Stupid Criminals, No Kidding, -and- Neither Rain nor Sleet...

Stupid Criminals - college student jailed for throwing M&Ms at cops
No Kidding - parents fly away, leave toddler at airport
Neither Rain nor Sleet... - postal worker accused of taking 100,000 pieces of mail home

On this day in history: May 14, 1976 - Keith Relf, former vocalist of the Yardbirds, is electrocuted in his London home while either tuning or playing a guitar belonging to either him or his son, in either the basement or the bathtub. Details are sort of sketchy, resulting from the family's reticence to describe the death scene.

Born on this day in history: May 14, 1944 - George Lucas (1944-) Born in Modesto, CA, director, writer and producer George Lucas hit it big with low-budget "American Graffiti" (1973), which is considered one of the most successful low-budget features ever made. He then created fantasy adventure "Star Wars" (1977). Made for $11 million, the film grossed over $513 million worldwide in its original release alone. Lucas continued the story in sequels, setting up a special effects company, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and a sound studio, Skywalker Sound. A single parent, Lucas has adopted three children.

Scripture of the Day: Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. - Amos 5:14

Video of the Day: Challenger 2.0 - Dodge's New Muscle Car

Here is a photograph from last weekend's May Madness car show. I shall soon
produce a slide show and will post the URL here when I have done so. Click
to enlarge.

Each weekday morning, I awaken at approximately 5 AM. Sometimes, I awaken a few minutes earlier, and sometimes I awaken a few minutes later. I always awaken within 5 or 10 minutes of 5 AM, however. Imagine my surprise this morning when I awakened, looked at the alarm clock on Laura's side of the bed, and saw that it was 6:05 AM! Yikes! I scurried about—showering and dressing. Generally, I have 30 minutes or more each morning during which I read scripture. This morning, there was no time for this. I bade Laura a good morning and scurried off to Mr. Nitro. As I drove to work, I thought that it appeared very dark. Lately, it has been daylight during my morning drive to my office.

Imagine my surprise when I looked at Mr. Nitro's time display and saw that it was FIVE-THIRTY AM! Apparently, Laura had incorrectly set the time on the alarm clock. Oh, well, it is quiet here at 5:30 AM. I should be able to get some things accomplished before the rush of clientele descends upon me!

Fighting Back, Parking Wars, -and- You Talk Too Much

Fighting Back - 77-year-old man sends intruder out on a stretcher
Parking Wars - man saws car in half after it's booted in his driveway
You Talk Too Much - man arrested for refusing to hang up cellphone during flight

On this day in history: May 13, 1913 - The latest brainchild of Russian aircraft design genius Igor Sikorsky embarks on its maiden flight. The Grand, easily the world's most luxurious passenger plane, includes such innovations as upholstered seats, a balcony, and even a lavatory.

Born on this day in history: May 13, 1950 - Stevie Wonder (1950– ) Born in Saginaw, MI, musician superstar Stevie Wonder, a premature baby, was blinded by receiving too much oxygen in the incubator. In 1963, at 12, his single, "Fingertips - Pt. 2" became his first million seller. On his 21st birthday, Wonder renegotiated his contract to gain artistic control. In the 1970s, he released a series of innovative, commercially successful albums that fused progressive rock and soul, social commentary and ballads. Wonder was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Scripture of the Day: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. - 1 John 5:13

Video of the Day: Bill Clinton: Voodoo Doll - submitted by Amber

Yikes! Click to enlarge.

Unsafe at any speed! Click to enlarge.

The wind that howled fiercely yesterday has abated a good deal. Hopefully, it shall soon be gone entirely. It is forecast to be 90 degrees today, 94 degrees on Wednesday, and 101 degrees on Thursday. A gentle breeze of an evening would be welcomed, certainly, yet this wind serves only to annoy.

The Name Game, Weapons of Choice, -and- Crime and Punishment

The Name Game - biologist honors Neil Young with new variety of spider
Weapons of Choice - Dennis Farina arrested at LAX for carrying loaded handgun
Crime and Punishment - dad jailed when 18-year-old daughter fails math test

On this day in history: May 12, 1797 - Following Napoleon's conquest of Venice, Ludovico Manin reluctantly steps down as its last Doge. Thus ends the Most Serene Republic's 820-year history of national sovereignty.

Born on this day in history: May 12, 1907 - Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) Born in Hartford, CT, actress Katharine Hepburn made her stage debut in 1928, and from 1932 on, attained international fame as a strong character actress. Among her outstanding films is "Woman of the Year (1942)," which was the beginning of a 25-year relationship with co-star Spencer Tracy. She won several Oscars, notably for "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" (1967) and "On Golden Pond" (1981). In 1991 she published "Me: Stories of My Life."

Scripture of the Day: Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:

Video of the Day: Baby Back Ribs Recipe - from the Barbecue Web

Laura's granddaughter, Parker, enjoys baby back ribs for the first time! Click to enlarge.

May Madness—the annual Corning Car Show— was held last weekend. It was a great success. Soon, I shall have a slide show created from selected photographs I took of the event. I shall publish the URL here when it is ready for viewing.

Saturday, we watched "Into the Blue" in HD on the USA Network. [A group of divers discovers a dangerous deep-sea treasure in this thriller starring Paul Walker, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Ashley Scott and Tyson Beckford. While diving in the deep blue waters off the Bahamas, the team finds a sunken plane with an illegal cargo worth millions. But ruthless drug kingpins are also after the plane's illicit booty, and the divers wind up in hot water as they quickly go from the hunters to the hunted.] We were very pleasantly surprised. Neither of us expected the movie to be as well-acted and entertaining as it was. It was actually highly entertaining and well-acted. I recommend it. The photography (particularly in HD) was awesome.

Later that day, we watched "The World's Fastest Indian" on Blu-ray Disc. [Based on a true story, this drama follows 67-year-old grandfather and New Zealander Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) as he flies across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats and blazes into the record books at 183.586 mph on his customized Indian Scout motorcycle. Set in 1967.] This movie was absolutely wonderful and heartwarming. Anthony Hopkins' acting was (as always) flawless, and the story was fascinating. I highly recommend this movie.

For dinner Sunday, we had linguine with giant shrimp. I marinated giant shrimp in extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, Tony Chachere's More Spice, and rice wine vinegar. I cooked a package of Barilla linguine until al denté, drained, and set aside. Laura sautéed the shrimp in the marinade. When the shrimp were cooked, she incorporated the linguine, added more extra-virgin olive oil and Tony Chachere's More Spice, stirred, and took the dish to the table. At the table, we added DiGiorno shredded Parmesan cheese and crushed red peppers. A bottle of Robert Mondavi 2004 Private Reserve Chardonnay accompanied the meal. It was wonderful. Leftovers followed Laura to Chico this morning, to be enjoyed for lunch.

Fighting Back, Crime and Punishment, -and- Heat of the Moment

Fighting Back - business owner kills suspected burglar
Crime and Punishment - cop shoots, kills man who gunned down his K9 partner
Heat of the Moment - coolest April in 11 years

On this day in history: May 9, 1950 - L. Ron Hubbard publishes the first edition of "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health." This follows on the heels of a feature article in the pulp sci-fi magazine "Astounding Science Fiction." A book review in the "The New Republic" describes the work as "a bold and immodest mixture of complete nonsense and perfectly reasonable common sense, taken from long-acknowledged findings and disguised and distorted by a crazy, newly-invented terminology." The subsequent movement goes on to become one of the scariest, most powerful pseudo-religious cults in modern history.

Born on this day in history: May 9, 1946 - Candice (Patricia) Bergen (1946-)
Born in Beverly Hills, CA, daughter of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, actress Candice Bergen began her career alongside her father's puppets Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. She modeled as a teen, then moved into acting, gaining success with "Carnal Knowledge" (1971). In 1988, she launched her most-famous role in sitcom "Murphy Brown" (1988-1998), which won her five Emmys. Bergen published her memoir, "Knock Wood," in 1984.

Scripture of the Day: For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Video of the Day: Old Muscle Car Show

Good Morning! Click to enlarge.

The May Madness Car Show is finally here. Corning Ford will kicked off the event with a Car Show Mixer last night. Today, the registration begins at 4 PM at the Transportation Center, and the Burnout Eliminations start at 5 pm. There will be food and other vendors operating from 5 PM to 9 PM, and the Cruise begins at 7 PM.

Saturday morning registration takes place at the Transportation Center from 7 AM to 10 AM, and the Pancake Breakfast at the Corning Volunteer Fire Hall will be held at the same time. There will be more vendors throughout the day. The Hydraulic Show begins at 10 AM, and the Burnout Finals are at 11 AM. Starting at 12 PM, the Raffle Drawings will begin, and the Awards Presentation will start at 3 PM.

Fighting Back, Heat of the Moment, -and- Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Fighting Back - robber fatally shot by Miami jewelry store owner
Heat of the Moment - cold water thrown on Antarctic warming predictions
Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite! - NY subways invaded by blood-sucking insects

On this day in history: May 8, 1999 - Actress Dana Plato, who played Kimberly Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes, dies in Oklahoma of an overdose of Valium and Loritab. Just the previous day, Plato had appeared on the Howard Stern syndicated radio program claiming to be clean and sober.

Born on this day in history: May 8, 1884 - Harry S Truman (1884–1972) Born in Lamar, MO, 33rd President Harry Truman (1945–53) was elected to the U.S. Senate (1935–45), and gained national attention heading "The Truman Committee," which investigated wartime production. That gained him a spot as Franklin D. Roosevelt's new vice-president in 1944. When Roosevelt died, Truman became president, going on to win the close 1948 election. The "everyday American" surprised everyone by dropping the atom bombs on Japan, forming the post-war Marshall Plan and proposing the "Truman Doctrine" of Communist containment.

Scripture of the Day: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Video of the Day: Baraky - Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton in their own words! - submitted by Jeffrey

The many face of Hillary Clinton. Yikes! Click to enlarge.

Last evening, at Harvest Christian Center, a graduation ceremony for those who had completed The Lord's Table program supplanted the Bible class which is generally held on Wednesday evenings. Laura and I were among those who gave testimonies and received diplomas. It was a beautiful ceremony.

This weekend is the annual May Madness Corning Car Show. Friday evening, there will be burnouts (in front of the police station!) and a cruise. Saturday will feature burnout finals and a car show. It is an excellent event. If you find yourself near this area, I highly recommend that you attend this event.