UNFREEZING

a rather eclectic Thursday Three, I must say

We have had this discussion before is it eclectic or is it all over the board? Anyway—here goes.

1. What is the strangest thing ever stored in your freezer/refrigerator? Well, not counting my Mom always losing her keys in there it would be some things collected for medical tests. Don’t ask.
2. First TV show I remember? My Mom claims I watched Romper Room but I really don’t remember. Deep in the folds of my brain are images of “Kukla, Fran and Ollie” , Milton Berle and Buffalo Bob Smith.
3. Surgeries? We don’t need no stinking surgeries. Unless you count the chest tube last January and I don’t think that counts, then none. However, there was the dental work on the gums. From that experience I can give you words to live by—if your dentist comes in wearing a dark red smock—RUN!!!

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Jack Daniels get a little weaker

The New York Times > AP > Business > Weaker Jack Daniel's Gets Sober Reception

The proof was cut from 86 to 80 and some drinkers are up in arms. My guess is that most can barely notice the difference. Maybe they can but the company says research indicates most people like the new alcohol content. BTW this applies to the black label.
It won’t mean much to me as I don’t drink whiskey, haven’t in years. (Well, OK a B&B was nice especially when I didn’t have to pay.) No real reason other than I didn’t really like the taste. Beer is OK but my alcohol of choice is wine.

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run for your life
the super bugs are after us

The New York Times > AP > National > Staph Strain Infects More Healthy People

Really, this stuff is now getting the healthy. This is scarey.

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for you coaster fans

The Beaufort Gazette: Six Flags in N.J. unveils plans for fastest roller coaster

Sounds like fun except that I have a very bad inner ear-eye connection. A gentle grade looks like 45 degrees to me.

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hunker down Terry & all you green purists
Las Vegas SUN: New $50 Bill Arrives; New $10 Bill Coming

The new color ten is coming. I’m just surprised that there wasn’t a movement to dump Alex and replace him with someone more PC.

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looks like cell phones aren’t interfering with medical equipment

Hospitals ponder lifting cell phone bans

I always wondered about this. I don’t think the frequencies are overlapping, even the harmonics.

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new trend in eating out?

small plate dining

Some in industry think this is next coming thing. It looks like an application of the tapas idea, just moved to American dining.



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test blogging

Well, they’re taking a test and I’m blogging. This is the negotiations class and the first test bites. It is mainly definitions about conflict and some models of negotiation behavior. Also, just here waiting for the rain. I hope the projected track is somewhat to the west. Over MarcV is what it looks like. The more west it is the less rain we get. The mountains don’t need any and we don’t really need much.

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a late night at the office

Yep, I’m also a moron—one that is at his office at 9 on a Sunday night. I’m here finally getting a paper in the email—[you mean the one you have been screwing with for a week? Ed—great ] yep that one.
The program that we use to manage the online courses ha s been down most of the weekend.
I’m also having an online chat with my face to face negotiations class. They have a test tomorrow.

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different day

I got much done but everything was about a beat off. Made out an ran off a test for Monday, posted a test for the internet course, sent a paper to my discussant [finally] and went to visit a member of our parish who was on the hospital. When our priest is out of town I get to do the hospital visiting. Well, by the time I got there she had been moved. She was on her way to the funeral home. In a way I’m glad I didn’t get there for the final act—not sure I’m really trained to handle that.
Then went and worked out for the first time in over a month. I bet I can’t move tomorrow.

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darn!

My mediation just got canceled. Well at least I was saved about an hour drive to where it was to take place.
I was really looking forward to doing this.

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NY Times glycemic index article


Not sure about all this science but it looks like the low carb people might be correct about some things. Although it does seem that the “low fat” type docs are as stubborn as Dan Rather to admit anything that doesn’t fit their mindset.
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a cautionary dot com tale

The New York Times > AP > Technology > Former Dot - Com Commerce One Eyes Closure

It seemed like a good idea at the time. My sluggishness and inertia saved me from the really bad things in that market.

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three stories about church turmoil and only one involves my denomination

The New York Times > AP > National > Religion News in Brief

It’s good to see others make the news with the gay issue.

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oh how the Thursday Three has fallen

Well, all the questions are about fall.

1. Three things I like about the fall in the south—first off it has to be the weather. Not that it’s noticeable cooler up here yet but it will be. The fall is my favorite time of the year. I hate the summer and am not too fond of spring.

I like the fall holidays. Halloween is fun and thanksgiving is perhaps my favorite holiday. It has family, food and football. It’s a no pressure holiday and I loved it as a kid. Living up here with no family close makes it sort of dull but we have managed. We used to go to Myrtle Beach for thanksgiving and now spend the day with our next door neighbors.

I just like the look of fall. The colors are pretty and I find fall pleasing to my eye whether if is in the hills of Alabama or the flat lowlands of the coastal plain.

2. Three favorite places—really there is one major on. Any southern college campus. Remember how it was—everything was new and exciting. The clothes were new, some friends were new and the world offered a fresh start. Failures were not yet here and grades and even love were possible.

See above—any college football stadium. Well, if it here is a game going on. Otherwise it is just a big empty.

A golf course. Golf was meant to be played in a sweater not a pair of shorts.

3. What do I dislike? I dislike it that fall gets overlooked in the rush to other things. Thanksgiving gets overlooked in the rush to Christmas. High school football gets overlooked in the rush to the playoffs. That and the fact that fall is too short here in East Carolina.

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a fun day?

I have to grade a bunch of stuff for my online course, make out two test, get an abstract in the mail and today I get to do my first mediation. I’m excited and fearful at the same time.

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it’s the end of the world as we know it—or not

New York's Premier Alternative Newspaper. Arts, Music, Food, Movies and Opinion

Little article on the predictions of the end of the world. Some neat stuff here, not too heavy.

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I blame me

The Beaufort Gazette: Maker of Twinkies seeks Chapter 11 protection

Since I started back on my diet, they knew the end was near. Actually, I don’t really like Twinkies that much. Ho-Ho’s are another matter, however.

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increase in the incidence of eating disorders noted

The Beaufort Gazette: Officials see more eating disorders in men

This is talking about men. So far the evidence is anecdotal. A college health clinic has noted an increase. I blame the media for the continued use of pictures of slim women. The actual article did seem to blame GI Joe but strangely not Ken.

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did you know that Murray was owned by a Chinese company?

The Beaufort Gazette: Murray to lay off one-third of management

Well, I didn’t either. It is up for sale as the holding company is in trouble. No word on what, if any, are the problems at Murray. Yes, this is the lawnmower company.

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walking may prevent or delay Alzheimer’s

Las Vegas SUN: Studies: Walking May Ward Off Alzheimer's

If I read this correctly, any exercise will help. Walking was mentioned because it the lowest impact.

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a new theory about the Red Baron’s death

Las Vegas SUN: Injury May Have Led to Red Baron's Death

Oh he was still shot but these guys think a head wound a few months earlier might have contributed.

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still busy just with different things

It’s just about time to take the dog to the vet. It would be nice to have a proper Auburn vet up here. Occasionally we do.

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computer problems and much stuff to do

I have enough computers to get around the problem but also have stuff to do. I wish I could play today—maybe later.

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if you’re heading east

WRAL.com - News - Storm Damage Could Affect I-40 Travel For One Year

I didn’t realize part of it collapsed into the river.

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another Monday

The deadline for my abstract was changed but that didn’t really help. Today has been one of dull material for class [but still important], computer problems at home, paper grading and waiting for people to show up.
It has been a dull and unproductive day.

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Washington State—again
Las Vegas SUN: Wash. School Official Puts Halt to Recess

The real problem is that they and many others think their way should be the only way. I think they are drinking way too much fair priced coffee.

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I have a modest proposal

Las Vegas SUN: Lawsuits Challenge Lethal Injection

It seems that lethal injection is “cruel and unusual”. How about this—execute them in the same way the victim died.

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do we have to skin ‘em?

The New York Times > AP > National > FTC Report Recommends Bounty for Spammers

Oh, they ‘re only talking about turning them in.

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hurricane Floyd

Five years ago this week, hurricane Floyd visited our part of the country. We had already had Dennis and the ground was saturated. Floyd caused the 500/1000 year flood. The city was cut in half, farms under water and a huge number of homes destroyed. This was widespread over the eastern part of the state.
Our neighborhood was OK so we all did some volunteer work with the shelters and food banks. We had the time as the public schools and the university were closed for about 2 weeks.

Now for some pictures: it looked like this a lot of places. Check out all the pictures
from this group.

Not sure which one of these
are form our county but all the places looked the same.


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only a fool or maybe a lawyer

Dan Rather To Bush: ?Answer The Questions?

Only one of the two types of people would base a case on false documents and then demand a person answer the charges. Edwards said the same thing earlier this week, at least he shut up.

To quote a phrase from a past campaign “Dan, it’s time for you to go.”

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if I was an organized person I would have more time for playing and blogging

Things to grade, things to write, things to read and classes to teach. I should have done some of this the last two nights.

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could it be a new buffalo nickel?

The New York Times > AP > National > Jefferson Getting a Makeover on Nickel

Two new nickels on the way, the designs are to be released Thursday. Both of them have a new image of Jefferson and new backs. The only clue is “with one of the designs harking back to a favorite coin of the American people,'' the Mint said.
This could be a new buffalo nickel—hope so I liked the old ones. It might not be however, as the buffalo might not be PC enough.

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some blogging for a couple of days

Finally put the paper in the email yesterday and have about a week to meet the next deadline. So, think I’ll take a day or so off from writing. Well, papers and abstracts and stuff like that. Basically things that require skill, English and some thought.


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we can make him better
no word yet on stronger

The New York Times > AP > Health > Implanted Lens Sharpens Blurred Vision

This is supposed to help on nearsightedness.

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seems people still don’t really trust charities

The New York Times > National > Public Confidence in Charities Stays Flat

I know except for two groups my wife and I work volunteer with most of our giving lately has been to the church.

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large private firm to go public

The New York Times > AP > Business > Huntsman Attempts to Go Public to Rid Debt

Looks like the debt load is getting too much for them.

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leave it to Seattle

Las Vegas SUN: Some Wash. Schools Go Organic for Lunch

Anything I write just wouldn’t do justice to this piece. I can just see the little 5th graders now—lining up for the organic salad bar--- all in their little school approved uniform of natural fiber clothing, sandals and socks.

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a legal challenge to in car sobriety devices

Las Vegas SUN: Lawsuit: In-Car Sobriety Devices a Hazard

Boo Hoo the poor drunk drivers. Some just can’t seem to blow enough breath to activate the device. One even passed out from actually blowing into the device. They want hem removed.
How about this of a solution. Remove the devices. Remove you license and if we catch you driving without a license—we put you in jail or break you legs. That will fix that device problem. I have no sympathy for multiple offenders in these cases.

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been sort of busy most of the day

Not that I really got anything done. Went to the store and had a guy in selling siding and replacement windows. I think we will go with this company. Tonight my wife and I are going to the ECU game. Since the stadium is smaller than places like Auburn or Bama, the crowd is smaller and we don’t have to leave here much before game time.
I think we are going to get blasted again.

football update

ECU lost 31-17. At one point it was 24-3 and we closed to 24-17. it was exciting for a while but Wake seemed to be able to move the ball when they had to or needed to.
However, it was a good time—my wife and I have tickets with two other couples we have know for over 25 years.


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Dan Rather has choices

KRT Wire | 09/10/2004 | Man named in Bush memo left Guard before document was written

This just might be a real change moment. The choices for Rather appear to be exposed as incompetent, old and slow, excessively biased or mentally unfit for the job. His explanations are just about as good as the toddler who swears that the lamp just jumped off the table, all by itself.
His reasoning seems to be that if Dan Rather says it or believes it thus it must be so. That hubris thing will get you every time.
And oh BTW it is all the work of those partisan and shady internet types.

Dan retire now while at least some people have a little respect for you.

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no change here

DRUDGE REPORT 2004�

In the ongoing discussion of the documents from 60 minutes, Dan Rather shows himself to be unchanged. He is sort of saying I’m right because I’m right. God, I love a man who can make a logical argument.

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against my better judgment and in violation of the time management rules

here is the Thursday Three

1. Still have any of the toys from your childhood? Except for inertia I don’t tend to hold on to things. When the usefulness is done then so am I. My wife says I’m the same way about places. I hope not with people. Thus the only toy I have is a plastic horse that has lost his plastic cowboy. Why my mother saved this one—of all the things . OK she also saved an old ball glove and a cub scout watch.
2. What was your favorite toy? I was very fond of my teddy bear. I guess the favorite was the air rifle. I mostly put it down when I got a 22. It didn’t take much to make me happy—a bag of plastic army men would do.
3. What did I covet? I was an only child and the only grandchild of a doting grandmother. Thus I really didn’t want for much. Remember however, I’m older than most of you. thus we had less toys to choose from and also had to walk uphill to the toy store—both ways.


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remember they’re nuanced and sophisticated
the are from Europe, you know


Belgium considers euthanasia for children

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in archeology news—this just in

Las Vegas SUN: Viking Burial Site Found in England

This is neat. I love this stuff. This burial ground is thought to be from about 1000.

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first guitar class

Just got in and ate dinner after class. Not one I’m teaching but one I’m taking. Our local community college will not run that many non-credit courses but the one in New Bern will. They call they self-supporting classes. If not enough people sign up then no class. After the signup lady leaves the room with your money—no refunds.
I was in beginning guitar. The instructor seems like he can teach and the main thing for me is the peer pressure. If I try to learn on my own, yes I’ve tried, I will get discouraged or stop practicing. Here the pressure of facing the class will force me to practice.
The best thing is that my son is taking the class also. We can push each other to get better and also have some time together.

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I won’t miss them at all

For a while now most of my computers have been =--floppy free. The new HP and my dell at school have them. We ordered them special at school because students can turn in work and not clog up my email. For my own use however, email for small files and the jump drive for larger files.

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still working on the paper

I had made an error in recoding some of the data. Thus most of what I did over the weekend is WRONG!. So, I have to rerun most of the stats. No one to blame but me.

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I’m at the office

I have been here a good part of the day. The article is just about done except for the last of the stat stuff. That should only take about a hour or so—with my co-author.

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pigs at the trough are never a pretty sight

The Beaufort Gazette: Sugar industry sours on Bush

The American sugar industry has been living off price supports and import policies for years. They have used this position to help retard the growth of artificial sweeteners. More than that the cost of everything we eat, that has sugar, is higher than it need be.

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just when does pro football start?

ESPN.com - College Football - Scoreboard

Ole Miss lost to Memphis; ECU got hammered (yes I have season tickets and it could be a long season, thanks for asking) ; at least UAB beat somebody. Well, OK they beat Baylor.

It just might be a long year for college football around my house.

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a strange man but a great ball striker

The New York Times > AP > Sports > Canadian Golf Star Moe Norman, 75, Dies

I don’t play well but I play this swing system. I do hit it straight—not bad for someone with little talent.
Sorry to see Moe go—I think he probably really had some mental/developmental problems.

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wild times in Winterville

My son is at the beach with a friend’s family this weekend. My wife and I have been having a wild time. Barnes and Noble last night, furniture shopping today and then Wal-Mart and Sam’s today.
I can’t wait for tonight to see what excitement arrives.

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not necessarily a low-carb victim

al.com: NewsFlash - Sara Lee to close bakery in Fort Payne early next year

More likely a victim of the overall move to a healthier life style. Also, as more and more places add local bakeries the need to Sara Lee would naturally decline.

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well I’m back

The procedure only lasted a few minutes and apparently everything looked good. In fact, I get to shorten my medicine by a week. Yea!
However, the wait was longer than normal or anticipated. Thus the drug combination and the lunch—hey I was empty—has made me sleepy. Will play tomorrow.

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big day tomorrow

Tomorrow is colonoscopy day. Boys and girls can you say colonoscopy? Those of you under fifty haven’t had the pleasure most likely. Needless to say, I’ll be occupied tonight and then drifty tomorrow.
The only thing really wrong with today is the liquid diet. But hey, popsicles count. Yes I’m hungry and will be until lunch tomorrow.

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