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!

To Protect and Serve, The Name Game, -and- Grave Injustice

To Protect and Serve - drunk policeman crashes squad car
The Name Game - man named Beverage charged with DUI
Grave Injustice - bodies left in vacant funeral home since 2006

On this day in history: May 27, 1993 - Five are killed and 37 wounded when a Fiat Fiorino explodes outside the Uffizi museum in Florence, Italy. The car bomb (a combination of PETN, T4, and TNT) also manages to obliterate three priceless artworks and substantially damage thirty more. The bombing appears to have been the work of the Sicilian Mafia.

Born on this day in history: May 27, 1923 - Henry (Alfred) Kissinger (1923 - ) Born in Fuerth, Germany, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (1971–6) gained national attention with his first book, 'Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy' (1957). He was an adviser to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson, and served as Secretary of State in the Nixon and Ford administrations.

Scripture of the Day: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. — Isaiah 40:28-29

Video of the Day:
Naga Jolokia Pepper Time (The Hottest Pepper In The World) - submitted by Jay

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

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot his whole life, which created an impressive set of calluses on his feet.

He also ate very little, which made him frail, and with his odd diet, he suffered from very bad breath.

This made him ... what?

A super-callused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis!

Mr. Pigeon
Imagine Laura's surprise when she saw that Mr. Pigeon had roosted upon Mr. Yaris! Click to enlarge.

Mr. Pigeon says, "I'm ready for my close-up now!" Click to enlarge.

Somebody's Watching You, Never Too Young, -and- Fruitcakery

Somebody's Watching You - police use GPS to track suspects despite murky law
Never Too Young - New York toddler is tiny pool shark
Fruitcakery - Scientologists in France to go on trial for fraud

On this day in history: May 26, 1960 - America's UN Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge charges the Soviets with having bugged the Moscow embassy. He shows off a large wooden carving of the United States seal which had been hollowed out to conceal a sophisticated resonant cavity transmitter. Less than 30 years later a newly-rebuilt Moscow embassy is determined to be "structurally riddled with eavesdropping devices."

Born on this day in history: May 26, 1907 - John Wayne (1907 - 1979) Film actor, born in Winterset, Iowa, USA. After a succession of small parts in low-budget films and serials, he achieved stardom as the Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach" (1939).

Scripture of the Day: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." — Jeremiah 33:3

Video of the Day: Crazy Cat Attacking Spuds Dog - submitted by Cindy

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

NEWS UPDATE - 10:01 AM CA Supreme Court upholds gay marriage ban!

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend has ended. It is time to return to the workday routine and cast off the tendrils of leisure that bound me during that period. This is a difficult task. I so enjoyed three days of doing virtually nothing that I find myself missing doing so greatly! Oh, well, back to the grind go I!

What otherwise might have been a relatively serene drive to my office this morning (a five-block drive when the most direct route is taken) became relatively nightmarish when I remembered that I needed to fuel Mr. Nitro. Initially, I was very pleased when I saw a spot was available at the pumps at Valero (a block from our house). The serenity became a frighteningly gruesome event when I saw the price of fuel: $2.67 per gallon for 87 octane (the vintage Mr. Nitro prefers). Yikes! Mr. Nitro was most thirsty, and it took 17.281 gallons of fuel (at a cost of $48.02) to slake Mr. Nitro's thirst!

Other than shopping and grilling, we did little over the long weekend. Images from our grilling adventures can be viewed on my iPhone photo blog. There is a link in the Links section of this blog that will take you there.

Crime and Punishment, Armed and Dangerous, -and- Matters of Life and Death

Crime and Punishment Quebec woman ticketed for refusing to use escalator handrail
Armed and Dangerous - 5 Alabama cops fired over beating caught on camera
Matters of Life and Death - nurse wins conscience ruling from state Supreme Court

On this day in history: May 22, 1957 - A B-36 bomber accidentally drops a 10 megaton hydrogen bomb over an uninhabited area near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The conventional charges detonate on impact, leaving a radioactive crater 12 feet deep and 25 feet wide.

Born on this day in history: May 22, 1970 - Naomi Campbell (1970-) Born in London, model and actress Naomi Campbell is one of the most renowned supermodels. She was the first black woman to appear on the covers of French and British Vogue. Campbell has also appeared in several music videos and films. She has been linked with high-profile love interests Mike Tyson, Robert De Niro and Usher.

Scripture of the Day: For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10

Video of the Day: ProCamera for iPhone - submitted by Chris (NOTE:
This is absolutely a must-have app!)

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

Thoughts

. All those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand.
. I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.
. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
. Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark.
. Many people quit looking for work when they find a job.
. I intend to live forever - so far, so good.
. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
. 24 hours in a day ... 24 beers in a case..... coincidence?
. When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded.
. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
. I used to have an open mind but my brains kept falling out.
. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
. If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
. For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
. No one is listening until you make a mistake.
. Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.
. The colder the X-ray table, the more of your body is required to be
on it.
. The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the
bread.
. The severity of the itch is proportional to the reach.
. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism -- to steal from many
is research.
. The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
. Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life.
. The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never
tried before.
. A fool and his money are soon partying.
. Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
. If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of
payments.
. Drugs may lead to nowhere, but at least it's the scenic route.
. I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
. Borrow money from pessimists-they don't expect it back.
. Half the people you know are below average.
. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.