Via Thirdeye.com. Do check out the amazing collection of over 25 "Dumb and Weird Car Crashes"...
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
George W. Bush Presidential Library
George W. Bush Presidential Library:
"George W. Bush Presidential Library - Coming January, 2009"
"Welcome to the future home of the officious George W. Bush Presidential Library. This patriotic website will serve as an authoritative digital archive, dedicated to preserving and celebrating the godly legacy of the most honest, peaceful, and intelligent leader in the 6,000 year history of the planet Earth."
Via The J-Walk Blog, in case you aren't a regular reader over there. This was too sick to pass up.
MEME: Sunday Seven - Episode 91
May sweeps ended this past week, and most network shows have aired their big season-ending cliffhangers. It seems that there are more and more shows that are killing off characters to keep the drama alive.
Sometimes, a show has little choice, because a popular actor who played the role dies and there is no one else who could possibly play the character convincingly. But then there are those deaths when the actor either decides to leave the series or the writers just get the itch to kill someone off. That is the kind of character death that led me to this week’s questions.
But first, Allison of "We’re All Mad Here" was first to play last week. Congratulations, Allison.
On to this week's question!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven TV character deaths that stand out as being shockers.
I'm not sure I can think of seven...
Lem on The Shield
Lt. Colonel Henry Braymore Blake (Season 1-3) on M.A.S.H.
Captain John Francis Xavier "Trapper" McIntyre (Season 1-3) on M.A.S.H.
Leo Thomas McGarry on the West Wing
Mrs. Landingham. on the West Wing
Holly Gribbs, a rookie fresh out of the criminal justice academy who was killed off the first (pilot) episode of CSI (ok, ok, technically she doesn't die until the second episode, but still...)
MEME: Unconscious Mutterings -- Week 225
I say ... and you think ... ?
Dancer :: tiny
Intellectual :: Snob
Direct :: Current
Tolerate :: differences
Post :: Notices, No Bills
Instinctive :: behavior
Brink :: Over the ...
Regain :: dignity
Repulsed :: monstrous
Distressed :: furniture
So you want to play along, too? Just click on the banner above and be swept away to La Luna Niña's place, where a clean set of the words for this week and the comment box to leave a link to your answers is located. You'll be glad you did and that new sunburn from sitting out over this Memorial Day weekend will fade from your memory even faster than the balance in your checking account.
A Rite of Spring In Maine
My wife, Louisiana born and bred, was startled and appalled at the thought of leaving caskets full of the deceased in subterranean mausoleums from first frost in early fall until after the last of the frost leaves the ground come spring, when she first came to live here. Now, eight years later, she completely understands this story in the Bangor Daily News:
"Last rites of spring: Waiting is a tradition born of necessity in Maine"
"One breezy, brilliantly sunny afternoon in early May, a small group gathered at the graveside of Everett C. Burns at Riverside Cemetery in Orono. The trees had yet to leaf out, but a nearby rhododendron had burst into bloom, and a flock of ducks quacked loudly overhead on their journey home." (click the link above to continue)
Saturday, May 26, 2007
National Do Not Call Registry
We've been getting a lot of commercial calls lately for mortgage companies, satellite TV dealers and other telemarketers.
I thought they were just breaking the law. Not so, it turns out. Seems that the telemarketing industry got a permanent injunction against my state's "Do Not Call" registry AND my registration with the Feds had expired!
Well, let me tell you, I re-registered my phone just as quick as I figured out the cause of the problem.
To register your phone, or to check on the current status of the registration of your telephone number, go to the National Do Not Call Registry by clicking on the link here. All you have to lose are those annoying telemarketing calls...
I thought they were just breaking the law. Not so, it turns out. Seems that the telemarketing industry got a permanent injunction against my state's "Do Not Call" registry AND my registration with the Feds had expired!
Well, let me tell you, I re-registered my phone just as quick as I figured out the cause of the problem.
To register your phone, or to check on the current status of the registration of your telephone number, go to the National Do Not Call Registry by clicking on the link here. All you have to lose are those annoying telemarketing calls...
John M. Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #167: Bad TV You Loved as a Kid
Weekend Assignment #167: You watched some bad TV as a kid. Tell us your favorites. Now, this doesn't mean you realized at the time it was bad. Just now, in the fullness of time, you recognized that your viewing choices left something to be desired. For the purposes of this assignment, try to stick with shows that were aimed at kids, although if you can't think of any, prime time shows are okay as well.
Extra Credit: How much TV did you watch when you were a kid? A lot? A little?
Dear John,
Best heed the wife's words of wisdom and take out the trash.
Speaking of trash (heheheh), Sky King was the trash TV that I remember with that thrill of guilty pleasure, curled up in the big chair in the den on a Saturday morning, all cartooned out, waiting for parents to be functional enough to make breakfast (cereal bowl at my feet, lest you think we were neglected children). Of course, I was in love with Penny King and thrilled when she, too, got her pilot's license like her “dad” Sky.
According to TV.com, the Sky King TV show premiered September 16, 1951 on NBC and went on to a nice, four season run, airing it's last episode in March, 1959. As one commenter says on that site, “A man and his plane battle bad guys.” What more could you want? Just add a couple of kids (niece and nephew – Sky wasn't married), a ranch manager, a slightly ambivalent sheriff, cattle rustlers and other malcontents, and you have a formula for a thoroughly modern, post-war, western soap. Truly trashy!
Despite Gloria Winters' portrayal as Penny, the real heroine of the series was Songbird.
She was the King's principal airplane. I think I actually cried when they retired Songbird 1. She'd been crash-landed more times than Carters has pills, but mechanic Bob Carey (played by Norman Ollestad) had always managed to patch her up and get her flying again. She was a member of the family. I didn't understand the intricacies of network television or leases on airplanes back then. Just because CBS had picked up the franchise from NBC after they'd canceled the show wasn't any reason to come back with two slick new airplanes – it just wasn't right! That was the eye-opener for me. I rarely watched after that... Although, it turns out the plane change occurred because the old wooden “bamboo bomber” had become unsafe to fly and was sold off during a change of sponsors.
I whiled away far too many hours in front of the “boob tube” hoping for a glimpse of the milky mammaries (I was of that generation deprived of the teet in favor of the more modern “bottle” - blech!). Probably 4 hours of a Saturday morning and a couple of hours either side of supper during the week when my mother was working outside of the home or during inclement weather. Far less in good weather and when she was at home – she had no love of the tube.
I do hope you limit Athena's television viewing to a dull roar. I know we did and I am proud of the way our kids turned out. As to what to do with Athena during the summer, take a little advice from the “been there – done that” folks: camp. Summer “Bible Camp” if it will get your mother (or mother-in-law, for that matter) off your back about raising a “little heathen”. Simply because she needs the socialization and playtime with other kids, she's smart enough to question authority and the BS that comes along with the proselytizing, she might as well learn at a very early age what assholes Christians can be, and it gets her out from underfoot part of the day so you can get some writing and other writerly business done. Just be sure to avoid the Baptists and other fundamentalists in all varieties or they'll be camped out on your front lawn forever. Our local Jewish Community Center had a great half-day camp both kids enjoyed a lot (as opposed to the mutiny that arose when exposed to a Baptist Bible School – that only lasted one day). The town YMCA and YWCA had great summer programs, too. Anything that allows Athena to play with others her age and gets her away from your evil influence for part of the day would be a big boost to all of you retaining your sanity through the summer.
As always, look after the womenfolk and behave. You ARE being watched.
wil
Friday Fill-in, #22 – Better Late than Never...
1. 10 years at sea; one _long wet dream_!
2. Why is the _sky blue, Daddy_?
3. Here there be _dragons_!
4. Ah..._Old dogs_ don't know _everything_.
5. The _sound_ from the _rear speakers_ must _be balanced_.
6. Of course it makes you _weep_.
7. This weekend, I _will sleep_, _eat_ and maybe even _freeze my nuts off putting in the water line in the lake at camp_! Happy _Memorial_ Day!
Have a great weekend!.
MEME: Saturday Six - Episode 163
There are days when I feel like taking a drive. Then there are days when I can go without even looking at a car. I haven’t decided which kind of day this is, yet, but it at least got me thinking about this week’s questions.
But before the questions, Gabrielle of "Questions of the Day" was first to play last week. Congratulations, Gabrielle!
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. What color car do you drive?
We've got a silver car and a beige one and a very dark navy blue one. Depending on where we are going or what the plan of the day is, I drive whatever meets the needs of the trip.
2. How many cars have you had in the past of this same color?
None. In the past I've had blue of three different hues, three greens, two reds, a fluorescent orange, a black and a fake-wood paneled wagon with a white base.
3. What does this particular color mean to you?
Obviously, nothing special.
4. Take the quiz: What color car should you drive?
| You Should Drive a Blue Car |
| You're the type of driver who isn't hung up on what brand or the color of the car you drive. You don't need a flashy car to show off your wealth or style. Instead, you go for value and reliability. You're quite practical. You're a great driver, but you don't show off. Part of your skill is not standing out on the road. |
What Color Car Should You Drive?
5. Would you ever consider driving a car the color the quiz suggests?
Blue? Sure, no problem, so long as I am still in the North. White for the South – it's just cooler. But for melting snow and ice on a sunny day after a snow storm in Maine, a dark color is the thing.
6. Do you consider yourself the most-aggressive driver on the road, the least-aggressive, or something in between?
Just as there is ALWAYS someone tougher than you are, so too when it comes to aggressive drivers. I have driven race cars, but I'd not try to mix it up with someone from NASCAR, for instance. At least not if I was driving in a circle. To the left. Only.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday Mind Hump -- Bobalicious!
1. Who's your favorite Bob in the world of music?
Bob Dylan, no question about it.
2. Who's your favorite Bob in the world of movies?
Robert De Niro in Men of Honor.
3. Who's your favorite Bob in the world of sports?
Bobby Allison, a NASCAR legend.
4. Do you have any Bobs in your family? How are they related to you?
Yep. I have a cousin named Bob. Haven't seen him in over 40 years -- don't even know if he's alive. He had a son named Bob, too. Ditto on the time span.
Want to play along? Just click the title up top and "Bob's your uncle!" you'll be whisked across the Inter-webbed feet to Oregon and the mind of our mememeister. Leave a link to your entry and have fun with those apples...
Monday, May 21, 2007
MEME: Monday Madness -- Birthdays!
Otto's been very busy, but she had this to say about that, “This week's questions; all about birthdays! Have fun and thank you for playing each week.” =)
1. Name one thing you received as a gift on your last birthday. A copy of John Scalzi's The Ghost Brigades.
2. What would be the "perfect" birthday gift? A surprise gifting of something I have been wanting for a while.
3. Do you look forward to birthdays? Not really, although I like a nice meal out with my wife.
4. On your birthday, do you treat yourself to something special each year? I often buy a book or a CD I want, September being the “fattest” time of year in our budget.
5. Do you bother keeping up with your horoscope on a regular basis? No. It's on the same level as tales of carpenters with stigmata rising from the dead.
6. What zodiac sign are you, and do you think you fit the description for that sign? Virgo and no, I don't.
Don't forget to click on the title up top if you want to play along. You'll be magically transported to Mistress Otto's Parlor, where you, too, may join in the madness for price of a few moments of your time answering the questions and posting to your blog or web site.
MEME: Monday Music Mambo
Rfduck sends “Greetings to all! Today is Emergency Medical Services Day. I think I can connect that to music. At hard rock and metal concerts, you'll often see a mosh pit where poor souls get slammed around.”
1. Who are some of your favorite hard rock and/or metal artists?
See below if you're on the front page of the blog. Also, I'm fond of Credence Clearwater Revival, The Doors, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Queen, Lenard Skynard – all sorts of bands, actually.
2. What are some of your favorite hard rock and/or metal songs?
Again, besides the ones below, I've got more than 1500 songs in my play lists, dating from 1906 through 2007. The vast majority are from the middle of the period and covers swing, jitterbug, rock and roll, psychedelic rock and hard rock, along with lots of folk and new age. Picking one or two is an exercise in futility. The selection will change minute by minute. Fidelity isn't my middle name. For the sake of discussion, I'm fond of AC/DC's Girl's Got Rhythm, Aerosmith's Walk This Way, and Poison's Unskinny Bop.
3. Have you ever been to a show where someone needed Emergency Medical Services? (I suppose huge festivals don't really count because odds are someone will be using such services eventually while attending.)
Despite having been an EMT, I never worked a “show”. I've dealt with injuries and illness at public events, but they were either races or sporting events.
4. Ever been in a mosh pit? Never. Before my time.
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!
John M. Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #166: Rock Out
| Weekend Assignment #166: Name the three songs you listen to when you totally want to rock out. Note that they don't actually have to be rock songs -- they can be in any genre whatsoever, and from any era. They just have to be the songs that get you pumped up and ready to go. |
Dear John,
I'm going to make this quick – I'm stuck in an era you have neither respect nor interest in. Obviously, there are loads to choose from. Here's just three rockers that come to mind, driving music to get me down the highway a long ways away...
1. Touch of Grey by The Grateful Dead
2. Heavy Fuel by Dire Straits
3. Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull
Time to cool the jets, zone out, trance back, etc. Wolf Eyes by Paul Winter.
There you have it. Wonderful photos of the Missus the other days – do tell her she is becoming more beautiful with each passing day. Give Athena a spanking, just because, I'm sure she's been up to some mischief or another you didn't hear about while on tour...
wil
Sunday, May 20, 2007
MEME: Sunday Seven - Episode 90
When your question writer is on a diet, food is just going to pop up as a topic from time to time. This week, we’re going to belly up to the salad bar.
But first, Wil of "The Daily Snooze" was first to play last week. Congratulations, Wil. (And thanks to Liz for pointing out the adjusted release date for Apple’s Leopard upgrade.)
On to this week's question!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven ingredients you can’t resist at one of those Super Duper Mega Salad Bars.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Bacon Bits
Marinated mushrooms
Spinach leaves
Red Onions
Green Peppers
Crumbled Blue Cheese
So you want to play along? Just click on the banner up there and snag a clean copy of the question for your use. Leave a link in the comments there to your answers, while you're at it. Enjoy, or should that be Bon Appetit!?
Saturday Six - Episode 162
Sorry for the lateness of the hour. I had a lot going on today, so this is the earliest I could get the questions posted.
But before the questions, though Angelika was first post a comment, it was Wil of "The Daily Snooze" who was first to play last week's edition, because Wil was the first to leave a complete link to the specific entry in which he answered the questions. Congratulations, Wil!
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!
Yay! I won! Where's my prize?
What do you mean, “There's no prize?”
No fair! Hrumph!
1. Do you order Girl Scout cookies each year? If so, how many boxes do you buy in an average year?
My wife does – I used to when I worked in an office full of GS moms. These days, what with obesity and diabetes we try to hold it to three boxes.
2. How long does it take you to finish off a box of cookies?
Depends on who and what. I tend to eat one of the boxes by thirds, so three sessions. SWMBO can do it in one session.
3. What's your favorite kind of cookie to dip in milk?
Oreos. Haven't had them in years.
4. Take the quiz: What kind of cookie are you?
| You Are a Fortune Cookie |
| You're a rather normal person, except that you have extraordinary luck in life. |
5. If you had to bake cookies for a party, what flavor would you bake?
Either Chocolate Chip or Ginger Snaps.
6. What's the right way to eat an Oreo? As a whole, or by licking off the filling and then eating the two wafers individually? I eat them by taking off the “top” and eating it, then lick up the remaining filling, followed by chomping down on the remaining cookie.
If you'd like to play along, click the banner up top to get your own copy of the questions. Be sure to leave a link in the comments there so Patrick and the rest of us can visit and see your answers.
Unconscious Mutterings
Free association is described as a "psychonanalytic procedure in which a person is encouraged to give free rein to his or her thoughts and feelings, verbalizing whatever comes into the mind without monitoring its content." Over time, this technique is supposed to help bring forth repressed thoughts and feelings that the person can then work through to gain a better sense of self.
That's an admirable goal, but for the purposes of this excercise, we're just hoping to have a little fun with the technique. Each week I'll post ten words to which you can respond to with the first thing that comes to mind.
"Rules are, there are no rules." There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to one word responses; just say everything that pops into your head. AND you don't have to have your words up on Sunday. Take all week if you want! 
Sunday, May 20, 2007
6 hours, 48 minutes ago
I say ... and you think ... ?
Coast Guard :: boarding
Buddies :: list
Nap :: afternoon
Groan :: moan
Sitcom :: M.A.S.H.
Reader :: Rabbit
Heroes :: Unsung
Amazing :: grace
Woman :: man
Don’t! :: stop
If you want to play along just give La Luna Niña a visit to get a clean copy of this weeks words. While you're there, sign up for email reminders and don't forget to leave a link to your answers in the comments.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Friday Fill-in, #21
FFI mememistress Janet decided to go for the MadLibs approach this week. "I'm doing it a bit different this week; below are seven quotes...if you know the quote, feel free to fill it in but it'd be more fun to fill them in with your own words!"
1. How poor are they who have not patience _to wait for Godot_!
2. All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: _lust, gluttony, fear, greed, envy, pride, _and indolence_.
3. It's the friends _who call you friend that count_.
4. Hate _grows exponentially in the absence of attention_, love _withers unless attended to daily_.
5. Everything has its _cause_ but not everyone sees it.
6. I don't give a damn for a man that can only _make money_.
7. The advantage of a bad memory is that _damn, I can't remember... ____
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