While You Were Sleeping, Fire!, -and- It's Not an Act!

While You Were Sleeping - scientists develop new software that maps dreams
Fire! - NYC firefighter arrested for calling in false alarms to his own firehouse
It’s Not an Act! - stage prop replaced with sharp knife, actor injured during scene

On this day in history: December 12, 1989 - Leona Helmsley fined $7 million and sentenced to jail for 21 months for tax evasion. They made the bitch serve 900 hours of community service.

Born on this day in history: December 12, 1915 - 1915 - Frank Sinatra (1915 - 1998) Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, singer and actor Frank Sinatra rose to prominence with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra (1940?2). He quickly emerged as a teen idol, and grew into a global superstar, expanding in film roles, including an Oscar-winning performance in "From Here to Eternity" (1953). Marriages to film stars Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow were widely publicized. Sinatra is the only singer in history to have hit records in five consecutive decades.

Scripture of the Day: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. — Romans 12:12

Video of the Day: Dream State - submitted by Amber

Say, "Hello" to Mr. Butterfly! Click to enlarge.

Recommended Sites:
David Louis Harter Photography - a showcase for the photography of David Louis Harter

How Italians do business

Luigi (the father) says to his son, "I want you to marry a girl of my choice." The son says: "I will choose my own bride!" Luigi says, "But the girl is Bill Gates’ daughter." Son answers, "Well, in that case, okay."

Next Luigi approaches Bill Gates and says, "I have a husband for your daughter." Bill Gates answers, "But my daughter is too young to marry!" Luigi says, "But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank!" Bill Gates answers, "Ah, in that case, okay."

Finally, Luigi goes to see the president of the World Bank. Luigi says, "I have a young man to recommend as a vice-president." The president answers, "But I already have more vice-presidents than I need!" Luigi says, "But this young man is Bill Gates’son-in-law." The president answers, "Ah, in that case, okay."

And that is how Italians do business!

Lost in Space, To Serve and Protect, -and- Gobble Gobble

Lost in Space - flight from Chicago turns around after luggage starts falling out
To Serve and Protect - crooked-cop cases surge in NYC
Gobble Gobble - wild turkeys invade MA cities and towns

On this day in history: October 23, 1988 - A concert-goer at a Skinny Puppy show in Cincinnati mistakes a stuffed dog, a prop that undergoes "vivisection" during the performance, for a live dog and calls the cops. Even after the police establish no real animals have been harmed, bandmates Nivek Ogre and Cevin Key, along with their tour manager, are arrested on disorderly conduct charges. They spend the night in jail and are fined $200.

Born on this day in history: October 23, 1925 - Johnny Carson (1925 - 2005) talk show host, comedian. He is famous as a stand up comic and the host of "The Tonight Show," 1962-92.

Scripture of the Day: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

Video of the Day: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Dick Dale - "Pipeline"

Here is a photograph of me that was taken at a castle in which I once lived. This was in the 1960s. It was a large castle, with dozens of rooms and a dank cellar. There was no moat. Click to enlarge.

No Fooling!, Law of the Land, -and- Cop Gone Wild

No Fooling! - woman sues Kmart over toilet paper tax
Law of the Land - court orders judge back to law school for refresher
Cop Gone Wild - off-duty deputy sheriff kills six

On this day in history: October 8, 1871 - Catherine O'Leary's cow starts the Chicago Fire, killing 250 and destroying 17,000 buildings.

Born on this day in history: October 8, 1920 - Frank Herbert (1920 - 1986) science fiction writer He is best known for "Dune" and its sequels; won Nebula, 1965 and Hugo, 1966.

Scripture of the Day: "I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed. I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God." (Isaiah 43:11-12)

Video of the Day: Lev and Thumpbot play Crazy - submitted by Darin

Telemarketers! Yikes! It is a foul way to begin the day indeed with an obnoxious call from a persistent telemarketer at 7:30! This telemarketer would not accept my polite, "Thank you, but I am not interested" reply and continued to read from her script. I then said, "I do not accept calls from telemarketers who block Caller ID," but the prattle continued. At that point, I had no alternative: I replaced the receiver.

Within a few seconds, the telephone rang again. Caller ID displayed "UNKNOWN NAME," as it had previously. I said, "Yes?" The woman said, "Oh, yes, I guess we were cut off." "We were not cut off," I said. "You were cut off, and listen: It is happening again!" I replaced the receiver. The telephone remains silent 30 minutes later.

Friday evening, we had one of the new DiGiorno Ultimate Pepperoni pizzas. This pizza is wonderful! The sauce and cheese are great, the pepperoni is tasty and plentiful, and the crust is amazing. The crust comes out of the oven looking like it had an egg wash on it. It is a beautiful, delicious pizza. DiGiorno has a real winner here!

Saturday, I marinated a huge London broil in Merlot, extra-virgin olive oil, teriyaki sauce, sea salt, ground black pepper, ground cumin, and garlic powder for six hours. I poached some asparagus and sliced red bell pepper for 3 minutes, sprayed with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, seasoned with sea salt and ground black pepper, and refrigerated. Laura grilled the London broil, some red potatoes, and some large white mushrooms. One of my brothers joined us for dinner. We had a wonderful meal and enjoyed Jose Cuervo margaritas.

For dinner last evening, I sautéed sliced mushrooms, sliced onion, garlic, red potato, and the leftover asparagus, red bell pepper, and London broil. It was a delightful meal.