Monday July 12

This is Week 28 of 2010, Day 193 with 172 days left. It is Day 84 of the BP Mess.

FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS

Today’s FIFA World Cup game is in the books. The winner seems to be South Africa. Nelson Mandela was there to greet the crowd. Fears that security in this crime ridden country would be ineffective were wrong. Spain and the Netherlands played a game that was little more than penalties. Netherlands seems to think they could win if they had the most severe penalties. Spain kept its cool and scored the only point in Extra Time—what we Americans call Overtime. We saw crowd shots from Madrid where 250,000 people were in the street watching the game. The Netherlands shot had about 100,000 watching in their streets. Now everyone goes home, remembering that South Africa, with all its problems, was able to provide the world with 62 great games of championship soccer.

Just as I finished reading the Sunday paper on my deck, it started to rain. I was just headed inside to watch the game. The rain continued for about 45 minutes, then stopped, and a little later, came back for another 30 minutes. There was enough rain to form a small lake at each of the speed bumps. There was enough rain to make mud. The monsoons are so nice for the forest, for the land, and for all of us. The big fear this year of course is that homes in the area below the fire will be plagued with flooding. Sandbags were given out earlier in the week to help those in the most danger. There were even hay drops in the areas where the lack of trees will lead to torrents of rain down the steep slopes. So many will suffer for so long because on a careless camper.

Our high of 82° came before the rain. The rain quickly dropped the temperature to about 70° and after the rain we got back up to 73°. Overall it was a good day.

HOLY MACKEREL: On this date in 1817 ►1st flower show held (Dannybrook, County Cork, Ireland)

MY QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Goeffrey Latham: Music is the vernacular of the human soul.

SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION

The odds of becoming a lightning victim in the U.S. in any one year is 1 in 700,000. The odds of being struck in your lifetime is 1 in 3,000.

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1

Can you identify these movies?

1 F over the C N

2 T (in The L of the R)

3 D of the C

4 W and a F

UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM

NEW YORK - A New York high school fired two female teachers who were found one recent evening allegedly drunk and at least partially naked in a classroom, officials said. New York High School Superintendent Linda Waite's report of the Nov. 20 incident said James Madison High School French teacher Cindy Mauro, 34, and Spanish teacher Alini Brito, 30, were found in a classroom at 8:50 p.m. by maintenance workers, the New York Daily News reported Friday. Waite said the workers reported seeing "a woman lying on the floor naked from the waist up" and a school safety officer summoned to the classroom said the women were "naked," with one "on her knees" and one "lying on the floor." The superintendent said the teachers appeared drunk, displaying slurred speech, red eyes and difficulty walking without stumbling. Waite said there were students in the building at the time of the incident, as the annual SING! competition was underway. Mark Nussbaum, an attorney for Mauro and Brito, said the teachers have requested a formal hearing to contest the allegations.

A LITTLE LAUGH

A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners.

At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid, for I was naked."

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2

Fred Smith bought a used car for £4,000 and sold it to Alice for £5,000. Fred later bought it back for £6,000 and then resold it to Alan £7,000. How much profit did Fred make?

FOUND ON YOU TUBE

Gotta Like the Etch-A-Sketch Click Here!

GREY MATTER PICTURE

This is a close up of what common object?

SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION

► Weekly Observances ◄

10-12: International Chicken Wing Week

11-17: National Farrier’s Week: Horseshoe People

…………Sports Cliché Week

12-18: National Parenting Gifted Children Week

► Today’s Observances ◄

International Town Criers Day

Central African Republic, Chad, Congo : Independence Day (1960)

Northern Ireland : Orangeman's Day (1690)

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

Mona Lisa: Nat "King" Cole in 1950

I'm Sorry: Brenda Lee in 1960

Mama Told Me (Not to Come): Three Dog Night in 1970

Coming Up (Live at Glasgow): Paul McCartney in 1980

Step by Step: New Kids on the Block in 1990

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Van Cliburn, 76, pianist, born Harvey Lavan Cliburn, Jr, at Shreveport, LA

Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist who worked with Richard Rodgers born in 1895 NYC

Henry David Thoreau, naturalist/author/pacifist born in 1817 Concord MA

Josiah Wedgewood, pottery designer/manufacturer born in 1730 Burslem, Staffordshire, England

+++

Milton Berle, comedian (Uncle Miltie, Mr Television) born in 1908 Harlem NYC

Bill Cosby, 72, comedian, actor (Emmys for “I Spy,” “The Cosby Show”), born Philadelphia, PA

George Eastman, inventor: Kodak camera; flexible roll film born in 1854 Waterville, NY

‘Curly’ Joe DeRita (Joseph Wardell), comedian(actually the second Curly): The Three Stooges born in 1909 Los Angeles, CA

…Athletics

Kristi Tsuya Yamaguchi, 39, Olympic gold medal figure skater, born Hayward, CA

…Business & Education

Richard Simmons, 62, television personality, weight-loss guru, author, born New Orleans, LA

…Politics

Julius Caesar, Roman Emperor born in 100BC Subura, Rome

…Science / Religion

George Washington Carver, studied the peanut born in 1864 or 65 Crystal Place, now known as Diamond, MO

R Buckminster Fuller, architect (invented geodesic dome) born in 1895 Milton, MA

► Obituaries today ◄

Former First Lady, Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson, better known as Lady Bird Johnson passed @ 94 in 2007

Ted Mack, TV host (Original Amateur Hour), @ 72 in 1976

► Events ◄

…The Arts

1946 ►The Adventures of Sam Spade was heard on ABC radio for the first time.

1960 ►The first Etch-A-Sketch went on sale.►

…Athletics

1928 ►1st televised tennis match

…Business & Education

1859 ►Paper bag manufacturing machine patented by William Goodale, MA

…Indigenous People

1775 ►A part of a legislative bill allocates $500 to Dartmouth College, in New Hampshire, to be dedicated to the education of Indian youth.

…Politics (US)

1862 ►Congress authorizes Medal of Honor

1957 ►1st President to fly in helicopter-Dwight Eisenhower

1982 ►FEMA promises survivors of a nuclear war will get their mail

…Politics (outside US)

1960 ►USSR's Sputnik 5 launched with 2 dogs

…Science / Religion

1987 ►The Church of England has been criticized for it's investments in South Africa due to the countries Apartheid Policies , but they have refused to stop investing in South African companies and land

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

…1

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Three Days of the Condor

Four Weddings and a Funeral

…2

£2,000: imagine Fred started with £20,000, after buying it he would have had £16,000. He sold it to Alice, which left him with £21,000 and then bought it again leaving him £15,000. Fred finally sold it again leaving him with £22,000. So Fred's profit was £2,000.

…Photo

A stack of Plastic Cups

TODAY’S PHOTO SHOT

Soccer is palyed everywhere.

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Sunday July 11

This is Week 28 of 2010, Day 192 with 173 days left. It is Day 83 of the BP Mess.

FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS

The monsoon arrived at my place this afternoon with a nice 20 minute rain and a little thunder. The clouds even stayed around, so maybe another shower tonight.

I stayed close to home today. No need to go anywhere and after seeing yesterday’s traffic I wasn’t about to look for a reason to go anywhere. I added a thistle net feeder to my back area a couple of weeks ago. Today, after just a few days, the thing was empty. The finches of all colors have found the feeder and spend a lot of time here. Nice to see the greens, reds, and occasional blues. They don’t even mind that I am sitting on the deck. Other birds don’t usually come around when I am sitting on the deck.

The World Cup game—Uruguay and Germany—was a great game. I was pushing for Uruguay but they lost. It was still a good game. Soccer is not a game you can sort of watch like football. So many times in football you can listen and still be able to catch the scoring. Every minute of soccer needs your attention. Every score is instantaneous and certainly unexpected. The scores don’t come very often, but when they do, you want to be glued to the screen. It is an amazing game. Tomorrow is the end of the World Cup for another four years and the game should be very exciting. Spain and Netherlands play and I’ll be pushing for Spain.

Did you ever hear of the sable antelope? I sure hadn’t. One of my FB friends, a guide in SA, mentioned in a post he had seen leopards and sables that day. The only sable I knew was the furry critter from Russia and could not figure out what they were doing in SA. I made a snarky comment on his page. He made another post that he had seen the oldest bull. Thanks to Google I found out about the sable antelope. Always learning, next time I will be more careful about my snarky comments.

Our monsoon rain didn’t come soon enough to keep things really nice. We hit 85° on the deck before the showers. The humidity before and after the rain and basically no breeze kept it kinda sticky most of the day. Looking forward to a better day tomorrow.

HOLY MACKEREL: On this date in 1812 ►US invades Canada (Detroit frontier)

MY QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Hamilton Fish (Gov of NY, Sec of State [Grant]): If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace.

SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION

Lightning is a giant discharge of electricity accompanied by a brilliant flash of light and a loud crack of thunder. The spark can reach over five miles in length, raise the temperature of the air by as much as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and contain a hundred million electrical volts.

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1

Here's a riddle you can solve with ease.

You have to think, but if you are wise,

Take note of the special words I use.

You must use your ears and not your eyes.

It's one of a kind, no debt it owes.

What's unique? The answer you must seize.

Although it would help to see some jays,

I'm not talking of the birds and bees.

As you search through two not seven seas,

Note each line ends like a pair of peas.

Don't wait to answer, there are no queues.

You should know by now, I'm such a tease.

UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM

VILLA RICA, GA. - Georgia police said they arrested a man who pulled a gun on his mother and detained her for at least 6 hours because she refused to iron his clothes. Sgt. Marc Griffith with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office said Robert Edward Tyrrell Jr., 29, of Villa Rica, argued with his 51-year-old mother at the home he shares with his parents June 30 when she refused to iron his clothes, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday. "He wanted her to do some ironing, and when she said 'no,' they got into an argument," Griffith said. "He told her 'ironing is woman's work.'" "Mama finally said, 'I'm not ironing your clothes,' and he went cuckoo on her," Griffith said. Griffith said Tyrrell then pulled a gun on his mother and took away her keys and cell phone. He said the suspect refused to let his mother leave for at least 6 hours. Police said the mother was eventually able to get away and reported the incident at a police station. Tyrrell was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment.

A LITTLE LAUGH

I answer a lot of questions at the information desk at Olympic National Park, in Washington State. But one visitor stumped me: "Do you have any trails that just go downhill?"

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2

A couple were invited a local party, they arrived early and were offered some of the freshly made, iced punch. They couldn't stay at the party very long and left early. The next day they found out that everyone else who had drunk the punch had been poisoned and had fallen very ill. Why was the couple not ill?

FOUND ON YOU TUBE

Learning something new Click Here!

GREY MATTER PICTURE

This is a close up of what common object?

SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION

► Weekly Observances ◄

10-12: International Chicken Wing Week

11-17: National Farrier’s Week: Horseshoe People

…………Sports Cliché Week

► Today’s Observances ◄

National Cheer Up The Lonely Day

Bowdler's Day: The guy who ‘cleaned up’ Shakespere and Old Testament for ‘family reading’

World Population Day

Appleton Cheshire, England : Bawming the Thorn Day

Dahomey, Ivory Coast, Niger, Upper Volta : Independence Day (1960)

Mongolia : National Day (1921)

North Belgium : Flemish Day

Northern Ireland: Bonfire Night, precursor to The Twelfth

People's Republic of China: China National Maritime Day

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

Stairway to the Stars: Glenn Miller in 1939

Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend): Vaughn Monroe in 1949

Lonely Boy: Paul Anka in 1959

In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus): Zager & Evans in 1969 Hear It Here!

Bad Girls: Donna Summer in 1979

If You Don't Know Me by Now: Simply Red in 1989

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Giorgio Armani, 74, fashion designer, born Romagna, Italy

Harold Bloom, 80, literary critic, born New York, NY

Elwyn Brooks ‘E.B.’ White, writer (Charlotte's Web, Elements of Style) born in 1899 Mt. Vernon, NY

+++

Yuliy Borisovich 'Yul' Brynner, actor (King & I) born in Vladivostok, Russian Far East, Russian Empire

Tab Hunter (Arthur Gelien), 79, actor (Damn Yankees, “The Tab Hunter Show”), born New York, NY

…Athletics

Leon Spinks, 57, former boxer, born St. Louis, MO

…Business & Education

Harry Von Zell, TV announcer (Burns & Allen) born in 1906 Indianapolis, IN

…Politics

John Quincy Adams, 6th Pres born in 1767 Braintree (now Quincy), MA

Robert the Bruce (Raibeart Bruis), Scotland’s King (1328-1329) born in 1274 Turnberry Castle,Ayrshire Scotland

…Science / Religion

--

► Obituaries today ◄

George Gershwin, composer (American in Paris), brain tumor @ 38 in 1937

Alexander Hamilton, killed by VP Aaron Burr in pistol duel near Weehawken @ 49 in 1804

Sir Laurence Olivier, acting great, @ 82 in 1989

Thomas F Waddell, founder of Gay Olympics, AIDS @ 50 in 1987

► Events ◄

…The Arts

1859 ►A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is published.

1960 ►To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is first published.

1998 ►The world’s most famous three tenors sing at the world cup open-air concert in Paris with a crowd of 100,000 people gathered around the Eiffel Tower. This is the third time the three tenors ( Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti ) have performed at World Cups ( Italy in 1990 and America in 1994 ) and their concert was watched by an estimated two billion people in 75 countries around the world.

…Athletics

1914 ►Babe Ruth debuted in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox

1962 ►Fred Baldasare is 1st to swim English Channel underwater (scuba)

1967 ►Longest All Star Game, NL beats AL 2-1 (15 inn) (Anaheim Stadium, Cal)

…Business & Education

1893 ►The first cultured pearl is obtained by Kokichi Mikimoto.

…Indigenous People

1713: ►After the conclusion of "Queen Anne's War" in 1712, local settlers, and the Abenaki Indians finally sign a peace treaty.

…Politics (US)

1781 ►Thomas Hutchins designated Geographer of the US

1798 ►US Marine Corps created by an act of Congress

1916 ►1st federal grant-in-aid for state roads enacted

1955 ►President Eisenhower signed a bill requiring use of the inscription 'In God We Trust' on all paper money.

…Politics (outside US)

1987 ►Today for the first time in history the world’s population exceeded 5 billion when the UN Secretary General proclaimed the infant Matej Gasper born today as the 5 billionth person on earth.

…Science / Religion

1991 ►Total solar eclipse is seen in Hawaii

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

…1

Each line ends with a word that sounds like double letters. "Peas" sounds like two p's. Both "seize" and "seas" sound like two c's.

…2

The poison was in the ice cubes and as the couple had arrived early the ice had not yet melted. As the evening progressed the ice melted and poisoned the punch.

…Photo

Coin slot on bubble gum machine
TODAY’S PHOTO SHOT

Olympia National Park

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Saturday July 10

This is Week 27 of 2010, Day 191 with 174 days left. It is Day 82 of the BP Mess.

FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS

Yeah weekend! Boo traffic. I had to go out twice today, due to poor planning. This morning there was a little more traffic than usual, but not bad. This afternoon, the traffic was horrendous. I really like where I live. I don’t like getting out of the neighborhood when there is heavy traffic. There is no way out without getting onto Hwy 89. Except for our townhouses the entire neighborhood is a manufactured home community. We are backed right up to the forest. When 89 is busy turning north is impossible, but I hardly ever have to go that way. Turning right is not easy either. 89 is the main artery to the rez, Page, and numerous developments in the Doney Park area. It’s amazing how many vehicles use the road. After finally getting on to 89 it was bumper to bumper to the freeway—about 2 miles. I needed to get to the grocery store near downtown. The traffic wasn’t much better even after the freeway. Getting home was a little easier but still got caught at every single light. Finally, turning into the development was just as difficult as getting out. Better planning has to be on my agenda, especially when I know there is traffic.

For the past thirty plus years, the governors of the US border states have met annually with the governors of the Mexican border states. They meet to discuss a wide variety of issues. They discuss technology, education, agriculture, wildlife, health, and water issues. Also on the agenda is how to get more Mexican citizens to spend more money in the US and how to get more American citizens to spend more money in Mexico. Both sides want to make the visiting tourists to have a good experience. Well, this year’s conference was set to be in AZ. Some of the Mexican governors had expressed concern about coming to AZ after 1070 goes into effect. Our non-elected governor responded in her usual political mode and cancelled the conference. She did not contact the other US governors about alternatives. She did not contact the Mexican governors about alternatives. She just cancelled the conference. And people still believe that SB1070 is not a racist bill. By not even meeting with these leaders, she is setting up AZ for failure. Time will tell if the conference will be held somewhere else. Time will tell if our non elected governor will attend the conference in some other state. Childish behavior. To add more wood to the border fire, the state treasurer, a Republican, was running against Brewer in a primary. Today he announced he is withdrawing from the primary and throwing his full support to Brewer “in her fight against Obama.” Six months ago the primary was expected to be a run away for the Treasurer.

My first trip today was across town on the freeway. Most of the drive was in a light rain shower. It didn’t rain at my place; it didn’t rain once I got off the freeway. So I still have hope for the monsoons, even though there was no rain on the way home. It has been cloudy most of the day. It has been humid—43% and it has been very warm—83°. The monsoons have to almost here. They must be waiting for an engraved invitation.

HOLY MACKEREL: On this date in 1962 ►Telstar, 1st geosynchronous communications satellite, launched http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuA-fqKCiAE

MY QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Daniel Defoe: The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.

SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION

A human brain weighs about three pounds.

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1

What does this represent?

Ag Ag Ag Ag Ag

Ag CIRRUS Ag

Ag Ag Ag Ag Ag

Ag Ag Ag Ag Ag

Ag CUMULUS Ag

Ag Ag Ag Ag Ag

Ag Ag Ag Ag Ag

Ag STRATUS Ag

Ag Ag Ag Ag Ag

UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM

OLIVER, British Columbia - Volunteer firefighters in a Canadian town found themselves in hot water for quenching their thirst with beer they rescued from a fire they extinguished. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Tuesday the entire fire department in Oliver, British Columbia -- more than 30 members -- were suspended for two weeks after it was determined they drank at least one of the six beer kegs they removed from a burning hotel in May. Initially, just two volunteer firefighters were suspended and the chief took a leave of absence. But Mayor Pat Hampson said a closer look revealed a wider problem.

"The fire department approached us and said, 'Look, we've made a stupid mistake here, and we feel we should all take responsibility for it, even the members who aren't at the incident,' just to show solidarity amongst themselves," he said. The suspensions will be staggered, so to speak, so the town isn't left without fire protection.

A LITTLE LAUGH

A lawyer walks into his client's death row cell and says, "I've got good news, and bad news for you.. " The prisoner says. " Okay. What's the bad news? " "The bad news is that the Governor won't issue a stay of your execution...you go to the chair at 7 PM tonight." "Oh, that's horrible. What possibly could be the good news?"

"The good news is that I got your voltage reduced!"

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2

Name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

FOUND ON YOU TUBE

Mr. Wizard made science for girls and boys: Click Here to see an old show!

GREY MATTER PICTURE

This is a close up of what common object?

SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION

► Weekly Observances ◄

4-10: Freedom Week AND Be Nice To New Jersey Week

10-12: International Chicken Wing Week

► Today’s Observances ◄

Clerihew Day: The birthday of Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875-1956), inventor of the clerihew, has been designated "Clerihew Day" by the man's many followers. The clerihew, a wholly frivolous poetic form, is a four-line verse adhering to the rhyme scheme AABB. The first line consists of a personal name, while those that follow traditionally are, or purport to be, biographical in nature. Little, if any, attention is paid to meter.

Don't Step On A Bee Day

Hop A Park Day

Teddy Bears' Picnic Day

Wyoming: Statehood Day (1890)

Albania: Army Day

Bahamas: Independence Day (1973)

Mauritania: Armed Forces Day (under French rule until 1960-part of Senagal)

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

Music, Maestro, Please: Tommy Dorsey in 1938

Woody Wood-Pecker: Kay Kyser in 1948

Purple People Eater: Sheb Wooley in 1958

This Guy's in Love with You: Herb Alpert in 1968

Shadow Dancing: Andy Gibb in 1978

The Flame: Cheap Trick in 1988

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Saul Bellow, novelist (Nobel 1976-Mr Samler's Planet) born in 1915 Quebec

Earl Hamner Jr., 87, writer: Palm Springs Weekend, Spencer’s Mountain, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story; creator: Falcon Crest; executive producer, narrator: The Waltons born in Schuyler, VA

Ima Hogg, art patron/founder of the Houston Symphony born in 1882 Mineola, TX

James (Abbott McNeill) Whistler, artist: Whistler’s Mother born in 1834 in Lowell, MA

+++

Nick Adams, actor (Johnny Yuma-The Rebel) born in 1931 Nanticoke PA

Ron Glass, 65, actor (“Barney Miller,” voice on “Rugrats”), born Evansville, IN

Arlo Guthrie, 63, singer (“The City of New Orleans,” “Alice’s Restaurant”), born Brooklyn, NY

Fred Gwynne, actor (Car 54 Where Are You, Munsters) born in 1926 NYC

Jessica Simpson, 30, singer, actress (Dukes of Hazzard), born Abilene, TX

…Athletics

Arthur Ashe, tennis pro (1968 US Open) born in 1943 Richmond VA

Jake LaMotta, middleweight boxing champ (1949-51) (Raging Bull) born in 1921 Bronx, NY

…Business & Education

David Brinkley, NBC News anchor (Huntley-Brinkley) born in 1920 Wilmington NC

Adolphus Busch, brewer: founder of Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest beer brewery born in 1839 Kastel, a district ofWiesbaden in the Grand Duchy of Hesse (Now Germany)

Donald Jeffrey Herbert Kemske Mr. Wizard, science teacher, actor: born in 1917 Waconia, MN

…Politics

Sir William Blackstone, jurist (Blackstone's Commentaries) born in 1723 London, England

David Norman Dinkins, 83, former and first black mayor of New York City (D), born Trenton, NJ

…Science / Religion

John Calvin, Protestant religious reformer/theologian born in 1509 Noyon , France

► Obituaries today ◄

Bridget Bishop, first Salem witch hung in 1692

Mel Blanc, voice of cartoon characters (Bugs Bunny), @ 81 in 1989

Arthur Fiedler, orch leader (Boston Pops), @ 84 in 1979

Johann Galle, discoverer of Neptune with telescope, @ 97 in 1910

Clement Clarke Moore, writer ('Twas the Night Before Xmas), @ 83 in 1863

Kevin O'Higgins (Caoimhín Críostóir Ó hUigín), Irish Free State VP, assassinated @ 35 in 1927

Gerome Ragal, author (Hair), cancer @ 48 in 1991

► Events ◄

…The Arts

1866 ►Edison P. Clark of Northampton, MA patented his indelible pencil.

…Athletics

1982 ►Miguel Vasquez makes 1st public quadruple somersault on trapeze

…Business & Education

1892 ►1st concrete-paved street built (Bellefountaine, Ohio)

1925 ►John T. Scopes, a science teacher in Tennessee, was charged with violating the state's Butler Act, which made it illegal to teach evolution in Tennessee schools.

…Indigenous People

1854 ►According to their Indian Agent, 200 Sacs and Foxes, are attacked by a force of 1500 Comanches, Kiowas, Osage, and Apaches near Smoky Hill, 100 miles west of Fort Riley, in central Kansas

…Politics (US)

1917 ►Emma Goldman imprisoned for obstructing the draft

1929 ►US issues newer, smaller-sized paper currency

1934 ►1st sitting US president to visit South America, FDR in Colombia

…Politics (outside US)

1940 ►Winston Churchill made many memorable speeches in World War II but one of the sentences that is his famous speech where he used the words "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few", referring to the allied pilots who fought against the German pilots in the Battle of Britain

…Science / Religion

1938 ►Aviator Howard Hughes makes a record flight around the world

1987 ►The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior is sunk when French agents plant a bomb on the hull of the boat

1998 ►The Diocese of Dallas agreed to pay $23.4 million to nine former altar boys

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

…1

Every cloud has a silver lining. Cirrus, cumulus, and stratus are types of clouds. Ag is the chemical symbol for silver.

…2

Yesterday, today, tomorrow

…Photo

Green Olive on a toothpick

TODAY’S PHOTO SHOT

Amazing Shawdows

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Thursday July 8

This is Week 27 of 2010, Day 190 with 175 days left. It is Day 81 of the BP Mess.

FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS

I’m not sure why this summer’s monsoon seems to be just teasing us. I have watched summer monsoons in Flagstaff since the 70’s. It has never been like the monsoons in other parts of the world. When I came to AZ and they talked about ‘monsoon’ I kinda thought of India with the heavy torrential rains that both brought life and took life in that country. Well, AZ monsoons aren’t really torrential. During the monsoon season we do have hard, heavy thunderstorms with lots of thunder and lightning. Those that live in very low lying areas do have flash floods. Flag and Phoenix and other AZ roads will flood when the drainage system can’t handle the debris that is swept into the drainage system. Our monsoons do not turn our desert into Shangri-La with green hanging vines on the trees. It turns out that the word ‘monsoon’ has more to do with the seasonal shift in wind direction which usually leads to instability in the upper atmosphere. That instability leads to more moisture than at other times of the year. Our Flagstaff monsoon usually brings a buildup of huge dark clouds in the afternoon, followed by thunder, lightning, and hard rain for less than an hour. Everything gets wet; there is substantial runoff since the rain comes so fast, everything cools off a lot. Then the sun comes out and we wait a day or two for more ‘monsoons’. For the past few days we have had the cloud buildup. Several times we could smell the rain, but none of it is making down to the ground. All the Phoenix weather gurus are saying that the rains are coming. We are ready. Bring them on. Last winter was a record setting year for amount of snow and time the snow stayed on the ground. I keep hoping that we will have record monsoons. I hoping for a record in the number of days it really actually rains. I am sure hoping that we don’t have record flash floods. It would be very nice to have afternoon rain showers every day and that they have time to soak in. Too much? Probably.

BP must believe that Americans are dumb. Today they announced that the leaking oil should be stopped on July 27 when the relief well will reach the leaking well. Amazingly July 27 is also the day they release their quarterly reports to their investors. This has to be more than a coincidence. Today they are feet away from the well. I know it takes some extra prep to do those final few feet so the disaster doesn’t become worse. For the past 80 days they have been prepping for this day. BP is also facing a deadline to put another cap on the well. This cap has to measure the actual amount of oil gushing out. BP doesn’t want that cap to be used, because then everyone would find out that their estimates have been off by as much as a power of 10. Without measuring the outflow, BP can say just about anything they want. Just plug the damn hole.

Flag was hot today. My deck reached 94° this afternoon. We had a 30% chance of showers, but that didn’t happen. Our HOA decided this would be a good day to clean up the area of pine needles. There were four or five guys out with rakes cleaning up the entire area—including the areas right by our homes. I have a small electric blower and have done some clean up but these guys really go into it. Of course they only did the front areas—where tenants and visitors see it daily. The ten feet between my deck and the property line fence still have several inches of needles. No one every walks around back there, so I guess it’s my job to clean that up. If it is cool tomorrow morning I’ll get out there and do something—again.

HOLY MACKEREL: On this date in 1953 ►1st helicopter passenger service (NYC)  

MY QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Thomas Carlyle: Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.

SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION

The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, stands just over 555 feet and is made of marble, granite, and sandstone. Built to honor George Washington, the Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure in the world. The largest Egyptian Pyramid is 468 feet.

***

President Franklin D. Roosevelt believed that Thomas Jefferson deserved a memorial, along with Washington and Lincoln. The domed, white-marble structure is surrounded by twenty-six columns with a 19-foot-tall bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson featured in the center. Construction began in 1938 and was finished in 1943.

***

Inspired by the designs of Greek temples, the Lincoln Memorial features 36 columns representing the number of states in the union at the time of Lincoln's death. The famous seated statue of Lincoln was carved from 28 blocks of white Georgia marble.

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1

Below are words or phrases grouped in pairs. There is a different word that fits in the middle of each set that can be defined by both sides. Your task is to find those words.

Example: Flower ________ Stood Answer: Rose

1. Enclosure for animals - __________ - Writing instrument

2. Male sheep - __________ - Collide into something

3. To shove one thing inside another - __________ - A collection of miscellaneous items

4. Not specific or definite - __________ - Military officer of very high rank

UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM

NEW YORK - A New York judge ordered a couple to divide their home with a wall but an attorney for one half of the couple says they already live "like there was a wall." Pinchs and Nechama Gold, an Orthodox Jewish couple, have been married for 21 years but Nechama Gold says her husband verbally abuses her and their five children, the New York Post reported. Judge Eric Prus Thursday ordered the Golds to divide their 3,000-square-foot home in two while the divorce proceeds -- giving them two weeks to decided where to put the wall or leaving it up to the court to make the decision, the newspaper said. Abe Konstam, an attorney for Pinchs Gold, told the Post: "They've been living like there was a wall up for two years now. This just helps them completely avoid each other." Pinchs Gold alleges his wife has exiled him from their bedroom and he has had to sleep in the dining room for two years, the newspaper said. After the judge directed the couple to put up a wall in the house, Nechama Gold's lawyer, Brian Perskin, said: "It's a large house, so I think we can come up with some sort of agreement. But she wants him out." Pinchs has come up with a plan that would give his wife and their children about 700 more square feet than he would get, the Post reported.

A LITTLE LAUGH

There was a burning building with a redhead, a brunette, and a blonde at the top. The firemen are yelling to the redhead to jump into a blanket and she jumps off the building and right as she was about to safely hit the blanket they moved it and she dies. They yell to the brunette to jump but she says,"No I saw what you did to the redhead"! They shout we don't like redheads! So the brunette jumps and sure enough they move the blanket and she dies. Then they shout to the blonde to jump off into the blanket. But the blonde says,"no I saw what you did to them"! They shout we don't like them! The blonde then says, "I don't trust you guys, put the blanket on the ground and step back!"

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2

These words can all have a letter added and then be rearranged to make a new 5-letter word. The letters added spell a 9-letter word. What are the new words?

HERB

BANG

KEEN

SUIT

QUAD

WHEY

CELL

TOIL

WILD

Hint: In order the added letters spell TELESCOPE.

FOUND ON YOU TUBE

York Minster Cathedral: Click Here!

GREY MATTER PICTURE

This is a close up of what common object?

SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION

► Weekly Observances ◄

4-10: Freedom Week AND Be Nice To New Jersey Week

► Today’s Observances ◄

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

National Sugar Cookie Day

Argentina: Independence Day (1816)

Morocco: Youth Day/King Hassan II's Birthday

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

Chi-Baba Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep): Perry Como in 1947

Teddy Bear: Elvis Presley in 1957

Windy: The Association in 1967

Undercover Angel: Alan O'Day in 1977

Alone: Heart in 1987

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Dame Barbara Cartland, romance novelist featuring virginal heroines born in 1901 Birmingham, England

Ann Radcliffe, author: The Italian, The Mysteries of Udolpho, The Romance of the Forest born in 1764 London England

+++

Ed Ames, 83, actor (Mingo-Daniel Boone) singer, born in Malden, MA

Brian Dennehy, 72, actor (Tony for Long Day’s Journey into Night), born Bridgeport, CT

Vince Edwards, actor (Ben Casey, Matt Lincoln) born in 1928 Brooklyn, NY

Tom Hanks, 54, actor (Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away; Oscars for Philadelphia, Forrest Gump), born Concord, CA

Lee Hazlewood, country singer/songwriter (Summer Wine, Jackson) born in 1929 Mannford, OK

Courtney Love, 45, singer, actress (The People vs Larry Flynt), born San Francisco, CA

Richard Roundtree, 68, actor (Shaft, Roots) born in New Rochelle NY

Fred Savage, 34, actor (“The Wonder Years,” “Working,” The Princess Bride), born Highland Park, IL

Jimmy Smits, 55, actor (Glitz, “LA Law,” “NYPD Blue”), born New York, NY

John Tesh, 58, television host (“Entertainment Tonight”), composer, born Garden City, NY

…Athletics

Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson, 63, former sportscaster and actor, Hall of Fame football player, probable murder, currently in prison for armed robbery, born San Francisco, CA

…Business & Education

Elias Howe, invented sewing machine born in 1819 Spencer, MA

…Politics

Lindsey Graham, 55, US Senator (R, South Carolina), born Pickens County, SC

…Science / Religion

Mathilde Krim, 84, geneticist, philanthropist, born Como, Italy

► Obituaries today ◄

Howard Duff, actor, heart attack @ 76 in 1990

Harry Heilmann, baseball hall of famer outfielder (Tigers, Reds), cancer @ 56 in 1951

Zachary Taylor, 12th pres of US, gastroenteritis @ 66 in White House served 16 mo, in 1850

Barbara Woodhouse, dog trainer, stroke @ 78 in 1988

► Events ◄

…The Arts

1800 ►Mt Vernon Gardens becomes site of 1st summer theatre in US

1956 ►Dick Clark's 1st appearance as host of American Bandstand

1984 ►A 760-year-old wing of York Minster, the largest medieval cathedral in Britain, was gutted by a fierce fire started by lightning

1995 ►The Grateful Dead played their last concert including the lead guitarist Jerry Garcia , at Soldier Field in Chicago.

…Athletics

1922 ►Johnny Weissmuller became the first to swim the 100-meters freestyle in less than a minute

1989 ►1st time Wimbeldon has both men & women's final on same day, Boris Becker beats Stefan Edberg & Steffi Graf beats Martina Navratilova

1991 ►South Africa is readmitted into the Olympics after 20 years due to apartheid policy

…Business & Education

1872 ►Doughnut cutter patented by John Blondel, Thomaston, Me

1878 ►Corncob pipe patented (Henry Tibbe)

…Indigenous People

1716 ►The Mission of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe is established for the Nacanish and Nocogdoche Indians in what becomes Texas.

…Politics (US)

1868 ►1st black cabinet member in SC (Francis L Cardozo-sect of state)

…Politics (outside US)

1915 ►Germany surrenders South West Africa to Union of South Africa

1941 ►British cryptologists break the secret code ( Enigma ) used by the German army to direct ground-to-air operations on the Eastern front.

…Science / Religion

1595 ►Johannes Kepler inscribes geometric solid construction of universe

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

…1

1. Enclosure for animals - Pen - Writing instrument

2. Male sheep - Ram - Collide into something

3. To shove one thing inside another - Stuff - A collection of miscellaneous items

4. Not specific or definite - General - Military officer of very high rank

…2

BERTH, BEGAN, KNEEL, SUITE, SQUAD, CHEWY, CELLO, PILOT, WIELD. The added letters spell TELESCOPE.

…Photo

Three button computer mouse

TODAY’S PHOTO SHOT

Great Summer Cool Off

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Thursday July 8

This is Week 27 of 2010, Day 189 with 176 days left. It is Day 80 of the BP Mess.

FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS

Monsoons are so close I can smell the rain…nothing yet, but maybe tonight.

Spain and Germany had a good soccer game today. Spain triumphed in a good game. So the World Cup has just two games left: Uruguay and Germany play for 3rd and 4th place on Saturday; Netherlands and Spain play for the Championship on Sunday. Both games should be very good. Then everyone goes home and waits for four more years. South Africa seems to have done a good job as host, even with those very loud vuvuzelas.

First we hear that MMS is not really watching over oil companies, and some employees are snorting cocaine while they are at work. Then we find that they never really checked the process for handling deep water drilling. Today we learn that there are thousands of temporarily capped wells that are not ever monitored. Some are capped with metal caps, some with cement caps. They are called ‘temporary’ caps—some are still there since the 1950’s—to save money. If the oil company says the cap is a temporary cap that means two things: it can be reopened to pump more oil at a later date and they don’t have to write the potential oil off their books. Let’s say that a well has the potential of 100 barrels. The oil company pulls out 10 barrels and decides that it is not economically feasible to continue. If they permanently cap the well, they have to take 90 barrels off their books, and they have to be inspected to be sure it is not going to leak. However, if they put a temporary cap on the well, they keep the 90 barrels on their books and no one inspects it. When a well is drilled it has to have a temporary cap after the well is flowing so that the drilling rig can move out and the pumping rig can move in. The Gulf mess we have occurred when something went very wrong as the drillers were attempting to put on the temporary cap. To date we don’t know of any failed temporary caps. We can all hope that the thousands of temporary caps continue to hold and that somehow they get inspected every couple of decades or so.

Flag was very nice today. I did a long walk in the early morning coolness. Then our temperature climbed to 85° and there was basically no breeze. I have a hanging bird bath and I think a squirrel found it as when I left this morning for my walk, it was about ½ full. This afternoon it was bone dry. It was hot and it was dry, but don’t think the birds used that much water, nor do I think it all evaporated.

HOLY MACKEREL: On this date in 1947 ►There were a number of reports of a mysterious flying disc ( Spaceship ) landing in Roswell, New Mexico.

MY QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Victor Hugo: The human soul has still greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist; it is by the ideal that we live.

SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION

Camel’s milk does not curdle.

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1

What phrase is represented below?

Sigh_

UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM

An alleged drug dealer in Minnesota called the police to his home after his stash of marijuana and $3,200 in cash were stolen. Once the police showed up the man conceded that the thief had made off with his marijuana stash, breaking into a locked closet to complete the deed.

An officer also reported scraps of paper with names, amounts and weights in another closet.

He questioned the homeowner, who then allegedly said the burglar made off with baggies of marijuana and $3,200 cash.

"He also implied that his drug dealing was all right, stating, 'I just sell to my friends,'" said the police report.

A LITTLE LAUGH

Some people grow old gracefully, while others fight and scratch the whole way.

Andy's wife, refusing to give in to the looks of growing old, goes out and buys a new line of expensive cosmetics guaranteed to make her look years younger.

After a lengthy sitting before the mirror applying the "miracle" products, she asks her husband - "Darling, honestly, if you didn't know me, what age would you say I am?"

Looking over her carefully, Andy replied,... "Judging from your skin, twenty; your hair, eighteen; and your figure, twenty five."

"Oh, you flatterer!" she gushed. Just as she was about to tell Andy his reward, he stops her by saying...

"WHOA, hold on there sweety!" Andy interrupted. "I haven't added them up yet!"

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2

I went on a trip last week. The traffic was moderate and the journey took two and a half hours. On the return journey, the traffic was similar, but I made it back in 150 minutes. How come?

FOUND ON YOU TUBE

returns tomorrow

GREY MATTER PICTURE

This is a close up of what common object?

returns tomorrow

SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION

► Weekly Observances ◄

4-10: Freedom Week AND Be Nice To New Jersey Week

► Today’s Observances ◄

SCUD Day (Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama)

US : Liberty Bell Day [1835]

Skagway: Soapy Smith Wake (): Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith II was an American con artistand gangster who had a major hand in the organized criminal operations of Denver, Colorado, Creede, Colorado, and Skagway, Alaska, from 1879 to 1898

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

The Gypsy: The Ink Spots in 1946

The Wayward Wind: Gogi Grant in 1956

Paperback Writer: The Beatles in 1966

Afternoon Delight: The Starland Vocal Band in 1976

Holding Back the Years: Simply Red in 1986

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Alec Waugh, novelist (Island in the Sun); brother of Evelyn born in 1898 London.

Roone Arledge, TV executive (ABC) born in 1931 in Polk County NC

+++

Kevin Bacon, 52, actor (The Woodsman, Mystic River, Apollo 13, Footloose), born Philadelphia, PA

Anjelica Huston, 59, actress (Oscar for Prizzi’s Honor; The Royal Tenenbaums, The Addams Family), born Los Angeles, CA

Toby Keith, 49, country singer, born Clinton, OK

Steve Lawrence, 75, singer (“Party Doll,” “Go Away Little Girl”), born Sidney Liebowitz at New York, NY

Craig Stevens, actor (Craig-Dallas, Peter Gunn) born in 1918 Liberty Mo

…Athletics

--

…Business & Education

Wolfgang Puck, 61, chef born in Sankt Veit an der Glan,Austria

John D Rockefeller, US capitalist; founded Standard Oil, born in 1839 Richford, New York

Alyce Faye Wattleton, 67, former executive director of Planned Parenthood Federation, born St. Louis, MO

…Politics

George W Romney (Gov-Mich)/US Secretary of HUD (1969-73) born in 1907 Colonia Dublán, Galeana, in the Mexican state ofChihuahua – one of the Mormon colonies in Mexico

Nelson A Rockefeller. (Gov-R-NY) 41st VP born in 1908 Bar Harbor, Maine

…Science / Religion

Count Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin, invented rigid dirigibles born in 1838 Constance, Germany

► Obituaries today ◄

James Franciscus, actor, emphysema @ 57 in 1991

Dale Buisand & Chester Ovnand, 1st Americans killed in Vietnam War in 1959

► Events ◄

…The Arts

--

…Athletics

1953 ►Notre Dame announced that the following five years of its football games would be shown in theatres over closed circuit TV.

…Business & Education

1889 ►The Wall Street Journal is first published by Dow Jones & Company

…Indigenous People

1539 ►The Francisco de Ulloa Expedition is designed to explore the coast of Baja California. This expedition proves California is not an island. Three ships, the Santa Agueda, the Trinidad, and the Santo , leave Acapulco, Mexico.

…Politics (US)

1693 ►NYC authorizes 1st police uniforms in American colonies

1777 ►Vt becomes 1st state abolishing slavery, adopts male suffarage

1797 ►1st US senator (William Blount of Tennessee) expelled by impeachment

1835 ►Liberty Bell cracks (again)

1981 ►Senate confirms Sandra Day O'Conner to Supreme Court (99-0)

…Politics (outside US)

1959 ►Dale Buisand & Chester Ovnand 1st Americans killed in Vietnam War

…Science / Religion

1892 ►American Psychological Association organized, Worcester, Mass

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

…1

No end in sight.

…2

The times are the same!

…Photo
Returns tomorrow

TODAY’S PHOTO SHOT

Returns tomorrow

 

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Wednesday July 7

This is Week 27 of 2010, Day 188 with 177 days left. It is Day 79 of the BP Mess.

FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS

AZ has made it back to the headlines….again. The Attorney General has filed suit against SB 1070. The United States suit is claiming that AZ is trying to do the work of the US government…and AZ is saying that the US isn’t doing the job. This will be a lose-lose situation I’m afraid. If SB1070 is shot down, the vocals around the country will scream and yell with some radicals taking matters in their own hands. If SB1070 stands our legal immigrants will be harassed, jailed, and live in fear. The AZ tourist industry will fall apart. Our non-elected governor sure likes the publicity. In many of her national news interviews she talks about being re-elected. People outside AZ don’t realize she was never elected governor in the first place. She is Republican, our elected governor was Democratic. She didn’t have a plan when she took over. She didn’t have support from the Republican legislature when she took office. This one issue, started by people from outside AZ, gave her the support she has.

I saw a good news report on Afghanistan today. I now better understand why this war has gone on for so long. It is so simple. Afghanistan is a rural, multi-tribal culture. It has been for thousands of years. They have gained some modern technology over the years but they are still a very rural culture. The roads in the rural areas were not built by the government; they were built by the tribal leaders. Those traveling on that road have always had to pay a toll to travel on the road. The family has cared for the road since a great-great-great…grandfather built it. The travelers were told where the bad spots were, how to avoid parts that needed repair. The family that built the road made much of their income from the toll. A well kept dirt road gathered more toll than one that was always in disrepair. The press says the ‘war lords’ offered safe passage. Actually it was a family giving information about road problems on their part of the road. Now these road owning families are being paid by the troops instead of the travelers. This somehow is supposed to make the travelers into friends of the current Afghanistan government. The road owners are still getting paid and they probably don’t really care where the money comes from. If the Afghanistan government takes over the payments to the road owners, this might work. The roads are only one part of the war. But the entire war all boils down to the exchange of money within this centuries old culture. When a person is paid, that person will be a friend. When the money stops, so does the friendship. Living in a subsistence culture, little else matters.

Living in rural areas on the Rez, l know all too well the importance of well kept roads. Family disagreements over care of a road usually ended up with little cousins fighting at school. During bad weather or windy conditions many secondary roads became blocked, due to mud or sand. Relatives would ‘create’ a new road to get to their residence. Grandma doesn’t like the new roads path and complains that her daughter’s husband is lazy and he should have fixed the old road instead of making a new one. Grandma tells some of her grandkids that the son-in-law is lazy. They come to school and tell all their friends. Soon the father’s kids hear that their dad is lazy. This is followed by looks, then words of denial, and many times physical fights.

Many who have not lived in rural, subsistence areas will never understand. I don’t even understand much of it. I can acknowledge it, but will never understand it. I wish the American government would acknowledge it—either on the rez or anywhere else around the world. By doing that, rather than trying to change it, we might not have to spend so much time, energy, and money on things that people don’t want fixed.

I was out and about today, running some errands. It sure looked like the monsoon was going to drop some rain. The clouds came in, the clouds went out and dropped their much needed water somewhere else. It got to 85° on the deck. It was so nice to read the paper, listen to some music, and just enjoy the rest of the day. I picked up some thistle seed today and the finches didn’t seem to mind my presence while they fed. These little tiny seeds sure are expensive, compared to bird seed. They seem to attract a ‘better class’ of birds so it is worth it. I’m giving the hummingbirds one more chance to find their food, and then I’m going to replace the feeders with more thistle seeds.

HOLY MACKEREL: On this date in 1923 ►University of Delaware invents the "junior year abroad" (at Sorbonne)

MY QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Henry Ward Beecher: Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION

Beavers can hold their breath for 45 minutes under water.

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 1

Take the given words, and by moving a single letter from one word to the other, make a pair of synonyms, or near synonyms. For example, given: Boast - Hip, move the 's' from 'Boast' to 'Hip' creating two synonyms: Boat - Ship.

1. Rode - Can

2. Font - Farce

3. Tory - Stale

4. Dire - Cash

5. Self - Shill

UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM

TEHRAN — Women in Iran must cover their hair in public to comply with Sharia law, and men, too, are expected to have modest haircuts -- but what exactly does that entail?

A new set of hairstyles has gone on display aiming to guide barbers and their customers away from the temptations of decadent western coiffures.

"We don't have a backward attitude. We are trying to present new hairstyles while preserving tradition and observing Iranian culture," said Jaleh Khodayar, secretary of the Hijab (Islamic dress) and Chastity Festival where the approved haircuts will go on display.

"This is how we will fight back against the Western cultural invasion," she said, according to the semi-official ILNA news agency.

Photographs of the new styles shown to the media include a variety of cuts for curly or straight hair. None are long, but several have elements of style, including long sideburns and, in one instance, a quiff reminiscent of a 1960s Elvis Presley.

"These hairstyles were designed according to aesthetic science, the type of neck, beard, length of chin and the culture of the provinces," Khodayar said.

It was not clear if the haircuts were officially approved by the government.

As Iran deals with international sanctions over its nuclear activities and braces for potential economic upheaval when state subsidies start being phased out later this year, personal appearance remains one of Iranians' biggest preoccupations.

Since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was first elected in 2005, annual summer crackdowns on immodest appearance have intensified. Women who reveal strands of hair run the risk of being stopped in the streets for failing to respect the dress code.

A LITTLE LAUGH

A woman was driving down the highway about 75 miles an hour, when she noticed a motorcycle policeman following her. Instead of slowing down, she picked up speed.

When she looked back again, there were two motorcycles following her. She shot up to 90 miles. The next time she looked around, there were three cops following her.

Suddenly, she spotted a gas station looming ahead. She screeched to a stop and ran into the ladies’ room. Ten minutes later, she innocently walked out.

The three cops were standing there waiting for her. Then, without batting an eye, she said coyly, “I’ll bet none of you thought I would make it.”

GREY MATTER PUZZLE 2

A ship is docked in the harbour. Over the side hangs a rope ladder with rungs a foot apart. The tide rises at a rate of 9 inches per hour. At the end of six hours, how much of the rope ladder will still remain above water, assuming that 9 feet were above the water when the tide began to rise?

FOUND ON YOU TUBE

Running of the Bulls with interviews: Click Here!

GREY MATTER PICTURE

This is a close up of what common object?

EXTRA: THINGS ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM A JIGSAW PUZZLE

1. Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

2. When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).

6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook.

7. Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

10. Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed.

SOME CALENDAR INFORMATION

► Weekly Observances ◄

4-10: Freedom Week AND Be Nice To New Jersey Week

► Today’s Observances ◄

National Strawberry Sundae Day

Chocolate Day

Father-Daughter Take A Walk Together Day

Tell The Truth Day

Bhutan: Guru Rinbochy: The Lotus Born: Guru who brought Buddhism to Bhutan

Equatorial Guinea: P.U.N.T. Anniversary

Japan: Star Festival/Tanabata

Pamplona, Spain: Fiesta de San Fermin-running of the Bulls

Tanzania: Saba-Saba Day-founding of TANU party (1954)

► Hit Songs on this date ◄

Sentimental Journey: Les Brown in 1945

Rock Around the Clock: Bill Haley & His Comets in 1955

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: The Rolling Stones in 1965

Love Will Keep Us Together: The Captain & Tennille in 1975

A View to a Kill: Duran Duran in 1985

► Born today ◄

…The Arts

Robert A Heinlein, sci-fi author (Stranger in a Strange Land) born in 1907 Butler MO

Jean Kerr, novelist (Please Don't Eat the Daisies) born in 1923 Scranton PA

Gustav Mahler, composer/conductor born in 1860 Kalischat Bohemia Austria

Gian Carlo Menotti, composer (Amahl & Night Visitors) born in 1911 Cadegliano-Viconago, Italy

Doc Severinsen, 83, composer, conductor, musician (former band-leader on “The Tonight Show”), born Arlington, OR

Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey), 70, singer, musician (The Beatles), born Liverpool, England

+++

Shelley Duvall, 61, actress (Popeye, Nashville), born Houston, TX

Vincent Edwards, actor (Dr Ben Casey, Death Stalk, Firehouse) born in 1928 Brooklyn, NY

…Athletics

Michelle Kwan, 30, figure skater, born Torrance, CA

Lawrence O’Brien, former head of U.S. Postal Service; National Basketball Association Commissioner born in 1917 Springfield, MA

Satchel Paige, baseball pitcher, ‘never look back’--born in 1906 Mobile, AL

Joe Sakic, 41, hockey player, born Burnaby, BC, Canada

…Business & Education

Pierre Cardin, 88, fashion designer, born Venice, Italy

Joseph-Marie Jacquard, invented programmable loom born in 1752 Lyon, France

…Politics

William Kunstler, defense attorney: Tom Hayden, Chicago Seven, Jack Ruby, Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Abbie Hoffman, Angela Davis, John Gotti, Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, born in 1919 NYC, NY

…Science / Religion

Theodore Edgar McCarrick, 80,American Cardinal, Archbishop of Washington, born in NYC, NY

► Obituaries today ◄

Vivian Leigh, Scarlet in Gone with the Wind, TB @ 53 [born in Darjeeling, Bengal India to English parents] in 1967

Veronica Lake, actress, hepatitis @ 58 in 1973

William Lawrence Francis ‘Bill’ Cullen, game show host (Price is Right), cancer @ 70 in 1990

► Events ◄

…Another Extra 2007► New Wonders of the World were announced in Portugal

The New Wonders of the World Are

1. The Great Wall of China ( It is the largest man made monument ever to have been built and is visible from space. )

2. Petra, Jordan ( Petra On the edge of the Desert, was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV )

3. Christ Redeemer Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ( Statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro )

4. Machu Picchu, Peru ( Ancient Inca City built by the Incan Emperor Pachacútec halfway up the Andes Plateau, and deep in the Amazon jungle )

5. Pyramid at Chichén Itzá, Mexico ( the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization )

6. The Roman Colosseum, Italy ( This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire )

7. The Taj Mahal, India ( This immen'se mausoleum by the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. )

For those who don’t remember

The original 7 wonders of the world were

1. Great Pyramid of Giza Egypt ( Built as the tomb of Fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu.) still standing

2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon ( Multi-levelled gardens reaching 22 metres (75 feet) high, ) destroyed by earthquake

3. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus ( took 120 years to build Dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis ) destroyed by Arson

4. Statue of Zeus at Olympia Greece ( 40 feet tall ) destroyed by fire or earthquake.

5. Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus ( Stood approximately 45 meters (135 feet) tall with each of the four sides adorned with sculptural reliefs ). disassembled by European Crusaders

6. Colossus of Rhodes ( giant statue of the Greek god Helios roughly ) Destroyed by Earthquake

7. Lighthouse of Alexandria ( between 383 - 440 ft tall it was among the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many centuries. ) Destroyed By Earthquake

…The Arts

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…Athletics

1972 ►Billie Jean King beats Evonne Goolagong to win Wimbeldon

1990 ►Greg Lemond wins his 3rd Tour de France

…Business & Education

1668 ►Isaac Newton receives MA from Trinity College, Cambridge

1891 ►Travelers cheque patented

…Indigenous People

1540 ►Coronado attacks the Zuni village of Hawikuh in what becomes New Mexico.

1598 ►Oñate’s expedition is at the village of the San Domingo Pueblos. According to their journals, leaders from seven different Pueblo groups meet in a council with Oñate. The journals also says the tribal leaders pledge allegiance to Spain.

…Politics (US)

1846 ►US annexes California

1898 ►US annexes Hawaii

1981 ►Arizona Judge Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated by President Ronald Reagan to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

…Politics (outside US)

1967 ►Beginning of the civil war in Biafra

2005 ►A series of four explosions occurs on London's transport system killing 56 people, including four alleged suicide bombers and injuring over 700 others.

…Science / Religion

1946 ►Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini canonized as 1st American saint

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

…1

1. Rod - Cane

2. Front - Face

3. Story - Tale

4. Die - Crash

5. Shelf - Sill

…2

Still 9 feet because the ladder will rise with the ship!

…Photo

Domino tiles

TODAY’S PHOTO SHOT

A Spanish Bull

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