This is Week 40 of 2010►Day 286 with 79 days left.
FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS
I am having some difficulty downloading my videos from my camera to my computer. The files are there, but the computer doesn’t recognize them. What a pain in the …. Technology can be great, then again, technology takes time and so tomorrow I will spend the time it takes to do it. I don’t get it right now, but a few hours at the computer should help. I have about 20 clips—each all less than one minute and I can watch them on the camera so I know they are there. I will conquer this.
I am totally fed up with the Airline business in the US. Every International carrier gives you one checked bag and one carryon, plus another small bag. You are treated very well on International Airlines—they seem to know that your comfort and care are what pay their salaries. All the internal carriers are much less customer friendly. US Carriers seem to figure—hey you want to get somewhere faster than driving, and we will do that; if you want anything else, you will pay, and if you aren’t in that seat, someone else will be. Then there is the food. On a three hour flight, oversees, here comes the free meal. On US carriers, here comes the credit card machine. Then there is the cost. Last year I flew to Chicago for $385. This year the same friggin’ flight on the same friggin’ days is $495. The hotel is the same price as last year. If I fly to Chicago for Christmas in either November or January, the flight is only $345. I realize that they have to make money, but this is crazy. I am sure that the extra $150 to fly near Christmas will allow the airlines to provide us with food, no charge for luggage, a Christmas drink or two, some home baked cookies or fudge, and a crew spreading holiday cheer. I can hardly wait to see what is in store for the now annual trip. I fly from Flagstaff for this trip, due to the uncertain weather. I have learned that the airlines do a decent job of getting passengers to their destination even if a flight is cancelled. One never knows what weather will happen in Flagstaff or on the road to Phoenix during this time of year. If I am late for a flight from Phoenix to Chicago, the airline doesn’t really care, so the shuttle or driving is risky. However if I am connecting in Phoenix, the airline will help.
I am getting very concerned about the changes in political funding. First of all, the total dollar amount spent on campaigns is staggering. I’m sure the media raises it ad prices during a political year, and where does all that money go? No one seems to be telling us. If a local Phoenix station runs campaign ad after campaign ad, where does the profit go? I know that there would probably be other mindless commercials, but campaign ads are getting ridiculous. Living in a small town, with no really local stations, we hear all the ads for people we never even get to vote for. What a waste of someone’s money. Now, with the recent Supreme Court decision, the politicians do not have to tell us who is giving them this money for the ads. Certainly corporations with specific agendas, and now foreign countries with specific agendas, can give money to a candidate and the candidate doesn’t have to tell anyone where the money came from. Corporations are not looking out for the little guy. The foreign donations—individual or governmental—may just be payback for the US interfering with other country’s politics in the past. A sort of tit for tat. Karzai, the ‘elected’ leader of Afghanistan, certainly had US backing—militarily and economically. Somehow we were lead to believe that by ‘backing’ him, we were helping the country—both the US and Afghanistan. When Hamas was the elected leadership in Gaza, we had a hard time justifying the election and spent much time saying that it was not a good election. Let’s say that Chinese businessmen want to have better trade with the US and they send money to US candidates who support those goals and the candidate gets elected, was it the best choice for America? If the candidate doesn’t get elected, what will the Chinese businessmen be saying? Will they claim that our election system was compromised?
I never saw myself as an International man. I can’t imagine getting involved in the politics of another nation. I know that many Americans, from many sectors, think that they should be involved. Isolationism has never worked, and certainly won’t work in today’s world of globalization. I do believe that we need to realize that the US didn’t get where we are overnight. Malaysia, Taiwan, Egypt, Scotland, South Africa all have their own form of democracy. They are wonderful places to visit. Unless one has lived there for an extended period of time, they have no business in their politics. As much as I abhor the practice of headhunters or of Apartheid, it is the people involved who have to change it. An artificial copying of another country’s customs or laws will only happen on the surface, not in the hearts and minds of the citizens. American economy would never accept the concept of bartering for essentials. It has been tried in small communities and has various degrees of success. For a country to suddenly outlaw bartering would cause complete chaos in their economy. A few months back there were two incidents in Congress that had Americans appalled. The first, when a Congressman yelled out ‘liar’ during one of Obama’s speech. The other when a Supreme Court Justice shook his head no during the State of the Union. The UK and many of its former colonies could not understand the outrage. This is common practice in their government. If and when a country wants to try our form of government, we should assist them. We should keep out otherwise. Other nations and citizens of other nations should stay out of our governmental process.
Flag had another nice fall day. Not a lot of wind, nice temperatures, and enjoyable. I even took time to clear the deck of pine needles, something I haven’t done since I left for holiday. The deck looks much better, I am happier, and the birds seem to be enjoying their food and water. Soon it will be time to pack up some of the deck furniture to prepare for the snow that will be coming.
Flag…H—69°; L—31°; RH—54%; and no breeze recorded. The NWS calls this a ‘fair’ day…I call it an outstanding day.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY—Malay Proverbs
To bend a bamboo, while it's still a shoot
(meaning of proverb: If you want to teach your child, it is better to do when he is still young)
Like a candle, burning itself to light the people
(meaning of proverb: someone has sacrificed himself just to help others)
Whoever eats chili gets burned
(meaning of proverb: people who make mistake should get the consequences)
If you chop water, it won't separate
(meaning of proverb: members in a family will close to each other even though they encountered problems in the past)
HOLY MACKEREL: 1982 IOC restores 2 gold medals from 1912 Olympics to Jim Thorpe
SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION
^ In many Latin American nations, the anniversary of Columbus' landing has traditionally been observed as the Dia de la Raza ("Day of the Race"), a celebration of Hispanic culture's diverse roots. In 2002, Venezuela renamed the holiday Dia de la Resistencia Indigena ("Day of Indigenous Resistance") to recognize native peoples and their experience.
^In many parts of the United States, Columbus Day has evolved into a celebration of Italian-American heritage. Local groups host parades and street fairs featuring colorful costumes, music and Italian food. In cities and towns that use the day to honor indigenous peoples, activities include pow-wows, traditional dance and lessons about Native American culture.
GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1—Double Jeopardy Answers—U.S. States
$200-ts Mormon founders called it Deseret
$400-The only state beginning with "A" that does not end in "A"
$600-The only state to touch 4 of the Great Lakes
$800-1 of 4 states that's officially a commonwealth
$1000-never asked, never answered
UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM
ST. CLOUD, FL — Most people growing marijuana illegally at least try to hide it from authorities. One man in central Florida was allegedly growing the plants in his front yard. Agents with the Osceola County Investigative Bureau arrested and charged Bryan Hartman on Monday for cultivation of cannabis. Authorities said Hartman had 17 marijuana plants — some as big as seven feet — that could "easily be seen from the roadway." The roots were growing in planters in the front of his St. Cloud house, just south of Orlando. Hartman was booked into the Osceola County Jail. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney.
A LITTLE LAUGH
The difference between "Men" and "Guys"
Men: know what they want to be doing five years down the road.
Guys: are not sure what they want to be doing later tonight.
Men: read Crichton, watch Rather, play golf.
Guys: read King, watch Seinfeld, play poker.
Men: wear ties with stripes, shirts with buttons, and shoes with laces.
Guys: wear high school T-shirts they've actually owned since high school.
Men: balance their checkbooks.
Guys: balance their loans so that they never hit up the same buddy twice in a row.
Men: claim to be feminist but still insist on opening doors, driving, and paying for dinner.
Guys: claim to be feminists so they can let YOU open doors, drive, and pay for dinner.
Men: are afraid of becoming their fathers.
Guys: are afraid of becoming men.
Men: put you on the phone when their mothers call.
Guys: pretend you're not there when their moms call.
FOUND ON ‘YOU TUBE’
Lenny Bruce was crass, and astute Click Here to View!
GREY MATTER PICTURE
This is a close up of what object?
SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION
¤ Weekly Observances ¤
10-16: Build Your Business with Business Cards Week ^ Emergency Nurses Week ^ Home-based Business Week ^ National Chestnut Week ^ National Food Bank Week ^ National Metric Week ^ Take Your Medicine Americans Week ^ World Rainforest Week
11-17: Fall Astronomy Week ^ National School Lunch Week
17-23: Food and Drug Interaction Education and Awareness Week ^ Getting The World To Beat A Path To Your Door Week ^ International Credit Union Week ^ Teen Read Week ^ National Chemistry Week ^ National Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy Week ^ YWCA Week without Violence ^ National Character Counts Week ^ National Forest Products Week ^ National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week ^ National School Bus Safety Week
18-24: Freedom From Bullies Week ^ Freedom of Speech Week ^ Medical Assistants Recognition Week ^ National Food Bank Week ^ National Infertility Awareness Week ^ National Massage Therapy Week ^ National Businesswomen's Week
24-31: Disarmament Week ^ Give Wildlife a Break Week ^ Pastoral Care Week ^ Peace, Friendship and Good Will Week ^ Prescription Errors Education & Awareness Week ^ International Magic Week ^ National Respiratory Care Week
27-11/3: World Hearing Aid Awareness Week
¤ Today’s Observances ¤
Navy Birthday
Emergency Nurses Day
International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
International Top Spinning Day
National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work & School Day
Burundi: Hero of the Nation Day: for assassination of Prince L Rwagasore in 1961
Thailand:National Police Day
UK: English Language Day: In 1362 the English language was first heard in the Open Parliament.
¤ Hit Songs on this date ¤
1890...Washington Post / U.S. Marine Band Click Here to View!
1910...Every Little Moment / Harry MacDonough & Lucy Isabelle Marsh
1930...Body and Soul / Paul Whiteman
1940…Only Forever / Bing Crosby Click Here to View!
1950…Goodnight Irene / Gordon Jenkins & the Weavers Click Here to View!
1960…Save the Last Dance for Me / The Drifters Click Here to View!
1970…I'll Be There / The Jackson 5 Click Here to View!
1980…Another One Bites the Dust / Queen Click Here to View!
¤ Today’s Births ¤
╬ THE ARTS
Herblock (Herbert L Block), political cartoonist, in 1909
Arna Bontemps, black author (100 years of negro freedom) in 1902
Lenny Bruce(Leonard Alfred Schneider), comedian, arrested on obscenity charges, in 1925
Chris Carter, 53, creator of “The X-Files,”
Sammy Hagar, 61, singer, musician
Conrad Richter, writer (The Light in the Forest) in 1890
Nipsey Russell, comedian (Car 54, Barefoot in the Park), in 1920
Paul Simon, 69, singer (Simon and Garfunkel), musician
Burr Tillstrom, puppeteer (Kukla, Fran & Ollie), in 1917 Click Here to View!
♦♦♦♦♦♦
Ashanti, 30, singer, actress (The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz), born Ashanti Sequoiah Douglas
Sasha Baron Cohen, 39, comedian, actor (“Da Ali G Show,” Borat), born London, England
Yves Montand, actor/singer (Z, Napoleon, Grand Prix), in 1921
Marie Osmond, 51, actress, singer
Cornel Wilde, actor (High Sierra, 5th Musketeer), in 1915
╬ ATHLETICS
Lou Saban, football: Indiana Univ QB; Cleveland Browns LB; Head Coach: NE Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, in 1921
Nancy Kerrigan, 41, former figure skater
Jerry Lee Rice, 48, football player, 49ers, Raiders, Broncos, Seahawks
Glenn Anton “Doc” Rivers, 49, basketball coach and former player: Hawks, Clippers, Knicks, Spurs
╬ BUSINESS & EDUCATION
--
╬ POLITICS
Molly Pitcher (Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley), America Revolution heroine, in 1754
Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher, 85, former Prime Minister of England
╬ SCIENCE & RELIGION
Horace H Hayden, cofounded 1st dental college, in 1769
¤ Today’s Obituaries ¤
Claudius, Roman Emperor, poisoned @ 64 in 54AD
Clarence Muse, actor (Sam-Casablanca), @ 90, in 1979
Ed Sullivan, TV host (Ed Sullivan Show), @ 73, in 1974
Jay Ward, animator (Rocky & His Friends), cancer @ 69, in 1989
¤ Today’s Events ¤
╬ THE ARTS
1947 "Kukla, Fran & Ollie" premieres
╬ ATHLETICS
1971 1st world series night game (Pittsburgh 4-Baltimore 3) (World Series #68)
╬ BUSINESS & EDUCATION
1860 1st aerial photo taken in US (from a balloon), Boston
1953 Burglar alarm-ultrasonic or radio waves-patented-Samuel Bagno
1984 John Henry becomes 1st thoroughbred to win $6 million
╬ INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
1864 Little Buffalo, with 700 of his fellow COMANCHEs, and KIOWAs, launched a series of raids along Elm Creek, ten miles from the Brazos River, in north-western Texas, today. Sixteen Texans and perhaps, twenty Indians will be killed in the fighting with the settlers, and the rangers, in the area.
╬ POLITICS (US)
1775 Continental Congress orders construction of a naval fleet
1792 The cornerstone of what was termed the President’s House was laid by George Washington in Washington, DC. The name, White House, was not officially adopted until 1902
1919 Race riot at Elaine Arkansas
1970 Angela Davis arrested in NYC
1980 Unprovoked slayings of 6 blacks in Buffalo, NY
╬ POLITICS (International)
1987 Costa Rican Pres Oscar Arias wins Nobel Peace Prize
╬ SCIENCE & RELIGION
1483 Rabbi Issac Abarbanel starts his exegesis on the Bible
1843 B'nai B'rith founded in NY
1987 1st military use of trained dolphins (US Navy in Persian Gulf)
GREY MATTER ANSWERS
↔ 1
$200-ts Mormon founders called it Deseret: What is Utah?
$400-The only state beginning with "A" that does not end in "A": What is Arkansas?
$600-The only state to touch 4 of the Great Lakes: What is Michigan?
$800-1 of 4 states that's officially a commonwealth: What is MA, KY, PA, or VA?
$1000-never asked, never answered
↔ PICTURE
A cocktail drink umbrella
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