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A Brief History of Presidents Abroad - TIME: "And while not exactly a gaffe, George H.W. Bush must have wished the cameras weren't rolling when, during a 1992 trip to Japan, he vomited and then passed out in the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister at a state dinner. Ditto for George W. Bush — when he tried to leave a 2005 press conference in Beijing, cameras caught his humiliating attempt to open a locked door next to his podium. The resulting footage was an instant YouTube hit. Bill Clinton was accused of taking trips abroad to distract from his Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky troubles, but still managed to work in some 50 trips overseas while in office."
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Obama's trip to Europe
Stay awake, be careful what you eat, eyes on teleprompter...
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Rapping monks!
Global News | World | International: "Dressed in their burgundy and black robes, accompanied by brass bells, the monks intersperse chants of sutras with quick lectures on Buddhist music and teachings. A few devout grandmothers hold their palms together in reverence while the monks chant. But others just nurse their beers and Johnny Walkers, talking throughout the show."
Friday, March 27, 2009
It will be nice if this guy is right
Global News | World | International
Despite an ill-timed presidential transition, the confusing and ever-changing policies of former treasury secretary Hank Paulsen, the lambasting of U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and the mind-boggling partisanship of Congress, Bernanke has engineered a succession of policies that are succeeding in normalizing credit markets.
This is a harbinger of economic recovery. Future historians will marvel at how swiftly he acted at a time when the world economy seemed to be hopelessly, and relentlessly, unraveling.
I fell for this one....
...A couple weeks ago when my computer was sick:
New ransomware holds Windows files hostage, demands $50
New ransomware holds Windows files hostage, demands $50
Thursday, March 26, 2009
My mobility scooter cost more than this car!
Taking Tata's Nano for a Spin - The Daily Beast
I wonder if Jodie and I could get two of these in Jet White?
I wonder if Jodie and I could get two of these in Jet White?
Back to village life...
Twitter and Facebook seem weird, but once you start...oh so addicting.
Behind Facebook's success: It takes a village - International Herald Tribune: "In the West, a certain anonymity once prevailed, then was voluntarily surrendered. People now post drunken photographs of themselves, announce whereabouts, disclose activities that could return to haunt them. There are risks for employment. There are risks for relationships — 'No, I was at a work dinner,' you say, before the party photographs are uploaded. There are risks for offending friends when you visit a city without telling them.
But we make the same bargain as villagers: that, in surrendering privacy, we gain community."
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tony Campolo: I'm the Older Brother
I was at a Campus Ambassadors summer ministry conference in the mid 80's where Tony Campolo was our speaker. He was with us for a few days and shared many stories with us.
My favorite was about a funeral for a man who had died from Aids, early on when we were coming to terms with the epidemic. He read a psalm, and a new testament reading, then closed the Bible. The people who had gathered asked him to reopen the Bible, and requested other passages for him to read. It opened his eyes that a people that "God's people" were writing off were hungry for the true compassion of God. My inpterpretation of what Tony said.
I was delighted to see this from brother Tony in HuffPo. I feel the same way:
My favorite was about a funeral for a man who had died from Aids, early on when we were coming to terms with the epidemic. He read a psalm, and a new testament reading, then closed the Bible. The people who had gathered asked him to reopen the Bible, and requested other passages for him to read. It opened his eyes that a people that "God's people" were writing off were hungry for the true compassion of God. My inpterpretation of what Tony said.
I was delighted to see this from brother Tony in HuffPo. I feel the same way:
Tony Campolo: I'm the Older Brother: "That, I am sad to say, is much the same attitude that I, along with most of my conservative evangelical brothers and sisters, have had in reaction to President Obama's announcement that taxpayers' dollars, earned by hard-working, responsible citizens, would be given to help those irresponsible Americans who bought houses that they couldn't afford, while embracing a lifestyle that was beyond their means. With resentment, I, along with most of my rugged individualistic Christian friends, now sound like that older brother in Jesus' story, and call for those irresponsible spenders to get what they deserve. With an air of self-righteous indignation, we declare, 'They didn't do what's right and now we're being asked to rescue them from the financial mess that they've created for themselves!'"
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
"Naval gazing officially over"
GOP waking up? You guys got us into this mess! Back to sleep...
CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Jindal urges GOP to put ‘08 in rear view mirror « - Blogs from CNN.com: "'It’s time to declare our time of introspection and navel gazing officially over. It’s time to get on with the business of charting America’s future. So as of now, be it hereby resolved, that we will focus on America’s future, and on standing up for fiscal sanity… before it is too late."
My toe!
My big toe hurt for a couple days last week. The pain went away after a couple days, but over the weekend the pain came back pretty severe.
The pain was eminating from the base of the nail on my big toe. I looked it up on WebMD and figured that I had Paronychia, a nail infection.
Jodie call the doc. He wanted to see me. My big toe was a light shade of purple, and my foot was redish and hot.
The doc confirmed my diagnosis. The doctor sprayed some slight numbing agent on my toe.
"This may hurt a little."
I held on tightly to Jodie's hand. He took the scalpel...OUCH!...and did the deed. The nurse bandaged it up.
E is on spring break this week. Today he helped me soak my foot in epsom salt and rebandaged it...just like a pro.
Walking is already a challenge for me. With a hurt toe, the challenge is a bit greater.
But, it could be worse, and I am recovering.
The Oregonian cuts back
The Oregonian, my local paper, is cutting back...again.
UPDATED x2--O: Furlough Shoe Drops AND Salary Cuts | Oregon Media Insiders
I mentioned last week that we recently resubscribed to the Oregonian. They offered it to us for free until August.
I don't like paying for "paper" I don't read.
Why not sell me a online media package? Instead of dumping all your content online, why don't you let me subscribe online what I want to read? Create a media brokerage, add other quality news sources (national news, international news, magazines). Give me the option of having ads delivered to my house (Jodie likes those), and quality news available to me online. You could even deliver the front page and a summary to the other content that is available to subscribers online.
I hate to see the death of quality local, regional, heck...all news because the means of distribution did not keep up with consumer preferences.
UPDATED x2--O: Furlough Shoe Drops AND Salary Cuts | Oregon Media Insiders
I mentioned last week that we recently resubscribed to the Oregonian. They offered it to us for free until August.
I don't like paying for "paper" I don't read.
Why not sell me a online media package? Instead of dumping all your content online, why don't you let me subscribe online what I want to read? Create a media brokerage, add other quality news sources (national news, international news, magazines). Give me the option of having ads delivered to my house (Jodie likes those), and quality news available to me online. You could even deliver the front page and a summary to the other content that is available to subscribers online.
I hate to see the death of quality local, regional, heck...all news because the means of distribution did not keep up with consumer preferences.
New international news site
I am always up for a new international news site. Call me paranoid, but I hate looking at all international news through American lens. Globalpost.com looks very good. The pay for content sounds interesting.
Web site takes a for-profit approach to world news - International Herald Tribune
Web site takes a for-profit approach to world news - International Herald Tribune
Sunday, March 22, 2009
John Mellencamp: On My Mind: The State of the Music Business
I came across this in HuffPo. I am a Mellencamp fan. Peaceful World is a beautiful song..one of my all time favs.
This is a lengthy article about how music being about the artist has gone down the Wall Street path:
John Mellencamp: On My Mind: The State of the Music Business: "Nora Guthrie, Woody's daughter, once told me a story about a reception she was at where Bob Dylan was in attendance. The business people there were quietly commenting on how unsociable Dylan seemed to them, not what they imagined an encounter with Dylan would be like. When that observation about Dylan's behavior and disposition were mentioned to Nora, the response was very profound. She said that Bob Dylan was not put on this earth to participate in cocktail chatter with strangers. Bob Dylan's purpose in life is to write great songs like 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'The Times They Are A' Changin'.' This sort of sums it all up for me. The artist is here to give the listener the opportunity to dream, a very profound and special gift even if he's minimally successful. If the artist only entertains you for three and a half minutes, it's something for which thanks should be given. Consider how enriched all of our lives are made by songs from 'Like A Rolling Stone,' a masterpiece, to 'The Monster Mash,' a trifle by comparison."
I just drove by this scene...
A tow truck was removing the car. Lucky nobody was hurt!
KATU.com
- Portland, Oregon
| News
Friday, March 20, 2009
Sad...but if they'd do the right thing...
People should not threaten these guys for doing what Americans do -- take the money and run -- but taking bailout money as bonuses...
Obama's gaffe
One of the dangers of having Prez on Leno...too much talk increases danger of saying something stupid.
I can't talk 2 minutes without saying something stupid. You guys know me!
No ill intent, I am sure.
I bet the Special Olympics will have even more special place in Obama's heart from here on out.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
CHSI Blast!
My Comcast bill came and I noticed a $10 charge for "CHSI Blast!"
I don't remember ordering increased internet speed.
Neither does this guy:
Chelsea Werner...great story
I tagged this story the other day. It's a good one:
Full screen feature...
...is now working in Google's "chrome" browser...beta version...F11 toggle...I am so excited!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Somebody explain this to me
I am a Comcast customer...and a Clearwire customer.
Comcast isn't going to slap their name on it and raise my rates, are they?
Blowin' in the wind
I heard this on the radio yesterday and it made me laugh:
Mother Nature
Ellen is brilliant for this role:
Happy birthday Uncle!
3/18/1837 - 6/24/1908
22nd and 24th president of the United States (NY Times)
$100 homes
I don't want to move to Detroit, but this is amazing:
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Job site for the disabled
This is a wonderful idea. I will need to look at this moore closely when I have time...
Home (JobSeekers)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Publishes Final Print Edition
Quite the story:
As a student of journalism, this is a big deal. The PI is just the start. I got my bachelors degree in technical journalism. Except for my six month stint at World Christian magazine, I never did find a way to break into the field. Maybe a blessing in disguise?
As a consumer, I prefer online to paper. It is easier for me with my disability to click links rather than turn pages. The Oregonian has called us weekly since I quit taking the daily. The finally caught Jodie at a weak moment...we are getting the daily for free until August.
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Kim's "Cool Site of the day" tells everything you want to know about St. Patrick's Day:
The history of St. Patrick is interesting. He faught against paganism and taught the trinity in 5th century Ireland.
Have you got your green on?
Monday, March 16, 2009
I was recommended...
Today my district manager recommended me to a statewide committee to brainstorm how our kids in foster care should interact with social networking sites such as Myspace and Facebook.
My idea is to start them off in closed ning communities such as the one I started for my family, which has taken off like gangbusters, with a healthy dose of monitoring.
We cannot and should not keep kids off the internet. We are responsible to train them to be safe.
I feel honored.
Interesting take on Stewart vs Cramer
Why are comedians more willing to expose today's charletons than the journalist?
BlueOregon: Stop, children, what's that sound: "Actually, what Cramer was joking about may in fact constitute illegal market manipulation. But the larger story here is how or why a comedian openly playing the role of of a faux-news anchor came to be the instrument of Cramer's comeuppance. Carla and I were discussing this very issue the other day when she asked the obvious: Why wasn't it 60 Minutes or another of the investigative news programs that exposed Cramer?
The answer may be as simple as Jon Stewart having not followed the presumed script. The British Telegraph briefly describes how everyone at CNBC must have assumed it would go.
After dipping his proboscis into Stewart's pollen, Cramer was meant to flutter home with some of his young viewers, curious to see what the fuss was about.
Undoubtedly that's exactly how the big shots at CNBC (and elsewhere) thought it would play out"
This is excessive
Accessibility for all is something I strongly support. I don't quite understand why the doc shared notes with family members rather than the patient, other than my own experience that when I am with a nondisabled person, they get talked to before I do. I don't think the doc here intended to discriminate.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
NBA player using the ADA...
...to excuse his inability to follow substance abuse policy?
Tarpley, NBA End Legal Battle | Houston weather, traffic, and news | MyFoxHouston.com | FOX 26: "Tarpley filed a federal lawsuit against the NBA in Sept. 2007 alleging the league and the Mavericks violated the American with Disabilities Act for denying him the right to be reinstated to the NBA.
Tarpley was banned for life from the NBA in 1995 for using alcohol and violating the terms of a court-mandated aftercare program."
Out of work? Might as well volunteer
This story reminds me how I got my foot in the door at my current job nearly 2o years ago. I was having no luck finding a job. I saw an article in the paper about volunteering.
I decided to visit the local state volunteer office. I was worried of being rejected as a volunteer...I was not having much luck those days.
Don, the volunteer coordinator in Hillsboro, OR, had a computer sitting on the floor of his office and didn't know what to do with it. As a volunteer, I used it to created a Lotus 123 spreadsheet to track volunteer hours.
A few months later I was packing to move to California to look into job possibilities down there. Don asked Gary, the head of children's services if he could hire me. The next day, I had a job.
Not every voluntary opportunity leads to a job, but it is something to do and a great network opportunity.
Out of work? Might as well volunteerKATU.com- Portland, Oregon| News: "'It lifts my spirits a little bit — actually, a lot,' said Moberly, 38, who was laid off from his temp job last fall and is getting by on unemployment checks. 'You couldn't place a monetary figure on it. I know I've made a difference and know I made some smiles, even if they're canine smiles.'"
Debaptism?
I was baptised when I was in high school. I attended a baptist church at the time. My wife as baptised as an infant in the lutheran church, as was our son.
I'm acquainted with the controversy over infant baptism, but "debaptism"? New to me!
BBC NEWS | UK | Atheists call for 'debaptism': "with a document of its own. The 'Certificate of Debaptism' has a deliberately home-made look, with its mock-official decoration and quasi-official language. Sitting on a bench in the grounds of St Jude's Church, John Hunt intoned the opening lines.
'I, John Jeffrey Hunt, having been subjected to the rite of Christian baptism in infancy... hereby publicly revoke any implications of that rite. I reject all its creeds and other such superstitions in particular the perfidious belief that any baby needs to be cleansed of original sin.'"
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Shooting blind
Good story....Such a mom!
(thanks Wheelie)
(thanks Wheelie)
Reilly: Matt Steven is blind, but he'll still take the last shot - ESPN The Magazine: "Up in the stands, Matt's mom was hoping: Please don't make him shoot these."
Friday, March 13, 2009
Making kids aware
A delightful story with an important message:
Provo mayor highlights Disability Awareness Month with 'Eggbert' - Daily Herald / Utah Valley Local News: "So the title character of 'Eggbert: The Slightly Cracked Egg,' written by Tom Ross and Rex Barron, lives the rest of his protein-filled days in bliss, painting scenes of cracked volcanoes and the like and mailing them to friends. Before a class of first-graders at Rock Canyon Elementary School on Monday, Provo Mayor Lewis Billings used the story to segue into the central message of Disability Awareness Month: that people's differences are to be accepted -- even celebrated -- rather than frowned upon."
A great tool
When I work on websites, finding the perfect font is half the battle. This will really help:
Our debt...China's worry
Al Jazeera English - Business - China's Wen worried over US assets: "Speaking at his annual news conference on Friday, Wen expressed concern that massive US deficit spending and near-zero interest rates could erode the value of China's bond holdings.
China is the biggest holder of US government debt and has invested an estimated 70 per cent of its $2 trillion stockpile of foreign exchange reserves, the world's largest, in dollar assets.
'We have lent a massive amount of capital to the United States, and of course we are concerned about the security of our assets,' Wen said."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Prayers for First B in Maryville...
I cannot begin to imagine my pastor being shot during Sunday service. A horror way beyond words.
A flock reaching out. A shepherd heeding the call.
Prayers for a long road to healing just begun.
Texas pastor preaching at Illinois church | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:"'I want them to know you get through this,' the Rev. Al Meredith, pastor of Fort Worth's Wedgwood Baptist Church, said of the members of First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill. 'You'll never get over it, but the rest of God's kingdom around the world is praying for you.'"..."Meredith said he accepted the Maryville church members' request to preach four services Sunday because "they're a flock without a shepherd." After his church's ordeal, "at least I was there to shepherd the flock," Meredith said.
Change in world journalism
Stories sent from half world away are now fact checked by the locals:
'There' and 'here' blend in journalists' world - International Herald Tribune: "'Here' readers are better watchdogs than 'there' readers. They catch errors that an editor continents away simply cannot. They also form a check on the exoticizing impulse. Certain lenses for seeing a country sell easily overseas: India's poverty, China's repression. But a battalion of bloggers is rearing to point out the obvious and hackneyed, and they keep us on our toes, striving to write the unwritten."
Happy States
Caalifornia and Washington happier than Oregon? That makes me mad!
(March 12, 2009) - Happy States
I am happy now...
I got my "Send to" button in Blogger...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Lincold secret for the ages
Secret message hidden in Lincoln's pocketwatch - Boing Boing:
"Dillon told his children (and, half a century later, a reporter for the New York Times) that he opened the watch's inner workings and scrawled his name, the date and a message for the ages: 'The first gun is fired. Slavery is dead. Thank God we have a President who at least will try.'"
"Dillon told his children (and, half a century later, a reporter for the New York Times) that he opened the watch's inner workings and scrawled his name, the date and a message for the ages: 'The first gun is fired. Slavery is dead. Thank God we have a President who at least will try.'"
A great local sports guy
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
5 seekers for each job?
I thought it would be a higher number...
Companies Are Hiring, But Beware Competition:
Companies Are Hiring, But Beware Competition:
"Job seekers beware, though. An average of nearly five people are competing for each opening. That's up sharply from a ratio of less than 2-to-1 in December 2007, when the recession was just starting and nearly 4 million openings existed."
Monday, March 09, 2009
NW no longer least religious part of country
More Americans Say They Have No Religion - NYTimes.com:
As a Lutheran, these numbers kind of sting:
We have been hearing for years that our beloved Northwest was the least churched part of the country. At least we no longer lead in that category.
"Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region, with Vermont reporting the highest share of those claiming no religion, at 34 percent. Still, the study found that the numbers of Americans with no religion rose in every state."
As a Lutheran, these numbers kind of sting:
"In 2008, Christians comprised 76 percent of U.S. adults, compared to about 77 percent in 2001 and about 86 percent in 1990. Researchers said the dwindling ranks of mainline Protestants, including Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians, largely explains the shift. Over the last seven years, mainline Protestants dropped from just over 17 percent to 12.9 percent of the population."
We have been hearing for years that our beloved Northwest was the least churched part of the country. At least we no longer lead in that category.
Wet floor!
I went into out kitchen yesterday and there was water all over the floor. Water was coming out from under the sink.
E though he knew what to do, but we called family friend Mike and sis-in-law Denise over to assist.
All that was needed was a tightening of a hose connector.
Thank you Mike and E!
E though he knew what to do, but we called family friend Mike and sis-in-law Denise over to assist.
All that was needed was a tightening of a hose connector.
Thank you Mike and E!
I nearly fell for this one...
Government grants...free money...
When Jodie and I were looking for our tricked out ride, these type ads were a real temptation:
snopes.com: Government Grant Scams
We went the old fashion way...financing.
When Jodie and I were looking for our tricked out ride, these type ads were a real temptation:
snopes.com: Government Grant Scams
We went the old fashion way...financing.
Hang tough, Greg
I am a Oden Believer...my Blazers need him. Big guy, youthful, great future.
Oden is stung by mounting criticism - OregonLive.com
It would be like Portland to trade him, only to watch him rise to superstar status somewhere else...please don't!
Oden is stung by mounting criticism - OregonLive.com
It would be like Portland to trade him, only to watch him rise to superstar status somewhere else...please don't!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Dow to slide to 5,000?
Currently at 6,626...it seemed so improbable a year ago.
Now, who knows?
The New Reality? Dow Slides To 5,000, Oil Dips To $50
Now, who knows?
The New Reality? Dow Slides To 5,000, Oil Dips To $50
Lay off the bubblegum teach!
Here is a wonderful story of a third grade teacher who utilizes a wheelchair:
For the next hour, students and teacher talked about her disability. “The way I explain it to kids — I tell them it’s like blowing a piece of bubble gum and after it gets so big, it pops,” she said. Often the reaction is, “Miss Gillespie you should not be blowing that bubble gum any more!” After the first week, the students get used to seeing their teacher in a wheelchair.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
New term of the day...
Alt A loans.
They are really messing people's lives up.
And then there are "Liar's Loans".
Point fingers if you will. Look in the mirror first.
Faith, hope, love...
They are really messing people's lives up.
And then there are "Liar's Loans".
Point fingers if you will. Look in the mirror first.
Faith, hope, love...
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