Meme: Wednesday Mind Hump

Between mouthfuls of lemon grass, his mallardness, RFDuck was heard to quack,"Hi humpers! Ready for another week of mind humping? Let's get started. This week's theme is rubber band day."

"All you have to do is . . . Name five things you can do with a rubber band. Get as creative as you like!"

To which I reply:

1. Bind together a stack of mail. That's how I get all of my 1/4" X 3" circ. rubber bands.
2. Use a bunch as auxilliary clamps while glueing woodworking projects, particularly blanks for turning on the lathe.
3. Use a heavy duty, 1/2" x 1" circ. to hold together a lobster's claw, so it doesn't take a chunk out of you before it is cooked.
4. Stretched thin, it can make a generic stringed instrument which may be plucked like a banjo or bowed like the double bass.
5. A very small diameter, very heavy band that requires special pliars and strong hands to stretch can castrate a feeder hog in no time...

There's my humptastic contribution for this week. If you want to play along, just pay a visit to the Home Office and get a copy of the question for yourself while you leave a link to your answer.

What Does YOUR State Intend To Do?

This story from today's Bangor Daily News identifies issues involving recent legislation signed into law by President Bush that may end up costing Maine's taxpayers billions of dollars. Keep in mind, there are fewer than 500,000 taxpayers in the whole state! If it'll cost that much in a state with only slightly more than a million people, what do you think it's going to cost where you live?

Realities of Real ID could spell trouble - Bangornews.com Staff: "Realities of Real ID could spell trouble "

Monday Music Mambo - Week 99

RfDuck, mememeister of the Monday Music Mambo and Candy Factory let fly with this bit of hot air:

“Greetings mamboers! I don't like today's theme, so in honor of Mother's Day on Sunday we'll do a mother-themed meme.”

1. Name a few songs either about mothers or made by a mother.
The great album “Peter, Paul and Mommy” by the folk singing trio Peter, Paul and Mary comes to mind. Then there was that Willy Nelson song that started off with something like “Mothers, don't let your young ones grow up to be cowboys...” and that song about motherhood's (and fatherhood's) death before it began, The Ode To Billie Joe. Then there's "Mother's Little Helper" by the Rolling Stones and "Mother and Child Reunion" by Paul Simon .
2. What kind of music does/did your mother listen to?
My mother was just starting to like folk music when she passed away. During her lifetime, she liked Broadway show tunes, light jazz, swing and jitterbug music. Although, radio reception was poor when I was growing up, so we listened to a “Hit Parade” station out of Philadelphia when we got up in the morning, so long as there was no need to check on school closings. She hated it, but it got her night owlish body going (along with the half pot of coffee).
3. Which musician's mother do you want to thank for bringing him or her into the world?
I'd thank Masha Cohen, Leonard Cohen's mother, if I could. She passed away in 1978.
The rules are, there are no rules!!! All you need to do is copy and paste the above questions into your blog and add your responses. After you've finished, return here and leave us a comment so we'll know you've Mamboed. Be sure your Mambo is linked back to http://bdinsanity.blogdrive.com so others can dance too.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. If one of the questions doesn't inspire you then simply "pass" it. Just use your imagination and dance like crazy!

If you don't have a blog or you're an exhibitionist *woo hoo* feel free to Mambo right here in our comments section. There's absolutely no pressure ... although it's called the Monday Music Mambo you can Mambo on any day.

Until next time, this is your music-lovin' Mememeister saying have a good Monday and a good Mambo!

"I Cannot Tell A Lie" --George Washington

RECAP: John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #111: Two Out of Three

The assignment was to state three “facts” about myself, all plausible, but only two true. I did that here. Below, you have the revelation as to which was true and which was false.

1. Once upon a time, I was a Boy Scout... TRUE

2. I used to work as an oiler on an LCT ferry that plied the waters of Lake Champlain between Burlington, Vermont and Port Kent, New York (or, as I used to think of it, “a hundred miles a day going nowhere”). This part is TRUE.

One day, I was polishing brass in the forward engine room of the MV Valcour while the Chief Engineer was in the stern. The Master became distracted by the ministrations of a cute, female deck hand and ran the vessel aground in the middle of the Lake, opening up a tear in the forward hull which spanned the bulkhead between the steering gear room and the engine room. The water filled the engine room so fast I had to swim to safety. I left the ferry boat business shortly thereafter.

FALSE. While this really happened ... it happened to someone else. I was the oiler on the other ferry on that run, the MV Champlain, and I was up to my ass in alligators helping the deck crew take off some 143 passengers from the Valcour.

3. My wife found me in an AOL chat room for adults and chatted me up because she was fascinated with something I'd mentioned in my AOL profile. Under 'favorite activities' I used to list “frog poaching,” among others. That got her attention!

All TRUE. For those of you who knew me on AOL, look up the profile of my old screen name (olddog299). If it's still there, it'll list “frog poaching” under hobbies and interests.

How'd you do? Thanks to all who played along and left comments. You're the best.

monday madness - tabula raza

monday madness: "Monday, May 15, 2006

Otto Said:

"I hope you all had a very good weekend! Thanks for playing Monday Madness, and have a blessed week ahead! Now, for this week's challenge...."

"Fill in the blanks..."

1. If I could change ONE thing from this past weekend, it would be _my diaper_.
2. One of my favoriet recipes includes _green-boiled peanuts and shrimp_.
3. If things don't go as originally planned, I tend to _fire randomly until I hit something_.
4. My daily routine is very _eclectic_.
5. The one television show I will probably miss, since the season is coming to an end, is _The West Wing_.
6. I have a calendar hanging on my _kitchen door_.
7. I'm really _lackadaisical_ about changing the calendar when the day/month changes. (Do you suppose that's why it still shows December, 2003?)

The Wooden Periodic Table Table

This way too cool. Click on any of the individual elements in the photograph of this actual, Wooden Periodic Table Table
and it takes you to a web page specific to that element.

I sure wish they had this when I was in high school. Chemistry is the only subject I ever found it necessary to take over, due mainly to inattention caused by severely overtaxed brain cells. Seems all the blood flow had gone to other regions of my body that year...

Bloody Users...

In an entry entitled AOL users more savvy? | NetworkWorld.com Community, author Jason Meserve snipes as follows:

"Yeah, they're getting more "savvy" by switching from AOL to broadband providers without all the annoying bells and whistles. AOL had 26.7 million subscribers as of September 2002. As of the end of March, that number was down 22% to 18.6 million. I don't see that number rising any time soon either."

Advertising better be making up the difference -- in another 8 years the company will be without paying customers entirely if the hemorrhaging doesn't cease.

MEME: Sunday Seven - Episode 37

This week, a question about famous TV moms!

But first, Cat, of "Sweet Memes," was first to answer last week's question about quick meals. Congratulations, Cat.

On to the newest challenge!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Pick seven TV moms that you wouldn't want to have as your own mom. If you need some ideas to get rolling, you can visit this MSNBC article about the Five Best Moms, which features a ballot at the bottom with plenty of suggestions. (You don't have to stick to that list.)

Either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

My answers follow – your mileage may vary:

1. Lily Addams of “The Adams Family”

2. Lily Munster, "The Munsters"

3. Sally Field as “Abby's Mom” “Maggie Wyczenski” on “ER”

4. Candice Bergen as “Murphy Brown”

5. Lucille Ball as “Lucy Ricardo” on “I Love Lucy”

6. Rosanne Conner “Rosanne”

7. Katey Sagal's “Peg Bundy” on “Married ... With Children”

"Come on, I lean" he said...

Well Paul, I lean, too. Just in a mite different direction. And I didn't mess with answers, not answering some or any other tricks. Consequently, I leaned somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun.

I agree the "quiz" sets up answers from two extreme positions and it would be nice to have a more moderate response potential. I'm actually much more of a Libertarian than I am portrayed below. But I'm still more conservative than Paul!

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Social Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Ethics: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Unconscious Mutterings -- Week 171

Word associations --– a check up of brain health for the memory challenged; or,

How far round the bend have I come this week?

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Immune :: deficient

2. Together :: again

3. Blank :: slate

4. Professional :: trouble

5. Thousand :: cuts

6. Penetration :: fire wall

7. Shutter :: storm

8. Upside down :: backwards

9. Neck :: 1^st base

10. Unlisted :: number

Want to participate? Simply visit La Luna Nina's place and get what you need from Patricia.

Wired News: The Myth of Cybersexual Losers

Wired News: The Myth of Cybersexual Losers Worth reading.

Saturday Six - Episode 109

Finally a full-night's sleep! It's been one of those weeks, which is about the only kind of week I have during sweeps. But even a rough week won't stop the Saturday Six!

But before the questions, it's time to recognize last week's "first to play," who turned out to be Laura of "Adventures in Juggling! Congratulations, Laura!

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. When is the last time you switched from one company to another for an important service? What made you switch? Did the company you were leaving try to make you a better offer to make you stay?
The last time I switched was last summer and the target was my long distance carrier. I was getting screwed blue and tattooed by MCI, as they'd discontinued my flat rate plan to a $5 a month by .07¢ per minute nights / .25¢ per minute peak rate. No, in point of fact, they tried to double charge me for the last month's service. To this day, they still claim I owe them $25 and change!
2. What emblem or logo was on the last coffee mug you drank from?
“Tour for the Cure” -- an American Diabetes Association mug my wife stole liberated from a friend from work.
3. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being a world-class chef and 1 being someone who can't even scramble an egg, how would you rate your cooking ability?
I'm an 8 -- a good cook. You don't get to be nearly 300 pounds on the hoof with no junk food intake unless you are. Further discussion may be found here
4. Take the quiz: Are you a good cook?

You Are an Excellent Cook

You're a top cook, but you weren't born that way. It's taken a lot of practice, a lot of experimenting, and a lot of learning, a lot of failures.
It's likely that you have what it takes to be a top chef, should you have the desire...

Are You A Good Cook?

5. When was the last time you prepared a meal for someone other than yourself or those already living with you? Was it well received?
About a year and a half ago and it was very well received, thank you. But then again, lobster always is...
6. Since it is that time of year, what show's season finale are you most looking forward to? Which show do you wish would just go away?
The finale of The West Wing competes with Survivor Panama: Exile Island in my current affections. Things like American Idol are welcome to disappear; yesterday, if possible.

If you'd like to play along, have a Reader's Choice question you'd like to see asked (and answered), click the banner image above and then the e-mail link in the Blogger profile and send it to Patrick. Don't forget to leave a link to your answers in the comments over there, too.

"Giant Squid" Dissection

Biomes Blog: Entry #880
Check out the contents of the stomach!

via Pharyngula

MEME: Truth or ?

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #111: Two Out of Three

Old postcard of the Valcour before she was re-powered in 1990 – note the cooling water discharge (the modern engines use closed coolant systems).

Weekend Assignment: Present three "facts" about yourself: Two of the facts true, and one of the facts false. Let people guess which "fact" is the fake one. Reveal the fake fact on Monday. You don't want to give away the fake fact too early, so be sure to make it sound plausible, next to the other two real facts.

Extra Credit: Can you lie with a straight face? Really?

Dear John,

So I have to lie for you, do I? Well, I wish I could say it is difficult, but truth of the matter, I have had to lie about one thing or another most of my professional life, so why should this be any different? Then again, given the number of fictional works you've had published, it doesn't surprise me that you do such a fine job of mangling the truth, neither. Here's my three for you and the world to see.

1. Once upon a time, I was a Boy Scout. I was so into scouting that I made a special effort to return after living in Mexico to spend a week with my former troop members of Troop 64 – Carversville, Pennsylvania at Camp Ockanickon that I'd left behind when I moved to Guadalajara. During that week, I swam a mile, I hiked ten miles and finished up enough merit badges to become a Star Scout. I never had anything to do with the Boy Scouts ever again after that.

2. I used to work as an oiler on an LCT ferry that plied the waters of Lake Champlain between Burlington, Vermont and Port Kent, New York (or, as I used to think of it, “a hundred miles a day going nowhere”). One day, I was polishing brass in the forward engine room of the MV Valcour while the Chief Engineer was in the stern. The Master became distracted by the ministrations of a cute, female deck hand and ran the vessel aground in the middle of the Lake, opening up a tear in the forward hull which spanned the bulkhead between the steering gear room and the engine room. The water filled the engine room so fast I had to swim to safety. I left the ferry boat business shortly thereafter.

3. My wife found me in an AOL chat room for adults and chatted me up because she was fascinated with something I'd mentioned in my AOL profile. Under 'favorite activities' I used to list “frog poaching,” among others. That got her attention!

There you go, John. Three facts about me, two too true, one false. Answer as to which is the falsehood will be forthcoming on Monday. In the meantime, give your fine ladies a hug and spend some time on the lawn this weekend. Enough gallivanting about the countryside like a monarch butterfly migrating to Ontario, you've got work to do and a family to provide for.

Best Always,

wil

PS Like you, I can lie to just about anyone, except my wife. I get the galdarndest look on my face when I even try...

Want to play along? Follow the link at the top and get your own copy of the weekly question. Leave a link in the comments on John's AOL Journal, By The Way, pointing to where you have answered this week's question. Above, have fun.

UPDATE: The Truth Has Been Revealed

Wednesday Mind Hump -- Thanks Alot!

Rfduck, Mad Hatter of the Wednesday Mind Humpers, was heard to exclaim, "Hi everyone! I really like today's Mind Hump theme! It's Official Thank You Day."

1. Name two of your teachers from school whom you'd like to thank.
William Smith and P.J. Jones. Rest in peace, guys.
2. Name two friends you'd like to thank.
Doug and Betsy – you know who you are.
3. Name two celebrities you'd like to thank.
I can't think of any celebrities I'd want to thank for merely existing. Often, after viewing a performance, I want to thank the artist for a job well done, but in general, the acclaim, the riches, the elevation above the hoi poloi is more than enough thanks for these folk.
4. If you have anyone else you'd like to thank, you can thank them here!
Stuart and Dotty – a big thank you for making the scene ... Deb, thanks for everything, even though I was such a jerk. To my sweet patootie -- thanks for being.

And thank you to all who read here, lurkers and commentators both.

Of course, if you want to do more than two each, you certainly can!

I'd like to thank ALL of the readers and players on this site, and I'd especially like to thank Friday for giving me the opportunity to do these memes each week.

The rules are, there are no rules!!! All you need to do is copy and paste the above questions into your blog and add your responses. After you've finished, return here and leave us a comment so we'll know you've humped. Be sure your hump is linked back to http://bdinsanity.blogdrive.com so others can hump too.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. If one of the questions doesn't inspire you then simply "pass" it. Just use your imagination!

If you don't have a blog or you're an exhibitionist *woo hoo* feel free to hump right here in our comments section. There's absolutely no pressure ... although it's called the Wednesday Mind Hump you can hump on any day.

Until next time, this is your music-loving mememeister wishing you a happy hump day!

Posted at 12:43 am by rfduck the music-loving mememeister

Father Sol Puts On A Big Birthday Bash

Click image for 1024 x 1024


Current Solar Data and Images

Note to the children and grandmonsters: SWMBO is celebrating a birthday today - do call and wish her a happy, OK?

Monday Music Mambo - Week 98

Rfduck, of the Once-Upon-A-Time Ducks, was heard to rail against the unfairness of it all, thusly: “Happy Monday, everyone! Today is National Military Appreciation Day! Lastly, even though I may not agree with the means and reasons, I'd like to give a big shout out to the military troops who volunteer their time and even their lives to ensure that we can keep mamboing!”


1. Name a few of your favorite (or just a few) patriotic songs.

America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, The Yanks Are Coming, US Marines Anthem (From the Halls of Montezuma), The Army Song (aka Caissons Song), Stars and Stripes, Yankee Doodle.

2. If you could send 2 songs and 2 albums to each soldier fighting overseas to cheer them up, what would you send?

Songs: Who Let The Dogs Out. Don't Worry, Be Happy. Albums: Black Eyed Peas -- Monkey Business and Coldplay – X&Y.


Why? Well, few folks can be down in the dumps when they hear either of the two songs, no matter how much they profess to being annoyed by them. The albums are the two hottest albums out there today and the guys and gals in our Armed Forces deserve the best.

3. People in the military fight for our freedom. One of those freedoms is freedom of speech. Name an artist or song that you think is a great example of free speech. George Carlin. No single entertainer has done more for freedom of speech in these united states in the past 40 years, in my obviously not so humble opinion.

In honor of the day, I'm flying my flag proudly. Are you?

If you'd like to play along at home on your blog, stop by the Monday Music Mambo Headquarters and Bagel Salon to pick up the questions every Monday morning.

MEME: Monday Madness -- Threesomes

On her way to bed and a well earned rest, Otto was heard to mumble, “Good Monday to you all! Have a great week, and thanks so much for playing!” :=)

1. List three words that describe YOU. Smart, cantankerous, irascible.
2. List three words that describe YOUR HOME. Decrepit, antique, foreboding.
3. List three words that describe YOUR TOWN. Suburb, residential, bucolic.
4. List three words that describe YOUR STATE. Cold, wet, mosquito-infested.

There's all the madness I can muster for this week. If you'd like to play along, you'll need to pay a visit to Otto's place, the Monday Madness World Headquarters and Massage Parlour. There, you can sign up for mailing lists, get buttons, leave links to your answers in the comments and have your name displayed on the honor roll. And it won't cost you a dime!

Sunday Seven - Episode 36

Last week, we dealt with the subject of breakfast. Now we'll deal with other meals of the day.

But first, Wil, of "The Daily Snooze," was first to answer last week's question about favorite breakfast cereals. Congratulations, Wil.

On to the newest challenge!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven foods in your kitchen (including your refrigerator or freezer) or pantry that you could prepare as a meal in less than ten minutes.

1. Bacon

2. Mushrooms

3. butter

4. cheese(s) – 4 kinds

5. baby spinach

6. garlic

7. eggs

   Fry the bacon medium crisp, set aside and drain on paper. Pick over, wash, dry and slice mushrooms. Wash and dry baby spinach. Slice garlic and place with butter in a double boiler over low heat. Hard boil eggs, chill in ice water, peel, and slice thickly. On a large serving platter, arrange spinach as a bed, then strew the other ingredients artfully, breaking the bacon into medium pieces. Drizzle the melted butter and garlic over the whole thing. Open a bottle of Sauterne. It's called a Salade Nicoise. Usually served for supper with chunks of a fresh, crisp baguette. Good for the taste buds. Horrible for the heart. Fruit for desert. Yum!

   And so it goes...