Rass'n Frass'n Consarn Idjit....

That would be me.

I was doing some computer maintenance last night and somehow deleted a key bit of Windows.

Yeah. Brilliant, eh?

So I don't quite have the BSOD*, but it's close, as the computer didn't come with a system restore disk and the Windows Product Key sticker was conveniently placed on the top of the tower, where Puff used to like to snuggle 'cause it's warm. So the sticker is mostly worn down to nothing. The code that must be entered to "Activate" Windows is long since gone, and I never -- to the best of my recollection -- copied it down anywhere.

Again. Brilliant, eh?

I'm sneaking online right now, to try and find some way out of this predicament, but I just couldn't wait to let y'all know what a doofus I am.

Hmmm. Perhaps now is the perfect time to further explore Linux....

Couple More Remarks For Today...

First, today was Dr. Seuss' birthday, and the ever-playful folks at Google paid homage to him with this:



Second, if you're not sure what a push poll is, look at this:


Notice how the two questions are asking the same thing? Well, 17% of those asked did not. (second photo found at Volcano Monitors site, found courtesy of comments at the home of that paradigm of True Conservatism, Jon Swift)

But What About All The Comments?

As I mentioned yesterday, one of the changes included with the new look (and name) of the place was to stop using Haloscan. As most of you already know, Haloscan was bought out last summer by JS-Kit. They are supposedly migrating all users to the JS-Kit platform, and, as such, apparently stopped doing support on Haloscan, so the performance of that commenting system has been steadily going downhill. As long time commenters on any site that has used Haloscan know, there have been problems aplenty with Haloscan for some time.

It has pretty much become unreliable for those of us who don't have upgraded (meaning paid) accounts, so I decided to not link this new template to it. I still have the account and can access the comment archives, and all the comments are still there.

I have looked at JS-Kit before (last year when I was first looking for a new platform for the Phyre), but found it to be unwieldy and confusing. They say they're working on it, and it may well become easier to use soon. And if that happens, I can supposedly import all the old Haloscan commments into the new platform, and thereby restore all your glorious ruminations on my posts.

But until I'm sure the new is better than the regular Blogger comment platform? Not gonna change.

I will be looking for something a bit more ... vibrant ... than the Blogger comment platform for use in the Phyre, which, yes, I do intend on continuing, despite my slackitudiness of the past few weeks. A lot of that has been due to wanting an easy and fun commenting platform which Haloscan definitely no longer was.

Anyway, that's what's up with that.

Carry on.

The White Lion Of March

We all know the old saying about March, "In like a Lion/Lamb, out like a Lamb/Lion" (whichever the case may be any given year). Well, I guess this year the "in" is a lion, cause here in the middle of the flatlands of North Carolina we woke up to this:




and this:




and this:


today. From what I read and hear on the radio, the further north you go, the deeper it gets.

I hope that if you're in a place that's getting snow, you a) like snow, b) either don't have to drive or at least not far, and c) have a big ole mug of hot chocolate like I do right now.

Roar on, March!

Oh! I Almost Forgot!

The new blog title was Jen's suggestion.

And, no more Haloscan!!!

A New Look

So, two years ago today I started this li'l blog. And here we are, about 900 posts and a lot of changes (both macro and micro) later.

So I figured this would be a good time to change the look of the place. I'll be playing around with the layout and sidebar elements for a while, but this is pretty much the new place.

Whattaya think, y'all?

Attention All K-Mart Shoppers Readers

Playing with comments... getting rid of Hell-0-Scam... you may not be able to comment at times... sorry.

ETA: Apparently Haloscan doesn't like to give up an account, as I can't get the blogger comments to come back on. So, for now, we'll all have to deal with ... /sigh/ ... Haloscan.

See Bob Make "A B C..." *

Dear Rest of the InterWebs Tubes,

There's plenty of valid complaint to be had. Please stop distorting/overreacting to things that, in the end, simply lower the level of discourse.

That's what the MSM is for, you know.

Growing weary of the Fauxrage,
Bob

(*aka, I Write Letters)

Have You Heard What Really Happened?

Governor Piyush "Bobby" Jindal of Louisiana, is a Lying Liar of the first degree. During his ... painfully bad ... presentation of the Republican 'response' to the President's speech to a joint session of Congress (Which, by the way, I didn't see any smoke in the chamber at all. I don't think they had any joints -- What? Oh. Never mind.)...

Where was I? Oh, right. Jindal's Lies. For those who had something better to do than listen to a Serious Politician talk as though he was reading "See Spot Run" to five-year olds, Jindal claimed to have entered the office of Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee and overheard a conversation about how, after the Gummint-built levees broke and flooded New Orleans, people with non-Gummint boats trying to get into the city to rescue other people stranded on rooftops were being turned away by Evil Gummint Officials (which, by the way, must have been Bush's Brownie-led FEMA officers, but ole "Bobby" don't want to point that bit out). When Our Hero asked the Good Reeve of the Shire what the matter was and heard about it, he was all, "Goo-oo-ool-ee, Sheriff Taylor Lee, we got to let them good non-Gummint people in there to save them poor stranded people from the Failures of Gummint!"

To which the Sheriff replied, "Damn right! Else they might try to find food and shelter in the rich part of town, and we cain't have that!" And so the Sheriff hollered into the phone, "Loot here, now. "Bobby" Jindal says if you don't let them boats in that he's gonna let people know about it.. in about three and a half years!"

Yeah, well, didn't happen.

But here's the truth.

In the early morning hours of August 29, 2005, The Lord spoke unto "Bobby" Jindal, saying, "Lo! Ye who hath cast out the demon! Verily hath I brought forth The Storm to smite the Heathen of New Orleans! Alas, I have also been busy preparing a young man named Sanjaya for an upcoming American Idol and so did allow The Storm to stray from my intended path.

"Yea Lo, Verily! I speak unto thee! Let not thy attention wander to Carrie Underwood's breasts!", The Lord commanded, and "Bobby" was like unto smote, crying, "Forgive me, O Lord! How might this humble servant help Thee?"

And the Lord did ope his mouth and speak again, "Verily, even I am finding it difficult to get Sanjaya to sing well, and so I do call upon thee, who, I believe I mentioned, hath cast out the demon, to insure that The Storm striketh only those poor and infirm, who, despite the words of My Son, are obviously lesser in My Sight, be the ones who suffer from The Storm. That their homes might be declared unfit for habitation so that The Wealthy, who are beloved of Me, might take control of their lands and build expensive condos and casinos wherein Bankers and Hedge Fund Managers might live and play, these being Most Worthy in My Sight.

"This must ye do above all others!" The Lord spakest, "Allow not the good-hearted to rescue the poor, for it hath been ordained that they must suffer disproportionately!"

And, yea, though "Bobby" fell into a fitful sleep, he didst remember the Commandment of The Lord, and, upon waking, he who had cast out the demon did as The Lord bid him do.

This is Where I Lived For Ten Years

Asheville from Adrian Paul Spiteri on Vimeo.

(h/t to the awesome (and Asheville-based) Scrutiny Hooligans)

Truth In Advertising

(h/t to Bob Cesca)

A Bit O' Humour For A Thursday

(h/t to my sister via email)

Blatant Falsehoods: They're Not Just For Republicans Anymore!

While it's true that Republicans are masters at the Blatant Lie -- some of their greatest hits include "Maglev to Vegas" and "The Salt Marsh Mouse Chronicles" -- but they're getting lots of help from that Bastion of the Librul Media, the New York Times (emphasis added):

President Obama will propose further tax increases on the affluent to help pay for his promise to make health care more accessible and affordable, calling for stricter limits on the benefits of itemized deductions taken by the wealthiest households, administration officials said Wednesday. The tax proposal, coming after recent years in which wealth has become more concentrated at the top of the income scale, introduces a politically volatile edge to the Congressional debate over Mr. Obama’s domestic priorities.

A "politically volatile edge", eh? Politically volatile must mean that it would affect a significant portion of the voting public, right?

Not so much.

As Matt Yglesias points out, the top two tax brackets -- the people who will be affected by this proposed change -- comprise... are you ready for it... 0.7 percent of households. Here's Matt's handy pie chart, in case you need a visual representation:



So here's my question: Does that tiny little sliver of a bit of a piece of that big ole pie look to be politically significant?

Yup

Just 'Cause

Well I'll Be

Chet Scoville writes:

Know how lots of bloggers, including me, kept saying that Harry Reid ought to make the Republicans filibuster? Well, turns out I was wrong, because I was misinformed about how filibusters actually work these days. Mea maxima culpa. Turns out it's not Harry Reid's lack of spine that's the problem. No, the problem is that the U.S. Senate is the Dumbest Legislative Body on Earth.

Read the rest for the awful truth.

It's a wonder anything gets done at all, I tell you what.

No Time For Blogging!

As I am making a point to not watch the Oscars. Actually, I'm not really making a point of not watching, because that would imply that I care one way or another. Seriously, do people really watch that still? So, ... ummm... that's it, I suppose.

Later, y'all!

Deep Thoughts, Not By Jack Handy

Political Conjugation:

Republican -- First person singular

Democrat -- First person plural

Bet You Never Thought You'd See a Hip-Hop Video At My Place...

HA! Fooled you! This is a SCIENCE video. More info here.

I May Well Lose Some Of You On This One....

But I really like this band, and this cover.

Asleep At The Wheel, Route 66:

Blame Jen and Gine

The greatest cartoon of all time:

Can I Have A Turn Next?

(h/t to Bob Cesca)

Surrealism

SPAM subject line:

When your friend in the raised state to live is easier!

I'm not sure how to interpret that. Any suggestions?

I... It's... I Mean.... But...

WTF?

If your[sic] finding that your encounters with your mate are turning into a “bridge to nowhere,” wear PALIN CONDOMS.

Seriously.

I'm... not sure.

Non Sequitur Silly

Heh. In my random search for something about which to post tonight, I think I just created a meme:

1. Grab the nearest book - no matter what it is. Textbook, novel, pop-up book, building code study guide, whatever.
   
2. Turn to page 25.
3. Read the 10th word on that page, or the following if that one is blank.
4. Type that word into Google Image search.
5. Post the third image.
6. Tag 4 people and tell them.
7. Link back to this post.

And here's my result:




(My word, by the way, was "tune")

Let's see if we can make this spread like a plague wildfire.

I tag pidomon, Lisa, Mauigirl, and FranIAm.

Sunday Classical

First part of the Mozart Quintet for Clarinet and Strings:

How Cool is This?

Remember This

The US House of Representatives passed the Stimulus Bill, once again, with no Republican votes. John Boehner cried again about how it was "turned into a bill that's about spending, spending, spending."

As President Obama said last week, "Just what do you think a stimulus is?"

Just how far will the Republicans marginalize themselves?

Random Python, Constitutional Edition

Pheaux Phyre Phorum: The Edition Edition

Hey Y'all!

So, when last we met, we used Skype for our little confabulation, and it worked well. Too well, apparently. Skype has updated to 4.0, and no longer supports public chat. So, we're back to the old, lovable Hell-0-Scam.

If anybody's interested.

Where I Crawl Into The Cesspool Minds of Republicans

Okay, so the Republicans are, as I've said before, only interested in themselves and their portfolios and the availability of frozen hot chocolates. So I see no sense in talking to them, and trying to get them to adopt a "inasmuch as you have done this to the least of these" attitude (because, apparently, the Jesus they worship didn't actually say that, and, if he did, he was winking at the fatcats of the day so it doesn't really count).

However.

I certainly think that we can talk about them and their motives. Bob Cesca does just that over at HuffPo, and does a fine job enumerating some of the (from the vantage point of the Reality-bsed Community) ridiculous and hypocritical things the Party of Lincoln Rush is saying. I'll pause a moment or two whilst ye take a gander to refresh your memory of the Raving Wingnuttia....

Oh, hai. You're back.

So, why are the Republicans engaging in all these blatant falsehoods? First and foremost, duh, because they're politicians and, let's face it, that's the nature of the beast, no matter the flavor.

Let's look at a bit of Bob's post:

They're screaming about fear-mongering, even though we had eight years of this. They're screaming about fiscal responsibility, even though we had eight years of this. They're screaming about free speech, even though we had eight years of this and this and this. They're honest to God screaming about fascism, even though we had eight years of this and this and this.

Why, Dear Reader, do you suppose they think they can get away with all this? I believe it's because they read and listened to those of us in the Reality-based Community over the last eight years, crying out about these injustices and lies, and knew we were right. And, further, they know that their followers are too ... unengaged (bless their hearts) to realize that, while the we were decrying lies and largesse and unConstitutional behavior on the part of the Executive Branch of the Federal Gummint, and trying to protect We the People, the Grand Obstructionist Party is doing it to score political points.

Think I'm exaggerating? I'm not. On Hardball with Chris Matthews today, Rep. Peter King said that if, after arguing against the bill tooth and nail (and egregious lie), the stimulus package works and the economy recovers, the Republicans will then say something along the lines of, 'Well, the economy would have recovered as soon or sooner without this wasteful spending.'

The old Heads-I-win, Tails-you-lose game.



You know, eventually, cooler heads will prevail in the Republican Party. I'm afraid that it may be a long time, though, and that the country, and therefore the whole world (we're all one big market now) will suffer greatly in the intervening years.

Quote of the Day

“When (President Franklin) Roosevelt did this, he put our country into a Great Depression,” Austria said. “He tried to borrow and spend, he tried to use the Keynesian approach, and our country ended up in a Great Depression. That’s just history.”

- Representative Steve Austria (R-OH)

By the way, is it just me, or does today's Profile In Republican Fail subject (right) look like yesterday's (left)?







UPDATE: He left the link in comments, but I heartily recommend you go read boatboy-srq's post on this topic.

More From The "Just Don't Get It" Department

Bailed-out firms rename their cash bonuses as ‘retention awards.’


Dear Huge Companies,

It's not the name, you over-entitled, privileged, completely-out-of-touch-with-the-real-world, frozen hot chocolate (wtf is that, anyway?) drinking, money-grubbing assholes. It's the fact that you're giving each other multi-millions of dollars while everyone else suffers.

(I) Sincerely (hope you choke on your frozen hot chocolate),
Bob

Random Thought...

How many "Country First" Republicans have accounts at the bank called RBC?

Wingnut FAIL

Since when is it acceptable for an American to ask the president for something? The president is the servant of the people, not the other way around. This reminds me of a different type of relationship: slave/master or serf/noble.

Jonathon Gardner at Federal Way Conservative. (Yes, you read the rollover on that link correctly, the post is titled "Slave Begs her Master for a House")

Any road,... according to the tortured (and false) logic in the above quote, it is unacceptable to ask a servant to do something.

(h/t to Doctor Zaius)

To Boldly Stimulate ....

Apparently the Stimulus Package includes interstellar travel. Who knew?

The Party of Lincoln FAIL

Did I heah you right, son? Ah say -- ah say -- did you really stand up in the Missouri legislature and say, “What we are dealing with today is the greatest power grab by the federal government since the war of northern aggression”?

State Rep. Bryan Stevenson, Republican (duh) -- pictured left -- actually said that in session. For those of you who don't know, "The War of Northern Aggression" is what racist redneck Southerners call the American Civil War.

Ah do -- ah say -- ah do believe it's time to inform the GOP that they can no longer call themselves the Party of the Great Emancipator.

And now, some Bugs Bunny (there is an incredibly racist stereotypical bit about 2:45 in, but... warts and all, you know?):

Quote of the Day

Can you fucking believe these asshole cocksucking motherfuckers? They cut Food Stamps! Fucking! Foodstamps! Those stupid motherfuckers! That's economic stimulus on goddamned steroids for the love of sweet milk chocolate jebus horatio goddamned christ on a motherfucking skateboard! Are they that fucking stupid? That fucking greedy? That fucking clueless? I feel like going back out into the shed and beating my fucking plowshare back into a goddamned sword. I fucking hate a bunch of goddamned fucking farming anyway.

-- The Minstrel Boy

Quote of the Day

Where does the senator think the $800 billion will go? Down a rabbit hole? Even if the entire sum were to be stolen by federal employees and spent entirely on fast cars, fancy homes, gambling junkets and fancy clothes, it would still be an $800 billion increase in the demand for goods and services -- a pretty good working definition for economic stimulus. The only question is whether spending it on other things would create more long-term value, which it almost certainly would.

- Steven Pearlstein, Washington Post Business Columnist

Would Someone Please 'Splain To Me

Why anyone, much less Think Progress, is wording it like this?

Supporters Of $1.3 Trillion Bush Tax Cuts In 2001 Now Call $900 Billion Recovery Plan Billion ‘Too Much’ Such objections are indeed ironic coming from some of the greatest advocates for President Bush’s $1.35 trillion tax cut package in 2001.

What am I missing here? As I understand it, back in 2001 Congress cut taxes by $1.3 trillion. Now the people who voted to cut the Gummint coffers -- from which spending is done -- are saying that spending $800 billion is a bad idea.

Remember my post the other day, and how I said that no matter how loony-sounding or just plain wrong for the country (and, yes, pretty much everything the Repellicans say these days is antithetical to moving the country to a better place) the Republican positions are, they are completely self-consistent?

Slashing monetary intake ... being against spending. Duh. There's no irony here. We haven't had that since 1983.*

In 2001, they cut taxes and then, over the next few years, doubled spending. If the above title and post had pointed that out, fine. But it chose to go in a different direction, akin to "water is wet".

With the Republicans, it's all about the words. Actions don't enter into it, because they know that a large enough percentage of the electorate will forget the actions -- if, in fact, that percentage even notices the actions in the first place -- and see only the replayed soundbites.

You (and I'm talking to those who continue to write volumes of posts about "the Republicans are...") might as well argue with that oak tree just outside this office window, for all the effect you're gonna have on the outcome of things. You're wasting your time (in writing) and mine (reading).

Put that energy to use in some more useful manner. Go shovel snow off your front walk, or turn some soil to prepare your Victory Survival Garden or play with your kids or something.


(*this one is worth 1173 irredeemable points)

Yeah, I've Posted This Before

But it's purty.

I went over to my parents' today for my Mom's SURPRISE Birthday Party (it's her Piano Birthday -- 846 irredeemable points to the first in comments to figure that out), and took the Béla Fleck & The Flecktones: Live at the Quick CD with me.

Listened to this track over and over at high volume whilst tooling along on the Interstate.

The Call and Response in the middle between bass and soprano sax is a true thing of beauty. Plus, you gotta love a band that sports a bassoon.

Turn it up and enjoy....

Just What Do You Think A Stimulus Is?

More of President Obama's speech last night (a part of which I quoted below):

Quote of the Day

"When you start hearing arguments on the cable chatter, just understand a couple of things. Number one, when they say, well, why are we spending $800 billion -- we've got this huge deficit? First of all, I found this deficit when I showed up."

President Barack Obama, telling it like it is.

Random Python, Monty

Pheaux Phyre Phorum: The I'm Just Not Feeling It Edition

Meh.

That's pretty much how I feel about what's going on with the world right now. The Grand Obstructionist Party is apparently being successful at rebranding the Stimulus Package as a Pork Barrel Spending Bill (with lots of help from Democrats who just can't stop themselves adding things). People are all "When will the MSM start reporting the truth!?!?!1??eleventy?????" when anyone with half a brain can see that it will never happen as long as news agencies are part of capitalism, because it's not about getting the truth out, it's about the bottom line of the ledger.

President Obama is either playing a very, very good game of chess with the Republicans, or else he's no better than any other man to live in the White House in the last 30 years.

All I want to do is curl up with a good book, or a special someone, and veg.

Talk amongst yerselves, if ye wish.

Close Encounters...

So, you may or may not know that Google released Google Earth 5 yesterday. There are several new features, including Google Mars.

I was checking it out last night, and this popped up on my screen:

(click to embiggen)

Contact!!!

Which, of course, makes me think of this:





Klaatu Barada Nicto, Bitchez!!

And Another Thing

Hmmmm.

I had a big ole, thinky type post all in my head, that I was gonna write up for all of you to read.

It's gone.

I can't even remember what it was gonna be about.

/blames the 80s/

In Honor of Super Bowl Sunday...

The best commmercial ever to grace the Super Bowl (IMHO):

A Serious Question

Why is it that people -- bloggers, serious ones whose writing I respect -- don't get that Republicans are only talking to other Republicans? Ever. That their blatant hypocrisies are no such thing, because, to them, non-Republicans simply do no exist, and therefor there is no hypocrisy?

Folks, you're wasting your time complaining about them. May as well try to get the sun to not rise in the East.

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

I have had the hiccups for 8 of the last 10 waking hours. I don't think I was hiccuping in my sleep, but, as I was asleep, I cannot be sure.

Hiccups. are. annoying. To put it mildly.

/sigh -- hic/

UPDATE: 11:11pm... after a brief, approx. half-hour reprieve, the hiccups returned and are still going.

Sido Etiquetado Para un Meme

This is what I get for reading blogs. Both Lisa and Gine got me on this one.

Grab the nearest book and turn to page 46. Copy the fifth sentence (and some following) on that page. For some reason, the book nearest to me right now is Spanish for Dummies, so here's mine:

In our example, she marries señor Juan José García Díaz. She is still called Fernández, but after father's name she adds de and her husband's surname, which is García. Now, she is señora María del Carmen Fernández de García.

Note that Spanish speakers capitalize señor and señora when abbreviated the way people in the States capitalize Mr. and Mrs.

And there you have it.

Haute Cuisine du Maison Phydeaux

Since everyone else is posting their gastronomic creativity, I decided I should do the same.

So, for your viewing/reading pleasure, I present to you.... my breakfast:

First, one must find the proper ingredients. Only the freshest and best-tasting will do. Ordinarily, one would need a garden and/or access to a farm to get the best -- and I have, at present, neither. Luckily for me, there is a Food Coop just down the street from where I am currently residing, and I was able to procure some wonderful makings....




Ingredients -- Organic whole milk (with cream still in) and cereal (bowl and spoon courtesy of Sister One):

Step One -- carefully add cereal to bowl:

Step Two -- add the milk (note the proper height from which to pour the milk):

The Final Presentation -- place the bowl in front of the monitor and keyboard, so you can catch up on the latest the InterWebs Tubes have to offer while you eat:

Bon Appetit!

Umm, No Thanks

I think I'll pass on the free shit.

Sol Invictus

Trailer for A Road Not Taken, which tells the story of the White House solar water heater.


“...a generation from now, this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people; harnessing the power of the Sun to enrich our lives as we move away from our crippling dependence on foreign oil.” -- Jimmy Carter, June 1979

Reagan had the panels removed during his time in office.

(h/t to Bob Cesca for the video)

Pheaux Phyre Phorum: The It's So Nice That We've Had a Real President For Over A Week Now Edition

Hey! Guess what? It's a Wednesday and I remembered to post this!!

You may remember the drill. I post the Phyre, and y'all talk about whatever.Click here to join! It's a Skype chat, which is totally free, but you must have Teh Skype installed on your computer. (I bet that if you click on that link and don't have Skype, it'll prompt you through the (easy and quick [and did I mention free?]) install.

See ya in the funny papers chat!!

A Message From Al Gore

Go to Repower America and sign the petition, please.

Has It Really Only Been A Week?

I swear, it seems like a lot longer since we saw Dubya get on that helicopter and fly away.

Maybe it's because President Obama has accomplished so much more for the People, We in his first week in office than the previous Occupant did in ... oh, his entire life.

What do y'all think?

Ooh, Could It Be... Calling Someone To Account!?!?

In DC, there's a new sheriff in charge, and it seems like it may have consequences:

The House Judiciary Committee chairman subpoenaed former White House adviser Karl Rove on Monday to testify about the Bush administration's firing of U.S. attorneys and prosecution of a former Democratic governor.

As you may recall, Rove hid behind Dubya's coattails the last time he was subpoenaed, but that shit ain't gonna cut it this time.

We may yet get to see this in real life:

Random Python, Monty: Special Sunday Edition

From the Secret Policeman's Balls (best bit, Cleese making Palin lose his shit three minutes into it:



Pining for the fjords!?!?

Restaurant Food Fail

Regular readers may remember mentions of chili a few weeks ago, and some passing reference to the fact that I like mine spicy.

But, it's still edible and, I think, quite good.

Then there are some restaurant chilies that are... I don't know. Some beans and sauce thrown in to add volume to the jalapeño. Now, my question is, what's the fucking point of chili that one cannot taste because it's 99.999% jalapeño? There's no taste, just burn. Why not, dear restaurateurs, just tell patrons that you're gonna destroy their taste buds and give them an eyedropper full of Dave's Insanity Sauce?

If you're brave of tongue and heart, add Dave's Insanity Sauce -- with a careful touch -- to soups, stews and sauces for insanely hot flavor. The label warning reads: "Use this product one drop at a time. Keep away from eyes, pets and children. Not for people with heart/respiratory problems."

Now if you will excuse me, I have a loaf of bread to eat to salve my burning mouth.

Caoineadh Cu Chulainn

Cu Chulainn (pronounced kuh-HOO-lin) is the mythical hero of Ireland.

This is his lament from the wonderful Riverdance, played on the uillean (that's Irish for elbow) pipes:

Moon Bricks

Take some moon dust, add some ground up spaceship, zap the mix with electricity, and presto! Moon bricks. Astronauts living on the moon could someday use such a formula to construct an interlocking, virtually indestructible dome-shaped home. "The habitat would look just like an igloo," said Kathryn Logan, a professor at Virginia Tech involved in the project. "No nails, no cement would be necessary to hold it together. The shape of the bricks will do that."

Science is so cool!!

And now that we don't have an anti-science buffoon in the White House, well, lots of things can now happen.

For My Good Phriend konagod

(h/t to Scrutiny Hooligans)

More About Yesterday

No, not about the shindig in DC, about the snow here!!

Duh.


I went for a walk.



And took some pictures.



And a couple of them turned out half-decent.



The best part is? It didn't all melt away today. The streets are all fine, but the snow is still in the yards and stuff.

Bob is happy.

:)

Amen!

I hardly ever mention religion, cause it's my belief that yours is none of my business, and vice-versa, but sometimes....



Dr. Joseph Lowery giving the Benediction at the Inauguration of Barack Obama.

...that you will help us work for that day when Black will not be asked to get back, when Brown can stick around, when Yellow will be mellow, when the Red man, can get ahead, man, and when White will embrace what is right. Let all those who'll do Justice and love Mercy say "Amen!" Say "Amen! and Amen!!"

That was what a preacher should sound like. And yes, my agnostic self was saying "Amen!" at the end.

20 January 2009 Will Live In Memory

Because today it snowed here in the flatlands!




Oh, right. There's also some big to-do going on in Washington, DC.

This is Really Some Change I Can Believe In

Yesterday, the forecast for around here for the next few days was typical humdrum Winter... lows in the 20s, highs in the 40s, blah blah blah. Well, not any more! It's looking like I'ma get to see some snow!

Winter Storm Warning in effect from 9 PM this evening to 6 PM EST Tuesday...

Tonight
Rain likely this evening. Snow likely late this evening...then occasional snow after midnight. Snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches. Lows in the upper 20s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

Tuesday
Occasional snow in the morning...then snow likely in the afternoon. Additional snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Near steady temperature in the upper 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of snow 90 percent.

Obama is so good he's even ushering in change in the weather!

Yay C-SPAN!

They're already streaming inaugural events... right now I'm watching President-Elect Obama greet every single person at a Community Service Luncheon at some High School in DC.

Very cool.

So, if you're like me and don't have access to a TV, go here to see the happenings.

Lucky Number 851!

According to Blogger, this is post #851 here at Phydeaux and Phriends.

So, Dear Readers, about what should I talk for this most momentous post?

Please tell me, cause I got nothin'.

By the way, as of this writing, Barack Obama will be President of the United States in 39 hours.

Huh.

Apparently, I have "fan people". It's not understood, but there it is.


That is all.

Saturday Happenings

You may have read a while back that Circuit City had declared bankruptcy. Well, yesterday, they requested permission from a bankruptcy court to liquidate all merchandise in preparation to close down completely, having given up, due to the current economic situation, any hopes of recovering.

The judge said "Okay."

Starting this morning, Circuit City's all over the country began closeout sales. My sister has mentioned that she wanted to get a digital camera, and I told her, "Now would be the time" and, oddly enough, even volunteered to go to the nearest CC and find her one.

I was not the only person to have this idea.

There were ... a lot ... of people there, but everyone was cordial and/or resigned to waiting in lines and such. I found a nice little camera for my sister at a good price, and then ambled around a bit, looking at things.

I moseyed down the computer accessory aisle and remembered that my keyboard was a POS the spacebar of which often had a mind of its own, refused to work, or worked too well (no, I don't really need 523 spaces between those two words, thanks). I looked at what was still available and found a Logitech wireless board/mouse combo for a really good price (almost half off the Logitech website price) and I got it.

Ain't it cool looking?



Yay me!

Links O' Plenty

FranIAm posts about the newest self-help craze.

Malia Obama is one smart 10 year old.

Bill Wolfrum is still a satirical genius(bonus points for the WKRP reference, Bill).

The Dark Wraith writes a letter quick note to former Senator Bill Frist.

Oh, by the way, in case the aforementioned Dark Wraith stops by, Brian over at Incertus has posted a most excellent (and hilarious) video on "The Ten Principles of Economics". Well, okay, Brian posted it whether or not the Dark Wraith stops by here. I'm not even sure Brian knows who the Dark Wraith is, so it would be pretty strange for him to make posting that vid contingent on DW visiting my blog.

And, if you're wondering why half the blogosphere was pushing hard to make Driftglass the winner in the Best Individual Blogger category for the 2008 Weblog Awards, go ye now and see this post.

Finally, thanks to Sherry, I now know what my word is:

Your Word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people. Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love. You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love. And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

What's Your Word?

Awww, Cute Balloon Animals... Wait. What Are They Doing!?!?

Thanks to whomever emailed the link to Jen.

Pheaux Phyre Phorum: The When Next We Meet Dubya Will Be Out Of Office Edition

Greetings, fellow Islamunofascists and Socialists!!! As the sidebar graphic --> says just over 5 days until the Current Occupant is gone and we once again have a President.

Also, I remembered to do this this week! /pats self on back/

I've set up a Skype Chat so we can avoid Teh Evil of Hell-0-Scam. All ya gotta do is click here, and start typing. I think. Oh, you do have to have Skype installed, but it's free. We're using just text, no voice necessary.

It's All Liss' Fault

Because she posted Ren & Stimpy as today's Two Minute Nostalgia Sublime.

I have no choice, I must now post....

SPACE MADNESS

On The Other Hand....

(in reference to yesterday's post title)

Today's NYT reports, Fiction Reading Increases for Adults

After years of bemoaning the decline of a literary culture in the United States, the National Endowment for the Arts says in a report that it now believes a quarter-century of precipitous decline in fiction reading has reversed. ...Among [the] chief findings [of the report] is that for the first time since 1982, when the bureau began collecting such data, the proportion of adults 18 and older who said they had read at least one novel, short story, poem or play in the previous 12 months has risen.

In addition, reading of "literary works" and poetry is up the most in the 18-24 demographic.

It seems the old slogan, Reading is FUNdamental!, still holds true.

Cue R.E.M.*

"I have thousands of questions but I can't think of the right one."

So began the journalistic career of Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, live from Israel.

The people of Sderot "can't do normal things day to day" like get soap in their eyes in the shower, for fear of rockets, said America's most famous plumber,... "I'm sure they're taking quick showers," he said. "I know I would."

Huh, turns out he's as good as most of the MSM after all.

But war correspondent or not, Wurzelbacher won't get to Gaza: Israel has barred access to foreign journalists. "If he wants to put on an Israeli military uniform and go in as a volunteer, maybe," Seaman quipped. "Nobody goes in."

"Joe" is a big ole brave Murrikan. Ya think he'll take 'em up on the offer? Yeah, me neither.

News Corpse does an excellent snark job on Joe the Journalist. With video.




*Yeah, all the above was just an excuse to post this song:

Teh Stoopit. It Burnses.

Anyone care to point out the geographic truth about which this person is apparently totally unaware?



And this is one of the Weblog "Best Individual Blog" also-rans.

Don't forget to vote for Driftglass. Once every 24 hours. Else a compatriot of the above will win.

ADDED: Okay. A few things.

One -- and this is the big one that I really don't think Vilmar is taking into account, it's the middle of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere and Winter in the Northern.

Two, Jubany Station, from where Vilmar is quoting the temp, is at a latitude of approx. 62°S and on the coast (hint, penguins and sea lions), which has average Summer temps (scoll down the page at the link) in the upper 30s(F) and can often get into the upper 40s.

Three, the average January temperature in Glasgow, Scotland (latitude approx. 56°N) is 10.6°F.

So the weather he's all ZOMG!!11!one!! about is... normal to a bit warm.

Anyway.

Obamacize Me!

Dr. Monkey von Monkerstein turned me (and, well, anyone else who reads his blog, actually) on to this cool site called Obamicon.me that takes a picture and does the thing that the Obama campaign did to make the picture turn out the way it did. (I hope that explanation wasn't too technical for any of you.)

Anyway, here's my avatar pic done like the President-Elect's campaign posters:



Pretty cool, eh?

Thursday Python Randomity

Silly English K-nig-uts!

Pheaux Phyre Phorum: The Crap, I Forgot It Was Wednesday Again Edition

Geez...

I reckon I'm gonna have to set a weekly alarm to remind me. :)

Next week I will get this thing posted earlier, and will either have a Skype chat set up or, maybe possibly, a new commenting platform I've been hearing about.

For those of you who don't have it, Skype is a free chat and VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol -- aka "phone"). One of those dealies where you can (voice) talk to anyone anywhere computer to computer free. Jen and I use it fairly regularly, and I think it's pretty good.

However, for the Phyre, we'll just be doing text. Anyway, it's free and easy to set up, so you'll have no excuse next week when I light the Phyre and put up the chat link. ;)

For tonight, there's still "good old" Hell-0-Scam if ye've somethin' to say.

This Can't Be Good

Headline in today's NYT:

State’s Unemployment System Buckles Under Surging Demand

Swamped by a post-holiday surge of claims from laid-off workers, New York State’s computerized unemployment insurance system shut down briefly Monday afternoon and then again for several hours on Tuesday, according to the state Department of Labor. The system, which serves as the gateway to unemployment benefits for New York residents, could not handle the volume of calls and online inquiries it was receiving, said Leo Rosales, a spokesman for the department. As many as 10,000 people an hour tried to log into the system to file new unemployment claims or to check on existing claims, Mr. Rosales said.(Emphasis mine)

I guess the good news is that at least a couple of programmers' jobs are secure for however long it takes to boost the system capacity.


In other news,

Hundreds of Coal Ash Dumps Lack Regulation

The coal ash pond that ruptured and sent a billion gallons of toxic sludge across 300 acres of East Tennessee last month was only one of more than 1,300 similar dumps across the United States — most of them unregulated and unmonitored — that contain billions more gallons of fly ash and other byproducts of burning coal. [snip] ...Yet they are not subject to any federal regulation, which experts say could have prevented the spill, and there is little monitoring of their effects on the surrounding environment.

It's okay, though, because we all know that business will self-regulate for the common good.[/snark]

Merry Old Christmas!

Or just plain Merry Christmas if you're of the Eastern Orthodox persuasion.



Father and Mother Christmas, aka my parents, circa 1994.

Bush: In and Out

No, that's not a SPAM subject line, you dirty minded people. Sheesh.

Darth Cheney told Bob Schieffer yesterday that the current regime had "done some very good things". As usual, Cheney was limiting his thoughts to the very wealthy, because us Reg'lar Folk ain't no better off.

Pew poll results (via Think Progress):

Wow

The above image (scroll down the page) is not a photoshop or a terrestrial light shining up. In fact, it's not known exactly what it is...

Many people have seen light pillars. They appear during winter when city lights shine upward into the icy air. Reflections from plate-shaped crystals spread the light into a vertical column.

Truhin's pillars, however, are not the ordinary kind. Even two leading experts in atmospheric optics can't quite figure them out...

More pics (and explanation) at the above link....

(h/t to kumatriel)

Happy Anniversary!

To the Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity.

It was five years ago today that Spirit touched down and began its 90 day mission. For those keeping score, that was 1827 days (two leap years in that time) ago, which means that Spirit has surpassed the initial functionality by more than 20 times.

Well done, rovers!!

As Previously Mentioned...

One of the things one doesn't see every day is a Fiddler Cat On the a Roof Rolltop Hot Tin Roof Desk:




Today is, however, one of those days where one does see such a thing.

For some actually interesting blogging, see here, where I'm helping out with updates.

Things You Don't See Every Day

A former Senator/VP Candidate/Presidential Candidate at the post office, especially wearing purple jogging shorts.

A cat on a rolltop desk.

(special thanks to my hawt editor)

It's A New Year!!

I hope it's a happy one so far for y'all!

Jen is now trying the chili... she's still breathing.

Oh, and earlier she tried my Highland Brewery Black Mocha Stout and said,...

"Hmmm, it's not that bad!"

I do think I shall keep her, if she'll let me.

UPDATE: Jen finished her big bowl of chili, and is still alive. However, she's had two beers and is listening to infernal bagpipes with me, so ....

Pheaux Phyre Phorum: Teh New Year's Eve Start As You Mean To Go On Edition

Happy 2009 Ever'body!!!!

Have a beer on me!

I have company, so I won't be paying much attention, but hang out if you wish, let us all know your resolutions and evolutions.

A Post About Sports

I don't often do this, but... well, I can't think of anything else to post for today (I'm kicking The Cold From The Future^tm, but it's not completely kicked yet), the penultimate day of Blog365 (2008 Edition).

So.

Congratulations to the Carolina Panthers, 2008 NFC South Champions!!

They get the week off, and then will host a game, opponent to be determined.

Also, gotta give a shout out to the Miami Dolphins, who went from 1-15 last year to winning the AFC East this year. Impressive.

And, sorry your 'Boys didn't make the playoffs this year, pido. I guess I should have bet you after all. :)

Chapter Opening Lines

"It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on Earth has ever produced the expression 'As pretty as an airport.'"

and

"The usual people tried to claim responsibility.

First the IRA, then the PLO and the Gas Board...."

1000 irredeemable points to the first person to identify the book.

Ugh

I did way too much with the packing and cleaning up yesterday (see post below), and I'm paying the price today with The Cold From The Future^tm being much worse than at any other time.

So today has basically been sleep/lay-in-bed-feeling-miserable punctuated by brief forays to the computer (I have no laptop to drag into bed with me).

Vitamin C via juice, herbal teas and Ricola drops for coughing, etc, and Aleve Cold & Sinus (which, btw, I had to have my driver's license scanned to buy... thanks, meth-heads) for the worst bits.

See y'all tomorrow.

"Home" Again

That would be back at my sister's, after an overnight visit to REDACTED and parts nearby, where, yesterday, I met Jen's family and she began the process of meeting mine (there's lots of us). All that went well, I do believe -- despite the wanton thievery of some chocolate pie.

And then today was my family's Christmas Get-Together.

Today was also Clean-out-Mom-&-Dad's-Old-Apartment-At-The-Retirement-Home-Cause-They've-Moved-To-The-Next-Level-Of-Care, which, due to the combination of my dad being a second tier packrat (yes, I admit defeat, Jen) and them living in that apartment for 14 years, was not a simple matter. On the plus side, I get the old rolltop desk (which will live here at my sister's until such time as my living arrangement has room for such) and the parents (who are in their late 80s) have more present health care -- it was always there before, but now it comes to check on them, instead of them having to call for help when needed.

So, I'm back at the computer and tired. Oh, and I have an airline cold I caught playing checkers the other day, which has added another layer to the last couple days. It's all good, though. :)

Fisticuff Diurnal*

I've driven past this place a hundred or eleven times since I got to Teh Flatlands, but I never can seem to remember my camera. Luckily, Jen was with me the other night and had her camera, so viola!

Anyway, I'm off to meet Jen's parents and then later today she'll be meeting mine....

*Hope everyone is having a great Boxing Day!

See ya tomorrow.

Deck Us All With Boston Charlie

Dar Williams, "The Christians & the Pagans"


Oh, and here's the link to me (last year) singing a bit of the title tune.

Christmas Eve Gift To All My Phriends

This is in lieu of the Pheaux Phyre tonight, as it is Christmas Eve and most folks are busy in one way or another.

Have a great night, everyone, and I hope Santa brings ye just what ye want.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, "Big Country", from Live at the Quick: