National Be Late for Something Day, In the News, and Enjoy!

National Be Late for Something Day - This holiday is for being fashionably late for anything and everything all day long and loving every minute of it.

Yes indeed, today is the day to be late, and when you do you are proving just how holiday-oriented you are. You are a true celebrator of holidays.

In the News - Snatched from today's headlines—the unusual, the strange, the mystifying, the humorous, the weird, the interesting, etc.!

Surgeon Accused of Faking Operations Surrenders Medical License

Neighbor Says Church Bells Helped Destroy His Marriage

EPA Sends SWAT Team to Alaskan Mine to Check Water Quality

California County Votes for Secession from State, Cites Overregulation

Enjoy! - Relax and enjoy!

National Paper Clip Day, Mr. Roboto, and Ghostbusters

National Paper Clip Day - National Paperclip Day is celebrated each year on May 29. Yes, even the paperclip has its own day of honor. Today is about that well-known piece of curved wire that keeps our papers together and helps keep us organized.
According to the Early Office Museum, the first patent for a "bent wire paper clip" was presented to Samuel B. Fay in the United States in 1867. The original intention of Fay's clip was to attach tickets to fabric, however the patent recognized that it could also be used to attach papers. There were nearly 50 others that received patents for similar designs prior to 1899—including Erlman J. Wright of the United States in 1877. His clip was advertised for use in fastening newspapers.
The Gem paper clip—which was produced in Britain in the early 1870′s by "The Gem Manufacturing Company," was never patented. It is the most common type of wire paper clip and is still in use today. It was introduced to the United States around 1892 and in 1904, Cushman & Denison registered a trademark for the "Gem" name in connection with paper clips. Paper clips are still sometimes called "Gem clips."
Today, paper clips come in various sizes, shapes and colors and can make your paperwork look more fun and lively. Paper clips are not just for holding papers together; there are many other things that can be done with them!

Mr. Roboto - Researchers at Cornell University have programmed a robot that can predict what you're about to do and offer up a helping hand. Using a Microsoft Kinect sensor, the robot watches your body movements. Then, it accesses a video database of about 120 household activities — ranging from putting food in the microwave, eating, brushing teeth, making cereal, etc. — to predict what your actions will be a few seconds into the future. The robot can then make a decision about what you're likely to do next and what it can do to assist you in that task.

Ghostbusters - Man who set up camera to catch a ghost instead catches girlfriend's affair with his 16-year-old son. An Australian father who rigged up a video camera in his kitchen to capture paranormal activity instead caught his girlfriend canoodling with his 16-year-old son.

Lockdown, Mommy Dearest, -and- Fiddling Around

Lockdown - jailers fired for encouraging fashion show
Mommy Dearest - 7-year-old girl shot 6 times saving own mother
Fiddling Around - Toyota's new robot can play the violin

On this day in history: December 6, 1969 - A concert by the Rolling Stones at Altamont ends in the death of a fan at the hands of the Hells Angels, who were hired for security.

Born on this day in history: December 6, 1896 - Ira Gershwin (1896–1983) Born in New York City, lyricist Ira Gershwin began his long collaboration with brother George in 1918, creating classics like "The Man I Love" (1924). He also contributed lyrics to "Porgy and Bess" (1935). Later, Gershwin collaborated with composers such as Kurt Weill, Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen.

Scripture of the Day: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me; just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)

Video of the Day: Terry Fator, Part 4 of 5 - submitted by Frank

I happened upon this scene on my way to the office this morning. Some might consider this fox lazy, but I think he is sly! Click to enlarge.

Recommended Site: Corning California Net - A free forum for Corning, California!

Recommended Site: Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!

It is raining! Yesterday was beautiful and sunny, but today is dark, dreary, and wet. I am pleased that I went shopping yesterday. Shopping in the rain is a most unpleasant task.

[While I slept] I arrived home from my office and was greeted by my cat, Zeus. He generally greets me by rubbing against my legs as I walk into the house and leaping onto the dining room table as I near it, where he then positions himself to receive petting. He did not do this, however. He pressed himself tightly against my leg and would not move. His body shook. At first, I imagined that he was ill, but touching his nose indicated that he was not. I looked into his eyes and saw fear! Zeus had been frightened by something! "Zeus," I said, "what has frightened you?" Zeus lifted his paw and pointed at the monitor for Laura's computer. Onscreen was a local news story with the headline, "Cat Burglar Strikes Again!" I bent down, took Zeus into my arms, stroked his soft fur, and said, "Zeus, fear not! A cat burglar is a thief who uses stealth while stealing. It is not someone who steals cats!" Zeus looked up at me and meowed. The fear was gone from his eyes!

Never Too Young, Say "Cheese"!, -and- Robocop

Never Too Young - hockey brawl between 8-year-olds stuns police
Say "Cheese"! - man arrested for shooting traffic camera
Robocop - high-tech drones joining Miami police force

On this day in history: November 28, 1981 - Natalie Wood topples off her yacht near Catalina Island and drowns. Her husband, Robert Wagner, and friend, Christopher Walken, were onboard and unaware of her predicament.

Born on this day in history: November 28, 1936 - Gary Hart (1936 - ____) politician. He was the Democratic senator from Colorado, 1975-86; his scandal-ridden bid for the presidential nomination in 1984 rocked the party.

Scripture of the Day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done." (1 Chronicles 16:8)

Video of the Day: Twin Musical Tesla Coils playing Mario Bros.
Theme - submitted by Phillip

Here is a photograph I took last week of the ruins of Premier West Bank.
Click to enlarge. To see more photographs of the ruins, go to Photo Gallery of Local Events.

For dinner last evening, I made grilled pork loin chops and brown rice. I grilled two of the thickest pork loin chops I have ever seen on the indoor grill. I allowed the grill to reach its full heat, tossed the chops (dry-rubbed with sea salt, ground black pepper, and Gebhardt's chili powder) on the grill, and covered with an aluminum-foil tent. They were delicious—nice grill marks, seared on the outside, and juicy and moist on the inside. For the rice, I placed 1 1/2 cups of brown rice, three cups of water, three large sliced white mushrooms, two sliced celery stalks, one sliced red bell pepper, sea salt, ground black pepper, and ground sage in a covered pot. I cooked this on high for 10 minutes, reduced the heat to medium-low, cooked for 30 minutes, reduced the heat to low, and cooked for another 10 minutes. It was a delightful meal.

Telemarketers: Undoubtedly, the number of telemarketing calls I receive is significantly diminished by the inclusion of my telephone numbers in the National Do Not Call List. However, the calls do sneak in under the radar—so to speak. Last evening at around 6 PM, the following conversation took place:

ME: Hello Mr. Telemarketer. What is it you are attempting to peddle?
TM: Uh...why do you say that?
ME: I would like to keep this conversation brief. I am expecting an important telephone call from Chuck Norris. What is it you are attempting to peddle?
TM: Uh...well...anyway...this is [name redacted] representing [newspaper name redacted]...
ME: I am not interested. Good bye.
TM: You haven't heard what we're offering...
ME: There is no time. Save your energy for someone who does not daily read this newspaper online at no cost. Good bye.
TM: But...
ME: (Plonk)

Mr. Roboto, Bad Hair Day, -and- Old Glory

Mr. Roboto - Zeno, the artificial boy
Bad Hair Day - bald man steals Rogaine
Old Glory - NC school lifts ban on flag clothing

On this day in history: September 13, 1971 - After 1,300 rioting prisoners reject a list of proposed concessions because it lacks immunity from prosecution, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller orders an attack to retake Attica prison. In all, 29 prisoners die and 85 are wounded; and 10 hostages are killed.

Born on this day in history: September 13, 1920 - Bill Monroe (1920 - 1996) musician, instrumentalist. He was the originator of the Bluegrass style of country popular music; also known as a singer and mandolin player.

Scripture of the Day: "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8)

Video of the Day: Aneta Florczyk's frying pan - submitted by Cindy

The weather this morning is particularly uninviting! It is windy, overcast, and chilly. Storm clouds fill the sky. This is not good. Hopefully, the weather will improve significantly by this weekend. Forecasts indicate that it will. It is seldom that weather forecasts are correct. Let us hope this time they are! The car show in Durham is Saturday, and good weather is a must!