Armed and Dangerous, Say, "Cheese"!, -and- Somebody's Watching You

Armed and Dangerous - Miami-Dade trooper accused of writing hundreds of take tickets
Say, "Cheese"! - tourist lost on frozen sea saved by Web cam viewer
Somebody's Watching You - police want backdoor to Web users' private data

On this day in history: February 4, 1974 - Patty Hearst kidnapped.

Born on this day in history: February 4, 1913 - Rosa Parks (1913 - 2005) Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, civil rights advocate Rosa Parks was a community activist best known for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, which resulted in the famous bus boycott led by Martin Luther King Jr. (1955-6). Parks is honored as the "mother" of the civil rights movement.

Scripture of the Day: I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the
horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalm 18:1-2

Video of the Day: Puppy vs. Cat - submitted by Danica

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

Technology News
Google, NSA may team up to investigate attacks
Microsoft investigates new Internet Explorer flaw
Government
warns of looming cyberthreat

Dinner, Breakfast, and Laura's Journey
For dinner last evening, I peeled a large head of garlic, kept the cloves whole, and sautéed with a white onion (cut into eighths) and a dozen crimini mushrooms (cut into quarters) in extra-virgin olive oil. I seasoned with Pappy's, ground black pepper, dried parsley flakes, and cumin. I parboiled a quantity of asparagus spears for three minutes and set aside. I sliced some of the London Broil from Sunday's dinner into very thin slices and set aside. When the onions were caramelized and translucent, I tossed in the meat and asparagus. I stirred quickly for three minutes—at which time we enjoyed a delightful meal.

This morning, I diced the remaining London Broil, seasoned it with Red Monkey Mango Habanera seasoning, ground black pepper, and dried parsley flakes. I sautéed this for five minutes. I added four beaten eggs. When the eggs were cooked, I added four slices of extra-sharp cheddar cheese and folded and chopped the mixture with a spatula. I warmed some Mission flour tortillas in the microwave oven for 30 seconds and took the food to the table. At the table, we added Casa Lupe hot salsa. It was a delicious breakfast.

Laura will be departing this morning—beginning her Tucson adventure. She will drive to the Sacramento Airport and fly to Tucson, AZ, where she will be met by her daughter, Rachel. She will return next Monday. The cats and I shall cavort with great abandon during her absence!

Once again, Laura must spar for her luggage!

Laura boarding the plane for the Phoenix connection.




2:27 PM: Laura is at the Phoenix Roadhouse.




A tall spicy one after my mile-long trek from terminal A to terminal B for my connecting flight to Tucson. No kidding. Google the layout of Sky Harbor Airport--YIKES...




The airport bar.

Somebody's Watching You, Flying High, -and- Stupid Criminals

Somebody's Watching You - Google offers free software to track people
Flying High - passengers remove totally drunk pilot
Stupid Criminals - 9-1-1 caller puts police dispatcher on hold to make a drug deal, lands in jail

On this day in history: February 4, 1983 - Karen Carpenter dies of anorexia nervosa. She frequently took laxatives and induced vomiting to prevent weight gain. At the time of her death she was pencil thin.

Born on this day in history: February 4, 1913 - Rosa Parks (1913-2005) Born in Tuskegee, AL, civil rights advocate Rosa Parks was a community activist best known for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, which resulted in the famous bus boycott led by Martin Luther King Jr. (1955–6). Parks is honored as the "mother" of the civil rights movement.

Scripture of the Day: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. — 1 John 4:10

Video of the Day: Flying Motorcycle - submitted by Darin

I happened upon this scene yesterday afternoon while driving home from my office. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I decided to take the scenic route—around the lake and past the park. Imagine my surprise when I encountered this makeshift hot tub! Click to enlarge.

As many of you know, I maintain a list called "The Ultimate List of Car Songs." (There is a link to this in the Links section, below the Web cam image.) Yesterday, I received a submission email that contained four song titles and artists' names. As I always do when I receive submissions for this list with which I am unfamiliar, I performed Google searches for the songs. They were all songs, and the artists' names supplied by the submitter were correct. However, none of the four songs refer to an automobile in any way. I emailed the submitter, thanked her for her interest in the list, and explained that her submissions did not meet the requirements of the list, since they were not songs about cars. She replied saying that she felt it was discriminatory to exclude songs from the list strictly on the basis of their not being car songs. At first, I thought this was a joke. Several emails later, I had no option but to accept the validity of the woman's proposal. I said, "I believe that this issue would best be resolved—and the concept you propose best served—were you to begin your own list of non-car songs! I have not received a reply.

Fighting Back, All Rise, -and- House of Filth

Fighting Back - mall pianist chases down thief
All Rise - Australia to start online court hearings
House of Filth - over 200 pets seized from Texas home

On this day in history: February 4, 1974 - Patty Hearst kidnapped.

Born on this day in history: January 4, 1913 - Rosa (Lee McCauley) Parks (1913-2005) Born in Tuskegee, AL, civil rights advocate Rosa Parks was a community activist best known for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, which resulted in the famous bus boycott led by Martin Luther King Jr. (1955–6). Parks is honored as the ‘mother’ of the civil rights movement.

Scripture of the Day: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:4-5

Video of the Day: - Michael Winslow As Jimi Hendrix - submitted by Jay

Sunshine! The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the birds are singing! Following an intense storm Saturday—with extreme winds and torrential rain—yesterday was sunny and warm. Today is sunny and warm, as well. There is no wind. The forecast for the next several days indicates (assuming the weatherpeople are correct) this beautiful weather will continue!

Saturday, Laura marinated two thick top sirloin steaks and four large white mushrooms with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, lime juice, Cabernet Sauvignon, ground black pepper, sea salt, and Tony Chachere's More Spice seasoning. The steaks and mushrooms marinated for four hours. I grilled them on the indoor grill—charring the outside nicely and maintaining a nice rareness in the center. I baked two large red potatoes in the microwave. It was a delicious meal.

Yesterday, Laura worked in the nursery at Harvest Christian Center during the second service. We attended the first service together, following which I journeyed home and made a frittata. I generally use spinach in frittatas, but on this occasion, I used broccoli instead of spinach. I sautéed diced red potatoes, slivered white onion, chopped Jalapeños, chopped broccoli, bacon strips (cut into 1" sections), and a head of peeled garlic cloves in extra-virgin olive oil. I seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice seasoning, ground black pepper, and sea salt. When done, I added six beaten jumbo eggs and turned the burner to low. When the eggs were fully cooked, I added eight slices of pepperjack cheese and turned the burner off. It was especially delightful, and the leftovers shall make a fine dinner following Bible college Wednesday evening.

For dinner last evening, I cooked a box of penne until al dente and set aside. I slivered sun-dried tomatoes and sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil, with minced garlic, sea salt, crushed red pepper, and ground black pepper. When this was sufficiently cooked, I added 36 medium peeled, poached shrimp and the penne. Laura stirred this and took it to the table. It was delicious. The leftovers followed Laura to work this morning.