The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.
- Mark Twain
Monday, May 31, 2010
10 Things We Must Remember on Memorial Day
The war in Iraq is in its seventh year. The war in Afghanistan, in its ninth year, is the longest war in our history.
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IPad Side Effect: Greasy Fingerprints
Apple Inc.'s hot new iPad multimedia device, which Chief Executive Steve Jobs has touted as "magical and revolutionary," is a success. Apple sold one million iPads in the first month following its April launch, twice as fast as the iPhone in the same period.
Many iPad owners say they love their devices—except for one big problem: the gadget is all screen. With no keyboard, users have to tap or drag their fingers across the iPad's 9.7-inch screen to make things happen on it. That creates big smudges.
Apple says the iPad has the same fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating as the iPhone. But others say the same movement across the iPad's screen appears more pronounced than on the iPhone. Fingerprints aren't as noticeable when the device is showing bright, colorful images, but become starkly visible when the iPad is turned off or when it is playing a dark scene in a movie.
Apple declined to comment for this article.
Read more
Many iPad owners say they love their devices—except for one big problem: the gadget is all screen. With no keyboard, users have to tap or drag their fingers across the iPad's 9.7-inch screen to make things happen on it. That creates big smudges.
Apple says the iPad has the same fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating as the iPhone. But others say the same movement across the iPad's screen appears more pronounced than on the iPhone. Fingerprints aren't as noticeable when the device is showing bright, colorful images, but become starkly visible when the iPad is turned off or when it is playing a dark scene in a movie.
Apple declined to comment for this article.
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Girls
According to a news report, a certain private school in
Washington was recently faced with a unique problem. A
number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick
and would put it on in the Bathroom. That was fine, but
after they put on their lipstick they would press their
lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.
Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the
next day the girls would put them back. Finally the
principal decided that something had to be done.
She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there
with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip
prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who
had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine
the yawns from the little princesses).
To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the
mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls
how much effort was required.
He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the
toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.
Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.
Washington was recently faced with a unique problem. A
number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick
and would put it on in the Bathroom. That was fine, but
after they put on their lipstick they would press their
lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.
Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the
next day the girls would put them back. Finally the
principal decided that something had to be done.
She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there
with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip
prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who
had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine
the yawns from the little princesses).
To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the
mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls
how much effort was required.
He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the
toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.
Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.
An Unnatural Disaster
Bob Herbert
NY Times Op-Ed
“Where I was wrong,” said President Obama at his press conference on Thursday, “was in my belief that the oil companies had their act together when it came to worst-case scenarios.”
NY Times Op-Ed
“Where I was wrong,” said President Obama at his press conference on Thursday, “was in my belief that the oil companies had their act together when it came to worst-case scenarios.”
With all due respect to the president, who is a very smart man, how is it possible for anyone with any reasonable awareness of the nonstop carnage that has accompanied the entire history of giant corporations to believe that the oil companies, which are among the most rapacious players on the planet, somehow “had their act together” with regard to worst-case scenarios.
These are not Little Lord Fauntleroys who can be trusted to abide by some fanciful honor system. These are greedy merchant armies drilling blindly at depths a mile and more beneath the seas while at the same time doing all they can to stifle the government oversight that is necessary to protect human lives and preserve the integrity of the environment.
President Obama knows that. He knows — or should know — that the biggest, most powerful companies do not have the best interests of the American people in mind when they are closing in on the kinds of profits that ancient kingdoms could only envy. BP’s profits are counted in the billions annually. They are like stacks and stacks of gold glittering beneath a brilliant sun. You don’t want to know what people will do for that kind of money.
There is nothing new to us about this. Haven’t we just seen how the giant financial firms almost destroyed the American economy? Wasn’t it just a few weeks before this hideous Deepwater Horizon disaster that a devastating mine explosion in West Virginia — at a mine run by a company with its own hideous safety record — killed 29 coal miners and ripped the heart out of yet another hard-working local community?
The idea of relying on the assurances of these corporate predators that they are looking out for the safety of their workers and the health of surrounding communities and the environment is beyond absurd. Even after the blowout at the Deepwater Horizon site, BP officials were telling us (as their noses grew longer and longer) that about only 1,000 barrels of oil a day were escaping into the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly a month into the disaster, BP’s chief executive, Tony Hayward, was publicly offering the comforting assessment that the environmental damage resulting from the spill would likely be “very, very modest.”
They were somewhat wide of the mark (as reputable scientists were telling us day after day after day). We now know, of course, that this is the worst spill in U.S. history, that instead of 1,000 barrels a day, something in the range of 12,000 to 19,000 barrels a day have likely been spewing into the gulf. And the environmental impact can fairly be described as catastrophic.
The oil companies and other giant corporations have a stranglehold on American policies and behavior, and are choking off the prospects of a viable social and economic future for working people and their families.
President Obama spoke critically a couple of weeks ago about the “cozy relationship” between the oil companies and the federal government. It’s not just a cozy relationship. It’s an unholy alliance. And that alliance includes not just the oil companies but the entire spectrum of giant corporations that have used vast wealth to turn democratically elected officials into handmaidens, thus undermining not just the day-to-day interests of the people but the very essence of democracy itself.
Forget BP for a moment. When is the United States going to get its act together? Will we learn anything from this disaster or will we simply express our collective dismay, ignore the inevitable commission reports (no one pays attention to study commissions), and bury our heads back in the oily sand?
President Obama said on Thursday that his administration was “moving quickly on steps to ensure that a catastrophe like this never happens again.” Well, he can’t ensure anything of the kind. And, in fact, his corporate-friendly policy of opening up new regions for offshore drilling (that policy is only temporarily halted) will all but guarantee future disastrous spills.
The U.S. will never get its act together until we develop the courage and the will to crack down hard on these giant corporations. They need to be tamed, closely monitored and regulated, and constrained in ways that no longer allow them to trample the best interests of the American people.
Mr. Hayward of BP was on television on Friday referring to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent fouling of the Gulf of Mexico as a “natural disaster.” He was wrong, as usual. Like the unholy alliance of government and big business, this tragedy set in motion by Mr. Hayward’s corporation is a grotesquely harmful and wholly unnatural disaster.
Aunt Jane's Famous Baby Back Ribs
This barbecue pork ribs recipe will blow you away. Hooray for tender baby back ribs.
Ingredients
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 2 bunches spring onions, chopped
* 2 cups red onions, chopped
* 8 large garlic cloves, chopped
* 2 cups plus 3 tablespoon dark brown sugar, packed
* 1 cup ketchup
* 1 cup tomato paste, about 9 ounces
* 1 cup Grey Poupon mustard
* 1 cup spring water
* 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
* 1/4 cup lite soy sauce
* 1/2 cup white vinegar
* 1/2 cup apple juice
* 3 cut jalapeno chilis
* 2 tablespoons hot sauce
* 3 tablespoons ground cumin
* 2 cups sour mash bourbon
*
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 1 tablespoon dry mustard
* 1 teaspoon grounded cloves
* 2 teaspoons grounded pickling spices
*
* 1 tablespoon coarse salt
* 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 6 pounds baby back pork ribs (about 3 whole racks)
Instructions
1. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Add green onions, red onions and garlic and saute until tender, about 15 minutes.
2. Mix in 2 cup brown sugar, ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, water, Worcestershire, soy, vinegar, apple juice, jalapenos, hot sauce, and cumin, adding bourbon last. Simmer sauce until thick and reduced to 7 cups, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Mix cumin, chili powder, mustard, cloves, pickling spices, brown sugar, salt, cayenne, cardamom and cinnamon in medium bowl. Rub spice mixture over both sides of rib racks. Arrange ribs on large baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Cut rib racks into 4- to 6-rib sections. Arrange ribs on barbecue. Grill until meat is tender, occasionally turning ribs with tongs, about 40 minutes.
5. Using tongs, transfer ribs to work surface. Cut rib sections between bones into individual ribs. Arrange on clean baking sheet.
6. Transfer 3 cups sauce to small bowl; place remaining sauce in small saucepan and reserve. Brush ribs with sauce from bowl. Return ribs to barbecue.
7. Place pan of reserved sauce at edge of barbecue to rewarm. Grill ribs until brown and crisp on edges, brushing with more sauce from bowl and turning occasionally, about 10 minutes.
8. Serve ribs with warm sauce.
Top kill's failure means Gulf oil spill will only get worse
"The failure of the top kill really magnified this disaster exponentially," said Rick Steiner, a retired University of Alaska marine scientist. "I think there's a realistic probability that this enormous amount of oil will keep coming out for a couple months."
Read more/video
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Sunday, May 30, 2010
10 Things You Need (But Don't Want) To Know About the BP Oil Sp
How the owner of the exploded oil rig has made $270 million off the leak, and 9 other shocking, depressing facts about the disaster.
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Protesters Head to Capitol in Phoenix
Demonstrators came from as far as Rhode Island and Louisiana Saturday to protest Arizona's immigration law. Protesters marched five miles to the state Capitol in Phoenix. Though there was no official estimate, observers said the march seemed to be the biggest of its kind since Gov. Jan Brewer signed the law that requires police to determine the status of suspected illegal immigrants. Opponents of the law criticize the measure for its invitation to racial profiling.
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History of the Sky: Beautiful Time-Lapse Montage
In this amazing project, one man photographed the sky every 10 seconds and compiled each day into a video image.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
My Life as a Gay Officer
by Anonymous
As Obama closes in on a compromise on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a Lt. Colonel speaks about keeping secrets while fighting a war, and the boyfriend waiting back home.
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As Obama closes in on a compromise on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a Lt. Colonel speaks about keeping secrets while fighting a war, and the boyfriend waiting back home.
Read more
The Nine Unhealthiest Meals
Feeling hungry? The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released its 2010 Xtreme Eating Awards—a list of nine of the unhealthiest meals available at national restaurants. Entries include Five Guys, whose bacon cheeseburger has 920 calories and 30 grams of saturated fat; add a large fry for an additional 1,460 calories. The Cheesecake Factory’s pasta carbonara somehow packs a whopping 2,500 calories and four-days worth of saturated fat. Also on the list: The California Pizza Kitchen’s Tostada Pizza, which has 1,440 calories, and its pesto cream penne, which has 1,350 calories.
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Arizona teaches the four R's
With a new law that bans ethnic studies, Arizona schools will get back to the basics--Reading, 'Righting, 'Rithmatic and Racism.
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Human Body as Factory Animated Film
This incredible animated film of the human body as an industrial palace is based on Fritz Kahn's artwork. A wonderful way to learn about human biology!
Der Mensch als Industriepalast [Man as Industrial Palace] from Henning Lederer on Vimeo.
Tomato-Basil Pasta Primavera
Thyme and basil punch up satisfying fresh flavor in this light vegetarian entrée.
Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:35 min
makes:6 servings
8 ounces dried whole wheat or whole grain penne or mostaccioli
2 cups frozen sugar snap peas
1 cup assorted fresh vegetables (such as fresh red sweet pepper strips, 2-inch-long pieces trimmed fresh asparagus, and/or quartered-lengthwise packaged peeled baby carrots)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup Progresso® reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups low-fat milk
1/4 cup dry sherry or Progresso® reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan or Asiago cheese (3 ounces)
1/2 cup lightly packed fresh basil, coarsely chopped
4 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme or oregano
1/3 cup sliced green onions (optional)
1. In a 4-quart Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions; add the sugar snap peas and the 1 cup assorted vegetables for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain well. Return to hot Dutch oven. Add cherry tomatoes.
2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together chicken broth, flour, and salt until smooth. Stir in milk and sherry. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat; stir in cheese, basil, and thyme.
3. Add herb sauce to pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. Divide among six serving plates. If desired, sprinkle with green onions.
The NYPD Tapes: Inside Bed-Stuy's 81st Precinct
Two years ago, a police officer in a Brooklyn precinct became gravely concerned about how the public was being served. To document his concerns, he began carrying around a digital sound recorder, secretly recording his colleagues and superiors.
He recorded precinct roll calls. He recorded his precinct commander and other supervisors. He recorded street encounters. He recorded small talk and stationhouse banter. In all, he surreptitiously collected hundreds of hours of cops talking about their jobs.
Made without the knowledge or approval of the NYPD, the tapes—made between June 1, 2008, and October 31, 2009, in the 81st Precinct in Bedford-Stuyvesant and obtained exclusively by the Voice—provide an unprecedented portrait of what it's like to work as a cop in this city.
They reveal that precinct bosses threaten street cops if they don't make their quotas of arrests and stop-and-frisks, but also tell them not to take certain robbery reports in order to manipulate crime statistics. The tapes also refer to command officers calling crime victims directly to intimidate them about their complaints.
As a result, the tapes show, the rank-and-file NYPD street cop experiences enormous pressure in a strange catch-22: He or she is expected to maintain high "activity"—including stop-and-frisks—but, paradoxically, to record fewer actual crimes.
Read more/hear tapes
He recorded precinct roll calls. He recorded his precinct commander and other supervisors. He recorded street encounters. He recorded small talk and stationhouse banter. In all, he surreptitiously collected hundreds of hours of cops talking about their jobs.
Made without the knowledge or approval of the NYPD, the tapes—made between June 1, 2008, and October 31, 2009, in the 81st Precinct in Bedford-Stuyvesant and obtained exclusively by the Voice—provide an unprecedented portrait of what it's like to work as a cop in this city.
They reveal that precinct bosses threaten street cops if they don't make their quotas of arrests and stop-and-frisks, but also tell them not to take certain robbery reports in order to manipulate crime statistics. The tapes also refer to command officers calling crime victims directly to intimidate them about their complaints.
As a result, the tapes show, the rank-and-file NYPD street cop experiences enormous pressure in a strange catch-22: He or she is expected to maintain high "activity"—including stop-and-frisks—but, paradoxically, to record fewer actual crimes.
Read more/hear tapes
2 trapped for weeks in debris
An elderly couple who authorities described as hoarders were found buried alive under mounds of trash.
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Face to Face
Sites like Facebook revolutionized social networking by making it easy to find friends with similar interests. Not to be outdone, Google has created a cool new gadget called People Hopper that makes it easy to find friends with similar facial features.
The application, available through Google’s online social networking site Orkut, requires two photos: a head shot of you and one of a friend. It then searches the Orkut database for pictures of similar-looking users to smoothly bridge the visual gap between you and your friend. Who does this and why? Who can say! But the result is a collection of people that look like you and then gradually like the person of your choosing. Every one of these photos is clickable, leading you to an Orkut user’s profile and an opportunity to offer your friendship. Perhaps this is a superficial way to choose one’s friends, but then again, there’s no better conversation starter than “We are so good-looking.”
Go to People Hopper
The application, available through Google’s online social networking site Orkut, requires two photos: a head shot of you and one of a friend. It then searches the Orkut database for pictures of similar-looking users to smoothly bridge the visual gap between you and your friend. Who does this and why? Who can say! But the result is a collection of people that look like you and then gradually like the person of your choosing. Every one of these photos is clickable, leading you to an Orkut user’s profile and an opportunity to offer your friendship. Perhaps this is a superficial way to choose one’s friends, but then again, there’s no better conversation starter than “We are so good-looking.”
Go to People Hopper
Friday, May 28, 2010
Today's Quote
This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Walmart Sells iPhone for $97
Whether you love it or hate it, Walmart can boast the best price on the market for the iPhone 3GS model, which it will now sell for $97. The new price is more than a 50 percent markdown from the 3GS’ typical $199 price tag, and comes with a required two-year AT&T contract. The move comes as Apple is expected to unveil a new iPhone model next month, which would cause a steep decline in sales of the older model. Apple itself isn’t thrilled at the leaked news of a new iPhone model and stated in legal papers that "people that would have otherwise purchased a currently existing Apple product would wait for the next item to be released.”
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The Tech Etiquette Manual
How to be plugged in without being rude: The pros solve modern conundrums.
Memorial Day Sales
It's Memorial Day weekend, which is a busy time of year for price slashing at many stores. There are sure to be sales across the country with many tempting offers. For savvy shoppers, this can be a great opportunity to keep within your budget. But be wary of buying something just for the sake of making a purchase.
Consider birthdays and holidays. Plan ahead for upcoming events in your life for which you might need to buy a gift, such as birthdays or even year-end holidays. Buying these presents at sale prices will make your recipients and your budget happy!
Think twice about each purchase. Is this something you really need or are you only purchasing it because it has a sale sticker on it? On sale is still too expensive if you don't need it.
Check out the ads before you go shopping. If you need to cut coupons, make sure you do it in advance and know what you want to buy at each store.
Avoid putting purchases on your credit card. Some cards do offer benefits and rewards, but if you cannot pay off your card at the end of the month, the interest rates will negate the cheaper price of whatever you purchased.
Visit www.feedthepig.org for more money-saving tips.
Consider birthdays and holidays. Plan ahead for upcoming events in your life for which you might need to buy a gift, such as birthdays or even year-end holidays. Buying these presents at sale prices will make your recipients and your budget happy!
Think twice about each purchase. Is this something you really need or are you only purchasing it because it has a sale sticker on it? On sale is still too expensive if you don't need it.
Check out the ads before you go shopping. If you need to cut coupons, make sure you do it in advance and know what you want to buy at each store.
Avoid putting purchases on your credit card. Some cards do offer benefits and rewards, but if you cannot pay off your card at the end of the month, the interest rates will negate the cheaper price of whatever you purchased.
Visit www.feedthepig.org for more money-saving tips.
The Dead Husband
Two elderly ladies meet at the launderette after not seeing one another for some time. After inquiring about each other's health, one asked how the other's husband was doing...
"Oh! Ted died last week. He went out to the garden to dig up a cabbage for dinner, had a heart attack and dropped down dead right there in the middle of the vegetable patch!"
"Oh dear! I'm so very sorry," replied her friend, "What did you do?"
"Opened a can of peas instead."
"Oh! Ted died last week. He went out to the garden to dig up a cabbage for dinner, had a heart attack and dropped down dead right there in the middle of the vegetable patch!"
"Oh dear! I'm so very sorry," replied her friend, "What did you do?"
"Opened a can of peas instead."
The Front Fell Off
Mock interview from Clarke and Dawe regarding an Australian Shipping Mishap. Extremely funny in the spirit of Monty Python.
Does the new health care law require workers to pay income tax on the value of employer-provided health insurance?
No. The value will appear on employees’ W-2 forms for information purposes, but will not be considered taxable income.
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FlashForward Recap: The End
Last week, we were left not only bereft that our show isn't getting a second season, but also anxious as to how our friends in FlashForward land would fulfill their April 29 destinies — the ones they belong in at 10 p.m., 78 minutes from the end of the last episode, so that their flashes can come to pass. The writers have handily made everyone's flashes come almost true in the final episode, and they've even been kind enough to sober Mark up so that he can still be a hero. But how does everyone manage to get where they've got to be in such a short time?
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Crispy Turkey Cutlets With Green Bean Salad
Serves 4
Hands-On Time: 25m
Total Time: 25m
Ingredients
* 3/4 pound green beans, trimmed
* 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
* 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, quartered
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
* 4 tablespoons olive oil
* kosher salt and black pepper
* 4 thin turkey cutlets (about 1 pound total)
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 large eggs, beaten
* 2/3 cup bread crumbs
Directions
1. In a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Place the beans in the basket, cover, and steam until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Run under cold water to cool.
2. In a large bowl, toss the beans with the tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
3. Season the turkey with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Coat with the flour, then dip in the eggs (letting any excess drip off), and then coat with the bread crumbs, pressing gently to help them adhere.
4. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the turkey until golden and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve with the salad and lemon wedges.
33 Foods That Prevent Cancer
Our best way to prevent cancer may not be a pill or treatment. Instead, it could be a diet that controls blood vessel growth.
Put them on your shopping list
Put them on your shopping list
Website of the Day - Checking in on Saturn
While we humans carry on with our daily lives down here on Earth, perhaps stuck in traffic or reading blogs, or just enjoying a Springtime stroll, a school-bus-sized spacecraft called Cassini continues to gather data and images for us - 1.4 billion kilometers (870 million miles) away.
More pics
Great Waves
In the early days of the Meiji era there lived a well-known wrestler called O-nami, Great Waves.
O-nami was immensly strong and knew the art of wresting. In his private bouts he defeated even his teacher, but in public was so bashful that his own pupils threw him.
O-nami felt he should go to a Zen master for help. Hakuju, a wandering teacher, was stopping in a little temple nearby, so O-nami went to see him and told him of his great trouble.
"Great Waves is your name," the teacher advised, "so stay in this temple tonight. Imagine that you are those billows. You are no longer a wrestler who is afraid. You are those huge waves sweeping everything before them, swallowing all in their path. Do this and you will be the greatest wrestler in the land."
The teacher retired. O-nami sat in meditation trying to imagine himself as waves. He thought of many different things. Then gradualy he turned more and more to the feeling of waves. As the night advanced the waves became larger and larger. They swept away the flowers in their vases. Even the Buddha in the shrine was inundated. Before dawn the temple was nothing but the ebb and flow of an immense sea.
In the morning the teacher found O-nami meditating, a faint smile on his face. He patted the wrestler's shoulder. "Now nothing can disturb you," he said. "You are those waves. You will sweep everything before you."
The same day O-nami entered the wrestling contests and won. After that, no one in Japan was able to defeat him.
O-nami was immensly strong and knew the art of wresting. In his private bouts he defeated even his teacher, but in public was so bashful that his own pupils threw him.
O-nami felt he should go to a Zen master for help. Hakuju, a wandering teacher, was stopping in a little temple nearby, so O-nami went to see him and told him of his great trouble.
"Great Waves is your name," the teacher advised, "so stay in this temple tonight. Imagine that you are those billows. You are no longer a wrestler who is afraid. You are those huge waves sweeping everything before them, swallowing all in their path. Do this and you will be the greatest wrestler in the land."
The teacher retired. O-nami sat in meditation trying to imagine himself as waves. He thought of many different things. Then gradualy he turned more and more to the feeling of waves. As the night advanced the waves became larger and larger. They swept away the flowers in their vases. Even the Buddha in the shrine was inundated. Before dawn the temple was nothing but the ebb and flow of an immense sea.
In the morning the teacher found O-nami meditating, a faint smile on his face. He patted the wrestler's shoulder. "Now nothing can disturb you," he said. "You are those waves. You will sweep everything before you."
The same day O-nami entered the wrestling contests and won. After that, no one in Japan was able to defeat him.
The love story of Ralph and Edna
Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool. Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end.
He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.
Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.
When she went to tell Edna the news she said, 'Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love. I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness.
The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead.'
Edna replied, 'He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?'
He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.
Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.
When she went to tell Edna the news she said, 'Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love. I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness.
The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead.'
Edna replied, 'He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?'
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Announcement
Tanzan wrote sixty postal cards on the last day of his life, and asked an attendant to mail them. Then he passed away.
The cards read:
I am departing from this world.
This is my last announcement.
Tanzan
July 27, 1892
The cards read:
I am departing from this world.
This is my last announcement.
Tanzan
July 27, 1892
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Today's Quote
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
— Peace Pilgrim: Born Mildred Norman, was a peace activist and spiritual leader
— Peace Pilgrim: Born Mildred Norman, was a peace activist and spiritual leader
Here's The Joke
An older, white haired man walked into a jewelry store one Friday evening with a beautiful young gal at his side.
He told the jeweler he was looking for a special ring for his girlfriend. The jeweler looked thro ugh his stock and brought out a $5,000 ring. The old man said, 'No, I'd like to see something more special.'
At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. 'Here's a stunning ring at only $40,000' the jeweler said.
The young lady's eyes sparkled and her whole body trembled with excitement. The old man seeing this said, 'We'll take it.'
The jeweler asked how payment would be made and the old man stated, 'by check. I know you need to make sure my check is good, so I'll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds and I'll pick the ring up Monday afternoon,' he said.
Monday morning, the jeweler phoned the old man.
'There's no money in that account.'
'I know,' said the old man, 'But let me tell you about my weekend!
He told the jeweler he was looking for a special ring for his girlfriend. The jeweler looked thro ugh his stock and brought out a $5,000 ring. The old man said, 'No, I'd like to see something more special.'
At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. 'Here's a stunning ring at only $40,000' the jeweler said.
The young lady's eyes sparkled and her whole body trembled with excitement. The old man seeing this said, 'We'll take it.'
The jeweler asked how payment would be made and the old man stated, 'by check. I know you need to make sure my check is good, so I'll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds and I'll pick the ring up Monday afternoon,' he said.
Monday morning, the jeweler phoned the old man.
'There's no money in that account.'
'I know,' said the old man, 'But let me tell you about my weekend!
10 reasons to adopt an older dog
1. Older dogs are house trained. You won’t have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents.
2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won’t chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.
3. Older dogs can focus well because they’ve mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.
4. Older dogs have learned what “no” means. If they hadn’t learned it, they wouldn’t have gotten to be “older” dogs.
5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they’ve learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.
6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they’ve been given.
7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.
8. Older dogs are instant companions, ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.
9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don’t make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
10. Older dogs let you get a good night’s sleep because they’re accustomed to human schedules and don’t generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.
2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won’t chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.
3. Older dogs can focus well because they’ve mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.
4. Older dogs have learned what “no” means. If they hadn’t learned it, they wouldn’t have gotten to be “older” dogs.
5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they’ve learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.
6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they’ve been given.
7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.
8. Older dogs are instant companions, ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.
9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don’t make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
10. Older dogs let you get a good night’s sleep because they’re accustomed to human schedules and don’t generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.
Is the State Holding Money for You?
In most states, bank accounts that have not been touched in a number of years get turned over to the state's abandoned property division. So do things in safe deposit boxes (when rent is unpaid) and so might checks that are never cashed. To find out if the state is holding any money for you or a relative, here are tips and two websites to check.
Art Linkletter dies
Art Linkletter, who encouraged both kids and grown-ups to say the "darndest things" during his decades as a genial but gently mischievous television personality, has died at age 97.
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Today's Quote
“The big rewards come to those who travel the second, undemanded mile.
Bruce Barton (1886–1967)
American advertising executive, U.S. congressman
Bruce Barton (1886–1967)
American advertising executive, U.S. congressman
Army Veteran Brendan Marrocco Is First Quadruple Amputee to Survive—and Thrive
Last year, on Easter Sunday, soldier Brendan Marrocco was driving in Iraq with his best friend Michael Anaya when their military vehicle tripped a roadside bomb.
Anaya was killed instantly, and both of Marrocco's arms and legs were blown off. The carotid artery in his neck was severed.
“That alone should have killed me,” Marracco told CBS News.
But in a strange twist of fate, he hardly bled at all from his injuries: the bomb was so hot that it instantly cauterized his wounds, saving his life.
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Anaya was killed instantly, and both of Marrocco's arms and legs were blown off. The carotid artery in his neck was severed.
“That alone should have killed me,” Marracco told CBS News.
But in a strange twist of fate, he hardly bled at all from his injuries: the bomb was so hot that it instantly cauterized his wounds, saving his life.
Read more
Monday, May 24, 2010
Today's Quote
“If you rest, you rust.”
Helen Hayes (1900–1993)
American actress,Academy, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy winner
Helen Hayes (1900–1993)
American actress,Academy, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy winner
The 'Lost' finale: It's hard to let go
In the end, time didn't matter.
"There is no 'now' here," Christian Shephard told his son gently.
And after all the present-future-past machinations on this show, time did seem to stop in the last 20 minutes of the "Lost" series finale. The closing sequence was a hymn, it was an emotionally cathartic sendoff, it was a beautiful reunion and a testament to what the show was about: Creating your own world. Creating your own fate. Creating a community of people that you can't exist without -- in any sphere, before or after death.
Read more
"There is no 'now' here," Christian Shephard told his son gently.
And after all the present-future-past machinations on this show, time did seem to stop in the last 20 minutes of the "Lost" series finale. The closing sequence was a hymn, it was an emotionally cathartic sendoff, it was a beautiful reunion and a testament to what the show was about: Creating your own world. Creating your own fate. Creating a community of people that you can't exist without -- in any sphere, before or after death.
Read more
10 Benefits of Rising Early, and How to Do It
- # Have a good reason. Set something to do early in the morning that’s important. This reason will motivate you to get up. I like to write in the morning, so that’s my reason. Also, when I’m done with that, I like to read all of your comments!
- Make waking up early a reward. Yes, it might seem at first that you’re forcing yourself to do something hard, but if you make it pleasurable, soon you will look forward to waking up early. A good reward is to make a hot cup of coffee or tea and read a book. Other rewards might be a tasty treat for breakfast (smoothies! yum!) or watching the sunrise, or meditating. Find something that’s pleasurable for you, and allow yourself to do it as part of your morning routine.
- Take advantage of all that extra time. Don’t wake up an hour or two early just to read your blogs, unless that’s a major goal of yours. Don’t wake up early and waste that extra time. Get a jump start on your day! I like to use that time to get a head start on preparing my kids’ lunches, on planning for the rest of the day (when I set my MITs), on exercising or meditating, and on reading. By the time 6:30 rolls around, I’ve done more than many people do the entire day.
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Facebook says it's so very sorry about jeopardizing your privacy, and it's getting right on it
Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said the Internet social network will roll out new privacy settings for its more than 400 million users, amid growing concerns that the company is pushing users to make more of their personal data public.
"Many of you thought our controls were too complex," said Zuckerberg in an opinion piece published on Monday in The Washington Post.
"Our intention was to give you lots of granular controls; but that may not have been what many of you wanted. We just missed the mark," said the 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in his Harvard dorm room in 2004.
In the coming weeks, Zuckerberg promised, Facebook will add privacy controls that he said would be much simpler to use.
Facebook will also give users an easy way to turn off all third-party services, Zuckerberg said.
Read more
"Many of you thought our controls were too complex," said Zuckerberg in an opinion piece published on Monday in The Washington Post.
"Our intention was to give you lots of granular controls; but that may not have been what many of you wanted. We just missed the mark," said the 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in his Harvard dorm room in 2004.
In the coming weeks, Zuckerberg promised, Facebook will add privacy controls that he said would be much simpler to use.
Facebook will also give users an easy way to turn off all third-party services, Zuckerberg said.
Read more
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Today's Quote
"Perhaps the very best question that you can memorize and repeat, over and over, is, 'what is the most valuable use of my time right now?'"
— Brian Tracy: Author and speaker on personal and professional development
— Brian Tracy: Author and speaker on personal and professional development
Principal put on leave over fetus dolls for students
Oakwood Elementary's principal was placed on administrative leave Friday as school officials investigated why life like, 4-inch-long plastic fetus dolls were given to dozens of third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students.
On Thursday, the school staffer thought to be responsible for handing out the dolls was placed on leave.
Oakwood took another hit this week when the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia blasted its principal for inviting students and teachers to participate in prayer and Bible study. The organization said such acts are coercive and violate the Constitution.
The group asked Superintendent Stephen Jones in a letter sent Friday to immediately instruct Oakwood Principal Sheila Tillett Holas on the constitutional rights of teachers and students, and to stop religious overtures to them, as well as all organized religious activity on school grounds.
Holas was put on administrative leave Friday and did not respond to requests for an interview.
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Cuban Black Beans and Rice
Serves 4
Hands-On Time: 20m
Total Time: 20m
Ingredients
* 1 cup long-grain white rice
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* kosher salt and black pepper
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 2 15.5-ounce cans black beans, rinsed
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
* 4 radishes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
* 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Directions
1. Cook the rice according to the package directions. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cumin and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add the beans, oregano, and 1 cup water. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the vinegar and smash some of the beans with the back of a fork to thicken.
3. Serve the beans over the rice and top with the radishes and cilantro.
LOST Eyeballs
A compilation of all the eyeball shots in ABC's Lost, accompanied by music from Michael Giacchino for the show (Crocodile Locke, Oceanic 815)
Have you ever told a white lie?
Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group
in Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She
remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through
cabinets, found an angel food cake mix and quickly made it while
drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp.
When Alice took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat
and the cake was horribly disfigured. she said, "Oh dear, there is not
time to bake another cake."
This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at
her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being
inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the
center of the cake.
Alice found it in the bathroom-a roll of Toilet paper. She plunked it
in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product
look beautiful, it looked perfect.
Before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for
work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific
instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and
to buy the cake and bring it home.
When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive,
perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone and
called her mom. Alice was horrified-she was beside herself.
Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized,
talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking
about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.
The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about
the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home
of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. Alice did not
really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than
once had looked down her nose the fact Alice was a single parent and
not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa, but having already
RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.
The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old South
and to Alice's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert!
Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She
started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before
she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful
cake!"
Alice still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess
(who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it
myself."
Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."
in Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She
remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through
cabinets, found an angel food cake mix and quickly made it while
drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp.
When Alice took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat
and the cake was horribly disfigured. she said, "Oh dear, there is not
time to bake another cake."
This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at
her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being
inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the
center of the cake.
Alice found it in the bathroom-a roll of Toilet paper. She plunked it
in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product
look beautiful, it looked perfect.
Before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for
work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific
instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and
to buy the cake and bring it home.
When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive,
perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone and
called her mom. Alice was horrified-she was beside herself.
Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized,
talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking
about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.
The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about
the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home
of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. Alice did not
really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than
once had looked down her nose the fact Alice was a single parent and
not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa, but having already
RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.
The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old South
and to Alice's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert!
Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She
started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before
she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful
cake!"
Alice still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess
(who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it
myself."
Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."
No Loving - Kindness
There was an old woman in China who had supported a monk for over twenty years. She had built a little hut for him and fed him while he was meditating. Finally she wondered just what progress he had made in all this time.
To find out, she obtained the help of a girl rich in desire. "Go and embrace him," she told her, "and then ask him suddenly: 'What now?'"
The girl called upon the monk and without much ado caressed him, asking him what he was going to do about it.
"An old tree grows on a cold rock in winter," replied the monk somewhat poetically. "Nowhere is there any warmth."
The girl returned and related what he had said.
"To think I fed that fellow for twenty years!" exclaimed the old woman in anger. "He showed no consideration for your need, no disposition to explain your condition. He need not have responded to passion, but at least he could have evidenced some compassion;"
She at once went to the hut of the monk and burned it down.
To find out, she obtained the help of a girl rich in desire. "Go and embrace him," she told her, "and then ask him suddenly: 'What now?'"
The girl called upon the monk and without much ado caressed him, asking him what he was going to do about it.
"An old tree grows on a cold rock in winter," replied the monk somewhat poetically. "Nowhere is there any warmth."
The girl returned and related what he had said.
"To think I fed that fellow for twenty years!" exclaimed the old woman in anger. "He showed no consideration for your need, no disposition to explain your condition. He need not have responded to passion, but at least he could have evidenced some compassion;"
She at once went to the hut of the monk and burned it down.
GOP Blocks Oil Spill Liability Bill
Republicans for the second time blocked legislation that would increase oil companies' liability for oil spill damages, setting off criticism from Democrats seeking to make BP pay for the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) on Tuesday blocked a bill Democrats have put forward to raise the liability cap from $75 million to $10 billion. He said on the Senate floor he agrees the cap should be raised, but the Senate should "wait and see where the cap should be."
Read more
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) on Tuesday blocked a bill Democrats have put forward to raise the liability cap from $75 million to $10 billion. He said on the Senate floor he agrees the cap should be raised, but the Senate should "wait and see where the cap should be."
Read more
Mugging Attempt Gets Thwarted by Real-Life Ninjas
He looked like an easy target: a medical student sitting alone on a late-night train.
The three men sidled up to the German student and told him to hand over his wallet. When he refused, they followed him off the train, trailing him as he walked past the hotel and pizza joint on Bringelly Road, Kingswood, in the city's west.
When the student, who has asked not to be identified, turned down a dimly lit alley his pursuers thought their moment had come.
It had, but not in quite the way they expected.
The men tripped the 27-year-old student, kicking him as he lay on the ground and grabbing his mobile phone and iPod.
What the assailants did not realise was that they were standing outside Ninja Senshi Ryu - western Sydney's ninja warrior school.
Read more/Video
The three men sidled up to the German student and told him to hand over his wallet. When he refused, they followed him off the train, trailing him as he walked past the hotel and pizza joint on Bringelly Road, Kingswood, in the city's west.
When the student, who has asked not to be identified, turned down a dimly lit alley his pursuers thought their moment had come.
It had, but not in quite the way they expected.
The men tripped the 27-year-old student, kicking him as he lay on the ground and grabbing his mobile phone and iPod.
What the assailants did not realise was that they were standing outside Ninja Senshi Ryu - western Sydney's ninja warrior school.
Read more/Video
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Today's Quote
Life is not what it’s supposed to be. Its what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.
~ Virginia Sat
~ Virginia Sat
Hospice hosts wedding for daughter of dying man
As they walked through the hospital parking lot to see her dying father, Josh Cunha stopped and bent down on one knee. He had a diamond ring.
"I'm sorry this isn't the most romantic place," he said. "But it feels like the right one."
Jeannette Brown said yes, as she had before when he proposed three years ago. That time, it was Valentine's Day and she was eight months pregnant with their son, Ethan. He asked for her hand in marriage as they watched him on an ultrasound.
Jeannette wanted a wedding, but soon they were dealing with a newborn baby and then she got pregnant again with another boy, Evan. She quit her job teaching preschool to be a stay-at-home mom. Josh worked in sales at a fitness club. Jeannette bought wedding invitations and thank-you cards and tucked them away in her closet, waiting for a time when money wasn't tight and things weren't so busy with the kids. It was easy for Josh and Jeannette, both 27, to put it off. They loved each other and were a family and a wedding seemed like a party and a piece of paper.
Her father, Greg Brown, disagreed. Greg, 52, wanted Jeannette and Josh to be married. He taught Jeannette and his youngest, Joanne, 24, to be independent. Still, Greg needed to be needed by his girls. And walking them down the aisle was part of that the role he planned for himself since they were born.
It didn't seem like that was going to happen. Then he got sick.
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My new favorite thing
Solar Nylon Lanterns (Set of 3)
Solar lanterns automatically light up at dusk for up to eight hours. A wonderful way to light up the night. Lanterns are illuminated with long-lasting LED lights and include three rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. Each measures 8" round. Total length 29.4'; lighted length 13'.
How to make a woman happy
It's not difficult to make a woman happy. A man only needs to be:
1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a sexologist
15. a gynecologist
16. a psychologist
17. a pest exterminator
18. a psychiatrist
19. a healer
20. a good listener
21. an organizer
22. a good father
23. very clean
24. sympathetic
25. athletic
26. warm
27. attentive
28. gallant
29. intelligent
30. funny
31. creative
32. tender
33. strong
34. understanding
35. tolerant
36. prudent
37. ambitious
38. capable
39. courageous
40. determined
41. true
42. dependable
43. passionate
44. compassionate
WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:
45. give her compliments regularly
46. love shopping
47. be honest
48. be very rich
49. not stress her out
50. not look at other girls
AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:
51. give her lots of attention but expect little yourself
52. give her lots of time especially time for herself
53. give her lots of space never worrying about where she goes
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:
54. Never to forget:
* birthdays
* anniversaries
* arrangements she makes
HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY:
1. Show up naked
2. Bring alcohol
1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a sexologist
15. a gynecologist
16. a psychologist
17. a pest exterminator
18. a psychiatrist
19. a healer
20. a good listener
21. an organizer
22. a good father
23. very clean
24. sympathetic
25. athletic
26. warm
27. attentive
28. gallant
29. intelligent
30. funny
31. creative
32. tender
33. strong
34. understanding
35. tolerant
36. prudent
37. ambitious
38. capable
39. courageous
40. determined
41. true
42. dependable
43. passionate
44. compassionate
WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:
45. give her compliments regularly
46. love shopping
47. be honest
48. be very rich
49. not stress her out
50. not look at other girls
AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:
51. give her lots of attention but expect little yourself
52. give her lots of time especially time for herself
53. give her lots of space never worrying about where she goes
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:
54. Never to forget:
* birthdays
* anniversaries
* arrangements she makes
HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY:
1. Show up naked
2. Bring alcohol
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Poet and The Scientist
A poet and a scientist were traveling together on a plane. The scientist was bored and said to the poet, "Hey, you, do you want to play a game? I'll ask you a question, and if you get it wrong, you give me $5. Then, you ask me a question, and if I can't answer it, I'll give you $5."
The poet thought about this for a moment, but he decided against it, seeing that the scientist was obviously a very bright man. He politely turned down the scientist's offer.
The scientist, who was really bored, tried again. "Look, I'll ask you a question, and if you can't answer it, you give me $5. Then you ask me a question, and if I can't answer it, I'll give you $50."
The poet agreed. "Okay," the scientist said, "what is the exact distance between the Earth and the Moon?"
The poet, obviously not knowing the answer, didn't stop to think about the scientist's question. He took a $5 bill out of his pocket and handed it to the scientist.
The scientist happily accepted the bill and promptly said, "Okay, now it's your turn."
The poet thought about this for a few minutes, then asked, "All right, what goes up a mountain on three legs, but comes down on four?"
The bright glow quickly vanished from the scientist's face. He thought about this for a long time, taking out his notepad and making numerous calculations. He finally gave up on his notepad and took out his laptop, using his Multimedia Encyclopedia. As the plane was landing the scientist gave up. He reluctantly handed the poet a $50 bill.
The poet accepted it graciously, getting ready to stand up. "Wait!" the scientist shouted, "you can't do this to me! What's the answer?"
The poet looked at the scientist and calmly put a $5 bill into his hand.
The poet thought about this for a moment, but he decided against it, seeing that the scientist was obviously a very bright man. He politely turned down the scientist's offer.
The scientist, who was really bored, tried again. "Look, I'll ask you a question, and if you can't answer it, you give me $5. Then you ask me a question, and if I can't answer it, I'll give you $50."
The poet agreed. "Okay," the scientist said, "what is the exact distance between the Earth and the Moon?"
The poet, obviously not knowing the answer, didn't stop to think about the scientist's question. He took a $5 bill out of his pocket and handed it to the scientist.
The scientist happily accepted the bill and promptly said, "Okay, now it's your turn."
The poet thought about this for a few minutes, then asked, "All right, what goes up a mountain on three legs, but comes down on four?"
The bright glow quickly vanished from the scientist's face. He thought about this for a long time, taking out his notepad and making numerous calculations. He finally gave up on his notepad and took out his laptop, using his Multimedia Encyclopedia. As the plane was landing the scientist gave up. He reluctantly handed the poet a $50 bill.
The poet accepted it graciously, getting ready to stand up. "Wait!" the scientist shouted, "you can't do this to me! What's the answer?"
The poet looked at the scientist and calmly put a $5 bill into his hand.
Will Muslim Americans be exempt from the mandate to have health insurance?
The Muslim faith does not forbid purchasing health insurance, and no Muslim group has ever been considered exempt under the definitions used in the health care law.
10 Ways to Deal with Negative or Difficult People
by Lori Deschene
“Judge nothing, you will be happy. Forgive everything, you will be happier. Love everything, you will be happiest.” ~Sri Chinmoy
I love her to death, but it’s draining to talk to her.
Every time I call this friend of mine, I know what I’m in for: a half-hour tirade about everything that’s difficult, miserable or unfair.
Sometimes she focuses on the people who’ve wronged her (usually without merit) and other times she waxes poetic about the general hopelessness of life.
I tell myself I call because I care, but sometimes I wonder if I have ulterior motives–to pump up my ego offering good advice, or even to feel better about my own reality.
I’m no saint, and if there’s one thing I know well, we only do things repeatedly if we believe there’s something in it for us. Even if that something is just to feel needed.
I thought about this the other day when a reader wrote to me with an interesting question: how do you offer compassion to someone who doesn’t seem to deserve it? She went on to describe her offensive, sexist, racist boss who emotionally exhausts everyone around him. He sounds a lot more hateful than my friend, who is, sadly, just terribly depressed.
But these people have one thing in common: boundless negative energy that constantly seeks a target.
So today I started thinking about how we interact with negative or difficult people. People who seem unhappy, indignant, angry, or just plain rude.
When someone becomes a repeat offender, draining everyone around them, how do you maintain a sense of compassion without getting sucked into their doom? And how do you act in a way that doesn’t reinforce their negativity–and maybe even helps them?
Here’s what I’ve come up with:
“Judge nothing, you will be happy. Forgive everything, you will be happier. Love everything, you will be happiest.” ~Sri Chinmoy
I love her to death, but it’s draining to talk to her.
Every time I call this friend of mine, I know what I’m in for: a half-hour tirade about everything that’s difficult, miserable or unfair.
Sometimes she focuses on the people who’ve wronged her (usually without merit) and other times she waxes poetic about the general hopelessness of life.
I tell myself I call because I care, but sometimes I wonder if I have ulterior motives–to pump up my ego offering good advice, or even to feel better about my own reality.
I’m no saint, and if there’s one thing I know well, we only do things repeatedly if we believe there’s something in it for us. Even if that something is just to feel needed.
I thought about this the other day when a reader wrote to me with an interesting question: how do you offer compassion to someone who doesn’t seem to deserve it? She went on to describe her offensive, sexist, racist boss who emotionally exhausts everyone around him. He sounds a lot more hateful than my friend, who is, sadly, just terribly depressed.
But these people have one thing in common: boundless negative energy that constantly seeks a target.
So today I started thinking about how we interact with negative or difficult people. People who seem unhappy, indignant, angry, or just plain rude.
When someone becomes a repeat offender, draining everyone around them, how do you maintain a sense of compassion without getting sucked into their doom? And how do you act in a way that doesn’t reinforce their negativity–and maybe even helps them?
Here’s what I’ve come up with:
America's Ten Most Corrupt Capitalists
Wall Street's captains of industry and top policymakers in Washington are often the same people. A lot of them get rich by playing for both teams.
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Bean and Salsa Chicken Wrap
60% less sat fat • 60% less sodium than the original recipe. Give Mexican-inspired wraps a welcome smokiness with Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. The canned, smoked jalapeño peppers, packed in a tomato-vinegar sauce, lend the blender bean dip a robust flavor.
Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:30 min
makes:4 servings
1/2 cup Homemade Progresso® Black Bean-Smoked Chile Dip (recipe below)
4 7- or 8-inch whole wheat flour tortillas
12 ounces cooked skinless chicken or turkey breast, chopped (about 2 1/3 cups)
4 cups shredded or torn romaine or whole fresh baby spinach leaves
1 cup coarsely snipped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup Old El Paso® salsa
1. Spread Black Bean-Smoked Chile Dip on one side of each tortilla. Top with chicken, romaine, cilantro, and salsa. Roll up tortillas. If desired, secure with toothpicks.
2. Black Bean-Smoked Chile Dip: In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup finely chopped onion, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin; cover and cook about 10 minutes or until very tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro. Transfer onion mixture to a blender or food processor. Add one 15-ounce can Progresso® black beans, rinsed and drained; 1/2 cup water; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 teaspoon finely chopped chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce; and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cover and blend or process until nearly smooth. Serve immediately, or cover and chill for up to 3 days. Makes 1 2/3 cups.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Website of the Day
Remember way back in the mid-’90s, when it seemed like just about everyone had that ubiquitous magnet poetry on their refrigerators? Well, for all of you who couldn’t resist a quick rearranging of words to make your own instant verse, the Internet has stepped up yet again!
At isnoop.net, that poetic magnet experience has been excellently executed, replicating the same time-wasting fun—the background even resembles the front of a fridge. There are plenty of words to play around with; you use your mouse to drag them into place. And every 30 minutes, the site automatically refreshes, so you can find new inspiration for figuring out how, say, “artichoke,” “high,” “sheep” and “spoon” might best fit into your poem. Enjoy!
At isnoop.net, that poetic magnet experience has been excellently executed, replicating the same time-wasting fun—the background even resembles the front of a fridge. There are plenty of words to play around with; you use your mouse to drag them into place. And every 30 minutes, the site automatically refreshes, so you can find new inspiration for figuring out how, say, “artichoke,” “high,” “sheep” and “spoon” might best fit into your poem. Enjoy!
Does an illegal immigrant in Florida get $1,500 a month for each of her eight children?
No. Illegal immigrants don’t qualify for welfare or food stamps. A chain e-mail from a "disabled Vietnam vet" is full of misinformation.
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010
One person's solution to the economic crisis
Dear Mr. President,
Patriotic Retirement:
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force; pay them $1 million apiece severance with three stipulations:
1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.
All National financial problems fixed!!!
Patriotic Retirement:
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force; pay them $1 million apiece severance with three stipulations:
1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.
All National financial problems fixed!!!
Here's The Joke
A policeman brought four boys before a judge.
"They were causing an awful lot of commotion at the zoo, your Honor," he said.
"Boys," said the judge sternly, "I never like to hear reports of juvenile delinquency.
Now I want each of you to tell me your name and what you were doing wrong."
"My name is George," said the first boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Pete," said the second boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Mike," said the third boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Peanuts," said the fourth boy.
"They were causing an awful lot of commotion at the zoo, your Honor," he said.
"Boys," said the judge sternly, "I never like to hear reports of juvenile delinquency.
Now I want each of you to tell me your name and what you were doing wrong."
"My name is George," said the first boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Pete," said the second boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Mike," said the third boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Peanuts," said the fourth boy.
Healthified Chicken-Pineapple Stir-Fry
Power up with this super stir-fry. You’ll get more than 100 percent of a day’s vitamin A requirement plus 60 percent of your vitamin C.Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:30 min
makes:6 servings
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
4 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 clove garlic, minced
4 teaspoons canola oil
3 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 large red sweet pepper, cut into bite-size strips
12 ounces frozen pea pods, thawed
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 8-ounce can pineapple chunks (juice-pack), drained
3 cups hot cooked brown rice
1. For sauce: In a small bowl, stir together chicken broth, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and garlic; set aside.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 3 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and sweet pepper; cook for 3 minutes. Add pea pods. Cook and stir about 1 minute more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from skillet; set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to skillet. Add chicken to skillet. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Push chicken from center of skillet. Stir sauce; add to center of skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add vegetable mixture and pineapple chunks to skillet; heat through. Serve with hot cooked brown rice.
Google Earth Car Chase Animation
You'd never know it, but this isn't a real car chase - it was created by animating cars on a Google Earth landscape.
Satellite Car Chase from Honest Directors on Vimeo.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Today's Quote
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
— Peace Pilgrim: Born Mildred Norman, was a peace activist and spiritual leader
— Peace Pilgrim: Born Mildred Norman, was a peace activist and spiritual leader
Another Blonde Joke
An office technician got a call from a blonde computer user. The
user told the tech that her computer was not working. She
described the problem and the tech concluded that her com-
puter needed to be brought in and serviced.
He told her, "Unplug the power cord and bring it up here
and I'll fix it for you."
About ten minutes later she showed up at his door... with
the electrical cord in her right hand.
user told the tech that her computer was not working. She
described the problem and the tech concluded that her com-
puter needed to be brought in and serviced.
He told her, "Unplug the power cord and bring it up here
and I'll fix it for you."
About ten minutes later she showed up at his door... with
the electrical cord in her right hand.
Website of the Day
behind every song there's always an emotion. we don't know why but maybe that's why we love music.
so we've created a way to suggest songs that follow your feelings: stereomood is the emotional internet radio, providing music that best suits your mood and your activities.
how do i feel? what am i doing now?
so we've created a way to suggest songs that follow your feelings: stereomood is the emotional internet radio, providing music that best suits your mood and your activities.
how do i feel? what am i doing now?
Soldier’s Daughter Paige Bennethum Welcomes Father Home from Iraq for Good
Paige Bennethum, the little girl who wouldn't let go of her soldier father's hand in a famous photo, welcomed her dad back home to Philadelphia after his tour of duty.
Frugal teen buys house with 4-H winnings
Lindsay Binegar was 14 the first time she spent any winnings from years of showing hogs. She bought a purse. The second time, at 18, she splurged. She bought a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a two-car garage. And she paid in cash.
"I've never heard of a teenager buying a house," said Nikki Gasbarro, spokeswoman for the Ohio Association of Realtors. "Smart girl."
The Greenfield teenager has been saving money since she was 4 years old and won $100 showing a hog.
"I didn't get the money; it went to the bank," said Binegar, now a 19-year-old freshman at Ohio University's Chillicothe branch.
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"I've never heard of a teenager buying a house," said Nikki Gasbarro, spokeswoman for the Ohio Association of Realtors. "Smart girl."
The Greenfield teenager has been saving money since she was 4 years old and won $100 showing a hog.
"I didn't get the money; it went to the bank," said Binegar, now a 19-year-old freshman at Ohio University's Chillicothe branch.
Read more
Killing Our World
William Rivers Pitt
"I wanted to destroy everything beautiful I'd never have," wrote Chuck Palahniuk in his novel,"'Fight Club." "Burn the Amazon rain forest. Pump chlorofluorocarbons straight up to gobble the ozone. Open the dump valves on supertankers and uncap offshore oil wells. I wanted to kill all the fish I couldn't afford to eat, and smother the French beaches. I wanted the whole world to hit bottom ... I wanted to breathe smoke. I wanted to burn the Louvre. I'd do the Elgin Marbles with a sledgehammer and wipe my ass with the Mona Lisa. This is my world, now."
This is our world now, indeed. All those terrible things Palahniuk's protagonist wanted to do, well, most of them are happening or have already happened. The Louvre is still there, for now, and neither the Marbles nor the "Mona Lisa" have been violated, but as for the rest of that rant ... yeah, they're pretty much fact.
Our world.
The Boston Globe web site put together a series of pictures detailing the inexorable advance of spilled petroleum in the Gulf, the slow dread of aftermath from the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon nearly a month ago. I've been staring at them for the last hour, and I'm beginning to believe I have lost the capacity to weep.
We've been through so much in the last ten years. So much damage has been done in so many places and in so many ways. Millions of people have died in wars and acts of terrorism, of disease and starvation and neglect and atrocity. Our Constitution has been ravaged, our economy pillaged, New Orleans was shattered and Detroit has been left to rot. The Supreme Court sealed the deal and made us all slaves to the corporate ethic, which scantly exists beyond a profit motive devoid of morals or genuine patriotism.
But something in those pictures makes me feel worse than I have in a long time, even after encompassing every other horror we have endured. I can't explain why; worse things have happened than this Gulf spill (maybe), but my heart hurts and my gut feels hollow when I look at the pictures, and I cannot weep.
"According to a news release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, reported the Times-Picayune over the weekend, "Capt. Lyle Dehart of the shrimping vessel Rocking Angel caught oily shrimp around midnight on Friday in Bayou Severin, near Sister Lake. Shrimpers on the boat reported that their fingers stuck together when they touched the shrimp." The report went on to state that large swaths of fishing grounds, both offshore and inshore, are being closed. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has allowed several previously-closed oyster beds reopened, so fishermen can race in and harvest what they can before the oil arrives and annihilates the ecosystem.
Their fingers stuck together.
Our world.
Read more
"I wanted to destroy everything beautiful I'd never have," wrote Chuck Palahniuk in his novel,"'Fight Club." "Burn the Amazon rain forest. Pump chlorofluorocarbons straight up to gobble the ozone. Open the dump valves on supertankers and uncap offshore oil wells. I wanted to kill all the fish I couldn't afford to eat, and smother the French beaches. I wanted the whole world to hit bottom ... I wanted to breathe smoke. I wanted to burn the Louvre. I'd do the Elgin Marbles with a sledgehammer and wipe my ass with the Mona Lisa. This is my world, now."
This is our world now, indeed. All those terrible things Palahniuk's protagonist wanted to do, well, most of them are happening or have already happened. The Louvre is still there, for now, and neither the Marbles nor the "Mona Lisa" have been violated, but as for the rest of that rant ... yeah, they're pretty much fact.
Our world.
The Boston Globe web site put together a series of pictures detailing the inexorable advance of spilled petroleum in the Gulf, the slow dread of aftermath from the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon nearly a month ago. I've been staring at them for the last hour, and I'm beginning to believe I have lost the capacity to weep.
We've been through so much in the last ten years. So much damage has been done in so many places and in so many ways. Millions of people have died in wars and acts of terrorism, of disease and starvation and neglect and atrocity. Our Constitution has been ravaged, our economy pillaged, New Orleans was shattered and Detroit has been left to rot. The Supreme Court sealed the deal and made us all slaves to the corporate ethic, which scantly exists beyond a profit motive devoid of morals or genuine patriotism.
But something in those pictures makes me feel worse than I have in a long time, even after encompassing every other horror we have endured. I can't explain why; worse things have happened than this Gulf spill (maybe), but my heart hurts and my gut feels hollow when I look at the pictures, and I cannot weep.
"According to a news release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, reported the Times-Picayune over the weekend, "Capt. Lyle Dehart of the shrimping vessel Rocking Angel caught oily shrimp around midnight on Friday in Bayou Severin, near Sister Lake. Shrimpers on the boat reported that their fingers stuck together when they touched the shrimp." The report went on to state that large swaths of fishing grounds, both offshore and inshore, are being closed. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has allowed several previously-closed oyster beds reopened, so fishermen can race in and harvest what they can before the oil arrives and annihilates the ecosystem.
Their fingers stuck together.
Our world.
Read more
The "car way" of telling how far the relationship is:
-- Trying to impress the woman: unlocks and opens the door, waits for her to get inside, closes her door behind her
-- Dating: the guy unlocks her door and then goes around to his side to get in
-- Engaged: The man opens his door leans over and unlocks her door and opens it.
-- Married: The man gets in to the driver's seat, unlocks the doors, and says "Aren't you getting in?"
-- Dating: the guy unlocks her door and then goes around to his side to get in
-- Engaged: The man opens his door leans over and unlocks her door and opens it.
-- Married: The man gets in to the driver's seat, unlocks the doors, and says "Aren't you getting in?"
Top 10 Secrets of Effective Liars
Human beings have an innate skill at dishonesty. And with good reason: being able to manipulate the expectations of those around us is a key survival trait for social animals like ourselves. Indeed, a 1999 study by psychologist Robert Feldman at the University of Massachusetts showed that the most popular kids were also the most effective liars. Just because our aptitude is hardwired doesn't mean it can't improve with practice and skill. Here are ten techniques that top-notch liars use to maximize their effectiveness. (By the way, this information is offered as a way to help detect deceit in others, not to practice it yourself. Honestly!)
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Healthified Sesame Beef and Green Beans
Create a stir-fry for dinner tonight—no wok needed! Just use a large nonstick skillet to pull together this delicious, citrusy dish.Prep Time:10 min
Start to Finish:30 min
makes:4 servings
12 ounces frozen whole green beans, partially thawed and halved crosswise
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup bias-sliced green onions
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon canola oil
12 ounces boneless beef sirloin steak, trimmed of fat and thinly sliced
2 cups hot cooked brown rice
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted
2 oranges, peeled and sectioned or thinly sliced crosswise
1. In a covered medium saucepan, cook green beans in a small amount of boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain; set aside.
2. For sauce: In a small bowl, combine orange juice, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, cornstarch, and orange peel; set aside.
3. Coat an unheated large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat over medium-high heat. Add green onions, ginger, and garlic to hot skillet; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add the precooked green beans; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove vegetables from skillet.
4. Carefully add canola oil to the hot skillet. Add beef; cook and stir about 3 minutes or until desired doneness. Remove from skillet.
5. Stir sauce; add to skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Return meat and vegetables to skillet. Heat through, stirring to coat all ingredients with sauce. Serve over hot cooked brown rice. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve with orange sections.
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