Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Driven, Keep Moving, -and- Weapons of Choice


Driven - BMW workers steal car parts--one part at a time
Keep Moving - San Francisco bans sitting, lying on sidewalks
Weapons of Choice - New Jersey man serving 7 years for guns he owned legally


On this day in history: November 30, 1994 - Rapper Tupac Shakur is shot five times in the chest in what may or may not have been an attempted robbery. He lives but is shot dead in Las Vegas, Nevada later.






Born on this day in history: November 30, 1835 - Mark Twain (1835 - 1910) Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri, Mark Twain wrote grand tales about Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and the mighty Mississippi River.
He explored the American soul with wit and a sharp eye for truth and became nothing less than a national treasure.





Scripture of the Day:




Video of the Day: The Haircut - captured by Laura with my Droid X



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





Technology News
Google Earth 6 adds seamless Street View, 3D trees
Facebook scam: "See who has viewed your profile"
Government seizes 82 domains of sites selling counterfeit goods
Comcast Internet outage hits East Coast

Today's Lunch

Last evening, I grilled very thick ahi steaks on our indoor grill. I made a very tangy wasabi tartar sauce. We enjoyed this with a salad of baby spinach, hard-boiled egg, Jalapeño peppers, white onion, mushrooms, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and bleu cheese dressing. A quantity of the ahi and wasabi tartar sauce remains, and I shall feast upon it at lunchtime.

Monday, November 29, 2010

No Way Out, Burning Down the House, -and- Animal Kingdom


No Way Out - pensioner builds brick wall, traps himself in basement
Burning Down the House - woman sets house on fire after being locked out, police say
Animal Kingdom - Florida college student attacked by otter


On this day in history: November 29, 1961 - The US sends the chimpanzee Enos into space, on the Mercury Atlas 5 capsule from Cape Canaveral






Born on this day in history: November 29, 1832 - Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888) Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, writer Louisa May Alcott worked many jobs to help support her family (1850-62), publishing under pen names beginning in 1851. In 1869, under her own name, she published Little Women, which gave her financial independence. Alcott went on to turn out a steady stream of novels and stories.





Scripture of the Day:




Video of the Day: Hummer Driving into Lake



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





Technology News
Government seized domains alleged to infringe copyright
Windows 7 Phone: jailbroken
Angry Birds Christmas edition coming soon, images rreleased

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Fighting Back, Forget About It, -and- Don't Squeeze the Charmin


Fighting Back - babysitter fights off intruder with broom
Forget About It - pill developed to help people forget traumatic past events
Don't Squeeze the Charmin - woman trapped in Paris bathroom for 20 days


On this day in history: November 24, 2003 - A jury in Virginia Beach, Va., sentenced John Allen Muhammad to death for the Washington-area sniper shootings. Muhammad was executed in 2009.






Born on this day in history: November 24, 1888 - Dale Carnegie (1888 - 1955) Born in Maryville, Missouri, writer and public speaker Dale Carnegie began in the 1930s with a radio program and books, notably How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936). His name became synonymous with the self-help-to-success he promoted.





Scripture of the Day:




Video of the Day: Embrace Life - Wear Your Seat Belt - submitted by Laura - I felt it appropriate to use yesterday's Video of the Day again today. I believe it is truly a "must-see" video that is particularly timely, since many will be driving to be with family and friends for Thanksgiving.

As I said yesterday, Laura recently avoided an accident because of her quick responses and excellent driving skills. This experience heightened her awareness of how critical it is to drive defensively. Several days ago, she successfully completed a defensive driving seminar sponsored by her employer. She made these comments on yesterday's blog:

There are 5 keys to defensive driving that primarily will keep you safe if you employ them at all times.

The protocol was devised by Smith Systems in 1952...they have not been improved upon to this day.

The ACRONYM is:

All
Good
Kids
Love
Milk
*********************************
AIM High in your steering
GET the Big Picture
KEEP your eyes moving
LEAVE yourself an out
MAKE sure they see you

I learned a lot taking this course. Foremost -- it's not about being the fastest and coolest; it's about being the safest and staying the "alive'est."

GREAT instruction I received. Actually changed the way I drive.

More Later, if anyone interested.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!




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





Technology News

FCC calls for 911 system that accepts texts
Acer 10-inch Android tablet: hands on
Kingston unveils USB 3.0 Hyper Max external hard drive

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Take a Bite out of Crime, Animal Kingdom, -and- Ah Wilderness


Take a Bite out of Crime - Chihuahua becomes Japanese police dog
Animal Kingdom - PETA tries to halt elephant rides at Santa Ana Zoo
Ah Wilderness - Wi-Fi makes trees sick, study says


On this day in history: November 23, 1936 - Bluesman Robert Johnson is recorded for the very first time in a San Antonio recording studio. The legend of Robert Johnson, arguably the most influential blues performer of all time, began growing in earnest only in the early 1960s, more than 20 years after his death. It was the 1959 publication of Samuel Charters's "The Country Blues" that introduced his name to many, but as Charters himself observed of Johnson at the time, "Almost nothing is known about his life....He is only a name on a few recordings." What is well known about those recordings is that they helped inspire a blues-rock revolution in the decade that followed—a revolution led by young British musicians like Eric Clapton and Keith Richard. What is less well known, perhaps, is just how small that body of work actually is.






Born on this day in history: November 23, 1888 - Harpo Marx (1888 - 1964) Born Adolph Arthur Marx in New York City, comedian and actor Harpo Marx, with brothers, Leonard (Chico), Julius (Groucho), Milton (Gummo) and Herbert (Zeppo), developed the successful Marx Brothers comedy act on stage and for films. Harpo became a gifted mime, never speaking professionally.





Scripture of the Day:



Video of the Day:

Embrace Life - Always Wear Your Seat Belt - submitted by Laura NOTE: There is a section of Highway 99 that is known locally as "Blood Alley" because of the many fatal accidents that have taken place there. It is the highway that connects Corning and Chico, and Laura has traveled to and from her job in Chico for ten years, traveling "Blood Alley." Last Monday, a truck pulled into her lane, heading in the wrong direction--causing Laura to engage her quick responses and excellent driving skills to avoid a head-on collision with this cretin. This experience remains indelibly etched into Laura's memory. She has since taken an alternate road when traveling home in the evening, when it is dark. Additionally, she took a defensive driving course provided by her employer. This video was featured in the course.

Laura and I remind everyone to wear their seat belts and drive with great caution!




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





Technology News
Opera 11 Beta offers new take on tabs, extensions
Federal Reserve hacker indicted
Malware is everywhere, report says

Monday, November 22, 2010

Homeland Insecurity, Surf's Down, -and- Johnny Mnemonic


Homeland Insecurity - report: nuclear weapon drivers sometimes got drunk
Surf's Down - FCC ignores federal court, moves to regulate Internet
Johnny Mnemonic - method to erase traumatic memories may be on the horizon


On this day in history: November 22, 1979 - Over 300 Shi'ite Muslim radicals, followers of Juhaiman al-Utaibi, take control of the Great Mosque in Mecca, demanding a return to more conservative rule. Two weeks later, over 100 of them are dead after a battle with Saudi military. A further 63 are beheaded at scattered locations over Saudi Arabia, to serve as examples.





Born on this day in history: November 22, 1984 - Scarlett Johansson (1984 - ) Born in New York City, actress Scarlett Johanssen debuted at age 8 off-Broadway, and gained profile in "The Horse Whisperer" (1998), and later films. In May 2008, she released her first album "Anywhere I Lay My Head", singing cover versions of Tom Waits' songs.





Scripture of the Day:



Video of the Day: Black Devil - Moscow Ride on R1 - submitted by Frank



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





Technology News
Cyberthuieves still rely on human foot soldiers
Netflix launches $7.99 streaming-only option in U.S.
Amazon opens Black Friday store

Friday, November 19, 2010

Beam Me Up Scotty!, Controlling the Substances, -and- Surf's Down


Beam Me Up Scotty! - 10 sci-fi weapons that actually exist
Controlling the Substances - Dutch government attempts to ban sale of marijuana to tourists
Surf's Down - Web censorship bill sails through Senate committee


On this day in history: November 19, 1970 - Lance Rentzel, American professional football player, is arrested for exposing himself to a ten-year-old girl. He was later sentenced to five years' probation. Rentzel was said to have handled the situation bravely, continuing to play pro football and opening admitting his problems. At one point, he labeled himself a "sex pervert." In 1973 he made further headlines when he pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana.






Born on this day in history: November 19, 1962 - Jodie Foster (1962 - ) Born in Los Angeles, actress and director Jodie Foster became famous in child roles, then established herself as an adult actress, receiving Best Actress Oscars for roles in The Accused (1988) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991).





Scripture of the Day:



Video of the Day: Dallas Wildest Police Chase



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





Technology News
Committee okays bill requiring ISPs to block pirate sites
Sweden to issue arrest warrant for WikiLeaks' Assange
Stuxnet worm could devastate critical systems, experts say

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Little Woman, Big Guns, -and- Antisocial Networking


The Little Woman - world's smallest woman 28" tall
BIg Guns - Sheriff Joe recruits big names for his "Immigration Posse"
Antisocial Networking - Huntington Beach may try to shame suspected drunk drivers on Facebook


On this day in history: November 18, 1970 - Singer Jerry Lee Lewis divorces his third wife Myra Gail, after 12 years of marriage. When they got married Lewis was married to Jane Mitcham at the time.






Born on this day in history: November 18, 1968 - Owen Wilson (1968 - ) Born in Dallas, Texas, actor and writer Owen Wilson is known for his subdued comedic personas, and made his first feature in 1993. He went on to co-write film comedies and appear in big budget films, often with actor Ben Stiller.





Scripture of the Day:




Video of the Day: Make the Most of Every Mile



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





Technology News
Netflix CEO says U.S. streaming option coming soon
IE9 Platform Preview 7 takes the browser speed crown
China helped hijack U.S. Internet traffic, report says

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow, Bad Hair Day, -and- Wake Up!


Hair Today Gone Tomorrow - man forced to eat own beard in lawn mower dispute
Bad Hair Day - woman goes after husband with 15-inch knife over weave job
Wake Up! - New Jersey town outlaws sleeping in public


On this day in history: November 17, 1968 - NBC preempts the final 1:05 from a very close Jets-Raiders NFL football game with Heidi. Two touchdowns were scored during this missing time. Sports fans everywhere applaud and understand the network's decision.






Born on this day in history: November 17, 1942 - Martin Scorsese (1942 - ) Born in New York, Martin Scorsese is considered one of the foremost directors of his generation. His many films include Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980) and Gangs of New York (2002). In 2006, he won his first Oscar for Best Director for The Departed.





Scripture of the Day: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. — Psalm 119:105

Video of the Day: Spyderco Sharpmaker



Video of the Day: Spyderco Sharpmaker Techniques



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





Technology News
Hulu drops price on Hulu Plus to $7.99, adds Roku
Warner Bros. pursuing Harry Potter pirate
Kindsight surveys top security misconceptions


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Somebody's Watching You, Stupid Criminals, -and- Food Fight


Somebody's Watching You - Japanese vending machine uses facial recognition technology to "recommend" drinks based on the customer's age and gender
Stupid Criminals - Fairbanks thief takes $20,000 from safe, leaves #80,000 behind
Food Fight - Florida woman arrested for assaulting boyfriend with tamales


On this day in history: November 16, 1906 - Opera star Enrico Caruso is charged with an indecent act committed in the monkey house of New York's Central Park Zoo. He pinched the bottom of a woman described as "pretty and plump", causing outrage amongst New York high society. Caruso claimed a monkey pinched the lady's bottom.






Born on this day in history: November 16, 1873 - W.C. Handy (1873 - 1958) Born in Florence, Alabama, blues composer W. C. Handy began as a cornet player in a minstrel show, then formed a band and a publishing company. Despite being blind, he was the first to introduce the blues style to printed music.





Scripture of the Day: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. — Psalm 119:18

Video of the Day: Dodge Nitro Hill Climb



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





Technology News
Barnes & Noble Nook Color launched, reviewed
Microsoft sells 1 million Kinect devices in 10 days
Walmart's Black Friday ad lesks

Monday, November 15, 2010

Animal Kingdom, Weapons of Choice, -and- Come Back Liittle Sheba


Animal Kingdom - Jack Russel terrier chases mountain lion up tree
Weapopns of Choice - Florida car dealership offers free AK-47 with every truck sale
Come Home Little Sheba - cash-strapped NYC will no longer look for lost pets


On this day in history: November 15, 1990 - Producers acknowledge that Milli Vanilli (the 1990 "Best Artist" Grammy Award winners) did not sing on their album. One of the duo, Robert Pilatus, later attempts suicide in 1991 but he couldn't even get that performance right. He does succeed 7 years later, though.






Born on this day in history: November 15, 1887 - Georgia O'Keeffe (1887 - 1986) Born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, artist Georgia O'Keeffe became famous for flower paintings such as "Black Iris" (1926), and cityscapes. She settled in New Mexico in 1946, which inspired the paintings that made her reputation in 20th-century American art.





Scripture of the Day: Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. — Psalm 119:143

Video of the Day: - Insane Street Bike Stunts - submitted by Darin



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





Technology News
Google Earth adds panoramic pictures
Google Signals Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" is done baking
Police told to text to save money

Friday, November 12, 2010

Late Fees, Crime and Punishment, -and- Emergency!


Late Fees - man returns book to library after 53 years
Crime and Punishment - Oklahoma to execute prisoner using veterinary drug
Emergency! - cash-strapped Florida city loses police, fire protection due to unpaid bills


On this day in history: November 12, 1933 - Hugh Gray of the British Aluminium Company took five pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, the first known photos. Four the the five exposures were blank, and the remaining photo was later proven to be a hoax.




Born on this day in history: November 12, 1929 - Grace Kelly (1929 - 1982) Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, film actress and Princess Grace Kelly made her film debut in 1951, achieving fame in such classics as High Noon (1952) and To Catch a Thief (1955). In 1956, she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, but tragedy struck when she killed in a car accident.




Scripture of the Day: Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. — Colossians 1:9

Video of the Day: Droid X Underwater - submitted by Darin



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





Technology News
Netflix offers credit for technical issues, inks new streaming deal
Toys R Us Black Friday sale includes $140 Android tablet
Firefox launches F1 social add-on

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Stupid Criminals, South of the Border, -and- Spy vs Spy


Stupid Criminals - man seeking drugs calls cops by mistake
South of the Border - U.S. military helps Mexico track drug gangs
Spy vs Spy - Russian double agent betrays network, defects


On this day in history: November 11, 1988 - Seven bodies are discovered under the ground of a Sacramento California boardinghouse owned by Dorothea Puente. The batty landlord had killed nine elderlies and was receiving their social security money.



Born on this day in history: November 11, 1974 - Leonardo DiCaprio 1974 - ) Born in Los Angeles, film actor Leonardo DiCaprio became known for his role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993), and an international star in Titanic (1997) and Catch Me If You Can (2002).



Scripture of the Day: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. — 1 John 2:15-16

Video of the Day: Kung Fu Tricks - submitted by Cindy


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





Technology News
Hypertexting, social networking linked to drug abuse
Google employee who leaked raise info fired
Firefox 4 Beta 7 boasts 3D, GPU, Java enhancements

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wake Up!, Animal Kingdom, -and- Lights Out in London


Wake Up! - AAA report says 41% of drivers surveyed admit to sleeping while driving
Animal Kingdom - chihuahua, pomeranian on Queensland's top 100 dangerous dogs list
Lights Out in London - England dimming lights to save money


On this day in history: November 10, 1940 - Walt Disney begins serving as a secret informer for the Los Angeles office of the FBI, to report back information on Hollywood subversives. He was made a "Full Special Agent in Charge Contact" in 1954. We should note that Disney was atheist and thus subversive in his own little way.






Born on this day in history: November 10, 1932 - Roy Scheider (1932 - 2008) Born in Orange, New Jersey, Roy Scheider began his career as a boxer and a military man before becoming a stage actor. In 1971, he got his big break in The French Connection, for which he earned an Academy Award nod. But his best-known role came in 1975 with Steven Spielberg's film Jaws.





Scripture of the Day: "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'" — Job 37:5-6

Video of the Day: 24 000 WATT Car Sound System - submitted by Darin



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





Technology News
Firefox celebrates sixth birthday
YouTube remote app controls Google TV, PC via Android
Ten amazing pre-Black Friday deals

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Stupid Criminals, South of the Border, -and- Crime and Punishment


Stupid Criminals - teen burgles house, leaves himself logged into MySpace
South of the Border - "Arizona-style" immigration law proposed in Texas
Crime and Punishment - court clerk arrested for dismissing relatives' parking tickets


On this day in history: November 9, 1997 - Michael Paul Lookinland, aka "Bobby" from the Brady Bunch, charged with drunk driving in St. George, Utah. With a BAL of 0.258, the 36 year old former child star was very drunk.




Born on this day in history: November 9, 1922 - Dorothy Dandridge (1922 - 1965) Born in Cleveland, Ohio, singer and actress Dorothy Dandridge won the leading role in 1954's Carmen Jones, making her the first African-American to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She also starred in 1959's Porgy and Bess, opposite Sidney Poitier.



Scripture of the Day: "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." — Isaiah 1:18

Video of the Day: Driscoll Middle School Trick Play - submitted by Amber



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





Technology News
Opera Mobile 10.1 Beta comes to Android
Symantec releases free DNS tool
Pocket projectors advance in key features

Monday, November 08, 2010

Granny Dearest, Support Our Troops!, -and- Drop the Scissors and Move Away form the Chair!


Granny Dearest - Florida woman arrested after selling grandson for $30,000
Support Our Troops! - residents of Missouri town block protesters from picketing soldier's funeral
Drop the Scissors and Move Away from the Chair! - armed raids in Orange County barber shops lead to arrests


On this day in history: November 8, 1991 - Convicted crack smoker Marion Barry, who served six months in prison in 1990, is re-elected mayor of Washington D.C.




Born on this day in history: November 8, 1949 - Bonnie Raitt (1949 - ) Born in Burbank, California, country and blues singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt played with Howlin' Wolf before releasing her own albums. The Grammy-award-winning artist whose best known songs "Nick of Time" and "Something to Talk About," has also created foundations to help underprivileged kids play music.



Scripture of the Day: But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. — Joshua 24:15

Video of the Day: Girl Sucked into Car Blower - submitted by Darin



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





Technology News
Microsoft's Kinect already hacked?
What you need to know about the Daylight Savings shift
Google blocks Facebook from importing contacts