Rocket science and beyond

Just for fun, here are a few things I find simple to understand, yet the people who surround me on almost a daily basis don't:

1.) Jiggling that toilet handle will, in fact, make the toilet stop running.

2.) Replacing the empty toilet paper roll with a full one is not only a good practice, but necessary unless you like drip drying or using the empty cardboard roll.

3.) Listening to your 3,982 voicemails is okay. Listening to them on speaker phone ALL THE TIME - not so much.

4.) The little yellow lines that run parallel to one another in the large concrete area outside the building aren't decorations. They aren't weird heiroglyphics or kids' artwork. They also aren't a mere suggestion. They're lines to park your monstrously huge vehicle in BETWEEN - not on or covering 3 different ones.

5.) Despite your poor personal taste in clothes, you can not make up for your ugly outfit with an even worse drenching of wretched perfume. Less is more.

6.) Pointing out others mistakes or flaws is not a recognized Olympic sport. There are no medals or awards for making other people feel only centimeters tall.

7.) :::GASP::: You, yourself, are not perfect. You too have many, MANY flaws and everyone (but yourself) can and do see them.

8.) Whining is bad. Whining constantly in a nasally voice is grounds for a severe beating and/or wrapping your entire head with duct tape.

9.) The stuff in my desk I consider mine. Not everything in my desk was purchased with company money. Helping yourself to things in my desk, behind my desk, or in my general area is poor taste. Walking in my area WHILE I'M HERE and helping yourself to whatever you deem necessary is just crappy taste and offensive.

10.) I don't have this job for fun or to just keep myself busy. I don't get paid enough as is, but asking me to do extra time and saying "it all works out in the end," is a load of BS and you know it. Not only is it grounds for beating but serious bone shattering and displacement of teeth.

Got to love America

Found this on the AP today. Couldn't help but chuckle while reading it.

NEW ORLEANS — Hurricane Katrina's victims have put a price tag on their suffering and it is staggering — including one plaintiff seeking the unlikely sum of $3 quadrillion.

A whopping $3,014,170,389,176,410 is the dollar figure so far sought from some of the largest claims filed against the federal government over damage from the failure of levees and flood walls following the Aug. 29, 2005, hurricane.

Of roughly 489,000 total claims, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it has received 247 for at least $1 billion apiece, including the one for $3 quadrillion.

"That's the mother of all high numbers," said Loren Scott, a Baton Rouge-based economist.
For the sake of perspective: A mere $1 quadrillion would dwarf the U.S. gross domestic product, which Scott said was $13.2 trillion in 2007. A stack of one quadrillion pennies would reach Saturn.

Some residents may have grossly exaggerated their claims to send a message to the corps, which has accepted blame for poorly designing the failed levees.

"I understand the anger," Scott said. "I also understand it's a negotiating tactic: Aim high and negotiate down."

Daniel Becnel, Jr., a lawyer who said his clients have filed more than 60,000 claims, said measuring Katrina's devastation in dollars and cents is a nearly impossible task.

"There's no way on earth you can figure it out," he said. "The trauma these people have undergone is unlike anything that has occurred in the history of our country."

The corps released zip codes, but no names, for the 247 claims of at least $1 billion. The list includes a $77 billion claim by the city of New Orleans. Fourteen involve a wrongful death claim. Fifteen were filed by businesses, including several insurance companies.

Little is known about the person who claimed $3 quadrillion. It was filed in Baker, 93 miles northwest of New Orleans. Baker is far from the epicenter of Katrina's destruction, but the city has a trailer park where hundreds of evacuees have lived since the storm.

Katrina, which is blamed for more than 1,600 deaths in Louisiana and Mississippi, is considered the most destructive storm to ever hit the U.S. It caused at least $60 billion in insured losses and could cost Gulf Coast states up to $125 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Most of the claims were filed before a deadline that coincided with Katrina's second anniversary, but the Corps is still receiving them — about 100 claims have arrived over the past three weeks — and is feeding them into a computer database.

The Corps said it isn't passing judgment on the merits of each claim. Federal courts are in charge of deciding if a claim is valid and how much compensation is warranted.

"It's important to the person who filed it, so we're taking every single claim seriously," Corps spokeswoman Amanda Jones said.


Okay, yes, people were killed and hurt in Katrina. Yes, it was a very serious thing and people lost everything. I'm not a jerk. I know people lost lives and family and their whole world. It was awful.

However, I doubt any one person lost wages, belongings and had emotional and physical pain that would amount to over a quadrillion. Maybe in the millions - or for some businesses, a trillion. A quadrillion? Seriously? What kind of person must come up with that? I can hear some poor cajun redneck schmuck...

"Hmmmm... let's see. I worked at Arby's for $10.50 an hour and lost my job. So that'd been roughly $22,000 a year. It's been two years. So there's $44,000.... yes, I COULD have gotten 'nother job, but I didn't want to. I suffered too much. I'm all sorts of traumatized. I won't be able to work never. So that's got to be at least two million I'd of earned in my life... Well, I got da big raise in there and I would have started my own video game company. That's worth a lot... And my house - that wuz $300,000... well, yes, I coughed up $110,000 for it, but it was appreciatin'. So, I'll say it'd have at least been worth a mill whenz I was done fixing it up and adding on to it. It was going to be the blitziest. I was going to put one of those alarmifiers in it too. It'd got to been about five million. Then there's the suffering. I suffered a whole lot. That's worth a few million. Great Aunt Maybel died in her house four miles away. So what if I never visited her while she was alive, her death rocked me to the core. That's a couple more million. Oh yeah, plus her cat and dog. That's a couple more. So, what am I up to? 15 Million? Let's round that to 50. Hmmm... there's gotz to be more. Them goverment peoples make all that in a year. Stupid president didn't send me a helicopter to get me out... no body didn't have electricity... I had to steal me three DVD players and a shotgun just to have something to do... this here double-wide they gave me to live in is too small... I don't get but 100 channels on this dish... ain't no good food at the local McD's... I'm scared to go swimming... oh, and of the dark... my cooh hunting dog didn't get his own trailer... plus theres the more suffering. Yeah, that's about 3 quadrillion - I think. Maybe a little less. Doesn't that sound right? 3 quadrillion. My math teacher said that wuz a real number when I asked her in the second grade. Yeah, let's put that on the form. Plus some change, for Great Aunt Maybel."

Looking back

Got this from a friend's blog and thought I'd share.

As 2007 comes to an end...

1) Where did you begin 2007?
In New Orleans having Café au Lait and Beignets at Café Du Monde. Man that place is WONDERFUL!

2) What was your status by Valentine’s Day?
Happily married and enjoying the evening at the Oceanfront with room service and a great view of the Atlantic.

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
No, unless you count the PR class I took this fall – but it wasn’t at a school.

4) How did you earn your money?
Same way I have for the past couple of years. Editing a magazine. It sounds far more glamorous than it really is.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Unfortunately. Out went Howard the gallbladder.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Not as far as you're concerned.

7) Where did you travel this year?
New Orleans at the New Year, New England/NYC this summer, Toledo (Ohio) in Oct., D.C. in April and Oct., Texas for Christmas

8) What did you purchase that was over $1,000?
Various airfare and traveling expenses

9) Did you know anybody who got married?
RJ and Melissa, and my cousin Ricky

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Lady I worked with, couple of friends’ extended family members, old friends/mentors of my parents

11) Biggest surprise?
Can’t think of one… year’s not over though.

12) Did you move anywhere?
Thank the good Lord, no! I LOATHE moving.

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Went to see Curtains while in NYC. Not much else. Wow, I’m sad.

14) Are you registered to vote?
Yes, and I voted in all local, state and national elections. Mom would be so proud.

15) Who did you want to win Dancing with the Stars?
Sabrina, but Helio was the one in the finals I rooted for.

16) Where do you live now?
Virginia Beach

17) Describe your birthday?
It was on Black Friday, so I slept in, avoided people as much as possible and went for a massage.

18) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
Can’t think of anything. I’m the kind of girl that will try most things at least once. Never is such a strong word.

19) What has been your favorite moment?
It’s one of two: seeing my friend Kate and her hubby this summer or being in NYC again with my sweetheart seeing a show and taking a carriage ride in Central Park.

20) What's something you learned about yourself?
I want to eventually end up working for myself and doing nothing but photography.

21) Any new additions to your family?
My parents got two new dogs, does that count?

22) What was your best month?
Hmmm, had lots of fun in October seeing old friends, but had a great vacation in June with my sweetie.

23) What music will you remember 2007 by?
Can’t say. Ask me in 10 years.

24) Who has been your best buddy?
Kate, hands down. She keeps me sane and will continue to do so from half way across the globe!

25) Favorite night out?
NYC – show, dinner, carriage ride, staying in Times Square.

I'm just sayin'

Just for the record... lips should never, NEVER look like this...

It's just not natural! Not for Paris Hilton or anyone else. Doesn't she understand how ridiculous she looks? Oh wait, she'd need a brain for that one...

Wheeeee!!!

While thinking of many things I'd rather be doing this weekend than working... I thought of amusement parks. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've been on a roller coaster or fun ride.

Of course we won't go into how SOME people I know don't share my sense of adventure and fondness of all things fast and furious... but at least I would ride something if I had the chance.

Something like this...

glumbert - Amusement Park Ride from Hell

To be a kid again...

To commemorate the nation’s most beloved modeling compound, today has been named National PLAY-DOH Day. Yep, you read that right.

And while I don't get off work or get a bonus for National PLAY-DOH Day, it's one I thought I could celebrate and really enjoy. I LOVED Play-Doh as a kid, much to mother's dismay as it always seemed to end up ground into the carpet, gumming up the kitchen table and caked onto every single cookie cutter she owned. Oh well. It was fun.

Anyway, last year the beloved colored compound celebrated its 50th birthday.

According to Hasbro:

PLAY-DOH, the modeling compound that has been a childhood rite of passage since 1956, is responsible for ‘molding’ millions of young artists, sculptors and creative minds. National PLAY-DOH Day was created to honor the childhood staple that continues to captivate the imaginations of millions of children across the globe.

The story of PLAY-DOH modeling compound begins in 1956 when scientists at Rainbow Crafts, a Cincinnati soap and cleaning compound company, stumbled upon a new use for the unique dough-like cleaning product. The company realized this product’s potential as a child’s modeling compound; and thus, the original, reusable PLAY-DOH compound was born. Throughout the ensuing decades, the new toy celebrated many milestones.

One year after its introduction, three colors – blue, yellow and red – were added to the PLAY-DOH line. Later in 1958, the three colors and the original white were packaged as a 4-Pack. The 4-Pack still remains one of the brand’s best sellers today.

PLAY-DOH compound made additional strides in the 1960s and 1970s. In the ‘60s, two-ounce mini PLAY-DOH cans and the Fun Factory playset were introduced. Also in the ‘60s, PLAY-DOH compound expanded its distribution overseas. Then, in the 1970s, the all-time favorite Fuzzy PUMPER BARBER and Beauty Shop playset was added to the line, while the brand hit a milestone with the 500th millionth can of PLAY-DOH compound sold.

The next two decades brought even more PLAY-DOH compound fun. The Rainbow 8-Pack, that included four bright colors and the original four, hit shelves in the 1980s. In 1986, the packaging changed from a cardboard container to a tightly sealed, easy-to-open plastic container. The new container ensured a longer life span for the product. The ‘90s gave kids Sparkling PLAY-DOH compound and Glow-in-the-Dark modeling clay. Also, gold- and silver-colored PLAY-DOH compound, along with PLAY-DOH moldable soap were introduced for the 40th birthday of the brand in 1996.

:::WHEW::: That's a lot of PLAY-DOH info there for you. And the newest PLAY-DOH must have? How about some PLAY-DOH perfume. I guess it's to take you back to your childhood or attract your mate who can't resist the smell of the molding material goodness.

Now, my ultimate favorite thing about playing with the stuff - that would be the most awesomest set of Star Wars figures and molds, complete with Rebel fighter jet and a R2D2 mold. Now THAT is the ultimate PLAY-DOH fun.

Does anyone else remember that set? Or do you have another fond PLAY-DOH memory?

Here's something to think about

You wanted something less negative? Not too happy with my tone lately? Fine.

But just as a reminder, this is my blog and it's what I want to write. If you are unhappy with the blog you can a.) leave considerate feedback letting me know what you think, b.) stop reading it or c.) begin writing your own. It's very therapeutic and a good creative way to express yourself.

Now onto today's post. Thought I'd go more like and airy so not to ruffle any more feathers.

Ten random things about me
10. I have a co-pilot in my car. It's a yellow smiley face with no arms and two stubby legs.
9. I don't puke when sick. Unless it's something really REALLY nasty, them I might a little. But I've know Benjamin for over six years now and he's seen me puke I think two whole times.
8. I don't particularly like honeydew melon. I like watermelon and cantaloupe, just not honeydew.
7. I firmly believe that women can be empowered by God just as much as a man and should be allowed to teach in the church.
6. I love old movies.
5. I have given my dogs their own human personalities. Jackie's the ivy-league brainiac and Baylee's the cute one getting through live solely on her looks.
4. I eat things like gummy bears color by color - all oranges first, then greens, then yellow, then clear then reds. Reds most always are last.
3. I want to go to Europe for a 3-4 week vacation.
2. I currently have 6 living plants in my office I keep fed and alive. That's REALLY good for me.
1. I really would like to live up north somewhere for at least a year so I could see what their winters are really like.

Nine things I want to do before I die:
9. Cruise on a yacht in some tropical location.
8. Live in France for at least a year.
7. Sky dive.
6. Attempt to learn the violin.
5. Visit all 50 states.
4. Take a helicopter tour over Hawaii (or somewhere just as tropical and nice).
3. Go skiing with my family as much as possible.
2. Get some of my photography published.
1. Always strive to be better.

Eight ways to win my heart:
8. Make me laugh
7. Ask me to dance
6. Jewelry is always good.
5. Show compassion for others.
4. Do little things for me even if it's something I can do for myself.
3. Embrace my unique spirit and crazy moments with a laugh.
2. Kiss me when I want you to.
1. Understand that I am not some else and can only be me.

Seven words that describe me:
7. Independent
6. Fun
5. Assertive
4. Busy
3. Planner
2. Organized
1. Random

Six words that sound funny to me:
6. Pecan (when people say PEA-can)
5. Ogle
4. Shipshape
3. Hypotenuse
2. Onomatopoeia
1. Oxymoron

Five things I'm afraid of:
5. SNAKES
4. Most spiders
3. disappointment
2. saying something I can't take back
1. How I'm going to die... not death itself, just the how part.

Four of my favorite items in my room:
4. My jewelry
3. All my critters - dogs, cat, husband
2. My teddy bears
1. My photography

Three things I do everyday:
3. Wake up
2. Eat
1. Secretly wish for someone generous to give me a couple million dollars

Two people I want to see right now:
2. My sweetheart
1. Kate-the-Great

One things I want to do right now:
1. Go home and curl up with the puppies and my sweetheart

Taking bids on the ponies...

So did everyone remember to go out and swim their ponies in honor of Chincoteague's Pony Swim yesterday?

(Have no clue what I'm talking about or need a refresher? Click here for last year's Pony Swim post.)

Well, the Thursday after the swim, from 8:00 a.m. until noon, there is an auction held at the Carnival grounds to sell the foals born over the past year out on the island.

Once someone purchases the foal, they can be loaded up and transported anywhere in the United States as they have already been cleared for travel by the veterinarian.

Now the funny thing we learned on our visit to Chincoteague a couple years back, is that some people purchase ponies that have no intention of taking the home.

They buy the pony to give the funds to the local fire department, then donate the horse back into the herd so it grows up with the group on the island.

We also learned there is a name for those who are bought but left in the herd - they're called "apartment ponies" or "turnback foals" because their new owners live far away (perhaps in an apartment or home not larger enough for horses) .

So, you want to own a pony? Here's a list a rules and history from the chamber of commerce for the pony bid:

1. Be there early if you wish to bid on a pony. The crowds are huge and you will want a space as close to the front as possible.

2. Wear a sun hat and sunscreen. Bring plenty to drink. A pencil and paper are always useful. A camera is nice. A folding chair is a good idea since the bleachers fill up quickly.

3. You do not have to register for the auction. If you raise your hand during the auctioneer's chant, you ARE MAKING A BID.

4. Price history for ponies:

2006 - 78 ponies sold, average cost $2150.64, high bid of $7500, low bid of $350 (3 yr old). Total sales were $167,750

2005 - 66 ponies sold, Average cost $2255.30, high bid of $8000.00, low bid of $900.00. Total sales were $148,850.00.

2004 - 74 ponies sold, average cost $1618.24, high bid of $4000.00, low bid of $850.00. Total sales were $119,750.00.

2003 - 71 ponies sold, average cost of $1798.59, high bid of $6,600.00, low bid of $1000.00. Total sales were $127,700.00.

2002 - The average price for the ponies sold was $1,818.00. The highest priced foal went for $7,800.00, and the lowest successful bid was $950.00. Total sale was $161,800 for 89 foals. Six "turnback" foals were sold for a total of $34,000.00. Turnbacks are returned to Assateague to replenish and upgrade the herd. Buyers are photographed with the turnbacks and will receive official registration papers, although any offspring of turnbacks will belong to the fire company.

2001 - The average price for the ponies sold was $1,961.00. The highest priced foal went for $10,500.00, and the lowest successful bid was $1000.00. Total sale was $166,725.00 for 85 ponies.

2000 - The average price for the ponies sold was $2,060.00. The highest priced foal went for $7,500.00, and the lowest successful bid was $1300.00. Total sale was $173,085.00 for 84 foals sold.

1999 - The average price for ponies sold was $1,620.00. 86 ponies were sold. The lowest price was $800.00, and the highest price was $4,200.00.

5.Your transportation home for your new foal must be approved by the pony committee. (A horse trailer). Ponies must be picked up by 5 pm Friday.

6. The only acceptable forms of payment are Visa, Mastercard, and CASH. The Fire Department will not accept checks!

7. Registration of ponies purchased at auction - from the Chincoteague Pony Association.

So there you have it. You now can have a Chincoteague pony of your very own. Don't you think Jackie and Baylee would love a new friend?

What really matters...

You know, I got thinking the other day about the upcoming 2008 presidential elections. We're already hearing so much about the "key" issues. And I'm already sick of hearing about the "key" issues.

I pretty much know where all the candidates stand on the whole Iraq issue. I know where they stand on Social Security reform and their ideas on socialized medicine, fighting terrorism and abortion. Those are all well and good. We know their sticking points and will hear over and over and over all about their voting records and views towards tax increases or tax cuts.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

I'm over it. We have 1 1/2 years to go and I know my ears will be bleeding from hearing these people say the same stupid things over and over and over again.

So I want to know what really matters. The things someone can really relate to and align their views with for a particular candidate...

So, Hillary, Obama, Mitt, Rudy and all the rest of you - answer me these few things. Be honest and use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.

1.) Do you put the toilet paper on with the paper coming over or under?

2.) Coke, Pepsi or Dr Pepper?

3.) You get an all-expenses-paid vacation to anywhere for two weeks. Where are you going?

4.) What's your favorite music?

5.) What brand of toothpaste (or denture cream) do you use? Do you squeeze from the bottom or middle?

6.) List all pets, breeds and ages.

7.) You get a $10,000 shopping spree. What store do you go to and how quickly do you spend it?

8.) What was your college major?

9.) What's your favorite charitable cause?

10.) What is your IQ level?

11.) Last time you bought your own groceries?

12.) Last time you ate fast food?

13.) Can you name the past 10 presidents in order - right now?

14.) If you never were to have gotten into politics, what would you have done for a living?

15.) Could you pass both a written and physical driving test right now?

16.) What's one question you don't know the answer to?

17.) What did you get your mother for Mother's Day?

18.) What was the last concert you attended?

19.) Can you quote a scripture from the Old Testament?

20.) What's one thing you've regretted doing in your life?

You have 15 minutes. Ready, go. And for those not running for office, what's something YOU want to know about the candidates?

Where have I been?

I know you're wondering what is so important that has been going on in my life that has been keeping me from posting.

Well, to summarize it - last weekend my sweetheart left town for a day so I kept myself busy with friends and went to the Chesapeake Jubilee and taught Sunday School.

Then, last week was a hectic one at work (see previous post) and then Thursday I had another "acute" gallbladder attack. Boo. Friday I was back at work trying my hardest to get the June magazine out my door.

Now you're caught up to this past Saturday when we played a round of golf with friends (more to come on that one) and relaxed. Sunday was church and I went to the Pungo Strawberry Festival with some friends to see their daughter in a dance recital (and get out of the house so the sweetie could study). Sunday night we went for ice cream with a couple in our class - he just got home from an 8-month deployment on the Eisenhower last Wednesday. Yesterday was another blah-feeling day so I took it easy around the house and slept quite a bit.

And now you're to today and work's a little crazy for me because my boss and two other co-workers had to go home not feeling good. (Too much fun over the weekend, eh?)

So what's the story for me this week? Tomorrow is my work's scholarship breakfast at 7 am (UGH!) and Friday I have a surgical consult to see about this stupid gallbladder and the company's picnic right after (another UGH).

Our vacation can't come soon enough!

So now you're filled in, I'm moving on to random questions you've never thought about but will know the answers to after reading:

Q: How much money can you make off competitive SCRABBLE?

A: Sure, all board games dream of becoming famous, but none has surpassed the star-power of SCRABBLE. Invented in 1931 by out-of-work architect Alfred Mosher Butts, the game inspiringly overcame the definition of its name (scrabble literally means “to scrape or grope frenetically”) and went on to sell more than 100 million sets worldwide. The wild success of the game spawned the National SCRABBLE Association, a legion of 10,000 professional tournament players (not to mention their arsenal of 120,000 approved words), and more than 200 clubs across the United States and Canada. All of this culminates in the National SCRABBLE Championship, which is proudly broadcast on ESPN and featuring more than 850 letter lancers going head-to-head. Although it might be tough to become the “Rocky of Etymology,” amateur wordsmiths who think they have their frenetic groping down to a science can show up at one of 180 different NSA-sanctioned tournaments in an attempt to score one of 12 qualifying slots, giving them the opportunity to compete for upwards of $100,000 in total cash and prizes.

Q: Who’s the genius behind the Life Saver?

A: Now realize, we’re talking candy here, not flotation device (we did use the word genius, right?) Well, here’s the story. Before electric refrigeration became widespread and affordable (around 1920), summer was a bad time for chocolate makers. So when Ohio chocolate manufacturer Clarence Crane was looking for some non-melty revenue streams in 1912, he decided to develop a hard, peppermint candy that could withstand the summer heat. To make his candy even more summer-friendly (and to differentiate them from the traditional square mints) Crane shaped his invention like the life preservers seen on ocean vessels. Unfortunately, the candy innovator underestimated the American passion for food with holes and sold the brand to an ad salesman named Edward John Noble for a paltry $2,900 just before Life Saver sales began to skyrocket. The only change Noble made to the product was switching the packaging from thin cardboard (which made the candy taste, well, like cardboard) to its trademark foil. Between 1913 and 1987, over 33.4 billion Life Savers were sold.

Q: How come no one knows where Genghis Khan is buried?

A: Well, for good reason! Apparently those in charge of the burial were ridiculously cautious about not letting word get out as to the location of the site. It was on August 18, 1227 when Genghis, the most feared leader of the 13th century, was led to burial, with a procession of 2,500 followers and a mounted bodyguard of 400 soldiers (kind of like a Macy’s parade minus the floats). Anyone unfortunate enough to happen upon the procession was immediately put to death by the soldiers. When the procession arrived at a remote mountain location in Mongolia, 40 virgins were killed to provide dear Genghis with needed pleasures in the afterlife. Then, at the end of the funeral ceremony, the soldiers killed all 2,500 members of the procession. And when the 400 soldiers returned to the capital city, they were all immediately put to death by another group of soldiers. You see, because Khan was considered a god, it was of utmost importance that his site not be plundered. And what better way to ensure this than to make it so that those with knowledge would keep their mouths shut – permanently. So did anyone survive the expedition? Well, yes – a camel. The creature was spared so that she could find her way back to the site if Khan’s family needed to visit. Of course, the family had to be led blindfolded – if they knew the whereabouts, then they too would be put to death.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of art written about coffee?

A: Before we get going on the art, let’s chat about the worth of this delectable beverage. It’s estimated that about one-third of the world’s population consumes the dark, caffeinated deliciousness that is coffee. And for said deliciousness we can thank the farmers of the Islamic world, who first cultivated coffee plants in the early 15th Century. Perhaps this explains why Arabs were inventing algebra while Europeans were busy debating how many angels could fit on the head of a pin. It may also have something to do with why Europe’s Renaissance kicked into high gear in the 16th century (the same year coffee was introduced there). But as long as we’re giving coffee credit for fostering human innovation, add the masterpieces of composer (and noted java fan) Johann Sebastian Bach to that list. In 1732, Bach wrote “Kafee Kantate,” which told the comic story of a man who wants his daughter to give up drinking the beverage, but the woman refuses. Coffee, she sings, “is lovelier than a thousand kisses.”

And now you've been updated on me and made aware of some fun trivia. Happy Tuesday.

Great Friday fun!

This is totally ripped-off from my friend Kate's blog (she always find the cool stuff!), but I know she's not going to mind. I'm on her team when we take over the world.

These come from the Web site http://atom.smasher.org/! It's a sign generator. You create it to say whatever you want, save the picture to your computer and can post it or e-mail it out. Fun fun!

Here are a few of mine I made today while extremely bored at work...

And some non-blog related ones...

Thanks, Kate!

Happy birthday to Mr. Dickens!

Bet you didn't know today was Charles Dickens birthday. He was born in 1812.

Anyway, I've always appreciated his writing style and his brilliant wordsmithing. Very gifted writer. And just for fun, here are some of his quotes - from his well known works and a couple from his not-so-well known works. There's nothing "special" about any of these. I just enjoyed his writing style. Enjoy!


"Sadly, sadly, the sun rose; it rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, incapable of their directed exercise, incapable of his own help and his own happiness, sensible of the blight on him, and resigning him-self to let it eat him away." ~ Tale of Two Cities

"You anticipate what I would say, though you cannot know how earnestly I say it, how earnestly I feel it, without knowing my secret heart, and the hopes and fears and anxieties with which it has long been laden. ...I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disinterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world, I love her. . . ." ~Tale of Two Cities

"There are some upon this earth of yours," returned the Spirit, "who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us and all out kith and kin, as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us." ~Christmas Carol

"At last, however, he began to think -- as you or I would have thought at first; for it is always the person not in the predicament who knows what ought to have been done in it, and would unquestionably have done it too . . ." ~Christmas Carol

"That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." ~Great Expectations

"In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong." ~Great Expectations

"A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away--the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us--is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow." ~Pickwick Papers

"Long may it remain in this mixed world a point not easy of decision, which is the more beautiful evidence of the Almighty's goodness--the delicate fingers that are formed for sensitiveness and sympathy of touch, and made to minister to pain and grief, or the rough hard ... hand, that the heart teaches, guides, and softens in a moment!" ~Dombey and Son

"All the knives and forks were working away at a rate that was quite alarming; very few words were spoken; and everybody seemed to eat his utmost in self-defence, as if a famine were expected to set in before breakfast time to-morrow morning, and it had become high time to assert the first law of nature." ~Martin Chuzzlewit

I'm guessing he lied...

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today which, according to German folklore, means we can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter. But again, I'm guessing he's lying. Or at least I hope so. I want to see some snow this winter!

Anyway, since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999.

Each Feb. 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney, a town of approximately 6,100 people about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to celebrate what had essentially been a German superstition.

The Germans believed that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.

Ride away...

Of all places, I was at my nail shop last week getting my fingers all pretty once again and I heard some really interesting historical facts - about the Pony Express.

Yes, I know it's odd to be chatting up history while getting my nails done, but at least it's intellectually stimulating.

SO here are today's fun historical trivia questions:

1.) Did you know how long it took for a Pony Express rider to go 2,000 miles?

2.) Do you know how often riders changed horses?

3.) Do you know the age of the youngest Pony Express rider?

and 4.) How long was the Pony Express in business?

Are you still thinking? It's hard, I know....

First answer - To ride 2,000 miles (From St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California) took only 10 days or less. Riders rode through the day and the night through all sorts of terrain and with the threat of Indian attacks.

Second answer - Pony Express stations were about 10 miles apart along the route, roughly the maximum distance a horse can travel at full run. The rider changed to a fresh horse at each station, taking only the mail pouch with him. The mailbag, or mochila, could hold 20 pounds of mail. Riders, who could not weigh over 125 pounds, were changed about every 75–100 miles.

Third answer - The youngest official rider (who was paid) was 14 years old. The oldest a rider could be was 18. Johnson William Richardson, who was 9 at the time, was believed to have been the actual first rider for the Pony Express when he took a mailbag a few blocks to the ferry for his brother who managed the stables.

And finally - the last answer - The Pony Express was only around for a year and a half, operating from April 1860 to November 1861. The business was set up in efforts to win a mail delivery contract (to replace the old route by boat around South America or by boat through Panama via train) but was instead replaced by the First Transcontinental Telegraph and the railroads.

So there's your fun history lesson for today. And when your mail's acting all slow and that letter take 3 or 4 days to get from Texas to Virginia, be thankful it's only 3 days and not 3 weeks. We've come a long way....

Say what?

So, does anyone know what happened to my day?

I came to work, got busy on my ever-growing pile of stuff to do - and WHAM - it was already 12:30.

I swear to you, I blinked again and it was 2 something. So I run to grab a bite, come back to work and now it's 4:33.

Huh? Where's my day? I seriously don't mind it going so fast, but it's like I'm out of 8 hours of my life and it's not going to come back.

WEIRD....

And that's about it. I can' think of anything else at the moment, except my bitterness at not getting a single drop of snow yet again. This winter is stupid. Arizona and Texas are belted with snow and ice and all sorts of wintery goodness and once again I get nothing more than cold rain.

So, for that I'm blaming global warming, Al Gore and the state of Alaska. Why those three? Because I'm wondering if global warming isn't such a farce, Al Gore might be right for once and Alaska is so stinking greedy with all their snow and winter weather! So there!

Random? Yes...

So, the past couple of days I've been muddling along through work and errands and the normal routine, but can't escape one pesky Christmasy thought...

If the poor kid saw his mommy kissing Santa Claus, what kind of long-term effect must it had on him?

I mean, there's the obvious... mom's making out with some strange man in the living room and is obviously enjoying it. It's not dad - but dad's no where to be found for the kid to tell him.

What must this kid think of his mother? Is she easy or just is a sucker for a man in a white beard? And why does he think it'd been a laugh for dad to seen it? Wouldn't dad be kinda peeved this man's kissing on his wife? And what's with all the tickling going on?

I don't know.... the whole this is so disturbing on several levels. And how many years of therapy is that kid going to need when he discovers Santa's not even real?

So who was it he saw mom kissing in the first place? Let's hope it was dad...

You see my point? I know, it's very random - but doesn't anyone else find this song slightly off?

A little bit County...

"I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs, and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music." ~ George Eliot

So my sweetheart and I were talking last night about several things and somehow landed on country music.

Now I know not everyone out there's a fan, but it's a lot of what I heard growing up in Texas. You just can't escape it.

So I dropped the question "What's the most COUNTRY of country songs you can think of?" Basically - what's the quintessential of all country music songs? That really is a tough one.

My opinion was "Momma Don't Let your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" sung by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. It covers so much of country.

So I got thinking... what do others think? Do you, my loyal readers, have an opinion on this one? What's your all-time country song?

Need some help? Here I've included a list of the top 25 songs. This list was taken from the top 500 songs list I found at www.about.com. Now, they give the following disclaimer: "This list has painstakingly compiled from many sources on the 'net (including Billboard charts, album charts, and various surveys and polls), with a good dose of common sense thrown in. It is in no way meant to represent exact chart positions or total sales, and is not necessarily a reflection of song popularity. Any omissions are purely unintentional. "

So it's just someone else's opinion - but here it is...

25 "White Lightning" - George Jones
24 "For The Good Times" - Ray Price
23 "Ring of Fire" - Johnny Cash
22 "Jambalaya" - Hank Williams Sr.
21 "Stand By Your Man" - Tammy Wynette
20 "Tiger by the Tail" - Buck Owens
19 "Oh, Lonesome Me" - Don Gibson
18 "Always On My Mind" - Willie Nelson
17 "Old Dogs, Children, And Watermelon Wine" - Tom T Hall
16 "Coal Miner's Daughter" - Loretta Lynn
15 "Mama Tried" - Merle Haggard
14 "I Walk The Line" - Johnny Cash
13 "Workin' Man Blues" - Merle Haggard
12 "San Antonio Rose" - Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys
11 "Sixteen Tons" - Tennessee Ernie Ford
10 "The Dance" - Garth Brooks
09 "He'll Have To Go" - Jim Reeves
08 "Lovesick Blues" - Hank Williams, Sr.
07 "Today I Started Loving You Again" - Merle Haggard
06 "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" - Hank Williams, Sr.
05 "El Paso" - Marty Robbins
04 "I Fall To Pieces" - Patsy Cline
03 "Your Cheatin' Heart" - Hank Williams, Sr.
02 "Crazy" - Patsy Cline
01 "He Stopped Loving Her Today" - George Jones


Did yours make it? Mine wasn't... Oh well. But seriously, tell me what you think is THE all-time country song. Please?

And you thought the voting was over...

Okay guys, it's time once again to gear up and vote. It's not a "big" election, but it means a lot to two turkeys out there.

You see, according to Wikipedia... Since 1947, or possibly earlier, the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys. The live turkey is pardoned and lives out the rest of its days on a peaceful farm. While it is commonly held that this tradition began with President Harry Truman in 1947, the Truman Library has been unable to find any evidence for this. Still others claim that that the tradition dates back to Lincoln pardoning his son's pet turkey. Both stories have been quoted in more recent presidential speeches. In more recent years, two turkeys have been pardoned, in case the original turkey becomes unavailable for presidential pardoning

What does that have to do with voting? No, you don't get to vote whether or not the turkey gets pardoned or killed... (Sorry to disappoint)

Since 2003 the public has been invited to vote for the two turkeys' names. In 2005, they were named Marshmallow and Yam (who went on to live at Disneyland - lucky birds); 2004's turkeys were named Biscuit and Gravy; in 2003, Stars and Stripes.

And so this year, I want you too to get a gobble, err... voice, in what the turkeys are named. Just click on the link below and be sure to choose your favorite...

VOTE HERE

By the way, for those too lazy to click - your choices would have been...

1. Ben and Franklin

2. Plymouth and Rock

3. Washington and Lincoln

4. Corn and Copia

and 5 . Flyer and Fryer


So go vote... it's your civic cuty. And be sure to check out the results on Wednesday.

Brought to you by the letter S

It was today way back in 1969 that Sesame Street was put on the map with the National Education Television Network series of the same name (it moved to PBS later that year). Today, it's said that over 75 million Americans have watched the show as children.

According to Wikipedia, more than 4,100 episode have been shot in its 36 seasons. The original series has been televised in 120 countries, and more than 20 international versions have been produced, not including dubbed versions. The series has received 109 Emmys, more than any other television series

So here's to Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar, Slimy the worm, Elmo, Grover, Count von Count, Cookie Monster, Prairie Dawn and Aloysius Snuffleupagus - better know as Snuffy. Happy birthday guys! You're looking younger than ever.

And since Thanksgiving is coming right up... and since we're on the topic of Sesame Street... I found the cartoon below and thought it was fitting. Enjoy my twisted humor...

Tasteless as they come

Again, I usually try to stay away from celebrity bashing, but when you're this easy of a target, it's very hard for me not to comment.

I never cared much for Bill Maher to begin with, but after seeing his tasteless choice for Halloween this year, I can't say I'll ever like the guy.

Since when is mocking a dead guy so shortly after his death appropriate? Why didn't he just show up to the memorial service with a slew of sting rays and start stabbing people with them? COME ON!!! Bill, we're not asking you to be dignified or much, just have a little ounce of good taste.

So this Halloween, BOO to Bill Maher.

Oh yeah, and have a booo-tiful Halloween!