Beware the Calgary Testicle Kicking Woman. She'll kick you in the 'nads so hard your ball will end up in your abdomen.
Presumably she could have a fine career in the NFL or a soccer league.
h/t Hot Air Headlines.
Friday, October 30, 2009
New, Effective and CHEAP Treatment For Snoring
It involves a periodic injection of sodium tetradecyl into the roof of the mouth.
Some patients would need the injection several times per year, other patients could get by with a single annual injection. Studies indicate it is effective in 70% of cases.
So, if you have a snoring problem (or a spouse or partner does) and have been despairing about ever getting rid of it, mention this article to your doctor.
Some patients would need the injection several times per year, other patients could get by with a single annual injection. Studies indicate it is effective in 70% of cases.
So, if you have a snoring problem (or a spouse or partner does) and have been despairing about ever getting rid of it, mention this article to your doctor.
Catching Criminals - - Via Driver's License Photos
Sophisticated face-recognition software has resulted in at least one criminal, a murderer, being arrested after moving to another state and acquiring a new driver's license.
Yes, it's Orwellian, but it's one of those cases where many people will be willing to surrender a little bit of freedom/privacy in the name of safety/lower crime.
What do you think, friends? Should government be searching the DMV photo databases, which comprises mostly law-abiding citizens, to search for criminals?
Yes, it's Orwellian, but it's one of those cases where many people will be willing to surrender a little bit of freedom/privacy in the name of safety/lower crime.
What do you think, friends? Should government be searching the DMV photo databases, which comprises mostly law-abiding citizens, to search for criminals?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Apologies...
...for the lack of posting so far today, our home internet connection was down. Luckily Time Warner was able to get someone out just after noon, and things are back up and running. It's getting on toward my bedtime, so I might not be able to post before then; if so, I'll be posting from work tonight.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Only Thing To Do When Fighting Two Wars...
...is to cut defense spending, says a Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Higher levels of defense spending, which would allow for both higher troop levels and weapons modernization, will take a backseat to more pressing national economic problems, he said, with creating jobs as the first priority.
After that, the next priority will be paying for the expensive economic stimulus measures that have been and will be enacted, Reed said.
But don't call him unpatriotic.
update: Looks like they'll cut the US defense budget and give the money to the Taliban.
Can't make this stuff up, folks.
Higher levels of defense spending, which would allow for both higher troop levels and weapons modernization, will take a backseat to more pressing national economic problems, he said, with creating jobs as the first priority.
After that, the next priority will be paying for the expensive economic stimulus measures that have been and will be enacted, Reed said.
But don't call him unpatriotic.
update: Looks like they'll cut the US defense budget and give the money to the Taliban.
Can't make this stuff up, folks.
An Old Ship Heading For The Scrapyard
She was USS Saipan (LHA-2), an amphibious assault ship that I served aboard back in the 1980's.
Was it that long ago? It seems like just yesterday. All of the ships I served on, though, are no longer in service, with the exception of USS Nassau (LHA-4), the sister ship of the Saipan. Some have been scrapped, some were sold to other countries; maybe one or two remain in mothballs.
Anyway, here's a pic of the Saipan as I remember her:
I still remember the cinnamon rolls on the Saipan and the Nassau, they were gooey and delicious. The ships were supposed to be too big to be affected by heavy seas, thus the mess decks had cafeteria tables instead of tables bolted to the deck; it was quickly discovered that the ships rolled enough to cause the unsecured tables to slide across the decks in heavy seas, so the tables were all secured during those periods and the sailors ate chow on the deck itself, sitting cross-legged like Indians.
The ships were comfortable and pleasant for the first and last days of a cruise, when the Marines weren't embarked. *laughs* When the Marines were onboard they seemed to have little else to do than stand in lines: to get haircuts, to buy sodas from the geedunk machines, to play video games down in the game room, to eat, to go on liberty. I swear, the soda machines would be filled up twice a day, and emptied within minutes each time by the thirsty Marines.
Good times, they were. Fun days.
Was it that long ago? It seems like just yesterday. All of the ships I served on, though, are no longer in service, with the exception of USS Nassau (LHA-4), the sister ship of the Saipan. Some have been scrapped, some were sold to other countries; maybe one or two remain in mothballs.
Anyway, here's a pic of the Saipan as I remember her:
I still remember the cinnamon rolls on the Saipan and the Nassau, they were gooey and delicious. The ships were supposed to be too big to be affected by heavy seas, thus the mess decks had cafeteria tables instead of tables bolted to the deck; it was quickly discovered that the ships rolled enough to cause the unsecured tables to slide across the decks in heavy seas, so the tables were all secured during those periods and the sailors ate chow on the deck itself, sitting cross-legged like Indians.
The ships were comfortable and pleasant for the first and last days of a cruise, when the Marines weren't embarked. *laughs* When the Marines were onboard they seemed to have little else to do than stand in lines: to get haircuts, to buy sodas from the geedunk machines, to play video games down in the game room, to eat, to go on liberty. I swear, the soda machines would be filled up twice a day, and emptied within minutes each time by the thirsty Marines.
Good times, they were. Fun days.
Levi Johnston: I've Got Dirt On Palin
But he's hiding it, for now, and will reveal it at the proper time (when the Democrats need it most to smear Palin).
If it's even the truth at all; after all, It profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world; but for Wales?
If it's even the truth at all; after all, It profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world; but for Wales?
UK Soldiers Fighting Taliban With Inadequate Ammo
A survey of more than 50 servicemen who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan concluded that the 5.56mm calibre rounds used by British soldiers 'tailed off' after 300 metres yet half of all Helmand firefights are fought between 300 and 900 metres.
Sounds as if they're fighting the war with assault rifles when it seems obvious that they need battle rifles.
Sounds as if they're fighting the war with assault rifles when it seems obvious that they need battle rifles.
Canadian Hiker Killed By...Coyotes
You were expecting grizzly bears?
It's getting pretty tough in the woods when even the coyotes are having a go at you.
It's getting pretty tough in the woods when even the coyotes are having a go at you.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Shackleton's Whisky
Left behind in 1907 during Shackleton's failed attempt to reach the South Pole, it was found under the floorboards of the hut built by the expedition.
After all these decades, it's unlikely to be drinkable, especially if the corks have deteriorated. According to the article it's considered an artifact and not supposed to be taken from Antarctica, but where there's a will there's a way, as the saying goes.
h/t Ace of Spades HQ.
After all these decades, it's unlikely to be drinkable, especially if the corks have deteriorated. According to the article it's considered an artifact and not supposed to be taken from Antarctica, but where there's a will there's a way, as the saying goes.
h/t Ace of Spades HQ.
The Cloud of Budgies
Boulia, in western Queensland, Australia, has been invaded by huge flocks of budgerigars:
Closer up, they are quite beautiful:
Once upon a time flocks of Passenger Pigeons must have looked like that.
Closer up, they are quite beautiful:
Once upon a time flocks of Passenger Pigeons must have looked like that.
No Big Macs In Reykjavik
The economic crash in Iceland, combined with the high cost of importing the ingredients for McDonald's products, has made the cost of keeping the 3 McDonald's locations in Iceland prohibitively expensive.
Most foodstuffs in Iceland have to be imported, and thus are expensive.
Most foodstuffs in Iceland have to be imported, and thus are expensive.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Volcano Blog: 3 Cascades Volcanoes Share Magma Chamber?
Story.
The theory is that volcanoes Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier share the same magma pool, and could theoretically erupt simultaneously.
It's a theory I share, based on behavior of other volcanoes around the world, most recently being the eruption of 3 volcanoes in the same vicinity in Alaska: Redoubt, Cleveland, and Okmok. In 1902, during the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Pelee in Martinique, the Soufriere volcano in nearby St. Vincent also erupted.
The theory is that volcanoes Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier share the same magma pool, and could theoretically erupt simultaneously.
It's a theory I share, based on behavior of other volcanoes around the world, most recently being the eruption of 3 volcanoes in the same vicinity in Alaska: Redoubt, Cleveland, and Okmok. In 1902, during the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Pelee in Martinique, the Soufriere volcano in nearby St. Vincent also erupted.
Zombie Assaulted
A man awaiting food was attacked by another man who accused him of being a zombie:
A man was ordering food (Ed.- brains?) when he was approached by another man who called him a zombie, then hit him in the eye. When the victim tried to call police on his cell phone, the man punched him again, breaking his nose.
A man was ordering food (Ed.- brains?) when he was approached by another man who called him a zombie, then hit him in the eye. When the victim tried to call police on his cell phone, the man punched him again, breaking his nose.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday On The Blue Ridge Parkway
Something of a photo essay; Sara and I went up to do some photography of the fall leaves on the Blue Ridge Parkway; we entered off of I-26 on the south side of Asheville, and headed north, leaving the parkway at NC 80; along the way we passed Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain in the eastern half of the US.
Because we went during the early morning, the sun was bright and washed out much of the colors of the sky and the foliage.
There were a fair number of people on the Parkway, most of them armed with cameras:
When we came down off the mountains we were in the town of Pleasant Garden, NC; we ate some barbecue at Smokey Que's, where they have an unusual BBQ cooker out near the road in addition to the ones in the kitchen:
Here's the restaurant itself:
When we arrived several of the local police were inside the restaurant, just finishing up a meal. After they left one porky corporal lingered outside talking to an elderly gentleman, as I watched I noticed that the corporal had a habit of resting his hand on his sidearm, as if he were expecting every moment to engage in a gunfight. No pic, I didn't think to carry the camera inside the restaurant with me, but I have to think that the corporal is going to one day find himself in a world of hurt if he doesn't learn to keep his hand off his pistol unless he's about to draw it. Being from a mountain town in NC, maybe his boss only lets him have one cartridge, kept in his shirt pocket.
As for the barbecue it was pretty good; the restaurant offers about 5 different sauces you can top it with. Accompanying the 'cue was corn fritters and french fries, along with the usual hush puppies; these pups were of the spherical variety, and if you've read my 'cue reviews before, you know that I have a low opinion of ball-shaped hush puppies, and these were simply confirmed my prejudices.
We got back to Charlotte around 3:30. All in all, a pretty nice little trip.
Because we went during the early morning, the sun was bright and washed out much of the colors of the sky and the foliage.
There were a fair number of people on the Parkway, most of them armed with cameras:
When we came down off the mountains we were in the town of Pleasant Garden, NC; we ate some barbecue at Smokey Que's, where they have an unusual BBQ cooker out near the road in addition to the ones in the kitchen:
Here's the restaurant itself:
When we arrived several of the local police were inside the restaurant, just finishing up a meal. After they left one porky corporal lingered outside talking to an elderly gentleman, as I watched I noticed that the corporal had a habit of resting his hand on his sidearm, as if he were expecting every moment to engage in a gunfight. No pic, I didn't think to carry the camera inside the restaurant with me, but I have to think that the corporal is going to one day find himself in a world of hurt if he doesn't learn to keep his hand off his pistol unless he's about to draw it. Being from a mountain town in NC, maybe his boss only lets him have one cartridge, kept in his shirt pocket.
As for the barbecue it was pretty good; the restaurant offers about 5 different sauces you can top it with. Accompanying the 'cue was corn fritters and french fries, along with the usual hush puppies; these pups were of the spherical variety, and if you've read my 'cue reviews before, you know that I have a low opinion of ball-shaped hush puppies, and these were simply confirmed my prejudices.
We got back to Charlotte around 3:30. All in all, a pretty nice little trip.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
UK: Immigration Policy Done For Sake of Social Engineering
Specifically, numbers of immigrants were allowed into UK in order to foster a more multicultural society.
Seems to me that such a fundamental change to a country's demographic makeup should at least be approved by the voters. The decision to allow immigration for social engineering doesn't appear to have met that standard.
Seems to me that such a fundamental change to a country's demographic makeup should at least be approved by the voters. The decision to allow immigration for social engineering doesn't appear to have met that standard.
Pic of Hoodah Thunkit
Since I refer to Hoodah Thunkit a lot, I thought I'd provide a little more information on her. She's a 55-year-old widow living at 14 Bog Lane, Midgehole, West Yorkshire, England. Here's her pic:
Hoodah's late husband Reg Thunkit, died in a tragic auto-erotic asphyxiation accident. Here's a pic of the late Reg:
Hoodah's late husband Reg Thunkit, died in a tragic auto-erotic asphyxiation accident. Here's a pic of the late Reg:
Friday, October 23, 2009
Marine Retiree Captures Bank Robber
Choked him into unconsciousness, he did:
Gary Mattson, 59, said after he allegedly heard a man tell a female bank teller "I have a gun, I will shoot you" on Wednesday, he put the squeeze on the man until the suspect lost consciousness, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
"I guess my Marine training, the fight or flight instinct, kicked in. I had to do something. After all, he threatened a woman," Mattson said of the incident at WaMu/Chase Bank branch.
Only problem with the story is the headline that describes Mattson as an "ex-Marine." I think that they prefer to be called former Marines, a slight but important distinction.
Gary Mattson, 59, said after he allegedly heard a man tell a female bank teller "I have a gun, I will shoot you" on Wednesday, he put the squeeze on the man until the suspect lost consciousness, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
"I guess my Marine training, the fight or flight instinct, kicked in. I had to do something. After all, he threatened a woman," Mattson said of the incident at WaMu/Chase Bank branch.
Only problem with the story is the headline that describes Mattson as an "ex-Marine." I think that they prefer to be called former Marines, a slight but important distinction.
Native Americans Appalled At Sweat Lodge Deaths
Story.
On the other hand, former vice-President Dick Cheney has contacted the organization, asking about the possible use of the sweat lodge as an "enhanced interrogation technique," possibly to be called the Bamboo Steamer Treatment.
Developing...
On the other hand, former vice-President Dick Cheney has contacted the organization, asking about the possible use of the sweat lodge as an "enhanced interrogation technique," possibly to be called the Bamboo Steamer Treatment.
Developing...
He Must Have Been Worried About The Eye of That Needle
Treasures belonging to the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, who died in 1988, were found in the River Wear by two divers.
They speculate that Ramsey threw them in, for reasons that aren't yet apparent.
Maybe he was worried about the state of his soul:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:23-24
Objects included gold and silver coins and items made of gold, silver and bronze.
They speculate that Ramsey threw them in, for reasons that aren't yet apparent.
Maybe he was worried about the state of his soul:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:23-24
Objects included gold and silver coins and items made of gold, silver and bronze.
Sometimes You Eat The Bear...
...sometimes the bear eats you.
A trainer in a Russian ice-skating circus evidently pushed his bear just a little bit too much...
A trainer in a Russian ice-skating circus evidently pushed his bear just a little bit too much...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
UK: Paradox of the Day
A UK Telegraph article discussing a timeline of the shift in police weaponry from the wooden truncheon to the submachine gun.
What isn't mentioned is that as the police went to heavier and more lethal weaponry, during the same period the UK populace was disarmed and emasculated into their current status of permanent victimhood. You'd think that the police would have progressed from the heavy weaponry to the wooden truncheons as they disarmed the populace, but just the opposite occurred. Of course, it's axiomatic that, having disarmed a populace, you need arms to keep them subjugated, but that isn't mentioned, since it might clue them into the fact that they are, in fact, prisoners in their own country, and the police have assumed the role of prison guards.
What isn't mentioned is that as the police went to heavier and more lethal weaponry, during the same period the UK populace was disarmed and emasculated into their current status of permanent victimhood. You'd think that the police would have progressed from the heavy weaponry to the wooden truncheons as they disarmed the populace, but just the opposite occurred. Of course, it's axiomatic that, having disarmed a populace, you need arms to keep them subjugated, but that isn't mentioned, since it might clue them into the fact that they are, in fact, prisoners in their own country, and the police have assumed the role of prison guards.
Walk It Off, Ya P*ssy!
A UK death panel group of doctors refused to test a sick boy for meningitis, telling him that he was suffering a migraine and sending him home.
The untreated meningitis killed him soon after, although the boy and his mother pleaded with thedeath panel doctors to help.
But hey, at least it's free! It's not as if he had to pay for treatment...
The untreated meningitis killed him soon after, although the boy and his mother pleaded with the
But hey, at least it's free! It's not as if he had to pay for treatment...
Achmed The Dead Terrorist (And Jeff Dunham) Get a Comedy Central Show
via USA Today.
Ventriloquist Jeff was already popular on the stand-up circuit, but his routine with Achmed, a skeletal dummy with turban and bushy beard, has captured the imagination of the world via viral YouTube videos:
Hopefully the show will be entertaining and not do too much one-sided political humor; Achmed appeals to both blue- and red-staters, and having him take sides would be unfortunate.
Ventriloquist Jeff was already popular on the stand-up circuit, but his routine with Achmed, a skeletal dummy with turban and bushy beard, has captured the imagination of the world via viral YouTube videos:
Hopefully the show will be entertaining and not do too much one-sided political humor; Achmed appeals to both blue- and red-staters, and having him take sides would be unfortunate.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Ever Heard of Anvil Shooting?
I never had, until I read this article.
Just check out the following YouTube video, which accompanies the article:
Update: I checked at Joe Huffman's blog and, as might be expected, a search turned up lots of info on anvil shooting.
Just check out the following YouTube video, which accompanies the article:
Update: I checked at Joe Huffman's blog and, as might be expected, a search turned up lots of info on anvil shooting.
What Would Your Home's Value Be...
...if prospective buyers could see online maps showing the number of crimes occurring in your neighborhood?
The UK is about to find out, and it ain't looking pretty.
The UK is about to find out, and it ain't looking pretty.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
It's A Miracle!
The face of Jesus can be found on the toilet door at the Ikea store in Glasgow, Scotland.
From this, we can conclude that Jesus 1. Likes Scotland, or maybe just Glaswegians; 2. Likes Ikea; 3. Likes toilets; 4. thinks you should wash your hands after you pee; 5. approves of gays trysting in restrooms; disapproves of gays trysting in restrooms; 6. just wants to mess with people's minds.
Later: From the comments, the door is an "eye of the beholder" sort of thing. I wonder if a Muslim would see Osama bin Laden?
From this, we can conclude that Jesus 1. Likes Scotland, or maybe just Glaswegians; 2. Likes Ikea; 3. Likes toilets; 4. thinks you should wash your hands after you pee; 5. approves of gays trysting in restrooms; disapproves of gays trysting in restrooms; 6. just wants to mess with people's minds.
Later: From the comments, the door is an "eye of the beholder" sort of thing. I wonder if a Muslim would see Osama bin Laden?
No Wild Game Left, All Killed By...Hailstones
Deer, hares, and pheasants were destroyed by tennis-ball-sized hailstones in the Salzburg province of Austria, leading to a hunting ban.
Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. Exodus 9:19.
Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. Exodus 9:19.
Brother, Can You Spare A 'Nad?
A man in India castrated himself so that he could join a community of eunuchs that make their living by panhandling.
How on earth do the Indian authorities keep track of who's entitled to panhandle, do they do 'nad checks, like Crocodile Dundee with the NY transvestite?
How on earth do the Indian authorities keep track of who's entitled to panhandle, do they do 'nad checks, like Crocodile Dundee with the NY transvestite?
Pentagigatweet?
Five billion tweets sent on Twitter already.
I guess that eventually, like McDonald's with their old Golden Arches signs that kept track of the numbers of burgers sold, that Twitter will eventually just say billions and billions sent.
I guess that eventually, like McDonald's with their old Golden Arches signs that kept track of the numbers of burgers sold, that Twitter will eventually just say billions and billions sent.
The Hermit Life
Story in the UK Telegraph about a hermit from Colombia living in a cave in Lebanon.
Father Dario Escobar.
I've often thought of that lifestyle with longing, and if my life ever turns to total shit I might just chuck it all and give it a try, not out of any religious calling, but just out of a need to simplify that takes me at times.
I've often thought of that lifestyle with longing, and if my life ever turns to total shit I might just chuck it all and give it a try, not out of any religious calling, but just out of a need to simplify that takes me at times.
He Saw The Possum And He Just...Snapped
A man was found guilty of stomping a possum to death during a police ride-along in Danville, Virginia.
His defense was that he grew up on a farm where possums slaughtered the family chickens.
Can't you just picture it:
Are The Chickens Still Squawking, Evan?
His defense was that he grew up on a farm where possums slaughtered the family chickens.
Can't you just picture it:
Comes The Zombie Apocalypse...
...you might end up considering a zombie girlfriend.
A discussion of the ethics of zombie boffing. Really.
A discussion of the ethics of zombie boffing. Really.
I Guess That Leech Evidence Is Admissable In Court
In Australia, a burglar was traced and arrested based on DNA provided by a leech discovered at the crime scene, filled with blood that proved to be that of the accused.
Sounds fantastical, as if it were from a Sherlock Holmes story, doesn't it?
Sounds fantastical, as if it were from a Sherlock Holmes story, doesn't it?
"You Can Get By On A Billion Or Two"
Ted Turner all alone beweeps his outcast state.
Look! World's smallest violin! *rubs thumb and index finger together*
Look! World's smallest violin! *rubs thumb and index finger together*
Of The NC Q Wars
Western NC BBQ vs. Eastern NC BBQ, that is. My local favorite Lancaster's BBQ is mentioned.
In truth I like Lancaster's more for the hamburgers and fried foods than the bbq; their 1/2 pound burger is masterly, and their deep-fried offerings are cooked in clean oil, freshly battered/breaded, and only dropped into the oil after you order.
For BBQ I favor Q Shack, which produces both Western NC pork BBQ and Texas-style beef brisket BBQ. I also like Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks, although I have only eaten at the McAdenville location; I didn't know that they had expanded into Charlotte.
Of course, as a native of Gainesville, Florida, I grew up on Sonny's BBQ, and ate at the original Sonny's on Waldo Road often; back then we called it Fat Boy's, because Sonny Tillman's original sign read Sonny's Fat Boy Real Pit BBQ. I still like it after all these years, though I recognize that the meat is usually dry and in need of sauce to make it edible. Fortunately Sonny's original mild sauce is one of the better ones out there.
In truth I like Lancaster's more for the hamburgers and fried foods than the bbq; their 1/2 pound burger is masterly, and their deep-fried offerings are cooked in clean oil, freshly battered/breaded, and only dropped into the oil after you order.
For BBQ I favor Q Shack, which produces both Western NC pork BBQ and Texas-style beef brisket BBQ. I also like Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks, although I have only eaten at the McAdenville location; I didn't know that they had expanded into Charlotte.
Of course, as a native of Gainesville, Florida, I grew up on Sonny's BBQ, and ate at the original Sonny's on Waldo Road often; back then we called it Fat Boy's, because Sonny Tillman's original sign read Sonny's Fat Boy Real Pit BBQ. I still like it after all these years, though I recognize that the meat is usually dry and in need of sauce to make it edible. Fortunately Sonny's original mild sauce is one of the better ones out there.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Busy With Computers
Spent the day reinstalling Windows on my desktop. A lot of time was used transferring documents to an external hard drive before the re-install. I have a nice clean copy of XP on it now, all updated, with Windows Security Essentials as the antivirus. Tomorrow I'll be xferring all the old data back over; hopefully my Firefox bookmarks will fold back in easily, Firefox doesn't seem to have an import function as efficient as that of Internet Explorer.
I'll blog some tonight from work.
I'll blog some tonight from work.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Human Fiddler Crab
A German man apparently spends too much time arm-wrestling (or masturbating):
His outsized appendage reminds me of that of a fiddler crab:
His outsized appendage reminds me of that of a fiddler crab:
Christian/Newsome Murders Receive International Attention
Story.
Glenn Reynolds and Michelle Malkin have been tracking this story since it began, maybe now the MSM in the US will be forced to cover it.
Glenn Reynolds and Michelle Malkin have been tracking this story since it began, maybe now the MSM in the US will be forced to cover it.
Blogging Status Update, Apology
Internet at my GF's remains intermittent while we wait for Time Warner to get a cable internet connection installed. They have been here twice so far; first time they said that a "wall fish" was required and wanted $85 up front to install it; the second visit they said that no, a wall fish was not required, but that a Letter of Permission from the condo association was. We're in the process of getting that, so hopefully there will be an internet connection here next week. In the meantime I've been stealing bandwidth from an unsecured wi-fi signal in the condo complex, and that is unreliable as far as internet goes.
So, regular blogging will probably resume on Sunday evening, unless I have a chance to sit down and quietly review the news before then. My apologies for the continuing downtime at The Drawn Cutlass.
So, regular blogging will probably resume on Sunday evening, unless I have a chance to sit down and quietly review the news before then. My apologies for the continuing downtime at The Drawn Cutlass.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Food Recommendation
Sara and I just tried out some of Domino's Breadbowl Pastas, and found them to be tasty and a great value at $6.99. Give them a try.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Father Damien Canonized
Story.
I first learned of Damien in the one-man play that ran on PBS in 1978, which starred Terence Knapp as Damien.
I first learned of Damien in the one-man play that ran on PBS in 1978, which starred Terence Knapp as Damien.
Aw, Darn, I Missed It
Apparently Mt. Airy, NC, the real-life inspiration for Andy Griffith's Mayberry, had its annual Autumn Leaves Festival this past weekend, and so I missed a chance to eat a collard greens sandwich.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that people were lined up at the annual Autumn Leaves Festival in downtown Mount Airy for a collard sandwich. It's a helping of collard greens and fatback between two slices of corn bread.
Sounds yummy, don't it?
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that people were lined up at the annual Autumn Leaves Festival in downtown Mount Airy for a collard sandwich. It's a helping of collard greens and fatback between two slices of corn bread.
Sounds yummy, don't it?
Apologies For Light Posting
I'm currently at my GF's condo, and we have been having problems with her internet connection over the weekend. We'll be switching out to Roadrunner this coming Thursday, but right now we are still on the DSL. Hopefully more postings will happen in the next couple of hours as I catch up with the news.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Anyone Heard From Rachel Lucas?
Hey, has anyone heard from Rachel Lucas? I'm figuring that she went upside the head of a UK juvenile delinquent and got thrown in jail for it.
And speaking of quiet bloggers, has anyone heard from The Pawnbroker lately?
And speaking of quiet bloggers, has anyone heard from The Pawnbroker lately?
As If He Wasn't Conceited Enough Already
President Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
Later: I've been thinking about this, and feel that Obama won more because he wasn't George W. Bush than for any other reason. The committee didn't wait until Obama's term of office ended to make the award, giving it to him while Obama has achieved nothing, which isn't the prudent thing to do; Obama still has 3 years in which to screw things up in a massive and horrible manner.
In point of fact, only one Republican US president has ever won the prize: Theodore Roosevelt, who was among the most liberal (in the modern meaning of the word) of all Republican presidents, so perhaps the prize ought to be be renamed the Nobel Not Republican (and most importantly, not George W. Bush) Peace Prize.
And still later: Let's have a poll!
And Yet Later Still: They've given it to 3 men who were noted for their opposition to George W. Bush, and all in period of Bush's term of office: Jimmy Carter, who criticised Bush regularly; Gore, who lost to Bush in 2000; and Obama, who succeeded Bush and blames him for every evil event in the history of the world. They would have given it to that reporter in Iraq who hurled the shoe at Bush except that he missed.
Later: I've been thinking about this, and feel that Obama won more because he wasn't George W. Bush than for any other reason. The committee didn't wait until Obama's term of office ended to make the award, giving it to him while Obama has achieved nothing, which isn't the prudent thing to do; Obama still has 3 years in which to screw things up in a massive and horrible manner.
In point of fact, only one Republican US president has ever won the prize: Theodore Roosevelt, who was among the most liberal (in the modern meaning of the word) of all Republican presidents, so perhaps the prize ought to be be renamed the Nobel Not Republican (and most importantly, not George W. Bush) Peace Prize.
And still later: Let's have a poll!
And Yet Later Still: They've given it to 3 men who were noted for their opposition to George W. Bush, and all in period of Bush's term of office: Jimmy Carter, who criticised Bush regularly; Gore, who lost to Bush in 2000; and Obama, who succeeded Bush and blames him for every evil event in the history of the world. They would have given it to that reporter in Iraq who hurled the shoe at Bush except that he missed.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
That's Pretty Specialized In The Perv Department
A funeral director lost his job after police obtained photos of him touching the feet of female corpses with his penis.
A necrophile with a foot fetish. Hoodah thunkit?
A necrophile with a foot fetish. Hoodah thunkit?
Artificial Virginity Hymen Kit?
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood wants these Chinese imports banned.
Conservative Egyptian politicians are calling for a ban on a Chinese mail-order product designed to help women feign virginity.
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which controls 20 percent of the seats in the Egyptian parliament, said the Artificial Virginity Hymen Kit, which involves a pouch inserted into the vagina to release a blood-like liquid emulating the breaking of the hymen, should be banned and anyone caught selling it should be arrested, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
*snort*
Conservative Egyptian politicians are calling for a ban on a Chinese mail-order product designed to help women feign virginity.
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which controls 20 percent of the seats in the Egyptian parliament, said the Artificial Virginity Hymen Kit, which involves a pouch inserted into the vagina to release a blood-like liquid emulating the breaking of the hymen, should be banned and anyone caught selling it should be arrested, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
*snort*
UK: Tories Propose to "Name and Shame" Criminals
Story.
Currently, human rights regulations prevent criminals from being identified.
Takeaway paragraph:
Mr Grieve will say: “Under Labour, the rights of criminals have been put before the rights of law-abiding citizens. A Conservative government will free the police, probation and prison services to name offenders where necessary to protect the public and prevent crime.”
That would be a good start. It follows my own inclinations toward law enforcement; were I ever consulted on drafting a country's constitution, one of the things I would insist on in a Bill of Rights is the following: The rights of a criminal shall never be valued more highly than the rights of the law-abiding public.
Currently, human rights regulations prevent criminals from being identified.
Takeaway paragraph:
Mr Grieve will say: “Under Labour, the rights of criminals have been put before the rights of law-abiding citizens. A Conservative government will free the police, probation and prison services to name offenders where necessary to protect the public and prevent crime.”
That would be a good start. It follows my own inclinations toward law enforcement; were I ever consulted on drafting a country's constitution, one of the things I would insist on in a Bill of Rights is the following: The rights of a criminal shall never be valued more highly than the rights of the law-abiding public.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
A YouTube Clip To Watch...
...if you can bear it: the execution of Thomas More, from The Tudors.
Found my way to this clip via this McClatchy opinion piece on racism, which led to the magnificent A Man For All Seasons, and thus here. I haven't seen The Tudors, so I don't know how many executions are portrayed there; presumably at least 3, if you count More, Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Henry VIII slaughtered many more than that, of course.
Found my way to this clip via this McClatchy opinion piece on racism, which led to the magnificent A Man For All Seasons, and thus here. I haven't seen The Tudors, so I don't know how many executions are portrayed there; presumably at least 3, if you count More, Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Henry VIII slaughtered many more than that, of course.
Prudence
Prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in practical affairs.
Some people are unfamiliar with this cardinal virtue.
Remember this, especially if you find yourself in a situation where alcohol is involved. If you find yourself under the influence of alcohol and saying the words Hey y'all, watch this! then perhaps you should say out loud, Prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in practical affairs.
Let prudence become your watchword.
Some people are unfamiliar with this cardinal virtue.
Remember this, especially if you find yourself in a situation where alcohol is involved. If you find yourself under the influence of alcohol and saying the words Hey y'all, watch this! then perhaps you should say out loud, Prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in practical affairs.
Let prudence become your watchword.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Any Stephen Hunter/Bob Lee Swagger Fans Out There?
Via Massad Ayoob, a pre-publication review of Stephen Hunter's new novel I, Sniper:
Suppose that someone murdered lefty icons such as Jane Fonda, Bernardine Dohrn, and Bill Ayers with a high-powered rifle from long distance. Suppose the quintessential Marine Sniper, Carlos Hathcock, was still alive and framed for the murders, then murdered himself?
And suppose Bob Lee Swagger joined up with real-life Marine sniper Chuck Mawhinney to right the wrong?
And suppose it all wrapped up to the tune of Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad, “Big Iron”?
That’s what you’re looking at in the latest novel in Hunter’s series, “I, Sniper.”
Oh, man that plot sounds almost like it would qualify as gun porn or political porn to the typical gun-owning red-stater.
Suppose that someone murdered lefty icons such as Jane Fonda, Bernardine Dohrn, and Bill Ayers with a high-powered rifle from long distance. Suppose the quintessential Marine Sniper, Carlos Hathcock, was still alive and framed for the murders, then murdered himself?
And suppose Bob Lee Swagger joined up with real-life Marine sniper Chuck Mawhinney to right the wrong?
And suppose it all wrapped up to the tune of Marty Robbins’ classic cowboy ballad, “Big Iron”?
That’s what you’re looking at in the latest novel in Hunter’s series, “I, Sniper.”
Oh, man that plot sounds almost like it would qualify as gun porn or political porn to the typical gun-owning red-stater.
Where's The PRESENT Button?
President Obama is considering what to do about the war in Afghanistan.
You don't get to vote present when you're the Commander-In-Chief.
You don't get to vote present when you're the Commander-In-Chief.
UK: Let's Do Away With Short Jail Sentences
All of them less than a year in length, to be specific, and instead use community punishment instead.
I think I'd support that if, additionally, they each got two dozen lashes while tied to a whipping post.
I think I'd support that if, additionally, they each got two dozen lashes while tied to a whipping post.
He Needs To Have A Nun Hit Him With A Ruler
A local Catholic boy is in trouble after threatening to bring a gun to school.
Wonder how that one will sound in the confessional? He'll get 5 Our Fathers and 5 Hail Mary's for that one.
Wonder how that one will sound in the confessional? He'll get 5 Our Fathers and 5 Hail Mary's for that one.
Roy Blount, Jr., To Receive Award
Story.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. Humorist and writer Roy Blount Jr. is bringing his wit to the University of North Carolina.
Blout (sic) will receive the school's 2009 Thomas Wolfe Prize and deliver the annual Thomas Wolfe Lecture on Tuesday evening on the Chapel Hill campus.
I've read several of his books, and have one of them autographed. He's a funny guy, but is hopelessly liberal in his politics.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. Humorist and writer Roy Blount Jr. is bringing his wit to the University of North Carolina.
Blout (sic) will receive the school's 2009 Thomas Wolfe Prize and deliver the annual Thomas Wolfe Lecture on Tuesday evening on the Chapel Hill campus.
I've read several of his books, and have one of them autographed. He's a funny guy, but is hopelessly liberal in his politics.
Monday, October 05, 2009
U2 and NC BBQ
When rock band U2 wanted something to eat after a Raleigh, NC, concert, famed BBQ restaurant Cooper's was ready.
Guess I'll need to make a note to stop by there if Sara and I are in the area.
Guess I'll need to make a note to stop by there if Sara and I are in the area.
Bottle Message Travels From Maine To France
Ann Hernandez, a volunteer lighthouse keeper at the Thacher Island (Maine) lighthouse, would throw a message in a champagne bottle into the sea every year on her birthday. Last month, a bottle that Hernandez threw into the sea in 2003 was found on the coast of France, 3200 miles away.
Unfortunately, Hernandez was already dead when the bottle was found, so she'll never know of the successful voyage of her bottle message.
How about the rest of you? Ever have any desire to do this?
Unfortunately, Hernandez was already dead when the bottle was found, so she'll never know of the successful voyage of her bottle message.
How about the rest of you? Ever have any desire to do this?
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Saturday Ramblings
A few pics of our travels today. It was a gorgeous day, clear and sunny and mild.
We went to a farm up near South Mountains State Park to see a small farm festival, with blacksmithing demonstrations, tractors to look at, crafts, etc. Here is sorghum being crushed to provide juice, which is boiled to become molasses:
There was a lot of strange machinery out there; this particular piece appeared to be designed to blow large smoke-rings every 30 seconds:
The farm was up in the mountains, which you can see in the distance in this next shot, along with some of the area tractors on display:
They were selling BBQ there, but we didn't buy any; here's a shot of the BBQ shed, though, showing how pretty the day was:
The reason we didn't eat at the BBQ shed was that we had planned to eat at a BBQ house in Shelby, called Bridges:
Bridges proved to have good BBQ, and the hush puppies were sweet and good (according to my theory, hush puppies shaped like dog turds are good, while those shaped like balls are bad). There was a huge crowd and we had to wait for a table, but the BBQ was worth the wait, being perfectly cooked and juicy. The sauce was the typical NC vinegar based stuff, not all that memorable. Sodas came in cans rather than draft.
After lunch we drove down to Chester State Park in Chester, South Carolina, and sat by the lake there for a while:
Here is a shot looking directly overhead from the picnic table we were seated at:
The campground at the park was busy, lot of people happily enjoying the fall weather; at the ranger station, one ranger snoozed in a hammock. It was a lovely day, and we had a nice time.
We went to a farm up near South Mountains State Park to see a small farm festival, with blacksmithing demonstrations, tractors to look at, crafts, etc. Here is sorghum being crushed to provide juice, which is boiled to become molasses:
There was a lot of strange machinery out there; this particular piece appeared to be designed to blow large smoke-rings every 30 seconds:
The farm was up in the mountains, which you can see in the distance in this next shot, along with some of the area tractors on display:
They were selling BBQ there, but we didn't buy any; here's a shot of the BBQ shed, though, showing how pretty the day was:
The reason we didn't eat at the BBQ shed was that we had planned to eat at a BBQ house in Shelby, called Bridges:
Bridges proved to have good BBQ, and the hush puppies were sweet and good (according to my theory, hush puppies shaped like dog turds are good, while those shaped like balls are bad). There was a huge crowd and we had to wait for a table, but the BBQ was worth the wait, being perfectly cooked and juicy. The sauce was the typical NC vinegar based stuff, not all that memorable. Sodas came in cans rather than draft.
After lunch we drove down to Chester State Park in Chester, South Carolina, and sat by the lake there for a while:
Here is a shot looking directly overhead from the picnic table we were seated at:
The campground at the park was busy, lot of people happily enjoying the fall weather; at the ranger station, one ranger snoozed in a hammock. It was a lovely day, and we had a nice time.
Friday, October 02, 2009
It's The Weekend!
I don't know if I'm going to bother blogging today, I'm busy playing a new character on Ultima Online. So I'll leave you with a YouTube video I found while following a link from Instapundit:
Enjoy! I'll try to blog a bit more later today, or tomorrow.
Enjoy! I'll try to blog a bit more later today, or tomorrow.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
University of Florida Zombie Defense Plan
From The Gainesville Sun Chalkboard:
Forget swine flu: The University of Florida is ready in case its employees become flesh-eating zombies.
A UF e-Learning Support Services Web site has a a zombie attack plan posted among similar disaster preparation exercises for a hurricane and disease pandemic.
The zombie attack plan can be found here.
Forget swine flu: The University of Florida is ready in case its employees become flesh-eating zombies.
A UF e-Learning Support Services Web site has a a zombie attack plan posted among similar disaster preparation exercises for a hurricane and disease pandemic.
The zombie attack plan can be found here.
Mr. No Shoulders*
Residents of a Jacksonville, Florida, neighborhood are having problems with venomous snakes, specifically water moccasins.
The Jacksonville neighbors said their problems with cottonmouths and water moccasins began when the reptiles' habitat was disturbed by construction to widen an Interstate 295 off-ramp to Old St. Augustine Road, WXJT-TV, Jacksonville, reported Wednesday.
I should point out that cottonmouths and water moccasins describe the same snake species, agkistrodon piscivorus.
*title comes from a Jimmy Buffett short story in which water moccasins play a major role.
The Jacksonville neighbors said their problems with cottonmouths and water moccasins began when the reptiles' habitat was disturbed by construction to widen an Interstate 295 off-ramp to Old St. Augustine Road, WXJT-TV, Jacksonville, reported Wednesday.
I should point out that cottonmouths and water moccasins describe the same snake species, agkistrodon piscivorus.
*title comes from a Jimmy Buffett short story in which water moccasins play a major role.
"Alongside Such Wonders As Stonehenge and Angkor Wat"
Archaeologists have discovered an amphitheater fit for an emperor at the old seaport of Portus, near Rome.
I'd more likely compare it to Pompeii or Herculaneum, two Roman towns destroyed by the volcano Vesuvius in 79AD.
Here's a pic of the head of a statue before excavation:
Who is he? We may never know.
I'd more likely compare it to Pompeii or Herculaneum, two Roman towns destroyed by the volcano Vesuvius in 79AD.
Here's a pic of the head of a statue before excavation:
Who is he? We may never know.
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