Monday 6-28

This is Week 26 of 2010, Day 178 with 186 days left. It is Day 70 of the BP Mess.

Free Rambling Thoughts

Fire Update: Low winds increased the containment to 55% today. Still burning. We are not getting the massive smoke anymore.

I made the final payment for my trip today. Now just have to get a flight to LAX and wait for September. I know it’s going to be a great trip. So excited. Guess I’ll start looking for local English papers on line to the places I’m going.

I did watch the Mexico/Argentina Soccer match. Argentina was amazing. Alas, Mexico lost badly, just like four years ago. USA lost to Ghana four years ago too. I haven’t figured out why all the teams in each bracket always play the same teams every four years in the World Cup but getting to the World Cup is almost as complicated as the game itself.

I set up my hummingbird feeders today and am hoping some will find their new food source. I know there are hummingbirds in Flagstaff, but they just never seem to find my deck. My deck is so nice as a place to relax. It always has a slight breeze. I spent much of the afternoon out there, just enjoying a nice Flagstaff summer. I enjoy days like this once in a while, where I have no cares, and can just enjoy the day.

We made it to 88°, but only had 11% humidity. The NWS says we had 22mph gusts, but I sure didn’t see or feel them.

Holy Mackerel: On this date in 1952 ►Police struck at the heart of the resistance to segregation by jailing the leaders of the movement for crossing forbidden race barriers the leaders included Nelson Mandela

My Quote For The Day

Joseph Campbell: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

Somewhat Useless Information

Chase Field in Phoenix opened on March 31, 1998. Architects eliminated the threat of having fans sit for over three hours in Arizona's hot summer sun by designing a retractable roof over the entire stadium. The roof weighs over nine million pounds and takes just over four minutes to open or close.

Grey Matter Puzzle 1

Can you decipher the following common phrase? L8AAAAPORVERYTANTD8

Unusual News Item

EVERETT, WA - Washington State authorities said a man who claimed car thieves stole his $33,000 silk necktie collection has been charged with insurance fraud. The Washington Insurance Commissioner's office said Carlton Wopperer, 49, is facing two counts of insurance fraud in Snohomish County Superior Court after he allegedly claimed three times a collection of 212 ties had been stolen from his vehicle, the Seattle Times reported Thursday. Wopperer received $16,900 from his insurance company in 2000 when he reported the theft of 212 ties, and received $33,370 in January 2009 when he claimed a collection of the same size had been taken from his vehicle. However, after submitting a claim six months later claiming the ties he purchased as replacements were stolen, investigators determined he had been buying ties and immediately returning them so he would have receipts to back up his theft claims. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler described the case as classic insurance fraud.

A Little Laff

While shopping in a food store, two nuns happened to pass by the beer cooler. One nun said to the other, "Wouldn't a nice cool beer or two taste wonderful on a hot summer evening?"

The second nun answered "Indeed it would Sister, but I wouldn't feel comfortable buying beer as I am certain that it would cause a scene at the check-out counter."

"I can handle that without a problem" she replied as she picked up a six-pack and headed for the check-out.

The cashier had a surprised look on his face when the two nuns arrived with a six-pack of beer. "We use beer for washing our hair" the nun said, "A shampoo, of sorts, if you will."

Without blinking an eye, the cashier reached under the counter, pulled out a package of pretzel sticks and placed them in the bag with the beer. He then looked the nun straight in the eye, smiled and said, "The curlers are on the house.."

Grey Matter Puzzle 2

I have hands that wave at you, though I never say goodbye.

It's cool for you to be with me, especially when I say, "HI."

What am I?

My You Tube Site of the Day

Quick view of Rubens’ paintings: Click Here!

Grey Matter Picture--This is a close up of what common object?

Get a grip.

Some Calendar Info

► Weekly Observances ◄

28 -7/5: Fish Are Friends, Not Food! Week AND National Prevention of Eye Injuries Awareness

► Today’s Observances ◄

Paul Bunyan Day

Please Take My Children To Work Day

Malta : Mnarja Day-recreate customs of Middle Ages

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

The Gypsy The Ink Spots in 1946

The Wayward Wind Gogi Grant in 1956

Strangers in the Night Frank Sinatra in 1966

Silly Love Songs Paul McCartney & Wings in 1976

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Peter Paul Rubens, 1577, Siegen, Flemish Baroque painter, born in Siegen, Westphalia region of Germany

Richard Rodgers, 1902, composer (Rodgers & Hammerstein) , born in Hammels Station NY

+++

Kathy Bates, 62, actress (Oscar for Misery; Failure to Launch, Fried Green Tomatoes), born Memphis, TN

Mel Brooks, 82, actor, director (The Producers, Blazing Saddles), born Melvyn Kaminsky at New York, NY

John Cusack, 44, actor (High Fidelity, Say Anything, The Grifters, Bullets over Broadway), born Chicago, IL

Carl Levin, 76, US Senator (D, Michigan), born Detroit, MI

Gilda Radner, 1946, comedienne (SNL-Baba Wawa) , born in Detroit, MI

…Athletics

John Albert Elway, 50, Bronco Quarterback, born Port Angeles, WA

…Business & Education

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1712, French philosopher, born in Geneva, Switzerland

…Politics

Henry VIII, King of England, 1491, born in Greenwich Palace

…Science / Religion

Maria Goeppert Mayer, 1906, US atomic physicist (Nobel 1963) , born in Kattowitz, Upper Silesia (now Germany)

John Wesley ,1703, religious leader: founder of ‘Methodism’, born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England

► Obituaries today ◄

James Madison 4th US pres, @ 85 in 1836

Maria Mitchell 1st US woman astronomer, @ 71 in 1889

Archduke Ferdinand @ 51 & wife Sofia @ 46 of Austria assassinated (starts WW I) in 1914

Frank Sutton actor (Sgt Carter-Gomer Pyle USMC), heart attack @ 55 in 1974

Rod Serling writer/host (Twilight Zone, Night Gallery), heart attack during open heart surgery @ 60 in 1975

► Events ◄

…The Arts

1940 ►"Quiz Kids?" premiers on radio

1951 ►"Amos 'n' Andy" premiers on CBS TV

…Athletics

1971 Supreme Court overturns draft evasion conviction of Muhammad Ali

1997 ►Mike Tyson was disqualified after biting off part of Evander Holyfield's ear

…Business & Education

1770 ►Quakers open a school for blacks in Philadelphia

1918 ►1st flight between Hawaiian Islands

…Politics (US)

1894 ►Labor Day established as a federal employees holiday

1976 ►Women entered the Air Force Academy for the first time on this day

…Politics (outside US)

1919 ►Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles with the Allies, officially ending World War I.

…Science / Religion

1820 ►Tomato is proven nonpoisonous

Grey Matter Answers

…1

Late for a very important date! L8 A A A A VERY IN PORTANT D8

…2

An electric fan

Grey Matter Photo

door handle
Today’s Photo Shot

Borneo:

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