Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Go Tell Alice, Brave New Schools, -and- Going to the Dogs


Go Tell Alice! - glow-in-the-dark mushrooms discovered
Brave New Schools - N.Y. School District agrees to pay student $1 for refusing to allow Bible club
Going to the Dogs - Nebraska woman accused of throwing pet at cop

On this day in history: October 7, 1964 - Walter W. Jenkins, chief White House aide and longtime friend of President Lyndon B. Johnson, is arrested for disorderly conduct two blocks from the White House. Jenkins was discovered in a YMCA pay toilet with another man. Ultimately, Jenkins is forced to resign, so as not to jeopardize Johnson's re-election campaign. Jenkins stated that during his arrest, his mind had been "befuddled by fatigue, alcohol, physical illness, and lack of food."

Born on this day in history: October 7, 1931 - Desmond Tutu (1931 -) Born in Klerksdorp, South Africa, Anglican clergyman Desmond Tutu became the first black Bishop of Johannesburg (1984). A critic of the apartheid system, he repeatedly risked imprisonment, earning the 1984 Nobel Prize for Peace.

Scripture of the Day: The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. - Psalm 34:7

Video of the Day: Mean Kitty - Editor's Assistant - submitted by Cindy





Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while at Walmart on the way to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.






Last Night's Dinner: I shredded the pig meat that remained from Sunday's pig roast and placed it in a stainless-steel pot, with pickled Jalapeños, minced garlic, spring water, and Crystal hot sauce. I let this simmer for two hours. Laura stirred it occasionally. After two hours, Laura added a quantity of commercial barbecue sauce, stirred, and let simmer for an additional 30 minutes. We made barbecue pork sandwiches, using sourdough Colombo rolls. We had pasta salad for a side dish. It was a delicious meal. A container of the barbecue pork followed Laura to Chico this morning for her lunch.

Movies I Watched Last Night: I watched two movies last evening (via Netflix' Watch Instantly) with our new 6Mb/sec Internet service from DigitalPath. What a delight it was to be able to enjoy movies without the dreaded buffering!





Civic Duty - 2006 - Rated R [Recently fired from his job, accountant Terry Allen (Peter Krause) spends his days glued to the television, transfixed by 24-hour news coverage that obsesses over the threat of terrorism. When a quiet Islamic student moves in next door, Terry assumes the worst and takes it upon himself to quell the perceived threat. Directed by Jeff Renfroe, this suspenseful thriller examines the American psyche in a post-Sept. 11 world.] I thoroughly enjoyed this movie--until the last five minutes! I will not be specific (in order not to spoil the ending for anyone who might wish to see this movie), but I found the ending very disappointing!

Conspiracy Theory - 1997 - Rated R [ Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson), a New York City cab driver who moonlights as a conspiracy theorist, puts his life in danger when crooked government officials set out to silence him. An attorney named Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts) might be able to help him, as she tries to unravel a mysterious murder that could be connected to Fletcher's theory. Richard Donner directs and Patrick Stewart co-stars.] I saw this movie over ten years ago and enjoyed it. I enjoyed it nearly as much last night as I did initially. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys action thrillers. Mel Gibson's and Julia Roberts' performances are very good.

Technology News
Microsoft
announces Windows Mobile 6.5 phones

Windows 7 party hosts get free autographed copy
Avoid being a victim of an email phishing scam
Microsoft opened its Mobile App Store

iPhone News
Useful educational iPhone apps for students
Pocket Sherpa for iPhone has promise