thing again too. I did manage to bring lunches to work every day last week. If I can manage to keep that up, it alone should help me lose weight and save money... but alas WE shall see.

FUNNY Stuuuff....

Here are a couple of great political virals... but truthfully they are pretty watered down, so all of you anti-politics folks... don't get scared away. Check em out!!

Humane Lobster boiling and well paid officers

Whole Foods says its ban on lobster sales will stand -- except in Maine
Oh this one is hysterical. PETA supports the humane killing of lobster... the best bit of this article is how they think giving lobsters private tanks and humane electric shock deaths will spread to all grocery stores...... Right, and I can turn inanimate objects into gold.

Oh and this article is nothing short of appalling:
Pay exceeds $140,000 for hundreds of troopers
To all of those critics who thought Matt Damon's co-signed apartment on Beacon Hill in The Departed was too suspicious.... think again.

I'm all for police officers making a decent wage since they put their lives on the line..... but personally I believe anything over 75k should be reserved for sheriffs and 20 year veterans. I think I just figured out how to fix the burgeoning crime rate in Boston. Terminate everyone who makes over 100k and doesn't run a police force. Put a salary cap at 100k that increases with the cost of living. Replace overpaid officers with new officers who make between 40-60k then take all of the extra money and put new cops on the street. Additionally rig cameras & lidar/radar up on interstates and busy state highways and eliminate at least 1/3 of the speed/ traffic task force. Establish an ad campaign to educate (and scare) the public into maintaining safe speeds. Police officers should be protecting the peace, not collecting taxes. Lets leave that to the IRS. Task forces can redirect funds appropriately for increased surveillance in troubled neighborhoods, etc. Officers from my knowledge, are not compensated nearly this much in other states, and the do as good, and in some instances arguably, a better job than those in Massachusetts.

Enjoy my favorite bunny parody:

A day with a lingering after taste

I spent half the day just shaking my head.... It started off well... and well... lets just say that's not the way it ended. Sleep is going to be a welcome escape in a few minutes here.

The most effective new ad (cost: 2 million dollars)


And I swear... I feel like this dude some time.

VIDs for your Viewing

Here's an amusing vid on habits of cleanliness, I can't say I quite relate to the guy's showering habits, but then again... I'm a flawed example of a man.



Here is the one of the best Beatles covers I've heard, and by an amateur musician. This is actually an instrumental, and on all things a ukelele. I didn't even think it was possible to make this instrument sound like this.... it's just.... wow...



And... lastly, this is sort of interesting... A new musical (movie) based of Beatles music. The production looks good from the preview. It very much seems like a modern intepretation (an influx of emo sentimentality) of the Beatles, however the Beatles started out as a "chick" favored group here in the U.S., so perhaps its fitting. My feelings is this could go either way. I'll definitely check it out because I'm too much of a Beatles fan and a sucker not to. If nothing else, perhaps it can turn on a new generation to the Beatles with increased fervor... and that's a good thing.

Random News... cause its all I got

enjoy...

Cost balloons when 'surge' support troops are counted

Did W mislead the American public again? I'd take those odds.

'Potter' star Radcliffe stirs storm with naked pics

Harry Potter Naked! Dobby had to gouge his eyes out!

David Hasselhoff puts on a dress

If only Kit could see you now.

Miss USA: 'I would try anything once'

From article: As for reports that her wild ways also included promiscuity, she says, "I would talk to more than one guy at once -- it doesn't mean that I was sexually active with every one of these people."

Well... sheesh of course not its just not physically possible in the amount of time that lapses.

The AP says: "She's itching to return to her Miss USA duties." Perhaps she should get that checked out.