Friday, November 11, 2011
Four for Fridays
1) What do you like most about your job (or former job)?
2) What is the most interesting story in the news to you?
3) How many rings before you answer the phone?
4) Do you prefer direct deposit or writing/receiving check?
Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Quarterflash - "Harden My Heart"
Do you remember these guys? Their self-titled debut album was released in 1981, featuring the above song and "Find Another Fool," www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHVsTjXpcdI.
They released a couple more albums, but all I remember is these two songs.
Love that sax. (Don't know wtf with the flamethrower.)
Related links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterflash
http://quarterflash.net/
http://www.youtube.com/artist/Quarterflash
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
"Pink Elephant Prank"
SER sent me this. Too funny.
You Begin
this is your hand,
this is your eye,
this is a fish, blue and flat
on the paper, almost
the shape of an eye
This is your mouth, this is an O
or a moon, whichever
you like. This is yellow.
Outside the window
is the rain, green
because it is summer, and beyond that
the trees and then the world,
which is round and has only
the colors of these nine crayons.
This is the world, which is fuller
and more difficult to learn than I have said.
You are right to smudge it that way
with the red and then
the orange: the world burns.
Once you have learned these words
you will learn that there are more
words than you can ever learn.
The word hand floats above your hand
like a small cloud over a lake.
The word hand anchors
your hand to this table
your hand is a warm stone
I hold between two words.
This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world,
which is round but not flat and has more colors
than we can see.
It begins, it has an end,
this is what you will
come back to, this is your hand.
--Margaret Atwood
"Margaret Eleanor Atwood, CC, OOnt, FRSC (born November 18, 1939) is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Prince of Asturias award for Literature, has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize five times, winning once, and has been a finalist for the Governor General's Award seven times, winning twice.
While she is best known for her work as a novelist, she is also a poet, having published 15 books of poetry to date.[1][2] Many of her poems have been inspired by myths and fairy tales, which have been interests of hers from an early age.[3] Atwood has published short stories in Tamarack Review, Alphabet, Harper's, CBC Anthology, Ms., Saturday Night, and many other magazines. She has also published four collections of stories and three collections of unclassifiable short prose works."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Atwood
"Lee Enterprises Sucks - the Truth about Lee Enterprises Incorporated (NYSE)"
Durty, dirty tricks from a dirty, dirty company much more concerned with $$$ than the communities they drain. I hate what the lies of the Journal Times have done to Racine. You think they give a damn about Racine? Why do their employees always come from other cities to tell us how to run ours? They don't even know the street names in Racine. Their sob stories constantly champion individuals from Racine who turn out to be scammers, thieves and gangbangers. They know NOTHING about this town, but they print their lies all over it. Pig Dickert and the Journal Times will go down together, destroying this city and the people in it every inch of the way.
Sweet Swedish Winter
SMARTMETERS
THIS YOU HAVE TO SEE--Say NO to the smartmeters
Dear Madame Zoltar
Our marvelous and majestic Green Bay Packers showed little love or mercy for the San Diego Chargers last Sunday, extending Green Bay’s undefeated streak to 8 this season. Next up are the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, Nov. 14, 7:30 PM, at Lambeau Field. Never take an opponent for granted and never give less than your best. I predict another Green Bay win, but the game will be closer than you would think.
In my ongoing campaign to dispel the negativity in today’s society, I am pointedly ignoring the news again; international, national, and, especially, local news. I’m sorry, but even thinking about it makes me nauseous sometimes.
Instead, I offer you things like this: “Vitrolum Republic develops 'gypsy noir' sound,” http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/sound-check-vitrolum-republic-133090698.html. They are a Milwaukee band with a website, http://www.thevitrolumrepublic.com/, and a sound they call ‘gypsy noir:’
I like them. Maybe I’ll catch one of their shows soon. I wonder if they’d allow a humble gypsy Madame such as me the honor of singing a song with them. We shall see.
Thank you, my dears, for reading my blog this week. You are so kind to me. The Irregulars really are my extended family. I love you all very much.
Send your reflections and rejections to: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.
Be careful driving around in all that darkness out there, please. And soon we’ll have the white stuff making it slipperier and colder. Oh dear, don’t even think it. Ultroneous!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
For you LM, a little pick me up
call me crazy, I'm doing it!!!!!!!
Call me crazy, wouldn't be the 1st time.The fall blah's have set in,
I don't mind it getting dark early, that actually
helps me get to bed early like I need to.
But the dreariness and cold, yuck.
I am putting up my Christmas decorations
sometime this week.
There is just something about everything
lit up that bring me such joy.
Maybe it's the crankiness level of people?
Maybe it's the cold?
I don't know and I don't care,
I'm going to be all set up by the weekend
and I'll be HAPPY :)
Monday, November 7, 2011
Never sit in the front row

Jesus, you aren't alone any more! Mother Mary is going to be pissed!
Yes, and there's an Easter Bunny too!
Battle over Indian logos
If this is a case of discrimination against the Indians why do so many cities and towns in Wisconsin have Indian names or words? Should all these places be forced to change their names also?
You can read the article in the JSOnline by CLICKING HERE
This is a very interest site about the history of Racine, well worth reading I my opinion. Maybe I’ll give you all a test later in the week...Oh my, that would be different! Click here for Racine History
To bad Racine is a French name otherwise we could change it to “Liars Town”, party on John!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Time to blow this popcicle stand!
wow, this made me sad today...
As we were leaving, the car beside ours (on my side), I could tell they were about to get out of their vehicle. Realizing this, I stayed at the rear of the car as to not make them feel pressured to hurry. It ended up an older couple (guessing 70's?, tho he was probably 80ish), who I usually find quite adorable. The wife, or at least the lady of the 'couple' came to the back of their car. The gentleman, seeming a bit slow and frail, slowly got out of his car, and she started complaining to ME, a complete stranger, how the doors on their car are so big, way too big, obnoxiously too big (all her words) and as he worked on getting out, she continued how she won't try to help him so he doesn't feel like an invalid (ok, almost sounds considerate, almost...) then immediately follows with "the invalid that he is", with a frustrated sigh of impatience and almost disgust. I don't even know this couple. He couldn't hear her, thank goodness. He then opened my door for me as it was right beside him and I had waited. I thought he was the sweetest thing, and just a cutie by his actions. The 'lady' he was with, I was taken so aback by how mean spirited she was toward him, to a complete stranger.
We drove home and I felt so sad and hurt for this guy, who was taking this unkind lady for lunch. Is it just me? Are people just this cruel and impatient?
Free Shipping?

I get emails from JC Penny’s for their sales. Last month they listed “Free Shipping” with orders of $60.00 or more...what a scam.
BEGINNING November 1st, the sales read, “Free Shipping” with orders of $69.00 or more! $9.00 more dollars!
The Holiday Season is here lets stick it in their ass!
Shame on you JC Penny’s!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Just an Early Notice

This Coming Sunday November 6th ..Daylight Savings Time again.
Don't forget to turn your clocks back!
Friday, November 4, 2011
"PUMPED UP KICKS|DUBSTEP "
Dubstep is a form of music I've been paying attention to lately. Wikipedia says, "Dubstep (/ˈdʌbstɛp/) is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in south London, England. Its overall sound has been described as 'tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals'.[1]"
Some dubstep I like, and some I hate. It's not a genre that I can say I love, but there are interesting things happening there.
And From the "Outstanding Citizen Award" Dept.....
| Daniel Everett Child Sex Abuse | ||
Four for Fridays
1) What kind of toppings do you like on your pizza?
2) For the girls-Do like facial hair on men?
For the guys-How much make-up should women wear?
3) Do you remember your dreams?
4) What did you do for your last birthday?
Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Tweeting Curiosity
Curiosity is the next rover headed to Mars. It is much larger than the previous rovers, Spirit and Opportunity and will carry a much larger suite of instruments. Although Curiosity is not designed to directly look for life on Mars, it will continue our attempts to determine if Mars had life on it in the past and if there are any pockets where life could still exist. It's nuclear power source will let it cover a lot of ground and power more advanced instruments (and it won't have solar panels that can get covered with dust!) It will be able to drill into rocks and scoop up soil and dust to analyze.
A rover this large can't land with airbags. It has a really cool crane type system that will lower it to the surface of Mars while the crane unit is held aloft by rockets. Kind of hard to envision, so here's the really cool animation. As you watch the video, remember this all has to happen automatically. Real time communication is not possible at that distance so there is no chance to fix any problems that may develop!
150 Twitter users have been selected to attend the launch tweetup. We will spend November 23rd touring the Cape, talking to mission scientists and trying not to get into too much trouble. We will have a day off on Thanksgiving before watching the launch from the media center on November 25th. Of course we will all be tweeting and blogging about our tours and the launch. You can follow me on twitter @halfastro (for my facebook friends, all tweets are automatically posted to facebook). You can also follow @marscuriosity, @nasatweetup or the #nasatweetup has tag.
Obviously, I will be blogging and tweeting a lot that week!Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Dear Madame Zoltar
After a restful bye week, our marvelous, magnificent, and mind-blowing Green Bay Packers are destined to defeat the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium, this Sunday, Nov. 6th, at 3:15 PM. Hail, hail Packers! Enjoy the weather while you drain the Charges of their power. Not even the Energizer Bunny will be able to get them back up after the Packers are through.
I received two messages this week, my dears. The first is from our own Sheriff:
Dear Madame Zoltar:
Although the spam filters work well, we still receive an occasional unsolicited email at the JTI. The one below is a request for a link exchange. Considering the source, http://www.mypsychicadvice.com/ I thought it best to refer this one to you, dearest Madame. We haven't done link exchanges in the past, but if you advise us otherwise on this one, then perhaps we will consider it.
Thank you for your time and effort.
Respectfully,
The Sheriff
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 6:05 AM
Subject: Link Exchange Inquiry to Relevant Site
To: jtirregulars@jtirregulars.com
Hello,
I was browsing the web when i saw your site jtirregulars.com, and when i look at it, the relevancy is the same to my site, would you mind if I offer you to have a link exchange (reciprocal link exchange) with my site, here is our site http://www.mypsychicadvice.com/
Here is our site info
Title : Psychics
URL : http://www.mypsychicadvice.com/
Description : Enjoy a complete site encompassing Online Live Free Psychics.
Get link from http://www.mypsychicadvice.com/LinkPartnersList.aspx
If your interested make this link live and you can email us back with your site details, looking forward to grant my request. You can put link it anywhere close to homepage.
Thanks,
Dear Sheriff, my psychic advice to you is to avoid mypsychicadvice.com like the plague it is. They are unscrupulous charlatans preying on the weak on the web. It disgusts me. Always check for the PPPA (Professional Psychics Pseal of Approval) somewhere on the site, literature, or on display in the room of any psychic. It is there to protect you.
The second message came from our beloved Ms. kk:
Dearest Madame. I recently found this advertisement.(attached)
I really don't know what to say.... I never recall you pulling at your clothes like that during any sessions we've had together.
kk
Thank you all for reading my blog this week. It is an honor to be visited by you. You make me what I am. I love all Irregulars and regulars. I am here to help you and guide you on your journey. Never hesitate to contact me if you have a problem.
You can reach me here: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com. In an emergency, meditate upon me and chant my name three times. I will appear. Or I overshot my mark again and I’m in your neighbor’s wall. Oh my.
Have a safe and sane week my wonderful friends. The Christmas onslaught has already started. Try not to let it spoil your holidays. However, if I ever have to endure Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer again, I will not be responsible for the consequences. Cosmogenic!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Are you a “Black Friday Shopper”?
I see now Kohl’s has joined in the “early opening scheme’ along with other large retailers such as Macy’s and Target. These stores have now committed to opening at midnight November 25th and remain open for 24 hours.
I think it’s a good idea verses fighting the long lines at checkout. I wouldn’t doubt in the next few weeks 24-hour restaurants will advertise specials for the wee early morning shoppers.
Archie Bell & The Drells - "Tighten Up"
I remember the song well, but I think this is the first time I ever saw them.
Binary Clock
Monday, October 31, 2011
"Time Twister - LEGO Mindstorms Digital Clock"
Check out his site. He has a couple of other robots using Rubik's Cubes.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
"The Wonder of Breasts with Riki Lindhome"
Halloween Trick-or-Treat times
• Burlington, Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
• Caledonia, Sunday, 4-7 p.m.
• Dover, Monday, 6-8 p.m.
• Elmwood Park, Sunday, 4-7 p.m.
• Kenosha, Sunday, 3-6 p.m.
• Lyons, Saturday, 3-5 p.m.
• Mount Pleasant, Sunday, 4-7 p.m.
• North Bay, Sunday, 4-7 p.m.
• Norway, Sunday, 5-7 p.m.
• Racine, Sunday, 4-7 p.m.
• Raymond, Sunday, 4-8 p.m.
• Rochester, Sunday, 3-6 p.m.
• Somers, Sunday, 3-6 p.m.
• Sturtevant, Monday, 5-7 p.m., bonfire at 7:30 p.m. at Fireman’s Park.
• Union Grove, Monday, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Waterford, Monday, 5-7:30 p.m.
• Wheatland, Sunday, 2-5 p.m.
• Wind Lake, Sunday, 5-7 p.m.
• Wind Point, Sunday, 4-7 p.m.
• Yorkville, Monday, 5:30-7 p.m.
Courtesy of the Racine Journal Times
CLICK HERE for JT Article
Cyndi Lauper - "Time After Time"
This one's been stuck in my head for the last few days.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Home
I didn't know I was grateful
for such late-autumn
bent-up cornfields
yellow in the after-harvest
sun before the
cold plow turns it all over
into never.
I didn't know
I would enter this music
that translates the world
back into dirt fields
that have always called to me
as if I were a thing
come from the dirt,
like a tuber,
or like a needful boy. End
Lonely days, I believe. End the exiled
and unraveling strangeness.--Bruce Weigl
"Bruce Weigl (born January 27, 1949, Lorain, Ohio) is an American contemporary poet who teaches at Lorain County Community College. Weigl enlisted in the United States Army shortly after his 18th birthday and spent three years in the service. He served in the Vietnam War from December 1967 to December 1968 and received the Bronze Star . When he returned to the United States, Weigl obtained a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College,[1] and a Master of Arts Degree in Writing/American and British Literature from the University of New Hampshire. From 1975-76, Weigl was an instructor at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio."
The Fat Sun
Just getting caught up after my Florida trip. The last night I was there, I went out for sunset as I do many nights. Each night brings something a little different. Tuesday night's sunset showed off how Earth's atmosphere refracts sunlight and can distort its shape.
As sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, its path is bent thought a process called refraction. You have probably seen refraction before. It's the same process that causes a pencil to appear bent when it is partially submerged in a glass of water and the same process that your eyes (and glasses if needed) use to focus light. In the Sun's case, refraction causes the Sun to appear a little higher in the sky than it would if Earth had no atmosphere.
But the Sun is not a point source. Near sunset, light from the upper limb of the Sun passes through less atmosphere than light from the lower limb of the Sun. That means light from the lower limb of the Sun is shifted upward more than light from the top limb of the Sun. The upshot of this is that the Sun will appear to be squeezed vertically and appear much fatter the lower it gets in the sky.
This effect was pronounced on Tuesday. I took a bunch of my photos and put them into a short video. The pictures are not equally spaced in time (I tend to take pics more frequently as the Sun gets lower and a rapid burst near the end of sunset). You also may notice when I change camera settings due to the changing lighting conditions as the Sun sets. And you can look see some birds flying across some pics. Really watch the last frames and you can see the last tip of the setting Sun gets very stretched horizontally.
Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.
Four for Fridays
1) What was your favorite Halloween costume?
2) What was the most scariest movie you have ever seen?
3) Are you handing out Halloween candy this year?
4) Describe a favorite Halloween memory.....
Enjoy your weekend!
Are You Starting to Get Nervous?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Exclusive Video of the Last JTI Road Trip
I don't remember. Who was driving the bus?


































