Fight the Amoral Fight |
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| Posted by: sp34n119w, 8:40 PM GMT on November 28, 2012 | +2 |



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When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. - Edmund Burke
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Tropical Blogs
Tropical Weather Stickers®
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Chapman Farms
Santa Paula, CA
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| Elevation: | 239 ft |
| Temperature: | 56.7 °F |
| Dew Point: | 55.3 °F |
| Humidity: | 95% |
| Wind: | Calm |
| Wind Gust: | 0.0 mph |
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Updated: 7:10 AM PDT on May 21, 2013
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APRSWXNET Santa Paula CA US
Santa Paula, CA
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| Elevation: | 291 ft |
| Temperature: | 55.0 °F |
| Dew Point: | 52.0 °F |
| Humidity: | 89% |
| Wind: | Calm |
| Wind Gust: | 0.0 mph |
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Updated: 6:35 AM PDT on May 21, 2013
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RAWS ANACAPA ISLAND CA US
Port Hueneme, CA
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| Elevation: | 276 ft |
| Temperature: | 61.0 °F |
| Dew Point: | 59.0 °F |
| Humidity: | 94% |
| Wind: | 3.0 mph from the East |
| Wind Gust: | 19.0 mph |
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Updated: 6:23 AM PDT on May 21, 2013
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Page: 1 | 2 | 3 — Blog Index
That fits right in, thanks!
I like your new blog :)
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Just spent the last little while trying to find pictures of the pollinators of Ophrys reinholdii, which is the goat orchid that calpoppy brought to my previous blog. Found an interesting paper on reproductive strategies for some species of flower. Did not include the Ophrys reinholdii but did mention one of its pollinators which is how I found it. Haven't finished reading the paper but, you know, cool.
Alas, I cannot find any photos of Tetralonia Cressa and I expect the female looks a lot like the flower so that's a bummer.
Erm, anyway, I'll be on my geeky way, now ...
[edit to add: did I mention that it's raining? It's raining. Been a light rain, off and on, since about 1-ish. Should continue overnight and into tomorrow. 'k. That's the weather sorted.]
Here's one for you.....
Don't sweat the small stuff...........and it's all small stuff.
It started drizzling here about 2pm. Not sure if it still is as it doesn't make enough noise on the roof. My family that lives up Sacramento way are expecting lots of rain.
Seal Beach made the 5 o'clock news on channel 4. Between the storm direction, rain and high tides there is concern of flooding on the boardwalk. Sounds like a walk with the camera is in my future.
One more work day this week, then 3 more weeks and off for winter recess. But first, our first trip back to Disneyland on Monday. We purchased new passes and I can't wait to see the new Cars ride and section. I've heard nothing but good things.
One good country song deserves another.
:)
We're up to 3/4" so far :)
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What's up with that "Community Activity" box that follows me down every page? I hate it and want it to go away. Can I do that? Can I at least make the "pause" permanent? Anyone know?
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Karen - it is more like prophesy than poetry, so you get to interpret it any way you like! ;)
I saw Seal Beach on KTLA this morning. They were talking to surfers. Looked grey but not rainy so I hope you get a little and not too much. I know y'all have to worry about the waves and I guess Sunday will be the big day for that, as well as the rain. Good luck! Get pics :)
You'll have to tell us all about the Cars ride. Do I need to see the movie to enjoy it? LOL
BF - I hadn't seen that book, no. I did listen to a BBC Radio 4 show on the history of China, recently, so that may have influenced me. Usually, when I need a placeholder blog, I post something from the Tao. When I reached for it on the shelf I saw the I Ching and thought, hey, that could be fun for a change. So to speak.
One cannot have a beer with Jesus. He would turn it into wine 3.(
Pretty sure that whole song is blasphemous, but, you know, that don't bother me none ;)
You had a Stan Getz vid in your blog a short while ago and I went to youtube to listen to the whole thing. Really nice. I generally don't like jazz but Getz, in all his permutations, sends me.
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Look at that. It's dinner time already. And here I am, not at fulfilled in that regard.
Here: have a cool science post about frogfish mimicry (watch the videos :)).
seewu!
It becomes to easy to build esoteric frameworks of confusion...and I tend to get swallowed by my own snarks.
Had company over last night, watched The Last Holiday - in line with BC's contribution.
gg - sneaky sharks? snapping meadowlarks? No, I don't know why that popped into my head. I think the "swallowed" part of your comment, lol
I just hope to be funny at least 80% of the time, and that folks will forgive the other 20% where I miss the mark.
Speaking of tools ... I need a drill. Trip to hardware store in my near future. Can I pick anything up for you, while I'm there? ;)
WTS - yeah, we've got the tail end of the storms and they've not gotten much farther south or east of here. Sorry! I think you're right that Karen got a little. Maybe tomorrow will be your day. I still think it bodes well - it's way early in the season, yet.
LC - I see you lurking ;) Sorry you're missing the weather here but, from your blog notes, it sounds lovely where you are. Manatee! Can't see that in the L.A. River!
Hope you are well and will be happily home soon :)
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Now "pause" does work on the "Community Activity" box. That's good! I found it distracting. Box still follows me down the page. "Community Activity" is now the last item in the "Blogs" dropdown menu instead of "My Favorite Blogs" so I keep clicking it instead of that ... oh, life is so hard. lol
Ok, well. Nothing to say really. I've been shopping online today and am going stir crazy so about to head out into the grey. Just thought I'd say "Hi" to wu :)
I walked down to the beach Friday and no flooding so far. Waves aren't really that big yet either. Tomorrow we're heading to my mom's for her monthly breakfast, then not too much on the agenda so I'll definitely get a walk in, if it isn't pouring. I'd really like to get in the pool too. Just have to see how it all goes.
Seeing the cars movie would be helpful so you know the characters, but I wouldn't imagine it is mandatory. Having spent some time on Highway 66 would probably be more beneficial. I've done both. I'm planning on taking my camera, but we'll see how many I get up!
I also use the favorite blogs link and noticed, after choosing the last option a few times, and not getting my favorite blogs, that is changed.
"You had a Stan Getz vid in your blog a short while ago and I went to youtube to listen to the whole thing. Really nice. I generally don't like jazz but Getz, in all his permutations, sends me."
Cool. My parents had kind of eclectic taste in music. They played that "Jazz Samba" album a lot. I loved it. I still do.
Hope the drizzles fizzle. Later.
Oh, I don't believe in blasphemy.
:)
I am missing the weather there but I've gotten used to the routine here in SE FL - a minium of two showers and an extra change of clothes every day. :^/
Yeah, the L.A. River is too shallow almost all year, runs too fast the rest of the year and probably gets too cold almost every year. However if you'd like to see some manatee antics from where you are take a look at the latest photo series in my blog.
Well , as long as the aqueducts still bring us NorCal water, I guess I won't complain too much.. there should be plenty now!
Have a good week!
Stopped at the worst yarn store ever! Disappointed, pricey, not so pretty yarn. Back to my Apple Valley yarn store, great service and yarn.
Have a good rest of your weekend, SP!
... Oh, nevermind. Not working.
Here's a link to the Daily Show bit on the annual War on Christmas.
... I'll be back ...
[ETA: no, I won't be back for hours :( Things happening, lol]
Samba is awesome!
I really need to get over the magical mindset that has me thinking that I have time to sit down and visit everyone here at once like I used to do. That was a long time ago! Instead, I need to go with the flow. I'll work on it because I miss wu.
…..
Karen -
Thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one! I'm still doing it but I guess I'll get used to it soon.
Are you going to do a Disneyland blog for your recent trip? I saw your previous blog has been deleted – no more gazing at rhinos and palms for me, lol
I've been on Hwy 66 plenty, and one short stretch recently. I think “Cars” was on HBO but I missed it. Going to work on getting a certain friend of mine to make the trip to Disneyland in February. Not holding my breath – it's a yearly effort, LOL
bf - I think parents with eclectic taste are the best kind of parents to have, whatever other traits they may have. Sure makes adulthood more lively!
Hey, are you here yet?!?! I think I remember reading that you were coming to Cali today … but, I don't remember if you said SoCal or how long you'd be here or anything. Not that it's any of my bidnez, but, I'd wave in your general direction if you're close by :) Enjoy!
Oh, if I thought you believed in blasphemy, I probably would not have mentioned it, LOL
LC - the pictures of the manatee are fantastic! Thanks for posting them to WU (that's a hint, wufriends, to go check them out!). And that is one lucky kid :)
The weather here is all ho-hummy now. Sunny, warm, a bit breezy. I wonder if you will appreciate being dry or miss the daily showers when you return.
WTS - I'm feeling guilty for bragging about the rain, now, LOL Oh, well. And it would be better if the storms hadn't been so warm. I don't know how much snow fell in the Sierra, do you?
We ended up with 1.83” which some are complaining is not enough, especially for five days worth, but, hey, I'll take it.
calpoppy - I read some of the articles that are collected in that book as they came out but haven't yet brought myself to read it. I did watch a panel broadcast by cspan with Hitchens' wife, a good friend, and his publisher. A year on, it's still hard to listen to them talk about him. Their pain is palpable.
A bad yarn store? Yikes! Good thing you've got a good one nearby! I told my sis about two yarn stores in Redlands and she said she'd check them out. She's not a crafter of any sort, really, but has friends who are knitters/crocheters and who give the one store high marks. I may make a special trip out there just to see ;)
Hey, don't you owe us a scarf picture? Karen didn't post hers, either. Y'all are slackin', LOL
I'm making a shawl-ish sort of thing that may get photo'd and into the blog. I think it might be kind of nice when it's done.
Festive Ylee - you may be right about that, and maybe “smoothness” is akin to “ease” or something. Definitely something worth striving for, in any case :)
Your current round of cams are great and working smoothly!
…..
Gonna do a link dump, next comment. Fair warning ;)
Well, after dinner ...
.....
One of my favorite youtubers, eliZZZa13, is doing crochet advent calendar tutorials – a different pattern or motif for each day, though I don't see them actually being used as an advent calendar. Most of her vids are uploaded in both German and English … but, some are German only. So, look for her user name and "advent" on youtube if you'd like to see. Her knit stitch tutorials are awesome.
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A woman in Rotterdam has knitted over 500 sweaters since 1955 and stored them in her house. Nobody ever wore them! So, her neighbors threw her a parade :)
[swiped from knittyblog.com]
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There is an article in the Houston Press about the Texas Freethought Convention held this Fall. I found that at AronRa's blog, “The Ace of Clades” (at freethoughtblogs.com), where he takes issue with a couple of the reporter's notes about him, lol. Anyway, it is a long piece but goes through some of the history of Freethought in Texas, which was cool to read about.
…..
Various sources have reported on the flagrant disregard of U. S. tax law by certain 501(c)(3) organizations during the last (and past) election cycle. It isn't right because other 501(c)(3) organizations would definitely lose their tax exemptions if they behaved in the same manner. That is, certain groups are getting not just special but extra special treatment by a government entity. That is not supposed to happen.
The FFRF, which has standing because it is a 501(c)(3), is suing the IRS. How do you suppose that will go? LOL
If you are interested, I originally found that info a few weeks ago at
https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2012/11/ 13/u-s-tax-authorities-ignore-illegal-political-ac tivities-by-churches/
and there's much more that has been written in the weeks since the election - google it, if you like.
Yep, pet peeve of mine. Buying huge commercial properties and collecting rent and other investment dividends and not paying taxes, even property taxes, just isn't right. Billions of dollars of not right.
They don't spend those billions on charity, you know.
I might note that my uncle (who is a retired pastor who still preaches most Sundays) had someone walk out on him several months ago when he was preaching progressive politics from the pulpit. He never did that when he had his own congregation, but, what are they going to do now? Fire him? LOL
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Kitteh is doing very well. He likes to stretch out on the sofa. He likes me to stay there with him to snuggle. That means I've watched more TV in the past week than in the previous couple of months, lol. The things we do for pets!
Still, I'm pleased with his progress and feel that he is happy being indoors. Who knew? :)
Uh, I think I'm done, now. Ate dinner, will post this comment, then I'm going to listen to Elon Musk talk about energy, or something, while I knit. I am bound and determined to finish the sweater before a full year passes!
Stopped by the freethinkers' site; didn't see a whole lot of interest, but there was a nice tribute to Dave Brubeck there(I know jazz isn't your thing, but he was a visionary).
Smoothness to me is a "lack of friction" when it comes to doing something, be it doing something in a way where there are no problems or hiccups, or anticipating potential problems so that they can be taken of before trouble actually arises.
"Only in little affairs is there prosperity and smoothness."
Making pancakes can be done without a hitch. Building a skyscraper cannot! :)
Glad the garage cat is becoming a house cat :))
Oh, and BTW, I'm hosting an Ugly Sweater Festival in my blog Dec. 13-15. I don't know if you have knitted an ugly sweater yet, but you've probably at least got a pattern for one.
Will have to check that link when I have more time.
Sounds like the cat is wearing sp down, Briar! Hey sp, spoil it some more! You've got him right where he wants you, lol!
The weeks of balmy weather in South Florida weakened me against our current Southern California weather. I sit here with a runny nose, a scratchy throat and cold in my bones. It was nice to see while walking the dogs this chilly morning that we've had enough rain for the mad greening to begin though. :^)
Good to hear Kitteh is keeping you company, cats are awesome - regardless of what the besmirchers may say! LOL
That was a great segment on The Daily Show, but then many are!
Hmmm. You ain't never seen my kitchen after I make pancakes, LOL
I tell you what, though: I experienced amazing smoothness on Saturday while checking things off a “to do” list that I thought was going to be frustrating and difficult. Since I thought that, I just relaxed and accepted that reality, and I do believe that helped it all go so well. Nice when that happens :)
calpoppy - there are many “charity” organizations that don't deserve the moniker, let alone the tax breaks. When They talk about reforming the tax code it would be nice if They looked into that. Ha. Ha.
Yup, GC doesn't even show an interest in the outdoors at this point. I keep thinking the novelty will wear off and he'll start trying to get out but, so far, he won't even go near the windows and doors, even if I call him over. I think he's afraid he might get sucked out and not be able to get back in, LOL
Briar - while my sweater is not appropriate for Ugly Christmas Sweater Day(s), it is almost done. Sort of. A couple more rows on the sleeves, then the shaping which should go quickly, and then I can seam. Joy.
I'm really enjoying your un-holiday blog and all the comments there!
Thanks for your encouragement about the cat :) It has taken a long time to get here but he's worth it. You're right that cats are stubborn and, let's face it, not too bright, so helping them change their minds about the world takes longer than with, say, dogs. And some never come around, sadly.
I have to admit, though, that Ylee has the way of it ;)
gg - LOL! I know it seems unlikely these days but places like Texas and Kansas and Oklahoma were the bastions of Freethought in the U. S. in their early days. Something went terribly wrong in recent decades. Maybe it was the dust bowl experiences … or maybe that drove out the Freethinkers and left only those who could not change. I don't know. There is a book called “What's the Matter With Kansas” and a documentary of the same name that considers why people in that state so often vote in lockstep and against their own best interests. I started watching the movie just last week but haven't finished.
Anyway, Austin has maintained the tradition in Texas and there are large and growing groups in Dallas and Houston. Texas can be saved! ;)
LC - oh, I bet it's a shock to the system! Poor you. You're right about the “mad greening”, though, and it is a wonder to behold.
The manatee is way cool and one of the pics has the kid with a look of pure joy and wonder on his face. Classic.
Welcome home! :)
WTS - Total bust! No zombies, no winds and, thankfully, no fires! It does seem that you'll be missed again and we'll get some rain out of the next system. Maybe snow on the mountains and that would be nice. Good luck getting some - it could happen!
Glad you liked the vid and, yes, cats are awesome … even when they are annoying ;)
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Found a use for the stupid wandering box over there ---->
when I saw the other day that 27windows is back on wu. I never would have known since I rarely see the entire blog list.
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Today's apod is a different look at a lunar eclipse. Beautiful!
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I think I have previously mentioned the Jewish community in New York that makes it own laws outside of U. S. or State laws. There is an article about a trial in a sex abuse case in the NYTimes which highlights how that community thinks and acts. I read about this at butterfliesandwheels, here:
http://freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/ 2012/12/pimping-its-girls/
where Ms. Benson provides her own perspective and useful commentary on the case and the article itself. She also provides two links to more in-depth articles, the most interesting is probably the one from The Jewish Week. Seems these communities have their own version of the Mutaween. Lovely.
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For writers, or aspiring writers, John Scalzi talks about writing for free. He's a little ticked and there is a swear word used (often), so, nsfw, I guess. He followed that up with another post today (which you'll have to find yourself because the word is front and center and large, lol). I wonder about this, so found it interesting and useful, and it really applies to all who make their living (or wish to) doing creative work.
Heh. I just scanned a few of the comments and found this quote:
“Writers, actors, and prostitutes all face the same fundamental economic problem: they are competing with amateurs who are pretty good and will work for nothing.” Moss Hart
And a knitter chimes in, too, LOL
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Couple of weeks ago a Scientific American writer took Time Magazine to task for their nomination of the Higgs Boson for “Person of the Year”. He asserts that every sentence of the nomination blurb is in error and elucidates each. Funny, and tragic.
Oh, I see an interesting article on how people judge Southern accents there, too.
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Okay, wowza, did it again. Just kept adding stuff and need to get on with things.
I need a keeper, LOL
Happy Week, WU!
And a knitter chimes in, too, LOL
Oh yeah. And all sorts of craftspeople -- everything from painters to potters to woodworkers to soap makers. You see a lot of them at farmers' markets and street fairs. A few manage to make a living, having found just the right doohickey to make and sell, but most have a hard time even paying for their hobby. Sometimes, it's frustrating that there are so many talented people in the world. Other times, I find it quite refreshing. After all, creative people tend to be both more intelligent and more inquisitive. And that's a good thing, right?
The brown and white scarf is the yarn you saw in the pic many months ago. She could not duplicate the yarn again so I had to make do with a smaller scarf, I should have made a scarflette!! Now that I think about it. The other is a Mountain Color yarn, I think it looks like the Aurora. Now I really need to do a pattern!
I should have fixed the fringe on the lavender one!
During my recent absence from California I had the exquisite pleasure♪ of interacting with some self described Christians who really have no clue about the philosophy. It seems the only thing they have taken from the New Testament is the "Get Out of Hell Free Card", i.e. John 3:16 and they can't even decently paraphrase any other verses from the New Testament. No, they avidly quote-mine the Old Testament regarding the behavior of a capriciously vicious misanthropic god to validate their own despotic aspirations.
As an aside I recently saw a fascinating old PBS drama God on Trial. Aside from what may at first seem to be a cop-out ending the arguments throughout are excellent and I think there's a possibility you might enjoy it.
Anyway, Christianity is a philosophy and not a religion? If only...
Symbol Legend
♪ - a note of sarcasm
BTW if you deem the content of this comment to be too vitriolic I will redact it entirely.
Briar - it's interesting that folks like computer programmers run into a similar problem. They are told that working for free will add to their resume or whatever but professionals get paid, by definition. I know accountants who've taken on jobs for no or very low pay in the hopes it would lead to full employment but the employer only had temporary work and once that's done (for free) there is no job. Kind of sick, really, and indicative of how we in the U.S. have come to view work and workers.
Maybe we are all ding-a-lings ;)
calpoppy - ah, beautiful! I really like the way the homespun worked up - the color and texture is great! The lavender color is very nice! THanks for sharing your pics! Finally ;)
Have you learned how to purl, yet? Lots of (free!*) scarflet patterns and cowls and stuff (using smaller amounts of yarn) on ravelry.
* Yes, I do see the irony, but it's the designers' choice :)
LC - too vitriolic? For my blog? Dude, I saw your comment last night and immediately copied it to my computer in case you had second thoughts and removed it!
Thanks very much for sharing your insight from the lion's den. As it were.
I know I have seen that movie title somewhere but don't think I've watched it ... now I will!
Mr. Deity did a video on the Christianity as philosophy thing. Pretty funny but maybe not for someone not familiar with the series and the premise of same.
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The Hasidic "counselor" mentioned above was convicted on 59 counts. Additionally, charges have been brought against members of the "morality police" related to tampering, contempt, and intimidation of witnesses. Quite a coup for the DA and major progress for the community.
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Also at the NYTimes is an article about religion in government that is worth the few minutes it takes to read it, and includes the story of the cadet who left West Point over religious discrimination.
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Which reminds me that I did not post a "GO NAVY BEAT ARMY" note last weekend. But, it didn't matter. Navy beat Army for the tenth straight time.
It's the goat that makes it happen, you know ;)
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Hey. Rain! Not yet but soon. It's definitely on the radar. Hopefully I can finish today's outdoors activity before it gets here. Well, I won't if I don't get back to it, will I?
seewu!
This blog looks like interesting reading.
Brought a sky pitcher for you from earlier this a.m. (Link added.)
Will read here layta. Have a good one.
:)
Okay, look. I've got things to do. Things, I tell you. So, forgive me if there are three comments from me (besides this one) as the first did not post and I thought I clicked incorrectly so posted it again and then it still didn't post so I composed another comment to see if it would post and it did not so now I'm writing this one to see if it posts and if they all eventually show up, well, I'll look pretty stupid, but, I can't hang around to see if they do. Things, says I.
*sigh*
I wonder if I could take a train to Disneyland ... LOL
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Rain at .22" and holding. Chilly, breezy, sunny, blahblahblah.
Reading about stuff less interesting today so no links to post, really.
Well, let's see ... for those lamenting the loss of writing skills through txt, Time magazine says the first use of OMG was in 1917, although it's clearly meant as a joke.
Also a joke is the way commenters reacted to another article at the Time site about their online poll for Person of the Year. If you want to maintain hope for the future of mankind, do not read those.
It's Friday. I should go now ...
"Comments will take a few seconds to appear. "
Hmmm... it's taking a lot longer than that. So, I'm testing ... one ...
[eta2: as long as I'm here I'm going to try posting this trailer for a movie about zombies at the Large Hadron Collider ... nevermind, just click the link, and yes I do know about Rob's wondrous script :)]
I think at 12:12:12 on 12-12-12 I was preparing for an appointment for Wed 12-19-12 thinking it was really for Wed the 12th since it is already Dec but the 19th is a Wed also... too many repeating numbers .. aacckk!
More rain coming?
I am practicing purling now, I want to do the moss stitch. I will check ravelry for patterns for scarflettes, thanks!
Mr. Babiak has since been promoted to Division Director of the TWC's Civil Rights division and oversees discrimination claims.
God Bless Texas :p
Since I took this picture I tweaked the beaks a bit.
WTS - I sympathize with the date/day thing.
Obviously, LOL!
Glad you finally got your rain! And, yeah, more to come, so They say. Could be we're going to have winter this year ;)
calpoppy - sure, and hope you find something there. Well, I know you'll find something there. I don't remember how I ended up on ravelry this morning but boy do I wish I hadn't. What a time sink! No wonder I can't keep track of the days, lol
gg - ah, Texas.
That seems a serious conflict of ideological interest there. I hope someone is watching him!
I don't get that, though. The math doesn't work. It's not like keeping people off unemployment will make anyone any money in the private sector. It's not either/or. It's not zero sum. It's just mean and hateful, really.
Karen - oh, how cute! And nice work, too! Shapes like that are hard to do and you picked the colors well :)
Did you happen to report on the king tide anywhere on wu? I was wondering how Seal Beach handled it as the news I saw was a bit south of you, I think.
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I think I'm going to go back to work or maybe go back to ravelry for the rest of the day. I've been reading the news out of Connecticut updating on a separate tab and I can't take any more.
I've had the TV on ever since with the horrific news about the school shooting. We are getting ready to leave for Disneyland and while I am going with a down feeling (if we weren't meeting the boys there, I'd probably cancel), the boys have no knowledge and will brighten and uplift me no doubt.
As a mother, grandmother and educator, this shooting at an elementrary school has hit me hard.
Don't ask me where, but I stumbled upon something on TV recently, while channel-surfing, that was about the separation of church and state. According to the TV program, it was put in the constitution to prevent the government from dictating religious tenets as had happened when English kings told the Church of England what to preach or do. Now we look at the separation of church and state as a means to protect government from the dictates of Christian extremists. How things have changed!
Anyway, I went off in search of the facts behind what I saw on some unremembered channel on some unknown program. And found an educational summary article, complete with links to other documents. Thought I'd share it here in case others are interested in the info. http://www.theocracywatch.org/separation_church_s tate2.htm
What do you get when you combine a helium balloon with a cat?
Was looking for something totally different when I came across this, isn't that how it works??
Only 4 days left, yikes :)
Link
Warning it will make you MAD!
I swiped this list from a comment thread at WEIT:
2012 roll:
February 22, 2012—Five people were killed in at a Korean health spa in Norcross, Georgia, when a man got into an argument and opened fire inside the facility.
February 26, 2012—Multiple gunmen began firing into a nightclub crown in Jackson, Tennessee, killing one person and injuring 20 others.
February 27, 2012—Three students at Chardon High School in rural Ohio were killed when a classmate opened fire.
March 8, 2012—Two people were killed and seven wounded at a psychiatric hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when a gunman entered the hospital with two semiautomatic handguns and began firing.
March 31, 2012—A gunman opened fire on a crowd of mourners at a North Miami, Florida, funeral home, killing two people and injuring 12 others.
April 2, 2012—A 43-year-old former student at Oikos University in Oakland, California, walked into his former school and killed seven people, “execution-style.” Three people were wounded.
April 6, 2012—Two men went on a deadly shooting spree in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shooting black men at random in an apparently racially motivated attack. Three men died and two were wounded.
May 29, 2012—A man in Seattle, Washington, opened fire in a coffee shop and killed five people and then himself.
July 9, 2012—At a soccer tournament in Wilmington, Delaware, three people were killed, including a 16-year-old player and the event organizer, when multiple gunmen began firing shots, apparently targeting the organizer.
July 20, 2012—James Holmes enters a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises and opens fire with a semi-automatic weapon; twelve people are killed and fifty-eight are wounded.
August 5, 2012—A white supremacist and former Army veteran shot six people to death inside a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before killing himself.
August 14, 2012—Three people were killed at Texas A&M University when a 35-year-old man went on a shooting rampage; one of the dead was a police officer.
September 27, 2012—A 36-year-old man who had just been laid off from Accent Signage Systems in Minneapolis, Minnesota, entered his former workplace and shot five people to death, and wounded three others before killing himself.
October 21, 2012—45-year-old Radcliffe Frankin Haughton shot three women to death, including his wife, Zina Haughton, and injured four others at a spa in Brookfield, Wisconsin, before killing himself.
December 11, 2012—A 22-year-old began shooting at random at a mall near Portland, Oregon, killing two people and then himself.
December 14, 2012—One man murders a reported twenty-six people at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, including twenty children, before killing himself.
Lots of rain? I don't think we got .25". Still gray, but blue is on the way.
Trying not to think about #47 - bummin me out..
I went quickly through your blog to see the Disneyland pics and I'm glad you had your beautiful boys (in their awesome hats!) to take your mind off it all for awhile.
Thanks for sharing those photos – it's truly a wonderful place this time of year :)
Briar – that theocracywatch site is a terrific resource. They keep tabs on what's happening now as well as the history. Thanks for bringing that by.
You're right that the establishment clause prevents government from interfering in church business. How would any religious believer like for Congress or the President to tell them how to worship? Well, some think they would like that … as long as it didn't apply to them so much as to others.
From that it becomes obvious that the establishment clause works both ways. No matter how large or powerful or persuasive a given religious organization becomes, they cannot use government to impose their will on the rest of society. In theory, anyway. That's what Jefferson was addressing in the letter that first uses the phrase “wall of separation between church and state”, where a majority of townspeople in Dansbury, CT were of one Protestant religion and used their numbers to elect government officials that used their authority to oppress members of another Protestant religion, based on religious precepts rather than law. Jefferson set them straight.
Either we are all free or none are free. Because it always comes back around.
calpoppy – you are correct! Thanks for bringing it, though. Man, that's … hmph. As has been said by many recently (perhaps in the comments on that article, even), I think I'm reaching the point of outrage fatigue. And I have a pretty high tolerance for outrage!
WTS – LOL at the levitating cat! And the goat wins for festive cuteness :) Thanks for both – I needed that!
I know, we're all bummed out. That list hit me because I think that I pay attention to these things but, really, I am as guilty as anyone of forgetting. Maybe this is the one that we all remember and the one that pushes us to work on solutions before it happens again. Or, maybe it'll be the next one, or the one after that. Yeah. Bummed out.
Yep, Droid, complete with annoying robot voice which intoned “DROID” when it was first turned on. That was immediately disabled. First things first, I always say.
I don't think I'll be checking blogs with it too often (aging eyes and tiny fonts do not go well together) but it could come in handy. Definitely like that I can check weather and traffic from anywhere.
It seems like so many apps are for iphone and ipad only and that is frustrating. But then I hear that a lot of web content is not available on an iphone. Guess it's a choice and choices are good … but “both” would be better, lol
I'm glad you've had so much rain! Our hills are almost February-green after the inch+ we've had this month :) It does feel like a real winter has arrived ...
…..
Weather: it rained another quarter inch overnight! It was a pretty steady moderate rain. Today it eventually cleared up, sun came out, and the wind began (wind advisory today for N or NE winds) and it had/has quite a bite to it. Brrr.
Wandered past the tv on my way to cookies and milk and see that a tree fell in LA from the wind and that it is especially cold and windy up in the Antelope Valley. Well, maybe calpoppy will be happy with that ;)
Um, I think we got a tenth of an inch sometime between now and the last time I mentioned rain. Yeah … the real Friday, I think it was. Then it cleared at night and I stood under rain-washed skies hoping to catch a straggling Geminid. No such luck but wow it was nice out that night. I was even able to see part of Orion's bow and Aldebaran looked very red with Jupiter so near by.
Tonight I barely looked up as I hustled to and from the car a few times. Did I mention “Brrr”? Even though it was still 54 degrees! Stoopid wind.
…..
Had to leave the country to find fun the last few days, though these are older than that:
Brian Cox is a British physicist and tv personality and rock musician (no, really) and about a week ago he tweeted:
Brian Cox @ProfBrianCox
If anybody else asks me about End of the World, Nibru or photon belts I will slap their nobber cheeks until they're redder than Betelgeuse
… followed by:
In fact I declare 22nd December 'international slap a pseudoscientific hippy with a text book day.'
See, twitter isn't all bad ;)
Another UKer, Dara O'Briain (who is a comedian but I think he has a degree in physics or maths or something smart), hosted a BBC series called “Science Club with Dara O'Briain” and it is so not American popular science that I could watch it over and over again. They do come to America and even to Texas! For science! Not mockery! (sorry) Anyway, currently available in dribs and drabs from BBC channel on youtube but also the whole of episodes 1-5 are up at the moment from different youtubers, rather unusually, so get 'em while you can if'n you want 'em.
.....
Cookies et, milk drinked, and I think I've rambled enough for one night. Cheers, WU :)
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