Heat of the Moment, Avast!, -and- Never Too Young

Heat of the Moment - critique mounts against biofuels
Avast! - sailor convicted on 10 counts of wearing unearned medals
Never Too Young - teen arrested for plane hijack plot

On this day in history: January 25, 1971 - Charles Manson and three of his followers are convicted in Los Angeles of the Tate and LaBianca murders. All were sentenced to the gas chamber, with sentences commuted to life imprisonment when the death penalty was temporarily abolished.

Born on this day in history: January 25, 1981 - Alicia Keys (1981-) Born Alicia Augello Cook in New York City, musician Alicia Keys blends pop, gospel, R&B and soul, and burst onto the music scene in 2001 with her debut album "Songs in A Minor," which racked up 5 Grammys.

Scripture of the Day: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
- Philemon 1:25

Video of the Day: Very Funny Cats Part 9 - submitted by Cindy

Got beer! Click to enlarge.

Light Bulb Comparison Excel spreadsheet shows cost comparison between incandescent, CFL, and LED light bulbs.

The rain continues! It rained throughout the night and continues today. The forecast for the next five days: Rain! While the rain has been relatively light (albeit continuous), and there is no immediate threat of flooding, this weather is certainly uninviting. I am eager to put my new Nikon D3 DSLR to use, but I certainly have no desire to take it out into the rain!

There was an armed robbery at Valero early Monday morning. There was an armed robbery there last year. The robbers were apprehended within minutes. The suspect in Monday's robbery has not been found. This is particularly disturbing, since Valero is only a block from our house. Thankfully, we enjoy the protection of God's angels! (We also have a Sig Sauer P229 .357 Sig and a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum.) We shall remain secure from scofflaws!

I Can Hear You Now!, Meet George Jetson, -and- I Don't

I Can Hear You Now! - artist implants "third ear" on own arm
Meet George Jetson - flying car about to take off?
I Don't - researcher says humans will wed robots

On this day in history: October 12, 1969 - Police capture Charles Manson at Barker Ranch, inside Death Valley National Park. Charlie is arrested for arson, after burning a maintenance vehicle blocking his favorite dune buggy route. One of his followers, Susan Atkins, is arrested the following day and spills the beans about the Tate/LaBianca murderers. Manson has not left prison since.

Born on this day in history: October 12, 1935 - Luciano Pavarotti (1935 - 2007) lyric tenor He was the outstanding tenor of his generation, noted for his mastery of the highest notes of a tenor's range.

Scripture of the Day: "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:20-21)

Video of the Day: The Bouncing Ball

Construction is now completed for the deck at the rear of our house. It is larger than I had anticipated. Click to enlarge.

The rain has arrived! It was sprinkling lightly as I left my house at 6:55 AM. The rainfall quickly increased, and it is now raining heavily. Pastor Rob Kee of Harvest Christian Center told me recently that October 31 is the last day on which it is acceptable to wear shorts. I am determined to reach this date. I have made the concession of wearing socks with my sandals today, however. I am pleased that Mr. Nitro's fuel tank is full and grocery shopping was done yesterday. Rain is forecast for the next several days. I see no grilling in the near future, sadly.

For dinner last evening, we had salmon fillets and steamed cauliflower with garlic cloves. I cleaned and separated a head of cauliflower and placed in a covered casserole dish, added a head of peeled garlic cloves, and seasoned with sea salt and Red Monkey Lemon Pepper Spice. I seasoned two large salmon fillets with Red Monkey Lemon Pepper Spice and brushed them with teriyaki sauce. I steamed the cauliflower and garlic in the microwave on high for five minutes. I pan-seared the salmon fillets in a large sauté pan, skin-side down, until the meat turned opaque. It was an incredible delicious meal.

I Beg of You, Walk this Way, -and- Animal Kingdom

I Beg of You - panhandler shot to death over 25 cents
Walk this Way - town bans police cowboy boots
Animal Kingdom - kangaroo on the loose in Mississippi

On this day in history: August 9, 1969 - Tate Murders by Charles Manson's followers.

Born on this day in history: August 9, 1963 - Whitney Houston (1963 - ____) singer. She won a Grammy, 1986, for top female vocalist; hits include "How Will I Know," 1987; film debut in "The Bodyguard," 1992.

Today's Video: Invisible Water Effect

When I arrived at my office at 7:15 AM this morning, there was a car parked outside my front door. As I opened my door, a woman exited the car and followed me into my office. "What can I do for you?" I asked, as I turned on the lights and the computer monitors and connected the wireless Internet feed. "My Internet's shut off." "What do you mean by 'shut off'?" I inquired. "I mean they turned it off cause my credit card got cancelled." "I see," I said. "What can I do for you?" "You can tell them to turn it back on and send me a bill and I'll send them a money order," she replied. "It may not be an option to pay by money order," I said. "Who is your Internet service provider?" (I represent three ISPs, and only one of them accepts payment by money order.) "AOL," she replied. "AOL? I have no connection with AOL," I said. "You would need to contact AOL directly." "I did," she said, "and that's when they told me I was shut off cause of my credit card." "The only option I can offer," I said, "is a new account with Snowcrest. That would be a $15.00 one-time set-up fee, and you would be billed $15.00 a month, payable quarterly, and you may pay by money order." "When do I have to pay the set-up fee?" she asked. "Whenever you wish to initiate service," I replied. "Can't you just send me a bill for it?" she asked, frowning. "I can send you a bill, of course," I said. "Then, when you have the $15.00, you can pay the bill, and I will initiate service." "No," she said, visibly upset, "I mean get me hooked up and send me a bill." "That is not an option," I said. "Have a nice day." She glared at me, said something that I shall not repeat here, and exited my office.

What a lovely way for the day to begin! Yikes!