Underground Railroad Discovered, Happy Anniversary to Laura, Happy Birthday to Me

Underground Railroad Discovered - Imagine the great surprise with which I viewed the DHS vehicles and personnel when I arrived at my office yesterday morning!



Details were unavailable until mid-morning yesterday, when this brief article appeared in a local newspaper:

Authorities explained to me that they would not share details with me until their investigation had been completed. I noticed a drone helicopter high in the sky over my office, and I quickly entered my office and relaxed with a frosty Diet Pepsi and watched the authorities climbing into a hidden passageway in the storage area of my office.

Yesterday afternoon, this newspaper article appeared:

Apparently, the evidence that elves built the railroad is incontrovertible.

Elves have long been suspected to live in this area—albeit this has never been proven empirically.

Happy Anniversary to Laura - Today is the 13th anniversary of my marriage to Laura. Happy Anniversary to Laura!

Happy Birthday to Me - Today is also my birthday! Happy Birthday to Me!

Fighting Back, Friends, -and- Global Cooling

Fighting Back - senior bowlers strike down purse thief
Friends - Phil Spector plays air chess in jail with cockroach
Global Cooling - freeze watch in June for New York

On this day in history: June 1, 1660 - After having received a last-minute reprieve seven months earlier, Mary Dyer is hanged for heresy after returning to Boston. Dyer was a member of the Quakers, a subversive religious sect which had been banned by the Puritan colony under "pain of death."

Born on this day in history: June 1, 1926 - Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962) Once known as Norma Jean Baker in Los Angeles, movie star and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe adopted her stage name in 1946 after signing with Twentieth Century Fox. She’s best remembered for roles in "Bus Stop" (1956) and "Some Like It Hot" (1959). Monroe died of a barbiturate overdose.

Scripture of the Day: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? — Romans 6:1

Video of the Day: Awesome Alligator Gar - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I arrived at my office this morning and saw that an arcade had opened in the adjacent building! Click to enlarge.

It is June already!

It seems that this year is passing very quickly. If it were not for the fact that I hear this espoused often by others, I would think it simply my imagination. Because it is a common conversational topic, however, I can only assume that this year is, in fact, passing very quickly! I have no scientific data to support this position, however, and I rely fully upon empirical proof that this is taking place.

I was feted!

I was feted at Harvest Christian Center yesterday morning. I was named Ministry Member of the Month for my creation and maintenance of the church Web site and for my performance as official photographer of church events. I was truly humbled by the presentation and by the thunderous applause that was given me. I present my services joyously, and my sole objective is the glorification of God. Nonetheless, it is truly wonderful and greatly encouraging to be recognized in this fashion!

Who's Your Daddy?, Lost!, -and- Emergency!

Who's Your Daddy? - 29-year-old man fathers 21 children by 11 women
Lost! - mother finds missing son after 27 years—on Facebook
Emergency! - man calls 9-1-1 over orange juice at McDonald's

On this day in history: May 29, 1999 - Hikers discover the skeletal remains of Philip "Taylor" in his Ford Aerostar at the bottom of a 200-foot ravine in Malibu, California. The onetime bassist for the band Iron Butterfly had disappeared four years prior.

Born on this day in history: May 29, 1917 - John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963) Born in Brookline, MA, 35th President John F. Kennedy (1961–3) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (1947–53) and the U.S. Senate (1953–61) before becoming the youngest man, and first Catholic, to be elected U.S. president. His short term in office, dubbed the "New Frontier," inspired a generation to seek to better their world through government service. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, as determined by the Warren Commission.

Scripture of the Day: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. — Galatians 5:25

Video of the Day: Challenger New vs. Old: Vanishing Point Revisited - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this sign while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Hot Weather and Bizarre Forecasts

It has been hot of late—99° - 103° for the last several days. Nonetheless, the weather forecasts for yesterday and today have indicated the possibility of thundershowers! Thundershowers did not occur yesterday, and it certainly does not appear that they are looming today. Nonetheless, the forecasts continue. It seems particularly odd to contemplate the possibility of an impending thundershower while scurrying for shade to avoid the blistering rays of the sun. We shall see.

New Barbecue

It is time! It is well past time, actually. Our old Char-Broil barbecue has well outlasted my wildest estimates for its useful life! It is nearly eight years old and had been used a great deal. I replaced the handle during the second year of its service. I replaced burner about four years ago. The burner is now well past need of replacement again. The legs are wobbly. The entire structure is crumbling. It is time!

While researching new barbecues, I happened upon this one. This looks ideal! Click to enlarge.

The U9950 Tuscany Barbecue Ultimate Island seems to have almost everything I would want in a personal oasis. It features large stainless-steel grill, a 47" auto-rising LCD HDTV, Blu-Ray DVD player, two waterfalls, a fireplace, deluxe audio system, refrigerator, beer tap, 25-jet spa, and dual cabanas.

The price of $22,950.00 plus shipping and setup seems a bit expensive. I may well not be able to convince Laura that this is the ideal barbecue for us.

To Protect and Serve, Somebody's Watching You, -and- Stars and Stripes Forever

To Protect and Serve - failing marriage leads to loss of police badge
Somebody's Watching You - FCC claims right to enter homes without warrants
Stars and Stripes Forever - American flag yanked from work cubicle

On this day in history: May 28, 1987 - German teenager Matthias Rust lands his Cessna in Moscow's Red Square, buzzing the Kremlin on the way in. He serves 18 months in prison for this prank, which also costs the commander of the Soviet Air Command his job.

Born on this day in history: May 28, 1944 - Rudolph Giuliani (1944 - ) Born in New York City, former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani (1993–2001) was U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York (1983–9), before being elected New York mayor. Giuliani is best known for his leadership in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on New York on September 11, 2001. He was awarded an honorary knighthood by the UK in 2002.

Scripture of the Day: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. — Proverbs 31:8

Video of the Day: Zombieville USA iPhone App Review

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this laughing kitty! He was frolicking behind my office as I parked Mr. Nitro there this morning. I gave him and his companion a saucer of non-fat milk. Click to enlarge.

Zombieville USA

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch and have not played Zombieville USA, you are missing one of the greatest diversions available to you! Game play is fast and furious, and no one complains when you kill a zombie! The lite (free) version has only one level, but it is very enjoyable and highly addictive. Laura played the free version until she easily made it through the first level. She then longed for the full game, and I could not deny her. At $1.99, the full version is a real bargain. Take a look at today's video to see some of the action you will encounter in this game, or—better yet—download the free version. I promise you if you play the free version you will quickly find yourself traipsing over to the App Store for the full version!