The Fat of the Land, Shut Up!, -and- Queerly Beloved

The Fat of the Land - Prince Charles wants McDonald's banned
Shut Up! - teacher cuts boy's tongue to silence him
Queerly Beloved - city votes to fire sex-change city manager

On this day in history: February 28, 1968 - Singer and early 60's heartthrob Frankie Lymon is found dead from a heroin overdose next to his syringe, in his grandmother's New York City apartment.

Born on this day in history: February 28, 1901 - Linus Pauling (1901 - 1994) chemist He was the first to receive two unshared Nobel Prizes in separate fields (Chemistry, '54 & Peace, '62).

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Today's Video: Beer-launching Mini Refrigerator!

Today is National Eat a Spider Day! To celebrate, I have prepared a big batch of fried tarantulas! You are all invited to stop by my office and partake of this delicacy! Click to enlarge.

Hic!, Your Honor!, -and- Road Rage

Hic! - NYC construction workers caught drinking on job
Your Honor! - Utah judges caught sleeping on job
Road Rage - woman shoots at tailgater

On this day in history: February 27, 1977 - Rolling Stone Keith Richards arrested in Toronto with his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg for possession of heroin. Found guilty at trial over one year later, he manages to get off with a suspended sentence plus benefit concerts for the blind.

Born on this day in history: February 27, 1902 - John Steinbeck (1902 - 1968) novelist. He aroused widespread sympathy for the plight of migratory farm workers in "The Grapes of Wrath," 1939; won Nobel Prize, 1962.

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Today's Video: Chicken Police

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the clouds are white, and the birds are singing!

Mr. Nitro's outside temperature display indicated that the temperature at 7:30 AM was 41 degrees. The temperature display inside my office indicated 56 degrees. Obviously, all the computers and other electronic equipment produce a good deal of heat. This building is not particularly well insulated.

Somebody's Watching You, Arf!, -and- Queerly Beloved

Somebody's Watching You - cameras to detect suspicious actions
Arf! - town seeks to limit dog barking
Queerly Beloved - lesbian adopts older woman as daughter

On this day in history: February 26, 1974 - A U.S. Senate report reveals Ford Motor's involvement in Nazi Germany's war efforts, for which CEO Henry Ford received the Grand Cross of the German Eagle from Adolf Hitler himself. After the war, the car company was paid nearly $1M reparation by the U.S. government to compensate for one of its plants that was bombed within the Reich.

Born on this day in history: February 26, 1932 - Johnny Cash (1932 - 2006) singer, songwriter. His work sparked a revival of American country and western music, e.g., "Ring of Fire."

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Today's Video: Redneck Bonfire - submitted by Chris.

Health officials are going to review the inspection of a Greenwich Village KFC/Taco Bell, which was completed one day before CBS 2 cameras caught dozens of rats scurrying across the store, jumping on tables, and climbing into food trays. "It doesn't look like the inspection that was done Thursday met our standards," said Geoffrey Cowley, a health department spokesman. "I don't want to prejudge that. We're concerned and we're going to carefully reevaluate that inspection."

The restaurant located at Sixth Avenue and West 4th Street was investigated Thursday following complaints, but the inspector didn't see any rats. In addition, the same restaurant passed both of its inspections last year, although it was fined $1,300 for some violations which included mouse droppings. Now the Health Department has closed the store, and said it will remain closed until it passes re-inspection.

Footloose, Gnaw on This, -and- Bad Housekeeping

Footloose - court backs NYC ban on dancing in bars
Gnaw on This - rats everywhere at NYC restaurant
Bad Housekeeping - mother summoned to custody court over filthy house

On this day in history: February 23, 1996 - The "Freeway Killer," William G. Bonin, executed at San Quentin. For his last meal he chose two pepperoni and sausage pizzas, three coffee ice creams, and fifteen cans of Coca Cola totaling a rather unhealthful 6391 calories.

Born on this day in history: February 23, 1787 - Emma Hart Willard (1787 - 1870) educator. She pioneered higher education for women; founded Troy Female Seminary in 1821, which became the Emma Willard School.

Today's Video: Nora - The Piano-playing Cat! Submitted by Chris.

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The rain and wind are gone. The sky is blue, the scattered clouds are white, the sun is shining brightly, and the birds are singing gleefully. Praise God for this (and every) day!

It was COLD this morning, however—providing an opportunity to test Mr. Nitro's defroster system. It is a very efficient system, indeed. The defroster quickly melted the ice on Mr. Nitro's windshield and defogged the windshield and side mirrors.

Speaking of Mr. Nitro, there is an excellent review of this fine machine in today's USA Today! Titled, "Dodge Nitro so easy to love," it uses a photograph of an Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Nitro R/T, captioned, "Dodge Nitro: Styling could be considered one of the most likable elements of the truck-style, small SUV."

Where the Boys Aren't, It, -and- Law of the Land

Where the Boys Aren't - all-female tourist island planned
It - city manager pursues sex-change operation
Law of the Land - homeless may get hate-crime protection

On this day in history: February 22, 1997 - The first cloning of an advanced mammal, a sheep known as Dolly, is announced in the news media.

Born on this day in history: February 22, 1975 - Drew Barrymore (1975 - ____) film actress. Her best-rated movies are "The Wedding Singer," "Scream," "Boys on the Side," and "E.T.(The Extraterrestrial)".

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Rick Warren Interview

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having "wealth" from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, "Purpose Driven Life" author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California.

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:

“People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life.
The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.

And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is “my problem, my issues, my pain." But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.

It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before.
I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.”

Wicked Weather, Help Me!, -and- Take That!

Wicked Weather - massive hail stones smash cars
Help Me! - recovery program for email addicts
Take That! - woman gets 2 years for tossing cup at car

On this day in history: February 21, 1931 - The first attempted hijacking of an airplane occurs when revolutionary soldiers in Peru seize a Ford Tri-motor and demand pilots drop propaganda leaflets over the capital, Lima.

Born on this day in history: February 21, 1933 - Nina Simone (1933 - ____) jazz singer, pianist, composer, songwriter. She is an accomplished pianist as well as an elastic singer; her repertoire extends from gospel to jazz, soul to pop.

Today's Video: Blues Slide Guitar

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Yikes! It is RAINING! It is raining very lightly, but it is raining nonetheless. It is, however, four degrees warmer than it was yesterday at the same time. That is, however, only marginally consoling. Ah, yes: It is also very windy!

Death Sentence, Little One, -and- Hello It's Me

Death Sentence - Italian judge orders 13-year-old girl to have abortion
Little One - baby born at less than 22 weeks goes home
Hello It's Me - woman stunned to see herself on greeting card

On this day in history: February 20, 1997 - Victor Willis, the "cop" in the Village People is charged in Nevada on drug possession (45 grams of cocaine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and strong armed robbery. The events occurred February 15. Willis, 45, listed his occupation as "unemployed" and generously gave approval for his hotel room to be searched.

Born on this day in history: February 20, 1902 - Ansel Adams (1902 - 1984) landscape photographer, conservationist. He helped establish photography as an art form while capturing the beauty of western U.S.

Today's Video: Britney Shaves Her Head!

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Hillary Clinton goes to a primary school in New York to talk about the world. After her talk she offers a question time. One little boy puts up his hand. The Senator asks him what his name is. "Kenneth." "And what is your question, Kenneth?"

"I have three questions: First - whatever happened to the medical health care plan you were paid to develop during your husband's eight years in the office as President? Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office? Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House?"

Just then the bell rings for recess. Hillary Clinton informs the kids that they will continue after recess. When they resume, Hillary says, "Okay, where were we? Oh, that's right, question time. Who has a question?" A different little boy puts his hand up. Hillary point him out and asks him what his name is. "Larry." "And what is your question, Larry?"

"I have five questions: First - whatever happened to the medical health care plan you were paid to develop during your husband's eight years in the office as President? Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office? Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House? Fourth - why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early? Fifth - what happened to Kenneth?"

Fighting Back, Hero, -and- Law of the Land

Fighting Back - crew, passengers beat up hijacker
Hero - teen rescues 3 from icy N.Y. creek
Law of the Land - tattoo ban sparks free-speech debate

On this day in history: February 19, 1942 - Roosevelt signs E.O. 9066, the internment order permitting Japanese Americans to be held in concentration camps for the duration of the war.

Born on this day in history: February 19, 1473 - Nicolas Copernicus (1473 - 1543) astronomer. He was first to propose that planets revolved around the sun; wrote "Mathematics of a Heliocentric Solar System," 1543.

Today's Video: Phone Karma Submitted by Chris.

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

While taking photographs of Laura's 1996 Toyota Paseo for the AutoTrader ad, I took a few quick shots of Mr. Yaris and Mr. Nitro. Click to enlarge.

Fighting Back, Piracy, -and- Neither Rain Nor Sleet

Fighting Back - store owner fatally shoots would-be robber
Piracy - YouTube hands over user IDs to Fox
Neither Rain Nor Sleet - soldier's postcard arrives 90 years late

On this day in history: February 16, 1923 - Lord Carnarvon opens King Tut's tomb, revealing one of the most well-preserved treasures from the ancient world. While it has been frequently reported that a curse killed 13 of the 20 people present at the opening of the tomb, there was no curse and no unusual death patterns occurred.

Born on this day in history: February 16, 1959 - John McEnroe (1959 - ____) tennis player. "Superbrat" was infamous for his temper and on-court antics; won U.S. Open 1979-81, 1984; became a respected tennis commentator.

Today's Video: The Handyman Submitted by Frank.

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Laura's 1996 Toyota Paseo is getting its windshield replaced today. I shall be closing my office at noon and scurrying home to meet with installers from Mike's Mobile Windshield at our house. Tomorrow morning, we shall take the Paseo to the car wash and thoroughly clean it. Tomorrow afternoon, a potential buyer is coming from Redding (an hour north of here) to inspect the Paseo and, hopefully, determine that it is precisely that which he seeks.

Be My Valentine, Bad Housekeeping, -and- Skin and Bones

Be My Valentine - woman ties up lover, drinks his blood
Bad Housekeeping - house of filth condemned by town
Skin and Bones - teen model dies 6 months after anorexic sister

On this day in history: February 15, 1936 - At a speech in Berlin, Hitler confronts German industry with the challenge of creating the Volkswagen. Thus Ferdinand Porsche designs the Beetle.

Born on this day in history: February 15, 1951 - Jane Seymour (1951 - ____) actress. She is best known for her starring role in the TV series "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."

Today's Video: Crazy Car - awesome hill climb!

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

The online digital music business stinks. iTunes, Rhapsody, Zune Store, Napster — you name it. They are all failures. The hype has people believing otherwise. Bloggers and tech writers shout that iTunes is the best thing to happen to music since the microphone.

But it is not true. Nearly six years after the introduction of iTunes and the iPod, online music has failed to interest the vast majority of the world's music consumers. This is no doubt why Steve Jobs recently called for an end to copy-protection software on digital songs. Something has to change, or iTunes and its ilk will never break into the mass market.

Jobs admitted that iTunes' penetration has been weak. In his discussed-to-death essay, "Thoughts On Music" — posted a couple of weeks ago on Apple's website — Jobs noted that only about 3 percent of songs on a typical iPod are bought on iTunes. The rest are either ripped from CDs and transferred into iPods, or illegitimately downloaded for free from file-sharing sites.

Alien Nation, Monkey Business, -and- Oops!

Alien Nation - B of A to offer credit cards to illegals
Monkey Business - L.A. Zoo goes bananas over feng shui
Oops! - man charged after shooting self in foot

On this day in history: February 14, 1929 - The Capone gang kills six members of the "Bugs" Moran gang and one other person at the S.M.C. Cartage company in Chicago, in an event known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Bogus police officers were used so that it appeared to be a routine police bust.

Born on this day in history: February 14, 1894 - Jack Benny (1894 - 1974) comedian. His unusual comedic deadpan method and expert timing made him a legendary success in U.S. radio and TV for more than 30 years.

Today's Video: If I Die Before You Wake - moving tribute to our soldiers in Iraq - submitted by Laura.

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Happy Valentine's Day! Laura and I wish a very festive and happy Valentine's Day to all!

For dinner last evening, I made pan-fried Foster Farms boneless, skinless chicken breasts and garlic mashed cauliflower. This was the first time I made garlic mashed cauliflower, and it will certainly not be the last! The dish is incredibly delicious, and we intend to enjoy it often. The methodology is simple: I cleaned a large head of cauliflower and placed it in a large casserole dish. I peeled a head of Christopher Ranch garlic and scattered the cloves about in the cauliflower. I sprinkled herbs and spices over the cauliflower and garlic and cooked on high in the microwave for 10 minutes. I added two tablespoons of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and an ounce of low-fat half-and-half. Laura then used an Oster wand blender to reduce the mixture to the consistency of mashed potatoes. The dish was wonderful!

Alien Spuds, To Serve and Protect, -and- Garbage

Alien Spuds - "space potatoes" latest food fad
To Serve and Protect - FBI loses 320 weapons and laptops
Garbage - trash-filled car crashes

On this day in history: February 13, 1959 - The first Barbie Doll is introduced by Mattel in California.

Born on this day in history: February 13, 1923 - Chuck Yeager (1923 - ____) aviator, brigadier general. He was the first man to break the sound barrier, 1947; featured in Tom Wolf's book, movie "The Right Stuff."

Today's Video: Erik Mongrain - hot guitarist - submitted by Frank.

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Never take a cat on a rafting trip! Click to enlarge.

Laura has long been taking credit card applications and other potential sources of identity theft to work with her, where she shreds them. About a month ago, I told her this was an undue imposition on her and said that I would buy her a shredder. During that time, she accumulated an inordinate amount of shredder fodder. Last Friday, I ordered a shredder. It arrived yesterday. I unpacked it and took it to our house, where I set it up in one of our spare bedrooms. Last evening, Laura used it with great enthusiasm. Her eyes sparkled brilliantly, and she chortled merrily as sensitive data became diamond-cut and fell into the lighted basket of the Ativa DQ120D medium-duty shredder.

If you do not own a shredder currently, I highly recommend the Ativa DQ120D. It is a mere $69.95 at Office Depot, and it works extremely well. It has a lighted basket (the light comes on automatically during the shredding process), and slots for credit cards, CDs, and paper. It accepts up to 12 sheets at once and is fast and efficient.

Seeing the delight and excitement in Laura's eyes caused me to give her the new nickname, "Shred."

Blokes Gone Wild, Mommy Dearest, -and- The Whiz

Blokes Gone Wild - UK to allow OTC sale of Viagra
Mommy Dearest - mother kept girls locked away from world for 7 years
The Whiz - urinals provide DUI advice

On this day in history: February 12, 1967 - Police in London arrest Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Marianne Faithfull after they discover amphetamine pills, cannabis resin and Marianne scandalously naked but for a fur rug. The two Rolling Stones received jail sentences, which were successfully appealed.

Born on this day in history: February 12, 1809 - Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865) president, lawyer. He was the 16th U.S. president during the Civil War; wrote "Emancipation Proclamation," and "Gettysburg Address," 1863.

Today's Video: Card Magic

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Saturday, we journeyed to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. to pick up Laura's 1996 Toyota Paseo, which I have placed in AutoTrader. If the weather permits this weekend, we shall detail the Paseo and produce photographs for the AutoTrader advertisement. Laura drove Mr. Nitro to Chico. She was thoroughly impressed by all aspects of Mr. Nitro except his heated seats. Laura said she found the heated seat disconcerting. It was my intention to follow Laura on the return journey, and I did manage to follow her out of the Sierra Nevada parking lot. Somehow, however, I lost sight of the Paseo in traffic, assumed Laura was still ahead of me, and searched the highway for her during the drive back to Corning. Imagine my surprise when she arrived at our home shortly following my arrival!

The weather was most foul—windy and rainy. We feared—based upon weather forecasts—Sunday's weather would be worse, so during a brief respite from rain, we journeyed to the market in Mr. Nitro to perform our weekly shopping. Imagine our surprise when we awakened to blue skies, white clouds, and sunshine Sunday morning!

For dinner Saturday, we had shrimp and salad. I peeled approximately 36 medium shrimp Friday evening while Laura was at Harvest Christian Center. I marinated them in La Conda Ranch extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and Cajun spices. Laura sautéed the shrimp, and I prepared a salad with sliced cucumber, celery, and cluster tomatoes and dressed it with extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, and herbs and spices. It was a delightful meal.

For dinner Sunday, I prepared green beans, seasoned with Cajun spices and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and cooked in the microwave for 3 minutes on high. I diced white onion and Jalapeños and repaired to the living room to do the Sunday crossword puzzles. Laura made an excellent meatloaf with 2 pounds of ground sirloin, 2 eggs, a packet of taco seasoning, the Jalapeño and onion, minced garlic, pimento, sliced green olives, and herbs and spices. She topped it with spicy catsup and baked it in a Pyrex baking dish for 60 minutes at 350 degrees. It was wonderful, and more than half remains for another meal.

Classless, Godless, -and- On a Budget

Classless - teacher arrested for using cocaine in classroom
Godless - police search for cult leader who eats girls
On a Budget - O.J. Simpson told to stop spending

On this day in history: February 9, 1989 - Officials for the World Wrestling Federation testify before the New Jersey Senate that their matches are actually rigged.

Born on this day in history: February 9, 1874 - Amy Lowell (1874 - 1925) poet, critic, lecturer. She was a leading poet of the Imagist school.

Today's Video: Dilbert Has "The Knack"! Submitted by Phillip.

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It is raining! For the last few days, it has been drizzling on and off, but today it is raining! It is raining so hard that Laura enlisted me to drive her around the block and down the alley to her new Yaris so that she could avoid the deep puddles that had formed during the night at the side of our house. It was the first time Laura has been in my new Nitro R/T. Hopefully, her next ride in Mr. Nitro will be under more pleasant conditions!

While this is not Mr. Nitro, it is Mr. Nitro's identical twin! Click to enlarge.

Stealing Music, Fighting Back, -and- Never Too Young

Stealing Music - Apple sparks battle over copyright
Fighting Back - intruder killed by homeowner had long criminal history
Never Too Young - 10-year-old charged with felony

On this day in history: February 8, 1994 - During an argument Jack Nicholson destroys the windshield of a car with a golf club, screaming "You cut me off!" Charges were dismissed on May 2 after the matter was settled privately. Nicholson did this one month before he was to host the annual Los Angeles Police-Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Born on this day in history: February 8, 1920 - Lana Turner (1920 - 1995) actress. She was a legendary Hollywood sweater girl of the 1940s; her movies includes "The Survivors," and "Falcon Crest."

Today's Video: Let's Fly! Submitted by Frank.

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

For dinner last evening, I made a delightful salad: I poached and chilled a dozen giant shrimp, added sliced celery, sliced Jalapeños, diced cucumber, sliced cluster tomatoes, grated ginger, cashews, herbs and spices, extra-virgin olive oil, and rice wine vinegar. It was delicious.

At approximately 9:45 PM last evening, the power at our house went off, returned, and went off again. Shortly thereafter, we witnessed a PG&E transformer explode through our bedroom window. Laura retrieved my cell phone from the pocket of my trousers, turned it on, and placed it on my nightstand. (I keep the alarm clock on my cell phone set at 6:30 AM.) We nestled into our Sleep Number bed and chattered until sleep overtook us. I awakened at 5:30 and found that the power had returned. Now shall begin the resetting of many clocks. The power did not go off at my office. All is well there.

Turn Off, Pay to Play, -and- Without a Trace

Turn Off - NYC proposes ban on using iPod while walking
Pay to Play - man sued for downloading 5 songs
Without a Trace - woman gets on wrong bus, lost for 25 years

On this day in history: February 7, 1969 - Beatle George Harrison has his tonsils removed. He had them destroyed to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

Born on this day in history: February 7, 1962 - Garth Brooks (1962 - ____) singer, songwriter. He was the first country music singer to win six Academy of Country Music Awards, 1991; album "Ropin' the Wind," 1991.

Today's Video: Extra Strong - great stop-action video

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

It rained during the night, and it continues to rain, although the rain is light—more a mist than a rain, actually. Nonetheless, my Dodge Nitro R/T is wet! I quickly accustomed myself with the operation of the intermittent wipers. While it is damp outside, it is certainly warmer than it has been. It has been 52 - 56 degrees in my office on recent morning arrivals at 7:30 AM. This morning, it was 63 degrees at that time. I realize we need the rain, but I dislike it. The forecast is for several days of rain. Yikes! At least the temperature will preclude the rain from turning to snow. There is that.

One Bad Apple, Save the Trees, -and- Shocking!

One Bad Apple - iPod users warned against MS Vista
Save the Trees - world's oldest newspaper goes digital only
Shocking! - dad accused of using stun gun on baby

On this day in history: February 6, 1951 - Radio personality Paul Harvey is arrested for trying to break into Argonne Atomic Lab.

Born on this day in history: February 6, 1911 - Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2006) 40th president. He was an All American football player, movie star in "Bedtime For Bonzo," President, 1981-89.

Today's Video: So You Like a Little Recoil? Submitted by Frank.

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Nitro Update: Laura swooped upon me yesterday afternoon and took me to Chuck Patterson Auto World in Chico, where my new Dodge Nitro RT awaited me! Words fail me! It is an awesome vehicle with every conceivable creature comfort. I shall soon be doing photo shoots of Laura's new Toyota Yaris and my new Dodge Nitro RT and will make the photos available here. Saturday, I shall take Laura to Chico so that she can retrieve her 1996 Toyota Paseo. We shall offer it for sale through AutoTrader.

God orchestrated my acquisition of the Dodge Nitro R/T! As you may recall, RAMMMMM was sold to a buyer from San Luis Obispo. The night of the sale, the buyer called to say he was staying in Corning and wished to unwind the sale. My first reaction was to say, "No," but the Holy Spirit cautioned me against this and told me to graciously do as the buyer requested. I did so the following morning.

During the brief period that RAMMMMM was deemed sold, a thorough investigation of Dodge dealers throughout California resulted in the assertion that there were no Nitro R/Ts in inventory! I determined to simply wait until they were available before selling RAMMMMM.

The following Monday, an offer for RAMMMMM was made by someone from Colorado. The Holy Spirit told me to take the offer, and Laura agreed that if I felt so directed it was best to do so. The new buyer sent a cashier's check via overnight FedEx and arranged for a transport company to pick up RAMMMMM.

I asked Laura to visit Chuck Patterson Auto World, obtain a brochure, and ask to be notified when a vehicle meeting the specifications I had printed was available. She was told the Nitro R/Ts were due to be released "soon." The following day, the salesman called her and told her the dealership received notification of a Nitro R/T meeting (and exceeding, in fact) my specifications having been allocated to them. Laura placed a deposit on the vehicle, the impatient waiting began, and now the vehicle is mine.

Laura was taken with a red Toyota Yaris hatchback while at the dealership. It is now hers.

God is great!

Jurassic Park, What Are the Odds?, -and- Don't Call

Jurassic Park - more than 100 dinosaur eggs found
What Are the Odds? - gambler gives birth on casino floor
Don't Call! - man shoves cell phone down woman's throat

On this day in history: February 5, 1979 - Woodrow Bussey files suit against the Adolf Coors Brewing Company for failing to warn him that their product, Coors Beer, is an intoxicating beverage.

Born on this day in history: February 5, 1934 - Hank Aaron (1934 - ____) baseball player. "The Hammer" played outfield for the Braves, 1954-76; broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, 1974.

Today's Video: The Greatest Hot Wheels Race Ever! This must-see video was submitted by Chris.

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Laura drove me to my office in her new Toyota Yaris. It is an excellent little vehicle with incredible interior room and ease of entrance/exit. It is a bright, glossy fingernail-polish-like red. I shall soon post some photographs of this creature.

Nitro Update - 2:23 PM: Laura just called and said my new Nitro will arrive at the dealership within the hour! Laura will swoop upon me, and we will scurry off to snatch the beast very soon!

Spare the Rod, Birds Gone Wild, -and- Name Game

Spare the Rod - lawmaker delays jail-for-spanking bill
Birds Gone Wild - eagles attack paraglider at 8,200 feet
Name Game - Georgia mayor converts to Islam, wants name change

On this day in history: February 2, 1852 - The first public toilet is inaugurated, located at 95 Fleet Street in London, by the Society of Arts.

Born on this day in history: February 2, 1882 - James Joyce (1882 - 1941) novelist, poet, playwright. He was best known for his novels of subtle, frank portraits of human nature; wrote "Ulysses," 1922; "Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man," 1914.

Today's Video: When Animals Dance

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Awesome Story: Be certain to read this awesome story! The Rope

Blogger Comment Update: Comments are now operational. Blogger tech support addressed this issue last evening, and all is now well.

Happy Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring. I sincerely hope that Phil is correct, since I greatly long for the arrival of spring! This morning was cold and foggy. It is now clear, sunny, and warming, but there was a dense covering of ice on RAMMMMM's windshield this morning.

Laura will be leaving from work this afternoon to journey to The Spring of Living Water—11 miles from Chico—to attend a Christian retreat. The cats and I shall be on our own. We shall miss Laura a good deal. She will return from the retreat Sunday afternoon.

RAMMMMM Update - 10 AM: The transport company just called. They will be picking RAMMMMM up at 3 PM today to transport him to his new home in Colorado.

Laura will pick her new Toyota Yaris up at 1 PM today. We shall put her 1996 Toyota Paseo in AutoTrader.

My new Dodge Nitro R/T will be delivered here by the dealership—hopefully by 4 PM, since I will be on foot!

Don't Call, Busted!, -and- I'll Drive

Don't Call - UK: use a cell phone, lose your car
Busted! - police chief writes himself a ticket
I'll Drive - man drives stolen car to probation meeting

On this day in history: February 1, 1964 - Governor Matthew Welsh of Indiana declares "Louie, Louie" as recorded by The Kingsmen (originally by Richard Berry & The Pharaohs) "pornographic." And while the FCC couldn't figure out the lyrics, the governor's move backfires by making the song one of the most covered titles in existence.

Born on this day in history: February 1, 1902 - Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967) poet, writer, editor. He was an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance who wrote "The Weary Blues," 1926.

Today's Video: The Rapture

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