Fighting Back, Jaws of Death, -and- Stop Thief!

Fighting Back - Passengers overcome hijacker on Turkish Airlines flight
Jaws of Death - fisherman hooked after shark he caught fights back
Stop Thief! - Anti-burglar device banned, safety of burglar cited

On this day in history: October 16, 1996 - 84 are killed and more than 180 injured in Guatemala City when 47,000 soccer fans attempt to squeeze into 36,000 seats at Mateo Flores Stadium.

Born on this day in history: October 16, 1925 - Angela (Brigid) Lansbury (1925– ) Born in London, actress Angela Lansbury became a U.S. citizen in 1951. Her role in "Gaslight" (1944) led to an MGM contract and many more films. After roles in several Broadway musicals, Lansbury appeared as Jessica Fletcher in the TV mystery series "Murder She Wrote" (1984–-95).

Scripture of the Day: Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? — 1 Corinthians 10:16

Video of the Day: Third Presidential Debate - Full Video

Joe The Plumber: Obama Tax Plan 'Infuriates Me'!

Poll for Final Presidential Debate. Click to enlarge.

Clearing a Windows-based computer's memory without restarting the computer.

If you are running Windows-based computer you may find that after several days your system will begin running more slowly than usual.

Of course, you can simply restart the computer to remove any idle processes. But here is a simpler way:

1. Right click on an empty spot on the Desktop and select New - Shortcut.

2. Type %windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks in the box.

3. Click Next.

4. Name this shortcut "Clear Memory."

5. Click Finish.

Now whenever your computer begins running slowly, simply click this shortcut to clear out your memory and get your computer running at a normal pace again.

Faith under Fire, Jaws of Death, -and- Somebody's Watching You

Faith under Fire - atheists abandon attempt to ban baptisms
Jaws of Death - man fights off black bear with bare hands to save 8-year-old son
Somebody's Watching You - spy cam in Walmart sends credit card information to thieves

On this day in history: August 15, 1969 - Woodstock begins on Max Yasgur's farm in upstate New York. Tickets are $18 for three days of counterculture musical acts, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Sha-Na-Na.

Born on this day in history: August 15, 1972 - Ben Affleck (1972-) Actor, screenwriter. Affleck grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His first acting experience was in "The Dark End of the Street" (1979), an independent film. At the age of eight, Affleck appeared in a PBS production, "The Voyage of the Mimi." That same year, he met his future best friend, Matt Damon, a 10-year-old who lived two blocks away.

Scripture of the Day: For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." - Romans 8:15

Video of the Day: Google Maps: Part 1 of "The Googling" - submitted by Laura

Mr. Fly came to have his portrait taken. He would not come inside my studio, so I met him outside. Click to enlarge.

Hot! It is going to be particularly hot again today, and it is forecast to be hotter yet for the weekend. The high here yesterday was reported as 110 degrees. It is expected to be that again today and reach 112 to 115 over the weekend!

Imagine my fear and loathing when I reached Mr. Nitro yesterday afternoon, in preparation to journey to my home, when I realized I had neglected to affix the sun shield! Great Scott! The leather seat seared the flesh on the backs of my legs. My hands quickly cooked and left large patches of skin on the steering wheel. Perhaps I exaggerate. I do not exaggerate much, however!

For those who feverishly ferreted the Chico News & Review for my Maria Muldaur photograph: Do not despair. I was not able to find it, either. I assume that was intended for next week's issue. I shall determine this and advise you.

Animal Cruelty, Jaws of Death, -and- The Fats of Life

Animal Cruelty - trooper beats, kicks K9 partner
Jaws of Death - huge alligator on loose outside Florida elementary school
The Fats of Life - judge holds court in parking lot for 500-pound man

On this day in history: May 2, 1946 - Six prisoners attempt to escape the federal prison on Alcatraz island. They take over their cellblock but fail to gain access to the outside. One guard held hostage is executed by prisoners, and another dies in the attempt to retake the cellblock. The Battle of Alcatraz ends only after the deaths of three prisoners, and two others are subsequently executed at San Quentin.

Born on this day in history: May 2, 1985 - Sarah Hughes (1985-) Born in Great Neck, NY, figure skater Sarah Hughes was surprise gold medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. She is currently skating professionally and attending Yale University.

Scripture of the Day: Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Video of the Day: Back in the days of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Red Army had an official choir composed of male soldiers and musicians. It still exists. The Red Army Choir performs throughout Russia to this day. Now consider the Finnish rock band called The Leningrad Cowboys. A little while ago, they held a concert in Russia, in which - to the screaming applause of Russkie teen-agers - they got the Red Army Choir to join them on stage for a performance of "Sweet Home Alabama." In English. You couldn't make this up. We are talking seriously off-the-wall here. Better have that Stoli ready when you watch it! - submitted by Frank

Yikes! No caption needed! Click to enlarge.

It is warmer today! Yesterday morning, as I drove to my office a 6:30 AM, Mr. Nitro's exterior temperature display registered 46 degrees. This morning, a half-hour earlier, at 6 AM, the display registered 54 degrees. This is a significant increase, and it was very noticeable! The air is calm, the sky is blue and clear, the sun is shining brightly, and the birds are singing! It appears that this will be a particularly beautiful, warm weekend!

Fighting Back, Jaws of Death, -and- Meow!

Fighting Back - Houston pawn shop owner shoots man during holdup
Jaws of Death - woman finds 8-foot alligator in kitchen
Meow! - woman fights to keep nearly 150 cats at home

On this day in history: April 24, 1995 - The Unabomber strikes, killing a timber industry lobbyist. Gilbert Murray is killed in his Sacramento office, opening mail addressed to the man he replaced.

Born on this day in history: April 24, 1982 - Kelly Clarkson Biography (1982-) Singer, songwriter. Born Kelly Brianne Clarkson on April 24, 1982 in Burleson, Texas. Clarkson graduated from Burleson High School in 2000, where she sang in the school choir. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career.

Scripture of the Day: "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you -- and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." - Mark 4:24-25

Video of the Day: Dodge Challenger - It's On!

Zeus stays abreast of the political scene—photographed by Laura. Click to enlarge.

The thunderstorm that was forecast for yesterday did not materialize. It was calm and sunny most of the day. There was a fierce wind in the early afternoon, but it abated quickly, and the evening was calm and relatively warm.

Today is sunny and beautiful. Forecasts are for mid-to-high 80-degree weather for the weekend. Let the grilling begin!

Brave New Schools, Jaws of Death, -and- Short People

Brave New Schools - Maine middle school considering birth-control patches for 11-year-old girls
Jaws of Death - man saves wife from crocodile
Short People - world's smallest girl proud of her tiny size

On this day in history: April 7, 1989 - Soviet nuclear submarine Komsomolets sinks in the Norwegian sea, with two nuclear reactors and two nuclear torpedoes aboard. 41 crew members die, and the submarine remains one mile below the surface of the ocean, with its nuclear weapons intact.

Born on this day in history: April 7, 1964 - Russell Crowe (1964-) Born in Wellington, New Zealand, actor Russell Crowe began as a child actor, teen rock singer and in the Australian theater. Breakthrough film roles included 1992’s "Proof" and the controversial "Romper Stomper" (1993). He hit big in the U.S. in "L.A. Confidential" (1997), followed by starring roles in increasingly A-list Hollywood properties, notably "The Gladiator" (2000). Widespread rumors about Crowe’s brash personality have increased with his fame.

Scripture of the Day: For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. - 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

Video of the Day: Jedi Baseball - submitted by Amber

Will Condi Rice be the next Vice President of the U.S.? Click to enlarge.

The blog is late this morning! We had an issue with an electrical outlet in our kitchen, and I met with an electrician this morning at 7:30 AM. He quickly corrected the problem, and all is now well. This delayed the blog, however. For those who eagerly await it each weekday morning, I apologize.

We watched "Cars" in Blu-ray on our new home theatre equipment. This is easily the best movie with which to demonstrate the awesomeness of Blu-ray. We had seen the movie previously and enjoyed it a good deal, but viewing it in Blu-ray was an incredibly more exciting experience.

One of my brothers came to dinner on Saturday. We had grilled pork tenderloins and potato salad. I made the potato salad Friday afternoon, using baby red potatoes, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, white onion, peas, hard-boiled eggs, and dill pickles. For the dressing, I mixed mayonnaise, lime juice, Dijon mustard, wasabi paste, ground black pepper, Tony Chachere's More Spice, and celery salt. Laura dry-rubbed the pork tenderloins with Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and sea salt. She tossed them onto the grill and nicely charred the exterior. I completed the grilling process, while Laura prepared the table. It was a delightful meal. Following dinner, we watched "Disturbia" in Blu-ray. It was a very suspenseful movie. I recommend it.