Animal Kingdom, Surf's Down, -and- Brave New Schools

Animal Kingdom - police arrest dog for chewing owner's rent money
Surf's Down - recording industry wants to ban woman from downloading
Brave New Schools - seventh grader sues school over right to wear pro-life T-shirt

On this day in history: July 7, 1665 - King Charles II and his entourage flee London, a city suffering the ravages of the black plague. At this point, about 2,000 Londoners are dying weekly.

Born on this day in history: July 7, 1980 - Michelle Kwan (1980-) Born in Torrance, California, figure skating champion Michelle Kwan began skating at five, winning her first competition a year later. Kwan went on to capture the world title five times.

Scripture of the Day: "And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD." — Ezekiel 38:23

Video of the Day: iPhone Trick - submitted by Cindy

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

The New Grill

The new grill was scheduled to arrive yesterday. It did not. The tracking information on the shipper's Web site says it will be delivered yesterday. That is not encouraging. I yearn for the sight of flesh charring on the new grill!

Update: 3:25 PM

I "listened to elevator music" (as Cindy suggested) sufficiently long enough to finally reach a live person. He researched the shipment of the grill and reported that it arrived in Red Bluff (about 20 miles north of here) early yesterday morning. He said it is expected to be delivered Thursday morning! That certainly makes the shipping company's name, Nonstop Delivery, a gross misnomer, I would suggest.

Hot Dog, Take the Money and Run, -and- Cats

Hot Dog - meet Joey Chestnut, the world's top eater
Take the Money and Run - still no takers for $10,000 found on freeway
Cats - Beverly Hills woman faces jail for feeding stray felines

On this day in history: July 6, 1944 - Fire breaks out at a matinee performance of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Baily Circus burning 168 people to death, and injuring an additional 250. The main tent had been waterproofed with wax thinned by gasoline.

Born on this day in history: July 6, 1925 - Bill Haley (1925 - 1981 ) Born July 6, 1925, Highland Park, Mich., U.S.—died Feb. 9, 1981, Harlingen, Texas) American singer and songwriter considered by many to be the father of rock and roll thanks to his 1955 hit "Rock Around the Clock."

Scripture of the Day: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James 4:7

Video of the Day: 2008 SEMA: Dodge Challenger Convertible - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to work this morning! Click to enlarge.

This is a photograph of our Friday meal, taken by Laura with her iPhone. Laura dry-rubbed the chicken breasts, and I grilled them, along with Johnsonville brats, mushrooms, and zucchini.

Laura dry-rubbed two huge pork loin roasts and grilled them slowly for several hours Saturday.

Bill

Fighting Back, Weapons of Choice, -and- Sister Christian

Fighting Back - high praise for ex-police chief after killing shotgun-wielding robbery suspect
Weapons of Choice - video: controversial taser shotgun weapon launched
Sister Christian - Vatican quietly conducting sweeping investigation of American nuns

On this day in history: July 3, 1963 - Two former secretaries of the Nation of Islam file paternity suits against the head of their church, the honorable Elijah Muhammad. They claimed the prophet had fathered their four children. The allegations eventually cause Malcolm X to quit the NOI.

Born on this day in history: July 3, 1962 - Tom Cruise (1962-) Born in Syracuse, New York, and raised in New Jersey, Tom Cruise was launched after his small but memorable role in "Risky Business" (1983). Mega stardom followed with "Rain Man" (1988), "A Few Good Men" (1992) and "Mission: Impossible 2" (2000).

Scripture of the Day: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2
Chronicles 7:14

Video of the Day: Largest 4th of July Fireworks Display in America

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

Happy 4th of July!

Ants!, Wake Up Little Sushi, -and- Matters of Life and Death

Ants! - mega colony conquers Earth
Wake Up Little Sushi - Japanese scientists to breed super tuna
Matters of Life and Death - Planned Parenthood admits "bending" rules

On this day in history: June 2, 1937 - Attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe in an airplane, Amelia Earhart disappears over the Pacific with her navigator, Fred Noonan.

Born on this day in history: June 2, 1947 - Larry David (1947-) Born in Brooklyn, New York, producer, writer and actor Larry David began doing stand-up comedy in New York nightclubs in 1974. In 1989, he and Jerry Seinfeld developed the legendary 'Seinfeld' series, which David wrote and produced until 1996. In 1999, David created the 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' series for HBO, which won a Golden Globe in 2003.

Scripture of the Day: After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." — John 17:1

Video of the Day: What to Do in a Zombie Attack

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing the Post Office this morning on the way to my office! Click to enlarge.

Happy July 4th!

Depending upon how much I accomplish today and how eager I am to lounge about tomorrow, I may or may not open my office tomorrow. If I do not open my office, I most likely will not post a blog entry tomorrow. For this reason, I wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy July 4th!

Fighting Back, Sir Have You Been Drinking? -and- You Are What You Tweet

Fighting Back - 72-year-old former boxer batters burglar
Sir Have You Been Drinking? - man admits guilt for 15th DUI
You Are What You Tweet - man arrested for Twitter messages, could get 5 years

On this day in history: July 1, 1996 - The body of Margeaux Hemingway is found in her Santa Monica, California apartment after the actress apparently overdosed on Phenobarbital.

Born on this day in history: July 1, 1961 - Diana, princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) Born at Sandringham, England, Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, the Prince of Wales in 1981, and had two sons, Prince William (1982) and Prince Harry (1984). The royal couple divorced in 1996. Interested in social concerns, Princess Diana ignited worldwide media attention. She died in a car accident in Paris.

Scripture of the Day: Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. — Psalm 127:1

Video of the Day: Top Gear Bugatti Veyron vs Mclaren f1 - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when my client brought out another ugly dog for me to photograph! Click to enlarge.

(Relatively) Cool Weather

As the Fourth of July draws near, the weather continues to cool. Last weekend saw temperatures above 110°. Today is expected to reach only 97°. The temperatures forecast for this weekend are considerably lower than what we experienced last weekend.

The New Grill

I have been anticipating the arrival of the new grill with great enthusiasm. I have been planning July 4th as the time to inaugurate the new grill with some of the delicacies sent us from Omaha steaks by reader Chris for my birthday/our anniversary. Yesterday, I checked the delivery status of the grill and learned that it is not projected to be delivered until next Monday! The old grill shall be pressed into service this weekend. It is well that I did not kick it to the curb as I had intended to do yesterday morning!