"Birds-of-Paradise Project"

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/

Are those birds or aliens? Maybe Muppets?

The Mercury Mars Conjunction

Tonight was the Mercury-Mars conjunction when they passed within about 0.25 degrees of each other. Well, closest approach was at 17:00UT (about 10am Tucson time) so these pics were about 8.5 hours after closest approach. That may not seem like much, but tonight Mercury is above Mars, the reverse of last night, so these guys were moving fast. Here are a few pics.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Canadian analysis of Conn. shootings

By: Howard Galganov, Canadian writer December 14, 2012

 

I was just about to publish my latest editorial... on Canada 's Supreme Court decision to suspend Freedom of Speech in favor of promoting one language over all others.  THEN THE CONNECTICUT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS HAPPENED.

 

What happened at Sandy Hook School takes precedence over any language issues in Canada and a failed Judicial System in both our countries.

 

I won't waste words describing my feelings, because how I feel is indescribable about 27 people murdered, (20 young children and six adults at the school), the murder of the shooter's mother beforehand, then the cowardly suicide of the shooter at the school as law enforcement closed in.

 

BUT I CAN TELL YOU WITH CERTAINTY WHY IT HAPPENED:

 

It didn't happen because of the so-called gun culture, or because of poor security at the school.  It happened because of the modern LEFTIST culture that has been busy removing all semblance of personal responsibility and respect from our lives.

 

It happened because of the Hollywood and television types who lecture the Conservatives on how people should live, while they make FORTUNES producing absolute FILTH and VIOLENCE in their movies, videos and television programs.

 

It happened because of reality TV shows that demean humanity, along with shows that make people laugh at the pain and humiliation of others.

 

The senseless murders happened because multi-millionaire computer game producers create UGLY digital scenarios that poison young minds with abject depravity and gratuitous violence.

 

It happened because the school system doesn't teach values, and promotes the idea that "anything goes."  And that all people are equal, regardless of the truth.  And that no one ever fails.

 

It happened because LEFTISTS won't allow concerned and loving parents to discipline their children, or raise their children in the time-honored way they feel is right.

 

It happened because far too many Liberals spend their time and effort ridiculing and attacking the people who want to live by the lessons of the Bible and the Torah.

 

In truth, this and other horrible acts of violence happen because our society-from the entertainment industry to schools to the media and to our governments-have created the social and cultural foundation that is eating away at both Canada and the United States like a cancer.

 

I know that what I am writing will inflame those on the LEFT, but that's OK-because if they don't like it, they can ROT in HELL along with the demons and losers of their own creation.  I want my old country's values back.

 

Values like standing in school when an adult entered the room.  Like being seriously disciplined for bad behavior.  Like when we were measured by our successes and failures.  When not everyone had to waste years of his or her life going to college to study basket weaving instead of taking a trades course or going to work or the service right after high school.  When your Mom was a caring woman and your Dad was a real man, an authority in the home.  And when there weren't vulgar parades extolling the "virtues" of being gay.

 

If you want to stop the sickness . . . IT'S TIME TO STOP THE LEFT.

 

 

In sadness . . . Howard Galganov

 

 

 

Open Blog - Weekend

Ooo, spooky.

German Band

The Woman's Code by Cheryl Lavin

WARNING!!! Sensitive people may find the following material offensive. Contains humor. Read at your own risk!

This was written by an actual woman using the "estrogen font". Men, be sure to wear your special filtering glasses.

 

The Woman's Code by Cheryl Lavin

Rules that women live by, but rarely divulge to men.

Invite a man to go shopping with you only if you need someone to carry your packages or drive.

Assure your boyfriend that every female movie star has had a boob job.

When your man asks you what's wrong, say "Nothing." However, when Oprah, Dr. Phil or Dr. Laura asks you, go into excruciating detail. Leave nothing out.

The negative effects of cheese puffs and chocolate-chocolate chip ice cream are offset by the positive effects of diet soda.

Feet are flexible and can be made to fit into shoes varying from size 7 to 9, depending on what's on sale.

You can skimp on clothes, but a good bra is worth its weight in gold. (That's Victoria's secret.)

The Patricia Principle: The more you've been trying to attract the attention of a particular man, the more likely it is that you'll run into him when you're sweaty, short of sleep, without makeup, wearing house-painting clothes, with your hair in a bandana.

The best response to a married man who's hitting on you is, "Say, don't I know your wife?"

Learn how to say "Back off" very loudly and look fierce while you say it.

Let every new man in your life know that you've got a black belt in karate.

Make friends with your hormones. They're what make you colorful and unpredictable. If other people have a hard time with that, that's their problem.

When you hear your mother's words coming out of your mouth, shut your mouth. Unless your mother was really wise.

When in doubt, say no.

You're under no obligation to tell the truth when asked the number of your sexual partners.

Men love a woman who's good in bed. But not the first time they go to bed with her.

No matter how much they fight it, all men need a woman to organize their lives and their closets and tell them what kind of hair products to use.

Consider yourself a sculptor and your man a block of marble. Chip away until you have created someone you can live with. He'll thank you. Later.

Always remember: Inside the biggest, burliest, most macho man lives an ego as delicate and fragile as a baby chick making its first venture outside the egg.

Laugh at a man at your own peril.

The only women who look good first thing in the morning are the women who don't know how to put on makeup.

When splitting a dinner check with girlfriends, it's perfectly acceptable to take out a calculator.

If you drop your girlfriends as soon as you have a boyfriend, you will live to regret your decision.

Food eaten while preparing other food has no calories.

When consumed for its antioxidant properties, dark chocolate has less fat than broccoli.

It's a medical fact that some women gain weight although they eat only salads.

It's another medical fact that too much lettuce can lead to depression.

Women who never binge have no souls.

Only a masochist weighs herself the day after a binge.

Ditto anyone who looks at herself naked in a three-way mirror.

Even Angelina Jolie has some part of her body she hates.

Falling in love is a sure way to lose five pounds.

Getting dumped is a sure way to gain 10.

Nothing is sweeter than finding out that the cute boy who dumped you in the 12th grade lives in his mother's basement.

Except going to your high school reunion and seeing that the prom queen shops at Lane Bryant.

Black really does make you look thinner.

Useless Information

Did you know:

Video Conferencing was introduced by IBM in 1991?

Rules Men Live By

These are our rules! Please note.. These are all numbered "1 " ON PURPOSE!

1.Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1.. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both.  If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials. ...

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colours, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A colour. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as FOOTBALL or motor sports

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.


Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;  But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone! Welcome back to Four for Fridays after a fun filled week of snow and other interesting items! Anyways some questions for you....

1) When clearing snow do you use a snow blower or a shovel?

2)  What do you feel strongly enough about to protest?

3) What book can you read over and over again? 

4) How do you manage stress?

Enjoy your weekend!

A NIGHT AT THE BAR!

I was at the bar the other night and heard three girls with an overabundance of flesh, talking at the bar.

Their accent appeared to be Scottish, so I approached and asked, "Hello, are you three lassies from Scotland?"

One of them screeched, "It's WALES, you bloody idiot!"

So I apologized and replied, "I am so sorry. Are you three whales from Scotland?"

And...that's the last thing I remember....

Roll call

After our wonderful weather day yesterday, 

and since it's been quite some time since

we did anything like this, ya'all please check in.

 

Let us know you're ok, still here, 

weathered the storm, etc. 

 

How did you manage yesterday?

 

Stay safe, and stay warm!

Open Blog - Friday

Hello to you, too.

This is where the Barbie heads come from

Click to Enlarge

See: http://www.jtirregulars.com/2013/01/for-bl-basketcase.html

Omg, I think I'm going to be sick...

"Sweet Brown - Toothache? Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!"

Oh, Lord Jesus, it's a toothache!

I assume she was paid for that. I hope she makes more money.

Post Office To Cut Saturday Mail Delivery

Saturdays are Gone Click Here to read the story.

Thursday - Open Blog

Have a bang on Thursday.

"Subtle Butt"

http://www.subtlebutt.com/

They're for real. How bad does a gas problem have to be to require a charcoal filter in your undies?

Be careful out there, drew.

Some of those birds may resent your photographing them.

A Couple of Planets and the ISS

I got out tonight to photograph Mercury and Mars. They are rapidly converging for a very close encounter on Friday evening when they will be separated by about half the diameter of the full Moon (forecast is for cloudy in Tucson Friday so I figured I better get them when I can). I was lucky enough to get them just above Kitt Peak as they set. Mercury is the bright one on the bottom and Mars is fainter and higher in the sky.

I then headed out to Saguaro National Park East to get ready for an ISS pass. While waiting, I was experimenting and snapped a quick self portrait in front of a Saguaro. I pulled a little trick and got that dreamy effect where I appear to be transparent and you can see the clouds through me. I am sure photographers know how I did that (it was NOT a double exposure!)

I snapped a series of pics of the ISS pass. This pass was near maximum brightness. Here is the ISS pass.

Enjoying the new camera. Hoping for clear skies for the next couple of nights for more Mercury/Mars pics!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Roy's Quick trigger Hat

I'm visualizing a kid taking this to school in 2013 and "surprising" his class mates on the playground with it. I'm also trying to visualize the number of local/state/federal agencies that would be quickly involved.

Reminds you of just how innocent we were back then.

Horned Lark

Had it ever occurred to you that you may have seen something before, but you may passed it over for something else? Such thing happened to me this afternoon.... What I may passed over maybe dozens of times at the ever common House Sparrow or American Tree Sparrow was actually a Horned Lark.

Horned Larks are more common than what many thinks. They are year round residents to most of  North America, with the northern population migrating south. Around here, they seem to be most found during the winter months in open fields, farmlands and grasslands foraging for seeds along the roadsides. Flocks up 250 of these larks foraging alongside with Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings have been reported around here. They are best seen after a fresh snow fall.

Identified by its mainly brown-grey plumage above and pale below, with a striking black and yellow face pattern, it looks a lot like a sparrow, but its distinguished black "horns" on the male give it a rather usual appearance. 

These pictures were taken this afternoon on 55th Drive between County Highway A and Spring Street. I had read a report on a large flock of Horned Larks (along with Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings) in the area. I had never really have '"seen" them before. Tender Heart and I set out to find them after work today. It wasn't long before we found them! Approximately 55 of them were in the fields and on the roadsides along the entire stretch of road.

Downtown businesses don't pay tax bills, residents must carry the burden

I don't understand why the residents of Racine are having streetlights turned off in their neighborhoods while numerous businesses in our "acclaimed" downtown don't pay their tax bills.
 
See: http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/ethical-standards/
and http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/a-failed-mayor/

Lying John begs the nonprofits to pay for his incompetence, but his friends in his downtown do not pay taxes.  Not one streetlight would have to be turned off in Racine if downtown businesses paid their "fair share."  Residents already pay through the nose to subsidize downtown.  That's still not enough - lying John let's his friends ignore the law while piling more and more debt on residents' backs.

Party on, lying John!

Adult Truths

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your
computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize
you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was
younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure
I know how to get out of my neighborhood..

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the
person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work
when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the
rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't
want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if
I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I
did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to
answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or
Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.


18. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and
smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

19. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to
prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and
sisters!

20. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty,
and you can wear them forever.

21. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not
know what time it is.

22. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys
in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey -
but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away,
in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

23. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and
the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men
to realize that their brain is also important.

Easy Pick'ins

This is way too crazy........

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my irregular insomniacs!  How are you? We’re seeing more winter weather than we did last year.  There’s snow on the ground and the temperatures have even dipped to the single digits.  But the groundhog says an early spring.  Who are you going to believe: meteorologists or a groundhog? 

I did not watch the Super Bowl this past Sunday.  I know that the Ravens won, that Beyonce performed, and that there was a power outage.  What else do I need to know?

Like some of the other Irregulars, I enjoyed the “Big Chill” event recently held in Monument Square.  I have a suggestion to make, however.  After the sculptures have started to melt/deteriorate, please flatten them. Otherwise, we see these grotesque figures in Monument Square every time that we pass by for weeks. 

I share my dismay with Mr. OrbsCorbs over the closing of Top Dog Hot Dogs.  Junior loved their chili dogs and I was a sucker for their Italian beef sandwich.  Perhaps I can work some “magic” for Mr. Caleb Robinson, the owner. 

Only one more week to get a Valentine's Day gift for your loved one. Of course, Madame Zoltar® Products, Inc., LLC, has a full line of love potions and notions available.  We can melt the heart of the coldest ice queen, or cool down the heated passions of an ardent stalker.  No matter what your romantic intentions, they will benefit from Madame Zoltar® Products.  Remember, “Madame Z, she’s for me!”

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’m considering taking a concealed carry class.  Señor Zanza is against it and Junior thinks it’s “cool.”  I’m still undecided, but I think that personal safety has become a very important issue in the USA, especially in light of all the nut job shootings.  I know that I have certain gifts or “powers,” but nothing more discourages someone bent on your destruction than a bullet to the brain.  Oh my.

Thank you for stopping by this week.  I hope you find something that you like in my scribbling.  I enjoy creating this blog for my friends and friends-to-be. 

Need a clue? madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.

Not a day goes by that I don’t slip on the sidewalk or in a parking lot.  I don’t always fall, but I do slip.  Be very careful my friends.  Ain’t nobody got time for broken bones. Zoilism!

Open Blog - Wednesday

The middle of the week.

Egad!

From The Journal Times.com:

"Top Dog Hot Dogs closes Downtown store"

"RACINE — Top Dog Hot Dogs owner Caleb Robinson has closed his store on Monument Square, but the head of Downtown Racine Corp. hopes to eventually get him another storefront.

"Top Dog’s last day at 520 Main St. on Monument Square was Friday. Without elaborating, Robinson said he had loans and tax obligations that required him to slash overhead.

“'It seemed like for every step I took forward, I was taking two steps back,' he said Monday."

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/business/local/top-dog-hot-dogs-closes-downtown-store/article_dd4088ae-6f93-11e2-9b87-001a4bcf887a.html


I was just there last week.  I spoke briefly with Caleb.  He said nothing about this.

Top Dog is the only place in Racine that I've found that makes Chicago dogs like the ones I bought in Chicago when I lived there.  I have found other Racine restaurants that serve what they call a Chicago dog, but they're not what I consider a Chicago dog.

Top Dog Hot Dogs spoiled me.  It's close by and I've spent more money there than I should.  I'm going to miss it.  The article states that Caleb may return with just the hot dog cart this summer.  I hope so. 

"'Breasts as Bombs' - FEMEN Says They'll Turn to Guns if Necessary"

Caution: Boob Alert.

"Published on Jan 29, 2013

"USER DISCRETION ADVISED -- But if you're offended, you're missing the point. The women of the activist group FEMEN use the female body as a weapon, not an object.

"What began with a few protests in the Ukraine has spread across the globe, wherever the powerful meet and the media gather to cover them. They were at it again at the most recent World Economic Forum in Davos, purposely getting themselves man-handled by beefy security guards. VOCATIV caught up with them a few weeks earlier, as they trained a group of able-bodied, new recruits in Paris.

"Click through to our site for more global news: http://bit.ly/14wr6kF"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJpavnxbGJI

"Nudity for me is my freedom." That's a great attitude.

"Redneck Pogo Stick Champion"

That spade is similar to the one I own. The spade in the video has a composite handle, but mine is all steel. Thus, I'll probably be electrocuted if I hit any underground power lines.

BL, you claim the pogo stick championship, but what about the pogo spade?

Open Blog - Tuesday

Have a good day.

"Prolonged TV viewing linked to lower sperm count"

"Men who do little exercise and spend much of their spare time watching TV have lower sperm counts than more active men, a study suggests."

"Clocking up 20 hours a week of TV time appears to be detrimental, the US authors from Harvard say in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

"Yet 15 hours or more of exercise a week boosts semen quality, according to the results in nearly 200 college students.

"The researchers said more studies were needed to explore the possible causes."

Read more:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21326810


That's another good reason to give up TV.  I'm sure that sitting in front of a computer monitor is much healthier.

Good News

"FBI storms Alabama bunker after seven days: Boy safe; kidnapper dead"



http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/04/16836632-fbi-storms-alabama-bunker-after-seven-days-boy-safe-kidnapper-dead?lite

It's good news that the boy is safe.  It's not good news when someone dies.  

Open Blog - Monday

Happy Monday, Betty.

Rate the Superbowl Halftime Show

The Boob Poem

For years and years they told me,
Be careful of your breasts.
Don't ever squeeze or bruise them.
And give them monthly tests.

So I heeded all their warnings,
And protected them by law.
Guarded them very carefully,
And I always wore my bra.

After 30 years of astute care,
My gyno, Dr. Pruitt,
Said I should get a Mammogram.
"O.K," I said, "let's do it."

"Stand up here real close" she said,
(She got my boob in line),
And tell me when it hurts," she said,
"Ah yes! Right there, that's fine."

She stepped upon a pedal,
I could not believe my eyes,
A plastic plate came slamming down,
My hooter's in a vise!

My skin was stretched and mangled,
From underneath my chin.
My poor boob was being squashed,
To Swedish Pancake thin.

Excruciating pain I felt,
Within it's vise-like grip.
A prisoner in this vicious thing,
My poor defenseless tit!

"Take a deep breath" she said to me,
Who does she think she's kidding?!?
My chest is mashed in her machine,
And woozy I am getting.

"There, that's good," I heard her say,
(The room was slowly swaying.)
"Now, let's have a go at the other one.
Have mercy, I was praying.

It squeezed me from both up and down.
It squeezed me from both sides.
I'll bet SHE'S never had this done,
To HER tender little hide.

Next time that they make me do this,
I will request a blindfold.
I have no wish to see again,
My knockers getting steamrolled.

If I had no problem when I came in,
I surely have one now.
If there had been a cyst in there,
It would have gone "ker-pow!"

This machine was created by a man,
Of this, I have no doubt.
I'd like to stick his balls in there,
And see how THEY come out

Snow Goose

"Check your geese!", my friends say at the Hoy Audubon.....

Such case is true.... Among large flocks of Canadian Geese, one could find a Greater White Fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, Ross Goose and in my case, a Snow Goose. Safety in numbers I say. This is a common occurrence among geese, ducks, finches, sparrows and other bird species.

Snow Geese, however are not rare. They are just not typically found in Wisconsin. They migrate through from the northernmost tips of Canada to the southern States and Mexico, usually taking a route though the Plains states, where is there is rich farmlands and wetlands. A few may stray with the Canadian Geese across the Midwest.

Snow Geese come in two morphs, a white and a blue.White-morph birds are white except for black wing tips, but blue-morph geese have bluish-grey plumage replacing the white except on the head, neck and tail tip. And yes. they interbreed...

This picture above was taken at Roosevelt Park on 9/24/2012. Tender Heart and I just were coming back from birding at Chiwaukee in Pleasant Prairie when we were discussing the fall migration of birds. I had mentioned the possibility of Snow Geese passing through when we spotted one among a dozen Canadian Geese at Roosevelt Park. Talk about luck! Tender Heart snapped a few pics before a kid launched a soccer ball into the small flock, sending the geese flying over the Wastewater Treatment Center and into Lake Michigan. They were never heard from them again... This was the only time I had ever seen a Snow Goose! Tender Heart did see two more flying over Rapids Drive earlier this year, possibly leaving the Quarry. Another birder seen a couple a few days earlier at the quarry on 3 mile and Douglas by the old Harris Metal building. Good luck in finding any!  Check your geese along Nicholson Road, Carre-Hagel Park and elsewhere geese mat be, especially during the spring migration.... Below is a picture of a blue morph of a Snow Goose, taken by someone else from another website...

"The People vs. Fitness"

I knew that exercise is bad for you. Now here's proof.

Had to post more

 

 

 

 

"Punxsutawney Phil forecasts an early spring"

From USA Today:

"PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — An end to winter's bitter cold will come soon, according to Pennsylvania's famous groundhog.

"Following a recent stretch of weather that's included both record warm temperatures and bitter cold, tornadoes in the South and Midwest and torrential rains in the mid-Atlantic, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his lair Saturday in front of thousands but didn't see his shadow."

Read more:  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/02/groundhog-day-forecast/1885581/


Hurray!  I can hardly wait.  What does "early spring" mean?  Next week maybe?

Useless Information

Did you know:

Dunkin Donuts sells more cups of coffee then any other coffee store including Star Bucks. They sell on the average 30 cups of coffee every second!

Open Blog - Weekend

Thank you for starting and ending our week, Tinker Bell.

Open Blog - Weekend

There's a screaming eagle for drew.

Bonobo - "Cirrus"

Damn.

Things to Think About

 

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone! Welcome back! It has been a week of the same old, same old. Been wanting for spring to arrive soon. Anyways, some questions for you....

1) What is your favorite quick and easy meal for you to make?

2) Do you prefer to use cash or credit card?

3) What poem(s) do you have committed to memory?

4) What do you to keep warm during winter?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

Happy February.

One For Us Old Farts......

"Naptime!"

That might help those of us with insomnia.

Another New Blog

Racine Exposed, "Revealing Hidden Truths:" http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/

Another voice appealing for reason from City Hall.

It's been added to our sidebar list of local and area blogs.

Another Fire

"Fire at Burlington food processing plant now seven-alarm"

"BURLINGTON - A seventh alarm has been called on a fire at a food processing plant in Burlington.

"The fire broke out just after 6 p.m., and is at 33102 N. Honey Lake Road in Burlington, the site of Echo Lake Foods.

“'There are some ammonia tanks up there, they are exposed, we called in two more alarms,' said Burlington Mayor Bob Miller. 'We are calling in two more alarms.'”

Read more:  http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/189113611.html


Damn.  I don't think I've heard of a seven-alarm fire before. 

Open Blog - Thursday

She plays guitar, too?

The Winter Sky

Just a quick shot of the winter sky with my new Canon 60D. I haven't got to play with it much due to travel and then weather not being cooperative when I got back and life generally getting in the way. But so far, I like it. Here's why.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

"gallery hijack"

This is marvelous. So many people looking at "art."

Snow Bunting

Another winter migrant from the Great White North....The Snow Bunting.

Snow Buntings are very hardy birds. Able to withstand temperatures of thirty below zero, they migrate more from food deprivation of seeds than from the cold. Too keep warm, these ground foragers would either huddle up together in weedy bushes or even burrow in the snow. Truly an Arctic bird!

Plumages differ with the seasons. In the late fall, both sexes will appear to have that have rich chestnut brown on the crown, cheeks and shoulders, black wings a white belly. When breeding season arrives in the tundra spring, males will have white head, shoulders and undersides with a black back and wings. The females would a similar coloration except for a mottled grey on the wings.

While wintering in Wisconsin, can be found foraging on the ground for seeds by the roadsides near agricultural areas and weedy grasslands as well as near coastal beaches.

Top picture was taken by the lighthouse on 10/28/2012 while was taking pictures of a Dunlin and a migrating Black Bellied Plover. A small flock of Snow Buntings landed in front of me from a nearby bush. The winds howled cold from the lake, freezing my fingers NUMB! It was really difficult to get many great pictures. The picture below I took from the Cornell Lab site to give readers an idea what the breeding season Snow Bunting looks like.

Babies

Are You Broke? Are You Bored?

Here are some suggestions to help you pass the time.

Things you can do with absolutely nothing.

Push your eyes for interesting light show:
(Amusement Potential: 1-5 minutes) See a variety of blobs, stars and flashes. Try to make out things - is your subconscious trying to send you a message? Can you control what you see by pressing different areas with different forces? Would it be possible to somehow see the same effects on TV? Or for that matter, watch TV with your eyes shut doing this?

See how long you can hold your breath:
(Amusement Potential: 4-20 minutes) Not that much fun, but it sure passes the time. Play with a friend, or try to beat your own personal best. Some tips: hyperventilate before hand, and stay as still as possible.

Try to not think about polar bears:
(Amusement Potential: 1-5 minutes) This is especially hard, because by trying too much, you remember what you were trying to avoid thinking of. If you try too little, you end up thinking about polar bears anyway.

Scratch yourself:
(Amusement Potential: 1-3 minutes) Go ahead, scratch yourself now. Even if nothing itches, go ahead. Doesn't that feel pretty good?

Hurt yourself:
(Amusement Potential: 1-3 minutes) What is pain? Why is it unpleasant? There's nothing physical about it - it's all in your mind. Plus, after pinching yourself for awhile, boredom will seem nice next to being in pain.

Try to swallow your tongue:
(Amusement Potential: 1-3 minutes) There's not much to say about this one. It is possible.

Look at something for awhile, shut eyes, study after image:
(Amusement Potential: 2-5 minutes) Another great time waster. It takes about 30 seconds of staring to create an after image, and the image is then viewable for about the same length of time. Fun to combine this one with pushing on your eyes.

Get yourself as nauseated as possible:
(Amusement Potential: 5-10 minutes) Best achieved by looking straight up and spinning around. Try to be so dizzy you can't even stand up. This is also entertaining due to the "makes boredom seem a lot better" effect (see "Hurt Yourself").

Things you can do with very little:

See what's in your neighbour's trash:
(Amusement Potential: 20-30 minutes) You can learn a lot about people by what they throw out. You might uncover some dark secret about them. Plus, they might be throwing out something with value that still works, like a VCR.

Watch TV, repeat everything said in Italian accent:
(Amusement Potential: 5-10 minutes) Sort of entertaining. Fun to pretend the people on the screen are actually talking that way.

Call up people who write editorials you disagree with:
(Amusement Potential: 15-60 minutes) I'm surprised no one has thought of this before. Unleash your fury on the person who had the nerve to write a letter like that! I'm pretty sure it doesn't qualify as a prank phone call, too.

Make prank phone calls:
(Amusement Potential: 20-60 minutes) Very entertaining, but requires discipline. Remember - vulgarities don't make a call funny, but getting the other person to believe a ridiculous story will. Even more fun if you get a bunch of people on the line using a Wonderphone and take turns making the calls. One to get you started off: Call McDonald's, try to make reservations.

Pretend all humans will die except for people in the room with you:
(Amusement Potential: 10-20 minutes) What would you do if this really happened? Would the group stay together, or would there be factions? Who would join what group? Remember, there would only be power for a few days before the plants ran out of fuel or broke. To travel, you would always have to be near cars to siphon gas out of. Best to do with people you know.

Step off a curb with eyes shut, imagine it's a cliff:
(Amusement Potential: 2-5 minutes) To get any benefit out of this one, you have to have a good imagination. Don't step off immediately, build up to the jump. Study the ravine below. Feel the winds at that altitude. Step off and... AHHHHHH!!!!!

Burn things with a magnifying glass:
(Amusement Potential: 5-30 minutes) Ants are always fun to use for this, but burning the face of someone you don't like, under some circumstances, can be just as entertaining.

Things you can do with another person:

Have a water drinking contest:
(Amusement Potential: 5-10 minutes) While the competition is fun, you probably won't feel too good afterward. To give your event an old western theme, slam the cups upside down on the tables after you have emptied them.

Stare at the back of someone's head until they turn around:
(Amusement Potential: 2-5 minutes) This works on the "I have the feeling I'm being watched" principle. Conduct an experiment--does this really work?

Have a "Who is less competitive" competition:
(Amusement Potential: 1-3 minutes) Trying to win at this will make you lose. Trying to lose makes you win which makes you lose. Not trying at all makes you lose which makes you win which makes you lose.

Pick up a dog so it can see things from your point of view:
(Amusement Potential: 3-5 minutes) Think about it: your dog has only seen the house from a viewpoint from 6" to 2' high (15 to 60 cm for all you metric fans). It's never seen the tops of counters, what you keep on your desk, the tops of shelves, etc. Try looking at things from its point of view, too.

Pull out a hair, stick in someone's ear:
(Amusement Potential: 1-5 minutes) Best done to sleeping people. Added challenge in having no one else around, because then you can't blame it on anyone else. Try to beat your record number of times before the person catches on.

Pour water in hand, make sneeze noise, throw water on back of person's neck: (My persoanl favorite) 
(Amusement Potential: 5-15 minutes) Always a good gag. For an even bigger reaction out of the person, act like you're not sorry at all for what they think you did. Comment instead on how big that sneeze was or about how there was a lot of mucus in that one.

Conjugal Visit

CAUTION fOUL LANGUAGE

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my waterlogged wonders.  How are you?  Rain and/or snow today, then back into the deep freeze.  Oh my.  No wonder that winter weather depresses people.  I get depressed just writing about it.  Well, January is all but gone.  One more month and we can see daylight. Spring is coming, I hope. 

The Super Bowl is this Sunday.  Who cares?  If the Packers are not in it, it means little to me.  The Harbaugh brothers are coaching opposing teams, but, again, that doesn’t pique my interest.  I may watch/hear part of it if it’s on TV while I’m doing something else.  Some people watch just for the commercials, but those will all be out on YouTube the next day. 

I read in the Journal Times about Racine probably taking 785 streetlights off of the grid to balance the budget.  How can City Hall justify that after all of the money they’ve wasted on Mr. Mayor Dickert and his pet projects?  It’s beyond ludicrous.  Mr. Mayor breaks the law, but we have to pay for it.  That’s immoral.

Junior informed me of his latest career goal the other day: professional wrestler.  Oh dear.  I asked him if perhaps a degree in accounting or computer science or something else might not be a good idea just in case the wrestling business doesn’t pan out.  I don’t think he heard a word I said.  He already has his professional wrestling name and personality picked out: Zoltar the Zombie, who will eat “brains” during interviews and such.  My, I’m so proud of my son the zombie.  What’s nice is knowing that he changes his career goal at least once a week.  Tomorrow he may want to be Zoltar the zoologist.

Finally, here is a video with suggestions on beating the winter blahs:

That woman is so cheery that I get nauseous. 

Thank you so much for stopping by this week.  I’m delighted to have visitors to my blog, irregular and otherwise.  Please stop every week and see what Madame Zoltar® has to say.

Banish the blahs with a few sips of Madame Zoltar’s Blues-B-Gon™. madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com. 

Be careful walking and driving.  This has to be one of the iciest winters we’ve had in awhile.  When you least expect it, a patch is there.  The days are getting longer.  Noctovision!