We'll Leave the Red Light On for You, Slim Jim, -and- Drive My Car

We'll Leave the Red Light On for You - S.F. may legalize prostitution
Slim Jim - inmate loses weight, escapes through vent
Drive My Car - police chief's daughter uses impounded car for free

On this day in history: July 21, 1925 - John Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school. The jury fines him $100.

Born on this day in history: July 21, 1899 - Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) Born in Oak Park, Illinois, writer Ernst Hemingway served in an ambulance corps in World War I. Later based in Paris, he was part of Gertrude Stein’s expatriate circle. His first novel, The Sun Also Rises (1926) gained instant acclaim and A Farewell to Arms (1929) put him in the front ranks. In 1927, Hemingway settled in the U.S.

Scripture of the Day: [Speaking to the Israelites about their enemies, Moses said:] "Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God." - Deuteronomy 7:21

Video of the Day: Master Casters: Skeet Fishing - submitted by Darin

The office television died! When I arrive at my office, I unlock the front door, turn off the alarm system, say a prayer—thanking God for his protective covering over my office—switch the door sign to "Open," turn on the monitor on the kiosk computer, turn on the television and satellite receiver, turn on the monitor on Liberty (my secondary system), turn on the monitor on Phaedra (my main system), turn on the lights, unlock the rear door, and either open the rear door or turn on the air conditioning—depending on the interior temperature of the office. This is a routine I have followed for many, many years. I followed this procedure this morning, but immediately sensed something was amiss when the sound for the Fox News Channel emanated from the television without the compliment of video! Yikes! The 15-year-old Sony television is dead! I dread removing it from its perch. It is an ancient 27" CRT beast that weighs a great deal. I do not clearly recall placing it on the wall bracket. It must have been a great chore! I am unsure what I shall do now that the television has died, but I do know that listening to Fox news without video is creepy!

The weekend weather was beautiful. It was in the upper 90s—considerably cooler than the triple-digit temperatures of the previous weekend. I enjoy warm weather, but I must admit that 115 degrees is a bit warmer than I find enjoyable.

Saturday morning, I made a large batch of salsa. Laura had received several wonderful home-grown tomatoes from a co-worker. I diced them and added 4 large diced Jalapeño peppers, 6 diced Serrano peppers, a large diced habanero, sliced celery, chopped green onions, 15 sliced garlic cloves, cilantro, Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, ground cumin, and lime juice.

Later that day, we roasted baby back ribs on the grill. Laura rubbed the ribs with Tony Chachere's More Spice. She made a mop with extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, light rum, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, ground cumin, and sea salt. She mopped the ribs every 15 minutes. They cooked on indirect heat for 3 hours. They were wonderful. I made spicy black beans with chopped white onion, chopped celery, minced garlic, diced Jalapeño peppers, brown sugar, Tony Chachere's More Spice, molasses, ground cumin, and ground cayenne pepper. It was an excellent meal.

Sunday—after service at Harvest Christian Center—I made guacamole, using the salsa I made Saturday. We had guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips and played Scrabble. Laura won the first game, and I won the second game.

For dinner, I made pasta with shrimp. I cooked a package of Barilla thick spaghetti al dente, drained, and tossed with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, cilantro, and cooked shrimp. I also made garlic bread. It was a delightful meal. Leftover pasta and shrimp will follow Laura to work this morning.

Woman Bites Dog, Brave New Schools, -and- Fruit of the Vine

Woman Bites Dog - attacks pit bull to save pet
Brave New Schools - 6-year-old suspended for sexual harassment
Fruit of the Vine - Italian wine under investigation for adulteration

On this day in history: April 4, 1988 - Arizona Governor Evan Mecham becomes the first U.S. governor to be impeached and removed from office in nearly 60 years. He was convicted for obstructing justice by discouraging a state official from investigating a death threat, and also misusing $80,000 in public money.

Born on this day in history: April 4, 1965 - Robert Downey Jr. (1965-) Born in New York City, son of avant-garde filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., actor Robert Downey first appeared in films like "Weird Science" (1985), and gained profile as the flamboyant cocaine addict in "Less Than Zero" (1987). He went on to Charlie Chaplin biopic (1992) and other success. Downey has suffered serious drug and legal problems, serving jail time, but recently re-married and his career is back on track.

Scripture of the Day: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. - Galatians 4:4

Video of the Day: Expelled Preview of "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." This is a controversial documentary film which claims that educators and scientists are being persecuted for their belief that there is evidence of design in nature. Hosted by Ben Stein, it claims that what the film calls "Big Science" allows no dissent from the scientific theory of evolution, and blames the theory for a range of modern movements from Nazism to Planned Parenthood. It is due to be released on April 18, 2008. Submitted by Laura

Here is the limited-edition Bruce Lee Model Nikon D3! Click to enlarge.

It is considerably warmer this morning than it has been for the last several days. I inadvertently left my jacket in the cargo area of Mr. Nitro yesterday afternoon and found it sufficiently warm this morning that I eschewed it. I walked from the rear parking area to the front of my office and was not particularly troubled by the temperature. The temperature display on the heating/cooling control showed the interior temperature to be 65 degrees. This is 4 degrees warmer than yesterday. The forecast for tomorrow and Sunday are now several degrees warmer than they were yesterday. This is encouraging!

Gleep!, Brave New Schools, -and- Drop the Keys"

Gleep! - gecko inspires new kind of "Band-Aid"
Brave New Schools - educators say evolution still "theory"
Drop the Keys! - man gets 8 years for 19 DUIs, license suspended forever

On this day in history: February 20, 1971 - An erroneous warning is emitted on the Emergency Broadcast System causing a number of stations to go off the air, and others to completely ignore the alert (thus pointing out that many key stations would not react to any emergency broadcast over the system.)

Born on this day in history: February 20, 1967 - Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) Born in Hoquaim, WA, musician Kurt Cobain and friend Krist Novoselic formed rock band Nirvana (1986), which performed music dubbed “grunge.” Nirvana’s breakthrough hit "Nevermind" sold ten million copies, earning a reported $550 million in the U.S. alone. Cobain, who married rock singer Courtney Love in 1992, began using heroin and suffered in and out of treatment until his suicide by shotgun in 1994.

Scripture of the Day: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

Video of the Day: John Deere: No More Lumberjacks - submitted by
Frank

Are you talkin' to me? What do you mean I lost?!?

Sorry, Mom!

For dinner last evening, I made penne with sun-dried tomatoes and grilled chicken breast. I placed into a stainless-steel mixing bowl sliced white onion, sliced white mushrooms, minced garlic, diced sun-dried tomatoes, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning, and Tony Chachere's More Spice. I sliced three grilled chicken breasts and placed into another stainless-steel mixing bowl. I cooked a box of Barilla penne until al dente, drained, and set aside. Laura sautéed the vegetables in extra-virgin olive oil. When done, she added the chicken and stirred. She then added the penne, stirred, transferred to a large pasta bowl, and stirred. At the table, we added DiGiorno grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red peppers. It was wonderful.

Fighting Back, Heat of the Moment, -and- The Wrong Stuff

Fighting Back - intruder's ear cut off during home invasion
Heat of the Moment - activists take Al Gore to task over his diet
The Wrong Stuff - Buzz Aldrin: Novak should be "admired"

On this day in history: September 10, 1977 - Convicted torture-killer Hamida Djandoubi, an immigrant from Tunisia, becomes the last person executed by France when he is guillotined in Marseilles.

Born on this day in history: September 10, 1929 - Arnold Palmer (1929 - ____) golfer. He was the first to win the Masters Tournament four times and the first to earn $1,000,000 in tournament prize money.

Scripture of the Day: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

Video of the Day: Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question - submitted by Donny

The sky is darkened from the smoke of fires. The sun hangs in the sky like an orange-red fireball. The humidity is great. It could be worse. I thank God for the day he has given us and praise his holy name. I celebrate this day and am thankful that the fires are not here. It could be worse.

Seconds following my writing that, it did get worse! A cretin burst into my office with a laptop in her hand—the power cable following behind her. As the door closed, the plug on the power cord became caught in the door. The woman dislodged the power cord from the door and began a loud, fast-paced rant about problems she was having with the laptop. Her diatribe was difficult to follow, but I managed to ascertain that she had purchased the unit (a Dell, of all things!) at Wal-Mart Friday evening. Apparently, all was well until her niece used the unit Saturday evening. Following that, random problems and general slowdown has plagued the system.

I said, "It sounds as though your system is infected. It probably has been infected with spyware and, possibly, viruses. Do you not have anti-spyware and anti-virus applications loaded?" "How should I know?" she responded. "You are correct," I said. "There is no reason whatever to imagine that you should be expected to know anything." I smiled. The smile was not returned. "So, what are you going to do?" she asked. "I am going to recommend that you consult Wal-Mart and determine what they recommend you do." "I called them," she said, "and they said to call Dell." "In that case," I said, "I am going to recommend that you consult Dell and determine what they recommend you do." I smiled. Once again, the smile was not returned. "I called them," she said, "and they said the warranty didn't cover what's wrong with it."

I said, "If you wish me to address the issue, I could make an appointment to do so tomorrow at 1 PM. I estimate repairs will take an hour, and the charge will be $60.00." "Why should I have to pay anything? It's brand-new!" she screeched. "You are right!" I said. "Ask your niece to pay the $60.00!" "She doesn't have any money!" she spat, as though this were something of which I should be aware.

"I recommend, then, that you find someone with the desire to perform repairs on your computer at no charge. You shall not find that person here, so I suggest you begin your quest elsewhere." She departed. Once again, the power cord became caught in the door. She jerked violently on the power cord and managed to rip the plug from the cord. "Now see what you've done!" she screamed. I offered no response. She slithered off into the gloom of the morning.