Sir Patrick Stewart

Congratulations to Patrick Stewart!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Stewart

GM recall on Corvette Convertibles

Corvette convertible (2005-2007) tops could separate causing noise, poor fit, water leakage, and could possibly come off.

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/12/30/3698379-gm-recalling-some-corvettes-over-removable-roof

My Dad’s reaction? “Isn’t anything sacred anymore?!”

Has It Really Been a Month?

Actually, it’s been over a month since I posted anything here. It has been a fairly busy month, I guess. Thanksgiving was in there and Jerry had surgery soon after that. Now it’s Christmas and New Year. And today is a special day as Jerry and I have been married nine years. There was snow on the ground that day as well. It seems like it’s flown by and yet, at the same time, it seems like we’ve been together forever.

It’s a little late (or a little early, depending on how you look at it), but Happy Holidays!

Julie Andrews to sing in London

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6930371.ece

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/11/25/3543325-julie-andrews-to-sing-in-london-first-in-decades

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody

The Muppets (RIP Jim Henson) are so awesome!

Not Invented Here on Thursday, November 12, 2009 by Bill Barnes and Paul Southworth

This is how I react to most any new technology:

Not Invented Here on Thursday, November 12, 2009 by Bill Barnes and Paul Southworth

woot.com - 10 Hot Rumors About Tomorrow's Ares Rocket Test Launch

http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=9585

Laffs by Scott Lydon & Jason Hinklin-Lauderdale on October 26, 2009 at 2:00 PM

1. For some reason, the on-board computer won’t stop asking Mission Control to tell its wife it loves her very much
2. The entire event being filmed by motion-capture cameras for use as the first level of the soon-to-be-announced Grand Theft Auto: Milky Way
3. Secret compartment, not shown on any blueprints, contains the corpse of the one guy who knew where Obama’s Kenyan birth certificate is
4. To attract a younger audience, the two stages will be named “Mojo” and “Jojo”
5. Elton John set to release “Candle In The Wind '09” as a tribute to the almost-defunct space shuttle
6. Fanboys are gathering at the gate, declaring that if NASA won’t help them, they will commandeer the rocket and rescue Kitty Pryde themselves
7. Certain members of Congress feel now that we've proven we can blow up the moon, it’s time to focus on blowing up the Earth again
8. NASA’s marketing director is kicking himself over how simple it would have been to tie-in with ABC’s upcoming remake of V
9. The nose cone will be loaded with the last remaining Atari 2600 cartridges of E.T. The Extraterrestrial, thus removing the awful blight of that game from the face of the Earth forever
10. Lex Luthor will escape yet again when he reveals to Superman that he has trapped Lois and Jimmy inside the rocket when it is JUST ABOUT TO LAUNCH!

not invented here – Out of Uniform

http://notinventedhe.re/on/2009-10-27

Tricked Out Easy Chair

I personally know a lot of people who would/will drool over this (click on pic to go to story):

Point Bonita

Here’s a link to the pictures that were taken out in California last week. The first one is of a street in San Francisco (not sure which one). If you haven’t been out there, the streets are just how they look on TV/movies and occasionally there will be a building out in the middle of it, or so it seems. We also went across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco to Point Bonita. It was hazy that day, but still really pretty. The last few are from my hotel window in San Jose. Not very good, but it is beautiful in the valley with the mountains all around.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mandi.howell/CaliforniaSanFrancisco?feat=directlink

Reba’s “Consider Me Gone” Video

Reba McEntire   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

I believe Reba gets more beautiful with each passing year…

My Shape: Then and Now

In order to fulfill my mid-term goal for my diet and exercise lifestyle change, below are my then and now comparison pictures. If one can get past the bad photography and the really crazy tan lines, it’s pretty easy to see that I’ve come a long way in a little over two years. In the picture from the end of July, 2007, I weighed 162 lbs. and my body fat was at 34.4 percent. As of today (September 30, 2009), I weigh 132 lbs. and my body fat is at 14.22 percent. When I began, I set my goal to be 16% body fat. At that time I was not very optimistic that I’d make it. My ultimate goal now is 14%. It’s going to take a great deal more discipline to get there. From now through the end of the holidays I’m going to focus on staying at my current weight and body fat.

If you want a laugh (or to be really grossed out), there are in-between pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mandi.howell/BodyTransformation?feat=directlink

Not Invented Here: Help Write Code

 http://notinventedhe.re/on/2009-9-28

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

xkcd: Tornado Hunter

http://xkcd.com/640/

How timely is this with deer season right around the corner?

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Tomorrow is Talk Like a Pirate Day. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day

Here's a translator for all of you landlubbers: http://www.talklikeapirateday.com/translate/

A Fat Loss Expert’s View of The Biggest Loser

http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2009/09/the_biggest_loser_pros_and_con.php

Tom Venuto weighs the pros and cons of The Biggest Loser reality television show.

Links

I just noticed in the post below (http://mandis-station.blogspot.com/2009/09/garrison-keillor-nice-67-yo-male-has.html) that the link is very long. I debated on whether to shrink it down or hide it behind some words (i.e. LINK; which actually would let you see the location down in the status bar) and decided against it. Since Twitter has hit the scene, link shrinking has become the norm. The only problem is, it’s very hard to see where the link leads to and I really like to know where I’m going. So sorry if long links offend anyone, but I try to live by “do unto others”.

Garrison Keillor: Nice 67 Y.O. Male Has Brush With Mortality

http://www.tmsfeatures.com/columns/political/liberal/garrison-keillor/Garrison-Keillor.html?articleURL=http://rss.tmsfeatures.com/websvc-bin/rss_story_read.cgi?resid=200909151353TMS_____GKEILLOR_ctngk-a_20090915

Garrison Keillor, to me, is best known as the host of A Prairie Home Companion (which can be heard on NPR). There’s also been a movie made of the same name.

Keillor had a stroke on September 7, 2009. The link above is to an article he did regarding his time at the hospital following the stroke.

Robot Beach

I just found a really cool comic strip, courtesy of Paul Southworth. It’s called called Robot Beach by Matt Forcum. You can check it out here: http://www.robotbeach.com/

'Laugh-In' actor Henry Gibson dies at 73

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/09/16/3279174-laugh-in-actor-henry-gibson-dies-at-73

'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dies at 57

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/09/14/3268359-dirty-dancing-star-patrick-swayze-dies-at-57

GraphJam: Can it be fixed?

xkcd: Tech Support Cheat Sheet

http://xkcd.com/627/

Orphaned hedgehogs adopt cleaning brush as their mother

Another one for the awwwww category.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-478026/Orphaned-hedgehogs-adopt-cleaning-brush-mother.html

Reba: Keep On Loving You

Reba McEntire’s new album Keep On Loving You was released yesterday. It’s an album that has grown on me. None of the songs jumped out at me like “The Only Promise That Remains” did on her Duets album, but all of them are listen-worthy. I found myself singing parts of all the songs later in the day, although I knew very little of the words.

1. “Strange” – This was the first single from the album and has been out since April. It took me a while to get into this song. The lyrics threw me off a bit.
2. “Just When I Thought I’d Stopped Loving You” – Kelly Clarkson’s influence is very evident in this song. Casual karaoke-ers will have trouble with this one.
3. “I Keep On Lovin’ You” – One of the slower songs (there aren’t too many). Anyone who has been in a relationship for any length of time will be able to relate to this one.
4. “I Want A Cowboy” – Good ‘ol Country song. Wrangler’s, hat, pick-ups; “the real McCoy”.
5. “Consider Me Gone” – If you don’t want to meet me halfway or if you think there might be something out there that’s better, I’m moving on.
6. “But Why” – I could make it on my own, but why miss out on your kisses, shoulder to lean on, love, etc.
7. “Pink Guitar” – At first I thought of this as a “Girl Power” song, but it’s really not. It’s about having a dream and pursuing it.
8. “She’s Turning 50 Today” – This really is a “Girl Power” song. Faced with a setback, she doesn’t let it eat her up.
9. “Eight Crazy Hours (In the Story of Love)” – Hitting an emotional low and realizing all that she does have, all in eight hours. It would make a very good video.
10. “Nothing to Lose” – Very fast paced. Classic country lost love song.
11. “Over You” – This song reminds me a bit of “And Still”, a song from one of Reba’s earlier albums. They happen to meet and she wishes that he would say he still loves her like she does him.
12. “Maggie Creek Road” – This song is begging for a video, or even a tv movie al a “Is There Life Out There?”. It tells the story of a mother worrying for her daughter. The daughter doesn’t listen when the mother cautions her; the mother has reason to worry.
13. “I’ll Have What She’s Having” – The music of this one reminds me of “Have I Got a Deal For You”. It has a honky-tonk feel.

All in all, a nice album after six years (solo).

Tom Venuto: Why Time Magazine Owes the Fitness Industry a Big Fat Apology

http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2009/08/why_time_magazine_owes_the_fit.php

Personal Responsibility

Health reform idea: Put down the doughnut

Above is an article on personal responsibility being the first big step to healthcare reform. I whole-heartedly agree. I realize that there are exceptions to every rule, but too many people put themselves in this category when it is not the truth. It's easier to say they have a medical problem that prevents them from doing the work necessary to become healthy. I will be the first to admit that losing weight the right way is not easy. It takes a lot of effort and discipline, but it's all a matter of what you want more. Find something that's more important than continuing the way that's making you unhealthy. For me, it's being around to see all the children I care about and their children for as long as possible and feeling better about myself.

We have become a nation of "do what's easiest", and it's not just exclusive to health. People want to make money, but don't want to do the jobs they must to get it. If it's not exactly to their liking they quit, thinking they'll find another one that will suit their every requirement. Every person is different. That's what makes the world go 'round. There are always going to be differing opinions at every job. Too many times, at the first hint of difficulty or disagreement, people give up, saying it's too hard or they just can't get along with a colleague. Again, I realize there are some circumstances where compromise cannot be reached, but too often people don't even try.

The only person you have to be around 24/7 is yourself, so make you the best you can be.
And the only person that can do that is YOU.

Bird experiment shows Aesop's fable may be true

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/08/06/3125907-bird-experiment-shows-aesops-fable-may-be-true

I loved reading Aesop's fables when I was in school. There's actually free e-books and audio books available at
Project Gutenberg. Just search for Aesop in the Author search.

Woot: What Are We Doing While Twitter Is Down?

What Are We Doing While Twitter Is Down?

from woot.com

• Worrying how everyone will know Twitter is down if we can't tweet that Twitter is down
• Desperately trying to write 140 character notes on our business cards
• Yelling I'M THINKING ABOUT GETTING A BURRITO as loudly as we can
• Calling our friends one at a time and saying "Really fast, what are you doing right now?"
• Weeping at how the world we lived in could be ruled by such an unjust and vengeful god
• Settling for updating our Facebook status, though it's not the same
• Worrying about how @THE_REAL_SHAQ was doing
• Going to the bathroom without telling anyone
Posted using ShareThis

Goodbye Walter Cronkite

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/07/17/3035635-legendary-cbs-anchor-walter-cronkite-dies-at-92

If you missed 12:34:56 7/8/9, catch 04:05:06 07/08/09

I finally took my rings to get them resized...now I keep freaking out thinking I've lost them.

Aaaaannnndddd here comes the Monday I was expecting.

Mollie Sugden, comedy actor, dies aged 86

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/jul/01/mollie-sugden-comedy-actor

On Sunday night during our childhood, you could find my brother and I watching "Are You Being Served?" on PBS. Our grandfather introduced us to the show when he would watch it when we spent the night. Mollie Sugden played Betty Slocombe, the pink or purple haired saleslady. The show was filled with innuendo and we loved it. You can find some clips on Youtube here.

Spending my morning in daydream-land...

Today I'm grateful for my treadmill, my mp3 player and upbeat music.

Brain: You must drink more water. Stomach: I don't WANT more water. Brain: SHUT IT!

"Commitment is doing the thing that you said you were going to do when that inspired feeling has left you." -Darren Hardy

My stomach has decided that it's going to be one of those days.

Boy, my emotions are all over the place today.

Michael Jackson

Memories regarding Michael Jackson:

• Levi (my little bro) used to sing "Man in the Liver".
• Who didn't try to moonwalk as a kid?

Nearly there, nearly there...actually two more hours. Oh drat!

Thursday...on the downhill side of the week, but not quite Friday.

Suicidal at 575 pounds, she now weighs 165

Above: Three TODAY show interns who combined weigh as much as Tammey Burns once did were able to fit into a pair of the pants she once wore. Next to them is stacked 410 pounds of lard — the amount of weight Burns lost.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31485523/ns/today_health-diet_and_nutrition/

“Quit the fad diets,” Burns replied. “Make it a healthy lifestyle change. Work on your emotional issues, and combine exercise with a healthy lifestyle change.

“And focus on your goals — not the struggle,” she concluded.

Betty White and Cloris Leachman: Funny at Lunch

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-22-funny-ladies_N.htm?csp=34

Men who get better looking with age: Harrison Ford, George Clooney Sean Connery...

Wow! There is not a single cloud in the sky right now.

It takes a lot of patience to be a bulldozer operator.

It's a good Monday so far. *knock on wood*

Emotions

I have found as I get older, that as awesome as it is to do good myself, it's much more gratifying to see someone I love, teach, have watched work very hard do good. Just as it was so wonderful to see my little (he'll always be little to me) brother win Supreme Champion Ewe at the Oklahoma State Fair years ago, it was equally as exciting to see the girls bring home that 2nd place trophy. They have learned so much and progressed so far this season. And the girls that joined the team late have stepped up beautifully.

Coaching can be a challenge, but it is the players themselves that make it worth all of the pressures. To see them grow, improve, and take pride in their efforts is a feeling I'll carry with me for a long, long time.

The awesome Hydro-Eakly 12 & under softball team won 2nd in their tourney today. I'm so proud of them!

Woot: 12 Bugs We've Found in iPhone OS 3.0

http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=8475

1. Multimedia messaging does not support sculpture, macrame, or interpretive dance.
2. Voice memo recordings totally don't sound like me. I don't sound like that, do I? Seriously?
3. Turned on adult content filter but everybody in my videos still has their clothes on.
4. Adding a task to calendar did not result in task getting done.
5. Clicked this blue "compass" icon but kept getting some stupid web browser.
6. Still no apps to cure the nagging feeling that I should've bought a Palm Pre.
7. The touchscreen is now on the back of the phone instead of the front.
8. Gone to the bathroom four times already today, and Remote Wipe hasn't worked once.
9. Spotlight search crashed with memory overload error trying to index my Harry Potter cosplay photo collection.
10. Tried out tethering, but I think I broke my finger smacking that phone around the pole.
11. Apple still hasn't fixed the no-hardware-keyboard bug.
12. "Cut" function does not apply to monthly AT&T bill.

Easily distracted today...well, even more than usual.

Excel...the application that will not die.

Really good workout this morning. It seems to get my day off to a good start.

My work day is almost over, the Aleve has kinda kicked in for my sore muscles; the day is looking up.

I am so enjoying the quiet in my office right now.

Note to self: Quit just talking about it & get rings resized before you lose one.

You may have won this round treadmill, but I will defeat you in the end.

How the heck does the day go by so fast?

In my next life I'm going to come back much, much smarter...and better lookin'.

Oh look...it's Monday again.

Tom Venuto's Top Ten Weight Loss Foods

http://www.burnthefat.com/list-of-top-10-weight-loss-foods.html

There's a lot of little kids at the Redhawks game. I'm melting from their cuteness.

"If you don't grab the reins and take responsibility for your actions, all the advice in the world won't help you succeed." - Regina Gunn (from Shape magazine)

My eyelids are heavy. May have to drink coffee to make it through the afternoon.

Have I mentioned that I hate Mondays?!

Why oh why does the weekend go by so fast?

I'm getting tired of canned chicken. I need to plan better for my lunch...

Just finished an hour long treadmill session. Had to double up on "Simply the Best", but Tina pulled me through.

Went to fill out an All-Star ballot and realized that I need to watch more NL games.

Heeeerre Fishy Fishy Fishy

Good times!

The crazy Tuesday is spilling over into Wednesday.

What a Monday!...er...I mean Tuesday.

saw two deer and six turkeys on the way to work. I love living in rural OK.

Just attended a wonderful birthday party for my nephew with the family. I can't believe he's three already.

Drunks will water the grass anywhere, anytime.

I am the world's worst gift wrapper!

My long weekend has begun!!!

FTC Shuts Down Big Robocall Scam

Finally! I received so many of these calls.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30852785/

Spirit Still Trying to Get Un-stuck on Mars

These robots just keep going and going. http://gizmodo.com/5264223/fellow-robots-trying-to-help-stuck-mars-spirit

My eyelids are so heavy this morning.

Man Saves Ducklings from Ledge

From BBC

Aren't they just cute?! Notice how it's mentioned this happened last year...

Attempting to eat really sour apricots. I knew I should have waited until later in the year to buy them.

I think I'm becoming addicted to almonds.

Ellen DeGeneres' 2009 Tulane Commencement Speech

Ellen's speech was awesome! Watch it here:

I am diggin' this weather!!!

9th Annual Mark Harmon Celebrity Baseball Game

Dad, Dona and I attended the 9th Annual Mark Harmon Celebrity Baseball Game on Saturday. The day turned out to be fairly pretty weather-wise. We did make it to the ballpark, even though I tried to kill us on Northwest Expressway and couldn't seem to find my way around Bricktown.

Getting in the ballpark was very easy since I had bought and printed the tickets online. Unfortunately we got in too big of a hurry to find our seats. We learned that the thing to do is to get in the line to get his autograph first thing. We decided we'd wait until during or after the game. He didn't sign during the game and just about when Dad and Dona got close to going down the steps after the game, the cops came and cut off the line.

Mark's team beat up on the OSSO Outlaws, but it looked like everyone was having fun regardless.

Here's a link to the photos I took.

9th Annual Mark Harmon Celebrity Game

Note to self: take the time to put sunscreen on.

I just had a wonderful afternoon playing softball with some pretty awesome young ladies.

Excited about hitting practice today. Maybe they'll let me take a few cuts...

Trans Fatty Acids

Good article on Trans Fatty Acids:
http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2009/05/forget_swine_flu_this_is_scari.php

I forgot how nice it is to actually see the sun during a sunrise.

Whoa! Crazy, crazy weather!

oohh, this is my kind of weather. Wish I was sitting under a tree with a book!

And now trying ping.fm through digsby via GTalk....good gracious...

Trying out ping.fm...

Dom DeLuise, actor, comedian and chef, dies

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBIT_DELUISE?SITE=INEVA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

The roles I remember him most fondly for are "The Cannonball Run" and Tiger in "Fievel's American Tails". He had one of those voices that you could tell it was him right off...except until today, I didn't realize that he was Pizza the Hut in "Spaceballs". I should have known though, with it being a Mel Brooks film.

Happy Star Wars Day!

Happy Star Wars Day everybody! "May the 4th be with you"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day

Google: Mowing with goats

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/mowing-with-goats.html

From the article:
At our Mountain View headquarters, we have some fields that we need to mow occasionally to clear weeds and brush to reduce fire hazard. This spring we decided to take a low-carbon approach: Instead of using noisy mowers that run on gasoline and pollute the air, we've rented some goats from California Grazing to do the job for us (we're not "kidding"). A herder brings about 200 goats and they spend roughly a week with us at Google, eating the grass and fertilizing at the same time. The goats are herded with the help of Jen, a border collie. It costs us about the same as mowing, and goats are a lot cuter to watch than lawn mowers.



I think this is a great idea. As they mention, it helps with global warming and it helps the goat industry out too. Kudos Google.

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me"

http://gizmodo.com/5231112/best-video-ive-seen-today-will-make-you-smile

Really awesome video!

From the article above:
"This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by completely unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all started with a base track—vocals and guitar—recorded on the streets of Santa Monica, California, by a street musician called Roger Ridley. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Grandpa Elliott—a blind singer from the French Quarter—added vocals and harmonica while listening to Ridley's base track on headphones. In the same city, Washboard Chaz's added some metal percussion to it.
And from there, it just gets rock 'n' rolling bananas: The producers took the resulting mix all through Europe, Africa, and South America, adding new tracks with multiple instruments and vocals that were assembled in the final version you are seeing in this video. All done with a simple laptop and some microphones."


Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

'Golden Girls' star Bea Arthur dies at 86

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBIT_ARTHUR?SITE=INEVA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I always liked her the best on 'Golden Girls'. I think it was because she had such great delivery.

Angels' Adenhart killed in accident

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090409&content_id=4179446&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

Not even 24 hours after pitching six strong innings he is gone. RIP

Uni-flipper turtle gets it straight with swimsuit

Feel good story. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30116276/

Liquid calories a bigger diet-buster than food

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30070941/

Be careful of those sugary drinks. Everybody knows about soda, but juices are high in natural sugars. Even though they are healthy, they still pack some calories.

Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross fits in a tea cup

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1167704/The-adventures-Tom-Thumb-The-tiny-puppy-set-worlds-smallest-dog.html

I'm baaacckkk!!! And here's my cutesie post:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/jasmine.asp

Mother Orang-utan Grabs Rope to Save Baby and Herself

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1162917/Amazing-moment-orang-utan-caught-rope-thrown-humans-swam-flooded-river-save-baby.html

Undersea eruptions near Tonga

Awesome pictures!

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/undersea_eruptions_near_tonga.html

Natasha Richardson

Natasha Richardson, 45, the Tony Award-winning actress has died after suffering a head injury on a ski slope.

Natasha Richardson mourned as a 'wonderful woman'.

Richardson was a true daughter of the theater.

At Colo. prison, wild horses tame the inmates

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/03/12/2535659-at-colo-prison-wild-horses-tame-the-inmates

I think that programs like this and the dog training that's done at some prisons are excellent ideas.

First Female Computer Science PhD Wins Turing Award

http://www.ddj.com/hpc-high-performance-computing/215801518;jsessionid=TMKWJKAAC0SIEQSNDLPCKHSCJUNN2JVN

Look Mum, it's been snowing... The first steps of the polar cubs

Polar bear cubs are cute!!

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1160432/Look-Mum-snowing--The-steps-polar-cubs.html

Houston Zoo To Unveil OH DEAR GOD THAT IS CUTE

 

Even the article is cute.

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/03/red_panda_houston_zoo.php

Orphaned Otter recovers at Aquarium

This *otter* be cute. ba da bum ching!

 

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=101677&catid=8

Science Unlocks The Mystery Of Belly Button Lint

http://idle.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/03/02/1742219

After three years of research, including examining 503 pieces of fluff from his own belly button, Georg Steinhauser has discovered a type of body hair that traps stray pieces of lint and draws them into the navel. Dr Steinhauser's observations showed that "small pieces of fluff first form in the hair and then end up in the navel at the end of the day." Chemical analysis revealed the pieces of fluff were not just made up of cotton from clothing. Wrapped up in the lint were also flecks of dead skin, fat, sweat and dust. Unfortunately, further study has failed to yield a hair or fiber that would give Dr. Steinhauser the last three years of his life back.

And now you know...

Sesame Street Still Makes Me Smile

http://www.hulu.com/sesame-street

Cuteness Overload

 http://www.boston.com/travel/gallery/zoo_babies/

You might have to look at these in shifts. I looked at them all at once and I almost didn't survive.

Except for #13: "Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?" [1]

#59: Very, very powerful.

1: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Governator

I don't know much of anything about his politics, but this video is funny. He does have a good sense of humor...and the reporter does too for leaving it in the final report.


http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gov__Busts_Reporter_s_Chops_During_Report_Bay_Area.html

Wendy Richard Dead at 65

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/02/26/2481081-british-actress-wendy-richard-dead-at-65

We watched her on "Are You Being Served?" when we were growing up. I still try to catch it when it's on.

Dying 9-Year-Old Girl 'Weds' Friend

This will make you tear up.

AOL - Video Here

(Feb. 24) - Jayla Cooper's dying wish came true as she married her friend in a dream wedding in Texas.

Jayla, who's just 9 years old, likely has only weeks to live after having battled leukemia for the last two years, reports WFAA-TV.

"We didn't expect to do this when she was 9 years old, but she has taught us all how to love each other and to be strong," said Lisa Cooper, Jayla's mother.

In the symbolic ceremony, put together in less than a week, Jayla wore a white dress and walked down the aisle on her father's arm.

She "married" Jose Griggs, a young boy who's also facing illness. The two youngsters, who met in the hospital, vowed to be friends forever.

"He's very cute, and I love him," Jayla said of her 7-year-old groom.

Small Update

Well, I've fallen off my posting every day. Told you guys it would happen.

• MLB spring training starts today. Listening to the Angels playing the White Sox right now.
• I have an awful feeling that I'm nearing the plateau I always hit in my fitness quest. MUST BREAK THROUGH!! ("No jiggle" is my new mantra.)
  
• I've gotten hooked on Twitter this week. You'll notice the app to the right that shows my status.

I guess that's about it. You can now see why I haven't posted...that and I haven't seen any cute animal stories lately.

Meerkat Pups

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1150886/Pictured-Tiny-meerkat-pups-fit-keepers-hand.html

Another awwwwww post. It makes me want to watch "The Lion King".

Amid the grieving, a rare act of sportsmanship

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=914609

Another tale of knowing what's really important.

September 1st Deadline

So, I've made it official. I'm going to post pictures from before I started my healthy lifestyle and from a little more than two years into it. I think this will make me stay on track. I've even put a countdown clock on my work desktop. Check back in on September 1st and see if 1) I stuck to my word and 2) I really look good ;).

Feel free to check back in often between now and then too...you know...just for kicks.

Dreamy the dormouse

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1141364/Enjoying-nap-petal-Even-photo-shoot-doesnt-wake-Dreamy-dormouse.html


Are you guys seeing a pattern with me posting about cute animals?

Phil Carey dies at age 83

Newsvine

I remember Phil Carey as business tycoon Asa Buchanan in the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live". "One Life to Live" came on right after "All My Children" and right before "General Hospital" when I was growing up. My mom was a stay-at-home mom then and these were her soap operas, which meant they were my brother's and mine as well. I loved days off from school because it meant that I would get to catch up.

I was saddened to find out that another of my favorite actors on the show, Clint Ritchie, who played Clint Buchanan, had passed away not long ago. From the article, "The death comes a few weeks after the passing away of another former "One Life to Live" cast member, Clint Ritchie, who originated the role of Clint Buchanan."

Day 2 at Westminster Dog Show

More puppy pictures at Jezebel.com

My favorite:

Man, what a face!

Who Knew Pants Could Cause Such Problems?

So first we have this case, a judge, Roy Pearson, who sues his dry cleaners for $54 million for losing his pants, after they offered to buy him replacement pants. Now a man whacks his brother over the head with a tire iron in an argument about jeans in Wyoming. Maybe I'm wearing the wrong pants?

Obama bumps head boarding presidential helicopter

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/02/09/2413580-obama-bumps-head-boarding-presidential-helicopter

What I want to know is did he cuss (that's what we call "curse" here in Oklahoma)?

I'm a free-cusser. I try my best not to do it at inappropriate times. One time that it will always happen? When I hit my head (stump my toe, hit my funnybone (why the h-e-double-hockey-sticks do they call it "funny" anyway?), smash my finger, etc, etc).

Papa John's founder warns against eating too much pizza

http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2009/02/pizza_chain_owner_says_dont_ea.php

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/diet.fitness/02/06/papa.johns.pizza.obesity/

Snowdrop the badger cub

Weather casualty: Abandoned badger cub saved from freezing temperatures by wildlife-lover

She's awwwww-fully cute!

Summitt reaches new heights: 1,000 wins

Lady Vols coach first Div. I coach — man or woman — to reach milestone

"You're getting skinny"

I had an interesting thought on my way into work after spending some calories at the gym. As nice as it is when people say to me "you're getting skinny", after everything I've learned on my journey into my new healthy lifestyle, I think it would be even more rewarding if people said to me that I'm looking fit, trim, lean or in great shape. I'm not really trying to get skinny. I'm trying to be as healthy as I can be...ok, ok!...and look good in summer wear.

But, truth be told, I'm not one for turning down a compliment of any sort.

Willits ready to rebound in 2009

Outfielder hopes to put injury-plagued 2008 season behind him

Good luck in 2009 Reggie! We're rootin' for ya!

Pizza Pro 3000

http://i.gizmodo.com/5146273/pizza-pro-3000-circular-saw-can-slice-both-margheritas-and-zombies

Perfect gift for those carpenters (or weekend carpenters)!

Howdy Stranger!

One of my friends told me I should update my blog more often (you know who you are!). He's right. It's just that...I come up with what I think would be a really good topic to blog about, but then I manage to talk myself out of doing it. Questions pop up in my head: "Will I read this later and wish I hadn't posted it?" "Does anybody really care what I think about this topic?" "Does anybody really read this blog?" You see my conundrum...

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm a very boring, paranoid person with somewhat questionable thoughts going on in my head. Hmmm, I'm more complicated than I thought...

So here's to a rather late New Year's resolution, at least one post per day.

You guys won't really hold me to that, right? Guys? I told you nobody reads it.

Christmas Blues

Christmas is only two weeks away. I don’t get that all-encompasing feeling like I used to when I was growing up. I spend every Christmas now trying to figure out why that is. Is it because everyone has so many places to go to? Is it because I have to find the gifts (I’m a terrible gift giver. I never know what to get.)?  Or is it simply because I’m not a child anymore?

These days I work all around the holidays and Jerry has the store open, just like any other day. No matter how early I start, it always seems like I’m trying to find that one last gift. It’s very rarely that I don’t know what I’m getting (which is a mixed blessing. I do get stuff I want that way.)

When my brother and I were younger, Christmas Eve meant fighting, laughing, running, arguing, etc, etc at my mom’s parents’ house with my many, many cousins. There was tons of wonderful food and the older cousins figured out that if we did the dishes we’d get to open our presents faster.

Christmas morning happened the same way every year. My brother would get up at a crazy hour to see what Santa had left under the tree, then he’d run to me (whether I was on the couch because I was sick, yet again, or in my bed) and ask if I wanted to know what Santa had brought me. I believe I always said no, but that could just be the way I want to remember it. Eventually he would make enough noise that my parents would give up and get out of bed. We’d open our gifts from them and then my mom would start cooking for my dad’s side of the family, which we would have at our house, my uncle’s or my grandparents’.

When we were a little older, we gained two more Christmas’ to go to. They weren’t the rambunctious gatherings we were used to, but still highly amusing. I will never forget one certain trip to my step-dad’s family gathering when my sister was just starting to talk (you’d never believe my brother and I would urge her to say things she shouldn’t, would you?).

The week between Christmas and New Year’s was the best of the year. We didn’t have to go to school and we could play with our toys. We usually had an extended bedtime and our only responsibility was to feed the sheep.
Maybe this year I’ll try to loosen up, not worry about every little thing. Who knows what might happen?

Timeline of a Coffee Drinker

http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/coffee/

17 Fabulous Prequels To Broadway Musicals

17 Fabulous Prequels To Broadway Musicals
from Woot.com

1. Kate, We Haven’t Been Introduced
2. Bar Mitzvah of La Mancha
3. Sand And Primer Your Wagon
4. A Chorus Dot
5. Fiddler Borrows A Ladder
6. Little Business Plan of Horrors
7. A Star’s Mom Allows A Handsome Stranger To Buy Her A Drink
8. Indian Territory!
9. The Guy Who Is A Little Intense But Keeps To Himself And Isn’t Really Bothering Anyone Of The Opera
10. Annie There’s A Waiting Period
11. Kittens
12. Brand New Acquaintance Joey
13. Handshake Of The Spider Woman
14. Jesus Christ Waiter
15. Starlight Right-of-Way Allocation And Environmental Impact Study
16. Vocal Warm-ups On A Cloudy Day
17. West Side Backstory

Posted using ShareThis

Santa Has a Gmail Account

http://gizmodo.com/5101296/santa-claus-gmail-account-exposed

Adopted (or Mean Things I Said to my Brother)

more animals
I teased Levi unmercifully when we were growing up. I would tell him he was adopted. He’d say “No, I’m not”, and I’d ask him if he had a mustache like Dad. He’d answer no and I’d say “So, you’re adopted.” I really think I’m lucky nothing happened to me in my sleep….

Woodland Park Zoo Helps Washington Pond Turtles Beat the Odds

These little guys are too cute!

Donna Brazile

A clip from Donna Brazile closing “If I Were Running This Campaign,”, a panel hosted by Jeffrey Toobin of the New Yorker. The article accompanying the clip gives more details. It’s definitely worth watching. My favorite part of the whole thing: “…and might I add, being a female does not make me dumb!”

Inspirational

I enjoy watching Donna when she is on CNN, but if possible, I like her more now. She’s usually so even-keeled. It’s great to see her passion and speaking her mind.

Muntjac Fawn

I dare you not to “aaawww” out loud. I sure did. There are more pics with the story found here. (His name is Rupert)

Dad and I saw these Ankole-Watusi cattle at the Tulsa State Fair this weekend. Yes, those horns are as big as they look. From what I can tell, the ones with the horizontal horns are just a certain trait, like black wool in sheep.

Paul Newman

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25372062/

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Arrrrr, it’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so grab yer eye patch and sword and talk like a pirate, ye landlubbers!

Newsvine: Teacher OK after crashing into bear on a bicycle

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/09/10/1850868-teacher-ok-after-crashing-into-bear-on-a-bicycle
Just another reason to wear your helmet while bicycling. You never know when you’re going to have a bear roll over your head.

I have done this to Jerry before. What makes it worse is he laughs at me when I tell him what’s going on…

Kidtropolis Magic Tree House

http://kidtropolis.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/the-magic-tree-house-almost-finished/

Where was this stuff when I was a kid? Not that it would have fit in our trailer house anyway….and it would have been a little cramped for my brother and I to share the tree house….but I say again; where was this when I was a kid?

Kinoki Foot Pads

These commercials crack me up.

http://consumerist.com/5038757/gee-whiz-it-turns-out-that-kinoki-foot-pads-are-a-scam

Some people will still believe they work though….