≈Week 20 of 2010: 140 days this year… 225 days remain≈
≈ Something To Think About
The secret of attraction is to love yourself.
~Deepak Chopra
≈ Random Fact
The Comics Code Authority forbade the use of werewolves in comics so Marvel writers had to come up with ingenious ways of including the classic villain archetype. For X-Men No 60 (1969) Roy Thomas and Neal Adams got around the code by creating Sauron, a were–pterodactyl.
• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1310 ►Shoes were made for both right & left feet
≈ Free Ramblings
Our day here in Flagstaff started with a prescribed burn with lots of smoke. We have been warned for the past few days that there will be a high wind advisory, Kinda a strange day for have a prescribed burn. The wind didn’t come, so all is well. As for our mayoral election—it will be several days before we find out the winner. Right now, there is a 98 vote difference out of some 10,000 votes. We learned this morning that there are 800 ballots in contention. We had a 32% turnout, but these 800 ballots are not counted yet. Some are people who asked for an early ballot and then showed up with their ballot at their polling place, some were people who didn’t have ID matching their address on the voting books. This is certainly not a mandate for the winner. I sure hope the winner remembers that. Our town is obviously much divided on what we want. Nothing would be wrong with that unless there is no compromise. Our country, our state, and our town were built on compromise. I hope the winner remembers that too. Another interesting outcome, which has been decided, was the city council seats. We started out early this year with a whole gaggle of candidates. The primary dropped the number to six candidates for three seats. There was not a lot of press about any of them. Each did write a short column in the paper stating their views on making Flagstaff the premier town in the world to live, raise a family, and build a life. The top three candidates each received over 5000 votes, while none of the bottom three received more than 2000 votes. Those 800 uncounted votes won’t make a difference in the final results. Finally the paper informed its readers that, so far, there were about 300 write-in votes for Mayor, and that those names will not be published, since no one had run an official write-in campaign. When I was on the Rez, the paper usually listed all the results. I remember my smile when Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and a few locals always had a few write-ins for US President, Tribal President, or local council seats. Here in Flagstaff, every vote counts as long as you vote for the candidates listed on the ballot If you protest with a vote for Mickey or Donald your vote won’t ever be listed.
Today I have added a new section to my blog. I get lots of emails with youtube videos. Some stimulate my brain; some dull my brain; some show people at their most outrageous. Susan Boyle was quite a hit, Charlie was too. So I have decided to add a link to a video I have enjoyed. I hope that the readers can enjoy them too. I’ll try to find videos that are enjoyable, and not too juvenile.
Despite the smoke from the controlled burn just a few miles away my deck climbed to 70° this afternoon. There was a little breeze, but nothing that kept me off the deck. I really want to get some plants, but realize it is still way to early for them to survive. I still bring the chair cushions in every night, just in case a sudden snowstorm covers everything again.
≈ A Quick Smile…
Do I look that shady? I just got a GPS for my car, and my first trip with it was to a drugstore. Since the manual said not to leave it in the car unattended, I brought it with me into the store. While there, the GPS came alive, and a voice stated, "Lost satellite contact."
I wasn't embarrassed until a woman turned to me and said, "Your ankle bracelet monitor is talking to you."
≈ Puzzle 1
When you behead a word, you remove the first letter and still have a valid word. You will be given clues for the two words, longer word first.
Example: Begin -> Sour, acidic Answer: The words are Start and Tart.
1. Mark left after healing -> Vehicle
2. To have hit -> Vehicle
3. Intelligent -> Individual store
4. Tiny -> Large retail complex
5. Take illegally -> Bluish green
6. Clean the floor -> Cry
7. Expressed in words -> Give assistance
8. Talk -> Highest level; summit
≈ Side Show Stories
MIDDLETON, Conn. - Connecticut researchers said they have scientifically verified a man's claims of memorizing the entirety of the epic poem "Paradise Lost" by John Milton.
John Basinger, 76, of Middleton, said it took him eight years to memorize the some 60,000 words of the poem and he can recite the entire 17th century work in three 8-hour sessions, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported. John Seamon, a psychology professor at Middleton's Wesleyan University, said he tested Basinger under clinical conditions after seeing him perform a portion of the poem.
He said the researchers recited two lines from the poem at random and Basinger was able to correctly recite the next 10 lines nearly 90 percent of the time. Seamon said Basinger's memorization method was relatively unusual due to the absence of mnemonic devices or constant repetition.
He said Basinger, who retired from teaching theater in 1993, spent much of his memorization time connecting to the characters emotionally and trying to understand their motivations.
≈ Puzzle 2: Brain Food
I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
≈ Calendar Information
• Observance Weeks in May•
16-22
National Dog Bite Prevention Week
National New Friends, Old Friends Week
National Transportation Week
World Trade Week
17-23
EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week
National Effectiveness Week
National Bike to Work Week
National Medical Transcription Week
National Backyard Games Week
• Today’s Observances—US/UN/World •
Eliza Doolittle Day
Weights & Measures Day
Massachusetts : Lafayette Day (1834-anniversary of his death)
North Carolina : Mecklenburg Day (1775)
• Today’s Observances—by country •
Bulgaria : Botev Day
Cambodia: National Day of Hatred
* The Full name is 'Day of Hatred against the genocidal Pol Pot-Ieng Sary-Khieu Samphan clique and the Sihanouk-Son Sann reactionary groups'. The Khmer name, when instituted in 1983, was T'veer Chong Kamhaeng ('Day of Tying Anger'). The name could also be translated as 'Day of Maintaining Rage'.
Cambodia : Martyrs Day (1979)
Cameroon : Constitution Day (1972)
Cuba:1902, Saudi Arabia-1927 : Independence Day
Zaïre : Revolution Day (1967)
• Today’s Number One Songs in…
For anyone interested, all these songs are available on iTunes.
"Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies." ~ Edward Bulwer-Lytton.
1935 ►What's the Reason (I'm Not Pleasin' You); Guy Lombardo
1945 ►Sentimental Journey; Les Brown
1955 ►Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White; Perez Prado
1965 ►Ticket to Ride; The Beatles
1975 ►Shining Star; Earth, Wind & Fire
1985 ►Everything She Wants; Wham!
• Today’s Happenings•
In The Arts
1891 ►History of cinema: The first public display of Thomas Edison's prototype kinetoscope.
In Athletics
1900 ►2nd modern Olympic games opens in Paris France (lasted 5 months)
In Business or Education
1310 ►Shoes were made for both right & left feet
1639 ►Dorchester MA, forms 1st school funded by local taxes
1874 ►Levi Strauss markets blue jeans with copper rivets, price $13.50 doz
1916 ►Saturday Evening Post cover features Norman Rockwell painting
In Politics
1493 ►A civil war battle among the Cakchiquel (Kaqchikel) Mayatakes place today in Guatemala.
1868 ►Republican National Convention, meets in Chicago, nominates Grant
1944 ►A group of officers from the German Army attempt an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler by exploding a bomb in his headquarters during a staffing meeting
In Science/ Religion
0526 ►Earthquake kills 250,000 in Antioch, Syria
1702 ►Franciscans have established the Mission of Santa Fe de Toluca at one of the largest Timucua villages in northern Florida.
1926 ►Thomas Edison says Americans prefer silent movies over talkies
1932 ►Amelia Earhart leaves Newfoundland 1st woman fly solo across Atlantic
1990 ►Hubble Space Telescope sends 1st photographs from space
• Today’s Births •
Artists, Writers, and Composers
John Stuart Mill philosopher/political economist/Utilitarian born in London, 1806
Athletes
Patrick Ewing, Jr., 26, American basketball player, born in Boston MA, Dad more famous
Entertainers
Cher, 64, singer (“Believe”), actress (Moonstruck), born Cherilyn Sarkisian at El Centro, CA
Joe Cocker, 66, singer (“You Are So Beautiful”), born Sheffield, England
George Gobel comedian/TV personality born in Chicago IL, 1919
Bronson Pinchot, 51, actor (“Perfect Strangers,” “Step by Step”), born New York, NY
Ronald Prescott Reagan, 52, television host, commentator, son of President Ronald Reagan, born Los Angeles, CA
Jimmy [James Maitland] Stewart, actor (Mr Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life) born in Indiana, PA, 1908
Business, Education Persons
William George Fargo founder (Wells Fargo) born in Pompey, NY, 1818
Lord "Benjie" Earl of Iveagh British brewer (Guinness)/large landowner born near Dublin, Ireland in 1937
William Thornton architect (Capitol building, Washington DC) born in British Virgin Islands, 1759
Political Persons
Cindy Hensley McCain, 56, wife of John McCain, born in Phoenix, AZ
Dolley Dandridge Payne Madison US 1st lady born in New Garden, NC, 1768
David Paterson, 56, Governor of New York (D), born Brooklyn, NY
Scientists /Religious Persons
Franciszek Macharski, 83, Polish Cardinal, born in Krakow, Poland
• Today’s Obits •
Walter Winchell columnist/narrator (Untouchables), @75 in 1972
Gilda Radner comedienne (Saturday Night Live), ovarian cancer @ 42 in 1989
≈ ANSWERS to Puzzle 1
1. Scar -> Car
2. Struck -> Truck
3. Smart -> Mart
4. Small -> Mall
5. Steal -> Teal
6. Sweep -> Weep
7. Said -> Aid
8. Speak -> Peak
≈ ANSWERS to Brain Food
A nose.
≈ Something you might enjoy…
In 2005, YouTube changed the internet forever. It is now available in 22 languages. Check out this one…
For those wondering why anyone would want to live in Arizona… Click here
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