Woman knocked unconscious by shoppers

Reason number 1,654 of why I didn't go shopping on Friday.

Woman knocked unconscious by shoppers

Reason number 1,654 of why I didn't go shopping on Friday.

Anime or Memorex

I don't speak or read Japanese so I have no clue what this site is all about. All I can tell you is there is a surreal webcam there also.
(via The Presurfer)

Anime or Memorex

I don't speak or read Japanese so I have no clue what this site is all about. All I can tell you is there is a surreal webcam there also.
(via The Presurfer)

W saves the day

At first I thought this was from a democratic site since it is so ridiculous but it is from the rnc.org.
(Via, TomMcmahon.net)

W saves the day

At first I thought this was from a democratic site since it is so ridiculous but it is from the rnc.org.
(Via, TomMcmahon.net)

Subway musicians unplugged

The city of Boston wants to ban subway musicians from using amplifiers, horns, synthesizers(anything loud). There is much debate about it on the Boston boards.(Actually I haven't heard too many people who side with the MBTA on this) There is an article in the Globe today with Tracy Chapman talking about the situation.

"It adds to the quality of urban life to have music in public spaces," she said. "And it's something Boston is known for. It's part of the city, part of what it's about. People come up to me all over the country and tell me they remember seeing me in Harvard Square."

From my experience, rarely are the subway musicians annoying. They usually add alot of character and atmosphere. I am not sure why the MBTA is doing this. They claim it is so that subway riders can hear the intercom but I have yet to hear an intercom that wasn't garbled or muffled in some way.

Subway musicians unplugged

The city of Boston wants to ban subway musicians from using amplifiers, horns, synthesizers(anything loud). There is much debate about it on the Boston boards.(Actually I haven't heard too many people who side with the MBTA on this) There is an article in the Globe today with Tracy Chapman talking about the situation.

"It adds to the quality of urban life to have music in public spaces," she said. "And it's something Boston is known for. It's part of the city, part of what it's about. People come up to me all over the country and tell me they remember seeing me in Harvard Square."

From my experience, rarely are the subway musicians annoying. They usually add alot of character and atmosphere. I am not sure why the MBTA is doing this. They claim it is so that subway riders can hear the intercom but I have yet to hear an intercom that wasn't garbled or muffled in some way.

Internet Tennis

This is about as fun as watching the real thing.
(via Dave Barry's Blog)

Internet Tennis

This is about as fun as watching the real thing.
(via Dave Barry's Blog)

PETA's vegetarian Thanksgiving

PETA says that Thanksgiving should be a day where we all eat Vegetarian.

This year, more than 45 million turkeys will have their beaks and toes cut off without pain killers and their throats slit while they are still conscious—all so that they can become part of someone’s Thanksgiving dinner. Those who miss the automated knife will go into the scalding tank fully conscious and will be boiled alive.

Sorry PETA, my heart is set on my turkey sandwiches for the next week. Besides, I don't see any turkeys sticking up for my rights!!

PETA's vegetarian Thanksgiving

PETA says that Thanksgiving should be a day where we all eat Vegetarian.

This year, more than 45 million turkeys will have their beaks and toes cut off without pain killers and their throats slit while they are still conscious—all so that they can become part of someone’s Thanksgiving dinner. Those who miss the automated knife will go into the scalding tank fully conscious and will be boiled alive.

Sorry PETA, my heart is set on my turkey sandwiches for the next week. Besides, I don't see any turkeys sticking up for my rights!!

Holiday Snowglobes

I had a snowglobe once. Wasn't like this one though. Give it a shake!!
(via Dave Barry's Blog)

Holiday Snowglobes

I had a snowglobe once. Wasn't like this one though. Give it a shake!!
(via Dave Barry's Blog)

Bush the Dummy

Now you too can be just like Dick Cheney!! Available here.
(via The Presurfer)

Bush the Dummy

Now you too can be just like Dick Cheney!! Available here.
(via The Presurfer)

Newton's Penguins

This kept me entranced for a good 5 minutes. That's very good since I have a short attention span.
(via The Presurfer)

Newton's Penguins

This kept me entranced for a good 5 minutes. That's very good since I have a short attention span.
(via The Presurfer)

Twisted Questions

There is a website devoted to twisted questions. For example:

Having led a wicked life, you are doomed to spend eternity in hell. The devil (quite a generous guy, once you get to know him) offers you a choice of punishments:
(A) To continuously push a heavy boulder up a steep slope. Your arms ache agonisingly all the time and yet you must keep pushing this rock for ever.
(B) To stand in the middle of a lake with luscious fruits hanging all around you. You are tormented with a great hunger and a burning thirst and yet the minute you reach out for a fruit it moves out of your reach. The minute you bend down to drink the water, the level of the water drops.
(C) Traditional punishment. You are thrown into a fiery pit where you spend eternity burning in an unquenchable fire.
So, which punishment do you choose?

I would choose anything other than (B). I have helped people move enough times that I know (A) would be annoying but not bad. I am sure after the first 10 minutes of (C) that you would become accustomed to it and it might even be fun. However if you have ever spent time with me waiting for them to call my name at a restaurant then you know what hell is!!
(via J-Walk blog)

Twisted Questions

There is a website devoted to twisted questions. For example:

Having led a wicked life, you are doomed to spend eternity in hell. The devil (quite a generous guy, once you get to know him) offers you a choice of punishments:
(A) To continuously push a heavy boulder up a steep slope. Your arms ache agonisingly all the time and yet you must keep pushing this rock for ever.
(B) To stand in the middle of a lake with luscious fruits hanging all around you. You are tormented with a great hunger and a burning thirst and yet the minute you reach out for a fruit it moves out of your reach. The minute you bend down to drink the water, the level of the water drops.
(C) Traditional punishment. You are thrown into a fiery pit where you spend eternity burning in an unquenchable fire.
So, which punishment do you choose?

I would choose anything other than (B). I have helped people move enough times that I know (A) would be annoying but not bad. I am sure after the first 10 minutes of (C) that you would become accustomed to it and it might even be fun. However if you have ever spent time with me waiting for them to call my name at a restaurant then you know what hell is!!
(via J-Walk blog)

Bush meets with families of war dead

There is an article in the Boston Globe today about how Bush has finally met with the families of the fallen soldiers. The only thing I have to say about this is that it is about time.

Bush meets with families of war dead

There is an article in the Boston Globe today about how Bush has finally met with the families of the fallen soldiers. The only thing I have to say about this is that it is about time.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:
1. 532.35 cm3 gluten
2. 4.9 cm3 NaHCO3
3. 4.9 cm3 refined halite
4. 236.6 cm3 partially hydrogenated tallow triglyceride
5. 177.45 cm3 crystalline C12H22O11
6. 177.45 cm3 unrefined C12H22O11
7. 4.9 cm3 methyl ether of protocatechuic aldehyde
8. Two calcium carbonate-encapsulated avian albumen-coated protein
9. 473.2 cm3 theobroma cacao
10. 236.6 cm3 de-encapsulated legume meats (sieve size #10)

To a 2-L jacketed round reactor vessel (reactor #1) with an overall heat-transfer coefficient of about 100 Btu/F-ft2-hr add one, two, and three with constant agitation.

In a second 2-L reactor vessel with a radial flow impeller operating at 100 rpm add four, five, six, and seven until the mixture is homogeneous.

To reactor #2 add eight followed by three equal portions of the homogeneous mixture in reactor #1.

Additionally, add nine and ten slowly with constant agitation. Care must be taken at this point in the reaction to control any temperature rise that may be the result of an exothermic reaction.

Using a screw extrude attached to a #4 nodulizer place the mixture piece-meal on a 316SS sheet (300 x 600 mm). Heat in a 460 K oven for a period of time that is in agreement with Frank and Johnston's first order rate expression (see JACOS, 21, 55), or until golden brown.

Once the reaction is complete, place the sheet on a 25-degree C heat- transfer table allowing the product to come to equilibrium.

Mmmmm, good!
(via lsilogic.com )

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:
1. 532.35 cm3 gluten
2. 4.9 cm3 NaHCO3
3. 4.9 cm3 refined halite
4. 236.6 cm3 partially hydrogenated tallow triglyceride
5. 177.45 cm3 crystalline C12H22O11
6. 177.45 cm3 unrefined C12H22O11
7. 4.9 cm3 methyl ether of protocatechuic aldehyde
8. Two calcium carbonate-encapsulated avian albumen-coated protein
9. 473.2 cm3 theobroma cacao
10. 236.6 cm3 de-encapsulated legume meats (sieve size #10)

To a 2-L jacketed round reactor vessel (reactor #1) with an overall heat-transfer coefficient of about 100 Btu/F-ft2-hr add one, two, and three with constant agitation.

In a second 2-L reactor vessel with a radial flow impeller operating at 100 rpm add four, five, six, and seven until the mixture is homogeneous.

To reactor #2 add eight followed by three equal portions of the homogeneous mixture in reactor #1.

Additionally, add nine and ten slowly with constant agitation. Care must be taken at this point in the reaction to control any temperature rise that may be the result of an exothermic reaction.

Using a screw extrude attached to a #4 nodulizer place the mixture piece-meal on a 316SS sheet (300 x 600 mm). Heat in a 460 K oven for a period of time that is in agreement with Frank and Johnston's first order rate expression (see JACOS, 21, 55), or until golden brown.

Once the reaction is complete, place the sheet on a 25-degree C heat- transfer table allowing the product to come to equilibrium.

Mmmmm, good!
(via lsilogic.com )

Michael Jackson's website

The Official Press Room

Michael Jackson has set up a website so we can have a source of official communications. I like how they start off every statement

• As you know, the charges recently directed at me are terribly serious. They are, however, predicated on a big lie.
• The big lie against Michael Jackson is anchored in the most vicious allegation imaginable,
• The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false.
• We can comment on the malignant horde of media hounds

What do I think of all this? I don't know if he is guilty or innocent but I do know that when a 40 year old man admits to sleeping in the same bed as children that there is something seriously wrong. Seriously Wrong!!

Michael Jackson's website

The Official Press Room

Michael Jackson has set up a website so we can have a source of official communications. I like how they start off every statement

• As you know, the charges recently directed at me are terribly serious. They are, however, predicated on a big lie.
• The big lie against Michael Jackson is anchored in the most vicious allegation imaginable,
• The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false.
• We can comment on the malignant horde of media hounds

What do I think of all this? I don't know if he is guilty or innocent but I do know that when a 40 year old man admits to sleeping in the same bed as children that there is something seriously wrong. Seriously Wrong!!

Life as a bologna smuggler

From WFTV.com:

Border agents last week landed a meaty bust, seizing 756 pounds of bologna arranged into the shape of a car seat and covered with blankets in a man's pickup.

Yummy!!!

Life as a bologna smuggler

From WFTV.com:

Border agents last week landed a meaty bust, seizing 756 pounds of bologna arranged into the shape of a car seat and covered with blankets in a man's pickup.

Yummy!!!

Quote of the Day

Neal Stephenson on Globalization:
Once the Invisible Hand has taken all the historical inequities and smeared them out into a broad global layer of what a Pakistani brickmaker would consider to be prosperity -- y'know what? There's only four things we do better than anyone else: music, movies, microcode (software), and high-speed pizza delivery.
(via windsofchange.net)

Quote of the Day

Neal Stephenson on Globalization:
Once the Invisible Hand has taken all the historical inequities and smeared them out into a broad global layer of what a Pakistani brickmaker would consider to be prosperity -- y'know what? There's only four things we do better than anyone else: music, movies, microcode (software), and high-speed pizza delivery.
(via windsofchange.net)

The Complete Seinfeld Scripts

Stanthecaddy.com has the script to every Seinfeld episode.
(via popculturejunkmail.com)

The Complete Seinfeld Scripts

Stanthecaddy.com has the script to every Seinfeld episode.
(via popculturejunkmail.com)

Let them sing it for you

Want to hear your lyrics sung by rockstars? Go here, enter in the text and enjoy. Warning: You can easily end up spending a long time here.
(via A Small Victory)

Let them sing it for you

Want to hear your lyrics sung by rockstars? Go here, enter in the text and enjoy. Warning: You can easily end up spending a long time here.
(via A Small Victory)

Escher's "Ascending and Descending" in Lego

I love sites like this.
(via The Presurfer)

Escher's "Ascending and Descending" in Lego

I love sites like this.
(via The Presurfer)

Eyewitness quiz

Here is a quick quiz to grade your eyewitness skills. (I got all of them right but guessed on one.)
(via The Presurfer)

Eyewitness quiz

Here is a quick quiz to grade your eyewitness skills. (I got all of them right but guessed on one.)
(via The Presurfer)

Worst Country Song Titles

This site has a collection of the worst country song titles. Here are a few excerpts:

"All My Exes Live In Texas"
"Billy Broke My Heart at Walgreens and I Cried All the Way to Sears"
"Did I Shave My Legs for This?"
"I Wanna Whip Your Cow"

Worst Country Song Titles

This site has a collection of the worst country song titles. Here are a few excerpts:

"All My Exes Live In Texas"
"Billy Broke My Heart at Walgreens and I Cried All the Way to Sears"
"Did I Shave My Legs for This?"
"I Wanna Whip Your Cow"

Phobias

Do you know what Arachibutyrophobia is? I didn't think so!

(via Dave Barry's Blog)

Phobias

Do you know what Arachibutyrophobia is? I didn't think so!

(via Dave Barry's Blog)

Leonids Meteor Shower tonight

Actually it is more like tomorrow morning. Space.com has alot of interesting facts about the Leonids. Dr. Clay Sherrod also has a tremendous site dedicated to amateur astronomy called The Arkansas Sky Observatory.

Leonids Meteor Shower tonight

Actually it is more like tomorrow morning. Space.com has alot of interesting facts about the Leonids. Dr. Clay Sherrod also has a tremendous site dedicated to amateur astronomy called The Arkansas Sky Observatory.

Beer Church

So what is the Beer Church?

Beer Church is as much an idea as it is an organization. It is based on our philosophy that people are basically good and want to help make the world a better place. The trick is to provide a way for them to do that. The horse needs to be led to the water, so to speak. Beer Church believes in finding people where they are. People like to party, socialize and generally have a good time. In our human society, beer is a conduit, or catalyst, for making that happen. So find the people where they are. Have a party that benefits something worthy.

And for $15 dollars you can become an ordained beer minister
(Thanks Paul)

Beer Church

So what is the Beer Church?

Beer Church is as much an idea as it is an organization. It is based on our philosophy that people are basically good and want to help make the world a better place. The trick is to provide a way for them to do that. The horse needs to be led to the water, so to speak. Beer Church believes in finding people where they are. People like to party, socialize and generally have a good time. In our human society, beer is a conduit, or catalyst, for making that happen. So find the people where they are. Have a party that benefits something worthy.

And for $15 dollars you can become an ordained beer minister
(Thanks Paul)

Review of Prey

I just finished Michael Crichton's new novel Prey. Here are my thoughts about it..

The book is about an ex software engineer who once wrote algorithms for programs to mimic the behavior of swarming bees or ants to solve problems. He ends up trying to help some technical firm that has created a swarm of self-replicating nanotechnology that they have lost control of. Sounded kind of interesting when I read the back cover. However I couldn't have been more wrong.

• First of all, Crichton cannot write characters. They are all two dimensional. How can you care for or identify with a character when you know nothing about them. This annoys me whenever I try to read one of his books because his plots sound rather interesting but I would much rather have colorful characters with little plot. One of the reasons why books are much more thought provoking and interesting than movies is the fact that authors have much more time to develop their characters by giving them a background and thoughts and opinions. Which brings me to my next point.
  
  
• Does Michael Crichton write books or screenplays? I have read a few of his books and each one of them seems to be written for the big screen. At this point I think he should just put the cast of characters and who should play them in the movie in the preface. I think this is why he doesn't bother developing characters.
  
  
• I hate it when an author has a character do something inexplicable just to move the plot along. For example, when it seems like it is time for one of the tertiary characters to die, they will always do something extraordinarily stupid to get killed. To me it just feels like lazy writing.
  
  
• Without giving away any of the ending, I HATED how he wrapped everything up within a few paragraphs where he just explained what happened. It just felt like when he set a page number where he was going to stop no matter what. Just bad.
  
  

I guess the only question is when will the movie come out and who will star in it. I can already tell it will be bad though. How could it not be when it has to be based on the book?

Review of Prey

I just finished Michael Crichton's new novel Prey. Here are my thoughts about it..

The book is about an ex software engineer who once wrote algorithms for programs to mimic the behavior of swarming bees or ants to solve problems. He ends up trying to help some technical firm that has created a swarm of self-replicating nanotechnology that they have lost control of. Sounded kind of interesting when I read the back cover. However I couldn't have been more wrong.

• First of all, Crichton cannot write characters. They are all two dimensional. How can you care for or identify with a character when you know nothing about them. This annoys me whenever I try to read one of his books because his plots sound rather interesting but I would much rather have colorful characters with little plot. One of the reasons why books are much more thought provoking and interesting than movies is the fact that authors have much more time to develop their characters by giving them a background and thoughts and opinions. Which brings me to my next point.
  
  
• Does Michael Crichton write books or screenplays? I have read a few of his books and each one of them seems to be written for the big screen. At this point I think he should just put the cast of characters and who should play them in the movie in the preface. I think this is why he doesn't bother developing characters.
  
  
• I hate it when an author has a character do something inexplicable just to move the plot along. For example, when it seems like it is time for one of the tertiary characters to die, they will always do something extraordinarily stupid to get killed. To me it just feels like lazy writing.
  
  
• Without giving away any of the ending, I HATED how he wrapped everything up within a few paragraphs where he just explained what happened. It just felt like when he set a page number where he was going to stop no matter what. Just bad.
  
  

I guess the only question is when will the movie come out and who will star in it. I can already tell it will be bad though. How could it not be when it has to be based on the book?

Tornado Safe Beds

Tornado Safe Beds
Unfortunately I don't think it will fit in a trailer.
(via Dave Barry's Blog)

Tornado Safe Beds

Tornado Safe Beds
Unfortunately I don't think it will fit in a trailer.
(via Dave Barry's Blog)

A Look at the Cold War Culture

A website dedicated to the cold war culture. Lots of gems here. A lot of instructional films and PSAs (in .ram format) including the infamous Duck and Cover
(Thanks again Paul)

A Look at the Cold War Culture

A website dedicated to the cold war culture. Lots of gems here. A lot of instructional films and PSAs (in .ram format) including the infamous Duck and Cover
(Thanks again Paul)

Surviving a nuclear attack

Here is a booklet from the 1980s on what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

If the country were ever faced with an immediate threat of nuclear war, a copy of this booklet would be distributed to every household as part of a public information campaign which would include announcements on television and radio and in the press. The booklet has been designed for free and general distribution in that event. It is being placed on sale now for those who wish to know what they would be advised to do at such a time.

To be honest, at first I laughed at this booklet until I realized that nothing really has changed since then. Here is the Homeland Security's "Are you Ready?" site.
(Thanks Paul)

Surviving a nuclear attack

Here is a booklet from the 1980s on what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

If the country were ever faced with an immediate threat of nuclear war, a copy of this booklet would be distributed to every household as part of a public information campaign which would include announcements on television and radio and in the press. The booklet has been designed for free and general distribution in that event. It is being placed on sale now for those who wish to know what they would be advised to do at such a time.

To be honest, at first I laughed at this booklet until I realized that nothing really has changed since then. Here is the Homeland Security's "Are you Ready?" site.
(Thanks Paul)

TV Theme Songs

This might not be the prettiest website out there but it is a hidden gem. You can find a ton of tv theme songs in mp3 format. It is funny listening to how tv songs are so dependent on the current trend in music. For example, the songs from the late 70s early 80s have that disco feel while the ones in the late 80s have a techno feel. Also, what's up with the theme songs that start out with a narrator. This seemed to be very big in the early 80s. (ie, Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galactica, The A Team, Incredible Hulk).

TV Theme Songs

This might not be the prettiest website out there but it is a hidden gem. You can find a ton of tv theme songs in mp3 format. It is funny listening to how tv songs are so dependent on the current trend in music. For example, the songs from the late 70s early 80s have that disco feel while the ones in the late 80s have a techno feel. Also, what's up with the theme songs that start out with a narrator. This seemed to be very big in the early 80s. (ie, Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galactica, The A Team, Incredible Hulk).

Energy bill ok'd

The newspapers are glossing over this as usual. Well it is official. We are being run by Exxon.

The bill would cost the government an estimated $32 billion over 10 years, according to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office and the Senate Finance Committee staff, including $22.9 billion in tax incentives and $9 billion in direct spending and revenue losses.

Hell, why worry about the deficit. It is only money. We will make more. sigh.

Energy bill ok'd

The newspapers are glossing over this as usual. Well it is official. We are being run by Exxon.

The bill would cost the government an estimated $32 billion over 10 years, according to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office and the Senate Finance Committee staff, including $22.9 billion in tax incentives and $9 billion in direct spending and revenue losses.

Hell, why worry about the deficit. It is only money. We will make more. sigh.

Bush visits London

Bunch of links about the President's visit to London.

This one from the Mirror calls Bush a chicken for cancelling his speech to Parliament because he fears anti-war MPs.

More from the Independent about how Bush will be protected by 16,000 police officers.

The Guardian publishes letters to Bush.

Personally, I think that Bush looks like a coward for all this security that the Secret Service has ordered. Earlier they were talking about shutting down the Tube and most of London. Is he visiting London or Baghdad?

Bush visits London

Bunch of links about the President's visit to London.

This one from the Mirror calls Bush a chicken for cancelling his speech to Parliament because he fears anti-war MPs.

More from the Independent about how Bush will be protected by 16,000 police officers.

The Guardian publishes letters to Bush.

Personally, I think that Bush looks like a coward for all this security that the Secret Service has ordered. Earlier they were talking about shutting down the Tube and most of London. Is he visiting London or Baghdad?

Learn about Scams

Slashdot has a post about a website called 419Eater who's goal is to fight the war against scammers.

How do you annoy the scammers?
"Well, put simply, you enter into a dialogue with scammers, simply to waste their precious time and resources, and hopefully make them look like complete idiots in the process. We often use the term "scambaiting".

He also gets some of the scammers to take pictures and send it to him. I get about 100 of these scam emails from Nigeria a week so I enjoyed this site. Also you can go to Scamorama for more info.

Learn about Scams

Slashdot has a post about a website called 419Eater who's goal is to fight the war against scammers.

How do you annoy the scammers?
"Well, put simply, you enter into a dialogue with scammers, simply to waste their precious time and resources, and hopefully make them look like complete idiots in the process. We often use the term "scambaiting".

He also gets some of the scammers to take pictures and send it to him. I get about 100 of these scam emails from Nigeria a week so I enjoyed this site. Also you can go to Scamorama for more info.

Funerals for Hell's Angels

Funerals for Hell's Angels

Wideview Flight simulation

If you have about a dozen computers lying around and like flight simulations you could do what this guy did.

I am a few computers too short to do it.

Wideview Flight simulation

If you have about a dozen computers lying around and like flight simulations you could do what this guy did.

I am a few computers too short to do it.

The Quirky Japan Homepage

Here is a great website on the quirky side of Japan.

Are you tired of shrines and temples, reconstructed ferro-concrete castles and tea ceremonies? Do you like to get off the beaten track? Would you like to meet Japanese people who do not meet the conformist stereotype? Japan, behind the conservative grey suits and formal bows, is a country quirkier than you can ever imagine. The Quirky Japan Homepage provides information about oddities such as the The Meguro Parasitalogical Museum, the Thousand Person Bathtub, Love Hotels, temple lodging, and the Yakiimo man (the ice cream man's evil twin).

I liked the link from it that gave useless jobs in Japan.
CROSSING GUARDS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS This guy is directing traffic even though there is a working traffic light right behind him. They actually inconvenience people by preventing them from crossing when there are no cars coming.

(Thanks Paul)

The Quirky Japan Homepage

Here is a great website on the quirky side of Japan.

Are you tired of shrines and temples, reconstructed ferro-concrete castles and tea ceremonies? Do you like to get off the beaten track? Would you like to meet Japanese people who do not meet the conformist stereotype? Japan, behind the conservative grey suits and formal bows, is a country quirkier than you can ever imagine. The Quirky Japan Homepage provides information about oddities such as the The Meguro Parasitalogical Museum, the Thousand Person Bathtub, Love Hotels, temple lodging, and the Yakiimo man (the ice cream man's evil twin).

I liked the link from it that gave useless jobs in Japan.
CROSSING GUARDS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS This guy is directing traffic even though there is a working traffic light right behind him. They actually inconvenience people by preventing them from crossing when there are no cars coming.

(Thanks Paul)

The Most Annoying Commuters on the Train

I take the commuter rail into Boston's South Station every workday. I have come to notice that there are some types of people that are EXTREMELY annoying to travel with. I am going to put up a list of the top six. This list will probably be an expanding list but I will just list six for now. I am just using commuter train riders for this list and not subway. Not yet at least.

6. The person who gives you a dirty look for asking them to move over so you can sit down.
You know this person. The train is busy. Most of the seats are taken and he/she is on the edge of one with room for another person. You ask to sit down and this person stares at you for a few seconds, struggling to comprehend that you bought a ticket and have a right to an open seat. These people are even more annoying if they have a bag or briefcase on the seat. Hey if you buy a ticket for your briefcase then you can have the seat. But I have yet to see any package with a T pass.

5. The person sitting next to you with Ebola.
Ok, maybe it isn't Ebola but it is one bad case of the cold. Usually this happens on a busy day so that you are so close to them that you can actually see the virus leaving them and going straight for you. I understand that it isn't their fault that they are sick but could they cover their mouth when they sneeze/cough. Can't they put a quarantine car on the train?

4. The person who backs into their parking spot ten times to get their car straight.
If you can back into a spot correctly the first time that's fine. What I hate is the person who backs into a spot crooked and then has to keep pulling out and backing back in until they get their car straight. Usually they come within millimeters of hitting an already parked car or they smack into a sign. They also are always the people who hold up traffic by backing in and out of their spot. I have noticed that 9 out of 10 times this is usually an older woman. I am not sure why but you can draw your own conclusions.

3. The person next to you who won't shut up.
This is always the person who goes on the train without any reading material. To make up for it he will try to strike up a conversation. It always starts off with something about the train such as, "Crowded in here today." Even if you are reading a book or magazine they will try to talk to you. I am not sure if there is a polite way to get them to stop. Usually I just give them a token "agreement smile" and then go back to my book. Sometimes this is not enough. In that case it is good always to bring a pair of headphones. Even if they aren't hooked up to an actual radio, headphones are the perfect tool to ward away smalltalkers.

2. The person who falls on you as they sleep.
This is a bit rare but happens every now and then. They start off napping and suddenly they start snoring. If they are really in a deep sleep they sometimes end up slipping to one side. The problem is what is the etiquette. Do you wake them up so that they get off you or do you just push them off. These people are usually the ones that bothered you by trying to talk to you earlier. They are even more annoying if you wake them up to get off at your stop and they look peeved that you would dare wake them from their slumber.

1. The person on the cellular phone.
By far, the most annoying person on the train is the cell-phone person. I am not talking about the people who make a quick call to tell a loved one that they are on their way home. I am talking about the person next to you who has a 45 minute conversation and doesn't even bother to lower their voice. There is nothing like listening to the self-absorbed mundane conversations of the person sitting next to you to ruin a perfectly good train ride. These people only can become more annoying if they have one of those Nextel phones with the walkie talkie. Then you can hear both sides of their trivial banter. As soon as a person sits next to you, pulls out a cell phone and says "What's going on?", you know it is headphone time.

The Most Annoying Commuters on the Train

I take the commuter rail into Boston's South Station every workday. I have come to notice that there are some types of people that are EXTREMELY annoying to travel with. I am going to put up a list of the top six. This list will probably be an expanding list but I will just list six for now. I am just using commuter train riders for this list and not subway. Not yet at least.

6. The person who gives you a dirty look for asking them to move over so you can sit down.
You know this person. The train is busy. Most of the seats are taken and he/she is on the edge of one with room for another person. You ask to sit down and this person stares at you for a few seconds, struggling to comprehend that you bought a ticket and have a right to an open seat. These people are even more annoying if they have a bag or briefcase on the seat. Hey if you buy a ticket for your briefcase then you can have the seat. But I have yet to see any package with a T pass.

5. The person sitting next to you with Ebola.
Ok, maybe it isn't Ebola but it is one bad case of the cold. Usually this happens on a busy day so that you are so close to them that you can actually see the virus leaving them and going straight for you. I understand that it isn't their fault that they are sick but could they cover their mouth when they sneeze/cough. Can't they put a quarantine car on the train?

4. The person who backs into their parking spot ten times to get their car straight.
If you can back into a spot correctly the first time that's fine. What I hate is the person who backs into a spot crooked and then has to keep pulling out and backing back in until they get their car straight. Usually they come within millimeters of hitting an already parked car or they smack into a sign. They also are always the people who hold up traffic by backing in and out of their spot. I have noticed that 9 out of 10 times this is usually an older woman. I am not sure why but you can draw your own conclusions.

3. The person next to you who won't shut up.
This is always the person who goes on the train without any reading material. To make up for it he will try to strike up a conversation. It always starts off with something about the train such as, "Crowded in here today." Even if you are reading a book or magazine they will try to talk to you. I am not sure if there is a polite way to get them to stop. Usually I just give them a token "agreement smile" and then go back to my book. Sometimes this is not enough. In that case it is good always to bring a pair of headphones. Even if they aren't hooked up to an actual radio, headphones are the perfect tool to ward away smalltalkers.

2. The person who falls on you as they sleep.
This is a bit rare but happens every now and then. They start off napping and suddenly they start snoring. If they are really in a deep sleep they sometimes end up slipping to one side. The problem is what is the etiquette. Do you wake them up so that they get off you or do you just push them off. These people are usually the ones that bothered you by trying to talk to you earlier. They are even more annoying if you wake them up to get off at your stop and they look peeved that you would dare wake them from their slumber.

1. The person on the cellular phone.
By far, the most annoying person on the train is the cell-phone person. I am not talking about the people who make a quick call to tell a loved one that they are on their way home. I am talking about the person next to you who has a 45 minute conversation and doesn't even bother to lower their voice. There is nothing like listening to the self-absorbed mundane conversations of the person sitting next to you to ruin a perfectly good train ride. These people only can become more annoying if they have one of those Nextel phones with the walkie talkie. Then you can hear both sides of their trivial banter. As soon as a person sits next to you, pulls out a cell phone and says "What's going on?", you know it is headphone time.

Fourteen Common Threads of Fascism

Very good article from the Free Inquiry magazine. The author finds common traits from the most recent fascist states (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Suharto's Indonesia, etc). It is pretty obvious where the author is going with all this. You can make your own inferences. (via J-Walk)

Fourteen Common Threads of Fascism

Very good article from the Free Inquiry magazine. The author finds common traits from the most recent fascist states (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Suharto's Indonesia, etc). It is pretty obvious where the author is going with all this. You can make your own inferences. (via J-Walk)

Bush's Resume

Somebody forwarded this to me in a word document so i put it up as html. I haven't seen it around the web much yet but I am sure it is making its rounds. It is actually kind of scary when you add it all up.

Bush's Resume

Somebody forwarded this to me in a word document so i put it up as html. I haven't seen it around the web much yet but I am sure it is making its rounds. It is actually kind of scary when you add it all up.

Jobless claims rise

From cnn.com

I love how at the end of the month we hear stories about how the job market is improving because of a drop in jobless claims. Then at the beginning of the month, in the small print, we hear how the adjustments have raised the claims a bit. In this case it was from 353,000 up to 366,000. This is also the busy season where retail companies do alot of hiring to keep pace with the holiday shoppers too.

Jobless claims rise

From cnn.com

I love how at the end of the month we hear stories about how the job market is improving because of a drop in jobless claims. Then at the beginning of the month, in the small print, we hear how the adjustments have raised the claims a bit. In this case it was from 353,000 up to 366,000. This is also the busy season where retail companies do alot of hiring to keep pace with the holiday shoppers too.

The ten commandment judge in trouble

Remember the judge in Alabama who defied a federal court order to have the ten commandment monument moved? The Alabama Attorney General is trying to get him removed from office. Judge Roy Moore defended his decision.

"I would do everything I've done again," Moore told the Alabama Court of the Judiciary. "I stand by what I've done."

Ok so lets recap. The judge, refused a federal court order!! If you went before this same judge and refused one of his orders he would throw you into jail faster than you could say ten commandments. Let's hope they throw this guy out.

The ten commandment judge in trouble

Remember the judge in Alabama who defied a federal court order to have the ten commandment monument moved? The Alabama Attorney General is trying to get him removed from office. Judge Roy Moore defended his decision.

"I would do everything I've done again," Moore told the Alabama Court of the Judiciary. "I stand by what I've done."

Ok so lets recap. The judge, refused a federal court order!! If you went before this same judge and refused one of his orders he would throw you into jail faster than you could say ten commandments. Let's hope they throw this guy out.

Dear MBTA,

What seems to be the problem on the Middleboro/Lakeville line? Why did you take away the double deckers? You do realize that by the third stop it is standing room only and we have five more stops until we reach South Station!! And I am not buying the "we need to raise fares so that we can give you proper service" line. The last time people were packed into trains this tightly they needed trials in Nuremberg!!

Dear MBTA,

What seems to be the problem on the Middleboro/Lakeville line? Why did you take away the double deckers? You do realize that by the third stop it is standing room only and we have five more stops until we reach South Station!! And I am not buying the "we need to raise fares so that we can give you proper service" line. The last time people were packed into trains this tightly they needed trials in Nuremberg!!

Politician cooked wife on restaurant grill

From The Australian

India's main opposition Congress party, which has pledged to get tough on crime against women, suffered a severe blow Monday when a court convicted a former party leader of killing his wife and burning her body in an open-air barbecue.

It goes on to say that he tried to dispose of the body by turning it into charcoal. For his defense he should just say that it was an accident and he didn't think the police would believe him so he was just disposing of the remains. Hey, it works in Texas! (Thanks Paul)

Politician cooked wife on restaurant grill

From The Australian

India's main opposition Congress party, which has pledged to get tough on crime against women, suffered a severe blow Monday when a court convicted a former party leader of killing his wife and burning her body in an open-air barbecue.

It goes on to say that he tried to dispose of the body by turning it into charcoal. For his defense he should just say that it was an accident and he didn't think the police would believe him so he was just disposing of the remains. Hey, it works in Texas! (Thanks Paul)

Salon article on how Bush will ban abortions

Question: What's missing from this picture?
Answer: How about a woman??

Interesting Salon piece.

Salon article on how Bush will ban abortions

Question: What's missing from this picture?
Answer: How about a woman??

Interesting Salon piece.

Acts of Gord

A friend pointed this site out to me last year sometime. Gord owns a video game store where you can rent and buy games. Sometimes his customers get on Gord's nerves. These are Gord's stories.
(A friend pointed out that when you read it, try thinking of the voice of the Simpson's character who owns the comic book store. I can't read it now without hearing that voice. Thanks Jason)

Acts of Gord

A friend pointed this site out to me last year sometime. Gord owns a video game store where you can rent and buy games. Sometimes his customers get on Gord's nerves. These are Gord's stories.
(A friend pointed out that when you read it, try thinking of the voice of the Simpson's character who owns the comic book store. I can't read it now without hearing that voice. Thanks Jason)

The Carbon Crystal Scam

Here is a must read if you want to learn all about diamonds and how big of a scam they really are. De Beers hit upon the perfect formula. Have complete control of the market and then convince half of the population to have the other half buy it for you. INGENIOUS!!

The Carbon Crystal Scam

Here is a must read if you want to learn all about diamonds and how big of a scam they really are. De Beers hit upon the perfect formula. Have complete control of the market and then convince half of the population to have the other half buy it for you. INGENIOUS!!

More on Electronic Voting

Ooops. There was a problem with the Microvote software used to vote in Boone County. The vote showed 144,000 votes cast from a pool of 19,000 registered voters.

I guess the programmer put a decimal in the wrong place. hehe. Did they TEST IT??

More on Electronic Voting

Ooops. There was a problem with the Microvote software used to vote in Boone County. The vote showed 144,000 votes cast from a pool of 19,000 registered voters.

I guess the programmer put a decimal in the wrong place. hehe. Did they TEST IT??

Maturity

Ok I admit it, I found this headline funny!!

Framingham man charged with stealing neighbor's natural gas

Maturity

Ok I admit it, I found this headline funny!!

Framingham man charged with stealing neighbor's natural gas

Flag Burning

From the Boston Globe,

Retired Army General Wesley K. Clark, who has repeatedly decried the Bush administration for discouraging dissent, said yesterday he would support a constitutional amendment that outlawed desecration of the American flag.

This seems like a big mistake on Clark's part. First of all, I don't support such an amendment in the first place. Burning the flag is a form of protest. How can you call yourself a free country yet outlaw burning a piece of cloth (no matter what is painted on it. Be it a symbol of your country or a smiley face).

Flag Burning

From the Boston Globe,

Retired Army General Wesley K. Clark, who has repeatedly decried the Bush administration for discouraging dissent, said yesterday he would support a constitutional amendment that outlawed desecration of the American flag.

This seems like a big mistake on Clark's part. First of all, I don't support such an amendment in the first place. Burning the flag is a form of protest. How can you call yourself a free country yet outlaw burning a piece of cloth (no matter what is painted on it. Be it a symbol of your country or a smiley face).

Do it yourself Segway

Want a Segway scooter but don't feel like paying the expensive price tag? This guy put one together by himself!! (Thanks Duane)

Do it yourself Segway

Want a Segway scooter but don't feel like paying the expensive price tag? This guy put one together by himself!! (Thanks Duane)

Movable Type

I have today off from work (Thank you Veteran's day) so I took last night as an oppurtunity to add movable type to this site. This will make it easier to post entries and control archives. Also I now have added comments and an RSS feed. I am off to go enjoy my day. No need being stuck in front of a computer all day.

Movable Type

I have today off from work (Thank you Veteran's day) so I took last night as an oppurtunity to add movable type to this site. This will make it easier to post entries and control archives. Also I now have added comments and an RSS feed. I am off to go enjoy my day. No need being stuck in front of a computer all day.

Church Signs

Make your own church signs!! I have been having fun with this all morning. (via J-walk)

Church Signs

Make your own church signs!! I have been having fun with this all morning. (via J-walk)

Jessica Lynch interview

Jessica Lynch gave an interview that airs next Tuesday on "Primetime" about what really happened to her in Iraq. Remember how the military's story had her fighting bravely until her gun ran out of bullets and her position was finally overrun and she got shot and stabbed multiple times. Well it seems that it was nothing more than a hollywood version of the events. Surprise surprise. You knew something was up months ago when the medical reports that came out showed that she wasn't shot after all.

Lynch told Sawyer she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that her gun jammed during the chaos. "I'm not about to take credit for something I didn't do," she said.

My hat is off to Ms. Lynch for her honesty. Shame on the military for trying to make her into a propaganda tool.

I have no problem with calling her a hero for serving over there. However I don't think her plight is any different from the other pows that were captured.(She wasn't even the only woman. I remember another woman, who was black, who was captured and held. Why doesn't she have a book or a movie coming out?) There are alot of soldiers who will be coming home with battle scars that won't heal. Some won't make it home at all. Treating Jessica Lynch as a "rambo" like hero is too disrespectful for those soldiers that have paid the ultimate price in my book.

Jessica Lynch interview

Jessica Lynch gave an interview that airs next Tuesday on "Primetime" about what really happened to her in Iraq. Remember how the military's story had her fighting bravely until her gun ran out of bullets and her position was finally overrun and she got shot and stabbed multiple times. Well it seems that it was nothing more than a hollywood version of the events. Surprise surprise. You knew something was up months ago when the medical reports that came out showed that she wasn't shot after all.

Lynch told Sawyer she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that her gun jammed during the chaos. "I'm not about to take credit for something I didn't do," she said.

My hat is off to Ms. Lynch for her honesty. Shame on the military for trying to make her into a propaganda tool.

I have no problem with calling her a hero for serving over there. However I don't think her plight is any different from the other pows that were captured.(She wasn't even the only woman. I remember another woman, who was black, who was captured and held. Why doesn't she have a book or a movie coming out?) There are alot of soldiers who will be coming home with battle scars that won't heal. Some won't make it home at all. Treating Jessica Lynch as a "rambo" like hero is too disrespectful for those soldiers that have paid the ultimate price in my book.

8:06pm Saturday Night EST

Wish for clear skies on Saturday because we should be in for a treat. This will be a TOTAL lunar eclipse which is fairly rare. It is pretty brief though and totality will only last about 25 minutes. Here is the timetable for EST

 

Eclipse Stage	EST
Penumbral	5:15pm
First Shading	5:55pm
Partial Eclipse	6:32pm
Total Eclipse	8:06pm
Total Ends	8:31pm
Partial Ends	10:04pm
Last Shading	10:45pm
Eclipse Ends	11:22pm

Remember that a Lunar eclipse won't cause damage to your eyes like a solar eclipse can so view it with your binoculars or a small telescope if you want.

8:06pm Saturday Night EST

Wish for clear skies on Saturday because we should be in for a treat. This will be a TOTAL lunar eclipse which is fairly rare. It is pretty brief though and totality will only last about 25 minutes. Here is the timetable for EST

 

Eclipse Stage	EST
Penumbral	5:15pm
First Shading	5:55pm
Partial Eclipse	6:32pm
Total Eclipse	8:06pm
Total Ends	8:31pm
Partial Ends	10:04pm
Last Shading	10:45pm
Eclipse Ends	11:22pm

Remember that a Lunar eclipse won't cause damage to your eyes like a solar eclipse can so view it with your binoculars or a small telescope if you want.

MIT Hacks

Cool website with a list of MIT hacks that have gone on throught the years. My favorite is the one pictured above which was done before one of the new Star Wars was released.

MIT Hacks

Cool website with a list of MIT hacks that have gone on throught the years. My favorite is the one pictured above which was done before one of the new Star Wars was released.

Lunar Eclipse on Sat, Nov. 8th

Let's hope for clear skies on Saturday because of the Lunar eclipse. I was always scared to death of solar eclipses growing up for fear of going blind. But lunar eclipses may be viewed without any worry of burning your retinas.

This will be our second chance in 2003 to view one. Space.com has some good facts and info about the eclipse.

Lunar Eclipse on Sat, Nov. 8th

Let's hope for clear skies on Saturday because of the Lunar eclipse. I was always scared to death of solar eclipses growing up for fear of going blind. But lunar eclipses may be viewed without any worry of burning your retinas.

This will be our second chance in 2003 to view one. Space.com has some good facts and info about the eclipse.

Iraqification

The Washington Post had a good article on Iraqification and how it is a losing strategy.

Iraqification

The Washington Post had a good article on Iraqification and how it is a losing strategy.

Walmart

The NY Times has an article about the illegal immigrants working for Walmart. Technically, they were working for subcontractors paying them off the books to clean Walmart stores.

Last February, Pavel responded to an intriguing Web site that boasted of cleaning jobs in the United States paying four times what he was earning as a restaurant manager in the Czech Republic. He flew from Prague to New York on a tourist visa and took a bus to Lynchburg, Va., where a subcontractor delivered him to a giant Wal-Mart.

Pavel immediately began on the midnight shift and said he soon learned that he would never receive a night off. He said he worked every night for the next eight months. In this way, Pavel, who refused to give his last name, became one pawn among hundreds employed by subcontractors that clean Wal-Mart stores across the nation, paying many workers off the books.

What a nice family company!! Here is a link of an employee of Walmart who writes about his experiences working for them.

Walmart

The NY Times has an article about the illegal immigrants working for Walmart. Technically, they were working for subcontractors paying them off the books to clean Walmart stores.

Last February, Pavel responded to an intriguing Web site that boasted of cleaning jobs in the United States paying four times what he was earning as a restaurant manager in the Czech Republic. He flew from Prague to New York on a tourist visa and took a bus to Lynchburg, Va., where a subcontractor delivered him to a giant Wal-Mart.

Pavel immediately began on the midnight shift and said he soon learned that he would never receive a night off. He said he worked every night for the next eight months. In this way, Pavel, who refused to give his last name, became one pawn among hundreds employed by subcontractors that clean Wal-Mart stores across the nation, paying many workers off the books.

What a nice family company!! Here is a link of an employee of Walmart who writes about his experiences working for them.

$2,500 for a beer

You should check the conversion rates before you go on vacation.

A New Zealand traveler paid 20,000 Hong Kong dollars (US$2,595) for his.

The man later told his bank he thought he was paying only about HK$19 (US$2.45) for the single beer, and that he believes bar employees duped him by adding additional zeros to his tab and then pocketing a big tip.

$2,500 for a beer

You should check the conversion rates before you go on vacation.

A New Zealand traveler paid 20,000 Hong Kong dollars (US$2,595) for his.

The man later told his bank he thought he was paying only about HK$19 (US$2.45) for the single beer, and that he believes bar employees duped him by adding additional zeros to his tab and then pocketing a big tip.

Bush speech by.... Andy Rooney??

Not really a fan of Andy Rooney but I really like the speech he wrote for Bush.

My fellow Americans. One of the reasons we invaded Iraq was because I suggested Saddam Hussein had something to do with the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. No evidence that's so, I wish I hadn't said it.

I said we were going to get Saddam Hussein. To be honest, we don't know whether we got him or not. Probably not. I said we'd get Osama bin Laden and wipe out al Qaeda. We haven't been able to do that, either. I'm as disappointed as you are.

I probably shouldn't have said Iraq had nuclear weapons. Our guys and the U.N. have looked under every bed in Iraq and can't find one. In one speech, I told you Saddam Hussein tried to buy the makings of nuclear bombs from Africa. That was a mistake and I wish I hadn't said that. I get bad information sometimes just like you do.

On May 1, I declared major combat was over and gave you the impression the war was over. I shouldn't have declared that. Since then, 215 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq. As the person who sent them there, how terrible do you think that makes me feel?

I promised to leave no child behind when it comes to education. Then I asked for an additional $87 billion for Iraq. It has to come from somewhere. I hope the kids aren't going to have to pay for it - now in school or later when they're your age. When I landed on the deck of the carrier, I wish they hadn't put up the sign saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. It isn't accomplished. Maybe it should have been MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.

Bush speech by.... Andy Rooney??

Not really a fan of Andy Rooney but I really like the speech he wrote for Bush.

My fellow Americans. One of the reasons we invaded Iraq was because I suggested Saddam Hussein had something to do with the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. No evidence that's so, I wish I hadn't said it.

I said we were going to get Saddam Hussein. To be honest, we don't know whether we got him or not. Probably not. I said we'd get Osama bin Laden and wipe out al Qaeda. We haven't been able to do that, either. I'm as disappointed as you are.

I probably shouldn't have said Iraq had nuclear weapons. Our guys and the U.N. have looked under every bed in Iraq and can't find one. In one speech, I told you Saddam Hussein tried to buy the makings of nuclear bombs from Africa. That was a mistake and I wish I hadn't said that. I get bad information sometimes just like you do.

On May 1, I declared major combat was over and gave you the impression the war was over. I shouldn't have declared that. Since then, 215 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq. As the person who sent them there, how terrible do you think that makes me feel?

I promised to leave no child behind when it comes to education. Then I asked for an additional $87 billion for Iraq. It has to come from somewhere. I hope the kids aren't going to have to pay for it - now in school or later when they're your age. When I landed on the deck of the carrier, I wish they hadn't put up the sign saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. It isn't accomplished. Maybe it should have been MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.

Myopic view of the year

From Boston.com

From where Diane Noyes is sitting, in a modest college cafe near the campus of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, outsourcing is not a threat. She's thought about it, studied it as a member of Tuck's class of 2004, but instead sees the business trend that is sending thousands of American jobs overseas as a mixture of opportunity and necessity, both for her and the US economy.

"Outsourcing may actually work to the advantage of American-trained business students," Noyes, 29, said. "Management is something that developing nations will probably outsource to us."

I hate to be the one to deliver the news to Ms. Noyes and anyone else who buys into this, but if the only thing the US has left as an export is our "management" skills, we are in a whole lot of trouble. Think about it. Farming is gone, manufacturing is just about gone. Now engineering is on its way out. What's the point of even going to college anymore? To learn business management?? I am starting to think that if you want job security you should learn a trade right out of high school. Something practical that can't be outsourced as easily. Like being a plumber or an electrician. Or you can go to college, earn a degree in mathematics and end up working at Wal-Mart.

Myopic view of the year

From Boston.com

From where Diane Noyes is sitting, in a modest college cafe near the campus of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, outsourcing is not a threat. She's thought about it, studied it as a member of Tuck's class of 2004, but instead sees the business trend that is sending thousands of American jobs overseas as a mixture of opportunity and necessity, both for her and the US economy.

"Outsourcing may actually work to the advantage of American-trained business students," Noyes, 29, said. "Management is something that developing nations will probably outsource to us."

I hate to be the one to deliver the news to Ms. Noyes and anyone else who buys into this, but if the only thing the US has left as an export is our "management" skills, we are in a whole lot of trouble. Think about it. Farming is gone, manufacturing is just about gone. Now engineering is on its way out. What's the point of even going to college anymore? To learn business management?? I am starting to think that if you want job security you should learn a trade right out of high school. Something practical that can't be outsourced as easily. Like being a plumber or an electrician. Or you can go to college, earn a degree in mathematics and end up working at Wal-Mart.

Tyco to slash 7200 jobs

Thank god GDP is up!! Now companies will finally start hiring. Oh wait a minute. What's this? The beautiful part of this is their CEO is on trial for looting $600 million from the company. These CEOs are absolutely killing us. Everywhere you look, the higher management seems to have their hands deep inside the cookie jar. I am still waiting to see what happens to Kenneth Lay. Remember him? The Enron CEO. Where are the indictments?

Tyco to slash 7200 jobs

Thank god GDP is up!! Now companies will finally start hiring. Oh wait a minute. What's this? The beautiful part of this is their CEO is on trial for looting $600 million from the company. These CEOs are absolutely killing us. Everywhere you look, the higher management seems to have their hands deep inside the cookie jar. I am still waiting to see what happens to Kenneth Lay. Remember him? The Enron CEO. Where are the indictments?

Bad way to start the day

Ever wake up late and wonder why your alarm clock didn't go off? I woke up today about an hour later than my alarm was set for. I checked the alarm and it was on, the volume was up and it was set correctly. What the hell happened? Did I turn it off and fall back asleep? I have no memory of that but that is probably the most likely scenario. Not the best way to start the day off.

Bad way to start the day

Ever wake up late and wonder why your alarm clock didn't go off? I woke up today about an hour later than my alarm was set for. I checked the alarm and it was on, the volume was up and it was set correctly. What the hell happened? Did I turn it off and fall back asleep? I have no memory of that but that is probably the most likely scenario. Not the best way to start the day off.