tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63144452011-11-21T22:44:47.664-06:00Asmodeus, Hand Me A Test Tube!Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.comBlogger12861100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-16357225269288886762011-08-03T14:57:00.003-05:002011-08-03T15:10:13.810-05:00

People Will TalkThis has to be one of my favorite movies of all times. Great humor, excellent acting, outstanding lines. And a quirky main character (Dr. Praetorius just to be clear), and the mysterious Mister Shunderson (who's so cute you just want to hug him*).One of my favorite lines in the movie comes at about 9:50.Text of Scene:Elwell: "Dr. Praetorius, will you stipulate and agree to abide

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-63580461631839118392011-08-03T14:50:00.003-05:002011-08-03T14:53:20.824-05:00

Matt Damon is AwesomeIt is nice to see someone defend teachers for a change, and he did it so incredibly well.via Pharyngula

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-29299834099877719692010-12-14T15:59:00.003-06:002010-12-14T16:02:58.471-06:00

"Religious people sure are touchyOf course, anyone who pays attention knows that. The second you even consider that their 'God' or 'gods' are just myths, they get very defensive.Anyway, Kevin Drum has a very good article up about this, in reaction to those billboards going up all over the U.S. by atheist groups (Go Atheists!).Christians Against Religious Freedom

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-58599078956356061672010-12-14T13:06:00.003-06:002010-12-14T13:12:43.679-06:00

Hey, Lookie,* a wee little quiz!An engineering professor is treating her husband, a loan officer, to dinner for finally giving in to her pleas to shave off the scraggly beard he grew on vacation. His favorite restaurant is a casual place where they both feel comfortable in slacks and cotton/polyester-blend golf shirts. But, as always, she wears the gold and pearl pendant he gave her the day her

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-13550346648966579222010-03-31T08:11:00.001-05:002010-03-31T08:13:16.268-05:00

Welcome to the Club"Welcome to the club of states who don't turn their back on the sick and the poor....The very fact that there should have been such a violent debate simply on the fact that the poorest of Americans should not be left out in the streets without a cent to look after them ... is something astonishing to us." French President Nicolas Sarkozy, March 29 2010

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-18129727686843052322009-12-21T16:45:00.002-06:002009-12-21T16:49:38.845-06:00

Prince of Peace"But as for these enemies of mine, who did ot want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me" Jesus, Luke 19:27, RSV Granted, he was speaking in a parable, but you decide for yourself whether it's taken out of context or not when you read the entire passage...

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-4705629607077254482009-11-27T11:44:00.004-06:002009-11-27T11:45:30.467-06:00

Ingersoll"All that is necessary, as it seems to me, to convince any reasonable person that the Bible is simply and purely of human invention - of barbarian invention - is to read it. Read it as you would any other book; think of it as you would of any other; get the bandage of reverence from your eyes; drive from your heart the phantom of fear; push from the throne of your brain the coiled form

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-24666737298772355542009-10-07T08:53:00.002-05:002009-10-07T08:54:07.648-05:00

IngersollIf the account given in Genesis is really true, ought we not, after all, to thank this serpent? He was the first schoolmaster, the first advocate of learning, the first enemy of ignorance, the first to whisper in human ears the sacred word liberty, the creator of ambition, the author of modesty, of inquiry, of doubt, of investigation, of progress and of civilization.- Robert G. Ingersoll

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-79473508769478333562009-08-27T12:42:00.001-05:002009-08-27T12:43:56.734-05:00

I've noticed this myselfIt's a peculiar arrogance of the true believers that at the same time they fervently follow this imaginary being that they claim is omnipotent and manifest in everything around us, they also flop into paroxysms of flustered, frantic defensive denial when some guy merely criticizes their holy hero. That's it; we say, "we don't believe in your deity, can you give us a reason

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-54956869315064226962009-08-23T10:49:00.004-05:002009-08-23T10:57:21.130-05:00

Just back from ChinaYep, you read that correctly, and classes start tomorrow (panic will kick in any minute now...).Probably the highlight of the trip was a visit to Mt. Changbai in Northeastern China, and the climb up to Heaven Lake. If you cut the lake in half, 50% belongs to China and 50% (roughly) belongs to North Korea. So I can now say I've seen North Korea.Fortunately, the weather was nice

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-57797986812385850692009-08-10T13:40:00.002-05:002009-08-10T13:44:05.971-05:00

On PatriotismOver at a Load of Bright was one of the bests posts I've ever read, called On Patriotism. I've linked to it before (too lazy to look the previous link up). I've checked back periodically to see if the author is posting and to my delight found the Minich video "Storm" that was in my previous post. Since I could not gather from the author how long the site would be up, and since I like

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-18678544202002272892009-08-09T11:58:00.002-05:002009-08-09T12:02:58.927-05:00

Tim Minchin"Storm""If you open your mind too much your brain will fall out (Take my wife)"(via A Load of Bright)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-58642296295205870432009-08-09T09:18:00.002-05:002009-08-09T09:19:51.751-05:00

Recent PicturesFrom the International Space Station (via Beccarii)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-4197910704555570312009-07-31T16:14:00.003-05:002009-07-31T16:18:15.964-05:00

Weebles wobble but they don't fall downIf I live to be a hundred I'll probably never forget that jingle. And now I find that there's a web site of "Weebl's stuff". A couple of the videos were entertaining:SatireDemolition Squid ("...you son of a church").

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-26248311680514038662009-07-26T09:02:00.001-05:002009-07-26T09:03:54.694-05:00

Yes. Yes they will.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-82685629046450367742009-07-09T14:13:00.003-05:002009-07-09T14:16:58.763-05:00

Transformers FAQI found this very funny.Bonus! Rob's Transformers 2 F.A.Q.s!Warning: Strong language...(via Kevin Drum)[Disclaimer: I have not seen the movie and have no plans to ever see the movie, but someone I know who has seen the movie both enjoyed the movie itself, and agreed with almost all of the analysis.]

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-71270975895088787662009-06-10T16:48:00.002-05:002009-06-10T16:54:43.508-05:00

Long(er) silenceSorry for the longer than normal silence. Although the paper I was writing is now in the hand of my collaborator, and the research seems to be hitting fewer snags I'm not sure posting will increase all that much.It's not that there aren't things out there I find interesting and post-worthy, and I still hit the links on the right obsessively to see what's happening, I'm just in a

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-72691796623308847772009-05-19T16:41:00.003-05:002009-05-19T16:44:29.555-05:00

Semester's over...And I'm trying to get caught up on a bunch of things that got buried in the last hectic sprint that is the end of an academic semester.Plenty of interesting things happening but well...just none of them here; or where I am; or whatever. And I rarely find the energy to post on them (just click on the Washington Monthly link obsessively; it's amazing how much I can keep up on

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-59155869826829590012009-05-08T10:55:00.001-05:002009-05-08T10:56:57.346-05:00

Creation Museum Bumper Sticker

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-90833828250915090682009-04-24T08:52:00.003-05:002009-04-24T08:55:47.100-05:00

Do Re Mi In a train station in Antwerp, Belgium(via lies.com)One of the comments at lies is great also:knarlyknight Says: April 18th, 2009 at 6:39 pmAwesome. Makes me wonder if even ten percent of military expenditures were re-directed towards organizing and funding random Arts such as that what kind of world we’d have now.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-39192400699030540382009-04-17T16:55:00.001-05:002009-04-17T16:56:21.274-05:00

Medicinal EthnobotanyVia Beccarii comes this gem.The Healing Forest: The Orgin and Discovery of Natural Organic Medicines from the Forbidden Forests of Africa and the Amazon in Peruby Prof. Eloy Rodriguez of Cornell University

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-46313410439348092242009-04-09T13:56:00.002-05:002009-04-09T14:03:00.551-05:00

ApathyOkay, the presentation/seminar I have to give is a week from today and I can't work up much enthusiasm to get it ready. It's over a project I haven't talked about before so simply cutting and pasting slides won't work.Well, sure, I can recycle a few but not all of them.And I just can't seem to work up the enthusiasm or even nervousness at the moment. I have a rough idea how I want to

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-45228918288514482602009-04-09T08:06:00.001-05:002009-04-09T08:08:09.996-05:00

Quote"I firmly believe all religion is bullshit, but I don't think I would have gone and written a song expressing that, unless I could figure out a way to make it funny."(Tom Lehrer; Telephone interview with Jeremy Mazner, Nov. 21, 1995)(via FFRF)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-57818696260819906802009-04-07T13:56:00.006-05:002009-04-07T14:01:16.845-05:00

Atheism (via Voenix Rising via...I forget which site)Oh yes, I did a pretty good job cutting two fingers this morning (note to self...cut the tubing off of the filter flask next time, don't pull and twist...) so won't be updating much. It's always something.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-33259251181596076512009-03-29T16:30:00.002-05:002009-03-29T16:32:32.072-05:00

I'm BackSorry for the long (er, longer) silence. I was out of the office the past week blissfully ignoring politics and religion and most everything else as much as possible. But now I'm back and trying to frantically get ready for classes that start tomorrow.So don't expect much from me for a week or so, okay?Oh yeah, and if you ever get the chance to go parasailing go for it. I don't like fast

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-10216727707684244282009-03-19T11:10:00.002-05:002009-03-19T11:12:19.708-05:00

Quote of the Day"The more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anyone but himself."(-widely attributed to Sir Richard Burton.)(via FFRF)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-30777849152551382502009-03-17T09:20:00.003-05:002009-03-17T09:26:02.261-05:00

The time for their kind is overAn excellent article and well worth a few minutes.The Culture Warriors Get Laid OffPerkins is now praying that economic failure will be a stimulus for his family-values business. "As the economy goes downward," he has theorized, "I think people are going to be driven to religion." Wrong again. The latest American Religious Identification Survey, published last week,

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-58812712564528739402009-03-13T10:31:00.006-05:002009-03-13T11:17:15.034-05:00

Don't piss him offBut I love him when he's angry!So to take this in the order it occurred. Jon Stewart and the Daily Show did a take down of CNBC (the financial news network of the NBC 'family') in true Daily Show Fashion.Round 1.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-14278692807660025392009-03-12T14:33:00.002-05:002009-03-12T14:41:25.487-05:00

It's like a virus, Whack a Mole and Panic is my museSeriously, it's like this out of control virus. I open my inbox and there's another email telling me someone somewhere wants to be my 'friend'.I'm talking about Facebook for the uninitiated.Colleagues, former students, that was perfectly normal. But then about a year ago someone from high school (that's like, almost 25-years ago now) asked to be

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-2766260853897612582009-03-10T13:53:00.002-05:002009-03-10T14:00:17.407-05:00

Reflections on lifeA colleague just died. I didn't know him very well but we were part of the 'get together on tuesdays' lunch group. A small group of people from different departments who go on or off campus for lunch just to talk and laugh.He was an interesting fellow, and incredibly intelligent and curious and very little could get him worked up.He knew the cancer would get him someday at it

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-68395997614955587972009-02-27T15:06:00.004-06:002009-02-27T18:06:03.726-06:00

So Long, Farewell, Auf Vedersien...Good Riddance!DOBSON RESIGNSSteve Benen put it far better than I ever could.Dobson's far-right legacy is, of course, hard to ignore. While some televangelists like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell became prominent partisans, Dobson was always more comfortable in the role of radical ideologue. Robertson wanted a seat at the table; Dobson wanted to chair the

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-13044643054146547292009-02-25T12:40:00.004-06:002009-02-25T12:52:01.472-06:00

Right Wing Circus - Louisiana StyleVitter Facing Possible Circus Primary: Christian-Right Activist And Porn StarIn all honesty, I'd be tempted to vote for Stormy Daniels 'cause I know where the other two stand on most issues and really disagree with them. And having a Porn star on the 'family values' side of the aisle would be...how to put it...I just can't think of a word.Now if you'll excuse me

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-91401836883084553892009-02-24T10:06:00.001-06:002009-02-24T10:06:58.251-06:00

Now this is a complete surprise...Your morality is 0% in line with that of the bible.  Damn you heathen! Your book learnin' has done warped your mind. You shall not be invited next time I sacrifice a goat.Do You Have Biblical Morals?Take More Quizzes(number 10 did crack me up however).

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-55621391011131659902009-02-20T12:50:00.002-06:002009-02-20T12:51:45.931-06:00

And so it begins...For one brief moment, one moment, my email inbox was empty or I could deal with the emails that appeared and delete them quickly.Alas, it is now but a faint memory.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-24530821380773072092009-02-15T12:49:00.002-06:002009-02-15T12:50:09.181-06:00

More relationship chemistry?Be sure to stick with it to the end.(I admit, I've found the periodic table videos highly entertaining...and yes, I am a chemistry geek, thanks for noticing)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-83165622989135325102009-02-13T16:49:00.003-06:002009-02-13T16:52:13.338-06:00

The Science of SmootchingKissing, frenching, snogging (I think that's the term used over the pond)...The science of the smooch is chemistryOne line though, one simple line, could have used a bit more...something. Explanation? Flushing out? Careful thought? ROFLMAO? (oh wait, that last one explains my initial reaction)Attachment then allows them to tolerate this person long enough to raise a

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-54331943681887795462009-02-13T13:05:00.003-06:002009-02-13T13:06:50.343-06:00

One of those daysThere are days I think I'm a shitty teacher, and days I know I'm a shitty teacher. This is one of the latter ones.Time to sit back with a beer or glass of wine, chill, and figure out what's going (or went) wrong.(I do understand this is normal; and I do have considerable evidence that I am, in fact, an above average teacher. Just not today).

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-87301158102157729872009-02-12T14:34:00.002-06:002009-02-12T14:36:17.358-06:00

I am an AtheistIn case there were any doubts. If you need one simple reason why (though there are many reasons), think about the morality behind this message. (Original picture here; via Beccarii)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-39627919496799358792009-02-12T08:13:00.002-06:002009-02-12T08:17:16.966-06:00

Happy Darwin Day!As an email from one of my daughters this morning reminded me*Let's all pause for a moment of science and reason.You're right, let's make it a lifetime.*(she should have been working in school but managed to find a few moments to send me off an email...and getting an email from her is a great way to start the morning)**(Darn, left my 98% chimp sweat shirt at home today)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-50687190078372217712009-02-10T08:51:00.002-06:002009-02-10T08:54:16.196-06:00

High Five EscalatorRob Wants to Give you a High FiveI have to add that this was very well done. I judge that by the fact that it was (1) non-disruptive for those needing to get to work or wherever and (2) generated a lot of smiles at a time when most people probably don't smile.(via Philosoraptor)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-31093508550760856572009-02-09T13:19:00.001-06:002009-02-09T13:20:38.210-06:00

'Well, I figured as Much'I guess he pegged me fairly well (and I hope he's right).Be happy, worried liberals. Obama's bill is a triumphIn fact, it smells rather nice. I love the smell of stimulus spending in the morning. It smells like ... victory.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-29074263004808537452009-02-09T10:49:00.002-06:002009-02-09T10:55:04.472-06:00

ImpressiveThat weather prediction for 100% possiblity of rain today came true. Unfortunately it hit just when class got out and one of my few opportunities today to get out for a walk.And oh yes, more of this please.Lessons still to be learnedThere can be no such equivocation in the week of a survey which showed that only around half of all Britons accept that Darwin's theory of evolution is

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-18451619077713939992009-02-08T11:36:00.000-06:002009-02-08T11:37:17.752-06:00

Humor(Demetri Martin)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-54510629281083894872009-02-06T15:19:00.002-06:002009-02-06T15:21:17.953-06:00

Merry Freakin' Christmas(I find this incredibly funny...via [name deleted to protect guilty])

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-38485695167593460882009-02-06T15:12:00.003-06:002009-02-06T15:16:43.920-06:00

Greenhouse Effect = Mass Extinction!!!Well actually, it should read '???'But what the heck, go for the attention grabbing headline.Toxic Gases Caused World's Worst Extinction(sorry for the lack of posting, it's not that there's nothing of interest to post I just haven't felt really motivated lately to do much of anything but the absolute necessities. I think I'm back in the swing now so...fsst,

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-65876588206451278272009-01-28T12:09:00.001-06:002009-01-28T12:10:39.332-06:00

YES! We are all individuals! YES! We must think for ourselves!Yes! This is sheer-genius! (a quote from Aa and not _The Life of Brian_)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-81125110049852035862009-01-25T13:58:00.001-06:002009-01-25T13:59:55.239-06:00

Ledbetter act - Back to the House!Getting so much better all the time: Senate passes Ledbetter Fair Pay Act(now back to the house for another vote...then to President Obama's desk!!!!)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-80377931472388047502009-01-20T15:49:00.001-06:002009-01-20T15:51:50.020-06:00

A truly inspiring and beautiful sight Via Kevin Drum who wrote "I know this isn't quite in keeping with our shiny new postpartisan spirit, but watching...Executive One take off almost brought tears to my eyes."

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-29952663934545413402009-01-20T08:56:00.004-06:002009-01-20T09:05:10.002-06:00

WaitingEight long years and in about two hours it will be over and a new era will begin.I'm not naive enough to think that all problems will be solved, or that I'll agree with every decision the new administration makes.But there's hope and I haven't a lot of hope for a very long time.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-32555764514931454342009-01-16T09:43:00.003-06:002009-01-16T09:44:35.728-06:00

Do us both a favor... (clicking on the picture will take you to the web site hwere I scored this...and Wiley really scored some laughs from me with this one)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-55242842336723043562009-01-10T09:05:00.001-06:002009-01-10T09:06:57.114-06:00

Deja Vu?House passes legislation fighting wage discrimination.(now to the Senate and then, hopefully, to President Obama's Desk)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-5220613278348350392009-01-09T08:58:00.001-06:002009-01-09T09:00:58.061-06:00

Generation Kill - Christ LoverI just love this clip (warning, strong language like that would stop anyone...and blasphemy, bonus points!):(via Pharyngula)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-58139210946605596432009-01-08T13:53:00.002-06:002009-01-08T13:55:59.383-06:00

May the door hit you...At last (deep sigh of relief):Bad News For GOP: Missouri Sen. Kit Bond Announces Retirement(My dream scenario: Roy Blunt (R-MO) gives up his house seat to run for the Senate and loses (bliss), and dems pick up both seats...look, I said it was a dream scenario, didn't I?)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-89661194463181465902009-01-08T13:51:00.002-06:002009-01-08T13:53:35.119-06:00

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay ActYes, yes and YES!Dems Promise Very Quick Action On Gender Pay Equity(and if the Repblicans try to fillibuster this make them actually fillibuster: Let's see them actually explain to everyone, especially females, why women don't have the right to equal pay for equal work.)Another great line:"and send it to Senator O-- I love this -- President Obama"

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-51495136081875877952009-01-08T09:10:00.001-06:002009-01-08T09:12:07.657-06:00

Christ, cars are expensive*End of Rant(inclusive: purhcase, maintenance, etc., but maintenance set this one off)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-77904915546471004792009-01-05T14:52:00.001-06:002009-01-05T14:53:25.291-06:00

Bumph "A collection of paperwork or other administrative task of limited use or perceived value."(it goes without saying that I'm writing a grant proposal at the moment)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-7419783589829355662009-01-04T09:36:00.001-06:002009-01-04T09:37:15.305-06:00

How...unusualVia Beccarii again, comes the Insitute of FiguringThe crocheted hyperbolic items (such as the crocheted coral reef) are worth glancing through.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-64653430036523771732009-01-04T09:29:00.002-06:002009-01-04T09:32:07.226-06:00

An item to contemplateVia Beccarii comes this Flickr find of a 'decoration' for a family mausoleum.SphinxOne of the comments states "How...unusual"Well stated.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-17276525629456148242008-12-28T22:18:00.009-06:002008-12-28T22:26:48.589-06:00

The Year of the HoodieAwesome collection of presents this year - simply awesome. I received nearly everything I asked for (hint: if you want specific items, choose items carefully and dole them out accordingly so that you give people only one or two items as 'suggestions').First up comes this UT Austin Hoodie (I've never been a fan of football - UT or otherwise - but have some good memories of my

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-86002730926517578002008-12-23T13:29:00.002-06:002008-12-23T13:33:32.114-06:00

Happy SolsticeOr whatever midwinter festival you choose to (or not to) celebrate.~Aa

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-47751206900132139232008-12-22T14:25:00.001-06:002008-12-22T14:26:14.245-06:00

Great Movie Sword Fights - Part 3(The Mark of Zorro, Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell)(suggestions for other great sword fights welcome)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-7472851608778472332008-12-22T14:22:00.001-06:002008-12-22T14:24:23.884-06:00

Great Movie Sword Fights - Part 2(Princess Bride)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-85352535540484483192008-12-22T14:19:00.001-06:002008-12-22T14:21:51.987-06:00

Great Movie Swords Fights - Part 1(Captain Blood starring Errol Flynn)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-41215263418991134762008-12-22T14:12:00.003-06:002008-12-22T14:17:22.658-06:00

Sheer-Genius(from Fawlty Towers, Episode 6, "The Germans")

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-54576354859480489702008-12-18T14:06:00.002-06:002008-12-18T14:10:09.863-06:00

Staring blanklyIt's an unreal feeling.Classes are over, finals and graded, final grades submitted (student emails about grades answered though a few might trickle in)And my calendar was entirely open today...not one entry.Just weird and unreal. So weird and unreal I've gotten very little done. I just do a lot of staring and...weird.How do you concentrate on one thing and not a dozen at the same

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-10659987218650580672008-12-10T17:16:00.002-06:002008-12-10T17:19:07.241-06:00

Okay, that's it, I've had itI'm tired of this slow computer. I don't know what's wrong with it, but it moves at what seems like a snail's pace, and is often 'crunching' even when no program is open and running.And it shouldn't be running this slow!It might be a virus, low memory, etc., but it's time to have it wiped clean and built back up. And hopefully the computer people can find some extra

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-63953097325432297972008-12-09T21:07:00.001-06:002008-12-09T21:09:17.484-06:00

Quote of the Millenium"An Obama job approval rating of 79 percent! That's the sort of rating you see when the public rallies around a leader after a national disaster. To many Americans, the Bush Administration was a national disaster," says CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider.PMUOOTF (Picking myself up off of the floor) - you know, this wouldn't be so funny if it wasn't so true.(via

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-55258092958208373252008-12-08T08:17:00.001-06:002008-12-08T08:18:18.543-06:00

Thank GoodnessObama's Appointments Are Expected To Reshape the U.S. Legal Landscape (Washington Post)Now let's see if it happens.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-21029195766808992662008-12-05T08:08:00.003-06:002008-12-05T08:11:42.228-06:00

Priceless"At a time of great crisis with mortgage foreclosures and autos, he says we only have one president at a time," Frank said. "I'm afraid that overstates the number of presidents we have. He's got to remedy that situation." Barney Frank (emphases mine)via Talking Points Memo

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-71091384913933241022008-12-04T08:29:00.000-06:002008-12-04T08:30:03.858-06:00

It is timeThe time appears to me to have come when it is the duty of all to make their dissent from religion known.[John Stuart Mill](via Pharyngula's infidel quotes)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-2808316256337986782008-11-30T13:04:00.003-06:002008-11-30T13:16:19.701-06:00

I'm BooooredThere's really no other way to put it and it's me this time and not one of my kids. Normally when one of my kids starts in with this line I'll say "Be bored". I remember those days, nothing really to do, the video games and TV are great time sinks but when they go off you find your creative energy levels have been sucked out of you...nothing really to do and reading a book seems like

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-44112758919775788442008-11-26T12:17:00.002-06:002008-11-26T12:22:30.982-06:00

Wow, I'm impressed with myselfReally, I am.Civics QuizYou answered 29 out of 33 correctly — 87.88 %Average score for this quiz during November: 78.0%Average score: 78.0%As it indicates, I missed four questions. One of them is now a head smacker (oof), the others I simply couldn't remember or managed to get it down to 2-possibilities and made the wrong guess.More than 2,500 randomly selected

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-10620579657627363272008-11-25T07:59:00.002-06:002008-11-25T08:01:59.241-06:00

"What is oozing out of our ground?"Must...breathe...crashes to floorP.S. Comments at youtube are also worth reading.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-68403494029157988802008-11-24T10:03:00.004-06:002008-11-24T10:05:48.321-06:00

I really shouldn't but just...can't...must...resist...Honestly, I wasn't going to post this bit of Surreality (received via email from Beccarii), but then I saw it pop up again on the bbc. So for the record. She pardons a turkey, then gives an interview while turkeys are being killed and bled in the background, then talks about how she cooks the turkey for family gatherings...after pardoning a

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-61190174844212746822008-11-24T09:59:00.001-06:002008-11-24T10:01:21.563-06:00

If only, if only...It would be permanent. (sighs dreamily)Obama skips church, heads to gym(via Talking Points memo)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-89382387656616336322008-11-23T10:46:00.001-06:002008-11-23T10:48:09.743-06:00

Ah, it's great to be a chemist.Nitroglycerin and Nitrogen triiodide.A student asked me about this and it appears legitimate. If it's not hopefully someone will let me know.~Aa

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-72778687408450019332008-11-21T16:39:00.000-06:002008-11-21T16:40:10.182-06:00

Cuhoool!Buried Glaciers Found on Mars

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-49193868863427484782008-11-20T17:29:00.002-06:002008-11-20T17:29:29.164-06:00

"Smart ass"Why yes I am, thank you for noticing.(a direct quote from a student during an email exchange today).

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-1709289130773540362008-11-20T14:25:00.001-06:002008-11-20T14:34:52.421-06:00

Pssst, come closer, it's a secret...I don't like him either.Tries not to roll on the floor in laughter at this world class snub. Priceless, absolutely priceless.(via Washington Monthly)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-12896464055993324752008-11-20T14:17:00.003-06:002008-11-20T14:23:45.061-06:00

Ding Dong the Witch is DeadAt least one of them. Stevens is on his way out, out, OUT! And that gives those spineless Dems (I guess that's a redudnant way of putting it, isn't it? (Read frustration at the Lieberman 'vote'))....58 seats in the Senate.And it's possible Franken could win against Coleman in Minnesota (but this is the state that just re-elected Bachmann to the House so I don't have

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-83135170990109882612008-11-14T08:12:00.002-06:002008-11-14T08:19:01.072-06:00

Religion is a mental illnessWell yes, it is.But this site certainly doesn't just state the obvious, it makes fun of it also.I sense a great sink of time has just dropped itself into my life.UncyclopediaHey, they even give you steps on how to start a religion!!!! (take note dear Apple Monster, perhaps there are tips to help widen your [omitted due to the self-serving nature of the gratuitous

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-34723731440820044402008-11-13T15:38:00.002-06:002008-11-13T15:42:38.093-06:00

I knew I was doing something wrongDamn, I need to get into some PJs and get into that basement.Oh wait, I don't have a basement. Guess the storm shelter will have to do.And oh wait wait, I don't live with my parents any more and don't want to drive 10-hours each time I want to post...oh well.Hat tip to Palin for correcting on how blogging should be done. (Yeesh, what a...(edited due to content))(

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-5462577951693350782008-11-13T09:09:00.002-06:002008-11-13T09:14:28.471-06:00

In Defense of the President ElectNice post over at Wild-Coyote.Another nice one here: Yes we Can!

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-24447485795452508182008-11-06T16:31:00.001-06:002008-11-06T16:32:42.314-06:00

On November 3, 2004I sent the following to Beccarii::-(On November 4, 2008 Beccarii sent the following to me::-)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-40498401297677188432008-11-05T09:07:00.001-06:002008-11-05T09:08:30.252-06:00

Relief....I guess I should be feeling a sense of excitement, but what I mostly feel is an immense sense of relief. Just a complete, unmitigated, totally drained sense of relief that George Bush will finally be packed up and sent home to Crawford. For just this moment, I don't even care whether Barack Obama will be a great president. I'm just grateful that for the next four years our president

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-18915338786837267652008-11-05T08:02:00.000-06:002008-11-05T08:03:03.147-06:00

:-)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-73476921015539693762008-11-03T15:50:00.002-06:002008-11-03T15:52:24.903-06:00

It's only a day awayObama's going to win by 5-6 points (maybe more!), and tomorrow the most disastrous presidency in modern history will finally begin the shamefaced descent into the memory hole that it so richly deserves. I can't wait.Please oh please oh please!

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-23129865890245962052008-10-27T15:00:00.001-05:002008-10-27T15:01:26.580-05:00

Golden ParachutesUnfortunately for Boofy, this only seems to work for the 'higher up's in companies and Universities (or athletic coaches).

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-5907370178989975472008-10-27T09:14:00.002-05:002008-10-27T09:18:18.628-05:00

Blah, blah, blahNo, seriously, he said that!!A good anlaysis over at Washington Monthly:Campaigning in Iowa yesterday, McCain responded with the kind of intellectual rigor and seriousness of thought we've come to expect of the Republican nominee.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-20740728184332154092008-10-27T09:08:00.001-05:002008-10-27T09:09:31.085-05:00

On the moral roots of Liberals and ConservativesJonathan Haidt: The real difference between liberals and conservatives(via a colleague)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-42922544262410359572008-10-24T16:42:00.002-05:002008-10-24T16:47:46.139-05:00

Schadenfreude?It's one of those irritating words I almost always have to look up (pleasure derived from the misfortune of others) but this time it was right on the tip of my tongue as soon as I read it:I am so looking forward to this. Is this schadenfreude? Or does that require at least a veneer of pretending that you're not really taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others? I'm not sure. But

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-89386967356434208082008-10-23T09:51:00.002-05:002008-10-23T09:54:37.691-05:00

Kinda makes me feel all warm inside (via Pharyngula, clicking in the picture takes you to the original citation)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-74781222432402063492008-10-22T08:17:00.003-05:002008-10-22T08:22:22.092-05:00

There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life "Kinda makes me feel all warm in side" (Philosoraptor)If I were rich (in terms of money) I'd use a good portion of it to fund something like this. (via Pharyngula)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-43928844297146316432008-10-20T08:47:00.002-05:002008-10-20T08:48:10.472-05:00

McCain/Palin PricelessHmmm...looks like Family Guy has noticed a certain trend in the GOP also.

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-74922238826919270102008-10-19T12:09:00.000-05:002008-10-19T12:10:01.003-05:00

Over and Under and Through(sometimes it is as simple as that)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-50982681346308278652008-10-17T09:20:00.002-05:002008-10-17T09:21:18.842-05:00

OverI'm not a big fan of family guy but they do have their moments, and I found this one hilarious.(via a friend)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-37222019702668474352008-10-16T12:01:00.000-05:002008-10-16T12:02:11.483-05:00

Random Youtube findA Scotsman Who Still Can't Watch A Movie Without Shouting At The Screen

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-30880569992217528762008-10-11T09:44:00.001-05:002008-10-11T09:46:23.009-05:00

Palin Flowchart(via Beccarii via Andrew Sullivan)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-59467184352073961352008-10-10T09:42:00.002-05:002008-10-10T09:47:09.336-05:00

Two can play at this gameI probably should take the high road and not do this...nah, what fun is that? Sarah, you have some explainin' to do.And John...must keep a lid on that temper...must...not...(first video via Beccarii...second one via lots of blogs - can't remember where I saw it first)

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314445.post-61947971405071005752008-10-09T08:25:00.002-05:002008-10-09T08:27:36.863-05:00

ClassicHannity gets pwned using his own tactics.This is truly a thing of beauty: Sean Hannity, after using the tawdry guilt-by-association gimmick against Barack Obama, gets the same thing done to him. Watch the man squirm in frustration!Simply beautiful. The video is over at Pharyngula as is the poem written by John Cleese about Hannity..

Aahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00045786882607525394noreply@blogger.com0