Thursday, April 02, 2009

Where's the Fire?, Never Too Young, -and- Lost in Space


Where's the Fire? - Houston ladder truck runs red light, collides with pumper truck
Never Too Young - 11-year-old with bad credit
Lost in Space - hidden planet discovered in old Hubble data

On this day in history: April 2, 1459 - Vlad the Impaler impales thousands of merchants and burghers of the town of Brasov, in Transylvania.

Born on this day in history: April 2, 1939 - Marvin Gaye (1939 - 1984) Born in Washington DC, singer and composer Marvin Gaye wrote hit "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (1968) and other soul classics. In 1961, he married Anna Gordy, Motown president Berry Gordy's sister, and then released a series of Motown hits. The album "What's Going On" (1971) marked his new, socially conscious style. In later years, Gaye was beset by problems, which culminated in being shot to death by his father.

Scripture of the Day: It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. - 1 Corinthians 1:30

Video of the Day: "Repo Man" Theatrical Trailer - submitted by Darin





Imagine my surprise when I encountered this beastie in the roadway as I drove to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.







Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House in Washington: one from Illinois, one from Tennessee, and a third from Kentucky. They all go with a White House official to examine the fence.

The Tennessee contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew, and $100 profit for me."

The Kentucky contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and, $100 profit for me."

The Illinois contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, "$2,700." The official, incredulous, whispers back, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?" The Illinois contractor whispers back, "$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you, and we hire that guy from Kentucky to fix the fence."

"Done!" replies the government official.