The Eyes Have It, Show and Tell, -and- Disarmed

The Eyes Have It - bionic contact lens may create tiny personal displays
Show and Tell - man exposes himself, blames restless-leg syndrome
Disarmed - major credit card company disallows firearm purchases

On this day in history: January 31, 1961 - The United States sends its first monkey into space, Ham the chimpanzee. His Mercury/Redstone 2 achieves an altitude of 158 miles, a 19-minute ride that subjects Ham to a force of 16 times gravity. The space ape splashes down safely, his capsule is plucked from the ocean by the USS Donner.

Born on this day in history: January 31, 1919 - Jackie Robinson (1919–72)Born in Cairo, GA, baseball player Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in the major leagues, becoming a star for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947-56). Robinson was Rookie of the Year in 1947, and league batting champion and Most Valuable Player in 1949.

Scripture of the Day: Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD ... they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. - Proverbs 1:29,31

Video of the Day: Monkey Cowboy Rides Dog - submitted by Laura

Monkey turns cowboy

Here is a photograph I took of Mr. Nitro with my new Nikon D3 DSLR. I took this photograph with a Nikkor 24-120mm lens, at 24mm, from a distance of 18" from the vehicle. Click to enlarge.

The rain has returned! The wind has returned, also. It began sprinkling lightly while I was on my way to the office. It is now raining in earnest. The weatherpeople have been wrong all week, but their forecast for today appears to be correct.

It is difficult to imagine that it has been nearly a year since we purchased Mr. Nitro and Mr. Yaris, but the evidence cannot be disputed: The registration renewals and 2008 license-plate stickers arrived (I renewed the registrations online—something I highly recommend doing.), and I received a letter from Sirius Satellite Radio alerting me that I have only a few days during which to renew my Sirius satellite radio subscription. When I purchased Mr. Nitro, a one-year subscription to Sirius was included. The free ride will soon end. I enjoy Sirius a good deal, so I shall renew the subscription. Laura and I have our favorite channels, and reception is excellent nearly everywhere. Tunnels, car washes, indoor parking structures, and trees can sometimes affect reception, but this is a mere temporary inconvenience. In remote areas and mountainous regions where FM signals are inaccessible, Sirius is available. Also, the necessity to search for stations while traveling—as one exits the broadcast area for a station—is not an issue with Sirius.

I finally employed Mr. Nitro's remote start function last evening. I left the heater controls set when I exited Mr. Nitro yesterday afternoon at our home. When we were nearly ready to depart for Bible college at Harvest Christian Center, I activated Mr. Nitro's remote start function from the warmth of our house. When we entered Mr. Nitro, he was comfortably warm. I repeated this procedure when we were departing the church. The remote start function—as well as the alarm arm/disarm functions operate from a distance of up to 300 feet—so long as there is a clear path for the signal from the key to the vehicle.

To Serve and Protect, Hic!, -and- Disco Inferno

To Serve and Protect - bicyclist tased when he runs for minor infraction
Hic! - man arrested for DUI on mower
Disco Inferno - radio volunteer sets fire to station

On this day in history: January 30, 1972 - British troops kill 13 unarmed marchers in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. This incident becomes known as "Bloody Sunday" and marks the beginning of a new extended round of violence.

Born on this day in history: January 30, 1931 - Gene Hackman (1931– ) Born in San Bernardino, CA, actor Gene Hackman made it big in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967). He went on to win an Oscar for "The French Connection" (1971), and has been making blockbuster movies ever since.

Scripture of the Day: ...you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Video of the Day: Anonymous on Fox 11 - submitted by Laura

The fishing has been particularly good in the pond behind my office! Click to enlarge.

Brrr! It was very cold when I left the house this morning at 6:45 AM. Mr. Nitro's windshield had a chitinous carapace formed of ice. Several minutes of defrosting was required prior to his exit from his parking spot. Once yet again, I missed an ideal opportunity to pre-set Mr. Nitro's defroster and start him remotely from the warmth of our house.

Interestingly, today's lead story took place in Hamilton City (mid-way between here and Chico). This news story is on Fox News, the Drudge Report, World Net Daily, and certainly many other online news sites this morning.

Brave New Schools, Never Too Old, -and- Homeland Insecurity

Brave New Schools - teacher roughs up special-ed student, resigns
Never Too Old - 109-year-old woman gets first passport
Homeland Insecurity - official sneaks fake bomb past TIA security

On this day in history: January 29, 1919 - Prohibition begins, and with it the rise of organized crime.

Born on this day in history: January 29, 1885 - Huddie William Ledbetter (Leadbelly) (1885-1949) Musician, born near Morringsport, Louisiana, USA. A legendary singer and guitarist, he was raised near Shreveport, LA, worked on farms in Texas, and began performing in Dallas, TX as a protégé of Blind Lemon Jefferson in the 1910s. (Leadbelly got his nickname because of his deep bass voice.) In 1917 he was sentenced to prison on a murder conviction; eight years later he literally sang a plea of mercy to the Texas governor and was pardoned. In 1930 he was sentenced to 10 years for wounding a group of men with a knife, and in 1934 he composed a song for the Louisiana governor. With the intervention of the folklorists John and Alan Lomax, he won a reprieve in 1935. Over the next year, he travelled with John Lomax and recorded hundreds of songs that formed a cornerstone of the Library of Congress folklore archives. In 1938 he moved permanently to New York City where he recorded for Columbia Records and became a celebrated figure in literary and political circles. His best-known songs include "Irene, Good Night," "Rock Island Line," and "Midnight Special."

Scripture of the Day: Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes." - Deuteronomy 1:29-30

Video of the Day: Subaru DC Mountain Lab 1.5 - submitted by Frank

Here is a crop of an available-light photograph of my cat, Zeus, taken with my new Nikon D3 DSLR. This lens was a Nikkor 24-120mm at 120mm. Click to enlarge.

No frost today! It is not warmer today; it is drier, however, and there was no frost on Mr. Nitro's windshield this morning. The frost has a great psychological effect—making it seem much colder than it is. The lack of frost has the opposite effect.

Laura and I always vote using absentee ballots. I have completed my ballot, and Laura shall complete hers this evening. They shall go out in tomorrow's mail.

For dinner last evening, I grilled chicken breasts and steamed cauliflower. I dry-rubbed four large Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts with Tony Chachere's More Spice seasoning and ground black pepper. I sprayed the chicken breasts with olive oil Pam and placed (sprayed-side down) on the indoor grill. I covered the chicken breasts with a tent of aluminum foil. After ten minutes, I sprayed the tops of the chicken breasts and turned them. I repeated this procedure twice. I separated the florets from a head of cauliflower, placed in a covered casserole dish, and seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice seasoning. I placed two tablespoons of water in the bottom of the casserole dish and cooked the cauliflower on high for three minutes in the microwave. Laura declared it was the most delicious food that had emerged from the indoor grill to date. It was delightful. The two leftover chicken breasts shall be shredded and used to make burritos Thursday.

Ground Control to Major Tom, Don't Pay the Piper, -and- It Doesn't Pay to Advertise

Ground Control to Major Tom - hackers post YouTube video declaring war on Scientology
Don't Pay the Piper - download 25 million songs legally
It Doesn't Pay to Advertise - woman sought hit man on Craigslist

On this day in history: January 28, 1978 - "Vampire of Sacramento" Richard Chase is arrested. Miscellaneous human organs are found in his refrigerator. He managed to kill six people, drinking the blood of two of his victims.

Born on this day in history: January 28, 1968 - Sarah McLachlan (1968-) Born in Halifax, Canada, singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan had her debut album in 1988, gaining a following for her atmospheric folk-pop music. In 1993, her single "Possession" broke the Top 100. In 1997, McLachlan founded the successful Lilith Fair, an annual tour of women musicians.

Scripture of the Day: We proclaim him [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. - Colossians 1:28

Video of the Day: Live Time-lapse Art - submitted by Danica

What is this? It is a Hill-Billy! Click to enlarge.

It almost snowed last evening! The wind howled all day yesterday and into the evening. At approximately 9 PM, there was a sudden sleet storm. The sleet fell relentlessly for approximately 20 minutes. If it had been a few degrees colder, the sleet would certainly have taken the form of snow! When the sleet ceased, the wind was gone as well. This morning, there is no wind, and the streets are dry. It is cold, however. Mr. Nitro's windshield required defrosting. Mr. Yaris was parked in the carport and avoided the frost.

Laura received recognition and an award yesterday during service at Harvest Christian Center. She was named "Ministering Member of the Month" for her word as a teacher in the nursery! Although this was a complete surprise to her, Laura maintained her composure and gave a very spirited and emotionally charged acceptance speech.

We enjoyed a wonderful visit from Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa at Harvest Christian Center yesterday. Doug LaMalfa is a fourth-generation rice farmer who has lived in Northern California all of his life. He and his wife, Jill, have four children and make their home on the family farm in Richvale, California. He was first elected the Legislature in 2002 to represent the sprawling 2nd Assembly District covering nine counties in Northern California.

Assemblyman LaMalfa spoke of his faith (He is a devout Christian. His wife was unable to accompany him, because she is on the worship team at their home church in Richvale.) and his dedication to serving the people of his district.

A staunch believer in reducing the tax burden on working families, Assemblyman LaMalfa says that, "taxpayers know better than bureaucrats and politicians how to spend and invest their own hard-earned money." He is a leader in opposing new taxes to cover the fiscal blunders by spendthrift politicians.

Doug LaMalfa supports strong law enforcement and returning state tax dollars back to counties to put more sheriff's deputies and firefighters in our communities. Since being elected in 2002, Doug LaMalfa has led the fight to restore millions in funding for our rural sheriffs.

As an active political leader in his community, LaMalfa championed the "3-Strikes" law to lock up repeat violent criminals. In 2005, Assemblyman LaMalfa teamed-up with Senator Tom McClintock to sponsor the Homeowner and Property Protection Act to stop the abuses of government taking private property using Eminent Domain. This issue is likely to be placed on the November 2006 statewide ballot for the people to decide. LaMalfa believes that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman and that it must be protected. As an Assemblyman, LaMalfa continues to fight hard to defend the Protection of Marriage Act, Proposition. 22 from those who would violate the legal authority of the people of California.

Assemblyman LaMalfa firmly believes that government should first do no harm, and that government should provide, in the most efficient manner possible, only those essential services that individuals and families cannot provide for themselves.

LaMalfa praised the leadership and congregation for their political activism and encouraged us that it is perfectly legal for a church to be politically active regarding issues, and only the endorsement of candidates is unacceptable.

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!