Hero

I decided to call my Marvel creation Lesson. Once it was completed, I thought maybe I should have called him Whoop-Ass! I had a particular person in mind when I was making him. Oh well, I figure he can smack down a *learn'in* either way.

*

Create yours?

http://marvelkids.marvel.com/create_your_own_superhero

Talent

I was upstairs in my house rummaging around for something. My sad cello just sat in it's corner. I've played the cello since I was 6 years old. I've let that talent slide in the past years. Life has caught up to me. And the cello needs to be repaired. I will have to start looking for a place to get it fixed. I've been feeling the tug of the strings lately. I have a degree in music with concentrations in composition and history. I was at one time a very good cellist, but that will need practice to get back to that caliber. I didn't focus on performance because it didn't interest me. I didn't want my enjoyment of playing to be ruined by the drudgery of having to perform. What kind of logic is that? Care to share your hidden talents?

Birthday Blooper

I'm the middle child, sandwiched in between two female siblings. My older sister is most definitely the Black Sheep of the family. My little sister is the precious precocious darling. Me, I'm sort of the sticky peanut butter in the middle of a burnt crust on one side and angle food cake on the other. *wonders if that would taste good*

*

I have spoken to my older sister once in the past 25 years, no make that 26, and I've spoken to her twice. But once I told her not take another step toward me or I'd hit her. And that was a family funeral.

*

Five years ago I tried to rekindle our relationship after she had been attacked and cut up so bad that she almost died. Those sort of life altering events warp your sense of reality back into good karma mode. I tried. But she's a vagabond. Never staying in one place too long. But she had a Post Office box that was fairly consistent. This year for her birthday on July 13th, I mailed her a Hoops & YoYo singing card. They were hooping and yoyo'ing about having a party and celebrating big time. It was my attempt to reach out, not expecting to hear from her.

*

The card was returned undeliverable today.

Declan - Tempest spins

I was hoping to get out this weeks posting of Declan. I have been mulling over what I want of Justine, but it's not quite there and I can't move the story along without this next entry. Well, I suppose I could, but I dun wanna. Just be patient.

Hellboy 2

Go see this movie.

It's a fun ride!

*

Hellboy

I'm Boycotting

Someday I'll give you the Might Mouse Green Lantern's list of companies to boycott. But today, one company earns a special distinction on my blog. It's up there inside the crossed out Red Circle. That's all the advertising I'm going to give that company. I often include links to companies and whatnot that I reference. But this company doesn't deserve that recognition today. They deserve the negative blogging that nearly 50 of it's employees and myself can call upon. Plus anyone else that wants to share kavetching on them. I don't work for that company, so why am I bothering. Well my Buddy Wayne used to work for them. But he, along with about 50 of his colleagues got the boot yesterday.

*

My friend worked there, a hair under 21 years. Many others worked there even longer. Far be it from me to know all the in's and out's of the grand wisdom behind the decision. *Maybe it's that plot of land that they sit upon that prompted all this. It's worth a boatload, right into the pocket of the owner/chairman.* The layoff was in the corporate headquarters office up in the Short Pump area of the Far West End of Richmond VA. That building employed about 125 people. So they lay off 1/3 of their staff. Many of whom were career loyalists. Now lest you think I'm myopic on the issue. The company did offer severance packages to employees. For a poorly performing company, I suppose that's not all bad. I also attended several of their Holiday parties, which were always nice. But I can't help but think the owner/chairman should have provided some explanation. But I sort of think I have. That company is being out performed by Men's Wearhouse and JoS A. Bank like nobodies business. The owner hasn't been able to get it up in years, and I'm referring to the company stock price, which is at 3.00 as of today from a 52 week high of 10.05. Wooo-Hoooo their in the money all right.

*

What really sucks is that while my buddy was let go by familiar faces. A number of folks were terminated by faces foreign to them. As I understand it, some of the folks were let go by the consulting firm hired to "revamp" the company (Alvarez and Marsal LLC). Or even worse, the folks that were 'hired' to fill their shoes. How cowardly and unprofessional is that Mr. President Joseph Oliver and Mr. Owner/Chairman Stuart Siegel? Your dedicated and loyal employees deserved far better treatment than the "bye-bye" uncaring response they received.
*

Instead, Dear Blog readers, spend your money here:

OR

Hung Like a Horse

I'm a Ford Mustang!

I'm an American classic -- fast, strong, and bold. I'm not snobby or pretentious. I do have what it takes to give anyone a run for their money.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Thank you, Come again!

One of my friends suggested that I should blog about illegal immigrants speaking Spanish rather than English inside the borders of the United States of America. The whole press #1 for Spanish and #2 for English issue has gotten rather old but I still chuckled at her effort to give me ideas. But it occurred to me - I experienced something rather similar today while riding the elevator at work. The company I work for, employs a fair amount of folks from or native to India.

*

*

I remember a job I had a the State University of New York at Old Westbury. There were many latino/a students that spoke Spanish. And they did so particularly when non Spanish speaking people were within earshot. I found that to be rude. If you needed to have a private conversation, take it to a private setting. That was not received too well as you might imagine, but I got my point across.

*

The 3 Indian gentleman on the elevator were speaking, Hindu, I suppose. I did find that to be rude. Certainly they can speak English. So what! ...if Hindu is their native tongue. They could be hiding a secret conversation about me and my chunky butt. Certainly they wouldn't be talking about that in English to my face. As opposed to how some of my friends talk like that to each other on the same elevators (Hello Leftie). Well one of the guys had pressed the button for my floor after I suggest he get it because I would have had to reach over another guy to punch my button. When I got off the elevator, ...had I read my friends email at that point, I might have thought to myself as I got off the elevator...

*

"Thank you, Come again!"

Stretch Armstrong

I went looking for a picture of Stretch Armstrong for a reason and happened upon this one that just made me giggle. There was a better one to use, but the dork in me decided to go for the easy humor.

*

I had to run a few errands after work and you know what happens when I'm out running my errands. But not this time. Someone else beat me to it in a much different way. Ask anyone at work and my alter-ego strives to be super positive. I'm often the first to say "Hello, how are you?" and mean it. I'll chat up perfect strangers in the elevator and leave them bewildered, wondering who that oddly friendly person was.

*

My 2nd to last errand took me to the Grub Kitty (Food Lion grocery store for those that don't know what a Grub Kitty is). I was in the store for about 20 minutes. From the moment I walked in there I noticed HER. She was skinny, just bone thin and by-golly she had to be every bit of 7 feet tall. I thought to myself, this has got to be what the female 'stretch armstrong' looks like. She had blond hair and was wearing baby blue shorts and a t-shirt and just totally looked the part. I snickered to myself. She beat me to it and said "hello" first. Looking straight up, I said "hello" back. I continued on my merry way to get some items that I didn't need and some doggie treats. I noticed her many times, and she was always saying hello to everyone who was walking near her. Her smile was just wide open and beaming. What a ray of sunshine she was in that gloomy store. She wasn't working there either. I had thought that at first. But she had one of those hand-held baskets and was gathering her supplies as she spread Christmas in July through the monotonous isles.

*

Very Nice job 'Stretch Angela.'

Pinky and the Brain

I'm feeling a bit Pinky tonight.

Meaning I don't gots

brains enough to blog

but I am feeling

a little bit snarky.

*

*

*

*

*

• I didn't sleep well last night putting me in a mood of 'tude.
• But one co-worker in particular was oddly quiet today.
• I was able to get work done without wanting to stab her.
• At lunch I saw my neighbors rather huge breasts fall out of her swim suit bra-top (what's it called?). *my eye, my eyes!*
• She fixed herself and chatted me up for 10 minutes.
• Solly dog was all excited to have me let him out to pee, and PEE he did.
• Had Wendy's for dinner - dude in front of me ordered for an army or frat house.
• Chatted with Hrymuslbear friend - he's fun.
• Chatted with Canzfan26 - Ice Fan mommy extraordinaire.
• Chatted with Jadielady - She really has something to blog about. Not sure she will tho.
• Chatted with IndigoOrion - she's a bit tipsy from burning dinner and will rest well.
• Watched Nashville Star (country American Idol) - Will never make that mistake again.
• Watching CSI Miami to laugh at the funny angles they cam David Caruso in, and because he's such a wonderfully horrible actor it's funny.
• Wonders how Aki/Australia is and if her solar panels are keeping her warm this winter?
• Also ponders, how many days until autumn? But too lazy to count.
• I did design-a-doodle at cheezdoodles.com

What's in a Kiss

Read this article

...and let's hope what's in a kiss is not one of these! Bleck.

It's at least worth a giggle.

Declan - pt. 9

I overslept, if you could call that sleeping. But I had meant to be at the old Court House before people began their work day. Still, I’m not too far and leave for the Court House, conveniently located on Court Street. It’s a museum now. I’m not there to partake in history. I’m searching for something far older, more ancient. I hate hills and running down one isn’t so bad, but now I’m running up and getting out of breath, and I’m soaking wet from rain. I slow up as I’m passing Kid Zany’s Children’s Store and think “This is no place for children,” and keep walking. I overshot my mark and have to circle back down Court Street. So much has been built up and abandoned since I’ve been here.
*
Approaching the Court House, it’s a bit different than when I last saw it. It has a more modern revitalized look about it. The building is not what concerns me. What’s under the building is. I hope it still resides there. Far underneath, even further underneath than most current townspeople can recall. The manhole cover nearby is my goal, and I loath to go there. There’s still little traffic this early, but the sun has already risen on this winter/summer morning. The manhole releases quite easily. Either humans have been accessing the tunnels recently or this entrance has been used by them very recently or quite often. I slip into the hole in the ground and pull the cover over. Thankfully it’s not a sewage pipeline or the smell would be worse. It’s a pipe that leads to a maintenance shaft for several different pipelines. This one eventually leads to the river, though I’m not heading in that direction. I’m heading north on the pipeline to where Court Street and Main Street converge to become Rivermont Avenue. At that nexus I will find the entrance marker that only a few have a key. But first I need to find the angled pipeline that takes me to the nexus. And that means I need to drop down into the mucky water, get filthy and feel my way along the slimy walls, praying that I don’t run into any of god’s creatures along the way. *I’m getting very tired of being wet.*
*
My fingers slide over the algae covered walls until I find the opening. Pulling myself inside, I raise up out of the water for my first breath of non-fresh air in about 5 minutes. The first of the symbols is at eye level. It’s the same as the one on my hand. It resembles an hourglass turned on its side. Sort of ironic, because I’m off to find those that most of time has forgotten. Able to travel faster, I soon reach the nexus and begin searching for the rune symbol. It is not in plane sight so that humans would not persist on its importance. As I recall, I must look under to find what resides underneath. With my hand palm-up underneath the water level, trying to find a place to insert my hand. I find an opening about the size of a shoebox and put my hand inside. Yes, the familiar jelly that surrounds my hand and begins to feel warm. The device reads my rune of transformation, then releases. As I’m preparing for the next…
*
I drop.

Lazy Saturday

I prophesied yesterday that I was going to go to work and possible also hang with some friends to go see the movie Hellboy 2. And since I'm not known as the Great Oracle of Richmond's Homo-Heights, I was grossly incorrect about today. Today was also the area block party. I have never participated, and I did not participate again. I don't think I would have enjoyed myself because the music was a bit not to my liking.

*

Since I didn't win the Mega Millions lottery last night I did the only thing I could do. I played the roll of a couch potato and did a fair amount of napping and watching the television. I also watched the movie - The Golden Compass tonight. I didn't know that Sam Elliott was in this movie. I rather like him, but find the untamed mustache a bit much too look at sometimes. But he always evokes a desire in me to smoke a cigar. I didn't have any cigars in the house and it was too late to go out and get one. I'm not one for the cheap flavored cigars you can get at Walgreens and the like. I prefer the real McCoy. I know a lot about cigars from my Wine & Cigar selling days. Sometimes I miss the job, but not the bosses.

*

ooooh, I digressed. Well, not much else to blog about. Lazy days don't beget much brain power.

Mega Millions

"Dear Jesus, Please let me win!"

$$$

$

Last night I stopped by a little mini-mart near where my friend Wayne lives. He had invited me over for dinner and I could not pass up free food. As a rule I stop by the mini to get 2 Mega Million lottery tickets worth $5.00 a piece. But only when the Jackpot is over $50 million. I don't know why I chose $50 million as my buy mark. One ticket is for me and the other one is for Wayne and me to share. We agreed the ticket we share is chosen by the ticket that has the highest Mega Ball closest to his age. He's a wee bit older than I am.

*

You might be wondering why I would do that. Almost 6 years ago, I was struggling. Wayne took me in to help me get back on my feet. For 15 months my bed was his den floor. It took a bit of time to find a job because Richmond can be 'difficult.' That's the nicest way I can put this city when it comes to hunting for a job, career, or whatever you want to call the ritual that pays the bills. Just about every paycheck went to him to repay all he had done for me, plus utilities and food. I never really cared to define one person as a "best" friend. But Wayne is just that, and no one will ever be able to fill those shoes. I love him, but I'm not in-love with him and we both agree that it will never be like that. But because of his unselfish kindness, I am willing to share 1/2 a Mega Million Jackpot with him. I'm not stupid I want some for myself! Well I sidetracked from my original intent of this post.

*

Fast-forward to the mini-mart. I'm waiting in line, a rather long line, but I had gotten to about 4th from the person at the counter. Thank goodness they have a different line for non-lottery purchasers. The woman at the counter, pulled out a envelope stuffed with lottery tickets. Everyone in line shifted position in disbelief and collectively *sighed.* As the cashier rang each ticket, she said a little chant. Not quite audible at first, mostly because I wasn't paying attention. But when I did listen, I realized she was saying, "Dear Jesus, please let me win!" A man several positions behind me said, "Jesus Christ lady, he's not going to help you win the lottery!" plus a few more colorful words. I thought to myself, Self "He stole my line!"

*

When she had finished all her "Dear Jesus'" and paid her tab, her bill came to $300 even. The same man that had yelled to her, let out a 'holy fuck.' And the line shifted position again and let out another collective *sigh.* And I couldn't help but think THAT jerk stole my lines TWICE.

*

The Mega Millions jackpot is now $105 million. By the time you read this post, if you haven't done so already, you will not be able to get a ticket. I thought of that too!

Birthday Boy

Kelly is 38 on Friday, July 18, 2008.

I'm asking all visitors to go to his blog and *SPANK* him

or just tell him Happy Birthday!

*

His Blog: http://kellystern.net/

sorry his pic is blurry it didn't carry over well.

Yum

I got home tonight and chatted with my friend CJ for quite a while. After that, I wanted to watch the movie I had rented from Netflix. This go-round was "My Super Ex Girlfriend." Eh, it was alright for a Wednesday night - pass the time flick. Instead of popcorn, I broke open a package of Nutter Butters. One of my most favorite of cookies. And I'm not much the cookie kind of guy. By the time I ate the cookies, I figured that was my dinner for the evening. Oh, my doctor would be so not-proud of me. Whatever - Dr. Z! It's too late! Yummmmmm!!!!

1970's Embarrassing Moment

With the gas prices - many people are thinking of alternative ways to get to work. Now lest you be silly and think I'm planning on roller skating to work - let's nip that in the bud right now... NO! I'm not getting my 42 year old chunky butt and weak ankles on those anytime soon. Let alone to get to work 12 miles away.

*

I used to have roller skates like this when I was about 12 years old. The color blue and the bright yellow wheels are an exact match. It was 1978 and The Donna Summer movie "Thank God It's Friday" was HOT! (side note: rent it, it's funny). There was a local roller rink that everyone went to, ...to fall down. We had fun being foolish and learning how to stand and roll and finally whiz around the rink. I actually did fairly well. My friends and I would also skate around the neighborhood. The rocks were always a bummer however, and we would all go home with skinned knees. Not many people thought of protective wear back then and we were fairly poor.

*

There were generally 3 guys and 5 girls. And of course the guys were trying to upstage the girls. Even I tried, by being the one to skate the fastest. Well - up until that point in my life, I wore the normal white Fruit of the Loom briefs. But my mother in her infinite wisdom decided one particular week to get me a variety pack of colored underwear. I went skating with two girls in particular and I fell hard on my butt. The shorts I wore ripped on the side and in the crotch. I was left wearing red underwear. That might be funny with my friends, now. At the time - it was really embarrassing. And I received a lot of ribbing from the two girls. Who told everyone.

*

Your Turn!

People Please!!

I thought I'd share a few snippets of annoyance I ran across recently. Or rather I just want to vent them to you:

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

• Friends that make plans to get together and don't show. Thanks for letting me hang, I needed the rest.
• Cancer taking Tony Snow, much too early in life.
• People that throw trash into my yard. Why? I have a perfectly good trash can on the side of the house not 10 feet from where you dropped it.
• The ugly transsexual prostitutes are back. As opposed to the pretty one's I suppose. bleck.
• My neighbor self-painted her house a wonderful shade of vomit yellow. Nice! I much preferred the lighter version of puke yellow.
• My government stimulus check arrived today. The teller asked me what I would spend it on. "None of your business, you nosey son of a bitch!" I'm so mean some times.
• I handed the gas station clerk $40 and ask for $35 in gas on pump #6. She asked me "Why not the entire $40 honey?" Oh dear... "Sweetie listen, when I need you to spend my money, I'll let you know!"
• A co-worker asked me if I had missed her being absent. Why do people ask me questions, to which I'm going to give an honest answer? ..."No!"
• And, just so you know that I can hold my tongue... a rather handsome fellow touched me today in a nice hello patting sort of way. While I wanted to tell him to do that again... I didn't because I was at work... and don't think that didn't annoy me either.
• How was your Monday?

Declan - pt. 8

My birthday. It’s 11:30pm and I’m celebrating the final minutes with a hot shower. You would think I would not need a shower with all the rain I just walked through. But it was a cold twisted rain, mixed with my sister’s fear. I needed to wash that off. I walk into the bedroom of my Travelodge room. There’s no power in the room. I’m enjoying the quiet of nothing modern. I’m naked and enjoying the freedom of my body hair drying naturally. It’s dark, but I can see fine with my unnatural eyes. They are green with a twinge of yellow. Mother used to say I had eyes like a lion. Mother, I miss her.
*
Today is my mother’s day. I was her miracle birth. She died that day, but was brought back by the giants of our land. I was a different story. I was saved by the giants, but I was blessed by The Seelie Court and lived. I was branded with the La Guz a rune of water and life. My lifespan is unknown, but I have seen many empires live and die. I have not visually aged in many centuries. Mother named me Declan, after my father’s brother. The Seelie Court named me Shaol, meaning “life.” The Jötunheim, the giants named me Amharach, meaning “lucky.” Our family name is never shared, in an effort to avoid public scrutiny and drawing attention to our heritage.
*
I’m hungry. All I have is some jerky, so I pull some out to nosh on. But I flick my lighter and make a wish and blow out the fire. The jerky will tide me over till morning. I need to sleep and I’m not far off.
*
Within seconds I feel the pull of the full moon and the drag of the sleep. While my body rests, the moon tugs at my spirit. I am unaware, but The Seelie Court has slipped into my room to protect my body from harm. My spirit ascends higher and higher into the atmosphere, only to be blocked by the unearthly veil surrounding this horrid city. I feel a great hand wrap my astral form and I’m comforted. The firm grip tears me from the barrier. I am cold again, it is winter – my true birthday. The day my visions are at their peak, where my mind meets my ancestors for guidance. In this form, I understand completely what I am told. When I return, it will be a different story. They know this of course, but they do their best to implant in my spiritual memory the important imprints that will show me what I need to know. Women are much better conduits for dream interpretation. Maybe one day I will obtain the brand of dream analysis, if there is such a thing. But for now, I absorb all that I can.
*
The last thing I hear, is my paternal grandmother’s plea to “Feel the pain Shaol. Feel it within you and stomp it out with your foot! Feel the pain Declan, Stomp it out with your foot!”
*
The hand grips me and I descend with great speed through the cold icy air and punch through the barrier. I quickly return to my body and wake with a gasping breath. The Seelie Court, I see them depart, all cheering over a successful watch. As I sit up, I notice one straggler. D’Sidhe, a very ancient member of the Court.
*
*Shaol, I beg of you. Save my Jad’hia. She has been turned by the Leanansidhe. My sister cousins, they bring only death and have captured and made my precious daughter one of them. The Seelie Court can alter her vampiric ways, but you must find her first. My strength is waning and I have not the energy to fight the evil here.*
*
“D’Sidhe, I will do as you command.”
*
With that, the old nymph departs. It’s 6:00am, the day after my birthday, and I don’t feel rested at all. What do I remember… nothing.
*
*Feel the pain*

Sleep Monster

I was attacked this weekend.

...by the Sleep Monster.

I meant to blog Friday night.

I meant to blog Saturday night.

Nope.

I fell asleep.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Outbreaks

The recent Tomato outbreak was first reported in April 2008. To date, there have been roughly 160 reported cases of salmonella poisoning in 17 of the 50 states. Of the 160 cases, 23 have required hospitalization and one has died. The man that died, passed away from cancer and the salmonella poisoning was a contributing factor. The FDA has now added Jalapeño peppers to the vegetable crisis. Now there is a report of a Measles outbreak in 15 of the 50 states. There have been 123 reported cases. (Local advisement - The state of Virginia is on the list.)
*
To be clear, neither is considered an epidemic. They are referred to as 'Outbreaks.' I'm not a medical professional. But I have to admit that I was rather stymied at the term 'Outbreak.' So I pondered the thought, and asked myself what is an outbreak. By googling: An outbreak is defined as more cases of disease in time or place than expected. If the condition is rare (i.e. food borne botulism) or has serious public health implications (i.e. bio terrorism agent), an outbreak may involve only one case. ONE CASE???
*
A food borne outbreak is defined as two or more cases of a similar illness after ingestion of a common food or beverage or ingestion of food or beverages at a common meal or event. The definition of a laboratory-confirmed food borne outbreak depends on the pathogen but usually requires two or more cases with the same laboratory diagnosis. TWO or more???
*
An epidemic is defined by an illness or health-related issue that is showing up in more cases than would be normally expected. A pandemic is normally used to indicate a far higher number of people affected than an epidemic, and a refers to a much larger region affected.
*

So okay, neither 'outbreak' appears to meet the definition of an epidemic or pandemic, even though the Tomato crisis is more widespread. Let's think about this:
*
The July 2008 est. United States population is 301,139,947.

• Tomato - that's 0.0000531% of the population (160 cases/301,139,947)
• Measles - that's 0.0000408% of the population (123 cases/301,139,947)

The July 2008 est. Virginia State population is 8,254,315 (est 8% increase 2006)

• Tomato - that's 0.0019384% of the population (160 cases/8,254,315)
• Measles - that's 0.0014901% of the population (123 cases/8,254,315)

Those are such tiny numbers. How can either combination be considered an OUTBREAK? Is it just me? Stay healthy! Wash your veggies and get your booster shots. I got my MMR booster in December. I need to get my Chicken Pox booster soon. I've nevah evah had the chicken pox!!

Second-Hand Smoke

I believe I have blogged before about the funny, strange, stupid, and inappropriate conversations that I have with some of my co-workers. All of the conversations are often with women that generally start the conversation in the first place, so I feel safe in saying that it's consensual. Today's conversation was about second-hand smoke.

*

Work posted a "no smoking" sign in an area that smokers have usurped as their own, but not company sanctioned. When I go out, I try to corral everyone over to a relatively 'safe(r) zone.' Since the area in question is in the path of everyone near a walkway. And because most people just throw their cigarette butts on the concrete. Which frankly makes the area look nasty.

*

The past few days, the air has been humid, so the smoke lingers in the air. So I said something about moving further away (before the sign went up). Today, since the sign went up, one of my friends commented on it and said that second-hand smoke had to be more dangerous than Drunk Driving. She wondered why there was only publicity about Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.). I reminded her that there were plenty of anti-smoking commercials. She retorted, but still nothing like M.A.D.D for second-hand smoke. I suggested there might be a Mothers Against Second-hand Smoke, or M.A.S.S. We both kind of giggled. But it made me wonder if there was such a thing. I didn't find a M.A.S.S out there but there was A.S.H., which stands for Action on Smoking and Health. Check the website out if you'd like.

*

I'm neither advocating nor rebuking the existence of the issue. I was just pointing it out to you, because it was just a silly conversation that had serious undertones, that neither of us really cared that much about. It just stuck in my head all day and I figured it was blogible.

Phooey

Phooey !!!

**

I'm not feeling Blogical tonight.

But I thought I'd bring back an oldie Cartoon Hero!

*

Enjoy

Admiral, There Be Whales Here

In Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; when Scotty says "Admiral, There be Whales Here!", he wasn't talking about inside of you. He was just thrilled that he was able to rig the transporter to re-materialize two humpback whales on board a makeshift aquarium inside a Klingon battleship. But, if scientists have their day, they will put a whale inside a person. Well - maybe not the whole whale, but genetically engineered bits and pieces.

*
It appears that whale hearts are more sophisticated than our own at being able to send pulse signals through fibers/wires around their hearts to keep it pumping. Read the article.
*
*

Could this put an end to the pacemaker, a multi-billion dollar business? I'm sure there will be plenty of self-interested groups looking to put a stop to all this scientific advancement. I just thought it was interesting and wanted to share. I thought maybe someone out there might like to know they plan to put a sea cucumber inside of you... hee hee.

"double dumb-ass on you"

Declan - pt. 7

By the time I reached Taylor Street, I had been hiking uphill all the way. Lynchburg never was an easy place for me to visit. I much rather ride downhill on my bike with the wind in my hair. Not uphill with Justine spewing her torment in my face. Taylor Street was yet another steep hill and the rain was growing harder, pelting me in the face like tiny wet rocks. Umbrellas are cumbersome and just get in the way; but now I could use one. Looking up the hill, I begin to dread what I am about to do. Even for just a rib. Lorenzo was my friend, and I had hoped I had buried his crazy ass for good.
*
It occurred to me about half way up, that soft dirt or not, I didn’t have a shovel to make the job easier. It was night and everyone was home, lights ablaze. It wouldn’t be so easy to break into someone’s shed and steal one. The rain was getting harder. I think there’s more water flowing now than oxygen in the air. No matter. Step after labored step, I dig my boots into the pavement and head further up. Memorial Avenue, I have one more block; the cemetery exit is at 4th street. I buried the rib close to the exit so that I could get out of there as quickly as I could.
*
Cemeteries are sacred ground and I was about to exercise bad judgment. Folks giggle at the thought of graveyards being haunted. Until they meet up with the evils that lay in wait. At this point all I could hear was my heartbeat and breathing and the rushing water passing down toward the bottom of the hill. I was close to the narrow opening of the cemetery that allowed one car to pass through. I stood in the middle of 4th Street. I stood there for probably 30 seconds, but that was time enough for my mind to travel back to the day I buried Lorenzo’s rib into a shallow grave. *at least I had enough foresight to bury it close to the exit and not far underground.* I also knew that any ghoul inside, was relegated to that terrain, never to step beyond the sacred walls. So… In… and Out… it will be.
*
5 more steps. 4 --- 3 ------- 2 ------ …ugh 1.
*
*Declaaaaaannnnn, come on in. The coast is clear for now. I know what you're up to and I can help you.*
*
Shivers are going all down my spine. Not what I need right now. Fireflies in a graveyard are not a good sign. They only draw attention with all that glowing and fluttering sexual tension they convey. But that eerie little voice is familiar. And once I shake off the chill crawling down my back, I gather my thoughts and whisper *Jenii* under my breath. And as I did that, my breath exhaled cold air. Now that just freaks me out more. That had better be Jenii.

*Yes Declaaaaannn, I’ve been sent by Valniria to assist you.*

“Jenii, thank Eritocritos it’s you. And why must you always make an entrance floating on an elm leaf? You can fly with your own wings. You’ve got to be the laziest wood nymph on earth. …I graciously accept your offering of assistance. But how can you, so tiny, help me in this rain?”
*
*You need not dig for what you seek, Declaaaaaannn. The wolf Hati and the warrior Valniria have already provided. The object you seek is resting atop the brick column you passed as you entered.*
*
“Jenii, how may I thank you?”
*
*Upon completion of your task, but a kiss will do… if you survive. And I fear not*
*
“Jenii – your kind named me. You know what I am capable of…”
*
*We do, we know. And that is why you must succeed. You are already needed in the north – to where I must now flee. I leave you with your next task, to save the sparkling waters of the Algonquin*
*
*Jenii, let me do this task first. Then I will help you soon.*
*
Walking toward the brick column exit of the cemetery, I laugh aloud. I am all alone, yet I have many to watch over me. With that, I trip over an old truck that I could not see in the darkness ahead of me. As I pick it up, I see that it is red but fading and has a handle on it that a child would use to pull it along. Who would leave that there? I grab the rib, wrapped in cloth and proceed out from the cemetery onto 4th street. “Thank goodness that was uneventful!” *It’s time to get some rest, Happy Birthday Declan. For your birthday you received one rib of a dead friend. What could be better?*
*
As Declan walked away from the graveyard, he did not notice the apparition of a small male child with tears in his eyes waving to him, pulling his red truck along behind him.

My Dark Side

Which super villain are you?

I am Doctor Doom - 79%

Notice the Green theme... hee hee!

Blessed with smarts and power but burdened by vanity.

This is my Evil Breakdown:

70% Apocalypse ....68% Lex Luthor ....57% The Joker

57% Juggernaut .....55% Magneto .........55% Mr. Freeze

53% Green Goblin .46% Kingpin ...........45% Two-Face

43% Venom ............41% Poison Ivy ......40% Catwoman

39% Dark Phoenix .36% Riddler .........29% Mystique

I had to edit it a bit from the Html provided by the site. It seemed to want to make it REALLY huge on my blog-post. So I tapped into Doom's mind and dumbed it down a bit.

http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/villain

4th of July Weekend

I trust everyone in the U.S.A is enjoying a happy and safe 4th of July weekend. Celebrate our nation's birthday and remember the freedom's that you enjoy are not free, but earned. And for the most part, not by yourselves. Below, I received an email about the sentencing of Richard C. Reid, a.k.a 'the shoe bomber.' Just to make sure before posting on the blog I checked it out on Snopes.com and verified it was true. I had not heard anything about it on the news.
*

Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say.

*

His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his "allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah," defiantly stated "I think I will not apologize for my actions," and told the court "I am at war with your country."

*

Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:

*

January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid. Judge Young:

**

"Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.

*

On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutive with the other. That's 80 years. On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years consecutive to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 for the aggregate fine of $2 million. The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines. The Court imposes upon you the $800 special assessment.

*

The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further. This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence.

*

Let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is all too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals.

*

As human beings, we reach out for justice.

*

You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who does it, or if you think you are a soldier. You are not - you are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.

*

So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You're no warrior. I've know warriors.

*

You are a terrorist. A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders. In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and where the TV crews were, and he said: "You're no big deal."

*

You are no big deal.

*

What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today?

*

I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing. And I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.

*

It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious.

*

You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose. Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf and have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.

*

We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bare any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms. Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here.

*

Day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done. The very President of the United States through his officers come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.

*

See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. And it always will.

*

Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.

*************************

Thank you for defending our flag, Judge Young.

Green Lantern Fully Charged

KUDO'S First: Thank YOU BEN!!

http://idiotboy.net/

***
"In Brightest Day" Golly I'm Stoked!!!

I know you didn't miss it. If you did, then your blind as a bat and need to look up.

This was my plan from the day I started this blog. To have my Mighty Mouse Green Lantern go GREEN. I was just going to change from my original version to the fully green version. But then - THEN I got to reading Bob Mitchell in the 21st Century. Ah Ha! I can have MMGL change back and forth like he's changing his costume. As if to say "Here I am to SAVE THE DAY!"
*

Thanks to Jadielady as well, because she thunk outside the box and "commissioned" Ben to make me flicker. Ben made my animation dreams a reality today. I am so very thankful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. And just so you know, I'm sort of *okay* with computers but I'm no wizard. All that coloring of my MMGL was done by yours truly. A very time consuming task. Patience does pay off.

*

Now, I am in concert with my 10 year old self.

The Devil Inside

What is wrong with people?

9

This post is not about random acts of kindness. Rather it is about random or quite possibly, purposeful acts of idiocy. I truly want to believe that people are basically good. That at their core, we are not evil beings. But even I know that within me is a dark side that I toy with on occasion. I don't blatantly act out as one of Satan's Spawn, but I recognize that I can be rather ugly. But I don't physically hurt anyone, and if I did, it would surely be unintentional and I would own up to it.

9

The news is always filled with nasty and unpleasant human behavior.

9

If you have watched the Today Show recently, then you have no doubt seen the footage of the man run over by a car in the middle of the street (somewhere in the Northeast USA). Cars simply passed the man by without stopping. Pedestrians did not even try to help him.

9

In Tampa Bay a female police officer shoved a man in a wheelchair into the police station and he fell out of his chair and was not able to get up because he is a quadriplegic. Do you think the police officer helped him up, No. She yelled at him for not getting up thinking he was faking it.

9

And just on the news this week, a woman was in an emergency room for hours needing medical attention. She fell to the floor and died. A police office looks in and notices, then walks away. Many other people did the same. Then a nurse walks over to her, nudges the dead woman with her foot and proceeds to walk away.

9

...Am I missing something here?

9

So Thomas what brings this on? Why are you talking about this issue? Well, I visited my friend Randy in the hospital tonight. At one point he needed to call the nurses station for assistance for a rather mundane issue, but it still needed attention. The nurse came over the speaker and sounded disinterested (which we actually got a rather hearty chuckle out of). But that issue began the posting in my head. Randy is in the hospital because he was riding his motorcycle on Saturday evening and an "allegedly" drunk woman plowed right into him. Now, Randy is no small thing. He's a healthy and big male. This woman hit him so hard that he was thrown OVER her windshield, OVER the car and off into a ditch. She wasn't in a compact car, she was driving a VAN! Randy was not alone. He was being followed by a friend, also on a motorcycle. Well after Randy got mowed down, the van-woman proceeded to turn around and then run over Randy's friend, who luckily grabbed onto the windshield wipers of the van.

9

Randy's friend is doing fine and has injuries to his hands for the most part. Randy will be okay but he has a long road ahead of him. Even still he came out of the accident with scraped up hands, compound fractures (plural) to his left leg, bruised ribs, and a dislocated shoulder. It was bad enough, but could have been much worse. Both motorcycles were totaled.

9

The "allegedly" drunk woman drove off from the scene of the accident. You got that right! She just drove into and over two people leaving them for dead. How can someone do this. But Thomas it's the alcohol (allegedly). The 'good' in you will agree with me; THAT woman was responding to her inner evil. That kind of disregard for human life, I will never understand. And maybe more because Randy is my friend and colleague. That woman was only thinking of herself. Update: it appears they did locate her on Monday. Kudos to the cops!

9

Thomas, why do you keep highlighting the number 9 in red. Well that is because the number 9 is the number that represents Satan and Evil. Interestingly enough, the 9th letter of the alphabet is also considered to be evil. True stuff. Think about it.

-

Randy, my friend - Get well soon! We miss you!

Closet Chitty's

What is a Closet Chitty?

***

A closet chitty reads my blog about "5 things" and emails me their responses, rather than post them on my blog. I noticed the prevailing trend that most were secret Chitty Chitty Bang Bang freaks. That is why I call you Closet Chitty's. You know who you are. I won't out you since there appears to be a chittiest out there. But I won't out him either, because he's "Truly Scrumptious."