Miracle of Life

Tonight Mike and I were on a walk at Rockefeller Preserve. We were walking by the cows in the pasture pictured above. We noticed a cow and a calf standing away from the others, and they were right next to the fence. I first thought the cow was eating "pie", but then we realized that she was eating placenta. Then we looked at the calf, and there was a bloody remains of an umbilical cord on its belly. Apparently we just missed the birth. I can not believe that we happened upon the newborn event. Congratulations Cow! There were more cows nearby with bulls, and it was funny seeing them get frisky. Usually the cows are just chewing and standing there, so we got quite a show.

Grooming a Weatherman for His TV Debut, and Hoping He Doesn’t Bite the Host - New York Times

Grooming a Weatherman for His TV Debut, and Hoping He Doesn’t Bite the Host - New York Times

When It’s O.K. to Run Hurt - New York Times

When It’s O.K. to Run Hurt - New York Times

They be smart

Newsroom Special Reports

Only at my alma mater would this be studied.

Buckfest

We walked at Rockefeller on Sunday at dusk, and we saw a congregation of Bucks hanging out together. It suprised me since I thought Bucks hung out alone, but we saw 7 together on a top of a hill (with some Doe in tow). I researched this and found out that bucks and does will hang out together in the winter.

It was 70 on Sat, so I could not resist getting on my bike. It was a bummer since Mike was sick and could not join me. I also brought the Escort out for one of it's final spins. It is going to be donated soon.

No life decisions yet---will keep you all posted.

Whack a Mike

A moment in our New Year's Eve walk with Ann and Kevin.

Alaska snowman has some neighbors fuming - Yahoo! News

Alaska snowman has some neighbors fuming - Yahoo! News

A Surprising Secret to a Long Life: Stay in School - New York Times

A Surprising Secret to a Long Life: Stay in School - New York Times

Fyah!

These pictures are from 5 years ago when we visited Glacier Nat'l Park in Montana. I just loaded them recently on the computer, and I forgot about these funky pics. When we were there, there was a huge forest fire that closed half the park. Despite this, we were permitted to backcountry camp in other areas. Come about 3 in the afternoon, the sky would turn that funky shade of orange. Ash started falling on us, and it smelled like the world's largest campfire. As I walked across the scree, I felt as if I was on another planet. These pics are not doctored to look like this (I have no clue how to use filters, etc for my camera even if I wanted to). Holy crap my hair was so short!

I want my mommy

I had the flu this week (thankfully the 24 hour type!), and I called my mom. I do not throw up very often (I am prone to the respiratory things luckily). I think the last time I had a flu bug was 1993. Anyways, I called my mom within hours of throwing up. As if she wants to think about it! I wonder if I am the only one who does this. I seem to always have to let her know that I vomited. I do not however, let her know when I have diarrhea. I guess living with diarrhea is far easier, but if I just had diarrhea, I do not think I would have called.

MOBA

The Museum Of Bad Art (MOBA)

I love the Portraits, check out #11 in the collection.

The Heifer is two-faced

Calf with two faces born at Va. farm - Yahoo! News

Remember the Bugs bunny cartoon when Bugs sings "The buzzard is two faced"? That song came to mind when I read this.

beavis and butthead

A blast from the past.

dos perros

Mike spotted an excellent natural event on our street last night. 2 coyotes!! We have seen them in the area before, but this was the first sighting on our street. He wanted me to see, but I was sleeping off my flu.

Beauty is in the eye......

Here is an excellent resource that Kevin alerted me to yesterday.

http://www.museumofbadart.org/

New Yorker Part 2

When I get an offer to subscribe to the New Yorker Magazine, does it make me a New Yorker?

Who's the Geek?

I saw an ad last night for Beauty and the Geek, and I told Mike that was just like us. This invariably led Mike the the question "Who is the beauty and who is the geek?" I assert that I am the beauty since he has a greater geek pedigree (I do not question his beauty). I do not deny that I have geeky qualities. I fully admit I like to follow my jokes with a hearty "wha wha whaaaaaaa" in the old timey style. I like science articles and watching surgery on TV. I guess I like the bioscience area of Geekdom. I am not into the following Geeky pastimes: Scifi, fantasy, Star Trek, computers, and the Renaissance Faire. I am not good at math either, so how could I be the Geek?

Food Fashion

I have been looking for a headband, and I had an idea in mind. I could not find what I had pictured in my mind anywhere--until last night. Of all places to find what I have been seeking? The grocery store!! Thanks Whole Foods! The other suprise was that it was not overpriced! Does that confirm that I am fashion challenged or what?

Thank God it's not Asparagus

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061227/ap_on_sc/cinnamon_sound

Freaks and Geeks clip

This one is for DV! Nick Andopolis Rocks!

NY kinda night

Mike came home early, so we decided to walk around Playland before we went to the gym. Playland is an old amusement park nearby, and it is cool since it is old school. The park is right on the Long Island Sound. It has been in some movies, etc. It is pleasant to stroll around, especially on summer nights when the lights are on, the rides going, people milling, and nocturnal aquatic birds hanging around in the shadows. There is a bird sanctuary adjacent, so if you walk near the water you can see some funky sea birds.
After we walked around Playland, we saw Night at the Museum which is a very NY film.

http://www.ryeplayland.org/History/default.htm

On an unrelated note, I have not been able to get blogger to publish my links correctly, so sorry about have to copy and paste!

Wet Christmas

I spent Christmas with Mike's family in NJ. We stayed overnight which was good since they were all up until 3:30 playing cards (I bowed out at 1 AM, still getting over my cold). Christmas eve was crisp and sunny, but Christmas here was gloomy and wet. On Saturday, it was 60 here. We went to Arthur Ave in the Bronx (the real little Italy) and picked up some pasta for fun. There was Christmas music blasting over loudspeakers, and many stores had lines going down the street (people buying their Christmas treats). We stood and ate a slice of pizza on a street corner next to some NYC firemen. So, now we are back home and Mike is working a few symbolic days until his job is over.

Slobs R Us

It was ironic as I was mentally preparing to attack our apartment, I came across this article in the Times. It does not mean that I will abandon my cleaning plans since we are hosting visitors starting this weekend.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/21/garden/21mess.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5087%0A&em&en=74358105859316a4&ex=1167282000

Charlie Brown Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

amy sedaris on colbert

this is pretty funny

Courtesy of Pat

Al Gore Caught Warming Globe To Increase Box Office Profits

Wild West

I was going through some old pictures, and I found a ton of discs that I had not loaded into the computer. I really like this one. This is Glacier Nat'l Park in Montana, it looks like what you dream of when you talk about going out west.

sick of bein' sick

I have a cold, and I almost wretch when I see the gross Mucinex ads with the animated boogers who leave a green trail. Anyone with me on that?

Best of '06

Here are my highlights of '06, I hope I can remember them all, no particular order:
1. Seeing my nephews jumping off the bluffs of Christmas cove and skipping Petosky stones into the lake (like we used to as kids).
2. Seeing my whole family together (except for the missing Jon Pastoria) on the same trip. It is rare that we are all together.
3. Gliding into Redcliff, CO after our long hut loop. The sky was impossibly blue, the winter sun warm (finally after enduring record cold), and the people friendly (construction worker gave us a ride back to our car after we discovered there was no cafe in town anymore).
4. Watching whales in the distance off of Race Point and Herring Cove beaches in Cape Cod. One of the best whale watches (and seals) I have had.
5. Camp (always an good annual memory).
6. Brian's visit to NY, especially when he told me that he thought the building was on the corner of 6th and 35th. I was marvelling at his knowledge of the streets of NY, until I saw that this intersection was painted on the roof of the building below.
7. Seeing dolphins in CA with Sue and the boys, spotting the fox on our early AM walk that was followed by the world's best breakfast, and Griffin Park.
8. Gliding through NYC on bikes and seeing literally the people of the world. Every few blocks opened up neighborhoods with a different ethnic makeup.
9. The coyote in Rockefeller who stood still for one minute, the numerous sightings of fox on our street.
10. Skiing Vail with Mike, Brian, and Tracey (the trooper with a broken foot!)

I am sure that I am missing a few, but 10 seemed like a reasonable number to stop.

Parent Mad 6-Year-Old Didn't Like Peanuts Special

Dream Car

Mike and I like to joke that we would like to get a Mustang, but there is no station wagon. Our dream may come true!

href="http://www.muscularmustangs.com/2006/news01052009fordmustang.php">

Global Warming

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Whatever happened to winter? Blustery December days? I had to keep the windows open in my car today to keep it from getting stuffy in there. I jogged outside in shorts and a long sleeved shirt (and I got hot). No wonder I can not get in a holiday mood easily--it feels like I am in a time warp. I am getting worried that we will not get any snow this year. I really have grown to love the Noreaster! It is awesome that the storms every few years can dump 1-5 feet of snow. I really love that. I think snow is a great excuse to sit home, wrap a blanket around you, make some soup or hot chocolate, and dive into a book. The world just needs to stop for a little while.

Meanwhile, Mike is driving home from a job interview in Richmond. The airports here got fogged in, so Mike and his friend from work are driving tonight. He has another interview tommorrow, and the weather channel predicted AM fog. I was preparing to listen to him explain how to get into his work email and get the number of his interview tommorrow, but I may not need to do it afterall.

Freaks and Geeks - Bill talks about French Kissing

The immortal wisdom of the Haverchuck!!

Surf Cleveland!

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/us/10surf.html?hp&ex=1165726800&en=5213d0534769d6f0&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Here is an article about the surf scene in Cleveland. Enjoy!

Warren Miller

Too much testosterone+seretonin deficiency=this movie!!

Get on the couch

Here is a article about heart function following marathons. Get on the couch!! :)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/fashion/07Fitness.html?em&ex=1165726800&en=3949697afe66ba22&ei=5087%0A

Revelation

I just found out this AM when I am snoring, Mike says loudly, "No snoring", and I stop. He does not say "Stop snoring" or "You are snoring", just "no snoring". I wonder what other suggestions he plants in my head overnight.

Snow Miser Year without a Santa Claus

It is strange to think that this is part of my holiday nostalgia. I think the cold miser is in danger due to global warming. He also bears some resemblance to my high school boss at the swim club that has been busted for hooking up with a 16 year old girl on the team he was coaching.

Heroes

Mike just convinced me to start watching Heroes this week. He caught a couple of episodes late last week. I was worried that it was too scifi for me, but it is really fun. It keeps you guessing, and we are going to watch them online to catch up.

The job search has begun. I will let you know if there is any breaking news. Of course any leads on finance positions would be helpful, unless they are in lame places!! We both may be off the end of the month, so there may be a Northeast extravaganza (skiing if there is snow, swinging by Boston and the Colemans if we are welcome). More to come on this later.

Guitar class is ending next week. We had a really fun session. Our teacher picked out some really fun music to play that sounds really good (even when I butcher it).

Here is another quote:

"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it."----Jack Handey

It's beginning to look a lot like......

I bought another potted Christmas tree this year. Usually they have them at the supermarket, and they are about a foot tall. This year I found the 3 footer (estimated), and I could not resist. We repotted it today and decorated. Our tree from last year is doing well, so hopefully this tree will survive the season too. I also got Dr. Seuss in the mood (our funny palmlike tree Mike got from work a few years ago). Dr. Seuss has had a hard year, but he is still hanging in there somehow. Our tree is the right size for our tight little apartment.

It finally got cold today. It is starting to feel seasonal, and I was able to wear my toque and winter coat. I always like to change into new clothes for the season. Now if I could only figure out what gifts to buy I would be all set!!

Here is an inspirational quote to leave you tonight.

The crows seemed to be calling his name, thought Caw.----Jack Handey

Stop making sense

Last night at the Grocery store, I bought some shopping bags to reuse. This particular store always gives you about 100 bags upon leaving, and it is wasteful and annoying. I do have a big canvas bag I use at the farmers market, but I always forget it in the house for other shopping trips. Anyways, I wanted to get more to keep with me. Of course when I was buying the bags and some other things, the bagger started to bag them!!!!!!!

Holy Grail

A few years ago, maybe longer than I thought, my mom asked for a particular Christmas gift. It did not seem complicated at the time. I combed malls as did my other family members (I guess this preceded internet shopping). She wanted a white cotton cable-knit sweater (cardigan). It was an impossible item! I am happy to say I found it!!

http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_1930_66620_149539_127286_5:view=59,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_66620&sid=4650134624869113010

I went to nearly every sweater shop in Ireland with Mom, and I am sure that this one will not be right due to the dark buttons!! Here you go Mom, I tried. Let me know if you want me to pick one up for you!

PS This relates to my laundry related rant. I went out tonight and bought more underwear (even though I have about 40 pairs). I bought this whimsical pair due to phrases on it that I read. I saw "ski bunny" "snow angel" Aspen, etc and bought them. When I was looking at them when I got home, I saw more holiday related phrases which was OK until I read "Stuff my stocking" That unfortunately was the first phrase Mike saw on them. So I picked myself a classy pair of undies allright!

PPS To my family, I get dibs on this present if Mom actually likes the sweater.

Laundry List

I have to go to the Laundromat, and it really drives me crazy. I have bought socks and underwear in the middle of the Christmas rush around here to avoid going. I go about once a month, and we do a ton of laundry to reduce the frequency of our visits. Of course I was excited on vacation in Cape Cod when we had a washer and dryer!
I am always agitated in there. They blare this lite rock station (and the TV is always blaring as well), and it is always the John Tesh show when we get in there. His theme is "Intelligence for you life", and he reads advice out of Women's magazines. This adds to my bad mood. I swear I hear "Don't go breakin' my heart" by Elton John every time I do wash. The kicker is when John Tesh told us how to flush a toilet! I keep it in check, but listening to that and waiting for a dryer may kick in some laundry rage in me. I keep it sealed up and raise my blood pressure instead. I also can not understand people in there who seem happy. I guess I need to work on it!

Got your goat

I can not believe that it is almost December. I am really not even close to ready for Christmas lights. It may be since it has been so mild for the last month. It does not feel right yet. Of course I am getting a ton of catalogues. I received a really cool one this year from a charity where you can purchase animals (or a share of an animal) for a family in need (generally 3rd world). The animals are used for milk, eggs, or even wool to help support a family. I could give a goat or even a water buffalo for Christmas! Anyways, I am sharing the link 'cause it looks like a great charity (and I would love to say I gave a goat or a pig for Christmas!).

http://www.heifer.org

Back to the Grind

I had a nice Thanksgiving visit to Detroit. It was suprisingly warm and sunny. Of course I came down with a cold when I arrived (it never fails despite my obsessive hand washing!), but it was not very severe. Here are some pics. The Colemans getting their tree and some family fun.

Ed in Canis Lupis

Here is our friend, Ed Rychlick showing off on Canis Lupis!! Another preview for Park City.

Family Guy

This one's for Horney. She was a big Aha fan.

Mike shredding at Park City

Now that it has cooled down, it is time to think about snow! This is a taste of what is to come in Park City!

New Yorkers

Mike and I were out to eat the other night, and the table next to us was filled with loud New Yorkers. Mike keeps telling me that I am a New Yorker now too, but I am not sure if I agree.
1. I do not feel like a New Yorker.
2. I still feel like a Michigander.
3. The vast majority of my life was spent in Michigan.
I feel like I am a person from Michigan who lives in NY (if that makes sense). I do suppose after 20 years here I may feel otherwise, but it has only been 5. How long do you have to live somewhere to identify yourself in that region??

Political Preschoolers

Another fascinating article, but I can not help feeling it is biased.

http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/04/predicting_politics.php

The apple does not fall far from the tree

Here is an article about autism research and the focus on genetics.

http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/11/when_two_minds_think_alike.php?page=1

Baker J

I had this half-assed idea today that I would bake bread to accompany the soup I was making. I have never tried to bake bread, so I bought a loaf in case I failed (which was in the realm of possibility). I followed directions and tried to assess if the dough had risen enough, etc. This is the result. Needless to say, I am excited. As a bonus, the bread also tastes good!!

Hey Turkeys!

I was wondering who is in town during the thanksgiving holiday (MI that is!). I am staying until Mon night, and would love to see everyone if they around following various family obligations (and haircut). Let me know when we can grace you with our presence.

Friday night

Tonight is a quite a rockin' friday night. I have to get up early for a course in the city tommorrow, so I am going to bed early so I do not waste my money and sleep!! We hit a Mexican place that we have not tried before, and it was really good. There are not a lot of local places that we get excited about. Anyways, it was a suprise that the joint served Paulaner Octoberfest beer. It went well with Mexican food!
Since the Spartans are in the toilet, I am going to watch Michigan-Ohio State LIVE! This way, nobody can unintentially give the score away. For how much nobody cares around here, we have had scores spilled to us left and right. I was planning on rooting for Michigan. I figured it was better to have Big Ten and State pride. It is too bad about Bo. It is almost fitting that he passed on the eve of the annual grudge match.
Here is a random picture. It is in Telegraph Cove, Vancouver Island. Really cool place! Enjoy and good night!

Storms and Sanders

I do not know what the weather is everywhere else, but it was almost 70 here today. I just went for a walk at 11 PM in my shorts and sweatshirt, and I was overdressed! It even smelled like spring, and I expect to see some crocus tommorrow.

On a unrelated note:
Sanders is opening a shop in Birmingham. This is for you nostalgic Detroiters who can not get enough of Bumpy Cake!

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS02/611160314/1019

Where is the arrogant academic?

I would like to request that the arrogant academic get back online and put up some well written posts (to make up for this drivel!).

I am nothing to you

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Jinx!

Remember my fond post about our remaining Escort Wagon going strong at 121,000. Well, I am sad to say its days are numbered due to a heater core situation. I hope I did not jinx the car.

a bad dream keane

Here is a band I want to see live. This is my current obsession, but the album is the best I have heard in a long time. The lead singer needs to hurry out of rehab!

beavis and butthead

A classic

Random Pic of the Day

This is a rainbow we spotted in the Little Yoho Valley in Banff. We experienced a wide variety of weather that day which was typical of the area.

They began to speak in Tongues

This happens to me a lot when I am leaving messages for people on their answering machines!! Check it out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/07/health/07brain.html?em&ex=1163307600&en=d5ef9ac8275473a1&ei=5087%0A

Small Miracles

I was not feeling hopeful for the election the other day. I was really upset after 2004, so I had to rely on my experience as a Spartan fan to cope. At any rate, here is a related item from a reputable source.

Rumsfeld: 'My Half-Assed Job Here Is Done'

Tarzan Broadway TV Commercial

This is why we do not frequent Broadway shows. This ad has been running, and I thought it was a joke initially.

Frito-Lay Angrily Introduces Line Of Healthy Snacks

Read this one if you need a good laugh. I almost wet my pants.

Barney's movie

From the Springfield Film Festival. It makes me a little sad.

Octoberfest

Here are the Octoberfest beers that have been sampled in this house in the last 3 years (to the best of my memory).

Sam Adams
Saranac
Hacker Pschorr
Hofbrau Munchen
Spaten
Paulaner
Becks

I still have to award the best to the Germans. I have yet to have a bad Octoberfest beer from there.

style, superhero edition

Safe from Terrah?

I try not to be too political here, but I was disturbed to hear about this in the Times. Apparently, some senators thought they knew better than the intelligence community, and they released a website that explicitly instructed how to build nuclear arms. Nice one! I guess trying to prove Saddam had WMDs is more important to releasing sensitive information to anyone.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/world/middleeast/03cnd-documents.html?ref=washington

Fresh air

A couple of months ago, some bonehead scraped the side of my car pulling out of a parking space. Of course, I noticed the car in the space next to me was askew, but I parked anyways (mistake). The idiot did not even write me a note, so now I am stuck with it (unless they were so clueless that they did not realize they scraped it up!). It is not a huge scratch, but it is down to the metal. I did have touch up paint that Ford sent me at home. When I read the bottle, I did not want to use it due to the following warning: "This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm." Mike and I figured that saving a few bucks was not worth exposure to whatever is in the bottle.
I stopped by a body shop today, and the guy suggested to use the touch up paint. I told him about the warning on the bottle, and his response was that the warnings were similar to warnings on McDonald's coffee. I do not consider myself an alarmist, but I think people are too casual about their exposure to chemicals around the house. I recently heard that even your plug in air fresheners can cause lung damage. You forget that fresh smell is a chemical released in small droplets. The same person using that would not tolerate a plant in their area discharging droplets of chlorine in the air! I could not imagine spraying Raid at a roach, even though I think they are really gross. I guess I should stop my hippie rant now, but maybe I will go check out what type of masks may help from the hardware store.

Exercise science

I studied physiology for my undergrad degree, and even took exercise physiology before graduate school for fun. There are so many misconceptions out there about exercise(check out all of the late night abdominal machines). You hear the same things over and over, and soon they are the truth without any science behind it. Here is a link to a Times article about marathons, cramping, hydration, and race conditions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/sports/othersports/03marathon.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

Americans Celebrate 10 Millionth 'Bring Yourself To Work Day'

Family Guy - bill on capital hill

School house rocks!

Birthday Girl

Happy birthday. This proves that age is just a number!

Message to Ann

My dearest Ann,
I did not order the filet as you instructed. I ended up getting the sesame encrusted tuna. It was delightful, and I did have some of W's porterhouse. I also did consume some steak as an appetizer. So you can have time to think up a punishment, I just had to come clean. I sat next to a vegetarian the whole dinner, and he really enjoyed looking at the cuts of meat to choose! :)

Attention Caraher funkadelic family

Hey,
I have had the same conversation with almost everyone. Does anyone have a clue who is to buy for whom (Ms Breen, is my grammar correct?). I know Pat and Lhes had us last year (singing snowman made it easy to remember). I have no clue who we had last year. I guess we need to figure it out soon or just decide.

Word Power

Here is a link to an article in the Times by a linguistic professor and the use of a particular phrase that is deeply ingrained in the Bush administration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/27/opinion/27lakoff.html?bl&ex=1162270800&en=ce373aa6462524ce&ei=5087%0A

Still Rollin'

Would you believe the '94 Escort wagon of Mike's is still going? 120,000 miles strong. It is loud with the piecemeal exhaust repairs, but we like to think that it is fast and furious. I can hear Mike roaring in the driveway when he gets home from work. It is nice and dirty, so it is no problem to eat in there. The escort wagon even got tapped by some spastic commuter on I95, and is no worse for the wear. About a month ago, a little girl in Manhattan told Mike that she liked his car. It may be since the paint job now looks like matte (versus shiny) and we have no hubcaps. I can be aggressive with cabs, etc and squeeze into parallel spaces without any worry. We used to leave his Escort in the parking deck at Mike's work while we drove my Escort into the ground. His old boss told Mike's friend that "they should check on that car, it looks suspicious", not knowing it was Mike's. Yeah, that car is a badass. Mike once took it to a fancy restaurant in Greenwich, and they valet parked it! Long live the Escort!

Chapelle Show - Prince

This is one of my favorite Chapelle show skits. I was really into Prince in high school. I got quite an energy lift out of watching this, so this may help your afternoon slump.

Fiona Appple

This is why we saw her twice last year. I just love my crazy Fiona.

Man versus Beast

Cute little story on NPR.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6344645"

Tigers win

I guess I can do a Tigers Win warmup. Here is a fan in NY.

Fall Classic

Here are some pics from Rockefeller Preserve. We walked to Stone Barns and had lunch and walked back. We like the look of Stone Barns. If only we could find one of our own in a decent price range! It is also interesting that the pigs have their pens on a hillside in the woods. Maybe they are considered free range.

Tiger Win Warmup

When I was in town recently, my friend uncovered a buried memory of mine. When we were swimming in high school, one of our coaches would have us start with a "Tiger Win Warmup". This was back in the 80s when the Tigers were good. So perhaps when I get into the pool in the next few days, I will do the warm up and hope it rubs off on the Tigers. Alissa even remembered that the warmup was 50'S on the 50 (although I forgot how many even though she just told me--either 12 or 20).

We had a nature moment today. We saw 18 hawks circling overhead today. They must be migrating somewhere. I also found a grasshopper in my bedroom. I thought it was a spider at first, but when my shoe was poised overhead, it jumped away! Mike caught it later and brought him outside. No bugs were harmed in the telling of this story.

Flustered Bush Misses Air Force One Flight

Bugs Bunny: Monsters Lead Interesting Lives

Yes, we do lead such interesting lives!!

Rock N Roll McDonalds

RIP Wesley Willis. Rock over London, Rock on Chicago, Taco Bell, Run to the Border

Nothin's up

Sorry I have been so lame about posting lately. I feel like I do not have much to say. I guess work is catching up to me recently. At any rate, I started guitar class with Mike this week. As we were driving, Mike suggested a frightening scenario. "Do you think she will ask us all to play something in front of everyone?" was proposed. Since I have not been practicing, and do not consider myself an intermediate, I was a tad nervous. Thankfully the teacher's expectations were low and we had a fun class. She had us try out some flamenco strumming, and I plan on playing Radiohead or Better Than Ezra in that style.

Nothing is new on our life direction. When the job hunt is revved up, I will let you know. We were not excited to hear there was an opening at Dow Chemical in Midland!!!! His dream job in Seattle/Denver/Vancouver/Nelson or Canmore BC that is exciting and well paying have not come up yet!

Innovative Medicine (circa 1950)

I heard this a while back on NPR and found the perseverance of this doctor amazing. I hope you enjoy it. It is about Dr. George Moore who was one of the first western doctors in Nepal in the 50's.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6087761

From the Onion News desk

George Steinbrenner Fires Tigers

A reason to go to Banff

Here is a clip from when we were in Banff last year. We stayed in a hut that was on the base of a big glacier that people traverse and link huts.

Fowler Hilliard Hut

OK, I tried again. The link should work now. Any takers?

Good Times

I am back to work today after a long weekend in Detroit. Everything worked out very well, except for the play of my Spartans :( We got in the game before kickoff for face value, we met up with a bunch of people I have not been able to see for a while, and we went to Bangkok 96. Perfect fall weekend!

Cheap Bastard

Is is me, or is it just crazy that so many people are willing to pay $100 dollars or more to sit all crammed in the "Big House." I guess I am a cheap bastard, but it is really out of control. I swear it will cost almost as much as our flights were to get in the game. I am going to try the people out scalping after their greediness does not pay off, or will be in some Ann Arbor watering hole catching the game.

The Daily Show:

Excellent

Cat Head Theatre

Dedicated to the creators of the Mewling Bible.

Smoots

They have been announcing the Nobel Prize winners this week. Mike noticed yesterday that a winner had the last name of Smoot. He was wondering if it was the same Smoot of MIT fame. Alumni of MIT and Boston residents know about the guy named Smoot who attended MIT years ago. Apparantly Smoot was drunk, and his friends proceeded to measure a bridge across the Charles River using him as a unit of measurement. Over the years his fraternity would continue to paint the Smoot measurements on the bridge. I am sure that I have messed up the story, so I apologize for any gross inaccuracies. I visited the MIT website today, and this it what I found.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2006/smoot.html

A piece of Pi

Here is a quick news item.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061004/ap_on_fe_st/memorizing_pi

Not that Desperate

I have been trying to get some tickets to UM-MSU on Sat. If you have any you want to unload for less than 200 dollars a pair, let me know. I may take you up on it. I would be willing to pay face value :)

Nature, Part ?

We went running tonight at Rockefeller preserve, and we saw a flock of turkeys (wild) hanging out with some cows, and the best sighting of recent memory followed. I looked in a pasture, and in broad daylight about 20 yards away was a big, beautiful coyote. He stood there and looked at us for about a minute, then picked up a groundhog and trotted slowly away to eat his kill. It was the closest I have ever seen one without the coyote running away immediately. It pays to always pay attention around you, 'cause you can spot a lot of wildlife that way, even 35 miles north of NYC.