Friday, July 29, 2011

Sleepless in Guatemala, Drive My Car, -and- Ticket to Ride

In the News Today:
  • Sleepless in Guatemala - woman finds 12-meter-deep sinkhole under her bed
  • Drive My Car - teen female driver crashes into Aurora 7-11
  • Ticket to Ride - new Metrobus cameras catch drivers running red lights, talking on cellphones

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Can We Get Addicted to Our Smartphones?
  • Microsoft Pillories Email-Snooping 'Gmail Man' in Video
  • OnLive Creator Designs Revolutionary Wireless System


    On this Day in History:
    July 29, 1921 - The Council on Foreign Relations is incorporated in New York City by a group of bankers and other influentials, including John D Rockefeller. The CFR remains a vital component of the New World Order, and is surpassed in importance only by the Trilateral Commission. Now that you have this information, you know too much.







    Born on this Day in History: July 29, 1966 - Martina McBride (1966 - ) Kansas-born country singer Martina McBride got her big break as a sideliner to Tim McGraw. Her second album "The Way That I Am" (1993) popped to the top of the charts, and her amazing vocal range led to awards for Best Female Vocalist with the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the American Music Awards.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Danica

    Will It Blend? - Glow Sticks

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




  • Thursday, July 28, 2011

    Just the Axe Ma'am, Homeland Insecurity, -and- I'll Be Home for Christmas

    In the News Today:
  • Just the Axe Ma'am - free climber scales mountains with just a pick axe
  • Homeland Insecurity - US serviceman arrested over alleged 2nd Ft. Hood base attack plot
  • I'll Be Home for Christmas - skeleton found in chimney ends 27-year-old mystery

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Apple iOS Vulnerability More Serious Than First Thought
  • YouCam 5 Lets You Log In With Your Face
  • MS-DOS Turns 30: PCMag's Original Interview With Bill Gates


    On this Day in History:
    July 28, 1957 - A C-124 transport plane carrying three nuclear weapons jettisons its precious cargo into the Atlantic, somewhere east of Delaware and New Jersey. The bombs are never recovered.







    Born on this Day in History: July 28, 1929 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929 - 1994) Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, Jackie Onassis married John F. Kennedy in 1953. As first lady, she promoted the arts, history and high style. The couple had two children, Caroline and John. After Kennedy's death, she married Greek magnate Aristotle Onassis. In later years, Onassis lived quietly and worked in publishing.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Darin

    0 - 220 MPH in 24 Seconds

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






    The DirecTV Story:


    Regarding DIrecTV: I had been a subscriber to DirecTV since 1995 when I cancelled my service last week.

    Despite that, I was told when I called to cancel that the following would apply:

    1) I would be charged $200 for early termination--based on some arcane verbiage buried deep within the lengthy contract.

    2) I would be required to return all equipment.This, despite the fact that I gave the installer RCA and a Sony satellite receivers when he delivered and installed the HD DVR--although they had been purchased at a cost of around $1200 each from Sears. I had argued this point--imagining that paying $2400 for two satellite receivers constituted ownership. He refused to complete the installation until I gave him the receivers. Eager as I was to see programming on my shiny new 49" Vizio LCD HDTV, I gave him the receivers.

    3) My recounting of this experience fell upon uncaring ears--as did my espousal that the period of my contract--2 years--had been satisfied long ago. While I found it inconceivable they would take such a position, it gets WORSE:

    4. I said I had purchased the only receiver I had--a high-end and expensive HD DVR unit and that i found it ridiculous that they would consider it THEIR property! This was met with: "Why would you want to keep it if you have no service?" My reply to this was, "Should I decide to park my Dodge Nitro R/T, I would not expect that Chrysler would demand that I return it to them! This was met with an inane remark with which I shall not bore readers of this tale.

    5. THEN, the rep said, "Why have you been paying for two receivers if you only have one?" The tone suggested I was attempting to get away without returning yet another receiver that I had purchased at some point.

    My response was, "The reason I have been paying each month for a second receiver is I gave up two years ago attempting to explain to another of your ilk that when the installer set up the HD dish and HD DVR (and confiscated my RCA and Sony receivers!), I told him I wanted the Sony kept in the bedroom so would be able to use it in there. He said that wouldn't work because it would not work with the new HD dish. (He lied, of course.) He took down the RCA dual-feed dish at that time. So for months I telephoned to complain each time a bill arrived that I only had ONE receiver and was being charged for two! I assume you will be as unresponsive to that as have been those who have gone before you!"

    This met with a snort.

    At that point, I said, "This has been mind-numbing trying to communicate with an incompetent, minimum-wage, telephone creature who obviously is still well within the primitive learning stages of English as a Second Language. Please complete my request and allow me to return to the real world."

    THEN, she began on a course of attempting to dissuade me from discontinuing the service! She blathered for a few minutes. I could take no more. I used Ultra Voice Changer Deluxe to speak TO her. I chose the "possessed"setting, and the Android app produced just the atmosphere to cause her to give my call to her supervisor! I put her on hold without telling her and recorded the message, "I know where you've been...I saw what you did!" When I held my XOOM up to the telephone and played that message, she offered no response. Soon, however, a supervisor--speaking fluent English--said, "So you want to drop your service? I can handle that for you."
    I said, "Yes. Please." There was a brief silence of a few seconds, following which, he said, "Done. Is there anything Else I can help you with today?" I said, "No."
    He said, "Have a nice day."

  • Wednesday, July 27, 2011

    All Dressed up and Nowhere to Go, Homeland Insecurity, -and- Book 'im Dano

    In the News Today:
  • All Dressed up and Nowhere to Go - Mafia mobsters banned from wearing designer label clothes
  • Homeland Insecurity - uniformed Mexican soldiers cross into South Texas
  • Book 'im Dano - Australian hacker faces 49 charges

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Fox Puts Online Content Behind Pay Wall
  • Growing List of Security Threats to Mac OS X Lion
  • YouTube Hogs 22 Percent of World's Mobile Bandwidth


    On this Day in History:
    July 27, 2002 - A Sukhoi SU-27 fighter crashes and explodes at an air show in the Ukraine, killing 78 and injuring more than 100 others. It is the worst airshow crash in history. The two pilots ejected and survived.







    Born on this Day in History: July 27, 1948 - Peggy Fleming (1948 - ) Born in San Jose, California, ice skater Peggy Fleming won the world championship three times, plus an Olympic gold in 1968. She went on to become an ABC-TV commentator.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Darin

    Big Jump!

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




  • Tuesday, July 26, 2011

    Fighting Back ,Smile for the Camera!, -and- Don't Touch Me There

    In the News Today:
  • Fighting Back - 70-year-old woman chases naked intruder from her home
  • Smile for the Camera! - hilarious expressions of divers captured moments after they leap
  • Don't Touch Me There - new device detects drugs from fingerprints

    Technology in the News Today:
  • 50 Percent Will Abandon Facebook for Google+, Poll Finds
  • Mozilla Prepping Mobile Operating System for the Web
  • Anonymous Offers 'Preview' of Hacked Italian Police Files


    On this Day in History:
    July 26, 1947 - The National Security Council is created.







    Born on this Day in History: July 26, 1943 - Mick Jagger (1943 - ) Born in Dartford, England, rock singer Mick Jagger attended the London School of Economics, but left to form The Rolling Stones. In 1962, the group released its first single. Popular for three decades, Jagger wrote and sang many of the Stones' hits, including "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" (1965). He was knighted in 2002.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Danica

    Cowboys and Aliens

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




  • Monday, July 25, 2011

    DIe Monster DIe!, I Know What You Did Last Summer, -and- Missing

    In the News Today:
  • Die Monster Die! - Texas teen believes he has killed a chupacabra
  • I Know What You Did Last Summer! - most awkward vacation photographs
  • Missing - Illinois man missing since 1979 is found working in Las Vegas

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Will You Ditch Facebook for Google+?
  • Anonymous to FBI: You Can't Arrest an Idea
  • AT&T Customers Challenge AT&T, T-Mobile Merger


    On this Day in History:
    July 25th, 1917 - Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, also known as Mata Hari, is found guilty of spying and is sentenced to death.







    Born on this Day in History: July 25, 1955 - Iman
    (1955 - ) Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, political science major and translator Iman Abdulmajid entered the world of modeling in 1973, after a fashion scout begged her to pose for photos. She became a fashion icon overnight, but retired in 1989 to pursue new ventures. She now runs her own cosmetics line, and is a political activist for her home country.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Admiral

    Dancing Squid Bowl

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




  • Friday, July 22, 2011

    Shotgun Breakup, Drive My Car, -and- Spill the Wine

    In the News Today:
  • Shotgun Breakup - man fires shotgun at girlfriend for turning down his proposal
  • Drive My Car - 5-year-old boy drives away in mom's van searching for candy
  • Spill the Wine - forklift drops $1M worth of wine

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Google Drops Its Toolbar for Firefox
  • Anonymous Social Network Hacked, Defaced
  • 20th Century Fox Coming to Android Devices


    On this Day in History:
    July 22, 1994 - In court, O.J. pleads "absolutely, 100% not guilty" of savagely killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.







    Born on this Day in History: July 22, 1964 - John Leguizamo (1964 - ) Born in Bogota, Columbia, actor John Leguizamo started out as a stand-up comedian playing the New York nightclub circuit. He eventually landed gigs in films such as Casualties of War (1989), Carlito's Way (1993) and Moulin Rouge! (2001). More recently, he provided the voice of Sid the Sloth in the family-friendly Ice Age franchise.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Darin

    Snow Drive!

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




  • Thursday, July 21, 2011

    Stupid Criminals, The Heat of the Moment, -and- Runaway Bride

    In the News Today:
  • Stupid Criminals - meth users so high they call 9-1-1 on themselves
  • The Heat of the Moment - uproar as BBC muzzles climate-change skeptics
  • Runaway Bride - woman - arrested at wedding

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Anonymous: We hacked NATO
  • 11 Incredible Photos of the Space Shuttle on Its Final Mission
  • Hubble Uncovers Fourth Moon around Pluto


    On this Day in History:
    July 21, 1925 - John Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school. The jury fines him $100.







    Born on this Day in History: July 21, 1899 - Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) - Born in Oak Park, Illinois, writer Ernest Hemingway served in an ambulance corps in World War I. Later based in Paris, he was part of Gertrude Stein's expatriate circle. His first novel, The Sun Also Rises (1926) gained instant acclaim and A Farewell to Arms (1929) put him in the front ranks. In 1927, Hemingway settled in the U.S.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - submitted by Danica

    AT&T and T-Mobile

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




  • Wednesday, July 20, 2011

    Drive My Car, Sign of the Times, -and- Going to Pot

    In the News Today:
  • Drive My Caar - demolition derby winner charged with DUI
  • Sign of the Times - 200-foot crop circle appears at Stonehenge
  • Going to Pot - Northern California pot shop gets reality show

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Analyst Puts Google+ Users at 18 Million
  • 15 Google+ Users You Should Add to Your Circles
  • Busting Anonymous: Feds Arrest 14 Alleged PayPal Hackers, Two More


    On this Day in History:
    July 20, 1969 - On live television, the world watches as Neil Armstrong steps foot on the Moon.







    Born on this Day in History: July 20, 1947 - Carlos Santana (1947 - ) Born in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, musician Carlos Santana began playing guitar at 8. In 1966, he formed the Santana Blues Band, and their debut album went triple platinum. Santana earned his first Grammy in 1987. A decade later, Santana won Grammys in every category, tying Michael Jackson's 1983 record.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: -

    Sketchbook Pro for Android Tablet

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




  • Tuesday, July 19, 2011

    FIghting Back,The Water's Fine, -and- Nobody Rides for Free!

    In the News Today:
  • Fighting Back - pregnant woman gets the best of assailant
  • The Water's Fine! - forget planking and owling, it's all about "leisure diving"!
  • Nobody Rides for Free! - cash-strapped Texas district okays charging students to ride school bus

    Technology in the News Today:
  • LulzSec Hacks The Sun, Plants Fake Story of Murdoch's Death
  • Amazon Adds Kindle Textbook Rentals, Promises 80 Percent Savings
  • Microsoft Offers $250K Reward for Rustock Botnet Operators


    On this Day in History:
    July 19, - 1991 - Heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson rapes Desiree Washington, one of the Miss Black America contestants, after a pageant rehearsal. The illicit nookie lands Tyson in prison for three years.







    Born on this Day in History: July 19, 1834 - Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917) Born in Paris, artist Edgar Degas was associated with the French Impressionists. He is famous for his mastery of drawing the human figure in motion. His works include "Dancer Lacing her Shoe" and "Jockeys in the Rain."





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: -

    Dodge Nitro on the road

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




  • Monday, July 18, 2011

    Fighting Back, Fighting Back Too, -and- He's Alive!

    In the News Today:
  • Fighting Back - Iowa Congressman, family safe after home invasion
  • Fighting Back Too - homeowner kills intruder armed with knives
  • He's Alive! - murderer sues Colorado for saving his life

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Blocked by Google+, Anonymous Starts Own Social Network
  • Mozilla's BrowserID Aims to Eliminate Password Fuss
  • How to Beat 'Carmageddon' with GPS Devices, Apps


    On this Day in History:
    July 18, 1969 - Driving home from a party on Chappaquiddick Island, Senator Ted Kennedy's car goes over the side of Dike Bridge and flips over into a pond. Kennedy manages to free himself from the automobile, but his passenger, one Mary Jo Kopechne, drowns. For some reason, Kennedy tells no one about the accident for at least an hour, and waits until the following morning to notify local police.







    Born on this Day in History: July 18, 1918 - Nelson Mandela (1918 - ) South African statesman and president (1994-99), born in Transkei, SE South Africa. He was a lawyer in Johannesburg, then joined the African National Congress in 1944. For the next 20 years he directed a campaign of defiance against the South African government and its racist policies.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - submitted by Cindy

    Gymnastics Bloopers

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




  • Friday, July 15, 2011

    Crime and Punishment, Unarmed and Dangerous, -and- Homeland Insecurity

    In the News Today:
  • Crime and Punishment cash-strapped NYC fines man $2000 for not watering beehive
  • Unarmed and Dangerous - ICE agent leaves gun in airport restroom
  • Homeland Insecurity - 24,000 Pentagon files stolen in cyberattack

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Researchers Develop Pliable 'Jell-O' Memory Device
  • Is Your Hotmail Password '123456'? Not For Long
  • International Cybercrime Ring Targets Android


    On this Day in History:
    July 15, 1869 - During war with Prussia, French ruler Napoleon III commissions Hippolye Mege Mouries to find a butter substitute. A patent for margarine is issued, it being based on beef fat instead of milk fat.







    Born on this Day in History: July 15, 1961 - Forest Whitaker (1961 - ) After college quarterback Forest Whitaker was sidelined with an injury, he began studying opera and drama. His debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) led to a series of critically acclaimed roles, including Platoon (1986) and Good Morning, Vietnam (1987). His performance in 2006's The Last King of Scotland earned Whitaker an Academy Award.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Danica

    Farmville!

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




  • Thursday, July 14, 2011

    Help Me!, They Walk among Us, -and- To the Batcave Robin!

    In the News Today:
  • Help Me! - baseball fan saved from death plunge by fellow spectators
  • They Walk among Us - atheist wins right to wear pasta strainer on head for driver's licence photo
  • To the Batcave Robin! - man builds turbine-powered Batmobile, brags about having the only one

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Report: Most Adobe Reader Users Are Running Unsecure Versions
  • Colorado Woman Battles DOJ Over Encrypted Laptop Password
  • WhitePages Is Launching New Mobile App on Android First


    On this Day in History:
    July 14, 1881 - In the Sumner, New Mexico home of his friend Pete Maxwell, notorious outlaw Billy the Kid steps into a darkened bedroom and is shot dead by sheriff Pat Garrett. Billy's last words are "¿Quién es?" (Who is it?)







    Born on this Day in History: July 14, 1912 - Woody Guthrie (1912 - 1967) Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, folk musician and songwriter Woody Guthrie lived a hobo's life until becoming a radio personality in Los Angeles in 1937. He wrote or adapted more than 1000 songs, including "This Land is Your Land" (1940). Guthrie spent his last years ravaged by Huntington's chorea.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Gary

    Apple Computer Getting Shot!

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




  • Wednesday, July 13, 2011

    The Barber of Linwood, School Daze, -and- Meow!

    In the News Today:
  • The Barber of Linwood - jealous ex-boyfriend breaks in, shaves woman's head
  • School Daze - Concord may fine students up to $500 for cutting class
  • Meow! - cash-strapped San Diego considers tax on cats

    Technology in the News Today:
  • Wi-Fi-hacking Neighbor Gets 18 Years in Prison
  • Comcast, ISPs May Soon Retain IP Addresses for 18 Months
  • Telemarketers, Beware: Google Voice Auto-Blocks 'Spam' Calls


    On this Day in History:
    July 13, 1994 - Tonya Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, is sentenced in Portland, Oregon, to two years in prison for his role in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan. He serves six months.







    Born on this Day in History: July 13, 1942 - Harrison Ford (1942 - ) Born in Chicago, Illinois, actor Harrison Ford served a long apprenticeship before achieving stardom in Star Wars (1977) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Later films enhanced his reputation. Ford received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 2000.





    Scripture of the Day:




    Video of the Day: - Submitted by Laura

    Pitbull vs. Kitten

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