News Wars

I was just reading an article about News Wars who reports the news first or better...whatever.

The article discusses web site hits and how they are increasing.

These sites (it appears to me) are competing for readers and if you check “our” site, which KK does an excellent job of posting our stats, we are kick’in ass! And we are not in the news business! We are in the fun business or is it monkey business?

My hat is off to JTI...JTI rules!!!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary (to Me)

Today marks my first full year of blogging. It seems a lot longer though. I'm having a great time blogging-learned many things,had a few laughs, and made some great friends along the way. I know most of you have been blogging a lot longer than I have, so I'm the newbie here. So, my questions are-when did you start blogging? What was your first post? Any memories?

Lie to Me...and I will catch you!

I head a piece on the radio last week about the new Fox show Lie to Me. It is based on the science of reading people's expressions and gestures, specifically on the work of Dr. Paul Ekman who also serves as the show's science advisor. He even blogs about the science in each episode.

So I decided to check it out and will say I found it enjoyable (I missed the first episode and just watched the second one on my DVR tonight). Like many shows of its style (Numbers and the Mentalist to name a couple) the techniques they use are valid, but usually don't result in solving crimes at quite the speed depicted on the show!

I am all for sneaking more science into entertainment whenever possible, and this looks like another promising show that may do just that.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicsit Blog.

Does this mean we're back up?

It's been a rough day around here huh? Thank goodness we're back together I thought Drew was gonna loose it going through with drawls.........lol..........lets take roll call.............obviously I'm back...............everyone else back with us?

Help Point Hubble

Few people get the chance to point the Hubble Space Telescope at the target of the choice and snap a pretty picture. Competition for time is very competitive and many who apply end up disappointed.

But Hubble is giving people a chance to vote on what they want it to point at this spring. The even is part of the International Year of Astronomy. There are six choice. One is a star forming region, two are planetary nebula (dying stars, much like our Sun will look in 5 or 6 billion years), a spiral galaxy, an edge on galaxy, and a pair of interacting galaxies.

You must vote by March 1st and the object will be imaged and the image released during the 100 Hours of Astronomy in early April.

I know which one I want to see imaged and will vote early and often (hey, I was born in Chicago!)

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Does the Irregular Football League have a Super Bowl?

I'd more or less forgotten about the IFL, as my team, the Orbsliterators, was eliminated from contention early on. (I have filed a complaint with league officials concerning uneven officiating and other shenanigans that I suspect sabotaged my team - most notably kk cheating, but I haven't figured out how yet.) After hearing some of the hoopla surrounding this weekend's Super Bowl, I went to the IFL page to check it out:
So, is SER and his Potato Heads the winner of our 1st Irregular Football League Super Bowl, or do they still have a game to play? I think it's over, so I'm going to say CONGRATULATIONS to SER and everyone who participated.

If I'm wrong, well, I don't know nothing about sports anyways.....

Interesting Survey

I received an email tonight regarding a survey by two different magazines. Reading the results, they were interesting, to say the least..

The topic was, 'WHAT DO PEOPLE FEAR MOST?'

Country Living top three answers were:
1. Nuclear war/terrorist attack in U.S.
2. Child/spouse dying/terminal illness.
3. Terminal illness/self.


Ebony/JET's top three answers were:
1. Ghosts
2. Dogs
3. Registered mail

After reading the results, I thought, HELL NO...ghosts, dogs....

I had to check with Snopes.Com for verification. The survey is False, it’s a fake.

Then I thought to myself, “What are mine”? So here they are:

1. Someone intentionally hurting my kids or someone I love.
(They would pay dearly...trust me on that.)

2. The monsters under my bed.
(For real, they’re there.)

3. Snakes

Out of the JTI *UPDATED*

Hey everyone - just a quick note, I will be away from JTI for a few days as my wife is having a baby this afternoon! Wish us luck and I will post info as soon as I can!

*I am proud to announce we had a healthy baby girl on Wednesday 1/28. She weighed in at 6lbs 10oz and 19" long. Both mom and baby are healthy and will be coming home Saturday. Thank you all for the well wishes and congrats, I really do appreciate it!

New Stock Market Terms

CEO – Chief Embezzlement Officer

CFO - Corporate Fraud Officer

BULL MARKET – A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius

BEAR MARKET – a 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex.

VALUE INVESTING – The art of buying low and selling lower.

P/E RATIO – The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.

BROKER – What my financial planner has made me.

STANDARD & POOR – Your life in a nutshell.

STOCK ANALYST – Idiot who just downgraded your stock.

STOCK SPLIT – When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves.

MARKET CORRECTION – The day after you buy stocks.

CASH FLOW – The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.

YAHOO – What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share.

WINDOWS – What you jump out of when you're the sucker who bought Yahoo at $240 per share.

INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR – Past year investor who's now locked up in a nuthouse.

PROFIT – an archaic word no longer in use.

# # # # #

If you had purchased $1000 of shares in Delta Airlines

one year ago, you will have $49.00 today.

If you had purchased $1000 of shares in AIG

one year ago, you will have $33.00 today.

If you had purchased $1000 of shares in Lehman Brothers

one year ago, you will have $0.00 today.

But---- if you had purchased $1000 worth of beer

one year ago, drank all the beer,

then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund,

you will have received $214.00.

Based on the above, the best current investment plan

is to drink heavily & recycle.

It's called the 401-Keg.

~~~~~

No Particular Reason

Roxy Music - "Love Is The Drug"



I just wanted to hear the song.

Here they are "performing" it, but it's shortened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIR1jLbWiz0

My favorite Roxy Music song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZGh1NweAIE

The Whole committee of the Whole, Part II

The whole committee of the whole met again last night. The only item on the agenda was to discuss the appointment of a new Mayor.

The city attorney read off the options and then discussion began.

It turns out that there is a succession plan in the city ordinances. Although it's primary purpose is that it would be used during times of catastrophe, the city attorney pointed out that it could be used now.

The Council President (Maack) would be first in line (he refused), then the Chair of the finance committee (Friedel). Alderman Friedel stated that he would accept.

One of the more intelligent Alderman, Alderman Wisneski, then gave an eloquent speech about the state of the city and made a motion to appoint Alderman Friedel Mayor.

Alderman Shields pointedly asked Alderman Friedel if he intended to run for Mayor in the next election. Alderman Friedel stated that he would not.

The discussion that followed for the next twenty minutes can only be described as bizarre. There are a number of our Alderman that can't seem to grasp simple concepts.

Let me help:

Council President Maack doesn't want the job because he is up for reelection in April. If he were to accept the appointment of Mayor, even if he won his Alderman race, he couldn't be sworn in because he would be the Mayor and couldn't hold both offices. Get it?

Alderman Friedel's seat will be vacant as soon as he is sworn in as Mayor. The council can appoint someone to fill his seat for the remainder of his term. His term is up next year. Understand?

At a time when we are in need of leadership, the council then displayed an arrogance that was unprecedented. When the ad naseum discussion came up regarding Friedel's soon to be vacant seat, many in the chamber gave the old wink and nod indicating that they would appoint Friedel back into his vacant seat after the Mayorial election. This kind of behavior smacks of corruption. If you are willing to play games with an Aldermanic seat, what else are you up to? This was a real low point in the meeting. I swear, I may seek a Writ of Mandamus myself if his seat is left vacant.

(A writ of mandamus is an court order that a specific thing be done)

The fun part of the meeting for me was watching various Aldermen stumble around the discussion. The worst was Alderman Mozol. I seriously wanted to run out, get a cup of coffee, give it to him and yell WAKE UP!! Alderman Wisneski had to "clarify" his motion twice before Mozol was able to understand. I'm not sure he did even then. Whew! BTW, I'm not picking on Mozol. He wasn't the only one.

After the meeting, one of the local business owners asked me about why Maack didn't take the job. When I explained it, he laughed and said that I was able to say in one sentence what the Aldermen took a half hour to debate.

Aldermen: It really makes all of you look like you don't know what you are doing. Seriously.

I'll be attending the next Council meeting to witness Fiedel being sworn in. Perhaps now we can move forward.

Just in Case You Are Bored Today....

Another game to play, Toss the paper in the waste paper basket..
Paper Toss

Summer is coming....I think

This is kinda neat. A course in smoking/BBQ your favorite meats....

Smoking Meat Basics

Really, summer is coming, just watch the Ground Hog on Monday.

See Venus During the Day: Updated With New Chart for Friday

One of the observing challenges is to see Venus during the day. It really can be very easy if you choose the right day...and today is one of those days.

The problem is Venus is a small point of light and its a big sky when you have no handy reference point to help guide your way. Every now and then, we have a helpful guide: the Moon. The Moon is much easier to see during the day and can lead you right to Venus.

So here is your map to find Venus (click to embiggen). I made it for Tucson and about 1:00pm on Friday, January 30th using the free star mapping program Stellarium.

Go outside and find the Moon. Slowly scan to the west (right) of the Moon with your eye. You have the best shot at seeing Venus when it is directly in the center of your field of view (when it lands on the fovea, in the center of your retina where your vision is sharpest). When you hit the sweet spot, Venus will jump out at you so bright and obvious you will wonder why you have never seen it before.

Go out and bag this one...even a lot of astronomers have never seen Venus during the day and it can earn you some bragging rights!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicst Blog.

A Mind Game

http://www.digicc.com/fido/

How does this work?
I even made a mistake and it picked the correct number!

PETA's Superbowl commercial

Banned!

http://www.peta.org/content/standalone/VeggieLove/Default.aspx

Seriously.. would you want your kids watching this? I'm sure you guys are all for it, but I think PETA is just pulling another publicity stunt. They've gotten more attention to this ad by not running it than if it would have been aired.

Wall Street Bonuses Totaled $18.4 Billion Last Year

"'When I saw an article today that indicates that Wall Street bankers had given themselves $20 billion worth of bonuses, the same amount of bonuses as they gave themselves in 2004, at a time when most of these institutions are teetering on collapse and they are asking for taxpayers to help sustain them, and when taxpayers find themselves in the difficult position that if they don't provide help then the entire system could come down on top of our heads, that is the height of irresponsibility,' President Obama told reporters."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123326820233830623.html


They are laughing at us.

Time to dust off your Zombie escape plan

Okay, this is just danged funny. I haven't been able to watch the videos, but I think I would have driven off the road laughing if I saw this on my morning commute.

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin drivers making their morning commute were in for a surprise when two road signs on a busy stretch of road were taken over by hackers. The signs usually warn drivers about upcoming construction, but Monday morning they warned of "zombies ahead."

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/Road_signs_warn_of_zombies

DON'T DO IT!

So you made some bad investments, your job is long gone, and your house is about t0 become repossessed. Now is NOT the time to grab a gun and kill yourself and family. No one you leave behind is going to feel sorry or understand your decision. It's the mark of a LOSER. Kids adapt. Life goes on. Parents learn to make do. If you absolutely have to end it all, do EVERYONE a favor and do yourself first. Leave the rest alone. It is the ultimate narcissist that thinks he needs to take his family along with on a journey of loserdom. Suicides don't gain my sympathy nor understanding. Taking your family with just makes me piss on your grave.

Your family will be all that much stronger from your struggle to survive than from a cowardly act of weakness. Let your kids have a future. Now is the time for strength, not cowardice

Nationwide French Strike Shuts Trains, Subways

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gHxGqBLEIin8NkBuxlqpCPPwr31AD960QDDO1

I know, it's France, so who cares/how can you tell? But people in all sectors of their workforce are protesting current economic conditions. I expect we'll see more of this as the financial crisis deepens. Maybe not here for awhile because Obama will have a honeymoon period, but I wonder for how long? People holler the most when their incomes are affected. Today we have instant communication and everyone soon knows about government corruption and waste. I worry about our country. I worry about how much more plundering by greedy politicians and corporations it can take.

I Don't Know What to Tell You About This One....

Mid Week Grin....

Cowboy Chili

A cocky young cowboy walks into a bar.

He sits at the counter and notices an old cowboy with his arms folded staring blankly at a full bowl of chili.

After fifteen minutes of just sitting there staring at it, the cocky young cowboy says to the old cowpoke, 'If you ain't gonna eat that, I will!'

The older cowboy slowly turns his head toward the young wrangler and in his best cowboy manner says, 'Nah, you go ahead.'

Eagerly, the cocky young cowboy reaches over and slides the bowl over to his place and starts spooning it in with delight.

He gets nearly down to the bottom and notices a dead mouse in the chili.

The sight was shocking and he immediately barfs up the chili into the bowl.

The old cowboy quietly says, 'Yep, that's as far as I got, too.

MUTO: a Wall-Painted Animation

It's long, but you get the idea: "MUTO. An ambiguous animation painted on public walls. Made in Buenos Aires and Baden."

http://www.blublu.org/

My Interpretive Dance to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_lrKhmx2WU

Oh yeah!

OLE, SVEN and THE GENIE

Ole and Sven were fishing in the BIG FISH BASH when
Sven pulled out a cigar. Finding he had no matches,
he asked Ole for a light. 'Ya, shure, I tink I haff a lighter,' he replied, and then
reaching into his tackle box, he pulled out a Bic lighter 10 inches long.
'Yiminy Cricket!' exclaimed Sven, taking the huge Bic
Lighter in his hands. 'Vere dit yew git dat monster??' 'Vell,' replied Ole, 'I got it from my Genie.' 'You haff a Genie?' Sven asked. 'Ya, shure. It's right here in my tackle box,' says Ole. 'Could I see him?' Ole opens his tackle box & sure enough, out pops the Genie. Addressing the genie, Sven says, 'Hey dere! I'm a good
friend of your master. Vill you grant me vun vish?' 'Yes, I will,' says the Genie. So Sven asks the Genie for a million bucks.
The Genie disappears back into the tackle box leaving Sven sitting there waiting for his million bucks. Shortly, the sky darkens and is filled with the sound of a
million ducks....flying directly overhead.
Over the roar of the million ducks Sven yells at Ole, 'Yumpin' Yimminy, I asked for a million bucks, not a million ducks!' Ole answers, 'Ya, I forgot to tell yew dat da Genie is hart of hearing. Do yew really tink I asked for a 10-inch Bic did ya?"

Just to remind you!

The week of Feburary 9th is the 57th anniversary of Mr. Potato Man. Of course, we all know, we have our very own Mr. Potato Man...celebrate, celebrate...dance to the music.

SER, don't be depressed...that would make you mashed potatoes and I know you remember that one.

More insanity, a sport for those wanting to be flying squirrels!

I watched this a few times and still can't believe this,
they're insane!!
(and if I'm lucky, the link will work!)

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1778399&server=vimeo.com&amp

Scary recalls...now our drugs!

This sort of scares me...all these drugs??? And in some cases the tablets contain too much medication???

ETHEX Corporation Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Products (January 28)
Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:39:00 -0600
ETHEX Corporation, a subsidiary of KV Pharmaceutical is issuing, as previously disclosed by KV Pharmaceutical Company on January 26, 2009, a nationwide voluntary recall of the products identified below (all lots within their expiration dates) at a wholesale or a retail level as a precautionary measure because they may have been manufactured under conditions that did not sufficiently comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). Some of these products have had specific lots recalled earlier due to defects found, including oversized tablets delivering higher than labeled doses. These additional products are being removed to assure that no other defective products remain in the marketplace.

Orb's Computer Tech Talk

This pretty well sums it up....

Are they Trying to be more like us?

Excerpt from the Racine Journal Times Blog Area. I guess it's alright because they didn't write Pansy.

http://my.journaltimes.com/post/casinorat/blog/george_webb.html

Posted by: bringsexy back on January 28, 2009 1:18AM EST

But anyway damn people im reading that one blog, some of you need to grow up, instead of taking shit, damn yeah they are closed and I think we all know why so shut up, and grow up people, aint nobody perfect, and saying people are dirty whatever I bet you are dirty and ugly as fuck, obviously that person was doing their job or they wouldnt have been there so long. And I dont beleive what all you are saying, just words comming out of your mouth. Im not old or young but I dont sit there and say some bull shit about people like that! You were probably there 24-7. And if someone has a man or not who cares, If that girl does yeah for her. Yeah Webbs is gone so what, nothing you can do about it now. We all knew it was going to happen it was just a matter when..

Remembering Challenger

Here we are in the second of a three part series. I would almost say everyone remembers this, but there are young people who were too young or not even born at the time.

On January 28th, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke up and was destroyed 73 seconds after liftoff. The culprit turned out to be gas escaping through an O ring in the solid rocket boosters. The Shuttle itself did not explode, but was broken up by large g-forces as the solid rocket booster ruptured the external tank.

I remember this one...I was a senior in high school. A few years earlier, a joke made the rounds about the Space Shuttle exploding. I can't remember the punch line. When someone told me the Shuttle exploded, I thought it was the joke and was waiting for that punch line. It never came.

I was a lazy senior who managed to schedule all my classes in the morning (and pretty much convinced everyone I should not be forced to stay in study hall all afternoon..yeah, I skipped a LOT of school that year) so I went home and watched television coverage until basketball practice. They played it over and over so many times that I still hold my breath when I hear the "Go with throttle up" (the last transmission from mission control) watching shuttle launches today

The mission was the first teacher in space mission. Christa Mcauliffe's launch gave the mission a higher profile than normal.

Challenger is an event for people of a certain age...it is the "Where were you when..." for my generation. I remember the hallway I was walking down when I heard and the classmate who told me. I will not forget.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my gooseberries! How are you? Whew, no major arrests of anyone in local government this week. So far, that is . . .

Which brings us to the theme of my blog: my candidacy for mayor of Racine. I would like to state a few things plainly and openly so that all residents of our fair city will know who I am and what I stand for.

First, I am Madame Zoltar, psychic seer, mistress of the dark arts, and consultant to the JT Irregulars. My weekly blogs are known throughout the area, and my concern for Racine is evident in those blogs.

Second, I represent an alternative approach to local government, one concerned not only with the welfare of Racine’s current and future inhabitants, but also with that of past generations. If I am elected, I assure you that Gilbert Knapp will be personally consulted on all decisions of major import.

Third, I believe that the people of Racine have had enough of [insert your gripe here]. I, too, am fed up with [insert your gripe here]. If elected, I will dedicate all of my time and energy towards ending [insert your gripe here].

Fourth, I will give a free psychic reading to any city resident displaying proper ID. (18 years and older – only one reading per address or household - other restrictions may apply.)

Fifth, knowing the future just may give me a slight edge in the job. In fact, I already know who wins the election, but I don’t want to spoil the fun for everyone else. Let me just say this: you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Sixth, we could do worse. A lot worse. As Mr. OrbsCorbs has said, “Should've voted for the tuna fish sandwich.” (See the image at right.)

Finally, please email your questions, comments, and campaign contributions to: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.

Thank you for reading my blog this week, dears. Don’t forget that a vote for Madame Zoltar is a vote for our future, today. Enjoy yourselves figuring that one out. Poltergeist!

Looking Down For a Change...

I was just perusing the Boston Globe's Big Picture and found the Earth Observed one from a few weeks ago.
At first glance you might think hurricane. But there is no water...this is a huge dust storm over China! There are images of hurricanes, craters, fields, glaciers and many other spectacular images of Earth in this collection.

Dangerous Path

El Caminito del Rey is a walking path located in southern Spain near the town of Alora. This path built, in 1901, was used to transport materials and for the inspection and maintence of the channel between two hydroelectric powerplants. The walkway was finished in 1905. Since then, the walkway fell into disrepair, providing a homeage for some thrillseekers. Some have died taking this path.

Here's a cool link filled with pictures that is worth checking out. Also included a video of somebody walking the path. Warning-this is not for the timid.

I think some people are nuts...

Remembering Apollo 1

On January 27th, 1967, the U.S suffered its first deaths in the manned space program. The Apollo 1 capsule was undergoing testing on the pad with astronauts White, Chaffee, and Grissom on board. The test were being done in a 100% oxygen atmosphere.

Somewhere, something sparked. Could have been a small short circuit. Could have even been static electricity. In a pure oxygen environment, fire spreads quickly. Velcro was everywhere in the capsule. Turns out Velcro is explosive in a pure oxygen setting.

The fire spread quickly and the astronauts could not escape. The hatch opened inward and the high pressure environment made it impossible to open the hatch.

Fortunately, their deaths were not in vain, but led to one of the most extensive safety reviews in history. We all know the future successes that came from this tragedy. The redesign is credited with helping Apollo 13 make it back to Earth safely as the electronics did not short out when they were restarted in spite of a lot of condensation.

NASA has a remembrance this week for all the astronauts they have lost (curiously enough, the three major accidents all happened in late January/early February). Even though I was not yet born, Apollo 1 resonates with me. When I watch shows on the space program, I always have the impending sense of dread as the Apollo I section draws near. Recovering from this tragedy makes the Apollo 11 triumph all the more powerful.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Spring is almost here!

We can tell winter is almost over here, 'cause we can see the deer out wandering around ......

State of Wisconsin Unclaimed Property

Check our friends at Racine News.

They have an article regarding unclaimed property for the State of Wisconsin.

I don’t have anything, but my uncle, aunt and brother do.

One for the Ladies.........

One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his Sweatshirt.
Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, 'What setting do I use on the washing machine?'

'It depends,' I replied. 'What does it say on your shirt?'

He yelled back, 'OHIO STATE ! '

And they say blondes are dumb...


A couple is lying in bed. The man says, 'I am going to make you the happiest woman in the world.'
The woman replies, 'I'll miss you........

'It's just too hot to wear clothes today,' Jack says as he stepped out of the shower, 'honey, what do you think the neighbors would think if I mowed the lawn like this?'

'Probably that I married you for your money,' she replied.

Q: What do you call an intelligent, good looking, sensitive man?
A: A rumor

A man and his wife, now in their 60's, were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to them and said that because they had been so good that each one of them could have one wish.

The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband.

Whoosh! Immediately she had airline/cruise tickets in her hands.

The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger....

Whoosh...immediately he turned 90!!!

Gotta love that fairy!


Dear Lord,
I pray for Wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; and Patience for his moods.
Because, Lord, if I pray for Strength, I'll beat him to death. AMEN


Q: Why do little boys whine?
A: They are practicing to be men.


Q: What do you call a handcuffed man?
A: Trustworthy.


Q: What does it mean when a man is in your bed gasping for breath and calling your name?
A: You did not hold the pillow down long enough.


Q: Why do men whistle when they are sitting on the toilet?
A: It helps them remember which end to wipe.


Q: How do you keep your husband from reading your e-mail?
A: Rename the email folder 'Instruction Manuals'

"Pansy" is a Censored Word at the Journal Times

pansy
noun
1.	large-flowered garden plant derived chiefly from the wild pansy of Europe and having velvety petals of various colors
2.	a timid man or boy considered childish or unassertive [syn: sissy]
3.	offensive term for an openly homosexual man

If you use it on the Journal Times' site, you will get ##### in your post.
Lol, wtf? I used to plant pansies every spring.

Help my PC is giving me a headache!

I seem to be having a problem with my MSN. Is anyone else experiencing a 'nonresponse' problem? I have shut my PC, disconnected it from the cable, powered it off, including unplugging it. Things will be okay for a bit and then, kaboom, it crashes. I have defragmented, checked for virus, you name it, I think I have tried everything. Any suggestions from you gurus???

Thanks.

Where Military Planes Go To Die...

It's Tucson, of course! Davis-Mothan Air Force Base is home to the Aeorospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC for short, also known as the Boneyard). Although visitors are not officially allowed (save for a bus tour in which you never get off the bus) you can walk around the facility and look through the fence. A nice bike/running trail runs along the north side (which I believe the Air Force uses for physical fitness runs since it is marked every 1/4 mile). There are several thousand planes parked here...some may fly again, but many are being sent to the Great Hangar in the Sky.

I took my camera on a bike ride and snapped a few shots last fall.
These are a couple of recently retired B-52s, some of the most recent arrivals. I saw on CNN the Air Force was retiring their oldesd B-52s and sure enough, these guys show up a few weeks later. More have shown up since I took this picture.

there are rows of these guys. I believe they are EC-130s but am not 100% sure. They look like the ones that fly around Tucson and are stationed at DM.
These distinctive looking planes are the A-10s. DM flies lots of A-10s and you can see these guys in the skies of Tucson every weekday.

So far, everything I have showed you is on the west side of Kolb Road. Planes on the west side are considered in storage and may fly again. When planes cross the bridge to the east side of Kolb, they are being scrapped. They end up looking something like this.
If you ever visit Tucson, it is definitely a landmark that you should at least drive by. There are several good places to get out and look at the planes and they are used to avaiation buffs stopping to gawk at planes. Definitely worth checking out if you visit.

New Stimulus package explained With Q&A

Subject: Important info on the Stimulus Payment


"This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

"Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
"A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

"Q. Where will the government get this money?
"A. From taxpayers.

"Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
"A. No, they are borrowing it from China. You children are expected to repay the Chinese.

"Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
"A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

"Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
"A. Shut up."


Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.

If you spend it on gasoline it will go to Hugo Chav ez, the Arabs and Al Queda

If you purchase a computer it will go to Taiwan.

If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).

If you buy a car it will go to Japan and Korea.

If you purchase prescription drugs it will go to India

If you purchase heroin it will go to the Taliban in Afghanistan
If you give it to a charitable cause, it will go to Nigeria.

And none of it will help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America. You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.

How the Goverment Puts a "Spin" on Things..

Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher here in southern California, was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Harry Reid's great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor.

Harry Reid

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory.

On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research his this inscription: 'Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.
So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle.

Believe it or not, Harry Reid's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:

'Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.'

NOW THAT is how it's done folks! That's real SPIN.

Happy Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

Winner! 1000th blog! Congratulations Hale!
To brighten the Monday, let's celebrate bubble wrap. January 26th is Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. Learn about how it is made, what it can be used for, and play the virtual bubble popping game. You can even order special sale priced bubble wrap.

The only question I have not found answered is what do they pack bubble wrap in when they ship it?

Today is too quiet, let's toot some horns!

OK, yes, I admit it, I'm tired and too many ideas are coming to me.
This could be good, we'll see :)

We all have our 'regular' places we go, for food,
services, shopping, etc.

What smaller, especially newer places have you found?
With the economy what it is, if you have
checked out a new place, any place,
let's share and try to encourage them a bit!

State Pays Racine Sisters Half a Million to Babysit Their Own Kids

"Sisters or other relatives can stay home, swap kids and receive taxpayer dollars. The four Racine sisters took in as much as $540,000 in taxpayer dollars in less than three years, mostly to watch each other's kids."

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/38309864.html


Darn it! Why don't I ever come up with scams like these? What is it about taking advantage of other people that bothers me so much? What is it with this crippling morality that has held me back all these years? Why do I foolishly adhere to quaint notions of civility and respect for others and the hard work they put into their lives? Why can't I just shamelessly and selfishly rip off the taxpayers and gorge myself at the trough of public funds?

Lingerie Bowl Cancelled

The Lingerie Bowl has been held around the Super Bowl for several years now featuring women in lingerie playing touch football. Sadly, this year's edition has been canceled due to the fact that they did not want to play it in front of people at the Caliente Nudist Resort in Florida. Yes, women in lingerie do not want to be around nude people.

Insert your own joke here.

Good morning Lee and the JT, we know you're watching

Good morning Lee Enterprises, and anyone from the JT,
Welcome to our humble home!
I'm glad you stopped by, and nice to know we're missed.

Feel free to comment anytime, everybody is welcome!!

I do thank you for our start on the old site, even tho
the disfunctionality drove us to our new, happier home.
For that, thank you, thank you thank you!!

HAPPY MONDAY!! Time to rise and shine...

OK, I'm up but not moving fast.
I get up too early, too many days,
I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!!!
What do you guys to do jump start your brains in the morning?
I'm running out of ideas, this cold is slowing me down too much :(

Another Game to Play

I'm not to good....28.83

The lower the number the better the score....

Eyeball Game

I Should Have Gone to Wall Street...

At least according to Cambridge University Business School's John Coates and highlighted this week on the Naked Scientists podcast. He published findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences titled, "Second-to-fourth digit ratio predicts success among high-frequency financial traders." The second to fourth digit ratio refers to your fingers: traders who had ring fingers longer than index fingers were more successful and stayed in the business longer. The study looked at traders in the pit where quick reflexes are important.

A longer ring finger indicates more pre-natal testosterone exposure. The thinking is that this exposure lead to better reflexes necssary for traders who are trying to time the market to the second. And yes, check out athletes...they tend to have longer ring fingers as well. Don't despair if you are a long term investor...you won't be handicapped by having a long index finger.

Of coure the first thing I did after hearing this is look at my own hand and sure enough, my ring finger is a good deal longer than my index finger. I snapped a picture of my hand with my webcam (while my cat Hale-Bopp was lounging on me). I guess I wasted my longer finger on sports when I could have been a Wall Street millionaire!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Going Green at the Grocery Store

Yep, I am going to risk getting a little environmental on you here. I just got back from my weekly grocery run and made the switch to canvas bags last summer. I am finally to the point where I remember them on a regular basis rather than running back to my car halfway through shopping.

I am sure we all know the benefits...fewer plastic bags (which take oil to make) less waste, etc. If you are not convinced, let me appeal to your inner lazy American: canvas bags hold more and with the nice handles, they are so much easier to carry! So not only are plastic bags wasteful, they are also more work...that just doesn't make sense.

I didn't even half to pay for my bags. I just took all the bags I have received at different meetings and conventions I attended and started using them. I frequently get comments from the baggers about where I have been and what I obviously do for a living!

Some stores give a small discount if you bring your own bags.

I know it will be difficult to totally eliminate the plastic bag...I still get some occasionally (especially when traveling). I probably have reduced my usage of them by close to 90%. Now we just have to all do that and we will take one of many small steps necessary to attain a sustainable lifestyle.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicsit Blog.

Vatican Launches YouTube Channel

Vatican 2.0: Pope gets his own YouTube channel

Are they still going to block access to YouTube in Catholic schools?

Oh Hell No....

Some people just have to much time on their hands.......

New Car for Women

I think I could use one of these....

Sunday morning Funny

---Who knew David Letterman was funny?
Not me!!!!! This ones long but funny.........................
Taco Bell will not be the same!

http://www.searchles.com/channels/show/3584

Is This The Future Of Newspapers?

Hale-bopp's blog on the Obameter, below, linked to the St. Petersburg Times, which in turn contained the ad at left for their Electronic Edition, which is "an exact digital replica of the printed paper. It's not a web site, but a digital reproduction of Florida's best and largest newspaper. The complete paper - including every article and photograph - even the day's crossword is automatically delivered to your computer. Search and navigate through the paper using your favorite Web browser."

Hmmm, I'm not sure what I think. Why would you pay for this when you can access their regular site for free? Or just about any ohter site? The internet and the proliferation of digital cameras, cell phones, etc. have been very good for the dissemination of news, but not always so good for the news industry.

The Animal Odd Couple

I liked Abby's comment in SER's photoblog about an albino moose. Then I opened an email from a friend and it contained a link to the above video. It can't be a coincidence.